HALIFAX  A man suspected of murder in Texas and arrested by police in Halifax earlier this week will go before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to determine whether he should be sent back to the United States.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HALIFAX  A man suspected of murder in Texas and arrested by police in Halifax earlier this week will go before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to determine whether he should be sent back to the United States.

Derek Cameron Whisenand was arrested Monday after police were called about a shoplifter at a business in the citys Bayers Lake area.

Derek Whisenand is seen in a handout photo provided July 9, 2019. A man suspected of murder in Texas and arrested by police in Halifax earlier this week will go before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to determine whether he should be sent back to the United States.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Cavalier County Sheriff's Department

He was subsequently turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency, and officials said he remains in custody after a 48-hour detention review before the board on Thursday.

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A spokeswoman for the Immigration and Refugee Board said Whisenand will have a mandatory seven-day detention review hearing Wednesday, and could have an admissibility hearing either then or at a later date on the allegation he is inadmissible to Canada on the grounds of serious criminality outside of Canada.

The 28-year-old, originally from North Dakota, is a suspect in the death of a 78-year-old man in Eastland County, Texas, about 170 kilometres southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

RCMP issued a warning in July stating Whisenand had illegally crossed into Canada near Haskett, Man., during the week of June 24.

He was seen at a Walmart store in Winkler on June 26, and later made his way to Carman. Police believe Whisenand got a ride from Carman to Winnipeg that afternoon and was dropped off at the Juniors restaurant at 785 St Mary's Rd. at about 3:30 p.m.

After that, the trail went cold. RCMP had asked anyone who had given him a ride to come forward.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The U.S. airstrike that killed a prominent Iranian general in Baghdad raises tensions even higher between Tehran and Washington, after months of trading attacks and threats across the wider Middle East.

How Iran will respond remains in question as well, though its supreme leader warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting for those who killed Revolutionary Guard Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani early Friday morning. That could include anything, from challenging U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf, firing ballistic missiles or deploying the asymmetrical proxy forces Iran has cultivated to cover for its long-sanctioned conventional forces.

Soleimanis death is the latest in a series of escalating incidents traces back to President Donald Trumps decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw America from Irans nuclear deal with world powers. However, overall enmity between Iran and the U.S. date back to its 1979 Islamic Revolution, as well as a 1953 U.S.-backed coup in Tehran that cemented the power of its ruling shah over an elected prime minister.

Heres where things stand now:

THE GENERALS KILLING

A U.S. airstrike near Baghdads international airport killed Soleimani, 62, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, and five others. The Defense Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week. Soleimani led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards Quds, or Jerusalem, Force. That included overseeing forces fighting in Syria, as well as militias that targeted U.S. forces in Iraq with deadly bomb attacks after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

MONTHS OF ATTACKS

Citing an unspecified threat from Iran, the White House in May ordered a U.S. aircraft carrier to rush to the Persian Gulf. Soon after, explosions the U.S. blames on Iranian-laid mines targeting oil tankers near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil passes. Iran denied being involved, though it did seize oil tankers in response to one of its tankers being seized off Gibraltar. Iran also shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone. Trump pulled back from retaliating for the attack. Meanwhile, attacks on Saudi Arabias energy industry escalated to a missile-and-drone strike in September temporarily halving its oil production. Israel meanwhile has repeatedly struck Iran-linked targets in Syria in recent years and has warned against any permanent Iranian presence on the frontier. The attacks culminated with American airstrikes hitting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and those militiamen attacking the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

IRANS FALTERING NUCLEAR DEAL

The attacks came after Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw America from Irans nuclear deal with world powers. The 2015 accord saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump re-imposed American sanctions and levied even harsher ones, crippling its crucial oil industry. Iran initially proposed a policy called strategic patience, hoping to wait Trump out. But as Europe largely hasnt been able to offer Tehran a way around American sanctions, Iran has begun taking steps away from the deal. That has included breaking enrichment, stockpile and centrifuge limitations, as well as restarting its program at an underground facility. Tehran appears poised to take a new step away from the deal beginning from Sunday.

IRANS MEANS OF RETALIATION

Irans conventional military force is limited. The backbone of its air power remains pre-revolution American F-4s, F-5s and F-14s, with a mix of other Soviet, French and aging aircraft. That fleet is outgunned by the modern U.S.-supplied fighter jets flown by Israel and the Gulf Arab states. To counter that, Iran has put much of its money toward developing a ballistic missile program operated by the Guard. Iran could fall back on its regional militant allies or proxies to launch an attack, like Iraqi militiamen, Lebanons Hezbollah or Yemens Houthi rebels. The U.S. has blamed car bombs and kidnappings never claimed by Iran on Tehran as well. The Guard also routinely harasses U.S. Navy vessels in Persian Gulf and surrounding waterways, while Iran has surface-to-sea missile batteries along its coast as well.

AMERICAS BROAD MIDEAST PRESENCE

The Persian Gulf hosts a series of major American military installations. The U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, which oversees the region, is based in Bahrain, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia that is home to over 7,000 American troops. Kuwait hosts over 13,000 American troops and the U.S. Armys Central forward headquarters. Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is the largest port of call for the U.S. Navy outside of America. The UAE hosts 5,000 U.S. military personnel, many at Abu Dhabis Al-Dhafra Air Base, where American drones and advanced F-35 jetfighters are stationed. The forward headquarters of the U.S. militarys Central Command is at Qatars sprawling Al-Udeid Air Base, home to some 10,000 American troops. In Oman, the sultanate allows thousands of overflights and hundreds of landings a year, while also granting access to ports and its bases. Meanwhile, U.S. forces are in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

A HISTORY OF ENMITY

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. trace back decades. For Iranians, they point to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that toppled Mohammad Mosaddegh and cemented the power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Pahlavi served as a key U.S. ally for decades after, buying billions of dollars of weapons and allowing America to spy on the Soviet Union from his country. Over time, however, he eliminated all political opposition and seized all power in the country. By 1979, the fatally ill shah fled the country. The 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage crisis soon followed, a history the two countries remain captive to until today.

___

Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
A New Years Day fire that roared through the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department in Alpine destroyed the headquarters, leaving 34 officers and dispatcher to work Friday out of trailers setup nearby as command posts.

We lost everything, police Chief Steven Shallop said Friday. The police department has been wiped out.

No injuries were reported in the fire, which began about 11:45 a.m. in the police department on Alpine Approach Road.

Shortly after the fire began, Dispatcher Cassandra Kinney, who doubles as a security officer, raced up to the second-floor restroom, where she told a woman to evacuate the building, the chief said.

The woman was a bicyclist who had stopped by to use the restroom. She was unaware of the fire, Shallop said.

The fire damaged the offices of the Palisades Park Commission, administrative offices and the municipal court, authorities said.

Luckily, to the extent it was a holiday, there was a lot less traffic in the building than there would have been (on a weekday), Shallop said.

The only other occupants of the building were three police officers who were all on a lunch break when they smelled smoke, Shallop said, adding that the rest of the department had the holiday off.

The three officers followed the smoke to the chiefs office and saw the fire through a pane of glass in the door, Shallop said.

They saw flames shooting up from the floor, he said. The officers grabbed fire extinguishers and broke down the door.

They sprayed the fire with the extinguishers and at one point thought they had doused the flames. But the fire didnt go out, Shallop said.

Fire departments from throughout Bergen County and nearby Rockland County, New York, responded. The New Jersey State Police, Bergen County Sheriffs Office and the county prosecutors arson investigation team also arrived, Shallop said.

Shallop said the preliminary cause of the blaze appears electrical and accidental. The fire apparently started at or near a surge protector where a small refrigerator had been connected, Shallop said.

While the police headquarters will have to be gutted and rebuilt, Shallop said the rest of the building  administration offices and municipal court  appear structurally sound and can possibly be remediated.

Shallop said a fire in the other side of the building in the 1970s left the municipal court with significant damage.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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A police officer attached to the Vermont Police Station was expected to appear in Court yesterday (Thursday), to answer charges of rape and indecent assault. { {more}}





Corporal Derrick Humphrey has been charged with raping a 15-year-old girl on November 24. He is also charged with indecently assaulting another woman on a separate date.





THE VINCENTIAN understands that the charges were laid on Wednesday evening, following investigations carried out by the Sexual Offences Unit (SOU) of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF), into both reports.





Meanwhile, up to press time Wednesday, investigations were ongoing into a report of rape against another police officer.




Today the Democratic National Committee issued this statement on the killing of General Qassem Soleimani by the U.S.:

The attack came amid tensions that started by the US attack on PMF units that killed 28 Iraqi popular forces. A day later, Iraqi people attacked the US embassy in Baghdad. On Wednesday President Donald Trump ordered about 750 US soldiers deployed to the Middle East.  The developments also represent a major downturn in Iraq-US relations that could further undermine US influence in the region and American troops in Iraq and weaken Washingtons hand in its pressure campaign against Iran.  The attack represents a dramatic escalation by the US toward Iran after months of tensions. The tensions take root in Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw the US from Irans nuclear deal with world powers, struck under his predecessor.

Just kidding. That is actually taken from the Iranian mullahs statement on the killing, delivered through their house organ, FARS News. But the mullahs have the Democrats talking points down pretty well.

Meanwhile, this report is satire: Democrats Call For Flags To Be Flown At Half-Mast To Grieve Death Of Soleimani.

At a press conference held on Capitol Hill Friday, mourning Democrat leaders called for flags to be flown half-mast to honor the death of Qasem Soleimani. Flags were spotted flying at half-mast around the country, notably at The Washington Post, The New York Times, and in front of several celebrities homes. The celebrities went out and bought an American flag for the first time just to fly it at half-mast for this important time of grief. The grieving process is painful but necessary, said Rep. Ilhan Omar. As a nation, we need to stop and grieve this great, austere, revered religious scholar. He was one of the good ones.

***

A teary-eyed Barack Obama was also seen solemnly lowering the flag in front of his seaside mansion. To think, this all could have been prevented with a few pallets of cash.  Later, Democrats clarified they meant we should fly the Iranian flag at half-mast, not the offensive and problematic American flag.

Im looking forward to Snopes fact-check.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)- Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington is taking on a new role. He was recently elected as President of the Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys. The association works with lawmakers at the capitol. The prosecutors involved in the association give their expert testimony to lawmakers who are writing bills on new public safety laws.

Sometimes prosecutors involved give advice on laws that need to be repealed, and they also give advice on laws they think need to be brought to Indiana.

Pat Harrington says he is honored to be serving as the president of the association and that he looks forward to helping lawmakers pass laws that will better the state and Tippecanoe County.

"The goal is so we do have good laws that come out of Indianapolis when it comes to public safety, said Pat Harrington, the Tippecanoe County Prosecutor.

Harrington was elected by 91 other prosecutors in the state to be the president of the association.

He will serve as president for a year. He has been active members of the association for 6 years. A list of laws the association will advising lawmakers on is expected to come out next week.
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Uttar Padesh DGP O P Singh on Friday said an explanation was sought from Noida Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna on the leaking out of his purported confidential letter to the state government.

At a hurriedly convened press conference here, the Director General of Police said the SSP has been given 15 days to explain whether he had flouted service rules by leaking out the missive.

Singh said the Inspector General of Meerut Range has been asked to investigate the matter.

The DGP, however, declined to comment on the contents of the leaked letter.

Earlier, Krishna had alleged corruption in the ranks of Uttar Pradesh Police, including serious charges of bribes for postings.

The letter mentions that details of graft had emerged during the investigation of a case in which four people were arrested in Noida on August 23, 2019.

The Noida SSP had sent a report on some "very sensitive cases" related to corruption a month ago to the chief minister's office in Lucknow.

Earlier this week, the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration had announced booking 128 members of three criminal gangs under the stringent UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 and initiated proceedings to attach their properties, in a bid to choke their funding.

The decision was taken on the basis of a report prepared by the Noida police and the accused included kingpins of gangs involved in contract killing, extortion and various contracts relating to private businesses in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 14:51:45|Editor: yhy

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TEHRAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday vowed "severe revenge" after the United States killed Major General Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force, in an air strike in Baghdad, Iranian state TV reported.

Those who shed the blood of General Soleimani and his companions "should await a tough revenge," Khamenei was quoted as saying.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Friday that Soleimani was killed in an airstrike on Baghdad International Airport.
A Syrian living in Istanbul has donated his wedding funds to the people of Idleb, to try and help ease their suffering reports Jisr.

A Syrian man living in Istanbul, Ibrahim Zabibi, announced that he would donate all the money that had been set aside to pay for his wedding to the people of Idleb.

He wrote on his Facebook page: I announced that next Wednesday, I would sign a marriage contract to a woman whom I love  but the matter is grave. This land is our land, the people are our people, the blood is our blood and the wounded are our wounded  we ask our lord and our people to forgive us.

Zabibi noted that he had decided to sign his marriage contract in silence, and said that, As the world is watching us dying in silence, I will donate the full expenses to our people and what remains of our revolution, and for those steadfast and patient, to extend our ancient heritage and our voices, which cry out against oppression without preference or favor.

Zabibi donated the cost of the wedding party to the emergency campaigns carried out by the Ghiras al-Nahda organization.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted, with relation to recent assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force, Trend reports.

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation," Zarif said.

On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force was killed as a result of air strikes at Baghdad Airport.

The Pentagon claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Iranian general. The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Before the strike, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the "game has changed" and it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives.
The police have become a lynch mob.

HARSH MANDER, a human rights activist, who said the authorities in India, emboldened by a new citizenship law, had threatened to seize Muslims property and had turned homes into wastelands.
After reports of stone-pelting at Gurudwara Nankana Sahib and Sikh pilgrims by hundreds of Pakistanis, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has asked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene and ensure the safety of the devotees.

The Minister of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the attack on Sikh pilgrims at Gurudwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan by an angry mob on Friday. Reacting the incident, India called Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans office in Islamabad demanding immediate security for the safety of the standard Indian Sikhs. Reports said the mob was led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, who is also the daughter of the gurdwaras reader.

Before MEA, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh asked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene and ensure the safety and security of the devotees who have been stranded at Gurudwara Nankana Sahib after they were rescued from a mob. Singhs tweet came after an attack by a mob was reported on the pilgrims and the shrine.

Appeal to Imran Khan to immediately intervene that the devotees stranded in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic gurdwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it, Singhs tweet read.

His request was a reaction to news of stone-pelting by hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib gurudwara where founder and first Sikh Guru GuruNanak Dev was born.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former CM of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed his anger on the micro-blogging site Twitter over the mob attack. He requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi have a word with Pakistan PM Imran Khan at earliest.

Condemning the act, Badal said, a mob attacked the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib which is a despicable act. We have to ensure the safety of Sikhs in Pakistan and I trust that the govt will address the issue on priority, said the SAD chief.

Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa also posted a video on twitter tagging Imran Khan to show how the angry mob voiced anti-Sikh slogans outside the gurudwara. Sirsa added such communal incidents may increasing the insecurity in the minds of Sikhs of Pakistan.

LIVE Footage from Nankana Sahib where an angry Muslim mob is outside Gurdwara Sahib and raising anti-Sikh slogans I urge @ImranKhanPTI Ji to take immediate action on such communal incidents that are increasing the insecurity in the minds of Sikhs of Pak@thetribunechd @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/IlxxBjhpO2  Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) January 3, 2020

Pakistan Police too rushed to spot after being informed about the incident by the standard pilgrims.

For all the latest National News, download NewsX App
In December 2019, European Investment Fund and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti reaffirmed their cooperation to boost Italian SMEs, Mid-Caps and startups.

The co-investment deal was signed by EIF and Fondo Italiano dInvestimento, of which CDP is the majority shareholder, to support private equity and debt for SMEs.

Dating back to 2011, the collaboration between the EIF and FII has helped trigger investments of over EUR 1.1 Billion in 22 investment vehicles.

Furthermore, the EIF and CDP, through the Social Impact Italia investment platform, will finance Italys main ethical financing institution, Banca Etica, and the leading microfinance institution, PerMicro. The two operations are the first in Italy to make use of the European Commissions EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI)  Capacity Building. Main objective is to support Banca Etica and PerMicro through the opening of new branches, developing digital tools and investing in human resources, thus strengthening access to finance for those people who do not have access to the traditional banking system.

Both parties also announced the selection of Alberto Chalon as the first business angel in the context of Caravella, the Italian part of the pan-European European Angels Fund (EAF) initiative. This means that Alberto Chalon investments in innovative SMEs in seed phase and early stages will be backed up automatically by the Caravella Fund. Jointly promoted by CDP and EIF in 2018, the Caravella Fund is dedicated to supporting Italian startups and innovative SMEs, through co-investments with Italian business angels.

In the framework of EIF-CDP cooperation, thanks to the recent investment in Eureka! FUND I  Technology Transfer  the target of allocating EUR 200 million through the ITAtech investment platform has been reached ahead of time. The platform, dedicated to financing technology transfer in Italy, was jointly launched three years ago and is managed by the EIF.

FinSMEs

03/01/2020
File photo of the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Mahdi Ghasemi | AFP | Getty Images

Gen. Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport Friday, Iraqi television and three Iraqi officials said. The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, the officials said. Their deaths are a potential turning point in the Middle East and are expected to draw severe retaliation from Iran and the forces it backs in the Middle East against Israel and American interests. The PMF blamed the United States for an attack at Baghdad International Airport Friday. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. or Iran.

A senior Iraqi politician and a high-level security official confirmed to the Associated Press that Soleimani and al-Muhandis were among those killed in the attack. Two militia leaders loyal to Iran also confirmed the deaths, including an official with the Kataeb Hezbollah, which was involved in the attack on the U.S. Embassy this week. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said al-Muhandis had arrived to the airport in a convoy to receive Soleimani whose plane had arrived from either Lebanon or Syria. The airstrike occurred as soon as he descended from the plane to be greeted by al-Muhandis and his companions, killing them all. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject and because they were not authorized to give official statements. The senior politician said Soleimani's body was identified by the ring he wore. Soleimani had been rumored dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad. More recently, rumors circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syria's Aleppo. Earlier Friday, an official with an Iran-backed paramilitary force said that seven people were killed by a missile fired at Baghdad International Airport, blaming the United States.
For neighbors of the dilapidated warehouse at 3855 West St. in Oakland, the trouble started long before flames swept through the building on Dec. 27.

The property had been a thorn for years in the gradually gentrifying Longfellow neighborhood, a swing area of Oakland where Teslas sit in the driveways of big, rambling homes. Nearby residents say theyve held at least three meetings this year about drug dealing and trash piling up near the white cement building, which code enforcement officials had condemned and evacuated twice, in April and November.

To some, its a sign of the citys inability to nurture areas like Longfellow, a north Oakland neighborhood bounded by Adeline Street to the west, Highway 24 to the east and Interstate 580 to the south. Some call it the ugly stepchild of City Councilman Dan Kalbs district, which extends through wealthier hills areas like North Montclair and Upper Rockridge. A day after the fire, someone hung a handmade sign on the chain-link fence that city workers had placed around the building to prevent people from going inside. Dan Kalb: This is your fault! it said.

Others shake their heads and note how bumpy these urban transformations can be. Street improvements and an influx of new wealth wont necessarily lift everyone up. The areas left behind continue to unravel.

Kalb said he shared residents frustrations. He organized a community meeting 10 days before the fire, which the area police captain also attended. They tried to quell a room full of angry neighbors fed up with the citys paralysis in managing blighted properties and street corners.

Theres only so much they can do, the councilman said.

The city cant drive by every red-tagged building twice a day to make sure its still boarded up, he said, adding that hes known about the drug dealing for a number of years.

When structures are red-tagged and deemed unsafe to occupy, Oaklands Fire Prevention Bureau is supposed to drive by once a month to ensure they are secure.

A fire department spokesman did not return phone calls.

A decade ago, Longfellow and other transitional neighborhoods were supposed to be the key to Oaklands renewal. But they seem locked in that evolutionary state: Lawyers and tech workers have moved in and remodeled the old houses, planting lemon trees and setting up patio furniture in the front yards. Kids walk to and from the Oakland Military Institute, a college preparatory school on Lusk Street, less than a block from what neighbors say is an open-air drug market.

On 40th Street, e-scooters zip along a bright green bike lane toward BARTs MacArthur Station. Yet, many blocks have an aesthetic dissonance: rows of brightly painted homes with sloped roofs and bay windows, with an abandoned building or empty lot at the corner.

Its a little rough and tumble, said Will Mollard, a developer who plans to turn a boarded-up laundromat at West and Apgar streets  across the street from the burned warehouse  into townhouses and a live-work space next year. Hes also eyeing 3855 West, which is finally empty after months of cat-and-mouse between the city and the squatters who would get evicted, then move back in.

Mollard trusts the area will eventually grow on its own, as the real estate market picks up and more housing is built. Still, hes been frustrated by the ongoing crime and Oaklands slow response, which he blames on a lack of resources. There is no question that the city is hungry for investment and eager to build housing. Yet it has taken months to get approvals to develop a blighted property, owing largely to city departments being short-staffed, Mollard said.

Oaklands police department is also grappling with vacancies  it now has 739 officers, Kalb said, far short of the 792 budgeted positions. Thus, the police have been overwhelmed by hot spots that smolder and flare around the city  not just in Longfellow, where people are starting to lose patience.

When the warehouse was open, it became a hangout for a drug sale operation, and the conditions started to spiral, said one neighbor, Eric Schkufza. People began peeing and defecating in the street and stashing furniture on the sidewalk, turning it into an ad hoc living room. Broken-down cars littered the road, racking up tickets and warning notices, but never getting towed, neighbors said. Six months ago, Schkufza saw several people back a car into the warehouse lot, saw it into four pieces, and then load it onto a truck.

Down the block, bullet holes had pierced a railing and penetrated the walls of another house. Longfellow residents frequently hear the crackle of gunfire.

Its a complicated issue, said Mariah Cochrane, who was leaning on the balcony of her home on West Street Thursday morning, a block from the burned warehouse. Shed grown familiar with the squatters who said they paid $10 a night to the man who ran the property from day to day. The building owner, Rosetta Shatkin, said in court documents that she gave him permission to live there last year. She filed an unlawful detainer suit to evict him in October.

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.

Some of the building dwellers did odd jobs, like washing cars or painting houses. Others seemed to participate in the drug trade.

I think he felt he was helping people with no place to go, Cochrane said of the former property manager. Nonetheless, she acknowledged the problems that emanated from the building and lingered after the fire. Private security guards were stationed on West Street for several days after the blaze, but people continued loitering outside the fenced warehouse and a mini mart across the street. Cars with tinted windows orbited the blocks.

Neighbors are restless. Several lambasted the police, Kalb, and other city officials for encouraging them to call a drug hot line whenever they saw transactions, rather than permanently dispatching a police car to cruise the area. Kalb said he urged the police captain to send more patrol officers to the area and identify it as a priority hot spot, and that she agreed to do so.

At the last community meeting we came with specific requests, and the answers we got were, Gosh, we dont have a lot of resources. Can you leave some more voicemails for us? said Adam Bier, a Longfellow resident and outspoken critic of Kalb.

Change is clearly afoot. Signs outside the defunct laundromat advertise new housing next year. Bike rental docks and e-scooters are popping up along 40th Street. At BARTs nearby MacArthur Station, a seven-story apartment building with lime green trim hugs the skyline. Many residents emphasize that this isnt a stock gentrification story: The neighborhood is a mix of affluent newcomers, working-class old-timers, and well-integrated Section 8 housing. Everyone wants the crime to go away, Bier said.

As for the burned warehouse?

What happens is largely up to the property owner, Kalb said. But they cant just leave it in a blighted condition.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
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Uttar Pradesh police chief OP Singh said on Friday that a clarification has been sought from Gautam Buddha Nagar SSP Vaibhav Krishna for leaking secret documents to the media. Krishna had mentioned about a report he has prepared against corrupt officials of the state, while slamming a viral video which allegedly shows him.

I have asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Meerut Range Alok Singh to seek explanation from the SSP, said the UP police chief.

At a hurriedly convened press conference in Lucknow, the DGP said that it was wrong for the SSP to release the documents to the media.

SSP Krishna held a press conference on January 1 after an obscene video allegedly featuring him surfaced. The police officer said that the video is doctored and the handiwork of those who are going to be exposed by his report sent to the chief ministers office.

I received the information that my image has been used in some videos which have gone viral. I saw these videos and believe that this is part of a larger conspiracy to tarnish my image. We have recently submitted a detailed report on the investigation of some sensitive cases related to Gautam Buddha Nagar and reports of some other districts have also been submitted to the UP chief ministers office in November. Police has also busted several criminal nexus that were operational in Noida, SSP Krishna said.

We have also worked out serious corruption cases and against organised gangs. It appears some people, disturbed with the police action, have tried to create this doctored videos. The entire incident will be investigated, he had said. Krishna also filed a case in the Sector 20 police station in Noida against unknown people.

On Friday, UP top cop Singh said that SSP Krishna and other officers are being blackmailed by five journalists who were earlier arrested by the police.

Arrested people were blackmailing the officers in the garb of journalism, he said.

Four of those are still in jail while one of them is still at large. In this case, SSP Gautam Buddha Nagar had given his report to the UP home department and we gave a detailed report to ADG Meerut for further enquiry, said Singh. He further added that in the middle of all these developments, a video clip allegedly of SSP chatting with a woman went viral.

When we got to know, we transferred the case to Hapur district for free and fair investigation. We have asked IG Meerut zone to get it investigated. On December 26, ADG Meerut zone requested us for more time to conduct an enquiry. It was alleged these people were taking tenders in an unlawful manner. We arrested two of the people involved. We are still enquiring the case. Many people have been named in these documents. We will complete our investigation soon, he added.

The DGP said that they are taking help of forensic experts and even UP Special Task Force have been roped in to help in the investigation.

Earlier this week, the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration had announced booking 128 members of three criminal gangs under the stringent UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 and initiated proceedings to attach their properties, in a bid to choke their funding.

The decision was taken on the basis of a report prepared by the Noida police and the accused included kingpins of gangs involved in contract killing, extortion and various contracts relating to private businesses in Gautam Buddh Nagar.
French President Emmanuel Macron has urged all parties to avoid any new escalation after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US strike in Iraq, the French presidency said.

In a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Macron said there should be no "new dangerous escalation of tensions" and "called on all the parties to act with restraint," the Elysee said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
One of the six pillars of the Chester County Historic Courthouse on North High Street will shine in blue light on January nights beginning Tuesday evening in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
Bath and Body Works, which recently closed its store inside the Mall of the Bluffs, will open a new location at Metro Crossing in the spring.

Pine Tree, the Metro Crossing developer, confirmed to the Nonpareil Friday that the fragrant bath, body and home products retailer will open the new Council Bluffs location. Bath and Body Works will be located next door -- to the south -- to the soon-to-open Old Navy, which is opening in the former Bed, Bath and Beyond.

The store was among the other Mall of the Bluffs tenants who were told to vacate by the end of 2019 after Menard Inc. purchased the mall property.

Menards spokesman Jeff Abbott said in early December that the Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based company would build a bigger and better store" at the site.
Amit Shah will be in Delhi, JP Nadda will visit households in Ghaziabad, Rajnath Singh in Lucknow, Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur and Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaipur

New Delhi: Top BJP leaders led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit households across the country on 5 January as part of their exercise to contact three crore families in 10 days to mobilise support for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and take on Opposition parties over their campaign against the law.

While Shah will be in the National Capital, party working president JP Nadda will visit households in Ghaziabad, Rajnath Singh in Lucknow, Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur and Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaipur, on the first day of the campaign, BJP general secretary Anil Jain told reporters.

At the press conference, Jain said Indian Muslims have no reason to worry over any citizenship exercise, be it the National Population Register (NPR) or the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and asserted that India's only religion is its Constitution.

He said a nationwide consultation will be held whenever a decision on rolling out the NRC, which is a part of the party's manifesto, is taken but noted that there is no such proposal now.

Asked about concerns among Muslims over the draft of citizenship measures, he said, "As BJP's national general secretary, I can say with full responsibility that no Indian Muslim can have any danger from whatever measures come into place, be it NPR or NRC."

"The Constitution will take care of their concerns. India has only one religion which is its Constitution," Jain said. He accused opposition parties of misleading the minorities by stoking their fears and concerns for political reasons.

The Congress and the BJP's other rivals are inciting "rebellion and anarchy" in the country due to their politics of appeasement, Jain alleged. The persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who are the intended beneficiaries of the Act, have been victims of atrocities in their countries, he said, adding that those opposing it have shown extreme insensitivity. People will be urged to extend their support to CAA by posting social media messages and photographs, Jain said.
In September, a North Carolina man walked into a branch of the $40.8 billion State Employees Credit Union, drew two semi-automatic pistols and held the branch manager hostage.

But Kevin Francis Lailiberte didnt demand cash. Instead, he told the branch manager he was holding him hostage because Lailberte wanted to go to federal prison, according to new court documents filed by federal prosecutors on Dec. 27 in U.S. District Court in Greensboro, N.C.

Lailiberte may get his wish.

A North Carolina federal grand jury indicted Lailberte for possessing a firearm as a felon. Lailiberte had been barred from owning a firearm since his 1991 conviction for manslaughter, for which he was sentenced to ten years in prison.
BJP national working president JP Nadda on Thursday stated that the Congress did not condemn the violence that erupted during the Anti-CAA protests. This implied that they were probably involved in it.

"Congress says they are not behind the violence," said JP Nadda. "If you are not behind it, then so many days have passed, why have you not condemned it?" he questioned while speaking at an event in Vadodra, Gujarat.

Earlier in the day, JP Nadda offered prayers at the Swaminarayan Mandir where the temple saints gave a letter to the BJP leader supporting CAA.

BJP is conducting meetings and holding seminars on CAA. The party also launched a toll-free number on Thursday to garner support from people for its campaigns in favour of the citizenship law.

READ | JP Nadda Slams Congress Over CAA, Holds It Responsible For Partition Of India

BJP's CAA awareness rallies

Amid the protests and links between the CAA and the National Population Register (NPR), BJP has undertaken an outreach program to dispel fake news and myths surrounding the same. This was decided after BJP's top brass met in a high-level meeting chaired by working president JP Nadda.

As per reports, BJP's top leadership including Home Minister and party president Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will take part in the awareness campaigns from January 1 to January 15 this month. The party's first rally to spread awareness about the CAA was carried out on December 27 in Mumbai. Devendra Fadnavis and other leaders were a part of it.

READ | Odisha BJP To Carry Out A Month-long 'Jagjagran' Campaign Over CAA

Protests against CAA

Several violent protests have been erupting across Assam, West Bengal, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh against the newly amended Citizenship Act, following the violence at Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi where over 50 students were detained by police during the protests. The anti-CAA movement has spread to more places like Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pondicherry, Patna and so on.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists, and Christians who fled religious persecution from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

READ | States Passing Anti-CAA Resolutions Are Misleading People: Nadda

READ | BJP To Launch Toll-free Number To Garner Support For CAA

(With inputs from ANI)
A group of women, trans and queer community members on Friday gathered at the Chaityabhoomi in Dadar here against the CAA, NRC and NPR on the occasion of Savitribai Phule's birth anniversary.

A police official said those present included members of the Mahila Atyachar Mukti Sanghatna and a few other organisations.

"We had denied them permission to hold the protest at Chaityabhoomi as it is a religious place," he said.

As a result, the group then gathered near the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Shivaji Park, the official said.

The protesters gave slogans against the CAA and NRC. They carried hoardings and banners against the Act.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jacquelyn Martin

Julian Castro, the former housing secretary who was the only Latino candidate in the Democratic primary, said Thursday he would end his bid for the presidency, capping a yearlong campaign where he struggled in polls but remained a policy pacesetter on immigration and fighting poverty.

Throughout his campaign, Castro, 45, a native of San Antonio who spent five years as its mayor, portrayed himself as an unapologetic liberal who was shaped by his humble beginnings and had been overlooked by the press. Though he created some memorable moments as he championed progressive policy and challenged his rivals, Castro failed to catch on with voters and was unable to break into the upper tier of a crowded primary field.
In 2015 Owen Michaelson was appointed CEO of Harworth Group plc (LON:HWG). This analysis aims first to contrast CEO compensation with other companies that have similar market capitalization. Then we'll look at a snap shot of the business growth. And finally - as a second measure of performance - we will look at the returns shareholders have received over the last few years. This method should give us information to assess how appropriately the company pays the CEO.

Check out our latest analysis for Harworth Group

How Does Owen Michaelson's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies?

According to our data, Harworth Group plc has a market capitalization of UK460m, and paid its CEO total annual compensation worth UK878k over the year to December 2018. While we always look at total compensation first, we note that the salary component is less, at UK309k. We further remind readers that the CEO may face performance requirements to receive the non-salary part of the total compensation. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations from UK304m to UK1.2b, and the median CEO total compensation was UK864k.

So Owen Michaelson is paid around the average of the companies we looked at. While this data point isn't particularly informative alone, it gains more meaning when considered with business performance.

You can see, below, how CEO compensation at Harworth Group has changed over time.

LSE:HWG CEO Compensation, January 3rd 2020

Is Harworth Group plc Growing?

Harworth Group plc has reduced its earnings per share by an average of 3.5% a year, over the last three years (measured with a line of best fit). It achieved revenue growth of 118% over the last year.

Investors should note that, over three years, earnings per share are down. But in contrast the revenue growth is strong, suggesting future potential for earnings growth. These two metric are moving in different directions, so while it's hard to be confident judging performance, we think the stock is worth watching. You might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for future earnings.

Story continues

Has Harworth Group plc Been A Good Investment?

I think that the total shareholder return of 64%, over three years, would leave most Harworth 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...

Owen Michaelson is paid around the same as most CEOs of similar size companies.

While we would like to see improved growth metrics, there is no doubt that the total returns have been great, over the last three years. So considering most shareholders would be happy, we'd say the CEO pay is appropriate. Whatever your view on compensation, you might want to check if insiders are buying or selling Harworth Group shares (free trial).

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Bhangra Paa Le Review: Sloppy Direction And An Even Sloppier Screenplay Makes The Film A Big Hodge-Podge
Hip-hop artist Yungblud has shared extraordinary footage of himself leading fans in chanting 'f*** ScoMo' at his recent show.

The British musician, whose real name Dominic Harrison, moved his show to Melbourne on Thursday night after the Lorne leg of Falls Festival was cancelled due to the extreme bushfire risk.

His show attracted more than 2000 fans who were all seen with their phone lights on and jumping up and down chanting along with the musician.

British musician Yungblud (pictured) has shared footage of himself leading 2000 of his fans in chanting 'f*** ScoMo' at his Melbourne show

He tagged Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the video along with the caption 'Dear Mr Scott Morrison'.

The clip has already attracted more than 13,000 likes and 2,000 retweets.

'I son't know if you'll see this but I just want to say thank you so much. My county is on fire and our own leader couldn't care less but you have done so much, love you,' one Twitter user wrote below the video.

'If we don't do this in Sydney tomorrow I'll riot,' another added.

'Thank you for tonight and helping us get our voices heard... from the youth of Australia we say thank you,' another added.

The clip was posted on Friday morning, the same day the Prime Minister was heckled and verbally abused by angry residents when visiting fire ravaged Cobargo.

The musician, real name Dominic Harrison, tagged Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the video along with the the caption 'Dear Mr Scott Morrison'

A firefighter refused to shake the Prime Minister's hand when he visited the town.

Video footage showed Morrison tried to grab the man's hand, who then got up and walked away, sparking an apology from the prime minister.

A local fire official explained that the man had lost his house while defending others' homes.

Another man blasted Morrison for watching fireworks over Sydney Harbour from his official waterfront mansion, Kirribilli House, while fires raged further south on New Year's Eve.

'You won't be getting any votes down here, buddy. You're an idiot,' the man shouted.

'I don't see Kirribilli burning after the fireworks,' he screamed.

Morrison said on Friday he didn't take the attacks personally.

'I understand the hurt, the anger and the frustration,' he said in an interview on 3AW radio.

'Whether they're angry with me or they're angry about their situation, all I know is that they're hurting and it's my job to be there to try and offer some comfort and support,' he said.
In a complete failure of the Pakistani establishment, around 400 Muslims of Nankana Sahib attacked the revered Gurdwara Nanam Asthana and nearby residences of local Sikhs with stones. The incident took place around 5 PM. The situation in Nankana still remains tense. Till the time this article was published, no arrest was made by the local police. According to sources, protestors are still gathered outside the gurdwara. Sources within the security apparatus say that Pakistani authorities aided this protest and made absolutely no effort to bring the situation under control.

India condemns Nankana Sahib Gurudwara attack, asks Pak govt to ensure safety of Sikhs

Top sources say that there has been a deliberate attempt by Pakistan to stoke fire in Nankana Sahib. Indian political leaders have appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene into the matter.

Pakistan's Nankana Sahib Gurdwara attacked by mob led by forced-conversion accused's kin

TRIGGER POINT

The protest was against the lifting of Mohd. Mustafa with whom Manjeet Kaur, a local Sikh girl had agreed to convert into Islam and enter into wedlock. The attack was led by Mohd. Imran Attari brother of Mohd. Mustafa who is also a member of Ghulam-e- Mustafa, a Majbi Muslim organization.

During the protest, Mohd. Imran said that the name of Nankana Sahib would be converted into Ghulam-e- Mustafa & only Muslims would live in Nankana. He named Mohd. Server Governor Punjab and Brig Aizaz for committing atrocities on his family under pressure of Sikhs. He further said that the Sikh girl is ready to die for Islam.

Yogi Adityanath says, 'After Kartarpur, it will be Nankana Sahib'

Local Muslims were resentful of Sikhs opposition to the alleged forcible conversion of Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur to Islam and her marriage to a Muslim boy. Mohammad Hassan's brother claims that Hassan has been beaten up mercilessly by the authorities for lawfully and consensually marrying the girl. The family claims that the Sikh girl, now known as Ayesha, has refused to convert back despite the pressure.

Jagjit Kaur- forced conversion victim returns home, Sirsa thanks MEA
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 2, 2020) - TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) ("TransCanna" or the "Company") announced today that it has settled outstanding indebtedness in the amount of CDN$255,000 owing to a consultant through the issuance of 300,000 common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.85 per common share (the "Settlement"). The common shares issued in connection with the Settlement are subject to certain restrictions on trading in accordance with applicable securities laws, and are additionally subject to a pooling agreement that restricts trading of the common shares for period of eight months from the date of issuance.

The Company also announces it has granted 200,000 options at an exercise price of CDN$1.18 to a consultant on January 2, 2019. The stock options are being granted pursuant to the terms of the Company's stock option plan and are subject to regulatory approval.

About TransCanna Holdings Inc.

TransCanna Holdings Inc. is a California based, Canadian listed, company building Cannabis focused brands for the California lifestyle, through its wholly-owned California subsidiaries.

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com or email the Company at info@transcanna.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Steve Giblin

President

604-609-6199

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51145
The recent calls from Democratic presidential candidates for a total ban on oil and gas leasing on federal lands would be a death knell for New Mexicos efforts to diversify its energy production and achieve its carbon-free targets by 2045.

Fortunately, New Mexico has already made strides to diversify its energy sources. The Energy Transition Act contains one of the countrys most ambitious renewable energy and zero-carbon electricity standards in the U.S. As part of it, the states energy regulators are charting the course for the closure of the coal-fired San Juan Generating Station signaling the beginning of the end of the states reliance on coal, which has historically counted for up to 30% of the states energy consumption.

Considering renewable energy only makes up less than 10 percent of New Mexicos overall energy consumption, its unrealistic to think we can curtail our reliance on traditional fuel anytime soon; meaning, a total green-energy transition is far into the future. In the meantime, its critical that we continue to develop our natural gas resources and its accompanying infrastructure. These critical funds that make up more than 30 percent of the states budget go towards health, education, and other social programs. Even the Governor has said she would advocate for New Mexicans to Democratic presidential hopefuls on the need for balance.

And balanced energy policy that can shepherd environmental progress while developing our energy resources is just what we need if we want to achieve New Mexicos green energy targets.
Panaji:

Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and late Manohar Parrikar for induction of Rafale jets, BJP working president JP Nadda on Friday said that now the Air Force can target Pakistan without crossing the border. He was speaking at a rally Panaji in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

"As part of several decisions taken on defence procurement, (during Parrikar's tenure as defence minister) we got 36 Rafale fighter jets. Now our Abhinandan would not have to go to Pakistan, he can be in India and attack Pakistan," the BJP leader said.

Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman was held captive for 60 hours in Pakistan after his aircraft was shot down during the India-Pakistan standoff of February 2019.

Nadda accused the UPA government of failing to upgrade India's defence infrastructure.

"Today I offer my tributes to former chief minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar....He has done so much for defence forces under the leadership of Narendra Modi," he said.

"During UPA's ten-year rule, every defence deal was under cloud of suspicion of corruption. May it be helicopter deal, submarine deal....they did not sign any procurement deal for ten years," he said.

He also said that the UPA government could not sort out the issue of One Rank One Pension, which was settled by Parrikar.

"One Rank One Pension was introduced and Rs 20,000 crore were sent to the homes of our soldiers," he said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCs) Quds Force, and architect of its regional security apparatus, has been killed following a US air raid at Baghdads international airport on Friday.

The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani in Iraq, saying the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump and was aimed at deterring future attacks allegedly being planned by Iran.

A three-day national mourning period has been declared in Iran in honour of Soleimani.

Iranian Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid tribute to him as a martyr, and vowed a vigorous revenge is waiting for the criminals.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani echoed the Supreme Leaders threat of revenge, while Foreign Minister Javad Zarif condemned the killing as an act of international terrorism.

The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, Zarif wrote on social media.

Iraqi officials and the state television reported that aside from Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the pre-dawn raid.

Irans IRGC as well as Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias, also confirmed the deaths of Soleimani and al-Muhandis.

The Pentagon said that the killing of Soleimani was carried out at the direction of US President Trump [Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP]

Sources from the PMF earlier told Al Jazeera that the rockets destroyed two vehicles carrying high-profile guests, who had arrived at the Baghdad airport and were being escorted by militia members. Earlier reports said five other people were killed in the raid.

Al Jazeeras Osama Bin Javaid, reporting from Baghdad, said the deaths are a significant turning point in Iraq and the entire Middle East.

He said the region has already been on edge since the US attack on PMF forces near Iraqs border with Syria, and the protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.

This is a major blow on the relationship between the United States and the Iraqi government, bin Javaid said. It is a very precarious situation in which this significant development is taking place.

The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

Trump posted an image of the American flag on social media following the news of Soleimanis death.

US Senator Lindsey Graham, an ally of Trump, said the death of Soleimani is a major blow to Iranian regime that has American blood on its hands.

Meanwhile, US Senator Chris Murphy, an opposition member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that the incident could set off a potential massive regional war.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb said there is no doubt that the US wanted to target Soleimani for a while.

Korb predicted that Iran could retaliate by launching asymmetric type of attacks that do not risk an all-out confrontation with the US.

Iraqi officials and the state television reported that aside from Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the pre-dawn raid [Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP]

Hillary Mann Leverett, a former White House National Security official, said the US killing of Soleimani is a declaration of war on Iran.

Americans throughout the region need to be on guard. We are now in an incredibly dangerous situation. It is an incredibly dangerous course that we are on, Leverett told Al Jazeera.

Killing Soleimani is equivalent to the Iranians assassinating the US defence secretary, or the commander of the US Central Command, she added.

The president has taken this decision without debate in Congress, without any Congressional authority, it is probably an illegal act within the US domestic context.





In Tehran, Soleimanis death sent shockwaves among residents, who were awake when the news was announced, according to Al Jazeeras Dorsa Jabbari, who was reporting from the Iranian capital.

With the news of his assassination, there is a tremendous amount of shock and anger that could follow, not only in Iran but across the Middle East, she said.

His name is synonymous to Iranian national pride, no matter how he has been labelled outside of the country, Jabbari said, adding that hymns of mourning are being played on Iranian radio to mark Soleimanis death.

Witnesses near Baghdad airport earlier told Al Jazeera that they heard sounds of sirens and helicopters in the air following the attack that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis.

The area where the incident took place has been cordoned off, authorities told Al Jazeera, but the international airport remains in operation.

The incident took place near the base of the US-led coalition forces.

The attack occurred amid tensions with the US after an Iran-backed militia and its supporters breached the United Statess Embassy in Baghdad.

The protests at the embassy on New Years Eve was in response to a deadly US air attack that killed 25 forces of the PMF, also known as the Hashd al-Shaabi group.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday announced a hike of Rs 250 to Rs 2,250 in all social security and old-age pensions with effect from this month, putting an additional burden of about Rs 70 crore per month on the state exchequer.

Presently, the social security pensions to 28 lakh beneficiaries cost Rs 514 crore per month to the state government.

Workers above the age of 60 years registered under the building and other construction workers welfare board will also get a raise from Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,750 in their monthly pensions, the chief minister said after a cabinet meeting here.

He said from the forthcoming session, the state reservation policy would be implemented in the post-graduate or MD courses in medical as well as dental colleges in the state.

At present, no such reservation policy is implemented in these institutions for PG courses, Khattar said.

Besides, he said, the candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) would get the benefit of 10 per cent reservation as started by the central government for admission to PG course in the state-run medical and dental colleges and the number of seats would also be increased.

It gave approval for an amendment to the scheme under which acid attack victims are provided financial assistance.

The existing scheme provides financial aide only to those women who were attacked on or after May 2, 2011, and those who have been residing in Haryana for at least three years prior to the date of occurrence, according to a government statement.

After the amendment, every acid attack victim in the state will be eligible for the assistance.

The ex-gratia for the family of a deceased government employee has been enhanced from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh, which was not revised in the last 30 years.

The state cabinet approved the creation of the Citizen Resources Information department, aimed at providing an impetus to the exercise for preparing a common database of people to implement government schemes and delivery through digital medium.

The cabinet also approved the proposal to change the nomenclature of Haryana Film Cell to the Haryana Film Promotion Board.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The past year has seen a remarkable rise in the quality and quantity of deepfakes  realistic-looking images and videos produced with artificial intelligence that portray someone doing or saying something that never actually happened, such as Nixon delivering an alternate moon landing speech . As the tools to produce this synthetic media advance , policymakers are scrambling to address public concerns, and state lawmakers in particular have put forth several proposals this year to respond to deepfakes.One of the top concerns is that deepfakes will be used as part of a misinformation campaign to influence elections. For example, researchers at an MIT conference demonstrated how they could use the technology to create a real-time fake interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response to such concerns, Texas passed a law in September to criminalize publishing and distributing deepfake videos intended to harm a candidate or influence results within 30 days of an election. California passed a law in October that makes it illegal for anyone to intentionally distribute deepfakes intended to deceive voters or harm a candidates reputation within 60 days of an election. The law excludes news broadcasters from its rules, as well as any videos that are made for satire or parody and videos that are clearly labeled as being fake. These laws are good steps toward preventing campaigns from using deepfakes to attack their opponents, but they will do nothing to stop foreign political interference. And some First Amendment activists are concerned these laws might unduly restrict free speech Another major concern is that deepfake technology is used to create pornographic images or videos of individuals  mostly female celebrities  without their consent. In a September 2019 study, Deeptrace , an Amsterdam-based company that detects and tracks deepfakes on the Internet, found 14,678 deepfake videos on popular streaming websites  double the number from December 2018  and discovered that 96 percent of the fake videos involved nonconsensual pornography. These videos are popular, having received approximately 134 million views. So far only one state, California, has passed a law addressing this issue. In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that allows individuals to sue someone who has created a deepfake that makes their likeness appear in pornographic images or videos, even if the content is labeled as fake. The law tries to balance free speech concerns by excluding materials that have legitimate public interest, such as being newsworthy. While this law will provide victims with some recourse, it will not help them if the source of the material is anonymous or out of the states jurisdiction, nor will it stop the distribution of the content.The last major issue lawmakers are grappling with is how to protect the rights of individuals to control the commercial use of their image and identity. Deepfake technology is advancing to the point that performers may have their likeness fully re-created in digital form, allowing their image to be used in projects they have no direct involvement in, even after their death . Celebrities typically charge for commercial use of their likeness, and these rights can be enormously valuable , so many want to ensure that they maintain these rights even with emerging technology. The New York state Legislature considered, but ultimately did not pass, legislation supported by the Screen Actors Guild that would have established a new right of publicity for individuals. In particular, it would have extended this right of publicity to 40 years past an individuals death, and it would have prohibited non-consensual use of a digital replica of an individual without their (or their heirs) consent.Most of these laws generally take the right approach: They make it unlawful to distribute deepfakes with a malicious intent, and they create recourse for those in their state who have been negatively affected by bad actors. However, it is important that lawmakers carefully craft these laws so as not to erode free speech rights or undermine legitimate uses of the technology. As other states consider whether to pursue these types of laws, they should proceed cautiously, recognizing that deepfake technology is changing rapidly. And state laws will only be a first step  websites will also need to take down this content, and the rules for this may need to be decided at the federal level.
Two men, who were deported to Bangladesh in August 2018, but somehow managed to return to India after six months, are now contesting a legal battle in the Delhi High Court seeking citizenship of India.

According to the Central government's affidavit, Mohammad Kalam and Mohammad Salam were deported to Bangladesh in August 2018 after they were found to be illegal migrants. They, however, returned to India after six months using an illegal route.

Twenty-six-year-old Kalam, his minor brother and mother along with Uncle Salam filed a petition in the High Court claiming that they are Indian citizens by birth.

In the plea, Kalam told the court that he was born on January 1, 1994, in Delhi and therefore is a citizen of India. Kalam said that he along with his maternal uncle Salam were taken into illegal custody after being accused of being an illegal migrant and deported to Bangladesh in August 2018.

However, his mother was not deported back to Bangladesh due to her health conditions and his brother was given the benefit of being a minor.

The four petitioners prayed to the court to issue a direction to the government not to treat them as illegal migrants of Bangladesh and to protect all legal rights.

Claiming that they belong to a minority, they sought exemplary damages be awarded to them by the concerned authorities for causing harassment to them.

Kalam also told the High Court that he has Aadhaar Card, Voted ID card, PAN card, documents issued by schools to prove that he is a bonafide citizen of India.

He also told the court that he had a birth certificate issued by North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

Centre Government's counsel Anil Soni and Devesh Dubey have opposed the plea of Mohammad Kalam saying that action taken by the concerned officials of the department was as per procedure and bonafide and the petitioners are not entitled to any relief.

The government told the court that Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) being the civil authority has been repatriating illegal migrants of Bangladesh as per instruction issued by Ministry of Home Affairs.

The government told the court on June 28, 2018, that Kalam and Mohammad Salam, who are Bangladeshi citizens were presented before the Special Task Force in Rohini District in Delhi along with a proposal for initiating deportation proceedings against them as they were illegal migrants.

The Delhi High Court will hear the matter on January 21.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A father and daughter were shot dead during their hunting trip in Walterboro, South Carolina, after being mistaken for deer on New Years Day.

Of all days, ringing in the New Year, something like this happens, the victims brother told T&D. I got a phone call. They said there was a hunting accident in Walterboro. They thought it was my brother and we come to find out it was.

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Four hunters were attempting to move deer, also known as driving deer, near Barracada Road in Walterboro when two hunters were shot after being mistaken for a deer.

The incident happened at around 2:30 p.m. local time, the department said, on the last day of the hunting season in South Carolina.

Colleton County Coroner Richard Harvey later identified the two as 9-year-old Lauren Drawdy and 30-year-old Kim Drawdy.

They were found in the woods behind Drawdys house where he had hunted many times before, the county said.

I was devastated, Benny Drawdy, Kim Drawdys brother told T&D on Thursday. He was reportedly at a New Years Day oyster roast when he heard the news.

I couldnt believe it when I first got the news. I said, It couldnt be.

It broke my heart and I couldnt believe it, a twin brother and now theres only one left.

A friend of the Drawdys family commented: Shocked, just shocked. It should have never happened, should have never happened. How some simple hunting trip can turn into a tragedy is beyond me. I dont know how it could possibly happen.

Autopsies for Kim Drawdy and Lauren will be performed on Sunday and authorities are still investigating the case, the Post and Courier reported.

The father and daughters loved ones started a Facebook fundraiser page on Thursday to raise money for their funeral.

The page stated: Kim Drawdy and his daughter Lauren where both tragically killed in a hunting accident on New Years Day. We are trying to raise money to help with funeral costs for both of these precious souls. Anything helps, and all prayers are appreciated.

SCDNR spokesman David Lucas told the Post and Courier that 16 hunting accidents have occurred in South Carolina last year. Eleven of them involved firearms and two of them were fatal.

Its not a thing that happens a lot, Lucas said. Hunting accidents are rare in general, and fatalities even more so.
Two men were charged Friday with killing a 34-year-old physics specialist while stealing his laptop at a Starbucks coffee shop in a quiet hills neighborhood of Oakland earlier this week.

Byron O.J. Reed Jr., 22, and Javon Eugene Lee, 21, appeared before an Alameda County Superior Court judge on Friday afternoon but did not enter a plea.

Reed faces a count of murder in the course of robbery, Lee faces a count of involuntary manslaughter, and both are charged with second-degree robbery in addition to several special allegations.

The judge ordered Reed back to custody with no bail, and maintained bail for Lee at $255,000. Both men are being held at Santa Rita Jail, and Lee is scheduled to return to court Monday morning to continue his arraignment.

I love you, Reed shouted at his sister, 30-year-old Shaquila Reed, sitting in the gallery as he was led away from the courtroom.

Talking to reporters outside of the courtroom, Shaquila insisted Reed was at her Oakland home with her children during the time of the robbery.

He told me he loved me, it hurt  its not fair, Shaquila said through tears. He was home with my babies like he always is.

In documents filed Friday, prosecutors and police said two people snatched a laptop Tuesday from Shuo Zeng, a 34-year-old Oakland man, while he was at the Starbucks on the 2000 block of Mountain Boulevard in the enclave of Montclair.

The robbers ran outside to a getaway vehicle, authorities said, and when Zeng chased them to retrieve his laptop, a struggle ensued. Reed drove the getaway car, and Lee was positively identified on surveillance video while taking the laptop, investigators said.

Zeng was hit by the getaway vehicle and taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, police 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.

Zeng earned a doctorate in physics in 2015 from Kansas State University, a school spokeswoman confirmed. Online records indicate he worked at a Bay Area tech company.

As a student at Kansas State University, Shuo was well known and very well-liked by everyone in the department; the news of his death is shocking, said Brett DePaola, physics department head and a professor at the school. The world has lost a very bright, friendly and wonderful person.

Oakland police said they arrested Reed and Lee on Wednesday afternoon at 9514 MacArthur Blvd. Reeds home was listed in San Francisco in a document filed Friday. No address was given for Lee.

Both men have previously been convicted in 2017 in San Francisco of second-degree robbery, prosecutors said. Reed was on parole from state prison when he was arrested this week.

Assistant District Attorney Teresa Drenick said the district attorneys office would not comment on the case Friday because it was an ongoing investigation.

Alejandro Serrano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: alejandro.serrano@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @serrano_alej
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday wrote letters to his counterparts in 11 states including Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asking them to consider passing a resolution against the amended Citizenship Act. This came days after the Kerala Assembly recently passed a resolution seeking withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA).

CM Vijayan wrote to letters to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Nitish Kumar of Bihar, where BJP is sharing power with Janata Dal (United).

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"...Kind attention is drawn to the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly on December 31, 2019, expressing its concern regarding the impact the CAA will have on our nation`s secular credentials. The resolution requested the central government to repeal the CAA, 2019. States, which have the opinion that CAA should be repealed can also consider similar steps so that it will be an eye-opener to the proponents of the CAA and the NRC," Vijayan said in the letter.

The Chief Minister said that apprehensions have arisen among large sections of the society consequent to the CAA. "The need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism," he added. Vijayan also said that the activities of the National Population Register (NPR) have stayed in the state.

"Kerala has decided to address the apprehensions about NRC and that preparation of NPR will lead to NRC by staying all activities relating to NPR in the state," he stated. BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao has filed a petition with the Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu seeking to initiate breach of privilege and contempt proceedings against the Kerala Chief Minister after the state Assembly had passed a resolution seeking the withdrawal of CAA.

CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has said that the CAA is not in India`s interest and it should not be implemented. "Kerala government or any other government in the country is elected government. Every Assembly has its set of rules... Our opinion is very clear that this is not in India`s interest and it should not be implemented," Yechury told reporters here when asked about Kerala Assembly`s resolution against the Citizenship law. "Their own concept of a Hindu Rashtra needs a unitary state structure. The slogan of Hindu, Hindi and Hindustan is a unitary state. They don`t accept federalism and diversity," he added.

Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan termed Governor Arif Mohammad Khan`s statement on Assembly`s resolution against the amended Citizenship law as "unfortunate" and said that the new Act is "unconstitutional". "It is unfortunate. We didn`t cross our limit or constitutional obligations. We have the right to uphold values of Constitution," Sreeramakrishnan told reporters here while commenting on Governor`s statement that aid the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act has "no legal or constitutional validity".

Calling the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 a "violation" of Article 14 and 15 of Indian Constitution, the Speaker alleged that the Central government violated and said the new law is discriminatory. BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao has filed a petition with the Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu seeking to initiate breach of privilege and contempt proceedings against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after the state Assembly passed a resolution seeking CAA withdrawal.

When asked about Rao`s petition, Sreeramakrishnan said: "It will not stand. Nobody can bring a privilege motion against something taking place in another Assembly."

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.
(Natural News) Driving an electric vehicle around town is a source of pride for many climate fanatics whove convinced themselves that this green choice in transportation makes them the second coming of some kind of climate christ. But little do many of these virtue signalers realize that flaunting around in a Tesla or Prius actually signals that youre completely oblivious to the human rights abuses that had to occur so you could pretend to save the planet.

Every electric vehicle out there contains a high-capacity battery inside it that more than likely contains cobalt, a somewhat rare-earth mineral that typically comes from one of two countries: Australia or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). And in reality, most cobalt comes from the DRC, where its dirt cheap thanks to child slave labor.

As it turns out, its super affordable for car manufacturers to pay underage children $9 per day on good days, according to one child cobalt laborer in the DRC, than to pay the higher wages that Australian cobalt workers typically receive. Thus, most green vehicles are built on the backs of these child laborers in the DRC, many of which are seriously injured or killed while working in these dangerous conditions.

Smartphone owners are equally as guilty of having their lives made more convenient and tech-savvy by cheap slave labor far from Americas shores. Anything that runs on a lithium-ion battery, which is most electronics these days, probably came from metals that were strip-mined by little kids in Africa.

Our luxuries are necessarily someone elses sacrifice  and sometimes that sacrifice is the ultimate one, explains Zero Hedge. The EV and electronics revolutions have come at a steep human cost: a boom in child labor in the DRC as child cobalt miners offer battery makers and Big Tech cheap labor.

International Rights Advocates is suing Tesla, Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and Alphabet (Google) for committing human rights violations

In years past, plaintiffs have unsuccessfully tried to sue cobalt miners like Glencore that are known to be committing these atrocities in the DRC. So now theyre going after the end users of all this cobalt, including Tesla, Apple, Dell, Microsoft, and Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

On behalf of 13 families whose children died or were seriously injured while mining cobalt for Big Tech, the group International Rights Advocates (IRA) is seeking damages not just from Tesla and the like, but also from Glencore and a Chinese cobalt mining company known as Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, as well as other major car manufacturers like Volkswagen, Ford, Volvo and Fiat Chrysler.

This lawsuit combined with growing media coverage about cobalt child slave labor could have the effect of driving companies that use cobalt in their products to voluntarily join initiatives like the Responsible Sourcing Blockchain Network that supposedly aim to eliminate child slave labor from the supply chain.

The Responsible Sourcing Blockchain Network is going to help us focus on the problems and give us enough visibility, which we could not do in the past, says Sai Yadati of IBM, which will reportedly power this blockchain network.

It all sounds nice, but will it actually help children? Or will it merely increase the costs of doing business while allowing companies to put a pretty little stamp of authenticity on their cobalt strip-mined products? Time will tell, we suppose.

Keep in mind that the DRC is by far the largest known source of cobalt in the world, clocking in at around 3.4 million tons. The second-largest cobalt reserves are said to be in Australia at around 1.2 million tons.

For more related news about metals mining, be sure to check out Metals.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
The larvae of screwworm flies eat flesh of a living animal or sometimes, even human. (Photo : Flickr)

Millions of flies were produced weekly by this fly breeding facility at the east of the Panama Canal. And the said establishment is jointly operated by the Panamanian and United States government.

But before you start making conspiracy theory against the government, you need to know immediately that this is practiced is a scientifically proven method of controlling the population of pests that bring million dollars worth of damages annually.

Killing the population by breeding more?

These larvae that dine on milk, eggs and cow blood are not the babies of your typical houseflies. They will soon grow up to New World screwworm flies. These larvae are flesh-eaters, and it has brought so much horror to the world that taxonomists called it Cochliomyia hominivorax -- which can be roughly translated as "eater of man".

And to combat the destruction these flies brought, these flies were rendered sterile through exposing them to radiation.

Female flies mate only once throughout their lifespan, so if they mate with a sterile male, there will be no new larvae, says Pamela Phillips, technical director of the USDA's Screwworm Program.

This technique is known as "sterile insect technique" and has been proven to be effective. For instance, the same method was done in Unguja Island in Zanzibar to eradicate tsetse flies, an ancient insect which can cause sleeping sickness to humans.

Screwworm fly outbreak used to be a problem in the US before it was eradicated in 1966 for using the same technique. The US Department of Agriculture considered this as one of the most successful "entomological success stories of all time".

Saving an endangered deer species

Unfortunately, outbreaks still happen sometimes, and this is why the facility continued its operation, with the recent one happening in 2016 which almost pushed an endangered deer species to extinction.

To win a female's heart, male Key deer fight with each other which result in multiple wounds especially on the head, neck and shoulder. And during the summer of 2016, these injuries became infected with screwworm larvae.

Jon Wallace of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), who oversaw the crisis, described this scenario as "pretty darn horrific". He even confessed that they had no choice but to euthanize deer to prevent the offspring from being infected and worsening the problem.

By combining the anti-parasitic medication and the sterile flies from Panama, the screwworms were extinguished, and the Key deer became free from infection.

Wallace also boasted that no fawn or mother dear died from the incidence.

Enrique Samudio, general director for the Panamanian Ministry of Agriculture, said that the country has a lot of pride in the program especially since it is "unique in the world".

Up to this date, scientists release sterile screwworms weekly to maintain the progress. They specifically picked male species only so to overwhelm the wild and decrease the available female flies for fertile male ones.

Screwworm flies were at least three times bigger than standard houseflies. They have shiny blue exterior and are reported to capable of laying eggs on a wound as small as tick bites.

Before the sterile technique was officially conducted, the livestock industry suffers from lost up to $20 million yearly.

ALSO READ: House Flies May Carry Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Found in Waste
Recent events in Iraq have revealed the weakness of the American position in the Middle East and their desperate attempts to strengthen their hand writes Al-Watan.

The protests in Iraq, which reached the doors of the American embassy in the capital Baghdad, were spontaneous and expressed popular demands and angeror they were fabricated and directed within the broader American plan for Iraq and Syria. They were not out of context amid the increasing American submersion in the Iraqi quagmire, which has led Washington to stumble in the Middle East amid the continuous advances on the ground achieved by Damascus, Moscow and Iran in Syria.

Washington knows well that its ability to influence the Syrian issue on the ground has become limited, especially with the various factors that have recently become prominentforemost, the increasing Turkish-American rupture and Ankaras decision to prohibit Washington from using its military bases to carry out operations in Syria and Iraq because of the divisions between the two sides in Syria and Libya.

It appears that the movement that recently appeared on the Iraqi street reached a level of chaos that has slipped outside Americas control, as protesters reached the American embassy in Baghdad and stormed its main gates as a result of the recent aggression against the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces and the joy expressed by the Israeli occupation and its leaders at this strike.

However there is another possibility, which is that what happened at the American embassy in Baghdad was a planned event. The American embassy in Iraq is the most heavily protected site in Iraq and is equipped with fortifications, technology, and thousands of soldiers and security employees, even including runway strips, making it more like a military base than it is an embassy with pure diplomatic functions. Therefore, the fact that the protesters reached the embassy in these numbers may cause surprise.

Washington either fabricated or allowed the arrival of the protesters to its embassy building to justify sending thousands more American troops to the region, with this scenario bolstered by the Russian-Turkish rapprochement. The Chinese-Russian military exercises in cooperation with Iran in the Arab Gulf and the Arabian Sea may have had an even larger role in speeding up the execution of a farce that allows Washington to transport more American forces to the Middle East. This is a decision Washington hurried to take directly after the storming of its embassy in Baghdad.

The maneuvers, which appeared to be tactical, were enough to spark the terror of Washington, which is faltering in the Middle Eastespecially given that these maneuvers serve as an announcement of the beginning of the end of Americas decaying influence in the region to the advantage of emerging Russian influence, backed by Chinese influence and Irans regional role. The warnings of Samuel Huntington in his book The Clash of Civilizations is coming close to being realizedhe had warned the West against Chinese and Islamic civilizations allying, with Persian Iran acting as one of its main components.

In addition to all of the above, there is what has recently been revealed about the American plot called The Deal of the Century, to redraw the map of the Middle East in accordance with the American-Israeli vision, giving the occupying entity more of the Arab lands occupied in 1967 and resettling Palestinian refugees while reorganizing the region by making new cantons that help Washington govern the region from afar without direct military costs.

Certainly with all of this, Washington realized and came close to deciding that its presence in Syria would not last in the long or even medium term and that a national popular resistance against it was close to being formed, which recently has became clear, with the meeting in Tehran between Ali Akbar Velayati and Supreme Guide Khamenei when he received a tribal delegation from Syria serving as an important indicator of that.

America is faltering in the Middle East and is trying to avoid a total collapse. It will continue to plot and conspire with the forces of the region, hoping that this will turn its faltering into stability, but in truth, this will only accelerate Americas fall.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
A look at the events leading to the US killing of Irans Qassem Soleimani and the escalation that followed.

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated dramatically last week after US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.

The attack at the Baghdad International Airport also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly pledged to take severe revenge for Soleimanis assassination.

Trump and US officials have defended the move, saying it was self-defence.

On Wednesday, Iran fired more than a dozen missiles at two Iraqi bases that house US forces. US and Iraqi officials said there were no casualties.

Heres a look at the key events have led to the current situation:

2018

US withdraws from Iran nuclear deal

Trump made good on an election campaign promise, announcing on May 8 that the US was withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action (JCPOA).

I made clear that if the deal could not be fixed, the United States would no longer be a party to the agreement, Trump said at the time. The Iran deal is defective at its core.

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The JCPOA had tightly restricted Irans nuclear programme in return for ending sanctions that had severely damaged its economy.

In response, Iran called Trumps decision unacceptable and said it would bypass Washington and negotiate with the deals other remaining signatories: France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia and China.





US sets outs tough demands

The US on May 21 demanded Iran make sweeping changes  from dropping its nuclear programme to pulling out of the Syrian war  or face severe economic sanctions.

The Trump administrations 12 demands, which were outlined by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, were rejected by Tehran.

First round of sanctions

The US on August 7 reimposed the first round of sanctions on Iran, originally lifted as part of the nuclear deal.

They prohibited trade with a number of business sectors  from aviation and carpets to pistachios and gold.

Second round of sanctions

On November 5, the US announced a new round of sanctions, this time specifically targeting the key oil and banking sectors.

2019

Foreign terrorist organisation

On April 8, Trump announced he was designating a powerful arm of the Iranian military, the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organisation.

It was the first time Washington formally labelled another countrys military a terrorist group.

The designation imposed wide-ranging economic and travel sanctions on the IRGC that went into effect on April 15.

Responding to the move, Iran immediately declared the US a state sponsor of terrorism and called Washingtons forces in the region terrorist groups.

Irans Revolutionary Guard troops march in a military parade just outside Tehran, Iran [File: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP]

US sends aircraft carrier to the Middle East

On May 5, Trumps then-National Security Adviser John Bolton announced the US was sending an aircraft carrier strike group and Air Force bombers to the Middle East in response to a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings.

The United States is not seeking war with the Iranian regime, but we are fully prepared to respond to any attack, whether by proxy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or regular Iranian forces, Bolton said at the time.

More sanctions

On May 8, Iran said it was preparing to increase enriched uranium and heavy water production as part of its decision to stop certain commitments made under the nuclear deal.

A year after Washington withdrew from the deal and later reimposed sanctions on Tehran, Trump announced new measures against Irans steel and mining sectors.

Starting today, Iran does not keep its enriched uranium and produced heavy water limited. The EU/E3+2 will face Iran's further actions if they can not fulfill their obligations within the next 60 days and secure Iran's interests. Win-Win conditions will be accepted.  Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) May 8, 2019

Tankers  subjected to sabotage operations

On May 12, the United Arab Emirates said four commercial ships off the coast of Fujairah, one of the worlds largest bunkering hubs, were subjected to sabotage operations.

Officials identified the damaged ships as the Saudi oil tankers Al-Marzoqah and Amjad, the Norwegian tanker Andrea Victory, and a UAE bunkering barge, the A Michel.

Fujairah is the only Emirati terminal located on the Arabian Sea, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz through which most Gulf oil exports pass.

Iran, which has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait in case of a military confrontation with the US, called the incidents alarming and regrettable.





Houthis attack oil pipeline

Yemens Houthi rebels, who were locked in a long-running war with a Saudi-UAE-led military coalition, launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabia on May 14, striking a major oil pipeline and taking it out of service.

Two days later, Riyadh, a key US ally, blamed Iran for the attack.

The US and Saudi Arabia accused Iran of arming the Houthis, but Tehran denied the claim.

Never threaten the US

On May 19, a rocket landed near the US embassy in Baghdad. No one was harmed.

It was not clear who is behind the attack, but Trump tweeted at the time: If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!

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

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif responded by saying Trump had been goaded into genocidal taunts.

Goaded by #B_Team, @realdonaldTrump hopes to achieve what Alexander, Genghis & other aggressors failed to do. Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. #EconomicTerrorism & genocidal taunts won't "end Iran". #NeverThreatenAnIranian. Try respectit works!  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) May 20, 2019

After meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who offered to broker dialogue between Washington and Tehran, Trump said on May 27 the US was not looking for regime change in Iran.





Shinzo Abe in Tehran

On June 12, Abe arrived in Tehran in a bid to mediate between the US and Iran.

A day later, he met Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who told him: I dont consider Trump as a person worthy of exchanging messages with. I have no response for him and will not answer him.





New shipping incident

On June 13, with Abe still in Iran, a Japanese tanker and a Norwegian one came under attack in the Gulf of Oman, according to the Norwegian maritime authority and the Japanese shipowner.

The US Fifth Fleet said it received two separate distress calls from the tankers in a reported attack.

Iran spoke initially of accidents and said it rescued 44 crew members. Zarif called tanker attacks during Abes visit suspicious.

More US troops in the region

On June 17, the Pentagon authorised the deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East.

On the same date, Iran said it was 10 days away from surpassing the limits set by the nuclear deal on its stockpile of low-enriched uranium.

Iran said it could reverse the move if the deals European signatories step in and make an effort to circumvent US sanctions.

US drone is shot down

On June 20, Iranian forces shot down a US military drone.

Both countries confirmed the incident but offer diverging accounts about the location of the aircraft.

The US said it was flying above international waters, while Iran said the drone was flying in Iranian airspace.





Trump says he has called off an attack

On June 21, Trump said he called off a military strike on Iran the night before, which was intended as retaliation against Tehran for the downing of the unmanned US drone.

Trump said he did so 10 minutes before the planned attack because of potential casualties, saying it was not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone.

Trump said a US strike could have killed 150 people, and signalled he was open to talks with Tehran.

.proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone. I am in no hurry, our Military is rebuilt, new, and ready to go, by far the best in the world. Sanctions are biting & more added last night. Iran can NEVER have Nuclear Weapons, not against the USA, and not against the WORLD!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2019

Iran to confront and threat

On June 22, Iran said it was ready to respond firmly to any US threat against it.

We will not allow any violation against Irans borders. Iran will firmly confront any aggression or threat by America, said Abbas Mousavi, foreign ministry spokesman.

On the same day, Iran ordered the execution of a defence ministry contractor convicted of spying for the US Central Intelligence Agency, while the US vowed to impose fresh sanctions, adding that military action was still on the table.

New US sanctions

On June 25, Trump signed an order targeting Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, and associates with additional financial sanctions

Sanctions imposed through the executive order  will deny the supreme leader and the supreme leaders office, and those closely affiliated with him and the office, access to key financial resources and support, the US president said.

Responding to the announcement, Zarif, the Iranian foreign minister, tweeted that hawkish politicians close to Trump were thirsty for war rather than diplomacy.

.@realDonaldTrump is 100% right that the US military has no business in the Persian Gulf. Removal of its forces is fully in line with interests of US and the world. But it's now clear that the #B_Team is not concerned with US intereststhey despise diplomacy, and thirst for war.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) June 24, 2019

Rouhani dismissed the sanctions as outrageous and idiotic, adding that Tehrans strategic patience should not be mistaken for fear.

US deploys F-22 stealth fighters

On June 29, the US Air Forces Central Command said in a statement that F-22 Raptor stealth fighters were being deployed in the region to defend American forces and interests.

Tehran exceeds uranium limit

On July 1, Iran exceeded the limit on the amount of enriched uranium in its stockpile set out in the nuclear deal.

The United Nationss atomic watchdog confirmed that its inspectors had verified the 300kg cap had been breached.

Zarif said the accumulation of more enriched uranium than permitted under the deal was not a violation of the pact.

Tanker carrying Iranian oil stopped

On July 4, British Royal Marines, police and customs agents in Gibraltar seized a supertanker accused of carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria in breach of European Union sanctions.

The Grace 1 vessel was boarded on Thursday when it slowed down in a designated area used by shipping agencies to ferry goods to ships in the UK territory along Spains southern coast.

Iran passes new nuclear deal limit

On July 8, Iran passed the uranium enrichment cap set in the nuclear deal, the second time in a week that it made good on a promise to reduce compliance with the accord.





Captain of Iranian vessel arrested

On July 12, police in Gilbratar arrested the captain and chief officer of an Iranian tanker that was seized by British forces the previous week.

Iran seizes British oil tanker

On July 19, the IRGC said its forces seized a British oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Stena Impero tanker was confiscated by the Revolutionary Guards at the request of Hormozgan Ports and Maritime Organisation when passing through the Strait of Hormuz, for failing to respect international maritime rules, the force said in its official website at the time.

British navy to escort all UK vessels in Strait of Hormuz

On July 25, the UK announced the countrys warships would escort all British-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a change in policy that took place amid rising tensions in the Gulf.

HMS Montrose, a British frigate, was tasked to sail alongside the ships for protection.

Freedom of navigation is crucial for the global trading system and world economy, and we will do all we can to defend it, a UK government spokesperson said.

US sanctions Zarif

On August 1, the US imposed sanctions on Zarif for acting on behalf of Khamenei.

Javad Zarif implements the reckless agenda of Irans Supreme Leader, and is the regimes primary spokesperson around the world, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement at the time.

Zarif brushed off the move on Twitter, saying it indicates Washington saw him as a threat.

It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interest outside of Iran, he said.

The US' reason for designating me is that I am Iran's "primary spokesperson around the world"

Is the truth really that painful?

It has no effect on me or my family, as I have no property or interests outside of Iran.

Thank you for considering me such a huge threat to your agenda.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) July 31, 2019

Seized Iranian tanker free to sail

On August 15, Gibraltars Supreme Court ruled that the Grace 1 was free to sail, just hours after the US made a last-minute attempt to keep the vessel under detention.





Iran unveils new missile defence system

On August 23, Rouhani inducted a locally built air-defence system into the countrys missile defence network at an unveiling ceremony in Tehran.

Iran began production after the purchase of Russias S-300 system was suspended in 2010 due to international sanctions that have barred it from importing many weapons.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rouhani said the mobile surface-to-air system was better than S-300 and close to [more advanced] S-400.





Zarif meets Macron

On August 26, Irans top diplomat held talks with Frances President Emmanuel Macron at the sidelines of a G7 summit following a surprise invite to the gathering in Biarritz.

Irans active diplomacy in pursuit of constructive engagement continues, Zarif said. Road ahead is difficult. But worth trying.

On the same day, Iran said it sold 2.1m barrels of crude oil on board the tanker that was seized in Gibraltar the previous month, adding that the vessels new owner will decide on its next destination.

Iran further exceeds nuclear-deal limits

On August 30, the UN said Iran was still exceeding limitations set by its nuclear deal with world powers, increasing its stock of enriched uranium and refining it to a greater purity than allowed in the agreement.

The quarterly report from the UNs International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed Iran was progressively backing out of the pact in retaliation for the USs withdrawal from the accord and the subsequent renewal of sanctions that had hit Iranian oil sales.

Sanctions on Irans space agencies

On September 3, the US imposed sanctions on Irans civilian space agency and two research organisations, saying they were being used to advance Tehrans ballistic missile programme.

The measures imposed by the US Department of the Treasury targeted the Iran Space Agency, Iran Space Research Center and the Astronautics Research Institute.

The United States will not allow Iran to use its space launch program as cover to advance its ballistic missile programs, said US Secretary of State Pompeo.

US intensifies pressure

On September 4, the US turned up the economic pressure on Iran, blacklisting an oil shipping network that Washington alleges is directed by the IRGC.

The US Treasury accused the blacklisted group of firms, ships and individuals of breaching sanctions by supplying Syria with oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, said it would not accommodate a proposal by France to throw a financial lifeline to Tehran.

US offers money to captain of Iranian tanker

The US offered several million dollars to the Indian captain of an Iranian oil tanker suspected of heading to Syria, the State Department confirms.

The Financial Times reported on September 5 that Brian Hook, the State Department point man on Iran, had sent emails to captain Akhilesh Kumar in which he offered good news of millions in US cash for the captain to live comfortably if he steered the Adrian Darya 1, formerly known as Grace 1, to a country where it could be seized.

Iran activates advanced centrifuges

On September 7, Iran started injecting gas into advanced centrifuges to increase its stockpile of enriched uranium and warned that time was running out for the nuclear deals other signatories to save the landmark pact.

Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi said Irans Atomic Energy Organisation started up advanced centrifuges at the enrichment facility in Natanz, the third step by Tehran in scaling back its commitments under the crumbling pact following Washingtons withdrawal.

Bolton fired over Iran

Trump on September 10 announced via Twitter that he had fired Bolton, his national security adviser, saying he had strongly disagreed with many of his hawkish positions.

Boltons sacking was reportedly linked to a fundamental disagreement over the possible easing of US sanctions on Iran.

Taking aim at Bolton, Iran said the US should distance itself from warmongers.

Iran rejects accusation over Aramco attack

On September 14, Yemens Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for drone attacks on two major Saudi Aramco oil facilities: Abqaiq  the worlds largest oil processing plant  and the Khurais oilfield, in eastern Saudi Arabia. The pre-dawn strikes knocked out more than half of crude output from the worlds top exporter.

Pompeo swiftly blamed Iran, saying it has now launched an unprecedented attack on the worlds energy supply.

There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen, Pompeo said on Twitter, referring to the Houthiss claim of responsibility. He does not provide any evidence to support his claim.

Iran dismissed the meaningless US allegations, saying they were meant to justify actions against the country.

Trump lashes out at Iran at UNGA

Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, Trump on September 24 lashed out at Iran and called on countries around the world to tighten the economic noose around it.

One of the greatest security threats facing peace-loving nations today is the repressive regime in Iran, he said.

The regimes record of death and destruction is well known to us all. Not only is Iran the worlds number one state sponsor of terrorism, but Irans leaders are fuelling the tragic wars in both Syria and Yemen, and at the same time the regime is squandering the nations wealth and future in a fanatical quest for nuclear weapons.

US sanctions on Khameneis inner circle

The US on November 4 imposed new sanctions on the inner circle of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, including one of his sons.

The US Treasury said that the nine people sanctioned included Khameneis chief of staff, the head of the judiciary and senior military figures. It said it also blacklisted Irans Armed Forces General Staff.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking during Friday prayers in Tehran [File: Morteza Nikoubazl/Reuters]

Irans foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi described the sanctions a sign of the desperation and inability of this regime in benefiting from a diplomatic and logical approach to important international issues, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Iran begins fuelling centrifuges

Iran on November 6, began the process of injecting uranium gas into centrifuges at the underground Fordow facility.

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, told state television that the agency has delivered 2,000kg (4,400 pounds) of uranium or UF6 to the Fordow plant, under the supervision of UN inspectors.

Operation to protect Gulf waters

A US-led naval coalition officially launched operations in Bahrain on November 7 to protect shipping in the troubled waters of the Gulf, following a string of attacks that Washington and its allies blamed on Iran.

Iran, which denied any responsibility for the mystery attacks, put forward its own proposals for boosting Gulf security that pointedly excluded outside powers.

Nuclear breakout

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo accused Iran on November 7 of preparing a rapid nuclear breakout.

Irans plans to increase its nuclear activity at Fordow raise concerns that Iran is positioning itself for a rapid nuclear breakout. It is now time for all nations to reject its nuclear extortion and increase pressure.  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) November 7, 2019

Iran downs foreign drone

Irans state news agency IRNA says air defence forces shot down an unknown drone on November 8.

The United States Central Command released a statement later that Friday saying that the downed drone was not one of theirs, and that all military drones were accounted for.

Alleged reports of a U.S. drone being shot down are incorrect. If a UAS had gone down in the CENTCOM AOR it was not a #DoD asset. All U.S. equipment has been accounted for.  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 8, 2019

Alleged reports of a US drone being shot down are incorrect. If a UAS had gone down in the CENTCOM AOR it was not a DoD asset, US Central Command said in a post on Twitter.

Unrest erupts

Unrest in Iran erupted on November 15 after the government abruptly raised fuel prices by as much as 300 percent.

The unrest spread to more than 100 Iranian cities and towns and turned political as young and working-class protesters demanded that religious leaders step down.

The death toll of the unrest varied. The opposition said at least 631 people were killed, while Amnesty International put the figure at more than 300. Both numbers were dismissed by Iranian authorities.

US sanctions on Irans information minister

The US on November 22 imposed sanctions on Irans communications minister Mohammad Javad Azari-Jahromi for his role in widespread censorship.

Irans leaders know that a free and open internet exposes their illegitimacy, so they seek to censor internet access to quell anti-regime protests, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

US Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin taking questions from the press on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC [File: Sarah Silbiger/Reuters]

We are sanctioning Irans Minister of Information and Communications Technology for restricting internet access, including to popular messaging applications that help tens of millions of Iranians stay connected to each other and the outside world, he added.

Iran guard chief

Addressing thousands of demonstrators in the capital, General Hossein Salami on November 25 accused the US, the United Kingdom, Iraq and Saudi Arabia of stoking unrest in the country.

We have shown restraint  we have shown patience towards the hostile moves of America, the Zionist regime [Israel] and Saudi Arabia against the Islamic Republic of Iran  but we will destroy them if they cross our red lines, he said.

Eight with links to CIA arrested

The official news agency IRNA reported on November 27 that Iranian security agents arrested at least eight people linked to the CIA during deadly unrest over petrol price increases.

These elements had received CIA-funded training in various countries under the cover of becoming citizen-journalists, IRNA quoted the intelligence ministry as saying. Six were arrested while attending the riots and carrying out [CIA] orders and two while trying to  send information abroad.

Pentagon denies considering more troops

The Pentagon on December 4 denied a report that the US was weighing sending up to 14,000 more troops to the Middle East to confront a perceived threat from Iran.

The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that the possible deployment would include dozens more ships and double the number of troops added to the US forces in the region.

Warship seized

A US Navy warship seized advanced missile parts on December 4 believed to be linked to Iran from a boat it had stopped in the Arabian Sea.

In a statement, the Pentagon said a US warship found advanced missile components on a stateless vessel and an initial investigation indicated the parts were of Iranian origin.

Prisoner swap

In a rare act of cooperation, Iran and the US on December 7 exchanged prisoners.

Xiyue Wang, a Chinese-born US citizen held in Iran since 2016, was exchanged for Massoud Soleimani, an Iranian scientist detained in the US.

The swap was facilitated by the Swiss government.

US Ambassador to Switzerland Edward McMullen greets Xiyue Wang in Zurich, Switzerland [File: Handout via Reuters]

Budget of resistance

On December 8, Irans President Hassan Rouhani announced a $39bn budget of resistance to counter US sanctions.

Rouhani said the aim was to reduce hardships to help Irans people overcome economic difficulties.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaking at a news conference in the United Nations General Assembly in New York [File: Brendan McDermid/Reuters]

Contrary to what the Americans thought, that with the pressure of sanctions our countrys economy would encounter problems, thank God we have chosen the correct path  and we are moving forward, he said.

The budget included a 15 percent wage increase for public-sector employees.

Sanctions on Irans biggest airline

On December 11, the US Treasury imposed new sanctions on Irans biggest airline and its shipping industry, accusing them of transporting lethal aid to Yemen.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington targeted three general sales agents of Mahan Air over the role the airline has allegedly played in the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Also blacklisted was an Iranian shipping network that the US accused of involvement in smuggling aid from Iran to Yemen on behalf of armed groups.

Visa restrictions on Iranian officials

On December 19, the US announced that it would restrict visas for Iranian officials for their alleged roles in suppressing peaceful protests and imposed sanctions on two Iranian judges.

The sanctions imposed by the Treasury froze any assets the two judges have in the US, and barred US citizens from dealing with them.

US contractor killed

On December 27, a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk killed a US contractor and wounded several US service members and Iraqi personnel.

In its statement confirming the attack, the US-led coalition against ISIL (the ISIS group) did not specify who might be responsible, but US officials later blamed Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, for the attack.

US targets militia sites

Two days later  on December 29  the US military carried out defensive strikes on sites in Iraq and Syria belonging to Kataib Hezbollah that Washington said were in retaliation for the killing of the US contractor.

Iraqi security and militia sources said at least 25 fighters were killed and 55 others wounded following the air attacks in Iraq on Sunday.

A hole left after an air strike is seen at headquarters of the Kataib Hezbollah militia group in Qaim, Iraq [Reuters]

At least four Kataib Hezbollah commanders were among the dead, the sources said, adding that one of the raids had hit the Iran-backed groups headquarters near the western al-Qaim district on the border with Syria.

Iran strongly condemned the attacks, with a government spokesman saying: America has shown its firm support for terrorism and its neglect for the independence and sovereignty of countries and it must accept consequences for its illegal act.

Protesters storm US embassy

On December 31, enraged members and supporters of pro-Iranian paramilitary groups in Iraq broke into the heavily fortified US embassy compound in Baghdad, smashing a main door and setting parts of its perimeter on fire.

Trump blamed Iran for killing the US contractor and the ensuing tensions around the embassy.

Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible, he wrote on Twitter.

.Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019

US troops and Iraqi security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at the protesters, PMF members and their supporters who had encircled the embassy compound.

The sit-in ended on January 1, 2020.

A protester holds a burning placard with an illustration of US President Donald Trump outside the US embassy during a protest in Baghdad on January 1, 2020 [File: Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters]

2020

Esper warns Iran may be planning attacks on US interests

Meanwhile, on January 2, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said there were some indications that Iran or groups it supports may be planning additional attacks on US interests in the Middle East.

If that happens, then we will act. And by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type [of] indication, we will take pre-emptive action as well to protect American forces to protect American lives, the Pentagon chief told reporters.

US assassinates Soleimani

In a predawn air raid in at Iraqs airport in Baghdad on January 3, the US struck and killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, or PMF.

Iran vowed harsh retaliation.

Tantamount to war

Irans UN ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi in an interview with CNN on January 3 said that the response for a military action is a military action.

So, that was  a new chapter which is tantamount to opening a war against Iran, Ravanchi said.

Earlier on Friday, Ravanchi said in a letter that killing Soleimani is an obvious example of State terrorism and, as a criminal act, constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law, including, in particularthe Charter of the United Nations.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the attack was an act of international terrorism and Iran would take legal action to hold Washington to account.

The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

Trump: 52 sites could be targeted if Iran retaliates

In a Tweet on January 4 Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites very hard if Iran attacked Americans or US assets.

The 52 targets represented the 52 Americans who were held hostage in Iran for 444 days after being seized at the US embassy in Tehran in November 1979, he added.

.targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020

Trump also threatened to attack Iranian cultural sites, which could constitute a war crime if carried out. Following widespread outrage, Trump at first doubled down, but later walked back that threat, and said he would reluctantly follow international law.

Iraqi parliament calls for expulsion of foreign troops

Iraqs parliament passed a resolution on January 5 calling on the government to expel foreign troops from the country and to cancel its request for assistance from the US-led coalition which had been working with Baghdad to fight the ISIL (ISIS).

Thousands mourn Soleimani during funeral

Tens of thousands of mourners clad in black filled the streets of Irans Mashhad and Ahvaz on January 5 to pay their respects to Soleimani.

Mourners attend the funeral ceremony for Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and his comrades in the city of Kerman, Iran [Erfan Kouchari/Tasnim News Agency via AP]

In live footage aired on Iranian state television, mourners were seen marching through Ahvaz holding up portraits of Soleimani, and crowds thronging Mollavi Square with flags in green, white and red  depicting the blood of martyrs.

Men and women wept as they beat their chests to the sound of chants.

Iran abandons nuclear deal limits

Iran on January 5 said it will no longer abide by the enrichment limits in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

The deal, negotiated between Tehran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany, prevent Iran from having enough nuclear material to build an atomic weapon.

In a televised address, Iran insisted it remained open to negotiations with European partners who have so far been unable to offer a way for Tehran to sell its crude oil abroad in light of US sanctions.

Trump steps up rhetoric against Iran

Trump continued his heated rhetoric against Iran and Iraq on January 6, warning of a major retaliation if Iran struck back in reprisal and threatened sanctions on Iraq after is parliament called on US troops to leave the country.

If it happens, it happens. If they do anything, there will be major retaliation, Trump said.

US defence chief: US military has no plans to leave Iraq

Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Pentagon reporters on January 6 that the US has no plans to pull out militarily from Iraq, following reports of a US letter about preparations for a withdrawal.

Esper added that the US was still committed to countering ISIL in Iraq, alongside US allies and partners.

The letter, which was widely circulated on social media and cited by news agencies, was sent to the Iraqi military by US Marine Corps Brigadier General William H Seely III, commanding general of Task Force Iraq, the US-led military coalition against ISIL.

But US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that the letter was a poorly worded draft document that was only meant to underscore increased movement of forces.

White House adviser: Trump could still negotiate nuclear deal

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway on January 6 said Trump was confident he could still renegotiate a new nuclear deal with Tehran.

He said hes open. If Iran wants to start behaving like a normal country  sure, absolutely, she said.

Never threaten the Iranian nation, Rouhani tells Trump

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a tweet on January 6 said nobody should threaten his nation, referring to the 1988 shooting down of an Iranian airliner by a US warship in which 290 were killed.

Those who refer to the number 52 should also remember the number 290. #IR655

Never threaten the Iranian nation.  Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 6, 2020

US denies Zarif a visa to attend UN

The US denied a visa to Zarif on January 6 that would have allowed him to attend an upcoming UN Security Council meeting in New York.

Under the 1947 UN headquarters agreement, the US is generally required to allow access to the United Nations for foreign diplomats. But Washington said it can deny visas for security, terrorism and foreign policy reasons.

Denying me a visa in violation of 1947 UNHQ Agreement pales in comparison to: -Pompeo's threat to starve Iranians (crime against humanity)

-Trump's bluster about cultural heritage (war crime)

#EconomicTerrorism

-Cowardly assassination But what are they really afraid of? Truth?  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 7, 2020

Iran considering 13 revenge scenarios

The secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani said on January 7 that Iran was considering 13 revenge scenarios in retaliation.

The Americans should know that until now 13 revenge scenarios have been discussed in the council and even if there is consensus on the weakest scenario carrying it out can be a historic nightmare for the Americans, he said according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

Scores killed during stampede at Soleimanis funeral

At least 56 people were killed in a stampede in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman at the funeral procession for Soleimani.

Iran ready to come back to full compliance

Iran is ready to come back to full compliance with its nuclear deal with world powers, deputy foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on January 7, according to a foreign ministry tweet, without providing any information on possible conditions.

Araghchi: Iran is ready to come back to full compliance of #JCPOA.#TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/ybBdNmwfl2  Iran Foreign Ministry  (@IRIMFA_EN) January 7, 2020

US ready to finish any war started with Iran  Esper

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on January 7 that the US wants to de-escalate the current tensions with Iran, but the country is ready to finish any war that could be started.

We are not looking to start a war with Iran but we are prepared to finish one, he told CNN. What wed like to see is the situation de-escalated.

Iran launches attacks on US forces

In the early hours of January 8, Iran launched a series of missile attacks on two Iraqi bases housing US troops.

Iranian state television said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had attacked the Ain al-Assad military base, where US troops are stationed. A second facility near Erbil airport was also hit.

The Iraqi military said in a statement that 22 missiles were launched on the two sites between 1:45am and 2:15am local time (22:45 and 23:15 GMT, January 7). Two of the 17 missiles targeting Ain al-Assad base did not go off, the military said, while the five missiles on Erbil all targeted coalition headquarters.

In a Tweet, Zarif said Iran had taken and concluded proportionate measures in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched. We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020

In Washington, Trump said in a tweet that an assessment of casualties and damage from the strikes was underway.

All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020

Slap in the face for US

Irans Khamenei on January 8 said Tehrans missile attacks on US targets in Iraq was a slap in the face for the US and said Washingtons troops must leave the region.

Last night, we slapped them in the face, Khamenei said in his speech in the capital, Tehran, adding that military retaliation was not enough.

What is important is that the corrupt presence of the US in this region should come to an end.

New powerful sanctions on Iran

Later on January 8, Trump said Iranian missile strikes on bases in Iraq did not harm any US troops stationed there and damage was minimal, an outcome he said showed Tehran wanted to de-escalate a standoff.

US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listening as President Donald Trump delivers a statement after Iran launched missile attacks on US-led forces in Iraq [Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]

Iran appears to be standing down, Trump said from the White House.

Trump announced the US would immediately impose new powerful sanctions until Iran changes its behaviour.
NORTH CONWAY, N.H.  Democratic presidential candidates lambasted President Trumps decision to kill Irans top general in an air strike, a move that has thrust foreign policy to the forefront of the primary and revived intraparty disputes over military intervention in the Middle East.

Leading candidates in the Democratic primary were united in describing Gen. Qassem Soleimani as a murderer responsible for the deaths of Americans. But they also slammed Trump as reckless and ill-prepared for the consequences  and retaliation  likely to follow the killing.

Former Vice President Joe Biden charged Thursday that Trump tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said the the move increased the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized what he called a dangerous escalation that puts the United States on the path to another war  potentially one that could be even worse than before.

The foreign policy focus, at least for a day, marked a sharp shift for a Democratic primary that has so far been dominated by domestic policy concerns such as health care, the economy and immigration. The narrow focus reflects the relative inexperience of the large Democratic field on the international stage as well as voters priorities after nearly two decades at war.

But the rising tension with Iran is shifting the debate just a month before voting begins in Iowa. The new debate is likely to revive fights between centrist Democrats and Democrats on the left who are skeptical of military intervention.

Biden, who has more foreign policy experience than the rest of the field combined, could benefit from the sudden attention to global affairs, though his long record in complicated foreign entanglements creates vulnerabilities that critics in both parties are trying to exploit.

Earlier in the week, Pete Buttigieg  the now-former mayor of South Bend, Ind.  criticized Biden for voting to authorize the Iraq War.

Steve Peoples and Hunter Woodall are Associated Press writers.
An alpaca. Posed by model.

EVER left something behind after a hotel stay? Probably not a pair of alpacas called Ant and Dec who were found in a towing box at the Travelodge car park in Stratford-upon-Avon last year.

The leftovers dont end there, as staff at the hotel have also discovered, a collection of William Shakespeare books, an American Passport, a collection of different flavoured gins, a Versace suit, a father of the bride speech, wedding baubles, a gold statue of the Indian God Ganesh, a collection of Gucci glasses and a Mr and Mrs light.

The items have made the Travelodge list of bizarre left behinds for 2019 which features 571 of the brand's other hotels with the alpacas rating among the most unusual. Ant and Dec were later collected by their owner.

All items left behind in Travelodge hotels which have not been claimed within three months, are donated to the local British Heart Foundation Charity Shops, Travelodges nominated charity partner - with the exception of left behind alpacas.
Supreme Court judge Justice V. Ramasubramanian is seen with High Court Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and others at an event to felicitate him on his first visit to the city after he was elevated to the apex court, in Hyderabad on Thursday. The function was organised by the Telangana High Court Advocates Association.

Hyderabad: Referring to the governments instructions to pare expenses and allot funds only to emergency works due to the ongoing financial crisis, the Telangana High Court on Thursday asked how the state could afford crores of rupees to demolish the old secretariat complex and build a new one.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice A. Abhishek Reddy was dealing with five PILs that have challenged the impending demolition of the Secretariat and the construction of aa new one.

Calling attention to the recession, the bench observed that as per media reports, the state is reeling under a financial crisis and the government itself is saying that its hands are tied. It is directing its various departments to spend money in small amounts. If that be so, can it afford to construct new structures spending huge money, the bench asked.

The Chief Justice faulted the government for not estimating the cost of the new construction. Any expert could give an estimation by calculating the cost per square feet. Unfortunately, the state government has not even estimated that so far.

Questioning the time limit given to complete the construction, the court was apprehensive that scattering the departments in different locations could jeopardise work.

The Chief Justice said, In circulation of files to the departments concerned, the papers may be taken out and may fall into the hands of the wrong people if the offices are not integrated.

He stated that it would become difficult to run the secretariat from different places for a long time, as the construction work would take 3-5 years or more. It took 12 years to complete the Rajasthan High Court building, from 2007 to 2019, he said.

Additional Advocate General J. Ramachandra Rao said that the state government had completed the world famous Kaleshwaram project in three years. It had the efficiency to build the proposed secretariat in a short time. He explained that after shifting the departments from the old secretariat, 70 per cent of the offices were located at one place at BRKR Bhavan.

After a long spell of arguments, the bench directed the principal secretary, roads and buildings, to furnish data pertaining to the Secretariat and construction of the new compled and adjourned the hearing to January 7.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 15:24:49|Editor: huaxia

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ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Henan Province granted 1.29 billion yuan (185.1 million U.S. dollars) in allowances for the elderly aged 80 and above in the province in 2019, according to local authorities.

The funds benefited 2.26 million elderly citizens in the province, the authorities said.

The province also granted more than 3.1 billion yuan in reimbursement for about 950,000 elderly citizens through basic medical insurance and other insurances in 2019.

Henan had about 16.06 million residents aged 60 and above by the end of 2018, accounting for 16.7 percent of the province's total population.
Man found holding security guards arrested for attempted Cancun robbery

Cancun, Q.R.  Cancun police were able to arrest one of several people who attempted to rob a grocery store of its safe during the night.

The nighttime assault happened around 2:00 a.m. in SM 104 when police responded to the emergency call of a robbery in progress. Police, who arrived at the Coma (Compania Mayorista de Abarrotes) grocery store, grabbed one male while the others fled.

The detainment of the man happened when police entered the storage area of the large warehouse-type grocery store where they found the man holding two security guards. When he saw police, he tried to flee, however, his attempt at escape was not as successful as his counterparts.

Police say they arrested 54-year-old carpenter Armando N from Tabasco.

The two security guards, 37-year-old Azucena R.A. and 28-year-old Gustavo C.M. were found without serious injuries. Tools believed used to try and open the stores safe were found left behind.
New Delhi:

The title song from Deepika Padukone's upcoming film, Chhapaak hit the internet today. The songs shows Malti's journey and the hardships she suffered post the acid attack. The song also focuses on her fight against injustice. The song has been sung by Arijit Singh, composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy and the lyrics are penned by Gulzar.

Talking about the song at the launch event, Deepika called it the soul and thread of the film that binds it together. Whenever I listen to this song, I get goosebumps, Deepika said. Deepika was also joined by Laxmi Agarwal. The two got quite emotional at the launch event.

The trailer of Chhapaak was recently released at an event in Mumbai and recieved rave reviews from the audience. At a recent event, Deepika said until Chhapaak she thought doing a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film was emotionally difficult. "With him it's not just about the character or the film but everything that goes in making it, all the hurdles. So by the end of it you're exhausted for various reasons. "With 'Chhapaak', the process was exhausting. We had to get the prosthetics done for like three hours and another hour to take it off. Emotionally I have never been as burnt out as I felt after that," she said.

She also shared how she got the character out of her system. "On the last day I asked Meghna to get made an extra piece. We got that, only for me to burn it at pack up. It was a hospital scene, we finished that and I took off my face (prosthetic), had a shower, took this extra piece, went to a corner, threw alcohol on it and burnt it. "I watched it burn and stood there as I needed to see it burn completely. I wanted everything to become ash. I stood there till that entire process was over and only then felt a part of it had left my system, my body. But it's not entirely possible as none of these characters leave your system. As of now, this has been the toughest film I've done," she added.

Laxmi was attacked in 2005 at the age of 15. Laxmi had to undergo several surgeries and later, she took up the job of helping acid attack survivors and promoted campaigns to stop such attacks.

Apart from Deepika Padukone, the film also stars Vikrant Massey and is slated to hit the screens on 10 January 2020.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A court in Uttar Pradesh reserved his order for Saturday on the bail pleas of social activists Sadaf Jafar and Pawan Rao Ambedkar and former IPS officer SR Darapuri, among others.

After the sessions court rejected the bail, it came up for hearing in the district court.

The Hazratganj police had booked Jafar and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 and the Criminal Law (Amendment ) Act, 1932.

Also Watch: Amit Shah: No going back on CAA. Can translate in Italian for Rahul Gandhi

A petition was filed in the Allahabad High Court for quashing the FIR against Jafar, calling her arrest as illegal. The high court on Thursday asked the state government to file its reply within two weeks on the petition.

Reacting to Jafars arrest, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had lashed out at UP government saying it has crossed all limits of inhumanity. The police have put Sadaf in jail by making baseless allegations, Gandhi tweeted on Sunday as she reached Jafars house to meet her family members.

More than 100 people were arrested after December 19 protests. Prominent human rights lawyer Mohammed Shoaib and ex-policeman SR Darapuri were among those who were arrested for showing anger at a citizenship law they say is unconstitutional.
At the end of 2019 China released photos taken by its Gaofen 8 imaging satellite, which had been launched in November. This bird is in a 500 kilometers high orbit and is equipped with multispectral cameras with a very precise laser system to determine the attitude of what it is taking a picture of and do that in such detail that 3D images of the landscape and even structures are clearly visible in the photos. These pictures can even spot a person, whether they are lying down or standing up. This is major progress in Chinese capabilities. Despite that China is still playing catchup to American imaging satellites. Gaofen 8 shows China moving fast to match American tech. The Gaofen series satellites are built to last at least eight years and they will be replaced by even more capable imaging satellite technology.

In July 2018 China put the first of these new photo satellites into orbit. This Gaofen 11 optical remote-sensing satellite had a resolution of 10cm. That means it is able to capture objects on the surface that are less than four inches wide. Previously only American photo satellites had that degree of resolution. Current American photo satellites have a resolution of about 2 cm (less than an inch). Meanwhile, the Americans have four improved KH-11 (sometimes called KH-12s) satellites in orbit, the last of these launched in 2013. The first of new KH-11s (sometimes called KH-13s) was launched in early 2019 and, like the KH-12s, will cost over $4 billion each.

China describes its Gaofen photo satellites as being put into orbit for largely non-military uses and to reduce Chinese dependence on commercial photo satellites for commercial services. That is largely true but what makes a photo satellite a military-grade photo reconnaissance satellite is a lot of additional features that rarely make it into official press releases. Since these satellites can be seen (in great detail) and photographed from the ground, it is easy enough to judge the exact purpose of photo satellites. That first Geofen looked a lot like American KH-11s put into service during the 1990s and has a mirror (lens) diameter of 1.7 meters. The four American currently KH-11s in orbit have 2.4 meter mirror diameter. Thats the same size as the mirror in the Hubble space telescope, which was turned on distant galaxies rather than the earth's surface.

In other respect, the Chinese were correct in saying they wanted to reduce their dependence on commercial photo satellites. In 2015 the American NGA (National Geospatial Intelligence Agency) admitted what everyone already suspected; that it gets most of its satellite photos from commercial satellites. This was no secret inside the military. Thats because, since the late 1990s, when commercial photo satellites began to show up, military users were quick to buy and use this unclassified data. The commercial photo satellites gradually caught up with their military counterparts, which first appeared in the 1960s, and got even more business from the military. What really got this movement going was the 2005 appearance of Google Earth (earth.google.com). This easy-to-use web-based app revolutionized military intelligence. The military didn't like to admit it at first. But Google Earth putting so much satellite photography at the disposal of so many people, in such an easy-to-use fashion, also made much more information available to military professionals (and terrorists, and criminals and academics as well). All of these military users quickly appreciated what a splendid new tool they had, just as many commercial firms also finding new uses for Google Earth data. And you couldnt beat the price.

To the U.S. Department of Defense, Google Earth's major problem was not the ease-of-use, but the manner in which it showcased the shortcomings of the NGA, which was responsible for taking the satellite photos, spiffing them up as needed, and getting them to the troops. Trouble is, the stuff still wasn't getting to the troops that needed it when they needed it. This was made very obvious when Google Earth showed up and demonstrated how you can get satellite images to anyone, when they need them and do it with minimal hassle.

The NGA and other government agencies liked to keep all satellite (and aerial) images in classified archives, just in case they contained some secrets a potential enemy could use. Google Earth did great damage to this attitude. Changing minds in the military intelligence community isnt easy. Restricted access to satellite photos is an old problem. Since the 1980s, when lots more satellite images became available, often on very short notice, generals and other officers with access to "satellite imagery" have been complaining about the difficulty they had in getting their hands on this stuff or passing it on to the officers and troops who need it most.

Hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent on photo satellites since the 1960s, and the troops always seemed to get leftovers, if anything and usually too late to be of any use. Yet the satellite people regularly conned Congress out of more money so they could build more satellites and neat systems that would get the satellite imagery "to the troops." The goods never arrived, or never arrived in time. Generals gave angry testimony before Congress about this non-performance after the 1991 Kuwait War. The satellite people seemed contrite and said they would make it right. If given the money to do it. They got the money and the troops got nothing.

Then the troops got access to Google Earth in 2005 and saw firsthand what they have been missing. To make matters worse the software Google Earth uses to get the job done was first developed for the NGA. But the way the NGA operates you had to worry about security considerations and all manner of bureaucratic details before you could deploy a useful tool so they really couldnt use the Google interface on a wide scale. Mention that the troops in question are fighting a war and the NGA will point out that you still have to deal with security and keeping the paperwork straight.

Soon after 2005, the troops were beating NGA over the head with Google Earth and Congress took notice. However, NGA bureaucrats were close at hand and the angry troops are far away. Progress was still slow. But at least the troops had Google Earth. Unfortunately, so did the enemy. Nevertheless, over the next decade, the army was able to go directly to commercial satellite photo providers who, every year, were putting up more capable photo satellites. Many of the photos from these new satellites were higher resolution and not available on Google Earth. But the army could afford to buy them (as could other commercial customers) and give the troops instant access because all these commercial satellite photos were unclassified.

After a while, NGA stopped pouting and got on board with the use of lots of unclassified satellite photos. This also spurred the NGA to make the high quality (high resolution and with other enhancements) spy satellite photos more easily available to the troops, or at least the army intel and planning specialists who worked out the details of how battles would be fought. This led to other intel agencies making their data (especially from electronic data collection satellites) available quickly (often in real-time) to the troops who needed it.

Google Earth was also very popular with the growing Internet population in China but Google was forced out of China in 2009. That was over control and censorship issues. The Chinese government noted quite a lot of popular anger over the loss of Google, especially Google Earth. So in 2010 China introduced its own version of Google earth called Tianditu (Map World). It was a much diminished version of Google Earth and photos of China and North Korea showed much less and were not as up-to-date as Google Earth. Tianditu showed a much less censored view of the rest of the world, but not to the extent of Google Earth. Gaofen is expected to upgrade the frequency and quality of Tianditu images, but will still not be as popular as Google Earth.

While Google Earth opened the floodgates and gave the troops instant access, what happened first was the availability of high-resolution satellite photos that could be of use to combat forces. This began in the 1960s with the first appearance of the KH (Key Hole) series of photo satellites. The first film camera satellite, KH 1, went up in 1959 but the first successful one was in 1960. Thus until the 1970s, the film-using satellites supplied coverage of hostile nations. The KH 1 through 9 series satellites sent the film back in canisters so these high-resolution pictures could be developed. The Keyhole 9, the first of which went up in 1971, was not only the last of the film satellites but the largest and most capable. Its basic design was used by the subsequent digital camera birds. The KH 9 could cover large areas at high (for the time) resolution of .6 meters (24 inches). This was more than adequate to spot and count tanks, aircraft, and even small warships. The 19th, and last, KH 9 went up in 1984. The KH-9 was a 13 ton satellite with multiple cameras and 4 or 5 reentry vehicles for returning the film for developing and analysis. The KH-9s were nicknamed Big Bird.

The age of film began to fade when the first digital satellite, the KH 11, was launched in 1976. These birds were large, nearly 15 tons, and the digital cameras could obtain better resolution and broadcast the photos back to earth. The resolution was such that objects 70mm (a few inches) in size could be identified from 200 kilometers. Digital cameras were more flexible than film and eventually surpassed film in all categories. The KH-11 telescopic cameras operated like a high-resolution TV camera. Images were captured continuously and transmitted to earth stations. Computers were used to finish the process and produce photos identical to those taken by a conventional film camera. You could even have motion pictures, as well as indications of heat and the nature of the various items. KH-11 could often tell what kind of metal an object on the ground was made of.

All this did not come cheap. These birds cost over $400 million each and lasted three or four years, depending on fuel usage. Moreover, you needed two of them up at the same time in order to guarantee coverage and save the birds from having to change orbit too frequently. The most recent KH-11, the 15th, was launched in 2013. There have been at least four models of the KH-11 since the first of five "Block 1s" was launched in 1976. Since the 1960s over a hundred KH series satellites have been launched. The Big Bird film using KH-9s didnt last long because once their film supply was gone they were useless.

The next generation of digital satellites, the KH-12 (officially improved KH-11), was supposed to have been launched in 1987. But because of problems with the space shuttle (one had exploded during launch), only a belated KH-11 was launched in October 1987. The KH-12 was delayed, even though it had several advantages over the KH-11. Along with improvements in ground data processing equipment, the KH-12 could send back data in real-time. You could watch events on a large, high-resolution screen as they were happening. This would also allow military headquarters and other users to get their satellite information directly, without going through a CIA or NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) processing center. Data from the more esoteric sensors would still have to be studied by the specialists elsewhere. The KH-12 was expected to make users even more enthusiastic about satellite reconnaissance. It did, in the form of a much upgraded KH-11. Actually, these birds were called KH-12s but are still officially known as KH-11 and still are. That is something of a tribute to the capability and flexibility of the original KH-11 design, the first of which went into orbit during 1976.

The flood of photographic and electronic data was growing far larger than the force of analysts available to make something of it. In addition to the KH series birds, there were radar and SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) satellites constantly broadcasting data. Then there are the Defense Support Program satellites, which use heat sensors to locate the hot plumes of missile launches. So although no new KH-11s have been launched since 2013 there have been plenty of new spy satellites put into orbit, especially radar satellites for monitoring the earth's surface in any kind of weather.

It has long been suggested that the government just rely on commercial photo satellites for their low resolution (able to detect vehicles and buildings) photo satellite needs. But the military and intelligence agencies often need more photo satellite time than the commercial companies can provide. The government also wants to ensure secrets are kept by having complete control over at least a pair of commercial-grade satellites.

The two new government-owned commercial birds took over the task of tracking troop movements, bases, and military operations in general. The two new high resolution, military-grade, spy satellites were improved versions of existing ones. These are used to get detailed (able to detect something smaller than an inch) photos of something the commercial-grade images (able to detect something 30-45 cm/12-18 inches in size) found interesting.

The troops and military planners are also big users of Google Earth, which annoys the people running the military satellite program. But for many military satellite needs, Google Earth does the job. The two military, commercial-grade, photo satellites eliminated the potential for information leaks (about what the military is buying images of) and provide much more capacity to do low-resolution jobs.
At least 120 students from corporation-run schools and Pune zilla parishad (ZP) schools participated in the ongoing Young Kalam Science Festival, that is being organised by the Socio Economic Development Corporation Trust (SEDT), in association with HCL Foundation, at Karamveer Bhausaheb Hire High School, Laxminagar.

The two-day festival was inaugurated by Vishal Solanki, state education commissioner, on Friday.

Drones, censor street lighting, mechanised earth-moving machines, artificial intelligence-driven mobile home lighting system, robots, and remote control cars, among many projects are on display.

The new generation does have a scientific spirit which is necessary at the school level because the children are learning new things on the go. Every student here might not become a scientist, but there should be a scientific approach to the things that you do in life and in your career. Even in the rural parts of the state, students are exhibiting science projects about new gen technology like artificial intelligence and robotics. This is happening only in a few schools, but we intend to take this scientific temper to at least one lakh schools in the state. With this, knowledge will be the real empowerment for students, said Solanki in his inaugural address.

In 2018, Socio Economic Development Corporation Trust had set up a science centre at Hire High School and at least 4,000 students from corporation-run schools and Pune zilla parishad schools have visited the centre to get hands-on training on various scientific projects. In order to give these students an opportunity to make their own project, the Young Kalam Science Festival is being hosted here for the first time.

Students must make a connection with science and this is the need of the hour. We will be conducting similar science festivals across the country. The aim of the festival is to let students come up with new scientific ideas. Students can also visit the festival to enjoy and learn new things, said Kulkarni.

We are planning to build science cities and parks in major cities in Maharashtra. We are also planning to construct a science centre in each taluka. The state education department is currently working on organising science exhibitions and festivals in every district. We are also collaborating with corporate companies for CSR activities, under which we will construct innovation centres in schools, added Solanki.

Dinanath Kholkar, vice-president, global head analytics and insights, Tata Consultancy Services; Samuel Ebenezer, deputy manager HCL Foundation; Ganpat More, education officer, Pune zilla parishad; Deepak Mali, education officer, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Suryakant Kulkarni, founder and chairman, Socio Economic Development Corporation Trust were present at the event.

The science festival is open to the public on January 4.

What: Young Kalam Science Festival

Where: Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hire High School, Laxminagar

When: January 4, 9 am to 5 pm
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Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the Citizenship Amendment (CAA) is a law to grant citizenship and not to take it away. Shah also said the government will not back out on its decision to implement the CAA despite the criticism by the Opposition.

Amit Shah was addressing a rally in Rajasthans Jodhpur to launch an awareness programme in support of the amended citizenship law.

No provision in Citizenship Amendment Act to take anyones citizenship away, it is a law to grant citizenship, said Amit Shah.

Watch | Amit Shah: No going back on CAA. Can translate in Italian for Rahul Gandhi

Opposition parties have been protesting the amendment to the citizenship law which grants citizenship to non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh if they have come from these three countries before 2015 after facing religious persecution.

The home minister said the Centre will not move even an inch away on the issue, no matter how many parties join hands against it.

Even if all these parties come together, BJP will not move back even an inch on this issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act. You can spread as much misinformation as you want, Shah said.

Amit Shah also attacked the Congress accusing it of playing vote-bank politics by spreading misinformation on CAA.

For vote-bank politics, Congress party is speaking against a great personality like Veer Savarkar as well. Congressmen should be ashamed of themselves, he said.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee launched a stinging attack at the Centre, alleging the government is dividing the country in the name of religion. Banerjee said she will not allow the BJP government to take away their rights.

If we raise the issue of joblessness and hunger, they say go to Pakistan, Banerjee said while addressing a rally in Siliguri. I wont let them take rights, she said.

The BJP-led Central government is pulling all stops to dispel doubts about the provisions of Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Party leader Anil Jain said the BJP has started a door-to-door campaign that will reach out to three crore families to clear perceptions about CAA.
The family whose home burned to the ground as Detroit firefighters took a grinning photo in front of it has spoken out to express their fury.

'They just let it burn to the ground Eighteen men and none of them did anything,' Deonte Higginbotham, 21, told the New York Post of the home that has been in his family for 50 years.

'Everybody is furious,' he added, blasting the fire crew. 'All of them need to be fired.'

The image was shared on Facebook on Tuesday night with the caption: 'Crews take a moment to get a selfie on New Years!'

The image was shared online by Detroit Fire Incidents Page on Tuesday night. 'Crews take a moment to get a selfie on New Years!' the caption read

A picture of the home the following day shows it was completely burnt down

It is thought the picture was taken as a farewell snap for a retiring fire battalion chief.

But Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said in a statement: 'There are a lot of ways to celebrate a retirement. Taking a photo in front of a building fire is not one of them.'

Jones added: 'We will investigate this matter and follow the facts where they lead us. If this photo is verified, discipline will be in order.'

He told The Detroit News: 'Ninety-nine percent of the men and women who go to a scene like that and know what to do. Behind every fire is a devastated family or property owner. Jones called the image 'inappropriate and unprofessional.'

A picture of the home the following day shows it was completely burnt down.

It is understood the property and its neighboring one were both empty at the time of the blaze.

'There are a lot of ways to celebrate a retirement. Taking a photo in front of a building fire is not one of them', Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said

Dep. Commissioner Dave Fornell told WXYZ that crews were not able to go inside last night. He added of the image: 'It was despicable.'

Detroit Fire Incidents Page said they do not know who took the the image but that they were asked to post it by a firefighter based in the city.

They said they removed the picture after 'guys on the job' messaged them to say they had been 'threatened for the photo being posted'.

After deleting the photo, the group said in a statement: 'In regards to the photo that was removed we would like to clear a few things up. First of us no one at this page took that photo.

'Second we were asked to post it by a fire fighter for the city of Detroit.

'Third the only reason it was removed is we received messages by guys on the job stating that they had been threatened For the photo being posted.'

Detroit Fire Incidents Page said they do not know who took the the image but that they were asked to post it by a firefighter based in the city. They said they removed the picture after 'guys on the job' messaged them to say they had been 'threatened for the photo being posted'

They added: 'To clarify 'threatened' meaning threatened by their work I would assume by their context threatened of punitive actions. Happy New Years from us at Detroit Fire Incidents Page.'

The post received a mixed response online. One user wrote on Facebook: 'Happy New Year's DFD, you guys are the best there is!'

But another added: 'I hope that was a staged fire. I'd hate to think my firemen where [sic] posing for pictures while a real house was burning.'
In a major escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday that US forces killed Gen Qassem Suleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at Baghdad airport. The US airstrike also killed top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the Pentagon said in a statement. The White House said General Suleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. Iran's Revolutionary Guards has confirmed that Suleimani was killed. Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has termed assassination of General Suleimani -- the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda -- extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.

Follow BusinessToday.In for all the latest updates on the US-Iran tension

11.49 AM: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows revenge

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after the United States killed the commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force, General Qasem Suleimani, in Baghdad on Friday."Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Khamenei said on his Farsi-language Twitter account in reference to Suleimani, also declaring three days of mourning. "With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident." -- PTI

10.50 AM: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives: "The Admin has conducted tonight's strikes ... without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress. The full Congress must be immediately briefed on this serious situation."

10.43 AM: Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City: "What has happened to the Democrat party. Donald Trump's reaction to Iran's attack on our embassy, and other provocations, was entirely justified. Almost any President, Kennedy, Reagan, Bush,would have done the same. Thank God we have a real President."

10.30 AM: Senator Ted Cruz: "According the the Obama Department of Defense, Qasem Suleimani was a terrorist directly responsible for the murder of over 500 US service men & women. Why are congressional Dems outraged that he's finally dead?"

What has happened to the Democrat party. @realDonaldTrump reaction to Irans attack on our embassy,and other provocations,was entirely justified.



Almost any President, Kennedy, Reagan, Bush,would have done the same. Thank God we have a real President.  Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) January 3, 2020

10.19 AM: The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world: The White House

10.15 AM: The high-profile assassinations are seen as a massive blow to Iran, which has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with the storming of the US embassy perimeter in Iraq by pro-Iranian militiamen following an American air raid on an Iraqi Shi'ite militia. -- Reuters

10.08 AM: General Suleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region: White House

10.07 AM: "At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Suleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," a statement from the White House says.

According the the Obama Department of Defense, Qasem Soleimani was a terrorist directly responsible for the murder of over 500 US service men & women. Why are congressional Dems outraged that hes finally dead? See more: https://t.co/7MrD4tyM5yhttps://t.co/cKYSPLSLmj  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 3, 2020

10.00 AM: Just after the news regarding killing of the Iranian General broke, US President Donald Trump tweeted a photo of the American flag.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.  The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 3, 2020

9.45 AM: Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has said the United States' act of international terrorism, assassinating General Suleimani -- the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda -- is extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.

9.30 AM: Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), the umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias, blamed the United States and Israel. "The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," he said. -- Reuters
A new state law permitting limited marijuana use takes effect Jan. 1. This new Illinois statute conflicts with the federal Controlled Substances Act, as well as federal statutes criminalizing financial transactions using drug proceeds.

Under our Constitution, there is nothing a state can do to undermine the validity of those federal statutes. Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug, and selling it is still a federal crime. At the same time, the principle of federalism contained in the Tenth Amendment suggests that state laws enacted through the democratic process are entitled to due consideration.

A responsible balancing act of these competing interests suggests that the national government should seek to harmonize state and federal law to the extent possible. But this balancing cannot be done according to the personal preferences of individual prosecutors. These decisions must be grounded in the rule of law. So, with that background, the question remains: What is the federal governments proper role when enforcing laws related to marijuana distribution in Illinois?

Very little, if anything, is going to change in terms of drug enforcement on Jan. 1. U.S. Attorneys bring criminal cases according to well-established principles that typically seek to identify a substantial federal interest. The federal government is not in the business of prosecuting personal-use marijuana cases. But it will continue to bring appropriate federal drug charges when it makes sense to do so, such as when licensed businesses operate outside of state rules, when violent actors or gangs are involved, when individuals market THC products to children, when marijuana is part of a poly-drug conspiracy, or when criminal enterprises are involved. Many other appropriate circumstances can be imagined where federal prosecution would be warranted.

The more complex issue involves banking and financial transactions. The money laundering statutes, the unlicensed money transmitter statute, and the Bank Secrecy Act all provide serious criminal penalties for those conducting financial transactions with drug proceeds. A proposed legislative fix addressing states with a legalized marijuana industry is currently being considered by Congress. For now, however, the financial laws remain unchanged.

The rule of law means that we are a nation governed by laws, not by individuals. The executive branch must enforce the law as written. Prosecutors undermine their legitimacy when they selectively enforce the law to simply fit their personal preferences. With that in mind, the US Attorneys Office expects to enforce the federal financial and banking statutes consistent with the February 2014, US Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) guidance. The FinCEN guidance is grounded in the Bank Secrecy Acts statutory scheme and is intended to permit financial services to be available for, and increase the financial transparency of, marijuana-related businesses.

This approach is the proper balance of interests. First, and most importantly, it is grounded in the Bank Secrecy Acts statutes. It is a principled approach that follows long-standing FinCEN guidance. Second, the approach is practical. Without banking services, marijuana-related businesses would be forced to deal exclusively in cash, significantly increasing the risk of violent crime. Third, allowing marijuana-related businesses to participate in the banking system encourages the goals of transparency and effective tax enforcement. Legalize it, and tax it is the mantra that the citizens of Illinois accepted when deciding to legalize limited recreational marijuana use. Banking helps ensure marijuana-related businesses follow the same tax and anti-money laundering rules as other businesses and provides a foothold for state and federal taxing authorities to gain compliance in this new industry.

Illinois decision to legalize it and tax it is plainly debatable. Research shows that half of all marijuana is consumed by people with a medically diagnosable substance-use disorder, and these individuals are disproportionately poor and less educated. The cannabis industry is unlikely to be different from other big industry actors who exploit problem users for commercial gain. Similarly, affluent communities are less likely to sanction dispensaries and cultivators, thereby causing the adverse consequences to disproportionately impact poor communities that are already at risk.

But these policy debates, which are central to the Tenth Amendment and our federal system of government, are properly held within the legislative branch. The executive branch, by contrast, is charged with faithfully executing existing laws in a way that makes sense for our country. While this national debate continues to play out, the U.S. Attorneys Office will continue to enforce federal law consistent with its longstanding principles, with due consideration for Illinois new marijuana laws.

Steven D. Weinhoeft is the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.

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Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday pilloried the Narendra Modi government for its decision to grant citizenship to immigrants on the basis of religion.

Speaking at a protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in Guwahati, Yechury asserted that the Muslims too faced harassment, discrimination and exploitation in the Islamic countries.

Many Sri Lankan Tamils had fled in the wake of violence (in the neighbouring country) and are now taking refuge in Tamil Nadu and Odisha. Why are you not giving citizenship to them? Many people belonging to the Rohingya community have also come from Burma (Myanmar). You are not ready to accept them. And why is citizenship for people who came from only these three countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan)? Yechuri asked the Modi government.

They (BJP) said non-Muslims faced religious persecution and discrimination in the three Islamic countries and as such, they should be given citizenship. They are fanning communal passions by giving citizenship to only non-Muslim immigrants. Are Muslims not harassed in the Islamic countries? It is happening on the Ahmadiyya in Pakistan and the matter has reached the international court. It is happening also on the Rohingya in Burma, the CPI-M leader said.

He said a Muslim, Abdul Hamid, was conferred the countrys highest military honour Param Veer Chakra after Indias war against Pakistan in 1965. He had lost his life fighting for the protection of his country, Yechuri said.

He alleged that the BJP was trying to make India a Hindu nation by saying that the non-Muslims were being exploited and discriminated against in the Islamic countries. He said people belonging to Dalit and Adivasi communities were also being exploited in Hindu society. This exploitation has nothing to do with religion. Those who will fight the policies of the ruling dispensation, they will face exploitations, Yechuri said.

The government has come out with a package of NPR (National Population Register), NRC (National Register of Citizens) and CAA. When sales go down, shops usually come out with an offer of buy one, get one free. Modi saab has gone further. He says, buy one and get three. Along with CAA, you will also get NRC and NPR, Yechury said sarcastically.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress in Assam has launched a signature campaign against CAA. A memorandum, with 20 lakh signatures, would be submitted to the Centre demanding the repeal of the controversial amended citizenship law. The party also decided to partner with all anti-CAA forces for a fight to protect the states indigenous populace.
Concurs repetat pentru selectarea unei companii sociologice, care sa efectueze un studiu tematic "Barometrul opiniei publice in domeniul schimbarilor climatice"
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday stated that India's success in space exploration should now be "mirrored in the new frontier of the deep sea."



"Our successes in space exploration should now be mirrored in the new frontier of the deep sea. We need to explore, map and responsibly harness the vast oceanic resources of water, energy, food and minerals," Prime Minister Modi said here while addressing the 107th session of Indian Science Congress.

He added, "We know from science that the potential energy, the silent form of energy, can move mountains by its conversion to the kinetic energy of motion. Can we build a science in motion?"

The Prime Minister also mentioned that India "must also develop a long term roadmap for sustainable and environment-friendly transportation."

"Another important point I wish to make is the significance of 'Make in India' in medical devices to bring the fruits of advances in diagnostics to our people. Mahatma Gandhi once said, 'It is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver'," the Prime Minister said.

In order to promote wellbeing, we should not only practice some of the tested traditional wisdom but also continuously enlarge its scope by introducing the modern tools and concepts of contemporary biomedical research, he said.

"Our vision should be to protect people from the threats of dangerous communicable diseases like Nipah and Ebola. We must work overtime to fulfil the promise to eradicate TB by 2025. Globally, India is the leader in the supply of vaccines. We aim to develop India as a world-class 100 billion dollar bio manufacturing hub by 2024. This will happen with the right policy initiatives and support to innovative research, human resource development, and enterprise," Modi said.

In a message to young scientists, Prime Minister Modi said, "My motto for the young scientists in this country has been - 'Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper'. These four steps will lead our country towards faster development." (ANI)
Despite a Phase 1 deal between the US and China due to be signed soon, US farmers are affected by weaker Chinese demand.

Across snow-covered North Dakota, farmers are stuck with fields full of weather-damaged corn  a crop they planted after the United States-China trade war killed their soybean market. Many of them do not know yet what crops they will plant next season among a host of dicey options.

In Texas, Kansas and Colorado, farmers are weighing whether they should plant fewer acres of corn and more sorghum, even though China has all but stopped buying it. That is because sorghum  a grain crop  costs about half as much as corn to plant, which appeals to farmers wary of investing too much for an uncertain return.

As the US farm economy reels from the worst harvest in decades after nearly two years of the trade war, US grain growers are struggling to decide what crops might keep them in business.

US President Donald Trump announced last month that China had agreed to double its pre-trade war purchases of US agricultural products over the next two years as part of a Phase 1 trade deal. That brought little comfort to US farmers because China still has not confirmed the commitment or signed any deal.

President Trump said that were all going to need to go buy bigger tractors, said North Dakota farmer Justin Sherlock. I dont think many farmers are going to invest much money until we see that this is a done deal and a long-term deal.

Trump administration officials say the Phase 1 trade deal with China will be signed in January, though many tariffs will remain in place during further negotiation. Commodity market analysts and agricultural economists warn an agreement will not be an immediate fix for the US farm economy because the conflict has spurred China to develop new supply chains.

China has, for instance, deepened ties with rival exporters such as Brazil and Argentina. Brazilian soy cultivation is expanding after record exports to China in the past year and China is investing in South American ports.

Making matters worse, Chinas need for soy and sorghum to feed livestock is waning because of a deadly pig disease that experts estimate has killed off about half the worlds largest hog herd. Chinas hog industry has also worked to reformulate pig rations to include less soy and more alternative feeds that do not have to be imported from the US.

No return?

We wont go immediately back to where we were 18 months ago  maybe not for a long time, Jay Debertin, chief executive officer of CHS Inc, the largest US farmer cooperative, told grain producers at a recent conference in North Dakota.

Many US farmers have tried shifting crops to dodge the economic fallout from losing such a crucial export market. They planted 76.5 million acres (31 million hectares) of soybeans in 2019, 14.3 percent fewer than the previous year, according to the latest US Department of Agriculture (USDA) data.

US plantings of sorghum  used in livestock feed and the fiery Chinese liquor baijiu  dipped about 7.5 percent in 2019, to 5.3 million acres (2.1 million hectares). Plantings of cotton have dropped, too, as China pulled back on purchases.

Plantings of such China-dependent crops likely would have fallen much further were it not for the Trump administrations allocation of $24.5bn in aid to compensate farmers for trade-war losses. The bailouts gave many farmers an incentive to keep planting crops such as soybeans that they knew would be difficult to sell at any profitable price. Government handouts are expected to account for nearly a third of 2019 net farm income, according to the federal government and bank regulatory data.

Trump administration officials have not said if farmers will get more payments in 2020. Robert Johansson, the chief economist at USDA, told Reuters news agency he expected the interim trade deal would solve the issues that the aid programme had addressed.

USDA Deputy Press Secretary Alec Varsamis said the agency would decide in January on future payments. White House spokesman Judd Deere declined to comment and referred to previous statements by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has said China committed to massive US agriculture purchases.

Farmers in export-dependent regions say they cannot continue to sell their crops for below the cost of production without a third round of subsidies to cover the losses.

If the government doesnt pay us, were done, said Sherlock, who did not vote for Trump in 2016 and remains undecided for 2020.

Most farmers have backed the president as he seeks re-election, according to polls by Reuters and farm media outlets. In 2016, they were drawn to Trumps promise to shake up Washington bureaucracy and hoped the trade war, although it might bring short-term losses, would eventually improve the size and scope of Chinas US agricultural purchases.
Northern Ireland's political parties have just five days to stop further crippling strike action by thousands of nurses.

Pressure is mounting on the DUP and Sinn Fein to come to an agreement that will restore power at Stormont.

The clock is ticking as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is pressing ahead with plans to stage further strike action next Wednesday and Friday.

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Tonight the Health and Social Care board said emergency departments were working under extreme pressure, with increasing numbers of children and older, sicker people needed to be admitted.

The Western Trust said the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen was "very busy".

Healthcare workers are campaigning for better pay and staffing levels across Northern Ireland. However, the permanent secretary for the Department of Health, Richard Pengelly, has said he cannot afford to meet the demands of the health unions.

Mr Pengelly also said he does not have the power to overturn a previous ministerial decision to stop pay parity with the rest of the UK.

The Secretary of State has been urged to intervene, but has insisted that health is a devolved matter.

A source close to the Northern Ireland Office said Julian Smith remains committed to finding a solution to the impasse, but says there won't be direct rule.

An election will be called if an Executive is not formed by the January 13 deadline. This is because the legislation that gives civil servants guidance on how to make political decisions comes to an end on that date.

Pat Cullen, director of the RCN in Northern Ireland, said: "Although we wish to see political leadership and accountability in Northern Ireland restored, above all, nurses want to see action to resolve the crisis in health care.

"Over the Christmas and New Year period, while many have been able to take a break, nursing staff and others on the front line of our health care services have been dealing with ever-increasing pressures.

"Nurses are dismayed by the fact that this situation continues to worsen and someone, somewhere needs to be accountable.

"Sorting out this crisis is a priority, regardless of our political situation.

"We need decisions made quickly before we reach the point of no return."

The health service was brought to its knees in December as thousands of staff, including nurses, paramedics, domestic staff, and laboratory workers, staged all out-strike action.

Health bosses said there was widespread disruption to services as a result.

Paula Bradshaw, the Alliance Party's health spokeswoman, called on the DUP and Sinn Fein to work together to ensure there is no further industrial action.

She said: "Our view on this is that there is no reason, with the reform of the petition of concern and restriction on parties bringing down the Executive, we cannot go back to having an Executive by agreeing a programme for government over the next few days.

"The DUP has been identified as the hold-up but has long said it has no red lines.

"So let us get on with it and sort out the issues, not least patient safety and nurses' pay and conditions."

The strike held by the RCN on December 18 was the first time in the 103-year history of the organisation that it took such action.
Was the targeted assassination of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, gutsy or reckless? That depends on how this chapter of America's epic, 41-year contest of wills with the Islamic Republic of Iran ends. But it won't necessarily be the disaster some critics have heralded. It could, in the end, prove providential.

If the killing of Tehran's uber-terrorist unleashes global asymmetric war, with Iran's proxies and sleeper agents hitting unsuspecting Americans at soft targets - airports, train stations, malls, hospitals, schools, etc. - around the world, then President Donald Trump's decision to kill Soleimani will be viewed as one of the most senseless, shortsighted and irresponsible decisions ever made by an American president.

If executing the shadowy spymaster ultimately responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American service members in Iraq over the past two decades triggers a decision by Iran's supreme leader to unleash Hezbollah's formidable arsenal of rockets and missiles against Israeli cities and towns, or to launch an armada of mini-drones to destroy oil and gas facilities in Arab states up and down the Persian Gulf - acts of vengeance that would probably lead to full-scale regional war - then the hit on Soleimani will go down as one of the most thoughtless and foolishly provocative decisions ever made by an American president.

These scenarios are frighteningly plausible, though it would be out of character for the normally careful and calculating Iranian leadership to risk all-out war because one of its generals was killed, even one as iconic and powerful as Soleimani. Indeed, the most likely outcome of the Soleimani killing is that Iran rejects the apocalyptic options, bides its time and eventually resumes its gray-zone tactics against U.S. allies and interests under new Quds Force leadership. Still, one hopes the Trump administration factored these potential worst-case outcomes into its decision-making and has taken the appropriate measures to prevent and deter them.

But what if this chapter of the U.S.-Iran contest ends very differently - in negotiation, not confrontation? What if the unexpected targeting of Soleimani, combined with the unexpected attack last weekend on facilities of an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah, restored a measure of deterrence vis-a-vis Iran after the Trump administration opted not to respond militarily to a series of provocations that have escalated for more than a year? (These include rocket salvos against the U.S. Consulate in Basra and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman, and an attack on Saudi oil facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais.) What if U.S. officials took advantage of the moment to ask a trusted third party - say, the Omanis or the Swiss - to test whether Tehran's leaders were ready for a quiet diplomatic initiative to achieve what the White House has long said was the objective of its "maximum pressure" campaign: a better, broader agreement with Iran than the narrow nuclear deal the administration quit in 2018?

With tensions high and emotions raw, the immediate aftermath of Soleimani's killing may seem an odd moment to propose diplomatic engagement. But the very brazenness of the act may have so unnerved Iran's leadership that negotiating with the Great Satan, an option Tehran seemed to reject as it sought to extend its influence from Yemen to Baghdad, might become an attractive alternative to the possibility of direct confrontation.

An episode from an earlier chapter of the U.S.-Iran contest may be instructive: the downing by the USS Vincennes of an Iranian civilian airliner in 1988, killing 290. Though it was an accident, the tragedy convinced the revolutionary founder of the Islamic republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that America was about to throw its weight fully in support of Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq War. Fearful of facing the full might of the United States, Khomeini swallowed hard and accepted a U.N.-brokered ceasefire, an act so painful he likened it to drinking "a chalice of poison."

Logic suggests that if Tehran blinked when confronted with an accidental use of American power, chances are even greater that it will blink when the use is purposeful, as was clearly the case with Soleimani's assassination. Of course, the Iranians will test whether the killing was a one-off muscle-flexing exercise, like the missile strike Trump ordered against Syrian chemical weapons facilities in 2017, which in retrospect was a feint to cover a broader U.S. policy of noninvolvement there that allowed Iran and Russia to expand their influence. So the challenge for Washington is complicated and sensitive: to project its resolution to counter any Iranian retaliatory measure with overwhelming force, without triggering the very doomsday scenarios deterrence is meant to prevent, all the while giving Iran the diplomatic off-ramp of negotiations for a new agreement.

In that respect, Soleimani's killing puts another potential carrot on the bargaining table beside the eventual lifting of economic sanctions - namely, a commitment from the United States not to use military force to threaten other top leaders or the regime's survival itself. For Tehran, the price will be a broader agreement than the 2015 nuclear deal, one that not only corrects the flaws and time constraints of that accord but expands the agenda to include verifiable restrictions on both Iran's missile program and its training, funding and arming of proxies, terrorist groups and Shiite militias in countries around the region.

True, 2020 is not 1988 - the Iranian people are not aching for peace after eight years of war, as was the case when the Vincennes downed the passenger jet, and their leaders may believe that stoking the embers of grievance is a surer way to stay in power than enduring the humiliation of negotiating with Trump. But if his administration's new muscularity means Washington and its partners remain committed to stymieing Iranian mischief around the region, Tehran may conclude that a negotiated deal is better than open-ended confrontation. After all, for a regime that likes to have its faraway proxies bear the brunt of its adversaries' counterattacks, the killing of Soleimani must have hit very close to home.

A U.S.-Iran negotiation can't be conducted the way Trump has tried to do it so far, in the failed North Korea model of face-to-face, one-on-one, leader-to-leader summits. If it has any chance of success, such an initiative would require deft, nimble diplomacy, a minimum of bombast (read: tweets) and a maximum of discretion, and a carefully structured plan of action that fully engages our European and Middle Eastern allies.

To say that none of these have so far been the hallmark of Trump's three years in office is an understatement. But the opportunity is so great - and the risks so fearsome - that all Americans, Republicans and Democrats, should hope the president, his Cabinet officers, and his foreign policy and national security advisers are up to the task.

- - -

Satloff is the executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
SEATTLE, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Tools4ever, a leading provider of identity governance and administration software solutions, announced today that it is attending and exhibiting at the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), Jan. 14 through 17, 2020, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida.

Tools4ever will provide demonstrations of its identity management solutions, as well as its popular cloud-based solution, HelloID, throughout the show. HelloID is used in hundreds of schools, colleges and universities throughout North America to enhance students' learning experience by providing easy, secure access to admins, educators, and students alike. HelloID includes cloud single sign-on, dynamic self-service and delegation capabilities, reporting, and more. Tools4ever's solutions provide easy and secure access to learning environments and educational devices, as well as self-guided user service and technical support.

"Having dedicated more than 20 years to serving educational entities, Tools4ever is thrilled to once again attend and exhibit at the most important technology conference in education on the event's 40th anniversary," said Dean Wiech, managing director at Tools4ever. "FETC allows us an excellent opportunity to reconnect with current clients and to meet with leaders of schools to discuss how our identity and access governance solutions can improve access to information and systems for all students, staff administrators, and even parents."

As the nation's leading education technology conference, FETC brings together education professionals from across the US to explore new technologies, discuss best practices and take on education's pressing IT infrastructure issues. FETC attendees include school and district administrators, teachers, IT leaders and other educators with roles or interest in education technology.

Individuals interested in attending FETC can receive a 10% discount courtesy of Tools4ever by clicking here.

For more information about FETC, visit https://www.fetc.org/.

About Tools4ever

Tools4ever is one of the world's largest providers of identity governance and administration (also known as identity and access management) with more than 10 million managed user accounts installed in organizations from various sectors ranging in size from 300 to more than 200,000 user accounts.

Since 1999, Tools4ever has developed and delivered several software solutions and consultancy services, such as user provisioning, downstream provisioning, workflow management, employee self-service and access governance (RBAC). In the area of password management, Tools4ever offers single sign-on and self-service password reset, among other solutions. For more information about Tools4ever, visit: https://www.tools4ever.com/.

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Former Nissan Motor Co Ltd (OTC: NSANF) Chairman Carlos Ghosn fled Japan on New Year's Eve to Turkey and is now in Lebanon, where the justice ministry has received an Interpol red notice for his arrest, according to the BBC.

The red notice, which calls on authorities to arrest a wanted person, has yet to be referred to the judiciary, Reuters reported.

Ghosn was charged in Japan with underreporting his future compensation and breach of trust and has repeatedly asserted his innocence.

He left on a private jet from a regional airport in Japan, reportedly landing in Istanbul first, which prompted an investigation in Turkey.

Ghosn is now in his home country of Lebanon.

"There has been speculation in the media that my wife Carole, and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan," Ghosn said in a Thursday statement, according to Bloomberg.

"All such speculation is inaccurate and false. I alone arranged for my departure. My family had no role whatsoever."

Ghosn also left Japan without a passport, which he had to surrender last year to Japanese officials.

Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon, which said Ghosn has entered the country legally, giving no reason to take action against him.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the escape, according to Turkish media: four pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers.

Related Links:

Former Nissan Chair Ghosn Flees Japan In Box, Turns Up In Lebanon

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Chairman Arrested On Trading Violations

Photo by Ecole polytechnique via Wikimedia.

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Taylor and Cullen Handfelt of The Woodlands are blending the business of a traditional florist with some new twists.

The Handfelts are the dynamic duo that created Piney Rose Flowers & Decor. A mixture of the feminine side, Rose, and the masculine side, Piney, they operate their newly opened business together much like everything else they do in life.

Cullen handles more of the business and corporate side of things, Im the creative one, Taylor said.

Taylor says that while residents coming to a florist for occasions or commercial needs is not a new thing, she and her husband are working to bring something new to the trade.

Piney Rose offers monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly subscriptions for a specially fashioned arrangement of blooms  fresh in a vase  delivered to your door.

What makes us unique is that we do farm direct flowers and the way we arrange flowers, and see them is different, Taylor said.

They arrange the flowers in a natural style. The design is more loose and itll feel like its meant to be arranged the way it is.

More Information Want to know more? Address: Piney Rose Flowers & Decor is at 2417 Research Forest Dr. Unit B in The Woodlands. Online: pineyrose.com or call 936-524-1540. See More Collapse

There are even classes that Taylor teaches on flower arrangements that are starting this month. Each class has a different theme. Residents can buy tickets for about $40 depending on the class, attend the session and then take their product home.

It all starts at their arrangement bar. People come and choose the vessel or vase of their liking, then they choose the different fillings for it  it could be rocks or sand  and then they can choose smaller plants or succulents to go inside.

Its a lot like painting with a twist, Taylor said.

The initial concept for their business was envisioned long before they bought the property at 2417 Research Forest Drive, Unit B in The Woodlands.

After years of doing this business out of her home, since 2016, Taylor decided it might be time for a bigger space. She, Cullen and some of the employees she had all worked from her house prior to the opening.

Its nice to have my home back, Taylor said.

The Handfelts are most excited about getting their business out in the community and meeting all their future clients and building that relationship. They want it to be an experience for everyone, to come, see, touch and feel the flowers as they please.

Im excited about that and going into sales mode. Meeting new people and networking, Cullen said.

Other than floral arrangements, there are other miscellaneous items sold in the store such as candles, stationary, and candy. Most of them are made by female artisans to support women, Taylor says. The items are a mixture of local, national and global talent.

The Handfelts, because of their love for the community, have partnered with local nonprofits such as Yes to Youth, Interfaith of The Woodlands, Habitat for Humanity and Montgomery County Food Bank among others.

Their yearly budget allows them to donate floral services for charities, galas and many other occasions.

We try to do as much as much nonprofits events as possible, Taylor said.

laraib.hashmi@chron.com
Police said on Thursday said they had arrested 17 young men who were suspected of taking part in the assault on two women in Mansoura

Prosecutors in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura are carrying out an extensive investigation into a group sexual assault and harassment incident which occurred on New Year's Eve after two victims identified seven suspects, Al-Ahram Arabic website quoted security sources as saying on Friday.

A video, which appeared to show a group of men surrounding a screaming woman, circulated on social media platforms on Wednesday.

A number of local media outlets said that the incident took place at night on 31 December, after a woman exited a shop and was then assaulted by a mob of young men who ripped some of her clothes off.

Another female victim of the assault reportedly managed to escape into an apartment building before being later escorted from the scene.

Mansoura prosecution said on Wednesday that they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the video.

Police said on Thursday said they had arrested 17 young men who were suspected of taking part in the assault. Police also questioned more than 20 shop owners and workers who were in the area where the assault took place.

Investigations identified the two victims of the assault as students, one of a private engineering institute and the other of the Faculty of Physical Education and Languages, both aged 20 years old, security sources told Al-Ahram Arabic website.

The victims said they did not officially report the incident due to their bad psychological state, security sources said.

They said that they were verbally harassed at first while some attackers were filming the incident, before dozens of young men began grabbing their private parts.

The state of public discontent with the incident prompted security to investigate the incident before an official report of the incident was filed, according to security sources.

The Egyptian Center for Womens Rights has called for more police presence in the streets to ensure the protection of women from sexual harassment, as the crime is not committed against one person, but against the society as a whole, and all women suffer from it.

On Thursday, leading Islamic religious institution Al-Azhar released a statement on Twitter denouncing sexual harassment.

A 2013 UN Women study reported that 96.5 percent of Egyptian women surveyed had been sexually harassed.

In 2014, Egypt passed legislation that introduced tougher punishments for those who commit sexual harassment.

Article 306 of Egypts penal code stipulates that those found guilty of sexual harassment in a private or public place will be sentenced to a minimum of six months and up to three years in prison, and fined no less than EGP 3,000.

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Vazquez-Velazquez, authorities say, was driving at a high rate of speed when his car struck one tree and then another along Fairview Avenue about 1 a.m. Oct. 7, 2018. A witness at the trial said the vehicle crested a hill and passed another vehicle before Vazquez-Velazquez apparently lost control and ran the vehicle into a parkway, striking the trees. The car, the witness said, essentially split in half from the force of the collision. Dewey was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, according to trial testimony.
One of the 120 former child patients at a psychiatric hospital accused of horrific sexual and physical abuse has said her life had been 'destroyed' by the 'hellish' experience.

Jacqueline Sims, 58, from Stoke-on-Trent, says that she was drugged and abused twice at the hands the late Dr Kenneth Milner during an eight-month-stay at Aston Hall hospital in Derbyshire in 1973, where children and teens were given unauthorised drug treatments in the 1960s and 1970s.

Following her alleged abuse at Aston Hall, Jacqueline went on to develop a dependence on alcohol which led her to lose custody of her two daughters, who were later placed in care, and she says she had difficulties forming romantic relationships.

Kenneth Milner (pictured) died in 1976, but authorities said he would have faced questioning over allegations of rape, indecent assault and child cruelty had he still been alive when this came in the late 2010s

More than 120 adults came forward with sexual abuse and drug abuse claims in 2017, leading to a report on the matter, published in 2018. Authorities concluded that Dr Milner, who died in 1976, would have been questioned over allegations of rape, indecent assault and child cruelty, had he still been alive.

Jacqueline said the contested compensation scheme from the Department of Health announced in August 2019, which saw alleged victims of Milner receiving upwards of 8,000 for the drug treatment - but failed to recognise the sexual abuse - could not make up for her 'destroyed' life.

'I'm grateful the pain is being acknowledged, but no amount of money is worth what we suffered,' Jacqueline told Chat Magazine .

'My childhood was stolen, the years since then destroyed. You can't put a price on that,' she added.

The grandmother, who is now married to partner Kenny, 75, recalled how she was sent to Aston Hall in 1973 after being arrested for stealing to feed her younger siblings, and was recommended for psychiatric treatment by social services.

On her very first day at the hospital, a matron led her down to the basement where she had to take a bath and put on a nightdress.

More than 120 people came forward, claiming they had been drugged without their consent and sexually abused by Milner in the 1960s to 1970s while staying at the Aston Hall Psychiatric Hospital (pictured)

She was then led to a room with a mattress on the floor and bars on the windows, with a picture of a teddy bear on the wall.

After being ordered to lie down on the mattress by the matron, Dr Milner appeared wearing a white coat, and said: 'Hello, dear.'

He produced a syringe and injected her arm, leaving Jacqueline unable to feel her arms and legs, before putting a cotton wool mask over her mouth.

She passed out and the next thing she knew it was the next morning. Jacqueline was taken back to the dormitory with no memory of what had happened to her.

Other girls said that during 'treatments' they had awoken to find Dr Milner's hands in their underwear, while one recalled the flash of a camera.

Jacqueline had one further treatment during her 'hellish' eight-month stay, before she was finally moved to a care home.

But the experience left her with psychological scars that wouldn't heal and that she only found solace in the unhealthy consumption of alcohol.

'I'd do anything to forget those dark corridors and the acrid smell of nail varnish remover,' she said.

Jacqueline claimed that all the children she met at Aston were terrified at the idea of being summoned for 'treatment' by Dr Milner, something she underwent twice during an eight-month-stay at the hospital in 1973.

Sodium Amytal: Truth serum invented in Germany in 1923 Sodium Amytal is more commonly known now as Amobarbital. It was first synthesised in Germany in 1923. It is a white, granular powder that is odorless and has a bitter taste and is soluble in both water and alcohol. The main use of the drug is as a sedative hypnotic and makes patients drowsy or semi-conscious. It was widely used during World War Two as an anti-anxiety drug for soldiers with shellshock. However, it can also act as a 'truth serum'. Under the influence of the drug, a person may divulge information that under normal circumstances they would block. If amobarbital is taken for extended periods of time, physical and psychological dependence can develop. Advertisement

The grandmother alleged she was led to a dark room with 'mustard coloured walls' and bars across the window, and was told to lay down on a bed.

She claimed Dr Milner came in the room and injected a syringe into her arm, which numbed her.

Jacqueline claimed that she had no memory of what happened to her after the injection.

After the first 'treatment' with Milner, Jacqueline spent the remainder of her time at Aston dreading another encounter with the doctor, and would 'cry with relief' when another child was selected instead.

In total, she had two 'treatments' with Milner before her mother finally managed to get her out of the psychiatric institution.

Dr Milner's 'treatment' included victims who were both boys and girls being laid down on a single mattress and had a mask put over their face.

Some were injected with sodium amytal, a powerful barbiturate which would have left patients immobile and semi-conscious.

It also acted as a 'truth serum' as Dr Milner asked questions about abuse they may have suffered, usually sexual, involving family members.

They say this form of 'therapy' was not necessary, performed without any permission in inappropriate circumstances and was a form of abuse.

Many said while being asked questions they recalled Dr Milner's sexual abuse and touching.

In August 219, the Department of Health reached an an agreement with victims to pay at least 8,000 as a starting point to victims if they were 'experimented on' with Dr Milner's 'treatment'.

Patients who received between two to five treatments more would receive an additional 2,500 for each extra treatment.

People who received between six and 15 treatments would receive an extra 1,500 per treatment.

Some of the victims said the settlement offer was an insult to those they say could have died following the abuse.

Aston Hall was Derbyshire police's biggest investigation into child abuse in terms of the number of victims.

It has been described as one of the biggest abuse scandals in a mental health institution.

The true scale of abuse at Aston Hall was uncovered in 2016 and in the same year compensation claims started to be made.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asante Gold Corporation (CSE:ASE/ FRANKFURT:1A9) (Asante or the "Company") is pleased to announce that anomalous high induced polarization (IP) survey results have been noted vertically above a previous drill intersection that graded 3.0m of 4.5g/t gold. This new IP anomaly is located just 150m to the east of the Kubi Main gold resource* and has a significant strike and inferred dip potential.



The intersection, in drill hole KV97-143 from the 1997 Nevsun Resources Ltd. Kubi Main resource drilling program, was not followed up at the time because it was off trend and in the footwall of the targeted Kubi Main gold zone. The gold mineralization is associated with shearing, abundant garnet and 6.0% to 8.0% pyrite/pyrrhotite at a vertical depth of 360m, centered below the IP anomaly and hosted in steeply dipping Tarkwaiian meta-conglomerates.

The second, of the two drill holes which have tested this IP anomaly, KV95-12, also intersected a garnet/sulfide horizon from 138.0 to 148.0m down hole at a vertical depth of 98m. This interval was not assayed for gold at the time and the core is no longer available.

The new IP target, noted as C on the attached map, has an indicated length of 250m, and is on strike with a 17.0 g/t gold in soil sample located a further 100m to the north east. The other major IP high trends, A, B and D are located a few hundred metres further to the east and to the north, and are also considered as high priority drill targets.

Douglas MacQuarrie, President and CEO states, At the Kubi Main gold deposit, the tenor of the gold mineralization is directly related to the sulfide content in a distinct garnet, sulfide and quartz rich unit. The confirmation of strong gold, garnet and sulfide mineralization in the previously not targeted Tarkwaiian conglomerates and the numerous IP high anomalies recently discovered, opens up extensive opportunities for resource expansion at Kubi.

A map of the high priority near pit IP target and the other high potential IP trends is available at:

http://www.asantegold.com/assets/docs/KubiEIPTrendsN12imgSEMSResourceDDHGoogleImg.pdf

and on our Kubi Gold Mine Project page at: http://www.asantegold.com/projects/kubi-gold-mine

On behalf of the Board,

"Douglas R. MacQuarrie"

President and CEO

Scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Douglas R. MacQuarrie, P.Geo. (B.C.) Geology & Geophysics, the President and CEO of the Company, who is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101. *Kubi Main Zone has a current NI 43-101 resource estimate, completed by SEMS Exploration Services Ltd. of Accra, Ghana: Measured Resources 0.66 million tonnes @ 5.30g/t for 112,000 ounces; Indicated Resources 0.66 million tonnes @ 5.65g/t for 121,000 ounces; and Inferred Resources 0.67 million tonnes @ 5.31g/t for 115,000 ounces, which is filed on SEDAR. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The two drill intervals noted are down hole lengths and no estimate of true width may be determined at this time.

About Asante Gold Corporation

Asante is continuing to source funding to expand and develop its Kubi Gold project to production, and is exploring the Keyhole, Fahiakoba and Betenase concessions/options for new discoveries, all adjoining or along strike of major gold mines near the centre of Ghanas Golden Triangle.

For further information please contact:

Douglas MacQuarrie, President and CEO, tel: +1 604-558-1134; E-mail: douglas@asantegold.com

Valentina Gvozdeva, Business Development, E-mail: valentina@asantegold.com

Florian Riedl-Riedenstein, Director; European Investor Relations, E-mail: frram@aon.net

Doreen Kent, Shareholder Communications, tel: +1 604-948-9450; E-mail: d.kent@eastlink.ca

Additional information is available on our web site at: www.asantegold.com

LEI Number: 529900F9PV1G9S5YD446. Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
On Dec. 19, Syrian regime forces began a new offensive targeting Idlib province, the last rebel stronghold in the country, moving north toward Maaret al-Numan. Within four days, the forces drove the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Turkey-backed opposition National Liberation Front out of 40 settlements. The new power balance is threatening the 12 army observation posts Turkey had set up around Idlib.

The operation proved a major defeat for Syrian opposition forces. But Turkeys plan to send troops to Libya on a separate mission has already diverted the public's attention to the eastern Mediterranean, enabling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to cover up the failures in Syria.

Ankara reacted to the Idlib offensive with unusual restraint, opting to negotiate with Moscow, which backs the Syrian regime. Turkey seems to be avoiding another escalation with Russia over Idlib, especially as the Libya dossier has already created a rift.

The operation against Maaret al-Numan resembles the Syrian armys successful capture of Khan Sheikhoun in August, a move that redrew Idlib's military borders. During the fall of Khan Sheikhoun, Turkey's Morek observation post had come under siege, though Turkey chose not to evacuate Morek, where Russian military police took control to assure Turkish forces' safety.

The loss of Khan Sheikhoun and Turkeys failure to support the Syrian opposition disappointed the Free Syrian Army factions. Some of them accused Turkey of diluting the front lines around Idlib by shifting its focus to Manbij and areas east of the Euphrates River against the Syrian Kurdish forces there. Some observers speculated Turkey might have allowed Russian-backed Syrian army forces to advance toward Idlib in exchange for Turkey being allowed to return to its operation against the Kurds.

Now, the Syrian army has begun its third major offensive against Idlib. In addition to Morek, Turkeys Surman observation post has also come under siege.

Reports from the ground show that the opposition's job is getting tougher each day. Usually, the HTS and Turkish-backed forces would put aside their disagreements and coordinate against regime offensives, but they didn't agree to do so until Dec. 31, the BBC reported.

The regime's apparent first objective is to take control of Maaret al-Numan from HTS and destroy the most significant barrier to the strategic M-5 highway connecting Aleppo and Damascus.

The regime's second objective is to take over Saraqib at the intersection of the M-5 and another strategic highway, the M-4 connecting Aleppo and Latakia. The latter is currently under HTS control. If the regime succeeds in capturing Maaret al-Numan and Saraqib, only 10 small settlements will remain under HTS control and can be captured in a separate operation.

The next strategic objective is to clear the roads leading to the M-4 highway, requiring the regime to capture Idlib's Jisr al-Shughur and Ariha. The regime is expected to launch two simultaneous operations from Aleppo and Latakia to repel HTS from around the M-4. These operations are expected to be more difficult than the previous ones due to Latakia's mountainous terrain.

Turkey has few reasons left to condemn such operations except to express its concerns about a new refugee wave and civilian casualties. Turkey has failed to keep promises it made to Russia last year to clear extremist groups from the highways and set up a demilitarized zone around Idlib. Whenever Turkey voices concern over the Syrian regimes offensives around Idlib, Moscow quickly reminds Ankara of those unkept promises. Besides, Turkeys relations with its Western partners are souring, so Ankara doesnt want to risk its relations with Moscow.

Still, Erdogan said Turkey is making every effort to end the attacks on Idlib. A Turkish delegation visited Moscow on Dec. 23 to discuss the recent developments in Libya and Syria, though the Russian Foreign Ministrys statement regarding the visit didn't mention Idlib.

Erdogan spokesman Ibrahim Kalin called for a new cease-fire. We sent a strong message to the Russian side but unfortunately no step has been taken. They said they are working to stop the fighting within 24 hours, Kalin told the Turkish press immediately after the talks.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the recipient of the strong message, was meeting that day in Moscow with his Syrian counterpart, Walid Moallem. Russia will continue work to restore the unity and territorial integrity" of Syria, Lavrov said. Lavrov had also spoken that day by phone with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu.

In addition to the intense diplomatic traffic in Moscow, a Russian delegation based at Hmeymim air base near Latakia conducted negotiations Dec. 24 to persuade the opposition to turn over Maaret al-Numan to regime forces. HTS rejected the compromise.

Apparently, Russia and the Syrian governments game plan is to target strategic points in and around Idlib instead of an all-out operation to capture the whole region. A possible cease-fire at Maaret al-Numan would only help to de-escalate the tension somewhat.

Ankara, on the other hand, is trying to shelve the problem until the Syrian Constitutional Committee completes its work in Geneva to build a framework agreement that will pave the way for a political solution.

Russia, for its part, is trying to unbalance the equation in favor of the Syrian regime by gaining control over the M-4 and M-5 highways to reduce Idlib's importance and weaken the oppositions hand in negotiations.

Russia is less forthcoming when it comes to Idlib, unlike its compromise on Turkeys concerns over armed Syrian Kurdish groups, which Ankara considers terrorists and a threat to its national security. Moreover, Russian cooperation in Syria with international actors, particularly China, is increasing in line with developments on the ground.

Indeed, Russia and China blocked the resolution proposing to extend humanitarian assistance to Syria at the UN Security Council in a move that may have cut the supply chain that feeds Idlib. All these signs suggest that 2020 will be a year of critical developments that will disappoint Erdogan.
Krueger: With some care over the years, the old family barn keeps standing
Hustler magazine is under fire for sending Christmas cards featuring a cartoon of Donald Trump being assassinated to members of Congress.

The front of the card shows the grinning killer with a smoking gun saying: 'I just shot Donald Trump on Fifth Avenue and no one arrested me.'

The inside has a cartoon of the President lying in a pool of blood surrounded by people cheering: 'Merry Christmas!'

A caption in the bottom corner says: 'From all of us at Hustler.'

The card was a reference to Trump's comment during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he bragged: 'I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?'

The Christmas card was sent to several members of Congress in the US by Hustler magazine

The card was a reference to Trump's comment during the 2016 presidential campaign, when he bragged: 'I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?'

President Donald Trump (pictured) was depicted lying in a pool of blood in the 'disgusting and hateful' card

The card was condemned as 'disgusting and hateful' by Republican Mike Johnson, of Louisiana, one of several recipients.

He tweeted: 'Here's all you need to know about the radical Left.

'A young staffer of mine opened this in a stack of holiday mail today.

'Just imagine if a conservative had distributed such a disgusting and hateful piece about a Democrat. I hope this will be investigated by the @secretservice.'

Larry Flynt, the pornographic magazine's 77-year-old founder, is well known for his dislike of Trump.

The porn mogul offered a $1million reward before the 2016 election for anyone with compromising video footage of Trump and Hustler produced a porn 'parody' of Trump titled 'The Donald.'

In 2017, Flynt took out a full-page ad in The Washington Post offering a '$10 million' reward for 'information leading to the impeachment and removal of office' of the president.

The ad said: 'After nine tumultuous months in office, Trump has proven he's dangerously unfit to exercise the extreme power accrued by our new "unitary executive".'

The card was condemned as 'disgusting and hateful' on Twitter by Republican Mike Johnson, of Louisiana, one of several recipients

Mark Zaid, the anti-Trump attorney who legally represents the whistleblower in the Ukraine scandal, also slammed the cartoon Christmas card.

'This is unacceptable, and clearly I'm no fan of this President. But this absolutely crosses the line and there should be a public apology. Something like this is not a joking matter,' Zaid tweeted.
Oxygen

When a stage performance is going on, all eyes are on the stage. Could someone really disappear mid-show? It's exactly what happened to Helen Mintiks. It was the night of July 23, 1980. The Berlin Ballet was performing at the famous Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. At one point during the performance, recorded music was played instead of the orchestra, which was made up of talented freelance musicians. These musicians used this period as a break. But 45 minutes later, around 9:30 p.m.
Police says Iltija was refused permission to visit her grandfathers grave.

Srinagar: Iltija Mufti, daughter of incarcerated former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, on Thursday claimed that she had been detained at her Gupkar Road residence in capital Srinagar to stop her from visiting her grandfather Mufti Muhammad Sayeeds grave in southern Anantnag district.

Though the police said that Iltija was not detained but refused permission to visit Sayeeds grave in home town Bijbehara at a short notice by the district police authorities, sources said that she was not allowed to move out of her Srinagar home on Thursday. This correspondent saw a police vehicle placed at the main entrance to the premises to block the access.

Iltija said over the phone that her detention reveals the governments nervousness in dealing with the dissent and also negates its claim that situation in the Valley has returned to normal.

She said that she wanted to pay obeisance at her grandfathers ahead of his fifth death anniversary falling on January 7 and oversee the preparations being made for the event. She said over the phone, Ive been detained here...Im not being permitted to leave this place nor is any one allowed to enter here. Peoples Democratic Party has moved an application before Anantnags DC seeking permission for holding prayer meeting beside Mr. Sayeeds grave on his death anniversary.

Iltija, born in 1986, professionally belongs to Bollywood but has been in the news since August this year when her mother like hundreds of Kashmiri politicians was detained by the authorities ahead of the Centres stripping J&K of its special status and splitting the state up into two union territories.

Since, she has been publicly resisting the governments contentious move and accompanying harsh measures, including detention of political leaders, and other activists and communication blackout most vocally and, by virtue of it, has achieved eminence in political arena of the country and beyond. She also actively handles her mothers Twitter and other social media accounts where again she has been highly critical of the Modi government.

Additional director general of police (law and order and security) Munir Khan denied Iltija has been detained. He said, The Anantnag police did not give clearance to her visit. She is Special Services Group (SSG) protected person and, if such as person has to visit any place, we have to get clearance from the police of that area.

The officer said that Iltija earlier during the day informed the police about her intention to visit her grandfathers grave in Bijbehara and that the Anantnag police could not give its clearance to it on such a short notice.

But Iltija accused the police officer of lying to media.

The matter of the fact is that he asked my driver and other staff members and even my (police) Personal Security Officer not to come to my residence today. I have been in the Valley for over a week and was being allowed to move around only after I would inform the security team at our residence about my day plan. Today I was told that I need to get prior permission from the police if I want to come out of my home even for five minutes, she said.

The authorities are unlikely to grant the PDP permission to hold a rally or even a large prayer (fateha) meeting at the grave of its patrol Sayeed. On December 5 this year, the police had enforced restrictions around the lakeside mausoleum of Kashmirs legendary leader Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in Srinagars Naseem Bagh area to prevent a mass gathering at the mazaar on his 114th birth anniversary. However later during that day, people were -individually or in small numbers- allowed to enter the mazaar area on the western shore of the Dal Lake to offer fateha (prayers for the dead). Among them were the Sheikhs younger daughter Suraya Abdullah, her husband Dr. Ali Muhammad Mattoo and National Conference (NC) MP Hasnain Masoodi. The Sheikhs eldest child Begum Khalida Shah who heads Awami National Conference (ANC), a splinter group of the NC, was, however, was denied permission to visit the mazaar even after she had moved an application before the concerned authorities for it.
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This is part of Voter Game Plan, our project to get you prepped for the 2020 elections. Read up on races, ballot measures, upcoming deadlines and the big changes happening in the way we vote for the March 3 primary. And if you have questions about voting, ask us anything.

This year brings a presidential election along with a bevy of state and local races -- contests that are arguably even more consequential to everyday life in Los Angeles than who occupies the fancy digs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Beginning with the primary on March 3, Southern California voters will decide the future of the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, the fate of seven Los Angeles city council seats, three spots on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, and nearly half a dozen contested House districts that could impact the balance of political power in Congress.

The primary also brings a gauntlet of major changes to how we vote in L.A. and Orange Counties.

We're here to help you put together a game plan as you navigate the voting process and go deeper into the issues and candidates on your ballot.

To that end, the new year is a good time to get some civic housekeeping taken care of, so here are some things to keep in mind as we start the 2020 election journey together.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. VOTING CHANGES ARE HERE.

We can't say this enough: If you vote in-person in L.A. County or Orange County, how you vote will be different in 2020.

Here's the first difference: You're probably saying goodbye to your neighborhood polling place. In place of the local church, school cafeteria, or neighbor's garage that you're used to voting in, there will be larger "vote centers" open for up to ten days before the election. The vote center model lets you vote anywhere in the county, get help in multiple languages, replace a lost or damaged ballot, and register to vote or change your voter registration same-day.

Again, you likely will not be voting at your traditional polling place anymore. So make a mental note, lest you show up at your old spot come election day and no one is there.

The second difference: In-person voters will be using new ballot marking machines, involving tablet computers similar to an iPad, instead of the old InkaVote system. It's a major upgrade to L.A. and O.C. voting technology that hasn't changed in decades.

This is what the L.A. County version looks like in action:

There will even be an app you can use to pre-select your choices at home, before walking into the polling center. The app has a code to scan that you will use to print your ballot, at which point you can double-check your choices before officially casting it.



This is happening because lawmakers in Sacramento passed the Voters Choice Act in 2016. The law allows counties across the state to choose when to implement the new vote center model, consolidating polling places to fewer locations that are open for several days ahead of the election.

WHAT? NO MORE NEIGHBORHOOD POLLING PLACES? WHERE DO I VOTE NOW?

Officials released the locations of the vote centers in January.

Here are all the voting centers in L.A. County, as a map and a full list.

Here are all the voting centers in Orange County, as a map and a full list.

You're no longer assigned a specific place to vote, so you can vote at any voting center in your county. Some will be open for four days and some will be open for 11 days -- be sure to check specifics for the location you plan to go to.

Elections officials have been holding public meetings and gathering input from community groups for months to determine the final locations of these centers. You can read more about their selection process here.

HAVE SOME COUNTIES ALREADY MADE THESE CHANGES? HOW DID IT GO?



Five counties, including Sacramento and Napa, implemented the Voter's Choice Act in the 2018 midterm election. They reported small gains in primary and general election turnout -- around 3 or 4 percent. The system has also reportedly saved them money.

The L.A. County Registrar Recorder, Dean Logan, says this is going to be a better consumer experience for voters.

The centers will be open more hours, days ahead of the March 3 election, so they are more convenient for working people. You will be able to check in and print your ballot right on-site, so voters can go to any vote center in the county, instead of one designated polling place.

And election officials want to emphasize that everyone is still voting with a paper ballot that's printed out at the end of the process, allowing voters to double-check their choices before actually casting their vote.

These machines are also not connected to the internet, hopefully cutting down on security vulnerabilities.

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW IF I VOTE BY MAIL?



Good question, because about two-thirds of California voters mail in their ballots these days. But L.A. County residents are much less likely to choose that option. Only about 40 percent of LA county voters were registered as permanent-vote-by-mail users in the 2018 statewide primary.

One interesting thing to note: L.A. County is exempt -- just this one time -- from sending every voter a ballot in the mail, which is required under the Voter's Choice Act.

So for 2020, L.A. voters still have to register as permanent or one-time vote-by-mail voters to get their ballots delivered by snail mail.

But in most counties that are adopting the new law -- like Orange County, for example -- every single registered voter will be mailed an absentee ballot. Voters can choose to drop it off in a mailbox or a secure ballot drop box, or get a fresh ballot in-person at one of the vote centers once they're open.

By the way, no one who votes by mail in California has to worry about stamps anymore. Postage is prepaid.

Yesenia Zambrano (and her canine pal Eevee) try out L.A. County's new ballot marking machines during the September 28, 2019 mock election at Salazar Park in East L.A. (Al Kamalizad for LAist)

WHAT SHOULD VOTERS BE DOING RIGHT NOW TO GET READY?



When it comes to the March primary, forget election day. It's really more like an election month in California.



The primary is officially March 3, but vote-by-mail ballots begin going out February 3 -- and several hundred vote centers in L.A. and Orange County will begin opening February 22.

Right now, everyone can check their voter registration on the Secretary of State's website, and it's a good time to encourage friends and relatives to look into their registration status. Make sure you're a) on the rolls, b) see what party you're registered under and c) check that your address is up to date.



[To check your California voter registration status or register for the first time, click here. You can also call the California Secretary of State's Voter Hotline at 1-800-345-VOTE (8683).]

If you're in L.A. and you'd like to vote absentee, now's also a good time to check if you're a permanent vote-by-mail voter or if you need to request a one-time vote by mail ballot.

Los Angeles County voters: check your vote-by-mail status here. (All Orange County voters will be automatically mailed a vote-by-mail ballot in 2020.)

L.A. and Orange County elections officials, local governments and community groups are working to get the word out about the new vote centers and why neighborhood polling places are going away. But if you know people in your orbit who are likely to miss this advertising blitz -- especially young folks, the elderly, or people with limited English, etc. -- you might want to ask them if they know about the voting changes.

ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR?

Yup. This a presidential election year, and every four years one major thing tends to trip people up.

If you are a "No Party Preference" voter -- which means you're not registered as a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian or any other party -- and you vote by mail -- you'll need to request a Democratic ballot if you want to vote in the Democratic presidential nominating contest on the March 3 ballot.

Otherwise, when February rolls around, you're going to get a nonpartisan ballot in the mail with zero presidential candidates to choose from.

That's right, zero.

HOLD UP. IF I'M A 'NO PARTY PREFERENCE' VOTER AND I VOTE BY MAIL, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES WON'T AUTOMATICALLY SHOW UP ON MY BALLOT? WHAT GIVES?

It's true. Candidates for all other down-ballot races, including congressional, state legislature, city council, etc. will be on your ballot.

But in a presidential race, state political parties control who gets to weigh in on their primaries.

California has a modified closed primary system. The Democratic Party (along with the Libertarian Party and a couple others) allows non-Democrats to request crossover ballots to vote for their presidential candidates.

But vote-by-mail No Party Preference voters still have to take an extra step to request a ballot with Democratic candidates.

The Republican party, on the other hand, does not allow crossover voting. To vote for President Trump or one of his Republican challengers, you'll have to register with the GOP to vote in that presidential primary. Same goes for the Green and Peace And Freedom parties.

In-person voters don't face this problem anymore -- they can simply walk in to one of the new vote centers once they open in late February and request a Democratic ballot.

The deadline to request a crossover ballot in the mail is the same as the vote-by-mail request cutoff, February 25th.

No Party Preference voters are now the second largest slice of the electorate in California, behind Democrats, so this affects a lot of people.

I DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT. HOW DO 'NO PARTY PREFERENCE' VOTERS GET A CROSSOVER BALLOT?

If you are a vote-by-mail, No Party Preference voter, there are several ways you can get a crossover Democratic ballot:

-- You can return one of the postcards that county election offices have been sending out over the holidays to get the Democratic ballot mailed to your address.

The Secretary of State's office shared these examples:



IMPORTANT THREAD: If you are a registered with No Party Preference and vote-by-mail, you will be receiving a postcard from your county elections office to request a primary ballot with presidential candidates. Please complete and return this postcard ASAP.



Example postcard: pic.twitter.com/VPMJdLe3Bu  CA SOS Vote (@CASOSvote) December 12, 2019

Note: Your postcard may include a deadline from your County Registrar-Recorder's office. But, real talk: this is meant to encourage voters to respond early and avoid printing and mailing multiple ballots to each voter. IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO ASK FOR A CROSSOVER BALLOT. Send that postcard in any time by the February 25th vote-by-mail deadline.

Many, many voters are not mailing back these postcards. In Los Angeles County, the return rate is so far under 5 percent, according to the Registrar Recorder's office, which has received just 42,100 out of the nearly 900,000 cards mailed to No Party Preference voters in December.

-- If you didn't get a postcard, or it got lost in your pile of holiday catalogs and junk mail, you can also request the ballot you want by phone, fax or an email to your county elections office. Here's a list of contact information for every California county's election office.

[The Los Angeles County Registrar's office in Norwalk is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call them at (800) 815-2666. You'll get a phone menu to navigate, so here's a shortcut: press 2 and then 3 to reach someone who can help you request a crossover ballot. You can also email voterinfo@rrcc.lacounty.gov for more help.]

-- Again, if you get the No Party Preference ballot in the mail in February, but you're hoping to vote in the Democratic (or Libertarian, etc.) primary, you can always go in-person to any vote center to exchange it for a party-specific ballot.

YIKES. THIS IS A LOT TO REMEMBER



It is. But we are here for you all year. LAist's Voter Game Plan project has more details, and I'd love to hear your questions or concerns about the voting changes.

Please send me an email, get in touch on Twitter, or use the question box below!

[Monday, Feb. 4, 12:00 p.m.: This story was updated with information on the locations of voting centers in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

Friday, Jan. 3, 4:00 p.m.: This story was updated to reflect the number of Los Angeles County crossover ballot request postcards returned to the Registrar Recorder's office.]
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 18:52:12|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Elon Musk's The Boring Company (TBC) is currently building a "loop," its underground electric transport system, in Las Vegas, and it could be ready by the end of 2020, according to local media reports on Thursday.

The 2020 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will kick off next week in Las Vegas. For the event next year, attendees should be able to get around the giant Las Vegas Convention Center in TBC's Loop, according to reports by Electrek.

TBC CEO and founder Musk recently tweeted that he expects the project to be completed by the end of 2020.

The project was initiated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), which operates the city's massive convention center. The city is currently expanding the already gigantic venue with a new section to open in 2021, and it needs a new way to move people between all their different halls.

In May 2019, the LVCVA approved the contract with TBC to design and construct the new underground people mover project encompassing Las Vegas Convention Center.

The project, with a contract value of over 48 million U.S. dollars, could rapidly and safely carry passengers in autonomous electric vehicles via a loop of underground express-route tunnels.
We have nothing. We dont have that kind of money they are asking for.

Those were the words of one of the nephews of couple Narine Maraj, 62, and Mattie Maraj, 52, who were kidnapped on Saturday evening after leaving their Madras, St Helena, home to tend to their animals at a family-owned farm in Piarco.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday had a telephonic conversation with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison and expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of all Indians on the damage to life and property due to severe and prolonged bush fires there.

He also offered India's "unstinted support" to Australia and its people, "who are bravely facing this unprecedented natural calamity", according to a statement by the External Affairs Ministry.

Expressing his satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations in recent years, Modi reiterated India's commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia.

He stated that to this end, he looked forward to welcoming Morrison in India on a state visit at a mutually convenient time later in the year, the statement said.

Morrison called off his four-day visit to India from January 13 due to the devastating bush fires in several parts of his country, diplomatic sources said on Friday.

Bush fires have ripped through the states of New South Wales and Victoria, killing at least 20 people and destroying nearly 500 homes.

About 4,000 people, including nearly 3,000 tourists, were stranded in Victoria's Mallacoota region since they were forced to take shelter on the foreshore as the fire approached on New Year's eve.
Independent legislator from Meham Balraj Kundu on Friday alleged large scale irregularities in sugar mills across the state since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in Haryana in 2014. He also alleged a scam in allotment of development works in Rohtak and demanded a probe against former state cooperatives minister Manish Grover and deputy commissioner RS Verma.

Interacting with media persons here, Kundu said former minister Manish Grover had caused a huge loss to the state exchequer by showing sugar mills in Haryana in losses during his tenure as a cooperative minister in the BJP-led Khattar government.

Manish Grover and his family members have been doing business of sheera being used in sugar mills for the past many years. He had purchased sheera from the mills at lower rates and sold it at higher prices, causing a big loss to the state exchequer, Kundu added.

He also alleged irregularities pertaining to allotment of development works in Rohtak by using unfair means to give work to few contractors close to Grover.

Grover and Rohtak deputy commissioner RS Verma had looted money of common man by allotting development projects at higher prices to favour some firms and contractors. There is a big scam in road construction in the city and the former minister had caused a loss of 400 crore to the state exchequer by allotting mall parking project to his close aides with the help of DC Verma. The roads constructed in the last 5 years were of 18cm thickness against the required 24cm. I will raise this issue in the upcoming assembly session and demand a probe in the matter, Kundu said.

He said Grover will go to jail if a fair probe is conducted into the allotment of development works in the district.

The DC and administration had appointed teachers at government model school in Rohtak by violating rules and regulations. The teachers of a particular caste were appointed with the consent of school principal, he added.

Kundu also alleged that Grover was responsible for the loss of lives and damage caused to the property damage during Jat agitation in February 2016.

Grover was responsible for the conflict between people in the name of caste. He had given money and other resources to people to instigate Jat agitation in February 2016, he added.

Kundu also accused Grover of denying a BJP ticket to him and forcing him to jump into the poll arena as an independent candidate from Meham.

People of Rohtak assembly had taught a lesson to this corrupt man (Grover) by defeating him in the assembly polls, he added.

Former minister Manish Grovers media consultant Naveen Nain said Grover is in Australia and will give a befitting reply to Kundus allegations after returning back.

Despite repeated attempts, Rohtak DC RS Verma could not be reached for a comment.
Crude oil prices bumped up by about 3 percent Friday after a top Iranian military commander was killed in an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump, but analysts agreed that what happens next will be far more significant for world petroleum markets.

"No real oil volumes have been lost, and the overall market is well supplied. In fact, Saudi Arabia has significant spare capacity at the moment," John Kilduff, an analyst with Again Capital, a New York investment firm, wrote in an email. "Still, this is a big deal, and the market is on tenterhooks, awaiting Iran's response."

The killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Quds Force, whose car was struck by a missile as he was leaving the airport in Baghdad late Thursday night, was described as a "cowardly and vicious act" by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. "Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime," he said.

Iran's defense minister, Amir Hatami, said the strike by the "arrogant U.S." would be met with a "crushing" response. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the strike an "act of international terrorism" and said in a tweet that the United States "bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."

An obvious point of vulnerability is the narrow Strait of Hormuz, hemmed in by Iran's southern coast. About a sixth of the world's oil supply passes through the waterway, which is 21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point, and has been deemed "the world's most important choke point" by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The quantity of oil ferried through the strait - much of which is headed for China, India and Japan - is nearly double that of all U.S. oil production. Should threats of attack close the passage, there could be devastating consequences for the world economy.

Other potential Iranian targets are oil fields and facilities in Iraq or Saudi Arabia.

Two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf were crippled by attacks in June, and drone strikes on state-owned Saudi Aramco in September temporarily took 5.7 million barrels of crude, or 6 percent of worldwide consumption, out of daily circulation, causing the biggest daily jump in oil prices since 1988. Production was restored within two weeks, and price increases following both incidents - as much as 15 percent following the drone attack - fairly quickly subsided.

In a note issued late Thursday night, ClearView Energy Partners, a research firm based in Washington, said it is reasonable to expect Iranian reprisals "possibly via all three avenues Iran has pursued in the recent past: (1) targeting regional shipping and energy production; (2) proxy (and principal) attacks against U.S. assets and allies, including cyberattacks; and (3) further nuclear brinkmanship."

Any one of those, it said, would send oil prices higher. The note also argued that market prices continue to suggest undue faith in "Iranian rationality and U.S. restraint."

Robert McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group in Bethesda, Maryland, wrote in an email: "Direct attacks against U.S. personnel, diplomats or vessels or a return to targeting (Persian) Gulf oil infrastructure or tankers could easily add another $5-10 dollars per barrel to the price. Should conflict escalate to an all-out conventional conflict including the U.S. and Iranian militaries in the Gulf, crude prices could spike into the triple digit range."

In a paper issued last summer assessing the impact of a conflict in the region, Rapidan argued that a disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could last "for many weeks, if not longer." It suggested that a major U.S. military operation would see oil prices spike, recede, but then grow steadily higher again as expectations of a "quick and total victory" would undoubtedly be proven wrong. It also predicted that in such a case China would immediately begin hoarding oil, quickly sending prices even higher.

But analysts agreed that all they can do at this point is speculate.

"While there is no immediate, direct impact on oil supply from Iran or any other country, events such as this have the effect of raising the geopolitical risk premium in oil prices," said Pavel Molchanov, an oil analyst with Raymond James. "We will need to watch how Iran responds, and whether its response might lead to an actual supply disruption."

Molchanov pointed out that shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, while dramatic, would cause serious damage to Iran's own economy, which is already struggling under the weight of American sanctions. They have cost the nation $200 billion in revenue since being imposed in 2018, pushed inflation up to about 40 percent, and created food shortages.

McNally said there could, conceivably, be a bright side. He expects the killing of Soleimani to bring the U.S.-Iran confrontation to a head, and that raises the possibility of an eventual deal that could exert downward pressure on oil prices. But there could well be some difficult moments before that happens.

On Friday morning Brent crude rose nearly 4 percent, before dropping back an increase of about 3.5 percent later in the day. West Texas Intermediate was up just shy of 3 percent. Oil company stocks also climbed.

In Russia, the world's second-largest producer of oil after the United States, the stock index hit an all-time high on the news from Baghdad.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

But in New York, Wall Street's euphoric start to 2020 took a sobering hit, with the Dow Jones industrial average falling more than 340 points at the opening bell. The blue-chip index clawed back some of those losses and closed the day down 234 points, or 0.8 percent, to finish at 28,634. The Standard & Poor's 500 index ended the day at 3,234, down 0.7 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite lost 71 points, 0.8 percent, to settle at 9,020. All three indexes had set record highs Thursday, the first day of trading of the year.

Gold, a haven for investors in tumultuous times, jumped 1.5 percent to $1,551 an ounce, a four-month high.

Oil prices were dampened all through 2019 by a huge worldwide oil glut; the year also saw the United States become the global leader in oil production, exporting petroleum for the first time in decades. Both developments could serve to mitigate the effects of a Middle East military escalation, analysts said, although Saudi and Russian decisions to cut production in December have helped to prop up the price.

Kilduff cautioned, as well, that the risks to oil production in the Middle East are real and have probably not been adequately reflected in the world's oil price.

U.S.-Iranian tensions have been building since 2018, when Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reinstated sanctions.

Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait have grown in importance as U.S. sanctions have helped push Iran as well as Venezuela - once major producers - off the oil supply grid. Iran's oil minister has accused the United States of imposing the sanctions to gain market clout as it enjoys a shale boom. The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicts the average American output will reach 13.2 million barrels per day in 2020, an increase of 900,000 barrels per day from 2019.

The Strait of Hormuz is crucial to the major Asian economies, including China, South Korea, Japan and Indonesia. Saudi Arabia, for example, is the largest supplier of crude oil to China, eclipsing Russia this past year.

More than 70 percent of Saudi crude production, about 5 million barrels a day, is earmarked for Asia. But major consumers such as Japan, India and South Korea have been shifting to North American oil sources during the past year because of the fear of disruption in the Middle East, according to S&P Global Platts. Those concerns were amplified by the attacks on oil tankers and strikes on Saudi oil fields in 2019.
The killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was one of the key factors that propelled President Barack Obama to a second term in 2012. Will the killing of Irans Qasem Soleimani do the same for President Donald Trump, or the killing of Islamic States Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi?

Trump himself has appeared less thrilled about Soleimani than he was of al-Baghdadi, which he had announced in an address to the nation from the White House with dramatic details of how the IS leader had died like a dog (and) a coward .. whimpering, screaming and crying.

The killing of the Iranian general who headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force had elicited only a few tweets and retweets from the president thus far. His circumspection reflected concerns, perhaps, that an Iranian retaliatory strike, which appeared imminent, could easily turn it into his presidencys biggest nightmare.

Trumps al-Baghdadi announcement on October 27 was similar in Obamas late-night broadcast about the SEALs raid that killed Bin Laden in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, in optics only, because the former presidents words were more measured and intended to not look celebratory, which was left to the cheering crowds outside the White House.

Obama experienced a bump in polls in the following days. Though it did not last long, the president made the SEALs raid one of the key elements of his re-election platform, as captured by then Vice-President Joe Biden in this slogan, Osama bin Laden is dead and General Motors is alive. The second part referred to the Obama administrations $80 billion package to help US auto makers GM, Ford and Chrysler survive the 2009 financial crisis.

President Obama was criticized for appropriating credit for the SEALs raid, which he had earlier described as the result of teamwork, for his election. But that did not stop him, and Trump is unlikely to be coy about it either. Al-Baghdadi is a part of his campaign speeches already and the first official word out about Soleimani reflected his intentions very clearly. At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to , the Pentagon said in a statement Thursday.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2020 registration process will begin on 3 January 2020 and the last date to register and fee payment for the post is 26 January

SBI Clerk 2020 Notification| State Bank of India (SBI) has released a notification for the recruitment of junior associates (customer support and sales) in the clerical cadre on its official website  sbi.co.in.

The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2020 registration process will begin on 3 January. The last date to register and fee payment for the post is 26 January. The preliminary examination for this post is likely to be conducted in the month of February or March, while the main examination will be held in the month of April, noted The Times of India.

How to apply for SBI Clerk 2020 Notification:

Step 1: Visit the official website of SBI  sbi.co.in

Step 2: Click on the 'Career' tab

Step 3: Click on recruitment of junior associates customer support and sales

Step 4: Candidates will have to fill the application form, upload the required scanned documents and pay the examination fee

Candidates are also adviced to download or save their respective application form for future purpose. As reported by The Indian Express, candidates selected in the written examination will be called for document verification followed by an interview, after which, final merit list will be released.
In a shocking development, the Uttar Pradesh police on Friday has arrested a person in Meerut for allegedly raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans. Police report that 7-8 youth around the age of 18 years had allegedly raised pro-Pakistan slogans. While the police have arrested one youth - Abu Zar, (aged 22-23) they are on the look out for the others.

One arrested for raising Pro-Pak slogans

Recalling the incident, Zar has confessed on camera " 5- 6 boys were raising slogans. I told them not to do so , so they opposed me. They were first raising slogans of India, but when I opposed them to not worsen the situation, the started saying 'Pakistan Zindabad'."

Uttar Pradesh police identifies 3 persons who opened fire in anti-CAA Meerut protest

PFI's alleged role in inciting violence

Earlier on Thursday, police have identified the three individuals who opened fire using unlicensed weapons during the December 20 Meerut violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act. As per sources, their names are Naeem, Faisal and Anis. Suspected to have links with the Popular Front of India, these individuals are under the scanner of the Uttar Pradesh police.

Read: Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Demands Action On Meerut Cop's 'Go To Pakistan' Comment

'Go back to Pakistan' : SP Meerut

During the protests in Meerut, some people torched vehicles and attacked the police. In retaliation, the police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob. This led to a series of arrests across the state. Moreover, a video reportedly from last Friday that surfaced on December 27 showed Superintendent of Police(City) of Meerut Akhilesh Narayan Singh saying: "Go to Pakistan" to the alleged rioters.

In the video accessed, SP Akhilesh Narayan Singh allegedly says said: "Where will you go? I will set this lane right now that you have given me this chance. Pointing at some black and blue badges, the Police officer reportedly says: "These black and blue badges you people are wearing, tell them to go to Pakistan.

UP Police issue 'WANTED' posters of protestors who led violent demonstrations in Meerut

Anti-CAA protests in UP

Violence has been witnessed in Uttar Pradesh for the past weeks against the amended Citizenship Act which has led to the 21 deaths and many injured. Several videos of mobs of protestors attacking police have emerged, while the police too have resorted to lathi-charge, tear gas in several places of protests. UP police have detained 5,500 people and arrested 1100 to date. Several places like Meerut, Lucknow, Bijnor, Rampur, Kanpur, Aligarh, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Muzaffarnagar, Bareli, Lucknow witnessed rampant violence.

Crackdown on PFI: 25 persons arrested, UP police raids 23 locations over anti-CAA violence

The beginning of violence in UP was witnessed on December 15 when Aligarh Muslim University students who were protesting were allegedly attacked by police using tear gas shells, rubber bullets, stun grenades, pellets, and stones. While police deny these claims, over 17 policemen and 60 students were injured as protestors began to vandalise public property and torch buses while pelting stones. Police have also booked 1000 Aligarh students in connection with the clashes. CM Yogi Adityanath has issued notice to 498 'vandals' and soon the police will identify the protesters and recover the losses.
FILE PHOTO: A worker carries boiled rice for drying at a rice mill on the outskirts of Kolkata

By Karthika Suresh Namboothiri

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Indian rice export prices edged higher this week, buoyed by a stronger rupee and higher local paddy prices, while trade remained thin in rival hubs because of the holiday season.

Top exporter Indias 5% broken parboiled variety was quoted around $362-$366 a tonne, up from last week's $360-$365.

The slight upturn was because of a strong rupee, which trims exporters' margins from overseas sales, though demand remains weak, said one exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

Last year New Delhi had raised the paddy rice purchase price by 3.7% to 1,815 rupees per 100 kg for the 2019/20 crop.

In Vietnam, rates for 5% broken rice were quoted at $360 a tonne on Thursday, little changed from last week's $355-$360.

"Trade is very thin at the moment as inventory has run low and many exporters are still on holiday," said a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City.

"Farmers in the country's largest rice-growing area, the Mekong Delta, are preparing land for the key winter-spring crop, which is expected to peak by the end of February," he added.

No new deals were clinched in the past two weeks, apart from those to fulfil signed contracts, another trader said.

Preliminary shipping data showed more than 100,000 tonnes of rice is to be loaded at Ho Chi Minh City port between Jan. 1 and Jan. 23, with most of it bound for West Africa, Iraq and South Korea.

Vietnam's rice exports in 2019 are forecast to be up 2.5% from a year earlier at 6.259 million tonnes, official data showed last week.

In Bangladesh, meanwhile, the rice crop could be hit by a prolonged cold spell, said senior agriculture ministry official Mizanur Rahman.

"The rice seedbeds are taking on a yellow tinge as sunlight is failing to reach them on the ground due to thick fog. If it persists for long, crops will be affected," he said.

Two cold spells hit the country over the past two weeks and another is expected in a few days.

Thailands rice-trading market was closed for most of the week because of the New Year holidays.

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Ruma Paul in Dhaka, Phuong Nguyen in Hanoi and Patpicha Tanakasempipat in Bangkok; Editing by David Goodman)


Tens of thousands of vacationers raced to flee seaside towns on Australias east coast Thursday as fires burned across large areas.

Military ships and helicopters have begun rescuing thousands of people trapped by the fires.

Fueled by hot weather and high winds, more than 200 fires are now burning across the southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria.

Long lines formed outside food stores and fuel stations near high-danger areas. Shelves were emptied of foods like bread and milk as local people and visitors sought supplies to either stay or leave.

More than 50,000 people were reported without electricity. Some affected towns had no available drinking water.

Evacuation urged

Officials urged evacuation of several towns on Australias southeast coast, a popular area during the holiday season. The officials warned that extreme heat predicted for the weekend will fuel the fires growth.

The priority today is fighting fires and evacuating, getting people to safety, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney.

The wildfires have kiiled eight people in the eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria since Monday. Eighteen other people are still missing, officials said Thursday.

Also, a naval ship arrived at the southeastern coastal town of Mallacoota, where 4,000 residents and visitors have been waiting on a beach since Monday night. Naval officers said they would open registration for evacuation Thursday. The ship is expected to make two or three trips in the coming days, state officials said.

It is hell on earth

Michelle Roberts owns a small restaurant in Mallacoota. She told Reuters reporters by phone, It is hell on earth. It is the worst anybodys ever seen.

Roberts hoped to get her 18-year-old daughter out on the ship to get away from the fires and thick smoke that continue to surround the town.

Five military helicopters were on their way to the south coast to support firefighters efforts and bring in supplies, the Australian Defense Force said. The aircraft will also be used to evacuate injured, old and young people.

A group of 39 firefighters from North America landed in Melbourne on Friday. Almost 100 U.S. and Canadian experts have traveled to Australia to help deal with the crisis.

State of emergency

The New South Wales state government declared a state of emergency beginning Friday. The declaration gives officials powers to forcibly evacuate people and take control of services. Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged those waiting for help and those stuck in traffic to be patient ... help will arrive.

Temperatures are expected to be above 40 degrees Celsius along the south coast Saturday. It is going to be a very dangerous day. Its going to be a very difficult day, said NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.

The prime minister said the fires will burn for many, many months ... unlike a flood, where the water will recede, in a fire like this, it goes on and it will continue to go on...until we can get some decent rain.

Bushfires so far this season have destroyed more than 4 million hectares of bushland and more than 1,000 homes.

Im Caty Weaver.

The Reuters news agency reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

shelf - n. a flat board which is attached to a wall, frame, etc., and on which objects can be placed

evacuation - n.  the act of removing (a person or people) from a dangerous place

priority - n. something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first

recede - v. to move away gradually

decent - adj. good enough but not the best
Rose McGowan has revealed she was forced to have long hair in Hollywood by movie bosses to ensure she was sexually attractive to men.

The Charmed actress, 46, who is spearheading the fight for justice against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinsten, spoke candidly to Hunger about masculinity and gender, as well as her forthright views on Hollywood.

Having shaved her hair in the wake of her scandal, she spoke about her long hair and revealed she was forced to maintain long locks to remain desirable.

Shock: Rose McGowan has revealed she was forced to have long hair in Hollywood by movie bosses to ensure she was sexually attractive to men

Rose said: 'I always had short hair growing up. Then when I was in Hollywood, they told me I had to have long hair otherwise the men wouldn't want to f**k me. If they didn't want to f**k me, they wouldn't hire me. A woman told me that...

'The longer my hair is, the less powerful I feel. The side effect I noticed when I shaved my head is that men could hear the words coming out of my mouth for the first time. They couldn't hear me before. I had not expected that.'

Elsewhere in the interview, she revealed she finds it 'really stupid' when she's asked how 'men know if they're allowed to flirt anymore'.

She said of the question she wished she wasn't asked anymore: 'It makes me want to bang my head against the ground. If you're not grabbing people against their will, you should be okay...

Stunner: The Charmed actress, 46, who is spearheading the fight for justice against disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinsten, spoke candidly to Hunger about masculinity and gender, as well as her forthright views on Hollywood (pictured during her Charmed heyday)

'If you're not punishing them for not going out with you, you should be okay. If you're not seeking revenge because this girl doesn't like you, you should be okay.

'It's fine to flirt but it's another thing when someone buys you a drink and thinks they own your hour or that night.'

The actress was among the first women to publicly accuse Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, 66, of rape and sexual assault in 2017.

Weinstein was arrested in New York in May 2018 and charged with rape and a variety of other sexual crimes, and his trial is set to continue next week.

Candid: In her no holds barred interview with Hunger Magazine, which was released on Thursday, Rose also detailed her thoughts on toxic masculinity and the construct of gender

In her no-holds-barred interview, Rose also referred to toxic masculinity as she said her 'heart breaks for boys when [she sees] them being moulded into men.'

'If we could get back to understanding that we're human before we're a gender then we could solve a lot of problems,' she explained. 'Boys get stolen really early and put in this tight-fitting jacket  'here's what you can be' and 'here's what you are'.'

'They do the same thing to girls, in a totally different way, but for men so much gets repressed so you can be the idea of what a man is supposed to be. How can you not help but have an inner rage?'

Change will come: Rose told the publication that she's sure the construct of gender will 'keep getting broken down' as time progresses as 'none of the rules are real  it's all an illusion'

While the Charmed star said she does 'know a lot of great men', she added: 'But I still think, like any great woman, we can all be better. We can still look at other perspectives and different points of view and try to understand ourselves.

'We should aim to be happy with ourselves instead of buying into the fear paradigm  which is only going to place us at odds with each other.'

Continuing to speak honestly about the notion of gender in society, Rose told the publication that she's sure the construct will 'keep getting broken down' as time progresses as 'none of the rules are real  it's all an illusion.'

She went on to say of what she refers to as the 'cult' in the United States: 'American masculinity is really toxic and really dangerous. It's dangerous to the world.

Concerns: Of what she refers to as the 'cult' in America, Rose said, 'With Trump, he repeats the same things  that's brainwashing. He instils fear of others in people  that's brainwashing'

'This idea that America is number one and each man there is number one and superior  that's a load of bullshit everybody knows it.

'But they continue with this mass conformity and cult-like way of thinking. This cult-like way of thinking is exactly like the cult I grew up in. There's no difference.

'It's just on a bigger scale. Especially now with Trump, he repeats the same things  that's brainwashing. He instils fear of others in people  that's brainwashing.'

'When you cross stupidity with fear, that's a really dangerous mix. I found it really dangerous and hard to adjust to. I don't think I ever did,' Rose concluded.

For the full interview go to www.hungertv.com
When Owena McHenrys family members arrived at her South Park home, they noticed that a side door was left open, police said.

It was unusual for McHenry, who lived alone, to leave any of her doors unlocked, said her neighbor, Velma Justice. For safety reasons, McHenry would not open her doors for anyone she did not know, her neighbor added. All of the windows of the home were also protected by iron bars.

But McHenrys daughter and grandson found her dead around 10:30 p.m Wednesday in her home in the 5800 block of Flamingo Drive, according to Houston Police Department investigators. The 79-year-old grandmother had been shot to death in her bedroom.

I been up crying all night, said Justice, who went to church every week with McHenry. I didnt even get to say Happy New Year to Ms. Owena.

The slaying has shaken a community where neighbors say they treat each other like family and where McHenry was known as a pillar.

The neighborhood calm was first broken in the early-morning hours of New Year's Day. Around 1 a.m. Wednesday, as neighbors were setting off fireworks to celebrate the new year, someone drove past McHenry's house and started shooting into it. She called police.

No one was injured in the first spate of gunfire, according to police. Officers came out to the home later that morning and filed a criminal mischief report in the case.

We believe that possibly the same shooter may have returned this past evening to finish what he started on New Years Eve, a police statement said.

Detectives have not publicly identified any suspects in either of the shootings.

McHenry lived for decades in the South Park neighborhood. Those who knew her say their community wont be the same without the sweet, funny, feisty, warm woman everyone loved.

She was sweet as pie, said Chermone Waller, who grew up in McHenrys neighborhood. I just cant see why somebody would want to do that to her. She didnt deserve it, not at all.

McHenry was compelled to aid people, said Baraba Hardge, a neighbor.

She would just help anybody that needed it, Hardge said.

The slaying was a shock to the close-knit neighborhood, Waller said.

Its really devastating that this happened, especially on this street, she said. On this street, everybody is like family. Weve been knowing each other for years and everybody gets along.

Justice said she will cherish the memories she has of her friend. She used to make me laugh every Sunday, Justice said.

As police look for answers, Justice said shes left wondering why anyone would hurt McHenry.

I really hope they find the killers, said Justice. I will feel safer when they do.

Anyone with information is asked to call Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 or the Houston Police Departments Homicide Division at 713-380-3600.

hannah.dellinger@chron.com

jay.jordan@chron.com
Josh Galemore / Arizona Daily Star

The U.S. government has begun sending asylum-seekers back to Nogales, Mexico, to await court hearings that will be scheduled roughly 350 miles away in Juarez, Mexico.

Authorities are expanding a program known as Remain in Mexico that requires tens of thousands of asylum seekers to wait out their immigration court hearings in Mexico. Until this week, the government was driving some asylum seekers from Nogales, Arizona, to El Paso, Texas, so they could be returned to Juarez.
The number one leader of our country asks people to go to Pakistan whenever he is told about something, says Mamata.

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday ridiculed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his frequent comparison of India with Pakistan on various issues. Taking a dig at Mr Modi, she asked if he had become the ambassador of Pakistan and had he not felt ashamed of his glorification of the neighbouring country while being Indias PM.

The Trinamul Congress supremo also expressed her doubts on whether Mr Modi had forgotten the country before asking him to focus on the discussion of Hindustan instead of the neighbouring country. Her attack on the PM at a rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens in Siliguri, North Bengal, comes a week ahead of his visit to the city when she is likel to meet him.

Announcing that she would take her firece movement to Darjeeling too, Ms Banerjee said: The number one leader of our country asks people to go to Pakistan whenever he is told about something. I feel sad about it. Does it have any sense? I respect our PM. But I have a question for him. When our country is so big and so is our democracy, why do you then compare our country with Pakistan? Dont you feel ashamed of it?

She asked Mr Modi: Have you become the ambassador of Pakistan? Have been appointed as the ambassador of Pakistan that you would glorify them every day? You need to talk of Hindustan. Do not talk (about) Pakistan. We do not want to hear talk about Pakistan. We do not want Pakistan. We want Hindustan. Do not compare Hindustan with Pakistan.

Countering the BJPs jibe against her of supporting Pakistan against national interests, Ms Banerjee warned the PM: You refer to Pakistan on every issue as if you have become the ambassador of Pakistan and so you glorify them day and night. We do not support Pakistan. We support Hindustan and her soil. What is happening in this country?

She continued: If someone asks for a job due to unemployment or food to meet his hunger or say even industry, he is told to go to Pakistan. If someone demands his citizenship rights, he is asked to go to Pakistan. Why? Pakistan is there in each and every word! Why? Have you forgotten Hindustan? Being the PM of India, he talks only on Pakistan!
Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the government will not budge an inch on its decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act despite the opposition's misinformation campaign.

IMAGE: Union home minister Amit Shah being garlanded at a public meeting on the amended Citizenship Act in Jodhpur. Photograph: PTI Photo

Launching an "awareness programme", he said the Congress was misleading Muslims over the Act and challenged party leader Rahul Gandhi to a discussion if he has read the law.

The Bharatiya Janata Party will take out 500 rallies across the country, beginning Saturday to reach out to three crore people, he said.

Shah, who is also the BJP president, said the party had to launch this programme because of the misinformation spread by the opposition parties on the amended law.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not going back an inch on the CAA,' he said at the meeting held in Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot's assembly constituency.

The home minister said it is shameful that the Congress is criticising the sacrifice of great sons of the country, like Veer Savarkar, for the sake of its vote bank.

The remark comes amid a row over the distribution of a booklet against the Hindutva icon at a camp held by Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh. But Shah did not directly refer to it.

Opposition parties have criticised the amendment that allows non-Muslims an easier path to citizenship if they came to India from three neighbouring countries before 2015 after facing religious persecution.

The law is not against the minorities," Shah said.

"There is no provision in the Citizenship Amendment Act to take anyone's citizenship away but it is a law to grant citizenship," he added.

"We have not kept out any religion. We are giving citizenship to minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi or Christian," he said.

He challenged Congress leader Rahul to a discussion on the law.

Rahul baba if you have read the law come anywhere for a discussion. If you haven't read it, I will get it translated into Italian, he said, in a swipe at his Italian-origin mother Sonia Gandhi.

IMAGE: Shah launches a mobile number to seek support for the CAA. Photograph: PTI Photo

Shah said Congress leaders too had in the past talked about granting citizenship to those who faced religious persecution in neighbouring countries, but the party did not implement the suggestions due to the fear of losing its vote bank.

But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has protected the human rights human rights and honour of millions of refugees who came to India, the BJP leader said.

"Mahatma Gandhi had made the promise. Was he communal? Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had also said in Parliament that citizenship will be granted to Hindus or Sikhs who have come. Were they communal?" he said.

"These refugee brothers were millionaires and today they have no place to live. There they had many bighas of land and here they have nothing to eat," Shah said.

He said that percentage of the minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh has declined while the minorities in India are living with honour.

The opposition is against granting citizenship to those refugees who have come to India after facing atrocities, and whose property and jobs were taken away, he said.

He referred to the pact between Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's Liaquat Ali Khan on the protection of minorities after Partition.

"Now, we will execute the Nehru-Liaquat agreement. This is the rule of Narendra Modi, no one has to fear. PM Modi government is going to give citizenship to all of you and make you feel proud of being an Indian, he said in a remark apparently directed at the migrants.

I want to say that the refugees who have come from those countries are from India only," he added.

He said the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Aam Aadmi Party and the Communists are opposing the law.

Shah said it is hard to understand why West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is opposing citizenship to Bengali-speaking Hindus and Dalits living in West Bengal.

"There is no need to fear from Didi. I want to say that refugees living in Bengal will not have to face any atrocities. You will be granted citizenship with honour," he said.

Shah also hit out at Ashok Gehlot, saying the BJP has implemented the promise mentioned in the election manifesto of his Congress government in Rajasthan.

He said the chief minister should stop protesting against the CAA and be concerned about the deaths of infants at Kota's JK Lon Hospital, where 100 children died in December.
A view of the Dixie Red Rock at Pioneer Park, above the city of St. George, Utah. (Mikayla Whitmore for The Post)

The name abounds here, but that is slowly changing in the city of St. George  though not without resistance.
Skip Dickstein/Times Union

ALBANY  An Albany elementary school was placed on lockout for 20 minutes Friday morning as police broke up a fight at a nearby residence, officials said.

Out of precaution, district officials placed the Albany School of Humanities at 108 Whitehall Road in lockout at 10:35 a.m. and lifted it at 10:55 a.m. due to nearby police activity, spokeswoman Lisa Angerame said. During a lockout, school entrances and exits are secured and no one is allowed in or out.
[January 03, 2020] Innovate or Die! Best-Selling Ninja Future, With New Content, Now in Paperback

How will artificial intelligence shape the future of work? And how can companies prepare for this shifting landscape? In the updated version of the Consumer Technology Association's (CTA) latest book, Gary Shapiro (News - Alert) - president and CEO of CTA and New York Times best-selling author - explains the innovative pathways workers and employers must embrace to thrive in the future of work. Now in paperback - with a new bonus chapter - national bestseller Ninja Future: Secrets to Success in the New World of Innovation explains the new government solutions, educational pathways and apprenticeships that can prepare readers for the shifting global workforce. In the new chapter "Ninja Pathways to New Jobs," Shapiro writes: "In late 2018, as I put the finishing touches on this manuscript, I had a nagging feeling I had forgotten something. In the spring of 2019, while meeting with Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump in the White House, it hit me. This book  doesn't much cover the tech industry's responsibility to prepare workers, many of whom are anxious and uneasy about our technological future, for these great jobs." Ms. Trump will join Shapiro for a keynote discussion at CES (News - Alert) 2020 in Las Vegas, NV, on "The Path to the Future of Work" on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 2 PM PT in the Venetian's Palazzo Ballroom. They will discuss employer-led strategies to reskill workers, create apprenticeships and develop K-12 STEM education programs. In Ninja Future - the sequel to his previous book Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World's Most Successful Businesses - Shapiro explains the benefits of technology in our world and offers insight from industry leaders for readers to prosper in a fast-paced future of innovation. Shapiro draws examples from global companies across industries, as well as startup innovators, to show how every company is a technology company and reveal the emerging technologies that will transform our future. With more than 30 years of experience driving CES, the world's largest and most influential tech event, Shapiro knows the keys to thriving in a changing business environment. "For business leaders across industries to innovate, they must prepare for the shifting needs of the future economy and equip their teams with the skills to thrive," said Shapiro. "Ninja Future takes the key traits of ninja innovators from my first book and applies them to our global future. Ninja innovators will embrace the obstacles and opportunities thrown their way to usher in the ninja future and create value for their world." Praise for Ninja Future: "In Ninja Futur, Gary Shapiro paints a compelling picture of the accelerating pace of technology innovation that is touching so many parts of our life, including health, home automation, or communication A terrific read for anyone working in industries touched by technology innovation i.e., everyone!" - Hubert Joly, executive chairman, Best Buy (News - Alert)



"Each chapter is filled with insights designed to help employees, employers and policymakers navigate our global, connected future - from 5G, to the Internet of Things, and everything in between. This is an engaging, informative, must-read for anyone who wants to be better prepared for what lies ahead." - David Hagan, former chairman and CEO, Boingo (News - Alert) Wireless "Gary has a gift for translating complex and dry tech concepts into easy-to-read stories. Masterfully describing how new technologies like big data, IoT, and AI are revolutionizing society, Ninja Future provides inspiring, compelling advice on how to thrive through constant innovation as well as how to become the type of leader that our future needs." - Ximena Hartsock, cofounder and president, Phone2Action

Ninja Future paperback edition launches January 7, 2020, and is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. About the book: Published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins

Hardcover ISBN: 9780062890511 / $25.99

Paperback ISBN: 978-0062890528 / $17.99

E-book ISBN: 9780062890535

Audiobook ISBN: 9780062908919 About the author: Gary Shapiro is president and CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, the U.S. trade association representing more than 2,000 consumer technology companies, and author of the New York Times best-selling books, "Ninja Innovation: The Ten Killer Strategies of the World's Most Successful Businesses" and "The Comeback: How Innovation Will Restore the American Dream." About Consumer Technology Association: As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators - from startups to global brands - helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES - the largest, most influential tech event in the world. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech. UPCOMING EVENTS CES Unveiled Las Vegas

January 5, 2020, Las Vegas, NV

January 5, 2020, Las Vegas, NV CES Media Days

January 5-6, 2020, Las Vegas, NV

January 5-6, 2020, Las Vegas, NV CES 2020

January 7-10, 2020, Las Vegas, NV View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005351/en/

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Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday asked parliament for immunity, weeks after the embattled premier was indicted on a range of corruption charges.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving premier, is fighting for his political survival on two fronts -- the corruption allegations and stiff opposition from a new centrist party.

The immunity request is expected to delay the start of court proceedings for months, as lawmakers are not due to vote on the matter until after March 2 elections.

The request is "in line with the law... (and) with the goal of continuing to serve you, for the future of Israel," Netanyahu told reporters in Jerusalem.

His spokesman Ofer Golan later confirmed the request had been submitted to the speaker of Israel's parliament, the Knesset.

Netanyahu was charged by the attorney general in November with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate corruption cases.

The leader of the right-wing Likud party denies the allegations and accuses prosecutors and the media of a witch hunt.

Reacting to the premier's announcement, his rival Benny Gantz, the leader of the centrist Blue and White party, said "Netanyahu knows that he is guilty."

Gantz said his own party will do everything it can to "prevent immunity".

"In Israel, nobody is above the law".

A sitting prime minister is only required to step down once convicted and after all avenues of appeal have been exhausted.

- 'Only the people decide' -

But legal experts have asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether a premier can be tasked by the president with forming a new government while under indictment.

A panel of three judges began looking into the matter on Tuesday, and said they would make a ruling at a later time, without giving a date.

Netanyahu has described the legal initiative as a trap.

But "I don't for a moment think that Israel's Supreme Court will fall into this trap. In a democracy, only the people decide who will lead them, and nobody else," Netanyahu said on Twitter on Tuesday.

Story continues

Allegations against the premier include receiving gifts worth thousands of dollars and offering to change regulations in exchange for positive media coverage.

Despite his legal woes, Netanyahu remains popular within Likud and last week secured a landslide victory in a leadership challenge.

He saw off a bid to wrest control of the party by one-time interior minister Gideon Saar, winning with 72.5 percent of Likud members' ballots, compared with 27.5 percent for the challenger.

The result strengthened his position in a party he has dominated for 20 years, with Netanyahu calling it a "huge win".

Saar launched his bid after the premier failed to cobble together a governing coalition in the wake of two general elections in 2019 -- one held in April, the second in September.

He said his challenge was "not because of the Likud's ideas", but because a failure to change leadership would bring the risk of a left-wing government.

Likud and the Blue and White party were deadlocked in April and September, necessitating a third national poll within a year.

The premier has vowed to win the March general election, although early opinion polls indicate the vote could result in yet another stalemate.
Staying away from jargons, and talking about their work to an audience that mostly comprised youngsters from different walks of life and not just economics, the duo, which donated their Nobel Prize money to the Weiss Fund administered by Harvard for research in development economics, ensured that the session punctuated with humour stayed relaxed and interactive.

"We just can't treat the economically backward as failures, that would be a very Victorian approach," said Banerjee during the launch of the duo's book "Good Economics for Hard Times", published by Juggernaut, here on Friday.

During "The Juggernaut Dialogue" moderated by mediaperson Prannoy Roy, Esther Duflo pointed out that it was wrong to assume that giving handouts to the poor made them lazy.

Banerjee said that their research had shown that the same made them enthusiastic. "We have tested this theory across countries. Also, why do we always tend to blame these individuals when there are sharks all around?

"If the poor are given assets, for example cows and goats, and basic training to start a business, over a period of time they inculcate a confidence to stand on their feet and make ends meet. This was first tried in Bangladesh and seven other countries later," Banerjee said.

Talking about the economic slowdown in India, Banerjee said that it was important that there were no more cuts in corporate taxes.

"It needs to be understood that the corporate sector is not short of cash. Just that it is not investing. What you need to do is get the demand side going. Get the money in the hands of the people, and they will spend. This government has ensured that almost everybody has a bank account; therefore the infrastructure is in place. Several measures can be taken to arrest the downward slide of the economy," Banerjee said.

At a time when farm loan waivers have become an almost everyday news, Banerjee stressed on the need to have a well-oiled machinery that can provide relief to the distressed.

"I don't think waivers are very efficient. If a drought destroys crops, only those farmers who had taken a loan would get a waiver, for others, there is absolutely nothing. They won't get any kind of relief," he said.

The duo along with Sendhil Mullainathan co-founded J-Pal (the Abdul Latin Jameel Poverty Action Lab), which has offices in every continent. It conducts studies in 80 countries, with the largest set-up being in India boasting of 200 staff members.

"When we were studying the impact of women as head of panchayats, a field officer said that they were merely puppets. However, our research proved that they may be shy and not talk much, but had done some remarkable work in creating infrastructure," said Duflo.

Banerjee elaborated on what he calls 'nudges' and how they can be instrumental in achieving goals.

"One may think that a small reward/reminder is inconsequential, but it can go a long way. While studying the penetration of immunisation in Udaipur, we came across a very low number. But when people were assured of a kilogram of dal if they came forth for regular dosage, the percentage went up several times," Banerjee said.

Talking about the gap between research and action, Duflo insisted that actionable part of research is at the heart of what J-Pal does.

"Yes, sometimes there are clashes with policymakers, but then one has to be patient. In fact, we have noticed that they too are showing more interest. Whenever a policymaker wants to implement something, we can help with staffing to ensure that he has the right people to oversee things on the ground," Duflo said.

Lamenting that the banking sector lived outside the world of small businesses, Banerjee added, "They know who are capable entrepreneurs. Why not approach them?"

When asked about the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Banerjee said, "It can be a frightening governance problem. I would be petrified if I was living in a border area. What is disturbing is the enormous power some people will have in their hands. Such decisions should not be made with a swift bill."



--IANS

sukant/arm
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A veritable flood of naloxone helped to slash opioid overdoses since 2017, but the lifesaving tide may be ebbing, at least in Allegheny County.

The amount of free Narcanthe nasal form of the overdose-reversal drug naloxonesupplied by the state to the county has plunged. Some pharmacists, meanwhile, say they are losing money on many of their sales of Narcan kits.

The trend worries advocates who have spent decades trying to reduce the harm done by addiction.

"I absolutely cannot see the rationale, in the face of the deaths that we're seeing, for reducing state funding for Narcan," said Alice Bell, the overdose prevention project coordinator at Prevention Point Pittsburgh, which distributes naloxone. "If we've seen a significant drop (in overdoses), then we should do more of what we're doing. ... We need to increase, not decrease, our efforts."

Naloxone has long been available in a cheap, injectable version. Radnor-based ADAPT Pharma Inc. revolutionized the drug's distribution in 2015 following the federal approval of the easy-to-usebut expensiveNarcan nasal spray version.

Prevention Point Pittsburgh, which provides clean needles to intravenous drug users, primarily gives out the injectable naloxone. Bell said nasal Narcan is also crucial, because there are many people who may come across overdoses who may not be comfortable administering injections.

Since November 2017, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency has been the main source of free Narcan given to governments statewide, which in turn distribute it to first responders and others likely to encounter overdoses. The commission's criteria for distributing Narcan depends in part on the change in the number of overdose deaths.

In the fiscal year that ended in mid-2018, the commission gave the Allegheny County Health Department 2,976 kits of Narcan, containing two doses each. It followed that with a flood of 10,176 kits in the fiscal year ending in mid-2019.

In calendar year 2018, overdose deaths in Allegheny County dropped 41% from record-breaking levelsfar steeper than the 18% drop in the state as a whole.

This fiscal year, the state has a total of 2,268 kits reserved for Allegheny County, of which it has shipped roughly half, according to Samantha Koch, a senior project manager at the commission. She said the amount is lower this year in part because the money available for the commission to spend on Narcan dipped from $2.5 million in each of the prior two fiscal years to $1.5 million this year.

The county health department "currently has 246 naloxone kits at its pharmacy and will continue replenishing as necessary," wrote department spokesman Ryan Scarpino, in a Dec. 18 response to questions. The county, he wrote, gives out around 770 Narcan kits per month.

Rachel Radke laughs with her 8{-month-old son, Ari, in their duplex in Wilkinsburg. Radke said she benefited from her experience with the Pregnancy Recovery Center at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. Ari is her third child and she said her pregnancy, delivery and parenting experience was enhanced by the support she got from the center, as she continues with medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

The 246 kits, Bell noted, is "like a 10-day supply. ... The Health Department, I'm sure, will do everything possible to meet the gap."

Scarpino wrote that the county health department is indeed tapping some federal funds to buy more Narcan, and the Allegheny County Jail is using $75,000 from its Inmate Welfare Fund to buy kits to provide to inmates upon release.

He wrote that the county is continuing to work on prevention measures, including increasing the availability of medication-assisted treatment for addiction.

J.J. Abbott, a spokesman for Gov. Tom Wolf, issued a statement that the state works "extremely closely with Allegheny County, which has seen significant progress in Narcan distribution and lives saved after overdose," and "has additional avenues for individuals and organizations to get Narcan, including give-away days across the commonwealth."

The state Department of Health has added some Narcan to the local supply, distributing 926 kits in Allegheny County in December 2018, and 1,098 kits in September 2019.

In the counties surrounding Allegheny, there's no word of a Narcan shortage, said Janice Pringle, a University of Pittsburgh professor of pharmacy who leads the Pennsylvania Opioid Overdose Reduction Technical Assistance Center. "Some counties say they're awash in naloxone," she said.

Different parts of the state have adopted different strategies for distributing Narcan, noted Devin Reaves, executive director of the Pennsylvania Harm Reduction Coalition. Some focus on getting the drug into the hands of public safety workers. His coalition recommends that naloxone products be provided first to opioid usersbecause they are most likely to be present for overdosesand second to their loved ones, and third to public safety workers.

The goal, he said, "must be naloxone saturation." Of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency program, he said: "It's not that the program is bad. It's not enough."

Alexandria Lavella manages Hilltop Pharmacy, in Allentown, in the ZIP code (15210) that annually vies with the North Side (15212) for the title of most fatal overdoses in the county.

"We are in an area struck by this epidemic, and we want to make sure that whether it's you that has the problem, or a neighbor or a sister or a kid, that you are ready and at least able to help them" in the case of an overdose, Lavella said. She and her staff typically give customers around 10 minutes of counseling on how to use Narcan, and sometimes on where to go for help if they're in addiction.

In 2019, she sold 185 Narcan kitsand lost a total of $357.14 on those transactions, according to a spreadsheet she maintained.

Her store buys Narcan kits for $123.75 through wholesaler Value Drug Co., of Duncansville, Blair County.

Most people who buy Narcan are insured through Medicaid programs, typically Gateway Health Plan or UPMC for You, Lavella said. Gateway recently increased its reimbursement rate so the store earns 75 cents on each kit it sells. But she said she loses $3.85 on every sale to a UPMC for You-insured customer.

A UPMC Health Plans spokesman wrote, in an email response to questions, that he could not disclose UPMC for You's reimbursement rate for Narcan, because "our contractual arrangements with pharmacies can differ depending on a number of variables."

The health plan spokesman, Jeffrey Davis, went on to say that the insurer's "goal is to always reimburse pharmacies above the cost of the drug. However, several factors including the purchase price that the pharmacy buys the drug at and the contractual arrangement that we with have the pharmacy can affect the final reimbursement."

He said he knew of no complaints about the insurer's reimbursement rate for Narcan.

Pharmacist Pete Kreckel, of Thompson Pharmacy in Altoona, has written to his state senator, Judy Ward, arguing that the state should step in to ensure that pharmacies are fairly reimbursed for Narcan sales. In June, Ward wrote to the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services asking that they consider either mandating a higher reimbursement level, or paying pharmacists for the patient counseling they provide to Narcan buyers.

"How much longer," Kreckel asked in an interview, "can we continue to be benevolent while we take a beating like this?"

Lavella said she's going to continue to sell Narcan and eat the loss. "It's just something worth doing," she said.

"We want to get this out into the neighborhood and make things as safe as possible and promote an atmosphere of healing," she said. "At no point do I ever want to get a call from one of my customers that they've lost a son, or a daughter" because they didn't have Narcan.

Explore further Deal will let more companies make overdose antidote spray

2020 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Israel put its military on heightened alert on Friday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip abroad after the U.S. killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani drew promises of revenge from Iran.

Israel, Americas closest ally in the Middle East and Irans top regional foe, has not publicly responded to the death of Quds Force chief Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in the U.S. air strike in Baghdad.

But Netanyahus office confirmed that he would return home early from Greece.

Israels Army Radio said the military was on heightened alert and Defence Minister Naftali Bennett met military and intelligence chiefs for a situational assessment.

Members of Netanyahus security cabinet have been asked not to comment on the high-profile killings, which Israeli media interpreted as a bid to stave off retaliation from Irans proxies and allies in the region.

These include the Tehran-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah, and the Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Tzachi Hanegbi, Israels deputy foreign minister, said the cabinet received an instruction not to be interviewed on this subject when asked about the commanders deaths.

Dana Weiss, chief political analyst for Israels Channel 12 news, said: The goal is clear: not to unnecessarily complicate Israel and keep the message as unified as possible.

But Yair Lapid, an opposition lawmaker, congratulated U.S. President Donald Trump on Twitter for killing those responsible for murderous terrorist acts from Damascus to Buenos Aires and that Soleimanis blood is forfeit.

The Israeli Military spokesman, Avichay Adraee, said the Mount Hermon ski resort, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights close to the fortified frontier with Syria, had been closed following an assessment of the situation.

There are no further instructions to the residents of the Golan Heights area and routine activities continue as normal, he added.

Israel has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat.

READ ALSO:

In August 2018, the military said it had foiled a Quds Force attack, administered by Soleimani, involving multiple drones from Syria.

And Israel accused him of leading Quds Force efforts to establish a precision-guided missiles program for Hezbollah.

In Gaza, Hamas  which has long enjoyed financial and military support from Tehran  condemned Soleimanis killing and sent its dearest condolences to Iran.

Gaza-based Hamas official Bassem Naim wrote on Twitter that the assassination opens the doors of the region to all possibilities, except calm & stability. USA bears the responsibility for that.

The Iranian-backed Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, also based in Gaza, praised Soleimani as a leader who always brought horror into the hearts of America and Israel.

The alliance of resistance will not be defeated, will not be broken and its integrity will become stronger in confronting the Zionist-American project, Abu Hamza, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad, said on Twitter.

(Reuters/NAN)
Luke Evans left little to the imagination as he emerged from the sea in Miami on Friday.

The Beauty And The Beast star, 40, was clad in tiny black briefs as he strolled onto the sand after taking a refreshing dip.

The Welsh hunk showed off his jaw-dropping washboard abs and rippling arms as he had a James Bond moment emerging from the sea.

Sizzling: Luke Evans left little to the imagination as he emerged from the sea in Miami on Friday

The age-defying actor strutted his impressive 6ft physique while barefoot on the sand while shielding his eyes with shades.

Luke wouldn't look out of place in a 007 movie, as he appeared to mimic Daniel Craig's iconic moment as he emerged from the ocean in Casino Royale.

Murder Mystery star Luke toweled off after the swim before lounging on a deck chair while listening to music.

The Hollywood star then covered up from the hot sun with a navy tank top and shorts as he chatted with friends on the beach.

Jaw-dropping: The Beauty And The Beast star was clad in tiny black speedos as he strolled onto the sand after taking a refreshing dip

Sensational: The Welsh hunk - who came out as gay in a 2002 interview in The Advocate - showed off his jaw-dropping washboard abs

Luke frequently shares shirtless snaps of his gym-honed fit figure with his 2.5million social media followers.

He unveiled the results of body transformation on his Instagram in October, sharing a jaw-dropping picture of his abs.

The Beauty And The Beast star posted: 'Finally!! Im seeing my abs, hell! that was NOT easy!! #40andfit #mondaymotivation #training #fitat40'.

The Ma actor plays Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky in Roland Emmerich's WWII epic Midway, which hits US theaters in November.

The Lionsgate flick also features Woody Harrelson, Dennis Quaid, Mandy Moore, and Nick Jonas.

BMG will drop the Beauty and the Beast alum's debut abum At Last on November 22.

The record will feature Luke's covers of Pat Benetar's Love Is A Battlefield, U2's With Or Without You, and Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time.

Incredible: Luke wouldn't look out of place in a 007 movie, as he appeared to mimic Daniel Craig's iconic moment as he emerged from the ocean in Casino Royale

Wow: The age-defying actor strutted his impressive 6ft physique while barefoot on the sand while shielding his eyes with shades

Looking hot: Murder Mystery star Luke toweled off after the swim before lounging on a deck chair while listening to music

Vacation mode: Luke ensured her enjoyed the most of his time off by going for a refreshing dip

Little to the imagination: Luke ensured all eyes were on him in the tiny swimwear

Strutting his stuff: Luke looked incredible as he strolled onto the beach in his briefs

Drying off: Luke dried himself off with a crisp white towel after the refreshing dip

Hot stuff: The Welsh star rocked the tiny briefs as he strolled out of the sea dripping wet

Looking good: The Welsh actor was sure to relax on a deck chair on his vacation in Miami

Kick back and relax: Murder Mystery star Luke toweled off after the swim before lounging on a deck chair while listening to music

Having fun: Luke enjoyed his vacation as he chatted with friends on the sand

Looking good: The Welsh hunk flaunted his gym-honed body and washboard abs

Strolling: The Hollywood star then covered up from the hot sun with a navy tank top and shorts as he chatted with friends on the beach

Larking around: Luke appeared to be in high spirits as he chatted with friends

Covering up: The star clutched a pair of flip flops and threw on some shades

Having a ball: Luke was joined by a friend who wore khaki shorts and a red cap

Hunk: Luke strolled along the boardwalk in barefoot as he left the beach

Chatting: The pair exchanged words as they left headed away from the sea

Bronzed: Both men looked bronzed after a relaxing day spent lounging in the sun
A New Wave of Refugees? Idlib Violence Puts Pressure on EU-Turkey Pact

With Russia and Iran joining the Syrian regime in pounding the population of Idlib in northern Syria, a new wave of refugees is heading for Turkey. Ankara has signaled that it may mark the end of the Turkish-EU refugee pact.
When slurs were spray-painted on a kosher market in West Los Angeles, it was classified by law enforcement as an anti-Semitic hate crime. But when a swastika was carved into a park picnic table or spray-painted on a stop sign, it was classified as an anti-religious hate crime.

Two similar crimes aimed at terrorizing Jews, two different categories. The distinction caused confusion and led Los Angeless hate crimes coordinator to believe that the city was not collecting the most accurate data. That is why the Los Angeles Police Department began more strictly defining an anti-Semitic hate crime last year, by including more reports of anti-Semitic vandalism.

The number of anti-Semitic hate crimes recorded by authorities in Los Angeles has now doubled, thanks in part to those changes. But the rising numbers also mirror a trend seen in cities across the United States. A coming report from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, shows that anti-Semitic hate crimes in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago  the nations three largest cities  are poised to hit an 18-year peak.

It is something not seen in many years, said Brian Levin, the reports lead author, referring to the fact that Jews in those three cities are now targeted as frequently as gay men and African-Americans in hate crimes. The report, which uses the most recent official police data, found that Jews in all three cities are being targeted at the highest numbers seen since 2001.
Leaders from Bali and Denpasar city visit Vietnam's booth (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

This is a major festival in Denpasar with many attractive activities such as carnival parade, traditional and modern art performances, ColourRun, food fair and exhibitions featuring local products such as bamboo and rattan, batik silk and jewelry.



During the three day festival, the Vietnamese delegation, including staff from the embassy and Vietnamese people living in Bali, participated in the street parade to introduce images of the country and dynamic and hospitable people of Vietnam to the locals and international friends.

For the first time since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1955, the traditional long dress of Vietnam flew over Catur Muka Square in the center of Denpasar city to resounding applause.

On this occasion, Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang, in an interview conducted by the Denpasar Television Station, expressed his good impressions on the festival and wished to further promote cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia in the fields of economics, culture and tourism.

Vietnamese traditional long dress at the festival (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Mayor of Denpasar Rai Dharma Wijaya Mantra, representatives of departments and agencies of Bali and a large number of tourists visited the booths of the Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnam Airlines at the festival, which introduced famous destinations of Vietnam as well as potential for trade and investment between the two countries.



Also within the framework of the festival, the Vietnamese delegation participated in the charity run ColourRun. The winner was presented two pairs of Bali-Vietnam round trip tickets by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air.

During the meeting with Mayor of Denpasar and the leaders of Bali, Ambassador Pham Vinh Quang proposed to promote cooperation through specific activities such as organizing photo exhibition on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Uncle Hos visit to Indonesia, including Bali; activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic relations (1955-2020); and the twinning between Indonesias Denpasar city and Vietnams Hue city./.
His sons Dylan and Paris are this year's Golden Globes Ambassadors.

And Pierce Brosnan was there to support his boys as they rolled out the red carpet at the star-studded award ceremony's preview at the Beverley Hills Hotel on Friday.

The Hollywood star, 66, will be presenting an award alongside the likes of Dakota Fanning, Rami Malek, Tim Allen and Margot Robbie on January 6.

Dapper: Pierce Brosnan supported his sons Dylan, 22, and Paris, 18, as they rolled out the red carpet at the Golden Globes preview at the Beverley Hills Hotel on Friday

Pierce looked dapper in a blue suit which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and smart black brogues for the event.

He left the collar of his shirt undone for a casual look, accessorising with gold and blue cufflinks before adding a retro brown leather-banded watch.

Pierce posed alongside Dylan, 22, and Paris, 18, at the venue for the annual celebration of American film and television.

Suave: The Hollywood star, 66, will be presenting an award alongside the likes of Dakota Fanning and Rami Malek on January 6. Ricky Gervais will host this year

Shady: The James Bond star looked dapper as he walked alongside Ricky, with both men looking suave in black sunglasses

Dylan put on a stylish display in a double-breasted checked suit with a brown tie, notably doing up his top button.

He wore silver hoop earrings and added brown boots to complete the look.

Meanwhile, his brother Paris looked dapper in a pinstripe navy suit with a matching tie and black Oxfords.

He used product on his short brunette tresses to pull them back into a neat style, while Dylan wore his lengthy locks down.

In a video posted to Pierce's Instagram his two sons rolled out the red carpet alongside comedian and this year's Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais.

Rising stars: Pierce's two sons posed together at the Golden Globes preview day

Photo opportunity: In a video posted to Pierce's Instagram his two sons (far left and far right) rolled out the red carpet alongside comedian and this year's Golden Globes host Ricky

Ricky can be heard joking about what the flurry of photographers wanted from the next take as they prepared for the photo opportunity.

He said: 'What do you want now guys?'

Someone behind the camera replied 'something really fun, do a somersault' and Ricky added: 'If you want fun you've come to the wrong place.'

While Dylan and Paris try to keep a straight face, Ricky put on a mock dance across the carpet as the rest of the group walked towards the cameras.

Pierce captioned the video: 'Dylan and Paris rolling out the red carpet for the @goldenglobes with Ricky Gervais at the Beverly Hilton Hotel'

Fun: While Dylan and Paris try to keep a straight face, Ricky put on a mock dance across the carpet as the rest of the group walked towards the cameras

Paparazzi: Dozens of photographers surrounded the carpet as the key members of the Golden Globes symbolically rolled it out

Looking good: Dylan Brosnan, Amy Thurlow, Ricky Gervais, Lorenzo Soria, Linda Gierahn, Barry Adelman and Paris Brosnan put on a cheery display as they rolled out the red carpet

Good spirits: Host Ricky Gervais put on a very animated display as he led the way on the red carpet

Strut: The group were in good spirits as they strutted along the newly rolled-out red carpet

Pierce captioned the video: 'Dylan and Paris rolling out the red carpet for the @goldenglobes with Ricky Gervais at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.'

His wife of 20 years Keely Shaye Smith, 56, commented four yellow stars on the post.

Pierce and Keely first met in 1994 in Mexico and married in 2001 at Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo, Ireland.

Best known for playing James Bond, Pierce starred in the films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day.

Let's do this: The group used their feet to kick along the carpet

Excited: Ricky appeared very excited ahead of Sunday's Golden Globes

Fun times: The group put on an animated display as they prepared for the annual awards ceremony

With Daniel Craig starring in his final Bond film, No Time To Die, Pierce recently spoke about the latest generation of the franchise.

The actor said Daniel's brooding portrayal had to be more serious because the franchise was forced to reinvent the character as 'more muscular' and solemn.

However, in the process, Pierce claimed the series has lost its sense of humour while he spoke about the developments of the franchise over the years.

Stars: His wife of 20 years Keely Shaye Smith, 56, commented four yellow stars on the post to show her support

True love: Pierce and Keely first met in 1994 in Mexico and married in 2001 at Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo, Ireland (pictured in London in 2018)

Family: The couple share two sons Dylan and Paris (pictured in Los Angeles, California, in August 2009)

He told The Rake magazine: 'There had to be humour, I felt. It is different now. They had strong competition and they haven't reinvented it but given it a much more muscular, dynamic twist.

'When I played him you have to let the audience in that this is a fantastic joke  this man, jumping off a motorcycle and catching up a plane, is completely preposterous. But for me you had to let them in.

'That's what I was brought up with. Sean (Connery) did it, Roger (Moore) did it par excellence.'
United Nations, Jan 3 : UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" by the US strike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani on Friday, and urged world leaders to show "maximum restraint", his spokesman said.

"The Secretary General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation," his spokesman Farhan Haq said, the BBC reported.

"This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," the spokesman quoted Guterres said.
Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil on Friday hit out at the Congress after a booklet questioned Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar's patriotism and valour and insinuated he was in a physical relationship with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

Congress-affiliated Seva Dal on Thursday distributed a Hindi book titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?", at a training camp in Madhya Pradesh.

"I don't understand what quarrel the Congress has with Savarkar. Congress does not have the strength and capacity to confront the thoughts of Savarkar so they are stooping this low to level such allegations," Patil said.

He also lashed out at the Shiv Sena, which in the past has advocated Bharat Ratna for Savarkar, but is currently in an alliance with the Congress and NCP in Maharashtra.

"I would like to ask Shiv Sena to what extent it will bear insults being heaped on Savarkar," he said, adding that the BJP would organise protests over the contents of the booklet.

Speaking about the government, Patil said the norm was to have a minimum of 12 ministers but the Uddhav Thackeray-led dispensation ran the state's affairs with just six ministers for over a month, and therefore, decisions taking during this period were "null and void as per rules".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Nairobi, January 3, 2020Burundis public prosecutor on December 30 asked for a 15-year prison term for four journalists for privately owned online news outlet Iwacu and their driver who are charged with undermining state security, according to Iwacu and other news reports. The prosecutor is also seeking to have the five stripped of their right to vote for five years after the imprisonment, and to have their propertyincluding phones, camera, and a company carconfiscated, according to the same reports. The court is expected to rule on the case later in January, the same sources said.

The news teambroadcast reporter Christine Kamikazi, head of politics desk Agnes Ndirubusa, English service reporter Egide Harerimana, photojournalist Terence Mpozenzi, and driver Adolphe Masabarikizawere arrested in October 2019 while reporting on clashes in the countrys Bubanza province, CPJ reported at the time. The four journalists remain in prison while Masabarikiza was released in November, according to CPJ research.

The Iwacu staff should have never been arrested, and the prosecutors request for a 15-year prison term reveals just how hostile Burundi has become toward the independent press, said CPJ sub-Saharan Africa Representative Muthoki Mumo. We call on the Burundian authorities to unconditionally release Christine Kamikazi, Agnes Ndirubusa, Egide Harerimana, and Terence Mpozenzi and to drop all charges against Adolphe Masabarikiza.
Meat Loaf gave quite the interview to The Daily Mail this week, talking about everything from his sex life to climate change. The 72-year-old singer, real name Marvin Lee Aday, said he was always a ladies' man, even when he was a "fat motherf*****."

"Most of my songs are... well, true," he told the MailOnline. "They are story songs and I am really good at stories... I am a sex god, dear."

The "Two Out of Three Aint Bad" singer said he's lost 70 pounds by not eating "anything over 5g of fat and 3g of sugar." Meat Loaf went from weighing 256 pounds to 195 pounds, which is what he weighs today, but explained that courting women when he was larger was never a problem.

Read more: Comedian Rosie Jones causes a stir among The Last Leg fans with Greta Thunberg joke

"I can't use bad language but people would ask me, 'How can a fat motherf**** like you go out with all these good looking girls?' I said, 'because I am not going out thinking about what you are thinking about,'" he shared.

Meat Loaf visits the cast of the musical "Bat Out Of Hell" on Broadway at New York City Center on August 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

The rocker added that men today aren't doing "anything right."

"These days men don't open the doors, they don't do anything right. Truthfully, all they go out for is to get laid," he continued. "I've never done that. It's not my first option; never has been  and that's why I've gone out with all these good looking women."

The topic of conversation somehow shifted to climate change, with Meat Loaf  who worked with President Donald Trump on The Apprentice in 2010  saying it's a hoax.

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg attends a climate march, in Turin, Italy, Friday. Dec. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

He also called out activist Greta Thunberg, who turns 17 on Friday.

"I feel for that Greta. She has been brainwashed into thinking that there is climate change and there isn't," he said. "She hasn't done anything wrong but she's been forced into thinking that what she is saying is true."
The latest flare-up in U.S.-Iran relations could bring about the end of the longest bull market ever if crude prices keep surging, slowing an already fragile global economy even further.

But investors cautioned we're not yet at that point.

The last three U.S. recessions all came after a sharp increase in oil prices. Between July and October of 1990, crude shot up nearly 135%. The U.S. economy then entered a recession that lasted until 1991. Crude more than doubled between 1999 and 2000 before the economy fell into a recession in 2001. Oil also shot up more than 96% from its 2007 low into early 2008, just before the most recent U.S. recession.

Crude prices shot up as much as 4.8% on Friday after the U.S. killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian military leader, as worries that an escalation between the two countries could batter the Middle East region and the global oil supply. Oil later gave up some of those gains to trade around 3.3% higher at $63.18 per barrel. Crude is still up more than 20% from its low around $51 in October.

The ramifications of a sustained crude price surge could be even bigger than a disruption in oil supply if a recession ensues.

"One of the things that can derail a bull market is a spike in oil prices that can cause a recession," said Paul Hickey, co-founder of Bespoke Investment Group. "When you have higher oil prices, that's going to impact a key cost for a lot of different businesses."
JOHANNESBURG - South African photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed has returned to the country after being held captive for three years in Syria.

Mohamed was kidnapped by the Islamic State group in 2017 in Syria, where he had travelled to photograph the conflict there.

Mohameds family in Johannesburg confirmed through a media statement that he has arrived back in South Africa.

Mohamed escaped from captivity with the help of Turkish intelligence officials, according to local media reports.

Turkish officials had been co-ordinating with the South African government for Mohameds return, according to South African media.

The South African government has not yet provided information about Mohameds return.
A firefighter who lost his home in Australias wildfires has been caught on camera refusing to shake prime minister Scott Morrisons hand.

The awkward exchange took place during the prime ministers visit to Cobargo, New South Wales, where a father and son were killed by fires on Monday.

In a video filmed by Greg Nelson, who has been documenting the wildfires, Mr Morrison can be seen walking up to a firefighter who is taking a tea break and holding out his hand.

The unidentified fireman refuses to take it, saying: I dont really want to shake your hand. The prime minister replies: Oh well, its nice to see you.

Another video, apparently filmed soon after, was shared on social media by Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist Siobhan Heanue. It shows Mr Morrison saying: Tell that fella Im really sorry; Im sure hes just tired.

But another man, wearing a deputy incident controller vest, replies: No, no, he lost the house.

Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra in the state of New South Wales on 31 December 2019 AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billows from a huge bushfire that has torched over 200,000 acres of land in East Gipplsand, Victoria on 2 January EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Residents look on as flames tear through bushland in Lake Tabouriee, Australia on 4 January on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage behind Lake Conjola on 2 January Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter tackles a bushfire in East Gippsland, Victoria on 31 December EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter gives water to a parched koala in Cudlee Creek, South Australia AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters tackle a blaze as it tears through a farm in New South Wales on 21 December AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky is turned red over East Gippsland as fires continue to rage through Australian bushland on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A kangaroo near bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures An aerial view of a bushfire near Bairnsdale State Government of Victoria/EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters work to tackle a blaze on the outskirts of Sydney on 31 December 2019 Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter dumps water on a bushfire on the outskirts of the town of Bargo near Sydney Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Children play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A satellite image of the Batemans Bay showing smoke and fire from wild bushfires European Union, Copernicus Sentinel Data via REUTERS Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The afternoon sky glows red from bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Burning embers cover the ground as firefighters battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky glows red as bushfires continue to rage in Mallacoota, Victoria Jonty Smith via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The remains of burnt out buildings along a main street in the New South Wales town of Cobargo AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters try to protect homes around Charmhaven, New South Wales NSW Rural Fire Service/AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale Glen Morey via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Business owners stand in front of their shop which was destroyed by a bushfire in Cobargo EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter dumping water on a fire in Victoria's East Gippsland region Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Think smoke from bushfires fills the air in eastern Gippsland Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures "Carmelised" snow caused by dust from Australian bushfires is seen near Franz Josef glacier in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland, Victoria. More than 800,000 hectares have been burnt in East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures LIFES.A.BREEZE via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A house and van are seen destroyed after bushfires ravaged the town of Bilpin, west of Sydney AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter fighting a bushfire near Bairnsdale in Victoria's East Gippsland region State Government of Victoria/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Fire and Rescue personal run to move their truck as a bushfire burns next to a major road and homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Amy, left, and Ben Spencer sit at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter sprays foam retardant on a back burn ahead of a fire front in the New South Wales town of Jerrawangala AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Two bushfires approach a home located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property under threat from the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The main street of the New South Wales town of Bombala is pictured shrouded in smoke from nearby bushfires AFP via Getty

Mr Morrison was forced to cut short his visit to the fire-ravaged village on Thursday after victims began shouting at him and booing.

During another incident that same day, the prime minister grabbed the hand of a woman who said she would only shake his hand if he gave more funding to the Rural Fire Service.

So many people here have lost their homes," she told him.

Another resident yelled: This is not fair. We are totally forgotten down here. Every single time this area gets a flood or a fire we get nothing.

If we lived in Sydney or on the North Coast we would be flooded with donations and emergency relief.

Residents shouted "scumbag" at Mr Morrison as he was driven out of the town,

At least 19 people have been killed and more than 1,400 homes have been destroyed as the wildfires have raged across five million hectares of land since September.

At least 448 homes were destroyed on the New South Wales southern coast this week, while dozens were burned in Victoria.

Ten deaths have been confirmed in the two states this week, and Victoria authorities say 28 people are also missing.

Fires are also burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

One of the largest evacuations in Australias history is currently underway as hot weather and strong winds are predicted to worsen the devastating wildfires.

More than 200 fires are burning and warnings of extreme danger to come on Saturday have prompted mass evacuations.

The navy has evacuated hundreds of people from Mallacoota, a coastal town in Victoria cut off for days by wildfires that have forced as many as 4,000 residents and tourists to shelter on beaches.

In New South Wales, a state of emergency and a total fire ban are in place.

State Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers has urged people not to wait to leave, noting four people in the state died in their cars as they made late attempts to flee.
TORONTO, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sunwing is celebrating the start of the new decade with the launch of their highly-anticipated Million Dollar Beach Blowout Sale. To kick off the New Year, the tour operator has negotiated millions of dollars in savings on all inclusive vacation packages to a grand selection of resorts across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. Canadians can take advantage of these unbeatable deals when they book their winter getaway by January 10, 2020. Savings this big wont last long and winter departures are in high demand  vacationers will want to book now to secure their preferred package.



For a limited time, travellers can explore Sunwings newest destination of Grand Cayman at an unbeatable price when they choose to stay at Margaritaville Beach Resort Grand Cayman . This boutique-style property is the only all inclusive resort on breathtaking Seven Mile Beach and offers personalized service, plenty of exciting activities and spacious accommodation options.

Sun-seekers who book during the sale can also score an amazing deal at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda in Riviera Maya . This popular resort is located just a short drive from lively Playa del Carmen with activities and amenities for guests of all ages including an action-packed kids club and gourmet cuisine options at a selection of restaurants.

Families can take their travel budget even further when they choose to stay at Grand Memories Punta Cana , with unlimited complimentary access to one of the largest resort water parks in the Caribbean included in their stay. When theyre not testing out the water slides, vacationers can relax on the shores of Bavaro Beach just a short walk away.

In addition, travellers can save big on vacation packages to Grand Memories Varadero in Cuba. This family-friendly property is located on the pristine white-sand shores that Varadero is famous for. Mini-vacationers will have a blast at the Memories Fun Club for kids featuring popular characters Toopy and Binoo while the whole family can soak up the sun by the sprawling pool complex.

For more information or to book, visit www.sunwing.ca or contact your travel agent.

About Sunwing

The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from over 33 airports across Canada to more than 45 popular sun destinations across the U.S.A., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations as well as cruise packages and seasonal domestic flight service. Sunwing is consistently voted the top leisure airline by travel agents and is the perennial winner of the Consumer Choice Award. Customers can look forward to starting their vacation off with award-winning inflight service, which features a complimentary glass of sparkling wine*, non-alcoholic beverage service; together with a buy on board menu of light meals and snacks, including kids choices, the World Famous Original Smoked Meat from the iconic Montreal-based Schwartzs Deli along with delicious menu options inspired by Food Network Canada Celebrity Chef, Lynn Crawford. Sunwing customers also benefit from the assistance of the companys own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. Sunwing supports the communities where it operates through the Sunwing Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on the support and development of youth and humanitarian aid. Sunwing matches all donations the Foundation receives through its Spare Change Program on board Sunwing Airlines, no administrative fees are collected and 100% of the proceeds go to charity.

*Service may be unavailable on select flights

For all media enquiries, please contact:

Rachel Goldrick

Senior Corporate Communications Manager

Sunwing Vacations

1-800-387-5602 | media@sunwing.ca

https://www.facebook.com/SunwingVacations

https://twitter.com/SunwingVacay

https://www.instagram.com/sunwingvacations

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzjZ-lcuaqBQH7Sq0u3ru7A

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eef92e29-b300-4b22-97ef-5179349651e0




Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Brisk and cold with a mix of clouds and sun. There might be a stray flurry or snow shower later in the day, mainly north of the area..

Tonight

Partly cloudy, breezy, and bitterly cold. Wind chills close to 0 degrees. There might be a flurry or snow shower, especially north.
Australia continues to battle serious bushfires across multiple regions, warns the UK Foreign Office.

Authorities in some regions have declared a State of Emergency and ordered road closures and evacuations.

Yet for many of the tens of thousands of British holidaymakers in Australia at present, or planning to travel there imminently, the prospects of flexibility look limited.

These are the key questions and answers.

Where are the problems worst?

Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra in the state of New South Wales on 31 December 2019 AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billows from a huge bushfire that has torched over 200,000 acres of land in East Gipplsand, Victoria on 2 January EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Residents look on as flames tear through bushland in Lake Tabouriee, Australia on 4 January on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage behind Lake Conjola on 2 January Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter tackles a bushfire in East Gippsland, Victoria on 31 December EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter gives water to a parched koala in Cudlee Creek, South Australia AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters tackle a blaze as it tears through a farm in New South Wales on 21 December AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky is turned red over East Gippsland as fires continue to rage through Australian bushland on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A kangaroo near bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures An aerial view of a bushfire near Bairnsdale State Government of Victoria/EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters work to tackle a blaze on the outskirts of Sydney on 31 December 2019 Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter dumps water on a bushfire on the outskirts of the town of Bargo near Sydney Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Children play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A satellite image of the Batemans Bay showing smoke and fire from wild bushfires European Union, Copernicus Sentinel Data via REUTERS Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The afternoon sky glows red from bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Burning embers cover the ground as firefighters battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky glows red as bushfires continue to rage in Mallacoota, Victoria Jonty Smith via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The remains of burnt out buildings along a main street in the New South Wales town of Cobargo AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters try to protect homes around Charmhaven, New South Wales NSW Rural Fire Service/AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale Glen Morey via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Business owners stand in front of their shop which was destroyed by a bushfire in Cobargo EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter dumping water on a fire in Victoria's East Gippsland region Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Think smoke from bushfires fills the air in eastern Gippsland Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures "Carmelised" snow caused by dust from Australian bushfires is seen near Franz Josef glacier in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland, Victoria. More than 800,000 hectares have been burnt in East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures LIFES.A.BREEZE via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A house and van are seen destroyed after bushfires ravaged the town of Bilpin, west of Sydney AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter fighting a bushfire near Bairnsdale in Victoria's East Gippsland region State Government of Victoria/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Fire and Rescue personal run to move their truck as a bushfire burns next to a major road and homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Amy, left, and Ben Spencer sit at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter sprays foam retardant on a back burn ahead of a fire front in the New South Wales town of Jerrawangala AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Two bushfires approach a home located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property under threat from the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The main street of the New South Wales town of Bombala is pictured shrouded in smoke from nearby bushfires AFP via Getty

The picture is constantly changing, but at present all attention is focused on the coastal strip south of Batemans Bay in New South Wales  a town about halfway between Sydney and the Victoria state border.

The area of peril extends beyond the state frontier into Victoria, and inland to encompass Kosciuszko National Park  which includes Australias highest mountain, Kosciuszko (2,228 metres).

This is normally a very attractive part of Australia, and is popular with local and overseas holidaymakers alike. Everyone has been told to leave the area.

The island state of Tasmania has also been experiencing wildfires, near the capital, Hobart.

Residents and travellers in South Australia have been warned about extreme conditions on Friday, and parts of Western Australia are still cut off.

Elsewhere, the popular visitor destination of Queensland is relatively unaffected (though in September and November 2019 the state experienced problems from uncontrolled blazes).

Wherever you are heading in Australia, do as the Foreign Office says: If youre in or near an affected area or planning any travel, stay safe, monitor TV news, radio and social media channels for updates, and follow the instructions and advice of local authorities.

I am currently in Australia and want to come home early

That is likely to prove expensive and possibly difficult. In the absence of Foreign Office advice against travel to parts of Australia, travel firms are largely enforcing their usual terms and conditions.

For many airline tickets, changing the inbound date is possible  though it is likely to involve a fee of 100-200, or more if you booked through a travel agent that likes to add extras for additional service. In addition you are likely to have to pay any difference in fare compared with your original flight. And since this is a high-demand time for departures from Australia, that could add hundreds more.

If, conversely, you booked through a full-service travel agent or tour operator who put together the trip for you, then it is well worth contacting them to explain your situation and preference to return home early. They are likely to have more clout with the airline to allow changes without the usual penalties.

I have booked to go imminently to Australia, although I will not be going to the affected area. Should I stay away?

No. There are many parts of this vast country that are unaffected by the current and continuing wildfires. While the hot, dry conditions could lead to more outbreaks elsewhere in Australia, that possibility does not mean you need to postpone a trip. The tourism industry, which is already being affected, needs all the help it can get  and you deserve a winter holiday.

But I do not want to add to the nations burden, nor risk being stuck in a country with uncontrolled fires

That is entirely up to you. I have contacted the major airlines serving Australia from the UK, and of those that have replied the attitude is normal terms and conditions apply. So if you have a flight-only deal, you are unlikely to be able to cancel, defer or switch destination without losing a lot of money.

On an organised trip, again it is a matter of talking to the travel specialist and expressing your concerns.

 Australia wildfires: Prime minister Scott Morrison heckled on New South Wales farm

My trip as booked has important elements that can no longer take place because of the fire. Do I have any rights?

Yes, assuming they are deemed to be significant elements, and booked with a UK (or other EU) travel provider. I can give you a couple of current examples.

Suppose you have a fly-drive booked between Adelaide and Perth. The Eyre Highway is currently closed in at least two points, rendering the road journey impossible.

Or you might have hiking or mountain-biking organised in Kosciuszko National Park. At this point, the Package Travel Regulations come into play. They says that if the travel organiser cannot deliver what was booked because of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances then you are entitled to a full refund.

f you have booked with a local Australia firm, then you have no such legal rights.

Wont my travel insurance cover me?

It might, depending on the circumstances and the quality of your insurance cover.

One good-quality policy, for example, will pay for extra accommodation and transport costs if you are forced to move from your planned location as a result of fire. This does not apply to people who bought insurance once the prevalence of bushfires was known.
A teenager has been hospitalised with serious injuries after being beaten and slashed during a burglary at his home overnight.

Detectives are investigating the aggravated burglary which happened in the Mayfield area of Cork in the early hours of this morning.

Two men, armed with a hammer and a knife, broke into the house in Ard Bhaile at around 1.45am.

An 18-year-old teenager was in the property at the time and was slashed several times and threatened by the burglars.

He was rushed to Cork University Hospital where he is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.

Gardai at the Mayfield are investigating the aggravated burglary but no arrests have yet been made.

Investigators are appealing for witnesses to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021-4558510, The Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.
Penn State President Eric Barron was among a list of 160 applicants for president of the University of Colorado system last spring, according to documents leaked to the Colorado Independent published Tuesday.

Penn State confirmed that Barron applied for the position but that he intends to complete his contract.

A source familiar with the matter told the Centre Daily Times a family health issue was related to Barrons application at the University of Colorado, and that he plans to retire at the completion of his Penn State presidency in 2022.

CUs board of regents selected former Colorado Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy to lead the university system by a 5-4 vote in May, passing over applicants from much larger schools such as Penn State, Rutgers and Texas A&M, and other prominent Colorado politicians. Kennedy was the president of the University of North Dakota during the application phase.

Barron, whose contract at Penn State was renewed in May 2018 through June 2022 by the board of trustees, heads a total student body about 50% larger than the CU system, which has 67,386 on four campuses. By comparison, Penn States total student body, including World Campus, is 96,408 across 24 campuses.

Prior to arriving at Penn State in 2014, Barron served as president of Florida State University for four years. From 2008 to 2010, he was director of the the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, also home of the flagship CU campus.

A search committee of 11 people, comprised mostly of Republicans, in partnership with Alabama-based search firm Wheless Partners, narrowed the list of 160 down to 30 applicants, including Barron. It then invited 11 applicants of the 30 for in-person interviews. Barron and two former Democratic Colorado politicians  Gov. Bill Ritter and Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne, were not asked back for interviews.

I am fully committed to Penn State. I and the board, and the entire Penn State family have much to accomplish together, Barron said in statement, responding to the leaked list of applicants.

In 2018, Barron was the third-highest-paid public university president in the United States, earning $1.8 million comprised of his $834,364 base salary, an $800,000 completion payment and a $200,000 annual retention payment. In September, Barron received a 2.5% raise from the board of trustees, bringing his base salary to $855,228. With his annual $200,000 retention bonus as part of his contract extension, Barron made over $1 million in the 2019 calendar year.

As part of Barrons contract extension, his salary is reviewed annually and considered for an increase until 2022, when he is set to receive another $800,000 completion payment.

By Sarah Paez Centre Daily Times (State College, Pa.) (TNS)
Paul Terrington and Ian McConnell of PwC with the Department for the Economy's Heather Cousins

Applications are open for a new Assured Skills Academy, launched by the Department for the Economy and PwC, with 20 places up for grabs.

Applicants must have a degree for the academy, which will see participants receive nine weeks of industry-relevant pre-employment training in data analytics at Belfast Met.

Participants will also receive a training allowance of 150 per week, travel expenses and may also be eligible for childcare allowance.

Heather Cousins, deputy secretary at the Department for the Economy, said it was an "excellent opportunity for people to gain the skills they need to compete for jobs in the growing professional services industry where data skills are critical to many roles".

"Participants who successfully complete the academy will gain industry recognised qualifications and be guaranteed a job interview with PwC," she added.

Claire McNally, PwC's head of capability and development in its Operate division, said the firm was "very keen" to bring on board graduates from a range of backgrounds and disciplines.

"No experience in data analytics is required in order to apply," she said.
More trouble appears to be piling up against the detained former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, over an allegation that he demanded and collected about $25, 000 in bribe from the Chairman of ASD Motors, Alhaji Sani Dauda under the guise of paying same to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, in order to free him and his firm from any probe by the agency.

The cash has been retrieved and deposited in EFCC custody and to be used as exhibit against the embattled former vocal politician, who was taken into custody two days ago.

The development came, as both Senator Sani and his accuser met face to face inside the EFCC headquarters on Thursday to confront each other on the offer and receipt of the alleged bribe.

Both men were grilled for hours on Thursday by EFCC interrogators.

And, to pave the way for unfettered questioning of the accused, the EFCC has secured a court order to detain Senator Sani for two weeks, the Vanguard reports, quoting a top source in EFCC.

The businessman according to the report also accused Senator Sani of dropping the name of the Chief Justice of Nigeria in order to extort an additional N4 million from him over a case he has in court.

Alhaji Sani said Shehu demanded the money as cash to be given out as bribe to four judges who would hear a case instituted by one Abubakar against his firm, ASD Motors. Alhaji Sani said for that reason, Shehu Sani demanded and collected the equivalent of N5 million in Dollars with a promise to give N1 million out of that to unnamed EFCC officials. He also claimed that the senator came back on Nov 29, 2019, saying that the prosecutor in his case could not do anything about it but that he had discussed the matter with Magu who asked him to bring $20,000 to resolve the case.

Alhaji Sani said that although he argued that Magu is said to be incorruptible and would not collect the bribe, the former lawmaker, convinced him to part with the cash, insisting that the EFCC boss was his friend and that he would accept the cash in Dollars. According to the complainant, Shehu collected additional $10,000 from him on November 29, 2019, and thereafter refused to pick his calls or reply to text messages and only grudgingly refunded the sum of $25,000 of the amount to him on December 24, 2019, after he had reported the scam to the EFCC.

According to him, Shehu had shunned him until he was arrested and detained on New Years Eve by the operatives of the EFCC. But Sani has denied the claims by the complainant and appeared unruffled by the issues raised against him.
After being harassed, traumatised and financially punished for more than three years, about three quarters of a million people will have to wait until 2020 to be told if they are entitled to refunds because they were unlawfully accused of welfare overpayments by the federal governments computerised robodebt regime.

This is despite the Liberal-National Coalition government conceding in the Federal Court on November 27 that the entire system violated the law. With the governments consent, the court ruled that debt orders were not validly made, that punitive penalty charges were unlawful, and income tax garnishee notices were not lawfully issued.

After receiving automated letters declaring that they owed the government massive debts, welfare recipients were subjected to harassment by profit-driven debt collectors or the tax office, which garnished their tax returns. The government threatened to jail people unless they paid the demanded amounts or produced documents to disprove any alleged over-payments.

At a Senate committee hearing last month, Department of Human Services officials refused to provide any estimate of the unlawfully-charged debts. Hundreds of millions of dollars may have been extracted from some of the most impoverished and vulnerable members of society.

The officials confirmed that no extra staff had been hired to review the many thousands of cases. This makes lengthy delays inevitable, given that the department, like other government departments, is chronically understaffed. The government has cut an estimated 14,000 jobs throughout the federal public service since 2013 and maintained a staffing freeze.

To add to the suffering, Government Services Minister Stuart Robert told parliament that data matching would continue, even though the government was forced to pause the use of the robodebt system for new alleged debts. The government is also still enforcing existing robodebts through debt collectors and garnishee orders.

The robodebt program (officially described as a compliance intervention system) was established in 2016 to automate the enforcement of so-called welfare fraud. Robodebt computers compared an individuals welfare payments with their averaged historical income, according to tax returns.

If the welfare recipient had allegedly earned money above a certain threshold, the system automatically issued a debt notice. The onus was then placed on welfare recipients, with limited financial resources and often lacking documented records, to prove that they had been wrongly levied debts, going back as far as seven years.

The cruelty was magnified by the fact that it became extremely difficult to contact Centrelink, the government welfare office, to challenge the debt letters. More than 55 million phone calls to Centrelink were met with a busy signal during the 201516 financial year.

From the outset, the system sent out notices when no debt actually existed, causing widespread distress and outrage. An estimated 734,000 recipients of unemployment, disability or parenting payments received robodebt notices. Around 20 percent of debts issued were eventually waived or reduced, but many more people were forced to pay money they did not owe.

The callous treatment of welfare recipients was deliberate and calculated. As late as November 14, Government Services Minister Robert continued to defend the robodebt system. Using averaging as the basis to say to a citizen, There may be a debt, can you please engage with us? is entirely appropriate, he declared in an address to the National Press Club.

The Labor Partys welfare spokesman, former party leader Bill Shorten, tried to exploit the Federal Court ruling. He said hundreds of thousands of people went through stress, trauma, administrative headache and if you believe some grieving families, its been the cause of suicide.

But it was the last Labor government that imposed the data-matching and averaging debt collection system in 2011. Shorten, who was then assistant treasurer, declared at the time that it would see more people being referred to the tax garnishee process, retrieving more outstanding debt. The only difference was that a Centrelink staff member checked the debt letters before they were dispatched.

This regime, enforced by successive Labor and Coalition governments, has taken an untold human toll. Some of the poorest layers of the working class have been stigmatised as fraudsters and penalised to the tune of thousands of dollars each.

For example, in the Federal Court case, the government had added a 10 percent penalty to the debt of $2,900 that it claimed was owed by Deanna Amato, a 33-year-old local government worker, for Austudy student allowances she received while studying a diploma in 2012. The judge ruled there was no reliable evidence for that claim.

In the lead-up to her case, Amato told the media: It felt like guilty until proven innocent. She and her fellow robodebt victims were people who dont have enough money to live on, who are trying to live with self-respect and work or study I can only imagine if youre struggling with other things in your life, how hard it would be to deal with this and to find the evidence to support your claims.

Via the robodebt system, an estimated $660 million was taken from people who depended on pitiful welfare paymentssuch as $40 a day for jobless workersthat have been kept deliberately below the poverty line. Altogether, the governments income compliance measures seized $3.36 billion in alleged debts in 2018-19.

Meanwhile, the banks and finance houses that have defrauded customers of millions of dollars, via scams such as fees-for-no service, compromised financial advice and predatory mortgage defaults, have escaped with token penalties compared to their profits.

Income compliance programs are part of a wider drive to gut welfare spending to meet the demands of the corporate elite for lower company and income taxes, and force jobless workers into low-paid employment. Welfare recipients are also being threatened with compulsory drug-testing, as well as expanded roll-outs of cashless welfare cards, which restrict nearly all their spending to authorised essentials.

The dismantling of welfare entitlements is well underway. Over the past two decades, Coalition and Labor governments alike have driven thousands of people off benefits or denied them eligibility in the first place. The number of people aged 1864 receiving income support fell from 2.6 million in 1999 to 2.3 million in 2018. From 22 percent of people aged 1864 receiving income support in 1999, the proportion had dropped to 15 percent by 2018.

This has been achieved primarily through punitive work tests for unemployment benefits, harsher rules for disability pensions, and higher means tests and eligibility requirements for various entitlements, including aged pensions. In 2012, the Gillard Labor government played a key part in this process by cutting thousands of single parents off benefits.

The war on welfare is intensifying under conditions in which the ongoing destruction of full-time jobs in manufacturing, mining, retail, public services and other basic industries has created mass unemployment and under-employment in many working-class and regional areas, especially for young people.
Iranians burn a US flag during a demonstration in Tehran following the killing of top military commander Qasem Soleimani: AFP via Getty Images

The US assassination of one of Irans top security officials early on Friday could mean war with the Islamic Republic and unpredictable consequences, warned a former US intelligence officer and diplomats with expertise in the Middle East.

US officials insist the killing was a defensive measure meant to save American lives and did not signal a war. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo told US television outlets that Washington was not seeking an escalation.

But Iran is unlikely to see it that way, and the US will have to prepare for responses and consequences of an unpredictable, costly and potentially consuming conflict with the Islamic Republic.

Its war, said a former US intelligence officer who has worked on Iraq and Iran. It was always somewhat of a war but when you cut his head off, thats war. Theres no other way around it.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he continues to work on sensitive security matters.

Diplomats and Middle East observers across the globe were stunned by the assassination, as leaders in major capitals conferred on whether the US killing amounted to the opening of a new chapter in one of the worlds most volatile regions.

The world cannot afford another Gulf war, Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, said.

Many worry it is already too late.

We are now directly engaged in a conflict with the Iranian state, said Dalia Dassa Kaye, director of the Middle East programme at the Rand Corporation, a research firm partly funded by the US government. This is not just through proxies; this isnt sanctions. This significantly increases the risk.

Iran and the US have been locked in confrontation for 40 years, though tensions cooled as both countries found themselves facing the threat of Isis in Iraq.

The latest round of escalation began after the administration of Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal forged by his predecessor and launched a campaign of maximum pressure targeting Irans economy. Washington has accused Iran of being behind a stepped-up campaign of harassment and sabotage targeting American interests. It launched airstrikes on an Iranian-allied militia on Sunday in response to a barrage of rockets that struck a base in northern Iraq, killing one American contractor.

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Next came the attack on Tuesday on the US embassy in Baghdad by Iraqi militiamen loyal to Iran. No American was hurt, but protesters set the facility on fire, angering US officials who had promised a day earlier that the airstrikes on Sunday had deterred Iran.

The US killed Qassem Soleimani after he arrived on a plane in Baghdad and while in the company of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a leader of pro-Iranian Shia militiamen.

Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, its president Hassan Rouhani and a slew of other officials vowed vengeance for the slaying of Soleimani, but did not hint at any specific actions.

US needs to know that the criminal attack on General Soleimani is its biggest strategic mistake in west Asia, and that the US will not easily escape the consequences of this miscalculation, said a statement issued by Irans Supreme National Security Council.

US officials have for years considered killing him, but have refrained for fear that the potential costs would outweigh the benefits.

Soleimani had long been acting with increasing impunity throughout Iraq and Syria in recent years, posting photographs of himself posing at battlefronts. One western diplomat described the killing as quite a bold move that sends a message to [Irans] system that the old rules of engagement no longer apply.

Still, despite his high profile, Soleimani was no swashbuckling freelancer like Osama bin Laden or guerilla leaders of the past, but an official of a government with a bureaucracy and a budget; take him out and the Iranians could replace him, which they did within hours, and continue any of his projects. Soleimani is also considered a senior Iranian official as well as a close friend of Mr Khamenei.

What are we trying to achieve here? Whats the end game?

Dalia Dassa Kaye, director of the Middle East programme at the Rand Corporation

The Quds force is a state organisation, said the former US intelligence official. They are part of a formal military service. They have a government and economy backing them. Is America ready to deal with that?

Killing him risks an escalation that the US didnt count on, and that is how big wars start, said a former US official.

What nations know how to do is reciprocity, said Richard Stengel, a former State Department official. The Iranians will not see this as reciprocal. They will see this as a massively, exponentially disproportionate response which is not reciprocal or commensurate with what theyve done.

Mr Trumps bluster about the killing and the open way it was conducted almost forces Iran to act.

Possible venues in which Tehran could respond to Washington include Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, where Iran holds significant sway and controls assets. The Islamic Republic could also launch renewed attacks against the USs Middle East partners, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Iran has already upped pressure on its allies in Baghdad to boot US forces from the country, which it already appears inclined to do.

Iran also has cyber-capabilities which it has refined in the years since the US and Israel attacked its nuclear programme with the infamous Stuxnet virus.

Theyre going to attack US interests and people, said the former US intelligence official. Its not always soldiers and diplomats. There are large companies, American interests and people that can be touched. This is an old-world fight. There has to be a response or responses.

Next week, Iran is also set to announce its pullback from the nuclear deal, which it has been chipping away at for months in incremental steps to punish western nations for abiding by US sanctions. We have a decision due next week on whether Iran will continue to talk back from its commitments, said Ms Kaye. I would expect Iran to escalate its nuclear programme.

The more important question, though, may be what the US will do after the Iranian response, and whether the US is prepared to respond to the next Iranian escalation. What are we trying to achieve here? Whats the end game? said Ms Kaye.

Its unclear whether the Trump administration has thought about all of the implications of the attack, and what it means for US security policy.

Now that weve made this move, we have to make counterterrorism steps and prepare for any state acts, said the former US intelligence official.

Ms Kaye speculated that the administration was beginning to believe its own rhetoric that the regime in Tehran was on the verge of collapse due to the US sanctions, and it was convinced by hardliners in Washington that taking out Soleimani would deliver a knockout blow, or at least not cost too much.

What worries me is the question whether the Trump administration has gone through all the possibilities, probabilities and possible outcomes and done a cost-benefit analysis, said Mr Stengel, author of a book called Information Wars, about disinformation campaigns. I hope they have. Everything Ive read is that the whole national security process is broken.

Read more

General Qassem Suleimani: Feared by foes and fiercely admired at home

Iraq releases dramatic images of flaming wreckage from US airstrikes

Trump is starting a war with Iran  whether by accident or design

Irans allies promise revenge for US killing of top general

Killing of Qassem Soleimani marks new low in US-Iran relations
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Away from the flames, millions of Australians are breathing unhealthy air this summer as smoke from the countrys disastrous wildfires clouds skies from Sydney to Canberra to Melbourne.

Canberra

Outside the Old Parliament House in Canberra this week. Narendra Shrestha/EPA, via Shutterstock

Australias capital, Canberra, has been blanketed by a thick haze of smoke from nearby fires for more than a week.

The city recorded its worst air quality day on Jan. 2, with readings of dangerous fine particulate pollution spiking to over 200 micrograms per cubic meter on average during the worst hour, according to Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit research group that aggregates data from air-quality monitoring sites. Readings for the day averaged nearly 100 micrograms per cubic meter, a level considered unhealthy under air quality standards developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Normally, air pollution in the city is low.

Air quality based on PM2.5 35 150 250 500 g/m3 Good Unhealthy Hazardous

Source: Berkeley Earth

Southeastern Australia is experiencing one of the worst fire seasons on record, with hundreds of fires burning across the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

Fires have seared millions of acres since October, destroying more than a thousand homes and killing at least 19 people, including three volunteer firefighters.

[See where Australias wildfires are currently burning.]

Wildfires release air pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide, which can harm the health of residents nearby and firefighters on the front lines. Another byproduct of burning, fine particulate pollution known as PM2.5 because particles measure less than 2.5 micrometers across, can be transported long distances.

Landing on instruments today... this is Canberra, 6pm in summer pic.twitter.com/zxFJGWyxZA  MarnieHW (@Marnie_HW) January 1, 2020

Breathing in these tiny particles can worsen asthma and other respiratory disorders, and lead to heart attack and stroke, among a slew of other health effects. High levels of PM2.5 pollution are particularly harmful to older people, the very young and people with compromised immune systems.

An elderly woman is reported to have died on Thursday after going into respiratory distress when she got off a plane at the Canberra airport.

Sydney

A barely visible Sydney Harbour Bridge last month. David Gray/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images

Smoke from fires has fouled Sydneys air intermittently since November. The city recorded its worst air quality day last month, when fine particulate matter reached unhealthy levels. During the hour of highest pollution, PM2.5 readings hit nearly 400 micrograms per cubic meter, a level considered hazardous over 24 hours.

Air quality based on PM2.5 35 150 250 500 g/m3 Good Unhealthy Hazardous

Source: Berkeley Earth

Hospital visits for breathing problems increased during the period, according to local officials. Stores sold out of air purifiers and protective masks as residents rushed to protect themselves against the pollution.

But dangerous air pollution isnt always obvious, said Brian Oliver, a respiratory disease expert at the University of Technology Sydney. Its not just when the skies are hazy and you cant see ahead of you. Its when the skies might look clear but the levels of pollution are five to 10 times greater than normal.

A coalition of more than 20 medical groups, including the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, which represents 25,000 doctors and trainees, issued a statement last month declaring the high levels of particulate pollution in Sydney a public health emergency and calling on the government to address climate change.

The hazardous air pollution from the New South Wales bushfires is one of the ways peoples health is being harmed by climate change right now, said Fiona Armstrong, executive director of the Climate and Health Alliance, an advocacy group in Australia.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of scientists organized by the United Nations, found that southern Australia is likely to see an increased risk of fire as the world heats up as a result of the burning of fossil fuels.

A smoky haze over Bronte Beach in the Sydney suburbs in December. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Sydney Opera House shrouded in smoke last month. James D. Morgan/Getty Images

Across Australia, and Beyond

On Friday, smoke from fires in eastern Victoria had reached more than 100 miles west to Melbourne. To the east, hazy skies were reported across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand.

But air quality has been worst close to the flames.

Photographs of evacuees against orange and red skies have made the front pages of newspapers around the world and circulated on social media. Thousands of people, many wearing face masks, were evacuated from Mallacoota, a vacation destination in eastern Victoria, after fires threatened the area. (Air pollution readings are not available for the area because of sparse monitoring station coverage.)

Tens of thousands more fled ahead of the weekend as weather forecasters warned of heightened fire conditions.

We have no capacity to contain these fires, Rob Rogers, deputy commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. We just need to make sure people are not in front of them.

Evacuees from Mallacoota, Victoria, were moved to safety by the Australian military. Shane Cameron/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images
Four soldiers, including a lieutenant, were injured in a mine blast along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Friday, officials said.

The blast took place during patrolling in forward area along the Line of Control in Kalal in Naushera sector, they said.

The injured persons were rushed to a hospital, the officials added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Michelle Noer climbs the steps to the world's largest dump truck at the Syncrude Aurora mine near Fort McMurray, Alberta, in this May 23, 2006 file photo. (REUTERS/Todd Korol/Files)

Oil prices are surging in the wake of the U.S. airstrike that killed a top Iranian general on Thursday. The attack, and Irans promised response, have analysts forecasting scenarios of a barrel of European benchmark crude hitting $150.

While ongoing tension in the Middle East would likely disrupt supply, experts dont expect Canadas long-suffering energy sector will be in a position to take advantage of price gains. Some analysts see it as a teachable moment underscoring the countrys inability to bring its ample crude supply to global markets in a time of need.

China is a major buyer of heavier crude, which is what Canada produces, Carl Larry, the Houston-based commodities performance director at Refinitiv, told Yahoo Finance Canada. If Irans oil supplies are diminished or taken out completely, China will look not just to the U.S., but to Canada, to renew its supply.

For years, Canadas energy industry has clamoured for ocean access via pipeline to reach buyers beyond North America. According to the Fraser Institute, insufficient pipeline capacity cost Canadas energy sector $20.6 billion in foregone revenue in 2018. The lack of export pipelines has contributed to a drought of foreign investment in the sector.

Compared to several other oil producing regions, Canadian producers point to stronger environmental and labour standards overseen by a stable government. In other words, it would be a logical alternative source in the event of extended conflict involving the Gulf states.

The big problem with Canadian energy is lack of access, the lack of capacity to export the product. It really comes back to our politics and the lack of pipelines being built, Purpose Investments chief investment officer Greg Taylor told Yahoo Finance Canada.

He notes that Canada cant even move oil internally in an effective way right now, with East Coast refineries relying on crude from the Middle East.

If conflict intensifies between the U.S. and Iran, putting pressure on global supply, Larry hopes proponents of the energy sector will use the incident to show Ottawa the importance of building new energy infrastructure.

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Canada might feel that they missed an opportunity when the U.S. started exporting oil and not importing as much. This is a second opportunity for Canada, he said. This could be a very decisive year for Canadian energy exports.

Rising oil prices lifted shares of many Canadian energy companies on Friday. Bonavista Energy (BNP.TO) closed 5.17 per cent higher. MEG Energy (MEG.TO) climbed 4.22 per cent. The gains were slightly more pronounced for U.S. firms. Whiting Petroleum (WLL) added 8.58 per cent at the close, after rising as much as 15 per cent in pre-market trading. Oasis Petroleum (OAS) jumped 7.17 per cent.

Taylor said any hint of good news would go a long way.

Energy is coming into this year as one of the most hated sectors out there. People havent been paying attention to stabilization in the oil price, he said. The sentiment around the group has been so negative in the last few years that any positive change in tone could be met with fairly aggressive price action.

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Kolkata, Jan 3 (IANS) Members of sexually-marginalised communities took out a protest march headed for the RSS headquarters here against the Citizenship Amendment Act, and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR).

The LGBTQ (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, queer) community members started marching from Shahid Minar in the city hub, saying they wanted to go to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office located in north Kolkata's Beadon Street.
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2020 / Carinsuranceplan.org has released a new article that explains how to use online car insurance quotes and get the best deals.

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Online car insurance quotes will help drivers analyze the insurance market . Usually, drivers are not acquainted with the local insurance companies. Most of us have heard of big brands that we hear on the radio or see on TV ads, but there are so many local companies. Some of them offer excellent services and prices. Getting online quotes will help the driver find companies with competitive offers.

. Usually, drivers are not acquainted with the local insurance companies. Most of us have heard of big brands that we hear on the radio or see on TV ads, but there are so many local companies. Some of them offer excellent services and prices. Getting online quotes will help the driver find companies with competitive offers. Quotes will approximate the average coverage cost . Although just estimates, insurance quotes use models and statistical data to calculate the average cost. Good websites keep their data updated and provide results that match the insurer's approximate premiums. In order to get accurate quotes, the client must provide correct info about himself and the car and accurate annual mileage estimates

. Although just estimates, insurance quotes use models and statistical data to calculate the average cost. Good websites keep their data updated and provide results that match the insurer's approximate premiums. In order to get accurate quotes, the client must provide correct info about himself and the car and accurate annual mileage estimates Quotes will help the driver understand the current value of the car and his risk profile. Online submit forms will help drivers understand if the car they have is still valuable or not. Car insurance companies take a car's depreciation into consideration when issuing premiums. Other factors like credit score or past traffic violation will also influence the premiums and driver's classification. Usually, this info is required by quote submit forms. Drivers with poor credit score or a history of at-fault accidents are usually labeled "high-risk".

Carinsuranceplan.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

For more information, please visit http://carinsuranceplan.org/.

"Getting online car insurance quotes will help drivers have a better view of the insurance market and find suitable coverage offers," said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

CONTACT:

Company Name: Internet Marketing Company

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SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/571924/How-To-Get-The-Best-Car-Insurance-Deal-With-The-Help-Of-Free-Online-Quotes
Samsung shipped over 6.7M 5G phones in 2019, Galaxy Tab S6 5G coming in Q1

Samsung dominated the 5G market in 2019, shipping the most smartphones of any brand with the faster connectivity.

With more than 6.7 million shipped smartphones, Samsung captured around 54% of the total world market (as per data for January to November 2019, Counterpoint Research).

Samsung's first 5G smartphone,the Galaxy S10 5G, came in early 2019. It was followed by the Galaxy Note10 5G and Note10+ 5G in the fall of the year, and finally the recently launched Galaxy A90 5G and Galaxy Fold 5G.

Samsung will also premiere the world's first 5G-enabled tablet, the Galaxy Tab S6 5G, in the first quarter of 2020.
The attempted assassination of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia was an extraordinary, shocking, and at many levels, inexplicable, act the impact of which continues to have grave implications in international relations. It was the first time a nerve agent had been used in a European city since the Second World War. Salisbury, a tranquil and quintessentially English cathedral city, seemed a particularly incongruous and surprising setting for a murder mission linked to the dark world of espionage.

I was abroad at a conference on nuclear proliferation when the news broke that a father and daughter had been found poisoned and unconscious on a park bench, and that the Russian state was the suspect behind the attack. Novichok and not nuclear weapons had become the lethal WMD threat to Britain for the moment, a matter of huge concern. But nothing about the current lives of the Skripals pointed to why they should be targetted for elimination in such a brutal way.

Sergei Skripal had been a member of the GRU, the Russian military intelligence service, and had in the past sold secrets to the British and the west. But he had been freed as part of a spy-swap eight years previously, was not known to be actively involved any longer in the intelligence field, and felt secure enough to continue living under his own identity. There was no evidence of Yulia ever being involved in her fathers line of business and nothing in her background suggested she had incurred such vicious enmity. To add to the confusion, other western agents  people the Russians would also consider to be traitors and who were swapped along with Skripal  had continued to live openly without being harmed and continue to do so now.
New Orleans, LA, also known as NOLA, is the place for all things Mardi Gras, gumbo, and beignets. Theres really no other city like it.

Most people know the French Quarter, the oldest and most prominent neighborhood in Louisiana's Big Easy. But the city's second-most historic neighborhood, Algiers Point, is also quite the gem.

Right now, a charming little shotgun home from 1890 is available there for $315,000. Its been lovingly restored to a pristine state by its current owner, Dianne Kennedy.

Exterior realtor.com

Porch realtor.com

Living space realtor.com

Nearly all the homes in the neighborhood have historic designations, Kennedy said, and the shotgun-style home can be found all over NOLA. This architectural style was popular at the beginning of the 20th century.

The term applied because it is said that you could stand at the front of the home, point and shoot a shotgun, and the bullet would travel all the way from the front door to the back door without obstruction.

The design of a shotgun home makes it quite an undertaking to renovate.

"It is a challenging floor plan for a modern way of life," Kennedy explained. "For instance, in that period, no closets existed, because taxes were based on the number of rooms, and a closet would have been considered a room."

That was just one of many challenges she faced when she started making changes, but Kennedy was up for the task.

"She has meticulously restored the home, preserving many of its original details and going above and beyond, said listing agent Sandy Duplessis. Such attention to detail is rare.

Kennedy, a designer with a background in the movie industry, spent 10 years renovating and restoring her shotgun home. She wanted to ensure she could put the money and time into doing it the right way, to ensure the longevity of the property.

Kitchen realtor.com

Bathroom realtor.com

Gazebo in backyard realtor.com

And every inch of the 1,180-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bath cottage has been renewed. New Orleans is known for being a humid and hot area, so restoration using weather-specific materials on the exterior of the home was taken into careful consideration.

Kennedy added all-new Hardie and cypress-plank siding to the exterior, as well as new flooring and posts to the front porchall of which were fashioned and prepared in ways to look original to the house.

She also hand-scraped the overpainted door and window casings, which, to her surprise and delight, revealed beautiful, intact cypress wood.

The grain is exquisite, and can only really be appreciated in person, Kennedy said. You just dont see wood like this anymore, except in these historic homes.

As for the interior, the same care was taken in renovations. She raised the ceilings up to the original 11-foot, 4-inch height, added recessed lighting, and central HVAC, and updated the bathroom. Plus, she added bathroom access through a porch, so that Kennedys bedroom wasnt the only access point.

This is a common problem in shotguns, she explained. She also expanded the windows and added a gazebo outside, as well as many other improvements.

In short, Kennedy created a masterpiece, and this work of art is now ready for a new owner to bask in its glory. With a modest price tag of $315,000, this little home is a steal.

In fact, a buyer has already taken aim at the shotgun house. After just 11 days on the market, it's in "pending sale" status.

The post Perfectly Renovated Shotgun Home Available in NOLA for $315K appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Delhi Government Forest department on Friday told the Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has imposed a fine of Rs 2.40 crore against NHAI for 400 missing trees while construction of Dwarka Expressway Package II.

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest told the NGT that NHAI has submitted a proposal of removal of 9435 trees while expanding Dwarka Expressway. Out of 9435 tress, 400 trees were missing when forest department conducted inspection in that area.

When NHAI failed to explain about the missing trees, the forest officer said that the department has slapped a fine of Rs 2 crore 40 lakh against NHAI for 400 missing trees.

Meanwhile, the NGT was also informed that NHAI had promised to plant 90,350 saplings as compensation of removing over 9000 trees for the construction of the expressway.

The tribunal was also informed that out of proposed removal of 9035 trees, 3318 trees are to be felled and 5717 trees are to be transplanted. As on the date of inspection, 294 trees have been transplanted from Old Toll Plaza site to Sector in Dwarka, the forest department informed.

The trees are in transplanted and at this stage, it is not possible to accurately assess their chances of survival. Thus, the survival rate can only be determined with certainty only after a period of one year.

As per the draft transplantation policy, for every proposal for removal of trees under the provision of DPTA, 1994, at least 80 per cent of the trees that are affected by developmental activities and cannot be preserved on-site shall be required to be transplanted and it should be ensured that at least 80 per cent of the transplanted trees survive after one year. This policy was initiated in view of the problems of severe air pollution in Delhi with the aim to save the grown-up trees by transplanting these somewhere in the vicinity. This is expected to make up for the loss of carbon sink in lieu of the trees which would otherwise to be cut.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by the Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions and Promotion of Awareness against Delhi government giving permission to cut trees for the Dwarka Expressway Package II, without assessing the survival rate of the transplanted trees.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israel has put its forces on high alert in the wake of the killing of senior Iranian Quds Forces commander Qassem Soleimani.

The country has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat and is fearing reprisal from Iran's allies.

The country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the U.S. decision while speaking on the airport tarmac in Athens, cutting short a trip to Greece to fly back to Israel.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING:

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defense, the United States has exactly the same right. Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks. President Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively. Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security, and self-defense".

The effect on the ground is noticeable. It includes Israeli forces blocking some roads in the Golan Heights.
In 2012, Matt Keenan made a green smoothie that changed his life. The Fairfax native was working in Washington as a lawyer but wasnt feeling passionate about his job. As he was blending fruits and greens at home in Rosslyn one morning, he thought about what he wanted to do with his life. I was literally making a smoothie and I was like, This is it! he says. I love doing this. I love how it makes me feel, I love making them for other people and having them be like, This makes me feel so good. 
Workers in HCM City and many provinces will get 1-5 per cent higher Tet (Lunar New Year) bonuses than last year, according to labour authorities.

Representatives of the board and trade union of the Phuong Nam Garment Trading Import Export Joint Stock Company give gifts to company workers with financial difficulties. VNA/VNS.Photo Thanh Vu

A report by the HCM City Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs said the average bonus would be VND10 million and the highest, VND800 million.

Besides, workers got an average solar New Year bonus of 3.3 million (US$142), 1 per cent higher than last year.

The highest in this category was VND3.5 billion ($151,065) paid by a foreign company in the finance-banking-insurance sector. This was VND500 million higher than last year.

Cu Phat Nghiep, chairman of the PouYuen Vietnam trade union, told Viet Nam News Agency that the Taiwanese company would pay more than VND900 billion in Tet bonuses, with workers getting one or two months salary based on their position and productivity. It has 63,500 workers.

The company will also give gifts to workers with financial difficulties and bus tickets to those who have not returned home for Tet for a long time.

Him Lam Land Corporation will pay a Tet bonus of two months salary worth VND14 million and provide one Co.op mart voucher to every employee.

Phuong Nam Garment Trading Import Export Joint Stock Company will pay a months salary of VND15.6 million as bonus and give a gift worth VND200,000.

The Binh Tan District Labour Confederation said the average bonus paid by Vietnamese enterprises would be VND6.6 million and the highest, VND200 million.

In the case of foreign companies, they would be VND8.1 million and VND95 million, it added.

Elsewhere, the Dong Nai Province Department of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs reported that Tet bonuses would increase by 5 per cent this year to an average of VND8 million.

Foreign companies would pay the highest rate of up to VND372 million, it said.

Pham Van Cong, the departments deputy head, said the higher bonuses are because of the growth achieved by many enterprises last year.

The Binh Duong Province Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs said the highest New Year bonus was VND440 million and the highest Tet bonus would be VND350 million, both by foreign companies.

In Da Nang City, the highest Tet bonus will be VND927.8 million.  VNS

Tet bonus: workers prefer cash Most workers are looking forward to receiving their Tet bonuses at this time of year, but a recent revision to the Labour Code has got them worried about what future Lunar New Year bonuses will have to offer.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd January, 2020) The Trump administration is sending a senior diplomat to visit Tajikistan in a bid to expand security ties and joint energy development, the Department of State said in a media note on Thursday.

"Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells will travel to Tajikistan from January 6-7," the note said. "She will meet with senior Tajik government officials to discuss our shared interest in deepening regional security cooperation."

Wells would also discuss with Tajik officials expanding economic and energy connectivity as well as widening people-to-people ties, the State Department added.

Tajikistan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and shares a common border with Afghanistan, where US-dominated and led forces continue to fight a more than 18 year long war.

Chairman of the Coordination Service of the CIS Council of Border Troops' Commanders, Colonel General Alexander Manilov said in November that 8,000 militants from the Taliban and the Islamic State terrorist group (which is outlawed in Russia) remain in Afghanistan near the Tajik border.
Thiruvananthapuram, January 03 : Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reportedly written to the chief ministers of 11 states, pitching a plan to put up a united front to oppose the draconian citizenship amendment act.

Media reports suggest that Mr. Vijayan has called on the chief ministers of West Bengal, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharasthra, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry to join hands to oppose the CAA, which he said has caused anxiety and panic among a large section of the countrys population.

The need of the hour is the unity of all Indians who value democracy and secularism. People from all walks of life should set aside their differences and come together to protect democratic values, the Kerala chief ministers letter reportedly says.

The letter also reportedly touches on the fact that Kerala has already put on hold proceedings related to the updating of the national population register and that the state assembly has passed a resolution demanding the scrapping of the CAA on the ground that it violated the secular character of the country.

Reports suggest that Mr. Vijayan in his letter has called on states which are opposed to the CAA to carry out similar measures to register its opposition to the citizenship law.

The BJP-led central governments citizenship amendment act which seeks to expedite citizenship to non-muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan has kicked up a storm with those opposing it alleging that it violates the secular character of the constitution since it made religion a determinant for giving citizenship.

Kerala has taken the lead in opposing the contentious bill. First, the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF came together to stage a joint protest against the CAA and the proposed national register of citizens (NRC).

The state followed it up by putting on hold the updating of the national population register, which is seen as a precursor for a nationwide NRC. Then the Kerala assembly passed a resolution demanding the scrapping of the CAA at a special assembly session. The resolution was supported by 139 of the 140 legislators in the assembly. The only voice of dissent came from the lone BJP legislator in the house.
According to research co-authored by a University of Chicago political scientist, border walls exist not only as manifestations of anti-globalist sentiment, but as barriers with real economic impactsome of which may be unintended. Credit: Shutterstock.com

Three decades ago, the world was home to fewer than a dozen border walls. Now, their numbers have swelled to more than 50. In a supposed era of openness and collaboration, why are these structures not only persisting, but proliferating?

According to research co-authored by a University of Chicago political scientist, border walls exist not only as manifestations of anti-globalist sentiment, but as barriers with real economic impactsome of which may be unintended.

"Border walls are a symbol of the backlash against economic integration and globalization," said Assoc. Prof. Paul Poast, who studies international security using rigorous quantitative analysis. "Many argue that such backlash is what led to Brexit and to Donald Trump's election.

"What our study indicates is that walls also produce material consequences, reducing legal trade as well as illicit activity."

Published in the journal International Organization, Poast produced his latest study in partnership with political scientist David Carter of Washington University in St. Louis. Using economic models, the two scholars examined how physical walls reduce trade between neighboring countriesdiscovering reductions in median imports and exports of as much as 31 percent.

Previous research has found that in most instances, a wealthier state constructs a wall to slow or block the flow of goods and people from a poorer neighbor. Using data from 1800 to 2014, an earlier study from Poast and Carter observed that economic disparities between two states were a stronger predictor for wall-building than other factors including fear of attack.

They build on that research in their new paper, investigating whether border walls actually impacted global trade, or if the barriers served as mere symbols to appease domestic interests.

They found that although governments do not build walls to impede legal trade, the construction of physical barriers still reduces such traffic. That may occur because walls do not emerge out of a policy vacuum: A country that is concerned about border security also might increase inspection at legal ports of entrya measure that would increase shipping times and costs.

Sometimes, governments erect border walls in spite of those possibilities. In 1994, President Bill Clinton authorized the construction of a security fence stretching more than five miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. That year, his administration issued a report acknowledging that the barrier may conflict with "efforts to facilitate travel across the U.S.-Mexico border as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement."

"There can be symbolic value associated with walls," Poast said. "They allow a government to assert their sovereignty and demonstrate to a public that 'they are in charge' and they will 'protect the public," whether that is protection from security threats or, more commonly the case, security from economic threats."

Poast and Carter controlled for alternative factors that could explain trade reduction, accounting for historical alliances, rivalries and disputes between neighboring states, as well as their respective forms of government.

The study does not measure the desirability of trade reduction, which may be the goal of certain walls. Some government leaders may be aware of economic costs, but still see wall-building as worthwhile.

Poast hopes to further analyze if border walls increase the potential for militarized conflictdespite their ostensible purpose as a security measure. If so, one explanation could be that a physical barrier signifies a lack of faith in cooperative measures, undermining the potential for peaceful solutions.

"The American public should understand that while we associate the wall with U.S.-Mexico relations and the rhetoric of Donald Trump, both represent a global phenomenon that has been unfolding for decades," Poast said.

More information: David B. Carter et al. Barriers to Trade: How Border Walls Affect Trade Relations, International Organization (2019). David B. Carter et al. Barriers to Trade: How Border Walls Affect Trade Relations,(2019). DOI: 10.1017/S0020818319000353
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The U.S. State Department announced on Thursday that it has imposed sanctions on Cuban Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Leopoldo Cintra Frias.

The department claimed in a statement that Cintra was designated due to his "responsibility for Cuba's actions" in supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration.

Washington has long been accusing the Maduro administration of human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela.

Individuals blacklisted also included a military officer and Cintra's children, who will be barred from entering the United States.

Washington has toughened its policy towards Cuba with sanctions and isolation, which Havana said showed America's pressure campaign against Venezuela has failed.

Cuba has blamed the U.S. government for increasing hostility and applying more than one sanction per week to smother the island's financial system.
Princess Diana once revealed that her favourite dish was a Ukrainian beetroot soup [Image: Getty]

With personal chefs on hand, it might be expected that members of the royal family would have expensive tastes when it came to cooking.

But unearthed letters have revealed how Princess Dianas favourite dish was actually a humble Ukrainian beetroot soup.

The revelation was made after a care home charity in Johannesburg wrote to famous people asking for their most-loved recipes for a charity project in 1981 - the year she married Prince Charles.

One of the individuals to write back was the late royal, and her response was put into a cook book by Avil Elizabeth Home for the Mentally Handicapped and sold locally.

The royal revealed she was a fan of "Borsch" [Image: SWNS]

READ MORE: 'Princess Diana would spend Christmas alone,' says former royal chef

In the unseen correspondence - which has recently been rediscovered by a visitor to the home - Diana admitted she was a fan of Borscht.

The letter, penned by a staff member, said she liked the dish to contain "beetroot, yogurt, onion, chicken stock, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper".

However, one of those who refused the charitys request was Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

An aide responded that it was not possible for her favourite meal to be publicly released due to official rules.

READ MORE: Princess Diana 'would be proud' of what Meghan and Harry are doing with social media, says expert

The letters were found by Pauline Barnes, 60, when she got chatting to care home worker Angeline Hopley, who curated the cookbook.

Amazed by their contents, she sent them to her son Michael Stanley, 39, from London.

Of his mothers discovery, the training director said: Its only a local charity in South Africa and the book will have only been sold in the community.

These letters will have never been seen before.

Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother could not disclose her most-loved dish due to "a rule" [Image: SWNS]

READ MORE: Princess Diana's iconic blue dress goes on display ahead of auction

"They sent lots of letters out to famous people and Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher were two of the people who responded.

Its nice to see they reached out to a small charity.

Story continues

"South Africa is a former colonial country and the Royal Family is popular in the country.

The book also contained the favourite recipes of Princess Grace of Monaco, while the then-Prime Ministers response revealed she liked to put orange juice in her walnut cake.

READ MORE: Duchess of Cambridge wears velvet McQueen and Diana's tiara at royal reception

Michael added: It is funny that Queen Elizabeth wouldnt send her meal. The reason seems very secret and I do wonder why.

He continued: I like how Princess Dianas is a humble dish. Youd expect the royal family to eat posh meals but this is very basic.

Its great they got back to the charity, it was a nice thing to do. It was a charitable issue.

The royal family are always very well received in South Africa and Im sure this went down well.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo Style UK:
Prince Andrew finds himself in hot water amidst the new evidence that his accuser is hoping to unveil when the court allows it. However, in his desire to clear his name, the royal tried to talk to the alleged "madam" of the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, to publicly defend his name.

Nonetheless, sources of The Telegraph claim that she refused to do it.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's ex girlfriend and former business partner, is the only other person who was present at the time when Virginia Roberts Giuffre claimed to have been forced to sleep with Prince Andrew when she was only 17 years old.

A picture of the Prince and Virginia surfaced and the only other person who was in the photo with them was Ghislaine Maxwell. Prince Andrew has already categorically denied accusations, saying that he has never met his accuser at all.

The Royal Pleading

According to the source of the New York Post, the royal prince asked Ghislaine to publicly defend him. The two have been known to stand by each other amidst all the controversies surrounding their friendship and their association with Jeffrey Epstein.

Unfortunately for the Duke of York, Ghislaine thought that it would do her no good if she defended Prince Andrew from all the accusations. The source said that it is not in her best interest to speak on behalf of the royal.

This rejection for help is what brought Prince Andrew to the disastrous interview that put him deeper into the hot water. Not only has it opened doors for criticism, but it has pushed the York patriarch farther away from his family. The criticism has also led him to step down from his royal duties.

Although the goal of the interview with BBC was to clarify his name, the lack of empathy towards the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and the lack of regret over his friendship with the convicted sex offender has pushed Prince Andrew further down to the pits of embarrassment.

Maxwell has been in hiding since the news of the suicide in prison of the disgraced financier came out in August. Epstein was awaiting his trial of sex trafficking charges.

It was claimed on Thursday that Maxwell is under the protection of a network of friends and family all over the world.

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell?

Ghislaine Maxwell has always been known as the "partner in crime" of Jeffrey Epstein. So when he decided to take his own life while in prison, everyone turned their heads on her.

Every person who wanted to get answers for their questions concerning Epstein wanted to talk to Ghislaine. Although she has not been seen in public, sources say that British socialite has been helping with the on-going investigation into the crimes of Epstein.

Recently, Ghislaine wrote a letter to a judge in New York to urge him not to unseal a new pack of documents with depositions from 29 people, including a number of new witnesses that will help strengthen the case of Virginia Roberts Giuffre against Prince Andrew.

Maxwell has last been seen in Buckingham Palace in June, listed as a guest of the Duke of York. The meeting took place two weeks after the prosecutors decided to open up the case of Epstein.

After the meeting, Maxwell took part in a four-day charity motoring from London to Monte Carlo. This was believed to be the last time she was seen in Britain.

The Buckingham Palace has declined to give a comment on the claim that the Duke of York begged Maxwell to clear his name. They have not issued an official statement to address the issue too.
"Thanks to a concerted effort to build brand awareness and a strong product push, Genesis achieved its best sales year since inception," said Mark Del Rosso, Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Motor North America. "We're very excited for the coming years ahead of us as we'll elevate our position through introducing new products into new segments for our customers and strengthen the core values of the Genesis brand."

The prior year was formative for the Genesis brand in the United States. In 2019, Genesis made great progress rebuilding its retail network, with approximately 350 retailers currently signed-on to new Genesis Sales & Service Agreements in place of the previous dealer network over double that size. Cumulative Genesis brand sales are up 106 percent, compared to the prior year. G70, the newest sedan in the Genesis portfolio and recipient of an unprecedented 18 significant third-party industry awards for excellence since late 2018, was responsible for 11,901 sales, representing 56 percent overall. Bucking the downward sales trend in their respective segments, the G80 executive luxury sedan and G90 premium large luxury sedan continued to achieve strong sales for the brand.

Further, the youngest luxury brand in the automotive industry is on track for continued growth in 2020. By the end of 2021, the current portfolio of three sedans will grow to six vehicles, with the addition of an electric vehicle and two SUVs. Within the past few days, Genesis shared photos of the its first SUV, the GV80.



Dec-19 Dec-18 2019 YTD 2018 YTD Brand







Genesis 2,225 614 21,233 10,311











Dec-19 Dec-18 2019 YTD 2018 YTD Model







G70 1,222 229 11,901 409 G80 787 305 7,094 7,662 G90 216 80 2,238 2,240

Genesis Motor America

Genesis Motor America, LLC is headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif. Genesis is a global luxury automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of performance, design and innovation. All Genesis vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by an industry-leading warranty with enhanced roadside assistance and concierge services. Within the past year, Genesis has won highest-ranked brand in the automotive industry awards for quality and owner satisfaction from industry experts such as J.D. Power, AutoPacific, and Strategic Vision. The newest Genesis product, the G70 luxury sport sedan, has garnered broad acclaim being named the 2019 North American Car of the Year, the MotorTrend 2019 Car of the Year, as well as a category winner in the Car and Driver 2019 10Best awards, among more than a dozen others.

For more information on Genesis and its new definition of luxury, please visit www.genesis.com

Please visit our media site for the latest news at www.genesisnewsusa.com

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Khamenei vows bitter revenge for US

Iran's supreme leader Khamenei vowed severe revenge after US killed the commander of the Islamic Republics commander Qasem Soleimani.

Iran's supreme leader on Friday vowed to avenge the killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force, in a US drone strike in Iraq.

A bitter revenge is awating the criminals, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement.

THREE-DAY OF MOURNING

Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement.

"With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident". he added.

The supreme leader also declared national mourning for three days in the country.
What we are doing is trying to take this time to turn an industry around to where it actually looks like the state that we all call home, said Toi Hutchinson, a former Democratic state senator who co-sponsored the legalization bill and is now Pritzkers top adviser on marijuana policy. Thats an exciting thing. We are all waiting to see how this turns out.
" " U.S. Marshals /Used Under Creative Commons CC BY-ND 2.0 Unabomber Ted Kaczynski's personal items were auctioned off by the U.S. Marshals Service in 2011. The Smith & Corona typewriter he used to write his manifestos fetched $22,003.

Many people, for whatever reason, have a certain fascination with serial killers. There have been tons of movies, books, podcasts and documentaries that can attest to that. But what happens when the allure turns dark? Where do we draw the line between fascination and morbid?

That's what Stuff They Don't Want You To Know hosts Ben Bowlin, Noel Brown and Matt Frederick debate in this episode of the podcast. Specifically, the guys talk about the morals and the merits of owning the grisly bits of history called "murderabilia" in "The Murky World of Serial Killer Memorabilia."

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Psychologists say people love serial killers because they're basically "celebrity monsters" without the movies; they tap into that part of our brains that enjoys being scared. This fascination can take many forms: Some "fans" are just addicted to listening podcasts and watching documentaries, while others avidly devour true-crime novels or obsessively follow news headlines. Still others' obsessions with serial killers can turn darker, inspiring them to commit copycat crimes or even going as far as marrying a killer. A female admirer married notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, and freelance magazine editor Doreen Lioy married serial killer Richard Ramirez, aka "The Night Stalker," while he was on death row for 13 murders, five attempted murders and 11 sexual assaults.

And then there's the collectibles industry. "Murderabilia," as it's been dubbed, is a fairly hopping trade online, with items either created, or used by, the murderers, or items from the crime scenes themselves. Many pieces of John Wayne Gacy's original artwork are for sale; Ted Kaczynski's (the Unabomber) personal items were auctioned off in 2011 and netted more than $190,000; and Charles Manson's own prison dentures can be yours if you want to shell out a cool $50,000.

There are certainly reasons to collect these artifacts; museums do exist that cater to our dark fascinations. But when it comes to private traders, there is much debate against profiting off the crimes of murderers. When David Berkowitz went to prison for murdering eight people in 1976, New York enacted Son of Sam laws because movie studios were offering him hundreds of thousands of dollars to sell the rights to his story. The laws would have prevented convicted criminals from profiting off their stories. But those laws were later repealed, and still vary from state to state, keeping the murderabilia trade going.

Sites like eBay have banned sales of serial killer memorabilia until 100 years has passed, (from eBay: Violent felon items more than 100 years old, such as items related to Jack the Ripper) but of course that didn't stop the industry. New sites simply popped up and started selling items on their own. Traders also contact incarcerated serial killers directly and either pay them, take them gifts or do them favors in exchange for their things to sell online. One memorabilia trader has even been banned from visiting prisons in Texas for that very reason.

After Gacy's death, an auction was held to sell his paintings, many of which went for $10,000 or more. The buyers bought them for the sole purpose of burning them, which they did in a communal bonfire in front of some of Gacy's victims' families. But why should they have had to shell out money for the privilege?

Traders and collectors all feel that it's not that much different from collecting any item of historical significance or interest, and, that in fact, it's a First Amendment right to purchase whatever you want from whomever you want. Still, some legislators are fighting to make the practice of buying and trading murderabilia illegal, calling it insensitive and working to make sure any money generated by sensationalizing murderers is funneled to charities or the families of victims.

What do Ben, Matt and Noel think is the right answer to this debate? And what other disturbing things from serial killers did they come across for sale online? You'll have to listen to the podcast to find out.
BRUSSELS - The EU released a statement Friday by its lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy to express its "strong concern about Turkey's Grand National Assembly's decision on Thursday, 2 January, to authorise military deployments in Libya". "The EU reiterates its firm conviction that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis," the statement said. "Actions supporting those who are fighting in the conflict will only further destabilise the country and the wider region," it said.



"It is imperative for all international partners to respect fully the UN arms embargo and to support the efforts of the United Nations Special Representative Ghassan Salame and the Berlin process, as the only avenue towards a peaceful, stable and secure Libya. The EU will maintain an active engagement in support of all de-escalatory measures and steps leading to an effective ceasefire and the resumption of political negotiations," the statement said.
Former Portland police Detective Robert Norvell Hollins III misused his take-home police car, racking up nearly 100,000 miles in three years -- including 15,635 miles in under five months, according to a newly released report.

A unanimous Police Review Board in April recommended Hollins be fired for untruthfulness for not being honest about what led to the excessive mileage on his unmarked police car. The finding followed two separate internal affairs inquiries, according to the boards summary report.

The summary also disclosed that Hollins left a police surveillance assignment to take care of family affairs out of town without notifying a supervisor.

Then-Police Chief Danielle Outlaw didnt agree that Hollins was untruthful and instead demoted the veteran detective. The report didnt say why Outlaw came to a different conclusion than the review board.

The demotion became effective last Sept. 7 and Hollins left the bureau at the end of September. He was part of a retire/rehire program and had been rehired the day after he retired on Sept. 29, 2017. The rehiring runs for up to two years.

The Police Review Board, made up of peer officers, supervisors, a community member and representative of the citys Independent Police Review oversight division, found the mileage Hollins put on his take-home car was excessive.

It reviewed two investigations into Hollins misuse of his police car, once in December 2018 and again in April.

Hollins extracurricular use of the car was discovered after it needed repairs because of the additional mileage, according to multiple sources familiar with the inquiries who werent designated to speak publicly about them.

The Police Bureau prohibits the personal use of city-owned cars. Officers may drive them to and from work and for other police-related activities, but not for recreation or vacation trips.

The detective admitted to taking multiple trips with his wife to Seaside in the police car, including overnight stays, in clear violation of the take-home vehicles intended use and with no explanation of why he didnt use his personal car, according to the Police Review Boards report.

Some members said the inappropriate use of city resources could be considered criminal, the report said.

According to the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, the Police Bureau never forwarded any police reports or investigation to the office for review for potential prosecution.

The review board noted that the abuse of the privilege of a take-home vehicle occurred over an extended period.

One review board member said he was troubled to learn Hollins was at times living in the vehicle," but never disclosed that to internal affairs. The report doesnt explain why Hollins was living in the car.

As part of the second internal inquiry, investigators found that Hollins had left a police surveillance mission and used his police car to pick up a family member, drive to Happy Valley, drive a family member to school and then drive to a business parking lot near the airport. The report redacted details of the locations.

Yet in a memo Hollins wrote and in an initial interview with a sergeant, he neglected to account for the personal reasons for which he used his police car, the board unanimously found, leading to the unanimous untruthfulness finding against him.

In later interviews, Hollins told investigators he has a family member who suffers from a mental illness and explained that one of the locations he went to in his police car helps calm that family member.

The board found that if Hollins had asked ahead of time for permission, his sergeant likely would have allowed Hollins to attend to his relative, given the sergeants history of understanding Hollins family situation.

Hollins didnt respond to messages seeking comment. Officer Daryl Turner, president of the Portland Police Association, declined to comment on the case.

The Police Review Boards summary report was made public Dec. 23 on the Police Bureaus website and first noted by the police watchdog group Portland Copwatch.

The board report also described the case of an officer, Alfonso Valadez Jr., who resigned instead of being fired after chasing a car in April 2018 that crashed head-on into another car on Interstate 84.

The officer was chasing a car involved in a hit-and-run crash and following it into oncoming traffic. The chase ended with the suspects death when his car crashed into an oncoming car on the freeway.

The board said the officer violated the bureaus directive on police vehicle pursuits and created an undue risk to public safety.

The report doesnt name the officer or the date or location of the crash, but the details match the circumstances of a police chase for a hit-and-run suspect that Valadez had been under scrutiny for in 2018.

Police said then that Christopher Connard, 59, was killed when he drove the wrong way on Interstate 84 and collided with another car during a police chase after Connard drove away from the scene of a crash in outer Northeast Portland.

Valadez was deceptive and untruthful in his police report about his actions that day and in an interview with internal affairs in an apparent attempt to avoid responsibility and discipline, the board found.

Valadez resigned in September instead of being fired, according to the board report.

Valadez had been fired once before by former Chief Mike Marshman in February 2017, then reinstated after an arbitrator found the chief didnt have "just cause'' to fire Valadez but did have cause to suspend him for 40 hours without pay because of unprofessional conduct. The arbitrator ruled the bureau couldnt prove that Valadez sexually assaulted a woman who complained that she may have been drugged and was "incapable of consent'' during a party at his home near Vancouver. Valadez was returned to work in early April 2018.

-- Maxine Bernstein

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Parasite, the South Korean thriller that has become the surprise critical and box-office hit of the fall, keeps going from strength to strength. Now, it can add another honor to its mantle. The Houston Film Critics Society named it the years best picture at its 13th Annual Movie Awards ceremony at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Thursday night.

The Bong Joon-ho film also won in the foreign-language film and director categories.

Tying Parasite with three awards is the Sam Mendes WWI film 1917 which won for cinematography (Roger Deakins), original score (Thomas Newman) and visual effects.

Quentin Tarantinos Once Upon a Timein Hollywood, which came into the contest with the most nominations at seven, went home with two: supporting actor (Brad Pitt) and poster art. Marriage Story, which had six nominations, had one win and it was for actor Adam Driver.

John Wick: Chapter 3  Parabellum won the Houston Film Critics Societys first award in the newly added stunt coordination team category. To inaugurate this addition, Ellyn Needham  the wife of the late stunt pioneer Hal Needham (Smokey and the Bandit, Cannonball Run)  was one of the evenings special guests.

The other was legendary independent film producer Roger Corman, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award. His low-budget B-movies proved to be the launchpad for the careers of Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese and Sandra Bullock among others. He will be on hand at 7 p.m. tonight at the MFAH for a screening of his 1964 film The Masque of the Red Death starring Vincent Price.

The Houston area was also a champion of sorts Thursday as it was the setting for some of the winners and the birthplace of one.

Director Trey Edward Shults, who hails from Spring and released the film Waves in 2019 starring Sterling K. Brown, was the recipient of this years outstanding achievement award.

Tim Tsai, named Texas film visionary, examined the repercussions of the influx of Vietnamese fishermen along the Gulf Coast in the 70s with his documentary Seadrift. Annie Silversteins Texas independent film winner, Bull, a feature film exploring the friendship that grows between an aging black rodeo rider and a young white neighbor, was shot in Houston and Angleton. Best actress winner Renee Zellweger was born in Katy.

Parasite has been the best film of 2019 by several other groups of film critics including the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the Chicago Film Critics Association, the Toronto Film Critics Association, the Detroit Film Critics Society, the Phoenix Critics Circle, the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association, the Southeastern Film Critics Association and the Atlanta Film Critics Circle.

And you dont have to wait long to see the next movie awards contest. The Golden Globes take place Sunday night.

Here is the complete list of winners:

Picture: Parasite

Director: Bong Joon-ho, Parasite

Animated feature: Toy Story 4

Foreign-language film: Parasite

Documentary feature: Apollo 11

Actor: Adam Driver, Marriage Story

Actress: Renee Zellweger, Judy

Supporting actor: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Timein Hollywood

Supporting actress: Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell

Screenplay: Knives Out

Cinematography: 1917

Original score: 1917

Original song: Glasgow from Wild Rose

Texas independent film award: Bull

Texas independent film visionary: Tim Tsai, Seadrift

Stunt coordination team: John Wick: Chapter 3  Parabellum

Movie poster art: Once Upon a Timein Hollywood

Outstanding achievement: Trey Edward Shults

Lifetime achievement: Roger Corman

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Moving photos have captured the devastating aftermath of bushfires across New South Wales after they tore through the state's south coast, leaving homes and wildlife scorched.

Residents of Rosedale, 18km south of Bateman's Bay, were forced to flee on New Year's Eve, hours before a massive fire engulfed the town.

Photos taken on Friday show areas of the small coastal town that have been completely wiped out, with properties suffering extensive damage to their roofs and windows, while others were flattened to a pile of debris.

The Rural Fire Service said earlier this week at least 176 homes had been lost across the state, including 40 at Malua Bay and 15 at Rosedale.

Vehicles that were left behind as residents fled the inferno were reduced to a pile of metal with the tires melted off.

Harrowing photos also show devastation to wildlife, including scorched kangaroos who were burnt to death as they tried to escape the blaze.

Relief: A severely burned kangaroo gets a cold shower from a boy with a watering can after terrible fires on the New South Wales south coast

Devastation: An entire home and car in North Rosedale seen completely flattened by the wild south coast fires, with only a letterbox still standing after the inferno

Aftermath: Photos show the devastation in Rosedale on the south coast of NSW after wildfire ripped through the region

Destruction: This garage was reduced to a pile of rubble and destroyed brickwork after bushfires tore through Rosedale

Cars were seen completely burned out, with their tyres melted away, panels destroyed and layers of ash blanketed over them

A garbage bin with a mangled lid stands in front of a destroyed home and blackened ash covered trees in North Rosedale

Temperatures surpassing 40C are set to combine with dry lightning strikes and wind to add to NSW's bushfire nightmare over the weekend.

But a number of days of respite are expected to follow.

Saturday's forecast paints a grim outlook for parts of the state - particularly the NSW south coast - already battling scores of uncontrolled deadly bushfires as residents flee their homes and holiday-goers cancel plans.

Heat is set to quickly rise on Saturday before a change sweeps over the state, Bureau of Meteorology acting NSW manager Jane Golding said.

'In short, we've got a long hot day to get through first with some really dangerous fire dangers,' Ms Golding told reporters on Friday.

'That cold front bringing that southerly change, we're expecting that not to reach the far south coast... until late in the day, to move through the Batemans Bay region early evening and come through Sydney about midnight.'

A kangaroo suffering huge burns to its body shaking hands with a teenager after being given water on the NSW south coast

Burned alive: Wildlife have been absolutely devastated in the fires with animals including kangaroos found burned to a crisp

A house seen with the top floor completely burned out from fire damage, including shattered windows and melted roofs

The fire in Rosedale rapidly burnt through bush land and out onto the streets, where cars became burnt out in the inferno

The fire danger will reach extreme levels in some areas and the forecast late cool change is due to bring thunderstorms and lightning.

NSW faces a two-day total fire ban from Friday, the third seven-day state of emergency in as many months and demands for those across the state's south coast and Snowy Valleys to evacuate immediately.

'The chance of new fires from lightning tomorrow is high,' Ms Golding said.

'The main area we're concerned about is an area stretching right from the South Australian border to the central and southern slopes, western slopes of NSW.'

On a brighter note, the Rural Fire Service said weather conditions around NSW would ease for a number of days from Sunday.

Southern NSW may experience some showers on Sunday and Monday.

'There's potential for some elevated winds later in (next) week but no big heat spikes because of that hot air mass, there's some more moist air brought into the west of the country helping to flush out that hot air,' RFS deputy commissioner Rob Rogers told reporters on Friday.

Extensive damage seen at a car wreckers in Batemans Bay with vehicles and the business front destroyed after fire burned through the town

Melted: The roof of this home in North Rosedale has been reduced to a coiled and shrunken mess after fire tore through the area

Stranded: A number of roads have been closed due to the fires on the south coast, leaving some residents trapped ahead of incoming fires

'There's some potential showers Sunday, Monday, particularly in Victoria that potentially might push up to the south of NSW. That'll all be welcome.'

NSW Health, meanwhile, warned people to remain cautious about air pollution, with the Sydney basin likely to endure smoke haze on Saturday.

The elderly and those with lung and heart conditions have been advised to remain indoors and avoid exercise.

The early and devastating start to Australia's summer wildfires has made this season the worst on record. About 5 million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land have burned, at least 19 people have been killed, and more than 1,400 homes have been destroyed.

This week, at least 448 homes have been destroyed on the New South Wales southern coast and dozens were burned in Victoria. Ten deaths have been confirmed in the two states this week, and Victoria authorities also say 28 people are missing. Fires are also burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

Authorities fear strong north-westerly winds could push the fire in Corryong, in north-east Victoria, further north where the Dunns Road fire is burning in NSW (both circled). And the wind change combined with the hot and dry conditions could see the bushfires 'suck each other in'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 20:26:22|Editor: ZX

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's tourism industry is heading toward high-quality development amid diversifying and expanding market demand, said an industry report.

Chinese tourists are willing to pay more for cultural immersion and better experiences such as tasty food and lodging comfort, according to a report jointly released by the China Tourism Academy and Mafengwo, a travel services and social networking platform.

Outdoor adventures and customized routes are the most prominent new trends of China's outbound tourism in 2019, the report found.

Smaller Chinese cities proved to have strong market potential, as 28 of the 50 cities with the fastest-growing popularity for DIY tours are third-tier cities, data from Mafengwo showed.

The country's promotion of the nighttime economy propelled tourism destinations nationwide to invest more in nighttime activities and services, while about one in every five survey respondents expressed interest in the fledgling sector.

As another defining trend of Chinese tourism in the past year, short videos on social networking platforms are becoming strong marketing outlets, most notably represented by panda videos shot in the southwestern city of Chengdu, according to the report.
WASHINGTON  Representative Phil Roe, Republican of Tennessee, announced on Friday that he would not seek a seventh term in 2020, becoming the first lawmaker this year to join the exodus of Republican lawmakers opting not to run for re-election as their party eyes another tough campaign cycle.

As someone who practiced medicine for over 30 years, I said I would serve five or six terms because I never intended this job to be a second career, Mr. Roe said in a statement. After prayerful consideration, I have decided to retire at the end of the 116th Congress.

An Army veteran and the top Republican on the Veterans Affairs Committee since 2017, Mr. Roe is now the 26th member of his caucus to leave before the next Congress because of retirement or ambitions for a different political office. Nine Democrats in the House have announced retirements for those reasons.

The stream of Republican departures comes amid deep frustration among the rank and file with the limitations of being in the minority in the House, which is entirely dominated by the majority. It has been hastened in part by term limits the party imposes on leadership positions, which have confronted many lawmakers with the unappealing prospect of waging another difficult re-election campaign in which the best-case scenario is hanging onto their job while losing a plum perch, and likely continuing to serve in the minority.
PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-03 06:37:01

Rio Tinto Increases Donation to Australian Red Cross for Bushfire Relief and Recovery Efforts

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Rio Tinto has donated a further A$750,000 to the Red Cross disaster relief and recovery efforts that are supporting people affected by Australias bushfire crisis. It adds to the A$250,000 Rio Tinto donated to the Red Cross in November, bringing the companys total donation to A$1 million.

The funds will be used to help Red Cross emergency service teams provide vital support to impacted communities including:

safe places to take shelter;

psychological first aid to reduce trauma;

information and practical assistance through the time it can take to recover; and

longer-term recovery programmes in affected communities.

Since November 2019, hundreds of Red Cross emergency personnel  mostly volunteers  have manned relief and evacuation centres in bushfire impacted communities around the country.

Rio Tinto is also providing employees involved in current volunteer firefighting efforts with full leave entitlements.

Rio Tinto chief executive J-S Jacques said With the escalation in the bushfire crisis, which has caused devastation for many Australians, we have increased our donation to A$1 million to support the Red Cross in its tireless work caring for affected communities.

We are also ensuring any of our employees involved in firefighting and relief efforts are supported throughout this period with full leave entitlements.

Beyond these steps announced today, we will continue to explore ways to help impacted communities in this time of need.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200102005
Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu on Friday accused the SAD of "siding with murderers" after the party decided to urge the Centre to commute the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted for killing former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

The Congress MP, who is the grandson of the slain leader, lashed out at SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, saying the decision has "exposed his real face".

"The Akalis have stood with the murderers and it has shown their real mentality among peace-loving Punjabis," Bittu said here.

He also flayed the SAD chief for "visiting the house of Rajoana's sister Kamaldeep Kaur".

"Thousands of people lost their lives during the dark days of terrorism in the state and the Akalis stand in the favour of perpetrators of these crimes. It exposes their real face. It clearly shows that the Akalis led by Sukhbir supported such people, which is sad," Bittu said.

He said the former CM attained martyrdom safeguarding the rights of Punjabis and for maintaining peace and communal harmony in the state.

"Sukhbir Singh Badal should explain what about the families of those who died along with Sardar Beant Singh? It clearly shows that the Akalis do not care about all those who attained martyrdom," said Bittu.

Earlier in Chandigarh, the SAD core committee had decided that a delegation of senior party leaders would meet both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to convey the sentiments of the Sikh community regarding the continued incarceration of Rajoana, serving death sentence for the killing of the former chief minister.

The committee decided that the delegation would urge the Centre to commute Rajoana's death sentence and demand that he be released from prison immediately.

Beant Singh and 16 others were killed in an explosion outside the Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Aliko Dangote, Africas richest man, became $4.3 billion richer in 2019 as his fortune grew on the back of investments in cement, flour and sugar.

The 62-year-old Nigerian businessman and Africas most prominent industrialist ended the decade with a net worth of almost $15 billion, making him the 96th wealthiest man in the world, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Born into a wealthy Muslim family of traders in the north, Dangote incorporated his own business selling cement at 21.

He shifted to manufacturing the building material in the 1990s, helped by government policies that encouraged ways to reduce the need for imports.

His critics still accuse him of taking advantage of his closeness to the government to gain an unfair market advantage, a claim he has repeatedly dismissed.

His conglomerate, Dangote Industries, includes the biggest cement company on the continent, the Lagos-listed Dangote Cement Plc. Thats one of four publicly traded companies under the Dangote umbrella that account for more than a fifth of the value of the Nigerian stock exchange.

The year 2020 could be a significant one for the billionaire, who is close to completing one of the worlds largest oil refineries in Nigeria.

The plant has the capacity to meet more than Nigerias entire fuel consumption and could transform an economy that currently imports all its refined product needs.

Dangote is also constructing a fertilizer factory on the same site.

---Myjoyonline.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  Did President Donald Trump have the legal authority to order the killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq?

The answer depends largely on facts that arent publicly known yet. And experts are quick to point out that even if it was legally justified that doesnt make it the right decision, or one that will be politically smart in the long run. Iran and its allies are vowing revenge.

In its limited explanation so far, the Pentagon said Gen. Qassem Soleimani was actively developing plans to kill American diplomats and service members when he was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near the Baghdad airport shortly after arriving in the country.

That would appear to place the action within the legal authority of the president, as commander in chief, to use force in defense of the nation under Article II of the Constitution, said Bobby Chesney, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law who specializes in national security issues.

If the facts are as the Defense Department said, then the president relatively clearly has Article II authority to act in self-defense of American lives, Chesney said.

That justification would apply even if Soleimani hadn't already launched an attack under the established doctrine of anticipatory self-defense, according to Jeff Addicot, a retired Army officer and expert in national security law at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio.

Legally theres no issue, Addicot said. Politically, however, its going to be debated, whether its the correct response. In my opinion its the appropriate response, but its certainly legal.

Self-defense would be a legal justification under both U.S. law and the laws of international armed conflict, though the experts consulted by The Associated Press repeatedly stressed that this would depend on what intelligence prompted the killing, and American authorities may never release that information.

Under international law, self-defense, to be lawful, will need to be invoked in situations where there is an imminent attack against the interest of the territory, in this case of the United States, said Agnes Callamard, United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. At this point in time, the United States has not thus far provided any information suggesting that there was an imminent attack against the American interest.

Story continues

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the general posed an imminent threat. He was actively plotting in the region to take actions  a big action, as he described it  that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk, he told CNN.

The U.S. has used such justification in the past. In April 1986, President Ronald Reagan launched strikes against Libya based on what he said was solid evidence of attacks planned by longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi against U.S. installations, diplomats and American tourists. The attack, which the president said was carefully targeted to minimize casualties among civilians, killed about 40 people but not the Libyan leader.

One problem with relying on the self-defense rationale is that the justification is undermined if the risk of retaliation would create more of a threat to Americans, said David Glazier of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. This is an incredibly complex question, he said. I'd be very wary of anyone who says they know the answer.

There are separate but related legal questions about other aspects of the attack that Iran state TV said killed a total of 10 people, including a deputy commander, five Revolutionary Guard members and Soleimanis son-in-law. Among them: Was this a legitimate military target? Yes, since the general was a military and not a civilian figure, according to experts.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, oversaw foreign operations that U.S. officials say have killed hundreds of American troops.

Callamard said the deaths of civilians make this potentially an arbitrary killing under international human rights law. But U.S. experts said so-called collateral deaths have long been an unfortunate fact of war and whether this would amount to a war crime would depend on factors such as how many of the people killed could be considered legitimate targets in a conflict.

Democratic leaders of Congress complained they weren't notified of the strike in advance. Chesney said the administration could argue it has legal authority to protect the troops in the Middle East who were dispatched under congressional authorizations in 2001 and 2002 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

That argument, however, starts to get shakier if the killing of Soleimani escalates into a wider conflict, said Stephen Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law who specializes in national security law and the prosecution of war crimes.

Even though the Executive Branch has pursued ever-broader theories of the Presidents unilateral power to use force in self-defense, one of the critical considerations in each case has been whether the force comes with a risk of escalation, Vladeck said by email. Where, as here, there is no question that it does, the argument that the President needed clearer buy-in from the legislature is much, much stronger.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said the world is better off without Soleimani. But after receiving a classified briefing on the intelligence that led to the strike he questioned the timing and expressed concern about what might happen next.

Sulemani has been engaged in deadly and malevolent action throughout the region for a long time, Schiff said. And the question is why the administration chose this moment, why this administration made the decision to remove him from the battlefield and other administrations, both parties, decided that would escalate the risks, not reduce them.

__

With contributions from Associated Press journalists Martha Collins in London; and Padmananda Rama, Mary Clare Jalonick and Laurie Kellman in Washington.
A dairy farmer who fought horrific 500m fireballs from his family's property has made a desperate plea to Prime Minister Scott Morrison for help.

Craig Calvert spent 13 hours on Monday and Tuesday fighting off an inferno to save his family at Wiseleigh, Victoria - and faces another deadly battle on Saturday.

Mr Calvert asked Prime Minister Scott Morrison to learn how to manage the bush properly to prevent devastating bushfires.

'Mr Morrison, please, throw your gloves on, come down here and see me,' Mr Calvert told Sunrise.

'I've got an extensive network who can help with knowledge of the bush, how the Australian environment is actually meant to run. It doesn't run on paperwork.'

PLEA FOR HELP Dairy Farmer Craig Calvert says Bruthen in East Gippsland needs: * A Telstra generator at Bruthen so people don't lose communications * Supplies - especially feed for livestock * Generators for the dairies * Electricians * Help with potential health issues caused by hundreds of dead cattle * Better land management to prevent catastrophic fires in future Advertisement

He pleaded with the Prime Minister to 'step up' and not to let people die in the future, or to let history repeat itself.

The exhausted Country Fire Authority volunteer made his impassioned plea after fighting off a massive bushfire with his father, Peter, at his dairy farm for 13 hours over Monday night and Tuesday.

He had barely seven hours of sleep in the week since the nightmare began, and told Daily Mail Australia he couldn't remember what day it was now or when the fire had been.

As he fought the inferno he watched horrific fireballs from 50m to 500m wide jump across a gully.

The first wave of fire ignited eucalyptus gas in the air above the trees, burning like white flame in mid-air without touching the canopy.

Smoke billows on Thursdsay from East Gippsland, Victoria. The regions dairy farms have been devastated. Farmer Craig Calvert made a desperate plea to the Prime Minister to change land management practices to save lives and prevent future catastrophe

Craig Calvert at his family's dairy farm at Wiseleigh near the Tambo River, Victoria, on Friday. Mr Calvert has had just seven hours sleep since Monday as he tries to battle the flames with more severe fire weather and 40C temperatures forecast for Saturday

Eucalyptus trees contain highly flammable eucalyptus oil which evaporates into the air on hot days providing a gas as explosive as jet fuel.

The second round came through the canopy - then the ground fire came.

Mr Calvert had to retreat three or four times as he fought the horror blaze and saved his farm.

He said every home in a valley called Dirty Hollow had been destroyed and that it was lucky nobody was killed.

Mr Calvert, a sixth generation farmer whose family have been in the area for 169 years, said the bush had been managed properly for 40,000 years by Aboriginal people who didn't even have modern equipment.

Ominous smoke filled the sky as the fire approached the dairy on Monday evening

'If they can do it, we can do it ... help us out,' he said on Friday in his passionate plea to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mr Calvert said loggers warned of disaster 40 years ago when the bush was 'locked up' and wasn't properly prepared for fire risk.

The exhausted volunteer and his family were preparing on Friday for a repeat of dangerous fire conditions with 40C temperatures forecast for Saturday.

Mr Calvert's wife Celeste headed in to the nearby town of Bruthen to stock up on supplies for Craig to defend the property on Saturday.

Celeste and the couple's four daughters are now safely in the town of Bairnsdale.

The view towards Craig Calvert's grandmother's house. Craig and the CFA volunteers saved both the houses by fighting the unimaginable fires over Monday night and Tuesday

Craig with his wife Celeste (far right) and their four daughters. Celeste and the girls are now safe with family in nearby Bairnsdale ahead of fire danger conditions forecast for Saturday

Peter Calvert (pictured) fought the fires alongside his son Craig on Monday night. The Calvert family have been dairy farming in the area for 169 years over six generations

Mr Calvert said the area urgently needs more supplies especially feed for livestock.

He implored Telstra to bring a generator to the nearby town of Bruthen so the surrounding areas don't lose communications during Saturday's forecast fire weather.

Daily Mail Australia has asked Telstra for a response.

Climate protesters halted hazard reduction burns which reduce dangerous fuel loads in the Mossiface area near Mr Calvert's dairy farm in September.

Gippsland's Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Beth Roberts told local radio station TRFM that Forest Fire Management Victoria crews had been planning to ignite controlled burns on September 4.

Celeste Calvert took this picture from down her driveway on Monday night

Exploding fireballs leaped over the ridge and gully to race towards the Calvert's home. The air exploded above the trees first with white flame burning up the flammable eucalyptus gas before the canopy fire struck

They were stopped by protesters who entered the bush and refused to leave.

'These burns are strategic asset protection burns, intended to protect human life, property and community assets from summer bushfires,' Dr Roberts told TRFM.

Victoria Police were called to the incident, Dr Roberts said.

The catastrophic bushfires that have razed eastern Australia since October are not without precedent.

The inferno continued to turn East Gippsland to ash and smoke on Thursday

Almost four million hectares were burnt to the ground in the summer of 2003 causing devastating loss of livestock, bushland, and property across five states, with the Australian Capital Territory worst affected.

A Parliamentary inquiry into the fires heard there had been grossly inadequate hazard reduction burning for too long, and that local knowledge and experience was being ignored by bureaucrats.

The inquiry made 59 recommendations many of which focused on hazard reduction and co-ordination between states and agencies to improve land management and prevention strategies.
Three days after the expansion of his council of ministers, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has been unable to allocate portfolios, although the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)-Congress government allotted offices and residences to ministers on Thursday.

The Congress has sought one more portfolio with a rural connect, which has not been accepted by Thackeray yet. Within Congress, there is a tussle for the revenue department between state Congress president Balasaheb Thorat and former chief minister Ashok Chavan. Other senior ministers too want influential departments.

Meanwhile, Anil Deshmukh of the NCP is likely to be the new home minister of the state. Deshmukhs name emerged after Ajit Pawar chose not to take up the portfolio for the time being. The deputy chief minister is wary of the courts possible objection to him heading the department when the police are probing his role in the irrigation scam.

On Thursday, the Sena confirmed that there is disquiet among Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies. The Sena said that although the cabinet expansion was delayed, a strong and an experienced cabinet has been set up.

In the day, senior Congress leaders met at Vidhan Bhavan to discuss the matter as the chief minister had refused to make changes in the portfolios as sought by the Congress on Wednesday.

In the evening, they had a meeting with senior Sena leaders at Puratan, official bungalow of senior Sena minister Subhash Desai.

It is not a big thing. The matter is related to just one department. Most of the senior ministers of Congress were not in Mumbai, while the CM (Uddhav Thackeray) was also busy with the Maharashtra Police Raising Day event, said Chavan on Thursday.

Sharad Pawar, NCP chief, too refuted any discontent among the three parties over portfolios. Nobody in the states ruling coalition is unhappy over portfolio allocation, Pawar said.

Congress is insisting on a portfolio that has a rural connect and is demanding either the agriculture department, rural development department (RDD) or cooperation department. Sena has got agriculture department, while NCP has the two departments  rural development and cooperation. Both parties are unwilling to let go of their departments.

The Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, said there was a tussle between Ashok Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat over the revenue portfolio.

There is smoke rising within the Congress over the portfolio distribution. Former chief minister Ashok Chavan is in the cabinet and he has to be given a respectable portfolio. The portfolio that could match his experience is revenue [department]. But Congresss Balasaheb Thorat currently has the portfolio. It will have to be seen what is being decided on the issue, the editorial said.

Chavan has told party leadership that the party precedent is to give revenue department to the former chief minister and thus the department should be given to him, said a senior party functionary, requesting not to be named.

Meanwhile, the NCP has readied its list, said the party insiders.

Ajit Pawar is likely to head finance department, while home is likely to be given to Deshmukh. State NCP chief Jayant Patil is likely to handle water resources (irrigation), Chhagan Bhujbal is likely to get food and civil supplies while Dilip Walse-Patil is likely to get excise portfolio. Housing department is likely to be given to Jitendra Awhad and health is likely to go to Rajesh Tope. Rajendra Shingne is likely to be minister for food and drug administration, Nawab Malik likely to be labour minister while Dhanjay Munde is likely to be minister for social justice.

Party insiders said that following the debate in the top brass over the propriety of giving home department to Ajit Pawar when he is facing an anti-corruption bureau probe, the deputy chief minister chose not to take the portfolio till he is cleared of the charges. Since Patil and Walse-Patil were not keen on handling the department for a short period, it is likely to be given to Deshmukh, said a senior leader of the party.

The state anti-corruption bureau (ACB) recently gave Pawar a clean chit in the irrigation corruption cases, but it has not been ratified by the court yet. Pawar is also named as an accused in a complaint filed by the economic offences wing and enforcement directorate in the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank scam.

Meanwhile, Thackeray on Thursday allotted bungalows and offices to all 36 ministers sworn in on Monday. Ajit Pawar got Devgiri bungalow , Ashok Chavan got Meghdoot, Walse-Patil Shivgiri and Deshmukh got Dyaneshwari bungalow, among others.

Meanwhile, meeting between the three parties went on for almost four hours on Thursday evening. Chavan said that the Congress has sent their proposal for portfolio allocation to the chief minister (Uddhav Thackeray) and the decision has to be taken by him. As its a three-party coalition government and it is impossible to accommodate all leaders, we will see how all of them will be given some work in the new government, he said.

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Violence in America has reached startling heights  especially among youth.

Suicide and homicide are considered two of the top three causes of death for those under 25, and youth homicides and nonfatal physical assault-related injuries result in more than $21 billion annually in combined medical and lost productivity costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite the dire statistics, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston believes violence can be prevented.

We spend a whole lot of time and energy and money and resources on responding to violence. If we put just a fraction of that into preventing it, wed save so much money in the long run, said Jeff Temple, a professor at UT-Medical Branch and founding director of the center. We know how to prevent violence. Were just not doing it.

But the public academic health science center is looking to change that.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Ten months after Santa Fe High shooting, families still seek answers

The UT institution has established the Center for Violence Prevention, a facility that will help research the causes of various forms of violence in hopes of finding tools to help impede such acts and their crippling effects. The center will also act as a clearinghouse for violence prevention information, featuring training and technical assistance for health care professionals, schools and community agencies throughout the state and country that will reduce the burden of violence  and be a resource to all of Texas, said Temple.

UTMBs center, which hosted an official unveiling at the Galveston Campus on Dec. 18, will provide training workshops on violence prevention to educators, healthcare professionals, and members of the public. The emphasis will be on emphasis educating participants on effective preventative approaches and how to implement them in their own communities. The center will also host an annual conference on violence prevention with a prominent speaker to further promote the importance of violence prevention and injury control.

Funding from the UTMBs provost office and obstetrics and gynecology department which has helped establish the center, its training and workshops will also be used to hire new faculty and seek seed funds for new research on violence.

We are very pleased to open and house this new center at UTMB, said Ben Raimer, interim president of UTMB, in a written statement. The work being done by Dr. Temple and his team is vitally important to understanding and, ultimately, preventing violence in our schools, workplaces and communities.

On HoustonChronicle.com: UTMB 'extreme medicine' program offers aspiring doctors more than clinical knowledge

The university science center has looked to the other violence centers in the country, like the Center on Violence Against Women and Children at Rutgers University in New Jersey, as examples, and has hoped to be a compliment to their existing initiatives. But having a center that specifically focuses on violence prevention in the Houston and Galveston area will allow it to capitalize on the regions large, diverse, and rapidly-growing population and offer immediate health benefits for the public, Temple said.

In the meantime, Temple said he looks forward to building powerful partnerships and collaborations between the center and law enforcement, and working with lawmakers to ensure that they see the importance of violence prevention, especially in the wake of school shootings like the 2018 rampage at Santa Fe High School that left eight students and two teachers dead .

We want real life change, Temple said. But also at the policy level.

brittany.britto@chron.com
Paris De Nuit takes its audience into the roaring variety life of the 30's filled with its voluptuous desires and beauty.

Revealing illusionary moments from the lives of prostitutes and peddlers, down and outs and illicit lovers who lived on the edges of society. An evening of lust, love and loneliness inspired by the characteristic world of the famous Hungarian photographer, Brassai.



Stunning circus artists, dancers and musicians are bringing the decadent but loveable secret Paris nights in the 1930's to life.



The show is staged with the audience seated at tables around and on stage bringing the performers as close to the spectators as possible. These special tables were designed to be functioning as circus equipment, so while drinking your glass of champagne an artiste might be doing a handstand above you.



All scenes of the show are inspired by the cultural legacy of Brassai's photographs that captured the most unique and daring moments of the Paris night.



Discover the hidden sides of Montmartre, where Picasso, Henry Miller, Modigliani, Josephine Baker and Brassai would sink into the shadows of the night.



Exceptional jazz musicians, singers, dancers and our stunning circus artists will bring a unique experience alive, the secret Paris you have always wanted to know.



Tickets:

HUF 2,900 / HUF 3,500 / HUF 4,500



Dates and times:

5 January, 7 pm & 9 pm

6 January, 7 pm & 9 pm

7 January, 7 pm & 9 pm

8 January, 7 pm & 9 pm

9 January, 7 pm & 9 pm

Venue:

Palace Of Arts

1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell utca 1.



Photo courtesy of the organisers
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called off his four-day visit to India from January 13 due to devastating bush fires in several parts of his country, diplomatic sources said on Friday.

Morrison was scheduled to hold extensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit.

The Australian prime minister was also scheduled to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue, the flagship annual lecture series organised by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Besides Delhi, Morrison also planned to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru.

"Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called off his visit to India due to the serious situation arising out of bush fires in several parts of Australia," a diplomatic source told PTI.

Bush fires have ripped through the states of New South Wales and Victoria, killing at least 20 people and destroying nearly 500 homes.

About 4,000 people, including nearly 3,000 tourists, were stranded in Victoria's Mallacoota region since they were forced to take shelter on the foreshore as the fire approached on New Year's eve.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
They shared the screen in Robert Rodriguez's acclaimed '95 thriller Desperado, and have gone on to work on many films in the 25 years since.

And Salma Hayek reunited with Antonio Banderas Thursday as she presented him with the International Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in Palm Springs, California.

The Frida star, 53, looked amazing as she walked the red carpet at the at Palm Springs Convention Center in a black Gucci gown with sheer arms and ruffles in the front and a silver bow around the neckline.

Together again: Salma Hayek, 53, was reunited with Antonio Banderas, 59, Thursday as she presented him with the International Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival in Palm Springs, California

The Oscar-nominated actress wore her lustrous dark locks down and parted at the cinematic event in the desert community.

She rounded out the ensemble with diamond earrings, black sandal heels and a black purse.

Banderas, 59, looked dapper in a dark navy blue suit at the event, where he was slated to receive the honors for his work in the motion picture Pain & Glory.

Eye-catching: Hayek presented Banderas with the honors for his work in Pain & Glory

Stylish: Salma wore a black Gucci gown with sheer arms and ruffled front at the event

Hayek was with her husband, billionaire businessman Francois-Henri Pinault, while Banderas was joined by girlfriend Nicole Kimpel at the proceedings.

'Getting ready for the Palm Springs International Film Festival where I am very honored to present @antoniobanderasoficial with the International Star Award - Actor,' the 5ft2 stunner said in an Instagram post earlier Thursday as she posed for a in a selfie with two others.

The Mexico-born star appeared in the film alongside Cheech Marin, Steve Buscemi, Danny Trejo and Quentin Tarantino.

Gorgeous: The Oscar-nominated actress wore her lustrous dark locks down and parted at the cinematic event

Looking to the future: They will again share the screen in this summer's The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, the sequel to 2017's The Hitman's Bodyguard

Happy night: Hayek posed with Banderas and her husband, billionaire businessman Francois-Henri Pinault

Tarantino was also slated to be honored at the film festival with the Director of the Year award for Once Upon A Time ... in Hollywood.

Hayek has appeared in multiple films with Banderas, including the 2003 Rodriguez film Once Upon A Time In Mexico, 1995's Four Rooms, 2011's Puss In Boots and 2002's Frida.

They will again share the screen in The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, the sequel to 2017's The Hitman's Bodyguard, which is due in theaters in August.

Ravishing: The actor was joined by stunning girlfriend Nicole Kimpel at the proceedings

Chemistry: The stars have appeared in multiple films with each other, including 2003's Once Upon A Time In Mexico, 1995's Four Rooms, 2011's Puss In Boots and 2002's Frida

Acting turn: Desperado co-starred Quentin Tarantino, who was set to be honored at the film festival with the Director of the Year award for Once Upon A Time ... in Hollywood

Glam time: The 5ft2 stunner took to Instagram earlier Thursday as she posed for a selfie with two others.
The Shiromani Akali Dal on Friday issued a one-week ultimatum to the Punjab government to arrest the killers of two party leaders and threatened to launch an agitation to ensure justice in "political murder cases".

Former Akali sarpanches Gurdeeep Singh and Dalbir Singh Dhilwan were recently killed in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts, respectively, which the SAD described as "political murders."



At a meeting presided over by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal here, the party's core committee said the spate of "political assassinations of Akali leaders by gangsters with alleged links to Congress leaders and ministers are unprecedented".

It said the party was committed to breaking the "gangster-minister nexus" in Punjab and would take all necessary steps in this regard, be it going to the people or the courts, a statement issued by the SAD said.

The core committee also announced that it would agitate to ensure withdrawal of the "unjust and unprecedented power tariff hike" in Punjab, saying it had put an unbearable burden on the common man and made industries unsustainable.

Stating that the SAD would not allow the Congress government to pass on its "inefficiencies as well as management failures to the consumers", Badal announced that his party would hold district-level dharnas across the state to demand immediate withdrawal of the power hike.

The first sit-in will be staged at Sangrur on February 2.

It was also decided that a delegation of senior leaders would meet both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to convey the sentiments of the Sikh community regarding the continued incarceration of Balwant Singh Rajoana, serving death sentence for the killing of former chief minister Beant Singh.

The committee decided that the delegation would urge the central leadership to commute Rajoana's death sentence and demand that he be released from prison immediately.

The core committee also condemned Jail minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa for allegedly ridiculing first Sikh Guru Guru Nanak Dev and comparing him with chief minister Amarinder Singh, the purported video of which went viral recently.

It said such shameful conduct had hurt the religious sentiments of the entire Sikh community and a case under Section 295 (A) should be registered against him immediately besides his immediate dismissal from the state cabinet.

The recent reported instances of cases being registered against 55 Sikh devotees who were participating in a Nagar Kirtan at Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh and devastation of nine houses and 200 acres of land belonging to Sikh families in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh were also taken up for discussion.

The core committee expressed grave concern at the developments and appointed a two-member team of MPs Balwinder Singh Bhundur and Naresh Gujral to look into both incidents and suggest remedies. The MPs will visit both places and will also take up cases of the victims appropriately.

The core committee also decided to form a committee which will include representatives from the Shiromani Committee, Delhi Committee and the Patna Committee to celebrate the 400thbirth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The committee, which also includes Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, will decide on the events which will be part of the celebration, besides coordinating with the Centre in order to celebrate the event nationally.

The core committee meeting was attended by Tota Singh, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Sikander Singh Maluka, Sharanjit Dhillon, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Jagir Kaur, Kirpal Singh Badungar, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Baldev Singh Mann.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Guatemala City, Guatemala

According to the International Labor Organization, small- and medium-enterprises (SMEs) are responsible for more than two-thirds of all jobs worldwide, along with the majority of new job creation.

In Guatemala, the number is even higher. Nearly 75% of the population in the Central American country is employed through SMEsaccounting for approximately 40% of the national GDP. Investment into these entities is integral to the continued expansion of employment opportunities, enabling the required working capital needed to drive growth. Despite those facts, local laws restrict the ability for credit unions to provide loans to SMEs, further restricting the access to much needed capital.

La Federacion Nacional de Cooperativas de Ahorro y Credito (FENACOAC), with over two million members from its 25-member credit unions united under the MICOOPE brand,saw an opportunity to help bridge this gap. To support this effort, World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and its Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, enlisted several U.S. credit union CEOs to host a strategic workshop with FENACOAC. During the forum, U.S. credit union professionals discussed their experience lending to SMEs, helping to develop a strategic plan that prioritizes the development and expansion of SME-lending by Guatemalan credit unions.

Marking an important next step to achieve this plan, FENACOAC hosted a November event to present the details of an operational plan to the member credit union managers and their representatives. They detailed the innovative decision to create an entirely new entitytermed a credit union service organization (CUSO)that will develop a refined methodology to begin lending to the SMEs in Guatemala. The CUSO will be owned and operated by the FENACOAC member credit unions but operate as a separate entity under the MICOOPE brand. For the first time in Guatemala, credit unions will now begin to reach out to SMEs and ask about their financing needsknowing they will be able to meet them (and more) through the newly established CUSO.

To complement the lending strategy led by the CUSO, FENACOAC also plans to incorporate two additional aspects that will strengthen credit unions in Guatemala: a new digital strategy and linkages to business development service (BDS) providers.

Digital Strategy

While described as a transitioner country in terms of their current mobile connectivity, Guatemala still faces a robust set of barriers to mobile adoption and usageincluding an especially large mobile gender divide. However, deemed a fast grower by GSMA Intelligenceand with over 20.8 million connectionsa digital strategy that will expand the credit union suite of services and reach is an opportune initiative that is well timed to coincide with this growth. Through the development of their digital strategy, credit unions in Guatemala are searching for cost-effective solutions to expand their products to members in a more efficient, transparent and timesaving manner. Beginning with their online banking platform, FENACOAC intends to continue its digital strategy with the CUSO in order to digitize their loan application process and risk analysis. The goal is to enable their loan officers to visit local SMEs and discuss financing needs while collecting basic financial information. From this information, loan officers will be able to provide a pre-approval to the applicants, ask about additional gaps in coverage and establish foundational relationships with the SMEs.

Complementing Financial Resources with Non-Financial Linkages

While credit unions already offer a variety of services in Guatemala (including insurance, guarantees, savings, credit for consumption and remittance payments), many have not been able to reach the financial and non-financial needs of SMEs. This is largely because they are legally restricted in serving their credit needs and thus cannot establish a relationship with these entities in order to offer complementary services. But it is also because they are often ill-equipped to meet the needs of the SMEs. Through the CUSO, FENACOAC seeks to develop and refine an adequate and appropriate methodology to analyze the needs and risks of SME lending. It will then transfer this methodology to its network of credit unions. While the CUSO will function to meet the needs of formal SMEs, individual credit unions can continue to serve the informal SME market. Equipped with the right methodology and capacity, these credit unions will be able to accurately evaluate the needs and risks of lending to these entities. Theyll also be able to apply the right terms and requirements in order to mitigate risk, while continuing to serve this underserved sector of the economy.

Expanding Credit Union Capacity

Finally, complementing the development of an adequate methodology, FENACOACs strategic plan incorporates linkages to non-financial service providers that provide professional support to SMEs through business development services. These partnerships with BDS providers will expand credit unions reach and service offerings to SMEs, in addition to ensuring adequate development of new products to meet the needs of SMEs. Coupled with the access to financial resources through the credit unions, these partnerships can link SMEs to new sources of information specifically targeted towards SME growth.

With a large market demand and an innovative solution to meet that demand, FENACOACs strategic plan is one worth following. Over thirty years, WOCCU is proud to have supported FENACOAC and their network of credit unions to build capacity, expand membership and services, and develop and test demand-driven products. We have been supportive during the formation of this plan and we look forward to continuing our work with FENACOAC as they begin to implement their strategy. Finding innovative solutions to meet the needs of the market is challenging. Be sure to follow the story and stay up-to-date as WOCCUs network of global credit unions continues this important work.
Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi condemned the strike, leaving General Qasem Soleimani killed, as an aggression against Iraq and a blatant attack on the nations dignity," AP reported.

He called for an emergency parliamentary meeting to take "necessary and appropriate measures to protect Iraq's dignity, security and sovereignty" on Saturday, when funerals will be held in Baghdad for al-Muhandis, the militia commander, and the other slain Iraqis.

He called this attack a dangerous escalation to foment a destructive war in Iraq and the region. According to him, this is also a clear violation of the conditions for the presence of American troops in Iraq, which is limited to the training of Iraqi forces to fight ISIS.
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-east on Thursday said the party hopes to win at least three governorship elections in the region.

The party also said it was targeting at least three speakership positions in the state assemblies in the zone and also hopes to have its members win a majority of the National Assembly seats for the zone.

The APC last year lost Imo State, the only state it controlled in the region, to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) during the general elections.

Four out of the five states in the region  Abia, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu  are controlled by the PDP while Anambra is controlled by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, revealed the partys target at his country home Uburu, Ohaozara Local government area of Ebonyi State, during a stakeholders meeting.

According to him, for the target to be achieved, the party leaders in the zone must come together to strategically reposition the party in the region, ahead of 2023 general elections.

He urged aggrieved party faithful to forgive whatever wrongs may have been done to them so as to forge a common front ahead of the next general elections.

I will like to appeal to all our members in the South-east, please no matter how the party offended you, no matter what any person may have done against you, please try and forgive because all of us are Christians. We believe very strongly when offended if we forgive that we are lifting even a great burden from ourselves.

We no longer want to have factions, we have seen that in Nigeria, the APC is the governing party and this party is very strong and will keep governing Nigeria for a long time to come.

But in the southeast geo-political zone, we are the only zone without a governor elected on the platform of APC.

So we want a change. We have our best people representing us at the National Working Committee of our great party, they have been giving us good leadership and we believe very strongly that if we keep supporting them, with what I have seen, by 2023 we should be aiming at a minimum of three governors elected on the platform of the APC.

We will have majority of the seats in the National Assembly from the southeast. We will also have majority of the seats at the state assemblies in our various states so that we will be producing a minimum of three speakers. Once we do this, it will help us, nobody will ever say that the southeast does not make contributions to the party, Mr Onu said

The leaders alleged that the PDP governors in the zone are taking the glory for achievements of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.

The party also said there was low publicity in the media for programmes, projects and policies carried out in the zone by the APC-led federal government.

They expressed worry that most of the achievements recorded by the president in the zone were not known by people of the South-east, adding that the Southeastners believed that the PDP leaders were the ones executing the projects.

According to Mr Onu, most of Mr Buharis achievements in the region were being downplayed in the minds of the people, owing to lack of adequate and right communication strategies.

The minister noted that if nothing had happened under the administration of Mr Buhari in the zone, the honour it accorded to two of its illustrious sons and leaders. the late Nnamdi Azikiwe and the late Alex Ekwueme, in recognition of their contribution to the growth of Nigeria, should not be forgotten in a hurry.

From left: Ebonyi State Commissioners for Works and Transport, Mr Fidelis Nweze; Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr Francis Nwifuru; Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov Dave Umahi of Ebonyi at the inauguration of 14.5km Federal Road constructed by Ebonyi State Government during President Buharis State visit to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State on Tuesday (14/11/17) 06101/14/11/2017/Callistus Ewelike/NAN

He urged leaders of the party in the region to rise up and defend the party for it to take its rightful place in 2023.

Our achievements are not known by the people. There are so many things the Buhari regime has achieved, but our people know little or nothing about them. This is why it is appears the current federal government under Buhari has done nothing in Igbo land. This must not continue.

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Think of the Enugu International Airport, that the President released N10 billion for its repair. We may not know the importance of this project until it is fully completed. The Minister of Aviation has given us his words that by Easter this year, the airport will be up and running. This will boost the economy of the South-east region, among other benefits.

Think about the Second Niger Bridge. The president said he is not going to play politics with that project like the PDP government did in 16 years. So, lets continue to sing our praises and let our people know what the government is doing for us in this zone. This is important so that the opposition party (the PDP) will not take our glory, the minister added.

A former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, in his address, blamed leaders of the party in the zone for not adequately trumpeting the numerous developmental strides of the party across the region.

A lot is happening under this federal government, but our people dont know about them . There was a surprise in this festive period. As a matter of fact, one can drive from Enugu to Aba, hitch-free without some traffic hurdles. Although there are some portions of the road that are still bad, but its better than what we had before.

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The PDP is taking glory for the achievements of the APC government. Something they could not do in 16 years, now those things are being done and they are now posing as if they are the ones doing them. We need to create a lot of awareness to let our people know what is going on, Mr Chime said.
The 18th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) co-organised by the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) announced the PIFF Distinguished Award to FTII chairman BP Singh on Friday. Singh is also creator of the popular television crime series, CID.

This announcement by festival director, Jabbar Patel created a flutter at a press conference on Friday.

Explaining his decision, the noted film director said, Since we are celebrating 60 years of FTII and Maharashtra, we had asked FTII to choose this years awardee and they selected his name. Lets respect their choice, and I stand by my choice as he started a brand new genre of crime serials in the 90s and he is part of FTII. We had asked FTII who are also our co organisers to suggest a name and we acknowledge their choice. It also depends upon who is available during that time and we wholly support their choice.

Other awardees include National award winning actor Vikram Gokhale who will receive the PIFF Distinguished Award and music director Usha Khanna for the S. D. Burman International Award for Creative Music and Sound. Khanna is known for her contribution to Hindi cinema right from the old melodies in films like Dil Deke Dekho (1959).

This year, the inauguration of the festival in the open ground of FTII was shifted at the last minute to Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in view of the student protests over fee hike, which were called off recently.

 It was the committee decision that with the on-going students protests ( which have incidentally stopped) within the campus, we did not want anything hampering the film festival, said Dr Patel.

Ravi Gupta, trustee of Pune Film Foundation, Samar Nakhate, creative director, Prakash Magdum, director,National Film Archive of India and Hansdhwaj Sonawane, deputy director, Tribal Research and Training Institute were among those present during these announcements.

The film festival organized by Pune Film Foundation and Maharashtra Government will be inaugurated on January 9, 2020, at Balgandharva Rangamandir, Jangli Maharaj Road at 5 pm.

The leading actors of TV series CID- Shivaji Satam, Aditya Srivastava and Dayanand Shetty will be present for the ceremony along with famous actress from Marathi cinema, Mukta Barve, said Dr Patel.

Post the inauguration, the opening film The Weasels Tale directed by Juan Jose Campanella, Argentina, will be screened at the NFAI auditorium both at Prabhat road and Kothrud.

Marathi films and short films category

The Marathi Film Competition category was also announced by Dr Jabbar Patel in which the selected films will be vying for the The Government of Maharashtras Sant Tukaram Best International Marathi Film Award (Rs. 5 lakh).

An added attraction is the special short film competition organized under PIFF in association with Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI), where 15 films have been selected for the competition.
The black box from a Taiwanese helicopter that crashed killing its military chief has been recovered, the defence ministry said on Friday.

The island is in mourning after the Black Hawk carrying the chief of general staff Shen Yi-ming and seven senior officers smashed into the mountains near Taipei on Thursday, just days ahead of national elections.

The general and his entourage were on a routine mission to visit soldiers in the northeast for the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Investigators located the military helicopter's flight data recorder on Friday and it will be analysed to help determine the cause of the crash, the defence ministry said.

Shen, 62, was the highest-ranking Taiwanese military official to die while on duty.

Flags at all military units have been at half mast since Thursday.

The UH-60M helicopter was carrying 13 people in total, with five surviving the crash. It disappeared from radar less than 15 minutes after taking off, and did not send a distress call before it perished.

Taiwan has grounded more than 50 Black Hawks in military and government service for safety checks.

The crash comes ahead of January 11 polls, when the island will elect a new president and parliament.

China claims the self-ruling, democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, to be taken by force if necessary.

Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen is seeking a second term, looking to fight off a challenge from Han Kuo-yu, who favours warmer relations with China.

Both camps have suspended campaigning for two to three days after the crash.

Tsai paid her respects to the victims at a makeshift shrine in Taipei on Friday, and visited the survivors in a hospital before holding a top-level military and national security meeting.

"This incident is a huge loss for our country. We are in mourning... but we cannot relax for one single day on... national security," she told officials at the meeting.

Beijing has stepped up military and diplomatic pressure on the island since Tsai took power in 2016, as her party refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China".
"Among the eight or so examples initially provided to Reddit are a handful of disturbingly clear images showing a sleeping baby, a security camera's view of an enclosed porch, and a man seemingly asleep in a chair."

On Reddit, a Xiaomi Mijia camera owner reported receiving still images from other random peoples' homes when he tried to stream content from his camera to a Google Nest Hub. In response, Google removed Xiaomi's integration with its smart home products such as Google Home and Nest.

Android Police broke the story today, and published some photos that are pretty horrifying, privacy-wise, if legit:

This issue was first reported by user /r/Dio-V on Reddit and affects his Xiaomi Mijia 1080p Smart IP Security Camera, which can be linked to a Google account for use with Google/Nest devices through Xiaomi's Mi Home app/service. It isn't clear when Dio-V's feed first began showing these still images into random homes or how long the camera was connected to his account before this started happening. He does state that both the Nest Hub and the camera were purchased new. The camera was purchased from AliExpress and noted as running firmware version 3.5.1_00.66. When attempting to access a video feed from his connected camera (as depicted in the video above), instead of the expected local video feed, he's provided a random, occasionally partly corrupted black and white still image from another home. Among the eight or so examples initially provided to Reddit are a handful of disturbingly clear images showing a sleeping baby, a security camera's view of an enclosed porch, and a man seemingly asleep in a chair.

In response, Google told Android Police:
A man arrested earlier for keeping a woman captive at local motels has now been charged in the beating of her 76-year-old husband.

Brandon Thomas York, 36, is now also charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated kidnapping, domestic assault, interfering with emergency calls, assault and felony child abuse.

Deputies said they responded on Nov. 11 to a violent home invasion on Breezy Hollow Lane in Harrison. They found the victim with trauma to his head and face, two lacerations over his left eye, a large hematoma around his left eye and left side of his face, and a significant amount of bleeding from his injuries.

The elderly man said he had been assaulted by his wife and several men.

He said a seven-month-old child had also been assaulted. The child had injuries, including an abrasion on her forehead.

The victim said he had gotten into an argument with his wife over their infant child and her use of illegal drugs. He said they were arguing in the master bedroom when he suddenly was struck from behind and knocked to the floor by several men.

He said he was also struck by some sort of object, causing pain running down his back. A broken porcelain elephant statue was found in the bedroom. There was also a broken glass ash tray.

The victim said he believed his wife had summoned the men, though he later changed his story and said she did not have anything to do with it. But he said the men were probably involved in illegal drugs with his wife.

Detectives on Dec. 2 found the man's wife at the Motel 6 on Williams Street. She said she had contacted York to pick her up at her house the night her husband was assaulted. She said she did so after the baby had been put down for the night. She said she planned to "hang out" with York.

The woman said she had met York in drug rehab and gotten back into contact with him for two months prior to the incident at her house.

She said her husband became mad that she was going out with other men and using drugs. She said York was waiting for her outside on the porch while she was in a violent argument with her husband.

The woman said York came into the bedroom and hit her husband multiple times with his fists as well as striking him with the elephant statue. She said York began stomping her husband after knocking him to the floor, while yelling, "How does this feel,(expletive), how does this feel?"

She said her husband was severely beaten and unconscious and she feared he had been killed. She said she begged York to stop beating her husband. She said she had been holding her baby, and York made her put the child in the crib. She said the baby was screaming and she did not want to leave her.

The woman said she tried to call for help for her husband, but York grabbed her, breaking her necklace. She said York then grabbed her by the hair and pulled her throughout the house and out the front door. She said York forced her to walk to the home of a neighbor, who drove them to a Baymont motel.

She said she was held by York for three weeks at various local motels. She said he injected her with meth and that other men forced her to perform sex acts and "do other illegal acts."

York claimed that he was hidden upstairs in the house when the couple began fighting. He said he ran downstairs when she began screaming. He admitted attacking the elderly man, saying, "I stopped him." He said he hit him 3-5 times.

York told detectives, "I should've killed him."

Shown a picture of the battered man, York added, "He deserved what he got. He deserved what he got."

York was identified as a member of the Ghostface Gangsters, described as a violent criminal gang.
The European Patent Office has issued a new ruling rejecting two patent applications submitted on the behalf of artificial intelligence programs.

The two inventions were created as part of a multidisciplinary research project organized at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom.

The researchers used an artificial intelligence called DABUS, or 'device for the autonomous bootstrapping of unified sentience.'

The European Union's Patent Office has rejected two patent applications submitted on behalf of an AI, saying patents can only be granted to human inventors

DABUS created two unique, usable ideas that were submitted to patent office: the first was a new kind of beverage container; and the second was a signal device to help search and rescue teams locate a target.

According to a report in TechDirt, the European Patent Office rejected both applications on the grounds that they do not meet the requirement of the EPC that an inventor designated in the application has to be a human being, not a machine.

One of the researchers, the University of Surreys Ryan Abbott, strongly disagreed with the decision.

For Abbott. refusing to credit ownership for the inventions because they lacked a human inventor was not just an outmoded way of thinking but a major obstacle that will stand in the way of a new era of spectacular human endeavor.

Abbott had previously argued it would be inappropriate to assign patent ownership of an AI-driven invention to anyone other than the AI itself.

One of the AI-created inventions submitted to the Patent Office was for a beverage container (pictured above), which the AI created with 'flanges' to make gripping it easier

If I teach my Ph.D. student that and they go on to make a final complex idea, that doesnt make me an inventor on their patent, so it shouldnt with a machine, he said in October.

He believes the best approach would be to credit the AI as the inventor of the patents, and then credit the AIs human owner as the assignee given license to make decisions about the patent or draw benefit from it.
Nicolas Cage Celebrated New Year's Eve in a UK Bar  and Treated Everyone to a Round of Drinks!

Nicolas Cage had a pretty low-key New Years Eve.

The actor, 55, celebrated the new decade among locals in a small bar in the United Kingdom. Not only did he surprise everyone with his presence, but he also treated patrons to a sweet treat.

Nicolas Cage spent NYE in my small, local pub, in Somerset, UK. He bought everyone a drink, Reddit user Koink wrote on the website, sharing a photo of Cage smiling with fans while behind the bar of Tramways Social Club in Wells, England.

Koink added in the subreddits that Cage was a total legend, cool dude and is now a member of the bar.

Nicolas Cage | Frazer Harrison/Getty

Cage is set to be busy in 2020, returning to his character of Grug in The Croods 2 and set to star in a sci-fi martial arts film Jiu Jitsu, according to IMDb.

The actor will also play a creatively unfulfilled version of himself in the movie The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, according to Deadline.

RELATED: Nicolas Cage Says He Was Pretty Upset Over His Recent Divorce from 4-Day Bride

In the movie, Cage reluctantly accepts a $1 million offer to perform at the party of one of his super fans, who also happens to be a Mexican billionaire, the outlet reported. When the party gets out of control, Cage must rely on some of his iconic characters to save himself.

In recent years, Cage has gravitated to more eclectic parts in independent films.

I see myself very much as a student of film performance and Im always looking to learn something, Cage previously told PEOPLE. Thats why if you look at my filmography, its so eclectic. Im always trying to challenge myself and take those risks and go for the triple axel, even though I might fall on my face. Its still exciting to go for it and you still get points for trying.
Religious centers in Nigeria are generally being perceived as scared place which its activities should not be legislated upon by the government. Administration upon administration usually had serious contestations with stakeholders in our churches whenever a policy is being made to check-mate its excesses.

The federal government in the recent past has come with policies to make Nigeria churches all-encompassing. In one of her policies, it tried cutting down life time-tenure of general overseer of the churches declaring that no one in that capacity should spend more than ten years in office. The idea behind this policy was to forestall an idea of forever one-man show ownership and leadership syndrome in our churches.

Due to fear of unknown by Christian community in Nigeria, the policy was totally condemned as many presume that such is akin to systematic government interference in Nigeria churches and more also tagged it as Islamization of the country.

It is instructive to note that when Kaduna state Government came with a policy to curtail indiscriminate use of public address system by religious bodies in Nigeria which has totally become a sort of disturbance to the populace, many cried foul over it saying the government is trying to limit the growing evangelism of Nigeria Churches.

The furor that greets the society whenever any government comes with a religious related policy is why we never had one to date. The loose atmosphere provided in the operation and running of churches in Nigeria has made it all comers affairs and what we get therein are tales of the gory story on how people lost their life on account of miracle seeking from self-professed Pastors, Prophets, and Prophetess.

Suffix to this, when I traveled to my home town in Kogi State last December, a neighbor shared with me horrible experience of his with a self-professed Miracle making man which I equally consider it necessary to disseminate to the public for the sake of being weary of Miracle Churches.

This man is in his late 60s told me that one day; a self-claimed Bishop from Benin came to his community for a crusade. He said, he started his evangelizing by preaching from the Bible and later call those who are suffering from one illness and life challenges to come forward for a divine healing and solution.

He told the audience that he has prepared anointing and holy water which can cure and heal all manners of sicknesses and solve life challenges. He never had any sickness but the urge to get improve his life condition motivated him to buy one. The prepared bottle liquid substances were all sold to them at N4500 per bottle.

He then took the liquid substance home and begins to use it. Within one week, he started developing one form of sickness and the other. After two weeks, he no longer see clearly and he was rushed to the same Bishop declaring to him that he never had any conic sickness before taking the liquid substance and how come his health condition is deteriorating instead of ameliorating. The self-professed Miracle man told him that the target of prepared holy water is to bring out hidden sickness in the body.

After one week of taking the liquid substance which looks blackish in color, his health condition got worsen to the level that he could no long stand anymore. It was at that point his children rushed him to the hospital and at the end of the day not less than N150, 000 was expended. Despite being discharged from the hospital months after, the man has not truly recovered as he had lost strength.

From the little excerpt of the mans story I have given above, is it not necessary for all these self-proclaimed miracle healing churches to get regulated as many of our people are presently dying out of religious ignorance?

My take on this is that there is an urgent need for National Agencies for Food and Drug Administration Commission (NAFADC) to create an avenue by sending her official to all these miracles healing churches selling healing water to the public to test the efficacy of their claims. If the people have to pay for the product, there is nothing wrong if such should are subjected to test and get certified by NAFDAC too as people need to get value for what they are paying for.

I also call on the National Assembly to promulgate law rolling out stiff penalties to any Pastor who gives out holy water that results in sickness or death. It is by these measures we can curtail the menace associated with miracle healing churches in Nigeria as things are getting out of hands.

Sad as it is, the herbalist has now put on the garment of a pastor, defrauding the gullible individuals who are desperately looking for solutions to life challenges.

Shaibu Stephen Ojate is a public commentator and public affairs analyst who writes from Kogi State.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon on Friday said the government's amendment to the Citizenship Act was a "self-inflicted goal" which has "isolated" India and resulted in the country being "hyphenated" with Pakistan as an "intolerant" state.

Speaking at a press conference here where a number of academicians discussed the adverse implications of the contentious law which has led to nationwide protests, Menon said India has "gifted" its adversaries "platforms to attack us".

"What we have achieved in the recent past is to hyphenate our (India's) image with Pakistan in a fundamental way, which is an intolerant state," said the former National Security Adviser.

Responding to a question on whether these moves would affect India's foreign policy, Menon said, "In diplomacy, you don't have to tell the truth. So the calculation of the countries would be how they can promote their interests. They will not fight for your human rights. So, we have given them a platform to use, a lever, to pressure us to get what they want. This, I think, was unnecessary and a self-inflicted goal".

He said the perception of the country has changed after the controversial amendment to the citizenship law was passed.

"India has isolated itself through the move and the list of critical voices in the international community is also pretty long now. Perception of India has changed in the last few months. Even our friends have been taken aback," Menon said.

Referring to Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan's response that "let them fight amongst themselves" when asked about CAA and NRC, Menon said, "If this is how our friends feel, think of how happy this will make our adversary".

He said the global opinion was on India's side when it assisted the formation of Bangladesh.

"What is happening now is quite another scenario. We are increasingly being isolated, we have no international support apart from a section of Indian diaspora and some extreme-right Members of the European Parliament," he said.

Menon served as National Security Adviser under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He had previously served as Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

He noted that several world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and chiefs of UN bodies on human rights and refugees, were critical of the recent moves and referred to international conventions on human rights, civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

"What the world thinks matters more to us now than ever before. But we seem determined with actions like these (CAA) to cut off and isolate ourselves. That is no good to anybody," he said.

Expressing concern that India now seems to be in violation of international covenants, he said, "Those who think that international laws cannot be enforced, they must consider political and other consequences of being perceived as violators of international conventions".

Menon also referred to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's cancellation of a scheduled meeting with a US congressional delegation over the presence of Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who has been critical of the Indian government.

"Rather than attending the meeting and putting forth India's views, we chose to duck," he said.

The United Nations Security Council discussed Kashmir for the first time in 40 years following the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Menon said.

He also expressed concern over the breaking of bipartisan consensus in the US on India with actions like Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston when he said 'Ab ki baar, Trump Sarkar'.

According to the CAA, non-Muslim refugees who came to India till December 31, 2014, to escape religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be given Indian citizenship.

Speaking at the event, another retired diplomat -- Deb Mukherji -- who served as India's ambassador to Bangladesh, said though it was true that Hindus have been persecuted, it was not to the extent that has been presented by the government.

He said certain prominent persons have also been suitably punished in that country for committing crimes against Hindus.

Others who spoke at the event at the Press Club were academicians included Zoya Hasan, Niraja Jayal and Faizan Mustafa among others.
A New South Wales prisoner who claimed he had nothing to do with the bashing of a fellow inmate has been found guilty of the man's murder.

Abraham Ryan Tangi, 31, was on Thursday found guilty of the murder of Zaydoun Al-Qaseer by a NSW Supreme Court jury.

The two men had been awaiting trial for separate matters when they were both filmed entering a cell at John Morony Correctional Complex near Windsor, NSW, in June 2017.

Abraham Ryan Tangi, 31 has been found guilty of bashing fellow prison inmate, Zaydoun Al-Qaseer to death in June 2017

Only Tangi emerged from the cell before prison staff found Al-Qaseer lying on the floor, unconscious and bleeding.

An inmate had testified he saw Tangi stomping on Al-Qaseer's head.

Tangi's barrister Gabriel Wendler later characterised the witness as 'an unashamed liar' who must have had a special ability to see around corners.

He also attacked the credibility of other witnesses on the basis they had 'a deeply embedded dishonest nature', were 'totally unreliable' and made up 'a false and magical story'.

Zaydoun Al-Qaseer, 24, was inside a cell with Abraham Ryan Tangi when prison officers found him unconscious and bleeding on the floor

'It is my submission in relation to the inmate witnesses, you would not accept their evidence unless it was supported by independent witnesses - it is not,' Mr Wendler told the jury.

The victim's injuries included a fractured skull, bleeding in the brain, a broken collarbone and bruising on each side of his head and on his shoulder.

The jury heard the evidence showed only two people were in cell 24 at the relevant time.

Both men were placed in a cell at John Morony Correctional Complex, near Windsor in New South Wales, but only Tangi would walk out

'No one else went in until after the point in time when Abraham Tangi came out and that, at that point in time, Zaydoun Al-Qaseer had already suffered the injuries that led to his death,' prosecutor Philip Hogan said.

Tangi told police the men had been in the cell alone together, but Mr Al-Qaseer was uninjured when he left.

Tangi will be sentenced by Justice Stephen Rothman at a later date.
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After a resident called 911, Ocon was found in the rear of home in the 2100 block of North McVicker Avenue, where officers confronted him, police said. Ocon had a gun with him that he wouldnt drop when officers ordered him to do so, according to the statement from Chicago police.
Julian Castro ended his bid for the Democratic nomination today. If Castro made any impression in this race, it was for his nastiness during some of the debates, not for any discernible support his candidacy was able to generate. The current RCP poll average has him at 1 percent, and hes probably only registering at that level due to an outlier poll from three weeks ago that had him at 4 percent.

Castro was unable to qualify for the past two presidential debates. Moreover, there was no reason to believe that participating in those debates would have helped his candidacy appreciably. His earlier debate appearances didnt do much for him.

Castro may be hoping for the vice presidential nomination. That honor seems like a longshot given the weakness of his presidential bid. You never know, however. Democrats may have cause for concern about how their nominee will perform among Latino voters. Its possible that this concern will prompt the nominee to select Castro as his or her running mate.

However, if Joe Biden is the nominee, I think hes more likely to forgive Kamala Harriss attack on his anti-busing position than Castros thinly veiled attack on his age. For one thing, Harris pulled off her attack with aplomb, while Castro just looked nasty. For another, Harris, as weak as her candidacy was by the end, made a considerably stronger run than Castro did.

Finally, Bidens age and memory will be issues in the general election, if the former VP is the nominee. Thus, Castros attack would make his inclusion on the ticket a source of embarrassment for Biden.

Allahpundit reminds us that after Kamala Harris dropped out, Castro accused the media of having applied a grossly unfair double standard in its coverage of her. Allahpundit characterizes this as a thinly veiled racial pander aimed at picking up [Harriss] disgruntled voters. Well see whether Castro serves up similar whining about the demise of his candidacy, now that hes no longer positioned to pick up anyones disgruntled voters.

Castros complaint about the coverage of Harris was as follows:

In the last few days, to see articles out of Politico, the New York Times, Washington Post that have basically trashed her campaign, and focused on just one small part of it, and I think held her to a different standard, a double standard, has been grossly unfair and unfortunate.

Unfortunately for Castro, those three outlets  Politico, the Times, and the Post  havent focused even on a small part of his campaign. They have ignored him for months, not because of his ethnicity, but because of his failure to register in the polls.

Castro was the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama. As such, it was Castro who pushed the Affirmative Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) agenda, including radical regulations. Involving, as it does, moving people to and from neighborhoods, and even cities and towns, based on their race, AFFH marries authoritarianism with identity politics in a particularly evil way.

Castros other claim to fame was his insistence that illegal border crossings be decriminalized. It thus gives me pleasure to see him drop out of the race only one month before the Iowa caucuses.
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In his first visit after taking over as Army Chief, General MM Naravane is likely to visit the world's highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier next week.

Army sources told ANI that General MM Naravane is likely to visit Siachen Glacier next week on January 9 as his first tour to an army base after taking over as Army Chief.

He will pay homage to soldiers at the Siachen war memorial.

General Naravane took over as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on Tuesday, succeeding General Bipin Rawat who has become India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

Naravane was previously the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 3)  The Philippine government is in talks with Qatar for funding aid in infrastructure and the development of the Bangsamoro region, the Department of Finance said.

In a statement, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he met with representatives of the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) for possible official development assistance (ODA), with a focus on the newly-created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

"We are encouraging more investments in this region to improve the lives of its people in underserved island communities," Dominguez told fund officials.

READ: PH, Turkey agree to coordinate on all engagements with Bangsamoro

A Qatari delegation visited Dominguez in late 2019, saying that the foreign government can assist efforts towards peace building, the peace process, education, rural infrastructure development, disaster risk reduction and management, and the energy sector.

In particular, the Qatar fund said it will offer help to earthquake victims in Cotabato.

The Middle Eastern nation is a huge player in the crude oil industry.

QFFD is a state agency that supports Arab nations and developing economies through loans, grants, and technical assistance.

QFFD senior advisor Samer Frangieh said they can also extend help for education and health care, expanding livelihood in fisheries, and initiatives to bring former rebels to the economic mainstream. The agency quoted Bangsamoro region Minister for the Interior Government Naguib Sinarimbo as saying that the autonomous government is planning to transform rebel camps into economic-producing areas.

The QFFD officials added that they can extend help in creating an Islamic banking industry here, in light of a new law that allows new players to practice lending compliant with Shari'ah law.

Japan, China, and South Korea are among the major funding sources of the Philippines through ODA, mainly for flagship infrastructure projects.

READ: DOF eyeing Japanese loan to develop Subic Bay
Beijing/Moscow [China/Russia], Jan 3 (ANI): China, Russia and Syria on Friday condemned the US strike in Iraq that killed Iran's elite Quds Force chief, General Qasem Soleimani.



The US carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a briefing on Friday that Beijing has "consistently opposed the use of military force in international relations".

"We are closely following this incident. China has consistently opposed the use of military force in international relations," Shuang said at a briefing on Friday.

Russia has called the missile strike by the US as an "irresponsible step that will lead to increased tensions throughout the Middle East region".

Moscow also offered condolences to the Iranian people over the death of Soleimani.

"We consider the killing of Soleimani as a result of US missile strike in the outskirts of Baghdad as an adventurous step that will lead to increased tensions throughout the region. Soleimani devotedly served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests," a Foreign Ministry official told Sputnik.

Syria also condemned the "U.S. criminal aggression" which led to the killed of Soleimani. It also slammed Washington for the killing of the Deputy Chairman of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Commission Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and a number of the Mobilization's cadres.

"Syria condemns in strongest terms the U.S. criminal aggression which led to the martyrdom of leader of al-Quds Failaq, Iranian Major General Qasem Suleimani, and Deputy Chairman of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Commission Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and a number of the Mobilization's cadres as a dangerous escalation of the situation in the region," the statement said.

The strike has escalated the tensions in the region. Iran vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.

Iran Foreign Minister summoned the Swiss Charge d'affairs to Tehran, the US interest section in Iran, to convey protest against US' "terrorist" act. (ANI)


President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn to board Marine One at the White House in Washington on Dec. 18, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Trump: US Doesnt Seek War, Regime Change in Iran

The US 'took action last night to stop a war'

President Donald Trump said Friday that the strike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was designed to prevent a warnot start one.

Less than a day after the airstrike in Baghdad, Trump told reporters in Florida that the United States took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war. He didnt take any questions.

We do not seek regime change, however, the Iranian regimes aggression in the region, including the use of proxy fighters to destabilize its neighbors must end and it must end now, the president remarked. I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary and that in particular refers to Iran, Trump said.

The top general, who was in charge of the powerful Quds Force, has long been accused of fomenting discord in the Middle East and has been accused by the State Department of supporting terrorist organizations in the region. The killing of Soleimani marks an escalation in the decades-long standoff between Tehran and Washingtonnamely after the Trump administration pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Soleimani made the death of innocent people his sick passion, Trump said at Palm Beach Mar-a-Lago. We caught him in the act and terminated him.

Trump said that Soleimani should have been killed by previous presidents years ago.

A lot of lives would have been saved, Trump remarked, adding that what the United States did should have [been] done long ago.

We will always protect our diplomats, service members, all Americans, and our allies, he said, adding that Soleimanis Quds Force killed and injured hundreds of Americans over the years.

For any would-be adversaryIran or otherwiseTrump warned the United States has the strongest military and the greatest ability to gather intelligence in the world.

The presidents message came nearly a day after the Department of Defense confirmed in a statement that Trump had directed the strike against Soleimani. The Pentagon called it a defensive move aimed at deterring pending Iranian attack plots.

The surprise killing of one of the most powerful men in Iran marks one of Trumps boldest military moves while in office. Soleimanis death will also likely elevate U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East as the race for the presidency heats up.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also made statements to the media about the attack being defensive in nature.

The presidents been pretty clear. We dont seek war with Iran, Pompeo told Fox News. But we, at the same time, are not going to stand by and watch the Iranians escalate and continue to put American lives at risk without responding in a way that disrupts, defends, deters and creates an opportunity to deescalate the situation.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have vowed to exact revenge while other powers in the region have urged the two nations to deescalate the conflict.
Complimentary Education Continuing Education and Workshops

WASHINGTONHERE COMES RICHIE!

Richie Bello Institute of Leadership and Managements Founder, Richie Bello heads back to Washington in the continued saga of what to do and not do to gain government support for his not for profit. Bello drives to bring the automotive industry qualified and certified trained veterans into its workplace. Veterans currently represent approximately one in five of the automotive industry personnel population, but Bello looks to address the other 80%. The turnover in the industry is beyond belief! said Bello. Dealers are putting tremendous revenue into marketing, but when the buyer hits the floor, the team is not trained well enough to get the maximum ROI. Bello chants that its a vicious cycle. He is countering the cycle by recruiting veterans offering certification and placement into dealerships at no cost to the veteran. This complimentary program is being self-funded by the institute under the guidance of Washingtons grant program that takes approximately two years from launch to achieve. Bello worked with Washington when Phil Roe was serving as liaison for Veterans Affairs. Bello is going back to bridge the new representation to assure that the grant approval process is compliant and expeditious. At this time, Bello brought the countrys leading industry vendors together to support the program funding as many as fifty veterans per month for a minimum of one year. This will help the institute achieve the proof of claim that the government looks to review. The Richie Bello Institute of Leadership and Management provides an eco-system for the automotive industry, where trained veterans can use its programs to continue to move up the ranks. The veteran and the dealer benefit from the program. The dealer will gain trained veterans at much lower than usual and customary for recruitment and training. Dealers will also receive a one-time replacement should the veteran not pass a three-month evaluation. Once certified, the veteran will have access to on-going support from the institute for the life of employment with the dealer placed. Areas of training include Sales; F & I; Service Managers, Technicians and Advisors; Operations; Parts Management and Parts Counter.

Bello assembled a seasoned team to support the initiative. Jeanne Fontana serves as Executive Director. Fontana brings thirty-five years of experience overseeing marketing and business development initiatives for various companies and not for profits. David A. Castillo serves as Director of Veteran Affairs and brings his nine-year term in the Marine Corps to bridge the national organizations and enrolled veterans. Brandon Hardison serves as Director of Training, with decades of experience developing sales and training programs for national brands and dealers throughout the country. John Fairchild serves as Director of Dealer Relations and brings his trained dealer network stronger returns on Fixed Ops. This top team has volunteered their services to this date and will be compensated for services from placement fees to dealers. A large portion of dealer recruitment fees will go back to the institute to support another veteran.

Bellos goal with his visit to Washington, is to be able to work hand in hand with the government agencies to expedite an approval, allowing for a larger population of veterans to be served.

The Richie Bello Institute of Leadership and Management is a 501C3 not for profit with its training center in Phoenix, Arizona and its business offices in Long Island, New York. The mission of the organization is to improve the quality of the automotive industry employee and improve the career paths of veterans of the United States military through this highly lucrative industry.
After more than a year of deliberation, an agreement allowing a delegated authority working for Midland and Gladwin counties to purchase and maintain the four-lake system located along the Tittabawassee River has been finalized.

Four Lakes Task Force has signed a $9.4 million purchase agreement for the acquisition of Wixom, Sanford, Secord and Smallwood lakes and their dams from Boyce Trusts.

According to a press release, the purchase agreement is a milestone in maintaining the legal level of all four lakes in accordance with an order from the 42nd Circuit Court and Part 307 of the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. The sale of properties will occur over the next two years, with a final close for all properties in January 2022.

This is an important step forward in bringing control of the lake levels and dams to the communities, stated Dave Kepler, FLTF chairman. We are grateful for the assistance and support from state and county leaders, township officials and lake residents. There is still a great amount of work to do before the closing in early 2022, including the implementation of the Special Assessment District (SAD) and conducting dam maintenance and repairs, but we are confident about this strong path forward.

Judge Stephen Carras legally established the SAD on May 28, 2019, for the purpose of financing the acquisition, repairs and Part 307 order requirements, the release states. The current estimate is that a lakefront property owner will pay an annual assessment of $350, while a backlot property owner will pay $88. After a public hearing, FLTF will calculate and finalize the assessment by early 2021, with the first assessment to appear on the winter 2021 tax bill.

FLTF will facilitate major repairs and improvements to each of the lakes' nearly 100-year-old dams over the next three years, with an engineering estimate to be completed by the end of 2020. According to the organization's website, acquisition and repairs to the four dams to meet State of Michigan safety standards will cost about $20 million, partially covered by $5 million appropriated by the State of Michigan. There will also be annual operational costs.

Speaking to Midland Daily News in November, engineer Ron Hansen  who also serves as vice president of water-resources for the Spicer Group land surveyor  said the repair project is currently in its "engineering and evaluation" phase, which will likely last until June 2020.

"There's four dams, and there's going to be millions of dollars spent on repairs  it's more than likely going to take two years to do all of the construction," Hansen said.

The project will then enter the process of getting the proper permits from the state and federal governments. Bidding and financing will then take place until roughly January 2021, after which Hansen hopes the actual construction work can begin.

Four Lakes Operations (FLO) will acquire the power assets from Boyce for $6.6 million to produce hydroelectric energy. This amount is in addition to the purchase of the dams and lake bottoms and is expected to be financed by revenue from power generation, the release states. FLO is a separate corporation formed to find a new private power generation operator and to manage the renewal of the power generation licenses awarded by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Consumers Energy Power Agreement.

This month, FLTF will turn over operations oversight of the four dams to FLO, though Boyce will continue to operate the dams through January 2022, until financing of the project is completed.

Established in 2018 by Midland and Gladwin counties, the FLTF was formed to administer and maintain legal lake levels throughout the system located along the Tittabawassee River and the connected Tobacco River as a delegated authority working on behalf of both counties.
The number astonishes: Charleston flooded one out of almost every five days in 2019.

The National Weather Service reported Friday that a record number of coastal flood events  89, on at least 76 individual days  occurred along the Southeast and South Carolina coast last year by an alarmingly wide margin.

The previous record was 58 times, in 2015.

The Charleston Harbor tide gauge reached or exceeded 7.0 feet 89 times. Minor tidal flooding begins at about 7 feet.

"Unreal," said Charleston-based meteorologist Shea Gibson with the forecasting company WeatherFlow.

"Sea level rise is becoming more and more real as flooding events take place even without Nor'easter (storm) or tropical cyclone influences," he said.

In the face of the increasing threat, Mayor John Tecklenburgs chief innovation officer on Friday said the city will roll out its first public Flood Stat meeting.

Similar to other city governments, which hold monthly statistic-based meetings for police and fire departments, the city will begin regular updates on flooding issues as part of Tecklenburg's program.

"The stat program is really about creating an environment for accountability and collaboration," said Tracy McKee, Tecklenburg's chief innovation officer.

McKee said the city's floodplain manager will make sure the city expands the number of residential properties that have flood insurance to include properties that aren't listed and deemed vulnerable by the National Flood Insurance Program.

The group will analyze the stormwater maintenance plan by comparing those plans with the city's work orders. It will also review permitting to see how many historic properties have applied for and received approval to elevate their properties.

The city keeps track of road closures dating back to 2015 so, over time, city staff has learned which streets are most prone to flooding and where to put certain measures in place to accommodate it.

The city's Geographic Information System is collecting data reported to the Waze traffic app to see at what times flooding is being reported.

"Some of these things we have data for," McKee said. "The things we don't have data for we're trying to figure out would be good data to use and assemble."

The first public Flood Stat meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 6 in the Public Meeting room at 2 George St.

Various department heads will gather data over the months to statistically show the city is meeting goals to address housing and transportation issues.

Back to the flooding record: The Weather Service report Friday amplifies earlier findings that the effects of climate warming are showing up almost in front of your eyes.

During the 1960s, Charleston saw a handful of nuisance tidal floods a year. In more recent times, the city averaged only about 40 or more.

But environmental conditions are changing on the coast. Within 50 years, the sea off Charleston will be rising about 1 inch every five years  twice as fast as it was rising about a century ago and one-third faster than it was in 2000, according to research by the Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science.

The Friday report followed a report by the National Weather Service office in North Charleston that 2019 was the fifth year in a row of record heat, and the seventh in the past decade.

The vast majority of scientists who study the issue agree global temperatures are rising at an accelerating rate due to greenhouse gases released when fossil fuels are burned. Researchers say average temperatures have risen enough that some impacts from global warming are unavoidable.

A study released Friday by ETH Zurich  a science, technology, engineering and mathematics university  indicates that the human "footprint" of climate warming can now be seen in global daily weather data.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had launched the Jal Jivan Hariyali mission scheme in October 2018, in order to create awareness about water conservation and maintenance of green cover in the state.

Patna: There is an unease in the ruling JD(U) after the Centre rejected the Bihar governments proposed tableau for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

The state government sent a proposal based on the theme of Jal Jivan Hariyali mission which sources claim, was rejected because it did not meet the criteria.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had launched the Jal Jivan Hariyali mission scheme in October 2018, in order to create awareness about water conservation and maintenance of green cover in the state.

JD(U) leaders are of the view that works being done under the scheme will be a major step towards minimising the impact of climate change.

Nitish Kumar is a visionary leader and keeps thinking about humanity and nature. The Jal Jivan Hariyali Mission has been launched to create awareness about water conservation and boost the green cover in Bihar.

The officials involved with the mission will be able to say on what ground the proposal was rejected by the Centre, JD(U) spokesperson Sanjay Singh said.

Sources said that in 2019 the Bihar government had proposed a tableau based on the theme of prohibition which was rejected by the Centre on similar grounds.

The last time Bihar featured in the Republic Day parade in Delhi was in 2016 when it presented a tableau based on the celebrations of 100 years of Mahatma Gandhis Champaran Satyagraha.

The Opposition reacted sharply on the issue. What kind of double engine government is this? They keep refusing the state governments proposal every time.

Earlier they refused to entertain Bihar governments demand for special status and now they have rejected a proposal to showcase its scheme through a tableau on the Republic Day., RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said.
Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): BJP national working president JP Nadda said here on Thursday that Congress has not condemned the violence that took place during the protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, implying that they are behind it.



"Congress says they are not behind the violence," said Nadda. "If you are not behind it, then so many days have passed, why have you not condemned it?" he asked while addressing an event here.

Earlier in the day, he offered prayers at the Swaminarayan Mandir. Temple saints handed over a letter to the BJP leader in support of CAA.

The party is conducting meetings and organising seminars on CAA. Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday launched a toll-free number to get support from people for its campaigns in favour of the amended citizenship law.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI)
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, UP DGP O.P. Singh said, "PFI was actively involved in the recent violence, which is why we have arrested 25 of their members. We have ample proof against them."

Lucknow, Jan 3 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Police has said the Popular Front of India (PFI) was actively involved in the recent violence in the state during the anti-CAA protests and said they have enough evidence against the 25 members of the Popular Front of India (PFI) who have been arrested.

The UP Police has already sought a ban on the PFI, days after its complicity was suspected in the recent statewide violent protests against the amended citizenship law.

DGP OP Singh had said on Tuesday that he had written to the Union Home Ministry, seeking a ban on the PFI after its Uttar Pradesh head, Wasim, and 16 other activists were arrested for allegedly masterminding the violence in the state capital during anti-CAA protests.

The state police have arrested 25 members of Popular Front of India, including its state head Wasim, in connection with the violence in the state capital during the protests against the amended Citizenship Act.

In Shamli district alone, 28 people, including 14 members of the PFI, have been arrested since December 19 for allegedly attempting to inciting violence during anti-CAA protests.

amita/rt
Half of Britons want the BBC licence fee scrapped and would like the broadcaster to adopt a commercial model and make its money through advertisements - like ITV and Channel 5 - or subscriptions - like Netflix or Amazon Prime.

The news comes weeks after Boris Johnson - while on the General Election campaign trail - said the BBC licence fee is outdated and could be axed.

He said he was looking at whether it made long-term sense to impose a 154.50 annual levy on all homes with TV sets - and criticised the current enforcement regime which allows the corporation to prosecute non-payers.

A YouGov poll found that 37 per cent said the corporation should generate revenue by running advertising breaks, with a further 13 per cent believing a subscription model to be the best solution

BBC director-general Lord Hall (left) has said making the Beeb less 'London-centric' is his 'personal priority' - as he pushes back against the prime minister's plans to overhaul the corporation (Boris Johnson is pictured right)

In a new poll YouGov poll for The Times - in which participants were asked how the BBC should be funded - just one in four said the current compulsory licence fee system was their preferred method.

Instead, the poll found that 37 per cent said the corporation should generate revenue by running advertising breaks, with a further 13 per cent believing a subscription model to be the best solution.

Just seven per cent thought that general taxation was a good method. Two per cent said 'something else' and 14 per cent answered 'don't know'.

It comes after BBC director-general Lord Hall has said making the Beeb less 'London-centric' is his 'personal priority' - as he pushes back against the prime minister's plans to overhaul the corporation.

In a bid to keep viewers onside ahead of any review, Lord Hall doubled down on quotes he made in March last year about ensuring the BBC was doing more outside of the capital.

Half of Britons want the BBC licence fee scrapped and would like the broadcaster to adopt a commercial model and make its money through advertisements or subscriptions, a poll has found (pictured, New Broadcasting House in central London)

He also highlighted the 'need to continue to take the fight to fake news' and the importance of attracting more young viewers.

Elsewhere in his New Year message to BBC employees, Lord Hall said the broadcaster should 'embrace' increased scrutiny following accusations of bias.

The corporation was accused of political bias by both the left and the right in the weeks leading up to the general election.

Lord Hall urged employees to respond to scrutiny 'with confidence and without complacency'.

He wrote: 'Finally, a word about some of the recent debate around the BBC.

'As the country's national broadcaster we know the BBC will always be the subject of legitimate scrutiny. We also know this can at times arouse strong passions.

'We work for an institution people genuinely care about. We should embrace this scrutiny - as indeed we always have - with confidence and without complacency.

'I profoundly believe the BBC's values and our output have never mattered more to Britain at this point in its history and that we have never been more relevant to the times we are living through.'

Lord Hall revealed this week that iPlayer received more than 100 million requests in the week of Christmas - up by a third on last year's number

His message also revealed that iPlayer received more than 100 million requests in the week of Christmas - up by a third on last year's number.

The Prime Minister made his unscheduled announcement about the BBC during a visit to a haulage firm in Washington, Tyne and Wear, deep in Labours heartlands on December 9.

Asked by a worker whether he would axe the BBC levy, he replied: How long can you justify a system whereby everybody who has a TV has to pay to fund a particular set of TV and radio channels? That is the question.

At this stage, we are not planning to get rid of all TV licence fees, although I am certainly looking at it.

What I will say is that  I am under pressure not to extemporise policy on the hoof  but you have to ask yourself whether that kind of approach to funding a TV, a media organisation, still makes sense in the long term, given the way other organisations manage to fund themselves.

That is all I will say. I think the system of funding by what is effectively a general tax, isnt it, everybody has a TV, it bears reflection, let me put it that way.

It was also revealed his chief adviser Dominic Cummings could lead a review of the BBCs funding.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran to protest against American "crimes", an AFP correspondent reported, after US strikes killed a top Iranian commander in Baghdad Friday.

Chanting "Death to America" and holding up posters of the slain commander, Qasem Soleimani, the demonstrators filled streets for several blocks in central Tehran after Friday prayers.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the commander of its Quds Force foreign operations arm had been killed by US forces in Baghdad.

Women and men, many of them elderly, took part in the procession, some holding up portraits of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"The axis of any evil is America, the motto of religion and the Koran is death to America," they said in unison.

"O leader of our revolution, condolences, condolences." State agency IRNA said there were similar demonstrations in the cities of Arak, Bojnourd, Hamedan, Hormozgan, Sanandaj, Semnan, Shiraz and Yazd.

of the death of Soleimani, one of Iran's most popular public figures, also saw people hold impromptu gatherings in his central hometown of Kerman.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
WASHINGTON  Responding to a dramatic airstrike that killed a top Iranian military commander, Republicans from the Philadelphia region on Friday praised the action as decisive and necessary, while Democrats cautioned that the attack could lead to spiraling escalation in an already volatile region.

Many Democrats worried that President Donald Trump could be careening toward another armed conflict in an area where the United States has a painful history of costly, bloody entanglements.

This is really a seismic event, said U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, the South Jersey Democrat and former Iraq director in the Obama administrations National Security Council. Kim said he spent years focused on tracking the slain general, Qassem Soleimani, and his leadership of violent forces throughout the region. Up until his death, he was the most dangerous person in the Middle East.

But while Kim said Soleimani, who was killed Thursday night in a drone strike in Iraq, has a lot of American blood on his hands, he questioned whether his death will make the U.S. safer  or lead to a more open and deadly clash that could ripple throughout the Middle East.

Are we safer now because he has been killed? We know full well that Iran will retaliate. We know that Iran will attack us, said Kim, of Burlington County. There is a great potential for escalation here, especially if there are any American casualties.

Kim said Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama both had opportunities to kill Soleimani, but resisted because they feared for the level of violence that would occur after his death.

Republicans, by contrast, praised the attack, pointing to the Trump administrations statement that Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite Quds Force, was planning new attacks targeting American service members and diplomats.

Qassem Soleimani was responsible for the murder of hundreds of Americans. The world is a better place now that he is dead, said Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.). Every American should be grateful to our armed forces who carried out this strike with incredible skill and precision. The Trump administration was right to restore deterrence against Iran.

Democrats said they needed to see more evidence of the threat, and asked whether Trump had prepared for what comes next after killing one of Irans most powerful people.

I fear that this administration used tactics but has no strategy in the long term, and what we cannot accept is a march to an unauthorized war, Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said on MSNBC.

Menendez added that he and other top lawmakers had not been briefed and needed to see the intelligence that led to the strike, noting that flawed information led to the second Iraq War.

Kim said that while one attack may now have been averted, others are surely coming. Iran controls forces throughout the Middle East that could retaliate in any number of ways or countries, he said.

The sheer scope and the range of what we need to defend is enormous, and thats certainly something that Im demanding of the administration, [which] is to know exactly just how prepared they are for all these different scenarios, Kim said. He noted that Army personnel at the McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst joint base in his South Jersey district recently deployed to the Middle East. The Pentagon announced Friday that its sending an additional 3,500 troops to the region.

U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Pa.) said that Trumps approach to foreign policy threatens more war.

The American people will not be well-served by cowboy behavior in the Middle East, the Philadelphian tweeted.

But Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Bucks County, cited the warnings of a coming attack. Therefore, the airstrike was needed to protect our American soldiers, diplomats, and civilians serving in critical missions in the region, Fitzpatrick said in a statement that largely echoed the explanations provided by the Department of Defense.

The decades of ignoring acts of terror, or addressing it with harsh language, are over," said U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a York County Republican who spent almost 40 years in the Army and served in Iraq from 2009 to 2010. These airstrikes were wholly appropriate. We continue to show the strength and resolve of our nation.

Democrats said they shed no tears for Soleimani, but worried about the next steps.

I will waste no time mourning his death, said U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, a Democrat from the Lehigh Valley. But she warned that the attack brings the U.S. closer to a direct military confrontation. Nearly two decades of war in the Middle East have shown us the untold consequences of entering open-ended military conflicts with no plan or strategy for success.

The world is safer with him gone, Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey said in a statement. But he demanded a briefing on the intelligence used to authorize the strike, details of the threat the Pentagon cited, and planning for the response.

Our president ordered this strike before appropriately consulting Congress and without making clear how this escalatory action aligns with a larger strategy," said U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D., Pa.), an Air Force veteran who serves on the House Armed Forces and Foreign Affairs Committees. This is a perilous moment, and our nation must prepare for what the Iranian regime has already threatened will be a violent retaliation.

The U.S. blamed Soleimani for the deaths of hundreds of American service members and their allies in the region, including the death of a military contractor during a Dec. 27 rocket attack on an American base in Iraq.

Gen. Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, a Pentagon statement said, adding: This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised retaliation.

A forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood and the blood of the other martyrs last night on their hands, Khamenei said in a statement published by Iranian state media.
I wish the artist had taken it a step further and named the children, because although Smee described them as two little boys, it seems to me, from the set of the childs face, the delicacy of that childs features and the strands of curls leaking out from under a hood, that the child on the right is a girl. To my way of thinking, this reinforces and deepens the theme of the painting. And check out the all-important gaze  the boy is staring at Harriet, the girl at Leon. Theres bound to be a hidden story there.
The United Arab Emirates has extended USD 200 million aid to Pakistan for the development of the small and medium-sized enterprises in the country, Finance Adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan has said.

The announcement came after Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan concluded his one-day visit to the country on Thursday.

The adviser, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, on Thursday said "the money will be spent on small business promotion and jobs. This support is testimony to the expanding economic relations and friendship between our countries."

The Crown Prince directed the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development to allocate USD 200 million in order to assist the Pakistani government's efforts to create a stable and balanced national economy that will help achieve the country's sustainable development, Dawn News reported on Friday.

During the visit, the prince met Prime Minister Khan and held talks on bilateral, regional and international issues.

The UAE is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the Middle East and a major source of investments. The UAE is also among Pakistan's prime development partners in education, health and energy sectors.

It hosts more than 1.6 million expatriate Pakistani community, which contributes remittances of around USD 4.5 billion annually to the GDP.

This is the Crown Prince's second visit to Pakistan since Khan took office in August 2018. He had last visited Pakistan on January 6 last year, just weeks after his country offered USD 3 billion financial assistance to Pakistan to deal with its balance of payment crisis.

The Crown Prince's visit was considered by experts as an attempt to woo Pakistan against the backdrop of recent developments when Saudi Arabia and UAE apparently used pressure to stop Pakistan from attending the Kuala Lumpur summit held last month.

The summit from December 19-21 was seen by Saudis as an attempt to create a new bloc in the Muslim world that could become an alternative to the dysfunctional Organisation of Islamic Cooperation led by the Gulf Kingdom.
The U.S. airstrike that killed Iran's top military general has escalated tensions between the two nations and injected fresh uncertainty Friday around geopolitics and financial markets. Analysts weighed in Friday on CNBC, offering their insights into how the death of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani will impact the oil industry and the economy, as well as the potential for further conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

Sadad al-Husseini, former Saudi Aramco executive

While oil prices surged by up to 4% on Friday, Sadad al-Husseini, former executive vice president of exploration and production operations at Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco, said he would not describe the uptick as substantial or sustainable. "I think the markets are pretty well saturated with supply, so we have to wait and see how the situation unfolds," he said. "But currently I wouldn't say that we've had a very strong move." When asked about the threat of Iran retaliating against the U.S. or other actors in the Middle East, al-Husseini said he thought any response from Tehran would be narrowly focused. "I believe the problem is really between the U.S. and Iran at this point. It's not about the oil fields or the other countries in the [Persian] Gulf," he said on "Squawk Alley." "I think Iran has been overplaying its hand ... I don't think they would want to do anything with the other countries in the region. That wouldn't advance or affect their issue with the U.S."

Brian Levitt, Invesco market strategist

Brian Levitt, global market strategist for North America at Invesco, said he does not believe the killing of Soleimani will mark a turning point in the longest economic expansion in U.S. history. It is true that incident and potential responses from Iran can create volatility in the market, Levitt said. But it is important for investors to remember the larger economic narrative, he said. That is, it remains a slow-growth world, monetary policy is still accommodative and equities are cheap relative to bonds, he said. "I'd be very surprised if we look back a year from now or two years from now and say, 'This was the event that ended the elongated business and market cycle,'" Levitt said on "Squawk Box." On Thursday morning, before the news that President Donald Trump ordered the airstrike that killed Soleimani, Wall Street pioneer Burton Malkiel told CNBC that he believed an "international shock" would be what caused the next recession.



Paul Sankey and Scott Nations

Mizuho managing director Paul Sankey said "significant unrest" in the Middle East involving Iran and the U.S. is both a real threat and "a major issue" for oil markets. If the oil production of both Iran and Iraq, the country in which Soleimani was killed, was bundled together, it would represent the fourth-largest producer in the world, behind the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Russia, Sankey pointed out. That means a notable share of the world's oil is under direct geopolitical pressure, Sankey said on "Squawk Alley." "It's just a reminder that we want to own U.S. oil and that's it basically," he said. Scott Nations, president and chief investment officer of NationsShares, struck a different chord than Sankey. Also appearing on "Squawk Alley," Nations said he did not believe the escalating tensions with Iran should cause major damage to the oil market. He cited Russia's desire to increase crude production, as well as Saudi Arabia's ability to increase output. "When it comes to a purely economic point of view, I don't think our interests have been substantially harmed. Geopolitically, we're going to have to see," he said. "But as far as crude oil prices and supply and what it's going to mean for consumers of crude oil, I don't think it's going to be a big geoeconomic issue for the United States."

Bob McNally and Kevin Book
A 2017 report of the discovery of a particular kind of Majorana fermion--the chiral Majorana fermion, referred to as the "angel particle"--is likely a false alarm, according to new research. Majorana fermions are enigmatic particles that act as their own antiparticle and were first hypothesized to exist in 1937. They are of immense interest to physicists because their unique properties could allow them to be used in the construction of a topological quantum computer.

A team of physicists at Penn State and the University of Wurzburg in Germany led by Cui-Zu Chang, an assistant professor of physics at Penn State studied over three dozen devices similar to the one used to produce the angel particle in the 2017 report. They found that the feature that was claimed to be the manifestation of the angel particle was unlikely to be induced by the existence of the angel particle. A paper describing the research appears on January 3, 2020 in the journal Science.

"When the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana predicted the possibility of a new fundamental particle which is its own antiparticle, little could he have envisioned the long-lasting implications of his imaginative idea," said Nitin Samarth, Downsbrough Department Head and professor of physics at Penn State. "Over 80 years after Majorana's prediction, physicists continue to actively search for signatures of the still elusive "Majorana fermion" in diverse corners of the universe."

In one such effort, particle physicists are using underground observatories that seek to prove whether the ghost-like particle known as the neutrino--a subatomic particle that rarely interacts with matter--might be a Majorana fermion. On a completely different front, condensed matter physicists are seeking to discover manifestations of Majorana physics in solid state devices that combine exotic quantum materials with superconductors. In such devices, electrons are theorized to dress themselves as Majorana fermions by stitching together a fabric constructed from core aspects of quantum mechanics, relativistic physics, and topology. This analogous version of Majorana fermions has particularly captured the attention of condensed matter physicists because it may provide a pathway for constructing a "topological quantum computer" whose qubits (quantum versions of binary 0s and 1s) are inherently protected from environmental decoherence--the loss of information that results when a quantum system is not perfectly isolated and a major hurdle in the development of quantum computers.

"An important first step toward this distant dream of creating a topological quantum computer is to demonstrate definitive experimental evidence for the existence of Majorana fermions in condensed matter," said Chang. "Over the past seven or so years, several experiments have claimed to show such evidence, but the interpretation of these experiments is still debated."

The team studied devices fashioned from a quantum material known as a "quantum anomalous Hall insulator" wherein the electrical current flows only at the edge. A recent study predicted that when the edge current is in clean contact with a superconductor, propagating chiral Majorana Fermions are created and the electrical conductance of the device should be "half-quantized" (a value of e2/2h where "e" is the electron charge and "h" is Planck constant), when subject to a precise magnetic field. The Penn State-Wurzburg team studied over three dozen devices with several different materials configurations and found that devices with a clean superconducting contact always show the half-quantized value regardless of magnetic field conditions. This occurs because the superconductor acts like an electrical short and is thus not indicative of the presence of the Majorana fermion.

"The fact that two laboratories--at Penn State and at Wurzburg--found completely consistent results using a wide variety of device configurations casts serious doubt on the validity of the theoretically proposed experimental geometry and questions the 2017 claim of observing the angel particle," said Moses Chan, Even Pugh Professor Emeritus of Physics at Penn State.

"I remain optimistic that the combination of quantum anomalous Hall insulators and superconductivity is an attractive scheme for realizing chiral Majoranas," said Morteza Kayyalha, a postdoctoral research associate at Penn State who carried out the device fabrication and measurements. "But our theorist colleagues need to rethink the device geometry."

"This is an excellent illustration of how science should work," said Samarth. "Extraordinary claims of discovery need to be carefully examined and reproduced. All of our postdocs and students worked really hard to make sure they carried out very rigorous tests of the past claims. We are also making sure that all of our data and methods are shared transparently with the community so that our results can be critically evaluated by interested colleagues."

###

In addition to Chang, Samarth, Chan, and Kayyalha, the research team includes Penn State faculty member Qi Li, and Wurzburg faculty members Laurens Molenkamp and Charles Gould. The project relied on materials synthesis carried out at Penn State's 2D Crystal Consortium user facility for synthesis of 2D quantum materials and was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Army Research Office, and the European Research Council.
As the tensions between the United States and Iran escalate on January 3 after American troops killed one of its top commanders Qassem Soleimani, Israel has put its army on high alert. According to international media reports, Soleimani's death along with al-Muhandis's are potential turning points in the region and are expected to draw retaliation from Iran and the forces it backs in the Middle East against Israel and US interests.

As confirmed by the White House and the Pentagon, the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed by US air raid at Baghdad's international airport on Friday, along with six others. To assert further, the US President posted a picture of the country's flag on his Twitter account. However, Iran called it malice and stupidity of American terrorist forces.

Read - Hassan Rouhani: Iran Will Take 'revenge' For Soleimani's Killing

Israel's military has been put on heightened alert amid fears fueled by threats by Iran which indicate 'severe revenge' against Soleimani's killing. Iran could strike against US allies through Hezbollah to the north, or through Palestinian group Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza. Israel's foreign ministry along with its defence officials have announced a high-security alert at country's oversea delegations. Israel's defence minister reportedly summoned the country's military and security chiefs to Tel Aviv in the response to the killing by American troops. In addendum to that, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly cut short his trip to Greece.

Read - Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei Vows 'severe Revenge' After US Kills Soleimani

Iran warns US of 'repercussions'

Citing a Revolutionary Guard statement, Iranian state television said Soleimani was 'martyred' in an attack by US helicopters near the airport, without elaborating. Soon after, the advisor to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the US must wait for 'repercussions' for crossing the 'red line.' The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, the officials said. On January 3, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani and threatened the US saying 'a harsh retaliation is waiting'. In strong condemnation, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called the act, orchestrated by Trump, as 'international terrorism' and 'foolish escalation.'

The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.



The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

Read - Iran FM: Killing Of Soleimani 'foolish Escalation'

Read - Iran Summons Swiss Embassy Official Over Soleimani's Killing By US
Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed severe revenge for the killing of Qasem Soleimani, calling him a martyr.

We congratulate Imam Mahdi (a.j.) & Soleimanis pure soul& condole the Iranian nation on this great martyrdom. He was an eminent example of a person trained in Islam. He spent all his life in struggling for God. Martyrdom was the reward for his tireless efforts over the years, Khamenei said on Twitter.

His efforts & path wont be stopped by his martyrdom, by Gods Power, rather a #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge, he said in his second tweet.

His efforts & path wont be stopped by his martyrdom, by Gods Power, rather a #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge. /3  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 3, 2020

Calling Soleimanis loss bitter, Khamenei further said that their Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation. The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals, he said on Twitter.

Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike at Baghdad International Airport on the orders of President Donald Trump, who appears to have acted with an eye on both an expected move in the US Senate to impeach him and his re-election bid later this year.

Reports emanating from Tehran indicate that the Iranian governments top leadership is already considering ways to retaliate to the killing of Soleimani, a general considered very close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Experts believe any retaliation could trigger a spiraling confrontation that could spread from Iraq and engulf the wider region.

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

Following Soleimanis death, Trump tweeted an image of the US flag without any further explanation.
- Okomfo Anokye's sword was implanted in the soil more than 400 years ago

- Muhammed Ali, when he was alive, attempted to remove the sword but could not

- A video of the sword was sighted by YEN.com.gh

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

In 1964, the late Muhammed Ali attempted to remove the Okomfo Anokye Sword whilst he was on a visit to Ghana but was unable to do so. The sword is at the site of the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Ghanaianmuseum.com reports that many topnotch people have visited the site of the sword but nobody has been successful at removing it for centuries.

Okomfo Anokye Sword, as it is commonly called, is a sword that was implanted in the soil more than 400 years ago.

READ ALSO: Young man proposes to dream lover at party organized by her 'sugar daddy'

History has it that the popular fetish priest pronounced that no one would be able to remove the sword when he pushed it into the ground.

This was in 1695 and until now, the Okomfo Anokye Sword is still in the ground.

The mysterious man who served as traditional priest in the Asante Empire and implanted the magical sword was born Kwame Frimpong Anokye.

READ ALSO: Meet Salifu Dagarti the man who took a bullet for Kwame Nkrumah at the Flagstaff House

He earned the title "Okomfo" when he became a traditional priest. It is believed that the Ashanti state, would collapse should the sword ever be pulled out of the ground.

Watch a video of the sword below:

Traditional priests have been in the news for various interesting reasons.

Just recently, YEN.com.gh reported that a lady identified on Facebook as Esi Akyen Ntiamoah has succeeded in scamming an expert scammer known as Naa Tia.

The smart lady Esi shared the story on her official Facebook handle, stating how it all started and how she was able to outsmart the expert.

According to Esi, Naa Tia was the one who started the conversation. She indicated that he mentioned to her he hailed from the Northern part of Ghana and has been helping many people to become financially successful.

Hurray! YEN.com.gh has won the Online News Portal of the Year award at NCA awards 2019. Click here to view the beautiful photos.

Have national and human interest issues to discuss?

Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
Jennifer Winget, who is currently seen in Beyhadh 2, spent her holidays at an undisclosed snowy destination. Sharing her pictures from the exotic destination, Jennifer wrote, The present changes the past. Looking back you do not find what you left behind. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow hasnt come yet. We have but only today. Let us begin. #2020. (Image: Instagram)
PM Modi said that 'Innovate, patent , produce and prosper,' are four steps that will lead the country towards faster development. (Photo Credit: Twitter)

Bengaluru:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the 107th Science Congress in Bengaluru, which is being attended by two Nobel laureates Nobel laureates Stefan Hell from Max Planck Institut Germany and Ada E Yonath, an expert in structural biology from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, will take part in the event. This is the third time Bengaluru is hosting the science congress after 2002 and 1987. Speaking at the event, PM Modi said that 'Innovate, patent , produce and prosper,' are four steps that will lead the country towards faster development.

Here Are The Highlights:

11:15 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Our successes in space exploration should now be mirrored in the new frontier of the deep sea. We need to explore, map and responsibly harness the vast oceanic resources of water, energy, food and minerals: PM Modi

11:13 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The economical strength of MSMEs is directly linked to you guys. They are a key part of the village economic eco-system. The country has decided to let go of single-use plastic for preserving our environment, our water eco-system and soil: PM Modi

11:11 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Technology is the strength of the Jal Jeevan Mission. It is your responsibility to develop cheap and effective technology for the recycling of water. Water governance is a new frontier for all of you: PM Modi

11:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In There is a need for revolution in technologies assisting agricultural practices...Can we find farmer-centric solutions to the problem of stalk burning for instance? Can we also redesign our brick kilns for reduced emissions and greater energy efficiency: PM Modi

11:07 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In I am also happy to learn that Indias ranking has improved in innovation Index to 52. Our schemes have created more technology business incubators in the last 5 years than in the previous 50 years. I congratulate our scientists for these accomplishments: PM Modi

11:06 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 'We are continuing our efforts in the ease of doing science,' says PM Modi at the 107th session of Indian Science Congress.

11:06 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In We have pledged against the use of single-use plastic to propel conservation and reduce waste: PM Modi

11:05 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Along with Plastic Waste, we also need new technology, new solutions to remove and reuse metal from Electronic Waste: PM Modi

11:05 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Yesterday, our Govt has created a record by transferring money directly to 6 crore farmers' bank accounts under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. This was made easier by Aadhar-enabled technology: PM Modi

11:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In If the world's largest schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to Ayushman Bharat are being praised globally, it is due to technology and our dedication towards good, effective governance: PM Modi

11:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In This time, the discussion is on science and technology's contribution in rural development. In the last five years, rural development has been felt by the common people of India: PM Modi

11:03 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In 'Innovate, patent , produce and prosper,' these are four steps that will lead the country towards faster development: PM at Science Congress.

11:03 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In When we start the year 2020 with positivity and optimism of science and technology driven development, then we take another step towards fulfilling our dream: PM Narendra Modi at Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru

11:02 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In With data science, the pace of projects have accelerated: PM Modi

10:59 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The growth story on India depends on success in the science and technology sector: PM Modi at 107th Session of Indian Science Congress.

10:59 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Last time I had to come to Bengaluru when the eyes of the nation were sat on Chandrayan. Bengaluru, the city of gardens, is now the city of startups.

10:59 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In I wish u all Happy 2020. may this year be marked by prosperity .. I am particularly happy, one of the first programs in the year, it belongs to science technology.

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The conflict-ridden All India Chess Federation (AICF) has called for a special general body meeting on February 9 in Ahmedabad to elect new office-bearers.

AICF Secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan has called for the meeting.

According to the notice, retired Supreme Court judge Justice Arijit Pasayat will be the Returning Officer for the elections.

The polls will be held to elect the president, six vice presidents, one honorary secretary, six joint secretaries and one treasurer.

"1. Elections to the office-bearers for the term 2020-2023 for the following posts. One President, Six Vice-Presidents, One Hon Secretary, Six Joint Secretaries and One Treasurer, 2. To pass appropriate resolutions after the new office-bearers are elected, 3. Any other matter with the permission of the Chair," the notice read.

The notice said 13 state associations -- Bihar, Meghalaya, Gujarat, Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Nagaland, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Assam -- had called for the meeting with an agenda to hold the elections.

The February 9 general body meeting comes after the three meetings held in December (on 14, 22 and 28) last year.

At the meeting on December 28 in Bhopal, the AICF decided to conduct the special general body meeting on February 9 during which the elections would be held.

The faction led by the AICF President P R Venketrama Raja had met in Chennai last month during which it was decided to hold the elections on February 10 in the city.

Chauhan told PTI that the notice was given as per the decision taken at the December 28 general body meeting.

Chauhan and the Federation President Venketrama Raja have been at loggerheads over various issues.

Chauhan said there was no hurdle in holding the general body meet in Ahmedabad even though the AICF is headquartered in Chennai.

Meanwhile, AICF Treasurer Kishore M Bandekar, who belongs to the Venketrama Raja faction, said general body meets of the Federation are held in the city where it is headquartered.

He also accused Chauhan of calling for meeting as and when he wanted and said the February 9 meeting called by him was not valid.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Christians and Muslims in Goa are in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and have demonstrated that they have not fallen prey to the oppositions misleading campaigns, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday.

Addressing a rally organised by the ruling BJP government to drum up support for the Citizenship Amendment Act, the chief minister said the gathering of people from across the socio-cultural spectrum was enough indication of the support the newly amended law had in the state.

Minorities and Christians are being misled that the Citizenship Amendment Act is targeting them. [But] You have shown with this rally that Hindus, Muslims and Christians support the CAA, Sawant said.

He said the Goa residents had nothing to fear from the act which was being used by the opposition to spread fear.

They are frightening people by claiming the Portuguese passport holders will be evicted. The Citizenship Amendment Act is [only] linked to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, for the others there is no change in the process and the existing mechanisms will continue, Sawant said.

He said there was also an attempt to create confusion on the issues of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR).

On the issue of NRC, NPR, some people are trying to create confusion. Stop scaring minorities! Sawant said, adding, that Goa was the only state where uniform civil code had been implemented without any hitches. We should be proud of it, he said.

The rally was headlined by BJPs working president Jagat Prakash Nadda, who challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to speak ten lines on the CAA.

I challenge Rahul Gandhi to speak ten lines on the CAA and spell out his opposition in two lines, Nadda told the pro CAA rally in the state capital, Panaji.

Nadda said it was a shame that parties with long histories did not know the legislation well.

I feel pity for the Congress party today. I pity their thought and knowledge. Congress, NCP, which have such a long history, this is what their leaders have been reduced to that they do not know what CAA is! Nadda said.
By Trend

Azerbaijans achievement on changing the energy map of Europe could only be?ome possible as a result of implementation of a well-balanced and far-sighted oil and gas transportation strategy, Doctor of Economics Sciences, Professor Fikret Yusifov told Trend.

The founder of this strategy was the great leader Heydar Aliyev, in 1994. At a time when the socio-political situation was unstable, there were coup attempts; it was thanks to the political will and determination of the great leader, the Contract of the Century with multibillion investments was signed with large international oil companies. Along with the fact that this contract was the foundation for the prospective successful energy and transport policy of Azerbaijan, it also became the starting point for all further economic and political success of the country, Yusifov said.

After that, the signing of another 26 agreements with oil companies from 19 countries necessitated the construction of a pipeline through which it will be possible to bring the extracted oil to the world market. So, the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline started to operate in 1999. In 2006, transportation of Azerbaijani oil began from the Turkish port of Ceyhan, Yusifov said.

Azerbaijan also has large reserves of natural gas. The supply of this gas to the markets of neighboring countries, and from there to EU countries, meant the successful continuation of the strategy in the 21st century, the foundation of which was laid in 1994 by the Contract of the Century," the professor said.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, which started to operate in 2007, allowed exporting of gas extracted from Shahdeniz to Georgia, Turkey, and Greece. The Southern Gas Corridor project, which originates from the Shahdeniz 2 field, will contribute on solving the problem of ensuring the energy security of the EU, Yusifov said.

Along with the fact that Azerbaijan has become a key country in providing the energy security of Europe, large transport corridors between East and West, North and South also pass through the country. The opening on December 30, 2017 of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which connected the Trans-European and Trans-Asian railway networks, means the restoration of the historic Silk Road. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway almost three times reduces the time of transportation of goods from China to EU compared to transshipment, the professor said.

Yusifov added that Azerbaijans initiatives to create a North-South transport corridor turned the country into a major transport and logistics center at the junction of EU and Asia.

"This corridor will connect India, Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Northern Europe. Azerbaijan is the only country that has land borders with both Russia and Iran, and such a geographical location plays a key role in the development of trilateral regional development," he said.

"Implementation of all these projects will bring enough economic and political dividends to Azerbaijan. Currently, the influence and authority of Azerbaijan in the region is so high that the implementation of any major project in the region without its participation and consent is just impossible. The large energy and transport projects implemented by Azerbaijan give the country a chance to re-create the energy and transport map of EU, Yusifov said.
Producer of superstar Rajinikanth starrer 'Darbar' on Friday opposed in the Madras High Court a Malaysian distributor's plea for stalling the release of the Tamil film and described as 'false' the claim it owed over Rs 23 crore to the foreign firm.

When the civil suit filed by DMY Creations SDN BHD came up for hearing before Justice G Jayachandran, Lyca Productions Private Limited submitted the plea has been moved only with a view to harassing it ahead of the release of the high stakes movie, set for January 9.

Counsel for the company described as 'false' and 'baseless' the claim of DMY Creations that it (Lyca) owed Rs 23.70 crore in connection with distribution of various Tamil films produced by the latter including "2.0", "Kaala" and Vadachennai in Malaysia in the past.

After conclusion of the arguments, the Judge reserved orders on the suit.

DMY Creations claimed Lyca had promised to clear the 'dues' of Rs 23.70 crore before the release of their latest production Darbar and also to give first preference to them for the film.

But it was learnt that Lyca had been negotiating with some others to give territorial rights in Malaysian region.

If the court does not protect the firm with an interim order restraining Lyca from releasing Darbar before settling the dues, the chances of recovery will become very slim, DMY Creations said.

The petitioner sought attachment of the positive and negatives of the movie Darbar and all other materials which aid transmission of the film pending disposal of the suit.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi:

Iran's supreme leader appointed Esmail Qaani as the new head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm after its commander was killed Friday in a US strike on Baghdad airport. "Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Iran warned of "severe revenge" and said arch-enemy the United States bore responsibility for the consequences after killing Soleimani. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the commander of its Quds Force foreign operations arm had been killed by US forces in Baghdad, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denouncing it as a "dangerous escalation".

"The Revolutionary Guards announces that the glorious commander of Islam, haj Qasem Soleimani, following a life of servitude, was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning," said a Guards statement read out on state television. The channel said the attack was carried out by US helicopters.

"Two vehicles were attacked with missiles by US forces" and all 10 passengers, including Soleimani, were "martyred", Iran's ambassador to Iraq, Iraj Masjedi, told state television.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of "severe revenge" for "the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood", and vowed that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped". He also declared three days of mourning.

"We are taking the necessary measures to transfer the bodies of these martyrs to the Islamic Republic of Iran which will be done as soon as possible," said Masjedi.

State television interrupted its regular programming to detail Soleimani's achievements in the region, recalling the many times he had "foiled" US plans. A black ribbon was displayed on the screen and a photo montage was shown with images of Soleimani smiling and praying.

Soleimani was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies. President Hassan Rouhani said Iran and the "free nations of the region" would take revenge on the US for "this gruesome crime".

His death had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations" to stand against the US, Rouhani said. The Islamic republic's top security body called an emergency meeting over the killing.

The foreign ministry summoned an official from the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which represents US interests in Iran, to "strongly protest" the killing, according to ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi. The Guards said they and the "resistance front" would "start a new chapter as of today".

"Certainly, the fleeting rejoicing of Americans and Zionists will turn into mourning before too long," Guards spokesman Ramezan Sharif told state television.

"We were saddened to hear the news... but our determination has increased to take revenge on the murderous America and oppressor Zionists and this will certainly happen." After the interview, Sharif broke down in tears and he and the reporter embraced. Zarif tweeted that "the US act of international terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani... is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation".

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he added.

His ministry said the US would pay for the "atrocity". "The malice and stupidity of America's terrorist forces in assassinating General Soleimani, this hero martyr and the leader of combatting terrorism and extremism, will certainly further empower the tree of resistance in the region and the world," it said.

Zarif and his top aides held an urgent meeting in the morning to assess the situation, ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted. A former Guards chief said revenge would be exacted on the United States. "Soleimani joined his martyr brothers but we will exact terrible vengeance upon America," tweeted Mohsen Rezai, who currently heads the Expediency Council, a top state body.

Tehran-based analyst Mohammad Marandi said the US has "declared war" against Iran and Iraq, and "it's best for Westerners to evacuate countries like UAE and Iraq immediately". "It is best for all American citizens to leave the region immediately. US occupiers will be forced to leave Iraq," he said.

(With AFP inputs)

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DUBLIN, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Boron Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The boron market is expected to reach $1.7 billion by 2024 with a CAGR of 3.4% from 2019 to 2024. Eti Maden, Rio Tinto, American Borate, Boron Specialist, Gremont Chemicals, and Searles Valley Minerals are some of the major boron manufacturers.



The future of the boron market looks promising with opportunities in the building and construction, electrical and electronics, pharmaceutical, consumer, and agriculture industries. The major drivers for this market are increasing demand for glass and ceramics in the building and construction industry, growth in the pharmaceutical packaging market, and the growing consumption of micronutrient fertilizers.



Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the boron industry, include use of boron for nuclear applications and lubrication additives.



The study includes the boron market size and forecast for the boron market through 2024, segmented by application, sources, end use and the region.



The analyst forecasts that glass will remain the largest segment and it is also expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period. Stringent government regulation towards energy efficiency and carbon emission is driving the demand for glass wool and E-glass (fiberglass) in various end use industries.



Within the boron market, building and construction will remain the largest market by value and volume due to increasing demand for glass wool insulation and ceramic tile in residential and commercial buildings. Pharmaceutical is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period due to the growing preference for borosilicate glass in the pharmaceutical packaging industry.



APAC will remain the largest region and it is also expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period due to growth in building and construction activities and increasing healthcare expenditure.



Some of the features of the report include:

Market size estimates: Boron market size estimation in terms of value ($M) and volume (Kilotons) shipment.

Boron market size estimation in terms of value ($M) and volume (Kilotons) shipment. Trend and forecast analysis: Market trend (2013-2018) and forecast (2019-2024) by application, sources and end use industry.

Market trend (2013-2018) and forecast (2019-2024) by application, sources and end use industry. Segmentation analysis: Boron market size by wheel chair type and end use industry in terms of value shipment.

Boron market size by wheel chair type and end use industry in terms of value shipment. Regional analysis: Boron market breakdown by key regions such as North America , Europe , and Asia & Rest of World.

Boron market breakdown by key regions such as , , and & Rest of World. Growth opportunities: Analysis on growth opportunities in different applications and regions of boron in the Boron market.

Analysis on growth opportunities in different applications and regions of boron in the Boron market. Strategic analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of boron in the boron market.

This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of boron in the boron market. Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter's Five Forces model.

Key Topics Covered



1. Executive Summary



2. Market Background and Classifications

2.1: Introduction, Background, and Classification

2.2: Supply Chain

2.3: Industry Drivers and Challenges



3. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis from 2013 to 2024

3.1: Macroeconomic Trends and Forecast

3.2: Boron Market Trends and Forecast

3.3: Boron Market by Source

3.3.1: Mining Source

3.3.2: Salt Lake Source and Others

3.4: Boron Market by Application

3.4.1: Glass

3.4.1.1: Borosilicate Glass

3.4.1.2: Fiberglass

3.4.1.3: Glass Wool

3.4.2:Ceramics

3.4.3: Fertilizer

3.4.4: Detergent

3.4.5: Others



4. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis by Region

4.1: Boron Market by Region

4.2: North American Boron Market

4.3: European Boron Market

4.4: APAC Boron Market

4.5: ROW Boron Market



5. Competitor Analysis

5.1: Product Portfolio Analysis

5.2: Market Share Analysis

5.3: Geographical Reach

5.4: Porter's Five Forces Analysis



6. Growth Opportunities and Strategic Analysis

6.1: Growth Opportunity Analysis

6.1.1: Growth Opportunities for the Boron Market by Application

6.1.2: Growth Opportunities for the Boron Market by End Use Industry

6.1.3: Growth Opportunities for the Boron Market by Region

6.2: Emerging Trends of the Boron Market

6.3: Strategic Analysis

6.3.1: New Product Development

6.3.2: Certification and Licensing



7. Company Profiles of Leading Players

7.1: Eti Maden

7.2: Rio Tinto

7.3: Rose Mill Co.

7.4: Searles Valley Minerals

7.5: Minera Santa Rita

7.6: Borax Argentina

7.7: QUIBORAX

7.8: Russian Bor



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iwwgc4

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]



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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday met the family of firefighter Amit Balyan who died during a rescue operation following a building collapse in Peeragarhi in northwest Delhi.

The chief minister said his government would provide a job to a family member of the deceased fireman.

On Thursday, Kejriwal had announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore to Balyan's family.

"Amit Balyan sacrificed his life saving lives...We see the courage of our firefighters to save the lives of people when there is a fire incident in the city," Kejriwal told reporters.

A fire-fighting operation in Peeragarhi turned deadly on Thursday after a portion of the building that housed a manufacturing unit of inverter batteries collapsed, killing 28-year-old Balyan and injuring his 14 colleagues.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Christian celebrities, faith leaders share reflections, encouraging messages for 2020

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Hollywood celebrities, popular pastors and faith leaders shared their reflections and messages of encouragement for the new year as they said goodbye to 2019.

The following list includes messages of goodwill and advice from seven Christian celebrities and faith leaders as they welcomed 2020.

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EDWARDSVILLE  Concerns over a third DUI charge for former U.S. Attorney Stephen Wigginton led to some heated discussion at the Madison County Boards Judiciary Committee meeting Friday.

Officials with the Madison County Circuit Clerks Office said they would be closely following the case and have put new practices into place to avoid errors like the one that allowed Wigginton to get his drivers license back after his January 2019 arrest for DUI, his second in as many years.

This comes as Wigginton received another DUI charge on Dec. 26. He pleaded guilty to a 2017 DUI in Troy, and his second case is still pending.

Madison County Circuit Clerk Mark Von Nida immediately addressed the issue when asked to update the committee on the offices issues. Traditionally each department head under the committees jurisdiction will speak or submit a report at the meeting.

The man seems to be spiraling into a dark place, he said, adding it would not end well.

He also noted that the clerical error that allowed Wigginton to keep his license has been fixed but became defensive later in the meeting.

Wigginton, who gave an address in the 8100 block of Lancashire, Edwardsville, was charged Dec. 26 with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident after an incident at Illinois State Route 157 and Club Centre Court in Edwardsville.

According to police reports, at about 5:30 p.m. Wigginton was driving a gray 2019 Jeep when he struck another vehicle.

According to a report filed by the arresting officer, Wigginton admitted to being involved in a motor vehicle crash. The officer also noted a strong alcoholic smell and Wigginton failed a field sobriety test.

The document also stated that Wigginton refused to submit to a breathalyzer test at the scene, but later tests showed a blood alcohol level of .23, almost three times the legal limit.

Because he refused to submit to the full testing, Wigginton was forced to surrender his license, and faces a minimum 12-month suspension of his driving privileges.

According to court documents he is set to appear in court at 1 p.m., Feb. 5.

Wiggintons first DUI arrest was in May 2017 in Troy.

In July 2017 he pleaded guilty to DUI and was fined $1,500 and placed on court supervision. The other charges were dropped.

Wigginton served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois from August 2010 to December 2015.

Because he had been a part-time assistant states attorney for Madison County, a special prosecutor had been appointed for his two previous DUIs. Madison County States Attorney Tom Gibbons said the newest case also will be handled by a special prosecutor.

Wigginton also was named as having committed misconduct while in office after an investigation by the U.S. Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General (OIG), for having an affair with a subordinate.

The Justice Department originally made the announcement in May 2017, but did not name the U.S. attorney.

At the time it noted that the U.S. attorney had retired from federal service following the start of the OIGs investigation.

Wigginton was eventually named after BuzzFeed News went to court and a federal judge found that the publics interest in bad behavior by top government officials outweighed their right to privacy, according to a story later published by BuzzFeed.

In May 2019 U.S. District Judge Vernon S. Broderick approved an order forcing the Justice Department to name the attorney, Wigginton, but allowed the other persons name to be withheld.

Several issues related to Wiggintons DUI cases were discussed Friday.

At one point Committee Chairman Mike Walters, R-Godfrey, asked why Wigginton was not charged with a felony after his second arrest.

Gibbons, who had noted his office has nothing to do with the case, said there are several factors relating to felony charges on a second DUI case, but it was noted by others in the room that a conviction on his second DUI would probably mean the third case would be upgraded to felony level.

One person not commenting on the issue was Chief Circuit Judge William Mudge, who noted when his turn came to speak that he could not comment on any pending case and had considered leaving the room when Wiggintons recent case came up.

Von Nida became defensive after board member Phil Chapman, R-Highland, made several comments, referring to Wiggintons vehicle as a two- or three-ton missile hurtling down the highway.

For Gods sake, I stood there and let you berate me for two hours, Von Nida said, referring to criticism after the Circuit Clerks Offices mistake became public. I took responsibility for the mistake.

Later, board member Chrissy Dutton, R-Bethalto, who had been critical about the situation, told Von Nida, You were elected to take responsibility.

Board member Ray Wesley, R-Godfrey, who was not a member of the committee, but attended Fridays meeting, asked if an outside audit of the Circuit Clerks Office that board member David Michael, R-Highland, asked for had been performed.

Von Nida said that the Bond County Circuit Clerk reviewed the offices protocols, and determined it was an isolated incident.

Wesley said that the Bond County review did not meet the standard of an outside audit, and Von Nida responded by bringing up forensic audits performed on various issues by former Madison County Republican Party Chairman Jeremy Plank.

Wesley told Von Nida he was out of order, then board member Mike Parkinson, D-Granite City, objected and also was called out of order, with Wesley shutting down discussion on the topic.

Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447.
The number of people unaccounted for in the Victorian bushfires has risen to 28, Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed.

Speaking to media on Friday morning, Mr Andrews said he was very concerned for their wellbeing.

He also confirmed two people had lost their lives in the East Gippsland fires.

We have grave fears for the safety and wellbeing of those 28 people who cannot be located, Mr Andrews told reporters.

Having said that though, these numbers will move around.

Earlier it was reported 17 people were missing in the fires, however Mr Andrews said some of those originally not accounted for have since been located.

Almost 30 people are missing in bushfires in Victoria. Source: AAP

Theres been some other people who weve not even been able to necessarily determine as being missing who have never made it onto a list, but have become known to family and friends only very recently, after a period of absence.

Thats the nature of a very dynamic fire ground.

But I can confirm today, as of 9.30am, there are 28 people that we cannot locate, and we are very concerned about their wellbeing.

A state of disaster has been declared in Victoria, with people in the state's worst-hit bushfire regions told to leave as conditions worsen and a second man dies in the blazes.

Mr Andrews said the situation in Mallacoota, where thousands are stranded on a beach, would continue to develop today.

More than 800,000 hectares of bushland has been burnt in the area of East Gippsland. Source: AAP

The military was called in to offer about 4000 victims relief and resources on Thursday.

Mr Andrews told reporters while it was a massive logistical task, the situation was developing as well as it could.

Were going to have more and more people out of Mallacoota today, he said.

You must leave

These state of disaster powers declared in East Gippsland have never been used before and allow authorities to compel people to leave but police won't be arresting those who won't.

"We're not going to be dragging people down the street, forcing them to leave," Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said.

An evacuation order is in place for northeastern communities including Biggara, Tintaldra, Towong, Towong Upper, Walwa, Nariel Valley, Lucyvale, Berringama, Koetong, Shelley and Burrowye.

Story continues

Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and the Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts are also covered by the order.

"If you can leave, you must leave. That's the only safe thing for you, your family and, indeed, for others who may be called to your assistance," the premier said.

Two people have been confirmed dead in fires in East Gippsland. Source: AAP

"We cannot guarantee your safety."

More than 780,000 hectares have been razed by about 50 fires burning in the state's east and northeast.

Temperatures are expected to creep up across the state on Friday before topping 40C in some areas on Saturday amid high winds.

"There are unprecedented times," Mr Andrews said.

"This is a fire season of firsts."

With AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
The JNU administration on Friday alleged that some students wearing masks forcibly switched off the power supply to make the 'servers dysfunction' and hamper the semester exam registration process.

New Delhi: The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration on Friday alleged that some students wearing masks forcibly switched off the power supply to make the "servers dysfunction" and hamper the semester exam registration process.

The administration warned that it will take strict action against the students.

The students, who have shut down the entire university for over two months in protest against the hike in hostel fees, have called for a boycott of the exam registration process.

The JNU administration said that the agitating students "have crossed all boundaries of decency and discipline and appear determined to cause as much damage to the academic interests of their fellow students as possible".

"At around 1 pm on 3 January, a group of students using masks on their faces forcibly entered the office of centre for information system, switched off the power supply, forcibly evicted all the technical staff and made the servers dysfunctional," the varsity said.

The registration process was hampered, Registrar Pramod Kumar said.

"These agitating students always swear on democracy, civil rights and the right to protest, but their real action reflects a tendency to damage and disrupt," he said, adding that strict disciplinary action will be taken in the matter.

The semester registration process started on 1 January and will end on 5 January.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Taking cognizance of media reports about the death of more than 100 children at a government-run hospital in Kota district of Rajasthan in December last year, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) India has issued notice to the state government, a Home Ministry statement said on Friday.

The notice, issued to the Rajashan Chief Secretary, has asked the state government to submit a detailed report within four weeks in the matter, including the steps being taken to address the issue.

In the notice, the NHRC has also directed the Rajasthan government to ensure that such deaths of children do not recur in future due to "lack of infrastructure and health facilities" in hospitals.

The statement noted that ten out of a hundred children died within 48 hours between December 23 and 24, 2019.

Reportedly, the statement said, over 50 per cent of the gadgets installed in the hospital are defunct and the hospital is lacking cleanliness and basic infrastructure, including oxygen supply, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's Quds Force killed in a US airstrike early Friday, was a celebrity at home, and considered a threat by the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

As the head of the Quds Force, Soleimani was in charge of Iran's proxy forces abroad, commanding fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad, and fighting American troops in Iraq.

He was a figure of national resilience for Iran and its most recognisable battlefield commander. State television has heaped praise since his death was announced.

And yet, Soleimani was relatively unknown until the US invaded Iraq in 2003.

His notoriety rose during the Syrian civil war, as he went several times to support Assad, and lead attacks against the Islamic State armed group and others opposing Assad's rule.

As he became a US target, his popularity grew at home. He ignored calls to enter politics, but became as powerful as the country's civilian leadership.

Soleimani's growing authority in Iran became apparent last year, when supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei awarded him the Order of Zolfiqar, the country's highest military honour, and the first time any commander had received the medal since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979.

Rise to power

Born 11 March 1957, Soleimani was born into an agricultural family in Rabor, southeast Iran. Little is known about his childhood, though by the time he was 13, Soleimani was working in construction in the town of Kerman.

In 1979, when the Islamic Revolution pushed the Shah from power, Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guards, and was deployed to put down Kurdish unrest in the northwest of the country.

During the Iran-Iraq war from 1980-1988, he commanded units, and rose rapidly through the ranks of the Revolutionary Guards. He became the head of the Quds Force in 1998, and he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Assad's government and Shia Muslim militia groups in Iraq.

The US and the United Nations put Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though he continued to travel.

In 2019 the US designated the Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist organisation in 2019, part of a pressure campaign to force Iran to negotiate on its ballistic missile program and nuclear policy.

Soleimani replied that any negotiation with the US would be "complete surrender."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 03:35:07|Editor: Liu

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United States will deploy some 3,500 more troops to the Middle East as early as this weekend following a U.S. strike killing a top Iranian commander, local media reported on Friday, citing U.S. officials.

The additional troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and other parts of the region, reported NBC News citing multiple U.S. defense and military officials.

Some of the troops could be deployed as early as this weekend to Kuwait, reported The Wall Street Journal in a story on Friday.

The latest move by the Pentagon came hours after the United States killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in an air strike near Baghdad International Airport.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday that those who assassinated Soleimani should wait for Iran's severe response, the Iranian state TV reported.
EL TUKUKO, Venezuela  The Rev. Nelson Sandovals repeated clashes with Socialist officials, Marxist rebels and tribal chiefs have earned him both loyal followers and bitter enemies in a remote and neglected Indigenous village in the rainforest of western Venezuela.

To some of the communitys 3,500 residents, he is the Devil. His supporters know him as their second father.

For the last 15 years, Father Sandoval has been working to bring education and health care to the village, El Tukuko.

His allies say this has made him the main lifeline keeping El Tukuko afloat amid Venezuelas unprecedented economic crisis, underlining how the fortunes of entire communities can hinge on single individuals in a disintegrating country.
In this still image taken from video, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is confronted by angry residents as he visited a wildfire-ravaged Cobargo, New South Wales, on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. (Photo: AP)

Perth: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was confronted by angry residents who cursed and insulted him Thursday as he visited a wildfire-ravaged corner of the country.

Locals in Cobargo, in New South Wales, yelled at him, made obscene gestures and called him an "idiot" and worse, criticizing him for the lack of equipment to deal with the fires in town. They jeered as his motorcade drove off. In the New South Wales town of Quaama, a firefighter refused to shake hands with him.

"Every single time this area has a flood or a fire, we get nothing. If we were Sydney, if we were north coast, we would be flooded with donations with urgent emergency relief," a resident said in Cobargo.

The outpouring of anger came as authorities said 381 homes had been destroyed on the New South Wales southern coast this week. At least eight people have died this week in New South Wales and the neighbouring state of Victoria.

More than 200 fires are burning in Australia's two most-populous states. Blazes have also been burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

"I'm not surprised people are feeling very raw at the moment. And that's why I came today, to be here, to see it for myself, to offer what comfort I could," Morrison said, adding, "There is still, you know, some very dangerous days ahead. And we understand that, and that's why we're going to do everything we can to ensure they have every support they will need."

Morrison, who has also been criticised over his climate change policies and accused of putting the economy ahead of the environment, insisted that Australia is "meeting the challenge better than most countries" and "exceeding the targets we set out."

Cooler weather since Tuesday has aided firefighting and allowed people to replenish supplies, with long lines of cars forming at gas stations and supermarkets. But high temperatures and strong winds are forecast to return on Saturday, and thousands of tourists fled the country's eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions.

New South Wales authorities ordered tourists to leave a 250-km zone. State Transport Minister Andrew Constance called it the "largest mass relocation of people out of the region that we've ever seen".

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a seven-day state of emergency starting Friday, which grants fire officials more authority. It's the third state of emergency for New South Wales in the past two months.

"We don't take these decisions lightly, but we also want to make sure we're taking every single precaution to be prepared for what could be a horrible day on Saturday," Berejiklian said.

The early and devastating start to Australia's summer wildfires has led authorities to rate this season the worst on record. About 12.35 million acres of land have burned, at least 17 people have been killed, and more than 1,400 homes have been destroyed.

The crisis "will continue to go on until we can get some decent rain that can deal with some of the fires that have been burning for many, many months," the prime minister said.

In Victoria, where 83 homes have burned this week, the military helped thousands of people who fled to the shoreline as a wildfire threatened their homes in the coastal town of Mallacoota. Food, water, fuel and medical expertise were being delivered, and about 500 people were going to be evacuated from the town by a naval ship.

"We think around 3,000 tourists and 1,000 locals are there. Not all of those will want to leave, not all can get on the vessel at one time," Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Smoke from the wildfires made the air quality in the capital, Canberra, the worst in the world, according to a ranking Thursday.
Victoria Tin-bor Hui, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, will examine Hong Kong and China in Hong Kongs Last Stand?, a World Affairs Forum event at Stamfords Ferguson Library on Sunday, Jan. 12.

Huis research examines the centrality of war in the formation and transformation of China in history. She focuses on comparative history of Asia and Europe, state formation and state-society relations, contentious politics and resistance movements, transformation of world politics, political culture, Asian and Confucian values and Chinese politics. As a native of Hong Kong, Hui also analyzes Hong Kong politics. She maintains The Umbrella Movement and Beyond, a blog covering the movement.
Undoubtedly, Ghana is one of the most exciting places to be. For as long as you are looking for a place that assures you of not only a rich culture but also amazing places, Ghana should be your destination. Do you know the right places for you to visit? How about having a few beautiful Ghana Africa pictures at hand?

Image: instagram.com, @thisisaccra

Source: Instagram

With the right Ghana Africa pictures, you will undoubtedly, be in a better position to make credible decisions in the long run. We take a look at some of the top and beautiful pictures of Africa that will make you fall in love with Ghana, and instantly so.

Which city is the most beautiful in West Africa?

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

West Africa like many other parts of Africa and the world has few aspects that defines it. Among them is the beautiful cities found in the region. The capital city of Ghana, Accra happens to be on top of the list. Apart from its world class infrastructure and shopping centers, the city has the best recreational facilities.

Does Ghana have beautiful beaches?

The country has several beaches stretching from as far as Aflao to Cape Three Points in the region. Over time, some of them have been attracting both local and international tourists who stream in during the holiday season.

30 amazing pictures of Ghana

The following places in Ghana are the most iconic you would love to visit. Well, have a look at Ghana's beautiful pictures drawn from different cities, beaches, temples, museums, and national parks:

Accra, Ghana pictures

Accra is a beautiful city that will often be a prime tourist destination. We have various images that showcase how awesome the city is. Besides, they tend to highlight a sense of class and elegance. Noting the uniqueness of this city through these images will help in knowing where you should be next time.

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

Are there any photos that show the culture of Ghana? Nothing can highlight the heritage of the country better than this image. Even though it was taken in the center of the city, it portrays show green it is out there. This way, you will appreciate how much the town prides itself on environmental care as well as an appreciation for culture.

Image: instagram.com, @thisisaccra

Source: Instagram

Undoubtedly, this picturesque building will attract you. It is not only beautiful but also worth lauding. Its architecture portrays the essence of being as detailed as possible.

Image: instagram.com, @thisisaccra

Source: Instagram

You would not want to get out of the city without seeing how beautiful connecting roads tend to be. Dont you love the beauty of this roundabout?

Bojo beach

Image: instagram.com, @bojobeachresortofficial

Source: Instagram

Your visit to the country will be incomplete if you do not take the time to visit some of its incredible beaches.

Image: instagram.com, @bojobeachresortofficial

Source: Instagram

One of the most exciting places you should consider going to will always be the Bojo beach.

READ ALSO: Schools in Ghana: Best in 2020

Anomabo Beach Resort

This beach is famous for not only being beautiful but also the cleanest across the country. It is an ideal place for you to visit if you indeed want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Here are a few images that will give you an insight into what to expect in the long run.

Busua Beach Resort

Image: instagram.com, @smashley54

Source: Instagram

Busua Beach is a perfect escape for those who want a place that connects them to two countries. This beach separates it with Ivory Coast. It boasts of various sandy beaches as well as many hotels for your conference meetings. This way, you will have access to beautiful places to spend your time while attending to critical business.

Best for family and business trips. Simply, it has everything one could need to make a vacation enjoyable.

Image: instagram.com, @boardsforghana

Source: Instagram

Undoubtedly, you will hardly resist the beauty that comes with the sunset as well as sunrise on this beach.

Kokrobite Beach

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

This one is another beautiful destination for a vacation. Unlike others, this on is located outside the capital city, Accra.

Image: instagram.com, @toucheffects

Source: Instagram

Kakum National Park

Image: instagram.com, @2stepsafrica

Source: Instagram

One of the places that highlight the beauty of the country will always be Kakum National Park. It comprises of the moist forest.

Image: instagram.com, @ghanaian images

Source: Instagram

This park is one of the Ghanaian images you would not want to miss.

Mole National Park

Image: instagram.com, @molenationalpark

Source: Instagram

You could also consider photos of animals in various national parks. You should note that Mole National Park is one of the top places for you to visit and see many animal species. It is found in the northwest part of the country. Undoubtedly, you will enjoy various photos, including the following.

Image: instagram.com, @molenationalpark

Source: Instagram

There can never be a better place for you to get quality photos across the country. You will witness that lakes such as Lake Volta will assure you of some of the best experiences. Here are a few pictures of lakes across the country.

The Independence Square

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

It will be unfair not to mention the independence square as one of the centerpieces among West Africa pictures. This picture is among the Ghana images that highlight the struggle to independence. It is not only historical but also a symbol of national unity. You will marvel at these photographs.

Image: instagram.com, @newyorkbah

Source: Instagram

READ ALSO: Multinational companies in Ghana 2020: list

It is also referred to as the Black Star Square.

Image: instagram.com, @just_africa

Source: Instagram

Ghana Temple

Image: instagram.com, @church_of_jesus_christ_quotes

Source: Instagram

The Temple is a place that highlights so much beauty. This temple was built in 2004 by the latter-day saints.

Image: instagram.com, @ghana africa pictures

Source: Instagram

It is essential in serving members across various nations, including Ivory Coast, Benin, Liberia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone.

St. Georges Castle

Image: instagram.com, @kojobaffoe

Source: Instagram

One of the most striking activities you will always want to consider is fishing. There can never be a better place for you to enjoy serenity and fishing similarly than at St. Georges Castle.

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

Whereas it is often associated with the dark history of slavery, it is one place you should not miss visiting. Feel free to explore this picturesque castle in Elmina.

Paga Crocodile Pond

Image: instagram.com, @phfedinapala

Source: Instagram

Are you a fan of water animals? If you are an enthusiast of crocodiles, there can never be a better destination for you. This sanctuary allows you to get not only close but also personal with these crocodiles.

Image: instagram.com, @louisecowlishaw

Source: Instagram

Considering the value the shelter attaches to crocodiles, no one is allowed to hurt them. You will marvel at what you will get here.

READ ALSO: International banks in Ghana: list (2020)

Artists Alliance Gallery

Image: instagram.com, @just_africa

Source: Instagram

Fine and contemporary art collections will often be a favorite for many people.

Image: instagram.com, @artistsalliancegallery

Source: Instagram

This gallery is home to various arts that you will easily fall in love with, in the long run. Here are a few pics for you to check out.

Image: instagram.com, @artistsalliancegallery

Source: Instagram

Jamestown

Image: flickr.com, @bilwander

Source: UGC

If you are looking forward to invaluable insights into the legacy the Portuguese and British left behind, Jamestown should be your priority. You will appreciate the liveliness as well as how close-knit the community here is.

Cape Coast

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

Cape Coast is one of the most culturally significant destinations in Africa. Whatever you see here will easily move you, and deeply so. You will also appreciate the sight of colonial buildings here.

Image: instagram.com, @1nomadicdreamer

Source: Instagram

Whichever way you look at it, the country is an epitome of beauty. Various pivs of Accra will show you how a great place this country is. Here is another picture for you to consider.

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

No doubt, this is place is the best for touring with family and friends.

Dixcove

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

It is a small village located few kilometers to the west of Sekondi-Takoradi. The place has a beautiful view filled with palm trees.

Pictures will always speak thousands of words, and Ghana Africa pictures are no exception. Looking at these Ghana pictures tells you many stories about the country. They highlight tranquility, unity, heritage, and even culture. Take time not only to visit the places in question.

READ ALSO: 10 Best Things to Do in Accra 2019

Source: YEN.com.gh
During the weeks of Christmas and New Years, three African migrants died while in the custody of two divisions of the US Department of Homeland Security.

On Saturday, December 21, a 56-year-old Nigerian man who was being held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Worcester County Jail in Snow Hill, Maryland, was found unresponsive in his cell. He was pronounced dead at 5:23 a.m. after efforts by medical staff to revive him were unsuccessful.

ICE officials reported that Anthony Oluseye Akinyemi committed suicide within 24 hours of being convicted of sexually assaulting a minor in Baltimore City Circuit Court. The agency said, the preliminary cause of death appears to be self-inflicted strangulation; however, the case is still under investigation.

ICE reported that a detainer had been issued against Akinyemi in July for the assault charge. The agency also said that he had violated the terms of his entry on a non-immigrant visa into the US in December 2017. Following his conviction in Baltimore, immigration authorities moved to have Akinyemi deported.

Otero County Processing Center in New Mexico where Angolan native Samuelino Pitchout Mavinga was detained before he died in ICE custody (Robert Moore for The Washington Post)

With the number of deaths at its detention facilities rapidly on the rise, ICE issued what can only be described as a boilerplate public relations statement following Akinyemis death: ICE is firmly committed to the health and welfare of all those in its custody and is undertaking a comprehensive agency-wide review of this incident as it does in all such cases.

Attempting to present the number of deaths in ICE custody in a favorable light, the statement went on, Fatalities in ICE custody are exceedingly rare statistically and occur at a fraction of the national average for the detained population in the U.S.

On Christmas Day, a 41-year-old Congolese woman died shortly after she entered the US border station at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge in Laredo, Texas. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has not yet identified the woman.

The perfunctory CBP statement on the death said that on Christmas Eve, During initial processing, she was medically screened to include a review of paperwork she provided highlighting a previous medical condition, cleared by on-site contracted medical personnel, and transferred to the Lincoln Juarez Bridge for additional immigration processing and overnight holding.

The CBP statement reported the woman told them on Christmas morning that she was suffering from abdominal pain and had vomited. The agency reported it then transported her to the Laredo Medical Center for an evaluation but, The subjects health declined rapidly and she passed away at the hospital.

The agency said that, The Webb County Medical Examiners Office has determined that the death is not suspicious, as the individual had a preexisting medical condition. According to USA Today, CBP declined to answer follow-up questions about the case and the medical examiners office and the embassy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Washington, D.C., did not return messages.

The death of the Congolese woman brings to at least 11 the number of people who died in CBP custody in 2019. As was shown in the death of a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy at a CBP detention facility in Weslaco, Texas, last May, the official explanations of what has happened to those who die in US immigrant detention centers cannot be trusted. Video surveillance footage exposed that Carlos Hernandez Vasquez was left on the floor unresponsive for hours and had not been checked on by staff as official reports had claimed.

On New Years Day, ICE reported that a 40-year-old Angolan native with French citizenship in their custody died on Sunday, December 29, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The report said that an autopsy to determine the official cause of death was pending but the preliminary cause was identified as a heart attack.

Samuelino Pitchout Mavinga, who was pronounced dead by hospital medical staff at approximately 12:20 p.m., had been brought there on December 12 for evaluation and treatment for bowel obstruction. The ICE statement said, According to DHS records, Mavinga was admitted into the United States on Nov. 28, 2018, by immigration officials at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City under the Visa Waiver Program. Under the program, he was required to depart the U.S. no later than Feb. 27, 2019.

Mavinga had been taken into custody on November 11, 2019, by CBP and handed over to ICE the following day for remaining in the United States for a period longer than authorized. He was initially detained at the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral, New Mexico, and was transferred to Torrance County Detention Facility (TCDF) in Estancia, New Mexico, on December 11 pending his removal from the US.

The official ICE statement also concludes with boilerplate PR verbiage that is designed to protect the agency from legal claims by the loved ones of the deceased, saying, ICEs Health Service Corps (IHSC) ensures the provision of necessary medical care services as required by ICE Performance-Based National Detention Standards and based on the medical needs of the detainee. Comprehensive medical care is provided from the moment detainees arrive and throughout the entirety of their stay.

A recent study reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune found that the number of African migrants entering the US through Mexico has increased dramatically over the past two years. According to data provided by the US government, the number has doubled from 2,700 in 2018 to 5,800 in 2019. The majority of those coming to the US through Mexico continue be from Latin American countries.

Highlighting the shifts in migrant populations moving throughout the world, the increase in African migrants at the US southern border poses many challenges for those making the journey.

As the Union-Tribune explained: The journey isnt easy, many of them are robbed and beaten while traveling north. On top of these dangers, African migrants face additional obstacles in the way of language and cultural barriers. They also have less access to services from legal aid organizations who do not have staff who speak the same language as the migrants.

In August, the Mexican government stopped issuing transit visas to African migrants in an effort to stop the number of people coming to North America to escape civil wars and ethnic conflict instigated by US and European imperialism across the African continent.

According to a website maintained by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, forty-four deaths have occurred at ICE adult detention facilities since December 2015. The growing number of deaths shows that the mistreatment of immigrants by the US government, including the detention at a network of concentration camps, is not incidental but deliberate. The purpose is to discourage workers from coming to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families.

In a cowardly act of belated and false protest, Democrats in the House of Representatives issued a call on December 23 for an investigation into the troubling pattern of abuse and poor treatment of migrants. A letter from Carolyn B. Maloney (Democrat from New York), chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, to Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, calls for documents related to all CBP deaths to be submitted to the committee by January 10.

The fraud of this exercise is fully exposed by the fact that the House Democrats voted with the Republicans on December 17 to approve a record $738 billion military appropriations that includes $1.375 billion for Trumps border wall and removed a provision that would have barred the president from transferring money from other Pentagon accounts for the anti-immigrant wall project.

Those that claim the Democrats are opposed to Trumps immigration policies are engaged in deception. The infrastructure for the detention and deportation campaign being carried out by the present occupant of the White House was developed under President Barack Obama, who detained and deported more immigrants than all 20th century US presidents combined.
Large tracts of forest land in Manipur have been diverted for execution of developmental projects in the hill districts, which led to a reduction in green cover in the state, a minister said.

According to India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019, the green cover has declined by 499 sq km in Manipur while the forest area in the northeast region decreased to the extent of 765 sq km as compared to an assessment done in 2017.

"Diversion of large areas under forest for railways, construction of highways and roads, particularly Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) projects, in hill districts have contributed to loss of forest cover in the recent years," a statement quoted Manipur forest and minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar as saying.

He said the 'Jhum' cultivation, known as the slash- and-burn agriculture, has led to a loss of forest area in the hill districts.

"Poppy plants cultivation by the anti-social elements in hill districts has contributed tremendously to forest cover loss," the minister said on Thursday.

Out of the total forest area lost, 491 sq km is in hill districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul, he said, adding that maximum loss of green cover is in Churachandpur with 250 sq km.

Churachandpur and Tamenglong are extremely fire prone areas and the tree cover of Manipur outside forest land has reduced by 47 sq km, the minister said.

The biennial report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), which is an assessment of the country's forest resources, was released by Union Enviornment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday.

Shyamkumar said efforts are being made to implement plans through community involvement apart from regular destructions of poppy plants by the Narcotic and Affairs of Border (NAB) and the Manipur Police.

The state department on a pilot basis has linked the forestry schemes with Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for distribution of LPG connections to reduce the extraction of firewood, he said.

He further said the main challenge, faced by the department, is to control smuggling of timber and other forest produces.

About 8 sq km forest cover has been lost in the valley districts, which could be attributed to rampant encroachment and earth cutting in Imphal and Thoubal districts, he said.

"There is a need for collaboration between forest and revenue departments to check whether there is any irregularity in providing land deeds (pattas) in reserved forest areas," the minister said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Whats especially hard to assess is whether eliminating a powerful military adversary will make the Middle East a safer or a more dangerous place for Americans and American interests. Tehran has already vowed to retaliate, and in the short term, the Iranian generals death raises the risk for U.S. troops, government workers and even civilians in Iraq and other parts of the region. In the long term, though, Soleimanis death hurts Iran because he was the mastermind of Iranian adventurism.
President Erdogan has warned about the growing number of refugees arriving on Turkey's border with Syria as they flee regime bombardment writes Asharq Al-Awsat.

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday up to 250,000 migrants were fleeing toward Turkey from Syrias northwest Idlib region after weeks of renewed bombardment by Russian and Syrias regime forces.

Turkey already hosts some 3.7 million Syrian refugees, the largest refugee population in the world, and Erdogan said it was taking steps with some difficulty to prevent another wave from crossing its border.

With winter worsening an escalating crisis, the United Nations has said some 284,000 people had fled their homes as of Monday, Reuters reported.

Up to 3 million people live in Idlib, the last opposition-held swathe of territory after Syrias nearly nine year civil war.

Right now, 200,000 to 250,000 migrants are moving toward our borders, Erdogan told a conference in Ankara.

We are trying to prevent them with some measures, but its not easy. Its difficult, they are humans too.

Towns and villages have been pounded by Russian jets and Syrian artillery since a renewed government assault last month, despite a deal agreed last September by the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran to ease tensions.

At least eight people, including five children, were killed on Wednesday in on Idlib town when the Syrian army launched missiles that struck a shelter for displaced families, witnesses and residents said.

In a report, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the city of Maarat al-Numan and the surrounding countryside are reportedly almost empty.

Displacement during winter is further exacerbating the vulnerability of those affected. Many who fled are in urgent need of humanitarian support, particularly shelter, food, health, non-food and winterization assistance, the OCHA said.

It said those displaced in December were fleeing toward Turkey, other parts of northern Idlib or toward other areas in northern Syria such as Afrin and al-Bab that Turkey seized in previous cross-border military operations.

The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Have you followed these recipes before? Email: raven.saunt@mailonline.co.uk

Princess Diana's favourite meal was a hearty Ukrainian Borscht soup and Margaret Thatcher liked to put orange juice in her walnut cake, according to previously unseen letters.

In 1981, a care home charity in Johannesburg, South Africa, wrote to people in the public eye asking for their favourite recipes to contribute to a new cookbook.

The Avril Elizabeth Home for the Mentally Handicapped organisation were overwhelmed with responses and went on to include dozens of the recipes in the book that was then sold locally.

Several of the response letters have now been rediscovered.

Princess Diana's favourite meal was a hearty Ukrainian Borscht soup and Margaret Thatcher liked to put orange juice in her walnut cake, according to previously unseen letters.

One was from Princess Diana that told the charity that her favourite recipe was a bowl of Borscht soup.

It stated that she liked her version of the bright red Ukrainian soup to contain 'beetroot, yogurt, onion, chicken stock, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper'.

Diana had married Prince Charles that very year at St Paul's Cathedral in London in front of 2,500 guests before it was announced that she was pregnant with just a few months later.

In 1981, a care home charity in Johannesburg, South Africa, wrote to people in the public eye asking for their favourite recipes to contribute to a new cookbook. Pictured: Letter from Princess Diana to say that her favourite recipe was Borscht soup

It stated that she liked her version of the bright red Ukrainian soup to contain 'beetroot, yogurt, onion, chicken stock, milk, sour cream, salt and pepper'

Also among the letters was a note from 10 Downing Street that contained UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's personal recipe for orange and walnut cake.

It warned readers to 'be careful not to overheat the icing when blending' and said the secret ingredient was a splash of concentrated orange juice alongside the rind.

By 1981 Mrs Thatcher had already been in office for two years having taken over from James Callaghan as the country faced severe unemployment.

Also among the letters was a note from 10 Downing Street that contained UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's personal recipe for orange and walnut cake

It warned readers to 'be careful not to overhear the icing when blending' and said the secret ingredient was a splash of concentrated orange juice alongside the rind

The Cook's Book also contained the favourite recipes of Princess Grace of Monaco and the wife of Marais Steyn, South Africa's UK ambassador. Pictured: Walnut cake

Angeline Hopley, who curated the book, was helped to re-discover the letters after she visited a relative at the care home.

Ms Hopley sent the letters to her son, 39-year-old Michael Stanley, from London.

He said: 'It's only a local charity in South Africa and the book will have only been sold in the community.

'These letters will have never been seen before.

But one of the few who refused the charity's request was The Queen Mother in a letter from Clarence House

'They sent lots of letters out to famous people and Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher were two of the people who responded.

'It's nice to see they reached out to a small charity.

'South Africa is a former colonial country and the Royal Family is popular in the country.'

Angeline Hopley (pictured), who curated the book, was helped to re-discover the letters after she visited a relative at the care home

The Cook's Book also contained the favourite recipes of Princess Grace of Monaco and the wife of Marais Steyn, South Africa's UK ambassador.

But one of the few who refused the charity's request was Queen Elizabeth - The Queen Mother.

A letter from Clarence House, dated March 26 1981, said it's 'not possible' for her favourite meal to be publicly released due to official rules.

Michael nevertheless praised the Royal Family for spending the time to reach out the charity.

He said: 'It is funny that Queen Elizabeth wouldn't send her meal. The reason seems very secret and I do wonder why.

'Both recipes are very interesting and very different.

'I like how Princess Diana's is a humble dish. You'd expect the Royal Family to eat posh meals but this is very basic.

'It's great they got back to the charity, it was a nice thing to do. It was a charitable issue.

'The Royal Family are always very well received in South Africa and I'm sure this went down well.'

Have you followed these celebrity recipes before? Get in touch: raven.saunt@mailonline.co.uk
BJP leader Uma Bharti on Friday hit out at Congress Seva Dal for publishing a booklet claiming that Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar had a 'physical relationship' with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, saying the "Congress needs a psychiatrist".

"Congress needs a psychiatrist. Whatever they have written is condemnable. They have lost their minds. All the things in the book are baseless," she told ANI.

"Now I want to see what Uddhav Thackeray will do? Will he still be with the Congress? I want to know," the BJP leader added.

The booklet titled 'Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Its chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Egypt said the Turkish military intervention in Libya threatens Arab national security in general and Egypt's national security in particular, which requires taking all measures to protect Arab interests

Egypt strongly condemned on Thursday a vote by Turkey's parliament vote to allow a troop deployment to Libya, the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

"Egypt stresses that the approval to deploy Turkish troops to Libya is considered a blatant violation of international law and Security Council resolutions on Libya, especially resolution 1970 (2011), which imposes a [ban on military cooperation with Libya]," the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

The ministry added that two MoUs recently signed between Turkey and Libya's Fayez Al-Sarraj violated the Skhirat agreement of December 2015.

The Turkish military intervention in Libya threatens Arab national security in general and Egypt's national security in particular, which requires taking all measures to protect Arab interests, the statement said.

The ministry said that Egypt reasserts the Arab position that rejects any foreign interference in Libya, a position adopted by the League of Arab States' council in its meeting on 31 December 2019.

The foreign ministry added that Turkey is supporting terrorist organisations that are being transported from Syria to Libya.

"This shows the necessity to restore the nation state in Libya and the institutions in the country," said the statement.

Egypt said that any Turkish deployment could negatively affect the stability of the Mediterranean region and called on the international community to respond to the move.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is holding a meeting with the Egyptian National Security Council to discuss the latest developments.

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Today we'll take a closer look at Public Joint Stock Company Aeroflot - Russian Airlines (MCX:AFLT) 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. If you are hoping to live on the income from dividends, it's important to be a lot more stringent with your investments than the average punter.

A 2.6% yield is nothing to get excited about, but investors probably think the long payment history suggests Aeroflot - Russian Airlines has some staying power. Some simple research can reduce the risk of buying Aeroflot - Russian Airlines for its dividend - read on to learn more.

Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Aeroflot - Russian Airlines!

MISX:AFLT Historical Dividend Yield, January 3rd 2020

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. Comparing dividend payments to a company's net profit after tax is a simple way of reality-checking whether a dividend is sustainable. In the last year, Aeroflot - Russian Airlines paid out 7.1% of its profit as dividends. With a low payout ratio, it looks like the dividend is comprehensively covered by earnings.

Another important check we do is to see if the free cash flow generated is sufficient to pay the dividend. Unfortunately, while Aeroflot - Russian Airlines pays a dividend, it also reported negative free cash flow last year. While there may be a good reason for this, it's not ideal from a dividend perspective.

With a strong net cash balance, Aeroflot - Russian Airlines investors may not have much to worry about in the near term from a dividend perspective.

Remember, you can always get a snapshot of Aeroflot - Russian Airlines's latest financial position, by checking our visualisation of its financial health.

Dividend Volatility

One of the major risks of relying on dividend income, is the potential for a company to struggle financially and cut its dividend. Not only is your income cut, but the value of your investment declines as well - nasty. For the purpose of this article, we only scrutinise the last decade of Aeroflot - Russian Airlines's dividend payments. This dividend has been unstable, which we define as having fallen by at least 20% one or more times over this time. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was 0.17 in 2010, compared to 2.69 last year. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 32% per year over this time. Aeroflot - Russian Airlines's dividend payments have fluctuated, so it hasn't grown 32% every year, but the CAGR is a useful rule of thumb for approximating the historical growth.

Story continues

It's not great to see that the payment has been cut in the past. We're generally more wary of companies that have cut their dividend before, as they tend to perform worse in an economic downturn.

Dividend Growth Potential

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to evaluate if earnings per share (EPS) are growing - it's not worth taking the risk on a dividend getting cut, unless you might be rewarded with larger dividends in future. It's good to see Aeroflot - Russian Airlines has been growing its earnings per share at 38% a year over the past five years. The company is only paying out a fraction of its earnings as dividends, and in the past been able to use the retained earnings to grow its profits rapidly - an ideal combination.

Conclusion

Dividend investors should always want to know if a) a company's dividends are affordable, b) if there is a track record of consistent payments, and c) if the dividend is capable of growing. First, we like Aeroflot - Russian Airlines's low dividend payout ratio, although we're a bit concerned that it paid out a substantially higher percentage of its free cash flow. Next, earnings growth has been good, but unfortunately the dividend has been cut at least once in the past. Ultimately, Aeroflot - Russian Airlines 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.

Earnings growth generally bodes well for the future value of company dividend payments. See if the 12 Aeroflot - Russian Airlines analysts we track are forecasting continued growth with our free report on analyst estimates for the company.

We have also put together a list of global stocks with a market capitalisation above $1bn and yielding more 3%.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks at Mar-a-Lago: AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trumps personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani has vowed to defend his client during the forthcoming impeachment trial any way he can  including by giving lectures and doing demonstrations in the Senate.

Speaking at the US presidents New Years Eve party at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Mr Giuliani also suggested he could still try the case on behalf of Mr Trump.

Asked reporters if he would testify at the trial, the lawyer said: I would testify, I would do demonstrations, Id give lectures, Id give summations.

Or, Id do what I do best, Id try the case  Id love to try the case, Mr Giuliani added.

I dont know if anybody would have the courage to give me the case. But if you give me the case, I would prosecute it as a racketeering case, which I kind of invented anyway  lets see if I could still do it.

The former mayor of New York City mayor, who previously served as the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Mr Giuliani has become a central figure in the impeachment drama in Washington.

The impeachment investigation followed allegations first made by a whistleblower, that Mr Trump sought a quid pro quo in a July phone call with Ukraines newly elected leader Volodymyr Zelensky, for the provision of military aid and a visit to Washington DC.

The personal attorneys reference to racketeering suggest the presidents lawyer would continue to make accusations related to work Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden did in Ukraine.

Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani at the Mar-a-Lago resort (Reuters)

Yet Mr Giulianis own recent trip to Ukraine on an apparent fact-finding mission has come under scrutiny.

He is accused of ending the career of a US diplomat because her presence in Ukraine interfered with his private efforts to press officials to launch an investigation into the Democrat candidate Mr Biden.

During testimony before Congress last month, Marie Yovanovitch claimed Mr Giuliani was behind a campaign of disinformation that led to her being recalled early from Kiev.

I believed that I needed Yovanovitch out of the way, Mr Giuliani told The New Yorker. She was going to make the investigations difficult for everybody.

Story continues

He also admitted he had passed on gossip about Ms Yovanovitch. I may or may not have passed along the general gossip that the embassy was considered to be a kind of out-of-control politically partisan embassy, he told The New York Times.

The controversial figure also recently claimed he was more of a Jew than financier and Holocaust survivor George Soros.

A spokesperson for Mr Soros Open Society Foundation Laura Silber called the claims contemptible.

Read more

Giuliani associate seeks permission to hand over key documents

Giuliani condemned after claim he is more of a Jew than George Soros

Giuliani makes astonishing admission about 'gossip' to Trump

Giuliani admits he wanted ousted USs Ukraine envoy out of the way
Tensions between the US and Iran entered uncharted territory following the killing of top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qassem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Iraq, with experts fearing the incident could trigger a conflict.

While the Pentagon said the attack was carried out on the direction of President Donald Trump, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said severe revenge awaits the criminals behind the attack.

Soleimani, 62, rose steadily through the ranks of the Iranian military until he was named in 1998 the head of al-Quds Force, the most elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Force (IRGC). He was considered the second most powerful leader after Ayatollah Khamenei, and on his watch, the al-Quds Force was linked to killings and assassination attempts in countries ranging from Syria and Lebanon to Germany, and even India.

Following a bomb attack on an Israeli diplomats vehicle in the Indian capital in February 2012, Delhi Police came to the conclusion the suspects involved in the unsuccessful assault were members of IRGC, media reports said at the time. The bombing occurred at the same time as other attacks linked to the IRGC in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tbilisi, Georgia.

The al-Hashd al-Shaabi, an umbrella group of Iran-controlled militias in Iraq, announced on Twitter that Soleimani was killed along with its leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The drone strike was carried out near a cargo area at Baghdad airport on the orders of US President Donald Trump while Soleimani and nine others were leaving in two vehicles.

The first tweet by Trump after the drone strike was a photo of the American flag without any accompanying text.

The US President later said he ordered the killing of the Iranian General because he was plotting to kill many Americans. He should have been taken out many years ago, Trump tweeted from his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was vacationing.

The Pentagon, in a statement, said Soleimani was in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad. The strike was in retaliation for the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, which was carried out by Iran-backed militias, and aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

The US statement said Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani and al-Quds Force, which along with IRGC was designated by the US as terrorist organisations in April 2019, of being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition personnel. Trump claimed Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of millions.

He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months  including the attack on December 27th  culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, the statement said.

Ayatollah Khamenei said on Twitter that his (Soleimanis) efforts & path wont be stopped by his martyrdom. A #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge.

President Hassan Rouhani pledged Iran would take revenge on the US for this heinous crime. Soleimanis death has redoubled the determination of... Iran to stand up to the US, Rouhani said. Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif described the killing of Soleimani as an act of international terrorism and a foolish escalation. Iraqs Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the killing as a dangerous escalation of regional tensions. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo spoke to UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab, German foreign minister Heiko Maas and Chinas politburo member Yang Jiechi to explain the defensive action to eliminate Soleimani and said the US remains committed to de-escalation.

Tensions between the US and Iran have spiralled since Washington pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal and imposed strict sanctions on Iranian oil exports last year, forcing major importers such as India, China and Japan to cut purchases to zero. Tensions also spiked after several attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf last year, which the US and its allies had blamed on Iran.

The al-Quds Force has been linked to Irans efforts to increase its influence in countries such as Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria by propping up Hezbollah and other pro-Iran militant groups. Under Soleimanis leadership, the force expanded its military presence in Iraq by training and arming Shia militias, and shaped Bashar al-Assads campaign against rebel forces in Syria.

But Soleimani was also seen as a national hero in Iran for helping lead the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director David Petraeus once recounted a story at a think tank event that demonstrated Soleimanis influence. While leading the US campaign in Iraq in 2008, a senior Iraqi leader conveyed to Petraeus a text message from Suleimani: General Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassem Suleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, and Afghanistan. And indeed, the ambassador in Baghdad is a Quds Force member. The individual whos going to replace him is a Quds Force member.

Soleimanis death could be a major tipping point, given his proximity to Irans Supreme Leader. The al-Quds Force, along with the rest of the IRGC, reports to Khamenei, and some considered Soleimani to be more powerful than Irans President in matters of foreign policy.

We should expect to see the most significant/aggressive response, tweeted Yashar Ali, a journalist who closely tracks developments in Iran.

He added in another tweet: But killing Soleimani is not like killing the head of a terrorist org. Its like killing the head of a terrorist organisation and a head of state. You have to treat it as such and the US has not DIRECTLY engaged in assassinations on that level in decades.

Given Indias strong relations with both the US and Iran  external affairs minister S Jaishankar visited Tehran in December for a meeting with counterpart Javad Zarif  and the presence of some 8 million Indian expatriates in West Asia, any escalation in tensions could have widespread ramifications for New Delhi, both in terms of foreign policy and economy.

The Indian nationals in the Gulf region account for annual remittances of about $40 billion, and any conflict could not only affect this but also trigger a massive exodus of expatriates.
By PTI

LAHORE: A group of people, led by the family of a Muslim man who married a Sikh teenager, held a day-long sit-in outside Gurdwara Janamesthan Nanakana Sahib near here on Friday to protest the arrest of their relatives who were held for alleged forced conversion of the girl, police said.

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as the Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is the site where the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born.

It is regarded as one of the holiest Sikh sites.

According to police, the man named Hassan married 18-year-old Jagjit Kaur in September last year after abducting her and converting her to Islam.

According to some Indian media reports, a mob attack took place at the shrine.

The reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones on Friday India's External Affairs Ministry said members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib.

"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community," the MEA said in a statement.

"Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," it said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also expressed concern over reports of the mob attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara.

In a tweet, Singh appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure that the devotees stranded at the gurdwara are rescued from the mob.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart.

"The family members of Hassan on Friday held a sit-in outside Gurdwara Janamesthan Nanakana Sahib against the arrest of some of their relatives on the dispute over the Sikh girl," Evacuee Trust Property Board spokesperson Amir Hashmi told PTI.

Replying to a question on reports in the Indian media about the country strongly condemning the vandalism at the revered gurdwara, Hashmi claimed, "The protesters remained peaceful. They ended the demonstration after police released a detained person."

Meanwhile, a local correspondent of a Pakistani English daily told PTI that the Pakistani Sikhs, who were present at the gurdwara to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh "got panicky" over the Muslim's demonstration outside the shrine.

They thought that the protesters might attack it.

"The protesters also blocked the main road leading to the gurdwara, causing disruption of traffic for several hours," he said.

However, a contingent of police reached the site and secured the gurdwara premises.

A police official said they had only summoned some of the family members of Hassan in connection with the FIR registered against them.

The FIR earlier was reported to have been sealed after Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar claimed to have amicably resolved the matter.

The issue snowballed into a controversy after the girl's family Jagjit Kaur in a video message, that went viral, claimed that she was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam.
A sign near the Murray. Credit:Virginia Star

My past is north. And when I point the car in that direction I know I will meet the dead. Including the kid I was. That unholy run-amok who incited infanticidal musings among even the towns hippies and saints. The future, back then, was south. The big schools were south, opportunity was south, sophistication was south, the drift of the young was always to the coast, southward, a planet called Melbourne where a 360-degree future loitered smiling on every street corner. Staying put was a kind of surrender for an aspirational youth. And the adults were giving the town a bad vibe anyway, by getting old, and divorcing and, year-by-year, being more transparently flawed. I was sent away early.

So my only school friend from that town is Lowey. We reckoned ourselves rebels, though with his pudding bowl haircut he couldve assassinated the mayor and still been laughable. Last month we decided to go back. The idea came from wine, as this idea tends to. We got talking about the Semi-Venerable and our talk became urgent.

"We better get up there and see him before hes gone," Lowey said. "Hes the last of his kind." "Yeah, hes Chingachgook, isnt he," I said. "What?" Lowey asked. "Nothing," I said. "But when hes gone theyre all gone." We started having these conversations over 20 years ago, when the Semi-Venerable was in his mid-70s.

When I rang the Semi-Venerable to tell him we were coming he hijacked our lightning visit into a fishing expedition up to The Murray. Cod season had just opened, he said, and he wanted to get among them. So Lowey filled the car with fishing rods and I grabbed a notebook and a pencil, and we drove north toward a place that, with outdated familiarity, we still call Shepp.
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the murder of 19 people by unknown gunmen in Tawari community of Kogi Local Government Area, Kogi State.

Mr Buhari said: there is no excuse or justification for killing innocent people by anybody or group, and for whatever motive.

The killings and revenge killings will only aggravate the cycle of violence, creating neither safety nor security for any side.

It was not immediately clear how and when the attack happened.

People should avoid taking the law into their own hands because doing so could make a bad situation worse and undermine the governments efforts to tackle security challenges.

I am gravely worried about frequency and temptation of using violence to settle disputes instead of following lawful and amicable means to avoid needless destruction of lives and property, the president adds.
[January 03, 2020] ClinOne Continues Global Expansion and Opens Office in The United Kingdom

ClinOne - a leader in creating technology for clinical trials - will open its first European Office just West of London, UK. This location will be ClinOne's third office, following its addition of a Philadelphia, PA office this past summer. This brings boots on the ground coverage to our many clients across Europe and the availability of dedicated staff for continuing expansion in the region. "We are privileged to have a large number of global pharmaceutical clients across Europe and it's time we provided even greater support for our current and upcoming clients in the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, and Israel," according to Rob Bohacs, CEO of ClinOne. ClinOne continues to scale its presence globally; the company has 1,900 instittions from 55 countries utilizing its clinical trial software solutions.



The United Kingdom is home to more than 400 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and presents an exceptional location in Northern Europe. The UK is also home to tremendous clinical research talent which will allow ClinOne to continue expanding their team with world-class talent. About ClinOne

The ClinOne solution and its suite of products were created to improve clinical trial enrollment, retention and research site compliance. The company's sole mission is to allow important trial details to be at the fingertips of participating researchers and patients. Currently, 3,000 active clinical trials in 55 countries across 43 languages rely on ClinOne's suite of technologies. Visit www.clinone.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005066/en/

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U.S. conflict with Iran: What you need to read

Heres what you need to know to understand what this moment means in U.S.-Iran relations.

What happened: President Trump ordered a drone strike near the Baghdad airport, killing Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Irans most powerful military commander and leader of its special-operations forces abroad.

Who was Soleimani: As the leader of the Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force, Soleimani was key in supporting and coordinating with Irans allies across the region, especially in Iraq. Soleimanis influence was imprinted on various Shiite militias that fought U.S. troops.

How we got here: Tensions had been escalating between Iran and the United States since Trump pulled out of an Obama-era nuclear deal, and they spiked shortly before the airstrike. The strikes that killed Soleimani were carried out after the death of a U.S. contractor in a rocket attack against a military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, that the United States blamed on Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia.

What happens next: Iran responded to Soleimanis death by launching missile strikes at two bases hosting U.S. forces in Iraq. No casualties were reported. In an address to the nation, Trump announced that new sanctions will be imposed on Tehran.

Ask a question: What do you want to know about the strike and its aftermath? Submit a question or read previous Q&As with Post reporters.
Life After the Synagogue Attack A German Jewish Congregation Searches for Normalcy

Three months after the right-wing extremist attack on the synagogue in Halle, in which a gunman tried and failed to enter the building, the Jewish community in the city is still wrestling with its consequences.
After a screening committee rejected Kerala government's tableau proposal for the Republic Day parade on January 26, State Law Minister AK Balan alleged that the decision was "politically motivated".

The Kerala government had proposed a theme depicting the art and architecture of the State, which was rejected by the screening committee of the Defence Ministry.

This is the second consecutive time that the State's proposal has been rejected.

The decision comes shortly after the committee rejected Maharashtra and West Bengal governments' tableau proposals for the Republic Day parade.

"The decision of rejecting Kerala's tableau is politically motivated," said Balan.

On Thursday, the Defence Ministry said that 22 proposals comprising of 16 States and Union Territories and six ministries and departments had been shortlisted for participation in the parade after a series of five meetings.

"For the Republic Day Parade 2020, 56 tableaux proposals, 32 from States and Union Territories and 24 from ministries and departments, were received," the statement said.

The tableaux proposals received from various States, Union Territories, Central ministries and departments are evaluated in a series of meetings by an expert committee comprising eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, etc.

"The expert committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and its visual impact before making its recommendations. Due to time constraints arising out of the overall duration of the parade, only a limited number of tableaux can be shortlisted for participation in the parade," the Ministry said in a statement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
JERUSALEM  For years, he was a distant adversary, overseeing attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets abroad. But as time went on, the threat from Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani loomed ever larger and closer for Israel.

So the assassination of the Iranian commander in an American drone strike in Baghdad early Friday was greeted with satisfaction in Israel, though also with a degree of caution as the country went on alert for possible retaliation.

General Suleimani, who led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, oversaw an Iranian program to surround Israel with tens of thousands of missiles, according to experts.

He was also the architect of Irans recent entrenchment in Syria and of an ambitious plan to build an Iranian front against Israel across its northern frontier, in the Golan Heights.
(Reuters) - Ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn decided to flee Japan after learning that his trial had been delayed until April 2021 and also because he had not been allowed to speak to his wife, sources close to Ghosn said on Thursday.

(Reuters) - Ousted Nissan <7201.T> boss Carlos Ghosn decided to flee Japan after learning that his trial had been delayed until April 2021 and also because he had not been allowed to speak to his wife, sources close to Ghosn said on Thursday.

Ghosn, 65, the former head of Renault , and one of the best known figures in the car industry, faces four charges - which he denies - including hiding income and enriching himself through payments to dealerships in the Middle East.

Following are some of the main dates in the case from his arrest 14 months ago to his audacious escape this week.

Dec. 31, 2019:

Ghosn said he had fled to Lebanon to escape a "rigged" justice system in Japan, raising questions about how one of the world's most-recognised executives had slipped away while on bail.

It was unclear how Ghosn, who holds French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship, was able to orchestrate his departure from Japan. He had been under strict surveillance by authorities while out on bail and had surrendered his passports.

April 25, 2019:

Ghosn walked out of a Japanese jail, freed on bail for a second time, after agreeing to curbs on contacting his wife as he awaited trial on financial misconduct charges.

April 4, 2019:

Japanese prosecutors arrested Ghosn again on suspicion the former Nissan boss had tried to enrich himself at the automaker's expense, in another dramatic twist that his lawyers said was an attempt to muzzle him.

This marked the fourth time that prosecutors had arrested the once-feted executive, a scandal that has rocked the global auto industry and shone a harsh light on Japan's judicial system.

March 6, 2019:

Ghosn, who had been detained for more than 100 days, left a Tokyo prison on a $9 million bail, slipping past reporters in a face mask and moving closer to mounting a defence against financial misconduct charges that he has called "meritless".

Surrounded by security guards and dressed in a workman's uniform and a blue cap, Ghosn's face was obscured by thick glasses and the surgical-type mask.

Jan. 8, 2019:

Ghosn declared his innocence in his first public appearance since his arrest in November 2018, telling a Tokyo court that he had been wrongly accused of financial misconduct.

Ghosn was brought into the courtroom in handcuffs and a rope around his waist, wearing a navy suit and white shirt without a tie, and looking thinner than before his arrest, with his dark hair showing grey roots.

Dec. 21, 2018:

Japanese prosecutors arrested Ghosn again on new allegations of making Nissan shoulder $16.6 million in personal investment losses, dashing chances he would be released on bail before Christmas.

Dec.10, 2018:

Tokyo prosecutors indicted Ghosn for allegedly under-reporting his income. They also re-arrested him on allegations of understating his income for three more years through March 2018.

Nov. 19, 2018:

Japanese police arrested Ghosn when he arrived at a Tokyo airport in his private jet and prosecutors accused him of under-reporting his salary by roughly half over a five-year period through March 2015.

(Editing by Keith Weir and Jane Merriman)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
 In an early 2019 interview with CNBC, Buffett explained why many employers steer clear of states where, as in Illinois, politicians have doomed taxpayers: If I were relocating into some state that had a huge unfunded pension plan, Im walking into liabilities. Who knows whether theyre going to get it from the corporate income tax or my employees  you know, with personal income taxes. ... And when you see what they would have to do, I say to myself, Why do I want to build a plant there that has to sit there for 30 or 40 years? Cause Ill be here for the life of the pension plan, and they will come after corporations, theyll come after individuals. They  just  theyre gonna have to raise a lot of money.
Sydney is tipped to be the real estate boomtown of 2020 - dominating a list of 20 spots tipped to experience a house price spike.

Select Residential Property forecast the city would quickly return to price growth after a short-lived recent downturn.

It also identified areas in Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart and Queanbeyan near Canberra that should surge in the coming 12 months.

The group's research director Jeremy Sheppard said buyers were particularly interested in areas where prices had fallen after the market peaked in 2017.

'Buyers are now looking at those prices in close proximity to the recent history and they're thinking, 'Well, gee, this is now good value for money',' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Sydney is tipped to be the real estate boomtown of 2020 - dominating a list of 20 spots tipped to experience a house price spike. Select Residential Property forecast the city would quickly return to price growth after a short-lived recent downturn. Loftus (pictured), in the south, was expected to see median house prices surge by 7.8 per cent in 2020 - a level well above the city's 6.1 per cent growth pace for 2019

Australia's top 20 list 1. Loftus, Sydney's south: 7.8 per cent 2. Birchgrove, Sydney's inner-west: 7.3 per cent 3. Paddington, Sydney's east: 7.3 per cent 4. Peakhurst Heights, Sydney's south: 7 per cent 5. Crestwood, Queanbeyan: 7 per cent 6. North Warrandyte, Melbourne's north-east: 7 per cent 7. Bangor, Sydney's south: 7 per cent 8. Balaclava, Melbourne's south-east: 7 per cent 9. Narraweena, Sydney's northern beaches: 7 per cent 10. Davidson, Sydney's northern beaches: 7 per cent 11. Karabar, Queanbeyan: 6.9 per cent 12. North Manly, Sydney northern beaches: 6.9 per cent 13. Collaroy Plateau, Sydney northern beaches: 6.9 per cent 14. Normanhurst, Sydney's north: 6.7 per cent 15. Padstow Heights, Sydney's south-west: 6.7 per cent 16. Rosetta, Hobart's north: 6.7 per cent 17. North Narrabeen, Sydney's northern beaches: 6.6 per cent 18. Thornleigh, Sydney's north: 6.6 per cent 19. Glenalta, Adelaide's south: 6.6 per cent 20. Birkenhead, Adelaide's north-west: 6.6 per cent Source: Select Residential Property forecasts for 2020 based on houses Advertisement

Loftus, in Sydney's south, was expected to see median house prices surge by 7.8 per cent in 2020 - a level well above the city's 6.1 per cent growth pace for 2019.

'Auction clearance rates have been at 100 per cent for the last few months which is a clear indication of strong demand,' the group said in a research note.

The suburb in the Sutherland Shire also has a 'very low proportion of renters to owner-occupiers, less than 10 per cent'.

'There are way too many people searching for property online compared to the number of properties available for sale,' it said.

The suburb's median house price of $889,000 is also well below Sydney's median house price of $973,664, CoreLogic data showed.

Prices are set to increase in this area of southern Sydney, as it recovered from a record slump in median values, sparked by a crackdown on investor and interest-only loans.

'We were looking at one million just two years ago,' Mr Sheppard said.

Inner-city suburbs of Sydney also topped the list with harbourside Birchgrove, in the inner-west, and Paddington, in the east, both expected to enjoy 7.3 per cent growth rates this year.

These upmarket areas have median prices of $2.059million and $2.125million, respectively.

Sydney's south took out three spots, with 7 per cent growth expected in Peakhurst Heights and Bangor, which have median prices of $1.006million and $1.015million.

Sydney's northern beaches had five places on the list, with Narraweena (7 per cent), Davidson (7 per cent), North Manly (6.9 per cent), Collaroy Plateau (6.9 per cent) and North Narrabeen (6.6 per cent) making the grade.

Prices in these suburbs range from $1.355million to $1.886million by the beach at Manly.

Melbourne had two suburbs on the list with 7 per cent growth expected at North Warrandyte (pictured) in the city's north-east and Balaclava in the south-east. Median houses stand at $903,000 and $1.183million, respectively, which are both above Melbourne's mid-point of $778,649

Farther inland, Sydney's north took out two spots, namely the neighbouring suburbs of Normanhurst (6.7 per cent) and Thornleigh (6.6 per cent), which have median prices of $1.132million and $1.110million.

Melbourne had two suburbs on the list with 7 per cent growth expected at North Warrandyte in the city's north-east and Balaclava in the south-east.

Median houses stand at $903,000 and $1.183million, respectively, which are both above Melbourne's mid-point of $778,649.

Queanbeyan, a southern New South Wales city bordering Canberra, had two suburbs tipped to boom: Crestwood (7 per cent) and Karabar (6.9 per cent).

Median house prices in these suburbs are $481,000 and $456,000 - putting them well below nearby Canberra's $691,551.

Adelaide had two entrants on the list: Glenalta in the hills to the city's south and Birkenhead in the port area in the north-west - with 6.6 per cent annual growth tipped for both areas.

Queanbeyan, a southern New South Wales city bordering Canberra, had two entrants - Crestwood (7 per cent) and Karabar (6.9 per cent). Median house prices in these suburbs are $481,000 and $456,000 - putting them well below nearby Canberra's $691,551 (pictured is a house at Crestwood)

They had median prices of $520,000 and $403,000 - straddling either side of Adelaide's equivalent value of $471,419.

Hobart took out one spot with Rosetta in the north predicted to see prices surge by 6.7 per cent from the existing median price of $423,000 - a level well below the Tasmanian capital's mid-point of $506,395.

Select Residential Property urged investors seeking strong capital returns to avoid buying a unit.

'Long-term units almost always come with a degree of oversupply risk since houses can be replaced with units and units can be built higher and higher,' it said.

The forecasts for houses were based on demand exceeding supply and whether sellers had to offer discounts to secure a sale.
MEXICO CITYFor centuries, Mexico City residents brought warm tortillas home in reusable cloths or woven straw baskets, and toted others foods in conical rolls of paper, ayate mesh or net bags, or even string bundles.

People in Mexicos massive capital city may have to return to those old ways starting Wednesday, Jan. 1 when a new law takes effect banning the plastic bags that became ubiquitous over the last 30 years. Some say they are ready and willing, and grocery stores are promising to promote reusable synthetic fiber bags, but others are struggling to get their minds around how the ban will work in practice.

We have a very rich history in ways to wrap things, said Claudia Hernandez, the citys director of environmental awareness. We are finding that people are returning to baskets, to cucuruchos, she said, referring to cone-shaped rolls of paper once used to wrap loose bulk goods like nuts, chips or seeds.

Some Mexico City residents still use traditional ayate bags, or tortilla towels or baskets, and manyespecially the elderlypull two-wheeled, folding shopping baskets through grocery stores. Some merchants still use old sardine cans to measure out bulk goods.

Under the new law, grocery stores will be fined if they give out plastic bags. Most will offer reusable shopping bags made of thick plastic fiber, usually selling them for around 75 cents.

They are not giving them away, they are selling them, and that is what I dont agree with, said city subway worker Ernesto Gallardo Chavez, who wonders what will happen if he goes grocery shopping after Jan. 1 and forgets to bring his reusable bags.

Just imagine, I forget my bag and I buy a lot of stuff, said Gallardo Chavez. How do I carry it all, if they dont give you bags anymore?

Like most city residents, Gallardo Chavez thinks protecting the environment is very good. But plastic bags in Mexico City are almost never really single-use: most city residents have bought garbage cans and waste paper baskets just the right size to be lined with supermarket bags. And the bags are commonly used to clean up after dogs on sidewalks.

We use the bags for garbage, to separate it into organic and inorganic, and then take it out to the garbage truck, he notes.

Hernandez, the environment official, said people should get out of the habit of putting their garbage in plastic bags. They can take it out (to the garbage truck) directly in garbage cans.

But that is complicated given the citys stubborn water shortages. Its all very well to tell city residents not to line their trash cans with plastic bags, but washing out a kitchen receptacle every couple of days after use because it doesnt have a plastic liner will take its toll on water supplies.

Not to mention the widespread habit of tossing used toilet paper into wastepaper baskets to spare the strain on many homes aged and insufficient plumbing. Used toilet paper is not the kind of thing you can turn over loose to the trash collector.

Data analysis specialist Daniel Loredo says he is planning to hoard his last remaining plastic shopping bags precisely for that purpose.

But he and his roommates have already taken steps to build up a supply of reusable bags and make sure whoever goes to the grocery store is carrying a few. But for poorer city residents, forgetting to do so even one day could carry a high price in a country where the 75-cent reusable bag costs the equivalent of an hours worth of the minimum wage.

I think this will be a challenge because these bags represent an additional cost, and maybe not everyone can bear that cost quite as easily, Loredo said.

Aldimir Torres, the leader of the countrys Plastic Industry Chamber, called the new law cheap populism, noting that it was drawn up without having clear guidelines about what kind of compostable bags would still be allowed.

The law leaves the door open to using plastic bags for reasons of hygiene, presumably for items like deli meats or cheese. It also allows for bags that biodegrade very quickly but sets no specific standards for them.

This was a law that was copied and put together in a rush, without consulting people who really know about this issue, Torres said.

Hernandez acknowledged there was still a lot of work to be done on alternatives.

For example, Mexico Citys ubiquitous street food stalls often use plastic bags to temporarily cover plastic plates, in areas where they have no taps or sinks to wash each plate after use. While that might seem to be covered under the hygiene clause of the new law, Hernandez said somewhat ingeniously that this could be solved by some device to wash the plates.

The law, she claimed, had to be rushed into effect.

I dont know why, but sometimes we need a little more pressure in order to take action, Hernandez said, noting the bag ban is an invitation, a provocation to rethink they [the] way we consume.

Loredo thinks the law may be imperfect, but worth it.

I think that in some way this is a responsible strategy, to introduce us to some more appropriate method of consumption, he said. In the end, they (plastic bags) are something that pollute and hurt the environment.

By 2021, the same law will ban handing out plastic straws, spoons, coffee capsules, and other single-use items.

By Diego Delgado
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 04:43:12|Editor: yan

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People attend a protest against the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 3, 2020. An attack near Baghdad International Airport on Friday has killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhamdis, the deputy top leader of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

BAGHDAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. strike that killed a senior Iranian commander raised fears among Iraqis that their homeland could become the main battlefield in the looming conflict between Iran and the United States.

Early on Friday, Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces, were killed in a strike near Baghdad airport, sparking outrage among some Iraqi parties and politicians.

Sabah al-Sheikh, a professor of politics at Baghdad University, told Xinhua that the U.S.-Iranian conflict has become clear in Iraq, and there is a possibility that the U.S-Iranian struggle could spread to cover more areas in the Middle East region.

"If the Iraqi leaders and all Iraqi factions do not show wisdom and restraint in dealing with such a conflict, the biggest loser will be the Iraqi people," al-Sheikh warned.

Al-Sheikh reviewed statements issued by Iraqi President Barham Salih and top Shiite religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani as well as some other political leaders, in which they condemned the killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis.

They all called for restraint to deal wisely with the consequences of the strike, because they are aware of the seriousness of the situation in order to avoid the deterioration of the security situation throughout the country, he said.

"Most of the Iraqi leaders realize that Iran's strongest field is Iraq as many pro-Iran Shiite militias are stationed there. Therefore, they (Iraqi leaders) realize that Iraq will pay the price of any U.S.-Iranian confrontation," al-Sheikh said.

Iran has the ability to deliver an effective strike against the U.S. interests in Iraq and the region, he added.

"It wouldn't necessarily be striking U.S. military bases in Iraq or the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, but Iran has the ability to ignite internal conflict inside Iraq and paralyze the country through violence and chaos in order to make the U.S. influence in the country impossible," al-Sheikh said.

Hisham al-Hashimi, an Iraqi expert in armed groups affairs, told Xinhua that the Shiite militias have the ability and experience to adapt with the strike.

"The Shiite militant groups can find leaders as good as those who died. They have readiness and willingness to confront violent and unpredictable scenarios," al-Hashimi said.

However, the death of al-Muhandis could complicate the situation in Iraq in the short term because he was the point of communication and calm between different rival Shiite groups, according to al-Hashimi.

Najib al-Jubouri, a political expert and lecturer in Baghdad University, told Xinhua that the strike of Soleimani and al-Muhandis has diverted the U.S.-Iranian conflict from behind the scenes by Iran's proxy militias to direct confrontation.

"The new position reduced maneuverability on each side, increasing the risk of the confrontation spinning out of control, which might fill the Middle East with blood at the start of 2020," al-Jubouri said.

Iraq and the region need more attention from the international community, al-Jubouri said, adding that it is the duty of the world states and international organizations to work hard to prevent conflicts from expanding.

For his part, Ibrahim al-Ameri, a political analyst and teacher of politics at Baghdad University, said that the assassination of Soleimani is another "manifestation of the U.S.-Iranian conflict in Iraq, and it is also a reflection of the expansion of the conflict between the two countries."

Given the role of Soleimani in Iran's regional strategy and its influence at home and abroad, the intensity of the U.S.-Iraqi struggle has spiraled, affecting the situation in Iraq and the entire Middle East more than last year's tanker attack and Saudi oil field facilities attack, al-Ameri said.

Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi strongly condemned the attack, calling the assassination of al-Muhandis "an aggression against Iraq, its state, its government and its people."

The attack came after supporters of the Hashd Shaabi militias stormed on Tuesday the perimeter of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Local media aired photos showing al-Muhandis participating in the protest with Qais al-Khazali, head of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous) militia, and Hashd Shaabi's top leader Hadi Al Amri.

On Sunday evening the U.S. forces bombarded headquarters of Hashd Shaabi's 45th and 46th Brigades, leaving 25 killed and 51 injured.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- New York is doing away with subminimum wages that have been paid to an estimated 70,000 tipped workers in certain industries.

Workers who will be impacted by the new measure include nail salon workers, hairdressers, aestheticians, car wash workers, valet parking attendants, door-persons, tow truck drivers, dog groomers and tour guides. Notably, the change does not apply to tipped food servers.

Employers in certain industries have been allowed to pay tipped workers less than minimum wage if they earn enough in tips to make up the difference.

However,an investigation by the state Department of Labor found the system created confusion and encouraged outright wage theft by unscrupulous employers, according to a state news release.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he directed the department to end the subminimum, or cash wage, in the industries with the highest risk of wage theft to help restore fairness for workers.

The elimination of the tip wage for miscellaneous industries will be phased in over one year.

The Labor Department report said workers in the industries have widespread confusion about whether or not they are entitled to earn minimum wage or not.

This has led to rampant wage theft in particular industries, and a real concern that tip credits are simply not appropriate in others, as many of their customers arent clear that tips are expected, the department said.

It said many employers find it difficult to keep track of employee tips properly, and that daily and weekly fluctuations in tip income make it difficult for workers to know whether they are being underpaid.

Food service workers opposed their inclusion in the policy change because they feared it would result in fewer tips.

Currently, the tip wage ranges from $9.80 to $11.35 an hour, depending on the region. That compares with the states minimum wage, which is $15 in New York City, $13 in Long Island and Westchester, and $11.80 everywhere else in the state.

The tip wage for the specified industries will rise on June 30, 2020, to a range from $10.35 to $13.15, depending on the region. On Dec. 31, employers in the industries will be required to pay minimum wage, which at that time will range from $12.50 to $15, depending on the region.

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Have a question or news tip? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

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The BJP is pulling out all stops to dispel doubts about the provisions of Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA. On Friday, party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Anil Jain said the BJP has started a door-to-door campaign that will reach out to three crore families to clear perceptions about CAA.

The CAA does not affect the citizenship of any community or faith in India, yet the Opposition is trying to stoke fears. This is why we are going to reach out to people for stating the facts, Jain said while addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in New Delhi.

A six-member committee has been formed under Jain to oversee the campaign work. The other members include Avinash Rai Khanna, Saroj Pande, Rahul Sinha, Suresh Bhatt and Ravinder Raju.

Separate committees have also been formed for social media and media outreach.

The party will launch a mass contact programme on January 5. The programme will be launched in New Delhi by Home Minister Amit Shah, in Nagpur by Nitin Gadkari and in Ghaziabad by BJP working president JP Nadda. Shah will also visit a few households in the national capital as part of the mass contact programme.

The party has also launched a number 8866288662 where people can give missed call to show their support for CAA.

Shah has clarified the provisions of CAA in Parliament, but for political gains, opposition parties have tried to create an impression that this legislation is against people, Jain said.

He said those people who were persecuted for following a particular religion are being targeted, and to oppose citizenship to such people is condemnable.

Even Gandhi ji had said that India should make arrangements for jobs and livelihood of those who want to come back here, Jain said.

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The foreign investment law took effect in China starting Wednesday to better protect the interests of foreign investors in the country by granting them broader access to government procurement markets through fair competition.

BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- In a world fraught with uncertainties, foreign firms in China have something certain to expect for 2020 and beyond: a more law-based business environment.

As a comprehensive and fundamental set of legal standards for foreign investment activities, the foreign investment law, passed by the country's top legislature in early 2019, took effect on Jan. 1, 2020 to better protect foreign investors' interests.

With unified provisions for the entry, promotion, protection and management of foreign investment, it is a new and fundamental law in this field that will address foreign firms' concerns and enhance their "sense of gain," said Zong Changqing, head of the foreign investment administration department of the Ministry of Commerce.

The second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) holds its closing meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2019. China's national legislature passed the foreign investment law at the meeting. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

FACILITATION AND EASE

Previously, foreign investment in China was mainly regulated by three separate laws on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, wholly foreign-owned enterprises and Chinese-foreign contractual joint ventures. They had provided strong legal safeguards for foreign enterprises but were outgrown by the needs of reform and opening up in the new era.

There are fewer "regulations" and "limitations" under the new foreign investment law, said Wei Jianguo, vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges. "The law could boil down to two words: 'facilitation' and 'ease.'"

With the law, foreign-invested enterprises will be granted access to government procurement markets through fair competition. The law also bans using administrative licensing and penalties to force foreign investors and firms to transfer technology.

Foreign companies are entitled to equal participation as their domestically-invested peers in the formulation and revision of national, industrial and local standards in accordance with the law. They can make standards-related recommendations and undertake such work as setting standards.

Wei said foreign investors could rest assured about the earnest law implementation by local governments and the consistency of China's policy stance as the country's top leadership have voiced commitment to opening doors wider.

China has also unveiled a matching regulation with detailed measures to help enforce the foreign investment law. At the same time, local governments like foreign investment hubs Guangdong and Shanghai are exploring supportive laws and regulations.

People visit the booth of GE at the Equipment exhibition area during the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 8, 2019. (Xinhua/Chen Fei)

CONFIDENCE BOOSTED

As the foreign investment law is in effect, China might see a surging inflow of foreign investment with various sizes of projects in 2020, Wei estimated, as big investments would bring along many small and medium-sized ones.

The new law is hailed as a boost to foreign firms' confidence in expanding investment in the world's largest developing economy.

The law offers Qualcomm a more predictable outlook and a more solid foundation for industrial cooperation in China, said Zhao Bin, the U.S. tech firm's senior vice president.

Qualcomm expects an increased cross-industry collaboration and partnerships in China as 5G applications expand beyond the smartphone sector, and will continue accelerating the development of the 5G and AI ecosystems through venture investment in promising startups in China, according to Frank Meng, chairman of Qualcomm China.

A staff member of Qualcomm presents 5G devices at the Sci-tech Life exhibition area during the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Wern-Yuen Tan, president and CEO of Walmart China, said China has a very "interesting" retail market, where consumers are willing to try new shopping and digital experiences. "China offers good learning opportunities to market players."

The retail giant plans to expand logistics investment, open new stores and depots, and upgrade existing stores in China to continuously provide consumers with differentiated products and create "online-merge-offline" experiences in line with Chinese shoppers' evolving preferences.

"We have full confidence in China and will continue to expand investment here," Tan said.
Washington (CNN)  President-elect Donald Trump will begin the process of reshaping America's trade policy on Day 1 of his administration, according to a memo drafted by his transition team obtained by CNN.

The document lays out the skeleton of Trump's trade policy for the first 200 days of his presidency, focusing on a set of principles including renegotiating or withdrawing from the North American Free Trade Agreement -- a frequent promise Trump made on the campaign trail.

The memo itself notes that plenty could change before Trump starts his presidency on January 20, 2017, calling the contents "for discussion purposes only." But the draft memo reveals what the Trump transition team has developed as a blueprint for Trump's administration based on its pre-election work and Trump's own campaign promises.

"The Trump trade plan breaks with the globalist wings of both the Republican and Democratic parties," the document notes. "The Trump administration will reverse decades of conciliatory trade policy. New trade agreements will be negotiated that provide for the interests of US workers and companies first."

The 200-day plan is built around five main principles, plus an extra plank on manufacturing jobs. First is renegotiating or withdrawing from NAFTA, second is stopping the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, third is stopping "unfair imports," fourth is ending "unfair trade practices," and fifth is pursuing bilateral trade deals. The final focus, to "retain and return manufacturing jobs," focuses on lowering the business tax rate and eliminating regulations on businesses and restrictions on domestic energy.

The provisions on TPP are almost certainly moot, as congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle say the deal will not come up for ratification in the lame duck congressional session. Trump would then not need to take any action to kill it, because the deal would be effectively dead.

The plan also gives benchmarks for Days 1, 100 and 200 of the Trump administration.

On Day 1, Trump would begin reforming NAFTA, including ordering the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission to begin a study on what the ramifications of withdrawing from the treaty would be, and what would be required legislatively to do so. He would also have the US Trade Representative notify Mexico and Canada that the US intends to propose some amendments to the treaty, which could include measures on currency manipulation, lumber, country of origin labeling and environmental and safety standards.

A draft presidential memorandum at the end of the document that could be used to order the review of NAFTA orders the report to pay "extra consideration to the effects such a policy change may have on the middle class, manufacturing and service sector workers, and foreign direct investment into the United States."

Trump would also submit legislation on currency manipulation, review whether our trading partners engage in "harmful" practices, and would order the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US to review food security in trade and reciprocity in international corporate takeovers (i.e. whether a US company would be able to buy a Chinese company like a Chinese company would be able to be buy a US company).

By Day 100, the plan says, Trump would continue NAFTA renegotiations, would pursue cracking down on China by seeing if they could be labeled a currency manipulator and through bilateral trade negotiations. He would also bring the intelligence community into the trade world.

By Day 200, Trump would be considering formally withdrawing from NAFTA and continuing to pursue bilateral trade agreements. The document notes that Congress has granted the President Trade Promotion Authority -- power for the President to get trade deals through Congress more swiftly -- until 2018 and it could be extended until 2021.

The memo notes caveats, including that there could be negative consequences of withdrawing from NAFTA. But the document also notes those impacts could be mitigated if the US were to pursue bilateral trade agreements with Canada and Mexico.

The Trump transition didn't respond to a request for comment about if Trump had reviewed the document and what his thoughts were.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trump transition memo: Trade reform begins Day 1"
The Ghanaian Community in the Pittsburgh area have been commended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the United States of America, His Excellency Dr. Barfour Adjei-Barwuah.

Speaking at the Annual Dinner Dance and Fundraising organised by the Ghanaian Association of Pittsburgh, Ambassador Adjei-Barwuah observed that having attended numerous Ghanaian events in America, children are often left in the house.

 This is the second time I have been to a Ghanaian community [event], where people have consciously brought [their] children to the function and I want to congratulate you for that because most of the time, you leave the children [at] home, this statement was met by loud applause and cheers from the patrons.

So feel proud of yourself for being able to do that, he continued.

His Excellency also advised Ghanaians who are not members of the Association to register to be part and contribute to the growth of the Ghanaian Community in the Pittsburgh area.

He re-echoed President Nana Akufo-Addos word that they must not be spectators, instead they must be participants.
In July 2018, after President Donald Trump warned Irans president not to threaten the United States, a rejoinder came not from the Iranian leader but from a shadowy military figure perhaps just as powerful.

Baghdad: In July 2018, after President Donald Trump warned Iran's president not to threaten the United States, a rejoinder came not from the Iranian leader but from a military figure perhaps even more powerful.

It is beneath the dignity of our president to respond to you, Major General Qassem Soleimani declared in a speech in western Iran. I, as a soldier, respond to you.

On Friday, Soleimani was reported killed in an airstrike in Baghdad.

The general, a once-shadowy figure who enjoyed celebrity-like status among the hard-line conservatives in Iran, was a figure of intense interest to people inside and outside the country.

It is not just that he was in charge of Iranian intelligence gathering and covert military operations, and regarded as one of its most cunning and autonomous military figures. He was also believed to be very close to the countrys supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei  and seen as a potential future leader of Iran.

That Soleimani was in Iraq when he was killed at age 62, at Baghdad International Airport, was not surprising.

He was in charge of the Quds Force of Irans Revolutionary Guard, a special forces unit that undertakes Iranian missions in other countries. He had been named to lead it in the late 1990s.

In that role, Soleimani was believed to be the chief strategist behind Irans military ventures and influence in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere in the region and beyond. He was considered the most effective military intelligence official in the region.

A senior Iraqi intelligence official once told US officials in Baghdad that Soleimani had described himself as the sole authority for Iranian actions in Iraq.

In his speech denouncing Trump, he was even less discreet  and openly mocking.

"We are near you, where you cant even imagine," he said. "We are ready. We are the man of this arena."

Well before the speech, US officials had learned to see Soleimani as a formidable adversary.

After the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein, the United States accused Soleimani of plotting attacks on US soldiers.

The general worked to expand Iran's influence in Iraq, tying down the US military. The Iranian government was determined to retain its influence in the region and felt threatened by the expanding US military presence on its western and eastern flanks.

And in 2011, the Treasury Department placed him on a sanctions blacklist, accusing him of complicity in what US officials called a plot to kill the Saudi ambassador to Washington.

But at times, the adversary looked more like ally, however tenuous the relationship. US officials cooperated with the Iranian general in Iraq to reverse gains made by the Islamic State  a mutual enemy.

At the height of the Iraq War, as the Quds Force under Soleimani armed and trained Shiite militias in Iraq, the general was stoking violence and then mediating the conflict so he could make himself indispensable and keep the Iraqis off balance, former US officials have said.

According to a June 2008 cable written by Ryan Crocker, then the US ambassador to Baghdad, Soleimani played a role in brokering a cease-fire that enabled the battered Shiite militias in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad, which Iran was supporting, to withdraw.

In 2015, Soleimani was in the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit, commanding Iraqi Shiite militias that were trying to recapture it from ISIS fighters. U.S. warplanes belatedly joined that campaign.

Soleimani also caught the imagination of ordinary Iranians. He came to prominence during Irans bloody eight-year war with Iraq. As a Revolutionary Guards commander, he gained a reputation for leading reconnaissance missions behind Iraqi lines.

For Qasem Soleimani, the Iran-Iraq war never really ended, Crocker once said in an interview. No human being could have come through such a World War I-style conflict and not have been forever affected. His strategic goal was an outright victory over Iraq, and if that was not possible, to create and influence a weak

Eric Nagourney c.2019 The New York Times Company
As a private citizen, Mr. Trump repeatedly accused Mr. Obama of preparing to go to war with Iran to bolster his re-election chances in 2012. As president, Mr. Trump has questioned his own intelligence agencies and peddled repeated falsehoods, a record that could undermine the administrations credibility on the highly delicate subject.

Democratic leaders complained that Mr. Trump acted without consulting or even telling Congress first. The president responded by retweeting a post comparing Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, to the Iranians.

A post by Dinesh DSouza, a conservative commentator who was pardoned by Mr. Trump for a campaign finance violation, scoffed at Mr. Schumers complaint that he was not told in advance. Neither were the Iranians, and for pretty much the same reason, Mr. DSouza wrote in the tweet reposted by Mr. Trump.

John R. Bolton, the hawkish former national security adviser who left his job in September after clashes with Mr. Trump on Iran and other issues, offered congratulations on the killing of General Suleimani and said it was a decisive blow against the Quds Force. Posting on Twitter, he added that he hoped that this was the first step to regime change in Tehran.

Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, said that a classified briefing was being arranged for all senators next week and that everyone should welcome the demise of General Suleimani. For too long, this evil man operated without constraint, and countless innocents have suffered for it, Mr. McConnell said Friday on the Senate floor. Now his terrorist leadership has been ended.

Democrats said Mr. Trumps move could further involve the United States in Middle East conflict rather than pull out as he has promised. President Trump came into office saying he wanted to end Americas wars in the Middle East, but today we are closer to war with Iran than ever before and the Administrations reckless policy over the last 3 years has brought us to the brink, Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland tweeted.

General Suleimani, the driving force behind Iranian-sponsored attacks and operations over two decades around the region, including in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, was considered perhaps the second-most powerful figure in Iran, after Ayatollah Khamenei.
Announcement came after Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan concluded his one-day visit to Pakistan

Islamabad: The United Arab Emirates has extended USD 200 million aid to Pakistan for the development of the small and medium-sized enterprises in the country, finance adviser to prime minister Imran Khan has said.

The announcement came after Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan concluded his one-day visit to the country on Thursday. The adviser, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, on Thursday said "the money will be spent on small business promotion and jobs. This support is testimony to the expanding economic relations and friendship between our countries."

The Crown Prince directed the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development to allocate USD 200 million in order to assist the Pakistani government's efforts to create a stable and balanced national economy that will help achieve the country's sustainable development, Dawn News reported on Friday.

During the visit, the prince met Khan and held talks on bilateral, regional and international issues. The UAE is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the Middle East and a major source of investments. The UAE is also among Pakistan's prime development partners in the education, health, and energy sectors.

It hosts more than 1.6 million expatriate Pakistani community, which contributes remittances of around USD 4.5 billion annually to the GDP. This is the Crown Prince's second visit to Pakistan since Khan took office in August 2018. He had last visited Pakistan on 6 January last year, just weeks after his country offered USD 3 billion financial assistance to Pakistan to deal with its balance of payment crisis.

The Crown Prince's visit was considered by experts as an attempt to woo Pakistan against the backdrop of recent developments when Saudi Arabia and UAE apparently used pressure to stop Pakistan from attending the Kuala Lumpur summit held last month.

The summit from 19 to 21 December was seen by Saudis as an attempt to create a new bloc in the Muslim world that could become an alternative to the dysfunctional Organisation of Islamic Cooperation led by the Gulf Kingdom.
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said he was inclined to cancel an official trip to India planned for this month in order to deal with a bushfire crisis ravaging parts of his country. Asked by reporters if it was appropriate to leave Australia given the situation, Morrison said he was "inclined not to proceed" with the visit. Morrison was due to visit India from Jan 13 to 16 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. He was also due to visit Japan from January 16 to 17, but did not mention his intentions on that on Friday.
(ANSA) - Rome, January 3 - The Italian foreign ministry on Friday expressed concern about the situation in Iraq after the US attack in the area of Baghdad airport in which Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed. "The latest developments of the situation in Iraq are very worrying," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Over the last few days we have seen a dangerous escalation that culminated with the killing of Iranian general Soleimani.

"Italy makes a strong appeal for action of moderation and responsibility, avoiding acts that could have serious consequences for the whole region.

"No effort to ensure de-escalation and stability should go unused". "New hotbeds of tension are not in anyone's interests and they risk being fertile ground for terrorism and violent extremism".

Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini on Friday raised security at Italy's overseas military bases after the US killed Soleimani.

Security levels have been raised in contingents where Italian soldiers operate and, furthermore, deployments outside bases have been restricted to a minimum.

Guerini was immediately informed of Italian contingents in various operational theatres after the US operation.

He was said to be in constant touch with the operational command of the Italian forces.

Former defence chief of staff General Vincenzo Camporini told ANSA that Italy was "particularly exposed" to reactions.

"There is no doubt that after this action Iran will have to react, it cannot lose face," the general said.

"In what way? We don't know, but it is clear that Italy with its thousand soldiers in Lebanon, 300 in Libya and trainers in Iraq, is particularly exposed.

Camporini noted that, as well as being the "artificer" of Iranian military campaigns, Solemaini was also a "political personage of very great weight.

"And attacking the adversary's political level means raising the escalation to a level that it had never arrived at before.

"The red line has been crossed and we don't know what's behind it".

Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy's rightwing nationalist opposition League party, on Friday welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to order the attack in the area of Baghdad airport in which Suleimani was killed.

"Free women and men, faced with the silence of the cowards in Italy and the European Union, I must thank Trump and America's democracy for having eliminated one of the world's most dangerous, ruthless men," Salvini said.

"An Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedom".


President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday told angry Zimbabweans to eat vegetables and not meat when they told him that the economic situation in the country is forcing them to live from hand to mouth.

Mnangagwa made these remarks in Harares Kuwadzana suburb while conducting part of his National Cleanup Campaign.

Irate locals drowned his voice with angry chants, saying instead of conducting the cleanup exercise, he should be fixing the current economic decay gripping the nation, once considered southern Africas breadbasket.

Responding to peoples concerns on high meat prices, Mnangagwa said, Ahh! Meat! How about vegetables? Doctors recommend that people should eat vegetables, he said amid grumblings from the crowd, adding, doctors want you to eat vegetables so that you will be healthy, meat is not good for you 

When the people expressed their dismay over his remarks, Mnangagwa noted that  I think I beg to differ. I listen to doctors and thats why I eat vegetables.

Some people in the crowd demanded that the government should also force companies to reduce mealie meal prices.

Mnangagwa promised to take action on so-called unscrupulous people who were selling mealie meal above the set price of 50 Zimbabwe dollars for a 10 kilogram bag.

 If there are some unscrupulous business people who are not following the law, we will end up withdrawing licences of the people who are not following the law and this will force them to lose their businesses.

He said the government is subsidizing mealie meal prices in order to cushion Zimbabweans from the current harsh economic situation in the country.

In response to Mnangagwas remarks, Kuwadzana East Member of Parliament, Charlton Hwende, said the presidents reaction to peoples sentiments was an indication that he is out of touch with what is happening in Zimbabwe.

The angry residents also indicated that they are facing severe cash shortages, power outages and other challenges.

In his response, Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe will not revert to the multiple currency system, which observers say was far much better than the current mix of local currencies.




Some U.S. lawmakers, former leaders and experts fear unpredictable retaliation from Iran while others are claiming victory following President Donald Trump's sanctioned airstrike on that country's top military commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

But many argued Friday that it may be too soon to understand the implications and the steps needed to avoid escalated conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

The head of the Quds Force within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) -- which was recently designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department -- was killed at Baghdad's International Airport on Thursday night in what U.S. officials called a "decisive defensive action" to protect American personnel and diplomats in the region.

"It is impossible to overstate the significance of this action," said retired Army Gen. David Petraeus, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

"Soleimani was, in US terms, a combination of CIA Director, [Joint Special Operations Command] Commander, and Special Presidential Envoy for the Mideast," he said on his LinkedIn page, which he pointed to upon Military.com's request for comment.

Related: Iran Vows 'Harsh' Response to US Killing of Top General

"He was the second most important person in Iran and ... he had the blood of hundreds of American and coalition soldiers on his hands and that of countless of our Iraqi and partner elements in the region," said Petraeus, the former head of United States Central Command.

"There will inevitably be responses by Iranian and proxy forces; the question is whether they force the US to respond with direct attacks on Iranian forces and infrastructure, at a time when the Iranian economy is already seriously damaged by sanctions and when the Iranian people have already been demonstrating against the regime in very considerable numbers."

While the response on Capitol Hill to Soleimani's death and its implications for the U.S. presence in the Middle East broke down along predictable lines -- depending on whether the lawmaker was a Trump supporter or critic -- like Petraeus, many lawmakers questioned what ultimately comes next.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, one of Trump's closest allies, said he had been briefed by officials earlier this week that Soleimani was being targeted to thwart his plans to attack U.S. troops.

He said via Twitter: "To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more. Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America."

Other House and Senate Republicans rallied behind Trump, while Democrats warned of a wider war in the Middle East and the threat to U.S. and allied interests.

"President Trump has failed to effectively engage or counter Iran and has forced the United States into an endless cycle of escalation that risks wider war, endangers American lives, and has made both the region and the world less safe," Rep. Anthony Brown, D-Maryland, an Iraq veteran who served 30 years in the Army and retired as a colonel, said in a statement.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat who served multiple tours as an adviser in Iraq and worked at the White House under Presidents George Bush and Barack Obama, painted Soleimani as a significant destabilizing mastermind whose actions resulted in the deaths of hundreds of troops and allies.

"I watched friends and colleagues get hurt or killed by Iranian rockets, mortars and explosive devices that were provided to Iraqi proxies and used against U.S. forces under Soleimani's guidance," she said on Twitter. "We watched as his power increased and he brought strength and capability to groups in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, and to smaller cells around the Middle East and the world, with devastating consequences."

But Slotkin called for a cohesive strategy going forward to protect diplomats and troops already risking their lives.

"The two administrations I worked for both determined that the ultimate ends didn't justify the means" to kill Soleimani, she said. "The Trump administration has made a different calculation."

Slotkin was not alone in this determination.

"[Iran] thought it had Trump figured out. I think it's clear that they no longer do," said Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of the foreign policy program and senior fellow at the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution.

Maloney and her colleagues Daniel Byman, senior fellow at the Center for Middle East Policy, and Scott Anderson, a David M. Rubenstein fellow in the Governance Studies program and a senior editor at Lawfare, told reporters in a phone call Friday that the airstrike will likely create discontent between allies and nations that have partnered with the U.S. on counterterrorism campaigns across the Middle East, especially coalition members in the counter-Islamic State campaign.

"In many cases, they're [also] vulnerable" from this action, said Anderson.

Additionally, prospects for a much needed U.S.-Iran de-escalation have decreased significantly, added Daniel DePetris, a fellow at Defense Priorities.

"The U.S. has 60,000 troops in the Middle East spread across multiple countries. All of them will now be at risk of being targeted," he said. "There is no love lost for Soleimani; he had a lot of blood on his hands. But this isn't the issue. The issue is whether killing Soleimani was necessary to protect U.S. interests in the Middle East, which are quite narrow."

While some experts argued it may be too soon to tell what may happen in the next few days and weeks -- whether directly against U.S. assets in the region or a larger global response, they said further escalation from the U.S. is not the solution.

"Further escalation isn't going to yield policy changes," said Emma Ashford, a research fellow at the Cato Institute with expertise in oil, international security, Russia and the Middle East.

"No escalation so far has done so," she said.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at richard.sisk@military.com.

Read more: Is Iran's Military the Model for America's Adversaries?
Once a troubled youth, he's now focused on giving back his community its self-worth

KingFace cant walk two blocks without being stopped and recognized, either by a social media follower, or just for openly sporting a MAGA hat in the middle of New York City.

Im not here to convince anybody to be a Trump supporter or a Republican, I just want to share the truth, he said. Trump just so happens to be the truth; if it wasnt the truth I wouldnt support him, I wouldnt defend it. But being that he is, I have no choice but to defend the truth.

Now a public figure, KingFace, who is based in Queens, New York, said it really all happened by accident. He likes President Donald Trumps policies and openly defends them often because the hat hes worn every day for the past three years is a conversation starter.

One of his videos went viral. Since then, hes been invited to the White House for the recent Young Black Leadership Summit and spoken on stage at the Atlanta Blexit event. A few years ago, he never would have thought hed set foot in these places.

About a decade ago, politics meant nothing to him because they didnt affect his life in a neighborhood rife with crime and poverty. Now hes talking to people in the spot he once was in, and his reach has extended far beyond that.

I was being a follower, not understanding that Im a leader, he said. When I realized that I was a leader, I changed my mentality, which is the first thing thats important. Once you change the way you think, then your life will change.

For me, changing the way I think, I was invited to the White House. I met the president. Thats a positive thing for people to see.

KingFace in Manhattan on Nov. 25, 2019. (SAMIRA BOUAOU/THE EPOCH TIMES)

Community

KingFace was born Larry Henry, in Florida. When he was 3 months old, his mother gave him to his father to raise. He and his father then moved to Brooklyn.

I was a troubled youth, I was getting involved in stuff that I shouldnt have gotten involved with, like gangs, and catching gun charges, getting kicked out of school. I was basically a nuisance and basically a problem in society, he said.

He was looking for acceptance, and in the Brooklyn neighborhoods he lived in, the clear path to success was to run with gangs and work for drug dealers.

I wasnt thinking for myself, he said. He really only became part of a gang by being guilty by association. Since everyone already thought he was part of a gang, he joined one.

KingFace was, and still is, a member of the Bloods, though hes inactive. He wasnt interested in fighting other gang members; in fact, he was the only one in his neighborhood who wasnt a Crip.

Attacking each other on sight, based on color, is exactly whats happening with identity politics in the culture today, he added. I wanted to see the end of that, so thats what led to my changing my mentality.

I realized as I was looking at what was going on in my community, it was just damaging. In one year, I lost over like 30 of my friends to murder, and they didnt even get a chance to be 18 years old, so they dont even know what its like to be an adult. Seeing that, it hurt me. Im human. As much as I can seem tough and stuff like that, Im human, and it hurts to see people that you care about die.

Foray Into Politics

KingFace actually grew up a Trump supporter.

Ive always liked Donald Trump, since I was a kid, he said. Trump was referenced in rap all the time. He was a household name. He was always considered the American dream.

But he doesnt defend the president because he likes him as a personality; today, hes far more interested in Trumps policies.

What hes accomplishing now, hes been saying for 30 years, he said.

Youve seen the passion of how much he loves this country, and how much he wants to save it. He wants to help Americanswhich includes blacks, he said. I hate it when black people think just because you say American, its not including them. Black people have the same right to be an American as anybody else. Weve died for this country, we helped build this country.

For me, it doesnt matter if its a Democrat or Republican in office, as long as youre doing the best for the country.

In fact, KingFace had voted for Barack Obama.

I thought it was a great opportunity to show my people that there should be no excuses now because we have a black president, he said. He noticed that people in his community had bought into the victim mentality, believing some imaginary oppressor had told them they could never accomplish certain things in their life because of their color. With a black president in office, KingFace thought people might see that now there was no excusethey could accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Once he voted for Obama, though, he started looking into what the Democratic Party stood for, and found that it was almost single-handedly responsible for all the negative things that had happened to his community, such as the welfare state and identity politics. This caused him to become interested in politics.

Poverty, lack of education, safety, crimeI see a lot of that in our neighborhood. Ive learned that politics can have a major effect on the changes in our community, KingFace said.

When Aristotle wrote that man was a political animal, he was by no means saying wed be happiest as legislators; rather, that we are social and live and thrive in cities and societies.

KingFace espouses a similar philosophyhe lives in a community, so of course he has an interest in how it works, where he stands, and how it can be made better.

He has seen big government create the sort of dependency thats taken away peoples can-do attitudes. The result is the opposite of a virtuous cycle. He sees young women with low self-worth dressing and behaving promiscuously, getting pregnant, and raising children without fatherschildren who have low self-worth because one of their parents didnt want them. These are the girls who repeat the cycle and the boys who go on to commit crimes.

I think these things are important because it is part of the development of life and how you look at yourself, he said.

Because they dont care about their own lives. So why would they care about yours? So these things are important. I think we try to ignore it, act like it doesnt mean anything, but it does because its part of the cycle of the dangers in our community, especially black on black crime.

Economic policy is also at the heart of many issues. Everyone is looking for peace of mind, he said, and a lot of people in his community dont have that because theyre worrying about how to pay their bills.

KingFace believes giving his community back their self-worth is far more important.

Everything about what Im doing is about mentality. Because once we change the mentality, then well actually start to see some change, he said.

KingFace in Manhattan on Nov. 25, 2019. (SAMIRA BOUAOU/THE EPOCH TIMES)

Becoming the Solution

KingFace mentioned he recently invited Jesus into his life and has peace knowing hes walking a righteous path. He noted that he doesnt call himself a Christian.

Jesus did not hang with the rich and popular and successful. He was around the no-good people, the criminals, the thieves, you know, because thats who he wants to reach, KingFace said.

I believe these are the people that are most important to reach, because theyre the people that really affect a normal citizens life, he said. Most people going about their lives doing the right things wont affect much. But people doing the wrong things end up disproportionately affecting everyone because now you can get robbed by these people, home invasions, crime.

These are people in KingFaces neighborhoods, and often theyre just following what they see.

I think its important that people get to see different options, he said. If I show a young black man that you dont have to sell drugs to drive a Benz, I drive a Benz and I dont sell drugswhats the option? Oh, you could do this, you could get into politics, you could get into public speaking, you could get into other things other than selling drugs. Because in our community, thats the only option we see for success. We dont see the doctors and teachers driving around in our neighborhood with a lot of money, we see the drug dealers like that.

Ive got an eighth grade education but that didnt stop me from learning. That didnt stop me from reading. That didnt stop me from researching, he said. He can cite statistics on any area of policy that may affect his community, and can tell you more about local and national legislation than some newspapers can. Defending Trump has given him plenty of practice.

And people listen because he is part of their community. He speaks their language, which is more than just words. Its also how you dress, where you come from, how you hold yourself. People in his community dont want to listen to someone else who also has nothing, and they also dont want to listen to a man who has never done wrong and wont understand why people do certain things, he added.

I dont really want to dwell on the negatives [Ive done in my past], but Im not ashamed of it, because if I didnt go do those things I wouldnt be able to speak and relate to the people in my neighborhood, he said.

I dont want to ostracize them. I dont want to leave [gang members] behind. Thats what most people do when they get in a certain position. They leave the people behind. No, I want to bring you with me. But if youre going to come with me, were going to do it the right way. We need to help fix our community.

Many are reluctant to leave gangs, for instance, for fear of losing ties to people, and KingFace doesnt see this as a bad thing. He says he is a Blood for life.

Blood stands for Brotherly Love Overrides Oppression and Destruction, and although the gangs dont necessarily stand for that, thats what KingFace signed up for, and thats what he intends to have the gangs really do.

Lets do something different, more positive. Lets do this gang stuff that was originally about our community and uplifting our community, lets really live up to that, he said. Instead of making it negative, lets just turn it around and make it a positive.

KingFace says his mission is to spread the truth.

I think my purpose, which should be everybodys purpose, is to save souls. At the end of the day, the day I go I want to be able to say, God, look, I saved these people from damnation. Ive opened their eyes. I want to be able to bring souls back with me when I see my maker, he said.

Its not about money, a lot of people think this is about moneyI can make money, I was making a lot of money living an illegal lifestyle. Money is the easiest thing to make. I could go outside and put my hand out and I could get money. We make money seem like its so important, he said.

Im focused on changing peoples minds and waking them up to whats really going on.
A horrified mother in China has watched her son being savagely woken up by his kindergarten teacher during a nap and violently thrown onto the ground while viewing school security footage.

The female educator, said to be in a bad mood, was caught on camera dragging the pupil out of his bed by the hair and the arm before brutally flinging him aside.

Police have detained the teacher, reported a regional TV station.

Surveillance footage shows the teacher dragging up the boy by pulling his hair in China

She then yanks the boy by the arm with great force before slamming him onto the ground

The clip shows the boy lying on the floor and unable to move after being attacked during a nap

The incident took place recently at the Xijin Kindergarten in Nanning, the provincial capital of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, according to Nanning TV Station.

The teacher's abusive acts were exposed after the boy's mother, known by her surname Li, spotted multiple bruises on his head one day when he returned home and then demanded the kindergarten show her its surveillance footage.

Ms Li described the shocking scenes: '[The teacher] grabbed my son by the hair and swung him to the floor directly.'

A clip supplied by the mother to the station shows the teacher starting the assault by dragging the boy by the hair.

She is then seen pulling him forcibly by the arm.

The boy's landed hard on the ground on his head and was left lying on the floor and unable to move after being yanked up and slammed by the woman.

Ms Li said that her son had complained about constant headache since and that she had taken him to hospital for treatment.

Parents of some other children said their sons and daughters had been subject to similar attacks at the kindergarten.

A separate video shows one female teacher forcing a boy to stand on its bed as punishment

The clip then shows her throwing aside the child's pillow forcefully in front of the young pupil

The teacher then repeatedly jabs the boy's head with her fingers in the classroom abuse

A separate video shows one female teacher forcing a boy to stand on its bed as punishment. The clip then shows her throwing aside the child's pillow while jabbing his head with her fingers.

One parent, known by her surname Wang, accused the teacher in the second video of beating 'nearly everyone in the class' during a nap session. She claimed that the teacher beat the children in the head with an iron ruler.

One member of staff at the kindergarten told Nanning TV Station that the educator who had assaulted Ms Li's son had not been a teacher for long and that she had been 'taken away' by police.

Another employee said the teacher was 'a very nice person' and that she was in a bad mood that day.

The police were investigating the case, the report said.
The US and China will sign off on a phase one trade agreement on January 15, according to an announcement by US President Trump issued on New Years Eve.

Trump said he would sign a very large and comprehensive deal in Washington in the presence of high-level representatives of China and he would be going to China to start negotiations on a phase two deal at a later date.

Details of the agreement, which comprises an 86-page document, have yet to be released as both sides are examining the respective translations. It is believed to cover agreements by China to purchase more US products, particularly agricultural goods, commitments by China to take stronger action on the protection of intellectual property, a ban on competitive currency devaluation and improved access to Chinese markets for US financial services companies.

The US has made very few concessions. The 25 percent tariff imposed on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods will remain in force. The US only agreed not to impose a tariff on $156 billion worth of Chinese consumer products, which had been scheduled to go into effect on December 15, and to halve a 15 percent tariff on $120 billion worth of goods imposed last September.

It also contains provisions for tariffs to be re-imposed if the US deems that China has broken the terms of the deal and agreement cannot be reached via a disputes-settling procedure.

The signing of the phase one deal, assuming it goes ahead and there are no disagreements over the translation of the document, does not bring an end to the US trade war against China launched in May 2018 but is merely a limited truce.

The second stage will involve the key issues left out of the phase one deal, namely the US demand that China take action to halt its subsidies to state-owned enterprises and submit to US demands on the protection of intellectual property. These issues, rather than the demand that China increase its imports of US goods, have been at the centre of the conflict.

Powerful sections of the US political and military-intelligence establishments are determined to curb, if not altogether suppress, Chinas industrial and technological development under its Made in China 2025 program, which is regarded as an existential threat to US economic and even military dominance.

The key component of the phase one deal is the reported agreement that China will increase its purchases of US products and services by $200 billion over the next two years. Agricultural products will form a large part of this increase.

According to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, China has agreed to boost its agricultural purchases to $80 billion over the next two years. China has not confirmed this number and there are considerable doubts about how such an increasean effective doubling of Chinese purchaseswill be obtained.

The Chinese side has been very reluctant to commit itself to specific details because it fears this will bring charges from its other major trading partners that it is engaging in managed trade contravening regulations of the World Trade Organisation against such practices. Beijing has insisted that increased purchases of US products must be market-based.

An article in the South China Morning Post noted that because of the level of Chinese imports, totalling $1.84 trillion in 2017, it was certainly mathematically possible for Beijing to meet US demands. But this would not be achieved without trade diversion, substituting the imports of other nations and thereby upsetting other trading partners and potentially inviting challenges at the World Trade Organisation.

According to a Brazilian research organisation, cited in the article, Brazil could lose $10 billion, some 28 percent of its agricultural exports to China, as a result of the phase one deal and the boost for US soybean exports.

New Zealand, which sends one quarter of its agricultural exports to China, as a result of a free trade deal between the two countries, could be adversely affected, with US firms likely to target lucrative meat and dairy products markets.

Steve Jacobi, executive director of the New Zealand International Business Forum told the newspaper the US-China deal was an important issue and he would be looking at the detail of the agreement to assess whether our trade interests are affected.

The European Union may also be adversely impacted because it competes with the US in a number of areas, including cars, auto products, chemicals and aircraft, in the Chinese market. It is considered impossible that the $200 billion increase in US exports to China envisaged under the agreement, can come from agricultural and energy products alone.

Japan and South Korea could also see their exports of cars and electronics products such as semi-conductors reduced in favour of increased US imports.

Discriminatory action against US rivals is being made more likely by the slowing of the Chinese economy. According to official data, growth in the Chinese economy slowed to 6 percent in the third quarter of 2019, the lowest level since 1992, with unofficial estimates putting it at a lower level.

There was a contraction of 0.3 percent in Chinese exports between January and November 2019, while imports were down by 4.5 percent in the same period. The growth of fixed asset investment in manufacturing dropped to a record low of 2.5 percent.

Two developments in recent days have pointed to the concerns in official circles in Beijing about the outlook for the Chinese economy. Last week the National Development and Reform Commission, the countrys major planning agency, published four articles on the same day denying suggestions that the economy was slowing.

And the New Year opened with a decision by Chinas central bank to reduce by $115 billion the reserves that banks are required to hold with it. The Peoples Bank of China said the reduction of 0.5 percent in the reserve requirement ratio, which will come into effect on January 6, would help free up funds for the economy.

The bank said the move was to help offset cash withdrawals before the Lunar New Year and did not signify a change in its monetary policy. But the fact that it was undertaken, amid clear signs of a slowdown, points to wider concerns.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:24:38|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The suspect of a highly attended murdered doctor case in Beijing was prosecuted Friday, said the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate.

The suspect, named Sun Wenbin, was prosecuted on the charge of intentional homicide, the procuratorate said.

Earlier on Dec. 27, Sun was arrested for murdering Yang Wen, a doctor with the General Hospital of CAAC.
When stars are travelling along for a vacation and the bodyguards are out, it is no easy for them to come out unscathed sans being mobbed.

When two of Indias heartthrobs  Alia Bhatt as well as Ranbir Kapoor  were returning from Bangkok from their new year vacation, a bevy of selfie-hunters gheraoed them at the airport much before the flashbulbs dawned on these stars returning from a quick vacation.

Alia was shooting for Gangubai Kathaiwadi before she was lured into her holiday with beau Ranbir and now that she is back, she will be plunging into work again. But then the selfie seeking fans just mobbed them and even the paparazzi found it difficult to get a few proper shots of these stars who ostensibly were in a hurry after being swarmed with the mobs armed with their camera phones, says a source.
Ryanair CEO says group may not get 737 MAX until October - report Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary attends a Reuters Newsmaker event in London

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ryanair <RYA.I> may only receive its first delivery of the grounded 737 MAX aircraft from Boeing <BA.N> in October, chief executive Michael O'Leary said in an interview with German magazine Wirtschaftswoche.

The 737 MAX, Boeing's fastest-selling aircraft, has not flown since last March following two crashes which claimed 346 lives. O'Leary told Reuters last month that Ryanair may not receive any MAX aircraft in time for its summer season.

One of the world's largest airlines, Ryanair has 135 of the planes on order, but none in service. O'Leary has previously said it would not take orders in July or August because it is the airline's busiest time of the year.

"We were meant to have 58 planes by the summer," O'Leary said in the interview, extracts from which were published on Friday. "That went down to 30, then 20, then 10 and the latest is maybe only five. It's possible we'll only get the first jets in October 2020."

United Airlines last month extended the grounding of its in-service MAX flights until June, the longest period that any U.S. carrier has scheduled for keeping the aircraft out of service.

Boeing has been criticised by regulators, suppliers and airlines for providing what have turned out to be unrealistic estimates for the model returning to service and said last month that it was freezing 737 production in January.

In contrast to other airlines which have already agreed compensation with Boeing, including Turkish <THYAO.IS>, Southwest Airlines <LUV.N> and Germany's TUI <TUIGn.DE>, O'Leary said he would only discuss recompense after the planes were delivered.

(Reporting by Thomas Escritt; Additional reporting by Padraic Halpin in Dublin; Editing by Thomas Seythal and Jan Harvey)
The home ministry has confirmed receiving reports from a few states on the Popular Front of Indias (PFI) role in the recent violent protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, amid calls for banning the organisation.

States which have written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) include Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, said a senior MHA official, who is aware of the developments but didnt want to be named.

The Uttar Pradesh Police has said it has ample evidence of the 25 arrested PFI activists active involvement in the recent anti-CAA violence in the state. UP has demanded a ban on the Kerala-based organization.

The PFI describes itself as a social organization committed to empowering people to ensure justice, freedom and security but critics say it has a radical agenda. The organisation was born in 2006 through the merger of three Muslim organisations from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, and reportedly has about 80,000 members and sympathisers across India.

This isnt the first time that a demand to ban PFI has been raised. In the previous Modi government, the issue was considered and examined by the centre. But no decision was taken.

We have received reports from states and these are being examined carefully, the MHA official who didnt want to be named, said.

The MHA is the designated ministry which can ban organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

While the centre considers reports against PFI, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Zafaryab Jilani has backed the organisation and said its activities are not unlawful.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal police have rejected PFIs application to hold an anti-CAA rally in the state on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he will always remember the manner in which the nation "celebrated science, the space program and the strengths of scientists" during the Chandrayaan-2 mission in September last year.

"I am very happy that one of my first programmes at the start of the New Year and new decade is linked to science, technology and innovation. This programme is happening in Bengaluru, a city associated with science and innovation," Prime Minister Modi said here while addressing the 107th session of Indian Science Congress.

"The last time I had come to Bengaluru was when the eyes of the nation were set on Chandrayaan-2. That time, the manner in which our nation celebrated science, our space program and the strengths of our scientists will always be a part of my memory," he said.

He went on to add, "When we start the year 2020 with positivity and optimism of science and technology-driven development, we take one more step in fulfilling our dream."

In September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the nation from ISRO Control Centre here, after ISRO lost communication with 'Vikram' lander of Chandrayaan 2 moments before it was preparing to make a soft-landing on the south pole region of the Moon.

"Don't lose hope. Be courageous. There are ups and downs in life. What you all have done is not a small thing. You have done a great service to the country, science and mankind. I am with you. I wish you all the best," the Prime Minister had told the scientists.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Europe

French transport workers strike continues

French transport workers and other workers are maintaining their strike begun December 5, in defiance of the CFDT and UNSA unions call for a Christmas truce. They are opposing pension reforms put forward by Macrons right-wing government.

In Paris overnight transport on New Years Eve was hitin previous years some Metro, tram and bus services ran all night to allow people celebrating the New Year to get home. This year it was restricted to buses and three out of eight of the citys tram services.

The restrictions continued New Years Day with a severely limited service being provided by RATP, which runs the public transport facilities in Paris and the surrounding area.

CGT union members are planning a blockade of oil refineries across France from January 7 to 10, which would quickly lead to fuel shortages at French filling stations.

Talks with the government are scheduled for January 7. The unions will likely attempt a climb down in the face of the governments determination to impose the attacks on pensions.

French workers need to take the initiative and intervene independently of the unions. On December 24 the World Socialist Web Site wrote that strikers are increasingly demanding to decide their own actions independently of union bosses who negotiate with the state. The only possible progressive outcome of this confrontation between the working class and the government is for the working class to bring down Macron.

Strike by airline cabin crew at Germanwings

Cabin crew at Germanwings came out on strike midnight on Sunday and were to remain out until midnight New Years Day. The low-cost subsidiary of Lufthansa was expected to cancel around 180 flights because of the action.

The UFO union members are seeking higher pay, improved benefits and for those on temporary contracts to be given long-term contracts. Talks to avert the strike broke down on Saturday. Berlin-Tegel, Cologne-Bonn, Hamburg and Munich were among the airports hardest hit by the strike.

A Lufthansa-wide strike by cabin crew members took place at the beginning of November. It received wide support as working conditions have deteriorated in recent years. Twenty years ago, working as a steward for Lufthansa was considered a well-paid and secure job. Today it is a low-paid, insecure and demanding role.

Flights cancelled as Portuguese ground staff strike at Lisbon airport

Ground staff at Lisbon airport began a three-day stoppage December 27. The National Union for Civil Aviation Workers (SINTAC) members were protesting the failure of their employer to end a wage freeze.

According to the union an agreement to end a three-year freeze was scheduled to expire in November. Employer Portway did not lift the freeze because the workers rejected a revised employment contract put forward by the company in August.

Around 20 scheduled flights to and from the airport were cancelled, including from Paris, London and Manchester. According to Reuters, SINTAC plans further weekend strikes and a ban on overtime running up to the end of March.

Rail workers in southwest England ballot for further strike action

Rail workers employed by the South Western rail company are being balloted for further strike action. The result will be announced at the end of January. Any proposed strike would take place in February.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union members have been striking throughout December, save for election day, December 12. They are opposing the extension of the use of driver only operated (DOO) trains. Decembers strike by around 800 rail staff was part of an ongoing two-year old dispute against DOO. The action in December led to the cancellation of around 40 percent of the companys scheduled trains. Services into southwest London were particularly hard hit.

The strike was part of a long-running dispute against DOO, which threatens passenger safety and 6,000 guard jobs. Action against DOO has taken place nationally by rail guards over the last three years at numerous private train operating companies. The RMT isolated the disputes, with token stoppages on a regional basis, while accepting various forms of DOO on several franchises.

Finnish technology workers struggle continues into the new year

Finnish technology workers walked out December 9 against a wage offer of 0.5 percent for 2020. Talks between the technology workers union, the Industrial Union and the employers body broke down. They were due to resume Thursday.

Collective bargaining agreements covering several public and service sector groups of workers are to expire in the first half of 2020.

Finland has been engulfed in a strike wave against austerity, rising inequality, attacks on wages, and growing opposition to the entire political establishmentthe same issues radicalising working people around the world.

A two-week strike by postal workers in November was carried out against the transfer of 700 parcel delivery workers to an outsourced subsidiary of Posti (the Finnish national post service), resulting in wage cuts of up to 30 percent. Thousands of transport workers launched a solidarity strike, resulting in the cancellation of 300 flights by national airline Finnair.

Benefit staff in two Northern Ireland offices walk out

The strike by around 50 workers at Jobs and Benefits MOU (Mail Opening Units) offices in Coleraine and Limavady in Northern Ireland which began on December 23 is due to end Friday. The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) members, responsible for opening mail and inputting data, are involved in an unresolved pay dispute.

NIPSA members at the Child Maintenance Service unit in Belfast were scheduled to strike Thursday and Friday. Workers at the Employment Support Allowance Branch in Belfast are set to walk out on Monday.

The workers are protesting delays to their scheduled annual pay rise.

Home help staff in Dublin, Ireland to conduct strike ballots

Around 500 Irish home help staff will be balloted for strike action beginning January 20. The Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) members work for around 50 organisations providing home care services in the capital Dublin and surrounding area.

They work for Section 39 bodies, meaning they receive state financial support to provide home care provision.

Employers failed to implement an agreement signed in April last year under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. The agreement was to restore the pay of Section 39 body employees, cut following the 2008 financial crash.

At the end of January, SIPTU is to ballot 250 Section 39 bodies across Ireland that provide health and social service provision over pay cuts.

Africa

South African nuclear energy workers in Durban demonstrate over unpaid wages

Workers at the South African nuclear energy facility demonstrated outside its offices in Durban demanding their December wages.

The state-owned Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) said it will be difficult to pay wages up until March.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union say if the company does not pay December wages it will be a declaration of war, but it has no plan for industrial action. It previously offered to discuss a rescue plan with NECSA.

Employees of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) faced Christmas without wages.

Hundreds of ANC staff received a letter informing them they would not receive increments this year but saying that wages would be paid. A spokesman claimed the lack of funds is due to lack of donations because of the unpopularity of the party.

Nigerian power workers strike threat

Nigerian Power generation and distribution workers resumed their threat to walk out unless management honour an agreement that ended a previous strike a fortnight ago.

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) called off the stoppage at Transition Company of Nigeria (TCN)planned for 21 daysafter one day because the strike was deemed illegal.

Workers are demanding outstanding wages, the payment of dues and protesting sackings since the company was privatised.

TCN was formed in 2004 when the state-owned Power Holding Company of Nigeria was privatised. Thousands of workers were sacked without promised redundancy payments.

The TNC has not paid the union dues of company union Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) members for the last 33 months, worth N25 million. Around 70 percent of members left the SSAEAC and joined the NUEE.

Nigerian hospital university workers in Ekiti state threaten stoppage over sackings

Workers at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) Nigeria are threatening industrial action over proposed sackings and outstanding wages.

Trade Union Congress, Nigerian Labour Congress, and Joint Negotiating Council have given the teaching hospital fourteen days to withdraw the sackings or their members will strike.

Ekiti State University sacked 900 of its workforce three weeks ago claiming they were irregularly appointed and the university was overstaffed. Workers claim the hospital is understaffed and is losing trained staff to a brain drain abroad.

Further strikes loom in Nigeria over unimplemented minimum wage

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has threatened a confrontation over the minimum wage (MW) unless 31 outstanding states pay up by the end of the year. The NLC is proposing a warning strike from January 6.

Many states that have not paid the MW have formed committees for negotiations with the unions. While the N30,000 MW was agreed over a year ago, some workers did not get the previous MW of N18,000, or get paid at all or only received partial wages.
According to investigation, actions of IT Trade could lead to waste of $12,5 thousand

Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation Open source

The State Bureau of Investigation will purchase $200 thousand software from the company IT Trade, which previously appeared in the investigation of the department on the fact of embezzlement of budgetary funds, Investigation.Info reported with reference to the Prozorro public procurement portal.

IT Trading should deliver 759 Microsoft Office software packages for computers to the State Bureau of Investigation within a month.

As it became known from the definition of the Pechersky district court of Kyiv, in the summer of 2019, investigators of the bureau opened a criminal proceeding in which this company appeared. Law enforcement authorities investigated the illegal scheme of embezzlement of budget funds during the purchase of licensed equipment for the State Cybersecurity Center. According to the official investigation, the actions of the company IT Trade could lead to the embezzlement of $12,5 thousands. In October, bureau investigators gained access to company documents.

The company also recently signed an agreement with the Office of the Verkhovna Rada. For them, IT Trade for $110 thousand will deliver more than 450 Microsoft Office software packages for computers.

As we reported before, Iryna Venedyktova, the Acting Head of the State Bureau of Investigations of Ukraine decided to terminate her lawmaker's cadence. The MP from Servant of the People party claimed she already filed the respective appeal.
White evangelical Protestants stand noticeably apart from other religious people on abortion restrictions and LGBT discrimination protections, two of the most politically divisive issues at play in the 2020 presidential election, according to a new poll.

The findings point to an evangelical Protestant constituency thats more firmly aligned with President Trumps agenda than other Americans of faith. White evangelicals were also more likely than members of other faiths to say religion should have at least some influence on policymaking.
New Delhi/Lucknow: The additional sessions court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday released on bail 58 persons arrested during the anti-CAA protests in the state. Actor-activist Sadaf Jafar and several others, however, remained in jail while Bollywood celebrities like Mahesh Bhatt, Swara Bhaskar and Sushant Singh demanded her release.

Jafar, who is also a Congress spokesperson, was arrested in Lucknow on December 19 while live on Facebook from the spot where the protests against the amended citizenship law had gone violent. Mahesh Bhatt said that without liberty, free institutions are a sham.

Among those granted bail were environmental activists Ekta and Ravi Shekhar, who ended up in police custody while protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the NRC nearly two weeks ago.

The couples 14-month-old baby was all over the news and the child had taken ill in the past few days.

Anti-CAA stir: Two given bail on medical grounds

I didnt think it would take so long, an emotional Ekta told the media as she hugged her daughter after two weeks. Main bata nahin sakti (I cant put it in words), she said when asked how it felt.

The bail application of the couple  nabbed along with other protesters from Left groups from Beniyabagh and nearby localities for violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 CRPC  was initially cancelled by a lower court and the next hearing fixed for January 1. In their absence, their baby was cared for by her grandmother Sheila Tiwari, uncle Shashikant and her aunts.

In Delhi, the lower courts granted bail to four persons over last months Seelampur anti-CAA protests. While allowing the bail applications by Sajid Ali and Daniyal, the judge said there was nothing on record yet to show the involvement of the two accused in any violent mobs. Two others  Yusuf and Moinuddin  were given bail on medical grounds.

Meanwhile, protests took place in Miami, Florida, where Indians read out the Preamble of the Constitution in the streets opposing the CAA-NRC-NPR. Students of Jamia Millia Islamia and several artists painted streets outside Delhi University to protest against the CAA/NRC.
Leaders across the world warn that USs targeted killing of Iranian top general could ignite conflict in region.

International leaders have called for restraint and de-escalation following the assassination of Irans top general, ordered by US President Donald Trump, as Irans allies warned the killing could lead to conflict.

Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, was killed in a pre-dawn US air raid at Baghdads international airport on Friday.

At least six others were killed, including Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani.

The high-profile killings come amid a sharp escalation in Iran-US tensions.

Regional and world leaders have largely reacted with alarm, concerned that the US assassination of Soleimani could ignite a serious escalation in the region and possibly lead to war.

Iran

Following the attack, Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US of harsh retaliation.

Javed Zarif, Irans foreign minister, tweeted his response, saying: The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani  THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al  is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.

The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.

Iraq

Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the attack, calling it an aggression on Iraq that would spark a devastating war.

The assassination of an Iraqi military commander is an aggression on Iraq as a state, government and people, Abdul Mahdi said in a statement.

Carrying out physical liquidation operations against leading Iraqi figures or from a brotherly country on the Iraqi lands is a flagrant violation of Iraqs sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that triggers a destructive war in Iraq, the region and the world, Abdul Mahdi said.

He added that the attack was also a flagrant violation of the conditions authorising the presence of US troops on Iraqi soil.

Syria

The Syrian government accused Washington of trying to fuel conflict in the Middle East.

Syria is certain that this cowardly US aggression  will only strengthen determination to follow in the path of the resistances martyred leaders, a foreign ministry official was quoted as saying by the state news agency SANA.

The official described the killings as a serious escalation of the situation in the region and accused the US of resorting to the methods of criminal gangs.





Turkey

The Turkish foreign ministry said the assassination of Soleimani would increase insecurity and instability in the region.

In a written statement, the ministry said it was deeply concerned by the rising tensions between the US and Iran, and that turning Iraq into an arena for conflict would harm peace and stability in the region.

Turkey has always been against foreign interventions, assassinations and sectarian conflicts in the region, the ministry said.

Russia

Moscow warned that the assassination of Soleimani would increase tensions across the Middle East.

The killing of Soleimani  was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region, news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

Soleimani served the cause of protecting Irans national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people.

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by the recent rise in tensions in the Middle East, his spokesperson said in a statement.

The secretary-general has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf, Farhan Haq said. This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf.

China

China appealed for restraint from all sides, especially the United States.

We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily news briefing.

On Saturday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Iranian counterpart that the US should not abuse force and should instead seek solutions through dialogue.

The dangerous US military operation violates the basic norms of international relations and will aggravate regional tensions and turbulence, Wang told Mohammad Javad Zarif according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry.

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US had the right to defend itself by killing Soleimani.

Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right, Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office on Friday

Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks.

Hezbollah

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah called for Soleimanis death to be avenged.

Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins  will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide, Hassan Nasrallah said in a statement.

We who stayed by his side will follow in his footsteps and strive day and night to accomplish his goals, Nasrallah said.

Hamas

Hamas, the Palestinian group that administers the besieged Gaza Strip, issued a statement saying Soleimani was one of the leading Iranian army officials who had an important role in supporting the Palestinian resistance.

We condemn these continued American crimes sowing tensions in the region in service of the Israeli enemy, it said.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) group offered its condolences to the Iraqi people for the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, describing him as one of the symbols of Iraqi liberation from the US occupation.

This Iraq, which will always remain disobedient to American hegemony and control, will always remain Arab with its fighters and greater than the occupation, a PIJ statement said.





NATO

The NATO military alliance said it is monitoring the situation in Iraq closely with an eye on the safety of its training mission there.

NATO is monitoring the situation in the region very closely. We remain in close and regular contact with the US authorities, spokesman Dylan White told AFP.

At the request of the Iraqi government, NATOs training mission in the country is helping to strengthen the Iraqi forces and prevent the return of ISIS, he said.

The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary.

Germany

Chancellor Angela Merkels spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer urged restraint and de-escalation.

We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is now important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation, Demmer said.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the aim now was to prevent further escalation across the Middle East.

We are making use of our diplomatic channels to Iran and to other states in the region, he said. Since this morning we have been in close contact with our British and French partners and with other European countries on how we can best work to calm the situation.

United Kingdom

British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Dominic Raab urged all parties to de-escalate.

We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qassem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests, Raab said in a statement.

France

Frances priority is to stabilise the Middle East, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio.

What is happening is what we feared: Tensions between the United States and Iran are increasing, Montchalin said. The priority is to stabilise the region.

We have woken up to a more dangerous world, Montchalin added, saying French President Emmanuel Macron would consult soon with players in the region.
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At least five people were killed and four others injured in a clash between two rival groups over a land dispute in northwest Pakistan on Friday, police said.

The incident occurred at Azam Warsak area in South Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Two groups of Zalikhel tribals clashed over a disputed land and started firing. Five people were killed and four others sustained bullet wounds in the firing, police said.

To control the situation, paramilitary Frontier Corps force and police were deployed in the area, they said. PTI AYZ SCY
"The latest developments of the situation in Iraq are very worrying. The last few days have seen a dangerous escalation that has culminated in the killing of General Qasem Soleimani," said a Foreign Ministry statement.

Rome, Jan 3 (IANS/AKI) The killing of Iran's most powerful military commander in a US air raid in Iraq marks a "dangerous escalation" of tensions between Washington and Tehran, the Italian government said on Friday, urging diplomatic efforts towards dialogue.

Soleimani was assassinated early on Friday at Baghdad airport, along with other Iran-backed militia figures in a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. The air strike came after protesters attacked the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this week in an assault the Pentagon said that Soleimani had approved.

"Italy appeals strongly for moderation and responsibility, keeping channels of dialogue open and avoiding acts that can have serious consequences for the entire region.

"No effort should be spared to ensure a de-escalation and stability. New hotspots are in no one's interest and risk becoming fertile ground for terrorism and violent extremism," the Foreign Ministry statement said.

Iranian officials have called the drone strike an act of war to be met by "harsh retaliation".

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said those killed in the strike also included Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who commanded the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group which Washington blamed for the killing of a US civilian contractor in northern Iraq last Friday.

vd
NEWTOWN >> The Council Rock School Board on Jan. 6 announced that it has granted Superintendent Dr. Robert Fraser a temporary leave from his duties as administrative head of the school district. In the interim, the board has appointed assistant superintendent for teaching and learning Dr. Susan Elliott as substitute Superintendent. The Board looks forward to Dr. Fraser's return to the district...
A woman anti-CAA protester and a citizen's collective on Friday hit out at the city police for bringing her under the scanner after her social media profile shed light on her role as a researcher with a Pakistan body.

City Police Commissioner A K Viswanathan had said on Wednesday that a probe would be carried out to ascertain whether the woman, Gayatri Khandhadai, has links to Pakistan-based "Bytes for All".

According to police, Khandhadai has been a part of a slew of agitations held in the city against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and was also associated with the 'kolam,' demonstrations on Sunday. Khandhadai and other members of Citizens Against CAA said they were opposed to the legislation as it was against Constitutional values.

READ: Meerut ADG On CAA Protests: 'Police Did Not Let This Violence Turn Into Communal Riots'

The Pakistan link Viswanathan was referring to was about her report on women, atheists and members of LGBT community in nine countries being harassed on the basis of faith, she said.

This included the killing of bloggers in Bangladesh promoting rational thinking and that of Ahmadiyaas in Pakistan, she told reporters here. "How can the Commissioner casually release my personal details" in a press meet?, she asked. Senior advocate in the Madras High Court, R Vaigai, said there was nothing criminal is using the word Pakistan as there were ties between the two countries at various levels.

She wondered how the official could release information on an issue where the the investigation was still on. Vaigai also said that earlier in the day some advocates in the Madras High Court staged a protest against the CAA. The collective said it was exploring all legal options in this case.

On Sunday, police had said eight people, including five women, were picked up for holding the anti-CAA kolam (rangoli) drawing protest without permission and causing inconvenience to others, but were later let off. Khandadai said there was no need to obtain permission to draw 'kolams' and therefore they had not sought the police nod.
The state commissioner for persons with disabilities has directed the Delhi government, the three municipal corporations and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to immediately hire at least two special educators per school who specialise in various forms of physical or intellectual disabilities.

The move is aimed at correcting the skewed pupil-teacher ratio for children with special needs in city schools

In an order issued on December 31, 2019, the The state commissioner for persons with disabilities  a quasi-judicial body  had said that all the schools in Delhi should have special education teachers in Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability, deaf-blind, visual impairment, hearing impairment and Cerebral Palsy.

State commissioner for persons with disabilities TD Dhariyal said the directions were given after consulting with experts and interacting with parents of children with disabilities.

Simply putting students with disabilities in schools is not enough. We need to make them learn like other children and for that we need specialised teachers in sufficient numbers. We need to work on increasing the learning levels among these children and we cannot achieve that without fixing the skewed teacher student ratio in schools, he said.

According to an affidavit submitted by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) in the Delhi High Court last year, only 26% of the 1,329 special educators posts in government-run schools in the Capital are filled. The board, which conducts recruitment exams for government schools in the city, had also informed that of the 1,540 sanctioned posts of such teachers for schools run by the civic bodies  east, north and south  only 31.3% posts (482) are filled.

The commissioner has also instructed all the above mentioned bodies to maintain different pupil-teacher ratio for different disabilities. The schools should cater the needs of children with special needs as per their requirements. As per the generally accepted criteria, the pupil-teacher ratio for children with Cerebral Palsy, visual impairment and hearing impairment should be 1:8. For children with intellectual disability, ASD and Specific learning disabilities it should be 1:5 and for deaf-blind and a combination of two or more disabilities mentioned it should be 1:2, he said.

The commissioner has asked all the authorities to fill vacant posts of special education teachers on top priority well the next academic year starts in April 2020. They were also directed to submit a report mentioning the number of children with disabilities enrolled in their schools, type of disabilities, number of special educators on board and number of such teachers required, with the commissioners office within three months.

Binay Bhushan, director of the DoE, said that the department will examine the order and draw plan to implement all the recommendations given by the commissioner. We have also sent a requirement of around 970 special educators, he said.

Similarly, officials at the three civic bodies and the new Delhi Municipal Council said that they have already sent their requirements for the special education teachers to the DSSSB. We have already communicated about our requirements to the board. The teachers will be hired once we will receive new dossiers from the board, said an official of the east civic body.

ENDS

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Northern Ireland's manufacturers defied a UK-wide downturn last month with a pick-up in activity and optimism, it's been claimed.

Stephen Kelly, chief executive of Manufacturing NI, said companies had welcomed the certainty provided by the outcome of the general election.

He said that firms who had been putting off capital expenditure programmes had finally "lifted the phone" in December.

"People have spent the last year to 18 months priming contracts and getting things ready."

While buyers had been putting off decisive action, firms were now reporting that their phones were starting to ring.

But Mr Kelly said Northern Ireland manufacturers were not yet out of danger as they needed clarity about a future free trade agreement between the UK and the EU.

Clarity on the protocol governing trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK was also required beyond what it states about providing for "unfettered access" for goods leaving Northern Ireland.

"The UK needs a free trade agreement with the EU to protect supply chains and routes to market," he said.

"For example, the motor industry and aerospace sector are both particularly keen that there is a free trade agreement.

"From the smaller guys suppling component parts to the primary manufacturers who make maybe 50,000 cars a year, they all need market access."

The chief executive also said Manufacturing NI was "not clear" that agreeing a free trade agreement would be possible within a year, despite the timetable set by the Prime Minister.

But he added: "Regardless of that, all systems, processes and protocols around Northern Ireland and trade with the UK still have to be deisgned and agreed."

He said Manufacturing NI has said it had shared its views with local MPs, with yesterday the deadline for amendments to the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill.

The Bill is to be debated on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

Mr Kelly said: "We would hope that those who are taking their seats can come together and rally around a set of amendments that defines what unfettered looks like."

Northern Ireland's relative optimism came as the speed of decline in manufacturing UK-wide increased to its fastest pace in almost seven-and-a-half years in December, according to the IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey.

The closely-followed IHS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) recorded a score of 47.5 in December - with anything below 50 seen as a contraction - marking the eighth successive month of missing the neutral mark.

UK-wide, businesses are continuing to wait for greater political certainty before spending heavily in the manufacturing sector.

Rob Dobson, director at survey compliers IHS Markit, said: "New order inflows decreased and Brexit safety stocks were reduced. With demand weak and confidence remaining subdued, input purchasing was pared back sharply and jobs cut for the ninth successive month.

"The downturn is still being hardest felt at companies reliant on investment and business-to-business spending."

He added there was a slight uptick in consumer goods production, but this was not enough to offset the falls elsewhere in the sector.

"On this basis, it looks like UK manufacturing and the broader economy may start the new decade as they began the last, too reliant on consumer spending and still waiting for a sustained improvement in investment levels," he said.
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty

The Kremlin and its state-run media are none too happy with Donald Trump and his decision to order the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force.

In an official statement, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the decision to liquidate Soleimani as a foolhardy adventurist step by the Trump administration, predicting that it will increase tensions in the entire region. Soleimani was devoted to protecting Irans national interests. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people, Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov went even further, stressing that Soleimanis extrajudicial killing grossly violates international law and will result in serious consequences for regional peace and stability. Lavrov said that the targeted actions of a UN member state to eliminate officials of another UN member state, moreover, on the territory of a third sovereign state without its knowledge, flagrantly violate the principles of international law and deserve condemnation."

In a freshly created news section, The conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Russian state media outlet Vesti hailed Soleimani as an Iranian lion and lashed Trump as a weakling. Other members of the Kremlin-backed press snickered that America, which once stood astride the world stage, is now merely capable of the odd assassination.

Echoing Tehrans government-backed press, a Russian state television reporter, Stanislav Khamdokhov of RIA Novosti, described the assassination of Soleimani as a terrorist act by the United States of America.

While the Kremlin is displeased with President Trumps risky foreign policy undertaking, Russian lawmakers and analysts credit his unilateral decision to eliminate Soleimani to ignorance and a desire for a distraction from the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

A member of the Russian State Dumas International Affairs Committee, Elena Panina, attributed the seeming ease with which President Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani to the American presidents ignorance about the major generals stature in the region. Panina speculated that President Trump was set up by U.S. intelligence agencies and had no idea of Soleimanis status as a national hero in Iran.

Story continues

RIA Novosti columnist Irina Alksnis opined that the strike lays bare the weakness of the United States. She wrote, Geopolitically, the US is weakening before our very eyes. They are hopelessly bogged down in their previous military adventures (Afghanistan, Iraq) and do not risk getting into new ones even when they are openly challenged (like the DPRK). Americans are steadily losing political positions in the Middle East. Russia, Turkey and Iran are stepping on their heels. Washington simply does not have the strength to challenge Moscow in Syria or Tehran in Iraq. What used to be the U.S. grandiose military potential has now been reduced to the possibility of conducting a targeted special operation to eliminate an objectionable figure.

Alksnis described Soleimanis liquidation as a public relations move for the president. For Donald Trump, the annihilation of an Iranian general presents a decent opportunity for a domestic PR campaign, which is quite timely in the context of the upcoming elections, Alksnis concluded.

Russian state television reporter Valentin Bogdanov of Rossiya-24 blamed Soleimanis killing on Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic party, stating that without being hounded by the impeachment, Trump would not have attempted to solve his domestic political problems at the expense of foreign policy.

Meanwhile, rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran have proven to be beneficial for the Russian stock market. Oil prices soared following the Soleimani killing, and the Moscow Stock Exchange reached all-time record levels.

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Parents say health claims on food are 'baffling' and use own knowledge of food to guide healthy purchases as industry leaders and consumers meet to discuss the need for a change in food labeling, specifically health claims.

The EIT Food Health Claims Unpacked project has worked with consumers and food manufacturers to look at health claims made on food packaging.

In a series of focus groups, UK shoppers and food producers expressed negativity about the approved wording of health claims made by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which for many is unintelligible. Most consumers struggle to understand what an approved and evidence-based health claim such as "Biotin contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism" means, while the version which we find on food packs "Biotin fires up your metabolism, making you feel less tired" appears to most to be marketing language and makes them skeptical. There is a need to simplify the approved health claims without compromising consumer trust and the strength of scientific information.

Parents who took part said that they do not trust health claims and make trade-offs when buying food for their family. Food such as cereal may be high in sugar but is purchased because of other healthy elements such as vitamin and mineral fortification or fiber.

The research with consumers and food industry leaders was presented at a meeting held at the University of Reading. A consortium of experts and food manufacturers were presented with the focus group research and data collected from an online app the team developed. Following the presentation, the EIT Food Health Claims Unpacked partners called on the European Commission to 'demystify' the approved claims that are able to be printed on food packaging.

Prof Rodney Jones, an applied linguist from the University of Reading who is leading the project said: "The health claims that are made on food need to be in step with consumer understanding. What we're seeing in the research we've conducted is that current claims are too difficult to understand and so consumers don't trust them. One particular issue we have also seen is how other parts of the food packaging such as colors and graphics have a big influence on perception of the food claims made.

"As a result of our research, we believe that the European Commission need to reconsider the current policy on wordings health claims in order to give consumers more confidence and assurance that what we're putting in our baskets is going to have a beneficial effect on our health."

The EIT Food Health Claims Unpacked project provides information to help consumers understand evidence-based health facts about food and separate them from marketing language. The international team led by the University of Reading have developed a digital platform, which helps consumers unpack the dense scientific jargon of regulated health claims and invites them to help to create versions of the claims that they can understand and trust but are still scientifically accurate.

Explore further Consumers view nutrition and health claims differently than regulators
The world may not think much of Abhishek Bachchan the actor, but nobody can challenge the fact that AB Jr has delivered some really good performances over the course of his Bollywood journey, so far.

For many of his admirers, one such memorable performance of the actor was in Guru and undeniably, it is perhaps one of his best performances on the silver screen. For anybody who has watched the movie, it would surely be difficult to imagine somebody else portray the role of Gurukant Desai than Abhishek.

 Madras Talkies

His powerful and more-than-convincing performance in the film won him much-deserved acclaim, and with the recently-shared first look of Abhishek's next film The Big Bull coming out, we have an inkling that it wouldn't be wrong to expect a Guru-like reboot from this film inspired by one of India's most infamous scammers and broker Harshad Mehta.

Now, let us tell you why.

Right from the very subject of The Big Bull, to the genre that the film is set to deal with, it's pretty much in keeping with a Bildungsroman, or simply put, a narrative that traces the rise of a protagonist.

 Quora

That brings us to the most important part of this article. Who da fcuk is Harshad Mehta.

Who Is Harshad Mehta

On the surface level, suffice it to say that Harshad Mehta was the brightest stockbroker India had seen in the 80s, who fell from grace at the end of the 20th century after having acquired a colossal wealth and fame through his trading secrets. Until one fine day, Harshad Big Bull Mehta turned into India's 'king of scams' who was served with 27 criminal charges against him.

Before his sudden death, while in police custody due to a heart ailment in 2001, Harshad was convicted in four of the twenty-seven criminal charges against him.

The (In)Famous 1992 Security Scam

 Twitter

It was journalist Sucheta Dala who exposed Mehta and his accomplices' scam in 1992 through an article that was published in The Times of India. In her own words, this is what Mehta had been doing to hike up stock prices and make truckloads of money by fooling small-scale banks and stock buyers.

 Twitter

The crucial mechanism through which the scam was effected was the ready forward (RF) deal. The RF is in essence a secured short-term (typically 15-day) loan from one bank to another. Crudely put, the bank lends against government securities just as a pawnbroker lends against jewellery. The borrowing bank actually sells the securities to the lending bank and buys them back at the end of the period of the loan, typically at a slightly higher price. It was this ready forward deal that Mehta and his accomplices used with great success to channel money from the banking system.

The Perfect 'Bollywood' Subject

 Twitter

Before the expose, Harshad channelled the perfect 'Pied Piper' of the Indian stock market, who succeeded in fuelling the greed and aspiration of millions of middle-class Indian in the 90s. His rise made for the perfect 'rags to riches' story that people are eager to grab a bite of - a small-town boy who turned into the Sultan of Dalal Street until he was overthrown.

With Abhishek on the forefront of The Big Bull, we are hoping to witness the journey of Hashad Mehta the way we saw Gurukant Desai's.
Gen. Qassim Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike - AFP

US lawmakers were not told in advance of the attack ordered by President Donald Trump that killed a top Iranian military commander, a senior House Democrat said late on Thursday.

General Qassim Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a US airstrike alongside top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis early on Friday.

The high-profile assassinations are likely to be a massive blow to Iran, which has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with the storming of the US embassy in Iraq.

While Republicans cheered news of Soleimani's demise, Democrats said there were legal concerns over the operation and warned of severe repercussions.

The strike conducted in Iraq "went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress," House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement.

Soleimani was "the mastermind of immense violence" who has "the blood of Americans on his hands," the Democratic lawmaker said.

But "to push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress's powers as a coequal branch of government," Mr Engel added.

The White House traditionally notifies senior members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of major military action.

But top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer "was not given advanced notice" of the strike, a senior Democratic aide told AFP.

The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action.

But several Democrats have warned that Congress's constitutional role in making decisions about war have been eroded in the first three years of the Trump administration.

"Even if this strike was in self-defence, no current congressional authorisation covered it and the President needs to notify Congress within 48 hours pursuant to the War Powers Resolution," Mr Engel said.

Story continues

Senior Democrats lined up to warn that the move threatened stability in the region.

Joe Biden, a Democratic presidential candidate, said "no American will mourn Solemani's passing".

But he warned that the move would likely have significant ramifications in the region.

"President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond."

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, another Democratic presidential contender, said "Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans".

My statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/4Q9tlLAYFB  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 3, 2020

"But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war."

Republicans hailed the strike and congratulated Mr Trump.

"Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands," former US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said on Twitter. "His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice.

"Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing."

To the Iranian government: If you want to stay in the oil business leave America and our allies alone and stop being the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world.  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020

Lindsey Graham, senator of South Carolina, threatened Iran with attacks on its oil refineries if it continues to target US interests.

"Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America," Mr Graham said. "If Iran continues to attack America and our allies, they should pay the heaviest of prices, which includes the destruction of their oil refineries."
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.




Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is behind the rumo...





Adams Oshiomhole, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is behind the rumours that President Muhammadu Buhari wants another term.





Oshiomhole said this on Thursday while speaking with reporters after meeting with Buhari at the state house.





In his New Year message, the president insisted that he will not seek a third term in office. This irked the opposition party and it said Buhari and his party will have no option but to leave power in 2023.





But Oshiomhole said the president needed to reassure Nigerians that he would not seek a third term in office because the opposition party planted the propaganda.

I am surprised to see that there are people who begin to wonder why should the President reassure Nigerians that he is not going to do third term in office third term was planted by PDP, the chairman said.





It is still in the sub-consciousness of most Nigerians that the first (sic) Nigerian president tried to do third term, emptied the treasury to bribe members of the national assembly and since that president left, thanks to the national assembly, no other next president has done eight years in office.





You can recall that President YarAdua unfortunately has since joined his ancestors, and President Jonathan did six years and so by the special grace of God, this President (Buhari) whom we pray will do his eight years complete in line with the provision of the constitution.





And because there is a level of idleness within a section of the political class people can sponsor all kinds of publications and to give doubt whether or not the President is planning to stay longer.





And I think it is his decision that at every interval he needs to remind Nigerians that he is not about to do what a PDP President did. For me it is necessary and in any case it costs us nothing to reassure us that I am leaving.




General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed by US air raid at Baghdad's international airport on Friday, along with six others. The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the death of Iran's powerful military head by saying that the attack was directed by US President Donald Trump on January 3. To assert further, the US President posted a picture of the country's flag on his Twitter account.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," the Department of Defense said.

READ| Iran's IRGC guards paint Israel flag on shoe soles out of spite

Iran's vows 'harsh retaliation'

Citing a Revolutionary Guard statement, Iranian state television said Soleimani was martyred in an attack by U.S. helicopters near the airport, without elaborating. Soon after, the advisor to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, said that the US must wait for "repercussions" for crossing the "red line." The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, the officials said. On January 3, Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei declared three days of mourning for Soleimani, and, threatened the US saying "a harsh retaliation is waiting."

In strong condemnation, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called the act, orchestrated by Trump, as 'international terrorism' and 'foolish escalation.' In a tweet, he said, "The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism." Javad Zarif said, "The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."

READ| Hezbollah chief says Saudi Arabia regime in final stages of its life

The death of General Soleimani and Iraq's pro-Hezbollah Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis marks a significant watershed in the Middle Eastern policy and the Iran-US relations. In the past decade, under the leadership of Soleimani, Iran conducted proxy wars across the Middle East region in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, and parts of Lebanon controlled by Hezbollah. He was instrumental in shaping Iran's influence in the region, which was threatened by arch-foes --the West, Saudi Arabia, and Israeli.

Donald Trump has time and again showed a willingness to end the US military presence in the area. "Were getting out. Let someone else fight over this long blood-stained sand. The job of our military is not to police the world," he had declared back in 2019. However, with concerns of a bloody aftermath of this attack, the killing of Suleimani is likely to be a climacteric moment for the US in the Middle East.

Soleimani's IRGC, which was designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by Donald Trump in April last year, backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the 2011 civil war and to battle the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIS). Soleimani had been rumoured dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad. Rumours circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

The attack came amid tensions with the United States after a New Years Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The two-day embassy attack which ended Wednesday prompted President Donald Trump to order about 750 U.S. soldiers deployed to the Middle East. However, the tensions between US-Iran take root in Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw the U.S. from Irans nuclear deal with world powers, struck under his predecessor.

READ| Saudi Arabia asks Pakistan, Iraq to intervene in conflict with Iran

READ| 'Iran will destroy Saudi Arabia' in any war, warns Hezbollah leader

(with AP inputs)
In case youre wondering how 2020 is going so far, the top trending topic on Twitter last night was (for a time) World War 3. This was a response to the assassination of the Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on the orders of Americas favourite orange-hued war hawk, Donald Trump.

MAGA Twitter celebrated the killing-via-airstrike of a foreign military official without congressional approval with a zeal usually reserved for a Luke Bryan concert  despite the fact most Americans had never heard of Soleimani before he was killed. And, in fairness, Soleimani was held to be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers by Washington and seen as an evil man. Theres an argument to be made that the world is better off with him dead.

Killing him, though, is a dramatic escalation by the United States in what up to this point had been mostly cold hostilities with Iran. It is such a recklessly provocative move that George W Bush considered it and passed on the opportunity. When a man who isnt beyond using overstated intelligence reports to justify a war says, too risky, you know its a bad idea.

The events of last night are frightening precisely because of what we dont know. Theyre infuriating, though, because of what we do know. What we know is that Iran will (rightly, if were being frank) view the killing of one of their top generals as an act of aggression. We know that America has been at war in Afghanistan for 18 years  the longest war in our nations history. We know that more than 6,700 Americans died fighting in that war and in the quagmire that was Iraq.

We know that Donald Trump pledged to get Americans out of the Middle East indeed, he painted Hillary Clinton as an imperialist who would get America into an endless stream of endless wars during the 2016 electionbut is instead doubling-down in the region, the ill-advised Syria withdraw aside. And, we know Trump, facing an impeachment trial in the coming weeks and reelection later this year, is underwater when it comes to his approval rating; the majority of Americans disapprove of his job.

I'm not saying Donald Trump is wagging the dog because that would be assuming he thinks strategically. But the fact is that state-sponsored assassinations are exactly the kind of world policing the isolationist idiot campaigned against, yet his supporters are lapping this up. Thank you for actually handling this, Trump sycophant and political strategist Caleb Hull tweeted in response to Trumps jpeg of an American flaghis gloating, jingoistic andmaddeninglyonly comment on the subject of practically declaring war.

Watching the the MAGA crowd dance on the grave of someone the US has long seen as a terrorist was annoying not because he was a good guy, but because they dont (or cant) consider what his death could precipitate. What should make us all apoplectic, though, is that Donald Trump might well lead us into a regime-change war that he is far from equipped to command. This is a man who cannot think beyond his next tweet, let alone create a strategy for a victorious invasion of an entrenched and determined foe.

I hope it doesnt come to that, because theres a real human cost to this. Aside from the aforementioned thousands of American soldiers who have died in two decades worth of wars in the Middle East, more than half a million Iraqis died as a result of the American invasion of that country, with nearly a quarter million more dead in Afghanistan. Thats about the population of Seattle, dead because of wars we entered without having the faintest idea of what we hoped to accomplish or how we would win.

Its too early to know how Tehran will respond or how close to the brink of being bogged down in another Middle Eastern war we are. Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted that the assassination was a foolish escalation, and that the United States bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism. What those consequences are remains to be seen.

Happy New War, yall.
Meerut: The families of two of the five people killed in Meerut in violence during the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests on December 20 have accused the authorities of denying them their post-mortem reports.

My family is still struggling to get the report, said Imran, whose brother, Mohsin, was among the five killed. He added they sought former Congress lawmaker Imran Masood and Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Choudharys help but nothing happened.

Naushad, uncle of Asif who was also killed in Meerut on December 20, said local police have told them they are yet to get the report in this case too.

We approached our councillor, former councillor, city Congress president and many other leaders over the past 10 days to get the report but nothing happened, said Naushads neighbour, Muhammad Waseem.

Meerut city Congress president, Zahid Ansari, said the families of some victims met him to seek his help in getting the reports. They are living in fear, he said.

Ansari said the kin of five were reluctant in visiting police stations, fearing they could be implicated in false cases. He accused police of depriving citizens of their legal rights and trying to conceal their wrongdoings.

Some residents alleged police were not providing the reports because all deaths occurred due to bullet injuries and they fear they could face court cases.

Anees Ahmad, a lawyer who is part of a Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind panel formed to provide legal aid to people detained in the aftermath of the anti-CAA violence, said police have claimed protesters were using firearms and some people died of bullet injuries. ...it is possible that the post-mortem examination reports may reveal a different story, which is why police are dragging their feet in providing the reports.

Additional director general (Meerut zone) Prashant Kumar said anybody can take post-mortem examination reports through a set procedure. They [kin of those killed] should meet the SSPs [senior police superintendents] of their respective districts and demand the post-mortem examination reports.
The first ever Three Kings parade or Cabalgata in Malaga took place in 1923. Until then, the tradition was for the Magi to take toys to children in hospital and orphanages on 5 January every year. The idea to take the Kings on to the streets of Malaga was started by lawyer, poet, journalist and regional primary education delegate, Narciso Diaz de Escovar.

According to newspapers reporting the event, the parade was led by a section of the Guardia Civil, who were followed by a band from the Red Cross. The Three Kings were accompanied by 10 pages and behind them came a float in the shape of a giant shoe (it is traditional in Spain to leave a shoe for the Kings to fill). There were fireworks and people watched from balconies as the cavalcade made its way slowly through the streets.

Nowadays, Three Kings parades are held in nearly every town and village in Spain on 5 January with some interesting variations from place to place. The Kings may arrive by boat or helicopter and make their way through the streets on horseback, floats and even camels. The cavalcade is escorted by many festive floats and bands and the Three Kings traditionally hurl kilos of sweets into the crowds with many people prepared with umbrellas and carrier bags to collect them.

The biggest processions take part in the cities and it is even possible to reserve a seat from which to watch the spectacle, however all the towns and villages will be putting on a show to thrill small children.

Starting times vary but more information can be found on town hall websites.
Feldmann  whos been with HDI since 2010  also predicted that the consolidation process is likely to continue throughout 2020.

Customers and brokers are understandably frustrated and longing for stable partners with a reliable long-term perspective and commitment, he told Insurance Business.

As an industrial mutual we are becoming more deeply established in the value chain as an integrated partner to our customers, much deeper than had previously been the case.

Feldmann also predicted that the trend of pricing increases and tightening of terms and conditions will likely continue throughout 2020 and well into 2021, given the performance of most global and local insurance companies in recent years.

The insurance industry as a whole has allowed fundamental technical underwriting principles to slip for quite some time which brought the industry to current market predicaments, he said.

We expect that insurance pricing and contract terms, based on technical fundamentals and risk quality, will be the key drivers for the insurance market in the corporate segment for the foreseeable future.

Feldmann also predicted that 2020 would be an interesting but demanding year for the insurance industry, partly due to the political instability which is fast becoming commonplace.

2020 will not only be a fascinating year, but also a challenging one  with Brexit, US elections, trade wars and geopolitical unrest, he told Insurance Business.

While the Australian economy remains resilient, given the potential volatility in the global economy we will certainly feel the impact in the industrial insurance market in Australia.

As an example, Feldmann pointed to the withdrawal and reduction in underwriting capacity from Lloyds of London, which has traditionally been a strong market participant in Australia.

Our industrial clients also feel the impact of the trade wars between the US and Australias major trading partner, China, he said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 17:11:02|Editor: ZX

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YANGON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 22 people were killed with 10 others injured in a traffic collision in Myanmar's Kayin state on Friday morning, said a press release from the Fire Service Department.

The crash which involved a vehicle and a passenger bus took place on Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Road in Myawaddy township at 11:00 a.m. local time.

The collision killed all passengers on the vehicle while 15 people were killed with some others injured in the passenger bus which plunged down a ravine.

The injured were sent to hospital while a search operation to rescue the rest of the passengers from the bus is underway, the release said.
[January 02, 2020] INVESTIGATION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against 500.com Limited and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm

The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of 500.com Limited ("500.com" or "the Company") (NYSE: WBAI) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. 500.com announced on December 31, 2019, that it would undertake an internal investigation into allegations of illegal money transfers. The investigation follows the arrest of one consultant to the Company(a former Director of the Company's Japanese subsidiary) along with two former consultants. The Company also announced the resignation of its Chairman of the Board and that its CEO would "step aside" for the duration of the investigation. Based on this news, shares of 500.com fell by more than 10% on January 2, 2020.



If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 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 [email protected].

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. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200102005577/en/

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Hong Kong Isolates Fever Patient After Mystery Virus Hits China's Wuhan

2020-01-02 -- Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said on Thursday it had isolated a patient who arrived from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, which state media says has seen an outbreak of "viral pneumonia" in recent days, but that she tested negative for SARS, avian and seasonal influenza.

The woman has been placed in isolation at Tuen Mun Hospital after falling sick after arriving from Wuhan, where officials are investigating 27 cases of viral pneumonia, including seven people in critical condition.

The Authority said the woman has an upper respiratory tract infection and a fever and is in a stable condition, but has tested negative for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), as well as bird flu and regular influenza.

Officials in Wuhan said that several clinics and hospitals in the city have received patients suffering from pneumonia, of which the cause was unknown. However, all patients have previously visited a seafood market in the city.

A team of experts from the National Health Commission arrived in Wuhan on Tuesday, and are "conducting relevant inspection and verification work," state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Online activist Zhang Ruigen said there are concerns that the ruling Chinese Communist Party may seek to cover up the seriousness of the outbreak, as it was accused of doing in 2003 by the World Health Organization during the SARS outbreak.

"I think the Wuhan government is cracking down on information," Zhang said. "They are trying to do a news blackout, and they are calling the truth rumors and fake news the truth."

"When SARS broke out in 2003, the government also blocked the news and said it was rumors, and then said it couldn't be covered at all," Zhang said. "This is still the same routine: they are calling it 'pneumonia of unknown cause.'"

"The first thing they think about is how not to reveal the truth. The first thing they do is detain people and censor public speech," he said.

Coverup feared

A local resident surnamed Feng agreed.

"They are deleting everything, and people are frightened because they haven't made an official announcement yet," Feng said. "I think the local government wants to cover it up, because it's the end of the year, and stability matters more than anything; that's their MO."

SARS -- described as atypical pneumonia caused by a coronavirus -- killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus, which infected more than 8,000 people around the world, is believed to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.

The WHO declared China free of the SARS virus in May 2004.

Initial reports indicated that a case of coronavirus-linked pneumonia was confirmed in the Central (No. 2) Hospital of the Tongji Medical College.

An employee who answered the phone at the hospital's department of respiratory medicine declined to comment when contacted by RFA.

"Sorry, we haven't received any feedback on the situation," the employee said.

An official who answered the phone at the Wuhan municipal health bureau said there was as yet no confirmed diagnosis of the disease.

"It should be referred to as pneumonia of unknown cause," the official said. "Don't cause panic. We haven't had any fatalities yet so people should just pay attention to hygiene and don't go to crowded places."

The seafood market that the epidemic was traced to lies close to Hankou Railway Station, which sees tens of thousands of people passing through every day, and yet the market hasn't been shut down, just subjected to disinfection routines, sources in the city told RFA.

While reports have suggested the virus may have come from infected meat at the market, health officials have said there have been no cases so far of human-to-human transmission.

Reported by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Qiao Long for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

Copyright  1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- I-Mab Biopharma ("I-Mab"), a global biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States and focused on the discovery and development of novel or highly differentiated biologics in immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases today announced the dosing of the first patient in mainland China in its registrational study evaluating its human CD38 antibody (TJ202/MOR202) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM).

I-Mab initiated two registrational trials with TJ202/MOR202 in relapsed or refractory MM in Taiwan in early 2019 and expanded these trials into mainland China in late 2019, after receiving IND clearance from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). The first trial (NCT03860038), a Phase 2 trial, is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TJ202/MOR202 as a third-line treatment in patients with relapsed or refractory MM, while the second trial (NCT03952091) is assessing the efficacy and safety of the combination of TJ202/MOR202 plus lenalidomide (LEN) and dexamethasone (DEX) versus the combination of LEN and DEX in patients with relapsed or refractory MM who received at least one prior line of treatment. Site preparations in China have proceeded well with the first patient being dosed on schedule in the Phase 2 study. Under I-Mab's fast-to-market development strategy, both studies have been designed as pivotal trials, which, if successful, could pave the way for new drug applications (NDA) for TJ202/MOR202 in Greater China.

"We are pleased that the first patient has been successfully dosed in mainland China," said Jingwu Zang, MD., PhD., Founder and Honorary Chairman of I-Mab Biopharma. "The initiation of enrollment in China of TJ202/MOR202 is an important milestone. We look forward to accelerating TJ202/MOR202 clinical program significantly towards registration, which will benefit the patients with multiple myeloma in China," added Dr. Zang.

TJ202/MOR202 is a differentiated antibody originally developed by MorphoSys AG that has shown promise in preclinical animal studies and early human clinical trials. I-Mab licensed the product from MorphoSys and owns the exclusive rights for its development and commercialization in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. I-Mab is developing this product in multiple myeloma and in certain autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus.

About TJ202/MOR202

TJ202/MOR202 is an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody derived from the MorphoSys HuCAL antibody technology. The antibody is directed against CD38 on the surface of multiple myeloma cells, which has been characterized as one of the most strongly and uniformly expressed antigens on the surface of malignant plasma cells. According to its suggested mechanism of action, the antibody recruits cells of the body's immune system to kill the tumor through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). The antibody does not involve complement dependent cytotoxicity, or CDC, an additional immune mechanism involved in tumor cell killing. Scientific research suggests that anti-CD38 antibodies may have therapeutic potential in other cancers and autoimmune diseases. Based on a license agreement between MorphoSys and I-Mab signed in November 2017, I-Mab owns the exclusive rights for the development and commercialization of TJ202/MOR202 in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

About I-Mab:

I-Mab is a dynamic, global biotech company exclusively focused on developing biologics of novel or highly differentiated in the therapeutic areas of immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases. I-Mab's mission is to bring transformational medicines to patients through innovation. I-Mab's innovative pipeline of more than 10 clinical and pre-clinical stage drug candidates is driven by the Company's Fast-to-PoC (Proof-of-Concept) and Fast-to-Market development strategies through internal R&D and global partnerships. The Company is on track to become a fully integrated end-to-end global biopharmaceutical company with cutting-edge discovery platforms, proven preclinical and clinical development expertise, and world-class GMP manufacturing capabilities. I-Mab is a private biopharmaceutical company with offices in China and the United States and has raised over US$400 million in equity financing since its establishment in 2016.

For more information, please see the Company's website at www.i-mabbiopharma.com

Contact:

Jielun Zhu, CFO

[email protected]

Michelle Yang, Executive Director of Clinical Operations

[email protected]

Amanda Dai, Associate Director of Public Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE I-Mab Biopharma

Related Links

www.i-mabbiopharma.com


Congress opened the new year with the Senate deadlocked over President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, leaving the proceedings deeply in flux as Republicans refuse to bend to Democratic demands for new witnesses.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell showed no signs Friday of negotiating with the Democrats as he aims for Trump's swift acquittal.

At the same time, the Republican leader acknowledged the Senate cannot begin the historic undertaking until House Speaker Nancy Pelosi delivers the articles of impeachment - which she is refusing to do until he provides details on the trial's scope. Neither seems willing to budge.

'Their turn is over,' McConnell said about the Democratic-led House. 'It's the Senate's turn now to render sober judgment as the framers intended.'

Pelosi responded that McConnell's stance 'made clear that he will feebly comply with President Trumps cover-up of his abuses of power and be an accomplice to that cover-up.'

The House and Senate gaveled in for brief sessions Friday with the crisis in the Middle East only adding to the uncertainty about how lawmakers will proceed with the impeachment trial, only the third in U.S. history.

On opposite sides: Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and minority leader Chuck Schumer said they had made zero progress on Donald Trump's impeachment trial

Trump was impeached last month by the House on charges that he abused power and obstructed Congress in his dealings with Ukraine. Trump withheld nearly $400 million in military aid for Ukraine, an Eastern European ally that depends on U.S. support to counter Russia, after asking President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to publicly announce an investigation into Trump rival Joe Biden. The aid was ultimately released after Congress objected.

Democrats believe their demands for witnesses are bolstered by new reports about Trump's decision to withhold the aid and unease among some GOP senators over the situation.

'The American people deserve the truth,' Pelosi said in a statement. 'Every Senator now faces a choice: to be loyal to the President or the Constitution.'

McConnell has said the trial should start and then senators can decide the scope. As he opened the chamber Friday, he criticized House Democrats as having engineered a 'slapdash' impeachment that was the 'most rushed, least fair' in history.

The GOP leader did not defend or criticize the president's actions toward Ukraine. But he invoked the Founding Fathers' vision of the slower-moving Senate as 'an institution that could stop momentary hysteria and partisan passions.'

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also drew on the founders to pressure Republican senators not to fall lockstep in line with Trump, as they typically do.

'The vital question, of whether or not we have a fair trial, ultimately rests with a majority of the senators in this chamber,'' Schumer said. Schumer, speaking after McConnell, said the majority leader was trying to set a trap by waiting to consider witnesses until after opening presentations.

By that time, Schumer said, McConnell would want to wrap things up and would accuse Democrats of wanting to "drag the whole affair out" by calling witnesses. The witnesses Democrats want to call have not previously testified - unlike in the Clinton trial, Schumer said.

He has asked for testimony from Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, along with former national security adviser John Bolton and two other White House aides.

"So if we don't get a commitment up front that the House managers will be able to call witnesses as part of their case, the Senate will act as little more than a nationally televised meeting of the 'Mock Trial Club,'" Schumer declared.

In an appeal to Republicans who may have concerns about McConnell's stance, Schumer also noted that a decision on the parameters of the trial "ultimately rests with a majority of the senators in this chamber."

Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial.

'We need the whole truth,' Schumer said. McConnell, he said, has been unable to make 'one single argument' against having witnesses and documents in the trial.

Two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, have indicated they were open to hearing from more witnesses and registered their concerns about McConnell's claim that he was working closely with the White House on the format for the trial.

Trump wants not only acquittal in the trial but also vindication from his GOP allies.

Statement: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell outlines why he wants a trial to start without witnesses - which Democrats are demanding

Impeached: Donald Trump is now waiting for his trial

The witnesses that Senate Democrats want to call refused to testify in the House proceedings under orders from the White House. They are Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and two other officials who were directly involved with Trump's decision to withhold the military assistance for Ukraine.

McConnell showed no signs of deviating from his opening stance. He defended his earlier remarks in which he said he would not be an `impartial juror' in the trial and stuck with his plan to follow the process used during Bill Clinton's impeachment, in which the trial was convened and then votes were taken to decide if additional witnesses were needed.

The GOP leader suggested the Senate will carry on with its other business while it waits for the House to act. 'We can't hold a trial without the articles,' McConnell said. 'So for now, we are content to continue the ordinary business of the Senate while House Democrats continue to flounder.'

The Constitution requires that the House and Senate convene on Jan. 3, but few lawmakers were in town for the perfunctory session. But the Senate leaders' remarks were being closely watched for signs of next steps amid the crisis in the Middle East after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general with airstrikes in Iraq.
. :              ,         .              .              ,   28 .        .   ...
With an annual budget north of $4.4 trillion, The U.S. is the largest single consumer of virtually everything it purchases. The defense portion of U.S. expenditures naturally rises in time or war, but with conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan greatly reduced, had settled into a range between $560 and $600 billion annually during the second term of the Obama administration.

As of 2016, the United States accounted for more than a third of global defense spending and its been on the rise since then.

President Trump campaigned on a promise to rebuild our depleted military and in office, hes living up to that promise.

Trump signed into law the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, committing $716 billion to defense spending during the fiscal year. Even when other budget consideration remain unresolved, Congress and the President have an easy time agreeing on defense spending.

Texas Republican Rep. Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee suggested that even higher defense budgets are on the horizon, saying of the 2019 allocation, The first job of the federal government is to defend the country. Were doing that on about 15% of the federal budget, but weve cut too much in the past eight years and we have to make up for some of the ground thats been lost.

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) supplies a wide range of Military systems to the U.S and also other countries. The business is broken down into four main categories  Aerospace Systems, Mission Systems, Technology Services and the newly acquired Innovation Systems.

In the Aerospace division, Northrop produces aircraft, spacecraft, high-energy systems and microelectronics. Mission Systems makes military radar, sensors and related products. Technology Services works on the entire lifecycle of civil and defense platforms through a wide range of services, including logistics, security, network operations and integrated air and missile defense serving not only the U.S government and other Sovereign nations, but also municipalities like the state of Virginia. Finally, Innovation Systems was borne from the acquisition of Orbital ATK and is a leader in space, defense and flight systems.

Story continues

Defense stocks are also generally defensive stocks, providing stable earnings regardless of the state of the overall stock market. With a beta of 0.76, NOC shares tend to move considerably less than the broad markets, especially during times of turmoil. In fact, periods of armed conflict  which cause significant uncertainty for most stocks  are actually the best times for defense companies as nations expand their offensive capabilities and refresh depleted resources.

Another positive aspect of the defense sector is that these companies generally have an easier time passing along cost increases to their customers than other industrial companies. When rising steel, oil or labor costs increase the price of finished goods, ordinary consumers can much more easily choose to delay the purchase of an automobile or even a tractor, but the government cant necessarily put off defense purchases. Defense companies are also naturally resistant to trade wars and tariffs, because governments are unlikely to enact tariffs on goods and services of which they themselves are the purchasers.

In their most recent earnings report, NOC handily beat the Zacks Consensus Estimates of $4.74/share in earnings, with $5.49/share in earnings on sales of $8.48B.

Analysts expect $20.38/share in earnings in full year 2019 and $23.01 in 2020. Both have been revised upward several times over the past quarter.

Northrup Grumman is a Zacks Ranks #2 (Buy).

Northrop also pays a 1.5% dividend, and has over $2.5B in Free Cash Flow to back it up.

Theres one more story that bodes well for the futures at Northrop Grumman. The most recent defense budget bill also provided the framework for the development of an additional branch of the US military  the Space Force.

The establishment of the Space Force will likely be a windfall for Northrup Grumman. Its a fair bet that a company with Northrops expertise in the space sector would make it a natural choice for the goods and services the new division would require. Until we know more about the ultimate size and shape of the Space Corps, this is a non-quantifiable wildcard, but one with the potential to create a strong tailwind for the company.

In an investing environment that includes all sorts of apparently hidden risks  trade wars, rising commodity prices, increased labor costs, etc., there are some companies that appear particularly well-equipped to weather the storm. With the support of a Presidential administration devoted to increased defense spending, Northrop Grumman belongs in any well-diversified portfolio.

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Newsweek reports:

President Donald Trump approved a U.S. drone strike that killed two senior Iraqi militia officials and the head of Irans Revolutionary Guards Quds Force. The operation, which Trump signed off Thursday morning, escalated tensions that had been simmering in Iraq during a week of unrest and bloodshed, and it put the U.S. in an aggressive posture in the region.

Qassem Soleimani is a major major figure in Iran. The New Yorker profiled him here. The best comparison I would do is consider him a Dick Cheney  someone with huge authority over foreign and military policy, who is sub-ordinate to only the Supreme Leader (and maybe the President).

Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing. @realDonaldTrump   Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 3, 2020

I tend to agree with Nikki Haley. Soleimani was a terrorist ringleader, and the mere fact he did so with the authority of Iran shouldnt be a protection. Trump has made a very strong response to the attack on the US Embassy, which I suspect Iran would have never expected.

Taking out a Queen in exchange for a threat to a Pawn is not the style of Middle-Eastern Chess that I'm familiar with  Peter Metcalfe (@metcalph) January 3, 2020

But Peter M is right that such a dramatic escalation is not something we have seen before. The doctrine has always been a proportional response, and this is hugely disproportional. West Wing fans will recall the episode where the pros and cons of both were debated by Bartlett and Leo.

Im less confident that this was done as part of a clear strategy. The best case scenario is Iran behaves better after such a bloody nose, as they fear other leaders could be taken out.

The worst case scenario is Iraq turns into a battleground between Iran and the US, and its all out war. The Iraqi Goverment is allied to both countries, and this act could see them having to choose Iran over the US.

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Iranians burn a US flag during a demonstration against the assassination in Tehran - AFP

Tehran will not leave the killing of its top commanders unanswered, and yesterday vowed "crushing revenge" over the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani.

The raid dramatically escalated already tense relations between the US and Iran, who have for months been fighting a shadow war.

The US is now bracing for a response, though it is unclear yet what form it will take.

Direct attacks

Iran showed in September with an attack on Saudi Arabias biggest oil field that is is capable of sophisticated and long-range attacks from its soil, if US intelligence is to be believed. Such a range would bring tourist-friendly cities such as Dubai in the UAE within striking distance.

But a direct attack on the US is difficult and might be considered too provocative a move for Iran as it suffers from an ailing economy brought to its knees by US sanctions, and growing unrest at home. Asymmetric warfare is how Iran fights.

It definitely can't go unanswered, Amir Toumaj, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies specialising in Iranian affairs, told the Telegraph. But, he said, Iran doesnt want a protracted conflict.

Allied installations and interests would be among the sets of targets. There will be huge pressure to strike US directly, which would invite harsh attacks again, he said.

The challenge is to calibrate the response in a way that would allow them to save face without re-creating the current pressure to have to reply to the US directly.

The US has a considerable military footprint in the UAE, as well as Kuwait and Qatar, while Bahrain is home to the US Fifth Fleet as well as a Royal Navy base, which could all be vulnerable.

A destroyed vehicle burns in the wake of the attack in Baghdad which killed the Iranian general Credit: AFP

However, Henry Rome, an analyst at Eurasia, believes such steps "would have the effect of unifying the Gulf against Tehran" and "Iran will instead target its ire against Washington in the near term."

Israel, a US ally and enemy of Tehran, is also within it sights, but would likely not be considered a sufficiently prominent enough target for such a high-profile assassination.

Story continues

Commercial interests

A resumption of attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf is more likely, and Tehran could launch military exercises to temporarily interrupt shipping.

Iran proved over the summer that it was capable of disrupting traffic in the busiest oil chokepoints in the world., harassing ships with Western flags and even hijacking and impounding the British Stena Impero.

With 30 per cent of the world's global oil supply travelling through the Strait, a resumption of attacks could be a blow for the global economy. Oil prices briefly spiked 4 per cent in the wake of the attack on Friday.

Iranian Major General Mohammad Bagheri warned a while ago that the strait could be closed completely, should hostilities go on.

Proxy attacks

Soleimani, who was widely revered and hugely popular in Iran, commanded a league of proxy forces across the Middle East, including Hizbollah in Lebanon, militias operating under the Hashed al-Shaabi in Iraq, or Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), umbrella, and to a lesser extent, the Houthis in Yemen.

Through its networks of militias, it has created what has been called a "Shia crescent" of influence across the Arab world. It has hoped to unite all Shia Muslims into a force capable of confronting rival Sunni Arab powers led by Saudi Arabia, who could also mobilise against other foes such as the US and UK.

He also led a detachment of Iranian and allied Afghan forces in support of President Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria.

The Hashed is a network of mostly Shia armed units, many of whom have close ties to Tehran but which have been officially incorporated into Iraq's state security forces. Most recent estimates put the number of fighters in the tens of thousands.

With such forces under their command, Iran's revenge attack will therefore likely first target US interests in Iraq and Syria.

Iraq

Iraq, which has struggled for years to balance its ties between the US and neighbouring Iran, is the most likely staging ground for any conflict between the two.

Last weekend, Iran-backed Kataib Hizbollah hit a US base near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk with rockets, killing an American contractor and wounding a number of servicemen.

In response fighters and supporters of the Hashed stormed the US embassy in Baghdad, breaching the Green Zone and setting fire to its gates. They called for the withdrawal of the USs some 5,000 troops in Iraq.

The US was concerned enough to warn its citizens in Iraq to leave immediately on Friday. There have also been increased threats to American and other Western journalists operating in Baghdad.

The embassy attack showed that the US is weakened in Iraq and considerable outnumbered. The ease with which Hasheds supporters reached the US mission - Americas largest and most expensive in the world - also revealed that when the chips are down, they cannot rely on Iraq for protection.

US President Donald Trump had already ordered 4,000 more troops to the region. The UK, which has some 400 troops in Iraq spread across four locations, is now reviewing readiness and force protection measures.

Syria

US troops in Syria could also be targeted. Washington has a contingent of several hundreds troops in the eastern region of Deir Ezzor, nominally there to protect the oil fields from falling into the hands of Isil, but also Iran and the Syrian regime.

Iranian troops are stationed not far away, unhappy with the US presence so close to the main highway that facilitates their movement of troops and weaponry between Iran and Syria. So far they have avoided each other, however, fearing a direct confrontation in Syria could lead them into war.

They have both the missiles and the manpower in position should they wish to attack in future.

Hizbollah

Hizbollah, based in Lebanon, is one of the most powerful militias in the region, as a result of decades of support and arms deliveries from Tehran.

Hassan Nasrallah, Hizbollahs leader, has called on resistance fighters around the world to avenge Soleimanis death.

When relations between Iran and the US were at their worst, following the 1979 Islamic revolution, the group carried out a series of kidnappings of Westerners and launched one of the deadliest attacks on US troops in history when a car bomb outside their embassy killed more than 200 soldiers in Beirut.

There is nothing to say the group would not return to its guerilla roots.

Protests against the assassination have taken place in Kashmir Credit: AP

Cyber attacks

Iran also has sophisticated cyber abilities. Tehran could choose a stealth attack that causes maximum damage but with plausible deniability.

The Iranian regime has demonstrated greater appetite towards destructive or disruptive cyber-attacks in peacetime than any other nation.

Notable examples include the Shamoon attacks in 2012 and 2016, which rendered thousands of workstations unusable across Saudi Aramco, Saudi ministries, and other organisations.

It is also thought to have launched disruptive attacks on critical national infrastructure within Western countries, including the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against over a dozen major US banks and financial institutions in 2012 and 2013.
Soleimani killed: US-Iran tensions to soar and the impact on India

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 03: The killing of Commander Qasem Soleimani is hugely significant for the United States. The head of the Al Quds Force, the elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Force, was visible in every Middle East operation that Iran was involved in.

His presence was visible in Iraq, Syria or Yemen and the US accused him and his force of undertaking destabilising activity.

It may be recalled in 2012, there was an attack on Israeli diplomats in New Delhi. One of the embassy staff members was injured in the attack. A similar incident was reported at Georgia, but the bomb was defused.

In Delhi, a motorcyclist attached a sticky bomb to the car in which the wife of a Israeli diplomat was travelling. The lady Tal Yehoshua Koren sustained moderate injuries. The driver and two bystanders too suffered minor injuries.

Iran Quds Force chief killed in rocket attack at Baghdad airport

The police arrested an Indian journalist Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi who claimed to work for an Iranian news organisation. The Delhi police had said that the terrorists belonging to a branch of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards were responsible for the attack. Kazmi is currently out on bail.

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

The killing of Soleimani would no doubt escalate tensions between Iran and the US. Following the hit, Yashar Ali, a journalist tracking developments in Iran tweeted, We shouldnt be surprised to see the Supreme Leader order covert operations all over the globe (including, dare I say, in the US) that involve assassinations & other acts of terrorism. We should expect to see the most significant/aggressive response.

India shares strong relations with both the US and Iran. The escalation in tensions between the two countries could have huge ramifications for India in terms of crude prices, foreign police and the economy. It could also trigger a massive exodus of the expatriates in case of any conflict.

Who was Qasem Soleimani

Ever since the imposition of strict sanctions against Iran, tensions have been high with the US. Sanctions on Iranian oil exports were imposed last year and this had forced major importers like India and China to cut purchases. The sanctions were imposed after several oil tankers were attacked in the Persian Gulf. The US had blamed Iran for the attacks.

For the US this development is significant. The US has accused Iran of conducting proxy wars across the Middle East. Soleimani oversaw the operations against the US servicemen in Iraq by the Shia militias.

India depends on crude imports from West Asia and other regions. The escalation of tensions would witness a spike in the prices and this would, in turn, have an impact at a time when the economy is slowing down.

In the year 2017 India received USD 69 billion worth of external remittances according to data by the Reserve Bank of India. Over 50 per cent of these remittances came from Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Nearly 8 million Indian workers are present across West Asia. Any instability in the region is likely to affect the remittance flow.

US bears responsibility for all consequences of 'rogue adventurism', says Iran FM on death of Qasem

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," a statement by the Pentagon read after the strike.

The strike was aimed at deterring further Iranian attack plans. The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect the people and their interests wherever they are in the world, the statement further said.

US defence secretary Mark Esper said that the US would not accept attacks against its personnel in the region. He blamed Iran for the violence at the embassy. Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing. We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities, a statement read.
The successful escape of former Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn from Japan, where he was facing four charges, two of which related to understating his pay by more than $80 million in the companys financial statements, underscore the fact that the rich and super-rich inhabit a world above the law, supported by government and state institutions.

In his latest statement on his escape from the Japanese judicial system issued in Lebanon yesterday, Ghosn said: It was I alone who organised my departure.

However, according to the head of his own Japanese legal team Junichiro Hironaka: A very large organisation must have acted to pull this off.

Ghosn was arrested in November 2018 on charges arising from financial practices he engaged in as the head of Nissan and was being held on bail of almost $14 million awaiting trial. He had been forced to surrender three passportsLebanese, Brazilian and Frenchbut apparently had been able to keep a second French passport in order to meet a Japanese requirement that foreigners carry identification.

While the full details of his escape have yet to emerge, he was apparently able to leave Japan on a private jet from Osaka airport which went to Istanbuls Ataturk airport after which it continued to Lebanon. Turkish police are reported to have opened an investigation into Ghosns transit because neither his entry nor his exit was registered.

Interpol has issued a red notice to Lebanon asking it to arrest Ghosn, with which it is highly unlikely to comply. According to an Interpol statement issued yesterday: Each country decides for itself what legal value to give to a red notice within their borders.

The circumstances of his escape, under conditions where he was one of the most well-known faces in Japan, where his every move was supposedly monitored by authorities, raise the question of how much assistance he had from state authorities in Turkey, Lebanon, France and possibly even from Japanese authorities.

Ghosn was arrested at Tokyos international airport on November 7, 2018 as the result of an internal power struggle within the Nissan auto company of which he was the chief executive and the chairman of a global car-making alliance involving the French firm Renault, Nissan and the Japanese firm Mitsubishi.

Ghosn had previously been hailed as a hero of the Japanese business world for his organisation of an alliance between Nissan and Renault at the end of the 1990s that had pulled the Japanese firm from the edge of bankruptcy. Initially working at Michelin, he became known at Renault as Le cost killer for his ruthless restructuring of the company.

Under the deal with Nissan, in which Renault acquired a 43 percent shareholding, he became Nissans chief operating officer in June 1999, organising the closure of five of the companys plants and the axing of 21,000 jobs.

But with the continuing stagnation of the global economy in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2018, the entire auto industry has been confronting an intensified struggle for markets and the enormous capital costs associated with the production of electric cars and the use of artificial intelligence.

Reportedly under pressure from the French government, Ghosn was pushing for a closer integration of Renault and Nissan. But this move brought a conflict with other Nissan executives opposed to what they saw as a takeover of the company by Renault.

The opposition was led by Ghosns former ally at Nissan, later to become its chief executive, Hiroto Saikawa, who was himself removed from his post last September after an internal investigation revealed he had received what it said was improper stock-based performance compensation in 2013.

The conflict over the Renault merger was to lead to the bringing of charges against Ghosn. The head of the Nissan legal department, Hari Nada, began an investigation into Ghosns financial dealings and in the summer of 2018 entered a plea bargain deal with Japanese prosecutors that led to the arrest of Ghosn in November.

The main charges against Ghosn are that he falsified company statements by understating his pay by more than $80 million and using company assets for his own benefit. Such charges could only have been brought on the basis of insider knowledge provided by the highest levels of the Nissan company.

Ghosn has insisted that his pay and financial arrangements were known to the companys board and executives.

In September last year, however, he agreed to pay $1 million to settle a fraud charge brought against him by the US Securities and Exchange Commission that alleged he hid more than $140 million of his pay. Ghosn neither admitted nor denied the charges.

Another charge is that he used a private asset management company during the 2008 financial crisis to transfer losses from a derivatives contract worth $16.7 million to Nissan.

He is also accused of transferring $14.7 million over four years from a Nissan subsidiary account to a Saudi friends company. Ghosn has said the payments were made for legitimate and vitally important business services.

Last April, further charges were brought when prosecutors claimed that he had diverted $5 million from Nissan to benefit companies with ties to his family. There are also accusations that nearly $20 million of Nissan money was spent on houses used by Ghosn in Beirut, Rio de Janeiro and Paris and there are questions about who paid for a lavish party organised at the Palais de Versailles in honour of his second wife Carole in 2016.

The Ghosn case brought a predictable class response in an editorial published in the Wall Street Journal. Describing the start of the Ghosn saga as dubious, it called for Japan to reform its justice system and corporate governance so they are more appropriate for a modern-day free-market economy.

In other words, corporate disputes must be kept in-house. Likewise, the appropriation of millions of dollars by the chief executives of the corporate world to finance their lavish lifestyles should be kept under wraps.

Around the world, however, millions of people, no doubt, will contrast the treatment of Ghosn, and the support he has received and continues to receive, with the situation confronting Julian Assange, whose very life is in danger as he languishes in Londons maximum security Belmarsh prison.
Various cultural projects in Germany have sought to draw attention to the countrys colonial brutality. The national German Historical Museum mounted a 2016 exhibition that was praised for its frankness. And colonial artifacts will have a central place in the Humboldt Forum, a new museum scheduled to open in Berlin in the fall. But the question of how the museum will address the context in which those artifacts were obtained  and whether the objects belong in Europe at all  has generated apprehension and controversy.
Top BJP leaders led by party president Amit Shah will visit households across the country on Sunday as part of their exercise to contact three crore families in 10 days to mobilise support for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and take on opposition parties over their campaign against the law.

While Shah will be in the national capital, party working president J P Nadda will visit a household in Ghaziabad, Rajnath Singh in Lucknow, Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur and Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaipur, on the first day of the campaign, BJP general secretary Anil Jain told reporters.

At the press conference, Jain said Indian Muslims have no reason to worry over any citizenship exercise, be it the NPR (National Population Register) or the NRC, and asserted that India's only religion is its Constitution.

He said a nation-wide consultation will be held whenever a decision on rolling out the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which is a part of the party's manifesto, is taken, but noted that there is no such proposal now.

Asked about concerns among Muslims over a raft of citizenship measures, he said, "As BJP's national general secretary, I can say with full responsibility that no Indian Muslim can have any danger from whatever measures come into place, be it NPR or NRC."



"The Constitution will take care of their concerns. India has only one religion which is its Constitution," Jain said



He accused opposition parties of misleading the minorities by stoking their fears and concerns for political reasons.

The Congress and the BJP's other rivals are inciting "rebellion and anarchy" in the country due to their of appeasement, Jain alleged.

The persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who are the intended beneficiaries of the Act, have been victims of atrocities in their countries, he said, adding that those opposing it have shown extreme insensitivity.

People will be urged to extend their support to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) by posting social media messages and photographs, Jain said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Egypt Condemns Turkish Parliament Approval to Send Forces to Libya

Saudi Press Agency

Thursday 1441/5/7 - 2020/01/02

Cairo, Jan 2, 2020, SPA -- Egypt strongly condemned today the Turkish parliament approval of a memorandum of understanding presented by the Turkish president to send military forces to Libya.

The Foreign Ministry affirmed in a statement that the MoU, inked between Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council (PC) Fayez al Sarraj and the Turkish government on security and military cooperation, is 'null and void'.

The Ministry's statement highlighted the blatant violation of the Turkish parliament's move to all the international accords and UNSC resolutions, especially 1970 resolution, issued in 2011, which created Libya Sanctions Committee and banned any arms supply to and military cooperation with the war-torn North African country unless such actions were approved by the committee.

--SPA

21:48 LOCAL TIME 18:48 GMT

0022

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According to DCP Delhi Metro Harendra Singh, a call was received at 11.55 a.m. about the suicide at Ghitorni Metro Station.

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Services on the Delhi Metro's Yellow line were affected on Friday after a 42-year-old man allegedly committed suicide at Ghitorni Metro Station here.

"Deceased is Nitin Chandok, resident of C Block, Saket. He worked at a private company and the reasons for the suicide were not known yet. No suicide note was found," Singh said.

The services on a section of Delhi Metro's Yellow Line were affected briefly on Friday due to a passenger on track at Ghitorni metro station, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) had informed earlier.

In a tweet at 11.23 a.m., the DMRC said: "Delay in services between Sultanpur and Huda City Centre due to a passenger on track at Ghitorni. Normal service on all other lines."

At 11.41 a.m., in another tweet, it informed that the normal services have resumed in the section.

Singh also said that another call was received at 11.20 a.m. about another man -- 55-year-old Kishan Lal -- jumping before the train at Jhilmil Metro, on the Red Line of the Delhi Metro.

"Kishan Lal from Nand Nagri jumped in front of a train at Jhilmil Metro for committing suicide but was saved as the train stopped before hitting him. He is suffering from throat cancer for last six years," Singh added.

nks/rt
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for de-escalation in the Gulf, said his spokesman on Friday, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

"The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Guterres.

"This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint," the UN chief was quoted as saying. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf, he added.

The situation in the Gulf escalated dramatically after the killing of a top Iranian military commander by the U.S. forces at a Baghdad airport in Iraq on Thursday.
Top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed Friday in a US strike on Baghdads international airport, prompting Tehran to vow revenge, dramatically upping the stakes in bitter tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The Pentagon said US President Donald Trump ordered Soleimanis killing, after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly vowed to take severe revenge for Soleimanis death, the biggest escalation yet in a feared proxy war between Iran and the US on Iraqi soil.

As the US embassy urged all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately, Trump tweeted out a picture of the US flag without any explanation.

Early Friday, a volley of missiles hit Baghdads international airport, striking a convoy belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi, an Iraqi paramilitary force with close ties to Iran.

Just a few hours later, the Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Soleimani was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning.

The Hashed confirmed both Soleimani and its deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in what it said was a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road.

The Hashed is a network of mostly-Shiite armed units, many of whom have close ties to Tehran but which have been officially incorporated into Iraqs state security forces.

 Major decapitation strike 

Muhandis was the Hasheds deputy chief, but was widely recognised as the real shot-caller within the group.

Soleimani headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and also served as Irans pointman on Iraq, visiting the country in times of turmoil.

Both were sanctioned by the United States.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had been actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

It said it took decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, but did not specify how.

Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed the US strike as extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation, as Khamenei declared three days of mourning.

The Iraqi prime minister said the strike was a flagrant violation of a security accord with the US, warning it will spark a devastating war in Iraq.

And a paramilitary group urged its fighters to be on high alert.

All resistance fighters must be ready, as an upcoming conquest and a great victory await us, said Qais al-Khazali, the head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, in a handwritten note seen by AFP.

Militiaman-turned-cleric Moqtada Sadr also reactivated his Mahdi Army, nearly a decade after dissolving the notoriously anti-American force.

But there were daring celebrations in Tahrir Square, the epicentre of a three-month protest movement that has slammed the Iraqi government as corrupt and beholden to Tehran.

Oh Qasem Soleimani, this is a divine victory, demonstrators chanted as some danced in the streets.

 Trump changed the rules 

Analysts said the strike would be a gamechanger in the tensions between Iran and the US.

Trump changed the rules - he wanted (Soleimani) eliminated, said Ramzy Mardini, a researcher at the US Institute of Peace.

Soleimani didnt appreciate that his actions of threatening another hostage crisis at the (US) embassy changed the way things were going to be done, Mardini said.

Phillip Smyth, a US-based specialist in Shiite armed groups, described the strike as the most major decapitation strike that the US has ever pulled off.

He told AFP it would have bigger ramifications than the 2011 US operation that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the 2019 American raid that killed Islamic State group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

There is no comparison, Smyth added.

But others said it remains unclear how Iran could respond to the blow.

A lot of the focus is on what is the price that the US is gonna pay and how Iran will retaliate against the US, said Fanar Haddad of the Singapore Universitys Middle East Institute.

The developments come after an unprecedented attack on the US mission in Baghdad.

A mob of Hashed supporters surrounded the US embassy on Tuesday angered by American air strikes that killed 25 fighters from the networks hardline Kataeb Hezbollah faction, which is backed by Iran.

The US had acted in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

Trump had blamed Iran for a spate of rocket attacks targeting US forces as well as the siege at the embassy, saying: They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat.

US lawmakers however were not told in advance of Fridays attack, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement.

Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018.

It then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.

Oil prices soared following Fridays attack, with Brent surging 4.4 percent to $69.16 and WTI jumping 4.3 percent to 63.84.

The attack threatens to destabilise Iraq, which has close political and military ties with both Tehran and Washington.

The United States led the 2003 invasion against then-dictator Saddam Hussein and has worked closely with Iraqi officials since.

But its influence has waned compared with that of Tehran, which has carefully crafted personal ties with Iraqi politicians and armed factions, even during Saddams reign.

SOURCE: AFP | PHOTO: AFP
Congress' Seva Dal has landed itself in controversy, for distributing a booklet which alleged that Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had 'physical relationship. with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse

Congress' grassroots organisation Seva Dal has landed itself in controversy for distributing a booklet during its 10-day camp, which alleged that Vinayak Damodar Savarkar had "physical relationship" with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai defended the booklet saying that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence. "But that's not important for us whether he was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.

The booklet, titled Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer? gave a reference to the Freedom at Midnight book (page 423) written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, saying, Prior to adopting Brahmacharya, there is only one mention of Godses physical relationship. He had a homosexual relationship with his political mentor Veer Savarkar."

According to ANI, the booklet also claimed that "Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old". PTI further reported that the booklet alleged that Savarkar had "received money from the British after he was released from Andaman's Cellular Jail".

BJP hits back at Congress

Smriti Irani on Friday asked the Congress how long it would "insult the sacrifices" of Savarkar and said the Opposition party will have to give an answer to the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.

"The Congress, which is one of the ruling parties in Maharashtra, will have to answer the Marathi people and all patriots in the country how long will it continue to insult the sacrifice of Veer Savarkar," Irani said at the Delhi BJP office. She also asked why does Congress consider it has the "birthright to humiliate" Savarkar.

BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma accused Congress of defaming people patriots. "Congress wanted to portray Savarkar as anti-Muslim. Congress has followed the Muslim appeasement policy. Savarkar was a patriot. This is nonsense. They are doing character assassination of patriots. Congress leaders should stop defaming patriots like Savarkar. Congress never liked freedom fighters," he told reporters.

In the second booklet  RSS aur BJP, kuchh tathya aur jankari (The RSS and the BJP, some truths and facts)  the Congress Seva Dal has claimed the organisation (the RSS) "idolised" Adolf Hitler and Mussolini.

Agrawal hit out at the Congress over the claim, stating that the RSS didn't need a certificate from a party accused of distorting information. He also pointed out that the RSS came into existence in 1925, seven years after the end of World War I and 14 years before the start of World War II.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh also slammed the Congress for alleging that Savarkar and Godse were physically involved and said that the party abuses Savarkar because they "idealise Jinnah".

"The day is not far when they [Congress] will read a book on how good a leader Jinnah was. They idealise Jinnah and that the reason why they abuse Savarkar," Singh told ANI.

Continuing his tirade against the party, the BJP minister said, "Congress has just one agenda which is to weaken the country and speak the language of Pakistan. Congress behaves the same way as Jinnah used to before 1947."

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said Congress should apologise for the "perverted" content in the booklet. "The booklet contains lies and perverted content. The Congress should tender an apology for the same," Patil said.

"Savarkar was acquitted by the court in the Gandhi assassination case. Despite this, the Congress-affiliated organisation is trying to link him and the accused in the case," he told PTI.

Savarkar's grandson urges MP govt to ban booklet

Meanwhile, Savarkar's grandson Ranjit Savarkar urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the Congress booklet. Ranjit asserted that a criminal case should be registered against the Congress Seva Dal as it was during their camp that the booklet was distributed.

"Congress is plotting to defame Savarkar. The party is conspiring to spread anarchy in the country by making unwarranted accusations on the freedom fighter Savarkar. The government must take an action against the Congress Seva Dal and should register a criminal case against them," said Ranjit in a press release.

Ranjit has sought action from Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray in this matter as well. "A case should be registered under sections 120, 500, 503, 504, 505 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Madhya Pradesh Government should ban the book," he added.

Meanwhile, Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha president Swami Chakrapani also reacted to the controversy by calling all the allegation made by the booklet as "ridiculous".

Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha President Swami Chakrapani on statement in Congress Seva Dal booklet 'Godse&Savarkar had physical relations':These are ridiculous allegations against former Mahasabha President Savarkar ji.Similarly we have also heard that Rahul Gandhi is homosexual pic.twitter.com/vDSx0ctzvt  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

'Dirt in their mind': Shiv Sena leader on booklet

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut also reacted to the pamphlet by praising Savarkar. "Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind," Raut said.

Sanjay Raut,Shiv Sena on a statement in Congress Seva Dal booklet 'Godse&Savarkar had a physical relationship': Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him,it shows the dirt in their mind,whoever they might be pic.twitter.com/Yv3aLJjraC  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

Just last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's jibe that his name was not "Rahul Savarkar" and hence he would not seek apology (about his remark on rape) had riled the Shiv Sena, his party's new-found ally in Maharashtra.

With inputs from ANI
Karen Matthews' paedophile fiance was back at her house today after a friend of Britain's most feckless mother claimed she had thrown him out when MailOnline revealed his sex offender past.

Paul Saunders, 57, proposed at Christmas having fallen 'head over heels' in love with Matthews, 44, who faked her daughter Shannon's kidnapping in 2008 to snaffle the 50,000 reward money.

Saunders is said to have gone berserk after being arrested at his lover's home by Thames Valley Police yesterday after officers discovered he was living with his fiancee and had breached his bail conditions.

He was jailed for five years in 2010 for his abuse of a vulnerable young girl who said after his conviction at Oxford Crown Court: 'He makes me sick. He should die. I hate him'.

Matthews, who has not surfaced today, had apparently taken off her engagement ring, which was designed to look like Princess Diana's, and told a friend: 'He's not coming back'.

But Saunders was seen leaving her home and heading to the local newsagent with a grin on his face this morning after spending the night there.

A witness told The Sun: 'They are still together in her house. He went mad on his way back there Thursday evening. Saunders was walking up the street yelling "c***" at every house near to Matthews. He's obviously livid at being found out'.

Karen Matthews (left) has got engaged to handyman Paul Saunders, 57, (right) who was jailed for five years in 2010 for engaging in sexual activity with a 'vulnerable' teenage girl

Matthews was pictured looking elated with her former partner Craig Meehan after Shannon was found alive. Meehan was not involved in the kidnapping plot but was later convicted for possessing child pornography

Last night he was detained 'on suspicion of a breach to his notification requirements' - most likely to be that he failed to inform Thames Valley Police he was staying with Matthews rather than at his own address.

The tragic case of Shannon Matthews and her feckless mother Karen 19 February 2008 Shannon Matthews is last seen outside her school in Dewsbury 20 February Police announce a massive search for the missing girl 21 February 200 volunteers join the local police search party 1 March Shannon's mother Karen issues an emotional public appeal for the safe return on her daughter 12 March Reward offered for information leading to Shannon's whereabouts is increased to 50,000 14 March Shannon is found inside the base of a divan base at the home of Michael Donovan in Batley Carr Over the next few weeks Donovan, along with Shannon's mother and stepfather, are all charged for separate offences 23 January 2009 Matthews and Donovan are sentenced to eight years each of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice April 2012: Matthews is released from prison after serving half her sentence. She was given a new taxpayer-funded identity and home. She is banned from seeing Shannon and her other children, who were put in care. Advertisement

MailOnline has asked police if he has breached his bail conditions again by returning to Matthews' home.

Yesterday a friend of Matthews said she felt betrayed after learning her new love was a convicted child abuser who groomed and defiled a vulnerable teenager while working as a driver for special needs children.

The insider told the Mirror: 'She [Matthews] didn't have a clue about his past. She thought she'd found love but it's just another horror story'.

Saunders had come to repair her bathroom and within six weeks they were getting married.

He abused his teenage victim over a three-year period and was only caught after he was separately jailed for benefits fraud.

The sexual abuse was discovered when indecent images of the girl were found on his mobile phone by his then partner.

In January 2010, Oxford Crown Court heard his offences took place between 2006 and 2009 when his victim was aged between 15 and 17.

Saunders, targeted the 'vulnerable' girl and made indecent images of her, the court heard as he was jailed for five years placed on the sex offenders' register for life.

Matthews has been seen on numerous occasions with her new beau in the south of England where she lives.

She is said by friends to be 'inseparable' from her boyfriend with one saying they are acting 'like teenagers in love.'

Matthews has confessed her criminal history to Saunders, who reputedly 'can't be bothered about her past'.

It is not known if Saunders has admitted his own sordid past to his new lover.

Matthews no longer has any contact with Shannon or her other children.

Matthews, 44, (left) is notorious for faking the kidnap of her nine-year-old daughter Shannon (right) in 2008 when she and a former boyfriend hid the youngster inside a bed for 24 days

Matthews in March 2008 holding her daughter's favourite teddy bear as she feigned an emotional appeal for her safe return

Matthews (left) and co-conspirator Michael Donovan (right) were both sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2009 and released in 2012 after serving half their sentences

Matthews and her ex-boyfriend's uncle Michael Donovan were jailed in 2008 for the plot to stage Sharon's kidnapping and claim the 50,000 reward for 'finding' her.

She made a series of tearful TV appeals for help in finding her daughter as West Yorkshire Police launched one of the force's largest ever searches.

Matthews led from Dewsbury police station before a court appearance over Shannon's kidnap

Shannon was eventually found by detectives in Donovan's flat, around a mile from her home in Dewsbury, 24 days after she disappeared.

Prosecutors said the schoolgirl was drugged and probably kept captive on a leash during her incarceration.

Police described Matthews as 'pure evil' after she was found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Her then-boyfriend, Craig Meehan, was not involved in the kidnapping plot.

However, he was separately convicted of possessing 49 indecent images of children on a home computer.

She and Donovan were both sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2009 and released in 2012 after serving half their sentences.

Shannon was raised by a new family under a new identity and is now an adult.
Optio, the London-based MGA that comprises Ascent Underwriting, Cove Programs and broker Bay Risk Services, announced it has acquired specialist political-violence and terrorism MGA Newbridge Risk Partners from Castel Underwriting Agencies Ltd., the club-style MGA formation platform.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Newbridge launched on Castels MGA formation platform in 2015, writing a book of political violence and terrorism risks in emerging markets regions. With capacity from both Lloyds syndicates and company markets, its portfolio for industrial and commercial risks spans the Middle East and North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin and South America and Asia, said Optio in a statement announcing the deal.

The Newbridge team of Chris Kirby and Henry Buchanan are joining the Optio business with immediate effect, said Castel, noting that Optio and Castel will work together to ensure a seamless transition for the business.

Optio said the acquisition extends its niche expertise, complementing its political risk proposition for foreign direct investors, launched in November under veteran underwriter Nick Hedley.

Huge opportunity exists in distributing Newbridges products to our core markets, particularly the U.S. via Optios well-established channels, and we look forward to working with them to realize its full potential as part of Optio, commented Kevin Hastings, CEO of Optio.

Mark Birrell, chief executive of Castel, said: The Castel business model is a proven structure enabling entrepreneurial underwriters to launch and build successful businesses. We are delighted to have supported Chris and Henry in building their business over the last four years using our proven platform and wish them continued success in the future.

Castel provided us with the support needed to launch our business to clients and brokers in our niche area quickly and successfully. We are now at the stage where we have the opportunity to continue our growth and development with the support of Optio Group, said Kirby.

About Optio Group

The merger of Ascent Underwriting with Cove Programs and Bay Risk Services in September 2018 created a large independently-owned specialty MGA group called Optio Group. Ascent Underwriting is a specialist cyber-focused MGA, underwriting on behalf of a number of Lloyds syndicates. Formed in 2011, Cove is a provider of specialty insurance products. It comprises Cove Program Underwriting Ltd., a London-based MGA and approved Lloyds coverholder, and Cove Programs Insurance Services LLC, a California-based surplus lines intermediary. Cove-owned Bay Risk Services Ltd. is a Lloyds broker that specializes in placing and managing delegated authorities for coverholders.

Source: Optio and Castel Underwriting Agencies

Topics Mergers Catastrophe Natural Disasters Agencies Excess Surplus Underwriting Insurance Wholesale Lloyd's Uk
New Delhi: People of Uttar Pradesh have to spend more on travel from New Year as UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has decided to hike the bus fare by Rs 10 paise per kilometre. The new rates came into effect from Thursday midnight.

The decision to hike the bus fare was taken in the director council meeting of the UPSRTC in Lucknow a few days back. According to the revised rates, now people travelling 100 kilometers will have to spend Rs 10 extra on their fare.

As per the new rates, the fare of an ordinary bus will now be calculated at the rate of 1.05, Rs 1.33 for 'Janrath 332', Rs 1.57 for 'Janrath 232', Rs 2.10 for 'AC Sleeper'; and Rs 2.32 a km for 'Super Luxury Bus Scania' and 'Volvo'.

Notably, the tax will be collected on the fare in addition to this rental.

The hike in the fare of UP roadways comes barely days after the Railways announced to increase its basic fare.

On December 31, the Indian Railways announced a hike in ticket price across its network from January 01, 2020. The Railway Ministry issued an order in which it said that while suburban fares remain unchanged, ordinary non-AC, non-suburban fares hiked by 1 paise per km of journey. The railways also announced a 2 paise/km hike in fares of mail/express non-AC trains and 4 paise/km hike in the fares of AC classes. However, local and suburban trains have not been included in the increase in rail fares. The fare in these trains will remain the same as before.

The Railways said that in order to expand passenger amenities and facilities at various railway stations and trains, it has become imperative to increase the fare marginally without over-burdening any class of passengers.

On the same day, the government hiked LPG cylinder rates by Rs 19 per cylinder.
Were seeing unprecedented enthusiasm for the Democratic Party, with half the Democratic field alone having already outraised the sitting incumbent president by tens of millions of dollars. The DNC made smart investments that led us to victories in 2017, 2018 and 2019, and is hard at work building the infrastructure necessary to do the same in 2020, said Daniel Wessel, DNC spokesman.
Figures from motorstats, the official statistics of the Irish Motor Industry, reveal that one brand is head and shoulders above the others in terms of popularity in Offaly in 2019.

Toyota holds the top two spots in terms of sales in the county in 2019 with the Corolla topping the pile ahead of the Yaris in second. The Toyota C-HR was the tenth most popular car in the county.

The Toyota Corolla saw an increase in sales in Offaly of almost 90% in 2019 with 91 units sold in the county. It was far and away the best selling car with the Toyota Yaris selling 50 units in Offaly in 2019, the same as 2018.

The Dacia Duster was the third best selling car in the county in 2019 with 49 units sold, an increase of almost 30%.

The full list of the top ten best selling cars in Offaly in 2019 is as follows.

1: TOYOTA COROLLA

2: TOYOTA YARIS

3: DACIA DUSTER

4: HYUNDAI TUCSON

5: NISSAN QASHQAI

6: KIA SPORTAGE

7: PEUGEOT 3008

8: NISSAN MICRA

9: PEUGEOT 5008

10: TOYOTA C-HR
India is gaining popularity among overseas travellers as foreign tourist arrivals grew by 3.23 per cent to 96,69,633 during January-November 2019, the tourism ministry said on Friday.

As many as 93,66,478 overseas travellers had arrived in January-November 2018, the ministry said in a statement.

India's rank in Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) of the World Economic Forum has moved to 34th rank in 2019 from 65th in 2013.

Last year, the ministry has taken several steps like opening 120 new peaks for mountaineering, reducing evisa fees and GST rates on hotel room bookings, among others, to boost inbound tourism.

The government reduced GST on hotel rooms with tariffs of Rs 1,001-7,500/ per night to 12 per cent, while those above Rs 7,501 bracket to 18 per cent.

Meanwhile, during the first 11 month of calender year of 2019, 25,51,211 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as against 20,61,511 during January-November 2018, registering a growth of 23.8 per cent, according to an official data.

Similarly, foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) during the January- November 2019, grew by 7.4 per cent to Rs 1,88,364 crore compared to Rs 1,75,407 crore in the same period previous year.

Further, the government sanctioned 77 projects for development of thematic circuits for an amount of Rs 6,035.70 crore till date under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

The ministry also said that integrated development of identified pilgrimage destinations is being undertaken under the 'National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive' (PRASHAD) Scheme.

A total number of 28 projects have been sanctioned amounting to Rs 840.02 crore under this scheme.

The government also opened more than 120 mountain peaks for mountaineering and trekking, that will help in promoting adventure tourism in the country, the statement said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that the country will sell oil and part of the gold it produces for its national cryptocurrency petro.

"We will sell Venezuelan oil in exchange for petros. We have already signed contracts for the sale of oil, steel, iron and aluminum, and we will sell part of the gold for petros, Maduro told Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional, as reported by Russian news agency TASS.

According to Maduro, the Venezuelan government is successfully introducing its cryptocurrency into citizens daily lives. He said that at least 6 million families in Venezuela have used petro as a payment method to purchase goods and services during the New Year holidays. The #PetroApp hashtag was also reportedly trending yesterday on Twitter in Venezuela.

Petro was announced in Oct. 2017, and its sales began in Feb. 2018. According to TASS, the price of one petro is equal to the price of a barrel of oil in Venezuela (WTI crude price is currently at around $63).

As petro is pegged to the price of oil, Maduro recently said that Venezuela would back the cryptocurrency with some 30 million barrels of crude oil sitting in the countrys storage tanks. The figure, however, is drastically down from 5 billion barrels announced at the time of the petro launch in Feb. 2018.
The Syrian government on Friday condemned the killing of top Iranian and Iraqi commanders in a US strike which was hailed by the opposition.

The strike outside Baghdad airport killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the deputy chief of Iraq's pro-Iran paramilitary organisation, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Syria is "certain that this cowardly US aggression... will only strengthen determination to follow in the path of the resistance's martyred leaders," a foreign ministry official was quoted as saying by the state agency SANA.

The official described the killings as "a serious escalation of the situation" in the region and accused the United States of resorting to "the methods of criminal gangs".

The unnamed official said the strike was "part of the (US) policy aiming to create tensions and fuel conflict in countries in the region." Soleimani had been a key backer of President Bashar al-Assad and helped him save his position after an uprising that began in 2011 threatened to topple his regime.

He was Iran's pointman in organising Iranian forces and their Shiite-dominated foreign proxies on the Syrian battlefield and a frequent visitor to Damascus.

Leaders of Syrian opposition groups for their part hailed the death of a man they blame for thousands for thousands of deaths in the nearly nine-year-old civil war.

"The murder of Qasem Soleimani, the number one perpetrator of Revolutionary Guards' crimes against the people of Syria and Iraq, is a blow that confirms that the world is able to stop Iran and protect Syrian civilians if it wants to," Nasr Hariri, a senior political opposition leader, said.

Ahmed Ramadan, another senior opposition figure, also praised the US strike. "The killer of Syria's children has been killed, the killer of Iraq's free people has been killed," he said in a post on social media.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Over the past year, Iranian hackers have taken aim at Mr. Trumps presidential campaign. They have also targeted telecom companies, infrastructure systems and more than 200 oil, gas and heavy machinery companies around the world.

The hackers have developed the ability to disrupt critical infrastructure and they already have the ability to wipe data, said James A. Lewis, a cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic Studies in Washington. But theyve gone well beyond that now. The question is what services  pipelines? dams?  will they target now.

Iran is still not at the top of the league of countries with the ability to cause widespread destruction via cyberattacks, Mr. Lewis and other experts said. But Tehran is much further along than American officials gave it credit for in 2009, when a classified intelligence assessment concluded that it had the motivation to inflict harm, but lacked the skills and resources to do so.

Since 2010  when an Iranian nuclear facility was the target of a joint American-Israeli cyberattack  Tehran has embraced such attacks as part its strategy of asymmetrical warfare. While Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps may never match the West in conventional warfare, its specialized teams have learned how much destruction they can cause to vulnerable systems, according to American intelligence assessments and private security researchers.

Over the past five years, American officials and cybersecurity experts have tracked Iranian hackers as they have significantly advanced their capabilities beyond wiping data to sophisticated attacks on financial networks, internet infrastructure, energy companies  and, even more disconcerting, sites like the Bowman Dam in Westchester County and the Energy Departments Idaho National Engineering Laboratory near Idaho Falls.

They now have the ability to do serious harm, Mr. Lewis said. As the conflict with the U.S. continues, theyre going to be tempted. Expect to see a lot more testing of how far they can get into company networks, universities, federal networks and smaller government networks in towns and cities.

Iran promises forceful revenge for generals killing.

Iranian leaders issued strident calls on Friday for revenge against the United States after the killing of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani in an overnight airstrike at the Baghdad airport.
At the age of 12, Cynthia Copeland was growing up in Litchfield with her parents and two brothers, attending what then was Litchfield Junior High School, and spending time with her first boyfriend.

She also was an intern at the Register Citizen newspaper, being mentored by then-reporter Leslie Jacobs. The experience she had in 1972 is now a graphic novel, Cub, which explores the many experiences Copeland had as a reporter as well as a student, a daughter and a friend.

The book is written by Copeland and also contains her own illustrations, which capture the events of the early 1970s: the womens movement, civil rights activism and the Watergate scandal.

The character, Cynthia, faces bullying from a group of girls, falls for her first boy and goes to her first dance, and loses her best friend. She also learns to make new friends and becomes a more confident girl, thanks to the guidance of a favorite English teacher, Maureen Schultz, who encouraged her to take the internship, and Jacobs, who was her editor and taught her to write news stories.

The big takeaway Im hoping for with this book is that kids and adults realize the important role of journalists and democracy, Copeland said from her home in Keene, N.H. Free press is the heart of democracy, and the whole industry is in such peril right now. ... Local newspapers are closing. Journalists are under attack. Even their personal safety is being threatened.

The biggest message for me is that people are unable to understand fake versus real news today, Copeland said. I have read She Said (by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, the book that is credited with launching the anti-sexual harassment movement in 2019) and The News About the News: American Journalism in Peril by Leonard Downie Jr.

The time that it took these authors to track down people who would speak to them, then fact gathering, is something people dont understand. They go on Facebook, read a headline, and dont bother to find out if its real or not. Everything is so fast-paced now. With the news on the internet, its not quality journalism, but people think theyre getting what they need to know. Paying for the facts is not something people want to do, Copeland said.

Copeland is author of Really Important Stuff My Dog Has Taught Me and The Diaper Diaries, as well as 23 other books, which have sold more than a million copies and have been featured on Good Morning America, selected for Oprahs O List in O Magazine, recommended by Ann Landers, and featured in Family Circle. Copeland still visits her hometown to visit her mother, Charlene, an active resident and activities organizer for the members of the Harwinton Senior Center.

Research is key

When she began developing Cub as a memoir, Copeland spent time in Litchfield and at the Torrington Library, poring over microfiche records to recall the headlines of 1972. Her work with Jacobs is reflected in that research.

Part of my research was going to Litchfield taking photos, so I went to my old house, I saw my old room. ... My best friend from junior high came, too, and we walked to school together, Copeland said. It was so fun. That research was important, since a memoir is all about research, reflecting back on your life at that time. I also wanted to find out what was important to people at the time, and finding out how things turned out. Watergate, for example, it wasnt a big deal to people at the time, at least where I was ... it wasnt huge yet. But it became such a big part of our history.

She also remembered being awed by Jacobs, who was a hard-working reporter and photographer at the Register Citizen. In my mind, she was a bona fide grownup, Copeland said. But she was so young, in her 20s. She was my mentor. She taught me so much.

An episode in Cub details Jacobs taking Copeland to a school board meeting, where the 12-year-old Cynthia notices a difference in a salary for an administrator. She questions the school board chairman, who is unable to explain the discrepancy, which results in others attending the meeting to begin questioning the salary as well. Its an exciting moment for Cynthia.

Copeland enjoyed drawing the novel, she said, and that the biggest challenge was that it took place so long ago. My editors needed to feel that it was going to be relevant to kids today, she said. I infused the stories with the 1970s; the cars, the clothing, the land-line phones, the interior decor, everything. Without pulling readers out of the narrative, I was able to remind them that the story took place in 1972.

In Cub, the young Cynthia is thrilled to walk into a busy newsroom with Jacobs, and her illustrations reflect a room full of men and a few women shouting across the room with headline suggestions, answering the many ringing telephones and calling the pressroom. She sees her byline in print for the first time, and learns how to ask questions during an interview, under Jacobs guidance.

I found myself, my voice, Copeland said. The experience was wonderful. I found my writing voice, and I could write something that was compelling. I also found my speaking voice. ... I usually was playing dead, being silent (when being bullied) and I learned to stand up for myself. It gave me self-confidence. I could say, I dont care that youre making fun of me. Youre not important to me.

In Cub, her best friend, a girl named Katie, drifts away from her and befriends the mean girls whom she illustrates with dark, staring eyes, folded arms and threatening expressions and are her tormentors, talking and laughing about her behind her back. Katie doesnt seem to want to be friends like before, and Cynthia is hurt. But over time, she begins to realize there are other people in school that are fun, who have different interests and do exciting things. She learns to look outside her small circle of friends and make new ones. By the end of the school year, shes matured and is able to realize her own growth, while happily looking to the future.

Copeland credits the internship with showing her a world outside her own. Getting that perspective helps when you have outside interests, she said. Meanness doesnt matter. Theres so much more happening thats more important. Having that perspective on seventh-grade drama really helped.

After Litchfield

After graduating from Litchfield High School, Copeland attended Smith College, and lived in the Boston area. She worked for the Walpole Times as a reporter during her years there. She was a speech writer for then-Sen. Toby Moffett, and worked in the offices of Gov. Lowell Weicker. But she liked being a reporter.

I wanted to be on the other side of things, she said. I dont want to choose words carefully, to keep information away from people. I want to be a journalist, asking questions.

After her marriage, Copeland moved to New Hampshire and began writing books. But inside, she will always have the heart of a journalist. She believes local journalism is suffering today.

Local journalism is so important, she said. People dont always understand what kind of work goes into a story. ... They take information in sound bites, and rarely does anyone sit down and read a newspaper article from beginning to end. Its harder to catch peoples attention, especially young people. Its a very noisy world we live in.

But she also believes journalism will survive.

I hope that true journalsm will see a resurgence, she said. If people can understand whats required to write a good story, and want the facts, theyll read the stories that journalists are writing out there.

The messages of Cub

Cub is relevant, Copeland said, because of whats happening on the national stage. The national issues (impeachment, civil rights) have come back around, she said. Who would have imagined wed be reliving the Watergate impeachment era, and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day? she said.

Its also a reminder to young people of the importance of outside activities. Theres a lot of social drama in seventh grade ... whether its music or dance or art, it helps you gain perspective on whats really important, Copeland said.

The author reached out to her teacher, Schultz, to let her know about the book. She credits the educator with building her confidence. She realized Id benefit from something like (the internship), Copeland said. As girls, we didnt have an idea of what opportunities were there for us. It was a time that really opened my eyes.

Cub will be released Jan. 7 by Algonquin and Algonquin Young Readers at Workman Publishing, New York, NY. To order a copy, visit www.workman.com/authors/cynthia-l-copeland.
Amid a political storm over infant deaths in Rajasthan's Kota, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday alleged that over a thousand children have died in the last 12 months in Gorakhpur and asked the UP government as to who was responsible for it.

Training his guns on the UP Chief Minister, Yadav said, "Yogi Adityanath is worried about Kota deaths. When will he be worried about the Gorakhpur deaths".

Yadav told a press conference here that the ailing children in Gorakhpur were suffering from encephalitis but were administered different medicines so that the truth did not come out that they were dying of encephalitis.

"Why wrong medicines were administered? Who is answerable? I will soon release a list of the dead children," he said.

Hours later, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma contested his claim.

"He (Akhilesh) needs to furnish evidence with the list and not level baseless allegations," Sharma said at a press conference.

The chief minister had on Thursday targeted the Congress over infant deaths in Kota, saying party leader Priyanka Gandhi should have gone there to console the children's mothers instead of "playing politics" in UP.

At least 100 infants have died at a government-run hospital in Kota in the last one month.

On BJP state president Swatantra Dev Singh's remark that the SP chief should stay in Pakistan for a month to understand atrocities being faced by Hindus there, Yadav said the saffron party has made the suggestion as it does not want any discussion on unemployment.

Yadav also said that SP workers will soon take out rallies all over the state against the National Population Register (NPR), noting that it would do no good to the people.

"Nahi chahiye NPR, humey chahiye rozgar (We don't need NPR, we need employment) will be our slogan," he said.

The SP chief's remarks came against the backdrop of the Union Cabinet approving Rs 8,500 crore for updating the NPR.

He accused the BJP of being silent on economic issues, rising prices of essential commodities, higher cost of cooking gas cylinders and costlier electricity.

Referring to the recent clashes in Uttar Pradesh, the SP chief claimed that all the deaths during anti-citizenship law protests were during police firing.

"All the deaths were caused by police bullets," he claimed.

Officials have maintained that the death toll stands at 19, with some of the casualties in police firing that took place in "self defence".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A few years ago, Angela Evans decided she wanted to test the DNA of her 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. She was interested in knowing whether they had a mutation of the MTHFR gene, as she does. The mutation is linked to a number of disorders  women with the mutation may have a higher risk of having babies with defects like spina bifida  and Ms. Evans wanted to make life changes for her children based on the results.

When doctors told her they didnt think there was a medical need to test her children, she decided to use 23andMe, the direct-to-customer genetic testing company.

To use 23andMes services, the user simply sends in a saliva sample. Within five weeks the company returns the results, without the mediation of a doctor or genetic counselor.

Along with finding out that both her children had a mutation of the MTHFR gene, she also received 23andMes analysis of her childrens genetic susceptibility to a number of adult-onset diseases, including Parkinsons. Ms. Evans shared the results with her children, family members and friends.
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A reward of $4000 is being offered by a Bay of Plenty family to anyone who can help retrieve their stolen jewellery and household items.

One of the family members, Vinod Siwatkoti, says they all left for Auckland to celebrate the New Year on December 31.

When they returned to their house in Paengaroa on January 1, they found many of their personal belongings had been stolen.

They have taken a TV, two suitcases full with clothes, watches, US money, Gurkha knife, printer inks, sunglasses, as well as 22 and 24-carat gold items of jewellery, he says.

He says his family is very upset as well as scared of the incident that took place.

We have reported it to the police and they are well on to it and hopefully will be producing a result soon.

The jewellery bears an important significance to my family and has been presented during special occasions like marriage. They are of traditional designs and are very different than the designs in New Zealand.

It bears sentimental values to the family and losing those are considered a bad omen. It may not be so important to others but we appeal to anyone who knows anything to feel what we are feeling and have some sympathy.

We are willing to pay a reward of $4000 to anyone who will retrieve or help us retrieve the jewellery.

Vinod says he cannot express how important the jewellery is to his family.

Vinod urges anyone who many know anything about the burglary or where the jewellery may be to get in contact with him on 021 294 2047.
House prices fell 1.8 per cent in London over 2019, according to figures from Nationwide building society showing strong rises in the north and midlands offset weakness in the capital and the home counties.

Annual UK house price growth edged up as the year drew to a close, with prices 1.4 per cent higher than December 2018, the first time it has been above 1 per cent for 12 months.

Nationwide, the UKs second largest mortgage lender, said it expected prices to remain broadly flat over the coming year.

The report showed a clear north-south divide with prices also posting an annual fall of 1 per cent in the outer southeast region.

Scotland was the strongest performing region in 2019, with prices up 2.8 per cent over the year, followed by the west midlands on 2.7 per cent and the north of England on 2.6 per cent.

UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 UK Housing Crisis: in pictures UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Members of generation rent, as the younger generation is often known, are finding it far more difficult to get on the housing market than previous generations PA UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Then chancellor George Osborne visits a Help to Buy housing development in Lewisham in 2014. Osborne had announced the Help to Buy scheme in the 2013 budget as a means of helping first-time buyers on to the housing market PA Archive/PA Images UK Housing Crisis: in pictures In February 2017, then communities and local government secretary Sajid Javid issued a government white paper on housing. Introducing it in the Commons, he stated our housing market is broken and that the idea of owning or renting a safe, secure place of your own is, for many, a distant dream PA UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Residents of Fitzroy Road in Primrose Hill have demonstrated how urban areas might be built up without using extra land. 12 homeowners along the street all agreed to extend their house upwards by 1 floor. The government recently held a consultation on the revised National Planning Policy Framework, which, if approved, will support building above homes, shops and offices Google Earth UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Social Bite, a charity in Scotland, is creating a small housing community for the homeless. Up to 20 people will be housed for 12-18 months, with the charitys focus being on transitioning the residents into permanent housing and employment AFP/Getty UK Housing Crisis: in pictures A homeless man was found dead yards from Parliament in February. His death was taken by many, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, to be symbolic of the governments poor record on housing. PA UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Emergency homeless shelters in London had to be opened numerous times throughout the past winter to house those unable to find a room in an ordinary shelter or hostel Getty UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Carillion, the UKs second largest construction company, entered liquidation early this year. It held numerous government construction and maintenance contracts, for many of which the future is still uncertain AFP/Getty

The housing market was supported by robust labour market conditions, with employment rising at a healthy rate in recent years and earnings growth slowly regaining momentum, it said.

Robert Gardner, Nationwides chief economist, said while there had been a recovery in the number of first-time buyers, the main challenge they faced was raising a deposit.

Even in the north and Scotland, where property appears most affordable, it would still take someone earning the average wage and saving 15 per cent of their take-home pay each month for more than five years to save a 20 per cent deposit.

Overall, Mr Gardner said the underlying pace of growth appeared to slow through the year as a result of weaker global growth and an intensification of Brexit uncertainty.

Healthy labour market conditions and low borrowing costs appear to have offset the drag from the uncertain economic outlook, he said, adding future price moves would depend on how quickly uncertainty about the UKs future trading relationships lifts as well as the outlook for global growth.

Overall, we expect the economy to continue to expand at a modest pace in 2020, with house prices remaining broadly flat over the next twelve months.

Recommended Johnson waters down plans to help homebuyers by ending leasehold sales

Figures for mortgage lending from the Bank of England pointed to continued stability. Net mortgage borrowing by households was 4.1bn in November, and the annual growth rate of 3.3 per cent was within the broad range it has been for the last three years.

Separate figures showed new house building dropped for the seventh month running in December. The fall contributed to a contraction in the overall construction sector, according to the monthly purchasing managers index run by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.

The headline index fell to 44.4 from 45.3 in November on a scale where 50 marks the divide between expansion and contraction. Civil engineering activity fell at its sharpest pace for 10 years while new business volumes also fell.

House building has been the most resilient category in recent months, but still declined overall during December, said Tim Moore, economics associate director at IHS Markit, which compiled the survey.

Brexit uncertainty and spending delays ahead of the general election were once again the most commonly cited factors highlighted by firms experiencing a drop in construction activity.
Former Bachelor star Elly Miles has been watching on in horror at the recent devastation caused by the unrelenting bushfires across Australia.

The reality star has been repeatedly sharing articles and images of the crisis on social media, and on Friday it all became too much as she broke down in tears.

The 25-year-old took to Instagram where she was seen slumped on some stairs with her face flush from crying.

'I can't image what everyone is going through': Former Bachelor star Elly Miles (pictured) broke down in tears talking about those suffering in the Australian bushfires

'I can't imagine what everyone is going through with these fires,' Elly choked through tears.

'I just, I don't even have words. People's lives, their families torn apart. Their houses are gone, whole communities are gone,' she said.

Elly then said she was struggling to know how to feel during the ongoing crisis.

'You feel helpless': The reality star said she has struggled to know how to feel during the ongoing situation. Pictured: Homes burnt to the ground in North Rosedale, NSW

'It's so weird to just, you know, you can only do so much and you just feel s**t and you feel helpless,' she sobbed.

The reality star then referred back to the devastation before the video abruptly ended.

'There is just people out there, our neighbours, just suffering,' she said.

'Swipe up to do the same': Elly tried to do her part as she 'adopted' a koala through the World Wildlife Fund's Two Million Tree's donation drive that aims to restore the marsupial's natural habitat

Earlier on Friday, Elly tried to do her part as she 'adopted' a koala through the World Wildlife Fund's Two Million Tree's donation drive that aims to restore the marsupial's natural habitat.

'I just adopted a koala, swipe up to do the same,' she urged her followers.

According to WWF Australia, 350 Koalas have perished in the recent fires with the overall population in NSW and QLD halving in the last 20 years.
It's never a bad idea to start the new year on a generous note.

Danielle Franzoni, a server in Alpena, Michigan, started hers on the receiving end of that generosity. She waited on a couple at the restaurant where she works during the final days of 2019.

Their bill was $23. They tipped a festive $2,020.

"Happy New Year," the anonymous couple wrote on the bill. "2020 Tip Challenge."

Franzoni couldn't believe it. She asked her boss whether it was too good to be true, but the tip was legit  and seasonally appropriate.

"Things like this don't happen to people like me," she told the Alpena Times.

It had been a difficult year for Franzoni. She moved to Alpena to "start over," she said, as a recovering addict who'd lived in a homeless shelter.

But with her customers' generosity, she could see the clouds starting to clear. She even moved into her own home the same week.

"I"m gonna build a future because of this," she told CNN affiliate WXYZ. "My kids have a future, and I have a home. It's a really big deal."

Tipping servers for the new year

The kind act that landed Franzoni $2,020 is similar to another tipping challenge, "Tip the Bill", which took off in 2018. Customers were encouraged to tip 100% and surprise their servers.

It seems the only stipulation of the 2020 tipping challenge is to keep the year in the total.

If you partake in New Year's tipping, you don't have to go big. Franzoni told the Alpena Times she later tipped a server $20.20 on her dinner bill.

"That was my 'pay-it-forward,'" she said. "I couldn't do the other one."

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Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill said she made her partys position clear in a meeting with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Friday (Brian Lawless/PA)

Sinn Fein's northern leader Michelle O'Neill talks to the press in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as all party talks continue to try and get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running again. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

Day two of resumed talks to restore powersharing at Stormont have been described as slow and frustrating as optimism that a deal can be reached in the next few days declines.

Political parties were continuing to work towards finding a way to bring the Stormont administration back into action on Friday, with a number of meetings between different parties and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Julian Smith and Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney.

Sinn Feins deputy leader Michelle ONeill announced that clearly there would be an Irish Language Act in any deal to restore the Executive, one of the major sticking points in previous negotiations.

Clearly there will be an Irish Language Act as part of a deal but what we need to see is a package of measures that allows public confidence to be generated again in our ability to deliver good politics, Ms ONeill said.

Expand Close UUP leader Steve Aiken and party colleagues talk to the press in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as all party talks continue to try and get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running again. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye / Facebook

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Whatsapp UUP leader Steve Aiken and party colleagues talk to the press in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as all party talks continue to try and get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running again. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

What success looks like to me is, yes, there will be an Irish Language Act and, yes, there will be a package of measures that looks at a range of issues.

On Day 2 of Stormont talks, Michelle O'Neill MLA said that an Irish Language Act will be part of an agreement to restore power-sharing. #AchtAnois pic.twitter.com/Te15Bdbmcn  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) January 3, 2020

DUP leader Arlene Foster refused to be drawn on whether or not there would be a standalone Irish Language Act in any deal to restore the institutions.

Expand Close DUP leader Arlene Foster talks to the press in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as all party talks continue to try and get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running again. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye / Facebook

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Whatsapp DUP leader Arlene Foster talks to the press in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as all party talks continue to try and get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running again. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

It appears that Michelle continues to reiterate her red lines, I would much prefer to look for common ground in relation to where were going for the Executive, she said.

I want a fair and balanced deal that respects everyones identity in Northern Ireland.

Ms Foster added that if we are able to get an Executive up and running again, they are prioritising health, education, job creation and funding.

Expand Close SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and party colleague Nichola Mallon talks to the press in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as all party talks continue to try and get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running again. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye / Facebook

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Whatsapp SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and party colleague Nichola Mallon talks to the press in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as all party talks continue to try and get the Northern Ireland Assembly up-and-running again. Photo by Jonathan Porter / Press Eye

Finding consensus on legislative protections for Irish language speakers is key to unlocking the deadline.

Parties are also at odds on proposals to reform a contentious cross-community voting mechanism in the Assembly  the petition of concern.

On Friday, members of Irish language group Conradh na Gaeilge (CnG) were left disappointed after a scheduled meeting with Mr Smith was postponed with 10 minutes notice.

I hope that at some stage the DUP will come on to the same ground as the rest of us in terms of wanting to make this Assembly and Executive workMichelle O'Neill

The group said they were extremely disappointed in Mr Smiths decision to cancel and had offered to meet with him in the next few days, but had not had a response.

There were also indications that there was continued disagreement within the powersharing talks between the DUP and the four other main parties on the petition-of-concern issue.

Ms ONeill said: Theres been positive work done across four parties in the main around some of the issues around the petition of concern, we have common ground in four parties and I hope that at some stage the DUP will come on to the same ground as the rest of us in terms of wanting to make this Assembly and Executive work.

Kellie Armstrong, from the Alliance Party, said: Today has been a slow and frustrating day, but its still a day where we are still talking and still trying to come to an agreed conclusion.

While the governments may be frustrated with us, were frustrated with them and with each other, but were not fighting, were looking at detail.

Expand Close Round table talks at Stormont House before Christmas failed to secure a breakthrough (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Round table talks at Stormont House before Christmas failed to secure a breakthrough (Liam McBurney/PA)

Were keeping going, there have been some positive and proactive conversations happening but were just not there yet.

It is understood that the Secretary of State is not yet prepared to release any papers from the two governments on what a deal could look like and it may be Tuesday or Wednesday before parties have a chance to scrutinise any documents.

The UUP leader said on Friday he did not want to give any false optimism over achieving a deal for Northern Ireland in the near future.

We are into another day of intensive talks, very much concentrating on the programme for government, party leader Steven Aiken said after a meeting with Mr Smith.

We must get Northern Ireland working again and we must concentrate on those issues to get Northern Ireland back up and running.

There is a possibility of us achieving a deal but right now we need to concentrate on getting these substantial issues dealt withSteven Aiken, UUP

Quite frankly, I dont know where we are.

There is a possibility of us achieving a deal but right now we need to concentrate on getting these substantial issues dealt with, we need accountable, responsible government going forward, there has got to be change.

At this present moment in time Im not going to give any false optimism, I would like to see there being a deal.

Three years on from the collapse of the devolved government, the Stormont parties have until a January 13 deadline to strike a deal to revive the institutions.

On that date, legislation to give civil servants additional powers to run Northern Irelands struggling public services expires and Mr Smith will assume a legal obligation to call a snap Assembly election.
The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority has waived penalties for 23,000 residential plots allottees who could not execute the registry of their plots. The Yeida has now given six months time for the execution of registries.

The Yeida had, in 2009, allotted these residential plots of sizes between 300 square metres and 4,000 square metres in sectors 18, 20 and 22D, and had assured buyers possession of the plots by 2013-end. However, a land dispute between the authority and farmers resulted in the Yeida failing to hand the plots over. As a result, plot allottees could not execute registries.

Since 2013, the authority has been imposing a penalty of around 50,000 for late registries, a move against which plot allottees have been protesting. The Yeida has now acceded to the allottees demands, and waived the penalty, and has asked them to register their plots by June-end this year, officials said.

However if plot allottees delay the execution of registry even after the new deadline, the buyer will have to penalties, Yeida officials added. The penalty will be 1% of total plot cost in the first month and 2% in the second month.

We have waived the penalty and extended the time for registries till June-end so that plot allottees can execute their registry without penalty, said Shailendra Bhatia, officer on special duty, Yeida.
New Delhi:

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, Ayushmann Khurannas first film of the year just got another reason to score at theatres. It will get back the superhit couple of Bhumi and Ayushman back to the frame, the fourth time in five years since the actress started her Bollywood journey with Dum Laga Ke Hiasa.

After delivering a power packed performance in "Shubh Mangal Saavdhan", Bhumi will continue her association with the franchise by appearing in the second part, but for a special appearance.

According to the sources close to the filmmakers, Bhumis part was always there in the script and had not been incorporated to bring her back to the family. Bhumi shot her part in a two day schedule in Varanasi in November. Bhumis part was different from what it was in the previous part.

Talking about having Bhumi in the film, producer A Aanand L Rai told IANS: "Bhumi is a part of ''Shubh Mangal Saavdhan'' family and we couldn't imagine making ''Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan'' without her. She has a very special appearance in the narrative and we are extremely happy to have her on board"

To this, producer Bhushan Kumar added: "We are delighted to have Bhumi join the cast as a special appearance in the film. Bhumi''s association is one that adds value to the storyline, she is an amazing actor and I am glad she is part of our film."

Shubh Mangal zyada Saavdhan will explore emotions attached to love, relationships, and homosexuality. The film will also mark the reunion of Badhaai Ho couple Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao along with Jeetendra Kumar of TVF fame and Maanvi Gagroo in pivotal roles. It is jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar''s T-Series and Aanand L Rai''s Colour Yellow Production.

Directed by Hitesh Kewalya, the film will release on February 21.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Innovation is widespread even in rural places not typically thought of as innovative, researchers find. Credit: Devon Meadowcroft, Penn State

Conventional measures of innovation suggest that only big cities foster new ideas, but a more comprehensive measure developed at Penn State shows that innovation is widespread even in rural places not typically thought of as innovative. This "hidden" innovation brings economic benefits to businesses and communities, according to researchers, whose findings will help decision makers think in new ways about innovation and how they can support it.

"The way we traditionally measure innovation is very narrow, and focuses primarily on new products or processes that result in a patent or involve R&D spending. This overlooks another kind of innovationthe incremental improvements that businesses make to their products and processes as a result of information they obtain from outside their firm," said Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics and director of the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD). "Our measure shows that this latent, or hidden, innovation is at least as important to local income and employment growth as patent-level innovation."

The study, published this month in Research Policy, is based on well-documented evidence that businesses acquire innovation-promoting information through interactions with other businesses outside of their own industry. These can be both their suppliers and other firms to which they sell products.

"We know that inter-industry exchanges foster cross-fertilization of ideas, or knowledge spillovers, which in turn seeds innovation," said Goetz. "We wanted to explore these interactions more closely in order to better understand where the opportunities for innovation are greatest, including in rural and urbanized areas that are remote from cities."

To examine industry transactions, Goetz and his co-author, Yicheol Han, a former postdoctoral scholar at the NERCRD and now at the Korea Rural Economic Institute, used data from the national Input-Output (I/O) table. The I/O table documents annual sales and purchases both across and within U.S. industries. Focusing specifically on 381 intermediate industries, they applied a mathematical formula to measure the diversity of each industry's transactions with their customers and suppliers, both in terms of the number of different industries they interacted with, and how evenly their interactions were distributed across other industries.

They also incorporated geography into their measure in order to understand the effects that location has on innovation. They mapped the geographic location of the businesses within each of the 381 industries using county-level employment and business pattern data. Further, they included a measure

of each county's industrial makeup to capture the possibility of spillover-effects of inter-industry interactions that take place as a result of proximity.

This formula generated a "latent innovation index," which assigns a score to each U.S. county based on the degree to which opportunities for latent innovation exist. The researchers validated the index by correlating the county-level scores with county-level income and job growth while controlling for other factors that influence these variables, such as a county's starting employment, population density and share of the population with a college degree. They found that counties with higher innovation scores also had greater employment and income growth, even when they controlled for the number of patents held within a county. They also found that this type of innovation activity is present in both densely populated counties and sparsely populated, more rural counties.

"What these correlations suggest is that it's not just patent-based innovation that brings economic benefits to businesses and communities, and innovation is not restricted to urban centers with large populations," Goetz said. "This type of latent or hidden innovation is not recorded and tracked the way patents are, but it appears to be at least as important in terms of economic growth and it is happening in all types of placesrural and urban and in-between."

This has important implications, Goetz said, because it refutes conventional wisdom that only big cities enjoy innovation.

"We often see media articles touting big cities as innovation centers, and our research brings a different perspective to the conversation," he said. "Yes, places like Silicon Valley, Seattle and Boston are home to tech firms that are developing entirely new products and technologies. But at the same time many non-tech businesses also engage in innovative activity that is less obvious but nonetheless moving their industries forward and, more importantly, keeping them competitive."

Goetz said that by understanding where and how this type of innovation is already happening, community leaders can foster it by providing venues to support the exchange of ideas among a variety of businesses. For example, they can host trade shows that encourage business interactions. They also can think more strategically about targeting industries for recruitment that complement local innovation spillovers based on existing industries. The latent innovation index is available on the NERCRD website.

Explore further Legislation may cause data deficit for researchers, small businesses

More information: Stephan J. Goetz et al, Latent innovation in local economies, Research Policy (2019). Stephan J. Goetz et al, Latent innovation in local economies,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2019.103909
Tifariti (Liberated Territories), January 01, 2020 (SPS) - The fifteenth Polisario Front conference held in the liberated Tifariti town praised the efforts of the International Solidarity Movement with the Sahrawi people..30

At the end of its work, the conference directed the "highest expressions of appreciation and respect to all components of the International Solidarity Movement with the struggle of the Sahrawi people, a recognition and appreciation for the hard and responsible work being done across all countries of the world to defend the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination and independence and alleviate the suffering of the Sahrawi people in the refugee camps and the occupied territories ".

The conference called the solidarity movement across the world of parties, associations and civil society organizations to intensify efforts to break the media blockade imposed on the occupied territories by the Moroccan authorities, expand the circle of condemnation of the latter and press it to comply with international legitimacy and allow the organization of a free and fair referendum that enables the Sahrawi people to Deciding his fate in every democracy.

The conference also expressed its hope in the International Solidarity Movement to pressure the United Nations to take its responsibilities in protecting Sahrawi human rights, releasing Sahrawi political prisoners in Moroccan prisons, removing Moroccan wall of shame that separates Western Sahara and stopping the ongoing looting of natural resources by the Moroccan authorities. (SPS)

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(CNN)  The accused gunman in the deadly shooting at Maryland's Capital Gazette newspaper barricaded the back entrance of the paper's office so people could not escape as he began "systematically hunting and killing," Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams said Friday.

Authorities said Jarrod Warren Ramos, 38, stormed into the paper's Annapolis newsroom Thursday afternoon with a shotgun, killing five employees and leaving two others wounded  a few years after he unsuccessfully sued the newspaper for defamation.

Ramos concealed his weapon as he entered the building's back entrance, barricaded a back door and then opened fire, Adams said at Ramos' bail hearing Friday morning in an Annapolis court.

Ramos shot at least one victim who was trying to escape through the barricaded door, Adams said.

A witness earlier told CNN that she saw one of the slain victims get shot after he tried to open a back door.

"This fellow was there to kill as many people as he could get," Anne Arundel County police Chief Timothy Altomare said at a news conference Friday in Annapolis.

Police said that Ramos was arrested shortly after the shooting and that responding officers found him hiding under a desk. He has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder, according to court records.

A judge ordered Ramos held without bail at Friday's hearing.

Ramos, wearing a dark shirt, appeared in court via a video feed from a nearby detention center, standing silently as Adams made the allegations against him.

Ramos had a plan to escape, but it was thwarted when police responded, Adams said.

The five slain were Gerald Fischman, 61, editorial page editor; Rob Hiaasen, 59, an assistant editor; John McNamara, 56, a staff writer; Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant; and Wendi Winters, 65, who worked in special publications.

The two wounded employees, Rachel Pacella and Janet Cooley, have been treated at a hospital and released, Anne Arundel police Lt. Ryan Frashure said.

What we know about the Annapolis newspaper shooting

'Yes, we're putting out a damn paper'

Hours after the shooting, the Capital Gazette, a newsroom in mourning, published a newspaper with a front page bearing the photos of the five slain employees.

"We are heartbroken, devastated. Our colleagues and friends are gone. No matter how deep our loss is nothing compared to the grief our friends' families are feeling," Capital editor Rick Hutzell was quoted as saying in the paper's front-page story.

The gunman fired through the glass door of the newsroom, Phil Davis, a Capital Gazette police reporter, tweeted shortly after the shooting. "There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you're under your desk and then hear the gunman reload," Davis wrote.

The newspaper, which was reeling from the attack, defiantly tweeted on Thursday: "Yes, we're putting out a damn paper tomorrow."

Several staffers and reporters from sister paper The Baltimore Sun worked on stories for Friday's paper.

The opinion page in Friday's paper was left mostly blank with a brief message: "Today, we are speechless. This page is intentionally left blank today to commemorate victims of Thursday's shootings at our office."

It listed the five victims' names.

"Tomorrow this page will return to its steady purpose of offering our readers informed opinion about the world around them, that they might be better citizens."

The defamation lawsuit

Ramos used a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun  which he legally bought about a year ago -- to shoot and kill his victims, said Altomare, the county police chief. Police also have said Ramos had smoke grenades.

Police said they haven't determined a motive, noting the suspect hasn't cooperated with investigators. But they have said Ramos made threats against the paper a few years ago on social media and noted that he sued the publication six years ago.

"This was a targeted attack," Altomare said Friday.

Court documents show Ramos filed a defamation suit against the paper and a reporter in July 2012. The dispute was over an article that detailed Ramos' guilty plea in a 2011 harassment case.

Titled "Jarrod wants to be your friend," the story was written by staff writer Eric Hartley and detailed the case where Ramos repeatedly contacted a former high school classmate via Facebook, according to court documents.

The case was eventually dismissed.

Brennan McCarthy, an attorney for the woman in the harassment case, told CNN that Ramos took information she shared with him in confidence "and then used those confidential facts and (took) them to an illogical end."

In one instance, Ramos sent a letter to her employer saying she was a bipolar drunkard, which led to her being fired, the attorney said.

"They never had a romantic relationship at all and I don't think that he ever really wanted a romantic relationship, "McCarthy said. "This was malevolence."

"He had an issue with this woman. I don't know what it was but he did everything he could to destroy her life. And he succeeded."

Ramos posted veiled threats on social media and also turned his attention to McCarthy, re-posting McCarthy's Facebook posts on social media, the attorney said.

"This is a man that actually stalked the attorney for the stalking victim," McCarthy said

A Twitter account with Ramos' name and the handle @EricHartleyFrnd is believed to belong to Ramos, a law enforcement source said.

The account had tweeted several times about the paper and Hartley. By Friday morning, the account was suspended.

Police: Paper decided not to pursue charges in 2013

Altomare said his department investigated threatening online comments that Ramos allegedly made against the paper in 2013.

But in a conference call between a detective and the paper's legal team that year, the Capital Gazette decided not to pursue charges because of fears it would exacerbate the situation, Altomare said.

In a 2013 police report, an Anne Arundel officer wrote that during that call, "I indicated that I did not believe Mr. Ramos was a threat" to the Capital's employees.

"This was based on the contact they have had with him, as only on Twitter and civil court filings. He has not attempted to enter the Capital newspaper building or sent direct threatening correspondence," the officer wrote.

The threatening tweets included "mention of blood in the water, journalist hell, hit man (and) open season," the officer wrote.

The officer describes the comments as "fringe" and "ranting," the report said.

Tom Marquardt, the Capital Gazette's former editor and publisher, told CNN on Friday he was disappointed charges were not filed.

"In my mind, a layman's mind, all I saw was a threat against my life and a threat against people who working for me," Marquardt said. "They felt however, in their professional opinion, that the evidence wasn't there."

"Once we sensed something was amiss here, we took the precautionary role of making sure that the staff was aware of what was happening. ... We gave them a photo of Mr. Ramos in case he would enter the newsroom," Marquardt said, referring to when the paper was housed in a different building.

He added: "Also we had a given a photo to the front desk, with my personal instruction, that if anybody that resembled him would come through the door that they were to call 911 and our own security."

The Capital Gazette had been threatened on social media with violence as recently as Thursday, police have said, without detailing who was behind those threats.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steven Schuh said Friday morning that Ramos gave no specific warning he was going to attack the newspaper.

"I don't believe there's any indication that this was anything more than a personal grievance from this individual directed toward the newspaper and its employees," Schuh said.

Suspect fired by an employer for "security suitability concerns"

In July 2014, Ramos was fired for "security suitability concerns" by his previous employer, Enterprise Information Services, where he worked as a help desk specialist within the Bureau of Labor Statistics in Washington, according to court documents.

Ramos sued his former employer, saying they still owed him money, and wrote in a letter, "No misconduct was ever cited to me and I received no explanation beyond 'suitability concern.' "

Ramos said he spoke with his supervisor who told him "something has come to light," but the supervisor did not explain what the issue was.

Enterprise Information Services filed a response to Ramos' complaint, saying the federal government demanded he be terminated "citing security suitability concerns resulting from an Investigation conducted by the Office of Inspector General."

The company said it was "never informed of the exact nature of the investigation."

An email from a Bureau of Labor Statistics employee informed her co-workers at the time of his firing that Ramos would not be allowed on the premises "in order to mitigate potential security risk."

Neither Enterprise Information Services nor the Bureau of Labor Statistics immediately responded to a request for comment on the nature of Ramos' termination.

Identified through facial recognition technology

Surveillance recordings from inside the building Thursday show Ramos and the shootings, police said in a probable cause affidavit.

Altomare said police identified Ramos through facial recognition technology, using stored images -- perhaps such as driver's license photos -- from the Maryland Image Repository System.

Police did so after they had difficulty identifying Ramos through fingerprints, Altomare said.

Altomare said that earlier reports about Ramos' fingerprints having been mutilated or altered were incorrect. CNN previously reported from two law enforcement sources that the suspect's fingerprints appeared to have been altered.

Investigators have found evidence at Ramos' apartment in Laurel  about a 30-minute drive from Annapolis  showing "the origination of planning" for the shooting.

Altomare didn't detail the discoveries, other than saying the findings show "what we knew we would find, which is we have one bad guy."

A newsroom and a community mourn

Journalists at the newspaper tweeted tributes and memories of their colleagues.

"The Capital is not a big newsroom. There are about 20 news staffers, a few more advertising. We are close. We are family. I am devastated," reporter Danielle Ohl tweeted.

In a Facebook post, best-selling author and Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen said he was "devastated and heartsick" to confirm the death of his brother, Robert Hiaasen, affectionately known as "Big Rob" because he towered over people.

"He spent his whole gifted career as a journalist, and he believed profoundly in the craft and mission of serving the public's right to know the news," Carl Hiaasen wrote.

A vigil for the victims will be held at 8 p.m. Friday at the Annapolis City Dock, city officials said.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered state flags to be lowered to half-staff until sunset Monday.

"To the family, friends, and colleagues at the Capital Gazette and its parent company, The Baltimore Sun, you have the deepest sympathies of a state in mourning," Hogan said in a statement.

Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect new reporting from police regarding the suspect's fingerprints.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Capital Gazette shooting suspect barricaded back entrance, prosecutor says."
Vietnam wary as China pneumonia outbreak could be linked to SARS

A disinfection area set up during a respiratory outbreak in China. Photo by AFP/Philippe Lopez.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is closely monitoring the situation on the China border following news of a pneumonia outbreak in that country.

China has reported several cases of acute pneumonia in Hubei Province's Wuhan City, 1,500 km northeast of the border, since December, according to the ministrys General Department of Preventative Medicine.

As of Tuesday 27 cases have been confirmed, with seven people reportedly in critical condition, it added.

The Chinese Ministry of Health is investigating the source of the infection and seeks to contain the outbreak.

There is no clear evidence yet that it has been transmitted between humans, with preliminary tests indicating it is an outbreak of viral pneumonia, according to the Vietnamese department.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is collaborating with the World Health Organization to keep its citizens updated on the situation and devise preventive measures.

The outbreak is suspected to be linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, which emerged in China in 2002 and spread to other countries, including Vietnam, in 2003, Chinese media reported.

More than 8,000 people were infected and 775 died.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Nearly every Republican member of Congress from Ohio on Thursday signed on to a legal brief that urges the U.S. Supreme Court to use a Louisiana abortion case the court will hear in March to reconsider the historic Roe v. Wade case that set forth a right to abortion," and to overrule it, if appropriate.

The court has agreed to consider the legality of a Louisiana law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Abortion rights advocates say that law, and a similar Ohio law that requires abortion clinics to have transfer agreements with nearby hospitals, is meant to shutter abortion clinics. It is the first abortion case the court will consider since the confirmation of Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

The legal brief signed by 207 anti-abortion members of Congress questioned the standing of the abortion provider who challenged the law. It said the struggle of lower courts to determine what constitutes an undue burden on abortion access "illustrates the unworkability of the right to abortion set forth in the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and the need for it to be reconsidered and overruled if appropriate.

The brief, which was signed by every Republican member of Congress from Ohio except Steve Stivers of the Columbus area and Bainbridge Townships Dave Joyce, called it impossible for abortion clinics and doctors to share or represent the interests of their patients when they seek to eliminate the very regulations designed to protect their patients health and safety.

The brief argued the courts abortion decisions after Roe v. Wade set confusing precedents, and led states to regulate abortion to the maximum extent allowed to protect state interests" permitted in Roe. It said these incessant retrenchments show that Roe has been substantially undermined by subsequent authority, a principal factor the Court considers when deciding whether to overrule a past decision.

Forty-six years after Roe was decided, it remains a radically unsettled precedent: two of the seven Justices who originally joined the majority subsequently repudiated it in whole or in part, and virtually every abortion decision since has been closely divided, says the brief signed by U.S. Sen. Rob Portman and 10 GOP members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio. Joyces office said he didnt sign on to the brief, even though he opposes abortion, because he doesnt typically sign on to legal briefs that outside parties send federal courts.

A statement from Planned Parenthoods advocacy arm said a record 77% of Americans support the Roe v. Wade decision, and the legislators sentiments go against the will of the people. It called the Louisiana law a medically unnecessary abortion restriction nearly identical to a Texas restriction the court struck down three years ago. It argued that if the Court defies its own precedent and lets the law stand, it would leave Louisiana with just one abortion provider and put abortion access at risk for 25 million women of reproductive age nationwide.

"These anti-abortion politicians are making it very clear  they want the Supreme Court to effectively ban abortion, precedent be damned, said a statement from Samuel Lau of Planned Parenthood Votes. To the members of Congress who signed on to this amicus brief: Brace yourselves for the consequences you will face at the ballot box in November.

Since 1973, the law in our country has recognized the basic human right to bodily autonomy, added a statement from NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Executive Director Kellie Copeland. "To strip Americans of their freedom to determine when or if they have children is wrong. Americans have relied on this fundamental right for generations. Ohios members of Congress should respect their constituents and trust them to make the decisions that are best for themselves and their families. If they do not, voters should remember when they go to the polls in November.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost signed on to a separate brief that a group of 20 states submitted Thursday that urges the court to either order dismissal of the case for lack of standing, or to affirm a lower courts judgment upholding the law. The states brief argues countless abortion practitioners, such as Kermit Gosnell and Ulrich Klopfer, have a macabre history of disregarding basic clinical competence and sanitation," which underscores why courts and the States cannot trust practitioners to safeguard womens interests.

Should the Court reach the merits of Petitioners challenge, the Court should clarify that health-and- safety regulations impose an undue burden only if the burdens they imposeby causing women to forgo an abortion or materially delay and face significantly greater riskssubstantially outweigh those regulations benefits, says the brief signed by Yost.

A separate legal brief filed last month by 197 legislators who support abortion rights argued the Louisiana law should be declared unconstitutional because it doesnt redress any identified medical concern or offer any medical benefit that outweighs the burdens it creates. The brief signed by Democratic U.S. Sen Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Reps. Marcia Fudge of Warrensville Heights and Tim Ryan of the Niles area said the laws intent was to mandate requirements so difficult to fulfill that the inevitable outcome is the shuttering of abortion clinics and elimination of safe and legal abortions.

This case is significant not just for Louisiana, their brief said, arguing the Louisiana law represents but one example of a recent wave of state legislation designed to impede access to abortion services and undermine this Courts holdings in past abortion decisions.

In blatant defiance of the Constitution and this Courts prior holdings, states like Louisiana burden womens ability to exercise their fundamental rights through pretextual laws that purport to address problems that do not exist, it continued. The result is a patchwork of access to safe and legal abortion. This Courts precedent and the rule of law should prevail, and the rights established by the Constitution, as upheld by this Court, must be respected across the entire nation.

Read more coverage:

Rep. Bob Latta helps pass law to hang up on robocalls

House approves trade agreement with Canada and Mexico over opposition from Ohio Reps. Fudge and Kaptur

House votes to impeach President Donald Trump

Christina Hagan files to challenge Tim Ryan: See whos running for Congress in Northeast Ohio

U.S. Senate to pass defense bill full of Ohio measures

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown will back his first trade agreement

House Judiciary Committee approves impeachment articles over dissent from its Ohio Republican members

Rep. Anthony Gonzalez drafts bill to crack down on child porn

House passes Democrats bill aimed at reducing prescription drug prices

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman sponsors bill to fight evictions

Read Ohio Republicans opening statements at the House Judiciary Committees impeachment markup

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown seeks better tracking of child abuse deaths

U.S. Supreme Court hears international child custody spat from Cleveland area
The Lagos State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has paraded a 25-year-old pickpocket named Francis Monday who confessed to sacrificing cocks every 3 days in order for the ring he uses for his nefarious act to remain potent, NewTelegraph reports.

Read Also: Armed Robbers Trapped Inside Abuja Bank As Police, Army Block Entrance

He added that the ring is potent enough to detect if someone is with money and can also take the money without the knowledge of the owner.

His confessional statement below:

An Alfa (an Islamic cleric) gave the rings to me. When we met at Alaba Rago market in early November, where I went to smoke Indian hemp, the Islamic cleric also came to smoke Indian hemp. While we were discussing, he told me that I looked like a street boy. He said rather than subjecting myself to so much suffering, that he could help me get rich, by giving me something that would better my life without stress.

Initially I thought it was money ritual, surprisingly he brought out two rings and asked me to meet him at a secluded place. When we eventually met, he brought two cocks, alligator pepper and other ingredients. He then killed the cocks and poured the blood on the rings and mixed part of the blood with other ingredients. He said some incantations and poured the mixed concoction on the rings. As he was doing that, he kept mentioning my name on the rings.

At the end of the sacrifice, he gave me the two rings and charged me N50,000 for his services. But I told him I did not have such amount of money with me and I promised to pay him more than that when the rings would start fetching money for me. He agreed and left. On the whereabouts of the Islamic cleric that gave him the ring, Francis said he is yet to see the Islamic cleric who told him he will collect the money for the ring ritual after he returns from a trip to his hometown in Togo.
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At least one senior American official and a number of civilians will be killed in targeted attacks as a result of the U.S. airstrike in Iraq and that killed a top Iranian general, the CIA's former deputy director has warned.

The grave warning from Michael Morell, who was also the acting CIA director, came as the U.S. was on heightened alert after Iran vowed 'harsh retaliation' over the dead of General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad on Friday.

'Soleimani was an evil genius, he had a lot of American blood on his hands. The world is a better place without him. The problem is that comes at a very high cost,' Morell told CBS This Morning.

'There will be dead Americans, dead civilian Americans, as a result of this.

CIA's former deputy director Michael Morell has warned that Iran will murder American civilians after airstrike in Iraq that killed a top Iranian general

'What I think the Iranians will do is turn their proxies loose throughout the region to go after civilians and at a time and place of their choosing, they're going to conduct a terrorist strike that kills a senior American official.'

Morell believes such an attack could occur within days and will take place in any city where Iran has proxies or sleeper terror cells.

He said the most likely place would be Iraq but warned major cities within the U.S. would also be a target.

It comes amid fears that the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, which has been designated by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization, may have sleeper cells in the U.S. that are ready to retaliate.

'Lebanese Hezbollah, which is one of (Iran's) closest allies, has contingency plans and those include plans in the United States against U.S. targets,' Morell said.

'Such a terrorist attack could occur soon.'

Former CIA operations officer, Sam Faddis, warned that Hezbollah sleeper cells were hiding in the U.S. and potentially had targets in its sights.

'It is more than possible that Hezbollah has sleeper cells in the United States ready to strike,' Faddis told DailyMail.com.

'Based on what we know we must assume they do and that they can hit targets on U.S. soil at anytime without warning.'

Major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have already said they are stepping up security in the aftermath of the airstrikes to prevent any revenge attacks

NYPD patrols stand guard at Times Square on Friday. The NYPD will take actions to protect the city and residents against any possible retaliation after the deadly US airstrike in Iraq, Mayor Bill de Blasio said

Major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have already said they are stepping up security in the aftermath of the airstrikes to prevent any revenge attacks.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said they would be protecting key locations from any attempt by Iran or its terrorist allies to retaliate against the U.S.

'We have to assume this action puts us in a de facto state of war,' De Blasio told a press conference Friday.

The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, on Friday marks a major escalation in the standoff between the U.S. and Iran

'No one has to be reminded that New York City is the number one terror target in the United States. We have to recognize that this creates a whole series of dangerous possibilities for our city.

'We have plenty of knowledge of previous efforts by Iranian proxies to scout and target locations in New York City. Hezbollah and others have made it a point in recent years... We know there's been an effort to target and prepare to attack in New York City in the past.'

The mayor said the threat has changed significantly given the resources that a state such as Iran has compared to non-state organizations like Al Qaeda or ISIS.

'It's just a world of difference,' de Blasio said.

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea confirmed additional resources had been deployed.

'The NYPD continues to closely monitor the events in Iran & across the region for any further developments. While there are no specific/credible threats to #NYC, we've deployed additional resources to key locations,' Shea said.

He said New Yorkers could expect to see more uniformed officers, some heavily armed with long guns, at sensitive areas. He did not specify what those were but a heavy police presence is typically seen on the subway, other mass transit, and tourist attractions.

A US airstrike on Baghdad airport killed Soleimani, the head of Iran's powerful Quds force. Pictured is the burning remains of the car that was among a convoy he was traveling in

The Los Angeles Police Department said that while there was currently no credible threat to the city, they were monitoring developments in Iran and were committed to ensuring safety.

Just last month, a New Yorker was sentenced to 40 years in prison after he was convicted of providing material support to Hezbollah by seeking targets in New York City for terrorist attacks.

Ali Kourani, 34, was arrested in 2017 on charges he sought to support Hezbollah's Islamic Jihad organization.

Just last month, New Yorker Ali Kourani was sentenced to 40 years in prison after he was convicted of providing material support to Hezbollah by seeking targets in New York City for terrorist attacks

Kourani was monitoring terrorism targets in New York City, including Kennedy International Airport and law enforcement facilities including the building housing the FBI, authorities said.

Authorities said Kourani, who was born in Lebanon but moved legally to the U.S. in 2003, received sophisticated military training overseas at least twice.

He was trained in the use of a rocket propelled grenade.

A New Jersey man was charged in September of conducting intelligence-gathering operations for Hezbollah including in Times Square, Boston's Fenway Park and The Capitol building in Washington D.C.

Alexei Saab, 42, - who was arrested in July - is said to have provided detailed information on various locations to Hezbollah, including photographs and their structural weaknesses.

Locations including the United Nations headquarters, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and local airports, tunnels, and bridges are said to have been under his surveillance.

Speaking about these two specific arrests, NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller said authorities were well prepared in New York to thwart any attacks.

'As we have pointed out... this is not a scenario we started thinking about last night. We are well prepared,' he said.

A New Jersey man was charged in September of conducting intelligence-gathering operations for Hezbollah including in Times Square, Boston's Fenway Park and The Capitol building in Washington D.C.

Alexei Saab, 42, - who was arrested in July - is said to have provided detailed information on various locations to Hezbollah, including photographs and their structural weaknesses

'We have had marked success in New York in identifying these sleepers agents and rolling them up.

Following the airstrikes, Brian Katulis - a senior fellow on national security at the Center for American Progress - warned that it was important to watch the global terror network Iran has cultivated in recent years.

'U.S. agencies have kept Americans and the U.S. homeland safe in recent years from the threats posed by a wide range of terrorist networks, including those supported by Iran. But now the real test comes,' he said.

'The lack of a clear U.S. strategy for the Middle East has hindered America's ability to confront Iran's support for terrorism - one strike won't change that.

'Keep an eye on the unwatched pots - those tend to boil over in unexpected ways at unexpected times.'

Katulis has previously testified before Congress on Iran's terrorism network. During his 2018 testimony, Katulis said there was evidence Hezbollah had made efforts to establish sleeper cells in America.

'These limited incidents demonstrate a possible effort by Hezbollah to prepare for contingencies in which the terrorist movement might want to conduct attacks against U.S. interests and even the U.S. homeland,' he said.
MANILA, Philippines  Senator Christopher Lawrence Bong Go has called on Kuwaiti authorities to be transparent with their investigation into the death of another Filipina household worker.

The victim, Jeanelyn Padernal Villavende, allegedly died at the hands of her Kuwaiti employer.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Go condemned Villavendes brutal killing and called on Kuwaiti authorities to make sure that the perpetrators in Villavendes case will be punished according to the fullest extent of their laws.

Kinokondena ko yung pagpatay kay Jeanelyn at despite the May 2018 agreement between the Philippines and Kuwaiti government, there are still reports of violence and abuses committed against our fellow Filipinos in Kuwait, he said.

Masakit na iniiwan ng mga kababayan natin ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay upang makapagtrabaho lang sa mga malalayong lugar at mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang pamilya. Mas masakit malaman na sa kabila ng kanilang sakripisyo, sila ay patuloy na naaabuso at minsan namamatay pa, he added.

The senator also expressed his sympathy for the family of the victim as he vowed to provide assistance for them, particularly for the medical needs of Villavendes father, with the help of the Malasakit Center.

Nakikiramay ako sa mga naulila ni Jeanelyn. Asahan na kaisa ninyo ako sa paghanap ng agarang hustisya sa pagkamatay ng inyong mahal sa buhay.

Go also called on concerned government agencies to coordinate in regard to the immediate repatriation of the slain OFW.

Kailangang masigurado din na maibigay ng gobyerno at maging ng private insurance company ang lahat ng mga benepisyo para sa mga naulila ni Jeanelyn, katulad ng livelihood assistance, death and burial assistance, scholarship sa naiwang kapamilya at iba pa, he added.

Citing Villavendes case, Go underscored the need for a separate department to deal with all overseas Filipino workers concerns.

Story continues

In July 2018, he filed Senate Bill 202 or the Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of 2019.

The proposed measure aims to establish a Department of Overseas Filipinos to serve as the umbrella agency to specifically address all the issues and concerns of Filipinos abroad and their families, to afford them full protection, promote their full and just employment, mitigate the social costs back home, and serve as a channel to address OFW issues and grievances.

The measure further creates an Overseas Filipinos Assistance Fund to provide financial support to Filipino migrants in distress, inclusive of repatriation and provisions for life-saving funds in times of great emergency or distress, and provides training and livelihood loans for OFWs returning to the Philippines for good.

The bill also mandates the creation of OFW Malasakit Centers in all provinces and major cities to ensure prompt and efficient provision of services to OFWs and their families, such as acquisition of government permits, validation of overseas job offers, grievance and complaints desks and reintegration services.

Under current laws, OFWs need to go to different government agencies scattered in several departments and offices to secure their needed documents and present their other concerns, such as employment and technical education.

If passed into law, the measure is seen to help in curbing issues and inconveniences experienced by Filipino migrant workers and will also provide better protection for them.

The post Go calls for transparency in Kuwaiti govt probe on death of Filipina worker appeared first on UNTV News.
Here in Westport, we sometimes wear our hands out patting ourselves on the back. First plastic bag ban east of the Mississippi: Check! Plastic straw ban: Check! Sustainability task force, Go Green initiatives, net zero by 2050  check, check, check!

Yet if you check under the hood, were hardly as virtuous as wed like to think. The town that leads Connecticut in per capita Tesla registrations is also chock-a-block with Range Rovers, Grand Cherokees, and enough SUVs to sustain an entire United Arab Emirate.

We build energy-efficient homes and keep the swimming pool heated and open through Thanksgiving. Those same homes have so many rooms that some of them dont even have names. They also have four-car garages because its an unwritten rule that in Westport every driver needs his or her own vehicle.

We live our lives a lot like that. Westport has its yin and yang; were torn between the push toward progressivism and the pull to be just another American suburb (if quite a bit wealthier).

We revere our history. Newcomers move here for the New England charm, the lovely streetscape, the sense that this place is rooted in and honors its past.

Yet we tear down those same homes with abandon, not to mention the century-old trees surrounding them. We build faux stone walls and add fences on top, shutting the streetscape off from the street. We love our neighborhoods, but we have no idea who our neighbors are.

We love the concept of mom-and-pop stores too. We all wish there were more of them everywhere. But we shop online, not at Savvy + Grace, Indulge by Mersene or Le Rouge by Aarti. We hit them up every time we solicit donations for a benefit  we learned long ago that chains are chintzy  but we seldom say thank you with our feet and our wallets.

Westporters are fitness fanatics. We go to the gym, spin centers and yoga classes. And we drive maniacally there, cutting off everyone in our path in our zeal to park as close to the entrance as possible.

We are not pleased that our roads have been overtaken by every driver on the Merritt Parkway, and every driver and trucker on I-95. We bemoan the fact that Waze has made not only the Post Road but Cross Highway, Long Lots and Greens Farms Road into just-slightly-better alternatives any time there is a fender bender on the highway.

Yet who among us has not used Waze to do the same, in some other town?

We love to say we are an arts-loving community. We are rightfully proud of many organizations, including the Artists Collective of Westport. This vibrant, eclectic group has found a home at the Westport Country Playhouses Sheffer Studio. But if we really walked the arts talk, wed fill the Playhouse to capacity for every show. One of the first summer theaters in the country  and about to celebrate its 90th season  the Playhouse deserves far better support from our arts-loving community than it gets.

Westport is an extremely generous town. We volunteer, fundraise, walk and work for an astonishing variety of causes. We donate furniture for immigrants, give toys to impoverished kids, and tutor adults whose education fell far short of our own.

We appreciate the dedication of our town employees. We would not be the Westport we are without our teachers, firefighters, police officers, EMTs, Public Works workers and many more.

Some of them live absurd distances from Westport; they cant afford to live here. We have done a decent job of providing housing for some low-income residents  far better than tightly written state regulations give us credit for  but we could do more.

Not every developer comes in with nefarious plans; not all use affordable housing as an extortion sword to hang over our heads. There are legitimate ways to provide more housing to folks who cant otherwise afford Westport, and whose presence could greatly enrich our entire community.

Does all this make us hypocritical? I dont think so. I cant imagine that Westport is any more or less conflicted than any other community. Its possible to want to take the virtuous high road, yet flip off the other driver when (this ones on you, Waze) the road gets too crowded.

But that doesnt mean we cant be better. We always can. We can curb our waste. We can care for our past. We can shop locally. We can become Playhouse patrons. We can remind ourselves that we live in a wonderful, caring community  one we are blessed to enjoy.

And we can never forget that with that privilege comes great responsibility. Thats my wish for the new year and the new decade.
'They were less stressed.'

'Their sleep quality improved as did their social interactions.'

Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

By 2050, there will be more people above the age of 60 than those below the age of 15 years in India.

With this comes the attendant problems associated with old age and one disease that is going to attack India in a big way is dementia.

Keeping this in mind, a study on the effects of yoga on people suffering from dementia, conducted by the departments of integrative medicine and modern psychiatry at NIMHANS assumes significance.

After completing his MBBS at the Government Medical College, Nagpur, Dr Hemant Bhargav felt modern medicine was reaching a saturation point in curing many disorders and that "the time has come to add something more, something from our traditional system". He decided to do an MD, followed by a PhD, in yoga and rehabilitation.

"If the meditative yoga programme we had developed for the elderly was practised for one hour every day, five days in a week for six months, it could lead to an improvement in the overall quality of life of the elderly," Dr Bhargav, who is now an assistant professor at the department of integrative medicine at NIMHANS, tells Shobha Warrier/Rediff.com in the first of a two-part interview.

There was a global conference on dementia recently in Kochi where you spoke about using yoga to treat dementia. When did you find that yoga can help fight dementia?

At the NIMHANS's department of integrative medicine, we study the best of traditional systems like yoga and Ayurveda, and we integrate this with modern psychiatry.

The yoga centre has been functioning for the last 10 years and we have been offering clinical services to psychiatric patients.

In 2010-2012, we did a community-based study on the effects of yoga on elderly people -- not people with dementia -- to find out whether yoga helped the elderly.

We published the outcome of the study in 2013.

Was there any particular reason why you decided to do this study on elderly people?

It was basically a precursor to understand whether yoga would have any effect on people with dementia.

Normally, when you do a clinical study, you initially try to find out whether it will have any effect on normal citizens before trying it on the clinical population.

If yoga did not improve memory in normal elderly people, it would definitely not have any effect on those suffering from Alzheimer's.

Generally, the elderly have health problems like hypertension, diabetes, body pain, difficulty in hearing and seeing. So yoga programmes have to be specially designed for this population.

We wanted to first validate the feasibility of the yoga module we have designed with the help of experts on the elderly, before doing the randomised controlled trial.

By yoga, do you mean just asanas or a combination of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation?

It is a combination of the three, designed specifically for the elderly.

The module is based on the practices which should retard the ageing process like Patanjali yoga sutra, hatha yoga, etc.

We combined the results of the study and modern science evidence and showed it to 20 experts in the field of yoga and health.

Based on their suggestions, we came up with a yoga module for people with dementia.

Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters

You said you came out with a report in 2013. What were the results of the study conducted on the elderly?

We had published three papers at that time in the International Journal of Psychiatry and also in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry.

The study concluded that if the meditative yoga programme we had developed for the elderly was practised for one hour every day, five days in a week for six months, it could lead to an improvement in the overall quality of life of the elderly.

You mean physically and mentally?

Yes, taking into consideration the WHO standard of quality of life -- the physical, social and mental quality of life improved for the elderly.

They were able to manage their emotions better too.

They were less stressed.

Their sleep quality improved, as did their social interactions.

That is why we said that the overall quality of life improved.

We also found that there was an improvement in their memory.

We did MRI scans on a small sub-sect of people and measured the area of hippocampus in the brain, which shrinks with age, more so in people with dementia and Alzheimer's.

We found that, in people who did yoga for six months, the volume of the hippocampus increased slightly.

It meant that yoga not only stopped the normal ageing process of shrinking, but also reversed it; that is, the size of the hippocampus increased.

Due to just yoga?

Yes, these people had added yoga into their life style.

Several studies conducted in the US also have shown that long term meditators have thicker cortex.

Yoga involves certain kind of practices which need mind and body co-ordination and they are beneficial for the brain.

Do watch out for Part 2 of the interview next week!
The chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has described the proposals by the Courts Service to overhaul the fines system as cheeky.

The service no longer wants to have responsibility for collecting fines.

There has been an increase in the number of people not paying for fines and not turning up for court.

One of its suggestions is for fines for unpaid TV licence fees to be added on to a person's property tax bill.

PAC chairman Sean Fleming said the courts should have flagged the problem sooner.

Mr Fleming said: "They've a bit of a neck saying you should be doing the job we're doing. If they're required extra staff to do this, or a change or tweaking of the legislation, they should have said that a year, two or three years ago.

"It shouldn't take the Public Accounts to uncover all this, which we have done, and now they're coming forward with all these suggestions."

The Courts Service also believe that motorists who fail to pay a speeding or parking fine should not be able to tax or sell their vehicle.

The Courts Service also believes parking fines should be abolished in favour of clamping.

AA Ireland's Conor Faughnan thinks the suggestion makes sense: "I think the challenge would be to get the administration right.

"We have significant problems with the quality of courts administration at the moment attaching the correct penalty points to the correct licences for example, but if they could get the administration right, it certainly is a simpler way of doing it and in effect becomes self policing."
Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, said on Twitter that Mr. Trump had exercised admirable restraint while setting clear red lines & the consequences for crossing them.

The Quds, Mr. Rubio tweeted, are entirely to blame for bringing about the dangerous moment now before us.

But Democrats worried about the consequences of the strike.

Representative Seth Moulton, Democrat of Massachusetts, called General Suleimani an enemy of the United States with American blood on his hands.

But the question weve grappled with for years in Iraq was how to kill more terrorists than we create, Mr. Moulton said in a statement. Thats an open question tonight as we await Irans reaction to Donald Trumps escalation, which could ignite a regional war, with still no strategy from the administration.

Other lawmakers, like Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico, accused Mr. Trump of bringing the nation to the brink of an illegal war with Iran.

Such a reckless escalation of hostilities is likely a violation of Congresss war-making authority  as well as our basing agreement with Iraq  putting U.S. forces and citizens in danger, Mr. Udall said in a statement, and very possibly sinking us into another disastrous war in the Middle East that the American people are not asking for and do not support.






SHANGHAI  Tesla will deliver its first China-made Model 3 sedans to the public on Jan. 7 at an event at its Shanghai plant, a representative for the firm told Reuters on Thursday.

The Shanghai plant is part of the Silicon Valley automaker's plans to bolster its presence in the world's biggest auto market and minimize the impact of the U.S.-China trade war.

Fifteen Tesla employees who had purchased the car were the first to take delivery on Monday after the first China-made vehicles rolled off the plant's production line in October.

The deliveries come a year after construction of Tesla's only plant outside the United States began. Production started in October with a target of 250,000 vehicles per year once the Model Y is added to the lineup.

"As Model 3s roll off Tesla's Chinese manufacturing facility with local subsidies intact, we believe the U.S.-based focus will need to shift globally for the company," Canaccord Genuity analyst Jed Dorsheimer wrote in a note to clients.

China will be an important market for the company in 2020, said Dorsheimer, who raised his price target on Tesla to $515, the second-highest on Wall Street.

The Model 3 is priced at 355,800 yuan ($50,000) before subsidies. Tesla said previously that it wanted to start deliveries before the Chinese new year beginning Jan. 25.

Tesla's China general manager, Wang Hao, said the company plans to ramp up Model 3 deliveries in January.

Tesla executives also told reporters the plant had achieved a production target of 1,000 units per week, or around 280 cars a day, and that sales for the China-made sedan had so far been "very good".

Hao had said the company will double the number of service centers and fast charging stations in China in 2020.

Shares of Tesla, which is expected to report its fourth-quarter delivery numbers in the next few days, rose 1.1% to $422.88 in premarket trading.

The stock, which touched a record high of $435.31 last week, has had a strong run in recent months on the back of posting a rare profit in the latest quarter and news of China ramp up.
03.01.2020 LISTEN

Ghana is in a difficult period, which reflects on many aspects of our political, social, and economic lives, in a country, poor management, corrupt judiciary system, financial irregularities, and poor leadership, have taken its toll on common citizens.

According to the World Bank, 48 percent of young Ghanaians aged between 15 and 24, do not have regular employment, in the abysmal gap between the backwardness of the rural and urban population.

Apart from financial irregularities, the challenges Ghana faces today attributes to the strong indebtedness of the country, the poor development of the industry and above all the unequal distribution of resources.

Most of the resources which abound - oil, cocoa, precious woods and stones, fish and tropical fruit, are firmly in the hands of a few multinational exploiters, therefore, the common Ghanaians don't actually benefit from the treasures of the country.

In Ghana, 65% of the territory is agricultural but the gap between rural areas and large cities is widening.

It must be said that good results are difficult to achieve with tax revenue of only 19.9% of GDP. A satisfactory management and control policy is still lacking in this aspect.

Urbanization, which is growing at a very fast rate leads to economic and commercial progress, however, it creates new pockets of extreme poverty and a mass of underprivileged people, who pour into slums in conditions below the subsistence threshold.

There are many places throughout Ghana, struggling to have water, good medical facilities, and proper roads and like every city without employment for most of the youth, prostitution and gang warfare are at stake. The reason armed robbery is common.

Recently, I read that about 7.3 million Ghanaians still live without electricity, despite the resources this country produces, above all the Akosombo dam produces large quantities of hydroelectric energy but sold to neighbouring Togo and Benin.

The reality of these decades has been a little different. Political opportunism, the desire for power, the sale of land and resources, and the desire to get rich behind the population, have created a weak governance structure in Ghana.

The only thing which makes me feel happy about Ghana, which also I believe encourages foreign nationals to love the country is, six decades after independence, Ghanaians have the power and precisely the ability to remain united.

Despite the impact of tribalism and nepotism in some areas, Ghanaians always remain united. I wish they will always remain the same because what a country loses through violence, whether casualties or property, costs a lot of money or can't be replaced.

It is likely that some regions in Ghana are not receiving a fair share of national resources, therefore, poverty is heavy in such regions. For example, the Volta region, which includes the coastal strip towards the border with Togo, is mainly empty.

Resources in Ghana are for Ghanaians, not for multinational exploiters, therefore, it must be used to develop the country, without the neglection of any region. This will build a strong foundation of peace in the country than what Ghanaians enjoy now.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 14:49:45|Editor: yhy

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ULAN BATOR, Jan.3 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia on Friday celebrated National Blood Donation Day, which was first marked in 2009.

"The national event aims to increase public awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and the need for safe blood and blood products," Namjil Erdenebayar, general director of the National Center for Transfusion Medicine, told Xinhua.

There are 18 blood donations per every 1,000 inhabitants in the country's capital Ulan Bator, said the official.

"In rural areas, however, there are five donations per 1,000 people. This is due to the fact that demand for blood products in rural areas is relatively low," he said.

More than half of the country's 3.2 million population live in the capital.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  The federal Transportation Security Administration is investigating another security issue at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport involving one of the airports top administrators.

TSA notified the administrator, in a letter dated Friday, that it is opening the investigation, TSA spokesman Mark Howell confirmed to cleveland.com.

Howell did not identify which airport employee was involved, nor the date that the incident -- an access control violation -- occurred. Mayor Frank Jacksons administration is aware of the investigation and acknowledged that the incident involves Deputy Commissioner Eric Turner, a longtime airport employee.

The latest incident is the fourth at Hopkins since October 2018, when Fred Szabo, then assistant airport director, escorted Jacksons chief of operations, Darnell Brown, around TSA security screeners.

Turner will face discipline if he is found to have violated security protocols, the administration reported in a statement released in response to questions from cleveland.com. In the meantime, he remains on the job.

Mayors spokeswoman Latoya Hunter Hayes was unsure of the exact date the issue arose, but said it was around the time of the Thanksgiving holiday.

TSA said this issue involves improper access to controlled areas of the airport. The investigation will look at the incident and also look at whether the airport reported it, Howell said.

The investigation could take up to 90 days to complete. TSA could require corrective actions on the part of the airport. It also has the power to issue fines to individuals or the airport for violations of security regulations.

The issuance of the letter comes less than a year after TSA closed the books on its investigation into another security issue involving an airport administrator.

In October 2018, the city drew the ire of the Transportation Security Administration for being slow to report a breach involving Szabo and Brown.

Brown had already cleared security to catch a flight but realized he had left his cell phone in his car. Szabo helped him retrieve the phone and then bypass security and board the flight with the unscreened phone.

TSA was angered that the airport waited 20 hours before reporting the incident, preventing the federal agency from taking any corrective action.

Both men were suspended without pay. Szabo was reassigned to another city job away from the airport.

TSA closed its investigation into that incident in February 2019. No fines were issued in that case.

About that same time, a drunken driver crashed through a security gate on the west side of the airport and drove across the airfield early in the morning. He crashed out through the fence near the I-X Center, where he was arrested after driving into a snowbank.

That incident prompted concern for then-security manager Howard Phillips because the security gate stood open and unguarded for nearly three hours. Airport Director Robert Kennedy told City Council at a hearing in October that some employees were fired following the incident.

Phillips quit his job in frustration in July. In his resignation letter he cited staffing issues that were making it difficult to adequately address security.

In March, a man who later admitted to a TV news team he was drunk at the time climbed over the perimeter fence and tumbled onto the airfield. He was spotted on security cameras and quickly apprehended.

Kennedy, at the October hearing before City Council, said the airport had worked to improve its relations with TSA, complying with its requests and adjusting procedures as needed.

Those efforts to improve the airports security led to better communication and a smoother relationship with TSA, Kennedy said then.

He cited, as a sign of the improvement, that the airport had received no new letters of investigation for several months.
MILFORD - A former Hobby Lobby employee has been arrested on six counts of larceny.

Police said Luz Class, 55, of West Haven, is accused of failing to scan $1,000 worth of merchandise while working at the Post Road business in November 2019.
Nicky Hilton Rothschild and her youngest daughter Teddy Marilyn donned matching teddy coats and Yeezy sneakers for a winter stroll through Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Thursday.

The 36-year-old hotel heiress-turned-designer wore black leggings beneath a $2,895 Max Mara 'camel and silk' coat, and her two-year-old princess sported grey leggings and a striped top beneath her tiny coat.

The self-described 'outerwear addict's street sighting came two weeks after she told Page Six she was hoping for a 'beautiful Max Mara teddy coat in a fun color' for Christmas.

Twinning! Nicky Hilton Rothschild and her daughter Teddy Marilyn donned matching teddy coats and Yeezy sneakers for a stroll through Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Thursday

However, Nicky (born Nicholai) has been pictured wearing this particular brown Max Mara teddy coat as far back as May 28.

Hilton just returned from Florida where she rang in the New Year at The Breakers Palm Beach with second husband James Rothschild, her parents Kathy and Richard, her brother Barron, and his pregnant wife Tessa.

'Happy New Years from the six of us + 3/4 of another!' the expecting 25-year-old blonde captioned the snap.

Fancy footwork: The 36-year-old hotel heiress-turned-designer wore black leggings beneath a $2,895 Max Mara 'camel and silk' coat

Leaning: Her two-year-old princess sported grey leggings and a striped top beneath her tiny coat

Self-described 'outerwear addict': Nicky's street sighting came two weeks after she told Page Six she was hoping for a 'beautiful Max Mara teddy coat in a fun color' for Christmas

While in Palm Beach, the nepotistically-privileged socialite enjoyed a day by the sea with the 34-year-old financier, whom she began romancing way back in 2011.

Not pictured on the sand or the Big Apple streets was the wealthy couple's eldest child, three-year-old daughter Lily Grace.

Nicky last hung out with her famous sister Paris Hilton on December 16 during their 60-year-old mother's annual Christmas party in her lavish Bel-Air mansion.

'Happy New Years!' Hilton just returned from Florida where she rang in the New Year at The Breakers Palm Beach with second husband James Rothschild (R), her parents Kathy and Richard (M), her brother Barron (L), and his pregnant wife Tessa (2-L)

'Beach babes!' While in Palm Beach, the nepotistically-privileged socialite enjoyed a day by the sea with the 34-year-old financier, whom she began romancing way back in 2011

Camera shy: Not pictured on the sand or the Big Apple streets was the wealthy couple's eldest child, three-year-old daughter Lily Grace (pictured December 20)

'I started making shirts that said, "That's hot" and on the back would say, "You're not." It was cute,' the 38-year-old reality star-turned-DJ reminisced to Vogue on December 18.

'"That's hot"' is something that my sister actually always used to say, but I trademarked it and I own it. Sorry, Nicky.'

Paris went on to popularize her catchphrase throughout her early aughts hey-day, especially during her hit MTV series Simple Life (2003-2007).

'#HolidaysWithTheHiltons': Nicky last hung out with her famous sister Paris Hilton on December 16 during their 60-year-old mother's annual Christmas party in her Bel-Air mansion

The 38-year-old reality star-turned-DJ confessed to Vogue on December 18: '"That's hot"' is something that my sister actually always used to say, but I trademarked it and I own it. Sorry, Nicky'
Former Nissan Motor Co. Chairman Carlos Ghosn fled Japan this week while awaiting trial on financial misconduct charges and appeared in Lebanon. A look at the unfolding case of the fallen superstar of the auto industry:

WHERE HE IS

Ghosn, who is Lebanese and also holds French and Brazilian passports, arrived in Lebanon Monday using a private plane via Turkey. Lebanese Justice Minister Albert Serhan told The Associated Press that Ghosn entered the country with a legal passport. Ghosn, who has not appeared in public, issued a statement saying he left to avoid a rigged Japanese justice system." He later denied his family members' role in the escape, stressing he did it alone. He said he will talk to reporters next week. Serhan said Lebanese prosecutors will question Ghosn, but there are no charges pending against him in Lebanon.

HOW HE GOT OUT

Little is known about how Ghosn was able to leave Japan. He picked a time where security lapses are more likely  government offices are shut down all week for New Year holidays. But his whereabouts were closely monitored, including by 24-hour security camera coverage, and his lawyers supposedly had all his passports. He was able to use the internet only in his lawyer's office, and he was forbidden from seeing his wife, Carole Ghosn. They were recently allowed video calls, but only in the presence of his lawyer. His chief lawyer Junichiro Hironaka said he had no knowledge of the escape and was stunned by it. The dramatic disappearance has set off wild speculation he was carted off inside a musical instrument case.

GHOSN AS FUGITIVE

Interpol issued a wanted notice Thursday for Ghosn. Lebanon, which does not have an extradition treaty with Japan, must now decide how to respond. Expectations are low that Lebanon would hand over Ghosn. Interpol's Red Notice is a non-binding request for law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a fugitive. The notice is not an arrest warrant. Legal experts say Ghosn's ability to travel will be restricted.

JAPAN'S RESPONSE

Japanese prosecutors raided Ghosn's Tokyo home Thursday. Prosecutors had opposed his release on bail. Turkey made several arrests as part of an investigation into how he passed through the country. Japanese government officials have not said anything in public about Ghosn's escape but they revoked the 1.5 billion yen ($14 million) bail Ghosn posted on two instances. Trying someone in absentia is rare in Japan. A trial dealing with allegations against Nissan as a company and Greg Kelly, another Nissan executive, will continue. A date has not been set. Japanese authorities rarely engage in flamboyant manhunts across borders. Japan has extradition treaties with the U.S. and South Korea.

THE CHARGES

Ghosn, first arrested in November 2018, has repeatedly denied the charges against him. Part of the allegations centers around Ghosn failing to report in official documents compensation promised to him. Ghosn has said those payments were never decided on and that Nissan had filed additional papers concerning the compensation. Other charges of breach of trust involve Nissan money allegedly diverted to Ghosn for personal gain, including payments in Oman and Saudi Arabia. Ghosn has said those payments were for legitimate services. Prosecutors have released few specifics, saying they will do so at the trial. If convicted on all counts, Ghosn could face the maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

GHOSN AS STAR

Ghosn built a stellar reputation for his managerial acumen in turning around Nissan over the last two decades from near-bankruptcy to one of the biggest global auto brands. Several of his books on management were translated in Japanese, and there's one that depicts him as a manga comic book character. Especially in his early years, he was cheered as a celebrity, admired for his hard work, and dubbed "7-11" after the convenience-store chain for the hours he kept. He is still a national hero in Lebanon, with close ties to senior politicians. After his arrest, he has become a symbol of protest against Japan's so-called hostage justice system, which human rights advocates have long criticized as unfair and relying too much on confessions. Ghosn was held in detention for 130 days before posting bail.

OTHER TWISTS

Two Lebanese lawyers have submitted a report to the Public Prosecutor's Office in Beirut against Ghosn, saying he violated Lebanese law by visiting Israel. The two countries are in a state of war. Ghosn visited Israel in 2008 to launch Nissan electric cars, and met the prime minister and the president. Journalists, including those from Japan, are flocking to Ghosn's rose-colored house in Beirut's affluent neighborhood of Ashrafieh. A Lebanese lawyer who said he worked for Nissan told reporters the building belonged to Nissan, which Ghosn also confirmed. Nissan officials have pointed to Ghosn's extravagant lifestyle, including expensive chandeliers and a sarcophagus buried beneath transparent walkways at the Beirut residence.

NISSAN'S FUTURE

Nissan's brand has been seriously tarnished, and its sales and profits are tumbling. Ghosn was such a key figure for the brand in Japan, where foreign executives are still relatively rare, that it would be a challenge for anyone to fill his shoes. His successor, Hiroto Saikawa, resigned in September after financial misconduct allegations related to a dubious income surfaced against him. Nissan picked Makoto Uchida, who used to head its China business, as its new chief executive. What happens to Nissan's alliance with Renault SA of France, engineered by Ghosn, is a bigger question. Experts say the alliance is irreversible because so much is shared between the automakers, including model development, manufacturing sites and vehicle parts. Ghosn has said his arrest was prompted by those who opposed a fuller merger between Nissan and Renault. Renault owns 44% of Nissan, but in recent years, until Ghosn's downfall, Nissan had grown more profitable than Renault. Nissan has been historically closely associated with Japanese pride. Uchida has affirmed the importance of the alliance and promised to restore Nissan's credibility.
LOCKPORT, N.Y. - An upstate New York school district has begun using facial recognition technology to look for threats, over the objection of civil rights advocates who say it compromises student privacy.

The Lockport Central School District said it activated the system on Thursday after meeting conditions set by state education officials, including that no students be programmed into the systems database.

Superintendent Michelle Bradley said on the districts website the Aegis system is capable of alerting staff to guns as well as individuals who pose a potential threat, including level 2 or 3 sex offenders, suspended staff members and people flagged by law enforcement or prohibited by court order.

The district originally planned to include certain students, citing the February 2018 attack in which expelled student Nikolas Cruz is charged with killing 17 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Those plans were scrapped amid privacy concerns raised by the New York State Education Department.

While facial recognition technology has made its way into airports, casinos, stores and stadiums, it is so far rare in public schools. The western New York district is believed to be the first in the state to incorporate the technology in the aftermath of deadly mass school shootings that have led administrators nationwide to adopt security measures ranging from bulletproof glass to armed guards.

But even without the inclusion of students on the Lockport schools hot list, the New York Civil Liberties Union said facial recognition technology infringes on students rights just by scanning their faces in search of a match.

Because every face that is detected in the frame will be analyzed and compared to entries on the Hot List, anyone who walks through areas captured by the surveillance cameras will be entered into the facial recognition system, including students, the NYCLU wrote to Interim Education Commissioner Shannon Tahoe this week, seeking a halt to its use.

Education department officials said they believe Lockport has satisfied their concerns about student privacy and data, but have recommended that the district consult with its lawyers to ensure individuals civil rights are protected.

Bradley said the system does not collect or store any personally identifiable or other information until a match is made and confirmed by school staff, who would receive an alert from the system.

The $1.4 million Canadian-made Aegis system was funded through a state technology bond.
Jaipur, Jan 3 : At a time when the Rajasthan government is facing severe criticism over the deaths of more than 100 children in a hospital in Kota, state Health Minister Raghu Sharma and Transport Minister Pratap Khachriyawas on Friday were given a 'warm welcome' by hospital officials who rolled out a carpet for their visit.

However, later officials had to remove the carpet when the issue became the talk of the town.

When asked, a senior JK Lon hospital employee said that the carpet was spread to "let it dry" and not to welcome the ministers.

Surprisingly, as the children kept dying, no minister visited Kota in over a month's time. However, on Friday after the 105th child died, the two state ministers went to the hospital and the employees instead of updating them on the crisis of staff and hospital equipment were busy welcoming them.

Former Women's Commission chairperson and BJP leader Mamta Sharma was stopped from visiting the hospital by Congress leaders on Friday and she had to return without entering the hospital. Slogans were raised saying "Mamta Sharma wapas jao, wapas jao (Mamta Sharma go back)." Speaking to the media, Sharma said, "Congress leaders seem ashamed that so many kids died under their tenure and they are thinking how to curb this matter. It is the most shameful act that carpets were spread in hospital to welcome these ministers. When you visit a family on the demise of their member, do you get a red or green carpet welcome?" she asked.
The Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra received the Essence Full Circle Group with drumming & dancing by the Africana Dance Ensemble at the entrance of the hotel to officially welcome them home.

This was in partnership with the National Folklore Board.

Actor Boris Kodjoe and other A-listers arrived in Accra on the 27th December 2019, to experience the Essence Full Circle Festival in celebration of the historic anniversary Year of Return.

The Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City organised a warm welcome with a cultural performance as guests entered the hotel.

The main aim of this media publicity is to position Kempinski Accra as a warm and hospitable hotel that embraces local culture and is happy to welcome people in the diaspora back home.

Background

The Essence Full Circle Festival partnership was to focus on a three-part mission.

First to support cultural ownership and economic collaboration among Africans on the continent and people of African descent in the Diaspora.

Secondly to connect Black communities globally for the exchange of ideas and shared objectives that leads to cultural monetization and community reinvestment; and to facilitate the learning and discovery of the many facets of Africas beauty, excellence and opportunity globally.

In addition, the annual Essence Full Circle Festival experience also focused on showcasing African nations increasingly as global destinations by highlighting their critical roles as ancestral, spiritual, cultural and commercial epicentres.

The primary purpose of the festival was to give people the opportunity to experience Ghana (Africa) authentically and personally to reconnect with ancestry.
A man watches a television news screen showing file footage of a North Korean missile launch, at a railway station in Seoul on July 25, 2019.

U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday said the United States still sees a political agreement on denuclearization as the best path forward on North Korea, but that American forces remained prepared to fight if necessary.

"We would urge restraint by Kim Jong Un," Esper said in an interview on Fox News.
A 61-year-old Texas woman was killed after being struck by a stray bullet while celebrating the New Year shortly after midnight Wednesday.

Harris County deputies responded to a report of a gunshot victim in North Houston.

Deputies said Philippa Ashford, 61, and her family had been discharging fireworks with their neighbors in the cul-de-sac of their street when she cried out that she had been shot, struck by a bullet fired from an unknown location.

Ashford died at the scene from a single gunshot wound shortly after EMS arrived.

Deputies believe Ashford was struck by celebratory gunfire from outside the immediate neighborhood. Deputies canvassed the area and could not locate the source of the gunfire, finding no evidence of shooting from anywhere close to the crime scene.

We have no indication that any family member or anybody in the cul-de-sac was discharging a firearm and weve walked the streets and canvassed up and down to see if we can find any shell casings in the neighborhood and are not finding anything, said Sgt. Ben Beall, a spokesman for the Harris County Sheriffs Office.

Ashford worked as a nurse manager at a mental health facility in southwest Houston. Known as Phil, Ashford was board-certified in psychiatric nursing, with an expertise in motivational interviewing, mentalization-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and community integration.

In 2015, Ashford was presented with the Texas Nurses Association District 9 Top 25 Outstanding Nurses Award. She was also an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Houston police and Harris County deputies issued public alerts on New Years Eve warning the public not to discharge their weapons while celebrating. Celebratory gunfire can be classified as deadly conduct, a misdemeanor offense that carries a punishment of up to a $4,000 fine or up to one year in prison.
At least four people were killed and more than a dozen injured when a seven-storey hotel collapsed during construction in southern Cambodia today.

Around 30 construction workers, including women and children, were said to have been trapped under the rubble in coastal Kep province.

Rescue workers pulled 17 survivors free and rushed them to hospital where four of them died, a spokesman for the local authority told AFP.

Firefighters and an excavator were drafted in to shift concrete rubble to search for more victims.

Deputy police chief Nguon Samet said the building collapsed when cement was being poured on its top level.

Emergency workers carry a survivor from the debris on a stretcher after the seven-storey building collapsed in Kep province, Cambodia

An excavator was drafted in to shift concrete rubble to search for more victims.

Cambodian leader Hun Sen said he was on his way to the site as rescuers continued to search the rubble for survivors

Eye witness Hai Dany said on Facebook that she saw about 'three dozen' construction workers, including women and children, working on the building before it collapsed at around 4.30pm.

'The ambulance came and picked up a few construction workers to the hospital but many of them are still trapped inside,' she said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said in a Facebook post on Friday evening he was on his way to the site 'to lead the rescue team, helping to rescue the workers that got trapped under the collapsed building.'

It is the latest in a series of similar tragedies in the country where lax building regulations have been blamed.

Last June, 28 people died and 26 were injured after the collapse of a building under construction in Sihanoukville, a beach town undergoing a Chinese investment bonanza.

Last month at least three workers died and more than a dozen others were seriously injured after an under-construction dining hall at a temple collapsed in the tourist town of Siem Reap. This tragedy was also caused when concrete was being poured on the top floor.

There are an estimated 200,000 mostly unskilled construction workers in Cambodia who are not protected by union rules, according to the International Labour Organization.

Rescue workers pulled 17 survivors free and rushed them to hospital where four of them died, a spokesman for the local authority told AFP.

Rescuers look for more trapped workers under the rubble in the Kep province of Cambodia

It is the latest in a series of similar tragedies in the country where lax regulations have been blamed for the collapse of buildings during construction

Rescuers scour the rubble for survivors after the hotel collapsed during construction
Update: Jan. 2

A 58-year-old La Porte man who had been missing at the Grand Canyon for 11 days has been found alive.

National Park Service officials said Thursday that Martin Edward O'Connor was found and flown out of the canyon in a helicopter.

The man was undergoing a medical evaluation and officials have not released information on whether he suffered any injuries. He was found on the rugged New Hance Trail, which is considered to be one of the most difficult trails on the south rim.

O'Connor had been missing since Dec. 22, when he was last seen at a lodge in the Grand Canyon's South Rim.

Original Story: Monday, Dec. 30

Authorities are searching for a 58-year-old La Porte man who was last seen three days before Christmas at a lodge in the Grand Canyon's South Rim.

Martin Edward O'Connor was staying at Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon from Dec. 17 through 22 and is believed to be traveling alone, according to a release from the National Park Service, which is conducting the missing person search at the Grand Canyon National Park.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: The best gyms in Houston to start your New Year right

He is described as a male, 5 feet, 10 inches in height, 145 pounds with blue eyes and bald. He is believed to be wearing Carhartt-style work clothing and a blue plaid shirt.

Grand Canyon rangers are asking anyone who may have seen or talked to Martin O'Connor to please call or text the NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB) Tip Line at 888-653-0009; or online at www.nps.gov/ISB by clicking "Submit a Tip" or by email at: e-mail us.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Michelle Iracheta is a digital reporter in Houston. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | michelle.iracheta@chron.com
France's priority is to stabilise the Middle East, French Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin said on Friday after a U.S. air strike killed Iran's Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.

"What is happening is what we feared: tensions between the United States and Iran are increasing," Montchalin told RTL radio. "The priority is to stabilise the region."

The minister said top French officials would make high-level contacts with senior players in the region.

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1. On November 22, 2019, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 1679/Q-TTg approving the Vietnam Population Strategy by 2030.

The document of great significance marks a shift in the focus of population undertakings, changing from family planning to population and development. The strategy specifies the plan for population development to fully, comprehensively and synchronously implement the perspectives, objectives, tasks and solutions set by Resolution No. 21-NQ/TU dated October 25, 2017 by the sixth conference of the 12th Party Central Committee on the population strategy in the new era.

2. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam addresses population strategies in the new era at the launching ceremony for the 2019 National Action Month on Population and the Vietnam Population Day 2019 with the theme "Accompanying the cause of population and development for a prosperous Vietnam."

At the launching on December 10, 2019, the Deputy PM affirmed that current population strategies are not simply focusing on family planning and ensuring the health of mothers, children and every citizen but are now much more inclusive. This is no longer the function of the Ministry of Health, but rather the work of the whole political system and the concerned authorities and people at all levels.

Deputy PM Dam emphasised that the most important task in the near future is to increase public awareness on the population strategy and to mobilise all resources in society to make use of Vietnams population benefits in the new era towards a high quality population.

At the ceremony, Dam also urged his listeners to pay special attention to strengthening training and development for population collaborators to make them a core force not only in family planning but also in other the fields related to population, such as dissemination of knowledge regarding child rearing, child protection, and caring for the elderly, etc.

3. Vietnam observes World Contraception Day 2019

World Contraception Day, takes place on September 26th annually, is a global campaign arousing the responsibility of young people to engage in safe sex and proactive contraception, while encouraging everyone to be proactive during pregnancy for the interests of oneself and the community.

The meaningful and profound event in Vietnam saw the participation of over 500 participants, where they were offered practical information on family planning and the vital need to use contraception in Vietnam, as well as the benefits of contraception.

4. The Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 30/2019/TT-BYT dated December 3, 2019, on amending and supplementing a number of articles under its Circular No. 34/2017/TT-BYT on August 18, 2017, on the guidance of prenatal and neonatal counselling, screening, diagnosis and treatment.

The important legal document guides prenatal and neonatal counselling, screening, diagnosis and treatment towards realising goals set in the Population Strategy by 2030: 70% of pregnant women will be able to receive screening on at least the four most common types of congenital diseases and 90% of new-borns are screened for at least five most common congenital diseases.

5. The Minister of Health approved a plan to consolidate the population specialised inspection system and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the population specialised inspection by 2025 (Decision No. 5745/Q-BYT dated December 10, 2019).

The plan targets to consolidate the population specialised inspection system and raise the effectiveness and efficiency of the work by 2025. It is considered a key document for the population inspection.
Libya's parliament on Thursday denounced as "high treason" Turkey's prospective military intervention in support of the UN-recognised Tripoli-based government.

Libya has been beset by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations in the east and the west vying for power.

The elected parliament in the east is allied with military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is at war with the UN recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

"Al-Sarraj and those who support him have requested a foreign intervention in Libya that we designate as high treason", Ehmayed Houma, parliament's deputy vice speaker, told AFP.

Turkish lawmakers on Thursday approved a military deployment in support of the GNA, which has been hit by a Haftar offensive against the capital since early April.

Houma said an "urgent session" of parliament will be held Saturday in the city of Benghazi "to study the repercussions of this blatant infringement by Turkey" in Libya's internal affairs.

"This misguided step by (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan, which he foisted on his country's parliament, will have serious repercussions in the region", Houma said, calling on Libyans to rally behind Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA).

The GNA has justified its request for help from Turkey on the grounds that it will help repel Haftar's offensive on the capital.

"The GNA has every right to defend its legitimacy and to protect civilians against aggression by a collection of coup perpetrators (who are themselves) supported by foreign parties", said interior minister Fathi Bachagha in a statement on Facebook on Thursday.

Turkey in November signed maritime and military deals with the GNA, the latter providing for a direct military intervention by Turkish forces in support of the Tripoli administration.

The agreements were concluded "legally and openly", according to the GNA's Bachagha, unlike arrangements between Haftar's forces and states which discreetly help him recruit "mercenaries".

Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE support Haftar and they all have tense or limited relations with Turkey and another GNA backer, Qatar.
The Kerala government on Friday termed as 'politically motivated', the Centre rejecting the state's proposed theme for the tableau for the Republic Day parade for the second consecutive year.

State cultural minister A K Balan said the Defence Ministry rejected the state's theme in the third screening and he failed to understand why the centre has a 'hatred' towards the state.

"We had proposed a beautiful theme in the background of backwaters. We don't understand why the centre has a hatred towards all these.

The Centre gets into a frenzy when it hears Kerala or Malayali.

There was no politics in that tableau. This was rejected in the third screening it seems. This is not possible without a political intervention," Balan said.

He asked why the state can't showcase backwaters or Kathakali or boats or anything that represents Kerala.

"Are they (BJP) expecting to improve their vote share in the state through these moves?," Balan asked.

He also said that the centre had even rejected the recommendations for Padma awards from Kerala.

"Barring a few,they have rejected all the names,"he said.

The state had proposed a theme of art and architecture of the state with a Koothambalam, a model of the state's architecture, along with performing arts, including Kathakali, Kalaripayatt, Mohiniyattom, Theyyam and Chenda.

The front portion of the proposed theme has elephant, the official animal of the state and coconut trees and others.

Jayaprabha Menon, a jury member told mediapersons that there was nothing fresh in the tableau.

"We have always seen the boat race, pulikali and others many times.

There was nothing new in this year's theme. There was no politics in a committee of artists, who decide the themes for the parade," Menon told a television channel.

Last year also, the state's proposed 'Vaikom Satyagraha' theme was rejected by the centre for the Republic Day parade.

The historic Vaikom Satyagraha in Travancore was against untouchability that prevailed in Hindu society.

The movement was centred at the Shiva temple at Vaikom, near Kottayam during 1924-25.

Apart from Kerala, the Centre has also rejected the proposals of West Bengal and Maharashtra, prompting the TMC, Shiv Sena and the NCP to attack the Centre.

Twenty-two proposals, 16 from states and union territories and six from central ministries -- out of a total 56 have been short-listed for this Republic Day parade, the Defence Ministry had said on January 1.

The Ministry had received 32 tableau proposals from states and union territories and 24 from central ministries and departments.

"Out of these, 22 proposals, comprising 16 states/UTs and 6 ministries/departments, have finally been short-listed for participation in the Republic Day Parade 2020 after a series of five meetings,"a statement by the ministry had said.

The ministry has selected the tableaux proposals of 15 states and a union territory--Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

Of these, eight are BJP or NDA-ruled states, four are ruled by UPA and three by non-UPA and non-NDA parties.

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Department of Financial Services, the National Disaster Relief Force, Central Public Works Department, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Ministry of Shipping were selected for the 2020 parade.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have only until January 3, 2020 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against AZZ Inc. (AZZ), if they purchased the Companys securities between July 3, 2018 and October 8, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.



What You May Do

If you purchased securities of AZZ and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-azz/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court by January 3, 2020 .

About the Lawsuit

AZZ and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On May 17, 2019, post-market, the Company disclosed a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting related to preparation and review of revenue reconciliations after adopting a new revenue recognition standard. On October 8, 2019, the Company disclosed that its 2Q2020 financial results were delayed to allow the Company additional time to complete the review of the Form 10-Q for its fiscal year 2020 second quarter ended August 31, 2019. On this news, the price of AZZ shares plummeted nearly 14%.

The case is Atayi v. AZZ Inc.,19-cv-00928.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nations premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients  including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors  in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

Story continues

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.



Contact:
Earlier this month, many of the worlds leading experts and authorities on climate change and clean energy met at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid to discuss the state of the world and the strategy going forward to combat catastrophic climate change. There the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the gathered delegates and experts that By the end of the coming decade we will be on one of two paths. One is the path of surrender, where we have sleep walked past the point of no return, jeopardizing the health and safety of everyone on this planet. Do we really want to be remembered as the generation that buried its head in the sand, that fiddled while the planet burned? The other option is the path of hope.

So far, however, there has been a major hurdle in the race to 100% renewable energy--funding. While there are many scientists and research teams toiling tirelessly at finding a silver-bullet solution--or at least something close to that--to making cheap energy as cheap and efficient as fossil fuels, there has been a major shortage of funding as compared to what would realistically be needed to make the sort of global energy transition necessary to leave most of the worlds proven fossil fuels in the ground--a step that would be essential to avoiding catastrophic climate change according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the worlds leading experts on the subject matter at hand. Related: Is This The Next Great Oil Frontier?

Despite the bottleneck, however, there are still some clean energy tech advances being made, and a recent breakthrough in solar could have some seriously disruptive potential. Just this month, a research team at the University of Central Florida published findings that combine Artificial Intelligence and solar power to create a new way to make generating energy from the sun even more ubiquitous by creating a spray coating that can be used on bridges, houses, or even skyscrapers so they can be energy self-sufficient, according to reporting from DesignNews.

According to the report from UFC, the team of researchers used Machine Learning, aka Artificial Intelligence to optimize the materials used to make perovskite solar cells (PSC). The Organic-Inorganic halide perovskites material used in PSC converts photovoltaic power into consumable energy. This could be big. Getting technical, the University reports that These perovskites can be processed in solid or liquid state, offering a lot of flexibility. Imagine being able to spray or paint bridges, houses and skyscrapers with the material, which would then capture light, turn it into energy and feed it into the electrical grid. Until now, the solar cell industry has relied on silicon because of its efficiency. But thats old technology with limits. Using perovskites, however, has one big barrier. They are difficult to make in a usable and stable material. Scientists spend a lot of time trying to find just the right recipe to make them with all the benefits  flexibility, stability, efficiency and low cost. Thats where artificial intelligence comes in. Related: Burn, Pay, Or Shut It Down: Three Evils For Permian Drillers

AI has the ability to solve the complex problems raised by perovskite cells at a rate that would not otherwise be possible by a team of human scientists, no matter how dogged or intelligent, paving the way for a future in which solar panels would not have to be manufactured, but in which virtually any surface could be converted into an emissions-free solar energy powerhouse by spraying on solar cells. While this is just the first steps toward this potential energy future that sounds straight out of a science fiction novel, its a huge breakthrough.

Now, its once again a question of funding. Will this promising solar tech receive the kind of investment necessary to keep growing the project toward commercial possibilities with world-saving disruptive potential? Or will it become like the thousands of other promising tech breakthroughs that will languish in small-scale lab experiments as we continue to extract oil, natural gas, and coal?

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Passengers on a Caribbean cruise may have saved a man's life after they donated blood when he fell seriously ill on board.

The American 68-year-old, who has not been identified, had to be evacuated by helicopter from the ship on New Year's Day.

When he became ill the captain of the ship put out a call for passengers to donate blood. Sixty people came forward, a holidaymaker on board said.

The US Coast Guard then flew out to the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner and took the man and his wife back to a hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

His illness is unknown but his condition was described as stable when he had been given a transfusion of blood from other passengers.

US Coast Guard crew evacuated the unidentified man from the ship on a helicopter and took him to the closest hospital, which was in Puerto Rico some 300miles away

The man was on board the 2,691-passenger Queen Mary 2 cruise liner while it was travelling through the Caribbean on its voyage from Southampton to New York (Pictured: The ship in New York in 2014)

The man was taken to a hospital on Puerto Rico for 'immediate medical attention' after being helicoptered off the ship by the US Coast Guard

One passenger, Bob Johnson from Suffolk, England, told The Telegraph: 'The captain asked for blood donors with the right blood group and more than 60 people volunteered.

'We were told the condition of the ill passenger was stabilised with a transfusion and then they were picked up by American coastguard helicopter and flown to the nearest hospital, which was in Puerto Rico.'

It is not known what illness the man was struck down with, but blood transfusions are given to patients when they have a shortage of red blood cells.

WHAT IS A BLOOD TRANSFUSION? A blood transfusion is a procedure in which a patient who has lost blood or does not have enough oxygen in their own blood is given someone else's. It works by drawing blood from the healthy patient, making sure it doesn't have diseases such as HIV or hepatitis, then injecting it into the sick person. A donor and a recipient must have the same blood type  the main groups are A, AB, B and O  but O-negative blood can be given to anyone. Reasons people might need a transfusion include blood loss from a serious injury or internal bleeding from a ruptured stomach ulcer, for example; leukaemia or chemotherapy which damages the blood cells; or a blood disease such as sickle cell disease or thalassaemia. Blood transfusions are common and very safe, the NHS says, but can trigger allergic reactions. Recipients are not allowed to donate blood afterwards. Source: NHS Advertisement

This may be caused by a physical injury or internal bleeding caused by something such as a burst stomach ulcer.

People may also need blood transfusions if they have leukaemia or are having chemotherapy, or a blood-specific condition such as sickle cell disease or thalassaemia, according to the NHS.

Transfusions involve taking blood from a live, healthy donor, checking it doesn't contain diseases such as HIV or hepatitis, then injecting it into a sick patient.

A donor and a recipient must have the same blood type  the main groups are A, AB, B and O  but O-negative blood can be given to anyone.

The man needed 'immediate medical attention' at a local hospital as soon as he landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the US Coast Guard said.

The passenger was treated by in-house medics on board the cruise liner, operated by luxury holiday company Cunard, which has its own medical centre.

He had been on a 26-day cruise from Southampton to New York via the Caribbean. Prices for this year's running of the cruise start at 3,420 per person.

The Queen Mary 2, which can carry almost 2,700 holidaymakers at a time, was on a 26-day voyage from Southampton to New York and back, via the Caribbean, for which tickets cost more than 3,400 per person

The ship is 1,132 feet long (345m)  almost a quarter of a mile  and has enough space for 2,691 guests and 1,292 crew members.

A Coast Guard crew did 'multiple hoists' to get the man and his wife off the Queen Mary 2 at 2pm local time on Wednesday, according to the emergency service.

One of the crew members, Adam Tootle, said: 'I am happy that were were able to help the patient and his partner make it safely to the hospital.

'The training we complete prepared us well for this mission and for my first successful live hoist.'

MailOnline has contacted the cruise operator, Cunard, for comment.
Facility, a new magazine about bathrooms, is kind of like a bathroom itself. The cover is gray and white. Almost nothing about it exists online, so engaging with it feels like a solitary experience. It is intentionally filled with delightsjust as friendly bathrooms might have lavender soap and fluffy toilet paperbut, by necessity, gross things do abound. Why dont we talk about bathrooms more?, Facility asks. Clearly we shouldbecause theyre fascinating.

The magazine launched in November and had its launch party in an actual bathroom. The public restroom is a microcosm of the culture at large, argues a manifesto in Issue 1, which you can order online for $15 or pick up at a handful of places in New York and California. (The next issue is due in spring, according to editor-in-chief Erin Sheehy, a writer with a sparse internet presence herself). We regard the taking in of calories with appropriate importance, enjoying a robust culture around food, the magazine notes. But theres comparably little examination, and certainly less joy, given to how we push them out. The bathroom, says Facility, has not been thoroughly plumbed.

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And plumb Facility does. (Yes, the magazine allows no lavatory pun to go to, erm, waste.) Theres a survey on morning routines that offers a stream of explanations of what people do when they ought to shower but dont have time (damp paper towel rub my armpits, I wash my crevices). Theres an essay on the ingredient of the issuethis time, glycerin, a key component of moisturizers and many cosmetics that can help make you a slick, weasel-wet influencer. Theres an ode to the pills we keep in our bathrooms, and reflections on what were willing to do in our home bathrooms that we wont do out in public (leave the door open, mainly). There are excerpts from another project, the Capitalist Bathroom Experience, that explains how workers fought for the right to go to the bathroom from their employers, and the struggle of gaining equal access to public restrooms for all races and genders. (Womens restrooms often used to have a fee!)

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I am not sure that if Facility were available online, it would work as good bathroom reading. But its glorious in print. Theres an interview with a plumber that references an incident known as poop lake. Elsewhere I learn that King Henry VIII shat on velvet. (Yes, really, heres a photo.) A beautiful poem by Jane Marchant* called Scrubbing Bubbles is laid out on a grid that resembles variegated bathroom tile. It explores private moments of Marchants family life that span race, death, and the baby brother who accidentally swallowed a penny.* The words speckle the pages in clusters.

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Facility isnt just about toilets and showers and the things we do and think about on them. Its about the broader components of bathrooms, like florescent lights and bath productsbut it also takes a more philosophical approach to how we behave in private and sterilized spaces. By approaching its topics with an anthropological remove, it feels designed to be read in utter solitude. (Can you imagine how fun it would be to come across as reading in an actual bathroom?) As I read, I kept imagining Facility as a course pack for aliens without bowels, a way to communicate what these rooms in our homes and offices mean, how they fit into our social fabric.

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My favorite part of Facility, though, is strictly practical: a list of hidden restrooms on the last pages, along with directions and entry codes, where applicable. The top of the page reads, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO THE CITY and FREE THE CODES! Its the one part of the issue thats also published online, along with an email address to submit codes for more bathrooms, especially ones not in New York, where much of the list now focuses. If you do nothing else about the existence of this magazine, email in a code? We all need to pee.
CHRISTMAS in the Quish house was extra special this year, as two-year-old Noah rushed around the house full of holiday excitement.

Noah Quish, who was born with a hole in his heart and has since been diagnosed with severe scoliosis, captured the hearts of Limerick when he was pictured in garda uniform at the Little Heart Warriors Day Out in May of last year.

His mother Una Quish was delighted that Noah got to spend this Christmas at home with the rest of the family, including sister Leah and John Joe, Noahs dad.

It was really good. This year was amazing. Last year he wasnt walking but this year he was running around the place, said Una.

He got loads of presents. The Gardai, Elaine Cusack, and two colleagues dropped out to give him some presents too. They had some from the Little Blue Hero organisation and some from themselves, she added.

Noah, who was a bit sick over Christmas with a vomiting bug also received his favourite present - an Elmo Teddy.

We go all out for Christmas. We know we have to take it as it comes and make the most of it. You never know what is going to happen next year, a year is a long time, so you have to make the best of it, said Una.

Even when he was opening his toys, I was crying, because you dont know what is going to happen, she added

Despite the holidays, Una is still focused on young Noahs care.

Read also: Baby joy at Limerick hospital as new decade begins

We are still waiting on the cast that he needs. We were told he would get it in May and we are still waiting for it. It will keep his spine in place and stop it curving more, so it is urgent, she added.

Back in July, a fundraiser was set up to raise money for the care of Noah, who has been nicknamed Limericks littlest garda.

I decided to set up a donation page for Noah as people said they wanted to help out and asked if we had a page setup to donate. The money will be used to help Noahs recovery and to travel to his numerous appointments. Noah has long term medical conditions which require long term care, said Una.

This year is very busy for us with hospital trips. Noah needs surgery and casting put on soon. He has also been assessed for a special buggy to suit his needs. We need to make changes to suit Noahs needs and help him with his recovery. We can only prepare for what the future will hold so any donation will go towards what Noah needs and medical expenses, she added.
Six employees fell ill after inhaling toxic gas leaked in the Bhilai plant of the Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) in Durg district of Chhattisgarh on Friday.

All the six persons were rushed to the Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Hospital & Research Centre Bhilai and their condition is said to be out of danger.

As per the statement issued by the Bhilai plant, the incident occurred in the blast furnace number 8 and now everything is under control.

Owing to material slippage inside the blast furnace no 8, pressure increased inside the furnace and got released through the drain pot of hydraulic U seal that is installed for such purposes. One loco operator and two shunting staff, who were inside the locomotive that was positioned below the U seal, got affected by the release of gas, the statement read.

The release further said that the leakage of gas was later stopped and the situation was brought under control.

The affected employees were identified as Abhishek Anand, K Nagraj, Balkrishna, Santosh Kumar and Kalidas, all belonging to RITES (Rail India Technical and Economic Service) and Deputy General Manager of the plant Rajesh Kumar.

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In defending President Trumps Executive Order that will in effect crack down on criticism of Israel by college students or professors, Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law, declared in a New York Times op-ed that Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. He could not be more wrong.

Zionism is a political movement just like the temperance movement or the pro-choice movement. Its a group of ideas with a goal. It calls for a country run strictly for the benefit of Jews. One can oppose that idea without being a racist hater of Jews. Indeed, Zionism has only had a mass following among Jews since the last years of the 1800s. It wasnt until the Holocaust that it had any real following among Orthodox Jews.
Carlos Ghosn

Fugitive former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn was caught on a security camera leaving his Tokyo home by himself on the day he is thought to have fled to avoid a Japanese trial, local media reported Friday.

Ghosn was not seen returning home after leaving around noon on December 29, public broadcaster NHK said, citing people involved in the investigation.

He is thought to have taken a private jet from Kansai Airport in western Japan on that day, heading for Istanbul. It is believed Ghosn headed from there to Beirut.

The news comes a day after prosecutors raided the residence as part of an initial probe into his flight.

NHK said police were analysing other surveillance footage, believing there is a possibility he joined someone to head for the airport.

The camera placed near the entrance of his Tokyo residence showed no suspicious person around the time that Ghosn left, according to NHK and the business daily Nikkei.

Ghosn, who faced multiple charges of financial misconduct that he denies, won bail in April but with strict conditions -- including a ban on overseas travel and living under surveillance.

But the executive, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese nationalities, managed to slip out of Japan on Sunday despite having handed over his three passports to his lawyers.

Ghosn said on Thursday through the Paris-based agency handling his public relations that he organised his dramatic escape from bail in Japan alone and that his family had nothing to do with his escape.

According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, Ghosn was smuggled out with the help of two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a group of musicians for a Christmas party at his residence.

Quoting a Lebanese consultant in Tokyo, Kyodo said Ghosn hid in an instrument case before boarding a private jet -- a scenario a member of Ghosn's entourage has previously denied.

Interpol, the international police cooperation body, has issued a "red notice" for Ghosn's arrest in the wake of him fleeing Japan, while Turkey announced it was holding seven individuals in connection with his escape.

Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents seen by AFP.

A court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport as he needed one to travel inside Japan, a source close to the matter has told AFP.

According to this source, the court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept "in a locked case" with the key held by his lawyers.
SAUSALITO (BCN)

Police arrested a 34-year-old man Thursday afternoon after he allegedly entered a Sausalito home, took clothes from the basement and refused to leave.

Joshua Lloyd, of San Francisco, was found by a housekeeper inside the home about 3 p.m., according to Sausalito police.

Lloyd was making incoherent threats and wouldn't leave, the housekeeper told police.

When they arrived, police found Lloyd on the home's balcony. He had apparently entered the unlocked house and taken clothing from the basement, police said.

Lloyd had a burglary tool, a glass pipe used to smoke narcotics, and a small plastic bag with possible residue from narcotics, according to police.

Lloyd was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of a burglary tool and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. He was booked into Marin County Jail.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
The United States military said Thursday it had killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force (IRGC) , at the direction of President Donald Trump to prevent him from carrying out alleged attacks on American personnel in Iraq and the region.

Iraqi television first reported the killing of Soleimani, saying he was hit near the Baghdad airport, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi militia commander.

At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the US department of defense said in a statement late Thursday, adding, IRGC-QF was a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

The Pentagon said Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

And went on to hold him responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had orchestrated multiple attacks on US-led coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months  including the attack on December 27th  culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, it said.

The US defense department said the airstrike aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans and warned that it will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.
The chairman of a key parliamentary panel has pointed out crucial gaps in the national space agencys plan to use more Indian products, and called for eminent facilities located in southern India to develop partnerships with national institutions elsewhere in the country for cutting-edge scientific research.

Jairam Ramesh, chairman of the House panel on science, technology, environment, forests & climate change, made these observations in a letter to Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu after the committee visited 15 top-notch national institutes, including the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology over five days.

The panel will also prepare a detailed report on the tour.

In his letter, Ramesh hailed Isros indigenisation programme as phenomenal but added that some crucial gaps remained. Over 80% of electronics components are imported. Carbon composites are sourced from only one Japanese company. Microprocessor design capability is impressive but the country still awaits a state-of the-art fabrication and manufacturing facility. All these gaps need to be filled urgently, he wrote to Naidu.

The panel is likely to suggest that Isro should look for more avenues to use made-in-India components for its space programmes.

Talking to HT, Ramesh said: Its not healthy that one particular company will be supplying a critical component of our space programme. We want Make in India to flourish here. It will take time but the government must start building indigenous capabilities in manufacturing.

Isro has been regarded a jewel in Indias technology crown over several years for its performance in space research and exploration. In 2013, it launched Indias first mission to Mars, making India Asias first nation to reach the Martian orbit, and the first country in this world to achieve this on the first attempt. This year, Isro scientists will work towards sending Indias first manned mission to space. The space agency said that the first unmanned flight will happen in December this year and the manned flight next December.

Rameshs letter says that Isros launch facility at Sriharikota needs substantial upgrades in terms of access and logistics infrastructure, since the number of annual launches is projected to double in the next five years. The launch facility has a coastline of over 50km which needs the highest level of maritime security, he wrote.

The panel is also set to suggest that the Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology, which is a major player in building human resources in Isro, should be declared as an Institute of National Importance through an Act of Parliament.

Rameshs letter is significant because panels dont usually write to the Chair of the House to brief them about study tours. The panels just produce final reports, which are placed before Parliament or the House chairs.

He has also pitched for better partnerships between national institutes based in southern India and other parts of the country. Pointing out that there is an excellent research ecosystem in the southern states, he wrote: National institutions set up in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu that include Isro need to build partnerships with institutions elsewhere in the country and create similar ecosystems in other states as well.

The panels chairman clarified that he doesnt want such partnerships to be confined between elite institutions, but to include local engineering colleges.

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By AFP

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who died in Baghdad "in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad," the Pentagon said.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," the Department of Defense said.

Following Soleimani's death, Trump tweeted an image of the US flag without any further explanation.

The strike, which occurred at Baghdad's international airport on Friday in Iraq, also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

ALSO READ: 'US strike' killed top Iran, Iraq commanders at Baghdad airport, says Hashed al-Shaabi military force

A pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy following deadly American airstrikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

The Baghdad airport was hit in a volley of missiles just after midnight Friday, Iraq's military had announced.

Security sources told AFP the bombardment hit a Hashed convoy and killed eight people, including "important figures."

Soleimani used to head the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force and also served as Iran's point man on Iraq, visiting the country in times of turmoil.

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization," the Pentagon said.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," it added.

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past months, including on December 27, the day the US contractor was killed.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.

Oil prices soar more than four per cent after Iranian general killed

Oil prices soared more than four per cent Friday following claims that the US had killed a top Iranian general, ratcheting up tensions between the foes and fuelling fears of a conflict in the crude-rich region.

Brent surged 4.4 per cent to USD 69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to 63.84.

Soleimani killing dangerous escalation: Iran

Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister slammed the killing of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani as a dangerous escalation and warned the United States would bear responsibility for the consequences.

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation," Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter.

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 00:02:52|Editor: yan

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UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for de-escalation in the Gulf, said his spokesman on Friday.

"The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Guterres.

"This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint," the UN chief was quoted as saying. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf, he added.

The situation in the Gulf escalated dramatically after the killing of a top Iranian military commander by the U.S. forces at a Baghdad airport in Iraq on Thursday.
PHOENIX, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of generous PetSmart shoppers made the holidays a little brighter for both pets and people with a toy drive that donated more than two million toys to those in need. The plush toys, purchased by shoppers and donated through toy drives in PetSmart's 1,660 stores, were donated to children's hospitals, senior centers, animal shelters and other non-profit organizations across North America. Each PetSmart store selected an organization in its community as a toy drive beneficiary. In addition to the massive donation, more than $1.6 million was raised through sales of PetSmart's holiday philanthropic collection to fund animal-assisted therapy programs in children's hospitals.

Each year since 2004, from mid-October through late December, PetSmart stores gather donated toys for organizations to distribute before Christmas Eve. This year, in Texas, the Lubbock PetSmart store donated 6,071 toys to the local Toys for Tots campaign as well as Meals on Wheels, bringing smiles to homebound seniors who received a plush toy with delivered meals. In Canada, the Northeast Edmonton PetSmart store donated over 3,000 toys to children's welfare organizations, including patients in the cardiac unit at Stollery Children's Hospital. The Caguas PetSmart store in Puerto Rico donated 2,601 toys to local churches, fire and police departments where they will continue to be used as a source of comfort for children and families who experience traumatic situations while recovery efforts continue.

Chance the Dog, Lucky the Cat, Hope the Bunny and Wish the Unicorn are an exclusive line of plush toys that squeak when squeezed, making them perfect gifts for people and pets alike. In addition to the joy they bring to children, seniors and pets during each holiday season, these stuffed toys continue to give back all year long with ten percent of the sale of each toy donated to PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada. Those funds will be used to bring the healing power of pets through animal-assisted therapy programs to patients receiving care at children's hospitals.

For more information about PetSmart and the Holiday Philanthropic Collection visit www.petsmart.com. For more information about PetSmart Charities visit www.petsmartcharities.org.

About PetSmart

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. PetSmart employs approximately 56,000 associates and operates more than 1,650 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities. The retailer provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption. PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada work with more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 9 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary.

Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmart

See PetSmart on Instagram: @PetSmart

Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart

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Turn your passion for pets into a career you'll love! Visit careers.petsmart.com to learn more about corporate, retail store and Distribution Center opportunities.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking why he frequently compares India with Pakistan.

Banerjee, while addressing an anti-citizenship law rally in Siliguri, said it is a shame that even after 70 years of Independence, people have to prove their nationality.

"India is a big country with a rich culture and heritage. Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan?

"Are you the prime minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan. Why do you refer to Pakistan in every issue?" the chief minister said.

She accused the BJP of "deliberately" creating confusion over the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying its leaders have been making contradictory statements on the issue.

"On one hand the prime minister is saying there will be no NRC but on the other, the union home minister and other ministers are claiming that the exercise will be conducted across the country," she added.
Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Lawlor Media Group inc.One week after being arrested for marijuana possession in Charlotte, North Carolina, DaBaby was reportedly arrested Thursday night in Miami.

People reports that the Suge rapper was charged with one count of battery and booked by Miami police at 11:49 pm.

DaBaby, born Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, was reportedly taken into custody after being questioned regarding a robbery investigation. According to the arrest report, there were two victims in the alleged robbery, including a promoter who allegedly agreed to pay the rapper $30,000 for a performance.

The report states that on Thursday afternoon, the promoter allegedly gave DaBaby only $20,000. A verbal altercation ensured, and the rapper is said to have punched one of the victims in the face. The second alleged victim was not identified.

The report continues that DaBaby and a group of men then attacked the promoter, and one of the men allegedly stole an iPhone, a credit card and $80 in cash from the promoter.

DaBaby denies he was involved in the incident.

As previously reported, the 28-year-old rapper was arrested for pot possession and resisting arrest on December 23 in Charlotte, NC, his hometown, after giving away Christmas toys to hundreds of kids.

TMZ also reports that Dallas police have issued a separate warrant for DaBaby accusing him of organized criminal activity. The rapper was allegedly in a fight last month with an employee at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport who worked at a food stand.

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Led by Mission Principal Investigator Alan Stern, Johns Hopkins APL Director Ralph Semmel and Southwest Research Institute President/CEO Adam Hamilton, mission team members, family and special guests rang in 2019 by celebrating the exact moment when New Horizons flew by Kuiper Belt object Arrokoth at 12:33 a.m. ET on Jan. 1, 2019. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI/Ed Whitman

Safe to say, 2020 came in more quietly for many members of the New Horizons mission team than did 2019.

A year ago, NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew past the Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69 (now known as Arrokoth) in the early hours of New Year's Day, ushering in an era of exploration of the enigmatic Kuiper Belt, a region of primordial objects that holds keys to understanding the origins of the solar system. That flyby was both the first ever close-up exploration of a Kuiper Belt object and the most distant exploration of any object in spacemore than a billion miles beyond Pluto, which New Horizons explored in 2015.

At the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, during what the Washington Post called the "nerdiest New Year's party in the solar system," participating scientist, astrophysicist and legendary Queen guitarist Brian May rang in 2019 with a song inspired by New Horizons. Mission Principal Investigator Alan Stern led a crowd of team members, family and friends in the countdown to the 12:33 a.m. flyby of the object, then known by its nickname, Ultima Thule.

Signals confirming the spacecraft was healthy and had filled its digital recorders with science data on MU69 reached the mission operations center at APL at 10:29 a.m. EST.

"Congratulations to NASA's New Horizons team, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and the Southwest Research Institute for making history yet again. In addition to being the first to explore Pluto, today New Horizons flew by the most distant object ever visited by a spacecraft and became the first to directly explore an object that holds remnants from the birth of our solar system," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said at the time. "This is what leadership in space exploration is all about."

In the following months, New Horizons transmitted dozens of data sets to Earth, with the team writing new chapters in the story of Arrokoth and the outer solar system. And there's more to come in 2020.

"The flyby of Arrokoth was a landmark event in space exploration and for the first time revealed just how the building blocks of planets are made," said Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute. "Data from that flyby have been coming back to Earth all of 2019 and will continue to do so across all of 2020 and part of 2021. The discoveries those data hold have certainly just begun!"

Explore further Spend next New Year's eve with New Horizons

Provided by American Astronomical Society
The owner of a Port Arthur store was expressing his apologies for selling a t-shirt with an anti-immigrant design. The t-shirt was seen by many was offensive, especially to the Hispanic community in the country.

The design of the t-shirt had showcase an inquiry of the legal status of immigrants in the country. It shows a drawing of a mother and a father dragging their child along while on the run. Below the drawing included the question, "got papers?"

The Hispanic community in Port Arthur were expressing their disappointment with the store which they thought were supporting their group in the country.

It had become a tradition for many Hispanic families to go shopping on the Gulfway Drive at Ebony Mart.

Kathy Delarosa was one of those with a Hispanic origin that frequently visits the store from 2 to 3 times every week. She shared that a lot of her family and friends know the store. She even said that she had known the store since she was young.

As a 21-year-old mother, Kathy Delarosa is still one of the loyal customers of the store but her visit to the store last Monday had caused her to feel disappointed. She shared that the t-shirt should not be sold in the store because of the significant number of Hispanics visiting it.

Delarosa had considered the t-shirt a slap on the face for the immigrant population of the country.

Armando Ruiz also feels the same way. He describes the incident as something "outrageous." He said that the product should not be sold in the place.

According to Ruiz, like the youth in Port Arthur, he had grown seeing the Ebony Mart with a positive image for immigrants and the Hispanic community in the area. He even describes it as a place where you can you while wearing your school uniform.

He also shared that it was the place where he used to buy his uniforms for school. It had become a Hispanic center for years.

The t-shirt's design had crossed controversial racial and ethnic lines.

According to Henry Jones III, he sees the design of the t-shirt as an offensive one for ethnic groups. He also said that in the South-Eastern part of Texas, stores should be very careful in placing such offensive types of products.

The manager of Ebony Mart had contacted the owner of the business for an interview. The owner denied purchasing the controversial shirt.

She apologized to immigrants and all those who were offended with the design of the shirt that was being sold in the store. The owner shared that she had no idea that the controversial shirts were part of the deliveries for the store's inventory.

According to Ruiz (also running for a City Council Position in Port Arthur), entrepreneurs in the city should be well aware of the diversity in the population of the city. They should be careful about which products they are putting on the shelves of their stores.

The owner of the store had instructed the manager to remove all of the offensive and controversial shirts in the store.
Somalias Western-backed government forces beat and detained a record number of journalists in 2019, the journalists syndicate told Reuters on Friday.

The detainment has prompted suggestions that the government is suppressing scrutiny of its security record ahead of elections due this year.

For years, the al-Qaeda linked al-Shabaab insurgency was accused of killing Somali journalists.

Those assassinations have fallen, although two journalists were among those killed in a bombing in 2019.

According to data compiled by Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, Secretary-General of the Somali Journalists, Syndicate State Security forces detained an unprecedented 38 journalists in Somalia in 2019.

Most were detained while reporting on bombings or insurgent attacks but some were reporting on corruption.

That compares to 16 journalists detained in 2018, 12 in 2017 and six in 2016, the year before dual U.S.-Somali citizen President Mohamed Abdullahi, known by his nickname Farmajo, took power, Mumin said.

The government is not allowing journalists to report, he said.

Officials rarely release casualty figures from incidents like Saturdays truck bomb, which killed around 90 people.

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In most cases, journalists are not charged and are released after hours or days, according to the report.

In 2019, 37 journalists were beaten, shot at or threatened at gunpoint in Somalia, mostly by state security forces, the report said.

The figures do not include the breakaway republic of Somaliland.

However, Somalias Police spokeswoman, the Interior Minister and Information Ministry spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

I have no comment, Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre told Reuters when asked about the crackdown during a visit to Qatar.

(Reuters/NAN)
Vietnamese health authorities have announced they are keeping themselves updated on reports of patients contracting viral pneumonia in a central Chinese province, which many speculate could be linked to SARS, a flu-like virus that killed hundreds of people a decade ago.

Vietnams Ministry of Health on Thursday cited information from the General Department of Preventive Medicine, saying that 27 patients are currently being examined after showing symptoms similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, in Wuhan City in Chinas central province of Hubei.

All of the cases had been reported as unexplained pneumonia in December 2019.

Of the 27 reported cases, seven are currently in a critical condition and 18 are stable.

As the Chinese National Health Commission is currently conducting relevant inspection and verification work, neither obvious human-to-human transmission has been indentified nor has any medical staff been infected.

Initial laboratory tests have only shown the cases to be viral pneumonia.

We have contacted the World Health Organization for details about the virus, Dang Quang Tan, deputy director of the General Department of Preventive Medicine, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

The cause of severe pneumonia in seven patients in China is unknown, but if it is due to the suspected SARS virus, this could be the first dangerous signs of the virus since its last appearance in late 2002 and early 2003, Tan said.

However, Tan also reassured that people should remain calm as SARS can be tested immediately and effective treatment is available.

In 2003, SARS spread quickly and infected more than 8,000 people, claiming 916 lives worldwide, mostly due to a lack of knowledge about the disease.

SARS symptoms are similar to those of other acute respiratory infections.

The disease is thought to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, according to WHO.

Unlike normal acute respiratory infections, the severity of SARS and its mortality rate are high, as it can be passed from person to person, putting healthcare workers at high risk.

Vietnam reported a total of 63 SARS cases and five deaths in 2003, WHO said.

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Even as Chhattisgarh farmers struggle to sell their paddy yield, untimely rains across the state have delivered a body blow to cultivators in the state. The huge stocks of paddy that the farmers had maintained for selling were reportedly damaged following heavy rains in the state the past three days.

The delay on the part of administration to procure paddy had forced them to either keep the yield in the field or leave it unprotected in the house. Normally, small farmers do not have sufficient storage capacity and prefer to sell their produce at the earliest. The procurement process ...
Its been a few years since Japanese electronics company has offered personal computers in the US market. But that changes this year, with two new laptops and a new all-in-one desktop set to go on sale in the United States in March.

The NEC LaVie Pro Mobile is a 1.85 pound notebook with a 13.3 inch display and an 8th-gen Intel Whiskey Lake processor, while the NEC LaVie Vega is a 4 pound notebook with a 15.6 inch 4K OLED display and support for up to a 9th-gen Intel Core i7-9750H processor.

Theyre expected have starting prices of $1600 and $2100, respectively. Meanwhile, the NEC LaVie Home is an all-in-one desktop PC with a 27 inch display, an Intel Core i7-10510U Comet Lake processor, and a $1800 starting price.

NEC Personal Computers is actually a joint venture between Lenovo and NEC although Lenovo has a controlling stake. So the last time an NEC laptop made it to US shores, it was actually a Lenovo-branded product (Lenovo slapped its name on the existing NEC LaVie Z in 2015).

This time NECs laptops will be sold under the companys own name for better or worse. While NEC has continued selling laptops in its home market of Japan, its been a long time since an NEC-branded PC went on sale in the United States. That could make the relatively high price tags for these new models a bit tough to swallow.

Anyway, heres an overview of some key specs for each new model.

NEC LaVie Pro Mobile

13.3 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS display (300 nits)

Intel Core i7-8565U

8GB of LPDDR3 RAM

512GB of solid state storage

49 Wh battery

1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C

1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C

1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A

HDMI 1.4b

3.5mm audio

microSD card reader

2W stereo speakers

Dual microphones

Fingerprint reader

720p camera

802.11ac WiFi

Bluetooth 5.0

12.1 x 8.5 x 0.6

1.85 pounds starting weight

NEC LaVie Vega

15.6 inch, 3840 x 2160 pixel OLED display (400 nits)

Intel Core i7-9750H

8GB DDR4 RAM

32GB Intel Optane storage

512GB SSD

80 Wh battery

2 x Thunderbolt 3

2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C

3.5mm audio

microSD card reader

2W stereo speakers

4 x microphones

720p webcam with IR camera

Corning Gorilla Glass lid

14.2 x 9.6 x 0.7

4.1 pounds

NEC LaVie Home

27 inch, 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS display (250 nits)

Intel Core i7-10510U processor

8 GB of DDR3-2666 memory

256GB SSD

3TB HDD

720p webcam

2.7W stereo speakers

4 x microphones

802.11ax WiFI

Bluetooth 5.0

Gigabit Ethernet

3 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A

2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A

3.5mm audio

mciroSD card reader

24.2 x 13.5 x 11.3

23 pounds

via PRNewswire, AnandTech, and Notebook Italia
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Linkedin Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 3, 2020

As someone who has used the commuter train for almost 10 years to travel from his house in Bekasi, West Java, to Jakarta, Gugi Mohammad Palevi said he, just like thousands of other Bekasi commuters, is used to all kinds of problems in the service.

He regularly experiences overcrowded stations, trains that arrive behind schedule and troubles over train signals that leave him stuck on the railway.

Gugi said he had been using the commuter line since 2011, when he used to travel from Bekasi to his college campus in Kuningan, South Jakarta. His commuting ways have changed little, as he now relies on the commuter train to get to his office on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta.

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NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. - In a story December 30, 2019, about a buoy washing ashore in Florida, The Associated Press erroneously reported that the buoy was floating in the Atlantic Ocean for two years. The buoy was freed from its South Carolina anchors in 2017 and was placed back off the coast of South Carolina. It escaped the ocean again after Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and was found on Dec. 26.

___

A big red navigation buoy washed ashore in Florida, escaping from the Atlantic Ocean for the second time.

Crowds of spectators streamed to New Smyrna Beach over the weekend for a close-up view and some pictures with the navigational marker that some described as the size of a truck, news outlets reported.

The beacon is originally from South Carolina and broke free of its mooring during Hurricane Irma in 2017, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reported. The buoy landed on Hilton Head Island.

It was put back into commission in the mouth of the Port Royal Sound off the coast of South Carolina and stood its ground for a while until sometime after Hurricane Dorian in 2019, when the buoy was forced off its mooring again.

The Coast Guard removed the buoy Thursday.

The buoy is painted bright red with the number eight painted in white on multiple sides.

Buoys are usually chained to a large piece of concrete that sits on the ocean floor. Its unclear how the beacon got loose.
Larry Hopkinss group has been accused of illegally detaining immigrants as they crossed the US border with Mexico.

The leader of a small right-wing militia accused of illegally detaining immigrants and asylum seekers as they crossed the border in the United States with Mexico pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal weapons charges, prosecutors and a defence lawyer said.

Larry Hopkins, 70, agreed to plead guilty to an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm because he felt like he had made his point to the US government, his lawyer, Kelly OConnell, told Reuters news agency.

He had agreed that he was guilty of it and felon in possession is a pretty easy crime to prove, OConnell said.

A US Attorneys spokeswoman said during a hearing in federal court in Albuquerque, Hopkins had admitted to being in possession of nine firearms and ammunition for those weapons at the time of his arrest in April.

Hopkins, who has four previous felony convictions, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, $250,000 in fines and penalties and three years of supervised release. He is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months.

Prosecutors say Hopkins is a leader of the United Constitutional Patriots, a group the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other critics have accused illegally detained migrants and refugees by impersonating law enforcement.

The Patriots drew condemnation from immigrant rights activists after it posted an April 16 video showing as many as 300 migrants and refugees, most of whom were families, sitting at its camp waiting for Border Patrol. Hopkins was arrested later that month.

He was beaten in a federal jail on April 22, suffering blows to the head and a bloody nose, according to his lawyers, who sought a psychiatric evaluation for their client after he reported suffering headaches, dizzy spells and memory loss.

In October 2017, the FBI received reports a militia was being run out of Hopkinss home in Flora Vista, New Mexico, the agency said in court papers filed in the case. Agents found nine firearms there.

Last June, Jim Benvie of the Guardian Patriots, another armed group known for stopping migrants and refugees at the US-Mexico border, was arrested and charged with impersonating a US Border Patrol agent.

The Guardian Patriots split from the United Constitutional Patriots in May.

In April, the United Constitutional Patriots boasted they had helped the US Border Patrol detain some 5,600 migrants and refugees in New Mexico in the previous 60 days.
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The last skill is a handy feature that means you can have her deliver a sandwich just by putting a plate on her tray, which doubles as a wireless phone-charging stand, and saying, Temi, go to the living room. The tray at the back of her screen can carry objects of up to 6.6 pounds for in-house deliveries of nachos or small cats.

Temi cofounder Yossi Wolf has said his grandmother inspired him to create the little robot as a helper. However, if you're entertaining fantasies of Lost in Space or The Jetsons, you'll be disappointed.

Temi can't climb or descend stairs, and unlike Robbie the Robot, Temi can't warn you of impending threats by waving her arms. She doesn't have any.

She's no Rosie the robot either. She can't perform domestic tasks such as doing the laundry, answering the door or baking cookies for Elroy.

And Temi isn't the outdoorsy type. She's strictly for rolling around the house.

A rolling Alexa

So what can Temi do?

First, Temi can behave like a rolling Alexa-enabled smart sound system and screen connected to your home Wi-Fi network. She understands scores of Alexa commands.

You can tell her to play Cake songs from Amazon, and then enjoy the music over her 20-watt, five-speaker system, which delivers better audio fidelity than most powered smart speakers.



Temi doesn't support all streaming music services, such as Pandora and Spotify, but she can be connected via Bluetooth to your smartphone and then play anything your phone can play. You also can use Alexa to play radio stations, so if you like a local station in New Jersey but you're in Florida, you can just ask Alexa to play WFMU-FM and it will stream it over the robot's Internet connection.

You also can ask Temi to tell you jokes: Why was the robot tired when it got home? Because it had a hard drive. Or ask it for information such as the weather forecast or the latest news.



Her answers are not perfect, of course. Ask, Who is John Quain? and not unexpectedly you'll get a brief bio of John Wayne read to you.

On a more practical side, using the Alexa-enabled skills, you can have Temi send a grocery list to your smartphone or read you, step by step, a recipe you're using in the kitchen. Connect your calendar to Temi  she can send a link to your phone to do so  and then you can check on doctor appointments or the time you have to take the dog to the groomer.

You even can verbally add alarms for doing things like taking your daily vitamins.

Robot's software can be immature'



All this is helpful, to be sure, but not everything worked as planned when I was living with Temi.

For one thing, Temi's software is still immature. She can't handle automatic calendar reminders such as telling you to call the kids on your granddaughter's birthday.

The company, Temi Global Ltd. with headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, says it plans to add this feature soon.

Temi also cannot use Alexa to call your friends. It's not supported yet.

You can call people only using Temi's own software, meaning that people you want to communicate with must have the Temi app installed on their smartphones. The software is free, and they do not have to own a robot.

I was able to video chat with a member of the Temi team while the robots followed each of us around in our separate offices. This is a great feature of Temi, a sort of follow-me speaker and videophone.

Unfortunately, I could not get Temi to beam my calls to friends and family who downloaded the app, a very disappointing snafu that we were unable to resolve during the time of this review.
For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergy, General Qassem Soleimani widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of US pressure.

For the US and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Irans proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.

Gen Soleimani survived the horror of Irans long war in the 1980s with Iraq to take control of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republics foreign campaigns.

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Gen Soleimanis popularity and mystique grew out of American officials calling for his killing.

By the time it came a decade-and-a-half later, Gen Soleimani had become Irans most recognisable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

The warfront is mankinds lost paradise, Gen Soleimani recounted in a 2009 interview.

One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries. But there is another kind of paradise.  The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed.

A US air strike killed Gen Soleimani, 62, and others as they travelled from Baghdads international airport early on Friday morning.

The Pentagon said President Donald Trump ordered the US military to take decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing a man once referred to by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a living martyr of the revolution.

Gen Soleimanis luck ran out after being rumoured dead several times in his life.

Those incidents included a 2006 plane crash that killed other military officials in north-western Iran and a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. https://t.co/Me5DMvMgSp  The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) January 3, 2020

More recently, rumours circulated in November 2015 that Gen Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

Iranian officials quickly vowed to take revenge amid months of tensions between Iran and the US following Mr Trump pulling out of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers.

While Gen Soleimani was the Guards most prominent general, many others in its ranks have experience in waging the asymmetrical, proxy attacks for which Iran has become known.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena, an adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on the social media app Telegram.

Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

Born on March 11 1957, Gen Soleimani was said in his homeland to have grown up near the mountainous and historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers.

The US State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Gen Soleimanis father was a peasant who received a piece of land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but later became encumbered by debts.

By the time he was 13, Gen Soleimani began working in construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organisation.

Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Gen Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake.

He deployed to Irans north west with forces that put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution.

Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war.

The fighting killed more than one million people and saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers.

Gen Soleimanis unit and others came under attack by Iraqi chemical weapons as well.

Amid the carnage, Gen Soleimani became known for his opposition to meaningless deaths on the battlefield, while still weeping at times with fervour when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

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After the Iraq-Iran war, Gen Soleimani largely disappeared from public view for several years, something analysts attribute to his wartime disagreements with Hashemi Rafsanjani, who would serve as Irans president from 1989 to 1997.

But after Mr Rafsanjani, Gen Soleimani became head of the Quds Force.

He also grew so close to Ayatollah Khamenei that the Supreme Leader officiated the wedding of the generals daughter.

As chief of the Quds  or Jerusalem  Force, Gen Soleimani oversaw the Guards foreign operations and would soon come to the attention of Americans following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

In secret US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, US officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Gen Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009.

Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi president Jalal Talabani offering a US official a message from Gen Soleimani acknowledging having hundreds of agents in the country, while pledging I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorised a bullet against the US.

US officials at the time dismissed Gen Soleimanis claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks.

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US forces would blame the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised explosive devices made IED a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a 2010 speech, US General David Petraeus recounted a message from Gen Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranians powers.

He said, Gen Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan, Gen Petraeus said.

The US and the United Nations put Gen Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though his travels continued.

In 2011, US officials also named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

But his greatest notoriety would arise from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of so-called Islamic State (IS).

Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Gen Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assads rule.

While a US-led coalition focused on air strikes, several ground victories for Iraqi forces came with photographs emerging of Gen Soleimani leading, never wearing a flak jacket.

Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life, one Iraqi militia commander said.
Owners of smart cameras linked to Google accounts have reported seeing images from inside strangers' homes.

One user shared still images online that were taken by other people's cameras, including pictures of people sleeping, children playing with toys and even a baby asleep in a crib.

"When I load the Xiaomi camera in my Google Home Hub I get stills from other people's homes," a Reddit user by the name Dio-V wrote.

The images were shared on 1 January and appear to be taken on the same day. Google acknowledged the issue and claimed it only affected cameras made by Xiaomi.

The Chinese firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment but a Google spokesperson told The Independent: "We're aware of the issue and are in contact with Xiaomi to work on a fix. In the meantime, we're disabling Xiaomi integrations on our devices."

Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Show all 15 1 /15 Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct New York, US Google employees hold signs outside 14th street park after walking out as part of a global protest over claims of sexual harassment, gender inequality and systemic racism at the tech giant Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Dublin, Ireland Google employees at its European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, join others from around the world PA Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct London, Britain Google staff stage a walkout at the company's UK headquarters in London AFP/Getty Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct New York, US Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Zurich, Switzerland People gather next to the Google office to attend the Google Walkout in Zurich Googlewalkout/Tedonprivacy/Twitter/Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct New York, US AFP/Getty Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Dublin, Ireland PA Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct New York, US Getty Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Dublin, Ireland Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct New York, US Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Dublin, Ireland Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct New York, US Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct Dublin, Ireland A man wearing a Google slogan T-shirt hands out doughnuts to workers standing outside Google's European headquarters Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct New York, US Reuters Google staff stage walkout over handling of sexual misconduct London, Britain Google staff stage a walkout at the company's UK headquarters in London AFP/Getty

This is not the first time Google-linked smart cameras have experienced issues with either security bugs or hacking.

In February last year, the technology giant urged owners of Nest cameras to reset their passwords due to fears that some devices had been taken over by hackers.

One incident involved a family in Illinois, who said cyber criminals took control of their internet-connected camera to shout racial abuse through the device's speaker at a couple and their baby.

A separate incident involved a family in California receiving an emergency broadcast alert, which falsely claimed that North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles were headed to the United States.

The Google-owned company said the incidents were a result of customers using passwords that had been compromised by hacks on other websites.

"If a website is compromised, its possible for someone to gain access to user email addresses and passwords, and from there, gain access to any accounts that use the same login credentials," Nest Vice President Rishi Chandra wrote in an email to customers at the time.

"It's a great responsibility to be welcomed into your home, and we're committed to keeping you and your Nest devices safe."
The best writers crave a fresh angle on old stories. Dutch historian Frank Dikotters fresh angle on 20th century dictators is how tediously alike they all were in creating and cultivating a cult of personality, if such a thing can exist for mass killers. As for U.S. President Donald Trump veering their way with his own cult, you be the judge.

Surely Dikotters eight monsters  Italys Benito Mussolini, Germanys Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, Mao Zedong of the Peoples Republic of China, Mengistu Haile Mariam of Ethiopia, Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania, and the Kim and Duvalier dynasties of North Korea and Haiti  are measured only by death toll, not by imaginary cultivated charm.

But in their minds, they were unique, even godlike, which means eight gods laid waste to the last 100 years. Dictatorships greatest hits, they were tyrants of the left and right, as well as those who believed only in their own singular male greatness and a rage that the world had thus far failed to discern it.

Dikotters dry, deadpan style in his latest and admirably understuffed book, How to be a dictator, works wonderfully in that he leaves it to the readers to do the screaming. They can flip the pages looking for round numbers but it is hard to calculate how many tens of millions died directly or indirectly as a result of individual tyrants.

Ego-driven economic mismanagement is a classic dictator move. In 1984, under Mengistu, some seven million Ethiopians were near starvation, Dikotter writes. Six million died of hunger in Stalins 1932 famine in Ukraine and elsewhere, he says. Maos Great Leap Forward famine killed 45 million. These famines were created by tyrants, not happenstance, but a million here, 10 million there, the history of misery is like that.

The cult of personality begins with dictators dreaming up a name, a thought campaign and then a kind of national fan club. Mussolini was the Duce. Hitler wanted a name like that and the Fuhrer was born. Stalin, born Dzhugashvili, stuck with his new surname, and suddenly cities bore his name. Just as German children were being named Hitlerike and Adolfine, Dikotter writes, one could meet in the Stalin House of Culture of the Stalin Factory on Stalin Square in the city of Stalinsk.

Mao was Chairman Mao with his Little Red Book and Cultural Revolution; Kim Il Sung, known as the Great Leader, invented Juche Thought, whatever that is; Papa Doc Duvalier preached Voodoo; and Ceausescu named himself the Conducator. All dictators dress with great care. Mengistu favoured the Fidel Castro khaki look and lived in a Grand Palace with former emperor Haile Selassies corpse buried beneath his desk.

After the name and the jargon comes the grooming followed by the cult, easier to achieve in rural countries such as Russia, China, Korea and Ethiopia where few people could even understand Marxism-Leninism, Dikotter writes. But they could be reached via mass distribution of radios, the Fox News of their time  Hitler associate Joseph Goebbels handed out millions of cheap sets  emitting non-stop propaganda and sloganeering.

Dictators mandate use of their images to an extraordinary degree. Germany was flooded with Hitler photos, Hitler portraits in classrooms and textbooks, Hitler prayers, and stirring, terrifying propaganda films such as Triumph of the Will. Rallies were always big, largely because people could be forced to attend. Newspapers were censored, and spies, amateur and otherwise, were urged to report insufficient enthusiasm, even among friends and family.

Hitler and Mussolini spoke at rallies but Stalin was no orator, Dikotter writes. When dictators speak, they do so at great length. They always present themselves as a friend to the common man, which means that when things go terribly wrong, citizens always say sadly, If only (the leader) knew!

Dikotter says the key to the personality cult is policing of thought. Since freedom of speech is always the first thing to vanish in dictatorships, expressions of devotion to a dictator appeared so spontaneous that outside observers  as well as later historians  assumed that they were genuine.

Perhaps they werent. Its terrifying not knowing what other people are secretly thinking and it squashes dissent. People had to self-censor, and in turn they monitored others, denouncing those who failed to appear sufficiently sincere in their professions of devotion to the leader. Ah, denouncing. Thats Twitter, industrialized snitching and Red Guard swarming.

Dikotter writes that Mussolini had a strong jaw and strikingly dark eyes. Hitler was considered attractive, although it seems improbable now. Dictators are often small unattractive men, many of whom grow alarmingly fat during their tenure (Mao, Mussolini, Duvalier, every member of the Kim dynasty) although Mussolini withered with ridicule (easier to informally hang) and Hitler, heavily drugged, shook noticeably and uncontrollably.

Next up is Dictatorships Greatest Hits, Vol II, 21st century. Take Russias Vladimir Putin, bare-chested on his horse, and North Koreas Kim Jong Un, wrapped in a greatcoat on his.

Dikotter singles out one dictator-in-waiting, Xi Jinping. We call him Chinas president, but hes actually the Communist Partys General Secretary as well as Creative Leader, Core of the Party and Servant Pursuing Happiness for the People, etc. Fear is the key. Fear levels are rising.

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Authorities in the Luang Prabang province of northern Laos have stepped up controls over the sale of ivory, rhinoceros horn, and other illegal wildlife products, seizing large quantities of banned goods over the last three years and warning Chinese tourists against their purchase, sources say.



More than 200 kilograms of prohibited wildlife products were confiscated in Luang Prabang in 2017, 2018, and 2019, an official from the provinces Agriculture and Forestry Department told RFAs Lao Service at the end of the year.



We seized most of these items from souvenir stores owned by Chinese who come to Laos to set up their businesses, and we have told them to stop selling these things, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



Now there is no more ivory, rhino horn, or tiger bone on display for sale, and facsimile items made from rubber or plastic are also banned, the official said, adding that though stores are now closely watched and inspected, these items are very small.



They can easily hide them in their pockets or in bags, and then sell them, he said.



Also speaking to RFA, a police officer responsible for providing security to tourists said that he and officers of the provinces Forest Inspection Department had met on Dec. 20 with Chinese embassy representatives to discuss the ban.



We tried to convince tour guides not to take Chinese tourists to souvenir shops to buy ivory bracelets, necklaces, and rings, he said.



These foreigners like wildlife parts, especially elephant ivory and rhino and deer horns, and they buy and sell them illegally in secret. If we catch them, they will go to prison, he said.



Sales prohibited by law



Lao law and international agreements prohibit the sale of products made from wild animals or any parts of the animals themselves, an official of the Luang Prabang Industry and Trade Department told RFA, also speaking on condition of anonymity.



If someone displays these items for sale, we will confiscate them right away, and the person doing this will be held responsible for their illegal activity.



The tour guides should cooperate with us on this, he said.



Laos became a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a multilateral treaty protecting endangered plants and animals, in May 2004. The convention banned the ivory trade in 1989.



On Jan. 5, 2018, a memo sent by the Lao prime ministers office to government departments called for improved cooperation with CITES agreements aimed at blocking trafficking in endangered species.



Lao officials have not always enforced laws prohibiting the smuggling or sale of illegal wildlife products in the past, though, with some taking an active part in the trade or paid to look the other way, and sales reportedly continue in Chinese shops in the capital, Vientiane.



Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney.
HURON COUNTY -- As the decade comes to a close, it is a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year to come. The Huron County Community Foundation (HCCF) is doing exactly that. With the support of generous community partners, including donors, fund representatives, and sponsors, HCCF hit some exciting milestones in 2019.

The first milestone is a celebration of community impact. "This year, HCCF officially surpassed $1,594,000 invested back into our community through grants and scholarships since the organization's inception," said Mackenzie Price Sundblad, HCCF executive director. Nearly $200,000 of this total giving came in 2019. HCCF provides grants to community projects and organizations supporting a range of interest areas, including recreation, placemaking, basic needs, the arts, and education.
Three men have been jailed for a total of 20 months for their role with a loyalist paramilitary gang which stormed a north Belfast pub to issue threats.

Christopher Moore, of Woodvale Drive, Belfast, and Andrew Morrow, of Lower Ballyboley Road, Ballyclare, both aged 27, were each jailed for six months after they admitted affray.

David Thomas Majury (49), of Wood Green in Holywood, Co Down, who also pleaded guilty to unlawfully displaying force and affray, was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Belfast Crown Court had heard that up to 20 men arrived at The Mount Bar in North Queen Street on the evening of February 21 2018.

The men, who were either masked, had hoods or scarves up to conceal their faces, stormed the bar in the Tigers Bay district.

Judge Kevin Finnegan QC watched almost 20 minutes of television footage taken from the bars CCTV system which had captured the incident.

It showed car loads of men arriving on the streets outside the bar before they rushed into the licensed premises where women and young children were also present.

The footage showed customers being directed into a corner by the mob before the message was delivered by one of the masked men.

Witnesses told police that a list of five names was read out and warnings were issued that their alleged anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated.

Following the incident, police contacted all five people to issue warnings about their safety.

After the mob delivered the threats, the court heard that the masked men left the public bar and got into waiting cars.

A prosecution barrister said Majury, Moore and Morrow left with scarves and hoods up and got into a car together.

When the vehicle was stopped and searched by police, who had arrived quickly on the scene, one balaclava was said to have been recovered from under the drivers seat.

The prosecution lawyer told Judge Finnegan: This had all the hallmarks of a loyalist paramilitary gang.

Defence barristers for the three men urged the court not to impose immediate custodial sentences, asking the judge to suspend any terms of imprisonment because of their personal circumstances.

But this was rejected by the prosecution, with a Crown lawyer telling the judge: It is not appropriate for the court to impose suspended sentences given the nature of the incident.

Judge Finnegan said that although, in the words of one defence barrister not a punch was thrown or a drink spilled, society could not tolerate people taking the law into their own hands whether it is in a street, on a street corner or in a public house.

He said a much more serious incident could have developed if police had not arrived on the scene as quickly as they did.

Describing the incident as serious, Judge Finnegan said such offending warranted deterrent sentences from society, adding: An immediate custodial sentence is called for.
Photo: The Canadian Press Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meets the family of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Global powers warned Friday that the American airstrike responsible for killing Irans top general made the world more dangerous and that escalation could set the entire Mideast aflame. Some U.S. allies suggested Iran shared in the blame by provoking the attack.

The deaths of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and associates drew immediate cries for revenge from Tehran and a chorus of appeals from other countries for reduced tensions between Iran and the United States. As U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called world capitals to defend the attack, diplomats scrambled to chart a way forward.

"A further escalation that sets the whole region on fire needs to be prevented," German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said. He said he told Pompeo that the strike had not made it easier to reduce tensions." But Maas also noted that the assault followed a series of dangerous Iranian provocations.

The White House justified the killings with a tweet alleging that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." The 62-year-old led Iran's elite Quds Force, which undertakes the country's foreign campaigns. Iranian state TV reported that 10 people were killed in the airstrike near Baghdads airport.

He should have been taken out many years ago! U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted.

Oil prices surged as investors fretted about Mideast stability. Saudi Arabia, Irans top rival in the region, urged restraint and called on the international community to ensure the stability of such a vital region to the entire world.

Social media flooded with alarm. Twitter users morbidly turned WWIII into the top trending term worldwide.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio.

Russia characterized the killings as fraught with serious consequences. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that Trump ordered the strike with one eye on his re-election campaign.

The U.S. military were acting on orders of U.S. politicians. Everyone should remember and understand that U.S. politicians have their interests, considering that this year is an election year, Zakharova said in a TV interview.

His election opponents characterized Trump as reckless. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said the president tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."

China described itself as highly concerned" and urged all parties "especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions.

U.S. allies Britain, Germany and Canada suggested that Iran bore some responsibility for the confrontation.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the strike as a reaction to a whole series of military provocations." She pointed to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

We are at a dangerous escalation point," she said.

The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said his government had always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force."

Following Soleimani's death, "we urge all parties to de-escalate," he said. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Soleimani's aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond.

There were warnings the killing could set back efforts to stamp out remnants of the Islamic State group.

A top European Union official, Charles Michel, said the risk is a generalized flare-up of violence in the whole region and the rise of obscure forces of terrorism that thrive at times of religious and nationalist tensions.

Italy also warned that increased tensions risk being fertile terrain for terrorism and violent extremism. But right-wing Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini praised Trump for eliminating "one of the most dangerous and pitiless men in the world, an Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedoms.

Trump also won the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively.

In his calls to explain the strike to world leaders, Pompeo said the U.S. is committed to bringing down tensions that have soared since Iranian-backed militia killed an American contractor and the U.S. responded with strikes on the militia. That set off violent pro-Iran protests outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which in turn set the stage for the killing of Soleimani.

Doing nothing in this region shows weakness. It emboldens Iran, Pompeo said. We dont seek war with Iran, but we at the same time are not going to stand by and watch the Iranians escalate.
The former official is on the international wanted list.

The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine on Friday, January 3, convened to select a preventive measure to be applied to former First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, Serhiy Arbuzov, who was part of the team of the disgraced ex-president Viktor Yanukovych, and is being tried on corruption-related charges.

"The investigating judge of the High Anti-Corruption Court examined the motion of National Anti-Corruption Bureau detective and selected a measure of restraint to former first vice prime minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov in the form of custody remand," the court press service said in a statement.

Read alsoSwitzerland extends asset freeze regarding Yanukovych, his entourage

A preventive measure was selected in absentia, since the suspect is put on the international wanted list.

As reported earlier, Arbuzov is charged with abuse of power as part of a criminal organization, which led to the embezzlement of the National Bank's assets in the amount of UAH 220 million.
Like the killing of Osama bin Laden, the strike on Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad on Thursday appears to be a stunning confirmation of U.S. military and intelligence capabilities. Like bin Laden, Soleimani was responsible for many American deaths; the Quds Force he led targeted and killed Americans, as bin Ladens al-Qaida did.

But there the similarities end. Soleimani was no stateless outlaw. He was a decorated public figure in a nation of more than 80 million people. He was the most renowned of the Iranian generals, hugely popular within Iran  and in Iraq, where an Iranian-backed militia stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad early this week.

If the killing of Soleimani was a response to that attack, it was clearly disproportionate: We suffered no casualties in the embassy standoff. Proportionality might have been some diplomatic pressure on Iranian authorities in Iraq or elsewhere, or, a notch up, seizing another Iranian ship. That makes what comes next highly unpredictable. And failing to think ahead to the likely Iranian next steps is extremely dangerous.
THE pub in Rotherfield Greys is to change hands for only the third time in just over 22 years.

Gary and Donna Clarke will take over at the Maltsters Arms from January 13.

They are succeeding George Thomas and Calum Miller, who have been at the Brakspear pub since September 2015.

It was previously run by Peter and Helen Bland, who moved to Torquay to start a bed and breakfast business after 17 years in the village.

The Clarkes, who have a 15-month-old son called Bowie, are moving from Windsor.

They have no experience of running a pub but Mr Clarke trained as a chef in France six years ago, having spent his career in education.

His wife worked in HR at the Ministry of Defence. The couple met 20 years ago when Mr Clarke was performing in London with his tribute band The Cureheads but did not get married until last year.

Mr Clarke said: We are very excited about it. The current owners expressed an interest in passing on the tenancy a few months ago.

We looked at three or four other places but they didnt really have the suitable accommodation that we needed for our family. It is important that they are happy here because this is a long-term investment.

The character of the building and our vision of what we could make of it was what attracted us to it. It is also not that far away from Henley and we thought it would be the perfect place for cyclists to meet and to get the community involved.

He said he was passionate about cooking and trained with French chef Paul Bocuse in Lyon.

Mr Clarke said: I had always been interested in it but I was more academic and had never had the opportunity to do it.

Being in France was tough. A lot of the places I worked in were quite high-end and we were not allowed to speak during service.

But the experience has definitely translated into my cooking. Good home cooking in France is pretty much how British cuisine used to be many years ago.

It is all about getting the best out of family recipes and slow cooking cheaper ingredients to get better results out of them.

The Sunday lunch menu is something that we really want to develop to draw in customers not just from Henley but from further afield. We will also have homemade bar snacks, such as sausage rolls and pork scratchings, which are a little bit more traditional, and we have tried to match them up with the beers.

Two or three existing staff will be retained and then we will be looking to employ more people as we grow the business.

I will be looking to take on apprentices from local colleges and setting up a training programme. The chance to train young chefs is very exciting to me.

The pubs first celebration will be on January 24 and 25 with a Scottish-themed menu to mark Burns Night. This will include meat and vegetarian haggis, cock-a-leekie soup and whisky cranachan, a Scottish version of Eton mess.
Family members, neighbors and strangers huddled on the street of a West Side neighborhood, in tears and heads bowed in prayer, to mourn the loss of two people killed in a fiery wreck in the first hour of the New Year.

The crowd of more than 150 people gathered Thursday evening in the glow of TV cameras and candlelight, standing on the street that had been ablaze less than 48 hours earlier when police said a truck slammed into a minivan at more than 100 miles per hour. Police on Thursday afternoon arrested an 18-year-old man accused of driving the truck.

Family members said Jesus Aguilar Jr., 31, was backing out of the driveway at a relatives home on West Poplar Street when the truck plowed into his minivan. Three children were in the van, which erupted in flames after the crash.

Kristina Aileen Spohn, 14, who was in the third seat of the van, was ejected as the van spun around. Family members who saw the crash and neighbors rescued a 5-year-old boy and a baby girl from the burning van. Police have not released their names or relation to each other.

More Information The family has created a GoFundMe account to raise money for funeral costs. To give, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rgaeg7-please-help-the-aguilar-family See More Collapse

The children were taken to the hospital to be treated for second degree burns; they were listed in stable condition Thursday, police said.

Kristina was a student at Memorial High School in the Edgewood Independent School District, district officials confirmed Thursday. They said counselors would be on campus Monday to help students and facutly.

After ramming into the minivan, the Chevy Silverado continued down the street, striking a private fence and utility pole a block away. Two male suspects ran away, witnesses said.

About 36 hours later, police arrested the alleged driver of the truck. Cesar Gonzalez, 18, is charged with two counts of failure to stop and render aid resulting in death, according to San Antonio Police. His bail totals $150,000.

The home where police found Gonzalez is less than a mile from where the tragedy occurred.

According to Gonzalezs arrest warrant affidavit, the truck belongs to his mother, who was in Mexico for the holiday. When she returned, Gonzalez told her he was involved in a crash and asked her to report the Silverado as stolen, according to the affidavit. She refused and called police after Gonzalezs sister gave her the details about the crash.

The sister told detectives what happened before Gonzalez left their home.

She said Gonzalez, another brother and some friends were drinking beer and smoking marijuana at the house. At around midnight, they went outside and began shooting guns.

An AR-15 style weapon was found inside the Silverado, which detectives said corroborates her account.

Just before 12:35 a.m., Gonzalezs sister told police she heard the engine of the Silverado. She looked outside to see Gonzalez sitting in the drivers seat and their brother in the back seat.

The sister told police she could tell Gonzalez was intoxicated by the way he was acting, so she texted him not to leave.

She said Gonzalez was driving so fast when he left that the pickup was sliding like it was out of control, according to the affidavit.

After the accident, Gonzalez called his sister and another sibling to tell them what happened. He and his brother returned to their home at around 3 a.m., according to the affidavit.

The sister told police that Gonzalez felt guilty and wanted to turn himself in, causing an argument between the brothers.

Gonzalez was out on bond since July 13 on a charge of DWI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, according to public records. He was arrested last year for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance and for possession of marijuana in 2018. All three of those charges were dismissed for insufficient evidence or other reasons.

After the sun set Thursday, crowds of neighbors, family, friends and members of the community gathered outside the yellow house on the corner, where Aguilars family had spent New Years Eve.

Linda Angel Garcia, 18, who lives about five houses from the crash site, was ringing in the New Year with her family when she saw the truck race down the street. She and her family saw the van catch fire and ran to help pull the children out.

Hours later, her family was the first to lay flowers and balloons outside the driveway, starting a makeshift memorial. On Thursday, the 18-year-old helped arrange the vigil, too.

As Christian music played over a stereo, mourners placed candles and bouquets of flowers at the fence in front of the yellow house, one by one. Family members sobbed. Neighbors hugged each other. Even the toddlers in the crowd kept quiet.

This should have never happened, Pastor Jimmy Robles said over a loud system. The pastor, who runs the West Sides Last Chance Ministries, said this was the 58th vigil hes led since his own daughter was killed in a wreck in 2016.

But thats someones son too, he said of Gonzalez. That 18-year-old, his life is never going to be the same.

The crowd raised their hands to the sky as Robles prayed for the victims, their family and the neighbors who watched as the horror unfolded. As the pastor spoke, he kept his cellphone on speaker phone. On the line was the victims immediate family.

They were still at the hospital, comforting the children and a relative who was burned trying to save his loved ones.

After the prayer, Juan Lozano, one of the victims cousins, took the microphone. He cheeks were wet with tears as he recalled his childhood growing up with Jesus Aguilar. As adults, their own children played together, too.

He described the family as people who would take the shirt off their backs to help anybody.

This is the darkest Ive ever seen their house, Lozano said.

He took a breath, then sobbed.

Please, he begged. Just tell your family and kids you love them.

Staff Writer Krista Torralva contributed to this report.
A US appeals court on January 3 began hearing arguments in a bid by President Donald Trump's administration to block former White House Counsel Don McGahn from testifying to a congressional committee as part of the impeachment effort against Trump.

The case was being heard by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The arguments came in the administration's appeal of a Nov. 25 ruling by U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson that McGahn must comply with an April subpoena from the Democratic-led House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

The panel filed suit seeking to enforce its subpoena for McGahn to testify about Trump's efforts to impede former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 election and numerous contacts between Trump's campaign and Moscow.

The administration has directed current and former officials not to comply with congressional subpoenas for testimony and documents. McGahn, who left his post in October 2018, defied the subpoena but has said he would comply if ordered to by a court.

The committee's lawsuit was filed in August, a month before the House launched its impeachment inquiry against the Republican president centering on his request that Ukraine investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden and his son.

The House on Dec. 18 passed two articles of impeachment - formal charges - accusing Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

In a court filing, House lawyers said McGahn's testimony was still vital to the impeachment proceedings and could affect the House's strategy for the expected trial in the Republican-led Senate to determine whether Trump will be removed from office. The House has also not ruled out McGahn's testimony giving rise to an additional article of impeachment.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and accused Democrats of trying to nullify the results of the 2016 election that brought him to power.

The three appeals court judges are Republican appointees Thomas Griffith and Karen Henderson and Democratic appointee Judith Rogers.

The Trump administration has argued that senior presidential advisers are "absolutely immune" from being forced to testify before Congress about official acts. The lower court judge rejected that argument, declaring that "no one is above the law."

A report by Mueller, released by the Justice Department in redacted form in April, portrayed McGahn as one of the few figures in Trump's orbit to challenge him when he tried to have the special counsel, who was appointed by the Justice Department in May 2017, removed.

According to the Mueller report, McGahn told Mueller's team that Trump repeatedly instructed him to have the special counsel ousted and then asked him to deny having been so instructed when word of the action emerged in news reports. McGahn did not carry out either instruction.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is pressing for the Senate to hear testimony during the impeachment trial from current and former Trump aides who refused to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry.

The appeals court will also hear arguments on Friday in a separate lawsuit by the House Judiciary Committee seeking access to grand jury evidence from the Mueller investigation. A judge ruled in October that the information should be produced to Congress, rejecting the Justice Department's arguments that by law it must be kept confidential.
(TNS)  As a band of unknown drones flies across northeast Colorado and western Nebraska, the Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a new rule that would require most drones to be identifiable remotely.The proposed rule change, announced Thursday, has been in the works for more than a year, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said in an email Monday. The proposal would allow law enforcement, federal security agencies and the FAA to remotely identify drones that fly through their jurisdictions, the FAA said in a statement.Such technology would prevent a repeat of the ongoing mystery in Northeast Colorado, where residents in five counties have spotted large drones flying in grid-like patterns in the evenings and nights for about two weeks.Residents have called local authorities to report seeing groups of six to 10 drones hovering or cruising through the region between 7 and 10 p.m., usually flying a couple hundred feet in the air. The drones have also been spotted in Deuel County, Nebraska, authorities said.No one has come forward as the operator of the drones, prompting widespread speculation about their purpose . Several companies and government agencies have said the drones dont belong to them, including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Carson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Paragon Geophysical Services, the U.S. Geological Survey, Amazon and the Colorado Department of Transportation.The FAA is working with local law enforcement on the case, but also hasnt identified the drone operator, Gregor said Monday.Local sheriffs told The Denver Post that the drones dont appear to be malicious and that theyre likely not breaking any laws. Flight plans are not required to be filed with the FAA unless the drone pilots are flying in restricted airspace.The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 60 days, according to the FAA, which said the change would help drones better integrate into the nations airspace. Nearly 1.5 million drones and 160,000 remote pilots are registered with the FAA, the agency said in a statement.Matt Quinn, owner of Great Lakes Drone Co., which is one of only a handful of companies in the nation that have been granted permission from the FAA to fly multiple small drones at night, said hes puzzled by the reports out of Colorado.Its the talk of the drone community, he said.
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Beginning on December 28, 2019, Bangladeshi authorities have blocked domestic connections to Netra News, a recently launched news website based in Sweden, according to a report by Qatari broadcaster Al-Jazeera and Netra News editor-in-chief Tasneem Khalil, who wrote to CPJ via email.

The website launched on December 26 with eight articles published in English and Bengali, including one that alleged corruption by a high-ranking minister.

Khalil told CPJ that readers first reported problems accessing the website on December 28, and said that since December 29, Netra News has been inaccessible throughout Bangladesh. CPJ was able to access the website from the United States.

Jahurul Haque, the chairman of Bangladeshs media regulator, told Al-Jazeera that his agency did not receive any government order to block the website.

Military and government officials told Khalil that the order to block the website came from Bangladeshs military intelligence agency, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, he said. CPJ could not independently confirm the origin of the block. CPJ emailed the intelligence agency for comment but received an error message in response.

Netra News is funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, a private foundation funded by the U.S. government, Khalil said.

CPJ emailed the Bangladeshi prime ministers office and the Department of Telecommunications for comment, but did not immediately receive a reply.

Bangladesh has previously blocked other domestic and foreign websites, including 54 news portals and websites in late 2018, according to news reports from the time.
A commercial Allegiant flight, en route from Columbus, Ohio, to Sarasota, Florida, was diverted and made an emergency landing in North Carolina at approximately 5 p.m., local time, Trend reports citing Sputnik.

The reason behind the emergency landing remains unknown, according to Fox 28.

Last week, four people were reportedly injured when a small airplane crashed outside of Asheville Regional Airport.
Weather Alert

...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Kentucky...Illinois...Missouri... Ohio River at Paducah...Olmsted Lock and Dam...and Cairo For the Ohio River...including Paducah, Olmsted Lock and Dam, and Cairo...Minor flooding is forecast. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov. && ...FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM THIS MORNING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING... * WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Ohio River at Paducah. * WHEN...Until early tomorrow afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 39.0 feet, Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 11:00 AM CST Monday the stage was 38.5 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 39.0 feet tomorrow morning. - Flood stage is 39.0 feet. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood &&
A day after a massive controversy broke out over Congress' Seva Dal's training camp in Bhopal distributing anti-Savarakar booklets, BJP has dared its former ally, Shiv Sena, to speak on the issue. Speaking to news agency ANI on Friday, union minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Union railway minister Piyush Goyal has asked a series of question to the Shiv Sena, now an alliance partner to the BJP. Launching a scathing attack, Naqvi said that Sena's new ally Congress has only known one family, but why is Sena silent today.

Goyal said: "There were times when a party used to say that Hindutva should be protected, now we all know how they are doing it. They are silent on atrocities on minorities in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh."

READ: Congress digs up old Savarkar mention citing 'homosexual relations with Godse', attacks

What the Congress booklet claims

A controversy broke out on Thursday when a booklet being distributed in Bhopal at the national training camp of Seva Dal on Thursday made several claims against Veer Savarkar. The booklet titled How brave was Veer Savarkar? contains many controversial portions such as allegations over his connection with the British and his role in the partition of the country. The Seva Dal is the grassroots organization of the Congress party. Pertinently, it cites a mention from the book Freedom at Midnight by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. It quotes page 423 of the aforesaid book, which puts forth that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his political guru Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

READ: Congress issues booklets claiming 'Savarkar took British pension'; BJP asks Sena's stance

Shiv Sena's flip-flop over Savarkar

Recently, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi made a statement at the Bharat Bachao rally where he remarked that he was not Rahul Savarkar to apologise for his atrocious Rape in India remark. It was a reference to Savarkar's alleged apology to the British seeking an early release from prison. However, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray refused to comment on Gandhis remark.

READ: 'Now a Jinnah Bhakt?': Narasimha Rao questions Uddhav's silence on Cong's Savarkar remarks

Meanwhile, party MP Sanjay Raut indirectly hit out at the Congress party. Writing in his Rokthok column in Saamana, he dared those accusing Savarkar of apologising to the British to spend even 72 hours in the Andaman prison. Contending that it had become a fashion for those having no contribution in the freedom struggle to question Savarkar, he claimed that even Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru had not gone through the torment faced by the likes of Savarkar.

READ: BJP MLAs Don "I Am Savarkar" Caps To Maha Assembly In Protest To Rahul Gandhi's Remark
New Delhi, Jan 3 : First in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, then in Muzaffarpur in Bihar and now in Kota Rajasthan, hundreds of children have died an untimely death. The statistics of child mortality in the country raise serious questions over the intentions of both Centre and state government for not prioritising children's health.

Reports say that JK Lon Hospital in Kota was not well equipped with necessary facilities like incubators and was stuggling with shortage of staff.

The politicians keep giving absurd comments and shrugging off responsibility. IANS tried to find out what may be the possible interventions that may provide improved policy formation. Here is what Indian Medical Association has to say about incidents like Kota.

Dr Santanu Sen, President of Indian Medical Association holds the government policies responsible for such unfortunate incidents. Speaking with IANS on Friday, he said that lesser budgetary allocations, improper implementation of recruitment policies of the government and wrong health schemes are prime reasons for mishaps like these.

He said "Health is a constitutional and birth right of every Indian. It is a state chapter. But unfortunately there is not much budgetary allocation for health. In a country having a population of 130 crore you only have 1.1 per cent of the entire GDP for health whereas it should be four to five per cent. On such a small budget you cannot expect to develop infrastructure in the entire country. Until and unless the infrastructure is radically developed, these types of infant mortality and child deaths will occur repeatedly." He added "Moreover there are so many unemployed doctors in the country but the government projects shortage of medical practitioners. If they can be employed properly, every Indian can get health care." Dr Sen criticised the government's Ayushman Bharat scheme and said, "People of India want assured health policy and not an insured health policy. There are many hospitals in the country where patients have to buy even small things like syringes. Therefore, the government should bring a uniform universal health policy instead of schemes like Ayushman Bharat so that health policies don't vary from state to state.

"The government, instead of giving money to the government hospitals, is giving money to third party i.e. insurance agencies. Why? First they should provide money and infrastructure to their own hospitals. They say they provide insurance to 50 crore people but how do they decide who needs this service and what about the rest of the 80 crore population?"
WASHINGTON  Ominous statements from Washington and Tehran on Thursday highlighted the quandary President Donald Trump faces in confronting an increasingly aggressive Iran, even though Iran-backed protesters pulled back from their attack on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The tensions were underscored when Defense Secretary Mike Esper warned that Iran might be planning additional military strikes on U.S. targets, just hours after a top Iranian military commander boasted that Tehran was "not worried" about the United States.

"We have the power to break them several times over and are not worried," Revolutionary Guards Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami said, according to Tasnim, a government-affiliated news outlet. We are not leading the country to war, but we are not afraid of any war."

Trump and his top advisers have repeatedly touted their "maximum pressure" policy, a sanctions-driven campaign designed to isolate Tehran diplomatically and cripple the country economically.

But the recent clashes demonstrate that Iran has its own strategy, one that has proven remarkably effective. Iran's leaders, and its proxy forces in places like Iraq, remain willing and able to lash out at the U.S.  causing spikes in global oil prices, undermining American allies and threatening U.S. assets abroad.

"Theyre showing our impotence," said Barbara Slavin, director of the Future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, a foreign policy think tank in Washington. "This is maximum resistance to maximum pressure."

Pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters set a fire during a sit-in in front of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. U.S. troops have fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of pro-Iran militiamen and other protesters who were gathered for a second day outside the American Embassy compound in Baghdad.

The embassy protest erupted Tuesday, two days after U.S. airstrikes hit Iranian-backed militia targets in Iraq and killed more than 25 people. The airstrikes were retaliation, U.S. officials said, for an Iranian-sponsored attack on an Iraqi base that killed an American civilian contractor and wounded American servicemen.

Slavin and others said the U.S. response was counterproductive and demonstrates the dilemma Trump faces as he walks a tightrope between a war he doesn't want and capitulation his supporters would abhor.

Story continues

Risk of another strike?

Iran's attack on the Iraq base may well have been designed to goad the U.S. into striking inside Iraq, according to an analysis by Abbas Kadhim, an expert on Iraq who is also with the Atlantic Council.

"Tehran got exactly what it wanted," he wrote in a post Wednesday.

Now, he noted, Iraqi political leaders are condemning the U.S. reprisal and some are even calling for the withdrawal of American troops from that strategic country. Meanwhile, Iran is likely searching for yet another way to strike the U.S., as Esper hinted on Thursday.

"In the dangerous stalemate between the US and Iran ... the US has to expect that Iran will react to any action by choosing another battlefield where the balance of power is more favorable," Gerard Araud, a former French ambassador to the U.S. and Israel, tweeted on Wednesday. "We saw it in the Gulf, we are seeing it in Iraq."

Chants of 'Death to America'

The embassy attack in Baghdad  a confrontational move that prompted Trump to dispatch hundreds of additional U.S. troops to the region  immediately captured Washington's attention and revived memories of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. That standoff lasted 444 days and helped doom then-President Jimmy Carter's bid for re-election. As in 1979, the protesters in Baghdad this week shouted "Death to America!" and smashed their way into the diplomatic compound, setting fire to a reception area as U.S. combat helicopters swooped over the complex.

Images from the scene at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad revealed extensive damage, showing a burned and charred reception area, smashed windows and vandalized rooms left behind by supporters and members of the Iranian-trained Hashed al-Shaabi military network, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. No deaths or serious injuries have been reported, and the embassy was not evacuated.

This week's tit-for-tat aggressions in Iraq are part of a broader campaign that stretches back to Trump's decision to withdraw in 2018 from the Iran nuclear deal, a multilateral agreement aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions but which Trump blasted as weak. The U.S. has since imposed massive sanctions on Iran in an effort to force Tehran to negotiate a new deal. Trump's advisers have demanded that Iran end its ballistic missile program and stop funding proxy forces in the region, among other steps.

None of that has worked. Instead, according to U.S. officials, Iran sabotaged oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in May, downed a U.S. drone in June and struck Saudi oil facilities in September. The Saudi attack alone disrupted more than 5% of the world's daily oil supply.

"The Iranians have not stopped trying to extend their influence in the region. The Iranians have not come back on bended knee to accept a new nuclear negotiation with more Iranian concessions," said Robert Ford, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria and Algeria.

"The Iranians didn't even agree to meet Trump in New York last September," despite Trump's repeated entreaties to Iran's President Hassan Rouhani, said Ford, now a senior fellow at Yale University and the Middle East Institute in Washington.

Now, with every escalation, "Trump's predicament worsens," Peter Beinart, a professor at the City University of New York, wrote a piece published Wednesday in The Atlantic.

"His confidants insist that he cant afford a war  which would likely boost oil prices and damage the economy  especially in an election year. Yet he also cant pursue real diplomacy, at least not without provoking a confrontation with the GOPs hawkish foreign-policy elite," Beinart writes. "Hes caught between his desire to avoid being like George W. Bush and his desire to avoid being like Barack Obama."

Ford said the Trump administration's "maximalist position" may be viewed within Iran as an indication that the U.S. is more interested in regime change than any kind of compromise. "It looks to me like Tehran is hoping that in a year, Donald Trump will be gone," he said.

Slavin said Trump has few palatable options to solve the current standoff.

"Weve already sanctioned Iran up to the eyeballs," she said. "We can kill some of their proxies here or there. But the next level is to attack Iran itself, and if we do that, then it's off to the races. We have another Middle East war  one that the U.S. doesn't want to fight" and that could result in another failed state, just like Iraq after the U.S. ousted Saddam Hussein.

Contributing: John Bacon and the Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US Embassy attack in Iraq shows Trump's quandary in US-Iran escalation
Putin said last week that Poland had taken "the first step towards genocide" by entering into an agreement with Hitler and joining the partition of Czechoslovakia in 1938, and called the then-Polish ambassador to Germany, Jozef Lipski, "an antisemitic pig."

Polish President Andrzej Duda wants participants in the January conference at Israel's Yad Vashem to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin's claim that Poles cooperated with Hitler.

Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki on Sunday called Putin's accusation a lie that needed reinterpretation, Jewish News reports.

Krzysztof Szczerski, the head of Duda's Cabinet, is demanding a condemnation from participants of the World Holocaust Forum  the January 23 conference commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Putin said last week that Poland had taken "the first step towards genocide" by entering into an agreement with Hitler and joining the partition of Czechoslovakia in 1938, and called the then-Polish ambassador to Germany, Jozef Lipski, "an antisemitic pig."

Read alsoUkrainian film agency to invest US$2.1 mln in "Babyn Yar" movie

Morawiecki in his statement published Sunday wrote that Putin "has lied about Poland on numerous occasions, and he has always done it deliberately. This usually happens when Russian authorities feel international pressure related to their activities."

Thirty state leaders, including Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, this month will come to Israel for the World Holocaust Forum.

On the same day, there will be an official ceremony at the former death camp's memorial in Poland, and some of the world leaders will take part in both events. Putin is not scheduled to come to Poland.

Read alsoZelensky calls on Israel to recognize Holodomor as genocide of Ukrainian people

Duda's office has said it is waiting to see a detailed schedule for the Jerusalem conference before deciding whether the Polish president will attend.
People of Chug village in Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng district have declared nearly 100 sq km of their forest area as conservation area and banned commercial extraction of timber and firewood from the area.

The villagers have also banned hunting of wild animals from the forest area, the Chug village head said.

The area was recently surveyed by World Wide Fund for Nature India (WWF-India) to study the biodiversity using camera trap and sign survey where nearly 18 mammals, 21 birds and 6 butterflies were found which includes rare and endangered species like Red panda, Takin, Musk deer, Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan.

With the support of scientific research and data, a management plan would be made and put in practice by the villagers that would guide them for extraction and usage of natural resources of the forest area in a sustainable way to save for future generation, a WWF official said.

WWF senior project officer Pema Wange said, "We are exploring livelihood activities for the villagers which will be an incentive for conservation of forest and wildlife. The important animals such as Red panda, Takin, Musk deer and Asiatic Black bear have to be conserved as their existence will ensure our existence possible."



The forest with rich faunal species will keep our Phu (God) happy so it brings good luck to us and we can stay healthy and happy, Chug 'gaon burha' (village head) Tsering Khandu said.

Dirang additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Dr Dargey said conservation is the only mantra which can make the human race survive in the planet.

"I laud the effort of WWF-India to make people of the area realize their responsibilities and duties towards nature and harmonious coexistence that they have been practising since generations," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Hard work runs in Christyon Hayek's family. He watched his father, a stonemason who arrived in Australia from war-torn Lebanon as an 18-year-old with no English and no money, work tirelessly to create a stable life for his family.

So the Trinity Grammar student applied similar determination to his studies, and both father and son were rewarded when Christyon learned he had achieved highest possible mark in his International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Trinity Grammar student Christyon Hayek and Redlands students Isabel Binnekamp and Lindsay McNeil. Credit:Steven Siewert

A score of 45 in the IB equates to an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 99.95. The 17-year-old was surprised by the result, but "when I look back and think about how hard I worked," he said, "I feel like I deserved it."

Almost 650 NSW students on Friday received the results of their IB Diploma program, an alternative to the Higher School Certificate that is only available to students in NSW if they study at one of the 21 independent schools offering it.
HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' will conduct a monthly review of the functioning of all Central universities and anomalies will be dealt with strictly, officials said on Friday.

The Minister will meet the Vice Chancellors every month to seek report and accountability will be fixed for irregularities of any nature, they said.

"The Minister himself will conduct a monthly review of the functioning of all central universities. He will also meet the Vice Chancellors for the review. Accountability will be fixed for irregularities of any nature and strict action will be taken," a senior HRD Ministry official told PTI.

The review will not only consider the academic progress made but also whether the functioning of the university was normal and student grievances, if any, were addressed or not.

The move comes against the backdrop of allegations against Allahabad University Vice Chancellor Ratan Lal Hangloo for improper handling of sexual harassment complaints and lack of grievance redressal mechanism for female students.

Hangloo, who was under scanner over other alleged financial and administrative irregularities, had resigned earlier this week.

His resignation has been accepted by President Ram Nath Kovind who is also the Visitor to the university and an enquiry has been ordered to look into the allegations of financial and administrative irregularities against him.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cyprus Greece Greece's Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, left, talks with Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides at Cyprus' main airport in the coastal town of Larnaca on Sunday, December 22, 2019. Dendias stopped off in Cyprus following a visit to Libya for contacts with Libyan National Army leader, General Khalifa Haftar and later in Egypt for a meeting with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry. Top of the agenda during Dendias' contacts was a maritime border deal that Turkey signed with Libya's U.N.-recognized government that Greece, Cyprus and Egypt have denounced as contrary to international law.(AP Photo/Philippos Christou)

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  The leaders of Cyprus, Greece and Israel plan to sign an agreement early in the new year for the building of the eastern Mediterranean natural gas pipeline, the Greek prime ministers office announced Sunday.

The agreement will be signed in Athens on Jan. 2 by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As now planned, the pipeline will run across the Mediterranean from Israels Levantine Basin offshore gas reserves to the Greek island of Crete and the Greek mainland, and then to Italy.

The deal will be finalized with Italys signature at a subsequent date, Mitsotakis office said. In May, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had expressed opposition to the Poseidon project, which is the last section of the pipeline that would connect Greece with Italy.

Cyprus, Greece and Israel already signed an agreement on the 1,900-kilometer (1,180-mile) pipeline earlier this year in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The EastMed pipeline is expected to satisfy about 10% of the European Union's natural gas needs, decreasing energy dependence on Russia.

The EU has contributed to the cost of technical studies for the project.

The three signatory countries are joined in a common opposition to Turkeys recent deal with the U.N.-recognized Libyan government delineating maritime borders between the two countries in the Mediterranean. Turkey and Libya are geographically far from each other, with Greece and Egypt being in the way.

The deal is seen as Turkeys way to pressure for a share in the maritime resources of the eastern Mediterranean, even if this means encroaching into other countries space. Turkey, for its part, contends that Greece and Cyprus aim to confine Turkey it its narrow territorial waters.

On a visit Sunday to Cyprus, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias was asked if the EastMed deal signing was an answer to Turkeys deal with Libya.

What were doing is not in reaction to anything," he said. Its an effort to improve the quality of life of our countries citizens, to improve our economies and to offer solutions, and EastMed is a great energy boost to the European Unions energy options.

Story continues

We dont see our initiatives as being directed against anyone," he added. We see them as positive steps, and we invite whomever to take part as long as they agree with the wider framework.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, however, said there is a need to counter Turkeys recent actions.

We have common goals and approaches and I believe that the proper framework is being created to counter the actions of some who wish to create conditions of instability in the eastern Mediterranean by violating international law, he said.

All countries which perceive international law as the natural state of things are welcome to take part in our common initiatives, Denjdias added.

The Greek foreign minister also visited eastern Libya and Egypt on Sunday. In Benghazi, Libya, he conferred with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, leader of the Libyan National Army, which is fighting the Tripoli-based Libyan government recognized by the United Nations.

In Cairo, Denjdias met with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. Egypt has also denounced the Turkish deal with Libya.

___

Associated Press writer Menelaos Hadjicostis in Nicosia, Cyprus, contributed to this report.
'They Have No Evidence': Josh Hawley To Introduce Measure To Dismiss Articles Of Impeachment In The Senate Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has announced he will introduce a "measure" to dismiss the House articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. "Dems said impeachment was URGENT. Now they don't want to have a trial, because they have no evidence. In real world, if prosecution doesn't proceed with case, it gets dismissed.

Show-Me very good timing for this politico who has always had a knack for jumping aboard the right bandwagon . . . Read more from this right-wing source:
Terming religion as a "code of conduct" which guides people, BJP working president J P Nadda on Friday said politics was meaningless without religion.

Addressing devotees of Swaminarayan sect at a function here, Nadda also said politics needs religion the most.

"Samaaj mein ye prashna baar baar khada hota hai ki rajniti ka dharma se sambandh kya hai. Mera ye manana hai ki rajniti dharma ke bagair vivek-heen hai, uska koi arth nahi hai. Rajniti hamesha dharma ke sath chalti hai.

(One question is frequently asked in the society: what is the relation between religion and politics? I firmly believe that politics would become wisdom-less without the presence of religion. There is no meaning of politics without religion. They both go together)," Nadda said.

"Aur dharma ka matlab hai code of conduct. Dharma ka matlab hai kya karna aur kya nahi karna. Dharma ka matlab hai kya uchit aur kya anuchit. Aur iss liye dharma ki sabse badi avashyakta hai toh woh rajniti mein hai.

(Religion means code of conduct. It tells us what to do and what not to. Religion stands for wisdom to differentiate between what is good and what is not. It is the politics which needs religion the most)," Nadda said.

"And BJP always works with such positivity and do things which are good for the country and society," he added.

Whenever opponents tried to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi by spreading negativity, the PM surged ahead with more energy and took everyone along for development, Nadda said.

The BJP leader listed several key achievements of the Modi government, such as Ayushman Bharat Yojana to provide free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh and Ujjwala Yojana of distributing LPG connections to poor families.

Citing a recent report which claimed India's forest cover has increased, Nadda said that Ujjwala scheme has also contributed to it.

"The Ujjawala Yojana has contributed a lot in increasing our forest cover. Under the scheme, as many as 8 crore gas connections and stoves were already distributed to women. It also improved their health, as they are now spared from inhaling smoke," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man has been fatally shot by police after he stabbed one victim to death and injured several people in a French park.

The assailant ran from the scene and was shot near a supermarket in Villejuif, a southern suburb of the capital, at around 2pm local time (1pm UK time).

Police fired at least three shots according to local media.

A local mayor LAO said one person was killed and several injured in the attack, but police could not immediately confirm the death or the number of injured people.

French police secure an area in Villejuif near Paris after an attacker was shot dead by officers / REUTERS

The mayor, Vincent Jeanbrun, told broadcaster BFM-TV that the attacker assaulted people in a park in Villejuif, then fled to a shopping centre in his area, LHay-les-Roses, and was shot by police there.

Police union official Yves Lefebvre said officers fired repeatedly because they feared the man was wearing an explosive belt and might blow himself up.

Police shot dead a knife-wielding man who killed one person and injured others / AFP via Getty Images

Interior Ministry officials and many police were on the scene.
Uttar Padesh DGP O P Singh on Friday said an explanation has been sought from Noida Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Krishna on the leaking of his purported confidential letter to the state government alleging a transfer-posting racket in the force.

At a hurriedly convened press conference in Lucknow, the Director General of Police said the SSP Noida has been given 15 days to explain whether he had flouted service rules by leaking out the missive.

Singh said the Inspector General of Meerut Range has been asked to investigate the matter. The DGP, however, declined to comment on the contents of the leaked letter.

Meanwhile, the Congress party demanded a judicial inquiry into the functioning of all government departments of the state alleging large-scale corruption in the UP police.

Congress's state unit president Ajay Kumar Lallu said an impartial inquiry into the case would expose some big names and bring out the "reality" of the BJP government in UP.

"The entire state is troubled by corruption and bribery. Complaints in this regard are received on a daily basis. Judicial inquiry should be conducted into the working of all the departments so as to rid the people of these problems," Lallu said in a statement in Lucknow.

Earlier in 2019, Noida SSP Krishna had alleged corruption in the ranks of UP Police, including serious charges of bribes for postings, and involves names of private persons with political connections.

The letter mentions that details of graft had emerged during the investigation of a case in which four people, some claiming to be journalists, were arrested in Noida on August 23, 2019.

The Noida police chief had also sent a report on some "very sensitive cases" related to corruption a month ago to the chief minister's office in Lucknow.

On December 30, the Gautam Buddh Nagar district administration had announced booking 128 members of three criminal gangs under the stringent UP Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986 and initiated proceedings to attach their properties, in a bid to block their funding.

The decision was taken on the basis of a report prepared by the Noida police and the accused included kingpins of gangs involved in contract killing, extortion and various contracts relating to private businesses in Gautam Buddh Nagar.

DGP Singh on Friday also said that the probe into an objectionable video of the Noida SSP has been handed over to the SP of Hapur. The Noida police had earlier described the three purported clips as "morphed" and a conspiracy to defame the image of SSP Krishna.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
This is the moment a delivery driver was caught red-handed on a door bell camera stealing Amazon packages from a doorstep.

The thief approached the home in Alexandria, Virginia, carrying a couple of pizza boxes, oblivious to the fact that he was being recorded.

Despite ringing the doorbell, he did not appear to spot the camera. When no one answered the door he swiftly put down the pizza boxes, scooped up the packages and carried them back to his car.

Home owner Ken Prol watched on camera as a delivery driver appeared to drop some pizza off at his house in Alexandria, Virginia, while he was away in New York for Christmas

The driver dropped off the pizza boxes on the door step before returning to his car

The driver picked up a number of Amazon packages that had earlier been left on the doorstep

The homeowner Ken Prol told NBC Washington that he was in New York for Christmas but watched the thief approach in real time.

Mr Prol shouted at the man who ignored his instruction to return the packages.

He said: 'It didnt work but it was just kind of frustrating and a little surprising that it actually happened.'

One of his neighbours later confirmed they had been expecting the pizza.

Fairfax County Police are investigating the case.

Mr Prol said the stolen packages contained shampoo and conditioner for his fiancee, and Amazon had replaced them free of charge.
Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani (C) attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 18, 2016. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP

Germany, Britain, China Urge De-escalation After US Strike, Russia Offers Condolences

Countries heavily involved in the Middle East reacted to the United States taking out top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, including China, Russia, and Germany.

Britain Foreign Minister Dominic Raab urged all parties to de-escalate, adding that further conflict is in none of our interests.

Ulrike Demmer, a German government spokeswoman, said the United States was just reacting to Iranian provocations.

The American action was a reaction to a series of military provocations for which Iran is responsible, she told reporters at a press conference.

We also see with great concern Irans activities in the region. We stand before a dangerous escalation, she added. Germany will try to de-escalate the situation, she said.

Iraqi President Barham Salih also urged restraint, telling NBC: The situation in Iraq is very fragile, very precarious. I urge restraint on all sides. Iraq cannot be condemned to another cycle of violence. We have had too many wars over the last four decades.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of China, said in a statement that The peace and stability in the gulf area and Middle East should be maintained.

We urge all sides to be restrained and calm and avoid further escalation of the situation, he said. China is one of the biggest backers of the Iranian regime.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he spoke to a number of world leaders about the airstrike, including the foreign ministers of China, Britain, and Germany, making clear that the United States remains committed to de-escalation.

A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Jan. 3, 2020. (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

Russia was among the countries condemning the attack.

A Russian Foreign Ministry source told the Russian News Agency TASS that we consider Soleimanis murder in a U.S. missile strike at the suburbs of Baghdad an adventurous step that will lead to growing tensions throughout the region.

Soleimani devotedly served the cause of protecting Irans national interests. We are offering our sincere condolences to the Iranian people, the source added.

French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin said We have woken up to a more dangerous world, adding that President Emmanuel Macron would consult soon with players in the region.

Israel, meanwhile, placed its military on heightened alert and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned early from a trip outside the country after Soleimanis killing.

Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security, and self-defense, Netanyahu told reporters.

Israel has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat. In August last year, the military said it had foiled a Quds Force attack administered by Soleimani, involving multiple drones from Syria.

In Gaza, Hamaswhich has long enjoyed financial and military support from Tehrancondemned Soleimanis killing and sent its dearest condolences to Iran. Gaza-based Hamas official Bassem Naim wrote on Twitter that the killing opens the doors of the region to all possibilities, except calm & stability. USA bears the responsibility for that.

On Twitter, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the killing of Soleimani an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.

The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, he said.

The Syrian government also condemned the killing. A foreign ministry official told SANA, a state news agency, that the country is certain that this cowardly US aggression will only strengthen determination to follow in the path of the resistances martyred leaders.

Reuters contributed to this report.
A dairy farmer on the south coast of New South Wales has shared shocking before and after pictures of his farm after it was razed by fire in just 10 minutes.

Robert Miller from the town of Milton, about an hour north of Bateman's Bay, raced to save his herd of 1,000 cattle as fire closed in on his farm on New Year's Day.

'It hit the farm at 1pm and was all over by 1.10pm, it came through very fast. It was ferocious, it was catastrophic.' Mr Miller told The Land.

A dairy farmer on the south coast of New South Wales has shared shocking before and after pictures of his farm after it was razed by fire in just 10 minutes

Robert Miller from the town of Milton, about an hour north of Bateman's Bay, raced to save his herd of 1,000 cattle as fire closed in on his farm on New Year's Day

'We had done all the preparation we could have, we had the equipment and water in place but we lost power, so we had to use generators to power everything.'

He led his cattle onto a concrete area where they stood under sprinklers for the duration of the fire passing through.

About half of Mr Millers 322 hectare farm was destroyed in the blaze.

The town of Milton is at the middle of the Currowan bushfire which has merged with two other smaller fires to stretch 100km from Bateman's Bay to Nowra on the NSW south coast.

Access to electricity and fuel in the town has been affected forcing Mr Miller to dump milk because he can't power his dairy.

He has also being buying a semi-trailer of hay bales each day to feed his herd due to drought conditions but trucks are now unable to make their deliveries and the bales he already has have been mostly burnt.

The herd is now under threat from starvation and further fires with temperatures expected to rise into the 40s on Saturday.

More than 100 blazes are currently burning across New South Wales.

The massive Green Wattle Creek and Gospers Mountain fires have been downgraded to advice alert level while the Currowan blaze remains at Watch and Act alert.

An Australian Navy ship the HMAS Choule was deployed to the coast off the Victorian border town of Mallacoota on Thursday after residents were forced to seek shelter on a beach.

More than 2,000 firefighters are working to contain bushfires across the state.

An after picture of Mr Millers farm after fire raced through the property destroying more than 160 hectares in less than 10 minutes




New ANPR cameras to be installed at Wrexham cathedral as part of parking crackdown

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 3rd, 2020

A new traffic camera which can scan number plates is set to be installed at a Wrexham cathedral as part of a crackdown on people who misuse its car park.

It comes after problems were reported with motorists taking up spaces at St Marys Cathedral on Regent Street to visit other places in the town centre.

An application was submitted by Parking Eye, which will manage the system on behalf of the Wrexham Diocesan Trustees, back in August.

The proposals have now been given the go ahead after being approved by planning officers at Wrexham Council.

It will result in a camera, lighting column and external cabinet being put in place to monitor vehicles going in and out of the car park, along with signs to alert drivers to the new arrangements.

In the planning documents, a representative for the private parking company said it would help to free up spaces for members of the congregation.

They said: ParkingEye propose to install a car park management system on an existing car park owned by Wrexham Diocesan Trustees Registered which utilises automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) and associated signage to monitor the entrance and exit of vehicles within the specified car park.

The site is currently used as a car park with 32 parking bays. The proposal seeks to provide management of the existing car park to reduce car park abuse and ensure that spaces are available for genuine site users.

The equipment used for the proposed development will be of a standard specification and be as environmentally sensitive as possible in terms of design.

The proposal will ensure that the existing car park is used more effectively and reduce the amount of abuse that currently occurs.

The grade II listed cathedral was originally built in 1857 and was designed by English architect Edward Welby Pugin.

It is located next door to Wrexham Museum and also sits close to one of the towns main shopping areas.

The proposals to install the ANPR camera were green lighted by officers from the local authority using delegated powers.

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)
Lois Evans' death: Kirk Franklin, other celebrities honor late wife of Tony Evans

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Following the death of Lois Evans, wife of Oak Cliff Fellowship Church pastor Tony Evans, a number of pastors and Christian celebrities took to social media to remember her life and impact.

Lois Evans passed away on Dec. 30 at the age of 70 after battling a rare form of cancer, her family revealed on social media.

The love of my life, Lois Irene Evans, transitioned from earth and watched her first sunrise from Heaven, Tony Evans wrote.

"I had the privilege of holding her hand as she was lulled into eternity. Our four children surrounded her as well. As she slipped away, we told her how much we love her, how proud we are of her, and how thankful we are for the life she has lived."

Christian artist Kirk Franklin, who attends Evans' church, shared a photo of Lois on his Instagram page along with the caption, Well Done. Still hurts...Mamma Lo.

Franklin Graham, head of Samaritans Purse and son of evangelist Billy Graham, wrote on Twitter: Our deepest sympathy to @DrTonyEvans and his family in the passing of his wife, Lois Irene Evans. I know they would appreciate our prayers during this time. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15).

Our deepest sympathy to @DrTonyEvans and his family in the passing of his wife, Lois Irene Evans. I know they would appreciate our prayers during this time. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15) https://t.co/ePT9cqjfn0  Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) December 30, 2019

On Facebook, filmmakers Stephen and Alex Kendrick urged their followers to keep Tony Evans and his daughter, Priscilla Shirer, and the rest of their family in their prayers.

Please join with us in praying for Dr. Evans, Priscilla Shirer, and the entire family as they grieve and celebrate the life of Lois Evans, they wrote.

Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in Texas, also remembered Lois Evans on his Instagram page.

Debbie and I are so sorry to hear the news about the passing of our dear friend @loisievans, he wrote. Our hearts and prayers go out to @drtonyevans, their children, and all of the Evans family. While we mourn the loss of Lois, we also find joy in knowing she is now in the arms of her Savior.

Grieving with you and your family, Dr. Evans. Your and Mrs. Lois' life and ministry have been an almost incalculable blessing to many of us. https://t.co/bgjeAwqupW  J.D. Greear (@jdgreear) December 30, 2019

On Twitter, Southern Baptist Convention president J.D. Greear wrote: Grieving with you and your family, Dr. Evans. Your and Mrs. Lois' life and ministry have been an almost incalculable blessing to many of us.

Evans and his wife shared her diagnosis on April 2, revealing it was her second round of gallbladder cancer.

Lois Evans was co-founder and senior vice president of The Urban Alternative  a Christian broadcast and teaching ministry that reaches an audience of 2 million listeners on more than 1,200 radio stations in over 130 different countries  which she and her husband launched in 1982. She also founded the Pastors Wives Ministry.
Advisories for wind and mountain snow have been issued for the Bitterroot Mountains.

Jenn Kitsmiller, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Missoula, said there is an avalanche warning from the West Central Avalanche Center for the southern Swan, the southern Missions, the Rattlesnake and the central and southern Bitterroot mountains through Friday morning at 6:40 a.m.

Kitsmiller said more information is available at missoulaavalanche.org.

We dont issues these, we just help them get the message out, she said of the avalanche warning.

Kitsmiller said to expect a larger weather system in the Bitterroot on Saturday, but that overall conditions will remain warm.

We are not seeing a big overall change. Weve been running warm in the valley, Kitsmiller said. There is a weak weather system for Thursday night bringing a couple of inches in the mountains but not much accumulation in the valley.

The big change involves a strong weather system expected to come in Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Well mostly expect strong gusty winds in the mountains, which will have wind and snow, Kitsmiller said. The mountains will get snow but it will be hit and miss for the valley. Probably some slight snow showers. Our main focus will be the wind.

Predictions are up for gusts up to 25 miles per hour to 40 mph in the valley with wind gusts of 40-50 miles per hour and isolated gusts up to 50-70 mph in the exposed mountain areas.

This is a strong wind signal with this system, Kitsmiller said. On Saturday, the back country will get snow, maybe a half foot, but when you couple that with the wind, the back country will be treacherous.

The Bitterroot Valley saw snow bands Thursday morning.

On our radar they look like long, skinny bands of snow, maybe only a couple of miles wide, Kitsmiller said. Thats what might happen Saturday afternoon to Sunday. Lost Trail did report snow in the last 48 hours. Theres been a lot of mountain snow, which is improving things for accumulations. It was dense wet snow. Avalanche forecasters look at that.

Lost Trail Powder Mountain owner Scott Grasser said avalanches are a thing we have in Montana and Idaho.

We do our best to mitigate the hazards that we have at Lost Trail, he said. Our ski patrol does extensive work not only on the hill but with ropes to keep people out of areas that we close. We close them for the safety of skiers, snowboarders and the patrol that are in doing their work.

Grasser said Lost Trail had received 20 inches by Thursday afternoon

Lost Trail is wonderful. We just opened our flagship Chair 4 today and have a lot of happy people, he said. The snow really helped out Christmas break. We have beautiful conditions and the lifts are running well. Id like to tout that we have the safest runs in Montana, but we all probably believe that.

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Thiruvananthapuram, January 03 : Kerala speaker P Sreeramakrishnan on Friday rejected Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khans assertion the other day that the resolution passed by the state assembly demanding the scrapping of the citizenship amendment act (CAA) was unconstitutional.

Addressing a press conference, the speaker said that the Kerala assembly did not violate the constitution by passing the resolution against the CAA.

The state assembly did nothing that was beyond its ambit. The state legislature had the right to express its dissent over a central government decision. Nobody should get agitated over it. Expressing an opinion was a basic tenet of democracy, the speaker said.

Rejecting the governors remark that the resolution was unconstitutional, Mr. Sreeramakrishnan said that the constitution did not forbid state legislatures from passing a resolution.

The constitution confers respective powers on the parliament and the state legislatures. The Kerala assembly passed the resolution exercising the powers conferred on it by the constitution, he added.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also hit out at the governor, asking him to stop playing the role of the BJP state president.

On the governors charge that the resolution passed by the Kerala assembly was unlawful, the CPI(M) state secretary challenged him to point out which law the resolution had violated.

Mr. Khan had stoked a controversy the other day by calling the resolution passed by the Kerala assembly nearly unanimously demanding the scrapping of CAA as unconstitutional and legally tenuous.

The governors controversial comments had come close on the heels of another controversy set off by him at the Indian history congress recently when he ventured to defend the contentious citizenship law. The delegates at the congress had risen up in protest against the governors politically partisan speech.

On the governors criticism of the assembly resolution as unconstitutional, Kerala law minister A K Balan said that the assembly rules of procedure provide for the state legislature to pass a resolution to show disagreement with a central law or policy, or make a recommendation. The resolution passed by the assembly in its special session was in the nature of a request seeking necessary changes in the law, he clarified.
An 18-year-old Rhode Island woman and her fiance of one day are facing murder charges after allegedly killing her ex-boyfriends mother on New Years Day  using what police believe was a 3D printed gun, say authorities.

On Wednesday at 8:15 p.m., police responded to a 911 call at 100 Baxter Street in Pawtucket and found Cheryl Smith, 54, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to her chest, the Pawtucket Police Department says, multiple outlets including local station WJAR report.

Smith was rushed to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Police quickly located the suspects, Jack Doherty, 23, of Albany, New York, and Shaylyn Moran, of Pawtucket, at a nearby Hampton Inn, Boston.com reports.

Jack Doherty and Shaylyn Moran | Facebook

Smiths 21-year-old son, Leonard Troufield, was in a prior relationship with Moran, say police, WJAR reports.

The Providence Journal reports that a domestic incident between Moran and Troufield occurred in October. Troufield was charged with domestic simple assault and battery as well as disorderly conduct, the Journal reports, also noting that Troufield was at his mothers home on New Years Day at the time of her shooting.

Doherty allegedly had in his possession a 9mm gun that was made with a 3D printer, Pawtucket Police Detective Sgt. Christopher LeFort told the Providence Journal.

The firearm is similar to a handgun Doherty is seen holding in a picture on his Facebook page on New Years Eve, Lefort told the Providence Journal.

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Doherty was arrested and charged with 7 counts including first-degree murder, conspiracy, carrying a pistol or revolver without a license or permit and resisting arrest and assault and battery, online court records show.

Doherty tried to charge a detective during the arrest but was quickly subdued, the Providence Journal reports.

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Moran is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy.

Shortly before the pair was arrested, they posted a picture of themselves from the bed in their hotel room with Moran holding up her hand and an apparent engagement ring and the words, we some fighters and some shooters.

On Thursday, they were both arraigned at Providence District Court. Neither has entered a plea.

They have both been assigned public defenders.

Both are being held without bail. They are scheduled to return to court on Jan. 16.

Doherty and Moran recently met, say police, WJAR reports.

Police say they got engaged just hours before they went to Smiths home, WJAR reports.

The public defenders and the Pawtucket Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs calls for comment.
If I will die, let it ...
Shanghai school celebrates New Year through traditional Chinese culture

By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-01-03 09:12

For pupils of Shanghai Luwan No.1 Center Experimental Primary School Huangpu Campus, the annual Celebration of Chinese Festivals activity is a big event ahead of the upcoming new year.

Having been held for 16 years, the activity aims to boost childrens understanding of traditional Chinese culture by involving them in role play, classics reciting, handicraft making and calligraphy.

Over the years, more and more parents have joined in the event. With each classroom decorated with paintings or calligraphy themed on classic literary works, such as famous poets of the Tang and Song Dynasties, The Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature and the Four Classical Operas, children and their parents and even grandparents join together to act out a section of the classics, like playing a time-travel game.

This year, supported by the 5G technology of Shanghai Unicom, one of the nation's largest telecom operators, the activity used the video form for the first time to record those amazing moments and share them on TikTok, a Chinese video-sharing social networking service platform.
A cohort of 779 Victorian International Baccalaureate (IB) students received their final year 12 results yesterday, almost a month later than the rest of Victoria.

The internationally-recognised two-year program is an alternative to the traditional VCE that requires students to take a variety of subjects and undertake independent study with the aim improving the prospect of acceptance at overseas universities, such as Stanford and Cambridge.

Wesley College students Zetian Lyu and Lucy Poole were pleased with their results. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Three students at Presbyterian Ladies College achieved a perfect score of 45 (99.95 ATAR) and 11 received a score of 44. Of the 54 students at the school who completed an IB in 2019, 44.4 percent achieved an ATAR equivalent of 99.5 or above.

Three students at Wesley College achieved a score of 45, equal to a perfect ATAR of 99.95, and the median ATAR for the schools IB students was 93.38.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act will impact both Hindus and Muslims, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday, appealing to the people to reject the "unnecessary" legislation.

IMAGE: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal speaks at a town hall meeting in New Delhi. Photograph: @AamAadmiParty/Twitter

Responding to a question during a town hall meeting in New Delhi, Kejriwal said he appeals to the Centre with "folded hands" to roll back the "controversial legislation".

"We don't need this law it is completely unnecessary. Where will we accommodate two crore Hindus from Pakistan," the chief minister said.

The Centre should first take care of its citizens and then, people from other countries, he said.

"I do not understand this legislation.The need of the hour is to provide employment to our children rather than bringing this legislation which is not needed in India," Kejriwal said.

Members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and face religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship, according to the Act.

The issue over the amended citizenship law is not about Hindus and Muslims. The act will affect people from both religions, Kejriwal said.
Senator Rand Paul (R., Ky.) on Friday joined skeptics of President Trumps decision to authorize an airstrike on Iranian military commander Qassim Soleimani, suggesting in a series of tweets that the move may further destabilize the region and cautioning the administration against further provoking Iran without congressional approval.

The question remains whether the assassination of Soleimani will expand the war to endanger the lives of every American soldier or diplomat in the Middle East? Paul wrote on Twitter.

Paul, who has long been an outspoken critic of U.S. military intervention in the Middle East, painted a stern picture of the high cost of a potential war with Iran.

A declaration of war is the highest and most awful exercise of sovereignty . . . such a vast and tremendous power ought not to be confided to the perilous exercise of one single man, Paul wrote, echoing an 1847 speech by Henry Clay.

President Trump viscerally understands that the toppling of Saddam Hussein made Iran stronger, he continued. Soleimani, like Hussein, was an evil man who ordered the killing of Americans. Yet, the question remains, whether his death will lead to more instability in the Middle East or less.

The senator also made a point to argue that the Constitution required a declaration of war against Iran before any official actions could be taken.

A war without a Congressional declaration is a recipe for feckless intermittent eruptions of violence w/ no clear mission for our soldiers, he wrote.

Following the Thursday airstrike that killed Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at the Baghdad airport, the Pentagon said in a statement that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, and was justified by the death of hundreds of Americans at the hands of Soleimani.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that stance Friday morning, emphasizing the regional disruption Soleimani presided over as a commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force.

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says the airstrike ordered to kill top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani "saved American lives." Pompeo said earlier this morning the decision to eliminate Soleimani was in response to "imminent threats to American lives." https://t.co/S9VYrZNDv9 pic.twitter.com/RL2eEQfGfq  CNN (@CNN) January 3, 2020

Joining Paul in calling Soleimanis death an assassination was fellow anti-war Senator Bernie Sanders.

Trumps dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars, Sanders said in a statement.

Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.

More from National Review
Mehdi Ghasemi/ISNA/AFP/Getty

In a drastic escalation of the U.S. generation-long wars in the Middle East, a U.S. strike on Thursday in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Irans powerful Quds Force and an architect of American agony in Iraq.

The Pentagon confirmed late Thursday that it killed Soleimani at the direction of the president and claimed in a statement that General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

It continued: This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

President Trump tweeted about the situation on Friday morning: Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

Reports from Iraq said Soleimani was killed in a strike that occurred near Baghdad International Airport. The airport, which houses U.S. and allied Iraqi forces, had also come under rocket fire from unknown militants on Thursday.

Killing Soleimani, a senior official of a nation with which the U.S. is not officially at war, is highly likely to prompt reprisal attacks against Americans in Iraq and perhaps elsewhere. In addition to the 5,000 troops in Iraq, there are nearly 10,000 more deployed across the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia, which is fighting a U.S.-backed proxy war with Iran in Yemen.

The strike on Soleimani came days after supporters of an Iran-backed Iraqi militia, Kataib Hezbollah, besieged the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, itself a reprisal for U.S. strikes on the militia in Iraq and Syria.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said before the Thursday strike that he anticipated additional attacks by Iranian-backed militias. And they will likely regret it, he told reporters. And we are prepared to exercise self-defense, and we are prepared to deter further bad behavior from these groups, all of which are sponsored and directed and resourced by Iran.

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Soleimani has been a top U.S. adversary for 15 years, when the U.S. invasion and occupation of Iraq became a battlefield for Iranian proxy conflict against an Iran that saw itself encircled by the U.S. on both its western and eastern borders. The U.S. blamed Iran both for a wave of powerful bombs that killed and maimed U.S. servicemembers and for frustrating U.S. plans to turn Iraq into a U.S.-aligned Mideast outpost.

Famously, Soleimani in 2008 texted David Petraeus, then the U.S. military commander in Iraq, to brag that he controlled Irans policy in Iraq and was outfoxing the Americans.

But the U.S. had long feared that taking direct military action against Iran would result in an entirely new, devastating war. The Obama administration, seeking to avert escalation, signed a deal with Iran to forestall its development of a nuclear weapon. In Iraq, U.S. and Iranian forces reached an uneasy, unacknowledged alignment of interests when both fought against the so-called Islamic State terror group.

The Trump administration, however, has taken a bellicose posture toward Iran, despite pledging to end U.S.-Mideast entanglements. It canceled the nuclear deal with Iran and, in April, designated the Quds Force a terrorist group.

Im more convinced than ever that we have basically lost Iraq, said one former senior Obama administration official. I cannot think of any factions that would declare their support for us. Thats new and a part of bad trend.

The strike in Iraq on Thursday comes after the Trump administrations years-long maximum pressure campaigna policy to decimate Irans economy with sanctions so severe that it forced the country back in line with the nuclear deal. While those sanctions have hit Tehrans most important financial sectors with force, Irans leaders have resisted adhering to Americas demands.

The Iranian presence in Iraq had become the focus of major protests in recent months, which may have emboldened the Trump administration. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made that point repeatedly. But the escalating U.S. and also Israeli confrontation with Iran-backed militias may serve to focus Iraqi public outrage on the United States. The U.S. actions are flagrant violations of Iraqi sovereignty, and put in danger the lives of American troops in Iraq who have been there at the invitation of the Iraqi government since 2014 to help in the war against ISIS.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iranian proxies operating in Iraq were boiling hot even before Soleimani was killed on Thursday. Following protests at the U.S. embassy last week, fighters with Kataib Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups vowed to continue to encircle American outposts in the country.

The main problem is we have got enough from America. We dont want them to be here. They are the source of all the problemsterrorists, internal fights. We dont want to argue anything with anyone. The only solution is Americans should leave Iraq, Saad Ali, a 27-year-old fighter from Kataib Hezbollah, said Wednesday. They killed our brothers who fought ISIS, we wont let our brothers blood be wasted that easy. We wont leave till the Americans leave our country. We will kick them out from our country.

Hassam Abbas, a 31-year-old member of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shiite militia in Iraq, said the American troops in Iraq make a disaster wherever they go.

We dont want them here. They should get out of Iraq as soon as possible, otherwise we have forces and we will fight them all over Iraq, he said on Wednesday. We will surround all their bases with protests in the next few days.

The Iranian-American author and commentator Hooman Majd expected violent retaliation, as he said Soleimani is perceived within Iran as a nationalist figure who has fought in Irans wars since the 1980s.

Its an incredibly dangerous escalation, not thought through, and certainly the chances of retaliation in places where Iran has the ability to retaliate, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, the Persian Gulf states, would lead one to believe American government officials or soldiers are potentially in danger, Majd said.

If the presidents supporters share such concerns, theyre keeping them quiet, for now. Even before the Trump administration officially confirmed the death of Soleimani, various officials from the presidents re-election campaign were doing victory laps on social media.

Alexa, play Another One Bites the Dust, tweeted Trump 2020 rapid-response staffer Abigail Marone. The post was retweeted by Team Trumps principal deputy comms director Erin Perrine. THIS is what strong foreign policy looks like.

with additional reporting by Christopher Dickey and Asawin Suebsaeng

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The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Friday put up a poster outside its headquarters which hits out at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

"Jhoot ki tokri, ghotalo ka dhanda (a basket of lies, a business of scams)" said the party's poster, which also featured Nitish Kumar and Sushil Modi.

It comes after a poster comparing 15 years of governance of Lalu Prasad Yadav's RJD with Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United (JDU) was seen outside the Income Tax intersection here on Thursday morning ahead of the 2020 Bihar Vidhan Sabha polls.

The tussle between the RJD and JD(U) has come to the fore with the poster war signifying that Assembly polls will be all about comparing the work done while in office - 15 years each for both parties.

Assembly elections are expected to be held in Bihar in the last quarter of 2020.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Donald Trump has defended the assassination of a top Iranian general by US forces, tweeting that "he should have been taken out many years ago".

Major General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike on Baghdad airport on Friday morning, marking a dramatic escalation of tensions with Tehran.

Iran immediately threatened a " crushing revenge " for the assassination in Iraq of Maj Gen Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and spearhead of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East.

NBC and other US media are reporting that the US is sending 3,500 additional troops to the region to bolster security - though military sources are quoted as saying this was a planned deployment, not a reaction to Friday's escalation.

Some of the troops will be based in Iraq, and others will arrive in Kuwait and other parts of the region.

On Friday - about 12 hours after news of the attack - Mr Trump wrote: "General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more... but got caught!

"He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

The Pentagon confirmed US forces had killed the general, saying the 62-year-old had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the Pentagon said in a statement, adding that the US would continue to take necessary action to protect Americans and interests around the world.

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The US embassy in Baghdad has urged American citizens to depart Iraq immediately "via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land".

Iranian officials have reacted furiously to the attack, which also killed Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF).

The country's defence minister, Amir Hatami, said: "A crushing revenge will be taken for Soleimani's unjust assassination... We will take revenge from all those involved and responsible."

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the US - describing the commander as the "international face of resistance".

Declaring three days of public mourning, Khamenei added: "All enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war."

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said there was no doubt that Iran and "other freedom-seeking countries" in the region will take revenge.

He added: "Soleimani's martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America's expansionism and to defend our Islamic values."

And Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on Twitter: "The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani... is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."

A senior Iraqi security official said the strike took place near the cargo area after Maj Gen Soleimani left his plane to be greeted by Mr al Muhandis. The plane had arrived from either Lebanon or Syria.

An Iranian politician said Maj Gen Soleimani's body was identified by the ring he wore. An official from the PMF said they did not find the body of Mr al Muhandis.

The Pentagon said the strike was carried out "at the direction" of President Trump, who tweeted an image of the American flag several hours after the attack.

It is unclear what legal authority the US relied on to carry out the attack. American presidents claim broad authority to act without congressional approval when US personnel or interests are facing an imminent threat.

Sources have told Sky's defence and security correspondent Alistair Bunkall that the UK military has increased its security and readiness at bases in the Middle East region following the attack.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests."

Mr Raab has spoken with his US counterpart Mike Pompeo, who tweeted: "Thankful that our allies recognise the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Iranian Quds Force. The U.S. remains committed to de-escalation."

The rising tension between the US and Iran pushed the cost of Brent crude oil to $68 per barrel - a rise of 3%.

The airstrike followed a New Year's Eve attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed militias.

It came after US airstrikes on Sunday that killed 25 fighters of the Kataeb Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia in Iraq.

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The US military said these were in retaliation for last week's killing of an American contractor in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base.

Maj Gen Soleimani, who led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad.

As head of the Quds Force, he frequently shuttled between Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.

He had survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades.

His Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Iran's borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war and also helped militias defeat Islamic State in Iraq.

Sky News foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes said: "It's hard to overstate the importance of Qassem Soleimani. He is someone who has been instrumental to Iranian foreign policy since the 2003 invasion of Iraq by the US and its allies.

"The taking out of this figure is a hugely bold move by the US.

"Iran will feel compelled to retaliate. They cannot let an act like this go without an answer. America will have taken that into consideration when it decided to take this move.

"President Trump said Iran would pay 'a big price' for the storming of the US embassy in Baghdad a couple of days ago. I don't think anyone would have imagined it would be such a big price - probably even the Iranians."
Vendors say Prince Georges has long been known as the county in the Washington region most hostile to food trucks, even as the industry has flourished in the neighboring District. But local officials are trying to change that, with the county council passing a package of bills last year to make the suburb more food truck friendly, including legislation that goes into effect Friday that will dramatically cut fees that were some of the most expensive in the region.
Two Indian nationals have been arrested from the Tribhuvan International Airport here for allegedly trying to smuggle gold into the country, officials said on Friday.

Mohmad Kashif and Mohmad Mushrafeen were arrested separately on Thursday after their arrival at the airport.

"A total of 1.6 kg of semi-liquid gold was found in their possession for which they had not paid the mandatory custom duty," a statement issued by the Nepal police said.

"Kashif brought the gold from Dubai on Nepal airlines flight while Mushrafeen brought the yellow metal from India on Indigo airlines flights. The duo have been handed over to the airport's customs office for initiating necessary actions," the statement said.

In a separate case, security personnel at Tribhuvan International airport arrested an Indian national with 500 gram gold concealed in his rectum on Tuesday.

Hariram Sunil of Maharastra was taken into custody by a joint team of customs officials and security personnel after an X-ray machine detected metal in his body during security screening at airport, the Himalayan Times reported.

He had arrived here on Flydubai flight from Dubai, the report said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The police in Kota has detained around a dozen people who had gathered at the JK Lon Hospital to protest against the death of 100 infants. The protesters, belonging to BJPs youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, raised slogans against the state government.

BJYM protest comes a week after Congress staged a dharna against the visit of former health ministers Kalicharan Saraf and Rajendra Singh Rathore, who held the portfolio during the previous BJP government in Rajasthan.

BS Hingad, Deputy SP, Kota City, said that the workers have been detained to maintain law and order in the wake of visit of Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharmaand and will be released later.

The Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government has faced severe criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati over the issue.

Mayawati said that the attitude of the Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan was condemnable as it has mismanaged the situation of the 100 children deaths in Kota and still remains irresponsible and unsympathetic to the situation.

There should no politics over the issue. Infant mortality at the hospital is steadily decreasing. We will try to reduce it further. It is on our top priority that mothers and children remain in good health, Gehlot tweeted in Hindi on Thursday.

In New Delhi, Rajasthan Congress in-charge Avinash Pandey said Sonia Gandhi is very concerned about the deaths and Gehlot has sent a detailed report to her. Pandeys comments came after his meeting with Sonia Gandhi.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said he has spoken to Gehlot and assured him of all possible support to prevent further deaths.
When a murderer is to be considered for pardoning, it is not the single-handed act of a mucho man that millions startle to blink as to who and what and when.





by Rufus Randeniya





The presidential pardon granted recently to a heartless moron kicked off an angry opposition all over the island. We knew nothing about it till the murderer walked scott free from the death row. We know how two suspects who were sent home on bail by one judge had to come back to the remand prison on orders given by another judge.













Former President Sirisena pardoned a young man who killed a young woman repeatedly hitting her head on cement floor causing 64 cracks on her skull. This atrocious attack that may have taken some time to perpetrate surely broke our hearts as the news spread. A death could be caused by stabbing or pulling a trigger but to hold a helpless victim and shatter her skull to smithereens takes a stone cold anger. Is this the way to award sheer brutality by releasing the culprit back to his comfortable home? This type of irrational release makes us laugh. Soon this pardoner might try to open the door of a lion's cage. Now he is looking for someone to blame for urging him to act illogically. Isn't this a drop of cow dung in the pale of milk he was filling for four years? Who asked him to send this convict home? What do the psychiatrists say about unleashing this man? Could they assure that this man's temper has been lowered to a controllable level? If he repeats his nut cracking, who will take the responsibility?





When a murderer is to be considered for pardoning, it is not the single-handed act of a mucho man that millions startle to blink as to who and what and when.





More learned men should have been involved in this. American presidents have pardoned convicted men by hundreds but in all such attempts, final approval has been earned after lengthy discussions in favour and against. Presidential pardon is in the constitution - Article-11 section 2 clause 1. George Washington rescinded convictions of 16 people, John Adams pardoned 21 people, Thomas Jefferson - 119 people, James Madison - 196 people, James Monroe - 419, John Quincy Adams - 183. During civil war times, hundreds of convicts faced the firing squad. In the meantime, US presidents were persuaded to pardon some death row inmates. In 20th century alone, around 20,000 people had been pardoned.





Mr. Sirisena's pardon given to a prisoner who was counting his finger is highly controversial. The pain of loss the girl's parents endured, heartbreak the country people suffered and still suffering, great struggle the lawyers engaged in, conviction the honourable judges stamped... all were washed down in one stroke of the presidential pen. American presidents didn't save stupid murderers who stole promising lives of teens. The ones pardoned had been given death sentence for sedition, that is doing things against the government (mainly during World War 1), rebelling against taxing, Governor of Michigan sentenced to death for surrendering Fort Detroit, a captain who had taken more people on board a ship than permitted by law., letting slaves to escape,...Law was very strict during wartime but no president would have saved a murderer who snuffed out an innocent life. American presidents commuted some charged with treason, piracy, robbing US mails.





Before long, some lawyers and interested parties might sue the president for this unmerrited pardoning that has mocked the whole judiciary system of the country. More prisoners who are sentenced to death have challenged the president to release them too. This incompetent clumsy decision is going to spread like cancer. We may see more fun in near future. Let us do something soon.




The Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi, said it remains concerned about the countrys mathematics marks.

In a presentation on 3 January, chairperson John Volmink said the body is pleased with the improvement in learner performance in matric subjects such as geography, physical science, and mathematical literacy.

However, he said Umalusi has observed a worrying trend in mathematics.

The subject does not seem to be progressing in tandem with cognate subjects in terms of learner performances, he said.

For example, performance in physical science seems to be improving year by year, but performance in mathematics is not showing any signs of improvement.

It is not any worse but it is not any better  its just at the same place.

Furthermore, Volmink said there are concerns about the number of candidates sitting to write the mathematics exam compared to the increasing number of pupils who are opting to write mathematical literacy.

He said the government may need to think about how it can stem this trend, and that there is a fundamental problem with how maths is being taught in South Africa.

Things such as problem-solving skills must be developed and the confidence to deal with not only routine problems but non-routine problems must be nurtured.

Pass rates

While the official subject pass rates will only be published on 7 January, the government recently published a review of South Africas first 25 years of democracy  showing how matric pass rates have changed.

Learner performance in the grade 12 National Senior Certificate has been on an upward trajectory, rising from 58% in 1994 to 78.2% in 2018.

Despite these improvements, the review notes that there are issues with the quality of academic outcomes.

Only 172,043 (33.6%) grade 12 students passed at bachelor level in 2018, against the 255,000 Medium Term Strategic Framework target for 2018, it said.

Though up from 18% in 1994, only 21.7% and 29.9% of learners passed mathematics and science at 50% and above respectively in 2018. The number of learners writing physical science and mathematics has been declining from 192,618 and 265,810 in 2016 to 172,319 and 233 858 in 2018, respectively.

BusinessTech

Now read: Biggest tech winners and losers in 2019
Police in the north-central Vietnamese province of Nghe An have initiated legal proceedings against a man who set a hospital on fire before attacking a pregnant nurse.

Nguyen Van Hoi, 31, will be held in custody for two months while police investigate the situation, the police unit in Hoang Mai Town, Nghe An Province confirmed on Thursday.

According to preliminary information released by investigators, Hoi was drunk the night before, December 25, and went on a rampage in a coffee shop run by his family.

After destroying multiple objects in the coffee shop, he ran to a nearby road where he tried to stop oncoming traffic.

He then ran back to his home, climbed on to the roof, and began an incoherent stream of curses.

While trying to descend from the roof, he hurt his leg and drove himself to a hospital in Hoang Mai Town to treat the wound.

At around 3:45 am on December 26, Hoi was smoking at the infirmary when he was asked to stop.

Angered by the reminders, Hoi tried to burn down the hospital by lighting his own bed on fire.

Fortunately, others in the building were able to evacuate before the entire room was filled with smoke.

L.T.H., a three-month pregnant nurse, rushed into the room to assist other patients, but was instead attacked by Hoi.

Police officers promptly arrived at the infirmary to put out the fire and apprehend Hoi.

H. suffered minor injuries and her unborn baby was unharmed.

According to officers, Hoi had previously shown signs of mental instability, including an incident last month, when damaging property owned by another local resident.

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US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who died in Baghdad in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad, the Pentagon said.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the Department of Defense said.

Following Soleimanis death, Trump tweeted an image of the US flag without any further explanation.

Watch: Qasem Soleimani killed by a US air strike, all you need to know

The strike, which occurred at Baghdads international airport on Friday in Iraq, also killed the deputy chief of Iraqs powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

A pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

The Baghdad airport was hit in a volley of missiles just after midnight Friday, Iraqs military had announced.

Security sources told AFP the bombardment hit a Hashed convoy and killed eight people, including important figures.

Soleimani heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and also serves as Irans pointman on Iraq, visiting the country in times of turmoil.

At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Pentagon said.

This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, it added.

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past months, including on December 27, the day the US contractor was killed.

General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, it said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called off his four-day visit to India from January 13 due to devastating bush fires in several parts of his country, diplomatic sources said on Friday. Morrison was scheduled to hold extensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit.

Morrison was scheduled to hold extensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit.

Earlier, Modi had a telephone conversation with Morrison during which he conveyed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of all Indians on the damage to life and property in Australia due to the severe and prolonged bushfires.

He also offered India's unstinted support to Australia and the Australian people, who are bravely facing this unprecedented natural calamity, an External Affairs Ministry statement said.

The Australian prime minister was also scheduled to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue, the flagship annual lecture series organised by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Besides Delhi, Morrison also planned to visit Mumbai and Bengaluru.

"Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called off his visit to India due to the serious situation arising out of bush fires in several parts of Australia," a diplomatic source told PTI.

Bush fires have ripped through the states of New South Wales and Victoria, killing at least 20 people and destroying nearly 500 homes.

About 4,000 people, including nearly 3,000 tourists, were stranded in Victoria's Mallacoota region since they were forced to take shelter on the foreshore as the fire approached on New Year's eve.

During their conversation, Modi also expressed satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations in recent years and reiterated India's commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia.

He also said that he looks forward to welcoming the Australian prime minister in India on a state visit at a mutually convenient time later in the year.

Modi conveyed his best wishes to Morrison and the people of Australia for the rest of the year 2020.
This was the horrifying moment a huge botfly larva was extracted from the tiny nostril of an eight-week-old kitten in North Carolina.

Footage captured on November 7 shows a vet using surgical forceps to remove the parasite from the kitten's nose and what is revealed is an unusually large botfly larva.

The kitten was suffering from chronic nasal discharge when it arrived at Animal Care East veterinary hospital in Winterville.

This is the moment a vet removed a giant larva from this little kitten's nostril in North Carolina

The vet said he had never witnessed a bug so big stuck in a kitten's nose before

Following the procedure, the vet said the little kitten should make a full recovery

The filmer told Newsflare: 'When the eight-week-old kitten presented to the clinic, it had a chronic history of sneezing and oculonasal discharge and had a grossly distended right nostrum.

'I decided to sedate the kitten and I would have never guessed there would be a gigantic botfly in there!

'Usually they are only roughly a centimeter or so in length and found burrowed into the skin - this was the largest one I have ever seen ... and it was in the nose!

'The kitten is back to better now with no concerns reported by the owner; no more discharge, no more sneezing.

'This was such an awesome outcome for a great kitten and a great pet owner.'
Press Release

3 January 2020

HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee  The Canadian hotel industry recorded negative year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 22-28 December 2019, according to data from STR.

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In comparison with the week of 23-29 December 2018, the industry reported the following:

Occupancy: -5.0% to 40.1%

Average daily rate (ADR): -4.2% to CAD161.41

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -9.0% to CAD64.78

Among the provinces and territories, Alberta reported the largest decreases in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (-10.2% to 30.6%), ADR (-11.0% to CAD155.43) and RevPAR (-20.1% to CAD47.50).

British Columbia saw the only other double-digit decline in RevPAR (-11.9% to CAD118.54), due primarily to the second-steepest drop in occupancy (-7.5% to 51.8%).

Prince Edward Island posted the second-largest decrease in ADR (-9.3% to CAD92.43).

Newfoundland and Labrador experienced the only double-digit rise in occupancy (+10.5% to 17.5%).

New Brunswick posted the largest lift in ADR (+1.4% to CAD105.56) and the highest jump in RevPAR (+7.8% to CAD25.81).
By AFP

JERUSALEM: Israel held emergency security talks on Friday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a foreign visit as the Jewish state braced itself for fallout from the assassination of a top Iranian military commander in a US air strike.

His office said that Defence Minister Naftali Bennett chaired a meeting of security chiefs, including the heads of the army, the National Security Council and the Mossad intelligence agency. Netanyahu broke off an official visit to Greece and flew home, expressing support for the overnight US strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right," Netanyahu said as he boarded his flight from Athens. President (Donald) Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively. Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defence," he said.

ALSO READ| US to deploy 3,000-3,500 more troops to Middle-East after Iranian General Soleimani's killing

On the ground, the Israeli army closed Mount Hermon ski resort on the annexed Golan Heights, a disputed territory which borders Syria and Lebanon. Fighters of the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, Israel's bitter foe with which it fought a devastating war in 2006, are deployed on the other side of the armistice line.

Although an Israeli military source said there were no new troop deployments, tanks and soldiers sealed off access to the Hermon site, while an AFP correspondent also spotted a battery of the Iron Dome missile defence system. Late Friday, however, the army announced the site would be opened as usual on Saturday, "in accordance with a situation assessment".

The heightened state of alert came after Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" for Soleimani's killing, the biggest escalation yet in a feared proxy war between Iran and the US on Iraqi soil.

ALSO READ| 'A more dangerous world': Iran killing triggers global alarm

He was echoed by the leader of Hezbollah. "Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide," Hassan Nasrallah said. Soleimani, head of the Quds Force in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, had long also been in Israel's sights for his alleged links to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide.

Among them, Israel's Haaretz daily said, were the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires and an attack on an Israeli tour bus in Burgas, Bulgaria in 2012.

Yossi Mansharof, an expert on Iran and Shiite militias at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, said Hezbollah was unlikely to seek a showdown in Lebanon given the country's current economic and political crisis.

He said that Hezbollah's forces in Syria, however, could make a move. "Hezbollah can act against Israel from the Syrian side. They would not dare to drag Lebanon into a military escalation," he told AFP. In addition to Hezbollah forces in Syria, the Quds Force and "many, many militias which Soleimani has fostered" are also stationed in the war-torn country, he pointed out.

ALSO READ| US Secretary of State Pompeo says US 'committed to de-escalation' after Soleimani killing

He said Hezbollah had a worldwide network of operatives, and an attack on American officials, high-ranking military officers or other interests was also possible. Mansharof said that the powerful organisation has boasted in the past that it "can target New York and Washington".

In the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which rules the territory condemned Soleimani's killing but did not make any overt threat. "Hamas sends its condolences to the Iranian leadership and people. Hamas condemns this American crime which raises tension in the region," it said in a statement.

The leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said the Baghdad strike called for "a coordinated, comprehensive and continuous response from resistance forces" against "American and Zionist interests".
After years of striding across the Middle East seemingly in command of the region, General Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans Quds Brigade, was finally killed by American airstrikes early Friday morning. History will not mourn one of the great mass murderers of our time who was responsible for scores of dead, mostly Arab and American. Soleimani was not just the face of Iranian terrorismhe represented its changing dimensions. The Islamic Republic has always been a violent regime, but initially its terror focused most intensely on Israel. In the past decade, Soleimani turned terrorism into an effective instrument of Irans imperial expansion by marshaling a transnational Shia expeditionary force that has prevailed in conflicts across the Middle East.

His death will be a blow to the Iranian theocracy butcontrary to what many observers are warningcould very likely temper the clerical oligarchs, who tend to retreat in face of American determination.

In its first decades in power, after the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic focused its furies on Israel. It nurtured Palestinian rejectionist groups and, most important, created the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. A grim record of suicide bombings, assassinations and kidnappings soon made Hezbollah a terrorist organization with an impressive global reach. Even before the rise of al-Qaeda, Hezbollah had assumed a prominent place in the world of fundamentalism; it not only introduced new tactics, such as suicide bombings, to Islamist resistance, but also ingeniously used religion to justify its indiscriminate violence. Still, however lethal Iran and its clients might have been, their violence was generally targeted, with Israel as the preferred prey.

Then came Qassem Soleimanithe shadowy commander of the elite Quds Force within the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corpsand the convulsions that transformed the Middle East. Soleimani was the right man for the times. In the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedies, the Middle East state system essentially collapsed, creating its share of vacuums and opportunities. Iraq imploded in the midst of a sectarian conflict that Iran did much to inflame. Syria was destroyed by a civil war that Iran prolonged. And the Gulf states princely class seemed petulant yet vulnerable. The Islamic Republic wanted to take advantage of all this, but despite its grand pretensions, it was still a second-rate power with a mismanaged economy. If Iran was to embark on an expansionist venture, it had to be imperialism on the cheap. Soleimani did not pioneer the use of proxies, but he took that age-old practice to a new level.

Story continues

Pakistani Shiite Muslims demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, near the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed

Under the watchful eye of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Soleimani began expanding Irans imperial frontiers. For the first time in its history, Iran became a true regional power, stretching its influence from the banks of the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. Soleimani understood that Persians would not be willing to die in distant battlefields for the sake of Arabs, so he focused on recruiting Arabs and Afghans as an auxiliary force. He often boasted that he could create a militia in little time and deploy it against Irans various enemies. In Iraq, that meant killing and maiming nearly 1,000 American service members. In Syria, that meant terrorizing civilians and enabling President Basher Assads killing machine. The use of proxies gave Iran a measure of immunity, as it could score strategic victories without being directly complicit.

Soleimani was adept at public relations, posting pictures of himself on battlefields with adoring followers. But while often thought of in the West as a potential political leader, he had no such sway among the Iranian people; the regimes enforcers are not held in high esteem for having wasted Irans meager resources on Arab wars. Soleimanis misjudgments were also noteworthy. He did not foresee the rise of the Islamic State in Iraq, a nation whose politics he claimed to have mastered. The massive protests by Iraqi Shias against Iranian influence in the past month were a further blow to his presumptions about that country. His attempt to build a land bridge across Iraq and Syria has been decimated by Israeli airstrikes. He wrongly assumed he could operate on the frontiers of Israel with impunity, a misapprehension that cost the lives of many of his foot soldiers.

The question now is: What happens next? Khamenei has already appointed a successor to Soleimani, his deputy general, Esmail Qaani, and the mullahs will surely thunder from their podiums about Americas aggression. The regime will have to be seen as offering some kind of a response. But for all the fears already circulating that the United States just started World War III, Irans reaction is likely to be a calibrated one.

Ali Khamenei is a cagey leader who did not become one of the longest serving rulers in the Middle East by impetuously going to war with America. The clerical oligarchs respect American determination and understand the imbalance between a superpower and a struggling regional actor. They have never figured out Donald Trump, a U.S. president who offers unconditional talks while working to crater the Iranian economy. We should not expect Iran to take on a president who just ordered the killing of one of their famed commanders.

Past is often prologue in Iran. When a truculent Ronald Reagan assumed the presidency, Iran hastily released the American diplomats it had held hostage for 444 days. When George W. Bushs shock and awe campaign quickly displaced the Taliban in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Iran responded by suspending its nuclear program. The mullahs relish assaulting America but are circumspect when facing a tough-minded, unpredictable president. The Islamic Republic had already pledged to retreat further from its nuclear obligations by next week. A move in that direction seems more likely at this point, as opposed to blowing up American diplomatic and military outposts.

As the commemoration ceremonies begin in Iran, it is important to stress that the imperial edifice that Soleimani built was already stressed. The sanctions reimposed by the Trump administration after its abrogation of the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal have depleted Irans economy, calling into question its foreign policy imperatives. In November, Iran was rocked by massive demonstrations as the regime had to curtail its onerous fuel subsidies. An uneasy path lies ahead for the clerical oligarchs. The last thing they need is a costly confrontation with a president willing to do things they once considered unimaginable.
English French

MONTREAL, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beauce Gold Fields (Champs DOr en Beauce) (BGF) (TSX Venture: BGF) is pleased to announce it has completed three additional geoelectric induced polarization (IP) survey lines conducted in the western section (Rang Delery) of the Beauce Gold property in the town of St-Simon-Les-Mine located in the Beauce region in southern Quebec. The IP lines paralleled two previously completed IP lines (BGF press release August 6th 2019) that identified a southwesterly extension of the major fault that strikes through the property (press release October 3rd 2019). The extended IPs will allow the Company to potentially identify hidden zones of mineralized rock outcrops buried under glacial till overburden that can be excavated for channel sampling.



The results from previous IP and geophysics surveys indicate the presence of a structural discontinuity interpreted as the southwesterly extension of a major fault that follows the contour of the historical placer gold channel and mining shafts that produced the largest gold nuggets in Canadian mining history. Induced polarization anomalies suggest the presence of disseminated sulphides in volcaniclastic rocks. These sulphides may be associated with the presence of gold mineralization in the bedrock.

Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO of Beauce Gold Fields, said, "Our extensive use of geophysics has provided amazing discoveries thus far like that of a major fault line beneath the historical placer gold channel." Mr. Levasseur added: "As we stated in last months press release (December 5th), we are expecting 250 rock outcrops and numerous trench sample results from the laboratory. This is the largest sampling program ever conducted of the rocks that surrounds the historical placer gold channel. It will provide valuable data in our exploration efforts to find a bedrock source of the gold-bearing placers of Saint-Simon-les-Mines

The location of the additional three lines of the geoelectric IP survey is shown on the Figure 1 map. The lines are located in a wooded area and crosses the Gilbert River before and after the confluence with Giroux Creek. The lines were established based on previous IP results and the gold potential of the area as evidenced by the large number of gold bearing shafts.

The geoelectric tomography survey demonstrated the presence of distinct lithological blocks located on both sides of the Gilbert River. North of the river, the rocks are systematically more resistive. This observation implies the presence of contact between units of sedimentary rocks in the south (St-Victor Formation), which shows relatively few induced plolarization anomalies, and volcaniclastic dominant units (Beauceville Formation) in the north of the Gilbert River. The latter being characterized by strong anomalies of electrical chargeability. As observed in the field, volcaniclastic units are affected by brittle deformation frequently associated with the injection of quartz veins and carbonates. In contrast, these structures are infrequent in the shale-rich units of the St-Victor Formation.

Figure 1 - Location map of the three new geoelectric IP survey lines:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/05184b67-c900-4ece-8df2-c521f29f5ca3

The faulted contact between the St-Victor and Beauceville Formations is further indicated by the magnetic and gravity contrasts observed in this sector. These contrasts of physical properties of the rock units can not be explained by a simple synclinal structure. As a result, the presence of a fault is highly likely in the Gilbert River area. Note that Line 2 passes near old gold 19th and 20th century mining shafts.

Marc Richer-LaFleche, Ph.D. Geo., a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information presented in this release.

On December 31, 2019, the Company has closed a private placement of 30 Flow Through and Hard Cash units ("Unit") at $1,000 per Unit for a gross proceeds of $30,000. Each Unit is comprised of 4000 flow-through common shares at $0.15 per share, 4000 common shares at $0.10 per share and 4000 common share purchase warrants ( Warrants) of the Company. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the capital stock of the Company at an exercise price of $ 0.18 for a period of 24 months from the date of closing of the placement. Each share issued pursuant to the placement will have a mandatory four (4) month and one (1) day holding period from the date of closing of the placement. The Company will use the proceeds from the private placement for general corporate purposes.

Mr. Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO of BGF has subscribed for 5 Units. Following the completion of the Private Placement, Mr. Levasseur will own or exercise control or direction over, directly or indirectly, a number of Common Shares, representing approximately 4.83% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.

Mrs Ann Levasseur, Director of BGF has subscribed for 5 Units. Following the completion of the Private Placement, Mrs. Levasseur will own or exercise control or direction over, directly or indirectly, a number of Common Shares, representing approximately 0.51% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.

The participation of Mr Patrick Levasseur and of Mrs Ann Levasseur in the Private Placement constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") and Policy 5.9 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions of the Exchange. In connection with this related party transaction, the Company is relying on the formal valuation and minority approval exemptions of respectively subsection 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the portion of the Private Placement subscribed by Mrs Levasseur does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Board of directors of the Company has approved the Private Placement, including the participation of Mr Patrick Levasseur and Mrs Ann Levasseur therein, whom abstaining with respect to his participation.

About Beauce Gold Fields

Beauce Gold Fields is a gold exploration company focused on placer to hard rock exploration in the Beauce region of Southern Quebec. The Companys flagship property is the St-Simon-les-Mines Gold project, a unique, historically significant gold property located in the municipality of Saint-Simon-les-Mines. Comprising of a block of 152 claims as well as 7 real estate lots, the project area hosts a six kilometre long unconsolidated gold-bearing sedimentary unit (a lower saprolite and an upper brown diamictite). Textural observations (angularity) of gold nuggets suggest a relatively proximal source and therefore a short transport distance. The gold in saprolite indicates a close proximity to a bedrock source of gold, providing possible further exploration discoveries. The property was host to Canadas first gold rush before the one in the Yukon Klondike. It hosts some of the largest historical placer gold mines in Eastern North America that were active from 1860s to the 1960s (see HPQ SEDAR-filed July 4 2018 43-101 report).

Beauce Gold Fields website www.beaucegold.com

BGF Presentation: http://beaucegold.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/BGF-Presentation-20191.pdf

Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding mineral exploration. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact

Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO Tel: (514) 262-9239

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman and COO Tel (514) 907-1011

www.beaucegold.com

Shares outstanding: 20,734,166
(Natural News) Things are getting stranger and stranger regarding the paternity case engulfing Hunter Biden, the son of former VP Joe Biden, the leading 2020 Democratic presidential contender. And wouldnt you know it: The weird stuff is taking place in Bill and Hillary Clintons home state of Arkansas.

As reported by the UKs Daily Mail, the Arkansas judge handling Hunter Bidens paternity case suddenly recused himself earlier this week only hours after there was an attempt to make the businessmans dealings in Ukraine the focus of the case.

Judge Don McSpadden did not give an explanation when he suddenly announced he was recusing himself.

McSpadden had presided over the case since the mother of Hunter Bidens baby, a stripper named Lunden Roberts, 28, filed suit for child support in May. The child is 16 months old.

Roberts had been demanding that Hunter Biden provide her with five years worth of financial records.

The Daily Mail added:

McSpaddens recusal came two hours after defrauded investor Joel Caplan, who wants to be made a party in the case, filed a witness statement from ex-Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin.

Shokin claimed he was fired in 2016 because he was leading an investigation into Burisma and refused to shut it down, despite pressure from Hunters father, then-VP Joe Biden.

It should be noted that Joe Biden himself bragged about having Shokin fired during a 2018 event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations; there is video of the claim, in fact.

Hunter Bidens finances have been in the spotlight for months  ever since the video of Joe Biden surfaced and since Democrats began their impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump. The Donkey Party claims that Trump threatened to withhold military aid from Ukraine until the government agreed to launch an investigation into Hunter Bidens dealings with Burisma, an energy firm that was paying him a reported $83,000 per month. Shokin was investigating the company for corruption when Joe Biden says he threatened to withhold $1 billion in aid from Kiev unless Shokin was fired.

The truth is that I was forced out because I was leading a wide-ranging corruption probe into Burisma Holdings, Shokin said in a witness statement in September. (Related: Scandal: Joe Bidens son Hunter landed sweet big money deals in Ukraine while VP dad was threatening its government.)

Whats going on here?

He also noted that after he was fired it became clear that the real reason for the dismissal was my actions regarding in Burisma and Bidens personal interest in that company.

Shokins statement was submitted to McSpaddens court as part of Caplans motion to try to become a party in Roberts paternity case.

Earlier this week, he claimed in a court filing that he should be in on the case because he needed to see Hunter Bidens bank account records to prove that he allegedly was paid $1.5 billion from Chinese companies that hustled Americans out of their life savings.

In a 30-page filing, Caplan asked McSpadden to follow the money, detailing how he was allegedly swindled out of 10 years worth of savings in a multi-billion dollar stock scheme known as the China Hustle.

He also claimed that several Chinese nationals made a lot of money from the scheme, which the Daily Mail says involved the presentation of phony documents under the guise that they were genuine.

After they made their fortunes, the Chinese nationals used part of the money to influence U.S. politics and bribe individuals, including Hunter Biden.

Earlier reports have noted that Joe and Hunter Biden flew aboard Air Force Two to China, and less than two weeks later, Hunters firm, Rosemont Seneca Partners, which was founded with two other businessmen in June of that year, made a deal to open a fund, BHR Partners, with the government-run Bank of China as the biggest shareholder.

Since then, the firm has invested about $2.1 billion.

What McSpaddens sudden recusal has to do with Hunter Bidens finances is anyones guess. But since his dad is a former VP now running for president in Bill and Hillary Clintons Arkansas, anything is possible.

Sources include:

NewsTarget.com

TheNationalSentinel.com

DailyMail.co.uk
Subscriber content preview

SEATTLE  The Windermere Apartments, at 2933 Second Ave., have sold for $7.2 million, according to King County records.

The sellers were local investors associated with Azose Commercial Properties, who acquired the property in 1982 for $800,000.





. . .
There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day.

Russia's hybrid military forces on Thursday mounted four attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.

Read alsoOSCE SMM: Russian-led forces install camera inside disengagement area near Zolote

"The armed forces of the Russian Federation and its mercenaries violated the ceasefire four times on January 2," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on January 3, 2019.

The enemy opened fire from grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms near the villages of Novotroyitske, Mykolaivka, Orikhove, and Novoluhanske.

There were no Ukrainian army casualties in the past day.

"Since Friday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions once near Novoluhanske, using grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and rifles," the update said.
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - One property owner told Action News Now PG&E is not removing Camp Fire damaged trees like they promised.

"I'm hoping they come back and do what they promised, take these trees out, dispose of them," said Camp Fire survivor, Michael Pritchard. "That's all I'm asking."

Pritchard said PG&E contractors cut down at least 50 trees in early December and left them on his property.

"It looks to me like a war zone. Somebody went in with chainsaws and just cut all the trees they could and left it. It looks like a bomb went off actually," he said.

Pritchard explained contractors working for PG&E promised to cut up the oak trees and place them on a certain spot on their property and the pine trees they would discard of because they're too sappy to burn as firewood.

"I can't leave it to decompose its a fire hazard," said Pritchard.

Pritchard said he's stopped contractors to ask for help removing the wood and they gave him a number to call for help.

"We filed a claim and they said they would investigate but [nothing happened]," he said.

PG&E Spokesperson Paul Moreno said crews have not finished working on Pritchard's property and a contractor is scheduled to come out next week to cut down the remaining trees then a different contractor will remove the wood.

PG&E also apologized for timeliness and lack of clear communication to the customer.

The utility company also said Pritchard is a part of their Enhanced Vegetation Management Program, which includes removing the wood that has been cut and requested to be discarded of by the homeowner.

Property owners have until Friday, Jan. 17 to sign a right of entry to have the state remove Camp Fire burned trees that threaten public roadways.

Whether you sign up for the tree removal program or not, the trees must go; even if you do not plan to rebuild.

Insurance money may also be used for tree removal.

To sign up for the tree removal program, CLICK HERE.
Here are 10 nature conservation highlights that provide evidence for hope. Examples that, if amplified, if repeated and if built upon, will help shape the Canada and world we need in the coming decade.

Citizen science: Many people now have one of the most power scientific instruments ever invented: their cellphone. Apps such as iNaturalist or eBird allow us to document nature like never before. Over one billion observations in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility are changing what we know about nature and how we protect it.

Natural cities: While urban growth can cause many ecological problems, in cities across the planet, nature is making a comeback. In Canada, cities like Edmonton and Toronto are embarking on bold restoration projects to integrate nature into the built environment. These efforts help people connect with the natural world and rediscover the reciprocal relationship between nature and people.

Growing protected areas: With 15 per cent of the planets land and inlands waters protected, the global target of protecting 17 per cent by 2020 under the Convention on Biological Diversity will be achieved. In Canada, the amount of protected area has crept up to almost 12 per cent. Under the Natural Areas Conservation Program, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and partners conserved over 446,000 hectares (more than 1.1. million acres). Canada has set its sights on now conserving 25 per cent of its lands and oceans by 2025, working toward 30 per cent by 2030.

Wildlife recovery: Despite a growing number of threatened species, there is also a growing list of species that we are saving from extinction. Giant panda and mountain gorilla were both down-listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in the past decade. In Canada, peregrine falcon, hooded warbler and roughhead grenadier (a marine fish) have all been re-assessed as not at risk in Canada, thanks to conservation efforts. And species such as small-white ladys-slipper, wood bison and Rocky Mountain tailed frog have been down-listed.

Indigenous protected areas: The essential role of Indigenous peoples in protecting nature has been better acknowledged by governments and conservation organizations. The IUCN has now created a new category called Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. In B.C., Tribal Parks and Conservancies are expanding. In 2018, Canada announced the Edehzhie Protected Area in the Northwest Territories. The process has been designed to respect the rights, responsibilities and priorities of Indigenous peoples and is led by the Indigenous Circle of Experts.

New forests: The 2010s have been a decade of reforestation in many parts of the world. In 2011, the Bonn Challenge was created as a global initiative to restore 150 million hectares of the worlds degraded lands by 2020, and 350 million hectares by 2030. In countries like China, India and the U.S., these new forests are resulting in an overall increase in forest cover.

Arduous progress on climate change: We have gained a very clear understanding of how climate change will impact society. Weve identified how we can use nature-based solutions to help lessen the impacts and that economic growth and carbon pollution dont need to go together. Through the Paris Agreement, we also have broad consensus that the Earths warming cannot exceed 2 C. Individuals, cities and corporations all need to play a role in reducing carbon pollution.

Better information: New Green Lists for species and protected areas showcase whats working in conservation. A new standard was developed to identify and map Key Biodiversity Areas. These shine a light on the places in Canada and around the world where we still have an opportunity to protect some of the planets most important wildlife and ecosystems.

Get outdoors: Conservation needs people to value, and ultimately to love, nature. The IUCNs #NatureForAll initiative is working to rebuild that connection by communicating the benefits of being outdoors.

Public support: Despite often slow progress in conservation, the vast majority of Canadians support nature, protecting endangered species, increasing protected areas, and knows that they are happier when spending time in nature.

At the dawn of 2020 we generally know what we need to do, and that we need to do better, but our delivery is falling short. There is evidence that we can save species, we can have economic growth and reduce carbon pollution, and we can improve our well-being through a stronger connection to nature.

This is practical, not Pollyannaish. The United Nations has declared 2020 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The next decade may be our opportunity to decidedly change our course to save nature, and set the stage for a sustainable future.
Photo: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images

Beginning in 2011, and continuing through the next year, Donald Trump began obsessively predicting that President Obama would start a war with Iran in order to be reelected. Trump stated it publicly, on at least a half-dozen occasions, explicitly positing that attacking Iran would help Obama win reelection.

"Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He's weak and he's ineffective. So the only way he figures that he's going to get reelected and is sure as you're sitting there is to start a war with Iran." pic.twitter.com/Ad6IPLhOWg  Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) January 3, 2020

Just like Trumps notions that Obama would direct his attorney general whom to investigate or not, or pressure the Federal Reserve to loosen the money supply in order to help his party win the next election, Trumps attacks on Obama were the purest form of projection. They reflect his cynical belief that every president will naturally abuse their powers, and thus provide a roadmap to his own intentions.

And indeed, Trump immediately followed the killing of Qasem Soleimani by metaphorically wrapping himself in the stars and stripes. No doubt he anticipates at least a faint echo of the rally-around-the-flag dynamic that has buoyed many of his predecessors. But Trumps critics need not assume he will enjoy any such benefit, and should grasp that their own response will help determine it.

One salient fact is that its not 2001, or even 2003. A poll earlier this summer found that just 18 percent of Americans prefer to take military action against Iran as against 78 percent wanting to rely mainly on economic and diplomatic efforts.

It is in part due to public war weariness that Republicans have sworn repeatedly, for years, that they would not go to war with Iran. The possibility of such a military escalation was precisely the central dispute between the parties when the Obama administration struck its nuclear deal. Without a deal, we risk even more war in the Middle East, argued President Obama. Republicans furiously insisted this was absurd. War has never been the alternative, said Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell in 2015, Its not this deal versus war  Its either this deal or a better deal, or more sanctions. The conservative Heritage Foundation argued that blocking Obamas deal makes the likelihood of war or a conventional and regional nuclear arms race less likely.

And as Trump mulled following through on his threat to abrogate the deal, conservatives furiously denied that doing so would lead to military conflict. Here is former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren writing in the New York Times two years ago:

The only alternative to the Iran nuclear deal is war. That is what the Obama administration and proponents of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran claimed in 2015. Nobody in the Middle East believed that the United States would ever strike Iran, but enough Americans did that the deal went through.  The alternative was never war, but a better deal.

Oren further insisted that fears the international community would refuse to follow Americas lead by canceling the deal, and that Iran would limit nuclear inspections, would both fail to materialize. Now they predict that the international community will not follow Americas lead in withdrawing from the deal and reimposing sanctions. Worse, they warn, Iran might use the opportunity to evict United Nations inspectors and ramp up its nuclear program, he wrote, All of these assumptions are false.

In fact, these assumptions have proven true. American allies have stayed in the agreement and refused to reimpose sanctions, and Iran has started restricting inspectors and begun restarting its nuclear program.

Trumps allies have framed the issue as being about Qasem Soleimanis moral culpability, or Irans responsibility for escalating the conflict. And it is certainly true that Iran is a nasty, aggressive, murderous regime. But none of this refutes the fact that Trumps Iran policy is failing on its own terms. Having violated a diplomatic agreement on the premise that doing so would not lead to war, they are now blaming Iran for the war they insisted would never happen.

Americans historically support their presidents in foreign conflicts, both the wise ones and unwise ones alike, at least initially. Trump no doubt believes the halo effect will last at least through November  that he might undertake an action that would harm his reelection out of some larger sense of duty to the nation or the world is unfathomable.

But presidents traditionally benefit from a presumption of competence, or at least moral legitimacy, from their opposition. Trump has forfeited his. He will not have Democratic leaders standing shoulder to shoulder with him, and his practice of disregarding and smearing government intelligence should likewise dispel any benefit of the doubt attached to claims he makes about the necessity of his actions. Trump has made it plain that he views American war-fighting as nothing but the extension of domestic politics. We should believe him.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - Please join Justin Case as he interviews Sarah Wisdom of the Yuma County Library who offers event happenings via America Newscape.

Mad Scientist Lab: Bristlebots

On Wednesday, January 8th, children of all ages are invited to the Heritage Library at 4:00 p.m. for a Mad Scientist Lab. Learn how to turn a toothbrush, battery, and motor into spinning, speeding Bristlebots! Experiment with ways to change the direction of the bot, and personalize your bot with stickers and googly eyes. There is no charge to attend.



The Heritage Library is located at 350 S Third Avenue. For more information, call (928) 783-5415.



Reptiles of the Desert Southwest

On Thursday, January 9th, David Zabriskie, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge manager, will present Reptiles of the Desert Southwest at 10:30 a.m. at the Wellton Library. Learn more about some of the snakes, lizards, and other reptiles that you may encounter in our region. There is no charge to attend.



The Wellton Library is located at 28790 San Jose Avenue in Wellton, AZ. For more information, call (928) 785-9575.



Free Speech: Can I Tell You How Much I Hate You?

Freedom of speech is fundamental in a democratic society. It means that a person or a community can express their opinion or ideas without fear of retaliation or censorship. But what happens when the opinions expressed are unpopular, violent or dangerous? Whether expressed in person, or through social media, words can have a powerful effect on our sense of safety, inclusion or exclusion, and equality or inequality. What is hate speech? Who decides what speech is protected, and what is not? Who regulates social media content? What is the impact on individuals and communities who are silenced?



On Saturday, January 11th, Gail Rhodes, adjunct professor at Arizona State Universitys Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, presents Free Speech: Can I Tell You How Much I Hate You? at 11:00 a.m. at the Main Library. Explore the complex history of first amendment freedoms of speech, expression and assembly in America.



The Main Library is located at 2951 S 21st Drive. For more information, call (928) 782-1871.



FRANK TALKS are free, thought-provoking, expert-facilitated discussions on important issues facing our communities produced in partnership with Arizona Humanities and the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records. For more information call 602-257-0335 Ext 26 or visit: http://www.azhumanities.org/programs/frank-talks/

America Newscape is a simple resource for all things America through this portal. These productions are not created or meant for children. For more information please visit
Kuladhar Saikia has donned many hats: a former consultant at World Bank, a writer who bagged the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award for his short story collection, an IPS officer who went on to become Assam's top cop and now elected to head the state's top literary body.

As the former director general of police (DGP) of Assam, he is credited with efficient handling of the situation to ensure law and order in the wake of the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the wide scale of protests in the state against the citizenship law last year.

He retired as DGP on August 31 last year but was given a three-month extension. On Thursday, he emerged winner in the election for the president of the Axom Xahitya Xabha, Assam's highest literary organisation.

On his new role, Saikia says, "The more than a century old literary organisation Axom Xahitya Xabha needs to be more inclusive in creating a bridge between multitudes of ethnic groups through literature and culture in the state. Young generation writers should be the prime movers in the Xabha to allow creative exchange of ideas with those of other states."



The former IPS officer, who was appreciated in the all India DG/IG conference held at Kevadiya, Gujarat last year, for his handling of the situation in Assam post NRC, feels that in the modern digital age, social media has the power to overthrow regimes but its effective management by the police can help curb the spread of rumours and quell protests before they turn violent.

As the country witnesses protests over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act and a possible pan-India NRC, Saikia says law enforcement agencies must enhance their impactful presence in the social media.

"Law enforcing agencies have to face the emerging challenges thrown by the advent of new technologies and the resultant crimes," the decorated 1985-batch IPS officer told PTI in an interview.

"The wide reach of social media provides potential for spreading fake at lightning speed that may lead to serious law and order issues," he adds.

"However, if the police reach out to the people by utilising social media platforms for meaningful interface, quick responses and responsible policing, trouble can be averted. We have to learn to live with the tech revolution. Technological advances have to be taken in your stride by ensuring continuous upgrading of the skills of the police forces," he says.

It may be recalled that the NRC till now has only been conducted in Assam on the directions of the Supreme Court.

Several parts of India have seen violent protests over the contentious CAA, which grants Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Five people died during the protests in Assam following which a week-long curfew was imposed in the state.

Later, the protests spread to other states, including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi where loss of lives was reported.

Internet services in several states were also snapped in an attempt to contain misuse of social media.

Saikia stresses that police will have to keep pace with the speed, spread and skills of social media, integrate it with the overall law and order planning and crime management by upgrading the existing social media cells through continuous capacity building of the force personnel.

During his tenure as chief of Assam Police, it was made mandatory that all district police units use social media platforms to reach out to citizens for healthy interactions.

Counselling sessions were held by local police on the uses and abuses of social media among students, teachers and guardians.

Campaigns were launched through Facebook and Twitter handles on important matters like road safety, drug prevention, mass lynching, social prejudices and women safety. Assam Police got accolades for meaningful social media initiatives.

"Police need continuous sentisitisation on tech skills for investigation, changes in social evolution and cultural dynamics to understand the issues for conflict resolution to effectively counter law and order situations. People centric policing should be made part of training programmes," Saikia says.

He further says that maintaining peace without the participation of civil societies is an uphill task and authorities must proactively use social media to ensure that truth reaches the public."



"The healthy coalition of security forces and people needs to be highlighted for building a sustainable trust amongst the stakeholders," he says but refused to comment on the current situation in Assam.

A Fulbright scholar, Saikia used his wide social connect to make people effective partners in ensuring security and law and order management in the whole process of the NRC. There were campaigns by police with the local populace and social action groups, social media updates on real information thereby arresting the spread of fake

"The leadership had to ensure that the Team Assam Police work to build up trust with the people as their unequivocal participation is the key in mega exercise like last NRC updates process for ensuring public peace and tranquility," Saikia, who won the Sahitya Akademi award in 2015 for his short story collection "Akaxor Sobi Aaru Onyanyo Golpo" (Portrait of the Sky and Other Tales).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In 2015 Tun Cheng was appointed CEO of Symphony Holdings Limited (HKG:1223). 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. Third, we'll reflect on the total return to shareholders over three years, as a second measure of business performance. This process should give us an idea about how appropriately the CEO is paid.

Check out our latest analysis for Symphony Holdings

How Does Tun Cheng's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies?

According to our data, Symphony Holdings Limited has a market capitalization of HK$2.8b, and paid its CEO total annual compensation worth HK$2.6m over the year to December 2018. We think total compensation is more important but we note that the CEO salary is lower, at HK$2.4m. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations from HK$1.6b to HK$6.2b, and the median CEO total compensation was HK$2.6m.

So Tun Cheng is paid around the average of the companies we looked at. This doesn't tell us a whole lot on its own, but looking at the performance of the actual business will give us useful context.

The graphic below shows how CEO compensation at Symphony Holdings has changed from year to year.

SEHK:1223 CEO Compensation, January 2nd 2020

Is Symphony Holdings Limited Growing?

Over the last three years Symphony Holdings Limited has grown its earnings per share (EPS) by an average of 53% per year (using a line of best fit). Its revenue is down 2.2% over last year.

This shows that the company has improved itself over the last few years. Good news for shareholders. Revenue growth is a real positive for growth, but ultimately profits are more important. We don't have analyst forecasts, but shareholders might want to examine this detailed historical graph of earnings, revenue and cash flow.

Has Symphony Holdings Limited Been A Good Investment?

Boasting a total shareholder return of 37% over three years, Symphony Holdings Limited has done well by shareholders. As a result, some may believe the CEO should be paid more than is normal for companies of similar size.

Story continues

In Summary...

Tun Cheng is paid around what is normal the leaders of comparable size companies.

Few would be critical of the leadership, since returns have been juicy and earnings per share are moving in the right direction. Indeed, many might consider the pay rather modest, given the solid company performance! If you think CEO compensation levels are interesting you will probably really like this free visualization of insider trading at Symphony Holdings.

Important note: Symphony Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. You might find something better in this list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Are you looking to secure your dream job or looking for a career change? When it comes to job hunting, there is no better way of presenting your traits and skills than through well-detailed curriculum vitae. It is like your sales pitch; vouching for you in every application. For obvious reasons, graduates do not have a lot of experience. They face a significant challenge when applying for jobs. Their CVs may appear shallow for potential employees. So, what is the ideal way of composing a graduate resume that gives the desired impact? A comprehensive look at the best CV samples for fresh graduates might provide some great insight.

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

How do I write a CV with no experience? It is a quagmire for many fresh graduates. The golden rule in resume writing is that there is not a one-size-fits-all structure. It is upon the applicant to tweak theirs to fit the job description. There are specific ways you ought to structure your CV for the best impact. The best CV for graduates with no experience might not be ideal for those that have worked for some time. However, the standard Kenyan CV format ought to prevail in every resume regardless of the application.

READ ALSO: How to get a UN internship

How do I write a good first CV?

A common inquiry that many job seekers face. There are thousands of resumes submitted every day. Out of these, only a select few make the final cut. Interestingly, employees are mostly interested in an applicants potential rather than their limited experience.

Your graduate CV profile ought to possess the necessary punch  something that will impress the reader. In your resume, you ought to appear as a promising potential candidate for the position. Ascertain that you present all your skills and accomplishments, no matter how minute. Although the format of curriculum vitae for students in Kenya might appear rigid, yours ought to tell a story of your professional experience.

What should you include in your professional summary?

Since you are fresh out of college, this may seem like a no brainer  after all, your options are broad. Before putting words that might place you in a fix, complete a comprehensive review of your interests and career motivations. This is an integral section of your resume. Its primary purpose is to grab the recruiter's attention.

Therefore, this section ought to be coherent and concise. What the recruiter is looking for here is an overview of your skills, abilities, and knowledge. In some instances, it might be all they need to shortlist you for the open position. Since every firm's goals are different, tweak your CV every time to fit the job.

Education  what details matter?

CV for graduates with no experience tends to emphasize on this section since it is their biggest seller. A potential employer's first look will allow them to know whether you have qualified for the job. Your educational achievements are probably the most important as a fresh graduate.

Here, you are supposed to start with your latest educational achievements and the earliest ones last. Ascertain that you mention your grades to increase your chances of getting noticed by the recruiter. If you have an extensive educational profile, pick the most applicable for the position. Avoid unnecessary mentions that populate your resume without any material impact.

READ ALSO: NGO jobs in Kenya - Where to apply

The trickiest part  work experience

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

When working on a CV for fresh graduate without experience, you might be wondering why this section exists. You are recently from college and hardly have any job experience. Well, those internships, volunteer work, and part-time jobs function as your work experience. You probably did them to make ends meet, but they are going to give your CV a considerable boost in the work experience sector.

Best CV samples for fresh graduates

What should be included in a graduate CV? You have to recall that it is upon you to make your CV's content unique. The best way for doing this is by utilizing an elaborate layout to make it stand out. Here are examples of a sample resume for fresh graduates

First Sample

James Odek

P. O. Box 347, Nairobi

Tel: 0753200400

Email address: jamesodek@yahoo.com

An exceptionally talented accountant interested in a graduate trainee position in a forward-looking firm. Looking to secure an accountant position that will give me a chance to apply learned and acquired skills in a suitable business environment.

Personal Details

Date of birth: 25 October 1996

Marital status: Single

Educational and Professional Qualifications

Bachelor of Business Commerce Accounting, State University, 2016 - 2019

Certified Public Accountant, The Accountant College, 2017  2019

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Grensted Secondary School, 2012  2015

Essential skills gained when studying and working

Extensive knowledge of accounting principles and policies

Organizational skills

Strong capability of reading and interpreting financial data

Analytical skills

Work Experience

Internship

Rewandi Financial Consultants, January 2017  March 2017

Responsibilities:

Creation of financial reports on all the relevant areas of responsibility.

Working with all accounting heads to analyze and report all complied information.

Processing all journal entries to ascertain that there are accurate accounting records.

Referees

Do not hesitate to contact the undermentioned to verify my skills and expertise.

Joseph Thuku

Chief Accountant

Rewandi Financial Consultants

Tel: 0735600400

Email: abc@gmail.com

Diana Obare

Project Manager

State University

Tel: 0722367903

Email: abc@gmail.com

Gilbert Dante

State University Club Patron

State University

Tel: 0700000000

Email: abc@gmail.com

Second Sample

James Ogola

Graduate Architect

Qualification Summary

A team player with excellent communication skills, who has recently graduated with a degree in Architecture. Looking to apply my skills in a multifaceted organization.

Communication and presentation: Great communicator in speech and writing with the capability of building strong relationships.

Soft skills in architecture: Capability of utilizing abilities in a fast-paced architectural environment.

Organization: Outstanding time management skills

Key strengths: I am intelligent, easily integrate with others and extremely flexible.

Academic and Professional Qualification

Bachelor of Science in Architectures (Graduated in June 2019); 3.95 GPA

XYZ University, Nairobi, Kenya

Experience Highlights

XYZ University, Nairobi, Kenya

Student, Bachelor of Science in Architecture (2014  2019)

Comprehensively covered the entire coursework, including projects. I was part of different group projects that allowed me to mentor peers in various ways.

Earned Deans List of recognition.

Worked as a volunteer for the Architecture School.

Brian and James Architecture Company, Nairobi, Kenya

Internship as Assistant Project Supervisor (June 2016  September 2016)

Demonstrated excellent architectural skills and solid work ethics in a busy company serving large and medium-sized clientele.

Working with professional surveyors and civil engineers.

Writing designs and technical reports.

Doing comprehensive assessments on the impact of buildings on the environment.

Referees

David Ohare

Project Supervisor

ABC Architecture firm

Tel: 0700000000

Email: abc@gmail.com

Gill Arteta

Human Resource Manager

ABC Architecture Firm

Tel: 0700000000

Email: abc@gmail.com

Doreen Kabue

XYZ University Club patron

XYZ University

Tel: 0700000000

Email: abc@gmail.com

Third sample

Personal Details

Name: John Doe

Date of Birth: 13 January 1996

Contacts: 0700000000

Languages spoken: English, Swahili, French, and Spanish

Career Objective

An independent and self-motivated individual with proven and tested business and marketing skills. Possesses a profound link between theory and practice.

Educational Background

2004  2008 (First class honours): Bachelor of Science in Business Management, ABC University

1999  2003 (B+): Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, XYZ Secondary School

Work and Professional Experience

June 2006  September 2006: Internship, ABC Firm

Roles:

Working on better marketing strategies for the company.

Coming up with better means of improving the company's processes.

Hobbies

Reading motivational literature

Travelling

Referees

Christine Clare

Project Supervisor

ABC Company

Tel: 0700000000

Email: abc@gmail.com

Obed Momanyi

Human Resource Manager

ABC Firm

Tel: 0700000000

Email: abc@gmail.com

James Trevor

XYZ University Club patron

XYZ University

Tel: 0700000000

Email: abc@gmail.com

READ ALSO: Embassy jobs in Kenya - September 2019

Common inquiries on fresh graduate CVs

Image: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

The CV for fresh graduate doc ought to be comprehensive enough to highlight your details. With so little to compose, many wonder what they ought to have in the document.

What should a fresh graduate write on a CV?

Since fresh graduates do not have a lot to include in their resumes, certain areas need emphasis. The career objective, a summary of your main achievements and outline of work history ought to stand out. Your academics ought to be the main selling point of any CV for fresh graduate without experience.

How do you write a career objective?

This is one of the most fundamental parts of your graduate CV. Therefore, it ought to be a brief representation of your skills. Begin with including two or three strong skills that perfectly describe your career aspirations. Mention the position you are going for and how you are a perfect fit. Always make it shot and stay away from first-person pronouns.

Is a 3 page CV too long?

A one page CV ought to be sufficient for a recent graduate. In most cases, mid-career professionals are going to have a two-page resume. The only instance that a three-page resume is acceptable is for those people with extensive work histories and plenty of published material.

READ ALSO: KPA internship 2019

What should not be included in a CV?

If you compare the best CV samples for graduates, you will notice the briefness of every section. Therefore, in your resume, avoid being extremely exhaustive in your achievements. Regardless of how relevant they might be, make it short. Also, ascertain that you do not compose an autobiography or use jargon.

The golden rule in every resume is to be as honest as possible without exaggerating your abilities. With some guidance on the best CV samples for fresh graduates, you might create the ideal piece.

READ ALSO: Graduate gets lucrative job after 20 years of tarmacking

Source: TUKO.co.ke
What if you get stuck on the highway in a storm? Here are some tips
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Refuting allegations levelled by a few opposition parties about politicisation of the armed forces, new Indian Army chief, Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday asserted that the army is apolitical.

In response to a question on this issue during a media interaction with a few journalists at the Army headquarters here, Gen Naravane said: "I totally disagree. We are apolitical. It is a misperception of a few people which is totally incorrect." Asked about the army being called in to build a railway bridge, cleaning of Himalayas and other getting involved in other activities apart from operational preparedness, he stressed: "Army is of the people and for the people." He said that the army did right thing by constructing a bridge at the railway station. "If we made a bridge for the people, we did a good work. There is nothing wrong in it," Naravane said.

In 2017, 23 people died due to the Elphinstone foot over bridge collapse in Mumbai and the army was called in to construct a new foot over bridge over there. The bridges were constructed by army Engineers in a record 117 days.

The bridge at Elphinstone Road station is 70 metres long, and as many as 250 personnel of the Bombay Engineering Group and Centre, Pune, also known as Bombay Sappers, were involved in the task that was completed within four months.

On January 1, Gen Bipin Rawat, the country's first Chief of the Defence Staff, also stressed that the Indian armed forces are away from politics. "We are far away from politics. We work as per directions of government of the day," he stressed.
(Bloomberg) -- After Russian hackers made extensive efforts to infiltrate the American voting apparatus in 2016, some states moved to restrict internet access to their vote-counting systems. Colorado got rid of barcodes used to electronically read ballots. California tightened its rules for electronic voting machines that can go online. Ohio bought new voting machines that deliberately excluded wireless capabilities.

Michigan went in a different direction, authorizing as much as $82 million for machines that rely on wireless modems to connect to the internet. State officials justified the move by saying it is the best way to satisfy an impatient public that craves instantaneous results, even if theyre unofficial.

The problem is, connecting election machines to the public internet, especially wirelessly, leaves the whole system vulnerable, according to cybersecurity experts. So Michigans new secretary of state is considering using some of the states $10 million in federal election funds to rip out those modems before the March presidential primary.

The system we inherited is not optimal for security since our election equipment can and has connected to the internet, said Jocelyn Benson, who won election as secretary of state and took office in January 2019. She convened a committee of cybersecurity experts to evaluate the state election systems vulnerabilities. If thats what the committee recommends, well take them out.

Michigans experience illustrates a thorny challenge for state and local election officials as they try to update old and insecure equipment: Technology thats evolved over two decades to quickly transit election results from precincts to news organizations projecting winners has now been labeled a cybersecurity risk.

Michigan says its votes are safe from hackers since its election system only connects to the internet only after votes have been counted. Cybersecurity experts differ. Even brief exposure to the internet can leave states vulnerable to infiltration and an attack on the credibility of their results, said Eddie Perez, Global Director of Technology at the Open Source Election Technology Institute.

Story continues

Malicious Attackers

Part of the challenge of protecting the 2020 vote is convincing localities to prioritize security over familiarity, convenience and accessibility.

Cybersecurity experts maintain that connecting election systems to the internet, even briefly, exposes these machines to malicious attackers who may be intent on derailing or discrediting an election. Its not just voting machines that are vulnerable but any piece of the election apparatus, including wireless-enabled printers, digital check-in tablets, tabulators and even the registration database, they said.

And yet, some local and state election officials remain committed to wireless-enabled machines, which allow them to quickly provide results to the public and more easily accommodate disabled voters. Heading into the 2020 presidential election, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Georgia and Florida are among at least 11 states that still allow voting jurisdictions to use wireless-enabled voting equipment.

Connecting for a millisecond is enough to propagate malware through a system, said Rich DeMillo, a computer science professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology and a member of Michigans election security panel. Every weak link in the chain of network security is a problem, so opening the door to the internet is just a bad idea in every conceivable scenario.

In 2016, Russian hackers attempted to infiltrate most, if not all, state election systems, and downloaded voter data in Illinois, federal authorities have said. However, there is no evidence that the hackers attempted to change the vote. Furthermore, while cybersecurity experts and some election officials fear that wireless connectivity exposes voting systems to hackers, theres no evidence that such an attack has occurred in the U.S.

Hacking the vote through wirelessly connected voting machines is one of several potential risks from foreign agents going into the 2020 election. As it did in 2016, Russia could deploy an extensive disinformation campaign on social media to try to sway the vote -- as could other adversaries. Hackers could penetrate voter registration databases and alter or delete information -- potentially sowing chaos on Election Day.

Remote election machinery hacks, however, are almost certainly the easiest to prevent -- by simply not allowing the equipment to connect to the public internet.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is responsible for defending Americans from cyber-attacks, has already advised local election authorities to avoid wireless connections altogether. In July, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee issued a report on Russian meddling, saying states should remove any wireless networking capability.

Wireless connectivity of voting systems is such a bad idea that the National Institute of Standards and Technology on Dec. 18 recommended restricting voting machines from connecting to external networks through cellular modems. The recommendation would allow cellular connectivity if individual machines are air gapped -- isolated from unsecured networks.

An advisory committee of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission could vote on the recommendations by February, the first step in whats likely to be at least a yearlong procedure to restrict the use of wireless modems in voting systems.

But theres a catch: even if the EAC, the federal agency responsible for enforcing these non-binding voting machine guidelines, does approve such a prohibition, theyll have no material impact on the 2020 election. Voting machine vendors have stated that it could take them as long as four years to build machines compliant with the new standards.

Quick Results

That means the 2020 vote, starting with primaries in March, will occur across the country using some machines that cybersecurity experts dont trust.

The added risk is just unnecessary, said Andrew Appel, a computer science professor at Princeton University. The only purpose of these modems is to call in results to the news media in seconds rather than minutes.

The pressure to promptly transmit results to news organizations - and ultimately voters -- is so great that election officials have no choice but to briefly connect voting systems to the internet at the end of the night, said Paul Lux, the elections supervisor of Okaloosa County, Florida and a member of the EAC advisory committee that develops technical guidelines.

If everyone would just be patient on election night and let us produce the results, then theres no real debate here about wireless transmission, Lux said.

Election Systems & Software LLC, provider of more than half of the countrys voting machines, contends these systems reduce wait time for results and are secure. Still, Katina Granger, a spokeswoman, said the company does not promote the use of modems. If customers request it, we provide cellular modem transmittal capability on a secure and encrypted network.

ES&S also said the number of its election machines with wireless modems is relatively minuscule: 14,420 across 11 states. That would be almost two per jurisdiction, if spread across the entire country.

Screws Accessibility

Another election machine manufacturer, Hart InterCivic Inc., which has the only wireless-enabled system to receive EACs certification, didnt return messages seeking comment.

There is another group advocating for wireless connectivity of voting machines: accessibility groups. While cybersecurity experts are clamoring for less internet connectivity, voters with disabilities are vying for more, including the ability to vote online.

Remote access to ballots is just not going to be a priority as long as all of this attention is on security instead, said Diane Golden, a member of a federal committee on voting standards and a voting rights advocate for citizens with disabilities. Every step you take to increase security basically screws accessibility.

For all the warnings about wireless-enabled voting machines from federal officials, the safety of elections is mostly the responsibility of more than 7,000 local voting jurisdictions, ranging from Los Angeles County with more than 5.5 million voters to small towns with just a few hundred.

In recent years, the federal government has provided $300 million to improve state and local electoral security. Some states and cities have used the money to buy new voting machines and hire cybersecurity experts. But many believe that effort has fallen short of what is needed, leaving some election authorities preparing for the 2020 election with minimal technical and financial support.

Cyber Heartburn

Some election officials maintain that internet access can be crucial in keeping election machinery functioning properly.

In Georgia, six counties ran a pilot program alongside municipal elections in November to test their new voting system, including new digital check-in machines -- iPads used to identify voters. But when voters entered precincts on Nov. 5, the system failed.

To fix the glitch, state election officials decided to connect the tablets to the internet, using the same Wi-Fi found in polling places. They figured, if we turn on Wi-Fi for a minute, well load the correct data and it will work like a dream, said Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer for the Georgia Secretary of State, who is overseeing the pilot project. And it did.

Its the kind of episode that gives cybersecurity officials heartburn, even if theres no evidence that anything went wrong in Georgia.

Its easy to use wireless in a bad way, said Dan Wallach, a computer science professor at Rice University and a member of the EACs technical guidelines committee. To configure it in a way that works and isnt a security nightmare is just asking for a lot.

In Michigan, Bensons predecessor, Ruth Johnson, said the reason for investing in internet-enabled machines was to transmit pre-preliminary results as quickly as possible. But she said the decision wasnt made in isolation. The state also chose to procure machines with a paper trail to audit their results to provide additional security.

The state may have to live with that decision if Bensons panel determines the modems cant be ripped out without harming the rest of the hardware. Benson hopes to know more by the end of January, with the states primary looming in a little more than a month.

If nothing else, these capabilities create a sense of insecurity in our results, she said. Until we have technology that can be completely secure, yes, we should be taking steps to get away from the internet in our machines.

(Updates to mention transmitted results are unofficial in second paragraph)

To contact the reporter on this story: Kartikay Mehrotra in San Francisco at kmehrotra2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Andrew Martin at amartin146@bloomberg.net, Andrew Pollack

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Elon Musk is best known as the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX  but way before his success in Silicon Valley, he worked odd jobs to get by.

At 17, Musk left his home in South Africa and headed to Canada, where he became a citizen (his mother, Maye, was born there) and stayed with his cousin, according to the book "Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future" by Ashlee Vance.

At first, Musk worked at his cousin's farm in Waldeck, Saskatchewan (a village that as of 2016 had a population of fewer than 300 people), tending to vegetables and shoveling grain bins, according to the book "Elon Musk."

Elon Musk tweet here: picture of him at 17-years-old on his cousin's farm.

Then Musk learned to cut logs with a chainsaw in Vancouver, British Columbia, according to the book.

However, after asking at the unemployment office what jobs paid the best, Musk took on his hardest gig yet: cleaning out the boiler room of a lumber mill.

For $18 an hour, Musk said in the biography that he had to "put on this hazmat suit and then shimmy through this little tunnel that you can barely fit in. Then, you have to shovel, and you take the sand and goop and other residue, which is still steaming hot, and you have to shovel it through the same hole you came in through."

"There is no escape," Musk said. "Someone else on the other side has to shovel it into a wheelbarrow. If you stay in there for more than 30 minutes, you get too hot and die."

Thirty people started out at the beginning of the week with Musk, according to the book. By the third day, five people were left. By the end of the week, Musk was left with only two other people to do the work.

Musk eventually gave up manual labor and pursued tech. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in May of 1997, and then debated attending Stanford University in California for its Material Science Engineering graduate program. Though Musk never enrolled in classes at Stanford (although he was admitted), he did venture to Silicon Valley, and applied for a job at Netscape. He was interested in the then-nascent internet, he told entrepreneur and investor Kevin Rose in 2012.

Musk didn't get the job at Netscape. He had a guess for why he didn't land it: He had a degree from Wharton and was accepted to do graduate-school work in physical and materials science, but he didn't have a computer science degree, nor several years under his belt working at a software company.

"I actually tried hanging out in the [Netscape] lobby, but I was too shy to talk to anyone. So I'm just like standing in the lobby," he said. "It was pretty embarrassing."

Despite Musk's inauspicious start in the professional world, in 1999 he sold his first company, Zip2, to Compaq for roughly $300 million. He started Zip2 after his experience applying to Netscape, deciding that instead of pursing a PhD at Stanford, he would first try to start a company. Musk said he figured he could always return to education if starting a business did not work out.

He used the money from the Zip2 sale to found X.com, an online financial services platform that merged with Confinity in 2000, and later became PayPal. In 2002, eBay purchased PayPal for $1.5 billion.

Musk went on to start SpaceX in 2002, followed by Tesla in 2003. In 2016, he founded Neuralink, and a year later, he created The Boring Company.

Today, Elon Musk is worth $27.5 billion, according to Forbes.

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It appears fugitive former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn escaped by simply walking out of his front door, after he was caught on a security camera leaving his Tokyo home by himself on the day he is thought to have fled to avoid a Japanese trial.

Ghosn was not seen returning home after leaving around noon on December 29, local public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday, citing people involved in the investigation.

The security footage was taken by a camera installed at his house in central Tokyo around noon on Sunday, and the camera did not show him returning home, NHK said. By early Monday, he had touched down in Istanbul.

It seems to contradict reports that the former CEO slipped out of his Tokyo residence, where he had been kept under intense surveillance, in a musical instrument case.

Ghosn had been under strict bail conditions when he illegally fled Japan for Lebanon.

It comes as Turkish private aircraft operator MNG Jet said that its planes were used illegally in the escape from Japan of ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn, adding it had filed a criminal complaint.

Policemen accompany seven suspects, who were arrested allegedly for helping out former chairman of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn flee from Japan to the courthouse in Istanbul on Friday

Seven suspects are escorted by Turkish polic eas they leave a police station in Istanbul on Friday

Policemen bring seven suspects to a courthouse in Istanbul on Friday. They are accused of helping Ghosn flee Japan to Lebanon, via Turkey

Carlos Ghosn was pictured celebrating New Year's Eve with wife Carole (right) in Beirut after he managed to escape from house arrest in Japan

Security cameras are seen above the entrance of the residence of former auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn in Tokyo on January 3, after Ghosn fled Japan to avoid a trial

In a statement on Friday, the jet operator said one of its employees admitted having falsified the records to exclude Ghosn's name from official documentation without the knowledge the company.

It is believed Ghosn took a private jet from Kansai Airport in western Japan to Istanbul, before heading from there to Beirut.

MNG Jet said in its statement it leased two jets to two different clients in agreements that 'were seemingly not connected to each other.' One plane flew from Osaka to Istanbul, the other from Istanbul to Beirut.

'The name of Mr Ghosn did not appear in the official documentation of any of the flights,' it said.

'After having learnt through the media that the leasing was benefiting Mr. Ghosn and not the officially declared passengers, MNG Jet launched an internal inquiry and filed a criminal complaint in Turkey,' it added.

Turkish private aircraft operator MNG Jet has filed a criminal complaint (stock image of MNG private jet)

Ghosn is said to have flown from Tokyo to Beirut via Istanbul in Turkey

An employee admitted to falsifying the records and confirmed he 'acted in his individual capacity,' the company said.

The pilots and other detainees, including two airport ground staff and one cargo worker, were sent to court on Friday after giving statements to police.

Seven suspects in Istanbul who are accused of helping Ghosn flee Japan via Turkey were on Friday seen being escorted by police to a courthouse.

Ghosn has said he will speak publicly about his escape on January 8.

The news comes a day after prosecutors raided the residence as part of an initial probe into his flight.

NHK said police were analysing other surveillance footage, believing there is a possibility he joined someone to head for the airport.

The camera placed near the entrance of his Tokyo residence showed no suspicious person around the time that Ghosn left, according to NHK and the business daily Nikkei.

Ghosn was on Tuesday pictured celebrating New Year's Eve with his wife and friends in Lebanon.

The 65-year-old former Nissan CEO can be seen sitting next to wife Carole in a plush dining room in front of a table strewn with empty plates, glasses, a half-full bottle of wine and decorated with lit candlesticks.

It is thought the image, obtained by French TV station TF1, was taken inside the Beirut mansion where he has been holed up in since his arrival in the country.

The residence of former auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn is seen in Tokyo on January 3

Security cameras are seen at the entrance of the residence of former auto tycoon Carlos Ghosn in Tokyo on January 3. Ghosn was caught on a security camera leaving his Tokyo home by himself on the day he is thought to have fled to avoid a Japanese trial, local media reported Friday

Ghosn, who faced multiple charges of financial misconduct that he denies, won bail in April but with strict conditions - including a ban on overseas travel and living under surveillance.

But the executive, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese nationalities, managed to slip out of Japan on Sunday despite having handed over his three passports to his lawyers.

Ghosn said on Thursday through the Paris-based agency handling his public relations that he organised his dramatic escape from bail in Japan alone and that his family had nothing to do with his escape.

According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, Ghosn was smuggled out with the help of two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a group of musicians for a Christmas party at his residence.

A house identified by court documents as belonging to former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn in a wealthy neighbourhood of the Lebanese capital Beirut

Ghosn pictured with his wife Carole in April last year. Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport

Quoting a Lebanese consultant in Tokyo, Kyodo said Ghosn hid in an instrument case before boarding a private jet - a scenario a member of Ghosn's entourage has previously denied.

Interpol, the international police cooperation body, has issued a 'red notice' for Ghosn's arrest in the wake of him fleeing Japan, while Turkey announced it was holding seven individuals in connection with his escape.

Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents.

A court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport as he needed one to travel inside Japan, a source close to the matter said.

According to this source, the court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept 'in a locked case' with the key held by his lawyers.
The Australian share market has continued its positive start to 2020 with a second successive day of gains on Friday, 03 January 2020, on following a rally on the Wall Street to new all-time highs overnight, boosted by anticipation of a phase one trade deal being inked between Washington and Beijing and monetary policy easing by China's central bank aimed at stimulating the country's economy. Market gains were, however, capped on heightened tensions in the Middle East after news that a US airstrike in Baghdad killed a top Iranian military commander. At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index inclined by 42.92 points, or 0.64%, to 6,733.50, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 45.24 points, or 0.66%, to 6,855.20.

Sydney market got a boost on following a rally overseas after China's central bank said it will free up more money for lending. The People's Bank of China announced on Wednesday that it will lower the reserve requirement ratio for banks by 50 basis points with effect from Jan. 6, unleashing about 800 billion yuan ($115 billion) in funds. The move is expected to boost the country's slowing economy ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 25.

Meanwhile, sign of initial Sino-U. S. trade deal progress also aided sentiment. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump tweeted that he will sign the initial trade deal with China at the White House this month. He also said he plans to travel to Beijing at a later date to open talks on other sticking points in the dispute that remain to be worked out, including Chinese practices the U. S. complains unfairly favor its own companies.

That came following reports indicating Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, Beijing's top trade negotiator, could sign the agreement.

Investors continued to wait for Washington and Beijing to formalize an initial trade deal that has helped ease the market's jitters over the 18-month dispute between the world's two biggest economies. Washington and Beijing announced last month that they reached an agreement over a "Phase 1" trade pact that calls for the U. S. to reduce tariffs and China to buy larger quantities of U. S. farm products.

Market gains were, however, capped on heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East after news that a US airstrike in Baghdad killed a top Iranian military commander.

Energy stocks advanced on higher oil prices following a U. S. airstrike in Iraq. Oil and gas major Woodside Petroleum Ltd ended 0.9% higher, while Oil Search Ltd jumped 3.2%. on firm iron ore prices.

The heavily miners jumped on firm iron ore prices. Anglo-Australian miner BHP Group advanced 0.5%, while peer Rio Tinto rose 0.2%.

Heavyweight financial lso added to gains, with all components of the 'Big Four' banks closed in the black.

CURRENCY NEWS: The Australian dollar, sensitive to shifts in broader risk appetite, eased against the U. S. dollar on Friday. The local currency was quoted at $0.6977 after slipping from levels above $0.700 yesterday.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As massive wildfires devastate swathes of Australia and supercharge the debate over the impact of climate change, government data show the nation has never suffered a hotter or drier year than 2019.

The average temperature last year was about 1.5 degree Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above the 30-year mean, according to data from the Bureau of Meteorology, which goes back to 1910. Meanwhile, rainfall dropped to its lowest in figures back to 1900. The government agency is scheduled to release final figures and its annual climate report next week.

Confirmation the worlds driest-inhabited continent is in the grips of historically extreme weather comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government faces sustained criticism from environmentalists and the opposition for downplaying the link between the huge wildfires and climate change and for not taking stronger steps to curb carbon emissions.

Weather conditions have been particularly severe in recent weeks, with December more than 3 degrees warmer than normal and rainfall at a paltry 15.4 millimeters (0.61 inches), less than a third of the normal level for the month.

The country saw average rainfall totals of just 277.63 millimeters in 2019, beating the previous low of 314.46 millimeters in 1902 and compared with an average of 465.2 millimeters over the 1961-90 reference period.

A strong positive Indian Ocean Dipole  a measure of the difference between sea surface temperatures in the tropical western and eastern Indian Ocean  has reduced rainfall across Australia and contributed to the heat and dryness. The indicator peaked in mid-October but has since dropped back into neutral territory.

With assistance from Phoebe Sedgman.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.
Authorities say that, even though flu activity is now high, it's not too late to get a shot. Read more

The amount of influenza-like illness doctors are seeing is now high in most states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and its still increasing, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its weekly report on the viral disease.

A separate measure of whether flu has broad or more isolated geographic reach within states found that all but a handful of states are experiencing widespread illness.

The level of influenza-like illness has been elevated for two months. The percentage of respiratory cases testing positive for flu is similar to what has been seen at the peak of recent seasons. A map of reported visits for flu-like symptoms shows a season that started relatively early and gathered strength quickly.

The hospitalization rate so far is similar to that of previous seasons, the CDC said.

While seasons often start with influenza A viruses dominating, the influenza B/Victoria strain is causing the most illness so far this season. Typically, influenza A leads to more serious symptoms. Protection from B/Victoria was included in this years flu shot. The A(H1N1), which is also in the shot, is the second most common strain now.

The CDC estimated that the flu has sickened more than six million people so far this year, and has led to 55,000 hospitalizations and 2,900 deaths. Five new pediatric deaths were reported in the week ending Dec. 28. Pennsylvania has reported nine flu deaths. New Jersey, which does not report flu deaths among adults, has had one pediatric flu fatality.

Most of the strains of the virus now circulating respond to antiviral medications for flu. Flu vaccines, considered the best way to avoid flu or at least keep it less severe, are still available. But it takes two weeks after the shot is given for antibodies to fully develop.

In Pennsylvania, the Health Department said that B/Victoria is dominating in some regions of the state while A(H1N1) is more common in others. Influenza B is the predominant strain in New Jersey.

Pennsylvania has had more than 17,000 laboratory-confirmed cases of flu. Doctors are not required to report flu to health authorities.
The possibility of a County Board seat being added to the La Crosse Center Board is getting mixed reviews from City Hall.

At a Judiciary and Administration Committee meeting Thursday night, La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat spoke out before the vote, urging the committee to deny the request. He asked that the city take more time to map out its potential new relationship with La Crosse County or adopt an amendment that laid out funding standards for the partnership.

Kabat submitted an amendment to the proposal early Thursday, asking that La Crosse County account for 10% of the La Crosse Center budget as a condition for the seat. He said that he wants to make sure long-term sustainability and clear governance are part of adding the county seat to the board.

I really think that this is a much larger discussion, Kabat said.

At Thursdays meeting, Committee Chair Andrea Richmond emphasized that the countys added seat was honorary and would not have voting powers. But on Friday she clarified that the 10th member of the board would actually have full voting powers. She said she still thinks adding the seat without securing funds from La Crosse County is the best move.

This is all about good faith, building relationships, Richmond said. We want to start 2020 out on the right path.

The city began looking to add a county representative to the board after both the city of Onalaska and La Crosse County issued complaints that their past contributions to the La Crosse Center project be met with counsel rights, according to Kabat.

Originally, the city of La Crosse asked the county for $60,000 toward the project, that would be paid back in sales tax, but Kabat said the request was not answered. La Crosse County instead gave a one-time amount of $150,000 to the event centers remodeling project. Kabat wants to ensure there is consistent funding to support the regional space.

The complaints, Kabat said, raised much larger questions versus a quick fix to add a county board seat to the La Crosse Center Board.

Kabat told the committee that the city should take more time to research the best relationship to forge, saying his office was looking to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and the Brewers and Bucks sporting venues as models to shared governance spaces.

If we can scale it back to something thats applicable to La Crosse, theres maybe some things we can learn, Kabat said. Because ultimately I think that everyone wants the same thing. We want to see the La Crosse Center flourish.

The proposal to add a La Crosse County representative to the Centers board will go to the City Council on Jan. 9, where a final decision will be made.

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Syracuse, NY -- As his courtroom waited, Onondaga County Court Judge Stephen Dougherty launched Friday morning into an extraordinary evisceration of New Yorks new bail law.

I refuse to call it bail reform, Dougherty said, noting hes never voiced his objection so publicly in nearly two decades as a judge. The governor and the legislature, in my opinion, by this legislation usurped the discretion of the judiciary, a co-equal branch of the government.

Dougherty added to a chorus of law enforcement-minded voices who have decried the new law, which requires judges to release people accused of the vast majority of felonies as they await trial. District attorneys and police held a news conference in December warning of the laws insanity and danger to the community.

Advocates threw a rebuttal news event declaring: Money bail is corrupt," while noting that bail only affected those who had not yet been proven guilty of a crime. Accused criminals who simply had more money could afford to get out of jail, while poorer suspects languished, under the old system, they argued.

Prosecutors across the state have already highlighted examples of people they had to let go in the first two days of 2020: a man accused of fatally choking his wife in Albany County and a teen convicted of shooting a cop in Rochester arrested on a new drug charge.

Closer to home, a serial bank robber from DeWitt had to be let go after being charged with the same crime in Albany. And an Oswego County man who admitted to a bloody double homicide would have had to been let go had he not pleaded guilty Thursday morning.

People accused of killing under reckless -- not intentional -- circumstances, such as the Albany and Oswego County cases, cannot be held in jail pending trial. Nor can accused drunken drivers who kill, no matter how recklessly.

People accused of robbing banks without a weapon cant be jailed before trial. Nor can killers who have served their time and are re-arrested for a lesser offense.

An accused burglar who terrorizes a neighborhood -- but does not have a weapon or use physical force -- cannot be jailed after an arraignment. Nor can a group of accused robbers who attack an innocent child if no weapon was used.

Dougherty pointed to a recent case in his court: a convicted killer who was arrested again on a serious drug charge.

Under new rules, he would have had to have been released pending trial. (Kawaun Vaughn spent more than a decade in prison for a drive-by shooting that left a 16-year-old dead, records show. He recently pleaded guilty in the new drug case.)

Dougherty acknowledged that the old bail system could have been improved.

Did it need to be tweaked? Did it need to be changed? It did, the judge said Friday in court. "But this isnt a tweak. This new legislation is like killing a mosquito with an atom bomb.

Those charges in which jailing is now prohibited include certain homicides, burglaries and robberies, as well as bail jumping. Only violent felonies -- a narrow set of crimes set aside as the worst of the worst" -- are now routinely eligible for bail. Those include murder, illegal weapon charges and forcible rape, among others.

Everyone else must be released by a judge at arraignment -- with no regard for past behavior or court attendance -- on a criminal charge. A series of missed court dates cannot result in bail, either, unless proven to be persistent and willful, the judge noted.

Its so misguided, as I said, as to be dangerous, Dougherty said.

Dougherty may be unprecedented in how vocally hes protested the law from his seat on a courtroom bench. The former prosecutor is also a Democrat, so his remarks are squarely directed at his own party, which control the Assembly, Senate and executive branch in Albany.

Dougherty referenced the fact that hes blasted the same law in the past, referring to a Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard article in mid-December recounting the judges spur-of-the-moment frustration, in which he called the law the most ridiculous piece of legislation Ive ever seen in my life.

Friday, Dougherty read from prepared remarks with TV cameras and reporters present.

Until two days ago, the arraigning judge, with the facts of the case before him or her, with the defendants criminal record before him or her, would arraign the defendant with an attorney present ... and a judge would determine the appropriate bail based on all the available information, again on a case-by-case, individual consideration," the judge said. If that defendant wasnt satisfied with the bail that was set, that defendant could petition to a so-called higher court for a bail review.

Now, without any discretion, without the value of the various judges years and years of experience, our hands are tied, Dougherty went on. We have no power, no discretion, and no ability to even consider setting bail.

Dougherty offered two fixes for bail reform:

Change the law to say that a defendant should be presumed to be freed without bail, subject to narrow exceptions

Allow judges to consider the danger to the community, risk of re-offending, prior history of violence and prior failures to appear in court.

The judge noted that advocates of criminal justice reform have pointed to New Jerseys elimination of bail in most cases. And Dougherty said he agrees that New Jersey hasnt had major problems.

But the judge said the big difference is that judges there are allowed to consider the above factors in determining whether bail is appropriate.

We cant consider any of those factors, Dougherty said. Its senseless. Its absolutely senseless.

That said, the judge noted that he swore to uphold the law. And he promised to do so. But he said he couldnt in good conscience do so until putting on the record his thoughts, feelings and objections.

I appreciate all you coming and listening to my speech, the judge concluded, before a clerk called the first case for the day.

Thanks for visiting Syracuse.com. Quality local journalism has never been more important, and your subscription matters. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a telephonic conversation with his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison during which he offered India's unstinted support to Australia and its people facing unprecedented bushfire crisis.

The Prime Minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of all Indians on the damage to life and property in Australia due to the natural calamity, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Expressing his satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations in recent years, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia. He stated that to this end, he looked forward to welcoming Morrison in India on a state visit at a mutually convenient time later in the year.

Morrison's visit to India, slated from January 14 to January 16, has been cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances of the bushfires in Australia, diplomatic sources said.

Wildfires have wreaked havoc in parts of Australia for months. The Australian Prime Minister was forced to cut short a holiday to Hawaii just before Christmas following the death of two volunteer firefighters.

During the telephonic conversation, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his best wishes to Morrison and the people of Australia for the rest of the year 2020.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Carlos Ghosn and his wife Caroline Ghosn at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2018. Photo: Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage

A private jet leasing company has filed a criminal complaint against one of its own employees, claiming the rogue staff member helped plan car tycoon Carlos Ghosns escape from Japan.

Istanbul-based MNG Jet said Friday it had launched an internal inquiry and filed a criminal complaint after learning through the media that it was involved in the former Nissan chairmans flight from Japan to Lebanon.

MNG said it leased two aircrafts involved in the journey, one which flew from Osaka to Istanbul and a second that travelled from Istanbul to Beirut. Ghosn was not named on the paperwork for either aircraft, the company said.

One employee of the company, who is under investigation by the authorities, has admitted having falsified the records, MNG said in a statement. He confirmed that he acted in his individual capacity, without the knowledge or the authorisation of the management of MNG Jet.

READ MORE: Ghosn denies family involved in escape as arrests made

MNG said it was pro-actively cooperating with the authorities investigating Ghosns escape.

The companys admission of involvement is the latest development in a sensational tale that has captured the worlds attention.

On New Years Eve multi-millionaire auto executive Carlos Ghosn fled Japan, where he was under house arrest on charges including falsifying financial information and breach of trust. Despite round-the-clock surveillance, Ghosn was able to slip out of his house and pass through international airports, eventually reaching Lebanon.

The escape has shocked Japan and sparked fevered speculation about how he was able to cross through multiple international borders untroubled. Initial reports suggested he had been smuggled in a musical instrument case, although this has since been denied.

READ MORE: Ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn escaped Japan 'in instrument case'

Seven people were arrested in Turkey in connection to Ghosns escape on Thursday. Interpol issued a red notice on the same day, alerting international police forces to the fact Japanese authorities were seeking Ghosns return to Japan.

Story continues

For his part, Ghosn has said he escaped injustice and political persecution. Ghosn was arrested in November 2018 and was held in jail for over 100 days before being released on one of the highest bails in Japanese history. Ghosn claims he is the victim of a conspiracy at Nissan, which ousted him as chairman as he was arrested.

65-year-old Ghosn is one of the most powerful men in the global auto industry, credited with helping to turn around the fortunes of Nissan and masterminding the alliance between Nissan, Renault, and Mitsubishi.

He is expected to give a press conference to the worlds media in Lebanon next week.
North Chinas Tianjin and the city of Anyang in Central Chinas Henan province both reported two new cases of the highly transmissible omicron variant over the weekend. Both cities have launched new rounds of mass testing and designated more Covid-19 risk areas to control the spread of the virus

Jan 10, 2022 06:18 PM
Your free time is precious, so how to spend it? Here are five ideas for Birmingham, Jan. 3-10, 2020.

Courtesy of American Theatre Guild

THEATER

See "Les Miserables." Again. Touring productions have come to Birmingham several times over the years, but the stirring music and classic plot reward repeated viewings. "Les Mis" tells the tale of Jean Valjean, a peasant who runs afoul of the strict inspector Javert after being released from prison. His initial crime: stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving niece. After another theft inspired by poverty -- he nabs some silverware from an understanding bishop -- Valjean vows to reform and starts a new life under another name. But he's relentless pursued by Javert, who vows to bring him back into custody. Along the way, Valjean becomes swept up in the French Revolution. "Les Miserables," based on a novel by Victor Hugo, features music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel. Seven shows are planned at the BJCC Concert Hall, Tuesday-Jan. 12, courtesy of the Broadway in Birmingham series.

"Les Miserables," Jan. 7-12, seven shows at various times, BJCC Concert Hall, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, $55-$125 via Ticketmaster.

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TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP via Getty Images

MOVIES

Remember INXS? If the Australian rock band was on your personal hit list in the 1980s and '90s, "Mystify: Michael Hutchence," is a don't-miss film. The 2019 documentary traces the life and death of the band's charismatic frontman, illuminating his international success, creative struggles and tragic demise. The movie played at the Sidewalk Film Festival last year, and you'll have another chance to see it on Tuesday at two area theaters, courtesy of Fathom Events.

"Mystify: Michael Hutchence," Jan. 7 at 7 p.m., AMC Patton Creek, 4450 Creekside Road, Hoover, and Regal Trussville Stadium 16, 5895 Trussville Crossings Parkway, Trussville, $12.50-$16.43 via Fathom Events website.

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Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for ASCAP

CONCERTS

Dance to the hypnotic and powerful music of Morgan Heritage. This Grammy-winning reggae band knows exactly how to produce a rock-steady beat and create rhythms that speak to Jamaican roots and culture. Authenticity is their watchword, as you'll see during a performance on Sunday at Saturn. Expect to hear songs from "Avrakedabra," "Strictly Roots," "Loyalty" and other albums in the group's rich catalog. Show time is 8 p.m.

Morgan Heritage, Jan. 5 at 8 p.m., Saturn, 200 41st St. South, $20-$55, 205-703-9545.

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FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

SPECIAL EVENTS

Monster Mutt. Grave Digger. Alien Invasion. El Toro Loco. If these names make your heart race, you're definitely a fan of Monster Jam. The action-packed event  featuring trucks, ATVs and speedsters  returns to the Legacy Arena at the BJCC this weekend. Three shows are scheduled on Saturday and Sunday, along with a daily Pit Party that includes driver meet-and greets.

Monster Jam Triple Threat Series, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Jan. 5 at 2 p.m., Legacy Arena at the BJCC, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, $15-$65 via Ticketmaster.

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COMEDY

Love "General Hospital"? Then you'll want to be at the Comedy Club Stardome on Tuesday. Two actors from the long-running ABC soap opera, Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson, will be on stage with a 90-minute show that combines music, comedy and the goofy vibe of their podcast, "That's Awesome." The action starts at 7:30 p.m.

Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson: "The Stone Cold and Jackal Show," Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Comedy Club Stardome, 1818 Data Drive, Hoover, $49 general admission, $99 VIP, 205-444-0008.

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Photo via Pixabay

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Murray Boyd, Jan Juc We must all do our bit to protect environment Many people are venting their anger on Scott Morrison but it is more than his issue. Successive governments  Coalition, Labor, and worldwide  have encouraged population growth and consumerism. How many of the angry people have limited their lifestyles and consumerism in consideration of climate change? Environmentalists David Suzuki wrote that just one world trip and you have used all your carbon points, and David Attenborough highlighted the impact of the Earth's population explosion on the environment. Listen to the scientists and, individually, lead by example. Marg Rickards, Werribee No, Prime Minister, you do not understand

It is a pity that Scott Morrison should have used "empathy consultants" for whom the government paid so handsomely. On what possible grounds dare he go into Cobargo and tell people who had lost everything that he "understood their feelings, understood their emotions"? Julie Fall, Warrnambool A failure of leadership across political divide Now is the time to act. No more conferences, agreements, rallies, committees, studies or expert opinions. Climate change is real, and our country burns, rivers run dry, skies are polluted and arable land is diminishing. Leaders of all political parties are inept, incapable and lack understanding of the global crisis. Children understand and protest whilst our leaders talk. Plan locally, but act globally. The hourglass is running out. Gerard Kennedy, Blackburn

Spin and 'empathy' can't obscure this fact The fires, the Prime Minister says, have "nothing to do with politics". What arrant and offensive nonsense. The connection between the intensity and scale of the fires and climate change science (and therefore climate change policy, i.e. politics) is tragically manifest. Only a fool, a mad ideologue, or an irresponsible cynic would say otherwise. No amount of spin, no amount of empathy, whether sincere or not, can obscure that fact. Brian Nelson, Fitzroy THE FORUM Multi-targeted approach

Some Australians believe that if we substantially reduce our CO2 emissions, we will be saved from extreme bushfires and drought. Unless China, the US, India, Russia, Japan and the EU substantially cut their emissions, climate change will not be reversed. These countries represent about two thirds of world emissions and except for the EU and the US, their emissions have increased since 2005. Even if they achieve a substantial cut, it will be decades before any effect is seen. Australia needs to do more on emissions reductions but there is an urgent need to also focus on mitigation and threat management to deal with the effects of climate change. Victoria has largely ignored the recommendations of the royal commission into the Black Saturday bushfires with respect to fuel management, land use planning and addressing the causes of fires. In many states, there is opposition to dams and associated flood mitigation works to help alleviate the impacts of severe drought. We need to take a broader, multi-targeted approach. Allan Tapley, Mentone Hands to yourself, PM

I was appalled to see the Prime Minister force his contact on a firefighter and a resident in Cobargo. Both had lost their homes to fire and made it obvious that they did not want physical contact. However, the Prime Minister, in turning away, forced a handshake on the woman and twice patted the firefighter on the shoulder. When will he understand personal space and respect of the wishes of others? Diana Close, Surrey Hills We need action, now Prime Minister, please stop touring fire-ravaged disaster areas, trying to shake hands with devastated Australians. Please stop serving up slogans and platitudes in speeches and interviews to frightened Australians. Please go back to Canberra, convene a COAG (Council of Australian Governments) meeting and lead a national response to this national disaster. Now. Susan Russell, Queenscliff

Genuine loving help It has been moving to see the community spirit in the bush, shown through mutual support, courage and bonds of loving help. We are a world community, dependent on each other for this same love and something we need for our survival. It is "world interest", not national interest, that counts now. Roger Prowd, Glen Iris A step to leadership Scott Morrison has acknowledged the "anxiety and stress" of people fleeing the fire zones and has urged patience, assuring them that "help will arrive". It is nice that he is starting to understand what anxiety is. Hopefully soon he will understand that Australians are anxious about the long-term future of the world, not just whether their favourite holiday spot (in Australia) will still be there at the end of summer. When he starts doing something about the urgent need to address climate change, we will know he finally understands the meaning of sincerity and leadership.

Danny Cole, Essendon Impossible to be 'calm' Scott Morrison, do not tell us to be calm and patient. The fires are not listening. People have lost their homes, livelihood, livestock and lives. You are not God and you will not make it rain. Susan Snooks, Kew A man out of his depth

Give Scott Morrison a break. He is from marketing and is stretched beyond his capabilities. Let him write slogans while everyone else deals with our national and international issues. Virginia Harding, Alphington The terrible irony While our friends in the Pacific islands have been pleading with the world, including Australia, to do more to save them from going under, how ironic it would be if our climatic fires land us in a similar position. Many countries are looking on in horror at Australia's unfolding crisis. There could be no better time for our country and our leaders to make the case for decisive and urgent global climate action, both as a way to help us survive in the longer term and as an illustration of the risk that climate change poses. Bryan O'Connell, Barwon Heads

Surplus before fire relief The budget surplus will remain intact, Kaye Kibblewhite (Letters, 2/1), because this federal government will do nothing that threatens it. There will be no billions of dollars spent on bushfire relief. The prized surplus will be the neon-lit centrepiece of the next budget. And when the Treasurer and Prime Minister embark on their national tour to sell it, I hope they are greeted by a collective middle-finger salute. You can safely bet your house that they will not visit fire-ravaged areas trumpeting their useless achievement. Deirdre McQueen, Eltham Pay for irresponsibility

Most people in eastern Gippsland were given ample notice to leave before the bushfires impacted on them. Yet many chose to disregard official advice or instructions. Will they be billed for any costs associated with their rescue and after care? Surely there must be consequences for willful, irresponsible behaviour. Michael Gamble, Belmont Tackling the challenge Maybe we should re-think the structure of our fire services. Professionalise all of them. Pay the workforce appropriately, as happens in Canada and California. Train the firefighters over years, not weeks. Also, provide the same comprehensive training for national and state parks people. Fully train the defence forces to fight fires and deploy their extensive infrastructure. Money and big ideas are needed for the huge challenges ahead. (Maybe we could buy one fewer submarine and spend the $1billion on this.) Bill Clark, Melbourne

Put common good first Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. In Austria, the main centre-right party has joined forces with the environmentalist Greens to form a government (World, 3/1). It was obviously formed for the common good. Australian politicians could learn from this example. They should put aside repressive party politics and factionalism within their parties to forge agreement on political stalemates, such as the climate emergency and the treatment of refugees. Virginia Schneiders, Mount Dandenong Rethink meat and dairy

Australians rightfully feel overwhelmed by helplessness amidst the apocalyptic fires and government inaction. Britain puts us to shame by phasing out coal for its energy use in favour of renewables (The Age, 3/1). The Prime Minister believes we are "doing enough", but what can we do as individuals? The fires are intensified by climate change, and the largest contributor to carbon emissions is animal agriculture. Consider meat and dairy, and the associated farming practices: burning forests for land clearing to grow grain to feed animals, the methane belching and manure they produce, and the refrigeration and trucks to transport the products. Individually it may not feel like much, but collectively we can change the landscape if we consider the immediate impact of our next forkful of food. Let us turn down the BBQ. Eliza Woolcock, Frankston South I just don't 'knowen'

While we may hope for the return of the missing "T" (Letters, 1/1 and 3/1), we should also hope that the extra "E" is addressed. Nothing is "knowen" about its origins but it, like the "T", is also mispronounced by broadcasters. It has been "showen" to appear frequently and has "growen" in its adoption. Helen Goodman, Williamstown Careful, he might fall The image of a tourist grabbing the hand of Pope Francis and not letting go (World, 3/1) was a good example of how not to treat an 83-year-old. She showed an appalling lack of respect for an elderly man. Her action nearly caused him to fall and break a bone or two. Sigbert Muysers, Ballarat East

Words give offence Clearly Margaret Court does not care about offending others. Let us make sure we are at the Australian Open, gay and proud with our rainbow flags. Rosita Vila, Aireys Inlet The right to an opinion Instead of criticising Margaret Court, it would be better if Martina Navratilova picked up the Bible and started to read it. She might learn a bit about showing tolerance of other people's views.

Barrie Dempster, Balwyn No phone or licence Regarding tougher penalties for drivers distracted by their mobile phones, Victoria's Road Safety Minister Jaala Pulford says: "We need to send a clear, tougher, stronger message to the community, because the community is clearly not hearing this message, and so we're open to new ways to do this" (The Age, 2/1). Here is one suggestion. Deploy camera-equipped, motorcycle cops to patrol roads, require offenders to safely park their vehicles, confiscate their licences immediately and tell them to use their precious mobile phones to call taxis  for the next 30 days. Word will soon get around backyard barbies across the state that this inconsiderate, dangerous behaviour is not on. Leon Burgher, Stony Creek

AND ANOTHER THING Fires PM, can you hear the people? Climate action, now. Rhonda Fitch, Sandringham Scott is slow to learn that naked ambition is no substitute for ability.

Noel North, Malvern East Climate action would be quicker and easier if geological time got in sync with the electoral cycle. Max Williams, Ringwood North Why can't one of the Queenscliff ferries go to Mallacoota to rescue people and bring in supplies? Jo Olsen, Blairgowrie

Some politicians say our emergency services are well resourced. Really? Andrew Gemmell, Glenroy Morrison is dead meat. Dutton will be sharpening his knife to cut him down. Moira Macdonald, Trentham Self-serving mediocrity plus cunning do not make a leader.

Patricia Thorpe, Footscray Albo's hypocrisy: chastising the government's response to emissions while pimping our coal to the Third World. Matt Dunn, Leongatha The Coalition's climate policies are keeping the home fires burning. Josquin Tibbits, Eltham

Once again Hewson (2/1) shows himself to be the best PM we never had. Cate Lewis, Clifton Hill ScoNo: no action, empathy, insight, leadership. Only shallow platitudes and slogans. Rosenna Hossack, Edithvale May I suggest asking the empathy consultants for a refund?

Margot Gorski, East Prahran How will Australia's climate refugees be welcomed by more environmentally safe countries? James O'Keefe, East Melbourne ScoMo, our "she'll be right PM". George Migios, Box Hill
Motorists in Seville and Cadiz got an early Three Kings present on Wednesday when the toll road that has linked the cities since 1972 saw its pay stations close for good. The government has abolished tolls on the AP-4 motorway now the concession to run it, and collect the 7.45 euros one way fee, has ended.

Some drivers queued up to join the road on the stroke of midnight on 1 January to be the first to avoid paying. It is one of the oldest motorways in the country.

Elsewhere in Spain, a 367-kilometre stretch of the AP-7 between Tarragona (Catalonia) and Alicante was freed of tolls.

The contract to run the AP-7 toll road closer to home on the Costa del Sol has until 2054 before it expires on its full length as far as Sotogrande.
Help India!

TCN News

The fact finding team released thier report on 2nd January 2020, at Mangaluru.



On 19th December there were anti-CAA/ NPR protests held in Mangaluru city that was met with police action. Two people were killed in Mangaluru in police firing after protests allegedly turned violent, and scores were injured, properties were damaged and several criminal cases were filed and with people also being arrested. Some journalists too were at the receiving end of police violence, while several journalists, especially from Kerala based media, were also detained by the police and later released. The State Government and the police claims that there was no police excess and that all actions by the police and district administration was in accordance with law, whereas the civil society organizations and the opposition have refuted the same, and believe that the police action was excessive, biased and specifically targeted the Muslim community.



In the wake of this, the Chief Minister initially declared a compensation of Rs. Ten Lakh each for the families of the deceased, only to later withdraw the same. The Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai has claimed that, People who had come from Kerala to participate in the protest also tried to set fire to a police station in Mangaluru and damaged public property. To control the mob, police had to use force. Within a day after the statement by the Home Minister, the Kerala Government made travel arrangements for all Kerala students in Mangaluru to ensure a safe passage for the students back to their home state.

The state government on its part has announced a magisterial enquiry into the violence.

The incidents of December 19th have shocked the conscience of the people of Karnataka.

A team of human rights and civil liberty activists from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Delhi consisting of Avani Chokshi, Clifton D Rozario, Swathi Seshadri, Venugopalan K.M. and (All AIPF), Himanshu Kumar, Panditaradhya, Venkatraju, YJ Rajendra and (All PUCL), Mohammed Nowfal (Tamil Nadu) and Umar Farouq (Karnataka) (both NCHRO) was constituted to conduct a fact finding into the same on 1st and 2nd January 2020.

The team has met with the families of the deceased victims as also other victims of police violence, shopkeepers in the State Bank and Bunder area, administration and others in the Ibrahim Khaleel mosque, met the administration of Highland Hospital and District Medical Officer, Dr. Rajeshwari Devi of Wenlock Hospital, met Shri Madan Mohan, Assistant Commissioner, and Dr. P.S. Harsha, Commissioner of Police. The team also met with patients of police excess admitted in Highlands and Unity Hospital.

We must clarify that on meeting with the Commissioner of Police, he informed us that he was too busy to have a discussion, and would prefer if we submitted whatever questions we had or clarifications we sought in writing, which has been done last evening and still no response is received to the same. The team has also gone through innumerable videos and photos of various incidents that occurred through the day of 19th December, which conclusively determines certain aspects as below:

1. It appears that there was heavy police deployment, including of external KSRP forces in the vicinity at various places, especially at the State Bank circle. Preparations went to the extent of arranging for sand bags and riot gear at the location.



2. Beginning from the afternoon all the way through the evening, it appears that cumulatively there were not more than 200-300 protesters who had taken to the streets. This goes contrary to the claims of the police that thousands poured onto the streets. Including bystanders and travelers who had alighted from buses there were no more than 400 in the State bank and Bunder area.



3. The first incident appears to have occurred around 1.30 pm, when a handful of youth attempted to protest against the CAA but were dispersed by the police, which used excessive violence against them. From the videos circulating widely, it is apparent that their number was not more than 150 and that they were only shouting slogans.



4. The protesters were violently thrashed, kicked, pushed around and abused before being thrown into police vans without any provocation in a premeditated manner. The police came down upon them with disproportionate force and violence. We are given to understand that several persons who were at the receiving end of police brutality including media persons have approached the police and other concerned authorities for action to be taken against the police.



5. It appears that there was some confusion amongst the youth about whether or not the protest announced for that day had been cancelled, as the message of cancellation issued after imposition of prohibitory orders under section 144 had not circulated to all.



6. It appears that thereafter, the Police went on a rampage and stormed into shops in the vicinity, pulling out people, selectively attacking Muslims.



7. At around 4 pm, a team of police attacked Ibrahim Khaleel mosque where about 80 persons were praying peacefully. The police apparently sought to chase certain youth into the said mosque and then initiated an indiscriminate attack upon the mosque. The police launched an attack of stones and teargas through and above the slats of the mosque gate, causing havoc and confusion.



8. Obviously, the premeditated lathi charge coupled with the attack on innocent people during prayers at the mosque and the targeting of Muslim shops and vendors infuriated the youth, leading to bands of protesters gathering at corners and intermittently pelting stones.



9. The leaders of the community were brought in by the police to try to calm the situation down, and, in fact, were succeeding in doing so when one leader, Ashraf, the former Mayor of Mangaluru city, was injured on the head by the police. Reports differ in regard to whether the injury was caused by a bullet. This again aggravated the situation.



10. At this point, the police began indiscriminate firing of guns and teargas. Two innocent bystanders were killed during this firing, both of which took place on Azizuddin Road, where the Mangaluru North Police Station is located. One of them was a 42-year old father of two and daily wage earner on the docks, who had stepped out of his house to offer Namaz. There was no mob present, yet tear gas and bullets was being fired into the road, one of which hit Abdul Jaleel in the head. In another incident on another end of Azizuddin Road,

23-year old Nausheen who was attempting to return home from the workshop he was working at, fell prey to the blind and indiscriminate firing when a bullet hit him in his midriff. Highland Hospital where many of the seriously injured were admitted, reported that there were 5 persons admitted with bullet and shell linked injuries. This is apart from Jaleel and Nausheen. The family members reported that they have filed complaints with the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC). The killing of Jaleel and Nausheen are extra judicial killings as they were done outside the procedures of law. The very next day the hospital administration filed a complaint and wanted action to be taken against the responsible personnel but no action was taken in this regard.



11. After Jaleel and Nausheen were declared dead on arrival by Highland Hospital, the police was called so that the bodies could be handed over to them as these were Medico Legal Cases (MLC). The police upon arrival at the hospital were faced by an angry group of mourners, who pelted stones at the police outside the hospital. The police engaged in lathi charge outside the hospital. They did not stop there. The police then fired tear gas within the hospital compound and proceeded to storm the hospital. They tried to barge into patient rooms including the ICU. Atleast 3 patients who were admitted there prior to December 19th were adversely affected due to this. The health of 2 patients who were admitted with respiratory issues deteriorated and had to be shifted to the ICU and one of them was put on a ventilator. Both these patients would otherwise have been discharged within 2-3 days but have now had to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks. One of the patients incurred an expense of Rs. 1,58,000 out of which the ICU charges was Rs. 90,000. This expense in only because of the tear gas firing by the police. Another 65-year old man who was to be discharged on December 20th and has gone into shock, has not come out of it since then.



12. We spoke with Dr. Rajeshwari Devi, District Medical Officer, Wenlock Hospital. She informed us that on 19th December, 66 people were treated in the OPD of which 26 were civilians and 42 were police persons. Police continued to get treatment from the OPD till the 22nd of December. Apparently there were conscious attempts on the part of the police to make it appear that the number of policemen injured by the alleged stone pelting by the mob outnumbered civilians who suffered injuries from violence by police. The cases of police treated in Wenlock were mostly related to bruises, lacerations, contusions and swelling. There were 2 cases of bullet injuries in which one of the victims admitted took discharge immediately. There several instances of victims who we met who have not gone to Wenlock or other big hospitals for fear of being falsely implicated by the police. Most of the FIRs are open FIRs which serve as a constant threat.



13. On December 20th curfew was lifted for 2 hours between 12.00 pm  2.00 pm. People came for Namaz at this time and were again beaten by the police when they came out of the masjid. On being asked why they were being beaten, the police apparently said that they did not know that curfew had been lifted.

14. As reported above the police have targeted shops and street stalls owned by people from the Muslim community. While in other parts of Karnataka protestors defying the Section 144 order were arrested, in Mangaluru the police resorted to brutal violence to deal with the protestors. Some open FIRs mention the accused as Unknown Muslim Youth. The attack on the masjid and people coming out of the masjid, that all who were admitted either for bullet/shell injuries and severe injuries due to lathi charge even on those alighting from buses, were all Muslim indicates that the police force has been communalized.

15. Within 2 days of the incidents, all the CCTV DVRs have been taken away by the police. Based on the criticism that the police have already faced, it is alleged that this was done in an attempt by the police to cover their tracks. Similarly, on the matter of the internet ban, it appears that it was done only to prevent videos about the police violence from being circulated.

Demands

1. Order a judicial enquiry into the events of 19th December and the subsequent developments thereof, including the police barging into Highland Hospital.

2. To assuage the feeling of deep hurt that has been caused on account of fabricated open FIRs being lodged in various police stations, it is just and necessary that the said FIRs ought to be closed and release all the 25 persons who have been arrested on the basis of these FIRs.

3. Similarly, the FIRs that have been lodged against various predominantly Muslim persons for having exposed the correct situation in Mangalore must also be closed. 4. Immediately suspend Dr. P.S. Harsha, Commissioner of Police, Mangaluru, for dereliction of duty in handling the situation leading to deaths, police excesses, false cases.

5. Immediately suspend Shantaram Kunder, Inspector, Kadri Police Station, for the undisputed statement made by him captured on video.

6. Order ex-gratia compensation of Ten Lakh Rupees to the families of each of the deceased victims.

7. State Government shall bear the expenses of all the injured victims, including the three patients in Highland Hospital whose condition seriously deteriorated on account of the tear gas fired by the police.
Kabul, Jan 4 : Amid a flare up in tensions between the United States and Iran over the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Iraq, Afghanistan - home to thousands of US troops - has said its soil will not be used against its neighbors.

The government of Kabul expressed concern over the escalation in violence in the region as a result of the US airstrike on Iraqi soil that killed one of Iran's top leaders, Efe news reported.

"The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan assures its people and all its neighboring countries that as per the Security Agreement with the United States, the Afghanistan soil under no circumstances will be used against any foreign country," the Afghan presidential palace said in a statement late on Friday.

The presidential palace said president Ashraf Ghani on Friday held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in which the president said Afghan soil would not be used against any third country.

Afghanistan, which shares a border with Iran, expressed its concern over the "possible escalation of violence in the region," and urged both the US and neighboring Iran to avoid an "escalation of violence." It also called on the parties to resolve their differences through dialog.

The note said the government is carefully following the developments in the region and is committed to the preservation and expansion of its relations with all countries.

Despite the presence of thousands of US troops in Afghanistan for nearly 18 years, Afghanistan has been experiencing normal relations with its neighboring countries, including Iran.

Soleimani, who was the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force and the architect of several powerful Shia militias across the Middles East region, was killed in a US strike near Baghdad International Airport.

The governments of Islamabad and New Delhi also expressed their concern over the events in the Middle East and consequences they could have for the region.

The Pakistani government urged the parties to exercise maximum moderation and solve their problems through diplomatic channels.

India's Foreign Ministry acknowledged the death of the Iranian leader and said in a statement that peace, stability and security were of utmost importance to the country.
Simon Cooke was a councillor for 24 years and served as a leader of the Conservative Group and Deputy Leader of Bradford Council. He is an activist with the Shipley Conservatives.

Local councillors, huh! What are they for, running around getting grand ideas about their importance, inventing new committees to sit on and then, every few years, expecting folk to run around delivering leaflets and knocking on doors to get them elected again! Way too many of them, especially now they all get paid loads of money for doing the job. Lets get rid of most of them, save some money, and have fewer people looking down their noses at ordinary folk and saying, its Councillor Smith yknow. This site has reported that in several places the number of councillors has been cut.

Having a pop at councillors is easy for campaign groups like the Taxpayers Alliance  lots of stuff about allowances and expenses to go at, despite the cost of those councillors being a minuscule part of the typical council budget. Then MPs pile in calling for massive cuts in councillor numbers, while sometimes getting shirty when a councillor suggests that there might just be far too many MPs.

But far from us needing fewer politicians, we need more. Rather than taking the decision-making further away from ordinary residents with unitary councils, regional mayors, and combined authorities, we should, as Conservatives, be wanting to get more decisions made right down in the communities where those ordinary residents live, by people they know and can speak with. Right now, our system of local democracy doesnt function well, and the lack of real accountability is a big reason for this.

In the late 1990s, Blair piled further reforms on top of the reforms rammed through by Michael Heseltine in 1990 to try and fix the poll tax debacle. The result of these changes was that local government lost any effective control of its revenue and most councillors were relegated to toothless and largely pointless scrutiny committees. This, not the number of councillors, is the real problem and if we want to have effective and accountable local government, we need to sort out how its financed and how local public services are held to account.

The real reason for the move to unitary councils is financial  people see that some expensive senior officers can go, a few expensive office blocks can be flogged off, and therell be less to give out in expenses for councillors. Nobody asks whether this is a better system of local government or if taking decisions further away from residents will improve their relationship with government and the decisions it makes. Having been a councillor on a large city authority for 24 years, I concluded a while ago that Bradford Council is too big.

Some things local councils might do are better at a bigger scale, but most of the day-to-day delivery of public services dont fit that description. Reducing the numbers of councillors because it stops the TPA or the Daily Mail shouting at us isnt the right way to frame our policies on local government. We should instead be asking why our systems of local government are so confused, how we can get a better link between policy and finance at this local level, and whether this needs something more than Heseltines city mayors to put right.

But even without clear policies on local governance we can do some things that will strengthen the role of local councillors and make use of their skills, knowledge, and local connection. This means that councillors need more resources to do their job, not less  just look at the imbalance in Bradford where support for the chief executive consists of a multi-million-pound policy department while ninety councillors make do with three (brilliant and hardworking) women. Contrast political support for policy (two and a half people across three political groups) with the scale of that corporate policy development operation. Similarly, they have cut the numbers of scrutiny committees, and the support for the work they do is pared to the bone making it harder for councillors to do the (limited) job that these committees supposedly exist to undertake.

If we resourced councillors better, we could begin to make use of them as a way of holding the legion of unelected boards and committees  especially in the health service  to better account. And, to make it work better, they should have the power to require attendance and the support to ask hard questions of public officials responsible for spending millions. We could also widen this scrutiny role to cover the DWP, Home Office, and other central government departments with a local delivery role. There are thousands of local councillors and, with the right support, we could see them as a brilliant cadre of locally-connected people able  given the right support  to hold the real government decision-makers, currently unaccountable bureaucrats, to better account.

Instead of seeing local councillors as a potential saving maybe we should see them as an asset.
NEW YORK - A federal judge in Manhattan ruled Friday that an indicted associate of President Donald Trump's personal attorney can provide Congress with evidence in his criminal case that is of interest to impeachment investigators.

U.S. District Judge Paul Oetken granted an application from an attorney for Lev Parnas seeking permission to give lawmakers access to phone data and documents seized by federal prosecutors after his October arrest. The House Intelligence Committee subpoenaed the materials as part of its impeachment inquiry, according to Parnas attorney Joseph Bondy.

The materials are expected to include documents taken from Parnas' Florida home, along with a complete readout of his iPhone. Bondy has said there is relevant information contained in the materials, though he has not disclosed specifically what that might be.

"Review of these materials is essential to the Committee's ability to corroborate the strength of Mr. Parnas' potential [impeachment] testimony," Bondy wrote to the court last week.

Prosecutors did not object to the items being given to Congress.

Parnas and his co-defendant, Igor Fruman, were business associates of Rudy Giuliani, the president's personal attorney, and were recruited by the former New York mayor to help him investigate Trump political rival Joe Biden. The former vice president is a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Dealings by and on behalf of Trump involving Ukraine are the basis for his impeachment. The House approved two articles last month - alleging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - but Democratic leaders have not yet transmitted them to the Senate, where Trump is expected to face trial.

Parnas and Fruman were arrested in October and charged with violating campaign finance law. Prosecutors allege they filtered foreign money through a bogus energy company they purported to operate and made donations to American politicians on behalf of foreign interests. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

Giuliani has said he sought Parnas' help investigating Biden. He is not named in the indictment charging Parnas and Fruman, but people familiar with the matter have said he is under investigation by federal prosecutors in New York.

On Friday, prosecutors said they oppose a bid from Parnas' lawyers asking the judge to require the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office to find out if U.S. intelligence agencies surveilled Parnas, Fruman or their co-defendants David Correia and Andrey Kukushkin.

"The Government has complied with its discovery and disclosure obligations, and [the defense] motion fails to set forth any legal basis to require anything more," wrote prosecutors Rebekah Donaleski, Nicolas Roos and Douglas Zolkind.

In a letter to Oetken, the judge, they called the defense strategy "a fishing expedition" and said they did not intend to use any information that may have been obtained via surveillance.

Oetken has not yet ruled on the issue.
Four persons were arrested for allegedly possessing and transporting banned gutka worth lakhs at Kasara, police said on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off, the police intercepted a tempo on the Mumbai-Agra Highway at around 5 am on Thursday and seized 108 gunny bags containing gutka, police PRO Tukharam Thatkar said.

All the four occupants of the truck, including the owner, were arrested and gutka worth over Rs 5 lakh was seized, he added.

Offenses under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Food Protection Act have been registered against the arrested accused at Kasara police station in Shahapur taluka, the official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Not only Iraqis, but the whole world was shocked by the assassination of the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, and his right-hand man, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was the deputy head of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). This event, without a doubt, will change the map of conflict in the region.

The attack took place around 1 a.m. on Jan. 3 near the Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani had just arrived in Baghdad and had gotten into a vehicle, but his convoy was struck by drones before it had left the airport grounds. Soleimani, Muhandis and six other PMU figures were killed immediately.

A few hours later, the IRGC announced that four other IRGC generals were killed in the attack as well.

This presence of this number of important people altogether indicates that they had been planning something very big, probably against the US after the latter attack on PMU bases in northern Iraq and Syria. This was what US officials confirmed as well. US President Donal Trump said "We took action last night to stop a war" and Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's main congressional advisers, called the operation a "preemptive, defensive strike planned to take out the organizer of attacks yet to come."

The operation was very well planned, organized and executed. The United States had access to very sensitive information and likely had been tracking Soleimani's movements and activity for a long time.

The scene was indeed set perfectly. Washington could not have chosen a better time, as after a series of protests from Baghdad to Tehran and Beirut, Soleimani had lost some public support and was seen as part of Iran's suppression system against people and their free wills. The attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad had also turned the majority of Iraqi political forces and the international community against Soleimani as the highest  albeit unofficial  leader of the PMU. The location turned out to be perfect as well. The strike took place in Iraqi territory, raising questions among the Iraqi public about the reason for an Iranian general being present in Iraq, especially after accusations facing Iran-backed forces of killing Iraqi protesters and abducting many of them. Selecting a quiet place in the airport also prevented the killing of any civilians that might allow Iran to victimize themselves and demonize the United States.

The reaction of the Iraqi public was not as strong as Iran might have expected. The president, prime minister and most of the Iraqi political parties  including Sunnis, Kurds and Shiites, among them Muqtada al-Sadr's and Ammar al-Hakim's movements  only denounced the event, calling all involved parties in Iraq to be patient and avoid any clash on Iraqi territory.

"In this exceptional circumstance, it is the duty of the Iraqis to adhere to their unity, close ranks and transcendent disputes in order to protect the supreme national interests, and to protect the sovereignty and security of the country and spare it the scourge and tragedies of armed conflicts that have worn it over four decades  and its effects and wounds are still not healed," Iraqi President Barham Salih said in his statement.

Meanwhile, top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, during his representative Friday sermon, also condemned the assassination and called it a breach of Iraqi sovereignty. Yet at the same time, Sistani called upon all parties to have a high degree of patience and avoid pushing the country toward the abyss.

The PMU announced it was on the highest state of alert. As announced, Soleimani's funeral will be held in Baghdad Jan. 4, and then his body will be transferred to Tehran.

In Iran, the government called for mass protests to show support to the regime and condemn the incident. Soleimani, due to his great influence in the region, is probably the most respected figure in the country  even among the people who do not support the Islamic regime.

Sadr, who has been living in Iran since the beginning of the protests Oct. 1, activated his Mahdi Army and called upon his followers to be ready for any necessary action to protect Iraq from any possible conflict. At the same time, he called on all parties to be patient and avoid bringing any regional conflict into the country.

In terms of Iran's reaction, all influential parties in Iraq are calling for restraint and patience. Even the pro-Iranian groups, although calling for strong revenge, are simultaneously beseeching all sides not to escalate the conflict in Iraq.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council had its special meeting about the incident, which was led by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the first time. The council announced after the meeting that Iran will take revenge at the suitable time and place, which indicates Iran is not willing to escalate in the near future.

In fact, the economic hardship in Iran  in addition to the challenges the government is facing internally  would not allow Tehran to increase the tension. Irans past conduct against Israel strikes on Iranian bases in Syria also shows it will not seek revenge if its national security and interests are in danger.

From the US side, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for reducing the escalation, saying, I reiterated our commitment to de-escalation. US President Donald Trump also indicated that Iran should take up negotiation instead of confrontation, tweeting, Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

This all indicates that Iran and its proxies in the region most likely would not seek revenge in the near future and  in regard to Iraq, in particular  would not lead Iraq to fall into a civil war or mass destruction, because it would lose even more in Iraq if it takes such a risk.

Iran is also very unlikely to push its Iraqi political forces to go ahead with legislation asking US troops to leave the country, as this would raise strong objections from Kurdish and Sunni forces and push them to work for separation. Iran would be the first party affected by such a dangerous move.
Senate leaders remained at an impasse Thursday over the scope of a trial, and aides to Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the two men had not spoken over the holidays about the standoff. Pelosi has held off sending the articles of impeachment  alleging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress  to the Senate as Democrats seek guarantees about witnesses and documents that will be subpoenaed regarding Trumps conduct toward Ukraine.
Staff members of a luxury lodge on South Australia's Kangaroo Island have been forced to take shelter in an emergency bunker as an unstoppable fire tornado tore through the island.

The Southern Ocean Lodge evacuated all guests and most staff from their resort on Friday afternoon amid bushfire threats, leaving six senior staff to monitor fire conditions onsite.

The group hid away in an emergency bunker and activated the sprinkler system in a desperate effort to save the lodge from incoming flames.

The lodge received structural damage in the blaze, and has since been closed, with the remaining staff able to evacuate with no injuries reported.

Evacuations have begun in dangerous smokey conditions on Kangaroo Island as two fires have been placed under emergency warning

The Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island has suffered structural damage after wild bushfires evacuated guests from the resort on Friday afternoon

Southern Ocean Lodge founders James and Hayley Baillie told 7News 'it's our worst nightmare come true.'

A wild bushfire formed a fire whirl on the island, with firefighters calling one of the blazes 'virtually unstoppable,' with nearly the entire island under threat from the flames.

Dramatic footage shows flames on the ground being sucked up by swirling winds into a flaming spiral, while thick black smoke billows overhead.

The Country Fire Service says that the entire western side of Kangaroo Island is under threat from the raging inferno in the Flinders Chase National Park, with 150 firefighters tackling the fire at Ravine.

Dramatic footage has captured the moment a fire whirl was formed in a wild bushfire on South Australia's Kangaroo Island

HOW DOES A FIRE TWISTER FORM? Wild fires can turn into incredibly dangerous rotating storm systems when they are pushing by strong winds. Fire twisters are formed when embers are lifted up in areas of intense rising heat and pushed into swirling pockets of air. They can range from small scale fire whirls where a fragment of a blaze will begin to spin to supercell bushfire thunderstorms, where the entire fire storm system will spin over itself. 'We know fire-whirls exist, they can be up to a few hundred metres high,' Nick McCarthy from the University of Queensland told The ABC. 'But they don't cause quite the same amount of concern as when the whole fire plume, and potentially thunderstorm, start to rotate.' Advertisement

Residents and tourists have been evacuated from Vivonne Bay, with CFS urging anyone still in the area to leave as soon as possible.

'This fire may pose a threat to lives directly in its path,' a warning issued by the CFS reads.

'Act now. Leave, if the path is clear to a safer place, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.

'If you cannot leave, identify where you will seek shelter from the bushfire. Heat from the fire will kill you.

'Don't enter this area as firefighters are now unable to prevent the fire spreading.'

Police say that the safest places for people on Kangaroo Island to escape the fires are Kingscote and Penneshaw.

Strong winds are forecast for the area, with fears the Ravine fire could burn towards the centre of the island.

The Duncan fire is burning on the other side of the island, with both blazes being placed under emergency warning.

CFS chief officer Mark Johns said firefighters have control of the Duncan fire, despite a wind change that forced the blaze over containment lines.

'These conditions caused the Duncan fire to break containment and head easterly direction, thankfully aerial bombardment and hard work from our fire fighters on the ground have got that fire contained,' Mr Johns said, as reported by The Advertiser.

#Bushfire Emergency Warning for #PLAYFORD_HWY/WEST_END_HWY_,_RAVINE #fire. This fire may pose a threat to lives directly in its path. Act now. Leave if the path is clear to a safer place, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive. #EWM ID=0004383 #SAFires https://t.co/mb326YVXfh pic.twitter.com/7Z0k39Oizl  Country Fire Service (@CFSAlerts) January 3, 2020

'It is pleasing that resources on the ground are having a good impact but the conditions as well as the severity and size of the (Ravine) fire means that the fire is virtually unstoppable at the current time.'

Mr Johns confirmed that there were currently 412 CFS firefighters tending to 25 fires across South Australia.
Prominent backbencher Jess Phillips said she 'would have absolutely no problem in confronting Donald Trump' as she launched a bid to become the next Labour leader.

The Birmingham Yardley MP became the third candidate to enter the race alongside Emily Thornberry and Clive Lewis when she confirmed her campaign on Friday evening.

She posted a short film to Twitter with a message insisting 'politics need honest voices' while urging people to 'join me to make things better' and visit her website.

'I'm standing to be the next Labour Leader. Politics needs honest voices', Mrs Phillips said. 'Only when we are honest again, with ourselves and with the country, will we become the people who get to make the decisions. I cant do this alone. Join me to help make things better.'

MP for Wigan, Lisa Nandy, has also announced she will stand. Ms Nandy, a critic of calls for a second referendum on Brexit, said: Without what were once our Labour heartlands, we will never win power in Westminster ... I have heard you loud and clear.

Ms Phillips, 38, launched her bid with former MP Melanie Onn in Grimsby, where she spoke to Channel 4 News about tensions in the Middle East and outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn.

'I would have absolutely no problem in confronting Donald Trump,' she said. 'And the reality is that I actually think Donald Trump with somebody like me would respect the fact.

Jess Phillips has claimed she 'would have absolutely no problem in confronting Donald Trump' as she confirmed her Labour leadership bid

'They might not like what I was saying, but that I would tell him what I thought'.

The MP, who has only been in the Commons for five years, also discussed the 'tense situation' between the US and Iran, which was escalated today when Trump ordered an airstrike on Baghdad airport.

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said 10 people were killed in the strikes, including five of its members and Quds commander Qassem Soleimani.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy leader of Hashd al-Shaabi, was among the dead, as well as other Iraqi militia members.

'With regard to what happened today, it is harrowing', she said. 'Just as a citizen to wake up to the news that there is a possible escalation of an already tense situation between the US and Iran  what I would do if I was the Prime Minister in this situation is seek to be talking to the President of the United States to ask what the outcome of the actions.'

'Because the reason it feels reckless, the reason it feels dangerous is because the faith that we have currently in the current commander in chief is we dont know what the plan is. Whats his plan in taking this action, what plans are there for if it escalates, what are the diplomatic plans as well as interventionist plans?

Ms Phillips announced her Labour leadership bid with a short video posted to Twitter on Friday

The 38-year-old appeared to rule out succeeding Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader earlier this year, saying the job 'doesn't look like much fun' in April

'I would be seeking to deescalate this situation with diplomacy in any situation possible. Because we dont know what is going to happen and that is reckless if you dont know the outcome of your actions in war and peace, be very very careful before doing anything'.

The 38-year-old, known for being a straight talker, had seemed to rule out succeeding Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader earlier this year, saying the job 'doesn't look like much fun' in April.

She now joins shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry and shadow treasury minister Clive Lewis as those who have formally declared their bids after what she described as a 'shock' for the Labour Party in last month's election.

Who is Jess Phillips? She has been Birmingham Yardley MP since 2015

Before that she worked with victims of domestic abuse for Women's Aid

The 38-year-old is married to Tom and they have two sons

Her father was a teacher and her mother a senior NHS manager

Has long faced opposition from hardline left-wing supporters of Jeremy Corbyn

Last year she told how she got 600 rape threats online in a single night, including from Corbynistas Advertisement

'The Labour Party I think has had a shock in the election and it wants to win again', Ms Phillips told Liz Bates. 'None of this matters which faction you are in, who you had a row with in the past, you didnt like so-and-so and you did like this and didnt like that.

'None of that matters unless we can win and I think that the Labour Party recognise that is more important. The Labour Party has been a bit exclusive; it has felt a little bit like it was a clique and sometimes it was exclusive. That has got to end and it is as much my responsibility to end it as anyone's'.

She added that she is going to 'be honest throughout the campaign' and claimed she will 'answer Labour members' questions honestly'.

The MP also discussed her use of language in 2015, when she said she 'I won't knife you in the back, I will knife you in the front' while discussing Mr Corbyn.

She said: 'One of the reasons that people in the country actually like people like me is because I talk a little bit like them. And that means I will make mistakes. And that means I will admit when I make mistakes as well.

'So yes, if I could turn back time, I would say I wont speak behind Jeremy Corbyns back, I will always tell him to his face'.

The mother-of-two added that the government is 'scared' of her 340,000 Twitter followers.

'The fact that I have many Twitter followers means that the government is scared when I put it out there and then much more likely to react,' she said.

'Nothing will ever silence me. Every time people like that try and use violence or threats to silence people like me it just gives me fuel to stand up further'.

Others are expected to announce their leadership intentions soon, with shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, and close Corbyn ally Rebecca Long Bailey are widely expected to also run in what could a bitter campaign split down ideological lines.

The YouGov poll of Labour Party members found Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey are the two early front-runners for the leadership

Ms Phillips, who supported victims of domestic abuse for Women's Aid before entering Parliament in 2015, would appear to be a relatively popular choice with the Labour members who will help select the leader.

She came third in a YouGov survey of the membership behind both Sir Keir and shadow business secretary Ms Long-Bailey.

Sir Keir would beat Ms Long Bailey, who is the favoured candidate of key figures in the current leadership, in a run-off 61 per cent to 39 per cent, according to the early survey.

And Ms Phillips is currently fourth favourites with the bookies behind them both, along with Miss Nandy.

She has long faced opposition from hardline left-wing supporters of Jeremy Corbyn. Last year she told how she was bombarded by 600 online rape threats in a single night from trolls - including some who claimed to be Corbynistas.

She also faced repeated vandalism against her constituency office.

Ms Phillips supported victims of domestic abuse for Women's Aid before entering Parliament in 2015

Sir Keir was hammering home his campaigning credentials today as he steps up his tilt for Labour's top job

The other candidates will be hoping to boost their profiles with the race not expected to formally get under way until Tuesday and a new leader not expected until the end of March.

Labour's disastrous election performance that helped Boris Johnson's Tories win an 80-strong majority has been the subject of an intense post-mortem examination.

The party's Brexit position, Mr Corbyn's unpopularity and his ambitious left-wing programme have all been the subject of scrutiny.

It came after Labour MPs last night warned of 'Operation Stop Keir' after the YouGov poll sparked a furious backlash from left-wingers online.

There were claims Sir Keir is not 'socialist' and putting a London-based Remainer in charge would be a 'parody' of what is needed to recover from the election rout.

One moderate MP, not a natural cheerleader for Sir Keir, told MailOnline: 'There will be a Stop Keir campaign now...

'The problem the Left has got... is that there is not a united position.

'They have got Saint Jeremy. But who else is there? Long Bailey is not up to it.'

The MP predicted the hardline clique that installed Mr Corbyn in the top job would now splinter and turn on each other.

'The Left always starts eating their own children,' they said. 'It happened in the 1980s and it will happen again now.

The poll showed Mr Starmer, an arch-Remainer who represents a London constituency, in the lead in every UK region and age group.

Mr Starmer has yet to declare formally that he will run, although he has given every indication he plans to.

Ms Long Bailey - seen as the preferred choice of Mr Corbyn's allies - has said she is considering a bid, but chairman Ian Lavery is also mulling putting himself forward as the torchbearer of the Left.
2020 Lexus LS 500 AWD Review by John Heilig

THE AUTO PAGE

By John Heilig

Senior Editor and Bureau Chief

Mid-Atlantic Bureau

The Auto Channel

REVIEWED MODEL: 2020 Lexus LS 500 AWD

ENGINE: 3.5-liter twin turbo V6

TRANSMISSION: 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters

HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 416 hp @ 6,000 rpm/442 lb.-ft. @ 1,600-4,800 rpm

WHEELBASE: 123.0 in.

LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 206.1 x 74.8 x 57.1 in.

TIRES: P248/45 R20

CARGO CAPACITY: 17.0 cu. ft.

ECONOMY: 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23.2 mpg test

FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 21.7 gal.

CURB WEIGHT: 4,751 lbs.

TOWING CAPACITY: Not recommended

COMPETITIVE CLASS: Mercedes-Benz S Class, Lincoln Continental, Jaguar XJ

STICKER: $115,375 (includes $1,025 delivery, $35,880 options)

BOTTOM LINE: As it has been since its inception, the Lexus LS 500 is an outstanding luxury sedan with all the options.

Lexus Review: When Lexus first came on the scene as Toyotas luxury brand, there were only two models, ES (for economy sedan?) and LS (for luxury sedan?). From the start, the LS 400 built a reputation for nearly silent operation. It was almost eerie.

The 2020 LS 500 fifth generation continues that tradition and adds to it with a $23,080 Executive Package option that kicks it up a notch by putting the LS into limousine status. It requires no stretch of the imagination to see an executive riding comfortably in the back doing deals.

Many years ago, when The Auto Page first hit newspapers, I had a yearly Christmas fantasy car column. The first entry was a Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn for the (then) enormous sticker of $137,000. This LS 500 is in the same class.

Under the hood of the LS 500 is a twin turbo 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out an impressive 416 horsepower and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. Combined with a 10-speed direct shift automatic transmission, performance is smooth. Lexus claims a 0-60 time in the 4.5 seconds range. Okay, when youre shooting for that time there is a slight exhaust roar, but thats it.

Front seat comfort is exquisite. Both front seats are powered - 28 ways for the driver, only 18 for the passenger - and heated and ventilated. You can also get a massage, which is convenient for older drivers who have backache issues. My only issue is that all settings except heater temperature are controlled through the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and remote touch interface thats like an Apple laptop touch pad. Im certain that with practice you can get the remote touch interface to do almost anything, but novices have difficulty aiming the pointer.

With the Executive Package you get Kiriko glass ornamentation that is created using a technique that involves hand-cutting clear colors and delicate lines in glass. The door upholstery is also on a different level with deep pleating, while the dash decorations mimic the Lexus grille. When my granddaughters first got in the back seats their exclamations of wonder at the door decorations (like the front doors) and the fold-down armrest with its own infotainment screen. Then they discovered that the rear seats also recline (up to 48 degrees), are heated and ventilated, and also offer a massage option. Rear seat side support is very good.

Additionally, the rear seats have fold-out ottomans and privacy screens on all windows. Rear and front doors appear to have floating door pulls. And yes, there are cupholders in the back as well as the front. You can raise or lower the window shades using the controller, and the driver also has the ability to raise or lower them.

For those who may be interested, there are dual sun roofs for front and rear passengers. Since the fifth generation LS is also 0.6 inches lower than previous models, there is an available air suspension with an access function. By unlocking the car with the smart key, access mode automatically raises the vehicle to make it easier to get in or out of it.

I admit I had difficulty navigating the infotainment screen with the mouse controller, but I loved just about every other feature of the LS 500. I recommend taking one for a test ride at the very least.

(c) 2020 The Auto Page Syndicate
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Speaking by telephone from Teheran, Archbishop Leo Boccardi, the Papal Nuncio to Iran, describes the tense situation and consequent protests caused by the killing of General Solemaini by an US raid, saying that the arms of negotiation and justice need to be used.

Amedeo Lomonaco  Vatican City

The escalation of the dispute between Washington and Tehran following the death of one of the key figures of the Iranian establishment, General Qassem Soleimani, victim of a US air attack, has raised apprehension in the Holy See. Pope Francis is said to be following the evolution of the situation and is praying for peace. The Apostolic Nuncio to Iran, Archbishop Leo Boccardi, spoke with us by telephone about the situation.

The Archbishop said that the Pope has been apprised of the entire situation after the killing of General Solemaini. All this, he said, creates concern and demonstrates how difficult it is to build and believe in peace. Constructive politics, he said, is at the service of peace to which the entire international community must be committed, not only in the Middle East, but in the whole world as well.

What is important in this difficult and delicate moment

Archbishop Boccardi acknowledged that there is a great deal of tension in Iran at the moment. Disbelief was followed by demonstrations, provoking violence, pain and protests. When asked what is important at this difficult and delicate moment, the Archbishop responded saying that tensions need to be lowered. Not only do all parties need to negotiate, but they also need to believe in dialogue, knowing from what history has always taught, that war and weapons do not resolve the problems afflicting the world. We must believe in negotiation, he reiterated.

Weapons of justice and good will

Conflict must be rejected, the Nuncio stated, so that the weapons of justice and good will can be taken up instead. This requires that effort be made to bring the situation in the Middle East to the attention of the international community, he said. He concluded citing an important rule of diplomacy: Pacta sunt servanda (agreements must be kept). Everyone must respect the rules of law.
Listening to the Islamic philosopher Sheikh bin Bayyah means that you are listening to the voice of knowledge and the call of wisdom at the same time.

This global tolerance advocate believes that those fighting each other today are adult children who should be guided to the right path. He calls for the necessity of moving the tolerance philosophy from the educational frame to the legal frame and from a possibility to commitment.

I met the venerable sheikh in Abu Dhabi and was delighted to attend the splendid speech which he gave at the opening of the annual Assembly of the Forum for Promoting Peace.

The Islamic philosopher and chairman of the UAE Fatwa Council spoke about the Islamic worlds need for peace that isnt protected by arms but, rather, guarded by ethics. He said: Humanity is standing today on the edge of the abyss because it is the first time in history that there are weapons that may annihilate mankind and those weapons are slipping from the governments hands and might be in irrational hands. Thus, a new Fudul Alliance should be established.

We can summarise facets of this eminent scholars vision in the following points:

First: The tolerance philosophy. The sheikh says that: Instead of considering tolerance just an option among several religious options, it is high time to consider it as a religious commitment and duty. We shouldnt just stop at adjusting religion and tolerance since they are non-contradictory, but we should improve ourselves in order to realise the correlation between both where tolerance becomes a sharia duty and a part of religion.

In Islam, Tolerance stands above justice. The Holy Quran speaks about tolerance in four Quranic terms. They are: pardon, forgiveness, absolution and benevolence.

The sheikh sees that weakness is inherent in human nature and that tolerance is what mends weakness, quoting Voltaire: We are all full of weakness and errors let us mutually pardon each others follies. It is the first law of nature.

Second: the human being comes before faith. Sheikh bin Bayyah sees that human dignity is a precedent for faith dignity. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran that Allah has honoured all Adams sons. Arabs used to say that the other is very similar to brother and the letter R is found in mercy. Imam Ali ibn Abi-Taleb said: If someone is not your brother in faith, he is your brother in humanity.

Third: protecting churches is an Islamic duty. The sheikh believes that Ayah 40 in Surah Al-Haj stipulates that Muslims must protect all places of worship. Prominent Muslim interpreters, like Ibn Abbas and Al-Hassan Al-Basry, said that this ayah stipulates that Muslims have to defend churches and temples as they do their mosques.

Other distinguished Islamic scholars, like Ibn Al-Qayyim and Ibn Ashour, hold the view that the believers in other faiths such as Christians and Jews will benefit from the defence in the ayah, and not only Muslims.

Fourth: Knowing and cooperating with each other is Islams vision of the world. Islamic foreign policy  so to speak  is founded on two main principles: knowing each other and cooperation. Sheikh bin Bayyah says the first facet is to get to know each other. Allah calls us to know each other in the Surah Al-Hujurat 3. Getting to know each other is also a participatory act that requires an interaction between two parties and two wills and getting to know each other moves one from the narrowness of the I to the spaciousness of the we.

The second facet is cooperation. Al-Tabari, one of the Holy Qurans most eminent interpreters, said that in Surah Al-Maidah 2, all human beings are commanded to cooperate based on amity and righteousness.

Thus, bin Bayyah sums up the Islamic approach to the world in the two Quranic commands: Getting to know each other and cooperate, for cooperation is the complementary part of getting to know each other.

Fifth: The new Fudul Alliance. The original Fudul Alliance was an ethical alliance established in the pre-Islamic era. An unjust incident occurred when Al-As ibn Wail seized the merchandise of a merchant outside Mecca thus instigating an ethical awakening among the Quraysh tribes elders.

The elders met in Abdullah ibn Judans house in 590 AD and pledged to stop injustice, confront the unjust, whoever he might be, and establish justice among the people. The main motto of the alliance was Nobody is to fall victim to injustice in Mecca.

The first man to call for the alliance was Al-Zubayr ibn Abdul-Muttalib, and Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr were among the attendees, which preceded Muhammeds call to prophethood. The prophet praised the Fudul Alliance after Islam, despite the fact that it included pagans and idolaters. He said: I was present with my uncles in the house ofAbdullah ibn Judan when an alliance was formed. If I were invited by it in Islam, I would answer it.

Sheikh bin Bayyah called for establishing a new Fudul Alliance, which would be an ethical global alliance inspired by the original alliance that would be against trans-continental terrorism and would support cooperation between the big religions based on the values of tolerance and mutual respect.

The Forum for Promoting Peace views the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together signed by Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb, grand imam of Al-Azhar, and Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, as a great document and a major step towards promotion of peace between religions.

The bloody path which humanity has walked because of religious extremism must not continue. It is high time to put a full stop to this sentence.

Since Muslims are the main victims in the world today of this ideological madness, therefore Muslims are in the direst need for peace in Islam and peace in the world.

It is high time to say to extremists in every religion: enough.

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Kota (Rajasthan) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Ahead of a visit by Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma and officials from the central government, repair work was undertaken at JK Lon Hospital in Kota, where 105 children have died.



Workers on Friday were seen repairing the walls and fixing the lights of the hospital. A green carpet was also laid outside the hospital in view of the visit, however, it was later removed.

According to officials, one child died at the hospital today taking the death toll to 105. Three children had died at the facility on January 1 and one on January 2.

After his visit, Sharma assured that all the requirements of the hospital will be fulfilled before January 15.

"Arrangements for a centralised oxygen system, ventilator and nebulisers will be made available to the hospital by January 15. The hospital administration has sufficient funds. If more money is required, it will be sanctioned by the state government," he told reporters.

A protest had also erupted outside the hospital earlier in the day, following which the police detained several demonstrators.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan had on Thursday said that a multi-disciplinary expert team of top pediatricians is being sent to Kota for gap analysis and ascertaining quick measures in the wake of the deaths.

A three-member state government committee of doctors, which was sent to investigate the matter on December 23 and 24, had found that the hospital is short of beds and required improvement. The committee, however, had given a clean chit to doctors for any lapses. (ANI)


A Deadly Price for Her Pretty Face (LMN at 8) A young single mother is kidnapped to be sold on a human-trafficking site and must do whatever it takes to escape her captors and get back to her daughter.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said weekend mornings will never be the same again after the death of broadcasting legend Marian Finucane.

He led tributes to the 69-year-old who died suddenly at her home.

Ms Finucane had only recently returned from a holiday in India.

More tributes are due to be paid to her throughout today on a variety of RTE radio programmes, and the Late Late Show is expected to feature a tribute to Ms Finucane.

The lesser known Marian Finucane. The architect, activist and proud Dublin woman: RTE Archives | Arts and Culture | Marian Finucane as a Student Protester https://t.co/BP9AIx7WGa  Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 2, 2020

As well as her RTE colleagues, tributes to her were made by the president and the Taoiseach. Leo Varadkar said he was stunned and deeply saddened to hear she had died.

And he said: She was a true broadcasting legend who reshaped current affairs radio in Ireland. Ireland will miss her voice... Weekend mornings will never be quite the same again.

And he added: I spent many hours in the studio with Marian. She was thorough, courteous and professional.

Shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Marian Finucane. She paved the way for so many women in broadcasting and journalism. Deepest sympathies to her family, friends and RTE colleagues. RIP. https://t.co/hxpt1fcYt2  Katherine Zappone (@k_zappone) January 2, 2020

Im very sad to think that we wont hear her voice again on the radio.

I'm really saddened by the news about #MarianFinucane, she was a brilliant broadcaster, full of mischief and intelligence, but most tellingly, she was a kind, kind person. V sad. https://t.co/xhS1xo4u8f  David McWilliams (@davidmcw) January 2, 2020

Michael D Higgins said: Ireland has lost a deeply respected, trusted and much loved broadcaster.

A superb professional, many will remember the wisdom and sensitivity with which Marian Finucane dealt with discussions and confrontations between different voices on what were controversial issues of the day.

Marian Finucane pictured with then-presidential candidate Mary Mc Aleese. Picture: Billy Higgins

She was one of the very early exemplars to those who sought a proper representation of women in broadcasting.

There will be many, in every part of Irish life, who will miss Marians voice, but of course her loss is felt most acutely by her family and friends.

She died suddenly at her home. It is believed she died in her sleep.

The 69-year-old, who was last on air on December 8, had only recently returned from India and had been due to return to her Saturday morning radio programme.

So sad to hear of the passing of Marian Finucane, Marian always treated me with patience and kindness throughout interviews over the years.

What a wonderful lady, my thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time. R.I.P  pic.twitter.com/UUb5nNnW7J  Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) January 2, 2020

No arrangements have been finalised about her funeral but they are expected to be delayed to allow for her son Jack to return from India.

One of the last of her RTE colleagues to speak to her was Joe Duffy, who took over Live Line from Ms Fincune.

He told told RTE's Drive Time: I am in shock.

He praised her charming voice, recalling that when she hosted Live Line, everyone knew shed give people a fair hearing.

May 31 ,1979 ,on RTE Radio One the Gay Byrne show was extended to 2 hours and Marian Finucane launched Women Today which grew into Liveline in 1985 .It was a historic day .In less than 2 months we have lost the twin pillars of public broadcasting over 40 years Gay & Marian  JOE DUFFY (@joeliveline) January 2, 2020

He said: Shed ask everything we would all want to ask. We know she was brilliant, and a trailblazer.

She had the most gracious, soothing voice and personality. She also had a fantastic sense of humour. She was so genuine and charming.

He also praised her extraordinary ability and sharp, sharp brilliance.

And he said her death is an enormous loss to broadcasting, a terrible loss of a great person, and an incredible and premature loss.

Marian Finucane was conferred with an Honorary degree in Law at National University of Ireland, Galway in 2005. Picture: Ray Ryan

He spoke to her a few weeks before Christmas, when she was going go head to India for a wedding with her son Jack.

She was so looking forward to going to India, he said. She loved travel.

RTE Director General Dee Forbes described Ms Finucane as a a broadcaster of immense capability.

Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Marian Finucane. She was an iconic broadcaster, ahead of her time on so many issues. She will be terribly missed by her family, her colleagues and her many fans across the country. She was a powerful voice in all our lives. RIP.  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 2, 2020

And she said: She was first and foremost a tenacious journalist with a zeal for breaking new ground.

Ireland has lost a unique voice. RTE has lost a beloved colleague.

Born in 1950, Marian Finucane first worked with RTE in the 1970s.

A qualified architect, she became a programme presenter working on programmes concerned with contemporary social issues, especially those concerning women, notably on Women Today.

Marian Finucane pictured with her son Jack Finucane Clarke and husband John Clarke after she was awarded an Honorary degree in Law from the Dublin Institute of Technology in 2002. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

In 1990, tragedy struck when her only daughter Sinead died at the age of just eight from leukaemia.

Marian Finucane rarely spoke about the tragedy. Indeed, she was notoriously protective of her privacy and that of her family.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Marian Finucane, condolences to her family and all who loved her.. https://t.co/of8tusSJcm  Frances Black (@frances_black) January 2, 2020

For example, if she ever let a journalist into her house for an interview, it was never for anything else other than a place to meet for the interview.

The tragedy saw her devote part of her time over the decades that followed to hospice services here and abroad. She was, for example, a long-time supporter of the 'Ireland's Biggest Coffee Morning' fundraiser and helped launch it in 1993.

It was always a great pleasure to contribute to Marian Finucanes programmes. A most generous broadcaster and a real listener. Really sad news  Fergal Keane (@fergalrte) January 2, 2020

Her charity work in Africa began after she and her husband visited South Africa in June 2002.

While there they had visited an HIV/Aids hospice run by the Sisters of Nazareth in Cape Town.

The charity Friends in Ireland that they set up was initially asked to build a hospice in Khayelitsha in Cape Town by Medicins Sans Frontieres (South Africa). But their work expanded into other areas and the charity has since funded a string of other centres.

Ms Finucane became a household name with her Live Line programme on RTE Radio 1.

Marian Finucane receives the Outstanding Achievement PPI radio Award in 2008. Pic: Photocall Ireland

A winner of the Prix Italia, her television work included Consumer Choice and Crime Line.

On Gay Byrne's retirement in 1999, she took over his early morning radio slot to present The Marian Finucane Show, ultimately taking over the morning slots on Saturday and Sunday.

Latest figures for her show - which showed consistent audience increases throughout the year - were 343,000 for Saturday and 290,000 for Sunday.

Ah, thats very sad about the death of Marian Finucane. A lovely woman and a brilliant broadcaster, it was always a pleasure to do an interview with her; just the easy intelligence of her. She will be missed.  Dara O Briain (@daraobriain) January 2, 2020

Despite defining her reputation as an interviewer, she once admitted she hated being interviewed.

Marian is survived by her husband John and son Jack.
Iranian pastor, 8 other Christians sentenced to 5 years in prison

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Nine Christians were reportedly sentenced to a combined total of 45 years in prison by Irans Revolutionary Court as the Islamic Republic continues its persecution of Christian converts from Islam.

The Iran Human Rights Monitor raised an alarm last week about the sentencing of nine Christian converts who were arrested in January and February 2019. In Iran, it is illegal for a Muslim to convert to Christianity.

The monitor, which provides information in collaboration with the National Council of Resistance of Iran, reports that the nine were sentenced to five years imprisonment each by the head of Tehrans Revolutionary Court, Mohammad Moghiseh.

The convicted Christians include Pastor Matthias Haghnejad, Shahrooz Islamdust, Behnam Akhlaqi, Babak Hosseinzadeh, Mehdi Khatibi, Khalil Dehghanpour, Hossein Kadivar, Kamal Naamanian, and Mohammad Vafadar.

Haghnejad was arrested in his church in Rasht after service on Feb. 10. Authorities confiscated Bibles and churchgoers' cell phones. According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Haghnejad has been arrested on several occasions since 2006.

The Christian persecution advocacy group Open Doors USA reports that sentencing for the nine was announced in October. Open Doors, which monitors persecution in dozens of countries, further reported that the converts were accused of acting against national security and promoting Zionism.

The nine have appealed their convictions.

Open Doors notes that seven of the accused were released on bail (equivalent to $12,500) in March. However, Pastor Matthias and Shahrooz remained detained.

According to Iran Human Rights Monitor, bail was increased tenfold for those who demanded a lawyer. The judge would not allow the lawyer to represent five defendants and the defendants refused to be represented by a court-appointed lawyer, according to Open Doors.

The five converts who demanded a lawyer were reportedly transferred to Irans notorious Evin Prison.

A hearing for the other four defendants was held four days later. Sources relayed to Open Doors that a lawyer was allowed to attend.

Acting against national security is a charge that Irans theocratic government often uses to persecute Christian converts. Iran ranks as the ninth worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List.

Iran has for years been labeled by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for religious freedom violations.

The convictions of the nine Christain converts follows a long line of other converts who have been arrested and convicted on similar charges. Christians in Iran face the threat of arrest for doing something as simple as attending a house church service or possessing a Bible.

In 2017, an Iranian court sentenced Pastor Victor Bet Tamraz, who led a Farsi-language church in Iran, to 10 years in prison for "acting against national security." His wife was sentenced to five years in prison on similar charges.

Last August, the Iranian Christian news agency Mohabat News reported on the sentencing of 12 Christian converts to one year in prison for holding worship meetings and evangelizing.

In August 2019, 65-year-old Mahrokh Kanbari was sentenced to one year in prison by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Karaj. Kanbari was arrested in her home on Christmas Eve 2018 and charged with acting against national security.

In September 2019, Iran imprisoned a bookshop owner named Mustafa Rahimi in the Kurdish town of Bukan for selling a Bible.

More recently, Iranian security forces have been accused by Amnesty International of killing hundreds of unarmed protesters who demonstrated in the streets beginning in November to voice their displeasure with rising gas prices.



Meanwhile, a State Department representative said in December that the death toll could be over 1,000 with some of the victims being children or teens.

U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback told reporters earlier this month that a State Department meeting was held to discuss the persecution taking place in Iran.



On Dec. 19, the U.S. Treasury Department issued sanctions against two top Iranian judges  Moghiseh and Abolghassem Salavati  for depriving religious minorities of their human rights.

"Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh oversaw the Iranian regime's miscarriage of justice in show trials in which journalists, attorneys, political activists, and members of Iran's ethnic and religious minority groups were penalized for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, lashes, and even execution," a statement from the Treasury Department reads.
Humanitarian workers say food shortages and inflation will get worse as lean months draw closer.

Aid agencies are warning that a humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic will get even worse this year.

They say continuing violence and last years devastating floods have forced thousands of people from their homes.

That is on top of the more than a million people already displaced in and outside the country.

Al Jazeeras Ahmed Idris reports from the capital, Bangui.
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Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Kuta, Bali  Fri, January 3, 2020 14:26 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320b9ee9 1 National Australian,bali,Kuta,foreign-tourists Free

Police are investigating the death of an Australian man identified as Ross Patrick McGuinness, who was found dead in his hotel room in Kuta on Wednesday.

The 60-year-old retiree was found lying on the floor of his room at Si Doi hotel on Jl. Benesari, Kuta, Badung.

Kuta Police investigator First Insp. Putu Ika Prabawa said the body was discovered by hotel staff.

The cleaning staff had knocked on McGuinness door for about 15 minutes but no response. Since there was no answer from inside the room, the staff opened the door, which was not locked, Ika said.

A doctor from the nearby Bali Medika Clinic was immediately called. The doctor declared the victim dead and estimated that McGuinness had died 12 hours before he was found, Ika said.

Ika said police did not see any signs of violence in the hotel room or on the victims body. The Australians belongings were still in the room, including Rp 2 million (US$143) and AUD 1,400, as well as a cell phone. Based on our preliminary investigation, there were no signs of violence, Ika said.

Police have requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah will kick-off his party's national outreach programme to counter the opposition's '' misleading'' campaign against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 from Rajasthan's Jodhpur on Friday.

The Home Minister will address a public rally in Jodhpur as part of the party's fresh attempt to reach out to the masses and address their concerns about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act that has triggered protests across the country. Shah will also launch a toll-free number for people to give missed calls to register their support for the CAA.

Similarly, BJPs working president, J P Nadda will be in Goa on Friday to address a rally on the issue.

These rallies will be the first in a series of 30 that the BJP leaders will hold across the country to address the concerns and underline that the CAA cannot be conflated with the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR). The CAA was passed in Parliaments last month to fast-track citizenship for non-Muslims, who have entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, before 2015.

Live TV

Opponents of the CAA say the law is unconstitutional because it links faith to citizenship in a secular country and is discriminatory because it leaves out the Muslims.

Several non-BJP-ruled states have opposed the legislation. Critics say the CAA, if combined with a pan-India NRC, could result in the expulsion or detention of Muslims unable to provide the documentation required for the exercise.

Allaying fears about CAA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently insisted there have been no discussions on a nationwide NRC in Parliament or in the Union Cabinet, but the Opposition has pointed out that Shah has advocated it.

The BJP announced outreach campaigns to clear perceptions about the legislation in the wake of the protests. The BJPs ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, too, has begun a similar exercise to reach out to people, who have concerns about the CAA, the NRC, and the NPR.

The saffron party also appointed state in-charges to lead the party's outreach programme to counter opposition's campaign against Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. BJP leader Hemant Biswa Sharma and Rahul Sinha have been entrusted to lead the party's CAA outreach campaign in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha and Northeast, while Anil Jain will do the same in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

For Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Chattisgarh, Avinash Rai has been handed over the task of presenting and promoting the party's viewpoint on the amended citizenship law. Saroj Pandey has been tasked to coordinate in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Goa and Daman and Diu, while Suresh Bhatt has been asked to lead the programme in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and J&K.

Party leader Ravindra Raju will lead the initiative in the southern states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, Kerala, Karnataka and Puducherry.

Amidst the massive protest Citizenship Amendment Act across the country, the ruling BJP has also decided to hold a public campaign to aware people regarding the new Citizenship Amendment Act. The campaign will start from January 5 and continue till January 15.

The BJP government has set a target to reach around three crore families in the awareness campaign. Its parent outfit - the RSS - is likely to join BJP in this awareness campaign. The government is further targeting to get the support of nearly one crore people in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

To fulfil their target, BJP has formed different public relation groups to connect with people belonging to a different section of people including Buddhist, Dalits and minorities. BJP's top brass including party president Amit Shah, executive president JP Nadda along with other 50 leaders will hold big events in several cities to promote the campaign.

The party is also considering to hold a big rally at the end of the entire public awareness campaign.

Earlier, the party had launched a massive public awareness campaign on social media and through its cadres to reach out to the Muslim community and dispel their doubts on the issue. Several videos were also uploaded in BJP's official Twitter handle which explained the Citizenship Amendment Act and said that the Muslims should stop worrying as the new act would not affect them in any way.

The BJP's clarification has been necessitated after a slew of protests broke out across the country, a few of which also witnessed violence. The CAA and NRC have become emotive issues among the Muslim community triggering widespread protests across the country.
Some who have heard that President Trump cannot block people from his Twitter account think other elected officials cannot block people. This is wrong, almost all elected officials can block people from their Twitter accounts and not violate the First Amendment.

The part that is missed is the first five words of the First Amendment  Congress shall make no law. It was designed to limit what laws Congress could create. In doing so it also limits the Executive Branch as its relevant authority is derived from the laws passed by Congress. The First Amendment thus stops executive officials in their official capacity from limiting speech they dont like, but doesnt stop individuals acting in their private capacity.

For official government accounts, for instance @WhiteHouse or @DepofDefense, upon creating that account the government creates a designated public forum in which people are allowed to response to the tweets issued by these official accounts. If the government were to block people from responding to these accounts because the government didnt like their opinions, it would be engaged in viewpoint discrimination that is prohibited by the First Amendment. However, if Twitter allowed accounts to turn off all responses, this would likely be allowed, as it wouldnt be discriminating based on viewpoint.

But most elected officials are legislators and not even a part of the Executive Branch. They almost always created these accounts long before they were in office as their personal account. Even a campaign account would still be private, not a government account. The First Amendment only limits the laws that Congress passes as a body, it does not limit individual members of the legislature. You have no right, for instance, to invade the home of a congressman to protest some issue  that is their property.

The story becomes a bit more complex for the accounts of the president and vice president. They are a part of the Executive Branch and so are limited in their official acts by the First Amendment. The official accounts of the president, for instance @POTUS, are government accounts created and set up as a designated public forum by the government and thus the government is limited by the First Amendment.

But what about @realDonaldTrump, is that an official account? Trump acknowledged that he uses the account to, among other things, announce official decisions. The White House press secretary said the tweets are considered the official statements by the President of the United States. The president used the account to announce the nomination of the new FBI director and his new ban on transgender individuals in the military.

Given these facts the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals found that the president had chosen to transform his personal account into the official government account of his office as president. This means that he is no longer able constitutionally to block people from responding to his tweets based on viewpoint.

The problem for the 2nd Circuit is when did this occur? By what act did the president transform his previous private account into the public one of his office? Merely speaking about his official acts through the account isnt enough. The 2nd Circuit isnt exactly clear as to when this happened. The fact that the account was created before Trump was president and will likely continue as a private account after he leaves is a strong factor suggesting the 2nd Circuit may be wrong and that other courts may decide the same issue differently.

But, at least for Trump, it doesnt matter as the 2nd Circuit has decided that Trump has adopted his Twitter account as an official account of his office and therefore cannot block people. While this limits the @realDonaldTrump account from being able to block people, the reasoning doesnt apply to almost any other elected official (most of which are legislators). Even Vice President Pence has not used his account in the same way that Trump has and could still block people.

It is possible the 2nd Circuit decision will apply to some state governors and other state executive branch officials. It will turn on whether those officials used their Twitter account as the official account of their office, such as announcing official decisions and designating the accounts as their official accounts of their office.

But almost all elected officials are in the legislature, either federal or state, and as such their Twitter accounts cannot possibly be limited by the First Amendment. There was no law upon which such accounts base their authority, and so the First Amendment simply doesnt apply.

Devin Watkins is an attorney for the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
SALT image of hydrogen-poor knots around WR72. Credit: Gvaramadze et al., 2019.

Using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), astronomers have conducted spectroscopic and imaging observations of the planetary nebula WR 72. They discovered hydrogen-poor knots in the central part of the nebula, which could be helpful in improving knowledge about the nature of this object. The finding is detailed in a paper published December 23 on arXiv.org.

Planetary nebulae (PNe) are expanding shells of gas and dust that have been ejected from a star during the process of its evolution from main sequence star into a red giant or white dwarf. They are relatively rare, but important for astronomers studying the chemical evolution of stars and galaxies.

Of special interest are PNe exhibiting hydrogen-poor material in their central regions. In some cases, the hydrogen-poor material appears as a fan of knots with cometary tails stretched radially from the central star. Detailed investigations of PNe of this type could shed more light on the process of low-mass star evolution.

Now, a team of astronomers led by Vasilii Gvaramadze of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia, reports that the planetary nebula around WR 72, a WolfRayet star of spectral type WO1 located some 4,630 light years away, is the newest addition to the shortlist of PNe with hydrogen-poor knots.

"We report the discovery of a handful of optical hydrogen-poor knots in the central part of an extended infrared nebula centered on the [WO1] star WR 72, obtained by spectroscopic and imaging observations with the Southern African Large Telescope," the astronomers wrote in the paper.

The study, complemented by data from NASA's Wide-eld Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), shows that the WR 72 nebula consists of an extended, nearly circular halo (about 7,800 light years in diameter) and an elongated and apparently bipolar inner shell that contains the hydrogen-poor knots.

The observations identified a bright knot to the southwest from WR 72 and a number of faint knots scattered around the star. The astronomers noted that some of the knots are elongated in the radial direction, as in the fan-like systems of hydrogen-poor knots detected in the central regions of other PNe known as A 30 and A 78.

The research found that the linear radius of the shell of WR 72 is around 0.75 light years and the typical radial velocity of knots is 100 km/s. According to the scientists, these results suggest that the shell is about 1,000 years old.

More studies of the knots are required, especially deeper and higher-resolution spectroscopy and imaging, in order to determine their abundances and to check whether their spatial distribution and kinematics are axially symmetric. The astronomers clarified that the detection of axial symmetry could mean that WR72 is a binary system.

Summing up the results, the authors of the paper suggested the most plausible hypothesis that could explain the origin of WR 72.

"Our ndings indicate that WR72 is a new member of the rare group of hydrogen-poor planetary nebulae, which may be explained through a very late thermal pulse of a post-AGB star, or by a merger of two white dwarfs," the astronomers concluded.

Explore further Planetary nebula NGC 3132 investigated with MUSE

More information: WR 72: a born-again planetary nebula with hydrogen-poor knots, arXiv:1912.11051 [astro-ph.SR] WR 72: a born-again planetary nebula with hydrogen-poor knots, arXiv:1912.11051 [astro-ph.SR] arxiv.org/abs/1912.11051

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Authorities in the central Chinese province of Hunan have released a woman incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital for splashing ink on a poster of China's President Xi Jinping in a live-streamed protest on social media.



Dong Yaoqiong was sent for "compulsory treatment" after she streamed live video of herself splashing ink on a poster of President Xi in protest at "authoritarian tyranny" on , 2018.



She was then committed as a psychiatric patient in a women's ward in Hunan's Zhuzhou No. 3 Hospital. Her father, Dong Jianbiao, who was detained when he tried to visit her, has suggested the authorities put extreme pressure on her mother to sign the committal papers.



Dong saw his daughter -- who is now living with her mother in Hunan's Taoshui township in Youxian county -- for the first time since her release on .



"She's changed," Dong said. "She used to be very lively, but now she's not. She doesn't really say much."



Dong said he believed the change in his daughter's demeanor was likely the result of her being force-fed medication while in the psychiatric hospital.



"I asked her about [her time there] but she didn't tell me anything," he said. "Now I just want to help her, take care of her, and help her get back to the way she was before."



Dong Yaoqiong was discharged from the hospital around a month ago, Dong said.



An employee who answered the phone at the Zhuzhou No. 3 Psychiatric Hospital on declined to comment.



"For this specific case you'll have to ask the department involved," the employee said. "I don't really know about it."



Forced 'psychiatric' treatment

Hunan rights activist Ou Biaofeng said Dong Yaoqiong's forced "psychiatric" treatment came after her initial protest video garnered widespread support, and the authorities wanted to take her out of the public eye.



"It seems that there are various medications that she is still taking, which would account for [the change in Dong Yaoqiong]," Ou told RFA. "The authorities must be using this to intimidate her, so that she no longer speaks out in public."



"The illegal detention [of Dong Yaoqiong] in a psychiatric hospital comes from their fears of anyone who protests, and it's meant to create a climate of fear," he said.



Dong 's incarceration in the Zhuzhou No. 3 Hospital, a psychiatric institution, came after she accused the authorities of "persecutory brain control," an allegation some activists have said could be linked to attempts to disorient her through psychiatric medication or even technology.



"There is a portrait of Xi Jinping behind me," she said in the livestreamed video protest. "What I want to say is that I am using my real name to oppose Xi Jinping's tyranny and dictatorship, and the oppressive brain control perpetrated on me by the Chinese Communist Party." She then threw the ink across Xi's image on the poster and shouted her slogans again.



Dong, who had reported being under surveillance by the authorities for around a year, later said via her @feefeefly Twitter account that there were uniformed men outside her apartment. Her Twitter account was later deleted.



Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Jia Ao for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Bahrain yesterday strongly condemned attempts to storm the United States Embassy in Iraq leading US troops to fire teargas to repel them. The attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, is a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and other international norms and covenants.

Describing the incident as an attack on the security and safety of the Embassy staff, the ministry called on all parties in Iraq to exercise restraint. The statement also affirmed the position of Bahrain that supports the efforts of the Iraqi government to establish security and stability and strengthen the rule of law in Iraq.

Following the attack, US marines were sent to the Baghdad embassy to boost security. US Defence secretary Mark Esper later announced that about 750 soldiers would be deployed to the region. There are about 5,000 US troops already stationed in Iraq. It was the first time in years protesters have been able to reach the US embassy, which is sheltered behind a series of checkpoints in the high-security Green Zone.

Protesters threw rocks and wrenched security cameras off the walls. US marines inside the compound fired tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the crowd, which had ignored calls over megaphones to back away from the embassy. On Sunday, at least 25 fighters from a hardline Hashed faction known as Kataeb Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) were killed in US airstrikes on a western base.

Trump tweeted that Iran will pay a very big price for any damage or loss of life. This is not a warning, it is a threat, he said.
Irans allies and proxy forces across the Middle East promised to take revenge against the US for its killing of top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani on Friday, setting the scene for retaliatory attacks throughout the region and beyond.

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the powerful Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah and a key partner in Irans regional network, vowed to continue Soleimanis tireless struggle in a statement mourning his death.

It will be the responsibility, duty, and action of all the resistance fighters and mujahideen throughout the world to take revenge from his criminal killers who are the worst villains of this world, Nasrallah said in the statement.

It will not be permitted for this pure blood which was unjustly shed to go to waste, he added.

For more than two decades, Soleimani was the architect of Irans expanding influence across the Middle East. He travelled the region in his dual roles of diplomat and military commander to build and support a resistance bloc  an alliance of Shia militant groups that would facilitate Irans regional ambitions and counter US influence.

Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Show all 17 1 /17 Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, their surface-to-air missile is seen as it shoots down a US surveillance drone EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures This photo shows US RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned surveillance drone. A drone of this model was shot down by Iran on Thursday 21 June AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An oil tanker is on fire after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13. The US has blamed Iran for the attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures US President Trump holds up a signed executive order to increase sanctions on Iran on 24 June AP Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iranian President Rouhani stated in a televised address that the White House is "afflicted by mental retardation" following the increase in sanctions on 25 June EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An Iranian navy boat tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A screenshot from a video released by the US Department of Defense that the US claims to show Iranian removing an unexploded limpet mine form the hull of the Japan-owned ship that was attacked in the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An item reportedly found on the Japan-owned oil tanker that was attacked on June 13 in the Gulf of Oman AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A handout photograph from the US Department of Defense shows a composite material that the US claim was left behind on the hull of the Japan-owned oil tanker following the removal of an unexploded limpet mine Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A view from the cabin of an Iranian navy boat as it tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The picture suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The pictures suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack EPA

Stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean coast, through Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, this network of non-state actors received significant military and financial support, which gave Iran significant influence across the region.

Those proxy forces Soleimani spent years supporting and building are now likely to be the main conduit through which Iran strikes back against US interests.

Iraq, which has been the focus of rising US-Iran tensions in recent weeks, is the most likely location.

There, the leader of the pro-Iran Badr Organisation militia, Hadi al-Ameri, called on national forces to unify their ranks to expel foreign forces from Iraq in retaliation for the killing.

Ameri, referring to the simultaneous killing of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, founder of the Iraqi Shia militia Kataib Hezbollah, condemned the criminal acts that targeted the two leaders, according to Iraqi state television.

The Badr Organisation is just one part of a network of Shia militias that Iran financed, equipped and trained to fight America, in the years after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Paramilitary group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kata'ib Hezbollah and the Badr Organisation all had close ties to Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite Quds Force, and fall under the umbrella of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF). Together they number more than 140,000 fighters, and while they fall under the authority of Iraqs prime minister, the PMFs top brass are politically aligned with Iran.

But the assassination has also angered forces inside Iraq that do not fall under the sway of Iran.

Influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who has in recent years emerged as an important counter to Irans influence in the country, also announced the mobilisation of factions under his command in response to the killing.

He described the strike against Soleimani as targeting jihad, the opposition and the revolutionary spirit of the state.

As I am responsible for the Iraqi national resistance, I give my orders to the Mujahedin, particularly (Al-Mahdi Army) and (The Promised Day Brigade), as well as other (patriotic) and (disciplined) factions under our command to be ready to defend Iraq, Sadr tweeted to his 784,000 followers.

The leader of Yemens Houthi movement, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi  another regional ally of Iran  also condemned what he dubbed an assassination and called for a swift and direct response.

In Gaza, Hamas  which has long enjoyed financial and military support from Tehran  condemned Soleimanis killing and sent its dearest condolences to Iran.

Gaza-based Hamas official Basem Naim wrote on Twitter that the assassination opens the doors of the region to all possibilities, except calm & stability. USA bears the responsibility for that.

But there were celebrations, too, in places that have felt the brunt of Soleimanis force. In Syria, where the general masterminded a full-throated military intervention to crush opposition to the rule of Bashar al-Assad, many took to the streets in celebration. In Idlib, the last rebel bastion in the country, people handed out sweets to mark the occasion.

I havent seen Syrians so happy and celebrating like this since Trump ordered a strike on Assad regime in 2018, said Mazen Hassoun, a Syrian journalist from Raqqa now living in Germany.

In Basra, Iraq, where Iran-backed militias have launched a crackdown against anti-government protesters in recent weeks, videos were shared showing people dancing in the streets.

There was cause for celebration too from Israel, Americas closest ally in the Middle East and Irans top regional foe.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that the US had the right to defend itself by killing Soleimani.

Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right, Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office.

Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks.

President Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively, he added.

Outside the Middle East, US allies and foes alike predicted significant upheaval to come.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, Frances deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, said on RTL radio. When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is under way.

Russias Foreign Ministry, via an unnamed diplomat quoted by the state-run TASS news agency, condemned the killing as an adventurist step that would lead to growing tensions throughout the entire region.

China described itself as highly concerned.

Peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be preserved, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said. We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions.

Montchalin, the French minister, indicated that urgent reconciliation efforts are being launched behind the scenes. She said French president Emmanuel Macron and his foreign minister were reaching out to all the actors in the region.
Earlier, it was reported that Jafar, Darapuri, Pawan Rao Ambedkar and many others were granted bail on Friday. (Photo Credit: Twitter)

New Delhi:

A court here on Friday reserved order on the bail plea of Congress worker Sadaf Jafar, ex-IPS officer S R Darapuri and six others. They were arrested for alleged involvement in violence during anti-CAA protests. Earlier, it was reported that Jafar, Darapuri, Pawan Rao Ambedkar and many others were granted bail on Friday.

Jafar and others were arrested on December 19, 2019 for protesting against the amended citizenship law in Lucknow. The Hazratganj police booked them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 and the Criminal Law (Amendment ) Act, 1932. More than 100 people were arrested after December 19 protests.

The court of Additional Sessions Judge SS Pandey heard their individual pleas as well as submissions of the government lawyer. The others whose pleas were heard are Mohd Naseem, Mohd Shoaib, Nafees, Pawan Rai Ambedkar, Shah Faiz and Mohd Aziz.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, actors Swara Bhaskar and Sushant Singh and director Mahesh Bhatt were among those calling for Sadaf Jafar's immediate release.

Sadaf Jafar, who is also a Congress spokesperson, was arrested while she was live on Facebook from the spot where the protests had gone violent.

In Facebook videos widely shared on social media, Sadaf Jafar was heard saying, "Why are you not stopping them? When there is violence, you are standing and watching the show. What is the use of the helmet? Why aren't you doing anything?"

In another video, in which her face is not visible but her voice can be heard, she is heard saying, "Why are you arresting me? Why didn't you arrest the people who were pelting stones?"
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  United Methodist Church leaders from around the world and across ideological divides unveiled a plan Friday for a new conservative denomination that would split from the rest of the church in an attempt to resolve a yearslong dispute over gay marriage and gay clergy.

Members of the 13-million-person denomination have been at odds for years over the issue, with members in the United States leading the call for full inclusion for LGBTQ people.

At a specially called meeting last Feburary in St. Louis, delegates voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which affirmed bans on LGBTQ-inclusive practices. A majority of U.S.-based delegates opposed the plan, but they were outvoted by U.S. conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines.

Methodists in favor of allowing gay clergy and gay marriage vowed to continue fighting. Meanwhile the Wesleyan Covenant Association, representing traditional Methodist practice, had already been preparing for a possible separation.

The Rev. Keith Boyette, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and one of 16 people on the mediation team that developed and signed the separation proposal, said he is very hopeful the plan will be approved at the denominations General Conference this year.

This is the first time that respected leaders of groups from every constituency have come together to form a plan, he said. And this is the first time that bishops of the church have signed on to an agreement like this.

Boyette stressed that while the churches remaining in the United Methodist Church would keep the denominations name, both the new church and the post-separation Methodist Church would be different from the current Methodist Church.

This is not a leaving, but a restructuring of the United Methodist Church through separation, he said.

The proposal, called A Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, envisions an amicable separation in which conservative churches forming a new denomination would retain their assets. The new denomination also would receive $25 million.

The undersigned, in recognition of the regional contexts and divergent points of view within the global United Methodist Church, propose separation as a faithful step with the possibility of continued cooperation around matters of shared interest, enabling each of us to authentically live out our faith, the proposal states.

Bishop Scott Jones of Houston, who represents 640 Methodist churches in Jefferson, Orange and more than 50 other Texas counties, called the protocol a significant contribution to the ongoing discussions about human sexuality within the church.

I, along with many other persons, have called for deeper conversations about how to avoid the bitter debates in our church and once again re-focus our time, energy and effort on the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ, Jones said in a statement emailed to The Enterprise. This protocol offers significant hope for an amicable solution.

Cautioning that all provisions might not be adopted and that significant questions remain to be answered about the Protocols implementation, Jones commended the mediation teams hard work and faithful effort to resolve our Churchs deep division on the practice of homosexuality.

United Methodists should welcome this contribution to our dialogue, he said, and continue praying for the right way to strengthen our Wesleyan service to Christ.

The story was written by the Associated Press and includes a local church statement to The Enterprise.
California's much-debated privacy law officially takes effect today, a year and a half after it was passed and signed  but it'll be six more months before you see the hammer drop on any scofflaw tech companies that sell your personal data without your permission.

The California Consumer Privacy Act, or CCPA, is a state-level law that requires, among other things, that companies notify users of the intent to monetize their data, and give them a straightforward means of opting out of said monetization.

Here's a top-level summary of some of its basic tenets:

Businesses must disclose what information they collect, what business purpose they do so for and any third parties with whom they share that data.

Businesses will be required to comply with official consumer requests to delete that data.

Consumers can opt out of their data being sold, and businesses cant retaliate by changing the price or level of service.

Businesses can, however, offer financial incentives for being allowed to collect data.

California authorities are empowered to fine companies for violations.

The law is described in considerably more detail here, but the truth is that it will probably take years before its implications for businesses and regulators are completely understood and brought to bear. In the meantime, the industries that will be most immediately and obviously affected are panicking.

A who's-who of internet-reliant businesses has publicly opposed the CCPA. While they have been careful to avoid saying such regulation is unnecessary, they have said that this regulation is unnecessary. What we need, they say, is a federal law.

That's true as far as it goes  it would protect more people and there would be less paperwork for companies that now must adapt their privacy policies and reporting to CCPA's requirements. But the call for federal regulation is transparently a stall tactic, and an adequate bill at that level would likely take a year or more of intensive work even at the best of times, let alone during an election year while the president is being impeached.

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So California wisely went ahead and established protections for its own residents, though as a consequence it will have aroused the ire of many companies based there.

A six-month grace period follows today's official activation of the CCPA; this is a normal and necessary part of breaking in such a law, when honest mistakes can go unpunished and the inevitable bugs in the system can be squelched.

But starting in June, offenses will be assessed with fines at the scale of thousands of dollars per violation, something that adds up quickly at the scales companies like Google and Facebook work in.

Adapting to the CCPA will be difficult, but as the establishment of GDPR in Europe has shown, it's far from impossible, and, at any rate, the former's requirements are considerably less stringent. Still, if your company isn't already working on getting in compliance, better get started.
Marian Finucane will be remembered as a trailblazer who created 'Liveline' and turned weekend radio into a ratings winner.

Her sudden death yesterday at the age of 69 has caused shock within RTE but also nationally.

One of the country's best-known figures in radio and television, she worked for the national broadcaster in a wide variety of roles since 1974. For the past 14 years Finucane hosted a popular two-hour chat show on Saturdays and Sundays on RTE Radio 1 which had a huge audience.

Throughout her long career she became known for her uniquely tenacious interview style, which mingled wit and mischief with a determination that never degenerated into abrasiveness or bad manners.

Many of her interviews had a profound impact on the public, most notably her conversation in 2008 with her long-time friend, the writer, Nuala O Faolain, about her impending death from cancer.

Before her weekend show she presented a morning radio show five days a week, in a slot she took over from the late Gay Byrne, and she also presented a whole range of frontline television shows including 'Crimeline' and 'Consumer Choice'.

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Her work brought her widespread recognition including a Jacobs' Award for 'Women Today in 1979, and in 1980 she won the Prix Italia for a documentary programme on abortion. She was named Radio Journalist of the Year in 1988.

In 2008 she was honoured with the PPI Radio Award for her outstanding contribution to broadcasting. She also received an honorary degree from NUI Galway, in part for her media work, but also for fundraising, along with partner and future husband, John Clarke, for an Aids hospice and orphanage in Cape Town, South Africa.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A career in radio: Marian Finucane in her early days with RTE Ground-breaking: Marian Finucane in her element, the radio studio from where she helped to change attitudes Broadcaster Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke and son Jack after she was conferred with an honorary doctorate by DIT in 2002. Photo: Tom Burke Pictured: RTE broadcaster Marian Finucane and Nuala O'Faolain in Nairobi, Kenya where they were covering the 1985 United Nations Decade for Women Conference for RTE. Marian Finucane Marian Finucane Zeal for breaking new ground: Marian Finucane was a household name with thousands of listeners tuning in to her RTE shows. Photo: Tony Gavin Marian Finucane on the Late Late in 1991 Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke after they were married in 2015. Photo: Frank McGrath Marian Finucane with Maeve Binchy at an Irish Hospice Foundation event. Photo: Jim O'Kelly Marian visting an orphanage in South Africa Voice of reason: Marian Finucane smiles after receiving the PPI Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008. Photo: Jason Clarke Photography 15/11/11 Marian Finucane at the launch of her book The Saturday Interviews 2005-2011 . Pictures:Arthur Carron/Collins Finucane M 8.4.10 0011 Marian Finucane Taoiseach Enda Kenny,TD and broadcaster Marian Finucane at the launch the Irish Hospice Foundation's 2016 Commemorative and 30th anniversary programme held in the Stephens Green Club yesterday. Pic Tom Burke 3/12/2015 Former Irish International footballer Niall Quinn and boadcaster Marian Finucane who were conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) at their annual conferring of Honorary degrees at a ceremony held in the Royal hospital,Kilmainham yesterday...Pic Tom Burke 26/11/02 Marian Finucane MARIAN FINUCANE Marian Finucane JOE DUFFY AND MARIAN FINUCANE AT THE LAUNCH OF JOE DUFFYS AUTOBIOGRAPHY "JUST JOE" AT HARRYS BAR IN THE O2 DUBLIN PIX BRIAN MCEVOY / Facebook

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Finucane was on leave over the Christmas period and went to visit her son, Jack Clarke, in India. She had recently returned home and passed away in her sleep at her home in Co Kildare yesterday afternoon.

Marian Finucane was born in Dublin, in May 1950, and educated at Scoil Chaitriona. She went on to study architecture in the College of Technology, in Bolton Street, Dublin. After two years working as an architect, she took an unusual career move to join RTE as a continuity announcer in 1974.

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As an architectural student in 1970 she was among a number of protesters who occupied Georgian buildings at Hume Street, and St Stephen's Green in the centre of Dublin. They were objecting to controversial redevelopments in the area.

Archive RTE footage shows a recorded interview with the then-19-year-old saying he felt it was her responsibility as an architectural student and native Dubliner to help protect the buildings.

She was recruited into RTE by now 'Sunday Independent' columnist Eoghan Harris who was then a senior RTE executive. After two years she moved into programme presentation, first on the radio books programme 'Paper Chase', while she also worked as a reporter on the morning current affairs radio show 'Day By Day' which was anchored by John Bowman.

In 1979 she began presenting 'Women Today' a radio programme which broached many of the social issues facing women. In 1985 she became the first presenter of the popular afternoon phone-in, 'Liveline,' which has for many years now been presented by Joe Duffy.

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Mr Duffy described Marian Finucane as "the voice of reason".

"She invented 'Liveline'. It grew out of 'Women Today'.

"That's my sense of Marian Finucane. She asked everything you would ask before you made your mind up," Mr Duffy said.

She was long identified as a champion of women's rights and her Prix Italia award in 1980 was for a radio documentary which included interviewing a woman who was about to have an abortion in England.

She travelled with the woman, documented her experience, and interviewed her after the operation.

Finucane separated from her first husband and formed a relationship with her partner John Clarke, with whom she had two children. Sadly, their daughter Sinead died of leukaemia in 1990 at the age of eight. In January 2015, she and John Clarke married in a private ceremony at a Dublin Registry Office.

Although she was one of the country's best-known broadcasters, she had always been fiercely protective of her family's privacy. "I did a deal with myself that I chose a job in the public eye and my family didn't. So I actually rarely ever talk about them," she said in a rare interview around the time of her marriage.

After Gay Byrne retired in 1999, she took over his early morning radio slot with 'The Marian Finucane Show', while Joe Duffy, took over her 'Liveline' afternoon programme. In June 2005 she moved from the morning time-slot, and was replaced by Ryan Tubridy, moving herself to the show on Saturdays and Sundays.

Finucane had been trying to move to the weekend programme times for quite a few years as she disliked the daily programme. "I never had a plan, but the nearest thing I ever had to one was the weekend show. It was one I'd hatched a long, long time earlier - and had intended to implement around then," she said in a newspaper interview some five years after her successful transfer to the weekend slot.

For the change she had been struck by the prediction of an old RTE mentor, Michael Littleton. He had noted listenership patterns were changing as more women went to work outside the home, making fewer available to listen to the radio.

He predicted that weekend radio was going to have to be developed. Over the years, she and her team worked on making the Saturday and Sunday programmes quite different, with the Sunday being a panel discussion around the current news agenda nationally and internationally.

Her long interviews regularly set the national agenda such as in 2001 when junior minister Joe Jacob claimed Ireland could deal with a nuclear disaster.

The more Finucane probed the country's preparedness, the less assured the politician sounded.

Ultimately he told listeners there would be iodine tablets for everybody in the event of a nuclear fallout.

Just as the recession hit Ireland in October 2008, Finucane did a notably interview with former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick. He denied the bank had been reckless in making too many big loans to property developers as Ireland's property bubble grew.

While saying he was grateful for the State's help, he refused to offer taxpayers an apology, saying: "The cause of our problems are global, so I can't say sorry with any degree of sincerity and decency. But I can say thank you."

The interview with Nuala O Faolain, who was the godmother of her daughter, Sinead, took a big emotional toll and she debated with long-time producer, Anne Farrell, about whether it should go ahead. Later, Finucane narrated a documentary film about the remarkable writer and journalist.

She was among RTE's top paid presenters but defended her salary, saying the job is virtually seven days: "You are constantly on, listening to radio, and keeping up with the news."

Last night, RTE director general Dee Forbes said Finucane "was first and foremost a tenacious journalist with a zeal for breaking new ground".

"From 'Women Today' to 'Liveline' to her weekday radio show on Radio 1 and, latterly, her enormously popular Saturday and Sunday radio programme, she tackled the big social issues of the day with command and insight," Ms Forbes continued.

Tom McGuire, head of RTE One, said Finucane was a defining voice for that station and for the nation. He said her work on 'Liveline' was without parallel as she had merged an unsurpassed journalistic vigour with a flair for debate and discussion.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the government will not budge an inch on its decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act despite the oppositions misinformation campaign.

Launching an awareness programme, he said the Congress was misleading Muslims over the Act and challenged party leader Rahul Gandhi to a discussion if he has read the law. The BJP will take out 500 rallies across the country, beginning Saturday to reach out to three crore people, he said.

Shah, who is also the BJP president, said the party had to launch this programme because of the misinformation spread by the opposition parties on the amended law.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not going back an inch on the CAA, he said at the meeting held in Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlots assembly constituency.

The home minister said it is shameful that the Congress is criticising the sacrifice of great sons of the country, like Veer Savarkar, for the sake of its vote bank.

The remark comes amid a row over the distribution of a booklet against the Hindutva icon at a camp held by Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh. But Shah did not directly refer to it.

Opposition parties have criticised the amendment that allows non-Muslims an easier path to citizenship if they came to India from three neighbouring countries before 2015 after facing religious persecution.

The law is not against the minorities, Shah said.

There is no provision in the Citizenship Amendment Act to take anyones citizenship away but it is a law to grant citizenship, he added.

We have not kept out any religion. We are giving citizenship to minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi or Christian, he said.

He challenged Congress leader Rahul to a discussion on the law.

Rahul baba if you have read the law come anywhere for a discussion (charcha). If you havent read it, I will get it translated into Italian, he said, in a swipe at his Italian-origin mother Sonia Gandhi.

Shah said Congress leaders too had in the past talked about granting citizenship to those who faced religious persecution in neighbouring countries, but the party did not implement the suggestions due to the fear of losing its vote bank.

But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has protected the human rights human rights and honour of millions of refugees who came to India, the BJP leader said.

Mahatma Gandhi had made the promise. Was he communal? Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had also said in Parliament that citizenship will be granted to Hindus or Sikhs who have come. Were they communal? he said.

These refugee brothers were millionaires and today they have no place to live. There they had many bighas of land and here they have nothing to eat, Shah said.

He said that percentage of the minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh has declined while the minorities in India are living with honour.

The opposition is against granting citizenship to those refugees who have come to India after facing atrocities, and whose property and jobs were taken away, he said.

He referred to the pact between Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistans Liaquat Ali Khan on the protection of minorities after Partition.

Now, we will execute the Nehru-Liaquat agreement. This is the rule of Narendra Modi, no one has to fear. PM Modi government is going to give citizenship to all of you and make you feel proud of being an Indian, he said in a remark apparently directed at the migrants.

I want to say that the refugees who have come from those countries are from India only, he added.

He said the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Aam Aadmi Party and the Communists are opposing the law.

Shah said it is hard to understand why West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is opposing citizenship to Bengali-speaking Hindus and Dalits living in West Bengal.

There is no need to fear from Didi. I want to say that refugees living in Bengal will not have to face any atrocities. You will be granted citizenship with honour, he said.

Shah also hit out at Ashok Gehlot, saying the BJP has implemented the promise mentioned in the election manifesto of his Congress government in Rajasthan.

He said the chief minister should stop protesting against the CAA and be concerned about the deaths of infants at Kotas JK Lon Hospital, where 100 children died in December.
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Tolerant, liberal, inclusive, non-elitist one could reel off a string of sobriquets which are generally used to describe those opposed to Right-wing politics. Therefore, in Kerala both the Left parties and the Congress-led political plank vie for these honours. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of course, scoffs at such posturing but then between the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), a bulk of the political space in Kerala is pretty much sewn up.

Nevertheless, there is hardly any love lost between the two fronts. All that changed recently, when the polarised political dispensations took a shine to each other and in a rare act of bonhomie closed ranks while opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and passing a joint resolution in the assembly on December 31, demanding its rollback.

The state had put on hold all initiatives associated with National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) when dozens of protest meetings and marches erupted against the CAA. The police was not expected to use force unlike in many other states, given the rare LDF-UDF unity.

However, the script began going awry when Ayesha Renna, one of the popular faces of the anti-CAA protests at Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia, managed to rub the comrades the wrong way when she demanded the Pinarayi Vijayan government to release of students arrested for protesting against the CAA in Kerala. Reports emerged that she was heckled and forced by the CPI(M) and members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) to apologize for her criticism against the state government at the meeting at Kondotty, in Malappuram district, on December 28. She, however, refused to budge.

Was it a case of the local party workers getting riled by Rennas attempt to paint the state and central government with the same brush of intolerance against criticism? The decision to keep her out of future anti-CAA rallies in the state seems to suggest that. Thus, this could be brushed aside as a case of the natural fear mainstream politicians have of fringe activists stealing the limelight.

The fact is that the state government has not bothered to come out with an explainer, thus distancing itself from the taunt of intolerance. In any way there should not have been a demand for apology just because she criticised the Pinarayi government.

This leads to the question as to whether there is a pattern to this newfound rigidity that is seen of late taking roots in the Marxist party.

Clearly, it has to be taken in conjunction with the bewilderingly strong aversion of the CI(M) for the Maoists of any hue, much to the disenchantment of their brothers in arms, the Communist Party of India (CPI). The narrative that is emerging, at least in Kerala, is that of a cadre-based party is in no way ready to be confused with the diluted ideologies of the Congress.

Therein lays the rationale behind the sudden distaste shown by the comrades for some of the arguably radical elements in the Muslim community with whom till recently the CPI(M) had no qualms in aligning for political gains.

With state elections just over a year away, the CPI(M) seems to be going all out for political gains by shunning the very fringe groups that once were feeder units for the Marxist party, as the numbers no longer favour their proximity. Mobilisation of sentiment against the CAA with shouts of azadi is fine, as long as the party does not have any truck with religious fundamentalists. Quite a throwback from the days when the likes of Abdul Nasser Madani and Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musaliyar were open allies of the CPI(M) leaders.

No reason to be overtly surprised when political expediency takes on the garb of realpolitik.
TEHRAN,Iran,Jan.3

Trend:

Iran's embassies and representative offices around the world are flying flags at half-staff in mourning of General Qassem Soleimani that was killed by as a result of the US air raid.

Iran's embassies and consulates have issued condolences and condemned the assassination of Soleimani in Baghdad, Trend reports citing Fars News Agency.

On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed as a result of air strikes at Baghdad Airport.The Pentagon claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Iranian general.
Photo: The Canadian Press Protesters burn a U.S. flag during a demonstration over U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard General.

Iran vowed harsh retaliation for a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport that killed a top Iranian general who had been the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing.

The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, marks a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Iran, which has careened from one crisis to another since President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

The United States urged American citizens to leave Iraq immediately" following the Friday airstrike at Baghdad's international airport that killed Soleimani and nine others, Iran's state TV reported Friday. The State Department said the embassy in Baghdad, which was attacked by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters earlier this week, is closed and all consular services have been suspended.

Around 5,200 American troops are based in Iraq, where they mainly train Iraqi forces and help to combat Islamic State militants.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that harsh retaliation is waiting for the U.S. after the airstrike, calling Soleimani the international face of resistance. Khamenei declared three days of public mourning and appointed Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, Soleimani's deputy, to replace him as head of the Quds Force, .

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the killing a heinous crime" and vowed his country would take revenge.

Thousands of worshippers in the Iranian capital Tehran took to streets after Friday Muslim prayers to condemn the killing, chanting Death to deceitful America.

The targeted strike, and any retaliation by Iran, could ignite a conflict that engulfs the whole region, endangering U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and beyond. Over the last two decades, Soleimani had assembled a network of heavily armed allies stretching all the way to southern Lebanon, on Israel's doorstep.

However, the attack may act as a deterrent for Iran and its allies to delay or restrain any potential response. Oil prices surged on news of the airstrike and markets were mixed.

The killing promised to strain relations with Iraq's government, which is allied with both Washington and Tehran and has been deeply worried about becoming a battleground in their rivalry. Iraqi politicians close to Iran called for the country to order U.S. forces out of the country.

The Defence Department said it killed the 62-year-old Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." It also accused Soleimani of approving the orchestrated violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The strike, on an access road near Baghdads airport, was carried out Friday by a U.S. drone, according to a U.S. official.
Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are "mostly political" and insisted that no Indian will lose her nationality because of the legislation. Shah also challenged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to show one clause in the CAA under which anyone is going to lose Indian citizenship. "I agree that these are mostly political protests.

Some people are also misguided but we are trying to convince them," he told ABP News. The Home Minister said under the CAA, the government wants to give ...
A cool Christmas gift turned into something of a nightmare for a family in Atlanta, Georgia. A seven-year-old had to be rushed to the emergency room after he ended up swallowing an AirPod he received as a present. Posts, complete with a photo of the childs X-ray, have been shared on Facebook by the kids mother and they are going all kinds of viral.

I cant make this up. My child, my child. Thanks for all of the prayers. Were home. No more airpods for this kid, wrote Kiara Stroud on the social networking site on December 29. She also posted a photo of her son, QJs X-ray that clearly shows the AirPod inside his stomach.

In a post, Stroud wrote about getting a call at work from her mother about QJ being rushed to the ER since he had swallowed his AirPod. I dont know why but this only child is going to make sure that Im the parent that can relate to every mommys crazy story, she wrote in her post.

Stroud told WSB-TV her son was holding the AirPod in his mouth when he accidentally swallowed it. The second-grader was rushed to the ER where doctors assured them the device would pass on its own.

The boy meanwhile had some concerns. He was like, Mom. I dont want my phone, because he got a phone for Christmas as well, and hes like, I dont want to be near my phone. I dont want it to connect to my phone and start playing music. Im like, Oh my God. Hes a crazy kid, Stroud told WSB-TV.

Stroud later shared another update about the incident and how she dealt with it as a parent.

The posts have since collected a ton of reactions.

Ok! No more AirPods or Earbuds for you! writes a Facebook user. This will be a moment you laugh at when he is 17, says another. Luckily theyre waterproof so he can still use them, comments a third.
Heres an easy prediction for 2020: Mayor Ron Nirenbergs plan to have the San Antonio Water System take over the citys Edwards Aquifer protection efforts will crash headlong into ratepayer worries about higher water bills.

Those worries are legitimate, although SAWS and city officials wont fail to remind us that our water rates are among the lowest in Texas. Nevertheless, affordability is a big issue in the nations poorest big city, which is also experiencing fast-rising property values and tax bills.

SAWS is making $500 million in improvements to the sewer system  as required under an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency. Its also paying for the massive Vista Ridge water supply project. Thats why SAWS customers have swallowed rate increases for four consecutive years.

The biggest rate hike, 10 percent, kicked in Wednesday. The average residential bill will creep up to $72.38 from $65.83.

And theres a kicker, coming from the other city-owned utility. Its likely that CPS Energy will seek its first rate increase in six years in 2020, according to a person familiar with the internal discussions.

Heres what CPS chief executive Paula Gold-Williams has to say about it:

Through broad focus, hard work on cutting costs, and the optimization of new technology to make our operations increasingly more efficient, we again did not need a rate increase in 2019. This all said, while we have not declared a rate increase in a very long time, we have consistently commented that one is inevitable.

The possibility of higher electric bills could sharpen the focus on affordability as SAWS weighs whether to take on the acquisition of easements to block development over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone  to protect the purity of San Antonios water supply.

Of course, theres a chance that concerns over the potential costs are misplaced. Maybe SAWS officials, who are currently vetting the proposal, will pull some fiscal sleight of hand if they go ahead with aquifer protection, sparing ratepayers yet another increase.

Nirenberg is counting on just such a budget workaround. After SAWS trustees were briefed on his plan Dec.10, Express-News reporter Bruce Selcraig asked the mayor if he was confident aquifer protection would not result in a water rate increase. Yes, I am, Nirenberg said. I say that as a (SAWS) board member and a mayor.

He was less sanguine on New Years Eve when I asked how SAWS could take over the aquifer program without taking a fiscal hit.

I am working collaboratively with the SAWS board and staff, which is in the process of examining the issue, he said in a text message. Well address the (fiscal) impacts when that examination is complete.

The city spends about $20 million a year in sales tax revenue to buy conservation easements over the Edwards recharge zone. Most of the acreage is in rural Medina and Uvalde counties. Voters are fine with the program  theyve approved it four times since 2000. But Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff are looking to switch the 1/8-cent sales tax to help underfunded VIA Metropolitan Transit.

Thats laudable. Improving bus service and introducing advanced rapid transit are the right things to do in a city that sprawls the way San Antonio does and where the rich are so starkly segregated from the poor.

But that makes an orphan of aquifer protection  loved by environmentalists, not so much by developers  as well as the creekway projects funded by the tax, which expires this year. The vote on shifting the sales-tax money to VIA could happen as early as the November general election.

If SAWS trustees take up Nirenberg on his plan, its unlikely they would attempt anything as big as the citys program. The utilitys done recharge-zone easement acquisitions before, but with a light touch. Between 1993 and 2007, it accumulated 28,700 acres, nearly 20,000 of them in Uvalde County to the west of San Antonio. SAWS paid a total of $9 million and traded $2 million worth of property for easements.

But as SAWS officials made these modest purchases, they failed to spend enough on sewer system improvements, resulting in so many sewage spills that the EPA eventually cracked down. SAWS also muffed or ignored opportunities to significantly cut into San Antonios over-reliance on the Edwards Aquifer.

With Vista Ridge deliveries starting later this year, the Edwards counts for 61 percent of San Antonios available water sources  a major improvement.

And an expensive one. Over the past four years, the water supply charge on your water bill has risen 77.4 percent because of the $2 billion-plus Vista Ridge project.

Why did SAWS officials skirt long-term investments of this magnitude before CEO Robert Puente came along in 2008? Because they wanted to keep a lid on rates, to keep them affordable for industry and residents  mostly industry.

In other words, they upset the balance that both SAWS and CPS Energy have to strike between affordability and smart, forward-thinking management of their systems.

Together, CPS and SAWS control assets valued at more than $18 billion, and San Antonio taxpayers own them. On paper, theyre set up to run as independent agencies. But SAWS trustees are appointed by City Council  CPS board is self-perpetuating, which is another column  and the mayor sits on both utility boards. Its up to council to approve rate increases.

All of this is to say that CPS and SAWS are under constant political pressure, which is why they both charge some of the lowest rates in the country.

Blessed be municipally owned water and electric companies.

By the same token, theyre vulnerable to money grabs at City Hall, as we witnessed last summer.

The utilities have to hand over a percentage of their revenue to the city, with the much larger CPS carrying the heavier load. Its payments make up 28 percent of this years $1.27 billion city general fund. To help close a budget gap, officials bumped up SAWS share from 2.7 percent of the utilitys revenue to 4 percent, increasing its tribute by $10.8 million.

Usually, the pressure that elected officials and the city manager exert isnt that naked or that narrow. SAWS operates a good water-conservation program, CPS is increasing its reliance on renewables, and both utilities provide assistance to customers struggling to pay their bills, all because of that political pressure.

The burden now is on Nirenberg and supporters of his plan. Its up to them to prove to ratepayers that asking SAWS to take responsibility for aquifer protection doesnt upset the balance  between dirt-cheap rates at one extreme, and mission creep and profligate spending at the other.

greg.jefferson@express-news.net
Pizhai is yet another underwhelming film that has good intentions at heart. Think of it as an inferior version of Saattai that whips the children instead of parents. Here the children are too naughty but instead of a hero, life itself teaches them lessons and turns them good. While Samuthirakanis Saattai, despite all its self-righteousness, passes off as a feature film, Pizhai feels more like an amateurish YouTube short film.

Director: Rajavel Krishna

Cast: Chinna Kaaka Muttai Ramesh, Appa Nasath, Gokul, Mime Gopi, Charly, George

Vedi (Ramesh), Kodi (Appa Nasath), and Mayilu (Gokul) are three naughty boys in a village near Thiruvannamalai. Their fathers  played by Mime Gopi, George, and Charly  are daily labourers working in a quarry who just can't afford to miss a day of work. The parents shed sweat and blood for their children, who bunk classes, fail in all subjects, and bring home nothing but trouble. So, the fathers resort to beating them with sticks. But things only get worse after every episode of beating.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to a youngster, who returns to the village after running away from home when he was a kid. Though uneducated, the youth has made it in life and is revered as a hero in his village. He gets the girl and with her, a bad romantic number. The three boys are inspired by the new hero in the village, and they run away too. But, they dont have it easy in Chennai. They get kidnapped by a hotel owner, they run into another hero figure (played by Kalluri Vinoth) who also gets a romantic number, and finally, realise that education is important.

To be honest, the cliched story is the least of Pizhai's problems; the film is bad because of its lacklustre filmmaking and lack of depth. The big 'moment of realisation' for the boys is just laughable. As they think about their past and the good old days flash before their eyes, all that is missing is a tortoise coil spinning on the screen.

The alarmingly inept actors give the feel of watching a bad stage play with futile attempts at comedy. Mime Gopi, George, and Charly are the only good actors but they have relatively few scenes to perform. Kakka Muttai Ramesh and Appa Nasath dont help either.

Watching Pizhai was like listening to someone narrate a didactic story that teems with banal platitudes. In Tamil, they are referred to as Needhi Kathaigal, which are told to children. These fables usually end with a moral lesson. And the moral of Pizhai is that education is important and one shouldnt make a feature-length film with content that is not even good enough for a short-film.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), speaks on the Senate floor, at the Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 19, 2019. (Senate TV via AP)

McConnell Warns Congress: Wait to Review the Facts on Soleimani Killing

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) issued a warning to lawmakers following numerous public statements made by elected officials in the aftermath of the death of Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian head of the Quds Force, in a drone strike on Thursday.

Predictably enough, in this political environment, the operation that resulted in his death may prove controversial or divisive, McConnell said on the floor of the Senate.

He added, Although I anticipate and welcome debate about Americas interest in foreign policy in the Middle East, I recommend that all senators wait to review the facts and hear from the administration before passing much public judgment on this operation, and its potential consequences.

A classified briefing on the strike is likely to occur in the coming week while Senate staff will be briefed by the Trump administration, he said.

McConnell added that Soleimani was an architect and chief engineer of the worlds most active state sponsor of terrorism, saying that President Donald Trump effectively removed him.

No man was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American service members, McConnell said.

A number of Democratic members of Congress have said that Trump should have consulted Congress before the airstrikes. Reports have said that some lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), were alerted of the airstrike ahead of time.

The Administration has conducted tonights strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran, Pelosi said in a statement.Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress, Pelosi added.

In defense of the strike, Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Soleimani was plotting to kill more Americans.

The Iranian commander was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number, Trump said on Twitter. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago, he wrote.

Soleimani was actively plotting in the region to take actions  that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk, Pompeo told CNN.

The Quds Forcewhich reports directly to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneiis a unit within Irans Revolutionary Guardsa designated foreign terrorist organizationthat serves to gather intelligence and supports Lebanons Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemens Houthis, and a variety of Shia terrorist groups in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
The BJP on Friday reacted furiously to an insinuation by the Congress Seva Dal, one of the frontal organisations of the opposition party, about Veer Savarkar's relationship with Nathuram Godse, terming it "abhorrent" and accusing the outfit of working to denigrate all leaders outside the Nehru-Gandhi family.

BJP general secretary Anil Jain took a swipe at the Congress, saying that "the world knows various relationships of Congress leaders", but he does not want to throw such muck.

Nobody in the Congress suffered like Veer Savarkar, a Hindutva icon, Jain said and asked as to what low the opposition party has fallen to in attacking him. The Congress should answer about such an abhorrent comment made about Savarkar, he said.

"Except for a family nobody is worthy of respect for the Congress," Jain said while accusing the party of denigrating leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Savarkar.

A Hindi booklet, distributed at a camp of Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh, has claimed that Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse were in a physical relationship.

Jain also took a swipe at the Congress government in Rajasthan after it said that more children had earlier died in a Kota hospital, where deaths of over 100 children have triggered a political row.

Instead of reeling out statistics, the state government should work to improve conditions in the hospital and fix accountability, he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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In a bid to set aside any language barriers while making strategies for West Bengal Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah is learning the Bengali language, news agency IANS has reported.

The state, currently ruled by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is scheduled to go for assembly polls in 2021. The state has a 294-member assembly. However, Shah has already started preparing for it.

After BJPs defeat in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand, Shah now wants to make a stronghold on West Bengal, said the report, adding that learning the regional language will help him make a better connect with party workers while preparing a blueprint for poll campaigning.

According to the report, the Home Minister is also planning to begin his addresses in Bengali to connect in a better way with the public.

Shah has also appointed a teacher to teach him Bengali, the report added.

The BJP started preparing for the 2021 Bengal elections, soon after 2019 Lok Sabha polls, which saw the saffron party emerging as the main opposition in the state, with 18 of the 42 seats in its kitty.
A fresh garbage crisis is looming large in the city as the Urban Development Department (UDD) has turned down the bidder chosen by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike for setting up a scientific landfill at Mittiganahalli near Hennur.

The department has also directed the civic body to initiate a fresh tender process for the project.

The move has made the BBMP predictably nervous, for it had pinned its hopes on the Mittiganahalli landfill to dump Bengalurus waste as the existing landfills at Bagalur and Bellahalli quarries are full to the brim.

Planning to set up a landfill at Mittiganahalli, the BBMP had floated a tender in July 2019 and finalised the bidder. However, the UDD has turned down the bidder for failing to fulfill the required conditions.

According to sources in the UDD, the bidder, as per the rules, should have had the experience of executing any project worth half the cost of the current project as a primary contractor. However, the bidder chosen and submitted by the BBMP had experience only as a sub-contractor and failed to meet the expectations.

The bidder had previously executed projects of KRIDL as a sub-contractor and not as a primary contractor. Hence, he is technically not qualified to be the bidder for the project, the tender evaluation committee opined.

The UDDs move has left the BBMP in a fix as it cannot float fresh tenders for the same project for at least 45 days from the date of rejection of the file. Further, it has to give another 15 days for the tender submission for the same project.

With the entire procedure likely to take two to three months, the management of garbage disposal is likely to be hit severely in the coming days, according to sources at the BBMP.

Former mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun, under whose tenure the tenders were floated, said: I had personally approached the government as the city is in need of another landfill and got the project approved. But with the government turning down the bidder, it will be a Herculean task for the BBMP to address the garbage disposal on a daily basis.
The US embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens in Iraq on Friday to "depart immediately", for fear of fallout from a US strike that killed top Iranian and Iraqi commanders.

"US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," the embassy said in a statement.

The US strike hit outside Baghdad airport early Friday but security sources told AFP it was still open to flights.
A couple takes advantage of the sunny skies on the walking path along Kelly Drive in May. Overall, it was quite warm in Philly in 2019; at least in terms of temperature. Read more

For the 15th consecutive year, the official annual average temperature in Philadelphia  57.3 degrees Fahrenheit  was higher than the citys 20th-century annual average.

In the 21st century, the lone exception to the trend was 2003, when the annual temperature, 54.9, finished in a dead heat with that of the 20th-century average.

While warming worldwide hasnt been uniform, Philadelphias temperatures have tracked rather neatly with the overall global trend.

The governments annual world-temperature report wont be available for a few weeks; it typically includes data from more than 180 countries, not all of which respond promptly.

 READ MORE: How global average temperatures are measured

But through November, the world was about 1.7 degrees Fahrenheit warmer in 2019 than it was on average in the 20th century, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information, and last year likely will be in the top three warmest.

Since 2000, Philadelphias average annual temperature, 56.9, has been a full 2 degrees higher than the 20th-century average. The 2019 average was the 13th warmest among 146 years of record-keeping.

The well-documented trend of warming nights worldwide also was evident in the citys 2019 numbers. The average daily high, 65.6, was 0.9 degrees above the 30-year climate normal value; the average low, 47.2, was 1.7 degrees above the normal.

Those normal values will be recalculated at the end of 2020, noted Jonathan OBrien, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly. OBrien said he wouldnt be surprised to see a degree or two added to what will officially be the new normal.

Extreme times, but not so much for temperatures

In 2019, by the summer solstice, the Mount Holly office had issued more than 136 severe-thunderstorm warnings for the year, compared with 33 the same period of 2018.

 READ MORE: Why is it raining so much? Twisters, downpours, iPhone alerts: the harvest of a wild spring.

That prompted Joe Miketta, the warning-coordinator meteorologist, to declare: Were not just making them up. Theres a lot of weather going on.  Were not trying to scare people."

What might have been the most frightening episode of severe weather around here coincided with Halloween, when a late-night squall line touched up a potent EF-2 tornado in Delaware County and knocked out power to more than 100,000 customers.

 READ MORE: Storms disrupt SEPTA rail service; EF-2 tornado damages dozens of homes in Delco

But in terms of temperatures, the warmth was consistent but not terribly dramatic, with no long-enduring deadly heat waves or cold spells.

Philadelphia set only one daily high temperature record in 2019, when the high reached 95 on Oct. 2.

Again, in tune with overnight warming, the city did set four records for high daily minimums  61 on April 13, 71 on May 20, 81 on July 21, and 70 on Oct. 2.

What does all this mean for 2020?

The governments latest year-ahead outlook has the odds favoring above-normal temperatures in the East, but thats not to be taken too seriously. The models that have such successes in the short term havent exhibited the same skills in the longer ranges.

One of the most important clues they rely upon for the long-lead outlooks is the trend: Whats happened is likely to keep happening.

A trend continues until it doesnt, and it isnt always linear, but, yes, for now the temperature trend is unmistakable.
Union home minister Amit Shah said on Friday the Centre will not change its stance on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, also called CAA, despite a misinformation campaign by the Opposition, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held rallies in support of the new law.

Protests have continued across the country since Parliament approved the new law that proposes to ease citizenship for minorities from three Muslim-majority countries  Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The protests, which turned into violent clashes with the police at several places including Delhi, allege that the law is divisive.

In Jodhpur, the home minister launched an awareness programme over the law on Friday and said the Congress was misleading Muslims. He challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a discussion if he had read the law. The BJP president said his party will conduct 500 rallies across the country beginning Saturday to reach out to 30 million people.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not going back an inch on the CAA, Shah said at a gathering in Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlots constituency.

The Rajasthan CM hit back at the BJP, saying it should shun arrogance and go for a rethink on the amended citizenship act. When the whole country is opposing it, then the BJP-led Centre should leave behind its arrogance and rethink, Gehlot said, alleging that the BJP was still adamant on implementing the Act despite opposition from nine states over the law that was based on religion.

Countering the Oppositions allegation, Shah said the the law is not against the minorities. There is no provision in the Citizenship Amendment Act to take anyones citizenship away but it is a law to grant citizenship, he added.

We have not kept out any religion. We are giving citizenship to minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi or Christian, he said. Rahul baba if you have read the law come anywhere for a discussion (charcha). If you havent read it, I will get it translated into Italian, Shah said.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has protected the human rights human rights and honour of millions of refugees who came to India.

The Prime Minister on Monday led the ruling BJPs outreach on dispelling the confusion around CAA, promoting a video on the legislation by guru Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and asked people not to fall for misinformation by vested interest groups.

The video and the PMs tweet were part of the BJP and governments outreach programme to counter protests against CAA. The law fast-tracks Indian citizenship for non-Muslim religious minorities from three of Indias Muslim-majority neighbours. People protesting against it believe it is exclusionary; others, especially in the North-east, where locals have traditionally been opposed to outsiders, fear that it could result in the legitimising of many of these outsiders.

BJP national working president JP Nadda on Friday launched Goas first major pro-CAA rally in the state capital. Thousands of BJP workers from several constituencies, mostly from North Goa arrived in the state capital to participate in the rally.

MORE PRO-BJP RALLIES

Union minister Jitendra Singh said the governments next move would be regarding the deportation of Rohingya refugees as they will not be able to secure citizenship under the new law.

He demanded a probe into how the Rohingyas reached and settled down in the northern-most belt of Jammu after passing through several states from West Bengal.

The CAA has been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir the day it was passed (by Parliament). There are no ifs and buts, by implementation (of the CAA in Jammu and Kashmir), what would happen here is that the next move would be in relation to (the deportation) of Rohingyas, Singh said.

With inputs from agencies
Trumps red line against the Iranian regime harming Americans was very real, and Qasem Soleimani is dead.

The U.S. killed the Iranian terror-master at the Baghdad airport where he reportedly had just arrived from Syria. The head of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, Soleimani was the instrument of Iranian imperialism around the region, building up proxy forces, overseeing operations, and executing a geopolitical vision. He existed at the very center of the Iranian regime and was uniquely skilled at his role, honed over decades of ruthlessness and cunning.

He was also a cold-blooded killer of Americans, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of our servicemen during the Iraq war. He deserved to die for that alone. According to a Pentagon statement, Soleimani was developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and around the region, which isnt hard to believe, since that was his job.

The Trump administration and Tehran have been involved in a cat-and-mouse game for months now, with Iran engaged in provocations designed to elicit an American response. Trump had been hyper-cautious, only setting out a warning against harming Americans. After an attack by an Iranian-supported militia, Kataib Hezbollah, on a base in Iraq killed an American contractor, the U.S. retaliated with airstrikes against the group. That led to the Iranian-organized storming of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The killing of Soleimani, a legal act against an enemy combatant under the rules of war, is a stunning counter-move by President Trump.

Neither George W. Bush or Barack Obama dared to take such a step, and it surely has rocked the Iranian regime to its core. The question is how it reacts. It has cards to play, whether in stirring the pot further in Iraq, hitting our allies via its proxies, or carrying out terror attacks in the West or even on U.S. soil. But the U.S. has the power to see and raise Iran in any escalation, and Tehran, already struggling under stringent U.S. sanctions and facing internal unrest, has more to lose.

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The decades-long conflict with Iran may be about to enter a phase of open hostilities not seen since the Reagan administration. President Trump has made a bold move. In the weeks ahead, he and his team will have to match it with planning, canniness, and perseverance. We face a determined enemy that is, thankfully, down one proficient, bloody-minded commander courtesy of the business end of an American drone.

More from National Review
The impeachment inquiry hearings highlighted Americas desperate need for term limits.

Our nations founders never intended for members of Congress to be permanent fixtures. Being a member of Congress was never intended to be a permanent job. Unfortunately, Congressional districts have been gerrymandered so that most Congressional districts are set so that, except for unusual situations, a single political party is slated to hold the district, essentially forever.

Some districts are configured, unintentionally, of course, to be contested but even there, the advantage of incumbency takes hold. The result is that we end up with individuals in Congress for 30, 40 years and more.

Watching the impeachment hearings was a clue as to the inability of many current members of Congress to function. A number of congressmen were given only 30 or 60 seconds to speak, most of them on the Republican side. They were absolutely unable to say their piece without reading it and were unable to get the words out without giving it a staged appearance. The appearance of many of the many members of Congress was unkempt and certainly did not lead to any feeling of confidence that these people were in the most part not just political hacks locked in to safe districts and are just worried about a primary. If they can avoid that, they are home free. This isnt the kind of Congress the Constitution envisioned.

What was hoped for was a citizen Congress where people would stay a few years and then leave so that new people and fresh ideas could enter Congress. Instead, control of Congress and seemingly a majority of its members are never going to do be employed at anything else, except, perhaps, becoming a lobbyist down the road  an easy way to enhance their investment portfolios.

In the Senate, having a six-year term gives the incumbent an incredible advantage both in money, and recognition. If you are like Connecticuts Sen. Richard Blumenthal, for example, you get on board for whatever is the issue of the day and always have your name before the public. It is a built-in advantage. But the concept of senators being there for six, seven, eight terms  until they either have dementia or are on the verge of death  is just not the way it was meant to be. Although I must admit that there have been some in that group, like a John McCain, who have been good for the country.

I believe that it would make sense to limit house members to six consecutive two-year terms. If they are able to stay out of office for two years and them come back, well, so be it. At least someone else has had a chance. For U.S. senators, two consecutive six-year terms would seem to be plenty.

How you get it done is the difficult part as it would require a Constitutional amendment and a Congress willing to put self-interests aside. No easy task.

The City Council and mayor in New York have term limits. The president of the United States has term limits. Why not Congress?

Some people have compared our current Congress to a pride of lions in the Serengeti. The male lions spend a significant amount of their waking hours patrolling and marking their territory by rubbing against trees, scratching the dirt and spraying urine. They also spend considerable time sniffing for the scent of an intruder or roaring to get the attention of other lion prides to warn them that they are getting too close. The balance of their time is spent forcing others of the pride away from a kill and gorging themselves. Not a nice description of the U.S. Congress, but unfortunately it does describe a substantial number of entrenched members.

Tom Steyer, who is running for president largely through television advertising, has been touting the need for term limits. While Steyer is not my first choice for the presidential nomination, I do support his call for term limits. It would be a really good for the country.

Edward L. Marcus is former chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee in Connecticut and former State Senate majority leader. His office is in Branford.
Attorneys representing inmates in Alabamas long-running lawsuit over mental health care in prisons said today the state is making little progress toward following a federal court order requiring a huge increase in correctional officers.

Attorneys from the Southern Poverty Law Center filed in federal court a response to the Alabama Department of Corrections filing on Dec. 20. In that filing, the ADOC defended its use of a new basic correctional officer (BCO) position to help meet the staffing requirement.

In todays filing, the SPLC said it did not object to the use of the BCOs to fill some prison positions but said the overall effort to meet the courts mandate to add more than 2,000 correctional officers is falling short. The SPLC said the state has increased its staff by only 25 officers over two years, less than 1.5% of the goal it is required to meet by February 2022.

Defendants efforts to address severe and deadly correctional understaffing in Alabama prisons have not yet proven to be effective in addressing both recruitment and retention," lawyers for the SPLC wrote.

A lawyer for the ADOC said the state has revamped the hiring process and made other changes that are showing results.

It is regrettable that SPLC took such extreme liberties with our historical staffing information and ignored the meaningful progress we have made in addressing staffing challenges, including deliberately excluding data from the most effective recruitment period in ADOC history," attorney Bill Lunsford said. To this point, from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019, ADOC had a net gain of 193 correctional security staff, and just recently graduated an additional 125 officers in December 2019. The reality is that we are instituting sweeping changes to address both recruitment and retention concerns that will take both time and resources to fully implement, including building three new correctional facilities that will provide safer and more desirable working conditions.

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson had ordered the parties to report the information and their positions on the staffing issue.

Thompson ruled in June 2017 that mental health care in prisons was horrendously inadequate and found that a shortage of correctional officers was a contributing factor.

In response, the ADOC hired experts to determine prison staffing needs and ways to hire and retain more officers. Thompsons order to roughly triple the correctional staff is based on their findings.

The experts recommended creation of the BCO position as a way to get more officers on the job. BCOs receive 240 hours of training before going to work in prisons, while correctional officers receive 400 hours. BCOs are not required to pass the firearms training and physical fitness requirements that correctional officers must pass.

The ADOC says BCOs can still handle most jobs involving managing prisoners except for those that require having a firearm or transporting prisoners.

In todays filing, the SPLC asked the court to order the ADOC to give a specific list of what prison posts BCOs cannot fill.

The Legislature boosted funding for the prison system to help increase pay and bonuses in an effort to increase and retain prison staff.

The lawsuit over mental health care and medical care for inmates, filed in 2014, is separate from the report by the U.S. Department in Justice alleging that Alabamas mens prisons are rife with violence, and danger to the extent that conditions violate the Constitution.

That report, issued in April, served notice that the DOJ could sue the state. State officials have said they are working with the DOJ to address the problems.

Violence and homicides have continued to plague prisons since the DOJ report.

Prison reforms are expected to be a key topic in the legislative session that starts Feb. 4.

This story was updated at 9:48 a.m. on Jan. 4 to add statement from the ADOC.
Turkish Airlines will open four new routes in 2020 as it expands and updates its fleet, according to the chairman of Turkey's flag carrier.

"We finished all procedures to launch flights to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Tokyos Haneda Airport, Newark, New Jersey, and Vancouver, Canada in 2019," said Ilker Ayci, adding that now they are just waiting for the necessary permits.

Beside new destinations, he said the airline will also focus on frequency depth, he added.

After starting service to 10 new international routes in 2019, the carrier closed out the year flying to a total of 318 cities in 126 countries, Ayci noted.

New Istanbul Airport

Calling the airlines big switch in April from Ataturk Airport to the new mega-Istanbul Airport its biggest move in 2019, Ayci said:

"Turkish Airlines had to have a strong infrastructure, one supporting its growth, in order to achieve its goals without interruption."

Istanbul Airport, the world's new hub," officially opened on Oct. 29, 2018, the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic.

At a full annual capacity of 200 million passengers -- with the completion of all four phases with six runways by 2028 -- Istanbul Airport is set to become a global aviation hub bringing in more than 100 airlines and flights to over 300 destinations around the world.

Underlining that the airline reached full capacity shortly after moving to the mega-airport, Ayci said: "With our new home, which made both us and our passengers change our habits, we learned to walk again, putting aside everything we know."

While Ataturk Airport fell short of responding to Turkish Airlines need for more slots and capacity due to constraints such as runway insufficiency, now it has a larger operational space thanks to Istanbul Airport, he said.

"The third runway to open at Istanbul Airport in 2020 will ease the traffic density," Ayci said.

When the third runway goes live, it will be possible to do an aircraft landing and takeoff every 43 seconds, or more than 2,000 planes a day, he added.

Expanded, updated fleet

Turkish Airlines is continuing to expand its fleet with next-generation aircraft while replacing older models, said Ayci.

By the end of 2019, the airline had 351 aircraft, including 98 wide-body, 229 narrow-body, and 24 cargo planes, up from 332 at the beginning of the year.

"With our current fleet size, we rank 10th among the passenger airlines globally," Ayci said.

"Among the top 10, we have the fourth-youngest fleet."

He added that 28 more aircraft will be added to the fleet in 2020, stressing that the company is open to rental options.

Capacity rising

Despite having to ground Boeing 737 Max aircraft and the delay in the delivery of A321 Neo aircraft, Turkish Airlines posted a 2.7% rise in its capacity in January-November 2019, Ayci noted.

This came although we were unable to use 12 planes in our fleet, and 12 new ones were delayed," he explained.

Boeing's top-selling 737 Max was grounded worldwide after crashes which killed hundreds of people and cost the company billions of dollars.

On Tuesday Turkish Airlines announced that Boeing had agreed to compensate it for losses from the grounded and undelivered planes.

"Boeing will cover some of our losses and the revenue that we cannot generate because our grounded aircraft are not used in operations," the carrier said in a statement.

In the first 11 months of 2019, the flag carrier served 68.8 million passengers.

"Despite an 11.5% contraction in the domestic market in Turkey, we welcomed 28.3 million passengers taking domestic flights, boosting our market share by 2.5 points," Ayci said.

The number of passengers carried via international flights rose 3.5% to 40.4 million, he underlined.

Turkish Airlines has 15 subsidiaries and joint ventures including Turkish Technic, Turkish Cargo, Turkish Ground Services, Turkish Opet Aviation Fuels, and Sun Express.

Touching on Turkish Cargo's operations, Ayci said the company kept growing even while the global air cargo sector shrank 3.5%.

"Despite these unfavorable market conditions and having to carry out our cargo operations at two different airports, we posted an increase of 9.5% in the cargo volume to 1.4 million tons, Ayci stressed.

Turkish Cargo posted an impressive $452 million in revenue in the first three quarters, he added.

Text and Image: Anadolu Ajans
Allows Company to Close Milholland and McKay Acquisitions

POWAY, Calif., Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via OTC PR WIRE -- Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation (SIRC), an integrated solar and roofing installation company specializing in commercial and residential properties with a focus on acquisitions of like companies to build a footprint nationally, announced today that it has secured a $2.7 million financing in a non-dilutive structure to close its Milholland and McKay acquisitions.



David Massey, CEO of SIRC, commented, We have been working very hard to be able to secure the necessary funding to close the Milholland and Mckay acquisitions using a non-dilutive structure. These acquisitions form the base of our growth plan to become a dominant solar roofing company in the southern California market.

Commenting further, Massey said, With these companies under the SIRC umbrella, we feel confident that we can generate more than $30 million in revenues for its February fiscal 2021 with 12%-15% EBTDA margins. We feel that our stock, trading at less than a $4 million market cap, is undervalued and yet to be recognized by the financial markets.

Finally, Massey said, We are staying focused on what we need to do to enhance shareholder value and grow our company. We will continue to acquire companies that are accretive to our bottom line while expanding revenues and margins with the current companies already acquired.

About Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation

Solar Integrated Roofing Corporation is an integrated solar and roofing installation company specializing in commercial and residential properties with a focus on acquisitions of like companies to build a footprint nationally. For more information, please visit: www.solarintegratedroofingcorp.com

Forward-Looking Statements:

Any statements made in this press release which are not historical facts contain certain forward-looking statements; as such term is defined in the Private Security Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial condition and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in this release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in any forward-looking statement. This press release shall not be deemed a general solicitation.

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Contact:

Marlena LeBrun

760-566-9116

marlenalebrun@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/secureroofingandsolar/
At a December 10, 2019 rally in Hershey, Pa., Donald Trump said, Im the only politician in history that has kept more promises than I actually made." Very amusing, and the gist of the remark bears a measure of truth. Just imagine how terrifying it would be if one of his Democratic opponents were to beat him in November and make that same crack three or four years down the road.

It's been a common refrain all along among Democrats that Donald Trump is somehow unfit to be president. Aside from the destructive policies the Democrats would subject us to, Trump is "unfit to be president" compared to whom? Compared, I presume, to this cast of storybook characters:

Somehow, when I think of Joe Biden, I hear The Sound of Music: how do you solve a problem like Joe Biden? Since 1973, when he voted against building the Alaskan pipeline in the midst of an Arab oil embargo, his policy meanderings as a senator have provided a formidable supply of fodder for criticism from every slice of the political spectrum. Based on his performance during this, his third campaign for president, no one should be condemned for saying he's well past his prime.

Bernie Sanders, after convalescing (in a Soviet nursing home?) from a heart attack, came roaring back to the campaign trail in typical fashion, which is best described as apoplectic. He should immediately draft Larry David as a stand-in double in order to conserve whatever "Bern" he has left.

Then there's Elizabeth Warren, Defender of the Proletariat, Enemy of Bloated Corporatist Parasites. In addition to getting caught systematically rewriting her personal and family history to promote her professional and political career, she never learned, as she should have from the master politician Obama, that as a revolutionary, you keep your campaign as vague and mushy as possible. If forced to lay out specifics, you look straight at the cameras and lie, and you lie early and as often as necessary.

A thirty-seven-year-old mayor of a small Midwestern city wants to be president. Pete Buttigieg missed his calling by not being tapped to play Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

How many millions will Mike Bloomberg blow before he realizes that money can't buy him the love of the people? There's no question he possesses a Napoleonic bearing, and stature, but he lacks the Corsican's flair for turning a pithy phrase. To wit, Bloomberg on raising taxes on poor people:

Some people say, well, taxes are regressive. But in this case, yes they are. That's the good thing about them because the problem is in people that don't have a lot of money. And so, higher taxes should have a bigger impact on their behavior and how they deal with themselves. So, I listen to people saying 'oh we don't want to tax the poor.' Well, we want the poor to live longer so that they can get an education and enjoy life. And that's why you do want to do exactly what a lot of people say you don't want to do.

In addition to Bloomberg, there are a few other low polling stragglers hoping to break through the upper tier: Klobuchar; Yang; Booker; and even another old white billionaire, Tom Steyer. The Democrat field is mostly in lockstep with positions that range from goofy to nihilistic. As just one example, Steyer, who is blowing millions in ads, is especially adamant about forcing us to blanket tens of thousands of square miles of our landscape with solar panels, wind turbines, and right of ways for transmission lines. We would scour the Earth for cobalt, lithium, copper, neodymium, and whatever else these lowenergy density technologies require, and de facto outlaw hydrocarbons and nuclear energy. As the cost of energy skyrocketed, economic damage and human suffering would follow suit. These "green, clean" champions of justice and tolerance would take our cars and guns and over time herd us into high-density urban dwellings by making our suburban homes unaffordable to all but the wealthiest  those homes and the land they consume having been rendered an unsustainable blight on the environment. Hey, most of the rest of the world signed on to Kyoto, so we'll hold their feet to the fire as well. So be ready to sacrifice individual liberty to a central, even global authority. It's for the good of the planet, so we must do it. Yes we will! Yes we can! Si se puede!

I encourage you to read this Wall Street Journal op-ed about Chile, "The Oasis of South America," the most stable and prosperous country in the Southern Hemisphere during the last two and a half decades. That country has plunged into a dark, violent vortex in just a few short weeks. The root causes, as explained by the author, a Chilean university scholar, are the usual suspects: progressive social and economic policies, just like the ones being mouthed every day to a greater or lesser extent by every Democratic contender for president. A large segment of Americans must get over this notion that any warm body with a pulse is more fit to be president than Donald Trump.

Image: Guardian News via YouTube.
Hundreds more Delta Airlines workers are suing Lands' End, claiming uniforms are making them feel sick and causing them to break out in rashes, according to a class action suit filed in Wisconsin on Tuesday.

A group of flight attendants first filed a class action suit on the same grounds in May, but it was later narrowed to include only plaintiffs based in New York.

The class action filed on Tuesday includes complaints from 525 Delta workers from across the US.

They say that the 'Passport Plum' uniforms the airline introduced in 2016 and required since 2018 are covered in additives that may keep them from staining and stinking but trigger a 'myriad of health problems.'

Flight attendants, ticketing agents and other Delta employees claim Lands' Ends' clothing is making it difficult for them to breath, blurring their vision, irritating their sinuses and causing everything from rashes to hair loss and blisters.

Another 525 Delta employees have filed a class action lawsuit against Lands' End, claiming the company's 'Passport Plum' uniforms have been making them sick for years (file)

It's unclear what monetary amount the plaintiffs are seeking, but the suit asks that the court make Lands' end pay for their medical expenses, recall the uniforms and pay for a health monitoring program for anyone who's worn the offending uniforms.

One flight attendant claims that her uniform has left her with not only skin problems, but asthma, heart palpitations and autoimmune conditions.

Another blames her work outfit for the blood in her urine, hives and vocal cord problems.

Yet another says she's been left with muscle cramps from the uniform, and most of the named plaintiffs complain of skin and sinus irritation.

'The uniforms pose an ongoing, unreasonable risks of physical harm to the Class, including threatening the Class members with future serious health problems because of an allergic and/or sensitization response,' the class action charges.

'The unreasonable risks to the Class can be ameliorated or prevented through a robust monitoring program.'

Delta employees complained over and over again to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the organization finally conducted testing on the uniforms.

Testing revealed a number of potentially risky chemicals and heavy metals in the uniforms.

These included chromium, antimony, mercury, fluorine, formaldehyde and bromine.

'It is possible that textile chemicals in the uniforms or the physical irritant properties of the uniform fabrics have caused skin symptoms among Delta employees.'

Delta employees are not the first airline workers to allege that their uniforms are harmful or toxic.

Flight attendants, pilots and other workers from American Airlines and Alaska Airlines have filed similar suits in recent years.

Both groups charged that the chemicals Twin Hill used to make their uniforms had caused them health problems.

Alaska's suit, filed in 2012, failed, but the uniforms in question were ultimately recalled in 2014, according to CBS.

It's not clear what came of American Airlines' suit.

Lands' End had not responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment at the time of publication.
SPRINGFIELD  The Springfield Historical Commission took the first step this week toward creating a one-building historic district protecting the long-vacant 115-year-old Kittredge Building at 55 Emery St.

The commission had already imposed a nine-month delay in demolition, giving the building temporary reprieve.

The delay, which expires Sept. 5, 2020, has also led Hansraj Gada of Agawam, the principal owner of the adjacent properties at 55 Emery St. and 6 Liberty St., to rethink his plans to level the whole block.

"Should we wait nine months? Or should we do something else?" Gada said Friday.

He said he has a meeting later this month with MassHealth and has been told the agency is looking for 20,000 square feet of office space.

MassHealth spokeswoman Jessica Lyons said the agencys lease on its Springfield Enrollment Center at 88 Industry Ave. doesnt expire until 2023. She said there are no plans at this time to move.

But other social-service agencies are in or moving to the neighborhood. WayFinders is completing its headquarters and service center just a block away at the site of the former Peter Pan Bus Lines terminal. MassHire Springfield moved into space two blocks away in December, leaving the Springfield Technology Park.

Vincent Walsh, chairman of the Historical Commission, said the commission is living up to its responsibility to protect the citys historic buildings. The definition typically applies to buildings at least 100 years old.

We look at a property and ask Does it have some historic and structural significance? and we felt that it does, Walsh said.

On Thursday night, the commission voted unanimously to send a preliminary report for the creation of the National Needle Building Local Historic District at 55 Emery St., said Alvin Allen, senior planner at the citys Office of Planning & Economic Development. The name is a nod to the buildings original business.

The vote sets off a series of procedural steps.

Once the report is completed and reviewed by the Springfield Historical Commission, it will be sent to Massachusetts Historical Commission for their review and recommendations for next steps. Should Massachusetts Historical Commission be in favor of the new district, the Springfield Historical Commission would schedule a public hearing following a 60-day period, from which Springfield Historical Commission initially receives the preliminary report. If the Springfield Historical Commission approves of the new district at their scheduled public hearing, then a final report will be forwarded to the Springfield City Council.

Springfield has approved a few one-building historic districts in recent months including Trinity Block, now the Springfield innovation Center on Bridge Street, and a unique Byers Street house.

Gada had a proposal for a hotel on the site, but later abandoned the project.
The United Arab Emirates has extended $200 million aid to for the development of the small and medium-sized enterprises in the country, Finance Adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan has said.

The announcement came after Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan concluded his one-day visit to the country on Thursday.

The adviser, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, on Thursday said "the money will be spent on small business promotion and jobs. This support is testimony to the expanding economic relations and friendship between our countries."



The Crown Prince directed the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development to allocate $200 million in order to assist the Pakistani government's efforts to create a stable and balanced national that will help achieve the country's sustainable development, Dawn News reported on Friday.

During the visit, the prince met Prime Minister Khan and held talks on bilateral, regional and issues.

The is Pakistan's largest trading partner in the Middle East and a major source of investments. The is also among Pakistan's prime development partners in education, health and energy sectors.

It hosts more than 1.6 million expatriate Pakistani community, which contributes remittances of around $4.5 billion annually to the GDP.

This is the Crown Prince's second visit to since Khan took office in August 2018. He had last visited on January 6 last year, just weeks after his country offered $3 billion financial assistance to Pakistan to deal with its balance of payment crisis.

The Crown Prince's visit was considered by experts as an attempt to woo Pakistan against the backdrop of recent developments when Saudi Arabia and apparently used pressure to stop Pakistan from attending the Kuala Lumpur summit held last month.

The summit from December 19-21 was seen by Saudis as an attempt to create a new bloc in the Muslim world that could become an alternative to the dysfunctional Organisation of Islamic Cooperation led by the Gulf Kingdom.
The Volkswagen Group delivered a total of 988,800 vehicles worldwide in November 2019 compared to just 940,900 in November 2018. This amounts to noteworthy increase of 5.1 percent worldwide sales compared to the same month of the previous year. The growth is even made more impressive by the fact that overall market continues to shrink.

The increase also applies to China, VWs largest single market, where the brand improved its deliveries by 5.1 percent despite the Chinese auto market shrinking overall.

Volkswagen provides the following specifics with its sales growth in various regions:

In Europe , 375,500 vehicles were delivered, corresponding to a rise of 6.4 percent compared with November 2018. In Western Europe, 304,300 customers took delivery of a vehicle from a Group brand (+7.5 percent). In the domestic market of Germany , 116,500 vehicles were handed over to customers (+ 9.1 percent). In Central and Eastern Europe , deliveries rose by 1.8 percent to 71,200 vehicles. In Russia , the Group brands handed 22,300 vehicles over to customers, 2.5 percent fewer than in November 2018.

In the North America region, the Group also recorded growth and extended its market share. 83,800 vehicles were handed over to customers, a marked rise of 5.7 percent compared with November 2018. In the USA, 56,800 vehicles were delivered, corresponding to significant growth of 13.7 percent. In Canada , deliveries amounted to 9,700 vehicles, a fall of 2.9 percent. In a shrinking overall market in Mexico , deliveries fell by 10.5 percent to 17,300 vehicles

In South America , the Group succeeded in boosting deliveries despite a fall in the overall market and therefore significantly expanded its market share. Customers took delivery of a total of 51,700 vehicles, 2.9 percent more than in November 2018. In Brazil , the group grew deliveries by 9.2 percent to 41,700 vehicles. In Argentina , the overall economic situation remained challenging. The Group was also affected by this trend and recorded a fall in deliveries of 22.6 percent to 4,500 vehicles, which still represented a significant increase in the market share.

In the Asia-Pacific region, the Volkswagen Group also grew deliveries despite declines in overall markets. 447,600 vehicles were delivered, representing a rise of 4.9 percent compared with November 2018. This positive development was driven by China, the Groups largest single market. In a shrinking overall market, deliveries once again grew markedly by 5.1 percent to 419,700 vehicles, leading to a significant rise in the Groups market share.

Story continues

volkswagenag.com

In November, the brands of the Volkswagen Group once again showed strong delivery performance, said Dr. Christian Dahlheim, Head of Volkswagen Group Sales. For the period from January to November, we exceeded the prior-year level for the first time this year, despite considerable adverse effects from the markets. We are confident that we will bring 2019 to a successful close.

The VW Group sells passenger cars under the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda and the flagship Volkswagen marques. The group also peddles motorcycles under the Ducati brand, as well as commercial vehicles, trucks, and buses under Traton, MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

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Authorities say a woman's body was found wrapped in fabric and buried on a property in Hueytown, Alabama on Friday in the search for missing 29-year-old Paighton Houston (pictured above)

A body has been found in a shallow grave at an empty Alabama home during the search for a missing woman who vanished two weeks ago after leaving a bar with two men and texting a friend to say: 'I feel in trouble'.

Authorities say a woman's body was found wrapped in fabric and buried on a property in Hueytown, about 15 miles outside of Birmingham, on Friday.

Investigators started searching the property on Thursday after they received a tip in relation to the disappearance of 29-year-old Paighton Houston.

The remains, which police say were still intact, were found in a muddy, shallow grave in the backyard of a home that isn't currently occupied.

They would not immediately confirm if it was Houston's body but said the remains have since been taken to the coroner's office.

The home, which is located on Love Street near Chapel Drive, used to be occupied by an elderly man but he was taken away by family a while back to receive care, neighbors told AL.com.

Authorities obtained a warrant to search the home and it remains taped off.

Houston has been missing since December 20 when she was last seen leaving the Tin Roof bar in Birmingham at 10.45pm with two heavy-set black men.

Authorities say a woman's body was found wrapped in fabric and buried on a property in Hueytown, about 15 miles outside of Birmingham, on Friday. Photo courtesy of WTVM

Houston sent a text message to a friend just after midnight the night she was last seen that said: 'idk who im with so if I call please answer. I feel in trouble'

Neighbors said the home, which is located on Love Street near Chapel Drive, used to be occupied by an elderly man but he was taken away by family a while back to receive care

She was believed to have been at the bar with co-workers and friends have said she didn't know the two men she left with.

Houston sent a text message to a friend just after midnight that said: 'idk who im with so if I call please answer. I feel in trouble'.

Her mother, Charlaine Houston, described the text as 'very concerning'.

Her family said her bank account had remained unused and that her phone was going straight to voicemail ever since she disappeared.

'Someone knows something, and we have to bring her home,' her mother posted on Facebook as she pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

'Her last message said she didn't know these people and she was in trouble. The detectives are working to find her but please help us with any information you get.'

Houston's mother Charlaine Houston posted this plea for help on Facebook, saying her daughter's bank account had not been used since she vanished

Houston has been missing since December 20 when she was last seen leaving the Tin Roof bar in Birmingham at 10.45pm with two heavy-set black men

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey offered a $5,000 reward for information related to Houston's disappearance. Crime Stoppers have also offered a separate $5,000 reward.

Police have not commented on whether they have located the two men Houston was spotted leaving the bar with.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Houston works as an account manager for a trucking company in Birmingham.

Houston is described as being 5 feet 2 and weighs 123lbs.

She was last seen wearing ripped blue jeans, a coral-colored T-shirt and blue Converse shoes.

Houston has three tattoos on her left arm: 'Faith' on her wrist, 'Strength' and an arrow on her forearm, and 'You keep me safe' beneath the crook of her elbow.
Many people were reportedly killed as troops of the Nigerian military repelled a night attack launched by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Thursday.

This latest attack is coming barely three days after a visit by the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, to troops in the front line of the battle, tagged Operation Lafiya Dole, deployed at Madagali in Adamawa.

Earlier reports indicated that the insurgents stormed Kopa and Wurogayadi in the outskirts of Shuwa around 8.00 p.m., resulting in a stampede, with residents scampering for safety.

They then entered Michika, causing residents to flee towards Uba town while others took refuge in nearby mountains.

Witnesses said that scores of insurgents were killed by the soldiers, who were assisted by local vigilantes, in a fierce battle, while several others reportedly fled with injuries.

They came through a town called Kopa area of Madagali local government, so divided themselves into two cells: one group followed through Michika General Hospital while the other group took the towns major road firing shots sporadically.

They only looted few shops before soldiers engaged them in a fierce battle. Scores of Boko Haram were killed; I saw over 15 dead bodies of the insurgents littered on the streets.

While fleeing, their vehicle had a flattened tyre and this forced them to abandon it, and some of their motorcycles, said a resident, who preferred anonymity.

In a telephone interview, a community leader and former chairman of Michika local government, Stephen Maduwa, said military aircraft were promptly drafted to the area and aircraft gunshots were heard by residents as the attackers were forced to retreat through Lassa, a community near the Sambisa Forest.

He said security personnel including the local vigilantes were quickly mobilised to repel the attack and secure the communities.

During the night attack, the insurgents had entered our town of Michika opened fire sporadically. They shot in front of my house before they were forced to retreat by soldiers and local vigilantes.

We slept with our two eyes opened, for fear of uncertainty. We want President Buhari to be proactive in tackling this menace of insecurity plaguing our societies, he said.

Confirming the attack, the police spokesperson in the state, Suleiman Nguroje, said the situation has been brought under control, though he could not give casualty figure at the time of filing this report.
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WYOMING, MI  A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed Friday, Jan. 3, at Byron Center Avenue SW and Porter Street.

The victim was a 73-year-old Wyoming woman.

Her name was withheld pending notification of family.

She was struck by a vehicle around 7:35 a.m. She was taken to a local hospital where she died, Wyoming police said.

The investigation is ongoing. Speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged non-BJP NDA Chief Ministers to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act (AA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and consider passing resolutions in their respective State Assemblies demanding the repeal of the Act.

In a letter written to 11 chief ministers, Mr Vijayan drew their attention towards the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly urging the repeal of Citizenship Amendment Act. The states which are of the opinion that the legislation should be repealed can also consider similar steps so that it will be an eye-opener to the proponents of the CAA and NRC, he added.

The letter was sent to the Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Punjab, Maharasthra, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Telagana state didn't figure in the list.

Sources in CMO said the letter may not have been written to Telangana state as it is yet to come out on a joint platform against the CAA.

Mr Vijayan said the CAA had created widespread apprehensions among a large section of society across the country.

The need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism. People from a cross-section of society irrespective of any differences they might have, need to stand united in preserving the basic tenets of our polity which form the corner stone of Indian democracy, he added.

He said Kerala had decided to address the apprehensions about National Register of Citizens. Since the National Population Register will lead to the National Register of Citizens, all works related to it have been stayed in Kerala.
- Alex Mould's daughter, Naa Densua has been confirmed dead

- Naa Densua was diagnosed with malaria during the Christmas holidays and she died in January

- She died in Mauritius after travelling there for the Christmas holidays

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Former Chief Executive Officer of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, Alex Kofi Mensah Mould is bereaved following his daughter's death.

In a report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Myjoyonline.com, Naa Densua Mould is said to have travelled to the Indian Ocean island country on December 23, 2019, for the Christmas holidays but was diagnosed with malaria that very day and subsequently died in January 2020.

Mr Moulds aide, Onasis Kobby, confirmed that the 28-year-old was quarantined after the discovery of her ailment but the health agency in the country had little success in treating it.

READ ALSO: TINA Festival 2020: Fuse ODG visits his school built for orphans to paint classroom (photo, video)

This forced the former CEO to travel to the island to get his daughter transferred to London but his efforts were not successful since Naa Densua had been quarantined.

The parents of the deceased are currently in Mauritius, preparing to move the body to Ghana for her interment.

In other news, former president Jerry John Rawlings has revealed that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under the leadership of Akufo-Addo has plans to establish a bank - National Development Bank.

READ ALSO: Kwame Tutu: Ghanaian radio host weeps & calls for closure of traditional orphanages after visit to homes

According to him, the bank that would be set up by the NPP would be purposely for the selfish gains of the political party.

Speaking at the commemoration of the 31st December 1981 Movement in Winneba, Rawlings noted that this alleged bank, when established, would cripple existing banks.

Rawlings further added that the bank would help favor fraudulent entrepreneurs which would, in turn, plunge the country into corruption just as it happened with the Ghana Commercial Bank in the past.

READ ALSO: Kwame Tutu: Ghanaian radio host weeps & calls for closure of traditional orphanages after visit to homes

Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news!

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
In signs that promoters' feud are far from over, InterGlobe Aviation on Friday announced convening a meeting of shareholders on January 29, at the request of co-promoter Rakesh Gangwal, for removing various provisions in a key document of the company.

The extraordinary general meeting (EGM) would discuss deleting various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisiton of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and ' Tag Along Right', in the company's Articles of Association (AoA).

The development comes more than six months after Gangwal flagged concerns over corporate governance lapses at InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of the country's largest airline IndiGo.

The meeting is being convened on January 29 following request by Rakesh Gangwal (RG) Group and related entities who together hold 36.64 per cent stake in the company, a regulatory filing said on Friday.

The group comprises Rakesh Gangwal, Shobha Gangwal and The Chinkerpoo Family Trust (Trustee: Shobha Gangwal and J P Morgan Trust Company of Delaware).

The differences between co-founders and co-promoters -- Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia -- came to the fore in July 2019 after Gangwal sought market regulator Sebi's intervention to address alleged corporate governance lapses at the company. In the wake of the feud, arbitration proceedings are also going overseas between the two promoters' sides.

Bhatia and affiliates -- InterGlobe Enterprises (IGE) Group -- has around 38 per cent stake in the company.

On December 24, a request for EGM was made by Gangwal and the company's Board of Directors, on December 31, approved convening such a meeting.

The company received a letter on November 13, 2019 from Gangwal seeking changes in the AoA, the filing said.

Generally, an AoA provides the regulations for operating a company.

The shareholders' agreement expired on the fourth anniversary of the company's initial public offer -- November 10, 2019.

However, the AoA contains many provisions of that agreement. As these provisions have now expired, RG Group seeks an amendment to the AoA to remove those expired provisions, as per an annexure in the communication, dated December 24, from Gangwal seeking convening of the EGM.

Gangwal has sought deletion of various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisition of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and 'Tag Along Right'.

One of the Articles that is sought to be removed pertain to each group agreeing not to acquire additional shares or voting rights of the company that might trigger an open offer requirement under Sebi's takeover regulations.

If any member of the IGE (InterGlobe Enterprises) Group -- led by Rahul Bhatia or RG Group -- wants to transfer shares to a third party, then the non-transferring group will have the 'Right of First Refusal' subject to certain conditions.

Similarly, the non-transferring group will also have the 'Tag Along Right' wherein it would have the option to sell some part of the shareholding.

Another Article is that the transferring shareholder would not be entitled to transfer shares without prior written consent of the non-transferring shareholder.

"As per the legal advice received by the company, there are provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, as amended (the 'Companies Act') which give rights to the members to requisition on EGM," the explanatory statement to the EGM notice said.

Amid the promoters' feud, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta in November 2019 said there was "zero impact" on the carrier right now as they are on the same page over the airline's strategic direction.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation rose over two per cent to close at Rs 1,360.95 on the BSE.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)


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Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis apologised Wednesday for his widely-viewed slap of a woman who had grabbed his hand as he greeted Catholic faithful on New Year's Eve.

The image of Francis slapping his way free from the clutches of the admirer was an instant hit on social media.

A personal apology followed.

"We lose patience many times," Francis confessed.

"It happens to me too. I apologise for the bad example given yesterday," the head of the Catholic church said before celebrating Mass at the Vatican.

Twitter enthusiasts commented with abandon on the pontiff's prompt riposte to the woman.

Francis had greeted children before the Nativity scene on Saint Peter's square and was turning away when the woman who had crossed herself then cried out something, pulled on his hand and almost caused him to fall.

The 83-year-old pope grimaced before managing to break free by slapping her hand twice.

He continued his tour, walking with some difficulty while maintaining a slightly greater distance from visitors, and gradually relaxed again as he came into contact with other children.

Twitter comments were mostly supportive of the pontiff's instinctive reaction.

"HE IS HUMAN.. Been (sic) a Pope doesn't make you immune to Pain or avoid Reaction to pain," one typical comment read.

In his first Mass of the New Year, the pontiff later denounced "all violence against women" as "a profanation of God, born of a woman."

Francis also said women were "the source of life" but deplored that they were constantly "offended, beaten, abused and forced into prostitution" and forced to "supress the life they carry within" them.

He emphasised that the "rebirth of humanity began with a woman," and bemoaned that women's bodies were "sacrificed on the profane altars of advertising, profit, pornography."
PITTSFIELD - A 36-year-old man from Chatham, New York, has been convicted in Berkshire Superior Court of attempting to abduct and rape two women two years ago in separate incidents in two Berkshire County towns.

Andrew Gombar was found guilty of assault with intent to rape, assault and battery, kidnapping, and assault and battery with intent to rape.

Judge John Agostini has not yet sent a date of sentencing.

According to the office of Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington, Gombar on two separate occasions six months apart in 2018 drove to Berkshire County seeking to abduct and rape women.

On the first occasion, he grabbed a woman Jan. 7, 2018, outside of a store in Great Barrington. She fought with him and was able to escape.

Later, he targeted a woman on July 2 on a trail at Olivias Overlook in Lenox. He knocked her down and attempted to drag her to the woods but she also fought with him and escaped.

He was arrested in New York two weeks after the first assault after Great Barrington police identified him as a suspect. The second assault occurred while Gombar awaiting trial on the first offense.

Harrington issued a statement Friday that expressed gratitude that Gombar was stopped before he could continue targetting women.

"It would have been only a matter of time before Mr. Gombar was successful in his attempts. This verdict protects women and girls from being preyed upon, Harrington said. Women should not be fearful to walk to their cars or go for a hike. We are making this county safer by holding dangerous people accountable for their actions.
The Survey of India (SoI) has embarked upon an ambitious project of using drone imaging to create an ultra-high resolution spatial and topographic map of India. Professor Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, calls it the biggest endeavour in Indian mapmaking since the Great Trigonometrical Survey in the 1800s, which produced the first high-precision maps of India. At a cost of `300 crore, the project aims to capture ultra-high resolution images of 75% of the country accurate to 10 cm by 2021. To put this in perspective, a typical service like Google Maps is usually accurate to a few metres. Drone-based mapping has already begun in the states of Maharashtra, Haryana and Karnataka.

The SoI plans to create two kinds of maps. The first will be high-precision Defence Series Maps accessible only for defence and military purposes; the second are general-purpose Open Series Maps to support civic, commercial and government projects. The increased accuracy can yield tremendous benefits. High-accuracy maps empower urban bodies and panchayats to do more accurate and reliable development planning. They facilitate digitisation of land titles, giving citizens verified land ownership. Across business sectors, there is an increasing demand for various kinds of map-based data.

Important as this project is, using drones to capture high-resolution images of nearly 2.4 million sq km of India comes with unprecedented challenges. Drones are fundamentally different from previous mapmaking technologies as they have the ability to capture high volumes of data. A drone can be equipped with a massive array of sensors including high-resolution cameras, audio sensors, infrared sensors, GPS, movement detection, license plate readers, facial recognition, etc. So they require a fundamentally different regulatory approach.

Currently, drone use in India is governed by Drone Regulation 1.0, a temporary set of guidelines by the DGCA that do not adequately address privacy, data manipulation and security concerns that emerge from newer drone capabilities. They seem to treat drones as merely smaller versions of aircraftfocussing essentially on their weight, payload and the ranges of altitudes at which they fly. Beyond concerns about preventing the usage of drones in restricted airspaces, an emphasis on producing an extensive documentation trail and involving other agencies that might consider drones to be in their range of concern, there is not much in this stop-gap policy guideline to address pressing issues. With the Srikrishna Committee report yet to be implemented, there are no effective guidelines that govern the nature of data capture, manipulation and storage by drones. There is a strong possibility of unintended image captures that could infringe upon a citizens right to privacy.

Finally, there are conflicting reports about the possibility of the mapping project being executed through third-party collaboration. Given the absence of an effective drone regulatory framework and an overarching data protection law, the SoI needs to proactively set standards to regulate and limit the scope of activity. There must be clear limitations on what kind of sensors are permitted on these drones, restricting the possibility of surveillance. There is also the question of whom the drones are to be acquired from, given Indias heavy dependence on drone imports from China. The political nature of hardware came to the fore recently with the global backlash against the Chinese giant Huaweis 5G telecom infrastructure for alleged cyber-snooping. Lastly, where and how we store this high-resolution data becomes a security issue, given the global move towards nationalisation of servers to protect sensitive data.

High-resolution mapping is just one of many purposes for which drones are increasingly being deployed in India. According to a study by BIS Research, the market for commercial drones will be worth around $900 million by 2021. To curb the dependence on China, the DGCA has recently allowed five companies to make drones in India. But this only goes so far. In allowing it without an effective regulatory framework, India might have missed the first checkpoint on the route to responsible technology use.

Approaches such as Privacy-By-Design (PBD) ensure privacy compliance by mandating manufacturers to incorporate it at the manufacturing stage itself. In the absence of such guidelines and a comprehensive privacy law in India, the terrain could be fraught with legal challenges.

The entire issue brings to light broader challenges surrounding emerging paradigm-shifting technologies in India. The pace of development and the scale of impact of these technologies demands a fundamental rethink of our approach to legislation, regulation and policymaking. At present, India not only lags behind in effective legislation, but also in creating institutional mechanisms that can formulate and enforce regulatory frameworks. There is a paucity of government talent that understands this paradigm shift.

These shortfalls have to be addressed rapidly. There is much to learn from the regulatory best practices across the globe. At the same time, the size of the Indian market, the nascent nature of regulation and Indias growing influence on the global arena provide a window of opportunity to take the lead in shaping norms and best practices in these domains. This requires coherence between different departments as the impact of these technologies cut across multiple governance domains. What India needs now is not cautious over-regulation that stifles. We need to adopt a smart, adaptive regulatory approach that maximises the upside of technological innovation while clearly limiting the downside risks. The first step towards this is to have a vibrant public discourse on the pressing social, political and economic questions that these technological shifts pose.
Hailed as a pioneer in women's education, Savitribai Phule and her husband, social reformer Jyotirao Phule started what is believed to be India's first school for girls here 171 years ago.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among those who paid tributes to this remarkable woman on her birth anniversary on Friday.

Born on January 3, 1831, at Naigaon in Satara district of Maharashtra, Savitribai married Jyotirao at the age of nine, and moved to Pune with him.

Her husband, fired by modern ideas and a reformist zeal, taught her to read and write. Savitribai took a teachers' training course and became a qualified teacher in 1847.

The couple then started a school for girls in Bhidewada in Pune city in 1848, and she became its first teacher.

The couple had to face tremendous harassment from conservative elements who found the idea of women' repugnant.

They faced ostracism; it is said that Savitribai carried a spare saree with her because people sometimes threw stones and dung at her as walked to the school.

Actor Renuka Shahane referred to this in her tweet on Friday.

"Savitribai Phule carried an extra saree because trolls of that time would pelt her with dung & stones for breaking caste & gender barriers to get educated & to educate the marginalised. Her resistance paved the way for the we take for granted today," Shahane said.

Savitribai and her husband were instrumental in setting up 'Satyashodhak Samaj' (Society of Truth-seekers), which championed progressive ideas, denounced the dowry custom and encouraged marriage without exchange of dowry.

She passed away on March 10, 1897.

On Friday, a procession was taken out here from Bhidewada to Phulewada, the residence of the Phules, to pay tributes to her.

Neeta Hole, a descendant of the Phules, said the couple's contribution to women's and women's rights was immense, and they should be awarded the Bharat Ratna award posthumously.

"They brought about a revolution by opening a school for girls. Today there are still many girls in need of quality education. Providing quality education free to the marginalised sections will be a fitting tribute to them," she said.

Scholarships meant for students from marginalised classes do not reach them, Hole said.

In 2015, Pune University was renamed as 'Savitribai Phule Pune University', she noted. "But the work of Savitribai's memorial is not gaining momentum yet. Reasons such as unavailability of land are being given. I want a common memorial for Jyotirao and Savitribai at the varsity and for that the government should allot at least five acres of land," she said.

"The condition of Bhidewada, where Savitribai started the first school for girls, is deplorable," she said, adding it should be conserved as a monument.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Turkish airline company says its jets were used illegally in Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosns escape from Japan.

Istanbul-based MNG Jet said an employee falsified records and Ghosns name did not appear on any documentation related to the flights.

Ghosn earlier this week jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon rather than face trial on financial misconduct charges in a dramatic escape that has confounded and embarrassed authorities.

How he was able to flee Japan, avoiding the tight surveillance he was under while free on 1.5 billion yen (10 million) bail, is still a mystery, although Lebanese authorities have said he entered the country legally on a French passport.

His daring escape spanned three continents and involved private planes, multiple passports and international intrigue.

Expand Close Turkish police escort suspects accused of involvement in Ghosns passage through Istanbul (Ugur Can/DHA/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Turkish police escort suspects accused of involvement in Ghosns passage through Istanbul (Ugur Can/DHA/AP)

Turkey detained seven people on Thursday as part of an investigation into how he passed through the country, and they are appearing in court later. The private DHA news agency reported that those detained were four pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers.

Also on Friday, Istanbul-based MNG Jet said it had filed a criminal complaint in Turkey concerning the illegal use of its jet charter services.

It did not say who the complaint was against, but said one company employee, who was under investigation by Turkish authorities, admitted to falsifying records and confirmed that he acted in his individual capacity without MNG Jets knowledge.

The company said it had leased one private jet from Dubai to Osaka in Japan, and Osaka to Istanbul, and another from Istanbul to Beirut.

Expand Close Private security guards at the home of Carlos Ghosn in Beirut (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Private security guards at the home of Carlos Ghosn in Beirut (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

The two leases were seemingly not connected to each other. The name of Mr Ghosn did not appear in the official documentation of any of the flights, MNG Jet said in a statement. The statement did not say who the jets were leased to.

On Thursday, Interpol issued a wanted notice for Ghosn. Lebanese justice minister Albert Serhan said Lebanon will carry out its duties, suggesting for the first time that the motor executive may be brought in for questioning. But he said Ghosn entered the country on a legal passport, and he appeared to cast doubt on the possibility that Lebanon would hand Ghosn over to Japan.

Shortly after the Interpol notice, Ghosn issued a statement seeking to distance his Lebanese wife and family from any role in his escape.

The allegations in the media that my wife Carole and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan are false and misleading. I alone organised my departure. My family played no role, he said.

Ghosn, who is Lebanese and also holds French and Brazilian passports, was set to go on trial in Japan in April. He said he fled to avoid political persecution by a rigged Japanese justice system.

His lawyer in France, Francois Zimeray, told Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV that he had been in frequent contact with Ghosn since he arrived in Lebanon, and his client appeared to be filled with a fighting spirit, and was eager to start clearing his name.

Ghosn, who grew up in Beirut, is a national hero to many in Lebanon with close ties to senior politicians and business stakes in a number of companies.

He is charged in Japan with under-reporting his future compensation and breach of trust. He has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying authorities trumped up charges to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan and Renault.
SELBYVILLE, Del., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The leather chemicals market is expected to reach USD $11.42 billion by 2026. The rising use of leather in the automobile and garment segment will induce significant growth potential in the industry landscape.

Leather Chemicals Market is estimated to witness a 6.6% CAGR by 2026.

The leather chemicals market is experiencing an upsurge in demand, owing to a multitude of contributing factors. As chemical demand is directly conjugated with leather production and consumption, a trend of large-scale adoption in garments and footwear is one of the reasons. Internationally, increasing household incomes and rapid urbanization has enabled this commodity to be incorporated into more and more markets, such as automobiles and some niche markets such as the accessories segment.

Rapid industrialization and the rise in global trade, along with the incremental rise in fast fashion, are going to be growth engines by 2026. Major brands are also promoting the demand for leather and subsequently for leather chemicals, thereby increasing the overall leather chemicals market size.

Request a sample of this research report at: https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/1526

The rapid and significant growth in upholstery leather for furniture, airplanes, and especially for automobiles has been one of the main developments in the business over the past 15 years. The European Union and the U.S. are prime producers of leather upholstery for the automotive and aviation sectors. Also, the sale of leather-upholstered automobiles in China is close to 100% in the premium segments.

Amongst many iterations in leather chemicals, tanning is the process of turning rawhides into a final product. Skins and hides have the ability to absorb tannic acid and other leather chemical surfactants that give them the ability to withstand long-term wear and decay, ultimately making them resilient to wetting and keeping them limber and durable for a long period. Therefore, chrome-based tanning agents hold a majority share, as they tend to be softer, more pliable, have higher thermal stability, and are very stable in water and take less time to produce. With promising growth in chrome-based tanning, other alternatives, such as vegetable tanning, are gaining significant ground, primarily owing to their environment-friendly approach.

Some major findings of the leather chemicals market report include:

A large and rising market in Asia set to be a catalyst for international growth

set to be a catalyst for international growth Rising environmental concerns to drive demand for non-chrome tanning (vegetable tanning)

Rising international trade and rapidly increasing garment market

Strategic mergers and acquisitions by industry participants to expand regional presence. Major players include Lanxess, Arkema, Evonik Industries, Dupont Chemicals, Solvay, SABIC, Clariant, and Eastman Chemicals.

Make an Inquiry for purchasing this report at: https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1526

In terms of region, the Asia-Pacific is the most promising growth region in the leather chemicals market. A growing domestic industry and relatively inexpensive manufacturing and labor costs have resulted in Asia-Pacific being the dominant exporter of final products. Countries such as China, India, and Vietnam are major producers due to the presence of numerous small to medium-scale manufacturers.

European countries are also anticipated to gain substantial ground in the value chain primarily due to the presence of major fashion and automobile brands. With major luxury apparel brands such as LVMH and Kering, the market for leather is on the rise. European brands also have a high emphasis on quality and luxury. With higher per capita incomes and high standards of living, leather of different qualities and tans are being offered in luxury cars and accessories and are anticipated to be the key major player in the demand for the leather chemicals industry.

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Washington:

The early Earth may have hosted many carbonate-rich lakes, which contained high enough phosphorus concentrations to get life started on our planet, according to a study. Phosphorus is one of the six main chemical elements of life, and forms the backbone of DNA and RNA molecules.

The element acts as the main currency for energy in all cells and anchors the lipids that separate cells from their surrounding environment. "For 50 years, what's called 'the phosphate problem,' has plagued studies on the origin of life," said Jonathan Toner, an assistant professor at the University of Washington (UW) in the US.

The problem is that chemical reactions that make the building blocks of living things need a lot of phosphorus, but the element is scarce. The new study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found an answer to this problem in certain types of lakes.

The research focused on lakes rich in carbonate -- a salt of carbonic acid -- which form in dry environments within depressions that funnel water draining from the surrounding landscape. Because of high evaporation rates, the lake waters concentrate into salty and alkaline, or high-pH, solutions.

Such lakes, also known as alkaline or soda lakes, are found on all seven continents, the researchers said. They first looked at phosphorus measurements in existing carbonate-rich lakes, including Mono Lake in California, US, Lake Magadi in Kenya and Lonar Lake in India.

While the exact concentration depends on where the samples were taken and during what season, the researchers found that carbonate-rich lakes have up to 50,000 times phosphorus levels found in seawater, rivers and other types of lakes. Such high concentrations point to the existence of some common, natural mechanism that accumulates phosphorus in these lakes, the researchers said.

Today these carbonate-rich lakes are biologically rich and support life ranging from microbes to Lake Magadi's famous flocks of flamingoes, they said. The researchers carried lab experiments with bottles of carbonate-rich water at different chemical compositions to understand how the lakes accumulate phosphorus, and how high phosphorus concentrations could get in a lifeless environment.

The noted that the reason these waters have high phosphorus is their carbonate content. In most lakes, calcium, which is much more abundant on the Earth, binds to phosphorus to make solid calcium phosphate minerals, which life can't access, according to the researchers.

However, in carbonate-rich waters, the carbonate outcompetes phosphate to bind with calcium, leaving some of the phosphate unattached, they said. Lab tests that combined ingredients at different concentrations show that calcium binds to carbonate and leaves the phosphate freely available in the water. "It's a straightforward idea, which is its appeal. It solves the phosphate problem in an elegant and plausible way," Toner said.

The researchers explained that phosphate levels could climb even higher, to a million times levels in seawater, when lake waters evaporate during dry seasons, along shorelines, or in pools separated from the main body of the lake. "The extremely high phosphate levels in these lakes and ponds would have driven reactions that put phosphorus into the molecular building blocks of RNA, proteins, and fats, all of which were needed to get life going," said David Catling, a professor at UW.

The carbon dioxide-rich air on the early Earth, some four billion years ago, would have been ideal for creating such lakes and allowing them to reach maximum levels of phosphorus, the researchers said. Carbonate-rich lakes tend to form in atmospheres with high carbon dioxide, which dissolves in water to create acid conditions that efficiently release phosphorus from rocks, they said.

Also Read: 'Project Is On': ISRO Chief K Sivan Announces Chandrayan-3, Indias Third Lunar Mission

"The early Earth was a volcanically active place, so you would have had lots of fresh volcanic rock reacting with carbon dioxide and supplying carbonate and phosphorus to lakes," Toner said.

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T he mother of a British Airways staffer who was killed in a car crash with colleagues on New Year's Eve has paid tribute to her "genuine" and "gregarious" son.

Dominic Fell, 23, from Grimsby, was one of three cabin crew members who died when his Toyota Yaris collided with an HGV near Heathrow Airport shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

His co-workers Joe Finnis, 25, and Rachel Clark, 20, also died in the collision in Stanwell, Surrey.

A fourth colleague, 25-year-old woman, remains in a serious condition in hospital.

The scene of the accident, which took place on Bedfont Road in Stanwell / PA

Christina McGilligan-Fell said it was a "privilege" to have been the 23-year-old's mother, adding that he will "always be my gem and my star".

She told GrimbsyLive that it was "heartening" to see "such wonderful accolades" from people across the UK as tributes for the victims flood in.

"I have read many of the tributes to Dominic and they are wonderful and reflect how gregarious, genuine and humanitarian he was," she said.

British Airways stewardess Rachel Clark who died in a car crash at Heathrow (centre) with dead colleagues Joe Finnis (L) and Dominic Fell / Facebook

"He left his indelible mark on the lives of so many others," she added.

Ms McGilligan-Fell also told the publication that the family travelled to his home in Swindon after the tragedy, adding that they were "all together" as her son would have wanted.

The money will be split between the victims' families and will pay for floral tributes, the organiser said.

The HGV and Toyata collided on New Year's Eve / PA

Hundreds of donors left messages of condolences on the site.

Laura Stewart said: Dom and Joe were truly special men and I hope that their families take some comfort in knowing that they were so loved by everyone they have flown with! Ill miss you.

Daniel Seymour wrote: Joe has been my good friend for a while. I even was in the gym with him on the day he passed.

The scene in Stanwell where three people were killed / PA

Im so sad and wish him to have the best send off possible. As well as the others involved in the accident. They will all be missed.

Ms Clark had only recently completed her training when she was killed. She posted on Facebook on November 22 about finishing her induction.

What a crazy 6 weeks it has been!" she wrote. "Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way and to this fabulous group of people for making these weeks bearable! The start of a new chapter.

Her friend Hanushe Lala said of her in a tribute: I am truly lost for words; you were a kind, beautiful and intelligent person who only ever brightened up everyones day."

A BA spokesman said in a statement on New Year's Day: Were deeply saddened to learn of the death of our colleagues involved in a road traffic collision last night.
Swiss instrumentation company Endress+Hauser plans to invest Rs 200 crore over the next five years to expand capacity at its plant here.

"We are expanding our unit in Waluj here. We will invest Rs 200 crore over the next five years," Endress+Hauser Flowtech India's President and Director K Kumar told reporters here.

He said the expansion will create 70 new jobs in addition to the 130 people it already employs, and added that over 600 jobs will be created indirectly because of the expansion.

The company, which manufactures specialised equipment, currently has a turnover of Rs 350 crore per annum and is targeting to increase it to Rs 1,000 crore, he said, without giving a timeline for the same.

Its global chief executive Bernd Josef-Schaefer, who is on a visit to the facility which is completing 20 years, said the company is expecting a 10 per cent growth in India business every year.

On the US-China trade war, which are showing signs of ebbing, he said the company is cautious and taking appropriate steps.

"Looking at the stock market and its connection to USA-China trade war we are not fearful. But we are cautious and taking steps accordingly. The economy of India is strong and we are expecting a 10 per cent business growth here," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Cumberland County woman sometime on New Years Eve or the overnight hours of New Years Day was beaten so severely by her home health aide that blood was splattered on her living room walls, according to police.

Lower Allen Township police say the woman suffered multiple severe head injuries, which they have accused Anatoli Harlamov, 57, of causing.

First responders took the woman to the hospital once they saw the injuries following a call for a fall victim to her Lower Allen Township home, according to the affidavit filed against Harlamov.

Police say the injuries included bruising and swelling to her right eye, cuts to the right side of her face and a cut to the back of her head behind her left ear, according to the affidavit.

An officer and EMS employee returned to the womans home after she was already at the hospital, to retrieve an item one of them left in the home, according to the affidavit. It was then that they noticed the blood.

There were blood droplets on the front door, with spattered blood on the ceiling and walls of the living room, where the woman had been found by EMS, the affidavit said.

Read: Family escapes duplex fire despite no smoke detectors

After leaving the womans home, a Lower Allen Township detective met with a home health aide, one of two who worked with the woman, according to the affidavit.

The aide told the detective that she alternates shifts with Harlamov, and he had called her several times between Dec. 31 and the morning of Jan. 1, according to the affidavit.

The aide said the calls from Dec. 31 were between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Harlamov sounded intoxicated, according to the affidavit. Harlamov was ranting about how lonely he was, and that he was going to stay at their patients home that night, police wrote.

Between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, Harlamov called his colleague eight times but she did not answer, she told police according to the affidavit. Around 6 a.m., the aide answered the phone and Harlamov told her that the woman fell and he was having a hard time picking her up.

The aide told Harlamov how to get their patient up over the phone and ended the call, she told police. Around 8 a.m., Harlamov called his colleague again saying the woman was still on the floor and he could not pick her up, according to the affidavit.

The other aide went to the womans home, found her badly injured on the floor, and called 911, according to the affidavit.

Medical professionals told police that the woman had suffered a brain hemorrhage as well as trauma to her face, according to the affidavit. The woman was transported to Hershey Medical Center for neurosurgery.

Police went to Harlamovs home in Camp Hill and spoke with him about his injured patient. When they arrived, police saw a pair of black sweat pants hanging from the shower curtain in the bathroom, appearing to have just been washed. There were other clothes in the home that Harlamove said he was wearing that day and allowed investigators to have, according to the affidavit.

Read: Fire damage to historic church tops $3 million, but building can be salvaged: pastor

Police got a warrant and searched Harlamovs home, according to the affidavit. Investigators found a metal Thermos with drops of blood on it in the kitchen in addition to another drop of blood in a bathtub.

When police interviewed Harlamov, he said he was the only person in the womans home the night of the assault, and that he had been drinking heavily, according to the affidavit.

Harlamov told investigators he must have done the assault but didnt remember it, according to the affidavit. He talked about exploding and being very angry at the woman because of how she treated him.

Harlamov later admitted to the assault, but couldnt remember how he did it, according to the affidavit. He said he prayed to God for forgiveness the next morning.

Police also charged Harlamov with tampering after he admitted to disposing of a blood-soaked pillow and blood napkins in the trash.

Harlamov is charged with felony aggravated assault and neglect of a care-dependant person, and misdemeanor simple assault, endangering the welfare of a care-depending person and tampering with evidence, according to online court dockets.

Harlamov is being held at Cumberland County Prison on $1 million bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Read more on PennLive:
Now, after PSR, railroads are running more trains with mixed goods and on a set schedule that leaves no matter what. The goal now is to minimize stoppage and use the same locomotive and crew as much as possible, akin to the way the same airplane shuttles constantly between the Washington area and New York City.
Exports of tea during the first 11 months of 2019 has seen a marginal decline compared to the same period in 2018 although the value realisation has been higher, according to Tea Board data.

For the period January to November 2019, tea exports stood at 227.71 million kg as compared to 231.36 million kg during the same period in 2018.

Tea Board deputy chairman Arun Kumar Ray told PTI "exports have seen a marginal decline in the first 11 months of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. But value realisation has been higher in 2019".

He said, "compared to the overall exports scenario of the country, the tea sector has not done very badly in terms of value realisation".

During January to November 2019, value realisation from tea exports stood at Rs 3,740 crore as compared to Rs 3,537 crore in 2018.

The major export destinations were the CIS countries which saw an offtake of 52.80 million kg last year which was lower than 56.59 million kg in the first 11 months of 2018.

Iran was a major export destination of Indian tea after CIS countries.

Exports to Iran during the period January to November 2019 stood at 50.43 million kg against 27.41 million kg in 2018.

Offtake by China increased to 12.02 million kg as against 9.2 million kg in 2018.

Exports to Pakistan dipped steeply to 6.23 million kg in the first 11 months of 2019 from 14.56 million kg in 2018.

While offtake by US has increased in 2019 till November, exports to the UK saw a dip during the year from 2018.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday expressed concern over reports of mob attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan.

Singh appealed to Pakistan premier Imran Khan to ensure that the devotees stranded at the Nankana Sahib gurdwara are rescued from the mob, while SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji.

"Appeal to@ImranKhanPTI to immediately intervene that the devotees stranded in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic gurdwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it," the Punjab chief minister tweeted.

The MEA said the reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of a Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year.

According to reports, a mob attack took place at the shrine where the Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born. Reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones on Friday.

In a statement issued here, SAD president Badal said it was shocking that the local administration in Nankana Sahib remained a mute spectator to the violence unleashed by the mob which "tried to gate crash into the Gurdwara compound and indulged in inflammatory speeches".

"I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is a despicable act and it is the Pakistan government's primary human, moral and Constitutional duty to ensure the safety of Sikhs in the country," he said.

Badal said that in the interest of justice, the Pakistani government should also act against the person who was responsible for the abduction of the Sikh girl and also led the attack on the gurdwara.

"The attack was apparently perpetrated to liquidate the family of the girl whose father is a granthi of the gurdwara," he said.

In the statement, the SAD chief alleged that instigators of Friday's violence had made speeches demanding that the city named after the first Sikh Guru - Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji - be renamed Ghulam Ali Mustafa.

Demanding quick and exemplary action against those targeting the Sikh community and disrespecting the religion, Badal said the entire Sikh world has been shaken by the heinous incident and the Pakistan government should take appropriate steps.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In Africa and developing nations, childhood cancer mortality rates are between 80 and 90 percent. Inversely, in the United States, childhood cancers have an 80 to 90 percent survivorship rate, according to Congressman Michael McCaul.

The reason is intuitively simple; children in the U.S. have better access to treatment and medications. However, most prevalent forms of pediatric cancer are curable with generic medications. Bringing low cost medications and providing training to developing nations would give children in these areas the same fighting chance of children in the United States.

McCaul believes that the nation can- and should- bring the low cost cancer treatments available in the United States to these developing nations to save the lives of millions of children globally. These children shouldnt be discriminated against because of where they were born, he said.

We're fortunate in the United States, said McCaul. Childhood cancer rates are about 80 percent survivorship. However, in developing nations, theres an 80 to 90 percent mortality rate. So that means nine out of every ten children that are diagnosed with cancer in Africa die.

McCaul, the U.S. Representative from District 10, which includes Katy, has been working closely with the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and Texas Childrens Hospital to bring the lifesaving cancer treatments available in the U.S. to children across the globe. McCaul is a steadfast supporter of global health activism. Earlier this year, McCaul championed the Global Health Fund, which raises money to eradicate infectious diseases worldwide.

McCaul and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) introduced the Global Hope Act to Congress in the hopes that this act would bring improvements to global medicine like their previous joint bill, which promoted the Global Health Fund. Partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations will help fund the Global Hope Acts iniatives.

McCaul hopes that the Global Hope Act will have a similar impact to that of the World Health Organization (WHO), which launched its global childhood cancer initiative in 2018. It is the goal of the WHO goal to reach a 60 percent survival rate for children with cancer by 2030. According to McCaul, this translates into the lives of approximately million children saved.

McCaul believes that the program will be self-sustaining once treatments and medications are available. At the end of the day, we want to train these countries so they can stand up on their own. We want to demonstrate how they can take care of their children that are dying at an extraordinary percentage rate, he said.

claire.goodman@chron.com
Union Home Minister on Thursday said the government will not budge an inch on its decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act despite the opposition criticism of the law.

Launching an awareness programme in support of the amended citizenship law, Shah accused the Congress and other opposition parties of running a misinformation campaign.

He said the amended law does not take away Indian citizenship from anyone but grants citizenship.

Opposition parties have criticised the amendment which allows non-Muslims an easier path to citizenship if they have come to India from three neighbouring countries before 2015 after facing religious persecution.

Shah accused the Congress of playing vote-bank by spreading misinformation.
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Micro-finance company Satin Creditcare Network on Friday said it has received external commercial borrowing funding of USD 15 million (around Rs 107.2 crore) from Development Bank of Austria (OeEB), to accelerate its lending portfolio.

The investment will support Satin Creditcare Network (SCNL) in its planned expansion, portfolio growth and its efforts in increasing financial inclusion through its operations in 22 states, the micro-finance company said in a statement.

This will be the third round of external commercial borrowing (ECB) funding by a foreign institution in SCNL.

The first ECB investment in SCNL was by World Business Capital and second investment was by responsAbility Investment.

"The funding from OeEB will help us to strengthen our ongoing credit lending services to a larger section of existing and potential customer base and accelerate our reach across India," SCNL Chairman and MD H P Singh said.

"Increasing financial inclusion is one of our main strategic goals. We are therefore proud to work with SCNL," Sabine Gaber, Member of the Executive Board of the Development Bank of Austria said.
Yemen's southern separatists withdraw from Riyadh Agreement committees

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 7:44 AM

The UAE-backed separatists in southern Yemen say they have pulled out of committees implementing a recent power-sharing agreement with Saudi-backed forces loyal to ex-Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

Back in November, the two warring sides  the separatist so-called Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the pro-Hadi militants  reached a deal through indirect talks to end months of infighting in the Yemeni port city of Aden and its surrounding areas. The deal is known as the Riyadh Agreement.

The two sides claimed that they wanted to form a new national cabinet and place all their forces under the control of a so-called internationally-recognized government.

Both the UAE-sponsored STC and the Saudi-backed militants loyal to Hadi serve the Riyadh-led military coalition and have been engaged, since March 2015, in a bloody war on Yemeni people aimed at reinstating the former president, who resigned in 2014 and later fled to the Saudi capital, and crushing the popular Houthi Ansarullah movement.

On Thursday, an unnamed STC spokesman told Reuters that the STC negotiating team had pulled out of joint committees working to implement the Riyadh Agreement, without mentioning the reason behind the withdrawal.

However, Salim al-Awlaqi, a member of the STC's presidential council, tweeted that the decision had been made in protest against violence in Yemen's Shabwa Province that separatists blamed on forces loyal to the Islah party, which is the backbone of Hadi's so-called government.

Recent violence in Shabwa is part of a continuing struggle for influence between Hadi's militia and the STC separatists, who accuse Hadi's governing body of mismanagement and corruption and seized the "temporary capital," Aden, in August, prompting the talks which led to the Riyadh Agreement.

The separatists have long eyed independence for southern Yemen. Encouraged by the UAE, though, they had agreed to fight under the Saudi-led military coalition's command.

Recently, and after a decision by the Emirates to effectively withdraw its forces from Yemen, the group has turned its weapons on rival militia loyal to Hadi.

The infighting highlighted deepening divisions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, the two countries that are leading the war on Yemen.

The US-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, estimates that the Saudi-imposed war has so far claimed more than 100,000 lives in Yemen.

The war has also taken a heavy toll on Yemen's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. According to the United Nations, more than 24 million people are in dire need of humanitarian aid, including 10 million suffering from extreme levels of hunger.

In November, Yemeni Minister of Public Health and Population Taha al-Mutawakel said that every 10 minutes, a child under the age of five dies from extreme hunger in the war-ravaged country.

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On January 1, Hong Kong residents took part in the largest protest rally and march held in weeks. According to organizers, approximately one million demonstrators participated, or around one-seventh the population of the city.

The annually-held New Years Day rally was sponsored by the Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), a collection of political groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that orbit the pan-Democrats, the official political opposition in Hong Kong. While some protests have taken place in recent weeks, including 800,000 people on December 8, there were fewer and less intense protests in the city following Novembers district elections that resulted in a large victory for the pan-democrats.

Wednesdays rally began at Victoria Park and included a march to the central business district. It was initially sanctioned before the authorities abruptly shut it down. Participants were set upon by police and shot with tear gas and pepper spray, leading to broader confrontations.

Ng Lok-chun, a senior superintendent, justified police actions with claims some protesters had hijacked the procession after they threw a petrol bomb at an officer. Around 400 people were arrested.

During the rally, protesters continued to press for their five key demands. These include an independent inquiry into police violence, complete amnesty for arrested demonstrators, a stop to labelling demonstrators as rioters, fully democratic elections, and the full repeal of the extradition bill that provided the immediate impetus for the protests in June last year. While Lam previously agreed to withdraw the bill, this has not mollified protesters who chanted during the march, Five demands, not one less. A call also went out for people to join labor unions.

Some demonstrators smashed windows and damaged ATM machines at a branch of the HSBC bank in retaliation for the freezing of $HK 70 million ($US9 million) in funds that had been raised to support arrested protesters legal defences and other needs. Police, in an effort to discredit the legitimate demands for democratic rights, have accused the crowd-funding platform Spark Alliance of money laundering and paying young people to join in demonstrations. Police arrested four people in relation to the charges on December 19.

A witness to the January 1 demonstrations, Kan Cheng, told the media that plainclothes police used the incident at HSBC to attack marchers. I saw a protester being beaten and she hadnt done anything at all, Cheng stated. She hadnt vandalized at all.

The previous day, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam attempted to appeal to peoples desires for improved economic and social conditions. She stated: We must handle the problems at hand and acknowledge the shortcomings in our systems as well as the deep-rooted problems and conflicts that have been accumulating for many years in our society.

These words are entirely empty, as neither Lam, nor any faction of the ruling elite, has the desire or capability to resolve social inequality in the city that is caused by capitalism.

The protests have reached a crossroad. To develop a genuine struggle for democratic rights in Hong Kong, workers, students and young people must break the bonds that have been placed on the movement by various factions of the capitalist class.

The struggle in Hong Kong is part of the movement of strikes and protests that have erupted across the globein France, Chile, Lebanon, Iraq, and the United Statesagainst attacks on democratic rights and on living conditions of working people.

Hong Kong workers and youth must reach out to their counterparts internationally, including the massive working class in mainland China. They must reject the right-wing and reactionary calls for United States or British imperialism to liberate Hong Kong, and related attempts by localist groups to drive a wedge between workers in the city and the rest of China. Workers everywhere, regardless of borders, face the same exploitation at the hands of the capitalist classes. The fight therefore is one against capitalism and the nation-state system and for international socialism.

In this struggle, workers will need new organizations to link their workplace struggles with the demands for democratic rights.

According to the CHRF, more than 40 new unions have been established in recent weeks, supposedly to offer organizational support to workers in the protest movement. The Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), which is allied with the pan-democrats, is offering aid in establishing these new unions, according to veteran HKCTU member Mung Siu-tat. However, the HKCTU is actively working to prevent a large-scale general strike from taking place, even as tens of thousands of workers over the summer have indicated they are prepared to walk off the job after taking part in one-day strikes in August and September.

A December 26 article in the South China Morning Post further highlighted the role the unions are playing as a brake on the working class. Stanley Tsang, vice-chairman of the newly formed Hong Kong Hotel Employees Union told the Post that a strike was not currently being planned, claiming more preparation was necessary. Tsang disparaged the role of the tens of thousands who took part in this summers strikes, claiming they were forced to participate because of traffic disruptions.

Hong Kong workers must take warning: the HKCTU will attempt to shut down the protest movement, not expand it in the interests of the social and democratic demands of the working class.
Lifestyle brand on Friday announced that it has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government for setting up a manufacturing facility in Sircilla apparel park.

"Delighted that the apparel manufacturing unit of will be coming up at Sircilla. Employment opportunities to hundreds of women will be createdand a huge step forward for apparel park, Sircilla," Minister for IT and Industries K T Rama Rao said.

The MoU was signed by ITand industries principal secretary Jayesh Ranjan and managing director and CEO Rajiv Suri, a press release said.

After the MoU-signing ceremony, the Minister held talks with industry leaders from the textile sector in Mumbai, the release said.

During the meeting, he explained about the investment opportunities in the state.

In another meeting, he met with the representatives of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance andhighlighted the investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector in the state, the release added.
New Delhi: When Qasem Soleimani was killed in a drone strike on Friday morning, those who knew West Asia immediately recognised the significance of the moment  and how it could unleash an escalatory spiral, even leading up to a possible war.

But for those who did not follow the region, the immediate question was: Soleimani, who?

In the answer to that question lies a tale of both Irans extended influence in the region and the web of intrigue, intelligence-based covert operations, shifting alliances, and the power of Tehran in shaping not just the Shia Crescent but developments across the region with global implications.

In a profile of Soleimani, written in 2013 in The New Yorker, Dexter Filkins traces the evolution of the man who became among the most powerful, but rather invisible, figures in modern Iranian history. He writes that since Soleimani took command of the Quds Force in 1998, he sought to reshape the Middle East in Irans favour, working as a power broker and as a military force: assassinating rivals, arming allies, and, for most of a decade, directing a network of militant groups that killed hundreds of Americans in Iraq.

Born in 1957 in a poor family in eastern Iran, Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guards during the 1979 Iranian revolution. He fought in the Iran-Iraq war through the 1980s. He eventually took over the Quds Force, making it, according to Filkins, an organisation with extraordinary reach, with branches focussed on intelligence, finance, politics, sabotage, and special operations.

But it was only after 2001 that Soleimani truly became a key figure. The US was furious after the 9/11 attacks and was making plans to attack Afghanistan. Tehran and the Taliban regime were at loggerheads. Filkins documents an unusual partnership in his profile -- where Soleimanis men helped US officials with intelligence on Afghanistan, despite the bitter and acrimonious ties that existed between Tehran and Washington. But this changed soon after, when, according to Filkins, in 2002, US president George Bush included Iran in the axis of evil. Soleimani was angry, and his original instinct -- of suspicion towards the US -- only got reinforced.

But the cooperative element did not fade away entirely. After the US invaded Iraq in 2003  Iraq was a Baathist regime even though its majority population was Shia, who had close links with Iran  Tehran sensed an opportunity to remake the Iraqi regime to better serve its interests. Soleimani was the main operative who led the charge in Iraq, both cooperating with the US but also encouraging Shiite militants who would then be able to expand Shia power, push back the US, and expand Iranian influence.

He continued to encourage Hezbollah in Lebanon. He was the architect of preserving Bashar al Assads regime in Syria, accompanied with a brutal crackdown on the resistance, elements of which were supported by the United States  in the process, he closely worked with Russia. He fought back against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), working with Iraqi forces.

If West Asia is today riven by the conflict between Iran and Shia polities on one side, and the US-Saudi Arabia and Israel with smaller Sunni states on the other, Soleiman had a key role to play in it. But at the same time, if Iran today is the geopolitical powerhouse that it is, Soleiman had a key role to play there. Washington focused on his adversarial activities. Tehran will remember his contribution to enhancing its power. And in that lie the seeds of a possible conflict over the man.
The US has said it is ready to fight against North Korea if necessary.

As worldwide attention focused on the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran following the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike, comments from Defense Secretary Mark Esper confirmed that America remains ready for conflict with North Korea.

Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un talk before a meeting in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on June 30, 2019. (Getty Images)

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, he said while a political agreement on denuclearisation remained preferable, the US was ready to fight if needed.

His comments follow a four-day meeting of party officials in Pyongyang, during which Kim Jong-un suggested that North Korea would lift its moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, contrary to what was agreed with Donald Trump.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US is prepared to fight North Korea if necessary (Picture: REUTERS/Tom Brenner)

The North Korean leader also reportedly revealed plans to introduce a new strategic weapon.

The move was feared to anger Mr Trump, who previously announced that his diplomacy resulted in North Korea agreeing to denuclearise.

READ MORE

World's news outlets react to killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani

Kim Jong Un calls for active diplomatic and military counter-measures

But the US President said he believed the North Korean leader would keep his word, telling reporters: He did sign a contract, he did sign an agreement talking about denuclearisation. ... That was done in Singapore, and I think hes a man of his word, so were going to find out.

Recent months have seen diplomatic relations stall between the US and North Korea, with a second summit between Mr Trump and Kim Jong-Un collapsing.

Diplomatic relations between the US and North Korea seem to have stalled (Picture: Reuters)

Defense Secretary Mr Espers comments come amid fears of further escalation in the Middle East over Mr Trumps decision to launch an airstrike on Irans most powerful general.

The US President now faces the twin threat of war with both North Korea and Iran - which would prove a considerable foreign policy challenge.

While Americas relationship with North Korea is separate from its dealings with Iran, Tehran is one of the few countries that has good relations with Korea and any escalation over the killing of General Soleimani could see the issues become intertwined.

Story continues

The issue is still further complicated by the role of China, which is considered an ally of both Iran and North Korea. Indeed, China took part in a naval drill alongside Russia and Iran last week.

Mr Espers comments were also reported by PressTV, Irans state media channel.

Mr Esper added on Fox: We think the best path forward with regard to North Korea is a political agreement that denuclearizes the peninsula, we are on that path, we are going to remain on the path.

We would obviously urge Kim Jong-un and his leadership team to sit back down to negotiation table to do that. But that said, we remain from a military perspective ready to fight tonight.

---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK---
(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers within the main London indices on Friday.







FTSE 100 - WINNERS







Imperial Brands, up 1.1%. British American Tobacco, up 1.8%. On Thursday, the US Food & Drug Administration said cartridge-based e-cigarettes in flavours other than tobacco or menthol will become illegal unless specifically authorised by the government. In September, the White House had promised a full ban, amid an outbreak of severe pulmonary disease that has killed seven people and sickened hundreds, but this was scuppered by industry pressure. The move was welcomed by BAT, which on Friday said the new ruling provides clarity and is expected to return the US vapour market to stability, following a period of "disruption and uncertainty".







FTSE 100 - LOSERS







London Stock Exchange, down 1.1%. China has temporarily blocked the stock link between the Shanghai and London stock exchanges over political tensions, Reuters reported on Thursday. The Shanghai-London Stock Connect scheme allows companies listed on the London Stock Exchange - owned by London Stock Exchange Group - to sell their shares on China's Shanghai Stock Exchange, and vice versa. It started operating last year. The five sources who spoke to Reuters all cited politics as the reason for the suspension, with two blaming Britain's stance on the Hong Kong protests and one noting "remarks over the detention of a now former staff member at its consulate in Hong Kong".







OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - WINNERS







Craven House, up 8.1%. The investment company's subsidiary Craven House Capital North America has agreed to a loan from LM Funding America. The loan agreement will see LMFA lend CRVNA USD1.5 million, which will be used to provide liquidity for investment purposes. The loan will act as an advance on the USD3.6 million convertible loan repayment owed to CRVNA from LMFA. CRVNA has agreed to extend the maturity of the loan owed to it by LMFA to April 15, 2021 from January 16 this year. The USD1.5 million borrowed by CRVNA is repayable on April 15 this year, with interest payable at a rate of 6% per annum. It can be repaid in cash or 640,000 shares in LMFA from CRVNA to LMFA.







Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas, up 7.4%. The exploration company commented on the oil discovery made at the Carapa-1 well in offshore Guyana and its potential meaning for the adjacent Orinduik block. Carapa-1 is located in the Kanuku block, off the coast of Guyana, and is directly in board of Orinduik, in which Eco Atlantic holds a 15% working interest. On Thursday, Tullow Oil said early results from drilling at the Carapa-1 well suggest the finding of oil in Upper Cretaceous sandstones. However, the four metres of oil at Kanuku was less than expected. Eco Atlantic Chief Operating Officer Colin Kinley said: "The Carapa discovery is very important to us technically and confirms our thinking on prospectivity on our Orinduik block. The existence of a good oil grade unaffected by sulphur in board of us is excellent news."







OTHER MAIN MARKET AND AIM - LOSERS







Tri-Star Resources, down 56%. The mineral processing company said negotiations for the funding of its investment in Strategic & Precious Metals Processing - in which Tri-Star has 40% stake - are continuing but the company is unhappy with the terms currently offered. SPMP is currently seeking further financing to up production at its Oman facility, which is targeting 100% capacity by the end of 2020. In order to achieve this, SPMP has determined it will need to raise USD160 million of working capital, which includes USD60 million for building up inventories and continued investment to meet current debt obligations. The company noted SPMP is currently in technical default of its current banking facility with Bank Nizwa and Al Aziz Bank, as SPMP was unable to meet its most recent repayment obligation. Tri-Star said short term funding from shareholders is expected to "remedy" the default.







By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Local Fine Gael TD Fergus ODowd has welcomed a new Government stimulus package and said that it will be "of huge benefit to County Louth ahead of Brexit".

ODowd said: "My Fine Gael colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, has confirmed to me that a significant Government economic stimulus package worth 28 million is being made available to drive economic activity in the border region and ensure that businesses have additional support in mitigating the impact of Brexit. This is in addition to all of the existing Brexit supports which are already available nationwide. This is a series of bespoke, targeted initiatives designed to deliver maximum impact for the Border region.

"The Border Economic Stimulus Package includes 3 million for the six Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in the border counties, which of course includes the Louth LEO, for capability development programmes for micro and small firms with ambition. It will enable them to pilot a series of mentoring programmes for businesses focused on boosting exports, embracing innovation and improving management and financial skills capability.

"There is also an 8.5 million Brexit Transformation Fund which will enable Enterprise Ireland to support individual company capital projects to build Brexit resilience through transformation initiatives and diversification of product and markets.

"A 1.5 million fund for Industry Fellowships will be targeted at businesses located in Border counties, administered by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI). It will see researchers take up placements in industry bringing new energy and specialist expertise to businesses in the Border region.

"And finally a 15 million competitive Border Enterprise Development Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland (EI) will go a long way towards helping businesses in the North East. I am informed that it will have a ground-up approach so that we can support businesses and local authorities who come up with exciting, innovative and collaborative proposals which will make a positive economic impact in the Border region."
Hi guys



I am very seriously thinking of investing a lot of my time and some of my money in setting up a SMMA over the next number of months. I am new to the industry, so am prepared to put in the effort to at least be able to say 'I gave it my best.' Currently I am teaching in an low tier International school in Vietnam, and I actually love my job, so I am not trying to escape a career i feel shackled to. It would just be nice to earn more money to return home and visit firends and family on a more regualr basis.



After researching a few other different areas, mainly Afiliated Marketing and Amazon, it feels like SMMA would be the more rewarding option for me to explore. I used to work in sales, so have good experience in that side of things. However, the fact that I reside in Vietnam means there will be no opportunity for me to attend face to face meetings. I envisage this could be a problem when trying to close deals with clients. Is this a gamebreaker? I would love to hear some more experienced members' views on this. It would be great to receive some suggestions on how to best overcome this obstacle.



Thanks for reading my post (first time poster)



Happy New Year



James
Mainland China equity market finished session lower on Friday, 03 January 2020, on heightened geopolitical tensions (US-Iran) after news that a US airstrike in Baghdad killed a top Iranian military commander. However, market losses capped Chinese central bank's decision to lower the amount of cash that all banks must hold as reserves in a bid to free up billons of dollars and after a private survey on Thursday revealed that Chinese production activity in December continued to grow and business confidence had strengthened. At closing bell, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index eased 0.05%, or 1.41 points, to 3,083.79. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China's second exchange, added 0.27%, or 4.69 points, to 1,760.85. The blue-chip CSI300 index was down by 0.18%, or 7.28 points, to 4,144.96. For the week, CSI300 was up 3.1%, while Shanghai Composite Index advanced 2.6%, both logging fifth week of gains in a row.

Market sentiments hurt on heightened geopolitical tensions after news that a US airstrike in Baghdad killed a top Iranian military commander.

Meanwhile, Chinese central bank's decision to lower the amount of cash that all banks must hold as reserves in a bid to free up billons of dollars and sign of initial Sino-U. S. trade deal progress aided sentiment. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump tweeted that he will sign the initial trade deal with China at the White House this month.

He also said he plans to travel to Beijing at a later date to open talks on other sticking points in the dispute that remain to be worked out, including Chinese practices the U. S. complains unfairly favor its own companies. That came following reports indicating Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, Beijing's top trade negotiator, could sign the agreement.

Investors continued to wait for Washington and Beijing to formalize an initial trade deal that has helped ease the market's jitters over the 18-month dispute between the world's two biggest economies. Washington and Beijing announced last month that they reached an agreement over a "Phase 1" trade pact that calls for the U. S. to reduce tariffs and China to buy larger quantities of U. S. farm products.

The People's Bank of China announced on Wednesday that it will lower the reserve requirement ratio for banks by 50 basis points with effect from Jan. 6, unleashing about 800 billion yuan ($115 billion) in funds. The move is expected to boost the country's slowing economy ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 25.

Sentiment got a further boost after a private survey on Thursday revealed that Chinese production activity in December continued to grow and business confidence had strengthened, hinting at a recovery in the economy in the wake of a Phase 1 trade deal with the United States.

Liquor companies were top losers. The world's most valuable liquor maker Kweichow Moutai slumped 4.6% to a near four-month low, extending its sharp 4.5% correction from Thursday, after the consumer giant forecast full-year profit below estimates.

Gold-linked stocks gained, with a gauge tracking them rising nearly 3%, on risk concerns after the US launched an air strike that killed a top Iranian military leader.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
One of the men got off the train at the Monroe stop and the woman followed him until she was able to alert CTA security who called police. The man was taken into custody. The other men continued riding the train to the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line stop, where they were arrested. Police were still searching for the fourth man, according to police spokeswoman Kellie Bartoli.
Spain is set to finally get a new government after the acting premier, Pedro Sanchez, persuaded a Catalan separatist party to help him take office for a second term.

Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya agreed to abstain in a confidence vote in parliament, giving Sanchez the numbers he needs to form a Socialist-led coalition, Pere Aragones, a senior party official, said Thursday. A final vote in the Spanish Parliament is expected Jan. 7.

Spain has been without a proper government since Sanchez dissolved parliament in March for the first of two elections last year.

With the parliament splintered between five major national parties and a host of smaller regional groups after a second ballot in November, Sanchez turned to Esquerra to help swing the numbers in his favor. A pact with the anti-austerity party Podemos got him closer to the line and upped the pressure on the Catalans.

The deal represents the latest attempt to get to grips with the political fragmentation that has dogged Spain since the conservative People's Party lost its majority in 2015. Sanchez claimed his first term in 2018 by ousting the minority PP government of Mariano Rajoy following the Catalan crisis of 2017 but never managed to stitch together a stable majority.

The push by separatist groups, including Esquerra, to force Catalonia out of Spain opened a new schism between those calling for a crackdown and those wanting reconciliation. Despite striking a relatively hard line on Catalonia during the election campaign, Thursday's deal leaves Sanchez committed to keeping Esquerra onside.

Spain's benchmark IBEX 35 stock index fell as much as 0.8%. Spanish bonds rose as the yield on 10-year debt fell to 0.412% from 0.441% on Thursday.

As part of Thursday's agreement, Sanchez agreed to hold talks with the Catalan regional government to address their differences.

The agreement "recognizes that this is fundamentally a political problem," Aragones said. "It recognizes the legitimacy of all the Catalan institutions, that political channels must be opened and that the judicial and police channels must be avoided."

Slowing Economy

Among his other priorities will be an economy that is starting to lose momentum, despite outperforming most European peers.

The prospect of a left-wing government facilitated by Catalan and Basque nationalists is a risky gambit by Sanchez -- even though he says the political math left him with little option. In agreement with Podemos, he has pledged a program of tax increases for the highest earners and large companies, a higher minimum wage and tighter protection for workers, rolling back some of the labor reforms enacted in 2012 at the height of a financial crisis.

He's likely to face more political turbulence all the same.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

PP leader Pablo Casado has refused appeals to facilitate a Socialist-led government to avoid yet more elections because in his view, Sanchez has chosen to ally with enemies of the Spanish constitution. Esquerra's leaders have said a deal with Sanchez is the best way for now for the independence movement to advance its aims.

Sanchez says he needs the Catalans to forge the progressive government that Spanish voters endorsed in November. His Socialists held off a surge in votes for the conservative PP and the far-right Vox party to emerge best-placed to form an administration in partnership with Podemos.

As its name implies, Esquerra is committed to striving for a Catalan republic -- its leader Oriol Junqueras was jailed for his part in the 2017 crisis -- and the rocky path to deal with the Socialists points to the potential for more trouble ahead.

Esquerra suspended the talks last month after Europe's top court said Junqueras should have been given legal immunity after he won a European Parliament seat in May. Spanish state lawyers have recommended that Junqueras should be allowed to carry out his role as a European lawmaker, helping to smooth the path to a final agreement.

Sanchez has said any deal would comply with the terms of the Spanish constitution, meaning there's no room for negotiation on Esquerra's key demand for an official referendum on independence.
As nationwide protests against India's amended citizenship laws continue, protesters in BJP-ruled Gujarat are facing major difficulties in holding peaceful rallies in state capital, Ahmedabad

As nationwide protests against India's amended citizenship laws continue, protesters in BJP-ruled Gujarat are facing major difficulties in holding peaceful rallies in Ahmedabad. Citizens across the city are trying to tackle the arbitrary use of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CRPC), as Ahmedabad Police routinely deny permission to hold such marches, leading to an infringement of their fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 authorises the District Magistrate of any state or territory to issue an order to prohibit the assembly of four or more people in an area. As per law, any order that is imposed under this section is anticipatory in nature, which implies that certain actions are restricted even before they actually occur. The law is applicable whenever as per the opinion of the magistrate there is sufficient ground for proceeding under this section.

The mere anticipation of a threat to public order is not a valid ground alone to use Section 144, as the provision is in this manner of curbs the fundamental rights of expression and assembly. The restriction has to be reasonable in nature and the requirement of an actual threat to public order and not just a perceived threat, in the near future.

But this law shares a chequered history of being arbitrarily used by police and state governments to stifle dissent. One such state is Gujarat, where as a precautionary measure, the Gujarat Police had imposed Section 144 of IPC and Section 37 of Gujarat Police Act (GPA) in the city of Ahmedabad continuously since April 2016, according to a petition filed in the Gujarat High Court.

The petition states that the Ahmedabad Police has been renewing orders under these two sections continuously since 2016. Almost 64 notification were issued, in the past three years according to the Ahmedabad Police website. The petition additionally urges the high court to quash orders dated 10 and 13 December, challenging the blanket imposition of Section 144, read alongside the Section 37 of GPA in the entire city.

The petitioners in the matter are IIM Ahmedabad professors Navdeep Mathur and Ankur Sarin, Ahmedabad University professor Raghavan Rangarajan and businesspersons Archana Shah and Sanjiv Shah.

The petitioners' main contention was the continuous issuance of such orders, as the orders did not mention or identify any imminent threat to public order and tranquility, as required to by the provision to impose Section 144 in a given area. As per the law, it is a prerequisite that public announcements be made through newspapers, radio and posters/notices at public places

According to Suhair Killiyath, an academic associate at IIM-Ahmedabad, the police had not issued any public notifications or announced in any public sphere about the law being imposed in the city. Killiyath, who is a part of an independent group that has been organising protests across the city through word of mouth and social media said that the police had detained protesters on every single occasion. I have been detained four times. All four occasions were at the venue of anti-CAA protests which we were given verbal permission for initially, but hours before the slated time of protest, the police informed us that the permission was denied.

Another 24-year-old researcher at Gujarat University, along with Killiyath and another student had tried to hold peaceful protests, with just the three of them. Their three-person-strong silent demonstration was ironically held alongside a pro-CAA rally on 24 December, in which Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was also present.

"All three of us were holding placards, calling for allowance of peaceful protests, repealing of Section 144, in support of free speech. But the moment we got to the venue, we were quickly whisked away by the police. They claimed it was preventive detention to protect us from the people in the pro-CAA rally, the 24-year-old researcher who did not wish to be named told Firstpost.

According to Swati Goswami, a freelance content writer, who is also a part of the organizing team, accused the police of manhandling some protesters during another march on 29 December. "The police had fabricated lies to scare two women applicants, including myself. They accused protestors of being abusive when they were the one using abusive slurs towards us," the 34-year-old alleged.

She further added that the police had routinely denied permission to hold these protests either under Section 144 of CRPC or sections 67, 68 and 69 of the Gujarat Police Act which dealt with executive powers and duties of the police to deny these permissions to regulate traffic control, to restrain, remove gatherings to regulate public order.

According to these organisers, concerned academicians, students, and professionals had tried to organise peaceful rallies on multiple occasions across the city on 16, 17, 18 and 29 December. The police only granted them permission for 17 December to hold a sit-in protest outside Sabarmati Ashram.

In the petition filed in the Gujarat High Court, the petitioners have pointed out, that orders under Section 144 have been issued continuously with no justification of any imminent threats at each renewal, as a matter of routine and automatic practice.

The petition states that the police commissioner of Ahmedabad has been issuing these orders, saying, it seems that there is a need to maintain public order in [the] city of Ahmedabad, without giving any justification for its renewal. They argued that the power to issue such notifications lies with the district magistrate, a sub-divisional magistrate or any other executive magistrate and that the police commissioner had no right issuing these renewals.

However, legal experts differ with the petitioners on this count.

Ashok P Shahani, an advocate in the Supreme Court, told Firstpost, In case of an emergency you cannot wait for the actual court (s) to hear you first and then pass an order. These things take time, and so in order to save time police officers are given such powers as enumerated under the criminal procedure code. This is one of the reasons why such vast powers are granted to the Executive Magistrate under the CRPC, but with certain restrictions.

In the past, in Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v Union of India and Anr, Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1153 of 2017 decided on 23rd July 2018, the Supreme Court had held that the power to impose Section 144 was not unconstitutional, although the apex court did recognise the right to protest and directed the government and police to frame guidelines. But in Ahmedabad, the police officials are overlooking the right to protest, leading to arbitrary and discriminatory exercise of such powers.

Ranjit D Shinde, a practising advocate in the Bombay High Court said that any restriction imposed under Section 37 cannot be a permanent or semi-permanent in nature. The advocate stated, A continuous notification of an order under section 37 before the expiry of the tenure of an earlier order is nothing but an arbitrary exercise of power, there cannot be a continuous future apprehension about the danger to public peace. Continuous use of such power imposes unreasonable restriction and thus is violative of Article 19 of the Constitution of India, 1950.

Bandish Soparkar, an advocate who was a part of the drafting of the petition before the Gujarat High Court, told Firstpost that the Ahmedabad Police had issued 64 notifications alone from 15 April 2016 to 26 November 2019. "There could be orders dating further back but the website has not uploaded it," he added.

The Gujarat High Court advocate further stated that after being detained for taking part in one of the anti-CAA protests, he was told by the police that Section 144 was in place. I had asked the police for the notification to see if Section 144 was imposed as no prior public announcement had been made, nor was there any public record of it. After they showed me the order, I took a photo of it since it hadnt been uploaded on their website, which is now a part of the petition, he said.

The petition thus contended that people were being detained for breaking a law that they did not know was imposed since it does not generally exist. The matters next hearing is slated for 9 January 2020.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed government departments to ensure that their staff maintained discipline and punctuality.

The Chief Minister on Thursday held a meeting with the heads of various departments to resolve issues that were affecting their work.

"The Chief Minister said the government administration should be accessible to people and transparent, and for that, it was important to streamline the administration," the Chief Minister's Office said in a press release.

The statement quoted Sawant saying that it was important to monitor the behaviour of government staff and ensure that they maintain punctuality and discipline.

In the past too, the Chief Minister had warned of action against employees who failed to report to duty on time, following which several officers were issued memos.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jerusalem:

Wary of attack by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon or Syria after the US killed a top Iranian commander, the Israeli army Friday closed a ski resort in the annexed Golan Heights. "Following a security assessment, it was decided to close Mount Hermon to visitors today," an army spokeswoman told AFP.

"There are no further instructions for civilians in the area." The ski resort lies in the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move still not recognised by most of the international community.

Across the armistice line sits Lebanon's Iran-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah, Israel's bitter foe with which it fought in 2006. There has so far been no official Israeli comment on the killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani in a US missile strike on Friday morning.

Israel is a close ally and warm supporter of the United States. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on a visit to Greece and in his absence Defence Minister Naftali Bennett was to chair a meeting of the security cabinet friday, Israeli media said.

The papers reported that Netanyahu had ordered ministers not to comment on the killing. Yair Lapid, a senior member of the Blue and White alliance seeking to unseat Netanyahu, was however quick to congratulate President Donald Trump in a Facebook post.

"He who led murderous terrorist attacks from Damascus to Buenos Aires and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocents got the end he deserved. "The Iranian regime is a terror regime and, against terror, determination and strength are required," Lapid wrote.

Also Read: Soleimanis Assassination 'Foolish Escalation', US Bears Responsibility For All 'Consequences': Iran

In the Gaza Strip, the Islamist Hamas movement which rules the territory, condemned Soleimani's killing but did not make any overt threats. "Hamas sends its condolences to the Iranian leadership and people," a statement said. "Hamas condemns this American crime which raises tension in the region."

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I ranian leaders have pledged severe retaliation against the US after a White House-backed airstrike killed its most senior general.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "harsh revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack on Gen. Qasem Soleimani, which took place at Baghdad airport early this morning under the direction of Donald Trump.

Declaring three days of public mourning, Mr Khamenei pledged to ramp up military action against the US.

All friends - as well as all enemies - know that the path of Resistance will continue, and definite victory awaits the mujahideen (Islamic fighters) on this this blessed path," he announced.

Praising the general, he said: For years it was his wish to become a martyr, and finally God granted him his highest office, adding his pure blood was shed in the hands of the most depraved of human beings.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, General Qasem Soleimani has been killed by US forces in Baghdad / EPA

Gen. Soleimani, 62, was being driven by car at Baghdad airport when the fatal attack took place, also killing top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The general was head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, and a major figure in the Iranian regime.

His killing marks a dramatic escalation in the regional "shadow war" between Iran and the US and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The countries have been locked in a long conflict that intensified earlier this week with an attack on the US embassy in Iraq by pro-Iranian protestors.

Iraqi mourners protest US Embassy after airstrikes

This morning, Iran's president Hassan Rouhani said the 62-year-old's assassination would make the country even more determined to fight for its values.

"Soleimani's martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America's expansionism and to defend our Islamic values, he said in a statement.

With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge.

A destroyed vehicle on fire following a US strike / IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

It is understood Gen. Soleimani and fellow military officials were leaving Baghdad airport in two cars when they were hit by a US drone strike near a cargo area in the early hours of Friday.

Several missiles reportedly struck the convoy, and at least five people are thought to have died.

The US viewed the commander and his Quds Force as terrorists, holding them responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US personnel.

A Pentagon statement said: "At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani."

It added: "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

President Trump responded to the announcement by simply tweeting an image of the American flag.

The news has sharply divided American citizens, with Democratic leaders condemning the act for leaving the country "on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East."

Presidential candidate Joe Biden accused Mr Trump of "tossing a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox".

While fellow leadership hopeful Bernie Sanders released a statement saying: "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars."

Others acknowledged the threat posed by Gen. Soleimani, with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren calling him "a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans."

However, she added, Mr Trump's "reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also waded in to criticise the administrations decision to conduct the airstrike without consulting Congress or obtaining authorisation to use military force against Iran.

She said it "risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence."

But Republicans on Capitol Hill stood behind their leader.

Senator Lindsey Graham said: "I appreciate President Trump's bold action against Iranian aggression. To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more."

And James Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said: "America does not and should not seek war, but it will respond in kind to those who threaten our citizens, soldiers and friends - as the President has long promised.
By AFP

TEHRAN: Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after the United States killed the commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force, General Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday.

"Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Khamenei said on his Farsi-language Twitter account in reference to Soleimani, also declaring three days of mourning.

"With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident."

The Revolutionary Guards confirmed the commander of its Quds Force had been killed by US forces in Baghdad, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slamming the move as "foolish" and denouncing it as a "dangerous escalation".

"The Revolutionary Guards announces that the glorious commander of Islam, haj Qasem Soleimani, following a life of servitude, was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning," said a statement read out on state television.

The channel said the attack was carried out by US helicopters.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump ordered killing of Iran guards commander in Baghdad, confirms Pentagon

A black ribbon was displayed on the screen and a photo montage was shown with images of Soleimani smiling and praying, as Khamenei also declared three days of mourning.

Soleimani was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies.

State television interrupted its regular programming to detail the commander's achievements in the region, pointing to many times he "foiled" US plans.

The Islamic republic's top security body called an emergency meeting over the attack.

"In a few hours, an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme National Security Council will be held to review the murderous attack on the vehicle of General Soleimani in Baghdad that lead to his martyrdom," ISNA quoted its secretariat spokesman Keyvan Khosravi as saying.

The foreign ministry also summoned an official from the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which represents US interests in Iran, to "strongly protest" the killing, according to a tweet by ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.

'Foolish escalation'

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani... is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation," Zarif wrote on Twitter.

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he added.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said the United States would pay for the "atrocity".

ALSO READ: Qassem Soleimani - A general who became Iran's icon by targeting US

"The malice and stupidity of America's terrorist forces in assassinating General Soleimani, this hero martyr and the leader of combatting terrorism and extremism, will certainly further empower the tree of resistance in the region and the world," it said.

The ministry said it would "use all its political legal and international capacities to enact the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council to make the murderous and terrorist regime of America answer for this clear atrocity."

Zarif and his top deputies were in an urgent meeting at the ministry as of 07:00 AM (0330 GMT) to assess the situation, spokesman Abbas Mousavi said in a tweet.

A former head of the Guards said also revenge would be exacted on the United States for Soleimani's death.

ALSO READ: Iraqis 'dancing in the street' after Soleimani death, says Mike Pompeo

"Soleimani joined his martyr brothers but we will exact terrible vengeance upon America," Mohsen Rezai, who currently heads the Expediency Council, wrote on Twitter.

Tehran-based analyst Mohammad Marandi said the US has "declared war" against Iran and Iraq, and "it's best for westerners to evacuate countries like UAE and Iraq immediately".

"By assassinating General Soleimani & Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both high ranking military officials, Trump has declared war against the armed forces of both Iran & Iraq. It is best for all American citizens to leave the region immediately. US occupiers will be forced to leave Iraq."
A financial trading firm endorsed by former England rugby player Mike Tindall is facing possible legal action from investors who lost tens of thousands of pounds.

Tindall, who is married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, was a brand ambassador for UFX and said he would recommend the firm to his friends.

But the company has already been fined in Cyprus for misleading customers and British investors who lost money are considering legal action.

One of them, John Goddard, invested his entire 89,000 savings in the company but lost them all on the gold and oil markets.

Speaking to The Times, Mr Goddard said Mike Tindall's connection to the company had given it 'credibility'.

Endorsement: Former England rugby player Mike Tindall promoting financial trading firm UFX, which is facing possible legal action from furious investors

'If Mike Tindall was sat here now I would probably ask him to give me the money back out of his own pocket,' Mr Goddard said.

The 46-year-old from Warrington has been speaking to other disgruntled investors including a solicitor whose uncle similarly lost his life savings.

Another woman who invested in the company reportedly contemplated suicide after losing money.

UFX told the newspaper that Mr Goddard had been paid compensation and signed an agreement which said that the matter was resolved.

In addition, the company said that its website had stated a percentage of clients who lost money.

The website currently states that '68.34 per cent of retail investor accounts lose money when trading [a type of financial product] with UFX'.

Tindall became a brand ambassador for the firm, which has its headquarters in Cyprus, in January 2014.

Promotion: Mike Tindall, who is married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips, was a brand ambassador for UFX and said he would recommend the firm to his friends

A press release in February 2017 quoted him as saying: 'I'm more than happy to recommend their product to friends and the public alike.'

He left UFX in May 2019 and did not comment when the BBC previously investigated the company.

In 2017 the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission imposed a 95,000 (81,000) fine on UFX's parent company.

The regulator said the company 'did not act fairly, honestly and professionally' in relation to customer support services.

The company was also accused of failing to provide 'accurate, clear and non-misleading advertising materials to clients'.

Demetra Kalogerou, the chairman of the regulator, said at the time that the firm had 'not met the standards prescribed by the laws we have in place to protect investors'.

The firm is allowed to offer services in the UK because it is regulated by another member of the European Economic Area, namely Cyprus.
A first-time flier who threw coins into a plane engine for good luck has been ordered to pay 13,000 to a Chinese airline.

Twenty-eight-year-old Lu Chao threw the coins to wish for a safe journey as he was boarding a Lucky Air flight from Anqing to Kunming in February 2019.

He admitted to tossing the coins when Lucky Air staff quizzed passengers after finding two one yuan coins on the ground near the left engine.

The domestic flight was grounded due to safety concerns, and the 162 passengers were flown the next day following a full engine check.

The budget carrier claims the flight cancellation cost in the region of 140,000 yuan (16,000), and announced legal action would be taken against the passenger.

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Mr Lu has been ordered by the Yixiu District Peoples Court in Anqing, Anhui province, to pay 120,000 yuan (13,000) in damages to the Chinese budget carrier Lucky Air, reports the South China Morning Post.

He told the court that Lucky Air should have reminded passengers before boarding that they should not throw coins into plane engines.

Its not the first time a passenger has attempted to toss coins into an aircraft engine for good luck.

In 2017 there were two separate incidents recorded of elderly women engaging in the practice, one of whom was also flying from Anqing with Lucky Air.

The other passenger, flying from Shanghai to Guangzhou with China Southern Airlines, attempted to throw nine coins into the engine to pray for safety.

Eight missed but one hit the mark, delaying the flight by five hours.

The practice of throwing coins for good luck is associated with some religions such as Buddhism.
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: The huge number of infant deaths at JK Lon Hospital in Rajasthan's Kota has left the Ashok Gehlot-led state government red-faced - battling criticism from all quarters.

After missing in action for weeks, when the Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma finally visited the hospital on Friday, a special "green-carpet" was rolled out to welcome him and the hospital was spruced up with a fresh coat of paint on many walls as he arrived to take stock of the situation. However, despite the VIP presence, a baby girl lost her life bringing the total toll of infant deaths at JK Lon Hospital since December to 105.

ALSO READ| Akhilesh Yadav asks Yogi to worry about Gorakhpur children deaths and not Kota hospital

Given the mounting public anger and politics over the issue, Sharma held a series of meetings at the hospital and promised corrective action to be fully in place by January 15. "We have sanctioned Rs 1 crore to immediately rectify the situation at this hospital. I have taken note of each and every shortcoming and I assure you that all steps necessary to change and improve this situation will be put in place by 15th January," the Health Minister asserted in an interaction with the media.

Meanwhile on Friday, the National Human Rights Commission has also piled on further pressure on the Gehlot government and issued a notice to the Rajasthan government over the death of more than 100 infants at the Kota hospital in in December.

The NHRC, in a statement, said it has issued a notice to the chief secretary, seeking a detailed report in the matter within four weeks. The commission said that the notice was issued to ensure that such incidents do not recur in future.

ALSO READ | Kota infant deaths: Tragedy reduced to statistical battle

Also the massive number of deaths at the Kota hospital has ignited a major political slug-fest between the BJP and the Congress and a virtual Twitter-War has also erupted over this issue.

After UP CM Yogi Adityanath and BSP Supremo Mayawati slammed the state government yesterday, on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also did not lose the opportunity to attack it for its failure in protecting newborns in Kota during his pro-CAA rally held in Jodhpur. Amit Shah advised Gehlot to focus his energies on the infant deaths in Kota rather than opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act.

However, Gehlot was quick to counter Shah. While talking to media in Jodhpur, Gehlot asserted. "The BJP is fueling fire to this tragedy. We had formed a special team to tackle the Kota crisis as soon as it came to our notice."

ALSO READ | Rajasthan infant tragedy: Death toll in Kota hospital hits 100 for December; political row sharpens

He added, "During the five years of BJP rule in Rajasthan, the number of deaths in Kota hospital was always much higher than now and they never took any corrective steps. Lok Sabha speaker and Kota MP Om Birla knows exactly how the previous BJP regime never did anything to improve facilities at this hospital. Its terrible that the BJP is playing politics over the death of innocent babies."
Work carried out on a road in Nanded in Maharashtra has led to a letter war between a BJP Lok Sabha MP and his MLA colleague.

After BJP MLA Prashant Bamb complained to the state PWD claiming work on the Penur-Shevdi-Sonkhed Road was of poor quality, Nanded BJP MP Prataprao Patil Chikhlikar, in whose constituency the road falls, hit back claiming the former was a "blackmailer".

In a letter written to the PWD on November 22, the MP said the department need not take cognisance of "blackmailer" Bamb's complaint as the latter was MLA from Gangapur (in Aurangabad) and had no connection to the road or constituency it is part of.

In reply to this letter, Bamb, on December 31, said he had written in his capacity as a public representative and went on to accuse Chikhlikar of "corruption".

"Chikhlikar calls me a blackmailer, but I have never withdrawn any of my complaints and do rigorous follow-up on them. I have even approached court on several occasions in the past five years despite being part of the ruling party. Chikhlikar, however, has always sided with contractors," Bamb said in his letter.

Bamb also listed seven public works in Nanded where he claimed corruption had taken place.

Talking to reporters, Chikhlikar said, "Bamb has his constituency and he should concentrate on that. There are agencies established to monitor quality of work."



Bamb, on his part, said it was his duty to raise such issues to ensure public money was not wasted.

Chikhlikar defeated Congress heavyweight and former chief minister Ashok Chavan from Nanded in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and spearhead of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, on Friday in an air strike at Baghdad airport, the Pentagon and Iran said. Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed in the attack, a militia spokesman said. The high-profile assassinations are likely to be a massive blow to Iran, which has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with an attack on the ...
Vagney Bradley

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement members will continue to have access to Houston Methodist doctors and hospitals.

While UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage and UnitedHealthcares commercial plans dropped Houston Methodist from their networks Jan. 1, supplement plans don't have networks of care providers. Instead, people enrolled in such plans, sometimes referred to as Medigap policies, can see any doctor or visit any hospital that accepts Original Medicare patients.
Vietnam province wants to install border cameras to deter Chinese criminals

Police in Quang Ninh Province arrest a group of Chinese nationals for illegally organizing gambling in June 2019. Photo courtesy of Quang Ninh Police.

Authorities in Quang Ninh Province have proposed erecting camera-mounted walls along the border with China to stem illegal entry.

The proposal came amid growing numbers of Chinese nationals illegally entering Vietnam via the border in Quang Ninh, home to world famous Ha Long Bay.

Speaking at a national online conference on Thursday, provincial authorities petitioned the government for financial support to hasten the project.

Local authorities confirmed border management suffers loopholes, causing an increase in criminal activities involving Chinese nationals. Due to complicated border terrain with more than 40 open trails, both people and goods can illegally cross the border.

The number of Chinese visitors to Quang Ninh has risen in recent years following the province's decision to allow them visa-free stays of up to three days.

In 2019, six million foreign tourists flocked to Quang Ninh to settle and do business. However, 654 suspects, mainly Chinese, were found to have illegally entered the country in violation of Vietnamese laws.

Vietnamese authorities have cracked down on several Chinese criminal gangs in recent times, with many found operating drug trafficking rings and engaging in illegal online gambling.

In June last year, police in Quang Ninh raided an apartment in Ha Long and arrested 25 suspects, three of them Chinese, organizing online gambling activities for fellow nationals.

Two months earlier, authorities swooped on a house in Mong Cai, discovering 11 Chinese nationals installing and utilizing unauthorized mobile phone signal boosters, jamming the regional network.

Last year, around 400 Chinese nationals were deported after police in the neighboring Hai Phong City busted a high-tech gambling ring worth more than 3 billion yuan ($430 million).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the government will not budge an inch on its decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act despite the opposition's misinformation campaign.

Launching an "awareness programme", he said the Congress was misleading Muslims over the Act and challenged party leader Rahul Gandhi to a discussion if he has read the law.

The BJP will take out 500 rallies across the country, beginning Saturday to reach out to three crore people, he said.

Shah, who is also the BJP president, said the party had to launch this programme because of the misinformation spread by the opposition parties on the amended law.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not going back an inch on the CAA,' he said at the meeting held in Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's assembly constituency.

The home minister said it is shameful that the Congress is criticising the sacrifice of great sons of the country, like Veer Savarkar, for the sake of its vote bank.

The remark comes amid a row over the distribution of a booklet against the Hindutva icon at a camp held by Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh. But Shah did not directly refer to it.

Opposition parties have criticised the amendment that allows non-Muslims an easier path to citizenship if they came to India from three neighbouring countries before 2015 after facing religious persecution.

The law is not against the minorities," Shah said.

"There is no provision in the Citizenship Amendment Act to take anyone's citizenship away but it is a law to grant citizenship," he added.

"We have not kept out any religion. We are giving citizenship to minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi or Christian," he said.

He challenged Congress leader Rahul to a discussion on the law.

Rahul baba if you have read the law come anywhere for a discussion (charcha). If you haven't read it, I will get it translated into Italian, he said, in a swipe at his Italian-origin mother Sonia Gandhi.

Shah said Congress leaders too had in the past talked about granting citizenship to those who faced religious persecution in neighbouring countries, but the party did not implement the suggestions due to the fear of losing its vote bank.

But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has protected the human rights human rights and honour of millions of refugees who came to India, the BJP leader said.

"Mahatma Gandhi had made the promise. Was he communal? Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had also said in Parliament that citizenship will be granted to Hindus or Sikhs who have come. Were they communal?" he said.

"These refugee brothers were millionaires and today they have no place to live. There they had many bighas of land and here they have nothing to eat," Shah said.

He said that percentage of the minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh has declined while the minorities in India are living with honour.

The opposition is against granting citizenship to those refugees who have come to India after facing atrocities, and whose property and jobs were taken away, he said.

He referred to the pact between Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's Liaquat Ali Khan on the protection of minorities after Partition.

"Now, we will execute the Nehru-Liaquat agreement. This is the rule of Narendra Modi, no one has to fear. PM Modi government is going to give citizenship to all of you and make you feel proud of being an Indian, he said in a remark apparently directed at the migrants.

I want to say that the refugees who have come from those countries are from India only," he added.

He said the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Aam Aadmi Party and the Communists are opposing the law.

Shah said it is hard to understand why West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is opposing citizenship to Bengali-speaking Hindus and Dalits living in West Bengal.

"There is no need to fear from Didi. I want to say that refugees living in Bengal will not have to face any atrocities. You will be granted citizenship with honour," he said.

Shah also hit out at Ashok Gehlot, saying the BJP has implemented the promise mentioned in the election manifesto of his Congress government in Rajasthan.

He said the chief minister should stop protesting against the CAA and be concerned about the deaths of infants at Kota's JK Lon Hospital, where 100 children died in December.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A young Chicago mother accused of throwing her baby son to his death from an 11th-story window, killing his older brother in a bathtub and stabbing her grandfather, had reportedly tried to surrender her children to a shelter just days earlier but was turned away.

Police said early Thursday morning, 20-year-old Aleah Newell tossed her youngest son, seven-month-old Amir Newell, from her family's apartment in the 7200-block of South Shore Drive and then jumped after him, but survived the fall.

When police entered Newell's apartment on the 11th floor after being directed there by building security, they discovered her 70-year-old grandfather, Cardell Walker, with blood gushing from cuts to his face and body.

Scroll down for video

Seven-month-old Amir Newell (left) and his two-year-old brother, Jontavious Newell (right) have been identified as the two boys who were allegedly killed by their mother in Chicago

Aleah Newell, 20, is accused of killing her older son in the bathtub, hurling her baby out of an 11th-floor window, and then jumping after him in a failed suicide attempt

A screen is seen broken in an 11th-floor unit in Chicago where police say Newell stabbed her grandfather before throwing her baby son out the window

Walker told officers his granddaughter had attacked him before attempting to take her life.

Police then entered the bathroom and found Newell's two-year-old son, Jontavious 'John John' Newell, dead in the bathtub with severe lacerations to his head and body, and blisters from being scalded by hot water.

Newell's grandfather, 70-year-old Cardell Walker, was found suffering from stab wounds to his face and body

Both children were pronounced dead at Comer Children's Hospital, becoming Chicago's first two homicide victims of 2020.

The grandfather and granddaughter were transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

Family members told CBS Chicago Walker is expected to recover from his stab wounds.

If Aleah Newell survives her injuries, she could face criminal charges.

Meanwhile, the station WGN interviewed women staying at Salvation Army's Shield of Hope shelter, who claimed that a desperate Newell came to the facility on December 30 with her two sons begging for help.

Jontavious Newell was found dead in the bathtub inside the unit in the 7200 block of South Shore Drive early Thursday

A neighbor takes pictures with his cell phone as Chicago Police investigate the murder-attempted suicide on Thursday

The 20-year-old mom-of-two reportedly wanted someone to take her children because she said she could not care for them by herself.

Shelter resident Adiranne Thomas told WGN Newell seemed 'fed up' and did not know what to do.

Thomas quoted the mother as telling some of the other women at the shelter, 'I can't do it, I can't take care of them.'

According to Thomas, when Newell asked shelter officials during the intake process if they could help her with her boys, she was told that they could not assist her and that she had to do it on her own.

A spokesperson for Salvation Army could neither confirm nor deny that Newell had sought help at the shelter, citing client confidentiality.

DailyMail.com on Friday reached out to the charity seeking comment.

Police rushed inside the 11th-floor unit inside this 22-story building and found a 70-year-old man bleeding from cuts to his face and body

The grandfather and granddaughter were rushed to a hospital in critical condition

Police suspect that something broke the mother's fall when she leaped out the window

Family members told WGN that three days later, Newell took some pills before killing her children and leaping out of the window.

In May 2017, Newell lost her older brother to suicide.

Last summer, her other brother posted a chilling Facebook message saying his sister was in the hospital and asking for prayers: 'may god show her the right path and let her not go down the same path as our brother.'
A Maryland man has died after a construction accident in northern Virginia.

Nelson Aguilar-Salamanca, 55, was working for a subcontractor on a construction site near the new Capital One headquarters in McLean, Fairfax County police said.

Around 7:30 a.m., he was struck by rebar that dropped from a crane. He was taken to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police did not release Aguilar-Salamancas hometown in Maryland.

An autopsy is being conducted.

The site has been the scene of large-scale construction work near the McLean Metrorail station on the Silver Line.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Training Development Construction Virginia Maryland
Try to find Korean fried chicken and ramen in the Pottstown area.

That was a source of frustration to David Backhus, who owns Morgantown Coffee House in Elverson. Theres a void of culture and good food around," he said.

One night over dinner with friends, the topic came up. We said, Wouldnt it be cool to open a ramen shop?

Then Backhus attended an event where chef Michael Falcone, whose Funky Lil Kitchen put Pottstown on the culinary map for nearly a decade, was cooking out of his Heart food truck. Backhus ordered a couscous sandwich, and then another.

Backhus asked Falcone if hed help him open that restaurant. Backhus found a former pizzeria on Pottstown Pike near Route 23 in South Coventry and set about making it a fresh-looking, 40-seat BYOB with hanging and track lighting and wooden boxes for some seating.

Its called Oori  pronounced Oodi, which means us.

In the early going, its been packed. There was a 90-minute wait over its first weekend.

The menu, which nods to Backhus Korean heritage, is built around ramen ($13-$15) and Korean fried chicken served both dry (with three different spice combos) and wet (with five sauces) at $8 for a half-dozen and $15 a dozen.

Bring beer. Theres plenty of spice going on. Theres a spicy cucumber salad ($8) with jicama, Thai basil, and scallion, and a cabbage salad ($8) with peanuts, jalapeno, and mango topped with rice wine vinaigrette, as well as dandan noodles ($18), whose spicy ground pork is mellowed and enriched by black tahini.

The chicken curry ramen ($15) gets additional depth through pickled pineapple. The vegetarian ramen ($14)  one of a few vegan dishes  has a broth of kombu and shiitake, with pickled shiitakes. Bulgogi lettuce wraps ($12) is a starter, as is a trio of kimchi.

Dinner brings a few additions, such as steamed Arctic char ($19) over a short-grain rice cake, and braised grass-fed beef ($18) over bone marrow congee with bok choy and red pepper puree.

Its open daily for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and dinner (5 to 9 p.m.). Use 2228 Pottstown Pike, Pottstown, in your GPS.
Moisturizers in jars tend to be thicker -- and better for very dry skin -- than lotions in plastic bottles, dermatologists say. Read more

Your skin doesnt like winter.

The combination of cold air outside and heated air inside often leads to dry, itchy, scaly skin.

Theres plenty of advice on the web about what to do and plenty of heavily marketed products that claim theyll solve this seasonal problem, often at a hefty price. But how many of us have tried a watery lotion that made big promises and stopped working by the time we got from home to the office? How many have tried one that made the itching worse? And, really, how exactly are we supposed to slather slippery concoctions on skin still wet from a shower when everyone knows that oil and water dont mix?

In the interest of cutting through the noise and possibly solving our own dry-skin problems, we asked three dermatologists  Jules Lipoff of Penn Medicine, Gopal Patel of Aesthetic Dermatology Associates in Media and Paoli, and Nazanin Saedi, director of the Jefferson Laser Surgery and Cosmetic Dermatology Center  for advice. Heres what they said.

Are there medical reasons to worry about dry skin?

Usually not. If you neglect it and let your skin crack, you could be at higher risk of infection. In some cases, dry skin can be a symptom of underactive thyroid, Saedi said. It is more common in people with allergies, eczema or atopic dermatitis, and asthma. Patients with neuropathy, a nerve problem common in people with diabetes, may not realize their skin is dry and may wait too long to use moisturizers, Patel said. Dry skin may also be a sign of autoimmune conditions such as Sjogrens disease or of certain cancers, he said.

Is it more common in older people?

Yes. Older skin becomes less efficient at attracting moisture to itself. However, Saedi said she has teenage patients with dry skin. Their faces may still be oily, but they have dry knees, ankles, and elbows.

Do men and women or people of different races have different rates of dry skin?

Mostly not. However, dryness may be more visible on darker skin. And oil gland activity declines earlier in older women than in older men, Patel said.

Will drinking more water or eating certain foods make skin less dry?

No. For the average person, theres nothing you could consume that would make your skin better, Lipoff said.

Is using a loofah or washcloth to rub dry skin during showers a good idea?

No. You want to be gentle to dry skin. Exfoliating just makes it worse, Saedi said.

What about showers?

Sadly, these doctors want to take all the joy out of showers. Hot, steamy showers may feel good for your muscles and your sinuses and your soul, but they dry out skin. The doctors want you to take lukewarm showers that last five to 10 minutes. (Trust us, 10 minutes is a long time in lukewarm water unless you keep your house really toasty, and youre not supposed to do that, either.)

Theres no need to lather all over. Unless you are covered in dust or mud, you only really need to soap the smelly parts.

What soap should I use during my short, chilly shower?

Doctors like simple, unscented bar soaps with added moisturizers. Lipoff says people tend to overuse the liquid soaps. If you must use a liquid, Saedi says, go with one that is fragrance-free and says its for sensitive skin. Patel likes cleansers from Vanicream and Cetaphil.

Steer clear, the doctors said, of strongly scented soaps such as Irish Spring and Zest because they can irritate skin.

Should I wash my face differently?

Yes. You only need to wash it once a day, in the evening. You can just rinse in the morning. You dont necessarily need a different cleanser for face and body.

Do I really have to put lotion on while Im wet from the shower?

The doctors agree this is better, but they dont mean dripping wet. Pat yourself down with a towel, but leave a little moisture. Immediately rub on some lotion to trap the moisture against your skin.

What kind of moisturizer should I use?

Theres no need to spend a fortune on what Patel called Hollywood skin creams. The fancy stuff sometimes contains scents and additives that are irritating.

You have to understand that most of the skin-care industry is marketing, Lipoff said.

 READ MORE: Dermatologist says most skin-care products are kind of a scam

The doctors had different favorite products, but they agreed on one of them: petroleum jelly. You cant beat it for value, they said. Its great for your lips, but probably not what you want for the rest of your face. There, youre looking for products that are noncomedogenic, which means they dont clog pores.

Because it can feel a little thick and greasy, it may be best to apply petroleum jelly to your body at night.

The doctors also agreed that thicker is better, which generally means you want products sold in jars, not tubes. When in doubt, just look for the cheapest thing you can get in a jar, Patel said, adding that he prefers established brands.

Lipoff suggests starting with inexpensive products and working your way up until you find something that works for you.

Saedi and Patel tend to like products you can get at the drugstore, but not at the lowest price points.

Saedi looks for thick creams that contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid. She likes Neutrogena Hydro Boost and Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream.

Patel recommends Aquafor, Aveeno, CeraVe, and Eucerin products.

For skin that is more seriously dry and cracked, patients can try acid-based creams such as Amlactin and CeraVe SA. For the face, he said products by Vanicream, CeraVe, and Cetaphil are good.

The doctors did not recommend oils and said that a lot of people find lanolin, a key ingredient in some products, irritating.

How often should I use skin cream?

Twice a day.

What if my scalp feels dry, too?

Patel said this is probably seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, not dry skin. Rubbing oil into your scalp wont help that. Use a dandruff shampoo.

Will a humidifier help?

Yes. Patel said 40% humidity is ideal at home and at work. The bedroom is a good location because thats where you spend the most time at home.

What mistakes are patients making?

Patel has patients who like to rub their skin with alcohol and peroxide. That is very drying. Noxzema is too harsh for most people, he said, and back scratchers can break fragile skin. The doctors agreed that trendy tea tree oil can be problematic. Allergic reactions to it have been increasing.
Auto industry experts say that Carlos Ghosn has a long history of beating the odds. During his tenure as the head of Nissan, he managed to step inside a company entrenched in the insular world of Japanese automakers and lead the company from the brink of bankruptcy to financial success.

Now, Ghosn seems to have pulled off a feat that seems even more improbable: escaping 24-hour surveillance in Japan to fly to Lebanon, apparently to avoid prosecution for alleged financial crimes.

Heres what you need to know about the strange escape of Carlos Ghosn, the disgraced former head of one of the worlds biggest automobile groups.

Who is Carlos Ghosn?

Carlos Ghosn was long regarded as one of the titans of global auto industry. During his tenure as the head of Nissan and the French automaker Renault, he earned the nickname Le Cost Killer for closing factories and laying off employees. But he was credited for modernizing Nissan by bringing it back from the brink of bankruptcy and building what was regarded as the worlds largest automobile group.

Late in his tenure, however, Ghosn, who has French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, reportedly started to butt up against Japanese corporate culture, where CEOs are generally paid less than in other countries and executive humility is valued.

In November of 2018, Nissan announced that an internal investigation into Ghosn and another executive found Ghosns compensation had been underreported. There was also evidence that Ghosn committed other misconduct, including personal use of company assets, the investigation found. Japanese authorities arrested Ghosn in Tokyo on Nov. 19 of that year, according to Bloomberg.

What are the charges against Ghosn?

Ghosn faces up to 15 years in prison on charges of financial misconduct.

The indictments against him include accusations that another former executive underreported Ghosns income, and that Ghosn transferred an investment loss to Nissan during the 2008 financial crisis, according to the Associated Press.

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Ghosn has denied all of the allegations against him. After fleeing the country, he said in a statement that he left because he faced injustice and political persecution, according to the Associated Press.

Ghosn also appears to have broken Japanese law by jumping his bail and traveling to Lebanon.

How did Ghosn end up in Lebanon?

Its not much of a surprise that Ghosn decided to go to Lebanon, a country where he is a citizen and has a home, and that does not have an extradition treaty with Japan. The bigger mystery is how he managed to escape 24-hour manned and video surveillance and travel out of Japan  even after his passports had been revoked.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Ghosns associates and his wife, Carole, had worked for months to form a plan to spirit the executive out of Japan. The Journal and other outlets reported that a private jet flew Ghosn from Japans Kansai International Airport to Turkey, and he was later moved to Lebanon. Various reports have suggested that he arrived in Lebanon using an ID card, a French passport, or a forged passport.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry says that he arrived in the country legally, according to the Associated Press.

Can Ghosn be deported back to Japan?

After Ghosn fled Japan, Interpol, which fosters international cooperation among police departments, sent Lebanon a red notice for Ghosn, meaning hes wanted for arrest. However, Lebanon is not obligated to send Ghosn back because it doesnt have an extradition treaty with Japan.

Membership in Interpol is voluntary, and Lebanon doesnt face any legal ramifications if it decides to ignore the red notice, says Michelle A. Estlund, a lawyer who specializes in Interpol criminal defense work.

There are countries that dont take any action, even if they know a person is the subject of a red notice and they know that the person is in their country, Estlund says. Although ignoring the order may threaten Lebanons democratic relationship with Japan, its not going to be penalized by Interpol or part of Interpol if it chooses not to extradite Ghosn, she adds.

Estlund notes that a country may decide not to extradite someone for a variety of reasons. Extradition can be especially unlikely if officials are concerned that a prosecution may be politically motivated  as Ghosn alleges is the case in Japan.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Lebanese Justice Minister Albert Serhan seemingly cast doubt on whether Lebanon would return Ghosn to Japan. Lebanese authorities have no security or judiciary charges against him, Serhan said. He entered the border like any other Lebanese using a legal passport.
This story was posted by FIRST CITIZENS BANK, which WHKP has elected to use at this time regarding our two involved banking institutions.

For 122 years, First Citizens Bank has been helping families and businesses make more of their finances. Weve shared their dreams, helped make budgets work harder and put together financial plans to last them the rest of their lives. Were known for our reliability, long-term perspective and for treating those who choose us with respect and courtesy.

With more than 550 branches in 19 states and headquarters in North Carolina, were able to offer the resources, convenience and services of a national financial services company as well as the personal touch of a neighborhood bank. Youll find that First Citizens is big enough to bring our customers the resources they need and small enough to listen.

Our steadfast commitment to building lasting relationships has made us one of the countrys leading financial institutions for both personal and business customers. This long-term approach along with our competitive product offerings are why customers trust us with their financial well-being.

As one of the largest family controlled banks in the U.S., we understand the challenges families  and family businesses  face. Because we share them. Helping families is at the heart of what we do  for this generation and generations to come.

We also have decades of experience working alongside commercial and business clients. For these customers, well continue to provide the dedicated service that youve come to expect. You can feel confident that well work hard for you.

Look For More Information Soon

Over the coming months, Entegra Bank accounts based at 15 branches will be converted to First Citizens Banks systems and new First Citizens signage will be installed at these local branches. Youll be notified in writing regarding any changes to your accounts. At that time, youll have full access to the First Citizens network.

(Customers of the Holly Springs, Highlands and Sylva branches please note: As required by the Department of Justice, three western North Carolina former Entegra branches  Holly Springs (30 Hyatt Road, Franklin, N.C.), Highlands (473 Carolina Way, Highlands, N.C.) and Sylva (498 East Main, Sylva, N.C.)  are being sold to Select Bank & Trust Company of Dunn, N.C., within six months of the Dec. 31, 2019 merger. If your accounts are based at any of these branches, Select Bank will communicate directly with you about any forthcoming changes.)

Making The Transition Easy For You

Were committed to doing everything we can to make Entegra customers feel at home:

Please continue to use the Entegra branches and bank as you normally would. For now, all the features of your accounts remain the same.

You should continue to use your Entegra checks and cards, and you still have online and mobile access to all of your accounts.

If you have a loan with Entegra, please continue to make your payments as usual, whether you use billing statements, online bill pay or automatic withdrawals.

Proud To Welcome You

If you have questions during the transition or any time, please contact a representative at any of the Entegra office locations during normal business hours; call 800.438.2265, between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Friday, Eastern time; or visit firstcitizens.com/entegra. For questions about First Citizens Bank, call 888.224.3419.between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern time. We look forward to serving your financial needs.
"My advice to young scientists is to innovate, patent, produce and prosper, as these four steps will enable India to develop faster. Innovation for the people and by the people is the direction of new India," said Modi after inaugurating the 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC) 2020 in this tech city.

Bengaluru, Jan 3 (IANS) Affirming that science and technology provided a level-playing field for all, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday exhorted young scientists to innovate, patent, produce and prosper.

Noting that new India needed technology and a logical temperament to give a direction to social and economic sectors, the Prime Minister told the scientific community that science and technology played a unifying role in society.

Expressing happiness for participating in the 5-day mega event at the beginning of the New Year, Modi said it was heartening that the science congress was happening in Bengaluru, a city linked with science and innovation.

"When we start year 2020 with positivity and optimism of science and technology driven development, we take one more step in fulfilling our dream. I am also happy my first programme in the new-year and new decade is linked to science, technology and innovation," he pointed out

Addressing about 12,000 delegates, including Union and Karnataka ministers, top scientists, Nobel Laureates, researchers, academicians, students and other stakeholders, Modi said India's ranking in the global Innovation Index improved to 52 as the programmes created more technology business incubators in the last 50 years.

Exhorting the scientists to replicate India's success in space exploration in the new frontier deep sea water, Modi said all the stakeholders should explore, map and harness natural resources like water, energy, food and minerals.

"We know from science that the potential energy, the silent form of energy, can move mountains by its conversion to kinetic energy of motion.

"Can we build a Science in Motion," the Prime minister told the delegates.

Admitting that developments in ICT (information and community technologies) had provided cheaper smart phones and data for the benefit of their users, Modi said a common man could believe that he was no longer separate from the government.

"Technology also helped the government in providing cooking gas to 8-crore women and saving them from the health hazards of using coal or wood," he noted.

Referring to the theme of the 5-day mega event - "Science and Technology: Rural Development", the Prime Minister the government's welfare programmes reached the needy due to the intervention of science and technology.

"Our government was able to release Rs 12,000 crore minimum income support to 6 crore farmers across the country by crediting the amount (Rs 2,000) to each farmer family to their bank accounts directly using technology," he added.

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Microbot Medical, a company with offices in Massachusetts and Israel, is about to release the worlds first fully disposable endovascular surgical robot. The LIBERTY device is intended for use in a variety of cardiovascular, neurovascular, and peripheral vascular procedures, manipulating catheters in a fly-by-wire way.

Since it can be operated remotely, clinicians can be kept at a safe distance from radiation emitted by fluoroscopes, and at the same time the system makes endovascular procedures less straining to perform for physicians who would otherwise have to stand over the surgical table and manually steer the catheters.

The company touts the products One & Done capability so that one product is used per procedure and there arent multiple disposable items to manage.

I believe LIBERTY will be welcomed by the interventional community due to its clinical and technical benefits in various subspecialties, such as neurovascular, cardiovascular and peripheral vascular interventions, said Dr. Eyal Morag, Chairman of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Assuta Ashdod Medical Center in Israel. The system set up is easy and straightforward, and it offers intuitive remote operation capabilities. These features are designed to reduce radiation exposure and eliminate physical strain on the physicians. Lastly, I believe it will democratize vascular procedures by shortening the physicians learning curve.

LIBERTY is set to revolutionize the way surgical robotics are being used in endovascular procedures, by eliminating the need for capital equipment, reducing radiation exposure and aiming to streamline the use of disposables during these complex procedures, said Harel Gadot, CEO, President, and Chairman of Microbot. In addition, with LIBERTYs remote operation as well as its One & Done capabilities, we believe it has the potential to be the first system to democratize endovascular interventional procedures.

Link: Microbot Medical
Last week, Turkey's presidency submitted the motion to the parliament in light of a request by Libya's UN-recognized government for military assistance.

The Turkish parliament on Thursday ratified a motion authorizing the government on sending troops to Libya.

A total of 509 lawmakers attended the ballot in the 600 seats parliament; with 325 lawmakers voting in favor of the motion, while 184 lawmakers rejecting it, according to Anadolu Agency.

The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) backed the motion, while the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and opposition Good (IYI) Party voted against the motion.

Read alsoTurkey's presidency sends parliament Libya troops motion  media

"Libya's National Consensus Government made a military request from Turkey in the struggle of threats towards Libya's unity and stability," the motion said.

It added: "If the so-called Libya's National Army's attacks could not be stopped and if the clashes [in Libya] turn to a massive civil war, Turkey's interests will be negatively affected both in Mediterranean basin and in northern Africa."

Last week, Turkey's presidency submitted the motion to the parliament in light of a request by Libya's UN-recognized government for military assistance.

On Nov. 27, Ankara and Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) signed a pact on military cooperation, as well as a pact on maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Since the ouster of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition.
Tens of thousands of residents have been driven from their homes throughout the states of New South Wales and Victoria as Australia's catastrophic bushfire season continues.

Communities within New South Wales and Victoria were placed under a declared state of emergency on Thursday morning, allowing New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to forcibly open or close roads and mandate public evacuations.

"We don't take these decisions lightly," Berejiklian said, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Kangaroo Island was another place where the bushfire situation worsened on Friday. A fire, named the Ravine fire, was burning on the island's west end for several days within containment lines.

Changing winds from an incoming front caused the fire to jump the continent lines, uncontrollably expanding in all directions through the Flinders Chase National Parks and towards Southern Ocean Lodge, a luxury resort in the area. While fighting the blaze, the Country Fire Service (CFS) closed roadways and asked for those in the region to evacuate, including the town of Parndana.

Reports came in Friday evening that the luxury resort sustained significant damage from the fires. However, in following their evacuation and fire emergency plan, no guests or staff were injured.

Residents and tourists along the country's South Coast, particularly those from the town of Batemans Bay to the Victorian border, were being urged to leave before Saturday.

"It is not safe, do not be in this area on Saturday," official fire warnings from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) state.

On Saturday night, there were reports that a water tower reservoir in Cooma, New South Wales, had burst, flooding homes, washing away cars and causing property damage.

The burnt acreage total and death toll were both officially raised on New Year's Day to total over 5 million hectares (12 million acres) of burnt land and 17 deaths. The deadly crisis has also extended to wildlife in the country, as an estimated 480 million animals have been killed by the disasters.

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Smoke from the dozens of fires in Victoria and New South Wales was visible from space on Saturday. (Photo/NASA).

Sussan Ley, the federal environment minister, previously said that up to 30 percent of the country's koala population may have been killed due to the destruction of their habitat.

According to The Guardian, the number of residents evacuating is expected to compare to the 60,000 people that evacuated their homes before Cyclone Tracy in 1974. The current evacuation area for the bushfire, declared "leave zones," extends hundreds of kilometers.

In its evacuation declarations, the RFS has bluntly told citizens that they must respond quickly if they want to live.

"You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive," the RFS announced earlier this week. "The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave."

The warning language used in the Australian bushfire alerts is incredibly dire: "You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive." pic.twitter.com/FGeoPGi9ws  Jon Passantino (@passantino) December 31, 2019

Later in the statement, the service listed last resort options if residents are unable to get indoors. One of those options included getting into a large body of water.

On Tuesday morning, around 4,000 people in the coastal town of Mallacoota were forced to take that last resort and evacuated to the ocean. Heavy winds rushed the deadly flames into the town and forced residents to get into boats in order to survive.

Local fire chief Steve Warrington told the BBC that the whole town of evacuees gave a loud cheer when the winds changed direction and took the fire away from the town.

Thousands of people in Australia are forced to flee their homes with many taking refuge on beaches as wildfires block their escape routes, prompting authorities to request urgent additional assistance from the military.pic.twitter.com/F9ygsisUla  Alex Salvi (@alexsalvinews) December 31, 2019

In response to the mass evacuations and need for help around Victoria, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Defence Minister Linda Reynolds agreed to send military aid to provide humanitarian assistance and carry out evacuations in the coming days.

Multiple Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and Navy vessels have been sent to Victoria and New South Wales for aid. The aircraft will be used for firefighting efforts as well.

A 175-meter naval military supply ship has also been commissioned to help deliver the 4,000 evacuated residents from the Mallacoota Beach. Victorian police have also been using boats to bring supplies to those isolated in the town.

Andrews and other officials are hoping that the utilization of the state of emergency spurs people to act while they still can.

"Essentially, this declaration is the first time these powers have been used because we face unprecedented risk to life and property in coming days," Andrews said. "The fires are unprecedented in their size, their scale and the risk they pose to so many people right across affected communities... If you can leave, you must leave - if you don't, we simply cannot guarantee your safety."
No war crime in history is as accessible. Type Collateral Murder into the search engine and you sit behind the gun-sight camera of an Apache gunship circling a Baghdad street. US soldiers chirp merrily to one another as they pick their victims and punch bullets into 12 unarmed civilians. They include a wounded man lying in the gutter.

Were Japanese troops as jocose bayonetting Australian prisoners at Sandakan? Or Serbs slaughtering Bosnians? Come on, let us shoot, urges one impatient wag, and got instant authorisation over the radio. The Pentagon, however, is not investigating, let alone prosecuting. The fog of war, shrugged former secretary of defence Robert Gates.

The only prosecution is of the Australian who exposed it. His extradition fight starts in a London court next month and could drag on through appeals for a year.

As foreign minister I explained that the dispute between Sweden and Assange was something in which Canberra had no standing. His supporters did not like to hear that. Yes, he was rash to flee to the Ecuadorean embassy. For the sake of argument lets accept every criticism ever made. Think only of the echoing precedent if the US succeeds in extraditing him from the UK to be put on trial in Virginia.
Dont let hindsight be 2020. While others are enjoying the holidays and a well-deserved break, Nevada businesses should check their lists twice to make sure they are compliant with a host of new laws going into effect in Nevada on January 1, 2020.

Here are some new laws to be aware of:

Pre-Employment Marijuana Drug Screening  AB 132

With certain exceptions, Nevada employers, will be prohibited from refusing to hire prospective employees based on results of a pre-employment marijuana screening. In addition, new hires subjected to a drug test within the first 30 days of employment have the right to submit an additional screening test, at their own expense, to rebut the positive results of an initial screening.

This new law is intended to fill the gap in certain employment practices created by Nevadas legalization of marijuana for recreational and medical use not previously addressed under Nevada law.

However, several provisions of this law remain unclear. For example, under the new law, in the determination of the employer, [positive indication of marijuana use] could adversely affect the safety of others. Similarly, the law provides that Nevada employers shall accept and give appropriate considerations to the results of a secondary test where the employee submits a second screening at their expense. These two broadly-worded provisions suggest that there will be further clarificationthrough the courts or the Nevada Legislaturein the future.

To comply with this new law, Nevada employers should consider reviewing the following: drug testing policies; pre-employment procedures; employment contracts; and job classifications. Nevada employers should also consider training human resources personnel to adapt to these new requirements.

Paid Leave  SB 312

Nevada private sector employers with 50 or more employees are now required to provide their employees with up to 40 hours of paid leave per benefit year. Employers subjected to this requirement must now provide each employee with at least 0.01923 hours of paid leave for each hour of work performed in a benefit year, defined as a 365-day period. In easier terms, this statutory formula equates to 40 hours of paid leave for an employee who works 40 hours a week for a full year.

Originally coined the sick leave bill, the law, as enrolled, allows employees to take paid leave without providing a reason for their leave, as long as employees provide their employer with notice of intent to use their paid leave as soon as practicable. Under the new paid leave law, effective January 1, 2020, employers are permitted to require employees using paid leave to use at least 4 hours of their accrued time. Employers are also prohibited from retaliating against employees who use their paid leave.

Private employers with more than 50 employees should take immediate action to ensure compliance. First, employers should determine their preferred accrual of paid leave (frontloading vs. accrual method). Next, employers should ensure that they maintain adequate records of accrued and used paid leave. Finally, employers should determine best practices for paying out unused paid leave upon separation of employment.

Employers with questions regarding implementation should review the Nevada Labor Commissioners advisory opinion for more information.

Empowering the Nevada Equal Rights Commission  SB 166

Nevadas employment discrimination laws are facing substantial changes in the new year. Under current law, the Nevada Equal Rights Commission has the ability to order an employer engaging in unlawful discriminatory practices to cease and desist and/or restore all benefits and rights of the complainant including, but not limited to, rehiring, back pay, leave, other fringe benefits and seniority with interest. The new 2020 law enables the Commission to do the following:

Award up to two years of back pay that would have been earned by an employee if their employer is found to have discriminated on the basis of sex; and

Assess a civil fine on employers of 50 or more employees who have willfully engaged in an unlawful employment practice.

Importantly, employers who have been assessed fines by the Commission have 30 days from the date of service of the order issued imposing such fines to take corrective action before the fine is imposed.

Employers should consider reviewing their employment practices to ensure they are compliant with both Nevada and federal employment discrimination laws.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration Registry  AB 290

This law requires the Division of Industrial Relations, Department of Business and Industry, to create a public Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) online registry to track whether construction workers, supervisors, and other employees have completed required OSHA safety and health hazard courses and to also track those who are authorized to offer the training courses. The Division must publish the list of those who have completed the required courses, so employers can verify completion.

This innovative, proactive approach should benefit employers and employees. Employers will be able to verify that their employees have completed mandatory training beginning Jan. 1. Employees may benefit from increased safety that should result from preventing bad actors from obtaining fraudulent OSHA cards.

While this law is relatively straightforward, there are gaps in the law that will make verifying whether certain employees have completed the required coursework difficult. For instance, employees who completed coursework prior to Jan. 1, as well as those who completed and/or will complete OSHA training in other states, will not be included on the registry for now. Employers should be mindful of these exceptions when reviewing whether employees are compliant under Nevada law.

Minimum Wage Health Benefit Standard  SB 192

The Constitution of the State of Nevada contains a two-tiered minimum wage based on whether an employer offers qualifying health benefits to its employees. Under the current minimum wage laws, employers offering qualifying health benefits can pay a minimum wage of $7.25, while those not offering qualifying health benefits must pay a minimum wage of $8.25. SB 192 defines the following health benefits which must be included in a benefits package to qualify for paying employees the lower-tier minimum wage:

Ambulatory patient services

Emergency services

Hospitalization

Maternity and newborn care

Mental health and substance use disorder services, including, without limitation, behavioral health treatment

Prescription drugs

Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices

Laboratory services

Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management

Pediatric services, which are not required to include oral and vision care and

Any other health care service or coverage level required to be included in an individual or group health benefit plan pursuant to any applicable provision of title 57 of NRS, which includes the substantive requirements of NRS  689A and 689B.

In addition, the level of coverage provided must be either (1) equivalent to 60% of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan, or (2) employers may also offer Taft-Hartley Trust Funds formed pursuant to 29 U.S.C.  186(c)(5), qualifying as an employee welfare benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. or the Internal Revenue Code.

Employers should consider taking several affirmative steps to ensure compliance by doing the following: (1) review offered health insurance benefits; (2) review minimum wage rates paid to employees; (3) update payroll procedures; and (4) review the rising minimum wage under Assembly Bill 456, effective July 1, 2020.

While AB 456raising Nevadas minimum wages over the next four yearsdoes not go into effect until July 1, employers reviewing their compliance under SB 192 should consider doubling-down by projecting how their payroll will be altered in the near future as follows:

Apprenticeship Requirements  SB 207

The Apprenticeship Utilization Act, enacted by SB 207, creates new apprenticeship requirements for contractors bidding on Nevada public works for projects over $1 million. Contractors and subcontractors engaged in vertical construction on these projects must use at least one apprentice for 10% of the total labor hours worked for each craft when more than three workers are employed in that type of labor. Similarly, contractors and subcontractors must use at least one apprentice for 3% of total hours of labor worked for each craft when more than three workers are employed in that type of labor.

These requirements are just the tip of the iceberg. The Nevada Legislature granted further powers to the Labor Commissioner to increase these percentages starting in January 1, 2021, by not more than 2%.

While this is not an exhaustive explanation of the Apprenticeship Utilization Act, contractors and subcontractors should be sure to review all exceptions, procedures and contract requirements under the Act.

Transferable Tax Credits for Affordable Housing  SB 448

According to the Nevada Housing Coalition, Nevada has an affordable housing shortage. By some metrics, Nevada is among the worst states for affordability due, in part, to rising housing costs. One potential solution goes into effect on Jan. 1: SB 448.

SB 448 is a four-year pilot program providing $10 million in tax credits for each fiscal year for the development, acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, reconstruction or rehabilitation of low-income housing to qualified project sponsors. The transferable credits may be applied to the modified business tax, gross gaming tax or insurance premium tax (or any combination thereof).

These tax credits are intended to encourage development and rehabilitation of affordable housing to overcome the shortage in Nevadas markets. Those seeking to take advantage of these credits should consider speaking to experts regarding regulatory requirements and how to apply the tax credits moving forward.

Call Center Relocation Notification  AB 271

Specific Nevada businesses seeking to relocate Nevada-based call centers to a foreign country will now be subject to new notice requirements. The affected businesses are those that employ 50 or more call center employees that intend to move 30% or more of their total call center operating volume.

Businesses in this category that have received any incentive from a state agency for economic development, including any grant, loan, tax credit, or abatement within the previous 10 years, must provide notice and additional information to the Nevada Labor Commissioner, and to the employees who will be displaced due to relocation, no later than 90 days prior to relocation. Businesses that have not received those incentives, but that still fall within the 50/30 designation, will be subject to a 60-day notice requirement.

Businesses that fail to provide the notice required by this new law are subject to civil penalties. Further, businesses that relocate their Nevada-based call centers to foreign countries will be ineligible to receive economic incentives from Nevada or its agencies for five years following the date of notice of relocation. While there are certain exceptions to this rule, businesses should consider this restriction as part of their overall business strategy when contemplating outsourcing Nevada call centers.

Campaign Finance Reform  SB 557

Candidates for public office and those who support them are subject to three new laws starting Jan. 1. First, candidates and public officers are prohibited from spending campaign contributions for personal use, which is defined as a commitment, obligation or expense . . . that would exist irrespective of a campaign or duties in public office. Second, candidates and public officers are now prohibited from paying themselves a salary from campaign contributions.

Third, in an effort to increase transparency, organizations that contribute $10,000 or more, in aggregate, during the course of an election cycle, are now subject to reporting requirements. Specifically, the Legislature defined organizations as any form of business or social organization and any nongovernmental legal entity including a corporation, partnership, association, trust, unincorporated organization, labor union, committee for political action, political party and committed sponsored by a political party.

Candidates, public officers, and organizations that support these individuals through campaign contributions should be mindful of these requirements as we enter an election year.

Go into the new year with a sense of perfect vision by making sure you and your business management understand the complexity of new laws going into effect on Jan. 1. While this article is intended to highlight several important laws affecting Nevada businesses, they are not comprehensive details regarding each new law. Businesses should take care to remain compliant to ensure that 2020 is their best year yet.

This article was originally published on Dec. 26, 2019, on the Snell & Wilmer website. Edelblute is an associate in the Las Vegas law offices of Snell & Wilmer. He focuses his practice in complex commercial litigation. Phone: (702) 784-5353; email: dedelblute@swlaw.com.

Topics Legislation Workers' Compensation Cannabis Training Development Contractors Nevada Drugs
When he saw the footage of Morrisons reception in Cobargo, English broadcaster Piers Morgan, normally a reliable friend to populist conservatives, tweeted he got what he deserved ... absolutely unconscionable for a Prime Minister to holiday in Hawaii as his nation burns. By now, NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott, at the time of writing still declining to take calls as he returns from a European jaunt that began after the deaths of NSW volunteer firefighters, must feel some relief that he has no international profile. Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit: In truth though, the world began to pay attention to the Australian conflagrations and its climate change recalcitrance even before the excruciating footage of Morrisons visits to firegrounds leaked over the wires. On New Years Eve, New York Magazine published a piece about lamenting the global response to the fires that likened Morrison to Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro in embodying climate change denial. Two days later, The Economist noted Morrisons lethargic approach to climate change. On December 23, Al Jazeera reported: "Australia's government is resisting growing calls for a more ambitious response to climate change, even as the country battles devastating bushfires triggered by record temperatures that have sent air pollution to critical levels."

Loading It noted that Australia releases 1.3 per cent of the world's greenhouse gases ... its population accounts for 0.3 per cent of the world's inhabitants. In a feature published just after Christmas, The Washington Post charted the terrible damage already wrought upon Australias environment by climate change. On land, Australia's rising heat is apocalyptic'. In the ocean its worse, read the headline. It recounted how flying foxes and possums were falling dead out of trees in heat waves, how the giant kelp forests of Tasmania had already been obliterated. This is happening even though average atmospheric temperatures in Australia have yet to increase by 2 degrees Celsius, it reported. Australia also captured global attention during the most recent United Nations climate change talks in Madrid in early December, known as COP25, which were widely seen as a dismal failure in the face of existential global threat. In this international ring, Australia punched well above its weight, identified as one of the nations most responsible for wrecking any chance of securing a meaningful outcome alongside giants like Brazil and the United States.

In a piece entitled The winners were the brakemen, Die Welt explained to German readers how Australia had insisted on double-counting old emissions cuts to meet new commitments. "Countries such as Australia, Brazil and the USA have blocked and delayed the UN climate protection process in Madrid. The growing will in many countries to stop global warming with decisive action could not prevail here because of the unanimity principle, Michael Schafer, head of Climate and Energy at the environmental organisation WWF Germany, told German broadcaster Welt. Reimund Schwarze, environmental economist at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, spoke of the talks as a "long tragedy". Prime Minister Scott Morrison's approach to climate change has been called lethargic. Credit:AAP Australia played its part in this failure with proposals that would have rendered any agreement practically useless, wrote James Dyke of the University of Exeter in The Independent newspaper. But its continual production of coal is more destabilising. It's no surprise that coal mining corporations want to continue coal mining. But the fact that certain Australian political parties and sections of the media strongly promote coal should be a source of immense shame. The greatest gift they could give to Australians and the rest of the world would be to radically rethink their ideological attachment to this fossil fuel.

The diplomatic cost of Australias determination to defend its coal industry in the face global efforts to cut greenhouse emissions is significant, broad and so far incalculable, says Herve Lemahieu, the director of the Lowy Institute's Asian Power and Diplomacy Program, an ongoing project that measures shifting national power dynamics across our region. Speaking from London, he said that as a result of coverage of Australias performance in Madrid and of the bushfires Australia is now seen in a different, darker light across Europe. Where once it existed in the popular imagination as a place of almost pristine natural beauty, it is now viewed as the Western nation most ravaged by climate change. Its reputation as a global citizen has been irrevocably tarnished. NSW RFS firefighters work through the night. Credit:Kate Geraghty The global media has made a link between Australias protection of its coal industry and its climate policy. The cat is out of the bag, says Lemahieu. The impact of this new understanding of Australia will not only damage our effectiveness in future climate negotiations, it will hurt all Australian diplomatic efforts, he says.

Loading Australia is currently negotiating a free trade agreement with the EU, he explains. That will have to be ratified by the EU parliament and by some EU nations. Support for [a free trade agreement with Australia] is going to face a democratic test among populations that have made that link. Tim Buckley, the director of Energy Finance Studies at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, says his frustration at the governments intransigent defence of increasingly technologically obsolete thermal coal (coal burnt for energy rather than steel manufacturing) at the cost of effective climate change policy and international reputation is compounded by his view that the industry has commenced its drawn-out death throes, sustained by political muscle rather than economic reality. Coal power's defenders point to a recent uptick in imports to China and India and the long-term potential of customers such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam. Buckley concedes China and India will continue to buy Australian coal in the short term as they seek to maintain economic growth at up to 6 or 7 per cent annually. But both have made clear their intention to first transition to domestic coal as fast as they can build the necessary infrastructure while concurrently decarbonising their economies in line with the rest of the world. A Bloomberg analysis published on December 23 predicted misery for Australian coal exporters as China cut imports.

Loading He says the coal-fired power generation of those other nations mentioned as long-term customers is wholly dependent on subsidies from nations financing and constructing their coal sectors  mainly China, South Korea and Japan. Both South Korea and Japan, he says, are already showing signs that they want to abandon the sector. Buckley argues that the thermal coal industrys tipping point has already passed, missed by its champions in Morrisons government but already factored in by global money markets. US coal stocks dropped an average 50 per cent in 2019 while Exxon remained flat in a US equity market that rose 28 per cent overall, meanwhile the share price of the worlds largest investor in renewables, the US utility Nextera Energy, leapt by 42 per cent. Banks and insurers around the world  among them ANZ, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs  are increasing restrictions on their dealings with thermal coal and coal-fired power generation operations. Divestment from fossil fuel is being turbo-charged by the rise of institutional shareholder activism. The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change now has a combined $24 trillion in assets under management, and is developing a practical and useable framework for investors to be able to understand what it would mean for a pension fund to align with the goals of the Paris Agreement. In other words, it is developing a practical guide for its members to use in dumping coal.

Loading Later this month, Morrison had planned to India in order to help sell more coal. That trip might now not go ahead. Buckley reckons he would have received a polite welcome, not least because India is keen on Australian LNG. He might have even helped sell more coal for a few more years. But it would be delusional, says Buckley, to believe that Australia will get to choose how and when it transitions from coal. The rest of the world will make that decision for us, and it could do so suddenly. Tipping points can be easy to miss in financial markets, says Buckley. In part, this is because they are by nature sudden and dramatic. In part, it is because it is so tempting to keep basing forecasts on historical trends. You can get away with that for years, he says, until it makes you look like a fool.
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has said those calling for his resignation are only desirous of his achievements.

Mr Oshiomhole has been faulted by some of his partys loyalists for his leadership style, which they believe is responsible for the persistent crisis within the party.

One of the highlights of his conflicts is the feud with his successor, the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, which has created factions within the partys state chapter.

Mr Obaseki ascribed the cause of the feud to his refusal of his predecessors godfatherism objectives in his government.

This and other underlying reasons are heralding the momentum call for Mr Oshiomholes resignation as the party prepares for the 2023 General Elections and the exit of President Muhammadu Buhari from office.

However, the party chairman on Thursday, after the presentation of 2020 card to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, told journalists that those clamouring for his resignation are envious of the achievement recorded since his emergence as party chairman.

Its a tree that bears fruits that attracts stone. You hardly see people throwing stone at a dry palm tree. But if you see a mango tree when it is its season, people throw stones at it when passing. I think that is my lot but my report card is also very clear. You, my comrades (media), should also help in interrogating the process (of) how the performance of a National Working Committee of a political party should be evaluated. I think the evaluation should start mostly (by) how many elections did you lose, or lost? he said.

Mr Oshiomhole recounted Mr Buharis victory at the last presidential election and recent states election victories as parts of his leadership achievements, skipping states like Bauchi, Oyo, Sokoto where the party lost out to the main opposition, PDP.

We the executive members of the party were sworn in on the 3rd of June 2018, at about 6 pm. Two weeks later, we went to Ekiti to contest the election against a PDP incumbent, governor Fayose, and we won. And Kayode Fayemi today is the governor of that state. Few months later, we went to Osun State, we contested a by-election, we won and we had the Osun State governor elected for his first term.

Then we went for the national elections, you know all the tension in the country at the time. The gap between President Buhari and the former candidate of the PDP Abubakar Atiku was about four million voters. The one between President Buhari and former President Jonathan in 2015 was about three million. So, under my leadership, this President has more votes than the first runner-up, we would like to claim credit for that because if it went the other way, we would be crucified.

We mobilised and worked round so that even with secret ballots, senators Ahmed Lawan and Ovie Omo-Agege emerged as president and deputy while in the senate and in the House of Representatives Hon Femi Gbajabiamila and Wase emerged also as speaker and deputy respectively, all the preferred candidates.

Mr Oshiomhole recounted this as one of the failures of his predecessor, Odigie Oyegun, under whose tenure the PDP secured the Deputy Senate even when the APC had clear majority in the house.

He also expressed the possibility of the partys continuance in its current crisis but promised to ensure that we take into account all the mistakes we made in 2019 so that in 2020 APC will be stronger, more coherent, more peaceful.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 3, 2020 15:26 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320bbd30 1 City East-Jakarta,generator-set,accident,poisoning Free

A family of four in Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta, were found dead in a possible case of carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable generator in their bedroom in the early hours of Friday. They were found in bed bleeding from their noses and with redness on their bodies.

The victims, identified as Mahmudi, 35, Ayu Maryana Oktavia, 29, Selvia Audy Pratiwi, 9, and Maheza Kurniawan, 5, were found by the police at 1 a.m. on Friday.

"Our temporary assertion is that the victims died of poisoning from a generator," East Jakarta Police crime unit head Sr. Adj. Comr. Hery Purnomo said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Hery quoted a witness, Mahmudi's relative, who said the victims had carried out their normal activities on Thursday morning.

"At the time, their generator was on because there was a blackout at their house," he said.

When the relative returned later that day at 1 p.m. to bring food to the family, he said the generator had been turned off.

He went to the house again at 11 p.m. that day to bring food only to find out later that the four of them had died, so he reported the case to the Pulo Gadung Police.

Hery said the victims' bodies were also swollen but there were no indications of violence. The police had sent the bodies to Sukamto National Police Hospital, East Jakarta, for autopsy, he added. (ars)
BJ's Alabama BBQ | Photo: Bill B./Yelp

Need more barbecue in your life?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable barbecue sources in Tampa, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture when cravings strike.

1. BJ's Alabama BBQ

photo: bill b./yelp

Topping the list is BJ's Alabama BBQ. Located at 3423 S. Dale Mabry Highway in Virginia Park, the spot to score barbecue and more is the highest-rated inexpensive barbecue spot in Tampa, boasting 4.5 stars out of 125 reviews on Yelp.

Curious to know more about the business? Owner April Moreno explains "my father's restaurant, Big John's Alabama BBQ, inspired me to continue the family tradition," per the bio section of the business's Yelp profile. This spot offers barbecue chicken and rib, pulled pork and smoked sausage. Try the two-meat platter with your choice of meats and sides like collard greens and potato salad plus white bread.

2. Sarge's Smokehouse Bbq

photo: ingrid b./yelp

Next up is North Hyde Park's Sarge's Smokehouse Bbq, situated at 1500 W. Cass St. With 4.5 stars out of 50 reviews on Yelp, the food truck and smokehouse, which offers barbecue and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option.

Brandie M, who reviewed Sarge's Smokehouse Bbq on Nov. 19, noted, "The barbecue here tends to lean towards the sweet versus the savory. It's all delicious! The baked beans are rather unique with chunks of meat, a variety of beans and pineapple. Trust me, it really works. I've tried the pork, chicken and brisket."

3. Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Q

photo: john s./yelp

Northeast's Big John's Alabama Bar-B-Q, located at 5707 N. 40th St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap spot to score barbecue and more four stars out of 92 reviews.

Yelper Bob N. wrote, "There is no better place for barbecue in Tampa, and I have tried a lot. The open-pit grill, paired with Big John's signature sauce, is guaranteed to leave your hands finger-licking delicious."

Story continues

Try the sweet potato pie and pound cake for dessert.

4. Ice Cream's Delicious Turkey Legs & BBQ

Ice Cream's Delicious Turkey Legs & BBQ, a food truck that offers barbecue and more in East Tampa, is another much-loved, affordable go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 14 Yelp reviews. Head over to 5112 N. 22nd St. to see for yourself.

Yelper Brett N. wrote, "I finally tried the turkey legs. I love the ribs so much here that it was tough to stray from them. But I was in the mood for a turkey leg, so I went for it! This truck is one of the best kept secrets in Tampa Bay."

5. Georgia Boy Bbq

Photo: lindsay c./Yelp

Over in Ybor City, check out Georgia Boy Bbq, which has earned four stars out of 17 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the food truck, which offers barbecue and more, by heading over to 898 E. Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.

Yelper Janet Z., who reviewed Georgia Boy Bbq on Nov. 11 wrote, "Best barbecue I have had a in a long time! Great smoky flavor, tart mustard sauce."

Try the ribs and chicken smothered with tangy barbecue sauce with baked beans and mac and cheese on the side.

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.
EAST WINDSOR, Conn.  The Mohegans and Mashantucket Pequots once said Tribal Winds, envisioned as a competitor to the MGM Springfield casino, could be open in 2020.

Now 2020 is here, but the Tribal Winds location  the former Showcase Cinema off Interstate 91, 13 miles south of Springfield  is still a vacant lot.

The theater was demolished beginning with a civic ceremony in 2018 replete with commemorative gold-painted sledgehammers. But there seems to have been little public activity on the $300 million to $400 million project since then. Its Facebook page hasnt been updated in 11 months.

The only action appears to be in federal court, where MGM Resorts International is trying to overturn an approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior for the tribes to establish the casino on land that isnt part of their reservations.

I havent heard from them in quite some time, said Jason Bowsza, the newly elected first selectman for the town of East Windsor. Its certainly interesting from my perspective. I took office six weeks ago and have not heard from them. In the run up to acquisition and demolition we heard regularly.

Bowsza said the town and its legislative delegation in the Connecticut Statehouse have tried to set up meetings.

Andrew Doba, a spokesman employed by the tribes through their partnership, MMCT Venture LLC, responded to questions from The Republican with a written statement.

We continue to make progress on Tribal Winds, including working with the state and federal government to get MGMs latest round of litigation dismissed, Doba wrote. We look forward to working with state leaders as we continue our effort to preserve Connecticut jobs and revenue.

This April 2018 photo shows the proposed site of Tribal Winds casino in East Windsor. Nothing's been done to the site except the demolition shown here (Jim Kinney/ The Republican)

The tribes have said Tribal Winds will support 5,000 jobs from the start of construction through the grand opening, with at least 2,000 jobs for the building trades during construction and 2,000 permanent jobs at the facility once its operational. The casino is also expected to support 1,000 indirect jobs at small business vendors, according to the tribes.

The East Windsor casino would total about 100,000 square feet of space. MGM Springfields gambling floor alone totals 125,000 square feet, making it bigger than the whole of Tribal Winds.

The administration of President Donald J. Trump and his then-Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke initially refused to give Tribal Winds the go-ahead  under pressure, the tribes claimed, from Nevada Republican lawmakers and from MGM. Permission was granted in March 2019 under threat of litigation and with a federal grand jury probing the matter.

MGM fought back, challenging the decision in federal court in Washington. The state of Connecticut and the tribes are now trying to stop the lawsuit.

Bridgeport is also trying to lure a casino, fostering competing proposals, including one from MGM.

All this is happening while the casino market in southern New England is showing signs of being oversaturated.

Revenues are down at the tribes existing casinos in southeastern Connecticut. Mohegan Suns net revenue for its most recent fiscal year were $992 million, down about 7% from the nearly $1.1 billion it took in the previous fiscal year. Net revenue at Foxwoods Resort Casino were $787.8 million, down 5% from $828.9 million in fiscal 2018.

MGM Springfield brought in less than two-thirds of the $418 million in gross gambling revenue executives told the state the casino would generate during its first year. The casinos gross gambling revenue was $273.8 million from its opening on Aug. 24, 2018, through the end of August 2019.

MGM Springfield reported$19.94 million in gross gambling revenue in November, its second worst month on record.

Encore Boston Harbor reported $47.3 million in gross gambling revenue in November. Only October, when it collected $45.8 million, was worse.
New Delhi: The number of infant deaths in Kota has risen to 106, as two more children were reported to have died on Friday (January 3). One child died in the morning and the other died after the visit of Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma.

Speaking to reporters Sharma said that the hospital lacked funds and other facilities, and assured that the government will sanction more money to the hospital administration soon. "Arrangements for a centralised oxygen system, ventilator and nebulisers will be made available to the hospital by January 15. The hospital administration has sufficient funds. If more money is required, it will be sanctioned by the state government," he said.

Even as the number of death has risen significantly, the state authorities have reported that the number of deaths is low in comparison to earlier years. As per the statistics quoted by the state authorities 963 children have died in the year 2019 at J.K. Lon government hospital while this figure was above 1,000 in the preceding years. The incident has brought to the fore the severe lack of infrastructure in the state-run hospitals. From shortages of beds to insufficient funds have been some of the reasons behind the tragic incident.

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The Ashok Gehlot-led government has come under heavy criticism from all quarters following the death of infants at the hospital in Kota. CM Gehlot admitted to "some drawbacks" at the government-run hospitals but also claimed that if informed about the problems the government "will work on it". He said, "You will definitely find some drawbacks when you`ll visit any hospital across the country. I believe that if and when we`ll be informed about any lack of facility inside a hospital we will work towards it."

He assured that his government was working on reducing the infant mortality rate and requested that the matter should not be politicized. "It is extremely saddening even if one infant dies. We want that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) should be reduced in Rajasthan. This issue should not be politicized," he said.

While the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to Rajasthan's Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report about the steps being taken to tackle the problem. NHRC took a suo moto cognizance of the media reports on infant deaths in Kota and asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that such incidents do not recur due to lack of infrastructure and health facilities at hospitals.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed Rajasthan CM telling him to pay more attention to the infant death issue in his state rather than spending his time opposing CAA. "Gehlot ji, instead of opposing this (Citizenship Amendment Act) first focus on the children who are dying in Kota every day, show some concern, mothers are cursing you," he said.

Union Minister Smriti Irani too slammed CM Gehlot and questioned why no attention was paid by the state government on time. "It (Kota infant deaths) hints at the fact that even after continuous deaths of children, no attention was paid by the Rajasthan govt towards it. The govt needs to answer whom would they penalise for this?," news agency ANI quoted Smriti Irani as saying.

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati called Gehlot's handling of the incident as his incompetence and said it was shameful and condemnable the way Gehlot is politicising the issue.

Meanwhile, demonstrations were held outside the JK Lon Hospital to protest against the deaths of more than 100 infants. Rajesh Kumar, Additional Superintendent of Police in Kota said few demonstrators were detained as a precautionary measure to maintain the law and order situation in the area.
I ranian leaders have promised harsh retaliation against the US for the killing of its top general Qasem Soleimani early on Friday morning.

The killing of Gen Soleimani in a US-backed airstrike near Baghdad's airport marks a major escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif calling the killing "an act of international terrorism".

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting for the US after the air strike, calling Gen Soleimani the international face of resistance.

If Iran does decide to follow through on his pledges of retaliation, it can call upon heavily armed allies across the Middle East that are within easy striking distance of US forces and American allies.

Gen Soleimani enjoyed the fierce loyalty of tens of thousands of fighters in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and the Gaza Strip after developing the network over nearly two decades.

These groups all received aid, arms and training from Iran, which has used them in the past to strike enemies in the region and could mobilise them again in the future.

Here is a look at Tehrans allies in the Middle East.

US kills Irans most senior general in Baghdad air strike

Iraq militias

Iran has trained, financed and equipped Shiite militias in Iraq that battled US forces in the years after the 2003 invasion, and then remobilised to battle so-called Islamic State (IS) a decade later.

The groups include Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kataeb Hezbollah and the Badr Organisation, with all three groups led by men with close ties to Gen Soleimani.

The leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was killed in the strike that felled Gen Soleimani. The US blamed his group for a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base recently that killed a US contractor. It responded with airstrikes over the weekend that killed 25 of his fighters.

The militias fall under the umbrella of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a collection of mostly Shiite militias that were incorporated into the countrys armed forces in 2016. Together they number more than 140,000 fighters, and while they fall under the authority of Iraqs prime minister, the PMFs top brass are politically aligned with Iran.

US forces and the PMF fought side-by-side against IS militants after Iraqs parliament invited the US back into the country in 2014. But in recent months, militia leaders have called on US troops to leave again, threatening to expel them by force if necessary.

Hezbollah

'US is in a state of war with Iran' Brett McGurk has warned

The militia, whose Arabic name translates into Party of God, was established by Irans Revolutionary Guard during Lebanons civil war in the 1980s. Today it is among the most effective armed groups in the region, extending Irans influence to Israels doorstep.

Hezbollah was formed to combat Israel following its invasion of Lebanon in 1982. It waged an 18-year guerrilla war against Israeli forces, eventually forcing them to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000. Six years later, it battled Israel to a bloody stalemate in a month-long war.

Today, the group has an arsenal of tens of thousands of rockets and missiles that can reach deep into Israel, as well as thousands of highly disciplined and battle-hardened fighters. Hezbollah has fought alongside government forces in Syria for more than six years, gaining even more battlefield experience and expanding its reach.

At home, the groups power exceeds that of the Lebanese armed forces, and it is part of a political alliance that now leads the government and parliament.

Hezbollah has said it is not seeking another war with Israel, and it is not likely to join in any regional confrontation  at least not in the early stages  unless provoked. Hezbollah has lost hundreds of fighters in Syria, exacting a heavy toll on the Shiite community from which it draws most of its support.

Yemens Houthis

Yemens Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, swept down from the north and captured the capital Sanaa in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict on the side of the government the following year. The war has since killed tens of thousands of people and generated the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Arabia views the Houthis as an Iranian proxy, and along with Western nations and UN experts has accused Tehran of providing arms to the rebels, including the long-range missiles they have fired into Saudi Arabia. Iran supports the rebels but denies arming them.

The Houthis have given up little ground since the coalition entered the war, and have targeted the Saudi capital Riyadh with long-range missiles. Last year, they claimed a drone attack that shut down a major oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which responded with air strikes on Yemens rebel-held capital that killed civilians.

Gaza militants

Iran has long supported Palestinian militant groups, including Gazas Hamas rulers and particularly the smaller Islamic Jihad group.

Hamas fell out with Iran after the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, losing millions of dollars in monthly assistance, but Tehran is said to have continued its military support to Hamass armed wing.

Tensions have run high in Gaza since Israels targeted killing of an Islamic Jihad commander last month, which set off a brief two-day bout of fighting. Hamas, which has been negotiating a period of calm with Israel through Egyptian mediators, stayed on the sidelines.
Burma NLD Expands Ethnic Affairs Committee Ahead of Myanmar Election

State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visits Nyaung Shwe in southern Shan State in October 2019. / State Counselors Office / Facebook

YANGONIn an effort to improve its fragile relations with ethnic groups ahead of the upcoming general election, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party has expanded its recently formed Ethnic Affairs Committee to include members from each state and region in the Union.

The NLD announced the establishment of the partys new committee at a press conference on Sept. 22 after the NLD Central Executive Committee Congress in Yangon. The committee initially included only three members: Lower House lawmaker Nhtung Hka Naw Sam from Kachin State as chairman and Karen State Chief Minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint and Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu as committee members.

The NLD expanded the committee on Thursday to include 13 new members, nominated from each state and region, for a total of 15 members. Peace Commission Chairman Dr. Tin Myo Win was appointed as vice chair of the committee and replaced Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu. Karen State Chief Minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint was also appointed as a vice chair.

Committee head Nhtung Hka Naw Sam said that during the NLDs congress in September, Central Executive Committee members from states and regions suggested that the party should form a committee to focus on improving the partys work on ethnic affairs.

The Kachin lawmaker acknowledged that declining support for the NLD in ethnic areas and the partys failure to build healthy relationships with ethnic populations and their political parties were also among the reasons for establishing the committee.

He said that the committee will prioritize working ethnic issues and also work to promote ethnic literature, education and culture. The details of the committees work will be decided only after its first meeting, he added.

The partys decision to establish the Ethnic Affairs Committee was criticized by many ethnic politicians who saw the move as a political tactic to win ethnic votes, rather than a genuine attempt to address issues of importance to the countrys ethnic communities.

At the press conference in September, NLD Vice Chairman U Zaw Myint Maung also said that establishing the committee was part of a strategy for the 2020 general election.

We need to overcome the power of the ethnic parties, which are merging within [their respective] ethnic regions to compete in the upcoming election. We established this committee to recruit more ethnic people into our party and work on ethnic affairs, said U Zaw Myint Maung.

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Previous American administrations had resisted striking General Suleimani directly, either because of operational concerns or out of fear that killing him could destabilize the region further and lead to all-out war between the United States and Iran.

At least once, though, Israeli officials ran the possibility of attacking him up their command structure. That was in February 2008, while Israeli and American intelligence operatives were tracking Mr. Mugniyah, the Hezbollah commander, in the hopes of killing him, according to senior American and Israeli intelligence officials. Operatives spotted the Hezbollah commander talking with another man, who they quickly determined was Mr. Suleimani.

Excited by the possibility of killing two archenemies at once, the Israelis phoned senior government officials. But Prime Minister Ehud Olmert denied the request, as he had promised the Americans that only Mr. Mugniyah would be targeted in the operation.

Perhaps more than any other individual, General Suleimani was the foil for American plans in Iraq, which like Iran is predominantly Shiite.

After the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, Iranian militiamen and their Iraqi allies fought a clandestine war against American troops, launching rockets at bases and attacking convoys. The militias also played a large part in inflaming sectarian tensions that led to Iraqs civil war in 2006 and 2007 between Shiites and Sunnis, leading President George W. Bush to order a troop surge there.

General Suleimani and other leaders of his generation were shaped by the brutal war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s, a conflict so cruel, with trench warfare and chemical weapons, that some compared it to the devastation of World War I. Nearly a million people died on both sides, and General Suleimani spent much of that war on the front lines.
Five years after rapper Christ Bearer cut off his penis and jumped out of a window during a drug-fueled party, the Wu-Tang Clan-associated emcee is now a newlywed.

The 46-year-old performer, whose real name is Andre Johnson, shared with TMZ this week that he tied the knot with his girlfriend, Cheryl, on December 30 in an intimate ceremony.

Photos from the joyous occasion show Johnson, sporting in a dark suit and a button -down shirt with no tie, exchanging rings with his blushing bride dressed in a cocktail-length white frock beneath a white arbor decorated with tulle and greenery.

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Wedding bliss: Rapper Christ Bearer, 46, who cut off his manhood in 2014, is pictured with his new wife, Cheryl, before their December 30 nuptials

Johnson, 46, boasted that he did just fine on his wedding night, despite doctors' failure to reattach her severed sex organ five years ago

The outspoken rapper boasted to the gossip site that despite his self-inflicted mutilation in April 2014, he performed well on his wedding night.

Johnson revealed in previous interviews that doctors were unable to reattach his severed genitals, but claimed that he still has 'some penis left.'

'I always say a penis is a penis,' Johnson, who has three children from past relationships, told the New York Daily News just months after his accident. 'I definitely still get extremely aroused if I see a beautiful woman.'

The new husband said that he and his wife have known each for many years but only started dating six months ago.

Johnson has his own self-named clothing and accessories brand, and he is currently working on a new album.

In a 2015 interview with the celebrity news site VladTV, Johnson explained that a toxic combination of PCP, meth, Molly, alcohol, lack of sleep and depression stemming from child custody issues drove him to take a steak knife to his genitals during what he described as a 'PCP party' in a North Hollywood apartment on the night of April 16, 2014.

Johnson explained that he became upset that the three mothers of his children had taken out restraining orders against him and stopped answering his phone calls.

'I was high as a mother****ing man, with no sleep and just frustrated 'cause I could not talk to my babies,' he said in the rambling 30-minute interview.

'And I'm paying like three child support payments and I'm seeing none of my kids, and I really thought for that moment in time that I really hurt myself by not having a vasectomy or whatnot.

'I was going to give myself one.'

Mr Johnson said that before that fateful night, he had been reading about monks who castrated themselves and became inspired by them.

Describing his state of mind in the moment, Johnson said he felt like he was in a 'cartoon world' as he sat in his manager's North Hollywood apartment high on a cocktail of drugs and watching the animated series Family Guy and American Dad.

That is when he grabbed what has been described as a steak knife and proceeded to mutilate himself. But Johnson rushed to misspell rumors that he cut off his entire penis.

In a 2015 interview with VladTV, Johnson said he was high on PCP and depressed because he had been banned from seeing his children when he took a knife to his penis

'Due to the fact that it's not a myth, the black man do - I'm not really going to go into it too much - we hangin', so I'm still able to work with what I'm able to work with, and get it down,' he reassured the host.

The intoxicated emcee realized he 'made a flooper', as he put it, when he looked down and saw his mangled privates gushing blood 'like a water hose', he recalled.

Feeling certain that he was going to die because he 'cut off too much', Johnson said, he decided to jump from the second floor. He emphasized that it was not a suicide attempt.

'How I jumped was just so heroic,' the rapper boasted. 'I supermanned out that motherf*****.'

Luckily for him, Johnson landed on a patch of grass, missing the concrete pavement by a couple of inches.

Johnson at the time said that even though losing such an important part of himself still brings tears to his eyes, usually they are 'happy tears' because he is proud of what he did.

Johnson was a member of the rap group Northstar, whose critically acclaimed 2004 debut was produced by legendary Wu-Tang member RZA.
A demonstrator holds a picture of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, during protest against the killing of Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who were killed in an air strike in Baghdad airport, in Tehran, Iran on Jan. 3, 2020. (WANA/Nazanin Tabatabaee via Reuters)

Iran Appoints Esmail Qaani as Commander, Succeeding General Killed in Air Strike

Brigadier General Esmail Qaani was appointed the new commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force after the United States killed Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq.

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Qaani less than 12 hours after Soleimani was killed, reported Radio Farda. Khamenei said in a decree that the new commander is one of the most distinguished Revolutionary Guard commanders.

The orders for the (Quds) force remain exactly as they were during the leadership of martyr Soleimani, Khamenei said in the decree. I call on the members of the force to be present and cooperate with General Qaani and wish him divine prosperity, acceptance, and guidance.

Qaani, a top aide to Soleimani, fought in the Iran-Iraq war and was an intelligence official in the corps.

Hes known for his hardline stance against Israel and played a key role in Irans involvement in the Syrian civil war, Radio Farda reported. A picture of Qaani wasnt immediately available.

A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early on Jan. 2, 2020. (HO, Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via AP)

Qaani was described in a 2012 American Enterprise Institute profile, positing his possible ascension to commander as uncharismatic and a less distinguished military commander than Suleimani, but his operational battlefield experience, network within the IRGC, and long history of acquaintance with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei qualify him for such an appointment.

The profile, utilizing open-source Persian material, described Qaani as a stilted speaker who hides behind official rhetoric, in contrast to Suoleimani, who was direct in his speeches could move those who he spoke with.

Areas that could see a change if Qaani became commander, author Ali Alfoneh wrote, were Afghanistan, Pakistan, and central Asia.

Decision makers planning U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan can safely assume that an IRGC QF led by Qaani would engage much more aggressively in Afghanistan and central Asia, he wrote.

Commander of Irans Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, prays in a religious ceremony at a mosque in the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran on March 27, 2015. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

The United States said it carried out the strike that killed Soleimani early Jan. 3. The Department of Defense said that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several monthsincluding the attack on December 27thculminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel, it stated. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week.

Khamenei, Irans leader, said that Iran would take revenge after the killing.

A severe revenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs blood last night, he said in a statement on Twitter.
SAN RAMON, Calif., Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Armanino LLP, one of the 25 largest accounting and business consulting firms in the U.S., announced today that the Armanino Foundation provided $50,000 in grants to six nonprofit organizations in celebration of the firms 50th Anniversary on December 12, 2019. Additionally, the Armanino Foundation launched an endowment campaign, with inaugural major gifts from Andrew J. Armanino, CBRE and Sunset Development Company.



Tom Jones and my dad, Andrew J. Armanino, founded our firm with two simple, yet lasting goals  to provide a unique level of client service and to create a supportive workplace like no other for their team members, said Matt Armanino, chief executive officer and managing partner at Armanino. We pride ourselves on staying true to those goals. And this year, we expanded our firm purpose to include a commitment to giving back to the community. Im grateful to my brother Andy, CBRE and Sunset Development Company for their support of our efforts to sustain these and many other worthy nonprofits.

The Armanino Foundation crowdsourced the selection of the six grant recipients from its team members  over 1,100 votes were cast for 100 different charities in the areas of education, animal welfare, the arts, and health and social services. The winning organizations and their grants are:

Discovery Cube Orange County, Irvine, CA - $10,000

13th Street Cat Rescue, San Jose, CA - $10,000

Little Tokyo Service Center, Irvine, CA - $10,000

Lone Star Wind Orchestra, Dallas, TX - $10,000

A Noise Within, Pasadena, CA - $5,000

Dallas Childrens Theater, Dallas, TX - $5,000

Since its inception in October 2016, the Armanino Foundation has raised nearly $800,000 and provided $400,000 in grants and support to charitable organizations across the globe. Staff members and partners nominate nonprofits for grants, which are evaluated by their peers and paid out each quarter. Additionally, the Armanino Foundation provides The Great Give (an annual day of service), Dollars for Doers (grants of $10 per hour of volunteer service by firm members) and Volunteer Vacations (community building trips across the U.S. and the globe). In November, 53 partners, staff and friends of the firm traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand to teach English to elementary students and learn about the regions history and culture.

The Armanino Foundation is making an impactful difference in the communities that it supports, and CBRE is honored to be able to help in these initiatives, said Jeff Birnbaum, senior vice president, CBRE.

It is our privilege to support the Armanino Foundation as they invest in a number of important, community enriching programs and services, said Alexander Mehran, Jr., chief executive officer and president, Sunset Development Company.

About Armanino LLP

Armanino LLP ( www.armaninollp.com ) is one of the 25 largest independent accounting and business consulting firms in the nation. Armanino provides an integrated set of audit, tax, business management, consulting and technology solutions to companies in the U.S. and globally. The firm helps clients adapt and change in every stage of business, from startup through rapid growth to the sale of a company. Armanino emphasizes smart technology, leading a cloud revolution of financial, operational, sales and compliance tools that are transforming the way companies do business. The firm extends its global services to more than 100 countries through its membership in Moore Global, one of the world's major accounting and consulting membership organizations. In addition to its core consulting and accounting practices, Armanino operates its division, AMF Media Group ( www.amfmediagroup.com ), a media and communications services agency. Its affiliate, Intersect Capital ( www.intersectcapitalllc.com ) is an independent financial planning, wealth and lifestyle management firm.

Contacts:

Kyle McGuire, AMF Media Group

925.790.2788 / Kyle@amfmediagroup.com




New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday (January 3) visited the family of Delhi Fire Services personnel Amit Baliyan, who lost his life while fighting operations at a factory in Peeragarhi. The Chief Minister announced Rs 1 crore as compensation and a government job to the family of Baliyan.

Baliyan died after he was trapped in debris while dousing blaze at a building in Delhi's Udyog Nagar area that caught fire on Thursday morning.

Sharing a tweet having Amit Baliyan's picture Kejriwal wrote, ''Amit Baliyan laid down his life while serving the people of Delhi. Nothing can bring back a loved one lost, but Delhi govt will provide his family with 1 crore as financial assistance. It's the least we can do as a society.''

Amit Baliyan laid down his life while serving the people of Delhi. Nothing can bring back a loved one lost, but Delhi govt will provide his family with 1 crore as financial assistance. It's the least we can do as a society.. https://t.co/IIUvTc6nd8  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 2, 2020

Earlier on January 2, Kejriwal had condoled the demise of the fireman and expressed his grief over the incident. "It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that a fireman was martyred while saving people from fire. Our firemen save people by putting their lives at risk under extremely risky conditions. May his soul rest in peace,'' he tweeted.

Live TV

The Chief Minister had also expressed concerns over the fire and had tweeted, "Very sad to hear this. I am closely monitoring the situation. Fire personnel trying their best. Praying for the safety of those trapped."

A massive fire incident took place at a factory in west Delhi`s Peeragarhi area on Thursday (January 2). DFS personnel Amit Baliyan, succumbed to his injuries after he was trapped in the fire. A case has been registered at Paschim Vihar West Police station.

According to data from the last five years, two firemen lost their lives while firefighting in 2016, whereas three died in 2017 and one in this year.
NEW HAVEN  A state prosecutor had to be forcibly removed from her car when she tried to flee with her kids from cops during a welfare check at her Fairfield home last month, according to a police report released Friday.

Justina Moore, 42, was arrested Dec. 9 after firefighters and police were called to her home when her ex-husband reported she was using a 20-pound propane tank to illegally heat the residence, according to the report.

Moore did not enter a plea Friday when she was arraigned in New Haven on an interfering with police charge that her attorney said stems from a divorce matter.

When police arrived at her home around 7 p.m. Dec. 9, Moore claimed she did not want to identify herself or her two children because it could jeopardize the ongoing custody hearing with her ex-husband, Andra Moore, a retired judicial marshal who worked at state Superior Court in Norwalk.

Justina Moore, a Bridgeport assistant states attorney who previously held the same position in Norwalk, tried to shut the door on the police officer as she refused to identify herself, according to the report.

I held the door open and stood in the threshold of the doorway. The female stated multiple times to get out of her house, however I continued standing within the doorway and advised her that she was interfering with the investigation, according to the Fairfield police officers report.

The police officer, who the department did not identify, said Moore demanded for a supervisor to come to the home, according to the report.

As the police officer waited at her front door for a supervisor to arrive, Moore went out the back of the home with her children and tried to escape in her car, the report said.

Moore engaged the officer in a pursuit for several blocks before another officer pulled in front of her SUV, according to the report.

I approached the driver's side window, which was open and ordered the female out of the vehicle. The female refused, the officer said in the report. The front door was locked, however, I was able to reach into the open driver's side window and open the door and remove the female from the vehicle. As I did so, the female was pulling away from me and she was brought to the ground in the prone position where she was handcuffed.

Moore was released after receiving a ticket for interfering with police, a class-A misdemeanor in Connecticut. If convicted, she could face up to one year in prison, a $2,000 fine and probation. The state Department of Children and Families was also notified, the report said.

During Fridays brief court appearance, defense attorney Eugene Riccio told Superior Court Judge Philip Scarpellino that he is reviewing the states allegations in the case. Scarpellino set the next court date for Feb. 7.

Attorney Moore has been a well-respected prosecutor in this state for many years, Riccio said following the court appearance. This unfortunate incident has its origins in a divorce matter."

Riccio declined to provide more information and he advised Moore not to speak to the media.

Moore, who has worked for the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice since 2008, was placed on administrative leave for one week in the wake of the arrest, according to John Smriga, states attorney for the Judicial District of Fairfield.

Since returning from leave, Moore has been on limited duty and is not overseeing cases in the courtroom, Smriga said. She will remain on limited duty while the case is pending and his office will conduct an internal investigation into the allegations, Smriga said.

Smriga declined to discuss details of the case, which was transferred to New Haven because Moore works for the Fairfield judicial district.

Fairfield police released the arrest details on Friday in response to a Hearst Connecticut Media Freedom of Information Act request. Fairfield police Capt. Robert Kalamaras said the department delayed releasing the information until it was reviewed by the towns risk management department.

Police still have not released the dash and body cam recordings of the arrest, which were also requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Before police arrived, firefighters disconnected the propane tank and removed it from the home, Assistant Fire Chief George Gomola said.

Moore told firefighters she has an old furnace and was using the gas heater to help warm her home, Gomola said. The tank could have generated a harmful amount of carbon monoxide, but none was detected on the first floor, Gomola said.

Firefighters offered to check the furnace and the second floor but Moore declined, Gomola said.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that the airstrike that killed a top Iranian general in Iraq was approved by Donald Trump due to imminent threats to American lives.

Mr Pompeo said hours after the attack that he had spoken with the governments of several world powers about the attack on Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, and described the action in one message as defensive.

He claimed that the US, shortly after the attack that killed one of the most powerful military officials in the region, was committed to de-escalation.

We want the American people to know that there was an imminent attack taking place, Mr Pompeo said during an appearance on CNN, adding to a series of comments he had made through his Twitter account on Friday morning.

US government officials repeatedly claimed that there was evidence that such an attack was going to take place. But, little evidence or intelligence was immediately made available publicly.

US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday 3 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures The wreckage of the car in which general Soleimani was travelling when a targeted US airstrike struck outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January Ahmad Al Mukhtar via Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest in Tehran after general Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike by American forces Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of Donald Trump AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn Israeli and US flags as thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of general Soleimani at the hands of America EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of Donald Trump pray at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held on the day following the killing of general Soleimani. At the event, the president praised the "flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader" AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A huge procession of mourners gather in Baghdad for the funeral of general Soleimani on 4 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani during an anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iraqis perform a mourning prayer for slain major general Qasem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the Great Mosque of Kufa AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A billboard reading 'Death to America and Israel', installed by Iran-backed shiite armed groups at a street in Jadriyah district in Baghdad, Iraq EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him visiting the family of Soleiman KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US flag as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Jalal Feiruznia, looks to a portrait of Soleimani, as he receives condolences at the Iranian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures People make their way on the street while a screen on the wall of a cinema shows a portrait Soleimani in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Aziz Asmar, one of two Syrian painters who completed a mural following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani poses next to his creation in the rebel-held Syrian town of Dana in the northwestern province of Idlib AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A demonstration in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures An anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Mujtaba al-Husseini, the representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in the holy shrine city of Najaf AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US and Israeli flags as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters demonstrate in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, in Peshawar, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters, holding a photograph of the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran Massoud Rajavi, outside Downing Street in London PA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A Syrian man offers sweets to children to mark the killing AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers attend a mourning prayer for Soleimani in Iran's capital Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and anti Israel slogans during a protest AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshipers chant slogans during Friday prayers Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A protest against the USA, in Islamabad, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranians burn a US flag in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin, Germany Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Vehicles of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol a road in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel. Following morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian women take to the streets in Tehran EPA

The killing of Soleimani, the head of Irans elite military force, at the Baghdad airport has raised concerns around the globe that his death could lead to destabilisation in the region, and appears to have increased the possibility of an outright military confrontation between the United States and Iran.

But, even as the US embassy in Baghdad was urging all American citizens to leave the region immediately, Mr Pompeo said during an interview with CNN that the action against Soleimani was one that made Americans and the region were much more safe.

The worlds a much safer place today and I can assure you that Americans in the region are much safer today after the demise of Qasem Soleimani, he said.

Shortly after the death, tens of thousands of anti-America protesters were seen in the streets of Iran. On Iranian state television, Soleimanis killing was described as the biggest miscalculation by the US since the Second World War. The people of the region will no longer allow Americans to stay, the network said.

"Harsh vengeance awaits the criminals that got his and other martyrs' blood on their evil hands in last night's incident," said Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.

The killing has been met with delicate statements from many world leaders, with UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab saying that Britain recognised the aggressive threat posed by Soleimani, but said further conflict is in none of our interests. Likewise, Germany expressed concern alongside a qualified understanding of the action, with a spokesperson saying it was a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility, according to the Associated Press.

The attack was met with concern from China, Russia and France  a group that represents the majority of the permanent members of the UN security council  who said the actions made the world more perilous.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, Amelie de Montchalin, Frances deputy minister for foreign affairs, told RTL radio. When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is under way.
JACKSONVILLE  Three Illinois College students joined nearly 250 agriculture students, collegiate advisers and industry representatives at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, said Michael Woods, agribusiness coordinator and assistant professor of agribusiness. The two-day conference and contest gave future agriculture industry professionals the opportunity to test out real-world skills and their knowledge of current industry issues.

Mazi Walker 21 and Marshall Brown 22, both majoring in agribusiness, and Jacy Castlebury 22, an agribusiness and economics major with a minor in finance, participated in an employment interview contest. Walker placed second in the livestock production interview and was elected to serve as third vice president for the next year. Brown placed third in the crop production interview.

The student-led National Professional Agricultural Student Organization prepares participants to work in the wide range of careers in agriculture through competitive and real-life applications of their knowledge and experience, according to the organizations website. In addition to the mock job interviews, Woods said the conference included agriculture-specific competitions in sales, quiz bowl, general knowledge exams, problem-solving scenarios and presentations. In a debate format, students argued real-world agriculture issues, said Walker, adding that she would like to participate in the debate next year.

They tried to incorporate a lot about whats going on now, so students are better prepared because agriculture is always changing, she said. Its an ever-changing industry.

The conferences activities incorporated skills and real-life issues students will need to understand in their careers. Castlebury said the employment interview was like a real job interview and was customized to the type of job the student would apply for. Castlebury plans to be a grain merchandiser after graduation and she appreciated the chance to practice applying for the type of job she will seek when she leaves campus.

I thought that was really beneficial because it was so real-life and a lot of times we dont really get that experience until were actually being interviewed for a job, she said.

Developing those skills gives students a leg up on their future careers, Woods said. Students submit a cover letter and resume, complete an application, and participate in a preliminary facetoface interview for the contest.

Castlebury, Brown and Walker plan to participate in the conference in 2020 and hope to take more IC students with them.

I think next year we can hopefully recruit more students, because they kind of find it intimidating if they have never been in FFA or been to a contest like this, Walker said. So, I think thats really our next big goal.
The fire at the Baghdad airport that may ignite a regional conflagration. Photo: Iraqs Security Media Cell Handout/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The question posed in the headline may seem a bit quaint with regard to a president who believes Article II of the U.S. Constitution authorizes him to do whatever he deems best, without accountability other than to a majority of the Electoral College. But his fateful actions in authorizing airstrikes in Iraq against the wishes of the government of that country, an alleged ally, culminating in the assassination of Irans top military commander, Qasem Soleimani, require some domestic (as well as international) legal justification, if only because Trump didnt even bother to notify Congress he was taking a step that might lead to a regional war, as Democratic Senator Chris Murphy observed:

Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question.



The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020

Even as members of Congress praise or question the action (almost entirely according to partisan affiliation), the possibility of illegal war-making is already coming up, as NBC News reports:

Tonights airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. America  and the world  cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return, Pelosi said in a statement late Thursday.

The strike was carried out without an authorization for use of military force against Iran and without the consultation of Congress, the speaker said.

The full Congress must be immediately briefed on this serious situation and on the next steps under consideration by the Administration, including the significant escalation of the deployment of additional troops to the region, Pelosi said.

The Speaker is likely alluding to the requirement of notice to Congress within 48 hours of unauthorized executive military action under the War Powers Act. It is not, however, clear that the administration intends to follow the WPA requirements in this case; it certainly did not notify Congress of the earlier airstrikes it conducted in Iraq and Syria (targeting Iranian-sponsored Hezbollah units) on December 29. Its more likely that Trumps lawyers will claim the assassination of Soleimani is justified by an existing congressionally enacted Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), either the 2001 AUMF that launched the global War on Terror, or the 2002 AUMF that authorized the entire war in Iraq. As Scott Anderson explained at Lawfare, either ground for the attack is rather shaky:

The Trump administration has previously refused to rule out the possibility that the 2001 AUMF could authorize direction action against Iran and its allies. That said, such an argument is extremely dubious and is likely to prove extremely controversial. A more plausible candidate might be the 2002 AUMF, which provided the domestic legal basis for various U.S. military activities in Iraq from 2003 through 2011, including earlier operations against Kataib Hezbollah. Yet it would be novel, to say the least, to read a statute that has traditionally been interpreted as authorizing activities to support the democratic government of Iraq as permitting military action against an official  if largely autonomous  part of Iraqs official security forces [e.g., the Hezbollah militias].

It is precisely this sort of scenario that fed the debate over placing language in the latest Defense Authorization Act restricting the presidents power to wage war on Iran. The fact that it was removed before final passage and signature by Trump will be used by the administration to suggest Congress implicitly gave him a free hand:

Any member who voted for the NDAA -- a blank check -- can't now express dismay that Trump may have launched another war in the Middle East.



My Amendment, which was stripped, would have cut off $$ for any offensive attack against Iran including against officials like Soleimani /1  Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) January 3, 2020

You can bet the administration will focus on Soleimanis crimes and the opportunity to take him out as all the justification they needed, while brushing aside Iraqi and Iranian horror over the action as disguising popular joy:

Mike Pompeo to CNN on Suleimani assassination: "I saw last night there was dancing in the streets in parts of Iraq. We have every expectation that people not only in Iraq, but in Iran, will view the American action last night as giving them freedom." pic.twitter.com/ALeQBqEf2g  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 3, 2020

Ah yes, the rationale that led to the freedom-spreading war in Iraq that Donald Trump has deplored so often. A formal legal justification will probably await the next developments, based on whether this turns out to be a one-off attack that isnt worth endlessly litigating or the ignition of another enormous war plunging the region and U.S. troops into the fire.
In a country where crimes are rampant, including financial crimes with ATMs sometimes being uprooted and spirited away in vans, electronic payment of toll is a godsend inasmuch as the resultant trail can be latched on to with alacrity by the police to nab the criminals unless of course they seek the safety of tortuous and potholed non-toll roads after committing a crime, writes S Murlidharan.

Photograph: PTI Photo

A fortuitous and serendipitous spinoff of FASTag, which the Modi government is introducing and hard-selling for electronic payment of toll on national highways, could facilitate nabbing criminals.

And this spinoff could have a heightened impact if all the states follow suit and join in the national effort to make all the highways -- national as well as state -- a pleasure to drive on for normal people and a no-no for criminals.

Of course this is an incidental benefit of FASTag, with saving precious fuel thanks to less idling of engines on toll booths, saving time for motorists, less overheads on booth management and toll collections and transparency in toll collections, etc being the main advantages thereof.

But as it happens, sometimes a spinoff can over a period of time become one of the major causes for celebration of a measure.

In a country where crimes are rampant, including financial crimes with ATMs sometimes being uprooted and spirited away in vans, electronic payment of toll is a godsend inasmuch as the resultant trail can be latched on to with alacrity by the police to nab the criminals unless of course they seek the safety of tortuous and potholed non-toll roads after committing a crime.

This is not to suggest that criminals will chicken out, deterred purely by FASTag and its dreadful consequences for them but they will surely be dispirited and think several times before committing a crime.

And the mandatory requirement to furnish vehicle registration papers (RC Book) as a precondition for granting FASTag registration and account will eliminate substantially the menace of fake number plates.

Now it would be impossible because Radio Frequency Identification Technology, the technology behind FASTag and its adjunct, electronic payment of toll, would flag the imposters no sooner than they zip past the sensor.

Of course no amount of technology would be of use unless the police are vigilant and present where they should be.

In the US, police lurk at every exit, giving road offenders a hot chase till they are nabbed.

The motorists in the US know that in many of the highways they are monitored from the sky as well and any deviation from the straight and narrow of road discipline would be promptly reported to the law-enforcing agencies in the terra firma! Whether our police too will rise to this new opportunity is the million-dollar question.

Rise they must.

In the US, there are cash counters too at turnpikes or toll-roads.

The government seems to be of the view that 25 per cent of the lanes should be reserved for cash and card counters.

Narendra Modi's demonetisation of 2016 was a flop mainly because it allowed too many escape routes -- exchange counters which the crooks thronged through their numerous minions, hospitals, and petrol bunks.

Of course, avuncular and friendly bank branch managers too played a handmaiden role in facilitating conversion of banned notes into accepted ones.

This time round, FASTag should be implemented without any latitude even though that might make our government intolerantly martinet on roads, as it were.

In our country crooks take a foot when given an inch of latitude.

And there is no way people would be inconvenienced by the insistence on FASTag as the only means of driving on highways unbridled and unstopped.

They are sufficiently attuned to the idea of electronic payments and withdrawals with the ubiquitous debit cards endearing them to the card habit.

And electronic wallets like Paytm too have played a catalytic role in fostering the electronic payment habit.

The ubiquitous smartphone has had the effect of making our folks net and online savvy.

In any case, motorists, of all people, cannot complain of being electronic illiteracy so as to latch on to cash.

Therefore, the government must close cash counters on toll roads sooner rather than later.

If Sweden can consign cheques and drafts to the dustbin of banking history, India surely can blaze the trail on toll roads with this revolutionary step.

Every progressive step must wield both the stick and the carrot rolled into one.

FASTag should go beyond tokenism and offer discounts that are substantial.

For, the savings to the National Highways Authority of India and toll booth franchisees are immense.

Sensors like swipe machines in merchant establishments and ATM cash vending machines are one-time investment which they would recover many times over, thanks to enormous savings in operating toll booths including on staff expenditure.

Part of the savings must be given to the users in the form of stepped up discounts that go up with the amount prepaid.

The itinerant vendors who flock the toll booths and sell local snacks and fruits would of course be put out of business.

They must seek solace and employment elsewhere.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : By-elections to two vacant seats in the Maharashtra Legislative Council will be held on January 24 and 31, the Election Commission announced on Friday.

The by-elections were necessitated after sitting members, Dhananjay Munde (NCP) and Tanaji Sawant (Shiv Sena), resigned their seats following their victory in the state Assembly elections.

While notifications for both elections will be issued on January 7, the last date for filing nominations will be January 14, scrutiny will be held the next day and the last date for withdrawal is January 17, elections will be held on different dates.

This is because the members of the Assembly will be voting for the council seat vacated by Munde, while the electoral college for the seat vacated by Sawant comprises the Yavatmal local authorities.

Counting of votes in both seats will be held immediately after end of voting.

The Model Code of Conduct concerning the said election will come into force with immediate effect in the concerned constituency, the EC said.
A crab boat capsized off the coast of Alaska Tuesday with five people missing and two survivors, including a former member of the Discovery Channel show Deadliest Catch.

The crabbing vessel  called the Scandies Rose  was carrying loads of crabbing pots to kick off the winter season and was traveling in an area with unsafe weather conditions, according to the Associated Press.

There were reportedly warnings of strong winds and heavy freezing spray, however, the boat continued to depart from Dutch Harbor and sail south.

Video: Former Deadliest Catch Star Arrested on Heroin Charges

According to the AP, the 130-foot boat was last seen 170 miles southwest of Kodiak Island and sank around 10 p.m. Tuesday.

RELATED: Crab Boat Capsizes in Oregon, Killing 3 People

The Coast Guard launched rescue efforts after the ship sent a mayday distress call, and they arrived around 2 a.m. Wednesday to search for survivors.

While using helicopters, planes and boats to search for the missing crewmembers, rescuers noticed a faint light in a life raft in the distance, which is where the two surviving men were discovered, Anchorage Daily News reported.

Former Deadliest Catch member Dean Gribble Jr. and John Lawler were found on the boat, both suffering from hypothermia but have since been released from the hospital, according to the AP.

RELATED: Remembering the Late Deadliest Catch Stars, from Phil Harris to Blake Painter

A representative from Discovery Channel did not immediately reply to PEOPLEs request for comment.

The Coast Guard has identified the five missing men as the boats captain, Gary Cobban Jr., the captains son, David Lee Cobban, Arthur Ganacias, Brock Rainey and Seth Rousseau-Gano, the AP reported.

The 20-hour long search for the other crewmembers was called off late Wednesday evening as it was presumed they did not survive.

An investigation as to what caused the boat to sink is underway. As of Friday, details of the cause have yet to be released as talking to survivors is a crucial part of the Coast Guards research.
Bootleggers will be glad to get the job of washing our family auto instead of sneering haughtily at us from the plush lined seats of their own twenty-four cylinder imported cars, the columnist wrote. And we can stop lying to the doctor to get him to write us a whisky prescription. Then as now, the medicinal use of intoxicants was legal when using for pleasure wasnt.
Kota (Rajasthan) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh on Friday blamed staff of the government hospital in Kota, where more than 100 infants died in December last year.



"We believe that it is the responsibility of the hospital, doctors and nurses to control the deaths. If there was a lack of equipment, then they should have bought it. They have around Rs 6 crore with you. There is no need for so many equipments," Singh told ANI.

The minister also accused of politicising the incident and added that the government is "serious" about deaths of the newborn children.

"This is no political issue. BJP does not need to celebrate. This is an issue of the country and Rajasthan. They have tried to raise this as a political issue. The Rajasthan government is very serious about infant deaths," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to submit a detailed report within 4 weeks about the steps being taken to address the issue.

The Commission also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that such deaths of the children do not recur in future due to lack of infrastructure and health facilities at the hospitals. (ANI)


More than 200 members of Congress, including Alabamas six Republican members of the House, asked the Supreme Court in a brief filed Thursday to overturn Roe V. Wade, a landmark case which guaranteed the right to an abortion.

Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby was one of 14 Republican senators who did not sign brief. Sen. Doug Jones-D, also did not sign the brief.

Senator Shelby is a pro-life advocate and has worked to promote pro-life values and causes, Alyssa Pettus, Shelbys press secretary said in an email when asked why Shelby chose not to participate in the brief. It is his belief that the Supreme Courts ruling in Roe v. Wade is flawed on a constitutional basis. He also believes that it is our ethical and moral duty to protect human life.

Lawmakers argue the Supreme Court should uphold Louisianas decision to pass a law argued in the case June Medical Services LLC v. Gee requiring doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges.

Pro abortion rights activists and doctors have said if the law does go into effect, two of the three remaining abortion clinics in Louisiana would be forced to close. But the states 5th Circuit decision found the law did not place an undue burden on women seeking abortion.

The lawmakers argued that the precedent decided in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which prevents states from imposing an undue burden on women seeking abortions, is too vague for the courts to use when deciding abortion-related cases.

The Fifth Circuit labored to do the best it could with the vague and opaque undue burden standard on which the Court has relied since Casey, the brief reads. Amici respectfully suggest that the courts strugglesimilar to dozens of other courts herculean struggles in this areaillustrates the unworkability of the right to abortion found in Roe and the need for the Court to take up the issue of whether Roe and Casey should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled.

The lawmakers also argued abortion clinics could not challenge health and safety regulations on behalf of their patients. This argument was also used in Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshalls defense of Alabamas abortion ban.

Louisiana abortion doctors multiple professional disciplinary actions for substandard medical care and blatant disregard for their patients health and safetyin addition to the numerous health and safety violations of Louisiana abortion clinics demonstrate that abortion providers interests are at odds with their patients interests, the lawmakers said in the brief.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case this spring.
A state of disaster has been declared across eastern Victoria as authorities fear extreme heat, unprecedented dryness and a dangerous wind change could lead to towns being wiped out.

The Country Fire Authority said it will be unable to defend towns and properties given the extreme conditions. Fanned by this combination of factors, some fires are likely to become simply unstoppable on Saturday.

A firefighting helicopter tackling a bushfire near Bairnsdale in East Gippsland. Credit:Victorian Government/AAP

The fires are behaving in an unprecedented manner  running 30 kilometres at night and generating their own lightning.

Those fears prompted Premier Daniel Andrews to activate unprecedented emergency powers for the states police force late on Thursday. Officers in blue are sweeping through eastern Victoria, ordering people to evacuate immediately.
BAGHDAD (AP)  The United States killed Irans top general and the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport early on Friday, an attack that threatens to dramatically ratchet up tensions in the region.

The targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, could draw forceful Iranian retaliation against American interests in the region and spiral into a far larger conflict between the U.S. and Iran, endangering U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

The Defense Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting for the U.S.

Iranian state TV carried a statement by Khamenei also calling Soleimani the international face of resistance. Khamenei declared three days of public mourning for the generals death.

Also, an adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani warned President Donald Trump of retaliation from Tehran. Trump through his gamble has dragged the U.S. into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena wrote on the social media app Telegram. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

Iranian state television later in a commentary called Trumps order to kill Soleimani the biggest miscalculation by the U.S. in the years since World War II. The people of the region will no longer allow Americans to stay, the TV said.

The airport strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, and five others, including the PMFs airport protocol officer, Mohammed Reda, Iraqi officials said.

Trump was vacationing on his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, but sent out a tweet of an American flag.

The dramatic attack comes at the start of a year in which Trump faces both a Senate trial following his impeachment by the U.S. House and a re-election campaign. It marks a potential turning point in the Middle East and represents a drastic change for American policy toward Iran after months of tensions.

Tehran shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers. The U.S. also blames Iran for a series of attacks targeting tankers, as well as a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry that temporarily halved its production.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:43:41|Editor: yan

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PARIS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A knifeman stabbed to death one person and injured several others in Villejuif near Paris on Friday afternoon before he was shot dead by police, BFMTV news channel reported.

The man randomly attacked passers-by in the Hautes Bruyeres park at around 14:00 local time (1300 GMT), wounding four individuals. One of the victim succumbed to injuries while two others remain in serious situation, it added.

The attacker died shortly after he was shot by police, according to the report.
Libreville, Gabon (PANA) - Gabon, which has been blacklisted since 2008 in the European Union (EU) airspace, was Friday removed from the black list, an official source said here Friday
A notorious drug peddler was slapped with the stringent Public Safety Act and arrested in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district Friday, officials said.

Due to repeated involvement in drug smuggling activities, Surjeet Singh alias Sanju's dossier was prepared by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Samba and forwarded to Divisional Commissioner Jammu, who formally issued the order of his detention under the Act, they said.

Under the PSA, a person can be detained up to two years.

The detention warrant was executed by a team of Ghagwal police station and the accused has been lodged in Hiranagar sub jail, the officials informed.

Singh, a resident of Gurha Slathia in Vijaypur block of the district, was involved in five cases of criminal activities including drug smuggling cases and posed grave threat to the public, they said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israel plans to replace UN-run Palestinian schools in occupied al-Quds with its own

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 4:59 PM

Israeli authorities are planning to close down UN-run Palestinian schools in occupied Jerusalem al-Quds and replace them with new ones that follow the Israeli regime's education curriculum.

The so-called Jerusalem al-Quds Municipal Council approved earlier this week the plan, which will target schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the mostly Arab neighborhood of Shuafat in East Jerusalem al-Quds as well as Anata town, located four kilometers (2.4 miles) northeast of the Old City of Jerusalem al-Quds.

The project will cost 7.1 million Israeli shekels ($2,055,617), and has been supported by Jerusalem al-Quds Mayor Moshe Lion as part of attempts to reduce UNRWA's influence in the occupied city.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Expatriates and Foreign Affairs has slammed the Israeli decision to use alternatives to UNRWA-run Palestinian schools in Jerusalem al-Quds.

The ministry said in a statement that the plan falls within the Tel Aviv regime's war on the Palestinian right of return.

The statement noted that the Israeli measure is a "new step towards imposing the Israeli syllabus on Palestinians, and is part of the Israeli plans to Judaize the Palestinian city."

On December 13 last year, the UN's Fourth Committee approved extending the mandate of UNRWA until June 30, 2023, with 169 votes in favor and nine abstentions, while the United States and Israel voted against.

UNRWA was established in 1949 to provide education, health and relief services as well as housing and microfinance assistance to some 5.5 million registered refugees in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

The agency has faced budgetary difficulties since last year after the United States -- its biggest donor -- under the administration of President Donald Trump took an increasingly hard-line stance toward Palestine and halted its annual aid of $360 million to the organization.

Israel has welcomed the controversial move by the United States to cut funding to the UN agency.

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Britain's skies are in the grip of a drone epidemic with aircraft pilots reporting two near-misses every week, a Daily Mail investigation has found.

Aviation insiders say the number of incidents has reached alarming levels  with more than 400 incidents in the past five years.

The problem has been described as a real concern as the gadgets  which are too small to appear on air traffic radar screens  can easily destroy an engine or smash a cockpit windscreen, potentially causing huge loss of life.

Aircraft pilots are reporting two near-misses with drones every week, a Daily Mail investigation has revealed

With an estimated 100,000 drone users in the UK, industry sources say it is only a matter of time before a device is involved in a collision with a passenger jet.

Figures from the UK Airprox Board, which investigates near-miss events, show there have been 405 near-misses between drones and aircraft since 2015, compared to just ten between 2010 and 2014.

This includes 115 in the year to November 2019  44 of which were rated Category A, meaning there was a serious risk of collision. The closest near-miss occurred on December 30, 2018, when a 90-seat Embraer 175 jet came within three feet of a suspected drone over Glasgow airport. The jet was at 600ft and coming in to land when the pilot spotted a device lit up in various places. The second-closest event happened last March 28 when a drone came within six feet of a Boeing 737 jet with up to 200 on board as it approached Leeds Bradford airport.

There have been 405 near-misses between drones and aircraft since 2015. Tory MP Huw Merriman said more needs to be done by the drone industry and 'if they don't act, Parliament should'

Max Kingsley-Jones, editor of Flight Global magazine, said: The situation is alarming A collision with a drone could potentially cause an air crash, if it causes enough damage to the delicate systems on board.

Ex-BA pilot Terry Tozer added: If a drone hit the windshield it could kill or incapacitate at least one of the flight crew. These types of incidents are going to be an increasing problem.

The law says anyone owning a drone weighing more than 250g must obtain an operator ID. They are also required to get a separate flyer ID by passing a theory test or face a fine of up to 1,000

Tory MP Huw Merriman, a member of the transport select committee until the election, said: The numbers of near-misses is alarming. Much more needs to be done by the drone industry to deliver technology which keeps them well away from aircraft. If they dont act, Parliament should. Anyone who owns a drone weighing more than 250g must obtain an operator ID. They are also required to get a separate flyer ID by passing a theory test or face a fine of up to 1,000. Among the key rules for drone flyers are staying below 400ft, keeping clear of aircraft and airfields, and not flying close to people or property.

The Civil Aviation Authority said: It is illegal to fly drones close to airports without permission and anyone flouting the rules can face severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Baghdad: Iraqi paramilitary groups said five of their members and two "guests" were killed in an air strike on their vehicles inside Baghdad International Airport, militia sources reported on early Friday, after Iraq's Security Media Cell announced that three katyusha rockets had targeted Baghdad Airport.

The militia members were hosting "important guests" at Baghdad airport who were being driven in two militia vehicles that were struck by two rockets, said the militia sources.

Two militia sources said the two guests were also killed in the attack but declined to identify them.

Three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport killing five members of Iraqi paramilitary groups and two "guests", Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday.

The Katyusha rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people.

Iraqi paramilitary groups said five of their members and two "guests" were killed in the airstrike on their vehicles inside Baghdad International Airport, militia sources reported on early Friday.

The militia members were hosting "important guests" at Baghdad airport who were being driven in two militia vehicles that were struck by two rockets, said the militia sources.

Two militia sources said the two guests were also killed in the attack but declined to identify them.

Police and health sources said that at least five people were killed and nine wounded.

Shi'ite Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said in a post on Facebook that its director of public relations was killed in what it described as "cowardly U.S. bombing." There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Supporters of Iranian-backed Iraqi paramilitary groups stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday following U.S. air raids on Sunday against Kataib Hezbollah militia bases in retaliation for missile attacks that killed a U.S. contractor in northern Iraq last week.

Tension between the United States and Iran has ramped up in the region over US economic sanctions hurting the Iranian economy. The two sides have traded blame over attacks on oil installations, militia arms depots as well as military bases hosting US forces.
China has demolished more than 100 Uighur graveyards in what human rights groups described as an escalation of the communist regimes campaign to destroy the Muslim minoritys culture.

Hundreds of satellite images analysed by CNN showed burial sites in western Xinjiang province have been wiped out, with some turned into car parks and playgrounds.

The US broadcaster found the majority of the cemeteries, where generations of Uighurs had been buried, were destroyed over the last two years.

Aziz Isa Elkun, a Uighur poet who fled the region more than 20 years ago and now lives in London, said he had visited his fathers grave on Google Earth for nearly two years after he died. But one day an updated satellite image showed the cemetery had been replaced with a field.

I had no idea what happened, he told CNN. I was completely in shock.

China destroying Uighur burial grounds Show all 6 1 /6 China destroying Uighur burial grounds China destroying Uighur burial grounds Teywizim cemetery in Hotan (before and after) China is destroying burial grounds where generations of Uighur families have been laid to rest, leaving behind human bones and broken tombs in what activists call an effort to eradicate the ethnic group's identity Earthrise/AFP/Getty China destroying Uighur burial grounds A cemetery in Xayar (before and after) Earthrise/AFP/Getty China destroying Uighur burial grounds A graveyard in Aksu (before and after) An image of a graveyard in Aksu in 2015, where Uighur poet Lutpulla Mutellip was buried and the same view in 2018 and then again in 2019 showing a new park called "Happiness Park" Earthrise/AFP/Getty China destroying Uighur burial grounds A cemetery in Xayar (before and after) Earthrise/AFP/Getty China destroying Uighur burial grounds Sulanim cemetery in Hotan (before and after) Earthrise/AFP/Getty China destroying Uighur burial grounds A cemetery in Xayar (before and after) Earthrise/AFP/Getty

China did not deny destroying the cemeteries, and at least one official notice said one of the burial sites been relocated to meet the demand of city planning and promote construction.

A spokesperson for Beijing told CNN: Governments ... in Xinjiang fully respect and guarantee the freedom of all ethnic groups ... to choose cemeteries, and funeral and burial methods.

Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch, told The Independent: Authorities in Beijing and Urumqi dont seem content tormenting Turkic Muslims alive today  it appears their hostility to that community also extends to the dead.

Trying to justify the destruction of cultural property on the grounds of fighting terrorism or urban planning fools no one  instead it reinforces the urgent need for an independent international investigation into gross human rights violations across the region.

Last year, AFP reporters who visited some of the destroyed burial grounds which had been identified from satellite images analysed by Earthwise Alliance described seeing unearthed bones which independent forensic experts said were human remains.

Western countries and human rights groups have expressed their concern over reports China has detained up to two million people, mostly Uighur Muslims, since a purported counterterrorism campaign began in Xinjiang in 2017.

China has insisted it is running what it calls vocational training centres to combat extremism in the region.

However, former detainees have alleged inmates are subjected to torture, medical experiments and gang rape.
Based on a four-month study by an Internet crowd-sourcing funded website, CoverThis.News, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6 of West Chester had the highest number of in-person town halls in 2019 and U.S. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5 of Swarthmore came in second, with most Pennsylvania representatives having none.

The study found that Houlahan had 10 town halls in last year and Scanlon had nine out of 18 U.S. congressmen from Pennsylvania. Telephone events were not included in this evaluation. Town halls counted in this study were in-person events open to the public.

The study also did not receive responses from all of the representatives offices. Of the 18, 11 responded.

Among the town halls that Scanlon held last year was one involving the refinery workers and the community around the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery, which shut down and displaced its workers after a June explosion and fire.

Her first town hall in 2019 was in February at Widener Universitys Lathem Hall. There, in a 200-person packed hall, she fielded questions on a range of topics, from gun violence to climate change.

Considering whats happening in our neighborhood with all the gun violence, they were hoping that I was able to get here tonight and see if I can present their concerns, Pixie Roane said of her asking the congresswoman questions on behalf of her neighbors. Were having more and more of it and the victims are getting younger and younger.

A 5th congressional district constituent, Roane lives in Southwest Philadelphia and is a teacher at the Strath Haven Middle School.

The issue of gun violence arose again at a town hall Scanlon held in August at the Francis J. Myers Recreation Center in Southwest Philadelphia. The event occurred less than two weeks after a gunman shot and killed 22 at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, and another shot and killed nine people at the Ned Peppers Bar in Dayton, Ohio.

Houlahan, who the study identified as having the most town halls, even had to reschedule one of her 10. In September, she held a town hall at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading after cancelling a town hall scheduled for the same location in August due to a security issue.

In November, she met with about 50 people at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus to discuss the emerging skills gap and its impact on the local manufacturing economy. According to the Daily Local News, that was Houlahans 13th town hall, which may have included smaller gatherings, such as coffee clutches, which were also not included in the CoverThis.News survey.

At that event, Houlahan said, In most parts of our community, we have jobs that are unfilled and people who are seeking jobs, and theres a mismatch in skills. That skills mismatch is sort of what were trying to understand here. Were trying to understand whats going on in our community and the commonwealth and the country, hopefully so that we can fix that and provide pathways for people to be able to succeed in this economy.

CoverThis.News is a West Chester-based website that raises funds to cover stories. CoverThis.News raised $500 to contact the offices of U.S. representatives from September through December to find out how many town halls they had. Of the 17 donors, at least four were related to the website founder, Chris Dima.
A move by Google parent Alphabet to end its 'double Irish' tax structure may not be the last of the company's use of Irish tax allowances to reduce its global liabilities.

This week, Alphabet said it would end the tax structure, a move that was mandated by changes in Irish law. It said in a statement that, in future, it would license its intellectual property (IP) from the United States and not Bermuda.

While the company said it would end the Bermuda part of the 'double Irish, Dutch sandwich', a tax tool that allowed firms to shift profits to low or no-tax jurisdictions, it could still make use of substantial allowances on IP.

Apple restructured its tax operations in 2015 using the State's capital allowance for intangible assets (CAIA), helping trigger the so-called Leprechaun Economics effect that year when the Irish economy suddenly surged by 26pc.

A move by Microsoft to shift IP here from Singapore pushed both Irish and EU investment sharply higher in the second quarter of last year. Based on Alphabet's statement, a direct transfer of all the IP assets held in Bermuda to Ireland is not on the cards.

That said, the company could still gain from moving some of the assets here.

It could cut its tax bill by deducting the cost of purchasing IP assets from another of its subsidiaries. In addition, Google would be able to claim relief for money that it may have borrowed from another group subsidiary company to pay for the purchase.

When asked whether Google would seek to use the State's CAIA rules, a spokeswoman for the company declined to comment.

If it does use the tax breaks for IP in any size, the impact will be seen in Ireland's balance-of-payments data.

The scale of the potential impact on Ireland from such a move can be seen from an analysis of services imports on the economy's performance by Brad Setser, a former deputy assistant secretary for international economic analysis at the US treasury.

"The subtraction of services imports from Irish GDP over the last four quarters of data technically is about 39pc of Irish GDP," Mr Setser wrote in a recent article for the Council on Foreign Relations.

He added: "Normally, that kind of crazy number would be a sign that the data was off, or that I made an error in the calculation.

"But there is no error. The number is a measure of the scale of the distortions tied in all probability to expanded use of the capital allowance for intangible assets, and the associated swings in Ireland's investment in IP and IP imports."
Like most corners of America, the food world saw unexpected drama in 2019. Fried chicken sandwiches caused chaos, and the meatlessness of plant-based Whoppers became a lawsuit. Cult grocer Wegmans opened in New York to the delight of Wegmaniacs everywhere while Taco Bell took over a resort in Palm Springs for a more immersive experience than a cheesy gordita crunch.

Whatll be big in 2020? In some ways, its hard to think of a decade beginning without considering the end of this one, a decade that radically changed how we looked at food  literally. Instagram made its debut in the fall of 2010; today, an estimated 95 million posts are uploaded every 24 hours, and food and drink are among users biggest interests.

Fast-casual chains also came to dominate. In 2010, Shake Shack had just one location outside New York City; by the end of the decade, it was a publicly traded company with 250 locations around the world and is valued at almost $4 billion. As bowls became the serving dish of choice, Sweetgreen grew to a valuation of $1.6 billion.

Two of the decades most powerful ingredients were green. Kale became the de facto base of salads  there were 335 million pounds of it on the market in 2017, compared with 145 million pounds in 2012. And avocados topped toasts across the country: in 2017, Square reported that Americans spent almost $900,000 per month on avocado toast, up from $17,400 in 2014.

If kale  which is now being supplanted by Brussels sprouts as the go-to vegetable on menus  seems like ancient history, consider these foods and trends the ones that will begin to define the new decade.

Wagyu 2.0

Given the popularity of Wagyus premium cuts, such as rib-eye and loin, it was a matter of time before less prime (and pricey) cuts from the same elite animals came into fashion. Think of it as the most luxurious version of nose-to-tail eating. At Cote in Miamis Design District, opening in the second half of 2020, owner Simon Kim will offer Wagyu knuckle braised in dashi soy sauce. Hell serve other offcuts, such as sirloin butt, as well. Jean-Georges Steakhouse at Aria Resort in Las Vegas already offers smoked Wagyu brisket, carved tableside. For home cooks, Snake River Farms calls its American Wagyu brisket the secret weapon for competitive barbecue  a 16-pound cut can go for $170. (By comparison, Snake River Farms Wagyu gold grade New York filet runs $53 for only 6 oz.)

Revenge of the chickpeas

Some ingredients owe their popularity to one dish. (Exhibit A: kale salad.) Chickpeas, on the other hand, dominate on multiple platforms. Hummus, which has become the dip of choice at parties, is set to grow from a $742-million business in 2019 to an $877-million one by 2024. Chickpeas are also the key ingredient in hit snacks like the nutrient-rich, low-carb Biena Chickpea Puffs: the airy, crunchy bites come in flavours like ranch and aged white cheddar. Banza chickpea pasta has become the fastest-growing pasta brand in the country, and in November it got $20 million in growth funding from Danny Meyers Enlightened Hospitality. Even associated waste product has gotten attention: aquafaba, the liquid from canned chickpeas, is becoming increasingly popular as a vegan alternative in frothy cocktails and airy desserts.

MSG goes mainstream

Maggi seasoning  recognizable by its red logo and canary yellow label  has a worldwide fan base for its herb-packed flavour. Best known for its bouillon cube form, its also sold in bottles and is often described as soy sauce meets Worcestershire. Chefs in America are now claiming it enough to namecheck it. At La Ventura in Manhattan, Maggi marinated olives arrive in a pool of intense sauce that has flavours of soy and the herb lovage. At Schilling in New Yorks Financial District, chef Edi Frauneder uses it to spike beef reductions. Even the much-maligned MSG is coming out of timeout. Chef Kevin Tien uses it for his fried chicken sandwich spot Hot Lolas in Arlington, Va. I like it because it tenderizes and acts as a salt, he says. Its perfect for a brine. Momofuku founder Dave Chang, another unapologetic MSG fan, has a new line of seasoned salts in such options as tingly and spicy. It adds the kind of flavour enhancement that you get from MSG but with ingredients that are naturally high in glutamic acid, like tamari, kelp and mushroom powder.

Central European cuisine heats up

It was just a matter of time before Central Europe became an inspiration for chefs  after all, its a cuisine that features fermented food and smoked meats. In New York, Stephen Starrs new Veronika restaurant will highlight Hungarian and Viennese food, two areas that havent seen major play in the city for decades. But hes on to something: in San Francisco, the just-opened Dear Inga pays tribute to the foods of former Eastern bloc countries with smoked sausages and stuffed cabbage alongside local beer. In Chicago, Maddons Post, from former Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon, highlights Polish cuisine.

West African ingredients proliferate

Following the popularity of superfood moringa, several African ingredients are lining up to be next on the hot list. The high-fibre, ricelike grain fonio has been called the next quinoa, but also look for protein-rich egusi seeds, which are used to thicken soups. At his Harlem restaurant Teranga, Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam adds dawadawa, a fermented locust bean that enriches many soups and stews in West Africa, to stewed kale. In 2020, when his food company Yolele Foods releases a line of pilafs, it will be key to the one he calls Afro-funk.

Fusion reborn as autobiography

What used to be dismissed as fusion cooking is now the strongest trend in the restaurant world because it allows chefs to tell their own stories, which might range from hanging out in food courts as a teenager to family fishing trips. Its the hallmark of such chefs as Kwame Onwuachi at Kith/Kin in Washington, D.C., who uses the menu to highlight his heritage from Nigeria to New Orleans to New York. Helene An, the chef behind Los Angeless elite seafood spot Crustacean, offers a $225, 12-course menu at her new Da Lat Rose, which, dish by dish, tells her story of coming to the U.S. from Vietnam as a refugee in the 1970s.

Disco rules again

In the vein of reuse and recycle, the next generation of restaurateurs is celebrating a quintessential but unfairly maligned American soundtrack: disco. Sunset, the downstairs lounge at the just-opened Edition West Hollywood, is in full disco mode, with glittering balls hanging from the ceiling. The recently opened JJs Hideaway in Brooklyn specializes in disco music  light-up dance floor included. In Miami, Minnies Disco has become a popular pop-up at restaurant Alter. Across the border in Toronto, the no-waste Trash Tiki Collective co-founder Kelsey Ramage has opened Supernova Ballroom, which has disco as the soundtrack and coasters bearing record covers from the time period. Even eco-friendly glitter decorates its Twice on Sunday gin cocktail.
The legacy of 1989 is freedom, unity, and sovereignty.

President Zuzana Caputova met French President Emmanuel Macron during her official visit to France on July 24. (Source: TASR)

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Christophe Leonzi is the French Ambassador to Slovakia

It is encouraging to see the vibrant commemorations celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in Bratislava, for which civil society, citizen movements and Slovak authorities joined forces.

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The engagement of Slovaks in the Velvet Revolution was fundamental to this historic moment, the living memory of which should be passed on to future generations. Young Slovak citizens should proudly embrace everything that our united Europe owes the citizens of Central Europe who waged the revolution.

At a time when dark forces are looming once more, Europe needs to rekindle the spirit of 1989, one of enlightenment, and take inspiration from this revolution in furthering European integration.
Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange. Brendan McDermid | Reuters

1. Stock futures tank after US kills top Iranian military leader

Stock futures fell sharply Friday after the U.S. confirmed it was behind an airstrike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian military leader. Soleimani's death not only heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S., it also raised concern over an energy shock that could hurt the global economy. Friday's losses would take a big chunk out of Thursday's strong rally to record highs.

2. Oil prices jump

Flames burn from gas venting pipes on the Casablanca oil platform, operated by Repsol SA, in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tarragona, Spain, on Tuesday, June 28, 2016. The exploration and production division, which pumped 714,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in the quarter, posted a 17 million-euro profit, up from a 190 million-euro loss a year earlier. Photographer: Angel Navarrete/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

West Texas Intermediate futures jumped nearly 4% to around $63.50 per barrel following the killing of Soleimani. This gave energy stocks a boost in the premarket. However, investors largely fled risk assets in favor of traditional safe havens such as gold and Treasurys. Gold futures jumped more than 1% and traded near $1,550 per ounce. The 10-year Treasury yield dropped to 1.81%.

3. Iran vows revenge

Protesters shout slogans against the United States and Israel as they hold posters with the image of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a demonstration in the Kashmiri town of Magam on January 3, 2020. Tauseef Mustafa | AFP | Getty Images

Iran vowed to retaliate against the U.S. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a tweet: "The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism." Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami reportedly said "a crushing revenge" will be taken by Iran. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also said the country's stance against the U.S. will be "more decisive."

4. US to Americans in Iraq: Depart 'immediately'

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he meets with Paraguay's President Mario Abdo Benitez in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 13, 2019. Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert on Friday morning, urging U.S. citizens in Iraq to leave the country "immediately." The Embassy said citizens should "depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land."

5. Apple gets big price-target hike from Bank of America

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stephen Lam | Getty Images
Azerbaijanis stoned an Armenian car on the Stepanakert-Goris road

Armenian FM has a phone call with his Polish counterpart

Macron travels to French Riviera to discuss internal security issues

Artsakh Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan's aggressive behavior aims to disrupt Russian peacekeepers' activities

US COVID-19 cases reach 60 million

European Parliament President hospitalized due to immune system dysfunction

Washington and Ankara discuss normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey

WHO excludes emergence of deltacron strain

In Karabakh Azerbaijanis shelled tractor

Indian Defense Minister tests positive for COVID-19

US-Russia talks on security guarantees lasting for seven hours already

NEWS.am daily digest: 10.01.22

Pashinyan appoints Hayk Mkrtchyan as Deputy Governor of Kotayk province

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Internet cut off in Kazakhstan

Armenia, Kazakhstan ombudspersons confer on Armenian communitys rights

Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Kazakhstan

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Iranian Foreign Ministry reports progress in Vienna negotiations

Dollar continues going up in Armenia

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Armenia army General Staff has new deputy chief

Australia to buy US $ 2.5 billion of armored vehicles

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Kazakh Colonel Nazanov dies after heart attack

Australia begins to vaccinate children aged 5-11 with COVID-19 vaccine

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EU is ready to support in addressing Karabakh crisis

126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

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Oil is getting more expensive

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Interior ministry: About 8,000 people detained in Kazakhstan

Earthquake hits Armenia-Azerbaijan border zone

Researchers create substitute for egg whites from fungus

Kazakhstan official information channel removes message about 164 casualties

EC says construction of new nuclear power plants in Europe will require  500 billion in investment

Ghost ship that sank 343 years ago discovered in US

Post-COVID-19 antibodies may attack healthy cells, scientists say

Pope says he was praying for Kazakhstan

Media: 164 people die in Kazakhstan during riots

Peskov: CSTO session does not plan to sign documents yet

Criminal cases launched after bomb threat in Armenian, Belarus embassies in Moscow

Norwegian military surrender panties before demobilization

Iranian MFA says Tehran is ready for talks on downed plane of UIA Ukraine

Russian defense minister says information war is on all fronts

Several strategic objects in Kazakhstan transferred to CSTO contingent under protection

David Minasyan elected head of Armenia's Parakar community

Bloomberg: US is considering issue of limiting supply of high-tech products to Russia

Armenia reports 142 COVID-19 new cases

Council of Elders meeting continues in Armenia's Parakar

White House speaks on Blinken statement on Russian peacekeeping troops

Armed people detained at border in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan talks stabilization of situation in all regions of country

Azerbaijanis demand Armenian soldier change his faith by taking away his cross, Ombudsman says

Armenian painter Mher Mansurian dies in France

At least 17 killed in Egypt road accident

NATO chief announces Russia forces continued buildup in Ukraine

Armenian militarys transfer to Kazakhstan is completed

Azerbaijan opens fire on military positions near Armenia village

Unidentified persons report threat of explosion at Armenia, Belarus embassies in Moscow

Putin confers with Pashinyan, Lukashenko on situation in Kazakhstan

Zakharova: OSCE has not provided real assistance to reporters who were attacked in Kazakhstan

Lukashenko, Putin discuss situation in CSTO member countries

Russia's Putin has telephonic conversation with Kazakhstan's Tokayev

Quake hits waters off Chile

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1 more person dies of coronavirus in Karabakh

Artsakh resident, 91 found dead near village

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Kazakhstan interior ministry: There are foreigners among those detained in Almaty region

Russia continues transporting its peacekeepers to Kazakhstan

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Shootings continue in Kazakhstans Almaty

Lenovo reveals Legion Y90 gaming smartphone

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10 bodies found inside SUV left in front of Mexico state governors office

France fines Google and Facebook EUR 210 million

NATO Secretary-General calls on Russia to de-escalate, withdraw its forces
The Pentagon has confirmed that a U.S. strike at Baghdad's International Airport Thursday night killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, head of the Quds Force within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

He had been planning attacks on U.S. troops and diplomats, officials said.

In an unattributed statement, the Defense Department said that on order of President Donald Trump "the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," head of the Quds Force, which was recently designated as a terrorist organization by the State Department.

The Pentagon statement charged that Soleimani was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," prompting the rocket attack on vehicles at the airport.

Related: Demonstrators Will 'Run into a Buzzsaw' If They Try to Overrun US Embassy: Milley

Iraqi media said the attack was carried out by drones.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the statement added. "The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

President Donald Trump did not speak publicly about the killing of Soleimani Thursday night, but tweeted out the image of an American flag.

Earlier, in an off-camera Pentagon briefing, Defense Secretary Mark Esper had warned that the U.S. was prepared to take preemptive action to protect U.S. forces and facilities in the region following an assault Tuesday on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, allegedly planned by Suleimani.

Iran's Tasnim news agency, which has close ties to the IRGC, confirmed Soleimani's death early Friday local time.

The strike at the airport killed a total of five people, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, head of the Iranian-backed Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) militia believed responsible for the storming of the U.S. embassy on Tuesday, according to Iraqi state TV.

The U.S. has charged that the KH militia was behind at least 11 rocket attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq in the last two months, including one last Friday on a U.S. position near central Kirkuk that killed an American contractor and wounded four U.S. troops.

The Pentagon statement noted Soleimani's history as a main figure in orchestrating Iran's support for opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and for the Lebanese Hezbollah in backing the regime of Syria President Bashar al-Assad.

"General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more" since 2003, the Pentagon's statement said.

In addition, "He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months," including the one near Kirkuk that killed the American contractor, the statement said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Read More: New US Space Force Hub Renamed 'SPOC'
Agreement to restore powersharing in Northern Ireland can be reached in the short term, Sinn Fein has insisted, but the DUP has cautioned against "quick-fix solutions".

On the first day of talks this year, political parties continued to work towards finding a way to bring the Stormont administration back.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy said his party believed a deal could be reached in the short term, adding it saw "no need" to draw the talks out until the January 13 deadline.

Speaking later, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said engagements so far had been "very constructive", but he warned against "quick-fix solutions", and said the parties "need to get it right" to ensure sustainable government.

"We want Stormont to be credible, strong, robust and can withstand the inevitable challenges and difficulties that come down the road," he said.

The latest process, which was initiated in the wake of the British general election, was paused over the festive period after a pre-Christmas deal failed to materialise.

Expand Close Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill and Conor Murphy meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith at Stormont House, Belfast. Photo: Presseye/PA Wire / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sinn Feins Michelle ONeill and Conor Murphy meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith at Stormont House, Belfast. Photo: Presseye/PA Wire

UK Secretary of State Julian Smith, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney and the local parties returned to Stormont House yesterday morning to resume the effort.

The DUP and Sinn Fein held separate meetings with Mr Smith, before a round table with the other Stormont parties and Irish Government.

Further bilateral meetings continued throughout the day.

Mr Murphy said political will was needed to secure agreement. "We think agreement can be reached in short order, we don't see any need to run this down to the wire to January 13 in some kind of dramatic way," he said.

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Whatsapp Arlene Foster and Emma Little Pengelly with UK minister Julian Smith. Photo: Presseye/PA Wire

"The issues that we are dealing with are all well-rehearsed, what we need now is political will to get down to resolving very, very quickly and that is going to be our focus."

Mr Murphy outlined some of the issues where agreement remained to be reached.

"There are obvious ones around language provision, the petition of concern and its usage, but there are also issues this afternoon which will be talked out around programme for government, financial resources available to any new executive," he said.

"This place can't function if we can't deliver for public services, we can't just sit here and be an instrument of Tory austerity.

"We have to have sufficient public resources to be able to deliver services which recognise the particular circumstances in this part of Ireland and the difficulties we face.

"There are a range of issues which will be discussed in the next couple of days. None of them, I don't think, need to be exhausted ad infinitum, we need to be bring this to a conclusion. There are pressures continuing to mount in relation to public health, health services and the treatment of staff in the health service. We need to get back working again so we can fix those as quickly as possible."

Mr Donaldson said for his party "all roads lead back to Stormont".

"We want this done as quickly as possible but we also want to ensure that the agreement is fair and balanced, that it is sustainable, that the political institutions that are restored are sustainable, that we have a lengthy period of political sustainability," he said.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia on Saturday will visit schools to oversee the parent-teacher meeting (PTM), which is scheduled for January 4 in all Delhi government schools.

Kejriwal CM will visit the Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya in Rouse Avenue while Sisodia will pay a visit to the School of Excellence, Dwarka.

Both the visits will take place simultaneously at 9:45 AM.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It also provoked a furious response from Trump, who took to Twitter to inaccurately criticize Christianity Today as a far left magazine and to tout his record on issues important to evangelical voters. Its that policy record  opposing abortion, nominating conservative jurists and moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem  that has attracted many evangelicals to Trump and that his campaign is emphasizing as part of his reelection effort. Hes done some things that I didnt necessarily agree with, but you know, hes not a preacher, said Pastor Jentezen Franklin, who leads Free Chapel in Gainesville, Ga., and was to participate in Fridays event. Hes not a perfect person, but he is a leader and he gets a lot done in the midst of tremendous opposition.
On Tuesday, December 31, the Iranian-backed Kataeb Hezb'allah militia attacked the American embassy in Baghdad. Because an American embassy is always considered American soil, no matter where the embassy is located, the attack was the same as an attack on America itself.

Following the attack, Trump eschewed diplomatic talk and immediately promised serious reprisals:

....Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019

Fox News reports that Trump, unlike some who drew rhetorical red lines without meaning them, has already made good on that promise:

President Trump ordered a game-changing U.S. military attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, among other military officials at Baghdad International Airport early Friday, the Pentagon confirmed. Soleimani is the military mastermind whom Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had deemed equally as dangerous as Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In October, Baghdadi killed himself during a U.S. raid on a compound in northwest Syria, seven months after the so-called ISIS "caliphate" crumbled as the terrorist group lost its final swath of Syrian territory in March. [snip] Friday's Baghdad strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, a source told Fox News. In all, at least seven people were killed and at least three rockets were fired, officials told The Associated Press. An official with the Popular Mobilization Forces said its airport protocol officer, Mohammed Reda, also died.

Although Trump did not tweet explicitly about the attack, several hours later he tweeted out an American flag:

As of this writing (Jan. 2 at 10:30 P.M. EST), Iran has not yet responded to the attack.

UPDATE: Iran is promising "harsh retaliation" and has announced three days of mourning after General Qassim Soleimani was killed on Iraqi soil. Mostly, though, it is critiquing U.S. actions in language usually seen on the editorial page of the New York Times. Take, for example, the tweet from Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister:

The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.



The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

Iran may be upset, but the Iraqis could not be happier. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo tweeted out footage of them celebrating wildly:

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

Iraqi happiness is not surprising, for Soleimani, leader of an elite intelligence ring in Iran's Quds Force, was a prolific killer:

Soleimani was the long-running leader of the elite intelligence wing called the Quds Force  a special forces external arm of the IRGC responsible for supporting terrorist proxies across the Middle East. It reports directly to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and was itself designated a terror group in 2007. The group is estimated to have amassed a militia of 20,000 fighters. American officials have condemned the Quds Force as being responsible for spreading Iran's Islamic revolution, supporting terrorists, subverting pro-Western governments and waging Iran's foreign wars. [snip] Outgoing U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told Fox News in an exclusive exit interview in 2015: "Qassem Soleimani is the one who has been exporting malign activities throughout the Middle East for some time now. He's absolutely responsible for killing many Americans. In fact, I would say the last two years I was there, the majority of our casualties came from his surrogates, not Sunni or Al Qaeda." In April 2019, the State Department announced that Iranian and Iranian-backed forces led by Soleimani were responsible for killing 608 U.S. troops during the Iraq War.

The Democrats responded predictably. As with al-Baghdadi's death, the Washington Post adopted a respectful tone, describing Soleimani not as a terrorist with American blood on his hands, but as a "revered" man:

In response to a tweet from Rep. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) voicing what proved to be a common Democrat fear about acting decisively against an enemy, Ilhan Omar accused Trump of pulling a "wag the dog" tactic  that is, using a military strike to distract from his domestic troubles:

So what if Trump wants war, knows this leads to war and needs the distraction?



Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him? I know I will. https://t.co/Fj9TMossEW  Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 3, 2020

Rep. Murphy, incidentally, is incorrect that Congress had a say in this, just as it had no say in top secret operations to take out al-Baghdadi or Osama bin Laden.

Joe Biden's press release probably spoke for most Democrats, when he said, in so many words, that "Soleimani was a really bad guy, but if we stand up to bad guys (as opposed to throwing money at them), they might get more bad":

Churchill would have understood the Democrats' concerns, for on January 20, 1940, he famously described appeasers:

Each one hopes that if he feeds the crocodile enough, the crocodile will eat him last. All of them hope that the storm will pass before their turn comes to be devoured. But I fear greatly that the storm will not pass. It will rage and it will roar ever more loudly, ever more widely.

UPDATE II: Trump has released two tweets explaining who Soleimani was, why he deserved to be the subject of a targeted military strike, and how many ordinary Iranians are as happy as anyone else that Soleimani is dead:
The U.S. assassination of a top Iranian military commander in Iraq has sparked statements of concern from around the world as countries brace for fallout from one of the most serious Iran-U.S. escalations in decades.



Tehran responded with threats of reprisals after the United States announced that it had targeted Qasem Soleimani, the longtime head of an elite unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) known as the Quds Force, in an air strike outside the Iraqi capital on January 3.



The attack also reportedly killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a deputy commander of the Iran-backed Hashd Shaabi militia in Iraq.

"The cycle of violence, provocations and retaliations which we have witnessed In Iraq over the past few weeks has to stop. Further escalation must be avoided at all cost," European Council President Charles Michel said in a statement.



His words were echoed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said in a statement that this is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint.



The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf, he warned.



Russia and China, which along with European powers have sought to keep a 4-year-old nuclear deal with Tehran alive since Washington withdrew in 2018, were quick to warn against military intervention to resolve disputes.



Beijing decried "the use of force in international relations" and said Iraqi sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected, according to the AFP news agency.



"We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters on January 3.



Russia, which has pursued closer ties with Tehran as U.S.-Iranian tensions mounted, called the U.S. killing of Soleimani "reckless."



Moscow and Tehran have backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his years-long war against radical Sunni Islamists and other foes of his government in Damascus, and each has historically eyed Turkish regional influence warily.



Soleimani was widely regarded as an architect of Assad's war against the rebels in Syria.



"We regard the killing of Soleimani as a result of an American missile strike on the outskirts of Baghdad as a reckless step which could lead to a growth of tensions across the region," the Russian Foreign Ministry said, according to Interfax.

'A More Dangerous World'



Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova in a Facebook post criticized U.S. actions in the UN Security Council before commenting on the Soleimani killing, saying that "in addition to the escalation of tensions in the region, which will surely hit millions of people, it will not lead to anything."

In a telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Macron said there should be no "new dangerous escalation of tensions" and "called on all the parties to act with restraint," the French presidency said.

NATO member Turkey said via a Foreign Ministry statement that it was "deeply concerned about the escalating U.S.-Iranian tension" and said the U.S. operation "will increase the insecurity and instability in the region."

Ankara urged "all parties to act in common sense and sobriety, to avoid unilateral steps that would jeopardize the peace and stability of our region and to prioritize diplomacy."



French Junior Foreign Minister Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio that "We have woken up to a more dangerous world."



Tensions between the United States and Iran have mounted since U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which traded curbs on Iran's nuclear activities for relief from international sanctions.



Trump's administration has called the pullout and resulting sanctions part of a "maximum pressure" policy on Iran that also included the designation of the Quds Force as a "foreign terrorist organization."

U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also urged "all parties to de-escalate."



"Further conflict is in none of our interests," he said in a statement on January 3, adding that Britain had recognized the "aggressive threat" posed by the Quds Force under Soleimani's leadership.



U.K. bases in the Middle East have increased their security and readiness, a Defense Ministry spokesman was quoted by Reuters as saying.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted later on January 3 that he had spoken to Raab and was "thankful that our allies recognize the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Iranian Quds Force." He also said the United States "remains committed to de-escalation."

Pompeo later on January 3 spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Pompeo stressed to Lavrov that the United States "remains committed to de-escalation," according to the U.S. State Department. Lavrov, however, told Pompeo the killing of Soleimani would lead to fresh escalation and have "grave consequences for regional peace and stability," according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip to Greece following news of the Soleimani killing to follow "ongoing developments," his office said.



Israel regards Iran's Quds Force as the prime mover behind a network of anti-Israeli foes and has targeted the Iranian unit's presence in Syria on several occasions.

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defense, the United States has exactly the same right. Qasem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks," Netanyahu later tweeted.



'Criminal Assassins'



Hizballah, the Lebanon-based Shi'ite group that was founded with Iranian help in the 1980s, called on a "resistance" around the world to avenge Soleimani's death, AFP reported.



"Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins...will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide," said the group, which remains heavily reliant on Iranian military and financial support.



Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of "severe retaliation" against the "criminals" who killed Soleimani, who had led efforts to help Syrian and Iranian troops beat back anti-government forces in both those countries, including Islamic State (IS) militants.



Soleimani, whom analysts saw as Iran's real power broker when it came to policies of war and peace, had visited Baghdad regularly to meet with senior Iraqi officials and is thought to be the force behind the rise of pro-Iranian paramilitaries in Iraq.

WATCH: Radio Farda Director Mehdi Parpanchi Says Slain Quds Force Commander 'Irreplaceable' For Iran

Multiple U.S. reports in the past week have quoted unnamed officials suggesting that Iran was orchestrating recent attacks on Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops.



An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abbas Musavi, denied any Iranian role and called such allegations "a blatant insult to the people of Iraq."



On January 3, Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi called the U.S. strike "an outrageous breach of the conditions for the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq."



"Carrying out liquidation operations against Iraqi leadership figures on Iraqi soil is a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty, a blatant attack on the dignity of the country, and a dangerous escalation that could ignite a devastating war in Iraq, the region, and the world," he said.



Abdul-Mahdi resigned last month amid public protests over government failures and concern at perceived Iranian influence in Iraq, as well as at the political system put in place after the U.S.-led coalition ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003, but he has stayed on atop a caretaker government.

With reporting by AFP, AP, dpa, and Reuters
She is a hot favourite for her comedy-drama Fleabag this award's season.

And Phoebe Waller-Bridge enjoyed a reunion with her co-stars on Friday, as she was joined by Andrew Scott and Sian Clifford at the AFI awards luncheon in Los Angeles, following the news the BBC show would be receiving a 'special award' from the board.

The writer and actress, 34, looked incredible for the event as she went braless in a chic monochrome trouser suit for her turn on the red carpet on Friday.

Glam: Phoebe Waller-Bridge enjoyed a reunion with her co-stars on Friday, as she was joined by Andrew Scott and Sian Clifford at the AFI Awards in Los Angeles

Phoebe, who plays the titular character in the programme, posed for snaps with the show's 'hot priest' Andrew and her on-screen sister and real life BFF Sian.

The Killing Eve creator looked seriously sophisticated in a plunging champagne coloured suit jacket, complete with sleek black lapels and pockets.

She teamed the garment with a pair of figure-hugging cigarette trousers, while boosting her already statuesque frame with a pair of strappy black heels.

Back together! Phoebe, who plays the titular character in the programme, posed for snaps with the show's 'hot priest' Andrew and her on-screen sister and real life BFF Sian

Androgynous chic: The Killing Eve creator looked seriously sophisticated in a plunging champagne coloured suit jacket, complete with sleek black lapels and pockets

Let me tell you: Joker actor Joaquin Phoenix, 45, appeared animated as he chatted to Phoebe

Phoebe wore her raven tresses in her signature quaffed style and accentuated her striking features with soft touches of make-up in an neutral pallet.

Joining Phoebe on the red carpet was her co-star Sian, who looked equally glamorous in a form-fitting blue dress which highlighted her sensational frame.

The actress, who plays Claire on the BBC1 hit, teamed her high-necked number with a pair of barely-there heels and wore her locks in a loose, straight style.

Stunning: Phoebe's shimmering jacket covered up her braless frame, while her raven tresses were swept away from her face

On-screen love: Phoebe's reunion with 'hot priest' star Andrew will no doubt leave Fleabag fans delighted after their characters enjoyed a short-lived on-screen romance in the second series

Success! Fleabag has already claimed an unprecedented four Primetime Emmy Awards, two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards and three Television Critics Association Awards (pictured left Phoebe in the show and at the awards right)

Trio: Phoebe and Sian were also joined by Jurassic Park star Laura Dern, 52, who wowed in a polka dot dress

Style: Phoebe and Sian happily posed either side of Sherlock star Andrew Scott, 43

In good company: Phoebe also beamed alongside Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt, 56, who showed off a black shirt and jacket

Meanwhile, Andrew looked typically dapper in a bright blue satin suit, which he wore over a green polo shirt and teamed with brown leather shoes.

Inside the bash, the group caught up with actor Succession star Brian Cox and Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, as they were pictured sharing an animated conversation.

Phoebe's reunion with 'hot priest' star Andrew will no doubt leave Fleabag fans delighted after their characters enjoyed a short-lived on-screen romance in the second series.

Andrew's character, actually known as 'The Priest', was introduced in the second series of the show after he was brought in to officiate her father and his second wife's wedding, and forbidden sparks immediately flew between him and Fleabag.

Sisters: Phoebe and Sian's characters had a tumultuous relationship throughout the two series but eventually found common ground

Chatty: Inside the bash, the group caught up with actor Succession star Brian Cox and Mad Men actor Jon Hamm, as they were pictured sharing an animated conversation

Elegant: Phoebe wore her raven tresses in her signature quaffed style and accentuated her striking features with soft touches of make-up in an neutral pallet

Smiley: Phoebe also stood alongside actress and dancer Margaret Qualley, 25, who wrapped her arm around Phoebe's waist

The sequel series ended with Fleabag and the 'hot priest' going their separate ways during a tearful goodbye at a bus stop, however it seems their on-screen experience as resulted in a firm friendship between the pair.

Andrew previously revealed during an interview with the Guardian that he was so 'grateful' to Phoebe for casting him in the role as the attractive man of the cloth.

The actor said it was 'uncharted territory' for him, as he has never been given the opportunity to play the heartthrob in a role, but admitted he likes not being defined by his sexuality, profession or nationality.

Fleabag has already claimed an unprecedented four Primetime Emmy Awards, two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards and three Television Critics Association Awards.

Jokers! The group appeared to be in high spirits as they shared a joke at the event
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi announced on Friday that she gave birth to a baby boy on New Year's Day. This is her second child with her husband, Chinese rock musician Wang Feng.



"On Jan. 1, 2020, our life has a new 'him' and now we have another one to happily care for. This is the best new year gift for us, I feel very grateful. What a new year! Happy new year to everyone!" Zhang, 40, wrote in a microblog post on her Sina Weibo account. She also attached three photos to show her baby but without revealing his face.

The media reported that she delivered her son in California. The actress previously mentioned in a media interview that she would have a new baby when she was 40.

Wang Feng, a 48-year-old veteran rock musician, also shared this post on his account and commented in more detail, "It was the second time I stood by my wife, holding her hand tight, and welcoming our baby. Once again I feel the hardships and greatness of a mother. Thank you my wife, thank you for giving this family a super-healthy and super-loud son weighing 3.6 kg on such a wonderful day - the very first day of the 2020 decade. I'm extremely happy and mother and son are both safe and sound."

Though Wang had several love affairs in the past, this is his first son. Wang has three daughters: two from his previous marriages, and a third daughter nicknamed Xing Xing who is now 4-years-old. Xing Xing is the first child that Zhang Ziyi and he had.

Zhang and Wang got married in May 2015. Zhang Ziyi who became famous for her roles in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Hero" and "The Grandmaster," is now enjoying her family life more. She only starred in two films in 2019 - "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" and "The Climbers." Wang Feng was working on a new album that was supposed to be released in 2019, but due to the new baby, the album release has been postponed.




(Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates started the last decade worth more than $50 billion and a pledge to donate a big chunk of his fortune to charity.

By the end of it, hed given billions of dollars to fight poverty and improve health care and education. But his net worth also more than doubled during the period, a result of soaring stock markets and favorable tax policies.

And so, at the end of the decade, the worlds second-richest person said he wants his fellow billionaires to pay much higher taxes.

U.S. lawmakers should close loopholes, raise the estate tax and hike the capital-gains tax so that it equals the rate on labor income, Gates wrote Monday in a year-end blog post. He also called for states and local governments to make their taxes fairer and reiterated his support for a state income tax in Washington, where he and his wife Melinda live.

Ive been disproportionately rewarded for the work Ive done -- while many others who work just as hard struggle to get by, he wrote. Thats why Im for a tax system in which, if you have more money, you pay a higher percentage in taxes. And I think the rich should pay more than they currently do, and that includes Melinda and me.

Gates, 64, has a net worth of $113.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, a ranking of the worlds 500 richest people. In 2010, he and Melinda announced the Giving Pledge with Warren Buffett and asked other billionaires to sign to give away portions of their fortunes. As of May, 204 people from 23 countries agreed to participate.

At an event in November, Gates expressed reservations about the wealth tax proposed by presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. In his blog post, he said he wont take a position on the various proposals being debated during the campaign.

But I believe we can make our system fairer without sacrificing the incentive to innovate, he wrote. Americans in the top 1% can afford to pay a lot more before they stop going to work or creating jobs. In the 1970s, when Paul Allen and I were starting Microsoft, marginal tax rates were almost twice the top rate today. It didnt hurt our incentive to build a great company.

Story continues

Some people ask Gates why he doesnt just pay extra taxes himself, but that is not a scalable solution, he wrote. Additional voluntary giving will never raise enough money for everything the government needs to do.

The Gates foundation had paid out $50.1 billion in grants as of the end of 2018. Gates defended tax breaks for foundations in his post, writing that philanthropy is good at managing high-risk projects that government cant take on and corporations wont.

(Updates with views on personal giving starting in penultimate paragraph.)

--With assistance from Sophie Alexander.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ben Steverman in New York at bsteverman@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Pierre Paulden at ppaulden@bloomberg.net, Peter Eichenbaum, Steven Crabill

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians' bearded bad boy Scott Disick and his much younger girlfriend Sofia Richie boarded a private jet in Aspen on Thursday night after their New Year's vacation.

At 36, the four-time rehabbed father-of-three is 15 years older than the Select Model, who was wearing a white pompom beanie with a navy sweatshirt and blue jeans.

The Calabasas couple have been practically inseparable ever since their first PDA-filled sighting aboard a yacht in the South of France in May 2017, when Sofia was only 18.

Bye Colorado! KUWTK bearded bad boy Scott Disick (R) and his much younger girlfriend Sofia Richie (L) boarded a private jet in Aspen on Thursday night after their New Year's vacation

Joining the Talentless CEO and the LA socialite were his 10-year-old son Mason and his seven-year-old daughter Penelope.

Scott enlisted the services of PRVT to arrange his family's chartered aircraft.

Earlier that same day, Sofia hit the slopes with 1 OAK co-owner Darren Dzienciol rather than the preppy 'Lord' Disick.

Freezing: At 36, the four-time rehabbed father-of-three is 15 years older than the Select Model, who was wearing a white pompom beanie with a navy sweatshirt and blue jeans

Loading her board and bags! The Calabasas couple have been practically inseparable ever since their first PDA-filled sighting aboard a yacht in the South of France in May 2017, when Sofia was only 18

Squad: Joining the Talentless CEO and the LA socialite were his 10-year-old son Mason and his seven-year-old daughter Penelope

Jet setters: Scott enlisted the services of PRVT to arrange his family's chartered aircraft

The 34-year-old nightlife impresario was frequently seen tagging along with the May-December duo during their romantic Colorado getaway.

Meanwhile, the Flip It Like Disick star's babymama Kourtney Kardashian took care of their youngest child - five-year-old son Reign - at her $8.5M six-bedroom 12K-square-foot mansion.

The half-Armenian 40-year-old famously ended her on/off nine-year romance with the self-described 'sex addict' after he was caught canoodling with stylist Chloe Bartoli in Monte Carlo back in 2015.

Besties? Earlier that same day, Sofia hit the slopes with 1 OAK co-owner Darren Dzienciol (L) rather than the preppy 'Lord' Disick

Third wheeling: The 34-year-old nightlife impresario (2-R) was frequently seen tagging along with the May-December duo during their romantic Colorado getaway (pictured Tuesday)
ROSEAU, Minn.  A Minnesota man has been arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder.

Officers from the Roseau County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reporting someone had been shot at a residence near rural Badger at about 8:05 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found a deceased woman. Also at the scene was Angelo Oluf Borreson, 56, who was taken into custody and booked in the Roseau County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, according to a release from the Roseau County Sheriff's Office.

Formal charges are expected to be filed later this week, according to the release.

The name of the deceased will be released pending positive identification and notification of family members. The investigation is ongoing and there is no threat to public safety, according to the release.
According to the PM, the government has a particular purpose  defeat illegal black and grey markets

Police closed 15 illegal gambling rooms on the reports at the governmental hot line in the period of time starting from December 27, 2019, as Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Honcharuk reported on Telegram.

On the reports to the governmental hot line starting from December 27, 2019, the law enforcers stopped the activity of 15 illegal gambling rooms, which attempted to restore work, the PM wrote.

Besides, Honcharuk added that the government has a particular purpose  defeat illegal black and grey markets, which harm the economy of Ukraine.

It is essential for its growth and development, he added.

The PM reminded that the calls to the governmental hot line are free.

On December 20, the government of Ukraine made a decision on the complete stop of the activity of the gambling rooms, which worked disguised as lotteries.

The same day, the National Police officers closed over 5,300 such establishments all over Ukraine.

As we reported, the National Police of Ukraine created 715 mobile units not to allow the restoration of the gambling rooms disguised as lotteries.
The killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike at Baghdad Airport has dominated the news headlines across the world.

As Iran promised retaliation, news organisations documented the potential fallout of the move by Donald Trump as well as the history that led to the moment on Friday morning.

The BBCs main story was headlined: Top Iranian general killed by US in Iraq, while the Sky News headline on its front page was: US forces kill top Iranian general in airstrike on Baghdad airport.

Irans state broadcaster PressTV wrote: US assassinates Irans Gen. Soleimani, Iraqi PMU deputy head.

Iran headines

Iran general headlines

Iran general headlines

Many news outlets focused on the fact the airstrike was ordered by Donald Trump - a move that has led to some criticism from his rivals in the US, with some questioning the authority he had to do so.

Mail Onlines headline read: Donald Deals Death, while The New York Times main story carried the headline: US Strike Ordered by Trump Kills Powerful Iranian Commander.

The Metro also focused on President Trumps involvement, headlining its main story: Donald Trump orders airstrike that kills second most powerful man in Iran.

Iran general headlines

Iran general headlines

Iran general headlines

Other publications were quick moved to the possible fallout of the US airstrike, referring to Irans vows of harsh vengeance and retaliation.

Russias Moscow Times focused on the reaction to the killing and possible escalation of tensions, with the headline: Russian Senator Calls U.S. Killing of Top Iranian General Worst Case Scenario, Expects New U.S-Iran Clashes.

headlines

The Independents headline read: Iran vows harsh vengeance after top general killed in US airstrike while Aljazeeras said: Iran vows harsh response after US kills commander.

Iran general headlines

Iran general headlines

Fox News wrote: Iran vows harsh retaliation, with the subheader: Tehran blasts US for act of terrorism after killing top general, foot beyond the red line.

READ MORE

Everything you need to know about Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed in a US air strike

Story continues

Soleimani, a general who became Iran icon by targeting US

UK tabloid newspaper The Sun wrote: Act of War US kills top Iran general in rocket strike as Tehran vows crushing revenge.

Iran general headlines

Iran general headlines

In the US, the New York Post ran stories on both the strike itself and threats of revenge from Iran, but its main story focused on criticism of Donald Trump by Democratic candidates, with the headline: Democratic candidates sound off on US attack that killed top Iranian general.
Todays story will be of special interest to business owners where their own car or an employees vehicle might be used for business purposes. With this in mind, how would you answer this true/false question? As long as our personal vehicles are only used occasionally for business-related matters  such as picking up clients from the airport or making deliveries of things like contracts or other documents  there is no need to obtain business auto insurance. Our personal auto policies will cover us. If you said true, you could be in hot water one day. Just run that question by Southern California personal injury attorney, author and lecturer Shawn Steel and youll understand why business auto insurance can be the single most valuable asset you own if things go horribly wrong, as he says. Steel, who is a friend of this column, is a credit to the legal profession, writing and lecturing on aspects of personal injury practice. He strives to truly help accident victims and also to assure that health care professionals get the compensation owed to them. Red Flag Warning for Employers and their Employees It is critical that employers understand the risks they are exposed to when employees use their own vehicles for company purposes. This starts with being aware of the typical limits of liability with personal auto insurance. Most personal insurance liability policies are small, with lots of people only having their states minimum limit. Those limits dont come close what would be needed to cover any significant injuries, with some states only requiring $15,000 in liability coverage per person.

In a bad accident with fractures or other serious injuries requiring surgery and hospitalization, Steel points out, damages could be much greater than the limits of most personal insurance policies. Add to this the real possibility that an employees policy could exclude accidents that occur while the vehicle is being used for the benefit of the employer. If that happens, both the employee and employer are likely going to be sued, unless the employer has adequate limits of business auto coverage. Understand the meaning of Course and Scope of Employment Employers need to understand an important legal concept called Course and Scope of Employment, the following example provided by Steel: Bob drives his own car to and from work and one day causes an accident on the way home from his job. His own personal auto insurance will cover him. But anytime he deviates from his route at the request of his employer  lets say to pick up lunch for the office staff  then if he has an accident the primary carrier should be the business insurance, not his personal policy. The incredible value of having business auto coverage was demonstrated in a tragic accident he uses in his lectures for both chiropractors and lawyers. If anything proves the reason to obtain adequate limits of coverage, this one does: The client was working in a freeway trash pickup, wearing a bright orange outfit. While doing his job, putting trash in the truck, a speeding car came over a hill and crushed both of his legs, requiring amputation below his knees. The 17-year-old boy driving the car lived with his parents on a ranch. It was the young mans car, in his name and had state minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person.

An investigation revealed that on this day  a Sunday morning  he was delivering a package of candy for one of his mothers customers, from her store. They had business insurance, including business auto, in a million-dollar limit, which the insurance company promptly paid. Lacking that, the ranch and business would have been sued. In addition, the ranch also had insurance  and a million-dollar umbrella policy covered everyone in the family. Moms store also had $1 million of coverage. This was an example of the familys independent insurance agent truly acting in their best interest, as buying those limits of coverage is one of the best bargains available in the world of insurance. Running a business creates risk, and these risks are amplified when family members or employees use their own vehicles on the job. Companies that are bankrupted  families losing homes to satisfy large judgments  these things happen and seldom make it to the front pages of our newspapers. Adequate Limits for Coverage Experts recommend a minimum of at least $100,000 per person for bodily injury coverage, and $300,000 per accident, and property-damage coverage of $50,000, or a minimum of $300,000 on a single-limit policy. Steel concluded our interview with this cautionary note: If your agent tells you not to buy Medical Payments or Uninsured/Underinsured coverage, get a new agent! These are absolutely critical to have at substantial limits, no exceptions. Agents often will try to save you money by suggesting such things as, Well, if you have your own medical insurance, then you do not need to have auto med pay. This is absolute nonsense, as having this protection in your auto policy means obtaining treatment and diagnostic tests, which your treating doctors feel are necessary, but which private medical insurance may deny. And med pay is very inexpensive. Having a minimum of $25,000 to $50,000 or more in med pay is a worthwhile investment.
Early Friday, Irans Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani  a powerful top commander  was killed in a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad International Airport. Iran is now threatening to fire back at the United States and the possibility of war is looming.

New York lawmakers and politicos have been quick to react to the killing of Suleimani, though their opinions are largely fragmented. Republicans, unsurprisingly, are throwing their support behind the commander in chiefs decision to unleash this drone strike but Democrats are more divided on the details when it comes to their position on the drone strike.

Moderate Democrats are condemning Suleimani, who was allegedly responsible for attacks on American troops in Iraq through proxies, while taking issue with the legality of the attack itself and raising questions about where it might lead. Progressive Democrats are slamming the attack and are seriously opposed to the possibility of entering into a war with Iran.

These reactions to the killing of Suleimani reveal a lot about New York politics: Republicans are following the presidents lead wholeheartedly, while moderate and progressive Democrats tend to agree on some points while diverging on others. It's a good indication of the cleavages that may arise in the primaries later this year.

Heres where New York lawmakers stand on the U.S.s killing of Suleimani:

In support of the president

Rep. Elise Stefanik

The new Republican from the North Country darling went on Twitter to show her support for President Donald Trumps decision to kill Suleimani, urging people to thank the U.S.s military for carrying out a successful mission.

Iran Quds Force commander Soleimani was responsible for exporting terrorism around the world & targeting & killing American troops along with tens of thousands of people in the Middle East. I support @realDonaldTrumps decisive action to respond to Irans dangerous belligerence.  Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 3, 2020

.@realDonaldTrump is reaffirming the proven doctrine of Peace Through Strength. Iran was given multiple warnings & instead chose to continue to escalate tensions & threaten US troops & diplomats. The era of leading from behind with pallets of cash is over.  Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 3, 2020

Every American should thank our brave men and women in uniform & our intelligence community who executed this successful mission.  Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 3, 2020

Rep. Lee Zeldin

The Long Island congressman expressed his support for the president and called killing Suleimani necessary justice. He also shared a video that he claimed was footage of Iranians dancing in the street for freedom, grateful that Suleimani is dead. Zeldin also said that the strike was legal and helped prevent further terrorism that would have been carried out by Suleimani.

The days of rolling US senior leaders at the negotiating table & killing US soldiers on the battlefield w/impunity are over. If reports are true & Iran Quds Force commander Qassim Soleimani has been killed, this would be very necessary justice served.  Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) January 3, 2020

Iran doesnt respect weakness; only strength. W/all the blood on Soleimanis hands, murdering 500+ US troops & planning more attacks, Irans terrorist regime should only be surprised this didnt happen sooner. Last nights strike was targeted, necessary, legal & proportional.  Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) January 3, 2020

Disproportionate? Seriously? Over 500+ US troops were killed & thousands more were injured, bc of Soleimani, & he was actively planning new attacks against US troops & diplomats. Pelosi is totally blinded with party over country partisan politics. POTUS def made the right call! https://t.co/yIs36RRGNC  Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) January 3, 2020

Condemning Suleimani but questioning the validity of the attack

Rep. Max Rose

Moderate Military veteran Rep. Max Rose said that no one should mourn the loss of Suleimani but that the strike raises some serious questions about what led to its decision. Rose also added that no President has the authority to go to war with Iran without Congressional authorization.

No one should mourn the loss of Qasem Soleimani who was responsible for hundreds of Americans deaths and injuries to thousands moresome of whom I know and served with.  Rep. Max Rose (@RepMaxRose) January 3, 2020

We are now faced with incredibly serious questions regarding the intelligence that led to this strike and what the Administrations plan is for what comes next.



Let me be clear: no President has the authority to go to war with Iran without Congressional authorization.  Rep. Max Rose (@RepMaxRose) January 3, 2020

Rep. Anthony Brindisi

In a statement, the Central New York congressman  like Rose, hes a centrist freshman from a district Trump carried  took time to point out Suleimanis many heinous acts against the U.S. military, while questioning the White Houses plan to keep peace in the Middle East.

Keeping our servicemembers safe and fostering stability in the region should be the top priority, said Brindisi. Congress needs to execute its Constitutional responsibility and oversight of military operations. The Administration needs to present a clear plan that will protect Americas soldiers and our interests in the region. The American people and our brave men and women in uniform deserve that much.

Rep. Eliot Engel

Rep. Eliot Engel  who is the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs  said in a statement that Suleimani was a mastermind of immense violence, suffering, and instability, who had the blood of Americans on his hands but expressed deep concern over what the eventual outcome of this strike will be.

Iran is the worlds most prolific state sponsor of terrorism, said Engel. The regime in Tehran and its proxies have global reach that they may use to seek retribution for this strike, endangering the lives of Americans around the world. And we are now again on the brink of direct confrontation in the Middle East. Tonights action represents a massive escalation in our conflict with Iran with unpredictable consequences.

Engel continued to say that Congress was not notified of the strike and that raises serious legal problems.

Even if this strike was in self-defense, no current congressional authorization covered it and the President needs to notify Congress within 48 hours pursuant to the War Powers Resolution, said the congressman. The law requires notification so the President cant plunge the United States into ill-considered wars.

Against a war with Iran

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

During a briefing regarding the strike in Iran, the senator questioned what the legal basis was for issuing this attack, what the attack means for the long term stability of Iran and what will happen to members of the U.S. military sent to the Middle East in the future.

"When the security of the nation is at stake, decisions must not be made in a vacuum," Schumer said.

"When the security of the nation is at stake, decisions must not be made in a vacuum," Schumer says of Trump's decision to launch airstrike that killed Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani. https://t.co/RpX6zm8dsf pic.twitter.com/JnNsxiqCID  CBS News (@CBSNews) January 3, 2020

State Sen. Julia Salazar

The freshman state senator forcefully opposed the aggressive move and said that there is no reason why the U.S. should enter into another disastrous war.

We need to unequivocally reject the Trump administrations reckless aggression. There is no justification for provoking a war with Iran. None of us need another disastrous war.  Julia Salazar (@JuliaCarmel__) January 3, 2020

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio

According to Politico New York reporter Erin Durkin, the mayor said that the drone strike "creates a whole series of dangerous possibilities for our city," which is already a number one terror target in the United States."

He continued to say that because we are now in a "de facto state of war between the United States of America and Iran," that the city will not let its guard down for a moment.

Jamaal Bowman

A candidate challenging Engel from the left in the Democratic primary, Bowman kept his tweet opposing a war with Iran short and sweet.

NO WAR WITH IRAN  Jamaal Bowman (@JamaalBowmanNY) January 3, 2020

Mondaire Jones

Jones, who is hoping to take over Rep. Nita Lowey's seat in District 17, next to Engels, suggested on Twitter that Trump is willing to get thousands of U.S. soldiers killed just to win re-election.
Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into author Gabriel Matzneff, accused of rape of a minor. The probe comes after the publication of an autobiographical book by leading publisher Vanessa Springora, who describes the sexual relationship she had with Matzneff when she was 14, and he was 50.

Paris prosecutor Remy Heitz said in a statement that Springora's book Le Consentement (Consent), published Thursday, prompted the investigation into "rapes committed against a minor".

Springora, now 47, writes about how Matzneff seduced her when she was 14, and how it left lasting scars. She has said she did not want to bring a criminal complaint against Matzneff, but prosecutors opened an investigation of their own accord.

Heitz said that the investigation "will work to identify all other eventual victims who could have suffered crimes of the same nature in France or abroad".

Matzneff has never hidden his preference for sex with adolescent girls and boys.

Prosecutors are hoping for more victims to come forward, as Springora's case may run up against a statute of limitations. A 2018 law extends the period of time sex crimes against minors can be prosecutors, to 30 years, but this case dates back to the 1980s.

Matzneff has denied any wrongdoing against Springora. In a statement on Sunday said the accusations were unjust and excessive, and that their relationshiphad been one of "beauty".
Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan on Friday termed as unfortunate Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's stand questioning the legal sanctity of the resolution passed by the House seeking scrapping of the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

The Assembly did not cross any constitutional limits, but the amendment to the Citizenship Act was a clear violation of Article 14 and 15 of the Indian Constitution, the Speaker told reporters here.

"The statements made by the Governor were unfortunate. We did not cross any constitutional limits. But the amendment to the Citizenship Act is a clear violation of Articles 14 and 15," he said.

The Assembly had, on December 31, 2019, passed a resolution expressing its concern regarding the impact of the Act on the nation's 'secular credentials' and asked the central government to repeal the CAA.

However, the Governor has been maintaining that the resolution had no legal sanctity or constitutional validity and does not serve any purpose.

"If the Kerala Assembly passes a resolution that America should invade Afghanistan, then they are only wasting time", Khan told reporters at Kottayam, taking a dig at the non-BJP parties for adopting a resolution which "goes against the Constitution."



While maintaining that the Assembly had a right and responsibility to mark its protest to uphold the constitutional values, the Speaker said those against the resolution should show the clause which says the House cannot pass such a resolution.

"We have a responsibility to do this. We have the right to uphold the values of the constitution. Let them show us the clause that says state assembly can't pass resolution on this. I haven't seen any such clause in the Indian constitution. At the same time we see Article 14 and 15 which is against discrimination," Speaker said.

Sreeramakrishnan said the Assembly was not making any law against the state.

CAA is based on religion and is purely unconstitutional and the assembly has the right to express its feelings, he said.

"We are not making any law against Parliament. We are just passing a resolution and sending it to the central government. As a democratic country we have the right to express our feelings," the Speaker said.

He also dismissed the report of breach of privilege motion moved against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by BJP's Rajya Sabha member G V L Narasimha Rao in the upper house of Parliament.

"It will not stand, no one can bring a privilege motion against something that happened in another assembly. If you have to register a privilege motion you have to be part of the same Assembly, otherwise you can't," the Speaker said.

The ruling CPI(M) also attacked the Governor alleging he was playing a political game and was acting as BJP's state president.

Khan was making statements that do not augur well for the position being held by him, the CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said in a statement.

The governor is making statements that does not suit his position", he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
UNICEF chief hopes 2020 will be 'a year of peace' for Syria's children

2 January 2020 - Only an end to the war in Syria can bring safety to children there, the head of the UN child rights agency said on Thursday.

The statement by UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore came in a New Year's appeal on behalf of millions of children trapped in a conflict that is approaching its 10th year.

"New Year's Day is supposed to be a day of hope and a time to look forward to the year ahead. For families in Syria, any hope is all too often extinguished by heart-breaking violence," she said, noting that six children were killed that day in a rocket attack on a primary school in Idllib Governorate, located in the north-west.

Multiple displacement and attacks against schools

Ms. Fore revealed some of the tragic numbers of the Syrian crisis.

Each day, nearly 4,500 children are forced to flee their homes, many of whom have already been displaced multiple times.

Heavy violence in and around Idlib in recent weeks has displaced at least 140,00 children alone, she added.

At the same time, attacks on civilian infrastructure that children depend on, such as schools and hospitals, have become commonplace.

Last year, the UN verified 145 attacks on schools and more than 80 on hospitals and medical staff. The majority of these incidentsmore than 90 per centtook place in the north-west.

Families are also suffering amid the brutal winter weather in Syria, which is making conditions even more grueling, particularly for those fleeing violence or living in camps.

Hopes that 2020 will be a year of peace

UNICEF and its partners are on the ground providing Syrian children with winter clothes and blankets, clean drinking water, health care, education and psychosocial services, among other support.

However, Ms. Fore stated that while these efforts are helping to save lives, they are not enough.

"Only an end to the war can bring Syria's children the safety they need and deserve. Until that time, their right to a peaceful present and hopeful future will go unfulfilled," she said.

The UNICEF chief expressed hope that 2020 will finally be "a year of peace" for the children of Syria.

She appealed for an end to attacks on children and the services they rely on, such as health facilities and schools.

Ms. Fore also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in north-west Syria, as well as resumed efforts to reach a peaceful agreement towards ending the war.

She further urged the international community to renew UN Security Council resolutions on providing humanitarian access to north-west Syria, and throughout the country, including through cross-border operations.

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Samuel Naylor, 37, pictured outside Nottingham Magistrates' Court today

A jobless man drank a bottle of whisky before leaving a voicemail message at the Brexit Party headquarters saying he wanted to kill Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a court heard today.

Samuel Naylor, 37, wrongly described Mr Corbyn as leader of the Liberal Democrats and also called for an end to leaflets being delivered to his home in the Nottinghamshire town of Eastwood.

He made the call shortly after midnight on November 17 after downing a bottle of whisky in 90 seconds, and Brexit Party officials passed the voicemail to police.

Naylor admitted sending a voicemail to cause distress or anxiety and received a four-week prison term suspended for one year. He must also pay 207 costs.

He has been suffering for alcoholism and made the call on the anniversary of his mother's death, Nottingham Magistrates' Court was told.

Anthony Cheung, prosecuting, played a tape of the voicemail in court today where a voice could be heard saying: 'Jeremy Corbyn, I am going to kill him.'

According to the Nottingham Post, the message was found when staff arrived at Brexit Party headquarters, and they described it as 'an aggressive male, obscene'.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, pictured at St Pancras Church in London on December 16

Naylor was located and interviewed by police, telling them he had no political stance and believed Mr Corbyn was leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Paul McLeod, defending, said: 'This is bizarre. In terms of Jeremy Corbyn, everybody in this court knows about Jeremy Corbyn and which party he is affiliated to.

'Here he is saying it was the Liberal Democrats. He got it wrong, got the party wrong. He is not affiliated to any party, he is not politically active.'

Mr McLeod added: 'Leaflets had been dropping through his door. In his drunken stupor that was paramount in his mind that morning.'

Magistrate Roger Clay said he would suspend the prison sentence 'because you need to get your mental health sorted out'.
President Ram Nath Kovind has accepted the resignation of Allahabad University Vice Chancellor Rattan Lal Hangloo and ordered an enquiry into allegations of financial, academic and administrative irregularities against him, HRD Ministry officials said on Friday.

His resignation was sent to the Rashtrapati Bhavan by the HRD Ministry, they said.

Hangloo had resigned on Wednesday.

"Hangloo had resigned from the post of Allahabad University vice chancellor on personal grounds. The President has accepted his resignation with immediate effect.

"President has also directed to conduct an enquiry into the allegations of financial, academic and administrative irregularities, including the recommendations contained in the interim report of the National Commission for Women regarding alleged misconduct against Hangloo," a senior HRD Ministry official said.

Hangloo has been under the scanner since 2016 for alleged financial and academic irregularities.

He was also summoned by the National Commission for Women last week over allegations of improper handling of sexual harassment complaints and lack of grievance redressal mechanism for female students.

"I resigned because baseless enquiries were initiated against me. On several occasions it was proved that there was no substance in the complaints. I resigned because I was totally fed up," Hangloo had said in a statement, announcing his resignation.

He was appointed as the Allahabad University vice chancellor in 2015.

He had earlier served as vice chancellor of the Kalyani University in West Bengal. However, he had quit the post following a series of spats with the state government and university employees.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Unlike some of its streaming competitors, Apple TV+ is being built almost exclusively for original content. Its smaller, more focused catalog is starting to look attractive to Hollywood A-listers, who worry about their work getting lost in the shuffle of mega-libraries at Netflix, Amazon, or HBO Max.  Axios
Members of LGBTQ community and others march in New Delhi as protests against anti-Muslim law continue across India.

New Delhi, India  More than 1,000 members of Indias LGBTQ community and other rights groups have marched in the capital, New Delhi, to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which critics say violates the countrys secular constitution and is anti-Muslim.

The protesters on Friday marched from a square in central New Delhi to Jantar Mantar, a popular site close to the Indian Parliament that witnesses dozens of protests on various issues every week.

Waving rainbow flags, the protesters carried placards and shouted slogans, such as We want freedom from fascism and Save the constitution.

Indias Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused of pursuing policies aimed at marginalising the countrys 200 million Muslims, who constitute 14 percent of its 1.3 billion population.

Muslim groups and activists fear the Modi government, through the passage of CAA  which the United Nations also called fundamentally discriminatory  and a planned National Register of Citizens (NRC), is forcing people to prove their citizenship in order to consolidate its Hindu base.

The CAA grants undocumented migrants from the Hindu, Sikh, Christian and other communities  except Muslims  who arrived in India before 2015 to become citizens if they prove they faced persecution in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The government has called it a humanitarian gesture.

Recently, Modis government also announced a National Population Register (NPR) exercise, which many fear is a precursor to a nationwide NRC and would serve as its database.

Dozens of LGBTQ groups marched in the Indian capital against the citizenship law [Bilal Kuchay/Al Jazeera]

Treats every Indian with suspicion

A statement by the organisers said they unequivocally reject CAA, NRC and NPR. This process, which claims to identify illegal immigrants, is highly problematic as it treats every Indian citizen with suspicion, it said.

The combination of NRC and NPR will force each person to prove their citizenship, thus disproportionately putting at risk people from the marginalised communities. From those who are left out of the lists, the CAA will only offer relief to non-Muslims in India, the statement added.

Rafiul Alom Rahman, who runs The Queer Muslim Project, told Al Jazeera that for LGBTQ Muslims, the law was a double-edged sword.

On one hand, we are persecuted within the community  on the other hand, because you are a Muslim, he said.

The anger over NRC  first implemented in the northeastern state of Assam which effectively rendered nearly 2 million people stateless  is mainly about people fearing they will be forced to gather documents to prove their citizenship.

Queer people are either disowned by their family or forced to leave homes. How would they acquire the documents that are necessary to prove citizenship? asked Rituparna Borah, an LGBTQ activist.

Nandani Rao, who works with Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression group, told Al Jazeera that the government wants to convert India into a Hindu state.

Our constitution says secular, democratic republic. It doesnt say Hindu democratic republic, she said. We are very clear that this country belongs to everyone who lives here.

For the last three weeks, protests against CAA and NRC have seen tens of thousands of people across India out on the streets, defying prohibitory orders and communications blackouts at various places.

Authorities in the states governed by Modis right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a severe crackdown on the protests, killing at least 26 people so far, including 19 in Indias most populous Uttar Pradesh state.

Thousands of Hindus have also joined the protests despite the BJP downplaying the mass demonstrations, accusing the opposition parties of orchestrating them.

Activist Shabnam Hashmi told Al Jazeera that women, LGTBQ and transgender communities are going to be worst affected if a nationwide NRC is implemented.

With the kind of taboos attached to queer and transgender communities, many of them are thrown out of their homes in childhood itself, she said.

With women, marriages happen across villages and their names change. We have seen in Assam that even when there were spelling mistakes, peoples citizenship was taken away, Hashmi added.
Trinamool Congress councillors on Friday moved an appeal before a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, challenging a single bench order that set aside a no-confidence motion brought by the party against the chairman of Bhatpara Municipality.

The division bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Protik Prakash Banerjee directed that the matter would be taken up for hearing on Monday.

The no-confidence motion against BJP chairman Sourav Singh was passed by a margin of 19-0 in the 35-member civic body on Thursday, as other councillors were not present during the proceedings.

The single bench, however, declared that the meeting called on January 2 for moving the no-confidence motion as "null and void".

Lawyers for the TMC councillors moved the division bench in the morning, praying for an urgent hearing, but the court refused to take up the appeal, stating that it would need a copy of the single bench order and the plea has to be filed in the high court registry.

The counsel then obtained a copy of the single bench order later in the day and filed a petition before the division bench, which then directed that the appeal moved by three TMC councillors of Bhatpara Municipality would be taken up for hearing on Monday.

After hearing a writ petition by a BJP member of the civic body, challenging the notice issued by the three TMC councillors for a meeting to move a no-confidence motion against Singh, Justice Arindam Sinha on Thursday said "any action taken pursuant thereto is of no consequence."



The Bhatpara Municipality chairman had convened a meeting on January 20 for bringing the no-confidence motion. However, TMC councillors refused to wait till then and issued a notice on December 30 for holding the meeting on January 2.

The BJP petitioner argued that councillors cannot issue such a notice on their own, as it was against the state municipal laws.

Equations had changed in the civic body last year, with 26 TMC councillors switching over to the BJP following the Lok Sabha polls.

BJP MP Arjun Singh, who was earlier the chairman of the Trinamool Congress-run board, resigned and his nephew Sourav Singh took charge in June.

Over the past few months, however, most the defectors returned to the ruling party, following which the TMC councillors moved a no-confidence motion against the chairman.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Gold ran up $10 to just over $1,540 ounce, hitting a four-month high in evening trading, after news that the U.S. killed Iranian senior commanders in a Bhagdadi air strike.

The head of Iran's elite Quds Force, Major-General Qassem Soleimani, was killed after a U.S. air strike on his convoy, which was leaving the Bhagdad airport. Iranian officials confirmed the killing.

President Trump ordered the attack.

Fox News reported that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, was also killed in the air strike.

Oil jumped. Futures gained $2 to drive oil up to $63.18 a barrel. Silver was also up hitting a high of $18.13 ounce.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday led a protest march against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and Register of Citizens (NRC) here and targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by stating that he always talks about Pakistan.

"I am fighting against the Register of Citizens and Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Join hands with me. Requesting all people to come forward to save our democracy," Mamata said.

"He (Modi) is the Prime Minister of India, but always talks about Pakistan. Why? We are Indians and we will definitely discuss our issues," she said.

Mamata further stated that she will hold a similar rally in Darjeeling on January 22 and requested people to join her movement to save democracy.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A spinal of London, which counts the Duchess of Cambridge as a fan, bagged strong Christmas sales growth, the luxury accessories maker said on Friday.

The handbag firm said same-store sales in December climbed 12%, helped by a 29% surge at its Royal Exchange branch, and double digit rises at a number of its other London shops.

Online sales last month jumped 16%.

Chairman Iain Burton, the firms ultimate owner, gave the update as Aspinal of London reported turnover increased 11% to 35 million for the year to March 2019. Pre-tax losses widened to 5.9 million from 3.2 million, after a number of one-off costs, including for new IT systems and store opening investments.

The firm, which is working with investment bank Houlihan Lokey to find a new business partner to help fund expansion plans, will open a new concession in Harrods this May.
Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam

It has only been 25 years since Vietnam and the United States restarted their commercial relationship.

What started out a quarter of a century ago with $220 million in annual trade has grown to over $60 billion today. The US is Vietnams largest export market, while Vietnam is one of Americas fastest-growing markets worldwide. American companies want to sell more to this country and the Vietnamese government needs to help make that happen.

American companies have invested billions of dollars here, integrating Vietnam into the global supply chain, creating jobs and helping the country become more productive, efficient, safer, and cleaner.

It is important to note that while Vietnams official investment statistics rank the US quite low, the truth is that the US is one of the top investors in Vietnam. The misunderstanding comes from complicated US tax laws and corporate structures that utilise global supply chains and systems.

For example, Intels $1 billion assembly facility in the Saigon High-tech Park is an investment made through Intel Hong Kong, so this counts as a Hong Kong investment even though Intel is an American company. Another example is P&Gs $100 million factory in the southern province of Binh Duong, which is an investment made through P&G Singapore, classing this as a Singaporean investment even though P&G is a famous American company.

There are many examples like this. The US is one of the top investors here and Americans are in Vietnam selling cosmetics, soft drinks, cars, aircraft, software, industrial goods, educational services, mobile applications, financial and legal services, agricultural products, and so much more.

Inconsistent regulatory interpretation, irregular enforcement, and unclear laws remain significant challenges for many US companies here and AmCham continues to work with our partners in the Vietnamese government to address the areas where inconsistencies, inefficiencies, and unfair practices persist.

The best way to help balance the US-Vietnam trade relationship is to improve the business environment in Vietnam and reduce the risks and burdens that American companies face here.

Our companies need an equal, level, and predictable playing field as a solid foundation, not only to attract new investment but also to maintain and grow the investment that is already here.

We live in a competitive world. Right now, almost every country in the region is working to grow a modern economy, which will attract future investment and high-paying jobs for their people. For Vietnam to be successful, non-productive red tape must be controlled and the countrys regulatory framework must be stable and predictable.

American investors remain optimistic about business prospects in Vietnam. However, we are concerned with recent changes in policy and regulations, which are not consistent with international best practices.

These changes expose many investors to considerable risks and obstacles in executing their investments.

AmCham continues to encourage continuous improvements in infrastructure development, protection of intellectual property, education reform, legal and tax policy certainty, and enhanced transparency in Vietnam. Progress in these areas will not only help attract US investment but will also support Vietnams aspirations to propel itself to the next sphere of economic competitiveness.

US companies also want to see a progressive policy approach by the government to unlock the full potential of the digital economy here because, in todays world, you cannot separate the digital economy from the real economy. The digital economy significantly reduces costs, provides products and services to a broader range of consumers, and increases access to newer and bigger markets.

We look forward to working with Vietnams leadership as it pursues its digital economy goals and our companies stand ready to provide expertise as Vietnam develops rules on emerging tech like e-payments, digital content, AI, and smart cities.
COLLETON COUNTY, South Carolina  A 30-year-old man and his 9-year-old daughter were shot and killed Wednesday while hunting after they were mistaken for deer, reports say.

Kim Drawdy and his daughter, Lauren Drawdy, died in the shooting on New Years Day, according to WCSC Channel 5.

WCBD Channel 2 reports four hunters were driving deer at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday when they shot the two victims, who both died at the scene. It was the final day of deer hunting season.

The Department of Natural Resources is investigating, according to the Associated Press. More information, such as whether the two were wearing blaze orange safety gear, will not be provided until the investigation is complete, department spokesman David Lucas tells the AP.

To comment on this story, visit Thursdays crime and courts comment section.

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They've been making movies together since 1973's Mean Streets.

So it was no surprise that Robert De Niro showed up at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Thursday night to present an award to Martin Scorsese.

De Niro, 76, paid tribute the the prolific filmmaker before presenting Scorsese, 77, with the festival's Sonny Bono Vision Award.

Pals: They've been making movies together since 1973's Mean Streets. So it was no surprise that Robert De Niro showed up at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Thursday night to present an award to Martin Scorsese

Their latest collaboration The Irishman is nominated for five Golden Globes, to be handed out on Sunday, and the Netflix movie is expected to garner several Oscar nominations too.

Scorsese directed De Niro in 1980's Raging Bull, for which the actor won an Academy Award for his role as boxer Jake LaMotta.

Their other films together include Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas and Casino.

Honored his friend: De Niro, 76, paid tribute the the prolific filmmaker on stage during the awards gala

Collaborators: The two shared a heartfelt embrace as the actor presented the director, 77, with the festival's Sonny Bono Vision Award.

Legendary filmmaker: Scorsese directed De Niro in 1980's Raging Bull, for which the actor won an Academy Award for his role as boxer Jake LaMotta. Their other films together include Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas and Casino.

In The Irishman, De Niro stars with Al Pacino and Joe Pesci in the tale of mob hitman Frank Sheeran and his work for notorious Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa.

Principal photography took a year to complete and Scorsese used cutting-edge digital technology to 'de-age' his lead actors in order to tell show the characters over several decades.

The cast of The Irishman also includes Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale and Ray Romano.
Turkey's parliament has approved the deployment of troops to Libya to support the UN-backed government in Tripoli. Regional powers have condemned the move. Greece, Israel and Cyprus signed a joint statement late Thursday saying it threatens stability in the region.

"This decision seriously undermines the international community's efforts to find a peaceful, political solution to the Libyan conflict," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said in the statement.

The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, has been under attack since April by General Khalifa Haftar, who heads a rival government in the east of Libya, and is backed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab emirates as well as France and Russia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last month that Sarraj requested the Turkish deployment after Turkey signed a military cooperation deal with Sarrais government.

A separate agreement on maritime boundaries between Turkey and Libya grants Turkey rights to large swathes of the Mediterranean where gas reserves have recently been discovered.

Turkey says the troop deployment in Libya is to safeguard its interests in the eastern Mediterranean, where it finds itself increasingly isolated as Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel have established exclusive economic zones paving the way for oil and gas exploration.

Libyan sovereignty

In their statement, Greece, Israel and Cyprus said that sending troops to Libya would violate Libyan national sovereignty and independence.

US President Donald Trump also warned against any "foreign interference" in Libya.

No details have been given on the scale of the potential deployment and Vice-President Fuat Oktay told state news agency Anadolu on Wednesday that no date had yet been set.

He described the parliament motion as a "political signal" aimed at deterring Haftar.
TV personality, Brendan Courtney has emerged as one of only two members of the public to make a submission to An Bord Pleanala supporting the plan for the States first medically supervised injection facility (MSIF).

Last month, An Bord Pleanala gave the plan by Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) the go-ahead for the MSIF at the organsations Riverbank building at Dublin 8.

Now, the scale of the opposition against the plan at An Bord Pleanala is revealed with the inspectors report confirming that 53 submissions were made concerning the plan with the vast majority opposed to the proposal.

The inspector into the appeal stated that the board received two observations - including the one from Mr Courtney who lives nearby - supporting the plan apart from submissions made by the HSE, the Dept of Health and Minister for State at the Dept of Health, Catherine Byrne TD.

Children 'witnessed efforts to revive woman who had overdosed'

One of the submissions vehemently opposed to the MSIF was from the primary school, St Audoens NS located next door to the MQI building where the MSIF will be located.

The submission by St Audoens describes a recent incident where junior and senior infants witnessed school staff and parents trying to revive a woman who had overdosed on drugs on a green across from the junior playground.

Others to voice their opposition against the plan include the owner of the Oliver St John Gogarty pub and Blooms Hotel, Martin Keane along with observations by the owners of the The Temple Bar pub, the Porterhouse Group and the representative body for Dublin publicans, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA).

'I see the need for the [injection centre] every day': Brendan Courtney

In his observation, Mr Courtney told the appeals board: As a local resident, I see the need for the MSIF every day.

"At the moment, vulnerable people are forced to publicly inject and the failure to provide services meeting their needs lessens the likelihood that people in addiction will receive help that could support them into recovery.

"The current situation is not beneficial for the local community, economy or tourism.

It is illogical to persist with a situation where people in addiction are forced to inject in public, at considerable risk to themselves and the wider public when the solution of a MSIF exists.

Mr Courtney stated that people in addiction may use public toilets, or toilets within pubs and cafes to inject drugs, where they are at risk of fatal overdose.

He stated: "It is unfair to staff in those establishments for them to have respond to those incidents. A rejection of this facility will do nothing to minimise the risk - to everyone - of public injecting.

He stated that the clients who would use this facility are already availing of MQi services.

However, in its submission, St Audoens NS stated that the planned MSIF is self evidently unsuitable for location so close to the school.

Providing details on the lunchtime overdose incident from September 19, 2019, the school observation stated that the woman who overdosed was unresponsive and her lips were blue.

According to the logbook kept by the school principal at St Audoens NS, the school children witnessed staff at Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) perform CPR on the woman and administer Naloxone in a bid to revive her.

The school principal phoned for an ambulance while the MQI staff tried to revive the woman.

The submission states: This incident occurred in front of the junior and senior infants while one child in junior infants was removed from her parents car by a teacher in an effort to prevent the child from witnessing this incident while her mother was assisting the woman.

The submission stated: If this occurred even once at any other school in the State, the school's Critical Incident Policy would be activated."

The submission states: "These are not isolated incidents. The log books record almost daily incidents of people injecting outside of the school engaging in violence, appearing to be disorientated, collapsing after injecting and being unable to walk.

The submission states:

as is abundantly clear from the information already outlined, to approve planning permission for the supervised injection facility would be detrimental, harmful and damaging to the children and staff who attend the school.

Asked to respond to the school submission, a spokesman for MQ said today: It is completely unacceptable for children to see drug use on their way to and from school.

He stated: The local national school and Merchants Quay Ireland share the same objective - we both want to see an end to public injecting and drug litter in the area.

International evidence 'supports injection centres'

He added: Merchants Quay Ireland is committed to engaging with the local community, including the school, throughout the development and operation of this MSIF.

He pointed out: International evidence shows that MSIFs reduce public drug use and drug litter. The evidence from other countries show that MSIFs do not increase drug use, drug dealing or crime in the area in which they are located.

He added: Nonetheless, this pilot will be closely monitored as part of the evaluation of the service. The monitoring committee will be chaired by the HSE, with representation from the Dept. of Health, An Garda Siochana, Dublin City Council, UISCE and others.

On when MSF hope to commence operation of the facility, the spokesman stated: Between the building work required to develop the site and the time required to put the resources in place to operate the service, we anticipate it will be 2021 before the MSIF pilot commences.
The Delhi Police on Friday said that Special Investigating Tema (SIT) is probing if there was a common link in all the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

"The Special Investigating Team is probing if there is a common link in all the protests against the CAA," said Delhi Police in a statement.

The police also said that the SIT will be speaking to the already arrested accused at Tihar Jail.

Talking about the violent anti-CAA protests in the capital, they said, "The SIT will also be finding what was the source of such huge gathering especially in Seelampur and Daryaganj case."

On December 20, the Delhi Police had arrested 15 people and detained 40 after police and protestors clashed in the area. All the accused were then sent to judicial custody for 14 days.

Earlier the court, after hearing a plea filed for the bail, had directed the Delhi Police's Investigating officer (IO) to examine the aspect of the CCTV footage and produce its grabs.

It had also instructed the police to verify the address of the accused by the next date of hearing.

Sixteen people were arrested after a protest in Seelampur area against the citizenship law turned violent on December 17.The protestors had allegedly clashed with policemen and vandalised three buses during the protest. Many people were also injured in the incident.Subsequently, the court sent them to 14-day judicial custody a day later. Two accused were granted interim bail on medical grounds on January 2 while others were produced before the court at the end of their remand period.The Crime Branch is handling all the matters pertaining to violence, which had recently erupted in the capital.

Protests had erupted in various parts of the country including capital over CAA, which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists, and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Mark Tepper law firm announced today that it is continuing investigations of alleged claims against brokerage firms for recommending the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund to customers. The collapsed mutual fund was sold in the following investment classes: Class A: (LJMAX), Class C: (LJMCX), Class I: (LJMIX).



Brokers failed investors by recommending the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund, said attorney Mark Tepper who is the former Chief Trial Counsel at the New York Attorney Generals Bureau of Investor Protection and Securities.

How Investors May Recover LJM Preservation and Growth Fund losses

Investors, whose brokers unsuitably recommended the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund, may be eligible to file claims for recovery against their broker.

Did your broker explain the risk of loss in the LJM Preservation and Growth Fund?

If the answer is "no" you may have a claim against your broker to recover losses you sustained.

For a free case evaluation from the law firm of Mark A. Tepper P.A., email attorney Mark A. Tepper at askmark@marktepper.com or telephone 954-961-0096.

Investors who recovered losses after Brokers recommended BreitBurn and/or Linn Energy have praised the Mark Tepper Law firm for its work in representing claims for damages against RBC Capital Markets, Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch and Raymond James. The individual investor claims were each upheld by FINRA arbitrators.

About Mark A. Tepper, P.A. (www.MarkTepper.com)

Attorney Mark A. Tepper is the former Chief Trial Counsel at the New York Attorney Generals Bureau of Investor Protection and Securities. He has earned the reputation of Investor Advocate while practicing law for over 35 years representing individual investors. FINRA arbitrators have upheld stockbroker fraud claims filed by Mr. Tepper against many brokerage firms. A member of the Florida, New York and California Bars, Mr. Tepper is peer-reviewed for 19 consecutive years as AV PREEMINENT for ethical standards and legal ability. Its the highest rating of lawyers in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.
Marix.com.sg scored 41 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 4 May 2014, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

The total number of people who shared the marix homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the marix homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the marix homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the marix homepage on Twitter + the total number of marix followers (if marix has a Twitter account). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the marix homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if marix has a Facebook fan page).

Basic Information

PAGE TITLE MARIX IT DISTRIBUTION (S) PTE LTD | Premium IT Product Distribution Channel in Singapore DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS distribution, marix, in singapore, singapore, product, services, marix it distribution



CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE HTML 5.0 CHARSET AND LANGUAGE English (United States) UTF-8English (United States) DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux

The language of marix.com.sg as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site. Type of server and offered services. Operative System running on the server. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0)

Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world.

Referring domains for marix.com.sg by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

Facebook link

FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND

Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The type of Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The URL of the found Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file.

Twitter account link

TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND
In this picture released on Wednesday, June 19, 2019, by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks in a meeting at his residence in Tehran, Iran. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, June 24, 2019, targeting Iran's supreme leader and his associates with financial sanctions, the latest action the U.S. has taken to discourage Tehran from developing nuclear weapons and supporting militant groups. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Associated Press

As Iran awakes to the news that Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, was killed by the US military, official responses are beginning to appear.

The Iranian foreign minister called the US move "extremely dangerous," "international terrorism," and a "foolish escalation" while a senior military official vowed that Iran would have its revenge.

An adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the US had crossed a "red line" and must "be ready to face its consequences."

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the US as he declared a three-day mourning period for the general.

And, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted that "the great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime."

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Friday that "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the US after an American airstrike killed Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, in Iraq.

In the statement, which was carried by state television and posted online, Khamenei also declared a three-day mourning period for the commander, the Associated Press reported.

His warnings followed several earlier Iranian reactions.

One of the first reactions came from senior IRGC official and Iranian politician Mohsen Rezaee, who wrote: "We will take vigorous revenge on America."

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif then sharply criticized the US strike on Soleimani, calling the move "extremely dangerous" and a "foolish escalation."

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," the minister said on Twitter as Iranians awoke to the news that the notorious commander of the infamous Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force is dead. Soleimani was a respected figure in Iran who led the elite Quds Force for over two decades and reported only to Iran's supreme leader.

Story continues

Hours after the death of Soleimani, a senior adviser to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani issued a warning on Telegram, according to the Associated Press. "Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences."

State television, which had canceled broadcasts to focus on the death of the Iranian general, called the US move a major miscalculation, stating that "the people of the region will no longer allow Americans to stay."

Following Khamenei's statement, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that "the great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime."

The Iranian reactions followed an announcement from the Department of Defense that the US military, acting on the orders of President Donald Trump, "has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani."

The US said that Soleimani is directly and indirectly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US service members over the years, as well as more recent attacks on US personnel. The Pentagon said that the general was planning additional attacks that threatened US personnel and interests in the region.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the Pentagon explained.

Read the original article on Business Insider
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned by the recent rise in tensions in the Middle East, where the United States killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani following violent protests at its embassy in Baghdad. The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation, said his spokesman, Farhan Haq, in a statement. This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf. Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Writing by Lisa Lambert; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the government for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA, saying she will not allow them (the BJP government) take away their rights.

If we raise the issue of joblessness and hunger, they say go to Pakistan, Banerjee said while addressing a rally in Siliguri. I wont let them take rights, she said.

Its a shame that even after 70 years of Independence, we have to prove our citizenship, Banerjee added.

They are dividing the country in the name of religion, she further said adding, India a big country with rich culture and heritage; why do you regularly compare our nation with Pakistan?

She also took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he behaves like an ambassador of Pakistan. Are you prime minister of India or ambassador of Pakistan; why do you glorify Pakistan on every issue? Banerjee said.

PM Modi had attacked the Congress party and those who are protesting against the CAA, questioning why they are not exposing Pakistan. Pakistan was formed on the basis of religion, religious minorities were being persecuted there. The persecuted were forced to come to India as refugees. But Congress and its allies dont speak against Pakistan, instead they are taking out rallies against these refugees, PM Modi said in Karnatakas Tumakuru on Thursday.

Has prime minister forgotten about India that he needs to talk about Pakistan at regular intervals? said Banerjee.

Banerjee also urged other political parties to join her in opposing the CAA. I am fighting against National Register of Citizens and CAA, join hands with me. I am requesting all people to come forward to save our democracy, said Banerjee.
Iraqi Jamila Mahdi is a former refugee. Although she was married at 13 and denied the right to education, she still had a strong determination to succeed. Jamila earned her high school diploma as an adult, followed by two university degrees. She now works as a Human Rights Officer in Iraq, for UN Human Rights.

Here is her story.

I was born in a refugee camp in Sanandaj, Iran. Amidst a male dominant society, I lived in a house full of struggle and violence.

When I was 13, I was living in Mosul, Iraq. My father sent me to marry one of his relatives in the village. I had only just received my sixth grade certificate.

There began a life of hell. I was abruptly turned into a slave and a farmer. I was deprived of a calm childhood and my fundamental rights.

I spent 12 years being persecuted, and living in extreme poverty, working as a farmer and looking after livestock. I was left alone during my pregnancies and in childbirth, and I raised my four children, whom I barely got to see. I used to leave the house before dawn and return well into the night to prepare their meals for the next day.

Until one day, I collapsed.

At that point  when I was 23 - I decided to return to school and pursue my diploma. But my husband wasnt supportive. At first, I used every way possible to convince him, even attempting suicide, but the attempts failed. Eventually, and fearing that I would leave him, he finally agreed and I enrolled in school with the support of my brother.

My educational journey started by studying at home through an external education program, followed by enrolling in the ninth grade official exam alongside students in Mosul. I nailed it.

A new chapter of my life started.

I graduated from high school and moved to the city to enroll in university in the faculty of political science. It wasnt easy, I studied all year round, and I graduated with a degree.

In order for my children to get support and complete their education, I started working in the private sector. I studied at night and was able to obtain my Masters degree.

My husband and I divorced in 2017.

I now work for UN Human Rights.

You can change your life to help others make a change.

Today, I work as Human Rights Officer in Erbil, in the office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. My work is currently focused on monitoring cases of violations and protecting civilians during armed conflict.

Why did I choose to do this? I have a strong belief in the need to contribute to the protection of human dignity and social justice and the elimination of all types of discrimination.

Its important that we address human rights violations, and that we take effective measures for the purpose of committing governments and authorities concerned to work to hold the perpetrators accountable.

I myself belong to a minority.

And I have long felt restrictions and discrimination against these people, especially those belonging to religious minorities. I needed to do something to educate the community, and also to work to avoid such violations using peaceful methods. I believe in respecting human dignity and ensuring all human beings have rights.

I intend to continue working in this field as long as there are cases of human rights violations, insecurity and injustice.

I dream of a non-discriminatory Iraq.

Iraq today  and for many years - is facing a multitude of human rights concerns.

I hope one day that Iraq can be a country in which freedom of expression, belief and religion are respected. I hope that Iraq can be politically and economically stable, that it can be safe and secure, and that education can flourish. I dream of an Iraq whose citizens enjoy full equality in all opportunities.

3 January 2020
Condemning the mob attack on Pakistan's Nankana Sahib Gurudwara, India on Friday stated its concern for the minority Sikh community in Pakistan, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External affairs. Furthermore, it added that these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place is condemnable and called upon the Pakistan government to act on it. It requested Pakistan to ensure the safety, security and well being of the Sikh community.

India condemns Nankana Sahib attack

India strongly condemns vandalism at the holy Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan and calls upon Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security and well being of the Sikh community. https://t.co/Nx1317xQ1T pic.twitter.com/dFykWJa2xP  Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) January 3, 2020

Pakistan's Nankana Sahib Gurdwara attacked by mob led by forced-conversion accused's kin

Nankana Sahib attacked

Earlier in the day, a video has emerged of a mob of 400 people pelting stones in the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan. Visuals show that the mob surrounding the Gurudwara and pelting stones at the Gurudwara which is the birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. Sources report that the mob was led by Mohd. Imran Attari -the brother of Mohammed Hassan who was responsible for the forcible conversion of a Pakistani Sikh girl - Jagjit Kaur. No arrests have been made till now.

Yogi Adityanath says, 'After Kartarpur, it will be Nankana Sahib'

Sources report that the protestors consisting of Muslim residents of Nankana Sahib had proclaimed that they will soon change the name from Nankana Sahib to Ghulaman-e-Mustafa. Moreover, the mob allegedly claimed that 'no Sikh will remain in Nankana'. Reports suggest that several Sikh devotees were stranded inside the Gurdwara which was attacked by the mob on Friday evening.

Jagjit Kaur- forced conversion victim returns home, Sirsa thanks MEA

Forced conversion Pak Sikh girl

Meanwhile, the main leader of the mob is the brother of Mohammed Hassan - who was accused of kidnapping and forcibly converting a Sikh girl -Jagjit Kaur. Akali Dal leader Manjinder Sirsa, in August, had shared a video of the grieving family telling how 18-year old Jagjit Kaur was allegedly abducted and converted to Islam in Pakistan. On September 3, the victim was reunited with her family after Pakistan faced global anger due to inaction. Pakistan had claimed that Punjab's Nankana Sahib police had arrested eight people - including Hassan, in connection with the case. Despite being rescued, reports claim that Jagjit Kaur - now known as Ayesha has refused to convert back to Sikhism.

Amarinder Singh meets Amit Shah, raises Pak Sikh girl conversion issue
This is the amazing moment a stuntman recreated the famous 'corkscrew' bridge jump featured in the 1974 James Bond classic The Man with the Golden Gun in an old Russian car.

Evgeniy Chebotarev, from the village of Gluboky in Rostov Oblast, Russia, taught himself how to perform movie stunts and is known simply by his surname Chebotaev.

Footage shows the Russian native, wearing a helmet, storming along a dirt track in his Lada car.

Evgeniy Chebotarev recreated the spectacular 'corkscrew' bridge from the ninth James Bond film The Man with The Golden Gun in Gluboky, Russia

He then drives on a wooden ramp similarly to Roger Moore who takes the chance of driving a red AMC Hornet along a similar track in the ninth James Bond movie.

The vehicle then somersaults and lands on to the sandy dunes with a skid.

Chebotarev told Central European News (CEN): 'What motivates me? I want to be the best and be able to do all kinds of difficult and dangerous stunts.'

Chebotarev mastered the stunt on his fourth attempt in his Russian-built Lada car

He boasts 100,000 followers on Instagram and he recently recreated the famous corkscrew bridge jump and destroyed four cars in the process.

The original stunt was performed by British stunt driver Terry Grant when Moore and Clifton James found themselves on the wrong side of the river and were forced to make a leap.

Grant, who has recently achieved the Furthest barrel roll in a production, holds 23 World Records and performed the stunt in one take.

The car was catapulted into the air and performed an impressive flip. The driver boasts 100,000 followers on Instagram and is known for replicating famous jumps

The original stunt (pictured) was performed by Terry Grant in one take. He recently achieved the Furthest barrel roll in a production and has 23 World Records

Chebotarev, pictured in the car, admitted he wants to 'be the best and be able to do all kinds of difficult and dangerous stunts'

And Chebotaev achieved the jump at the fourth attempt in his Russian-made Lada.

The stuntman and his friends had to reassemble the ramp three times before getting it right.

He told CEN: 'The stunt made me realise that nothing is impossible, even if you dont have the money to do it as you would ideally like. If you have a goal, then just do it and dont put it off for another day.'

The Russian stuntman's jump mimicked the iconic scene from 1974 where Moore and Clifton James found themselves on the wrong side of the river and were forced to make a leap

The clip has sent the internet into meltdown with 49,418 views.

Netizen Shibok said: 'This looks impressive. Amazing! You did a great job!'

Atti1a commented: 'You deserve so much respect.'

Sereja161 wrote: 'You are a true madman, but you also rock!'
By Stephen Farrell and Rami Ayyub

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's prime minister defended a U.S. decision to launch an air strike on Friday that killed powerful Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and the Israeli military was put on high alert, after Iran threatened revenge.

Senior defence officials in Israel, America's closest ally in the Middle East and Iran's top regional foe, also met to assess the situation after the killing of Quds Force chief Soleimani and an Iraqi militia commander in the strike.

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office.

"Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks," he said, speaking at an airport in Greece before heading back to Israel after cutting short his trip.

Israel's Army Radio said the military was on a heightened alert, and officials said Defence Minister Naftali Bennett met military and intelligence chiefs for a "situational assessment".

Israel has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat. The military said in August it had foiled a Quds Force attack, masterminded by Soleimani that involved multiple drones operating from Syria.

Netanyahu said in his statement on Soleimani's killing that U.S. President Donald Trump "deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively. Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defence."

Israel has also accused Soleimani of leading Quds Force efforts to establish a precision-guided missiles programme for Hezbollah, the Lebanese movement that is backed by Tehran.

Israel is concerned about retaliation from Iran's proxies and allies in the region, such as Hezbollah and Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Story continues

Yair Lapid, an Israeli opposition lawmaker, echoed Netanyahu's comments, congratulating Trump on Twitter for killing those responsible for "murderous terrorist acts from Damascus to Buenos Aires".

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the Mount Hermon ski resort, which is in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights lying close to the fortified frontier with Syria, had been closed "following an assessment of the situation".

"There are no further instructions to the residents of the Golan Heights area and routine activities continue as normal," Adraee added.

In Gaza, Hamas, which has long enjoyed financial and military support from Tehran, condemned Soleimani's killing and offered its "dearest condolences" to Iran.

Gaza-based Hamas official Bassem Naim wrote on Twitter that the assassination "opens the doors of the region to all possibilities, except calm & stability. USA bears the responsibility for that".

Iranian-backed Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, which is also based in Gaza, praised Soleimani as a leader "who always brought horror into the hearts of America and Israel".

"The alliance of resistance will not be defeated, will not be broken and its integrity will become stronger in confronting the Zionist-American project," Abu Hamza, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad, said on Twitter.

(Writing by Stephen Farrell and Rami Ayyub. Additional reporting by Dan Williams and Rami Ayyub in Jerusalem, and Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza; Editing by Nick Macfie and Edmund Blair)
LG Chem Vice Chairman and CEO Shin Hak-cheol, right, and General Motors Chairwoman and CEO Mary Barra sign an agreement at the GM Global Tech Center in Michigan, Dec. 5 (local time). / Courtesy of LG Chem



By Nam Hyun-woo



Anticipation is rising that LG Chem will spin off its rechargeable battery business this summer, drawing hopes that its newly separated firms will see benefits in their valuation, according to analysts, Friday.



In a recent regulatory filing on the anticipation, LG Chem said it is "considering multiple strategic options for improvements in its battery business, but yet to determine something specifically."



Market investors and analysts interpreted this as a positive sign, citing the world No. 3 electric vehicle (EV) battery maker had been flatly denying any chance of a split-up in the past, but this time used neutral rhetoric.



"It is unknown whether the split will be on the entire battery business or EV battery department only," NH Investment & Securities analyst Hwang Yoo-shik said. "In terms of synergy between businesses, however, it will likely be the entire battery businesses."



The anticipation emerged amid the rapid growth of the company's battery business and following the necessity of large-scale funding.



In December, General Motors and LG Chem agreed to create a $2.3 billion venture for EV battery cells, and the latter plans to pour in approximately 1 trillion won ($857 million) for the joint venture in the U.S. Including this, LG Chem's investment plan for batteries unveiled so far amounts to more than 10 trillion won.



However, the massive investments for batteries come as a burden for its chemical businesses, which are trapped in a downcycle.



In the first three quarters of 2019, LG Chem's battery business sales grew by 32.7 percent but its chemicals business sales declined by 9.2 percent.



The slowdown in the chemical division is also affecting the company's loan plans for its battery business by lowering the firm's credit ratings. Last month, S&P Global Ratings downgraded LG Chem to BBB+, citing the company's "aggressive financial policies amid a weak petrochemical market."



"After splitting the two businesses, the battery business can launch an initial public offering, which will secure massive amounts of funds," Hwang said. "Also, this will help the financial stability of the firms."



Another reason for LG Chem's demerger is risk hedging, analysts said.



"LG Chem's sales from EV batteries alone are projected to stand at 31 trillion won in 2024, but the market is yet to show an exponential growth and various risks are still lurking," Hwang said. "When the battery business grow, it will become too big for LG Chem's petrochemical business to handle potential risks."



S&P Global Ratings analyst Shawn Park also said the company's EV battery business remains uncertain, and the imminent impact of battery expansions on LG Chem will be "negative" as the investments are expected to weigh on the credit quality of the company.



"LG Chem's demerger has long been mentioned as a potential strategy for better valuation of the company," an industry official said on condition of anonymity. "With the company's battery business continues growing and requiring more investments, LG Chem appears to be expediting its demerger plan."



LG Chem refused to comment outside of the regulatory posting.


Donald Trump has insisted the US killed Qassem Soleimani to stop a war not start one, but also warned Iran against retaliating over the targetted killing of its military leader.

In in his first public comments since the Quds Force leader was killed at Baghdad airport alongside an Iraqi militia leader, in a airstrike carried out by a Reaper drone, the president claimed he was not trying to exacerbate an already tense situation.

Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel but we caught him in the act and terminated him, Mr Trump said in remarks at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.

But he added: He should have been taken out many years ago.

US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday 3 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures The wreckage of the car in which general Soleimani was travelling when a targeted US airstrike struck outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January Ahmad Al Mukhtar via Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest in Tehran after general Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike by American forces Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of Donald Trump AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn Israeli and US flags as thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of general Soleimani at the hands of America EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of Donald Trump pray at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held on the day following the killing of general Soleimani. At the event, the president praised the "flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader" AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A huge procession of mourners gather in Baghdad for the funeral of general Soleimani on 4 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani during an anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iraqis perform a mourning prayer for slain major general Qasem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the Great Mosque of Kufa AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A billboard reading 'Death to America and Israel', installed by Iran-backed shiite armed groups at a street in Jadriyah district in Baghdad, Iraq EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him visiting the family of Soleiman KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US flag as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Jalal Feiruznia, looks to a portrait of Soleimani, as he receives condolences at the Iranian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures People make their way on the street while a screen on the wall of a cinema shows a portrait Soleimani in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Aziz Asmar, one of two Syrian painters who completed a mural following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani poses next to his creation in the rebel-held Syrian town of Dana in the northwestern province of Idlib AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A demonstration in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures An anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Mujtaba al-Husseini, the representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in the holy shrine city of Najaf AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US and Israeli flags as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters demonstrate in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, in Peshawar, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters, holding a photograph of the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran Massoud Rajavi, outside Downing Street in London PA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A Syrian man offers sweets to children to mark the killing AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers attend a mourning prayer for Soleimani in Iran's capital Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and anti Israel slogans during a protest AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshipers chant slogans during Friday prayers Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A protest against the USA, in Islamabad, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranians burn a US flag in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin, Germany Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Vehicles of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol a road in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel. Following morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian women take to the streets in Tehran EPA

The presidents brief appearance  he pointedly did not take questions from reporters  is unlikely to soothe the concerns of those who fear a rapid and potentially devastating escalation of hostilities.

Mr Trump has already dispatched a further 3,500 troops to the Middle East, and US civilians have been warned to return to return from Iraq.

As Iran threatened harsh revenge, the US state department was scrambling to bolster the safety and security of its diplomats overseas.

 NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio: "We are in a de facto state of war"

Soleimani, a 62-year-old general who headed the overseas arm of the Revolutionary Guards, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The overnight attack, authorised by the president was a dramatic escalation in a shadow war in the Middle East between Iran and the United States and American allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said the strike aimed to disrupt an imminent attack that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East. Democratic critics called the Republican president reckless and said he had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region.

Mr Pompeo has declined to give details of the threat, but claimed in interviews with US broadcasters it was an intelligence based assessment that drove the decision to target Soleimani.

Later on Friday, Mr Trumps national security adviser, Robert OBrien, said the operation against Suleimani was designed to prevent further bloodshed. He said had just arrived from Damascus and was planning attacks on American service members and diplomats.

Asked for details of the planned attacks and what evidence the US had, Mr OBrien, who said he was with the president when Suleimani was killed, said the information was extraordinarily sensitive. He said the Iranian military leader terrorist who had operated in the region for 20 years. He declined to provide any further information.

Mr Trump claimed the US was not seeking regime change in Iran but also stated that Irans use of proxy fighters in the Middle East must end.

In reality, the US has been stepping up its campaign of maximum pressure campaign against Tehran since Mr Trump in May 2018 withdrew Washington from the multi-party Iran nuclear deal.

Most pertinently that campaign has involved crippling sanctions that have had a major impact on Irans economy, along with an advertising and social media campaign intended to undermine confidence in Irans leaders.

Additional reporting by agencies
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Relatives of people killed by guerrillas during El Salvadors 1980-1992 civil war demanded Friday that prosecutors investigate some former leftist rebels for crimes against humanity.

El Salvadors armed forces committed the majority of the killings and disappearances, and relatives have long demanded trials for former army officers.

But in an unprecedented act, a group of relatives demanded investigations of both sides in the conflict.

The demands involved alleged victims of two of the five rebel factions that made up the Farabundo Marti National Liberation front, known as the FMLN.

Following peace accords, the FMLN became a political party and governed El Salvador for a decade until last year.

Relatives of a total of seven victims went to federal prosecutors offices Friday to demand justice for five victims of the armed forces and two people allegedly killed by rebels.

Rosario Acosta is a former FMLN guerrilla movement member who says his father and uncle were killed by one of the rebel factions, purportedly because they were suspected of being infiltrators or enemies of the movement.

What we want is for these acts to be investigated, and for the names of the disappeared and murdered victims to be cleared, said Acosta. She claimed the rebel leader of the territory where her relatives were killed was under the command of a female rebel leader who now serves in congress.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 23:53:50|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed efforts to enhance ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin, and promote the construction of an economic circle covering the western cities of Chengdu and Chongqing.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at the sixth meeting of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs. He is also head of the committee.

Senior leaders Li Keqiang, Wang Huning and Han Zheng attended the meeting.

To strengthen ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin, the meeting underlined ecological conservation, green development and natural restoration of the environment.

Unreasonable water use in the region should be firmly curbed, while development efforts should be made in light of local conditions and efforts should be made to push for coordinated protection and management of the basin, said a statement issued after the meeting.

Attention should be given to major issues in the ecological protection and high-quality development of the basin by implementing projects including water source conservation and water and soil loss control, according to the statement.

Measures will be adopted to solve water, air and soil pollution as well as to promote the high-quality and coordinated development of city clusters along the river.

The meeting urged efforts to improve industrial structure while preserving and promoting cultural legacies of the Yellow River.

The meeting also noted that promoting the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle will help foster a growth pole for high-quality development in western China and push opening-up in the landlocked area.

Work will be done to turn the Chengdu-Chongqing area, with the two cities taking the leading role, into an important economic center, a center for scientific and technological innovation, a new highland for reform and opening up and a livable place for high-quality life of national influence, the statement said.

The development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is a systematic project that requires top-level design and overall planning, with transport infrastructure construction and collaborative and innovative development among the priorities, it said.
SPRINGFIELD  If the average tax on Illinois recreational cannabis is 35 percent, based off the first day of sales, taxpayers paid more than $1.1 million for the privilege.

Legal pot sales began Wednesday in Illinois. The governors cannabis control leader, former state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, D-Olympia Fields, said there were 77,128 transactions in the first day.

It was $3,176,256.71 in sales and for me that means theres a significant chuck thats going right back into the communities, Hutchinson said. So for me, Im excited about all of it.

The Illinois Department of Revenue said they wont have the total tax revenue from cannabis sales for a few more weeks.

The tax rates depend on the potency of the marijuana being sold, but could average around 35 percent when including the state sales tax with the cultivation privilege and cannabis excise taxes. That would mean on Day 1, taxpayers buying pot in Illinois may have paid more than $1.1 million in taxes on $3.2 million of cannabis sales.

Starting July 1, cities that approved local sales taxes on cannabis purchases could tack on another three percent. The total tax rate could be more than 40 percent when someone purchases the highest grade of cannabis.

The taxes are distributed to different funds. The states General Revenue Fund gets 35 percent. The Recover, Reinvest and Renew Program meant to invest in community nonprofit groups gets 25 percent.

Hutchinson said as a state senator ushering the bill through the legislature last spring that the new tax dollars will go to nonprofit groups on the ground in neighborhoods impacted by the War on Drugs. She said there will be accountability for how the money is spent.

It will include technical assistance to get folks to be data compliant  so we can actually monitor how these dollars are funded and see results over time, Hutchinson said.

Programs addressing preventive substance abuse and mental health services will get 20 percent of the states cannabis revenue. Ten percent goes to the states multi-billion dollar bill backlog. As of Thursday, there was $6.3 billion in backlogged bills.

Eight percent of the states cannabis revenue goes to law enforcement through the Local Government Distributive Fund and two percent goes to public education and safety campaigns.

The next phase of legalization began Thursday as state regulators begin to pour through applications for the next round of dispensaries and the recipients of taxpayer-backed low interest loans for cannabis businesses. Hutchison said next week, the application window opens for other sectors of the industry.

On Jan. 7, the application rounds will open up for transport and craft grow and infusion licenses, Hutchinson said. People really should be excited to see this as an industry that grows in all kinds of areas.

But its not a free market. Its a strictly state-controlled market. Hutchinson said the strict control on licenses is by design to actually incentivize equity applicants, people who are from communities and most impacted by the prohibition of the activity that we just made legal.

What were doing is trying to take this time to turn an industry around so that it actually looks like a state that we all call home, she said.

May 1 the state expects to announce as many as 75 new dispensaries.
The death of that one man marks a moment of decisive confrontation between the United States and Iran, with enormous consequences for the region, and the world beyond.

For weeks, survivors would later recall, the bodies lay littered on the streets: some were machine-gunned at point-blank range or blown apart by grenades casually tossed at their feet; others throats bore the marks of the executioners traditional tools. In August, 1998, the Taliban rolled into the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, and began a savage massacre of the citys ethnic Hazaras, Shia by faith, unbelievers to the victors. Perhaps 6,000 were killed.

No one in the West cared. In 1996, the United States of America had begun engaging the Taliban on an ambitious project to link central Asias gas to the Indian Ocean. Late in 1996, diplomat Robin Raphel called on the international community to engage the Taliban.

The next year, Afghanistan foreign minister Mullah Muhammad Ghaus was hosted by energy giant Unocals headquarters in Sugarland, Texas; their itinerary included supermarkets, museums, and the local zoo.

Eight Iranian diplomats, and a journalist, were among the dead at Mazar-i-Sharif, though, and Tehran did care. General Yahya Rahim-Safavi, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Council, massed a quarter of a million troops on the border. Give us permission for the punishment of the Taliban, he petitioned Irans then supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to advance to Herat; annihilate, punish, eliminate them and return.

But one military commander disagreed: rage, he argued, held only the prospect of inferior kinds of vengeance. Major General Qassem Soleimani, assassinated by the United States on Friday, instead advocated working with allies and proxies to bleed the Taliban slowly, a strategy that, in coming decades, became Iran regimes blueprint for survival.

The death of that one man marks a moment of decisive confrontation between the United States and Iran with enormous consequences for the region, and the world.

In New Delhi, the prospect of a United States-Iran confrontation disrupting global energy is causing alarm: Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has sailed forth on a sea of cheap oil. From $113 a barrel when the prime minister took office in May 2014, prices fell to just $50 by January 2015. In spite of efforts by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to tighten supply, theyve stayed low, in part, because of the United States gargantuan shale oil reserves coming online.

Expert estimates tell us exactly what Soleimanis assassination could mean in hard cash: A $10 per barrel rise in the price of crude oil translates into a 0.2 percentage point cut in Gross Domestic Product, and widens the current account deficit by 0.4% of GDP.

The story of how Iran and the United States came to this point, and where things could now head, began the day of carnage in Mazar-i-Sharif.

In 1998, as India joined the arc of nation-states waging the great secret war against the Taliban, Indian diplomats and intelligence officials saw Soleimanis imprint everywhere. The Northern Alliance of warlord Ahmad Shah Masood received funding and weapons from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, just as it did from India and Russia. Bar a single meeting with a senior Indian diplomat, Soleimani maintained his distance, instead using emissaries in Irans intelligence services to speak on his behalf when needed.

Indias Research and Analysis Wing, sources familiar with the issue said, at one stage proposed a meeting in a neutral country to coordinate supplies, but the idea fell through for fear of the meeting becoming public and irking the United States.

To Indias Afghan allies, though, Soleimani emerged as a key tactical mentor. Known to his adoring rank and file as the Goat Thief for his skills in cross-border operations during the Iran-Iraq war, Soleimani was willing to put himself in harms way.

There was one time he spent three days on the ground in Mazar-i-Sharif personally, one official recalled, travelling to combat zones with the ethnic Hazara leader Muhammad Muhaqiq. We thought he was crazy, exposing his presence. That was not our culture.

In the wake of 9/11, and the eviction of the Taliban, Soleimani was key to efforts to seek normalisation with the United States. The two countries relationship had ruptured in 1979, when revolutionary Islamists took diplomats at the United States embassy in Tehran hostage. Iran provided military intelligence on the Taliban to the United States, and operated aggressively against Al-Qaeda.

Facilitated by Swiss diplomats, this effort at normalisation showed real promise: the two countries interests, after all, neatly coincided on almost everything of significance, from containing jihadists operating in West Asia to the security of energy-shipping routes in the Persian Gulf.

Israel and Washington, though, just werent willing to make peace with a power that challenged the Saudi Arabia-led order in the Gulf. In 2002, then president George W Bush branded Iran part of an Axis of Evil that had to be overthrown.

Faced with the prospect that Iran could be targeted for regime change like former Saddam Husains Iraq, Soleimani drew on the lessons learned in Afghanistan. From 2003 to 2011, Shia insurgents in Iraq staged hundreds of attacks on American troops, tying them down in an un-winnable urban war. In addition, Iran allowed Al-Qaeda jihadists to transit to Syria from where they set up bases to target United States operations in Iraq.

Iran also played a key role in saving President Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria, and stuck a knife in Saudi Arabias hopes of controlling Yemens future. Hezbollah, Irans Lebanon-based client, also received enhanced support.

Following a visit to Lebanon in 2006, during which time bombings in Iraq fell sharply, Soleimani is reported to have sent a mocking text message to United States commanders in Baghdad: I hope you have been enjoying the peace and quiet in Baghdad. Ive been busy in Beirut!

Terror was a key part of Soleimanis arsenal, though, in fairness, he wasnt the only actor engaged in that particular business. Tehrans 2012 terrorist attacks on Israeli diplomats in New Delhi, and similar attacks in Georgia and Thailand, for example, were retaliation for the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

Indeed, Irans actions have been pragmatic, not ideological: it has backed largely-Christian Armenia, rather than Shia-inhabited Azerbaijan, to thwart nationalist tendencies among its ethnic-Azeri minorities; supported Sunni-dominated Hamas in Palestine; and carefully avoided stoking Islamism in neighbouring central Asian states, wary of the consequences of its relationship with Russia.

The critical bend in the road came in 2015, when the then US president Barack Obama agreed to lift sanctions against Iran in return for Tehran agreeing to stringent, internationally-monitored limitations on its civilian nuclear programme designed to ensure it could not develop nuclear weapons to threaten its neighbours. Iran kept its end of the deal, but Israel and Saudi Arabia became increasingly worried by the countrys drive to enhance its conventional military capabilities.

President Trump, in the face of protests from his European allies, walked out of the nuclear deal, compelling evidence, for Irans leadership, that the United States was bent on regime change, irrespective of its conduct.

Tehran moved rapidly to find new strategic allies, key among them China. From 2014 to 2018, Chinese companies invested $2.3 billion in Iran, up from the meagre $110 million pumped in from 1996 to 2015, Iranian government figures state. The State-owned investment arm, China International Trust Investment Corporation, has established a $10 billion credit line for Iran, while the China Development Bank is put $15 billion more on the table.

From the expansion of the Tehran Metro, and the construction of high-speed railway lines to the eastern city of Mashhad and the Gulf port of Bushehr, Beijings presence is everywhere in Iran today.

Tehran also consolidated its relationship with Russia, making extensive weapons purchases from that country, and working with it to shore up al-Assads government in Syria.

Irans survival strategy, though, doesnt rest on superpower patronage. Tehran knows it will be annihilated in in a conventional confrontation with the United States, but has acquired the capacities not to go down with imposing catastrophic costs. In 2018, the United States acknowledged that Iran had the largest ballistic missile force in the Middle East. Those missiles can hit targets up to 2,000 kilometres away, across Saudi Arabia and even Turkey.

The United States responded, through sales of its Patriot PAC3 and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems, to build a Gulf Cooperation Council-wide missile defence system. But Iran served notice in September 2019 that those defences could be penetrated: drone-borne explosive devices forced the heavily-defended Saudi Aramco oil facilities at Abqaiq to shut down for weeks, impacting the entire global energy chain.

Now, Iran knows it has reached a moment of decision: President Trump has drawn a line in the sand, and dared the country to cross it. Iran knows large-scale violence  like the use of missiles against Saudi Arabia  will invite reprisals on a scale that could obliterate the regime. Failing to respond, however, will erode the credibility of the threats that underpin the regimes survival.

In Tehran, somewhere, retribution is almost certainly being planned, because from the regimes optic, there is no choice. That retribution, though, will be carefully calibrated and then served up ice-cold.
[January 03, 2020] CURRENT SHAREHOLDERS: Zamansky LLC Investigates Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE: SEE) for Potential Breaches of Fiduciary Duties

Zamansky LLC announces that it is investigating Sealed Air Corporation (SEE) ("Sealed Air" or the "Company") for potential breaches of fiduciary duties by Seale Air's senior officers and board of directors. If you are a shareholder of Sealed Air who still holds your shares, and have held since November 2014, please contact our firm for information. Sealed Air has recently been accused of engaging in a pattern of alleged accounting fraud, dating back to November 2014. After engaging in this alleged fraud for a number of years, the Company was compelled to report in an August 2018 10-Q statement that it had received a subpoena from the SEC (News - Alert) requesting documents and information concerning the Company's accounting for certain matters. Then, in June 2019, Sealed Air issued a press release announcing that it had terminated its CFO "for cause" following the receipt of a second SEC subpoena, which related to the process by which Sealed Air had selected its "independent" auditor. In August 2019, Sealed Air filed another 10-Q report, revealing that the investigation into the Company by governmental authorities had expandedinto a criminal inquiry and now included an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the termination of its CFO. The Company subsequently announced that it had replaced its auditor, in light of recent developments.



According to Jake Zamansky, investment fraud attorney, Sealed Air's officers and directors owe the Company and its shareholders fiduciary duties. "The recent announcements regarding an SEC investigation and other related issues raise potential concern for investors," Zamansky says. "Our law firm is investigating whether the officers and directors have breached their duties to Sealed Air and its shareholders." What Sealed Air Shareholders Can Do

If you are a current shareholder of Sealed Air who still holds your stock, please contact us to review or discuss your legal rights. You may, without obligation or cost to you, email [email protected] or call the law firm at (212) 742-1414. About Zamansky LLC Zamansky LLC is a leading investment fraud law firm with experience handling securities, hedge fund, ERISA and other shareholder class action and derivative litigation. We are investment fraud attorneys who represent both individual and institutional investors. Our practice is nationally recognized for our ability to aggressively prosecute cases and recover investment losses. To learn more about Zamansky LLC, please visit our website, http://www.zamansky.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005308/en/

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A stroke patient was one of hundreds of people languishing on a trolley for hours waiting for a hospital bed in the last week.

It comes as Northern Ireland's emergency departments (EDs) buckle under the pressure of the deepening health crisis.

Experts warned that the NHS has fallen off a cliff edge - just days before thousands of health workers stage further crippling strike action.

Paramedics, doctors and patients have spoken of horrendous conditions in hospitals across Northern Ireland in the past week, including:

An elderly man with a suspected stroke spending a day and a half waiting for a hospital bed;

13 ambulances queuing outside Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday waiting to hand over patients;

400 patients waiting longer than 12 hours in emergency departments between Thursday and Friday;

A paramedic with more than 40 years' experience describing the situation as "the worst" they have ever seen; and

The average waiting time in EDs across Northern Ireland frequently reaching six hours.

The daughter-in-law of the stroke patient revealed her elderly relative waited almost 33 hours to be admitted to a ward last weekend.

Read More

She said her father-in-law became "delusional" after spending so much time on a trolley in such a busy environment.

"It was one of the saddest things I have ever seen on Saturday night into Sunday morning," she said.

"You hear on the news about people wasting emergency departments' time but, hand on heart, every single person that visited while I was there was there for the right reasons.

"I was also taken aback by the patients themselves, as it wasn't all older people - it was a baby about three months old who I believe literally stopped breathing to a number of pregnant women, to broken arms, to a teenager who had Crohn's.

"As I was looking after my father-in-law, someone literally was sick on the floor next to me.

"I wanted so much to step in and help the staff as they are outstanding. I am a project manager where I try to make things efficient and I honestly could say not one member of the nursing or doctors' team were slacking.

"They were committed and as attentive as they could be and treated each patient as an individual, even though they were all literally squeezed into one place."

Dr Ian Crawford from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine said of the situation: "I think that we have fallen over the edge of the cliff and the ground is rapidly racing up to meet us.

"The capacity is currently not there to meet demands facing services and as a result hard-working health and social care staff are left struggling to provide safe and high standards of care in the context of significant staff shortages."

All the health trusts have been posting on social media warning patients to expect long waits to be seen due to the number of people turning up looking for treatment.

They have appealed that people only go to ED when they need emergency care.

A photograph taken outside Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday evening showed nine ambulances queuing outside the unit, with claims that 13 paramedic crews were waiting at one point during the day.

One paramedic said: "I don't think I've ever seen it as busy as this before."

Another one said: "It hasn't let up for days now, they'll be running out of corridor space, too."

A spokeswoman from the Northern Trust said ambulance turnaround times at Antrim Area Hospital are "among the best in the region".

She continued: "Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department received a significant number of ambulances in quick succession into an already busy ED at a stage on Thursday night.

"This inevitably led to a queue of ambulances for a short period of time.

"However, staff worked extremely hard to assess and treat these patients with minimum delay."

A different NHS worker said the ED at Craigavon Area Hospital was experiencing similar difficulties.

Meanwhile, another paramedic said: "It's the worst I have seen in over 40 years.

"We're finishing two hours late most shifts, breaks are usually late and usually interrupted and we're frequently waiting four hours and more to hand patients over.

"We do expect winter pressures at this time of year, especially around Christmas, but GPs are unavailable and the out-of-hours service just seem to be sending patients to ED by ambulance.

"Then you have patients disregarding advice and turning up to ED with colds and flu-like symptoms.

"I'm getting sent out to people who have rung 999 because they were started on antibiotics and they're not feeling better after only taking one or two tablets.

"At the same time, I'm being asked to check on people who aren't deemed to be an emergency but who actually are an emergency. The service is on its knees."

Joe McCusker from Unison said: "We have been warning for years that the situation was reaching a critical stage and we're now at the point where we are falling off the cliff edge.

"Unfortunately, very little has been done over the past few years and we have arrived at the situation we're in now.

"It's very difficult for our members, not only in terms of increased workload, but these are the people who are on the front line dealing with people in distress, waiting for 12 hours, some of them are elderly and very frail sitting in chairs and on trolleys."

The Belfast Telegraph reported this week how almost 4,000 people waited longer than 12 hours in packed EDs across Northern Ireland in October. However, the figures for December are likely to be much higher given the waits being endured by patients over the past week.

Fears are growing that further planned strike action next week could have a catastrophic effect on the already broken system.

Unison and the Royal College of Nursing are both pressing ahead with plans for widespread walk-outs in their fight for better pay and improved staffing and safety levels.

Thousands of RCN members will strike next Wednesday and Friday, while Unison members will also stage industrial action in various locations and services on Friday.

The misery being endured by patients and staff in the run-up to next week's planned nursing strikes is heaping further pressure on politicians to find a solution to the current impasse.

While the Department of Health's Permanent Secretary has said he cannot afford to fund pay rises for his staff, the Secretary of State has said he will only seek additional funding to meet unions' demands in the event of Stormont getting up and running again.

Julian Smith has given the political parties a deadline of January 13 to reinstate the Executive.

A spokeswoman from the Health and Social Care Board apologised for the delays being experienced by patients and said staff are working hard to reduce the impact on services.

"We can assure the public that anyone who needs to use an ED for urgent or life-threatening conditions will continue to receive access to safe, high-quality services from our highly skilled and committed staff," she said.

Unison members strike action across NI hospitals next Friday

The planned Unison action, in addition to work-to-rule already in place, includes:

Belfast Trust

lAll nursing staff staging strike action for first four hours of their shifts between 8am and 8pm on January 10, while support service staff, including homecare workers, will take other action short of strike.

South eastern Trust

12-hour strike from 8am to 8pm, involving all members at Ulster, Ards and Bangor hospitals on January 10.

24-hour overtime and bank ban at Lagan Valley and Downe hospitals beginning at 12.01am on January 10.

Northern Trust

24-hour strike in relation to on-call rota in the trust excluding Causeway Hospital and surrounding geographical areas.

Three-hour strike from 9am to noon at all hospitals and community locations, excluding Causeway Hospital, by all admin workers, social workers, allied health professionals and estates department staff.

Four-hour strike covering two shifts from 4am and 8am and 8am to noon at all hospitals and community locations, excluding Causeway Hospital and geographical area, by all ED clerks and receptionists. Includes all admin workers, social workers, allied health professionals and estates department staff.

Western Trust

All staff on strike from 10am to 2pm on January 10.
 Flash

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday spoke over phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Libya and other regional issues, said the White House.

Trump told his Turkish counterpart that "foreign interference is complicating the situation" in the war-torn country, according to a statement released by the White House.

The two leaders agreed on the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians, the statement added.

Turkish parliament on Thursday approved a motion authorizing a one-year deployment of its troops in Libya, despite the warning from some opposition parties that it will endanger Turkish soldiers' lives and add fuel to the proxy war in the North African nation.

Libya has been locked in a civil war that escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk which is allied with the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.

Turkey, along with its ally Qatar, backs the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj, while their rivals, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, support the LNA.
United Methodist Church leaders from around the world and across ideological divides unveiled a plan Friday for a new conservative denomination that would split from the rest of the church in an attempt to resolve a long dispute over gay marriage and gay clergy.

Members of the 13-million-person denomination have been at odds for years over the issue, with members in the United States leading the call for full inclusion for LGBTQ people.

At a specially called meeting last February in St. Louis, delegates voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Traditional Plan, which affirmed bans on LGBTQ-inclusive practices.

In this April 19, 2019, file photo, a gay pride rainbow flag flies along with the US flag in front of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Prairie Village, Kansas

A majority of US-based delegates opposed the plan, but they were outvoted by US conservatives teamed with most of the delegates from Methodist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines.

Methodists in favor of allowing gay clergy and gay marriage vowed to continue fighting.

'This is devastating,' Lucy Berrier said on Twitter after the vote.

'Above all, the United Methodist Church is supposed to be a place of grace and service, not this bigotry and hate.

'My heart is broken into a thousand pieces.'

Tom Berlin, who is a Methodist pastor in the Washington suburb of Herndon, Virginia, said with the new plan in place, some church members would risk losing their credentials to practice their belief in LGBT rights.

'Some churches will begin to do what they desire. They will test this new legislation by performing marriages and some conferences will ordain gay clergy,' he said in an interview after the final vote.

Meanwhile the Wesleyan Covenant Association, representing traditional Methodist practice, had already been preparing for a possible separation.

The Reverend Keith Boyette, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and one of 16 people on the mediation team that developed and signed the separation proposal, said he is 'very hopeful' the plan will be approved at the denomination's General Conference this year.

This is the first time that 'respected leaders of groups from every constituency' have come together to form a plan, he said.

'And this is the first time that bishops of the church have signed on to an agreement like this.'

Boyette stressed that while the churches remaining in the United Methodist Church would keep the denomination's name, both the new church and the post-separation Methodist Church would be different from the current Methodist Church.

'This is not a leaving, but a restructuring of the United Methodist Church through separation,' he said.

The proposal, called 'A Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation,' envisions an amicable separation in which conservative churches forming a new denomination would retain their assets.

The new denomination also would receive $25million.

'The undersigned, in recognition of the regional contexts and divergent points of view within the global United Methodist Church, propose separation as a faithful step with the possibility of continued cooperation around matters of shared interest, enabling each of us to authentically live out our faith,' the proposal states.

The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states in 2015. But the law does not apply to religious institutions. The image above shows people celebrating the June 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States in front of the Supreme Court

Some 13 million people, including 7 million in the United States, belong to the United Methodist Church.

A 2014 Pew survey found that 60 per cent of US Methodists said homosexuality should be accepted by society.

About half of US Methodists said they supported same-sex marriage.

The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states in 2015. But the law does not apply to religious institutions.

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, remains strongly opposed to same-sex marriage, as does the Roman Catholic Church.

But a growing number of US Protestant denominations allow gay marriage and clergy, including the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh on Friday said that Popular Front of India (PFI) was actively involved in the violent protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act and there is ample proof against them.

"PFI was actively involved in the recent violence that is why we have arrested 25 of their members. We have ample proof against them," DGP told the reporters.

In December OP Singh wrote a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, requesting to 'ban the PFI as the investigations found PFI's involvement in the violent protests against the CAA that took place on 19 December.'

"PFI should be banned. We have written to the Home Ministry. We expect investigation on the same," he had said.

A total of 25 persons affiliated with the PFI have been arrested across the state for their alleged involvement in different criminal activities, said Praveen Kumar, IG, Law and Order, of the state here on Wednesday.

Protests which affected the state earlier this month saw people expressing their dissent against the CAA and seeking its withdrawal. Police personnel and protesters clashed during the agitation across the state.

Whereas, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) member Zafaryab Jilani had said that he does not consider the activities of the PFI as "unlawful".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The left has always been a movement in danger of going straight over the edge. You can see it in the rhetoric, the agenda, the public behavior, and the quality of people it attracts. Many of us have been waiting for years for it to blow up like a Soviet-era nuclear reactor. But although individual leftists have redlined (Hillary, Anthony Weiner, your name here), the movement as a whole has repeatedly pulled out before going into the abyss. There always seems to be a rescuing hand extended from somewhere or other. (More on that later.)

Thats why 2019 was such a satisfactory year  much more satisfactory than most. Because 2019 was the year that the left plunged toward oblivion, howling madly, engines exploding, and fuel tanks ablaze.

You voice doubts, comrades? Well then, come along with me for a short stroll through some of the highlights of the past twelve months.

 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez  The Future of the Progressive Movement is an ex-waitress who is frightened of a garbage disposal. Almost her first act in office was to cost New York City tens of thousands of jobs by running Amazon out of town. It was followed by a series of solecisms, idiocies, and contradictions unequalled in the American political record. If this marks the new progressive politician  human black holes destroying rationality and coherence by their very existence  then bring em on.

 Tlaib and Omar  This pair has proven inadequate to their mission, which was to make Jihadi terror look normal and all-American, preparatory to a flood of their type entering government on all levels. Instead, somebody forgot to whitewash their connections to some of the vilest Jihadi outfits on the planet, including Hamas and the Moslem Brotherhood. Quite apart from that, we have the fact that theyre dirty in every other sense as well, with Tlaib awarding herself spare campaign funds and Omar Well, she turns out to be that kind of girl that cant touch anything at all without turning it inside out in eight separate dimensions. At this point, its not even clear what her name is, or what Somalian murder squad shes actually related to. The two of them have managed to duck consequences so far, but its still early days.

 Greta Thunberg  The climate exploitation movement finally found its world representative in an emotionally unbalanced sixteen-year-old. This pretty much speaks for itself. All we need add is that its a clear sign of desperation from a collapsing movement: Weve tried the scientists, weve tried the pols, weve tried the UN lets throw in the twitch and see how she does.

 Eric Swallwell  Apart from IBS symptoms, Swallwell has carved for himself a historical niche as the first politician to threaten to use nuclear weapons against fellow Americans. That was bad enough, but you have to add in the number of condemnations he received from the Dems, which hover around zero. The party thinks theyve successfully buried this. They are mistaken.

 Virginia  Lets see, two racist idiots and a sex criminal walk into a bar They emerge a short time later as governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. And then get re-elected, whereupon they threaten to confiscate all firearms in the state, using the National Guard to do so (that is, if Eric cant get them nukes). This sparks a mini-revolt all across the Virginia piedmont, with local governments and law enforcement vowing defiance. All this even before the new term starts. This is a particularly impressive case as it proves that the Dems are corrupt from top to bottom and that theres no possible hope of reform.

 Erik Wemple and Rachel Maddow  This is odder than most people are aware of. Those who pay any attention to the WaPo know that Wemple is one of the men behind the curtain  a guy who lets everybody else know what the party line is going to be from day to day. Among other things, he led the charge against Sarah Palin in 2008. Yet for the past couple years, he has been growing increasingly reasonable and rational. Mellowing out with age, or perhaps a message from Jeff@Amazon telling him to cool it? Thats anybodys guess, but the fact that hes the one that lowered the boom on Ms. Paranoia is a shocker, clear evidence of a civil war growing within leftist ranks.

 Corbyn and Labour -- Not at all American, but not that far distant either, the progressive left being international, you see. Jeremy Corbyn is the white-trash Limey who pioneered the concept that reviving anti-Semitism was a proper accompaniment to progressive left-wing policies. This resulted in an electoral trouncing (by an ebullient, wild-haired, dark-suited vulgarian, yet) not seen since the Thatcher epoch. Which leads us to

 Anti-Semitism -- This has always been the last refuge of the political fanatic, and the current murder campaign against American Jews over the past few weeks is no exception. These attacks have largely been carried out by sheltered minorities, triggered by BLM and assorted Islamists, and egged on by the likes of Sandy O, Tlaib, Omar, and de Blasio, whose Peoples Republic has hosted most of the atrocities. We can take some small comfort in the fact that these campaigns often mark the last spasm of the movements carrying them out.

 The Primaries  The Democrats in this campaign year seem as if they are hell-bent on illustrating, in a 21st-century setting, Orwells description of the left as comprised of every fruit-juice drinker, nudist, sandal-wearer, sex-maniac, Quaker, Nature Cure quack, pacifist, and feminist... A fake Indian, a gay small-city mayor, a mayor of a larger, failed city with imaginary friends, a corrupt state AG Not to mention old Joe, whose son Hunter turns out to be a Bond villain. These were among the best that the Democratic Party could come up with. All we need to add to that is an undeniable fact that it was the two crazy aunts  Hindu cultist Tulsi Gabbard and pop Christian mystic Marianne Williamson  who came across as the most attractive, well-spoken, and sanest of the lot.

 The Impeachment  This is clearly the result of the Dems caught in an echo chamber and beginning to believe their own rhetoric. It was kicked off by the partys freakshow leadership  the Mummy Woman, the Human Lemur, and Jerry the Fat Boy  with absolutely no hope of any positive result. They pressed on regardless, even as sympathies swung toward President Trump and the status of the Democrats eroded to the point that their hold on the House is now threatened. They hammered through the vote all the same, constantly accelerating, until

Until Nancy Pelosi, unable to look failure in the face, refused to turn the articles over to the Senate on specious grounds  and did this at the beginning of the Christmas recess, when absolutely nothing could be done to alter the situation.

So for three weeks, there she is, hanging like Wile E. Coyote waiting for gravity to take hold. She is now in the worst position a politician can envision: a situation in which all possible alternatives mean even more public humiliation for herself and her party. She can either maintain her insistence on being the Red Queen of American politics, or submit to the Senate and see her impeachment articles tossed aside. And its all her doing. So much for the smartest woman in Washington.

In the past, someone would have come forward to pull them out of it. A diversion would be created, allowing them to dump the whole thing, some halfwit Republican would rise to the defense of our friends across the aisle, the media would do what the media does.

And there have been some attempts to do exactly that. Murkowski was wheeled out, and several of the Russell Kirk school of conservatism have run around in circles screeching, Its over! Pelosis won! Lets give up right now! (Ive had to field some of these myself here at AT.)

But its not going to happen. Its not going to happen because of one single factor. You know what that factor is as much as I do, playmates.

Donald Trump is not a career politician. He is beholden to no one. He is a veteran of two industries in which many of his competitors were gentlemen with long names with many vowels in them. They did not frighten him, and it is unlikely that the Schiffs and Nadlers of Washington will succeed in doing so. Despite relentless persecution, unending idiot accusations, and vicious attacks on his family, topped off by this mock-impeachment, he has not backed down a single inch.

And this is an election year, after which Donald Trump, to quote some well-known words, will have more flexibility.

2020 may be the year the left is smashed flat.

I cant wait.


Cofounders: Adrien Barthel (CGO) & Julien Labruyere (CEO)

Sleek, a Singapore, cloud-based corporate service provider, announced the extension to USD5M of its seed funding round.

The round was led by private investors Pierre Lorinet and Fabio Blom, and MI8, an Asia focused European backed private investment company. Pierre will take a seat at the Sleek board of directors. Other investors include Martin Crawford, former Group CEO of corporate services giant Vistra; Olivier Gerhardt, Founder of Wavecell; Eric Barbier, Founder of TransferTo; Olivier Legrand, MD Asia at Linkedin; and Stem Financial, a Hong Kong based private investment firm.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its tech team to accelerate the development of new features, increase the operational capability, and accelerate its development in Hong Kong.

Co-founded by Adrien Barthel (CGO) and Julien Labruyere (CEO), Sleek incorporates companies in Hong Kong and Singapore, and helps them manage their governance, accounting and tax matters using technology.

Since launching in September 2017, the company has grown to 85 staff and onboarded more than 2,000 companies. The client base ranges from local startups, subsidiaries of MNCs to private equity/venture capital funds and family offices.

FinSMEs

03/01/2020
The countrys apex consumer court has directed a real estate developer to refund the booking amount deposited by a homebuyer along with interest, and Rs 50,000 within four weeks for not giving the buyer sufficient notice prior to unilaterally changing the payment plan.

The homebuyer had filed the complaint against the developer Gold Souk Infrastructure and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation, seeking refund of the total principal amount paid by the complainant with interest at the rate of 18 percent per annum from the date of receipt of the payment from the developer.

The buyer had booked an apartment in the developers group housing complex located at Village Khanpur and Kawarsika, Sector 17, Sohna, Haryana. He had booked a residential flat through an allotment letter dated February 2015, by paying a sum of Rs 10.3 lakh.

The buyer had also accepted the payment plan given by the developer. The flat was booked via a payment plan where a tripartite agreement was signed between the buyer, the builder and Dewan Housing Finance Corporation (DHFCL).

As per a clause of the agreement, in case the buyer was unable to make the balance payment, then the developer was directly liable to refund the amount DHFCL. In March 2015, DHFCL sanctioned a loan to the buyer for Rs 80 lakh. However, in July 2015, he received a letter from DHFCL stating that the sanctioned loan amount was reduced to Rs 70.20 lakh.

The buyer said that the change in payment plan ratio was not acceptable to him, and had sought refund of the booking amount along with interest and loan processing fee in December 2015. The buyer, through his lawyer, said that it was only on account of the assurance that Rs 80 lakh will be sanctioned by DHFCL in the ratio of 10-80-10 that he had agreed to get his unit financed by DHFCL.

The loan was cancelled by DHFCL in May 2016.

since the Complainant wants to opt out of the project on account of change in the payment plan, which is a Tripartite Agreement entered into between the Complainant the Developer and DHFCL and there has been a change in the scheme of payment from the ratio of 10:80:10 to 10: 70: 20 meaning thereby the amount of housing loan to be disbursed by the Financial Institution/ Bank from the earlier agreed amount of  80 lacs has been reduced to 70 lacs without notice to the Complainant and the Complainant is unable to arrange for the differential amount of 10 lacs, the order said.

"It directed the developer to refund within four weeks, the booking amount with interest at the rate of 8 percent per annum from the date of filing of the complaint till the date of realisation failing which the rate of interest will increase to 10 percent per annum, an order passed by the National Consumer Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has said.

It also awarded an amount of Rs 50,000, which would be paid by the developer for not giving the complainant sufficient notice prior to unilaterally changing the payment plan.

It is for the first time that such an order by the court provides an assurance that no such act by the builders will go unnoticed and unpunished, said advocate Aditya Parolia of PSP Legal, who represented the buyer in the matter.

The developer, in its reply, claimed that the buyer was not a consumer and that the flat was purchased for commercial purpose. It contended that the buyer had failed to secure the loan of Rs 80 lakh, and that the developer is no way connected with the reduction of the loan amount from Rs 80 lakh to Rs 70 lakh and that it cannot be held liable if the bank did not release the loan amount.

The order noted that there was a violation of the Tripartite Agreement which stipulated at 10:80:10 ratio payment and ultimately it was admittedly changed to 10:70:20.

there was no notice issued prior to the change of the payment plan to enable the Complainant to exercise the option of opting out, if need be. It is the Complainants case that the change in payment plan ratio is not acceptable to him and he sought for refund of the booking amount along with interest and the loan processing fee vide email dated 28.12.2015. It is significant to mention that the loan was cancelled by DHFCL vide letter dated 31.05.2016. Regarding this aspect of changing the payment plan ratio without issuing sufficient notice to the Complainant, we hold that DHFCL was deficient in its service, the order said.
Hearst Connecticut Media / Tara O'Neill

NEW HAVEN  A stretch of State Street was shut down for heavy police activity Thursday night, then reopened after a Molotov device was removed from a vehicle, according to officials.

Police said the officers had established a presence in the area of State Street between Court and Chapel streets at approximately 8:20 p.m.
A Winnipeg-bound passenger train carrying 13 people derailed a few kilometres north of MacGregor Tuesday morning, triggering an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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A Winnipeg-bound passenger train carrying 13 people derailed a few kilometres north of MacGregor Tuesday morning, triggering an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board.

MacGregor is located approximately 90 kilometres east of Brandon.

This Via Rail passenger train carrying seven passengers and five crew members derailed Tuesday morning near Gladstone. (RCMP via Twitter)

The southbound train, which started its trip in Churchill, encountered what Via Rail is calling an "unexpected incident" at approximately 6:45 a.m. in the area of Provincial Road 350 and Road 73N, triggering the arrival of police, fire personnel and emergency crews to the site along the CN-owned track.

A spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Tuesday an investigator from Winnipeg has been deployed to assist with the investigation.

Via Rail spokesman Karl-Philip Marchand Giguere said in an email that train 692 consisted of two locomotives, which derailed on their side, while the five railcars remained upright after the derailment.

"First responders reached the site quickly to attend to the eight passengers and five Via Rail crew members," he said.

This Via Rail train carrying seven passengers and five crew members derailed Tuesday morning near Gladstone. (RCMP via Twitter)

Two of the passengers and three crew members were taken to hospital for medical attention and later released.

All the passengers were taken by bus to their final destination in Winnipeg.

"Environmental crews are en route to proceed with the cleanup as information available at this time indicates a minimal amount of fuel leakage from one of the locomotives before the train is removed from the site," Giguere said.

He added Via Rail is collaborating with the infrastructure owner as well as the authorities to determine the cause of the incident.

Penny Flock, 72, was already having a less-than-smooth day of travel by the time the derailment occurred. The retired schoolteacher was scheduled to leave Canora, Sask., for Winnipeg Monday at about 8:30 a.m., but her departure was delayed until just past midnight.

Flock, who has been taking the train for several years to visit her daughter in Norquay, Sask., said passengers around her were sleeping when the ride began to get bumpy.

"They were rudely awakened," she said, adding some passengers were tossed from their seats.

"It felt like on a plane, when it goes through turbulence, but then we came to a complete stop," she said.

Plates and cutlery in the trains kitchen were sent flying, she said.

It was still dark outside and passengers werent clear on what happened, but Flock said she soon saw that the two front cars of the train had gone completely off the rails.

"The engine was totally on its side," she said.

Flock said she was all right, but was feeling a little bit of shock from the stressful travel day. During the winter, she says, she relies on the train to visit family, as she prefers not to drive on the highways. In recent years, she has had delays as long as 52 hours.

Train staff were attentive, constantly checking in on passengers during the ordeal, she said.

"I dont know how comfortable Ill feel the next time I take a train," she said while en route to the Winnipeg Via Station on a chartered bus Tuesday. "It can be going so smoothly, until all of a sudden, it isnt."

 brobertson@brandonsun.com, with files from The Winnipeg Free Press
Qassem Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the external arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards that conducted operations outside of Iran

Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed Friday in a US strike, was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies.

As the head of the Quds, or Jersualem, Force of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani led all of its expeditionary forces.

Quds Force members have deployed into Syrias long war to support President Bashar Assad, as well as into Iraq in the wake of the 2003 US invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, a longtime foe of Tehran.

Soleimani rose to prominence by advising forces fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and in Syria on behalf of the embattled Bashar Assad.

US officials say the Guard under Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against US troops after the invasion of Iraq.

Iran has denied that.

Soleimani himself remains popular among many Iranians, who see him as a selfless hero fighting Irans enemies abroad.

Soleimani had been rumored dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad.

Rumors circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

Soleimani has been in and out of Baghdad in recent years.

Last month, he tried to broker agreements as Iraqi parties struggled to form a new government.

Where once he kept to the shadows, Soleimani has in recent years become an unlikely celebrity in Iran - replete with a huge following on Instagram.

His profile rose suddenly when he was pushed forward as the public face of Iran's intervention in the Syrian conflict from 2013, appearing in battlefield photos, documentaries - and even being featured in a music video and animated film.

Soleimani was considered the man mostly responsible for exerting Iranian influence on the Middle East, including countries like Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen

In a rare interview aired on Iranian state television in October, he said he was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war to oversee the conflict.

To his fans and enemies alike, Soleimani was the key architect of Iran's regional influence, leading the fight against jihadist forces and extending Iran's diplomatic heft in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

'To Middle Eastern Shiites, he is James Bond, Erwin Rommel and Lady Gaga rolled into one,' wrote former CIA analyst Kenneth Pollack in a profile for Time's 100 most influential people in 2017.

'To the West, he is... responsible for exporting Iran's Islamic revolution, supporting terrorists, subverting pro-Western governments and waging Iran's foreign wars,' Pollack added.

With Iran roiled by protests and economic problems at home, and the US once again mounting pressure from the outside, some Iranians had even called for Soleimani to enter domestic politics.

While he has dismissed rumors he might one day run for president, the general has played a decisive role in the politics of Iran's neighbor, Iraq.

As well as talks on forming a government, he was pivotal in pressuring Iraq's Kurds to abandon their plans for independence after an ill-judged referendum last September.

His influence has deep roots, since Soleimani was already leading the Quds Force when the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001.

'My Iranian interlocutors on Afghanistan made clear that while they kept the foreign ministry informed, ultimately it was General Soleimani that would make the decisions,' former US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker told the BBC in 2013.

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Soleimani's popularity and mystique grew out American officials calling for his killing.

By the time it came a decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

'The warfront is mankind's lost paradise,' Soleimani recounted in a 2009 interview.

'One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries.

'But there is another kind of paradise. ... The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed.'

His firm but quiet presence play perfectly to the Iranian penchant for dignified humility.

'He sits over there on the other side of room, by himself, in a very quiet way. Doesn't speak, doesn't comment, just sits and listens. And so of course everyone is thinking only about him,' a senior Iraqi official told the New Yorker for a long profile of Soleimani.

This image posted on the website of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (seen far left), shows Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr (center) and Soleimani at a ceremony commemorating the death of the Shiite prophet Hussein in September

A survey published in 2018 by IranPoll and the University of Maryland - one of the few considered reliable by analysts - found Soleimani had a popularity rating of 83 percent, beating President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Western leaders saw him as central to Iran's ties with militia groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas.

Soleimani is also thought to have been the point man for Irans foreign policy in places like Afghanistan and the Caucasus region.

Part of his appeal was the suggestion he might bridge Iran's bitter social divides on issues such as its strict 'hijab' clothing rules.

'If we constantly use terms such as "bad hijab" and "good hijab", reformist or conservative... then who is left?' Soleimani said in a speech to mark World Mosque Day in 2017.

'They are all people. Are all your children religious? Is everybody the same? No, but the father attracts all of them.'

While Soleimani rose in the ranks to be one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic, he was not known to be a religious man.

He never received a religious education. Instead, he rose through the ranks of the military after the Islamic Revolution.

A father of five, the 61-year-old Soleimani rarely gave media interviews.

But there are a few details about his life that are public knowledge.

Born March 11, 1957, Soleimani was said in his homeland to have grown up near the mountainous and the historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers.

The State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Soleimani's father was a peasant who received a piece of land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but later became encumbered by debts.

By the time he was 13, Soleimani began working in construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organization.

Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake.

He deployed to Iran's northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution.

Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war.

Soleimani is seen above in February 2016 during an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Tehran

The fighting killed more than 1 million people and saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers.

Solemani's unit and others came under attack by Iraqi chemical weapons as well.

Amid the carnage, Soleimani became known for his opposition to 'meaningless deaths' on the battlefield, while still weeping at times with fervor when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

It is not known if he participated in the mass demonstrations that eventually led to the ouster of the shah in 1979.

After the Islamic Republic came to be, Soleimani joined the Iranian Revolutionary Guards  a military force separate from the army.

Soleimani's charisma propelled him to the senior officer ranks. In 1998, he was named commander of the Quds Force.

'Quds' is the Persian word for Jerusalem, which the Iranians have vowed to liberate.

It was first established during the Iran-Iraq conflict with the goal of helping the Kurds in their struggle against Saddam Hussein.

Another key function of the Quds Force was to spread the Islamic regime's message to the Iranian military - a necessity at the time given that there were fears the army would turn against the government.

The Quds Force eventually started to train military outfits outside of Iran, like Hezbollah in Lebanon.

In secret US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, US officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009.

Soleimani fought in the bloody, eight-year Iran-Iraq war. The image above from 1980 shows an Iranian Revolutionary Guard weeping by the body of his brother in Kermanshah Province

Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi President Jalal Talabani offering a US official a message from Soleimani acknowledging having 'hundreds' of agents in the country while pledging, 'I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorized a bullet against the US.'

US officials at the time dismissed Soleimani's claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks.

US forces would blame the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised explosive devices made IED - improvised explosive device - a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a 2010 speech, US General David Petreaus recounted a message from Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranian's powers.

'He said, "General Petreaus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan",' Petraeus said.

The US and the United Nations put Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though his travels continued.

In 2011, US officials also named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

But his greatest notoriety would arise from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of the Islamic State group.

Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assad's rule.

While a US-led coalition focused on airstrikes, several ground victories for Iraqi forces came with photographs emerging of Soleimani leading, never wearing a flak jacket.

'Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life,' one Iraqi militia commander said.

Sources: Associated Press, AFP, Haaretz
Knockin (KI) animals carrying exogenous sequences integrated at specific genomic loci are invaluable tools for biomedical research. To understand the role of lethal genes in post-embryonic functions, it is usual to use KI animals carrying two loxP insertions at interested genomic loci to generate conditional gene knockout (CKO) animals. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate animal model excellent for in vivo imaging of biological events. However, to knockin two loxP sites in the zebrafish genome is still a big challenge due to the unavailability of gene targeting techniques for zebrafish embryonic stem cells and the low efficiency of homologous recombination (HR) in fast-developing fertilized zebrafish eggs. Du's lab previously developed a non-HR-mediated efficient KI strategy without destroying targeted genes, in which a Cas9 target is selected in an intron and the donor plasmid is integrated into the targeted intron. This strategy has been used to efficiently make KI zebrafish and mouse.

"We develop a novel method for making zebrafish CKO and KI switch (zCKOIS) in one step based on our previously reported non-HR-mediated intron targeting. We showed that the zCKOIS cassette can be targeted into the last intron of hey2 with a high efficiency via CRIPSR/Cas9 mediated non-HR insertion." said Dr Jia Li, the co-first author for this work. A floxed and invertible gene-trap cassette with an RNA slice acceptor is inserted in the intron sequence of the donor plasmid. Without Cre, the zCKOIS cassette will not be inverted and a KI reporter with green fluorescence will be transcripted under the control of the endogenous promoter of the targeted gene. In the present of Cre, the cassette will be inverse, and the targeted gene will be destroyed, associated with the expression of a KO reporter with red fluorescence. "Using this strategy, we generated a hey2zCKOIS fish line and observed green fluorescence (i.e., KI reporter) in various cell types, including glial cells, endothelial cells (ECs) and haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), similar to the expression pattern of the endogenous hey2 in zebrafish and mouse." said Dr Jia Li. By injecting Cre mRNA, they validated that the inverted hey2zCKOIS (hey2zCKOIS-inv) coupled with red fluorescence (i.e., KO reporter) is a non-functional KO allele. Finally, they achieved EC-specific KO of hey2 by crossing the hey2zCKOIS with the KI line Ki(flk1-P2A-Cre), in which Cre expression is driven by the EC-specific promoter flk1.

This method realizes the generation of CKO and KI reporter line in one step via efficient non-HR-mediated insertion. The simplification and combination of CKO and KI make the zCKOIS strategy an applicable approach for zebrafish and even other organisms.

###

This work was supported by grants from the Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.31500849), Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project (18JC1410100, 2018SHZDZX05), the Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences (QYZDY-SSW-SMC028), the Strategic Priority Research Program (XDB32010200) of Chinese Academy of Science, the International Partnership Program, Bureau of International Co-operation of Chinese Academy of Science(153D31KYSB20170059), China Wan-Ren Program, and Shanghai Leading Scientist Program.

See the article: Jia, L., Hongyu, L., Shanye, G, et al. (2019). One-step Generation of Zebrafish Carrying a Conditional Knockout-Knockin Visible Switch via CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Intron Targeting. Sci China Life Sci, in press, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-019-1607-9. http://engine.scichina.com/doi/10.1007/s11427-019-1607-9
According to a leaked letter of Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs, 14 personnel of Pakistan Armed Forces were killed recently by Baloch militants based in Iran. This was one of the several attacks orchestrated by Baloch militants shielded by Iranian intelligence chief and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Soleimani.

Intelligence sources told IANS that Pakistani forces were killed on April 18, 2019, weeks after 27 IRGC soldiers were killed by Pakistani terrorists on February 13. Soleimani had strongly lashed out at Pakistan after the killings of 27 Iranian revolutionary guards.

In their complaint to Iranian Embassy, Pakistan foreign ministry wrote, "15 to 20 terrorists who camouflaged themselves in Frontier Corps (FC) uniform barricaded the road and stopped 3 to 4 buses travelling from Ormara to Gwadar on the coastal highway at Buzi Top in the dawn of 18 April 2019 and on the identification of the passengers, shot down 14 personnel belonging to the Armed Forces of Pakistan. 'BRAS' which is the alliance of three Baloch terrorist organisations have claimed responsibility for this terrorist act. After the incident, the terrorists who arrived from border region returned to that area."

Pakistan, the letter, pointed out, "has repeatedly shared intelligence about these activities. The information about the hubs of these Baloch terrorist organisations in Iran, having training camps and logistics bases across the border, was shared with Iranian intelligence in the recent past, and on a number of occasions earlier. Unfortunately, no action has been taken by Iran in this regard, to date."

Protesting against the killing of its forces, Pakistan, pleaded with Iran to act against the Baloch groups based in Iran, whose locations it had identified several times.
ANSONIA  It was a close call.

Bridgeport police reached out to police in Ansonia around 8 p.m. Wednesday to report a possible sighting of missing 1-year-old Vanessa Morales at Bridgeport Hospital.

Ansonia detectives immediately responded to the hospital and reviewed the surveillance video that captured a female child who looked like Vanessa with several other people, Lt. Patrick Lynch said Thursday.

While the child depicted in the Bridgeport Hospital video bore a fairly close resemblance to missing Vanessa Morales, Lynch said, the girl on the footage appeared younger. He said the officers were able to contact the individuals from the footage and verified it was not Vanessa.

Despite the sighting not panning out, Lynch said he was thankful people continue to keep an eye out for the missing girl and call authorities with leads.

We still believe Vanessa is out there, he said. All of the items we have asked people to look for are still out there somewhere. We think that their discovery will lead us to Vanessa.

He urged people to continue to use social media and word of mouth in searching for Vanessa and the items.

And we will do our due diligence, Lynch said.

Morales has been missing since Dec. 2 when Ansonia police went to the Myrtle Avenue home of her mother, 43-year-old Christine Holloway. Police responded twice to the home on welfare checks  not making contact the first time and deciding to force entry the second.

Officers found Holloway bludgeoned to death in the home. Vanessa, who should have been there, was nowhere to be found.

The toddlers father, Jose Morales, has been in custody since his arrest Dec. 3 in New Haven on weapons charges that Lynch said were unrelated to Holloways death and Vanessas disappearance.

Morales remains in state custody on the pending illegal firearm possession charges. He has a previous arrest record, including a 2012 conviction for violation of a protective order and disorderly conduct after an incident in Meriden.

Although police have named 43-year-old Morales as the prime suspect in their joint investigation into the girls disappearance and Holloways homicide, he has not been charged in connection with either.

Ansonia police have teamed up with law enforcement agencies around the area and the FBI to conduct an investigation into what happened to Holloway and where Vanessa could be. The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Vanessas recovery.

Last week, investigators responded to a report of a discarded car seat found near BJs Wholesale Club in Derby, combing the area for any evidence in the case. Police have also ventured to Naugatuck on Dec. 10 in search of evidence.

Anyone with information about Vanessas whereabouts, or the activities of Jose Morales between Nov. 30 and Dec. 2, is asked to contact the FBI tipline at 203-503-5555 or the Ansonia Police Department at 203-735-1885 or through Tip411.
Hollywood has distinguished itself during the Trump era by flinging itself headlong into high-altitude Trump Derangement Syndrome. With news that President Trump ordered the targeted assassination of one of the world's most prolific terrorists when the latter landed on Iraqi soil, leftist Hollywood celebrities have reacted predictably.

The award for most over-the-top reaction has to go to Rose McGowan, who gave Iran a groveling apology. In true Hollywood fashion, she called America under President Trump "a terrorist regime," an interesting point from a woman who's been unfazed by Iran's deadly contempt for its own citizens and its brutal repression of women and homosexuals:

Dear #Iran, The USA has disrespected your country, your flag, your people. 52% of us humbly apologize. We want peace with your nation. We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime. We do not know how to escape. Please do not kill us. #Soleimani pic.twitter.com/YE54CqGCdr  rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) January 3, 2020

When challenged on her pro-Iranian, anti-American sentiments, McGowan doubled down (language warning):

Fuck your freedom and shove it up your #MAGA ass https://t.co/RQr2x5pCS1  rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) January 3, 2020

So far, Michael Moore has had lots to say or, rather, to show, because he's opted for imagery over words. Moore tweeted out an American flag bathed in Iran green, which was undoubtedly a response to Trump's single tweet immediately after the attack, showing only an American flag:

As Ilhan Omar did, Moore put out a tweet reminding everyone of Bill Clinton's famous "wag the dog" military strike, something Clinton did to take the heat off his domestic political troubles:

And Moore closed (so far) by implying that America, which has a military presence in or engages in military cooperation with countries afraid of Iran, is so dangerous that Soleimani's terrorist actions were righteous:

Alyssa Milano, showing her fealty to the Democrat primary candidates, retweeted their pronouncements on the targeted strike, all of which echoed Rep. Chris Murphy to the effect that America should never kill bad guys because other bad guys might get mad:

Several celebrities were very excited that President Trump, in 2011, predicted that Obama would start a war with Iran to get re-elected. Alyssa Milano, who can always be counted on to come out against Trump, was one of those:

Mark Hamill jumped on that train, too:

As did Debra Messing:

So did Michael Moore:

Patton Oswalt, another loud Hollywood Leftist, also retweeted generally angry, anti-American content. He opted to resurrect an old trope from early in the Iraq era about chickenhawks sending young Americans to die.

Debra Messing piled on with her own retweet:

Rob Reiner started the day by retweeting Connecticut's Sen. Chris Murphy (D), who pretty much set the tone for most Democrats, which is something to the effect that Soleimani deserved to die, but now we're all going to die:

He followed by throwing in a dig at Trump:

Dont know about you but I feel very secure in the knowledge that, as things heat up with Iran, we have a stable genius at the helm.  Rob Reiner (@robreiner) January 3, 2020

The Hollywood left never disappoints. Because it's still early in California as this post goes up, we can expect that Hollywood celebrities will provide us with more amusement today as they make other over-the-top pronouncements about President Trump's decisive response to Iran's targeted attack against America.
Activists participate in a rally at the Reflecting Pool of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on April 10, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Transgender Trailblazer Legally Reclaims Original Sex

An Oregon court that granted the first individual legal recognition for his non-binary sex designation has rescinded the status and restored the sex on his birth certificate to male.

In a dramatic repudiation of the transgenderism movement and the industry that supports it, the request for the change came from James Shupe, an icon of transgender activism, who denounced the movement and the idea that one can change ones sex as a fraud.

Im saying my experience should very much serve as a cautionary tale, to everyone, from males like me with sexual paraphilias and false beliefs about being women, to the lawyers, doctors, judges, therapists, and lawmakers that allowed this whole sordid tale to happen, Shupe told The Epoch Times via email.

Paraphilias, according to WebMD, are abnormal sexual behaviors or impulses characterized by intense sexual fantasies and urges that keep coming back.

News of Shupes restored male sex status broke in a Dec. 31 interview with Tyler ONeil of PJMedia.

The charade of not being male, the legal fiction, its over, Shupe said.

The lies behind my fictitious sex changes, something I shamefully participated in, first to female, and then to non-binary, have been forever exposed. A truthful accounting of events has replaced the deceit that allowed me to become Americas first legally non-binary person.

The legal record has now been corrected and LGBT advocates are no longer able to use my historic non-binary court order to advance their toxic agenda.

I am and have always been male. That is my biological truth, the only thing capable of grounding me to reality.

Born in the nations capital in 1963, Shupe, who served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 2000, has been married to his wife, Sandy, for three decades. He began identifying as a transgender woman in 2013 after experiencing harassment in the military because others thought of him as homosexual. He subjected himself to hormone treatment that had unpleasant, dangerous side effects, and legally changed his first name to Jamie and his sex to female. He didnt undergo sex-reassignment surgery.

A few years later, he changed his legal sex again.

On June 10, 2016, Multnomah County, Oregon, Circuit Court Judge Amy Holmes Hehn signed an order declaring that Shupes sex is hereby changed from female to non-binary.

Shupe was celebrated by the LGBT movement and hailed as a courageous trailblazer by the mainstream media, but changing his legal sex and trying to live as a non-binary person didnt solve his problems, he said.

The gender transitions were supposed to fix my mental health problems, but I kept getting worse instead. The high-powered marijuana made me psychotic. I started hearing booming noises and having visions of being some Indian woman, he told PJMedia. I started believing I was some kind of chosen one who was picked to restore the third gender to North America, thats what I thought the visions were telling me.

Shupe said he latched onto the transgender identity as he tried to deal with psychological problems that should have been dealt with more conventionally.

I ended up in the psych ward three times because of hormones. I had blood clots in my eyes because my estrogen levels were 2,585 instead of 200, low bone density, problems controlling my bladder, and emotional instability, he said.

Blood tests indicated I was dropping into kidney disease territory  for about 18 months, I had chronic dermatology issues and skin reactions to estrogen patches, I passed out on the kitchen floor from Spironolactone [a diruretic drug].

Shupe decided to legally become male again.

Gay-rights public interest law firm Lambda Legal dropped him as a client, and Shupe changed his political perspective. Although he had supported transgender individuals serving in the armed forces, he came to embrace President Donald Trumps policy that service members live according to their sex at birth.

Multnomah County, Oregon, Circuit Court Judge Patricia L. McGuire signed a General Judgment Regarding Change of Name and Sex on Dec. 19, 2019, changing his sex to male and his name to James Clifford Shupe.

Despite six years of hormonal treatments, my sex was immutable, and I remained the same biological male I was at the time of my birth. In hindsight, my sex change to non-binary was a psychologically harmful legal fiction, and I desire to reclaim my male birth sex, Shupe told PJMedia.
A 17-year-old Klein area resident is the University of Houston-Downtowns youngest graduate in the colleges last class of the decade.

Juliette Walker concluded her final semester in December, earning a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in psychology five months before she would have graduated from high school.

Walker went to public elementary schools in Alabama and Tennessee until moving to Arizona.

She began attending Basis, an Arizona charter school, in the fifth grade. From fifth to seventh grade, she developed study habits necessary to keep up with her rigorous course work in subjects including Latin, world history, biology, chemistry and physics.

RELATED: Oak Ridge student from Spring wins $100K in Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway

It was definitely an intense schooling and so it was a lot of studying, Walker said. It taught me a ton of studying skills when I was really young.

Walker attended public school in South Carolina for eighth grade and part of her ninth-grade year; however, half-way through her freshman year of high school, her family moved to the Houston area.

It was December and in South Carolina Berkley High School the schooling system was a block system, so it was four classes in the fall and then four different classes in the spring, Walker said. I had done half of the years credits and I finished them, but the other half I hadnt even started.

Transitioning to the different schedule system at Klein High School, where Walker was zoned, would have required her to take the back half of some classes in the spring semester of her freshman year, and then take the front half of those classes as a sophomore, she said.

Instead, my mom gave me the choice: Do you want to do this, or do you want to try dual credit classes with the community college and get those credits that you need? Walker said.

She decided to take her spring semester classes through Lone Star College-University Park with the intention of transferring back to high school her sophomore year. The courses were more challenging than classes shed taken previously, Walker said, but she managed to perform well. When the next school year rolled around, she continued taking classes through LSC in pursuit of her associate degree.

UHD houses its Northwest campus at LSC-UP. Under guidance from her mother and college advisors, Walker realized that she could earn her bachelors degree by the time she was scheduled to graduate from high school.

So, I ended up working through summers and doing a lot more hours, Walker said.

She took her classes online, using the UHD Northwest campus to seek in-person guidance from advisors.

It ended up working out and I dont feel like I have any holes in my education; I feel like Im pretty well-rounded in that regard, Walker said. It was a good challenge, but it was something that didnt feel like it was completely impossible. It just took a lot of work.

Walker was one of more than 2,000 UHD students to graduate in December.

A major incentive for pursuing her college degree early through dual credit courses is the financial benefit, she explained. According to the Texas high Education Coordinating Board, state law lets high schools and colleges seek state funding for dual credit courses. Public higher education institutions can opt to waive any amount of tuition for dual credit courses. Lone Star College is among the institutions that waive all tuition costs for dual credit courses.

The state of Texas waives the tuition costs for dual credit students, Walker said. So that was another reason why I ended up sticking with it because if I can get all of my college done for practically free except for book costs and different things like that, then why would I go back and have to pay more money and get into student debt?

RELATED: Cy-Fair student surprised with $10K scholarship at pep rally

Walker said the process of filling out graduate school applications recently was an emotional experience for her as she thought about all shed accomplished and what was ahead.

It was like, Wow, I am about to adult  to start my adult life, and its a little bit nerve-wracking, but I felt super prepared and ready to embark on that adventure that was in front of me because I felt like I had a really strong foundation, Walker said.

She originally planned to pursue a career in occupational therapy. While searching for opportunities to meet the observational hours requirement to apply for grad school, she ended up getting a job as a behavioral aide in applied behavior analysis, or ABA, and realized that was her calling.

Im working a lot with children with autism. A lot of it is communication skills that theyre learning so they can express more and so that they wont engage in some of their really intense behaviors, and then other things like different fine motor skills, like how to use a fork properly, how to engage with peers more appropriately, Walker said. Were spending eight hours a day with these kids and really getting to know them and loving them. At the end of the day, you just end up loving each of the kids.

The next step in Walkers career path is becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA. She applied to Arizona State University to pursue a masters degree, after which shell need to accrue 1,500 hours of supervised field work before taking the board examination.

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Texas colleges go big in offering student financial aid

Definitely a lot of work ahead of me, but something that I feel like I can manage, Walker said.

As a person who has gone through the process of earning a college degree early, Walker encourages others to consider dual credit classes. She advises people to research their options and find out which universities will transfer credits. Dual credit can be a beneficial option financially, especially in Texas, she said. But Walker found that for her, dual credit offered value beyond the money she saved on tuition costs.

My advice to anybody thats my age or to parents, its to give dual credit a chance, Walker said. It not only helped me in the grand scheme of my life because I was ahead, but it also helped me figure out who I am without some of the social pressures of high school. And I still had a social life. I still went to prom and I still went to homecoming. It was just something that helped me realize when it was time to play and when it was time to work. It helped me realize who I am, who I wanted to be.

mfeuk@hcnonline.com
LONDON  No one has skewered the Saudi royal family as gleefully as Ghanem al-Masarir.

In hundreds of videos posted to YouTube  which have now been viewed more than 300 million times  Mr. al-Masarir sits at a desk, usually at his home in North London, offers a jovial greeting in Arabic, then launches into a series of embarrassing Saudi-related stories. The tone is sharply satirical, the delivery a bit hammy.

One of his favorite targets is Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, whom he long ago tagged with a nickname, now widely used by detractors, that translates to the bear that has gone astray. As mild as this may sound to Western ears, calling someone a bear in the Middle East is tantamount to calling him fat and ugly, and astray in this context means immoral, corrupt, essentially a gangster.

[Related: Three senior members of the Saudi royal family are arrested.]

There are academics in prison in Saudi Arabia for criticizing policy, and they havent even mentioned leaders by name, said Madawi al-Rasheed, a visiting professor at the London School of Economics. So imagine what they think of Ghanem.

By now, it seems pretty clear.



In October 2018, Mr. al-Masarir says, the British police visited his home to deliver an official warning about a threat to his life. They left him with a panic button system, attached through his phone line, that summons the authorities when activated, but they offered no specifics about the source of the threat.
A man and woman were charged with murdering a man who was found shot to death in his Gloucester Township home in October, the Camden County Prosecutors Office announced Thursday.

Rosealee Gomez, 36, of Franklinville was charged with felony murder and Chamberlin Robinson, 41, of Vineland, was charged with murder, according to a joint statement from Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Gloucester Township Police Chief David Harkins,

The Gloucester Township Police were called to the area of Yorkshire Road in town at 9:50 p.m. on Oct. 23 and found Kevin Carter, 26, on the ground suffering from gunshot wounds, authorities said. Carter was pronounced dead at the scene and an investigation revealed that he was killed during a home invasion.

Gomez was arrested by the United States Marshals Service at her home on Dec. 31 and was taken to Camden County Jail pending her pretrial detention hearing, according to the statement.

Chamberlin Robinson was being held in the Cumberland County Jail on an unrelated matter, police said. It was unclear when he was arrested or exactly when he was charged with Carters murder.

Officials have not released a motive for the fatal home invasion shooting.

The shooting was still under investigation Thursday evening and anyone with information was urged to contact Camden prosecutors Detective Jeremy Jankowski at 856- 580-5950 or Gloucester Township Police Detective Scott Obermier at 856-228-4500.

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.

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Women, trans and queers during a protest march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar against the amended Citizenship Act, NRC and NPR, in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI)

Delhi: Peaceful protests against the CAA continued on Friday in several parts of the country amid slogans like Rainbow against Saffron, Inquilab aaya hai, Halla Bole and songs like Hum dekhenge.

Delhi saw a unique gathering at Jantar Mantar where women, transgenders, sex workers, street hawkers and domestic workers protested against the CAA, NRC and NPR. Similar protests were held in various parts of the country by these groups to mark the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule and Fatima Sheikh, who fought for womens empowerment.

Rafiul Alom Rahman, founder of the Queer Muslim project, said over 2,000 transgenders have been left out of the NRC in Assam and there is fear that the numbers will be much higher if an all-India NRC takes place. The CAA and NRC exclude communities, groups and people and violates the Constitution. The situation of a persecuted minority can be different from that of homosexuals and transgender, and more so if they are Muslims," said Rahman.

Asiya Khatun, a domestic worker living in Nand Nagri, had taken a day off to take part in the protest. She is a Bengali but not Bangladeshi. Everyone will be impacted with the NRC, not just a few. I have come to show solidarity with people, she said. Many in the crowd also felt the government is diverting attention from its failures and economic crisis through such laws.
Two women in a car were killed when a New Jersey Transit train struck their vehicle on Friday morning at a crossing in Middlesex County, authorities said.

The westbound Raritan Valley line train slammed into the vehicle at 8:12 a.m. at the Cedar Avenue grade crossing in Middlesex Borough, according to a New Jersey Transit spokeswoman.

The dark-colored vehicle appeared to have stopped on its side just off the tracks. As of 11 a.m. the vehicle hadnt been removed.

Investigators work at the scene of a double-fatal crash on the train tracks in Middlesex Borough on Friday, Jan. 3. 2020. Two women were killed when their car was hit by a New Jersey Transit train

None of the 30 passengers and crew members on the train were injured.

Raritan Valley line service remains suspended between Plainfield and Raritan.

The train left Newark Penn Station and was bound for High Bridge.

NJ Transit police remain on the scene investigating.

Two women were killed Friday when a New Jersey Transit train struck a car in Middlesex.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

There are two sets of tracks in the area - one for passengers trains and one for freight trains.

A traffic light was recently installed that turns red when a train is coming but drivers dont always stop, according to a man who who works at a nearby business but did not witness the crash.

"People dont have the patience sometimes and its tragic, said Jason LaBruzza, an employee of A & G Italian Fine Foods on Lincoln Boulevard in Middlesex. LaBruzza added that hes seen drivers swerve around the gate arms that lower when a train approaches.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Mumbai, Jan 3 : A major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran - the two biggest oil producing nations - following a US airstrike killing one of Iran's most powerful military commanders, General Qasem Soleimani, has sent global financial markets into a tailspin.

While the stock markets have taken a beating, gold, silver and oil prices have jumped sharply.

While a rush to buy safe haven assets over the rising Middle East tensions acted as support of gold and silver prices, worries over an oil supply disruption boosted oil prices. Besides, investors turning risk averse led to a stock market decline.

India's benchmark index, Sensex fell as much as 230 points as the global oil benchmark oil shot over 4 per cent to touch $70 a barrel. Besides, NYMEX crude rallied over 4 per cent on Friday to hit a high of $63.84/bbl, the highest level since May 2019.

The Indian rupee lost 34 paise to the US dollar and was trading at Rs 71.71 a dollar at 3 p.m.

On the MCX, gold contracts for February rallied nearly 2 per cent to trade at Rs 39,993 per 10 gram while silver also jumped over 1 per cent. COMEX gold rallied to hit a high of $1543.7/oz, the highest level since September.

Ravindra Rao of Kotak Securities said, "Crude oil prices might further move higher amid concerns about retaliatory moves by Iran. However, market reaction may subside if there is no retaliatory move by Iran or no major exchange of words between Tehran and Washington," Rao added.

Rao further noted that WTI crude oil is trading close to the resistance near $64/bbl. If the resistance holds, we expect a corrective dip in prices. On the contrary, if the price sustains above $64/bbl the upside might extend to $65.50/bbl.

"In case of gold, the immediate resistance is near $1546/Oz. On break of the resistance, the price might move close to the September 2019 highs of $1560/Oz," he said.

Analysts from Anant Rathi said that: "Adding to the geo-political tensions North Korea has given up hope on lifting of sanctions anytime soon as it looks to find a way to survive under crushing economic sanctions while building an even stronger nuclear powerhouse."
The alleged Bollywood couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were recently mobbed by a bunch of fans at the Mumbai Airport. The incident happened when the duo was returning from a vacation. They made it to their cars safely as the crowd gathered was not a huge one.

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor get mobbed at the airport

Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt recently returned from their New Year vacation in Thailand. The two were greeted by fans right outside the airport. The security made sure that they reached their vehicle safely. In the video posted on Instagram, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor can be seen exiting the International airport in Mumbai. In the video, Alia Bhatt can be seen wearing a khaki coloured set of clothes. She can also be seen wearing a jacket with a dash of denim and a bright coloured purse with the outfit. Ranbir Kapoor, on the other hand, can be seen wearing a black T-shirt with a pair of blue jeans. He can also be seen wearing a blue cap with a pair of stylish shades. He can be seen carrying a backpack as well. Have a look at the video from the airport here.

Read Alia Bhatt's New Year Celebrations Was All About Beaches, Wine And Sunsets; See Pictures

Also read New Year: Water Babies Alia Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurrana, Others Share Stunning Pics To Wish

Alia-Ranbir in the same movie?

Brahmastra is an upcoming superhero trilogy. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in pivotal roles. It is being directed by Ayan Mukherjee. Brahmastra will also feature actors Dimple Kapadia, Amitabh Bachchan, Mouni Roy, and Divyendu Sharma. It is expected to hit the theatres in May 2020.

Read Deepika Padukone Gets Cheeky As Indian Idol 11 Contestant Tries To Woo Alia Bhatt

Also read How Bollywood Actress Sara Ali Khan, Alia Bhatt And Others Welcomed New Year 2020

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
I'm A Celebrity's Myles Stephenson accused Ellie Goulding's mother, Tracey, of racism amid a Twitter war on Friday.

It all started when Tracey tweeted: 'Didn't notice it so much on [the] jungle but what's with #myles #gmb trying to sound like a black dude??'

You should be ashamed: Im A Celebritys Myles Stephenson accused Ellie Gouldings MUM (left) of racism amid Twitter spat on Friday

Upsetting: It all started when Tracey shared this tweet after watching a TV appearance with Myles on GMB and he hit back

The Sun reported that Myles, 28, whose father is Jamaican, hit back with: 'Please tell me what a "black dude" sounds like Trace?

'I'll be sure to tell my "black" side of my family that I sound like them! They'll be happy! 2020 and racism already starting.'

He shared a grab of her tweet and continued: 'Say anything you want about my presenting ability but I will not tolerate racism one bit!

'Especially when I'm just trying to brighten peoples day & ESPECIALLY when your saying that me & my ethnic background sound a certain way!'

Cross: Myles, whose father is Jamaican, said: 'I'll be sure to tell my 'black' side of my family that I sound like them! They'll be happy! 2020 and racism already starting'

'You should be ashamed! #FRacistPeople.'

It is not clear if Myles was aware that Tracey is Ellie's mother at first, but his followers soon alerted him to the fact.

While Ellie herself has stayed mum on the subject, Tracey hastily apologised and asserted that she believes she is not a racist.

She wrote: 'I'd like to apologise so much to you Myles and any upset it may have caused, I wrote something very childish I'm SO not racist, it was a flippant remark.

'I will not tolerate racism': Myles was furious and had this to say during the exchange

'I feel so totally ashamed about doing, it was taken out of context please forgive x.'

Myles then wrote that it looked like Tracey had deleted her account and she wrote: 'I have sent you a genuine apology, I have not deleted my account.

'I am not racist at all, it was taken out of context.

Sorry: Ellie herself has stayed mum on the subject (stock photo of the singer with her mother)

'I was childish': Tracey hastily apologised for her earlier tweet and said it was 'taken out of context'

'This account doesn't exist': Tracey has since deleted her Twitter account following the exchange

'If you want to use it and folk want to use it, by all means carry on. I have not racially abused anyone it's a shame you think so.'

Tracey's Instagram account is now private and she has deleted her Twitter account.

MailOnline has contacted a spokeperson for Ellie Goulding for comment.

Myles previously discussed his before about his Jamaican heritage when his gran passed away aged 89 last month.

He shared a picture of the two of them together and wrote: 'Started In Jamaica and gave everyone the tools to conquer the world!

'The music I make will keep you dancing up there and My restaurant will be named after YOU down here. Ima continue to try make you proud day in day out in everything I do!'

Beloved: Myles pictured with his mother Victoria after leaving I'm A Celebrity last month

Love: Myles pictured with his late granny, who sadly passed away aged 89 back in December
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Linkedin Duncan Graham (The Jakarta Post) Malang, East Java  Fri, January 3, 2020 11:59 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320b3da2 1 Lifestyle #bytheway,#column,#marriage,#wedding,#religion,#apostasy Free

If custom and religious law had been upheld, Id be without my wife.

Thats because she wouldnt have been born.

Lets examine that enigma: The man who became her father committed a great sin before he married. He committed apostasy.

For leaving Islam and converting to Protestantism to wed the Minahasa woman whod eventually become my mother-in-law, he risked the wrath of his Javanese parents. Theyd raised him to be Muslim pure.

Overseas the penalty for apostasy can vary from banishment to imprisonment, even execution. Fortunately, Indonesia is not so brutal. Had my late father-in-law been in a Middle East country like Qatar, Somalia or Sudan, hed have been hung or beheaded.

Next door in Malaysia, he could have been detained and re-educated like the Chinese are allegedly doing to the Uighurs in Xinjiang. In Brunei, the penalty is 30 years in jail.

That would have taught him to be careful about the books on his shelf. I have Al Koran alongside Al Kitab. Presumably thats halal, because page-turning by a kafir (unbeliever) might lead to some form of revelation.

In fact, I enjoy the language more than the messages  but dont tell anyone as wed rather not have zealots seeking our street. Theyd be unwelcome, because our Muslim neighbors accept our berkatan (blessed meals) following celebrations, and we theirs when distributed after khitan (circumcisions). Never stir the food-givers for they are the blessed ones, beloved by weary cooks.

Although Indonesia currently doesnt prohibit switching religions, the US Congress Law Library claims either the Indonesian Penal Code or a 1965 Presidential Decision on blasphemy could apply.

Indonesian law forbids every individual [] in public from intentionally conveying, endorsing or attempting to gain public support in the interpretation of a certain religion embraced by the people of Indonesia or undertaking religious based activities that resemble the religious activities of the religion in question.

That legalese might encourage a furious community to make life so damn miserable that the apostate has to flee.

There was more tolerance in the 1950s when my father-in-law agreed to attend church on Sundays and forgo Fridays in the mosque so he could woo his lady. His government career wasnt damaged, as he was rapidly promoted and went on to lead two major departments.

Sukarno was running the show then and setting an example in freedom of (male) choice by having at least nine wives. Of course, the Lothario-in-chief was more interested in laying than praying, but the naysayers were a minority.

The proof that my father-in-law didnt get showered with spittle and stones was clear this Christmas when a bus-load of his relatives turned up to break bread with my mother-in-laws mob as they celebrated the birth of their prophet.

Women in jilbab (headscarves) gossiped at speed and length with their bare-headed cousins under a cross on the wall. They cracked jokes, ate the same foods and never asked if they were halal. Just as well, because we didnt know.

Passers-by peering through the open gates would have seen religious harmony. Why is that so difficult to achieve in the wider community?

One answer has to be ignorance. Only one of the Indonesian Protestants at our get-together had ever entered a mosque and none of the Muslims a church. Most were bemused by my question  as though Id asked why they breathe.

The other answer is fear. The action of visiting anothers place of worship might infect their soul with an incurable virus.

There are more fallacious fables of secret rituals and devices snaring the religiously weak than Donald Trumps hoax news alerts. Holy water carries infections. Ghosts lurk in Catholic statuary. Like motion alarms they can detect unbelievers.

Just seeing the beautiful and elaborate Arabic calligraphy will taint a Christians mind and theyll never understand the Bible again.

So my wife told of her experiences in New Zealand, where the Wellington Kilbirnie Mosque has annual open days and runs guided tours. Much enlightenment. No conversion attempted.

Malangs Islamic University Rector Masykuri Bakri once called 600 non-Muslims to his campus for an inter-faith event. I wanted to know if hed been inspired by visiting churches. He replied: I havent been in any. Ive never been asked.

Insya Allah, my extended family will meet again in late May to jointly celebrate Idul Fitri. We non-Muslims have been invited. We know what to expect. No fear. Amen.

-- Duncan Graham
The United States has killed the powerful commander of Iran's elite Quds Force in an Iraqi air strike in a dramatic escalation of hostilities that prompted a threat from Tehran of "severe retaliation" and an accusation by the Iraqi prime minister of an "outrageous breach."

U.S. and Iranian officials confirmed the death of Qasem Soleimani, one of the most powerful military men in Iran, in an attack on two vehicles at Baghdads international airport in the early morning hours of January 3.

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted later that Soleimani had "killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!" He blamed him "directly and indirectly" for the deaths of "millions of people, including the recent large number... of protesters killed in Iran itself."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News later on January 3 that the air strike was "lawful" and that "the risk of doing nothing regarding Iran was enormous." The United States does not "seek war with Iran," he said, but will not "stand by and see American lives put at risk."



The United States has "done all it can to fortify American assets in the region," Pompeo added.



He said the air strike on Soleimani disrupted an "imminent attack," adding that "there is no doubt" that it saved American lives.



Asked about threats within the United States, Pompeo told CNN that the threats were "in the Middle East."

He also tweeted that "the U.S. remains committed to de-escalation."

The assassination of Soleimani follows days of increased tensions since the United States struck an Iran-backed militia in Iraq and Syria that Washington blamed for repeated attacks on Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops. A mob that included pro-Iran paramilitary groups attacked the U.S. Embassy after those U.S. bombings before withdrawing on January 1.

WATCH: Radio Farda Director Mehdi Parpanchi Says Slain Quds Force Commander 'Irreplaceable' For Iran

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened severe retaliation against the criminals who killed Soleimani, whose public profile had risen over the past decade as Tehran fought alongside Syrian and Iraqi troops to beat back anti-government forces in both those countries.



Khamenei declared three days of national mourning.

State television said that the U.S. strike had killed 10 people, five of whom it said were members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), which helps oversee the Quds Force. That number could not be independently confirmed.



In Tehran, the normal Friday Prayer crowd swelled as tens of thousands of Iranians came out to express defiance toward the U.S. and its allies.



Video and still images on social media showed crowds in a number of cities.



Meanwhile, Khamenei named a longtime Quds deputy head, Ismail Qaani, as the force's new commander.

Qaani was the source of a 2012 interview that was later scrubbed from an official news agency's website in which he touted Iran's presence in Syria -- "physically and nonphysically" -- as preventing "big massacres."



Sources from the Shiite-led Hashd Shaabi militia (Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF), which is backed by Iran, said the strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the PMF.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed Muhandis' death in a statement.

The Iraqi military said in a statement that the targeting of Muhandis was "a clear breach of [the] U.S. troop mandate" in Iraq, Reuters said.

In an apparent reference to Soleimani and Muhandis, Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said "the two martyrs were huge symbols of the victory against Islamic State."



Abdul-Mahdi, whose government hinted earlier this week that it could consider changes to its arrangements concerning the U.S. presence in the country, called the strike that killed Soleimani "an outrageous breach of the conditions for the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq," according to Reuters.



He called it a "dangerous escalation that will light a fuse of a destructive war in Iraq, the region, and the world," and invited the Iraqi parliament to convene an extraordinary session and said it should take decisions to ensure Iraq's "dignity, security, and sovereignty," according to Reuters.

Iraqi President Barham Salih urged unity to protect the national interest and security.



He said the country "must avoid the tragedies of armed conflict that have plagued it over four decades," Reuters said.

The U.S. Embassy reportedly told U.S. citizens to "depart Iraq immediately" after news of the strike.

The United States will send nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast as reinforcements, U.S. defense officials said later on January 3.

Oil prices soared 4 percent immediately following reports of the attack.

The U.S. military confirmed the strike shortly after President Donald Trump tweeted out a U.S. flag in his first Twitter posting in almost 13 hours.

Later on January 3, Trump tweeted that "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!"

The Pentagon said Trump had approved the attack on the morning of January 2.

"At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization," the U.S. military said in a statement.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," it added.

The statement said Soleimani had organized attacks on U.S.-led coalition bases in Iraq over the past several months, including one that killed a U.S. contractor on December 27.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.

AFP quoted an unnamed U.S. defense official as saying the attack had been carried out by a "precision drone strike [that] hit two vehicles at Baghdad airport.

Pompeo said the United States could only confirm the death of Soleimani.



Pompeo later called Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to discuss Trump's decision, according to U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.

Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran's IRGC. The force has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) by the United States.



Iranian President Hassan Rohani said in televised remarks that the assassination will make Tehran more decisive in its resistance against the United States.



"Soleimani's martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America's expansionism and to defend our Islamic values. With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge," Rohani said, according to Reuters.



Iranian media said the Foreign Ministry had summoned the Swiss charge d'affaires, whose country represents U.S. interests in Iran in the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Washington and Iran, and informed the envoy of its "strong protest."

'Dangerous Escalation'



In Damascus, the Foreign Ministry of Iranian ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's administration called the U.S. attack "cowardly" and "treacherous, criminal American aggression."



Beijing urged "calm and restraint" after the news of the attack, and said "peace and stability must be upheld," according to Reuters. China urged "all relevant sides, especially the U.S., to remain calm and exercise restraint," the agency said.



Moscow warned that the assassination will "increase tensions."

While U.S. Republicans hailed Trump's decision, many Democrats criticized the attack, saying it would put U.S. personnel in danger.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat-California) called it a "dangerous escalation," according to AFP.

Joe Biden, a leading Democratic challenger to Trump in the 2020 election, said that "no American will mourn" the passing of the Quds Force leader.

But he added that "President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel."

Iran's semiofficial Fars news agency quoted a spokesman for the country's top security body as saying its members would meet to discuss the "criminal attack" on Soleimani and the others.

'Rogue Adventurism'



Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote in a tweet that the U.S. "act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani --THE most effective force fighting Daesh [Islamic State], Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al -- is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."



Unconfirmed reports said at least one member of Lebanon's Hizballah movement was also killed in the attack.



Earlier Iraqi paramilitary groups backed by Iran said that five members of their groups and two "important guests" were killed in an air strike on their vehicles inside the territory of Baghdad International Airport.

The Al Arabiya broadcaster had reported that an official with the PMF had been killed in the attack in the early morning hours, identifying him as Mohammed al-Jaberi, head of public relations for the militia.



In July 2018, Soleimani said his forces were ready to confront the U.S. military should Trump act on his warning that Tehran will "suffer consequences" if it threatens the United States.



"Mr. Trump, how dare you threaten us?" Soleimani was quoted as saying at the time.



The reports of the attack come during a period of raised tensions between Washington and Tehran over actions in Iraq.

On December 31, thousands of supporters of the Shiite PMU militia broke into the U.S. Embassy compound in central Baghdad.

The embassy attackers said they were protesting recent U.S. air strikes that killed at least 25 members of an Iran-backed militant group.

On January 2, Iranian military leaders warned Washington against threatening military action after Trump said Tehran would be held responsible for recent anti-U.S. protests in Iraq, including the embassy siege.

"We are not leading the country to war, but we are not afraid of any war and we tell America to speak correctly with the Iranian nation, Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said on January 2.

We have the power to break them several times over and are not worried," he said in a speech in the southwestern Iranian city of Ahwaz.

Meanwhile, army chief Major General Abdolrahim Musavi said Iranian armed forces were ready to confront the "enemy."

Prior to reports of the air strikes in Baghdad, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Iran or its proxy forces may be planning further strikes on American interests in the Middle East, adding that the United States would take action -- preemptively, if it had sufficient warning.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, Reuters, AP, Al-Jazeera, RFE/RL's Radio Farda, and RIA Novosti
SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw parolee has been charged with numerous crimes after allegedly celebrating New Years Eve by firing off guns.

Terry D. King Jr., 26, on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 2, appeared in Saginaw County District Court for arraignment on three counts of second-offense felony firearm, two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, and single counts of felon in possession of ammunition and reckless use of a firearm.

The arraigning judge set Kings bond at $35,000 cash-surety or 10 percent.

About 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, Michigan State Police troopers in the area of Wilkins and Cambrey streets heard consistent celebratory gunfire, according to Special 1st Lt. David Kaiser. The cacophony continued and troopers pinpointed its origins to a house on the corner of Van Etten and Gallagher streets.

Troopers received backup before contacting those at the residence. As troopers and Saginaw police officers approached the house, King stepped outside with a pistol in his hand, Kaiser said.

Police ordered King to the ground and secured him. Another person in the doorway saw the officers and tried running back into the house, only to also be detained, Kaiser said.

The homeowner  not King  allowed police to search the house. Police discovered multiple shell casings, ammunition boxes, and several guns around the houses back door and garage area, Kaiser said.

Looking through the windows of vehicles in the driveway, police noticed several more cased long guns in one car, Kaiser said. A 21-year-old man at the residence told police the car and the long guns were his and that he had fired three of them earlier in the night, Kaiser said.

Three long guns and an additional handgun were seized by police. Police determined King was on parole and arrested him.

Prosecutors on Jan. 2 also issued a warrant for the 21-year-old man on two counts of reckless use of a firearm. His name is being withheld pending arraignment.

King in 2012 pleaded guilty to armed robbery, felony firearm, and interfering with an electronic communications device. In November of that year, a Saginaw County judge sentenced King to four to 20 years in prison, along with a flat two years to be served consecutively.

The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled King on June 19, 2018. He was to remain on parole until June 19, 2020.

A condition of Kings parole was that he not own or possess firearms. He was also prohibited from having guns as a convicted felon.

King is to appear for a preliminary examination at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 16.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  The Supreme Court has instructed an official to look into the incident concerning a judge based in Baguio City who allegedly interfered in the arrest of a drunk taxi driver on New Years Eve.

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said Friday he has told Court Administrator Jose Marquez to speak to Baguio police and request for copies of their statements concerning Judge Roberto Mabalot.

Mabalot is also required to comment within ten days while the Office of the Court Administrator was also told to submit its recommendation 15 days after receiving Mabalots comment. Marquez said earlier that he was already looking into the incident.

Mabalot has denied having interfered in the drivers arrest, saying he merely told the driver that he will not be detained since the penalty for reckless driving is only a fine.

He was in fear ... and asked me if he will be detained. Knowing that the penalty for recklessness is only a FINE, I told him he cannot be detained, a post from Baguios Public Information Office Facebook page quoted Mabalot as saying.

The judge also explained that he responded to the request of a relative to attend to the driver in the police station on the day of the latters arrest. He added that he also scolded the driver since he tested positive for alcohol. Mabalot said they later left after confirming that the police recorded the incident in a blotter and after seeing that the driver was given a citation ticket.

I declare that I did not at all interfere. The police will confirm this fact, said Mabalot.

However, reports said Baguio City police were considering administrative raps against the judge. It added that the driver allegedly tried to run over a police officer on the night of the incident.
Sovi Vidyadharan By

Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People from Kerala are living as refugees in Norway after being duped by touts who promise them jobs in the Scandinavian nation. These refugees are lodged in camps in the harsh winter and are surviving on the paltry assistance provided by the local government.

This was revealed by a Norwegian academic with roots in Kerala at the Loka Kerala Sabha here on Thursday. According to Bindu Sarah Varughese, Technology faculty at The Arctic University of Norway, the Scandinavian country does not encourage migrants, but takes care of refugees.

Touts promise jobs for people from Kerala and collect around Rs 6 to 8 lakh rupees. They are promised jobs and are told that the Norwegian government would take care of their accommodation. The victims arrive in a European country nearby using Schengen visa and travel to Norway, only to realise the harsh truth, she said.

In order to survive, the migrants claim they are being persecuted in their homeland and obtain refugee status, she said.

The exact number of Malayalis lodged in camps need to be ascertained, she said. The government pays around 3,000 Norwegian Krone (around Rs 24,000) as monthly subsistence allowance to refugees.

However, they are lodged in refugee camps and the condition of the inmates is grim, she said at a meeting for delegates from Europe and North America. The meeting was attended by ministers Thomas Isaac, K K Shailaja and K Raju.

According to Bindu, the assistance of 3,000 Norwegian Krone will not be enough for subsistence as local ID is required to avail various services. On the sidelines of the event, Bindu said she would urge the Kerala government to take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs.



Also we need to create proper awareness in Kerala that Scandinavian countries do not allow migrant workers unless they pass stringent tests, said Bindu, who was the lone representative from the Scandinavian region.

Visa issue in Italy

Anitha Pullayil, a representative from Italy, spoke about the hardship faced by Indians there. Since 2012, work visas have been suspended in Italy. A large number of Keralites are not able to return home for the past six-seven years as they cannot renew their passports due to lack of visas, she said.



Passport is the only identification of people for getting jobs and due to expired passports, they cannot find jobs in Italy or send money to their home country, she told the meeting.

Anitha urged the state government to take up with the MEA the urgent need to get the passports of Keralites renewed on humanitarian grounds.
By Martha Quillin, The News & Observer (Raleigh,N.C.)

A negotiating team within the United Methodist Church has developed a plan for splitting the denomination, whose members had reached an impasse over whether to allow same-sex marriage and ordination of gay clergy.

The plan, announced Friday through the churchs news service, would allow congregations that lean toward the churchs traditionalist stance to spin off into a new denomination, taking $25 million from the denomination and keeping their local church properties.

The church said the proposal was drafted by a 16-member group of bishops and other church leaders with the help of Kenneth Feinberg, who led negotiations with the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The proposal would have to be approved at the meeting of the churchs governing body, called the General Conference, scheduled for May in Minneapolis.

The United Methodist Church claims 13 million members worldwide, including nearly 7 million in the U.S.

In North Carolina, the denomination is divided into two conferences, with more than 650,000 members as of 2010.

The church has argued for decades over whether to allow the marriage of same-sex couples and the ordination of gay clergy. The denomination has barred both, and at a special General Conference last year voted to strengthen sanctions against churches that went against the rules.

Those rules were to go into effect this year, but will be postponed by Fridays announcement.

Bishop Paul L. Leeland of the Western North Carolina Conference issued a statement Friday urging members to Reflect rather than react. Be prayerful for the church. Remain objective. Since this is a negotiated proposal everyone is not entirely satisfied with the outcome, yet the denomination needs to look for the best solution to address its current impasse. 

The proposal offers a path, Leeland said, that treats others with grace and respect.

The primary question for me, he wrote, is how do we Glorify God and love others in our decisions? How can we be open to those who interpret and understand scripture differently as we worship God and serve neighbors while traveling along different paths of faithfulness?
(Newser)  Lebanon might not be the safe haven Japan's most high-profile criminal defendant sought. A group of lawyers has filed a complaint with the country's judiciary, claiming Carlos Ghosna citizen of France, Lebanon, and Brazilviolated a law against collaborating with the enemy when he formerly visited Israel, Lebanon's longtime foe. The Washington Post reports the crime is "potentially more serious" than the charges of financial wrongdoing the former Nissan chairman faced before fleeing Japan and carries a possible prison sentence of up to 15 years. The visits were reportedly made in a business capacity, and decade-old pictures are said to show him meeting with Israeli bigwigs. Those visits would be outside the statute of limitations, so officials are said to be looking into whether he more recently traveled there.

story continues below

Meanwhile, prosecutors raided Ghosn's Tokyo home on Thursday in the hope of learning details of his escape, as Turkey announced it had detained four pilots, two employees of a private ground handling company, and the operations manager of a private cargo company. Turkey-based MNG Jet also announced a criminal complaint against an unidentified employee who it claims admitted to removing Ghosn's name from records for two flights booked by different people, per the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Surveillance video reportedly shows Ghosn leaving his Tokyo home alone on Sunday. It's thought he boarded a Bombardier business jet that departed Kansai International Airport near Osaka. The Times notes it's unclear how the closely monitored Ghosn managed to to get there, as Osaka is some 300 miles away. (Ghosn says he planned the escape on his own.)
Reacting to a booklet containing unsavoury claims about Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the BJP on Friday dragged the Nehru-Gandhi family into controversy, advising the Congress to read Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" to know more about them.

The saffron party also said that during freedom struggle Congress leaders lived "in comfort" in prison and wrote books, but Savarkar faced torture in the Cellular Jail.

Congress-affiliated Seva Dal earlier this week distributed a Hindi book titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?", at a training camp here.

The book questioned Savarkar's patriotism and claimed that he and Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse were in a physical relationship, citing "Freedom at Midnight" by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre.

BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Congress leaders should read Rushdie's "Midnight's Children".

The novel, winner of the Booker Prize, contains references to Emergency, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay Gandhi.

"Freedom at Midnight was written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. But there is another book, Midnight's Children. Let them also read it. It will create a problem if we discuss what is written about the Gandhi family in Midnight's Children," Trivedi said.

Indira Gandhi had moved a court in Britain against Rushdie over a passage about the death of her husband Feroze Gandhi.

"I will also not comment on books written by personal assistants of Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi and what was written in the context of Lord Mountbatten," the BJP leader added.

"Congress leaders lived in comfort in jail (during freedom struggle, so much so that they managed to write books, whereas Savarkar was tortured at the infamous Cellular Jail in Andaman," he said.

Nehru had written his seminal books "Discovery of India" and "Glimpses of World History" while in jail.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Colleagues and friends of Marian Finucane have told of how her sudden death is still hard to believe.

Tom McGuire, head of RTE Radio One, said he learned of Ms Finucanes passing after her husband, John Clarke, returned missed calls made to her mobile by co-workers on Thursday.

She had a holiday in India where she had a friends wedding. She had been looking forward to it all through last year. We were looking forward to having her back on air tomorrow morning, he told Sean ORourke on RTE Radio One yesterday.

The normal process in that would be a check-call to go through the plan for the programme on Thursday afternoon.

Expand Close 03/01/2020 Bryan Dobson signs the book of condolence for Marian Finucane at RTE Radio centre in dublin today...O A book of condolence for Marian Finucane was opened at RTE radio centre today... Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos / Facebook

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Whatsapp 03/01/2020 Bryan Dobson signs the book of condolence for Marian Finucane at RTE Radio centre in dublin today...O A book of condolence for Marian Finucane was opened at RTE radio centre today... Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

That was made around 3pm, and there was no reply from Marians mobile.

We didnt think anything untoward at the time, and that wed check back later. Then the call was repeated some time after 3.30pm.

Her dear husband, John, answered Marians phone. It was then we discovered Marian had died in her sleep. Its just still unbelievable.

He said Ms Finucane shared a closer bond with her shows colleagues.

Monday to Friday youve got other colleagues, youve got a bank of knowledge that you can share. Saturday morning theres less support there. I think that probably meant that theres a closer bond within the programme team, he said.

Read More

The Marian Finucane Show will be presented by Rachael English this morning, and by Brendan OConnor on Sunday morning. The special two-hour programme will feature tributes from friends and colleagues and will reflect on some highlights from Ms Finucanes broadcasting career.

Meanwhile, fans, colleagues and friends visited RTEs radio centre to sign a book of condolences for Ms Finucane yesterday.

Irish fashion designer Helen Steele said she grew up listening to Ms Finucane on the radio.

She told the Irish Independent: Im here to sign the book of condolences. Marian Finucane was an incredible inspiration to so many women my age. We grew up with her on the radio.

She was a very brave and incredibly honest, intelligent journalist, who really, I thought, fought for the rights of women, and brought that to the medias attention. She was also incredible during the time of the peace protest. She was an incredible woman, and may she rest in peace.

Read More

RTEs director of content Jim Jennings said Ms Finucanes passing was a huge loss to staff at RTE.

Marian has been a stalwart in the mainstay of our schedules for decades, he said.

Coming off the back of Gay Byrnes bereavement, its a huge loss to all the staff here who worked with her and knew her very well.

Its a very sad time for her husband, John, and her son, Jack, and her family.

Its also a very sad time for everyone who worked with her. Our thoughts are with her friends, her family and her colleagues.
: A section of protesters at Shaheen Bagh, who have been demonstrating against the Citizenship Amendment Act for the last 20 days, called off the road blockade on Thursday alleging "politicisation" of their "peaceful protest", though locals refused to leave the spot and continued with their agitation.

"We have called off the Shaheen Bagh road blockade today to avoid the impending violence from party goons and to avoid politicisation of the stage by parties, Sharjeel Imam from Shaheen Bagh Coordination Committee said in a statement.

"Police was probably asked not to intervene, because BJP intends to intervene themselves. If that happens, our peaceful protest will be tarnished, and it will break the morale of the people," he said.

Imam said the protesters will work on a "flash mob strategy" used during the Hong Kong protests and spread the agitation across cities.

"We request all of you to stop sending any assistance to this stage which has been now hijacked by political parties, and cash hungry gangs who don't care about riots and its implications for the community," the statement said.

The protesters, including women, who have been camping in the area refused to leave the spot and continued their agitation.

Shaheen Bagh, near Jamia Millia Islamia, has been a protest venue for a section of people opposed to the CAA and the NRC since December 15.

Social activist Swami Agnivesh also visited the protest site and appealed to the locals to not end their protest.

"This fight for justice should continue. You should keep unity and not end the protest. I will come and sit with you too," he told protesters.
Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act were held in parts of the region on Friday with around 300 workers of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) being arrested in neighbouring Tirupur when they staged a "rail roko" agitation.

The TMMK workers squatted on the track, blocking a train at Tirupur and raised slogans demanding the repeal of the CAA and opposing proposed National Register of Citizenship and were removed and arrested, police said.

A group of advocates belonging to the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Lawyers Association, All India Lawyers Union and People's Union for Civil Liberties staged a demonstration here seeking repeal of CAA.

More than 500 people, a majority of them Muslims, formed a human chain on a road in the city protesting the act.

The protestors held a 100 metre long national flag and raised slogans "No CAA, No NRC," police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi:

Fuel Rates Today: As a result of the spike in crude oil rates, the prices of fuel (Petrol and Diesel) saw a marginal hike on Friday, January 3. According to the Indian Oil website, the price of petrol increased by up to 10 Paise per litre. Whereas, the price of diesel increased by up to 15 paise per litre. As per the revised prices, the petrol rates are Rs 75.35 per litre in Delhi, Rs 80.94 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 77.94 per litre in Kolkata, and Rs 78.28 per litre in Chennai, respectively. On the other hand, the diesel prices in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai remained at Rs 68.25, Rs 71.56, Rs 70.61, and Rs 72.12 per litre, respectively.

In Noida, petrol is retailing at Rs 76.52 a litre, while diesel price is Rs 68.52 a litre. The price of petrol in Gurugram is Rs 74.42 a litre while diesel was selling at Rs 67.20 a litre.

How To Get Petrol, Diesel Rates Via SMS

You can check the latest rate of petrol and diesel via SMS. IOC customers can send RSP to 9224992249, BPCL users can message RSP at 9223112222 and HPCL customers can send HPPRICE to 9222201122 for the latest prices.

Why Petrol, Diesel Prices Change Every Day?

The fuel prices are in India are revised daily. Petrol and diesel prices are revised every day at 06:00 am to sync it with the variation in global oil prices. Oil marketing companies (OMC) review the global fuel prices and decide petrol and diesel daily. Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum release the new rates at 6 am every morning. Generally, when international crude oil prices gain, prices in India move higher. Other factors also impact the price of fuel like rupee to US dollar exchange rate, cost of crude oil, global cues, demand for fuel, and so on.

Why Fuel Prices Differ In Every City?

The price of fuel includes excise duty, value-added tax (VAT), and dealer commission. As VAT varies from state to state, the price of fuel is different in every city.

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Prasanta Mazumdar By

Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Amidst the widespread protests in Assam against controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), mysterious attacks were perpetrated, allegedly targeting a former leader of All Assam Students Union (AASU) and a man who is a critic of the CAA.

An unidentified gunman on Thursday night fired a barrage of shots at the car of Binoy Barua, in Upper Assams Golaghat district. The attack was perpetrated when Barua had gone to meet an acquaintance, Pranjal Rajkonwar, and was having a discussion with him following a rally against CAA at Ganakpukhuri in Dergaon. The vehicle was parked outside the house when the shots were fired.

The shooter, who had come in a car, fled the scene when the locals started coming out of their homes. No arrest has been made so far.It happened when I was at the house. I dont know who fired the shots, said Barua. He said he had taken the lead in organising the anti-CAA rally at Ganakpukhuri.

Golaghat Superintendent of Police, Pushpraj Singh, said they were probing the incident. He said seven empty cartridges were recovered from the site of the incident.

He (Barua) is politically active. However, at this moment, it will be very difficult to relate the incident to political enmity or personal enmity. Our investigation is on, Singh said.

In another incident at Udalguri district of Northern Assam on Thursday night, the car of a former leader of AASU, Entajul Islam, was attacked with stones by the miscreants. The incident occurred when Islam was travelling to Paneri from Udalguri along with some friends. Islam was relieved as president of AASUs Paneri regional unit recently.
Proof of Impact, an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based blockchain powered marketplace to donate or invest directly into measurable impact outcomes, closed its first institutional investment round.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The round was led by Franklin Templeton, a global fund manager managing around $700 billion in assets, with participation from Ausum Ventures, Crypto Valley Venture Capital and Pangea Blockchain fund. In connection with the investment, a representative of Franklin Templeton will serve on the Proof of Impact B.V. board, offering their expertise in the application of blockchain technology and impact investing as well as scaling the POI offering globally.

The company intends to use the funds to continue its growth path and execute its goal of securitizing proven impact and bringing proven impact investment products to global capital markets.

Founded in 2017 by Fleur Heyns, Proof of Impact is building a global marketplace on the blockchain where one can donate or invest directly into measurable impact outcomes.

The marketplace allows impact implementers (NGOs, companies, impact initiatives etc) to deliver verifiable impact events at an individual level and sell them directly to donors and impact investors. All Proof of Impact verified impact events are connected to the relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The ultimate goal is to offer liquid impact investment products and investment portfolios supported by blockchain technology to mobilize great quantities and diversified capital for proven impact. The POI marketplace will launch in The Netherlands in Q1 2020.

FinSMEs

03/01/2020
Kashmiri Shiite Muslims chant anti America and anti-Israeli slogans during a protest against U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani at Magam 37 kilometers North of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Read more

No one should mourn the death of Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

This was the man responsible, directly and indirectly, for the death of hundreds of U.S. soldiers. As well as much of the carnage in Syria, the brutal repression of Iranian protesters, and many more crimes.

But the verdict is out as to whether the White House has any strategy to deal with the repercussions of killing Irans second most powerful leader, who combined the powers of top military commander, intelligence chief, and shadow foreign minister.

Eliminating this general is the equivalent of declaring open war on Tehran. A president who has insisted he wants to quit the Middle East is now sending thousands more troops there to guard against Iranian retaliation. Certainly, its a good thing Soleimani is dead, says Ryan Crocker, the legendary former U.S. ambassador to Iraq who had to deal with Soleimanis wiles in the early 2000s. But at what cost?

 READ MORE: Bob Dylan would understand US foreign policy in 2019 I Trudy Rubin

Here are my early thoughts about costs and possible benefits of Soleimanis death.

Was the killing justified? Absolutely, no question, says Crocker. Soleimani was the military commander who devised and controlled virtually all of Irans imperial adventures in the Middle East from Lebanon (with ally Hezbollah) to Gaza to Yemen. In Syria, the general assembled Shiite militias from Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, plus Hezbollah fighters, that kept Bashar al-Assad in power.

And Soleimani was a virtual overlord in Iraq, using his power to harm Americans -- and Iraqis. As commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, he organized Shiite militias to fight the Americans in the wake of the 2003 invasion, and provided them with lethal, armor-piercing IEDs that killed hundreds of U.S. soldiers.

These same Shiite militias, with Soleimanis blessing, have been helping to crush brave young Iraqi protesters on Baghdads streets who are calling for an end to Iranian occupation of their country (although they also want U.S. forces out of Iraq).

Was the killing wise? Thats entirely another story. There are reasons that neither the United States nor Israel took the general out during the Bush or Obama years: the ongoing Iraq war, the hope for an Iran nuclear deal  and the fact that Soleimanis militias were crucial in defeating ISIS.

Most of all, there was a reluctance to enter open war with Iran.

With its capability of waging asymmetrical warfare, its proxy militias, cyber assets, and naval presence in the Gulf, Tehran can destabilize the entire Mideast. Thats probably why President Trump backed off responding with force when the Iranians shot down a U.S. drone and badly damaged a Saudi refinery.

Now all that has changed, because a U.S. contractor was killed by Iranian-backed militias, who also attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad -- and because more Iranian attacks were supposedly imminent.

Yes, some pushback was necessary to the militia attacks, but this was seismic. Was this just the president obfuscating impeachment and revving up his base for 2020? How can anyone trust Trump?

What is Trumps goal regarding Iran? Trump says he wants to negotiate with top Iranian leaders; but his policies are clearly aimed at regime change. Where does the assassination of Soleimani fit in?

Does Trump believe killing the general will spur a popular uprising against the ayatollahs? This is a pipe dream. Urban Iranian liberals may cheer the generals death, but Soleimani remains a hero to most Iranians because of his military bravery in the Iran-Iraq war and in defeating ISIS in Iraq.

 READ MORE: Trump's delusions in Syria endanger US. security I Trudy Rubin

So assume the regime will remain. And that the killing will end any slim prospects for renewing nuclear talks with Tehran. I seriously doubt that the ayatollahs want an all-out conflict. But can an ill-informed, erratic president avoid a tit-for-tat cycle of revenge whose outcome no one can foresee?

What are the likely costs of the assassination? The most immediate cost will likely be in Iraq. Prodded by Iran, Shiite legislators will probably vote to remove the 5,000 U.S. troops now based in their country. Trump may not care.

Reminder: When Barack Obama removed the last troops from Iraq in 2011, Iraqi forces proved incapable of halting ISISs rise. Moreover, the exit of U.S. forces would remove the principal bulwark against Iranian domination of Iraq -- a huge victory for Tehran, which will cement its clout in Syria and Lebanon and threaten Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Beyond Iraq, Tehrans possible responses are endless: a return to 20% enrichment of uranium, which opens the path to a bomb; more attacks on Gulf refineries or shipping, driving oil prices up; terror attacks by proxies against Israel, or Americans in the region; cyberattacks; a high-level revenge killing of a senior U.S. official. What then?

The only thing certain is this: Contrary to Secretary of State Mike Pompeos claim, Soleimanis death hasnt made Americans safer in the short term (the State Department has warned all U.S. citizens to leave Iraq). How high the long-term costs are depends on whether Trump  by some unlikely miracle  can devise a strategy for avoiding all-out war with Tehran.
A man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed in front of her child in south London, police say.

Mark Brazant of Windmill Road, Ealing, was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a pointed or bladed article.

The 43-year-old turned himself in at a west London police station in the early hours of Thursday.

Police were called at 5.20pm on Monday to a report of a stabbing in Downton Avenue, Streatham Hill, south London.

Metropolitan Police said the 36-year-old mother was attacked from behind and stabbed three times while pushing her child in a pushchair.

She was taken to hospital but her injuries are not considered life-threatening or life-changing.
Union minister Nityanand Rai on Friday said those protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act should be declared anti-OBC and anti-Dalits.

Most of the non-Muslims fleeing harassment in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are Other Backward Class (OBCs) and Dalits. To give them respect, Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought CAA, Rai, who is the Minister of State for Home Affairs, said.

"If someone opposes CAA, declare him anti-Dalit and anti-OBC," Rai told a gathering at an "OBC Town Hall" here.

"Opposition to CAA is an attack on OBCs. A handful of people have come out and are protesting against the amended law. OBCs should roar like lions, louder than the protesters," he said.

He also said "the government will drive out every terrorist from the country".

"They (terrorists) will either be driven out, or sent to jail or hell (jahannum)," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The airstrike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani near the Baghdad airport marked a major escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran

The U.N. secretary-general has urged leaders to "exercise maximum restraint" following the U.S. airstrike that killed Iran's top military commander.

Antonio Guterres stressed that "the world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement. Guterres "is deeply concerned with the recent escalation" in the region, Haq said.

The airstrike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani near the Baghdad airport marked a major escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump says Soleimani was "plotting to kill" many Americans.

Iran's supreme leader has vowed "harsh retaliation."

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Also, another 6 people were killed as result of rocket fire at airport

Missile strike on Baghdad airport, January 2020 Sky News

Iranian General Qassem Suleimani, who died from rocket fire at Baghdad International Airport, was killed on orders from US President Donald Trump. The Guardian reports.

This blow was aimed at containing future plans for Irans attacks, - the Pentagon commented on the bombing.

Later, the White House issued a statement stating that the rocket fire was a decisive defensive action, which was carried out at the direction of the US president.

Qassem Suleimani was the head of the Iranian elite forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Also among the dead are Abu Mahdi al Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-supported militants known as the Peoples Mobilization Forces.

As we reported, a missile attack on Baghdad international airport took place on Friday; the shells killed at least seven people and wounded minimum nine
vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Baijayant Jay Panda expressed annoyance with the opposition for supporting the anti-citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests and backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "atrocities on minorities in Pakistan" remark.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is absolutely right in saying that protests should happen over the plight of minorities in Pakistan. The CAA does not impact any Indian citizen...The protests should be on the suffering of the minorities in Pakistan," he said while speaking to ANI in New Delhi.

"This CAA will give citizenship to the people who have escaped persecution. Their countries did not have a neutral constitution like India. They are still in great distress. The minority groups have reduced drastically. We should protest on such problems," the BJP leader added.

Panda's statement comes just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress for opposing the newly-enacted law and for not speaking against Pakistan during the anti-CAA protests.

The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Burma Myanmar Military Clashes with Karen Armed Group, 2 Civilians Wounded

Karen National Liberation Army troops on Karen Martyrs Day in July 2018 in Karen States Papun District. / Aung Kyaw Htet / The Irrawaddy

Fighting broke out Thursday between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade No. 5 and the Myanmar army in Papun District, Karen State. The ethnic armed group reported that two civilians were wounded.

They came into our controlled area and confronted our local troops. That is how the fighting broke out, Colonel Saw Kler Doh from KNLA Brigade No. 5 told The Irrawaddy on Friday.

He said that KNLA troops withdrew after the fighting but that the Myanmar army remained in the area in Kamanaung, a sub-township in Papun District.

Col. Saw Kler Doh also said that two Karen civilians who entered the area after the fighting were shot and wounded by the Myanmar army.

The fighting lasted half an hour. KNLA ground forces reported no casualties but Col. Saw Kler Doh said that one member of the Myanmar military was killed.

Myanmar military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun confirmed that fighting broke out between the Myanmar army and KNLA Brigade No. 5.

Troops on the [KNLA] side shot first with their artillery. Then the fighting broke out and the sides fired at each other, he said.

He said that no Myanmar military soldiers were killed, though one soldier was wounded, and that the KNLA suffered losses. He added that he had not heard that any civilians were wounded.

Fighting has broken out intermittently between the KNLA and the Myanmar army despite the KNLA having signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and established a bilateral ceasefire with the Myanmar army.

The Karen National Union (KNU), the political wing of the KNLA, met with Myanmar military officials in December in Naypyitaw with the goal of ending armed conflict on the ground. At the meeting, both sides agreed to let leaders of groups of troops meet with one another in order to solve the armed conflict.

Leaders commanding forces on the ground from both sides then met in Kyaukkyi Town in Bago Region on Dec. 27 to discuss issues in the conflict, especially the case of the Myanmar army expanding a road in KNLA-controlled areas in Papuns Luthaw Township, connecting Khay Pu and Ler Mu Plaw villages.

The Myanmar army said the road is being built in order to promote local development. But the KNLA claims that the Myanmar army is attempting to gain influence in the area as part of its military strategy and that the road will help it attack the KNLA in the future.

According to Col. Saw Kler Doh, there were no tangible results from the Dec. 27 meeting in Kyaukkyi but both sides agreed to meet again.

For our side, we want them to do local development after our region has established stability and peace, he said.

Tensions between the two sides are especially high in Kyaukkyi, Bago Region since the Myanmar army reportedly seized 150 bags of rice from local residents in late December.

In a statement on Dec. 23, the KNU said that Myanmar army soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 39 seized the rice bags while residents were transporting the bags by car.

The statement asserted that the Myanmar armys actions violated the NCA agreement.

We [the KNU] in Kyaukkyi have stayed under the leadership of the KNU central committee who are working on the peace process. We have respected their work and maintain peace, said the statement.

The statement also said that in response to the Myanmar militarys seizure of the rice, the KNU shut down the upper part of the highway in Kyaukkyi and told local residents not to use the road in order to prevent the military from taking any more rice.

You may also like these stories:

Renewed Fighting in Shan and Rakhine as Myanmar Military Lets Ceasefire Expire

The Day Myanmars Modern Military First Took Shape

Why Does the Myanmar Military Rebuff the Work of the Constitutional Amendment Committee?
US President Donald Trump benefited from the fierce support of evangelicals in 2016 and cannot afford to lose those voters if he wants to win a second term in November. So the Republican incumbent is beginning the election year with a pitch to seal up the backing of the religious right. On Friday, he will go on the attack by launching the "Evangelicals for Trump" coalition at a megachurch in Miami, Florida -- his new "home" state where he has just spent two weeks of vacation at his Mar-a-Lago resort. For the time being, the real estate mogul-turned-president has little to fear. According to a recent poll conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), 77 percent of white evangelical Republicans approve of the job Trump is doing at the White House. A crushing 98 majority of them are opposed to his impeachment and removal from office. "We have not really seen throughout Trump's presidency any discernible cracks," PRRI chief executive Robert P. Jones told AFP. "Our polling shows that they have been largely unfazed by the impeachment proceedings," said Jones, the author of "The End of White Christian America." - 'Profoundly immoral' - Friday's event at the King Jesus International Ministry, also known as El Rey Jesus, is aimed at ensuring support for Trump does not erode among the key demographic. Any attrition -- especially in battleground states like Florida -- could doom his chances of re-election. In 2016, winning several crucial swing states helped Trump to victory in the electoral college, despite trailing Hillary Clinton by nearly three million ballots in the popular vote. Team Trump was a bit frayed when evangelical magazine Christianity Today published a scathing editorial before Christmas in favor of the president's removal from office. "The facts in this instance are unambiguous: The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president's political opponents," wrote the magazine's editor-in-chief, Mark Galli. "That is not only a violation of the Constitution; more importantly, it is profoundly immoral." Of course, Trump quickly fired back -- with a series of tweets. "The fact is, no President has ever done what I have done for Evangelicals, or religion itself!" he said, calling Christianity Today a "far left" publication. Several top figures in the religious movement lined up to support Trump. Franklin Graham -- one of the sons of the celebrated late pastor Billy Graham, who popularized televangelism in the 1950s and founded Christianity Today -- lent his support. Graham said his father "would be very disappointed" with the magazine's editorial, adding: "My father knew Donald Trump, he believed in Donald Trump, and he voted for Donald Trump." Tony Perkins, president of the ultra-conservative Family Research Council, said the editorial represented an "isolated voice" and added he was not at all worried that it would drain evangelical support away from Trump. "I see the support just as strong now as it was in 2016, if not stronger," Perkins said in an interview. One of every four Americans identifies as evangelical, according to the Pew Research Center, a Washington-based think tank. Evangelicalism is the primary form of Protestantism in America, and the main religious group in the country, ahead of Catholics (21 percent) and traditional Protestants. - 'Holding back big changes' - For Jones, the Christianity Today editorial reflects divisions among evangelical leaders, which were there before, and not discontent among the rank-and-file. In 2016, "Trump really did not rely so much on evangelical leaders -- he relied on direct appeals to evangelicals who rallied around him early on in the campaign," Jones explained. Trump, who has not exactly worked hard to attract new voters, must secure support from all those who voted for him in 2016 if he wants to remain in the Oval Office for another four years. Given that 81 percent of white evangelical Christians voted for him four years ago, his campaign clearly sees the task ahead. The Republican billionaire, who has been married three times and is not known for being particularly devout, nevertheless knew how to calibrate his message in 2016 for the religious right. First, he chose Mike Pence -- who described himself as "Christian, conservative and Republican, in that order" -- as his running mate. Then he promised to nominate only Supreme Court justices and federal judges who were opposed to abortion rights and favorable to lenient gun laws. But Jones says Trump's appeal among evangelical voters cannot be reduced to a few key policy points -- it rests in his ability to reassure a group that feels increasingly vulnerable in an America that is less white every day. "He spends all of his time talking about immigrants and the way the country is changing and that he is the person who is going to literally build the wall" on the border with Mexico, Jones said. According to PRRI data, while America was mainly white and Christian a decade ago, it is now 42 percent white and Christian. "His appeal to evangelicals has been much more about holding back big changes in the country that white evangelicals are alarmed about," Jones said. US President Donald Trump is counting on the support of evangelical Christians in his campaign for a second term Franklin Graham (right), son of the celebrated late pastor Billy Graham, has supported Trump even as the magazine his father founded "Christianity Today" called for the president's removal Trump promised to nominate only Supreme Court justices who were opposed to abortion rights and favorable to lenient gun laws Vice President Mike Pence has described himself as "Christian, conservative and Republican, in that order"
Rashad Ali: In Syria, Iraq and, yes, Iran, there is rejoicing at the death of Solemani  terrorist and war criminal

Rashad Ali is a counter terrorism practitioner. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD).

Qasim Solemani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has been killed by US forces in Iraq, along with a number of other high ranking militia leaders.

His death comes at a time of heightened escalation in the region: Solemani had sent proxies to storm the US embassy; a US contractor was killed last week, and a US military drone has been shot down by the Iranians. Over the last decade, we have seen a steady drip-feed of American soldiers being attacked and killed by Iranian proxies in the Levant  603 is the number claimed by the US.

But the significance of Solemanis death lies in his unique and central role in the Iranian theocratic regime. He was a military leader, but not one whose primary role was as part of Irans regular army. Rather, as the leader of the Quds Force, he was effectively the head of the militia and global terrorist arms of Iran. Both the IRGC and Solemani himself were designated as terrorists by the US. He is said to have been the man who took Bin Ladens children to Friday prayers when Iran was sheltering al-Qaeda.

The Quds Force has played a central role in suppressing the Syrian people in their millions. In practice, that has meant starving and slaughtering entire cities and towns, and repressing those Iraqis protesting against Iranian presence in their country.

Human Rights Watch has reported that more than 500 people have been killed by Solemani and his proxies. Indeed, he died while in transit from Lebanon, where he had been strategising with Hezbollah on the best way to suppress the large uprisings there which, like those that have taken place in Iraq over the last few months, have been overtly non-sectarian.

It is for this reason that the reaction among the Syrians, Iraqis and even Iranians who can freely speak has been one of welcoming his unexpected decline. Syrians have started to say they can finally wish people Happy New Year. Iraqis are rightly scared of what Solemanis death may mean in terms of retaliation, but point out that there is a proxy conflict already going on and that they are hosting it, whether they like it or not.

Some argue that this action could lead to war. But as Syrians and those following the region rightly reply, the Khomeinist regime is already at war there. Indeed, Solemani was the man who travelled to secure Russian involvement in the current genocide unfolding in Syria. Whats happening in that country is not a civil war. It is a war on civilians that has cost more than half a million lives, and displaced millions in and outside the country.

The death toll that can be laid at the feet of Solemani has been far greater than that attributable to ISIS and Al Qaeda. Solemanis death has been welcomed in much the same manner as Baghdadis and Bin Ladens for this reason.

However, it would be mistaken to regard the killing of Solemani as merely a symbolic measure. Certainly, the symbolism is powerful. The man who, within US political circles, was nicknamed Supermani and was regarded as a larger than life figure in the region is dead.

But we should also recognise the death of Solemani as tactically significant. The military leader to whom the Iranian regime would have turned to craft, strategise and implement the response to an event like this is no more. The strategic vacuum that his death leaves should not be underestimated.

It is likely that Iran will now seek to translate the threats of Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, into concrete responses  most likely through proxies. We should not forget that Iran has military assets throughout the world, in particular in Germany, who could be deployed in such a response. Let us also not forget the stash of explosives discovered earlier this year in London. However, following the killing of Solemani, Irans ability to respond in an effective manner has been weakened.

His killing also sends a message  one which the previous administration in the US spectacularly failed to communicate. Actions have consequences. Lines in the sand must not be crossed. Over the last few years, successive Israeli strikes against Iranian regime assets in Syria have demonstrated two facts.

First, that military strikes against Iranian proxies in the region do not result in disastrous consequences.

Second, that in the battle against Irans attempt to achieve regional hegemony, it is essential to be taken seriously as a military power. The killing of Solemani now means that the reaction of the US must be taken into account by Iran, when planning its next step in the region.

This is uncharted territory. Clumsy analogies are poor guides to a decent understanding of politics in the Levant. We should be wary of commentators blaming the US for escalation, or criticising the US for taking out a terrorist, a war criminal, and responding to a genocidal regime threatening global integrity and regional sovereignty. Appeasement of genocidal totalitarian regimes has never worked out well.
New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday (January 03) targetted Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the rising number of infant deaths at JK Lon Hospital in Rajasthan's Kota and questioned why no attention was paid by the state government on time.

"It (Kota infant deaths) hints at the fact that even after continuous deaths of children, no attention was paid by the Rajasthan govt towards it. The govt needs to answer whom would they penalise for this?," news agency ANI quoted Smriti Irani over it.

At least 104 babies have died within a month at the state-run JK Lon Hospital in Kota, triggering questions about negligence by the hospital staff. At least nine infants died in this hospital in the last two days of December. Earlier in the day, an official from the hospital in Kota said that three more children died on the first two days of the new year, taking the toll to 104.

Following the infants' death at the hospital, Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government came under the target by the BJP and other opposition parties in the state.

Reacting to the controversy, CM Gehlot said that the state government is still working towards reducing the Infant Mortality Ratio (IMR) and the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR). He also said that he has invited Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to come and inspect the situation by visiting Kota personally so that he can see the facilities in the hospital.

"Harsh Vardhan Ji is himself a doctor. If he visits the hospital in Kota, it will also clarify the situation for the people, who are giving reaction mischievously, knowingly, unknowingly and also innocently," he wrote on Twitter.

Earlier, a three-member state government committee of doctors was sent to investigate the matter on December 23 and 24. After examining the situation at the hospital, the Rajasthan government committee found that Kota`s JK Lone Hospital is short of beds and it requires improvement.However, the committee gave a clean chit to the doctors for any lapses over the recent death of infants admitted there.
Getting arrested on New Years Eve for allegedly drinking and driving is bad enough. But Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb drove his state-issued GMC Acadia into a ditch at an especially inopportune time for Republicans  transforming himself in the process into one of the first beneficiaries of bail reforms that he vociferously opposed.

While Kolb is much more politically powerful than your average criminal suspect, his case is fairly typical of those affected by the new bail law. He is accused of committing a nonviolent misdemeanor that may or may not have required that he post a cash bail before the new law took effect on Jan. 1. However, his arrest undermines Republican arguments that they are standing up for law and order, at a time when new laws allow dangerous suspects to go out and commit additional crimes instead of being safely locked up behind bars before theyve faced trial. Its only natural that Democrats have seized on the opportunity to use Kolb  who is now reportedly being investigated by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics for misusing his state-issued SUV  as an example of why they passed bail reform within the state budget that passed earlier this year. Should someone arrested once for drunk driving be held in jail at great public expense if they cant afford to post bail?

Supporters of bail reform say that the ability to pay bail should not determine who has to stay in jail before their days in court. Financial disclosures suggest that Kolb is not particularly wealthy, but he presumably would have been able to post bail much more easily than a low-income person accused of a similar crime. Either way, there is reason to think neither Kolb or someone else in similar circumstances would pose a danger to society, according to Democratic state Sen. James Skoufis of the Hudson Valley. Since Brian Kolb walked free; after his arrest, is he a danger to society? Skoufis tweeted on Jan. 1. Should Brian Kolb be locked in jail until his trial or plea.

The new reforms eliminate cash bail for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, including some forms of assault, arson and robbery. Judges are required to impose the least restrictive conditions when deciding whether a criminal suspect should be released pretrial. This could include electronic monitoring, other forms of supervised release or simply allowing the suspect to be free on their own recognizance. Unlike other states that have changed their bail systems, judges are also not allowed to consider the dangerousness of a suspect, though they can keep them jailed if they demonstrably present a flight risk.

Sufficient pretrial services are arguably as effective as posting bail at making sure that criminal defendants appear in court. But critics of bail reform have argued that releasing people who would have otherwise been unable to afford bail endangers public safety. Some recent cases of suspects committing additional crimes have underscored this point. This includes a Brooklyn woman who was arrested three times in five days before being ordered to be held for a psychiatric evaluation. In another case, a convicted bank robbery suspect was released in recent days after being charged with robbing an upstate bank without a weapon. Happy New Year everyone! reads a statement from the Colonie Police Department. Especially happy for our most recent bank robber.

Republicans like New York City Councilman Joe Borelli of Staten Island, the just-named 2020 GOP spokesman, used the case as an example of how criminal justice reforms have gone too far, but Democrats had a simple response that highlighted their new rhetorical weapon against such arguments. Weird you dont seem to be upset about top GOP leader being let out after drunk driving, Democratic state Senate spokesman Mike Murphy tweeted. While Kolb  who did not respond to a request for comment  expressed contrition for his arrest in a statement, he has yet to respond to calls for his resignation from the leadership post he has held for the past decade. For the time being, most Republican lawmakers appear to be waiting until they return to Albany next week before deciding whether or not they will stand by him. I think it will be very difficult to maintain a leadership position given the seriousness of the charge, said Assemblyman John Salka of Central New York. We have constituents we have to be an example to.

Besides undermining Republican claims to be the party of law and order, Kolb looks especially hypocritical because he got arrested for drunk driving just one week after he penned an op-ed urging others to drive safely this holiday season.

If the Rochester-area Republican manages to remain as leader, he would not be the first legislator to survive such a political embarrassment. The former chairwoman of the state Assembly's Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Susan John, stayed in office for 13 years after getting arrested for driving while intoxicated in 1997, in the same town of Colonie, outside Albany, that the bank robber recently hit.

John, like Kolb, was from the Rochester area, but she was a Democrat, not the leader of a Republican conference  nor did her arrest come at a time when the party was arguing that releasing more criminal suspects pre-trial endangered public safety. While it remains unclear whether Kolb will keep his leadership post, one thing is certain: he better stay away from drinking and driving, or else he will be one repeat offender that Republicans will never want to talk about.
Gurugram Repairs to the Hero Honda Chowk flyover will be completed within the next 20 days and the closed Jaipur-Delhi side of the flyover will open by January-end, the contractor for the project said.

Opening the flyover will provide relief to commuters at Hero Honda Chowk, who have to travel straight on the service road, towards Delhi.

Officials of Valecha Engineering Limited, NHAIs contractor, for the project, said that they were previously hopeful of finishing the repairs in a month but that it is taking more time to cut the concrete slab.

Rakesh Mathur, deputy manager of Valecha Engineering Limited, said, The concrete is hard and workers are taking longer than estimated to cut through it. After the slab is cut, well replace it.

On October 31, the Hero Honda Chowk flyover was closed for commuters as the contractor had to carry out repair works. However, a ban was imposed on all construction activities by the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (Epca) the next day. This ban was lifted on December 10 and the NHAI contractor started with the repair works to replace the damaged deck slab.

However, an RTI petition by Aseem Takyar has revealed that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to initiate any action against the contractor for the damages to the flyover, on the grounds that the matter is still under investigation.

One of the questions which the applicant had asked NHAI was if the security amount of the contractor has been forfeited.

Ashok Sharma, project director, NHAI Gurugram, replied to the RTI, Since the matter is still under investigation, hence no punitive action has been taken against the contractor so far. The security amount of the contractor has not been forfeited.

In May 2019, when the deck slab fell, Indian Technocrat Limited, the authority engineer for Hero Honda Chowk flyover wrote to NHAI, stating, The damage has been reported through the entire deck slab which had been repaired earlier in consultation with IIT Mumbai and was still under observation.

The incident last May was the second time that a deck slab had fallen off the same portion, with the first time being in April 2018.

RS Yadav, team leader, Indian Technocrat Limited, said, We took extra care by mapping out the substantial area around the affected zone by performing additional non-destructive testing (a testing and analysis technique used by industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component, structure or system).

The eight-lane, 1.4-kilometre-long flyover was constructed as part of a three-layer crossing  flyover, underpass and surface roads  at Hero Honda Chowk. The construction of the 197.84-crore project began in November 2014 and it was opened to the public in 2017.
Danielle Outlaw and Managing Director Brian Abernathy listen as Mayor Jim Kenney fields questions during a news conference introducing Outlaw as Philadelphia's new police commissioner on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. Read more

Mayor Jim Kenneys reception room was packed Monday with veterans of the citys political class: City Council members. Cabinet officials. Aides and observers.

But at the center of the ornate space stood a woman who will have as much influence over the citys future as any of them. And as she introduced herself to the crowd, 43-year-old Danielle Outlaw, Kenneys pick to become Philadelphias next police commissioner, made no secret that the city was also still introducing itself to her.

I literally just landed, Outlaw said, standing behind a lectern bearing the citys seal. Later, the Oakland native and former Portland, Ore., chief, added that she had never before set foot in Philadelphias City Hall.

For Kenney, the fresh start is intentional. After a year filled with embarrassing headlines about racism and sexual harassment afflicting the 6,500-member force  and with gun violence continuing to plague city neighborhoods  Kenney reached for a commissioner who is younger than any in memory, and with no connection to the department.

She also is the first black woman to lead the police force, a distinction she acknowledged when accepting the $285,000-a-year job.

How she expresses all of that in her leadership could take time to recognize. Outlaw said often on Monday that shell need to settle into the department  and the city  before offering specifics about how shell lead. As her interview process took place largely behind closed doors, shell be starting from scratch in developing relationships.

John McNesby, president of the police union, came away impressed after meeting Outlaw for about an hour Monday before her public introduction.

Seemed like a straight shooter, no nonsense, said McNesby, head of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, adding that he offered to introduce her to more union leaders. I cant emphasize enough that were going to work with her through the process and not set her up for failure.

District Attorney Larry Krasner had met Outlaw at a gathering of police chiefs and prosecutors, and hopes to communicate with her frequently about challenges facing the criminal justice system.

My office will stand with her to try to help make the kind of reforms that this city needs, because justice really does make us safer, Krasner said.

Outlaw was back in Portland by the end of the week, and the Mayors Office declined to make her available for an interview until after she starts work in Philadelphia next month.

Much will require her attention when she arrives  establishing a leadership team, seeking to bolster accountability, and combating gun violence. These key issues are likely to shape her tenure as the citys top cop.

Accountability

None of the tasks on Outlaws to-do list will be quite as complicated as trying to rehabilitate the departments image after high-profile scandals  the firings of 15 officers for racist or otherwise offensive Facebook posts, Commissioner Richard Ross resignation over claims in a sexual-harassment lawsuit, the arrest of former chief inspector Carl Holmes  that had roots in long-simmering cultural problems.

In Portland, Outlaw had a crucial tool to help improve police accountability: an independent police review division that operates out of the city auditor's office.

The division was created in 2001, but its clout grew dramatically during the last decade, thanks to city ordinances that gave it subpoena power, the ability to reject Internal Affairs findings, and a vote on a board that recommends police discipline to the commissioner.

Ross Caldwell, the review divisions director, said his eight investigators probe any misconduct allegations that involve supervisors who have a rank of captain or higher, a provision that ensures Internal Affairs detectives dont have to worry about investigating a boss who could affect their careers.

We have access to everything, he said. Officers always come down to talk to us.

The division was an asset to Outlaw, who was an outsider in Portland. Like a lot of police bureaus, Portland is very clique-y, Caldwell said, and usually an insider is elevated to chief.

In Philadelphia, Outlaw will encounter a civilian-run Police Advisory Commission that often has struggled for relevancy. Voters approved an amendment to the city charter in 2018 that boosted the commissions annual funding to $500,000, but it still battles the Police Department to access Internal Affairs records.

Hans Menos, the commissions executive director, said that when he pushes the department to cite specific policies that could explain why some misconduct investigations are shrouded in secrecy, hes met with a great deal of radio silence. When theyre right about something, theyll let me know. When Im right, they dont respond.

It wont be up to Outlaw to decide whether Philadelphia will seek to increase civilian oversight of the police force. Thats really a question of city policy, Managing Director Brian Abernathy said.

Kenneys administration is expected to fight for new accountability reforms  especially in how the arbitration process undermines discipline  as part of negotiations with the FOP on a new police contract. The current agreement is set to expire in June.

I think the mayor, with the appointment of Chief Outlaw, and our stance in contract negotiations generally, makes it clear that we want to see some change, Abernathy said.

Deputies and commanders

One of the more consequential decisions for any leader is in selecting an inner circle. Outlaw will face a potentially awkward situation when appointing deputy commissioners, who oversee and guide departmental priorities including patrol operations, investigations, and professional standards.

Of the five deputies who served under Ross, at least two interviewed for Outlaws job: Coulter  who remains acting commissioner  and Joe Sullivan.

Two others, Dennis Wilson and Robin Wimberly, will be in the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) program by the end of the month and are scheduled to retire within the next four years.

And Ross top deputy, Myron Patterson, is retiring as well, using up his vacation time.

At her introductory news conference, Outlaw demurred when asked whom she might tap to surround her, acknowledging it likely would take time to get to know the best candidates.

I still have to take a look around and get to know some people, she said.

Managing the egos and ambitions of deputies can be a challenge. Both Ross and Coulter have said that when they served as deputy commissioners, they were expected to vie for the top job. Done well, that can produce healthy competition. But it also can lead to jealousy and backbiting in a department known for fostering gossip and palace intrigue.

The last outsider to head the department, Charles H. Ramsey, brought a trusted adviser with him from Washington, D.C., and made her a high-level aide. Four months after he took over in 2008, Ramsey doubled the number of deputy commissioners, promoted or transferred dozens of other commanders, and reorganized the department to try to get hundreds more officers out on patrol.

Abernathy said Outlaw does have some flexibility to bring in additional support staff. Either way, she said Monday that although she may need to develop scores of new relationships here, she is confident she will be able to identify worthy partners.

I know what I know when I see it, she said.

Violent crime

Outlaw will be expected to drive down crime, as the city has experienced its highest levels of gun violence in years.

Although she declined to offer many specifics, she alluded to strategies the city has been developing that seek to make police just one part of an overall approach to reducing shootings, along with social services and community involvement.

One of those initiatives, generally known as group violence intervention, has been in development for months, with plans to launch in West Philadelphia in the spring.

Outlaws hometown of Oakland, where she worked for the first 20 years of her career, has used a similar approach by focusing tightly on those deemed most likely to shoot or be shot. The strategy there, dubbed Ceasefire, has been credited since 2012 with cutting the citys shootings and homicides in half.

We know its a very small percentage of our population thats responsible for the larger percentage of crime, Outlaw said. Police, she added, should be spearfishing for would-be gunmen instead of casting too wide a net.

The Rev. Michael McBride, who has been a leader in Oaklands Ceasefire efforts, said he saw her right away as an officer who was focused on police accountability and who had a genuine stake in the way the community viewed the department.

We saw a lot of potential there, McBride said. The consensus among us was that shes a law enforcement leader who is serious about criminal-justice reform, and about reimagining public safety models.

He said Outlaw, an Oakland deputy chief from mid-2013 through 2017, gained experience navigating demands made by community members as well as the concerns of law enforcement officers. She had the courage and the ability to connect with and listen to those two sides, McBride said.

Dorothy Johnson-Speight, executive director of the Philadelphia-based Mothers in Charge, a violence-prevention group, said she was encouraged that Outlaw emphasized community partnerships in her initial remarks, because driving down gun violence should be a collective effort, she said.

Im hoping shell bring a breath of fresh air.

Staff writer Allison Steele contributed to this article.
Justin Rubinstein, a licensed associate real estate broker at Compass, was working with a buyer to close on a one-bedroom condo on the Williamsburg waterfront in June of 2016. As the deal was being finalized, the client received an email  ostensibly from his lawyer  providing specific instructions about where to wire a $213,500 down payment.

Within moments of sending the money, the client discovered that the wiring instructions had not been sent by his lawyer, but by a scammer, and that he was a victim of wire fraud. But the client got lucky. He alerted his bank immediately and was able to put a freeze on the account before the funds were transferred.

The criminals operating the scam hacked into the attorneys email, monitored their account, and closely followed their deals, Mr. Rubinstein said. When it came time to send a wire for the down payment, they intercepted the email and sent fraudulent wire instructions to the purchaser.

In the fast-paced real estate industry, where emails with highly sensitive financial information are freely shared with little or no face-to-face interaction, scammers have concocted a sophisticated, if rather simple, wire fraud scheme. By hacking into and closely monitoring the email exchanges of the parties involved in real estate transactions, scammers are able, at the 11th hour, to pose as one of the participants, and request that down payment funds be wired to fraudulent bank accounts. Having spent weeks intercepting personal information, the criminals are able to craft extremely compelling and customized email requests.
Experts and politicians are debating if the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and a top Iraqi militia commander on Friday was legally justified. But the strike is forcing a bigger question: If Donald Trump can get away with this, what cant the president do?

The closest thing to a legal justification offered by the U.S. government so far is a Pentagon statement asserting that This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. According to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley, the U.S. had clear and unambiguous evidence that Soleimani was planning a stepped up campaign of violence.

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The vagueness of that threat falls short of the traditional understanding of self-defense.

Usually when youre talking about limited self-defense actions, youre talking about a pretty concrete, finite threat. Youre only supposed to take a proportionate response to get yourself out of harms way, says Scott Anderson, a former legal adviser at the State Department who is now a fellow at the Brookings Institution. Anderson notes that the U.S. has often taken a somewhat more expansive view of self-defense. This goes one step even further saying were taking preemptive action against people who are planning threats against us. Its just on a different scale.

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Its hard to judge the extent of any threat without access to the U.S. governments intelligence. But Soleimani was involved in attacks against U.S. troops in the region for decades, and the U.S. has so far avoided taking this step. So why did killing him now become an absolute military necessity? Even Milley acknowledged that an attack might still happen without Soleimani.

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The Trump administration has undoubtedly stretched the presidents war-making authority, but it had already gotten pretty stretchy over the past two decades. Like the two presidents before him, Trump will almost certainly trot out a pair of well-worn resolutions to justify his actions. The 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force authorized action against the perpetrators of the 9/11 attacks, but has been applied to a growing number of countries and groups since thenand the 2002 AUMF authorized military action in Iraq.

According to a letter from the State Department to Congress last year, the Trump administration interprets the two AUMFs as permitting military action against Iran if it is necessary to defend U.S. or partner forces engaged in counterterrorism operations or operations to establish a stable, democratic Iraq. A State Department official said earlier this week that the strikes the U.S. carried out last Sunday against the Iranian-backed militias Kataib Hezbollah were justified under this interpretation of the AUMF.

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But the killing of Soleimani, one of the most powerful people in Iran, is on another level of magnitude, raising the question of just how far this authority goes. Could the U.S. bomb Tehran in order to defend its counterterrorism mission? Launch a ground invasion?

All three presidents since 9/11 have made innovative use of the 2001 AUMF to justify military action with only the most tenuous connection to 9/11 or al-Qaida. Barack Obama made some halfhearted attempts to repeal the law, but also used it to attack ISISa group that didnt exist on Sept. 11, 2001, and opposes al-Qaida.

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The AUMF is not the only tool expanding executive war powers. To justify missile strikes against Syria in 2018, the Trump administration cited Obamas Office of Legal Counsels argument for the legality of the 2011 intervention in Libya: that constrained and limited operations did not constitute hostilities under the War Powers Resolution, and therefore do not require congressional authorization. As I wrote when Trump was considering military action against Iran last summer, its easy to imagine such limited strikes being justified the same way. (In the Soleimani case, Trump didnt even inform congressional leaders, much less seek authorization, though Sen. Lindsey Graham says he was apparently filled in.)

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Congress deserves fault for failing to exercise oversight and letting war powers expand to this degree, and the situation seems unlikely to improve any time soon. Sen. Tim Kaine, a longtime critic of executive power, says he will introduce a new war powers resolution to force a debate on hostilities with Iran, but its unlikely to pass in a Republican-controlled Senate. Meaningful war powers reform will require members of Congress who are willing to limit the powers of their own partys president.

Beyond the question of what U.S. law allows, international law is also getting murkier. The U.S. troops in Iraq, including, presumably, those that launched the strike on Soleimani, are there at the invitation of the Iraqi government for the specific purpose of fighting ISISnot Iran. Launching a military operation on another countrys soil without that countrys governments permission is generally considered an act of aggression. The U.S. has justified such actions in the past (think of the operation in Pakistan to kill Osama Bin Laden, or the fight against ISIS in Syria) when the government in question has proved unwilling or unable to deal with a threat such as terrorism.

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Thats relatively new and dicey territory. (As recently as 2008, John McCainnot exactly a dovecriticized Barack Obama as irresponsible for saying he would strike al-Qaida targets in Pakistan without the governments permission. Thats still bombing Pakistan, he said.)

Complicating things further, one of the men killed, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was both a militia leader and an Iraqi government official. Iraqs prime minister has said he views the killing as an act of aggression against the Iraqi state. Iraq could make a case that it now has a legal right to respond militarily. At the very least, Trumps actions have put the future status of U.S. forces in Iraq in question.

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As for Soleimani, he may have the blood of hundreds of American service members on his hands, and opposing commanders are considered fair game in war. But killing a countrys senior general is the sort of thing you only do when you are in a state of war or outright hostilities, which is why commentators including Slates Fred Kaplan have concluded that were now at war.

The Trump administration is unlikely to agree with this framing. If you accept that were in a state of armed conflict with Iran then actions against us arent necessarily terrorism, maybe theyre acts of war, says Anderson. Are they then allowed to legitimately target our military leaders?

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In Trumps defense, Iran is aware of these standards and has consistently exploited them. Figures like Muhandis are state officials working with nonstate actors, with often blurry and shifting loyalties, making them hard to fit into a traditional legal framework. Iran rarely attacks its enemies directly. It acts through proxiesIraqi and Syrian militias, Hezbollah, Yemens Houthisand maintains just enough plausible deniability to avoid provoking direct retaliation. Developing this type of action defined Soleimanis career. In the recent actions by Iranian proxies in Iraq, he miscalculated by overestimating Trumps desire to avoid war. But if nothing short of a claimed attack by official Iranian personnel warrants a military response, then Iran will continue to get away with an awful lot.

Still, that doesnt justify the dangerous escalation weve just seen, and the fact that old standards seem outdated doesnt mean they should be thrown out entirely. Countries rarely formally declare war on each other anymore. While the U.S. has turned the entire world into a borderless counterterrorism battlefield, adversaries like Iran and Russia have become adept at fighting back by working in gray areas through proxies and unacknowledged covert actions. This requires a thoughtful reconsideration of the rules of war, not simply surrendering to anarchy.
Abigail Banerji

A newly forged steel instrument that can pinpoint the path of stars and planets across the night sky using the naked eye is a throwback to the years just before the advent of telescopes, returning stargazers in the hills of northern New Mexico to the essentials of astronomy in the past.

Installed at St. Johns College by graduates, the device is a remake of long-lost originals devised by Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe in the late 16th century to chart the location of stars and the orbits of planets.

It consists of four interlocking rings  forged of precision steel and aligned with the north star and equator  combined with a sliding viewfinder that is moved by hand to measure angles between any celestial object, the horizon and the equator.

Lengthy, painstaking measurements from such an instrument in the late-1500s allowed Johannes Kepler to show that Mars revolved in an elliptical orbit around the sun, disproving the entrenched theory of the circular movement of heavenly bodies and setting off a search of new theories of planetary motion and forces.

You can often learn things about how science was done in another age by recreating the artefacts and recreating the instruments, said William Donahue, a retired faculty member and laboratories director at St. Johns College, whose campus overlooks Santa Fe. This is a lot of fun because you get to do things that nobody has done for 300 years.

None of Brahes original instruments has survived. Graduates of St. Johns commissioned a functioning replica using Brahes original drawings and illustrations. They hired British craftsman David Harber to assemble a precision instrument from surgical stainless steel. The venture cost upwards of $100,000, Donahue said.

Static sculptures of Brahes so-called armillary sphere proliferate in public parks, but few if any allow for detailed measurements like the one in Santa Fe. It is accurate to incremental angular measurements of one-sixtieth of a degree, or 1 arc minute.

The device is an obvious anachronism in an age of sky-charting smartphone apps  and fitting addition to St. Johns College, where students trace the evolution of math and science from ancient civilizations by studying original texts or their English translations.

Beyond St. Johns, New Mexicos dark cloudless skies have attracted groundbreaking astronomical devices and student observatories.

They include New Mexico Techs Magdalena Ridge Observatory, perched three kilometres above sea level near Socorro; a cluster of research telescopes at Apache Point Observatory; the iconic Very Large Array radio astronomy observatory where antennae span miles across the Plains of San Agustin: and recently assembled radio scopes that explore low frequencies for clues about cosmic evolution.

By contrast, the latest stargazing device in Santa Fe promises no scientific advances. Instead, its something of a time portal into the travails of 16th-century astronomy.

Donahoe, who translated Keplers Astronomia Nova from Latin, says pinpointing the coordinates of bright stars and planets produces lots of ah-hah moments for the student. The sphere is not yet part of the college curriculum.

Measurements taken by Brahe were accurate enough to challenge fundamental astronomical conceptions and misconceptions and help pave the way for Isaac Newtons theory of gravity and the laws of motion, Donahue says.

Tracking orbits also was no easy feat in an age where mechanical clocks could be maddeningly inaccurate. Then came the telescope.

In 1609 Galileo turned his telescope on the sky  and that changed everything, Donahue said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 21:10:29|Editor: huaxia

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When the news came that China and the United States had agreed on the text of a phase-one deal toward resolving their trade disputes, cotton farmer Joe Boddiford felt greatly relieved.

by Xinhua writers Deng Xianlai and Xu Yuan

SYLVANIA/COLLEGE STATION, United States, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- When the news came that China and the United States had agreed on the text of a phase-one deal toward resolving their trade disputes, cotton farmer Joe Boddiford felt greatly relieved.

He called the progress "a step in the right direction."

For the 70-year-old, U.S. farmers have particularly but not exclusively fallen victim to the trade disputes between the two countries.

Cotton farmer Joe Boddiford walks at his farm in Sylvania, Georgia, the United States, on Aug. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

FLAT PRICES, STAGNANT YIELD

In an earlier interview with Xinhua days before the phase-one deal was announced, Boddiford, standing next to five big silos, said "I'm waiting for the deal," adding it was exactly the reason he was hesitant to sell the fiber he had just harvested.

Cotton prices have been flat this year, said Boddiford, who harvested 900 acres (364 hectares) of cotton this fall on his farm in Sylvania, a city in the state of Georgia.

That is the result of him having shifted about 100 acres (about 40.5 hectares) of cotton to corn when making this year's planting arrangement, because his estimate was for corn to gain higher prices, the farmer said, adding that 1,000 to 2,000 acres (about 405 to 809 hectares) would be "a fairly typical number" of acreage for full-time cotton growers in his area.

Given the uncertainty over U.S. agricultural trade policy, how the trajectory of cotton prices will evolve is hard even for a farmer as seasoned as Boddiford to predict.

Yet, Boddiford, who has farmed for 45 years on his 2,400-acre (971-hectare) farm, is sure about one thing -- it is hard to make a profit with the cotton price at 60-cent per pound.

A cotton boll is pictured at cotton farmer Joe Boddiford's farm in Sylvania, Georgia, the United States, on Aug. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

In the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report published on Dec. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projected a total of 13.76 million acres (about 5.6 million hectares) of farmland to be used to plant cotton in the current market year.

Speaking of his planting plan for next year, Boddiford said he only had a "vague idea" -- especially with regard to cotton.

Yield, which directly affects profitability, is a key concern for Boddiford when making decisions. "I think cotton yields have been kind of stagnant for a few years," he added.

The USDA report projected 775 pounds (about 352 kg) of cotton yield per harvested acre nationwide for the current market year, down 10.3 percent from the estimate for the previous season.

Cotton yield is expected to suffer a third consecutive decline in the current market year, data showed.

Boddiford cast doubt on the credibility of the USDA's crop reports, saying the system by which the agency makes the forecasts "is not working right." For him, the prospect is even bleaker.

Cotton farmer Joe Boddiford shows a cotton boll at his farm in Sylvania, Georgia, the United States, on Aug. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

TARIFF-RELATED UNCERTAINTY

Boddiford harvested a total of 1,800 bales of 480-pound-per-bale (about 218-kg-per-bale) cotton this year, a decline of 200 bales from the previous year. He has been holding all of the just-harvested fiber in the silos, waiting for prices to go up.

"I won't hold it for more than a year," Boddiford said, adding that even if the prices were to remain unsatisfactory, he "will probably sell it by next harvest," which comes in the fall of 2020.

The USDA predicts 5.5 million bales of ending stocks for cotton for the 2019/20 market year, the highest since the 2008/09 market year, indicating three years of continuous increase in leftover crop.

"That's fundamentally a bearish outcome because you are increasing year over year," said John Robinson, a professor at Texas A&M University's Department of Agricultural Economics who specializes in cotton economics, marketing and policy.

Robinson said similar to farmers' hesitation in selling their cotton, merchants are also adopting a wait-and-see attitude toward shipping the crop to export markets.

He said the additional tariffs imposed since Washington initiated the trade disputes with Beijing had "a significant effect" on U.S. cotton exports to China.

"The tariffs have made (U.S. cotton exporters) hesitant to do a lot of business with China, because they don't know whether export sales that they made will be canceled, and they don't know if the tariffs will get higher," the professor said, adding that there is "just a lot of business-to-business uncertainty."

Cotton farmer Joe Boddiford is pictured at his farm in Sylvania, Georgia, the United States, on Aug. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

The share of U.S. cotton in the Chinese market averaged 30 percent in the five-year period prior to the trade spat, but it has dropped dramatically to 18 percent since 2018, Robinson said.

"I think it's mainly because of the tariffs," he said. "As an economist, I think tariffs are a tax on consumers and they probably slowed demand, and that's not good anywhere for anyone."

Robinson said the goal of the World Trade Organization and "all the trade negotiations for the last 20 or 30 years" has been reducing tariffs among all trading partners. "And the more we do that, the better."

The professor added that most farmers in the United States hope the trade conflict will soon come to an end, and he himself hopes so as well.

Cotton farmer Joe Boddiford walks at his farm in Sylvania, Georgia, the United States, on Aug. 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

FRESH HOPE

In light of the latest development, Boddiford said all U.S. farmers now feel more confident about selling more agricultural products to China, adding that farm products grown in the southern region of the United States "for sure need better prices," especially in big export markets like China.

Despite his unwillingness to sell cotton before its prices reach the 80-cent range, Boddiford said he expects the upcoming trade agreement to incentivize more U.S. corn exports to China. "That's not one of the main things that we have had with China," he said.

Boddiford said there is flexibility until April or May of 2020 for him to settle down with the final planting plan. "To be a farmer, you've got to be an eternal optimist."

He said historically, the U.S. cotton export commitments -- which include the sales that have been made but not shipped and those that have been shipped -- have been "pretty decent," and that "includes a lot of sales to China."

Robinson said the U.S.-China phase-one trade deal is a "positive step," which hopefully will lead to "more trust, more openness and fewer trade restrictions" between the two nations.

(Xinhua reporter Hu Yousong in Washington also contributed to the story.)

(Video reporter: Hu Yousong; Video editor: Yin Le)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.3

By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend:

From January through November 2019, volume of export from Ankara and Istanbul to Kazakhstan amounted to $537.8 million, Turkeys Ministry of Trade told Trend .

During this period, exports from Ankara to Kazakhstan increased by 63.4 percent compared with the same period of 2018, amounting to $72.4 million.

Herein, export from Istanbul to Kazakhstan increased by 8.7 percent compared with the same period of 2018, amounting to $465.4 million, the ministry said.

In November 2019, export from these countries to Kazakhstan amounted to $50.1 million, the ministry said.

At this time, export from Ankara to Kazakhstan increased by 90.5 percent compared with the same period of 2018, and amounted to $5.3 million.

Herein, exports from Istanbul to Kazakhstan increased by 35.2 percent compared with the same period of 2018, and amounted to $44.8 million, the ministry said.

In the first 11 months of 2019, Turkey;s export increased by 1.3 percent compared with the same period of 2018, amounting to $151.8 billion.

In November 2019, Turkeys export dropped by 0.7 percent compared with October 2018, and amounted to $14.8 billion.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu
LIMA, Ohio  A sheriff escaped injury just minutes after the New Year when he was struck by a falling bullet from celebratory gunfire.

The bullet first struck the patrol car of Allen County Sheriff Matthew Treglia, then ricocheted, went through an open window and hit Treglia in the chest, USA Today reports. Treglia was wearing a bullet-proof vest, but officials say the bullet would have lost speed after hitting the patrol car.

The bullet passed inches from the face of a major who was with Treglia. The incident occurred in downtown Lima about five minutes after the New Year on Wednesday morning, limaohio.com reports. Video of the incident was posted on the departments Facebook page.

What goes up, must come back down, the departments Facebook post says. Shooting any type of gun into the air is extremely dangerous and illegal. Please, handle any and all firearms safely and responsibly.

Wounds and deaths from guns fired in celebration on New Years are rare but do occur, despite police warnings. In Cleveland, Sheldon Stevens Jr., 38, is charged with reckless homicide in an early Wednesday shooting that killed Erika Miranda. Last year, a 9-year-old boy in Cleveland was wounded in the hand by a stray bullet as he watched TV inside his familys home

In Houston, Texas, a 61-year-old woman was killed Wednesday when she was struck by a bullet fired into the air, CNN reports.

To comment on this story, visit Thursdays crime and courts comment section.

Other content on cleveland.com:

South Carolina man, 9-year-old daughter killed in hunting accident

Lake County pedestrian dies after being struck by vehicle

Woman raped, beaten at Edgewater Park in Cleveland

Fight in VIP section of downtown Cleveland club led to quadruple shooting, police say

Cleveland woman stabs abusive boyfriend in self-defense after argument over Facebook messages, police say

Cleveland detectives trying to ID man accused of masturbating outside Detroit Shoreway home
LUBBOCK, Texas - A Lubbock nightclub where two men were fatally shot early on New Years Day has been temporarily shut down as officials continue searching for the shooter, authorities said Friday.

No arrests have been made in the shooting, but investigators are following up on several leads in the killing of 17-year-old Garyontae Shephard and 24-year-old Dedrick Traylor, said Lubbock police Chief Floyd Mitchell.

Traylor and the suspect had a physical altercation inside the Level Nightclub just before 2 a.m. Wednesday when the suspect pulled a gun and shot him, police said. Shephard was running from the scene when he was shot. No one else was injured.

Mitchell said his agency was told Thursday that the club was shut down for at least seven days while the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission reviews its operations and history of prior violent incidents.

Police have responded to at least six calls about assaults at the club since Nov. 24, including some that involved firearms, Mitchell said. They made more than 60 arrests in the area during two targeted operations.

Mitchell called the crime taking place in and near the club unacceptable and said police will have a more visible presence around the nightspot.

Police dont know if Shepherd and Traylor were targeted by the shooter and investigators are still interviewing witnesses and reviewing videotape from inside and outside the club, Mitchell said.

The club owner is co-operating with the investigation, the police chief said.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is 'inclined' to cancel his visit to India scheduled for this month amid the worsening bushfire crisis in the country, local media reported.

"I'm inclined not to proceed on that visit. There are issues I need to resolve formally when working through issues of that nature. That is my inclination on that issue," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Morrison as saying.

Morrison is slated to visit India from January 12 to January 16 and later to Japan.

The Australian daily said that closer defence co-operation was to be a key priority for Morrison during the planned visit to India, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also to be finalised, which would commit Australia's Defence Science and Technology group to work with India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.Wildfires have wreaked havoc in parts of Australia for months.

Earlier, the Australian Prime Minister was forced to cut short a holiday to Hawaii just before Christmas following the death of two volunteer firefighters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- UNICEF has revealed that approximately 2,900 babies were born in Ghana on January 1, 2020

- In total, about 392,000 babies were born on the special day in the whole world

- In Africa, Nigeria, DR Congo and Ethiopia were estimated to have the highest births on the day

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has revealed an estimate that says 2,928 babies were born in Ghana on January 1, 2020.

Citinewsroom.com reports that every year, UNICEF celebrates babies born on New Year's Day.

Reports indicate that the number of babies born in Ghana on the special day accounts for only a single percentage of all the babies born on the day around the globe.

READ ALSO: Young lady starts 2020 with broken heart (Video)

In total UNICEF reveals that approximately 392,000 babies were born in 2020 on New Years Day. Henrietta Fore, UNICEF's Executive Director, in a statement about the new year births of 2020 said:

The beginning of a new year and a new decade is an opportunity to reflect on our hopes and aspirations not only for our future but the future of those who will come after us"

Henrietta Fore proceeded to add that:

As the calendar flips each January, we are reminded of all the possibility and potential of each child embarking on her or his lifes journeyif they are just given that chance.

READ ALSO: Man driving brand new Mercedes flees after filling petrol to avoid paying (Video)

In Africa, Nigeria, DR Congo and Ethiopia were estimated to be the top 3 leaders in the number of childbirths on New Years day with 26,039, 10,247 and 8,493 births respectively.

Below are the number of New Year births in other countries:

India  67,385

China  46,299

Nigeria  26,039

Pakistan  16,787

READ ALSO: 14-year-old Ghanaian boy creates app that can save Free SHS policy GHc4m yearly

Indonesia  13,020

The United States of America  10,452

The Democratic Republic of Congo  10,247

Ethiopia  8,493

In other news, a lady identified on Facebook as Esi Akyen Ntiamoah has succeeded in scamming an expert scammer known as Naa Tia.

The smart lady Esi shared the story on her official Facebook handle, stating how it all started and how she was able to outsmart the expert.

According to Esi, Naa Tia was the one who started the conversation. She indicated that he mentioned to her he hailed from the Northern part of Ghana and has been helping many people to become financially successful.

Hurray! YEN.com.gh has won the Online News Portal of the Year award at NCA awards 2019. Click here to view the beautiful photos.

Have national and human interest issues to discuss?

Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
Iraqs Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al Halbousi vowed to "put an end to U.S. presence" in Iraq after President Trump ordered airstrikes that killed top Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces boss Mahdi al Muhandis in Baghdad on Thursday.

Yesterdays targeting of a military commander in Iraqs armed forces near Baghdad International Airport is a flagrant breach of sovereignty and violation of international agreements, a statement from Halbousi read.

Halbousi added that Iraq must avoid becoming a battlefield or a side in any regional or international conflict."
The General Overseer of Mountain of Mercy, Ori Oke Alaseyori, Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, has revealed what God told him about 2020...





The General Overseer of Mountain of Mercy, Ori Oke Alaseyori, Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, has revealed what God told him about 2020.





Kasali disclosed that God revealed to him that mighty men will fall in areas of academics, business and in the service of God.





Addressing journalists in his church in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the blind cleric also disclosed that Nigeria needs prayers over issues of Boko Haram and increased cases of political assassinations.





He, however, assured that Nigerians would witness prosperity by regaining lost grounds in 2020.





Kasali said: What God revealed to me about 2020 is that it is a year of double blessing for those who are on the Lords side, but in that year, mighty men will fall in areas of academics, business and in the service of God.





The year, 2020 is the harvest time for those who served God genuinely, who thought God had forgotten them. A lot of people will get their cars and houses while the barren will conceive. There will be rampant cases of political assassination.





We need to pray for Nigeria fervently so that there wont be worse insecurity than Boko Haram.





If God did a miracle when I pray, fine and if not, how can I help him? Im not a miracle worker, Jesus is a miracle worker, if he wants to perform a miracle let him perform a miracle but if he does not, that is not my own fault.





Im a blind Pastor, He has the power to open my eyes but He did not and if any blind man come to me for prayer and I lay my hand and his eyes refuse to open, that doesnt mean Im not a prophet of God. As a pastor, if you arrange miracle so that your congregation can believe that lame can walk at revival ground or in your church, who do you deceive?





You are deceiving yourself, so I cannot afford to lose eternity because I want to please anybody or want the whole world to see me as a good pastor.





There is nothing that I can see despite the fact that I have cars, houses and lots of things.





I dont know any fake prophet but the truth of the matter is that anything that has original will surely have fake, even it happen in the time of our Lord Jesus Christ while some people believe and some didnt believe him but all I know is that you served God and make sure you served the living God.




Is the world about to gain a new sovereign state? In December, the results of an independence referendum made it clear: 98 percent of voters in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville chose independent statehood.

Few Americans might be able to locate this on a map - the main island (Bougainville) and a series of smaller islands sit between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. These 9,438 square kilometers are home to a population of around 250,000, with some 25 languages spoken across the region.

Other contemporary secessionist movements have attracted more media attention - think Scotland, Catalonia and Iraqi Kurdistan, for instance. But Bougainville seems well on track to enter the narrow gate into the club of sovereign states.

So how has Bougainville gotten this far, when so many other aspiring nations have failed? And what happens next? Here's what you need to know about the road to independence.

Winning independence is not easy. In my book "Age of Secession: The International and Domestic Determinants of State Birth," I tracked 403 secessionist movements over the past 200 years. Of these, 60 are active. However, only a minority of these movements ever win independence. Many fade away - some movements die violently.

The contemporary hallmark of independent sovereign statehood is a full seat in the United Nations General Assembly. Much like a club, there is an admissions process in which at least nine of the 15 Security Council members have to approve of the application without any vetoes from the five permanent members - China, France, Russia, Britain and the United States. The newest of the U.N.'s 193 member nations include South Sudan (admitted in 2011), Montenegro (2006) and Timor-Leste (2002).

The single biggest obstacle to a secessionist movement, however, is whether the home country favors the secession. If that state gives its blessing, as Serbia did with Montenegro, then U.N. admittance is nearly guaranteed because the Security Council typically abides by that decision.

Where the home state is resistant, the secessionists typically seek international support to apply pressure on the home state to negotiate - or circumvent its wishes entirely and recognize the breakaway region. As the case of Kosovo demonstrates, achieving full recognition in the absence of home state support is difficult. But in Bougainville's case, the Papua New Guinea government seems unlikely to challenge or deny the referendum results.

The 1886 Anglo-German Agreement separated Bougainville, which is culturally and geographically a part of the Solomon Islands. Instead, Bougainville was lumped together with the diverse set of islands and cultures that would eventually become the independent state of Papua New Guinea in 1975.

The secessionist pressures in Bougainville that erupted in 1988 led to a 10-year civil war that killed between 15,000 and 20,000 people - roughly 10 percent of the population - and destroyed the capital of Arawa and most of the administrative infrastructure. This was the longest-running conflict in the South Pacific since World War II and produced a lost generation of Bougainvilleans who grew up in the context of war and without a formal education.

The 2001 Peace Agreement was the product of war weariness on both sides and mounting international pressure to end the violence. The central feature of the Peace Agreement was a referendum on independence, to be held in the future, between 2015 and 2020, when passions would have cooled.

The referendum ballot offered a choice between independence or greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea. In contrast to the 2014 Scottish Referendum that was held in one day, the Bougainville referendum took place over two weeks between Nov. 23 and Dec. 7. The additional time was necessary because the 828 polling stations were spread across a rugged geography covering numerous remote communities.

This is a nonbinding referendum, and the Papua New Guinea Parliament will decide the final outcome. But given the planning that went into the referendum and perceived legitimacy that surrounds it, it will be difficult for the Papua New Guinea government to deny the clear vote for independence without risking further conflict.

How has Bougainville come so close to obtaining the sovereign statehood that eludes so many others? After all, it is not clear that the Bougainvilleans are any more deserving of statehood than the Uighur, the Kurds, the West Papuans or other secessionist movements, and the region is arguably less economically viable than Catalonia.

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.

Several factors stand out. One is that the secessionists were able to fight the Papua New Guinea forces to a stalemate. Bougainville was the location of an intense battle during World War II. According to on-site interviews I conducted with former guerrilla leaders, the rebels later refurbished and utilized leftover American and Japanese weaponry. Using insurgency tactics and captured equipment, they prevented the Papua New Guinea forces from winning.

Second, the secessionists won a degree of international support, particularly from Australia. The secessionists' Sydney-based spokesperson, Moses Havini, explained in a personal interview that he gradually garnered sympathy in the Australian media by showing photos of the casualties and by using language regarding human rights and Australia's peacekeeping role in the region.

Ultimately, Papua New Guinea could not resist international pressure to negotiate with the secessionists. After a failed and scandalous attempt to bring in the private security firm Sandline International to defeat the rebels, the Papua New Guinea government yielded to domestic and foreign concerns and opened up negotiations that ended with the 2001 Peace Agreement.

This story shows one path to statehood. But Bougainville's violent past seems a world away from the more institutionalized and peaceful approach in Scotland and Catalonia. In my research with Louis Wasser, we found that violence does not make a secessionist movement more likely to succeed. As Tanisha Fazal writes, however, some secessionists may believe that violence pays.

- - -

Ryan Griffiths is an associate professor in the department of political science at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. His recent research focuses on secessionist strategy. For other commentary and analysis from The Monkey Cage, an independent blog anchored by political scientists from universities around the country, see www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage
The Maharashtra cyber department and district level police across the state will be conducting a Cyber Safe Women campaign in over 100 schools and colleges guiding women and girls on how to stay safe in the cyber space. The campaign commenced on Friday on the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule, a social reformer, educationist, and regarded as the first female teacher of India.

Brijesh Singh, special Inspector General, Maharashtra cyber department said,We have made a standard presentation for the campaign which will be presented by police teams across Maharashta in over 100 schools and colleges.

Dr. Balsing Rajput, superintendent of Maharashtra cyber department said, After incidents like Telangana gang rape and murder and earlier the Nirbhaya case, we felt the need of creating awareness for women and children by informing them about the law, their rights, how to stay safe while using social media, and the internet. We have seen that a lot of crime in cyber world is targeted towards women and children, and this is one of our initiatives to deal with the menace.

Rajput said that the presentation also includes a small video in which chief minister Uddhav Thackeray appealed to women and children on the importance of staying safe in cyber space.

A police officer from Malad police station said, We will be taking a- one hour presentation in a Malad based college today. The presentation will include few videos and a power point presentation. We will be telling the women and children how crimes are taking place against them in the virtual world and what precautions and security measures they need to take to prevent themselves from such crimes.
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John Steinbeck's love letters, personal photographs and a telegram from JFK are among a trove of the author's treasures going up for auction after almost two decades in storage amid a 30-year legal battle over his estate.

The vast collection will go under the hammer next month and includes a lock of the author's baby hair, an elephants foot trash can and miniature coffin containing a hummingbird given to him by a witch doctor in Mexico.

Nobel Prize winner Steinbeck - best known for The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men - died in 1968. A number of his belongings had been kept in storage in New York City after the 2003 death of his widow, and third wife, Elaine.

Now fans of the Pulitzer Prize winner can get their hands of some of his furniture and poems, as well as personal mementos including wedding pictures and images of the first time he met Elaine in 1949. A telegram from John F. Kennedy inviting the writer to his 1961 Presidential inauguration also features.

A note written by Steinbeck and found by Elaine after his death reads: 'Thats the greatest crime one can commit against oneself - the refusal of any experience good or bad, pleasant or painful. That is a kind of negation I hope I never come to.'

Professor Jay Parini said of the items: 'Having a little piece of Steinbeck can be incredibly moving.'

John Steinbeck pictured with wife Elaine in Virgin Islands. The author's love letters, personal photographs and a telegram from JFK are among a trove of the author's treasures going up for auction after almost two decades in storage

Love letters written to Elaine from Steinbeck. The collection will go under the hammer next month on the writer's birthday

An elephants foot trash can, left, and a tiny coffin containing a hummingbird, right, given to him by a witch doctor feature

A telegram from John F. Kennedy inviting the writer to his 1961 Presidential inauguration also features, pictured

Heritage Auctions have already sold off a number of Steinbeck's belongings for more than $150,000. They then handed over 100 boxes to Curated Estates to auction on February 27, Steinbeck's birthday.

Also included are pictures of his dog who featured in his book Travels with Charley. Grandson Bahar Kaffaga told The Wall Street Journal: 'The Estate is pleased that they are now getting the attention they deserve.'

It comes after lengthy legal battles over his estate.

A federal appeals court attempted to close the book on endless litigation between the relatives of author John Steinbeck in a September ruling that upheld a $5 million verdict against his daughter-in-law, but threw out $8 million she faced in punitive damages.

The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered partial victories to the late author's stepdaughter, Waverly Scott Kaffaga, and to Gail Steinbeck, the widow of his son, Thomas.

The court upheld a jury verdict two years ago in Los Angeles federal court that found Gail Steinbeck and her husband meddled with Kaffaga's plans as executor of the estate to profit off the Nobel Prize-winning author's works.

Gail Steinbeck helped kill a remake of 'The Grapes of Wrath' to be directed by Steven Spielberg and an 'East of Eden' reboot to star Jennifer Lawrence, Kaffaga said.

The lawsuit followed decades of disputes between Thomas Steinbeck and Kaffaga's mother over control of the author's works. Kaffaga's mother, Elaine, was Steinbeck's third wife and was married to him when he died in 1968.

In a statement Curated Estates, who will auction more than 200 lots once belonging to Steinbeck, said: 'This auction goes through John's life from childhood to eighteen years of John and Elaine's marriage to Elaine's life after John's passing.

'These important objects and ephemera have been in storage for almost 20 years and are offered to the public for the first time here.'

Pictured from John and Elaine's wedding album feature in the lot. Nobel Prize winner Steinbeck - best known for The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men - died in 1968. A number of his belongings had been kept in storage in New York City

A collection 13 Handwritten Cards for various holidays and anniversaries from John Steinbeck to Elaine Steinbeck

Heritage Auctions had earlier sold off a number of Steinbeck's belongings for more than $150,000. They then handed over 100 boxes to Curated Estates to auction on February 27, Steinbeck's birthday. The couple are pictured left leaving New York for Genoa, Italy and right Torre del Lago Puccini in Italy in 1954

Elaine Steinbeck died leaving her daughter as executor of the estate. Gail Steinbeck became executor of her husband's estate when he died in 2016.

The court threw out the punitive damages because it said Kaffaga hadn't shown Gail Steinbeck, who lives off publishing royalties of $120,000 to $200,000 a year  could afford it.

Gail Steinbeck's rental home and belongings in the ritzy Santa Barbara County enclave of Montecito were severely damaged or destroyed by mudslides last year that killed 23 people, her lawyer said in court filings. He estimated it would take her 65 years to pay off the punitive damages.

The lawsuit followed decades of disputes between Thomas Steinbeck and Kaffaga's mother over control of the author's works. Kaffaga's mother, Elaine, was Steinbeck's third wife and was married to him when he died. The couple are pictured

Author John Steinbeck and wife Elaine, who died in 2003, leaving her daughter as executor of the estate

While lifting that penalty from Steinbeck, the ruling may finally free Kaffaga to make the most of Steinbeck's copyrights. His major works have not come to the big screen in recent years.

Kaffaga 'is looking forward to bringing Steinbeck's many works to life for future generations', attorney Susan Kohlmann said in a statement.

The 3-0 ruling said it should mark an end to nearly a half-century of coast-to-coast litigation over the rights to Steinbeck's works. The judges said Kaffaga even could seek a lower court injunction to end what it called Steinbeck's 'recidivist litigation.'

'This has to end. We cannot say it any clearer,' Judge Richard Tallman wrote.

This lot includes the wedding announcement of John Steinbeck and Elaine Scott from Elaine's Mother, most likely published in Texas. This lot also includes Elaine Scott's official divorce papers from Zachary Scott dated December 20th 1950 allowing her the freedom to marry John Steinbeck and the Property Settlement agreement between Zachary Scott and Elaine Scott

A note written by Steinbeck and found by Elaine after his death reads: 'Thats the greatest crime one can commit against oneself - the refusal of any experience good or bad, pleasant or painful. That is a kind of negation I hope I never come to.' Professor Jay Parini said of the items: 'Having a little piece of Steinbeck can be incredibly moving'

John and Elaine Steinbeck in Florence, Italy at Beacci Pensione in 1953. Grandson Bahar Kaffaga told The Wall Street Journal: 'The Estate is pleased that they are now getting the attention they deserve'

This letter is captioned 'From Joan Crawford ,1949' and is addressed to Elaine. The auction comes after lengthy legal battles over his estate; a federal appeals court attempted to close the book on endless litigation between relatives of the The Grapes of Wrath author in September last year

Gail Steinbeck had previously said after her husband lost a related case in a New York court that she wouldn't stop fighting until 'I draw my last breath.'

While she laughed off that comment during testimony two years ago as 'silly,' her lawyer later said they wouldn't rule out future court action.

Attorney Matthew Dowd said they were pleased the court struck down the punitive damages, but he said they were 'assessing our options moving forward.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Curated Estates for further comment.
The Kerala Assembly resolution urging the Centre to repeal the new citizenship law is "not unconstitutional" and it does not breach Parliament's privilege, former Lok Sabha Secretary-General P D T Achary said Friday, a day after Governor Arif Mohammed Khan asserted it has no legal validity.

"There is nothing unusual for a state assembly to pass a resolution expressing its views, opinions and feelings against a legislation approved by Parliament. There is nothing unconstitutional or illegal in it. Because the Constitution does not prohibit any state from adopting a resolution in the interest of its people," Achary told PTI.

On Thursday, the Kerala Governor said the resolution "has absolutely no constitutional or legal validity". "Citizenship comes exclusively in the domain of the Central List. The state government has no role. So why these people engaged in something which is a non-issue for Kerala," Khan had asked.

Achary said Khan's comment was "legally and constitutionally incorrect".

The resolution was only a "request" to the Centre to repeal Citizenship Amendment Act, he said. "A request is a request. Constitution does not say state governments should not make such a request."



The constitutional law expert also said the Kerala government need not send the resolution to the Centre through the governor.

"When a state government feels a law approved by Parliament will be detrimental to the interests of its people, it has only two options either go to the Supreme Court, challenging the law, or ask the Centre to repeal the law. Kerala has utilised the second option to express its views and opinions as per the democratic principles. Anybody can make such a request to the Centre including a common man," said Achary.

Article 256 of the Constitution says a law passed by Parliament should be strictly enforced in all the states and the state governments have to ensure its compliance. If the state government refuses to enforce it then "it is unconstitutional", he said.

On objections by some leaders over the use of words "illegal, unconstitutional" in the resolution, Achary said there was nothing wrong in it. "It is usual to use such words even in the affidavits filed in the courts".

On a BJP MP's letter to the Rajya Sabha chairman seeking action against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan vis-a-vis the resolution for "breach of privilege" of Parliament, he said no privilege was breached as the assembly had only performed its constitutional function.

"When Parliament approves a legislation, it is not doing anything as enforcement of its privileges or part of its privileges. It is only performing its constitutional function. So where is the breach of privilege involved in this? I don't think so," he said, adding, "If at all a breach of privilege issue is to be raised it has to be against the assembly speaker who admitted the resolution and not the CM."



The Parliament and the state assembly are two independent constitutional bodies and one cannot control the other and they cannot discuss about the members or functions of the other House, he pointed out.

According to the new law, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014, after facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants and be given Indian citizenship.

The bill to amend the law was adopted by Parliament during the just-concluded winter session. It became an Act after President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent on December 12, 2019.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Eight-year-old Blake Collie was at the swimming pool when he got a frightening headache. His parents rushed him to the emergency room only to learn he had a brain aneurysm. Blake spent nearly two months in the hospital.

His family did not have traditional health insurance.

We could not afford it, said his father, Mark Collie, a freelance photographer in Washington, N.C.

Instead, they pay about $530 a month through a Christian health care sharing organization to pay members medical bills. But the group capped payments for members at $250,000, almost certainly far less than the final tally of Blakes mounting medical bills.

Just trust God, nonprofit group Samaritan Ministries in Peoria, Ill., said in a statement about coverage, and advises its members that there is no coverage, no guarantee of payment.

More than 1 million Americans, struggling to cope with the rising cost of health insurance, have joined such groups, attracted by prices that are far lower than the premiums for policies that must meet strict requirements, like guaranteed coverage for preexisting conditions, established by the Affordable Care Act. The groups say they permit people of a common religious or ethical belief to share medical costs, and many were grandfathered in under the federal health care law mainly through a religious exemption.

These Christian nonprofit groups offer far lower rates because they are not classified as insurance and are under no legal obligation to pay medical claims. They generally decline to cover people with pre-existing illnesses. They can set limits on how much their members will pay, and they can legally refuse to cover treatments for specialties like mental health.

Nothing is guaranteed, said Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, a physician who is also a financial planner in Jacksonville, Fla.

The main requirement for membership is adherence to a Christian lifestyle. And the alternative sharing plans keep flourishing, especially now that the Trump administration has relaxed rules to permit alternatives to the ACA that dont provide such generous coverage.

But state regulators in New Hampshire, Colorado and Texas are beginning to question some of the ministries aggressive marketing tactics, often using call centers, and said in some cases people who joined them were misled or did not understand how little coverage they would receive if they or a family member had a catastrophic illness.

On Monday, Washington state fined one of the larger health-sharing ministries, Trinity Healthshare, $150,000 and banned it from offering its product to state residents because it was operating as an unauthorized insurer.

The Texas attorney general brought a lawsuit last summer against Aliera Healthcare, which marketed Trinitys ministry program, to stop it from offering unregulated insurance products to the public. The Houston Chronicle featured one couple who was left with more than $100,000 in unpaid medical bills.

With Blakes bills likely to far exceed the cap, Collie created a GoFundMe account to help pay for his sons care.

Collie says the ministry remains a viable alternative, noting it paid for numerous medical bills before his sons hospitalization.

Every single person has prayed for me and my family, he said. But he was enormously relieved when he found out recently his son qualified for Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program, and will cover the boys full medical care.

Reed Abelson is a New York Times writer.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:13:37|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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JAKARTA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government on Friday commenced a measure to prevent repeated floods like those that have hit the country's capital of Jakarta and its peripherals territories which have left at least 43 dead and massive evacuations.

The country's Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) conducted a weather modification technology to prevent heavy downpours from falling in Jakarta, West Java province and Banten province, said the agency's head Hammam Riza.

The step was taken following a warning issued by the country's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency saying that heavy rains still have potentials to pour down the territories from Jan. 4 to 10.

Tons of salt will be spread on the clouds containing high water vapor (cloud seeding) before they move to the air above the capital and the two provinces, he said.

The seeding is expected to speed up the shifting of the clouds to rains, the official cited.

"We will carry out cloud seeding in anticipating clouds which are potential to result in heavy rains from moving above Jakarta and its peripheral areas," he noted.

Four planes carrying six to eight tons of salt (sodium chloride) will fly every day to conduct the cloud seeding, and prevent clouds from turning into rains above the capital city and its surrounding areas, said Riza.

The planes, he said, will put priority to monitor the clouds above Sunda Straits and speed up the process of shifting clouds into rains there.

Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency Dwikorita Karnawati said on Friday that the flows of wet air from southern Africa was expected to meet with those from the Pacific, which would be potential to create thick clouds (cumulus nimbus) with high water vapor content.

The water vapor content will rise when the clouds pass above the sea as the water vapor from the sea will go up, she said.

"Jakarta, Bekasi, Depok, Bogor and Banten province will be potentially impacted," she told Metro TV in a live broadcast, referring to the towns and city situated in the nearby provinces.

Some other areas in Sumatra Island may also be poured by heavy rains, said Karnawati.

More extreme weather in the form of heavy rains is also forecast to resume at the end of this month and the middle of next month, she said.
Amit Shah explains why Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti had to be detained

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 03: No one in the government has ever called the three detained former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir "anti-national", Home Minister Amit Shah has said, adding that a decision on their release will be taken by the administration of the union territory.

Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti had to be detained for "some time" after they made provocative statements, the home minister said on Thursday night while addressing an event organised by media outlet ABP News.

"Please see the statements made by them, like the entire country will be on fire if Article 370 was touched...In the backdrop of these statements, a professional decision was taken to keep them under detention for sometime," Shah said at the news summit.

No one in govt called ex-JK CMs 'anti-national', decision on their release by UT admin: Amit Shah

NEWS AT 3 PM, JAN 3rd, 2019

Many political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including the three former chief ministers, were detained on August 5, the day the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

While Farooq Abdullah has been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act and confined to his Gupkar Road residence in Srinagar, which has been declared a sub-jail, his son Omar Abdullah has been detained at Hari Niwas. PDP chief Mufti was lodged at Chesmashahi hut initially but later shifted to a government accommodation.

To a question pointing out that Abdullahs' National Conference and Mufti's PDP were alliance partners of the BJP at some point of time and the leaders were now being labelled "anti-national", the home minister made it clear that neither he nor anyone from the government had called them so.

"As far as the decision to release them is concerned, this decision will be taken by the local administration and not me," he said, adding that the administration will release them whenever it deems suitable.

Tamil orator Nellai Kannan arrested on charges of provocative speech against PM Modi, Amit Shah

Shah said the situation in the Kashmir Valley was under control and day-to-day life was going on smoothly.

"Not a single inch in Kashmir is under curfew today," he added.
Tehran [Iran], Jan 4 (ANI): Photos of coffins believed to be carrying bodies of Iran's Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes' surfaced online on Saturday, reported Al Arabiya.



Earlier on Friday, Iran Foreign Minister Javed Zarif took to Twitter soon after Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani. He said that Washington bears responsibility for all consequences of its "rogue adventurism".

As a response to the killing, Iran vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.

The US carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Washington had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

The strike has escalated the tensions between the United States and Iran. The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protestors attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad.

The attack on the embassy came as retaliation to a deadly US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces. (ANI)


Ming Fan Wang has been the CEO of China Flavors and Fragrances Company Limited (HKG:3318) since 2005. This report will, first, examine the CEO compensation levels in comparison to CEO compensation at companies of similar size. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. And finally - as a second measure of performance - we will look at the returns shareholders have received over the last few years. This method should give us information to assess how appropriately the company pays the CEO.

View our latest analysis for China Flavors and Fragrances

How Does Ming Fan Wang's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies?

At the time of writing, our data says that China Flavors and Fragrances Company Limited has a market cap of HK$1.3b, and reported total annual CEO compensation of CN1.5m for the year to December 2018. Notably, the salary of CN1.5m is the vast majority of the CEO compensation. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations from CN696m to CN2.8b, and the median CEO total compensation was CN2.0m.

That means Ming Fan Wang receives fairly typical remuneration for the CEO of a company that size. This doesn't tell us a whole lot on its own, but looking at the performance of the actual business will give us useful context.

The graphic below shows how CEO compensation at China Flavors and Fragrances has changed from year to year.

SEHK:3318 CEO Compensation, January 3rd 2020

Is China Flavors and Fragrances Company Limited Growing?

China Flavors and Fragrances Company Limited has increased its earnings per share (EPS) by an average of 2.8% a year, over the last three years (using a line of best fit). It achieved revenue growth of 7.7% over the last year.

I'd prefer higher revenue growth, but the modest improvement in EPS is good. It's clear the performance has been quite decent, but it it falls short of outstanding,based on this information. It could be important to check this free visual depiction of what analysts expect for the future.

Story continues

Has China Flavors and Fragrances Company Limited Been A Good Investment?

With a three year total loss of 40%, China Flavors and Fragrances Company Limited would certainly have some dissatisfied shareholders. It therefore might be upsetting for shareholders if the CEO were paid generously.

In Summary...

Ming Fan Wang is paid around the same as most CEOs of similar size companies.

The per share growth could be better, in our view. And shareholder returns have been disappointing over the last three years. So suffice it to say we don't think the compensation is modest. If you think CEO compensation levels are interesting you will probably really like this free visualization of insider trading at China Flavors and Fragrances.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
U.S. President Donald Trump is defending the U.S. airstrike that killed one of Iran's most powerful generals, brushing aside threats from Tehran that it will exact a harsh revenge.

In his first comments since defense officials confirmed the U.S. carried out the airstrike near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq early Friday (local time), Trump blamed the Quds Force commander for the deaths of thousands of Americans, and said the strike was long overdue.

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more," Trump tweeted Friday.

"Soleimani was both hated and feared," the president added. "He should have been taken out many years ago!"

Earlier Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN Iran and Soleimani had given Washington little choice.

"He was actively plotting in the region to take actions  a big action, as he described it  that would have put dozens, if not hundreds, of American lives at risk," Pompeo said of the Quds Force commander. "We know it was imminent."

Pentagon officials confirmed the strike on Soleimani in a statement late Thursday (local time), saying the action was carried out on Trump's order.

It further described the strike as a "decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad," and warned, "The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

Iraqi officials have said the strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. They said other top officials may have been killed, as well.

Iran Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has called for three days of national mourning and has promised a harsh response.

"All Enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war," he said in a statement carried on Iranian television.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif labeled the U.S. strike an "act of terrorism," tweeting it was an "extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation."

How or when Iran may respond to the strike is unknown. U.S. defense and intelligence officials have long warned about Iran's penchant for using asymmetric techniques, like terrorism and cyber attacks, to target the U.S. and Western nations.

But in the hours since images of Qassem Soleimani first started spreading on social media, U.S. officials have been reaching out to allies to prepare for what may come next.

The State Department said Pompeo phoned British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to discuss the "defensive action to eliminate" Soleimani, and thanked them for their "recent statements" recognizing the continuing aggressive threat from Iran and its Quds force. The secretary of state also spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Chief of Staff General Bajwa on Friday.

In the days leading up to the strike on Soleimani, the U.S. has brushed off concerns that escalating tensions could lead to war.

"I don't think Iran would want that to happen. It would go very quickly," President Trump told reporters Tuesday.

Still, defense officials have been preparing for new attacks.

The U.S. has already deployed 750 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait to help bolster the defense of U.S. bases and personnel in the region. Defense officials said Thursday more troops would be sent as needed.

VOA's VOA Persian Service and White House Correspondent Steve Herman contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  The fight for justice continues for the family of photojournalist Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay, whom the court ruled was not among the 57 victims of the 2009 Maguindanao massacre.

Momay's family served notice to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 that they are heading to the Court of Appeals to appeal the decision that acquitted all the accused of the murder charge for his death.

The local court on December 19, 2019 dismissed the Momay family's claim for damages, saying there was "no evidence of his actual death," since his body was nowhere to be found more than a decade after the mass murder. The rest of the victims' remains were all found in shallow graves in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province after being shot and killed by the Ampatuans and their armed men.

Momay's live-in partner Marivic Bilbao testified that Momay was part of the same press pool which covered the filing of candidacy for Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, the vice mayor of Buluan town in Maguindanao who challenged the Ampatuans' two-decade rule in the province. Bilbao also attested that the dentures recovered in the mass grave were Momay's, claiming that she cleaned them for him everyday for six years. However, the court said the claim was not established.

In their notice of appeal, Momay's heirs called on the Supreme Court to "revisit and revise" the doctrine which makes the appeal of an acquittal a violation of the doctrine against double jeopardy.

Harry Roque, a lawyer for the victims, stressed in a statement on his Facebook page that Momay's heirs "are entitled even to a declaration that he too perished in the massacre and is not just a victim of enforced dissapearance."

Families of 18 other victims will also appeal the amount of civil damages set by the court. Each of the families of the 57 killed have been entitled to at least 350,000 in civil indemnity, moral damages, exemplary damages, and temperate damages.

"We feel that the damages awarded should be substantially more. For instance, moral damages should not just be 100,000 given the state of the remains of the victims' loved ones when they identified them at the crime scene. Civil indemnity should be more than 100,000 as human lives should cost more than this. And exemplary damages should be more than 100,000 to send the message that the State will not tolerate the killing of journalists," Roque said.

He said the Ampatuans should give all the victims at least 20 million.

The court in its decision computed the damages depending on the incomes of the slain. The amounts ranged from 560,001 to as high as 23.13 million for the heirs of Jephone Cadagdagon.

The 2009 Maguindanao massacre

Brothers Datu Andal "Unsay" and Zaldy Ampatuan are also heading to the Court of Appeals to appeal their conviction for 57 counts of murder.

They are among eight members of the Ampatuan clan who were found guilty and sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in prison for the mass killing. Twenty of their cohorts got the same punishment, while 14 were sentenced to up to 10 years of imprisonment for being accessories to the crime.

The court ruled that the Ampatuans led by family patriarch Andal Ampatuan, Sr. planned for four months to kill Mangudadatu after refusing to back down in the race against Unsay for Maguindanao governor.

READ: 'That's easy, kill them all': Ampatuans' chilling conversations

Mangudadatu told the court that his family and advisers decided to send his wife and other female family members to file his certificate of candidacy on November 23, 2009, confident that no harm would come to them because Islam, the dominant religion in the Muslim autonomous region, commands utmost respect for women.

The Mangudadatu women were all killed, along with members of the media who came to cover the historic filing of candidacy. The court even cited a witness' testimony that says Unsay shot Mangudadatu's wife Bai Genalyn between her legs.

The Maguindanao massacre has gone down in history as the world's deadliest single attack on journalists, and the worst case of election-related violence in the Philippines.
Pope Francis's attempt to wrest himself from the grasp of an ardent follower this week have left some asking -- where was the pontiff's security detail? Often dubbed the "People's Pope," Francis's ability to engage with crowds -- and his apparent relish in doing so -- puts him in close proximity with the throngs who gather to greet him. Whether taking selfies with the faithful, shaking hands, or blessing children, the head of 1.3 billion Catholics around the world is protected by bodyguards from a special corps charged with the pope's security. But on New Year's Eve in Saint Peter's Square, televised images showed a woman behind a barricade grabbing Franciss hand, while three men in black can be seen in the background. The Pope swats at the woman's hand to free himself, before one of the men is seen restraining her hands. Francis later apologised for setting a "bad example." By Thursday, after the images circulated online, some people took to Twitter to question how the incident could have happened. "The guy has a literal army to protect him and has to do his own slapping?" asked one Twitter user. Another commented: "The Pope has a very lax security detail." The Vatican's security department declined to comment. One security expert however said bodyguards should have intervened earlier. "It's the Pope's security team who should be apologising," said the founder of Italy's elite special police interventions unit, whose identity is protected but who goes by the name Commandant Alfa. "The lady wouldn't let go of the Pope's hand, and he was forced to slap her hand a little bit in order to get out of the way," Alfa told the AGI news agency. "But it shouldn't have gotten to that point." The pope's chief bodyguard and head of Vatican security, Domenico Giani, resigned in October after an internal security memo related to a Vatican financial probe was leaked to the press. - Personal style - Papal security became a top priority at the Vatican after the 1981 assassination attempt of pope Jean Paul II by Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turk, in Saint Peter's Square. Heightened security measures that followed included making the Popemobile bulletproof and the addition of metal detectors on entering the square. Francis told a Spanish newspaper in 2014 he preferred not to use the bulletproof Popemobile, likening it to a "sardine can." But even overly enthusiastic fans have posed security risks. In 2009, before a Christmas Eve Mass given by then pope Benedict XVI, a woman who later said she wanted to give the pontiff a hug jumped over a barricade and grabbed his robes, pulling the 82-year-old to the ground. Benedict was not injured but a French cardinal broke his leg in the melee. When Francis became pope in 2013, his low-key style and desire to bring the Roman Catholic Church closer to the people posed new headaches for the Vatican's elaborate security team, whose colourful Swiss Guards are the most visible members. "You have to respect the personal style of each pope," said Francis's spokesman at the time, Federico Lombardi. "It's not for the heads of security to decide these things."
Andrew Cates Cabernet grapes were ruined.

At least thats what buyers were telling Cates following the wine county fires in 2017. Those same fires would ultimately claim his home and much of the land at Segassia Vineyard, the Mount Veeder property his family purchased in 2013.

Three-hundred-year-old redwoods burned, leaving the landscape charred and changed. There were other little tragedies: the fire destroyed a 140-year old grapevine from the original vineyard, library wines, countless possessions.

It was a tremendous loss for Cates and his family  one made worse by the news that even the surviving wine grape crop would be lost to the fires.

For all the passion, the expense and the effort  everything youre doing to cultivate those grapes, and then your harvest is no good. It was really devastating, Cates said.

Buyers feared smoke taint, but 60 percent of the grapevines on the property had made it out of the fires with their grapes intact. Cates couldnt watch them go to waste. His thoughts went immediately to Wine RayZyn, the company he and his father, Chris Cates, had begun in 2014.

The two had often lamented the waste involved with green drop, a process during which a few grape clusters are selectively clipped off to increase the quality of remaining fruit. Theyd collect the clusters, sometimes eating the grapes themselves, and wondering if there was a way to share the health benefits of the fruit  wine in food form, as Chris Cates described it. The answer presented itself in raisin form.

We in Napa take it for granted that were around vineyards and eating these grapes, Chris Cates. They patented their process, leaving the skins and the seeds, which are toasted and caramelized.

Thats where all the health benefits are, Cates added. He worked for years as an interventional cardiologist at Emery University in Atlanta, placing stents in patients arteries to prevent stroke. Even in his career in medicine, Cates was drawn to wine: it was the French Paradox, he said, that first grabbed his attention.

The French were living longer than Americans, even though they ate butter and smoked, he said, citing research released in the 1970s that showed low incidence of heart disease in French people. Wine was the big critical factor there. I, like every other cardiologist in America, became an immediate wine lover. I prescribed red wine to patients for years.

Following the crops rejection, Andrew Cates said, his first thought was that he probably wasnt alone, that there were others with grapes still on the vine. They reached out to neighboring vineyards.

Their suspicions confirmed, the Cateses mobilized. They hired workers whose harvest seasons had been stymied by the fires. They reached out to strings of neighbors, who donated their remaining crop, and to Food Rescue Network, a nation-wide nonprofit whose mission is to prevent food waste. Ultimately, Wine Rayzyn partnered with Food Rescue Network to create Rescue Rayzyns. For every purchase, $1 would be donated to charities reducing food waste and aiding California wildfire victims.

In the end, something like 150 tons of grapes were harvested, including those that remained on the vine at Segassia. There might have been more, according to Chris Cates, but working under tight harvest deadlines and with a limited amount of labor and resources made for a challenging end of season.

Theres continued interest in the product on the supply side, as wildfire after wildfire produces grapes, like Cates, that wont be used by the wine industry. Smoke taint only surfaces after the fermentation process, meaning smoke impacted grapes are perfectly good for raisins. Following wildfires in Oregon in 2018, Wine Rayzyn received calls from growers in the state offering up their grapes; limited resources meant the company was unable to go through with the harvest there, Chris Cates said, though its their goal to expand that way one day.

You can only eat an elephant in small bites, and were a start up company, he added. But we tried to put a flag in the sand and say  when tragedy strikes, what can we do to help? What can we do to set an example?

Their company is certainly unique in its mission. There is some overlap between grape varietals used for wine and raisins. Muscat is sometimes also used for raisins, though not commonly. (95 percent of raisins are produced from the Thompson seedless varietal).

Its a tough market for raisins, which have struggled to maintain sales numbers in the 21st century. A prominent ad campaign in the late 1980s featuring clay-mation California Dancing Raisins and Martin Gayes I Heard It Through The Grapevine sent raisin sales at the time spiking. Inter-industry feuding spelled the end for the campaign, and as alternative snack foods continued to flood the market, industry numbers flattened and shrank.

But the Cateses bill their product as a super food  a label thats made other products, like kale, avocados and acai, trendy for consumers and distributors. And the company says it comes armed with the facts.

Everyone talks about super foods  theres more scientific date about wine, wine grapes and wine grape seeds and the health benefits that translate to actual treatment and prevention of disease in human beings than in all other foods combined, Chris Cates said.

The company has continued to grow since 2017. Their dark chocolate CabernayZyn, the companys most popular product, was selected by United Airlines for its first class baskets; the product is the number one snack at Microsofts corporate campus, Andrew Cates said. And the RayZyns (a trademarked name) have become Cates livelihood, a kind of silver lining of the immense losses he endured in the fires.

This process, in the wake of something so negative and disastrous, has helped us heal, Andrew Cates said.

Wine Rayzyn is still in its early stages, Chris Cates said. The company is not yet fully profitable, though Chris Cates says its poised to enter that stage after a year of significant growth. The company launched a chocolate cabernet truffle this year, expanding upon its current products (MerlayZyns, CabernayZyns, both dark chocolate covered and regular, and ChardonayZyns) and has a sea salt carmel ChardonayZyn and greek yogurt MerlayZyns in the works.

The Cateses say a single 1.6 ounce pack has as many antioxidants as 100 pomegranates.

Wine Rayzyns are available at 5,000 or so distributors nationwide; in Napa, Whole Foods, Robert Mondavi Winery, Hotel Indigo and Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch carry the raisins. So does Amazon.

Rebuilding what was lost in the 2017 fires has not come easily to Andrew. He only recently managed to get a well put in on the property; contractors have given him quotes as high as $950 dollars per square foot for a new building. In an effort to move forward, he said, hes put 100 percent into Wine Rayzyn. Its been about making lemons into lemonade, Chris Cates likes to say.

Its been a real challenge and a test personally, but I remain optimistic and excited about the entire experience, Andrew said. The faster you can turn something negative into something positive, everyones better off.

You can reach Sarah Klearman at (707) 256-2213 or sklearman@napanews.com.

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According to a market analysis performed by Wave7 Research, Apple and Samsung control over 90 percent of the United States smartphone market. According to the report, 94% of phones sold at Verizon and 91% of phone sold in T-Mobile stores were either a Samsung Galaxy or Apple iPhone.

During the holiday month of December, the Apple iPhone 11 was the top-selling phone among the four major carriers (Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile). The top-selling Samsung phone was the Galaxy S10.

Samsung Galaxy S10

Part of the reason is many of the popular brands globally aren't available at US carrier stores. Motorola, LG, and Google phones do make an appearance, and even OnePlus sells the 7T Pro in T-Mobile stores, but these other brands dont exactly fly off the shelves. Googles Pixel phones made up 2-4% of sales in carriers stores with OnePlus at 2% of sales at T-Mobile stores.

Apple iPhone 11 was the top-selling phone at carrier stores this December.

Buying an unlocked phone outright is rare consumer behavior in US markets. Most American consumers choose a carrier first, then go to that carriers store and buy whatever phone is available from there - predominantly all the latest Galaxy and iPhone flagships.

Theres a bit more diversity when it comes to prepaid wireless in the US. At Metro by T-Mobile, Samsung, LG, and Motorola were top selling brands in the first half of December. Meanwhile, Boost Mobiles (a Sprint MVNO) top four sellers for the month were iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones. Fifth on that list is the LG Stylo 5.

Samsung Galaxy S10+ and Apple iPhone XS Max

While Chinese brands like Oppo, Realme, and Xiaomi begin more aggressive sales of smartphones in Europe over the past year, they still dont have any presence in the US. Given the data from this report, we don't see that changing anytime soon, not without a multi-billion dollar ad campaign good enough to steer the conversation.

Via
Tensions between the United States and Iran have entered uncharted territory following the killing of Commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Iraq, with experts fearing the incident could trigger a conflict between the two sides.

Soleimani rose steadily through the ranks of the Iranian military until he was named in 2002 the head of al-Quds Force, the most elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Soleimani is considered very close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and under his watch, al-Quds Force has been linked to killings and assassination attempts in countries ranging Syria and Lebanon to Germany and even India.

Following a bomb attack on an Israeli diplomats vehicle in the Indian capital in February 2012, Delhi Police had come to the conclusion that the suspects involved in the unsuccessful bombing were members of the IRGC, media reports had said at the time. The attack had occurred at the same time as other attacks linked to the IRGC in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tbilisi, Georgia.

Watch: Qasem Soleimani killed by a US air strike, all you need to know

The al-Hashd al-Shaabi, an umbrella group of Iran-controlled militias in Iraq, announced on Twitter that Soleimani was killed along with its leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Irans state-run media said the strike was carried out at Baghdad airport.

Responding to the attack, Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif tweeted, The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani - THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al - is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.

The Pentagon, in a statement, said Soleimani was killed at the direction of the President in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad. The strike was retaliation for the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, which was carried out by Iran-backed militias.

The US statement further said Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani and al-Quds Force, which along with IRGC was designated by the US as terrorist organisations in April 2019, of being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition personnel.

He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27th - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, the statement said.

Tensions between the US and Iran have spiralled since Washington imposed strict sanctions on Iranian oil exports last year, forcing major importers such as India, China and Japan, to cut purchases to zero. Tensions had spiked after several attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf last year, which the US and its allies had blamed on Iran.

The al-Quds Forces and organisations linked to it have been associated with Tehrans efforts to influence developments in countries such as Yemen, Iraq and Syria through unconventional warfare.

Former CIA director David Petraeus once recounted a story at a think tank event that demonstrated Soleimanis influence. While leading the US campaign in Iraq in 2008, Petraeus received a text message from Suleimani that was conveyed by a senior Iraqi leader: General Petraeus, you should know that I, Qasem Suleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, and Afghanistan. And indeed, the ambassador in Baghdad is a Quds Force member. The individual whos going to replace him is a Quds Force member.

Soleimanis death could be a major tipping point, given his proximity to Irans Supreme Leader. The al-Quds Force, along with the rest of the IRGC, reports to Khamenei, and some considered Soleimani to be more powerful than Irans President in matters of foreign policy.

We shouldnt be surprised to see the Supreme Leader order covert operations all over the globe (including, dare I say, in the US) that involve assassinations & other acts of terrorism We should expect to see the most significant/aggressive response, tweeted Yashar Ali, a journalist who closely tracks developments in Iran.

He added in another tweet: But killing Soleimani is not like killing the head of a terrorist org. Its like killing the head of a terrorist organization and a head of state. You have to treat it as such and the US has not DIRECTLY engaged in assassinations on that level in decades.

Given Indias strong relations with both the US and Iran - external affairs minister S Jaishankar recently visited Tehran for a meeting with counterpart Javad Zarif - and the presence of some 8 million Indian expatriates in West Asia, any escalation in tensions could have widespread ramifications for New Delhi, both in terms of foreign policy and economy, particularly crude prices.

The Indian nationals in the Gulf region account for about $40 billion of the $70 billion that India receives in remittances annually, and any conflict could not only affect this but also trigger a massive exodus of the expatriates.

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REGINA - A celebrated Canadian poet has cancelled a lecture about Indigenous justice issues at the University of Regina following outrage over his working relationship and friendship with the killer of a local First Nations woman.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

REGINA - A celebrated Canadian poet has cancelled a lecture about Indigenous justice issues at the University of Regina following outrage over his working relationship and friendship with the killer of a local First Nations woman.

George Elliott Clarke was to deliver the Woodrow Lloyd Lecture on Jan 23. The talk was titled "'Truth and Reconciliation' versus 'the Murdered and Missing': Examining Indigenous Experiences of (In)Justice in Four Saskatchewan Poets."

Governor General Adrienne Clarkson presents the Governor General's Literary Award for poetry to George Elliott Clarke during a ceremony at Rideau Hall official residence of the Governor General in Ottawa, Wednesday, November 14, 2001. A Canadian poet has cancelled a Regina lecture about Indigenous justice issues following criticism over his work with a man who killed an Indigenous woman in the city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Indigenous leaders and some faculty members urged the university to cancel it because of Clarke's association with Stephen Brown, who changed his name from Steven Kummerfield.

Brown and his friend Alex Ternowetsky were convicted of manslaughter in the 1995 beating death of Pamela George. Brown was sentenced to 6 1/2-years and was granted parole in 2000. He now lives in Mexico.

Clarke, a former parliamentary poet laureate, initially told CBC News he would not pander to "so-called intellectuals" and "may or may not" read a poem by Brown at the lecture.

On Thursday, he issued a statement saying he would not be citing Brown's poetry "because of my sensitivity to the feelings of the survivors of his victim." Clarke said he found out about Brown's crime last September and it changed his opinion of him.

Then, on Friday, Clarke said he would withdraw from the lecture.

"I never intended to cause such anguish for the family of Pamela George and the Indigenous community, and for that I am truly sorry," he said in a statement.

"I am a mixed Black and Indigenous writer and scholar, and my advocacy for justice for Indigenous Peoples and People of Colour in Canada must never be in doubt."

The university initially said cancelling the lecture would go against its principles. But on Friday, it admitted its decision brought back painful memories.

"The University of Regina is deeply committed to honouring the treaties, supporting truth and reconciliation, and creating a safe and welcoming campus for Indigenous students, staff and faculty," it said in a release.

"(It's) also committed to the principles of free speech, thought and expression.... Balancing these two commitments can, at times, create challenges."

The university said there would be no replacement speaker and that it is reaching out to members of the Indigenous community.

Misty Longman, manager of the university's ta-tawaw Student Centre, said cancelling the speech was the only option.

"Although I did feel relief, I was exhausted and angry that it had to get to this point."

Longman said it's heartbreaking that no one involved in the event thought to speak with George's family  "just providing that initial heads up that 'this is coming and this is going to be triggering and it may harmful for you.'"

George, a mother of two, was a member of the Zagime Anishinabek, formerly called the Sakimay First Nation, east of Regina.

Her killing and the ensuing trial was a painful time for many Indigenous people in Saskatchewan, who were appalled by what they saw as soft sentences for the white, well-off offenders. There was also anger at Justice Ted Malone, who reminded jurors in his final instructions that George worked as a prostitute.

Heather Bear, vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, remembers taking part in vigils outside the courthouse during the 1997 trial, when she was a student.

"Those wounds that were left so many years ago are still there and I still see the tears," she said.

Bear added the university could have avoided adding pain to the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women like George.

"I think we need to have a broader conversations about protocol and about who's there for consultation."

Clarke discussed his conflicted feelings about Brown, whose work he has edited, at a talk at John Cabot University in Rome late last year.

"My friend ended up serving only 3 1/2 years because of a sexist and racist judge who decided that the victim, an Indigenous woman, a sex worker, partly deserved the rape and death at the hands of two young white men," Clarke told the event, according to a write-up on John Cabot's website.

"My friend, the accomplice to murder of this woman, is an incredible poet ... He is a fairly kind man, who has paid his debt to society as the saying goes, and so should be left to live his life."

 By Lauren Krugel in Calgary

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on Jan. 3, 2020.
Has the West Begun to Understand Assyrian Persecution?

I was in Simele, northern Iraq, last month, where the forerunners of ISIS cut the throats of up to 3,000 men, women and children in 1933. No memorial has ever been erected to these Assyrian Christians and the site of their bloody

end is shamefully littered with rubbish. Historians are uncertain whether their corpses were taken away to a mass grave, but you can still see fragments of bone protruding from the broken walls of what was once a police station.

At the time, the British authorities rejected calls for an international inquiry into the killings, arguing cravenly that it might lead to further massacres of Christians. They did not support calls to punish the offenders as they had become national heroes.

The Simele genocide of 1933 was preceded by demonstrations in Mosul, where frenzied mobs decorated the city with melons pierced with daggers, symbolising the heads of murdered Assyrians. Even Iraq's Crown Prince came to encourage the blood letting.

Fast forward to Mosul 2014. This is when ISIS took Mosul, daubing the homes of Christians with the letter N (for Nazarene) in red. Refusal to convert or yield to extortion led to confiscation, forced conversion, exile or worse.

I met two men whose families fled from Mosul and another whose home was burnt down in Sinjar. No one from the international community or the governments in Baghdad or Erbil has ever asked to meet them or take their statements. Yet we in the West are endlessly being told that we are "collecting evidence" and that perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Our generation has done little better than the British authorities of 1933. No wonder it happened all over again.

But, even in this context, there are people trying to heal the scars of history. Thanks to the great uncle of Athra Kado, a Christian from the Iraqi town of Alqosh, the tomb of the Jewish prophet Nahum was preserved during the long years following the expulsion of the country's Jews.

Between 1948 and 1951, 121,633 Jews left Iraq. The Alqosh synagogue, enclosing Nahum's tomb, collapsed, but Athra's family kept its promise to to keep alive the memory of Nahum and to guard the ruins in which their Jewish neighbours had once worshipped, waiting for better times.

Today Athra is one of Nineveh's most passionate advocates, knowing how the past shapes the future and how heritage, language and identity can help to mould a more respectful and diverse society. He continues to fulfil the promise made by his great uncle and watches an international team breathe new life into the broken stones.

Although Nahum is revered by Muslims, Jews and Christians, if ISIS had entered Alqosh it would have demolished Nahum's tomb -- as it destroyed the tomb of the prophet Jonah in Mosul in 2014.

Happily, Alqosh did not fall to ISIS, and today, under the direction of conservationist Miroslav Houska, Nahum's tomb and synagogue are being lovingly restored by Czech and Assyrian craftsmen. The project is due to be completed in May 2020.

But rebuilding heritage may prove easier than rebuilding lives if we don't do stop yet another wave of refugees -- made homeless by Turkey's recent bombing campaign. In Iraqi Kurdistan, I visited the Bardarash refugee camp. It was established less than two months ago for refugees fleeing Turkey's bombardment and invasion of northeast Syria.

In a desolate location, it is home -- if that is a word that can accurately be used -- to 2,520 families (roughly 10,000 people), with more arrivals expected. Tents and makeshift shelters have replaced homes bombed by Turkish planes.

As always there are handfuls of dedicated volunteers and aid workers trying to apply poultices and bandages to keep people going. But the camp's inhabitants should never have had to become refugees in the first place. Until we address the fundamental causes, and get angry with those responsible, the numbers (and attendant suffering and heartbreak) will increase exponentially.

I asked Kurdish refugees what message they would send to those who forced them from their homes in Hassaka, Qamishli, Kobane and Rass Alein. A mother of four told me: "The warplanes came at 4pm. As they dropped their bombs and chemicals many children were burnt. Some were killed. We all started to run. One of my children fell and concussed his skull. We kept running and were eventually offered places in a car. We had to give them $250 to bring us here to safety. I just want to go home with my children. But everything was destroyed and we would be slaughtered."

On leaving Bardarash, I pondered what outrage a NATO country would have to commit before we declared it unfit for membership. When did it become acceptable to break the Geneva Conventions -- and potentially the Chemical Weapons Convention -- and illegally occupy territory and ethnically cleanse a population, and face no investigation, little censure, no Security Council Resolution, and no consequences?

And as world powers add to the global refugee crisis, can't they understand that, far from offering a solution, refugee camps are perfect recruiting grounds for extremist organisations seeking to exploit despair and hopelessness?

Bardarash is a symbol of the breakdown of global leadership. It is also a consequence of our betrayal of the Kurds and other minorities in northeast Syria. And for the failures and betrayals, the occupants of Bardarash are the ones paying the price.
By Express News Service

Every year, since 2013, The New Indian Express has brought some of the finest minds and changemakers in the country on one platform to discuss the state of education and where the youth are headed in the country. This years edition, which begins on January 8 in Chennai and runs through January 9, carries that legacy forward by presenting thoughts and ideas around the theme, India At 75: Vision 2022.

Like last year, the ThinkEdu Conclave will be inaugurated by the Governor of Tamil Nadu Banwarilal Purohit at the ITC Grand Chola on Wednesday, and he will share his vision about educating tomorrows India. The conclave will provide a podium for dialogue between political stalwarts and authors like Subramanian Swamy and Shashi Tharoor, as well as one of Indias youngest leaders, Sachin Pilot, the Deputy CM of Rajasthan.

Another young name that pops up at every other political debate, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, will also be there. But it is not just the bureaucrats, politicians and teachers who will contribute to the conclave  celebrated actor Kangana Ranaut, actor and politician Sarath Kumar and Grammy Award-winning musician Ricky Kej will also speak about their fields and what India should be doing to move forward faster.

With Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani, Union Minister of HRD, Ramesh Pokhriyal and Minister of State of Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju engaging in conversations about whether our education system and the proposed revamp will help us, the conclave promises to have some memorable crossing of words and sparks will fly.

Here's the schedule for Day 1

Indian National Congress MP, Manish Tewari and spokesperson Khushbu Sundar along with DMK MP Tamizhachi Thangapandian, Congress MP S Jothimani and K Pandiarajan, TN Minister for Tamil Language, Culture and Archaeology will make sure you are glued to your seats.

Economist Bibek Debroy, Rohan Murty from the Harvard Society of Fellows, academic and researcher Madhu Kishwar and former ISRO head and National Education Policy (NEP) Drafting Committee Chairman Dr K Kasturirangan will ensure the event promises to be an intellectual feast for educationists, thought leaders and educators alike.

The conclave will also be packed with panel discussions and opportunities to interact with the movers and shakers in the corporate and edu-tech spheres and get a close look at how Indias education scenario looks today. Climate change activist Licypriya Kangujam will discuss one of the most pressing issues in todays world  climate  and how she is fighting to save the world.

Here's the schedule for Day 2

Speakers like Prabhat Singh, Managing Director and CEO, Petronet LNG, Rajnish Kumar, SBI Chairman and Radhika Gupta, CEO, Edelweiss Financial will be speaking about what India needs to focus more on to become incredible.

Looking back, The New Indian Express organised its first-ever two-day national education conclave, ThinkEdu in February 2013 in Chennai. The Conclave saw 64 distinguished speakers, including a former President, four Chief Ministers and four Union ministers along with a host of politicians, bureaucrats, educationists, corporates, historians and thinkers coming together to brainstorm for over 15 hours on Schooling India for Tomorrow.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THINKEDU CONCLAVE 2020

The conclave has come a long way since then and has hosted Bharat Ratna and former President Pranab Mukherjee, late President Dr Abdul Kalam, Vice-President

M Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice-President M Hamid Ansari, Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Prakash Javadekar, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Rajyavardhan Rathore and Jayant Sinha, senior BJP leader LK Advani, RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale and Ram Madhav.

Other senior politicians who have spoken at the conclave include Ghulam Nabi Azad, Farooq Abdullah, Sheila Dikshit, Salman Khurshid, Nara Chandrababu Naidu, and Arun Shourie.

This is in addition to policymakers, educationists, edu-preneurs, along with social scientists and spiritual leaders such as Sri Sri Ravishankar, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and the Gyalwang Drukpa. Among the corporate leaders who have attended ThinkEdu are Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, TVS Group Chairman Venu Srinivasan, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, Apollo Hospitals Vice-Chairperson Preetha Reddy and Manipal Globals Chairman Mohandas Pai. The conclave has also hosted filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and Santosh Sivan, actors Arvind Swamy, Anupam Kher and Gautami, dancer Leela Samson and musician Ayaan Ali Bangash.

Over a thousand people attend the conference every year. They include students, academics, professionals and other citizens with a stake in Indias future.

Sessions you cant afford to miss

Ramesh Pokhriyal, the Union Minister of HRD will speak on The New Education Policy and why it is indeed a break from the past at 11.30 am on January 8. While Dr K Kasturirangan will kick off the conclave the same day at 10.30 am and talk about what went on behind the drafting of the NEP. A discussion on whether Indias history has a place in tomorrows science will feature Economist and author Bibek Debroy, Arnab Bhattacharya, Scientist, TIFR and Gitanjali JB, CEO, HIAL.

A mega session on January 9 is sure to catch your attention  Aniruddha Deshpande, the National Communications Head of RSS, Tejasvi Surya, Tamizhachi Thangapandian, Khushbu Sundar and NCP MP Supriya Sule will discuss  Republic of India 2.0: Is the Change Fundamental?

The two-day conclave will conclude with a mega session where Smriti Irani will speak on The New Woman: Power with Responsibility (6 pm, January 9).
BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping Thursday signed a mobilization order for the training of the armed forces, the first order of the Central Military Commission (CMC) in 2020.

Issued by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CMC, the order stressed strengthening military training in real combat conditions.

It also asked the armed forces to maintain a high level of readiness and step up emergency and combat training.

The order required strengthened joint command in training. It also stressed integrating new forces into the joint operations system.

Force-on-force training should also be strengthened and the evaluation system should be improved, according to the order.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapals criticism of the restrictions in Kashmir has angered many Indians who had perhaps expected her to give India a pass as the country of her birth. But she decided not to, and has vowed to show the same lack of sentimentality in dealing with America, the adoptive country she has described as the land that I serve.

The Indian government conveyed its disappointment to her, when external affairs minister S Jaishankar called off a meeting with Congressional leaders that she was also supposed to attend. But now, as everyone tries to move on, it might be a good time for India to win her back to their corner.

Jayapal has been a strong ally of India, Indians and Indian Americans, and demonstrably. She never fails to invoke her heritage, and proudly calls herself the first Indian-American woman ever elected to US congress. In 2017, she introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives conveying the bodys deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, the Indian engineer who was killed in Kansas in a hate crime. In 2018, she organised the signing of a letter by 130 lawmakers urging the Trump administration not to kill a programme granting work authorisation to spouses of people waiting for their green card, overwhelmingly Indians. Heartbreaking, she wrote on Twitter shortly after the Pulwama terrorist attack.

But Jayapal has a life outside this India bubble. She is co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a Left-wing faction of the Democratic Party, which includes the rising-star Alexandra Ocasio Cortez and the three other members of a group of firebrands called the Squad, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley. Jayapal has been called the mentor of these younger lawmakers who are clearly the future of the Democratic party.

Jayapal cannot be wished away and as she has demonstrated, she can only grow if labelled a problem. A legislative measure introduced by her in the House of Representatives, calling upon India to expeditiously remove restrictions in Kashmir, has picked up 29 co-sponsors, and among them are Democratic party heavyweights Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence committee who led the inquiry that led to the impeachment of President Donald Trump, and Maxine Waters, chair of the powerful House financial services committee. Jayapal has found support from Senator Elizabeth Warren.

The fate of Jayapals resolution, which is non-binding and does not enjoin any follow-up action from Congress or the administration, remains unclear. Even if it passes, it will be less damaging than another resolution, which was introduced by Congresswoman Tlaib. They both seek the urgent removal of the restrictions, but only Jayapals proposal acknowledges the compulsion behind them. It cites, echoing the Indian governments reasons for the curbs, the dire security challenges faced by the Government and India in Jammu and Kashmir and the continuing threat of state-supported cross-border terrorism. India needs to look beyond Jayapals words. She is an opportunity, not a challenge.

yashwant.raj@hindustantimes.com
Universities minister Chris Skidmore has said a rise in university dropout rate is concerning (David Mirzoeff/PA)

A rise in student dropout rates is concerning, the Universities Minister Chris Skidmore has warned.

A PA news agency analysis has revealed that two-thirds of universities and colleges have seen an increase in the proportion of students dropping out in the last five years.

In some cases, non-continuation rates have risen by more than five percentage points.

This rise in non-completion of degree rates is concerning- improving student retention means improving admissions process but equally improving the student experience at uni- better access means little without successful participation and progresshttps://t.co/074stEnSCT  Chris Skidmore (@CSkidmoreUK) January 3, 2020

In a tweet referring to the analysis, Mr Skidmore said that getting more students to university means little without successful participation and progress.

He said: This rise in non-completion of degree rates is concerning  improving student retention means improving admissions process but equally improving the student experience at uni  better access means little without successful participation and progress.

PAs analysis reveals that 100 UK institutions (67%) saw an increase in the proportion of students dropping out in the five-year period from 2011/12 (the year before tuition fees in England were trebled to 9,000  to 2016/17 (the last year for which data is available).

At just under a third (31%), some 46 institutions, non-continuation rates fell during this period, while at four universities and colleges the proportion remained static.

The figures come at a time when universities are under greater scrutiny and pressure to be more transparent about areas such as dropout rates and graduate outcomes.

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Mr Skidmore also called for universities and courses to be held individually accountable for how many students are successfully obtaining a degree so that we can be transparent and open about where there are real problems.

Many universities are doing excellent work to support students but its essential that dropout rates are reduced, he said.

We cannot afford to see this level of wasted talent.

The analysis shows that Abertay University in Dundee had the largest increase, with an 8.6 percentage point rise over this five-year period, from 3.5% in 2011/12 to 12.1% in 2016/17.

A spokesman for the university said the institution recognises that there is a need to improve student retention and is introducing measures to do so, including recruiting additional student advisers and using data analysis to pinpoint early warning signs that a student may be experiencing difficulties and need support.

He added that Abertay has one of the highest proportions of disadvantaged students in Scotland, and that more than a third of students arrive at the university from college into the second or third year of a degree.

This means the life experiences of our students are often very different from those elsewhere, he said.

In England, Bedfordshire University had the biggest increase in non-continuation rates, at 6.9 percentage points, going from 8.3% in 2011/12 to 15.2% in 2016/17.

A spokeswoman said: As a widening participation university our students can face challenging barriers to success.

Many are mature students balancing the responsibilities of family and work with studying for a degree. Others are the first in their family to go to university, unable to turn to the bank of mum and dad, juggling commuting and part-time work with their studies.

She added that while the institution will always strive to improve non-continuation rates, and that there is always more to do, it will not stop the university from offering the life-changing experience of going to university to students who have the motivation and ability to succeed but for whatever reason have not had the opportunities to do so previously.

Universities are committed to widening access to higher educationUUK spokesman

A total of seven institutions had an increase of more than five percentage points in the five-year period, while 19 had an increase of more than three percentage points.

The analysis uses annual data published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency for 150 universities and colleges, and covers UK, full-time undergraduate students who were no longer in higher education the year after they started their course.

A spokesman for vice-chancellors group Universities UK said: Universities are committed to widening access to higher education and ensuring students from all backgrounds can succeed and progress.

This includes supporting students to achieve the best outcomes in not only getting into university, but flourishing while they are there. Many have specific plans in place to deliver this  for example in England access and participation plans are usually a required commitment for institutions.

However, it is clear that non-continuation is still an issue and institutions must continue to work to support students to progress and succeed at university.

Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), said: It is always a shame when someone makes the leap to higher education and it does not work out for them. They can end up demoralised and can also find it hard to explain any gap in their CVs to potential future employers.

But leaving a course early does not always mean someone should not have had a go  sometimes, unexpected life events get in the way of the best-laid plans.

Any upward trend in non-continuation rates does need to be considered very carefully. We have lower dropout rates than many other countries and we shouldnt be looking to converge on their higher numbers.

He added: Students are more demanding than they used to be and there are more first-in-family students, who know less about what to expect.

Moreover, the removal of student number controls has meant that some people who would previously not have been able to attend higher education can now go.

In general, that is a good thing, but universities should only let people in whom they are fairly confident will thrive as a student with the right support  and they need to ensure that any promised support is in place.
HOLMDEL, N.J., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation (NYSE: MNR) will host its First Quarter 2020 Financial Results Webcast and Conference Call on Friday, February 7, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Senior management will discuss the results, current market conditions and future outlook at that time.

Monmouth Real Estate's First Quarter financial results will be released on Thursday, February 6, 2020, after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, and will be available on the Company's website at www.mreic.reit in the Investor Relations section, under Filings and Reports.

To participate in the Webcast select the 1Q2020 Webcast and Earnings Call icon on the homepage of the Company's website at www.mreic.reit, in the Highlights section, towards the bottom of the page. Interested parties can also participate via Conference Call by calling toll free 1-877-510-5852 (domestically) or 1-412-902-4138 (internationally).

The replay of the conference call will be available at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 7, 2020. It will be available until May 7, 2020, and can be accessed by dialing toll free 1-877-344-7529 (domestically) and 1-412-317-0088 (internationally) and entering the passcode 10137259. A transcript of the call and the webcast replay will be available at the Company's website, www.mreic.reit .

Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation, founded in 1968, is one of the oldest public equity REITs in the world. The Company specializes in single tenant, net-leased industrial properties, subject to long-term leases, primarily to investment-grade tenants. Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation is a fully integrated and self-managed real estate company, whose property portfolio consists of 115 properties located in thirty states, containing a total of approximately 22.9 million rentable square feet. In addition, the Company owns a portfolio of REIT securities.

SOURCE Monmouth Real Estate Investment Corporation

Related Links

http://www.mreic.reit


The mole taco with potatoes, caramelized onions, and queso fresco at Boca Santa. Photo: Melissa Hom

When Natalie Hernandez arrived in New York a decade ago as a fashion student from Texas, she remembers being drawn to the breadth of food cultures. You have Poland in one neighborhood, the next neighborhood is Russia, the next neighborhood is China. So I assumed that theyd be the same when it came to Mexican culture and food, she says. But the only Mexican food I could find in Brooklyn was like those Chinese joints that would sell Mexican food.

A few years later, Hernandez made her way out to the Mexican enclaves in Corona, Queens, and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, but that didnt feel authentic to her experience growing up in Houston and spending summers in Mexico either. It was like going to a fast-food place, Hernandez says. Sure, it was kind of grubby, good food, but it just wasnt fresh. And Im a particular eater. I want my food to be fresh.

So Hernandez resolved to eventually bring Mexican food as she understands it to New York. Last month, she delivered with the arrival of Boca Santa, a pop-up turned restaurant in the heart of Bed-Stuy. The goal, she says, is to offer her customers a chance to eat to the way Mexicans do every single day.

Clockwise from left: The charred veggie taco with refried black beans and spring onions, elote with queso fresco, and arroz con leche. Melissa Hom. Clockwise from left: The charred veggie taco with refried black beans and spring onions, elote with queso fresco, and arroz con leche. Melissa Hom.

The thing about Mexican food is that its not as heavy and its not as meat-based as everyone thinks it is, Hernandez says. We would eat fish, maybe chicken every now and then, but we rarely, rarely ate meat.

Hernandezs childhood as well as a stint as head chef at a vegetarian cafe gave the 30-something chef a taste for seasonal, vegetable-centric cooking. Accordingly, the Boca Santa menu, where nothing costs more than $12, is full of rich dishes that are mostly meat-free, like mole tacos with roasted potatoes, caramelized onions, pepitas, bitter radicchio, and queso fresco; and black bean quesadillas stuffed with spicy watermelon radish, avocado, cilantro, and charred salsa tatemada. Charred veggie tacos, guacamole, elote, and butternut squash quesadillas round out the rest of the menu.

Even though the menu leans heavily on vegetable options, meat isnt totally out of the question. The chicharron is the most Mexican thing on the menu, Hernandez says of the dish, which involves sandwiching deep fried pork belly and pork skin between tortillas with salsa verde, cilantro, and white onions. I dont think Ive ever really seen chicharron in a menu in New York. And so thats one thing that I think Im the proudest of just because, once again, I really want to introduce people to in Mexico that I know, and that is 100 percent it.

As for the space itself, Hernandez wanted to evoke the feeling of being in San Miguel de Allende, which is located about 160 miles northwest of Mexico City. Its very colonial and has these bright colors and cathedrals, she says. So the space looks like my grandfathers backyard or my grandmothers patio. There are plants everywhere, those cast-iron railings, and the creepy altars with the little saints and scary pictures.

The restaurant's interior is inspired by Hernandezs family hometown of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Melissa Hom. The restaurant's interior is inspired by Hernandezs family hometown of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Melissa Hom.

Later this month, Hernandez plans to open for weekend brunch, but dont expect chilaquiles or huevos rancheros. Though she says she can make pretty great versions of both, a real Mexican breakfast in her mind includes conchas, the buttery discs of brioche bread with a sweet crackly cookie topping; molletes, toasted bread topped with everything from refried beans and pico de gallo to queso and scrambled eggs; and breakfast tacos that lean more Mexican than Austin, Texas. Hernandez will also prepare protein-forward items for dinner. On the weekend, its a celebration, she says. Mexicans will have carnitas or barbacoa or some kind of special meat. So I want to introduce that in the coming weeks as well.

Hibiscus flower agua fresca and the butternut squash quesadilla. Photo: Melissa Hom

Hernandez is the first to admit that Mexican food in New York has improved vastly in the decade shes been here, but she still sees a place for what shes creating at Boca Santa. Mexican food is totally on the radar now, but if youre not paying a bazillion dollars, you just cant find good Mexican food and thats just so sad, she says. I wanted homey food thats delicious and accessible. I wanted a neighborhood spot. And thats what this is.

Boca Santa 480 Madison St., at Marcus Garvey Blvd.; no phone
Lucknow, Jan 3 (IANS) A sharp division has emerged in the IPS cadre in Uttar Pradesh after Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Gautam Buddha Nagar district Vaibhav Krishna stated that he had sent a secret report to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath about police officials' nexus with journalists in the transfer-posting racket.

Krishna made this revelation after three allegedly morphed videos went viral on social media in which he can be heard having sex chat with girls.

Taking cognisance of this, the Chief Minister has sought the report and also demanded to know why it was not presented before him earlier.

At a press conference held in Gautam Buddha Nagar, Krishna alleged that these videos were morphed to tarnish his image and had been manufactured by those involved in the nexus.

The naming of five IPS officers involved in the nexus with journalists in the transfer-posting racket has opened up the proverbial Pandora's Box with divisions emerging in the IPS cadre.

A senior IPS officer said that Vaibhav Krishna should have raised the issue at the appropriate forum instead of speaking about the nexus to the media. "He could have directly approached the Director General of Police or the Chief Minister. By speaking to the media, he has sullied the image of the entire cadre. People are calling us and wanting to know more on the issue," said a senior IPS officer in the rank of Additional Director General.

Another retired DGP said that if Krishna has ample proof against the five IPS officers, he should have placed them before the IPS Association. "It is an act of haste. What will happen if the accused officers are not proven guilty? Such acts only create bad blood within the cadre," he said.

However, the younger IPS officers are fully supportive of Krishna and feel that there is a strong need to expose the nexus that has been long in existence.

"The SSP had earlier arrested five journalists including Chandan Rai, Sushil Pandit, Raman Thakur, Udit Goyal and Nitish Shukla, who were running a syndicate for transfer posting of IPS officers. He also has recordings of their telephonic conversations with IPS officers in this regard. It is obvious that people are now trying to implicate him," said a batchmate of Krishna.

The report sent by Krishna, according to sources, details a conversation between Rampur SP Ajay Pal Sharma and Chandan Rai in which the former is being asked for Rs 80 lakh in return for getting him transferred to Meerut.

When contacted, Sharma said that he was not aware of any complaint against him.

The chat records of Chandan Rai with other IPS officers reveal shady deals.

Nitish Pandey's WhatsApp chat with former Kushinagar SP Rajiv Narain Mishra throws up similar details. Mishra, however, termed it as baseless.

Meanwhile, UP DGP O.P. Singh has asked Additional Director General of Police (Meerut zone) Prashant Kumar to probe the letter written by SSP Krishna regarding police officers' nexus with journalists.

The DGP told reporters here on Friday that the terms of reference of the probe had been communicated to the ADG who will submit his report within 15 days.

He said that the SSP should not have revealed the contents of his letter since it was against section 9 of service rules.

In his letter, Krishna had named six IPS officers and their nexus with journalists over the transfer racket.

The DGP said that five journalists had been arrested in Gautam Buddha Nagar in August last year for blackmail and four of them are still in jail under the Gangsters' Act.

He said that the complaint lodged by Krishna over his viral video is being investigated by Superintendent of Police Hapur with the assistance of the cyber cell.

amita/dpb/kr
Digitalisation is enabling a reinvention of manufacturing. It is a core component of a new industry renaissance  the merger of automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), AI, business processes, big data, and cloud computing. It is reshaping how manufacturers innovate and respond to customer demands. Manufacturers that embrace digitalisation can transform from a traditional mass-production model to mass personalisation.

Thomas Tong, senior partner success manager of Asia-Pacific South at Dassault Systemes

There are four key characteristics of modern manufacturing. The first is being creative, which enables new business models with cost-effective mass personalisation, while second  being smart  improves speed and agility with real-time learning. Value connects value end-to-end from ideation through manufacturing to ownership and eliminating unwanted waste. Finally, humanity empowers collaboration and augmenting human creativity.

Digitalisation enhances collaboration across the enterprise by enabling digital continuity from ideation to production through post-sales service. It is a phenomenon that is taking hold globally as more manufacturers move from mass manufacturing to a new era of digitally-informed production.

The key attributes of a fully digitised manufacturing environment are considered game-changers for manufacturers to win the race for new customers and enrich existing customers.

Traditional manufacturers are bringing high-tech, innovative products to market with the help of advanced technologies, such as 3D printing, IoT, AI, and robotics. In the past, complex and unique products required time-consuming changes to the design and operation of a manufacturers production system. Now, everything about designing, engineering, and building a product can be digitalised and synchronised with the actual physical production assets.

Manufacturers can model the process without investing in physical equipment to determine if a concept can become manufacturing ready. This increases their ability to respond quickly to market demands and minimises related production costs.

Swedish truck and bus manufacturer Scania AB, for example, uses Dassault Systemes 3DEXPERIENCE platform to validate its vehicles more quickly, shortening delivery time to eight weeks, with a wide range of possible configurations available for their customers. This allows the company to sell its user-configured trucks in a highly competitive market at a premium price compared to the competition  and at a cost that is nearly the same as that to produce standard trucks.

Smarter methods

Truly smart manufacturing uses data to build predictive models that help manufacturers optimise their business strategy and increase operational agility. This means that manufacturers can see the physical and virtual product data simultaneously. For instance, instead of using plant performance reports to build a model of how the product moves through individual stations, simulations show the actual product as it moves through production as well as information about its design characteristics. The process helps identify problems more efficiently because it eliminates the need to manually translate data to visually conceptual information.

A single source of digital truth for manufacturing makes for easier collaboration across departments. Shared conceptualisation means that everyone across the enterprise sees the exact same information. They have digital continuity, in which the organisation can update the data in the underlying system much faster because there is only one place to see it.

Smart and creative manufacturers drive value for their customers, suppliers and employees. Manufacturers maximise value creation when they have end-to-end connectivity from product ideation to ownership. True end-to-end visibility requires digital continuity. This is when everyone and every system across the organisation receives singular or the exact same information.

Digital continuity within the product life cycle is particularly critical. It ensures the operations team has the information it needs from engineering to meet design specifications. It also means information is fed back to the designers, so they can continually assess and improve products. In addition, increased visibility into how different functions impact each other helps manufacturers adapt to customer needs.

Chinese steel producer HBIS Group Tangsteel Company turned to a digital platform to enable a demand-driven supply chain, and digitalisation helped the company improve its inbound schedules and delivery of the products, as well as workflow. The producer can now instantly take into consideration changes to the market price, the on-time and downtime of the machines, and even tell customers exactly which production line is making their product.

The flexibility of robotics and other tech can make the necessary manufacturing changes less time-consuming Photo: Shutterstock

The human touch

Analytics, AI, and automation tools are going to provide plant workers with more autonomy and actionable insights. As manual tasks are automated, workers will be freed to focus on more value-creating activities.

The digital transformation opens the doors to creativity. Employees have the tools and information they need to be more engaged and drive bottom-line results. Digitalisation provides a wealth of opportunities to validate all the possible ways to improve the business and industrial processes that manufacturers want to optimise.

It also helps address skilled workforce challenges. If manufacturers want to attract the best talent, they need to demonstrate they have the technology, know-how, and creativity of a modern manufacturing environment. Unlike deployments of standard, transactional systems, digitalisation cannot be an IT-driven initiative. Executives must be the champions of change because they are the only people who can articulate how everyone in the organisation will benefit and how their roles will evolve.

Another Chinese producer, this time in trains, CRRC Tangshan Co., Ltd. previously relied heavily on human labour to perform manual tasks and is now shifting to a higher level of automation. It is also moving toward a cellular manufacturing model where workers perform multiple tasks at each workstation. This means while some processes are becoming more automated, employees have the opportunity to enhance their skill sets.

Leaders must assess where the company stands, how much change is possible and the steps involved. They should focus on quick, incremental improvements to demonstrate the benefits of change immediately. Communication is critical during this stage because middle management will transition from a role of information ownership to data sharing. They will be responsible for leveraging the data to drive results.

Digitalisation is advancing at such a rapid pace that markets are undergoing a technology renaissance. Digital continuity strategies are already having a major impact on the way manufacturers design, produce, sell, and service their products. To remain competitive, they will need to adopt at least some form of digitalisation and transform. Leaders will differentiate themselves with innovative products, improved productivity, and exceptional service. Ultimately, they will be more agile and able to meet customer demands for customised, on-demand products.
Anusha Ravi By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Karnataka pulled a Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Thursday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bengaluru. For the first time, a hashtag opposing Modis visit #GoBackModi  trended all day on Twitter.

The trend began as a mark of opposition to the PMs visit to Tamil Nadu on multiple occasions. While Tamil Nadu and Kerala are both non-BJP-ruled states, in Karnataka, which is currently ruled by the BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government, a viral hashtag against the PM has come as an embarrassment to the party.

ALSO READ: PM Modi gives Prahlad Joshi a pep talk on translating speech

A group of citizen activists along with Congress and JDS workers, promoted the hashtag all day, even with BJPs attempt to make #KarnatakaWelcomesModi go viral.

By the time the PM wrapped up events at Tumakuru and returned to Bengaluru on Thursday evening, some 26,279 #GoBackModi tweets had been posted. The number reached 50,000 tweets by 9 pm. Meanwhile, the BJPs hashtag #PMWithFarmers was only used 6,022 times.

ALSO READ: Agri growth vital to achieve USD 5 trillion economy, says PM Modi in Tumakuru

Despite disbanding their respective social media war rooms post elections, Congress and JDS IT cell volunteers worked along with citizens group.

We wanted to make the hashtag trend when the PM was in Bengaluru for Chandrayaan-2, but we did not want to politicise it. But the PM himself politicised his visit by invoking CAA inside Siddaganga Mutt. We will continue the online campaign against him, said Srivatsa YB, Indian Youth Congress.
Political reaction in the United States to Thursday's killing of top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was split among partisan lines with Democrats warning of unforeseen consequences while Republicans praised President Trump.

Top Democrats, while condemning Soleimani, warned that that the airstrike had the potential to set off a war, and chastised Trump for not seeking congressional approval.

Joe Biden, the Democratic frontrunner, said in a statement that 'President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox.'

'The Administration's statement says that its goal is to deter future attacks by Iran, but this action almost certainly will have the opposite effect,' Biden said.

Top Democrats on Thursday warned of the possible consequences of President Trump's (right) decision to assassinate Iranian Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani (left) in Baghdad

Former Vice President Joe Biden (left) said Trump was 'throwing dynamite into a tinderbox' while Senator Bernie Sanders (right) warned that 'this action puts us on the path to another' war

Perhaps the most forceful condemnation from the Democratic side came from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

'When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared it would lead to greater destabilization of the region,' the independent senator tweeted on Thursday.

'That fear unfortunately turned out to be true.

'The US has lost approximately 4,500 brave troops, tens of thousands have been wounded, and we've spent trillions.

'Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.

'Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.'

Adam Schiff, chair of the House Intel Committee and one of the 'gang of eight' of Congressional leadership who are usually briefed on sensitive operations, raused concerns over the strike.

Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and world is better off without him,' he tweeted.

'But Congress didnt authorize and American people dont want a war with Iran. All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk.'

His counterparts in the Democratic leadership of the House also warned against escalation.

'Tonight's action represents a massive escalation in our conflict with Iran with unpredictable consequence,' said House Foreign Committee Chair Eliot Engel, a New York Democrat, in a statement.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, tweeted: 'Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.'

'Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That's not a question,' said Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, in a statement. 'The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?' Murphy said

House Rep. Ilhan Omar, the Democrat from Minnesota, tweeted: 'So what if Trump wants war, knows this leads to war and needs the distraction? Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him? I know I will'

'To push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress's powers as a coequal branch of government,' Engel said.

'Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That's not a question,' said Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, in a statement.

'The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?' Murphy said.

Andrew Yang was the first of the Democratic presidential candidates to react to the strike, tweeting: 'War with Iran is the last thing we need and is not the will of the American people. We should be acting to deescalate tensions and protect our people in the region.'

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, tweeted: 'Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.'

House Rep. Ilhan Omar, the Democrat from Minnesota, tweeted: 'So what if Trump wants war, knows this leads to war and needs the distraction?

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, tweeted that Soleimani 'got what he richly deserved' and that his death was 'justice' for 'all those American soldiers who died by his hand'

Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, tweeted that Soleimani was a 'depraved terrorist' who 'had the blood of hundreds of American servicemen and women on his hands'

'At this time of increase tension in the region, the US must take necessary steps to protect our personnel there and beyond,' the senator from Utah tweeted

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina warned Iran to 'leave America and our allies alone and stop being the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world'

Graham then threatened that Iran would 'pay the heaviest of prices, which includes the destruction of their oil refineries'

'Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him?

'I know I will.'

Trump's allies rushed to his defense, however, including Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican.

'Soleimani was one of the most ruthless and vicious members of the Ayatollah's regime. He had American blood on his hands,' said Graham in a tweet.

'If Iranian aggression continues and I worked at an Iranian oil refinery, I would think about a new career,' he continued ominously.

Trump' campaign press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in an interview with Fox News that the killing of Soleimani is the 'greatest foreign policy accomplishment, I would say, of the decade, if not our lifetime.'

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, tweeted that Soleimani 'got what he richly deserved' and that his death was 'justice' for 'all those American soldiers who died by his hand.'

Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, tweeted that Soleimani was a 'depraved terrorist' who 'had the blood of hundreds of American servicemen and women on his hands.'

President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at Baghdad International Airport on Friday, the Pentagon confirmed.

The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, which were responsible for the recent attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, officials said.

The audacious airstrike is a potential turning point in the Middle East as the U.S. and Iran teeter on the brink of all-out war, and is expected to draw severe retaliation from Iran and and its regional Shiite allies against Israel and American interests.
The study analyses the working capital performance of the 500 largest listed companies by revenue across 15 sectors over the past four years.

The companies analysed have been listed on both the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HSX) and the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX) for at least the past four years.

As a booming economy, the business environment in Vietnam is becoming increasingly competitive, especially in this time of emerging opportunities and potential trade shift from China owing to the US-China Trade War. As a result, in addition to growing the top line of its business, working capital management is essential for every company as it enables a faster cash conversion and reduced dependency on external financing sources.

According to PwC Vietnams assessment, the working capital performance of Vietnamese businesses deteriorated last year while continuing to trail behind Asian and global peers.

On the current status of working capital performance in Vietnam, Mohammad Mudasser, Practice lead, Working Capital Management of PwC Vietnam said, We continue to see cash flows being sacrificed to attain top-line targets in Vietnam which is not sustainable for businesses in the long run. Managing operating working capital is a cross-functional responsibility, hence the role of CFOs must graduate from a pure accounting and controlling to a more active business partner in achieving the company's strategic objectives.

Effective working capital management would additionally support companies liquidity needs, the lifeblood of any business. In recent years, while corporate debts have been constantly on the rise, the amount of trapped cash has also adopted on an upward trend. It is important for businesses to remain cognisant of internal cash release opportunities as it is the cheapest source of liquidity and, in many cases, may be the only source of cash in a harsh credit climate.

According to PwC Vietnams assessment, the working capital performance of Vietnamese businesses deteriorated last year while continuing to trail behind Asian and global peers.

ROCE down, margins flat

The report by PwC witnessed rapid top-line growth of Vietnamese businesses in fiscal year 2017-2018, with revenue growth of over 15 per cent for the companies analysed. However, margins contracted owing to higher cost of sales and other expenses. As a result, the Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) of the companies continued its downward trend, showing a 6.7 percentage point decrease in the 2018 fiscal year.

Cash release opportunities of up to $11.3 billion in the 2018 financial year

Companies in Vietnam left $24.1 billion on the table as cash trapped in their net working capital in the 2018 financial year which accounted for roughly 50 per cent of total net working capital (NWC) and 7 per cent of total annual sales of the companies analysed, respectively.

Remarkably, one-third of this amount can be realised for the engineering and constructions and consumer products industries alone. In terms of working capital elements, inventory days (DIO) was the most important element for the companies to focus on for cash release, followed by receivable days (DSO).

Deterioration in the C2C

Working capital performance deteriorated in the fiscal years of 2017-2018 by two days reaching 67 days, mainly due to the shortening payable cycles. The findings also reveal that working capital needs were mostly financed through short-term borrowings rather than companies looking at opportunities for internal cash release.

There was also limited use of payables or receivables financing which can be easier to source financing avenues compared to traditional bank borrowings.

The fast-growing companies (companies with a sales growth exceeding the median in the past four years) had significantly higher short-term debt growth (CAGR of 13.5 per cent), indicating risks to the sustainable growth of these companies.

Significant improvement opportunities for Vietnamese businesses in shortening working capital cycle

Vietnams working capital performance continues to lag behind that of most Asian countries, as well as developed markets such as Europe, the US, and Australasia. PwCs study shows that Vietnams C2C was nine days higher than the Asian median and 13 days higher than that of Malaysia. Malaysia, the second-best managed working capital economy in Asia, performed significantly better in inventory (ten days lower DIO) and receivables management (eight days lower DSO) when compared to Vietnam.

A widening gap between top and bottom working capital performers

The study also observed stark differences between top and bottom working capital performers performance over the last year. Whilst top performers managed to improve their performance, the bottom performers deteriorated further to result in an overall deterioration of the C2C of all the companies analysed.

The upper quartile of companies also achieved better financial performance in profitability, solvency, and liquidity ratios, as well as having the ability to self-finance instead of relying on external financing sources as the worst performers do.

Unlocking business potential with working capital management

Effective working capital management has an important role to play in gaining control over and releasing business trapped capital, a valuable resource that is often overlooked. This especially applies to fast-growing companies in Vietnam whose dependency on short-term debts is increasing by the year.

Along a similar vein, regarding growing concerns for sustainability, the study acknowledges that top working capital performers are best at reducing their C2C cycles, leaving companies in the bottom group far behind.

Beside a significant amount of trapped cash, as well as a stretching C2C cycle, the stark gap between revenue growth (15 per cent) and increase in operating profits (3 per cent) further signifies the growing burden of expenses and also implies significant opportunities for working capital improvement in Vietnam.

Different metrics of working capital performance in the 2018 financial year universally showcase certain limitations of working capital management in Vietnam despite the countrys economic growth. To stay ahead, businesses in Vietnam need to actively manage and maintain their working capital elements to optimise business efficiency and ultimately increase cost savings.

Established offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 1994, PwC Vietnam is proud of its team of more than 1,000 local and expatriate staff with a thorough understanding of the business environment in Vietnam and a wide knowledge of policies and procedures covering investment, tax, and legal, accounting, and consulting matters.

The company consists of different divisions including PwC Legal Vietnam, PwC Consulting Vietnam, and PwC Vietnam Cybersecurity for services diversification.
Raytheon Companys RTN business unit, Missile Systems (MS) recently secured a $768.3 million contract to manufacture advanced medium range air to air missile (AMRAAM). Work related to the deal will be executed in Tucson, AZ.

Details of the Deal

Apart from production of these missiles, the MS unit will offer captive air training missiles, guidance sections, AMRAAM telemetry system, spares and other production engineering support hardware. The deal was awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, FL, and is scheduled to be completed by Feb 28, 2023.

This contract will serve the U.S. Air Force and Navy and will also involve foreign military sales.

Attributes of AMRAAM

Raytheons AMRAAM is a versatile combat-proven air dominance weapon. Its capabilities have been fully demonstrated in more than 4,200 test shots and 10 air-to-air combat victories. Notably, this weapons advanced active guidance section provides aircrew with a high degree of combat flexibility and lethality.

AMRAAM is currently used by 37 countries across the globe, including the United States. This missile has been integrated in some of the renowned fighter jets like Boeings BA, F-15 and F/A-18, General Dynamics GD F-16 and Lockheed Martins LMT F-22 to name a few.

Whats Favoring Raytheon?

In recent times, missile defense plays a pivotal role in a nations defense strategy due to increasing geo-political tensions across the globe. With regard to the United States, the nations latest cross-border tiffs with Russia and North Korea have prompted the government to spend copiously on missiles.

As a result, Raytheon, a prominent U.S. missile maker, has been clinching significant awards for the enhancement of its missile defense systems with latest technologies and providing its end users with complex technical services. The latest acquired contact is one such example.

Story continues

Such contract wins tend to boost revenue growth for the companys MS business unit. Notably, the MS division recorded third-quarter 2019 net sales of $2,165 million, reflecting 4% improvement from the year-ago quarter. Considering the latest deal and a few other contracts secured by the company in recent times, we expect this segment to show top-line strength in the coming days.

Furthermore, the U.S. fiscal 2020 defense budget provisioned for major war-fighting investments worth almost $12 billion on missile defense. This should enable Raytheon to clinch more contracts related to missile defense systems and associated services like the latest one.

Price Movement

In a years time, Raytheon has gained 48.3% compared with the industrys 48% growth.

Zacks Rank

Raytheon currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Egyptians learn ceramic painting in Shanghai

By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-01-02 17:54

Officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, as well as experts and scholars from the countrys cultural industry attended a ceramic art course at the Shanghai Urban Construction Vocational College recently.

The course is one part of a three-week seminar initiated by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce for the Egyptians, which covers how cultural industries and traditional handicraft skills can be passed on to the young.

To let the Egyptian friends from afar feel the difference between ceramics and paper painting, the lecturer Shi Hongwei, a senior craft artist, especially arranged a course themed on the procedure of coloring in ceramics production.

The reason it is necessary for us to master these processes in ceramics production is that we should understand ancient art and inherit traditional culture, and at the same time repair ancient damaged cultural relics. To this day, ceramic works production can be mechanized on a large scale, but handmade works are still irreplaceable. "

Heidiel Muzmeer, a PhD majored in animation and graphic design in Helwan University, is among those experiencing the Chinese ceramics. Due to her past experience in the restoration of some cultural relics in Egypt, such as blankets and other handmade textiles, she was especially impressed with the lecture about bronzeware given on the first day and this course on ceramics painting. In her painting, there were Chinese elements like the ladies of the Tang Dynasty and bamboo. Muzmeer said that the reason to draw a Chinese painting is to bring the Chinese culture back to Egypt and this painting was a good souvenir of her time here.
China on Friday appealed for restraint from all sides, especially from the US, and said it opposes the use of force in international relations after Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in the US strike in Iraq.

China has always opposed the use of force in international relations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at the regular ministry press briefing on Friday.

We urge the relevant sides, especially the US, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions, Geng said.

Geng said all sides should abide by the principles of the UN and the basic norms of international relations. On Iraq, he said the countrys sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected.

Just earlier this week, Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi told Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif, that Beijing and Tehran should stand together against unilateralism and bullying  targeting Washington.

Wang met Zarif in Beijing following joint naval drills between Iran, China and Russia in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman last week.

The Chinese side supports all constructive efforts that help ease the current tension and uphold the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Wang was quoted by state media as telling Zarif.

Wang said the US has withdrawn from the JCPOA, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, and taken a maximum pressure tactic against Iran, which was to blame for the current tension of the Iran nuclear issue.

China will firmly defend international fairness and justice, oppose unilateralism and bullying, and work to promote a political and diplomatic settlement of the Iran nuclear issue, Wang said.

Wang said the parties involved in the pact should withstand external pressure and deal with disputes through dialogue and negotiations in order to continue safeguarding and implementing the comprehensive deal.

China was Irans biggest oil customer, importing about 22 million tons of crude oil from Iran in 2018.

But latest Chinese customs data, quoted by the Bourse & Bazaar website, said there was a significant drop in purchases of Iranian oil. The declared value of September imports was just USD 254 million, down 34 percent from August and down 80 percent from the same month last year (2018).

Iran, however, remains a key ally for China and Beijing, as per state media reports, looks at Tehran as an important part of President Xi Jinpings international connectivity project, the Belt and Road Initiative.
(CNN)  Just last week, five more states voted to legalize recreational marijuana, but users may want to be cautious. A study released Sunday suggests that marijuana use can weaken heart muscles, particularly in young men. The study was presented at the annual scientific conference of the American Heart Association in New Orleans.

Recognizing the possible adverse health effects of smoking pot to get high, the researchers examined the link between marijuana use and heart health.

Marijuana users vs. non-users

The researchers, from St. Luke's University Hospital Network, focused on patients with stress cardiomyopathy, a sudden temporary weakening of the heart muscle that prevents it from pumping. Patients with the condition, which has been said to mimic a heart attack, can experience acute chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness.

The muscle weakness is most often caused by acute stress or grief, such as a breakup or the death of a loved one. However, according to Dr. Amitoj Singh, the lead investigator of the study, at least two cases of stress cardiomyopathy in medical literature have been related to marijuana use.

"There have been many reports of heart attacks, strokes and the two cases of (stress cardiomyopathy) that have been linked to marijuana," Singh said.

Greater availability of marijuana, particularly for recreational use, has heightened concern in the medical community about cardiac risks, sparking Singh's interest.

Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 2003 to 2011, the researchers tracked hospital admissions and outcomes of 33,343 patients with stress cardiomyopathy. The data were taken from across the country and represented both men and women of varied ages. Two groups were formed from the data: one group of marijuana users (which had 210 patients, or 1% of the total study pool) and a group of patients who did not use the drug.

Each group was strikingly different in terms of demographics, medical histories and outcomes. The marijuana users tended to be younger and more often male, a finding that was surprising to Singh, because stress cardiomyopathy most often occurs in older women, he said.

Marijuana users also had fewer risk factors that typically cause stress cardiomyopathy, such as acute stress, hypertension, diabetes, migraines and hyperthyroidism. The non-marijuana-using group had much higher rates of these conditions.

"Even though these young people had less cardiac risk factors, they still had high cardiac risk," Singh said.

Marijuana users also suffered more severe cardiac problems. "Despite being younger and with fewer cardiovascular risk factors than non-users, during stress cardiomyopathy, the marijuana users were significantly more likely to go into cardiac arrest (2.4% vs. 0.8%) and to require an implanted defibrillator to detect and correct dangerously abnormal heart rhythms (2.4% vs. 0.6%)," the American Heart Association said of the study in a news release.

Investigating further, the researchers created a model that excluded all of the known causes of stress cardiomyopathy to see whether marijuana use alone could trigger the condition. They found a statistically significant relationship between the drug and stress cardiomyopathy, Singh said.

"Someone who uses marijuana is almost two times more likely to develop stress cardiomyopathy," he explained.

However, the report also found that marijuana users were more likely to use tobacco and illicit substances, as well as suffer from depression, than non-marijuana users.

Dr. Ann Bolger, a professor of clinical medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association, said these factors can contribute to stress cardiomyopathy. "It's hard to know exactly that you can account for all of these other contributors" when determining causation of the condition, she said.

Should you avoid marijuana?

Bolger agrees with the overall concern raised by the new study. "It does give me some very appropriate worry that exposure to (marijuana) may not be as benign as some people seem to think."

She added that "If this is in some way predictive of poor outcomes or indicative that we need to have concern about the cardiovascular health and outcomes of patients using marijuana, I think it's a very good thing to start to think about."

Singh acknowledges that marijuana has several benefits in medicine, particularly with treatments such as chemotherapy. "We don't want to underestimate the benefits of medical marijuana," he confirmed.

Still, Singh wants to draw attention to the potential harms of recreational use. The lack of regulation makes it difficult for users to know the amount of THC, the psychosis-inducing chemical in marijuana, contained in a dose, which can be dangerous. Singh is still not certain whether THC is principally responsible for users' cardiac problems; that is a topic that needs to be further studied, he said.

As a whole, more research needs to be done regarding the effects of marijuana on heart health, Singh emphasized.

"This is a retrospective study, so we cannot determine causation" between marijuana and weakening heart muscles, he concluded. "Further research is needed to evaluate this study, especially considering the current increase of recreational marijuana in our country."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Does marijuana weaken heart muscles?".
Chinese space engineers have tested a micro propulsion technology on a recently launched satellite, which could be used in future space-based gravitational wave detection, a media report said on Friday.

Experts from the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said they tested the variable thrust propulsion at the micronewton level on the Tianqin-1 satellite, which was sent into space on December 20, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

The thrust of one micronewton is equivalent to the weight of a 1-cm-long hair. And the accuracy of the micro propulsion system of the Tianqin-1 satellite could reach 0.1 micronewtons, according to the experts.

The weak thrust is generated to continuously offset the interference of solar pressure and the atmosphere affecting the satellite.

Only by eliminating these forces can the satellite become a super static and super stable platform and make the space-based detection of gravitational waves possible, experts said.

Tianqin-1 is the first technological experiment satellite for the Tianqin program, meaning "harp in the sky," which was initiated by Sun Yat-sen University in south China's Guangdong Province in 2015.

It will consist of three satellites forming an equilateral triangle around the earth.

"It's like a harp in space. If the gravitational waves come, the 'harp's strings' will be plucked," Luo Jun, president of Sun Yat-sen University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was quoted as saying in the report.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Religious centers in Nigeria are generally being perceived as scared place which its activities should not be legislated upon by the government. Administration upon administration usually had serious contestations with stakeholders in our churches whenever a policy is being made to check-mate its excesses.

Federal government in recent past has come with policies to make Nigeria churches all encompassing. In one of her policies, it tried cutting down life time-tenure of general overseer of the churches declaring that no one in that capacity should spend more than ten years in office. The idea behind this policy was to forestall an idea of forever one man show ownership and leadership syndrome in our churches.

Due to fear of unknown by Christian community in Nigeria, the policy was totally condemned as many presume that such is akin to systematic government interference in Nigeria churches and more also tagged it as Islamization of the country.

It is instructive to note that when Kaduna state Government came with a policy to curtail indiscriminate use of public address system by religious bodies in Nigeria which has totally become a sort of disturbance to the populace, many cried foul over it saying the government is trying to limit the growing evangelism of Nigeria Churches.

The furore that greets the society whenever any government comes with religious related policy is why we never had one till date. The loose atmosphere provided in the operation and running of churches in Nigeria has made it all comers affairs and what we get therein are tales of gory story on how people lost their life on account of miracle seeking from self-professed Pastors, Prophets and Prophetess.

Suffix to this, when I travelled to my home town in Kogi State last December, a neighbor shared with me horrible experience of his with a self-professed Miracle making man which I equally consider it necessary to disseminate to the public for the sake of being weary of Miracle Churches.

This man is in his late 60s told me that one day; a self-claimed Bishop from Benin came to his community for a crusade. He said, he started his evangelizing by preaching from the Bible and later call those who are suffering from one illness and life challenges to come forward for a divine healing and solution. He told the audience that he has a prepared anointing and holy water which can cure and heal all manners of sicknesses and solve life challenges. He never had any sickness but the urge to get improve life condition motivated him to buy one. The prepared bottle liquid substances were all sold to them at N4500 per bottle.

He then took the liquid substance home and begins to use it. Within one week, he started developing one form of sickness and the other. After two weeks, he no longer see clearly and he was rushed to the same Bishop declaring to him that he never had any conic sickness before taking the liquid substance and how come his health condition is deteriorating instead of ameliorating. The self-professed Miracle man told him that the target of prepared holy water is to bring out hidden sickness in the body.

After one week of taking the liquid substance which looks blackish in color, his health condition got worsen to the level that he could no long stand anymore. It was at that point his children rushed him to the hospital and at the end of the day not less than N150, 000 was expended. Despite being discharged from the hospital months after, the man has not truly recovered as he had lost strength.

From the little excerpt of the mans story I have given above, is it not necessary for all these self-proclaimed miracle healing churches to get regulated as many of our people are presently dying out of religious ignorance?

My take on this is that there is urgent need for National Agencies for Food and Drug administration Commission (NAFADC) to create an avenue by sending her official to all these miracle healing churches selling healing water to the public to test the efficacy of their claims. If the people have to pay for the product, there is nothing wrong if such should are subjected to test and get certified by NAFDAC too as people need to get value for what they are paying for.

I also call on the National Assembly to promulgate law rolling out stiff penalties to any Pastor who gives out holy water that results in sickness or death. It is by these measures we can curtail the menace associated with miracle healing churches in Nigeria as things are getting out of hands.

Sad as it is, herbalist have now put on the garment of pastor, defrauding the gullible individuals who are desperately looking for solutions to life challenges.

Shaibu Stephen Ojate is a public commentator and public affairs analyst writes from Kogi State. He is reachable on facebook and whatsapp with phone number 09075716236
A day after meeting the labour minister, 10 on Friday said they will go ahead with their general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' on January 8 "to protest against anti-labour policies" of the government.

"The conveyed their firm resolve after the meeting called by Union Labour Minister (on Thursday). The general strike on January 8, 2020 stands," a joint statement issued by the 10 said.

At the meeting, the minister told the unions that the government has been taking all steps for the welfare of workers and legislations on Labour Codes are a part of that, the statement said.

However, the unions -- which included AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC -- maintained that the Labour Codes are designed to impose slavery on the workers.

None of the issues which have been continuously raised by the central trade unions, including unemployment, minimum wages, social security and 14-point charter of demands, were addressed by the minister, it said.

The government has also not called the tripartite Indian Labour Conference after 2015, it added.

The united platform of trade unions also raised the issue of ignoring INTUC (Indian Trade Union Congress), which they said was a political move to create rivalries between the bodies.

The issues facing auto sector workers, particularly those employed by Honda in Gurgaon, were also raised before the minister.

Against such anti-labour policies of the government, the central trade unions have decided to go ahead with the country-wide general strike on January 8, the statement said.
Newly-elected Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune formed his government on Thursday, two weeks after he took office following a controversial election, his spokesman said.

Tebboune's cabinet is composed of 39 members, whose names were announced by the spokesman on state TV live from the presidency, in a departure from the usual procedure of naming a government in a statement.

Tebboune was elected last month in a poll marred by an official turnout of less than 40 percent, with a months-long protest movement boycotting a vote they saw as a ploy by the establishment to consolidate its power.

The unprecedented movement forced longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down in April.

Reflecting a strong degree of continuity, Tebboune filled four of five key posts with players who figured in a reshuffled administration unveiled just two days before Bouteflika was forced out.

Sabri Boukadoum will keep the foreign ministry portfolio, while former Kamel Beldjoud will be interior minister.

Beldjoud held the post of housing minister under Bouteflika's last prime minister, Noureddine Bedoui, who himself remained in place after the veteran president's April departure.

Beldjoud had already taken the interior ministry on an interim basis when his predecessor was fired on December 19.

Belkacem Zeghmati remains the justice minister, while Mohamed Arkab retains the energy portfolio, in a country with significant hydrocarbons.

Abderrahmane Raouya was named as finance minister, having held this post between 2017 and early 2019, under Bedoui's predecessor.

Five women were appointed to government positions.

Tebboune himself served as a prime minister under Bouteflika.

The president traditionally also serves as defence minister in Algeria.

Tebboune named 65-year-old Abdelaziz Djerad, who holds a Ph.D in political science and served as foreign minister between 2001 and 2003, as his prime minister on December 28.
The U.S. strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, has caused shock and confusion among the ranks of Iran-backed Shi'ite militias in Iraq. That's according to Radio Sawa correspondent Saleem al-Abbasi. Speaking to RFE/RL in Prague on January 3, Al-Abbasi doubted that anyone could replace Soleimani or match his influence among militia groups in the region. Radio Sawa is an Arabic-language radio station operated by the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, a sister station to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani's family on Friday dispelled rumours about his deteriorating health, saying the separatist leader was having chest infection due to the prevailing cold conditions, but was recovering well.

"We are also troubled by the rumours circulating about Geelani sahab's health, but he is fine," the separatist leader's son, Naseem Geelani told PTI.

He said his father developed acute chest infection because of the prevailing cold conditions in the valley and was taken to a hospital for some scans.

"Some tests were done and we took him to Bone and Joint hospital for a CT scan. He is recovering now and is at home," he said.

Naseem Geelani said the Hurriyat chairman already has bronchitis which gets aggravated due to the cold.

"He is on antibiotics and a team of doctors is regularly monitoring him," Naseem Geelani added.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who is suffering from multiple ailments, has mostly been under house arrest at his residence in Hyderpora since 2010.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iranian social media users have expressed mixed reactions to the killing of Iran's most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani, in a U.S. air strike in Baghdad on January 3.



Some social-media posts hailed Soleimani as a "hero" and condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for ordering his killing.



But others called Soleimani a "criminal" and "terrorist" and accused him of what they said were the deaths of thousands of people in Syria and Iraq, two countries in which he spearheaded military operations by pro-Iranian militias.

Twitter user Shahin Najafi challenged Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's announcement to hold three days of national mourning for Soleimani.



"How many days of national mourning do we need for the deaths of the young people who were massacred in [November]?" Najafi wrote, referring to Iranian authorities' brutal crackdown on antigovernment protesters that reportedly resulted in hundreds being killed.



Amnesty International has said that at least 304 people were killed by Iran's security forces during the unrest across Iran after the government announced steep hikes in gas prices.

"I don't think the [Iranian] establishment will last till February 11 [the 41th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution]" Twitter user Night_Watch0, who used the hashtag #TnxPOTUS4Soleimani, opined.

A user named Behnam Ghalam wrote that Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of "thousands of Syrians and hundreds of Iraqis" and "causing economic misery" in Iran.



Ghalam wrote that Soleimani "went to Iraq to tell the militia there to learn from Iran on how to suppress protesters. I'm happy, I'm happy for Iran and for the Middle East!"



The remark refers to massive anti-government demonstrations in Iraq that began on October 1, when people went onto the streets of Baghdad and several southern cities to protest corruption, unemployment, and foreign interference.

Iraqi forces were accused of using deadly force against protesters and hundreds were killed.



Some Iranians warned the United States that it will pay a heavy price for killing Soleimani -- who oversaw Iranian military operations in the Middle East --

as he left the Iraqi capital's airport.



"Father has gone, but father's weapon is still with us.... Our nation is awakening," social media user Yazdani wrote on Instagram.



Ismael said in a tweet that "[By killing Soleimani in Iraq], America wants to pit Iran and Iraq against each other."

WATCH: Radio Farda Director Mehdi Parpanchi Says Slain Quds Force Commander 'Irreplaceable' For Iran

Some Iranians said they were worried about the repercussions of Soleimani's killing, fearing his death could lead to an all-out military conflict and put an end to any efforts to resolve tension between Iran and the United States in talks.



"After Soleimani was killed in this way, how can [Iranian President Hassan] Rohani sit at the negotiation table with America and sign an agreement?" Rahel wrote on Twitter.



"The smell of war is in the air," wrote Instagram user A.M.

One Iranian social-media user wrote that he was surprised by state-run Press TV's statement that claimed "all the Iranian people have called for revenge against America and that 82 percent of Iranians hate America."



"Am I missing something? Have I fallen asleep for a century during which [Iranians] began to hate America?" he asked with sarcasm.



Similar sentiments were expressed in many audio messages sent by Iranians to RFE/RL's Radio Farda.



"The Iranian establishment's announcement of national mourning is a mourning that will be held only by the establishment. It has nothing to do with the Iranian people!" one message said. "It's a mourning period that will be observed by Khamenei and his circle."
A dangerous WA sex offender who drugged and sexually assaulted a teenage babysitter, as well as two other women while on bail, has been released from prison after a judge determined he would miss out on social housing if he remained locked up.

Christopher John Bentley, 57, was first sentenced to 12 years in jail for drugging and raping the 16-year-old babysitter of her former partner's child in June 2000.

Christopher John Bentley raped two girls in the early 2000s. Credit:iexpress

A year later Bentley stalked and assaulted two different women in the Bunbury area, threatening them with a large hunting knife and demanding money.

During one of the assaults, the then-39-year-old entered one of the women's homes with the excuse of needing to make a phone call and sexually assaulted her several times at knifepoint.
Almost five years later, the death of Alberto Nisman, the prosecutor who led the investigation into Argentina's deadliest terrorist attack, still perplexes and fascinates many in this South American country.

Much as they did on Jan. 18, 2015, when the prosecutors lifeless body was found in mysterious circumstances that launched a debate over whether he was murdered or took his own life, Argentines spent Jan. 1, 2020 glued to their screens, this time watching the Netflix series: Nisman: The Prosecutor, the President and the Spy.

Nisman had accused then-President Cristina Fernandez, her Foreign Minister Hector Timerman, a lawmaker and four others of conspiring to lift Interpol's red alerts against a handful of prominent Iranians accused of involvement the 1994 bombing of Argentinas AMIA Jewish center, an attack that left 85 people dead. According to the prosecutor, Fernandezs government may have negotiated impunity for the suspects with Tehran in exchange for resuming trade relations.

The day before he was to appear before Congress to provide details about his shocking accusations, his lifeless body was found in the bathroom of his apartment with a gunshot to his head and a 22-caliber weapon at his side.

Fernandez, who is now Argentinas vice president, has denied covering up the perpetrators and said she played no role in Nismans death. But the case remains unsolved and debate rages around whether he was executed or took his own life. A police investigation concluded he was murdered while Fernandezs government suggested he took his own life.

Over six, hour-long chapters with dozens of interviews and testimonies, including current President Alberto Fernandez  who is not related to Cristina Fernandez  researchers, spies, FBI and CIA agents and unpublished images, British director Justin Webster seeks to shed light on the case through the documentary.

The series quickly became the most commented topic on social media in Argentina and the president himself spoke to the media to address his statements in the documentary.

"To this day, I doubt he committed suicide," Alberto Fernandez had said in 2017 in an interview with Webster that appeared in the documentary.

But on Thursday, Argentinas recently elected president seemed to change this position, telling local Radio Diez that from 2017, when the interview was recorded, until now no serious evidence has appeared saying Nisman was killed."

"I'd like to know what happened to Nisman and if he killed himself, why?" he said.

In an interview with The Associated Press Thursday in Barcelona, where he is based, Webster said he saw nothing strange in Alberto Fernandez changing his opinion over the years. It is completely natural for people to change their minds as they get to know more about a case.

Alberto Fernandez was chief of staff during part of Cristina Fernandezs first term in office.

When I interviewed him, he had no idea that he was going to be president. He was, as in the documentary, quite critical of Cristina (Fernandez de) Kirchner. When I say critical I mean, I don't mean he was against her and he was able to say what was good about her and what was bad about her for instance, Webster said.

The spy referred to in the documentarys title is Antonio Stiuso, the former Argentine counterintelligence chief signaled by Cristina Fernandez as the man behind Nisman's accusations as well as being behind his death as a revenge for having displaced him from office.

Describing both him and Cristina Fernandez as Shakespearean characters, Webster added that Stiuso is an "absolutely fascinating" man who was responsible for investigating the AMIA attack. He said that based on his close ties with the U.S. and Israeli intelligence service he provided evidence that alleged Iran was the intellectual author of the attack and the Islamic group Hezbollah the executor. Iran has denied involvement.

Argentinas judicial system initially described Nismans death as doubtful. But in 2017, when the probe moved to the federal system, investigators concluded it was a homicide linked to the investigation against Fernandezs government (2007-2015).

Another judge continued the investigation of Nisman and formally accused Cristina Fernandez, Timerman - who died in 2018 - and other former officials of participating in an alleged plot to cover up Iranian involvement in the attack. The case is still pending.

As Webster warns, Nisman's death occurred in a country strongly divided between Cristinas supporters and foes.

And I think to the attentive viewer who watches all six episodes, then it does bring quite a lot of clarity to the big questions around the Nisman case, around AMIA and around the memorandum case, he said.

"That's what makes it for me a particularly attractive story, that it's a psychological story about a single man and psychological stories, if you like, about two other sort of Shakespearean characters, if you like... But it's also got this international resonance that is, I think, very it's quite a revelation about how things work," Webster said.
Greta Thunberg sparked a Twitter meltdown after changing her moniker on the social media platform to 'Sharon', following a viral clip of Amanda Henderson on Celebrity Mastermind.

The Casualty star previously left viewers in tears of laughter when she wrongly thought the teenage climate activist was named 'Sharon'.

Greta Thunberg, 17, changed her Twitter moniker after a clip of Amanda Henderson incorrectly guessing her name as 'Sharon' on Celebrity Mastermind went viral

The actress, who stars as nurse Robyn Miller on the BBC soap Casualty, was asked for the name of the author who wrote the book 'No-one is Too Small To Make A Difference'

The 33-year-old was asked by quiz show presenter John Humphries for the name of the author who wrote the book 'No-one is Too Small To Make A Difference.'

But the perplexed actress, who stars as nurse Robyn Miller on the BBC soap, had the audience howling as she answered, 'Sharon?'

Henderson appeared alongside actor Paul Chuckle, TV chef Levi Roots and comedian Geoff Norcott on the celebrity edition of the show.

The episode was initially set to air on 28 December but aired on BBC One on 2 January.

The video has since been shared across social media hundreds of thousands of times.

Comedian Mark Smith tweeted the clip captioned: 2020 is cancelled, with the post gaining 9,000 retweets and over 45,000 likes.

Thunberg's decision to change her Twitter moniker to 'Sharon' prompted further reaction on Twitter, with one user posting: 'Fair play to @GretaThunberg Sharon made me laugh a lot.'

Another wrote: 'Quite a brilliant response from @GretaThunberg after the current viral clip going around from Celebrity Mastermind.

Thunberg posted a picture of herself (above) thanking Twitter users for the birthday wishes

'We have an early contender for Twitter Moment of 2020 already.'

A third added: 'Fine fine work from @GretaThunberg AKA Sharon.'

The teenage eco warrior stuck to routine on her 17th birthday today and joined a weekly 'Fridays for Future' march outside the Swedish parliament.

She joined other climate activists outside the parliament in Riksdagen, in Stockholm on Friday, January 3, for the 72th consecutive week of the marches.

Thunberg tweeted a picture of herself at the march early this morning, wrapped up warm in the cold weather and holding her trademark sign reading in Swedish: 'School strike for climate'.

She later tweeted another picture taken by herself, posting: 'Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes today!!'

It comes after the Swedish teenager gave a message to her fans on New Year's Eve thanking them for their support. 'What a year... I wont even try to summarise it - but nothing would have been possible without your support. So thank you!' she said.
Democrats hoping to oust President Donald Trump from the White House this year wasted no time in condemning the strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force.

The Democratic frontrunner, Vice President Joe Biden, accused Trump of tossing a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox and called on the president to explain the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., cited the destabilization that resulted from the Iraq war and argued, Trumps dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars. Similarly, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said, This reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict.

Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, businessman Andrew Yang and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, also accused Trump of escalating regional tensions.

Why it matters: The entire Democratic presidential field has criticized Trumps "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran, which started with his withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018. They argue that the mounting pressure on Tehran has created an escalatory spiral that culminated this week when an Iran-backed militia exchanged fire with US forces in Iraq, leading to the militias supporters storming the embassy in Baghdad and ultimately the US strike on Soleimani.

Whats next: As tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate throughout the Middle East, Democrats could place greater emphasis on the risk of war with Iran in the leadup to the Democratic primaries, which begin next month. An August Gallup poll found that only 18% of Americans favor military action against Iran.

Know more: Read Pentagon correspondent Jack Detschs write-up detailing the impact of the Soleimani strike here. And read diplomatic correspondent Laura Rozens story to find out how close US allies and hawkish Democratic lawmakers have responded to the strike.
HAVERFORD  Township police are looking for three suspects in connection with an armed robbery and assault at a business on New Years Eve in which the owner and his family tied up and terrorized.

Haverford police said they responded to a the Fiji Nail Salon in the 100 block of West Eagle Road in the Oakmont section just after 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on a report of a robbery.

The owner of the business told officers that he had exited his vehicle, which was parked in the rear lot, and placed his keys in the door to enter the business/residence when he suddenly observed the subjects wearing masks, armed with handguns running toward him from the rear lot of Citizens Bank. According to a Haverford Township Police press release, the trio of males males forced the victim into the premises, at which time they tied up the victim and his family. The investigation revealed that the subjects ransacked both the residence and business prior to fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash and jewelry. The victim and family members were able to free themselves and contacted 911. The victim sustained facial and head injuries and was transported to a local hospital and later released, authorities said.

Police said they are now hunting for three men in the heist. Suspect No. 1 was described as a black male, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches tall, wearing gloves, a black hooded sweatshirt and a mask covering half of his face, dark colored pants, and Timberland style boots armed with a semi-automatic handgun. Suspect No. 2 was described as black male, 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing gloves, a black hooded sweatshirt and a mask covering half of his face, eyeglasses, dark colored pants and dark colored boots armed with a silver semi-automatic handgun. Suspect No. 3 was described as black male 5 feet, 8 inches to 6 feet tall, wearing a black hooded jacket and a mask covering half of his face, eyeglasses, dark-colored pants, sneakers, and armed with a silver semi-automatic handgun.

Police have no suspects in custody at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Haverford Township Police Department at 610-853-1298, ext. 1234 or mjohnson@havpd.org.
Graycliff Partners sold HarperLove Holdings, LLC, a Charlotte, NC-based provider of specialty chemicals and services, to HBM Holdings Company.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

For over 40 years, HarperLove has worked with packaging manufacturers to provide a suite of additive solutions that impart physical attributes to corrugated and paper-based products.

Since acquiring HarperLove in 2014, Graycliff recruited the senior management team led by Alan Clark, CEO, embarked on a series of growth initiatives and improved margins through vertical integration  more than doubling profitability.

Graycliff Partners is an investment firm focused on making lower middle market investments, typically in manufacturing, business services and value-added distribution businesses.

FinSMEs

03/01/2020
William Chase Hargrove was given a life sentence for murder during a hearing in Benton County Circuit Court Thursday morning.

A jury found Hargrove, 30, guilty of murdering his Russian fiancee Anna Repkina in November. Hargrove was arrested in April 2017, just days after the 27-year-old Repkina was found dead of a shotgun wound to the back of her head along a logging road near Alsea.

Judge Matthew Donohue, who presided over Hargroves trial and Thursdays sentencing, said the life sentence means Hargrove must serve 25 years in prison before he becomes eligible for parole, but Hargrove can get credit for the time already hes already served. Donohue said Hargrove will also be subject to post-prison supervision for life if he is paroled, but the parole board could elect to reduce that amount of supervision to just three years.

Since Oregon murder convictions come with mandatory minimum sentences, much of Thursdays hearing was focused on what sentence Hargrove should receive for three charges related to the murder conviction. The jury also found Hargrove guilty of one count of identity theft and two counts of theft for using Repkinas bank card to take money from her accounts just hours after her death.

Hargroves attorney, Mike Flinn, said his client still maintains his innocence, but if the states theory of the case were correct, those charges should have been part of the same criminal act. He asked that Donohue order the sentences for those charges be merged together and the sentence for them be served concurrently with the murder charge.

Amie Matusko, senior deputy district attorney for Benton County, said the crimes were all separate acts because Hargrove had enough time between them that he had to decide to keep committing offenses.

He formed a separate intent. He had an opportunity to pause and reflect.

Matusko also argued the court should try to maximize the sentence against Hargrove because he had killed a good person after luring her to the United States with lies that they would start a life together.

He deserves the maximum sentence the law allows, she said. Anna (Repkina) was a sweet, caring, innocent person.

She added that in luring Repkina to the United States, Hargrove had isolated her and made her vulnerable so he could take advantage of her. She also said that after taking Repkinas money Hargrove used it to pay for his car insurance and buy video games and Legos.

He profited from the murder, she said, and asked Donohue to send Hargrove a message that he cant use people through the sentence.

Donohue agreed that the time between the murder and other criminal acts made them separate incidents. In total, he sentenced Hargrove to an additional 454 days in prison for those charges and ordered they be served consecutively with the sentence for murder.

Flinn said because Hargrove will be appealing his conviction, he had asked his client not to speak in the hearing.

Matusko read some statements on the sentencing into the court record, including one from Michelle Chavez, Hargroves married former lover. Prosecutors argued Hargrove killed Repkina in an attempt to please Chavez, who had asked Hargrove to choose between Repkina and herself.

Chavez, formerly of Albany, said in trial she never wanted Repkina dead. In her statement, Chavez said she mourns Repkinas death and all the experiences Repkina will miss out on because of her death.

No one deserves what he did to her, Chavez wrote.

Chavez, who moved to Watertown, New York, after Hargroves arrest, also talked about the impact the incident had on her: she can no longer walk down the street in Corvallis, where she used to work and socialize, without people seeing her as a monster.

Because of him I will never get my life back, she said.

Matusko also read a brief statement from Anton Repkina, Anna Repkinas brother. He said for him and his parents his sisters death was a tremendous loss, and they are all at a loss for anything to say about it.

The murderer doesnt deserve any words from us, he said.

Anthony Rimel covers education and crime in Benton County and weekend events across the Mid-Valley. He can be reached at anthony.rimel@lee.net or 541-812-6091.

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With the weather turning colder - and tube delays ever increasing - more and more Londoners are turning to rideshare apps to cut out that loathsome commute.

With a multitude of apps offering various prices, MailOnline tested out each one over a five-day period to find out which one has the best price.

We tested Uber, Gett, Kabbee, Wheely and Bolt to find out which one offers the best deals for the same rush-hour journey.

A journey from Shepherd's Bush to Bank station in London was put into the app every day between 8am and 9am, mimicking a commute to work.

This journey was inputted again between 5pm and 6.30pm, a typically busy time as people head home at the end of the day.

On Uber, Gett and Bolt, 'Shepherd's Bush Stop D' was used as a starting point for all journeys. 'Shepherd's Bush' was the nearest option on Wheely and 'Shepherd's Bush (Central) Underground Station' was the only option on Kabee.

As all apps, except for Kabbee, offer a price range for potential journeys we used the highest cost given



Uber

Perhaps the most well known of the rideshare apps reviewed, Uber is an app-based company with headquarters in San Francisco, USA.

It was founded in 2009 and since then is said to have garnered around 110 million users in 785 different places worldwide.

Users book a car through the app and a price range for the journey is shown. These prices are subject to increases, called surge charges, if booking at a busier time of day.

Perhaps the most well known of the rideshare apps reviewed, Uber is an app-based company based in San Francisco, USA (stock image)

In 2017, Ubers license was surprisingly rejected by TfL. It was described as not a 'fit and proper firm,' citing issues with patient safety.

The move was backed by Mayor Sadiq Khan, but in June 2018, Uber was granted a 15-month licence by a judge after it appealed against a TfL decision not to renew its licence over safety concerns.

This was due to expire in September 2019, but TfL gave it a two-month licence, during which time the company must meet 'conditions to ensure passenger safety' and provide 'additional material' ahead of any future licensing application.

Gett:

Gett, which used to be known as GetTaxi, offers rides with fully licensed black cab drivers 5 major cities in the UK (stock image)

Gett, which used to be known as GetTaxi, offers rides with fully licensed black cab drivers in 25 major cities in the UK.

It gives the user the option to pay through the app or in cash to the driver.

In London, fares generated by the meters are set and reviewed by TfL.

In other cities, this is done by local councils.

Gett staff have been vocal about the dangers associated with unregulated taxi apps that open the door to unlicensed cabs and drivers, as well as the possibility that rip-off merchants could take advantage of passengers - because a mobile phone app, rather than an official meter, is used to clock up the costs of a journey.

Gett gives the user the option to pay through the app or in cash to the driver

Kabbee

Kabbee is an app pitched as being 65 per cent cheaper to a black cab

Kabbee is an app pitched as being 65 per cent cheaper to a black cab, drawing on the fleets of over 70 cab providers - around 10,000 London taxis in total.

All drivers for the service, which is only available in London, are fully licensed, and the firm says it only picks from minicab services with high ratings.

Those with low ratings get removed from the service, Kabbee claims.

Wheely

While this did turn out to be the most expensive option, Wheely markets itself as a luxury option for on-demand or pre-booked taxi services.

While this did turn out to be the most expensive option, Wheely markets itself as a luxury option for on-demand or pre-booked taxi services

The app also allows users to book multiple cars in one go and all fares - which remain consistent in the evening, back holidays and on weekends - are charged straight to the users account.

London is the only UK city where the app operates.

The website states that Wheely vehicles are new luxury and executive cars without tacky ads or roof lights.

Bolt

Estonian ride-hailing service Bolt launched in London earlier this year, two years after a short-lived attempt to expand in the capital.

The company, previously known as Taxify, promises cheaper prices for passengers and a bigger cut of earnings for drivers than its competitors.

Estonian ride-hailing service Bolt launched in London earlier this year, two years after a short-lived attempt to expand in the capital

Its previous London launch in 2017 came to an abrupt end after the citys transport authority ordered the company to stop because it was not licensed to accept private vehicle hire bookings.

The company resumed service after rebranding earlier this year to remove confusion over whether it is a licensed taxi operator.

Tallinn-based Bolt operates in 150 cities in 35 countries in Europe, Africa and Australia.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has pardoned a Harvard-educated economist whose conviction earlier this year on spying charges drew international criticism.

Peter Biar Ajak was among 30 prisoners on a pardon list seen by AFP and dated January 1.

A spokesman for the main prison in the capital Juba, where Biar was being held, said Friday that he would be released soon.

"As a matter of procedure we are currently awaiting the document from the Ministry of Justice and after that those pardoned will be released," said Maj. Gen. Anthony Oliver Legge.

Biar was detained in July 2018 and held for eight months without charge in the National Security Service headquarters -- the dreaded "Blue House" -- with limited contact with the outside world.

He and six others were later charged over a riot at the Blue House in October 2018, in which detainees reportedly briefly overpowered guards before surrendering.

Biar -- who has worked for the World Bank and was studying for his doctorate in Britain's University of Cambridge -- managed to give an interview at the time to Voice of America, a US-government funded service.

He and his fellow-accused all pleaded not guilty to numerous charges related to the riot, including possession of firearms and disorder.

A charge of terrorism against Biar was later dropped.

But prosecutors argued Biar's interviews with foreign media amounted to espionage. In June a judge found him guilty of spying and sentenced him to two years in prison.

One of Biar's co-accused, businessman and philanthropist Kerbino Wol, was also on the pardon list.

He had been sentenced to 13 years in prison for terrorism, spying and insurgency.

Biar has been outspoken in his criticism of the new country's leadership and its failure to stop six years of civil war in which nearly 400,000 people are thought to have died.

His arrest was condemned by the United States.

South Sudan descended into conflict in 2013 after Kiir accused Riek Machar, his former vice president, of trying to stage a coup.

Successive peace deals and mediation bids have failed to achieve a lasting peace for the world's youngest country, but the two leaders have vowed to form a power-sharing government by February 20.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Froggy Carr flag hangs from a building next to the group's clubhouse in South Philadelphia on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The group is under fire after several men were spotted wearing blackface while marching with them during the Mummers Parade on Wednesday. Read more

The Flyers are not happy about a Mummers skit that mixed Gritty with offensive racial symbolism.

The team, which wasnt involved with a skit in which two marchers with the Froggy Carr Wench Brigade wore blackface during Philadelphias annual New Years Day Mummers Parade, issued a statement Thursday night condemning the brigade.

The Flyers had no knowledge or involvement in this groups usage of our team colors, logo, and mascot imagery within its presentation, nor did we have any knowledge of the planned skit. We stand united with the entire Philadelphia community in condemning the brigades offensive racial symbolism. Statement from the Flyers on Froggy Carr's use of blackface

The two men, identified as Kevin Kinkel and Mike Tomaszewski, wore blackface despite the fact it has been banned since the 1963 parade.

It has nothing to do about being racist to the black person, or the white person, or the yellow person, whatever, Kinkel told CBS3 during the parade. Its our tradition.

The incident has sparked yet another conversation about the annual need to condemn racist and transphobic performances that have appeared during the 120-year-old parades history.

The Froggy Carr Wench Brigade was disqualified and a Mummers spokesperson vowed the two men are never going to be allowed to march again. Mayor Jim Kenney said the city would explore options for additional penalties moving forward, though its unclear what those punishments could be.

 READ MORE: Mummers Parade results 2020

Im sick of it being a common conversation we have every single year on Jan. 2, City Councilwoman Cindy Bass said. Its ridiculous that it keeps happening, and Im beyond insulted that these people would feel comfortable wearing blackface.

In the wake of the latest incident, Inquirer columnist Solomon Jones called for the city to stop contributing taxpayer money to the annual event.

Black people are tired of being mocked by those who would engage in the age-old minstrelsy that is blackface. We are tired of those who hate us hiding behind paint, behind hoods, behind excuses and ultimately, behind a government that would dare to fund open bigotry with our tax dollars, Jones wrote.

 READ MORE: The 2020 Mummers Parade in pictures

Last year, the Flyers were forced to deal with another racially sensitive issue after video clips surfaced showing Kate Smith singing racist lyrics. The Flyers ultimately pulled her rendition of God Bless America from being played during games and removed her bronze statue, which stood outside Xfinity Live!
Police in the Ashanti Region are investigating the death of a middle-aged woman who was allegedly shot in her hotel room in Kumasi.

The incident happened on Thursday dawn at the Cedar Crescent Hotel.

Citi News sources say the deceased was attacked together with her boyfriend while they were lodging at the facility.

Management of the hotel declined to comment on the matter when Citi News visited the facility.

The police who confirmed the incident off-record said they have begun investigations into the matter and will make an official statement later.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital morgue while the boyfriend, who sustained injuries has also been admitted at the hospital.

citinewsroom
U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday celebrated the death of the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, saying the airstrike that killed the shadowy Qassem Soleimani was long overdue.



Speaking publicly for the first time since defense officials confirmed Soleimani was the target of a U.S. strike near Baghdad International Airport on Friday, Trump also warned Iran that it risked more strikes if it continued to target Americans.



"We took action last night to stop a war," Trump told reporters at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida. "However, the Iranian regime's aggression in the region, including the use of proxy fighters to destabilize its neighbors, must end and it must end now."

Trump blamed Soleimani for the deaths of thousands of Americans, Iraqis and Iranians, saying the longtime regime general "made the death of innocent people his sick passion" while helping to run a terror network that reached across the Middle East to Europe and the Americas.



"We take comfort in knowing his reign of terror is over," the president said, adding the U.S. had already identified additional Iranian targets.



"If Americans anywhere are threatened  I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary," he said.

Troops in Kuwait



Trumps comments came as fresh U.S. troops were setting up in Kuwait, part of Washington's plan to protect bases and personnel across the Middle East in anticipation of Iranian-directed violence.



About 750 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division's Immediate Response Force touched down at Salem Air Base on Friday, with U.S. defense officials confirming the force's remaining 3,000 troops were on their way.



A Defense Department spokesperson called the order for the additional soldiers "an appropriate and precautionary action," citing "increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities."

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the 3,000 soldiers had been put on notice earlier in the week, telling reporters Thursday that the Pentagon would deploy more forces "as needed."



The deployment came as Iranian officials and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq amplified their calls for revenge after the U.S. airstrike that killed Soleimani.



Iraqi officials said the U.S. strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, known as the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Harsh response pledged



Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Friday for three days of national mourning and promised a harsh response.



"All enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war," he said in a statement carried on Iranian television.



Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif labeled the U.S. strike an "act of terrorism".

Meanwhile, Kataeb Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia that sparked the recent escalation with a rocket attack on a military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, that killed an American contractor, warned the U.S. "will pay a heavy price."

"Grave consequences will be borne by America, the Zionist entity, and the kingdoms of evil," the militia said in a statement translated by the SITE Intelligence Group. "Are they unaware that we will become a thousand Soleimanis and a thousand Abu Mahdis?"



How or when Iran might respond to the strike was unknown. U.S. defense and intelligence officials have long warned about Iran's penchant for using asymmetric techniques, like terrorism and cyberattacks, to target the U.S. and Western nations.

'Asymmetric strikes'



"What we are very likely looking at is a series of tit-for-tat escalations and asymmetric strikes that probably won't be limited to Iraq or to the Middle East," Kirsten Fontenrose, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, told VOA via Skype.



"Iran isn't opposed to kind of hitting us in the belly," Fontenrose added. "And I think it will mean a little bit of vulnerability at our embassies and for our diplomats who live on the economies and countries where they are posted."



The United States has about 5,000 troops in Iraq and another 55,000 across the Middle East, all of whom could be targeted by Iran.



The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad told Americans Friday to "depart Iraq immediately" because of the heightened tensions.

Earlier Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN that Iran and Soleimani had given Washington little choice.



"He was actively plotting in the region to take actions  a big action, as he described it  that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk," Pompeo said of the Quds Force commander. "We know it was imminent."



Pompeo on Friday phoned British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas to discuss the "defensive action to eliminate" Soleimani, and he thanked them for their "recent statements" recognizing the continuing aggressive threat from Iran and its Quds Force. The secretary of state also spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday.

Cities on alert



Some U.S. cities have also heightened their alert status, concerned that Iran could use its ties with terror groups like the Lebanese-based Hezbollah in an attempt to strike the U.S. homeland.



"We have never confronted in recent decades the reality of a war with a government of a large country with an international terror network at its behest," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Friday. "New Yorkers deserve to know that we have entered into a different reality."



But Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement Friday, "there are currently no specific, credible threats."

Although Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Quds Force are part of the Iranian military, the U.S. State Department designated them as Foreign Terrorist Organizations this past April because of their ties with Middle Eastern terror groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.



The U.S. also blames the IRGC and Quds Force for the deaths of more than 600 U.S. service members in Iraq between 2003 and 2011. Jesusemen Oni contributed to this report.
Leader in Wireless Vehicle Charging Gearing Up for Imminent Growth.

MALVERN, Pennsylvania, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Momentum Dynamics Corporation, the global leader in high-power wireless charging for electric vehicles, has appointed seasoned auto executive Michael McHale as Head of Communications & Brand. McHale joins Momentum Dynamics as the company enters a period of rapid growth as the company relocates to a purpose-developed facility in Malvern, PA in 2020 while also expanding operations to Europe.

McHale brings deep experience in the automotive industry to Momentum Dynamics, beginning his career as an engineer at Land Rover in the UK. In the US, McHale headed Communications for the launch of the MINI brand and then worked on Communications Strategy for BMW NA before moving to Subaru as Head of Communications during the company's decade-long run of consecutive sales records.

McHale Joined EV startup Rivian in 2018 and guided the successful media launch of the brand at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show and headed communications during significant investments in the brand from Amazon and Ford. McHale brings a strong understanding of branding and communications, including social media to Momentum Dynamics as the company enters its next phase of growth, spurred by upcoming business developments. He will lead media relations, brand development and social media for the decade-old company.

CEO Andrew Daga said, "We are at the beginning of an incredible period for Momentum Dynamics, propelled by an unprecedented transformation of the automotive industry and we are thrilled that Michael can bring his experience and drive to our communications and strategic business outlook."

McHale said, "I have been in no doubt for some time now that the future of transportation is electric - and within that, the future of EV charging is wireless. Having seen Momentum's technical leadership and imminent as well as long-term plans, I was thrilled to join the charge."

Momentum Dynamics is the market-leading original technology developer of high-power, efficient automatic wireless charging systems for the automotive and transportation industries. Momentum has technology in operation today that proves the capability and necessity for fast, automated opportunity charging of electric vehicles. The technology expands on the principle of resonant magnetic induction that was practiced by Nikola Tesla and others.

Momentum has developed unmatched technical primacy in wireless charging of electric vehicles, leading the market in fast, high power inductive charging with efficiency and pricing that is comparable or better than conductive DC fast charging systems. The capacity for Momentum's inductive charging technology to operate autonomously makes it the essential solution for driving range extension and high utilization vehicles such as advanced passenger vehicles, taxis, buses and all types of commercial vehicles. In transit bus applications, Momentum's system has been proven effective at power levels of over 200 kilowatts (kW) and the system is capable of delivering 450 kW.

Momentum Dynamics, located in Malvern, PA, practices world-class technology innovation and is recognized for the extraordinary accomplishments and unique expertise of its engineers and scientists. Momentum was recently named a winner of the 2019 Emerging Technology Award from Mechanical Engineering Magazine.

www.momentumdynamics.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1061053/Michael_McHale___Momentum_Dynamics.jpg
The truck rental giant has announced it will no longer hire smokers or any nicotine users in 21 states starting Feb. 1. The policy will not impact current employees who use tobacco products.

Some states dont allow employers to make hiring decisions based on a persons nicotine use, but nearly half of the states do, where the policy will be implemented. Those states are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

READ | Mesa Council Adds Vaping To Citywide No-smoking Regulations

We are deeply invested in the well-being of our team members, said Jessica Lopez, U-Hauls chief of staff in a statement. Nicotine products are addictive and pose a variety of serious health risks. This policy is a responsible step in fostering a culture of wellness at U-Haul, with the goal of helping our team members on their health journey.

READ | MLB Star Josh Donaldson's Mother Quits Smoking For A $70,000 Maserati, Watch Video

Its rare for companies to issue a widespread ban on smokers, but the trend is starting to grow somewhat. Last August, the city of Dayton, Ohio announced it would no longer hire anyone who used nicotine. And Premier Health Partners, last year began assessing a $520 health care benefits surcharge on any workers who smoke, chew tobacco, or live in a household where others smoke.

The movement has international momentum as well. Last April, Nagasaki University in Japan said it would no longer hire faculty members who smoke.

READ | Gary Sheffield smashes consecutive home runs while smoking cigar in viral video
A leading architect of Russias Internet strategy has been Andrey Krutskikh, a special representative of President Vladimir Putin for information security. Sources described a comment he made to a Moscow audience in February 2016, as the Russians were about to launch their hacking assault on the U.S. presidential election: Im warning you: We are at the verge of having something in the information arena, which will allow us to talk to the Americans as equals.
A knife was produced by an agitated 28-year-old man during a domestic incident at his home over the Christmas holidays prompting his father to call the gardai.

The young man pleaded guilty today to breaching a protection order arising out of that incident on December 28 and two similar charges in respect of breaches of the court order on two dates earlier last month.

The defendant spent almost a week in custody and was brought before an in camera hearing of Cork District Court today.

Defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said the defendants father agreed that it would be more beneficial to hold sentencing over the accused rather than finalising the matter yesterday.

Judge Olann Kelleher agreed to put back sentencing for one week but on strict bail terms where the accused agreed to keep all medical appointments and attend all meetings related to addressing his alcohol problem.

The defendant undertook to attend with a psychiatric consultant, Pieta House, the probation service and Alcoholics Anonymous.

His father confirmed that a series of appointments had been made for the coming week and that it was now in his sons hands to take responsibility for himself.

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined the background to the three different matters before the court today.

The first breach occurred when the defendant pushed his father and put him in fear. The accused was intoxicated at the time and gardai were called to the scene.

The second incident occurred on the afternoon of December 18 when the accused borrowed his fathers car with his permission but returned later and was clearly intoxicated and unable to stand.

The young mans father took the keys from him but the defendant responded by verbally abusing his father and attempting to swing for him a number of times. Gardai had to be called.

The most serious incident occurred on December 28 when the defendant threatened his father and other family members at their home.

The father alleged his son was holding a knife when arguing with him and this was why the threats put him in fear for his safety and the safety of other members of the family including the defendant himself.

The accused had a previous conviction for breaching a protection order in November 2014 and obstructing a garda in June of that year. He was put on a probation bond in respect of both of those offences.

With regard to the incident with the knife he was agitated and (his father) was afraid someone would be injured, Mr Cuddigan said.

Judge Olann Kelleher was told that the despite the breaches the family of the accused were willing to take him pending his sentence next week.

Judge Kelleher told the young man, If there is another incident you will be in jail. I would much prefer you to get help rather than custody.
There are some instances of applicants seeking permission for more than one location within one of the citys designated zones. Not all of those locations will result in a dispensary. In many cases, the marijuana companies are getting the approval process started to see which locations come to fruition.
Global powers warned Friday that the world became a more dangerous place after the US assassinated Iran's top general, urging restraint on all sides.

Britain and Germany also suggested that Iran shared some blame for provoking the targeted killing that dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the Mideast.

China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the UN Security Council, took a dim view of the US airstrike near Baghdad's airport early Friday that killed General Qassem Soleimani and several of his associates.

The 62-year-old led Iran's elite Quds Force, responsible for the country's foreign campaigns.

The White House justified the strike with a tweet alleging that Soleimani "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region".

Oil prices surged on of the killing, reflecting investor jitters about Mideast stability, and there were immediate threats of vengeance from Iran.

Social media flooded with alarm, with Twitter users morbidly turning "WWIII" into the top trending term worldwide.

"We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous," France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio.

"When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is underway."



Russia likewise characterised the deadly US strike as "fraught with serious consequences". A Foreign Ministry statement warned that "such actions don't help resolve complicated problems in the Middle East, but instead lead to a new round of escalating tensions".

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that in ordering the killing, US President Donald Trump had one eye on his re-election campaign.

"The US military were acting on orders of US politicians. Everyone should remember and understand that US politicians have their interests, considering that this year is an election year," Zakharova said in a TV interview.

Trump's election opponents characterized the killing as reckless, with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden saying the US president "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox".

China described itself as "highly concerned". "Peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be preserved," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

"We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions."



But while echoing the concerns of other Security Council members about spiraling tensions, Britain and Germany broke ranks, voicing qualified understanding for the US position.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the US strike as "a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility," pointing to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

"We are at a dangerous escalation point and what matters now is contributing with prudence and restraint to de-escalation," she said. Germany currently sits on the UN Security Council but is not a permanent member.

The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said, "We have always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani."



"Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate," he said. "Further conflict is in none of our interests."



There were also warnings that the killing could set back efforts to stamp out remnants of the Islamic State group. A top European Union official, Charles Michel, said "The risk is a generalized flare up of violence in the whole region and the rise of obscure forces of terrorism that thrive at times of religious and nationalist tensions."



Italy also warned that increased tensions "risk being fertile terrain for terrorism and violent extremism". But right-wing Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini praised Trump for eliminating "one of the most dangerous and pitiless men in the world, an Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedoms".

Trump also won the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively".

Behind the scenes, the strike triggered urgent flurries of diplomatic activity. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo worked phones, calling world capitals to defend Trump's decision.

He said the US is committed to de-escalating tensions that have soared since Iranian-backed militia killed an American contractor and the US responded with strikes on the militia. That set off violent pro-Iran protests outside the US Embassy in Baghdad, which in turn set the stage for the killing of Soleimani.

In the Mideast, the strike provoked waves of shock, fury and fears of worse to come.

Iraq's most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said in a speech during Friday prayers that the country must brace for "very difficult times".

In Iran, a hard-line adviser to the country's supreme leader who led Friday prayers in Tehran likened US troops in Iraq to insidious beasts" and said they should be swept from the region.

"I am telling Americans, especially Trump, we will take a revenge that will change their daylight into to a nighttime darkness," said the cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The French embassy in Tehran has asked its citizens in Iran to stay away from public gatherings after Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed Friday in a US strike in Iraq.

"Three days of mourning have been declared after the death of General Soleimani. In this context, we recommend French citizens to stay away from any gatherings and to behave with prudence and discretion and abstain from taking pictures in public spaces," the embassy said in a statement on Twitter.

Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force and architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, was killed in a US strike on Baghdad's international airport, prompting a vow of revenge from Tehran

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the US strike was "extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation," as supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to take "severe revenge" and declared three days of mourning.

The Pentagon said US President Donald Trump ordered Soleimani's "killing", after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy.

The Iraqi prime minister said the strike was a "flagrant violation" of a security accord with the US, warning it will "spark a devastating war in Iraq."

French junior minister for European affairs, d'Amelie de Montchalin, called for stability in the Middle East. Speaking on French radio, she said that any military escalation is always dangerous.

She called on multilateral cooperation on the European level, to avoid that powers, one against the other, play their game unpredictably.

She said president Emmanuel Macron and foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will speak with actors in the region later on Friday.
Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's take on Dracula featured a welcome return for Sherlock star Jonathan Aris.

The actor, 48, appeared as Captain Sokolov in the Bram Stoker adaptation's second episode Blood Vessel, which aired on Thursday.

Fans were ecstatic to see Jonathan collaborating with the show's co-creators, as they joked about the gothic horror having a Sherlock crossover thanks to the episode's plot twist ending.

Dracula viewers went wild as Sherlock star Jonathan Aris appeared in Thursday's episode... as the episode's plot twist ending also made them predict a crossover with the detective

The episode saw the blood-sucking count embark on a voyage to England on the Russian ship, The Demeter, where he decides to start dining on the passengers.

In an intense game of cat-and-mouse, the vampire's fellow travellers try their best to figure out who is picking them off one-by-one.

Sister Agatha Van Helsing, who tried to thwart Dracula in the first episode, is also seen playing chess against the count in an empty room before it's revealed she is in fact on the ship, and he has been draining her of her blood the whole time.

It's Anderson! The actor, 48, appeared as Captain Sokolov, who mans the Russian ship, The Demeter, on its voyage to England, which Dracula is aboard

Jonathan's character appears in the opening scenes of the episode, where he wakes up to find a severed hand coming towards him before it's revealed to be a dream.

Taking to Twitter to reference this, one viewer quoted a classic Sherlock phrase by saying: 'Anderson, don't dream out loud, you're lowering the IQ of the boat.'

While another joked of the character's heroic deeds in the episode: 'Anderson finally made himself useful!'

One added: 'Oh Captain Anderson I was expecting you to be such a b****** and you were a good man'

Excited: Fans took to Twitter to share their delight that Jonathan made an appearance

This wasn't the only Sherlock reference that appeared in the episode, as Dr. John Watson was referenced to when passenger Grand Duchess Valeria (Catherine Schell) told Dracula of her plan to meet with a famous English writer.

While in the show's first episode, The Rules Of The Beast, Sister Agatha claimed she had a 'detective acquaintance in London' who helped her find Jonathan Harker after he was captured by the vampire.

The biggest surprise came at the end of the second instalment though, as Dracula was seen walking through the ocean to arrive at England, only to discover it was the modern day.

Sister Agatha also made an appearance, as she arrived with a large police force and apprehended the Count the minute he arrived on British soil.

Unexpected: The biggest surprise came at the end of the second instalment, as Dracula was seen walking through the ocean to arrive at England, only to discover it was the modern day

As a result, fans predicted a crossover between Sherlock and Dracula as they suggested the iconic detective would make an appearance in due course.

One joked: 'Well you know what this means don't you? Sherlock Vs Dracula! lol'

While another wrote: 'I mean they hinted at Sherlock stuff, but this could be the crossover no one expected!!'

Sharing their thoughts on a surprise appearance from Benedict Cumberbatch, one viewer said: 'C'mon, hands up, who thought Sherlock was going to step out of that car?'

Another claimed: 'Well that ending went off at a tangent. It was almost as if it was all seen from Sherlock's point of view in his Mind Palace. He must be just out of frame sat in a plane. Even Anderson was in it.'

Could it be? As a result, fans predicted a crossover between Sherlock and Dracula as they suggested the iconic detective would make an appearance in due course

Some viewers were delighted that the story had been brought to the modern day, as one said: 'The twist at the end of the second episode of #Dracula?! Fan(g)tastic. Couldn't have predicted that in a million years. Maybe Sherlock will be in this after all.'

While another viewer reiterated: 'Ooh the writers have only gone and done a reverse Sherlock twist at the end there. Fangs for that!'

But it was not to everyone's taste, as another fan wrote in dismay: 'I just got through saying how much I endjoyed that Moffat and Gatiss kept #Dracula period, unlike #Sherlock and #Jekyll... well s***'

Dracula concludes on January 3, 2020, on BBC One at 9pm.
Analysis and technical review about the top most modern 7.62 mm light machine gun by Army Recognition editorial team. A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm designed to fire rifle cartridges in rapid succession from an ammunition belt or magazine.



Analysis and technical review most modern 7.62mm caliber light machine gun.

Machine guns in 7.62 mm caliber are mainly designed to provide mobile fire support to infantry squad and are typically air-cooled weapons fitted with a box magazine or drum and a bipod; they may use full-size rifle rounds, but modern examples often use intermediate rounds.

The first successful machine-gun designs were developed in the mid-19th century. The key characteristic of modern machine guns, their relatively high rate of fire and more importantly mechanical loading, first appeared in the Model 1862 Gatling gun, which was adopted by the United States Navy.



MG-M2 7.62 machine gun

MG-M2 - Arsenal - Bulgaria

Description

The ARSENAL 7.62x51 mm caliber Machine Gun MG-M2 is a powerful individual automatic weapon designed to be used against enemy troops, light armored targets and aerial targets by firing in single and automatic fire mode. The FN MAG is a gas-operated, belt-fed, air-cooled automatic weapon. It uses the long piston stroke gas system with the gas regulator, located below the barrel.

Ammunition:

The MG-M2 can use three types of ammunition including 7.62x51 mm caliber FMJ/LC Bimetal jacket lead core, Tracer and Blank. Feeding cartridges is done by a disintegrating metal belt, consists of metal links M13 type, accommodated in a box of capacity 100 or 200 cartridges.

Technical Data

-Caliber: 7.62x51 mm

- Weapon Length: 1,200 mm

- Barrel Length: 545 mm

- Feeding: Ammunition Box of 100/200 rounds via M13 disintegrating metallic links.

- Weight: 9.3 kg without ammunition

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 650 RDS/min

- Effective Range: 800 m maximum



MAG FN Herstal 7.62mm light machine gun

MAG - FN Herstal - Belgium

Description

The FN MAG is a 7.62mm caliber general purpose machinegun designed and manufactured by the Belgian Company FN Herstal. The FN MAG has been adopted on all continents. This machine gun is an unbeatable worldwide reference in its category in terms of accuracy and reliability. It fires from mountings (on vehicles, aircraft, ships and boats, or on tripods) but is also used by troops on the ground.

Ammunition:

The 7.62x51 mm, 308 Winchester ammunition can be used by the FN Herstal FN MAG

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm

- Weapon Length: 1,260mm

- Barrel Length: 630 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belt

- Weight: 11.8 kg

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 650 to 1,000 RPM

- Effective Range: 800 m



Type 80 NORINCO 7.62mm machine gun

Type 80 - NORINCO - China

Description

The Type 80 is a general-purpose machine gun manufactured by Norinco in China, based on the Soviet PKM. It is a gas-operated, air-cooled, belt-fed, fully automatic firearm. It can fire on both the tripod and the foldable bipod on the gas tube below the barrel. The machine gun uses an open iron sight, but can also be fitted with an optical or night-vision sight.

Ammunition

The Type 80 machine gun is chambered in 7.6254mm. Belts are used from 100-round boxes in the light machine gun configurations, and from 200- or 250-round boxes in tripod-mounted applications.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x55 mm

- Weapon Length: 1,192 mm

- Barrel Length: 658 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belts 100/200/250 round boxes.

- Weight: 12.6 kg

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 700 to 800 RPM

- Effective Range: 100 to 1,500 m



MG3A1 Rheinmetall 7.62mm machine gun

MG3A1 - Rheinmetall - Germany

Description

The MG3 design is derived from the World War 2-era MG 42 universal machine gun that fired the 7.9257mm Mauser round. The MG 3 was standardized in the late 1950s and adopted into service with the newly formed German Army, where it continues to serve to this day as a squad support weapon and a vehicle-mounted machine gun. The weapon and its derivatives have also been acquired by the armed forces of over 30 countries. Production rights to the machine gun were purchased by Italy (MG 42/59), Spain, Pakistan (MG 1A3), Greece, Iran, Sudan and Turkey. In 1968, the MG 3 was introduced and entered production. Compared to the MG1A3, the MG 3 features an improved feeding mechanism with a belt retaining pawl to hold the belt up to the gun when the top cover plate is lifted, an added anti-aircraft sight and a new ammunition box.

Ammunition

The MG 3A1 is a post-war derivative of the MG 42 (7.92 mm) machine gun, re-chambered to take the 7.6251 mm NATO round. The MG 3A1 can only be equipped with one ammo belt consisting of one Armour-piercing (AP) bullet, followed by one Tracer bullet. Neither bullet has much penetration (maximum of 10 mm), however the AP bullet performs much better than the tracer bullet. The MG 3 machine guns are belt-fed, using non-disintegrating metal DM1 belts, which have links that wrap around the cartridge case and are linked by a coiling wire on each side. DM1 belts are preloaded at ammunition factories in 50-round connectable belt lengths and can be linked to any length necessary. Alternatively the MG3 can also be fed by disintegrating metal M13 link belts (designated DM60 by Germany) used by many NATO member states.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm

- Weapon Length: 1,225 mm

- Barrel Length: 565 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belts

- Weight: 11.05 kg

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 1,000 to 1,300 RPM

- Effective Range: 800 m



NG7 Negev IWI 7.62mm machine gun

NG7 Negev - IWI - Israel

Description

In March 2012, the Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI) announced the launching of its new light machine gun Negev NG7 7.62mm caliber at the DefExpo defense exhibition in India and FIDAE 2012 aerospace fair in Chile. It is the only 7.62mm caliber LMG (Light Machine Gun) in service today with semi-automatic mode, capable of pinpoint, single bullet shooting for enhanced firing accuracy. The Negev NG7 shares almost 80% of its components with its smaller sister, the Negev 5.56mm caliber. Features include a gas regulator for additional power in harsh conditions such as mud and dirt, tritium night sights, Picatinny rails for optical and other devices, and four safety mechanisms to minimize unwanted fire.

Ammunition

The Negev NG7 uses the standard 7.62x51 mm ammunition. The 7.6251mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 7.62 NATO) is a rifle cartridge developed in the 1950s as a standard for small arms among NATO countries. The Negev NG7 is feed by an ammo box or assault drum.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm

- Weapon Length: 1,225 mm

- Barrel Length: 508 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belt-fed., Drum, Standard 7.62 NATO Magazines

- Weight: 7.89 kg

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 600 to 750 RPM

- Effective Range: 800 m



K12 Daewoo 7.62mm machine gun

K12 - Daewoo - South Korea

Description

The XK12 7.62 mm machine gun was first shown to the public in 2009, during the ADEX International Aerospace and defense exhibition in Seoul. It was developed under the direction of the Agency for Defense Development of the Republic of Korea, with the Company S&T Daewoo. The machine gun is a gas-operated weapon, firing from open bolt in full automatic mode only. It has long-stroke gas piston, located below the barrel, and a manual gas regulator which allows adjusting the rate of fire. The air-cooled barrel is quick-removable. Barrel locking is achieved by a conventional rotating bolt.

Ammunition

The K-12 Daewoo machine gun uses standard 7.62x51 ammunition. . Gun is fed using NATO-standard disintegrating steel belts.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm

- Weapon Length: 1,225 mm

- Barrel Length: 508 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belt-fed., Drum, Standard 7.62 NATO Magazines

- Weight: 7.89 kg

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 600 to 750 RPM

- Effective Range: 800 m



UKM-2000 Zakady Mechaniczne "Tarnow" 7.62mm machine gun

UKM-2000 family - Tarnow - Poland

Description

The Zakady Mechaniczne "Tarnow" UKM-2000 is a 7.6251mm NATO general-purpose machine gun designed in Tarnow, Poland. The UKM-2000 is heavily based on the PK machine gun, and as such has very similar working principles and properties. The UKM-2000 (Uniwersalny Karabin Maszynowy, "Universal Machinegun") is a primary used on combat vehicles as well as a coaxial machine gun in KTO Rosomak and Polish-modernized BRDM-2. The UKM-2000M machine gun is a development based on the standard UKM-2000. The modified 7.62 mm UKM 2000C General-Purpose Machine Gun features a Picatinny rail, right-hand feeding mechanism, it is adjusted to be used on vehicle platforms.

Ammunition

The modified 7.62 mm UKM 2000P General-Purpose Machine Gun is fed with 7.62 x 51 mm NATO ammunition fixed with a standard M13 disintegrating linked belt.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO

- Weapon Length: 1,055 mm maximum according to the model

- Barrel Length: 540 mm maximum

- Feeding: 100/200/250 rounds/cartridges

- Weight: 11 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 700 to 900 RPM

- Effective Range: 1,500 m



PKP Pecheneg Kalashnikov 7.62mm machine gun

PKP Pecheneg - Kalashnikov - Russia

Description

The PKP Pecheneg is a Russian 7.6254mmR general-purpose machine gun designed and manufactured by the Russian firearms Company Kalashnikov. It is a further development and modification of the PK machine gun. According to the manufacturer, the PKP is more accurate than all its predecessors due to a heavier, non-removable, forced-air-cooled barrel with radial cooling ribs and a handle which eliminates the haze effect from hot gases and keeps the barrel cooler, making the weapon more reliable. It is a gas-operated machine gun system capable of full-automatic fire.

Ammunition

The PKP Pecheneg utilizes the tried-and-true 7.62mm Russian rifle cartridge through a belt-fed mechanism and gas-operated system. It uses fed of 100, 200 or 250-round belt magazines held in a hard box under the receiver.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x54 mmR

- Weapon Length: 1,200 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: 658 mm maximum

- Feeding: 100, 200 or 250-round belt magazines

- Weight: 8.7 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 700 RPM

- Effective Range: 1,524 m



PKTM Kalashnikov 7.62mm machine gun

PKTM - Kalashnikov - Russia

Description

The PKTM is a modernized version of the PKT. It is used as an infantry and vehicle-mounted weapon with Russia's armed forces. The PKT is a solenoid-fired coaxial version of PK to replace the SGMT Goryunov vehicle-mounted machine gun. Modifications include the removal of the stock, a longer and heavier barrel, a gas regulator and an electric solenoid trigger. The PK is a 7.6254mmR general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia.

Ammunition

The PKTM can fire 7.62x54 mmR cartridges with conventional, armor-piercing incendiary, tracer and enhanced penetration bullets. Ammunition is fed from a metal belt stowed in a cartridge box.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x54 mmR

- Weapon Length: 1,098 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: 772 mm maximum

- Feeding: 100, 200 and 250 rd metal belt.

- Weight: 10.5 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 700 to 800 RPM

- Effective Range: 1,500 m



GPMG ST Kinetics 7.62mm machine gun

GPMG - ST Kinetics - Singapore

Description

The 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) is a fully automatic designed and manufactured by the Company ST Kinetics of Singapore. It is an air-cooled belt-fed and gas-operated weapon. This machine gun is available in infantry and coaxial version. With safe and reliable performance, adjustable rates of fire for multiple scenarios and simple to operate, GPMG has established itself to be an indispensable weapon for both the military and paramilitary services in many countries.

Ammunition

The General Purpose Machine Gun machine gun can fire 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition using a standard belt.



Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO

- Weapon Length: 1,255 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: 586 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belt fed

- Weight: 11.4 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 650 to 1,150 RPM

- Effective Range: 1,200 m



M240 FN America 7.62mm machine gun

M240 - FN America - United States

Description

The FN M240 is a family of medium machine guns manufactured by FN America. It is a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns that chamber the 7.6251mm NATO cartridge. The M240 has been used by the United States Armed Forces since the late 1970s. It is used extensively by infantry, most often in rifle companies, as well as on ground vehicles, watercraft and aircraft. Despite being heavier than some comparable weapons, it is highly regarded for reliability and its standardization among NATO members is a major advantage.

Ammunition

All M240 machine gun variants are fed from disintegrating belts and are capable of firing most types of 7.62 mm (.30/.308 cal) NATO ammunition. M240 variants can be converted to use non-disintegrating belts.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO

- Weapon Length: 1,079 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: 582 mm maximum

- Feeding: NATO standard disintegrating link belt-fed

- Weight: 9.3 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 550 to 600 RPM

- Effective Range: 800 to 900 m



M60E6 US Ordnance 7.62mm machine gun

M60E6 - US Ordnance - United States

Description

The M60E6 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) represents the latest improvements to the M60 Series of machine guns manufactured by the US Company U.S. Ordnance. It is a gas-operated, disintegrating link, belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun. It fires from an open bolt and features a quick-change barrel. The M60E6 features a machined aluminum feed cover with integrated M1913 Picatinny rail for mounting optics. An aluminum M1913 rail handguard provides for the mounting of infrared laser aiming devices and other sensors, giving the weapon 24-hour capability. The weight has been reduced to 9.27 kg (20.4 lb), 2.23 kg (4.9 lb) lighter than the previous version.

Ammunition

The M60E6 family is capable of fire standard 7.62 mm NATO rounds. Most common in U.S. use are M61 Armor-piercing, M62 Tracer, and M80 Ball. For training purposes, M63 Dummy and M82 Blanks are used.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO

- Weapon Length: 965 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: 500 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belt Fed

- Weight: 9.85 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 500 to 650 RPM

- Effective Range: 700 to 1,100 m



KM-7,62 Mayak 7.62mm machine gun

KM-7,62 - Mayak - Ukraine

Description

The KM-7,62 is an upgraded version of the Russian-made PKM designed and manufactured by the Ukrainian Company PJSC Plant Mayak. The weight of the KM was reduced compared to the original Russian PKM. The weight of this machine gun was reduced by 1.5 kg.

Ammunition

The KM-7,62 machine gun can fire different types of 7.62x54 mm ammunition: conventional bullets, tracer bullets, and armor-piercing incendiary bullets. Feeding is made by a belt with a capacity of 100, 200 and 250 rounds of ammunition.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x54 mm

- Weapon Length: 1173 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: ? mm maximum

- Feeding: 100, 200 or 250-round belt magazines

- Weight: 9 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 650 RPM

- Effective Range: 1,500 m maximum



KT-7,62 Mayak 7.62mm machine gun

KT-7,62 - Mayak - Ukraine

Description

The KT-7.62 is a Ukrainian-made copy of the Russian PKT designed to be mounted on combat vehicles. This machine gun was unveiled in 20111 during a defense exhibition in Ukraine by the Company Kyiv plant "Mayak". The design is based on the original Soviet PKT but with a new receiver to increase the barrel live to 25,000 shots. The KT-7,62 is fitted with an electric trigger system. The electric trigger is connected to an onboard firing system with a 50 cm cable. If the electric trigger is broken, there is a manual system to perform firing operations.

Ammunition

The KT-7,62mm machine is chambered to fire 7.62x54 mm Soviet ammunition using belt-fed of 100, 200, and 250 rounds.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x54 mm

- Weapon Length: 1098 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: 722 mm maximum

- Feeding: 100, 200 or 250-round belt magazines

- Weight: 10.5 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 800 RPM

- Effective Range: 2,000 m maximum



DMG5 Denel 7.62mm machine gun

DMG-5 - Denel - South Africa

Description

Denel Land Systems from South Africa has launched its new 7.62mm machine gun DMG-5 in September 2016 during AAD, the Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition. The DMG-5 is a new generation light weight machine gun, weighing less than 9kg and optimised to supply continuous support fire on the modern battle field. Another version, the DMG-5 CX has been developed as a heavy-barrelled machine gun for mounting in remote control systems, flexible vehicle mounts or as a co-axial secondary weapon. The DMG-5 is a gas operated, air cooled Lightweight Machine Gun capable of sustained high rates of fire.

Ammunition

The DMG-5 is available in either 7.62 x 51mm or 5.56 x 45mm NATO Calibers.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 or 5.56x45 mm

- Weapon Length: ? mm maximum

- Barrel Length: ? mm maximum

- Feeding: Belt Fed

- Weight: 8.6 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 700 - 900 RPM

- Effective Range: 1,500 m maximum



MG5 / HK 121 Heckler and Koch 7.62mm machine gun

MG5 / HK 121 - Heckler & Koch - Germany

Description

As the successor of the MG3, the MG5 is a new generation of 7.62mm caliber machine fully designed and manufactured by the German company Heckler & Koch. Compared to others, the gas-operated MG5 offers an intelligent and contemporary build standard, with numerous technical and ergonomic innovations. The mounting interface of the MG5 is compatible with MG3 mounts and tripods already in service. The universal MG5 can be used by dismounted infantry in the ground role, as well as for air defense or as a vehicle-mounted/coaxial machine gun.

Ammunition

The MG H&K machine gun is chambered to fire 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It is belt-fed, using standard NATO disintegrating belts with M13 links, fed from clip-on 50-round containers or separate belt boxes.

Technical Data

- Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO caliber

- Weapon Length: 1,202 mm maximum

- Barrel Length: 550 mm maximum

- Feeding: Belt Fed

- Weight: 11.6 kg maximum

- Cyclic Rate of fire: 680 - 800 RPM

- Effective Range: 600 to 1,000 m maximum
A group of Eurosceptic MPs have tabled an amendment to Boris Johnson's withdrawal bill to make sure Big Ben chimes for Brexit on January 31 - when Britain is due to leave the European Union.

The group, led by Mark Francois, the deputy chairman of the European Research Group - who previously said that Britain would 'explode' if it had not left the EU by October 31, 2019 - want the bell to ring out to celebrate the country's eventual departure from the bloc more than three years after the referendum.

Plans to have the bell bong for Brexit were previously scuppered by John Bercow, the Speaker at the time, as he chaired the parliamentary commission that presided over decisions about Big Ben.

The group want the bell (pictured in 2017 before scaffolding was put up for renovation work) to ring out to celebrate the country's eventual departure from the bloc more than three years after the referendum

But the group, including Sir David Amess, Nigel Evans and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, think that with the new speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle - and with a thumping Tory majority in the recent General Election - it could be enshrined in law.

Sir Lindsay last week told The Daily Telegraph that if the Commons supported the bell chime he would allow it.

And speaking the the newspaper, Mr Francois said: 'I have tabled this new clause to the Brexit Bill to allow the House of Commons to vote on whether or not Big Ben should chime on exit day.'

He added: 'This amendment would provide the perfect vehicle for the house to express its will and I very much hope it will be selected and then passed into law.'

The group, led by Mark Francois (pictured in October), have tabled an amendment to Boris Johnson's withdrawal bill to make sure Big Ben chimes for Brexit on January 31

The bell is currently undergoing undergoing a multi-million pound restoration. The 13.7 tonne bell fell silent in August 2017 and is expected to be unveiled by 2021.

It currently only sounds for significant events like Remembrance Sunday, and more recently the new year.

Mr Francois' amendment will be just one of a number to be considered for debate during the passage of Mr Johnsons Brexit Bill.

MPs voted by 358 to 234, a majority of 124, on Friday, December 20 to give the Prime Ministers Withdrawal Agreement Bill its second reading before breaking for Christmas.

They will return on January 7 for further debates and votes on the legislation which is needed to deliver an orderly split from Brussels next month.

Mr Johnson was able to win the vote despite facing a storm of criticism from opposition MPs over his decision to remove some concessions from the WAB made by the government during the last hung parliament to win over Labour backbenchers on issues like refugees and workers' rights.

The government is now hoping to get the WAB onto the statute book by the middle of January to give the European Parliament time to ratify the divorce accord before the deadline.

The news comes as it was revealed Labour is demanding another delay to the Brexit process if a trade deal is not secured by the end of June.

MPs voted by 358 to 234, a majority of 124, on Friday, December 20 to give the Prime Ministers Withdrawal Agreement Bill its second reading before breaking for Christmas (Mr Johnson is pictured in an image posted to his Twitter account on New Year's Day)

The bell is currently undergoing undergoing a multi-million pound restoration. The 13.7 tonne bell fell silent in August 2017 and is expected to be unveiled by 2021 (the bell is pictured covered in scaffolding in March, 2019)

Jeremy Corbyn has tabled an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill that would extend the transition period until 2023 in the absence of a comprehensive agreement.

Boris Johnson has pledged that the UK will formally leave the bloc on January 31, and his thumping Commons majority following the election should guarantee he can make good on the vow.

But he has also ruled out any lengthening of the implementation phase - essentially a 'standstill' where the country is still bound by Brussels rules - beyond this year.

If passed, Labour's change would force the government to add two extra years to the transition to avoid departing on basic WTO terms.

However, the amendment is doomed to failure given the Tories' dominant position in Parliament, and could raise alarm on Labour benches that the party will yet again be seen as blocking Brexit.
Tens of thousands of people protested across India on Friday against a citizenship law passed by the Hindu nationalist government that critics say discriminates against Muslims.

Some 30,000 marched in the southern city of Bangalore, more than 20,000 in Siliguri and thousands in Chennai, while big rallies were also held in New Delhi, Guwahati and other cities.

Demonstrators shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Protests have rocked India since legislation was passed in December that eases the way for religious minorities from three Muslim-majority neighbouring nations to gain Indian citizenship, but not if they are Muslim.

Critics say the law is a precursor to a national register of citizens that many among India's 200 million Muslims fear will leave them stateless. Many poor Indians do not have documents to prove their nationality.

At least 27 people have died in the protests in recent weeks and hundreds more have been injured in clashes with police, fuelling public anger.

Nineteen of the deaths have been reported in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where police have been accused of using disproportionate force against protesters.

Many prominent activists, including a television actress, have been detained.

At the Bangalore protest, businessman Nazir Ahmed said that "Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are gathering everywhere to protest and we shall continue to protest until this law is cancelled."

In New Delhi, protesters vowed to continue their "resistance just like Hong Kong", where a pro-democracy campaign has raged for nearly seven months.

"Police are trying to curb the protests in the most brutal way possible in a democracy but we won't back down," said Shristi, a 19-year-old student who gave only one name.

"In our own ways we will try to keep this movement alive till this law is revoked," she told AFP.

Nabiya, a 24-year-old student, said protesters were inspired by other movements such as in Hong Kong and Chile.

Story continues

"We are not asking for a favour. The government has to revoke the law. It's our right that we are asserting," she told AFP as she prepared to recite a "protest poem" in Urdu.

Home Minister Amit Shah insisted Friday that the law was not discriminatory, as he launched a campaign to dispel "misinformation" that he said was being spread by opposition parties.

Workers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would go door-to-door to explain the new law, Shah said.
Yet another car bomb attack has hit a town in the Turkish-controlled area of northern Syria, killing and injuring innocent people reports Zaman Al Wasl.

On Wednesday, four people, including two children, were killed and 10 more were wounded in a YPG car bomb attack in the Turkish-held town of Suluk in eastern Raqqa province, activists and monitors said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the explosion was a powerful one, noting that it becomes the 21st explosion to rock areas controlled by Turkey and the Turkey-backed rebels in northern Syria since October 2019.

Car bombs have become a popular tactic of the Kurdish militias to target pro-Turkey fighters, but such a deadly tactic has claimed the lives of tens of innocent people as blasts hit marketplaces and bus terminals in the towns of al-Bab, Jarablus and Tel Abyad.

Turkeys military took control of the Kurdish-held border areas in northern Syria immediately after US forces were withdrawn last October. Turkey has a longstanding enmity with the Kurds and wants to push back the YPG from its border.

Turkey claims the YPG is a terrorist offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.

Turkish forces have created a 120-kilometre (75-mile) safe zone between Tel Abyad and the town of Ras al-Ayn, pushing the YPG out of the area.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
WASHINGTON  Lawmakers from the Bay Area were quick to criticize President Trump on Friday, calling his authorization of the drone strike that killed Irans top general a blunder that could plunge the country into war.

They made it clear that Californias delegation, which makes up much of the Houses Democratic majority, will attempt to block any rush toward large-scale conflict. The House must authorize a declaration of war, but Trump has broad powers to approve military strikes in the case of a national emergency.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, was one of the swiftest and fiercest lawmakers to condemn Trumps actions. She said the strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani is a dangerous escalation of tensions with Iran that brings us close to the brink of war.

The Trump Administration has acted without any consultation with Congress or an authorization to use military force, Lee said in a statement.

Lee was the only member of Congress who, in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, voted against broad legislation authorizing war in Afghanistan, a vote that brought her death threats and hate mail.

On Friday, she urged her colleagues to avoid marching into what could be another drawn-out war. She called on them to immediately repeal the 2001 and 2002 Authorization of the Use of Military Force legislation that every president since has cited to engage in anti-terrorism strikes around the globe.

Trump tweeted earlier in the day that the drone strike was necessary because Soleimani has killed or maimed thousands of Americans and was plotting to kill many more ... but got caught!

The presidents justification has been greeted with skepticism by many California lawmakers, who noted his administration had not briefed bipartisan leaders in Congress on the intelligence that showed a threat.

Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, said that while she questions whether the scope of the strike was disproportionate, Congress cannot know for sure whether a national emergency loomed without knowing more facts about why Trump decided a major strike was necessary.

While she doesnt dispute that Soleimani has the blood of many Americans on his hands, the strike was so significant it could put the lives of American diplomats and troops at risk, she said.

We need to know what (the Trump administrations) plan is, Eshoo said. Theyve never had a plan. I just hope that they have one moving forward because the red lights are blinking.

Eshoo has, for two years without success, introduced a bill to prohibit funding from being used to pay for military operations against Iran without congressional approval unless theres an imminent threat.

California Sen. Kamala Harris tweeted a similar sentiment, saying that while Soleimani was an enemy, President Trumps actions put more American lives at risk and could lead to a new war in the Middle East  with no plan for what happens next.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-San Mateo, called the strike Trumps biggest and most consequential foreign policy blunder to date.

Under the War Powers Act, the president cannot engage in sustained war beyond 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension, unless Congress has authorized the military action.

But the act hasnt been used to end a military conflict. And presidents from both political parties have used Congress authorization of military force in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to engage in a number of armed conflicts.

Republicans in Congress, however, largely cheered Trumps strike, without much discussion about whether the country could be on the brink of war.

Qassem Soleimani was a terrorist, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, said in a statement. He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. soldiers and thousands of innocent Syrian civilians.

We will not let attacks that kill Americans go unpunished, he said.

Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale (Butte County), released a statement saying Trump has proven he isnt Jimmy Carter when it comes to Iran, nor the feckless Barack Obama and will confront terrorist groups acting as a proxy for Iran.

Some members of both parties have previously supported legislation to limit the presidents authority to launch offensive military attacks against Iran and Iraq.

Lawmakers proposed amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual military budget lawmakers approved in December, to prohibit funding for attacks on Iran and repeal Trumps authority to launch strikes in Iraq without congressional approval.

But those amendments were killed, a move Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, said signaled weakness to the executive branch and suggested the administration had a blank check to trample over the legislative branch.

We need to now clearly reassert our Congressional authority, he said in a statement.

On Friday, Khanna and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a bill to prohibit funding for offensive military force in or against Iran without congressional authorization, the same restriction that was stripped from the military budget bill.

Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner
A first-year post graduate medical student working with BYL Nair Hospital at Mumbai Central was allegedly assaulted by the relatives of a 34-year-old patient who died on Friday morning. According to the police, the patient was suffering from human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV).

Agripada police has filed a first information report in the case (FIR) against one person. The police had not made any arrests at the time of going to press.

The family members alleged that the patient was not given proper treatment. We have not made any arrest, as the patients family members are completing her final rites. We have registered a case in this regard, Savalaram Agawane, senior police inspector, Agripada police station, said on Friday evening.

According to the initial probe, the patient was admitted to the hospital on December 25, 2019. On Friday, her condition deteriorated and she was declared dead, following which her relatives began accusing the doctor for negligence. One of the relatives slapped the doctor during the argument. I have assured the students union that a case has been filed in the matter, said hospital dean Dr Ramesh Bharmal.
A Catalan separatist party said Thursday it would back Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's bid to form a new government, paving the way for the end of months of political deadlock.

The ERC's 13 lawmakers will abstain in a confidence vote next week, top party official Pere Aragones said, which would allow Sanchez to win.
There are countless examples of this, but some of the most prominent include the drug-funded rise of major imperial powers in the 18th and 19th centuries. From a broader historical perspective one could argue that Britain was the first true narco-state and even a narco-empire when we consider the financial importance of not only the tea (caffeine) and opium trades but also reliance on alcohol and tobacco taxes. Meanwhile, vodka revenue was an essential ingredient in Imperial Russias ability to mobilize the largest standing army in Europe, though Russia probably had the most alcoholic army as well.

The Blitzkrieg was fueled by speed, with hopped-up, nearly sleepless German soldiers popping Pervitin (the trade name for a contemporaneous methamphetamine tablet) issued by commanders as they raced across Europe and bewildered foes with the rapidity of their advance. Tell us about other conventional forces and their reliance on amphetamines.

All of the major powers during World War II, with the notable exception of the Russians, disbursed amphetamines to their fighting forces. Although the Germans were the early adopters of pill-popping on the battlefield, the British and the Americans were not far behind. And for the Japanese, total mobilization for war included drugging not only Kamikaze pilots but also defense-industry workers, giving the country a methamphetamine habit that long outlasted the war itself.

Although the American militarys issue of amphetamines and other go pills to its forces has been covered episodically for years, the practice has not gained much traction in public discussions of Pentagon practices. Why do you think this is so?

It is interesting that even as the country became increasingly aware of the serious health consequences of amphetamines in the 1960s and lawmakers criminalized their nonmedical use, the U.S. military nevertheless continued to aggressively prescribe the drug during the Vietnam War, and the pills were now much more potent than during World War II. Far more public and media scrutiny was devoted to soldier heroin use  fear of heroin-addicted G.I.s coming home even helped Nixon justify declaring a war against drugs  yet amphetamines was arguably a more serious problem. The enduring appeal of amphetamine-type stimulants in the military is not hard to understand, especially for sleep-deprived pilots. And its not just the American military. Military strategists around the world continue to look for ways to give their forces a fighting edge, and this includes dreaming of chemically enhanced super-soldiers requiring less rest and sleep. Much of the interest in recent years has focused on Modafinil, a drug that is considered less addictive and has fewer negative side effects than amphetamines. It reminds me a bit of the initial excitement about the battlefield applications of amphetamines.

Interview has been condensed and edited.

Looking for another long read? A new special report by USA Today is worth your time, both on merit and in light of The Washington Posts release of the Afghan Papers. The report  Inside the U.S. militarys raid against its own security guards that left dozens of Afghan children dead  revisits an ill-fated American raid in 2008 that left scores of Afghan civilians dead and that the American military whitewashed. Its a case of journalism doing the hard work of truth-seeking that the government wont, and a bracing reminder to be wary of official war reports.
Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhis criticism of the government on India-China tensions, saying his party and he had no right to point fingers on the issue. Shah said the Congress leader should first give an account to the nation on how much territory his party ceded to China when it was in power.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 3 said the government will not budge an inch on its decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act despite the opposition's misinformation campaign.

Launching an "awareness programme", he said the Congress was misleading Muslims over the Act and challenged party leader Rahul Gandhi to a discussion if he has read the law.

The BJP will take out 500 rallies across the country, beginning Saturday to reach out to three crore people, he said.

Shah, who is also the BJP president, said the party had to launch this programme because of the misinformation spread by the opposition parties on the amended law.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not going back an inch on the CAA,' he said at the meeting held in Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's assembly constituency.

The home minister said it is shameful that the Congress is criticising the sacrifice of great sons of the country, like Veer Savarkar, for the sake of its vote bank.

The remark comes amid a row over the distribution of a booklet against the Hindutva icon at a camp held by Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh. But Shah did not directly refer to it.

Opposition parties have criticised the amendment that allows non-Muslims an easier path to citizenship if they came to India from three neighbouring countries before 2015 after facing religious persecution.

The law is not against the minorities," Shah said.

"There is no provision in the Citizenship Amendment Act to take anyone's citizenship away but it is a law to grant citizenship," he added.

"We have not kept out any religion. We are giving citizenship to minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan whether they are Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi or Christian," he said.

He challenged Congress leader Rahul to a discussion on the law.

Rahul baba if you have read the law come anywhere for a discussion (charcha). If you haven't read it, I will get it translated into Italian, he said, in a swipe at his Italian-origin mother Sonia Gandhi.

Shah said Congress leaders too had in the past talked about granting citizenship to those who faced religious persecution in neighbouring countries, but the party did not implement the suggestions due to the fear of losing its vote bank.

But Prime Minister Narendra Modi has protected the human rights human rights and honour of millions of refugees who came to India, the BJP leader said.

"Mahatma Gandhi had made the promise. Was he communal? Former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had also said in Parliament that citizenship will be granted to Hindus or Sikhs who have come. Were they communal?" he said.

"These refugee brothers were millionaires and today they have no place to live. There they had many bighas of land and here they have nothing to eat," Shah said.

He said that percentage of the minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh has declined while the minorities in India are living with honour.

The opposition is against granting citizenship to those refugees who have come to India after facing atrocities, and whose property and jobs were taken away, he said.

He referred to the pact between Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan's Liaquat Ali Khan on the protection of minorities after Partition.

"Now, we will execute the Nehru-Liaquat agreement. This is the rule of Narendra Modi, no one has to fear. PM Modi government is going to give citizenship to all of you and make you feel proud of being an Indian, he said in a remark apparently directed at the migrants.

I want to say that the refugees who have come from those countries are from India only," he added.

He said the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Aam Aadmi Party and the Communists are opposing the law.

Shah said it is hard to understand why West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is opposing citizenship to Bengali-speaking Hindus and Dalits living in West Bengal.

"There is no need to fear from Didi. I want to say that refugees living in Bengal will not have to face any atrocities. You will be granted citizenship with honour," he said.

Shah also hit out at Ashok Gehlot, saying the BJP has implemented the promise mentioned in the election manifesto of his Congress government in Rajasthan.

He said the chief minister should stop protesting against the CAA and be concerned about the deaths of infants at Kota's JK Lon Hospital, where 100 children died in December.
After that attack on the Gurudwara Nakana Sahib in Pakistan's Punjab on Friday, January 3, the Pakistani government has been trying to downplay the incident and is living in denial. The government in an official release mentioned, "The altercation happened on a minor incident at a tea-stall. The District Administration immediately intervened and arrested the accused, who are now in custody."

Denying the attack, it said, "Attempts to paint this incident as a communal issue are patently motivated. Most importantly, the Gurdwara remains untouched and undamaged. All insinuations to the contrary, particularly the claims of acts of 'desecration and destruction' and desecration of the holy place, are not only false but also mischievous."

'Special care extended for minorities'

Speaking about the minorities in the release, the Pakistan government said, "The Government of Pakistan remains committed to upholding law and order and providing security and protection to the people, especially the minorities. The opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a manifestation of Pakistan's special care extended to the minorities, in line with the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah."

Read: Nankana Sahib Gurudwara Attack: The story behind the flare up in Pakistan

Attack on Nankana Gurudwara Sahib

Around 400 Muslims of Nankana Sahib attacked the revered Gurdwara Nanam Asthana and nearby residences of local Sikhs with stones on Friday. According to sources, the incident took place around 5 pm.

Sources within the security apparatus say that Pakistani authorities aided this protest and made absolutely no effort to bring the situation under control.

Sources report that the protestors consisting of Muslim residents of Nankana Sahib had proclaimed that they will soon change the name from Nankana Sahib to Ghulaman-e-Mustafa.

Moreover, the mob allegedly claimed that 'no Sikh will remain in Nankana'. Reports suggest that several Sikh devotees were stranded inside the Gurdwara which was attacked by the mob on Friday evening.

Read: Imran Khan posts fake news: Netizens catch Pakistan PM posting B'desh clip to attack India

US Embassy in Pak issues security alert

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Pakistan has issued a security alert on Friday. According to sources, the US government in Pakistan has asked people to postpone their travel plans.

They have further asked people to avoid crowds, keep a low profile, be aware of surroundings and review personal security plans.

Read: BIZARRE: Punjab Health Minister reasons 'dieting' for state to slip starvation rating

Read: Shame: Pakistan PM Imran Khan forced to delete B'desh video he claimed was from UP
CICERO, N.Y. -- A wanted man armed with a gun tried to flee Thursday during a traffic stop on Interstate 81 in Cicero, troopers said.

The incident started around 11:25 a.m. when the New York State Police pulled over a pickup truck that was towing an unregistered trailer on I-81 south, troopers said in a news release.

William P. Northup, 50, of Canastota, the driver of the 2005 Chevrolet Silverado, was arrested after he gave the trooper who stopped him a fake name, troopers said.

When state police approached, Montra Hodge Jr., 56, of Syracuse, the passenger, the man ran out of the truck and toward the fence line next to the highway, troopers said. Hodge fought with the troopers pursuing him, but was arrested after a short struggle, troopers said.

After Hodge was taken into custody, the state police found a loaded .22-caliber handgun in his waistband, trooper said. He is also wanted in Alabama for a parole violation, troopers said.

Hodge was charged with:

Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felonya

Second-degree assault, a felony

Resisting arrest, a misdemeanor

False personation, a misdemeanor

Being a fugitive from justice

Northup was charged with:

Second-degree criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor

Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor

Second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, a misdemeanor

Hodge is being held in the Onondaga County Justice Center pending extradition back to Alabama.

Northup was ticketed and released.
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Business Insider

Ghasem Soleimani death

Getty/Press Office of Iranian Supreme Leader; ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

After the US killed the Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike early Friday, Iranian officials swore vengeance.

The attack has given Iran a reason to launch a retaliatory attack on the US.

"They're going to respond  they have to as this is considered a declaration of war," a NATO military intelligence official told Insider.

The official, based in the Middle East, said Iran had a huge array of targets because of broad US interests in the region.

"They've been setting the table for decades for this moment," the official said.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful military and intelligence figure, is virtually guaranteed to draw an Iranian response somewhere in the region.

But precisely where is hard to predict because the Iranians have been planning for this moment for 40 years, according to a NATO military intelligence official based in the region.

"They're going to respond  they have to as this is considered a declaration of war," said the official, who cannot be named because they work undercover in the Middle East.

"They've been setting the table for decades for this moment, their proxies have been carefully selected and trained in places like Lebanon, obviously, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza," the person said.

soleimani iraq debris

Iraqi Security Media Cell via Reuters

"And the US has allies at risk in the case of Israel, but also its own bases all over Iraq, the Persian Gulf, and even Afghanistan. Any of them can be targeted and usually by proxies that can serve as a layer of deniability."

The drone strike that killed Soleimani  as well as the top Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis  came after a rocket attack last week on an American base near Kirkuk killed a US contractor and wounded several others.

Story continues

The US had initially responded by striking camps in the Iraqi desert run by Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, killing more than 20 fighters.

The Iran-backed militias then responded by laying siege to the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week before a Reaper drone struck Soleimani and al-Muhandis' convoy just outside Baghdad's airport.

us embassy iraq protest

Associated Press/Khalid Mohammed

Iran immediately vowed to take revenge, with a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps among those calling for a response to the killing.

"Martyr Lieutenant General Qassem Suleimani joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America," said the former commander, Mohsen Rezaei, who had worked with Soleimani.

But where this revenge might take place is difficult to predict because of the number of US-linked targets that sit well within Iran's striking range, as demonstrated in the September attack, blamed on Iran, in which 20 cruise missiles were launched at key Saudi oil facilities, striking 19 out of 20 targets and knocking offline 5% of the world's oil supply.

Qassem Soleimani reuters .JPG

REUTERS/Stringer

Not only were the missiles not intercepted by the massive US military presence in the region, but the US has yet to officially determine where they came from.

"The September attack was a warning to the US and the Saudis that they could hit whatever they like in the region," the NATO intelligence official said.

"The Saudis learned that lesson, which is why you see them calming down in Yemen and easing aggression against Qatar. But did the Americans get the right message from that attack?

"I don't think so, and it's clear that US military and intelligence services are going crazy because they know there is an attack headed their way but the Iranians have so many choices of targets it's hard to predict where they will respond."

Iran's most powerful proxy force in the region, Hezbollah, is the gravest concern because of its impressive arsenal of guided and unguided rocket and missile systems pointed directly at Israel, which are capable of hitting targets anywhere in that country.

Protesters demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed

Associated Press

If the Iranians decide to respond by striking Israel, that situation could quickly spiral out of control as widespread missile and rocket attacks from Hezbollah positions in Lebanon or Syria could easily spark an Israeli invasion in response.

"If they ordered Hezbollah to strike Israel, that's your worst-case scenario right there," the NATO official said.

"Second-worst would be a successful strike on top American military targets in the Gulf, such as the naval station in Bahrain or the air base in Qatar. And both are within easy missile range of the Iranians."

Hezbollah, for its part, went on alert immediately after the news about Suleimani broke, according to a mid-level security commander in Beirut.

"We are mobilized now, with extra units in security positions around Beirut and in the south where all the missile and rocket teams have been put on standby," said the commander, who does not have permission to speak with the media.

Asked whether he thought Hezbollah would play a role in whatever happened next, he was both blunt and evasive.

"The Americans will pay for this murder of our leader," he added. "We are ready to hold anyone American or Israeli accountable for the blood of our martyrs. But we will select the time and place."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Irans top security body will meet on Friday to discuss the criminal attack that killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, its spokesman was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency, Trend reports citing Reuters.

In the next few hours, an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme National Security Council will be held to probe the criminal act of attack on commander Soleimanis car in Baghdad, which led to his martyrdom, spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said.
Fire authorities in NSW say they'll prioritise lives over homes as severe and extreme conditions again loom over the state.

An eighth person since Monday evening has also been confirmed dead after police found a missing 72-year-old man's body by a Belowra road.

The unidentified man's death follows the deaths of six other civilians since New Year's Eve and that of 28-year-old volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul, who died on Monday in a truck crash near the NSW-Victoria border.

A swimming pool in the remains of a house destroyed by bushfires is seen just outside Batemans Bay. Source: Getty

Almost 450 homes were destroyed on New Year's Eve, authorities confirmed on Friday, with the number destroyed over the bushfire season now reaching 1365.

Another 100 facilities and 2339 outbuildings have been razed.

NSW faces a two-day total fire ban from Friday, the third seven-day state of emergency in as many months and demands for those across the state's south coast and Snowy Valleys to evacuate immediately.

All people in the 1300-strong town of Batlow were ordered to leave by Thursday night, with the 130,000-hectare Dunns Road fire expected to hit on Friday.

A similar message was issued for Khancoban, Greg Greg and Tooma.

The Kosciuszko National Park should be vacated by 10am on Friday.

Holidaymakers in the alps and popular holiday destinations between Nowra and the Victorian border were asked to be out by Friday night, causing massive traffic queues and petrol and supply shortages.

A house and vehicle gutted by bushfires are seen in the town of Lake Conjola in New South Wales on New Year's Day. Source: Getty

Police overnight were escorting 100 cars at a time on the Princes Highway from Milton to Nowra, with one convoy halted midway due to dangerous trees.

The highway on Friday morning had reopened northbound from Milton.

Escorts were also needed to get fuel to dry petrol stations in Moruya, a town cut off on multiple fronts, including its access to Batemans Bay to the north.

Emergency services were due to escort petrol tankers into the town on Thursday night after stations there and in Ulladulla and Corryong ran dry, and certain fuels were exhausted at sites in Merimbula.

Very-high fire danger is forecast on Friday for districts on or immediately west of the Great Dividing Range, while Saturday is expected to be severe or extreme across most of the state's southeast.

Story continues

Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers on Friday implored tourists to leave on Friday and residents to get out of the path of fire.

"Go to a major centre away from those potential impact areas  it might be a large town, the beach, an area that has already been burnt, just don't be there. We have seen how devastating the fires can be," Mr Rogers told reporters.

"We don't want to see anybody else killed in these fires, our pure focus for tomorrow is about the preservation of life."

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Thursday declared a week-long state of emergency from Friday until January 9.

More than 140 fires are burning across NSW, with dozens uncontained and thousands of firefighters in the field.

You are watching the destruction of a political leader

Bushfire survivors in Shoalhaven, Bega Valley and some other areas can access disaster relief payments, the federal government says.

But Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday fled a meet-and-greet in bushfire-ravaged Cobargo after angry locals verbally abused him, telling him he wasnt welcome.

Approaching a woman with her right hand by her side, Mr Morrison reached down for her hand and shook it, and walked away when she demanded RFS funding.

After a volunteer firefighter also refused to shake his hands, Mr Morrison later said he doesnt take these things personally.

Pressure is mounting on the leader to accept that Australia must do more to combat the affects of man-made climate change.

Barry Cassidy, a long-time political journalist and former media adviser for Labor PM Bob Hawke, has been among the many commentators to criticise the prime minster as he continues to deflect the publics anger.

You are watching the destruction of a political leader and this time not by his own party, but by his own hand, he wrote early Friday morning.

Firefighters create a back burn ahead of a fire front in the New South Wales town of Jerrawangala on Wednesday. Source: Getty Images

Earlier Mr Morrison defended his government's response to the crisis saying he wouldn't allow state and federal governments "to be tripping over each other in order to somehow outbid each other in the response".

NSW had not requested military support for evacuations, such as those taking place in Mallacoota across the Victorian border, he said.

Police, meanwhile, say they have begun an investigation into "all aspects" of the south coast fires, including the seven civilian deaths and the fires' cause.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
J ust three days into 2020, social media users were greeted with alarming Twitter trends including "World War III".

The trend was sparked after the Iranian leaders second in command, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US airstrike ordered by US President Donald Trump.

After news of his death emerged, Iran's leader Ayatollah Khomeinei promised "harsh vengeance" in response to the attack, prompting speculation about what might happen next.

It also prompted Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to warn that "conflict" was in "none of our interests" . Donald Trump later responded to threats of retaliation by saying: "Iran never won a war."

The series of events, which come amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, prompted a huge spike in search in the UK for "World War 3".

Several people drew parallels with the death of Franz Ferdinand who was shot dead in Sarajevo, Bosnia, before the outbreak of World War One.

There were also plenty of mentions of Mr Trump. Meanwhile, the term "Iran" was among the top searched on Google in the US as people speculated whether their threats of revenge would result in further violence between the two countries.

Here's a guide as to what was trending and why.

Who is Qasem Soleimani?

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, General Soleimanis popularity and mystique grew out of American officials calling for his killing.

By the time it came a decade-and-a-half later, General Soleimani had become Irans most recognisable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergy, General Soleimani widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of US pressure.

For the US and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Irans proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.

Why was he killed?

Following an attack on the US embassy in Iraq earlier this week, which America has blamed on Iran, the US launched airstrikes.

The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that US forces conducted an airstrike at Baghdad airport to deter "future Iranian attack plans".

Qasem Soleimani was killed by the defensive action.

As well as General Soleimani, top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was killed in the attack.

Will there be a World War Three?

The trend for World War Three began as people drew parallels between the death of General Soleimani and another killing 105 years ago.

In June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire, was shot dead by a teenage activist in Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Following the shooting, countries scrambled to take sides and it started off a chain of events which led to World War One.

Foreign issues can be unpredictable, especially with strong characters in leadership positions, but Iran has vowed to retaliate, which has sparked concerns of further mass violence.

Although several people on Twitter speculated about the outbreak of World War Three, the US and Iran are known for their rhetoric, and it is unclear what revenge, if any, will be exacted.

What has Donald Trump said?

Initially the US president simply posted an image of the America Flag.

Following threats of retaliation from Iran, he tweeted: "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!".

Mr Trump did not give any further explanation to his tweet, but he appeared undeterred by the country's threats.

What has the UK said?

Dominic Raab has urged all parties to de-escalate after a US airstrike killed Irans top general Qasem Soleimani.

The Foreign Secretary, appearing to fear retaliation, said "further conflict is in none of our interests" after Iranian leaders pledged severe retaliation to the airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.

How have people in the US and around the world reacted?

Thousands of people have taken to Twitter and posted memes and comments about the escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
Margot Robbie thought her three-year stint on Australian soap Neighbours would be the pinnacle of her screen career.

The Academy Award-nominated actress, 29, is now one of the most in-demand stars in Hollywood, but previously believed her role as Donna Freedman would be biggest part she would ever get.

Speaking in an interview with Variety magazine, she admitted: 'I didn't think there was higher than that for me.'

Mega star: Margot Robbie (pictured last month) thought her three-year stint on Australian soap Neighbours would be the pinnacle of her screen career

Despite being catapulted to Hollywood mega-stardom in 2013 when she appeared alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street, Margot first appeared on TV screens in 2008 at the age of just 17.

She played the character Donna Freedman in the famed soap, which also launched the careers of Kylie Minogue and Liam Hensworth.

The actress' latest role is in Bombshell, in which she stars alongside Oscar winners Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman.

The movie followed the reproductions of when Gretchen Carlson accused Fox News Founder Roger Ailes of sexual assault.

Way back wehn: The Academy Award-nominated actress, 29, previously believed her role as Donna Freedman (pictured in character in 2009) would be biggest part she would ever get

Margot portrays Kayla, a fictional Fox News employee who grew up Evangelical and politically conservative in central Florida.

The role had little in common with Margot's own Australian upbringing, and she told the magazine she found it hard to relate to the character at first.

She said: 'I didn't understand her to begin with. But my process is to do a ton of research, consider every single option, know every single situation, scenario, thought and motivation inside and out, so I can step onto set and then let it all go.'

Margot's methods of research were not as predictable as one may imagine; she revealed her most 'helpful' method was setting up a fake Twitter profile.

New role: The actress' latest role is in Bombshell, in which she stars alongside Oscar winners Nicole Kidman (left) and Charlize Theron (right)

Cover star: Read the full interview in the new edition of Variety magazine, on sale now

She said: 'Honestly, the most helpful bit of research I did is I started a fake Twitter account so that I could follow young Millennial conservative girls' accounts and the things they say and their point of view on any issue.

'And that was really fascinating and it was really helpful to see their play-by-play, their opinions coming out and how they put them forward in the world'.

As well as research into her character's political beliefs, Margot drew inspiration from Reese Witherspoon's character in Legally Blonde, the iconic Elle Woods.

Margot described her as the type of women who is 'incredibly smart' but 'underestimated because of their looks'.

She said: 'Every day I would do the monologue from Legally Blonde.'

Read the full interview in the new edition of Variety magazine, on sale now.
New Government Formed in Algeria Following Almost Year-Long Political Crisis  Reports

Sputnik News

00:48 03.01.2020

CAIRO (Sputnik) - Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad has appointed the new government to be presented to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as the country strives to recover after months of political crisis, Algerian media reported.

According to the Algerian state television, the new government will comprise Kamel Beldjoud as interior minister, Sabri Boukadoum as foreign minister, Mohamed Arkab as energy minister, Belkacem Zeghmati as justice minister, Abderrahmane Raouia as finance minister, Bendoudad Malika as culture minister, and Cherif Omari as the minister of agriculture  a total of 28 ministers, the youngest among them 26-year old Minister of Startups Yacine Oualid.

Said Chengriha will serve as vice minister for national defence and army chief of staff.

According to Djerad's earlier statement, his new cabinet will be one of professionals with no links to the fallen regime.

In February 2019, Algerians en masse took to the streets when the president at the time, ailing Abdelaziz Bouteflika in his 80s, announced he would be seeking a fifth term in office.

He eventually stepped down two months later, but this did not placate demonstrators, who demanded the resignation of other officials who were part of his administration. This set into motion a political crisis that has lasted up until now.

In December, Abdelmadjid Tebboune was sworn in as new Algerian president.

 Sputnik

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Millions of pieces of microplastic are raining in London every day, a replacement study suggests.

Researchers at King's College London, whose study was published in Environment International, analyzed the number of particles and fibers falling on to the roof of a nine-story building within the middle of London, on eight separate days.

They picked a spot high to make sure that only microplastic from the atmosphere was collected, instead of pieces being deposited daily at ground level.

Tiny pieces of plastic were found eight samples altogether, with numbers starting from 575 to 1,008 per square meter (10.7 square foot) every day. If an equivalent amount was falling across the capital, it suggests many pieces of plastic fall in London every day.

Previous studies have shown that microplastic can travel great distances within the air, with pieces discovered within the most remote locations, like the Arctic and, therefore, the tops of mountains.

Tap water is additionally known to contain microplastics, with the new study suggesting the pollutants could also be falling from the sky, and becoming trapped within the water cycle.

The accumulation rate in London was found to be 20 times above in Dongguan, China, seven times above in Paris, France, and nearly three times above Hamburg, Germany, which are the sole other cities where similar measurements are taken.

"We found [an excessively high amount] of microplastics," lead researcher Stephanie Wright, of King's College, told The Guardian.

The study showed that microplastic deposition was consistent despite the strength or direction of the wind, suggesting most of the pollution originated in the city itself.

Further studies of the microplastics revealed that the majority were fibers made from acrylic, probably from clothing. Fewer than 10 percent were particles, and these were mostly polystyrene and polyethylene, which are primarily found in food packaging.

The impact of inhaling or ingesting microplastics remains unknown. However, most airborne pollution is bad for health and has been linked to heart problems, dementia, depression, asthma, bronchitis, and even cancer.

The microplastic particles found in London were between 0.02mm and 0.5mm, which make them large enough to be deposited on to the airways when inhaled and that they could also easily be swallowed.

Some studies have suggested that folks could also be ingesting 50,000 tiny plastic particles a year, through beverage, consuming seafood or accidentally eating bits of packaging, and last year, scientists in Austria found microplastics within the stools of humans for the first time.

On average, the researchers found 20 microplastic particles per 10g of body waste, and scientists fear that plastics contain toxic chemicals or carry harmful microbes.

Melanie Bergmann, at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Germany, said more research on the potential health effects of microplastic pollution was very important.

Bergmann said there are no exact proportions yet of inhaled microplastics enter in the deep lung. In a report in April, the European commission's chief scientific advisers said the proof on the environmental and health risks of microplastics presents areas for genuine concern and for precaution to be executed.
(ANSA) - Rome, January 3 - The Italian foreign ministry on Friday expressed concern about the situation in Iraq after the US attack in the area of Baghdad airport in which Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed. "The latest developments of the situation in Iraq are very worrying," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "Over the last few days we have seen a dangerous escalation that culminated with the killing of Iranian general Soleimani.

"Italy makes a strong appeal for action of moderation and responsibility, avoiding acts that could have serious consequences for the whole region.

"No effort to ensure de-escalation and stability should go unused". "New hotbeds of tension are not in anyone's interests and they risk being fertile ground for terrorism and violent extremism".

Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini on Friday raised security at Italy's overseas military bases after the US killed Soleimani.

Security levels have been raised in contingents where Italian soldiers operate and, furthermore, deployments outside bases have been restricted to a minimum.

Guerini was immediately informed of Italian contingents in various operational theatres after the US operation.

He was said to be in constant touch with the operational command of the Italian forces.

Former defence chief of staff General Vincenzo Camporini told ANSA that Italy was "particularly exposed" to reactions.

"There is no doubt that after this action Iran will have to react, it cannot lose face," the general said.

"In what way? We don't know, but it is clear that Italy with its thousand soldiers in Lebanon, 300 in Libya and trainers in Iraq, is particularly exposed.

Camporini noted that, as well as being the "artificer" of Iranian military campaigns, Solemaini was also a "political personage of very great weight.

"And attacking the adversary's political level means raising the escalation to a level that it had never arrived at before.

"The red line has been crossed and we don't know what's behind it".

Former air force chief of staff General Leonardo Tricarico told ANSA "this is a further senseless destabilisation, with an uncertain outcome, operated without an apparent logic".

He described Soleimani as an "icon".

Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy's rightwing nationalist opposition League party, on Friday welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to order the attack in the area of Baghdad airport in which Suleimani was killed.

"Free women and men, faced with the silence of the cowards in Italy and the European Union, I must thank Trump and America's democracy for having eliminated one of the world's most dangerous, ruthless men," Salvini said.

"An Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedom".

The Pentagon said Friday Trump ordered the attack because Soleimani wanted to kill US diplomats.

Iran reacted saying the attack was "an act of terrorism". There were streets demonstrations in Tehran and the US embassy in Baghdad told US citizens to leave Iraq immediately. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the raid had saved many human lives, saying it had thwarted an "imminent" attack.


There's little love lost between these siblings.

But Kris Jenner, 64, was revealed to have reunited with her little sister, Karen Houghton, 61, last month, in an Instagram Story posted by Karen's daughter Natalie Zettel on Wednesday.

The feuding sisters posed smiling with Natalie, her famous cousin Kylie Jenner, and their 85-year-old mother Mary Jo Campbell.

Family: Kris Jenner, 64, was revealed to have reunited with her little sister, Karen Houghton, 61, last month, in an Instagram Story posted by Karen's daughter Natalie Zettel on Wednesday. [L-R] Natalie Zettel, Karen Houghton, Mary Jo Campbell, Kris Jenner and Kylie Jenner

Text below the photo indicated it had been taken ten days before Christmas.

Kris and Karen have long endured a rollercoaster relationship, oscillating between taking public barbs at one another, to Kris lavishing her little sister with pricey gifts.

In 2016, Karen paid the ultimate compliment to the momager, getting an intensive face lift in order to 'look like my beautiful sister Kris'.

A closer look: Karen seen here on the far right in a November 28 post

She has frequently been outspoken when her sister Kris has riled her. In 2014, Karen told Radar that despite Kris and her estranged husband Bruce looking friendly there would be no reunion.

Karen said: 'Bruce left. He walked out on her, and I think hes not coming back. He couldnt take the yelling anymore and stuff.'

And she said Kris was not taking the split well, adding: 'I think shes got issues right now because Bruce left her. 'Kris is alone, shes not dating. Shes not the type to run around.'

She made the comments after writing on her Facebook page in April 2014: 'Pray for Kris Jenner she needs itcrazy. Shes as nutcase [sic].

'She doesnt need prayers she needs sky vodka hahaha hahaha hahaha.' And explaining her somewhat harsh views, Karen said 'I get p***ed off at her because she doesnt respond to me. If you think your sister would call you back, she doesnt. And it hurts me.'

However the part-time nurse did poke fun at herself too, in a May 2014 Facebook post, writing, 'Be someone s crazy aunt...its fabulous! !! K [sic]'

Homage: In 2016, Karen paid the ultimate compliment to the momager, getting an intensive face lift in order to 'look like my beautiful sister Kris'

What a difference: Karen's natural face seen on the left, while she's post-op on the right

Karen - who lives two hours from her sister in San Marcos, California - blamed her sibling's celebrity status and hunger for fame and fortune.

She said: 'I dont care how much money you have or who you are, youre my sister. Im not afraid of her. I cant get to her anymore. But I guess its the money.

'Shes a huge celebrity and now she has changed. Im not saying good or bad. But Ive seen what it can do to Kris ever since she moved to L.A.'

TBT: Kris, born Kristen Mary Houghton [L], was raised in San Diego with Karen [R], her only sibling

Admitting she has had run-ins with Kris - mainly to do with caring for their aging mother, Karen told MailOnline: 'I called up Kris yelling at her, because I was like, "You need to help your mom more and you know it." And I think that she kind of got the message.I was screaming - I don't even care.

In 2014, the former air stewardess told Radar, 'when you express a loving family and family values and a close family and my mom wants to live in La Jolla, buy her a condo, Kris! I dont understand her. I never will. Its just her personality.'

The attack followed a 2013 interview during which Kris told Radar: 'Unfortunately, my sister has been dealing with demons for years.'

Resentment: Karen - who lives two hours from her sister in San Marcos, California - blamed her sibling's celebrity status and hunger for fame and fortune

Kris, born Kristen Mary Houghton, was raised in San Diego with Karen, her only sibling.

Their single mother Mary Jo Shannon looked after them when their parents divorced. Kris was just seven.

In the star's 2011 autobiography she said of her sister, 'We loved each other, and we were there for each other through thick and thin, and to this day we are a part of each other's lives.'
The units carry out self-rescue and mutual rescue.

MENAKA, MALI, Jan. 3 -- The engineering detachment and the airborne medical evacuation unit in Menaka assigned by the 7th Chinese peacekeeping contingent to Mali carried out the multinational peacekeeping force medical rescue drill code-named "United-2019B" on December 30, 2019, local time, along with international troops including the Nigerien peacekeeping infantry battalion and the Togolese peacekeeping police unit. The drill aims to address the grim security situation in Mali's Menaka region and improve the UN peacekeepers medical rescue capacity in dealing with emergencies.

The drill simulated that the peacekeeping force camp in Menaka was attacked by local terrorists. Injuries were reported in multiple spots inside the camp. Each unit quickly launched self and mutual rescue, taking coordinated actions for the seriously wounded as well.

According to Cheng Jingshan, the medical officer of the Chinese engineering detachment, this drill was focused on information exchange, coordinated operation, treatment of the wounded, aeromedical evacuation and other content to optimize the joint emergency rescue plan and form effective operating mechanisms.

It is said that this drill involved more than 50 service members from the Chinese, Nigerien, Togolese and Romanian peacekeeping forces. "I think this kind of drill is very important. We should carry out more in order to provide fast and effective treatment of the wounded in emergency situations," said the medical officer of the Togolese peacekeeping police unit.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe requested, and received, repeated assurances from Health Minister Simon Harris that the recommendations of a key report into removing private care from Irish hospitals would be non-binding.

On at least three occasions prior to the publication of the De Buitleir report into the creation of a single-tier healthcare system, Minister Donohoe asked for confirmation that the findings of the report would not necessarily have to be implemented.

The final document was published in August 2019, after a delay of six months, having been presented to Government in February of last year.

Mr Harris August letter was in reply to a message from Mr Donohoe from the previous week, in which the latter was sharply critical of the budget requests that had emanated from the Department of Health for 2020.

In the midst of that three-page letter, which primarily dealt with the cost pressures being placed upon the health service, Mr Harris said in regard to De Buitleir: My Department has on at least two occasions confirmed to your Department that it will be made clear, on publication of the report, that the Government is not bound by its recommendations, and that the over-riding primacy of pay policy will be emphasised. I am happy to do so again, Mr Harris said.

He added however that he was committed to the removal of private practice from public hospitals, a fundamental plank of the Slaintecare reform programme for the health service.

He said the report is a very realistic appraisal of the difficulties which such a reform will involve, and sets out a realistic timetable for this objective.

The news of Mr Harriss assurances to Mr Donohoe comes in the aftermath of their Departments announcing a new Slaintecare contract for consultants, the provision of which had been a marquee recommendation of the De Buitleir report.

Under that contract, from the second quarter of this year, all new consultant appointments will be offered at a starting salary of 222,460. At present the starting salary for consultants is some 90,000 shy of that figure, a fact that is broadly believed to be behind the more than 700 consultant vacancies in the system at present.

However, the new contract is predicated on those new hires focusing 100% on public-only work.

Per the De Buitleir report, which predicted a 10-year timeframe would be required to entirely remove private care from the public service, the total cost per annum of such a move would be 659.6m per annum once the process was completed.

Some 48.6m, or 7%, of that figure is represented by new consultant contracts, albeit De Buitleir asserted a starting salary of 182,000, which is 40,000 less than the figure envisaged by the Government per last months announcement.

Its believed the total projected bill to the Exchequer of removing private care from the public service would be in the region of 1.5bn after 10 years.

A spokesperson for the Department of Public Expenditure said that the request for assurances that De Buitleirs recommendations would be non-binding is usual process given the membership of the review group which compiled the report, while subject matter experts, may not have had wider public service, budgetary or Exchequer-related considerations in mind when making their findings.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday said Sri Lanka would not kowtow before any foreign nation even as he called for electoral and constitutional reforms to make the country a progressive state and a stronger executive presidency to effectively combat extremism.

Rajapaksa was sworn in as Sri Lanka's seventh President on November 18 after he convincingly defeated the ruling United National Party (UNP) candidate Sajith Premadasa by more than 13 lakh votes, marking the return of the powerful Rajapaksa dynasty.

In his first ceremonial address to Parliament, the president outlined his government's vision for efficiency, eradication of corruption and crime with accelerated infrastructure development to revive the country's economy.

Attired in a western suite unlike his predecessors, Rajapaksa vowed to respect the wishes of the majority by protecting the unity of the country and Buddhism, while allowing people the right to practice the religion of their choice.

"We must always respect the aspirations of the majority of the people. It is only then that the sovereignty of the people will be safeguarded," said Rajapaksa, 70, a former military officer.

He told the lawmakers that electoral and constitutional reform would be needed to make Sri Lanka a progressive state.

"The executive presidency must be strengthened to leave no room for extremist politics," he said.

He said that he wants stronger relations with all countries as the foreign policy of his government.

"We will not fall on our knees before any foreign nation," he said.

Rajapaksa said the people elected him to office for a change in the political culture.

"They rejected political agendas founded on race. The majority of the people proved that it is no longer possible for anyone to manipulate and control the of this country by playing the role of kingmaker.

"I invite the politicians concerned to understand this reality. I call upon all to join together in the national undertaking to develop this country, and to reject the based on petty agendas that have sown division in our society in the past.

In his address, the president recalled his family's long association with the Assembly and explained that although he was not wearing the family trademark maroon coloured shawl with national dress which claimed to represent the peasants from the deep southern region of Giruwapattuwa, he still had their interests as a priority of his administration.

He attended the Parliament for the first time as he had never been a Member of Parliament. The president chose to be attired in European suit, a deviation from all five of his male predecessors who always wore the traditional national dress.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa named his elder brother and former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister after Ranil Wickremesinghe of the UNP resigned from the post following the election debacle.

The 74-year-old Mahinda Rajapaksa will function as the prime minister of the caretaker cabinet until the general election this year.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is widely expected to dissolve the current assembly by early March to set dates for a fresh parliamentary election end of April or early May.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The fight against Dutch elm disease in Brandon is ongoing as the city is set to cut down approximately 60 trees with the disease this winter.

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This article was published 3/1/2020 (737 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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The fight against Dutch elm disease in Brandon is ongoing as the city is set to cut down approximately 60 trees with the disease this winter.

Its a number City of Brandon director of community services Perry Roque said is about average and part of the citys efforts to reduce the spread of the tree-killing disease.

A tree marked for removal stands on Whillier Drive near Rosser Avenue in 2016. (File)

"Dutch elm disease is an ongoing issue throughout the city of Brandon. We have trees that are marked by the province with Dutch elm disease and then we go out and remove them  both city trees and private trees," Roque said.

In a tender closing today, it asks for bidders to "completely" remove infected trees and for the stumps to be cut flush to the ground. All logs and branches are then supposed to be buried in the landfill. The tender document says the work must be completed by March 27, 2020.

Dutch elm disease is a major concern for the city and its urban tree canopy, Roque said. The city also sprays insecticide to slow the spread of the disease.

"If we dont do this maintenance program, then it will just continue to get worse. This is one of the ways we have to control the spread of Dutch elm disease," he said.

All trees on the tender list are on private property, Roque said. Most are in back yards and many properties have more than one diseased tree on them.

The province mandates infected trees can be cut down between September and March of each year, he said. The cold weather means the beetle that carries the disease isnt moving around.

Provincial crews surveyed Westman for dutch elm disease in 2016. The Brandon Sun reported in July 2016 that the city found 267 disease trees in the city the year before. In addition, in 2016 more than 400 trees were found with the disease in the riverbanks buffer area.

Perry Roque

Dutch elm disease affects elm trees and prevents water from moving around the tree. It is most commonly spread by elm bark beetles, which live beneath the bark of a tree. If the pest lived in a tree killed by the disease, they can spread it to other trees by carrying spores of the fungus that causes the infection.

Dave Barnes, chairman of the Assiniboine Food Forest, said Dutch elm disease is a "real concern" in the Wheat City.

"The fight to keep Dutch elm at bay will be ongoing for as long as we have large elms because the American elm we grow on city streets are more or less susceptible," he said. "According to their genetics, they can be disease-prone to this fungus."

Elm trees are native all over southern Manitoba, Barnes said. While the Assiniboine Food Forest cant do a great amount to prevent the spread, provincial crews check the trees each year. He said the city can help prevent or slow progression of the disease by planting disease-resistant varieties of elms  also removing the infected trees entirely.

"Simply by doing what we do today, that is by diligently monitoring every year to identify the trees in the urban forest that are demonstrating signs of dutch elm and within the year and taking them out and burning them," Barnes said.

Dave Barnes

The city also takes measures to counter the emerald ash borer, which Barnes said is another major threat to city trees. The pest hasnt been found in Brandon, but it is established in Winnipeg and other areas of the province.

"Thats coming to really threaten ash forests  and guess what? If elm was the No. 1 tree in our forest canopy, ash is No. 2, and they are susceptible to this new pest, which we hope is not going to arrive very soon," Barnes said.

The City of Brandon placed awareness bands around trees along Rosser Avenue downtown to raise public awareness about the insect last year last summer.

To stop the spread of Dutch elm disease and the emerald ash borer, people shouldnt move firewood around the province, Barnes said. They should also burn infected firewood as soon as it is cut.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi denounced Friday the U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as an "act of aggression against Iraq" that would "light the fuse of war."

The latest: Mahdi, who has close ties to Iran, labeled the strike a "massive breach of sovereignty." He called an emergency parliamentary session to "take the appropriate legislative measures in a manner that preserves the dignity, security and sovereignty of Iraq."

Why it matters: The strike against Soleimani could well make the current U.S. presence in Iraq untenable, both because U.S. troops and other personnel could be targeted by Iran and its proxies and because this will further poison the relationship between Washington and Baghdad.

Mahdi resigned as prime minister in November amid a massive political crisis in Iraq, with at least 450 people killed in protests inspired in part because of anger over Iran's influence. He remains in office as a caretaker.

Soleimani intervened personally to stop Mahdi from resigning sooner, Reuters reports.

The U.S. accused Soleimani of organizing the protests earlier this week outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which followed U.S. airstrikes on the militia group commanded by Muhandis.

What they're saying:

President Trump has tweeted that Soleimani "should have been taken out many years ago." Former Presidents Obama and George W. Bush decided not to target him for fear of escalation with Iran.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the strike was intended to disrupt an "imminent" attack against Americans in the Middle East, but did not offer details.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has vowed "severe revenge."

Go deeper: Why Qasem Soleimani mattered
Service to remember RNLI founder

A commerative service to honour the founder of the RNLI will be held on the Island next week.

The service to remember Sir William Hillary will take place at St George's Church in Douglas at 3pm on Sunday 12th January.

The Archdeacon of Man, the Venerable Andrew Brown will conduct the service.

RNLI Douglas Patron, His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Sir Richard Gozney KCMG CVO, will be attending the Service and will lay a wreath on the tomb of Sir William & Lady Hillary in St Georges Churchyard after the service.



The RNLI will be represented at the service by Associate Director of Fundraising, Angela Rook, and Council member, Kate Wilson.

Light refreshments will be served afterwards in the South Douglas Old Friends Association premises in Finch Road.
By AFP

UNITED NATIONS: A Chinese-Russian resolution aimed at easing international sanctions on North Korea is a "timely" step in the "right direction", China's UN ambassador Zhang Jun said on Friday.

His comments came only days after Pyongyang, deeply frustrated that those sanctions remain in place despite its suspension of nuclear and long-range missile testing, announced it no longer felt bound by the moratorium.

Two previous Security Council sessions on the Chinese-Russian proposal failed to produce agreement, but Zhang said Beijing hoped "that we can build up more consensus". "We can really contribute to the political dialogue between the parties concerned, especially between the United States and DPRK or North Korea," he added.

Asked when the council might next vote on the draft resolution, Zhang said only that consultations were continuing. When Pyongyang announced the end of its moratorium on Wednesday, the US response was cautiously worded.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged the North's leader Kim Jong Un to "take a different course" and stressed that Washington wanted "peace, not confrontation". But the US gave no suggestion it was ready to ease sanctions.

Similarly, European diplomats have insisted for months that there should be no lifting of the sanctions until the North takes concrete and verifiable steps toward nuclear disarmament - which is the US goal as well.

The Chinese-Russian draft, distributed to other council members on December 17, calls for an end to several sanctions agreed in 2017, notably a ban on purchasing textile and seafood products from North Korea.

Beijing and Moscow are also calling for an end to a measure that required UN member states to stop employing North Korean workers, a major source of income for Pyongyang, by December 22, 2019.

Asked whether China - the largest foreign employer of North Korean workers along with Russia -- had complied with that requirement, Zhang said his country had taken the sanctions "seriously".

However, he added that "we do see some negative effects by the sanctions, especially sanctions affecting the livelihood of innocent, ordinary people". "We should adjust the sanctions," he added, to alleviate "the sufferings of innocent peoples".

North Korea's self-imposed testing ban had been a centrepiece of its roller-coaster nuclear diplomacy with the US over the past two years. Any actual test would likely infuriate US President Trump - who is also facing sharp tensions with Iran and his still-unscheduled impeachment trial.

The Security Council's rotating presidency is held this month by Vietnam, one of five new non-permanent members to begin two-year terms on the council on January 1. The others are Tunisia, Niger, Estonia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Trying to move tons of gold or whisk a dictator to safety? Need to extract a corporate executive from house arrest and spirit him across the world?

The company of choice for Carlos Ghosn's audacious escape from Japan was a Turkish charter operator whose aircraft have helped with all of that and more.

Two planes operated by a unit of MNG Holding Co., a conglomerate with hotel, finance and transportation services, made the circuitous route from Osaka to Istanbul to Beirut that surreptitiously carried Ghosn to his home country, according to a senior Turkish official.

While details are still emerging, the dramatic exfiltration is drawing attention to the company and the private world of charter flights. The Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro has used aircraft from MNG to ship gold to Istanbul. Reza Zarrab, a gold trader who violated U.S. sanctions against Iran, tapped the company to manage his private plane.

Charter jets give customers a cloak of privacy. Planes are often owned by one group yet operated and managed by a specialty company. Still, tail number and registrations can be tracked, partially piercing their secrecy. That's how MNG's name has surfaced in the Ghosn drama.

"I'm sure they're on everyone's radar screens now," said Michael Burton, an attorney specializing in international trade law.

MNG Jet says customers can do whatever they want with the aircraft they have chartered, as long as it isn't illegal. It said, however, that it had filed a criminal complaint over the flights linked to Ghosn over what it said amounted to "the illegal use of its jet charter services."

"Similarly to a car rental agency, MNG Jet is renting out planes, and does not bear any responsibility for what the passengers do with them," the company wrote in an e-mailed response to questions. "According to the international aviation code, it is not MNG Jet's role, responsibility and rights to enquire about the reasons behind the travels or to check the content of the luggage transported by the passengers in the planes."

For its part, Turkey has detained seven people, including four pilots, and is investigating the Ghosn transport.

MNG has a significant cargo unit that does business with clients including UPS and DHL. That unit, MNG Airlines, serves Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Germany, the U.K. and the Middle East. A smaller affiliate, MNG Jet, operates at least a half-dozen aircraft out of Istanbul's Ataturk Airport.

The MNG unit said it leased two jets to two different clients: one scheduled to fly from Dubai to Osaka and then to Istanbul, and another from Istanbul to Beirut. It added that the leases didn't appear to be connected and that Ghosn's name didn't appear on any flight documentation. MNG didn't provide the names on the leases.

According to the company, one MNG Jet employee, who is under investigation by Turkish authorities "has admitted having falsified the records." He also "confirmed that he acted in his individual capacity, without the knowledge or the authorisation of the management of MNG Jet," the company said.

When he boarded one of aircraft in Osaka, Ghosn became the latest passenger on a jet that has been followed meticulously for the last year by amateur sleuths. It has made several trips from Caracas to Istanbul, ferrying gold for a Venezuelan government eager to raise hard currency, according to a person familiar with the matter. Those routes were confirmed by Sweden-based flightradar24.com.

That Bombardier Global Express, tail number TC-TSR, has "VIP seating for 13" and a range of 6,000 miles. Earlier in the spring, it made a trip to Venezuela, but apparently not for gold. It was dispatched from Moscow to Caracas when an April 30 uprising against Maduro prompted talk of a quick escape. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the plan was to ferry Maduro to safety in Cuba but that the Russians persuaded him to stay. (Maduro never left and called Pompeo's statement "craziness.")

Several weeks later, the same jet transported Venezuelan officials to Oslo for talks with opposition leaders, according to the person familiar with the matter. The government has given the plane a special designation that allows it to avoid customs and security at Caracas's airport, the person said.

The company is one corner of a business empire founded by Mehmet Nazif Gunal, a Turkish-born civil engineer. From a construction company he started in the 1970s, Gunal has expanded throughout the Middle East and now employs more than 20,000 people. He also controls Avesoro Holdings, a Channel Islands-based firm with gold mines in Liberia and Burkina Faso.

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.

Gunal also appears to have a soft spot for Russia. His conglomerate built an 874-room Turkish coastal resort called the Asteria Kremlin Palace, an onion-domed replica of the Moscow original with pools in place of Red Square. He has done well in the Erdogan era and is part of a consortium that's building a new airport in Istanbul.

He and a son are taking the company in the Channel Islands, now listed in Toronto and London, private this month.

It was a competitor of MNG that famously touched off an incident involving a cargo of gold seven years ago. On a foggy New Year's Eve 2012, Turkish customs officials boarded an Airbus A330 in Istanbul. They found a ton and a half of undeclared gold. The plane was operated by Turkey-based ULS Airlines. Calls to ULS went unanswered.

Convicted gold trader Zarrab later said the shipment was part of a broad scheme to channel billions of dollars to Iran for oil shipments, in violation of U.S. sanctions. His own private plane was seized at an MNG hangar by Turkish authorities taking his assets.

As fate would have it, when Ghosn landed in Istanbul for the final leg of his journey to Beirut, he boarded Zarrab's former plane. That Bombardier Challenger 300, which still flies under tail number TC-RZA, is still operated by MNG.

- - -

With assistance from Bloomberg's Zeke Faux, David Kocieniewski, Christian Berthelsen and Onur Ant.
Marilyn Band  Black and White at Villa Royale Gallery

ArtExploreLifestyle

By Bruce Stanley

Friday 3 January 2020, 08:00AM

With a successful show of new paintings on display at Mom Tris Gallery of Modern Art and Cuisine, the artist Marilyn Band has decided to present another, quite different exhibition of her more familiar, more classical work of original drawings, prints and limited editions at the Villa Royale Gallery at Kata Beach opening 3 January until 10 February 2020.

Shes named the new exhibit, Black and White, to describe this substantial body of work.

Ive had a long, happy career drawing the beautiful villages and people around the Indian Ocean while I have been sailing with my husband, Nick. Weve explored the region from Zanzibar to the outer islands of Indonesia and Ive drawn the cultures from many regions. Now I want to share these new and original images.

She also believes this art will show a vanishing world when the skies and the ocean were cleaner and people could more easily support themselves when living in remote villages.

When Nick and Marilyn sailed to Phuket in 1980, the island was heavily populated with water buffaloes and covered with rice fields. There was no international tourism. The beaches were empty and it was difficult to make from one place to another. There was no road connecting Karon and Patong beaches and it was rumored that dangerous animals still inhabited the hills between Phuket Town and the western beaches.

Marilyns early work from this period will be available for purchase.

I think its important for Phuket residents to understand that we need to protect the environment including the quality of air and water that has seriously been threatened by overdevelopment, she says. I hope my art from an earlier time will remind people of what if being lost.

In addition to a collection of black and white graphic images of Thai religious and cultural sites, Marilyn will offer a variety of colorful work from different periods of her career.

Marilyn comes from four generations of English stained glass artists whose commissions even included work on Exeter Cathedral. They were kept busy repairing damage to churches and building damaged during World War II. As a child, she worked with her father at drawing and fabricating colored glass for their creations.

She later studied graphic design at High Wycombe Technical College in Buckinghamshire, England and started her career as a graphic artist in a variety of advertising agencies in London. But on holiday to the Seychelles, the young artist met her future husband Nick who had sailed his yacht from Africa to the Seychelles. Together they have explored the wide Indian Ocean for 40 years where Marilyn has taken inspiration for her art.

They built their studio, made from locally sourced materials, in Rawai in 1980 and Marilyn has been painting and drawing and building collage ever since.

She will be in residence at the Villa Royale Gallery most days from lunchtime til 7pm.

For more information, contact Villa Royale at 076 333 568 or info@villaroyalephuket.com
Siliguri: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed a rally in Siliguri, on Friday, while protesting against the newly formed Citizenship Amendment Act. During her address, Mamata slammed the Narendra Modi government and said that everyone in this government speaks differently, they are full of confusion.

Mamata who is on her two days visit to Siliguri, led five kilometers march with the party workers to protest against CAA-NRC in the city.

Mamata said, ''BJP leaders keep asking people to go to Pakistan. Is PM Modi ambassador of Pakistan? They only talk about Pakistan, on everything they say, go to Pakistan, have you forgotten India.'' She added, ''Why should we discuss Pakistan, India is our place.''

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Mamata said, ''When they say your name should be in the voter list, they forget that they don't even write the name properly in the list. If these people write your name properly then they are writing your father's name incorrectly, your wife's name is written properly, then they write the name of your children wrong.'' She added, ''They should first, carefully check the voter list.''

Lashing out at the Modi-led government Mamata said, ''The Home Minister says one thing, the Prime Minister speaks one thing and Ravi Shankar Prasad says one thing, none of this is fine, they are confused among themselves. They should stop torturing students. How many more people will die? How many abuses do we keep on agitating until the CAB withdraws.''

Mamata further stated that she will hold a similar rally in Darjeeling on January 22 and requested people to join her movement to save democracy.

She urged people to join hands with her saying, ''I am fighting against #NationalRegisterOfCitizens and #CitizenshipAmendmentAct, join hands with me, requesting all people to come forward to save our democracy.''
Devaraj B Hirehalli By

Express News Service

TUMAKURU: Amidst the prevailing economic slowdown, PM Modi on Thursday stressed the need to improve the agrarian economy in order to transform the country into a $5 trillion economy. To achieve this by 2022, which marks the countrys 75th year of Independence, the contribution from the agriculture sector should be significant. This is why we have been helping farmers cultivate cash crops with export value, he told a massive farmers rally here.

In his 40-minute speech, he pointed out that agricultural production has witnessed phenomenal improvement over the years due to various policies. Referring to neem coating of urea, amending certain rules in Fasal Bima Yojana and improving cold storage plants, he said these steps have helped improve output.

Production of masala (species) has increased to 25 lakh tonnes annually, which fetched export revenue of between Rs 16,000-18,000 crore, he pointed out, while advising farmers to go in for cash crops.

Karnataka being the countrys leading coffee growing state, Modi promised all help to even marginal coffee planters to add value to their produce, right from production stage to packaging, through an integrated mechanism. In an attempt to win over South Indian farmers, the PM said that through horticulture, they have contributed immensely to export revenues. The New India should keep pace with the south, he said even as he spoke of Karnatakas contribution several times throughout his speech.

Giving away the Krishi Karmanya award, Modi said,  The Krishi Samman Nidhi scheme has united farmers of the entire country. Their income should be doubled by 2022. I expect that in the new year, those states which are not associated with the Kisan Samman Yojana will at least become a part of it, he wished.

Modi also said thrust will be given to rubber and turmeric cultivation with more research and development. He also said the Centre has given out Rs 28 crore to states where there is scope for inland fisheries, rolled out schemes to ensure the safety of deep-sea fishermen and started online registration for vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease in cattle.
Lucknow:

Popular Front of India (PFI) was actively involved in the recent violence during protests against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Lucknow and other districts, said OP Singh, Director General of Uttar Pradesh Police. Popular Front of India was actively involved in this (recent violence), that is why we have arrested 25 of their members. We have ample proof against them, he told reporters in Lucknow.

Singh said that the home department has sent its report, seeking a ban on the PFI, to the Centre. The Uttar Pradesh Police sought the ban after PFIs role was established in vandalism in the state during violent protests against the amended citizenship law.

Earlier on Tuesday, Singh said that they had written to the Union Home Ministry, seeking a ban on the PFI after its Uttar Pradesh head, Wasim, and 16 other activists were arrested for allegedly masterminding the violence in the state capital during anti-CAA protests.

Wasim was arrested for allegedly masterminding the violence, police had said last week.

"We have got success in arresting the mastermind of the Lucknow violence. Wasim, Nadeem, and Ashfaq of the PFI have been arrested. While Wasim is the state head, Ashfaq is the treasurer and Nadeem is a member of the PFI," Lucknow SSP Kalanidhi Naithani told reporters here.

Police seized placards, flags, pamphlets, literature, newspaper cuttings, banners and posters for the anti-NRC or CAA protest from them, the SSP said.

During interrogation, Nadeem and Ashfaq told police that they made the strategy for the December 19 protests and publicised it on social media, he had said.

Around 150 people were taken into preventive custody after the UP Police got intelligence inputs about the PFI "planning unrest" in Kairana and Kandhla towns of Shamli.

The PFI was formed in 2006 in Kerala as a successor to the National Democratic Front (NDF). Security agencies have alleged that its leaders have been groomed in the SIMI ideology.

With PTI Inputs
An African American woman who says she was required to sign a no party policy when she checked into her Portland, Ore. hotel filed a $300,000 lawsuit this week against the Marriott chain, claiming it singled her out because of her race.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Felicia Gonzales claims the front desk clerk at the Residence Inn by Marriott Portland Downtown/Convention Center told her that all guests had to sign the policy. But Gonzales says she watched white guests check in after her who werent required to sign the policy, according to the lawsuit.

Marriott spokesman Jeff Flaherty says the company doesnt comment on pending lawsuits.

The two-page no party policy, provided by Gonzales attorneys, says it was established to inform all guests of noise limits and not to insinuate any distrust in the average guest.

Gonzales suit seeks $300,000 for embarrassment, frustration, humiliation and feelings of racial stigmatization. The suit also says it could later be amended to add $1 million in punitive damages.

The suit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Oregon
TEHRAN, Iran, Jan.3

Trend:

Iran's Raja Railway Transportation Company will transport mourners from other provinces to Tehran to attend the funeral of General Qassem Soleimani on Jan.4.

"Raja is ready to transport mourners to Tehran and assign extra trains in various routes in the case of necessity," said the company, Trend reports citing IRNA.

On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force was killed as a result of air strikes at Baghdad Airport.

The Pentagon claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Iranian general.
Some commentators have also said that the attack was no preventive action. They say that it was a deviation tactic by Trump to shift focus from the impending impeachment trial. (Photo Credit: File Photo)

New Delhi:

Pentagon and the White House have officially confirmed that President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Irans high-profile General in an airstrike in Baghdad on Friday morning. In a statement, the White House said that, At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. The Department of Defense added that, "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more."

Later, Donald Trump took to Twitter and tweeted the US national flag without any caption. Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley lauded Trumps action. Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, Haley said on Twitter while tagging Trump.

Lindsey Graham, close Trump ally, has also backed the US President. Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America. This action by President Trump and our military was in direct response to Iranian aggression orchestrated by General Soleimani and his proxies. If Iran continues to attack America and our allies, they should pay the heaviest of prices, which includes the destruction of their oil refineries. To the Iranian government: If you want to stay in the oil business leave America and our allies alone and stop being the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, Graham tweeted.

Tensions have ratcheted up in the restive region with many pointing out that Iran wont take it lightly. Many experts have warned that this act would mean war between Iran and the US. Some commentators have also said that the attack was no preventive action. They say that it was a deviation tactic by Trump to shift focus from the impending impeachment trial.

The oil prices soared more than four per cent Friday following Soleimanis assassination.

Brent surged 4.4 per cent to USD 69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to 63.84. The head of Iran's Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was hit in an attack on Baghdad international airport early Friday, according to Hased, a powerful Iraqi paramilitary force linked to Tehran.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
J anuary is always an exciting time for music fans.

Fresh from trawling the end-of-year lists, now its all about the best of whats to come, with countless new albums on the horizon.

As is always the case at this time of year, the rumour mill is in full motion  Frank Ocean, Lady Gaga, Lana Del Rey, My Bloody Valentine, The Cure, Haim, Cardi B and many, many more are among the artists on the brink of releasing new music in 2020, depending on who you believe.

Here, weve cut through the noise to pick out 10 artists who almost definitely will come through with the goods  five of them have confirmed dates, others are sure to deliver within the next 12 months and the rest have dropped extremely strong hints that albums are on the way.

Halsey  Manic (January 17)

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A worldwide arena filler, Ashley Halsey Frangipane might still be better known as the voice of other peoples songs. Her two UK number ones have been on Closer by The Chainsmokers and Benny Blancos Eastside. But her third album should cement her status as a queen of dark pop, containing hits of her own including Without Me.

Kesha  High Road (January 31)

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Before her 2017 comeback Rainbow, Kesha Sebert couldnt release music for five years due to a legal battle with her former producer. Finally shes busy again, with her fourth album on the way. Her big voice wraps itself around rowdy pop with a country feel, with plenty of plucked guitar and cameos from Sturgill Simpson and Brian Wilson.

Green Day  Father of All Motherf***ers (February 7)

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The fathers of all pop punk return with their 13th album next month, and will play a huge stadium show alongside Fall Out Boy and Weezer in the Olympic Park in June. Both the title track and Fire, Ready, Aim suggest the trio arent smoothing out their sound in old age. Theyre as rough and rowdy as ever.

Tame Impala  The Slow Rush (February 14)

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Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker will be back with his fourth album on Valentines Day. The success of its predecessor, Currents, led to collaborations with artists as varied as Kanye West, Lady Gaga and Travis Scott, so expect his psych-rock stew to contain even more ingredients this time.

The 1975  Notes on a Conditional Form (February 21)

Getty Images for KROQ

The bands fourth album was supposed to be a twin to their third, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, but now appears 15 months on. It sounds like itll be an eclectic set, with songs already released including a Greta Thunberg speech set to piano music and the distorted punk of People.

Dua Lipa  Future Nostalgia

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The name of Dua Lipas second album suggests an album that looks back as well as forwards, and the first two singles support the theory  the title track has hints of 80s synth, while Don't Stop Now has a popping funk bassline. The rest looks like itll draw in plenty of other styles, with Gwen Stefani, Moloki and Outkast named by Lipa among her main influences. We dont have a specific release date for this one.

The Killers  Imploding The Mirage

Getty Images for iHeartMedia

2019 was a big year for Brandon Flowers and the gang, headlining Glastonbury in the summer, and 2020 looks as if it could be similarly massive. Theyll head off on their biggest UK tour in May and will, at some point, release their sixth album. We dont have any singles yet, but the band have been teasing potential tracklists on their Twitter page.

Justin Bieber

(Getty Images)

Its been a fair while since Justin Bieber released an album  almost half a decade  but it looks as if 2020 will be the year a new collection materialises. Less than a week in and weve already got a new single, Yummy, a trap-flavoured slow-burn. Theres no word on an album name or release date, though.

The Strokes

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Yeah, weve got a new album coming out soon. Surprise. Those were the words of Julian Casablancas at a show on New Years Eve, announcing his bands upcoming release in typically laid-back fashion. About time, too  The Strokes last full-length release was all the way back in 2013. At that same gig they played a brand new song, which you can hear here. Hang tight for an album name and release date.

Foo Fighters

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By PTI

LOS ANGELES: Quentin Tarantino has heaped praises on Christopher Nolan's 2017 war drama "Dunkirk" which he says is number two in his list of best films of the last decade.

During a recent episode of The Ringer's "Rewatchables" podcast, Tarantino said he is compiling a list of best movies made during the 2010s and therefore is revisiting a number of films for that purpose.

"Dunkirk", a triptych exploring three stories from the perspective of air, land and sea, is set around the Dunkirk evacuation of British troops during World War II.

Tarantino said the film was initially placed seventh but rose to the second spot after he rewatched it a couple of times.

ALSO READ: Dunkirk rakes in over Rs 15 crore in opening weekend in India

He said the movie came across as a spectacle to him and delivered an absolute emotional experience.

"I had an interesting experience with it the first couple of times. The first time I saw it, I don't know what I was thinking the first time.

I just dealt with the spectacle of it all. I couldn't deal with anything else but the spectacle of it all.

I liked the movie, but the spectacle almost numbed me to the experience.

"I don't think I felt anything emotional. I was awed by it. But I didn't know what I was awed by...It wasn't until the third time that I could see past the spectacle and into the people the story is about.

I finally could see through the trees a little bit," the director explained.

Tarantino is yet to reveal his full list.

At the 2018 Academy Awards, "Dunkirk" was nominated for eight Oscars and won best sound editing, best sound mixing, and best film editing.
The U.S. is on heightened alert after Iran vowed 'harsh retaliation' for an American airstrike in Iraq and that killed a top Iranian general - as it is feared that sleeper cells may be ready to attack in major cities.

The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, on Friday marks a major escalation in the standoff between the U.S. and Iran.

Major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have already said they are stepping up security in the aftermath of the airstrikes to prevent any revenge attacks.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said they would be protecting key locations from 'any attempt by Iran or its terrorist allies to retaliate against the U.S.'

'We have to assume this action puts us in a de facto state of war,' he told a press conference on Friday.

It comes amid fears that the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, which has been designated by the U.S. government as a foreign terrorist organization, may have sleeper cells in the U.S. that are ready to retaliate.

Scroll down for video

Major cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have said they are stepping up security in the aftermath of the airstrikes to prevent any revenge attacks. Pictured above officers stand guard at Times Square Friday

NYPD patrols stand guard at Times Square on Friday. The NYPD will take actions to protect the city and residents against any possible retaliation after the deadly US airstrike in Iraq, Mayor Bill de Blasio said

Major cities are on heightened alert amid fears that the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group may have sleeper cells in the U.S. that are ready to retaliate. Member of Hezbollah are pictured setting fire to the U.S embassy in Baghdad on New Year's Day

Former CIA operations officer, Sam Faddis, warned that Hezbollah sleeper cells were hiding in the U.S. and potentially had targets in its sights.

'It is more than possible that Hezbollah has sleeper cells in the United States ready to strike,' Faddis told DailyMail.com.

'Based on what we know we must assume they do and that they can hit targets on U.S. soil at anytime without warning.'

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has already warned that 'harsh retaliation is waiting' for America following the airstrikes.

'No one has to be reminded that New York City is the number one terror target in the United States. We have to recognize that this creates a whole series of dangerous possibilities for our city,' de Blasio said.

'We have plenty of knowledge of previous efforts by Iranian proxies to scout and target locations in New York City. Hezbollah and others have made it a point in recent years... We know there's been an effort to target and prepare to attack in New York City in the past.'

The mayor said the threat has changed significantly given the resources that a state such as Iran has compared to non-state organizations like Al Qaeda or ISIS.

'It's just a world of difference,' de Blasio said.

In a series of tweets later on Friday, de Blasio added: 'We are in an unprecedented situation today, but the NYPD is ready for any scenario. New Yorkers will see heightened security at locations around the city, but there is NO credible and specific threat at this time. If you see something, say something.

'The NYPD has a strong relationship with our security and intelligence partners around the country and the world. They will be working together non-stop to keep New Yorkers safe, and I have absolute faith in them. Everyone should go about their lives unafraid.

'The United States should not go to war with Iran. We are in completely uncharted territory, and no one knows what the consequences of this attack will be in the coming weeks, months and years. This decision can ONLY be made by Congress, speaking for the American people.'

NYPD counterterrorism officers stand guard at Times Square on Friday

De Blasio told a press conference Friday: 'We have to assume this action puts us in a de facto state of war.' Police are seen in Times Square on Friday

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea confirmed additional resources had been deployed.

'The NYPD continues to closely monitor the events in Iran & across the region for any further developments. While there are no specific/credible threats to #NYC, we've deployed additional resources to key locations,' Shea said.

He said New Yorkers could expect to see more uniformed officers, some heavily armed with long guns, at sensitive areas. He did not specify what those were but a heavy police presence is typically seen on the subway, other mass transit, and tourist attractions.

The Los Angeles Police Department said that while there was currently no credible threat to the city, they were monitoring developments in Iran and were committed to ensuring safety.

Just last month, New Yorker Ali Kourani was sentenced to 40 years in prison after he was convicted of providing material support to Hezbollah by seeking targets in New York City for terrorist attacks

Just last month, a New Yorker was sentenced to 40 years in prison after he was convicted of providing material support to Hezbollah by seeking targets in New York City for terrorist attacks.

Ali Kourani, 34, was arrested in 2017 on charges he sought to support Hezbollah's Islamic Jihad organization.

Kourani was monitoring terrorism targets in New York City, including Kennedy International Airport and law enforcement facilities including the building housing the FBI, authorities said.

Authorities said Kourani, who was born in Lebanon but moved legally to the U.S. in 2003, received sophisticated military training overseas at least twice.

He was trained in the use of a rocket propelled grenade.

A New Jersey man was charged in September of conducting intelligence-gathering operations for Hezbollah including in Times Square, Boston's Fenway Park and The Capitol building in Washington D.C.

Alexei Saab, 42, - who was arrested in July - is said to have provided detailed information on various locations to Hezbollah, including photographs and their structural weaknesses.

John Miller, Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism for the NYPD and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (left) held a press conference Friday where they said NYC is the number one target

A New Jersey man was charged in September of conducting intelligence-gathering operations for Hezbollah including in Times Square, Boston's Fenway Park and The Capitol building in Washington D.C.

Alexei Saab, 42, - who was arrested in July - is said to have provided detailed information on various locations to Hezbollah, including photographs and their structural weaknesses

Locations including the United Nations headquarters, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and local airports, tunnels, and bridges are said to have been under his surveillance.

Speaking about these two specific arrests, NYPD Deputy Commissioner John Miller said authorities were well prepared in New York to thwart any attacks.

'As we have pointed out... this is not a scenario we started thinking about last night. We are well prepared,' he said.

The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, on Friday marks a major escalation in the standoff between the U.S. and Iran

'We have had marked success in New York in identifying these sleepers agents and rolling them up.

Following the airstrikes, Brian Katulis - a senior fellow on national security at the Center for American Progress - warned that it was important to watch the global terror network Iran has cultivated in recent years.

'U.S. agencies have kept Americans and the U.S. homeland safe in recent years from the threats posed by a wide range of terrorist networks, including those supported by Iran. But now the real test comes,' he said.

'The lack of a clear U.S. strategy for the Middle East has hindered America's ability to confront Iran's support for terrorism - one strike won't change that.

'Keep an eye on the unwatched pots - those tend to boil over in unexpected ways at unexpected times.'

Katulis has previously testified before Congress on Iran's terrorism network. During his 2018 testimony, Katulis said there was evidence Hezbollah had made efforts to establish sleeper cells in America.

'These limited incidents demonstrate a possible effort by Hezbollah to prepare for contingencies in which the terrorist movement might want to conduct attacks against U.S. interests and even the U.S. homeland,' he said.
Richard Jewell

Director - Clint Eastwood

Cast - Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde

Having grown up in New Delhi, Ive developed an intolerance for decency. There is an impatience to this city, an ingrained scepticism that has unfortunately rubbed off on the people who live in it. My gut reaction to acts of kindness is to be suspicious, to the point that whenever I experience it, I suspect good people of having ulterior motives.

Director Clint Eastwoods new film Richard Jewell, titled as unassumingly as its subject, suggests that this growing cynicism isnt restricted to certain cities, but is more of a generational thing  and we all know the disdain Eastwood has for millennials. He likes to call us the p*ssy generation.

Watch the Richard Jewell trailer here

Set five years before 9/11 sent America plummeting into a pit of paranoia, Richard Jewell tells the true story of a security guard who saved dozens of lives after he spotted a suspicious backpack containing a pipe bomb, during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. For his bravery, Richard Jewell was hailed as a national hero. But even before the news cycle could organically omit him from the narrative, Richard was once again put into the spotlight, this time as the prime suspect, demonised by the same people who idolised him days ago.

Like several of Eastwoods late-period films such as Sully and American Sniper, Richard Jewell is also about integrity  a virtue that the great filmmaker is convinced has disappeared from the modern world. One could argue that Eastwoods movies, at least those that he has directed in the last decade, are a shameless romanticisation of the America that he grew up in. His films are about everyday heroes, men  and theyre always men  who do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. And then came the p*ssy generation, a group of people, Eastwood says, that simply doesnt want to work, and treats those that do with hostility and disrespect.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Jon Hamm, left, and Paul Walter Hauser in a scene from Richard Jewell. (AP)

An inquiry was initiated against Captain Chesley (Sully) Sullenberger, who saved hundreds of passengers after heroically landing his spluttering plane on the Hudson River. In an ideal world, Eastwood said in an interview, Sully should be running for president. In American Sniper, the Navy SEAL Chris Kyle was exploited by his countrys absurd foreign policies, repeatedly sent back to fight a war with no end in sight, ultimately rendering him unfit to return to civilian life. In The Mule, an octogenarian veteran of the Korean War was confronted by bankruptcy because of greedy politicians and corporations, forced into a life of crime despite having dedicated decades to honest work. Each of these three men were real people. None of them, Eastwood appears to be yelling through his films, got their due.

In this regard, Richard Jewell is very much up Eastwoods alley, and the filmmaker through the story channels some of his own anxieties about what the world has become. It is an indictment of the fake news media that can destroy a mans life in seconds by publishing a poorly researched story; of the liberals who see men like Richard Jewell and decide that he fits the profile of a lone bomber; and of the intellectual elite who jump on the bandwagon to appear woke.

As always, Eastwoods plain directorial style allows the writing and the performances to shine, and fortunately on this occasion, both are exemplary. In typical fashion, Eastwood doesnt rely on a musical score as a crutch  imagine asking Karan Johar to not fall into the safety net of the Dharma tune  but instead shows faith in the cast and crew that he has assembled to communicate a clear vision.

As the titular character, newcomer Paul Walter Hauser is phenomenal. Its difficult to effectively portray righteousness on screen without appearing either deluded or grating. Hauser does it with an understated efficiency that is emblematic of Eastwoods filmmaking. Richard is an easy man to get behind because we understand where he comes from, and we believe him when he says he respects authority, which makes his slow loss-of-innocence all the more tragic.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Sam Rockwell, from left, Kathy Bates and Paul Walter Hauser in a scene from Richard Jewell. (AP)

Eastwood surrounds Hauser with seasoned supporting players such as Sam Rockwell and Kathy Bates as Richards lawyer and mother, respectively, and Olivia Wilde and Jon Hamm, both of whom play characters that, on paper, could have very easily been interpreted as villainous. But in the film, theyre shown as complicated individuals who make mistakes, not necessarily because they were born evil, but because on certain occasions, they chose to cut corners.

Were suspicious of decency because the very idea has been systematically been beaten out of us. In the films deeply moving final moments, Richard has a moment of clarity. After being relentlessly harassed and publicly shamed for close to a 100 days, he asks the same FBI agents whom he once idolised, You think the next time some security guard sees a suspicious package that he or shes going to call it in? I doubt it. Theyre going to look at it and think, I dont want to be another Richard Jewell.

And so theyre going turn a blind eye and look the other way. A couple of dozen of people will die, but they, the p*ssy generation, will not be inconvenienced. The world will go on.

Follow @htshowbiz for more

The author tweets @RohanNaahar
iStock(MCALESTER, Okla.) -- A transgender man was shot to death in Oklahoma this week, and police said they're searching for a suspect.



The body of Dustin Parker, 25, was found Wednesday in the driver's seat of a taxi in the city of McAlester, Sgt. Preston Rodgers of the McAlester Police Department told ABC News on Friday.



The cab had several bullet holes, Rodgers added.



Police do not yet know if Parker's killing was motivated by the fact he's transgender, but they are asking anyone with information to come forward.



Parker is believed to be the first transgender person killed in 2020, according to the Human Rights Campaign. In 2019, at least 25 transgender or gender non-conforming people were killed in the U.S., according to the LGBTQ advocacy group.



Parker worked as a cab driver for Rover Taxi, according to the company.



Brian West, owner of Rover Taxi and a friend of Parker's, said the community has been devastated by his loss.



"He was a bright, young individual with a lot of potential," West told ABC News. "He could light up a room. He knew everybody, everybody knew him. He just, I think, he touched a lot of lives in our community."



Parker was a prominent member of the LGBTQ community in McAlester, a city about 130 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.



He founded the city's Southeastern Equality group, which provides resources for LGTBQ individuals and their families.



He also helped spearhead the city's first Pride Parade in October, according to West.



West, the group's president, said Parker wanted not only to help others avoid the pain he went through growing up, but also encourage more people to speak up about human rights.



"Silence is complacency. You can't be silent about this," West said. "I'm gay. He's trans. That is a minute component of who we are as people, and it shouldn't define who we are."



A funeral for Parker is expected to be held Monday at 10 a.m. A location has not yet been finalized.



Parker leaves behind a wife and four children, two of whom are from his wife's previous relationship.



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity to lead Hankook Tire's team in America," said Lee. "As we move into this new decade, I am excited about being able to continue the growth of our American headquarters as well as implement the necessary strategic initiatives that will continue our goal of becoming a global leader in the tire industry."

Lee received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Michigan State University in 1996. He began working at Hankook in 1987 and has held many executive level positions during his tenure. In 2009 he was selected as President and Chief Operating Officer for the American Headquarters. In 2017, he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Corporate Management Officer at Hankook's global headquarters in Seoul, Korea. He was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of Hankook's global headquarters in 2018.

"As a proven leader, Lee brings his wealth of Hankook knowledge and experience back to America," said Hosung Suh, outgoing America Headquarters President. "He will help us continue to elevate our brand and continue our growth in the region. He also understands the value of customer service and our commitment to excellence in manufacturing high-quality products for North American consumers."

Under Suh's tenure, Hankook Tire opened its first state-of-the art 1.5 million square foot manufacturing facility in the United States in Clarksville, Tenn. In October 2017. The opening of the plant expanded the company's global footprint by solidifying its commitment to innovation, technology and growth in North America. The Tennessee Plant operates at full-capacity and has helped grow Clarksville's economy. In addition, the plant has allowed Hankook to incorporate sustainable design and construction into its tire manufacturing by leveraging top-tier technology through its highly automated manufacturing process.

Lee will split his time between Hankook's America headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. and global headquarters in Seoul, Korea. He will specifically focus on these three key themes at the American Headquarters: competitiveness, innovation, and results. Strategic initiatives will be put in place to enhance Hankook's competitiveness in the tire industry. Additionally, Hankook will focus on and seek answers to "why" and "how" questions in order to provide innovation breakthroughs that will help garner a share of the market. And finally, the answers to these questions along with R&D will be used to help produce results. Lee begins his tenure in Nashville mid-January.

Name: Soo Il Lee Title/Position: Hankook Tire & Technology, President & COO

Hankook Tire America Corp., President



Date of Birth: 1962 Education: 1996. Michigan State University, MBA, USA

1987. Kyungpook National University, Bachelor of Arts in Trade Key Experience:

5.2019 Hankook Tire & Technology, President & COO

(Renamed: Hankook Tire  Hankook Tire & Technology)



2018 President & COO 2017 Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Corporate Management

Officer 2016 Executive Vice President & COO of China Headquarters 2013 Senior Vice President & COO of China Headquarters



2009 Senior Vice President & COO of America Headquarters 1987 Joined Hankook Tire

About Hankook Tire America Corp.

Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high quality, reliable products that are safer for consumers and the environment. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Hankook Tire markets and distributes a complete line of high performance and ultra-high-performance passenger tires, light truck, SUV tires, as well as truck and bus tires in the United States.

SOURCE Hankook Tire America Corp.
(Bloomberg) -- A salacious three-year legal battle involving a former partner at Sequoia Capital, a onetime exotic dancer and a promised $40 million hush money payment has come to an end.

A California Superior Court judge ruled in favor of venture capitalist Michael Goguen, finding his former mistress Amber Laurel Baptiste committed fraud and extortion when she threatened to publicize false claims, including that he gave her a sexually transmitted infection. The judge ordered Baptiste to pay back the full $10.25 million she got from Goguen. After a three-day trial that Baptiste didnt attend, the court also approved a restraining order to protect Goguen and his current wife, Jamie Goguen.

Unless an objection is filed by the end of next week, the Dec. 20 ruling becomes final and caps a saga that sent Silicon Valleys gossip mill into overdrive and extinguished Goguens two-decade investing career at one of worlds most prestigious venture firms. Baptistes allegations surfaced just as the #MeToo movement was beginning to take shape, drawing heightened scrutiny of executive wrongdoing. The decision is a rare moment of possible redemption for a powerful man accused of sexual misconduct.

Baptiste said she stands by every claim she made in her initial lawsuit and plans to file an objection to the ruling before the deadline. She said she has already spent nearly $5 million of the money Goguen gave her on legal fees and is in the process of hiring what would be her sixth attorney. I will continue to fight this all the way to the end, Baptiste said.

Goguen said by phone from his home in Whitefish, Montana, that the ruling concludes a heartbreaking and devastating chapter of his life. He said many friends and colleagues have treated him like a leper since Baptiste went public with her allegations in 2016. Even after defeating Baptistes original suit in September, the scandal continued to impede Goguens efforts to operate his new VC fund. Goguen stopped short of celebrating the verdict as a victory. Ive become jaded, he said.

Story continues

At Sequoia, Goguen specialized in finding and funding technology startups that specialized in networking and cybersecurity. Initial public offerings and sales of some of those companies to Cisco Systems Inc. delivered riches to Goguen and the VC firm. Baptistes suit in 2016 had an immediate impact, with Sequoia scrubbing Goguen from the company website and removing him from the boards of 11 companies. Sequoia said at the time that the allegations against Goguen were unproven and unrelated to the firm. Still, we decided his departure was appropriate, Sequoia said. A spokeswoman for the firm declined to comment on the new ruling.

Goguen and Baptiste have said they met in 2002 at strip club in Dallas where she was working, and they began spending time together. In 2014, Goguen paid Baptiste $10 million in what was to be the first of four installments to sever communication and keep details of their affair and other allegations under wraps.

In her 2016 complaint, Baptiste alleged that Goguen sexually abused her for more than a decade, infected her and then reneged on a promise to pay the full $40 million. Goguen countersued, calling the affair consensual and accusing her of extortion. Goguen claimed he stopped paying her because she violated their contract by continuing to contact him and then broke their confidentiality agreement with her suit.

Baptiste soon parted ways with her attorney and claimed that Goguens lawyers were working with a private investigator to stalk her. She has said Goguen was using his wealth and power to overwhelm her.

Last year, Goguen defeated Baptistes suit before it went to trial. A judge ruled in September that Baptiste had failed to provide evidence for her claims or undergo mental and physical examinations required by the court.

In the December decision on Goguens countersuit, Judge Danny Chou ruled that Baptiste forged the date and results of medical tests accusing Goguen of giving her the infection. He found that Goguen agreed to the payment in order to stop Baptiste from spreading false claims to create a media circus.

Chou also found Baptiste fraudulently solicited donations from Goguen for a nonprofit she established called Every Girl Counts. The organization was supposed to help feed, clothe and shelter three dozen young girls. But Baptiste didnt provide any such services and instead spent more than $40,000 of the charitys funds to commission fantasy paintings of herself, according to the ruling.

Seeing the countersuit through was a necessary step toward clearing his name, Goguen said. After defeating Baptistes suit a few months ago, Goguen said the conclusion had the opposite effect of what he expected. Silicon Valley Bank and an angel investing group refused to work with him because, even though the allegations werent true, they didnt want to invite negative news coverage, Goguen said.

Goguen hopes the new ruling puts the matter to rest. He said if Baptiste pays back the money, hell donate it to charity. Goguen is now focused on his Montana-based VC firm, Two Bear Capital. He said he contributed $15 million to the initial fund, which has backed seven startups. He has no plans to return to Sequoia or Silicon Valley.

The case is Baptiste v. Goguen, CIV537691, Superior Court of California, San Mateo County (San Mateo).

(Updates with Baptiste comment in the fourth paragraph.)

To contact the reporter on this story: Lizette Chapman in San Francisco at lchapman19@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Mark Milian at mmilian@bloomberg.net, Peter Blumberg

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
One of the more surprising elements of last months the Queens speech was the announcement of a new law essentially criminalising the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Despite mentioning neither Israel nor BDS by name, the wording of the speech made clear the target of proposed legislation. Under threat of prosecution, public bodies like universities and local councils will be prohibited from imposing their own direct or indirect boycotts, disinvestment or sanctions campaigns against foreign countries.

The proposed law signals Boris Johnson hitching his foreign policy to Americas, which under Trump is increasingly hostile to BDS. This was evidenced a few weeks ago, when Trump signed an executive order officially labelling Jews an ethnic minority (rather than an exclusively religious one). The order, putatively aimed at combatting antisemitism, is, in reality, a weapon with which to fight BDS on college campuses, by designating boycotts a form of racial discrimination.

This is the culmination of a long-brewing storm: laws punishing BDS are now on the books in over two dozen US states, and a federal bill, which would allow states to force businesses to sign pledges forswearing the movement, is currently lying dormant in the Senate.

The debate around anti-BDS laws is commonly had on the level of freedom of expression. Opponents of such laws argue that they constitute censorship. The laws supporters counter that (usually) only public bodies are prohibited from supporting boycotts; private individuals are free to do so.

Yet such debates often preclude a deeper consideration of the rightness or wrongness of BDS itself. What is the principled justification for an anti-BDS law? The governments line, as reiterated by Eric Pickles, special envoy for post-Holocaust issues, is that BDS should be prohibited on anti-racist grounds. BDS is just a thin disguise for anti-Semitism, he remarked at a recent conference in Jerusalem. [It is] one of the worst wink wink, nudge nudge, pieces of racialism that we know.

The implicit argument is not just that BDS covers for antisemites under the guise of Palestinian solidarity. Its that BDS is inherently antisemitic because, rather than limiting its scope to the occupied territories, it makes the whole of Israel its target (its for this reason that liberal Zionists who oppose BDS will often favour boycotting only goods produced in Israeli settlements). In so doing, goes the argument, BDS rejects Jewish self-determination as such, rather than insofar as it impinges upon that of Palestinians.

The anti-racist case against BDS appears to make sense. But upon contact with reality, it crumbles. Israel good, occupation bad isnt a useful maxim, because theres no longer a clear way of distinguishing Israeli settlements from the Israeli state.

The Green Line  the border dividing Israel and the West Bank  was always somewhat blurred, but it is increasingly so, both by law as well as by facts on the ground. For instance, one recently-ratified Israeli law prohibits companies from refusing to sell their services in the occupied territories, rendering the distinction between Israeli and settlement-produced goods largely meaningless. Another law transfers control of higher education in the West Bank from a special council to the Israeli government, meaning that a law banning academic boycott in the UK could in effect force British universities to associate with those in the occupied territories.

Laws like this are not aberrations: they reflect the inextricable entanglement of the Israeli state with the settlement project. There is a one-state reality in Israel-Palestine, where a single government rules over roughly seven million Jewish citizens and five million disenfranchised Arabs.

Johnsons anti-BDS law effectively endorses this reality, bolstering the occupation with international legitimacy as well as financial support. As for where this all might lead, we can look again to the US, where a Texan speech pathologist recently lost her job after refusing to sign an anti-BDS pledge.

Its now brutally clear that the Trump administration is following a post-two-state strategy, of which anti-BDS laws are a central part. Where American support for Israel was once at least nominally conditional on the peace process, Trumps presidency has given Netanyahu  and his allies to the right  free reign in the occupied territories, green-lighting the impending annexation of parts of the West Bank. By placing us in alignment with America, this new law presages a similar future for the UKs Israel-Palestine policy. Perhaps we will soon see our own embassy moved to Jerusalem or UK recognition of Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights . The Conservatives might even ape the Republican Party by ceasing to mention a Palestinian state at all.

The prospects of a future Palestinian state are already dismal. If this new law is any indication, Johnsons Conservatives may do it irreparable damage.
Republican lawmakers quickly spoke out Thursday in strong support of President Donald Trump's attack that killed Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, as Congress complained it received no advance notice of the strike.

The high praise from the right stood in stark contrast to reaction from Democrats, who severely criticized Trump's latest move in a sign of Washington's polarization ahead of this year's presidential elections.

Senator Lindsey Graham has praised Trump's airstrike in Baghdad which killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani

The strike on Soleimani, which occurred at Baghdad's international airport on Friday in Iraq, also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force

'In a display of resolve and strength, we struck the leader of those attacking our sovereign U.S. territories,' top House Republican Kevin McCarthy said in a statement.

The sentiment was swiftly echoed by his fellow Republicans.

'Wow - the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically,' Senator Lindsey Graham, a close confidant of Trump, wrote on Twitter.

Former National Security Advisor and United States Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, tweeted: 'Congratulations to all those involved in eliminating Qasem Soleimani.

'Long in the making. this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide.

'Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran.'

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, tweeted that Soleimani 'got what he richly deserved' and that his death was 'justice' for 'all those American soldiers who died by his hand.'

Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, tweeted that Soleimani was a 'depraved terrorist' who 'had the blood of hundreds of American servicemen and women on his hands.'

The strike on Soleimani, which occurred at Baghdad's international airport on Friday in Iraq, also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

'Wow - the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically,' Senator Lindsey Graham, a close confidant of Trump, wrote on Twitter

It came after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

The White House traditionally gives warning to senior members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of major military action.

But House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement that the strike 'went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress.'

Former National Security Advisor and United States Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, tweeted in support of the strike too

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that killed an American contractor working in Iraq. Pictured is a vehicle on fire following the US attack in Baghdad

The White House traditionally gives warning to senior members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of major military action. Pictured is a vehicle on fire following the US attack in Baghdad

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, tweeted that Soleimani 'got what he richly deserved' and that his death was 'justice' for 'all those American soldiers who died by his hand'

Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, tweeted that Soleimani was a 'depraved terrorist' who 'had the blood of hundreds of American servicemen and women on his hands'

'At this time of increase tension in the region, the US must take necessary steps to protect our personnel there and beyond,' the senator from Utah tweeted

Soleimani was 'the mastermind of immense violence' who has 'the blood of Americans on his hands,' the Democratic lawmaker said.

But 'to push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress's powers as a coequal branch of government,' Engel said.

Mood from the Democratic camp was decidedly critical, particularly from presidential candidates in the 2020 campaign.

'President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox,' said former vice president Joe Biden, who leads the pack of Democratic contenders, in a statement.

'Iran will surely respond. We could be on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East,' Biden said.

US entrepreneur and Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang wrote on Twitter that 'war with Iran is the last thing we need and is not the will of the American people.

'We should be acting to deescalate tensions and protect our people in the region.'

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, tweeted: 'Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.'

House Rep. Ilhan Omar, the Democrat from Minnesota, tweeted: So what if Trump wants war, knows this leads to war and needs the distraction? Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him? I know I will

Democratic Senator for Connecticut, Chris Murphy spoke out against Trump's attack and said he 'bungled' relations in the Middle East

Democratic Vermont senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said 'Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.'

The winner of the Democratic primary will battle Trump for control of the White House in November elections, with the attack sure to feature center-stage during pre-vote debates.

It was already a topic trending in US-based think tank and diplomatic circles late Thursday.

'Make no mistake: any war with Iran will not look like the 1990 Gulf war or the 2003 Iraq war,' Richard Haass, president of the US-based Council on Foreign Relations, wrote on Twitter.

'The region (and possibly the world) will be the battlefield,' he wrote.
Reporters interview Shaurn Thomas (wearing skullcap) as relatives and lawyers stand nearby after his release from the State Correctional Institution at Frackville, in Schuylkill County, on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Read more

For 24 years, Shaurn Thomas insisted he couldnt have committed the North Philadelphia murder for which he had been convicted because he was in custody the day of the killing for an unrelated attempted motorcycle theft.

For 24 years, it seemed no one in the court system believed him.

But in 2017, his conviction was overturned on appeal, and the District Attorneys Office agreed that the case should be tossed out.

And a lawsuit filed by Thomas against the city afterward led to a surprising discovery: Decades-old documents in his original case file suggested for the first time that the detectives who arrested him were aware of his potential alibi, but did virtually nothing to find out if it was true.

Instead, Thomas lawsuit said, the cops charged Thomas based on statements made by two alleged coconspirators, who both had stories that frequently shifted, and who have since recanted their testimony.

One of the men claimed in a sworn statement for the lawsuit that the detectives, Martin Devlin and Paul Worrell, fed him a false story and assaulted him until he repeated it.

And the judge overseeing Thomas suit wrote in an opinion that Devlin and Worrell had omitted from arrest papers a host of information damaging to their case, including the fact that days after the killing  and months before Thomas was charged  they had interrogated three other men who were pulled over in a car that resembled the one used in the murder.

Last week, instead of seeking to litigate such claims at a trial, the city agreed to pay Thomas $4.15 million to settle the case, one of the largest payouts for a wrongful conviction in city history.

It was one of three taxpayer-funded awards handed out in 2019 for an overturned conviction, according to the citys Law Department. In June, a man cleared of rape in 2017 received a $3 million payment, and the city agreed in October to pay $900,000 to a man whose attempted-murder case was overturned in 2016.

Thomas, in an interview Thursday, called the award life-changing, saying that he was glad the process was over and that it was surreal to relive portions of a case that had put him behind bars for most of his adult life.

Im just, like, amazed that stuff like this happened, and that it happened to me, Thomas, 45, said. Im not bitter toward nobody. I dont hate nobody. This is just life, and this is the hand I was dealt.

Thomas had been convicted of second-degree murder for participating in the 1990 robbery and fatal shooting of 78-year-old Domingo Martinez. The verdict earned him an automatic life sentence.

Three other men also were convicted, including Thomas brother, Mustafa, the accused gunman. Prosecutors dropped plans to retry his case last year, although he remains imprisoned for another murder.

The two other coconspirators, brothers William and John Stallworth, pleaded guilty and received shorter sentences. They have since recanted their testimony.

Shaurn Thomas claimed in his lawsuit that his conviction was secured due to misconduct by Devlin and Worrell, both of whom he accuses of knowingly pushing a bogus case, and violating the law by failing to turn over evidence that might help his defense.

The detectives, both of whom retired years ago, have come under scrutiny for similar allegations in recent months, an effort driven in part by District Attorney Larry Krasner.

In October, Krasners office declined to pursue further prosecution after a judge vacated another conviction tied to Devlin and Worrell, and said in court documents that it was investigating an unknown number of others for potential wrongdoing.

Devlin also was involved in the investigation of Anthony Wright, a North Philadelphia man acquitted of rape and murder at a 2016 retrial after newly discovered DNA evidence implicated a different suspect. Defense attorneys in other cases involving Devlin and Worrell have alleged that Wrights case is a Rosetta stone in understanding how detectives in the early 1990s used coercive tactics to secure faulty convictions.

Wright settled his case against the city in 2018 for nearly $10 million, the largest payout in Philadelphia for a wrongful conviction.

City officials declined to comment on the allegations in Thomas lawsuit. In a statement, city solicitor Marcel Pratt said: This resolution avoids further, protracted litigation and provides financial support to Mr. Thomas as he and his family try their best to move forward.

Mayor Jim Kenney, meanwhile, said in a statement: I hope this resolution can assist Mr. Thomas and his family after the difficulties they experienced during his 24 years of incarceration.

One of Thomas lawyers, Jim Figorski, said he was certain Devlin and Worrell had a lengthy record of investigations, but whether they involve wrongdoing, I dont know.

Maybe somebody should take a look and see, he added.

Figorski said that he was glad to help resolve the case and that he has been consistently humbled by Thomas regularly optimistic demeanor.

Hes the most positive person I know, Figorski said.

Staff writer Samantha Melamed contributed to this article.
By early January in 1836, the 20-year-old named Joe had lived in Texas for three years and was now on his way to San Antonio.

Droves of men, many of them leaving debts and unsavory pasts in their wake, were pouring into the Mexican territory to make their mark and start anew.

Joe wasnt one of those men. Those men were white and Joe was black. His past, the mark of slavery, defined his present and future.

The Kentucky-born Joe had come to Texas as the property of one man and was now heading for San Antonio as the property of another, William Barret Travis, whod purchased him, little more than a year earlier, for $410.

Travis, recently commissioned as a Texan lieutenant colonel of the Legion of Cavalry, was leading soldiers to Bexar County to reinforce the Alamo against the inevitable attack of Santa Annas Mexican army. With them, on their trek to history, was Travis slave, Joe.

Travis name and those of 186 other men killed at the Alamo he commanded are engraved on the Cenotaph, the 58-foot marble monument that sits on the north edge of Alamo Plaza.

Last month, two days after Christmas, a few dozen members of This is Texas Freedom Force gathered at the Cenotaph to oppose its relocation to the southern part of Alamo Plaza, about 500 feet away.

Moving the Cenotaph is part of the $450 million project to transform the Alamo and Alamo Plaza. But the Freedom Force believes that moving the Cenotaph dishonors those who died there, a reasonable objection when it comes to the disturbance of any battle or burial ground. Its an objection eloquently reflected by Ramon Vasquez and the Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation when they remind us of the 1,300 remains buried on the site.

But comments made by a couple of the Freedom Force members made me think of Travis slave, Joe, because, clearly, they werent thinking of Joe.

One member, who appeared to be the youngest and who had a Dont Tread on Me flag draped around his shoulders, said: Im here to protect the cultural sovereignty of 1836.

What does that mean? I know what it means, or I think I know what it means. What Im not sure of is if he knows what that means. If he does, thats a problem.

Cultural sovereignty means a small group of people  elites, if you will  defines a nations culture. Would the young man prefer we conform to the mores and values of 1836, or does he want to be among the elite of 2020?

Someone who wasnt protected and didnt enjoy the cultural sovereignty of 1836 was Joe, born into slavery, sold twice and torn from his family.

Which leads to a second comment from a Freedom Force member, this one a minister from Kerrville, who told Express-News reporter Scott Huddleston: They stood and fought for my rights today. And Im going to stand and fight for theirs.

OK. Those men died heroically at the Alamo, but they didnt stand, fight or die that day for my rights, nor many of the other people who have since enjoyed the plaza, and they certainly werent fighting for the rights of Joe or the other slaves in the compound.

What is ironic is that most of what the Texas Freedom Force and all of us know about what transpired on March 6, 1836, is because of Joe. Once the Alamo came under siege, he joined Travis in taking up arms. He saw Travis get shot in the head and then fatally stab a Mexican soldier who attacked him.

Joes life was spared by the Mexicans because he was a black slave. He was interrogated by Santa Anna and released. He and Susanna Dickinson, another Alamo survivor who gave an insiders view of the siege, made their way to Sam Houstons camp in Gonzales.

Joe then gave the Texas Cabinet a full account of what he saw, and its this account, which spoke of the courage of Travis and the others in battle, that is the fullest and most credible about what went down behind those limestone walls.

Despite his testimony, Joe remained a slave and would be sold a third time before escaping in 1837 and making his way to Travis family in Alabama.

As we reimagine the Alamo by telling the full history of the lives and deaths that converged in that plaza, the presence of Joe reminds us how intertwined slavery is in that history.

Cary.Clack@express-news.net
The family of former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn played no role in his escape from Japan, Ghosn said in a statement on Thursday, days after his abrupt arrival in Beirut from Tokyo, where he faces trial for alleged financial misconduct, Trend reports citing Reuters.

There has been speculation in the media that my wife Carole, and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan. All such speculation is inaccurate and false, said the statement.

I alone arranged for my departure. My family had no role whatsoever, it added.
Ringsfield Hall provides children with outdoor residential opportunities through school trips. Activities relate to nature, care for the planet and very special care and respect for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of each child.

Ringsfield Hall provides children with outdoor residential opportunities through school trips. Activities relate to nature, care for the planet and very special care and respect for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of each child.

Ministers outreach at Sheringham model boat lake Local Christian, Graham Pickhaver has been sharing his testimony by giving out tracts at the model boating lake in Sheringham. Read more

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Norwich Christian unity service set for RC Cathedral All Christian churches and groups are invited to an ecumenical service on January 20 at St John's Cathedral in Norwich to pray for Christian unity. Read more

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Norwich church volunteer inspired by kindness A woman who has volunteered for The Salvation Armys Toys and Tins Appeal since 2016 said she will carry on doing so for as long as possible. Read more

Norwich pastor publishes new book Dr Alan Clifford, pastor of Norwich Reformed Church, has published a book on the life and ministry of 18th century church leader Edmund Calamy the Elder. Read more

Life is full of uncertainties for us all says Dean The Dean of Norwich Cathedral, the Very Rev Jane Hedges, say that for every single one of us, at the moment, life is full of uncertainties. Read more

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Isabel dos Santos, Africas richest woman and the daughter of former Angolan president, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, said her businesses in Angola are set to fail after a court froze her assets and bank accounts in the oil-producing country.

Freezing my accounts prevents me from being able to manage and recapitalize my companies, dos Santos, who has been living outside Angola since 2018, said in an emailed statement. As such, they have all but been sentenced to death.

The 46-year-old London-educated engineer amassed a fortune during her fathers almost four-decade rule and has an estimated net worth of about $2 billion (U.S.), Bloomberg data shows. In Angola, her business empire includes stakes in Angolas biggest mobile telecommunications company, Unitel; two of the countrys biggest private lenders, Banco de Fomento Angola and Banco BIC; a supermarket chain; a beer factory; and a cable company.

Outside Angola, dos Santos holds indirect stakes in several companies, including Portuguese oil company Galp Energia SGPS and cable company NOS SGPS.

Earlier this week, an Angolan court placed a freezing order on the Angolan assets of dos Santos, her husband Sindika Dokolo, and one of her executives, Mario da Silva. The nations attorney general accuses the three of engaging in transactions with state-owned companies that led to the government incurring losses of $1.14 billion.

The move marks another step in President Joao Lourencos bid to battle graft and dismantle the influence of his predecessors family over key industries.

Since Lourenco took power in 2017, Jose Filomeno, Isabels brother, has been fired as the head of Angolas sovereign wealth fund and accused of illegally transferring $500 million from Angolas central bank to the U.K. Their sister, Welwitschia dos Santos, recently lost her seat as a member of parliament after leaving Angola.

Isabel dos Santos, whose wealth and influence earned her the nickname The Princess, has accused Lourenco of carrying out a witch hunt against her family and insists that her wealth has been the product of hard work and determination. She said she created more than a dozen companies in Angola that collectively employed more than 10,000 people, whose jobs were now at risk.

I was given no opportunity to respond to the charges, which, so far as we are even able to understand them, appear to be wholly bogus, she said. We are concerned that the so-called charges may be based on fabricated documents.

Even so, the clampdown against dos Santos has been welcomed by some in Angola, where poverty is rife despite the nations oil and diamond riches, and resentment has been stoked by the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a politically connected elite. The southern African nation is ranked one of the worlds most corrupt nations by Transparency International.

The idea that they are being the target of a witch hunt is hard to accept when many of them have been living the good life and never seemed to be worried when others were being prosecuted, said Paulo Carvalho, a sociology professor at Agostinho Neto University in Luanda, the Angolan capital. The freezing order is aimed at preventing the transfer or sale of some of these assets and wont interfere with the day-to-day business of these companies.

Dos Santos said she would fight the injustice that had been perpetrated against her and warned the court ruling would send the wrong message to international investors.

If this judgment is allowed to stand, it shows that the justice system is flawed and the government is prepared to abuse it for their own ends, she said. This is a smokescreen to mask the flawed economic policy, which the current government have introduced.

Allegations made by the Angolan attorney general include that:

The state, through its diamond-marketing company, Sodiam, and oil company, Sonangol, transferred large sums of foreign currency to foreign companies  of which the ultimate beneficiaries were the individuals facing the court order  without securing the expected returns.

Sonangol paid 75.1 million euros ($108.9 million) to buy a stake in Galp Energia indirectly held by dos Santos and her husband. Shortly before dos Santos was fired as Sonangols chair in 2017, she tried to repay the consideration received for the stake in Angolan kwanzas, but Sonangols new board returned the money and asked that payment be made in euros. It was never received.

Dos Santos and her husband entered a 50-50 joint venture with state-owned diamond company Sodiam to invest in Geneva-based jewelry maker de Grisogono. Sodiam ended up paying most of the initial 120 million-euro loan that was taken to fund the investment.

Former president dos Santos ordered Sodiam to sell diamonds to companies related to the individuals notified in the court order at below market prices. They then sold the gems abroad and generated hefty profits.

The three individuals sought to hide assets bought with state funds by transferring them to other entities. Almost all of their assets were alleged to be held outside of Angola.

Portuguese police blocked a 10-million-euro bank transfer from a Portuguese bank to Russia that dos Santos tried to carry out through her business partner, Leopoldino Fragoso do Nascimento.
- Kertisha Brabson, suffered from anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a disease where the body fights its own brain cells

- The 31-year-old Ohio indigene went into coma for seven months as a result

- Brabson was declared brain-dead and doctors pulled her life support but the unexpected happened in April 2019

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

From Ohio in the United States, Kertisha Brabson would be counting her blessing each day following a near-death experience after being in a coma for seven months.

31-year-old Brabson would not be alive today if it wasnt for her mother who never lost hope that she would wake up again.

Her mother, Kertease Williams, brought her to the hospital in September 2018 when she noticed something wrong with her.

At the hospital, she was doing weird things such as reaching out for invisible things, talking to herself, and dancing without music before she had a seizure that put her into a coma.

READ ALSO: Rich Ghanaians who lost their businesses in 2019

Kertease Williams, who has no doctors background and has never been to school for anything, did everything in her power to bring her daughter back.

Doctors eventually found Kertisha was suffering from anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, wherein the body fights its own brain cells.

Williams confirms the doctor told her that her daughter was brain-dead and that was not easy finding out how to fix it.

''They told me she was brain-dead and pull the plug and all those things,'' Williams recounted.

After moving to several hospitals, Kertisha was then brought to Wexner Medical Center at Ohio State.

Dr Shraddha Mainali, a specialist in stroke and neurocritical care, who admitted that the mortality rate for her condition is above 60 percent, treated her.

READ ALSO: Inside the luxurious Kantanka 'aeroplane' car and the pretty ladies who served as attendants

Kertisha was still having up to 20 seizures a day, but Dr Mainalis team worked hard to treat her. After four months under her care, in April 2019, she woke up.

Kertisha said she had no idea 7 months had passed while she was asleep and in a coma. She said, ''I have no idea. I dont remember anything.''

Dr Mainali was glad to be a part of the amazing team that kept Kertisha alive. ''I am quite hopeful in her case that shes going to continue to do well and hopefully live a normal life,'' she said.

Meanwhile, Williams was beyond grateful to the medical professionals and that she didnt give up on her daughter, especially for the sake of Kertishas 2 little kids, Diamonique and Perez.

''Every decision that I made was because she got two little people that was depending on their mother to come home and that was her kids,'' Williams said.

In other stories, YEN.com.gh reported that while change is a constant and almost every employee seeks to progress and take up bigger roles in the corporate world to showcase their expertise, preparation only meets opportunity.

Sometimes, preparation meets opportunity within ones organisation which enables a positional or career shift for the individual. However, other organisations could present mind-blowing offers that one may find it hard to turn down.

YEN.com.gh has sighted a listicle by Citi Business which amplifies some Ghanaian women who moved to other bigger corporate positions to showcase their expertise.

READ ALSO: Jeff Badu: Former Ghanaian gang member now CEO of multi-million dollar company

Enjoyed reading our story? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news!

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
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The commander of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed early Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport authorized by President Trump. An American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy leaving the airport, killing Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani and several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper explained the action: General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several monthsincluding the attack on December 27thculminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad that took place this week.

Who was Qassem Soleimani?

Qassem Soleimani was an Iranian Major General in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Since 1998, he commanded the Quds force responsible for extraterritorial military and clandestine operations.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo deemed Soleimani equally as dangerous as Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In April 2019, the State Department announced that Iran was responsible for killing 608 American troops during the Iraq War. They determined that 17 percent of all US personnel deaths in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 were orchestrated by Soleimani.

A BBC analyst notes that Soleimani was seen as the mastermind behind Irans vast ambition in the Middle East, and the countrys real foreign minister when it came to matters of war and peace. Soleimani was widely considered a principal architect of President Bashar al-Assads war in Syria, the ongoing conflict in Iraq, the fight against Islamic State, and many battles beyond.

According to CNN, the significance of Soleimanis death cannot be overstated. An analyst for MSNBC calls him the worlds number one bad guy. He states that the killing of Soleimani means much more in terms of saving current lives than even the deaths of Osama bin Laden and ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

What led to the attack?

In June 2019, the Iranians shot down an American surveillance drone. Three months later, a barrage of missiles and drones targeted two of the worlds most important oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Last Friday, the US blamed an Iranian-backed militia for an attack that killed a US contractor and wounded four US service members. On Sunday, the US carried out airstrikes that were said to have killed at least twenty-five militia members. Demonstrators, including members of that Iranian-backed militia, then stormed the US Embassy compound in Baghdad. Gen. Soleimani reportedly orchestrated these militia activities.

Last Tuesday, the US Armys 82nd Airborne Division was told to plan for possible deployment to Kuwait, placing as many as four thousand troops on standby. Soldiers from this division arrived in Kuwait hours before the airstrike that killed Gen. Soleimani.

What comes next?

The New York Times calls Soleimanis death a staggering blow for Iran at a time of sweeping geopolitical conflict and a serious escalation of Mr. Trumps growing confrontation with Tehran. The Washington Examiner describes Soleimanis death as a monumental event and great news for the United States and the countless victims of his strategy that has unleashed death and chaos throughout the Middle East.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that harsh retaliation is waiting for the US after the airstrike. The US has urged its citizens to leave Iraq immediately. CNN speculates that American forces in Syria and its allies in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia could fall victim to Iranian retaliatory measures. The Associated Press adds that Irans allies in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Gaza could be mobilized.

The Washington Examiner states that a global terrorist campaign of uncertain duration is likely. In the context of Iranian domestic political instability and deep economic pressures on the regime, Iran might also use this killing as an excuse to destabilize oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Each of those developments would require immediate American deterrent response.

The path to true peace

The future is known to no one but God (cf. Isaiah 46:10). Our responsibility as Gods people is to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:12) and to work for both justice (Amos 5:24) and peace (Matthew 5:9) while seeking to lead all people to the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

As C. S. Lewis notes, God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

We cannot give the world what we do not have. In these tremulous times, our peace can be a powerful witness to a skeptical culture. Heres the path to such peace: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:67).

No matter what is happening in the world, in every circumstance and challenge we can have the peace of God today.

Do you?
In the streets of besieged Idlib - one of the last rebel-held areas in Syria - a man passed out sweets Friday to celebrate the U.S. airstrike that killed a commander who has been at the center of Syria's civil war from the beginning: Qasem Soleimani.

The Iranian major general, both revered and reviled as a key military strategist for Tehran's leaders, had been steering events in the Middle East for decades. As the commander of the Quds Force, which runs foreign operations for Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard, he was held responsible by U.S. officials for supporting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq that targeted U.S. soldiers and allied forces after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

But in Syria,as well as elsewhere in the Middle East, Soleimani has had an even more devastating reach. He was a point man for Iran's backing of Syrian President Bashar Assad and helped shape the Syrian military strategies in a horrific civil war that began with pro-democracy protests in 2011.

When peaceful protesters rose up against Assad in March of 2011, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came to his ally's aid. Iran provided loans, oil and financial assistance to skirt international sanctions. Tehran and its regional proxies, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, also were a conduit for weapons, battlefield training and fighters -- all vital support for Assad until Russia sent warplanes and other aid in 2015 to finally tip the scales in Syria's favor. Soleimani was reportedly the main man in Syria coordinating this all and doing Iran's bidding.

"Soleimani is almost resident in Damascus, or let's say he goes there a lot and you can find him between meetings with President Assad and visits to the theater of operations like any other soldier," a senior regional official told Reuters in 2015.

Just two years before Syria's unraveling began, Iran's leaders faced their own unrest. Major protests broke out across Iran in 2009 amid claims that the outcome of presidential elections were manipulated to hand victory to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over reformist rivals. Iran's Revolutionary Guard led the crackdowns -- with Soleimani and others at the helm.

In the Syrian uprisings early months in 2012, Soleimani "helped orchestrate the regime's vicious response to rebel attacks inside Damascus and to the threats of a palace coup," according to Sam Dagher in his book, "Assad or We Burn the Country."

Soleimani's knowledge of Arabic helped him to win over local commanders and build up Assad's support network. Already by 2012, the Treasury Department sanctioned Soleimani for his role in "the violent repression against the Syrian people." A then rare photo of the commander from 2014 in Syria showed him offering condolences to the family of the Syrian president's cousin, Hilal Assad, who was killed in battle near the border with Turkey.

That same year, Soleimani called on a close friend in Iraq, the transportation minister, to allow planes loaded with military support for Assad to fly through Iraqi airspace, according to cables published by The New York Times and the Intercept.

In February, Assad made his first visit to Tehran since the war began to see Khamenei. Soleimani sat next to Assad in the meeting. His support for Syria's army "will not be forgotten," Assad said Friday.

Soleimani also helped Assad with fighters - a mix that included Hezbollah, the Revolutionary Guard, affiliated militia fighters and hired hands from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Soleimani's role as commander of the Quds force enabled him to draw from a wealth of proxy fighters, some of whom then received training from Hezbollah operatives in bases in Iran and Syria.

"To save Assad, Suleimani has called on every asset he built since taking over the Quds Force: Hezbollah fighters, Shiite militiamen from around the Arab world, and all the money and materiel he could squeeze out of his own besieged government," The New Yorker's Dexter Filkins wrote in a 2013 profile.

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.

He added: "This kind of starkly sectarian atmosphere may be Suleimani's most lasting impact on the Middle East. To save his Iranian empire in Syria and Lebanon, he has helped fuel a Sunni-Shiite conflict that threatens to engulf the region for years to come - a war that he appears happy to wage."

Iran has denied sending soldiers to Syria, despite reports otherwise, though Iranian media has reported on funerals for "military advisers" killed in Syria.

In the summer of 2015, Soleimani defied a U.N.-imposed travel ban and visited Russia to coordinate Moscow's military intervention in Syria. According to Reuters, Soleimani and his Russian counterparts set up an agreement: A Russian airstrike campaign would accompany on the ground battles led by Iranian, Syrian, and Hezbollah fighters. Russia's air assaults ultimately helped to shift the war in Assad's favor.

"Soleimani put the map of Syria on the table," a senior regional official told Reuters at the time. "The Russians were very alarmed, and felt matters were in steep decline and that there were real dangers to the regime. The Iranians assured them there is still the possibility to reclaim the initiative. At that time, Soleimani played a role in assuring them that we haven't lost all the cards."

Just between April and November of 2019, Syrian and Russian bombing campaigns in northwest Idlib province killed 1,300 and displaced more than 1 million people, according to Syria Campaign, a monitoring group based in Britain.
By Kaley Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Aubrey Lane was flying from Phoenix to New York when the man next to her started ordering multiple drinks. He made inappropriate comments to her, according to a federal lawsuit she filed against American Airlines. At one point, he grabbed her face and kissed her, a witness said in an email to the airline.

She would push him off and say that couldnt happen, the witness said.

Visibly drunk, the man got up to go to the bathroom. Lane, taking the opportunity to also get up, went to the womens bathroom. The man forced himself into the bathroom with Lane and raped her, she said in the lawsuit.

Sexual assault on airplanes is a growing problem, according to data from the FBI. But no one seems to know how much of a problem it is.

Its definitely not getting better, said Paul Hudson, president of Flyers Rights, an organization that represents airline passengers. If there arent reforms, I think itll get worse.

According to the FBI, in-flight sexual assaults rose from 2014 to 2017. In fiscal year 2014, 38 cases of in-flight sexual assault were reported to the FBI. In the 2017 fiscal year, that number increased to 63. Reported assaults dropped to 39 in the 2018 fiscal year, the New York Times reported.

In 2016, a Gresham-area man who was also flying drunk groped a 13-year-old girl on a flight to Portland, a crime for which he later pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit abusive sexual contact.

The next year, a 27-year-old Banks woman molested a teen passenger on a flight from Las Vegas to Portland, including licking the young womans ear and repeatedly putting touching the teens crotch.

In October 2018, the White House signed off on the creation of a 14-member task force to study sexual misconduct on airplanes. The task forces report was meant to come out on Oct. 5. In December, a Department of Transportation spokeswoman said the report was expected before the end of 2019.

As of Jan. 3, the report still has not been published. When asked about the Oct. 5 deadline, a DOT spokeswoman did not respond.

Data on sexual misconduct on airplanes

The FBI is the leading agency for investigating misconduct in the air. In June 2018, the FBI said the number of sexual assaults reported during commercial airline flights was increasing and the number of actual cases could be higher than those reported.

However, more recent data and details on in-flight sexual misconduct are difficult to obtain.

The Star-Telegram requested investigative reports on sexual assault on planes, statistics on the number of sexual assaults reported and data on those assaults through the Freedom of Information Act. The FBI denied the request, citing rules that a federal agency does not have to create records or conduct research on requested data.

Hudson said the FBI has denied the groups requests for data for several years.

They know how many investigations they did, they know how many prosecutions they had, Hudson said. Their answer is, Its not in the standard database, so we cant help you.

In 2019, two lawsuits were filed in federal court in Fort Worth alleging sexual assault on board an airplane.

On Dec. 16, U.S. Army veteran Lena Ramsay and another passenger filed a class-action lawsuit against Frontier Airlines in federal court in Colorado. Ramsay and the other woman, referred to as Jane Doe in the suit, said they were sexually assaulted during separate flights and airline employees mishandled the cases.

The lawsuit says Frontier fail(ed) to have and/or follow policies and procedures to prevent, report, and respond to sexual assault of its passengers on its flights.

Hudson said the increase in overnight flights, long-distance flights and flight attendants over-serving passengers alcohol increase the likelihood of sexual misconduct in the air.

He also said the FBI does not prioritize the assaults.

Theyre organized to deal with white-collar, organized crime, terrorism, things of that nature, he said.

Every day, 44,000 flights carry 2.7 million airline passengers across the world, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

If one of those passengers is assaulted or harassed, they have no official avenue to report the incident. A passenger might tell a flight attendant, who may report it to the captain, who might tell a ground supervisor, who then may or may not report it to the police department where the plane is landed.

And then maybe the FBI will look into it.

You have a four- or five-step process to get a proper investigation, Hudson said. In most cases, nothing occurs. Through those steps, the plane has landed, people have left and the possibility for proper investigation, much less prosecution, is gone.

In one case, a Houston woman was flying to Paris when she took a prescribed pain killer to fall asleep. She woke up to the man next to her sexually assaulting her. She tried to remove his hand, but he made a threatening gesture to silence her, according to the womans lawsuit against American Airlines.

She said in the suit that she told crew members, but they told her nothing could be done.

In response to that suit, American Airlines said its policy requires a crew member to contact law enforcement if misconduct is reported on an aircraft.

Unlike most industries, airlines do not have a legal mandate to report criminal activity, such as sexual assault.

Cruise lines, for example, became required to report crimes to the FBI with the passage of the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010.

But for airplanes, there is no singular definition of sexual misconduct, there is no federal or national definition, there is no mandate for reporting, said Sunitha Menon, chief of consulting services operations at the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

A lack of a reporting process also means a lack of data, Menon said, and no comprehensive way to track the issue.

Menon and 13 others are working to change that.

In October 2018, President Donald Trump signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which established the task force assigned to examine the problem.

The National In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force consists of 14 members from varying backgrounds and groups. Menon is one of them. Other members include airline representatives, Department of Justice directors, and labor organization leaders. The group started meeting once a month in April 2018.

One of the best things that will come out of it with the energy weve been putting into this matter and the task force, is if you commit this sexual misconduct in the air, youre going to face consequences on the ground, said task force member Lyn Montgomery.

Montgomery is the president of Transport Workers Union-Local 556  the Union of Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants.

She said flight attendants need airlines to establish a procedure they can follow when sexual misconduct happens  especially because they are the most common victims of harassment in the air.

About 68% of flight attendants experienced sexual harassment during their flying careers, according to a survey from the Association for Flight Attendants-CWA.

It should be up to the airlines to give flight attendants the proper tools and training to quickly and adequately address these situations, Montgomery said.

Mandated reporting and proper guidelines are a start to combating sexual misconduct on airplanes. But, as in any industry where sexual harassment happens, education is also key, Menon said.

Increasing awareness of the issue could increase reporting when it does happen and keep people cognizant. As the Me Too movement demonstrated, speaking out about these experiences can jump-start a needed conversation.

People sit in planes and talk to people next to them without even knowing who they are, Menon said. It doesnt happen frequently, but we want to make sure that when it does, the individual is supported in a holistic and victim-centered way.

Montgomery and Menon said they know the task forces report is done, but they do not know when it will come out. As members of the task force, their job was to research and inform, not to manage the project.

Task force member Christopher Bidwell, senior vice president of security at Airports Council International-North America, said the report was sent to another committee to be finalized. He referred questions about the reports publication to the Department of Transportation.

-- The Star-Telegram via Tribune News Service. The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.
The United States is on the brink of war with Iran. In fact, that war might have already begun.

A U.S. drone strike early Friday local time in Iraq killed Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani - the architect of Iran's grand strategy in the Middle East - and several of his Iraqi counterparts, including the prominent militia leader and paramilitary official, Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi (also known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis).

Soleimani was the most influential Iranian official in the region, often representing his country in meetings with foreign officials, especially in Iraq, Syria and Russia. He was revered as a national hero by Iran's regime, and often called a "living martyr" by Iran's supreme leader.

Iraq's pro-Iranian militias considered Soleimani their beloved patron, and their devout loyalty made him arguably the most powerful man in Iraq. Iran, and Iran's proxies in Iraq, will almost certainly respond to his assassination with violence. War, in one form or another, will be the probable result.

Expand Close Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani Stringer via REUTERS/File Photo / Facebook

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How did the US get here?

Soleimani's assassination followed a week of tit-for-tat attacks between Iraqi militants loyal to Iran and U.S. forces. Last Friday, 30 unguided rockets landed inside the K1 military base in Kirkuk, killing a U.S. civilian contractor and seriously wounding several U.S. and Iraqi troops. American officials blamed Kataib Hezbollah, the militia headed by Muhandis, which was also believed to have been behind a number of previous (but nonlethal) rocket attacks over the last few months. In response, the United States conducted airstrikes on five Kataib Hezbollah bases in Syria and Iraq, killing 25 and wounding dozens more.

Iraqi officials strongly condemned the U.S. action, which U.S. officials legitimized as a defensive effort necessitated by the Iraqi government's inability to prevent the attacks and unwillingness to punish the culprits. Kataib Hezbollah members laid siege to the U.S. embassy the next day, and promised to camp outside embassy grounds until U.S. forces left the country. The militants' protest camp lasted less than 24 hours. They departed Wednesday after Kataib Hezbollah officials claimed to have made a deal with Iraq's acting prime minister to work through parliamentary means to expel U.S. forces.

The embassy incident is part of a larger pattern of escalatory behavior by Iran in response to the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign. The Trump administration withdrew from the multination Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal with Iran in 2018, and followed up with unilateral sanctions aimed at crippling Iran's economy.

For sanctions to be removed, the Trump administration demanded Iran adhere to a list of demands (as described by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in May 2018), which would require Iran to completely abandon its most important strategic programs, from ending support to regional proxies to curbing its ballistic missile program.

President Donald Trump suggested in numerous tweets and statements that he might be satisfied with less by emphasizing his desire to enter into talks with Iran and strike a better deal. Iran has refused to compromise.

Instead, Iran opted to push back through hard power. Over the last several months Iran and its proxies engaged in a number of escalating attacks aimed at compelling a shift in U.S. policy. In May and June, Iran attacked tankers of U.S. Arab allies in the Persian Gulf, and in September, suspected Iranian rockets and drones struck oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Iran's leaders were thus at a crossroads: either seek compromise with Washington through talks or keep escalating. Iran decided on the latter, which led to this week's escalatory violence in Iraq.

What will Iran do now?

The assassination of Soleimani will provoke Iran to act. Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, has vowed "harsh revenge." But its options are limited.

Expand Close A vehicle burns at Baghdad airport after the US airstrike that killed General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump (Iraqi Prime Ministers Press Office/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp A vehicle burns at Baghdad airport after the US airstrike that killed General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump (Iraqi Prime Ministers Press Office/PA)

Iraq is likely to be where any Iranian response will begin. One option will be to push for the expulsion of U.S. forces, which Iraqi politicians may welcome after the killing of Muhandis and other militia officials.

Such a move would benefit Iran strategically in three ways: It would reduce U.S. influence in Iraq, lessen the U.S. regional footprint, decrease the U.S. ability to strike Iranian and allied targets, and at least temporarily make the United States the focal point of Iraqi politics again. The latter two reasons might be enough for Iran to pursue this goal.

However, expelling U.S. forces would also be risky for Iran and its allies. The Iraqi government and Iranian backed militias both heavily rely on U.S. air power in combating the Islamic State. Although the Islamic State's ability to control territory in Iraq has almost entirely collapsed, it remains a potent force and has maintained a steady stream of attacks. The absence of U.S. air power will inevitably allow the Islamic State a greater degree of space to operate.

With Iraqi forces already stretched thin, the absence of U.S. military support would sharply increase the likelihood of the Islamic State remobilizing in the country. Neither Iran nor the militias it supports have shown any ability to effectively combat the Islamic State on their own.

A renewed Islamic State threat would present yet another challenge to the Iraqi state, which is already plagued by endemic unrest, Kurdish separatism, a simmering anti-government Shiite protest movement, and now, a renewed proxy war between the United States and Iran.

Further, U.S. forces have been a key point of leverage for Iran. From 2004 to 2011, Iran used its ability to kill U.S. soldiers through its proxies such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq as a way to constrain U.S. action against Iran. During that period, all U.S. policy toward Iran was constrained by Iran's ability to kill Americans in Iraq. With the return of U.S. forces to Iraq in 2015, Iran regained that leverage.

Iran's proxies have been vowing to strike U.S. forces ever since, using such threats as a constant reminder that any action against Iran could lead to retaliation against U.S. troops in Iraq. Last week, Kataib Hezbollah made good on those threats.

The strike on Soleimani was described by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper as a deterrent attack, meant to discourage future Iranian attacks on U.S. forces. If attacks subside, then the assassination would have proven effective, and Iranian leverage over U.S. forces on the ground would be lost. This makes a passive response unlikely.

Iran and its allies will more likely find ways and opportunities to kill Americans in the region. That doesn't mean that they will pursue full-scale warfare, but they will look for revenge to recapture leverage and scuttle U.S. efforts to deter.

Iraq's months-long protest movement, which has shown no sign of abating despite the killings of hundreds of protesters by pro-Iranian militias and security forces, has been starkly critical of Iran's influence in the country. By shifting attention back to the United States, Iran might seek to overwhelm anti-Iranian sentiment by stoking renewed anger at the United States.

Without a U.S. footprint in Iraq, Iran will be the sole remaining outside power in the country. This will make it even more difficult for Iran to skirt blame for its contribution to Iraq's present miseries. Should Iran succeed in driving out the Americans, it might come to regret it.

Expand Close General Qasem Soleimani (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP) / Facebook

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Iran has no easy options. We are thus entering a dangerous new phase in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Washington Post
by Melani Manel Perera

A group of students visited the Apeksha (Hope) Cancer Hospital in Maharagama. We wanted to share the joy of the birth of our Saviour with a group of real fighters, struggling desperately against cancer, said one student. For the patients, every day the hope is to wake up alive. For the parents of those little children, every day the hope is to see their children alive, said another.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  A group of Catholic university students in Colombo celebrated Christmas differently this year, sharing the joy of Christ's birth with children living with cancer.

Spending time and listening to people in need has given Christmas a much deeper meaning than having gun or parties, they told AsiaNews.

The students belong to the Catholic Students Movement (CSM) at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, in the Colombo metro area.

Group coordinator Chrishmali Peter said that the members met on 29 December at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences where they decided to go to the nearest hospital, the Apesksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama.

We all wanted to spend a quality day and make the needy happy, in accordance with the Christmas spirit during university meetings, he said.

Peter said that they chose the Apesksha (Hope) Hospital because it had children with cancer. This is very important because most of them are hopeless.

Still, for the patients, every day the hope is to wake up alive. For the parents of those little children, every day the hope is to see their children alive. We felt the need to give them a simple smile and a little happiness.

The students raised some money and bought gifts for the children, including towels, cups, perfumes and fruit. Before handing them out, they sang Christmas carols. Some asked us to sing for them again. We fulfilled their wish wholeheartedly, Peter said.

Authorised by the hospital, they brought joy and hope to the wards. We wanted to share the joy of the birth of our Saviour with a group of real fighters, struggling desperately against cancer, said CSM deputy president Chamodh Samarasekara, an engineering student.

This event will last forever in our memory, he said. We saw genuine and pure smiles on their faces and great cheers for the carols we sang.

The short time spent in their company, sharing the gifts, was so emotional and touching that it made us reflect about ourselves. At the end of the day, we left the hospital happier than when we arrived, with a lot of memories.

For Peter, Samarasekara and the others, the children touched our heart with their love. We wish them all a speedy recovery and to their loved ones we wish them to have the strength to be with them in such difficult moments.
Srinagar: Four army personnel were injured in a mine blast on the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Army Lieutenant is also included in this. According to army officials, the blast occurred during patrolling in forwarding areas along the Line of Control in Kalal of the Nowshera sector. Officials have said that the injured have been admitted to a hospital.

Violence rages in US after airstrikes, watch video here

At the same time, Pakistan is constantly doing provocative action on the border. Pak also violated the ceasefire on Friday. The Indian Army is also giving a befitting reply. According to the army, at 12 noon on Friday, in the Krishna Valley sector in Poonch, the Pakistani Army was attacked with small arms and mortar. After this, the Indian Army also responded to this dastardly action of Pakistan.

Firefighter Geoffrey Keaton bravely extinguished the fire, son awarded medal at funeral

While talking to the media on Thursday, Army Chief Manoj Mukund Narwane had said that this action is being done on behalf of Pakistan after amending Section 370 in Kashmir. As soon as Pakistan accepts the reality that nothing can happen in the case of Kashmir, there will be a reduction in the cases of ceasefire violations.

"If the book is printed on the adventures of the Nehru family, will it be true politics?"
New Delhi:

Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna who is known for whipping wonder with taste and blend and judging budding cook-masters at reality shows recently juggled with his passion and created a film on the widows residing in Vrindavan and Varanasi, Titled The Last Color. Little did he know the film will be on the run for 92nd Academy Awards BEST FEATURE FILMS 2019 segment.

As our hearts sank to the news of Zoya Akhtars Gully boy failing to make to the final list of Oscars 2020 International Films segment, the news of the Neena Gupta starrer brings a ray of hope. While Vikas called it a miracle of belief, Neena couldnt be happier and shared her feelings on social media.

Vikas shared the news on Twitter by sharing a screenshot of the Oscars list. He wrote, I dont know what happens after this moment. But this moment is everything. To be on this list of BEST FEATURE FILMS 2019. He wrote in his other tweet, To live for this moment. Absolutely yesssss. @Neenagupta001 and added, My heart is dancing. Thank you Neena ji for believing in my humble story.

BEST WAY TO START 2020. MIRACLE. MIRACLE. Thank you UNIVERSE. Our humble film THE LAST COLOR is pure HEART.



Oscars: Academy Announces 344 Films Eligible for 2019 Best Picture. https://t.co/p654zVd8IQ pic.twitter.com/3i4NzIkL44  Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) January 1, 2020

Expressing his excitement, Vikas tweeted, I need sometime to absorb this. Holyyyyy Godddd. @Neenagupta001 thank you for believing in me. Love and respect you very muchhhh. @Jitendra_siffcy @KaulPoonam @jayisready.

~Welcoming 2020 with splashes of Color~

Thank you Universe. This little inclusion of my Art is the gift from Universe Yhttps://t.co/p654zUVxkg pic.twitter.com/jbQSZfYKWN  Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) January 1, 2020

Reacting to Vikas post, an elated Neena wrote on Twitter, Cant believe am soooo happy.

Cant believe am soooo happy https://t.co/ApRiYTMcBn  Neena Gupta (@Neenagupta001) January 1, 2020

The Last Color revolves around a 9-year old tightrope walker who befriends one such a widow and promises to add color to her life. It is adapted from Khannas own book of the same name. The film was earlier screened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

According to the Oscar website, for a film "to be eligible for consideration, it must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by December 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also require feature-length motion pictures must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format."

'The Last Color' may not have had a commercial release in India yet, but it was screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival last year. It also won Best Feature Film award at Dallas International Film Festival in 2018. In India, The Last Color was screened at Mumbai Film Festival.

The Oscars 2020 will be held on February 9 at Hollywood''s Dolby Theatre and Neena Gupta walking the red carpet for the first time will be a vision in itself! Meanwhile, Vikas Khanna should consider shifting to filmmaking for real.

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Even when a business is losing money, it's possible for shareholders to make money if they buy a good business at the right price. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com?

Given this risk, we thought we'd take a look at whether FlexQube (STO:FLEXQ) shareholders should be worried about its cash burn. For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. Let's start with an examination of the business's cash, relative to its cash burn.

See our latest analysis for FlexQube

When Might FlexQube Run Out Of Money?

A cash runway is defined as the length of time it would take a company to run out of money if it kept spending at its current rate of cash burn. FlexQube has such a small amount of debt that we'll set it aside, and focus on the kr36m in cash it held at September 2019. In the last year, its cash burn was kr31m. That means it had a cash runway of around 14 months as of September 2019. That's not too bad, but it's fair to say the end of the cash runway is in sight, unless cash burn reduces drastically. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

OM:FLEXQ Historical Debt, January 3rd 2020

How Well Is FlexQube Growing?

At first glance it's a bit worrying to see that FlexQube actually boosted its cash burn by 26%, year on year. The revenue growth of 14% gives a ray of hope, at the very least. Considering both these factors, we're not particularly excited by its growth profile. Of course, we've only taken a quick look at the stock's growth metrics, here. You can take a look at how FlexQube has developed its business over time by checking this visualization of its revenue and earnings history.

Story continues

Can FlexQube Raise More Cash Easily?

While FlexQube seems to be in a fairly good position, it's still worth considering how easily it could raise more cash, even just to fuel faster growth. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash to drive growth. By comparing a company's annual cash burn to its total market capitalisation, we can estimate roughly how many shares it would have to issue in order to run the company for another year (at the same burn rate).

FlexQube's cash burn of kr31m is about 10% of its kr294m market capitalisation. Given that situation, it's fair to say the company wouldn't have much trouble raising more cash for growth, but shareholders would be somewhat diluted.

Is FlexQube's Cash Burn A Worry?

On this analysis of FlexQube's cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. While we're the kind of investors who are always a bit concerned about the risks involved with cash burning companies, the metrics we have discussed in this article leave us relatively comfortable about FlexQube's situation. When you don't have traditional metrics like earnings per share and free cash flow to value a company, many are extra motivated to consider qualitative factors such as whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Please Note: FlexQube insiders have been trading shares, according to our data. Click here to check whether insiders have been buying or selling.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
The character of Boris Johnsons new government has been made clear by the entry of members of the fascist Britain First into the Conservative Party.

On December 18, the groups leaders sent out an email to their membership stating, If you havent joined the Conservative Party yet, we urge you to do so immediately, to make Boris Johnsons leadership more secure.

Senior Britain First officials and rank-and-file members have been receiving their Conservative membership cards in the post.

Just as Momentum activists joined the Labour Party to solidify Jeremy Corbyns grip on that party, Britain First activists and members seem to be doing the same for the Tories and Boris.

Britain First are keen to secure Johnson in power, declared spokesperson Ashlea Simon last week, as, We will support a party that is willing to take a firm stance against radical Islam and it looks like the Tories are willing to do that.

Referring to Johnsons and Home Secretary Priti Patels authoritarian response to the November London Bridge terror attack, Simon said, The majority of our followers appreciate Priti Patels and Boris Johnsons hardline approach.

According to the group, 5,000 of 7,500 members have signed up as Tory members. These numbers are clearly exaggerated, with anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate estimating Britain Firsts true membership to be around 1,000. But this does not change the significance of an avowed fascist party endorsing the xenophobic and anti-socialist agenda of Johnsons government.

Within days of winning the British general election, Johnson doubled down on his Islamophobic recordwhich includes referring to fear of Islam as natural and calling veiled Muslim women letterboxes and bank robbersby cancelling a promised review into rampant Islamophobia in the Tory Party. His government is committed to vicious anti-migrant and law-and-order policies.

Johnson was fully aware that his anti-Muslim comments would galvanise support among far-right forces already within the Tory party and outside. This was confirmed with the statements of Britain First leader Paul Golding, who said in his statement calling for members to join the Tories ranks to help solidify Boris Johnsons control on the leadership, so we can achieve Brexit and hopefully cut immigration and confront radical Islam. He stated, Boris referred to Muslim women wearing the burqa and niqab as letterboxes, so he is obviously a populist nationalist under the surface, like the type of patriotism as promoted by Britain First.

Besides Britain First, the Tories putrid political agenda has won the support and membership of far-right figureheads like Katie Hopkins, a former newspaper columnist for The Sun and Daily Mail who is set to embark on a speaking tour sponsored by the For Britain fascist group, and Tommy Robinson, founder of the English Defence League.

Hopkins revealed her membership of the Tory party in a tweet responding to Tory MP Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, which read, Your party? Hold on a minute sister. I think you will find its OUR party now. Britain has Boris and a blue collar army. Nationalism is back. British people first.

In a recent opinion column, Hopkins wrote, It is not just that Boris won  It is the affirmation that the heart and soul of this country is still intact. That the British spirit is alive and kicking and that some kind of fight-back for our Judeo-Christian culture is on  Britain still has the heart of a lion. Thanks to the Great British people, Boris Johnson has a new blue-collar armythe best of us, hard-working, decent people who put family, Queen and country first.

Robinson spoke outside the UK High Court in Novemberwhere he is being tried for libelling a Syrian child refugeeto say, Everyone should back Boris Johnson.

On the day of the general election, Robinson sent out a message to his supporters saying, OK, I have just joined the Conservative Party. Good work everyone that went out and voted for the Conservatives today. We have just thwarted our country becoming a socialist dump.

To date, no official statement has been issued by the Conservative Party about the membership status of Hopkins and Robinson. The Independent reported, A Conservative Party spokesperson said: Paul Goldings application for membership of the Conservative Party has not been approved.

The Tories will have decided that, at this stage, Golding being allowed membership could be problematic given that only last year he served 18 weeks in prison for a series of hate crimes against Muslims. However, their statement did not refer to Goldings fascist politics as a reason to bar him, stating only, There is a process in place for local Conservative associations to approve members who apply to join, or to reject those who do not share the partys values or objects.

The events parallel the movement of the fascist National Front into Margaret Thatchers Conservative Party in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Thatcher notoriously said in 1978 that people are really rather afraid that this country might be rather swamped by people with a different culture, and later, that some people do not agree with the objectives of the National Front but they say at least they are talking about some of the problems.

The National Front had been increasingly active throughout the 1970s and stood 300 candidates in the 1979 election as part of a planned breakthrough. But it was far less prominent in the years that followed as Thatcher stole its political agenda and some of its leading members found a more effective avenue for their ultra-nationalist, xenophobic, anti-socialist views as members of the Tory Party.

Johnsons is the same breed of class war government, with its declared intention to finish the Thatcher revolution through a massive assault on the working class. The Johnson government is an expression of the global rise of the authoritarian far right, sponsored by the ruling class as a necessary bulwark to confront social unrest and growing socialist sentiment.

In the UK, Robinson has been treated with kid gloves throughout his political career. Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) which opposed Britains membership of the European Union (EU), has long been granted immense and unjustified political influence. Both have the support of US President Donald Trump and his fascist former adviser Steve Bannonwho has also played a key role in Johnsons political career.

Britain First came to national prominence for the first time near the conclusion of the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign, when one of its supporters, Thomas Mair, brutally murdered Labour MP Jo Cox for her pro-EU politics. As he shot and stabbed her, Mair was heard to shout repeatedly, Britain First! Johnson was aligned with the whole spectrum of far-right nationalist organisations in leading the campaign for a Leave vote and has carried them with him into his Get Brexit Done regime.

Johnsons government intends to enforce Minimum Service Agreements for the railways, effectively stripping thousands of workers of the right to strike, and threatening major conflicts with a workforce currently engaged in industrial action over attempts to scrap the conductor role.

Fascist mobs have already made a case for their usefulness to the ruling class in this situation. In July 2018, a group of Robinson supporters assaulted Steve Hedley, Assistant General Secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) in a London pub. Hedley was left bleeding from a gash on his head while his partner Bridget was hit with a chair and had to be admitted to hospital with problems breathing. At least one other person was cut on the head by a broken bottle.

In January 2019, another group of Robinsons thugs surrounded and attempted to intimidate an RMT picket at Victoria station in Manchester. Racist chants were directed against Londons Labour Party Mayor Sadiq Khan and a picket of south-east Asian heritage was verbally abused as a sex offender and a paedophile.

Far-right attacks have also taken place against Karl Marxs grave, the left-wing bookshop Bookmarks, Guardian columnist Owen Jones, and stalls of the Revolutionary Communist Group and Socialist Workers Party.

These are the elements being mobilised, in alliance with the police and armed forces, to intimidate and crush opposition from the working class to deepening austerity and the drive to trade and military conflict by the ruling elite. The working class must answer these dangerous political developments based on the fight for socialist internationalism and irreconcilable opposition to the capitalist social order at the root of xenophobia, nationalism and fascism.
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday laid the foundation stone for a mega park in Delhi which will have replicas of various monuments built from scrap material, officials said.

The theme of the 'Bharat Darshan Park' would be 'Unity in Diversity' displayed through iconic monuments of the country such as Chaminar, Gateway of India, Konark Temple, Nalanda ruins, Mysore Palace, Golden Temple, Meenakshi Temple, Hawa Mahal, Hampi ruins, Victoria Memorial, Sanchi Stupa, Gol Gumbaz, Ajanta Ellora Caves and Junagarh Fort, they said.

SDMC Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti said the park will be developed on a six-acre plot.

Through this project in Punjabi Bagh area, the SDMC seeks to widen its ambit of 'waste-to-wealth' concept as epitomised in its Waste-to-Wonder Park in Sarai Kale Khan.

"In this magnificent park, replicas of prominent monuments from all states of India made with waste and scrap will be installed," the SDMC said in a statement.

Puri wished the SDMC will come up with more such projects which will not only attract people but also be self-sustained. He also urged other civic agencies to follow these kind of initiatives based on waste-to-wealth concept.

Waste-to-Wonder Park has replicas of the seven wonders of the world made from metal and other industrial scrap.

Lt Governor Anil Baijal Anil and area MP Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, Mayor Sunita, SDMC's Standing Committee Chairman Bhupender Gupta and other senior officials of the SDMC, were also present on the occasion.

Baijal said the SDMC has brought a change in the image of the city by developing splendid parks like Waste to Wonder Park, Nandan Van, Jamunwala Park, Woodland Amusement Park and other beautiful parks made over gram sabha and DDA lands.

"These replicas will be built using scrap waste such as vehicles, fans, rods, iron sheets, nut-bolts etc gathering dust in municipal stores. The park will be eco-friendly, self sustainable with its own solar and wind power generation. The entire project is estimated to cost around 18- 20 cr," the SDMC said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi: Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, who is paired opposite to Sara Ali Khan in the new upcoming comedy film 'Coolie No. 1', has welcomed the New Year with a rather new still from the flick.

The 'Kalank' actor shared the new promotional picture on Twitter handle and wrote, "Naye saal pe naya photo toh banta hai na... Aa raha hoon apni heroine ko lekar! #CoolieNo1 MAY1st ko #labourday."

Naye saal pe naya photo toh banta hai na... Aa raha hoon apni heroine ko lekar! #CoolieNo1 MAY1st ko #labourday pic.twitter.com/hlfhSfO86X  Varun SAHEJ Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) January 2, 2020

The much intriguing poster shared by the 32-year-old has Varun lifting Sara in his arms, striking for a pose for the click and is all smiles.

Sara, who has last graced the silver screen in 'Simmba', is dressed as a bride in a white lace dress with matching heels while Varun is donned in a white suit.

A few weeks earlier when the shoot of the comedy flick had begun, the duo had shared the first poster of the movie on their respective social media handles which created an immense buzz among the movie-goers.

The new outing is a remake to the 1995 film of the same name that starred Govinda and Karisma Kapoor in the lead roles. Helmed by David Dhawan, 'Coolie No.1' is produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, and Deepshikha Deshmukh.

The family entertainer is slated to hit the screens on May 1, 2020.
Newsfrom Japan

Beirut, Jan. 2 (Jiji Press)--A group of Lebanese lawyers on Thursday submitted to local prosecutors a document seeking the indictment of former Nissan Motor Co. <7201> boss Carlos Ghosn, who has fled to the Middle East country from Japan while on bail ahead of his trial, on charges of entering Israel.

The government of Lebanon, which has an adversarial relationship with Israel, obliges its people to boycott Israel, one of the lawyers said, noting that Ghosn has violated the rule as he has attended an economic event held in the country.

Some in Lebanon praise Ghosn, former chairman of the major Japanese automaker, as a hero, but he has breached law in that he has cooperated with the occupier of Palestine, the lawyer said, referring to Israel.

Ghosn, who has been indicted by Tokyo prosecutors for a series of alleged financial misconduct, fled to Lebanon from Japan on Monday without approval from Japanese authorities. As a condition for his bail, Ghosn had been banned from traveling abroad. Following the escape to Lebanon, Tokyo District Court revoked the bail for Ghosn.

Meanwhile, Ghosn released on Thursday a statement flatly denying his family's involvement in his departure from Japan. All media reports speculating that his wife, Carole, or other members of his family played a role in his exit from Japan are false, Ghosn claimed in the statement, adding that he prepared for his departure all by himself.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
Oil spiked as tensions in the Middle East flared after a US strike near Baghdad international airport killed a top Iranian general.

Futures in New York and London surged as much as 3% after the attack. The strike killed Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general who led the Revolutionary Guards Quds force, according to two people familiar with the matter. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Thursday that America was ready to deploy more force in Iraq after an attack on its embassy in Baghdad this week.

The US and Iran are already facing off over President Donald Trumps crippling economic campaign against Tehran and suspected Iranian reprisals. Saudi Arabias energy facilities as well as foreign tankers in and around the Persian Gulf have been the target of several attacks over the past year -- a region that includes OPECs five biggest producers.

I expect tensions in the region to now intensify, said Howie Lee, a Singapore-based economist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Going into an election year in the US, the maximum pressure campaign by President Trump on Iran may intensify further.

Brent for March settlement climbed $1.99 to $68.24 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe Exchange as of 10:15 a.m. Singapore time. The contract climbed 25 cents to close at $66.25 on Thursday.

West Texas Intermediate for February delivery rose $1.84, or 3%, to $63.02 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 12 cents to close at $61.18 on Thursday.

The strike escalates an already tense three-way situation between the US and major oil producers Iran and Iraq. The US embassy compound in Baghdad was stormed by protesters this week after a rare direct American assault on an Iran-backed militia in the country.

The two Middle East countries combined pumped more than 6.7 million barrels a day of oil last month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, more than one-fifth of OPEC output.
Kolkata, Jan 3 (IANS) In an embarrassment for West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday refused urgent hearing on a petition by three Bhatpara Municipality councillors of the party challenging a single bench order that declared null and void the no-confidence motion passed by Trinamool members against BJP-ruled civic body chairman Sourav Singh.

The division bench headed by justice Dipankar Dutta turned down the plea saying there would be no problems if the case was heard on Monday or Tuesday.

On Thursday, hours after Trinamool councillors passed the no-confidence motion at a special session of the municipality with a 19-0 margin amidst stringent security, the court had cancelled the voting process after the BJP moved a petition.

Justice Arindam Sinha declared "null and void" the meeting convened by three Trinamool councillors for removal of the Chairman.

"On the writ petition, Justice Arindam Sinha has declared as null and void the meeting called by some councillors for removal of Bhatpara Municipality Chairman. The meeting was cancelled as it was bad in law. The entire proceedings of the meeting have been cancelled," said a lawyer of the petitioners on Thursday.

Clearly aggrieved over the high court order, the Trinamool had then asserted that it would move the division bench of the court on Friday.

ssp/vd
An attacker went on a knife rampage in a park in a Parisian suburb, stabbing four people before being "neutralised", the French Police Prefecture said.

The four people sustained injuries in the stabbing attack in Villejuif, a commune south of Paris, Loic Travers, the Secretary of the National Police Alliance for the Ile-de-France region, said citing CNN.

Travers told French news channel BFM TV that the attack took place at around 2 pm (local time).

While Travers said that the male attacker has been "neutralised", Police Prefecture has urged the people to avoid the Parc des Hautes-Bruyeres area.

Further details are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Today we'll evaluate HELLA GmbH & Co. KGaA (ETR:HLE) to determine whether it could have potential as an investment idea. 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.

Firstly, we'll go over how we calculate ROCE. Second, we'll look at its ROCE compared to similar companies. And finally, we'll look at how its current liabilities are impacting its ROCE.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What is it?

ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. In general, businesses with a higher ROCE are usually better quality. Overall, it is a valuable metric that has its flaws. 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'.

How Do You Calculate Return On Capital Employed?

Analysts use this formula to calculate return on capital employed:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

Or for HELLA GmbH KGaA:

0.10 = 451m  (6.4b - 2.0b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to August 2019.)

Therefore, HELLA GmbH KGaA has an ROCE of 10%.

Check out our latest analysis for HELLA GmbH KGaA

Is HELLA GmbH KGaA's ROCE Good?

ROCE is commonly used for comparing the performance of similar businesses. We can see HELLA GmbH KGaA's ROCE is around the 10% average reported by the Auto Components industry. Independently of how HELLA GmbH KGaA compares to its industry, its ROCE in absolute terms appears decent, and the company may be worthy of closer investigation.

You can click on the image below to see (in greater detail) how HELLA GmbH KGaA's past growth compares to other companies.

XTRA:HLE Past Revenue and Net Income, January 3rd 2020

When considering this metric, keep in mind that it is backwards looking, and not necessarily predictive. ROCE can be misleading for companies in cyclical industries, with returns looking impressive during the boom times, but very weak during the busts. ROCE is, after all, simply a snap shot of a single year. Since the future is so important for investors, you should check out our free report on analyst forecasts for HELLA GmbH KGaA.

Story continues

What Are Current Liabilities, And How Do They Affect HELLA GmbH KGaA's ROCE?

Liabilities, such as supplier bills and bank overdrafts, are referred to as current liabilities if they need to be paid within 12 months. Due to the way the ROCE equation works, having large bills due in the near term can make it look as though a company has less capital employed, and thus a higher ROCE than usual. To check the impact of this, we calculate if a company has high current liabilities relative to its total assets.

HELLA GmbH KGaA has total assets of 6.4b and current liabilities of 2.0b. Therefore its current liabilities are equivalent to approximately 31% of its total assets. With this level of current liabilities, HELLA GmbH KGaA's ROCE is boosted somewhat.

The Bottom Line On HELLA GmbH KGaA's ROCE

While its ROCE looks good, it's worth remembering that the current liabilities are making the business look better. There might be better investments than HELLA GmbH KGaA out there, but you will have to work hard to find them . These promising businesses with rapidly growing earnings might be right up your alley.

I will like HELLA GmbH KGaA better if I see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Oil prices on Friday jumped close to $70 per barrel after an Iranian military chief was killed in a military operation conducted by the United States.

This may have raised fears of destabilisation and possibly affect global oil output in the region.

Brent crude futures jumped 2.9 per cent to $68.16 per barrel during Asian trading hours on Friday.

CNN reports US oil futures gained 2.8 per cent, reaching $62.86 per barrel. That puts both on pace right now for their biggest daily gains in about a month, according to Refinitiv data.

The Pentagon, U.S. military headquarters, confirmed in a statement that Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite Quds Force unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq.

An indirect response is the most apparent course of action, and oil installations and tankers were my first thoughts, CNN quoted Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst for Asia Pacific at Oanda, in a research note.

READ ALSO:

But he added that its hard to tell whether Fridays surge will be sustained.

Oil prices spiked more than 14 per cent last September in the wake of a devastating attack on the heart of Saudi Arabian oil production, disrupting 5 per cent of the daily global oil supply.

But prices pulled back quickly in the following days after Saudi officials said the kingdom would rely on reserves to keep exports stable.
RACINE  When the life of Steve Wheeler is celebrated Saturday at Racine Yacht Club, there will be an abundance of his remarkable qualities to highlight and discuss.

Among the accomplishments of Wheeler, 76, who died Nov. 26 of natural causes at Ascension All Saints Hospital:

Being Racines foremost authority on the citys past boat building industry;

He was an acclaimed and multiple award-winning model boat builder;

He was a skillful sailor;

And he was a prolific patent producer as an engineer at IBM.

The Racine natives life is set to be celebrated from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Racine Yacht Club, 1 Barker St., where he began sailing at about age 12 or 13, said Ken Luedkte of Racine, whose friendship with Wheeler dates back to that time and place. As boys, the pair raced two-person sailboats both together and as competitors.

Then, as young men in about 1967, they first raced together in the Chicago Yacht Club Race from Racine to Mackinac Island, Michigan  at 333 miles, the worlds longest freshwater sailing race. Wheeler would sail in that race many times.

As a shipmate, Luedtke said, if you had to pick someone you might have to put your life on the line with, there would have been no one better than he.

About six or seven years ago, after Wheeler retired from an engineering career with IBM, he moved back to Racine.

Wheeler had been born with one extremely nearsighted eye and the other extremely farsighted, and he chose not to drive a car. Luedtke and his wife, Dianne, took him grocery shopping a few times.

He was funny, flirty, very intelligent. He was very much a recluse but just a great guy, Dianne Luedtke said about Wheeler.

Wheelers son, Anthony, knew his dads eccentric sense of humor well. For example, he said his father signed all his emails to him as Tom, for no apparent reason but to amuse himself.

Two years ago, Wheeler gave Anthony a 69-slide PowerPoint presentation with detailed instructions about what to do in case of his death. It included the suggestion that Anthony might want to build a bronze statue of Wheeler in the middle of his living room and worship at it.

Boat manufacturing historian

Chris Paulson, Racine Heritage Museums executive director, lauded Wheeler for his local boating history expertise.

His knowledge of Racines boat manufacturing story was unparalleled, Paulson said. Any time I had a question about that, I would go straight to Steve.

Several years ago, Wheeler published a book on that subject called An Industry Forgotten: Boat Manufacturing in Racine, Wis. It tells the story of all five past Racine boat manufacturers.

And he was just so free with his knowledge, Paulson said, often giving public presentations about Racines boat building past.  And such a quiet, nice guy.

Model boat maker

Wheeler also applied his love and knowledge of boats, and considerable skill, to building model sailing ships at 112th scale: 1 inch to the foot. He did that for about the last 30 to 40 years of his life, Anthony said.

One way to build such boats is with a kit, he noted, and even that requires skill and a steady hand.

However, The old man thought that was just a hair too easy for him, Anthony said. So Wheeler crafted his boats nearly entirely from pieces he made himself, including wooden pieces he plated.

In particular, Wheeler became a devotee of the Fred Martin, the late designer of Racine sailing boats, and built models of those.

As a model builder, Anthony said, he participated in many Midwestern model ships and boat contests hosted by the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc. He won so many awards that he once received an anonymous letter from another participant suggesting that Steve should just accept he was a master model maker and step aside so others could win awards.

The old man did not step aside but did frame the letter and proudly displayed it next to the many, many, many awards that the other person didnt win.

He created (model ships) for himself, Anthony said. However, Pretty much anything he built, he would donate. Three of those models are on display at Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main St., and two more at Racine Yacht Club, 1 Barker St.

Saturdays event at Racine Yacht Club is open to the public.

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AUSTIN  On Halloween last year, state troopers jailed a man in Montgomery County for having a small amount of marijuana.

That same day, the Texas Highway Patrol cited a man for the same crime in a county 250 miles away but let him go.

The difference illustrates the patchwork way the Department of Public Safety has been enforcing marijuana laws after the state legalized hemp last summer and inadvertently threw cannabis prosecutions into chaos.

The agency is increasingly citing and releasing people caught with less than 4 ounces of marijuana, in line with a memo DPS issued last summer to provide clarity.

In Bexar County, state troopers have released roughly one-third of the 39 people they have arrested for low-level marijuana charges since July.

In other parts of the state, records show, the Texas Highway Patrol continued to send most of those it arrested with small amounts of pot to jail, totaling hundreds of people.

The varied approach is frustrating advocates for criminal justice reform in a state that has resisted decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, which 26 states already have done.

We should try to have a uniform state law that treats possession of low levels of marijuana the same, said state Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio. Its just another example of our state needing to catch up with the times.

For subscribers: Is pot now legal in Texas? District attorneys scrambling to respond to clumsy legislative action

DPS officials said any variance in arrests is based on direction from local prosecutors.

After the new hemp law complicated evidence testing for marijuana prosecutions, some jurisdictions began tossing out pot cases or refusing to take them without a lab test. Under the new law, marijuana is defined by its level of THC, the component that gives users a high. Any substance over 0.3 percent THC is considered illegal, while anything below that is deemed hemp.

Our troopers are following the guidance provided in the July memo, along with the guidance given by their local prosecutors, to enforce the law through available statutory means  one of which is cite and release as an alternative to putting people in jail, DPS said in a written statement.

While Texas has given a green light to a restrictive medicinal cannabis program, the Legislature has resisted efforts to decriminalize small amounts of the drug, despite an openness to the idea by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

A bill to reduce the penalties for those caught with small amounts of the drug cleared the Texas House last year but died in the Senate after facing opposition from law enforcement groups that argued that it would become a slippery slope toward legalization and lead to increased crime.

The marijuana arrest records provided by DPS officials dont indicate whether people were arrested on additional charges or have a criminal history, factors that could sway whether they were released or booked into jail. But the data do reveal patterns of enforcement across the state.

In Montgomery County, where the district attorney has said the office will continue prosecuting marijuana crimes, the Texas Highway Patrol has made more than 250 arrests for small amounts of weed since July. In only five of those cases was the person released.

Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

The county doesnt have a system in place to cite and release offenders for marijuana crimes, said Mike Holley, first assistant district attorney.

Instead, officers can arrest those caught with a small amount of pot and take them to jail, where people typically bond out within hours, he said. Officers can also confiscate the drug and issue a warrant for a later arrest, Holley said.

We dont direct DPS (officers) behavior, we work with them, he said. If they bring us a marijuana case and it meets the elements of the offense, we generally accept those charges.

Its a different story in Harris and Nueces counties, where records show a majority of the DPS arrests now end in release or a diversion program. In Harris County, almost all those who were released were sent to an anti-drug diversion program. In Nueces County, more than 1 of every 2 arrests resulted in a release.

Prosecutors in those counties were among several who announced last summer that they would stop accepting charges on low-level marijuana cases without a lab test to determine the THC level.

Without any type of measuring, they cannot actually go forward and do anything with the cases, said Cynthia Villarreal, cite and release coordinator for Nueces County. Its mainly that we are declining the cases.

For subscribers: Starting Monday, people caught with small amounts of pot in San Antonio wont have to go to jail

Bexar County rolled out a similar cite and release policy last summer. .

Heather Fazio, director of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, said cite and release policies save people the trauma and trouble of going to jail. But she added that offenders must still show up in court to face their charges. Penalties can include up to a year in jail and steep fines.

Most people can avoid doing jail time if they go to court, but you still face all the consequences that come along with a conviction, even just a record that you were charged, Fazio said. It can and will have a negative impact on your ability to live your life.

amorris@express-news.net
Theres a bit of good news on New Englands final injury report of the week.

Starting right tackle Marcus Cannon was removed from the list ahead of Saturdays Wild Card game with the Titans. Hed been hobbled by an ankle injury since the Bills game two weeks ago, but is in the clear now.

Julian Edelman was one of six Patriots listed as questionable, as he still battles shoulder and knee injuries. Defensive backs Jonathan Jones, Jason McCourty, and Terrence Brooks are all questionable with groin injuries, and Jamie Collins is still nagged by a shoulder ailment.

Though hes still shaking his arm out after throws, Tom Brady wasnt listed.

Heres the full injury report for both teams:

PATRIOTS

QUESTIONABLE

LB JaWhaun Bentley, Knee

DB Terrence Brooks, Groin

LB Jamie Collins, Shoulder

WR Julian Edelman, Knee / Shoulder

CB Jonathan Jones, Groin

CB Jason McCourty, Groin

TITANS

OUT

WR Adam Humphries, Ankle

QUESTIONABLE

WR Kalif Raymond, Concussion

WR Cody Hollister, Ankle

S Dane Cruikshank, Illness
A knife-wielding man has been shot and killed by French police on Jan. 3 after he killed one and wounded three others.

The attacks happened at about 2 p.m. local time (8 a.m. EST) in the Des Hautes-Bruyetes Park, about 5 miles south of Paris, where the attacker started to stab people randomly.

French counter-terrorism prosecutors said they were assessing the crime scene.

Loic Travers, a police union spokesman, said: No one can be sure at this stage whether this was a terrorist act, The Telegraph reported.

Frances Deputy Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who visited the scene within two hours after the attack, called the way the police intervened an extremely courageous act, the BBC reported.

The deadly victim is identified as a 56-year-old male local who allegedly was stabbed in the neck when he tried to defend his wife. He died later at the hospital.

The victim was walking with his wife when the attacker approached; he wanted to protect his wife and it was he who received the knife blows, said Villejuif Mayor Franck Le Bohellec, France 24 reported.

After the stabbings, the attacker fled the park and headed towards the nearby suburb of LHay-les-Roses where he was shot by police officers who feared he might detonate an explosive belt.

Police kept several hundred people inside a shopping center near the scene of the attack to make sure the area was safe before allowing them to leave.

Luckily, the police were quickly alerted and made their way rapidly to the scene where they neutralized him by killing him, Vincent Jeanbrun, a mayor in the area, told BFM-TV.

Jeanbrun added: People are really shocked and worried and theyre saying this could happen anywhere at any time, but they are relieved that the police intervened rapidly, The Telegraph noted.
Social media users have reacted to the killing of Irans most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani, by a US airstrike in Iraq.

The 62-year old spearheaded Iranian military operations in the Middle East as head of Irans elite Quds Force.

Also Read: Thank God, Thank Trump: Fani Kayode Reacts As FG Orders Release Of Sowore, Dasuki

He was killed at Baghdad airport, alongside local Iran-backed militias, early on Friday in a strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.

The killing of the Iranian military leader has led to panic of a third world war on social media.

See reactions below:

https://twitter.com/SpockResists/status/1213027118533267456

This is an extremely serious situation. Theres a clear danger of further violence and escalation in the Middle East. We need to engage, not isolate Iran. All sides need to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict. https://t.co/ro2bJpk7jl  Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) January 3, 2020

Tweeps.. in May I did a thread about what an Iran War would mean. This is now something I have to do again. If you are not CERTAIN that it is IDIOTIC for USA to consider a war with Iran please please please read my thread and consider. Hold on, takes a while to set up (next)  Tomi T Ahonen (@tomiahonen) January 3, 2020

Guys, dont worry about this Iran thing. Im sure the Kurds will help us Oh, wait. Maybe Syria will join no, wait. Well, at least our NATO allies will stand with us Damnit! Well, Im sure Jesus is on our side because Never mind.  michaelharriot (@michaelharriot) January 3, 2020

https://twitter.com/eliterenno/status/1213016228622721030
Bovis Homes has announced plans to rename itself as Vistry Group after completing the 1.1 billion acquisition of Galliford Trys housebuilding business.

Bovis said it has now completed the deal to buy Linden Homes, after first agreeing the deal in November 2019.

It said the listed group will be rebranded to cover both the enlarged groups housebuilding and partnerships businesses.

The tie-up will see Galliford Try shareholders take a 29.3% shareholding in the Bovis Homes group.

The completion of the corporate transaction transforms Galliford Try into a well-capitalised, standalone construction-focused groupPeter Ventress, chairman of Galliford Try

Greg Fitzgerald, chief executive of Bovis Homes, said: The combination of these businesses with Bovis Homes creates a top five housebuilder in the UK with the capacity to deliver over 12,000 homes per year in the medium term.

Within the enlarged business, our commitment to ensuring the highest levels of build quality and customer satisfaction will remain central to everything we do.

We would like to thank all shareholders for their engagement in this process and look forward to delivering the clear strategic and financial benefits of this combination.

Over the past year, the Linden Homes business completed 3,229 homes, 2,227 of which were private housing and 1,002 were affordable, with an average selling price of 284,000.

The deal also saw Bovis acquire Gallifords housing partnerships business, which delivered 1,178 homes over the said period.

Bovis also confirmed that former Galliford Try chief executive Graham Prothero has joined the companys board.

It said Mr Prothero has been appointed as the groups new chief operating officer.

In a separate announcement, Galliford Try said Bill Hocking, who was previously the chief of the companys construction and investments division, has replaced Mr Prothero as its new chief executive.

Peter Ventress, chairman of Galliford Try, said: The completion of the corporate transaction transforms Galliford Try into a well-capitalised, standalone construction-focused group.

On behalf of the board I thank Graham for his contribution to the group and the transaction and wish him well in his new role.
Vietnam Airlines flights are allowed to display Delta Air Lines numbers (starting with DL*). Delta Air Lines will sell flight tickets for Vietnam Airlines between Ha Noi and Tokyo to serve passengers who want to continue their flights to the US. - Photo Vietnam Airlines

According to Vietnam Airlines, the two carriers signed a two-way codeshare agreement in August last year, in which Delta will offer seats on the Vietnamese carriers flights.

The partnership between Vietnam Airlines and Delta Air Lines is expected to officially go into operation this month. Accordingly, passengers only need to book and check in with Vietnam Airlines or Delta Air Lines for the entire journey, helping travellers visit famous destinations in Viet Nam and the US.

Vietnam Airlines flights are allowed to display Delta Air Lines numbers (starting with DL*). Delta Air Lines will sell flight tickets for Vietnam Airlines between Ha Noi and Tokyo to serve passengers who want to continue their flights to the US.

Delta Air Lines is also allowed to transport passengers, goods and correspondence in the form of codeshare co-operation between the US and Viet Nam, which is under the regulations of the Viet Nam-US Air Transport Agreement in 2003.

Flight numbers starting with VN (Vietnam Airlines) are displayed not only on Delta Air Lines flights but also on associated airlines, including Compass Airlines, Endeavor Air, GoJet Airlines, Republic Airlines and SkyWest Airlines on journeys to 25 destinations in the US.

With this licensing decision, Vietnam Airlines has perfected the right to exploit routes to and from the US in all forms including regular operation, chartering and two-way partnership, which are important steps for the company to explore the US-Viet Nam market, and create a habit for passengers flying to the US on Vietnam Airlines flights.
THE ISSUE:

The president pardons three members of the military accused of war crimes.

THE STAKES:

His actions erode military discipline, harm the nation's image in the world, and diminish prospects for peace.

-

"The law of war is of fundamental importance to the Armed Forces of the United States. The law of war is part of who we are."

So begins the nearly 1,200-page U.S. Department of Defense "Law of War Manual," which outlines how the nation's military can conduct itself both effectively and honorably in the inherently violent course of conducting war. It's a document that, clearly, President Donald Trump has neither read nor cares to.

How else to explain the president's decision to overrule the military and pardon three men convicted or accused of war crimes  including Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher, who had posed for a trophy photo with the corpse of a enemy fighter in Iraq; an Army lieutenant convicted of murder after ordering his soldiers to fire on unarmed Afghans; and an Army major charged with murdering an Afghan man.

Mr. Trump turned his back on centuries of understanding that even in war there is a need for rules, not because of political correctness, but because a lack of them undermines both the nation's image and the ultimate goal of just war  that is, peace.

One doesn't need to read the Law of War Manual to get the gist of it, which the Peterson Air Force Base's legal office in Colorado Springs summed up in a two-page document. The reasons for the rules, it explains, "include minimizing the damage we cause during a war, avoiding unnecessary suffering, protecting human rights, and easing the transition from war back to peace. ... [A] losing country is more likely to accept the terms of a peace agreement if the other country did its best to minimize property damage and injuries to people."

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

Mr. Trump  who avoided service himself with questionable deferments, and who declares himself smarter than any generals  rejected the bitter lessons of history. And in recent days, thanks to video testimony and other evidence against Mr. Gallagher obtained by The New York Times, Americans have gained greater insight into the man the president casts as a hero. His own comrades called him "freaking evil," a "psychopath," "toxic" and "literally the worst of the worst," a man who was out "to kill anybody he can." Some wept as they recounted his deeds.

The failure of the current commander in chief to respect the law of war speaks to his broader incompetence in conducting foreign affairs. There are two basic options when it comes to dealing with conflicts with adversaries  diplomacy and war. Mr. Trump's ineptitude with diplomacy grows ever more apparent, with Iranian-backed militias breaching the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, North Korea threatening more missile tests, and Russia announcing achievement of hypersonic missile technology  all adversaries that Mr. Trump would have the country believe he has well under control.

He does not. And in rewarding the likes of Mr. Gallagher, he makes it all the more difficult for military leaders to control those under their command, and to wage the kind of war that still leaves open the possibility of peace.
The Australian navy on Friday evacuated hundreds of tourists and residents trapped in a bushfire, as the catastrophic blazes ripped through the states of New South Wales and Victoria, killing at least 20 people and destroying nearly 500 homes, as the country braced for the worst during the weekend.

About 4,000 people, including some 3,000 tourists, have been stranded in the Victoria's Mallacoota region since they were forced to shelter on the foreshore as the fire approached on New Year's eve.

About 1,000 people were ferried to the naval vessels HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria are facing severe bushfire conditions as death toll touched 16 in NSW while two were confirmed dead in Victoria and South Australia.

Roads have been blocked by the still-burning blaze and could take weeks to clear in and out of the isolated town, in Victoria's far east. Heavy smoke has hung in the air.

According to media reports on Friday, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) confirmed 449 homes were destroyed on the South Coast since the New Year's eve taking the total number of properties destroyed this fire season to 1,365, with 501 homes damaged.

The RFS said more than 9,000 homes were saved by the efforts of firefighters across the state.

In Victoria, two people were confirmed dead and 28 were still missing with authorities urging 100,000 locals to leave their homes ahead of worsening bushfire conditions over the weekend.

For the first time in history, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Thursday night declared a state of disaster for the eastern half of the state.

He said the declaration provided "for formal evacuations of townships and areas" and sent a clear message that "if you can leave, you must leave", and would stay in place for a week.

The declaration allows the state government to take possession of private property to respond to the fires, control movement in and out of the disaster area and direct any of its agencies to perform or stop performing "any function, power, duty or responsibility".

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also declared a week long state of emergency starting on Friday morning due to the ongoing crisis.

NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said Saturday was likely to bring conditions more dangerous than New Year's eve, when bushfires left seven dead and thousands in peril.

"There'll be real challenges and very real risks associated with what's being forecast and predicted for fire spread under the sorts of weather conditions we're expecting as we head into Saturday," he said.

"The conditions on Saturday are likely to be worse than New Year's eve and a lot of those areas in the south-east quadrant of the state have the potential to be impacted and impacted very heavily," he said.

A "tourist leave zone" was also declared for a 14,000-square-kilometre area between Nowra, South Coast region of New South Wales and the edge of Victoria's northern border.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday indicated that he may cancel his planned first visit to India from January 13 due to the catastrophic bushfire crisis.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
John Legend has blasted an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump that killed one of Iran's top generals while Rose McGowan tweeted an apology to the nation.

The tweets came after the news was announced on Thursday night of the death of General Qassem Soleimani.

'Don't trust that people who are the lyingest liars in Presidential history will suddenly start telling the truth about a possible war with Iran,' Legend, 41, wrote on Twitter.

Meanwhile, McGowan, in her apology, posted a GIF of the Iranian flag.

'Dear #Iran, The USA has disrespected your country, your flag, your people. 52% of us humbly apologize,' she tweeted.

'We want peace with your nation. We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime. We do not know how to escape. Please do not kill us. #Soleimani.'

But they weren't the only ones. Celebrities such as John Cusack, Alyssa Milano, Debra Messing and Michael Moore also tweeted their disapproval over the airstrike.

Singer John Legend has blasted an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump that killed one of Iran's top generals

Meanwhile, Rose McGowan, 46, tweeted on Friday an apology to Iran after the airstrike

The State Department said Soleimani (left) was targeted because he was allegedly planning to attack Americans in the Middle East. US officials confirmed on Thursday that the airstrike was ordered by President Trump (right)

On Thursday, US officials confirmed that an airstrike ordered by the president had killed Soleimani.

A statement from the Defense Department said Soleimani was targeted because he 'was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.'

The general is also accused of approving the attacks on the American Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, earlier this week.

President of Iran Hassan Rouhani promised to 'take revenge for this heinous crime' and the State Department urged all US citizens to 'depart Iraq immediately.'

Actress Rose McGowan, 46, tweeted on Friday an apology to Iran after an airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump killed the one of the Middle Eastern nation's top generals

McGowan tweeted that even though Soleimani was 'an evil, evil man', it didn't excuse the airstrike. She also revealed that she is a registered Republican, but later said she was kidding

McGowan's first tweet garnered more than 7,400 likes and more than 1,600 retweets.

She continued with another tweet directed at Trump that read: 'Thanks a lot, d******d.'

In yet another tweet, the 46-year-old said she recognized that Soleimani was an 'evil, evil man,' but that the airstrike wasn't justified.

''Of course #Soleimani was an evil evil man who did evil evil things. But that at this moment is not the f*****g point,' she wrote.

McGowan (left) and actor John Cusack (right) each coined the president as either 'd******d' or the 'lyingest liar'

'The United States is morally corrupt and acts illegally. It is only logical to appeal to Iran's pride by apologizing. I'm taking one for the team. #TeamStayAlive.'

The actress then admitted she had a freak out over the idea of an impending war between the US and Iran.

'Ok, so I freaked out because we may have any impending war. Sometimes it's okay to freak out on those in power,' she wrote.

'It's our right. That is what so many Brave soldiers have fought for. That is democracy. I do not want any more American soldiers killed. That's it.'

McGowan also joked that she is a registered Republican but that she can't vote for any political party in the upcoming 2020 election.

'I'm a registered Republican in California. I loathe the Clintons. I hate Trump. I will not vote Republican, but I cannot vote Democrat,' she tweeted.

'I'd rather know what evil I'm getting, so I'll go Republican. This is about WWIII, so none of that s**t matters anyway. #TeamStayAlive #RoseArmy.'

She later clarified with a tweet that read: 'I will never vote Republican. I want the Democrats to win because we are less likely to die. I am a conscientious objector to the USA, it's policies, lies, corruption, nationalism, racism, and deep misogyny. It is our right and duty as citizens to dissent.'

McGowan later admitted she had a freak out over the idea of an impending war between the US and Iran

Actor John Cusack also took to Twitter to blast the president, accusing him of being 'clueless'

Actress Alyssa Milano tweeted what she deemed to be Trump's hypocrisy at saying then-President Obama planned to attack Iran to get elected

Will and Grace star Debra Messing also shared a tweet in which she called Trump a 'national security threat'

Meanwhile, actor Cusack blasted Trump on Thursday and called the commander-in-chief 'idiotic'.

Cusack tweeted: 'Trump in full fascist 101 mode-,steal and lie - until there's nothing left and start a war - He's so idiotic he doesn't know he just attacked Iran And that's not like anywhere else.'

Actress Alyssa Milano also appeared to criticize the president's action, retweeting one of Trump's tweet from 2011 criticizing then-President Barack Obama.

'In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran,' he wrote at the time.

In response, Milano wrote on Friday: 'There's a tweet for everything. Holy s**t.'

Debra Messing took the same approach as Milano, sharing a Trump tweet from October 2012, in which he wrote: 'Now that Obama's numbers are in a tailspin, watch for him to launch a strike against Libya or Iran. He is desperate.'

'THERE IS A TWEET FOR EVERYTHING. #TrumpIsANationalSecurityThreat,' Messing tweeted on Friday.

Filmmaker Michael Moore also slammed the president, claiming he was starting a war

Legend recalled his protest against the 2003 Iraq War

Filmmaker Michael Moore also criticized the president on Twitter, posting a photo of Soleimani.

'Hello fellow Americans. Do you know this man? Did you know he was your enemy?' Moore tweeted.

'What? Never heard of him? By the end of today you will be trained to hate him. You will be glad Trump had him assassinated. You will do as you are told. Get ready to send your sons &daughters off 2 war.'

Moore then mocked Trump, writing: 'War is good. War is a necessary distraction. War is peace. Trump is our Commander! Shhhh...sleep...there was no collusion...it was a perfect call...I just shot a man on 5th Ave just because I can...I'm sorry, but due to this national emergency we've had to postpone the election'

Legend also shared another tweet protesting the airstrike.

In reference to his take on the Iraq War, he wrote: 'I marched on the streets of NYC in protest. I knew Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11. I knew our leaders were fishing for reasons to do something they'd already decided to do. '

Kathy Griffin took aim at Trump saying that he had violated several treaties.

Actress Rosanna Arquette compared Trump to Hitler

Former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell referred to Trump as a traitor

Kathy Griffin, Rosanna Arquette, and Rosie O'Donnell all criticized the airstrike

Kathy Griffin took aim at Trump saying that he had violated treaties.

'Donald Trump has put every American, all over the world, in grave danger by this incredibly ignorant and thoughtless act of war,' she wrote.

'Solemani [sic] deserved to die. That doesnt mean we can violate the Geneva Convention. Do you really think he was an immediate threat?'

She later added: 'While POTUS, the department of justice the department of defense etc. are very possibly lying to the American public and of course the world, who do you think the supreme leader and Solemanis deputies will retaliate against the most?

Actress Rosanna Arquette compared to Trump to Adolf Hitler while former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell referred to Trump as a traitor/
James Dailey has been on death row in Florida for 32 years. Dailey, a 73-year-old Vietnam veteran, was granted a stay of execution in October, just weeks before his execution date of November 7, but that stay expired December 30.



As of January 3, there had been no news of an extension of Daileys stay. The calendar posted on the web site of the Florida Commission for Offender Review does not list Daileys case for review.



The web site of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, mentions nothing about granting Dailey clemency. With the expiration of the stay, the governor is free to issue a new death warrant. If Daileys execution goes forward, it is highly likely that Florida will be sending an innocent man to his death.

James Dailey (Credit: Florida Department of Corrections)



Dailey has consistently maintained his innocence in the 1985 murder of 14-year-old Shelly Boggio in Pinellas County, Florida. By the prosecutions own admission, no eyewitnesses or forensic evidence have connected Dailey to the crimeno physical evidence, no fingerprints and no hair or fibers were presented at trial. The case against him was largely based on jailhouse informants testimony, including that of Paul Skalnik, who has faced charges of fraud, grand theft, and child sexual abuse, and is known as a serial informant.



Daileys is a textbook case of how corrupt US prosecutors, in the drive to secure convictions, solicit the testimony of informants with promises of leniency in their own cases. Skalnik has been the subject of an expose by Pamela Colloff for the New York Times Magazine/ProPublica detailing his extensive jailhouse informant career. His testimony has helped send dozens of people to prison, including four to death row, Dailey among them.



At the time of Boggios murder, Dailey lived in an extra room at the home of Jack Pearcy. Pearcy had spent the afternoon and evening with Boggio. When her body was found later that day, she had been stabbed 31 times. Police found a knife belonging to Pearcy next to the girls body. In an effort to deflect blame from himself, Pearcy told police that Dailey had killed her.



Pearcy was tried first for the crime and received a life sentence. Having not obtained a death sentenceand responding to what they felt was a popular mood in Penellas County seeking the ultimate punishment for Boggioa brutal murderprosecutors then focused their attention on Dailey.



Prosecutors sent investigators into the prison in an effort to obtain evidence to be used against Dailey. The investigators showed potential witnesses news stories to familiarize them with details of the crime. On this basis, three jailhouse witnesses came forward claiming that Dailey had confessed. Pearcy also claimed Dailey was the killer, but he would go on to recant this claim.



On December 18, Daileys lawyers filed a declaration by Pearcy with the court in which he says he alone was responsible for the murder. James Dailey was back at the house when I drove Shelly Boggio to the place where I ultimately killed her, his statement reads.



This is the fifth time Pearcy has confessed to killing Boggio. He signed an affidavit in 2017 to that effect but declined to testify. Joshua Dubin, Daileys attorney, says he would testify this time if Dailey were granted a new trial. Had a jury known that Jack Pearcy has confessed continually, Dubin told FOX 13 News in Florida, a jury would more than likely acquit James Dailey. Before his arrest and conviction for Boggios murder, his only conviction was related to a bar fight.



Skalnik, by contrast, had a rap sheet miles long, dating back to the 1970s. He has been convicted for crimes ranging from grand larceny to child sexual assault. He has falsely claimed to be a Homeland Security agent, has impersonated a terminally ill cancer patient and has defrauded people out of tens of thousands of dollars.



The Times Magazine/ProPublica investigation exposed that two years before his testimony sending Dailey to death row, the Florida Department of Corrections described Skalnik as a con artist of the highest degree. Colloff writes in her report that Skalnik is one of the most prolific, and most effective, jailhouse informants in American history.



In one case in 1982, Skalnik was charged with sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl, which could carry a 15-year sentence. Despite the willingness of the young victim to take the stand, he was not prosecuted for the crime and was allowed to plead guilty to a separate and less serious charge of grand theft. In one six-year period in the 1980s, Skalnik testified or provided information in at least 37 cases in Pinellas County alone.



Like the vast majority of jailhouse informants, Skalnik has always denied he was promised leniency for his testimony. However, the Times Jesse Wegman writes in a recent editorial on Daileys case, Just five days after Mr. Dailey was sentenced to death, Mr. Skalnik was released from jail for his assistance, even though he was facing a 20-year sentence of his own, and even though his parole officer had warned the year before that he is and always will be a danger to society.



According to the Death Penalty Information Center, since 1973, 166 death-row prisoners have been exonerated of all charges against them and set free. This includes 29 in Florida, the most of any state and almost one-sixth of the total. Prisoners have been exonerated through DNA testing, new trials based on inadequate counsel and prosecutorial conduct, and on the basis of new testimony from witnesses. Given the large number of exonerees, there is little doubt that many innocent individuals have been sent to their deaths.



Since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, 1,512 individuals have been executed across the US. Florida, with 99, has carried out the third highest number, following Texas, 569, and Virginia, 212. Those sent to their deaths have included foreign nationals denied their consular rights, those suffering mental impairment, and those convicted and sentenced to death for crimes committed as juveniles.



Currently, 29 states plus the US federal government and US military have death penalties on the books, while 21 states plus the District of Columbia have outlawed the practice. Four of the states with the death penalty currently have governor-imposed moratoriums on executions.



In December the Supreme Court upheld an injunction by a federal judge that blocked a move by Attorney General Bill Barr to resume federal executions, effectively putting on hold the executions of four prisoners with death warrants on federal death row. According to DPIC, there are 65 prisoners on federal and US military death row.
After the 2016 election, Esposito sought to join the crop of loyalists who follow every new administration in trying to climb to the top of the Washington influence machine. His ascent was particularly notable, however, because his connections to Trumps world dont hold up to scrutiny  and because he had previously represented himself as a Democrat.
WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI  A Michigan man allegedly faked a stabbing that could have been considered a hate crime last month.

Sean Samitt, 26, is accused of making up a story about being attacked and stabbed outside a West Bloomfield synagogue, the Detroit Free Press reports. Samitt claimed the attacker was ranting anti-Semitic rhetoric when he stabbed and punched him in the parking lot of Temple Kol Ami on Dec. 15, police said.

The assault never happened, police said after an investigation that included detectives, K9 units and a search for the suspect that turned up no evidence of an attack outside the synagogue where Samitt worked, the report said. Police did find blood bloody tissues in Samitts office, the mens bathroom and on a knife in the kitchen. Samitt eventually admitted to intentionally stabbing himself, police said.

Samitt is now charged with falsely reporting a felony, which is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, the report said. He reported the crime on Dec. 15. He was arrested and arraigned on Dec. 20. He is now out on bond. Samitt is due back in court later this month.

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iQiyi Hires Former BBC Executive Kelvin Yau to Lead Thailand Operations

By Ding Yi / Jan 03, 2020 06:26 PM / Business & Tech

Chinese online video platform iQiyi has hired a former BBC executive to oversee its business in Thailand, as it looks to expand overseas, the company said in a press release Thursday.

Kelvin Yau, former head of BBC Worldwide Greater China, will start working at iQiyi as vice president of international business development and general manager of the companys Thailand operations from early 2020, according to the press release.

In a statement, Yau said he will help iQiyi to launch more technology, content and partnership initiatives to meet local needs.

Yaus appointment follows iQiyis November announcement that it is expanding globally, and that it was launching the international version of its app, which offers content and search functions in multiple languages including Chinese, English, Thai, Malay, Indonesian and Vietnamese among others.

The company is taking tentative steps into Southeast Asia, where it has established ties with local partners like Malaysian media brand Astro to launch localization and marketing activities.

In an interview with Reuters, companys founder and CEO Gong Yu said that iQiyis new growth target was to make overseas paying subscribers account for as many as half of its total within the next half-decade.

Contact reporter Ding Yi (yiding@caixin.com)

Related: Chinese Video Streaming Service iQiyi Eyes Subscribers Abroad and Mulls Price Hikes at Home
Red Cross Empowers Communities of Faith Through Preparedness at Charles R. Drew University in South L.A.

The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region held its second luncheon for their faith-based affiliate program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South L.A. this past Wednesday to spread the word about the importance of diversity in blood collection.

The Faith Based Affiliate Program provides L.A. organizations that represent the rich diversity of Los Angeles  with organizations from Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and non-denominational beliefs  the opportunity to bring Red Cross resources to their communities. Wednesdays luncheon focused on the need to collect blood in different communities and the role that the more than 30 faith and community leaders can play in diversifying their communitys blood supply.

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I tell people all the time that it is vital that the church and faith-based community have these kinds of partnerships, said Dr. Michael J. Fisher, senior pastor of the Greater Zion Church Family. To be able to host a blood drive and see the response was overwhelming.

Dr. Fisher also announced that at least 15 pastors have committed to hosting similar events in 2020.

The event took place at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, named in honor of the brilliant African-American physician, famous for his pioneering work in blood preservation and director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank in 1941.

Its important symbolically, that the Red Cross is here today, said guest speaker Sylvia Drew Ivie, J.D., special assistant to President of Charles Drew University and daughter of Charles R. Drew, citing her fathers work and the ongoing overlap between the institutions focus on sickle cell anemia and the need to collect blood for patients undergoing treatment.

Dr. Medell Briggs, MPH, MSHS and board member for the American Red Cross of Santa Monica Bay, also spoke about her firsthand experience with donated blood. Time and time again, Dr Briggs recounted, we see victims who need many units of blood, often originating from various donors who had participated in local blood drives, underscoring the importance of each individual donors contribution in saving lives.

In addition to coordinating blood drives, the Faith Based Affiliate Program offers preparedness education, free or reduced-price adult first aid and CPR certification, as well as volunteer opportunities that bringing home fire safety and free smoke alarm installations to their community.

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To learn more about the Faith Based Affiliate programs and services email [email protected]
JERUSALEM (AP)  If Iran decides to follow through on its vow of harsh retaliation for the killing of its top general, it can call upon heavily armed allies across the Middle East that are within easy striking distance of U.S. forces and American allies.

It's a network that was developed over nearly two decades by Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed along with senior Iraqi militants in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's international airport overnight. He enjoyed the fierce loyalty of tens of thousands of fighters in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and the Gaza Strip who received aid, arms and training from Tehran.

Iran has used such groups in the past to strike its regional foes, including Israel, and could mobilize them if the killing of Soleimani ignited an armed conflict  dramatically expanding the battlefield.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting for the U.S. after the airstrike, calling Soleimani the international face of resistance.

Here's a look at Tehran's allies in the Mideast:

IRAQ MILITIAS

Iran has trained, financed, and equipped Shiite militias in Iraq that battled U.S. forces in the years after the 2003 invasion and remobilized to battle the Islamic State group a decade later.

The groups include Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Kataeb Hezbollah and the Badr Organization, all three led by men with close ties to Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force.

The leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was killed in the strike that felled Soleimani. The U.S. blamed his group for a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base last week that killed a U.S. contractor. It responded with airstrikes over the weekend that killed 25 of his fighters.

The militias fall under the umbrella of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, a collection of mostly Shiite militias that were incorporated into the country's armed forces in 2016. Together they number more than 140,000 fighters, and while they fall under the authority of Iraq's prime minister, the PMF's top brass are politically aligned with Iran.

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U.S. forces and the PMF fought side-by-side against Islamic State militants after Iraq's parliament invited the U.S. back into the country in 2014. But in recent months militia leaders have called on U.S. troops to leave again, threatening to expel them by force if necessary.

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HEZBOLLAH

The militia, whose Arabic name translates into "Party of God," was established by Iran's Revolutionary Guard during Lebanon's civil war in the 1980s. Today it is among the most effective armed groups in the region, extending Iran's influence to Israel's doorstep.

Hezbollah was formed to combat Israel following its invasion of Lebanon in 1982. It waged an 18-year guerrilla war against Israeli forces, eventually forcing them to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000. Six years later, it battled Israel to a bloody stalemate in a month-long war.

Today, the group has an arsenal of tens of thousands of rockets and missiles that can reach deep into Israel, as well as thousands of highly disciplined and battle-hardened fighters. Hezbollah has fought alongside government forces in Syria for more than six years, gaining even more battlefield experience and expanding its reach.

At home, the group's power exceeds that of the Lebanese armed forces, and it is part of a political alliance that now leads the government and parliament.

Hezbollah has said it is not seeking another war with Israel, and it is not likely to join in any regional confrontation  at least not in the early stages  unless provoked. Hezbollah has lost hundreds of fighters in Syria, exacting a heavy toll on the Shiite community from which it draws most of its support.

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YEMEN'S HOUTHIS

Yemen's Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, swept down from the north and captured the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict on the side of the government the following year. The war has since killed tens of thousands of people and generated the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Arabia views the Houthis as an Iranian proxy, and along with Western nations and U.N. experts has accused Tehran of providing arms to the rebels, including the long-range missiles they have fired into Saudi Arabia. Iran supports the rebels but denies arming them.

The Houthis have given up little ground since the coalition entered the war, and have targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with long-range missiles. Last year they claimed a drone attack that shut down a major oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which responded with airstrikes on Yemen's rebel-held capital that killed civilians.

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GAZA MILITANTS

Iran has long supported Palestinian militant groups, including Gaza's Hamas rulers and particularly the smaller Islamic Jihad group.

Hamas fell out with Iran after the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, losing millions of dollars in monthly assistance, but Tehran is said to have continued its military support to Hamas' armed wing.

Tensions have run high in Gaza since Israel's targeted killing of an Islamic Jihad commander last month, which set off a brief two-day bout of fighting. Hamas, which has been negotiating a period of calm with Israel through Egyptian mediators, stayed on the sidelines.

Hamas is in a severe financial crisis and appears to get most of its aid from Qatar, making it less likely that it would rally to Tehran's side in a regional conflict. But Islamic Jihad, still smarting from the recent fighting, could be keen to join in any regional conflict by firing rockets.
The stray dog menace in Bhiwandi continues with at least 10 school kids being bitten by dogs in the last two days. The dog bite cases were reported from areas like Ansarnagar, Khandupada and Patelnagar of Bhiwandi, causing panic among kids and their parents.

After the incidents, the residents of these areas demanded action against stray dog. Of the ten students, two suffered severe injuries on face and neck. The children were taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Bhiwandi.

Dog bite cases are increasing day by day in Bhiwandi, and children are the most affected. Most of the cases took place during after school hours, while the children were walking back home. The civic body has not done anything to prevent these cases yet, said Usmaan Khan, 30, a resident of Ansarnagar, Bhiwandi.

In May 2018, nine-year-old Sujit Wadia from Bhiwandi died at JJ Hospital in Mumbai after he was bitten by an infected stray dog in April 2018. The same infected dog had attacked four others in Bhiwandi.

In September 2017, an eight-year-old boy was mauled to death by a pack of stray dogs in Bhiwandi, after the child accidentally fell on one of the dogs.

After the dog bite cases were reported, our team of officials have visited the spot and also taken the dogs away from the locality. We have asked our employees to keep a watch and ensure no more cases of dog bites are reported in these areas, said an officer from the health department of Bhiwandi-Nizampur Municipal Corporation.

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Countries heavily involved in the Middle East reacted to the United States taking out top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, including China, Russia, and Germany.

Britain Foreign Minister Dominic Raab urged all parties to de-escalate, adding that further conflict is in none of our interests.

Ulrike Demmer, a German government spokeswoman, said the United States was just reacting to Iranian provocations.

The American action was a reaction to a series of military provocations for which Iran is responsible, she told reporters at a press conference.

We also see with great concern Irans activities in the region. We stand before a dangerous escalation, she added. Germany will try to de-escalate the situation, she said.

Iraqi President Barham Salih also urged restraint, telling NBC: The situation in Iraq is very fragile, very precarious. I urge restraint on all sides. Iraq cannot be condemned to another cycle of violence. We have had too many wars over the last four decades.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of China, said in a statement that The peace and stability in the gulf area and Middle East should be maintained.

We urge all sides to be restrained and calm and avoid further escalation of the situation, he said. China is one of the biggest backers of the Iranian regime.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he spoke to a number of world leaders about the airstrike, including the foreign ministers of China, Britain, and Germany, making clear that the United States remains committed to de-escalation.

Russia was among the countries condemning the attack.

A Russian Foreign Ministry source told the Russian News Agency TASS that we consider Soleimanis murder in a U.S. missile strike at the suburbs of Baghdad an adventurous step that will lead to growing tensions throughout the region.

Soleimani devotedly served the cause of protecting Irans national interests. We are offering our sincere condolences to the Iranian people, the source added.

French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin said We have woken up to a more dangerous world, adding that President Emmanuel Macron would consult soon with players in the region.

Israel, meanwhile, placed its military on heightened alert and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned early from a trip outside the country after Soleimanis killing.

Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security, and self-defense, Netanyahu told reporters.

Israel has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat. In August last year, the military said it had foiled a Quds Force attack administered by Soleimani, involving multiple drones from Syria.

In Gaza, Hamaswhich has long enjoyed financial and military support from Tehrancondemned Soleimanis killing and sent its dearest condolences to Iran. Gaza-based Hamas official Bassem Naim wrote on Twitter that the assassination opens the doors of the region to all possibilities, except calm & stability. USA bears the responsibility for that.

On Twitter, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the assassination of Soleimani an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.

The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, he said.

The Syrian government also condemned the killing. A foreign ministry official told SANA, a state news agency, that the country is certain that this cowardly US aggression will only strengthen determination to follow in the path of the resistances martyred leaders.

Reuters contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
No casualties reported amid four enemy attacks in Donbas in past 24 hours  JFO HQ

Russia's hybrid military forces mounted four attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas, with no casualties reported, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) has reported.

"The armed forces of the Russian Federation and its mercenaries violated the ceasefire four times on January 2. No casualties were reported amid enemy attacks," the JFO staff said in its update on Facebook on Friday morning.

The enemy opened fire from grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms near the villages of Novotroyitske, Mykolaivka, Orikhove, and Novoluhanske.
Today we'll look at Singapore Post Limited (SGX:S08) and reflect on its potential as an investment. Specifically, we'll consider its Return On Capital Employed (ROCE), since that will give us an insight into how efficiently the business can generate profits from the capital it requires.

First, we'll go over how we calculate ROCE. Second, we'll look at its ROCE compared to similar companies. And finally, we'll look at how its current liabilities are impacting its ROCE.

What is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

ROCE measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Generally speaking a higher ROCE is better. In brief, it is a useful tool, but it is not without drawbacks. 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 Singapore Post:

0.066 = S$119m  (S$2.6b - S$792m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2019.)

So, Singapore Post has an ROCE of 6.6%.

View our latest analysis for Singapore Post

Does Singapore Post Have A Good ROCE?

ROCE can be useful when making comparisons, such as between similar companies. In this analysis, Singapore Post's ROCE appears meaningfully below the 8.3% average reported by the Logistics industry. This could be seen as a negative, as it suggests some competitors may be employing their capital more efficiently. Aside from the industry comparison, Singapore Post's ROCE is mediocre in absolute terms, considering the risk of investing in stocks versus the safety of a bank account. It is possible that there are more rewarding investments out there.

Singapore Post's current ROCE of 6.6% is lower than 3 years ago, when the company reported a 9.1% ROCE. So investors might consider if it has had issues recently. You can see in the image below how Singapore Post's ROCE compares to its industry. Click to see more on past growth.

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SGX:S08 Past Revenue and Net Income, January 3rd 2020

It is important to remember that ROCE shows past performance, and is not necessarily predictive. Companies in cyclical industries can be difficult to understand using ROCE, as returns typically look high during boom times, and low during busts. ROCE is only a point-in-time measure. Future performance is what matters, and you can see analyst predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

What Are Current Liabilities, And How Do They Affect Singapore Post's ROCE?

Current liabilities include invoices, such as supplier payments, short-term debt, or a tax bill, that need to be paid within 12 months. Due to the way the ROCE equation works, having large bills due in the near term can make it look as though a company has less capital employed, and thus a higher ROCE than usual. To counteract this, we check if a company has high current liabilities, relative to its total assets.

Singapore Post has total assets of S$2.6b and current liabilities of S$792m. Therefore its current liabilities are equivalent to approximately 31% of its total assets. Singapore Post's ROCE is improved somewhat by its moderate amount of current liabilities.

Our Take On Singapore Post's ROCE

Despite this, its ROCE is still mediocre, and you may find more appealing investments elsewhere. Of course, you might also be able to find a better stock than Singapore Post. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have grown earnings strongly.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Editor's Note: 2020 is expected to be another year of significant uncertainty and turmoil. But the question is what assets will emerge the victor when the dust settles from the global trade war, Brexit, recession threats, negative bond yields. It's a showdown of global proportions, so don't miss all our exclusive coverage on how these factors could impact your 2020 investment decisions.

(Kitco News) - The U.S. has officially closed the book on a momentous decade as the S&P continues its longest bull run in history; the market has rallied consistently for the last 10 years. The Index is up 184% since 2010.

The gold market is also attracting new attention on the cusp of the new epoch. Although prices are still down from its record highs hit eight years ago, the precious metal ended the decade with a gain of 34%.

The questions investors are now asking is: what is in store for markets as the world embarks on a new decade. What are the risks and opportunities to watch for in the next 10 years?

For Kitco News Showdown 2020 outlook, we are have asked a panel of experts their thoughts on the next decade and how they would invest $100,000 for the next decade.

This week we talk with Robert Kiyosaki who recomments people buy "real money," gold and silver, as it looks like the world is on the cusp of another financial disaster.

Part I: U.S. to remain a global leader in the next decade - Frank Holmes

Part II: The next decade looks promising but still hold 30% in gold  Dennis Gartman

Part III: Hold 20% in gold as global economy is an accident waiting to happen - Frank Giustra

Part IV: Buy silver bullion now to prepare for the next decade - Robert Kiyosaki

Part V: Central banks can't do QE forever, hold 25% commodities as inflation hedge for the next decade - USCF

Expert: Robert Kiyosaki

Claim to Fame: best-selling author of Rich Dad Poor Dad

How would you invest $100,000 in the next decade?

I would invest $100,000 in silver U.S .Eagles today, not tomorrow.

In my opinion, silver is the most undervalued, lowest-risk, best investment of all asset classes.

Why buy stocks and bonds when both are in bubbles?

I have been accumulating silver coins since 1964. I have purchased gold coins also, and store them legally, overseas, outside the banking system.

In 1972, while flying for the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam, I purchased my first gold coin, a SA Krugerrand, in Hong Kong, for under $50 US. In 1972, it was illegal for Americans to own gold. I still have that Krugerrand, which is also stored overseas. Today, that same Krugerrand is worth about $1,500. I have been saving gold and silver coins, not U.S. dollars, ever since.

I will stop accumulating silver, after spot silver passes $40.00 US an ounce.

What are the biggest trends you are watching heading into the new decade?

I am watching the collapse of global pensions. Once global pensions begin collapsing, I will wait and see how governments and central banks respond to this massive multi-trillion-dollar global crisis.

If they, governments and central banks, begin "printing" more fiat money to bailout pensioners, I will back up the truck on gold and silver.

What are the biggest threats you see in the next 10 years?

Global pensions, both DB, (defined benefits), and DC, (defined contributions) pensions. Wall Street has been robbing pensions for years.

In January 2020, my latest book Who Stole My Pension?, co-authored with the #1 pension-fund-fraud whistle blower, Ted Seidel, will be released. It is not a book with a happy ending although it does offer workers with pensions and retirees options to help stop the looting.

How long do you think the bull run in equities will last?

Two years at most, possibly April 2022.

When people ask me: "What price should I buy gold and silver at?" I say, "If you have no gold or silver, start accumulating today, and do not worry about price." I believe that when the panic hits, gold and silver will

disappear from markets as prices climb.

I recommend that if you not have any gold or silver today, do not measure gold or silver in dollars, measure in ounces.

When I am asked: "Do you recommend mining stocks?" I say: "I have taken two junior miners public on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The gold mine was in China and the silver mine in Argentina." I then say: "If you are just starting out, start first with real gold and silver coins. Once you have a base of gold and silver coins, then you may want to start speculating in mining company stocks."

I end by saying: "After founding both a gold and a silver company, I know from personal experience it is much less expensive and less risky to buy real gold and silver coins, than start a junior mining company."

Any final comments about what the next decade holds for investors?

Jim Rickards said it best in his book, The Road to Ruin and I paraphrase here from Kurt Vonnegut's book Cats Cradle:

"Nice, nice, so very nice.

So many people,

Trapped in the same device."

Billions of people are trapped in the mental-emotional prison of "Go to school, get a job, save money, and invest in a 401(k)." Jim and I will release our first co-authored book, The Ravens, in May of 2020.

In his book, The Road to Ruin, he begins with the story of Felix Somary, born in 1881. He was called the Raven of Zurich, for his ability to see financial catastrophes when others were complacent. Somary not only foresaw the First World War and the Great Depression, but also the Second World War before others did. The English-language translation of Somary's memoir is titled The Raven of Zurich.

In Greek mythology, the Raven symbolizes wisdom and insight and is the god of prophecy.

I am a co-author with Jim, as a student of Dr. Buckminster Fuller, father of the geodesic dome which was the U.S. Pavilion at Expo 67, the World's Fair on the Future. Dr. Fuller was known as the "Planet's Friendly Genius," as a futurist, and called the "Grandfather of the Future" by John Denver.

I had the good fortune to study with Bucky Fuller in the summers of 1981, 82, and 83, learning how to "see the future."

In January of 2008, I was on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, forecasting the fall of Lehmann Brothers, which occurred in September of 2008. To "see the future," I simply used the forecasting methods taught by Buckminster Fuller.

The primary reason Jim Rickards and I are vocal advocates of gold and silver is because we have studied modern-day "ravens" like Felix Somary and Dr. Buckminster Fuller and we can see the future. We join forces, in our book The Ravens to teach readers how to predict, prepare for, and profit from the turbulent economic times we see for the future.
(Alliance News) - Pathfinder Minerals PLC on Friday said it is making progress in restoring its interest in Mozambique mining concession 4623C and is assessing a further two independent opportunities.

Shares in Pathfinder were down 17% at 0.93 pence in London shortly before midday.

The company lost the 4623C licence in 2011 when mining concessions were consolidated and given to unaffiliated firm Pathfinder Mocambique SA.

In October, Pathfinder said it had attended a number of meetings in South Africa and Mozambique in order to resolve issues with the licence. It has since held another two rounds of meetings and plans further meetings later in the month.

Further talks with Pathfinder Mocambique shareholders to reach "a mutually acceptable settlement" are continuing, facilitated by Africa Focus Group. Pathfinder's agreement with Africa Focus Group has been extended for another three months on a non-exclusive basis, having previously been extended to the end of 2019.

While Pathfinder said it "remains confident" in achieving a resolution, it added that it cannot be certain such a resolution will be quick or that it will satisfy all shareholders.

Given this, Pathfinder is also looking into "other appropriate commercial opportunities" and is assessing two independent opportunities in particular. In both cases, due diligence on their suitability is "at an advanced stage". Any deal would likely need shareholder approval.

John Taylor, Pathfinder's chief executive, said: "I continue to be encouraged by the progress made since our last update which reflects the considerable efforts of my fellow directors in relentlessly pursuing a successful outcome to the recovery of an interest in the licence. In addition, I believe the strategic decision to also explore wider commercial interests is the correct course of action to take.

"The board's focus remains firmly on a successful resolution of the long-running dispute over the licence and consideration of wider opportunities will not detract from that priority. I look forward to updating shareholders on further progress across a number of fronts."

By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Some craters near the Moons poles never receive any sunlight. Permanently engulfed in frigid darkness, these craters are appropriately called cold traps. Credit: NASA

The next wave of robots to fly to Mars in 2020 could offer scientists an unprecedented understanding of Earth's closest neighboring planet. But there are still mysteries to be solved much closer to home, on Earth's own moon.

Last week at AGU's Fall Meeting in San Francisco, planetary scientists presented new insights into chemicals trapped in the moon's dark craters and the conditions necessary for them to collect there. The research could help scientists understand whether these chemicals could be a potential resource for future missions to the moon, according to the researchers.

The Earth tilts about its axis as it moves around the Sun. This means that any given moment, one of Earth's poles is closer to the Sun than the other (this explains why Americans head to the beach, while Australians layer up). But Earth's moon doesn't tilt like this. Instead, there are craters near the moon's poles that never receive any sunlight. Permanently engulfed in frigid darkness, these craters are appropriately called cold traps.

The moon's craters are scars from the comets that have been crashing into it for billions of years. These comets are made of compounds like water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. Without the protection of an Earth-like atmosphere, most of these chemicals break down in sunlight and escape into space. But if these chemicalsknown as volatiles, for their low boiling pointsend up in the moon's cold traps, they can stay frozen for billions of years.

"Understanding the inventory of volatiles and these cold traps is really good for being a potential resource," said Dana Hurley, a planetary scientist at Johns Hopkins University who presented the work. If humans ever set up settlements on the moon, they could use water for consumption and methane for fuel. In a new study, Haley and her colleagues researched the conditions necessary for volatiles to collect in the moon's cold traps.

Identifying volatiles in cold traps is challenging because they are shrouded in darkness. For over a decade, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO, has been measuring the faint UV light that emanates from stars and hydrogen in space and reflects off the moon's cold traps. In 2019, scientists examined the reflection data from a crater named Faustini. They found an abrupt change in reflection that corresponded to ice, but also one that they thought could indicate the presence of carbon dioxide.

To understand the likelihood that the unknown volatile was carbon dioxide, Haley decided to explore how much carbon dioxide was needed for it to end up in a cold trap in the first place. "For every carbon dioxide molecule that you release somewhere on the moon, what percentage of those make it to the court traps and stick there?" Hurley explained.

Using data from NASA's LRO on the sizes and temperatures of cold traps, Haley put together a probabilistic analysis called a Monte Carlo simulation to determine how much carbon dioxide would make it to a cold trap. "I release particles, and then follow them on trajectories," Hurley says. She factored in the likelihood that the molecules would be broken down by sunlight before they reached a cold trap.

Haley's model predicted that of all the carbon dioxide released on the moon, anywhere from 15 to 20 percent would end up in a cold trap. This was higher than previous predictions and a pretty surprising result for Hurley, considering the relatively small surface areas of cold traps.

"Just knowing exactly how small the area was where it was that cold, it's really interesting that you can get that much carbon dioxide delivered there," she said.

Next, Hurley plans on conducting a similar analysis for methane and carbon monoxide. More information about volatiles could guide scientists in their study of cold traps and lead to a better understanding of our celestial companion.

Explore further Scientists discover one of the mechanisms of water formation on the moon

This story is republished courtesy of AGU Blogs (http://blogs.agu.org), a community of Earth and space science blogs, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here.
The rise in motivation showed itself most noticeably in expressions of opposition to President Trump. Offered a half-dozen reasons to vote, the biggest group  40%  chose the one that mentioned the president by name: Donald Trump has been a disaster for our country, and we need to do everything we can to vote him out.
The teenager and her mother outside court (Henry Vaughan/PA)

A British teenager found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus has asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson to Please bring me home.

The 19-year-old alleged she was raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room in the party town of Ayia Napa on July 17, but she has said Cypriot police forced her to sign a retraction statement which led to her being convicted of public mischief at Famagusta District Court, in Paralimni.

Every second of this ordeal has been a waking nightmare, the woman said.

Im 19 and all I want to do is clear my name and come home to my family, she added in quotes reported by The Sun.

I would say to both the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, both of whom are fathers, please support me with your actions, not just with your words.

The paper also reported that the Foreign Office had on Thursday contacted the teenagers family for the first time since she was convicted.

A FO spokeswoman told PA in a statement that the UK was seriously concerned about the fair trial guarantees in this deeply distressing case and we will be raising the issue with Cypriot authorities.

A number of prominent legal figures in Cyprus have also written to attorney general Costas Clerides urging him to intervene in the case.

Every second of this ordeal has been a waking nightmareBritish teenager convicted in Cyprus

The group includes former justice minister Kypros Chrysostomides, who told the BBC the woman involved had already suffered a lot and he expected her sentence would be very lenient.

She has already been in detention for four-and-a-half weeks and she has been prevented from travelling for about five months already, he said.

But the government of Cyprus has said it has full confidence in the justice system and the courts.

Meanwhile, the teenagers mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has backed calls for a tourism boycott of the country.

Expand Close Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been called on to help a Briton facing imprisonment in Cyprus (Leon Neal) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been called on to help a Briton facing imprisonment in Cyprus (Leon Neal)

The place isnt safe  it is absolutely not safe. And if you go and report something thats happened to you, youre either laughed at, as far as I can tell, or, in the worst case, something like whats happened to my daughter may happen, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

The woman said her daughter was experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hallucinations, and is sleeping for up to 20 hours a day because of a condition called hypersomnia.

She needs to get back to the UK to get that treated  thats my absolute primary focus. She cant be treated here because hearing foreign men speaking loudly will trigger an episode, she said.

It needs resolving otherwise shes going to carry on having this for the rest of her life.

It needs resolving otherwise shes going to carry on having this for the rest of her lifeMother of convicted Briton

An online crowdfunding appeal to raise money for legal support for the womans daughter has passed 120,000, exceeding its 105,000 goal.

The help teen victim get justice in Cyprus GoFundMe page was set up by British lawyer John Hobbs in August to raise cash for the 19-year-olds legal representation.

The woman has been on bail since the end of August, after spending a month in prison, and could face up to a year in jail and a 1,700 euro (1,500) fine when she is sentenced on January 7.
China said Friday it is "highly concerned" about the United States airstrike in Iraq that killed Iran's top general Qassem Soleimani.

"We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions," China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a news conference in Beijing.

Geng again called for the US and North Korea to resume dialogue and exercise "positive interaction," after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressed a new, tougher approach toward the US at the end of a four-day meeting of the ruling Workers' Party.

"We hope the two sides can meet each other halfway and make practical efforts to break the deadlock and made new progress in the political process of the peninsular issue," Geng said.
Algeria has appointed a new government on Thursday amid a raft of socio-economic crises.

Algerias President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday named a university professor and former diplomat as Prime Minister.

Abdelaziz Djerad, 65, served in the administration of a previous president in the 1990s, but was sidelined by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The President and the Prime minister kept several important posts unchanged in the new government.

Abderrahmane Raouia was reappointed finance minister, after previously serving in that post from 2017 until last March, when he was replaced. As is usual in Algeria, Tebboune will act as defense minister.

Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum, Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab and Interior Minister Kamel Beldjoud continue in their posts.

Last month, the new President had promised to reach out to the protesters and to fight corruption, a major problem in the country. Tebboune inherits a large youth population disillusioned with unemployment and out-of-touch rulers, besides a myriad of economic challenges.

With state coffers relying on energy exports, the new government may be forced to make tough cuts in spending.

The parliament and outgoing interim government have already agreed a 9% cut in public spending for 2020.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. airstrike in Baghdad that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Irans elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East aimed to disrupt an imminent attack that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East.

However, Democratic critics said the Republican president had raised the risk of more violence in a dangerous region.

Mr Pompeo, in interviews on Fox News and CNN, declined to discuss any details of the alleged threat but said it was an intelligence-based assessment that drove the decision to target Mr Soleimani.

Iran on Friday promised harsh revenge after the U.S. airstrike that killed Mr Soleimani.

Mr Soleimani, a 62-year-old general, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The overnight attack, authorised by President Donald Trump, was a dramatic escalation in a shadow war in the Middle East between Iran and the U.S. and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the strike aimed to disrupt an imminent attack that would have endangered Americans in the Middle East.

The attack also killed top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani.

It followed a sharp increase in long-running U.S.-Iranian hostilities recently when pro-Iranian militiamen attacked the U.S. embassy in Iraq following a U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis.

Iraqs prime minister said with Fridays attack Washington had violated a deal for keeping U.S. troops in his country.

Israel put its army on high alert and U.S. allies in Europe including Britain, France and Germany voiced concerns about an escalation in tensions.

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mr Soleimani was killed in a drone strike. Irans Revolutionary Guards said he died in an attack by U.S. helicopters.

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad urged all American citizens to depart Iraq immediately.

Dozens of U.S. citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern city of Basra were leaving the country.

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Iraqi officials said the evacuations would not affect output and exports were unaffected.

Oil prices jumped over $3 a barrel over concern about disruption to Middle East supplies.

Khamenei said harsh revenge awaited the criminals who killed Soleimani and said his death would double resistance against the U. S. and Israel.

In statements on state media, he called for three days of national mourning and appointed Soleimanis deputy, Esmail Ghaani, a brigadier general, to replace him as Quds Force head.

(Reuters/NAN)
An angry mob on Friday surrounded Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the shrine built at the birthplace of Sikhisms founder in Pakistan, and threatened to occupy it if some people detained in connection with the alleged forcible conversion of a Sikh woman were not released.

Hundreds of people joined the sit-in protest that lasted till the evening and shouted slogans. A sizeable number of Pakistani Sikhs were caught within the gurdwara, and the demonstration ended after negotiations between the protestors and representatives of the local administration resulted in the release of the arrested people, reports in the Pakistani media said.

The Indian government expressed concern at the vandalism carried out at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and members of Pakistans Sikh minority being subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib. It called on the Pakistani authorities to ensure the safety and security of Sikhs.

India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community. In addition, government of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and its surroundings, it said.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh asked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene in the matter. Appeal to @ImranKhanPTI to immediately intervene to ensure that the devotees stranded in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic Gurdwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it, he tweeted.

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the incident.

Some reports said the protestors pelted stones at the gurdwara but this was denied by people in Lahore familiar with developments. The protest resulted in tension across Nankana Sahib, especially among Sikh residents. The people also said no Indian pilgrims were at the shrine at the time of the protest.

The protestors were led by the family of a Muslim man from Nankana Sahib who was accused of forcibly converting and marrying a Sikh woman named Jagjit Kaur last August. The man and several of his relatives were detained on Friday. Kaur, currently in a state-run shelter for women, has submitted a written statement in court saying she converted of her own will.

Amid the protest, Prime Minister Khan faced criticism for tweeting a seven-year-old video of violence from Bangladesh and claiming it was a case of police brutality in Uttar Pradesh. He later deleted the tweet.
SYDNEY, Australia - Wildfires raging across Australia have prompted one of the largest evacuations in the countrys history as what is already the worst season on record is likely to become even more devastating due to hot weather and strong winds.

More than 200 fires were burning, and warnings of extreme danger to come Saturday prompted mass evacuations. Traffic was gridlocked as people fled and firefighters escorted convoys of evacuees as fires threatened to close roads. Navy ships were called in to pluck hundreds of people stranded on beaches.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews declared a disaster across much of the eastern part of the state, allowing the government to order evacuations in an area with as many as 140,000 permanent residents and tens of thousands more vacationers.

If you can leave, you must leave, Andrews said.

The early and devastating start to Australias summer wildfires has already burned about 5 million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land, left at least 19 people dead, and destroyed more than 1,400 homes. Thats more acres burned in Australia than any one year in the U.S. since Harry Truman was president.

In South Australia state, fire officials said the weather conditions were cause for concern because fires were still burning or smouldering.

The ignition sources are already there, Country Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones said. There are millions of sparks out there ready to go if they break containment lines.

This week, at least 445 homes were destroyed on the New South Wales southern coast and dozens were burned in Victoria. Ten deaths have been confirmed in the two states this week, and Victoria authorities also said 28 people are missing. Fires are also burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

The navy evacuated hundreds from Mallacoota, a coastal town in Victoria cut off for days by wildfires that forced as many as 4,000 residents and tourists to shelter on beaches. Landing craft ferried people to the HMAS Choules offshore.

Evacuees waiting to board the ship described smoke and embers flying everywhere when the fires were at their worst.

Its just scary waiting, Dani Barmeister told Channel Nine.

Choules Commander Scott Houlihan said 963 people had signed up for evacuation by sea and more had been airlifted to safety.

In New South Wales, a state of emergency and a total fire ban were in place. State Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers urged people to not wait to leave, noting four people in the state died in their cars as they made late attempts to flee.

We know people have got a little bit of fire fatigue. Theyve been dealing with this now for months, Rogers said. But we need people to stay focused. Tomorrow is not the day to drop your guard.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was inclined to cancel a scheduled trip to India later this month because of the wildfires. In December, he cut short a family holiday in Hawaii in the face of public anger at his absence.

He made the remarks in Bairnsdale, Victoria, where he received a warmer welcome than he had in another wildfire-ravaged town a day earlier.

Morrison cut short Thursdays visit to Cobargo in New South Wales when locals yelled at him, called him an idiot and criticized him for the lack of equipment to deal with the fires in town.

In a radio interview, Morrison said he understood the anger of people affected by the fires.

People are angry and people are raw and people are upset, he said. Whether they are angry with me or they are angry about the situation, all I know is they are hurting and its my job to be there to try and offer some comfort and support.

In an interview late Friday with the Australian Broadcasting Corporations A Current Affair, Morrison was defensive about his handling of the crisis. He denied ignoring the warnings of fire chiefs that Australia was heading into a catastrophic fire season.

I listen to the fire chiefs that are in their jobs now, he said. They provided those exact same warnings and prepared our services to deal with the situation.

He has repeatedly asserted that the fires are a natural disaster, not the result of climate change exacerbated by Australias dependence on coal and other fossil fuels. Experts say climate change has exacerbated the unprecedented wildfires around the world, including those in California.

Smoke from the wildfires has choked air quality and turned daytime skies to near-nighttime darkness in the worst-hit areas. The smoke has also blown across the Tasman Sea into New Zealand, where skies are hazy and glaciers have turned a deep caramel brown. The colour change may cause more melting since the glaciers will reflect less sunlight.

Sydney University ecologist Chris Dickman told the Sydney Morning Herald nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals are likely to have perished in New South Wales alone. Frogs, bats and insects are excluded from his estimate, making the toll on animals much greater.

The nations agricultural sector also suffered untallied losses. Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie said in addition to their livestock dying, farmers were also struggling to feed animals with their supply chains disrupted.

___

McMorran reported from Wellington, New Zealand.
The sources said that the footage captured by the security camera installed at Ghosn's home showed him leaving on Sunday at noon, but not returning, reports Japanese public broadcaster NHK

Tokyo, Jan 3 (IANS) Security camera footage has showed ousted Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn leaving his Tokyo home alone ahead of his escape to Lebanon, Japanese investigative sources said on Friday.

They added that the camera did not capture any other suspicious persons entering or leaving the home around the time Ghosn came out.

The police suspect Ghosn may have left his home to meet with someone before heading to the airport.

Ghosn, 65, arrived in Lebanon on Monday via Turkey after jumping bail in Japan.

Hours later he confirmed he was in Lebanon, saying: "I am no longer a hostage of a Japanese judicial system where guilt presumption prevails, where discrimination is generalized and where human rights are breached.

"I haven't escaped justice - I have freed myself from injustice and political persecution," he added.

He did not reveal details about how he was able to leave Japan, although he denied having received help from his wife, Carole, Efe news reported.

The former Nissan chairman has Lebanese, Brazilian and French citizenship and holds two passports for the latter - one of which he used at Beirut customs, according to NHK.

Initially, all of Ghosn's passports were with the lawyers, but in May a Japanese court allowed the former Nissan chief to keep one of the two French passports after his bail conditions were changed.

He reportedly held it in a locked case, the keys to which were with his lawyers, according to sources NHK cited.

The database of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan had no record of his departure from the country, it added.

Meanwhile, on Thursday Lebanon's Justice Minister Albert Serhan said that the prosecutor had received a "red notice" from Interpol.

The request asks the Lebanese authorities to preventively arrest Ghosn, pending extradition or a similar mechanism.

ksk/
(CNN)  Bitcoin may have turned 10 years old but its continued drop in value is hardly cause for celebration.

On Thursday, the price of one bitcoin was down to about $6,320.

Its price has dropped dramatically since its all-time high of $20,000 in December 2017. The cryptocurrency started the year at just under $13,500 and has been down ever since.

Although bitcoin's infamous price rise launched it into the mainstream last year, it's hardly a new concept. Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of a white paper written by Satoshi Nakamoto that detailed for the first time how bitcoincould work.

It was published on a cryptocurrency mailing list shortly after the start of the financial crisis in 2008. The concept, which is an alternative to fiat currencies such as the US dollar, served as a way for people to exchange money without a regulatory middle man.

Nakamoto described how new bitcoins coins could be created through a process called mining, which requires powerful computers that solve complex math problems. Months after the white paper published, Nakamoto mined the first block of bitcoin, which generated 50 bitcoins.

Little is known about the creator. Nakamoto is a pseudonym  and even a decade later, it's still unclear who exactly that is.

But the publication of the paper was a groundbreaking moment. According to Maya Kumar, an executive who oversees the UK and Ireland operations at Luno, an app that helps users buy bitcoin, it paved the way for the next phase in the evolution of money.

"The invention of bitcoin and the underlying blockchain [that supports it] has allowed us all to reimagine money," Kumar told CNN Business. "We are seeing a new parallel financial system being built in real time."

Bitcoin relies on cryptography, which uses hidden codes to communicate. Users can make transactions directly under pseudonyms, taking away power from banks and governments, and it is not controlled by a central authority.

For bitcoin, each problem takes about 10 minutes to solve and creates a predetermined number of coins. The number that is awarded for solving each problem dwindles as time goes on.

Nakamoto's system only allows a fixed number of coins to be created  there's a limit of 21 million bitcoins that can ever be generated.

Eiland Glover, the CEO of coin company Kowala, said this fixed number will limit bitcoin's future.

"There can only ever be so many bitcoin supplied so if demand grows and you have a limited number, there's deflation and volatility," Glover said.

His company and others are attempting to create more stable coins that are tied to the US dollar  a move he believes will make the value of the coins less volatile.

Glover calls Nakamoto's white paper "the most essential foundational paper" but he notes how people have been trying to improve it.

Bitcoin's early adopters sometimes tried to make clandestine and illegal transactions. Over time, it gained broader adoption.

In 2014, Overstock became the first major US retailer to accept bitcoin. Companies such as Expedia and Microsoft followed, and now even Starbucks wants to find a way to let customers use bitcoin to pay for their caffeine fixes.

Bitcoin is far from the only cryptocurrency available. From ether and litecoin to even cryptokitties, there are more than 1,500 options. But bitcoin is the oldest, biggest and most popular.

Although supply and demand play a role in its volatility, so does hype from news coverage. For example, the news of a cryptocurrency exchange hack can cause prices to drop, while the potential of tighter regulation leads to a boost.

But bitcoin's growing popularity and entrance into the mainstream suggest the coin isn't going anywhere anytime soon, according to multiple experts. Stability is needed for any digital currency to succeed.

For now, we'll see how bitcoin evolves as a teen.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Bitcon is 10 years old."
John and Allison McDonald say their dreams have came true Photo credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

A couple who won a 2 million (2.35m) lottery jackpot three days before finding out that their teenage son is clear of cancer have said: "It is just like all of our lifelong dreams came true."

John and Allison McDonald have described how their their Lucky Dip ticket matched all six numbers to scoop the Lotto jackpot on Wednesday, December 18.

Three days later, Mr and Mrs McDonald, from Stockton on Tees, were given the news that their 15-year-old son, Ewan, had finally been given the all-clear after being treated for cancer all year.

Mr McDonald said: "It is just like all of our lifelong dreams came true in the space of three days.

Expand Close John and Allison McDonald 2 million Lotto jackpot win Photo credit: Danny Lawson/PA Wire / Facebook

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"What a start to 2020. Everyone always dreams of winning the lottery at Christmas - and talks about how amazing this would be - but Allison and I never believed it would happen to us - and it has.

"And then to receive news that Ewan's latest scans are all clear is just truly amazing. We are so thankful.

"2020 is certainly looking like being one amazing year for the three of us!"

Ewan was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in May last year and underwent chemotherapy treatment.

Both Mr McDonald, 62, a security officer who frequently worked 70-hour weeks, and Mrs McDonald, 49, who worked in an opticians, have now handed in their notices at work.

Mrs McDonald said: "This is just the most amazing feeling ever!"
A government offer of 4m for councils to crack down on rogue landlords has been dismissed as a drop in the ocean which will not be enough to end exploitation of vulnerable renters.

Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said the money would be shared between more than 100 councils across England to tackle landlords who flout the law by offering inadequate or unsafe homes.

Mr Jenrick said the scheme, whose funding was announced in November, would help deliver a better deal for renters".

"It's completely unacceptable that a minority of unscrupulous landlords continue to break the law and provide homes which fall short of the standards we rightly expect - making lives difficult for hard-working tenants who just want to get on with their lives," he said.

"Everyone deserves to live in a home that is safe and secure, and the funding announced today will strengthen councils' powers to crack down on poor landlords and drive up standards in the private rented sector for renters across the country."

UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 UK Housing Crisis: in pictures UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Members of generation rent, as the younger generation is often known, are finding it far more difficult to get on the housing market than previous generations PA UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Then chancellor George Osborne visits a Help to Buy housing development in Lewisham in 2014. Osborne had announced the Help to Buy scheme in the 2013 budget as a means of helping first-time buyers on to the housing market PA Archive/PA Images UK Housing Crisis: in pictures In February 2017, then communities and local government secretary Sajid Javid issued a government white paper on housing. Introducing it in the Commons, he stated our housing market is broken and that the idea of owning or renting a safe, secure place of your own is, for many, a distant dream PA UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Residents of Fitzroy Road in Primrose Hill have demonstrated how urban areas might be built up without using extra land. 12 homeowners along the street all agreed to extend their house upwards by 1 floor. The government recently held a consultation on the revised National Planning Policy Framework, which, if approved, will support building above homes, shops and offices Google Earth UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Social Bite, a charity in Scotland, is creating a small housing community for the homeless. Up to 20 people will be housed for 12-18 months, with the charitys focus being on transitioning the residents into permanent housing and employment AFP/Getty UK Housing Crisis: in pictures A homeless man was found dead yards from Parliament in February. His death was taken by many, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, to be symbolic of the governments poor record on housing. PA UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Emergency homeless shelters in London had to be opened numerous times throughout the past winter to house those unable to find a room in an ordinary shelter or hostel Getty UK Housing Crisis: in pictures Carillion, the UKs second largest construction company, entered liquidation early this year. It held numerous government construction and maintenance contracts, for many of which the future is still uncertain AFP/Getty

But his Labour shadow John Healey said: This puny commitment is a drop in the ocean compared to the cuts that councils have faced since 2010.

"The truth is that the Conservatives have gifted rogue landlords the freedom to flourish, by cutting council budgets, weakening their powers and refusing to legislate to drive up standards.

Mr Healey called for a new legal charter of rights for renters, with longer tenancies, new minimum standards and rent controls.

And the Residential Landlords Association said the new funding was inadequate to tackle the scale of the problem.

RLA policy director David Smith said: We welcome the Governments focus on rooting out criminal landlords. For too long the debate has been driven by ideological calls for more regulation of the sector. What is needed is better enforcement of the powers already available to tackle the minority who bring the sector into disrepute.

Todays funding though is nowhere near enough. Instead of offering inadequate and sporadic pots of money, it is critical that the Government provides proper, multi-year funding to enable councils to plan and prepare workable strategies to find the criminal landlords.

This should be supported by councils having the political will to prioritise enforcement against the crooks rather than tying good landlords up in licensing schemes which do nothing to protect tenants.

The Local Government Association, which represents councils in England and Wales, said that action to raise standards in the private rented sector were being undermined by a small minority of landlords.

Housing spokesperson Darren Rodwell welcomed the additional funding, but said councils could do more if they were given the right tools, like greater freedom to establish local licensing schemes for landlords.

The new funding will be used by councils to take enforcement action against rule-breaking landlords, and advise tenants of their housing rights.

Across Yorkshire and the Humber, 22 councils will be funded to train more than 100 enforcement officers.

In Northampton, a special operations unit will be set up, while in Thurrock, Essex, vulnerable young tenants will be given extra support in tandem with care services.

Meanwhile, in Greenwich, south London, a pilot scheme to identify "particularly cold homes" will be launched.

Polly Neate, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, said: Its encouraging to see the government taking steps to improve the lives of Englands 11 million private renters. Alongside their recent pledge to abolish no fault evictions, this small injection of funding to help crack down on criminal landlords will start to redress the longstanding power imbalance between landlords and renters.

But we still need a more permanent solution to the spiralling cost and instability of private renting, which leaves thousands of families battling to keep a roof over their head every month. Ultimately, the government must invest in a new generation of social homes. Social housing is the secure and future-proof alternative to private renting that people really need in this country.
Three rockets landed on the edge of Baghdad International Airport in the Iraqi capital early Friday morning, causing explosions, according to local reporters. At least 12 Iraqi servicemen were injured and 8 people killed, as well as several leaders of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces, including head of protocol affairs Mohammed Rida al-Jabri, Trend reports citing Sputnik.

The attack reportedly targeted several SUVs belonging to a leadership committee of the Popular Mobilization Forces, the collection of semi-independent militias tied to the Iraqi government that were formed to fight Daesh in 2014.

A Sky News reporter tweeted in Arabic about the potential deaths of PMF leader Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis and Muhammad al-Kawtharani, a leader in Lebanon's Hezbollah, but these have not yet been confirmed.

There have also been conflicting reports that perhaps among the dead is Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the Quds Force, an elite unit of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but that also remains unconfirmed.

At least eight people are reported dead in the attack, according to Agence France-Presse, citing Iraqi security officials.

The rocket attack comes just days after thousands of Iraqi protesters attempted to storm and set alight the US Embassy in Baghdad, prompting Washington to send 100 US Marines and several Apache attack helicopters to the Iraqi capital from neighboring Kuwait.

Local observers reported that US helicopters were once again in the air following news of the rocket attacks at the airport, which has since been temporarily closed.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : The government has set the ball rolling for the complete overhaul of aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to bring it at par with other global regulators.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has constituted a committee headed by former Skill Development Secretary and also Air India ex-chief Rohit Nandan for this purpose.

Members of the panel include former DGCA chief Satender Singh and a representative from global aviation consultancy, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). The terms of reference (ToR) for the committee include studying the best practices globally and suggest measures to put a technically strong body in place.

"It was long due. The organisation has been in dire need of a restructuring. The committee would suggest how best the DGCA can be restructured. It will also suggest how more autonomy could be ensured. It will also look into the financial aspect," said a person familiar with the development.

Given that the domestic air traffic has grown multifold in the last one decade, experts are of the view that India needs a strong aviation safety authority on the lines of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US.

"The DGCA is currently woefully short of the required manpower given the size of Indian aviation. It currently does not have the power to hire professionals on their own and it has to go Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for each appointment. The regulator currently lacks the teeth," said Rajan Mehra, CEO of Club One Air and former India head of Qatar Airways.

The UPA government had earlier proposed to set up financially autonomous Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) but it never saw the light of the day. An autonomous authority with complete administrative and financial freedom had been envisaged to ensure safety oversight.

Aviation safety consultant Captain Mohan Ranganathan said that the strengthening of regulatory oversight had been pointed out as far back as 2006 and subsequently, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit also observed this.

"One of the reasons why India is getting so many audits done is because even though we keep telling them we comply with that, the fact that the credibility is so low that they (ICAO) keep coming almost every year," he said.

The DGCA is mostly been headed by Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers instead of a technical professional. Arun Kumar, a 1989 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre, currently heads the aviation safety regulator.

(Nirbhay Kumar can be contacted at nirbhay.k@ians.in)
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Hoisted onto a 16,000 tonne Navy ship after leaving their family homes for perhaps the last time, it was sure to be a frightening experience.

But a heart-warming video shows an Australia sailor extend his hand to comfort a frightened elderly woman as she boarded HMAS Choules.

In the largest evacuation mission ever conducted in peace time, the woman was one of 1,100 people rescued by the military at Mallacoota.

Boarding the vessel with just two bags of possessions, the woman is helped by the kind sailor.

Scroll down for video

The elderly woman is helped onto HMAS Choules (pictured) by a kind navy sailor, who also carried her bags after she was forced to flee Mallacoota

The evacuees are taken onto a small boat to bring them to HMAS Choules, as they are finally rescued from the fire-ravaged town of Mallacoota

What will happen to the Mallacoota evacuees? HMAS Sycamore will dock in Hastings around 8am Saturday morning with the first 60 evacuees. The other 1,100 will arrive Saturday evening on board HMAS Choules. As of 8pm, HMAS Choules had not set sail from Mallacoota. Advertisement

'Give me your hand, it can be a little bit slippery,' he said, as he took the woman's bags and welcomed her on board.

The Victorian town was ravaged by bushfires, and on Saturday catastrophic weather conditions are forecast to whip up more blazes.

More than 1,000 people, and 250 of their pets including cats, dogs, a rabbit and a bird, will now make the 20 hour journey to the safety of Western Port in southern Victoria.

It comes as thousands of people spent four days in limbo after being told it was too dangerous to leave the seaside town following the bushfires on Tuesday.

Families with small children were the first to be evacuated on a landing craft to MV Sycamore (pictured) on Friday, just 24 hours before catastrophic weather conditions arrive

A family is seen heading to HMAS Choules on Friday (pictured) to begin their 20-hour-long sail to safety, after fires ravaged Mallacoota and left thousands stranded on the beach

Vulnerable residents are being helped by the military in the huge evacuation taking place in Mallacoota (pictured) as hundreds try and escape before conditions worsen on Saturday

Two vessels were docked at the small coastal community to evacuate locals and tourists on Friday, ahead of worsening weekend bushfire conditions.

Almost 60 people set off on MV Sycamore early in the morning, bound for Stony Point, near Hastings at Western Port on the Mornington Peninsula.

About 1,100 people later boarded HMAS Choules for a late afternoon departure.

The coastal community was hit by fire on Tuesday morning, with about 4,000 people forced to flee their homes and shelter at the beach - where they have been stranded ever since.

HMAS Choules commander Scott Houlihan said people were 'very thankful' for the chance to flee.

'It's a real atmosphere of appreciation,' he told ABC Gippsland ahead of the ship's departure.

Those rescued on Friday in Mallacoota (pictured) will spend 20 hours at sea before landing in the safety of southern Victoria, having been forced to flee their homes

A young girl is hoisted onto a small boat (pictured) to take her to HMAS Choules alongside 1,100 other Mallacoota evacuees

A boarder collie named Millie peers over the edge of a boat headed to a navy ship (pictured), which will take evacuees to Western Port in southern Victoria

He said the way the town has rallied and prepared for the evacuation against the backdrop of widespread devastation is one of the most impressive things he has experienced.

'It has been quite an uplifting experience and really shows you the true human spirit,' he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the evacuation has been a 'big focus' for the federal government, with the military also tasked with helping people find shelter once they land.

'The ADF is also working now with the state government on setting up evacuation centres and providing accommodation - not a tent city, but at a number of those locations that are available,' he told reporters in Bairnsdale.

The sky in Mallacoota as fires approached on New Years Eve turned an apocalyptic red colour (pictured). People were forced to flee to the beach

A woman and her dachshund prepare to board a boat at Mallacoota Wharf on Friday morning after waiting for days (pictured)

Alongside 1,100 evacuees on HMAS Mallacoota are 250 pets, including dogs, cats, a rabbit and a bird, who will travel with their owners to safety at Western Port

Tourists and residents have been told to evacuate a 250km stretch of the New South Wales south coast (pictured) as devastating bushfires threaten the area

But an unknown future awaits the roughly 2,800 people who have chosen to stay at Mallacoota, while 500 may be flown out once the local airport reopens.

The Mallacoota community had been receiving more than 12,000 litres of fuel a day to ensure the town centre was operational.

About two dozen firefighters had been ferried to the cut-off town from Lakes Entrance by Victorian Fisheries Authority vessels at 7am to relieve crews there.

Residents (pictured) take shelter on the wharf at Mallacoota about 10.30am on Tuesday. It would be another three days before they were rescued

Other isolated communities have also received additional supplies including water, Mr Morrison said.

The fires in Victoria have claimed at least two lives, taking the death toll for Australia's catastrophic fire season to 18.

But there are fears the number will only increase, with at least 28 people still missing in East Gippsland.

Premier Daniel Andrews said there were 'significant concerns' for unaccounted residents scattered across small communities in the region.

Families are taken aboard during the first evacuation of people from Mallacoota by Australian navy ship HMAS Choules on Friday (pictured)

HMAS Choules (pictured) received around 1,100 evacuees on Friday, and will now travel for 20 hours to reach safety in Western Port

'We have grave fears for the safety and well-being of those 28 people who cannot be located,' Mr Andrews told reporters on Friday.

'Having said that, though, these numbers will move around. A number of people who were part of the original 17 (missing people) were located yesterday.'

A state of disaster has been declared across Victoria, with residents in the northeast Walwa told to get out before it's too late.

These powers have never been used before and allow authorities to compel people to leave.
Joseph Petty made history inside Mechanics Hall Thursday night when he was sworn in as Worcesters mayor for an unprecedented fifth term. However, Pettys eyes were focused on the future.

Petty announced plans that included a 24-hour customer service hotline for city residents, an initiative to make Worcester one of the greenest cities in the country and vowed to continue investment in the citys parks.

It think its an honor that people voted me in again for a fifth term, Petty said in an interview before his inauguration speech. Im proud to be the mayor of this city but its a good team effort. I couldnt do it by myself.

Petty credited the city council, the school committee and City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. and his cabinet for making me look good throughout his tenure.

We have much to be proud of in our city. Its not just about a new ballpark or the development in Kelley Square, Petty told a crowd in Mechanics Hall. These accomplishments are something to be quite proud of but dont define us. There are other changes that are just as important. Were creating a vibrant downtown with new housing and restaurants.

Pettys mayoral address for his fifth two-year term was part of an inauguration that also welcomed six school committee members - Dianna Biancheria, Laura Clancey, Jack Foley, Molly McCullough, John Monfredo and Tracy OConnell Novick - as well as the City Councilors Morris Bergman, Donna Colorio, Khrystian King, Candy Mero-Carlson, Sarai Rivera, Sean Rose, Gary Rosen, George Russell, Kate Toomey and Matthew Wally.

The City of Worcester 2020-2021 Inaugural Exercises will be held Thursday, January 2 at @MechanicsHall. Join @MayorPetty, the Worcester City Council, @worcesterpublic School Committee and the new Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate. Event is free and open to the public. pic.twitter.com/kNHswPo2XA  City of Worcester (@TweetWorcester) December 23, 2019

Petty was also sworn into his 12th term as a city councilor. It also marked the first time in three decades that Councilor Konstantina Lukes was not present. She opted not to run after 30 years serving on the city council.

Sen. Ed Markey was the keynote speaker for the event. U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy, who is challenging Markey for his U.S. senate seat, was also in attendance. On the state level, Senator Harriette Chandler, who represents Worcesters first district, attended the inauguration as well.

The 24-hour customer service hotline would allow the city to better respond to non-emergency problems incurred by residents. Boston already has a service where residents can dial 311 to provide help or information.

We can respond better and track [data] better, Petty said.

During his inaugural speech, Petty noted the city needs to be held accountable in order to better serve residents.

Some of that data might be related to helping Worcester shrink its carbon footprint. Petty envisions incorporating the Worcester Regional Transit Authority into the citys green efforts.

Were looking a sustainability programs. We want the manager to come in and make us the greenest city in America, Petty said. Weve already done a lot, but we still have a ways to go.

Continuing with environmentally conscious ideas, Petty discussed plans to invest more in city parks such as Foley Stadium and Duffy Field.

It would continue the citys efforts that saw it spend nearly $60 million over the last five years on parks, Petty said.

The dedication to the citys green space was one of many items Petty said he was proud of during his previous four terms.

Some of the stuff that youre proud of, its not the sexy stuff," Petty said. "We have a good bond rating here. We have the largest unused tax levy with over $20 million. When I was first on the council it was a million.

Petty felt a sense of pride looking toward the citys future and it had nothing to do with taxes or bond ratings.

Were a welcoming city. We stand by people here and support them, Petty said. No matter where theyre from, what their ethnicity may be or their sexual preference may be, theyre all welcomed here in Worcester.

Part of Pettys speech involved identifying areas in the city where there are more opportunities for development.

Petty believes the citys Department of Public Works and Parks yard in the heart of Shrewsbury Street is a key opportunity for more economic development in that area. He plans to create a committee of business and neighborhood leaders to work with the city administration to find a new location for the DPW offices and facilities.

During his speech, Petty honored Brian OConnell, the longest serving school committee member in the city who died in October, and Fire Lt. Jason Menard, who died fighting a blaze on Nov. 13.
Burma Armed Gang Robs Myanmar Police in Rakhine

A border police outpost in Rathedaung Township / Min Aung Khine / The Irrawaddy

SITTWE  A group of armed men on Thursday stole the salaries, worth over 4 million kyats (US$2,700), from border police in Rathedaung Township in northern Rakhine State where the Myanmar military and the rebel Arakan Army are fighting.

Four border guards from the Thazin Myaing outpost in Rathedaung were robbed of the posts December salaries on their return from Zedi Pyin police station in the same township, where they collected the wages.

An unnamed Rathedaung police officer confirmed the robbery. I heard that they were robbed near Pyin Shae Village on their return to the outpost, the source said.

Sources told The Irrawaddy that two of the officers went missing following the shooting.

Residents said there was an exchange of gunfire. There has been no official comment on the incident.

Colonel Win Zaw Oo, a spokesman for the Myanmar militarys Western Command, told The Irrawaddy: I heard about that. But I dont know the details.

The head of Rathedaung police, Major Thein Wai Phyo, and township administrator U Aung Myint Thein said they did not know any details.

In November, two masked men stole more than 200 million kyats (US$136,000) from the Kyauktaw branch of the state-owned Myanma Economic Bank while they were transporting cash to a vault inside the townships police station.

Police have since then detained bank officials for interrogation but the robbers have not been apprehended.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

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BJP working president J P Nadda said on Friday that with the scrapping of Article 370, corruption in Jammu and Kashmir would now be probed, and those found guilty would be "either in jail or out on bail".

He was here to address a rally in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

People of Kashmir were happy with the scrapping of the state's special status as they became part of mainstream India, the BJP leader said.

Before the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, several laws passed by Parliament were not implemented in the Himalayan state, he said.

"The law such as the Prevention of Corruption Act was not implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, so the leaders there could have their way out (of scams) despite being involved in corruption," Nadda claimed.

"The Indian government was giving them money and they kept on syphoning it off, there was no audit or inquiry... Now article 370 has been abrogated. Now there will be inquiry, either the leaders would be in jail or would be out on bail," the BJP leader said.

Even a law like the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act was not applicable in Kashmir earlier, he said.

"Now the law would be enforced. Not only people from across the country, but also people of Jammu and Kashmir are happy as they are part of the mainstream," Nadda said, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for taking the step of scrapping Article 370.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The last rites of Indian Army soldier Naik Sandip Raghunath Sawant, who was killed in a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir, were performed at his native village in Maharashtra's Satara district on Friday.

The funeral, held with military honours at Mundhe village, was attended by locals and political leaders who paid floral tributes to the martyred soldier.

Sawant (29) and Rifleman Arjun Thapa Magar (25) were killed when the Army foiled an infiltration bid by heavily armed terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) at Nowshera in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Wednesday.

With slogans of 'Sandip Sawant Amar Rahe', 'vande mataram' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', people bid adieu to the soldier, whose infant daughter was also present at the funeral.

Sawant and his wife were blessed with a baby girl recently and he had come home for his daughter's naming ceremony, having returned to his posting just 15 days ago, one of the deceased soldier's relatives had said.

Apart from district officials, Member of Parliament from Satara Srinivas Patil and other local politicians attended the funeral.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Zalingei, Sudan (PANA) - The African Union  United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Friday said it was deeply concerned by reports of intercommunal violence in West Darfur that left 65 people dead and approximately 54 injured, displaced thousands of civilian population, destroyed shelters and burnt villages
Kota city, in Rajasthan, was rocked by the death of 12 infants in last week of December 2019 in JK Lon Hospital. Since then, the death toll of newborns in the same hospital has risen to 103, till January 2.

According to a report by the superintendent of JK Lon Hospital, a total of 940 death cases were registered in the same hospital in the year 2019.

The reports of spate of infants' death in this government hospital has sparked a political debate between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and other political leaders.

According to State Health Secretary Vaibhav Galriya, the reason of the deaths was systematic and infrastructural deficiencies. For instance, inadequate supply of oxygen to the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, an infection-prone wards and inadequate upkeep of vital medical equipment led to such an alarming situation at JK Lon hospital.

Recently, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPR) found broken windows and gates, pigs inside the hospital campus and acute shortage of staff during inspection of the hospital.

The JK Lon Hospital has described the deaths of infants as 'not an usual trend'. Hospital superintendent H L Meena said the deaths were normal and none of the infant died because of negligence by the hospital.

Dr Amrit Lal Bairwa, the head of hospital's Pediatrics Department, said at least one to three children die daily at the hospital as it a referral hospital where kids are brought in severe and critical conditions from adjoining districts and other cities in Madhya Pradesh.

Dr Bairwa said, "According to the national Neonatal Intensive Care Unit records, 20 per cent deaths of infants are acceptable, whereas the death percent in Kota is 10-15 per cent which is not at all alarming as most of the infants were rushed to the hospital in severe critical conditions".

The alarming deaths in the Kota hospital has erupted a political storm among the parties. BJP MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said it is important for the governments at the Centre and in Rajasthan to work together to stop such incidents. Birla, who is MP from Kota, said he has requested Congress-led Rajasthan government in the state to send a proposal to the Centre in order to deal with the issue.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, as well as BSP chief Mayawati attacked the state government in Rajasthan over the deaths. Adityanath took a jibe at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, saying that she should have gone there to console the children's mothers instead of 'playing politics' in UP. BSP supremo Mayawati questioned the Congress general secretary over her "silence" on the deaths. Adityanath had also asked the central government to send a team of specialists to Kota to figure out how to stop such incidents.

Meanwhile, on Friday, SP leader Akshilesh Yadav attacked Adityanath for commenting on the deaths. He reminded the UP CM about 'Gorakhpur incident' and said, "Yogi Adityanath is worried about Kota deaths. When will he be worried about the Gorakhpur deaths?"

Yadav revealed that the ailing children in Gorakhpur were suffering from encephalitis but were administered different medicines so that the truth does not come out.

Also read: Centre to send high-level team to probe 100 infant deaths at Kota hospital

Also read: 'Favourable external environment' benefited India's economy in 2019: DBS
January 02, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - An explosive new report has asserted that deceased sex criminal Jeffery Epstein and his alleged 'madame' Ghislaine Maxwell were foreign intelligence 'assets', and that she is currently hiding in a safehouse in Israel.

'Ghislaine is protected. She and Jeffrey were assets of sorts for multiple foreign governments. They would trade information about the powerful people caught in his net  caught at Epstein's house,' a unnamed source told Page Six.

Maxwell, 58, has been accused in lawsuits of procuring underage girls for Epstein to sexually traffick among his wealthy and powerful friends, and is reportedly the subject of an ongoing FBI probe.

She has always denied any wrongdoing. Her attorney did not immediately respond to an inquiry from DailyMail.com on Wednesday evening.

After Epstein's re-arrest last year and death behind bars in August, Maxwell has remained out of sight and her whereabouts unknown.

Now the Page Six source claims she is being protected by powerful foreign interests.

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'She is not in the US, she moves around. She is sometimes in the UK, but most often in other countries, such as Israel, where her powerful contacts have provided her with safe houses and protection,' the source said.

Maxwell is being 'protected because of the information she has on the world's most powerful people,' the source said.

The source also claimed that Prince Andrew begged Maxwell to come forward and clear his name, after Virginia Roberts Giuffre claimed Epstein forced her to have sex with the royal when she was 17.

Prince Andrew, 59, strenuously denies having sex with Roberts and claims he can't remember meeting her despite a photograph of him with his arm around her.

'Andrew pleaded with Ghislaine to publicly defend him. She carefully considered it, but decided no good would come of it (if she came forward). It isn't in her best interests,' the source told Page Six.

Andrew resigned from royal duties after giving a disastrous interview on Newsnight in November.

It is not the first time that Epstein has been tied to a foreign intelligence service. Rumors have long circulated that Epstein secretly took videos of his rich and powerful friends having sex with underage girls, either for financial blackmail or as leverage for a foreign intelligence service.

So far, however, the FBI has not publicly confirmed whether any such blackmail material was recovered in raids on his properties.

Since Epstein's arrest on federal sex trafficking charges in July, Maxwell has remained out of sight, save for photos that purported to show her at an In-and-Out Burger in Los Angeles. DailyMail.com revealed that those photos were staged, possibly to throw investigators off of her trail.

Born in France, Maxwell is both a U.S. citizen and British subject. Her family's alleged ties to Israel's national intelligence service, Mossad, have been well documented.

Maxwell's father, Robert Maxwell, was a Czech-born British media mogul whose financial fraud in raiding the Mirror Group pension fund was discovered after his death in 1991.

Also a British member of parliament, Robert Maxwell reportedly had ties to British intelligence, the Soviet KGB, and Mossad  and was suspected of being a double or even triple agent by British Foreign Office officials.

After his mysterious death on his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine, off the Canary Islands in 1991, Robert Maxwell was buried in Jerusalem with high honors, with Israel's prime minister and multiple current and former heads of Israeli intelligence services in attendance at the funeral.

His favorite daughter, Ghislaine, first met Epstein in the early 1990s, at a party in New York City.

The two had a romantic relationship for several years, but the exact nature of their relationship over the following decades remains unclear.

Epstein's household staff have described her as 'Lady of the House' and sworn in depositions that she was at the center of managing his household affairs.

'They were like partners in business,' Janusz Banasiak, Epstein's house manager, said in a deposition.

Epstein's butler, Alfredo Rodriguez, described Ghislaine Maxwell in a deposition as 'the boss.'

Epstein's accusers have said that Maxwell's authority extended to managing the complex logistics of his perverse activities with girls as young as 14.

'She orchestrated the whole thing for Jeffrey,' said Sarah Ransome, one of some two dozen women who spoke out before a federal judge in New York in August.

Some of the most serious allegations have come from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Maxwell in a lawsuit of luring her to become an international sex slave for Epstein and his pals.

Roberts says that she was 16 or 17 in the summer of 2000 and working as a towel girl at Mar-a-Lago when Maxwell approached her, eventually leading to her being flown around the world on Epstein's 'Lolita Express.'

Roberts' recently unsealed lawsuit claims that Maxwell 'actively took part in recruiting underage girls and young women for sex with Epstein, as well as scheduling the girls to come over, and maintaining a list of the girls and their phone number.'

Maxwell has strenuously denied in the past that she was involved in criminal sex trafficking or any other sex crimes.

After Epstein took a sweetheart plea deal in 2008 to state charges of procuring for prostitution and served a one-year jail sentence in Florida, Maxwell and Epstein were no longer spotted together at public events.

She remained active on the New York social scene for several years, however, until mounting lawsuits and allegations began to draw harsher scrutiny.

In April of 2016, the New York townhouse where she had lived was sold for $15 million, and around the fall of 2016, she was no longer seen or photographed publicly.

She was last spotted publicly at a social event in Geneva, Switzerland on June 8, less than a month prior to Epstein's re-arrest in the U.S.

Earlier this week, the Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts called for Maxwell to be brought forward to face the justice system.

'How is anyone, friend or family member, hiding such a monster?? 99% of the population would turn [in] Ghislaine Maxwell. Who's hiding who and why??' Roberts tweeted.

'Maxwells downfall will be her arrogance- in her eyes always above the law,' Roberts added.

'She is diabolically evil. I would suggest to whoever is hiding her or knows whereabouts she is, to turn her in as shed easily throw anyone who gets in her way under the bus,' she continued.

Epstein died in federal custody in August while facing sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide by New York City's medical examiner, but his lawyers have disputed that finding.

Epstein's death, at age 66, came a little over a month after he was arrested and charged with trafficking dozens of underage girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 to 2005. Prosecutors said he recruited girls to give him massages, which became sexual in nature.

This article was originally published by "Daily Mail" -
Arab foreign ministers to visit Beijing

Azerbaijanis stoned an Armenian car on the Stepanakert-Goris road

Armenian FM has a phone call with his Polish counterpart

Macron travels to French Riviera to discuss internal security issues

Artsakh Foreign Ministry: Azerbaijan's aggressive behavior aims to disrupt Russian peacekeepers' activities

US COVID-19 cases reach 60 million

European Parliament President hospitalized due to immune system dysfunction

Washington and Ankara discuss normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey

WHO excludes emergence of deltacron strain

In Karabakh Azerbaijanis shelled tractor

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US-Russia talks on security guarantees lasting for seven hours already

NEWS.am daily digest: 10.01.22

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Internet cut off in Kazakhstan

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Armenia, Russia defense ministers discuss Kazakhstan

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Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared three days of mourning after the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC') Quds Force, by the United States near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.

The great and glorious commander of Islam is in heaven now, began the statement issued by Khamenei after the news broke of Soleimanis death along with the death of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units, in the US drone strike. For years he fought purely and bravely against the world devils and miscreants, and for years with the hope of martyrdom, finally dear Soleimani reached this grand post, read the statement.

With his absence  his path will not be suspended or closed, but there is severe revenge for criminals who did this, the statement continued. He called Soleimani an international resistance figure," adding "the path of resistance will continue with extra motivation and the absence of our dedicated and dear commander is bitter, but the continued struggle and reaching a final victory will make the palates of the murderers and criminals more bitter.

Khamenei called for three days of mourning for Soleimanis and Muhandis deaths. Khamenei also appointed Brig. Gen. Ismael Ghaani the new commander of the Quds Force. Ghaani was previously deputy commander of the Quds Force.

President Hassan Rouhani also vowed revenge in his statement: Undoubtedly, the Iranian nation and other free nations in the region will take their revenge for this crime." He called Soleimanis killing another shameful mark on the pages of this dismal country (the United States). Irans Defense Minister Amir Hatami said of Soleimanis killing: An answer will be given such that the revenge on this blood spilled unrightfully will be taken on all the perpetrators.

Irans Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) held an emergency meeting after the news of Soleimanis death. There have been unconfirmed reports that Khamenei would personally attend an SNSC meeting for the first time.

In total, 10 people were killed in the attack that killed Soleimani. According to Iranian media, other Iranians who were killed include Maj. Gen. Hussein Jafari Nia, Lt. Col. Shahroud Mozaffari Nia, Maj. Gen. Hadi Tameri and Capt. Vahid Zamanian. There were early reports that Soleimanis son-in-law was also killed, but those rumors turned out to be untrue.

Soleimanis assassination took place early on the morning of Jan. 3. After Friday prayers, thousands of Iranians marched in the streets. Iranian media shared pictures of various cities holding mourning ceremonies both for Soleimani and Muhandis.

It is unclear how Iran will respond. Iran has proxies across the region, including in Iraq, Lebanon and Syria. The US State Department urged all US citizens to depart Iraq immediately. A direct military confrontation between Iran and the United States seems unlikely and too costly for Iran.

Soleimani will be a difficult public figure for Iran to replace. Unlike other Iranian generals and commanders, he was well-known in the region and on social media. The Islamic Republic built a cult of personality around him. He joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps at the age of 24 when the Iran-Iraq War started and was quickly given command of two battalions in his hometown of Kerman. After the war, Soleimani commanded an IRGC division that was responsible for maintaining security and combating smuggling. After the Quds Force was formed to act as an IRGC branch responsible for operations outside of the borders, Soleimani became its second commander.

Soleimani became well-known in the region primarily because of his influence on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria. His influence on Shiite groups fighting the Islamic State and other Salafist groups also made him an unpopular figure among regional foes who accused Soleimani of spreading sectarianism.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) raises her hand as former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the Democratic Presidential Debate at Tyler Perry Studios November 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Soleimani led an elite branch of Iran's armed forces, the Quds Force, and has been blamed for the deaths of many, including Americans, across the Middle East.

Top 2020 Democratic White House contenders slammed President Donald Trump 's decision to take out Iran's top commander, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, in an airstrike in Baghdad , saying the attack will likely lead to escalation.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, who leads the Democratic field in national polling averages, said Soleimani "deserved to be brought to justice for his crimes against American troops and thousands of innocents throughout the region," but the decision to kill him "is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region."

Biden tweet

"President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond," Biden added.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren echoed Biden's concerns. She called Soleimani "a murderer," but added that "this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict."

Warren tweet

Sen. Bernie Sanders said a conflict in the Middle East "could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar slammed the timing of the attack and said the United States should focus on protecting "U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in Iraq and throughout the region."

Klobuchar tweet

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang said Friday the United States has "been in a constant state of armed conflict for 19 years at a disastrous cost to both our people and our resources. This must end."

Yang tweet

Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg said in a statement on Friday that "this must not be the start of another endless war. We must act wisely and deliberately, not capriciously or through Twitter."

Pete tweet

Former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg said that he hopes "the president has carefully thought through the national security implications of this attack for our country," but given Trump's track record, "there is every reason to deeply concerned."

Bloomberg tweet

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who has been critical of American military involvement in the Middle East, said on Fox News on Friday: "I don't believe the American people want to go to war with Iran."

The White House and the Trump campaign didn't immediately respond to requests for comment on the Democratic candidates' statements.

But Trump tweeted that "Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!"

Trump tweet

In a statement Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for Congress to "be immediately briefed on this serious situation and on the next steps under consideration by the administration, including the significant escalation of the deployment of additional troops to the region."

The Pentagon confirmed the U.S. killing of Soleimani on Thursday night. Hours after the Pentagon's announcement, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter that the attack was "extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation."

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he said.

Zarif tweet

 CNBC's Amanda Macias and Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report.
Hee Young Yim, an art teacher at Franklin Learning Center, protests with students, teachers, and parents outside the school on N. 15th Street in Philadelphia. FLC was closed because of damaged asbestos in late December; teachers, parents and students protested the decision to bring them back Jan. 2 to a building they say is still unsafe. Read more

A North Philadelphia elementary school will remain closed at least through Jan. 13 to address concerns about damaged asbestos in heavily trafficked areas, including several classrooms.

The news came Thursday as worried McClure Elementary School parents, staff, and students pushed the Philadelphia School District for answers about a growing environmental crisis in schools across the city.

The decision to close McClure to students was made Dec. 19. At first, students were supposed to return Thursday, but that date has been pushed back as district and teachers union environmental experts identified more troublesome asbestos in the school.

Jim Creedon, the districts interim director of facilities, operations, and capital projects, said at a meeting for the McClure community that the school system will dispatch crews to abate damaged asbestos in McClure classrooms, stairwells, and other areas, and hopes that the work will be complete by Jan. 13.

But if something unusual would come up in the next week or next couple of days, then we do have to look at other alternatives, Creedon said.

Were erring on the side of safety, said Amelia Coleman Brown, the assistant superintendent responsible for McClure.

A decision about Carnell Elementary, the Oxford Circle school also closed in late December, has not yet been made, officials said.

The district has had to shut six schools and an early childhood education center because of asbestos issues so far this school year, drawing criticism for its handling of environmental hazards and the way it has communicated with affected communities. In the case of some schools  Benjamin Franklin High, Science Leadership Academy, T.M. Peirce Elementary, and Pratt Early Childhood Center  students and staff have had to be relocated while cleanup is conducted.

At the McClure meeting Thursday night, officials said that they could likely finish some remediation but that some work  including handling asbestos in the gym  will not be complete by Jan. 13. After students return that day, the gym will be sealed off, with asbestos remediation to be undertaken at night, when students are not in the building.

That students and staff would be expected to be inside the building while asbestos abatement occurred stirred the more than 100 people who gathered inside the auditorium of nearby Clemente Middle School.

No! some shouted.

Rosalind Lopez, whose granddaughter is a kindergartner in Room 109, one of the affected classrooms, said the girl has been sick all school year, and now she wonders if its related to McClures environmental conditions.

No level of asbestos is safe. Those fibers are microscopic. What happens if she gets some disease when shes in high school? asked Lopez, who told officials that she thought the asbestos situation would be handled differently if she and other McClure families were wealthy.

Asbestos is not dangerous if undamaged, but when damaged, tiny, cancer-causing fibers can release into the air and can become ingested.

Jasmine Santiago, mother of two children who attend McClure, said many parents now want to pull their children from the school.

If this asbestos is something thats been there for a long time, I worry, Santiago said.

Pearline Sturdivant, a former district teacher, said that the public has been aware of environmental hazards inside city schools for years, and certainly since the publication of Toxic City, an Inquirer series that highlighted asbestos, lead, and other problems inside schools.

Why wasnt the work done then? Sturdivant asked. This should have been taken care of.

 READ MORE: Read more: Missed asbestos, dangerous dust

Earlier Thursday, staff, students, and parents at Franklin Learning Center rallied outside their school, protesting environmental conditions inside the building. FLC was shut down in late December after officials found damaged asbestos representing an imminent hazard at the school on North 15th Street. Staff there said they had been reporting environmental hazards at the school for years, but their concerns were ignored until December.

The staff said they were promised that a long list of tasks would be completed before the building reopened and that many jobs were incomplete. Teachers have said that in addition to the asbestos, the school has been plagued with a leaking roof, exposed insulation, flaking paint and plaster, and a dirty ventilation system.

 READ MORE: Read more: Toxic City

The school still feels like a work site; there were tons of teachers who went into their classrooms and had chips of paint and dust all over their desks, said Louis Fantini, an FLC social studies teacher. He said special-education students had to be relocated from their resource room because paint chips littered its floor.

It all feels very rushed, and we just want to draw attention to the fact that even though these conditions have been normalized, we wont accept them as normal, Fantini said.

Environmental woes at FLC are not new; students at the school walked out of their building in the 1990s over asbestos concerns. School staff say they and their students have coped with elevated rates of asthma, allergies, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

Megan Lello, a district spokesperson, said the school system worked at FLC over the break on not just asbestos issues, but also painting, plumbing, and roof repairs.

The district continues to work directly with the city, elected officials and other organizations to confront the challenges it faces, such as deferred maintenance costs associated with its aging infrastructure, Lello said in a statement. The district remains committed to providing safe, healthy and vibrant learning environments for all students and staff. They deserve nothing less.
Oishani Mojumder By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has declared 2020 as the year of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and adhering to the theme of the year, IT Minister KT Rama Rao launched multiple AI public and private partnership programmes for the State government hoping to deliver public transformation contributing an additional one per cent to Telanganas GDP.

The partnerships include eight MoUs with companies such as Intel, Wadhwani AI and startups such as Awards, to work with AI on policy and functionality level in various departments  public healthcare, education, surveillance, security and consumer assistance.

The government also plans to train close to 30,000 students in AI-based skills to develop a talent pool. The government in collaboration with Intel, IIT-H and Public Health Foundation of India will be starting a research centre to work on AI-based innovation for healthcare and mobility. Additionally, MoUs have been signed with IIT KGP for an R&D park, with NVIDIA, Adobe, IIT- H, Wadhwani AI, Hexagon and Innovation Norway.

The partnership with IIT-H will result in building/identifying quality data sets, along with third parties. They will also work on education and training to prepare/deliver content and curriculum on AI courses to be delivered to college students along with industry participants.

Speaking at the event, the minister said, AI can address complex problems beyond the capability of traditional methods. It holds significance for the government. A NASSCOM report says that the AI industry in India will be US $16 billion by 2025, from the current US $2 billion and is expected to generate 8,00,000 jobs in India by 2021. In line with our vision and our approach, AI will be our focus for the coming year and beyond.

Rama Rao also explained the States AI strategy framework that was deliberated on at a roundtable with stakeholders and said, Six key pillars of the States strategy framework were identified. First is the creation of datasets and developing a data exchange platform. As we all know, machine-readable data is the core of any AI/Machine Learning (ML) algorithm. Without data, ML algorithms will be stuck in an AI winter and would be confined to academics without real-world applications.

He explained, Following this is the requirement of infrastructure, as Deep Learning (DL) algorithms require high computing power to train new AI algorithms and models. Access to such infrastructure is a big entry barrier for MSMEs and start-ups trying to build capability in these advanced AI areas. The next pillar, which is developing talent, aims to train 30,000 students in AI, ML, Data Science and DL in the next three years. One of the most important pillars of the framework is governance, ethics and privacy, he explained.

Sharing the governments goal for 2020, Rama Rao concluded by saying, Our primary goal is to attract and enable 200 AI innovators/start-ups leading to a valuation of $3 to $4 billion to build their base in Hyderabad, educate and attract top AI talent from across the globe to work on critical areas as determined by the industry and government, and enable government and key industry verticals to leverage AI and deliver public transformation contributing an additional one per cent to Telanganas GDP.

TITA partners with Year of AI 2020

Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) will conduct a series of events that aim to foster skills in the AI arena in partnership with TS government. TITA will undertake an event every month and as a part of this, it will also offer a three-month Digithon certified AI/ML programme and launch Robothon 1.0 in February and Robothon 2.0 in October
Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh has said that Rohingyas living in Jammu and Kashmir will be deported since they do not benefit under the Citizenship Amendment Act enacted by the Centre in November last year. He added that the Rohingyas will not be able to secure citizenship by any means.

Singh was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day workshop on General Financial rules in Jammu on Friday and said there were no ifs and buts over CAAs implementation in the union territory.

Its immediate implication would be in relation to Rohingyas here. We have a sizeable population of Rohingyas here. They have to go, Singh said.

A government estimate puts the number of Rohingyas living in Jammu and Kashmir at 5,700 while a 2017 estimate by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) suggests a figure of 7,000.

Singh said the details of the deportation exercise will be figured out by the Centre.

Now, what deportation arrangements will be put in place and how they would be deported will be looked into by the Centre. Their lists will be prepared and biometrics wherever required will be taken because CAA doesnt give any leverage to Rohingyas.

Rohingya Muslims are considered to be one of the most persecuted communities in the world and their exclusion from the CAA that seeks to expedite Indian citizenship to religiously-persecuted minorities from three neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh has been labelled as anti-minority by the critics of the legislation, leading to widespread protests across the country since its passage in the Parliament last year.

They dont belong to the three countries and any of six minorities for which CAA has been constituted. They have come from Myanmar. They would not be able to secure citizenship by any means, Singh said, leaving any place for doubt.

Jitendra Singhs statement is in line with an earlier directive by the Centre to the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir government to prepare a database of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis living in the region.

On March 3, 2017, the then home minister Rajnath Singh had sought a report on the influx of refugees to Jammu and Samba districts.

On March 25, police had recovered fake state subject certificates, voter ID cards, Aadhaar and ration cards from the temporary shelters of Rohingya Muslims in Jammu.

Administration records list 17 FIRs against 38 Rohingyas for various offences including those related to crossing the border illegally and drug-trafficking.

The central government had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in 2017 describing around 40,000 Rohingya refugees living in India as a security threat and said they must be deported to Myanmar.

Some security inputs have indicated links of Rohingya refugees with Pakistans ISI, the Islamic State and other extremists groups that want to spread communal and sectarian violence in India.

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Twitter has attacked Billboard over its newly-released list of the top rock songs of the decade, which rock music fans insist contains no actual rock songs.

Readers of the music publication were left appalled by its selection of the decade's best rock songs, which was shared on Twitter on December 29, and which sees Imagine Dragons singles snagging the top three spots, followed by hits by Panic! at the Disco and Twenty One Pilots.

The list has been bombarded by comments from furious tweeters who are lecturing the magazine, mocking their choices, and posting GIFs to express their disgust, exasperation, and annoyance.

The best? Billboard shared a list of the top ten rock songs of the decade

Top of the rock: It included three songs by Imagine Dragons, who claimed the top spot

Bands: Panic! at the Disco (pictured) also got on the list, as did The Lumineers and Twenty One Pilots

The top three songs on the list, in order, are 'Believer,' 'Thunder,' and 'Radioactive by Imagine Dragons  which were released in 2019, 2017, and 2012, respectively.

Next up is 'High Hopes' by Panic! at the Disco (2018), 'Ho Hey' by The Lumineers (2012), 'Heathens' by Twenty One Pilots (2016), 'Shut Up and Dance' by Walk the Moon (2014), and 'Feel it Still' by Portugal the Man (2017).

Two more Twenty One Pilots songs round out the top ten: Ride and Stressed Out, which both came out in 2015.

The tweet was liked 27,600 times, so not everyone is upset with the results  but quite a lot of people are.

Questionable: Twitter users are horrified, with thousands chiming in to say that these songs aren't rock music  with one even citing the organization that awards Grammys

Most commenters are asking where the actual rock music is, disagreeing that any of the songs on the list fall into that category.

Others called it 'embarrassing,' 'depressing,' 'disgusting,' and 'the saddest thing I have ever seen.'

'Love all these songs but they aren't proper rock,' wrote one.

'This list is an abomination and insult to rock fans,' another wrote dramatically.

'Ha, I guess rock music is dead after all,' one pronounced.

'This isn't 2019 radio were talking about here. This is the ENTIRE decade. Fire whoever made this list. Disgusting. Up next Taylor Swift as 3rd best rap song of the decade?' one more wrote.

Disagree: Others cracked jokes, posted memes, and used harsh language to show their disapproval

Another suggested a list of the top rap songs, listing Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, and Billie Eillish.

Yet another said that according to the Recording Academy, which awards Grammys, Radioactive is the only rock song on this list.

Billboard hasn't responded to the backlash.

The full list of 50 songs is available online, and a scroll down past the top ten reveals quite a few other bands and artists.

It includes tracks by Bastille, Hozier, AWOLNATION, Lorde, Foo Fighters, Fall Out Boy, The Black Keys, Rise Against, Stone Sour, X Ambassadors, Elle King, fun., Muse, Paramore, Coldplay, Foster the People, Bush, Mumford & Sons, and Linkin Park.

The entire list actually includes a total of eight Imagine Dragons songs.
With the Zohr fields daily production increasing and new discoveries and more regional deals coming online, Egypt moved closer towards becoming a regional energy hub in 2019

Natural gas production in Egypt developed to reach an estimated seven billion cubic feet per day in September 2019, compared to 6.8 billion during fiscal year 2018-19 that ended in June, 5.6 billion in 2017-18, and 4.5 billion in 2016-17.

The Italian energy company Eni said that this accelerated growth in natural gas production was mainly due to the rapid increase in production at the Mediterranean Zohr field, which it discovered in 2015. Zohr, 60 per cent owned by Eni, is one of the largest fields in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The Zohr field started production in 2018 and is currently producing about three billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from 13 wells, helping Egypt to reach self-sufficiency in gas and to start exporting the excess.

Egypt used to depend heavily on gas imports, especially in the years following the 25 January Revolution when companies were reluctant to produce gas due to the government failing to pay their arrears. In 2016, Egypt imported $3 billion worth of gas, but it stopped importing gas in late 2018.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced in late 2019 that it had put a number of new natural gas wells online, adding more than 250 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to Egypts total.

It currently exports one billion cubic feet of gas per day from the Idku Terminal where the gas production is liquified in the only operational liquified natural gas (LNG) facility in Egypt. It also exports via pipelines to Jordan. Tarek Al-Molla, the minister of petroleum, said in March that Egypt was aiming to export two billion cubic feet of gas per day by the end of 2019.

The year also saw a number of important discoveries. Eni announced in March a new gas discovery under evaluation in the Nour exploration area in the Nour North Sinai Concession in the Eastern Mediterranean about 50km north of the Sinai Peninsula.

The Nour-1 well was drilled in a water depth of 295 metres and reached a total depth of 5,914 metres, according to Eni. Experts believe there are promising prospects for the Nour-1 well, which has good petrophysical properties, but details of the new expected reserves have not been revealed.

Eni also announced in 2019 that it plans to raise production at the offshore Baltim Field to 500 million cubic feet of gas during the first quarter of 2020. The Italian oil giant also plans to drill 11 wells in the Nile Delta area, the Western Desert, and the Gulf of Suez by the end of 2019, and nine wells in 2020 as part of plans to expand its exploration activities.

Government officials have repeatedly stressed that the country is steadily moving towards becoming a regional hub for the trade and distribution of oil and gas through developing national production, as well as facilitating the export of gas produced by neighbouring countries to different parts of the world.

A report issued recently by the Ministry of Petroleum stated that Egypt has the infrastructure needed for transporting and trading natural gas, in addition to gas liquefaction plants and oil refineries that are being developed to accommodate the increased production.

Developing infrastructure and increasing processing and transportation capacity is essential as more gas fields are brought online in Egypt and other countries in the region.

Georgios Lakkotrypis, the Cypriot minister of energy, commerce and industry, announced during the second ministerial meeting of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) held in Cairo in July that Cyprus would start pumping natural gas to Egypt in 2024 for processing and subsequent export to the international market.

He added that work on a pipeline connecting Egypt and Cyprus would begin soon.

Moreover, Egypt and the European Union have been stepping up cooperation towards realising the dream of a regional energy hub by launching cooperation between the ministry and Belgiums port of Antwerp in July to develop bunkering services in Egypt. Bunkering is the storage of petroleum products in tanks, and it also involves refuelling ships.

Antwerp is one of the largest ports in Europe and is highly reputed worldwide for trading in oil and liquefied natural gas bunkering.

According to the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), Egypts petroleum trade balance during the first half of fiscal year 2018-19 recorded a $150 million surplus, compared with a $2.2 billion deficit in 2017-18. In June 2019, Egypts exports of natural gas reached 1.1 billion cubic feet a day.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 December, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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One of the most irritating problems a restaurant has to put up with are No-Shows - customers who make reservations and then do not appear or bother to cancel. The injured party usually suffers in silence, possibly on the basis that the offenders may turn up one day and pay for a meal. Nevertheless Madrid's Luboto restaurant was the worm that turned when it published in Instagram last week: "Today, regrettably, we have suffered 11 no-shows. Below is a copy of the email sent to the 'customers' (if they can be referred to such), but due to the laws of data protection, we are regrettably not allowed to publish their names...."

WINE OF THE WEEK La Goya Manzanilla Sherries continue to be the best value wines on the market today. This widely-available brand from Delgado Zuleta has been around since 1918 and is of impeccable quality. It is named after a flamenco singer. Only 6.60 euros and worth twice that.

In Spain, the question of reservations is treated more casually than in many other first world countries. It is even common practice for a group to make a reservation in two restaurants and only decide which one to go to just before setting out. It is too late by then to cancel the other reservation, so why bother? The previous week, what has been called 'the world's best restaurant', Noma, en Copenhagen, also went on the offensive. It published on social media a picture of its kitchen and waiting staff holding up their middle fingers, with the title "This what we think of the two groups of people who made reservations for last night's dinner but never showed up!"

That rather blunt instrument - requesting credit card details when booking - is commonly used, particularly in the UK and USA, but has the effect of guaranteeing that a penalised customer will probably never set foot in that restaurant ever. Rather more effectively, but on a knife-edge between legality and illegality as far as the data protection laws are concerned, is the clandestine circulation of a black list among restaurants in the same town or city. Another well-proven policy is to offer customers a discount on a future meal reservation, obviously dependent upon the first booking being honoured. The sure-fire way of avoiding these problems is to refuse to accept reservations, and while no-one enjoys watching other diners appear to linger over their coffees, there are worse things to do than have another drink.
A 2015 file photo of the commander of Iran's Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, praying in a religious ceremony at a mosque. Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike at the Baghdad international airport on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. (AP)

Baghdad: Top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was killed Friday in a US strike on Baghdad's international airport, Iran and the US confirmed, in the most dramatic episode yet of escalating tensions between the two countries. The deputy leader of a mainly Shiite Iraqi militia, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was also killed in the post-mdnight strike.

The Pentagon said US President Donald Trump ordered Soleimani's "killing," after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy. Trump did not acknowledge the strike but tweeted a picture of the US flag without any explanation.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to take "severe revenge" for Soleimani's death. "Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Khamenei said on his Farsi-language Twitter account in reference to Soleimani, also declaring three days of mourning.

"With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident."

Some geopolitical experts said the killing of Soleimani would have wide ramifications, perhaps more than even the 2011 strike against al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the 2019 slaying of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. "In terms of a decapitation strike, what just happened is the most major decapitation strike that the US has ever pulled off," said Phillip Smyth, a US-based specialist in Shiite armed groups.

He told AFP it would have "bigger" ramifications than the 2011 US operation that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the 2019 American raid that killed Islamic State group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

"There is no comparison," he added.

Early Friday, a volley of missiles hit Baghdad's international airport, striking a convoy belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi, an Iraqi Shiite paramilitary force with close ties to Iran.

Just a few hours later, Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Soleimani "was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning."

The Hashed confirmed both Soleimani and its deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in what it said was a "US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road."

The Hashed is a network of mostly-Shiite armed units, many of whom have close ties to Tehran but which have been officially incorporated into Iraq's state security forces.

The units joined forces to fight the Islamic State group in 2014, after many of them built up years of fighting experience during Iraq's war years, including against the US.

Muhandis was the Hashed's deputy chief but widely recognised as the real shot-caller within the group.

Soleimani headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force and also served as Iran's pointman on Iraq, visiting the country in times of turmoil.

Analysts said it is unclear how Iran could respond to the blow. "A lot of the focus is on what is the price that the US is gonna pay and how Iran will retaliate against the US," said Fanar Haddad of the Singapore University's Middle East Institute.

Oil prices soared following Friday's attack, with Brent surging 4.4 percent to $69.16 and WTI jumping 4.3 percent to 63.84.
Do you love adventure? Are canopy walks and a walk through the forest your type of favourite adventures? If your answer to the above questions is yes, you should consider visiting one of the most beautiful countries in Africa which is home to Kakum National Park.

Image: instagram.com @visiterlafrique

Source: UGC

This tourist attraction site is found in the coastal plain region of Ghana. It is one of the best-preserved areas of virgin rainforest located in the entire country. It is a major tourist attraction site in Ghana, attracting both local and intercontinental guests. If you are willing to become part of the touring guests, below is all the important information that you might require which include the contacts, accommodation, and entrance fee among others.

When was the Kakum National Park established?

It was first established as a reserve in 1931, but it was officially gazetted as a national park in 1992. This took place after the preliminary survey of the forests avifauna was piloted. The initiative to establish it was undertaken by the local people of Ghana, unlike the others that are mostly established by the State Department of wildlife.

Kakum National Park location

Whenever you want to tour any new place, one of the key details is to know how to get to that place. Therefore, you should find out the location of your site of preference. Where is Kakum National Park Ghana located? It is located in the coastal region of Ghana, and one can get into the reserve in various ways.

One of the easiest ways to get there is starting your trip from Cape Coast. The distance from Cape Coast to Kakum National Park is 33 kilometres, and therefore a ride to the place will take you approximately one hour.

If you are considering saving up some money and time, using a private car is the best alternative. Although foreigners are highly excluded from driving in the country, there are several rental cars to use. It will take you approximately 3 hours from Accra to Kakum National Park.

Image: instagram.com @severinefortin

Source: UGC

Kakum National Park contact

If you want to enquire more about the place you are free to contact them at any day and time.

Physical address: Cape Coast Office

Cape Coast Office Email address : info@kakumpark.com.gh

: info@kakumpark.com.gh Telephone number 1 : 0332130265

: 0332130265 Telephone number 2: 0501291699

0501291699 Telephone number 3: 0501291687

Kakum National Park entrance fee

The reserve is open daily from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm at 6.am. The entrance fee to this magnificent site varies from time depending on the changes in exchange rates in the country.

Kakum National Park canopy walk

Kakum canopy walkway is one of the unique features of the reserve in the entire Africa continent. It is a long series of more than 7 hanging bridges that enable the tourists to traverse the forest. The canopy is more than 330 m long with some of the bridges having a height of more than 50 meters. There are numerous guides in the reserve that offer relevant and useful information about the animal and plant life in the forest.

Similarly, you will have the chance to view the rare Kakum National Park animals species as you take a walk through the canopy. Some of these animals include; forest buffaloes, forest elephants, cats, and civets. Kakum National Park pictures of people walking through the canopies are a real inspiration to visit the site.

Image: instagram.com @mzz krystina

Source: UGC

Kakum National Park accommodation

There are numerous accommodation options for people visiting the tourist attraction site. You can opt to stay at Cape Coast where there is a wide range of options to choose from depending on your preference and the amount you want to spend.

Alternatively, you can stay at Kakum National Park tree house at a small fee. For this option, you are required to carry your food, a mosquito net and a flashlight for the night. Staying at the treehouse will allow you to view the splendid sunrise over treetop, which is a real adventure.

Kakum National Park is one of the best tourist destinations for locals and foreign guest. If you want a weekend getaway with your friends, family members or your squad, this should be your number one consideration.

READ ALSO: Mole National Park Ghana: map, animals, tours and contact

Source: YEN.com.gh
Natalie Katilius was rescued from the River Shannon in Limerick at around 4.40am on Thursday but later died in hospital

Tributes have poured in for one of Limerick's most popular and talented models who died after being recovered from the River Shannon Thursday.

Natalie Katilius, aged in her 30s, was located in the river by emergency services after a major search and rescue operation swung into action in the early hours of the morning following a report of a person in distress in the water.

The mother of one was pronounced dead at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) after being rushed there by ambulance from the riverbank around 4.40am.

'Gardai are not treating the woman's death as suspicious at this time,' a garda spokeswoman said Friday.

The results of a post mortem which was due to be carried out at UHL 'will determine the outcome of the investigation', the garda spokeswoman added.

Ms Katilius was the face of several public relations campaigns at Shannon Airport, but after taking a break from modeling, she had begun a career as a project worker with the Novas charity group, which helps people find and stay in housing.

Ms Katilius's family were being comforted by friends as they tried to come to terms with her untimely death.

Model agents Celia Holman Lee, Fiona Doyle, and Hillary Thompson, paid tribute to the 'best looking woman in Limerick'.

Ms Thompson said Ms Katilius had contacted her before Christmas to ask if she would help train up her teenage daughter, and she was considering a possible return to modeling on a part-time basis.

'It has really upset me, I'm just in shock. She was special, she had no notions about herself, and she had a gift, her lovely smile. She was just lovely inside and out,' Ms Thompson said.

Ms Holman Lee, who worked alongside Ms Katilius, described her as an 'amazing, beautiful fantastic young woman'.

The mother-of-one, who was in her thirties, was one of Limerick's most popular models and had featured in several ad campaigns for Shannon Airport.

She added: 'It's heartbreaking. And all I can say is that my condolences go to her daughter and her family. She was such a beauty. May God mind her family.'

Close friend and former boss Fiona Doyle, broke down, adding: 'We are all heartbroken, she was such a dear friend. I want Natalie to be remembered as the beautiful person she was and that I know. She was one of the kindest friends, always there, and always great fun.'

Fighting back tears, Ms Doyle said: 'She was the best looking woman in Limerick, she had legs to beat the band, and, walking into places, the fellas jaws would just drop. People will remember her as being such a beauty, a striking girl.'

'I've been looking back over photos and we are smiling in every single photo. Natalie and I would have been friends for nearly 20 years, she was great, she loved the camera, and she loved life.'

'She was an amazing model, just gorgeous. She had everything going for her, and her daughter was just beautiful, and her sister Kayla models with the agency as well. She was just a true, true, friend. There are no words really, we are just shocked.'

'I know her mum and family very well, and they are all just heartbroken, it's just hard to believe. She was a head turner, and had a beautiful smile, a big heart and a beautiful soul.'

Colleagues at Novas issued a statement which read: 'We are all deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Natalie. She was a much-liked and valued member of staff by both clients and colleagues. We are thinking of her family and friends at this tragic time. May she Rest In Peace.'

In a statement released Thursday, a Garda spokeswoman said: 'At approximately 3.45am, Gardai and Emergency Services were called to the scene following reports of a female, discovered in difficulty in the water at Steamboat Quay, Limerick. After being rescued from the water, the female was taken to University Hospital Limerick where she was later pronounced dead.'

'A post mortem is scheduled to take place at a later date. Enquiries are ongoing.'
Two international mail packages led police to unravel a multi-million dollar national meth distribution ring based in Perth.

Fifteen people have been charged as part of Operation Ajax Highview, a year-long joint sting by WA Police, Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force which ended on Thursday.

Six kilograms of meth seized during Operation Ajax Highview Credit:Australian Federal Police

As part of the probe, police seized nearly 20 kilograms of meth with an estimated street value of more than $15 million, four guns, five other weapons, 41 cannabis plants and more than $75,000 in cash.

The operation was launched in November 2018, after Australian Border Force officers intercepted two international packages filled with six kilograms of meth each.
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police detained seven people, including four pilots, on Thursday in an investigation into how ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn transited through Istanbul en route to Lebanon after fleeing Japan, a police spokeswoman told Reuters. She said the other detainees were two airport ground workers and one cargo worker and all seven were expected to give statements before a court on Thursday. Media reports said Turkey's interior ministry had begun an investigation into Ghosn's transit

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police detained seven people, including four pilots, on Thursday in an investigation into how ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn transited through Istanbul en route to Lebanon after fleeing Japan, a police spokeswoman told Reuters.

She said the other detainees were two airport ground workers and one cargo worker and all seven were expected to give statements before a court on Thursday.

Media reports said Turkey's interior ministry had begun an investigation into Ghosn's transit. The former Nissan <7201.T> boss revealed on Tuesday he had fled to Beirut to escape what he called a "rigged" justice system.

People familiar with the matter told Reuters that Ghosn, one of the world's best-known executives, had arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Istanbul on Monday.

Hurriyet news website, citing an interior ministry official, said Turkish border police were not notified about Ghosn's arrival, and neither his entry nor exit were registered.

A plane carrying Ghosn arrived at 5:30 am (0230 GMT) Monday at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Hurriyet reported, adding that prosecutors ordered the arrests after widening their investigation.

Flight tracking data from that time suggests that Ghosn used two different planes to fly into Istanbul and then on to Lebanon.

Japanese authorities allowed Ghosn to carry a spare French passport in a locked case while out on bail, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday, shedding some light on how he managed his escape to Lebanon.

The businessman, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, was smuggled out of Tokyo by a private security company days ago, the culmination of a plan that was crafted over three months, Reuters has reported.

Ghosn was first arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 and faces four charges, including hiding income and enriching himself through payments to car dealerships in the Middle East. He denies the charges.

(Additional reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Jane Merriman)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
When the decade that has come to be known as the era of peak TV began, Foxtel and the ABC's iView were at the cutting edge of the market. Foxtel was releasing its second-generation IQ box (30 hours of HD content), the analogue TV signal had only started to be turned off and the local Netflix service was five years away. DVD box sets were the rage, with Breaking Bad transforming a first and second season soft performer into perhaps the most significant drama of the new millennium.

A decade that began with a flood of brave new shows ended with a transformation in how we consumed them: bingeing on a variety of screens and devices.

Asher Keddie and Rob Carlton as Ita Buttrose and Kerry Packer in the ABC's Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo.

The perfect storm of peak TV, streaming and consumer supremacy has left us looking like the worst kind of wedding guests: plate piled high, on our fourth go round the buffet and showing no signs of stopping, despite the looming threat of the television industry's equivalent of indigestion.

In past decades, cherry-picking the hits was a relatively uncomplicated process.
Value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. After all, who wouldnt want to find stocks that are either flying under the radar and are compelling buys, or offer up tantalizing discounts when compared to fair value?



One way to find these companies is by looking at several key metrics and financial ratios, many of which are crucial in the value stock selection process. Lets put Gray Television GTN stock into this equation and find

out if it is a good choice for value-oriented investors right now, or if investors subscribing to this methodology should look elsewhere for top picks:



PE Ratio



A key metric that value investors always look at is the Price to Earnings Ratio, or PE for short. This shows us how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings in a given stock, and is easily one of the most popular financial ratios in the world. The best use of the PE ratio is to compare the stocks current PE ratio with: a) where this ratio has been in the past; b) how it compares to the average for the industry/sector; and c) how it compares to the market as a whole.



On this front, Gray Television has a trailing twelve months PE ratio of 9.95, as you can see in the chart below:





This level actually compares favorably with the market at large, as the PE for the S&P 500 stands at about 20.33. If we focus on the long-term PE trend, Gray Televisions current PE level puts it slightly below its midpoint of

12.44 over the past five years, with the number having risen rapidly over the past few months. However, the current level stands significantly below the highs for the stock, suggesting that it can be a solid entry point.





Moreover, the stocks PE also compares favorably with the Zacks Consumer Discretionary Market sectors trailing twelve months PE ratio, which stands at 24.56. At the very least, this indicates that the stock is relatively undervalued right now, compared to its peers.

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We should also point out that Gray Television has a forward PE ratio (price relative to this years earnings) of 7.74, so it is fair to say that a slightly more value-oriented path may be ahead for Gray Televisions stock in the near term too.



P/S Ratio



Another key metric to note is the Price/Sales ratio. This approach compares a given stocks price to its total sales, where a lower reading is generally considered better. Some people like this metric more than other value-focused ones because it looks at sales, something that is far harder to manipulate with accounting tricks than earnings.



Right now, Gray Television has a P/S ratio of about 1.13. This is much lower than the S&P 500 average, which comes in at 3.52 right now. Also, as we can see in the chart below, this is well below the highs for this stock in particular over the past few years.





Broad Value Outlook



In aggregate, Gray Television currently has a Value Score of A, putting it into the top 20% of all stocks we cover from this look. This makes Gray Television a solid choice for value investors.



What About the Stock Overall?



Though Gray Television might be a good choice for value investors, there are plenty of other factors to consider before investing in this name. In particular, it is worth noting that the company has a Growth Score of C and Momentum Score of F. This gives GTN a Zacks VGM score  or its overarching fundamental grade  of B. (You can read more about the Zacks Style Scores here >>)



Meanwhile, the companys recent earnings estimates have been mixed at the best. The current year consensus estimate increased 43.9% in the past two months, whereas the full year 2020 estimate declined 10%. You can see the consensus estimate trend and recent price action for the stock in the chart below:

Gray Television, Inc. Price and Consensus

Gray Television, Inc. Price and Consensus

Gray Television, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Gray Television, Inc. Quote

Owing to such bearish estimate trends, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which is why we are looking for in- line performance from the company in the near term.

Bottom Line



Gray Television is an inspired choice for value investors, as it is hard to beat its incredible lineup of statistics on this front. However, with a Zacks Rank #3, it is hard to get too excited about this company overall. In fact, over the past year, the broader industry has underperformed the market at large, as you can see below:





So, value investors might want to wait for estimates and analyst sentiment to turn around in this name first, but once that happens, this stock could be a compelling pick.

Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation



Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, its expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.



A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.



See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>



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Gray Television, Inc. (GTN) : Free Stock Analysis Report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
This post is part of CoinDesks 2019 Year in Review, a collection of 100 op-eds, interviews and takes on the state of blockchain and the world. Anand Aanchal is a land specialist and blockchain expert at the World Bank.

Last spring, Anand Aanchal of the World Bank spoke to the teething problems of blockchain.

Tech can look big and flashy, and like it can solve all our problems  but the Big Mac burger never matches up to the one in the ad, she said at a World Bank conference in Washington, D.C.

Related: When DeFi Meets Neo Banking, This Thing Gets Interesting

As a specialist with the Global Land and Geospatial Unit, Anand has direct experience with the issues of deploying tech to bolster citizens basic rights.

While the crypto industry is captivated by banking the unbanked, there are several ways to ameliorate the financial and social conditions of the worlds most vulnerable populations. For one, clarifying private or shared ownership of property. Properly established and enforced codes of land rights affects everything from a nations GDP to the types of crops farmers are willing to grow, Anand said.

Though blockchain is touted as a natural fit for bureaucratic registries, Anand has found that low-tech solutions  like a GPS-enabled smartphone  often provide results with more efficiency. Ultimately, any technological solution thats effective will need to be accompanied by legal and social reforms, she argues.

CoinDesk caught up with Anand to see how her thinking has developed regarding blockchains potential for improving property rights.

Related: Stanford Prof Darrell Duffie on Our Big Stablecoin Future

What are land rights and why do they matter?

Land rights are rights to land and property. The reason why the security of these rights matter is they drive several things in the economy, from socioeconomic issues like conflict or post-conflict negotiations to the types of investments people are willing to make. Land administration is the clarification of land rights, meaning what is the physical parcel, property or the plot, what are its geographical coordinates, and who has legal ownership or other rights to that plot/building/house, what have you.

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What are the pressing issues in land rights now?

In some countries, by some estimates close to 70 percent of land rights are not registered, due to legal or institutional barriers, specific social issues like women or minority property rights, and often also the reliability or affordability of land administration services. Further, in many countries, women and minorities have legal access to land rights, but socially the system doesnt always allow them to exercise those rights. So you see discrimination.

Where registration rates are low, blockchain may be a solution, but it wont be the solution you need most.

Youve said in the past that blockchain is overhyped as a solution for land rights issues, how come?

There are certain enabling environmental conditions that are required for blockchain to make strategic, financial and commercial sense. Blockchain is suited for countries that already have digitized data that is up to date, with a functioning records system. If you go into a country where the culture of an informal economy is high, and registration rates are low, blockchain may be a solution, but it wont be the solution you need most.

There are so many basic investments needed before it could have value for citizens. Its quite important to think of tech in terms of what problems its solving. Often you find when you look at land administration problems, you find low tech (like smartphones with GPS or drones) being more capable of solving problems in a faster and cheaper way, which may pave the way for higher tech like blockchain.

Are there economic costs that may prevent the efficient use of blockchain tech?

A lot of low- and middle-income countries have already spent, or are spending a lot of money, modernizing their IT systems, specifically for land information systems. You cannot disregard these investments just because of the changes in tech. Now that theres buzz about quantum computing, will everyone throw away blockchain and go quantum? Its not advisable to throw away systems and simply take the newest toy on the market, so to speak.

Its quite important to look at why one is interested in blockchain, what additional value it adds, and then consider if an entirely new system is needed. Sometimes specific features of blockchain can be used without a complete upgrade. For example, the City of Dubai has applied a blockchain transaction layer to take care of incoming transactions and start building an archive. That is a much softer, smarter and cost-effective way of testing a new tech, seeing if it helps and then scaling it up.

How does the World Bank advise blockchain implementation for land registration?

Its an emerging technology and we rely on proofs-of-value to test viability. Together with the Technology & Innovation Lab of the World Bank Group, our team looked at three generic use cases  including first parcel registration, transfers of ownership and authentications  that we expect most countries will need at some point if they consider blockchain. But its only an isolated, lab condition proof of concept. At this stage, we stress the off-chain legal and regulatory issues to see if the tech is truly the best fit. Technology without strategy wont solve the problem. We have also done proof of values in other areas, including climate, finance, health, and education.

What are the lingering issues with current land registry systems?

Cybersecurity is an issue that comes up that will only grow as countries digitize more and more. In some countries, there are reports of record tampering, so I think blockchain can be an attractive solution in that case. Though context truly matters in land administration. Blockchain cannot prevent rent-seeking in the system, which is why the broader political economy is important to consider.

If a country doesnt recognize an individuals right to own land, will having a legal document that proves ownership change the overarching culture?

That raises a good point. I always caution to say that technology will be a solution rather than one tool or part of a solution. Technology has to be at the service of public policy, not the other way around. Blockchain is one example of that. Simply having a piece of paper that says they have rights to a piece of land doesnt necessarily make it secure or guarantee their rights. Which is why I believe tech has its place in making these rights more transparent, but at the end, its not a tech problem. Its a wider issue, and tech should not be mistaken to fix solution.

Blockchain was the ice-cream flavor that got people excited to eat their broccoli.

How is blockchain like ice-cream?

There was a point years back when a lot of countries wanted to be blockchain ready by 2020. I thought it was an ambitious goal, perhaps unrealistic considering the social climates and data readiness. But at the same time, I thought blockchain was acting as a powerful way of getting people to start looking at the systemic issues and data issues that werent previously given priority. The joke was that blockchain was the ice-cream flavor that got people excited to eat their broccoli.

When they asked how to get blockchain ready by 2020, we sat down and said lets talk about your systems, lets talk about accuracy, lets talk digitization levels and needs. I think that, for all the fact that its not a silver bullet, blockchain opened a conversation, however briefly, about hard infrastructure problems and important enabling environmental conditions, and broadened the conversation about a bigger strategic vision.

Related Stories
The ruling BJP also reminded the Congress that even Mahatma Gandhi pre-empted that non-Muslims who decided to stay in Pakistan could come to India.

New Delhi: Hardening its stance in favour of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)  which is facing widespread criticism from the Opposition  the BJP has decided to launch a nationwide door-to-door campaign from January 5 to reach out to at least 3 crore people in 10 days, and highlight how the Congress and other Opposition parties are spreading lies about the CAA and inciting rebellion and anarchy in the country for their politics of appeasement.

Alongside the door-to-door nationwide campaign, the party leadership, including senior leaders and Union ministers, will hold public rallies in various cities. While BJP national president Amit Shah will visit households in the national capital on January 5, the partys working president J.P. Nadda will visit households in Ghaziabad. Similarly, defence minister Rajnath Singh will visit households in Lucknow, road transport minister households in Nagpur, and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman households in Jaipur on the first day of the door-to-door campaign.

The BJP leadership will also hold press conferences, and meet intellectuals and prominent people from various fields and aggressively utilise social media to garner support for the CAA. The party has also launched a toll-free number for people to lend their support to the Act, which is intended to give citizenship to the persecuted minorities of the three neighbouring countries and not take away citizenship of any Indian citizen.

Reiterating the Modi governments stand on the CAA, Mr Shah, while addressing a rally in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, said, Even if all these parties come together, BJP will not move back even an inch on the issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act. You can spread as much misinformation as you want.

The ruling BJP also reminded the Congress that even Mahatma Gandhi pre-empted that non-Muslims who decided to stay in Pakistan could come to India. The BJP claimed that even the Congress had endorsed this in one of its national meets post-Independence and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, too, had backed it.

BJP national general secretary Anil Jain, who briefed the media about the partys campaign in support of the CAA, said that Indian Muslims have no reason to worry about the exercise, be it the NPR (National Population Register) or the NRC, and asserted that Indias only religion is its Constitution. On the NRC issue, the BJP leader said that a nation-wide consultation will be held whenever a decision on rolling out the NRC, which is part of the partys manifesto, is taken, but noted that there is no such proposal now. The Congress and other parties are spreading lies and creating unrest in the name of the CAA for political gains, said the leader.
The General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kailash Vijayvargiya on Friday hit out at Congress for publishing a booklet which claims that the Hindu Mahasabha co-founder Veer Savarkar had a "physical relationship" with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, saying, the party should thoroughly read about Savarkar first.

"I feel sad about the fact that Congress does not know about Veer Savarkar. It would be good if they thoroughly read about him first and then write...By publishing such content the image of Savarkar will not be tarnished." he said while speaking to media in Bhopal.

The booklet titled 'Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
National vice-president of the BJP Baijayant Jay Panda slammed the opposition for supporting the anti-CAA protests and backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark over the "atrocities on minorities in Pakistan".

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is absolutely right in saying that protests should happen over the plight of minorities in Pakistan. The CAA does not impact any Indian citizen...The protests should be on the suffering of the minorities in Pakistan," Panda said while speaking to ANI.

READ | BJP Invokes Mahatma Gandhi To Defend CAA

"This CAA will give citizenship to the people who have escaped persecution. Their countries did not have a neutral constitution like India.They are still in great distress.The minority groups have reduced drastically. We should protest on such problems," the BJP leader added.

Panda's statement comes just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress for opposing the newly-enacted law and for not speaking against Pakistan during the anti-CAA protests.

READ | Amit Shah Takes A Stand, Says 'Won't Rollback CAA Even By An Inch' At Fiery Jodhpur Rally

Amit Shah claims that BJP will not rollback CAA

Home Minister Amit Shah during his fiery speech in Jodhpur Rally has also slammed the opposition for spreading unrest and misleading the nation over the amended Citizenship Act. Shah said that the BJP will not back an inch over CAA and assured the people while reiterating that the Act will not snatch citizenship from anyone and that it will give citizenship to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

READ | Shocking: 'Pakistan Zindabad' Sloganeering Over CAA In Meerut, One Arrested

The Anti-CAA protests

The protests against CAA which began in Assam had spread across the country with protests in universities like Jamia Millia, JNU and Aligarh Muslim University which took a violent turn with stone-pelting and damaging public property. The clash between police and protesters resulted in alleged lathi-charge, use of tear gas and rubber pellet action by police and vandalism by protestors. Many sections of the nation criticized the alleged brutal police action. Several protestors and police personnel were injured in the protests.

The CAA seeks to give citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian refugees who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, due to religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

READ | BJP Should Shun Arrogance, Rethink: Gehlot On CAA
Re: Texans want, benefit from ACA even as state fights it, Editorial, Dec. 27:

There are many parts of the Affordable Care Act I think are important. The problem I have is that since its inception, my health care has become less affordable. I had an endoscopy recently and had to pay more than $2,000 in advance.

Did I have this money? No. I put it on a credit card. I am fortunate that my employer pays a good portion of my monthly premium; however, my cost went up enough for me to drop to a plan with a $4,500 deductible. Since everything else this year came under copays, I had not paid any of the deductible.

My main point is that just having insurance does not make health care affordable. Regulations for insurance companies and hospital billing practices would certainly help. It is ridiculous to expect patients to know if the emergency room physician, hospital physician, anesthesiologist, etc., are on their plan.

Joan Troutman, Spring Branch

Bitten by Trump

Re: Now what, Dems? Your Turn, Tuesday:

Eleanor Settle compared some members of the Democratic Party to a pack of barking dogs attacking the Trumpmobile.

Let me suggest another analogy: Some people have a pet dog they love unquestionably and dearly. That is, until their dog bites them in the butt. Then they finally believe what their neighbors have been telling them about that mad dog.

Eileen Block, Kerrville

Thanks, Dr. Tredici

Re: Brooks scientist is still seeking solutions at 97, Front Page, Monday:

Dr. Tom Tredici helped change the laws of who could fly for the U.S. Air Force in 1976. I directly benefited from his work. I got paid to fly airplanes starting in 1976  what a great deal. I thank God, and now Tredici, for the privilege. Thank you, sir.

Dave Searcey

On ExpressNews.com: At 97, scientist is last of the old breed at San Antonios former Brooks AFB
Goldberg said he consulted the state ethics commission before hiring Strand, who led the medical marijuana commission for 21 months. He said he is confident that the company will be operating within the law and that any conflicts of interest have been considered.
The Best Whiskeys Around the World

These Are the World's Finest Whiskeys (That You Can Actually Buy)

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough, Mark Twain famously said. As it turns out, American booze drinkers are in agreement. Whiskey sales accounted for 28 percent of the $72 billion total spirit sales in the U.S., with an annual growth rate of 7.8 percent, compared to just 4.1 percent across the market.

RELATED: 11 Best Affordable Whiskeys

This is great news for stateside whiskey connoisseurs: with the spirit becoming more globalized, its easier than ever to find delicious, high-quality bottles closer to home. You dont have to scan auction listings around the globe to find these, either. These top-shelf whiskies are available at most major liquor stores at an affordable price point  so you can enjoy them guilt-free without feeling like you have to squirrel them away for a rainy day or your kids inheritance. Here are some of our favorite whiskies around the world, from Scotland all the way to Taiwan, and back again.

Kavalan Single Malt Whisky, Taiwan

Named after the indigenous people who originally inhabited the northeastern corner of Yilan County, Taiwan, this single malt whisky was only released back in 2005, but has quickly made its way to the top of dozens of best-of lists. The first whisky to be distilled in Taiwan, Kavalan Single Malt Whisky was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition, just six years after its inception. The warm subtropical climate means the whisky matures more quickly than its Scottish counterparts, which allows for a deeper flavor more quickly, including notes of coconut and vanilla, sweet tropical fruits and mango.

$84.99 at Drizly.com

Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey, Ireland

Introduced all the way back in 1791 by John Power himself, Powers Gold Label is a classic Irish whiskey. As a single pot still whiskey, its left to mature in hand-selected American oak, and the use of refill barrels allows the spirit to shine through more boldly than a whiskey coming from a newer barrel. Expect a spicy, rounded flavor profile with notes of baking spices, toasted oak, citrus and ginger. Its great for sipping on its own, but does just as well mixed into a classic Irish coffee.

From $32.49 at Drizly.com

Stranahans Colorado Whiskey, USA

The number one American single malt whiskey in the U.S., Stranahans Colorado Whiskey is one to have on your bar cart. Hand-crafted from barley to bottle in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, this whiskey is non-chill filtered and produced in small batches. While Stranahans is available around the country, no two batches are precisely the same. In fact, the distillers have actually made a name for themselves with their unique annual Snowflake release. Every December, whiskey connoisseurs from around the country line up at the Colorado distillery  some weeks in advance  to get their hands on a bottle of Snowflake. If youre nowhere near Colorado, dont sweat it. The regular Stranahans Colorado Whiskey is just as tasty, with notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and fresh-sawn oak.

$56.99 at Drizly.com

Suntory Toki, Japan

Suntorys Hibiki 12-Year-Old was an artful blend of Japanese malt and grain whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita; this well-loved Japanese whisky was made to represent the countrys four distinct seasons. However, it became so popular around the world that its no longer available on the market. Instead, we recommend Suntory Toki, which, while less prestigious, is light and approachable, with bittersweet notes of green apple, mint and grapefruit.

From $39.99 at Drizly.com

The Macallan 12 Years Old Sherry Oak, Scotland

If youre in search of a decent whisky for your next house party (because nobody wants to pair their cigar with your bulk purchased vodka), look no further than The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Oak. The flavor profile is supposed to evoke the feeling of a crisp fall evening, with flavors of dried fruit, and spices like clove, as well as dried fruits and wood smoke. With nearly 200 years of distilling experience, The Macallan is one of the most respected and acclaimed Scotch distilleries in the world. Considered by many whisky connoisseurs to be one of the best 12-year whiskies on the market, the best way to drink it is neat, or with a splash of water to really make the flavors pop.

From $69.99 at Drizly.com

RELATED: Why You Should Be Drinking Irish Whiskey

Crown Royal Reserve, Canada

First released in 1992, Crown Royal Reserve is well loved by Canadian whisky enthusiasts, and for good reason. While its Northern Harvest Rye was named the 2016 World Whisky of the Year (the first Canadian whisky to receive such an award), the Royal Reserve has merit in its own rite; the Master Whisky Blender hand-selects the finest whiskies for the limited edition batch, which offers notes of maple syrup, brown sugar and wood as a subtle nod to Canada itself. The reserve-grade blend is best consumed straight or with a little water to bring out the compelling flavor.

From $47.30 at Drizly.com

Bakery Hill Double Wood, Australia

While Australia is largely known for its wine more so than its whisky, the Double Wood expression from Bakery Hill makes a compelling case for sipping whisky down under. The single malt whisky is initially matured in American oak ex-bourbon barrels and finished in French oak casks. This finishing period gives the whisky impressive notes of plum and orange peels, a sweet complement to the malty notes of the classic malt.

Available soon here

English Whisky Company, England

Englands oldest, and most prestigious whisky distiller, The English Whisky Co. has been crafting some of the countrys best whisky for more than 120 years, so its safe to say they know a thing or two about good whisky. The English Whisky Co. Original is aged in bourbon casks, which fosters notes of vanilla, nuts and just a hit of sea spray as an ode to the English coastline.

$44.86 at TheWhiskyExchange.com

Bains Cape Mountain Whisky, South Africa

Awarded the Worlds Best Grain Whisky at the 2018 World Whisky Awards, Bains Cape Mountain Whisky has really grounded South Africa as an upcoming whisky hotspot. Andy Watts, the founder and Master Distiller of Bains, was also awarded the title of Global Icon of Whisky Master Distiller/Master Blender. His whiskies feature notes of grapefruit peels, custard creams and icing sugar, with a sweet citrus and meadowsweet finish.

$31.99 at Drizly.com

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FRISCO, Texas, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Graco Fishing & Rental Tools, Inc. (dba Graco Oilfield Services), a leading provider of oilfield services for over 40 years, today announced it has acquired all fishing, rental tool and related assets of Gravity Oilfield Services' Fishing & Rental Division, further increasing its ability to deliver safe and reliable service to the oil and gas industry. With the acquisition, the Gravity Fishing & Rental Tool employees will be joining the Graco family.

The asset-base acquisition will substantially increase Graco's offering in the Permian Basin as well as add a new presence to the Southeastern U.S. via the Tuscaloosa Basin of Mississippi. With the addition of four operating bases, one support base, and approximately 80 personnel, Graco will substantially increase its service footprint to existing customers while allowing the building of new customer relationships. Graco's current geographic service area will be strongly complemented with minimal overlap by the addition of the Gravity service points. The following Gravity fishing & rental locations will be a part of the transaction: Laurel, MS, Midland, TX, Snyder, TX, Hobbs, NM, and a support base in Odessa, TX. Financial terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. PPHB Energy Investment Banking advised Gravity on the transaction.

Jon Rambo, Graco President, stated, "I'm excited to acquire such a formidable competitor and look forward to building upon the legacies of our two companies. The joining of these two companies will not only bring the skill and extensive fishing and rental knowledge to the forefront for all of our customers but will also provide additional market access to one of the most prolific oil and gas basins in the US."

About Graco.

Graco Oilfield Services is recognized as one of the largest privately held fishing and rental tool companies operating in the U.S. Providing a full range of well remediation services to major and independent oil and natural gas companies for over 40 years, Graco's markets are predominately focused on drilling, completion and production services, which include rental tools, fishing services, pressure pumping, workover expertise, blowout preventers, circulation services, completion drillouts, machine shop services, and tubular rental and repair services. More information is available at www.gracosvcs.com.

About Gravity.

Gravity is a growth-oriented provider of energy infrastructure services to U.S. onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, providing water midstream solutions, critical power generation offerings, and other production-focused services. Gravity has significant coverage density in the Permian Basin and benefits from a national footprint supported by facilities, operations, and management personnel in several other key domestic resource plays, including the Bakken, Eagle Ford, SCOOP/STACK, D.J. Basin, Haynesville, and Marcellus, among others. More information is available at www.gvty.com.

Contacts:

Graco

Lisa Breese

Director of Human Resources

[email protected]

214-618-3930

Gravity

Heather Heacock

Marketing Communication Manager

[email protected]

(281) 640-3043

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SOURCE Graco Oilfield Services

Related Links

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/ -- EuroSchool Airoli student Mr. Shlok Banerjee of grade 4 has secured 1st position in Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad 2019 (TIMO).

TIMO is an annual Mathematical Olympiad competition organised by the Thailand Mathematics Society. As the majority of Mathematical Olympiad competitions are only focusing on 0.1% of the elite students, TIMO provides an opportunity for all students with keen interest in mathematics to participate in Mathematical Olympiad competition.

At EuroSchool, students are encouraged to participate in competitive exams and activities to offer them the exposure to enable them to enhance their learning and skills further. The School provides unique Co-curricular and Experiential programs which focuses on building lateral and critical thinking, creativity, logical reasoning and essential life skills that help in the holistic development of the students. EuroSchool has its eye on the future, and it has set forth to equip students with the right skills for new-age careers.

Sudeshna Chatterjee, Principal EuroSchool Airoli, said, "Winning in this competition requires good knowledge of mathematics with strong problem-solving abilities. This success was the result of hard work and dedication of students, parents and mentors."



About EuroSchool:



In 2009, the Company ventured into K-12 with EuroSchool, a network of 11 K-12 institutions today. The philosophy of 'Discover Yourself' further strengthens the belief that encouraging children to discover their true potential and skills is critical to thriving in the 21st-century. The school blends its 'Balanced Schooling' pedagogy with the Learn - Reinforce - Practice - Apply methodology. This paves the way for students to excel in academics, while co-curricular activities shape their creative, sporting and musical aspirations. EuroSchool operates on a DIRECT Academic Delivery Model with schools in urban locations across Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Surat.

For more information, please visit the website www.euroschoolindia.com



Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/798038/EuroSchool_Logo.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Political neutrality key to revamping prosecution



President Moon Jae-in's push for prosecutorial reform is expected to gain momentum after he appointed Rep. Choo Mi-ae, a five-term lawmaker and former ruling party chairwoman, as justice minister. Choo took office Friday, 81 days after her predecessor, Cho Kuk, resigned over mounting corruption allegations surrounding him and his family.



The appointment shows Moon's strong determination to reform the prosecution, which has long been blamed for abusing its authority and serving as the handmaiden of political power. The President carefully picked Choo, a political bigwig with a career as a judge, in order not to repeat the appointment fiasco of Cho, who had to step down in October after 35 days in office.



Only few can question her qualification as justice minister. Yet the main conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) has lashed out at Cheong Wa Dae for trying to control the prosecution by naming Rep. Choo to lead the Ministry of Justice. This criticism is somewhat overblown, but should not be dismissed as categorically groundless, as it has come amid conflicts between the LKP and the governing Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) over how to reform the prosecution.



Such conflicts have escalated since the DPK submitted a prosecution reform bill along with an electoral reform bill for fast-track legislation in April. Moon aggravated the situation with his appointment of Cho, his close aide and former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, as justice minister. The ruling camp's angry reaction to the prosecution's investigations into Cho's corruption scandal and an election-meddling case involving Moon's confidant  Ulsan Mayor Song Cheol-ho  has also cast doubts on the true intentions of Moon's prosecutorial reform.



To shake off these doubts, the Moon administration should reform the law enforcement agency in an objective and transparent way. It must not try to give the impression that it is pressing ahead with the reform to tame the prosecution and thwart the investigations into the corruption and election interference cases.



It is most crucial in prosecutorial reform to guarantee the prosecution's political neutrality and independence from political power. Therefore, Justice Minister Choo should first focus on changing the agency so prosecutors can conduct investigations independently without being subject to any political pressures or outside influences.



Choo must not try to control the prosecution by abusing the justice ministry's right to personnel management, budgeting or oversight of the agency. There are some concerns that she might try to neutralize investigations into bribery and other corruption cases surrounding Moon's aides and confidants. If such concerns become reality, prosecution reform could fail.



The new minister needs cooperative  not hostile  ties with the prosecution and Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-youl, who is spearheading a campaign against corrupt officials and politicians. She should build consensus on the need for reform not only with prosecutors but also with the public. We hope Choo will make prosecution reform a success to ensure the rule of law and better protect human rights.








BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

Economic indicators of Azerbaijan for 2019 were generally positive and the best for several years after the economic crisis, PhD in Economics, professor Fikrat Yusifov told Trend.

If we compare the indicators of official statistics for 11 months of 2019 with the same period of previous years, we can clearly see how the situation has changed, the professor said, noting that as a result of the impact of the global economic crisis on Azerbaijan in the first 11 months of 2016, the country's GDP decreased by 3.9 percent.

"This was negative for a country where the highest economic growth rates had been recorded in those years. Nevertheless, the government managed to find possible ways to support the country's economy, and in a short time it managed to eliminate the consequences of the crisis," the professor added.

"As a result of measures and decisions aimed at further developing the non-oil sector, in 2017, the economic downturn was almost completely stopped, amounting to only 0.2 percent. Growth was achieved only in 2018. This meant that the reforms already yielded results. Nevertheless, the steps ahead were to achieve even greater results through such major changes as deepening reforms, reducing the share of shadow economy," Yusifov said.

"Basically, these goals were achieved in 2019. Azerbaijan's economy completed the year with the best figures over the past few years. We can say that positive results were observed in all sectors of the economy. Over the first 11 months of 2019, overall growth of the economy was 2.1 percent, including 3.5 percent in the non-oil sector, 14 percent in the non-oil industry and 7 percent in agriculture."

The professor stressed that this success was clearly reflected in revenues and expenditures of the state budget, which is a mirror of the country's economy.

"Thus, the budget revenues of 2020 will be higher than the actual revenues of 2017 by 7.6 billion manat ($4.4 billion) or 46.1 percent, and expenses, respectively, will be higher by over 9.3 billion manat (5.4 billion) or 53 percent. Such a high growth rate of budget revenues and expenditures over two years was achieved due to the fact that the country's economy has adapted to new growth rates, as well as positive steps towards reducing the share of shadow economy. The measures taken in this case, and the most important steps towards reducing the tax burden on the non-oil sector of the economy have led to the budget receiving additional funds in the amount of up to one billion manat ($588.2 million). Due to the intensifying reforms in this direction and the increasing effectiveness the steps taken, this year even greater budget revenues will be provided," Fikrat Yusifov said.

"Positive results achieved in the country's economy thanks to the reforms also allowed the state to take serious steps towards strengthening social protection of citizens. Last year, President Ilham Aliyev signed an order to launch two major social packages providing for the strengthening of the social protection of millions of people. An amount of four billion manat envisaged to be allocated from the state budget for 2020 in order to finance the measures indicated in the social packages that the president signed, as well as to implement other measures for social protection," Yusifov said.

"In general, the share of social expenditures of the state budget this year is close to 40 percent. This growth as a whole demonstrates the social orientation of the state. The main factor determining these costs is economic sustainability and the effectiveness of reforms. Expenditures and budget revenues can be increased only this way," Yusifov said.
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Apple stock right now is trading almost at its 52-week high, and those who saw the tech giant for what it was--not a phone--are being vindicated. There may be even more lucrative vindication on the way for 2020.

Right about now, there will be a lot of regret for anyone who sold Apple stock earlier this year when it started to rally. That rally never stopped, and Apple soared 86% by the end of 2019.

Some analysts are even betting it will hit nearly $400 this year.

Tech analyst Gene Munster, founder of Loup Ventures, is one of them, telling CNBCs Trading Nation earlier this week that fundamentals and multiples could render Apple worth $350 or $400 over the next year.



If you look at Apples valuation in the current earnings multiple, its still low relative to other tech companies. If you apply a Facebook multiple to Apple stock, its a $400 stock, Munster told Trading Nation.

Citi analyst Jim Suva also sees a continued surge, has a $300 price target on Apple--based on watch sales in Q1 2020, which Suva said would come as a surprise to investors.

Indeed, Apples October earnings showed a nice sales volume for wearables, including watches and AirPods, but these are as fleeting as the iPhone.

Related: The Free Money Bubble Is About To Burst

Apple hasnt been about the iPhone for a while now. And the naysayers earlier on thought the rally would end with the iPhone. SafeHaven has pointed out in the past that Apple isnt an iPhone story anymore, but nor is it really about wearables. Its about services, and while late 2019 saw the debut of Apple+ streaming, but 2020 will be decisive as Apple throws up a challenge to the big dogs in the streaming war, including Netflix and Disney.

So, you can bet on Apple for the wearables in the short-term, but in the long-term, look to services, which includes Apple+ streaming, iTunes, the App Store, the Mac App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, AppleCare, Apple Arcade, AppleNews+ and more.

What it all says is that Apple isnt just resilient, it can find growth when no one thinks it can.

But there will always be skeptics, whom one should thank for giving the rest of us an opportunity to get in on Apple before it gets too expensive.

A recent article by Peter Cohen for Forbes suggests that Apple is 59% overvalued, and that its not a growth stock. Until Apples price drops 59% or earnings growth expectations rise, I think its stock will offer investors a chance at going up because other people are buying the stock  rather than because it offers a chance to own growth at a reasonable price.

That argument entirely ignores Apples services business, and its repeating what everyone has said time and time again--despite the numerous rallies. Even if you dont think AirPods or watches can make up for a saturated smartphone market, Apples quiet coup will.

A $24-billion business that no one was paying attention to is exactly what Apple services is. And its what makes a bet on Apple a bet on growth.

By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Safehaven.com:
A Fort McMurray man wants answers from Air Canada after the company lost his mobility scooter in transit and returned it a day later, heavily damaged.

Trent Tatomir flew home from Dublin, Ireland, on Dec. 2 with Air Canada. When he landed in Fort McMurray he discovered the airline had lost his mobility scooter somewhere along the way.

"They basically say, 'Well, there's nothing we can do,'" Tatomir told CBC. "We'll call you if we find it.'"

The company shipped the chair to him the next day, but it was damaged.

"It doesn't work properly anymore," said Tatomir. "The front end is bent, the brakes are shot, the wheels are flat because they tore the valve stems, the seat is torn."

He sent Air Canada an email about the damage on Dec. 3.

Almost a month later, Tatomir, 28, is still stranded without his scooter.

He was injured in 2017 in a workplace accident in Dublin. He has chronic pain in his back and pelvis, forcing him to walk with a cane or walker or ride a scooter. "I can't stand or walk very long without falling down. My legs give way."

He got an eFoldi mobility scooter on Nov. 2. It's a compact, light scooter that allows him to get around more easily and travel farther.

Watch: Trent Tatomir shows the extent of the damage on the scooter's brakes.

The scooter folds up to be about the size of a carry-on and weighs 33 pounds. Having a light-weight scooter is helpful because there are stairs leading into Tatomir's home, and his wife has to bring the chair in for him.

Without his chair he "can't really do much," because it's too "mushy" outside for his walker, and too slippery for the cane.

Unless he goes out with his wife or mother, he's "basically stuck at home," Tatomir said. The cost to replace the machine, including shipping and an extra battery, is about $5,000.

Trent Tatomir

He contacted eFoldi to get an estimate on the cost for repairs. He was told it would be difficult to determine whether the scooter needed to be replaced or repaired, and a representative recommended he send the scooter for a full assessment.

Story continues

Tatomir said Air Canada hasn't been helpful since the incident.

"I never want to fly with them again. And the only thing they've given me is coupons for their own flights."

He said the damage to his scooter was compounded by his experience travelling with Air Canada.

When he landed in Toronto to catch a connecting flight he was supposed to be provided with wheelchair assistance, to help him get to the next gate.

But there was no one there to help him and his wife after they landed.

"My wife had to run and carry all our bags so I could try to roll myself," said Tatomir. They made the connection only because the flight was delayed, he said.

He thinks the company should reimburse him for the $1,500 plane ticket and replace his damaged scooter.

Air Canada passed the issue on to Scootaround, a company airlines can hire if wheelchairs are damaged in transit. The company assesses, repairs or replaces damaged scooters and wheelchairs.

CBC contacted Air Canada and Scootaround on Dec. 31.

On Jan. 2, Scootaround reached out to Tatomir to say the company would contact eFoldi and get a quote on a new scooter.

There is currently no timeline for when Tatomir will get his scooter back.

"We have been in contact with the customer through our customer repair service for his scooter," Air Canada said in an email. "We also understand his separate baggage claim has been handled."

The company did not directly respond to CBC's questions.

Tatomir showed CBC his email exchanges with Air Canada. "I'm really sorry that after all this time, your scooter still hasn't been repaired or replaced," an airline representative wrote on Dec. 31.

As well, the company wrote that the customer relations team was reviewing his complaint about the wheelchair assistance in Toronto.
Seven hundred and fifty oil refinery workers who have been locked out from their jobs at Regina, Saskatchewans Cooperative Refinery Complex (CRC) since Dec. 5 now face a draconian court injunction that significantly bolsters the companys campaign to impose contract concessions by using scab labour.

The Dec. 24 court ruling greenlights the companys efforts to maintain production with poorly trained replacement workers by ordering that picketing activities meant to impede the movement of scabs, fuel delivery trucks and equipment shipments be sharply curtailed.

The CRC is the third largest oil refinery in the western provinces, where Canadian oil production is centered.

The highly profitable company, a subsidiary of Federated Cooperatives Ltd. (FCL), has demanded that veteran CRC workers make payments into their defined-benefit pension scheme or move to an inferior program. Members of Unifor, the highly skilled workers have been offered an 11.75 percent wage increase over four years. But the union has estimated that a 17.5 percent rollback in workers pension compensation will result in an actual cut in overall income.

In the previous contract, Unifor pushed through a two-tier pension scheme that places all new hires on a defined-contributions plan precariously tied to the stock market.

Last week, Regina Queens Court Justice Janet McMurtry ruled in favour of managements request for an injunction against the picketers that effectively bars any and all attempts to delay traffic in and out of the refinery complex. Her ruling was in line with a previous interim injunction she had issued the week before, only even more blatantly pro-company than the first.

The restriction of access to or exit from the said premises, ruled Justice McMurtry, shall only last as long as necessary to provide information, to a maximum of ten minutes, or until the recipient of the information indicates a desire to proceed, whichever comes first.

McMurtry concurred with the companys assertion that the first ten days of picketing had been unlawful as the apparent purpose of some of the picketing was not to disseminate information to the public, or to solicit support of the public, but to intimidate replacement workers and others from entering (the refinerys) facilities.

Scott Doherty, executive assistant to Unifor President Jerry Dias, said that although the union had argued for workers to have longer time to inform those crossing the picket line about the dispute, the locked-out workers will abide by the injunction. At this point in time, he told reporters, our members are prepared to live up to the injunction and let people know that what's going on with the lockout and how we want to get back to the bargaining table and get a fair deal."

Refinery management continues to use a recently recruited scab workforce to maintain production at the refinery.

In the first days of the lockout, rank-and-file workers were successful in preventing buses loaded with scabs from entering the refinery. The company then began using helicopters to transport some of the scabs and other supplies.

In a letter to members shortly after the beginning of militant picketing, Unifor Local 594 President Kevin Bittman wrote, When a van carrying Scabs leave (sic) the plant, our protocol is to create a pathway on either side, wave the flags, snap a few pics, and politely ask them to never come back. Please dont track or follow these vehicles.

The companys plan to enforce another concessions contract has been long in the making. Last September, CRC began construction of a camp next to the refinery complex to house replacement workers. It then began a crash-training program for the scabs whereby they shadowed union process operators to try to learn their jobs. The companys open preparations to deploy a scab workforce in the event workers balked at its concession demands elicited no call for job action from the union.

CRCs use of inexperienced, hastily trained scabs to perform the highly dangerous work of refining flammable fossil fuel has raised concerns among people living in proximity to the refinery and throughout Saskatchewans capital city. However, local and provincial government authorities have sided with the company and its claims that the replacement workers are well-trained and capable of containing any emergency situation.

Since the beginning of the lockout, several picketers have been hit by vehicles at the plant gates. A union witness stated that on December 14 a phalanx of company security guards assaulted picketers blocking a vehicle. Reports have emerged that scabs have followed locked-out workers to their homes and sent inflammatory messages. With management endorsement, scabs continuously blasted a derisory Chipmunks Christmas Carol at the financially stressed picketers over the holiday period.

During the court injunction hearing, company lawyers claimed that picketing had caused long lines of fuel trucks at the complex, with truckers waiting 12 hours or more to exit with their loads. However, it was subsequently demonstrated that an unnecessary large number of trucks had been dispatched to the complex so as to make it appear that picketing was creating intolerable traffic congestion and bottlenecks. Moreover, a CRC shipment dispatcher told the court that at certain times during a typical month 12-hour turnarounds for truckers to receive their loads and exit are not unusual.

From 1991 to 2007, Unifors predecessorsthe Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union supported a pro-big business New Democratic Party government in Saskatchewan that refused to legislate anti-scab legislation. Even as the Roy Romanow and Lorne Calvert NDP governments pushed through budgets that slashed education and health spending and pursued privatization, the unions continued to give them their unstinting support.

The current right-wing Saskatchewan Party government has made clear that it fully backs CRCs scab operation and stands ready to intervene legislatively in the companys support if workers mobilize to shut down the refinerys operations. In late November, Labour Minister Don Morgan told reporters that the Saskatchewan government would not tolerate any worker job action that halted production at the refinery and stood ready to use its toolbox of legislative options to keep the refinery operating, but had no objection to the companys contingency plansi.e., its deployment of scabs.

Just as it ordered the oil refinery workers to acquiesce to what it called the uncomfortable replacement worker job-shadowing program, so Unifor has no intention of opposing and defying the anti-worker court ruling.

Instead of mobilizing workers across the region, including the thousands of Unifor members employed by Saskatchewan government Crown Corporations in Regina and its environs, in an all-out fight against the scabbing operation, Unifor has meekly called for a national boycott of FCL.

There is a long history of Unifor and other unions using such boycotts as a cover for isolating and strangling militant worker struggles. In the case of Unifors phony fight against the recent closure of the Oshawa GM assembly plant, opposition to any job action went hand-in-hand with a chauvinist anti-Mexican campaign, spearheaded by a call for consumers not to purchase Mexican-made GM vehicles.

In this case, consumers are being asked to boycott FCL, a company that is comprised of some 200 independent retail co-operatives in Western Canada, encompassing gas stations, grocery and convenience stores and home centres.

Unifors prostration before the courts should come as no surprise. Time and time again the courts have sided with employers and governments in outlawing worker job action against concessions and job cuts, and Unifor has invariably complied.

The CRC injunction demonstrates once again that the courts are nothing more than a mechanism of class rule through which big business enforces its interests, while the unions defuse and smother the class struggle.

Locked-out refinery workers cannot place any confidence in Unifor to resolve the pension dispute in their favour. If they are to prevail against CRC and its Saskatchewan Party government accomplices, they must take the conduct of their struggle into their own hands by forming action committees independently of, and in opposition to, the Unifor bureaucracy. These committees must appeal for a broadening of the struggle to workers across the region and the country who all confront an ever-widening corporate-state attack on their jobs, working conditions and living standards.
President Donald Trump campaigns on a no more "stupid" wars mantra, but the US killing of Iran's military mastermind will test his ability to stay out of Middle Eastern quagmires less than a year from election day. Since the day of his surprise election victory in 2016, Trump has signaled an end to what critics long derided as Washington's global "policeman" role. Now though, Trump is celebrating his order to kill Qasem Soleimani, who as commander of the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign operations was arguably the second most important person in Tehran and a lynchpin of Iranian policy across the region. "He should have been taken out many years ago!" Trump tweeted Friday, adding triumphantly that Soleimani "got caught!" That and an earlier tweet simply posting an American flag show Trump building himself up as a wartime commander ahead of his November reelection attempt and looming impeachment trial in the Senate. It's a posture he will likely promote further at a speech in Florida later Friday to right-wing evangelical Christians. - 'Worst decision ever' - Until now Trump has built his brand on a very different platform. While he has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran he has repeatedly stressed unwillingness to attack the longtime US foe militarily. And in North Korea, a potentially even more dangerous foe, Trump has gone out of his way to befriend dictator Kim Jong Un. That stand gets enthusiastic applause at rallies around the country, following two decades of costly, unpopular and often seemingly fruitless US battles in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. Just last October, Trump shocked US allies with an abrupt order to withdraw military assets backing Kurdish forces in yet another war zone, Syria. That triggered an almost overnight shift in regional power, with Russia, Turkey, Iran and the Syrian government gaining ground. Trump dismissed the ensuing outcry from even his own Republican party, saying that "stupid endless wars, for us, are ending." "GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY!" he tweeted in his trademark all-caps style. That was much the same message issued a month earlier when Trump fired national security advisor John Bolton, a hardliner who has pushed for overthrowing the government in Iran. This was also the message Trump, not even a politician then, delivered back in November 2011 when he lashed out at president Barack Obama. "In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran," Trump sniped. In fact, Obama did not go to war with Iran and won reelection in 2012. - Strong or erratic? - The White House is portraying the Soleimani killing as evidence of strength. The Iranian general was for years seen by both Democrats and Republicans as the single most important individual behind deadly attacks on US interests in the Middle East. Most recently he was accused of approving a mob's attack on the US embassy in Baghdad this week. But while Republicans publicly approve the Soleimani killing, Democrats claim Trump is now going down precisely the warmongering path he long railed against. "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars," leftist Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said. "Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one." Foreign allies, spooked by what they see as the growing US leadership vacuum abroad, are ever more alarmed. "We have woken up to a more dangerous world," France's Europe Minister Amelie de Montchalin told French radio. Trump habitually dismisses Washington's European allies, but he will no doubt be watching the reaction of the US stock market -- one of his favorite barometers of economic performance in the run-up to this year's election. Early trading saw the major indices falling and oil prices spiking.
Since the beginning of the day, January 3, Russian mercenaries landed one attack on positions of Ukrainian forces in Donbas. The enemy used automatic grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms. Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported that on Friday.

"Since the beginning of the day, as of 12 a.m., we spotted one enemy provocation that the enemy committed near the village of Novoluhanske at about 4 a.m.", the message said.

There have been no casualties among the Joint Forces over the mentioned period.

Earlier, on January 2, Russian mercenaries landed two attacks on positions of Ukraine's forces in Donbas. The Joint Forces Operation HQ reported that on Thursday.

The enemy opened fire in Novotroitske, Donetsk region, using grenade launchers of various systems and small arms.

In Luhansk, the militants fired in Orikhove, using an underbarrel grenade launcher.
A Kuwait-based corporation is asking a US court to shed light on the multimillion-dollar lobbying and public relations effort launched by Kuwait-based KGL Investment (KGLI) and its Cayman Islands-based Port Fund on behalf of its former executives, Marsha Lazareva and Saeed Dashti, who are accused of swindling investors. The Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) asked a federal court last week to subpoena a dozen banks in New York as part of a potential lawsuit against the Port Fund.

The GIC has notably asked for documents and information regarding US dollar transactions between Port Fund companies and lobbying and public relations firms, arguing the lawsuit is expected to address the potential misappropriation of Port Fund assets to fund payments to lobbying and public relations firms who were hired (a) without the knowledge or consent of the Port Funds limited partners, and/or (b) to disparage the reputation of the State of Kuwait (one of GICs owners) in an attempt to secure the release from prison of KGLI principals Lazareva and Dashti.

At the heart of the dispute are discrepancies over Port Fund investments in the Philippines, the profits of which the GIC says were not fully distributed to investors. The GIC also claims that suspicious litigation in Dubai by the Port Funds fund manager led to an uncontested award of $57 million to the fund manager that was concealed from the Port Funds limited partners.

In a statement to Al-Monitor, the Port Fund said all the transactions are legal, fully documented, legitimate and within the authority granted to the Port Fund managers. We are surprised that a prestigious company like the Gulf Investment Corporation has allowed itself to become associated with these false allegations, especially after the Port Fund returned a significant profit to all investors.

The GIC, which is owned by the six Gulf Cooperation Council states, is considering suing the Port Fund in the Cayman Islands, but a federal law from 1948 makes it possible for foreign actors to request discovery in the United States. The requested subpoenas could shed light on the activities of high-level lobbyists, including former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., former Veterans Affairs Secretary and Republican National Committee Chairman R. James Nicholson and former Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy Randa Fahmy. Their respective firms  Squire Patton Boggs, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and Fahmy Hudome International  were listed in the court documents, along with law firm Crowell & Moring, all of which formerly lobbied for the Port Fund and now work for KGLI. PR firms Sanglier Media and Tricuro, which work directly for Lazareva, are also listed.

KGLI and the Port Fund have spent more than $4 million on lobbying since 2018. Transactions with lobbying and public relations firms are being sought from five banks: Bank of New York, Citibank, HSBC, JP Morgan and Standard Chartered.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 21:46:34|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TEHRAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The decades-long tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated following the recent events.

The latest confrontation between Tehran and Washington on Friday, which led to the killing of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), has nurtured a risk that could lead to a war.

Here is a chronology of events related to the tension between the two countries.

On Dec. 29, the U.S. military launched deadly airstrikes on three locations in Iraq and two in Syria controlled by the Iraqi paramilitary group of Kata'ib Hezbollah, a group allied with Iran, in response to the killing of a U.S. civilian contractor in a rocket attack on its military base in Iraq.

Iran's supreme leader strongly condemned the deadly U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, calling it an "evil act of America."

Following the airstrikes, when the U.S. embassy was raided by the supporters of the Kata'ib Hezbollah, the United States held Iran "fully responsible" for the offense, which was dismissed by Iran who called it a "genuine" reaction by the Iraqis.

In July 2019, the U.S. navy announced that it had downed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz after the drone approached a U.S. Navy ship.

In June, Iran announced downing a U.S. Global Hawk drone in the Strait of Hormuz for "violating its sea borders." The Iranian move was followed by the U.S. "cyberattack on the IRGC and Iran's missile systems and imposing new sanctions on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top Iranian military commanders."

In May, the United States deployed B-52 nuclear-capable bombers and additional Patriot missile batteries to the Middle East in an attempt it claimed to "deter Iran from possible attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria."

In the same month, the U.S. defense officials blamed Iran for a rocket attack on Baghdad's Green Zone in Iraq, which made U.S. government to evacuate employees from Iraq. Iran categorically denied the U.S. allegations.

The deprivation of Iran from its oil revenues, which is the lifeblood of Iran's economy, put Iran in a dire condition. Iran threatened to seal the Hormuz waterway for other beneficiaries if it cannot sell its oil.

After a number of suspicious attacks on the oil vessels in the Gulf and the Sea of Oman in June and a raid on the Saudi Aramco facilities in September last year, the U.S. stepped up its military presence in the region, deployed an additional 2,500 troops to the Middle East, and called for a coalition to secure the shipping lane.

The United States and Saudi Arabia accused Iran of being behind attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Iran denied its involvement in it, but the attacks were claimed by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants.

In April 2019, the United States designated Iran's IRGC as a terrorist organization, which prompted Iran to retaliate and name U.S. troops in Middle East as terrorists.

After U.S. withdrawal from the Iranian 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018, Trump administration sought a strategy of maximum pressure campaign to force Iran to the negotiating table for a renewed nuclear deal and the curb of its controversial missile program, which Tehran has rejected.

In response to the U.S. move of quitting the nuclear deal and imposing old and new economic and banking sanctions, Iran has started to reduce its commitments to the accord in a staged manner, namely to exceed the agreed caps on its stockpiles of low-grade enriched uranium, to start relevant research and development activities, and to surpass the allowable level of purity.

Iran also threatened to do more if its economic interests are not secured under the deal.

A man sets up a poster of senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 5, 2020. The latest confrontation between Tehran and Washington on Jan. 3, which led to the killing of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), has nurtured a risk that could lead to a war. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

A man walks past a poster of senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 5, 2020. The latest confrontation between Tehran and Washington on Jan. 3, which led to the killing of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), has nurtured a risk that could lead to a war. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)
Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd on Friday said it has inked a pact with Samsung India Electronics for manufacturing LED TVs for the latter.

The company, however, didn't disclose details about production and other aspects of the partnership.

"Dixon shall be manufacturing LED TV for Samsung from its manufacturing facility located at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh," the company said in a BSE filing.

Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd is engaged in manufacturing products in the consumer durables segment, lighting and mobile phones markets in India. Its diversified product portfolio includes CCTV and DVRs as well.

"Considering the faith they have bestowed on Dixon by collaborating in washing machines, mobile phones and now LED TVs, we are hopeful that our partnership grows sturdier with time," Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd Executive Chairman Sunil Vachani said.

The company also provides services such as repair and refurbishment of set top boxes, mobile phones and LED TV panels.

Samsung had shifted its entire TV manufacturing to Vietnam from Chennai last year. According to sources, the environment is now conducive for manufacturing LED TVs in India after the government's move to roll back custom duty imposed on display panels to zero.

Presently, Samsung imports its portfolio of TVs from Vietnam to India under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

However, Samsung declined to comment on the matter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Illustrations of NASA's Curiosity (also known as the Mars Science Laboratory, or MSL) and Mars 2020 rovers. While the newest rover borrows from Curiosity's design, each has its own role in the ongoing exploration of Mars and the search for ancient life.

NASA plans to launch a rover to Mars this July to hunt for signs of ancient Red Planet life .

The new Mars 2020 rover's body is similar to that of the older Curiosity rover , which landed in 2012. But the two machines are quite different in important ways.

Curiosity's mission centers on assessing the past habitability of its landing site, the 96-mile-wide (154 kilometers) Gale Crater. The rover quickly determined that Gale harbored a potentially habitable lake-and-stream system in the ancient past, and Curiosity is now fleshing out that long-gone environment as it climbs the foothills of Mount Sharp, which rises 3.4 miles (5.5 km) into the sky from Gale's center.

Related: NASA's Mars Rover 2020 Mission in Pictures

NASA's Mars 2020 rover looks virtually the same as Curiosity, but there are a number of differences. One giveaway to which rover you're looking at is 2020's aft cross-beam, which looks a bit like a shopping cart handle. (Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Mars 2020 will characterize the habitability of its landing site, Jezero Crater , after touching down in February 2021. But the new rover will also hunt for ancient biosignatures  signs of past life that could be lurking in rock or soil samples. And Mars 2020 will cache the most promising samples for return to Earth by a future mission.

The mass and dimensions of the rovers differ as well. Mars 2020 is about 5 inches (13 centimeters) longer and 280 lbs. (127 kilograms) heavier than Curiosity. That's because Mars 2020 will carry a different set of tools, officials with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) explained in a recent statement .

The two robots' arms have the same reach (7 feet, or 2.2 meters). But Mars 2020 has bigger instruments and a larger drill to do "coring."

"The drill will cut intact rock cores, rather than pulverizing them, and they'll be placed in sample tubes via a complex storage system," JPL officials said in the statement.

Curiosity has 17 cameras, including both color and black-and-white shooters. Mars 2020, by comparison, will carry 23, and most of them will take color photos. In addition, Mars 2020's Mastcam-Z will improve upon Curiosity's Mast Camera with zoom and high-definition video.

The newer rover, unlike its predecessor, will also carry two microphones to listen to the sounds of landing on Mars, as well as the Red Planet wind and the zaps coming from Mars 2020's onboard laser-equipped instrument.

Mars 2020 also will improve upon Curiosity's aluminum wheels, which have been damaged by sharp rocks. NASA successfully modified its driving plan for Curiosity to see it through its time on the Red Planet. But such troubleshooting may not be necessary for Mars 2020, whose wheels are bigger and thicker, and sport more treads, or "grousers."

"Extensive testing in JPL's Mars Yard has shown these treads better withstand the pressure from sharp rocks but work just as well on sand," JPL officials said.

Mars 2020 will also take advantage of advances in computing for "self-driving smarts," figuring out its path on Mars autonomously up to five times faster than Curiosity can. Mars 2020 team members hope this upgraded brain will reduce the amount of planning time needed for navigation, allowing the new rover to cover more ground and accomplish more tasks.

With the self-driving technique, daily operations could take 5 hours, compared with 7 for Curiosity, JPL officials stated. (Curiosity used to require 19 hours of analysis, but improved operations and newer autonavigation on Curiosity have reduced that time considerably in seven years.)

A final major difference is in the landing. Like Curiosity, Mars 2020 will endure "seven minutes of terror" that wraps up with a rocket-powered sky crane lowering the robot to the Martian surface on cables. But the new rover features "terrain relative navigation," an advanced system that will allow Mars 2020 to land much more precisely than its predecessor.

Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace . Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook .
Actor Deepika Padukone had a clear reply for a reporter who asked her if her husband Ranveer Singh had invested in her debut production, Chhapaak,at the launch event for its title track in Mumbai on Friday.

Excuse me, yeh mere khud ke paise hain. Kisne bola yeh? Excuse me, It is my own money, Deepika said in her reply to the reporter. Deepika and the entire crowd laughed at the question and her reply to it. Director Meghna Gulzar also added that it is wrong to assume that Ranveers money was put in the film.

Deepika Padukone, Meghna Gulzar and Laxmi Aggarwal at the title song launch of Chhapaak.

The persistent reporter then asked Deepikas co-star Vikrant Massey if he got a compliment from Ranveer about working with his wife. Meghna said that Ranveer would have to watch the film before he could give compliments.

At the event, Deepika also talked about how she does not consider Chhapaak to be a risky project. People are saying that we have taken a big risk, but I dont think of this (film) as a risk. It is something that she (Gulzar) has lived with for so many years. As a human being and a director, she was ready to tell the story. She came to me with it and I instantly said yes to the film, so there hasnt been over-thinking or over-processing. I think whatever we have done to make this film was done very instantly and instinctively, and with a lot of heart. We want people to receive this film the way we have made it, said Deepika.

Also read: Kapil Sharma Shows Sumona Chakravarti says shes literally asking for work

Talking about turning producer with the film and her journey, she added The entire journey was special. I dont think i can speak of a particular moment or scene as the closest to my heart. I think the entire journey and process has been extremely rewarding. Its the film I am most proud of, among all that I have done in my career. I am not thinking much about peoples reactions after its release because that is a different aspect, but this film is something I am proud of, and I am proud that the entire team had faith in Meghnas vision.

Penned by Atika Chohan, Chhapaak is set to hit theatres on January 10, 2020.

Follow @htshowbiz for more
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Police are hoping to identify and speak with three people after $6,000 in merchandise was stolen from an East Paris Avenue SE business in mid-December.

Kent County sheriffs deputies posted surveillance images of the three people, as well as a blue mini-van involved, on the departments Facebook page on Thursday, Jan. 2.

Police said more than $6,000 in merchandise, including clothing, was taken from a business in the 1200 block of East Paris Avenue SE.
A terrorist who was wearing a mock explosive vest was shot dead in Paris this afternoon after stabbing three people, killing a man who was trying to protect his wife.

Witnesses told local media the attacker was yelling 'Allahu Akbar' as he launched the assault in the Hautes-Bruyeres park in the Villejuif suburb shortly after 2pm on Friday.

Police said the man appeared to be wearing an explosive vest and had made off towards a Carrefour supermarket just under a mile away where he was 'neutralised,' shot several times and died at the scene.

Mayor of Villejuif Franck Le Bohellec told Le Parisen the dead man was a 56-year-old who 'was walking with his wife when the attacker approached, he wanted to protect his wife and it was he who suffered the stab wound'.

The knifeman has been identified by French media as Nathan C. by his card details which say he was born in 1997 in Lilas, a commune in the eastern suburbs of Paris.

Several sources said Nathan C. suffered from 'psychological problems.'

He was not being tracked as a religious zealot, although 'elements linked to religion' that 'suggested he had converted to Islam' were found among his personal effects, the local prosecutor's office said.

Two other victims have been rushed to Kremlin-Bicetre hospital and remain in a 'critical condition', authorities said.

Scroll down for video.

The bloodbath took place in the suburb on Villejuif, some seven miles from the centre of the capital, shortly after 2pm on Friday (pictured: emergency services at the scene this afternoon)

French police and rescue team stand at a security perimeter at the Hautes-Bruyeres public park in Villejuif, near Paris today after the horrific rampage that left one dead

French police secure the park in Villejuif near Paris, France on Friday. The mayor of the neighbouring commune, L'Hay-les-Roses, Vincent Jeanbrun, told broadcaster BFM-TV that the attacker assaulted people in a park in Villejuif, then fled to a shopping centre in his area, L'Hay-les-Roses, and was shot by police there.

Police said the attacker had seemingly attacked four victims at random in the park before making off to a Carrefour supermarket just under a mile away where he was 'neutralised,' shot several times and died at the scene

Over 250 people have been killed by jihadists in France since 2015 The attack on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine offices in January 2015 left 17 people dead inside and three outside. The day after the Charlie Hebdo attack, a man linked to the Islamic State (IS) group shot and killed a policewoman in a Paris suburb before taking hostages at a Jewish supermarket the following day, killing four more people. The deadliest came in November 2013, when 130 people died in bombings and shootings at Paris's Bataclan concert hall, several bars and restaurants, and the Stade de France sports stadium. In 2016, a man rammed a truck into a crowd in the Mediterranean resort of Nice on the July 14 national holiday, killing 86 people. He was shot dead by police. In December 2018, a man who swore allegiance to IS shot dead five people at a Christmas market in the eastern city of Strasbourg. Police shot and killed him after a two-day manhunt. Most recently, a police staff member who had converted to a radical version of Islam stabbed four colleagues to death at the Paris police headquarters in October. Advertisement

It is not clear how many others were caught up in the rampage. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told local media: 'In his murderous journey, the suspect tried to attack other victims who managed to avoid it.'

President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the victims and said in a statement: 'We continue to fight determinedly against senseless violence.'

The attack came just four days before France marks the fifth anniversary of the killing of 12 people at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris by two brothers vowing allegiance to Al-Qaeda.

Footage taken at the scene showed armed police moving through the car park of the supermarket and firing shots at the attacker who was seen lying in the middle of a road.

The victims are believed to have been targeted at random and a motive has not yet been established.

A police union source said: 'Four people were attacked by an individual in the Hautes-Bruyeres park, near a supermarket.

'The attacker was armed with a knife and was lashing out at anyone he could.'

He added: 'The attacker appeared to be wearing an explosives vest but was not wearing any shoes when he carried out the attacks.

'Victims were falling down around him, while others raised the alarm ... Members of the anti-criminal brigade were first on the scene, and shot a number of rounds at the man. He was declared dead at the scene.'

A specialist mine-clearance team inspected the man's dead body after his death and said it was 'clear of explosives', said the investigating source.

Armed police in body armour secure the scene at Villejuif near the Paris city centre this afternoon

Police officers move through the park today, the bomb squad arrived at the scene and established there was no explosive threat

Police officers at the park today where the attacker began his assault, lashing out at anyone he could with blades

Armed police head into the Hautes-Bruyeres park after a man launched a terrifying knife attack, targeting passers-by seemingly at random

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Paris police chief Didier Lallement later visited the park, around seven miles from the city centre, which is hugely popular with young families.

Maoyr Franck Le Bohellec said: 'In these difficult times, let's remain united and careful.'

It follows a series of bomb, gun and knife attacks carried out by Islamic State and al-Qaeda operatives in France, dating back to early 2015

The deadliest single terrorist attack ever in the country came in November 2015 when 130 people were killed in Paris.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Paris police chief Didier Lallement later visited the park, around seven miles from the city centre, which is hugely popular with young families

Ambulances at the scene of the attack today on the outskirts of Paris

Paramedics in the suburbs of Paris today at a park around seven miles from the city centre

Paris police secure the park on Friday after the attack was launched shortly after 2pm

Ambulances at the scene of the attack today. Franck Le Bohellec, the Mayor of Villejuif, said: 'In these difficult times, let's remain united and careful'

Police officers secure the scene. The attacker made off towards a Carrefour supermarket just under a mile away where he was 'neutralised,' shot several times, he died at the scene.

Suicide bombers pledging allegiance to ISIS targeted the Stade de France, cafes, restaurants and the Bataclan music venue, where 90 died.

Earlier in the year, two Paris-born gunmen linked to Al-Qaeda broke into the offices of the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine, leaving 17 people dead inside and three outside.

In July 2016, 86 people were called and more than 400 injured when a 19 tonne truck was deliberately driven into crowds on the seafront promenade at Nice, in the South of France.

The terrorist turned out to be a Tunisian immigrant who was shot dead by police.

During the same month, two Isis terrorists murdered an 86-year-old Catholic priest during a church service in Normandy.

Emergency services at the scene this afternoon

Police and ambulance vehicles at the scene today in the quiet Paris suburb of Villejuif

Four people were stabbed in the vicious attack in the Parisian suburbs, one remains in intensive care

There have been frequent knife attacks on the forces of law and order, leading to the deaths of serving police.

In October of this year, a radicalised computer operative working at the Paris Prefecture stabbed four of his colleagues to death.

The attacker - who was also shot dead - turned out to be a Muslim convert who kept extremist Al-Qaeda and Islamic State literature and images on his computer.

Prosecutors have opened an enquiry into the latest attack.
Fast-growing Indian start-up Oyo, which offers budget hotel rooms, is said to have built up its domestic business by employing questionable tactics that are casting doubts on the company's health, the New York Times reported.

Oyo is able to bump up the number of listings on its website by including rooms from unavailable hotels, the Times said, citing chief executive Ritesh Agarwal as well as current and former employees.

Many of those rooms listed are from unlicensed hotels and guesthouses. To dodge problems that authorities might cause them over this practice, the start-up sometimes gives free accommodation to the police and other officials, according to the report.

The newspaper added that Oyo refused to pay hotels the full amounts of money they were allegedly owed, based on interviews with hotel owners and employees, emails, legal complaints, and other documents.

Agarwal founded the company in 2013 at age 19. Since then, Oyo has quickly grown across more than 80 markets and is scaling its business in the U.S. with converted properties in Dallas and Las Vegas.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Friday urged Vice Chancellors of universities not to succumb to "undesirable pressure" from various quarters.

"There is too much undesirable pressure on them (VCs)", the Governor said, addressing teachers at the Mahatma Gandhi University here.

Referring to controversies which hit the MG University recently, including the alleged awarding of special moderation to B Tech students in violation of rules, Khan said he had told all Vice Chancellors that their duty was to conduct the affairs of the University as per the law and the statutes.

"If anybody in the University tries to bring pressure on you to do something which is a departure from the law and statutes, then make it clear to them that you are not going to appease and refer the matter to me".

He assured them that he, as the Chancellor, would take responsibility in suchcases.

Meanwhile, a female research student of the University was taken into custody by the police before the Governor reached the campus.

She reached the venue to meet him personally to submit a complaint against the University Vice Chancellor.

The student, who is doing research in the Nano Technology department, has accused the VC of not providing basic facilities for carrying out the research.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Friday, January 3, 2020

Carl Michael, a member of our Emerging Fellows program initiates publishing a series of blog posts aimed at envisioning the long-term future of the belt and road. This is his first post in our EF blog devoted to BRI. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the APF or its other members.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the most visible manifestation of Chinas stupendous economic resurgence, its overwhelming geopolitical ambition and its sense of purpose. The multi-trillion-dollar initiative and its supercharged timeline is the Chinese governments long-term vision for the future. The BRI, also referred to as One Belt One Road, covers global engagement, international infrastructure, investment, technology, connectivity and trade routes from China to Europe, comprehensively integrated together in strategic, geopolitical and economic terms. The multi-civilizational and massive scope of the BRI covers over fifty countries, touches about a third of the global economy and over sixty percent of humanity. The Chinese President Xi Jinping officially launched the BRI in Beijing in May 2017 with the stated desire of creating peace and prosperity for participating nations through economic corridors and cultural cooperation.

The Belt section of the BRI is the modern incarnation of the historical overland Silk Road, the Silk Road Economic Belt. It extends from China to Europe, via Russia, Central Asia and West Asia. The evolution of the Belt and the development of a new balance of power in the heart of the Eurasian landmass will be of key interest over the coming decades. The Road section of the BRI refers to the maritime Silk Road which has been inspired by medieval Chinese voyages. It links routes, navies and ports into a String of Pearls. Its Western arm extends from the South China Sea, through the Indian Ocean to Africa and thence to Europe via the Suez Canal and its Eastern arm extends to the resources provided by Australia and New Zealand. These roads are vital because the vast majority of global trade is seaborne. In addition to these the BRI has strategically located cross-border corridor extensions, including oil and gas pipelines; it also has the potential for an Arctic Silk Road to take advantage of climate change and to avoid existing maritime chokepoints. A Digital Silk Road comprising the latest cable and wireless network trunk connections and technology standards, a BRI currency Road and a Space Silk Road, could also be considered to be under the aegis of the BRI.

The significance of the BRI cannot be overestimated. It has become Chinas overriding national strategy in a similar manner to the significant moves by the USA, UK, and other Western nations post WW2, in setting up the UNO, the World Bank and the IMF. This is the premier Chinese global cooperation initiative and tremendous effort is being expended into its success by both government and non-government concerns, supported by a colossal diplomatic effort. Given the immense demand for international infrastructure and Chinas huge production capacity and purposeful commitment, the BRI is bound to leave a significant and lasting mark in the international arena where it has been both welcomed and met with suspicion. It brings to the forefront the need for indispensable partnerships, the need to prepare for strategic shocks, and the ability to address overstretch.

The rapid growth of Chinas megalopolises and their existing mesh of connections with the wider world has provided the foundation for the BRI. Building on this milieu of people, capabilities, strategic ambition and commercial interest makes China a key player in the post Vasco da Gama era version of the Great Game, albeit with a much larger game board. The other players, big and small, could end up using this new version of the game as their opportunity for addressing inequality and unlocking the potential of their dynamic populations, thus advancing their own interests. The new game is reshaping alliances, redefining the internal structure of nations, reformulating worldviews and heightening security tensions. With all of this in mind, it is essential for us to examine what underpins the edifice of the BRI in order to foresee how Pax-Sinica could play out in the arena.

THE ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL FUTURISTS is a global community of futurists advancing professional foresight. Our credentialed members help their clients anticipate and influence the future. https://www.apf.org

 Carl Michael 2020
Keynote Speaker

Fridays keynote address is 3 Steps to a Profitable Farm, by Charlotte Smith founder of 3CowMarketing.com. Charlotte and her husband, Marc Rott, own a seasonal pastured poultry farm located in St. Paul, Oregon, producing a little raw milk, eggs, and poultry. After witnessing one too many small business owner close up shop after being run ragged and still not being able to pay the bills with their sales, she founded 3 Cow Marketing to help others transform their marketing skills and begin to live the life they always dreamed of.

3CowMarketing.com is an online marketing training company helping farmers learn the most current online marketing techniques to grow a successful business. Her book Farm Marketing from the Heart is an introduction to the in-depth concepts taught in her twice-annual marketing course.

Due to her dedication to improving the soil, animals and the people who eat their products, in 2016 Charlotte was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women in the World in Food and Agriculture by the non-profit, Food Tank.

Trade Show
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - A dozen terrorists were killed Friday in an attack on a gendarmerie station in Inata locality in the Sahel, PANA learnt from security sources
Dealings by and on behalf of Trump involving Ukraine are the basis for his impeachment. The House approved two articles last month  alleging abuse of power and obstruction of Congress  but Democratic leaders have not yet transmitted them to the Senate, where Trump is expected to face trial.
Union minister Smriti Irani on Friday asked the Congress how long it would "insult the sacrifices" of Veer Savarkar and said the opposition party will have to give an answer to the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.

"The Congress, which is one of the ruling parties in Maharashtra, will have to answer the Marathi people and all patriots in the country how long will it continue to insult the sacrifice of Veer Savarkar," Irani said at the Delhi BJP office.

She also asked why does the Congress considers its "birthright to humiliate" Veer Savarkar.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer, and the formulator of the Hindutva philosophy.

Irani launched BJP's 'Meri Dilli Mera Sujhav' campaign along with other leaders including the party's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari to gather feedback of the people of Delhi to draft the party's manifesto for forthcoming Assembly polls.
According to the report of the police of Brazil, the thirteen-year-old-girl was sexually violated by her father for more than four years, and as a result lost her life while giving birth to the child that she had conceived with her father.

Luana Ketlen was the name of the schoolgirl who was sexually abused by 36-year old Tome Faba since she was nine years old. None of her family had any idea that the girl was being sexually violated in her own home.

The court had released a verdict on the victim's offender last December 27, 2019. Tobe Faba attended his court hearing and was charged with the crimes of the abuse of a minor and manslaughter.

Luana Ketlen was seven months in her pregnancy with her father's child when she was sent to the hospital in the region of Coari after experiencing severe pain in her stomach. Her family was living in the borders of the city of the Amazon located in the northern part of Brazil.

The schoolgirl's doctors had diagnosed her with acute anemia. It was decided that she had to go under induced labor because of her condition. She successfully gave birth to a premature male baby who survived the delivery.

After the miraculous delivery of the baby boy, the schoolgirl's health worsened. After some tests, it was found out that she was suffering from liver cirrhosis and other complications.

She lost her life while being transported through air to a hospital in Manaus, the state capital of the Amazon.

His dad tried to run away from the authorities after his daughter's death last December 11, 2019. After a week, he was spotted by the authorities hiding in Coari City.

Jose Barradas, the chief of police in Coari, said the girl had stayed with her parents in a rural area away from the city. The girl did not realize her situation until she felt extreme pains in her stomach two months ago. During that time, she was already five months into her pregnancy.

The girl told the authorities of Brazil that she and her father went fishing and it was presumed that she was sexually abused during that time.

A family relative of the girl described Luana as an innocent and immature child. She was traumatized and had kept her situation in the dark until hiding it became so difficult.

When the changes in her body became too suspicious her family started to speculate that she had been abused.

The young girl was persuaded by one of her aunts to point out who violated her.

According to police chief Barradas, she was threatened by her father if she were to tell anyone about the abuse.

The abuse was immediately reported to the police and a warrant of arrest was issued for the father. Before the arrest was executed, the health of the child got worse and later ended her life.

Protests occurred outside the court house where the suspect was under trial in Brazil.
What just happened? Curved screens may have been right there alongside 3D as one of the biggest flops in display tech of the 2010s but Samsung isnt ready to give up on them just yet. The South Korean electronics giant on Friday announced a pair of curved gaming monitors featuring radical designs and class-leading features.

The flagship Odyssey G9 packs a 49-inch display with what Samsung calls the worlds first Dual Quad High-Definition (DQHD, 5,120 x 1,440 resolution) screen sporting a 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time. The HDR1000 VA panel uses Quantum dot technology and boasts an aggressive 1000R curve with 1000 cd/m2 peak brightness.

The G9 looks the part on the outside as well with a futuristic white exterior and an infinity core lighting system with 52 different color options and five lighting effects.

The Odyssey G7, meanwhile, affords the same response time, refresh rate, aggressive curve and performance of the G9 but in smaller 32-inch and 27-inch varieties. With the G7 series, you can expect Quad-High Definition (2,560 x 1,440 resolution), 16:9 aspect ratio and an HDR600 VA panel with 600 cd/m2 peak brightness. The white exterior has also been swapped out for a matte black finish.

All three monitors are G-sync compatible and will be on display at Samsungs booth at CES 2020 next week. Availability is slated for Q2 2020 but unfortunately, pricing remains a mystery at this hour.
A mooted U.S. deployment of medium-range missiles in Asia and resuming full-scale joint South Korea-U.S. military drills are gaining traction in America. Support is growing after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened to scrap a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests.

In an op-ed for the New York Times on Wednesday, Nicholas Eberstadt, a political economist at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote, "Why not start placing medium-range missiles within reach of North Korea?" He suggested deploying them in South Korea or Japan. "Those would be in reach of China, too, of course," he admitted.

China is already pressuring South Korea not to let that happen.


Fifty years ago this weekend, The Beatles completed their last recording session as a group.

The single to which they were putting the final touches was Let It Be, a McCartney masterpiece first recorded the previous year, onto which Harrison now added his famous electric guitar solo. Within weeks, the band would have split for ever.

This was no surprise: 1970 had dawned and Lennon and his long-time collaborator McCartney had scarcely shared a civil word in months.

David Wigg, a veteran Fleet Street and BBC journalist, interviews Paul and Linda McCartney. Wiggs interviews took place between 1969, just after the release of the album Abbey Road, and 1973, by which time the band had no chance of re-forming

The joyful, communal spirit of their anthemic single, All You Need Is Love, recorded almost three years earlier, had been abandoned.

They were at each others throats over many things  money, musical direction, their management  and, in the case of John and Paul, even their wives.

The groups every utterance was picked over by the Press but, in the main, they managed to keep their monumental differences to themselves.

That is why a series of  inevitably  separate interviews they gave at the time are all the more intriguing today, as they are published here for the first time.

They were conducted by David Wigg, a veteran Fleet Street and BBC journalist. Wiggs interviews, offer a fascinating insight into their emotions as the band came to a discordant end, racked with rancour and in-fighting.

Wiggs interviews took place between 1969, just after the release of the album Abbey Road, and 1973, by which time the band had no chance of re-forming.

They were intended for broadcast on BBC Radio 1; yet George and Ringo, perhaps aware of how revelatory they were, fought through their lawyers to prevent publication. It was not until 1976 that the audio album of the interviews was finally released.

Lennon told Wigg The Beatles had been disintegrating slowly since pivotal manager Brian Epstein had died two years earlier in 1967, leaving a vacuum in the running of their business affairs.

It was a slow death, he told Wigg. It was evident in Let It Be [recorded in early 1969] . . . it was evident in The White Album [in 1968, when the group were working as individuals].

When people decide to get divorced, quite often they decide amicably. But then when they cant speak to each other without a lawyer, then theres no communication. And its really lawyers that make divorces nasty.

Wigg interviews John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Lennon told Wigg The Beatles had been disintegrating slowly since pivotal manager Brian Epstein had died two years earlier in 1967

Lennon (left) and McCartney (right) on the cover of the 'Let It Be' album. The pair had a long friendship, punctuated with plenty of rackety times

Lennon was speaking from experience: he had been bogged down in a difficult divorce from wife Cynthia. She found out the marriage was over when she returned to her home in Surrey to find him with Yoko Ono  who was wearing Cynthias dressing gown.

The Beatles own divorce would become equally unpleasant, even though the group, especially McCartney, did their best to paper over the cracks in their interviews. Wigg told me: John and Paul were like brothers. They had an extraordinary bond. It was like a family.

Yet by the time Wigg conducted the interviews, that dysfunctional family was in freefall.

Bitter tensions had emerged over wives and girlfriends. Lennon had already been known to mock Linda McCartney for her henpecking and inspiring what he called McCartneys granny music.

McCartney, for his part, resented Lennon for insisting on bringing Yoko into the recording studio, from which girlfriends and wives had previously been banned. On the tapes, however, Lennon tried to insist that Linda and Yoko werent to blame for the break-up. How can two women split up four strong men? he asked Wigg. Its really lawyers that make divorces nasty. You know if there was a nice ceremony like getting married, for divorce, it would be much better.

Lennon and McCartneys had been a long friendship, punctuated with plenty of rackety times.

The Beatles had shared strippers, hookers and amphetamines in Hamburg  where they properly started in the 1950s  and, later on tour, there were groupies.

In the U.S. they would meet girls, smoke a little marijuana then disappear into their hotel rooms. It was all done very discreetly, as Epstein insisted it should be.

Ringo Starr (left) and George Harrison (right). In July 1970, Starr talked to Wigg fondly about the group, while Harrison suggested that he was getting tired of being a Beatle

During the Wigg interviews, Lennon was not at his most business-like. In fact, he was all over the shop. He had started smoking heroin and, in the studio, the other three Beatles were forced to put up with its effects on him. He was circumspect about his drug use with Wigg, claiming he no longer possesses drugs. But, Lennon added: If somebody offered me some at a party . . . it would depend how I felt.

Meanwhile in his interview, Harrison said the Hare Krishna movement had encouraged him to abandon drugs and alcohol. As soon as I smoked pot, I gave up drinking alcohol because I realised the only reason I was drinking was to get high.

So I got high much easier with pot without any sickness after it. But the thing is, now, that to really have a pure state of consciousness and perception, you must have a perfectly clear mind.

What is perhaps most intriguing (and surprising) about these interviews is the groups evident obsession  not with booze, drugs or even sex  but with money. All by then in their mid to late-20s, they seemed to be driven by the grim and unstated realisation that they werent going to be making more records together. With cash flowing out of The Beatles Apple organisation at a huge rate, three of them wanted to appoint the gangsterish American businessman Allen Klein as their manager.

Klein revelled in his reputation as a bully and once described his management style as: Artists f*** groupies: I f*** artists. He said he feared no evil because he was the biggest b*****d in the valley.

McCartney didnt trust Klein an inch and wanted Lindas father, Lee Eastman, who ran a prestigious New York law firm, to take over. But McCartney was outvoted by the other Beatles: and soon the die was cast for the split.

Paul was vindicated in the Seventies: the other three ended up suing Klein, who later served time in the U.S. for tax evasion.

In his interview with Wigg, shortly after the release of Abbey Road, McCartney was clearly concerned about Klein. But he sidestepped Wiggs questions about the American, insisting that he and the other Beatles remained in control. I dont like doing the business bit that much. But you cant avoid it.

The Beatles own divorce would become equally unpleasant, even though the group, especially McCartney, did their best to paper over the cracks in their interviews

From left to right, Harrison, Starr, Lennon and, in front, McCartney, at the EMI studios in Abbey Road, as they prepare for 'Our World', a worldwide live television show

We were once a band, just a band. But then, because we were successful . . . money comes in . . . income tax has to be paid. So you cant really help just turning into a businessman. McCartney also hinted that he was becoming disenchanted with The Beatles extraordinary fame, and the hangers-on. Theres always someone whos got an uncle or someone who wants a few bob.

But he suddenly becomes an uncle youre not talking to or youre not really friends with. You come home after a hard days work and you want to switch off. But sometimes there are still people outside the house, and I say, Well, can you leave us alone because weve just had a baby?

The Wigg tapes prove Paul was The Beatles consummate diplomat and politician. Often, what McCartney doesnt say is more telling than what he does.

In the later interviews, Paul is the most guarded: perhaps because he had the most to lose, since the others had lined up behind Klein. While their personal differences had become overwhelming, business disputes were at the heart of The Beatles break-up  ever since McCartney had left the group in high dudgeon in the spring of 1970.

Harrison had always resented being patronised by Lennon and McCartney. For many years he had only a token presence as a songwriter, squeezed out  he felt unfairly  by Lennon and McCartney, meaning he didnt get a large enough share of the royalties.

He was also incandescent that Harold Wilsons Labour government was swallowing up so much of The Beatles earnings. (In his interview, Paul had also pointed out sardonically that although the Queen had presented The Beatles with their MBEs in 1965, apparently Harold Wilson really gives you it . . . he decides who gets them.)

Harrison suggested to Wigg that he was getting tired of being a Beatle, not least because the government was taking so much of his income.

His much-vaunted spiritual leanings  he introduced The Beatles to transcendental meditation, persuading them to travel to an ashram [monastery] in India in 1968 to meet the Maharishi  could give way, it seemed, to earthlier matters.

He cavilled to Wigg that Britain cuts its own throat, adding: The British governments policy seems to be: grab as much as you can now because maybe its only gonna last another six months. Its like, illegal to earn money . . . to keep the money you earn. So, you know, why bother working?

John sounded equally angry about The Beatles apparent penury. Wigg interviewed him twice  once in 1969 shortly after his wedding to Yoko, and later in 1971, by which time the bands split was final.

We earned millions, Lennon told Wigg, but I must tell you that we got very little of it.

Lennon and Yoko Ono with McCartney (right) at the premiere of the new Beatles film 'Yellow Submarine' at the London Pavilion in 1968. Lennon and McCartney hold apples, the symbol of their newly formed company, Apple Corps

Weve all got houses  weve managed to pay for them finally now, after all these years and that really only happened since Klein came in, the so-called wolf.

And theres millions earned but we never got it. Theres lots of big companies in London . . . you just have to check them out and their connection with The Beatles and youll see where the money has gone. And in America, too, everybody connected with us is a millionaire, except The Beatles. George and Ringo are practically penniless.

Penniless or not, when the band finally imploded it was left to Ringo to do his best to put a gloss on proceedings. McCartney, usually the groups charmingly emollient mouthpiece, was probably too furious with Lennons involvement with Klein to fulfil his normal role as PR spokesman.

So, in July 1970, Starr talked to Wigg fondly about the group, realising they would never return to the studio together.

Were all still good pals and were all good players . . . weve always really been friends. I mean, weve had our little niggles. Theres that famous old saying: youll always hurt the one you love.

Starrs mood became reflective. Its just that, were men now, you know. Were a bit older than those lads that started out. It doesnt matter, you know, what people say.

You cant live all your life by what they want. We cant go on for ever as four clean little mop-tops, playing She Loves You. The Beatles never did play She Loves You  or any of their other songs  together again.

Lennon disappeared with Yoko to New York, McCartney and Linda set about raising their family in the countryside, first in Scotland and subsequently in East Sussex, where McCartney still has a farm and recording studio.

Harrison settled in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, with wife Olivia. He died of lung cancer in 2001. Starr went to Los Angeles, where he became an alcoholic, eventually drying out with the help of his wife Barbara Bach. (When Wigg interviewed him in the 1970s, he was topping up their morning coffee with cognac.)

McCartney alone is worth almost 1billion. At the time of the Wigg interviews, its clear none of The Beatles had any real sense of their likely longevity and influence

Throughout the 1970s, all four Beatles continued with solo projects, with varying degrees of success. To date, as a group, they have sold 600 million albums worldwide.

For all their protestations at the time, they did become monumentally rich.

McCartney alone is worth almost 1billion; even the amiable pauper-peacemaker Ringo has a net worth of about 300million. At the time of the Wigg interviews, its clear none of The Beatles had any real sense of their likely longevity and influence.

Of the four, Lennon had perhaps the most insight and perception. Yet sometimes that insight deserted him.

Asked by Wigg about his own mortality, he said he was convinced hed live to an old age, only because he was with Yoko. Im not afraid of dying. I am prepared for death, because I dont believe in it, he said. I think its just getting out of one car and into another.

Just over ten years later, on a cold winters night in New York, Lennon went to sign an autograph for a young fan called Mark Chapman whod been waiting patiently outside his apartment.

Chapman shot him four times in the back. He died in hospital less than half an hour later.

Extracts from The Beatles Tapes From The David Wigg Interviews.
A pregnant woman who had her hand shaken by Scott Morrison said the Prime Minister turned his back on her when her home was razed by flames.

Zoey Salucci-McDermott, from the bushfire ravaged town Cobargo, on the NSW south coast, was filmed on Thursday refusing to shake Mr Morrison's hand.

The mother, who has a 22-month old daughter, Uma, said the Prime Minister ignored her pleas for help when she has nothing left.

Pregnant woman Zoey Salucci McDermott (pictured) implored Scott Morrison to do more for bushfire ravaged communities after losing her home but said she was ignored

'I have lost everything I own,' she wrote on Facebook.

'My house is burnt to the ground and the Prime Minister turned his back on me.'

On Thursday, Ms Salucci-McDermott, who is 28-weeks pregnant, begged Mr Morrison during his visit to bushfire affected towns to inject more funding into supporting firefighters.

'I'm only shaking your hand if you give more funding to our RFS. So many people here have lost their homes,' the young woman said.

As she spoke, Mr Morrison yanked her hand, briefly patted her on the shoulder, then moved on to speak to someone else.

Cobargo was one of the worst-affected areas on New Year's Eve, losing several buildings on its main street, while a local father and son were killed trying to defend their home, and dozens of homes burnt down.

The Cobargo resident said the interaction left her 'heart broken'.

Scott Morrison seized the young mother's hand despite her telling him she would only greet him if he provided more funding to the Rural Fire Service

'It broke my heart, I would have happily sat down and had a cuppa with him if he'd just asked if I was okay,' she told 10Daily.

'I told him it was a war zone, and he walked away, and it broke my heart.

'I couldn't do anything but stand there.'

She added that the visit felt 'insincere' and that the Prime Minister did not ask locals questions about how the fire had affected them.

Tourists and residents have been told to evacuate a 250km stretch of the New South Wales south coast (pictured) as devastating bushfires threaten the area, along with an area of the Shoalhaven between Burrill Lake north and Nowra

The expecting mother said the fire claimed everything she owns except her car and a few belongings packed inside.



Friends applauded Ms Salucci-McDermott online for her refusal to shake the PMs hand.

'I cant believe he f*****g walked away from you!' one woman wrote.

Another added: 'Oh my goodness this is so sad Zoey, and the fact you refused to shake his hand so he took yours and shook it for you, heartbreaking.

The video of the confrontation quickly went viral, causing a lot of comment online.

Mr Morrison was shamed on Twitter for how he handled the situation when he was heckled in Cobargo

Another resident, a fireman who also lost his home in the fire, also refused to shake Mr Morrison's hand.

Earlier on Thursday, the Prime Minister was abused by some angry Cobargo residents who told him he 'should be ashamed of himself' while others called him 'Scum-mo' for 'leaving the country to burn'.

In recent weeks, the nation's leader has been heavily criticised for taking a Hawaiian holiday in December as catastrophic fires tore through the country.

Mr Morrison can be seen trying to shake the fireman's hand, however, the man only looks at Mr Morrison's hand before shaking his head. 'I don't really want to shake your hand,' the fireman said

Mr Morrison responded on Friday by saying he understood the emotional response and did not take it personally.

'Whether they're angry at me or they're angry at their situation, I know that people are hurting I know that they're raw - I don't take these things personally.'' Mr Morrison said in an interview with Melbourne radio station 3AW.

'I understand that, I understand the emotion, the hurt, the frustration and anger.'

The Prime Minister has since come under fire over the soured visit by those in his own party.

A Cobargo resident, Gary Hinton, looks lost as he stands by rubble after a fire tore through the town on New Years Eve

Bega state Liberal MP and NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance fired a shot of his own at the embattled PM, telling Sunrise his boss received 'the welcome he probably deserved'.

'I didn't even know he was coming and I haven't had a call from him, so to be honest with you, the locals gave him the welcome he probably deserved,' Mr Constance said.

'I'd say this to the Prime Minister today  the nation wants you to open up the cheque books, obviously help people rebuild their lives.

'I know this is tough and I know I'm on his side of politics, but, you know, (NSW Premier) Gladys (Berejiklian) and (RFS Commissioner) Shane Fitzsimmons came here two days ago and they obviously visited the fire-affected part of my electorate in the north  this is the feeling that people are going through and I really need everybody to rally together and support each other.

'It's cruel, it's nasty. The Cobargo community lost people.'
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Helio Resource Corp. (TSX-V: HRC), (Helio or the Company) is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated December 20, 2019 , it has proceeded with its name change from Helio Resource Corp. to Winshear Gold Corp..



The company has received TSX Venture Exchange approval of its proposed name change and effective January 7, 2020, the Companys shares will commence trading under the new name Winshear Gold Corp. and new ticker symbol TSX-V:WINS. The Companys new CUSIP number is 97536W108 and the new ISIN number is CA97536W1086.

There is no consolidation of share capital. Shareholders are not required to exchange their existing share certificates for new certificates bearing the new company name and Company shares held electronically will be booked automatically. The name change does not affect the rights of the Company's shareholders, and no further action is required by existing shareholders with respect to the name change.

The company will also launch a new website at www.winshear.com.

Effective Date: January 7, 2020 Trading Symbol: TSX-V:WINS New CUSIP: 97536W108 New ISIN: CA97536W1086

About Helio Resource Corp.

Helio Resource Corp. is a Canadian based junior gold exploration company focusing on its orogenic shear zone-hosted Gaban gold project in Peru.

In September of 2019, Helio completed the acquisition of the Gaban Gold and Tinka I.O.C.G. projects in Peru from Palamina Corp. The Gaban Gold Project, located in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt in south eastern Peru, is approximately 750km east-south east of Lima. Helio is exploring shear zones within Gaban as the possible source rock of the alluvial gold in the drainages at Gaban and at Madre De Dios, where they are currently being mined by artisanal miners.

Helio has completed 3 reconnaissance exploration programs between October and December of 2019. Results are pending and will be released when received. A surface rights study is also being completed in order to assist with drill planning and permitting.

For more information please contact Irene Dorsman on (604) 210-8751.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Richard D. Williams

Richard D. Williams, P.Geo

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.
Emma Langford is facing jail (Picture: SWNS)

A mum-of-two who went on a drunken rampage on a British Airways jumbo jet will not find out her fate until a court receives evidence she is seeking treatment for her alcoholism.

Emma Langfords case was adjourned at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday.

The 47-year-old admitted attacking BA staff on the flight to Cape Town in South Africa, punching the manager and kicking another in the back of the legs while screaming: You have a massive ar**.

Langford then pulled out trays of stowed plates and glasses, causing them to shatter on the floor and cutting another member of staff before pummeling cabin crew on December 6, 2018.

Emma Langford, 47, leaves Uxbridge Magistrates Court, after appearing accused of drunkenly assaulting three people aboard a British Airways flight (Picture: PA)

She eventually had to be restrained with the help of an off-duty police officer on the flight before being carried off the plane when it touched down in Cape Town.

Langford had previously pleaded guilty to charges of three assaults, criminal damage, being drunk on an aircraft, and behaving in a threatening manner towards cabin crew.

She faces up to two years imprisonment.

Isleworth Crown Court heard how Langford, as part of matters relating to the custody of her two young sons, is now accompanied by a woman who observes her 24 hours a day and lives in her Old Baising, Hampshire home to ensure she does not drink alcohol.

She is also to wear a SCRAM bracelet, a device that is able to detect alcohol in the system every half an hour.

Both the prosecutor and defence sought to adjourn the matter for a pre-sentence report to be completed and for the court to receive a letter from her psychiatrist.

Emma Langford went on a drunken rampage on a BA plane (Picture: SWNS)

Prosecutor Douglas Adams said: She has two recent convictions for drinking and driving.

Guy Wyatt, defending Langford, added: Its a mystery why no one prior to this hearing made a pre-sentence report.

There are mental health difficulties and a serious history of alcohol abuse at play here.

Its my application for a full pre-sentence report to be completed. I acknowledge the case law is severe. It makes it clear that its a rare thing for anything other than a custodial sentence.

Story continues

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Mr Wyatt said: This lady had a plan to go to an alcohol rehabilitation centre. Its not been a story of success, unfortunately.

Recorder Joseph Boothby said: It seems to me that you have a background and history the court will want to know before I consider the extreme measure of sentencing you to prison.

You will be back here on 31 January. You will be released on unconditional bail, the same as you were before.

At Langfords previous hearing at Ealing Magistrates Court on December 4, her actions were deemed so serious that she must be sentenced at a crown court.
This year that tension played out on the annual family vacation at the Jersey Shore. Ruth felt she could manage the stairs in the rental house. Her daughters felt it was unsafe. At the end of the week she said she did not want to go back next year. Her children made her record it, saying shed said the same thing the previous year, but then forgotten it.

I feel sorry for them, my girls, because I give them a hard time, Ruth said. Theyre happy to have me. Im happy I have them. Im very blessed.

It is this bond that makes death harder for Ruth to face, not for herself, but for her children. Dying will be her last act as a parent; her last request, that her children let her go.

Judy Willig sees this challenge all the time. But she said it was easier to help her staff talk about mortality with clients than to do so with her own family. Yet they manage, she said.

Im going to be very sad, she said. Im very close to my mom. But we also talk about it, a lot. We dont sit down and say, O.K., lets talk about death today. But it certainly comes up in our conversation. When we go to make a doctors appointment and they say, Come back six months from now, shell say, I might not be here. Theres the constant reality of it. Shes very reality-based in that.

In her assisted-living building, Ruth, too, sees neighbors dying or deteriorating, the regular appearance of stretchers coming and going. When she watches a neighbor struggle to get to kidney dialysis treatments, she said, I think to myself, if that were me, I would not go.

Her children, she said, know that she feels that way. They agree with that, I think. When death comes, death comes. I dont discuss it with them.
Trump told his Turkish counterpart on Thursday that "foreign interference is complicating the situation" in the war-torn country, according to a statement released by the White House, Xinhua news agency reported.

Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) US President Donald Trump spoke over phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Libya and other regional issues, said the White House.

The two leaders agreed on the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians, the statement added.

Turkish Parliament on Thursday approved a motion authorizing a one-year deployment of its troops in Libya, despite the warning from some opposition parties that it will endanger Turkish soldiers' lives and add fuel to the proxy war in the North African nation.

Libya has been locked in a civil war that escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk which is allied with the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.

Turkey, along with its ally Qatar, backs the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj, while their rivals, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, support the LNA.

sdr/
Minster of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yun-mo, center, inspects Soulbrain's hydrofluoric acid manufacturing facility in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Thursday. / Courtesy of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy



By Baek Byung-yeul



Soulbrain has begun mass-producing hydrofluoric acid, an essential material for semiconductors and one of the three export items that Japan has restricted to South Korea, the chemical materials producer said, Friday.



The company said it completed the expansion of its hydrofluoric acid manufacturing factory and succeeded to mass-produce high-purity hydrofluoric acid with a purity level of 99.9999999999 percent (12 nine). It will supply the acid to Korean chipmakers.



The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Soulbrain's localization of the chemical, for which Korean semiconductor companies have depended mainly on Japanese suppliers, is the result of the government's efforts to speed up localization of high-tech materials.



"Soulbrain built additional factories to double its production capacity of high-purity hydrofluoric acid. Due to the increased production capacity, the company is now able to supply about two-thirds of hydrofluoric acid needed by Korean semiconductor companies," a trade ministry official said.



Since Japan placed export control on high-tech materials outbound for Korea in July, the Korean government has strengthened its efforts to support local high-tech materials, parts and equipment companies to reduce Korea's heavy reliance on Japanese suppliers.



"The government has been closely working together with local companies to respond to Japan's export controls. Soulbrain's being able to mass-produce hydrofluoric acid earlier than scheduled is a prime example of such effort," Trade Minister Sung Yun-mo said while visiting Soulbrain's factory in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, Thursday.



Kang Byung-chang, CEO of Soulbrain, said his company could complete the expansion of its hydrofluoric acid manufacturing factory earlier than expected thanks to the government's support.



"Soulbrain was able to achieve early completion of building a new factory as the government granted us a license to handle chemical substances," Kang said. The company was expected to open its new factory in May 2020 but the government advanced the schedule, issuing it a license in October 2019.



Soulbrain is benefiting from the export curbs as Korean chipmakers would use an increasing number of high-tech materials of the local chemical firm to diversify their supply chains.



Though its shares closed at 47,200 won on June 28, the stock price ended at 84,300 won on Dec. 30. After the company succeeded in mass-producing hydrofluoric acid, Soulbrain shares increased by 0.71 percent to 84,800 won.



Thanks to the government's drive to nurture local companies in materials, parts and equipment, Soulbrain is expected to post the sales of over 1 trillion won for the first time in 2019.



According to the data compiled by market researcher FnGuide, Soulbrain's 2019 sales are estimated at 1.3 trillion won, up about 7 percent year-on-year. Operating profit is also expected to grow to 183.3 billion won, an 11.7 percent increase from a year earlier.



"As the semiconductor industry is expected to see an upturn in 2020 and Korean chip makers are expected to use more materials manufactured by local companies, Soulbrain's sales performance will be improved constantly," said Song Myung-seop, an analyst at HI Investment & Securities.


PHILADELPHIA  Two Philadelphia men have been charged in a series of robberies of pharmaceutical supply trucks in the Delaware Valley earlier this year, including at least one at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby.

Darryl Goodman, 55, and Nieem Cann, 26, are charged with various offenses including conspiracy, Hobbs Act robbery, brandishing a firearm, carjacking, and possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver in the 10-count indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain indicated in a release that Cann and Goodman targeted delivery workers and drivers for the pharmaceutical supplies company TXX Services in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Delaware County and New Jersey over a four-month period.

The allegations here are appalling, as the defendants ruthlessly stalked their victims before violently assaulting them, said McSwain. The TXX employees were simply doing their jobs, delivering much-needed medicine and supplies to healthcare centers, and of course should not have had to worry about having a gun pointed at them. It takes a special kind of depravity to steal medicine and hospital supplies in this manner.

Between February and May, Goodman and Cann allegedly traveled to a TXX Services warehouse in Cherry Hill, N.J., and followed departing trucks making their deliveries. The pair would allegedly assault the driver, carjack the van and abduct the victim, then drive to another location where they would raid the supplies to resell them on the street.

In the Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital incident, which took place in March 2019, the defendants managed to steal more than $140,000 worth of controlled substances and hospital supplies, according to the release, including numerous vials of fentanyl citrate, a highly addictive opioid pain medicine.

Not only did these defendants allegedly commit a string of brazen, violent carjack robberies, they did so in order to steal and sell controlled pharmaceuticals, including fentanyl, on the street, said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBIs Philadelphia Division. Know that the Philadelphia Violent Crimes Task Force is working each and every day to stop dangerous criminals who have decided to make their money preying on the public.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Solow. If convicted, both defendants face a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment.
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Unredacted emails on Trumps withholding of aid from Ukraine unless they launched an investigation into Joe Biden has blown up Mitch McConnells impeachment trial scam.

Just Security reviewed the unredacted emails and reported:



The documents reveal growing concern from Pentagon officials that the hold would violate the Impoundment Control Act, which requires the executive branch to spend money as appropriated by Congress, and that the necessary steps to avoid this result werent being taken. Those steps would include notifying Congress that the funding was being held or shifted elsewhere, a step that was never taken. The emails also show that no rationale was ever given for why the hold was put in place or why it was eventually lifted.

What is clear is that it all came down to the president and what he wanted; no one else appears to have supported his position. Although the pretext for the hold was that some sort of policy review was taking place, the emails make no mention of that actually happening. Instead, officials were anxiously waiting for the president to be convinced that the hold was a bad idea. And while the situation continued throughout the summer, senior defense officials were searching for legal guidance, worried they would be blamed should the hold be lifted too late to actually spend all of the money, which would violate the law.

Mitch McConnells entire justification for a quickie impeachment trial has been that there is no evidence and nothing that would merit calling witnesses to testify at Trumps impeachment trial, but these emails tell a different tale.

There is a whole lot to see here, including an administration that was lined up against a president who was the only person blocking military aid to Ukraine unless they investigated Joe Biden.

Given this new evidence, Republican Senators whose seats are at risk in 2020 may not be able to go along with Mitch McConnells sham Trump impeachment trial.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
Credit: sdecoret/Shutterstock

If we discovered evidence of alien life, would we even realize it? Life on other planets could be so different from what we're used to that we might not recognize any biological signatures that it produces.

Recent years have seen changes to our theories about what counts as a biosignature and which planets might be habitable, and further turnarounds are inevitable. But the best we can really do is interpret the data we have with our current best theory, not with some future idea we haven't had yet.

This is a big issue for those involved in the search for extraterrestrial life. As Scott Gaudi of Nasa's Advisory Council has said: "One thing I am quite sure of, now having spent more than 20 years in this field of exoplanets  expect the unexpected."

But is it really possible to "expect the unexpected"? Plenty of breakthroughs happen by accident, from the discovery of penicillin to the discovery of the cosmic microwave background radiation left over from the Big Bang. These often reflect a degree of luck on behalf of the researchers involved. When it comes to alien life, is it enough for scientists to assume "we'll know it when we see it"?

Many results seem to tell us that expecting the unexpected is extraordinarily difficult. "We often miss what we don't expect to see," according to cognitive psychologist Daniel Simons, famous for his work on inattentional blindness. His experiments have shown how people can miss a gorilla banging its chest in front of their eyes. Similar experiments also show how blind we are to non-standard playing cards such as a black four of hearts. In the former case, we miss the gorilla if our attention is sufficiently occupied. In the latter, we miss the anomaly because we have strong prior expectations.

Watching this video shows how you can miss something as unusual as a gorilla if your attention is diverted.

There are also plenty of relevant examples in the history of science. Philosophers describe this sort of phenomenon as "theory-ladenness of observation". What we notice depends, quite heavily sometimes, on our theories, concepts, background beliefs and prior expectations. Even more commonly, what we take to be significant can be biased in this way.

For example, when scientists first found evidence of low amounts of ozone in the atmosphere above Antarctica, they initially dismissed it as bad data. With no prior theoretical reason to expect a hole, the scientists ruled it out in advance. Thankfully, they were minded to double check, and the discovery was made.

Could a similar thing happen in the search for extraterrestrial life? Scientists studying planets in other solar systems (exoplanets) are overwhelmed by the abundance of possible observation targets competing for their attention. In the last 10 years scientists have identified more than 3,650 planetsmore than one a day. And with missions such as NASA's TESS exoplanet hunter this trend will continue.

Each and every new exoplanet is rich in physical and chemical complexity. It is all too easy to imagine a case where scientists do not double check a target that is flagged as "lacking significance," but whose great significance would be recognized on closer analysis or with a non-standard theoretical approach.

More than 200,000 stars captured in one small section of the sky by Nasas TESS mission. Credit: NASA

However, we shouldn't exaggerate the theory-ladenness of observation. In the Muller-Lyer illusion, a line ending in arrowheads pointing outwards appears shorter than an equally long line with arrowheads pointing inwards. Yet even when we know for sure that the two lines are the same length, our perception is unaffected and the illusion remains. Similarly, a sharp-eyed scientist might notice something in her data that her theory tells her she should not be seeing. And if just one scientist sees something important, pretty soon every scientist in the field will know about it.

History also shows that scientists are able to notice surprising phenomena, even biased scientists who have a pet theory that doesn't fit the phenomena. The 19th-century physicist David Brewster incorrectly believed that light is made up of particles traveling in a straight line. But this didn't affect his observations of numerous phenomena related to light, such as what's known as birefringence in bodies under stress. Sometimes observation is definitely not theory-laden, at least not in a way that seriously affects scientific discovery.

We need to be open-minded

Certainly, scientists can't proceed by just observing. Scientific observation needs to be directed somehow. But at the same time, if we are to "expect the unexpected," we can't allow theory to heavily influence what we observe, and what counts as significant. We need to remain open-minded, encouraging exploration of the phenomena in the style of Brewster and similar scholars of the past.

Studying the universe largely unshackled from theory is not only a legitimate scientific endeavorit's a crucial one. The tendency to describe exploratory science disparagingly as "fishing expeditions" is likely to harm scientific progress. Under-explored areas need exploring, and we can't know in advance what we will find.

In the search for extraterrestrial life, scientists must be thoroughly open-minded. And this means a certain amount of encouragement for non-mainstream ideas and techniques. Examples from past science (including very recent ones) show that non-mainstream ideas can sometimes be strongly held back. Space agencies such as NASA must learn from such cases if they truly believe that, in the search for alien life, we should "expect the unexpected."

Explore further Astronomers determine earth's fingerprint in hopes of finding habitable planets beyond the solar system

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Chief Advisor to Irans Supreme Leader Ali Akbar Velyati has warned the US of the consequences of the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, the IRGC commander of the Quds special forces, Mehr reported.

Martyrdom of General Qasem Soleimani, to whom we owe most of our victories, will give a new life to the Resistance Front, Velayati said.

Americans and their mercenaries will pay for the consequences of this terrorist crime, he added.

With the support of regional countries, the Resistant Axis will take General Soleimanis revenge, he said, adding that the path of the General will be followed with more resistance and authority.

General Soleimani has been one of the main figures in the fight against terrorism in the past few years in Iraq and Syria.

Iranian officials, including the country's top leader, have vowed to avenge the US for his assassination.
The Quadrantid meteor shower is expected to be visible until dawn (Tim Ireland/PA)

Skygazers are set for some celestial fireworks as the first meteor shower of 2020 looks to light up the night skies.

The Quadrantid meteor shower is expected to peak on the night of January 3 and, weather permitting, will be visible until the early morning of January 4.

Nicola Maxey, a spokeswoman for the Met Office, said the weather looks fairly cloudy for much of the country on Friday night.

But Saturday will be mostly dry with variable cloud and some bright or sunny spells, particularly in the south, she added.

Meteor showers, or shooting stars, are caused when pieces of debris, known as meteorites, enter the planets atmosphere at speeds of around 43 miles per second, burning up and causing streaks of light.

Named after the now-defunct constellation of Quadrans Muralis, the Quadrantid meteor shower appears to radiate from near the constellation of Bootes beside the Big Dipper.

Unlike other meteor showers that tend to stay at their peak for about two days, the Quadrantid shower has a short peak period that lasts only a few hours.

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Dhara Patel, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the PA news agency: With up to 120 meteors per hour, the Quadrantids are considered one of the best annual meteor showers, however youre likely to see far fewer meteors under imperfect viewing conditions.

The peak of the shower only lasts a few hours compared to many other meteor showers which can stay at their peak for a couple of days, so theres a limited opportunity to catch the peak.

Unlike most meteor showers which originate from comets, it is believed the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid called 2003 EH1, which takes around five-and-a-half years to orbit the Sun.

While the meteors can be spotted all over the sky, Ms Patel advises facing towards the north-east, in the direction of the radiant, to catch as many of these shooting stars as possible.

She told PA: Head out after midnight as the Moon sets below the western horizon so theres less interference from moonlight.

To give yourself the best chance of spotting the meteors, head out to an open and dark area, allowing your eyes time to become sensitive in the darkness by avoiding any bright sources of light like a mobile phone.

Once youre set up, be patient and enjoy the spectacle  itll be visible until dawn.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Once upon a time in America, there was no such thing as sushi. Fifty years ago, off-grid dining for the elite meant French, or more likely, Frenchified, restaurants replete with rich heavy food in even richer heavier sauces. Fondue was the new new thing for suburban jetsetters.

It made overindulging in the irresistible food triumvirate of bread, cheese and chocolate chic, and chasing down dinner with awkward long-necked forks from the depths of dangerously hot pots sort of fun. Foreign food for everyone else came from neighborhood pizzerias or the ubiquitous-in-almost-every-town-of-any-size Chinese take-out emporium.

Then, and few culinary revelations provide such satisfying pinpoint data, in 1966, a California-based Japanese businessman named Noritoshi Kanai opened a nigiri (fresh raw fish on small balls of rice) bar for Asian expats inside Kawafuku, a restaurant in Los Angeles Little Tokyo. Almost overnight, the Cult of Raw Fish with Vinegar-Spiked Rice was born. It grew with fits and starts and various modifications for American palates. Today, there are more than 4,000 sushi restaurants throughout the United States.

Weve come a long way in half a century from the modest avocado and crabstick California Roll to the many-splendored hyper-local Mentor Lake Special. The latter, a special maki (edible seaweed-wrapped rice and fish rolls cut into bite-size pieces) at Ninja Sushi and Hibachi, in, appropriately, Mentor-On-The-Lake, is a whopper.

Tempura shrimp is surrounded with spicy tuna salad, crab salad, avocado and nori, then draped with raw salmon and yellowtail, and sprinkled with bright orange tobiko (flying fish roe), and crunchy tempura bits. Creamy and crunchy, spicy and soothing, gently briny in all the right places, its just as fabulously overwhelmingly delicious as it sounds.

Theres a lot more to like at Ninja, like delicate little Shumai, dumplings stuffed with minced shrimp, soft and light as swansdown. Tuna Tataki, a lovely tender lump of ahi tuna lightly seared and sliced thin, tasting of ginger and ponzu (citrus and soy sauce). And Sunomono, a refreshing vinegar-based seaweed salad, slightly gelatinous, but mostly crunchy. Its tossed with bright sweet shrimp and bits of fresh raw tuna and yellowtail.

Speaking of, there is a very comprehensive list of thoughtful sushi, nigiri and sashimi (sliced raw fish, served without rice) flown in from maritime ports around the world. The sushi chefs, mostly Chinese staff, and mostly, and interestingly, internet trained, according to owner, Ken Chen, do a very credible job.

Daily specials include a spectacularly flavorful piece of Otoro, the fattiest cut from the inside of a tuna belly, presented respectfully on an over-sized plate. Then there's the Sushi Festival for Two, a flower-bedecked extravaganza of sushi and sashimi too numerous to name with two chef-chosen special maki rolls - one fresh, one cooked, and its all good.

Theres also an Omakase - chefs whim - offering. With several days' notice, the kitchen will craft an extra-special meal of top-flight selections for around $100 a person. Weve been losing too many bets on the Browns to afford it, but rumor has it that its excellent. If you try it, let me know.

As to the hibachi, at Ninja its a kitchen thing. There are no show-off chefs somersaulting shrimp onto your plate from a table-side grill, probably a good thing unless youre looking for a pre-prom dinner or to entertain the kids. But for the helplessly seafood-averse, it is a decent option. There are steak, chicken, filet mignon and shellfish choices to mix and match, along with interesting Japanese fried rice, made with short-grain sushi rice. For everyone else, stick with the fish.

Desserts. hmmm. Skip the deep-fried ice cream and equally inedible deep-fried cheesecake. Ive been seeing more of the former showing up on menus lately. Its a disturbing trend. But definitely indulge in the creamy decadence of the green tea creme brulee. The slightly bitter tea flavor plays well with the rich custard. As does the elegant spun sugar cage enveloping the brulee. When shattered into the dish below, the shards create a fun sugary crunch. The chocolate crepe cake needs no embellishment. Thirty or more crepes layered with whipped cream and cocoa and then cut in wedges is an unexpected and delightful treat at a sushi emporium.

Service is very good. The collective staff knows its way around the menu and can communicate it. Its a welcome asset when in the throes of technical decisions between the various fish and their preparation. By the way, dont be daunted by the strip-mall location. Ninja Sushi and Hibachi is sandwiched between a tattoo parlor and what looks like a shot and a beer-style tavern, and thats just fine. It adds to the democratic aspect of sushi for all. Its nice to know that almost anywhere you go these days, its there to be had for the asking.

TASTE BITES

Ninja Sushi and Hibachi

Where: 7873 Munson Road, Mentor On The Lake.

Phone: 440-701-8291.

Online: www.ninjainmentor.com

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 4-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.

Prices: Appetizers: $4.50-$13.95; sushi rolls, $5.95-$18.95; entrees $18.95-$108.99; desserts $4.50-$6.50.

Reservations: Accepted, suggested on weekends.

Credit cards: Most major cards. No American Express.

Kid-friendliness: Child-size hibachi meals and simple maki are sure to please adventurous tykes.

Bar service: Intriguing selection of domestic and Japanese sake, Asian-centric bottled beer and full traditional cocktail bar.

Cuisine: Japanese, sushi.

Accessibility: Easy access throughout.

Grade: ***

Ninja Sushi and Hibachi small bite

Ninja Sushi and Hibachi. 7873 Munson Road, Mentor-On-The-Lake, 440-701-8293. www.ninjainmentor.com (BS). Very fine sushi and sashimi and creative maki based on the best raw fish available. A well-chosen selection of Japanese appetizers, hibachi-grill entries for the fish-averse, charming desserts and attentive service complete the experience.

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Leaders of Greece, Israel, and the Greek Cypriot administration sign accord to carry gas from eastern Mediterranean to Europe, a plan Turkey says is bound to fail.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades joined the ceremony at which their respective energy ministers signed the deal in the Greek capital Athens.

The move comes amid tensions with Turkey over its exploration in the area and a maritime deal with Libya.

Immediately after the ceremony, the Turkish Foreign Ministry called the deal "a new example of futile steps in the region that try to exclude our country and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)." "Any project which aims to ignore Turkey with the longest coastline in the eastern Mediterranean and aims to ignore Turkish Cypriots who have equal rights over the natural sources of the Cyprus island will not be successful," the ministry statement said.

It said the most economical and safe route for bringing the natural sources in the eastern Mediterranean to the consumer markets in Europe is Turkey.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Friday issued sanctions on Cuban General, Leopoldo Cintra Frias for use of violence to assist the former Maduro regime in Venezuela.

"Today we designate Cuba regime official Leopoldo Cintra Frias for his involvement in gross violations of human rights and use of violence to prop up the former Maduro regime in Venezuela. We will promote accountability for those who abuse human rights, wherever they may reside," Michael Pompeo wrote in a tweet.

Last year, the United States imposed sanctions on Cuban Interior Minister Julio Ceaser Gandarilla Bermejo for involvement in "gross human rights violations in Venezuela."

Friday's sanction was the latest in a series of punitive measures that the Trump administration has taken against Washington's old Cold War foe.

The Trump administration has stopped short of breaking off diplomatic relations with Cuba restored by former president Obama in 2015 after more than five decades of hostility.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A man has been arrested for robbing a tollgate in the southern Vietnamese province of Dong Nai.

Police in Long Thanh District, Dong Nai Province confirmed on Friday they had captured Dang Dinh Thien, 30, who hails from the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, for robbery.

According to preliminary information, Thien approached a booth of a toll station on the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway at around 4:45 am on the same day.

He started a conversation with Duong Thi Hong Phuong, a 26-year-old attendant of the tollgate, before snatching a stack of money, which was worth a total of VND38 million (US$1,634), from the drawer.

A tollgate along the Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway where a robbery took place on January 3, 2020. Photo: A Loc / Tuoi Tre

A security guard of the toll station chased after Thien but was unable to capture him.

After being notified, police officers launched a manhunt for the robber and were able to catch him about three hours later.

Further investigation is ongoing.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  Authorities rescued a Taiwanese national who was kidnapped allegedly by five Chinese nationals in Makati City.

In a statement on Friday, the Philippine National Police's Anti-Kidnapping Group identified the victim as Shih Su Yuan, 36, an employee in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators industry.

Police said the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines -- Taiwan's de facto embassy -- reported Shih's abduction at around 6 p.m. on Thursday.

A rescue operation was conducted on the same night and Shih was found handcuffed in a dormitory room in Guadalupe. Police believe Shih was tortured and physically abused. He was brought to the PNP General Hospital for medical treatment.

Five Chinese suspects caught in the act of guarding Shih will face criminal charges for kidnapping and serious illegal detention, police said.

Just this week, two Vietnamese women were rescued by authorities after they were abducted allegedly by Chinese nationals in Las Pinas City.
Stocks in the news: Here is a list of top stocks that are likely to be in focus on Friday's trading session based on recent and latest news developments.

RITES: Company said it has secured secured a major work of project Management Consultancy from the Government of Bangladesh amounting to Rs. 99.94 crore in relation to 4 laning of National Highway in Bangladesh.

JSW Energy: The company has entered into an agreement with Jaiprakash Power Ventures to re-structure its debt worth Rs 751.11 cr, which will result in the reversal of an amount of Rs 177.48 cr of liabilities payable to JPVL in the company's books

Reliance Power: Company announced that Axis Trustees Services Ltd has invoked 1.75% of shares of the company.

Jet Airways: Shares of the cash-crunched airline is likely to be in focus in today's trading session after Bloomberg report suggested that the group led by Gopichand Hinduja and Ashok Hinduja was planning to submit an expression of interest (EOI) by January 15. The expression of interest will signal the UK-based group's intent to make a formal offer. Hinduja is seeking a partner to bid, one of the person in knowledge of development told Bloomberg.

Hero MotoCorp: The company said it sold 424,845 units of two-wheelers in December 2019, as compared to 453,985 units in the corresponding month of the previous year (Dec 2018), registering a de-growth of 6.4%.

Bharti Airtel: The telecom major has launched its high speed 4G and 2G services in 26 villages in Ladakh. Airtel is the first operator to bring high speed mobile broadband to these villages and connect them to the digital superhighway.

Zydus Wellness: The listed firm said that CRISIL has reaffirmed its rating on its Rs 1500 crore worth Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs).

FDC Ltd: Company has received GMP certificate and it continues with its approved status from UK MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency), for two of its oral solid dosage form facilities situated at L-56/57 and L-121 in Verna, Goa, based on recent Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspection held at the said Plants.

NGL Fine-Chem Ltd: The company received rating from ICRA, in which its long term rating has been reaffirmed is BBB/Positive (outlook long term rating is 'Stable') and the short term rating has been reaffirmed to A2.

Vipul Organics: The company has received 'Consent to Operate' from Maharashtra Pollution Board (MPCB) on December 30, 2019 for its new factory at Tarapur, District - Palghar. This consent is valid for a period of 5 years for the manufacturing of synthetic organic dyestuffs, pigment powder and pigment dispersions and intermediates for dyes and pigments.
Health: The U.S. Embassy in Colombia recommends travelers between the ages of 1 and 60 receive a yellow fever vaccine at least 10 days before traveling to high-risk spots; some airlines and national parks may request proof of vaccination. The tap water in the major cities is technically potable but visitors might find the taste and overchlorination off-putting and should drink filtered or bottled water. The water in the Andean region is cleaner. In more rural environments, use a water filtration system or buy bottled water. The country is experiencing a dengue outbreak, so coat yourself in bug repellent spray and sleep under mosquito netting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends vaccinations for hepatitis A and typhoid, in case you are exposed to contaminated food or water.
However, the chief ministers of non-BJP-ruled states and the Opposition parties continued to remain critical of the measures.

New Delhi: As the protests continued all over India against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens, the government made it clear that it was not going to budge an inch on its decisions.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not going back an inch on the CAA, said Union home minister Amit Shah in Jodhpur on Friday as he launched an awareness programme in support of the CAA. Mr Shah accused the Congress and other parties of running a misinformation campaign and playing votebank politics, and said the CAA does not take away Indian citizenship from anyone, but grants citizenship.

However, the chief ministers of non-BJP-ruled states and the Opposition parties continued to remain critical of the measures. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to 11 non-BJP chief ministers to follow the example of his Assembly in passing a resolution demanding that the CAA be scrapped. Mr Vijayan said there was a need for unity in the country to protect democracy and secularism.

Apprehensions have arisen among large sections of our society consequent to the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019. The need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism, Mr Vijayan said in the letters sent to Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Hemant Soren (Jharkhand), Uddhav Thackeray (Maharashtra), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy (Andhra Pradesh), Kamal Nath (Madhya Pradesh), Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Naveen Patnaik (Odisha) and V. Narayanasamy (Puducherry).

Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh came out in support of the Kerala Assembly resolution demanding scrapping of the CAA, saying it was the voice of the people and the Centre should also pay heed. In an open letter to Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Punjab CM said the states have already taken necessary legal advice on the matter and termed the Kerala Assemblys resolution on the amended citizenship law the voice of the people as spoken through their elected representatives, and urged the Centre to pay heed.

Declaring that as heads of responsible state governments we are neither naive nor misguided, he said laws could not be forcibly imposed on citizens, and like all powers, even parliamentary powers were coupled with a duty to exercise it responsibly.

Critising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal urged the people to reject the unnecessary law and urged the Centre with folded hands to roll back the controversial legislation. In Guwahati, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury accused the BJP of indulging in dirty politics with an intent to consolidate the Hindutva votebank.

The BJP, however, remained firm with no signs of compromise. Mr Shah even challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for a discussion on the CAA. Rahul baba, if you have read the law, come anywhere for a discussion (charcha). If you havent read it, I will get it translated into Italian, he said, in a swipe at his Italian-origin mother Sonia Gandhi.

He stressed that the Congress, Trinamul Congress, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, Aam Aadmi Party and the Communists are opposing the law. Mr Shah said it is hard to understand why West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is opposing citizenship for Bengali-speaking Hindus and dalits living in West Bengal. There is no need to fear from Didi. I want to say that refugees living in Bengal will not have to face any atrocities. You will be granted citizenship with honour, the home minister said.

In New Delhi, Union minister Nityanand Rai said those protesting against the CAA should be declared anti-OBC and anti-dalit and only a handful of people have come out and are protesting against the CAA.

The BJP plans to take out 500 rallies across the country, beginning Saturday, to reach out to three crore people.

Responding to the BJPs barbs, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot advised the BJP to shun arrogance and go for a rethink on the CAA and NRC. PM Modi used to give Mann ki Baat speeches and people used to listen. Now, why such a situation has developed that he has to give a clarification regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act, NPR and the NRC. He is sending people all over the country, all leaders to go and explain to the public. Why has such a situation developed, Mr Gehlot asked, while accusing the BJP of polarising the country.

Peaceful protests against the CAA continued on Friday in several parts of the country. Amid slogans like Rainbow against Saffron, Inquilab aaya hai, Halla Bole and songs like Hum dekhenge, Delhi saw a unique gathering at Jantar Mantar where women, transgenders, sex workers, street hawkers and domestic workers protested against the CAA, NRC and NPR. Similar protests were held in various parts of the country by these groups to mark the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule and Fatima Sheikh, who fought for womens empowerment.

Rafiul Alom Rahman, founder of the Queer Muslim project, said over 2,000 transgenders have been left out of the NRC in Assam and there is fear that the numbers will be much higher if an all-India NRC takes place. The CAA and NRC exclude communities, groups and people and violates the Constitution... The situation of a persecuted minority can be different from that of homosexuals and transgender, and more so if they are Muslims, said Rahman.

Asiya Khatun, a domestic worker living in Nand Nagri, had taken a day off to take part in the protest. She is a Bengali but not Bangladeshi. Everyone will be impacted with the NRC, not just a few. I have come to show solidarity with people, she said. Many in the crowd also felt the government is diverting attention from its failures and economic crisis through such laws.

Former national security adviser Shivshankar Menon said the CAA was a self-inflicted goal which has isolated India and the list of critical voices both at home and abroad is pretty long. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Menon said the move has resulted in India now being hyphenated with Pakistan as an intolerant state.

Meanwhile, a court in Uttar Pradesh granted bail to Congress worker and actor Sadaf Jafar, former IPS officer S.R. Darapuri, Pawan Rao Ambedkar and many others. They are arrested for protesting against the citizenship law on December 19 in Lucknow.
The past weeks images from Australia have been nightmarish: walls of flame, blood-red skies, residents huddled on beaches as they try to escape the inferno. The bush fires have been so intense that they have generated fire tornadoes powerful enough to flip over heavy trucks.

The thing is, Australias summer of fire is only the latest in a string of catastrophic weather events over the past year: unprecedented flooding in the Midwest, a heat wave in India that sent temperatures to 123 degrees, another heat wave that brought unheard-of temperatures to much of Europe.

And all of these catastrophes were related to climate change.

Notice that I said related to rather than caused by climate change. This is a distinction that has flummoxed many people over the years. Any individual weather event has multiple causes, which was one reason news reports used to avoid mentioning the possible role of climate change in natural disasters.
Hyderabad, Jan 3 : Leading lifestyle brand Shoppers Stop will soon set up its manufacturing unit in Telangana, it was announced here on Friday.

The Telangana government and Shoppers Stop entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Industries Minister K.T. Rama Rao in Mumbai.

According to the MoU, Shoppers Stop will set up an apparel manufacturing unit at Sircilla Apparel Park in Telangana.

"Delighted that the apparel manufacturing unit of Shoppers Stop will be coming up at Sircilla. Employment opportunities to hundreds of women will be created and a huge step forward for apparel park, Sircilla," said Rama Rao.

The MoU was signed by state's Principal Secretary, IT & Industries, Jayesh Ranjan and Shoppers Stop Managing Director & CEO Rajiv Suri.

The minister also held talks with industry leaders from the textile sector in Mumbai. He explained to them the investment opportunities in Telangana.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, gave an overview of the progressive industrial policies and also the single-window clearance system under TSiPASS. He also mentioned the industrial parks coming up in the textile sector in Telangana.

KTR also met the pharma leaders and representatives of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance. He highlighted the investment opportunities in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector in the state.

"Minister thanked the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance for the opportunity to present at their apex council meeting. aceTelangana's ambitious agenda is to double the size of our life sciences ecosystem from 50 Billion USD in 2020 to 100 Billion USD by 2030 & create 400 thousand new jobs," he said in a tweet.
JAKARTATens of thousands of people were evacuated in Indonesias capital Jakarta on Thursday, Jan. 2, after flash floods and landslides killed up to 26 people amid some of the most torrential rain in more than 20 years, with more deluges forecast, authorities said.

The flooding, among the deadliest in years, caused chaos in parts of Southeast Asias biggest city with train lines blocked and power outages in some areas. Swathes of Jakarta and nearby towns were inundated after heavy rain fell on Dec. 31 and into the early hours of New Years Day.

Social affairs ministry data showed 26 people were killed in the flooding, up from the earlier toll of 21.

As of Thursday morning, over 62,000 people were evacuated in Jakarta alone, disaster mitigation agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said. However, later in the day, he told news channel Metro TV the number of evacuees was down to around 35,000 people.

Rainfall at an airport in East Jakarta measured at 377 millimeters (15 inches) early on Jan. 1, the highest daily reading during major floods since at least 1996, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Umar Dani, 52, and his family were evacuated overnight from his home in East Jakarta on a rubber boat after water levels rose to his neck.

It has not flooded for so long here. We didnt have the chance to bring anything, he said.

I have to live on the streets now.

President Joko Widodo told reporters evacuation and safety measures should be prioritized and called for more coordination between city administrations and the central government.

On his Twitter page, Widodo blamed delays in flood control infrastructure projects for the flooding. He said some projects had been delayed since 2017 due to land acquisition problems.

Extreme Weather Expected

Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan said authorities deployed hundreds of pumps to suck water from residential areas across the capital, which had allowed some people to return home.

They want to return home immediately and start cleaning up their houses as soon as they are able to enter their houses as water recedes, Baswedan told reporters during a visit to a densely populated area in East Jakarta affected by the flood.

Residents waddled through murky water to see the governor while workers pumped water out of the area into a nearby river.

The mitigation agency said on its Twitter page that water levels have come down in a few affected areas, showing pictures of streets covered by mud and littered with debris.

Authorities, however, warned people to remain vigilant as extreme weather is expected to continue until Jan. 7.

Dwikorita Karnawati, head of the Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), told reporters separately that heavy rainfall may continue until mid-February.

Television footage on Thursday showed rescuers in the nearby city of Tangerang evacuating residents, guiding them across a strong current by holding on to a rope.

Jakarta and its surroundings are home to more than 30 million people. More than 50 people died in one of the capitals deadliest floods in 2007, and five years ago, much of the center of the city was inundated after canals overflowed.

The government announced last year that it is relocating the capital to East Kalimantan province on Borneo. However, the planning ministry pledged that the government would invest $40 billion in modernizing Jakarta.

By Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Stanley Widianto
Former National Security Adviser Shiv Shankar Menon on Friday spoke out strongly against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the nullification of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking at an event in the Capital, Menon said that what Indias recent actions had achieved were international isolation even among traditional allies which can lead to no good end.

There has been no meaningful international support for this series of actions, apart from a few committed members of the diaspora and a ragtag bunch of Euro MPs from the extreme right, said the former diplomat and foreign secretary who served as NSA during former PM Manmohan Singhs tenure.

The list of critical voices from abroad is really long. From President Macron to Chancellor Merkel to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to visitors like the King of Norway whod normally be polite, he said.

Referring to the recent instance of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar skipping a meeting with the foreign affairs committee in the US due to the presence of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal who has been critical of CAA and Article 370, Menon said, We seem to know that we are isolated. Rather than attending this meeting and rebutting her charges, we chose to duck this. He also added that Jayapals resolution which was critical of India now had 29 co-sponsors that included Republicans and the only Indian origin lawmaker who attended the Howdy Modi conference.

The former NSA also raised an issue with the slogan during Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trumps joint event in the US- Abki Baar Trump Sarkar.

We have actually broken the bipartisan consensus that used to exist for the last 25 years in the US. NDA or UPA doesnt matter on improving India- US relations, he said adding, All the significant democratic Presidential candidates have spoken out on these issues.

Striking a note of caution, Menon said that India was violating Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with the newly passed CAA. This prevention of discrimination is for all persons present on the territory, not just citizens...thats exactly what the CAA does. We seem to be in violation of our international commitments, he said adding, You must consider the political and other consequences of being perceived as violators of International law.

What we have achieved in the recent past, is to hyphenate our image with Pakistan in a fundamental way, as religiously driven and intolerant states. We have gifted our adversaries, platforms from which to attack us, he said.
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Ratan Tata moved the Supreme Court on Friday in his personal capacity challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's order to reinstate Cyrus Mistry. IndiGo will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of its members on the request of Rakesh Gangwal-led RG Group on January 29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government aims to develop India as a world-class $100 billion bio-manufacturing hub by 2024. Read for more top stories from the world of business and economy:

1. Ratan Tata moves Supreme Court seeking stay against NCLAT's order to restore Cyrus Mistry

Ratan Tata said in his petition that the NCLAT order creates a wrong legal precedent, which could be misused against other companies.

2. Rakesh Gangwal calls for IndiGo EGM; likely to pass amendments to company's regulations

As per provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, the RG Group, which comprises Rakesh Gangwal, Shobha Gangwal and The Chinkerpoo Family Trust, holds 36.64 per cent stake in InterGlobe Aviation, which empowers them to seeks an EGM.

3. PM Modi aims for $100 billion bio-manufacturing hub; industry says target seems aggressive

Indian Science Congress: Many in the industry welcomed PM Modi's focus on bio-manufacturing. However, they believe that a lot more may need to be put in place.

4. Gold prices soar to record Rs 41,000 on US-Iran conflict

Gold prices had soared above Rs 40,000 last year in the first week of September, following which it hovered around Rs 39,000 until the last week of the year.

5. Adani Ports to acquire 75% stake in Krishnapatnam Port for Rs 13,572 crore

Adani Ports said that the investment is in line with the company's strategy to increase its footprint in Andhra Pradesh, adding that this acquisition will accelerate its stride towards 400 MMT by 2025.
NEW YORK, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: INF) and Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. (NYSE: RA) (each, a Fund, and collectively, the Funds) today announced that their Boards of Directors declared their monthly distributions for January, February and March 2020, subject to the approval of the proposed reorganization (the Reorganization) of Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. into Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. (the Combined Fund) at the joint special meeting of stockholders of the Funds to be held on January 24, 2020 at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time, for the purpose of taking various actions in connection with the proposed Reorganization. The Combined Fund intends to make its first distribution to stockholders in the month immediately following the Reorganization so there is no gap in distribution payments. In addition, the Combined Fund expects to follow the same frequency of payments as each Fund and make monthly distributions to stockholders.



Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc.

Month Record Date Ex Date Payable Date Amount per Share January 2020 January 15, 2020 January 14, 2020 January 23, 2020 $0.0817 February 2020 February 12, 2020 February 11, 2020 February 20, 2020 $0.0817 March 2020 March 18, 2020 March 17, 2020 March 26, 2020 $0.0817

Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc.

Month Record Date Ex Date Payable Date Amount per Share January 2020 January 15, 2020 January 14, 2020 January 23, 2020 $0.1990 February 2020 February 12, 2020 February 11, 2020 February 20, 2020 $0.1990 March 2020 March 18, 2020 March 17, 2020 March 26, 2020 $0.1990

Shares purchased on or after the ex-distribution date will not receive the distribution discussed above. Please contact your financial advisor with any questions. Distributions may include net investment income, capital gains and/or return of capital (ROC). Any portion of a Funds distributions that is a return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. The tax status of distributions will be determined at the end of the taxable year.*

Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC (PSG) is an SEC-registered investment adviser that represents the Public Securities platform of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., providing global listed real assets strategies including real estate equities, infrastructure equities, energy infrastructure equities, multi-strategy real asset solutions and real asset debt. With more than $19 billion of assets under management as of November 30, 2019, PSG manages separate accounts, registered funds and opportunistic strategies for financial institutions, public and private pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, sovereign wealth funds and individual investors. PSG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a leading global alternative asset manager with over $500 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2019. For more information, go to www.brookfield.com.

Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. and Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. are managed by Brookfield Public Securities Group LLC. The Funds use their website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding the Funds are routinely posted on and accessible at www.brookfield.com .

COMPANY CONTACT

Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc.

Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc.

Brookfield Place

250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10281-1023

(855) 777-8001

publicsecurities.enquiries@brookfield.com

Investing involves risk; principal loss is possible. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

* Distributions include all distribution payments regardless of source and may include net income, capital gains, and/or return of capital (ROC). ROC should not be confused with yield or income. Each Fund's Section 19a-1 Notice, if applicable, contains additional distribution composition information and may be obtained by visiting publicsecurities.brookfield.com. Final determination of a distribution's tax character will be made on Form 1099 DIV and sent to shareholders. On a tax basis, as of November 30, 2019, the most recent available figures, the estimated components of the cumulative distributions for the fiscal year to date would include an estimated return of capital of (i) $0.7763 (86.38%) per share for Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc.; and (ii) $1.0678 (48.78%) per share for Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc. These amounts are an estimate and the actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes may change upon final determination of tax characteristics and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholders investment. The final determination regarding the nature of the distributions will be made after the end of a Funds fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits. The final tax status of the distributions may differ substantially and will be made available to shareholders after the close of each calendar year. The proportion of distributions that are treated as taxable distributions may also vary and or increase in future years. The Funds invest in master limited partnerships (MLPs), which are generally treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Distributions from MLPs are estimated as income and return of capital based on information reported by the MLPs and managements estimates of such amounts based on historical information. These estimates are adjusted when the actual source of distributions is disclosed by the MLPs and the actual amounts may differ from the estimated amounts. In setting each Funds distribution policy, we and the Funds Board considers a number of factors, including both expected income and distributions received by the Fund and our expectations regarding potential capital appreciation. From time to time a Fund may be over- or under- distributed when taking into account actual income, distributions and net unrealized gains or losses since actual capital appreciation is variable over time. However, the goal is to have a distribution rate that is stable over the long term.

Quasar Distributors, LLC, provides filing administration for Brookfield Global Listed Infrastructure Income Fund Inc. and Brookfield Real Assets Income Fund Inc.




Michael Cummo / Hearst Connecticut Media

STAMFORD  A Stamford man stole his friends truck, crashed into another vehicle and then returned the car, police said.

Raymundo Vivara, 21, was at a New Years Eve party on Pulaski Street at an apartment complex where he lives when he allegedly took the truck of a friend at the party and drove away around 9 p.m.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is the most punctual airline in Canada, according to a travel data provider.

The Calgary-based carrier placed sixth among airlines in North America last year, OAG said in its annual report examining on-time performance.

The report also lists WestJet at No. 15 among low-cost carriers worldwide, with 79 per cent of its flights on-time.

Air Canada squeaked into the so-called punctuality league, placing 20th among mega airlines behind the big U.S. carriers as well as British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air China.

The Montreal-based airlines on-time performance was 66 per cent, the report said.

Calgary and Edmonton were the only Canadian airports to reach the top 20 for on-time performance, placing 17th and 20th in the large and medium categories, respectively. Notably absent were Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

The report defines on-time performance (OTP) as flights that arrive or depart within 15 minutes of their scheduled times.

Despite a rising tide of frustration against airlines as fees increase and seat space shrinks, OAG data analyst John Grant said airlines and airports are reaching near peak operational OTP across the world.

Complaints about airline service in Canada increased more than 570 per cent between 2015-16 and 2017-18, according to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

The vast majority of the 5,565 passenger complaints in 2017-18 were against Canadian carriers. Flight disruptions and baggage issues were the most common reason.

Nonetheless, Air Canadas operating revenues rose nearly seven per cent year over year to $14.76 billion in the first nine months of 2019.

It tends to say that customers like to complain, but it doesnt have a big impact on their buying behaviour, said Robert Kokonis, president of Toronto-based consulting firm AirTrav Inc.

You look at the spread between the top North American (airlines), Delta  83.56 per cent  and Air Canada  66.42 per cent  thats a 17 percentage point spread between the carriers, which is quite significant, Kokonis said.

Six U.S. airlines made it into the punctuality pantheon among mega airlines  defined as more than 30 million seats scheduled for departure in 2019  including Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines.

At fourth place among the mega carriers, Delta was the top North American airline in the category with nearly 84 per cent of its flights on-time.

Deltas continued OTP dominance is remarkable given the size and range of its operations, Grant said in a release.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020.

Companies in this story: (TSX:AC)

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version incorrectly said WestJets North American ranking was for low-cost airlines only.
Families and individuals should be aware of what their travel insurance will and won't cover. (Getty)

The recent news of Canadians getting ill abroad highlights the importance of getting travel insurance, and being upfront about pre-existing conditions. This is especially relevant in Ontario, where the provincial government recently rescinded out-of-country inpatient services, which included up to $400 per day for premium levels of care and up to $50 per day for emergency outpatient and doctor services.

However, there are a few instances when travel insurance isnt needed. Yahoo Canada spoke to travel expert Barry Choi about when travellers should hold off on buying travel insurance coverage.

You have a credit card that offers travel insurance

There are many premium credit cards that offer travel insurance and other related benefits. For a yearly fee, credit cards like BMO World Elite Mastercard, Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite and TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite offer coverage for medical costs, trip cancellation and lost luggage. These types of cards also often offer perks like access to airport lounges. However, many grant shorter spans of coverage based on the card holders age. That means additional travel insurance may be needed for seniors, to cover the span of a longer trip.

Depending on the insurance company, you can usually extend it, Choi says. Not all will allow them to if youre a senior, but a lot of them do.

Many cards also require that a majority of the flight is paid for on the credit card, in order for the insurance coverage to be valid.

Another issue with credit card travel insurance coverage is that the underwriting is done when a claim is filed. That means, any previous trip to the doctor can affect it, since it can be considered a pre-existing condition. To avoid this, Choi suggests that travellers, particularly seniors, buy an outside multi-trip insurance policy at the start of each year, when they are in good health, since the underwriting is done at the time it is purchased. That way, there is less of a chance that a claim will be dismissed if pre-existing conditions are uncovered.

Story continues

If youve got no pending tests results, youve been in stable condition, theres been no change to your medication for three to six months, generally speaking, you will likely be covered for anything that comes up during the time of your travel insurance, Choi says.

Your work benefits offer travel insurance

Many work benefits include travel insurance, which often cover the person under the plan as well as eligible family members. However, Choi says work benefits generally only offer basic coverage, such as travel medical, but wont cover things like delayed flights, trip cancellation or lost luggage. If thats the case, he suggests buying more insurance.

If youre looking at travel insurance as a general package, youve got to look beyond medical, he says. Even if you have travel medical, you should still buy trip cancellation and all those other types of insurance.

While Canadas passengers bill of rights will offer travellers a certain amount of compensation for things like delayed flights, additional travel insurance will provide an extra layer of security.

Travelling within the province

Choi says the only other time when travel insurance wouldnt be essential is if youre travelling within your own province.

If someone from Toronto is travelling to Sudbury and got in an accident, OHIP would cover the medical costs, including ambulance services.

In those cases, even if youre travelling within your own province, you dont need medical travel insurance, he says.

While a province or territorys health plan will cover someone if they need medical attention in another part of the country, it wont always include the costs of special services like ambulances or medivacs.
Hoboken leaped into the new decade Thursday with a council meeting dominated by discussion of a potential multi-million dollar deficit for the 2020 fiscal year.

The reorganization meeting also included the appointment of Councilwoman Vanessa Falco as vice president and the swearing-in of new Councilman Phil Cohen.

Hoboken Business Administrator Stephen Marks said pensions, employee health care and union contract costs have all increased while city revenue is down, creating a combined strain on the budget. Marks blamed the revenue shortfall on a decrease in money from various fees the city charges residents and businesses.

Together, all of the financial shifts would mean an approximately $7 million deficit, he said.

Asked about possible layoffs, Marks said that would equate to roughly 80 lost jobs.

This is absolute news to me within the last two weeks that this administration has operated in a deficit spending mindset, DeFusco said.

Still, $36 million in temporary appropriations for the first part of the year passed despite no votes from council members Falco, DeFusco and Michael Russo. About $2 million of the temporary spending will go to the Hoboken Water Utility, which did not require any provisional funding this time last year, according to the resolution.

DeFusco voted no on the temporary budget even after confirming with Marks that the government would be unable to function without it.

Due to a number of non-discretionary factors, including rising pension costs for municipal employees at the state level, higher costs of employee health benefits and union contract obligations, the city budget  like other municipalities across the state  will face several unavoidable challenges for the 2020 fiscal year, city spokesman Vijay Chaudhuri.

The administration looks forward to collaborating with the City Council to examine any and all ways to provide both long-term and short-term financial viability for the city as well as providing a responsible budget to taxpayers in the months ahead.

Thursdays meeting started on a much brighter note, as family members gathered for the swearing-in of the officials elected and re-elected in November.

Jennifer Giattino was reappointed as city council president during the governing bodys 2020 reorganization meeting Thursday night. Falco, Hobokens first black council member, made history in her unanimous appointment to the council leadership position.

Councilman Phil Cohen, the only new addition to the board after Novembers election, was sworn in to represent the Fifth Ward by his mother, Ellie Cohen, the former mayor of Livingston.

What I love about this oath, its the oath that every official whos sworn in takes, from the president of the United States to my son, Ellie Cohen said.

Cohen replaces three-term councilman Peter Cunningham, who did not run for reelection.

The meeting concluded after the council unanimously passed a resolution in support of CarePoint Healths proposed sale of Hoboken University Medical Center to RWJBarnabas Health, a move that the health networks announced in October.

Toni Tomarazzo, the mayors appointee to the hospital board, said she planned to urge the council to sign a letter that would push for the deal to be expedited. CarePoint Health does not accept the insurance that many Hoboken residents hold, she said, and the city should welcome the non-profit RWJBarnabas Health, one of New Jerseys largest health care systems, she said.

This is an outstanding opportunity for our city, she said.
VICTORIAThe Victoria Police Department says two of its officers intervened in a suspected sexual assault while on vacation in Hawaii.

Chief Del Manak said constables Hayley Swann and Brent Keddell were on a morning run in Kona when they heard what sounded like a call for help on Dec. 20.

They changed their run and started running towards the screams, Manak said in an interview Thursday.

A news release said the officers saw two women being followed by a man.

Manak said Swann stayed with the women to keep them safe and reassured them.

The victims did not know they were with off-duty police officers, the chief said.

Manak said Keddell started chatting to the suspect and engaging him in conversation.

The suspect also did not know (Keddell) was an officer.

Keddell also helped a person who was calling 911 by making sure the right information was relayed to the dispatcher so the police could respond quickly, the chief said.

The suspect was arrested, and the women were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Manak said the suspect was wanted on warrants for numerous offences including arson and now faces additional charges including kidnapping and sexual assault.

The two officers attended a preliminary hearing in court in Kona on Christmas Eve before heading home, so they could provide crucial evidence, he said.

They are two of the nicest, kindest, humblest officers we have. And Im so grateful that they did what they did, and I applaud their actions and I am so proud of them, he said adding they are seasoned officers who have about 40 years of policing experience between them.

Swann has 25 years of policing experience and is a domestic violence investigator. Keddell was a police officer in New Zealand for about five years before joining the Victoria Police Department about a decade ago.

They happened to be at the right time at the right place and of course as the chief of the department Im extremely proud of their actions, Manak said.

The fact that they did not hesitate, they sprung to action, they assisted the victim, they kept at a safe distance with the suspect and they made sure the police were called and they made sure the police were able to apprehend the suspect.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.3

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

Iran Khodro carmaker has produced 260,634 cars in nine months (March 21-Dec. 21) of this Iranian year (began March 21, 2019), Trend reports referring to the Iranian Securities and Exchange Organization (SEO).

As many as 48,717 cars were manufactured by the company during the ninth month, according to the report.

In nine months, Iran Khodro produced 182,881 Peugeot cars, 36,398 Samand cars, 120 Suzuki cars, 5,253 Runna cars and 20,425 Dena cars.

The company produced 1,287 Renault L90 cars, 4,543 Haima cars, 2,139 Dongfeng cars, 5,140 Peugeot 2008 cars and 2,348 pickups and other cars during the reporting period.

Iran Khodro, branded as IKCO, is an Iranian automaker headquartered in Tehran founded in 1962.

IKCO manufactures vehicles, including Samand, Peugeot and Renault cars, as well as trucks, minibuses and buses.
"Serving in the military changes you. The shades and degrees of change vary for everyone, but no one is ever the same as...
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): IPS Amitabh Thakur has written a letter to the Indian Police Service (IPS) Association seeking deliberations over allegations of corruption levied against GB Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Krishna.



In his letter, Thakur asked the association to call a meeting over the allegations against many of its officers across the country.

"Allegations have been levied against SSP Vaibhav Krishna. Several IPS officers across the country have also been accused of corruption, etc. IPS association should take cognizance of this development," Thakur told ANI on Friday.

He said that these allegations are maligning the image of the IPS cadre.

"We should discuss why these issues are coming up and what can be done to resolve it," Thakur added.

SSP Vaibhav Krishna is in the middle of a controversy after a purported video having his picture and a woman's voice in the background went viral on social media. Krishna, on the other hand, has said that the video is "morphed" and is part of "conspiracy" by the criminal elements to malign his image. (ANI)


US resorts to blame game against Iran wherever it faces defeat: Chief IRGC cmdr.

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 11:11 AM

The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has blasted the US for playing a blame game over the developments in Iraq, saying Washington points the finger at Tehran wherever it faces defeat.

Major General Hossein Salami on Thursday played down Washington's strategy of exerting maximum pressure on Tehran, saying the restrictions have been turned into an opportunity for Iran to grow stronger.

Iran "is on a good track; a sign of our power and strength is that the US blames Iran wherever it fails; today a wave of hatred towards America is raging across the world," said Salami.

Salami's remarks came after US President Donald Trump held Iran responsible for any "death or destruction" after Iraqi protesters attacked the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Angered by US air raids that killed over two dozen fighters from Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) on Sunday, Iraqi protesters stormed its embassy compound in the high-security Green Zone on Tuesday, setting fires and chanting: "Death to America!" They also demanded the removal of American troops from Iraq.

Trump, however, softened his belligerent tone later, saying he does not see America going to war with Iran.

Reacting to the attack, Trump on Tuesday held Iran "fully responsible" for the incident on Twitter and added that the protesters "will be held fully responsible."

In a separate statement, Trump later also threatened that Tehran would "pay a very big price" after the attack.

On Wednesday, Iran summoned the Swiss charge d'affaires, whose country represents US interests in Iran, to protest "warmongering" remarks by American officials.

Speak respectfully to Iranians: Salami to Trump

Elsewhere in his comments, Salami echoed remarks made by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and said Iran is not moving toward war, but is not afraid of any confrontation.

"We are not leading the country to war, but we are not afraid of any war," said the IRGC chief, warning the US to "speak respectfully with the Iranian nation."

"We have the power to break them [Americans] several times over and are not worried," he warned

Following Trump's threat, Iran's Army chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said on Thursday his forces stand ready to confront the "enemy."

"Our Armed Forces ... monitor all moves, and if anyone makes the slightest mistake, they will decisively react, and if the situation heats up, we will show our abilities to the enemy," Mousavi said.

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A US attack ordered by President Donald Trump has killed Gen Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, a move that was met with harsh criticism from Tehran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who has vowed "tough revenge" on Washington in response. The IRGC said that Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the Hashd Shaabi or the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), were killed on Thursday night in a US airstrike that targeted the vehicle they were travelling in on the Baghdad International Airport road.



Responding to the development, Khamenei said that the "cruelest people on earth" assassinated the "honourable" commander who "courageously fought for year against the evils and bandits of the world", reports the Tehran-based Press TV.



"His demise will not stop his mission, but the criminals who have the blood of General Soleimani and other martyrs of the Thursday night attack on their hands must await a vigorous revenge.



"... The continued fight and achievement of the final victory will make life bitterer for the murderers and criminals," he added.



Besides offering condolences to Soleimani's family, Khamenei also declared three days of mourning.



The news of Soleiman's death was also confirmed by the Pentagon in a statement.



"At the direction of the (US) President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani," Efe news reported citing the Pentagon statement as saying.



"The strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans... The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world," it added.



But in a tweet, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the attack as "extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation", adding that "the US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism".



Mohsen Rezaei, the former commander of the IRGC, said Iran would take "vigorous revenge on America".



A spokesman for the Iranian government said the country's top security body would meeting in a few hours to discuss the "criminal act of attack".



Since 1998, Soleimani led Iran's Quds Force - the IRGC's elite unit which handles clandestine operations abroad and reports directly to Khamenei, said the BBC.



In that position Gen Soleimani played a key role bolstering Bashar al-Assad's Iranian-supported government in the Syrian Civil War, and in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.



He first came to prominence in his country serving in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.



Thursday night's targeted strike took place amid increased tensions between Washington and Tehran after hundreds of protesters stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, where they managed to breach the main gate and enter some rooms, lighting fires.






Donald Trump turned a mega-church revival meeting into a campaign rally on Friday, riffing at a Miami gathering of politicall friendly evangelicals on meandering topics including claims of Democratic Party anti-Semitism and the U.S. airstrike that killed a hated Iranian general.

The president targeted three liberal first-term congresswomen, noting their eager support for campaigns to boycott and economically isolate Israel.

'These people hate Israel. They hate Jewish people. I won't name them,'he said, proceeding to point fingers at Reps. Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

'I won't bring up the name of Omar, Tlaib, AOC. I won't bring that name up. Won't bring it up. I will not bring it up!' Trump riffed. 'But where do these people come from?'

Trump took the stage at King Jesus International Ministry in Miami and stood as a group of seven pastors prayed over him. Then, surveying the crowd, he made his usual boast that the room wasn't big enough for his audience. Empty seats told a different story.

President Trump kicked off the rally by praying with faith leaders, who surrounded him as the audience reached out their hands

President Donald Trump entertained evangalicals at a political-rally-style revival meeting on Friday, slamming Democrats, taking a victory lap after his latest airstrike, and claiming thousands of people were turned away at the door

Photos of empty seats at the King Jesus International Ministry in Miami told a different story

Trump claimed three of a group of far-left first-term Democratic congresswomen known as the 'Squad'Rep. Rashida Tlaib (left), Rep. llhan Omar (2nd left) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (3rd left)are strident anti-Semites who 'hate the Jewish people'

'Thank you for this incredible crowd. They have thousands of people outside trying to get in,' Trump said, joking that 'if you're truly religious you should give up your seat right now and let them come in.'

Photos and video of the congregation showed empty seats in the back. Observers on the scene said there was no line outside by the time the president spoke.

But the chants of 'Four More Years!'unusual for a churchtold him the details didn't matter.

Trump had already delivered public remarks about the strike that killed ten terrorist leaders including Iran's highest ranking general. But even in a house of worship, he relished the missile attack moments after hands were laid on him in prayer.

'Qassem Soleimani has been killed and his bloody rampage is now, forever gone,' the president told the crowd. 'He was plotting attacks against Americans but now we've insured his atrocities have been stopped for good.'

'He was planning a very major attack,' the president said. 'And we got him!'

The president applauded Thursday's 'flawless strike' at the Baghdad airport, which has thrown the Middle East into greater turmoil than usual. And he reminded the crowd that he had given the order to kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi three months before.

President Trump's first public appearance after Thursday's strike on an Iranian leader was at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' event in Miami, Florida

Audience members stood and prayed for Trump at Friday's 'Evangelicals for Trump' event in Miami

Evangelical voters are at the core of Trump's base of support in the Republican Party

One Trump supporter is seen wearing a shirt that depicts the president as a heavyweight prize fighter

Since becoming president, Trump has delivered on his promises to his evangelical supporters

One Trump supporter holds a sign that reads: 'Jesus is my savior [sic], Trump is my president'

President Trump's supporters wait for his arrival at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' event in Miami, Florida on Friday

'He was a depraved butcher who will never again hurt another innocent person,' Trump called the 'savage leader' of ISIS.

'We do not seek war, we do not seek nation-building, we do not seek regime change,' he said, reprising his brief afternoon speech.

'So let this be a warning to terrorists, if you value your own life, you will not threaten the lives of American citizens.'

Trump stood among faith leaders as audience members, many in MAGA hats, outstretched their arms toward the heavens.

The mega-church boasted 10 jumbotron screens, a full drum set and giant speakers. The only music Trump needed was his normal walk-on tune, 'I'm Proud to be an American.'

Trump took a victory lap following the drone strike that killed senior Iranian militia leaders including Quds Force chief Gen. Qassem Soleimani (pictured)

'He was planning a very major attack,' the president said, of Soleimani, 'and we got him!' This photo shows a car burning at Baghdad Airport after a drone-borne missile slammed into it Thursday night

He knocked Democrats he didn't like.

'By the way, how boring are those debates?' he asked to laughs.

Trump called Elizabeth Warren 'Pocahontas' and Pete Buttigieg 'Alfred E. Neuman.' He mocked Beto O'Rourke, who dropped out of the 2020 race two months ago for being a Texan who campaigns against oil, a dig Trump has used often at campaign events.

The president's red-meat material was about dedication to 'faith and family,' and a strident defense of gun rights and school prayer.

A Trump supporter reacts to the president's remarks during the event in Miami on Friday

As president, Trump has taken staunchly conservative positions on issues like abortion and gun rights

Trump is relying on his evangelical supporters to help him win re-election later this year

A woman wearing a 'Trump Pence' t-shirt holds up a red hat during the president's speech on Friday

A number of the president's supporters chanted 'Four more years!' during the rally on Friday

Trump also voiced his usual criticisms of the media and liberal groups - much to the crowd's delight

A Trump supporter stands up during the president's speech in Miami on Friday

A number of attendees in the crowd booed reporters as they filed out of the megachurch

And he boasted his pro-life bona fides, bringing a young woman from California onstage to talk about how she decided to bring an unplanned pregnancy to term.

Mentioning the American Civil Liberties Union's involvement in a religious liberty court case he commented, 'That's a group of beauties.'

He picked on the media, pointing to dozens of cameras shooting in his direction.

'Maybe they'll be more honest in this great church,' Trump said.

As journalists filed out of the church, some in the crowd booed.
Oil prices gained $3 overnight, but there is a lineup of stocks benefitting from the fear premium following the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds force in a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad.

Those same U.S. independent oil company stocks that have been dimming portfolios lately are enjoying anywhere from a 3% to 6% bump as of Friday morning.

Apache, Ring Energy, Matador Resources, Devon, EOG Resources, Pioneer Natural Resources, Hess  all of the U.S. independents have gained, while the supermajors are either lower or trading flat.

Even beleaguered Chesapeake Energy is riding a nearly 7% bump.

The Biggest Winners So Far

#1 Chesapeake (NYSE:CHK)

Prior to the assassination, this stock was a definite no-go because Chesapeake is largely a U.S. shale giant on the brink of collapse. Now, its the biggest beneficiary of potential world warfare.

#2 Ring Energy (NYSEAMERICAN: REI)

Until today, if youd bought stock in this Midland, Texas-based oil and gas company three years ago, youd be sitting on an 80%-plus loss. But thanks to the Baghdad drone strike, its up over 8%, so either you get in now--and get out quick--or you recoup some of your losses if you got it when you shouldnt have.

#3 SM Energy (NYSE:SM)

With assets in the Eagle Ford and Permian, SM has gained 8% in the wake of the drone strike assassiantion of the Iranian Quds general. SM shareholders were already feeling a bit better by mid-December, when the stock gained 20% after years of horrible losses. In three years, SM had shed nearly 75%.

#4 Matador Resources (NYSE:MTDR)

Coming in third, so far, is Matador Resources, with a 5-6% surge on the geopolitical uncertainty.

After some tough years, Matador had seen a ~30% gain leading up to the drone strike in Baghdad. For 2019, its seen a total gain of 13%.

#5 Apache Corporation (NYSE:APA)

Apache, which was just starting to recover from its underwhelming reporting on its first drill offshore Suriname thanks to an unexpected deal announcement with French giant Total SA, is enjoying another 2-3% fear bump.

How Long Can The Fear Premium Run?

That depends on the rhetoric.

Its been a busy week in Iraq, and the fear premium needs the news flow to remain momentous, or it will end quickly, just as it did in the aftermath of the strike on Saudi Aramco facilities this summer.

Earlier this week, Iranian-backed militia attacked a military base near Kirkuk in which four U.S. troops were wounded and one contractor killed, sparking an airstrike response from the U.S. on Iranian proxy targets in both Iraq and Syria. Then, pro-Iranian protesters attacked a U.S. embassy and withdrew after extensive damage.

The attacks were orchestrated by a pro-Iranian group called Kataib Hezbollah, which is seeking the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq at a time when mass protests are focused on removing Iranian influence.

The definitive airstrike took out Qasem Soleimani, the mastermind of Irans foreign military arm and the key influencer in the region, from Iraq to Syria.

Since the fear premium is based on sentiment, whether it will continue to boost oil prices and our beleaguered U.S. independent oil stocks depends on whether the market things a war is coming, or whether the market thinks that Iraqi oil will be threatened.

The market does not need to understand geopolitics, war or alliances. It just needs to feel fear.

Iran has vowed a response equal to the assassination of its Quds chief. It is not clear what that would be, and is likely that it is not yet clear to Iran, either.

So what the market will be responding to is rhetoric. And there will be a lot of it. Tehran will have to save face, and Trump is showboating as a distraction from impeachment and to gain lost ground ahead of 2020 elections.

But what will nag the market and dull the fear premium will be the recollection of how quickly things de-escalated in the aftermath of the attack on Saudi Aramco facilities, which was a direct threat to the worlds oil supply.

The premium lasted a day, despite the rhetoric.

The safe bet? Play the day, not the future.

By. Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
To declare any statute unconstitutional on the basis of secularism, the Court has to extensively look into the nature, aims, scope, and objectives of the enactment at first.





by Vijay Kumar





Since the enactment of the amendment 2010 (popularly called as CAA) to the original Citizenship Act 1955, entire India has seen vehement protests. The provision of the CAA is that the person of religious community namely; Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian who entered India on or before 31 December 2014 from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan will be deemed to be the citizen of India from the date of their entry (retrospectively). The exclusion of Muslims from the beneficiaries of the provisions of the amendment is being criticized by the people of different quarters. It is being argued that such exclusion is against the secular nature of the Indian constitution and specifically it violates the mandate of Art 14 of the Constitution. In this connection, lets test the CAA on the parameters of the Indian Constitution.









Kerala couple protests CAA and NRC through pre-wedding photoshoot ( Photo Courtesy: First Look Photography )





CAA and Secularism under the Indian Constitution





Though the Constitution of India does not provide the definition of the term secularism it cannot be denied that the secularism is the inherent feature envisaged by the framers of the Constitution. However, it is also widely agreed that the Indian practice of secularism is different from the West. Such absence of a definition in the Constitution provides broader room for interpretation by the Courts. Through Courts decisions, it is well established that secularism is a basic feature and structure of the Constitution. To maintain religious and cultural diversity and national integration, the practice of secularism is indispensable by the State. However, at the same time, India has taken various legislative actions to regulate and sensitize the religious activities and the same has been validated by the Courts.





To declare any statute unconstitutional on the basis of secularism, the Court has to extensively look into the nature, aims, scope, and objectives of the enactment at first. The court must satisfy itself that such laws or amendment is against the basic features of the constitution and beyond the competence of the legislature to legislate upon.





In this context, it seems that the Supreme Court will, as it has validated the legislative actions in the past even though they encroach in the domain of religion, hesitate to declare the CAA unconstitutional. Since the CAA involves the issue of granting citizenship to specific categories of people from specific countries  such power is conferred upon the Parliament by the Constitution and falls under the sovereign domain of any State.Distinguish State practices in this regard can be found in different countries where they have adopted specific ways for granting citizenships. In this connection, such State practices in the Indian context, needed to be reasonable and non-arbitrary.

CAA and Art 14 (the Question of Equality)





In the context of equality, Art 14 of the Indian constitution explains that Art. 14 reads that [T]he State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. Thus, the Art 14 contains the two elements: equality before the law and the equal protection of the law. The major question that has been raised against the CAA is that the selection of three specific countries and the exclusion of Muslims is against the equality provisions of Art 14.





So the preliminary question arises is whether the Art 14, in the name of equality completely prohibits special treatment to a special class of people? The question has been answered negatively in the plethora of cases decided by the Courts. It is a well-settled principle that the State can have a reasonable classification in the name of affirmative actions to treat especially any particular section of the society. A holistic reading of Art 14, 15 and 16 supports such constitutional mechanism and Court decisions. The Indian Supreme Court in addition to the test of reasonable classification has also devised the test of non-arbitrariness to validate the States affirmative actions. It means that the State has to only prove that its action is judicious and non-arbitrary.





Another important question arises is whether the selection of particular religious groups from particular countries is violative of Art 14? The answer to this question lies in the history of partition and the reports of persecution of those selected communities in those countries. During the debates of the passing of the CAA, several remarks and references were made to justify this selection. The validity of such selection lies to the Courts wisdom which also seems in favor of the selection.





The third question, largely has been less discussed is, whether the benefit of Art 14 is available toa foreigner,especially to those who are not present within the Indian jurisdiction? The first part of the question that is whether Art 14 is applicable to a foreigner is almost settled that yes it is available to them. However, it is not clear that such benefits can be availed by citizens of other countries sitting abroad. In this regard, the 14th Amendment of the American constitution also does not provide much clarity. However, the equality provision available under the Australian constitution is useful which rejects the American notion of equality and adopted the provision prohibiting discrimination only against residents. Therefore, in the Indian context, though the Courts are much influenced by the American jurisprudence, it is better to wait for the pronouncement from the Court.





Since the CAA provides for granting citizenship to people from the selected jurisdiction, it is nowhere declares excluded communities illegal ipso facto. Such right of granting citizenship is the absolute function of the State and many countries in the world decide differentcriteriaon for granting it. So the question of competence of Parliament is not a valid one and the argument of violation of equality and secularism needs judicial scrutiny. Another point to note is that the CAA does not prohibit the Muslims from these countries to apply for citizenship as available under general law and practices followed by India. Therefore, in all probability it seems that the amendment is going to stay, however, the final verdict is awaited. However, such amendment could become critical if it is twined with the proposed National Register of Citizenship (NRC).





Vijay Kumar is pursuing PhD in Law from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. Views expressed in this article are the author's own.
ROANOKE, Va. - Jeff Hollandsworth was told to do something recently that he had never done before in his many years working for Norfolk Southern Railway: Empty lockers.

Norfolk Southern has let more than 3,500 employees go in the past year, including 175 in Roanoke, part of an aggressive push across the railroad industry to slash costs.

As Hollandsworth cut the locks and removed his former co-workers's coats, hats, power tools and hefty company rule books, he couldn't shake the feeling that the layoffs were different this time. Unlike in the past, his colleagues probably won't be coming back.

"When you go to work now, it's like going into a funeral home," Hollandsworth said. "What three people used to do, one person is doing now."

While the U.S. economy overall is growing moderately, the railroad industry is a cautionary sign of the ongoing pain in the industrial sector and the deep structural changes underway in the economy that are eliminating middle-class jobs.

President Donald Trump's trade war has hit agricultural and manufacturing hard, causing lower demand for companies that move freight. But railroad stocks soared in 2019 after rail executives embraced automation and cost cutting to remain profitable, doubling down on the idea that rail's future entails longer, faster trains and fewer workers.

Over 20,000 rail workers have lost their jobs in the past year, the biggest layoffs in rail since the Great Recession and a nearly 10 percent decline in rail employment, according to Labor Department data through November.

Volumes are down so much on major American railways in the past year that some economists say the nation is in the midst of a "freight recession."

Freight declines have typically foreshadowed trouble for the broader economy since they're a barometer of how much stuff is heading to market. Every economic downturn since World War II has been precipitated by nose-diving freight traffic. But there have also been periods such as 2015-16 when manufacturing, trucking and rail suffer, but the rest of the economy keeps growing.

Today's rail slump is partly a fallout from the trade war and partly the result of long-term trends like the United States becoming less reliant on coal, experts say. But the employment losses are being exacerbated by the industry's embrace of new technology and a newly efficient technique of directing rail traffic known as Precision Scheduled Railroading, or PSR, that is transforming the economics of the business.

"I've never seen conditions like this in my 45-year career," said Jim Blaze, a railroad economist. "I'm calling this a freight recession for the railroads and trucking companies, but there's this uncertainty from trade. This cloud. This fog. It's hard to predict if we'll slide into an overall economic recession."

November marked the 10th straight month that rail freight deteriorated from last year's stellar traffic levels. Rail freight carloads were down 7.4 percent this November versus the prior year, according to closely watched data from the Association of American Railroads. The volume decline is similar to what occurred at the end of 2015, although the job losses are worse.

But now, rail industry leaders are cautiously optimistic. They foresee a rebound once Trump finalizes the trade deals with China, Mexico and Canada and if he subdues his "tariff man" instincts in an election year.

"For our industry, trade has become just a huge part of what we do. Probably in the range of 35 to 45 percent of our business," said John Gray, senior vice president of policy and economics at AAR, the industry's main trade group.

But even if Trump's trade war ebbs, many of the $70,000-a-year conductor and maintenance jobs are unlikely to return.

The rail industry, which once employed over 1 million Americans, fell below 200,000 employees in 2019, the first time that has happened since the Labor Department started keeping track of railroad employment in the 1940s.

"We fundamentally changed the way we operate over the last 2.5 years," said Bryan Tucker, vice president of communications at CSX. "It's a different way of running a railroad."

A Norfolk Southern spokeswoman said the company was focused on increasing efficiency and profitable growth and that "as our business changes, so too do our personnel needs." Union Pacific stressed the environmental benefits of moving goods by rail instead of truck.

Even if business bounces back, the industry embrace of PSR promises to hold down the need for more workers. Freight railroads used to run trains carrying just one type of good, and the trains could sit in yards for hours or days until they had enough of a load to justify departing.

Now, after PSR, railroads are running more trains with mixed goods and on a set schedule that leaves no matter what. The goal now is to minimize stoppage and use the same locomotive and crew as much as possible, akin to the way the same airplane shuttles constantly between Washington, District of Columbia, and New York City.

Rail executives say these changes are delivering more reliable service that can better compete against trucks. PSR is aided by new technology such as drones and artificial intelligence to monitor tracks and send customers alerts about train locations.

But PSR is also causing railroads to turn away some business that isn't profitable enough, says Peter Swan, associate professor of logistics at Penn State Harrisburg. Some routes are now gone or downsized.

"Shareholders at railroads are looking at the financial success of PSR and now every single big railroad is trying to adopt some form of this," Swan said. "If you're trying to save money, you cut people like crazy."

Canadian railroads embraced PSR over a decade ago. The strategy has taken hold among major U.S. freight railroads since 2017, as executives hunted for a way to increase profits to make up for shrinking coal traffic and the recent downturn in the industrial economy.

Wall Street has applauded the changes, signaling this could be a model for other industries that encounter rough times. Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific stocks were up 30 percent last year, and Kansas City Southern's shares were up more than 60 percent. The gains were better than the overall market.

Roanoke looked like a parking lot for locomotives just before Thanksgiving, an unusual site at a time of year that is typically the peak shipping season. Workers say the peak never came in 2019.

The seven major freight railroads have idled nearly 30 percent of locomotives in the past year, according to the economist Blaze, as they aim to run fewer - but longer - trains.

Hundreds of black locomotives baring the Norfolk Southern logo are parked back-to-back on the tracks that run through the heart of Roanoke.

Workers in this longtime railroad hub are on edge, saying this feels different from past rail downturns. Now the cuts are happening to people with up to a decade of seniority. And maintenance and repair workers in rail yards - long considered some of the most secure roles - are also being let go.

David Earick had eight years of seniority with Norfolk Southern in Roanoke as a pipe fitter, a job similar to a diesel mechanic.

Earick lost his pipe fitting job in April but opted to take a pay cut to continue working as a rail yard laborer. Then Norfolk Southern eliminated that role in September.

"I was told this furlough was indefinite. You're not getting a callback," said Earick, who is 32. "My wife's freaking out. We just had our first child in July."

Earick said he used to love his job. "People always thought it was the coolest thing when you told them you worked on a locomotive," he said, but now he's job hunting.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Rail workers rarely speak to the media out of fear of losing their jobs, but more than a dozen spoke with The Washington Post, mainly because of concerns over how PSR is changing the industry in ways they say causes unnecessary job losses and creates an unsafe environment.

"It's always been do more with less, but now it's do more with less to the absolute extreme," said a conductor in Eastern Kentucky who did not want to be named for fear of retribution by CSX.

While layoffs have occurred in nearly all facets of the railroad business, the biggest cuts have been from the conductor and maintenance ranks, according to detailed monthly data the seven major freight railroads provide the Surface Transportation Board.

Rail executives say PSR enhances on-time delivery for customers. They point to a safety record that shows the industry is far safer today than it was two decades ago, although there have been several major derailments in recent weeks.

"What they [customers] are getting in terms of service quality today is off the chart," James Foote, president of CSX told investors at a November investment conference in Tennessee. He pointed to "dramatic" improvement in on-time delivery to about 90 percent, up from around 50 percent before PSR.

Multiple rail executives took the stage at the Stephens Nashville Investment Conference last month to stress that while rail volumes were down, employee head count and other costs were down even more, ensuring the companies remained highly profitable.

Norfolk Southern saw a 6 percent volume decline, but crew costs were down by 13 percent, said Alan Shaw, the company's chief marketing officer. He called it "good productivity" and said the company was "accelerating" this strategy heading into next year.

Another key part of the efficiency push is running longer trains. The average train length has increased 25 percent since 2008 to about 1.4 miles, according to a Government Accountability Office report published in May.

Workers across the country report an increase in hitching two trains together on their routes.

"They found they can hook two trains together and cut a crew," said a Union Pacific engineer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, who asked not to be named out of fear for his job.

He recalled a recent episode when "there was one with 220 cars, about 3 miles long. It was enormous and only had two people" working it.

A Union Pacific spokeswoman said the average train length is about 1.5 miles.

Workers say they are concerned that radio signals sometimes go down between the front and back of long trains and that Americans don't like waiting for long trains to pass.

"We're seeing trains that are 2.5 miles long on a daily basis," said Jeremy Ferguson, president of the SMART Union (short for International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers). "It's a huge issue. It's very difficult for the operating crews and the towns and cities we operate through. It's unsafe to have rail crossings blocked so long."

Negotiations are currently underway between the major rail unions and companies.

Some freight carriers would like to cut down the typical personnel on a freight train from two (a conductor and engineer) to one. Fully automated freight trains began running in Australia about a year ago, a possible precursor of what's to come.

"I've been one of the fortunate few who have never been laid off," Hollandsworth said. "Now I go in every day wondering if this is it."
HARTFORD  Connecticuts congressional delegation warned Friday that the targeted killing of Irans top general in Iraq could escalate international tensions into a major regional conflict.

But in Washington, Republicans and President Donald Trumps administration said the Thursday night assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Commander General Qassem Soleimani stopped an imminent, major attack against American targets.

They said the fatal drone strike near Baghdad International Airport saved American lives, although it prompted an order Friday from the State Department for U.S. civilians to immediately flee Iran.

There is no question, no doubt that Soleimani was as bad actor, an enemy of the United States, with American blood on his hands, said U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on Friday. I want to hear from the administration the strategy for protecting Americans abroad and at home, and equally important, the strategy involved in this assassination of a leader of a country with which we are not at war, in a nation where we are not at war.

In the aftermath of the killing, 3,000 more U.S. troops will be sent to the Middle East, the Associated Press reported. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamonts office said that there are no security threats to the state, and the Connecticut National Guard reported no changes to normal training activities.

The states all-Democratic congressional delegation complained they were not briefed about the attack in advance, nor do they have any information about how Trump will manage possible Iranian retaliation and other consequences of the high-profile killing. Some raised concerns about the possibility of war with Iran.

All said the White House must quickly tell Congress the reasoning behind the assassination of Soleimani, as well as the path going forward in the Middle East to avoid a wider-ranging conflict.

The actions authorized by President Trump may have accomplished their tactical objective, but I am deeply concerned by the ripple effects this attack may have by destabilizing the region, said U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. In a volatile region where we have seen our embassy attacked in the last week, and where we have deployed additional troops to support our personnel, every action must be carefully considered to ensure that we avoid bringing the United States into another deadly, protracted armed conflict.

Blumenthal noted that Trumps ordered killing comes at a time when the presidents impeachment is pending in the Senate, amid new revelations in recent days on his withholding $390 million in aid for Ukraine for personal political reasons.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on CNN Friday that Soleimani was actively plotting to take big action in the region, but declined to provide details of the threat. He said a U.S. intelligence community assessment led to the drone strike.

While members of Congress agreed that Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of Americans, they worried the security of Americans around the world, not just in the Middle East, may now be at-risk in an anticipated response from Iran.

Multiple Connecticut Democrats said Congress deserves an immediate briefing on the strike and an explanation of what comes next, particularly if war with Iran is possible.

The president has the power to use his executive authority for limited strikes; however, only Congress has the sole power to declare war, said U.S. Rep. John Larson. The gravity of this should give everybody pause, as this airstrike is tantamount to an act of war against Iran. The administration needs Congressional authorization before action is taken that would result in the United States going to war with Iran.

U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes chastised Trump for not alerting Congress prior to the strike.

This decision continues the administrations failure to recognize Congress Article I constitutional powers and threatens the necessary checks and balances of our government, she said.

Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he is concerned that Iranian leaders and proxies could unite to harm U.S. interests even more than if Soleimani were left alive.

The question moving forward is whether the administration has given any thought as to how to manage the fallout that comes from such a drastic action, Murphy said. This is the equivalent of the Iranians assassinating the U.S. secretary of defense. If the Iranians were to assassinate the U.S. secretary of defense, we would consider it an act of war and we would respond disproportionately. I do not believe the administration has gamed out how very badly this could go for the U.S. and our interests.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney a member of the House Armed Services Committee, also said that Soleimani was a bad actor, but his death does not end the regions friction.

Not consulting with the American people, Congressional leadership and our allies before taking this escalatory action in a part of the world where we have been entangled for 18 long years is the wrong way to isolate Iranian bad behavior and wind down our involvement in the Middle East, Courtney said in a statement.

Republican members of Congress praised Trumps decision to terminate the Iranian general.

Qassem Soleimani was a terrorist. He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. soldiers and thousands of innocent Syrian civilians, said House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. Todays confirmation is not only a statement to those seeking to attack America, but it also marks the stark difference between this administration and previous ones. We will not let attacks that kill Americans go unpunished.

The Connecticut National Guard on Friday reported that there are about 300 state troops currently deployed throughout the Middle East, although there are none in Iraq.

On Saturday, the National Guard will sponsor an official welcome-back event for its 103rd Airlift Wing, which returned in November from a nearly five-month deployment in Kuwait. The 1,100-member group was responsible for flying 5,636 tons of cargo and 18,277 combat troops throughout the region. The event will be held at 3 p.m. at the Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby.
It is hoped that a transformed Cork Docklands can provide a sense of place for 25,000 people in the future, writes Catherine Shanahan

What with Corks boundary extension creating all that space and oxygen, the city is thriving, growing upwards and outwards, like a well-fed child.

The push to the skyline sees glass stacks unfolding daily as office and apartment blocks, hotels and student accommodation overtake low-lying neighbours.

Theres only one outcome to the number of cranes monopolising the skyline: a shiny new face for Cork.

As the city develops, Fearghal Reidy, Cork City Councils Director of Strategic & Economic Development (pictured top, right,) is keen to see a distinctiveness of design so that you will know you are coming into Cork.

He also wants a city that is resilient, able to withstand extreme weather events, such as the flooding that wreaked havoc in 2009. Thats important for investor confidence, he says, and at the moment, investor confidence is high.

Its an exciting time for the city, and its an exciting time for the City Council, is Reidys judgment.

Population surge

Theres a fair momentum behind the city, having gained 85,000 residents courtesy of the boundary extension, and a more than three-fold increase in its footprint. This acquisition creates new challenges when devising a new City Development Plan. The current one expires in 2021, so the city is gearing up for a public consultation phase around the new plan in the first quarter of 2020 (Q1).

Work is also under way on a Local Area Plan (LAP) for a dramatic overhaul of our dishevelled docklands. Reidy says it will be ready by Q2 2020, and will be integrated into the City Development Plan.

2020 Vision, and Beyond

So what will the docklands look like?

There will be in the order of 20,000-25,000 people living there and another 29,000 working there, so it will be a very vibrant place, Reidy says.

Whats important to us is that there is a sense of place and a sense of community.

In that regard we are planning it to make sure that there are the correct social services in terms of housing, education, health, and amenities.

But more importantly that theres a sense of place, so you can really feel at home when you are living there.

Has the city learnt lessons from dockland development in other cities? (Dublin docklands was recently described as boring and repetitive by the developer that kickstarted it all, back in the early days of The Point, Harry Crosbie).

Weve looked at Dublin, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the UK and I think a number of elements are very important in terms of making sure that there is a good social infrastructure, including a mix of tenure  so social and affordable housing as well as private.

In Cork right now theres a broadening mix of people  people coming from different countries, with different families, and different lifestyles and we want the docklands to be a place where you can be comfortable with your difference and still have a sense of community.

Inwards, and Upwards

Planning ahead: City Hall director Fearghal Reidy. Pic: courtesy The Business Post

So how much of the docklands will be high rise?

The guidelines from Government are to encourage density in height, Reidy says.

At any rate, Cork has always been proud of its tall buildings and theres a level of development ongoing right now that by Irish standards is high-rise  the Dean Hotel by Kent Station, Navigation Square, plans for a 25-storey apartment block on the site of the former Sextant pub, plans for a hotel (up to/over 30 storeys) behind the Customs House that will strip the Elysian of its tallest building claim, plans for a 15-storey skinny-scraper Prism on a wedge-shaped site on Clontarf Street (see pic far left).

The 10,000 housing units planned for the docklands will range in scale, Reidy says.

What I think is important is that they are not all the same height. It would be bland, and you dont want that for the docklands.

Key to the opening up of the docklands is a new road network. The plan is to invest 6.5m in the city centre to Docklands Road Network Scheme. It aims to create, inter alia, 520m of new dedicated inbound bus lanes and 700m+ of two-way cycle track.

This scheme, following a third-party objection, is subject to judicial review.

Plans to overhaul roads and transport systems tend to generate controversy (eg the citys decision earlier this year to ban cars from St Patricks Street for a couple of hours daily). That ban had to be postponed temporarily after retailers objected.

Reidy says they want the city centre to be easy to enjoy. "My view is that the best way for retailers to sell is for people to see their shop windows, so to do that you need improved pedestrian permeability and improved public transport. You see in other cities that with improved public transport, people start using the city centre more because it's more accessible."

Does the city's plan to open up the city centre include MacCurtain Street becoming two-way next year?

"Thats being developed at the moment, Reidy says. Theres an excellent offer on MacCurtain Street in terms of cafes and pubs and restaurants.

The purpose of the development of MacCurtain Street is to improve the experience for the visitor and for the resident and people coming from the suburbs.

Its a beautiful street. The problem is you dont get enough time to look at it and enjoy it.

He anticipates it will take up to 18 months to put a two-way traffic system in place.

Cork through a new Prism

Reidy says they also hope to make more of the citys maritime heritage.

City Hall officials are working with Tower Holdings in Ireland, the US-based developers behind the 15-storey Prism (as well as a proposed sky-scraper on Custom House Quay, initially sketched at over 30 storeys), to see what can be done with the iconic Bonded Warehouses that line the same quays.

He says they want to create something that captures the imagination of children and families in the way the annual Seafest has done.

It could be something like the successful interactive learning experience at Blackrock Castle or the Lifetime Lab, except with a maritime theme.

The range of ideas for the city are endless, it seems. As Fearghal Reidy reiterates, its an exciting place to be right now.

This time next year, all going to plan, we could start viewing Cork city through a very different Prism  from the one on Clontarf Street.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday met Pakistani refugees here in Jodhpur.

The refugees, while meeting with Shah, expressed gratitude to the government for bringing in the new Citizenship Amendment Act.

Thanking Shah for the new Act, the refugees presented a momento to Shah.

Earlier in the day, Shah, in a public rally, reiterated about his party's firm stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act and asserted that they will not move even an inch away on the issue, no matter how many parties join hands against it."Even if all these parties come together, BJP will not move back even an inch on this issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act. You can spread as much misinformation as you want", Shah said while addressing a public rally here.The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday came out in support of the Kerala Assembly resolution demanding scrapping of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying it was the voice of the people and the Centre should also pay heed to it.

In an open letter to Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Punjab chief minister asserted that the states have already taken necessary legal advice on the matter and termed the Kerala Assembly's resolution on the amended citizenship law the "voice of the people" as spoken through their elected representatives, and urged the Centre to pay heed to the same.

"MLAs represent the voice of the people at large," Singh said, adding it was not only a matter of Parliamentary privilege but the constitutional duty of those representatives to make known such views.

A number of chief ministers, including those of West Bengal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, have already announced that the new citizenship law is "unconstitutional" and has no place in their states.

Declaring that as heads of responsible state governments "we are neither naive nor misguided", he said laws could not be forcibly imposed on citizens, and like all powers, even Parliamentary power was coupled with duty to exercise it responsibly.

After the Kerala Assembly passed the resolution on December 31, Prasad asserted the law was binding on the entire country and was "perfectly legal" and "constitutional". He had said that only Parliament has exclusive powers to pass any law with regard to subjects under the seventh schedule and not any assembly.

According to Singh, by insisting that only Parliament under Article 245 of the Constitution has the legislative power to pass laws regarding citizenship, and not the state governments, the Union law minister has entirely missed the point of the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly.

"It has not passed any citizenship law. It urges the Government of India (through Parliament where it now has a majority) to amend the CAA," the Punjab chief minister pointed out.

"Surely, you, both as minister of law as well as a lawyer, know that the resolution is rightly directed, as it is Parliament which must amend/repeal such law based on a proposal/Bill mooted by the Government of India," he said according to an official statement.

Drawing the Prasad's attention to the Preamble of the Constitution, Singh said that as a lawyer he should "know that the word 'secular' was one of the three specifically introduced into the preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.

The Punbaj chief minister dubbed the Union minister's continuous disclaimer that the CAA does not in any manner affect Indian Muslims as "a public /political stand which you are forced to take out of compulsion of office".

"Surely (and again as a lawyer yourself) you would be alive to the raging debate that the CAA fails the test of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees to all persons equality before the law and equal protection of laws, irrespective of their religion," Singh said.

If the Citizenship (Amendment) Act seeks to protect religious persecution, then such protection should be available to persons of all religious minorities, from all countries where people may face religious persecution, he emphasized, citing the example of Uganda from where Hindus were ousted during the Idi Amin regime.

Citing the sensitive border location of Punjab, Singh said, "Since the CAA has no requirement of being of Indian origin or having to prove any such origins, this means that any person claiming to be of the six religions could simply apply in terms of the amended law, prove entry on/before the cut-off date and be eligible for citizenship."



"This could in fact be misused for infiltration into our country, particularly in the border states, converting this misguided legislation into a national security threat," he said in the letter.

Referring to the NRC, on which "conflicting statements had been emerging from the Government of India, which generates no confidence whatsoever," Singh claimed that when read along with the CAA, it would automatically deprive many (if not all) Indian Muslims of the rights of citizenship.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A shooting in a supermarket parking lot on Monday in San Mateo stemmed from a failed drug deal, prosecutors said Friday.

Jose Antonio Longino, 21, and Dania Juarez, 19, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges connected with the attack on a 20-year-old man, according to the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office. Both live in East Palo Alto.

Longino and Juarez arranged to meet with the victim in the parking lot of La Hacienda Market, 201 Amplett Street, in San Mateo to sell him half a pound of marijuana for $700, investigators said. When the potential buyer decided to back out, Longino became enraged and shot the man in the leg with a stolen 9-mm handgun, prosecutors said.

Longino and Juarez allegedly then fled. The argument and shooting were caught on surveillance video, which showed the license plate of the fleeing vehicle. The plate was registered to Longino, investigators said.

The victim  who was not named by investigators  was treated for a gunshot wound and released from Stanford Hospital.

Later that day, East Palo Alto police spotted the suspects car. Longino was driving and Juarez was a passenger. When officers attempted to pull them over, Longino led officers on a high speed chase into Fremont.

When the car slowed, Juarez jumped out with a black duffel bag and ran. Longino stopped and jumped out of the car several blocks later. Officers arrested him, and later apprehended Juarez.

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.

Officers said they found a half pound of marijuana and 9-mm gun in the black bag.

Longino remained in custody with no bail on Friday, while Juarez was released under supervision. The case is set for preliminary court hearing on Jan. 15.

Anna Bauman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @abauman2
A: No, the president is not legally bound to consult with Congress when an act of national defense is deemed an emergency. Congress is given the constitutional power to declare war, but no U.S. wars have been congressionally declared for decades. Instead, the president is given leeway to conduct warlike actions that everyone calls a war but that Congress doesnt have to endorse with a vote. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) among others has railed against this for years, essentially calling it both a usurpation of power by the White House and an act of cowardice on the part of Congress. Past presidents have almost always found it prudent to consult with or inform at least a small group of national security leaders in Congress.  Anne Gearan
So, just who is this top Iranian general the U.S. just eliminated? For many of us who watch and analyze news out of the Middle East daily, he was the world's number one bad guy. Qasem Soleimani has been in control of Iran's Quds Force for more than 20 years. His current greatest hits include helping Bashar al Assad slaughter hundreds of thousands of his own people in the Syrian civil war, stoking the Houthis in Yemen's civil war, and overseeing the killing of hundreds of Iraqi protesters recently demonstrating against Iranian influence in their country. But most importantly for Americans, Soleimani was behind the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers during the Iraq War. Last year, the U.S. State Department put the number of Americans killed by Iranian proxies in Iraq at 608 since 2003. The killing of Soleimani doesn't have the emotional power of the takedown of Osama bin Laden, and he wasn't even as well-known to Americans as ISIS founder Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. But in many ways, taking him out means much more in terms of saving current lives. Remember that bin Laden and al Baghdadi were mostly out of business and in hiding at the time of their deaths. Solemani was busier than ever, directing mayhem all over the Middle East and beyond.

Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani (C) attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran, Iran on September 18, 2016. Pool | Press Office of Iranian Supreme Leader | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

For example, these last few days have made it clear to the whole world just how much Iran controlled just about all of Iraq and Iraq's Shia population. It appears Solemeini not only felt justified in being the likely mastermind behind Tuesday's attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, he also was comfortable enough to travel to Iraq personally to oversee it. But this time, he got too comfortable. We're already hearing from a number of critics that this move will likely backfire against the U.S. and will provoke Iran to retaliate even more forcibly against American and its allies. To those people making those warnings, there's really only one thing to say: "Welcome to the party, pal!" That's because Iran has really been at war with the U.S. since 1979. The killing of hundreds of our troops in Iraq, the constant terrorism it sponsors and supplies against Israel, and even the recent provocations against oil traffic in the Persian Gulf are all acts of war from which there really is no retreat without severe consequences. For the Trump administration, it would appear the embassy attack was the last straw. It was also one that provided the ultimate opportunity to eliminate Soleimani as he foolishly left his home country and made himself more physically and legally vulnerable. Another thing to remember is that Soleimani and his foreign escapades may have been the delight of the ruling mullahs in Tehran. But the people in the streets abandoned him long ago, if they ever really supported him in the first place.
Ally Li with Kunqu opera costume [For Women of China]

Ally Li, founder of both SD Media and the cultural brand HOSHIJIE (meaning good times in Chinese), is vice-chairperson of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association. She also became the first person from Macao to perform Kunqu opera on CCTV (China Central Television)'s Lantern Festival Opera Gala. She has described the changes in her life during the past 10 the years as "earth-shaking and thorough." Says Li: "As a native of Macao, I feel lucky that I have obtained many valuable development opportunities in the big family of our motherland."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Macao's return to China. For Li, the second decade  2009 to 2019  after Macao's return to China has been filled with golden years, during which she has undergone remarkable changes and compiled achievements in her life.

Ally Li [For Women of China]

Brave, Diligent, Responsible

When asked to describe herself with a few key words, Li answers: "Brave, diligent, serious and sense of responsibility  I am always optimistic, and I have never been beaten in the heart."

In 2009, the company that employed Li collapsed. Li's father, an entrepreneur, encouraged her to start her own business, while her mother hoped she would find a job with a government department. Li took her father's advice. "Maybe I inherited the gene of bravery from my dad," she jokes.

Li decided to establish a magazine. "At that time, Macao didn't have its own magazine that focused on local fashion trends and information. It was inconceivable. We should have our own magazine of that type," Li explains. So, she started SD Magazine.

Li initially depended on advertising revenues to distribute her magazines  for free. During the past 10 years, some 137 editions of the magazine have been published. SD Media has developed into a cultural group, which owns a newspaper, two magazines, a public relations company, an advertising company and a new-media company.

Li meanwhile has grown into a real entrepreneur. During the first few years of her business, she studied MBA (Master of Business Administration) courses at Zhongshan University, in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, to expand her knowledge.

"I still remember what my teacher said during a class. He stressed that we were not just businessmen, that we should be entrepreneurs who contribute to social progress, and who achieve sustainable development. His remarks had a great influence on me, and helped guide my following development," Li says.

She believes having a sense of responsibility is more important than making money. She has always tried her best to spread positive energy, and she has encouraged her employees to make good use of their talents.

"Think like a boss, act like a lady" is Li's favorite quote. "A woman entrepreneur may have a good appearance, affinity and sense of care. She should also have the vision of the overall situation, so, when she makes a decision, she is able to take extensive factors into consideration and pave the way for the optimal development of her company. People face both opportunities and challenges amid fierce market competition. It is your ability and quality that win you opportunities in the market, not the gender," Li says.

"If you lose your fighting spirit, your colleagues will feel it. If you are confident and passionate, your team will have a strong sense of cohesion and solidarity. That is the charm and responsibility of an entrepreneur," Li adds.

Ally Li wears Kunqu opera costume. [For Women of China]

Bond with Kunqu

"I never imagined how far I would reach when I started my own business. But, I believe, as long as you do your best with your current work, opportunities will come naturally," Li says.

Li's bond with Kunqu opera began in 2005, when the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR (Special Administrative Region) Government hosted an art festival. Pai Hsien -yung, a renowned writer and Kunqu opera producer, was invited to promote the Kunqu opera, The Peony Pavilion (Young Lovers' Edition), during the festival. A great fan of Kunqu opera, he has committed himself to preserving and promoting the traditional art form worldwide.

"I was fascinated by Kunqu opera, a combination of literature, opera and dances. It is such a great art form that embodies classic beauty," Li says. She was not content with being just a fan of Kunqu opera, she decided to learn the opera. "I wanted to have a deep bond with it," she adds.

As she lived in Macao, it was difficult for her to find a professional Kunqu opera teacher. But Li never gave up on her dream of learning the opera. At her friends' recommendations, she began learning the opera through online courses, given by famous Kunqu opera artist Qiu Caiping, in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province.

"The online courses were a great help to me. I could finally have easy access to real Kunqu opera. But for Cantonese speakers, learning Kunqu opera is like learning a foreign language, as the opera involves singing in the dialect of East China's Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. I must overcome the difficulty of speaking the dialect," Li recalls. She visited Qiu several times to learn vocalization methods.

In 2014, Li participated in a national Kunqu opera contest, and she won the bronze medal. She became the first person from Macao to win a national prize related to Kunqu opera.

To promote Kunqu opera in Macao, Li and some of her friends established Chinese Kunqu Culture Association of Macao in 2018. The association only had two members in the beginning. Now, it has more than 60 members.

This year, Li became the first person from Macao to perform on CCTV's Lantern Festival Opera Gala, which was broadcast on February 19. "It is the dream of many artists to perform on CCTV's stage. I am just a fan of Kunqu opera, not a professional actress. I feel really lucky and happy to have been able to perform on such a stage," Li says.

When she researched Kunqu opera and Macao's history, Li discovered Tang Xianzu (1550-1616), a great playwright during China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and who wrote The Peony Pavilion, once visited Macao and formed a friendship with Italian missionary Matteo Ricci (1552-1610). Tang had written several poems to describe what he saw in Macao.

Inspired by that history, Li decided to create a stage drama that combined Kunqu opera to present how Macao is related to Kunqu opera, and to promote Macao and traditional Chinese cultures. Li, the playwright and an actress in the drama, plans to finish writing and stage the drama in Shanghai and Guangzhou next year. "I hope that more people will understand the history of Macao through this drama," she says.

Li's idea to create the cultural brand, HOSHIJIE, was also derived from her experience while learning Kunqu opera. Her store, HOSHIJIE, is situated in Rua dos Ervanarios, in Macao. She sells original Chinese clothes and cultural and creative products that feature Macao's characteristics. The store is also a good place for people to enjoy tea.

Li won third prize during an entrepreneurship and innovation contest, in Guangdong Province, for her cultural brand, HOSHIJIE.

Ally Li poses for a photo at HOSHIJIE. [For Women of China]

More Opportunities

Twenty years ago, when CCTV filmed a documentary in Macao, Li, then a middle school student, was interviewed. "As a Chinese, it is very meaningful to know the landscapes, culture and customs of the motherland. Chinese should have a better understanding of their own country," she said. At that time, she was a member of her school's history and geography association, and she often visited scenic spots and historical sites in Chinese mainland.

Li has witnessed the opportunities presented to Macao SAR, and the development of the motherland, during the past two decades. "Each of us is the beneficiary of national development and the progress of the times. My peers and I live happy lives, and we work hard. We are grateful to our motherland for the care and support," Li says.

Earlier this year, Li became vice-chairperson of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, and chairperson of Macao District.

"The multiple policies in the greater bay area has brought opportunities for us to expand our market in the Chinese mainland. I will keep promoting Macao's culture, and traditional Chinese culture, and I will expand my career in the Chinese mainland and promote exchanges between young people from the Chinese mainland and Macao SAR. Let us embrace a more vibrant future," she says.

Ally Li participates in an activity held at her store HOSHIJIE. [For Women of China]

(Women of China English Monthly December 2019 issue)
03.01.2020 LISTEN

On New Year's nite when the city of Accra was inundated with activities in every corner, the Kuchoko Legend Blakk Rasta was sweating it out in Ashaiman for the first time.

I chanced upon the advert earlier that day for a Blakk Rasta concert which was hurriedly organised in five days. I had never seen Blakk Rasta in concert so I decided to travel two hours away from the heart of the city to Ashaiman and, to my surprise, the Falcon City Restaurant at Lebanon School Junction was packed beyond capacity, upstairs and downstairs. I managed to buy two Sharwamas which gave me a tiny space in a tight, hot corner from where I could watch the action on stage.

At 11pm Blakk Rasta made his appearance on stage and security had an issue with marauding fans screaming and bellowing his name. Once on stage with his Herbalist Band, the herbs were ablaze in a bonfire which was aflame for about two hours of Kuchoko warfare which massacred twenty two songs. Awesome! I was shocked how the artiste gnawed through his repertoire in such a picturesque fashion full of energy and vibe.

The power was unconquerable and another thing that dumbfounded me was how the crowd sang along every one of the 22 songs Blakk Rasta performed on stage. I never fanthomed that this superb radio broadcaster who I listened to had such a magnificent collection of songs so popular that even, seemingly drunken guys on the night chorused through the songs. I hardly heard Blakk Rasta's songs on mainstream radio in Accra so I was really bemused to see the craze around the artiste.

The Herbalist Band was on point as they belted out hot Kuchoko music which is a blend of Reggae and African rhythms to the unsuspecting audience. The energy was encapsulating and each time Blakk Rasta announced the end of his performance, the crowd roared in disagreement and called for me. Songs such as Barack Obama, Jameela, Chucku Laryea, Taakama, Gaafara, Kwame Nkrumah, Dumb Trump, Sakina, Iyawata, Zantan Bua, Letter from Babylon et cetera rocked the stage with untold energy and, as a fan of good, authentic live music, I was left totally seduced from head to toe. I had never encountered a live band artiste all through my journey in Ghana for the past few years who stood on his feet belting out 22 songs with such untold energy for 3 hours of pure fireworks.

I requested for another Sharwama but I was told all the food was finished. The restaurant had ran out of food. The crowd had gorged their insatiable appetite on the food to the glory of Jah. It was time to go home after grabbing a copy of Blakk Rasta's new 2-CD, 32 song album, TIMBUKTU BY ROAD.

Other artistes who performed and gave a good account of themselves included Vibration Kings, Commander Messiah, Luther King Band, Ever Blazing, Isaaqa-Ba, Fadi B, Saint and Ras Adidi.
Its just ensuring a girls period isnt a barrier to her succeeding in life  Funding announced to help tackle period poverty in Wales

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 3rd, 2020

Wrexham Council is set to receive a share of funding to help tackle period poverty in communities across the county borough.

It comes after the Welsh Government announced that more than 3.3 million will be allocated to help those unable to access period products due to financial constraints and to promote period dignity in schools and colleges across Wales.

Every college, primary and secondary school across the country will benefit from a 3.1m fund, enabling them to provide free sanitary products for every learner who may need them.

And each local authority will be allocated part of a 220,000 fund to help them provide free period products to women and girls who may otherwise be unable to afford them, making them available in community-based locations such as libraries and hubs.

In September 2018, 500 students from Wrexham secondary schools took part in a survey about the provision of sanitary equipment and feminine hygiene products available to them.

It found that more than a quarter of pupil respondents have had to take time off secondary school in the last year because of lack of access to sanitary products and more than a third of respondents in primary school.

Since then all secondary schools in Wrexham have received a delivery of products  including a range of four types of towels and one type of tampon.

Amber Treharne, 16, and Rebecca Lewis, 15, are two members of Carmarthenshires Youth Council who are raising awareness of period dignity in their county and finding the best ways to support young women and girls.

Amber said: It started back in 2018 when the member of the UK Youth Council from our county, Tom, carried out the Make Your Mark ballot paper.

It came out that period poverty was a very prominent issue. It shocked all of us really when we learnt young girls within the county were missing out on education and that one in 10 girls aged 14 to 21 in the UK couldnt afford sanitary products, so as a youth council we decided to set up a period poverty campaign.

In every school weve being delivering boxes which have free packs of tampons and sanitary towels which young girls can then access at any time in the school day.

Our work is all about raising awareness and promoting the message that its not okay that you have to miss out on your education or you have to miss out on work because you dont have adequate sanitary products. Its just ensuring a girls period isnt a barrier to her succeeding in life.

The Youth Council has joined forces with the Body Shop in Carmarthen to ensure women and girls have access to free period products every day, not just when theyre in school.

Rebecca added: Its really sad that theres stigma and young girls may feel embarrassed to go ask for help so by us putting this into place in the schools, youth groups and in the Body Shop, young girls can go access the products and dont have to have the stigma anymore.

Deputy Minister and Chief Whip Jane Hutt said: Weve made considerable progress in tackling period poverty in 2019 and the 3.3m for 2020-21 will mean we can continue to ensure period dignity for every woman and girl in Wales by providing appropriate products and facilities.

Its heartening to see young people taking on this issue and working within their schools and communities to combat the stigma and taboos which unfortunately still exist today.
NEW YORK - After Fridays targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani, newsrooms struggled with the question: Had the United States just carried out an assassination? And should news stories about the killing use that term?

The AP Stylebook, considered a news industry bible, defines assassination as the murder of a politically important or prominent individual by surprise attack.

Although the United States and Iran have long been adversaries and engaged in a shadow war in the Middle East and elsewhere, the U.S. has never declared formal war on Iran. So the targeted killing of a high Iranian state and military official by a surprise attack was clearly an assassination, said Mary Ellen OConnell, an expert in international law and the laws of war at the University of Notre Dame School of Law.

Just as clearly, the Trump administration doesnt agree.

Though a statement issued by the Pentagon said the attack was specifically intended to kill Soleimani and that it was ordered at the direction of the President, it also characterized the killing as defensive, to protect U.S. military forces abroad, and stated that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. Subsequent statements by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump also characterized the killing as punishment of Soleimani for past blood on his hands.

OConnells counterargument: Whether the killing is framed as part of an armed conflict between two states or as a police action intended to deter terrorism, it cannot be characterized as an act of self-defence because there was never a full-fledged and direct attack on the United States by Iran. The United Statess legal reason for being in Iraq is to deter the Islamic State group, not to fight against Iran, she noted, and the attacks against the U.S. by Iranian-backed militias in recent months have been intermittent and relatively limited.

Assassination is prohibited both in peacetime law as well as on the battlefield, she said.

We have really moved to a nearly lawless state, she said. If the justification for a military response is self-defence, the response should be necessary and proportionate. But that would not justify individual targeted killings, she said.

For Iran, Soleimanis killing was a horrific assassination, wrote Majid Takht Ravanchi, Irans ambassador to the United Nations.

It is an obvious example of state terrorism, and, as a criminal act, constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law, Ravanchi wrote in a letter to the U.N. secretary-general.

The premeditated killing of a specific individual commander for what they have done on the battlefield or what they may do has been prohibited by the law of armed conflict dating from the Hague Conventions of 1907, and by a protocol of the Geneva Convention in 1949 saying it is prohibited to kill, injure or capture an adversary by perfidy, she added.

International war law aside, there also has been a U.S. executive order in place since 1976 forbidding the U.S. from carrying out political assassinations. The order came into being after revelations that the CIA had organized or sanctioned assassination attempts against foreign leaders including Fidel Castro.

The current version of the executive order states: No person employed by or acting on behalf of the United States Government shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, assassination.

It does not however define what constitutes an assassination, and has been generally interpreted to mean an unlawful killing of a political leader in peacetime. For instance, during the war on terror since 9-11, the United States is believed to have conducted a number of secret drone strikes targeting individuals, such as the attack against al- Qaida propagandist Anwar al-Awlaki, who was killed in 2011 in Yemen.

Soleimani, however, was a military leader. If he was leading forces against the United States, under the international laws of war as enunciated in the 1949 Geneva Conventions, he and his forces could be considered legitimate battle targets during any actual war or armed conflict, declared or undeclared.

The AP has mostly refrained from describing Soleimanis death as an assassination  both because it would require that the news service decide that the act was a murder, and because the term is politically freighted.

Duke University Professor of Law Madeleine Morris, an expert on international criminal law, said the law is not terribly clear in this area.

She said that under the United Nations Charter, there is a clear right of self-defence in response to armed attacks. She noted that some might argue that the attacks the U.S. has experienced in this case do not meet at a threshold of gravity to justify this sort of targeted killing, while others would argue to the contrary that there is no explicit threshold  that if attacked a country has an absolute right to respond militarily.

There is no obligation to kill a lot of people rather than a single person, she said.

The question then would be whether the act of war was legal, allowed as self-defence, or would it be considered an illegal act of aggression? That would depend on the intelligence evidence offered by the United States and the imminence of any planned attack.

The problem is that governments have good reason to make very little public in this situation, which makes it very difficult to evaluate the situation politically or legally.
The year 2019 closed on a celebratory note for British-Nigerian, Yewande Mayomi-Akinola, as she was recognised with an Order of the British Empire award by The Queen in the United Kingdom.

The image of Nigeria continues to be burnished with an appreciating number of her citizens who have attained excellent distinction in their career fields. One of such distinguished Nigerians is Ms Mayomi-Akinola who has been admitted into an elevated circle of honour and influence in Britain with the award of Order of the British Empire (MBE).

The proclamation conferring the honour on Ms Mayomi-Akinola by Queen Elizabeth II of England was published in the official public record on December 28, 2019. The multi-talented awardee, who is very proud of her Nigerian roots, was recognised for services to Engineering and to Diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Design and Innovation.

Ranked one of the top 100 Most Influential Women Leaders in Engineering UK and Europe by the Financial Times, 35 year-old Ms Mayomi-Akinola from Rugby, in Warwickshire works as principal engineer for Laing ORourke.

Her career has been decorated with various awards including the U.K. Society of Public Health Engineers Young Engineer of the Year. She won the U.K. Young Woman Engineer of the Year (Institute of Engineering & Technology) and has been honoured with the Exceptional Achiever Award by the Association for Black Engineers (AFBE-UK) and the Association of Consultancy and Engineering, U.K. (ACE). She has been named one of the UKs top 35 women under the age of 35 by Management Today and was awarded PRECIOUS AWARDS Outstanding Woman in STEM award.

SIGNED OFF Yewande AkinolaJPG Royal Academy of Engineering Awards Dinner 2018, The Pavilion at the Tower of London.

Always striving for a purpose, her life is activity-packed with no dull moment. She takes a keen interest in educational tours, reading, dancing and building models. She has also presented television programmes for Discovery Channel, Channel 4, Yesterday TV and CBBC.

Much sought after for experience and deep insight she deploys to any assignment at hand, Ms Mayomi-Akinola sits on the Board of Trustees of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. She is on the Royal Academy of Engineering Africa CATALYST Steering Committee and is a Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster. She has recently joined Council at the University of Warwick.

Ms Mayomi-Akinola holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering Design and Appropriate Technology from the University of Warwick and a Masters in Innovation and Design for Sustainability from Cranfield University. Her wide experience in engineering has placed her in designations to oversee Design and Construction, Innovation and Manufacture of buildings and systems in the built environment. She has worked on projects in the U.K., Africa, the Middle East and in East Asia.
The Worldview tool from NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) shows this scene on Jan. 2, 2020, as wildfires continue in their intensity along the southeastern coast of Australia. (Image credit: NASA EOSDIS)

Satellites in space can spot changes to Earth's climate, and they are providing frightening bird's-eye views of the devastating consequences of global warming.

The wildfires raging in the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria began in November 2019, and they continue to pose severe safety and environmental problems. NBC News reported that thousands of Australians fled their homes on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31), seeking refuge near the oceanside. On Thursday (Jan. 2) NBC News also reported that New South Wales declared a weeklong state of emergency, making this the third time an emergency period has been announced since the fires began.

"My last day of the decade felt like the apocalypse," Sydney-based photojournalist Matt Abbott tweeted on Dec. 31. Abbott, who is covering the wildfires for The New York Times, added: "Been covering the Australian bushfires for the last 6 weeks, but haven't seen anything like yesterday's fire that decimated the town of Conjola, NSW."

Related: Astronaut Sees Devastating California Wildfires from Space (Photos)

My last day of the decade felt like the apocalypse. Been covering the Australian bushfires for the last 6 weeks, but havent seen anything like yesterdays fire that decimated the town of Conjola, NSW. #bushfirecrisis #AustralianBushfires #NSWisburning work for @nytimes pic.twitter.com/KmVKqDMKsfJanuary 1, 2020 See more

Information from NASA satellites can teach scientists about the lingering consequences of these events, like the production of dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide.

NASA operates a group of 26 satellites collectively known as the Earth Observing System (EOS), and its flagship satellite, a bus-sized spacecraft named Terra, hit its 20-year mark in space in December 2019. Other NASA satellites, like Aqua and Suomi NPP, also contribute data to EOS, a mission tasked with taking global measurements of the air, land and water to help scientists learn how those systems fit together and morph over time.

The Worldview tool from NASA's EOS Data and Information System transforms satellite data into an interactive page with over 900 imagery layers. You can view current natural disasters, like the Australian wildfires, on Worldview by date and information layer (such as thermal anomalies, borders and place labels). You can also watch an animation of activity by selecting a time range.

A look at Australia's surface starting in October 2019 shows the astounding evolution of wildfires as they multiplied and spewed smoke across Australia's eastern shore.

NASA's Aqua satellite used its Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer to capture this view of wildfires raging on Australia's eastern coast on Dec. 9, 2019. The wildfires were fueled by unusually hot weather and a potent drought that primed the region in October 2019, according to the space agency. (Image credit: NASA EOSDIS)

A severe drought in October 2019 primed the country for the destruction that's still occurring. More than 100 fires raged over the next several months. By Dec. 12, the wildfires in Australia's New South Wales had scourged an area of about 10,000 square miles (27,000 square kilometers), according to NASA representatives in a description of satellite imagery.

The wildfires are raging on Australia's eastern coast, exposing many communities, including Sydney, to hazardous pollution levels. The Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere instrument on the Terra satellite found that the region is blanketed by abnormally high levels of carbon monoxide, an odorless and dangerous gas that's released by the burning of plants and fossil fuels.

This map depicts measurements of outgoing longwave radiation in November 2019. The data on Australia's heat emission comes from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System on board NASA's Terra satellite. (Image credit: EOS-Terra/NASA)

The fires have been particularly damaging to eucalyptus forests. The forests exist in both dry and rainy regions, and both climates are vulnerable to the wildfires for unique reasons. Eucalyptus plants that thrive in dry areas have oil-rich leaves that can easily ignite during a fire, according to a NASA description of the EOS imagery. Fires do help these plants release their seeds, but the dry season in October was so intense that it limited seed germination. Rainforest eucalyptus species, on the other hand, are not accustomed to fires. The ecosystem can't bounce back the way a dry eucalyptus forest could under milder conditions. Unable to tolerate the flames, most of these rainforest plants die under these extreme conditions.

An instrument on NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite observed the unusually hot and dry conditions of November 2019 that fueled the wildfires. The sensor, called the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System, measures the heat emitted back into space. The instrument measured how the sun's radiation was absorbed, emitted and reflected by Earth's surface during the first month of the wildfires.

The flames destroy forests and make the air unbreathable for humans, but they also harm the animals that live there. "Browsing animals like kangaroos are driven out by fire for a short time, and the heat treatment of soil reduces the number of plant-eating insects and soil organisms during the early growth period," Ayesha Tulloch, a conservation biologist at the University of Sydney, said in a NASA image description .
Hyderabad: The special CBI court in Hyderabad on Friday made it clear that AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, party MP V. Vijayasai Reddy, who served formerly as his auditor, have to appear personally before it on January 10 in the disproportionate assets case.

Judge B.R. Madhusud-han said that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy had last appeared on March 1 and Mr Vijayasai Reddy in May.

Counsel G. Ashok Reddy, appearing for Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and Mr Vijayasai Reddy, filed memos seeking exemption from personal appearance on Friday. Taking a strong objection, judge Madhusud-han said this was the last time and he would not allow any memos further in future.

Counsel submitted that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy was busy as CM.

The judge retorted that Mr Vijayasai Reddy had attended court last in May, and prior to that once in November last year. The judge told the counsel that accused A1 (Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy) and A2 (Vijay Sai Reddy) should be present in his court during the next date of hearing set for January 10.

The CBI court had earlier decided to take up hearing of the case every Friday and directed the accused to be present personally before the court.

After becoming the Chief Minister, Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy had filed a petition seeking exemption from personal appearance as he has to discharge his duties as CM but the court dismissed his plea a few months ago.

Sources close to Jagan Mohan Reddys legal team disclosed that they would appeal before the High Court against the order of the CBI court.
by Kaila Colbin , Featured Contributor, January 3, 2020

Australia is on fire. That is not hyperbolic. Read this Twitter thread from Bodie Ashton. Some choice excerpts:

More Aussie land is currently burning than exists in the entire country of Belgium. The smoke is causing breathing problems in New Zealand, 2,000km away.

One-seventh of the state of Victoria is on fire. The fire front in the state of New South Wales is so long that, if you made it a straight line, it would stretch from Sydney to Afghanistan.

Public buildings have been forced to close in Sydney and the capital, Canberra, because the smoke is concentrating in the ventilation systems, and is setting off building fire systems.

It is true that Australia has bushfires every year, but the sheer scale of this event is unprecedented, as well as the fact that the fire season is now so long that typical preventative initiatives, such as backburning, are far too dangerous.

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The devastation in Australia right now FAR exceeds the Amazon fires or the California fires by MANY ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE, and there is no expectation that it will recede for at least several more months.

The average temperature across the entire country has been above 40C (105F). Australia is roughly the size of the contiguous United States. Imagine it being that temperature on average ANYWHERE in the country, from Denver to Boston, Seattle to New York.

The Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, has been -- and this is the kindest way I can say it -- an utterly useless plonker in response, devoid of leadership, empathy, insight, or knowledge.

He went on holiday to Hawaii in the middle of the crisis. His office lied about it, and lied about his inability to get home.

He and his administration are demonstrating a total lack of regard for the volunteer firefighters putting their lives on the line to save people and property. After saying the firefighters wouldnt get paid at all, the government has now agreed to pay those who take time off work $300/day for up to 20 days. For those who get it, its nowhere near the length of time necessary. For volunteer firefighters who were otherwise unemployed, its a total slap in the face: Not only do they not receive the money, they also lose their unemployment benefits because, while theyre fighting fires, theyre not actively looking for work.

Finally, in a classic This is fine" move, Morrison and his administration insist that now is not the time to talk about climate change.

What does this have to do with media? What does this have to do with the Internet?

A few points:

Number one: Per his Twitter profile, Bodie Ashton is an historian and an author, not a journalist. He has just shy of 6,000 followers. But, as of the time of this writing, the first post of his thread has 189k likes and 99k retweets. Millions will have seen it. This is media in the modern age: the Prime Ministers office can try to spin this however they like, but they cannot control the narrative.

Number two: Climate change is a global emergency that is here and now. As a result, it has to do with everything. Not just politics. Not just environmental activism. Not just corporate social responsibility. We are witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of socioeconomic systems that treat natural inputs as unlimited and treat the atmosphere as an open sewer.

We cannot discuss business without discussing the climate. We cannot discuss the Internet without discussing the climate. We cannot discuss media without discussing the climate.

Number three: If youre still carrying some of that Christmas spirit, consider donating to the volunteer firefighters of Australia. The Guardian has a list of links.

This is not a one-off disaster. It is one of the many, many warning signs, getting louder and more insistent by the day. We cannot afford to look away.
US Behind Baghdad Airport Attack That Killed Iranian Quds Commander, PMF Deputy Leader - Report

Sputnik News

04:32 03.01.2020(updated 04:38 03.01.2020)

Earlier in the day, Iraq's Shia Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said on Friday that five members of the militia as well as "two guests" had been killed by rocket fire near the Baghdad International Airport, media reported.

Commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, was killed by the rocket fire near the Baghdad International Airport, Al Arabiya and Sky News broadcasters reported on Friday.

The United States carried out on Friday strikes on two Iran-linked targets in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the Reuters news agency reported, citing unnamed US officials.

The US Department of Defence has not responded to a request on the issue made by Sputnik.

Earlier in the day, a source in the Iraqi security services said that several people had been killed by the rocket fire.

Iraq's Shia Popular Mobilization Forces said its senior official in charge of public relations, Mohammed Jabiri, had been killed in the incident along with four other members of the militia and "two guests."

The rockets are said to have fallen near the facilities of the Iraqi army and the international coalition. According to Al-Sumaria broadcaster, the incident injured 12 Iraqi servicemen and killed a civilian.

The situation in Iraq escalated on Tuesday when Shia protesters attempted to storm the gates of the US Embassy in Baghdad following airstrikes on an Iran-backed unit of Kataib Hezbollah operating in the country.

A Sputnik

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The state of West Virginia has decided to fire roughly 30 correctional officers-in-training after officials became aware of a "completely unacceptable" photo of the cadets.

Jim Justice, the state's governor, announced the decision earlier this week as the result of a monthlong investigation into the controversial image, which featured students who were training for work with the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

In the photo, many trainees are seen raising their hands in a manner that appears to resemble a Nazi salute. The image also features a sign that says, "Hail Byrd"  an apparent reference to one of the students' instructors that bears resemblance to "Hail Hitler," a phrase historically spoken by Nazis when saluting their leader.

Credit: West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety

Credit: West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety

Betsy Jividen, the commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, completed an investigation into the photo last week, finding that the gesture was used by cadets as "a sign of respect for [their instructor]." Jividen's report concluded that the gesture was "highly offensive and egregious in appearance," although it was not done as a "discriminatory act."

Gov. Justice responded to the report on Monday, condemning the actions of those involved and recommending the termination of every cadet who made the gesture in the photo.

"This incident was completely unacceptable," Justice said. Now, we must continue to move forward and work diligently to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

Three people  including two correctional academy trainers  had already been fired in relation to the incident, and all of the cadets had been suspended without pay during the investigation. Now, Justice's official recommendation will bring the number of those fired to approximately 30.

"Their conduct, without question, has also resulted in the far-reaching and harmful perceptions that are the antithesis of the values we strive to attain," Justice added in his statement.

Story continues

The investigation into the photo found that the cadets' use of the hand gesture began in the second or third week of training, noting that many students felt peer pressured to participate. Additionally, their instructor, identified only by the last name Byrd, made the trainees feel as though they were required to join in.

"Ten of the cadets reported they did not make the gesture until Byrd told them to," the report stated. "These cadets stated that they only did it at that time due to fear of not graduating for disobeying the direction of an instructor. Seven of those cadets, in order to comply with Byrds direction but not make the gesture, held up a closed fist."

The Nazi salute, which originated during Hitler's rise in 1930s Germany, has long endured as a symbol of white supremacy, neo-Nazism and antisemitism. According to the Anti-Defamation League, the gesture is the "most common white supremacist hand sign in the world."
New Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): The Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on the backing of voters in the rural areas of the national capital for a good showing in the upcoming Assembly polls.



In a run-up to Delhi polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to organise a mahapanchayat of 74 villages this week. The mahapanchayat is seen as an attempt to garner support from the rural belt in Delhi and would aim to provide the party's perspective to its voters.

With floating votes of 3 percent to 4 percent that can decide the result on a considerable number of votes, a concern for the BJP, leaders in the party believe that this Mahapanchayat can help BJP to bag those votes.

Delhi's urbanized villages are considered a strong vote bank that can have an impact on a majority of 70 Assembly seats.

The mahapanchayat is likely to witness participation from villages dominant in Gurjar and Jaat communities. While the Gurjar community holds sway in South and East Delhi assembly constituencies, the Jaat community dominates western and northern Delhi areas.

The member of parliament from South Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri told ANI that a detailed discussion on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Population Register (NPR) too will take place to remove the confusion created by Congress.

"There are many seats that can be called rural seats and few of them have been traditionally BJP's. It is an attempt to restart a dialogue with the elders and influencers of these villages," stated Bidhuri.

Sources stated that the mahapanchayat would aim to appraise the senior community members of the various steps, including notification of these areas as urbanized villages and continuous development work, by the Narendra Modi government to ease their troubles.

As many residents of these areas depend on rental income, these decisions are being seen as having a major impact on their livelihood.

Sources in the party stated that the when core committee of the party sat to discuss the strategy for the upcoming polls in the Delhi, it was decided to hold segment-wise events to garner support from all sectors and segments.

Delhi BJP has already held a meeting for the trading community of the national capital, which was addressed by Union minister Piyush Goyal this week.

The party hopes that by addressing segment-wise issues of the population it would be able to reach out to more voters effectively, sources said. (ANI)


Ratan Tata moved the Supreme Court on Friday in his personal capacity challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's order to reinstate Cyrus Mistry. The Chairman Emeritus and former Executive Chairman of Tata Sons claimed in his petition on Friday that the NCLAT's December 18 order held him guilty of oppressive and prejudicial steps against the interests of Tata Sons shareholders without explaining what the "factual or legal foundation of the oppressive and prejudicial grounds is".

Tata further said in his petition that Mistry was removed from his position because he was unable to capitalise on opportunities when they presented themselves. He added that Tata Sons' financial performance was also deeply unsatisfactory during his tenure, as mentioned in a report in Livemint.

The Chairman Emeritus said that the NCLAT order creates a wrong legal precedent, which could be misused against other companies. Tata emphasised that the findings of the NCLAT are "wrong, erroneous, contrary to the record of the case," as mentioned in the report.

Also read: Tata Sons moves SC seeking stay against NCLAT order on Cyrus Mistry

Ratan Tata asked the NCLAT judgment to be completely set aside. He said that if not set aside, the judgement would cause chaos in the functioning of Tata Sons and "undermine shareholder sovereignty and lead to a break-down of its governance structure".

The NCLAT had ordered the reinstatement of Cyrus Mistry as Chairman at Tata Sons last month. In its order the NCLAT said that his removal was oppressive and the appointment of N Chandrasekaran as the new Chairman was illegal. The order also directed Tata Sons to not take any action against Mistry, whose family owns 18 per cent interest in Tata Sons.

The Tata Group had moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the NCLAT order on Thursday. "We have challenged the NCLAT decision in its entirety," a lawyer associated with the matter said after the court reopened after the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Also read: 'Vindication of my stand,' says Cyrus Mistry after reinstatement as Tata Sons executive chairman

Also read: Not clear how NCLAT order seeks to overrule shareholders' decision, Tata Sons says on Cyrus Mistry's reinstatement
Water technology company Va Tech Wabag Ltd on Tuesday said it has signed an agreement for a project worth Rs 1,187 crore under the `Namami Gange Programme' (NGP) in Bihar.



In a statement issued here, the company said the agreement was signed among National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corp Ltd (BUIDCO) and DK Sewage Project Private Ltd (a special arm of Va Tech Wabag).



According to Va Tech Wabag, the project includes development of Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) of 150 million litres per day (MLD) capacity along with sewerage network of over 450 km in the Digha and Kankarbagh zones of Patna, one of the most populous cities on the banks of River Ganga.



The scope comprises Design, Build and Operate (DBO) for a value of Rs 940 crore and Hybrid Annuity worth around Rs 247 crore, totaling Rs 1,187 crore.



The STPs will be enabled to produce renewable energy from biogas to run the plants leading to lower operating expenditure.



The company will also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the STPs and the sewerage infrastructure for a period of 15 years.



The project will be implemented by BUIDCO with financial assistance from the World Bank under NMCG.
Capital markets regulator Sebi will auction assets of Royal Twinkle Star Club Ltd and Citrus Check Inns Ltd on January 23 to recover investor funds raised by the firms in the garb of sham 'timeshare' holiday plans.

The move comes following the directions of the Supreme Court, the regulator said in a notice on Friday.

The properties of the firms in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kerala will be auctioned on January 23.

The property at Lower Parel in Mumbai will be auctioned at a reserve price of Rs 25.6 crore, while the reserve price for Lonavala property is Rs 35.25 crore.

The reserve price for Bengaluru and Alappuzha (Kerala) property is Rs 32 crore and Rs 15.3 crore, respectively.

In December 2018, Sebi had imposed a penalty of Rs 50 lakh on Citrus Check Inns and its directors for non-compliance with its order, wherein it had barred them from raising funds from the public.

Sebi had received several investor complaints against Citrus alleging that directors of Royal Twinkle were now running their collective investment scheme (CIS) through Citrus.

In August 2015, the regulator had imposed a four-year ban on Royal Twinkle and its four directors for illegally raising over Rs 2,656 crore in the garb of sham 'timeshare' holiday plans.

Besides, it had directed the company and its officials to refund the money along with promised returns to the investors in three months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on January 3, 2020

2020/01/03

Q: On the early morning of January 3 local time, Iranian Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in an airstrike at Baghdad's airport. The US confirmed it launched the attack. Does China have any comment?

A: China has been closely following the relevant situation. We oppose the use of force in international relations and believe that all sides should earnestly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. Iraq's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected, and peace and stability of the Gulf Region in the Middle East must be upheld. We urge the relevant parties, the US side in particular, to remain calm and restrained and avoid further escalating the tensions.

Q: Does China have any comment on what comes out of the 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea?

A: The 5th Plenary Meeting of the 7th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea has concluded and released a communique. We noted that this meeting reviewed the recent achievements made by the DPRK in various fields, especially in the economic field and pointed out the goals and direction for its future social and economic development. As a friendly close neighbor, China supports the DPRK in remaining committed to developing its economy, improving its people's living standards, and striving to make new achievements in its socialist cause.

The communique also sent out important information about the DPRK-US relations. China hopes that the DPRK and the US will resume dialogue as soon as possible and achieve outcomes, meet each other halfway for positive interaction, and work to break the deadlock and make new progress in the political settlement of the Peninsula issue.

Q: Russia assumed the BRICS presidency on January 1. It reportedly made some proposals on future BIRCS cooperation. Does China have any specific expectations on Russia's presidency and the BRICS cooperation this year?

A: BRICS is a cooperation mechanism with global influence among emerging markets and developing countries. In recent years, there has been a growing cohesion within BRICS countries, as BRICS countries enjoy stronger practical cooperation and rising influence and ascend to become a significant force in international affairs.

The international landscape we are facing today is very complicated against the headwind of rampant unilateralism, protectionism, power politics and bullying practices. The international community is attentively watching how BRICS countries react to these challenges and play a constructive role in international affairs. As this year's president, Russia plans to hold the 12th BRICS summit in Saint Petersburg. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of states, China-Russia relations are marching into a new era of mutual support, in-depth integration, innovation and mutual benefit. China fully supports Russia in its presidency and will closely collaborate with Russia and other BRICS countries to ensure the success of the Saint Petersburg summit.

As BRICS enters into the "year of Russia", China hopes that BRICS cooperation will make new progress and achieve new outcomes. BRICS countries will consolidate their strategic partnership, advance the three-pillar-driven cooperation in the areas of economy, peace and security and people-to-people exchanges, and expand "BRICS plus" cooperation. China also hopes that BRICS countries will play a positive role in safeguarding world peace and development, championing international fairness and justice, adhering to multilateralism and the multilateral trading system, and make greater contribution to the building of the community with a shared future for mankind.

Q: A follow-up question on US air strikes in Baghdad. Does China think this operation was a lawful act? Iran official said that Iran will take revenge for the general's assassination. What influence will this have on the situation in the region?

A: Like I just said, we oppose the wanton use of force or threat of use of force in international relations and believe that all sides should follow the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations to handle their relations and resolve differences. Iraq's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected, and peace and stability of the Gulf Region in the Middle East must be upheld. We urge the relevant parties, the US side in particular, to remain calm and restrained and avoid further escalating the tensions. This serves the interests of all parties.

Q: Iranian General Soleimani, who has had the most important role in combating and defeating ISIS, al-Nusra and other terrorist groups in the region, has been assassinated by the US forces in Baghdad early this morning. How do you evaluate this provocative act and its effects on Middle East peace and stability ?

A: As I said, China has been closely following the relevant situation. We oppose the use of force in international relations and believe that all sides should earnestly abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations. Iraq's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected, and peace and stability of the Gulf Region in the Middle East must be upheld. We urge the relevant parties, the US side in particular, to remain calm and restrained and avoid further escalating the tensions.
A 2011 video has resurfaced of Donald Trump saying Barack Obama would go to war with Iran to get re-elected and calling it "pathetic".

It comes after General Qasem Soleimani, the head of Tehran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a drone strike ordered by the US president at Baghdad's international airport on Friday.

The US Defence Department said General Soleimani was targeted because he was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members" in the region.

While Trump has long been a critic of US foreign policy in relation to Iran, he has also warned against going to war with the middle eastern country.

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Tehran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a drone strike / AFP via Getty Images

In October 2012, Mr Trump tweeted: "Don't let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected--be careful Republicans!"

As well as this, he gave an interview in 2011 where he predicted Mr Obama would go to war against Iran in an attempt to get re-elected.

Qassem Soleimani: Who was the Iranian general?

President Trump said: "Our president will start a war with Iran because he had absolutely no ability to negotiate. He's weak and he's ineffective.

"We have a real problem in the White House. So I believe he will attack Iran sometime prior to the election because he thinks that's the only way he can get elected.

"Isn't it pathetic?"

Trump warning against Barack Obama using war with Iran as a pretext to being re-elected / AFP via Getty Images

Following Soleimani's death, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the strike and announced three days of national mourning.

The Foreign Office advised British-Iranian dual nationals against all travel to Iran and for other British nationals to seek the department's advice before travelling to the nation.

British nationals risk being arbitrarily detained or arrested by Tehran, the department warns.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been among the dual nationals being held in Iran since she was arrested in 2016 and accused of spying while visiting family.
SPRINGFIELD  The case against at least one of the so-called Nathan Bills defendants was significantly weakened after state attorneys general agreed to throw out a number of eyewitness identifications upon challenges by defense lawyers.

Fourteen current and former members of the Springfield Police Department plus two bar owners were criminally charged in connection with an after-hours fight pitting off-duty police officers against four civilians on April 8, 2015. Some of the police officers and one of the bar owners were charged with the alleged assault, while others were charged with trying to cover up the fight and lying to a grand jury.

Two defendants filed motions to suppress eyewitness identifications by the civilians  some of which were offered during an internal affairs investigation while others arose during a parallel criminal investigation into the incident by the Springfield detective bureau. The distinction mucked up some of the testimony during a lengthy evidentiary hearing in Hampden Superior Court on Thursday.

Assistant Attorney General Stephen Carley announced to a judge before the start of the hearing that the office decided to concede that witness identifications made to retired internal affairs investigator Sgt. William Andrew did not meet the threshold to hold up in a criminal proceeding. Consequently, Officer Igor Basovskiy, one of the police defendants, won his motion to suppress eyewitness identifications of him at the scene without his attorney having to utter a word.

The hearing went forward with respect to Officer Daniel Billingsley, who was identified as an alleged assailant during both the administrative and criminal investigations. The hearing included hours of detailed witness testimony about photo displays the civilians were shown by both Andrew and the detective bureau.

Andrew was first to testify, having flown up from Florida, where he retired two years ago. He told Judge Mark D. Mason he showed the civilians a limited number of photos of police officers to identify their assailants. Billingsley attorney Shawn P. Allyn peppered Andrew with questions about whether he shared information with criminal investigators, which Andrew denied.

There are numerous references in your report that you were relying on information from (the detective bureau), Allyn said.

Later during the hearing, Capt. Trent C. Duda, head of the detective bureau and the leader of the criminal investigation into the matter, said the lines were never blurred between the two tracks. He testified that he conducted a recorded interview with one of the civilians, Jackie Ligon, in July of 2015. Ligon initially offered somewhat vague descriptions of a group of young white officers with the exception of an older Hispanic male.

He told detectives he and Billingsley had words inside the bar and said Billingsley was the aggressor once the fight broke out outside. Lawyers for the police defendants have argued the civilians were the instigators.

Allyns theory is that detectives set up an overwhelming display of thousands of photos and culled them down to be unfairly suggestive.

However, on cross-examination by Carley, Duda said he simply showed Ligon computer-generated images from the departments database based on Ligons description of a white male between 21 and 30. Those parameters produced more than 6,000 results. Ligon viewed a second and third spread of photos, and picked out Billingsley with 80 or 90% certainty, Duda testified.

Did you try to change or influence the criteria Mr. Ligon gave you to compile the photos? Carley asked.

Absolutely not, Duda said.

The hearing was suspended at the end of the day and will resume on Jan. 17.
Ghosn used our jets illegally in escape from Japan, Turkish company says People suspected of helping ousted Nissan boss Ghosn escape through Turkey, are escorted by Turkish police as they leave a police station in Istanbul,

By Ezgi Erkoyun and Makiko Yamazaki

ISTANBUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - A Turkish private jet operator said on Friday that ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn used two of its planes illegally in his escape from Japan, with an employee falsifying lease records to exclude his name from the documents.

MNG Jet said it had filed a criminal complaint over the incident, a day after Turkish police detained seven people, including four pilots, as part of an investigation into Ghosn's passage through Istanbul en route to Lebanon.

Ghosn has become an international fugitive after he revealed on Tuesday he had fled to Lebanon to escape what he called a "rigged" justice system in Japan, where he faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes.

Lebanon on Thursday received an Interpol arrest warrant for Ghosn, whose surprise escape from his home in Tokyo to a separate home in Beirut has not been fully explained.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the diminutive Ghosn slipped out of Japan aboard a private jet hidden in a large black case typically used to carry audio gear. He was accompanied by a pair of men with names matching those of American security contractors, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with Turkey's probe into the escape.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK, citing investigative sources, said a surveillance camera captured the former Nissan Motor Co <7201.T> chairman leaving his Tokyo residence alone shortly before his escape.

The security footage was taken by a camera installed at his house in central Tokyo around noon on Sunday, and the camera did not show him returning home, NHK said.

By early Monday, he had touched down in Istanbul.

MNG Jet said in its statement it leased two jets to two different clients in agreements that "were seemingly not connected to each other." One plane flew from Osaka to Istanbul, the other from Istanbul to Beirut.

"The name of Mr Ghosn did not appear in the official documentation of any of the flights," it said.

Story continues

"After having learnt through the media that the leasing was benefiting Mr. Ghosn and not the officially declared passengers, MNG Jet launched an internal inquiry and filed a criminal complaint in Turkey," it added.

An employee admitted to falsifying the records and confirmed he "acted in his individual capacity," the company said.

The pilots and other detainees, including two airport ground staff and one cargo worker, were sent to court on Friday after giving statements to police, according to a Reuters witness.

Late on Friday the court ruled to formally arrest five of the suspects, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported. The other two suspects were released from custody, according to media reports.

Turkish interior ministry spokesman Ismail Catakli told reporters earlier on Friday that Ghosn was believed to have been transferred through the cargo section of the airport in Istanbul, but did not provide further details.

Ghosn has said he will speak publicly about his escape on Jan. 8.

Some Lebanese media, in reports similar to the Wall Street Journal, have floated a Houdini-like account of Ghosn being packed in a wooden container for musical instruments after a private concert in his home, but his wife has called the account "fiction".

NHK said police suspected Ghosn may have left his home to meet up with someone before heading to an airport. Under the terms of his bail, Ghosn was required to have security cameras installed at the entrance of his house.

(Writing by Jonathan Spicer and Daren Butler; Editing by David Dolan, Jon Boyle and Tom Brown)
Wednesday, Jan. 8

Iran fired more than 20 ballistic missiles at military bases in Iraq where American troops are based, Iraqi officials said. President Trump said that no American or Iraqi troops were killed.

TURKEY Erbil Missiles fired at base with U.S. troops. SYRIA IRAN LEBANON Asad Missiles fired at base with U.S. troops. Baghdad IRAQ JORDAN SAUDI ARABIA KUWAIT TURKEY Erbil Missiles fired at base with U.S. troops. SYRIA IRAN Asad Missiles fired at base with U.S. troops. Baghdad IRAQ SAUDI ARABIA The New York Times

The strikes came in retaliation for the killing of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, a top Revolutionary Guards commander, five days earlier.

Irans foreign minister said on Wednesday that his country had concluded its attacks on American forces and did not seek escalation or war.

Read our live coverage here for the latest updates on the attacks.

The majority of the missiles struck an Iraqi base in Anbar Province. The base has long been a hub for American military operations in western Iraq.

An analysis of satellite imagery  captured hours after the strikes  by Jeffrey Lewis and David Schmerler of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies shows some of the damage.

Al Asad Air Base Strike damage Al Asad Air Base Strike damage Al Asad Air Base Strike damage Analysis by Lewis/Schmerler from the Center for Nonproliferation Studies. Satellite image by Planet Labs Inc.

Friday, Jan. 3

An American drone strike hit two cars carrying Mr. Suleimani and several officials with Iranian-backed militias as they were leaving the Baghdad International Airport, American officials said. Mr. Suleimani was a powerful figure in charge of Iranian intelligence gathering and was close to Irans supreme leader.

Terminals Baghdad International Airport Suleimani was in a vehicle struck by two missiles as his convoy exited the airport. airport st. Terminals Baghdad International Airport Suleimani was in a vehicle struck by two missiles as his convoy exited the airport. airport st. Terminals Baghdad International Airport Suleimani was in a vehicle struck by two missiles as his convoy exited the airport. airport st. The New York Times; satellite image by Maxar via Bing.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

The strike came after pro-Iranian militia members marched on the U.S. Embassy, effectively imprisoning American diplomats inside for more than 24 hours and burning the embassys reception area. President Trump blamed Iran for orchestrating the protest.

Protesters entered the compound at this gate. They burned a reception building and guard posts. Al Kindi St. GREEN ZONE U.S. Embassy compound Protesters entered the Green Zone from this bridge. Tigris River GREEN ZONE Protesters entered the compound at this gate. They burned a reception building and guard posts. Al Kindi St. U.S. Embassy compound Protesters entered the Green Zone from this bridge. Tigris River The New York Times; satellite image by Maxar via Bing  Sources: Compound boundaries from the Associated Press and satellite imagery.

Sunday, Dec. 29

The storming of the embassy was in response to American airstrikes that killed 24 members of an Iranian-backed militia at bases in Iraq and Syria over the weekend.

TURKEY Dec. 27: Kirkuk A rocket attack killed an American contractor at an Iraqi military base near the city. IRAQ SYRIA IRAN LEBANON Dec. 29: Qaim (and two other Iraqi locations) American airstrikes targeted bases of an Iranian-backed militia. Two locations in Syria were also struck. Baghdad JORDAN SAUDI ARABIA TURKEY Dec. 27: Kirkuk A rocket attack killed an American contractor at an Iraqi military base near the city. SYRIA IRAQ IRAN Dec. 29: Qaim (and two other Iraqi locations) American airstrikes targeted bases of an Iranian-backed militia. Two locations in Syria were also struck. Baghdad SAUDI ARABIA The New York Times

Iranian-backed militias represent a powerful faction in Iraq, controlling a large bloc in Parliament. As the Trump administration has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran, the militias have increasingly struck at American targets.

Friday, Dec. 27

The American airstrikes, in turn, were in response to more than 30 rockets that were launched at an Iraqi military base near Kirkuk, killing an American contractor and wounding four American and two Iraqi servicemen. United States officials blamed an Iranian-backed militia, Kataib Hezbollah, which denied responsibility.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:00:35|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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ISTANBUL, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkish coast guard teams have found the bodies of eight illegal migrants on the southwestern coast of Turkey, local media reported Friday.

According to the Birgun daily, the coast guard received a tip overnight on an inflatable boat about to sink with 15 migrants aboard near the Fethiye district in the province of Mugla.

Citing a statement issued by the Interior Ministry, Birgun said the rescue teams have so far found the bodies of three women and five men in the sea.

"The search and rescue efforts are continuing to find other irregular migrants who are considered to be missing," said the statement.

The nationalities of the illegal migrants and their intended destination were not immediately clear.

The Aegean Sea was once the main route for illegal migrants trying to sneak into Europe via Turkey. A deal signed between Turkey and the European Union in March 2016 has curbed the flow of illegal migration.

A total of 60,544 illegal migrants attempted to reach Greece via Turkey last year, up from 25,398 in 2018, according to the latest figures released by the Turkish coast guard.
Preppy plaid madras fabrics from the Madras Fabric Store have been launched, as part of their 2020 Spring Summer line of preppy fabrics, as just communicated by their correspondent. All fabrics are available in partner stores & the largest variety is available online, both, by the yard, and wholesale. The new 2020 line of fabrics include preppy madras plaids, check fabrics, patchwork madras and theme print cottons such as dog 
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 15)  The controversial Ozamiz City police chief linked to the deaths of mayors involved in illegal drugs has been transferred once again, this time to Catanduanes in Bicol.

C/Insp. Jovie Espenido, who was police chief when Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others were killed in raids conducted on July 2017, said he received a call from Camp Crame on Friday regarding his transfer.

READ: Ozamiz City Mayor, 14 others killed in police raids

"Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyo sa mga prayers at sa lahat ng mga tulong niyo sa akin at sa mga kapulisan ko sa Ozamiz Police Station," Espenido said in his spost.

[Translation: I thank you all for the prayers and for all the help I got from the Ozamiz City Police Station.]

Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde confirmed Espenido's transfer, adding that an order has already been issued.

"He is reassigned to Region V in Catanduanes. That is part of his career kasi meron siyang [since he has a] pending promotion," Albayalde said.

Espenido was also Albuera, Leyte's chief of police when its mayor, Rolando Espinosa, Sr., was killed in a November 2016 shootout as police were attempting to serve a search warrant in the city's jail.
After becoming the world's youngest elected leader in 2017 at age 31, Austria's Sebastian Kurz has pulled off yet another surprise. After working with the far-right party in a coalition government, which was brought down in a corruption scandal, the "Wunderkind", as he is known by some of his fans, has now formed an alliance with the Greens. If anyone can swing such a drastic change of allies, it is the millennial leader of the centre-right People's Party (OeVP) -- even though he has proved to be a polarising figure. "He knows that this is somewhat of a real stunt politically... (but) he is one of the best political marketers in Europe," says analyst Thomas Hofer. Despite presiding over a period of unusual instability when a graft scandal engulfed his junior coalition partner, the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), in May, Kurz managed to expand his support base, picking up unhappy FPOe voters to win 37.5 percent in September snap elections. - 'Saint Sebastian' - Growing up in Vienna as the only child of a secretary and a teacher, Kurz became active in the OeVP at the age of 16. Having dropped out of his law studies to focus on politics, he first entered government in 2011 as secretary for integration, and then as foreign minister two years later, aged 27. Full of praise for Hungary's populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Kurz claimed credit for closing the Balkan migrant trail in 2016. Surfing a wave of feeling against traditional figures in politics, Kurz wrested control of the OeVP in 2017 and transformed it into the "Liste Kurz", a movement centred on his own image. He swiftly axed the OeVP's coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPOe), prompting snap elections in which his campaign -- as immaculate as his trademark gelled-back hair -- propelled him to the top job. The youth and dynamism his supporters credit him with are also at the fore of an official biography whose sycophantic tone was widely mocked on social media. Passages describing how Kurz "uttered his first words at the age of 12 months" and lauding his "bravery" as an adolescent prompted critics to dismiss it as a hagiography of "St Sebastian". - Macron or Orban? - Kurz does not enjoy universal acclaim. Some have accused him of being a "mini-dictator" and running the OeVP as a "one-man show". His predecessor as party leader, Reinhold Mitterlehner, has accused Kurz of leading Austria towards "an authoritarian democracy" and of scapegoating refugees. That was dismissed as sour grapes from the man Kurz ousted, but others have made similar comparisons. While some of his admirers prefer parallels with the similarly youthful French President Emmanuel Macron, his detractors see him more as a budding Orban. Kurz's boycott of the UN migration pact, welfare cuts for asylum seekers and a raft of other anti-migration measures have made him as divisive a figure as his Hungarian counterpart. At the same time, he has been careful to present himself as pro-European and avoid any slips of the tongue. But during the 18-month-long partnership with the FPOe, Kurz's near total inaction over a steady stream of racist and anti-Semitic sentiment uncovered among FPOe members -- a source of embarrassment for Austria abroad -- earned him the sobriquet the "silent chancellor". What comes next in a coalition with the left-leaning Greens remains to be seen. Some analysts say the conservatives' unprecedented alliance with the ecologists could set a precedent for the rest of Europe, describing it as a "daring experiment". Kurz has maintained fighting immigration as one of his core promises and has created a new integration ministry -- with a minister from his party.
British and Ukrainian investigations into natural gas giant Burisma's majority shareholder, Mykola Zlochevsky, extend back to early April 2014, when British authorities seized $23.5 million allegedly belonging to Zlochevsky. Notably, Hunter Biden reportedly joined Burisma's board in 2014. Ukraine did not cooperate or provide documents to the British, and in January 2015, the British court released the $23.5 million, which was then transferred to Cyprus.

Subsequently, on February 10, 2015, Viktor Shokin took office as Ukraine's prosecutor general and has sworn that he was investigating Burisma when Joe Biden forced his removal in February 2016, although the Ukrainian parliament did not vote to approve his resignation until March 29, 2016. As a result of Biden's intervention, a new prosecutor general assumed office on May 12, 2016, an appointment reportedly commended by thenvice president Biden. By the following September, less than five months later, the Kiev district court ordered Zlochevsky removed from the prosecutor general's "wanted list" for lack of evidence, and in 2017, Burisma announced the closure of all investigations against Burisma and Zlochevsky after the payment of additional taxes.

Robert Mueller had two years and $32 million to find that President Trump was not involved in collusion, but Joe Biden acted to displace Shokin, who was working under the burden of historical conditions of government corruption and looking into one of the most powerful individuals and companies in Ukraine, although Shokin had been on the job not even a year. And, unlike Mueller, Shokin had many other responsibilities beyond investigating Burisma.

Although Biden initially denied any knowledge of his son's business activities, Hunter Biden has been reported as saying the senior Biden asked if he knew what he was "doing" with Burisma. Joe Biden is reported as subsequently admitting that he told his son: "I sure hope to hell you know what you're doing" regarding Burisma.

Whatever the reason or pretext for Joe Biden's threatening to withhold $1 billion in U.S. aid to Ukraine unless the prosecutor investigating Burisma was fired, as vice president of the United States, Joe Biden committed an official act in matters that involved his son, his son's employer, the major shareholder of his son's company, and a significant source of his son's income. Instead of interfering in and disrupting any Ukrainian matters involving his son, Joe Biden should have simply recused himself from any domestic or foreign matters that involved his son. As things have progressed, the thenvice president's disruption and meddling into Ukrainian investigations appear to have worked to the advantage of Burisma and Mykola Zlochevsky.

As a self-styled purported expert in foreign affairs, does Joe Biden even understand that inherently corrupt societies favor the dispersal of large amounts of cash and favors to incur the goodwill of influential individuals or to buy protection? Having the younger Biden tag along on an official trip to China, where the younger Biden has reported business interests, is another matter.
Health official: 'Regardless of variant, the protective measures are the same'

local
- The swarms of desert locusts invaded the north eastern county from Somalia

- Efforts by locals to ward them off proved futile

- The government deployed the officers to shoot in the air in a bid to scare them away

- Wajir county government is expected to boost the ongoing efforts by deploying one helicopter to sprinkle insecticides in affected areas

The government has responded to a locust invasion in Wajir in the most unorthodox of ways, using police officers to scare them with heavy gunfire.

The officers who went on a massive shooting spree were deployed by to scare away the pests which have become a nuisance to locals.

READ ALSO: Meet Kenya's blind tailor with impressive sewing skills

Wajir county resident trying to scare away locusts. Photo: Wajir Updates.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Nyeri woman who conned locals KSh 100,000 in fake William Ruto visit arrested

The Thursday, January 2, shooting came in the backdrop of concerted efforts by local leaders to find alternative ways of permanently warding off the swarms of locusts which are threatening to wipe out vegetation in the county.

READ ALSO: Video ya kupagawisha ya Zari Hassan akipapaswa kimahaba na mpenziwe

Residents joined the officers in scaring away the destructive pests by shouting, clapping, beating drums, metals and blowing whistles.

The Wajir county government is expected to boost the ongoing efforts to eliminate locusts by deploying one helicopter to sprinkle insecticides in affected areas.

The most affected areas in the county include Griftu, Gurar and Tarbaj and Kutulo.

Mandera county has also been affected by the invasion of locusts and efforts to get rid of them received a boost after the county government deployed a helicopter to spray the insecticides in affected areas.

In December 2019, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned that desert locusts, which had hit Ethiopia and Somalia from Yemen, would spread to other neighbouring countries including Djibouti, Eritrea and Kenya.

In a report shared on its website, FAO indicated the pests could increase towards the end of January and advised the national government to take necessary steps to mitigate the situation.

Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly.

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The fatuous Democrat governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, recently rejected President Trump's executive order on seeking local involvement and approval of refugee resettlement. Walz sanctimoniously declared, "The inn is not full in Minnesota."

In justification, he cited the benefits refugees bring but omitted to mention Somali welfare fraud; Somali unemployment, which is triple that of the state as a whole; and from the anecdotal story of a former teacher friend of mine, the Somali response of, "My parents said I don't have to listen to you. You're not a Muslim!" And that is the tip of the iceberg. Local Somalis prefer sharia law, and from studies undertaken in Europe, it is clear that practicing Muslims integrate less well into Western society than any other ethnic or religious group. I forgo discussing the effect of pro-Somali H.R. policies, which led to the criminal shooting death of an Australian woman by a Minneapolis Somali police officer, or the shady Muslim attorney general, Keith Ellison, or the lying, cheating Ilhan Omar!

The Hmongs in Minnesota also had problems integrating, but they have embraced the American Way, and as a young Hmong technician said to me the other day, "we are Americans now."

The Danes and Swedes, who decamped here from Europe in the 19th century, ought to take a hard look at what has happened to their ancestral homelands. Tommy Moller, professor of political science at Stockholm University, warned on December 27, 2019 that the stability that previously characterized the Swedish political system is headed for the museum. The consensus that glues the culture together is dissolving due to Merkel's mass migration invasion policy, begun in 2015.

Hopefully, this year there will be elections in Somalia. I suggest that many Somalis ought to be encouraged to return home. In fact, the concept of refugee repatriation has received far too little attention! Why are we accepting a continuous cycle of round-the-clock, elongated refugee crises when a threat to cut off aid  or worse  if they don't sort themselves out might resolve the situation? Better keep the flow coming, because at bottom it's a financial racket. The churches are funded for "settling" the refugees. The growth in bureaucracy, in order to "administer" the problems arising from bringing in undereducated, barely employable people from undemocratic cultures, sharing zero common history or values with their host, has led to a vast expansion of government power  on the taxpayer's dime! And what does the taxpayer get out of it? Former Minnesota governor Mark Dayton told the fourth- and fifth-generation residents of the Minneapolis suburb St. Cloud to "find another state if you don't want Muslim refugees."

The Democrats' spurious moral argument strangely does not extend to persecuted Christians, whom they hate. And as they also despise Israel, they do not welcome Jewish refugees, either. No doubt, they'd rather have Palestinians!

Why is Minnesota so left-wing? Kurt Weber, a local guy, claims there are three reasons. The chief one is the Lutheran Church, which has the largest Lutheran congregation in the nation and is chock full of progressives, do-gooders, and "Minnesota-nice" people, who have turned the church into a vast social justice network. They are backed up by the media. The Star Tribune is an arm of the Democrat Party, and NPR enjoys Soros funding. (If it's not reported on NPR, it didn't happen.)

Secondly, there is a thriving LGBT community, probably because they were welcomed by the Lutherans. They uniformly march to the Left's drumbeat.

Finally, there is the North Shore of Lake Superior. The miners in the Iron Ranges were unionized, as were the port towns of Duluth and Superior. From the 1960s, the North Shore attracted the "Make Love Not War" crowd, who are still at it, albeit perhaps with a change of partner, a graying ponytail, and wrinkles from a life in the great outdoors. Hardy, idealistic folk, but there's nary a mosque in sight up at Grand Marais  as yet!

It has to be said that Minnesotans of the Left denomination are not peasants. And they don't like to think of themselves as inhabiting "flyover country." They are highly educated people and would rather identify with New York or Los Angeles than the unsophisticated, conservative rural hinterland.

However, the Left-wing cultural milieu makes it difficult to fit in. I have had to abandon many organizations because I could no longer sit smiling and listen to P.C. views without exploding. Minnesotans, being such nice people, are very sensitive, too, and the first whiff of Trump will devastate them totally. I couldn't bring myself to cause them such misery  so I leave. But as a potential refugee from Minnesota, where can I go?

As a parting thought, I have noticed two Minnesota phenomena  the fascinating, primeval loon bird and the vile deer tick. It seems that in this great state, a "loon" and "a tick" (lunatic) are all too frequently found together.

Image: Lorie Shaull via Flickr.
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Whole Australian towns face being razed to the ground today in what could be the worst day for bushfires so far this season.

Mass evacuations in southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria were underway last night as officials warned that 46C heat and high winds will see terrifying fires spread wider than ever before.

The 1,300 inhabitants of Batlow in southern NSW have been told by fire chiefs the historic apple-growing town is 'undefendable'.

Officials have said they will not fight fires there because a wall 1000C flame could rapidly sweep over 100km in one day and make the area a 'dead man zone'.

'We don't want firefighters in the path of it,' said RFS Public Liaison Officer Brad Stewart. Residents were told to leave on Thursday but anyone left will have to seek shelter because it's now too late to get out.

Meanwhile, fires raging outside Sydney could threaten urban areas on the city's outskirts such as Penrith due to temperatures in the 40s, very low humidity and strong winds.

Last night thousands fled a 14,000km evacuation zone - an area roughly the size of Vanuatu - from Bateman's Bay to the Victorian border as officials sent 250,000 text messages telling people to get out before first light.

An evacuation was also under way in South Australia's Kangaroo Island as raging fires threatened almost all of the holiday hotspot, leaving only the more built-up areas in the east safe.

Catastrophic fire conditions are forecast in fire ravaged regions of south-eastern Australia. Pictured: A wild fire burning out of control on South Australia's Kangaroo Island

Air Force personnel help evacuees out from a helicopter after being rescued from the fire ravaged Mallacoota region in Victoria

A burnt out road sign stands in front of a backdrop of singed trees on a roadway in Sarsfield in the East Gippsland region of Victoria, where there are 28 people still missing after intense fire conditions tore through the area last week

Residents in Batlow (pictured) have been warned their town cannot be saved that if the fire breaks out the way it is forecast to on Saturday

The fire spread prediction chart shows a large red area in New South Wales south-west in the area where Batlow is located

Earlier on Friday the defence force airlifted people out of Mallacoota in eastern Victoria after the town was cut off by road closures.

Some 1,100 more were being transported in a gruelling 20-hour journey on the HMAS Choules to Western Port where they will arrive on Saturday night.

In a desperate plea late on Friday night, the NSW Rural Fire Service begged those in the path of fires to 'leave tonight' as they pose a 'serious threat to life'.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack urged locals to get out while they can.

'If they haven't got the ability to defend their home, or if they're in an area where they've been advised to leave, then please heed that advice,' Mr McCormack said.

'We can always rebuild houses but we can't restore lives.'

'People getting to places of safety right now is incredibly important,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as he toured burnt-out towns on Friday.

'Because in about 24 hours from now, or even less, the situation will be far more dangerous.'

A kangaroo pictured fleeing outside a burning building in Conjola on the New South Wales south coast on New Years Eve

Thousands of people have already fled Australia's bushfire-ravaged southeast as a state of emergency is declared and catastrophic fire conditions approach.

Streams of cars, caravans, trucks and buses clogged the highways as people heed the warnings to leave.

Dozens of makeshift campsites are springing up in towns deemed safe by authorities, straining resources despite the military's ongoing relief operation.

Firefighters in Nowra on the New South Wales south coast struggle while tending to a wild blaze in windy conditions

What will happen to the Mallacoota evacuees? HMAS Sycamore will dock in Hastings around 8am Saturday morning with the first 60 evacuees. The other 1,100 will arrive Saturday evening on board HMAS Choules. As of 8pm, HMAS Choules had not set sail from Mallacoota. Advertisement

For Anthony Ellis, who evacuated his family from Surf Beach near Batemans Bay in NSW, leaving was a no-brainer after a blaze burned too close for comfort on New Year's Eve.

'The smoke behind us just changed,' he said. 'It was just solid walls of darkness.'

The family made for the beach, where they were trapped for the next five hours as the fire roared through nearby towns.

'You couldn't even risk it to move through the suburb to check on other people,' Mr Ellis said. 'We decided we're not going to risk it twice in one week.'

A state of disaster has been declared in Victoria as the navy continues its evacuation of about 1,200 trapped tourists and residents from fire-ringed Mallacoota, in East Gippsland.

The town was hit by a massive blaze on Tuesday as 4,000 people sheltered on a beach amid apocalyptic scenes that were broadcast across the globe.

Evacuees, many with pets, will travel for about 20 hours to the Mornington Peninsula, where an evacuation centre is likely to be set up.

Military personnel were called in to evacuate people after fire reached the edge of the township and blocked their exit. Most were being taken on a 17-hour voyage by ship to the HMAS Cerberus naval base at Western Port.

A family is seen heading to HMAS Choules on Friday (pictured) to begin their 20-hour-long sail to safety, after fires ravaged Mallacoota and left thousands stranded on the beach

Families with small children were the first to be evacuated on a landing craft to MV Sycamore (pictured) on Friday, just 24 hours before catastrophic weather conditions arrive

Premier Daniel Andrews says 28 people remain missing in Victoria, on top of two men confirmed dead, the latest a man found at a property near Genoa, in the state's east.

An eighth person was confirmed dead in NSW on Friday after police found a missing 72-year-old man's body in the town of Belowra, in the state's south.

It's bring's the death toll for the fire season to 17 in NSW after police confirmed the death of a 59-year-old man, who was burned while sheltering from a bushfire in a water tank in November.

In South Australia, where one person has died and dozens of homes have been destroyed this summer, a bushfire on Kangaroo Island has become 'virtually unstoppable' after it jumped containment lines.

An emergency warning had been declared across the entire island and tourists have been evacuated.

Late on Friday, the Country Fire Service also issued an emergency warning for a blaze in the Mount Lofty Ranges.

In Western Australia, a series of out-of-control bushfires on Nullarbor Plain have cut the state's only sealed road to South Australia, causing shortages in some Perth supermarkets and stranding hundreds of truckies and travellers at a remote roadhouse on the Eyre Highway.

A second home has been destroyed in Tasmania by a bushfire police believe was deliberately lit. Hot and windy weather will push the fire danger to very high on the weekend, with a total fire ban declared across much of the island.

The ACT has declared a state of alert as toxic smoke blankets the capital.

Across Australia, 20 people have died and more than 1,500 homes have been destroyed in bushfires this season.
A young hunter has been hailed a hero after going on a reckless mission into bushfire-ravaged Victoria to save a series of koalas.

Patrick Boyle shared a moving photo to Instagram on Friday of a koala that he pulled from the charred bushland of East Gippsland.

The marsupial was one of nine he claims to have rescued on a dangerous solo mission into eucalyptus forests outside Mallacoota.

Pictured: Patrick Boyle shared a photo to Instagram on Friday of a koala that he pulled from the charred bushland of East Gippsland

The rescue mission began after his friend uncovered one of the koalas sheltering under the pump of the water treatment plant where he works.

The 22-year-old then decided to take matters into his own hands and went out seeking further injured wildlife on Wednesday.

He said it didn't take him long to find the first koala, and then he stumbled across more and more until he had saved a total of eight or nine.

But he told Stuff.co.nz not all the animals he found were in such good shape.

'I've found eight or nine so far that have been rescued. I found over ten that were dead and about another five that are alive and healthy for the time being,' he said.

The endangered critters were removed from the forest and placed into refuge at the nearby Mallacoota Wildlife Shelter- which is actually just a local resident's house.

Pictured: Australia's wildlife centers, like the Port Macquarie Wildlife Hospital, have been inundated with injured koalas since bushfires started causing habitat devastation in September

He said based off his hobbies people might not expect him to be on the front-line lending a hand in the aftermath of fires.

'I'm a hunter  I'm one of the last people that others would expect to help these animals.

'Farmers, hunters and workers are the ones out there actually taking action right now,' he said.

Pictured: Australia's wildlife centers, like the Port Macquarie Wildlife Hospital, have been inundated with injured koalas since bushfires started causing habitat devastation in September

Boyle told the Today Show the rescued koalas are doing much better now they're in safe hands.

'They'e all still alive with is good news... some are better than others, some are just dehydrated and shocked, others are really burnt and struggling to eat leaves,' he said.

The 22-year-old is urging people to donate to the Mallacoota Wildlife Shelter to help the injured wildlife recover from the catastrophic fires which swept through East Gippsland.

Since Monday two people have died in the region and 68 structures have been destroyed after more than 800,000 hectares of land burnt in East Gippsland.
Odisha: One more foreign returnee tests positive for Omicron, state tally rises to 9

After NTCA suspends tiger, Odisha to return big cat to MP

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Bhubaneswar, Jan 03: With the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) suspending tiger translocation programme in Odisha's Satkosia Tiger Reserve, the state government will return a female big cat to Madhya Pradesh from where she was brought in June last year, officials said.

The tigress was kept in a restricted open enclosure after she had allegedly killed two persons in the tiger reserve in Angul district.

The NTCA had objected to it, saying that the tigress cannot be allowed to be kept in a small enclosure.

After roaring out loud, Madhya Pradesh lost 23 Tigers in 2019

In a letter to the chief secretary of Odisha, the NTCA had said, in the interest of tiger conservation, the tigress shall be withdrawn and brought to Ghorela Centre at Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh with immediate effect for rewilding and subsequent release to a suitable habitat.

"We have written to the Madhya Pradesh government to take back the tigress in view of the NTCA's directive," Odisha Chief Wildlife Warden Hari Shankar Upadhyay told reporters on Thursday.

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

Upadhyay said the MP government will make arrangements to shift the tigress.

WATCH: Two male tigers fight it out in Ranthambore over a tigress

Another male tiger was allegedly poached inside the Satkosia Tiger Reserve.

The NTCA had informed the Odisha government that the tiger translocation programme at Satkosia Tiger Reserve will remain suspended till the ground situation improves.
Credit: A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland

Scientists at the University of Maryland (UMD) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have discovered a way to detect the molecular mechanism by which 5HT3A, a serotonin receptor located at the neuron synapse, is activated. Having a molecular model of this activation will allow the testing of pharmaceuticals inhibitors using computer models instead of traditional experiments, potentially reducing the cost and time of screening new drugs.

The study led by Jeffery Klauda, a professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) at the University of Maryland (UMD), was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) today. Nicholas Guros, a ChBE graduate research assistant, served as first author on the study and was co-advised by Arvind Balijepalli, a mechanical engineer at NIST.

5HT3A is a type of protein known as an ion channel, implicated in depression, anxiety and targeted to reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea. It regulates the flow of ions at the post-synaptic cleft of neurons. The authors performed computer simulations of 5HT3Afor up to 20 microsecondsmuch longer than past simulations performed for

"If you think of molecular dynamics (MD) as a molecular microscope, this means we're able to observe the mechanism of activation for x10 longer than past," said Guros. "New computational capabilities can provide the power to observe the molecular activation of complex proteins at significantly greater timescales. The longer this timescale, the better validation we can have of experimental results to demonstrate MD models are a robust method to study protein and test pharmaceuticals."

The activation and desensitization of proteins like 5HT3A occur over milliseconds, so while closer to the true timescale, scientists are still somewhat behind observing the entire transport cycle of the protein. This study, however, was able to provide insight into the effects of serotonin binding on developing a preactive state of 5HT3A and how membrane lipids diversity influences protein structure and function.

Much simulation space to explore with these models remains, and it's only been made possible in the past few years with strides in computational power. Specifically, this study was performed using a grant-based allocation on the Anton2 supercomputer maintained by the Pittsburgh Supercomuting Center (PSC) and sponsored by DE Shaw research. Traditional high-performance computing resources would not be capable of reaching the timescales of this study.

As computing speed and power increases in the future, the group hopes to study the effects of pharmaceuticals, such as granisetron or ondansetron, in an effort to accurately model their effects on the protein and investigate other targeted therapies.

Explore further Faster modeling of interactions between ligands and proteins

More information: Nicholas B. Guros et al. Microsecond-timescale simulations suggest 5-HTmediated preactivation of the 5-HT3A serotonin receptor, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Nicholas B. Guros et al. Microsecond-timescale simulations suggest 5-HTmediated preactivation of the 5-HT3A serotonin receptor,(2019). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908848117
By IANS

LUCKNOW: Teachers of the Uttar Pradesh-government run primary and upper primary schools will go on a mass leave on January 21.

The teachers' union is demanding better infrastructure, manpower and pension for their members.

A common leave application addressed to the Basic Shiksha Adhikari has been forwarded by the union to around 5 lakh teachers of the state.

Dinesh Chandra Sharma, President, Uttar Pradesh Prathamik Shikshak Sangh, said: "There is a lack of facilities for students and the absence of pay parity and new pension scheme for teachers are making teaching a difficult job."

He said that a massive demonstration was held in Lucknow on November 21 to draw the state government's attention towards students and teachers issues but despite assurances, the problem has not been resolved.

"The concerned authorities do not seem to be bothered about our problems," said Sharma.

He further said that those monitoring the teachers through selfie-based 'Prerna' app should know that classrooms lack fans, furniture, power supply and sanitary workers.

"Secondary and higher teachers' unions have also extended support to our mass leave plan," he added.
* U.S. air strike kills commander of Iran's elite Quds force

* Silver climbs to over two-month high; platinum jumps 1%

* Minutes of Fed's Dec. 10-11 policy meeting due at 1900 GMT

Jan 3 (Reuters) - Gold rose over 1% on Friday and was within a striking distance of a more than 6-1/2 year high, as investors flocked to the safe-haven metal after a senior Iranian military official was killed in an air strike authorised by the United States.

Tensions flared after Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in the air strike on their convoy at Baghdad airport.

Spot gold rose 1.3% to $1,548.70 per ounce as of 1159 GMT and touched it highest since early September, when bullion scaled a multi-year peak of $1,557.

U.S. gold futures climbed 1.6% to $1,551.70.

"We are seeing gold and silver continue to build on the gains we saw towards the end of December and there is no doubt that the latest developments with the attack in Iraq has taken us up to this level," Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen said.

Iraq's prime minister condemned the strike and said it would "light the fuse of a destructive war in Iraq".

"From a technical perspective, key level of support is just around $1,520 and as long as we stay above that level we are going to see further gains come into the market," Hansen said, adding the sell-off in equities was also supporting gold.

Gold, a safe investment in times of political and economic uncertainties, has gained 2.6% so far this week. "The latest rally was entirely driven by geo-political tensions and this would be the main driver in the shorter term and to overcome the September high, further escalation is necessary,"

Commerzbank analyst Carsten Fritsch said. On the trade front, U.S. and China are due to sign an interim deal on Jan. 15, but investors await details regarding the fine print of the agreement.

"Focus would turn to 'Phase 2' talks, which will be difficult since it would deal with most delicate issues. So we'll be back at square one and will be driven by progress and set backs in those talks," Fritsch said.

Markets now await the minutes of the Federal Reserve's Dec. 10-11 policy meeting due at 1900 GMT. Mirroring gains in gold, silver rose 0.7% to $18.15 per ounce, having touched its best level in two months. Platinum rose 1% to $988.21 and was up 4.6% so far this week. Palladium was up 0.5% at $1,969.31, on track for a weekly gainof more than 3%.
Other performances are set for Jan. 17 to Jan. 19. Tickets are $13 in advance or $15 at the door and can be purchased by calling 630-848-5000 or going to www.napervilleparks.org.
A San Antonio woman was among two people shot at a crowded Austin nightclub early on New Year's Day.

The 19-year-old was taken to the hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries after the incident, according to the Austin Police Department.

Police heard shots fired inside the Terminal 6 club on Sixth Street and San Jacinto Boulevard around 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday.

When they arrived at the club, they found two people wounded: a 19-year-old male and a 19-year-old female. The male was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released from an area hospital. Police did not know the woman's status at the hospital as of Thursday.

READ ALSO: 1 fatally stabbed, 3 hurt in morning attack in Austin, Texas

Shots rang out after a disturbance between several people inside the nightclub, police said. Detectives are seeking a male, 5-foot-7 to 6-feet tall with dreadlocks, in connection with the incident.

While the relationship between the shooter and the male who was shot is unknown, APD spokesperson Veneza Bremner said the San Antonio woman was a "complete bystander in this."

"We know that the female was not in any group related to the disturbance or anything and was just outside of the disturbance when she was hit," Bremner said.

The owner of the nightclub is cooperating with the investigation and reportedly announced he will permanently close its doors.

Austin police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call 512-974-5245.
NHLANGANO  There was a mixture of excitement and apprehension among pupils and their families ahead of the release of the eagerly awaited Grade VII results.



The Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC) Examinations results are expected to be released by the Ministry of Education and Training today, and if all goes well, they will be published in the Eswatini News tomorrow.

For some schools it would also be possible for pupils to collect them later today, while other pupils would have to wait for tomorrow or for their head teachers to be available on subsequent days.



The much anticipated announcement of the outcome of EPC exams results by the ministry was confirmed by Registrar of the Exams Council of Eswatini (ECESWA) Dr Edmund Mazibuko, who said they were expecting to take the results to the ministry this morning.

Thereafter, he said it would be their official release to the public by the ministry.



In an interview with this publication yesterday, Dr Mazibuko hinted that the results for the about 27 000 pupils who sat for the exams last year have already been determined and that it was only their announcement by the ministry today that was left.



Disappointment



Following the interview with the registrar, several pupils, their families and head teachers, were contacted by this publication yesterday. While some were found sweating and expressing disappointment about going through the whole festive season without their results, most displayed excitement and curiosity ahead of the big day.



A 12-year-old boy from a school around Hluti, who preferred anonymity, said he started feeling nervous on the day it was announced that the results would be released today.



He said it had been a long wait and the fact that he had to celebrate Christmas and New Years Day without knowing how he fared wasnt making things any easier.



I must admit it was not a good holiday. I have been curious to know what happened. It is not that I am in doubt of my abilities but it is always better when you get to know about your results much earlier; waiting for a long period puts one under unnecessary pressure, he said.



Approached from his homestead at Mashekesheni, outside Nhlangano, yesterday morning Siphelele Simelane, who sat for his EPC exams at Evelyn Baring Primary School last year, was openly confident that he had done well.



The 13-year-old, who wants to study medicine once he completes his high school, said all that he wanted was the release of his results and nothing else.

Just tell me you have the results with you and then you will see a beaming smile on my face. I am really excited and looking forward to receiving my results. The wait has been far too long, he said.



Stress



Normally around this time of the year, it becomes the responsibility of parents to manage the stress their children who would be waiting for their results go through, but for Sipheleles family, it has been the direct opposite.



As stress started to eat up on his parents, Siphelele has always been there to calm their nerves by remaining confident about his expected outcome.

His father revealed that Siphelele had always been positive about the results and said the announcement that they would soon be released simply helped to ignite more excitement for his son.



This publication also caught up with a few head teachers who all said they had been inundated with calls from parents since the beginning of the week.

Evelyn Baring Primary School Head teacher Muntu Dlamini said most parents were curious to know if the results would be released before the end of the week.



Each time the parents called I had to calm their nerves. We had a very hardworking group of pupils, so Im expecting the outcome to be encouraging. While there are those pupils I expect to excel, the general anticipation is that the school will fare pretty well, she said.



Expressed



The same sentiments were expressed by Franson Christian Primary School Head teacher Dr Nelisiwe Ndlela, who was also confident that the school results for last years group would improve.



The parents are looking forward to the results. They have been calling me since the beginning of the week.

I really believe we will achieve a high pass rate since we had hardworking pupils last year, she said.



ECESWA officials were not ready to pre-empt the pass rate for the group which sat for their EPC examination last year.

However, looking back to the performance of previous years, the 2018 results showed an improvement compared to those of 2017.



This was despite that the examinations had been marred by controversy as police officers were deployed to invigilate, while papers had to be delivered from Regional Education Offices. So good were the results that a total of 211 schools attained a 100 per cent passing mark, when compared to the 193 number of schools of the previous year, in 2017.



The pass rate in 2018 was 89.72 per cent, which displayed an increase of 0.13 per cent when compared to 2017 where it stood at 89.59 per cent.

As has been a trend in recent years, females outperformed males by 1.34 per cent during the same year.
Overseas Vietnamese enjoy traditional dishes (Photo: VNA)

On December 29th, an event was organized by the Vietnamese Embassy and the overseas Vietnamese community in Angola the welcome New Year 2020 for overseas Vietnamese in the country.



Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Vu Ngoc Minh briefed the participants on Vietnams prominent social, economic and political achievements over the past year and on the Vietnam - Angola cooperation programs to be implemented in the time to come.

The ambassador called on the overseas Vietnamese to further strive for success in their business and life in Angola, helping improve bilateral relations.

At the ceremony, Dao Thi Lan Huong, Deputy Chairwoman of the association, highlighted the contributions of the community for the local country, the homeland and the bilateral relations and reported main activities in 2020.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Angola usually holds an event to welcome New Year soon so that overseas Vietnamese who are able can return to Vietnam to welcome the Lunar New Year Festival together with their families.

+ On this occasion, overseas Vietnamese in the Czech Republic also held many activities to celebrate New Year 2020.

An event organized by overseas Vietnamese in Liberec city, northern Czech Republic, on December 28th to welcome the New Year 2020 attracted over 400 overseas Vietnamese.

An event to welcome New Year 2020 in the Czech Republic's Liberec city (Photo: VNA)

At the event, the participants enjoyed an art program performed by Sao Mai art troupe from Vietnam.



In addition, the overseas Vietnamese in SAPA Trade Centre, and fellow-countrymen associations of Hung Yen, Quang Binh, Thanh Hoa and Phu Tho provinces in localities of the Czech Republic, also organized meetings to strengthen cohesion and toward the homeland./.
French English

TORONTO and MONTREAL, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a release issued under the same headline on November 19, 2019 by Nexus REIT (TSXV: NXR.UN) please note that in the December Distributions section, the first paragraph should read "payable January 15, 2020 to unitholders of record as of December 31, 2019", not "payable December 13, 2019 to unitholders of record as of November 29, 2019" as originally stated. The corrected release follows:

Nexus Real Estate Investment Trust (the "REIT") (TSXV: NXR.UN) announced today its results for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019, and the declaration of the December 2019 distribution.



Highlights

Property revenues increased 10.6% to $14,875,417 as compared to $13,450,841 for Q3 2018.

Net operating income increased 11.6% to $9,588,546 as compared to $8,595,042 for Q3 2018.

Net income for the quarter of $6,412,316 was up 54.3% compared to $4,157,032 for Q3 2018.

Normalized AFFO per unit for the quarter of $0.051 increased 4.7% year over year and 2.1% quarter over quarter compared to $0.048 in Q3 2018 and $0.050 in Q2 2019, respectively.

Normalized AFFO payout ratio for the quarter of 78.9% is down from 80.5% for Q2 2019 and 82.6% for Q3 2018.

Debt to total assets ratio remains conservative at 51.4%; the REIT refinanced its credit facility with a $65,000,000 5-year term facility with interest fixed at 3.15% and a 5-year term $5,000,000 revolving facility.

Management of the REIT will host a conference call on Wednesday November 20th at 1PM EST to review results and operations.

The REIT continues to grow its revenue base and reduce its AFFO payout ratio quarter over quarter while maintaining a conservative balance sheet commented Kelly Hanczyk, the REITs Chief Executive Officer. We have seen increased liquidity in our REIT units and also strong participation in our DRIP program, which currently stands at approximately 10%. We are looking to graduate to the TSX in early 2020 which we believe will bring additional positive momentum. We continue to be successful in our program of acquiring properties for REIT units and are in due diligence on two industrial acquisitions where units will be issued as partial purchase price consideration. We are currently in negotiation with several other vendors that could result in a strong start to 2020. Our repurposing project at 1771 Savage Rd in Richmond BC is moving along. We have terminated the existing tenants 60,000 sq ft lease with vacancy expected in mid-December of this year. Two new leases have been agreed to in principle and we are currently negotiating the legal documents surrounding the transaction. Upon completion, we should see a lift to our current $2.30 net asset value (NAV) per unit.

Summary of Results

Included in the tables that follow and elsewhere in this news release are non-IFRS measures that should not be construed as an alternative to net income / loss, cash from operating activities or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures as reported by other issuers. Readers are encouraged to refer to the REITs MD&A for further discussion of the non-IFRS measures presented.

Three months ended

September 30, Nine months ended

September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Financial Results $

$

$ $ Property revenue 14,875,417 13,450,841 44,265,280 39,876,326 Net operating income 9,588,546 8,595,042 28,270,826 24,760,638 Net income 6,412,316 4,157,032 15,055,030 15,080,859 Three months ended

September 30, Nine months ended

September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Financial highlights $ $ $ $ Funds from operations (FFO) (1) 6,816,612 5,291,330 20,337,677 15,335,086 Normalized FFO (1) (2) 6,741,260 5,961,831 19,574,163 16,458,691 Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) (1) 6,158,299 4,655,651 18,309,462 13,478,346 Normalized AFFO (1) (2) 6,082,947 5,326,152 17,545,948 14,601,950 Distributions declared (3) 4,798,386 4,398,590 14,088,755 12,384,685 Distributions declared on units issued April 30, 2018 on the closing of an acquisition (4) - - - 128,857 Normalized distributions declared (3) (4) 4,798,386 4,398,590 14,088,755 12,255,828 Weighted average units outstanding  basic (5) 119,951,933 109,956,419 117,431,868 102,075,732 Weighted average units outstanding  diluted (5) 120,009,354 110,015,122 117,499,500 102,137,358 Distributions per unit, basic and diluted (3) (5) 0.040 0.040 0.120 0.121 Adjusted distributions per unit, basic and diluted (3) (4) (5) 0.040 0.040 0.120 0.120 FFO per unit, basic (1) (5) 0.057 0.048 0.173 0.150 Normalized FFO per unit, basic (1) (2) (5) 0.056 0.054 0.167 0.161 AFFO per unit, basic (1) (5) 0.051 0.042 0.156 0.132 Normalized AFFO per unit, basic (1) (2) (5) 0.051 0.048 0.149 0.143 Normalized AFFO payout ratio, basic (1) (2) (3) (4) (6) 78.9% 82.6% 80.3% 83.9% Debt to total assets ratio 51.4% 53.6% 51.4% 53.6%

Non-IFRS Measure Normalized FFO and Normalized AFFO include adjustments for a vendor rent obligation amount related to the Richmond Property, which is received in cash from the vendor of the Richmond Property until the property build out is complete and all tenants are occupying and paying rent. The vendor rent obligation amount is not included in NOI for IFRS accounting purposes. Normalized FFO and Normalized AFFO exclude amounts recorded in other income related to the total estimated vendor rent obligation amounts receivable.

Normalized FFO and Normalized AFFO also include adjustments for debt repayment fees included in interest expense in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2019 of $578,399 which were due on repayment of debt assumed in acquisitions completed in July 2017. Includes distributions payable to holders of Class B LP Units which are accounted for as interest expense in the consolidated financial statements. 9,666,667 REIT units were issued on April 30, 2018 on the closing of an acquisition. These units were eligible to receive distributions for the month of April. Normalized distributions declared and Normalized AFFO payout ratio, basic, calculated with normalized distributions declared each exclude distributions declared on these units for the month of April 2018. Weighted average number of units includes the Class B LP Units. Calculated based on normalized distributions declared as presented in the table above.



2018 comparative period FFO, AFFO, Normalized FFO and Normalized AFFO have been restated to include an adjustment for amortization of tenant incentives and leasing costs, not adjusted in 2018.

Revenues and Results from Operations

Net operating income for the quarter of $9,588,546 was $993,504 higher than net operating income of $8,595,042 for Q3 2018 primarily due to the impact of properties acquired in Q4 2018 and Q2 2019. Occupancy at quarter end was stable at 94% with a 5-year average remaining lease term.

In the three months ended September 30, 2019, the estimated vendor rent obligation related to the Richmond Property was reassessed in the context of anticipated delays in the completion of property improvements required before the commencement of certain leases and the vendor rent obligation amount accrued was increased by $684,169. This amount was recorded in other income.

Earnings Call

Management of the REIT will host a conference call at 1:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Wednesday November 20, 2019 to review the financial results and operations. To participate in the conference call, please dial 416-915-3239 or 1-800-319-4610 (toll free in Canada and the US) at least five minutes prior to the start time and ask to join the Nexus REIT conference call.

A recording of the conference call will be available until December 20, 2019. To access the recording, please dial 604-674-8052 or 1-855-669-9658 (toll free in Canada and the US) and enter access code 3793.

December Distributions

The REIT announced today that it will make a cash distribution in the amount of $0.01333 per unit, representing $0.16 per unit on an annualized basis, payable January 15, 2020 to unitholders of record as of December 31, 2019.

The REITs current distribution per unit continues to be $0.01333 per month. The REITs distribution reinvestment program (DRIP) entitles eligible unitholders to elect to receive all, or a portion of the cash distributions of the REIT reinvested in units of the REIT. Eligible unitholders who so elect will receive a bonus distribution of units equal to 4% of each distribution that was reinvested by them under the DRIP.

About Nexus REIT

Nexus is a growth-oriented real estate investment trust focused on increasing unitholder value through the acquisition, ownership and management of industrial, office and retail properties located in primary and secondary markets in North America. The REIT currently owns a portfolio of 70 properties comprising approximately 3.8 million square feet of rentable area. The REIT has approximately 102,026,000 units issued and outstanding. Additionally, there are Class B LP units of subsidiary limited partnerships of Nexus REIT issued and outstanding, which are convertible into approximately 18,216,000 REIT units.

Forward Looking Statements

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A recently published study indicates that oral infections seem to have no association with the risk of stem cell transplantation patients dying of or getting a serious infection within six months of the procedure.

A study collaboratively conducted by the University of Helsinki, the Helsinki University Hospital, the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel investigated whether oral infections are associated with the mortality rate and infectious complications post-stem cell transplantation.

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is used to treat cancers as well as severe blood and autoimmune diseases. Due to the long period of recovery for the immune system after a stem cell transplantation procedure, the patients have a heightened risk of infection.

The study, published in the PLOS ONE journal, involved patients treated at the University Hospital Basel, of whom 341 had received an allogeneic stem cell transplantation and 125 an autologous stem cell transplantation. The procedures were carried out between 2008 and 2016.

Before carrying out the transplantation procedure, all patients underwent a clinical and radiological dental examination to identify any potential foci of infection as well as the number of missing and filled teeth.

A total of 51 stem cell transplant patients died within six months of the procedure. The foci of infection, the number of missing or filled teeth and the cases of periodontitis identified in the examinations completed before the transplantation were not associated with the survival of patients.

Furthermore, the oral foci of infection and oral infections were not associated with infections requiring hospitalisation or bacteraemia identified by blood culture occurring within six months of the transplantation.

"Contrary to our assumptions, untreated oral infections had no connection with post-stem cell transplantation survival during the six-month follow-up period. Another surprise was that they had no link with any serious infectious complications occurring during the follow-up period," Professor Tuomas Waltimo, who headed the study, sums up.

Dental infections always require treatment - Cooperation between physicians and dentists essential

Most likely, the long-term and broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy administered during treatment was, in this study, able to prevent the spread of chronic infections of dental origin. However, Waltimo stresses that the antibiotic resistance level of oral microbes must be monitored, and dental infections should always be treated as soon as possible, either conservatively or surgically.

"Even though the cause of dental infections must always be eliminated, our study demonstrates that teeth need not be extracted just before a stem cell transplantation procedure due to chronic but asymptomatic dental infections. However, the patient's health permitting, and if the wound has enough time to heal before chemotherapy, the radical treatment of such infections is justified. Other than that, conservative, non-radical treatment that eliminates the infection carried out by a dentist familiar with the case appears to be the lowest-risk option in terms of infectious and bleeding complications."

Waltimo points out that the findings cannot be applied to any other patient groups, especially not to patients suffering from cancer in the region of the head and neck, or the treatment of patients with a heart valve or a prosthetic joint. In such cases, the treatment of the oral foci of infections in good time is always well grounded.

"Based on our results, it seems that radical and extensive procedures to treat oral infections are not necessary before stem cell transplantations. Instead, such treatment can be postponed until after the transplantation," notes Matti Mauramo, LicMed and DDM, a physician specialising in pathology and the principal author of the article.

For the sake of the patient's quality of life and treatment costs, dental infections should be prevented or treated as soon as possible. Antibiotic therapy given when immune defences are impaired appears to make it possible to delay dental treatment by as much as several months after a stem cell transplantation procedure.

The researchers emphasise that the significance of cooperation between physicians and dentists must not be underestimated, neither in terms of the patient's quality of life nor in terms of infectious complications.

###
A group of Amazon employees said the company threatened to fire them for speaking out about climate change.

Amazon Employees for Climate Justice claim they were told that they were violating company policies by speaking to the press about environmental issues.

In a statement, the group said that tech workers had been contacted by Amazon legal and HR representatives after making public comments about the company's responsibility towards the global climate crisis.

Some workers received follow up emails threatening termination if they continued to speak out about Amazon's business, they added.

"Members of AECJ say Amazon updated its policy about workers speaking to the press and on social media in early September, one day after the group announced they were organising the climate walkout," the statement read.

However, the company said its policy on public comments made by employees is "not new" and covers all of its workers.

Amazon Employees for Climate Justice organised the walkout in Seattle in September / Getty Images

An Amazon spokesman said: "We recently updated the policy and related approval process to make it easier for employees to participate in external activities such as speeches, media interviews, and use of the companys logo.

"As with any company policy, employees may receive a notification from our HR team if we learn of an instance where a policy is not being followed.

"We understand many of our employees feel passionately about the future of our environment  we do too," the spokesman added, referencing the company's "Climate Pledge" - a commitment to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early.

Amazon Employees for Climate Justice is a group of the company's workers "who believe it's our responsibility to ensure our business models don't contribute to the climate crisis".

The group has called on Amazon to achieve zero emissions by 2030, limit its work with fossil fuel companies.
Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan convened a meeting amid the latest developments in the Middle East, Armenian MFA spokesperson Anna Naghdalyan wrote on her Facebook.

She said that the ambassadors of Armenia accredited in the countries of the region also take part in the meeting.

Earlier, Pentagon said they killed the commander.

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," a Pentagon statement said. "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."
Shannon Clute has been named inaugural director of The Hatchery, Emorys newest space for student ideation and innovation, slated to open in January.

Emory University has launched The Hatchery, the universitys newest space for student ideation and innovation, drawing on the strengths of Emorys broad array of academic programs to facilitate meaningful connections at the university and across the innovation landscape in Atlanta and beyond.

Shannon Clute has been named inaugural director of the center, which officially opens at Emory Point in January.

Clute, who most recently served as senior director, brand and communications, for Cornell Universitys Division of Alumni Affairs and Development, says that The Hatchery will empower students to engage in creativity, purposeful play and innovation as preparation for engaged, global citizenship that addresses the worlds big challenges.

Emory faculty and staff will be part of the collective energy, working alongside students, alumni and changemakers from Atlanta and elsewhere. The center facilitates experiences for students that complement and amplify existing innovation and entrepreneurship efforts at the university.

Custom-built to inspire creativity, The Hatchery is a highly configurable, 15,000-square-foot facility which includes collaboration areas, a makerspace, a presentation and event space, classrooms, online tools, a breakroom and more.

Clute emphasizes that the new innovation space will have a distinct student focus. The Hatchery is where you can come to test a wild idea, encounter other curious minds, expand your professional network and create solutions to share with the world, says Clute. Its a place to apply their studies to real-world problems and to succeed beyond Emory.

Clute brings relevant experience in academia and industry, having worked at the crossroads of innovation, brand strategy and instructional design to create numerous education-enterprise partnerships and scalable educational initiatives. He previously held several positions with Turner Classic Movies where he built a cross-functional and collaborative culture of innovation to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Before his career in industry, Clute was assistant professor at Saint Marys College of California and visiting assistant professor at University of Kentucky, where he taught courses in French and Italian language and literature. Clute holds a BA in Italian from the University of ColoradoBoulder and a MA and PhD in romance studies from Cornell University.
Japanese prosecutors raided the Tokyo home of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn Thursday while the international police organization Interpol submitted a warrant for his arrest to Lebanese authorities.

Ghosn skipped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon before his trial on financial misconduct charges got underway.

Japanese authorities said they were unsure how the auto executive avoided close surveillance and entered Lebanon, but Lebanese authorities said he entered the country legally with a French passport and that there was no reason to take action against Ghosn. Japanese media showed investigators entering Ghosn's home, his third home in Tokyo since he was first arrested a year ago.

Ghosn's lawyers in Japan initially said they were unaware of Ghosn's escape and that they possessed all of his passports. He has citizenship in Lebanon, France and Brazil.


Beijing says activities carried out within the Bodhi Institute of Compassion and Wisdom are "illegal". For the Tibetan diaspora, the goal is to reduce the religious and moral influence of the founding monk, a disciple of the Larung Gar academy.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Beijing government has closed a network of Tibetan Buddhist centers in Sichuan. This was reported by the director of the centers, Khenpo Sodargye, founder of the Bodhi Institute of Compassion and Wisdom, with various offices in the Chinese province.

According to the authorities, "illegal activities" are carried out within the centers. NGO International Campaign for Tibet (Ict), broke the news claiming the goal instead is to "limit the religious and moral influence" of the monk, a disciple of the famous Tibetan study center Larung Gar, who has been targeted by Beijing for several years.

The founder of the Institute declares that all prayer centers have been closed since 30 December. In his interview yesterday with Ict, a Washington-based association that defends the Tibetan cause, he stresses that "he will continue to love the nation as well as religion." Then he asked people to ignore any fundraising requests made on behalf of the Institute.

The Sodargye network is affiliated to the Larung Gar center (in Garze, western Sichuan). It is one of the most important Buddhist academies built in the 1980s thanks to the commitment of the monk Jigme Phuntsok, who attracted tens of thousands of faithful and monks around him to deepen their faith and study the sacred texts of Tibetan Buddhism.

Since 2004, the year of the founder's death, the center has been run by a group of authoritative monks, chosen democratically. Subsequently, since 2017, the Sichuan prefecture has entrusted the management to six Tibetans, all members of the Chinese Communist Party. The hill on which the academy stands was also targeted by the authorities: in 2016 an urban restructuring was ordered, which in fact destroyed many homes and chased away most of the residents.

According to Radio Free Asia, between 2017 and 2018 the Chinese authorities removed at least 4,820 monks and nuns, forcing them to return to their countries of origin, depriving them of the opportunity to deepen their religious formation. In addition, since 2001 they have destroyed about 7 thousand monastic residences. According to Ict, the expulsions and demolitions in Larung Gar and Yachen Gar, another Buddhist center in Sichuan, are part of "a political strategy in progress", aimed at controlling the influence and growth of "these important centers of study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism ".
The accused shared a toll-free number with the woman telling her she can call and enquire with the company if she had any doubts.

Hyderabad: Four persons from Bihar, who were duping customers of e-commerce websites offering gifts and cash as a bonus for purchasing goods, were arrested by the Cyberabad cyber crime police on Friday.

The police found that the accused persons had a database of over one lakh customers of various e-commerce sites and had earned about Rs 5 crore by cheating them.

The cyber crime police was probing a case in which a homemaker from Kompally was cheated of Rs 2.3 lakh, after being offered a car worth Rs 6.9 lakh. Police arrested Sandeep Kumar, 22, the alleged mastermind, of Kabirpura, his brother-in-law Manikchand Paswan, 30, of Mirbigha, Tausif Ahmed, 30, of Ghaziabad and Vikas Kumar, 30, of Delhi.

The gang used to purchase data of customers making purchases on e-commerce sites. The customers would get a message about a gift if they bought products through e-commerce sites. The complainant had purchased a potato cutter worth Rs 228 through Snapdeal.com. Two days later, the gang got in touch with her. They offered her the car and made her pay Rs 2.3 lakh under various pretexts. Cyberabad police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said that the accused persons were collecting customer data illegally. They create fake identification cards in the name of the e-commerce sites, fake Aadhaar cards, and PAN cards, and send to the victim to make her believe that they are genuine.

The accused shared a toll-free number with the woman telling her she can call and enquire with the company if she had any doubts. The toll-free number was taken from a service provider in Delhi only to cheat the innocent, he added. The gang also developed 13 spoofed websites similar to that of e-commerce companies like Snapdeal, Shopclues, Club factory, Flipkart, Amazon and telemarketing companies like Naaptol, Homeshop-18 to deceive innocent persons, said the commissioner.

The commissioner said that the gang has collected the data of at least one lakh customers illegally and has collected over Rs 5 crore from the victims. The accused shared the money among themselves. Sandeep Kumar bought two houses and a car with the money, Mr Sajjanar said.

Two more accused persons Bipin Kumar and Sandeep Paswan are still at large. Further investigation is on to identify the victims and a meeting will be held with the representatives of the e-commerce sites to discuss plans to curb spoof websites and leaking of customer data.

The cyber crime team that apprehended the accused has recovered 12 phones, two laptops, one SUV, 19 SIM cards in fictitious names, two fake PAN cards, four fake Aadhaar cards, fake identification cards, voter ids, and debit cards.
Canadian smokers nervous about U-Hauls announcement that it will no longer hire nicotine users can exhale, at least for now.

The North American moving truck company said the new rule was in the interest of establishing a healthy corporate culture. The change, which doesnt apply to current employees, will only take place in 21 U.S. states where laws permit such restrictions.

Some have called the practice discriminatory; others say its fair game. There are those who alleged the company was just trying to reduce the cost of its employee benefits plan.

Though U-Haul operates in Canada as well, an expert in employment law says its highly unlikely the nicotine-free job requirement will take hold north of the border.

Stuart Rudner, an employment lawyer based in Toronto, explained that in Canada, employers are forbidden under the Human Rights Act to discriminate against applicants based on race, sex and disability, among other provisions.

Addictions are classified as a disability, he said, and would therefore not be something an employer could factor in while making hiring decisions.

Rudner said the law hasnt been tested in Canada on this particular point. But if someone were to take a potential employer to court with proof their status as a smoker prevented them from being hired, Rudner says its likely they would win.

Its actually the addiction that protects the person, he said.

However, there are a few exceptions under which employers can eliminate a potential hire based on a disability. They usually arise when a smaller employer can prove that the employees disability, whether its the use of a wheelchair or an addiction to cigarettes, could lead to an undue strain on the business, financial or otherwise.

He said its also possible that an antismoking agency could discriminate against non-smokers because of the nature of their work, adding, I would love to take that case on.

Rudner said he wasnt surprised to hear of U-Hauls policy change. He said more and more companies in the U.S. have been doing this for years if not decades. However, he said its the first time a well-known company has made a public announcement about such a policy.

In the future, job ads specifying non-smoking may be the new norm, Rudner said. But a significant legal change would be required to make that happen in Canada.

It seems logical, just because of public perception of smoking, he said. (But) I dont think were at that point.

That doesnt mean there arent any Canadian employers out there who already wont hire smokers. In fact, a quick search on Indeed.com turns up a number of job postings that stipulate hires must be non-smokers.

Some of them are for health care aide positions, which Rudner said could have a case for such a restriction. But others are for positions at companies such as marketing firms where there is less of an argument that a non-smoking requirement is necessary.

However, until an employee or job applicant actually brings a case to the courts, Rudner said its likely companies will continue to use these hiring policies.

In fact, two Canadian companies have made the news in recent years for refusing to hire smokers.

In 2013, Ottawa-based tech company Momentous Corp., said it had a strict policy not to hire smokers. And in 2016, the owner of Montreal-based boating company Saute Moutons also made headlines for refusing to hire smokers.

Smaller companies are more likely to enforce these restrictions, said Rudner  that is, until someone takes an employer to court.

If they did, they would probably be successful, he said.

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Insurance claims by victims of the devastating bushfires burning across Australia could top $600million.

As firefighters continue to battle dangerous blazes across New South Wales and Victoria, more than 4200 claims have been made by people who have lost their houses.

Since the beginning of the vicious bushfire season in November, more than 4,299 victims have applied for insurance claims with losses totaling a staggering $297million.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) expects the number to increase when access to dangerous areas are cleared to assess and the damage bill could be close to $600million.

Firefighting helicopter tackling a bushfire near Bairnsdale in Victoria's East Gippsland region on Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria, Wednesday, January 1, 2020

'That's up 429 claims in the past day ($59 million in losses) with fresh claims lodged by householders in eastern Victoria and the NSW south coast,' Insurance Council's Campbell Fuller told the Herald Sun.

'The Insurance Council expects hundreds of claims will be lodged over the next few days once communication is restored to communities and as property owners return to their homes and businesses to inspect the damage.'

Insurance companies are offering compensation of $1,000 per adult and $400 for children.

A joint effort with the Victorian and Australian government will see a payout of $42,250 given to those whose homes have been destroyed by the fires.

Those in dire need of accommodation, food and clothing are also being assisted with eligible adults to receive $560 and eligible children $280 - capped at $1,960 for each household.

Small businesses are also receiving income support.

A burnt-out ute is seen at a destroyed property in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria on December 31, 2019

Bushfires burn between the townships of Bemm River and Cann River in eastern Gippsland on January 02, 2020

Crews monitor fires and begin back burns between the towns of Orbost and Lakes Entrance in east Gipplsland on January 02, 2020

At least 28 people are missing as catastrophic bushfires continue to tear through Victoria's east.

Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed two people have been killed and the number of missing people has climbed to 28 from 17 on Friday.

'We have grave fears for the safety and wellbeing of those 28 people who cannot be located,' Mr Andrews said in a press conference.

'Having said that, though, these numbers will move around. A number of people who were part of the original 17 were located yesterday.'

The news comes after the Victorian premier declared a state of disaster for East Gippsland on Thursday night.

These powers have never been used before and allow authorities to compel people to leave.

Residents in northeastern communities including Biggara, Tintaldra, Towong, Towong Upper, Walwa, Nariel Valley, Lucyvale, Berringama,Koetong, Shelley and Burrowye are being ordered to get out.

'If you can leave, you must leave. That's the only safe thing for you, your family and, indeed, for others who may be called to your assistance,' the premier told reporters on Friday.

'We cannot guarantee your safety.'

Bushfires burn between the townships of Bemm River and Cann River in eastern Gippsland on January 02, 2020

Crews monitor fires and begin back burns between the towns of Orbost and Lakes Entrance in east Gipplsland on January 02, 2020

More than 780,000 hectares have been razed by about 50 fires burning in the state's east and northeast.

The state is bracing for the worst as weather conditions are expected to create more blazes in the region.

A mass evacuation is also underway in the popular holiday town of Mallacoota where more than 4,000 locals and tourists have been stranded since the devastating bushfires on New Year's Eve.

The first evacuees boarded the Navy ship, the MV Sycamore, from the fire ravaged coastal town at 8.40am on Friday.

The fires have claimed at least seven lives, taking the death toll for Australia's catastrophic fire season to 18.
By PTI

PATNA: The opposition in Bihar on Thursday expressed shock over the "abduction and murder" of an 18- year-old youth who went missing last month on a day the state witnessed anti-CAA protests and whose decomposed, mutilated body was recovered from a pit more than a week later.

According to SHO, Phulwarisharif police station, Rafeequr Rehman, a complaint had been lodged by the brother of Amir Hanzla, a resident of Haroon Nagar locality, on December 21 that the boy had gone out in the morning to take part in an anti-CAA rally but did not return even after 12 hours.

Notably, a state-wide bandh was organized by Lalu Prasad's RJD on December 21 against the amended Citizenship Act, which was supported by alliance partners like Congress as also the Left parties.

"We lodged an FIR against 12 persons, four of whom have been arrested so far. Amirs body was recovered from a pit, where it was rotting in the midst of a thick growth of hyacinth, on December 30. After post mortem, the body was handed over to his family members and efforts are on to nab the other accused", the SHO said.

Those named in the FIR were locals who had, on the day of the bandh, hit the streets raising slogans "in support of" CAA and NRC and clashed with demonstrators opposing these, he added.

Rattled by the incident, state RJD president Jagadanand Singh on Thursday set up a fact-finding team, which would visit Phulwari Sharif on Friday and submit its report for further action.

The five-member committee comprises state vice presidents Ashok Kumar Singh and Tanveer Hasan, state president of the craftsmen cell Madan Sharma and state general secretary Nirala Yadav and state secretary Nirbhay Ambedkar, Singh told PTI.

"A communication has been sent to the concerned officials in the district and police administration so that they cooperate with the team, which shall submit its report in three days", he added.

Congress MLA Shakeel Ahmed Khan, who is among those named in the FIR lodged against top opposition leaders in connection with the bandh, expressed outrage over the Amirs death and demanded "speedy trial".

"The incident raises a question mark over Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's claim of good governance. Here is an 18-year- old boy, abducted by small-time thugs of his locality, who murder him and dump his body to a spot that is close to the office of the Deputy SP", Khan said.

"We demand expeditious arrests of all the accused, investigation into any complicity on part of the police and a speedy trial so that all those who are guilty, directly or indirectly, are brought to justice", the MLA said.

Police sources said on condition of anonymity that the accused had pounced upon Amir while he was raising anti-CAA, anti-NRC slogans.

After dragging him to a secluded spot, the accused had apparently held him hostage for more than a day during which they subjected him to immense physical torture which included stabbing with sharp-edged objects, causing profuse bleeding and resulting in death, they said.
This article, NASA astronaut's blood clot in space gets treated by doctor on Earth, originally appeared on CNET.com.

It was like Grey's Anatomy in microgravity.

A NASA astronaut developed a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis - DVT) in the jugular vein partway through a long-term mission on the International Space Station. The space agency called in University of North Carolina doctor Stephan Moll, a blood-clot expert, to help develop a treatment plan for the tricky situation.

University of North Carolina

NASA hasn't revealed the crew member's name or when the incident happened, though the astronaut discovered the clot two months into a six-month mission while getting a neck ultrasound for a research study.

When working with challenging cases, doctors often look to the medical record to see how previous occurrences have been handled. But there was no precedent for treating a blood clot in space.

"Knowing there are no emergency rooms in space, we had to weigh our options very carefully," Moll said in a UNC statement on Thursday.

Moll and a NASA medical team chose to treat the clot with blood thinners. The limited on-board supply of medicine required carefully meting out the dose until a fresh cargo shipment arrived from Earth.

The astronaut went through about 40 days of injections before switching to an oral pill. The NASA crew member discontinued the pills shortly before returning to Earth and required no follow-up treatment for the clot.

Moll co-authored a case study on the clot published in the The New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday.

The case study sheds some new light on NASA research published in November 2019 that looked into issues with astronaut blood flow during long-duration space missions. The report described the jugular clot in an otherwise healthy astronaut as "a newly discovered risk associated with spaceflight."

Moll and NASA scientists have called for more research into blood clots in space, including treatments and potential preventative measures.

"How do you minimize risk for DVT? Should there be more medications for it kept on the ISS? All of these questions need answering, especially with the plan that astronauts will embark on longer missions to the moon and Mars," Moll said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: In signs that promoters' feud are far from over, InterGlobe Aviation on Friday announced convening a meeting of shareholders on January 29, at the request of co-promoter Rakesh Gangwal, for removing various provisions in a key document of the company.

The extraordinary general meeting (EGM) would discuss deleting various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisiton of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and ' Tag Along Right', in the company's Articles of Association (AoA).

The development comes more than six months after Gangwal flagged concerns over corporate governance lapses at InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of the country's largest airline IndiGo. The meeting is being convened on January 29 following request by Rakesh Gangwal (RG) Group and related entities who together hold 36.64 per cent stake in the company, a regulatory filing said on Friday.

The group comprises Rakesh Gangwal, Shobha Gangwal and The Chinkerpoo Family Trust (Trustee: Shobha Gangwal and JP Morgan Trust Company of Delaware).

The differences between co-founders and co-promoters - Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia - came to the fore in July 2019 after Gangwal sought market regulator Sebi's intervention to address alleged corporate governance lapses at the company.

In the wake of the feud, arbitration proceedings are also going overseas between the two promoters' sides. Bhatia and affiliates - InterGlobe Enterprises (IGE) Group - has around 38 per cent stake in the company.

On December 24, a request for EGM was made by Gangwal and the company's Board of Directors, on December 31, approved convening such a meeting. The company received a letter on November 13, 2019 from Gangwal seeking changes in the AoA, the filing said.

Generally, an AoA provides the regulations for operating a company. The shareholders' agreement expired on the fourth anniversary of the company's initial public offer -- November 10, 2019. However, the AoA contains many provisions of that agreement.

As these provisions have now expired, RG Group seeks an amendment to the AoA to remove those expired provisions, as per an annexure in the communication, dated December 24, from Gangwal seeking convening of the EGM.

ALSO READ| IndiGo Airlines fleet size crosses 250 planes, becomes first Indian carrier to do so

Gangwal has sought deletion of various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisition of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and 'Tag Along Right'.

One of the Articles that is sought to be removed pertain to each group agreeing not to acquire additional shares or voting rights of the company that might trigger an open offer requirement under Sebi's takeover regulations.

If any member of the IGE (InterGlobe Enterprises) Group -- led by Rahul Bhatia or RG Group -- wants to transfer shares to a third party, then the non-transferring group will have the 'Right of First Refusal' subject to certain conditions.

Similarly, the non-transferring group will also have the 'Tag Along Right' wherein it would have the option to sell some part of the shareholding.

Another Article is that the transferring shareholder would not be entitled to transfer shares without prior written consent of the non-transferring shareholder. "As per the legal advice received by the company, there are provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, as amended (the 'Companies Act') which give rights to the members to requisition on EGM," the explanatory statement to the EGM notice said.

Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services said the plan is to amend the AoA by removing three clauses, post approval, which would lead to equal rights in the hands of both the promoters.

He said the changes would be positive for the company, as the weaker hands, whomever it may be, may move out or reduce stake in the future. "We don't expect it to lead to a power struggle between the promoters. If not approved, the conflict between the promoters is likely to continue which may be negative for the stock," he noted.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation rose over two per cent to close at Rs 1,360.95 on the BSE. Amid the promoters' feud, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta in November 2019 said there was "zero impact" on the carrier right now as they are on the same page over the airline's strategic direction.
The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at a conference held by the MoST to review its operation in 2019 and devise tasks for 2020.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy PM hailed the contributions made by the science and technology sector to the countrys development over the recent years.

He noted that Vietnam jumped three spots to 42nd position out of 129 world economies in the Global Innovation Index in 2019, while standing first among 26 middle-income countries and ranking third in ASEAN, behind Singapore and Malaysia.

In order to turn Vietnam into a high-income country in the next 20 years, all sectors should work together with the science and technology sector, added the Deputy PM.

He also urged the honour of creations and initiatives among the community, thereby encouraging inventors and scientists to make further great contributions to the sector in the coming time.

At the conference, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam presented first-class Labour Order to former Minister of Science and Technology Tran Quoc Khanh and third-class Labour Order to former Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac.
Prince George has proved he's all grown up as he donned his signature style white shirt with blue piping in a new royal portrait released today.

The little royal, 6, can be seen smiling coyly as he poses alongside the Queen, 93, Prince Charles, 71, and Prince William, 37, in the family photograph of the three heirs released to mark the new decade.

Prince George wore a smart white long-sleeve shirt with blue piping for the occasion, a style remarkably similar to one he first wore for his first royal heirs portrait in 2015.

The royal has worn a similar style of shirt on eight occasions in the past few years, including twice for Trooping the Colour, his fifth birthday portrait and Princess Eugenie's wedding.

Prince George, 6, dons his favourite signature style of white shirt with blue piping for a new family portrait released today to mark the new decade (pictured, with the Queen, 93, Prince Charles, 71, and Prince William, 37)

The little royal is fast-making the white shirt with the blue piped detailing his signature style, having worn it on more than six other royal occasions.

He was first snapped in the garment in 2015, when Kate Middleton, 37, photographed him alongside his sister Charlotte, 4, shortly after her birth.

He also regularly worn a similar white shirt with light blue piping for Trooping the Colour, although often opts for a short sleeve version for the summer event.

The little royal also wore a similar white shirt with velvet navy piping when he was acting as pageboy for Princess Eugenie's wedding in October 2018.

The royal wore a remarkably similar shirt for his first royal heirs portrait in 2015, which was taken when he was just 2-years-old

While the royal's favourite shirt may be surprisingly similar on each occasion, the little royal proved he is fast growing up by swapping his boyish blue shorts for smart Black Watch tartan trousers for the portrait.

The slim fit tartan trousers, from luxury children's brand Trotters, cost 50 and are described as being a 'smart and festive look for any little boy' at Christmas.

The royal was first seen wearing long trousers for an official portrait for the Cambridge's Christmas card in 2018, having rarely worn them publicly, aside from when he acted as a Page Boy for Prince Harry and Princess Eugenie's weddings.

Since he's been old enough to walk, George has worn shorts in all the official portraits taken to mark milestones such as his birthday or the Queen's 90th birthday.

The royal has regularly been snapped in similar shirts over the years, including for Princess Charlotte's, 4, first official portrait (pictured left in 2015) and wearing a short sleeved version several times for Trooping the Colour (pictured right in 2016)

The royal wore a similar shirt for his brother Louis' christening, although with the added pipe detailing along the front (pictured in 2018)

The six-year-old went on to wear a similar white shirt while attending Trooping the Colour in 2018

He's also been wearing shorts in pictures taken in his school uniform, and when he's accompanied his parents on overseas tours to Poland, Germany and Canada.

Previously, MailOnline's etiquette William Hanson told Femail that Kate put her son exclusively in shorts as it's an aristocratic way to dress.

He claimed that shorts on young boys are, in fact, a silent British class marker and trousers are deemed 'suburban', which no self-respecting royal would want to be considered.

In the photograph, which was taken on December 18, when the Queen hosted the royal family at Buckingham Palace for their annual Christmas lunch, George can be seen smiling coyly alongside his father, grandfather and great grandmother.

The royal also wore a similar short-sleeve version of the shirt for his fifth birthday portrait in July 2018 (left) and a different version with velvet piping when acting as pageboy at Princess Eugenie's wedding in October 2018 (right)

The image is only the second time that a portrait of all four royals together has been issued.

The Queen stands at the front of the picture in a white dress accessorised with a blue brooch and holding one of her iconic handbags.

Meanwhile George and Charles - in a navy pinstripe suit - are stood together on a red-carpeted step.

William stands behind his father, son and grandmother, smiling at the back of the picture in a dark suit and navy blue tie.

The official photograph was taken ahead of the Queen's Christmas lunch on December 18, when the four royals were also photographed making Christmas puddings together (pictured)

The first image was released in April 2016 to mark the Queen's 90th birthday, with the picture then printed on commemorative stamps.

The youngest royal's elevated position in the new portrait is reminiscent of the 2016 photo, when then-two-year-old George stood next to his great-grandmother on a blue and black step, holding the hand of his father, William.

Both the 2016 and 2020 images were taken by photographer Ranald Mackechnie.

Footage of the royals making the puddings in Buckingham Palace was played during the Queen's Christmas message

The new snap comes just two weeks after the royals marked the festive season with another series of photos.

The Queen, Charles, William and George made Christmas puddings in Buckingham Palace last month, pictured in front of a Christmas tree adorned with regal corgi and crown decorations.

In footage that was played during the Queen's Christmas message, George was seen repeatedly stabbing the thick pudding mixture with a wooden spoon, making his grandfather chuckle.
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's party Shiv Seva has once again attacked the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre over the recent killing of Indian soldiers' in Jammu and Kashmir and accused it of misleading the nation over the situation in the Union Territory.

In a strongly-worded editorial in its mouthpiece ''Saamana'', the party said that nearly 8 to 9 soldiers from Maharashtra were killed in Jammu and Kashmir last month. Blaming the central government for the soldiers' death in J&K, the Sena article said that the ''Maha Vikas Aghadi'' government in Maharashtra was not responsible for it.

Training its guns at the Centre, the Sena editorial questioned who is to be blamed for the soldiers' killing in J&K. It also attacked the Centre for misleading the country over the situation in J&K, saying the beginning of New Year 2020 has not been good in the Union Territory.

Alleging that ''all was not well in J&K'', the Saamana editorial said that the Narendra Modi dispensation was not telling the truth about Jammu and Kashmir.

Live TV

The party alleged that there has been no improvement in J&K ever since the scrapping of Article 370 by the Centre as the bloodshed still continues and Indian armed forces continue to pay a heavy price for it.

Despite the IAF airstrike in Pakistan's Balakot, terror camps in PoK continue to fourish and operate from there, the internet and communication channels have still not been fully restored in J&K, the Sena article said.

Though SMS services were restored in J&K from the midnight of December 31, the internet services are yet to be restored, it said. All this means that the overall situation is not good in J&K and the PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah should have failed to improve the situation there.

The Saamana editorial further claimed that though the Indian Army's counter-insurgency operations continue in J&K, there has been a significant rise in incidents of ceasefire violations, cross-border infiltration and terror-related incidents in j&K.

The Sena article concluded by saying that there is an ''uneasy peace in J&K'' and tensions prevail along the Indo-China border which is not in the interest of the country.

Uddhav Thackeray's party also cautioned the ruling dispensation that riots and terror attacks should not be used for political gains. The Maharashtra-based party had earlier criticised the Centre over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and warned that the entire country will face consequences of instability in Northeast.

Through its mouthpiece Saamana, the Shiv Sena had attacked the Centre by saying that the "guardians of Hindus" have created a situation of instability in Northeast. The Uddhav Thackeray-led party also said "vote bank politics" under the garb of the bill (CAB) is not in the interest of the country.

It may be noted that Shiv Sena had in past supported BJP over contentious issues like Triple Talaq, Article 370, Ram Temple but has changed its stance ever since it parted ways with the BJP due to disagreement the over seat-sharing formula in Maharashtra.
With a new decade about to start (in most people's heads, if not chronologically), we asked readers of the Times Union and the Table Hopping blog for changes or developments they would like to see come to the restaurant industry.

We said they could be simple: Time to move on from Brussels sprouts; the kale trend is past its expiration date; it really is way past time for servers to stop saying, "Are you still working on that?"; more vegetarian/vegan food; more/less natural wine; more restaurants serving locally underrepresented cuisines.

Or we said the wish could be as significant as abolishing tipping by including the cost of service in the price of a meal.

Readers had plenty to say:

WHAT'S OFFERED

Peter C: Troy and the surrounding area in Rensselaer County needs an authentic Mexican restaurant.

Erika: More gluten-free vegetarian options please. Not all those who need to eat gluten free are meat/poultry eaters. It would also be appreciated, if restaurants who advertise they serve Beyond Burgers and Impossible Burgers, making an effort to publicize they are gluten free, provide options of how that "burger" can be served. Many do not offer a gluten-free bun or another way of eating by hand (e.g. lettuce wrap).

Papa John's fan: A Famous Dave's in Crossgates Mall.

Darci: Please bring an authentic Italian restaurant to Colonie! Every new restaurant that has opened here in the past year has either been Mexican or Asian fusion. Enough!

DJ Drew: I would like to see a few Tim Horton's open in the Capital District. One requirement, though  they all must stock English Toffee cappuccino all year long.

JM: Less of those MLM/Herbalife tea places that have been popping up left and right.

Stevo: The American palate is wimpy enough! As a heatseeker who is always looking for spicy food, very few restaurants serve truly spicy fare. We don't need to encourage wimpier milder food. Spiciness improves more dishes than it doesn't.

GM: Too much chili flake and spicy aioli and hot peppers and garlic. Even the sushi places now have spicy tuna as their staple.

Marjorie Pass: I'd love to see less hot pepper in everything. In some restaurants it is in everything from appetizers to desserts. As a person who has a stomach that can't tolerate hot stuff this limits what I can eat on a menu without asking the kitchen to make changes.

Dan Hughes: Bojangle's and Hardee's and Biscuitville and Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen are all very severely underrepresented in the area.

Paula: I would like to see an authentic Spanish restaurant in the Schenectady area.

Christina: A high-quality, primarily locally sourced restaurant with tons of vegan and gluten-free options, located centrally right in Colonie, with adequate space and parking, and maybe even live music on occasion would be ideal.

Stevo: We need better pizza! World-class modern pizzerias! Great pizza is exploding all over the country but not here. With a few exceptions  Flatbread Social, Restaurant Navona, Anna's Woodfired and maybe DeFazio's  the vast majority of pizza in the Capital Region is NY style average pizza. Other than NY style, your only other options are topping- and cheese-heavy tavern pies. Any fool can load up a dough with mounds of cheese and call it a day. There's are no pizzerias here that are innovating or pushing creativity locally.

Linda Searfin: Please, Malta needs some family restaurants. With the growth of Malta we don't have any good restaurants. Yes we have bar food, more pizza joints than you can count and fast food chains. We really need some good restaurants. We have to always go to Saratoga or Clifton Park. A GOOD STEAK PLACE WOULD BE GREAT!!!!!

BB: Parking  there are some lovely places (new places to try, old favorites) that we've passed up because there is nowhere to park. We don't even mind a short walk but after a snowstorm in Albany there is literally NO parking for some of these places. More tea places like Whistling Kettle. Ballston Spa is really far for us and downtown Troy is hit or miss with parking. How about one in Guilderland/Bethlehem? A really good deli like the original Bagel Bite (sorry  Better Bite is NOT the same) or the one that was out on Western Ave. and became a Ted's Fish Fry. We wish for the end of fast casual/order at the counter places. It's hard to get servers. We get it. We still like sitting down and being served. Breakfast places that get creative but not pretentious (Jack's II is the best for this!)  let's see savory waffles, varieties of avocado toast, creative omelets, etc.

Craig: More food stall places like Troy Kitchen and Galleria 7. Love the idea of rotating brands that can try out and acquire a fan base before or in place of their own full restaurant.

Carrie: Waffle House!

Steven W: Bring a Sonic to the Saratoga/Wilton area like originally planned!

Peter Murphy: Wegman's. Also bad French onion soup; just stop making it if you don't care about it.

Leon Collier: I wouldn't mind having a Bojangles in the Capital Region. Exit 8 could use Junior's in the empty space where Planet Fitness used to be. Downtown Albany desperately needs a burger, seafood or taco place for those of us who work down here but don't have time for lunch at the Hollow, CBH, Ama or dp every day.

Janis: A bagel/deli/bakery in Guilderland. Since Leo's and Continental closed years ago, gone are the fresh danishes, buns and tasty bread.

Sign up for The Knick  Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter.

JSC: Can we have a 3-year moratorium on "new" red sauce italian restaurants? Restaurants with focus on a cuisine and reflect the owners, rather than pandering to what sells. How about a creative/fresh approach that is wildly successful outside of the Upstate Bubble? (There are many examples  visit Baltimore or D.C. or Seattle or Philly, all good food cities. Steal a few ideas and bring them here.) Stop feeding into the lowest common denominator: i.e. your seafood place doesn't need mozz sticks or chicken parm on the menu. Agree with the need to be more sensitive to sound. You can have the buzz of an active restaurant, but the sound limit should be below the lawnmower range. Restaurants and coffee places open on the weekends in the downtowns (there are some, but wandering locals and tourists could support more).

DECOR/AESTHETICS

Erin B: Please no more with the horrifically uncomfortable metal bar stools. Unless you DO NOT WANT people to stay for more than one drink/appetizer, all bars and restaurants should really invest in comfortable seating.

Don C: Something that is overlooked not just at every restaurant but almost every venue I attend: With an aging population that naturally has hearing difficulties and younger ones that have earbuds in place all day and will soon be hard-of-hearing, and those of us, myself included, with severe hearing loss, sound quality is always overlooked. When I go out with friends or even just with my wife, I struggle to hear  often unable to participate in conversations. Let's see some sound-dampening ceiling tiles or strategically placed acoustic panels used, all of which can be aesthetically appealing so that even those that are not hearing impaired do not have to scream to be heard.

C: Stop serving food on metal surgical trays. Who wants to be reminded of a hospital ward while out to eat? Unless they are kept warm, they just suck all the heat out of anything hot you placed on it.

US51: For God's sake, dump the "industrial" architecture. For example, a certain Latham restaurant has a really good kitchen but its merits are more than cancelled out by the noise level. Hard surfaces (tile floor, brick walls, open metal ceiling) combined with the screeching of metal-footed chairs, plus tables crowded together, create a huge echo chamber. Adding to the din, patrons compensate by shouting to one another. On the plus side, it's very easy to pick up juicy gossip tidbits from adjacent tables, if you're into that sort of thing.

Ed: Stop it with the metal industrial decor! Nothing but hard metal everywhere and it's so unappealing, cold, and there's nothing to absorb the noise. It makes me feel like I'm dining in the General Electric turbine facility.

BBK: Stop putting things on plates that aren't meant to be eaten with (and compliment) the dish. Also, eat an entire portion of the dish, before it goes on the menu, as it will be presented. Consider whether serving said dish on a wooden plank, in a martini glass, in that Pinterest sort of way you saw, actually just becomes impractical and obnoxious in the eating process. Adjust as necessary. (Invest in flat white plates.)

Megain: Quieter restaurants. Places where I can go with friends or family for a meal and talk with them. I don't want to have to shout because of the lack of acoustics, loud music, or whatever. Even if it is loud in the bar, have a quiet area to eat. I would love a place that has great baked goods for breakfast AND hot tea, not warmed water or a true hot chocolate, made with real milk, not overly sweet, not made from one of the packets. Good waffles with fresh fruit when in season. Something other than eggs and coffee.

OPERATIONS/SERVICE

Joanne DeVoe: I wish servers or bussers wouldn't start removing plates before all the members of small parties are all ready to have their plates taken  (I) understand that for banquets, receptions, and large gatherings this isn't practical; but when it's a couple or two, it's so conspicuous and can make both fast eaters and slower eaters uncomfortable. One other thing: I am a 76-year-old female who doesn't like to be called "young lady."

Ry: Some of our favorite restaurants still only take reservations via phone, which can be inconvenient when making plans. Playing phone tag with the owner/front of the house manager for reservations is inefficient.

Jennifer: Tipping = Hate it. Lately servers have been poorly educated on the menus and wine/cocktails. From the local pub to fine dining it has been subpar. I feel like I'm just making charitable donations and not getting the level of service that used to be required to be part of a waitstaff. I'm also desperately awaiting to see if the Chick-fil-A hype is legitimate.

Kramille: Serve a cup of coffee or tea without the spoon in the cup. Eliminate "Welcome, you guys." It's not a Scorsese movie. Serve from the left with the left hand and clear the table from the right with the right. A little more why and how about the evening's specials. Close with "Thanks for your business. We appreciate you dining with us."

Donald Swift: I am opposed to built-in tipping. I enjoy tipping. Most servers are average so they should get the going tipping amount. There are exceptional servers out there and they should be given a higher tip based on their excellent serving. If I experience poor service then I give a tip lesser than the going rate. It should not be pre-determined by the restaurant because the quality of service does vary from time to time!

Frank LaPosta Visco: It's always bad form for a restaurant greeter to ask the single diner, currently referred to as (yuck) self-partnering, "Just the one?"

sbarnes@timesunion.com - 518-454-5489 - blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping - @Tablehopping - facebook.com/SteveBarnesFoodCritic
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 02:39:46|Editor: huaxia

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The Turkish parliament passed a motion authorizing the deployment of troops to Libya for one-year period, in Ankara on Jan. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya)

Turkish parliament's approval of sending troops to Libya came earlier than expected, as Turkey feared the escalation of Libyan conflict will threaten its interests and hoped to strengthen own position ahead of a Turkey-Russia summit.

by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's decision to send troops to support Libya's internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) is a bid to break its isolation in eastern Mediterranean and protect its interests, experts said.

A motion authorizing a one-year deployment of Turkish troops in Libya received the parliament's green light during an emergency session on Thursday, despite the warning from some opposition parties that it will endanger Turkish soldiers' lives and add fuel to the proxy war in the North African nation.

The approval came earlier than expected, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last week that he would seek the passage of the bill after the parliament reopens on Jan. 7.

But informed sources indicated that the Libyan conflict could escalate rapidly and threaten Turkey's interests there, pushing Erdogan to bring forward the approval of the motion through parliament.

Another reason for the rush is that Erdogan wants to be prepared for his planned meeting in Istanbul on Jan. 8 with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, whose government supports the rival GNA.

According to the motion, the Turkish leader will decide on the timing, size and scope of the deployment.

Ankara announced previously that Turkey's Libya mission may only include a Rapid Reaction Force without combat troops, but experts believed that now it may not be the case as the mandate approved by lawmakers gives broad and flexible options to the Turkish armed forces.

"The scope of the motion is more substantial than just a non-combat mission," said Serkan Demirtas, a Turkish political analyst, who added that this military mission has become essential to Turkey's national interests and it will address the long-term objectives regarding Turkey's role in the Mediterranean.

The GNA, supported by Ankara, is battling now with the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar, for the control of the capital Libya.

"First batch of troops will probably be deployed in January, they will help the GNA with military training and intelligence," said a source close to the government under the condition of anonymity.

Turkey, along with its ally Qatar, backs the Tripoli-based GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj, while their rivals the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt support the LNA led by Haftar.

Russia has also sent thousands of mercenaries to support Haftar, said Erdogan, who some observers said could send Syrian rebels to Libya.

"Turkey has vital strategic and economic interests in natural-gas rich eastern Mediterranean and there is growing competition for these resources," said Oytun Orhan, coordinator at the Ankara-based think tank Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies.

"But Turkey has been isolated by its main regional adversaries Greece, Egypt and Israel, thus Ankara needs new allies in the region, that's why it signed maritime boundaries delimitation and security deals with Libya to break off this isolation," he explained.

Erdogan's New Year message has coincided with this argument, as he said that "projects aimed at entirely excluding Turkey from the Mediterranean have been wholly thwarted by our recent steps."

With NATO's second largest army, Turkey is increasingly relying on its military capacities in its foreign policy in recent years, sending troops to the war-torn Syria, and establishing military bases in Qatar and Somalia, in a bid to increase its regional influence and constitute a deterrence against rivals.

Turkey has found GNA a valuable ally in the region, as the latter recognized Turkey's territorial claims in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greece and Cyprus want to build a pipeline to carry natural gas to Europe.

Last year, Turkey was excluded from the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, a bloc founded by Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Italy to enhance cooperation to promote the exploitation of natural gas reserves in the region.

In this context, the GNA is one of the few remaining regional actors that back Turkey's vital interests in eastern Mediterranean, and Turkey is keen to safeguard the deals with it, said Orhan.

Erdogan also made an unscheduled visit to Libya's western neighbor Tunisia last week, where he discussed the ways to end the crisis, but received no clear support.

Turkey feels alone in the region where the European Union has threatened to sanction Ankara over its gunboat-protected drilling activities in the areas off Cyprus.

And the U.S. Congress passed two bills last month that lifted an arms embargo on Cyprus in a rebuke of Turkey's activities in the Mediterranean as well as in Syria where Ankara launched in October a third cross-border offensive since 2016 despite the criticism by its Western allies.

"Libya is a matter of life and death for Turkey," political analyst Zekeriya Kursun wrote in a column on the pro-government Yeni Safak Daily.

"The issue of Libya is not a matter of passion, expansion, a lust for power, or individual heroism. It is an existential issue and a matter of state politics," he argued.

While Turkish experts have hailed the maritime pact between Tripoli and Ankara to create an exclusive economic zone from Turkey's southern Mediterranean shore to Libya's northeastern cost, they also adopted a reserved stance on troop deployment in a risky foreign environment, calling for diplomatic solutions to end the war.

"Turkey should be part of the international diplomacy aiming to resolve the Libyan crisis, and engage in conciliation efforts with regional players," said Hasan Unal, an international relations professor from the Istanbul Maltepe University. 
WASHINGTON, D. C. - As Republican leaders in Congress praised the drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and blamed him for numerous American deaths, Democrats criticized President Donald Trump for failing to consult Congress about the action and expressed concern it would dramatically escalate violence.

Our highest priority now must be to keep Americans and U.S. service members out of harms way, and prevent further escalation," said a statement from Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. "With increased tensions in the region, and the likelihood that Iran will respond in some way to this strike, the Administration must immediately brief Congress on last nights strike, its apparent lack of coordination with Iraqs government and any plans it has made to keep Americans safe. We cant let this Administrations chaotic foreign policy lead to another war in the Middle East. The U.S. must do all it can with our allies to de-escalate the situation.

Ohios Republican U.S. Senator, Rob Portman, took a different tack, posting a statement on Twitter that said hes closely monitoring the situation in Iraq, where the drone strike occurred.

Soleimani has been responsible for the deaths of many Americans over the years & directed the recent attacks on US personnel in the region, said Portman. Iranian aggression must not go unchecked. I look forward to a full briefing by the administration.

Monitoring closely the situation in #Iraq. Soleimani has been responsible for the deaths of many Americans over the years & directed the recent attacks on US personnel in the region. Iranian aggression must not go unchecked. I look forward to a full briefing by the administration  Rob Portman (@senrobportman) January 3, 2020

Trump told reporters on Friday that Soleimani had been planning Imminent and sinister attacks and had been perpetrating acts of terror to destabilize the Middle East for the last 20 years.

What the United States did yesterday should have been done long ago, Trump said as the Pentagon announced it will deploy 3,500 more soldiers to the Middle East to increse the areas security. A lot of lives would have been saved. Just recently Soleimani led the brutal repression of protesters in Iran, where more than 1,000 innocent civilians were tortured and killed by their own government.

We took action last night to stop a war," Trump continued. "We did not take action to start a war.

That didnt mollify House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both Democrats, who questioned whether killing Soleimani would risk the lives of U.S. soldiers and diplomats. They called for immediate congressional briefings on the situation and the next steps the administration is considering, including the addition of more U.S. troops to the region.

Although Schumer described Soleimani as a notorious terrorist and said no one should shed a tear over his death, he said the lack of advanced consultation and transparency with Congress can lead to hasty and ill-considered decisions.

The framers of the Constitution gave war powers to the legislature and made the executive commander-in-chief for the precise reason of forcing the two branches of government to consult with one another when it came to matters of war and peace, said Schumer.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said Soleimani was responsible for terrorist proxies everywhere from Yemen to Iraq to Syria to Lebanon, in an effort to expand Irans influence.

I recommend that all senators wait to review the facts and hear from the administration before passing much public judgement on this operation and its potential consequences, said McConnell.

Holmes County Republican Rep. Bob Gibbs called news of Soleimanis death welcome relief to Americans, Iranians, the people of Lebanon, and countless others who have experienced the wrath and cruelty of Irans Quds military force. Soleimani was a terrorist, plain and simple.

The Middle East and the rest of the world are a better place with him dead, said a statement Gibbs posted on Twitter. We cannot thank the brave men and women of our military and intelligence services enough for their continued commitment to their mission."

Those who repeatedly attack United States troops, our allies, and innocent civilians have no safe harbor. My full statement on the death of Qasem Soleimani below: pic.twitter.com/75DECTiWTc  Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (@RepAGonzalez) January 3, 2020

Freshman GOP Rep. Anthony Gonzalez of Rocky River said the United States "delivered justice to a man responsible for the death of hundreds of U.S. soldiers and thousands of innocent civilians across the Middle East.

The brutality of this monster cannot be overstated, Gonzalez continued. With his death we sent a clear message - those who repeatedly attack our troops, our allies, and innocent civilians have no safe harbor.

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After a remarkable political turnaround, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is on the verge of taking Britain out of the European Union with the enthusiastic support of a strong majority in Parliament.

After suffering a string of parliamentary defeats over Brexit plus the ignominy of being told by Britain's Supreme Court that his suspension of Parliament last year was unlawful Johnson cruised to victory in the country's December 12 election and finally got his landmark Brexit bill passed before Christmas.

Expectations for the coming year are high, fueled by Johnson's upbeat approach. He promised in his New Year's message that resolving the Brexit stalemate means Britain "can start a new chapter in the history of our country, in which we come together and move forward united, unleashing the enormous potential of the British people."



He pledged to "work my socks off" to unite the country.

The message was pre-recorded; Johnson spent the holiday on the Caribbean island of Mustique with girlfriend Carrie Symonds.

Johnson's predecessor, former Prime Minister Theresa May, was stung by repeated rebukes from a hostile Parliament.

Johnson, however, is in a much stronger position with a healthy Conservative Party majority in the House of Commons after the election that he called two years early.

When Johnson's tenure at 10 Downing Street began in July with a series of defeats in Parliament, many observers said he likely would have the shortest reign of any recent prime minister. Instead, he has won a five-year term and left the main opposition Labour Party in near-total disarray.

With Parliament remade in his image, Johnson expects to split Britain off from the 27 other EU nations on January 31, becoming the first nation ever to leave the bloc.

Then the truly difficult part begins as Britain launches contentious trade talks that will define its new relationship with Europe, its key trading partner.

Momentous changes are coming, but the immediate impact of Britain's departure will be blunted because of a yearlong transition period.

There will still be unfettered trade between Britain and the EU and the free movement of people throughout 2020.

Johnson may have a friendly Parliament at home, but he does not have a warm relationship with EU leaders, who hold much of the leverage in trade talks.

He faces outright hostility from Scotland's leader, whose region wanted to stay in the EU, and questions about whether Brexit may nudge UK member Northern Ireland closer to the Republic of Ireland and threaten its status as part of the UK.

There is intense time pressure on the EU trade talks, which must conclude by the end of 2020 unless both sides agree on an extension by the end of June.

That is an option Johnson has ruled out, raising once again the prospect that Britain might sever all EU ties without a new deal in place. Economists say such a "no-deal" Brexit would sabotage Britain's economy.

Most trade talks take much longer than one year to complete. These particular negotiations are unusually fraught because of uncertainty surrounding how trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland will be governed once the UK is no longer part of the EU.

There have been persistent warnings that imposing new trade barriers and tariffs could jeopardize the gains brought about by Northern Ireland's 1998 Good Friday peace deal and rekindle the violence there that has been largely dormant for two decades.

Brexit may nudge Northern Ireland toward uniting with Ireland by keeping Northern Ireland closely bound to Ireland in trade terms and imposing new paperwork that would slow trade between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain.

Johnson also faces a Brexit-fueled confrontation with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that poses another threat to the UK's unity.

Sturgeon and her Scottish National Party are lobbying hard for a second independence referendum on whether Scotland should remain in the UK or strike its own path as an independent country.

Sturgeon argues that since Scottish voters rejected Brexit in the 2016 referendum Scotland is being "dragged out of the EU against its will" and should be given the chance to opt for independence, even though the prospect was voted down in 2014.

Johnson says his government will not authorize another vote on Scottish independence, but Sturgeon plans to press the issue in the coming year, capitalising on her party's strong performance in the December election.

The independence-minded SNP won 48 seats in the House of Commons, a gain of 13 legislators.

Johnson's larger-than-expected margin of victory and his Conservatives' strong performance in traditional working-class Labour Party strongholds in northern and central England give him a chance to consolidate power.

The Conservatives now have 365 seats in the 650-seat Parliament to Labour's 202.

It is not clear yet whether Johnson will navigate a shift to the center, patching together a deal that keeps the EU trading relationship as open as possible, or whether he will continue to court the Conservatives' hard-Brexit wing, which is ready for an abrupt rupture with Europe.

Either way, his task is formidable: take Britain out of the EU without sparking a major economic contraction, keep the UK intact despite the yearning for secession in some quarters, and making good on promises to hard-hit communities in north and central England that wealth and opportunity will finally move beyond greater London.

If he can do all that, and keep voters in newly Conservative parts of the country content, his turnaround would be complete.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Getty / Alex Wong / Staff

Donald Trump has been accused of hypocrisy for ordering the potentially inflammatory killing of a top Iranian general, after a series of tweets emerged from 2011 of him saying former president Barack Obama would start a war with Iran in order to get re-elected.

The killing of Qassem Soleimani, Tehrans top military commander in Iraq, has sparked warnings from former diplomats and the international community, and is being described as the biggest escalation of tensions in the region for years.

Mr Trump ordered the airstrike near Baghdad Airport that killed Soleimani, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the senior commander of a major Iraqi militia, on Thursday.

Soleimani was one of the most powerful figures in Iran, enjoying a close relationship with supreme leader Ali Khamenei, and Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate against the US as a result of his killing.

Between 2011 and 2015, Mr Trump tweeted multiple times that Mr Obama was vying to start a war with Iran because of his inability to negotiate.

He repeated his convictions in a video in 2011, saying: "Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate - he's weak and ineffective.

"So the only way he figures that he's going to get re-elected, and as sure as you're sitting there, is to start a war with Iran."

In 2012, Mr Trump tweeted: Dont let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected  be careful Republicans!

Now that Obamas poll numbers are in tailspin  watch for him to launch a strike in Libya or Iran. He is desperate.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2012

I predict that President Obama will at some point attack Iran in order to save face!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 16, 2013

Mr Trumps action has drawn criticism from social media users who have called him a hypocrite for risking a military escalation with Iran after his repeated accusations towards Mr Obama.

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One Twitter user said: We knew [Mr Trump] would start a war to distract people from your IMPEACHMENT and here you are f***ing around with Iran.

There's a tweet for everything. Fucking hypocrite #Trump won't be happy until we are all at war pic.twitter.com/DAwQZBSAtU  Chairman Mardikins  (@IAmMardikins) January 3, 2020

In July last year, Mr Trump tweeted that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani must NEVER EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN.

He said: YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE.

The threat came after Mr Rouhani cautioned the president against pursuing hardline policies against Tehran with the warning: War with Iran is the mother of all wars.

Under the Trump administration, tensions with Iran have steadily escalated since the US left the Iran nuclear deal.

The framework of the Iran nuclear deal was one of the defining foreign policy achievements of Mr Obamas presidency. It was agreed between Iran, the EU, the US and the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, and would have seen international economic sanctions lifted in exchange for limitations on Iran's nuclear programme.

However, the deal was vetoed by Mr Trumps administration in 2018 and the US withdrew from the deal.

Mr Trump claimed in 2015, a year before he became president, that the nuclear deal would lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Mr Rouhani has warned Tehran will take revenge for the death of Mr Soleimani.

The flag of General Soleimani in defence of the countrys territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue, he said in a tweet.

The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime.

Read more

Killing of Qassem Soleimani marks new low in US-Iran relations
Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:11PM

For the first time since 1992, we know Apple will be making its appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 in Las Vegas. We know Apple Senior Director of Global Privacy Jane Horvath will be speaking at the consumer privacy panel on January 7. But on top of that, there are rumours that Apple will be showcasing its HomeKit smart home system at CES. Some companies will also supposedly show off new products for the home that work with Apple's Siri. Apple itself reportedly won't be showcasing new hardware, though. Amazon and Google are expected to showcase new software capabilities for its internet-connected devices alongside its voice assistants.

Source: MacRumors
Blockchain developer and friend of Vitalik Buterin, Virgil Griffith, has been granted bail at $1 million after his arrest in late November 2019.

Griffith, 36, travelled to the clandestine East Asian state to share a conference speech entitled Blockchain and Peace, which was delivered at the DPRK cryptocurrency conference.

However, US officials have accused Griffith of sharing his highly technical blockchain expertise with North Korea, in a bid to assist them in evading international sanctions.

If that is indeed the case, Griffith has broken the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Griffith previously ignored official warnings not to travel to the dictatorship.

Despite the severity of the charges against Griffith, fellow developer Vitalik Buterin voiced his support for his close friend and colleague at the time, saying he refused to take the convenient path of throwing Virgil under the bus.

Initial trial and bail

As reported by Coin Rivet in December, Griffith was arrested upon his return to the USA following a joint investigation by the FBI and the Department of Justices National Security Division.

Reporting from inside the courtroom on the December 30 hearing, independent journalist Inner City Press tweeted that the prosecution thought Griffith was a potential flight risk and that his conference speech was produced directly for the North Korean regime  not for the private economy.

AUSA Kraus: In North Korea, there is no private economy. Conference was by and for regime. Another senior AUSA walks in. Inner City Press: Where's US Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman?  Inner City Press (@innercitypress) December 30, 2019

One of the most worrying factors for the prosecution and national security experts, was Griffiths apparent distaste for the American way of life and his citizenship of the USA.

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Griffiths lawyer, Klein, admitted his client was considering voluntarily renouncing his US citizenship, and also moving to the Caribbean island of St Kitts, but decided not to pursue either.

Klein said Griffith was verbose and provocative, but hasnt been charged with serious criminal offenes such as money laundering.

Judge Broderick, presiding, hit back at Griffiths self-proclaimed love for North Korea, saying: If you were in North Korea, you wouldnt be having a bond hearing.

Eventually, Griffith was granted bail at $1 million.

Griffiths father offered his house as security for bond, worth $835,000, and its believed Griffiths sister also secured the bond with her own property. Griffiths father was in attendance at court.

It was also reported that Griffith has been suspended from his duties at the Ethereum Foundation, although the organisation had remained supportive of his case.

The post Ethereum developer Virgil Griffith released on $1 million bail appeared first on Coin Rivet.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:35:40|Editor: yan

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AMMAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Jordanians took to the street on Friday to protest the start of natural gas importing from Israel.

In downtown Amman, the demonstrators chanted slogans against the deal, calling on the government to go back on its decision and scrap the agreement, which they labeled as "unwanted and rejected."

They urged the parliament to press the government into abolishing the agreement, which they said "against Jordan's interests and only serves the Israeli economy."

"We are here to say no ... Israel is an occupation force and we should not be buying from them what is not theirs ... Israel never wastes an opportunity to harm Jordan so we shouldn't import from them while we have many alternatives," Salman Haj Abed, one of the protesters in Amman, told Xinhua.

In January, Jordan's National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) announced the beginning of experimental supply of natural gas by U.S.-based Noble Energy Inc.

The two companies had signed the agreement in 2016 as experimental pumping, which will last for three months, which is aimed at testing the infrastructure prior to the actual commercial supply.

The deal will meet 40 percent of Jordan's gas needs and save about 600 million U.S. dollars every year, according to NEPCO.

Noble Energy will provide gas worth 15 billion dollars to Jordan for a period of 15 years, or 300 million cubic feet on a daily basis.

Figures show Jordan imports about 97 percent of its energy needs.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

The Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned the charge daffaires from the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which represents US interests in Iran, the ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted, Trend reports.

Iran presented note to the Swiss charge d'affaires.

The note said that the US was responsible for the assassination of Iranian General Soleimani.

On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force was killed as a result of air strikes at Baghdad Airport.

The Pentagon claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Iranian general. The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Before the strike, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the "game has changed" and it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives.
Iran Says 'Not Afraid Of War' After Trump 'Threat'

January 02, 2020

Iranian military leaders have warned Washington against threatening military action after U.S. President Donald Trump said Tehran would be held responsible for anti-U.S. protests in Iraq.

"We are not leading the country to war, but we are not afraid of any war and we tell America to speak correctly with the Iranian nation," Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said on January 2.

"We have the power to break them several times over and are not worried," he said in a speech in the southwestern city of Ahwaz.

Meanwhile, army chief Major General Abdolrahim Musavi said Iranian armed forces were ready to confront the "enemy."

"If anyone makes the slightest mistake, they will decisively react," Musavi said, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

Later, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Iran or its proxy forces may be planning further strikes on American interests in the Middle East, adding that the United States will take action  preemptively, if it has sufficient warning.

On December 31, a crowd angered by U.S. air strikes targeting an Iran-backed militia, attacked the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Clashes continued on January 1 as demonstrators hurled stones while U.S. forces protecting the embassy fired tear gas to try to disperse the crowd that had camped out overnight.

By the evening, the Iraqi military announced that all groups had withdrawn from the perimeter of the facility.

The attack, in which no U.S. personnel were injured, came amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran -- the two main sponsors of the Iraqi government.

U.S. President Donald Trump blamed Iran for the attack and said the country "will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities."

"They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat," he tweeted on December 31.

Esper announced that about 750 soldiers would be deployed to the region in response to "increased threat levels against U.S. personneland facilities."

"There are some indications out there that they may be planning additional attacks, that is nothing new right, we've seen this for two or three months now," Esper told reporters on January 2.

"If that happens then we will act and by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type indication, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, to protect American lives."

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on January 1 dismissed U.S. accusations that Tehran had orchestrated the protests.

"Americans need to understand that people in the region, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, hate them for their crimes," he said.

The Baghdad protesters were angry over U.S. air strikes on December 29 that killed at least 25 members of an Iran-backed militant group.

The United States said the strikes were in response to repeated attacks by Kataeb Hizbullah, a paramilitary group supported by Iran, on bases that house U.S. troops.

One on December 27 killed a U.S. defense contractor and injured U.S. and Iraqi forces.

Currently, there are about 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq involved in operations against the Islamic State extremist group and training missions with the Iraqi security forces.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-says-not-afraid-of-war -after-trump-threat-/30356175.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Iranian General Qasem Soleimani's assassination will lead to increased tension in the region, said Artsakh Security Council Secretary Arshavir Karamyan.

According to him, the assassination of Soleimani is an adventure against the preservation of stability in the region and the fight against terrorism.

"Soleimani devotedly served the interests of his country and people, therefore revenge is a matter of honor for the state, people, military of Iran, and especially intelligence and special services. I sympathize with the people of neighboring Iran and the relatives of the general ..." Soleimani added.
In the new year there will be a bevy of new laws facing Illinois citizens. One new law that gun owners should pay close attention to is PA 101-0027, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, allowing Illinois citizens over 21 the ability to buy and consume cannabis recreationally.

Illinois citizens have had the ability to purchase and consume cannabis for medical reasons for five years. There is a difference between buying and using medical cannabis and recreational cannabis as it relates to your rights to own and possess a firearm in Illinois.

Our job at Illinois State Rifle Association is to help you navigate laws that could have an adverse effect on your 2nd Amendment rights. This information should not be used as legal advice; we at ISRA do not take an opinion for or against this new cannabis law. If you want to smoke cannabis recreationally that is your right. If you dont want to smoke cannabis, that is your right as well.

We live in the United States of America which gives you a 1st Amendment right to your opinion either way. Our mission at ISRA is to protect your 2nd Amendment Rights.

When you purchase a firearm, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) requires you to fill out an ATF E-Form 4473, the Firearm Transactions Record. Specifically, you must attest to the following:

Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.

This seems pretty straight forward. According to federal law, if you smoke cannabis you are an unlawful user of a controlled substance.

Is this the end of the conversation? No. The new Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act in Illinois specifically states that a person who uses recreational cannabis is NOT an unlawful user of a controlled substance. From Public Act 101-0593 (Trailer to Cannabis Act): (410 ILCS 705/1-7 new) Sec. 1-7. Lawful user and lawful products. For the purposes of this Act and to clarify the legislative findings on the lawful use of cannabis, a person shall not be considered an unlawful user or addicted to narcotics solely as a result of his or her possession or use of cannabis or cannabis paraphernalia in accordance with this Act.

If you believe in states rights, then according to Illinois law, you are not considered an unlawful user if you use or possess cannabis.

In Illinois, we have a special hoop to jump through to exercise the right to own and possess a firearm called the Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID). The FOID Card is administered by the Illinois State Police (ISP).

The ISRA has confirmed ISP will not revoke Firearm Owners Identification cards based solely on a persons legal use of adult-use cannabis.

Another tidbit we have seen on social media is that cannabis dispensaries will capture your personal information when you buy their product and make it available to ISP. The fear is that this information could be used by the Federal Government to deny you the purchase of a firearm.

From PA 101-0027, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act: Section 10-20. Identification; false identification; penalty. (a) To protect personal privacy, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall not require a purchaser to provide a dispensing organization with personal information other than government-issued identification to determine the purchasers age, and a dispensing organization shall not obtain and record personal information about a purchaser without the purchasers consent. A dispensing organization shall use an electronic reader or electronic scanning device to scan a purchasers government-issued identification, if applicable, to determine the purchasers age and the validity of the identification. Any identifying or personal information of a purchaser obtained or received in accordance with this Section shall not be retained, used, shared or disclosed for any purpose except as authorized by this Act.

Clearly under Illinois law no cannabis dispensary can share your personal information, unless you authorize them, to anyone or any entity. This includes the state police and the ATF.

Lastly, we should make you aware of the differences between the purchase/use of recreational cannabis versus the purchase/use of medical cannabis as it relates to your 2nd Amendment rights.

To use medical cannabis there are procedures and forms that must be filled out to get a medical cannabis card authorizing you to be in the program. Illinois treats cannabis as a prescribed drug; the federal government considers it to be a Schedule I narcotic. As such, the federal government could gain access to your records as a medical cannabis user and jeopardize your right to purchase a firearm from a Federal Firearm License (FFL). If you intend to use cannabis and own a firearm, taking the recreational cannabis route has less potential, detrimental effects on your 2nd Amendment rights than the medical cannabis route.

I realize this is a lot of information to digest. I hope this helped. This information is intended to educate you on the cannabis laws and not intended to be used as legal advice. We will be following the roll-out of this new Recreational Cannabis Law for any negative effects on our 2nd Amendment rights.

For more information, log on to www.isra.org.
After YSRCP lawmaker V Vijayasai Reddy urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to seek the release of captured fishermen by Pakistan, Islamabad has announced that it will release 20 Indians on January 6.

In a letter to Indian High Commission dated December 31, Pakistan Foreign Ministry informed that repatriation of fishermen will take place on January 06 via Wagah Border. The ministry has asked the high commission to nominate a representative to receive the fishermen.

The 20 fishermen are from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts and were captured by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) off Gujarat coast by breaching into Indian waters. They are among the 483 Indian fishermen captured by Pakistan in December 2018.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Islamic Republic of Pakistan presents its compliments to the High Commission of Republic of India in Islamabad and has the honour to convey the decision of the Government of Pakistan to release repatriate following twenty fishermen to India via Wagah Border on 06.01.2020," the ministry letter stated, along with a list of names of fishermen.

India has called for early release and repatriation of the prisoners, missing defence personnel and fishermen along with their boats from Pakistan's custody.

Reddy, in August, had written a letter to Jaishankar urging him to expedite the process of repatriation of fishermen captured by Pakistan. In his letter, he had noted that the fishermen were illegally captured by PMSA by entering into "our territorial waters".

The MP has said that he along with the family members of the captured fishermen had met the then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on the issue and was assured by her that she would try through diplomatic channels to get the fishermen released.

"I request you to kindly use your good office to expedite the process of bringing them (fishermen) back to India," Reddy wrote in his letter.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Home Minister Amit Shah in a fiery speech at his Jodhpur rally has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to a discussion on CAA if he has read the Act and affirmed that BJP will not cede an inch back on CAA.

Congress, Mamata didi, SP (Samajwadi Party), BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party), this Kejriwal and company, these Communists, all are opposing. And I challenge all these parties. You (opposition) all say the citizenship of minorities will be taken away with this act. Rahul baba, have you read the law? If yes, then come to any place for a discussion. If not, then I can translate in Italian also for your reference, read it once, said the Home Minister.

READ | Govt Won't Budge On CAA: Amit Shah

Reiterating that act is about giving citizenship, Shah continued with his attack on the opposition stating, I want to tell the nation also, the Act does not have provision to snatch away citizenship, but it gives citizenship. And you (opposition) are misleading the people. Friends, what is the amended Citizenship Act? Through this massive public gathering, I want to apprise people, CAA is about giving citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian brothers who came to India due to religious persecution in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

READ | Amit Shah Takes A Stand, Says 'Won't Rollback CAA Even By An Inch' At Fiery Jodhpur Rally

'BJP will not move an inch back on CAA'

People attending the rally raised posters to show solidarity on the CAA. Giving assurance to the attendees of the rally and challenging the opposition once again, Shah said, I can see you all are raising your boards because the act will provide you citizenship, you all dont worry, even if all the parties in the opposition come together against the Act, BJP will not move an inch back on CAA. Nobody can stop you from getting citizenship.

READ | No One Called Ex-JK CMs 'anti-national', Decision On Their Release By UT Admin: Amit Shah

'We will work hard'

Continuing the onslaught on the opposition, Shah said, You (opposition) can mislead all you want. We will also work hard and go to people. We will go to the youth and minorities, and tell them that your citizenship has nothing to do with this act, it is about giving citizenship to refugee brothers.

The Anti-CAA protests

The protests against CAA which began in Assam had spread across the country with protests in universities like Jamia Millia, JNU and Aligarh Muslim University took a violent turn with stone-pelting and damaging public property. The clash between Police and protesters resulted in alleged lathi-charging, tear gas and rubber pellet action by police and vandalism by protestors. Many sections of the nation criticized the alleged brutal police action. Several protestors and police personnel were injured and died in the protests.

READ | Protests Against CAA 'mostly Political', Says Union Home Minister Amit Shah
The booklet was distributed at a Madhya Pradesh camp of the Seva Dal, a frontal organisation of the Congress.

New Delhi: Veer Savarkar came back to haunt the Congress Party on Friday with both its new ally Shiv Sena and rival BJP targeting it over a booklet by the Seva Dal which made insinuations about Savarkars relationship with Mahatma Gandhis assassin Nathuram Godse.

The booklet was distributed at a Madhya Pradesh camp of the Seva Dal, a frontal organisation of the Congress.

The Congress had trouble with the Shiv Sena last when Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in New Delhi that he would not apologise as he was Gandhi, not Savarkar. On Friday, the Sena lashed out at the Congress, saying it had dirt in their mind by questioning Savarkars credentials as a patriot.

Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind, Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, responding to the insinuations in the booklet, titled Veer Savarkar, Kitne Veer?

The BJP said the insinuating comments were abhorrent and perverted, and demanded an apology from the Congress. Taking a dig, BJP general secretary Anil Jain said the world knows various relationships of Congress leaders, but that he did not want to throw such muck.

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said that the Congress should apologise for the perverted content in the booklet. The booklet contains lies and perverted content. The Congress should tender an apology for the same, Mr Patil said.

Savarkar was acquitted by the court in the Gandhi assassination case. Despite this, the Congress-affiliated organisation is trying to link him and the accused in the case, he said. Mr Jain alleged that except for one family nobody is worthy of respect for the Congress. He accused the party of denigrating leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Savarkar.

Union minister Smriti Irani questioned the Congress as to how long would it insult the sacrifices of Savarkar and said the Opposition party will have to give an answer to the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.

The Congress is an alliance partner of the Shiv Sena and the NCP in the Maharashtra government. Talks about government formation in Maharashtra had been stuck for long with the Congress insisting on secularism being a part of the Common Minimum Programme, which was thrashed out. This was later included.
2020 will be make-or-break year for Korea Inc.



The year 2020 has dawned. Many people call it a year of great transition. It is a turning point that will make or break the Republic of Korea. The keyword that determines national destiny is artificial intelligence. The past decade was the period that built the foundation for AI.



Governments, scientists and industrialists declared the "era of AI" began, and brought about a quantum leap in related technologies. Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, once said the computer intensity as the measure of operation execution speed doubles every two years. AI's development speed had been similar to what Moore said until 2012 but has since attained the same increase every three or four months, seven times faster than Moore's Law.



Major advanced countries have long adopted AI in their core national agendas and rolled up their sleeves to take the lead. The U.S. government has launched the "AI initiative," and announced a strategy that places top priority on AI research and development. China also unveiled its plans for next-generation AI, aiming to become a global powerhouse in theory, technology and application by 2030.



What is the situation in Korea? In 2016, Google AlphaGo stunned Koreans by crushing the nation's most famous go player, Lee Sedol. It was a shocking incident indeed, demonstrating AI's prowess over humans. Many here hoped AI would open a new age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Still, the sector's growth here has failed to gain speed, unlike in the U.S. and China. The technology gap with AI frontrunners has kept widening, as the nation dragged its feet in working out a detailed roadmap.



It came as a relief in this regard that the government set a national AI strategy recently at the behest of President Moon Jae-in. The long-term plan aims to make Korea No. 3 in the world in digital competitiveness and push up Koreans' standard of living to 10th place through creating AI-based economic benefits worth 455 trillion won ($389 billion) by 2030. At stake is how to put the plan into action with speed. Koreans need to remember they made this country a global IT powerhouse almost from scratch. They can  and should  also repeat the feat in the AI sector.






Important cash flow

Recently the World Bank (WB) forecast that the amount in remittances flowing into Vietnam in 2019 could be estimated at around USD 16.7 bn, up 4.6% compared to the previous year. According to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), remittances in 2019 reached a growth rate of 6-8% compared to 2018, at about USD 13-14 bn. In 2017 and 2018, remittances amounted to USD 13.8 bn and USD 15.9 bn, respectively. Thus, 2019 may be the third consecutive year that Vietnam remains among the top ten largest remittance receiving countries in the world.

The WB report also shows that the number of Vietnamese immigrant workers to Japan have increased the most, compared to other markets. Vietnam is also one of the nine countries that Japan has identified as a major source of foreign labour. In 2018, among the 142,800 Vietnamese people going abroad to work, 68,700 went to Japan, 60,400 to Taiwan, and 6,500 to South Korea. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), in 2018, the average monthly income of Vietnamese people in Japan and South Korea was between USD 1,000-1,200, in Taiwan it was between USD 700-800, and in the Middle Eastern countries it was from USD 400-600.

In principle, the indicator that really counts towards the economy is when the available national income (NDI) is equal to the current national income (GNI), plus revenue from current transfer minus current transfer expenditure. This is the most important indicator reflecting the resources of the economy.

In Vietnam, remittances account for a majority of current transfers. This is an important cash flow that can offset losses when the FDI sector transfers money out of Vietnam. Vietnam may have to borrow, even leading to default, if the cash flow of remittances is missing.

This shows that, both formal and informal workers contribute to the Vietnamese economy in a very important way. This money comes from the sweat and tears of thousands of struggling Vietnamese workers abroad. In many cases, Vietnamese workers have difficulty in even accessing their rights at work. Debts due to labour migration fees and other miscellaneous charges are too high, which could be an obstacle preventing workers from leaving their workplace, to avoid exploitation or violent acts. According to ILO estimates, about 20% of the annual remittances received are from workers abroad.

GDP growth dependent on FDI sector

Ever since the National System of Accounts at the United Nations was implemented in Vietnam under the Government Decision 183 TTg, it seems that only the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is used and commonly mentioned, and the reports of agencies and various studies only discuss and analyse the GDP. While the reality in the system of national GDP accounts is not the most important indicator. In addition to GDP, there are also indicators such as GNI, NDI, income from ownership, payment of ownership, transfer remittances, and savings. The resources of the economy are actually the basic resources for reinvestment. Saving sources include the NDI minus the final consumption, by households and by the Government. Therefore, if the savings are not enough to invest, the economy has to borrow.

In fact, for many years, the General Statistics Office has not only published GDP targets but also published data on national income and net ownership payments, data for which has been available since 1990. But the paradox is that almost no one uses these important indicators in analysing the real picture of the economy. The Statistical Yearbook shows that the ratio between GNI and GDP is increasing significantly. If in 2010, the ratio between GNI and GDP was 97%, then by 2018 this rate will be only 93%.

This shows that the money flow through the property index or payment is increasing. The average growth in net payments of ownership over the period 2010-2018 at current price was 29%, while the GDP growth at current price over this period was 16%, so we can see cash outflows. Foreign growth grew faster than GDP by 13 percentage points.

In 2018, according to preliminary reports of the General Statistics Office, the payment of ownership reached around USD 18 bn. Much of this USD 18 bn is the FDI sector remitting money, after enjoying all preferential policies on investments in Vietnam. Estimated ownership payments in 2019 may be over USD 19 bn. One ironic fact of the Vietnamese economy is that the GDP growth is heavily dependent on the FDI sector.

Translated by Kristine Belt

Dr. Bui Trinh, Vietnam Economic Institute
A view of Air Canada and WestJet planes at Calgary International Airport. On Monday, September 10th, 2018, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A new report assessing airline punctuality has found that Canadian carriers lag behind their competitors, with Air Canada reporting the worst performance among 20 of the worlds biggest airlines.

OAG, a global travel data and insight company, released its 2019 rankings of the on-time performance of global airlines and airports on Friday. The report counts on-time performance as a flight that arrives or departs within 15 minutes of its scheduled time. Cancellations are counted as late flights in the calculations.

For the second year in a row, Air Canada has found itself last among among the top 20 mega airlines around the world in terms of scheduled flights, with an on-time performance rating of 66 per cent, behind Air China (69 per cent) and China Eastern Airlines (73 per cent). While some airlines managed to improve their on-time performance year-over-year (Air Frances jumped from 74 per cent in 2018 to 80 per cent in 2019), Air Canadas fell, if slightly, from 67 per cent in 2018 to 66 per cent in 2019.

The top so-called mega airlines in the world in terms of punctuality was Chile-based LATAM Airlines, with 86 per cent of its flights arriving on time, followed by Russias Aeroflot and Japans All Nippon Airways.

WestJet reported a better on-time performance than its Canadian rival at 80 per cent, making it the No. 15 low-cost carrier out the top 20 in the world. The performance also made it the 6th most on-time airline in North America.

Air Canada and WestJet were the only two Canadian airlines in the ranking.

North American airlines generally lagged behind global competitors when it came to on-time performance, with just two airlines (Hawaiian Airlines and Delta Air Lines) cracking the worldwide top 20 list. The top airline overall was Garuda Indonesia (95 per cent) followed Panamas Cop Airlines (92 per cent) and Japans Skymark Airlines (90 per cent).

The global market is reaching near peak OTP, OAG senior analyst John Grant said in a news release.

Story continues

The rise in performance is led by Mega Airlines like Aeroflot, Delta and Air France, which are simultaneously expanding the number of operated flights and maintaining high OTP. Were seeing success trickle down to the hubs they service, which benefits the entire travel ecosystem.

Air Canada recently faced a barrage of social media complaints following the introduction of a new reservation system. The company said in a statement to the Canadian Press last month that it was working to resolve issues as soon as possible.

With files from the Canadian Press

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The US embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens in Iraq on Friday to "depart immediately", for fear of fallout from a US strike that killed top Iranian and Iraqi commanders.

"US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," the embassy said in a statement.

The US strike hit outside Baghdad airport early Friday but security sources told AFP it was still open to flights.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry rang in 2020 by lending a hand to a fellow couple.

The royals have been spending the holidays in Canada with baby Archie and Meghan's mother Doria Ragland as part of their sabbatical from their royal duties.

They headed out on a hike together on New Year's Day, which was initially uneventful. But eventually, they ended up spotting a couple in "need"  who they decided to stop and assist...with snapping a selfie.

Meghan and Harry stumbled upon 29-year-old Asymina Kantorowicz and boyfriend Iliya Pavlovic, who were trying to take a photo together using a selfie stick to commemorate their hike. Unfortunately, it wasn't going so well.

"Weve been doing this hike on New Years Day for the past two years. We took a little picnic out and we were finishing up and trying to get some selfies with the nice backdrop when a woman came up to us and asked if we wanted her to take our photo," Kantorowicz told People and CTV News Vancouver Island.

"We had noticed the group before, it was otherwise pretty secluded. They had two dogs with them and we wanted to pet one," she continued.

It wasn't immediately clear who the helpful couple was at first, who was accompanied by a third hiker. It was only when Kantorowicz noticed Suits star Abigail Spencer was included in their party that she realized Meghan Markle herself was actually taking their photo. Talk about a holiday surprise. Kantorowicz, a Suits fan, immediately recognized Meghan and realized Prince Harry was there, too.

"I couldnt believe who it was. There was Meghan smiling at me, waiting to take the photo and it was just shock at that moment and disbelief," she said. "The only thing I could think to say to her was, Theres only so much that selfie sticks can do. She laughed and said something like, Well have to take a good photo then, and then Harry said, No pressure."

RELATED: A Canadian Restaurant Turned Away Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

The couple had nothing but positive things to say about Meghan and Harry, who wished them a happy new year, and took several snaps of their fellow hikers as a favor before continuing on their way.

"She seemed happy and down to earth  she was just enjoying her New Years hike with her husband and friend. She and Harry seemed really happy  like a happy newly married couple. I wish baby Archie had been there! I hope theyre enjoying their stay on Vancouver Island."
New Delhi: After cancellation of its annual summit with Japan that was to be held in Guwahati from December 15 to 17, India on Thursday expressed confidence that the new dates for the same would be finalised very soon in consultation with the Japanese side.

It may be recalled that due to the violent protests that rocked Assam in December due to the CAA controversy, India had announced cancellation of its annual summit with Japan that was to have been held in Guwahati from December 15 to 17.

With that, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes scheduled visit to India for the Summit had also been cancelled.

While the dates had then been officially announced by India, Guwahati had never been announced as the venue officially although preparations had been made to hold it there.

On Thursday, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, We are in touch with the Japanese side through diplomatic channels. We do hope that very soon, we will come to the finalisation of the date. It is an annual mechanism, the Summit that was supposed to be held in December, that is the one that is getting postponed. All these matters will be in discussion with the Japanese side.
A national emergency remains in effect throughout the Philippines, the government clarified Friday, after it lifted martial law in southern Mindanao island at the end of 2019.

Shortly after taking office in 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte proclaimed a state of emergency across the nation.

Proclamation No. 55 issued by the president on Sept. 4, 2016, which declared a state of national emergency on account of lawless violence, is still in effect despite the expiry of martial law in Mindanao in December, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

Duterte allowed martial law to expire in the south on Dec. 31, in response to recommendations from police and military officials, according to Panelo.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the president issued the state of emergency directive days after a night market was bombed in Davao City, his hometown in the south. That attack, claimed by Islamic State (IS) militants, killed 14 people and injured dozens of others.

Our operations will continue but there may be less [operations] in areas where security situation has improved. We need to continue doing this, especially in areas where there are incidents of terrorist violence, Arevalo said.

If our enemies see that we have become relaxed in terms of security, they may slip through again, he said.

Duterte declared martial law or military rule in southern Mindanao island in 2017 to defeat IS-linked militants who took over the city of Marawi in May of that year. The militants were chased out after a five-month battle with government forces that left the city in ruins, but foreign militants are thought to have escaped.

Government officials have said that an Indonesian couple with ties to Abu Sayyaf  an IS-linked Philippine militant group  blew themselves up in January 2019 during a suicide attack a church on southern Jolo island that killed more than 20 people.

Constitutional power

The constitution empowers the president, as commander in chief, to declare a national emergency and allow state forces to carry out warrantless arrests, according to Panelo. He said the proclamation was specifically called to suppress lawless violence in the south and to prevent it from spreading to other parts of the country.

Panelo emphasized that it cannot be subjected to judicial review unless constitutional boundaries are violated.

Therefore, as long as the president deems it necessary to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion, then he is lawfully authorized to resort to this calling out of power, he said.

Panelo said the state of emergency remained in place as the nation faces a communist insurgency and the possibility of a terrorist organization re-establishing itself.

Meanwhile in Marawi, Drieza Lininding, chairman of the Moro Consensus Group, said life had not returned to normal in the city. The group has been described as young professionals, civil society organizations leaders, academicians and students who seek to compliment negotiations between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

We thought that after the lifting of martial law, we could regain our normal life with less restrictions and fears, but unfortunately we were told that the lockdown from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in Marawi and Lanao del Sur for the past two years is still in place, he said.

I am aware that some of the perpetrators were already arrested and suspects named. We have nothing against the proclamation or extensive coordination among government security forces to suppress lawlessness and violence, he said.

But what we dont understand is why a place like Marawi, where more than half of its residents are displaced, needs the lockdown? Half of our city is a ghost area.

Zia Alonto Adiong, a Muslim official in Marawi, said that while the state of emergency remained in effect, security forces could establish checkpoints to respond to the threats.

Of course, if you have a business, you would not invest in an area without a stable peace-and-order situation, he said.
The brush fires that have raged across New South Wales, Australia have killed almost half a billion animals since they started.

The wildlife deaths deal a serious blow to the ecology of that area. Estimates from ecologists at the University of Sydney, reported by Sydney News & Life, are as high as 480 million deaths of birds, mammals and reptiles.


SDP chief Chee Soon Juan (left) and Minister of Manpower and Second Minister of Home Affairs Josephine Teo. (PHOTOS: Yahoo News Singapore, Parliament screengrab)

SINGAPORE  An opposition party which was accused by the Singapore government of publishing specific falsehoods on Friday (3 January) said it has submitted an application to cancel correction directives issued under a controversial anti-fake news law.

In a short media statement, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) said that it submitted the application at about 2.50pm to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to cancel three such directives issued by the ministry on 14 December.

The directives were issued for two Facebook posts and an online article by the party titled, SDP Population Policy: Hire Sporeans First, Retrench Sporeans last, in accordance with the Protection against Online Falsehoods and Manipulations (POFMA) law.

The law had been invoked to place the facts alongside the falsehoods, according to a same-day statement issued by the POFMA office.

The statement contained detailed rebuttals to the SDPs assertions that were deemed false by the MOM, including that of plunging local PMET (professionals, managers, executives, and technicians) employment and a rising trend of local PMET retrenchments.

These false and misleading statements by the SDP have a singular objective  to stoke fear and anxiety among local PMETs. It is important to set the facts straight so that Singaporeans are not misled, it added.

The SDP complied with the request to add a correction note to each of the Facebook posts and the article.

In response to the ministrys claims, the SDP on Thursday rebutted the MOMs claims and called the directives an abuse of POFMA.

In the SDPs statement, the party called for Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo to retract the directives and issue an immediate, unambiguous and public apology over the matter.

Clearly, the MOM has used the law for political-partisan purposes to stymie legitimate criticism of the (ruling party People Action Partys) foreign PMET policy that has been and continues to be unfair to Singaporeans, added the SDP.

Story continues

That the general election is not far away makes our case even more salient.

In response to media queries, an MOM spokesperson said the ministry has received the application and is assessing it.

The incident is one of four times the law has been invoked since it was enacted in October last year.

The first was on 25 November, when the POFMA office issued a correction notice to opposition party Progress Singapore Partys member Brad Bowyer, regarding his Facebook post on investments by Temasek Holdings.

The second came three days later when a correction notice was issued against sociopolitical website States Times Review over a Facebook post that falsely claimed several individuals have been arrested over a recent post about Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam.

But Alex Tan  who runs the site and is based overseas  refused, saying he is an Australian citizen and would not comply with requests from a "foreign government".

Social media giant Facebook was then ordered by the POFMA office to put up a correction notice at the bottom of the States Times Reviews social media post.

On 16 December, Peoples Voice Party chief and opposition politician Lim Tean was issued a correction order by the Ministry of Education for several Facebook posts covering the issue of scholarships for foreign students.

Have a tip-off? Email us at sgnews.tips@verizonmedia.com. In your email, do provide as many details as possible, including videos and photos.

Related stories:

SDP article, Facebook posts contain falsehoods: POFMA Office

SDP calls for Josephine Teo to retract correction directions, apologise
03.01.2020 LISTEN

Two unidentified ladies who are lesbians have proudly announced to the world that they are engaged and ready to take their relationship to a new level.

The announcement was made on social media as they showed off their rings.

They shared their engagement photos along with the text: We engaged.

Although conservative Africans frown on lesbianism and any other sexual orientation apart from heterosexual, more of such people are defying all odds to express their identity publicly.

---Ghbase.com
Fans of the hit Netflix series "You" are getting acquainted with the second season's stars and some are excited to find out one of the cast members is from San Antonio.

This season, fans met Forty, a recovering addict turned aspiring screenwriter who is the brother of Love, who is the new romantic interest of the main character, Joe. James Scully, the actor who plays Forty, is a San Antonio native and a North East School of the Arts graduate.

Fans of the show started researching the character and pulled up his Wikipedia page, revealing his Alamo City hometown. Facebook posts and tweets mentioning the San Antonio connection are racking up attention on both platforms, with fans tagging their fellow binge-watchers to key them in.

"Wow I did not know Forty from You was from San Antonio, that's crazy," one fan tweeted.

Some didn't know if they should believe the news, but it hasn't been a secret that Scully hails from the 210.

RELATED: Celebrities spotted in San Antonio in 2019

The San Antonio Express-News caught up with the star in 2018, when he was starring in "Heathers," a reboot of the '80s movie, as bad boy J.D.

Scully attended Driscoll Middle School and then NESA for high school, where he graduated from in 2010. Sully told the Express-News he was a "the butt of several jokes in high school," but also told Interview Magazine that attending the performing arts school was the "biggest thing" to happen to him at that point. He moved to New York to pursue his acting career after high school.

The actor, now 27, said he visits his family in the Alamo City as much as possible.

The Pearl is getting bigger and bigger. The river is getting longer and longer. Where was all this when I was a teenager there? he said in the 2018 interview.

Both seasons of "You" are available on Netflix.

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
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 19:07:13|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday urged relevant parties, especially the United States, to remain calm and restrained to avoid further escalating the current tensions in the Gulf area.

Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked for comment about the death of Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced it conducted the strike as a "defensive action" against Soleimani.

"China has always opposed the use of force in international relations, and insisted all parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations," Geng said.

Iraq's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity should be respected, and the peace and stability of the Gulf area in the Middle East should be safeguarded, he said.
Cyprus, Greece, and Israel Sign Gas Pipeline Mega Deal Amid Tensions With Turkey

Sputnik News

19:03 02.01.2020(updated 20:50 02.01.2020)

After signing a memorandum of understanding last year, the Mediterranean trio is taking the next formal step towards building a route for delivering billions of tons of fuel from the region to Europe. The move comes shortly after Turkey and Libya agreed to delineate maritime borders, affirming claims to the zone that the pipe might run through.

Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have joined the ceremony at which their countries' energy ministers signed a trilateral gas agreement, formally moving ahead with building the EastMed pipeline to Europe. The summit, which also gathered Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, is taking place in Athens.

The 1,900-kilometre mega-route, the construction of which is estimated to cost $6 billion, is expected to satisfy about 10% of the EU's gas needs. It will carry between nine and 12 billion cubic metres of natural gas from the newly discovered deposits in the south-eastern Mediterranean basin to Europe via Greece and Italy. Rome is also joining the agreement, but Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is expected to sign it at another date.

IGI Poseidon SA, a joint venture of Greece's state-owned Depa SA and the Italian company Edison SpA, controlled by the French conglomerate Electricite de France, is developing the project. On 2 January, the Greek giant also signed a letter of intent with another international company, Energean Oil and Gas Plc. for the potential sale and purchase of two billion cubic metres of natural gas per year, Bloomberg reports.

The moves follow years of discussions that resulted in Tel Aviv signing a memorandum of understanding in 2019 as the parties agreed to establish the export infrastructure. Before heading to Athens, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the three countries' collaboration "is of enormous importance to the state of Israel's energy future and its development into an energy power and also from the point of view of stability in the region".

While Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said that the project is not aimed against Turkey, pointing out their sovereign rights to the waters that the pipe will run through, Greek Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis branded EastMed "a project of peace and cooperation" despite "Turkish threats", as cited by AFP.

The signing and trilateral summit comes shortly after Turkey and Libya signed an agreement in December to delineate their maritime borders and re-shape the exclusive economic zone through which the EastMed pipeline might cross. Cyprus, Greece, and Israel opposed the agreement, with Greece even expelling the Libyan ambassador. Athens, which argues that the agreement does not take the island of Crete into the account, called on the UN to condemn the deal.

The problem of Northern Cyprus, which has remained an apple of discord for Greece and Cyprus on the one side and Turkey on the other, is also fuelling the row. Ankara, which recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, claims that it has a right to the areas around the island, which are controlled by the two EU states, while Nicosia insists on exclusive economic rights over the waters. Turkey, in turn, sent warship-escorted drill ships there, prompting concern in Greece and Cyprus.

 Sputnik

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Linkedin Apriza Pinandita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 3 2020

Indonesia is set to revamp the agency responsible for migrant worker protection and shift its focus to sending more skilled workers overseas as part of a wider push to reform the migrant labor industry.

The government announced on Monday that it would change the unwieldy nomenclature of the Agency for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI). The organization will be renamed the Agency for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (BP2MI).

Former diplomat Tatang Razak, the acting head of the BNP2TKI, said agency officials were consolidating changes to the organizations structure with the help of the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reforms Ministry. They plan to introduce the reformed entity in 2020.

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The water authority's line Minister also said this was the first he too was hearing of the problem at Mt Hololo Road and he said it would be given priority.
AUSTIN, Texas  A man stabbed two people, one fatally, inside a restaurant during a violent string of attacks Friday at a shopping plaza in Texas capital city that began with an assault at a coffee shop and ended with the suspect leaping off a roof, police said.

The attacks on a busy downtown avenue of restaurants and apartments just south of the Texas Capitol terrified customers stopping for their morning coffee on the way to work. It was the city of Austins first homicide of 2020.

It began when the alleged attacker, who police only identified as a 27-year-old male, struck a person inside the coffee shop for no apparent reason, according to Austin police. He then fled a few doors down to Freebirds World Burrito, where he stabbed two people before escaping to the roof and jumping.

By Friday night, police said the wounded person was in stable but serious condition, and the suspect was in critical condition.

This guy out of nowhere just hit him in the back of the head with something, said Stacy Romine, 33, who was getting her drink at Bennu Coffee when she saw the attack at a table full of regulars. People tried to restrain him and stop him from leaving the store after it happened. But he could not be apprehended by three men, including a police officer.

Authorities said both stabbing victims worked at the restaurant. Emergency responders described the person who died as a man in his 20s.

Hours after the attack, Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speculated on Twitter that the attacker was homeless with a criminal record, fanning an ongoing feud with Austins liberal leaders over people living on the streets. Police, however, have publicly offered few details on the suspect, and Abbott spokesman John Wittman would not comment beyond the governors tweet.

Last year, Austin relaxed ordinances on public camping, a move that made homelessness more visible downtown. Abbott has previously shared videos that he claims captures the dangers of the new policy, but they include videos criticized as misleading, including one of a man whose attorney later said wasnt homeless and suffered from mental illness.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler said Friday night he didnt know the stabbing suspects housing situation but called the governors tweet disappointing, saying it suggested that the homeless are dangerous.

Its harmful to a community when we demonize people like that falsely, misleading. Theres a real price, Adler said.

In 2017, one student was killed and three others wounded in a random stabbing attack at the University of Texas campus in Austin. In that case, the assailant was later found not guilty by reason of insanity.

___

Associated Press writer Jake Bleiberg in Dallas contributed to this report.

___

Follow Paul J. Weber on Twitter: www.twitter.com/pauljweber
T hree companies will pay 10.5 million over power cuts in August which left more than one million customers without power and caused travel chaos.

An investigation by regular Ofgem into the power cuts on August 9 found that the combined loss of two large generators, the smaller loss of generation at a local level, together triggered the disconnection, loss of power and disruption to more than one million customers.

More than a million people lost power during the National Grid outage in August, which affected homes, businesses and transport.

The lights went out just before 5pm on Friday 9 August, causing blackouts across the Midlands, the South East, South West, North West and North East of England, and Wales.

While the power cut lasted for less than an hour, problems on the rail network carried on over the weekend.

A ticket machine out of order at Clapham Junction station in London during the power cut / PA

Ofgem said on Friday it had concluded that two large power stations, Hornsea One Ltd and Little Barford, did not remain connected after the lightning strike.

Hornsea One Ltd, co-owned by Orsted, and Little Barford, operated by RWE, have agreed to make a voluntary payment of 4.5 million each into Ofgem's redress fund, it added.

The regulator also said that UK Power Networks had began reconnecting customers without being asked to by the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) which could have potentially jeopardised recovery of the system.

Ofgem said that this had no impact on August 9 but UK Power Networks had recognised this technical breach, taken swift action to prevent any future re-occurrence and agreed to pay 1.5 million into its voluntary redress fund.

People waiting outside of King's Cross station during the outage / PA

In the days immediately after the power cut National Grid promised it would "learn the lessons" of the incident, although it said its systems were not to blame.

Jonathan Brearley, executive director, said: "Consumers and businesses rely on generators and network companies to provide a secure and stable power supply.

"August 9 showed how much disruption and distress is caused to consumers across the UK when this does not happen.

"That is why it is right that companies that were unable to keep generating have paid into our consumer redress fund.

"Our investigation has raised important questions about National Grid's Electricity System Operator, which is why our review will look at the structure and governance of the company.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom described the disruption as "unacceptable" / REUTERS

"As the energy market changes it is vitally important we futureproof the networks to ensure consumers continue to benefit from one of the most reliable electricity systems in the world."

An offshore wind farm operated by Hornsea One Ltd and a gas power station operated by RWE both stopped generating on August 9 shortly after a lightning strike, Ofgem said.

At the same time, approximately 150MW of smaller generation, known as distributed generation, also went offline and stopped generating, it added.

National Grid ESO activated back-up power generators to make up some of the shortfall and distributed generation to balance the system but when there was not enough back-up power generation available, local network operators automatically disconnected some consumers from the grid in order to prevent further system-wide disruption.

All customers were reconnected by the Distribution Network Operators within 45 minutes of the lightning strike, the regulator said.

Ofgem said it had worked closely with the Office of Rail and Road which found that software flaws on some trains caused extended delays for commuters.

The Energy Emergencies Executive Committee also published on Friday government-backed plans to reduce the chances of similar blackouts happening again.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom confirmed its action plan will be implemented in full and said: "The disruption caused to people and businesses by the power cut in August was unacceptable.

"However, customers can be confident that we have one of the most robust energy systems in the world and today's report will help us reduce the risks of it happening again and ensure our energy sector is better prepared in the future."
Members of Froggy Carr gather at 16th and JFK during the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, PA on January1, 2020. Read more

Philadelphias 120-year-old New Years Day Mummers Parade has recently birthed a new annual tradition, one that takes place the day after: Every Jan. 2, city leaders unite to denounce offensive performances in the parade.

This years controversy, sparked by marchers with the Froggy Carr Wench Brigade wearing black face paint, has led to calls for a lasting solution to emerge from the annual outrage. The controversy also resulted in quick response by the Mummers to the allegations.

Mummers spokesperson and attorney George J. Badey on Thursday night vowed that the two men who wore blackface are never going to be allowed to march again.

 READ MORE: Flyers condemn blackface Mummers skit involving Gritty

Badey explained that it appeared that both men applied the makeup after passing City Hall, where the various groups are judged during the parade, and possibly after the parade ended and many revelers ended up on Second Street.

The Mummers do try to crack down on rule-breakers before and during the parade, but the leadership will now consider additional steps to avoid these situations, Badey said during a telephone interview.

Earlier, City Councilperson Cindy Bass expressed outrage over the situation.

Im sick of it being a common conversation we have every single year on Jan. 2, Bass said. Its ridiculous that it keeps happening, and Im beyond insulted that these people would feel comfortable wearing blackface.

But its unclear what more can be done to prevent future incidents of blackface or other offensive performances.

The Froggy Carr Wench Brigade was disqualified from the annual parade, and Mayor Jim Kenney said Wednesday after the incident came to light that the city will explore options for additional penalties moving forward.

But he didnt offer details about what punishments could be meted out.

Were not able to share specifics on other potential penalties at this time, Kenney spokesperson Lauren Cox said Thursday. Wed likely work with the Mummers on any enforcement as well.

Cox said that the Managing Directors Office, which coordinates the parade for the city, will lead the effort and that other offices, such as the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, the citys civil rights agency, will also be involved.

City Council President Darrell L. Clarke condemned the performance and said the city Law Department can take steps to help prevent future incidents. Philadelphia banned blackface, which has roots in minstrelsy, from the parade in 1963. Racist and transphobic performances have also figured into previous iterations of the tradition.

Actually policing blackface is a legally thorny issue because of the First Amendments free-speech protections. But, Clarke said, the city can use the parade permitting process to make changes.

We have to be diligent  within the bounds of the Constitution  because we are in America and we have to follow the Constitution in terms of what people can say or do, Clarke said. Weve been talking with our legal representatives to understand what we can do, but the fact that we do have to issue a permit gives us some leverage in terms of ensuring this does not happen again.

Bass said real change must come from within the Mummers.

We need the leadership to speak out, Bass said. We need them to step up. Before they ended up on TV for all of the world to see, at their club at their Mummers organization, someone saw them. Someone saw them putting on blackface. Let people know youre not going to be welcome in our ranks if you come in blackface.

Councilman Mark Squilla, who is a Mummer with the Shooting Stars Fancy Brigade and represents Pennsport, the South Philly base for the Mummers community, said he spent most of Thursday working with the Commission on Human Relations to address the issue. He suggested banning individuals who wear blackface from future parades and, if a club allows them to participate anyway, suspending the club for a year.

We as a city have to come up with consequences to this type of action, Squilla said. How is it that you allow these few people to create the conversation when you have so many other people that are involved and doing it for the right reasons?

Councilperson Helen Gym suggested a more radical approach.

Philadelphias New Year tradition is a huge investment of city resources, time & good will which must be deserving of the thousands of residents who want a celebration of our city and its folk traditions, Gym wrote in a tweet Thursday. The Mummers must change and evolve  or its parade on Broad St. should end.

Reached by phone, Froggy Carr vice president Jimmy Kane declined to answer questions but said, I can tell you that Froggy Carr is not a racist club.

Theres 498 other men that didnt do that, he said. Maybe that should be the focus.

Kane said he didnt know whether the men in blackface were official Froggy Carr members, which number about 120, or if they were among the 400-plus Mummers who buy a Froggy Carr suit and strut with the club on New Years Day.

A quick check of the clubs official website shows that two men in blackface, who were interviewed by CBS3 and identified themselves as Mike Tomaszewski and Kevin Kinkel, are listed as official members of Froggy Carr.

Badey, who said he did not know the names of the two individuals involved, said it was his understanding that only one of the men was a club member and that he had been expelled. The nonmember will not be allowed to participate in future parades, Badey said.

Michael McGrail, who is not a Froggy Carr member but has strutted with the brigade for 15 years, said the entire club should not be held accountable for the actions of a few.

Weve got over 550 of us, he said. You cant throw a net around all these guys. This is not like youre applying for a job or people do a background check on you. We dont know what goes on in their minds. Its like trying to herd drunk cats.

He said the men who showed up in blackface at the parade were obviously ignorant.

I dont know how individuals like that go through life making decisions, he said.

The clubs disqualification didnt faze too many people, McGrail said.

Nobody cares, he said. Theyre just going down there to have a good time.

While official results initially showed Froggy Carr coming in second-to-last place in the wench brigades, Cox, the mayors spokesperson, said that was before judges were notified about the groups disqualification.

Froggy Carr, which was founded in the early 1970s, has a reputation for being among the rowdiest clubs in the Mummers Parade. Members once held a protest during the event because their captain was arrested defending their beer stash, and this year McGrail created pins and set up a hotline for people to call if they stumbled upon lost and/or drunk Froggy Carr Mummers.

Its "not unusual for Froggy Carr participants to not even make the judges stand, McGrail said.

Calls to a number listed for the Wench Brigade Association were sent to a voice mail that was full and could not accept new messages. The String Band and Fancy Brigade Associations did not return requests for comments about the use of blackface at the parade.

Clarke noted that other Mummers controversies have emanated from performances in the comic division, of which the wench brigades like Froggy Carr are an offshoot, and suggested that the city could eliminate the category if participants dont change their behavior.

This is called the comic division. As an African American, there is nothing funny about this, Clarke said. At some point, there needs to be a conversation about whether or not this particular portion of the parade should be allowed in the city of Philadelphia if people cant police themselves.

Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.


Iran's most powerful general has been killed by a US air strike in Iraq.

General Qassem Soleimani, who ran Iranian military operations in Iraq and Syria, was killed at Baghdad airport on Friday in the strike ordered by Donald Trump.

An armed American drone is thought to have hit the generals vehicle on an access road near the airport after he left his plane following its arrival from either Lebanon or Syria.

The attack threatens to dramatically increase tensions between the US and Iran, with Irans President warning of retaliation.

One of Iran's most powerful generals, Qassem Soleimani, has been killed during a US air strike (Picture: Pool / Iranian Supreme Leader Press Office /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Who is General Qassem Soleimani?

As head of Irans Quds Force, the elite, external wing of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he spearheaded Iranian military operations in the Middle East and was one of the most powerful people in Iran, reporting directly into the Supreme Leader.

The 62-year-old led all of Irans expeditionary forces and regularly travelled from Iran to Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.

The Quds Force, designated a terror organisation by the US last year, has been blamed by the Pentagon for the deaths of hundreds of US servicemen and women.

Born in March 1957, General Soleimani grew up near the Iranian town of Rabor. He was working in construction by the time he was 13 but went on to later joined the Revolutionary Guard in the wake of Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution.

READ MORE

Iranian general warns US against war, as Trump softens stance

Latest: Iran says US sanctions 'more unstable than ever'

After the Iraq-Iran war, he disappeared from public view for several years, but later became head of the Quds Force, overseeing the Guards foreign operations and coming to the attention of the US.

US General David Petraeus recounted a message from Soleimani: He said, Gen Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US air strike on Friday (Picture: REUTERS/Stringer)

The US and the United Nations put Gen Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though his travels continued.

Story continues

In Iran, Soleimani is regarded as a hero. In the coverage of his death, Press TV, the Iranian state broadcaster's English-language outlet, cited Soleimani as a key figure in countering the growth of Isis.

The broadcaster said he had played a major role in defending Iran against its enemies and assisting regional countries fight foreign occupation and terrorism.

Why did the US kill him?

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

It said: This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

The US also accused Soleimani of approving attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week, and has blamed Iran for a series of attacks targeting tankers, as well as a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry.

The move is the latest in growing tensions between Iran and the US following Donald Trumps decision in 2018 to withdraw the US from Irans nuclear deal with world powers.

What has the reaction been?

Iran has threatened retaliation following the killing of General Soleimani.

Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said in a statement: Soleimanis martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist Americas expansionism and to defend our Islamic values. With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge.

The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.



The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

The Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said on Twitter: The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani  THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al  is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.

Reaction in the US

Donald Trumps reaction was pretty blunt, with the US President tweeting a picture of the US flag shortly after the attack was confirmed as a US operation.

However, the generals death could cause fallout in the US, with some questioning the Presidents authority to launch the strike.

The strike was ordered while the US Congress is in recess.

While it has been portrayed as a response to a direct and imminent threat - which would allow the President authority to act without congressional approval - the Pentagon hasnt presented evidence to suggest that Soleimani was planning a new attack against the US.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said on Twitter: The justification for the assassination is to deter future Iranian attacks. One reason we dont generally assassinate foreign political officials is the belief that such action will get more, not less, Americans killed. That should be our real, pressing and grave worry tonight.

Fellow Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal said Mr Trump owed a full explanation to Congress and the American people.

He said: The present authorisations for use of military force in no way cover starting a possible new war. This step could bring the most consequential military confrontation in decades.

Mr Trumps supporters backed the move.

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo he said showed Iraqis dancing in the street thankful that General Soleimani is no more.

Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on Twitter: To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more.

Reaction from experts

Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt said the situation was extremely serious.

Mr Burt told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: There is no agreement as to a base of the confrontations in the region, there is a completely different narrative put forward by the Iranians for what is happening in the region to that which is put forward by the United States and others  there is no meeting between to two.

Asked whether the airstrike was an unwise move by the US, Mr Burt said it takes the confrontation between the United States and Iran to a completely different level.

He said: It is the killing of a very senior political as well as military commander.

A mock US flag is painted on the ground for cars to drive on in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on January 3, 2020, following news of the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards top commander Qassem Soleimani (Picture: AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr Burt added: Any action where you cannot foresee immediate consequences, take steps to prevent the most difficult consequences, you know, puts the region on edge and makes life more difficult for everyone.

Its very hard to see what the consequences will be. Im quite sure the United States will have to come out with more justification for its actions  what has caused this.

But I think everyone has got to have extremely cool heads this morning. This is a very grave escalation in the affairs of the region, the consequences are unknowable and I think words and comments have got to be extremely carefully handled today.

How could this impact the UK?

The killing of General Soleimani is thought by many to be likely to bring an escalation of tensions in the region and beyond, spiralling into a much larger conflict that could affect the UK as well as other countries.

Speaking on Radio 4, Alistair Burt said the risks and consequences facing UK military personnel based in the Middle East are much greater this morning than they were before.

The move by the US could see an escalation of tensions between Iran and the US, a decade on from demonstrators burning British and US flags during a demonstration outside Britain's embassy in Tehran (pictured here) (Picture: ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Asked whether UK troops based in the region are in danger, he said: Well, personnel are in danger in the region anyway as weve seen in recent times, and any of the actions that have been taken in the region could have had a consequence of starting a direct confrontation, and therefore military personnel in the region could have been at risk.

But theres no doubt that risks and consequences are much greater this morning than they were before, but theyre unknown on all sides, but the United States would no doubt say that personnel was at risk already from action taken by the Iranians.

The question is to what extent have any of those consequences been satisfactorily resolved by this action. And it would seem, at this stage, very unlikely that theres a positive answer to that.

This thread is vital to understanding significance of trump targeting Soleimani in this way and why will have global impact - that parliament not due to meet until Tuesday surely unsustainable in such circumstances. Needs urgent statement from PM or foreign sec accordingly. https://t.co/gp0cmKQZSK  stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) January 3, 2020

MP Stella Creasy called for parliament to be recalled for a statement from the Prime Minister or Foreign Secretary.

Sharing another tweet on the issue, in which the moment was described as a major provocation/act of war, she wrote: That parliament not due to meet until Tuesday surely unsustainable in such circumstances. Needs urgent statement from PM or foreign sec accordingly.
IRVINE, Calif.

Jan 2, 2020

$5 million

the United States

Cambodia

Ghana

Laos

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Paraguay

Thailand

Steven C. Bilt

Thailand

Laos

$19 million

Irvine California

the United States

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Florida

Illinois

Indiana

Maryland

Ohio

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Nevada

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Crystal Strait

/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Smiles for Everyone Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization affiliated with Smile Brands Inc., is pleased to announce that in 2019, the organization donatedworth of dental services for individuals in need acrossand internationally. Nearly 8,000 individuals benefited from these services worldwide. During this record year, the Foundation hosted 27 domestic free dental clinics, led one large-scale International Outpost Trip and conducted 23 other outreaches at their Outposts inandThe Foundation's network of volunteers is comprised almost entirely of Smile Brands affiliated dental professionals and support staff. The impact of the Foundation's events would not have been possible without the 1,200 volunteers who participated in SFEF's programs. Giving back is a key component of Smile Brands' award-winning company culture. The company has been on the Glassdoor Best Places to Work list for the past three years and was named Employer of the Year by the American Business Awards in 2018 and 2019."Our promise of providing Smiles for Everyone extends far beyond just our paying patients," says Smile Brands Inc. CEO,. "The passion and dedication of our team members make it possible for the Foundation to provide Smiles for Everyone to those that need it the most."The Smiles for Everyone Foundation's U.S. based free dental clinics, known as Days of Giving, were held at Smile Brands affiliated offices across the country. The Foundation partnered with local nonprofit organizations to identify patients for these clinics, ensuring that low-income, underinsured individuals were provided with the opportunity to access much-needed dental care that they otherwise would not be able to afford. In March, a team of Smile Brands affiliated volunteers also visited the Foundation's Outposts inandon a two-week service trip. On this trip, the team provided care to some of the most impoverished areas in the two countries, and conducted trainings for local dentists and dental staff to continue serving communities in need throughout the year."A huge thank you, especially for my wife," exclaimed patient Ed C. from the West Valley, Utah Day of Giving. "She had been feeling pain for months, and it hurt me a lot because I couldn't afford treatment. Every time she cried, I cried with her," continued Ed. "But now we will smile together."Since 2011, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation has provided care for over 26,000 individuals worldwide, donating overin dentistry.In 2020, the Smiles for Everyone Foundation plans to deliver more smiles around the world with the help of even more volunteers. They plan to host a Day of Giving nearly every weekend across the country as well as conduct multiple international trips, including launching a new International Outpost. For more information on the Smiles for Everyone Foundation's programs, visit http://www.smilesforeveryone.org.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 26,000 smiles and $19 million in donated dentistry. The foundation currently supports programs which provide free dental care to those in need in Cambodia, Ghana, Laos, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Thailand and the United States. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.smilesforeveryone.org.About Smile Brands Inc. Based in, Smile Brands Inc. is one of the largest providers of support services to dental groups in. The culture-driven organization is the #1 ranked multi-location healthcare provider on Glassdoor's 2019 Best Places to Work list. Smile Brands provides comprehensive business support services through exclusive long-term agreements with affiliate dental groups, so dentists can spend more time caring for their patients and less time on the administrative, marketing, and financial aspects of operating a dental practice. Smile Brands supports 440 Bright Now! Dental, Monarch Dental, Castle Dental, A+ Dental Care, OneSmile Dental, Johnson Family Dental, P3 Dental Group, and DecisionOne Dental Partners offices in 18 states, includingand. Smile Brands is a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm based inFor more information, visit http://www.smilebrands.com.Contacts: Smile Brands Inc. Jody Martin PR@smilebrands.com 714.427.1299Smiles for Everyone Foundationcrystal.strait@smilesforeveryone.org 714.824.5037SOURCE Smile Brands Inc.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said he would create national drinking water standards for a group of toxic chemicals plaguing communities across Michigan and other states if elected president.

Sanders made the announcement Tuesday during a tour of New Hampshire focused on ending corporate greed, one of the top themes of his Democratic primary campaign. The Vermont senator said clean drinking water is a human right," and pledged to hold corporate polluters responsible for cleaning up local water supplies contaminated with toxic PFAS.

Corporate greed is threatening one of the most basic necessities of life: clean water, Sanders said in a statement.

Bernie 2020 Deputy Communications Director Sarah Ford said Sanders would set aggressive standards," but the campaign did not provide specific details about how contamination limits would be set.

Its absurd that we have to say this in America in 2020: When you turn on the tap in your home in Michigan, you have a right to expect that the water coming out is clean, Ford said in a statement."

Michigan is entering its third year of a statewide response effort to mitigate the pervasive presence of PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The states Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy recently proposed maximum drinking water standards for seven types of PFAS.

The man-made chemicals were widely used in manufacturing, firefighting on military bases and airports and ubiquitous household consumer products. PFAS chemicals break down slowly in the body and exposure is linked to various adverse health effects, including a higher risk of cancer and developmental problems in children.

More than 70 contaminated sites were found by a PFAS response team formed under the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. At least 1.9 Michigan residents are drinking water with some of the toxic chemicals, according to state figures.

Trace amounts of PFAS are likely already present in the blood of nearly every American, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. People can be exposed to PFAS through air, water, or soil.

Michigan established cleanup criteria for groundwater used as drinking water of 70 ppt of PFOS and PFOA. The state allows businesses to discharge 12 ppt into surface water, and holds wastewater plants accountable if discharged levels are higher.

The EPA has a 70 ppt advisory level used to determine when drinking water could be harmful, but there is no enforceable standard for PFAS in drinking water.

Sanders didnt say what he thinks the standard should be, a hotly debated topic in the scientific and business communities.

Sanders specifically called out 3M and DuPont for their liability in spreading PFAS. Both companies manufactured products that contained PFAS and have been linked to contamination in Michigan and other states.

New Hampshire recently set some of the nations toughest standards for PFAS, but 3M sued the state to overturn the newly enacted environmental laws. The state of New Hampshire is also suing DuPont for PFAS found in drinking water and packaging materials.

Sanders said lobbying efforts and contributions from corporations like 3M and DuPont halted the Environmental Protection Agency from setting limits on PFAS.

Companies like 3M and DuPont have known for decades that these chemicals can build up in peoples blood, and that they are toxic," Sanders said in a statement. The least they could do is pay to clean up the mess that they made. Instead, theyre spending millions on CEO pay, Washington lobbyists and lawsuits against states that pass clean water laws.

Sanders criticized his colleagues in Congress for removing provisions of a national defense funding bill that would have required cleanup of PFAS-contaminated communities and industrial water pollution. Trump had threatened to veto the legislation if it included those provisions.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., announced the House will consider a separate bill designating PFAS as hazardous substances.

Sanders is the lead sponsor of the WATER Act, which would provide funding to mitigate PFAS contamination. U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, introduced a companion bill in the House.

Sanders also pledged to appoint officials in the Justice Department and EPA who will crack down on industrial pollution contaminating our water supplies.

Heres my pledge: when we defeat Donald Trump, we are going to end this kind of greed, Sanders said in a statement. Not only will we support state efforts to enforce stronger clean water laws, we are going to create federal clean water standards that force these companies to clean up their mess.

Democrats running for president largely agree on the importance of protecting the environment and clean drinking water, often using Flints lead contamination as an example. Sanders isnt the first candidate to suggest a national PFAS standard for drinking water but is among the most likely to secure the Democratic nomination.

Sanders and Democratic rival U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., signed a May letter demanding the Trump administration release federal research on PFAS consumption limits. Warren has said her administration would designate PFAS as hazardous substances.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the ceremony to hand over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

In an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency, Dung said that meticulous preparations have been made by the National ASEAN 2020 Committee, which was set up at the end of 2018 to outline a plan for the year.

Vietnam has penned detailed communications plan which contains a multitude of cultural, art and tourism activities to promote images of the Vietnamese people and land to international friends, he said, adding that careful preparations from receptions and logistics to security and health have been put in place to ensure security for officials and delegates.

This year, the country will host more than 300 meetings and activities at different levels, with the 36th ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN - New Zealand Commemorative Summit scheduled in Da Nang in April, and the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Hanoi in November.

The country will chair the 41st General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) in Ha Long in August, along with 20 ministerial-level meetings, he added.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Retreat this month, ministers plan to adopt programmes and activities for ASEAN 2020.

Vietnam has selected the theme Cohesive and Responsive for ASEAN 2020, and has received strong support from ASEAN member states and partners, Dung said, holding the two elements are interdependent and complimentary.

Under the theme, Vietnam will promote five priorities during its chairmanship year, including strengthening ASEAN solidarity and unity, promoting regional connectivity and adaptability to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, fostering awareness of the ASEAN community and identity, stepping up partnerships for peace and sustainable development, and improving the adaptability and operational efficiency of the ASEAN apparatus./.
Dramatic images of the flaming wreckage left by US airstrikes that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani have been published by the Iraqi military.

The Pentagon said on Friday that Donald Trump ordered the surprise attack on two vehicles close to Baghdad International Airport, marking a serious provocation in already tense relations between US, Iran and their allies.

Soleimani, the hugely influential Revolutionary Guard Quds Force commander said to have played a role in almost every aspect of Iranian military expansion across the Middle East, was reported dead alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a leader of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF)  an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia.

Iraqi paramilitary groups said three rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, killing five members of the PMF and two guests, injuring several others.

Iraqs parliamentary speaker Mohammed al-Halboosi condemned the attack as a flagrant violation of sovereignty, and a violation of international conventions, but joined international calls for all parties to exercise restraint.

Images released by an official Iraqi press office show a burning vehicle at Baghdad International Airport (Iraqi Security Media Cell via AP)

Failure to do so, Mr al-Halboosi said, risked turning Iraq into a battlefield.

Mr Trump initially responded publicly to the attack by posting an uncaptioned image of the US flag on Twitter, later writing that Soleimani should have been taken out many years ago.

[He] killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more... but got caught, Mr Trump said.

He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of protesters killed in Iran itself," but its unclear who the millions of dead Trump is referring to are, writes our Middle East correspondent Richard Hall.

This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq (AP)

The pro-Iranian PMF have been accused of playing a central role in the civilian fatalities that have exacerbated Iraqs deadly protests, while Iraqi government officials strongly deny any internal responsibility for unprecedented shoot to kill orders.

The fresh escalation on Friday came days after the US launched airstrikes in Syria and Iraq on members of an Iranian-backed militia, as retaliation for the death of a US military contractor.

Hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators stormed the US embassy in response, while US forces  deployed to train the Iraqi military and conduct anti-Isis operations  fired tear gas at the enraged civilians.

Additional reporting by agencies
For many people of faith, especially Catholics and Orthodox Christians, churches are sacred places. An older cathedral, for example, is not a museum nor merely a relic of the past, but rather a place where it is believed that grace is given through sacraments, a place where God dwells. But, as Samuel Gregg argues in Spectator USA, Europe has lost respect for places of worship, a loss felt tangibly by the Church.

In 2017 alone, according to Frances Interior Ministry, 878 acts of vandalism were committed against Christian places of worship, cemeteries and shrines, Gregg points out. Thats an average of nearly two and a half sites being targeted every day. The motivation behind these acts, however, cannot be easily categorized. Gregg explains that in France, many acts of vandalism are committed by the homeless and most likely not motivated by anti-religious sentiments. Take into account also the surge of drug and sex trafficking which has taken place on church properties elsewhere in Europe. In Britain between January 2017 and November 2019, more than 20,000 crimes occurred on church properties. However, there are many instances where vandalism has been obviously animated by terrorism or hostility to religion. Several churches in France have been targeted by jihadists, marred with the words Allahu Akbar! written on their walls.

Gregg offers a different way of looking at the problem:

Im inclined, however, to see something else underneath this wave of destruction: the loss of a sense of the sacred throughout so much of the Old ContinentThe de-Christianization of large parts of the population and public life was bound to diminish the latent sense that there is something about churches which makes them fundamentally different from other places. Many churches are now viewed as just another museum  beautiful historical buildings with many wonderful works of art, but museums nonetheless.

Read: Burning Christianity: Europes churches are under attack
The US drone strike which killed Iran's Qassim Soleimani caught the British government 'by surprise', according to sources, raising questions over the so-called 'special relationship' - REX

The SAS planned to assassinate Iranian military chief Qassim Soleimani during the Iraq War but were stopped by a personal intervention from Labour foreign secretary David Miliband.

The Daily Telegraph has learnt that British special forces were ready to kill Soleimani in 2007 when he was identified as the man running the campaign against UK troops in the southern port city of Basra.

The SAS had him in their crosshairs, sources said, but Mr Miliband called off the operation, meaning Soleimani survived until he was killed on Friday morning in a US drone strike.

It emerged that Boris Johnson was given no advance warning of Fridays US rocket attack in Baghdad despite Britain having hundreds of soldiers stationed in the area.

Government sources have told The Telegraph it caught Downing Street and the whole of Whitehall by surprise, causing anger among ministers who had to scramble to react to the rapidly-escalating crisis.

The failure by the US to alert Britain to an attack happening just 40 miles from where 500 Army personnel are stationed raised questions about the strength of US-UK relations as Donald Trump bids for a second term in power.

Soleimani, the commander of the elite Quds Force unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, was found to be running a campaign by Iranian-backed Shia militias in southern Iraq in 2007 to carry out terrorist attacks against British troops based in Basra.

As part of Iran's attempts to undermine coalition attempts to restore order to Iraq, Soleimani sponsored a number of Shia militia groups that carried out deadly attacks against American and British troops, including car bombs and improvised explosive devices.

British commanders responded by sending teams of British special forces to destroy the Iranian-run militias, including an SAS team that was tasked with assassinating Soleimani.

When the SAS unit located Soleimani, and was set to carry out a mission to eliminate the Iranian leader, the operation was called off on the orders of Mr Miliband.

Story continues

"The Foreign Secretary said that he wanted to talk to the Iranians, not kill them," recalled a senior military officer based in Basra at the time. "We had Soleimani in our crosshairs, but we had to call the operation off because of sensitivities in London about conducting this type of operation."

The failure by the US to tell Britain about Fridays strike left Mr Johnson, who is currently on holiday in Mustique with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds, open to attack from critics who accused him of working on his tan instead of taking steps to avoid World War III.

Mr Johnson, who is expected to fly home this weekend, was aware and engaged with developments, Downing St said, but failed to make any public statement during the day.

Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, spoke to his US opposite number Mike Pompeo by phone on Friday, but the Foreign Office refused to release details of what was said.

One Government source said of the drone strike: It did catch us by surprise and its fair to say that inevitably these things can always be handled better.

Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, an ex-soldier who was chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the last parliament, said: "I've long believed that the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other, and it's been a pattern sadly, which has been a bit of a shame, that the US administration of late has not shared with us and that is a matter of concern.

"I would urge the US administration to share much more closely with allies, particularly those who are fighting alongside them in the region, including us."

The killing was met with protests in Islamabad, as well as Tehran Credit: AFP

Mr Raab called for de-escalation in the region, rather than backing Americas behaviour.

In a statement Mr Raab said: We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Hundreds of British military personnel are based in the Gulf region. Around 500 Army personnel from the Irish Guards are stationed in Camp Taji, an Australian military base about 40 miles north of Baghdad.

The Regiment, which deployed to Iraq early in December 2019, is training and mentoring Iraqi forces in basic infantry skills, bomb disposal and battlefield medical techniques.

The Ministry of Defence said its forces in the Gulf region were under constant review though no change is expected to the British military presence in Iraq and Bahrain, in the short term at least.

A spokesman for the MoD said military commanders could take appropriate force protection measures according to local circumstances.

Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, criticised the drone strikes, saying they were: "An extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict with global significance.

The UK government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the US."
Roland Sawatzkys career path to becoming an anthropologist was set when he was in grade school.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Roland Sawatzkys career path to becoming an anthropologist was set when he was in grade school.

In conversation Click to Expand With Roland Sawatzky, Curator, Manitoba Museum They are familiar faces at art shows, film screenings, theatre premieres and music venues; but how well do you know the people responsible for upholding Winnipegs reputation as an artistic city? In this series, the Winnipeg Free Press sits down with those working in the citys arts community to find out what inspires them in and out of the office.

The curator of history at the Manitoba Museum recalls his mother getting a National Geographicsubscription. "I was about eight years old and I was flipping through a story about archeology. My mind just opened right up and I thought, Thats it. Thats what I have to do. "

Unlike most childhood obsessions, he stuck with it. After graduating from Oak Park High School, he went on to get his BA in anthropology from the University of Winnipeg, an MA in anthropology from the University of South Carolina and a PhD in archeology from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C.

Sawatzky, 49, is the main curator behind the museums Winnipeg Gallery, which opened Nov. 1. The first new permanent exhibition since 2003, its part of the museums Bringing Our Stories Forward capital campaign, which will see the renewal of 42 per cent of its galleries.

The Winnipeg Gallery features an interactive, state-of-the-art 4K map showing the citys expansion over decades, a Personality Wall of notable Winnipeggers, historical and current stories from newcomers, an artifact wall dealing with seven themes  City of Celebration, City of Water, Military in Winnipeg, City of Contrasts, City of Newcomers, Becoming a City, and Indigenous Homeland  and a timeline theatre, showing a chronological history of Winnipeg through still images.

Roland Sawatzky is the main curator behind the museums Winnipeg Gallery, which opened Nov. 1. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Its not a large space, but one could easily spend a few hours absorbing all the information on offer, the stories it has to tell.

Sawatzky, a father of two  a son, 16, and a daughter, 12  also curated the Winnipeg General Strike exhibit at the museum and thinks the centenary of that 1919 event has sparked new interest in the history of our city.

"People have a lot of questions about this town  Why is it the way it is? Why is it here at all?  and I think this gallery is a really good place to start."

The curator sat down in the Winnipeg Gallery to talk to the Free Press about his work, his background and his love of dance.

Jill Wilson How often does a curator get the opportunity to create a whole permanent gallery from scratch? Roland Sawatzky Its a once-in-a-career chance, absolutely. Its very exciting. Of course, it wasnt just me; theres a whole team of curators and people involved in the project. Jill Wilson Why was it important to have a gallery specifically dedicated to Winnipeg? Roland Sawatzky There are a lot of reasons. We have, what, 1.1, 1.2 million people in the province? The majority of those people live in Winnipeg, but theres no history about Winnipeg done anywhere; theres no Winnipeg museum. It felt like something that should have been done a long time ago. Jill Wilson You went to school all over the place. Why did you come back to Winnipeg? Roland Sawatzky I didnt really intend to, though I wasnt against it. I was doing my PhD at Simon Fraser and there were some questions I wanted to investigate about how architecture works in a domestic space, how that works to instil cultural values and how that changes over time. I realized that Mennonite house barns in Manitoba had not been studied in that way  or in any way, really  so I thought that might be an interesting direction to go in. Thats my background, so I know something about it already... so thats how I ended up coming back to Manitoba. And then I got married. Jill Wilson How did you meet your wife? Roland Sawatzky Oh gosh, when we were 16! We met in high school, but not the same high school, and we were always very close. But we got married many years after that. Shes a graphic designer. She runs her own business and does a lot of work with museums, does different exhibits, does websites and she does books.

Sawatzky also curated the Winnipeg General Strike exhibit at the museum and thinks the centenary of that 1919 event has sparked new interest in the history of our city. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

Jill Wilson You have a Mennonite background and you worked at the Mennonite Heritage Village for many years. How important is being Mennonite to your daily life? Roland Sawatzky Its part of my belief system and also my cultural background. My kids go to a private Mennonite school, Westgate, and I attend a Mennonite church. So its a big part of my personal life, yes. Jill Wilson Did you go on a mission as a youth? Roland Sawatzky I did volunteer work with Mennonite Disaster Service when I was 18, after high school. I went to Kansas, Texas and Kentucky for six months. I was totally green, I didnt know anything about construction, but with guidance, I think I was able to help, eventually. And then when I was a bit older, I volunteered in Paraguay  both my parents are from Paraguay  and I worked at the leper colony and an Indigenous colony there. Jill Wilson If you were showing a tourist around Winnipeg, where would you take them (other than the museum, obviously)? Roland Sawatzky The Exchange District, for sure, because theres so much to see and learn there; so much happened there. Its a beautiful place and I think we have a real gem here in the centre of Winnipeg thats sometimes overlooked. In a lot of North American cities, its all gone. Another place would be The Forks. Its a huge success story for Winnipeg and for Manitoba  to build that out of a derelict railyard is pretty special. Jill Wilson Does collecting artifacts for your job make you look at the everyday objects in your life differently? Do you assess your own belongings for their future worth? Roland Sawatzky Yeah, Ive always been like that a bit. Im a collector of things; I try not to hoard. When youre doing archeology, its all important, because archeology is mostly old stuff thats been thrown away. But its the patterns that you find that are interesting, that say something interesting about society. The stuff I have at home feels very personal, it doesnt necessarily feel like its going to have that social importance over time, but it might to a future curator. Jill Wilson Are there any personal objects that are particularly meaningful to you, that youd save if there was a house fire? Roland Sawatzky I dont think I have anything thats important to me like that. But my father-in-law is a ceramicist, working in porcelain, and anything of his thats in our house is meaningful to us, because its beautiful and he made it and hes part of our life. Jill Wilson Do you have pets? Roland Sawatzky We have a cat called Hansel. Hes very big. I dont know how much he weighs, when he stands up (on his back legs) he comes up to here (indicates hip-height). Jill Wilson I hear you like to tango. Roland Sawatzky Yes! Ive been listening to tango music since I was in my early 20s. About five years ago a friend invited us to go take a lesson and weve been hooked ever since. We go almost every week. My wife and I are part of a group called Tango Salon Winnipeg, at Drop In Dance on Portage Avenue. We bring in maestros from other parts of the world, master dancers that come for a week or two, and then we have special classes with them. Jill Wilson Are there other kinds of music youre interested in? Roland Sawatzky Its more about quality than genre for me. I really like baroque music and I like industrial music quite a bit. Jill Wilson Do you play music? Roland Sawatzky No (laughs). Im not talented that way. Jill Wilson Whats the best part of your job? Whats the biggest challenge? Roland Sawatzky The best part is I learn something every day. Its never-ending. And one of the most challenging things is keeping up with the demands of the job, which is a good thing in a way. A lot of people have a lot of questions, we have a lot of offers of donations, lots of projects, I have my own research. Just keeping up with that and doing it in a balanced way.

jill.wilson@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @dedaumier

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LAKE GEORGE  The owner of the Lake George Steamboat Co. says the Americade block party that shut down a portion of Beach Road hurt her business by preventing customers and even employees from getting to it.

The block party, which featured live bands, shut down one lane of Beach Road and diverted traffic last June during the annual motorcycle rally.

Americade organizers started the block party in 2018 on Canada Street. Complaints from local merchants that the event hurt business led to the village rejecting a request to close Canada Street for the second year in 2019.

Instead, the event was moved to Beach Road, where the westbound lane could be blocked off.

Patricia Dow of the Lake George Steamboat Co. told the Village Board on Monday that people assigned to monitor the roadblock had made it difficult for customers to get to the steamboat companys property.

Its very frustrating, because our own employees were being turned away, he said.

The stage used for musical performances was in a bad spot, she said. Motorcycles were spilling off the designated property and down the street so people could see the show.

There were motorcycles in front of our ticket office. It was very confusing, she said.

Its difficult to control all of the people and where theyre going to park their motorcycle and where theyre going to stand, she added.

Dow suggested there be more signs directing people where to go. People who were coming out of West Brook Road onto Beach Road had no choice but turn south, and that created traffic tie-ups.

The steamboat business was disrupted, she said.

We just want to be included in the planning, she said.

She said the village could post signs that say Beach Road will be closed after the steamboat pier.

Mayor Robert Blais said Americade organizer Christian Dutcher was unable to come to the meeting, but he would attend the boards next regular meeting.

Dutcher wants to be back on Beach Road.

Blais said Dutcher has told him the block party brings more people into the village for the event.

He doesnt want to keep moving from place to place, Blais said.

Blais suggested a couple alternatives to Beach Road that he thinks would work, including a spot east of West Brook Road in front of Battlefield Park.

Youve got the whole field for the spillover to go on, he said.

Or, Blais said, the party could be staged on the crest of Canada Street near the Lobster Pot. Blais believes the stage could be set up facing north in front of the Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center.

Guests of the restaurants could watch the concert while eating outdoors, and people could also sit on the lawn of the Fort William Henry as they often do for outdoor events, Blais said.

The next meeting is on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

Dutcher did not return a message seeking comment.

Reach Michael Goot at 518-742-3320 or mgoot@poststar.com and follow his blog poststar.com/blogs/michael_goot/.

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Honor a congressional subpoena to appear at President Trumps (presumably eventual) Senate impeachment trial? Joe Biden, still the odds-on favorite to be the Democrats standard-bearer in the 2020 election, scoffed at the very idea  No way!

The former vice presidents knee-jerk obstinacy illuminates  we should say, provides even more illumination of  the patent farce that is the second article of impeachment passed by the House on a strict party-line vote: the accusation that the president has obstructed Congress. As we saw in a committee hearing, featuring the spectacle of staffers questioning staffers with no actual fact witnesses in sight, Democrats have no problem when Democrats blow off congressional demands for information. Obstruction is a one-way street.

Trump regards the impeachment inquiry as a partisan witch hunt, just the latest phase of the Democrats project to remove him, which began even before his term started. He certainly has a point . . . although that is not a good reason to give his opponents fuel for the project, as he did by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden. That is the allegation in the first article of impeachment. Under the circumstances, I believe it falls well short of the egregious misconduct for which impeachment should be reserved; it was, nevertheless, a foolish thing for the president to do.

Lets focus, though, on the second impeachment article, obstruction of Congress.

The president directed his underlings and executive branch components not to comply with congressional demands for information. To be clear, Congress has undeniable constitutional authority, broad in scope, to conduct oversight of the executive branch. The president, with all the authority of a peer branch of government, has extensive privileges of confidentiality, rooted in Article II, particularly when it comes to communications with his staff and high executive officials. Congress, however, is empowered to probe, especially when its concern is presidential malfeasance, or the activities of executive branch agencies Congress has created  such agencies, after all, are led by officers subject to Senate confirmation, and Congress both underwrites them with taxpayer funds and limits their operations by statute.

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Consequently, President Trump has legitimate authority to defy congressional demands for information, but that authority is not limitless.

Notice that, to this point, we have not mentioned the courts. Squabbles between the political branches are, naturally, political in nature. The Framers did not intend that they be resolved by the courts. They are resolved by compromise, accommodation, and reprisals by the elected officials who answer to the public and thus have a powerful motivation to act reasonably.

Democratic-controlled congressional committees used information demands coupled with public political pressure (intensified by their media allies) in an effort to induce administration compliance. The president, however, had a strong counterpoint: Congress was claiming to conduct an impeachment inquiry while refusing to vote to authorize such an inquiry  a nakedly political strategy to attempt to protect nearly three dozen Democrats who hold seats in Trump-friendly districts where impeachment is unpopular (those seats being vital to maintaining the majority).

Democrats were deceptively branding their investigation an impeachment inquiry while actually conducting it under the ordinary oversight authority of six committees (led by the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees). While his responsive rhetoric bristled with Trumpian overkill, the presidents strategy was sensible: Deny cooperation at least until Democrats took a vote to approve the impeachment inquiry they claimed to be conducting. The Democrats finally voted at the end of October. Trump, however, continued to be defiant when the resolution approving the inquiry failed to provide him basic due-process protections that had been extended in prior presidential impeachments, and when the committees held palpably partisan hearings in which he was effectively denied the right to present a defense.

In sum, this was political wrangling. High profile, to be sure, this being only the fourth substantial effort to impeach a president in American history, but political nonetheless, and thus unfit for judicial intervention. The Constitution arms both political branches with arsenals to battle it out, so prudent judges often demur when asked to intervene. In modern times, though, our litigious society has lost sight of the fact that the principal check on the political branches is supposed to be we the people, through the ballot box, not the unaccountable courts. Both Congress and presidents have become quicker to resort to the judges when they think doing so may sway the court of public opinion, and many judges are all too willing to jump into the political fray.

Thats what has happened. On Friday, in fact, the D.C. Circuit court of appeals is scheduled to hear a pair of resulting cases: one triggered by the House Judiciary Committees demand that the administration disclose grand jury material from the Mueller probe, said to be vital to the impeachment inquiry; the other by the same committees attempt to compel testimony from former White House counsel Don McGahn.

Meantime, several weeks ago, the House issued a subpoena for Charles Kupperman, Trumps former deputy national security adviser. Kupperman filed a lawsuit to block the subpoena but said he would testify if the court ruled that Congresss demand for his information overcame any privilege claims. John Bolton, formerly Trumps national security adviser and Kuppermans boss, signaled that he would take the same position. So did Mick Mulvaney, the presidents acting chief of staff and budget director.

In a transparently tactical counter-measure, the House vacated the Kupperman subpoena and persuaded another judge to dismiss his case as moot. In effect, Democrats calculated that it was not worth risking an embarrassing loss in court or a drawn-out litigation that would extend the House inquiry into the 2020 campaign season. Instead, they could stomp their feet about Trumps obstruction and summarily impeach him over it. So suddenly, the testimony of top presidential aides, which we were previously told was critical, turned out not to be so critical  just as Democrats once claimed the so-called whistleblowers testimony was critical, but now accuse the president and his supporters of endangering the mans life by seeking his testimony (the fact of the whistleblowers coordination with Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiffs staff having inconveniently surfaced in the interim).

With that obstruction charge in mind, though, consider this amazing fact:

The court challenges involving the Mueller grand jury materials and McGahns testimony were brought by the House. The same House that impeached President Trump when current and former administration officials sought to litigate non-disclosure and executive privilege issues, has itself gone to court to litigate non-disclosure and executive privilege issues. That is, when House Democrats seek judicial intervention, were supposed to see that as vindication of the rule of law. When the Trump administration seeks judicial intervention, thats to be seen as an impeachable offense.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking, but even worse is the Democrats reckless trivialization of impeachment.

The Framers were very worried about potential abuses of executive power. They were also quite concerned, though, about what Hamilton described (in Federalist No. 73) as the propensity of the legislative department to intrude upon the rights, and to absorb the powers, of the other departments. They agitated over the possibility that the impeachment power would be abused for partisan ends, invoked for frivolous reasons.

The Democrat-controlled Houses impeachment for obstruction is both partisan and frivolous. Of course a president should not thwart legitimate congressional inquiries. Neither, however, should Congress trample on the presidents legitimate confidentiality privileges  just as the executive branchs sweeping investigative powers must not be exploited to intrude on lawmakers communications with their staffers. If the government is to function well, each political branch must respect the others need for frank consultations. The built-in tension between the imperatives of accountability and confidentiality is obvious . . . which is why inter-branch disputes are common, and why they nearly always get worked out in negotiations.

On this score, it must be noted that the Trump administration has not typically been stingy. White House counsel McGahn and numerous other administration officials were made available to Special Counsel Mueller, even though the president could have claimed privilege. When Muellers report was completed, Attorney General Bill Barr made nearly all of it available to Congress and the public, even though redactions based on privilege claims could have been justified. (The Justice Departments withholding of a small amount of grand jury materials is driven by D.C. Circuit precedent, which makes disclosure outside the governing rule illegal  a rule prescribed by Congress, which House Democrats, tellingly, did not even attempt to amend before seeking court intervention.)

Impeachment is our systems nuclear option. We want our presidents to be elected democratically and to serve out their terms, with impeachment reserved for outrageous abuses of power that threaten our constitutional framework or our security. Could a presidents outright refusal to cooperate with Congress reach that level of malfeasance? Sure it could. But there are many intermediate steps before that happens.

Congress could have negotiated in good faith. If the administration had remained obstinate, it could have held officials who defied subpoenas in contempt. If officials had sought to litigate executive privilege, Congress could have opposed them in court. While it is true that the Article I branch has its own powers for securing the Article II branchs compliance and need not resort to the Article III branch for help, it is a ridiculous overreaction for Congress to impeach over the executive branchs attempt to litigate  especially when Congress is simultaneously filing its own lawsuits against the administration. If Congress had litigated and won, the public would have been more supportive of threats to impeach over noncompliance; the president would have looked like he was hiding corruption rather than protecting executive privilege. And if the administration had then remained obstinate, Congress might have considered impeaching one or more non-elected executive officials who continued to defy subpoenas  commencing such actions would have demonstrated that Congress was being diligent yet refraining from the drastic step of impeaching a president until reasonable alternatives were exhausted.

To the contrary, Democrats said reasonable alternatives be damned. The House made the reckless partisan leap from a routine inter-branch kerfuffle to all-out war  impeachment of a duly elected president, with only about ten months to go before voters could otherwise decide President Trumps fate for themselves. In the short term, the House has bolstered the presidents claim that impeachment is a political stunt, even though the House may well be entitled to at least some of the information being withheld. In the long term, the trivialization of impeachment will do lasting damage to American governance.

More from National Review
CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARROW Exploration Corp. (Arrow or the Company) (TSXV: AXL) is pleased to announce that it has successfully negotiated an amendment and extension to its US$5 million promissory note with Canacol Energy Ltd. (Canacol) (the Amended Note). Under terms of the Amended Note, Arrow has agreed to appoint Mr. Anthony Zaidi, VP of Business Development and General Counsel at Canacol, to the Board of Directors of Arrow to fill an existing vacancy, subject to regulatory approvals including the TSX Venture Exchange.



Revised Canacol Promissory Note Terms

Arrow and Canacol have agreed to a third amendment and extension to the existing US$5 million Canacol promissory note, effective December 31, 2019. Under terms of the Amended Note, as more fully described below, repayment of the principal and accrued and outstanding interest, which now total US$5.6 million, has been deferred an additional six months to commence on April 1, 2021 with the outstanding interest to be paid in full at that time and the principal to be fully paid in six monthly installments by September 1, 2021.

The Amended Note provides Arrow with additional flexibility to manage its long-dated payables while the strategic alternatives process progresses, with support from Arrows financial advisor, Stifel FirstEnergy.

Key terms under the Amended Note are as follows:

On or before April 1, 2021 the Company shall pay in full all accrued and outstanding interest owing on the principal sum of US$5 million (the  Principal Sum ) from the origination date of the promissory note to July 31, 2019 being US$628,767 plus interest on such sum at a rate equal to 15.0% per annum accruing as of December 31, 2019 until the date of payment (the  Interim Accrued Interest ).

Commencing September 1, 2019 and on the first day of each month thereafter until no further obligations are owing, the Company shall make interest-only monthly payments equal to the total amount of the outstanding interest on the Principal Sum and the Interim Accrued Interest.

Commencing April 1, 2021 and on the first day of each of the following six (6) months thereafter the Company shall make equal monthly payments of the balance of the Principal Sum which remains outstanding as of April 1, 2021, amortized over such six (6) month period, such that all remaining obligations are paid in full on or before September 1, 2021.

At any time, all or any portion of the obligations then outstanding, may be prepaid by the Company to Canacol without penalty or prepayment fee.

In case of a Change in Control of the Corporation, all of the Amended Note obligations shall be immediately due and payable to Canacol. For purposes of the Amended Note, a change in control means (i) any direct or indirect change in control of the Company (whether through merger, sale of shares or other equity interest, or otherwise through a single transaction or series of related transactions, from one or more transferors to one or more transferee or (ii) any change in the composition of the board of directors of the Company where the majority of the current directors of the Company are replaced (whether at the same time or separately) at any time within a time period of 12 months from December 31, 2019. Control means the ownership directly or indirectly of more than 50% of the voting rights in a legal entity.

Until all Amended Note obligations are paid in full, the Company shall arrange to appoint two (2) Canacol employees of Canacols choice to sit on Arrows board of directors at all times. In the normal course such appointments are subject to approval of regulatory authorities including the TSX Venture Exchange.

The general security agreement granted to Canacol as part of the second amendment to the Canacol promissory note in July 31, 2019 remains in place as updated to reflect linkage to this third amendment.

Other terms of the original Canacol promissory note remain unchanged.

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Appointment of New Director

Under terms of the Amended Note, Arrow has agreed to appoint Mr. Anthony Zaidi, VP Business Development and General Counsel at Canacol, to the Board of Directors of Arrow to fill an existing vacancy, subject to regulatory approvals including the TSX Venture Exchange. With this appointment, Canacol will have two of its executives on the Arrow Board of Directors also including Mr. Ravi Sharma, the Chief Operating Officer of Canacol and a founding director of Arrow. Dr. Luis Baena, a founding director of Arrow originally nominated by Canacol, is no longer an employee of Canacol. The Arrow Board of Directors will now include Mr. Dominic Dacosta (Chair), Dr. Luis Baena, Mr. James McFarland, Mr. Juan Carlos Salazar, Mr. Ravi Sharma, Mr. Steve Smith and Mr. Anthony Zaidi.

Mr. Zaidi is a lawyer and businessman with significant experience in corporate finance and in the mining and energy sector in Colombia. Prior to joining Canacol, Mr. Zaidi was the President and General Counsel of Carrao Energy Ltd., a private oil and gas exploration company he co-founded and co-managed until its acquisition by the Canacol in November 2011 and in turn by Arrow in September 2018. Prior to this time, he had been an officer or director of several private and public companies, including Integral Oil Services, Pacific Rubiales Energy, Petro Magdalena Energy, Medora Resources and others, as well as a securities lawyer at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. Mr. Zaidi holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Toronto as well as a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree from McGill University.

About ARROW Exploration

Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly-traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are under-exploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Companys business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombias most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. Arrows seasoned team is led by a hands-on and in-country executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol AXL.

For further information contact: Felix Betancourt John Newman Eric Van Enk, CFA Interim Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer VP Finance & IR E: fbetancourt@carraoenergy.com P: (403) 237-5700 ext.107 P: (403) 237-5700 ext. 104 E: jnewman@arrowexploration.ca E: ericvanenk@arrowexploration.ca

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.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information (forward-looking statements) under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words continue, expect, opportunity, plan, potential and will and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation: approval by regulatory authorities including the TSX Venture Exchange for Mr. Anthony Zaidis appointment to the Arrow Board of Directors; potential of Arrows Colombian assets to offer high potential growth; and Arrows business plan to expand oil production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
A couple of months ago, I got an email completely out of the blue inviting me to take part in an alumni version of the BBC2 quiz show University Challenge.

My first instinct was to say 'Yes'. But then I thought about how my performance might go down at my day job. As Master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, I work with 60 brilliant academics and 600 of the brightest students in Britain. How could I face them when I'd shown ignorance of their subject and countless others too?

In the end, heart won over head and tonight, to my huge surprise, me and my team of fellow old-timers will be appearing in the final. It has added to the jollity of the festive season  not least because of my history with the programme. You see, tonight's final is just my latest appearance on the show.

A photograph brings it all flooding back. That ridiculous, bouffant hair  now long gone  and that awful cardigan that I foolishly thought might look stylish on television.

A couple of months ago, I got an email completely out of the blue inviting me to take part in an alumni version of the BBC2 quiz show University Challenge, writes Roger Mosey (right)

In 1978, as a student at Oxford University reading history and German, I was a member of Wadham College's University Challenge team.

The programme had been first broadcast in 1962 and during my later childhood it was a weekly highlight on our black-and-white television at home in Bradford.

I never imagined being on it myself but, after answering some test questions in the college bar one wet evening, I found myself at the Granada studios in the centre of Manchester, where  as a 20-year-old fascinated by the media  I was in awe that we were given a dressing-room that was otherwise used by the actors from Coronation Street.

The recording itself was a less starry experience. As the first starter question, we had to identify the year of Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech. I buzzed in on an interruption to say 1964 when it was actually 1963  and, in the unforgiving world of University Challenge, close is not good enough.

I had one good moment, unexpectedly knowing a starter about the ancient Persian king Xerxes the Great  and the quizmaster of those days, Bamber Gascoigne  doubtless astonished that I'd finally got something correct  said 'Well interrupted, Wadham!'

Pictured: Mosey during his first appearance on University Challenge in 1978 representing Wadham College, Oxford

It became a teasing catchphrase among friends kind enough to talk about that rather than Wadham crashing out of the show at the first attempt. Fast forward 41 years and it was a delight to find that two fellow journalists had been roped into my team: Anne McElvoy from The Economist and Jonathan Freedland from The Guardian. To our relief, we had a science specialist, too, in the form of Tom Solomon, a professor of neurology from Liverpool.

After beating Birmingham City in the first round we were summoned back to Salford the following weekend to face Trinity Hall, Cambridge. In the semi-final, the subjects couldn't have been better for us. There was one about Thomas Mann, who'd been my specialist author at university, and another about parliamentary constituencies, which was home territory for a team of political journalists.

This element of randomness in a contest was shown by the result  the Trinity Hall team who had excelled in the first round scored 25 while we surged to 215.

As we took our places facing question master Jeremy Paxman for the last time, and an awesomely good team from Leeds University, did we want to win? Of course! Our main feeling, though, was that, win or lose, we'd exceeded our own expectations. I'm glad I didn't stick with that memory of the lad from Bradford with silly hair who had a touch of stage fright. Any opportunity to take part should be seized  and a second chance is best of all.

The University Challenge Christmas final will be screened on BBC2 at 8.30pm tonight
A young child was left fighting for life after being pulled from a backyard swimming pool in Adelaide where temperatures topped 42C on Friday.

The child was rushed to hospital in a serious condition after the incident at Happy Valley in Adelaide's southern suburbs early on Friday morning.

Paramedics were called to a house on Glenloth Drive about 7am after reports of a drowning and the child was taken to Flinders Medical Centre, PerthNow reported.

SA Police attend the scene in Adelaide's southern suburb of Happy Valley on Friday morning

Paramedics rushed the child to hospital in a serious condition on Friday

The child has since been transferred to the Women's and Children's Hospital.

SA Health was unable to give an update on the child's welfare on Friday afternoon without parental consent.

SA Police attended but there are no reported suspicious circumstances and they will not be conducting further investigations, Nine News reported.

January is considered the peak risk period for drownings with high temperatures causing many people to cool off in the water.

Swimming experts have encouraged parents to enroll their children in swimming lessons in the annual Vacswim program.

Adelaide temperatures were forecast to reach 42C on Friday with temperatures topping 27C at Adelaide airport at 7am, the Bureau of Meteorology said on its website.
Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (hereinafter: Baffinland) declared of using the contractual option to charter the multifunctional icebreaker Botnica in 2020 during the period from the end of June to the end of October. The exact number of chartering days depends on weather and other conditions.

In 2018, the subsidiary company of AS Tallinna Sadam, OU TS Shipping, signed an agreement with Baffinland for chartering m/v Botnica for the 2018 summer period and annual call options for the summer periods in 2019-2022. Baffinland is a Canadian mining company, engaged in the mining of iron ore on Baffin Island in Northern Canada. According to the agreement, m/v Botnica provides escort and ice management services, oil spill and emergency response services.

In the last two years, m/v Botnica assisted Panamax-type cargo vessels in Arctic waters of Northern Canada for exporting iron ore from the Milne Inlet port to the ocean. While in 2018 the work was performed in two parts and meanwhile m/v Botnica visited Tallinn in late August during the ice-free period in the Arctic, in 2019 the vessel remained in the Baffin Archipelago for a three-week ice-free period and assisted Canadian scientists in research of seabed and Arctic waters as an additional work. The 2019 work period with mobilization lasted from the end of June to the beginning of November. According to an agreement with the Estonian Maritime Administration, m/v Botnica provides icebreaking services in Estonian coastal waters from 20th December to 20th April.

Tallinna Sadam is one of the largest cargo- and passenger port complexes in the Baltic Sea region, which in 2018 serviced 10.6 million passengers and 20.6 million tons of cargo. In addition to passenger and freight services, Tallinna Sadam group also operates in shipping business via its subsidiaries  OU TS Laevad provides ferry services between the Estonian mainland and the largest islands, and OU TS Shipping charters its multifunctional vessel m/v Botnica for icebreaking and construction services in Estonia and offshore projects abroad. Tallinna Sadam group is also a shareholder in an associate AS Green Marine, which provides waste management services. Tallinna Sadam group's sales in 2018 totaled EUR 130.6 million, adjusted EBITDA EUR 74.4 million and net profit EUR 24.4 million.

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Additional information:
Trains were at a standstill after power failed on 9 August. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Three energy companies will pay 10.5m to energy watchdog Ofgems redress fund over the power cuts last August which left over one million customers without power and caused chaos on roads and trains.

Regulator Ofgem has said that Hornsea One Ltd, an offshore wind farm co-owned by rsted, and Little Barford, a gas power station operated by RWE, will each make a voluntary payments of 4.5m into Ofgems redress fund.

Ofgem found that the two large power stations did not remain connected after a lightning strike on 9 August, causing power outages for much of the UK. The outage caused major disruption on road and rail networks during rush hour, leaving thousands stranded.

A third company, UK Power Networks, will also pay out 1.5m after a technical breach of rules as they began reconnecting customers without being asked to by the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO).

Ofgem said that although this had no impact on 9 August, it could have potentially jeopardised recovery of the system. UK Power Networks have recognised this technical breach and agreed to pay 1.5m into its voluntary redress fund.

READ MORE: Rail passengers face 'another decade of misery' as fares rise by 2.7%

Jonathan Brearley, Ofgems executive director, said: Consumers and businesses rely on generators and network companies to provide a secure and stable power supply.

August 9 showed how much disruption and distress is caused to consumers across the UK when this does not happen.

That is why it is right that companies that were unable to keep generating have paid into our consumer redress fund.

He also said that the investigation had raised questions about the structure and management of the National Grids Electricity System Operator and that Ofgem would be conducting a review.

National Grid ESO activated back-up power generators when the two power stations failed but when there was not enough back-up power generation available local network operators were forced to disconnect some consumers in order to prevent further system-wide disruption.

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READ MORE: 'Big Tech' was the best investment of the last decade

All customers were reconnected by the Distribution Network Operators within 45 minutes of the lightning strike, Ofgem said.

The Office of Rail and Road, a separate regulator, also found that software flaws on some trains caused extended delays for commuters.
Hundreds of villagers in communities around Michika town in Adamawa State last night fled to the mountain top as suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked their communities, sources said.

The attack which commenced at about 6 p.m., lasted for many hours.

A source, who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES from the Michika mountain top but asked not to be named, said Kwuapale and Kwuapa villages near Michika were attacked.

Another source said the attackers advanced towards Baza village also in Michika local government, forcing residents to flee.

A resident of Baza shared a video with PREMIUM TIMES showing villagers from Baza, who could make it to the mountains, driving towards Yola.

It was not clear if the attack was repelled.

The attack on Michika, one of the Christian dominated areas, comes at a time the villages are filled with people who came from the cities for the Yuletide holidays.

The police in Adamawa State could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

The attack on Michika is coming almost a year after Boko Haram gunmen attacked the border community and killed nearly a dozen on March 28, 2019.

Michika shares borders with some Borno communities like Gwoza, Askira Uba, which are volatile areas where insurgents activities are still on.

Details later
Job Title: Project Coordinator

Organization: PATH

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

PATH is a global

organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public

institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the

worlds most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health,

finance, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops

and scales innovative solutionsincluding vaccines, drugs, devices,

diagnostics, and approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.

Job Summary: The project coordinator will act as the

primary liaison with regional and district level stakeholders and participating

pilot sites, preparing, organizing and planning for national and sub-national

level deliberations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:



Supports

study site actors by providing technical support on chlorine generator devices

use and responding to study-related questions.



Supports

IPC and chlorine generator operational and systems gap research, data

collection & data entry.



Supports

development of chlorine generator introduction plans as needed.



Works

with project staff to identify, manage, and prepare required pilot preparation

activities and ethical approvals.



Support

the development of research tools, such as protocols, methodology, data

collection tools, and data analysis plans.



Ensure

arrival of SafiStation chlorine generation devices from customs and delivery to

pilot sites.



With

in-person support from technical team, install devices and train users on

operation in pilot sites.



Supports

logistic, venue, transportation, per diems, for dissemination & interim

meetings at subnational level.



Conducts

monitoring visits, data collection, cleaning, and data entry during pilot

introduction; contributes to data analysis.



Schedule

dissemination meeting with government actors and other stakeholders at

subnational level.



Maintain

cordial and professional relationship with national, and regional level stakeholders.



Support

preparations and facilitation of field visits of key government (MOH) or other

stakeholders to participating facilities, where necessary.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:



The

ideal applicant must hold a Bachelors degree in a related health field with at

least 5 years of experience



Experience

managing public health or medical research programs.



Strong

data collection, analytical and interpersonal skills.



Strong

understanding of the government systems, public health facilities, and medical

technologies would be an added advantage.



Ability

to travel routinely to regional districts.

How to Apply:

All candidates

should apply online at the link below.

Click

Here

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or

find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline






WASHINGTON  Irans supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, vowed to exact severe revenge for the Thursday night U.S. airstrike that killed the countrys most famous general, but the Iranian regime will have to walk a fine line to respond strongly without provoking a war with the United States, former intelligence officials familiar with the region said Friday.

Qassem Soleimani headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, which combines intelligence gathering, covert action and special operations. He died when a U.S. missile struck his vehicle near Baghdad International Airport. Also killed in the airstrike, which hit two vehicles, was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of the Iraqi Shiite militia group Kataib Hezbollah, along with several other Quds Force and militia members.

Soleimani was a charismatic leader who for 20 years had played a key role in orchestrating Irans foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly with regard to its use of proxy militia forces such as Lebanese Hezbollah, numerous Iraqi Shiite armed groups and the Houthi militia in Yemen. He directed the killing of more than 600 U.S. troops during the Iraq War by Shiite militias using a particularly lethal sort of roadside bomb called an explosively formed penetrator. More recently, he commanded Irans military efforts to shore up its ally Bashar Assad in the Syrian war. He was the most famous intel figure on the planet, said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former senior CIA operations official.

A boy in Tehran carries a portrait of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq early on Friday. (Photo: Vahid Salemi/AP)

But that fame has now put the Iranian regime in a bind, according to Norman Roule, who was the national intelligence manager for Iran until 2017. Because of Soleimanis iconic stature, it will have to be seen to strike back itself, rather than merely through proxies, he said. But Iran must do so with enough implausible deniability to avoid giving the United States an excuse to launch a war that could lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic. Iran will also want to avoid antagonizing Europe, China or Russia in its response, Roule said.

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So the regime will have to pick and choose carefully among its panoply of weapons. Iran has many cyber, drone and missile tools and may decide to employ all of them at some point, Roule said. Irans proxies will want to show that they are loyal to Iran, but the ease by which the U.S. killed Soleimani and struck Kataib Hezbollah targets will make them wonder how quickly Washington will be able to locate and kill them following any attack on U.S. interests.

A vehicle burns at the Baghdad International Airport following the U.S. airstrike early Friday morning. (Photo: Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via AP)

Despite speculation that Iran or its proxy Hezbollah will retaliate by launching terrorist attacks against U.S. or allied targets, Roule said that was unlikely in the near term, in part because a terrorist attack on a specific individual or facility requires a significant amount of preparation. Iran will need to identify a target and understand its security profile, he said. If it is a person, it will need to understand the targets pattern of life. Iran will need to locate weapons and prepare an egress plan for its people. The complexity and resource demands of such an operation make it difficult to undertake [at short notice] unless such an operation had been developed prior to Soleimanis death.

And Tehran has to come up with a plan without the person who was best able to devise and execute one: Soleimani himself. The Iranians are in a hard spot because the person they need to manage and execute a response is a guy like Soleimani, said Douglas Wise, a former deputy director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and longtime former senior CIA official. Thats the trick box the Iranians are in: The individual they need to respond at this point is dead.

Less than 24 hours after the strike, the Middle East appeared to be teetering on the brink of war. Royal Jordanian Airlines suspended its flights to Baghdad. The Defense Department followed up its recent deployment of a battalion from the Armys 82nd Airborne Division by announcing Friday that it would deploy the rest of the 82nds division ready brigade  a total of about 3,500 soldiers. Other reports indicated that 1st Ranger Battalion departed its home post of Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia en route to the Middle East.

The State Department meanwhile appeared to send mixed messages to U.S. citizens in Iraq Friday. Pompeo told CNN that killing Soleimani had made Americans safer in the region. But the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad advised all Americans to avoid the embassy and depart Iraq immediately. Seemingly anticipating a shutdown of commercial air traffic in and out of the country, the embassy told Americans they should leave via airline while possible, and otherwise should depart over land.

Iranians, to feel they have avenged Soleimanis death, will strike first at elements of American government, said Wise. This is a strike by the American government, and theyre going to want to strike back at the U.S. government first.

Foreign employees of oil companies are seen leaving Iraq at the airport of Basra on Friday. (Photo: Reuters)

But that attack may not come in Iraq or even in the Middle East, according to Wise. The Iranians will strike at soft targets, say, an individual working at a U.S. embassy getting in or out of their car in some embassy in South America or Africa  theyll go to soft targets at the edges of the U.S. empire.

A former CIA official with knowledge of Iran and terrorism also predicted that the Islamic Republic was more likely to target U.S. government facilities far from the Middle East. If they want to hit military facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Doha, Jordan, all of that area is going to be on heightened alert, the former CIA official said. But I dont know if were going to be on such high alert in Lima, Buenos Aires, Asuncion, Malaysia, West Africa and Europe  places where there is a known Hezbollah presence, but we may not be able to step up security procedures for all embassies everywhere and expect the same level of protection.

Retired Army Col. Chris Costa, the executive director of the Spy Museum, cautioned that Iran might take its time before retaliating. Short term I suspect were going to hear threatening rhetoric, but Iran can seek revenge on their own timetable, he said.

A former State Department official who specialized in Iraq and Iran warned that Irans response was unlikely to be a simple case of tit for tat. What comes next will not be a single strike, the former State Department official said. The worst move we can make is to underestimate Iran.

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Read more from Yahoo News:
The company started selling its policies in Illinois last spring and has thousands of customers in the state, Nakatsuji said. It also operates in California, Arizona, Ohio and Utah, and plans to expand to eight to 12 more states in 2020.
Vanessa Hudgens has opened up about being the victim of a nude photo leak, describing it as really traumatising.

In 2007, the former Disney star had her privacy breached when nude photos of her were leaked online after he phone was hacked.

It was a really traumatising thing for me, Hudgens told Cosmopolitan UK.

Its really f***ed up that people feel like they are entitled enough to share something that personal with the world.

The 31-year-old actor explained that the scandal made her feel as if she had lost all grip of [her] own privacy, adding that she found it sad that people take it too far.

24 pieces of life advice from celebrities Show all 24 1 /24 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 6. Oprah Winfrey The thing you fear most has no power. Your fear of it is what has the power. Facing the truth really will set you free. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 1. Demi Lovato No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it may seem hard to get to it but you can do it and just keep working towards it and you'll find the positive side of things. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 2. Bruce Lee It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials. Rex Features 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 3. Ziggy Marley Doing something that is productive is a great way to alleviate emotional stress. Get your mind doing something that is productive. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 4. Winnie The Pooh Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering. 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 5. Lena Dunham "I am certainly no self-help guru but here is what I know tonight: when you take the time and space you need, kindly and responsibly, you're suddenly available to the people you love in a whole new way." Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 7. Barack Obama If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. AFP/Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 8. Michelle Obama One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really dont invest any energy in them, because I know who I am. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 9. Lizzo "I love you. You are beautiful and you can do anything." Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 10. RuPaul "The only thing wrong with me was that I thought there was something wrong with me." Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 11. Maya Angelou You are the sum total of everything you've ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgot - it's all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 12. Stephen Fry It is the useless things that make life worth living and that make life dangerous too: wine, love, art, beauty. Without them life is safe, but not worth bothering with. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 13. Meghan Markle Be able to delegate, because there are some things that you just cant do by yourself. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 14. Nelson Mandela Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 15. Haruki Murakami "And once the storm is over you wont remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You wont even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you wont be the same person who walked in. Thats what this storms all about. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 16. CS Lewis You Are Never Too Old To Set Another Goal Or To Dream A New Dream. Rex Features 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 17. Audery Hepburn Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 18. Ella Fitzgerald Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 19. Billy Porter For me, life is about being positive and hopeful, choosing to be joyful, choosing to be encouraging, choosing to be empowering. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 20. Betty White It's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver. Getty Images 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 21. Drew Barrymore "Life is very interesting in the end, some of your greatest pains, become your greatest strengths. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 22. Jane Fonda Its never too late  never too late to start over, never too late to be happy. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 23. Jennifer Aniston There are no regrets in life. Just lessons. Getty 24 pieces of life advice from celebrities 24. Beyonce Knowles "The reality is: sometimes you lose. And youre never too good to lose. Youre never too big to lose. Youre never too smart to lose. It happens" Getty Images

I think that is because there's a disconnect when you see your favourite actress on the screen, and you see them now on your TV in your homes, and you can watch them whenever you want, Hudgens said.

There's almost  I don't want to say lack of respect because that sounds negative  but it just makes you feel like you know them even though you don't.

Hudgens, who rose to fame in the first High School Musical film in 2006, went on to discuss the #MeToo movement and her own experience in the industry.

She revealed that she had been spoken to in inappropriate ways but would always tell a person if they were completely out of line.

I'm the type of person in any situation, whether it's an audition or in work, if I feel uncomfortable, I'm going to walk away or let that person know they're making me feel uncomfortable, Hudgens said.

Then, if they don't respect that, they can go f*** off. If someone doesn't like that, literally they can f*** off.

The Spring Breakers star also touched upon how she managed to cope with fame at such a young age, admitting she managed to avoid burning out from being a child star by looking after herself and being a bit anti-social.

Looking back, it feels like another lifetime, she said.

I mean, I'm tired for sure. I take good care of myself. I know the things that matter the most - I do love my job, but my job isn't everything.

My family is - my partner and my friends are the things that keep me grounded."
Missile strike on Baghdad airport, January 2020 Sky News

A missile attack on Baghdad international airport took place on Friday; the shells killed at least seven people and wounded minimum nine. Reuters reported that on January 3.

"Iraqi paramilitary groups said five of their members and two guests were killed in an air strike on their vehicles inside Baghdad International Airport, militia sources reported on early Friday, after Iraqs Security Media Cell announced that three katyusha rockets had targeted Baghdad Airport. The militia members were hosting important guests at Baghdad airport who were being driven in two militia vehicles that were struck by two rockets, said the militia sources", reads the article.

Shiitic People's Draft Forces left a post on their Facebook account, claiming that their PR director was killed during the so-called "cowardly bombardment of the U.S.".

Iraqi military groups specified that due to the airstrike, they lost five of their comrades. The mentioned important guests were both killed as well.

According to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the "guests" were Qassim Suleymani, the Chief of Elite Forces of Iran's Republican Guard Corps and Abu Mahdi al-Mukhandis, the deputy commander of the People's Draft Forces, the militant organizations supported by Iran.

The Pentagon claimed that the strike was supposed to restrain Iran's further attack plans.
ICRC Facilitates Release of 23 Persons In South Sudan

"Among the persons handed over to the ICRC figures the 4-year old child of a late IOM-volunteer who died during fighting end of October. The child will be reunited with his father."



ICRC Facilitates Release of 23 Persons In South Sudan

News Release: 02-01-2020



SOUTH SUDAN: ICRC FACILITATES THE RELEASE OF 23 PERSONS INCLUDING 11 CHILDREN



Juba (ICRC)  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has facilitated the release and transport to Juba of 23 persons  including 11 children  previously held in Central Equatoria, in relation to the conflict in South Sudan.



On December 29, the ICRC received a request from the National Salvation Front (NAS)  an armed group active in the Equatorias  to facilitate the release of 23 persons. The operation took place on December 31st in coordination with all relevant authorities, allowing families to be reunited with their loved ones at a time of celebration. Before bringing them to Juba, the ICRC  acting as neutral intermediary - ensured that the released persons were handed over voluntarily and that their health condition allowed them to travel safely, said James Reynolds, ICRC Head of Delegation in South Sudan.



The ICRC facilitated medical attention as well as accommodation upon arrival in Juba. The organization also offered transport arrangements by land and air for the released persons.



Among the persons handed over to the ICRC figures the 4-year old child of a late IOM-volunteer who died during fighting end of October. The child will be reunited with his father.



This is the fourth time the ICRC facilitates a release of persons held in captivity since the signing of the peace agreement in September 2018.

The ICRC is mentioned as a neutral facilitator for the release of detainees in the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access that was signed between the parties to the conflict in December 2017 as well as a supervisor for the release of detainees in chapter II of the R-ARCSS.


In a pivotal moment for the #MeToo movement, prosecutors in Los Angeles charged Harvey Weinstein with rape and sexual assault on Monday as the once-mighty movie mogul went on trial in New York on separate sexual assault allegations.

The new charges virtually guarantee that whatever the outcome of the New York case, Weinsteins legal battles are likely to last for months and, if hes convicted in either jurisdiction, for many years. If convicted in New York, he could face life in prison. The California charges carry sentences up to 28 years in prison, said Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey. Lacey said more charges could come as Los Angeles-area officials investigate three more womens allegations against Weinstein of sexual misconduct.

Weinstein, 67, arrived in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan hunched over a walker as protesters outside the courthouse demanded justice for the scores of women who say Weinstein abused them.

Mondays session in a packed courtroom was brief and focused mainly on laying out a schedule for the trial. On Tuesday, lawyers will begin trying to choose a jury from an initial pool. The process is expected to take several days as attorneys look for jurors who are not unduly familiar with Weinstein and whose minds havent been made up about his guilt or innocence.

In New York, Weinstein is accused of raping an unidentified woman in a New York City hotel room in 2013 and of sexually assaulting Mimi Haleyi, a former production assistant, in his apartment in 2006. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment. Haleyi has publicly claimed Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her, ripping out her tampon during the encounter. Weinstein has pleaded not guilty to both of the womens claims and has denied all allegations of non-consensual sex, including by women whose cases have not led to criminal charges.

Outside of the courthouse, dozens of Weinsteins accusers, including actors Rose McGowan and Rosanna Arquette, said it was a triumph for sexual assault survivors to see Weinstein face trial. That weve come to this moment of justice is staggering, McGowan said. Actor Sarah Ann Masse, who is among the accusers, called the trial a cultural reckoning regardless of its legal outcome. It is a victory, she said, to see Harvey Weinstein and the systems that have protected him for decades held accountable.

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Reading from a prepared statement, actor Rosanna Arquette said, As one of the Silence Breakers, I stand in solidarity with the brave survivors who will take the stand against Harvey Weinstein in this trial. I join these other brave women who were also harmed by Harvey Weinstein to say: We arent going anywhere.

Harvey Weinstein leaves Manhattan Criminal Court, using a walker, following a hearing on December 11, 2019 in New York. | AFP via Getty Images

Hours after his New York court appearance, Lacey announced that Weinstein was being charged there with raping a woman in 2013 and sexually assaulting another woman the same year. Both incidents occurred during a two-day period, a statement from Laceys office said.

We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then commit violent crimes against them, Lacey said. According to the statement, Weinstein was accused of pushing his way into a womans hotel room on Feb. 18, 2013 and raping her. The following evening, he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at a hotel suite in Beverly Hills.

At a news conference later, Lacey said the accusers had come to police in 2017 in the wake of news stories that fueled the #MeToo movement and led to Weinsteins downfall. She said several other reports were also made to police, including three involving crimes that had occurred outside the statute of limitations and could not be prosecuted. We continue to investigate allegations involving three other women to determine if additional charges will be filed, Lacey added.

One of the accusers in the California cases is expected to testify in Weinsteins New York trial, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said.

In the face of the various accusations against him, Weinstein has remained mostly unapologetic and defiant, even casting himself as a victim. In remarks in December to the New York Post, Weinstein said the allegations had eviscerated the work hes done in the last three decades, calling himself the forgotten man and a pioneer for making more movies directed by women and about women than any filmmaker.

But accusers say the former Miramax head used his clout in all the wrong ways, dangling acting gigs and making clear he could make or break their careers, depending on how they responded to his sexual advances.

He seemed untouchable, says Mary Anne Franks, a University of Miami law professor and an outspoken womens rights advocate. Having society say, in the strongest possible terms, that what happened here was wrong is incredibly validating for the victims, or any victim.

The trial, expected to last about six to eight weeks, comes more than two years after a New York Times expose detailed three decades worth of sexual misconduct allegations against him. The explosive report prompted dozens of women in Hollywoodincluding Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Beckinsale, Angelina Jolie and Lupita Nyongoto come forward with claims that Weinstein had harassed, sexually assaulted or behaved inappropriately with them.

The wave of allegations quickly led to Weinsteins termination from The Weinstein Company, a film studio he built with his brother, and to his arrest in May 2018. In December, a tentative settlement was reportedly reached over lawsuits that dozens of Weinsteins alleged victims have brought against him. Weinstein did not have to admit wrongdoing or make any out-of-pocket payments as part of the agreement, according to the Associated Press.

The trial marks a critical juncture in the #MeToo era, and its outcome could have major implications for future sexual misconduct cases. If Weinstein were to be found guilty, it would be the second major celebrity conviction and victory for #MeToo since comedian Bill Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in 2018. Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison and lost his appeal in December.

Mr. Cosby is sitting in prison and is classified as a sexually violent predator, and now Mr. Weinstein will be facing trial, says attorney Gloria Allred, who fought on behalf of multiple Cosby accusers. Allred now represents Haleyi and Emmy-nominated Sopranos actor Annabella Sciorra, who is expected to testify against Weinstein even though her claim that he raped her in 1993 falls outside the statute of limitations and cannot be prosecuted.

Despite the dozens of accusations from different women, only three cases initially led to charges against Weinstein. One of them was thrown out on Oct. 11, 2018 on grounds that a detective did not tell prosecutors about a witness who had contradicted the accusers account of what had happened. Even so, the prosecution on just two charges is viewed as an achievement, especially given the power that Weinstein is known to have wielded over those who defied him in the film industry.

Weve already actually had victories in even getting the case to court because so many of these cases never ever make it that far, says Tina Tchen, president and CEO of Times Up, an advocacy group launched in 2018 by hundreds of Hollywoods leading women amid #MeToos explosion.

The #MeToo movement went viral in 2017, following a call to action by actor Alyssa Milano, who roused more than 1 million people to speak up on social media about their experiences with sexual harassment and assault from other offenders in offices and on the streets. The massive response highlighted the prevalence of the problem and sparked a social reckoning that changed the norms of how sexual harassment is handled in workplaces.

Since then, at least 15 states have passed new protections to better address sexual harassment and assault, according to the National Womens Law Center, a nonprofit womens rights advocacy group. Illinois now requires all employers to provide workplace sexual harassment training at least once a year or face fines. And in September 2019, New York extended its statute of limitations for certain rape cases, from five to 20 years, giving victims more time to pursue justice.

Companies like Microsoft and Uber have also changed workplace cultures and policies by ending an unpopular practice known as forced arbitration, which requires accusers to settle sexual harassment cases privately.

Tchen, who served as chief-of-staff to former First Lady Michelle Obama, says the outcome of the trial wont impact the movements progress, even if Weinstein is not convicted on all charges.

There is a momentum here that is, at this point, unstoppable, she says. This movement is much bigger than one case, even the Harvey Weinstein case.

Although he may have been the spark that lit the flame here, Tchen adds, this is a flame that has extended far beyond.
There was a time in our country when family planning was the main agenda of every Indian household. For some of us, it is still a prevalent structure of our homes - to get married and have children.

However, thanks to modernisation, a lot of Indians are now opting for birth control and other contraceptive methods in order to have a better and more structured plan around building a family.

There are several birth control methods available for women in India - Sterilisation, contraceptive pills and intra-uterine devices (IUDs). In fact, India was the first country to make family planning as one of its socio-economic development policies back in 1952. Given the obscene population figures of our nation, paying attention to birth control is very important.

Unsplash

In order to adopt these methods, it is vital to be well-informed about every type of birth control there is out there. Only an educated approach to things leads to the best decisions, especially when it is regarding your health.

Birth Control Pills

Oral contraceptive pills are supposed to be taken on a daily basis in order to prevent pregnancy. However, there are women out there who take these pills for other reasons than to just avoid getting pregnant, PCOS being one of the main ones.

These pills help in thickening the cervical mucus along with making the lining of the uterus thinner. This prevents the sperm from fertilising with an egg which further prevents the pregnancy.

According to plenty of studies, it has been determined that out of 100 women who opt for oral contraception, only nine end up getting pregnant.

Birth control pills also have other advantages such as preventing acne, cysts in breasts and ovaries, iron deficiency and PMS. It also helps in regulating your menstrual cycle so that you can have healthier periods. Contrary to popular misconceptions, it is easy to get pregnant once you go off the pill.

However, it is extremely important to get a prescription from a doctor in order to determine which pill is the best for you.

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Female Sterilisation

Getting sterilised is a permanent way to prevent pregnancies and this involves two different procedures - tubal ligation and tubal implants. Both procedures involve the fallopian tubes to be blocked so that the sperm cannot come in contact with the egg.

'Having your tubes tied' or simply tubal ligation works by cutting, sealing, clipping or tying the fallopian tubes.

On the other hand, tubal implants involve a spring-like coil which is placed inside the tubes which further block their way. However, the coil takes around three months to fulfill its purpose and during that time, it is advised to use another form of birth control.

Sterilisation is a very effective way to prevent pregnancies and researchers have concluded that out of 100 women go who opt for it, only one of them might get pregnant.

These procedures should only be done in a medical facility and can be performed under general anesthesia.

Another pro about sterilisation is that it is a private choice and if you dont want anyone to know about it, you can keep it to yourself without anyone ever finding out.

Reuters





Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)

An IUD is a device which is shaped like a T and is just slightly bigger than a coin. The device fits into your uterus and prevents pregnancy by blocking the sperm from reaching the egg. The device also releases small amounts of the hormone progestin which is also available in birth control pills. The type of IUDs that can do that help the woman by making her periods lighter and is a really good decision for those who suffer from heavy periods.

Women who opt for IUDs as birth control measure, their chances of getting pregnant go down as low as 1%.

The best benefit of an IUD is that it lasts for a long time so you dont have to worry about another method to prevent getting pregnant. However, they do not help in preventing STDs and it is best suited for people who are in monogamous relationships.

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However, even if you are well-informed about the various methods of birth control, everything should be done under the supervision of a medical expert and no one else.
(Natural News) As the 2020 presidential election cycle intensifies, the hits just keep on comin for former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

As President Trump defends himself from a bogus impeachment led by Democrats who claim he abused his office by threatening to withhold military aid from Ukraine, most rational, clear-thinking Americans know that in reality, it was Joe Biden as President Obamas point man for that country who actually threatened Kievs leaders.

And why? Because a Ukrainian prosecutor was investigating corruption allegedly linked to a company  Burisma Holdings  in which Hunter Biden was serving as a board member for something like $83,000 per month. Thats great work if you can find it.

But Hunters problems dont start and end in Ukraine. In fact, new evidence has emerged linking him to a Chinese company that invested in a Congolese mine which became the site of massive human rights violations and at least one death.

The Washington Free Beacon reported:

Biden, son of Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden, joined the board of Chinese investment firm BHR in 2013, while his father served as vice president. He purchased a 10 percent stake in the company in 2017 and maintained that stake even after he resigned from the board in October.

Among BHRs investments was the largest cobalt and copper mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Tenke Fungurume mine, where the Congolese military in June executed a brutal crackdown on illegal mining viewed as a threat to the mines bottom line.

After that initial crackdown, the Congolese military has burned houses and targeted dissent in the region, which drew the attention of  and complaints from  human rights organizations.

Given the long history of excessive use of force by the Congolese army and its lack of appropriate training in managing public order, the DRC government must immediately withdraw its armed forces from the mines to avert unlawful killings, said Amnesty International spokeswoman Sarah Jackson in a statement.

Agence France Presse added that the violence reached a peak in August when the military shot and killed a woman.

Foreign corruption is the only thing in DC thats bipartisan

In September, BHR finalized the sale of its share in the mine to a different Chinese firm, which netted the company $1.1 billion. Hunter Bidens legal team has said that BHR shares have not yet paid any dividends, but nevertheless, he will benefit financially upon selling those shares, the Free Beacon reported.

This isnt the only Chinese firm in which Hunter Biden has invested or otherwise had dealings with, in addition to his VP father. (Related: Ukrainian lawmaker reveals Joe Biden was paid $900K in laundered lobbying fees while son Hunter made millions as adviser to corrupt gas company.)

As NewsTarget reports, investigative author Peter Schweizer in October documented what he says is a pattern of multi-year corruption by the Bidens, both in Ukraine and in China, calling on the federal government to investigate and, if evidence is found, to indict the former VP.

In December 2013, Joe and Hunter Biden flew aboard Air Force Two to China; less than two weeks after the trip, Hunters firm, Rosemont Seneca Partners, which he founded with two other businessmen in June 2013, finalized a deal to open a fund, BHR Partners, whose largest shareholder is the government-run Bank of China, even though he had scant background in private equity, Schweizer wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times.

The same was true for Burisma, which is an energy company; before becoming a board member, Hunter had no experience in the energy industry.

For the record, its not just the Bidens, either, whom Schweizer has exposed. He noted that President Trumps transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, and her husband, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), have also been accused of profiting from commercial ties with firms in China (Chao is Taiwanese).

The point is, says Schweizer, there should be a law against such self-enrichment by politicians. But since they have to pass one, fat chance.

Sources include:

FreeBeacon.com

NewsTarget.com

TheNationalSentinel.com
Lenovos ThinkPad X1 Yoga is a premium corporate laptop with 360-degree hinge, and it moves into its 5th generation with the 10th generation of Intel Core processorsthe latest Comet Lake CPUs with vPro security. (The current generation already uses the first wave of 10th-gen chips without vPro.)

Due to ship later in 2020 with a starting price of $1,599, the ThinkPad X1 Yoga will also offer a new display option: a full HD PrivacyGuard Panel that thwarts peekers and offers a maximum brightness of 500 nits. We dont know the cost of this option.

Lenovo The 360-degree hinge allows tablet use. There is an integrated pen.

We do know the major specs for the next ThinkPad X1 Yoga, listed below. Note that ethernet is available only via external dongle (as is true for prior generations, due to the slender chassis):

CPU: Intel 10th-gen (Comet Lake) Core i5 and Core i7, including vPro versions and the 6-core Core i7-10710U

RAM: 8GB to 16GB LPDDR3

Display choices (all 14-inch diagonal):

Full HD (19201080) touch or non-touch, 400 nits maximum brightness

Full HD IPS touch with PrivacyGuard and 500 nits maximum brightness

WQHD (25601440) IPS with 300 nits maximum brightness

HDR 400 UHD (38402160) with 500 nits maximum brightness

Graphics: Integrated

Storage: Up to 2TB PCIe SSD

Connectivity: Two USB 3.1 Gen 1, two Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 1.4, audio jack

Networking: WLAN 802.11ax, ethernet via a Docking Dongle

Dimensions: 12.7 x 8.6 x 0.58 inches

Weight: 2.99 pounds

Battery: 51Wh, estimated 10-15 hours of life

The ThinkPad X1 Yoga also comes with an integrated pen. Lenovo offers other pen options. The chassis is made mostly of aluminum, but the bottom panel is magnesium.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga will be among the first laptops to use the vPro versions of Intels Comet Lake chips. Well look forward to learning more about the CPU and the laptop it runs if we have an opportunity to review this model.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
HUNTINGTON, W.VA. -- A 30-year-old Detroit man is wanted by police in connection with a shooting at a West Virginia bar on New Years day according to the Associated Press. Kymonie Desean Davis is accused of allegedly shooting seven people during an incident at the bar before fleeing the scene.

Huntington police say Davis is charged with seven counts of wanton endangerment and one count of malicious wounding. The seven people shot during the dispute were reported to be in stable condition. Police say Davis is considered armed and dangerous and anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Huntington police.

Any incident of this nature in the downtown or in any of our neighborhoods is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, said Mayor Steve Williams.

In a post on the departments Facebook page, Huntington police say Davis is also wanted for burglary and domestic battery while also being wanted in Illinois on fraud charges.
MIAMI  Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby was arrested on a battery charge Thursday night in Miami after arguing with a music promoter over payment for a performance, Miami police said in an arrest warrant.

After police arrested the rapper, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, they found a warrant for his arrest from Texas, also on a battery charge. He was booked into the Miami-Dade jail just before midnight Thursday and a judge ordered him held without bond on Friday because of the Texas warrant.

Kirk will stay in custody until further notice, Miami-Dade Corrections spokesman Juan Diasgranados said in an email.

Kirk, whos best known for his single Suge, was in South Florida for a New Years Eve performance at a Miami Beach nightclub. Thursdays incident began at Novotel Miami Brickell, where Kirk was staying, the arrest report said.

Kirk, 28, approached the music promoter, who said hed made an agreement with the rapper to perform at Cafe Iguana in nearby Pembroke Pines, the report said. The man told police he gave Kirk $30,000 but when the rapper counted it he claimed it was $10,000 short. When Kirk demanded the money, an argument broke out and Kirk punched a man who was with the music promoter.

The promoter told police he fled to his hotel room out of fear for his safety. The man who was punched told investigators that one of the men with Kirk took his cellphone, a bank card and $80 in cash.

Later in the evening, Kirk returned to the hotel and the two victims identified him to police, who arrested him. The arrest report said Kirk denied involvement in the incident.

An email sent to Kirks representative seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Last week, Kirk was handcuffed and cited in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, on charges of marijuana possession and resisting an officer.

Police in that case said officers working outside the concert venue, Bojangles Arena, noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from the van that brought Kirk there. Officers say they approached the vehicle and could see marijuana in plain view through the windows by using their flashlights.

The police statement said that gave them probable cause to take further action. Officers said they waited until after the concert and approached Kirk as he was exiting the venue around 11 p.m., but he walked away and refused to speak to them.

They eventually detained him in handcuffs and searched the vehicle.

Officers, who said they found less than a half-ounce (14 grams) of marijuana, took him to the sheriffs department but decided ultimately to issue him citations and let him leave in lieu of making an arrest.

Kirk later told reporters he believes officers unlawfully searched his car while he was on stage .

They follow me, they pull us over for no reason, they search our cars, Kirk said.

The department said it has launched an internal affairs investigation to determine whether officers followed all department procedures.

Before the concert, Kirk had handed out toys to underprivileged children in Charlotte.

Kirk was nominated in 2019 for best rap performance and best rap song for Suge.
Rev1 Ventures, a Columbus, Ohio-based venture capital firm and startup studio, launched a $15m fund.

Backed by The Ohio State University and Nationwide Childrens Hospital, the $15MM Rev1 Catalyst Fund II aims to back life sciences companies (spinouts and healthcare innovators) advancing research-based healthcare innovation.

The fund was founded on the results of the Rev1 Life Sciences Fund I, which supports a portfolio of companies driving the creation of innovative therapies and solutions, and has generated more than $250MM in exits, including the recent acquisitions of Celenex and Myonexus.

Led by Tom Walker, president and CEO, Rev1 Ventures Rev1 Ventures is an investor startup studio that combines capital and strategic services to allow startups to scale and corporates to innovate.

The firm has $100MM in capital under management.

FinSMEs

03/01/2020
Burma Lawyers to Sue Naypyitaw Police for Naming Raped Toddler

Police officers hold a press conference on the toddler rape case in Naypyitaw on Dec. 19, 2019. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

Naypyitaw  Lawyers are planning to sue and ask for compensation from the police after officers revealed the identities of the raped toddler and her relatives in a widely watched press conference in Naypyitaw.

Lawyers will sue the police under the Child Rights Law and also file a civil case against them in order to demand compensation for mental anguish inflicted on the victim.

We are still considering at which court to sue the police, said lawyer U Khin Maung Zaw, as the lawsuit has to be at a specific court depending on the amount of compensation they want to demand for the victim.

The lawsuit has to be filed at the regional high court for an amount higher than 1 billion kyats (US$680,000) and for lower amounts a district-level court can be used.

The father of the victim on Dec. 27 handed over the power of attorney to writer U Htin Lin Oo, who is helping the girls family, to open cases against the police. And U Htin Lin Oo again handed over the power of attorney to the Independent Lawyers Association of Myanmar (ILAM) on Thursday.

U Htin Lin Oo together with other backers has formed a committee to support the girl and her family. The ILAM will file the lawsuit against the police under Article 101 of the Child Rights Law, which bars identifying and obtaining information about a minor involved in a case.

The ILAM would file the lawsuit against the police officers who revealed the identities of the victim and her relatives, said lawyer U Khin Maung Zaw.

The Myanmar Police Force has made no comment. Naypyitaws Dekkhinathiri District Court on Dec. 18 discharged Ko Aung Gyi, who was controversially accused of being the perpetrator in the toddler rape case, over lack of evidence.

In a live-streamed press conference the following day, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Brigadier General Soe Naing Oo, and Police Colonel Min Han revealed the identity of the victim.

The police later posted on their Ye Zarni Facebook page a handwritten complaint filed by the parents. The complaint reveals the names of the victim and her parents, as well as their address and occupations.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Yangon and Mandalay calling for the police officers to be punished.

The 3-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted at the Wisdom Hill nursery school in Zabuthiri Township on May 16. She was 2 at the time.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

You may also like these stories:

Lawyers to Sue Naypyitaw Police for Naming Raped Toddler

Raped Toddlers Parents Prepare to Sue Myanmar Police for Naming Victim

Protesters Call for Action Against Police for Revealing Toddler Rape Victims Identity
ANSONIA - A man who was armed with a knife was shot and killed by Ansonia police after a domestic dispute Thursday night.

In a statement, Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch said at about 8 p.m. Thursday, while investigating a domestic violence incident at 81 Myrtle Ave., there was an officer involved shooting when officers from the Ansonia Police Department were confronted by the suspect who was armed with a knife.

A State Police investigation is underway involving the use of deadly force by Ansonia police.

In a statement, State Police said Western District Major Crime Squad detectives were requested by Danbury States Attorney Steve Sedensky to assume the investigation of a use of force incident.

In accordance with a set of state laws outlining the process, states attorneys from another jurisdiction than the department involved are asked to review the case and determine whether the officer or officers who fired during the incident were justified in using deadly physical force.

Earlier Friday morning, Mayor David Cassetti said the man came out of a Mrytle Street house and fired a shot at police and officers returned fire, fatally shooting the man.

John Shields, who lives a few houses from the shooting scene said his girlfriend heard two shots fired around 7:50 p.m. Thursday.

She then saw two ambulances and a slew of police cars arrived on the scene, Shields said.

The location of the shooting is on the same street where Christine Holloway was found murdered last month and her 1-year-old daughter Vanessa Morales was found missing.

State Police said it the investigation has no relation to the Vanessa Morales case.

Check back for updates.

Lisa Backus and Jim Shay contributed to this report.
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Avian diseases are caused by pathogenic viral antigens which are highly contagious and extremely widespread amongst birds. Mostly wild birds living in aquatic habitats are their primary natural hosts. However, domesticated birds such as poultry can also be infected. Most avian viruses cause only mild disease in poultry and are termed as low pathogenic viruses. Highly pathogenic viruses can also develop from certain low pathogenic viruses and can kill up to 90-100% of the flock. Diagnosis of such avian infection is of prime importance to determine the pathogenic antigens. Avian Antisera which are used to determine antigens are used for agglutination tests and work as an aid in the diagnosis of certain avian diseases. These tests incorporating avian antisera are used to determine bot qualitative and semi-quantitative tests. The avian antisera is used primarily as one of the screening procedure and cane be extremely useful when large numbers of antigens needs to be examined.

Avian viruses can sometimes also affect mammals and humans too, usually after close contact with infected poultry. These infections in humans are associated with mild respiratory disease and also cause mild to severe illness. Therefore, diagnosis using avian antisera has become a common lineage. For instance in Asia, the deadly avian H5N1 HPAI viruses have caused life-threatening infections, with 850 laboratory-confirmed cases since 1997, confirmed through avian antisera. The main driver of the avian antisera market is the rising incidence avian viral diseases developed due to respiratory secretions of birds, host species and other factors. These feces are associated with large number of viral components and the fecal oral route is thought to predominate in wild bird reservoirs. Routinely uncleansed avian reservoirs can lead to avian diseases

Interesting.? Apply For A Sample Report @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/29479

On the basis of Product types, the Avian Antisera market is segmented into:

Adenovirus Avian Antisera

Influenza Avian Antisera

Leukosis Avian Antisera

Nephritis Avian Antisera

Paramyxovirus Avian Antisera

Pneumovirus Avian Antisera

Reovirus Avian Antisera

Rotavirus Avian Antisera

On the basis of Route of Administration, the Avian Antisera market is segmented into:

Injectable Route

Oral Route

On the basis of Application, the Avian Antisera market is segmented into:

Neutralizing Activity

Immunodiffusion

Hemagglutination inhibition (HI)

Immunoblotting

On the basis of Product State, the Avian Antisera market is segmented into:

Liquid State

Lyophilized State

On the basis of End Users, the Avian Antisera market is segmented into:

Animal Hospitals

Academic and Research Institutes

Contract Research Organizations

Pharma and Biotech Companies

Globally, leading avian antisera manufacturers are interested developing and commercializing their avian antisera products for detecting certain febrile avian diseases. These are the most preferable methods where other methods seem to fail. Although other avian diagnose methods are available, still avian antisera method for diagnosis seem the most preferred choice amongst laboratory clinicians. The products are also highly reliable and cost effective. These avian antisera products and kits are can be used in agglutination tests and also in conjunction with Febrile Antigens for positive and negative controls.

North America avian antisera market including the U.S. and Canada collectively, will contribute largest market revenue globally. Launch of novel avian antisera pipeline products in the US will contribute to the rise of global avian antisera market. European market is anticipated to be the second largest market in global Avian Antisera market due to highly advanced healthcare facilities to treat various avian disease and related complications. East Asia with presence of the developed economies in the world and growing healthcare sectors will boost the product market for avian antisera. South Asia is anticipated to be the fastest growing market in avian antisera during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing awareness amongst the authorities of poultry farm authorities and other animal reservoirs. Besides, growing health care infrastructure is also the key to the avian market growth. Moreover, growing both demographically and economically, South and ASEAN countries are also expected contribute significantly to the Avian Antisera market in South Asia due to increase demand for poultry based food products. It is also anticipated that Middle East & Africa and Latin America will also show considerable growth for the avian antisera market in the forecasting period.

Some of the Key manufacturers operating in the global Avian Antisera market include Charles River, GD Animal Health, Jackson ImmunoResearch Inc, Abcam plc, Merck KGaA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. These key manufacturers are using advanced research and development tools to develop pipeline products and regulatory approvals of such products could bring new treatment options for Avian Antisera drugs. This will exercise in global product expansion and offerings, strengthen their product line, and eventually gain strong market share.

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The report covers exhaustive analysis on:

Global Avian Antisera segments

Global Avian Antisera dynamics

Historical actual market size, 2014 - 2018

Global Avian Antisera size & forecast 2019 to 2029

Global Avian Antisera current trends/issues/challenges

Competition & companies involved

Global Avian Antisera drivers and restraints

Regional analysis includes
The Luxembourg royals delighted fans yesterday by releasing a rare snap of the whole family as they holidayed together in Switzerland.

In the candid picture, which was shared to Facebook, Grand Duke Henri, 64, and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 63, could be seen cuddling up with their family as they posed with a snowman wrapped up in a hat and scarf.

The snap features Prince Felix, 35, and his wife Princess Claire, 34, with their children Princess Amalia, 5, and Prince Liam, 3, as well as Prince Louis, 33, with his children Prince Gabriel, 13, and Prince Noah, 12, and Princess Alexandra, 28, and Prince Sebastien, 27.

Meanwhile Crown Prince Guillaume, 38, and his wife Princess Stephanie, 35, who recently announced they were expecting their first child, could also be seen peeking out from the back of the group.

Luxembourg's first family delighted fans yesterday after releasing a rare full-family snap as they holidayed together in Switzerland (pictured left-right, Princess Amalia, 5, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, 63, Grand Duke Henri, 64, Prince Liam, 3, Prince Felix, 35, Princess Claire, 34, Princess Alexandra, 28, Prince Louis, 33, Princess Stephanie, 35, Prince Guillame, 38, Prince Noah, 12, Prince Gabriel, 13, Prince Sebastien, 27)

The image was shared with the caption reading: 'The Grand-Ducal family gathered for the holidays under the sun in Switzerland.'

Standing outside in the sunshine, the family looked to be in great spirits as they celebrated the festive season together.

All family members appeared relaxed in the photograph as they huddled around, having built a snowman and adorned him with a hat and scarf.

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa appeared in the forefront of the image wrapped up in a fur gilet while holding the hand of Princess Amalia, who wore a fetching pink unicorn onesie for the snap.

It comes weeks after Princess Stephanie and Crown Prince Guillaume announced they are expecting their first child together

And Prince Noah leaned into his brother Prince Gabriel, who could be seen cradling a small puppy in his arms.

Their mother Tessy Antony-de Nassau, who divorced Prince Louis in April 2019, did not appear to be in the photograph.

Meanwhile the newly pregnant Princess Stephanie beamed as she stood alongside husband Crown Prince Guillaume.

The couple announced they were expecting their first child at the beginning of December and are set to become parents in May 2020, according to a statement by the Marshal of the Court.

The couple announced they are expecting at the start of December, sharing a series of portraits to mark the occasion

It comes after a year filled of heartache for the royal couple, with Stephanie's father passing away in January, before the death of Guillaume's grandfather war hero Grand Duke Jean in April.

In a statement released on December 6th, the Luxembourg royals said they were 'delighted with the news and share [the couple's great joy].

It read: 'Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Duchess are immensely pleased to announce that the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess are expecting their first child. The birth is scheduled for May.

The history of Luxembourg's royal family Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy in which the Grand Duke holds executive power and bills only become law with his signature. Its monarchy is one of the youngest in Europe and began in 1815 following the Congress of Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Full independence under the Grand Dukes came just under 20 years later, when the Treaty of London enshrined Luxembourg's existence in international law and ended years of rule by the Burgundians, French, Prussians and the Dutch. Although part of Luxembourg was later incorporated into what would, in 1839, become Belgium, the country remained intact through the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and the First and Second World Wars. In 1890 the grand duchy passed to Adolf, Duke of Nassau who ruled until 1905 - he was famed for his efforts to strengthen the territory's autonomy. But, during the war, Luxembourg was occupied by German troops. The royal family fled and a government-in-exile was established in London. In 1964 Grand Duchess Charlotte abdicated in favour of her son, who becomes Grand Duke Jean. In 2000, Crown Prince Henri became Grand Duke of Luxembourg on the abdication of his father, Jean. Crown Prince Henri remains in his position today. Much of the executive power lies with the prime minister - a grand duke appointee - and his cabinet. The duchy's figurehead remains a powerful and influential figure. Advertisement

'The Grand Duke, the Grand Duchess and the members of both families are delighted with the news and share their great joy.'

The palace released a series of portraits of the prince and princess to mark their announcement.

Prince Guillaume is the eldest child of Grand Duke Henri Luxembourg and his wife Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and the heir to the Luxembourg throne.
FIEL - In this image made from video taken on Dec. 22, 2019, and provided by Oakbank Balhannah CFS, a koala drinks water from a bottle given by a firefighter in Cudlee Creek, South Australia. Thousands of koalas are feared to have died in a wildfire-ravaged area north of Sydney, further diminishing Australia's iconic marsupial, while the fire danger accelerated Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 in the countryOs east as temperatures soared. (Oakbank Balhannah CFS via AP, File)

A skycrane drops water on a bushfire in scrub behind houses in Bundoora, Melbourne, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. New Year???s Eve fireworks in Australia???s capital and other cities have been canceled as the wildfire danger worsens in oppressive summer heat, and pressure was building for Sydney???s iconic celebrations to be similarly scrapped.(Ellen Smith/AAP Images via AP)

In this image made from video, an aerial scene shows fires burning in Bundoora, Victoria state, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. New Year???s Eve fireworks in Australia???s capital and other cities have been canceled as the wildfire danger worsens in oppressive summer heat, and pressure was building for Sydney???s iconic celebrations to be similarly scrapped. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Channel 7, Channel 9 via AP)

A burnt-out residence is seen in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (James Ross/AAP Images via AP)

In this image made from video, an aerial scene shows fires burning in East Grippsland, Victoria state, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states Tuesday trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions, destroyed many properties. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Channel 7, Channel 9 via AP)

A fire is extinguished behind a house in Mollymook, New south Wales, Australia, Tuesday, Derc. 31, 2019. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states have trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions, destroyed many properties and caused at least two fatalities. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Channel 9, Channel 7 via AP)

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - A dead Kangaroo is seen in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (James Ross/AAP Images via AP)

This Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 photo provided by State Government of Victoria shows wildfires in East Gippsland, Victoria state, Australia. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday, Dec. 31, and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (State Government of Victoria via AP)

In this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 photo provided by State Government of Victoria, a helicopter tackles a wildfire in East Gippsland, Victoria state, Australia. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday, Dec. 31, and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (State Government of Victoria via AP)

This Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 photo provided by State Government of Victoria shows wildfires in East Gippsland, Victoria state, Australia. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday, Dec. 31, and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (State Government of Victoria via AP)

This Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 photo provided by State Government of Victoria shows wildfires in East Gippsland, Victoria state, Australia. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday, Dec. 31, and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (State Government of Victoria via AP)

In this satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel Imagery, 2020 twitter page acquired Dec. 31, 2019, shows wildfires across South Australia. (Copernicus Sentinel Imagery via AP)

In this satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel imagery, 2020 twitter page dated Dec. 31, 2019, shows wildfires burning across Australia. (Copernicus Sentinel Imagery via AP)

In this satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel Imagery, 2020 twitter page dated Dec. 31, 2019, fires burning around Sydney, Australia. (Copernicus Sentinel Imagery via AP)

Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. (Robert Oerlemans via AP)

In this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, aerial photo, acres of scorched land are seen in Bairnsdale, Australia. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. (Glen Morey via AP)

In this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, aerial photo, wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale, Australia. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. (Glen Morey via AP)

In this image released Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in Gippsland, Australia, smoke rises from wildfires burning in East Gippsland, Victoria. Thousands of tourists are fleeing Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. Cooler weather has aided firefighting and allowed people to replenish supplies. (DELWP Gippsland via AP)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison tours the fire devastated Wildflower farm owned by Paul and Melissa Churchman in Sarsfield, Victoria, Friday, January 3, 2020. Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot weather and strong winds in the forecast worsen Australia's already-devastating wildfires. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)

A helicopter carries a water bucket to douse a fire near Bendalong, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot, windy weather worsens Australia's devastating wildfires. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Firefighters battles a fire near Bendalong, Australia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot, windy weather worsens Australia's devastating wildfires. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

A helicopter tackles a wildfire in East Gippsland, Victoria state, Australia. Credit: State Government of Victoria via AP

A total of 20 people have died as bushfires continue to tear through parts of Australia.

New South Wales has been the worst-affected state, where fires have burned more than 9.9 million acres of land.

Thousands have been forced to flee and seek shelter, while more than 1,300 homes have been destroyed.

Are you from Northern Ireland and been affected by the Australia fires? Contact us at digital.editorial@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Among the dead are three volunteer firefighters. A week-long state of emergency is in force.

Expand Close Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. (Robert Oerlemans via AP) AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. (Robert Oerlemans via AP)

In the town of Mallacoota, on the Victoria coast, 1,000 people have been evacuated by the Australian navy after becoming trapped when bushfires encircled the town.

Some 4,000 residents and tourists had fled to the beach on Monday night as the fires closed in.

Strong winds and high temperatures are forecast for the weekend, with officials warning of "widespread extreme fire danger".

On Friday, traffic was gridlocked in many affected areas as people fled and firefighters escorted convoys of evacuees to safety.

Andrew Crisp, emergency management commissioner for Victoria, urged people to leave as soon as possible.

"It is forecast we will see dry thunderstorms coming across the state and the potential of lightning strikes," he said.

"This is your opportunity to get out. It is not just the fires we know [about]. It is the new fires that might start today."
San Franciscos Ittoryu Gozu, a wagyu-centric restaurant where Japanese beef is cooked over open flames in the dining room, has temporarily closed following a kitchen fire on New Years Eve.

According to the San Francisco Fire Departments Twitter feed the night of the incident, firefighters responded to a one-alarm fire at the restaurant at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The fire was extinguished within minutes but Ittoryu Gozu, which is located at 201 Spear St. on the first floor of an 18-floor office tower, had to be evacuated, as did the rest of the building. There were no injuries, according to the SFFD.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, after 130 years of operation, the final passenger train will depart Carlingford Station bound for Clyde.

After that, the line will instead be serviced by bus route 535, before being replaced by the Parramatta Light Rail, which is scheduled to open in 2023.

James Ruse Agricultural High School students board the train at Carlingford Station, on Tuesday August 10, 2010. Credit:Simon Alekna

The seven-stop, four-car, 14-minute journey between Carlingford and Clyde began life as two private railways: the Bennetts Railway from Clyde to Rosehill, opened by Rosehill Racecourse owner John Bennett in 1888, and Benjamin Christian Simpsons railway to Carlingford (then called Pennant Hills) connecting orange orchards with the city and intended to extend north to Dural.

Financial troubles saw both acquired by the state government in 1901.
The rapid growth of online shopping is changing the face of retail in Korea.

Online shopping transactions in November last year surged 20.2 percent on-year to W12.8 trillion, surpassing W12 trillion for the first time (US$1=W1,158).

But total retail sales rose only 2.9 percent over the same period, so now the proportion of online shopping has risen from 20.5 percent in November 2018 to 23.1 percent in the same month last year. In the first quarter of 2013, the first time statistics were tallied, they were worth less than W9 trillion.

One 42-year-old working mother in Seoul has not shopped in a supermarket for more than two months. Just two years ago, she shopped there once a month but now purchases most of her necessities online, from soap to meat and vegetables.

"I compare prices and choose the cheapest products and they are delivered quickly to my doorstep, which is very convenient," she said. "Going to the superstore took up a lot of time, and I often ended up buying things I really didn't need, so one advantage of online shopping is that I'm not tempted to buy more than I need."
A former Chattanooga man who was lost at sea for eight days has reached Honolulu.

Pete Brown is due to be reunited soon with his wife and young son, who are traveling from Taiwan. Friends helped raise money to make their trip possible.

The Chattanooga Christian School graduate had embarked with two friends on a sailboat voyage from Japan to Hawaii. Their sail was destroyed in a storm and they began drifting.

A Navy plane and Coast Guard crews began searching for them after being alerted by the family, which had lost communication with the men. However, they had moved far from the search area.

Fortunately, the sailboat, which had been rigged with an "SOS" marker, was spotted by a merchant ship. That ship, from Singapore, successfully lifted the men from the battered craft.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 3, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has expressed serious concern regarding the latest incidents in Baghdad which have led to human loses, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

We are seriously concerned about the recent incidents in Baghdad which led to human loses as well. They risk further undermining the regional security and destabilizing the situation in the Middle East and beyond. Armenia calls for the de-escalation of situation exclusively through peaceful means.

Armenia will continue to closely cooperate with all its partners aimed at ensuring regional stability and security, the Armenian foreign ministry said.

Earlier today FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan convened a consultation with participation of ambassadors of Armenia accredited in Middle Eastern countries.

Amid ongoing developments in the Middle Eastern region, Armenia FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan held consultations with participation of Armenia's Ambassadors accredited in the countries of the region, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Major General Qassim Suleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran, was killed in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that was authorized by President Donald Trump. Suleimani was killed along with several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran. The air strike as carried out by a US MQ-9 Reaper drone when Suleimanis convoy was leaving the airport.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed retaliation for the killing.

Undoubtedly, the great nation of Iran and other free nations of the region will take revenge for this terrible crime by the criminal Americans," Rouhani said in a public statement published by Irans official news agency.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan
New Delhi, Jan 3 (UNI) Amid indication that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison may cancel his India visit due to major damage caused to life and property in Australia owing prolonged bushfires,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with him on Friday.

"Prime Minister Modi conveyed his heartfelt condolences on behalf of all Indians and on his own behalf on the damage to life and property in Australia due to severe and prolonged bushfires," an MEA statement said here.

PM Modi also stated that he would be looking forward to welcoming Mr Morrison in India on a State Visit "at a mutually convenient time later in the year".

Mr Morrison was scheduled to visit New Delhi to attend the three-day Raisina Hill Dialogue to be hosted in the national capital from January 14.

In the statement, the MEA also said that during his talks with his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Modi also "offered Indias unstinted support to Australia and the Australian people, who are bravely facing this unprecedented natural calamity".

"Expressing his satisfaction at the progress in bilateral relations in recent years, Prime Minister Modi reiterated Indias commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia".

Mr Modi also conveyed his best wishes to Prime Minister Morrison and the people of Australia for the rest of the year 2020, the MEA statement said.

Media reports in Australia suggested that Mr Morrison, who was due to visit India from January 13 to 16 was "inclined not to proceed".

"A planned trip to Japan, which Mr Morrison was due to visit on his way back to Australia, is also in doubt," The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

UNI DEVN 1905
Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq, was one of the Iranian regime's most powerful figures  and the mastermind of its regional ambitions.

Why he mattered: As the leader of the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Soleimani was as revered by Iran's proxies and supporters across the region as he was reviled by Iran's foes, who considered him the mastermind of state-sponsored terrorism.

The big picture: A worthy-of-your-time 2013 profile by Dexter Filkins in The New Yorker, "The Shadow Commander," highlights why Soleimani was one of the most significant figures in the Middle East:

"Soleimani ... has sought to reshape the Middle East in Iran's favor, working as a power broker and as a military force: assassinating rivals, arming allies, and, for most of a decade, directing a network of militant groups that killed hundreds of Americans in Iraq."

"His power comes mostly from his close relationship with [Iran's ruler, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] ... The Supreme Leader, who usually reserves his highest praise for fallen soldiers, has referred to Soleimani as 'a living martyr of the revolution.' Soleimani is a hard-line supporter of Irans authoritarian system."

"[H]e has remained mostly invisible to the outside world, even as he runs agents and directs operations. 'Suleimani is the single most powerful operative in the Middle East today,' John Maguire, a former C.I.A. officer in Iraq, told me."

The state of play: The very core of Iran's strategy of power projection in the region, which blends militant and state power" and is highlighted by its backing of Hezbollah in Lebanon, was crafted by Soleimani, according to a piece by former FBI agent Ali Soufan for the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.

"More than anyone else, Soleimani has been responsible for the creation of an arc of influence  which Iran terms its 'Axis of Resistance'  extending from the Gulf of Oman through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea."

"Soleimani, should he be so minded, could drive his car from Tehran to Lebanons border with Israel without being stopped. And, as the Mossad chief Yossi Cohen has pointed out, the same route would be open to truckloads of rockets bound for Irans main regional proxy, Hezbollah."

Go deeper:
Oil prices jumped more than 4 percent on Friday after senior Iranian and Iraqi military leaders were killed in a United States air raid near Baghdad airport, raising concerns that escalating Middle East tensions may disrupt oil supplies.

Brent crude futures were up by nearly $3 at $69.16 per barrel, the highest since September 17, as markets feared Iran could retaliate against the killing of one of its top military leaders by attacking assets of the US and its allies in the Middle East.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose $1.76, or 2.9 percent, to $62.94 a barrel. Earlier, it touched $63.84 a barrel, its highest since May 1.

Certainly Iran is going to retaliate in some way  retaliations will come, as they have in the past, in what we call an asymmetrical way. Theyre not going to confront the US directly but they will perhaps attack Saudi tankers again, maybe Saudi oil refineries again, John Tirman, executive director at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for International Studies, told Al Jazeera.

An air raid near the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq early on Friday killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCs) Quds Force and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The US confirmed that it carried out the attack, with the Pentagon announcing in a statement that this strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

The statement said the operation was carried out on the order of US President Donald Trump, who tweeted a picture of the US flag hours after the news broke.

The fact is that Iran will come back and hit US assets or the assets of US allies in the region, and they will do so repeatedly over a period of time, Tirman said.

Thats really the big question in my mind  are we entering a period now of escalation between the US and Iran? he added.

The US has previously blamed Iran for attacking Saudi Aramcos oil refinery in September, which Yemens Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for.

The supply-side risks remain elevated in the Middle East and we could see tensions continue to elevate between the US and Iran-backed militia in Iraq, Edward Moya, an analyst at brokerage OANDA, told Reuters news agency via email.

The US carried out the attack after an Iran-backed militia and other protesters breached the US embassy in Baghdad on New Years Eve.

The attack at the embassy was in response to a US air raid that killed 25 members of the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), also known as the Hashd al-Shaabi group.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks following the embassy incident.

Esper warned that the game has changed and it was possible the US might have to take pre-emptive action to protect US lives.

Gold prices climbed to a four-month high on Friday as spot gold rose 1 percent to $1,543.66 per ounce.

The precious metal is typically seen as a safe investment in times of political and economic uncertainties, and the price was further supported by a decline in the US dollar index.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday emphasised on stronger ties with all countries and outlined his government's vision as he inaugurated the fourth sessions of the parliament, a month after he prorogued the House following his victory in the presidential elections.

The parliament was to meet on December 3, but President Rajapaksa prorogued it for one month and fixed January 3 for the commencement of the next session.

He attended the parliament for the first time as he had never been a member of parliament. The president chose to be attired in European suit, a deviation from all five of his male predecessors who always wore the traditional national dress. In his ceremonial address, the president recalled his familys long association with the assembly and explained that although he was not wearing the family trademark maroon coloured shawl with national dress which claimed to represent the peasants from the deep southern region of Giruwapattuwa, he still had their interests as a priority of his administration.

The president outlined his governments vision for efficiency, eradication of corruption and crime with accelerated infrastructure development to revive the local economy.

READ: Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa To Make Inaugural Parliament Speech On Jan 3

He told the assembly that electoral and constitutional reform would be needed to make Sri Lanka a progressive state. The executive presidency must be strengthened to leave no room for extremist politics, he said. He said that he wants stronger relations with all countries as the foreign policy of his government. We will not fall on our knees before any foreign nation," he said.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 70, a former military officer, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's seventh President on November 18 after he defeated the ruling party candidate Sajith Premadasa by more than 13 lakh votes, marking the return of the powerful Rajapaksa dynasty.

He named his elder brother and former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister after Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party resigned from the post following the election debacle. The 74-year-old leader will function as the prime minister of the caretaker cabinet until the general election in 2020. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is widely expected to dissolve the current assembly by early March to set dates for a fresh parliamentary election end of April or early May.
Actor Sara Ali Khan is sliding into the weekend in style as she is seen having a refreshing time in the clear blue seawater of Maldives.

The actor took to Instagram on Friday to share another bout of her dreamy vacation pictures with her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan.

"I always got your back," the 'Simmba' actor captioned the post expressing never-ending support to her brother.

The actor was seen chilling in a swimming pool in a colourful swimming float while her brother was posing on a flamingo themed swimming float.

The actor looked drop-dead gorgeous in a striped-line design bikini.

Earlier in the day, the actor shared pictures donning a white and sea-green bikini with the clear blue sky and crystal clear water accentuating the actress's beauty.

On work front, Sara is presently vacationing in the exotic islands of the Maldives after ringing in 2020.

She has two films in a loop this year, one of them being the comedy remake of 1995 fame 'Coolie No. 1' along with Varun Dhawan and an untitled project with Imtiaz Ali, which is in the post-production stage.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ryanair today announced Greece as its newest direct link with Armenia. Two new twice weekly routes from Gyumri to Athens and from Yerevan to Thessaloniki will start in May 2020, as part of Ryanairs extended Armenia summer 2020 schedule.

Armenian consumers and visitors can now book their summer holidays to Greece as far out as October 2020, flying on the lowest fares and with the greenest/cleanest major airline in Europe, with the lowest CO2 emissions.

To celebrate its new Armenian routes, Ryanair has launched a massive seat sale with fares available from just 29.99, for travel between May and August 2020 which must be booked by Sunday (5 Jan), only on the Ryanair.com website.

Ryanair is pleased to further develop direct EU links for Armenia with the announcement of brand-new routes from Gyumri to Athens and from Yerevan to Thessaloniki. The Armenian Government Departure Tax exemption for new, environmentally friendly direct routes has more than doubled the number of direct EU routes to Armenia from 6 to 16 in just one year. European tourists and business travellers prefer direct flights with Ryanair, Europes greenest airline, rather than high emission connecting flights through the polluting hubs of Germany, France and Holland, said Ryanairs David OBrien.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Citizenship (Amendment) Act will impact both Hindus and Muslims, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday, appealing to the people to reject the "unnecessary" legislation.

Responding to a question during a town hall meeting here, Kejriwal said he appeals to the Centre with "folded hands" to roll back the "controversial legislation".

"We don't need this law it is completely unnecessary. Where will we accommodate two crore Hindus from Pakistan," the chief minister said.



ALSO READ | Let BJP send suggestions to make city better: Arvind Kejriwal

The Centre should first take care of its citizens and then, people from other countries, he said.

"I do not understand this legislation. The need of the hour is to provide employment to our children rather than bringing this legislation which is not needed in India," Kejriwal said.

Members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and face religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship, according to the Act.

The issue over the amended citizenship law is not about Hindus and Muslims.

The Act will affect people from both religions, Kejriwal said.
This week, Spain's State Attorney recommended the release from prison of the prominent Catalan politician Oriol Junqueras. Junqueras leads the pro-independence ERC, and in October he was sentenced to 13 years behind bars for his role in organising an illegal referendum on Catalan independence in 2017. Coming just ahead of two investiture sessions next week, in which Pedro Sanchez will try to become Spain's next PM, the recommendation suggests there's a close connection between the executive and judicial branches of the government.

Sanchez already has the backing of leftist Unidas Podemos and the Basque national party PNV, but in order to lead the next government he needs the ERC to either vote for him or abstain next week. The Catalan group's support is dependent on Sanchez relaxing his anti-secession stance, so it seems somewhat coincidental that the State Attorney's recommendation departs from the usual government line on how 'independistas' should be dealt with. (Sanchez himself endorsed the sentences last October, which saw nine leading separatists receive nine to 13 years in prison for their roles in the 2017 referendum.)

Could the call for Junqueras' release be a gesture of goodwill from the head of Spain's Prosecution ministry, designed to appease the ERC and end the country's prolonged political deadlock? When seen in this way, the State Attorney's additional request - that Junqueras take up his seat as an MEP, but without the legal immunity usually given to such lawmakers - makes sense, although it's unlikely to be granted by the European Parliament. It's as if the Spanish judiciary aims to satisfy both secessionists and nationalists at the same time, by saying "we want Junqueras out of jail, but not off the hook completely".

The State Attorney's recommendation follows a ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU in December, to the effect that Junqueras gained immunity the moment he was elected as an MEP in May last year. According to this argument, which is now before the Supreme Court for consideration, the ERC leader should never have been put on trial for sedition and misuse of public funds (the offences for which he was found guilty in October), let alone sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Leaving aside the issue of whether politicians should have legal immunity, Junqueras' fate now rests in the hands of the Supreme Court - the very body that put him behind bars in October, in what could be described as a heavily politicised ruling. It's plausible to argue that in present-day Spain there is a very close relationship between law and politics when it comes to Catalan separatists - and not necessarily one that will benefit the ERC's imprisoned leader.
Representative Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) implied on Thursday that President Trump may have ordered the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani to distract the public from impeachment proceedings.

So what if Trump wants war, knows this leads to war and needs the distraction? Omar wrote on Twitter. Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him? I know I will.

Analysts from several news outlets echoed the assumption. CNN analyst Karen Finney wrote that todays air strike feels like attempt to create a distraction from impeachment and build support for Trump, while MSNBC contributor Joyce Alene said it was highly possible then timing of tonights attack was meant as a distraction.

President Trump ordered an airstrike on a convoy near Baghdad International Airport carrying Soleimani on Thursday evening. As head of the Quds Force, a U.S.-designated terror group, Soleimani led intelligence and counterespionage efforts for the IRGC. Also killed in the strike was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi militia leader who led a days-long siege against the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

The U.S. State Department issued a warning to American citizens to leave Iraq in the wake of the attack.

Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately, the agency wrote on Twitter. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on CNN on Friday that Trump had ordered the strike due to an intelligence-based assessment warning of an imminent attack by Iranian forces in the region.

More from National Review
A US strike killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the deputy head of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi military force at Baghdad's airport early Friday, the Hashed announced.

"The deputy head of the Hashed, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road," the group said in a statement.

The international airport was hit in a volley of missiles just after midnight, Iraq's military said.

Security sources said the rockets targeted a Hashed convoy and left eight people dead, including "important figures."



The Hashed is a network of mostly-Shiite armed units, many of whom have very close ties to Tehran, who have been officially incorporated into Iraq's state security forces.

Muhandis is the Hashed's deputy chief but is widely recognised as the real shot-caller within the group.

He has been blacklisted by the US.

Soleimani heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force and also serves as Iran's pointman on Iraq.

On Tuesday, a mob of Hashed supporters surrounded the US embassy in outrage over American air strikes that killed 25 fighters from the network's hardline Kataeb Hezbollah faction, which is backed by Iran.

The US had acted in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The legislation, titled Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act-2020, will fix 64 years as the maximum age limit of the three services chiefs. (Photo Credit: Reuters)

Islamabad:

The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government and the Opposition parties have reached a rare agreement over the proposed amendments to the Army Act to fix the tenure and extension of service of Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, a media report said on Friday. Prime Minister Imran Khan had extended 59-year-old Gen Bajwa's tenure through a notification on August 19. However, the Supreme Court in November suspended the government order, citing irregularities in the manner the army chief, a close confidant of Khan, was granted an extension.

On Wednesday, at an emergency meeting of the Cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Khan, approved amendments to the Army Act, nearly four weeks after it assured the Supreme Court of passing a legislation on the extension and reappointment of an Army chief within six months.

A rare consensus was reached on Thursday, a day before tabling the bill in Parliament to give a three-year extension to Chief of the Army Staff General Bajwa, the Dawn newspaper reported. The legislation, titled Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act-2020, will fix 64 years as the maximum age limit of the three services chiefs and the chairman of the joint chief of staff committee, with the prime minister having the prerogative to give extension to any of them in future after completion of their normal tenure at the age of 60 years and the President having the power to give the final nod.

The main opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) assured the government of its "unconditional" support to the bill, but the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) cautioned the government against haste in the matter to ensure proper and sagacious legislation through Parliament, the report said.

Leaders of the ruling PTI government are confident that the bill will be passed by parliament with the required simple majority on Friday, days after the sessions of the Senate and the National Assembly were convened on a 24-hour notice.

Law Minister Farogh Naseem told reporters in the Parliament House that all parties and stakeholders were on the same page regarding the passage of the bill.

The PML-N has come under severe criticism as its senior leader Khawaja Asif said the support was given on the directives of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been given bail to get medical treatment in London.

"We are hopeful that the bill seeking amendments in the army act, which requires a simple majority, will be passed from both houses unanimously on Friday," PTI chief whip in the National Assembly Amir Dogar was quoted as saying in the report.

He said under a provision the maximum age limit of the Army, Navy and Air Force chiefs and joint chief of staff committee will be 64 years in case they were given extension in their tenures.

A delegation of the ruling party, headed by Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, met with Opposition PML-N leaders on Thursday for bipartisan support for the bill, which is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly on Friday.

After the meeting, the PML-N said it would support the bill as it "does not want the position of COAS to become controversial".

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Congratulations are in order as 41 citizenship candidates gathered at Trenton City Hall on Friday to take the Oath of Allegiance to become U.S. citizens.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services welcomed the new citizens, who emigrated from 23 countries. In addition to family and friends, they were joined by Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-12th) as a keynote speaker.

The foundation of our nation is not by race or religion but its by the principles of freedom liberty and equality and now that youre becoming U.S. citizens, your responsibilitys not only to your country and your family, but to your community," Gusciora said. "We urge you to get active in your community and stay up on the issues of importance of the day.

To the seven citizens that are residents of Trenton, Gusciora said he looks forward to their participation in city affairs and to seeing them take pride in their community and moving the city forward.

Jorge Emelio Garciasalas Alvarado, left, gestures toward friends in the audience after receiving his certificate.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Jorge Emelio Garciasalas Alvarado, originally from Guatemala, now living in Trenton, started his path to citizenship 27 years ago. He is a sexton at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton. I dont have nobody around me right here, family, he said. The church is my family. I love all the people and I think they all love me.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, right, stops on her way to the podium to greet a citizenship candidate.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Watson-Coleman addressed the new citizens congratulating them and welcoming them to the best country in the world.

I am tremendously impressed by the diversity of our new citizens and I know that who you are and what you are and what youll bring to this country will simply make us the best we really can be, she said.She left the citizens with an encouragement to exercise their right as citizens to vote.

Vote if its your school board, vote if its your fire district, vote if its your local council, vote if its your mayor, she said. Every election has consequences, and now your vote can impact them too.

India Duke can be reached at iduke@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Inja_NJ.

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As 2020 resolutions counter temptation, Teri-Lynn Friesen and Elise Page will be waiting to console those who slip  and theyll have ice-cream scoops at the ready.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As 2020 resolutions counter temptation, Teri-Lynn Friesen and Elise Page will be waiting to console those who slip  and theyll have ice-cream scoops at the ready.

Late last year, the creative duo opened Fete  Winnipegs newest coffee and ice-cream parlour, offering an ever-changing menu of 16 made-in-house ice-cream flavours, affogato and, if its Sunday morning, pancakes.

Theres also no pressure to pick a flavour at first sight; the shop offers unlimited samples.

"If you gave up coffee, were here for you when you need to come back. If you gave up sweets, were also here for you," said Friesen, co-owner of the shop at 300 Assiniboine Ave.

"We open again on the 10th; come break your resolutions!"

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Fete Ice cream and coffee shop co-owners Elise Page, right, and Teri-Lynn Friesen have a doggie wall of fame, which displays Polaroid snapshots of pups taken outside the store.

Fete joins a growing list of artisan ice-cream spots in the city (Dug & Bettys Ice Creamery, Milksmith and Chaeban, among others) counting on hardy Winnipeggers and their sweet teeth to keep them in business year-round.

On an otherwise residential stretch in the downtown Broadway-Assiniboine neighbourhood, the businesss east-facing windows look out onto Bonnycastle Dog Park.

Friesen and Page  owners of Bailey the beagle and Zeus the chocolate lab, respectively  said many of their customers are dog owners, animal lovers or passersby on foot or bike. Their shop has a "doggie wall of fame," which displays Polaroid snapshots of pups taken outside the store. For health-code reasons, animals arent allowed inside.

INSTAGRAM Fete Ice Cream and Coffee's east-facing windows look out onto Bonnycastle Dog Park.

True to its name, which translates to "party" in French, the shop has already hosted multiple birthday parties and reunions during its first six weeks in business. (Friesen doesnt speak French, but Page does.)

The 31-year-old entrepreneurs said they were inspired by their grandmothers and their kitchens in brainstorming how to create a welcoming space. Being a mother of 15, Pages grandmother was no stranger to throwing celebrations of all sorts.

Their recipes, however, arent generations-old secrets. The duo only started learning how to make ice cream a little over a year ago.

Friesen has a theatre degree from the University of Winnipeg and Page graduated from the School of Contemporary Dancers. They met as instructors at Masterworks Dance Studio.

It was a casual conversation at the studio that spiralled, eventually combining Friesens ice-cream making hobby (she began experimenting with a small-batch machine and a pack of store-bought mini doughnuts at home) and Pages dream to open up a coffee shop; she already had a business plan.

INSTAGRAM Some of Fete Ice Cream and Coffee's 16 made-in-house flavours.

In Fall 2018, after a short training session, they began to teach themselves how to make ice cream in commercial machines in the University of Manitobas food sciences department.

"It was like detective work. Wed taste it and it was like, OK, still not there. It could be dry or crumbly, so wed go back home and go on the internet," Friesen said.

At one point, they ended up burning a batch, Page recalled.

"You have to heat it up to pasteurize it and so then sometimes, if you dont consistently stir it, then you burn it because theres eggs in it," she said. "Weve also had scrambled eggs in our ice cream."

Within a year, they had perfected their process, bought their own machines and opened their shop. Page, who was pregnant throughout most of the planning process, gave birth to her second child shortly after the November opening.

"I often felt almost judged that I was having to share my time with my family and my business because the business is essentially a baby," she said, adding her supportive husband has made things easier. At the same time, Page said being a mom has also allowed her to find support in others, including her business partner.

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They agreed their artistic backgrounds came in handy when they were launching Fete, thanks to their experiences applying for grants and executing theatre performances and dance choreography.

"If youre going to be an artist in the city, you have to be entrepreneurial. You have to figure out how to get your work shown, how to build a product and bring it to the market," Friesen said.

When the business reopens Jan. 10, there will be a series of "staycation" flavours for Winnipeggers who didnt get a chance to flee the city in favour of a warmer climate over the holidays.

Over their holiday hiatus, theyve been experimenting with Cuban cigar, mojito and toasted coconut and grilled pineapple.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended in Athens Thursday the signing ceremony for the accord to construct the Eastern Mediterranean natural gas pipeline.

The 1,900-kilometer (1,181 miles) link will connect recently discovered, and to-be-found, gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean basin with European markets through Cyprus, Greece and Italy. The project is being developed by IGI Poseidon SA, a joint venture of Greeces state-owned supplier Depa SA and Edison SpA. Italy is set to sign the agreement at a later date.

Today, we did not just sign an advantageous agreement, but also cemented our decision for strategic engagement in a region thats in need of cooperation, Mitsotakis said at the ceremony. EastMed is not a threat to anyone.

OPEC: Russias oil output hits post-Soviet high despite OPEC+ deal

The accord comes just as tensions are increasing in the region after Turkeys contentious agreement that delineates maritime borders with Libya and affirms claims to areas of the Mediterranean the pipeline may cross. The three signatory countries all oppose the deal.

Israels cooperation with Cyprus & Greece adds to security and prosperity in the region and we are not turning against any other country, Netanyahu said.

The deal allows for other countries to join the project, Anastasiades said.

EastMed is not intended to send a message to Turkey, but to promote cooperation in the energy sector at a regional level, Greek Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said Dec. 24.

Turkeys Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said the agreement was a futile attempt to exclude Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state from the energy projects in the region, adding that Turkish Cypriots have equal rights to the islands natural resources.

Turkey is the most commercially feasible and secure route for the utilization of the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean and their transfer to the consumer markets in Europe, including Turkey Aksoy said in a written statement late Thursday. Any project that disregards Turkey cannot succeed, he said.

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The accord includes a clause for ensuring the security of the pipelines operations and contains a single regulatory framework for the facilitation of the project and a common tax regime that will govern it.

Gas purchase

Depa also signed on Jan. 2 with Energean Oil & Gas Plc a letter of intent for the potential sale and purchase of 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from Energeans fields in offshore Israel. The deal is considered a step for the projects commercial viability and its realization. The amount represents 20% of the pipelines initial capacity of 10 bcm a year.

IGI Poseidon in December agreed to fast-track development of the EastMed pipeline and take a final investment decision within two years. The European Union has said it supports the project because it will help diversify its gas supplies and boost energy security. The target of the pipeline is to transport 20 bcm a year while the budget for the initial capacity stage is 5.2 billion euros ($5.81 billion).

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo also underlined American backing for the pipeline when he attended a Cyprus-Greece-Israel trilateral summit in Jerusalem in March.

--With assistance from Selcan Hacaoglu and Constantine Courcoulas.

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
The UK Government has called for a calming of tensions from all aggressors after the US killed Irans top military general in a drone strike.

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Tehrans elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East, was targeted in an attack at Baghdads international airport on Friday.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed the dramatic ratcheting of tensions with Donald Trumps Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later in the day.

But there was criticism of the US for apparently not giving warning of the attack to the UK, which has hundreds of troops deployed in Iraq.

Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the strike as an assassination and called for the Government to stand up to the belligerent actions from the US.

The US President said Gen Soleimani was targeted because he was plotting to kill many Americans and that he should have been taken out many years ago.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that severe revenge awaits the criminals behind the strike and announced three days of national mourning.

Mr Raab issued a statement saying the Government had always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by the general.

Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests, Mr Raab added.

The Secretary of State thanked Mr Raab in a phone call for recognising the aggressive threats posed by the Quds Force in his statement, according to US spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.

Mr Pompeo was also said to have stressed that the White House remains committed to de-escalation.

The president did not tone down his rhetoric, however, and later tweeted: He should have been taken out many years ago!

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been celebrating the new year on the private Caribbean island of Mustique, is yet to comment and Number 10 would not discuss his travel plans.

Prominent Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who was chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the last Parliament, was critical of the US for not giving the UK warning of the attack, though the Government did not confirm it was not briefed in advance.

He urged the White House to share much more closely with allies in the future, adding to the BBC that the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other.

The Ministry of Defence said there are around 400 British troops deployed in Iraq as part of the UKs fight against the Islamic State terror group.

A further 500 personnel are based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus which flies fast jets and reconnaissance planes over Iraq and Syria, the MoD added.

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Mr Corbyn said the US assassination of the general is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance.

The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States, the MP added.

All countries in the region and beyond should seek to ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict, which can only bring further misery to the region, 17 years on from the disastrous invasion of Iraq.

Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary bidding to become the next Labour leader, criticised the PM for having pathetically unopposed Mr Trumps decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.

The Foreign Offices call for restraint today is too little and far too late, in the wake of such a brazen, unlawful and provocative attack, she added.

Other potential Labour leaders also weighed in on the attack, with shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer calling it an extremely serious situation and urged the UK to engage, not isolate Iran.

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Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister who served as a captain in the Army, tweeted this is big, adding: Expect repercussions.

Dr Jack Watling, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute defence think tank, said Iran would strike back but would take care not to provoke a full-scale conflict.

And he said that British citizens could face capture or arrest in the region if the UK was seen by Iran to be working with the US in the situation.

The Iranians do not draw a direct line between the UK and US. However, if the UK is perceived to be participating in US actions then they will directly target UK interests, Dr Watling said.

The Foreign Office advises British-Iranian dual nationals against all travel to Iran and for other British nationals to seek the departments advice before travelling to the nation.

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British nationals risk being arbitrarily detained or arrested by Tehran, the department warns.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been among the dual nationals being held in Iran since she was arrested in 2016 and accused of spying while visiting family.

Her husband Richard Ratcliffe told ITVs Good Morning Britain: I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where theyre all really worried.
Washington [US], Jan 03 (ANI): Iraqis are celebrating the death of Iran's elite Quds Force chief, General Qassem Soleimani, by "dancing in the street", said US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo while sharing a video of people holding a rally.

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

In the 22-second video which Pompeo shared on Twitter, people are seen running on a road carrying a several meter-long Iraq national flag. The video is of some unspecified location in Iraq.This comes hours after the United States confirmed that Soleimani has been killed in a defence strike near Baghdad International Airport."Iraqis -- Iraqis -- dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more," Pompeo tweeted.



Besides Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and five others were also killed in the US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport, reported Iraqi officials and state television.

The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protesters attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad.

The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces. (ANI)
The Cross River Government has given a 7-day ultimatum to traders on illegal structures along major streets in Calabar to relocate their businesses to Watt or Marian markets or face demolition.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr Mfon Bassey, gave the ultimatum on Friday in Calabar during an inspection tour from the Nipost office in Calabar down to Watt Market in view of clearing the hawking activities on the pedestrian way that impeded the free flow of persons and vehicles.

While addressing the hawkers at different points, Bassey said that the state government was committed to a clean and green environment, hence the need to relocate all roadside sellers back to the markets.



He told the hawkers that the ministry had earlier issued an ultimatum on Dec. 27, 2019, asking them to remove all illegal structures, shanties and containers from the roadside.

He said structures on drainages should be removed also to allow for a free flow of water when the rains come.

Bassey said the exercise was to ensure a more organised Calabar and prevent flooding during the rainy season.

He added that defaulters of the notice given would face stiffer sanctions and demolition of their structures.

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President Trump on Friday afternoon addressed the U.S. drone strike in Baghdad that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, saying the strike was meant to stop a war rather than start one.

We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war, Trump told reporters in Florida. We do not seek regime change. However, the Iranian regimes aggression in the region  must end, and it must end now.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed Thursday when the U.S. successfully executed a precision strike at Baghdad International Airport. The attack sparked immediate international alarm about how Iran would retaliate.

The Iranian general, the number one terrorist anywhere in the world, was responsible for the murders of hundreds of American civilians and servicemen, Trump said, and had been planning imminent and sinister attacks on more Americans.

We caught him in the act and terminated him, Trump said. Under my leadership, Americas policy is unambiguous to terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American. We will find you. We will eliminate you.

The administration blames the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia for a rocket attack that killed a U.S. defense contractor at a U.S. military compound in northern Iraq last week. Afterwards, on Monday and Tuesday, hundreds of militiamen and protesters supporting Iran clashed with American security forces at the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and laid siege to the embassy compound, with some chanting Death to America.

The president promised to protect Americans around the globe and U.S. allies in the aftermath, saying the U.S. is ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary.

The administration plans to deploy 4,000 additional troops to the Middle East to handle the fallout from Soleimanis death.

The world is a safer place without these monsters, Trump said. The future belongs to the people of Iran, those who seek peaceful coexistence and cooperation.

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BRIDGEPORT  A Waterbury man is facing 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Friday to killing a 61-year-old woman and severely injuring two pedestrians while he was fleeing police.

Joseph Guzman-Rivera, 24, of Cliff Street, pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter, two counts of first-degree assault, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, cruelty to animals and interfering with police.

But the plea deal did not sit well with Michele Tomczyk, whose sister, Susan Tomczyk, died in the horrific crash in 2017.

I dont feel this is a just sentence and I would like to take it to trial, she told Superior Court Judge Joan Alexander.

But the judge responded she cant prevent someone from pleading guilty.

I can never give the right sentence because the right sentence is that it never happened and I just cant do that, the judge stated.

The maximum Guzman-Rivera could have faced on the manslaughter charge was 20 years.

Under the plea deal, Guzman-Rivera will be sentenced to 14 years in prison followed by special parole when he is sentenced March 20.

A plea made under the Alford Doctrine means Guzman-Rivera did not admit to all the facts of the case but conceded he could be found guilty if he went to trial. The judge then found him guilty.

According to Supervisory Assistant States Attorney C. Robert Satti Jr., shortly after 1 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2017, a state police sergeant attempted to pull Guzman-Riveras car over on South Avenue for having dark tinted windows and an illegible rear license plate.

However, the prosecutor said, Guzman-Rivera instead sped up, driving through residential areas and a school zone at high speed.

Susan Tomczyk had just left her doctors office where she had gotten a clean bill of health on her new hip replacement and was headed to her Bridgeport home when, Satti said, Guzman-Rivera blew through the red traffic light at the intersection of Iranistan and Railroad avenues plowing into the side of a Tomczyks Toyota sedan and forcing her car into a cement wall.

Tomczyk was pronounced dead an hour later from multiple injuries at St. Vincents Medical Center.

After striking Tomczyks car, Satti said, Guzman-Rivera continued driving, striking two pedestrians, William Falcon, 61, and 65-year-old Zordia Mendez.

Police said Falcon was pinned under Guzman-Riveras car and caught in a telephone guide wire. Firefighters had to lift the car off him with a hydraulic jack resulting in the amputation of Falcons left ankle.

Mendez suffered a fractured left leg and bruises and abrasions on his head and ribs.

Guzman-Rivera ignored Falcons screams from beneath his car and instead fled his car, jumping fences and running through rear yards to get away, police said.

Using the state police tracking dog Nero, police said they traced Guzman-Rivera to a basement on Lewis Street.

During a struggle with the dog, police said, Guzman-Rivera began to gouge the animals eyes and punch Nero in the head and face. State police said they hit Guzman-Rivera three times in the chest with a baton to get him to release his grip on the dog.

During a search of Guzman-Rivera, the prosecutor said, police found nine bundles and three folds of heroin, 12 bags of crack cocaine, four bags of powder cocaine and $250 hidden in his underwear.
Good Morning America

The Biden administration's plan to send 500 million at-home tests to Americans for free is an historic undertaking, but one that will take weeks or months to fully execute, recently released contracts and interviews with seven test manufacturers suggest. Contracts for the first two batches of tests were announced on Friday, one for 13.3 million kits from a health technology company and another for an undisclosed amount from a distribution company in Virginia that had extras on hand -- all to be distributed in an effort to reduce the massive testing shortage in the U.S. Tests won't be available to be ordered through a government website until later this month, the official said, meaning it's unlikely the average American will get free tests delivered in time for the January peak of omicron cases predicted by most models.
With Iran vowing to avenge the death of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, two congressmen serving Central and Western Massachusetts asked Friday for President Donald J. Trump to explain his overall strategy  and how his administration will defuse tensions.

There is no question that Qassem Soleimani was a ruthless military commander who had American blood on his hands. But this is a serious and destabilizing escalation that could lead to war, wrote Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, chairman of the House Rules Committee and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Republicans and Democrats alike do not want war with Iran. The American people do not want war with Iran. We are sick and tired of endless wars.

Last nights deadly airstrikes in Iraq that targeted high-level Iranian military officials & killed Iran's top security and intelligence commander Qassem Soleimani was done without an AUMF or the consultation of Congress. That is simply unacceptable. https://t.co/wYNJeoiFhh  Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) January 3, 2020

Calling the strike reckless" and clearly without a lot of thought, McGovern said, We have heard nothing so far from this administration about how they plan to deescalate this dangerous situation and prevent this from spiraling into an ever-escalating series of retaliatory actions that would almost certainly put American troops and innocent civilians in harms way."

This is a dangerous moment for the United States and the World," he said. "Yet the White House hasnt explained their strategy or told anyone what happens next. Americans deserve better than that.

House Ways & Means Chairman Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, sounded a similar note of caution:

Last nights deadly airstrikes in Iraq that targeted high-level Iranian military officials and killed Irans top security and intelligence commander ... was done without an Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iran or the consultation of Congress. That is simply unacceptable.

Because of this, we are at a dangerous crossroads. The full Congress must be briefed immediately before any other action is taken or any additional troops enter the region. While our highest priority is to protect American lives, we cannot do it at the expense of our service members or those representing us overseas.
[January 02, 2020] Vietnam's First P2P Lending platform - Vaymuon.vn declares its profitable business and celebrates strategic partnership with Vietnam Payment Gateway - Nganluong.vn

HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Vaymuon.vn (known as Lendmo.asia in English) - the First and Largest P2P Lending Platform in Vietnam has disclosed that it becomes profitable after 2 years of official operation, successfully connected more than 2 million borrowers to 400,000+ individual lenders with the sustainable monthly growth rate of 20%; in which the retention rate remains stable at 70%. Not only does Vaymuon.vn succeed in Vietnam but it also successfully xpands to regional markets including Myanmar and Cambodia with nearly 200 employees at the beginning of 2019. Remarkably, all these 3 new markets have generated profit.



VayMuon.vn previously received not only seed investment from Nexttech Group, its current strategic investor in exchange for 20% equity but also the extensive synergized supports from Nexttech's multi-digital ecosystem which appeared in "Top 10 influencers for internet growth in Vietnam during 2007-2017". With impressive operational results, Vaymuon.vn tends to skip Series-A to make towards to Series-B at the beginning of 2020. To achieve all the mentioned accomplishments, VayMuon.vn has continuously investing in the IT system and AI technologies to deploy automation in credit assessment & scoring as well as the approval of 70-80% loan applications without heavy dependence on paper-based procedures and human resources. To date, Vaymuon.vn has obtained "330" achievements which mean it only takes 3 minutes for customers to complete their online loan applications, 30 minutes for loan appraisal and especially 3 "No" conditions: No collateral - No paperwork - No face-to-face meeting.

From 2020, Vaymuon.vn will closely associate with NganLuong.vn - Vietnam's 10-Year Largest Payment Gateway in terms of Scale and Profit, to develop Vietnam new potential markets of credit products including following products: online and offline shopping loans for merchants, advanced salary loans for workers, supply chain financing and SME funding. Depending on the extensive synergized support and strongly available resources of 2 partners, the co-operation between Vaymuon.vn and Nganluong.vn will soon create various opportunities for them to become leaders in Vietnamese Fintech market within the next 3 to 5 years. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200102/2681203-1 SOURCE VayMuon.vn

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JEFFERSON CITY (AP)  Missouris levees need to be strengthened and repaired, especially in rural areas hit hard by prolonged flooding in 2019, according to an advisory group appointed by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson.

St. Louis Public Radio has reported that the Flood Recovery Advisory Working Group on Tuesday released its report on ways to address flooding in the state and improve flood recovery. Parson signed an executive order in July creating the 24-member advisory group.

Record flooding early last year and in the summer overtopped and breached dozens of levees along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Some parts of western Missouri experienced flooding for up to seven months.

Rebuilding in flood-prone areas has led to repeated damage, said Dru Buntin, deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

What the group has tried to look at is based on what weve seen in these large floods, whether its 2011, 1993 or this past year. Where are we seeing those problem areas? Buntin said.

The advisory group includes officials from state agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Agriculture, along with levee district officials and representatives from agriculture and the navigation industry.

The group found that state and federal agencies should support levee district projects aimed at reducing constriction of the river during floods. For example, it supports Atchison Countys efforts in northwest Missouri to move levees further back from the Missouri River.

The group recommended that the Army Corps of Engineers repair breached levees to help ease the costs for farmers paying crop insurance. Members also suggested that the U.S. Department of Agricultures Risk Management Agency extend the dates for determining premium rates on the 2020 growing season.

The groups report also suggested that officials consider alternative flood control strategies, such as buying frequently flooded properties.

Environmental groups have also advocated for efforts such as restoring wetlands to reconnect rivers to the floodplain. The Missouri Coalition for the Environment is among those that have complained that the working group does not include scientists or someone to provide a conservation perspective.

The advisory group will release a final report in May.
The United States, US, President, Donald Trump has given insight into why Iranian military General, Qassem Soleimani was killed by an ...





The United States, US, President, Donald Trump has given insight into why Iranian military General, Qassem Soleimani was killed by an airstrike.





Trump disclosed that Soleimani was plotting to kill lots of American citizens but was caught in the process.





In a series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle, the US President insisted that the late general was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans.





He wrote: General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many morebut got caught! He was, directly and indirectly, responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself.

While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!





The strike had killed Soleimani, who is the Revolutionary Guard General and head of the elite Quds Force, at Baghdad International Airport.





The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Iran-backed militias in Iraq, the Popular Mobilization Forces, which recently stormed the US embassy in Baghdad.





Iran Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had threatened retaliation.





Iraqi prime minister, Adil Abdul-Mahdi, in his reaction, said the rocket strike would spark a devastating war in Iraq.





He declared that the assault by the US was a brazen violation of Iraqs sovereignty and blatant attack on the nations dignity.




The US embassy in Baghdad has urged all US citizens to leave Iraq immediately, after the US killed Iranian military general and hardliner Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a Friday airstrike.

Iraqi oil officials say that the exodus of dozens of US citizens working for foreign oil companies will not affect oil operations, exports, or production.

Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US Embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately, the embassy statement read, adding that U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy.

The warning comes after the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed harsh revenge for todays US strikes.

Foreign oil companies operating in Iraq include ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, Eni, Rosneft, Gazprom, Lukoil, CNOOC, CNPC, and Total.

In May of last year, some of these foreign oil companies operating in Iraq either evacuated, or contemplated an evacuation of, its personnel on security concerns, as numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians, the US State Department warned back in May.

Iraq is OPECs second most prolific oil producer behind only Saudi Arabia, producing 4.639 million barrels of oil per day in November 2019, according to secondary sources reported in OPECs December version of its Monthly Oil Market Report.

Iraqi oil officials have stated that only American oil workers are leaving Iraq at present, due to the specific risk posed to US citizens, and that other foreign oil workers were staying put, according to CNN.

ExxonMobil reported merely that it is closely monitoring the situation and that it was committed to ensuring the safety of our employees and contractors at all our facilities around the world.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us

By Donald Trump Jr.

Center Street. 294 pp. $30

---

Donald Trump Jr.'s best-selling new book, "Triggered," fails as memoir and as polemic: Its analysis is facile, its hypocrisy relentless, its self-awareness marginal. (The writing is wretched, even by the standards of political vanity projects.) But the point of "Triggered" is not autobiographical, literary or analytic, and it should not be read or evaluated on such grounds. Rather, the book is most useful as a preview of a possible Donald Trump Jr. 2024 presidential campaign, the contours of which grow clearer the deeper one wades through these pages.

"There's been a fair amount of speculation as to where my own political career might take me," Don Jr. notes with satisfaction. This book provides an answer, presenting its author as the natural heir to the MAGA movement: a troller of lefties, warrior of culture and self-described "s--- -talker par excellence." Just like Dad! Yet Don Jr. also attempts to establish some differences, even if stylistic. His positions on immigration are no less hard-line than his father's, for instance, yet he invokes his own immigrant roots and friendships with immigrants - legal ones, of course, (BEGIN ITAL)the good ones(END ITAL) - to soften the edges. And more important, Don Jr. portrays himself as an authentic representative of the aggrieved heartland, in some ways more so than his father. He dedicates his book to "the deplorables," saluting the patriotism and values of the everyman Trump supporter. "I am proudly one of you," he writes. And he almost seems to believe it.

Throughout "Triggered," Don Jr. claims both his political and familial inheritance. "From the moment the nurses at New York Hospital inked the name 'Donald John Trump Jr.' onto my birth certificate," he writes, "you might say I've been following in the footsteps of my father." He claims to share his father's "killer instinct" and writes that speaking bluntly is "just one of those things that got passed down in the genes!" The connection is not just genetic but mystical: "The energy that flows through my father is the same energy that flowed through my grandfather and great-grandfather before him. ... The same energy also flows through me." At times, he even seems to conflate the two Donald Trumps: "I fight back," Don Jr. writes. "That's what we do."

So when he brags about receiving so many death threats ("second only to my father"), Don Jr.'s message to the base is clear: The left hates me nearly as much as they hate my dad, so you should love me nearly as much as you love him.

There are clear parallels between Don Jr.'s "Triggered" and his father's "Trump: The Art of the Deal," both of which were published when the authors were 41. Don Jr: "We would arrive early in the morning as the crews were setting up, and I would walk with my dad while he inspected the concrete foundations and metal stairways." Trump Sr.: "I remember very well as a kid, accompanying my father to inspect buildings. ... We'd spend hours in the building, checking every refrigerator and sink, looking over the boiler and the roof and the lobby." The son also lingers on his various construction projects and real estate deals and how they were completed "on time and under budget," another standard Trumpism.

The latest book is also littered with familiar Trump put-downs, talking points, omissions and pats on the back. "Crooked Hillary" and "Cryin' Chuck Schumer" make cameos. Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is derided as "FullofSchiff." Robert Mueller is an "old, over-the-hill puppet," although Don Jr. still invokes Mueller's investigation to contend that there was "no collusion" with Russia and "no obstruction"of justice (even though Mueller's report, particularly on obstruction, was hardly so definitive). Don Jr. insists that his father's opposition to Barack Obama was about policy and not race, making no mention of how Trump built his political brand on the lie of birtherism. And he trashes the news media - only his father's Twitter feed and his own provide the "unfiltered truth," he asserts - yet is quick to point out news stories discussing his political potential and popularity with conservative audiences. He dismisses a recent Atlantic cover story about his rivalry with his sister Ivanka Trump as "mostly false," then proceeds to quote portions he finds personally flattering.

Don Jr. also displays his father's eagerness to stoke culture wars and deploy wedge issues, devoting entire chapters to the fake 2019 attack on actor Jussie Smollett and to transgender athletes "smashing women's hard-earned records" in weightlifting and track and field. Don Jr. appears obsessed with questions of gender identity - he says the ultimate Democratic presidential candidate would be "a nonbinary minority who identifies as a dolphin" - and never ceases to trumpet his supposed good looks ("hey, I'm a Trump") and his tenacious heterosexuality. Don Jr. and his wife, Vanessa Trump, divorced in 2018, and in his book he constantly brings up his new relationship with former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle.

A fixation on masculinity is at the core of Don Jr.'s efforts to appeal to his father's base. He recounts the summers he spent as a child in his mother's native Czechoslovakia, where his maternal grandfather showed him to shoot a bow, start a fire, swing an ax and throw a knife - "all that guy stuff," he explains. ("I butchered hundreds of chickens in my childhood," he boasts.) Don Jr. looks back on his years at an elite boarding school in rural Pennsylvania and his time at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School to prove his Rust Belt bona fides, and cites his sojourn hunting and fishing in the Rockies after college as proof of his regular-guyness. "Out in the woods, no one knew I was Donald Trump's son, and I don't think anyone would have cared if they did know," he writes.

Like so many second-generation dynastic hopefuls, Don Jr. attempts to be his father and his own man as well. For all his efforts to seize the Trump legacy - by my count, the phrases "my father" and "my dad" appear 299 times in this 294-page book - Don Jr. also wants to establish distance from the Trump glitz. "I didn't take to the opulent lifestyle the way some children of billionaires do," he writes. Don Jr. stresses that he got along well with the former New York City cops who provided security at Trump Tower ("I'm still friendly and go shooting with a few of them") and that some of his early relationships were with the chefs who worked for his parents. He means to highlight his relatability, but the anecdote also underscores his childhood isolation. It is, inadvertently, one of the most revealing moments in "Triggered."

Yet it is such connections that inform Don Jr.'s political self-image. While his father may appeal to the struggling working-class voter, the 2016 campaign convinced Don Jr. that he (BEGIN ITAL)is(END ITAL) the working-class voter. "I was able to talk to people who came to events in a way that other surrogates, even candidates, couldn't," he writes. "I had spent most of my youth out in the Rust Belt. In a very real sense, these were my people. Unlike many New York City socialites, I didn't have to try to connect with them. I was one of them." The reference to "New York City socialites" could be a dig at Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, and their own longings of succession. While Ivanka and Jared played the inside game, landing favored White House positions, Don Jr. went outside, playing to Fox News and the base. Rather than try to influence Dad, he sought to emulate him.

Don Jr.'s generic tales of Rust Belt affinity feel awfully pat at times. He describes a campaign encounter with a Midwestern carpenter who backed Trump but felt torn by his family's longtime Democratic allegiances. Don Jr. gives him the pseudonym "Rusty" and convinces him that today's socialist, amnesty-loving Democrats are not like those of old. He meets an Ethiopian immigrant at a Colorado coffee shop who tells him that she voted for Trump because of his immigration policies. "Your father's right," she whispered. "People who think they can just come into America and get whatever they want makes it so much harder for people like me." And shortly after Trump called for a shutdown of Muslims entering the United States, a livery cab driver whom Don Jr. describes as "Middle Eastern" told him he agreed. "I've heard your father's comments. I think he's one hundred percent right. I know it's the ones who are preaching hate, oppressing women, killing people who ruin it for us all."

How convenient to always run into suitably representative strangers eager to affirm your worldview in perfectly quotable sentences, and to have the presence of mind to take verbatim notes!

Don Jr. looks back on his Republican National Convention speech as "the spark that lit the fire of my political life." Reading through "Triggered," it's easy to find elements of future stump speeches. Like every politician, he speaks of his "enduring" love for the United States and how he's fighting for "my children and yours." He emphasizes that some Democrats are "good people" who even voted for his father but that party leaders have veered toward socialism. He draws on his childhood visits to communist-era Czechoslovakia to inform his disdain for state planning, a line of attack one can imagine Don Jr. using in a future race to assail the progressive Democratic wing. While defending the Trump administration's border policies - he describes today's migrants as an "invasion" - Don Jr. highlights his own immigrant background. "I come from a family of immigrants," he writes, noting his Czech mother, Scottish grandmother and German great-grandfather. "I have many good friends who are immigrants, and I have met thousands of immigrants who contribute financially, socially, and educationally to this great nation. That's just not the case with far too many illegal immigrants."

And, of course, there is the frontiersman persona, which Don Jr. pushes so hard. Among the book's many photographs are images of the author fishing, scuba diving, hunting and hiking. "Trekking down a mountain in the Yukon Territory of Canada with a caribou rack," reads one of the photo captions. "It took several trips to retrieve all the meat."

There's plenty of meat in "Triggered," and all of it is red. Here, the outdoors are not a place for reflection or introspection. Donald Trump Jr. went to the woods because he wished to troll deliberately. In his introduction, he summarizes his political project - and any future campaign - in one line: "Anything that makes the veins in a few liberal foreheads bulge out is fine by me."
Bay Area killings leveled off in 2019 following back-to-back years of plummeting figures, with the largest cities maintaining historically low numbers of homicides at the turn of the decade.

There were 210 reported slayings in the Bay Areas 15 most populous cities in 2019, an uptick of 7% over the 196 recorded in 2018. But that figure remains far lower than figures posted a few years ago  leading experts to believe a spike in the most serious of crimes was a blip.

Robert Weisberg, a Stanford law professor and co-director of the schools Criminal Justice Center, has dared to say low numbers of killings may be the new normal.

Yes, there was a downturn going back a bit, but crime has been pretty level for a while now, he said. The ups and downs have been pretty trivial.

Of the 15 cities The Chronicle contacted, year-over-year homicides rose in five, fell in six and held steady in four.

San Francisco saw the lowest figure in 56 years, counting 41 killings in 2019. Meanwhile, Oakland and San Jose recorded upticks, rising from 68 to 75 and 27 to 34, respectively. Police departments in three cities  Berkeley, Daly City and Sunnyvale  reported no killings at all.

Crime statistics rarely remain fixed year-over-year, and almost invariably show small peaks and valleys. But the Bay Areas 2019 figures are echoing what has been a nationwide decline in bloodshed over the past decade, with numbers that are dwarfed by those in the late aughts and early 1990s.

Oakland homicides topped 140 every year between 1990 and 1993, and again reached triple digits every year between 2006 and 2009, according to the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting Program. San Franciscos trends were similar: Slayings in the city neared or topped triple digits from 1990 to 1993, before falling and then rising again to 100 in 2007.

Though large cities nationwide recorded an increased rate in homicides from 2015 through 2016, that trend seems to have corrected itself and begun falling again, according to national researchers.

Cody Glenn / Special to The Chronicle

While criminologists caution against assigning trends to a single policy or community sentiment, law enforcement experts interviewed by The Chronicle weighed in on factors that could have played a role in recent statistics.

In recent years, Oakland police officials have credited a gang and violence reduction program called Ceasefire for a promising dip in violent crimes, including murders. In 2018, the city tallied fewer homicides than it had in nearly two decades.

Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said the Ceasefire work continues to make progress, even though the department tracked some surprising gang incidents in 2019.

We had a couple of events of homicides that were associated with groups we havent seen raise their head before, she said.

Kirkpatrick said the department has also noted the advent of the supergroup, where members of various different gangs are joining forces.

Kirkpatrick said Oakland police will continue to dedicate resources to Ceasefire, and to track the new gang activity. She said shes also optimistic about a new in-house gun crime intelligence center, and about working with Oaklands new and first permanent Chief of Violence Prevention Guillermo Cespedes.

In San Francisco, Deputy Chief David Lazar said increased visibility  particularly foot patrols  in crime hot spots like the Market Street corridor have contributed to the citys record-low homicide numbers.

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.

Lazar, who heads investigations in the department, also credits partnerships with federal agencies, and better crime gun tracking. Additionally, he said, emergency medical crews, hospital staff and even police officers are saving lives that may otherwise have been listed as homicides.

Our officers are, I think, more trained now on medical response, medical triage and medical first aid than we have ever been, he said, adding that officers are now using tourniquets and putting hands in wounds to stop bleeding. I know officers are out there saving lives.

Kate Munsch / Special to The Chronicle

Weisberg said the relatively low violence figures suggest California has successfully incorporated some of the major crime reform efforts in recent years.

The state has led the nation in adopting measures to shrink prison populations, including Proposition 47, which lowered some low-level felonies to misdemeanors, and Proposition 57, which created more chances of parole for nonviolent offenders.

Critics of these policies and of realignment  where state prisoners were shifted to county jails to fight prison overcrowding  feared they would unleash more violent predators onto the streets. But year after year, violent crime figures are showing this isnt the case, Weisberg said.

Violent crime just has not moved in any interesting ways in a number of years, he said. Barring some huge phenomenon, it could be that well be here for a while.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
RICHMOND, Va. and DUBOIS, Pa., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Peter Farrell, Managing Partner of Tuckahoe Holdings, and David J. Stern, owner, president and CEO of Paris Companies, announce the merger of their subsidiary companies, NOVO Health Services and Paris Healthcare Linen Services, effective January 1, 2020. The merged company will continue doing business as NOVO Health Services, and the Paris trade name will continue in use for an indefinite period. Paris Uniform Services is not involved in the merger and will continue as an independent Paris company.

Both companies are leading providers of linen processing and management services in their regional markets. Combined, the new NOVO Health Services becomes a supra-regional competitor, operating seven HLAC or TRSA hygienically clean processing facilities in the Eastern US. Additionally, through its SRI Surgical business unit, NOVO operates three sterile processing facilities providing reusable surgical gowns, sheets and other textile products and stainless basins to the industry.

Commenting about the merger, Mr. Farrell stated, "This merger brings together the best of two regional leaders in the market to form a strong and sustainable company that can continue to grow. We are pleased with the agreement and look forward to leading this industry for years to come."

The merger creates a combined management team to oversee the operations and growth of the company. David Stern will serve as Chief Executive Officer of NOVO, effective immediately. Karl Fillip will serve as CEO Emeritus and will continue as head of sales. Karl Fillip II will serve as Chief Operating Officer.

"With this merger comes the opportunity to combine two exceptional senior leadership teams that will serve to strengthen our continued, long-term growth," added Mr. Farrell. "David's experiences and proven success in the industry will guide this transition and the company as CEO, Karl Fillip has been and will continue to be instrumental as CEO Emeritus, and in addition to leading as our COO, Karl Fillip II is positioned to provide long-term continuity for our customers and employees that will ensure continued success for years to come."

Adds Mr. Stern, "I look forward to leading a new team in meeting the challenges and creating new opportunities in our great industry.

About Tuckahoe Holdings

Tuckahoe Holdings is a private investment firm. Unlike private equity and other short-term investors, Tuckahoe operates with a permanent investment and people-focused philosophy and partners with business owners with compatible philosophies and values to build successful companies with empowered management, engaged employees and exemplary financial performance. Tuckahoe has owned NOVO since 2015.

About NOVO Health Services

NOVO Health Services was founded in 2015 by Karl Fillip, a 40-year industrial and healthcare laundry veteran, who currently serves as its president and CEO. NOVO is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and provides healthcare linen services and reusable surgical solutions in a service area encompassing the Southeast and Midwest US.

About Paris Healthcare Linen Services

Paris Healthcare Linen Services is an operating unit of Paris Companies, an independent healthcare and industrial laundering and uniform rental services company, solely owned by David J. Stern. Paris has been headquartered in central Pennsylvania since its founding in 1918 and serves an expanding service area in the mid-Atlantic region.

PARIS CONTACT INFORMATION

TUCKAHOE CONTACT INFORMATION





Sharon Engle

Jim Cullen [email protected]

[email protected] Paris Companies

Tuckahoe Holdings 67 Hoover Avenue

919 E. Main St. PO Box 1043

Richmond, VA 23219 DuBois, PA 15801

Ph: 804.644.6000 Ph: 814.375.9719 ext. 701





SOURCE Paris Companies
London (CNNMoney)  Russia has officially banned LinkedIn.

The country's communications regulator has blacklisted the social network for professionals because it has not complied with personal data storage regulations.

The site was inaccessible from Russia on Thursday.

LinkedIn had been found to be in violation of a rule requiring data on Russian citizens to be stored on servers inside the country. Two different courts had previously ruled against LinkedIn on the matter.

LinkedIn, which is being acquired by Microsoft for $26 billion, said it was aware that users couldn't access the site. The company said it wanted to meet with communications regulator Roskomnadzor to discuss the data storage issue.

Russia's law on personal data storage came into effect in September 2015.

A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin said shortly after the ban was announced that "Russian institutions are under the law and this company also has to observe the law."

He said the Kremlin would not get involved in the decision.

Moscow has increasingly been at loggerheads with Western tech companies. Google was found to be in violation of Russian antitrust rules in 2015 over the apps that come with its Android smartphones.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has accused Russia of hacking major U.S. political institutions during the 2016 election.

Last month, a 29-year-old Russian was arrested in Prague on suspicion of hacking LinkedIn, Dropbox, and a third web service. He was wanted by the FBI in connection with the theft of 117 million LinkedIn passwords and login credentials.

LinkedIn has shown a willingness in the past to comply with foreign regulations.

In 2014, it agreed to censor content on its China network deemed sensitive by the government. Google, Facebook, and Twitter, which have not taken similar steps, remain blocked by Beijing.

Charles Riley and Emma Burrows contributed reporting.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Russia has banned LinkedIn."
A committee constituted by the Rajasthan government has stated that the deaths were taking place due to a lack of oxygen pipelines in JK Lon hospital. (Photo Credit: PTI)

New Delhi:

A high-level team of Centre, comprising of experts Jodhpur, AIIMS and health economists, will visit government hospital in Rajasthans Kota where over 100 infants have died in the last 33 days. The team will assess the infrastructural gaps and measures to be taken to prevent further deaths.

The health economists will inspect the gaps in the infrastructure of the JK Lon Maternal and Child Hospital and New Medical College Hospital in Kota to ascertain how much funds will be required for strengthening it.

The high-level team being despatched by @MoHFW_INDIA incl experts from AIIMS Jodhpur, Health Finance & Regional Director, Health Services Jaipur. It will reach #Kota tomorrow. In my letter too to @ashokgehlot51 ji, Ive offered all possible assistance to prevent any further deaths (sic), Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had tweeted.

Thing that will be assessed by the team of experts are service delivery, clinical protocols, manpower availability and equipment for maternal, newborn and paediatric care services at the hospital.

They will develop a joint action plan, based on gap analysis, for providing required technical and financial support to Kota Medical College through National Health Mission and state Medical Education Department. The team members will visit JK Lon Hospital and Medical College, Kota along with state government officials from January 3 and submit a detailed report, a statement issued by the health ministry said.

Vardhan has also written to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, assuring him of all assistance and urging for measures to stop the deaths of children at the hospital.

We are ready to provide any technical help or assistance. Let us ensure no child succumbs to preventable causes or due to lack of health system capacity, he has written in his letter to Gehlot.

Besides, a committee constituted by the Rajasthan government has stated that the deaths were taking place due to a lack of oxygen pipelines in the hospital and also because of extreme cold conditions.

It also pointed towards an increased referral of critical cases and stated that the number of beds in the hospital was less than the flow of patients. The situation at the ICUs was also similar, the committee said.

"I informed @ashokgehlot51 ji that Rs 91.7 lakhs has already been advanced to JK Loan Hospital during 2019-20 under National Health Mission. Kota District alone has an annual allocation of Rs 27.45 Cr for '19-20, from the annual budgeted amount of Rs 1788.97 Cr for Rajasthan state (sic)," Vardhan said in another tweet.

"I told @ashokgehlot51 ji that #Rajasthan may go ahead and propose for further financial assistance in the upcoming Rajasthan National Health Mission (NHM) meeting after doing their gap analysis. We'll do our best to prevent further deaths, I assured him fully," the Union health minister wrote on Twitter.

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The landmark Nix Medical Center building, located near the heart of San Antonios tourism industry, could be revived as a luxury hotel on the River Walk.

A little-known hotel operator has acquired the 24-floor building, which sits on a one-third-acre tract, from the former hospitals owner, according to a deed recently filed with the Bexar County clerks office.

The buyer was InnJoy San Antonio LLC, an affiliate of Weslaco-based InnJoy Hospitality. Efforts to reach InnJoy have been unsuccessful.

InnJoy took out a $19 million loan from Houston-based Green Rock Properties to purchase the property, located on Navarro Street near Hard Rock Cafe. The building was listed without an asking price, but its valued at $13.2 million, according to the Bexar Appraisal District.

InnJoy Hospitality has listed the Nix property as a mixed-use hotel project on a website that it launched on Aug. 3. The page also includes a Marriott logo. But the international chain denies any plans to open a hotel at that location.

On its website, the company said it has grown from operating a tiny motel to 15 hospitality properties, but the only other locations listed is a beach resort at South Padre Island and a planned Moxy hotel in Houston.

On ExpressNews.com: Historic Nix building for sale in downtown San Antonio

According to the deed filing, Nix and InnJoy reached a purchase agreement Sept. 5, but didnt execute it until Dec. 18 in a Los Angeles court.

Built in 1930 by developer Joseph M. Nix, the high-rise is considered the first medical mall in the United States. The building features a three-floor valet parking garage and is best known for housing Nix Medical Center for decades  until the acute-care hospital closed two months ago.

The Nix Health System shut down this fall after years of financial decline in San Antonio, according to its Los Angeles-based parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings. Prospect acquired Nix facilities in 2012 from Kentucky-based Merit Health Systems.

Nearly 1,000 employees were laid off in 2019 from Nix facilities, including two behavioral health hospitals, a sleep clinic, a medical office and a home health agency.

Prospect declined to comment on the sale.

Other tenants in the building include medical offices and Landrys restaurant Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., which leases sub-level space on the River Walk.

Plans to turn the gothic-style building into a hotel would make it the next in a line of hotel projects in the downtown area. All told, about 1,000 new rooms will hit the market in the near future, said Todd Walker, president of local hotel consulting firm Source Strategies Inc.

Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

Luxury condos and hotels under construction in the inner city include the Arts Residences at the Thompson San Antonio hotel and a 197-room Canopy by Hilton near Esquire Tavern.

The Riverview Towers office building at 111 Soledad St. will be converted to a dual-brand hotel under the Marriott brand with a restaurant and a rooftop bar.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonios hotels coming off strong year

These hotels are likely looking to mimic and capture some of the success that the Hotel Emma (at the Pearl) has enjoyed over the past several years, Walker said.

But the Nix building will need extensive renovations to bring it up to contemporary standards, Walker said.

Laura Garcia covers the health care industry in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her stories and more local coverage on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | laura.garcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @Reporter_Laura
Bill Gates  the second richest person in the world with a current net worth of $108.8 billion, according to Forbes  says his extreme wealth is not fair.

"The distance between top and bottom incomes in the United States is much greater than it was 50 years ago," Gates wrote in a blog post reflecting on 2019 published Tuesday. (Indeed, American income inequality is at its highest level in decades, according to U.S. Census Bureau's Gini index.)

"A few people end up with a great dealI've been disproportionately rewarded for the work I've donewhile many others who work just as hard struggle to get by," he wrote.

To solve the problem, Gates said the U.S. government should raise taxes that affect the wealthy.

"I'm for a tax system in which, if you have more money, you pay a higher percentage in taxes. I think the rich should pay more than they currently do, and that includes Melinda and me," Gates wrote, referring to his wife.

Specifically, he said there should be a higher capital gains tax (a tax on money made on investments), which would disproportionately affect the wealthy. None of the richest people in the world have made their fortunes solely through a salaried job, and for that reason Gates believes the government "should shift more of the tax burden onto capital" rather than labor.

"I don't see any reason to favor wealth over work the way we do today," he wrote. It's "the clearest evidence I've seen that the system isn't fair," he said.
No Time To Die

Bond is back, with Daniel Craig in his fifth  and last  outing as 007. Craig is joined by Rami Malek as new villain Safin and Ana De Armas as Paloma, a CIA agent on the case with Bond. Expect all the hallmarks of Bond  the Astons, the watches  as he does his bit to rescue a kidnapped scientist. With Phoebe Waller-Bridge brought in to help tidy up the final scripts, expect it to be a step-up from 2015s dreary Spectre (you know, the one that prompted Craig to say hed rather slash his wrists than return).
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Linkedin Catherine Triomphe (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States  Fri, January 3, 2020 18:07 738 7f440ff09e92db75a02bbad206000c3d 2 Entertainment Harvey-Weinstein,united-states,film,Hollywood,trial,MeToo,Sexual-assault Free

Ahead of the start of Harvey Weinstein's trial Monday, AFP spoke to Gloria Allred, one of America's best-known lawyers for sexual assault victims, to get her take on the proceedings.

Two of Allred's clients, former production assistant Mimi Haleyi and The Sopranos actress Annabella Sciorra, accuse Weinstein of sexual assault and will be called to testify against him.

Here is a Q&A with the 78-year-old Allred, who has been practicing law for over four decades.

What can Weinstein's accusers expect?

"Mr. Weinstein has a highly experienced, well-funded, small army of defense lawyers. If convicted he could potentially face a life sentence in prison. This is high stakes.

"They will try to do everything to attack the credibility of the witnesses, their motives. (They will) attack any inconsistencies, any statements they made at a prior time versus what they are saying now.

"If there is any such inconsistency, I would expect a brutal cross-examination. So they are very, very brave to be willing to testify."

Will the defendant testify?

"Most accused persons who are being prosecuted do not decide to take the witness stand, instead they invoke the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

"I would really be shocked if he did (testify). I don't think he could withstand any vigorous cross-examination and I have no doubt he would be subjected to that if he decided to testify."

Do you regret that non-disclosure agreements may have delayed the public airing of Weinstein's alleged misconduct?

"I do think it's important for victims to have the option of a confidential settlement because many people who have been raped or sexually assaulted do not perhaps want their families or co-workers to know.

"If we can obtain a confidential settlement for them -- maybe its millions of dollars -- without a public trial and the risk of what a jury might decide, if they wish to have a confidential settlement and their privacy, I will defend their right to have that."

Read also: Weinstein agrees $25 million settlement with accusers: Lawyer

Are you pleased to see some US states scrapping limitation periods for charging sexual assault?

"I don't think there should be any statute of limitations in any state. After a long battle we were able to change the law in California (and others are following). This is part of the empowerment of women.

"There is still a long way to go for victims, we are not there yet but there is progress and that's positive.

"A lot of the progress is because a lot of the victims have started to demand that they be treated with respect and dignity and that the accused be made accountable.

"I give credit to the women's movement, which has been very, very important in all this."

What about other sex abuse trials you are involved in?

"I also represent accusers of Jeffrey Epstein and accusers of R. Kelly as well. The federal government (which has more means than state prosecutors) is involved (with cases against both.) That is a very important development."

"If prosecutors conclude they have evidence that there are any co-conspirators, and they have knowingly assisted Mr. Epstein to sex traffic underage girls, then a criminal case may be filed against others, even though Mr. Epstein is deceased.

"We will have to see how that goes."
Girona, located in Costa Bravas Catalonia region of Spain, is a city with a rich history, culture and heritage. Comprised of vintage buildings, cobbled streets and squares, this medieval towns imperious walls were first built by the Romans and later expanded in early 800 century, during the reign of the Charlemagne empire, followed by another overhaul in the 14th century. As of today, one can walk along the ramparts and explore most of the old town, see Gironas skyline among other adventures.

Even though Girona is a quaint town, one of the best things to do while youre here is to explore the various museums ranging from a city history museum, a Jewish history museum and a cinema museum.

Located less than two hours from Barcelona, Girona was also a popular shoot location for Game of Thrones (GoT). While medieval Europes old town served as a major setting for Braavos in Season 6 of GoT, some streets and important landmarks became Kings Landing for the show with minimal CGI work. Barcelona and Girona are connected via convenient train routes.

The locals in Girona mostly speak Catalan instead of Spanish. With technologys advent, VR is playing an important role in exploring the city by facilitating guided tours.

Here are some of the things to do, places to visit in Girona and relive the fond memories of Game of Thrones from an architecture and culture perspective:

Cathedral of Girona: The citys most celebrated icon, the Gothic cathedral on the scenic Placa de la Catedral is quite a sight to behold, sitting on 91 stone steps. Built between the 11th and 18th centuries, it features the worlds widest Gothic nave and was a perfect location to film many scenes in season six of Game of Thrones. The spectacular Baroque staircase outside the cathedral was used as the exterior for the Great Sept of Baelor in Kings Landing, where Jaime Lannister had a showdown with the High Sparrow to prevent Queen Margaerys atonement.

The Jewish Quarter: Gironas Jewish Quarter in the ancient Forca Vella, an imposing fortress built by the Romans is replete with cobbled streets, winding alleyways and narrow archways serving up as an ideal setting for the fictional city of Braavos. The scenes where Arya Stark becomes blind and is forced to beg on the streets and fights the Waif is filmed on the stone steps of Carrer del Bisbe Josep Cartana, the small alleyway that loops just behind Girona Cathedral.

Placa dels Jurats: Gironas festival square Placa dels Jurats is a popular venue for theatre and concerts during summer and was also the place where Arya watched the outdoor play while spying on the lead actress by order of Jaqen Hghar (then known as the many-faced God). Moreover, the bridge between the Placa dels Jurats and the Sant Pere de Galligants Abbey is used as the bridge in Braavos where the waif, masked as an old woman, stabbed Arya.

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Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants: This is a Benedictine Abbey built in the 12th century and is one of Catalonias most important Romanesque sites which also houses the Archaeological Museum. The monastery was used as the setting for the Maesters citadel in Braavos, Kings Landing and Oldtown. One can see the interiors of the monastery clearly in the scene featuring Samwell Tarly along with Gilly and the baby.

Eiffel Bridge: Built by Gustav Eiffel, this bridge in Girona was constructed just before the Eiffel Tower. Its also called the Pont de les Peixateries Velles and spans across the Onyar River, making it an important landmark in Girona.

Temps de Flors (flower festival): Girona hosts a wide array of festivals throughout the year but Temps de Flors is the highlight. Its held every year in May. It sees a large number of floral artists who come together to decorate various sites around town. The flower installations are added to the architectural richness of the churches, Girona cathedral, museums and Banys Arabs (the Arabic Baths).

Banys Arabs (Arab Baths): Arab Baths in Girona were built like the Medieval Muslim baths (hammams) dating back to the 12th century. Unlike many bathhouses, they are still intact and offer a fascinating experience to tourists.

The Sant Domenec stairs: Outside the bathhouse, and leading up to the convent of Sant Marti, are the Sant Domenec stairs, founded in 1253.

Girona Old Town: The historic and medieval areas of the old town of Girona are stunning and very well preserved. One can see the labyrinthine cobbled streets, medieval churches and ancient fortresses that are surrounded by fortified walls and towers. The stairs of Sant Marti Sacosta Church is another filming location in Girona used for the markets in Braavos.

Restaurants and bistros: Girona has a wide array of restaurants and bistros dotted around the town serving crepes, traditional Catalan cuisine, modern fusion cuisine and even vegetarian options.

-- with inputs from IANS

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ROME - Spain nearly has a government following a months-long impasse and four early elections in four years, after the Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) party decided its 13 MPs will abstain from the upcoming vote to confirm Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.



The government will be formed by an alliance between Sanchez's socialist party PSOE and Pablo Iglesias's anti-system left-wing Podemos party, as well as the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV).



On Thursday evening, ERC's national council approved the abstention by a wide majority.



The abstention will give Sanchez a majority in the vote for his investiture, scheduled for January 7.



However, there will be a political price to pay: ERC and PSOE came to an agreement over the recognition of the "Catalan conflict" as "political" and not only an institutional crime.



The agreement, the text of which was published by Spanish daily El Pais, foresees that the conflict be resolved with a "bilateral negotiation" that doesn't allow vetoes on any proposals.



That means there won't be any possibility for another "auto-determination referendum" on Catalonia, following the one that was unilaterally declared by the Generalitat in Barcelona and led to arrests and convictions for key pro-independence separatists, including ERC leader Oriol Junqueras.



The ERC requested the negotiation take place on the condition that it is between "governments", with no topics off limits, and that it includes a schedule of work.



The conditions weren't easy for Sanchez's PSOE to concede, given that during the November electoral campaign it had said it would be intransigent with pro-independence Catalans.



That, however, became the biggest obstacle to a pre-electoral accord with Podemos, which favours a politically open stance.



Sanchez will be called on to respond to the opposition, including the Partido Popular (PP), which advocated the "avenging" intransigence, as well as the centrists of Ciudadanos and the far-right Vox party, which owes the majority of its 52 seats in the Lower House of the Spanish Parliament to its total opposition to any disunity of Spain.



The country is now heading for a government that, for the first time in the democratic post-Franco era, has moved decisively towards the left.



To form the government, the 155 PSOE and Podemos seats weren't enough, out of 350 MPs.



The 13 ERC abstentions and the seven by PNV still aren't enough to reach the 176-vote majority needed to pass the first confidence vote, planned for the weekend.



However, the second vote, scheduled for January 7, requires a simple majority and is expected to pass.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) today announced that visitors can now use existing UK, US, and Schengen area country visas to obtain Saudi Arabia visitor visas at airport arrivals regardless of their citizenship.

Visitors intending to benefit from the new regulation must have previously used the visa to travel to any one of these countries before entering Saudi Arabia.

The policy builds on the Kingdom's historic visa launch in September 2019.

Currently, citizens from 49 countries are eligible to apply for an e-Visa online or get a Visa of arrival into Saudi Arabia. The tourist visa allows for a stay of up to 3 months per entry, with visitors able to spend 90 days a year in Saudi Arabia. The visa is valid for one year, with multiple entries.

This is the latest step taken by Saudi Arabia to open its doors to tourists from different countries of the world.

Notes to editors

More information on visiting Saudi Arabia can be found at visitsaudi.com

Electronic online visa applications will not be affected

SOURCE Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage
Gen. Paul Kelley, who was only four months into his tenure as Marine Corps commandant when a suicide bomber drove a truck with thousands of pounds of explosives into the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983, killing 241 U.S. service members in the single largest loss of U.S. military life since World War II, died Dec. 29 at a retirement community in McLean, Virginia. He was 91.

The cause was Alzheimer's disease, said his daughter, Chris Kelley Cimko.

Gen. Kelley served 37 years in the Marine Corps before his retirement in 1987 as commandant, a post that accorded him membership on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He had been nominated by President Ronald Reagan, whom his daughter described as a friend. She recalled that her father sometimes rode the president's horse and jokingly described himself as Reagan's "exercise boy."

Gen. Kelley had distinguished himself during the Vietnam War, where he received the Silver Star, among other decorations, during two tours of duty. He was a battalion commander in 1965 and 1966, later returning to the war zone in 1970 to lead the last Marine regiment to serve in combat during that conflict.

During the Carter administration, Gen. Kelley led what was then known as the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force, a team created to heighten U.S. preparedness for crises in the Persian Gulf. Today it is known as the U.S. Central Command, or Centcom, and in recent years has overseen the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

But his highest-profile assignment, and the one that led to what he described as "the worst emotional trauma of my life" with the terrorist attack in Beirut in the early morning hours of Oct. 23, 1983, was as Marine Corps commandant.

"I've been a Marine for all of my adult life," Gen. Kelley told reporters the day after the bombing. "And, yesterday, I have to say to you in all sincerity and honesty, was the hardest day of my life."

He rushed to the scene in Lebanon, where the Marines had been tasked with establishing a stabilizing presence amid a years-long civil war.

"In the aftermath of the bombing," the New York Times later reported, Gen. Kelley "was the symbol of the Corps. He hastened to the scene, comforted the wounded, mourned the dead, all in the style that has closely identified him with the marine in the trench, an emotional link to the fighting man."

In one poignant encounter at a U.S. military hospital in what was then West Germany, Gen. Kelley visited Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Nashton, who had sustained wounds in the bombing including a fractured skull, collapsed lungs and a broken leg and was temporarily blinded.

"When he heard me say who I was, he grabbed my camouflage coat, went up to the collar and counted the stars" as if to confirm his rank, Gen. Kelley later recounted. "He squeezed my hand," then wrote on a piece of paper provided by a nurse: "Semper Fi."

When the wounded Marine returned to the United States, Gen. Kelley presented him with the stars he had worn during their meeting, saying, "They belonged more to him than to me."

Gen. Kelley endured sometimes withering questions from Capitol Hill lawmakers who suggested that more might have been done to prevent the attack in Beirut. It was noted that two sentries at the Marine headquarters carried unloaded weapons. Loaded or not, Gen. Kelley insisted, "there was no way on God's earth that those two sentries could have stopped that truck."

A Pentagon commission tasked with investigating the incident later faulted the operational chain of command, which did not include Gen. Kelley.

Paul Xavier Kelley was born in Boston on Nov. 11, 1928. His mother, who had immigrated to the United States from Ireland, was a librarian. His father, also of Irish heritage, was an Army major who was wounded in World War I and was later recalled to active duty when the United States entered World War II. He died during that conflict of a sudden illness, said Gen. Kelley's daughter.

P.X. Kelley, as the future general was known, received a bachelor's degree in economics in 1950 from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where he studied on an ROTC scholarship, and was then commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines. He rose through the ranks to positions including the Marine Corps deputy chief of staff and assistant commandant in 1981 before assuming the commandant's duties two years later.

His tenure as commandant coincided with the Iran-contra scandal, in which Oliver North, a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and member of the National Security Council staff, was convicted of charges related to his attempted coverup of the illegal sale of weapons to Iran and the diversion of proceeds to rightist Nicaraguan rebels. The Corps also contended with revelations that Clayton Lonetree, a Marine sergeant later convicted of espionage, had spied for the Soviet Union while guarding U.S. embassies in Moscow and Vienna.

Besides the Silver Star, Gen. Kelley's decorations included the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three awards of the Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star and the Joint Service Commendation Medal.

After his military retirement, Gen. Kelley served on various corporate boards and devoted himself to honoring fellow veterans during two terms as chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission. He helped bring to fruition the World War II Memorial, which opened in Washington in 2004, and more recently worked to establish the memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower that is scheduled to open in May.

In addition to his daughter, of Burke, Virginia, survivors include his wife of 68 years, the former Barbara Adams of Washington; a sister; and a granddaughter.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Top BJP leaders led by party president Amit Shah will visit households across the country on Sunday as part of an exercise to contact three crore families in 10 days to mobilise support for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and take on opposition parties over their campaign against the law.

While Shah will be in the national capital, party working president J P Nadda will visit a household in Ghaziabad, Rajnath Singh in Lucknow, Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur and Nirmala Sitharaman in Jaipur on the first day of the campaign, BJP general secretary Anil Jain told reporters.

All BJP chief ministers and deputy chief ministers will also participate in the programme.

The BJP's plan to reach out to three crore families is one of the five features of the party's "Jan Jagran abhiyaan" (public awareness campaign) over the CAA, Jain said.

The party will also hold over one lakh "nukkad" (corner) meetings, organise three to four rallies in every state besides holding press conferences among other events as part of its "dialogue committee" exercise, he said.

The BJP has also released a toll free number (8866288662) for the public to give a missed call to register their support for the Act.

At the press conference, Jain said Indian Muslims have no reason to worry over any citizenship exercise, be it the NPR (National Population Register) or the NRC, and asserted that India's only religion is its Constitution.

ALSO READ | Don't impose divisive agenda on country: Congress to Amit Shah on CAA, NRC

He said a nationwide consultation will be held whenever a decision on rolling out the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which is a part of the party's manifesto, is taken, but noted that there is no such proposal now.

Asked about concerns among Muslims over a raft of citizenship measures, he said, "As BJP's national general secretary, I can say with full responsibility that no Indian Muslim can have any danger from whatever measures come into place, be it NPR or NRC."

"The Constitution will take care of their concerns. India has only one religion which is its Constitution," Jain said.

He accused opposition parties of misleading the minorities by stoking their fears and concerns for political reasons.

The Congress and the BJP's other rivals are inciting "rebellion and anarchy" in the country due to their politics of appeasement, Jain alleged.

The persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who are the intended beneficiaries of the Act, have been victims of atrocities in their countries, he said, adding that those opposing it have shown extreme insensitivity.

People will be urged to extend their support to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) by posting social media messages and photographs, Jain said.
SHANGHAI, China, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huazhu Group Limited (HTHT) (the Company), a leading and fast-growing hotel group, today announced the closing of the acquisition of all shares in Steigenberger Hotels Aktiengesellschaft, Germany (the Deutsche Hospitality Acquisition), which was previously announced in the press release dated November 4, 2019.



In connection with the Deutsche Hospitality Acquisition, China Lodging Holdings (HK) Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, has signed a EUR440,000,000 term facility and USD500,000,000 revolving credit facility agreement (the Facilities Agreement) for a term of 3 years with a bank consortium led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., acting through its Hong Kong Branch, Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. to fund the payment of all amounts payable under or in connection with the acquisition. The balance under the Facilities Agreement will be used, among other things, for the general corporate and working capital purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries.

About Huazhu Group Limited

Huazhu Group Limited is a leading hotel operator and franchisor. As of September 30, 2019, Huazhu operated 5,151 hotels with 504,414 rooms in operation. Huazhus brands include Hi Inn, Elan Hotel, HanTing Hotel, HanTing Premium Hotel, JI Hotel, Starway Hotel, Orange Hotel Select, Crystal Orange Hotel, Manxin Hotels & Resorts, Joya Hotel, and Blossom Hill Hotels & Resorts. Huazhu also has the rights as master franchisee for Mercure, Ibis and Ibis Styles, and co-development rights for Grand Mercure and Novotel, in the pan-China region.

Huazhus business mainly includes leased, manachised and franchised models. Under the lease model, Huazhu directly operates hotels typically located on leased properties. Under the manachise model, Huazhu manages manachised hotels through the on-site hotel managers Huazhu appoints and collects fees from franchisees. Under the franchise model, Huazhu provides training, reservations and support services to the franchised hotels, and collects fees from franchisees but does not appoint on-site hotel managers. In addition, Huazhu has a limited number of hotels in owned or partially owned properties. Huazhu applies a consistent standard and platform across all of its hotels. As of September 30, 2019, Huazhu operates 83 percent of its hotel rooms under manachise and franchise models.

Story continues

For more information, please visit the Companys website: http://ir.huazhu.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information in this release contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding the Companys capital needs, business strategy and expectations. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, which may be identified by terminology such as may, should, will, expect, plan, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, forecast, project, or continue, the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. Readers should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events or results. Any or all of the Companys forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should consider various factors, including the anticipated growth strategies of the Company, the future results of operations and financial condition of the Company, economic conditions in China, the regulatory environment in China, the Companys ability to attract and retain customers over time, the Companys ability to leverage its brands, business trends and competition in the lodging industry, the expected growth of demand for lodging in China, and other factors and risks outlined in the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F and other filings. These factors may cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. In addition, new factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for the Company to predict all factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Any projections in this release are based on limited information currently available to the Company, which is subject to change. This release also contains statements or projections that are based upon information available to the public, as well as other information from sources which the Company believes to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by the Company to be accurate, nor does the Company purport it to be complete. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document, except as required by applicable law.

Contact Information

Investor Relations

Tel: +86 (21) 6195 9561

Email: ir@huazhu.com

http://ir.huazhu.com
Noto said she hadnt heard from her brother directly yet and wasnt sure how he got out of harms way, but she told her mother not to do anything or go to the scene until he called and said everything was over.
Imperial Valley News Center

Global Magnitsky Program Designations for Corruption and Serious Human Rights Abuse

Washington, DC - On International Anticorruption Day and International Human Rights Day, the United States reiterates its commitment to combat corruption and to promote and protect human rights globally. The Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control designated 68 individuals and entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, targeting corrupt individuals and perpetrators of serious human rights abuse.

Designations of the following individuals and entities under E.O. 13818 relate to corruption in Cambodia, Latvia, and Serbia:

TRY PHEAP  built a large-scale illegal logging network that relies on the collusion of Cambodian officials. In one instance, Try Pheap paid Cambodian National Park officials to keep his operations secret from the international community. The following eleven Cambodia-registered entities owned or controlled by Try Pheap were also designated for corruption:

Try Pheap Group., Ltd.

M.D.S. Import Export Co., Ltd.

Try Pheap Dry Port Co., Ltd.

Try Pheap Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd.

Try Pheap Grand Royal Co., Ltd.

Try Pheap Import Export Co., Ltd.

Papa Petroleum Co., Ltd.

Try Pheap Property Co., Ltd.

Try Pheap Travel & Tours Co., Ltd.

M D S Thmorda S E Z Co., Ltd.

Try Pheap Oyadav S E Z Co., Ltd.

KUN KIM  a former senior General in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), who has reaped significant financial benefit from his relationship with a Peoples Republic of China (PRC) state-owned entity. Kim used RCAF soldiers to intimidate, demolish, and clear out land sought by the PRC-owned entity. Three members of Kun Kims family and five entities owned or controlled by these individuals were concurrently designated for corruption:

King Chandy

Kim Sophary

Kim Phara

7 Makara Phary Co., Ltd.

K D Rubber Plantation Co., Ltd.

Cambo Elite Security Force Co., Ltd.

Romdoul Capital Pawn Co., Ltd.

Romdoul Development Co., Ltd.

AIVARS LEMBERGS  the Mayor of Ventspils, Latvia, and an oligarch accused of money laundering, bribery, and abuse of office. The following four Latvia-based entities owned or controlled by Aivars Lembergs were also designated:

Ventspils Freeport Authority

Ventspils Attistibas Agentura (aka Ventspils Development Agency)

Biznesa Attistibas Asociacija (aka Business Development Association)

Latvijas Tranzita Biznesa Asociacija (aka Latvian Transit Business Association)

The following nine individuals and seven associated entities were designated for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of Slobodan Tesic, a previously designated arms dealer.

GORAN ANDRIC  a close associate of Slobodan Tesic who facilitated arms deals on behalf of designated entities. An entity owned, controlled by, that acted on behalf of, or purported to have acted on behalf of Goran Andric and/or Slobodan Tesic was concurrently designated:

Velcom Trade D.O.O. Beograd

ESAD KAPIDZIC  an associate of Slobodan Tesic who received and moved money on his behalf. Two entities owned, controlled by, that acted on behalf of, or are purported to have acted on behalf of Esad Kapidsic and/or Slobodan Tesic were concurrently designated:

Finrost Limited

Falcon Strategic Solutions D.O.O.

NEBOJSA SARENAC  nephew and close associate of Slobodan Tesic who serves as managing director of previously designated entities associated with the Slobodan Tesic as well as of an entity concurrently designated:

Melvale Corporation D.O.O. Beograd

ZORAN PETROVIC  managing director and principal of previously designated entity that has negotiated on Slobodan Tesics behalf.

NIKOLA BRKIC  a principal and legal representative of a previously designated entity involved in Slobodan Tesics arms network.

MILAN SUBOTIC  owner, managing director, and representative of the following Serbia-based entity concurrently designated for facilitating Slobodan Tesics arms deals:

Vectura Trans DOO

ZELIMIR PETROVIC  owner, managing director, and representative of the following Serbia-based entity concurrently designated for facilitating Slobodan Tesics arms deals:

SRETEN CVJETKOVIC  part owner and legal representative of a previously designated entity involved in Slobodan Tesics arms network.

LJUBO MARICIC  director of and former representative of previously designated entities involved in Slobodan Tesics arms network.

In addition, three separate entities were designated for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of Slobodan Tesic, a previously designated arms dealer.

MOONSTORM ENTERPRISES LTD  a Cyprus-based entity.

TARDIGRADE LIMITED  a Cyprus-based entity used by Slobodan Tesic to conduct business.

BUSINESS DIVERSITY LIMITED  a Hong Kong-based entity established by Slobodan Tesic to evade U.S. sanctions.

Designations of the following individuals and entities under E.O. 13818 relate to serious human rights abuse in Burma, Pakistan, Slovakia, Libya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan:

MIN AUNG HLAING  Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese security forces, members of which have committed serious human rights abuse under his command.

SOE WIN  Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese security forces, members of which have committed serious human rights abuse during his tenure.

THAN OO  a leader of the 99th Light Infantry Division (Burma), an entity whose members have engaged in serious human rights abuse under his command.

AUNG AUNG  a leader of the 33rd Light Infantry Division (Burma), an entity whose members have engaged in serious human rights abuse under his command.

These designations do not affect Burmese military-owned or operated enterprises.

RAO ANWAR KHAN  former Senior Superintendent of Police in District Malir, Pakistan, responsible for serious human rights abuse, including alleged involvement in over 400 extra-judicial killings, including the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsood.

MARIAN KOCNER  a prominent Slovak businessman charged with ordering the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee, Martina Kusnirova. Marian Kocner is accused of hiring former Slovak Intelligence Service members to surveil Kuciak ahead of the murder. Kuciaks investigative journalism exposed how Kocner earned millions of Euros through fraudulent tax returns and corrupt dealings and highlighted connections to the police and prosecutors. The following six entities owned or controlled by Marian Kocner were concurrently designated:

Hotel Holding, S.R.O.

International Investment Development Holding A.S.

International Investment Hotels Holding A.S.

Sprava A Inkaso Pohladavok, S.R.O.

Sprava A Inkaso Zmeniek, S.R.O.

Tranz-Tel, A.S.

MAHMUD AL-WARFALLI  a commander of the al-Saiqa Brigade (Libya). Since 2016, al-Warfalli has carried out or ordered the killings of 43 unarmed detainees in eight separate incidents.

The following individuals are being designated for being the leader of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) of the Democratic Republic of Congo or for materially assisting the ADF through recruitment, logistics, administration, financing, intelligence, and operations coordination. The ADF was designated in 2014 as an armed group active in DRC responsible for targeting children in situations of armed conflict, including through killing, rape, abduction, and forced displacement impacting the Great Lakes region.

MUSA BALUKU  leader of the ADF, an entity that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, serious human rights abuse.

In addition, five commanders of the ADF who have materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of the ADF, an entity that has engaged in, or whose members have engaged in, serious human rights abuse were designated:

AMIGO KIBIRIGE

MUHAMMED LUMISA

ELIAS SEGUJJA

KAYIIRA MUHAMMAD

AMISI KASADHA

The following members of the security forces of the Government of South Sudan designated for their role in serious human rights abuse including abuse carried out against prominent political and civil society actors whose views did not accord with those of the ruling regime. Government security force actions such as these, which have narrowed political space in South Sudan, are a significant impediment to full implementation of the nations peace process. The U.S. decision to designate these individuals reflects our determination to promote accountability of all those impeding South Sudans peace process. We urge regional and international partners to take similar action so as to send a clear signal that further delays in South Sudans peace process are unacceptable to the international community.

ABUD STEPHEN THIONGKOL  commander of the South Sudan detention facility where a member of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement  In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and a human rights lawyer were held before being killed.

MALUAL DHAL MUORWEL  responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in the killings of a member of the SPLM-IO and a human rights lawyer and has been identified as the commander of forces who detained and assaulted three international monitors in December of 2018.

MICHAEL KUAJIEN  responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in the kidnapping of a member of the SPLM-IO and a human rights lawyer.

JOHN TOP LAM  responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in the kidnapping of a member of the SPLM-IO and a human rights lawyer.

ANGELO KUOT GARANG  responsible for or complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in the killings of a member of the SPLM-IO and a human rights lawyer, as well as the killings of other individuals.

All property of the individuals and entities named above is blocked and must be reported pursuant to the laws, regulations, and authority of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. For additional information, click here.

The United States designated these individuals and entities because corruption and serious human rights abuse threaten the stability of international political and economic systems and undermine the values that form stable, secure, and functioning societies. The actions taken by the individuals and entities designated have devastating impacts, weaken democratic institutions, degrade the rule of law, perpetuate violent conflicts, facilitate dangerous activity, and undermine free markets. The United States uses economic sanctions to impose tangible and significant consequences on those who engage in corruption or commit serious human rights abuse.
Fuel cell maker Bloom Energy went public in July 2018, six years after a scandal in which its bankers were found to have misled prospective investors. But Axios has learned that Bloom itself has a history of playing fast and loose with its numbers.

Why it matters: Bloom was one of Silicon Valley's earliest unicorns, with a high-powered board of directors that includes Colin Powell and John Doerr. It's a cautionary tale of what can happen when narrative overtakes results.

While still a privately-held company, Bloom repeatedly disseminated unreliable data and rose-colored projections, according to documents reviewed by Axios.

For example, some prospective investors in 2009 were shown a "Google customer testimonial" that claimed the search giant had experienced only a single equipment failure that was quickly fixed.

Confidential board documents from 2011 show that Bloom replaced two dozen pieces of equipment for Google in 2008, due to "early life failures."

Bloom declined to explain the discrepancy when asked by Axios.

Founding story

Bloom Energy was formed in 2001 by K.R. Sridhar, a University of Arizona professor who had been working for NASA on a fuel cell that would help support life on Mars by producing air and fuel from solar energy. When the mission was scrapped, Sridhar redirected the technology closer to home  developing fuel cells that could power commercial and industrial buildings on Earth, without reliance on the electrical grid.

Kleiner Perkins, the venture capital firm known for early bets on Google and Amazon, soon made its first-ever "clean tech" bet by investing in Bloom. John Doerr, the Kleiner Perkins partner known for backing Amazon and Google, joined Bloom's board of directors.

By 2009 Bloom was valued at well over $1 billion by its venture capitalists. That was also the year that former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a strategic limited partner with Kleiner Perkins, was added to Bloom's board.

In February 2010 the company was profiled by "60 Minutes." In that piece, Doerr claimed that Bloom's technology "is cheaper than the grid."

In 2010, commercial customers in California paid an average of 13.1 cents per kilowatt hour, per state records.



Bloom's technology in 2010 generated electricity at a cost of 36 cents per hour, according to an internal board document.



A Kleiner Perkins spokesperson says that Doerr's claim was based on applicable federal and California tax credits in 2010 but, when pressed on the math, referred Axios to Bloom. The company declined to elaborate.

The scandal

More than a year before "60 Minutes," Bloom hired a Chicago-based investment bank called Advanced Equities to help raise money.

This was fairly unusual for a Silicon Valley startup, but Advanced Equities already had a lengthy track record of fundraising for portfolio companies of Kleiner Perkins and fellow Bloom investor New Enterprise Associates.

In 2008 it employed hundreds of brokers who would pitch startup investment opportunities to wealthy individuals who flew below Wall Street's radar (e.g. dentists, local business leaders, etc.).

Advanced Equities began raising $150 million in Series F funding for Bloom at the beginning of 2009, and hit its part of the target that May. The shares were to be sold at $18.52 each, giving the company a valuation of $1.6 billion.

That October, an Advanced Equities broker named Jim Kozak learned that Bloom had cut its three-year estimates in half, suspended shipments in Q3 2009, and delayed its IPO plans. He circulated a memo that read, in part:

"It is very clear that [Bloom executives] were not entirely telling us the truth during our fund raising. I would go as far as saying they completely misled us. There is no question in my mind we should be holding a gun to their head on this for our clients. They cut their estimates in half for the next 3 yrs and pushed the IPO out to 2012... Clearly the upside is there, but they took advantage of us and I am tired of that."

The memo went off like a nuclear bomb inside of Advanced Equities. Brokers began wondering if the firm's leadership  namely, co-founders Dwight Badger and Keith Daubenspeck  intentionally passed on bad information, and at least one took those concerns to federal securities regulators.

In September 2012, the SEC charged Advanced Equities, Badger and Daubenspeck with misleading investors. The accusations were devastating:

"Badger said in the 2009 offering that the energy company had more than $2 billion of order backlogs when the backlog never exceeded $42 million. He also said it had a $1 billion order from a national grocery store chain even though the store only had placed a $2 million order and signed a non-binding letter of intent for future purchases. Badger said that the company had been granted a U.S. Department of Energy loan exceeding $250 million when it had applied for a $96.8 million loan."

 SEC statement

The defendants agreed to settle. Advanced Equities shut down two months later, leaving hundreds of people out of work. Neither Badger nor Daubenspeck ever worked in the securities industry again.

A surprising disclosure

Bloom Energy filed to go public in June 2018, and disclosed that it would issue hundreds of thousands of shares to Badger and Daubenspeck, the very people charged with misleading Bloom investors.

Bloom referred to it only as a "dispute settlement."

Weeks later, Bloom updated its IPO prospectus to reflect a new lawsuit from Badger and Daubenspeck, "seeking to compel arbitration and alleging a breach of a confidential agreement from June 2014."

The complaint remains under court seal, and Axios has not reviewed a copy. A motion to unseal the complaint has been made by the plaintiff in a separate class action lawsuit against Bloom.

Axios has learned from multiple sources that the parties' original agreement came after Badger and Daubenspeck threatened to sue Bloom for supplying at least some of the faulty information that ultimately led to the failure of Advanced Equities (a charge that Bloom denies).

It's unclear if the SEC investigated Bloom itself but, either way, the government did not file charges against the company.

The subsequent lawsuit is believed to have come after Badger and Daubenspeck (or their lawyer) read Bloom's IPO prospectus and felt that the company had previously misstated its technical and financial progress. In other words: The shares could be worth less than anticipated in June 2014.

Bloom went public in July 2018 at $15 per share, with its stock popping 30% on its first day of trading.

The euphoria was short-lived: Yesterday, Bloom closed trading at $2.70 per share.

Doesn't add up

Badger and Daubenspeck both attended a Bloom board meeting on March 3, 2009, in the midst of their fundraising push, per the SEC complaint. Several pieces of material information presented during that meeting were questionable, according to an Axios review of the board books. For example:

First costs, including materials, labor and installation.

During the March 2009 meeting, Bloom said that Q4 2008 first costs were $9,494 per kilowatt. It predicted first costs would drop to $6,743 by July 2009.

Subsequent board documents, however, show that full-year 2009 first costs averaged $9,924, and didn't get below the July 2009 projection until two years later.

Bloom tells Axios: "This was driven by developing new vendors and supply chain partners, as discussed above and not meeting the timing we had projected as we matured our supply chain."

Hot boxes, the "chambers" in which fuel cells reside.

During the March 2009 meeting, Bloom showed hot boxes cost $1,960 per kilowatt as of December 2008.

Subsequent board documents show hot boxes cost $5,000 at the beginning of 2008 and $3,500 at the end of 2008.

Bloom tells Axios that the internal definition of "hot box" changed over time, thus explaining the discrepancy, although that nomenclature change was not noted in board books.

Total costs

During the March 2009 meeting, Bloom said that total costs of a box (without incentives) in 2009 would be $10,000 per kilowatt.

Subsequent board books show it began 2009 at $19,362 per kW, and remained above the $10,000 per kW mark for each quarter of 2009.

Bloom tells Axios that the $19,362 figure relates to its initial Google install in 2008, but declined to elaborate on the remaining discrepancy.

Gross profit

During the March 2009 meetings, Bloom said it expected to gross profit to be negative $15 million for the year. This was based on expectations of selling 50 systems and losing $303,000 on each one.

Subsequent board documents show gross profit of negative $55 million, after losing nearly $3.3 million per system (32 sold).

Bloom declined to explain the discrepancy when contacted by Axios.

Bloom also made questionable statements in later years.

In November 2012, then-Bloom CFO Bill Kurtz told Fortune that Bloom had become gross margin positive in 2012 and was on track to become profitable in 2013.

Board documents show that Bloom was gross margin negative for 2012, despite hitting 1% gross margin positive for Q2 2012 and Q4 2012. At the time Kurtz spoke with Fortune, the company's most recently-completed quarter was gross margin negative.

It did not become profitable in 2013.

Bloom had a net loss of $336 million in 2016, $281 million in 2017, and $258 million in 2018.

In its IPO filing, Bloom neglected to disclose anticipated costs to replace "boxes" at a utility-scale deployment in Delaware.

Axios first identified the oversight in November 2018, suggesting the cost would be between $100 million and $150 million.

Bloom called it immaterial.

The company later disclosed that the replacement costs would be around $130 million, although effectively assumed via a new investment by The Southern Company. For context, Bloom generated $742 million in 2018 revenue.

Short-seller Hindenburg Research published a paper in September purporting to show that Bloom has around $2.2 billion in undisclosed liabilities related to service contracts on its boxes. Bloom disputed those findings.

Expand chart Data: Yahoo! Finance; Chart: Axios Visuals

What it means

None of this absolves Badger or Daubenspeck for passing on misinformation to investors. But they've privately insisted that their faulty numbers originated with Bloom executives, per sources, which is made more plausible by how often Bloom changed what it told its own board of directors.

For example, the SEC accused Badger of claiming that Bloom "had more than $2 billion of order backlogs when the backlog never exceeded $42 million."

The SEC is correct. At the same time, however, Badger might not have made up the $2 billion order backlog out of whole cloth.

A consultant to Bloom in 2009, not affiliated with Advanced Equities, writes in his LinkedIn profile that he helped Bloom "fill a multi-billion dollar customer order backlog." The consultant did not return a request for comment.

Bloom also regularly grouped closed deals with letters of intent under the "backlog" heading, per internal documents.

Bloom tells Axios that none of the misinformation passed on by Badger or Daubenspeck, as cited by the SEC, originated with the company or any of its executives. It adds:

"Rather than focusing on things that are 10 years-old, Bloom Energy is focused on moving forward with our business, executing out plan, and disrupting a 135 year-old entrenched technology and business model... Bloom Energy's value proposition and investment thesis is more relevant now than it has ever been."

An attorney for Badger and Daubenspeck declined comment, citing pending litigation.

The bottom line is that privately-held Bloom was either sloppy or intentionally deceptive, and that history has found its way into current litigation for a company that is now publicly traded.
Some Oregon residents could be receiving a monetary settlement from CenturyLink for deceptive business practices.

Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced Tuesday a $4 million settlement with the telecommunications company.

Her office accused the company of deceptive billing practices, undisclosed fees and failure to apply promised discounts to customer accounts in violation of Oregon law.

An agreement signed Tuesday by the state and CenturyLink spells out the terms of the settlement and details the steps the company will pursue to avoid potentially running afoul of the law in the future.

CenturyLink denied any wrongdoing and said it signed the settlement in part to avoid further inconvenience and costs of potential litigation.

The company has agreed to refund $672,000 to more than 8,200 Oregonians who were overcharged for their services or did not receive the promised discount. CenturyLink will contact those consumers directly, but any consumer with questions can contact the attorney generals consumer hotline at 877-877-9392.

The company also agreed to pay more than $3.3 million into an attorney general office fund that provides consumer and business education related to unlawful trade practices.

Purchasing internet, phone service and cable is confusing enough without false promises, and confusing prices and fees, Rosenblum said in a statement. Todays settlement sends a clear message that hidden fees and other forms of unfair and deceptive business practices will not be tolerated in Oregon.

Since 2014, her office has received more than 1,200 consumer complaints about CenturyLink, leading the attorney generals office to open an investigation.

Customers complained that CenturyLink charged more than the promised price, they received multiple bills each month for different amounts, they were billed for services after they had cancelled the service and they were billed for modems before the equipments installation.

Under the settlement, which was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, CenturyLink agreed to:

Stop charging new customers an internet cost recovery fee not previously disclosed to consumers until they received their first bill;

Allow current customers to transition to another plan without the fee;

Disclose all mandatory fees and charges in future advertisements;

Stop charging cancellation and unreturned equipment fees if they are not disclosed at the time of sale.

The attorney generals office will continue to lead a separate class-action lawsuit that alleged that CenturyLinks deceptive and unsustainable business practices led to a drop in its stock price, resulting in millions of dollars of losses to the states public employee pension fund.

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Linkedin Sausan Atika and Ardila Syakriah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 3, 2020

Severe flooding affecting millions in Greater Jakarta has quickly reignited a spat among officials and politicians about mitigation strategies while reports of victims struggling to reach safety surfaced one day after the worst floods in the capital since 2013. At least 26 people have died as of Thursday afternoon, while 62,453 have been put up in 308 shelters throughout Greater Jakarta.

Some residents, especially in housing complexes in Bekasi and Bogor in West Java, had to spend the turn of the year on the roof, without food or spare clothes, while the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) struggled to respond to help calls from distressed residents.

On Thursday morning, President Joko Jokowi Widodo stressed that discussing flood mitigation should be done after the evacuation process.

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To my family, it was strange that Annie and I werent married and almost as strange that we didnt have children. My grandmother, I knew, started having children as a teenager. So had my sister and many of our cousins. Most of my mothers siblings were grandparents by 45, if not sooner. While Annie and I were very much behind schedule, everyone seemed optimistic. Annie was smart and great with children. She had grown up on a farm and played the fiddle  an idealized country girl who could keep me in line.

If my family thought Annie and I were odd for being unmarried and childless at 28, my friends in Morgantown thought the opposite  that we were odd for even being in a long-term relationship at all. In my graduate student circles, few people were coupled-up, and even fewer had been together as long as Annie and I had. Out at bars, Id listen as my friends laughed about Tinder or swapped stories about blurry hookups, whereas Annie and I recently had used Google Calendar to schedule times to have sex.

The idea of marriage was embarrassing. But it wasnt that I wanted to be single and free. I just wanted to appear that way. I didnt want to seem hickish, prudish, and tied down  the traits I saw in many members of my family. Getting away from home had meant getting away from living like I was at home. But still, so young, I had chosen to couple up.

You cant take the country out of the boy, I guess.

Holding each others liver-spotted hands, Gert and Bill said I do in a way that didnt seem even a little rote. The pastor said, While we take the photos, Ill let you sort out what to call each other.

The attendees laughed, but after the joke faded, I noticed my mother looking around thoughtfully, working to understand the new backstitch in the family thread.

The most awkward part of a wedding is usually the intersection of two families, a feeling that should have been largely absent from Gert and Bills. But, for me, another neurosis replaced it: Everybody in my hometown suddenly felt related, tangled vines of my kin ensnaring the landscape, squeezing until the hills rose up higher, so high you couldnt see out.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) said she would vote to pass the USMCA trade deal in the Senate during an interview Friday, despite saying in 2018 that she would not support NAFTA 2.0.

Warren cited improvements made after months of negotiations between the White House and House Democrats as the reason for her switch, saying that the deal will help open up some markets for farmers with tighter labor standards, but shifted the focus to what she would pursue as president.

We really need trade negotiations going forward that make sure anyone who wants access to our markets is actually helping us in the fight against climate change and helping build an economy that works for everybody in the U.S., Warren argued.

During a speech in November 2018, Warren called USMCA NAFTA 2.0, saying she would not support it unless the president reopens the agreement and produces a better deal for Americas working families. Warren also stated the agreement does little to reduce pollution or combat the dangers of climate change.

USMCA gives American companies one more reason to close their factories here and move to Mexico where the environmental standards are lower. Thats bad for the earth and bad for American worker, she said at the time.

Warrens discussion of climate change mirrored that of fellow progressive candidate Bernie Sanders, who said during the last Democratic debate that it was an outrage that climate change was not mentioned in USMCA. But unlike Warren, Sanders remains opposed to USMCA because it is not going to stop outsourcing despite modest improvements.

What we need is a trade policy that stands up for workers, stands up for farmers, he explained in the December debate.

This was Sanders at the last debate. "But at the end of the day, in my view, it is not going to stop outsourcing. It is not going to stop corporations from moving to Mexico, where manufacturing workers make less than $2 an hour.So, no, I will not be voting for this agreement" pic.twitter.com/G0rMX5BzCr  Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) January 3, 2020

President Trumps landmark North American trade deal passed the House last month with bipartisan support after Democrats negotiated for tighter enforcement of labor standards. The additions to the deal received the endorsement of U.S. labor unions, a powerful party in negotiations.

More from National Review
V ictoria Beckham has said she has learned to make the best of what she has  and doesnt think shes beautiful.

The fashion designer, 45, said she embraces her imperfections and it took her a while to do so.

She told Harpers Bazaar: Do I think of myself as beautiful? No, absolutely not. But I make the best of what I have. I see my imperfections and flaws and I smile: its who I am and Im not going to try to change that. Its taken me a long, long time to recognise that by 45 years old, actually Im all right.

Prior to her fashion and beauty empire, the former pop star previously modelled for designers Maria Grachvogel and Roberto Cavalli, was the face of Rocawear in 2003, Marc Jacobs in 2008 and was British ambassador for Dolce and Gabbana.

(Harpers Bazaar UK/Ellen von Unwerth) / Harpers Bazaar UK/Ellen von Unwerth

Her fashion line - named Victoria Beckham - was then launched in 2008 and last September she set up a cosmetics brand, Victoria Beckham Beauty.

She also opened up about balancing her career with her marriage to husband David and being a mother to their four children.

David and Victoria Beckham's best couple moments 1 /82 David and Victoria Beckham's best couple moments AFP/Getty Images 1998



Victoria Adams and David Beckham the Manchester United footballer leave the Hotel near Crewe after their engagement annoucement PA April 6, 1998



David Beckham and Victoria seen together on a nightly stroll PA June 11, 1999



Victoria and David arriving for a Versace star-studded reception hosted by Donatella Versace in London, England AFP/Getty Images 1999



Victoria and David pose together in coordinating leather ensembles at the oepning of Versace Couture Jeans Boutique in London, England Rex Features July 2, 1999



David and Victoria Beckham seen leaving her parents' home in Hertfordshire before heading to Ireland for their wedding Rex Features August 26, 1999



David and Victoria leaving the Monaco Sporting Club in Monaco AFP/Getty Images May 29, 2002



David and Victoria Beckham leaves the Soho Club after a Vogue magazine party in New York, NY, USA Getty Images May 31, 2003



David and Victoria Beckham attend The 2003 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, CA, USA Getty Images June 18, 2003



David and Victoria Beckham arrive at New Tokyo International Airport in Japan Getty Images June 22, 2003



avid Beckham and his wife Victoria spotted walking through New Tokyo International Airport in Jpan Getty Images October15, 2003



David and Victoria Bkecham watch Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain at the ATP Madrid Masters at the Nuevo Rockodromo in Madrid, Spain Getty Images November 27, 2003



David poses with Victoria as he shows off his Officer of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II in London, England AFP/Getty Images November 27, 2003



David Beckham kisses his wife, Victoria, as he holds the OBE in London, England AFP/Getty Images April 12, 2004



David Beckham and Victoria ride on a quadbike at their Hertfordshire home in England AFP/Getty Images April 12, 2004



David and Victoria Beckham meet the media as they leave Claridges Hotel in London, England Getty Images April 19, 2004



David and Victoria Beckham share a kiss as they arrive at 19 Management's 19th Anniversary Party in London, England Getty Images May 16, 2005



David Beckham and his wife Victoria are arm in arm as they arrive for the Laureus World Sports Awards at the Estoril casino in Estoril, Portugal AFP/Getty Images June 3, 2005



David Beckham and wife Victoria pose at The David Beckham Academy launch party in Beverly Hills, CA, USA Getty Images July 4, 2005



David and Victoria Beckham leave the British High Commissioner's residence after a dinner reception with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Singapore Getty Images July 6, 2005



David and Victoria leave the London 2012 celebration party after London won the vote to stage the 2012 Olympic Games in Singapore Getty Images September 7, 2006



Victoria and David Beckham arrive during the ninth day of the 63rd Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy Getty Images September 7, 2006



Victoria Beckham and David Beckham depart from the Hotel Danieli during the ninth day of the 63rd Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy Getty Images November 17, 2006



David and Victoria Beckham arrive at Ciampino Airport for Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise wedding in Rome, Italy Getty Images November 17, 2006



David and Victoria Beckham leave the Hassler Hotel, as part of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise wedding in Rome, Italy Getty Images March 29, 2007



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the Sport Industry Awards 2007 in London, England Getty Images July 8, 2007



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive in the paddock before the British Formula One Grand Prix in Northampton, England Getty Images July 12, 2007



David and Victoria Beckham arrive at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, CA, USA Getty Images May 5, 2008



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive at the Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy Met Gala in New York, NY, USA Getty Images May 23, 2008



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham have a cuddle at the Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Game 2 in Los Angeles, CA, USA Getty Images July 16, 2008



David and Victoria pose upon arrival for the 2008 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, CA, USA Getty Images September 26, 2008



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the launch of the Beckham Signature fragrance collection in New York, NY, USA Getty Images September 30, 2009



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the adidas Originals By Originals David Beckham By James Bond Collection Launch in Los Angeles, CA, USA Getty Images October 30, 2009



The Beckham's at a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks in Los Angeles, CA, USA Getty Images April 29, 2011



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham arrive to attend the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton in London, England Getty Images February 12, 2012



David Beckham supports and admires his wife while taking his own photos during the Victoria Beckham fashion show in New York, NY, USA AFP/Getty Images February 26, 2012



David and Victoria Beckham arrives at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood, CA, USA Getty Images May 20, 2012



Victoria and David Beckham with their kids Cruz, Romeo and Brooklyn arrive at the 27th Anniversary Sports Spectacular benefiting Cedars-Sinai Medical Genetics Institute in Century City, CA, USA Getty Images July 8, 2012



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham sit in the Royal Box during the Gentlemen's Singles final match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Andy Murray of Great Britain on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships in London, England Getty Images December 11, 2012



The Beckham's attend the press night of Viva Forever, a musical based on the music of The Spice Girls in London, England Getty Images September 16, 2013



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend an evening celebrating with The Global Fund featuring the first green carpet challenge in London, England Getty Images December 1, 2013



The Beckham family attend the world premiere of The Class of 92 in London, England Getty Images May 5, 2014



David and Victoria Beckham pose on the red carpet for the Charles James: Beyond Fashion Met Gala in New York, NY, USA Getty Images July 6, 2014



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham in the Royal Box on Centre Court before the Gentlemen's Singles Final match between Roger Federer of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships in London, England Getty Images November 30, 2014



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the 60th London Evening Standard Theatre Awards in London, England Getty Images December 1, 2014



David and Victoria Beckham attend the British Fashion Awards in London, England Getty Images David Beckham and Victoria Beckham advert for their perfume INTIMATELY YOURS INTIMATELY YOURS March 12, 2015



Victoria Beckham and David Beckham attend a private view for the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition in London, England Getty Images April 26, 2015



Victoria, David, and Cruz Beckham support Romeo Beckham after he finishes the junior marathon during the Virgin Money London Marathon in London, England Getty Images May 3, 2015



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham pose with the rest of the Spice Girls during a party for his birthday DavidBeckham/Instagram May 4, 2015



Victoria puts her arms around David while celebrating his birthday DavidBeckham/Instagram November 23, 2015



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the British Fashion Awards 2015 in London, England Getty Images October 23, 2017



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham at the grand opening of the new Ken Paves Salon hosted by Eva Longoria in Los Angeles, CA, USA Getty Images January 18, 2018



David Beckham and Victoria Beckham attend the Louis Vuitton Menswear Fall/Winter 2018-2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week in Paris, France Getty Images May 19, 2018



David and Victoria Beckham attend the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle in Windsor, England Getty Images July 4, 2018



David and Victoria Beckham photographed at a romantic dinner VictoriaBeckham/Instagram August 30, 2018



David Beckham and his wife Victoria arrive to attend the draw for UEFA Champions League football tournament in Monaco AFP/Getty Images December 10, 2018



David and Victoria Beckham pose on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the British Fashion Awards in London, England AFP/Getty Images February 17, 2019



Victoria and David Beckham attend the Victoria Beckham x YouTube Fashion & Beauty After Party at London Fashion Week in London, England Getty Images for YouTube March 2, 2019



Victoria and David Beckham pose beside his newly unveiled statue at the Legends Plaza in Carson, CA, USA AFP/Getty Images March 12, 2019



David and Victoria Beckham attends the Portrait Gala in London, england Getty Images June 15, 2019



David Beckham and wife Victoria Beckham attend the wedding of real Madrid football player Sergio Ramos and Tv presenter Pilar Rubio in Seville, Spain Getty Images

She said: Im very lucky to have a job that doesnt feel like a job; its my passion. So I love going to work. But with the kids, both myself and David are really hands-on.

Yes, Im up early working out but one of us will do the school run and we always try to be home by dinnertime. Were very strict about that when were in London  at 6pm we are all together, eating dinner, talking about our days.
Algeria released on Thursday 76 prominent anti-government protest figures from detention, including well-known independence war veteran Lakhdar Bouregaa, state television and a lawyer said.

Bouregaa was freed from an Algiers prison after six months in detention, an AFP photographer said.

"His trial, which was due to start this morning, has been postponed and the judge has decided to release him," his lawyer Abdelghani Badi said.

State television said 75 members of the "Hirak" anti-government protest movement were also freed -- over half of the 140 who had been detained by the authorities, either convicted or awaiting judgement.

Bouregaa, 86, was arrested in June at his home in Algiers for "insulting a state body" and "taking part in a scheme to demoralise the army with the aim of harming the nation's defence".

His supporters attributed his detention to his criticism of army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah, who became Algeria's de facto strongman after the fall of longtime president Abdelaziz Bouteflika last April. Gaid Salah died of a heart attack in December.

Badi said that Bouregaa, who underwent emergency surgery for a hernia during his detention in November, would remain free during his trial, postponed until March 12.

Bouregaa was a commander of the National Liberation Army -- which fought French colonial rule -- and a founder in 1963 of the Front for Socialist Forces, one of Algeria's oldest opposition parties.

Before his arrest, he took part in the demonstrations that have rocked Algeria since last February -- initially against Bouteflika, and then the wider establishment, after the president was forced to resign.

Bouregaa's arrest provoked outrage, notably from supporters of the "Hirak", who branded him a "prisoner of conscience" and demanded his release.

Among other detainees freed on bail Thursday was retired general Hocine Benhadid.

The 73-year-old was accused of "demoralising the army" after criticising Gaid Salah.

Mohamed Tadjadit, an activist nicknamed the "Hirak poet" was also among those released, according to the National Committee for the Liberation of Prisoners, a support group.

Abdelhamid Amine, who was sentenced to three months imprisonment for his anti-government cartoons under the pen name "Nime", was released after serving one month, according to the support group.

Many protesters were arrested ahead of an unpopular presidential election in December, many for waving Berber flags at protests or making critical comments online.

Some were acquitted, often after months of pre-trial detention while 30 were convicted of "attacking the integrity of the territory" and released after serving six month sentences.

After a vote marred by low turnout, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, an ex-premier under Bouteflika, was sworn in as Algeria's new president on December 19.
New Delhi:

Priyanka Chopra and husband Nick Jonas ringed in the New Year in style in Miami and the pictures from the night are going insanely viral on the internet. Priyanka also attended the Jonas Brothers concert and she looked stunning in a neon pink backless dress from PatBo.

For the outfit, Priyanka spent Rs 64,154 approximately. The gown featured a deep plunging neckline and a long flowy pleated skirt, which accentuated her curves well. She accessorised her look with with a watch, open locks, a pink lip and kohled eyes.

Check out the pictures below:

Meanwhile, Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra celebrated their first wedding anniversary last month. "My promise. Then, today, forever. You bring me joy, grace, balance, excitement, passion... All in the same moment. Thank you for finding me. Happy first wedding anniversary husband," read an excerpt from Priyanka Chopra's post.

Nick Jonas, on the other hand, wrote, "One year ago today we said forever... Well forever isn't nearly long enough. I love you with all of my heart."

On the work front, Priyanka Chopra has wrapped shooting of The White Tiger opposite Rajkummar Rao. The Netflix film, being directed by Ramin Bahrani of Fahrenheit 451 and 99 Homes fame, is an adaptation of Aravind Adiga's novel of the same name. Priyanka took to Instagram to share the news, saying it was a real pleasure to work on the project.

"Happy tired.. but so excited to have wrapped #thewhitetiger. It was such a pleasure to work with the best in the business in every department. The most hard working crew.. and such a delightful cast. "Thank you for all your brilliance. I can't wait to see the finished product and share it with the world," Priyanka wrote alongside her own photo.

Netflix is producing the project in association with Mukul Deora. Priyanka is also serving as executive producer. Adiga's book follows the extraordinary journey of a self-made man from tea-shop worker in a village to successful entrepreneur in a big city. Murder, love and deceit become the ultimate price for ambition.
At least 49 people died in traffic crashes on Portlands streets in 2019, the most killed in a single year in more than two decades.

Portlands death toll rose, while statewide figures declined by 5% from 2018 levels, according to preliminary figures.

Statewide, an estimated 475 people died last year. While thats a decline from the 502 people who died in 2018, its the second most traffic deaths in Oregon since 2006. Pedestrian and cyclist deaths increased statewide, mirroring a national trend.

In Portland, 55-year-old Terry Allen Riha was struck and killed by a driver Dec. 27 while crossing Northeast 122nd Avenue near Halsey Street, marking the final official fatality of the calendar year. City transportation officials stress the figures are just estimates and a final tally is expected by 2021. In 1996, some 59 people were killed in crashes across the city.

Transportation officials dont include at least four traffic deaths on city streets for a variety of reasons. Police, however, include known suicides, deaths that occurred on private property or more than 30 days after a crash and fatalities caused by medical issues in their figures. On Dec. 27, a 60-year-old man was killed on North Lombard when he struck another vehicle head-on. Dylan Rivera, a city transportation spokesman, said that driver is believed to have suffered a medical event that caused the crash. Neither police nor transportation estimates include perhaps the citys most prominent traffic-related death, that of 23-year-old antifascist activist Sean Kealiher, who was hit and killed this fall. That case remains under investigation.

Portland is hoping to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2025, part of an international campaign known as Vision Zero. Deaths dropped more than 27% year over year from 2017 to 2018 before rising last year. City officials said they remain committed to Vision Zero and are hopeful significant infrastructure projects in East Portland will help address safety issues moving forward.

-- Andrew Theen; atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026; @andrewtheen

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
A Nobel Prize-winning scientist has retracted a paper she published last year and admitted the research was carried out badly.

Dr Frances Arnold won the prestigious $1million (760,000) 2018 Chemistry prize along with two other scientists for their work revealing the evolution of enzymes.

A separate paper which she published last year suggested enzymes found in E.coli bacteria could be forced to evolve in a way which gave them extreme precision in controlling where chemical reactions happen.

But Dr Arnold, who works at the California Institute of Technology, has now retracted this paper after it was revealed to be incorrect.

She said on Twitter that she had been 'very busy' when the paper was published and had not done her job well.

Other academics praised Dr Arnold for being honest, owning up to her mistakes and showing that even a Nobel Prize winner can make mistakes.

Dr Frances Arnold, who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2018, has retracted an unrelated paper she published last year after it was revealed its results couldn't be proven

In a tweet, Dr Arnold wrote: 'It is painful to admit, but important to do so. I apologize to all. I was a bit busy when this was submitted, and did not do my job well.'

The paper, titled 'Site-selective enzymatic CH amidation for synthesis of diverse lactams', was published with Dr Zhi-Jun Jia and Inha Cho, who both worked with Dr Arnold at Caltech.

It was printed in the prestigious journal Science, but retracted  a scientist's way of taking back what they have written and admitting it was wrong  on January 2.

Dr Arnold tweeted that she was 'a bit busy' when the paper was submitted and 'did not do my job well. In another tweet she said she was 'totally bummed' about what had happened

The work is not the paper which won the Nobel Prize, and the colleagues are not the same people who won that award alongside Dr Arnold.

In a notice, the journal Science said efforts to try and reproduce the work of Dr Arnold, Dr Jia and Ms Cho had failed, essentially proving it wrong.

The notice added: 'Careful examination of the first author's lab notebook then revealed missing contemporaneous entries and raw data for key experiments. The authors are therefore retracting the paper.'

Dr Arnold, who was only the fifth woman ever to win the chemistry Nobel Prize, and now sits on the board of Google's parent company Alphabet, said she was 'totally bummed' that the work had not been accurate.

But other chemists commended her for owning up to her mistake.

Other researchers commended Dr Arnold for owning up to her mistake. Dr Dominique Hoogland, a King's College London researcher, said: 'This shows that anyone can make an honest mistake'

Anmol Kulkarni, a scientist at the Italian Foundation for Cancer Research, tweeted: 'Seeing a Nobel laureate tweet about a paper retraction teaches how important it is for scientist to be honest'

Professor Leroy Cronin, from the University of Glasgow, said scientists should feel able to be honest and open about their failures

Dr Howard Junca, a scientist in Germany, added: 'A Nobel Prize winner teaches the world a lesson: to face, correct and learn from mistakes with transparency and humility!'

Anmol Kulkarni, a scientist at the Italian Foundation for Cancer Research, tweeted: 'Seeing a Nobel laureate tweet about a paper retraction teaches how important it is for scientist to be honest about their data'.

Dr Dominique Hoogland, a King's College London researcher, said: 'This shows that anyone can make an honest mistake and acting to correct that is the best response.'

Dr Howard Junca, a scientist at Germany's Leibniz Institute, added: 'A Nobel Prize winner teaches the world a lesson: to face, correct and learn from mistakes with transparency and humility!'
One factor in the change has undoubtedly been Google's rapid and ongoing growth.

Long-tenured Alphabet employees recently told CNBC they no longer recognize Google as the company they first joined, citing organizational shifts and changes from its founder's hopes. A few days later, Google's former Head of International Relations Ross LaJeunesse offered his account of why he left the company, alleging he was pushed out for raising concerns about human rights  something he said he didn't expect to happen at a company whose execs often touted ethics over profits in the early days.

As Sundar Pichai faces his first full year leading Alphabet , the job comes with challenges, including a workforce that has grown eight-fold from a decade ago.

When Eric Schmidt took over from co-founder Larry Page as CEO in 2001, the company had fewer than 300 employees. By the time it went public in 2004, it had grown 10-fold to more than 3,000 employees, according to its annual report.

When Google co-founder Larry Page reclaimed the CEO role in 2011, the company had grown ten-fold again, to more than 32,000.

A little more than four years later, when Google had reorganized itself as Alphabet, the company had almost doubled to 61,814 workers. As part of that restructuring, the parent company separated Google from its other businesses such as Google X, Fiber and Google Ventures. Sundar Pichai was promoted to the CEO role while Page was made the CEO of Alphabet.

When 2018 hit, Alphabet had more than 89,000 employees. At the time, Google said it was growing faster outside of its Silicon Valley home and opened offices and data centers across the country, including 1.7 million square feet in New York that houses 7,000 employees.

When the founders officially stepped away from their formal roles as CEO and President in December 2019, naming Pichai the CEO of Alphabet, the company boasted more than 114,000 employees. The largest headcount additions were in Google Cloud and Search, according to company filings.

Some former employees say this growth has not been managed well. One former engineering director recently told CNBC one reason he left his tenure at Google was because upper management began placing extra emphasis on head count in recent years. Because of that, the company has become reluctant to eliminate weaker team members, which affected his and others' organizations, he said.

As it continues to grow rapidly, Google needs more space in its hometown of the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2019, the company announced plans to build an 8 million square-foot campus for up to 20,000 employees near San Jose's downtown  less than 15 miles from its Mountain View headquarters.

Shortly after the announcement, the company committed to a $1 billion housing investment to assist the region's housing crunch.

Watch: Google veterans on brain drain: Company has become 'unrecognizable'
Having a bonsai tree or cactus on your desk to stare at while working can keep you calm and make your job less stressful, researchers say.

Japanese experts studied whether a small plant could really improve mood at work, given nature is known to improve general wellbeing.

Office workers were given an indoor plant, such as a bonsai, cactus or a kokedama, for four weeks and told to care for it.

Both their level of daily anxiety and heart rate  two measurements of stress  were compared before and after the experiment.

Results showed stress levels 'significantly decreased' among volunteers when they had a plant on their desk.

The researchers at University of Hyogo in Awaji said having a plant offers workers a distraction from the stress of nine-to-five life.

Office workers recorded a 'significant decrease' in stress while caring for a desk plants. In the study, they were offered one of either (L-R) a kokedama, san pedro cactus, echeveria, bonsai, air plant or foliage plant such as parlor palm

Lead author Dr Masahiro Toyoda said: 'At present, not many people fully understand and utilize the benefit of stress recovery brought by plants in the workplace.

'To ameliorate such situations, we decided it essential to verify and provide scientific evidence for the stress restorative effect by nearby plants in a real office setting.'

Sixty three office workers in Japan volunteered to be involved in the study. They had little exposure to greenery during the day.

Each was offered the choice of one plant  a kokedama, san pedro cactus, echeveria, bonsai, air plant or foliage plant such as parlor palm.

The participants were directed to take a three minute rest while sitting at their desks whenever they felt fatigued during the day.

All the participants took part in two phases of the study, with the first being a control period that lasted one week and did not involve plants.

The second lasted for four weeks, and allowed volunteers to look after the plant they chose for their desk.

In the control study, all 63 volunteers would simply stare at their desktop during the three-minute rest. In the intervention phase afterwards, they stared at their plant.

The researchers measured the participants' psychological stress using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory twice - at the end of the control phase and at the end of the intervention phase.

It asked how much they agreed with 20 statements on a four-point scale. Examples include 'I worry too much over something that really doesnt matter'.

A 20-MINUTE WALK OUTSIDE EVERY DAY 'DRAMATICALLY REDUCES STRESS' Little work has been conducted on the exact levels of exposure needed to have a significant impact on wellbeing. However, researchers at the University of Michigan found a daily 20-minute stroll in the great outdoors can dramatically lower stress levels and boost wellbeing. It appears to cut levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, by about 10 per cent. Dr Mary Carol Hunter, who led the re-search said: 'Our study shows that for the greatest payoff, in terms of ef-ficiently lowering levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, you should spend 20 to 30 minutes sitting or walking in a place that provides you with a sense of nature. 'You don't have to travel to the wildlands. Getting out of an office block and sitting next to a tree can be enough'. Dr Hunter believes the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, should lead to the prescription of 'nature-pills'  advice by doc-tors that patients suffering with anxiety should be spend time in a green space. Advertisement

The range of scores could be between 20 to 80, with a higher score indicating that workers had a greater anxiety.

The results showed that average scores of anxiety were reduced from 47.9 after the control phase without plants to 46.2 after the intervention phase with plants.

The results may not seem striking, however the researchers claimed in the journal HortTechnology that they are mathematically significant.

Dr Toyoda and colleagues also measured physiological stress, which affects how the body works, by recording heart rate.

The participants were taught how to measure their own pulse and were told to do it before and after every three-minute rest.

Twenty-seven per cent of participants saw their heart rate drop during the intervention phase when they stared at their plant, the results revealed.

In comparison, the rate was five per cent when the volunteers stared at their desktop without having a plant.

Dr Toyoda and team say a plant provides distraction from work thoughts but objects on the desk, such as a phone, computer screen or notepads, do not.

They wrote: 'This natural object incorporates elements that may induce comfortable feelings, such as vitality, beauty, affection, and so on, which is speculated to be helpful in getting away from work-related thought.

'Gazing at a plant creates separation from stressors and provides the participants opportunities to remove themselves from the strain of work, if only for a few minutes each time.'

Dr Toyoda and his team also said small indoor plants could be economical in work environments because it reduces stress, in turn improving productivity.

The findings add to mounting evidence which shows exposure to green space is beneficial for our mood - even if it is a view from a window or a 20-minute walk every day.
The Congress in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday reiterated its demand of full statehood with adequate legal and constitutional safeguards for the protection of the rights of locals in government land and jobs.

On the Centre mulling incorporating certain provisions to protect the rights of the locals in government jobs and land, it said the government should explain as why it first totally nullified all these protection.

"It seems the BJP government acts first and thinks later, as is evident from their present stand on these issues," a party spokesperson said.

We seek restoration of full statehood with adequate legal and constitutional safeguards for the protection of the rights of locals, he said.

According to a home ministry official, the Centre is examining the option of introducing mandatory requirement of 15-year residency in government jobs, ownership of land, seats in professional and college education in Jammu and Kashmir to allay apprehensions of locals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A recap of events that led to US killing of Qassem Soleimani and Irans retaliatory strikes on US targets in Iraq.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated dramatically after a top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed last week in a US air strike in Iraq.

Iran fired more than a dozen ballistic missiles at two Iraqi military bases hosting US troops early on Wednesday, a move it said was in retaliation to Soleimanis assassination on January 3.

Washington argues it killed Soleimani, who headed Irans elite Quds Force, in self-defence, aiming to disrupt his plans to attack US personnel and interests.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had pledged to take severe revenge for Soleimanis death, the biggest escalation yet in a feared proxy war between the US and Iran in Iraq, where Washington and Tehran have vied for influence since the US-led invasion in 2003.

While the US has maintained a military presence in the country, leading a coalition to fight the ISIL (ISIS) group, Iran wields vast influence over Iraqi politics and also backs a number of Iraqi militias within the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an umbrella of armed groups. The militias have long sought the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

Amid growing fears of a broader conflict in the region, here is a recap of the recent events.

US contractor killed

On December 27, a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk killed a US contractor and wounded several US service members and Iraqi personnel.

In its statement confirming the attack, the US-led coalition against the ISIL did not specify who might be responsible, but US officials later blamed Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, for the attack.





US targets militia sites

Two days later, the US military carried out defensive strikes on sites in Iraq and Syria belonging to Kataib Hezbollah that Washington said was in retaliation for the killing of the US contractor.

Iraqi security and militia sources said at least 25 fighters were killed and 55 others wounded following the air attacks in Iraq on Sunday.

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At least four Kataib Hezbollah commanders were among the dead, the sources said, adding that one of the raids had hit the Iran-backed groups headquarters near the western al-Qaim district on the border with Syria.

Iran strongly condemned the attacks with a government spokesman saying: America has shown its firm support for terrorism and its neglect for the independence and sovereignty of countries and it must accept consequences for its illegal act.

Protesters storm US embassy

On December 31, enraged members and supporters of pro-Iranian paramilitary groups in Iraq, broke into the heavily fortified US embassy compound in Baghdad, smashing a main door and setting parts of its perimeter on fire.

US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for killing the US contractor and the ensuing tensions around the embassy.

Iran is orchestrating an attack on the US Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible, he wrote on Twitter.

.Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019

US troops and Iraqi security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades at the protesters  PMF members and their supporters  who had encircled the embassy compound.

The sit-in ended on January 1.

A protester holds a burning placard with an illustration of US President Donald Trump outside the US embassy during a protest in Baghdad on January 1, 2020 [File: Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters]

Meanwhile, on January 2, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said there were some indications that Iran or groups it supports may be planning additional attacks on US interests in the Middle East.

If that happens then we will act and by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type indication, we will take pre-emptive action as well to protect American forces to protect American lives, the Pentagon chief told reporters.

Soleimani assassination

On January 3, a pre-dawn US air strike near Baghdads international airport killed Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and several others.

A three-day national mourning period ended in Iran on Tuesday, as thousands gathered for Soleimanis burial in his hometown of Kerman, a day after huge crowds took part in an emotionally-charged funeral procession in Tehran and the holy city of Qom.

Coffins of Soleimani and others who were killed in Iraq by a US drone strike, are carried on a truck surrounded by mourners during a funeral procession, in the city of Kerman, Iran, on January 7, 2020 [Erfan Kouchari/Tasnim News Agency via AP]

War of words

A highly-charged rhetoric from Washington and Tehran followed Soleimanis killing, prompting calls for de-escalation and diplomacy from world leaders and the United Nations.

Irans Khamenei said a harsh retaliation is waiting, while Trump threatened to hit 52 Iranian sites very hard if Tehran attacked US citizens or assets.





Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned the US that its days in the region are numbered.

Iran will respond because there was an act of war  an act of war combined with an act of terrorism against a senior official of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a citizen of Iran, Zarif told Al Jazeera in an interview on Tuesday.

Irans parliament also unanimously passed a bill on Tuesday designating all US forces as terrorists.

Iran fires back at US targets

In the early hours of Wednesday, Iran launched more than a dozen missiles from its territory against at least two Iraqi facilities hosting US-led coalition personnel, the Pentagon confirmed.

Iranian state television said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had attacked Ain al-Assad military base, where US troops are stationed. A second facility near Erbil airport was also hit.

The Iraqi military said in a statement that 22 missiles were launched on the two sites between 1:45am and 2:15am. Two of the 17 missiles targeting Ain al-Assad base did not go off, the military said, while the five missiles on Erbil all targeted coalition headquarters.
New York State CISO Deborah Snyder has retired after nearly 35 years in state service.Office of Information Technology Services spokeswoman Alicia Biggs said Snyder left the department at the end of November. Karen Sorady, the acting deputy CISO and director of Strategic Planning and Program Management, was tapped to step in as acting CISO.Snyder started her career with state government in 1985 at the Department of Social Services before leading the modernization of human services and later cybersecurity efforts at the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.Snyder moved to ITS shortly after its creation in 2012 as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomos information technology transformation and consolidation initiative. She aided in the redesign of how the state protects its data . As CISO, Snyder directed and maintained the NYS Cyber Command Center, hotline, procedures for reporting and response to cyberthreats, and digital forensics.Snyders interim successor comes into the position with a similar cybersecurity track record. Before joining ITS in 2012, Sorady served as the assistant deputy director of cyberprograms in the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, according to her LinkedIn profile
Oil prices could surge toward $80 a barrel if escalating geopolitical tensions disrupt Middle East crude supplies, analysts told CNBC on Friday, with energy market participants "on tenterhooks" after a U.S. airstrike killed key Iranian and Iraqi military personnel. International benchmark Brent crude traded at $68.65 Friday morning, up more than 3.6%, having earlier spiked to an intraday high of $69.16. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) stood at $63.38, over 3.5% higher, paring some of its gains after climbing to $63.84 earlier in the session. Iran's General Qasem Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of the Islamic Republic's elite Revolutionary Guards, was killed in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The same attack was thought to have killed Iraq's Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, Reuters reported, citing an Iraqi military spokesperson.

One thing is clear: Iran will respond. Henry Rome & Cliff Kupchan Analysts at Eurasia Group

The airstrike, which the Pentagon said was issued at the direction of President Donald Trump, has exacerbated already-high tensions between the U.S. and Iran  and sparked concerns of retaliatory action. In the hours after Soleimani's death, "one thing is clear: Iran will respond," analysts at political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said in a research note published Friday. "We expect moderate to low-level clashes to last for at least a month and likely be confined to Iraq. Iranian-backed militias will attack U.S. bases and some U.S. soldiers will be killed; the U.S. will retaliate with strikes inside of Iraq." Oil prices "will likely hold" around $70 a barrel, "but could make a run at $80 if the conflict spreads to the oil fields of southern Iraq or if Iranian harassment of commercial shipping intensifies," they added.

Oil price spike 'may continue'

The U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement overnight it had taken "defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad" by killing Soleimani, before adding the strike was "aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans." In response, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered three days of mourning and vowed to deliver "severe revenge" to the killers of Soleimani. Tweet 1 Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Twitter that the killing of Soleimani was "extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation." "The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," Zarif said. Soleimani has long been a key figure in Iranian politics and was widely regarded as the second-most powerful figure in the country  behind Khamenei. He was working as the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force  designated by the U.S. as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since April last year. Washington had blamed Soleimani for this week's attack of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

"It has been always lingering as a potential threat  But I guess the timing of it was certainly surprising for the market," Valentin Marinov, managing director and head of G10 FX research at Credit Agricole, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Friday. "Maybe it is a bit early to draw really finite conclusions here about the overall impact on oil. After all, we just had the OPEC meeting where they reaffirmed cutting production further." "In addition, we also have expectations of oil output really peaking this year so chances are the move may continue," Marinov said. OPEC and non-OPEC allies, sometimes referred to as OPEC+, agreed to cut oil production by an additional 500,000 barrels per day (b/d) from Jan. 1, further deepening their previous cut of 1.2 million b/d.

Energy market 'on tenterhooks'

"If we were to see a lack of escalation then potentially this initial spike is probably about enough for now," James Athey, senior investment manager at Aberdeen Standard Investments, told CNBC's "Capital Connection" on Friday. "But it does appear to be a pretty serious escalation that has occurred and for that reason I think the market is going to be on tenterhooks for a good while just yet," he added.

Dock workers haul the mooring rope of a cargo ship onto the dockside at Bandar Imam Khomeini (BIK) port on Friday, May 24, 2019. Ali Mohammadi | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Berlin, Jan 4 : German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned of further escalation of tensions in the Middle East after the United States killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani in an airstrike in Iraq.

"Further escalation, which could set the whole region on fire, must be prevented," Maas was quoted as saying by the German Foreign Office on its official Twitter account.

Maas added that he just discussed with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Germany is "in close consultations with Britain and France on how to help calm the situation," the tweet went on.

Maas noted that the consequences for the Middle East would be difficult to predict, Xinhua news agency reported.

The tension between Iran and the United States has dramatically escalated following the killing of the Iranian commander in a US airstrike on Friday.

Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed "severe revenge" for the killing of Soleimani.

Germany, France and Britain - signatories of the Iran nuclear deal - remain committed to the accord inked in 2015 after US withdrawal in May 2018.
Top scientists, including two Nobel laureates, will be among policymakers, academicians and other delegates to attend the 107th Indian Science Congress, to be inaugurated on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Bengaluru: Top scientists, including two Nobel laureates, will be among policymakers, academicians and other delegates to attend the 107th Indian Science Congress, to be inaugurated on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The five-day event will see Nobel laureates Stefan Hell from Max Planck Institut Germany and Ada E Yonath, an expert in structural biology from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, taking part.

The president of Nanyang Technological University, Subra Suresh, a material scientist from Indonesia, and renowned cardiologist CN Manjunath, will also be present.

The organizers are expecting around 15,000 people to attend the event.

The event, with the theme 'Science and Technology for Rural Development', will see participants deliberate on the lack of communication between the scientific fraternity, industry and farmers which could minimize the agrarian crisis.

The organisers said the last couple of decades had witnessed tremendous progress in the development of cutting edge science and technology.

Many of the inventions and innovations had found applications in enhancing crop productivity, improving market access, enhancing and diversifying rural livelihood profiles.

But due to the gap between the innovators and farming community, the benefits could not be explored fully, they said.

The event will also provide a platform to the farmers who introduced innovations in the field of agriculture.

"Many farmers in the country have become innovative and experts. We wanted to bring all of them on a single platform so their innovations and innovative ideas are discussed and deliberated for the whole day," Dr S Rajendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor of city-based University of Agricultural Sciences, had said.

The other events will be Women's Science Congress, Children's Science Congress, Science Communicators' Meet, Formal Science Congress and Yoga Science.

The Forum of Vice-Chancellors and IIT Directors will deliberate on challenges in the higher education sector

Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the inaugural session.
A group of people, led by the family of a Muslim man who married a Sikh teenager, held a day-long sit-in outside Gurdwara Janamesthan Nanakana Sahib near here on Friday to protest the arrest of their relatives who were held for alleged forced conversion of the girl, police said.

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as the Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is the site where the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. It is regarded as one of the holiest Sikh sites.

According to police, the man named Hassan married 18-year-old Jagjit Kaur in September last year after abducting her and converting her to Islam.

According to some Indian media reports, a mob attack took place at the shrine. The reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones on Friday



India's External Affairs Ministry said members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib.

"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community," the MEA said in a statement.

"Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," it said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also expressed concern over reports of the mob attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara.

In a tweet, Singh appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure that the devotees stranded at the gurdwara are rescued from the mob. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart.

"The family members of Hassan on Friday held a sit-in outside Gurdwara Janamesthan Nanakana Sahib against the arrest of some of their relatives on the dispute over the Sikh girl," Evacuee Trust Property Board spokesperson Amir Hashmi told PTI.

Replying to a question on reports in the Indian media about the country strongly condemning the vandalism at the revered gurdwara, Hashmi claimed, "The protesters remained peaceful. They ended the demonstration after police released a detained person."



Meanwhile, a local correspondent of a Pakistani English daily told PTI that the Pakistani Sikhs, who were present at the gurdwara to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh "got panicky" over the Muslim's demonstration outside the shrine. They thought that the protesters might attack it.

"The protesters also blocked the main road leading to the gurdwara, causing disruption of traffic for several hours," he said.

However, a contingent of police reached the site and secured the gurdwara premises.

A police official said they had only summoned some of the family members of Hassan in connection with the FIR registered against them.

The FIR earlier was reported to have been sealed after Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar claimed to have amicably resolved the matter.

The issue snowballed into a controversy after the girl's family Jagjit Kaur in a video message, that went viral, claimed that she was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Irishman or Marriage Story? Succession or  Succession? Photo: Vulture, HBO and Netflix

Our knives are out, our men are Irish, and our jewels are Richard. In other words, its time for the Golden Globes, awards seasons tipsy uncle: What they have to say doesnt always make a lot of sense, but it still carries plenty of weight anyway. (Never forget how pundits like us made fun of the Globes bonkers choices of Green Book and Bohemian Rhapsody last year  only for the Academy to follow suit.) How will things go down Sunday night? In advance of the big weekend, Vultures awards experts Nate Jones and Jen Chaney run down their predictions for the Globes film and TV categories, respectively.

Film

Will the HFPA reflect the international makeup of the membership by spotlighting Bong Joon Ho? Photo: Courtesy of NEON + CJ Entertainment

Best Motion Picture  Drama

1917

The Irishman

Joker

Marriage Story

The Two Popes

At the moment, The Irishman, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Parasite feel like our leading Best Picture contenders, and as luck would have it, theyre all competing separately at the Globes. The Drama category seems the likeliest venue for an upset, as The Irishman will face tough competition from its Netflix stablemates Marriage Story, which earned the most Globe nominations this year, and The Two Popes, which the HFPA went for in a major way. However, though the Globes sometimes like to go their own way further down ballot, in the top categories they prefer to bestow their approval on the Oscar front-runners. Thats good news for those digitally de-aged gangsters.

Should win: Marriage Story

Will win: The Irishman

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture  Drama

Christian Bale, Ford v Ferrari

Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory

Adam Driver, Marriage Story

Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes

The Best Actor race has been a nightmare this year, and you could make a credible Oscars lineup just out of the Globes Drama five. While Driver and Banderas have each been getting love from early voters and critics groups, Phoenix is the presumptive Oscars pick, and in a category whose picks have mirrored the Academys the past seven years, that matters.

Should win: Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory

Will win: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet

Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Saoirse Ronan, Little Women

Charlize Theron, Bombshell

Renee Zellweger, Judy

Three-time Golden Globe winner Renee Zellweger has been sailing through this season with an air of inevitability that I dont think even the HFPA is cruel enough to burst.

Should win: Saoirse Ronan, Little Women

Will win: Renee Zellweger, Judy

Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy

Dolemite Is My Name

Jojo Rabbit

Knives Out

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Rocketman

There are remarkably few duds in the Globes Musical/Comedy categories this year, and I would be overjoyed if a pure comedy like Dolemite or Knives Out got a moment to shine. Ultimately, though, this will come down to the movies with the strongest Oscars bona fides, and on that front youve gotta give Once Upon a Time and its five Globe noms the edge over Jojo Rabbit.

Should win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Will win: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy

Daniel Craig, Knives Out

Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Taron Egerton, Rocketman

Roman Griffin Davis, Jojo Rabbit

Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name

With a lineup that matches the feature category to a tee, this category is poised to be a contest between the three showiest contenders: DiCaprio, Egerton, and Murphy. While DiCaprio is a three-time Globe winner, and Egerton has campaigned harder than anyone this season  and would fit the Globes penchant for handing awards to hunky young Brits, besides  if the choice comes down to which of them voters would rather see at the podium, thats Murphy.

Should win: Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name

Will win: Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy

Awkwafina, The Farewell

Cate Blanchett, Whered You Go, Bernadette

Ana de Armas, Knives Out

Beanie Feldstein, Booksmart

Emma Thompson, Late Night

Welcome to the most delightfully off-kilter category of the entire night. In a world in which Whered You Go Bernadette is nominated truly anything can happen, but in lieu of simply throwing up our hands in bewilderment, we may find it fruitful to narrow it down to the women repping films that got nominated for Picture: Awkwafina and de Armas. Though the latter has the ingenue appeal that the HFPA adores, this trophy often goes to the role with the most emotional heft, and thats [Stephen Malkmus voice] Nora from Queens.

Should win: Awkwafina, The Farewell

Will win: Awkwafina, The Farewell

Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes

Al Pacino, The Irishman

Joe Pesci, The Irishman

Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Hanks is receiving the Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award Sunday night, which seems reward enough. I dont think the Globes will be able to resist the temptation to hand this trophy to Pitt, a glamorous movie star in a role that lets him show off every ounce of his movie-star charisma (and every inch of that movie-star torso).

Should win: Joe Pesci, The Irishman

Will win: Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell

Annette Bening, The Report

Laura Dern, Marriage Story

Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers

Margot Robbie, Bombshell

Im torn. Dern is the ostensible front-runner, and feels like a handy way to ensure that Marriage Story doesnt go home empty-handed, but Lopez feels like such a Globes pick, doesnt she? Ultimately, I think the HFPAs desire to crown the eventual Oscars winner will tip the scale in favor of Dern.

Should win: Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers

Will win: Laura Dern, Marriage Story

Best Director  Motion Picture

Bong Joon Ho, Parasite

Sam Mendes, 1917

Todd Phillips, Joker

Martin Scorsese, The Irishman

Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Our three front-runners meet at last, in a face-off that should have big implications for the Oscars race. Does the HFPA hand it to its longtime fave, Scorsese, who previously won for Gangs of New York, The Departed, and [double-checks the edit history of the Wikipedia page Golden Globe Award for Best Director] Hugo? Give it to Tarantino, who has somehow never won before? Reflect the international makeup of the membership by spotlighting Bong? Or shake up the race entirely by rewarding Mendes or, God forbid, Phillips? Tempting scenarios all. In the end I have to go with the win that would send the strongest message  that this is the year of Parasite. Bong it is!

Should win: Bong Joon Ho, Parasite

Will win: Bong Joon Ho, Parasite

Best Screenplay

Marriage Story

Parasite

The Two Popes

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

The Irishman

Many pundits feel this would be a natural place to reward Marriage Story, and I cant entirely disagree. But try as I might, I am also struck by the notion that the Globes wont let their favorite papal buddy dramedy go home without any gold. Another reason to have faith in The Two Popes? Rewarding the talky Vatican two-hander in Screenplay would be a divine choice for voters whove twice given this award to the work of Aaron Sorkin.

Should win: Marriage Story

Will win: The Two Popes

Best Original Song

Beautiful Ghosts, Cats

(Im Gonna) Love Me Again, Rocketman

Into the Unknown, Frozen II

Spirit, The Lion King

Stand Up, Harriet

Kind of a weird year for this category, as buzzy entries from Beyonce and Taylor Swift underwhelmed. Into the Unknown may have some makeup-award heat, as the Globes snubbed Let It Go in this category back in 2014, a move that infuriated 5-year-old Oscars pundits everywhere. (Meanwhile, in a move that infuriated me, that same year they also snubbed Please Mr. Kennedy from Inside Llewyn Davis.) Ill go with the catchiest contender, Elton Johns new Rocketman song.

Should win: (Im Gonna) Love Me Again, Rocketman

Will win: (Im Gonna) Love Me Again, Rocketman

Best Score for a Motion Picture

Little Women

Joker

Marriage Story

1917

Motherless Brooklyn

Hello, Newmans. Cousins Randy and Thomas Newman will face off here for their scores for Marriage Story and 1917, respectively. In a tense night in the family group chat, I think 1917, the most score-heavy of the nominees, takes it for Thomas.

Should win: Marriage Story

Will win: 1917

Best Motion Picture  Animated

Frozen II

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Missing Link

Toy Story 4

The Lion King

Pixar films rarely lose this category at the Globes, and absent an Into the Spider-Versestyle sensation, I dont think that trend will abate this year.

Should win: Missing Link, the only nominated film thats not a remake or sequel

Will win: Toy Story 4

Best Motion Picture, Foreign-Language

The Farewell

Les Miserables

Pain and Glory

Parasite

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

The hubbub around the Globes failing to nominate any female directors had the unfortunate side effect of overshadowing the two fantastic films directed by women that did get nominated here, The Farewell and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Both are destined to lose to Parasite, but you cant get too upset because, again, its Parasite.

Should win: Parasite

Will win: Parasite

TV

No offense to the other contenders, but the Foreign Press will look out of touch if it gives a certain statue to anything other than Fleabag. Photo: Steve Schofield/Amazon

Best Television Series  Drama

Big Little Lies

The Crown

Killing Eve

The Morning Show

Succession

Globe voters are usually attracted to whats newest and shiniest. The TV drama category last year, where HFPA voters honored The Americans in its final season, proved an exception to that rule. I think this year will be different.

The Crown has won in this category before, and could do so again. But I think the trophy is going to go to Succession for its strong second season, which also happened to be one of the buzziest programs of the past year. The only other scenario I can imagine playing out is one where an even newer series, The Morning Show, wins out. It does have some factors that often work to Globe advantage, most notably a cast stacked with major stars. But Im sticking with the Logan family.

Should win: Succession

Will win: Succession

Best Television Series  Comedy

Barry

Fleabag

The Kominsky Method

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Politician

No offense to the other contenders, but the Foreign Press will look out of touch if it gives this to anything other than Fleabag, whose second season was, as previously established, perfect.

Should win: Fleabag

Will win: Fleabag

Best Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Catch-22

Chernobyl

Fosse/Verdon

The Loudest Voice

Unbelievable

I just need to take this moment to say: What is The Loudest Voice even doing here?

Okay, glad I got that out of my system.

This category comes down to Chernobyl and Unbelievable, both of which were exceptional. Its really hard to choose between the two and I suspect the votes will be very close. But Im betting Chernobyl ekes out a win; its largely British cast and its sobering exploration of an international crisis should give it an edge with an international group of voters.

Should win: Unbelievable

Will win: Chernobyl

Best Actor in a Television Series  Drama

Brian Cox, Succession

Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot

Tobias Menzies, The Crown

Billy Porter, Pose

The conventional 2020 Golden Globes wisdom states that this will come down to either Brian Cox or Billy Porter, who won the Emmy in this category last fall. I also wouldnt totally count out Kit Harington or Tobias Menzies  Malek seems least likely to win here  but if this is indeed a Cox versus Porter showdown, my instinct is telling me Porter will win because hes having such a moment right now. Also, hes one of the few people of color nominated in a conspicuously white field this year, and Im guessing Globe voters wont want to look less woke than Emmy voters.

Should win: Billy Porter

Will win: Billy Porter

Best Actress in a Television Series  Drama

Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show

Olivia Colman, The Crown

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies

Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show

Colman has been nominated for two Golden Globes prior to this year, one for her supporting work in The Night Manager and another for her star turn in The Favourite. She won them both. Clearly the HFPA likes her, which is why I cant imagine that it wont give her a third Globe for so skillfully taking over the role of Queen Elizabeth from Claire Foy, who also won a Globe for her portrayal of the royal. That being said, it would be fun to see Jennifer Aniston win for her powerhouse work in The Morning Show.

Should win: Jennifer Aniston

Will win: Olivia Colman

Best Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Bill Hader, Barry

Ben Platt, The Politician

Paul Rudd, Living With Yourself

Ramy Youssef, Ramy

Douglas won this last year, and Im not expecting a repeat. As a matter of fact, Im wondering if the Globes might do something unexpected here and give the award to Platt, Rudd, or Youssef, all of whom are first-time nominees. Ramy, in particular, addresses the challenges of being true to your culture while also being an American, and its a real expression of Youssefs voice. That may very well sway the Globe voters.

Personally, I think Haders performance in Barry is the strongest in this group. But the more I think about it, the more I imagine Youssef making an acceptance speech while a bunch of people on Twitter scramble to figure out what Ramy is. (The series really is good, by the way.)

Should win: Bill Hader

Will win: Ramy Youssef

Best Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy

Christina Applegate, Dead to Me

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Kirsten Dunst, On Becoming a God in Central Florida

Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag

This is one of the hardest categories to call because it is packed with veteran actresses  Applegate, Dunst, Lyonne  who got to put their talents to spectacular new use in their respective series. Any one of them could credibly win. But to do so they have to get past Waller-Bridge. (Brosnahan has already won this twice, so I feel safe saying she wont win again.) The thing is, I am not sure anyone can get past Waller-Bridge.

Should win: Can everyone win? No? Fine. Ill say its a tie between Lyonne and Waller-Bridge.

Will win: Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

Christopher Abbott, Catch-22

Sacha Baron Cohen, The Spy

Russell Crowe, The Loudest Voice

Jared Harris, Chernobyl

Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon

This seems like a battle between Harris and Rockwell. If theres a lot of HFPA support for Chernobyl  and its four nominations, including one in three out of four acting categories, suggest there is  I suspect this will go to Harris.

Should win: Sam Rockwell

Will win: Jared Harris

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable

Joey King, The Act

Helen Mirren, Catherine the Great

Merritt Wever, Unbelievable

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon

The HFPA has nominated Mirren and Williams many, many times, but each of them has only won once. I suspect that trend will hold and that Globe voters will choose to honor one of the other nominated actresses, all of them first-timers. A win for Dever or King, who both gave excellent performances, would also serve as a way to recognize fresh talent. On the other hand, its wild that Wever, who is so, so good in Unbelievable, is just now getting a Globe nomination when she already has two Emmys on her shelf.

Should win: Merritt Wever

Will win: Merritt Wever

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Kieran Culkin, Succession

Andrew Scott, Fleabag

Stellan Skarsgard, Chernobyl

Henry Winkler, Barry

Arkin, Culkin, and Winkler were all nominated last year and none of them won. I think theyre going to have a hard time winning again because of two words: Hot. Priest. Seriously, though: Fleabag season two might have been very good without Scott, but it wouldnt have been as great as it is without his charming, bumbling, thoroughly humane portrayal of the Priest. Basically what Im saying is that I expect members of the HFPA to [ahem] kneel before Andrew Scott.

Should win: Andrew Scott

Will win: Andrew Scott

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Patricia Arquette, The Act

Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Toni Collette, Unbelievable

Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies

Emily Watson, Chernobyl

Lets be clear: Meryl Streep was very good in Big Little Lies. You could give her an award for the crucifix scene alone and probably feel justified doing so. But there were other performances that went deeper and resonated more fully. Specifically, I think Carters work as Princess Margaret in The Crown and Collettes tough detective in Unbelievable are the performances most likely to stand out. I honestly have no idea which way the voters will go, but Im leaning toward Bonham Carter because this is her eighth Golden Globe nomination and shes never won. Shes overdue.

Should win: Toni Collette

Will win: Helena Bonham Carter
What you need to know today:

Politics

-- Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith is leading a delegation to Vietnam for a visit and to co-chair the 42nd meeting of the Vietnam  Laos Inter-Governmental Committee from January 2 to 4 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

-- Two former chairmen of the Peoples Committee of Da Nang in central Vietnam were among the defendants in a trial at the Hanoi Peoples Court that began on Thursday, the Vietnam News Agency reported. They are facing charges of violating regulations on state asset management and use and on land management.

Society

-- The Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has ordered that subordinates not give gifts to their seniors during the upcoming Tet, or Lunar New Year, holiday.

-- A police chief, Thai Dinh Hoai, has been expelled from the Communist Party of Vietnam for using a fake high school diploma for work. This means he will be stripped of his title as chief of the police unit tasked with fighting crimes on corruption, economic affairs, and smuggling.

-- Le Thanh Liem, former director of the Department of Health in southern Long An Province, was prosecuted on Thursday for graft.

-- Authorities in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho have fined Indian Ocean Co. Ltd. VND36 million (US$1,553) because 50 of its employees were hospitalized on December 14 over food poisoning after having lunch at the company.

-- A motorbike rider was fined VND7 million ($302) and had his driving license revoked for 23 months in Hanoi on Thursday. He claimed to have drunk only two cups of alcohol.

From January 1, car drivers will be fined VND30-40 million ($1,297-1,729) and have their driving license revoked for 22-24 months if they break regulations on drink-driving.

Motorcyclists will face a VND6-8 million ($259-346) and have their driving license revoked for 22-24 months for the same offense.

Business

-- The U.S. Department of Transportation has permitted Vietnam Airlines (VNA) to expand cooperation with Delta Air Lines after they signed a deal in August 2019, a VNA representative said on Thursday, adding that they plan to launch direct flights to the U.S. in the future.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
SAN DIEGO, Calif.It's been many weeks in coming, and some of the 22 Jane Doe plaintiffs have been waiting years to hold adult website GirlsDoPorn.com, its owner Michael Pratt, as well as cameraman Matthew Wolfe, actor/director Reuben "Andre" Garcia and office assistant Valorie Moser accountable for the lies and fraudulent claims the company and its personnel made to them, but today, Superior Court Judge Kevin Enright issued his 187-page "[Proposed] Statement of Decision" on the matterand in it, he proposed awarding the women more than $12.7 million to compensate them for their pain and ignominy.

After laying forth in great detail the defendants' deceptive recruiting practicesphony Craigslist ads, "bait and switch" contracts, phony "reference women" vouching for the company, and, perhaps worst of all, allowing the hardcore videos the women made, which the company promised would only be seen abroad, to be posted to websites easily accessible in the U.S. where the women's friends and relatives could see themJudge Enright then set forth in equally great detail the harms the plaintiffs had suffered. Some of these include the women's boyfriends, co-workers and parents confronting the women about having acted in hardcore scenes; the women's careers and college studies being impacted by the revelation that they'd appeared in porn; their social lives being destroyed by embarrassment when their porn "careers" became public; being accosted on the street by strangers who'd seen the videos; receiving threatening phone calls; attempts to blackmail the women into having sex, or for money; and the women being forced to change their appearances and even their places of residence to avoid being recognized.

"Jane Doe 4 was forced to transfer to a school in another state to find a 'fresh start,'" Judge Enright noted. "Upon starting school in Florida, Jane Doe 4 joined a sorority, but she was kicked out three weeks later because someone found the video. The video spread quickly, and she soon received text and social media messages about it, especially on the school's message board. One of her roommates posted a tweet saying, "MY ROOMMATE IS A PORNSTAR" and played the video over the speakers in the house so that Jane Doe 4 would hear it. Someone vandalized her car by painting male genitalia on the windows.

"Soon, people from her hometown in New Jersey discovered the video when someone posted it on her high school's Facebook page. Both her immediate and extended family found out," Enright continued. "Although her parents have been very supportive, her extended family has not been so forgivingshe no longer has much of a relationship with her extended family and avoids family gatherings...

"Collectively, they have experienced severe harassment, emotional and psychological trauma, and reputational harm; lost jobs, academic and professional opportunities, and family and personal relationships; and had their lives derailed and uprooted," the ruling later continues. "They have become pariahs in their communities. Several plaintiffs have become suicidal."

In all, Judge Enright devoted 44 pages of his [Proposed] Statement of Decision to each woman's experiences with the company and its employees, with as much as a full page of each woman's section describing the damages and other suffering experienced by each of the 22 plaintiffs.

Judge Enright then went into the mass of shell companies used by Pratt and his associates to obfuscate the fact that the women were working for a well-known adult website and its affiliatesand how Pratt used those entities to hide the money the company made from the plaintiffs' videos, with one entire section captioned, "The Record Shows Pratt's Intent to Use the Entities to Escape Liability and Protect his Assets," which references corporate accounts created in such distant locales as Vanuatu. He also detailed each Girls Do Porn employee's relationship to both the main company and its shells.

In the final section, "Legal Authorities And Findings," Judge Enright states, "Plaintiffs assert four causes of action that sound in fraud or deceit: Intentional Misrepresentation (First Cause of Action); Fraudulent Concealment (Second Cause of Action); False Promise (Third Cause of Action); and Negligent Misrepresentation (Fourth Cause of Action). The Court finds Defendants are liable on each of these claims." He then goes into great detail as to how the defendants perpetrated their crimes on each of the plaintiffs.

For example, referring only to the defendants' "right of publicity" violations of the plaintiffs, Judge Enright states, "Here, Plaintiffs' evidence of damages is strong. The content at issue does not consist of run-of-the-mill likenesses but hardcore pornographic videos and still images extracted from those videos. Plaintiffs have provided extensive testimony and evidence about how their lives have been affected and destroyed by the unauthorized publication and dissemination of this content via the internet. The Court finds Plaintiffs' accounts to be consistent, credible, and compellingwarranting significant damages.

"Plaintiffs are also entitled to recover the profits Defendants' received from the unauthorized use," he continued. "The parties stipulated that Plaintiffs' videos generated $1,025,831.50 in profits for Defendants. None of this revenue was generated by an authorized use of Plaintiffs' videos as Defendants only earned money from posting the videos online."

The judge noted that all of the defendants are liable for the injuries to each of the plaintiffs, and he provided a chart detailing what amounts of "economic damages" and "non-economic damages" are owed to each of the Jane Does: $46,628.70 in economic damages, and amounts ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 in non-economic damages. He also created a series of rules going forward that GirlsDoPorn must operate under if it wishes to shoot further hardcore videos, requiring that they make it clear that such videos will be posted on the internet, and that they refrain "from using or disseminating Plaintiffs' names or personal information in connection with their images, likenesses or videos."

Judge Enright framed his ruling as a "proposed statement of decision" to allow any of the parties to file objections, which they must do within 15 days. Depending on the disposition of such objections, if any are filed, the ruling will go into effect in mid-January.

"We are weighing our client's options, which include filing objections to the court's tentative statement of decision and an appeal if the decision becomes final," defense attorney Aaron D. Sadock said in a statement to CNN.

Of course, that might be a bit difficult, since Sadock's main client, Michael Pratt, remains on the run in New Zealand and is unlikely to return willingly, considering the federal sex trafficking charges he still faces.

"These women have suffered hellaciously from this dastardly scheme," lead plaintiffs' attorney Ed Chapin told NBC-7 News, "the severity of which goes to the most private and most personal subject matter."
Giuliani associate can hand over cell phone contents to House Democrats, judge rules originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

A federal judge ruled Friday that Lev Parnas, an associate of President Donald Trumps personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, can provide additional records sought by the House impeachment investigators, including the contents of his cell phone.

Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee requested records from Parnas and his business associate, Igor Fruman, in October 2019. The two men are under indictment on allegations of campaign finance violations, and both reportedly played a key roles in assisting Giuliani in his efforts to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and Ukraine. Both have pleaded not guilty.

On Monday, a lawyer for Parnas, Joseph Bondy, wrote a letter to U.S. Judge J. Paul Oetken in New York asking the courts permission to share records obtained by the government with House investigators pursuant to the subpoena.

(MORE: House Intelligence Committee in possession of video, audio recordings from Giuliani associate Lev Parnas)

The records include documents seized from Mr. Parnass home  and the complete extraction of Parnass iPhone 11, seized from Mr. Parnas upon his arrest on October 9, 2019, Bondy wrote.

PHOTO: Ukrainian-American businessman Lev Parnas, an associate of President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, exits after a bail hearing at the Manhattan Federal Court in New York, Dec. 17, 2019. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters, FILE)

At present, we do not know whether we intend to produce the entirety of the materials, or a subset filtered for either privilege or relevancy, Bondy continued. If a subset, we will inform the Court and Government as to what we have actually have produced.

On Friday, Judge Oetken wrote that Parnas may produce the materials referenced herein to the United States House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

PHOTO: House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff holds a press conference at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

As ABC News has previously reported, the House Intelligence Committee is already in possession of audio and video recordings and photographs provided by Parnas, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The material submitted to the committee includes audio, video and photos that include Giuliani and Trump.

Story continues

(MORE: Giuliani's associate Lev Parnas ready to comply with congressional impeachment inquiry)

Beyond what Bondy wrote in his letter to Judge Oetken earlier this week, the content in the additional records remain unknown. But a letter sent to Parnas by the committee as part of its subpoena asked him to produce all documents and communications relating to Giuliani and President Trump, among many others.

Parnas and Fruman were arrested last year at the Dulles International Airport just outside of Washington, with one-way international tickets, and charged in a criminal campaign finance case in the Southern District of New York. Accused of allegedly circumventing campaign finance laws against straw donations and foreign contributions, Parnas and Fruman pleaded not guilty.

According to the indictment, Parnas sought then-Ukraine Ambassador Marie Yovanovitchs ouster earlier this year along with his efforts to get Ukrainian officials to investigate the presidents political rival, matters that have repeatedly emerged in the House impeachment inquiry.

Giulianis relationship with Parnas and Fruman is the subject of a criminal investigation in the Southern District of New York, according to sources.
Turkey dispatches new military convoy to Syria's Idlib: SOHR

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 3:30 PM

Turkey has brought in a new column of military forces and hardware to be deployed in its observation posts in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, only days after Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the Turkish military will not leave the posts, a Britain-based war monitor says.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the column entered the Syrian territory through Kafr Lusin border crossing, and consisted of armored vehicles as well as trucks carrying logistics.

On Sunday, Akar said it is "out of the question" for Turkey to evacuate its military observation posts in Syria's Idlib.

"We respect the agreement reached with Russia and we expect Russia to abide by this agreement," he said in comments published on Sunday on the Turkish defense ministry's Twitter account.

Hulusi added, "We will by no means empty those 12 observation posts, we will not leave there."

His comments came during a visit a day earlier to the southern province of Hatay on the Syrian border to inspect Turkish troops.

The Turkish defense minister went on to say Ankara expected Russia to "use its influence" on the Damascus government "in order to stop ground and air assault" in Idlib.

On December 26 last year, the Observatory, citing local sources, reported that a Turkish military convoy had entered Syria.

The sources said the convoy comprised of at least 85 vehicles, part of which headed towards Turkish observation posts in al-Iss town, which is located in the Mount Simeon district of Aleppo, and the rest went towards al-Rashidin district.

On October 9, Turkish military forces and Ankara-backed militants launched a long-threatened cross-border invasion of northeastern Syria in a declared attempt to push militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) away from border areas.

Ankara views the US-backed YPG as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984.

On October 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a memorandum of understanding that asserted YPG militants had to withdraw from the Turkish-controlled "safe zone" in northeastern Syria within 150 hours, after which Ankara and Moscow would run joint patrols around the area.

The announcement was made hours before a US-brokered five-day truce between Turkish and Kurdish-led forces was due to expire.

Syrian army thwarts militant attacks on liberated towns in Idlib

Separately, Syrian government forces have managed to foil separate attacks by foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants on military posts in two liberated towns in the Ma'arrat al-Nu'man district of Idlib.

Syrian government forces pose for a photograph in the village of Sarman, Idlib province, northwestern Syria, after liberating it from the clutches of foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants. (Photo by SANA)

Syria's official news agency SANA reported that Syrian army units thwarted the assaults in the towns of al-Tah and Jarjnaz on Thursday.

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Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed Friday in a US strike, was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies.

General Soleimani, who headed the external operations Quds Force for the Guards, had wielded his regional clout publicly since 2018 when it was revealed that he had direct involvement in top-level talks over the formation of Iraqs government.

It was no surprise at the time for a man who has been at the centre of power-broking in the region for two decades.

Soleimani has been in and out of Baghdad ever since, most recently last month as parties sought to form a new government.

Where once he kept to the shadows, Soleimani has in recent years become an unlikely celebrity in Iranreplete with a huge following on Instagram.

His profile rose suddenly when he was pushed forward as the public face of Irans intervention in the Syrian conflict from 2013, appearing in battlefield photos, documentaries - and even being featured in a music video and animated film.

In a rare interview aired on Iranian state television in October, he said he was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war to oversee the conflict.

To his fans and enemies alike, Soleimani was the key architect of Irans regional influence, leading the fight against jihadist forces and extending Irans diplomatic heft in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

To Middle Eastern Shiites, he is James Bond, Erwin Rommel and Lady Gaga rolled into one, wrote former CIA analyst Kenneth Pollack in a profile for Times 100 most influential people in 2017.

To the West, he is... responsible for exporting Irans Islamic revolution, supporting terrorists, subverting pro-Western governments and waging Irans foreign wars, Pollack added.

With Iran roiled by protests and economic problems at home, and the US once again mounting pressure from the outside, some Iranians had even called for Soleimani to enter domestic politics.

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While he has dismissed rumours he might one day run for president, the general has played a decisive role in the politics of Irans neighbour, Iraq.

As well as talks on forming a government, he was pivotal in pressuring Iraqs Kurds to abandon their plans for independence after an ill-judged referendum last September.

Decision-maker

His influence has deep roots, since Soleimani was already leading the Quds Force when the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001.

My Iranian interlocutors on Afghanistan made clear that while they kept the foreign ministry informed, ultimately it was General Soleimani that would make the decisions, former US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker told the BBC in 2013.

His firm but quiet presence play perfectly to the Iranian penchant for dignified humility.

He sits over there on the other side of room, by himself, in a very quiet way. Doesnt speak, doesnt comment, just sits and listens. And so of course everyone is thinking only about him, a senior Iraqi official told the New Yorker for a long profile of Soleimani.

A survey published in 2018 by IranPoll and the University of Marylandone of the few considered reliable by analystsfound Soleimani had a popularity rating of 83 percent, beating President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Western leaders saw him as central to Irans ties with militia groups including Lebanons Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas.

Part of his appeal was the suggestion he might bridge Irans bitter social divides on issues such as its strict hijab clothing rules.

If we constantly use terms such as bad hijab and good hijab, reformist or conservative... then who is left? Soleimani said in a speech to mark World Mosque Day in 2017.

They are all people. Are all your children religious? Is everybody the same? No, but the father attracts all of them.

(AFP)
GREEN BAY, Wis. - A high-ranking New York City education official accused of swapping online messages with an undercover police officer posing as a 14-year-old boy and reserving a whirlpool suite in Wisconsin for a sexual encounter was released Friday on a promise to appear.

David Hay, 39, is charged in federal court with child enticement and possession of child pornography. A judge in Green Bay set a preliminary hearing for Jan. 14 and placed Hay on electronic home monitoring. Hay was arrested Sunday at Milwaukees General Mitchell International Airport.

Hays attorney, Jonathan Smith, of Milwaukee, told The Associated Press he has yet to review all the evidence but has noticed some oddities in what hes seen so far.

It raises a lot of questions, Smith said. We are going to be looking at that in earnest.

Hay, of Brooklyn, New York, was serving as deputy chief of staff for Richard Carranza, the schools chancellor for New York Citys Department of Education, when he was arrested. The New York City Department of Education fired Hay following his arrest.

Matthew Krueger, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, said in a statement Friday that Hay began corresponding in July on a dating app with someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy living in Neenah, Wisconsin. That person was actually an undercover police investigator.

Hay and the investigator traded sexually explicit conversations for months and made plans to meet for sex, according to court documents unsealed Friday.

Hay eventually reserved a whirlpool suite at a Neenah hotel for an encounter with the boy on Saturday night. He cancelled the meeting at the last minute, however, messaging the investigator, who was still posing as the boy, that his mother had fallen down the stairs and that he was scheduled to fly out of the state on Sunday.

A search of Hays phone revealed sexually explicit images of a former Tomah, Wisconsin, high school student, according to court documents and the U.S. attorneys statement. Hay served as principal at Tomah High School from 2011 to 2014. Prior to that he was an administrator at Kettle Moraine High School in southeastern Wisconsin.

Hay faces between 10 years and life in prison if hes convicted of facilitating a child sex crime. He faces up to 10 years behind bars if hes convicted of the child pornography count.
Manish Sisodia said it is regretful and shameful that those seated on the ministerial position in the country are aggravated by PTMs. (Photo Credit: PTI)

New Delhi:

Delhis Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has hit back at Union Minister Harsh Vardhan for writing to Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to cancel parent-teacher meetings in government schools of Delhi, saying he should be ashamed for it.

Sisodia, who also holds the Education portfolio, said it is regretful and shameful that those seated on the ministerial position in the country are aggravated by PTMs. He insisted that parent-teacher meetings were one of the major reasons behind the remarkable transformation in Delhis government schools.

The deputy chief minister even advised the BJP to advocate healthy competition by revamping government schools in states where the party is in power.

I am angry and saddened to see BJPs mindset to stop the PTMs of Delhi. Harsh Vardhan ji, how did you get the courage to write a letter to the L-G to cancel the parent-teacher meeting of Delhi government schools. You should be ashamed, he said, adding the meeting will take place and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would not let the BJP cancel it.

You (BJP) think you can stop it. It is the decision of the education department of the Delhi government; you would not be able to stop it. The basic character of the BJP, which is against education, gets shown again and again, Sisodia added.

Hitting back, Vardhan said that he doesnt need a certificate from the Aam Aadmi Party leader as the education sector knew him well and it is his responsibility to forward peoples representations to the authorities concerned.

"(Delhi CM) Arvind Kejriwal should stop treating parents as political vote-bank and innocent school children as props to garner votes. How can a PTM meeting be used for pressurizing parents to vote for AAP? Don't stoop to such levels. Maintain dignity of your chair at-least," Vardhan tweeted.

According to reports, Vardhan has written to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal over a parent-teacher meeting scheduled in Delhi government schools on January 4.
Its a girl! First baby born in 2020

By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2020-01-03 13:24

A hospital in Xuhui welcomed the first baby born in the new year. The newborn girl arrived just in time to celebrate the year of 2020.

Weighing 3,530 grams, the girl was delivered at 0:00am on January 1. She and her mother are resting comfortably.

(Photo/Kankanews.com)

Three minutes later, a baby boy was born in the Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University (Shanghai Red House Ob & Gyn Hospital) in Yangpu district. Weighing 3,370 grams, he was born at 0:03am. His mother Ms. Fang is a 26-year-old nurse working at the same hospital, and had anodyne labor. As of 1:00am on January 1, three babies had been born in the Shanghai Red House Ob & Gyn Hospital.

The communications offices in Shanghais hospitals keep in touch as the city celebrates the New Year to see which hospital earns the honor of welcoming the first baby.

Last year, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital delivered the citys first baby, who was also born at 0:03am.




The challenges we are facing now are as complex as ever, and I still have a lot of fire in my belly, Roe said. I look forward to finishing my term strongly for the East Tennesseans that I love representing and working with President Trump in favor of the free-market, conservative policies so many of us hold dear.
Sarah Groff knew several things when she gave birth to the first baby of the new year at UPMC Carlisle Medical Center on Wednesday morning

Most importantly, she knew the 5-pound 7-ounce little girl wasnt hers in the genetic, legal or any other sense.

And she knew that within a few days, the infant, Arianna, would be going home to Connecticut with her parents, Jovan Manero-Marrero and Emmanual Gonzalez- Rosado.

Groff, a 23-year-old Philadelphia native and mother of two who lives in Shippensburg, was the gestational surrogate for that married couple. For nine months, she carried another womans egg, fertilized by Gonzalez-Rosados sperm, in her womb.

So, the arrival of Arianna Marrero-Gonzalez by C-section at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2020 was, for the staff at UPMC, even more of a novel and thrilling experience than simply delivering the first New Years baby, hospital spokeswoman Tracie Martin said.

It was quite a trip for Ariannas parents, too.

It was wonderful, very exciting, Manero-Marrero said as he gazed at his daughter squirming in her bassinet Friday morning.

That excitement wasnt dimmed by the fact that the couple had to drive from Connecticut to be in the delivery room and only reached Carlisle late on New Years Eve.

The journey to parenthood was long for Manero-Marrero, a Spanish teacher, and Gonzalez-Rosado, a doctor of internal medicine. They have been married for seven years and said they considered several alternatives, including adoption, before deciding on surrogacy.

We were clear in our own minds that were going to have a family, Gonzalez-Rosado said. We wanted there to be a piece of us with this baby.

The process, starting with a female strangers donated egg and a fertility clinic, was a whole new world for us, he said.

Yet, he said things quickly meshed when they first met Groff 11 months ago. We were nervous. She was also, Gonzalez-Rosado said. It was an instant connection.

She was all that we could ask for, Manero-Marrero added.

Groff has no regrets, either.

She said she made the decision to become a surrogate about a year ago after seeing ads online for the service and then doing some research. I have two kids of my own and wanted to give that to someone who couldnt have kids on their own, she said as she recovered in a hospital bed.

Her father was leery about her decision at first, but her mother and the rest of her family were on board from the start, Groff said. During her pregnancy her 6-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter understood their own family wasnt going to be expanding, she said.

Turning Arianna over to her parents isnt emotionally difficult because she prepared herself for that moment from the start, Groff insisted.

Ive completed my own family, she said. From the beginning, I put my mindset that its not my child and Im carrying it for somebody else.

It takes a lot of trust, Groff said.

Even though hes been in many operating rooms, Ariannas delivery was a new experience for Gonzalez-Rosado, who is used to being the doctor in charge, not the father-in-waiting.

Groff said she knew shed made the right decision the moment she enabled Gonzalez-Rosado and Manero-Marrero to become parents. Just the look on their faces made it all worth it. She said.

Both men agreed the surrogacy experience - the adrenaline rush, the worry, the long drives, the months of waiting and the hospital visits - was well worth enduring. They said they knew that for certain when they held their daughter for the first time.

Gonzalez-Rosado said the bill for the process came to around $80,000.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 18,400 infants were born in the U.S. via the use of gestational surrogates between 1999 and 2013. By comparison, a total of roughly 4 million children are born in the U.S. every year.

Gonzalez-Rosado said Ariannas next destination is Connecticut, where relatives who have seen her on video are eager to meet her in person.

As time goes by, and as Arianna grows and begins asking questions, Groff will remain a part of their lives, the couple said.

Were going to be sharing Arianna with her, Gonzalez-Rosado said. Shes a part of our family now.

Groff said shes willing to do it all again, but only with Gonzalez-Rosado and Manero-Marrero, who said they want to have at least one more child. She said that, by law, she has to wait at least a year before commencing another surrogacy because she delivered Arianna by C-section. The waiting period would be six months for a vaginal delivery.

Hopefully, in the future Ill give them a sibling, Groff said.
MANISTEE  Unlike most people who are unaware of what the new year will bring, the staff at the Manistee County Clerk's office already knows that 2020 is going to be one very busy year in terms of elections.

Elections are scheduled for March, May (possibly), August and the big General Election in November. That means getting the results tabulated in the quickest and most accurate way is vital for the clerk's office.

Over the past year county clerk Jill Nowak said they have instituted several upgrades to their systems that will help them prepare for the busy year of elections.

She said the election this past November provided a good test of the system because there were few issues on the ballot. Her staff was pleased with the results. One of the big changes was transmitting the election results in to the county clerk's office instead of having the township clerks drive them in immediately after they were tallied.

In local elections, the township clerks transmit the results election night, but are not required to drive the printed results to the county clerk's office until the next day when they are reviewed by the board of canvassers. However, for the state and federal elections that take place this year (March, August and November), township clerks are required to drive the results in that same night after first transmitting them in first.

"We transmitted the election results after the November elections from the precincts to my office," said Nowak. "We used Drop Box, which is a secure transmission that is used. The actual tabulators are never hooked up to the internet as there is so much talk about election fraud today and this system makes sure it is totally secure."

Nowak explained that the clerks at the local precincts take out the tabulator card from the election machines and put it into a card reader that's hooked up to a computer. It then transmits it to a reader in the clerk's office. She stressed these steps are not connected to the internet to prevent hackers getting into the results.

"We then take that information and hook it up to a computer, so there is a definite disconnect from the internet where no one can get access to those results," said Nowak. "That process worked really well in November and the local clerks really loved it. The process is very easy and something that went well."

Nowak said they also practiced the new way of doing it when they did their public accuracy testing. They practiced that transmission from the various clerk's offices at that time as well.

"You want to make sure it is going to work, so we did practice that prior to the November election," said Nowak. "We also welcome election challengers and watchers in our precincts on election days, as we want to be open and transparent. It is a very detailed process."

The ever changing laws and policies make it a constant learning process for clerks and election workers.

"We have done some extra training with the clerks after Proposal 3 passed as well because there were a lot of changes with it that I don't think the general public knows or understands how that effected our local clerks," Nowak said.

Proposal 3 did the following:

 Protects the right to vote a secret ballot;

 Ensures military service members and overseas voters can obtain ballots;

 Provides Michigan residents with the option to vote straight party;

 Automatically registers citizens to vote at the Secretary of States Office unless the citizen declines;

 Allows a citizen to register to vote any time with proof of residency;

 Provides all registered voters access to an absentee ballot for any reason; and

 Ensures the accuracy and integrity of elections by auditing election results.

"The clerks and precinct supervisors are trained and certified each year," said Nowak. "There is ongoing e-learning that us clerks do with the state that is a continual thing."

Nowak said because of Proposal 3, there has been a dramatic rise in the number of people voting by absentee ballots. She said the local precincts hit the hardest are looking at ways to address those issues on election day for the counting.

"Our counts are way up and they already were in November," said Nowak. "I think the City of Manistee had more than 50 percent absentee voters in November. So we are preparing for that and the City of Manistee and Filer Township are looking to add another set of tabulators for an absentee counting board. Right now the city has one tabulator and two precincts, so we are looking to add one more and Filer is looking at adding an absent voter count board because they have always had quite a few absentee ballots. We are hoping that will lighten the load."

This year for the Michigan Primary on March 10, there are 15 Democrats and four Republicans listed on each respective presidential ballot. People voting absentee have to state which party ballot they would like when they apply for a ballot. When someone goes to the polls to vote they will mark in their application form whether they want a Republican or Democratic ballot.

"There are three ballots one for the Republicans, one for the Democrats and one for the Dial-A-Ride millage," said Nowak. "People who don't want to vote on the presidential can request just a Dial-A-Ride so they don't have to choose one of the others."

"Other changes as a result of Proposal 3 are clerks have to be in their offices eight hours the weekend before the election to serve the public and they can split it out however they want," said Nowak. "Those hours are posted online at the Secretary of State Office website."
Fox News reports that Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani has been killed in a rocket attack at Baghdad International Airport. Soleimani was the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force. President Trump ordered the attack and our military carried it out.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said that Soleimani is as dangerous as the late ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed by a U.S. strike last year. I think thats true. In any case, Soleimani is responsible for more American deaths than Baghdadi was. His forces have killed hundreds of American troops in Iraq.

Soleimani was likely the mastermind of the recent attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The Iranian-backed mob spray painted Soleimani is our leader on windows at the embassy.

Now, this will have to be amended to Soleimani was our leader.

The same strike that took out Soleimani also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. He was the deputy commander of an Iranian-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. At least five others are said to have been killed.

The Washington Post says that it isnt clear who is responsible for the rocket attack that took our Soleimani and the others. However, this report in the South China Morning Post says that the U.S. carried out the strikes. I think were easily the most likely candidate to have done so. [NOTE: The Pentagon has now confirmed that the U.S. did, indeed, carry out the attack on President Trumps order]

Iran can be expected to retaliate in some fashion. Our ability to carry out the attack that killed their General, plus all the other evidence of our military capability, should give the regime pause. But the need to save face probably dictates some kind of a response. After all, the attack on the embassy was itself a response to a U.S. air force strike in Iraq (which was a response to an Iranian-backed militias attack on a U.S. base).

Expect more turbulence ahead.

In the wake of Soleimanis demise, however, we should at least see a cessation, for a while anyway, of articles like this one, published in the National Interest after the attack on our embassy, called How Tehran Rolled Donald Trump In Iraq. That rolling didnt work out well for Tehrans most important military man.

JOHN adds: This is excellent news. However, watch for the U.S. press to root non-stop for the mullahs.
Chandigarh, Jan 3 : The Haryana cabinet on Friday decided to request the Governor to take the President's consent to authorise the use of Hindi, in addition to English, for judgements, decrees or orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court pertaining to the state.

Article 348 of the Constitution provides that until Parliament by law otherwise provides, all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in the English.

It further provides that the Governor of a state may, with the consent of the President, authorise the use of Hindi, or any other language used in the state for any official purpose, in proceedings in the High Court.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told the media after a cabinet meeting that the government had received a demand letter signed by 78 MLAs, the Advocate General and hundreds of advocates for the use of Hindi.

The Chief Minister said that the use of Hindi would help people of the state understand the entire judicial process in their own language, and would enable them to easily put their views before the courts.

The Haryana cabinet also approved the proposal of bringing an amendment to the Haryana Official Language Act of 1969, enabling the use Hindi for the purpose of proceedings, judgment, decrees or orders passed or made by the lower courts and tribunals, hge added.
The assassination of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, by a US airstrike at the airport in Baghdad sent shock waves across the region. In Moscow, the news raised eyebrows of policymakers and diplomats as Russia has been fighting for more than four years now in Syria alongside Iran and the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Condemning what it called an adventurist act, a Foreign Ministry statement said, "The move by Washington is fraught with grave consequences for regional peace and stability. We regard such actions as detrimental to finding solutions to complex problems of the Middle East and rather contributing to escalation in violence."

Later, the ministry also said, Soleimani devotedly served the national interests of Iran.

Russian Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Konstantin Kosachev wrote on Facebook about what the assassination might mean for President Donald Trump, the United States and the region. The killing of Gen. Soleimani in Baghdad in no way contributes to the improvement of the situation in Iraq and the entire Middle East. Its negative implications, however, are already obvious, Kosachev said.

He added, "First, retaliation by Iran will inevitably follow. I wouldnt want to prophesize but American citizens may get killed. No wonder the Congress is concerned and [House] Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi demands Trump report why the strikes were not authorized by the Congress. Second, this means Trump falls short of solving his domestic issues  should the escalation result in [American] casualties, his ratings will go down. Third, US allies in the region are concerned  Israel is already discussing the implications of the operation for itself. Finally, the bleak hopes that still existed for the JCPOA have now been bombed altogether. Iran may now boost its production of nuclear weapons even if it didnt have such plans before. The JCPOA is the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran nuclear deal Trump withdrew from in 2018.

In late July 2015, Soleimani arrived in Moscow for a confidential visit with a critical mission to get Russia involved militarily in the Syrian crisis. By that point, the Syrian army was seemingly on its last legs. The Quds Force, Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iran-aided Shiite militias were aiding Damascus, but they all lacked the air power to bring about a decisive shift on the ground.

Soleimani's trip is seen as a milestone for Russias pro-active involvement in the region.

Soleimani would make at least one more trip to Moscow, in February 2017. This reportedly was to discuss Russias bilateral cooperation with Sunni monarchies of the Persian Gulf. His meetings with the top Russian military intelligence leadership gained him a reputation in Moscow of being a shrewd strategic thinker and doer.

The two primary takeaways for Moscow from the killing of Soleimani so far are whether Tehran is able to find an adequate replacement for him and who will now steer a dozen militia groups operating in Syria.

Konstantin Bogdanov, a fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Al-Monitor, Soleimani was in charge of Iranian military and clandestine operations across the Middle East. But one of his prime tasks was to coordinate and manage rather loose and diverse groups of Iranian militias fighting in Syria on the side of President Assad. Soleimani made a name for himself as an effective and a reliable leader with whom the Russian military could solve practical issues on the ground.

Bogdanov added, It should be noted that a cumulative number of fighters in pro-Iranian militias almost equals the Syrian Arab Army and in their combat qualities, perhaps, even excels the SAA. The presence of these militias complicates issues of Syrian sovereignty and the freedom of movement for Damascus. But at least for some time it [the loss of Soleimani] is likely to complicate Irans own ability to influence Assad. In these circumstances, Russia, perhaps, should take a more pro-active stance by establishing itself as the leading mediator in the Syrian settlement and a sponsor of agreements between the warring parties.

Retired Col. Viktor Mukrakhovsky, editor of the military journal Arsenal Otechestva (National Arsenal), said Trump's decision to kill Soleimani opens a new chapter in the confrontation between Iran and the United States. A statesman is killed, an official representative of his country that is a member of the UN and with which the US is not officially in a state of war. He was killed on the territory of a third country. This is not an undercover struggle of intelligence services. The US has thus openly committed an act of vengeance and is taking pride in this 'achievement.' It is testing the reaction of the international community in general and Iranian leadership in particular. Following failures in Venezuela, Syria and over talks with North Korea, after losing control of the situation in Afghanistan and ceding Iraq to Iranian militias, the US leadership has moved to raise the stakes, Mukrakhovsky said.

Maxim Shepovalenko, deputy director at the Moscow-based Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, told Al-Monitor, What the United States failed to understand, at its own peril and risk, is the fact that the late Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani was neither a warlord nor a chieftain, but rather a sovereign-empowered man. Whether it disliked him or not.

Shepovalenko added, Iranians are smart enough to understand that 'revenge is a dish best served cold.'

Russia is calculating the possible fallout for both its regional presence and its own confrontation with the United States in possible future conflicts.

Kosachev made reference to US confrontations over the years with strongmen in various countries such as Iraq's Saddam Hussein, Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic, Ukraine's Viktor Yanukovych and Libya's Col. Moammar Gadhafi in writing about the killing of Soleimani. This is a big mistake stemming out of a typical American habit of personalizing any problem. Saddam (Milosevic, Yanukovych, Gadhafi ) should be removed and things will settle down. But this is a logic of a show, not that of politics. It doesnt work in the long run but may boomerang against the directors of the 'show,' Kosachev concluded.
Every time the results of the international PISA test are released, the United States gets another opportunity to whip itself for students lackluster showing.

For those who are unfamiliar with it, PISA is the Program for International Student Assessment, a test administered to students in 79 countries around the world. It allows critics on both sides of the school reform debate to peer at the results of other nations, compare them to the U.S. outcomes and find examples that appear to confirm their own beliefs about why our 15-year-olds are not at the top of the heap in science, math and reading.

Those opposed to standardized testing and accountability measures look at Finlands high scores and point out that in that country, there are no mandatory standardized tests until the end of senior year of high school. Children are encouraged to play more. Their school days are shorter and no one attempts to hold teachers accountable according to a rigid rubric. The students are given very little homework. The nations scores and ranking have slid over the past decade, but it still consistently outshines the U.S.

Meanwhile, fans of charter schools and of more regular testing are likely to hold up Singapore and South Korea as models. Singapores curriculum is highly scripted and pretty much the same across the nation  something that the Obama administration hoped to emulate through its Common Core curriculum. Teachers continually prepare students for high-stakes tests and depend heavily on worksheets and drills. South Korean families depend heavily on private tutoring to help their children perform well on high-stakes tests. Students in these two countries also outperform American students on the PISA test.

But if Finland, Singapore and South Korea are all doing better than we are, that suggests there may be a factor at play other than how we teach. And indeed there is something that all three of these nations, and every other country that outranks the United States on the PISA test, have in common: lower rates of child poverty. And poverty is a major factor in how well students perform on the tests.

Socio-economically disadvantaged students across OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries are almost three times more likely than advantaged students not to attain the baseline level of proficiency in science, PISA reported in a 2018 paper.

Though the United States is by most measures a wealthy country, it is one with many poor people. A 2017 Unicef report looked at the relative child poverty rates of 41 well-off nations. Thats a measure of income inequality, in this case defined as the percent of children living in a household with an income of less than 60% of the median for that nation. The United States ranked seventh from the bottom.

A 2013 study by Stanford University researchers found that the U.S. would rank much higher on the PISA test if it werent for its higher levels of socioeconomic inequality.

Because in every country, students at the bottom of the social class distribution perform worse than students higher in that distribution, U.S. average performance appears to be relatively low partly because we have so many more test takers from the bottom of the social class distribution, the study concluded.

A 2016 analysis by the nonprofit organization Turnaround for Children, which studies the effects of various traumas on children, found that in U.S. schools where less than a fourth of students are poor enough qualify for free- and reduced-price lunches, scores are high enough to rank above the top nations.

Theres no getting around it: This is a shameful situation in a developed, wealthy nation. When poverty equates to lower academic performance, we perpetuate that poverty from one generation to the next. Until we are willing to face that problem and take bold measures against it, the nations rankings will always be limited.

This is not to let the education system off the hook. One way in which poverty affects educational attainment is that low-income students tend to attend schools with fewer resources and lower expectations. And there are countries where the poorest students fare better than that same group in the United States.

U.S. rankings actually improved somewhat in the new PISA results, with students scoring slightly above average among OECD nations in reading and science. But in math, the United States scored well below average for OECD nations.

For various reasons, PISA results arent the ultimate measure of how well a nations schools are doing. One example: Theres evidence that U.S. students are unmotivated to do well on the test, which has no impact on their grades or their futures. But when it comes to measuring the effects of income inequality, PISA offers a powerful lesson for the United States: If we want a better educated population, we cannot ignore our culpability in allowing so many children to grow up in poverty.

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MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, the same year Decca Records rejected the Beatles, the Cold War came close to a boil in the Cuban Missile Crisis and Calvin Back joined the Middle Township Board of Education.

On Thursday, Back took the oath of office for another term on the board, starting his 58th consecutive year there. Hes the longest-serving member of a school board in New Jersey, according to school Business Administrator Diane S. Fox. She said his record has been confirmed by the New Jersey School Boards Association, adding she is working on ascertaining whether he is the longest-serving school board member in the country.

+2 Middle Township police offer trading cards  collect 'em all MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  Police Sgt. Mark Higginbottom knows most of the kids who have asked him fo

Now 85, Back was 27 when he first joined the board. He served as board president for 37 years. After the meeting, Back declined to be interviewed, saying he was too busy and would not be available Friday, either.
New Delhi:

India strongly condemned attack and subsequent vandalism at the revered Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. According to reports, hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones on Friday over the matter of a Sikh woman who had been allegedly forced to convert to Islam.

The Ministry of External Affairs said members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji. India called upon Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community there.

"We are concerned at the vandalism carried out at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara today. Members of the minority Sikh community have been subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji," the MEA said in a statement.

"These reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, the Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year," it added.

"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place," the MEA said.

"We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community," the MEA added.

"Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community. In addition, Government of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and its surroundings," it said.

The reports said that the mob was led by the family of Mohammad Ehsaan, the boy who allegedly abducted and converted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, who is the daughter of the gurdwara's caretaker. In August 2019, a caretaker at Nankana Sahib Gurudwara had complained that his youngest daughter, 19-year-old Jagjit Kaur had been kidnapped and forced to convert by six people. According to Dawn, a mob started to assemble and surround the gurudwara on Friday afternoon, demanding that the arrested suspects be released.

One man, said to be the brother of Hassan, was captured on video saying they will not let any Sikh live there and will soon raze down the Gurdrawa and change the name of the place from Nankana Sahib to Ghulamaan-e-Mustafa. Police arrived to control mob almost 2 hours now after the situation escalated. The violent mob finally dispersed after police released Ehsaan, the man who had allegedly abducted the Sikh girl.

#WATCH An angry mob shouts anti-Sikh slogans outside Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab. Earlier stones were pelted at the Gurdwara led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of the Gurdwara's pathi. (Earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/xyNkhsrhR9  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday appealed to Pakistan premier Imran Khan to ensure that the devotees stranded at the Nankana Sahib gurdwara are rescued from a mob. He was reacting to reports of a mob attack at the shrine in the Pakistan city where the Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born.

"Appeal to @ImranKhanPTI to immediately intervene that the devotees stranded in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic gurdwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it," the CM tweeted.

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Jodie Turner-Smith knew she was meant to be with Joshua Jackson all along.

During a recent interview with W Magazine, the 33-year-old Queen and Slim actress opened up about who her celebrity crush was when she was growing up.

'It was Pacey from Dawson's Creek!' she pipped up during her interview.

Picture perfect: During a recent interview with W Magazine, Jodie Turner-Smith revealed that her celebrity crush growing up was none other than her husband Joshua Jackson. The two are snapped above at the premiere of her movie Queen and Slim back in November

'I was a very young teenager. And now we are a couple,' she said of her now-husband who played Pacey Witter on the show.

The two Hollywood A-listers first sparked marriage rumors back in November when they made their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her movie Queen & Slim.

It was also revealed that they are expecting their first child together.

And after ringing in the new year in Jamaica together, the two are ready to cruise in 2020 as they wait for their little one to arrive.

To celebrate the milestone, she took to her Instagram to share a naked photo of herself while posing on one of Jamaica's private beaches.

Baring it all: To ring in the new year, the model shared this sizzling photo taken by her husband while hanging out on a private beach in Jamaica

'Happy New Year & Happy New Decade. the last 10 years have been quite the ride!!! i laughed, i cried, and, most importantly, i LEARNED. keep going,' she captioned the ultra sexy shot taken by her husband.

'May we all see that our wildest dreams *continue* to come true' with the hashtags '#LiveFootageOfMeInMyElement' and '#ItsNotAThirstTrapIfYourManTakesThePhoto.'

Recently, the two have been spotted rocking new accessories on their wedding fingers after returning home to Los Angeles.

Neither the model or the actor have commented on their new status although they were spotted out back in August picking up their marriage license while out in Beverly Hills.

The two were first spotted out together back in November 2018 after they were spotted getting cozy at Usher's 40th birthday party.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Manitoba Historical Society is bringing royalty to Winnipeg.

The grandson of the late Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie I will be the guest of honour and keynote speaker at a formal dinner and speech March 28 at the Fort Garry Hotel.

FAMILY PHOTO Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, left, as a boy with his grandfather, the Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie.

Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, one of a few pretenders to the throne, lives in Washington, D.C., and serves as head of Ethiopias Crown Council in exile.

His famous grandfather was an internationalist who helped found the United Nations. In 1936, at the League of Nations, he condemned Italys use of chemical weapons against Ethiopians during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War. Hes been credited with modernizing Ethiopia and raising the profile of Africa on the world stage.

In the Rastafarian movement that began in Jamaica in the 1930s, Selassie (1892-1975) is revered as a messiah and his words are remembered in the Bob Marley song War.

For Winnipeggers set to welcome his grandson, Selassie and his legacy are a source of pride.

"Were excited to see him," said Markos Tegegn, chairman of the non-profit Ethio-Canadian Charitable Promotional Award.

"He has done a very good job by promoting Ethiopia," said Tegegn, who plans to attend the event. "The emperor was one of the founders of the African Union and promoted equality and rights for all."

Selassie visited Canada three times, and was interviewed in Winnipeg in 1967 on his way by train to Expo 67 in Montreal.

His grandson, who was featured with other exiled royals in a Vanity Fair article two years ago, is keeping his memory alive, said Manitoba Historical Society board member Bashir Khan.

The local organization invited the prince to Winnipeg in an effort to promote racial and cultural equality between the West and Africa, he said.

"I like to give Africa her rightful place of respect, dignity and equality in comparison to the western civilization and culture," said Khan.

Seeing Manitobas historical society honouring the contributions of an African leader is a welcome sight for Ali Saeed.

The Winnipeg man who immigrated from Ethiopia decades ago said the society does good work, but much of its focus has been "dominated by western history and bringing in only whites (to speak)," said Saeed.

"This is the first black person. Its good," said the human rights advocate who was a victim of torture before coming to Canada.

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"I think its a big deal for supporters of King Selassie... Hes the founder of the African Union and fought colonialism," said Saeed.

"On the other hand, its very tough for people subjugated by him," Saeed said, referring to trade union leaders who represented factory workers who were oppressed and poorly paid under the emperors system.

A famine in Ethiopia in 1973 led to Selassies removal from the throne. He was strangled to death in 1975, at age 83, following a military coup.

The military regime that replaced Selassie was worse beyond comparison, said Saeed.

"The military dictators took half-a-million people and had them killed."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
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Rachel Maddow sifted through the new quarterly fundraising totals for the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates on Thursday, and her analysis should worry Donald Trump.

According to the MSNBC host, Trump got hammered in the money race by the Democratic field last quarter, and thats before Elizabeth Warren has even announced her fundraising haul.

A sitting president should be way, way further out ahead of the field at this point in the race, Maddow said. As of tonight, even without Elizabeth Warren announcing her totals yet, the leading Democratic candidates combined are dwarfing what President Trump raised in the last quarter, more than doubling what Trump has done in the last quarter.

Video:

Maddow said:

Democrats are riding a massive surge of presidential campaign cash into 2020, boosting the partys hopes of taking back the White House. Their leading candidates for president faced criticism last year from party veterans alarmed by tepid early fund-raising totals. But the candidates finished up 2019 raking in cash from fired up donors. The current Democratic presidential contenders and the DNC combined raised over $450 million in the last year, more than President Trumps re-election machine brought in during that same time. Democrats are encouraged by the money pouring in from both the progressive and moderate wings of the party as well as from Democrats writing big checks and from small dollar donors. The millions of contributions to Democrats in $10 or $20 increments signal massive enthusiasm from the party grassroots heading into the election year. Again, thats the lead at Politico.com tonight showing that, you know, Democrats have good reason to be fired up about those numbers in terms of the overall prospects for their party in 2020. But in terms of the presidential race, of course, theyve got to figure out who their nominee is going to be. And within the fundraising numbers, the biggest news is from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Hes announced a huge haul of over $34 million in just the last quarter, which not only puts him $10 million ahead of his nearest financial competitor, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of Indiana, it also somewhat incredibly puts him in the same ballpark as the sitting president of the United States. And I know that Trump has raised more money than the Democratic candidates at this point, but he is not competing with anybody else in his own party. He is the sitting president and he has the resources of the entire Republican Party behind him. A sitting president should be way, way further out ahead of the field at this point in the race. I mean, as of tonight even without Elizabeth Warren even announcing her totals yet, the leading Democratic candidates combined are dwarfing what President Trump raised in the last quarter, more than doubling what Trump has done in the last quarter. Again, without Elizabeth Warren factored in.

Money isnt everything, but it shows Democrats are fired up

At the beginning of the Democratic primary campaign, there was some concern about weak fundraising totals. Those worries appear to be evaporating as the election gets closer.

As Politico reported on Thursday, The current Democratic presidential contenders and the Democratic National Committee combined raised over $450 million in the last year  more than President Donald Trumps reelection machine brought in during that time.

Politico notes that the fundraising surge for Democrats is coming from all directions with donations pouring in from moderates and progressives as well as small donors and those writing big checks.

The Democratic Party hasnt even picked its nominee yet, but theyre fundraising surge shows that America is ready to chip in to make Trump a one-term president.

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"We are pleased to have Chief Ramirez join as the next leader of our Yocha Dehe Fire Department," said Yocha Dehe Tribal Chairman Anthony Roberts. "Our team has known Chief Ramirez for many years as an effective partner in firefighting in our region. Her depth of experience and exemplary career made her stand out as the right choice as YDFD's new chief."

Ms. Ramirez was, until recently, the Fire Chief of the City of Woodland and has nearly three decades in the fire service. She began her career as a volunteer for the California Department of Forestry San Bernardino in 1991 while pursuing her education at Crafton Hills College. She joined the City of West Sacramento Fire Department as its first female firefighter in 1993 and attended the Sacramento Regional Fire Academy. Over 24 years with West Sacramento Fire, she worked her way up from Firefighter to Engineer, Captain, Battalion Chief, Division Chief and, finally, Deputy Chief. In 2017, she became Fire Chief in Woodland.

"The Yocha Dehe firefighters are a dedicated group of professionals with a strong commitment to the people they serve and to one another," said Chief Ramirez. "I am both privileged and honored to lead them and to serve under the progressive leadership of the Yocha Dehe Tribal Council."

"We're thrilled to welcome Rebecca Ramirez as our new Fire Chief. She brings the department years of invaluable experience in fire safety and exceptional energy," said James Kinter, Yocha Dehe Tribal Secretary and Chair of the Fire Commission. "With her coming aboard, we're certainly excited for this new chapter for the Yocha Dehe Fire Department."

"I have worked with Chief Ramirez for the past 27 years," said retiring Chief Fredericksen, who led YDFD since 2012. "She is a true leader and dedicated to the fire service in Yolo County."

Chief Ramirez takes over a department with 33 uniformed and three administrative employees and a full complement of equipment. In addition to fire suppression and emergency medical services, YDFD performs technical rescues, including swift-water, trench, confined-space, low-angle, vehicle extrication and specialized search and rescue.

Founded in 2004, YDFD's mission is to serve Capay Valley and surrounding communities, working hand-in-hand with existing resources to provide the highest level of fire and emergency services. Through mutual aid and other cooperative agreements with regional departments and CalFire, YDFD proudly serves as a community partner, responding to emergencies in Northern California and beyond and taking part in joint training exercises year around to ensure the highest level of preparation.

YDFD is the only internationally accredited tribal fire department in the world. (www.yochadehe.org/fire)

Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is an independent, self-governed nation that supports our people and the Capay Valley, CA community by strengthening our culture, stewarding our land and creating economic independence for future generations.

SOURCE Yocha Dehe

Related Links

http://www.yochadehe.org/fire


The preparation for the new general education program from the 2020-2021 academic year caught special attention from the public in 2019.

1/ On December 22, the Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) announced that 32 textbooks for first graders had been chosen for the new generation education program. This includes 24 textbooks of the Vietnam Education Publishing House.



The national councils for examining textbooks for first graders set up by MOETs minister worked in July-October to consider the draft textbooks from publishing houses. The textbook appraisal process ensures that only the textbooks which can satisfy the requirements will be selected.



2/ In November 2019, the State Professorship Council recognized 424 professors and associate professors. Of these, 75 candidates received the professor title.

The preparation for the new general education program from the 2020-2021 academic year caught special attention from the public in 2019.

Prior to that, in 2018, the consideration and recognition of professors and associate professors was not implemented. In 2017, 1,200 candidates were recognized as professors and associate professors.



3/ Hundreds of officers and Communmist Party members connected to exam cheating at the 2018 national high school finals were disciplined.



When MOET publicized the exam scores of 900,000 examinees at the 2018 national high school finals, analysts found that the numbers of excellent students in Ha Giang, Son La and Hoa Binh were abnormally high.



MOET and the Ministry of Public Securiy then set up taskforces to examine the abnormality and found exam cheating in the provinces.



4/ Two Vietnam universities found their names in the list of top 1,000 universities in the world released by Times Higher Education (THE).



Hanoi National University and the Hanoi University of Science and Technology are in the group of universities ranked from 801st to 1,000th. The HCM City National University is in the group of 1000+.



THE released the World University Ranking 2020 at an event organized in Zurich on September 11, 2019.



5/ The 2018 amended University Education Law took effect in 2019. The law is described as having many new provisions close to international practice and suitable to practice in Vietnam.



Under the law, the difference between full-time and in-service degrees no longer exists. Universities wont be able to continue enrolling students if they have not been accredited.



6/ The teacher lifelong recruitment policy was removed. This is a part of the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Cadres and Civil Servants ratified by the National Assembly on November 25, 2019.



7/ Vietnamese students won high prizes at international competitions. Six students attending the International Mathematics Olympiad won 2 gold medals and 4 silver, ranking 7th among the 110 competition teams.



The physics competition team won 3 gold and 2 silver medals at the International Physics Olympiad.



8/ Dong Do University was found to be illegally training and granting bachelors degrees in English.

Le Huyen

UNESCO global report highlights VN's progress on adult learning & education UNESCOs fourth Global Report on Adult Learning and Education (GRALE 4) has spotlighted the progress made by Vietnam for strengthening the education of its elderly people and promote their learning, health and well-being.
Cameroon Receives First Returning Asylum-Seekers, Ex-Separatists from Nigeria

By Moki Edwin Kindzeka January 02, 2020

A chartered plane from the Nigerian city of Lagos landed at Yaounde's international airport late Tuesday with 87 Cameroonian asylum-seekers and former separatists on board.

The group of mainly women and children was the first to return to Cameroon after fleeing to Nigeria to escape fighting between government troops and separatists in Cameroon's troubled western regions.

Cameroon authorities say they returned voluntarily under an agreement with Nigeria and that at least 700 asylum-seekers and rebels are expected to return before the end of February.

Marie Nash, 29, fled the English-speaking southwestern town of Mamfe two years ago when fighting first broke out, but returned amid renewed talk of peace.

"Because of the war, I have experienced a lot of things," she said. "I just thank God because they want to bring peace to Cameroon, and I am very happy for that. I want everybody to come back so that we should not fight again. Let us make peace."

Among the returnees are former separatist fighters like Success Nkongho, who led an armed group called "Ground Zero" before fleeing to Nigeria in October.

He said he returned to Cameroon after the government showed efforts to address the conflict, including October's national dialogue.

"Prior to the national dialogue, I was invited though I did not come there," he said. "Today I am here with other combatants (ex fighters) and refugees, asylum seekers. We have come home, and we wish to say please kindly give us another chance."

Former rebel Leonard Nyambere said he is still in touch with separatists who want to surrender but do not trust authorities' offer of reintegration.

"Some of us (the fighters) think that the government wants to trick us or to kill us," he said. "That is why most of our brothers are still in the forest. My friends and my brothers understand that the Cameroon of yesterday is not the Cameroon of today. Everything cannot be solved by the gun."

On social media, other separatist fighters describe Nyambere and Nkongho as sell-outs to Cameroon's government and call for their capture.

The former rebels will enter rehabilitation and reintegration programs before being released.

Despite the risk and ongoing conflict, Cameroon authorities are urging the asylum-seekers to return to their homes in the English-speaking, western regions.

Cameroon Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji said there is peace in areas where they have been distributing aid, with no attacks from separatist fighters.

"It is a clear indication that there is no humanitarian crisis in Cameroon," he said. "I think about 5,000 families have gone back to the northwest and the southwest regions of Cameroon, which is a clear indication that everything is coming back to normalcy."

But the returnees are staying with relatives in Yaounde and say they are reluctant to go home until all fighting ends and authorities reconstruct villages and towns destroyed in the conflict.

In December, Cameroon's parliament gave special status for the English-speaking regions in a further effort to halt the conflict.

The special status creates more elected, local leader positions for the two English-speaking regions. It also cedes some powers to elected mayors, such as authority to recruit hospital staff and teachers.

Unrest erupted in Cameroon's English-speaking regions in 2017 after teachers and lawyers protested discrimination by the country's French-speaking majority. Cameroon's military cracked down hard as separatists took up arms.

The UN says the conflict has left at least 3,000 people dead, displaced half a million, and led tens of thousands to flee to neighboring Nigeria.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 23:26:47|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese military official Friday called on scientific and technological experts in the military to take the lead in developing the army with science and technology and make greater contributions to building a strong military.

Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when meeting with newly selected academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the country's two top science institutions, from the military.

Zhang stressed accelerated efforts to increase the contribution rate of science and technology to combat capability.

He asked sci-tech experts in the military to develop unshakeable confidence, tackle difficulties and scale new heights in military science and technology.

Zhang also emphasized the achievement of more breakthroughs in sci-tech innovation and the cultivation of high-caliber innovative talents.
In an extraordinary interview on live radio this week, Donald Trump seemed to stumble when he landed in the Middle East.

It started when he was asked about Maj. Gen. Qassem Suleimani, the powerful and popular military officer who heads the elite Quds force of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Politics Killing of Iranian general marks huge gamble by Trump The killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq brings the U.S. and Iran to edge of war  one of the biggest gambles of Trumps presidency.

The Kurds ... have been horribly mistreated, Trump suggested, prompting an exchange with radio host Hugh Hewitt that at times sounded a bit like a Laurel and Hardy routine.

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No, not the Kurds  the Quds forces, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds forces, Hewitt said. The bad guys.

Oh, I thought you said Kurds, Kurds, Trump said.

No, Quds.

Kurds, Quds: What should Trump know about Qassem Suleimani?

The once-reclusive commander of Tehrans legendary intelligence gathering and covert war operations across the Middle East and South Asia has lately emerged as a major figure in Iran, with celebrity-like status and an outsized presence on the Web.

Conservative Iranian bloggers have called him the countrys most honest leader and have urged him to run for president in 2017.

His silvery-bearded image has appeared in photographs from the worlds battlefields, on posters brandished at political rallies and in pop music videos. So ubiquitous has he become, in fact, that a photograph of him supposedly shaking hands with astronaut Neil Armstrong on the surface of the moon in 1969 was circulated on social media.

The Quds force, which he commands, is the special forces unit of the Revolutionary Guard Corps responsible for operations outside Irans borders. It takes its name from the Persian word for Jerusalem, which it has vowed to liberate.

Under Suleimanis leadership, the force is believed to have armed allies and assassinated rivals in an effort to defend Irans Shiite Muslim revolution and project its influence across the region.

U.S. officials twice declared Suleimani a terrorist and accused him of directing attacks on American forces in Iraq a decade ago.

But there he was earlier this year, according to photographs circulated on the Internet, apparently drinking tea outside Tikrit at the start of the Shiite led-governments campaign -- heartily endorsed by the U.S. -- to take back the city from Islamic State fighters.

It was not the first time that Washington has found itself on the same side as a man long viewed as an arch-foe. After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Iran was reported to have provided intelligence to the U.S. to help its forces overthrow the Taliban in Afghanistan.

In an interview with the BBC Persian service, the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan C. Crocker, described the central role later played by Suleimani in talks about stemming sectarian violence in that country.

Irans ambassador called repeatedly for breaks during the talks, Crocker said. I couldnt quite figure out why, and then later discovered that whenever I said something that he didnt have covered in his points, he would need to call back to Tehran for guidance - he was that tightly controlled. On the other end of the phone was Qassem Suleimani.

In a speech this week to Irans Assembly of Experts, an influential panel of clerics that chooses the countrys supreme leader, Suleimani was reported to have proclaimed the collapse of American power in the region. He accused the United States of seeking to preserve the presence of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria so the regions Muslims would continue to need American help, according to reports cited by the Middle East news site Al-Monitor.

In Syria, Suleimani has served as point person for the critical backing that Iran has provided to the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad in the war against rebels supported by the U.S. and its allies.

Many people would say hes the most dangerous man in the world, Hewitt told Trump in Thursdays interview.

That seemed to trigger a flash of recognition.

Is he the gentleman that was going back and forth with Russia and meeting with Putin? he said, referring to the Russian president.

Thats the guy, Hewitt said.

Not good, Trump agreed.

Trump didnt fare much better when it came to name recognition of many of the regions other militant leaders, but dismissed such questions as gotcha tactics.

As far as the individual players, of course I dont know them. Ive never met them. I havent been, you know, in a position to meet them, he said. If, if theyre still there [after the election], which is unlikely in many cases, but if theyre still there, I will know them better than I know you.
Former Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy will not join President Donald Trump's outside counsel, he told NBC News on Thursday, despite reportedly leaving a role at Fox News late last year to help the president's legal team amid an impeachment fight.

Gowdy, who had served as the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and left Congress in 2019, told McClatchy in an email that he would not join Trump's legal team.

"The president has good lawyers and more importantly good facts," Gowdy told McClatchy. "He does not need another lawyer added to his team. He needs the trial to begin and end."

Gowdy confirmed in a text message to NBC that he had decided not to join the president's counsel. Gowdy could not be reached by CNBC for comment.

A Fox News spokesperson told CNBC in October that Gowdy had been fired as a contributor to the network. A source familiar with the situation noted at the time that Gowdy representing the president would pose a conflict of interest with his role as a Fox contributor.

Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow told NBC in October that he was "pleased to announce that former Congressman Trey Gowdy is joining our team as Counsel to the President."

"Trey's command of the law is well known and his service on Capitol Hill will be a great asset as a member of our team," he said.

In an email Thursday evening, Sekulow told CNBC that "there really is nothing to report." He did not directly confirm that Gowdy would not join Trump's team.

In Congress, Gowdy had served as the head of the House Benghazi Committee, which investigated a terrorist attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including the country's U.S. ambassador, Christopher Stevens.

A day after Gowdy's ouster from Fox was announced, Trump said that the former representative from South Carolina would not be able to join his team until at least January, citing federal lobbying rules.

"Trey Gowdy is a terrific guy. I think there's a problem with, he can't start for another couple of months because of lobbying rules and regulations. So you'll have to ask about that," Trump said then.

The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Relay Investments, a leading investor in the search fund model, today announced the sale of portfolio company T-Base Communications Inc. (T-Base) to private equity firm Thompson Street Capital Partners. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, T-Base Communications provides proprietary software solutions to telco companies, leading banks, and health insurance providers that allow for easy and effective communication with their blind and low vision consumers.

Founded in 1994 and acquired by search fund Gestalt Equity Partners in 2014, T-Base provides a software driven solution for the fast, secure delivery of accessible communications in a wide range of formats to help empower blind and low vision consumers. T-Base is the number one choice for Fortune 500 companies and leading educational institutions.

We are grateful for the support and guidance Relay has provided over the last 5 years, said Trevor Lwin, Co-CEO at T-Base Communications. Their operating and investing experience made them a valuable resource throughout the process.

Baird served as financial advisor and Goodwin Procter and Dentons Canada served as legal advisor to T-Base Communications in connection with the sale. No financial terms were disclosed.

About Relay Investments:

Relay Investments is a private equity fund with a focus on investing in established micro-cap companies ($1-5mm EBITDA) through the search fund model. Having raised almost $100mm across two funds, Relay Investments has made nearly 200 search fund and operating company investments. Founded in 2013 by Sandro Mina and Martin Steber, and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Relay invests in the US, Canada, and other countries globally. For more information, please visit http://www.relayinvestments.com.
Dhaka: About 1,000 people were arrested in 2019 for illegal border crossings from India to Bangladesh, with 445 of them returning to Dhaka in November and December 2019, said a top official here.

The returnees are all Bangladeshi nationals who went to India illegally in different times and have nothing to do with the citizenship law, bdnews24 quoted Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Shafeenul Islam as saying on Thursday.

Director general-level meetings were held between the two border guard agencies from December 25 to December 30, 2019 in New Delhi. Several people arrested for entering Bangladesh through the Indian border were reported since the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.

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"We haven`t allowed in any intruder," said the BGB chief when asked how many illegal intruders were identified in 2019.

Three traffickers were among those arrested, he said, adding that they were handed over to the police after their identification as Bangladeshi nationals.

"They were all Bangladeshis and went to India in search of jobs," said Islam.

There was no discussion on the NRC at the director general-level meeting between the two countries.
Derailed train plunges into river in Idaho, crew rescued by boat originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

A cargo train derailed, sending the engine into an Idaho river late Wednesday night, leaving the driver and crew to be rescued by boat and authorities working to contain diesel fuel leaking into the river.

The Burlington Northern Railroad train derailed into the Kootenai River, near the town of Bonner's Ferry. Local authorities were alerted around 9 p.m. and warned that the crew may be trapped inside.

Local sheriffs, search and rescue, ambulance and fire teams deployed to the scene to find that the engine was only accessible from the water, ABC Fox Montana reported.

Boundary County Emergency Management, BNSF, ISP, Boundary CSO/EMS/Fire are on scene of a train derailment in the area of Crossport just east of Bonners Ferry. Be aware that local roads in the area may be congested or intermittently closed as crews work to remove the engines. pic.twitter.com/Z1iwdGVByk  Idaho State Police (@ispdistrict1) January 2, 2020

Boundary County Sheriff's Marine rescue crews were able to reach the engine by boat and safely retrieve the train operators, who were not injured.

MORE: 3 killed in LIRR train crash and derailment in New York

Night-vision video shot from helicopters showed the engine entirely in the river and partially submerged, with part of the second car in the water. The remaining 113 cars, seven of which contained hazardous materials, stayed upright, ABC affiliate KXLY reported.

"Once we got onto the location we had good visibility above the wreckage except for the river, which was socked in with fog on one-half of the river, which was the side the train was on," Rob Cherot, one of the rescue pilots called to the scene, told KXLY.

PHOTO: An image released by authorities shows a trail that derailed and ran into the Kootenai River in Idaho. (Idaho State Police)

Reports indicated that the derailment was the result of a rock slide.

Story continues

Crews continue to work to remove the locomotive from the river and to stem the contamination from diesel fuel leaking from the wreck. Firefighters and railway workers have deployed containment booms at multiple spots on the river to minimize any negative environmental impacts, ABC Fox Montana reported.

MORE: 2 killed in fiery plane crash in Kansas

On Thursday, local officials issued a state of emergency in order to restrict boat access to the area while the cleanup continues.

Writing on Facebook, the North Bench Fire District said: "All the First Responders and agencies involved in the incident did an amazing job, and the crews faced a difficult and dangerous situation and were able to safely and effectively prevent loss of life and reduce further environmental impacts."
Israel views the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani as restoring US deterrence in the Middle East in one fell swoop  deterrence that had eroded over the past two years to the point that it was almost nonexistent. Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, the commander of the Israel Defense Forces, even took the liberty of voicing veiled criticism in a Dec. 25 speech, saying Israel was acting alone against Irans Revolutionary Guard. Tonight, they suddenly made a comeback, a senior Israeli source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Al-Monitor. The Americans are signaling that they are still around and no one should mess with them. This is excellent news.

An indescribable sense of satisfaction and elation filled the halls of power in Israel after news emerged of the assassination. In the morning hours of Jan. 3, senior political and defense figures had to bite down hard and practice tremendous restraint to avoid flooding the web with triumphant announcements and messages of congratulation to President Donald Trump. Why? Because Israel knows full well the extent to which this historic and strategic event has brought the entire region closer to war. IDF Chief of Staff Kochavi had already warned of such a scenario in his speech last week.

Israel urgently needs to distance itself from the resounding assassination, which could change the face of the Middle East. As these lines are being written, many in Israels defense and security agencies are praying that their commanders in the political arena will curb their inclination to join in the American celebrations. The situation is somewhat reminiscent of the first weeks following the 2007 destruction of the Syrian nuclear facility at Der ez-Zor. Then, too, Israel maintained total silence to provide Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with ultimate deniability and the ideal conditions to practice restraint.

For the past 20 years, and perhaps in all of modern history, Gen. Soleimani was Israels most bitter enemy. He was perceived in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv  the prime minister's office and Defense Ministry  not only as the operations officer of Irans global terror network and the brain behind the idea of the Shiite axis from Tehran to Tartus, he was also the great ideologue of the Islamic revolution, the heart of the resistance and the one who pushed the Revolutionary Guard with all his might toward the Israeli border, Damascus and Beirut.

In closed-door meetings over the past year, senior Israeli defense officials often explained that the war Israel was waging was not against Iran, but against Soleimani. Israeli and Western intelligence assessments claimed that Soleimani was not reporting to his superiors on his plans and not always telling Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei the truth, and suggested that without him, the spirit of the Iranian revolution would be far more moderate. We are in for interesting times. Soleimanis name was at the top of the list of indispensable assassination targets. What remains now is to see whether Soleimani was, indeed, indispensable or whether he can be replaced. Hours after the US attack, Iran appointed Soleimanis deputy, Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, to replace him.

Israel has killed quite a few terror organization leaders in recent decades. Some were assassinated by other countries and armies. Such killings almost always resulted in regret on the part of the assassins, who yearned for the return of their target. Israels 1992 killing of Hezbollah leader Abbas al-Musawi was a classic example of this dynamic. He was replaced by Hassan Nasrallah, and the rest is history. One can hazard a guess that the West misses Iraqs Saddam Hussein and Libyas Moammar Gadhafi, who have been replaced by bleeding chaos that shows no sign of abating. Only rarely do such assassinations achieve their goals and a worthy replacement is not found for a long time. The classic example of such a case was the 2008 assassination of Hezbollah Chief of Staff Imad Mughniyeh, attributed to Israels Mossad and the United States. Nasrallah has not found a fitting substitute for Mughniyeh to this day.

To a large extent, Soleimanis assassination dwarfs Mughniyehs. If there was one single instigator of Irans tentacles of terrorism, it was Soleimani. Israel had long been trying to understand what made him tick. We are dealing with a determined rival, very sophisticated, very courageous, and with iron-willed patience, a senior military source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity last month. He does not lose his cool. We beat him up quite a bit, but he knows how to take it in his stride, to manipulate Tehran and make the supreme leader follow his footsteps, distancing him from President [Hassan] Rouhani and the Reformists. He will not abandon his goals under any circumstances and will continue striving to achieve them at all cost.

Israeli experts attribute his zeal to religious extremism. He is a classic Shiite Islamist, a former top intelligence official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity in assessing Soleimanis motivation. He really believes in the need to spread the revolution. He really thinks Israel should be wiped off the map, and contrary to many others, he does not wait for others to carry out these missions, he simply takes them on himself.

Israels intelligence effort from now on will focus on determining whether someone will be found to fill the huge military shoes Soleimani left behind. The prevailing initial assessment among senior Israeli defense officials is that a replacement for Soleimani will not be found.

He is one of a kind, an Israeli Middle East scholar with a background in intelligence work explained to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. There are not many people like that, who combine such capabilities, such extreme ideology and such a tremendous influence on the supreme leader. We must not forget that the leader himself, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is already over 80, suffering from prostate cancer and leading an economically crushed state. We have to hold our breath now and pray that all this pressure being exerted on Iran at the same time will break the spirit of the elderly leader and help him make the right decision: a shift in direction and negotiations with the Americans on a new nuclear agreement.

Israel is concerned about the second option of Iran not shifting direction: an Iranian military response against a US target that would force Trump to respond once again and force the Iranians to launch another front against a far closer and less dangerous punching bag, such as Israel. That is why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed his ministers Jan. 3 to avoid reacting to Soleimanis killing. He himself could not resist publicly cheering the killing, congratulating Trump and saying Israel stands beside the United States.
Researchers have developed a new battery they claim can power a phone for five continuous days, or allow an electric vehicle to travel more than 1,000km without needing to recharge.

The groundbreaking energy storage is made possible by ditching lithium-ion batteries  used in everything from iPhones to pacemakers  and replacing them with lithium-sulfur batteries.

Theoretically, lithium-sulfur batteries are capable of holding up to five-times more energy than lithium-ion ones, but until now they have been wildly impractical for use in consumer electronics.

The biggest challenge until now with lithium-sulfur batteries has been the instability of the cathode, which undergoes a 78 per cent change in size each time it goes through a charge cycle.

This means the batteries degrade extremely quickly and do not last long enough for them to be recharged over and over again.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Researchers at Monash University in Australia discovered that using a very flexible cathode allowed it to handle the expansion and contraction without significant degradation. In doing so, they claim to have created the "world's most efficient" lithium-sulfur battery.

The world needs radical new energy storage technologies to fight climate change, Dr Mahdokht Shaibani from Monash Universitys Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, who led the research, told The Independent.

Lithium-sulfur batteries, which use extremely high-capacity sulfur, can store five-times as much capacity as traditional lithium-ion batteries, and are made from cheap materials that are available worldwide.

Associate Professor Matthew Hill added: This approach not only favours high performance metrics and long life cycle... it is also can lead to significant reductions in environmentally hazardous waste.

Recommended Battery breakthrough revolutionises recharge times for electric cars

The research, which is published in Science Advances, could be a major milestone for the battery industry and could impact everything from consumer electronics to solar grids.

Dr Shaibani said the commercialisation of the batteries may be between two to four years away, and a patent for the manufacturing process has already been approved.

Prototype cells have been developed in Germany and further testing in cars and solar grids is set to take place in Australia this year.

Cost projections and performance metrics of our technology predicts for outperforming todays lithium-ion batteries at high competitive price points, said Dr Shaibani.

Altogether, this means that solar power could be much more easily stored, or an electric vehicle go a lot further, but more importantly, the battery is safe, simple and ethical.
Boston, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During night-time hours (local time in Iraq) of 2nd January, US President Donald Trump sanctioned drone strikes near Baghdad International Airport (BGW) that killed General Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC). The US claimed Soleimani was planning attacks on US diplomatic staff throughout the region.

Soleimani was killed alongside Abu Mahdi Al Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, an influential Iranian proxy in Iraq.

Soleimanis death comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran. Supporters of Kataib Hezbollah stormed the US embassy on 31st December, with militiamen burning guard towers and entering the compounds reception area, which resulted in US forces using tear gas to disperse the crowds. The incident occurred following US airstrikes Kataib Hezbollah facilities in al-Qaim and across the border in Syria on 29th December.

The United States Department of Defense has stated that Soleimani was killed as a defensive action to protect US personnel. The US has issued an evacuation notice for all its citizens in Iraq and numerous western embassies have also released statements warning their citizens to avoid large crowds.

Soleimanis killing has sparked bellicose rhetoric from the Iranian leadership, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif all calling the US actions criminal and calling for severe retaliation. The influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has reactivated his Mahdi Army, which waged an insurgency against US troops in 2007. Foreign oil companies are evacuating personnel through Iraqs Basra airport.

Healix/HX Global Assessment

Soleimanis killing is a major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran. Soleimani was arguably the second most powerful man in Iran behind Ayatollah Khameini and was responsible for providing training, weapons and organisational guidance to Iranian proxy groups throughout the Middle East.

Hostilities between Iran and the US in recent months have primarily been limited to tit-for-tat attacks, such as tanker seizures and rockets fired at the US embassy in Iraq that were not intended to cause any damage. The killing of Soleimani, however, is a staunch departure from the previously limited nature of hostilities.

While the timing of Soleimanis killing was likely decided following the storming of the US embassy, Soleimanis position as a key conductor of attacks on Saudi and American infrastructure made him a high priority target for the US. Israel had been pressing for Soleimani to be killed for several years. Soleimanis killing is an undeniable setback for the IRGC.

His killing not only significantly raises the prospect of direct conflict between the US and Iran, but Iran is likely to utilise its proxy groups to carry out significant attacks on the US and its allies interests throughout the region. This includes US military bases in the Gulf states, tankers and US ships in the Gulf waters such as the Strait of Hormuz, US embassies and bases in Iraq and across the region, the US embassy in Lebanon and Israels northern border with Lebanon.

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) are reportedly on high alert on the northern border and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cut short a visit abroad, demonstrating that there is a concern of potential reprisal attacks by Hezbollah militants on Israeli soil. The deployment of troops is likely to be pre-emptive.

Soleimanis killing may also exacerbate prevalent anti-government protests currently occurring in Baghdad and southern governorates in Iraq. One of the protest movements key demands was an end to foreign influence, be it Iranian or American, and the incident raises the chance of increased attendance at demonstrations. Foreign interests are liable to be targeted.

Forecast

While Irans response is unpredictable, it is most likely that direct conflict between the US and Iran on Iranian soil remains unlikely. Proxy attacks will increase significantly over the coming months, which will trigger American drone and airstrikes on Iranian proxy groups positions

The Healix/HX Global team does not anticipate threats emerging to foreign interests in the UAE and Kuwait.

Iran will also restart its maritime attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran will wield its significant influence on Iraqs parliament to pass a motion that US troops should leave Iraq, in hope of making any remaining US soldiers seem like an occupying force.

The US will send small troop deployments to its facilities and military bases across the region in order to secure them.

Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia are likely to resume in the coming months.

Cyber-attacks on US assets are likely.

A worst-case scenario would mean that Iran responds by killing US military personnel in Iraq or another Middle Eastern country. This leads President Trump to conduct airstrikes on Iranian military bases within Iran. This scenario would also mean that the US issues evacuation notices for its staff in other embassies throughout the region, such as Lebanon. It may also mean that Western interests are attacked throughout the Middle East, which includes terrorist attacks on US embassies throughout the region.

Advice for travellers from HX Global/Healix International Security Experts

If you or any of your employees are currently traveling in this area, our team of security experts have put together the following advice on how to stay safe. Healix has extensive experience operating in the Middle East; if you have a need for a more in-depth conversation or believe you may require a security evacuation, please reach out to gsoc@healix.com for additional information.

Security managers with assets throughout the Middle East should ensure that evacuation plans are current, actionable and regularly tested in case of a rapid deterioration in the security environment.

Escalatory triggers to look out for include:

Death of US military personnel/contractors

Further US assassinations of top Iranian military generals.

Attack on US infrastructure in a gulf country such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Bahrain.

Large US troop deployment to the Middle East (50k+).

Monitor independent news sources for updates, as local media in the Middle East can often be skewed and favourable towards a specific government. Reliable sources include western media outlets such as the BBC, NYT, the Guardian, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal and Middle East-focused websites such as Al-Monitor, Al-Jazeera, the Middle East Eye, the Jordan Times and Haaretz.

Ensure that employees being deployed to the region are fully briefed on the political and security developments in Iraq and any other potential destinations.

Ensure employees are staying in secure and accredited accommodation that can double-up as a stand-fast location for at least 96 hours in case of a rapid deterioration in the security environment in their country of deployment.

Traveler-specific advice:
European investigators tracking a terrorist suspect linked to to the Islamic State say there were close to nabbing him until their spyware on his phone shut off.

It turns out that WhatsApp, which is owned by Facebook, had informed 1,400 users - including the suspect - that their phones had been had been hacked by an 'advanced cyber actor,' reported The Wall Street Journal.

The investigators say they had following the suspect using spyware software from NSO Group, an Israeli company.

WhatsApp argues that such means of spying by the government is illegal and that it was protecting its users.

Authorities in an unnamed Western European country used spyware from Israeli-owned software company NSO to hack into a terror suspect's phone and track him via WhatsApp (file image)

According to The Journal, law enforcement had been tracking the suspect because they feared they would be a terrorist attack during the holidays.

An unidentified judge had granted them permission to use whatever means necessary to get into the suspect's phone.

When authorities learned he was using WhatsApp's encrypted messaging, they knew they needed spyware.

The government of the Western European country had a contract with NSO that authorities used to hack suspects.

'We only had that one phone,' the official leading the investigation told The Journal.

'We put all our efforts into using this product to see what he was doing, which mosque he was going to, who was talking to him, whether the group was spread in neighboring countries.'

But on October 29, WhatsApp messaged thousands of users, including journalists and activists, to tell them about the hack and the spyware went dark.

The message read: 'An advanced cyber actor exploited our video calling to install malware on user devices. There's a possibility this phone number was impacted.'

'The hacking methods described in our lawsuit against the NSO Group are illegal,' WhatsApp told The Journal.

'We remain committed to the security and protection of users from cyber attacks.'

Facebook did not know about the contract nor did it know about the investigations governments were conducting.

The same day WhatsApp informed its users about the spyware, Facebook filed a federal lawsuit against NSO in California.

The tech giant is seeking financial penalties for hacking WhatsApp, which was done via video-calling function, reported The Journal.

WhatsApp sent a message to 1,400 users - including the suspect - letting them know their phone may have been hacked and said spying from government using the spyware to hack phones is illegal. Pictured: NSO Group offices in Herzliya, Israel, August 2013

NSO said it is defending itself against the lawsuit, but did not elaborate on any details.

The technology 'is only licensed, as a lawful solution, to government intelligence and law-enforcement agencies for the sole purpose of preventing and investigating terror and serious crime,' the company told The Journal.

'As our technology is operated solely by the law enforcement or intelligence agencies themselves, NSO does not comment on related operational issues.'

NSO allegedly sells its spyware to governments in India, Mexico and the Middle East, which is then used to track opponents such as political rivals, religious figures and journalists.

Human-rights research group Citizen Lab told the newspaper that at least 100 of the 1,400 hacked users were among these groups.

But the Israeli company says the majority of its customers are European countries who use their products in criminal investigations.

WhatsApp said it informed the US Justice Department about the hacking in May, but the agency has not responded to a request for comment.
More hospital beds will continue to be needed to deal with hospital hospital overcrowding, according to Health Minister Simon Harris.

We know what we need to do in terms of capacity, not what people did during the Celtic Tiger years when they reduced the number of hospital beds, he said.

An additional 199 hospital beds are to be opened before the end of the month and 51 are due to open on Monday, the minister pointed out at the HSEs winter briefing.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said the HSE needs to lift its moratorium on the recruitment in staff nurses to ease the situation.

Its general secretary, Phil Ni Sheaghdha, told RTE radio they had been chasing posts that had been vacant in Cork University Hospital.

They looked to have 50 posts approved in October but they were not sanctioned until December 20.

So it is a delay tactic; its spin, said Ms Ni Sheaghdha. Its completely disrespectful to people who are working very hard to provide a public health service on the frontline.

The minister said there were more than 2,100 additional people working in the Irish health service at the end of last month and more than 500 were nurses.

The number of nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, and allied healthcare professionals is continuing to grow, he said.

HSE chief operations officer Anne OConnor said there had been an increase in all grades of nursing staff last year.

HSE national clinical advisor and acute hospitals group lead, Vida Hamilton, said there is a capacity issue but it is being addressed.

The reality is that we do have a capacity shortage both in terms of beds, doctors, nurses, and other clinicians and access to diagnostics, said Dr Hamilton.

There are plans in place to address those shortages over a period of time but it is not a short-term solution. she said.

Ms OConnor said they had been working very hard to discharge people from hospital who had completed their acute care. She said the number of bed days lost has been reduced from 55,000 in October to 38,000  the equivalent of putting nearly 30 acute beds back into the hospital system.

However, around half of patients admitted through emergency departments required to be isolated isolation because of flu, the winter vomiting virus, and other infections, and that put pressure on beds.

The director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, John Cuddihy, said that in the weeks over Christmas there were more than 750 people admitted with flu, reflecting the very steep peak in flu activity.

There have been 22 flu deaths reported and 17 were of people aged 65 years and older.

Dr Hamilton said the flu vaccine was an extremely good match this year.

Despite us being in the midst of a very busy flu season, it is not too late to vaccinate, she said. We anticipate there are approximately five more weeks of the flu season left.

Meanwhile, Mallow General Hospital has imposed strict visiting restrictions to control the spread of flu in the hospital.
ASAHIKAWA, JAPANRemoving the tiny eyes that pockmark potatoes is dull, repetitive and time-consuming work  perfect, it would seem, for robots in a country where the population is declining and workers are increasingly in short supply.

But its not so simple.

When a food processing plant that makes potato salad and stews in Hokkaido, Japans northernmost island, tried out a robot prototype designed to remove the potatoes eyes, the machine was not up to the task.

The robots camera sensors were not sensitive enough to identify every eye. While human hands can roll a potato in every direction, the robot could rotate the vegetables on only one axis, and so failed to dig out many of the blemishes that are toxic to humans. Other perfectly good pieces were carved away.

Fundamentally, it could not do the work to the standard of humans, said Akihito Shibayama, a factory manager at Yamazaki Group, which operates the plant in Asahikawa, a mid-size city in the middle of Hokkaido where 30 workers process about 15 tons of potatoes a day.

Japan, the worlds third largest economy, hopes that robots and other types of automation will help solve its demographic problems and impending labour shortage. That priority is reflected in a government blueprint, dubbed Society 5.0 and repeatedly emphasized by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

But businesses are struggling as some jobs that seem ripe for a robotic takeover prove remarkably difficult to outsource to a machine.

Robots can perform simple tasks but not tasks that require judgment or the ability to evaluate a change in a situation, said Toshiya Okuma, associate director of global strategy in the robot business division of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, a leading Japanese developer of robotics that has long helped automate car factory assembly lines.

Looking to robots allows Japan to avoid hard choices about immigration, a delicate topic in a country reluctant to let in many outsiders. But its also a good cultural fit.

Japan was an early adopter of robots, installing them in car factories starting in the 1970s. And some of the most beloved Japanese touchstones are robots.

Doraemon, a cuddly blue robot cat, stars in a comic book series and one of the countrys longest-running television shows. Astro Boy  or Tetsuwan Atomu in Japan  is a superhero in comics, television shows and movies, a kind of android equivalent of Pinocchio who fights for peace between robots and humans.

Still, however hospitable Japanese businesses have been to robots, they have learned that robots able to perform somewhat sophisticated tasks cost much more than human workers.

So at the factory in Asahikawa, where about 60 per cent of the work is automated, many tasks still require the human touch. Workers peel pumpkins, for example, because some skin enhances the flavour of stew. A robot cant determine just how much skin to shuck off.

Other efforts to use robots or automation have hit snags, in programs ranging from self-driving buses to package-delivering drones or robots that comfort nursing home residents.

A hotel staffed by androids in southern Japan ended up laying off some of its robots after customers complained that they were not as good at hospitality as people.

During a trial of self-driving buses in Oita City, also in southern Japan, one bus crashed into a curb, and officials realized that autonomous vehicles were not quite ready to cope with situations like traffic jams, jaywalkers or cars running red lights.

For decades, Japan has been a leader in the use of robots. It is the worlds largest maker of industrial robots, and once led the globe in the number of robots per employee, said Gee Hee Hong, an economist specializing in Japan at the International Monetary Fund.

More recently, according to the International Federation of Robots, Singapore, South Korea and Germany have overtaken Japan in robots per worker.

Helping drive the interest in robots are concerns about the declining population in Japan, where births are at their lowest level since 1874. Already, industries like manufacturing, caregiving, construction and agriculture are starting to run low of workers.

In Japan, instead of displacing workers, you are simply replacing workers, said Todd Sneider, deputy division chief for the Japan division of the International Monetary Fund.

In Hokkaido, for example, where there are 1.2 job openings for every working-age resident, recent tests of autonomous driving trucks have not been perceived as a way to get rid of workers, since they are already in short supply, prefectural officials say.

Hokuren, a food company that processes beet sugar in northeastern Hokkaido, needs about 250 drivers during the peak fall season to transport 6,000 tons of beets a day from farms and storage facilities to its processing plant.

Because of intense labour shortages, Hokuren tested autonomous vehicles manufactured by UD Trucks, a Volvo subsidiary based in Japan. But Hokuren officials say more tests are needed to ensure that vehicles can handle impediments like snowy or icy roads or changes in traffic lights.

Genyou Imai, 48, the owner of a trucking company that regularly supplies drivers to Hokuren, acknowledged that he could not hire enough to meet his clients needs and that the autonomous vehicles might free his company up for other kinds of work.

Although Parliament passed a bill last year to grant new visas to foreign workers to help cope with shortages, the government has consistently emphasized robots as more likely saviours.

So where you would potentially have immigrants doing the jobs, you say, Go make robots, said Selma Sabanovic, a professor of cognitive science at Indiana University who was a visiting scholar at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Tsukuba, Japan.

Business leaders have expressed doubts that foreigners could quickly solve Japans need for workers, in part because of societal resistance.

Japan has kind of a very pure-blood race, said Noritsugu Uemura, an executive in charge of government and external relations for Mitsubishi Electric, a leading electronics manufacturer. I think not only could it take 20 or 30 years, but it will take more like 40 or 50 years to integrate immigrants into Japan.

We cant wait such a long time.

Read more about:
She shot to fame as the voluptuous glamour model from Sam Wood's season of The Bachelor.

But these days, Zilda Williams has left reality television behind for a new life as an MMA fighter.

Earlier this week, the 36-year-old flaunted her incredible physique in a tight gold cocktail frock at a party to celebrate the new year.

All smiles: Zilda Williams flaunted her incredible physique in a tight gold cocktail frock at a party to celebrate the new year earlier this week after taking up MMA fighting

The busty blonde looked incredibly toned in the outfit, no doubt a result of her MMA training.

Zilda often shares photos from her training sessions on social media, and was recently spotted posing with UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya's title belt.

Since appearing on The Bachelor in 2016, Zilda has undergone a huge transformation that's left her looking almost unrecognisable compared to her former self.

So that's her secret! The busty blonde looked incredibly toned in the outfit, no doubt a result of her MMA training

Dedication: The 36-year-old has left reality TV behind for a new life as an MMA fighter

Back in August, she revealed that she had swapped her blonde bombshell locks for a sophisticated bob cut.

Pouting at the camera, the former reality star proudly flaunted her stunning new look while revealing a hint of her famous cleavage in a plunging lace top.

'Out with the old and in with the new,' she captioned the image, before tagging fashion label Pretty Little Thing in the post.

'Thanks for the loan!' Zilda often shares photos from her training sessions on social media, and was recently spotted posing with UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya's title belt

Zilda's fresh cut was met with an overwhelmingly positive response from her followers, with one commenting: 'Words cannot describe how beautiful you are!'

'Love love love the hair,' gushed her former Bachelor co-star, Jacinda Gugliemino.

The Kiwi-born beauty recently said that 'life has never been better' since relocating from the Gold Coast to Auckland.

Total transformation: Back in August, Zilda revealed that she had swapped her blonde bombshell locks (L) for a stylish bob (R)

The stunner now works as an accounts manager for a major company, which she balances with her MMA training schedule.

During her modelling days, the bombshell graced the pages of FHM, Maxim, and Zoo, and appeared in commercials for brands like Lynx and Foxtel.

Despite undergoing a breast reduction and toning down her image, Zilda hasn't completely sworn off procedures.

'I wanted to enhance my natural lips, which already have a lovely shape': The 35-year-old got some subtle lip fillers earlier this year

In May, she received some subtle lip fillers to plump up her pout.

'I wanted to enhance my natural lips, which already have a lovely shape,' she explained to Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'Looking at some of the girls on reality TV lately, they have really gone too far with the lip injections - you need to have limits!'
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Friday demanded that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot should be sacked in the wake of deaths of over 100 infants in a government-run hospital in Kota.

Taking to Twitter, she claimed that the Rajasthan Chief Minister was making statements that were "irresponsible" and "unsympathetic".

"To hide his incompetence, Rajasthan Chief Minister is making irresponsible and unsympathetic statements. This is highly shameful and condemnable," she said in a tweet.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister demanded that CM Gehlot be dismissed and replaced by a new dispensation, claiming that otherwise more women will lose their children.

"In such a situation, the Congress should not simply express its displeasure when about 100 mothers have lost their children, they should also dismiss him immediately and must appoint the right person. That would be better, otherwise more women will lose their children," she said in another tweet.

As per a government report, at least 91 infants lost their lives at the government hospital in Kota in December last year. Following the incident, the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government has come under fire from the BJP and other Opposition parties in the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a missile attack near the Baghdad airport on Friday, Trend reports citing TASS.

The US has confirmed delivering strikes on two Iranian-linked targets in Baghdad on Friday, Reuters reported citing sources in the Washington administration.

Earlier, AFP reported citing a source in Iraqi security forces that at least eight people were killed in a missile attack on the Baghdad airport.
Richfield, OH, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MobilityWorks, the nation's largest retailer of wheelchair accessible vans, is adding 7 new locations with the acquisition of IMED Mobility. The acquisition will add to MobilityWorks' presence in the state of Wisconsin and will add new locations in the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota. Following the acquisition, MobilityWorks will now operate 92 total locations in 31 states.

Over the last two decades, IMED Mobility and MobilityWorks have shared a passion and mission to provide affordable, reliable wheelchair accessible vehicles to everyone. The main objective of both organizations is to find the best mobility solution for each individual to ensure they can connect with who and what matters most.

We are excited to become part of the MobilityWorks nationwide network said Bob Lundin, Co-Owner of IMED Mobility, well continue the customer service they love and now well have the ability to provide even more solutions for transportation and home accessibility. To partner with such an outstanding professional organization is an honor, added Mark Koloseike, Co-Owner of IMED Mobility. Its a dream come true for Bob and I. The future is unlimited for us and our wonderful customers.

Adding IMED Mobility to our organization offers an exciting opportunity to strengthen and expand our service offering into 5 new states, said Eric Mansfield, Chief Operating Officer/President of MobilityWorks. We look forward to the addition of the talented team members with over 16 years of experience in serving the community.

In addition to selling new and pre-owned modified vans for wheelchair accessibility, MobilityWorks and IMED Mobility will also provide rental vans and adaptive equipment such as hand controls, turning seats and scooter lifts. MobilityWorks also manufactures and sells a variety of commercial vehicles to business clients throughout the United States.

About MobilityWorks

MobilityWorks (aka WMK, LLC) is a Cleveland, Ohio-based Inc. 500 company that employs specially trained Certified Mobility Consultants to work closely with its clients to understand their specific transportation needs in finding the right vehicle solution. Founded in 1997 with one location, MobilityWorks has been recognized on the Inc. 500|5000 list of Inc. Magazine's fastest growing privately held companies for the past ten years. MobilityWorks Commercial is the largest provider of commercial wheelchair vans in the country. Driverge is the manufacturing division of WMK, LLC and is Ford Motor Company's largest mobility upfitter. Learn more about MobilityWorks at www.mobilityworks.com.
In a shocking incident, Muslim protesters on Friday desecrated the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, in Pakistan and inflicted violence on the members of the Sikh community. An angry mob had attacked the Gurdwara with stones and also warned the Sikh community. The incident took place allegedly on the opposition by the Sikhs of forcible abduction and conversion of a Sikh girl in the Nankana Sahib city in August 2019.

At 5 pm, around 400 Muslims of Nankana Sahib attacked the gurdwara and the nearby residences of local Sikhs with stones in protest against the lifting of Mohammad Mustafa with whom the girl had agreed to marry. The attack was led by Mohammad Imran Attari, brother Mustafa, who is also a member of Ghulam-e-Mustafa, a Majbi Muslim organization. During the protest, Imran said that the name of Nankana Sahib would be converted into Ghulam-e- Mustafa and only Muslims would live in Nankana. He said, "We will not let any Sikh live in Nankana Sahib and will change its names to Ghulam-e-Mustafa." He named Governor Punjab Mohammad Sarwar and Brig Aizaz for committing atrocities on his family under pressure of Sikhs. The protests were finally called off after local authorities intervened.

Live TV

Hours after the reports of this incident, India strongly condemned the "wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place". India also asked the Pakistan government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the Sikh community and of the Gurdwara. It also asked the Pakistan government to take strong action against the miscreants who indulged in the acts.

"We are concerned at the vandalism carried out at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara today. Members of the minority Sikh community have been subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji. These reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, the Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in the desecration of the holy Gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community. In addition, the Government of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and its surroundings," added an official release.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said, "Appeal to Imran Khan to immediately intervene to ensure that the devotees stranded in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic Gurdwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it."

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal also said, "Mob attack on Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev ji, is a despicable act and I urge PM Narendra Modi ji to take it up with Pak PM Imran Khan. We have to ensure the safety of Sikhs in Pakistan and I trust that the govt will address the issue on priority."

In 2019, a Sikh girl, Jagjit Kaur, was married off to her cousin from the Sikh community but ran away from her house to convert and marry Muhammad Hassaan, with whom she previously had a relationship. Hassaan was a member of Jamaat-ud Dawa. The family then filed an FIR and the girl filed for restraint against the possible police action. She also sought government protection and the case continued.

The Punjab governor tried to resolve the matter but was unable to do so. The girl on multiple occasions has refused to go back to her Sikh family out of the fear of being killed. The girl is currently staying Dar ul Aman, Lahore, as per the government orders. The family of Hassaan alleges that the government has been pressurizing him to divorce Jagjit (Ayesha), a move which he refuses to do so.

The family of Hassaan insist that the girl should decide her own fate if she wants a divorce and wants to go back to her family. The girl has been refusing to go back to the Sikh family and has been maintaining that she would want to go on with Hassaan. This led to the violent protest amidst growing government pressure on the family.
Three people have been arrested here while allegedly transporting over a 100 kg cannabis in a truck from Odisha to Delhi, police said on Friday.

The suspects were held late on Thursday night during a checking at the T-Series roundabout under the Sector 20 police station area, a senior official said.

"Around 105 kg of cannabis was seized from the canter truck. Three men transporting it have been arrested. The cannabis was sourced from Odisha and meant for illegal supply in Delhi-NCR," Noida Superintendent of Police Ankur Aggarwal said.

Those arrested have been identified as Atbeer, Manoj Kumar and Mukesh Kumar, he said, adding that an FIR under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered against them.

The canter truck has been impounded, the police said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Obviously, Iran cannot leave unanswered the death of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, expert Vardan Voskanyan told Armenian News - NEWS.am.

"Soleimani was a legendary man and one of those exceptional people who was sympathetic to all sectors of the Iranian population, considering him one of the most important carriers of the Iranian tradition. And the military assassination of such a scale, which, according to some information, was planned by the US, caused serious discontent within Iranian society regarding the US. I am in Iran now and dissatisfaction is noticeable in the circle of ordinary people. On the other hand, this murder played a certain unifying role for Iranian society. A certain consolidation process is going on inside the country around pan-Iranian, nationalist ideas," Voskanyan said. He believes that after the assassination, the already strained US-Iran relations will be further exacerbated.

"It is clear that Tehran cannot leaver assassination unanswered. I think practical steps can be expected from Iran. They may not be taken very quickly, but practical steps will certainly be," the expert noted. "In Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Yemen and other countries of the Middle East, actions were taken against the US. No matter how paradoxical it may sound, the murder of the commander will strengthen Irans position in the above-mentioned countries, since Soleimani was loved outside Iran, in different countries of the Middle East," he said.

Speaking about the steps taken by Armenia in this situation, he emphasized: The official condolences of official Yerevan to the Iranian authorities and people should be the first step, and at least meetings should be held on the political platform, because tension between Washington and Tehran is expected to increase. And in the event of growth of such tension, Armenia will face new challenges and risks, which we must be able to manage and provide some positive results for us. 
Investing.com - Gold prices rose more than 1% on Friday in Asia as tensions in the Middle East intensified after reports said a U.S. airstrike killed a senior Iranian military official.

Gold Futures gained 1.1% to $1,544.25 by 1:45 AM ET (05:45 GMT).

The gains came after reports said a U.S. airstrike on Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general who led the Revolutionary Guards Quds force.

Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed that severe retaliation awaits those who killed the commander, Bloomberg said on Friday.

"Gold prices are expected to remain firm on the possible escalation in geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Gold prices sustain above $1545 could extend rally towards $1555-1564 in international market," said Manoj Kumar Jain, director at IndiaNivesh Commodities.

"Now $1532 act as major support for gold. At MCX prices sustain above 39700 could extend rally towards 39850-40000 levels. Now, 39500 is likely to act major support for gold," he said.

The yellow metal recorded its biggest annual gain since 2010 last year as looser monetary policy, unrest in regions from Chile to Hong Kong and buying sprees from key central banks and exchange-traded funds supported the haven.

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Tala's app helps people without access to banks establish credit.

The world's 1.7 billion people without access to banks do not have credit scores, but a Santa Monica, California-based start-up has developed a way to lend money to the unbanked based on smartphone data. Tala has raised nearly $220 million from private investors to offer loans of up to $500 to people without credit histories or bank accounts. Its app uses a scoring model based on 250 data points, from cellphone bill payments to online behaviors. The digital microlending company has grown to 600 employees and a valuation of nearly $1 billion. It operates in Kenya, Mexico, Philippines and India. "Having proven the model works, the challenge now is to continue to scale the business and expand into new markets," said Jeff Richards, managing partner at GGV Capital, which is one of the investors backing Tala.

A world without credit scores

Only 31% of the adult population worldwide is covered by a credit bureau, making them the only ones who can access credit in a traditional banking environment. The World Bank estimates that about 1.7 billion people are unbanked, but two-thirds of them now have a mobile device. Enter the fintech disruptors who have found a way to monetize the regulatory hurdles that have kept traditional banks from lending to the poor  or people who have had to mostly rely on nontraditional sources including relatives, family, loan sharks, pawnshops and in a few select countries, microfinance institutions. "The idea of lending purely based on the data available on a consumer's mobile device was completely unproven  no one had ever done it," Richards said. But it's working now.

Shivani Siroya, CEO and founder of Tala

Richards first met Tala founder and CEO Shivani Siroya in 2015, almost a year after Tala had launched its first mobile app prototype in Kenya. "Emerging markets are traditionally looked at as risky, and thus not holistically served by traditional banks, and that's the opportunity we're chasing," says Siroya. Kenya already had a well-established mobile financing culture, thanks to M-Pesa, that country's version of Apple pay. "The effort-to-opportunity ratio was low," said Siroya, who has a master's in microfinance and has worked as an investment banking analyst at both UBS and Citi. Her work at these firms exposed her to the credit vacuum left by big banks around the world. "From a competitive differentiation standpoint, Shivani was one of the first to build a 'mobile credit score'  without traditional data like income, banking history or a credit score," said Richard, who invested in Tala in 2015.

How the app works

Tala's scoring model relies on about 250 data points. "We determine the weights of individual data points using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, trained on historic user data," the company says. The app from Tala analyzes two categories of data: Android device data, in a nod to Google's Android global dominance, and behavioral data. Tala's app asks for customer inputs including name, date of birth, gender, text messages showing utility or phone bill payments, reason for the loan and the amount sought. The first thing the app determines is fraud. Are you who you say you are? The app matches customers' input with records of their phone bills or utilities bills, accessed via text messages on the customer's phone. When a customer passes the fraud test, the model runs a credit test to assess the user's capacity and likelihood to repay. Siroya said the credit model does not use specific identifying information such as age or gender in credit decisions to prevent algorithmic biases. The credit assessment stage utilizes a mix of device and behavioral data. Device data such as type and year of the operating system help assess borrowing capacity. Mobile bill payment history and certain behavioral data all help assess the likelihood of repayment. Behavioral data includes how customers interacted with the app, time spent while moving through the pages to see if they actually read the terms and conditions, any mistakes while typing basic biographical information, and other apps on their phone. Tala insists it continually assesses the user data and does not share any personally identifiable information with third parties. Siroya says all customer data is deleted after repayment.

Terms of the loans

On average, the repayment period for a Tala customer is 30 days. The most it can be is about 90 days, with 20 days being the shortest. Users have the flexibility to repay early with no penalty. In fact, unlike traditional financial institutions they even offer incentives for early repayment. Once a customer has taken a loan, repayment behavior is the most important factor for future lending decisions, according to the company. First-time users are eligible for loans of $20 to $100, while repeat borrowers may be eligible for up to $500. Siroya said about 90% of eligible customers come back for repeat loans.

So who is a Tala customer?

Aimee Dingle and her daughter are benefiting from loans from Tala, a Santa Monica, California-based microlending startup. Dingle, an out-of-work cook in Manila, Philippines, was denied credit from traditional banks because she didn't have a credit history. She was able to get a loan through Tala, which uses smartphone data to access creditworthiness for people around the world without access to banks.

Aimee Dingle, an out-of-work cook in Manila, the Philippines, was denied credit from traditional banks because she didn't have a credit history. "The system is not set up to meet the needs of the millions like her," Siroya said. After getting approved for her $20 loan through Tala, Dingle bought the ingredients to make tocino, a Philippine-style bacon and local breakfast delicacy. She sold them for the profit she needed, or $4, in one week. Realizing the potential, Dingle set out to grow her loan limit to grow her business. "From a starting loan of 1,000 pesos, I've now achieved gold status with Tala," which is reserved for Tala's best borrowers, Dingle said. In two years she's raised her loan limit to over $200.

How the microlender is financed

Tala recently secured $110 million in Series D funding along with a $100 million debt round, a typical funding round for a digital lender. To date, Tala has raised $219.4 million in funding from investors like GGV, Institutional Venture Partners and PayPal Ventures. The money raised via these debt and equity offerings is lent to consumers in countries where it operates. "Tala empowers the unbanked through innovative mobile solutions to improve their overall financial health, and we are proud to help them achieve this goal," said Mark Britto, executive vice president of global sales and credit at PayPal. Tala earns a flat fee of 5% to 15% on every loan it makes. All first-time loans sit on Tala's own books, while loans made to customers in more mature markets like Kenya are off-balance-sheet, asset-backed loans sold to large large institutional investors such as Colchis Capital."

Dealing with defaults

Smartphone data helps the company assess early on whether customers will default on their loans. One good indicator is if the borrower deletes the app. App referrals are another gauge of the intent to repay. Most customers repay early, Siroya said, adding that about 15% to 20% of loans made may go past due. They are able to recover about half those loans that are overdue through a mix of "educational" messaging and informational calls. In some cases, Tala uses outside vendors "but they're all monitored by our team in-house and have to adhere to our strict policies," Siroya said. When it enters a new market, most loans it makes are "blind loans," says Siroya, because it has no data on the market and no parallels to draw from, so no models to truly assess a customer's ability and intent to repay. It's only after it hits a critical lending mass that it has some measurable statistics to make more guided lending decisions. A mix of digital ad buys on Facebook, Twitter and Google adwords helps drive initial brand awareness and recognition. While in app referrals, organic growth drives future growth. And five years after starting off in Kenya, Siroya has expanded her market to Mexico, India and the Philippines.

Sizing up the competition
Army Chief General MM Naravane will visit the Army base camp in Siachen from January 9-10, according to sources on Friday. He will meet soldiers at Siachen base camp and pay homage at the Siachen war memorial.

On January 1, a day after taking charge, he visited the National War Memorial to pay tributes to martyrs. General Naravane took over as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on December 31 (Tuesday), succeeding General Bipin Rawat. General Rawat became India`s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He was previously the Vice Chief of Army Staff. General Naravane has taken over the reins of the Army amid prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan due to provocations by Islamabad through terror activities.

Live TV

On January 2 (Thursday), he had asserted that terror camps, terror launch pads and terror infrastructure continue to exist in Pakistan, adding that the Indian Army has been keeping a close eye to make sure that nothing untoward takes place on the Indian side. Speaking on the issue of cross border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, he had said, "This problem of terrorism is not something new. We have been tackling this for many years now, we have very strong counter-terrorist and counter-infiltration bid to deal with this situation. But the fact remains that terror camps, terror launch pads and terror infrastructure continue to be where it is and we keeping a close eye on this to make sure nothing untoward takes place on our side."

The Army chief had rebuffed reports of claims of Pakistan Foreign Affairs Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, that India is removing fences on the borders. He called such claims as the propaganda of the Pakistan Minister to divert the attention of his own countrymen from the situation that is prevailing in their country. "I think, those reports that certain fencing has been removed or some troops have been positioned or stationed, those were just false propaganda on his part to raise the level and divert the attention of his own countrymen from the situation that is prevailing in his own country. There is nothing, that sort from our side," the Army Chief had added.

Speaking on his key priorities as the new Army Chief, General Naravane had said, "After taking over as Army chief, as I would say has been the priority with every chief is to ensure the operational preparedness of the army and make sure that we are never found wanting and we are able to meet any threat as and when it arises."

The Army Chief had stated that infiltration attempts are being made, adding that the Indian Army has been successful in foiling these attempts. "Attempts at infiltration continue to be made and we have been successful in foiling these attempts and this high level of alertness and preparedness on our side will continue and we will not let our guard down," he had added.
[January 03, 2020] Huawei Wi-Fi 6 Ranks No. 1 Globally (Excluding North America), According to Dell'Oro Group

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei Wi-Fi 6 ranks No.1 in the global market (excluding North America), according to the report on global Wi-Fi 6 indoor AP market share from 2018 Q3 to 2019 Q3 by Dell'Oro Group, a leading independent market analysis and research firm. In October 2018, the Wi-Fi Alliance officially announced an all-new Wi-Fi naming system for Wi-Fi generations, with Wi-Fi 6 as the simplified name for IEEE 802.11ax. Wi-Fi 6 improves on Wi-Fi 5 with more than four times the maximum bandwidth per client and number of concurrent clients, and more than three times lower latency. Such improvements have led to Wi-Fi 6 being adopted by a growing number of enterprises, schools, hospitals, and other pioneers to connect everything on their campus networks. These early adopters are using Wi-Fi 6 to deploy innovative applications such as 4K/8K HD video conferencing, VR/AR interactive teaching, telemedicine, and intelligent robots. The latest Dell'Oro Group report is a testimony to the increasing popularity of Wi-Fi 6 among global organizations. According to the report, the overall revenue of the global Wi-Fi 6 market grew explosively in the first three quarters of 2019, growing to 30 times that of 2018. In the same period, the revenues of the Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 markets decreased slightly. This market performance signifies 2019 as being the first year of Wi-Fi 6 commercial use. Huawei is a leader in the Wi-i 6 market. With its AirEngine Wi-Fi 6, Huawei took the lead in deploying the industry's first enterprise-class Wi-Fi 6 network in Shanghai as early as 2018. Since then, Huawei AirEngine Wi-Fi 6, powered by Huawei 5G, has been the preferred choice of more industry customers around the world, helping them to build the ideal Wi-Fi 6 networks with zero coverage holes, zero wait time, and zero packet loss during roaming. Typical customers include Shenzhen Metro in China, Basel St. Jakob-Park stadium in Switzerland, Agos bank in Italy, Mondragon University in Spain, and University of Johannesburg in South Africa.



Steven Zhao, President of Campus Network Domain, Huawei's Data Communication Product Line, said: "We are very pleased to see that Huawei AirEngine Wi-Fi 6 has been widely used across sectors like education, government, large enterprises, and manufacturing. Huawei AirEngine Wi-Fi 6 is helping more enterprises of all sizes to build user experience-centric networks for increased office and production efficiencies, paving the way for the large-scale rollout of digital services and accelerating digital transformation." Customers' trust in Huawei Wi-Fi 6 is attributed to Huawei's continuous investment and dedication in the Wi-Fi 6 industry.

Huawei top expert Osama Aboul Magd was elected as the chair of the IEEE 802.11ax Working Group in 2014, injecting his insights to continuously navigate the development direction of the Wi-Fi 6 industry standards.

was elected as the chair of the IEEE 802.11ax Working Group in 2014, injecting his insights to continuously navigate the development direction of the Wi-Fi 6 industry standards. Huawei's contribution to Wi-Fi 6 standard proposals ranks No. 1 among device vendors.

In October 2017 , Huawei launched the industry's first commercial Wi-Fi 6 AP. Since then, Huawei has constantly expanded its Wi-Fi 6 portfolio by successively launching innovative products and solutions tailored to different scenarios.

, Huawei launched the industry's first commercial Wi-Fi 6 AP. Since then, Huawei has constantly expanded its Wi-Fi 6 portfolio by successively launching innovative products and solutions tailored to different scenarios. Huawei and Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) have joined forces to explore Wi-Fi 6-based teaching innovations and use cases in a Spanish university. In the future, Huawei will continue to work with upstream and downstream partners throughout the industry, focus on industry-specific scenarios, and deliver ideal Wi-Fi 6 network solutions for new digital applications. Huawei will also forge ahead with its AirEngine Wi-Fi series products and solutions powered by Huawei 5G to help enterprises build future-proof, fully-connected campus networks. To find out more, visit the Huawei AirEngine Wi-Fi 6 website. SOURCE Huawei

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In an intensifying battle over unauthorised colonies in the run up to the Assembly polls, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari dared AAP supremo and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to stop the registry process in unauthorised colonies.

Kejriwal has no right to continue on the constitutional post held by him as he has "created hinderance" in conferring property ownership rights to residents of unauthorised colonies, Tiwari alleged.

"If BJP (government) is conferring ownership rights to the people then why is Kejriwal disturbed," Tiwari said accusing the AAP government of "misleading" people over the issue.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday handed over conveyance deeds and registry papers of houses to 20 residents of unauthorised colonies, a move that comes ahead of the elections.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi had recently asked the residents of unauthorised colonies not to trust the BJP-led central government unless they get registry papers of their houses in their hands.

Kejriwal hit out at Puri through a tweet saying "Do not make fake registry."



"First you (Puri) said you will regularise these colonies. Now, you are saying you will not regularise colonies. How can it then be possible to do permanent registry in these colonies," he said.

"How can registry of houses be done on agriculture land? Do not make fake registry. Don't trap people for votes. Tomorrow, you will start sealing their houses," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Till now, around 57,000 people have registered themselves with a portal of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), an official said.

Tiwari also attacked Kejriwal's Deputy Manish Sisodia, accusing him of practising "dirty" on the issue of unauthorised colonies.

"I challenge Chief Minister Kejriwal and his ministers to stop the registration process if they can," he said.

The AAP government did not do anything in the interest of the people but now that the Central Government is helping them in improving their living conditions, Kejriwal and his party is trying to "mislead" the people, Tiwari alleged.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Gunmen have killed no fewer than 19 people in Tawari community in the Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State, burning buildings, including the palace of the king of the community.

The Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, Williams Anya, confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Friday.

He said a police assessment team had visited the community and that many buildings, including places of worship had been burnt.

Tawari community is a few kilometres off Gegu town along the Lokoja-Abuja highway.

A resident of Tawari community, Comfort Solomon, who survived the attack, told NAN that the gunmen, numbering about 100 invaded the community late on Thursday.

She said the gunmen came in their numbers on motorcycles and descended on the village, killing and burning buildings until the early hours of Friday.

Mrs Solomon said many places of worship, including the palace of the Akuma of Tawari were burnt down by the invaders.

The gunmen were up to 100 in number. They came into the community with motorcycles around 11:15 p.m. when villagers were sleeping.

They entered selected houses, packed foodstuff and motorcycles and burnt selected houses, including homes of clerics.

They killed more than 15 men. The attackers were communicating with each other in Hausa language, Solomon stated, weeping profusely.

Similarly, a NAN correspondent in Minna, Niger, Rita Nuhu, an indigene of Tawari, who also spoke to NAN on telephone on the development, said her fathers house was completely burnt down during the attack.

My people have been calling me from home that my fathers house was burnt down by the attackers.

READ ALSO:

My mother and her sister were ordered out of the house after which the house was set ablaze, while about 15 men were killed.

Mrs Nuhu said the latest information she got from her village was that the death toll would rise.

We are calling on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice. We appeal to the federal and state governments to come to our aid, she pleaded.

The king of Tawari, Idris Yusuf, who also spoke to NAN on telephone, confirmed the incident, saying it was the first time the community was experiencing such attack.

This is the first time we are witnessing such deadly attack in our community. Our community has been very peaceful.

Mr Yusuf, who is the Aguma of Tawari, said he would provide details on the development as he was busy attending to sympathisers.

(NAN)
Fallon & Byrne have announced the closure of its Rathmines outlet from today.

In a statement, the company said: "Unfortunately the location was loss-making and, while the decision was a very difficult one, we believe that acting decisively is what's best for the business overall."

The Exchequer Street and People's Park locations will not be affected by the Rathmines closure.

The company signed a new 25-year lease on its Exchequer St building and said the management will be focusing on that.

Fallon & Byrne also thanked its team, suppliers and customers for their support.
The United States has conducted a military operation that killed an Iranian military chief and a leader of an armed Iraqi group.

The Pentagon, U.S. military headquarters, confirmed in a statement that Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite Quds Force unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, also called Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq, was also killed in the strike. The PMF is an Iraqi paramilitary group that carried out a violent protest at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on December 31, 2019. The group is also embedded in the Iraqi military and Iraq has officially condemned his killing warning it could escalate tensions in the country.

The Pentagon said President Donald Trump ordered the military operation that killed both targets, saying they were both linked to the attempt to storm the embassy.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Pentagon statement said circulated on Twitter Friday morning.

The Pentagon also said Mr Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and wounding of thousands more, the statement said, noting further that the operation was aimed at serving as a deterrence to further attacks on American interests.

The state television in Iraq was the first to announce that Messrs Soleimani and Muhandis had been killed in the airstrike.

The strike followed several warnings from American authorities that there would be harsh consequences for the Tuesdays violent protest at the embassy in Iraq. President Donald Trump threatened to deal with Iranians involved, while other military chiefs and diplomats also threatened similar actions.

Mr Trump has not personally commented on the airstrike, but he tweeted the American flag Friday morning.

Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, called Mr Trumps bluff in a January 1 tweet, saying the American president cannot do anything.

That guy has tweeted that we see Iran responsible for the events in Baghdad & we will respond to Iran.

1st: You cant do anything.

2nd: If you were logical which youre not youd see that your crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan have made nations hate you. https://t.co/hMGOEDwHuY  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 1, 2020

The supreme leader said in a Friday morning tweet that Mr Soleimani was a martyr, mourning his death in the hands of Americans as barbaric.

That guy has tweeted that we see Iran responsible for the events in Baghdad & we will respond to Iran.

1st: You cant do anything.

2nd: If you were logical which youre not youd see that your crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan have made nations hate you. https://t.co/hMGOEDwHuY  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 1, 2020

Mr Khamenei on state television also vowed that a harsh retaliation is waiting and announced three-day mourning across Iran.

Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami was also quoted by the state news agency IRNA as saying Iran will take a crushing revenge for the killing which Iran described as an assassination.

A crushing revenge will be taken for Soleimanis unjust assassination  We will take revenge from all those involved and responsible for his assassination, Mr Hatami said.

Considering his top role in Iran, Mr Soleimanis death could escalate tensions in the Middle East. His Quds Force, which operates as an intelligence arm of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, has long been accused of providing support to groups throughout the Middle East, especially Hezbollah, Hamas, and other radical militias.
NEW YORK/PHILIPSBURG:--- CGID has confirmed that Antiguan Police have arrested Ms. Verlyn George, one of the witnesses who allegedly provided Keoma Ms. Hamer with information about her alleged missing twins and allegedly led her to speak with one of the alleged identified children. After detaining Ms. George in jail for two days, Antiguan Police charged her with kidnapping.

This is a terrifying development. CGID condemns these politically motivated changes and strongly rebukes the Police Force for its Gestapo-like victimization and harassment of Ms. George. No one in Antigua and Barbuda believes this child was kidnapped. The reputed mother appeared several times on ABS television and never once made such an outrageous claim.

These trumped up charges are repugnant the rule of law and the principles of good governance. Clearly, Ms. Georges arrest is an act of intimidation and victimization of potential witnesses in this matter. Is the Antigua Police Force investigating the missing babies allegation or Ms. Hamer and her sources? This entire saga is now an international incident.

CGID has consequently briefed this matter to the Government of Guyana, Members of the United States Congress, as well as to several US law enforcement agencies and other international.
Iran's Powerful Quds Force Chief Reportedly Killed In U.S. Air Strike In Iraq

By RFE/RL January 03, 2020

Multiple news sources, including Iraqi state TV, are reporting that Qasem Soleimani, the ultra-powerful commander of Iran's Quds Force, has been killed in an apparent U.S. air strike in Baghdad.

The January 3 attack on one of the most powerful people in Iran, if confirmed, would represent a dramatic escalation in hostilities between the United States and Iran and could lead to retaliatory action by Tehran.

Reuters cited U.S. officials as saying the U.S. military had carried out the attack. There was no official confirmation from U.S. or Iraqi officials.

Iraqi State television reported Soleimani's death in a breaking news alert. It cited sources from the Shi'ite-led Hashd Shaabi militia (Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF), which is backed by Iran.

The TV network quoted PMF officials as saying said the strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the PMF.

Unconfirmed reports said at least one member of Lebanon's Hizballah movement was also killedin the attack.

Earlier Iraqi paramilitary groups backed by Iran said that five members of their groups and two "important guests" were killed in an air strike on their vehicles inside the territory of Baghdad International Airport.

The Al Arabiya broadcaster had reported that an official with the PMF had been killed in the attack in the early morning hours, identifying him as Mohammed al-Jaberi, head of the public relations of the PMF.

Soleimani headed the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). The force has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.

In July 2018, Soleimani said his forces were ready to confront the U.S. military should President Donald Trump act on his warning that Tehran will "suffer consequences" if it threatens the United States.

"Mr. Trump, how dare you threaten us?" Soleimani was quoted as saying on at the time.

Details of the attack remain sketchy have not been independently confirmed.

The reports come at a time of raised tensions between Washington and Tehran over actions in Iraq.

On December 31, thousands of supporters of the Shi'ite PMU militia broke into the U.S. Embassy compound in central Baghdad.

The embassy attackers said they were protesting recent U.S. air strikes that killed at least 25 members of an Iran-backed militant group.

On January 2, Iranian military leaders warned Washington against threatening military action after Trump said Tehran would be held responsible for recent anti-U.S. protests in Iraq, including the embassy siege.

"We are not leading the country to war, but we are not afraid of any war and we tell America to speak correctly with the Iranian nation," Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said on January 2.

"We have the power to break them several times over and are not worried," he said in a speech in the southwestern city of Ahwaz.

Meanwhile, army chief Major General Abdolrahim Musavi said Iranian armed forces were ready to confront the "enemy."

Prior to reports of the air strikes in Baghdad, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Iran or its proxy forces may be planning further strikes on American interests in the Middle East, adding the United States will take action -- preemptively, if it has sufficient warning.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, Reuters, AP, and Al-Jazeera

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-iraq-militia-attack- pmu-shaabi-baghdad/30358151.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Steve and Jill Anderson have signed their fifth franchise agreement with Ziggi's Coffee. Our family loves doing business with the Ziggis family. They provide a tremendous amount of support. Its been a really great experience.

Ziggis Coffee (http://www.ZiggisCoffee.com), the rapidly-growing Colorado-based franchise known for its fast and friendly drive-thru coffee service, is excited to announce that its first franchisees, Steve and Jill Anderson, have teamed up with family members Michelle and Matthew Wiley to bring Ziggis Coffee to Castle Pines, Colorado.

Residents of the Castle Pines area, Michelle and Matthew Wiley will be overseeing the new store, located at the site of a former coffee shop in a bustling shopping center at 7298 Lagae Rd. off Castle Pines Parkway.

I have been looking for an opportunity like this for a while, so when the location opened up, I knew it was right for us, said Michelle. Im very excited to bring the Ziggis brand of quality products to Castle Pines and to provide a gathering place for the community.

This is the fifth franchise agreement for the Andersons, who currently operate locations in Loveland and Johnstown, Colorado. Another location is planned for Parker, Colorado. that will be operated by Steves mother. For them, Steve says, its a true family affair.

Our family loves doing business with the Ziggis family, said Steve. As the companys first franchisees, we have become really good friends with the founders, Brandon and Camrin Knudsen, as well as the entire Ziggis team. They provide a tremendous amount of support. Its been a really great experience.

So great, that the family plans to continue opening additional units into the future. Thanks to the companys streamlined and duplicatable process, they have found their rhythm working together as a family.

Steve says, Its been fantastic. Were only two years into it and theres still so much untapped potential.

The new location will be transformed into a Ziggis Coffee cafe and drive-thru over the next several months and will culminate with a special Grand Opening celebration for the community.

Individuals who are interested in franchising with Ziggis Coffee can find more information at http://www.ZiggisCoffee.com/franchise and are encouraged to get in touch with the Franchise Team by filling out an online inquiry form.

About Ziggis Coffee

Ziggis Coffee, the leading specialty coffee shop and drive-thru franchise, was recently named a 2019 Colorado Business to Watch by Colorado Biz Magazine, for representing the states thriving business ecosystem and promoting valuable growth opportunities. Ziggis Coffee is dedicated to serving only the finest sustainably-sourced coffee, uniquely handcrafted drinks, and amazing, locally-made breakfast, lunch and snack options. Founded in 2004, the Colorado-based company is on a mission to elevate the standard of service within the coffee shop industry. From specializing in a variety of great-tasting coffee and food items to providing fast and friendly service, the Ziggis Coffee brand is focused on creating a positive experience that is faster, more authentic and convenient for the demand of consumers seeking higher-quality coffee and food options on the go. In addition to its distinctive menu and superior service, Ziggis Coffee is also committed to making a positive difference in the local communities it serves. With 21 existing locations nationwide, and 25 additional units in development, Ziggis Coffee is positioned to quickly grow its presence in a variety of communities across the U.S.

To learn more about Ziggis Coffee and its franchising opportunities, visit http://www.ZiggisCoffee.com/franchise or follow Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

###


The US on Thursday carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist.

Iran Foreign Minister Javed Zarif said that Washington bears responsibility for all consequences of its 'rogue adventurism'. (Photo: ANI)

Tehran: Iran on Thursday (local time) termed the US' act of killing the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, an "extremely dangerous and a foolish" escalation.

Iran Foreign Minister Javed Zarif took to Twitter soon after Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani. He said that Washington bears responsibility for all consequences of its "rogue adventurism".

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani--THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al--is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," Zarif tweeted.

The US on Thursday carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Washington had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

The strike has escalated the tensions between the United States and Iran. The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protestors attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad. The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a deadly US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

The US has vowed to take action against the breach by protestors. Earlier in the day, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said it's time for Iran to start "acting like a normal country".
Shane Callahan is always looking for something that grabs his attention.

When he read the script for Hulus Reprisal, it was a no-brainer.

Reading the script, it was jumping off the page for me, he says during an interview while driving to Atlanta. Every time I would get a new episode, I felt like I was getting able to watch a new series. Its that good.

The series follows relentless femme fatale Katherine Harlow, played by Abigail Spencer, who leads a vengeful campaign against the Banished Brawlers gang after being left for dead by her brother and the gang.

Harlow has reemerged far from their world as the charming Doris Dearie, also played by Spencer.

Having enjoyed some years of peace, she now finds her quaint lifestyle about to unravel. Prompted to embark on a mission to rescue her long-lost niece from the very gang that tried to kill her, she aims to exact her revenge every step of the way.

Callahan plays Bru, one of the Banished Brawlers, a former 3 River Phoenix  a gang within the gang  and gang leader Joels, played by Rodrigo Santoro, loyal right-hand man.

Bru oversees the daily operations of the 3 River Phoenixes and the Brawlers.

First off, Bru is the kind of guy that can go fishing and drink a case of beer and not get drunk, Callahan says. He was one of the 3 River Phoenixes at one point, but now hes a loyal Brawler. These people are his family. If youre having to fight your way out of something, Bru would do anything for a brother in need. He also has a good relationship with Joel. Hes also giving Joel advice.

Playing a rough-and-tumble bad guy came with its challenges, as well.

I had to get used to smoking, Callahan quips. You figure out ways to look like youre smoking while not actually doing it. Outside of that, I felt like I know who Bru is. Hes very comfortable in the world he lives in, and theres a relaxed demeanor to him.

Callahan says he is drawn to characters that allow him to sink his teeth into the roles.

Roles with different dialects and that take me out of my comfort zone, he says. I love the conversation that is had when creating the character. From the language to what he wears, it allows me to challenge myself in feeling like a different person.

Although Callahans career has been spent mostly on the East Coast, hes looking forward to working in New Mexico  soon.

I remember the first time I drove through there and I pulled over to sleep in my truck, he says. The sky was endless. Then I woke up to this gorgeous landscape. We drove through the state on my way to Atlanta and made a stop in Gallup. Loved everything I saw. I want to come back.

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.
It was by accident on Oct. 7 that Tyler Hofer and a friend stumbled upon the remains on their way to the top of Mount Williamson. The two were slightly off course on a crude route through the rocks in a basin of lakes when Hofer looked down and saw what looked like a bone.
Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group.

Dear Care and Feeding,

Im a sentimental pack rat. Nothing approaching hoarder levels, nothing that seriously concerns me or others. I can get rid of stuff when I need to. I just dont like throwing away birthday cards, or dumb little knickknacks from old times with friends.

The thing is, I now have an infant daughter. And one day shes going to be coloring pictures. And bringing home school papers. And covering pieces of paper with stickers. And making flimsy arts and crafts projects.

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What am I supposed to do with all of them? I know I cant keep everything she makes forever. But my heart is already constricting at the thought of dumping it in the trashnot to mention how shell feel if she discovers anythings been thrown away. How do parents do it? How do you decide what to toss, what to keep, and for how long?

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I Do Not Want Marie Kondo Invading My House in 20 Years

Dear Pack Rat,

I am so glad you asked me this, because I have a very firm policy and it minimizes angst. Heres the deal: You praise it, it gets a week on the fridge, you toss it. If its something particularly special, and you feel the urge to hang onto it, ask yourself: Would I pay to have this framed?

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Ask yourself: Would I pay to have this framed?

If the answer is yes, frame it. No more than two things a year should get framed (unless you are exceptionally wealthy or capable of DIY, as framing is the most expensive thing in the world, no disrespect intended to the fine craftspeople who are framing things and charging for their time and expertise). If not, it gets its week on the fridge.

Then it gets tossed.

The issue with the sweet and beautiful drawings and projects our children make us is that the minute they hand it to you, a Nostalgia Clock begins running. Toss something the same day you get it, you feel nothing. A week later, a twinge. A year later, realizing that sweet wobbly hand is now so much bigger? STAB IN THE HEART. Five years? Youre digging through the expired Valium your cat needed when you moved from Phoenix.

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What you must not do is lovingly pack everything into a big plastic bin and then go through it a month after your child goes to college, singing Sunrise, Sunset.

Instead, enjoy your limited stock of beautifully framed and preserved items. If your kid is ever like, My friends parents saved all her drawings you can say, Go live with them, if theyre so perfect, and once they have their own kids and realize the sheer amount of crap that comes home in the backpack each week, theyll understand.

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Dear Care and Feeding,

This is definitely one of those problems one should be so lucky to have, but Im genuinely stuck. My 2-year-old daughter is very bright and extremely outgoing. People comment constantly on how smart she is, what a good vocabulary she has, etc. My question is, what am I supposed to say back to comments like these? Thanks feels wrong, and I used to make jokes about how she loves to talk, but it always feels awkward and makes me uncomfortable. Whats a good, standard line I can deploy in these situations?

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Not a Big Deal

Dear Not a Big Deal,

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Thank you is perfectly sufficient, and the more you say it, the less wrong it will sound. Kids who are particularly verbose and outgoing at 2 years of age are no more likely to be evil/good geniuses than their more AHHHHHHHHHH SLAMM ROCKET peers; this is the nature of child development (actual clinical delays notwithstanding). Also, people dont really care about other peoples children. Ive met a lot of other children in my day, and unless theyre trying to actively slice my Achilles tendons with a stolen steak knife, I usually say, Oh, what a beautiful, brilliant young lad! and Shes so bright! Do I care? I do not. Theyre probably lovely.

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Its no big deal. People compliment your kid, you say thank you, you ask after their neuralgia.

Congratulations on your lovely 2-year-old. Shes so bright!

 If you missed Thursdays Care and Feeding column, read it here.

 Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group!

Dear Care and Feeding,

My daughter, Riley, is turning 6 in about a month. We are about to send out invitations and are intending on inviting her whole kindergarten class to her party, except for one. This girl, Isabella, is a bully to most of the class but especially Riley, and Riley hates her. I have seen enough interactions between them to know that Rileys dislike is very valid, as this girl is just plain awful, and if she is invited she will ruin the party not just for Riley but also a lot of the other kids from her class and even some of the parents too. Unfortunately, I know that Isabellas mom will somehow catch wind of the party and there will be drama, and she will probably get the kindergarten teacher involved.

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Riley is dead set on inviting her whole class, but is also dead set on this girl not being invited. Is it OK to invite practically the whole class but leave Isabellas name off the invite list? Or should I make Riley suck it up and invite Isabella anyway?

And Then There Was One

Dear And Then There Was One,

Yeah, you do not have to invite Isabella. It sounds like it would ruin the party. There will be some consequences (Isabellas mom may go off on you) but youll just have to deal with that when it comes. You cannot, however, invite everyone else, regardless of Rileys preferences.

More importantly, the teacher should not be hearing about this situation for the first time when Isabellas mother calls her. If Isabella is a bully to your daughter and others, you need to talk to the teacher about that now. Its a much bigger issue than whether she gets an invite.

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You can also ask if the school has a birthday party policy, which many of them do, in order to avoid unpleasant and humiliating situations. That policy may be as simple as invite whomever you want, but if you dont invite everyone, you cannot hand out invites at school.

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Riley is 6. She is probably dead set on 19 things a day. You should tell her she can invite six kids, or 10 kids, or any number above zero and below the entire class minus Isabella. I do think that even if Isabella were a no-holds-barred-fire-monster, its unkind to have only one child excluded. If Riley throws a fit, you can ignore it. You are the parent. You are being reasonable.

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Dear Care and Feeding,

If I could do it againand theres always the unspoken knowing what I know nowI would not have kids. I have two whom I love very much, but I cant say I have enjoyed parenting, or done a particularly good job of it. Ive loved and cried and hugged and given time and attention, but I dont think Ive done a great job and it just wears me out emotionally, more and more as they and I get older.

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Do I lie when they ask me about my experience when they talk about having their own kids? I dont see a way to be honest that wont be interpreted as You dont really love me or Im a horrible person. What do I tell them?

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Uncomfortably Parenting

Dear UP,

When I was in college, my father told me that if he had a do-over he wouldnt have kids. And hes wild about me and I am clearly his favorite. (My brother is my mothers favorite, even though I call her every day and gave her three grandchildren and he barely even texts her, but we can discuss that another time.) He was a fabulous dad. He is just extremely introverted and hermit-y and children are noisy and sticky and constantly around. I have no idea how he managed as a stay-at home parent. The fact that he got through those years is a miracle to me.

You have all my sympathy, is what Im saying. Also, you have probably been much better at parenting than you think. The bar for being a good-enough parent is remarkably low, and you have jumped tidily over it by loving and taking care of your children and, I assume, not abusing them. Congratulations. You are in the top 1 percent of parents over the course of human history. Thats depressing for human history, but great for you.

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I also think you should get some therapy. Theres a lot of unwarranted self-hatred here. You are also very likely to find that you do enjoy your children as adults. You prefer adults, which is extremely reasonable. You may find that your favorite people in the world are these particular adults, whom you have created and whom you love. It may change how you feel about the whole endeavor.

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That being said, I was in no way scarred to hear that my dad wouldnt do it again. I knew he adored me. It was helpful to think about how much time I need every day to just experience solitude and silence, and to make an informed choice about having children as a result. We are a terminally candid (and neuroatypical) family, so you may choose to be a little more discreet with your own kids. You can talk about what aspects you found challenging, and what aspects you found rewarding.

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Society has assisted you by making a bit of an overcorrection into HAVING CHILDREN IS A NIGHTMARE after a long, long period of ITS THE GREATEST JOY YOULL EVER KNOW. Sometimes (usually?) both of these things can be true for the same person. Be honest but tactful. And, again, get some therapy. Youre too hard on yourself. Keep me posted, please.

Nicole

More Advice From Slate

My husband and I decided not to circumcise our son, born in the early 2000s. Since then, I have heard different opinions on this topic, but not enough to fully understand what our son will encounter when he becomes sexually active. As a parent, should I be worried about this decision we made for him 15 years ago?
Cong accuses BJP of using Tek Fog app to propagate agenda on SM, seeks intervention by SC

Kitne 'Veer'?: Row erupts over Cong booklet which claims Savarkar had 'gay relationship'

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Bhopal, Jan 03: The Congress-affiliated Seva Dal on Thursday distributed a book on Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, questioning his credentials as a patriot and his reputation for valour, drawing criticism from the BJP.

The Hindi book, distributed at an ongoing camp of the Seva Dal here, was titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?" (How brave was Veer' Savarkar?).

The book alleged that Savarkar received money from the British after he was released from Andaman's Cellular Jail. It also made certain insinuations about Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

BJP MLAs wear 'I am Savarkar caps in protest against Rahul Gandhis remarks

The booklet also reportedly claimed that details of a "gay" relationship between Godse and his "political guru" Savarkar can be found till the time latter took up brahmacharya or the vow of celibacy.

NEWS AT 3 PM, JAN 3rd, 2019

Madhya Pradesh BJP chief Rakesh Singh hit out at the Congress over the book, alleging that the Congress was badmouthing patriots, especially those who were the well- wishers of "the majority community".

Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's jibe that his name was not "Rahul Savarkar" and hence he would not seek apology (about his remark about rape) had riled the Shiv Sena, his party's new-found all in Maharashtra.
Weeks after the Burleigh County Commission voted to accept 25 refugees, the debate continues among some North Dakotans. Others are focused on addressing issues raised at the commission meeting, like homelessness and poverty. I commend the Missouri Slope Areawide United Way for completing its weeklong fundraising campaign, Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth is for Homelessness.

As the dust settles and our community moves onward, I feel compelled to set the record straight on some lingering questions. Namely, why was North Dakota Rep. Rick Becker so interested in this county commission issue? Why did he facilitate so much anti-refugee sentiment online? What, if anything, did he have to gain from misdirecting fear and resentment of voters/donors?

First, I can tell you that Rep. Becker betrayed his free-market patron saint, 19th century French legislator Frederic Bastiat. One might expect that a prominent member of our Legislatures own Bastiat caucus would share Bastiats views. I guess its easy for politicians to claim affiliation with Bastiats legacy. Its something else entirely to walk the walk.

In the 1830s, some Polish exiles sought refuge in France. Bastiat used his platform to generate support for these refugees. To Bastiat, refugees without freedom of movement are prisoners of war. He felt that all Frenchmen with some spark of humanity and justice in their hearts should welcome free movement of refugees. Bastiat also saw the government as satirizing itself when politicians claim public order is threatened by refugees. In other words, Bastiat thinks its a bad joke -- and dishonest -- when politicians treat refugees like boogeymen.

Deputy Bastiat saw free movement as necessary for refugees economic recovery. He also welcomed refugees participation in the French workforce, arguing that free movement of refugees would increase efficiency. Thus, rejecting refugees is far from pro-market. If it was, why would an influential pro-market thinker have spent energy defending refugees?

Ultimately, its safe to say Rep. Beckers interest in the resettlement of refugees in Burleigh County wasnt Bastiat-inspired. If it was, wed have seen very different behavior from Dr. Becker. Instead, we were repeatedly told that hes just asking questions. This trick gives Becker plausible deniability if accused of scapegoating refugees and manipulating voters/donors with fear. Stated plainly, the District 7 House representative used social media and a public podium to encourage voters/donors to fear and resent refugees. However, he did so while pretending he was merely asking innocent questions. Its as if Becker bears no responsibility for constituents false beliefs about safety or refugee resettlement costs.

Why would a politician manipulate voters/donors into fear, distrust, and resentment based on falsehoods? The answer, of course, is to increase campaign donations, electoral gains, and personal power without having to engage in the real demands of public service. That sure seems like what Rep. Becker is up to, and you know what they say about shoes that fit. This sleight-of-hand manages to be anti-market and anti-democratic at the same time. Impressive.

Ill close with a quote from Bastiat on his support for free movement for refugees. I hope it counters the erasure of real-life Bastiat, and that it encourages humility in us all:

It is a question of justice and humanity toward our unfortunate brethren. Bastiat continues poetically, It is a question of not pouring absinthe and bile into the cup of exile, which is already bitter enough.

Ellie Shockley is a social scientist and education researcher. This column represents her personal views and not the views of any organization. She completed a doctorate at the University of Chicago and postdoctorate at Nebraska. She lives in Mandan.

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EDWARDSVILLE  A former Madison County public defender with no license avoided jail time Friday after pleading guilty to false impersonation of an attorney.

Kelcie M. Miller, 26, formerly of Edwardsville now of Shelbyville, was sentenced to 30 months probation and ordered to pay more than $40,000 of restitution, as part of the plea agreement. She had been free on $100,000 bond since late May.

In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dropped charges of felony theft and forgery. Her original charges, which also included forgery carried a possible sentence of up to 15 years.

Prosecutors say Millers work under the false pretenses cost the county more than $40,000 in pay and benefits.

The fraud she perpetrated not only cost the courts Madison County, but, most importantly, it was a breach of trust of her clients and the people of Madison County, said Lead States Attorney Crystal Uhe, who prosecuted the case. Her case is not reflective of the great work of the rest of the Madison County Public Defenders Office.

I am pleased that the restitution ordered in this case will force Ms. Miller to pay back all of the moneyMs. Miller cost the taxpayers of Madison County, Uhe said.

Uhe said all the defendants who were in custody when the case was charged May 30 have been brought back to court to have their cases heard. All the defendants who were out of custody were notified that they could have another hearing if they desired, she said.

Public Defender John Rekowski previously told members of the Madison County Boards Judiciary Committee that only one of those defendants requested a renegotiation of their plea.

Miller worked on approximated 80 cases between Oct. 29, 2018, and May 24, 2019, according to the charging document.

A judge this summer discovered Miller was not licensed when looking up the correct spelling of her first name. She had failed several attempts at taking the Illinois BAR exam.

Miller and her attorney declined to comment to a Telegraph reporter Friday.

She had been found mentally fit for trial in August by Dr. Daniel Cuneo.

The forgery charge, which was dropped as part of Fridays plea agreement, alleged Miller produced falsified documents on May 20, apparently after being confronted about the status of her credentials and texting a fake license to Rekowski.

A felony theft charge also was dropped.

Rekowski had said she told them in February she was attending a funeral but was actually taking a make-up bar exam in Chicago. She failed that exam.

If she had passed in February, we probably wouldnt have caught it, he said. When she failed in February everything unraveled.

Associated Judge Ron Slemer informed Miller at Fridays hearing that she could work out a payment plan with the probation department.
New Delhi Nearly a year after it was announced, the Delhi government started distribution of over 15,000 tablets to meritorious students from government schools on Friday. The scheme was announced last February, under the digital learning scheme, in the budget.

While distributing the tablets to students of classes 11 and 12 at School of Excellence, Kalkaji, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said, We are giving these tablets to every student who has shown glimpses of excellence. The tablet is like a portable library that will be connecting the students with their teachers and peers. We are open to ideas from students on how to use this tablet, how to utilise it for better learning and even better performances.

The government had announced that students of classes 11 and 12 of 22 Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya (RPVVs) and five Schools of Excellence, along with those who had scored above 80% marks in the 2018-19 class 10 board examinations, will be given these tablets.

This comes after the government distributed over 60,000 tablets to teachers of Delhi government schools last year, asking them to use these to make lesson plans and record attendance, among other things.

Sisodia also cautioned the students and asked them to use the tablet for constructive means. It is in your hands how you would like to use this tablet. Whether you want your parents to come up and complain to me that the children have become addicted to the tablets or I would be getting a positive response from the parents praising the government for facilitating the learning of their wards is in your hands now, he said.

M Shariq, head of school, SOE-Kalkaji, said, Students can access digital content on NCERT applications or explore free educational resources on the internet, which can help them prepare for competitive examinations. Those who have computer science as an additional subject can also use it for programming. The students also said they would use the device to express their creative side.

Deepanshi, a class 12 student of the school, who was using her siblings laptop until now, said the tablet is easier to access and carry. There wasnt a lot of support material on the changed syllabus. So, we had prepared our own questions, but seeing them on phones was difficult. It is easier to access these on tablets and solve test papers. Besides, we can also conduct online surveys for our projects and reach a wider audience.
Standing in front of Malaysian and Chinese flags, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah speaks to reporters following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing, Sept. 12, 2019.

Malaysia stands by its request to extend its boundary farther into the South China Sea, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told reporters Friday, acknowledging Chinese opposition to the move and the potential for the case to lead to arbitration before the United Nations.

The government submitted a claim to the U.N. on Dec. 12 to increase Malaysias continental shelf beyond the standard 200 nautical miles off the northernmost point of Malaysian Borneo, according to submission documents viewed by BenarNews. In 2009, Malaysia and Vietnam jointly petitioned the U.N. to extend their boundaries into the South China Sea, in an area between their respective Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).

We expected China to object, but it is our claim and we will maintain our claim, Saifuddin told reporters in Putrajaya, Malaysias administrative capital.

One, there will always be dispute[s], just like there are certain areas in the South China Sea where there will always be dispute[s]. Second, the end game, which rarely happens, you go for arbitration.

Shortly after Malaysia filed submission documents last month under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China protested with the same language it used since as early as 2016 to state its case to the United Nations.

China has internal waters, territorial sea and a contiguous zone based on its Nanhai Zhudao, the Chinese mission said in a note to the U.N., referring to its islands in the South China Sea.

China has an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, the note said, according to the South China Morning Post. China has historic rights in the South China Sea.

The statement mirrors language in a Chinese government statement on its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea published on July 12, 2016.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, a vital waterway for international shipping and trade, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan have their own overlapping claims to portions of the disputed waters.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China, saying there was no legal basis for Beijing to claim historical rights in the sea region.

On Dec. 20, Saifuddin questioned Chinas claim to nearly all of the sea.

It is our sovereign right to claim whatever is there within our waters and which is not claimed by others, he said at the time. For China that the whole of the South China Sea belongs to them, I think that is ridiculous.

On Friday, a reporter asked Saifuddin whether the Malaysian government feared any retaliation from China, such as through sanctions.

If we fear that, we wouldnt submit our claim, he responded.

The Malaysian move came months after Saifuddin traveled to Beijing where he and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, agreed to establish a bilateral consultative mechanism to resolve differences in the South China Sea. During the September 2019 visit, Saifuddin said he would co-chair a joint dialogue panel with Wang, who said the panel would promote maritime cooperation and regional stability.

Meanwhile, an analyst linked to a Japanese university told Voice of America that Kuala Lumpur could be seeking to get more aid from Beijing while expanding its South China Sea foothold.

Theyre looking at all this really hard-core pressure against the Chinese and seeing its a potential strategic window to probably exploit more financial aid, more development aid from China, said Stephen Nagy, senior associate politics and international studies professor at International Christian University in Tokyo.

Theyre exerting the pressure at the right time, understanding its in line with the other states in the region rather than being an outlier, he told VOA, which pointed out that rivals of China were resisting its expansion in the region and, in some cases, were receiving military aid from the United States.
Officials in Ankara were awake and concerned in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, after a US strike near Baghdad's airport killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. Yet 18 hours after the strike, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is still silent.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin called on all sides to remain calm and avoid steps that will fuel tensions. Reactions from Ankara were cautious and concerned, with suggestions that tools of diplomacy be used following the killing of Soleimani, who was the head of the Quds Force, a powerful elite branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). A Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement noted, Turkey has always been opposed to foreign intervention, assassinations and sectarian conflict in the region. This rather neutral statement took 10 hours to publish.

Why it matters: Since the crisis between Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council started, Ankara has been carefully treading against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates while siding with Iran on regional matters. This attack worries Ankara, as it sets a dangerous precedent for its recently accelerated attempts at foreign military intervention. Yet it is also a relief. Soleimani was an enemy both hated and admired by top echelons of the Turkish government.

Ankaras mindset can best be seen in the Syrian National Army announcement about the US attack, congratulating Arab and Islamic nations for the killing of terrorists and murderers. SETA, a pro-Justice and Development Party think tank, shared the statement on social media. A harsher tone could be seen in the reactions of popular cleric Cubbeli Ahmet Hoca on Twitter. These statements reflect Ankaras relief at the elimination of Soleimani and other officials. As one senior bureaucrat in Ankara said, "This will set the IRGC back a few years, and it will compel Washington to have better relations with us."

Trumps phone call with the Turkish president the night before the attack was presented as a consultation with Ankara, although there is no credible evidence to back such a claim.

Whats next: Erdogans silence and the neutral statements of presidential agencies signal that Ankara is aware of how the risk levels in the region have been heightened. They were caught unprepared and unsure of how to make the best of the situation.

We must watch not only for Erdogans words, but also watch who will represent Ankara at the funeral of Soleimani and whether protests against the United States will be permitted in Turkey.

Know more: Check out reporting by Al-Monitors Pentagon correspondent Jack Detsch for details on the American perspective.
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New Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, right, shakes hand with Bae Seong-beom, the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, during her inaugural ceremony at the government complex in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. / Yonhap



By Kim Jae-heun



New Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae has vowed to reform the prosecution in what she called "the demand of the times."



"Prosecution reform is what we call the most difficult and challenging task and it has become the demand of the times that nobody can go against," Choo said in her inaugural speech at the government complex building in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Friday.



"As far as the ministry is concerned, we will have to take on the task with a particular attitude in completing the historic reformation."



The nation's demand and support for reform of the prosecution had reached its highest level in history according to various polls, Choo said.



"President Moon Jae-in's administration has been working continuously to revamp power apparatuses like the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Defense Security Command and it has achieved a fair level of performance," she said.



Choo also called for efforts within the prosecution.



"Reforming the prosecution is a hard job and it cannot be done with outside force only," she said. "It is about time for voices calling for change and reform within the organization to come out."



The justice minister added that successful reform of the prosecution requires determination and cooperation of people outside and inside the agency.



"When I mean a force from outside, I am referring to the people of our nation, and individual prosecutors will be the force from inside," Choo said. "It will start from me and I will listen and communicate to reform the prosecution successfully. I will not regard the prosecution as only a subject to reform but a companion in rebuilding an investigative organization that people want."



Referring to a recent bill passed at the National Assembly to establish an independent body investigating corruption by high-ranking officials and redistribute investigative power between prosecution and the police, Choo said the ministry has to be the starting point not only for aligning the relevant enforcement ordinance but also changing the organizational culture and customs from their roots.



"To regain the people's trust, the Ministry of Justice will speed up its process on democratic control over the prosecution," Choo said. "I affirm that raising the ministry's status comes as a precondition to putting the prosecution back in its original position."



Reforming the prosecution has been Moon's top priority since he pledged during his 2017 presidential campaign to end the prosecution's monopoly on investigative power.



He had expected former Justice Minister Cho Kuk to do this, but the controversial minister had served only 35 days before he resigned over his family's alleged academic fraud and financial wrongdoings.



The position had been vacant for two months until Moon filled it with the five-time lawmaker, whom he expects to add momentum to revamping the prosecution.



Political parties had mixed responses to Choo's appointment.



The ruling Democratic Party said Choo was the right person for the job, while the main opposition Liberty Korea Party argued that the move was intended to weaken the prosecution's power while covering up a recent investigation involving Cheong Wa Dae's alleged intervention in 2018 local elections.




WASHINGTON - Thirteen months ago, President Donald Trump shut down much of the federal government over a bitter fight about his proposed wall along the Mexico border.

Last month, his top advisers drew the line over a much smaller target: A provision in Congress' year-end spending legislation that would have allowed House members to hire certain immigrants known as "Dreamers" to work on Capitol Hill.

In the end, Democratic lawmakers agreed to scrap the language, fearing an uncertain standoff with the White House in the midst of impeachment proceedings. It was one of just a handful of measures that senior Trump administration officials identified as completely unacceptable in final talks ahead of a Dec. 20 government shutdown deadline.

The provision in question would have applied to immigrants who had received temporary work permits under an Obama-era program the Trump administration is trying to end, called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

Immigrants who qualified for DACA must have been brought to the U.S. as children and meet a number of strict parameters.

The language to allow DACA-recipients to work on Capitol Hill was initially accepted by top lawmakers of both parties. It would have stipulated that DACA-recipients could work as employees in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, but not in the Republican-run Senate.

In practice, the proposed provision would likely have affected only a small number of people, and it garnered little attention as lawmakers negotiated two massive packages of appropriations bills leading up to the shutdown deadline.

But the issue - and the White House's opposition - has symbolic and political significance because it shows how Trump has adjusted his strategy heading into the 2020 election. As the administration and Congress await a major Supreme Court ruling by summer on the legality of the DACA program, the White House showed it was unwilling to give any ground on the issue. Trump has signaled that he wants to delay any policy changes related to DACA until what he believes will be a Supreme Court ruling that validates his position.

That's an outcome immigration activists fear would allow the administration to try to trade protections for "Dreamers" for stricter limits on immigration. Whichever decision the Supreme Court reaches is likely to force Trump and Democrats into an election-year battle over the nation's immigration policy with the fate of some 700,000 immigrants protected by the DACA program hanging in the balance.

The previously unreported dispute over House Democrats' attempt to employ "Dreamers" was confirmed by multiple lawmakers and aides of both parties, as well as administration officials, some of whom spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the secretive budget negotiations. It was a fraught time period last month, in part because talks took place as House Democrats voted to impeach Trump.

"This was something that the president believed very strongly shouldn't be part of legislation," said a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the White House's views on the matter. "There's a pending Supreme Court case and the potentiality for legislative action, and the idea that you could by statute allow some cohort of individuals who are currently subject to Supreme Court proceedings to be hired by the House didn't make any sense."

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, negotiating on behalf of the administration with Legislative Affairs director Eric Ueland, made "crystal clear" to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that the provision must be dropped from the $1.4 trillion spending package, or otherwise Trump would veto it, this person said.

Hispanic lawmakers and immigration activists had been more focused on other elements of the budget legislation. For example, they sought to block the White House from securing the $5 billion he sought to build more barriers along the Mexico border, among other things.

The DACA measure that would have allowed House congressional offices to hire "Dreamers" as staff members stayed in the spending package up until the final rounds of talks. At that point, as Pelosi negotiated directly with Mnuchin, the White House identified the "Dreamers" provision - along with a small handful of other issues, including one involving Ukraine aid - as non-starters that would provoke a veto, the people involved in the discussions said.

With the House enmeshed in divisive impeachment proceedings, Pelosi relented and dropped the provisions in order to stave off a shutdown.

Some Hispanic lawmakers remain bitter about the outcome, but direct their blame at the White House. The approximately 700,000 immigrants protected by the DACA program - and many others who could be eligible for it -- have faced uncertainty for years because of multiple failed attempts by Congress to pass legislation to address their status.

President Barack Obama acted unilaterally to create DACA in 2012, arguing he was justified because Congress had failed to act. The Trump administration, led by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions, rescinded the program in 2017, sparking lawsuits that have led to legal limbo ever since.

"It's appalling that any White House would risk a devastating government shutdown just to stop our brave, patriotic DACA recipients from working in Congress and devoting their talents to the work of our legislative branch," said Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

Immigration activists said they view the White House move as symbolic of what they view to be the Trump administration's larger agenda aimed at limiting legal and illegal immigration, which is sure to play a central role in the 2020 campaign.

"It is a larger indicator of what Republicans and Trump have been doing not just to DACA recipients but immigrants as a whole," said Sanaa Abrar, advocacy director of United We Dream. "It goes into their larger goal to make sure that people are at their most vulnerable, that they're undocumented, and deport people from this country."

Trump himself, who has previously spoken of having "great heart" for Dreamers, has more recently hardened his tone. As the Supreme Court took up arguments in the case in November, Trump tweeted: "Many of the people in DACA, no longer very young, are far from 'angels, Some are very tough, hardened criminals."
The assassination of Iranian Quds Force mastermind Qasem Soleimani is justifiably leading to fears of war with Iran. The Trump administration should be wary: That prospect could tempt other global adversaries to test our resolve elsewhere while the administration's attention is focused on the Middle East.

The United States is a global superpower with global interests. Our decades-long simmering conflict with Iran is important to our standing and security but not necessarily any more so than our rivalries with China and Russia or our standoff over North Korea's nuclear program. It would not be in our interests to overlook provocations in these areas, even if tensions with Iran escalate. But it could be in those nations' interests to test the United States' resolve and capacity to deal with multiple foreign crises simultaneously.

Take North Korea for example. Just two days ago, its leader, leader Kim Jong Un, said he would soon unveil a "new strategic weapon" and signaled a tougher stance toward the United States. What if he decides to do this now, or in coordination with an Iranian response to Solemani's assassination? Is the United States prepared to address two threats to its core interests at the same time?

China could also choose to play this game. The dissent in Hong Kong has not dissipated. Could China decide to crack down on that city's democracy movement while the United States is tied down with Iran? Taiwan also holds its presidential and legislative elections on Jan. 11 and pro-independence candidates and parties lead in the polls. China is already trying to interfere in that election through the use of disinformation and its newest aircraft carrier, the Shandong, which sailed through the Taiwan Strait that separates the small island from the mainland last week. If a growing conflict with Iran causes the United States to dramatically increase its military presence in the Middle East, could China react to the likely victory of incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen and her Democratic Progressive Party by finally making good on its threats to forcibly reintegrate Taiwan?

A host of other hot spots could also flare up if our adversaries decided to test President Donald Trump. Russia could ramp up its military incursions in Ukraine's Donbas region. Venezuela could arrest opposition leader Juan Guaido when he tries to be reelected as Speaker of the National Assembly on Sunday. The Taliban could launch more attacks against U.S. troops or its Afghan allies. The list goes on and on.

I don't know that any or all of these things will happen. But they could, especially now that it's an election year and Trump remains under serious political pressure. Any or all of these countries might reasonably think that Trump would rather cut a bad deal and focus on a conflict with Iran in which he would likely prevail than have to simultaneously manage multiple foreign conflicts. Even if Trump didn't, they could reasonably presume that his Democratic opponents would compete to campaign as the candidate who won't unnecessarily provoke conflicts, further ratcheting up internal pressure to disengage or cut and run somewhere in the world.

This sort of thing has happened before. In late 1979, Iran seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 50 American diplomats and embassy staff hostage. As President Jimmy Carter tried to deal with this crisis, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to install a puppet government in the strategically located nation. It took nearly a decade of U.S. support for Afghan resistance fighters to push the Soviets out.

Since the Cold War ended in 1991, many Americans have never lived in a time when the United States didn't unilaterally call the shots globally. We have become used to U.S. power being deployed when and where it wants. But China's rise and Russia's rebirth have changed this equation. The United States once again has global adversaries that have the resources to pick and choose where and when they or their proxies deploy power. That means Trump could be tested in a way no president has since Ronald Reagan.

Democrats thought Reagan wasn't up to that challenge, either. Every provocation by the Soviet Union or one of its proxies was met with alarm, predictions of doom or war and calls for negotiations. Reagan proved that he was up to the task, however, successfully rolling back Soviet gains in Afghanistan and Grenada while avoiding war and setting the end of the Cold War in motion. We can't say Trump will rise to such a challenge, but we can't say he won't, either.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and the assassination of Soleimani may simply be what it appears to be: a dramatic ratcheting up of already high levels of tension with Iran. Let's hope Trump's team has thought through the more frightening alternatives and is prepared for the worst.
A U.S. airstrike struck a convoy in Baghdad airport Thursday night, killing Iranian Major-General Qassim Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, according to multiple reports.

Soleimani was the most prominent military leader in Iran and the long-running leader of the Quds Force, which the U.S. designated a terror group in 2007. It is the intelligence and counterespionage wing of the regimes Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

A spokesman for Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias confirmed the deaths, saying the American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassim Soleimani.

Over an hour after news first broke, the Pentagon confirmed Soleimanis death late Thursday night, saying that Soleimani had approved the attacks on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad this past week, and was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

General Soleimani and his Quds force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the statement reads.

President Trump seemed to celebrate the announcement with a tweet of the American flag.

An official with the Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia which was heavily involved in the embassy attack this week, told the Associated Press that al-Muhandis arrrived at the airport to pick up Soleimani, who arrived from either Lebanon or Syria. The airstrike occurred as soon as the Quds leader left the plane, killing them all.

Earlier on Thursday, following the ending of a siege of the Baghdad embassy, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper released a statement warning Iran that attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing.

Story continues

The attack comes after Irans Ayatollah Khamenei retweeted Trump saying that Iran will pay a very BIG PRICE! for its role in the embassy attack.

You cant do anything, the Ayatollah challenged Trump on Wednesday.

That guy has tweeted that we see Iran responsible for the events in Baghdad & we will respond to Iran.

1st: You cant do anything.

2nd: If you were logical which youre not youd see that your crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan have made nations hate you. https://t.co/hMGOEDwHuY  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 1, 2020

More from National Review
Suspect in the case of the murder of journalist Pavlo Sheremet, Yulia Kuzmenko participated in the investigatory experiment organized by the investigators of the Interior Ministry in the downtown Kyiv as Hromadske reported.

The experiment took place on the night of January 2 to January 3. The aim of the event was to check the walk of Kuzmenko to compare it with one depictured in the video-materials of the case. The forensics, employees of the law enforcement bodies and Yulia Kuzmenko participated in it.

According to the friends of Kuzmenko, suspect Andriy Antonenko was also taken to the site. He did not agree to participate in the experiment without his lawyers who were not present in Kyiv. It was offered to participate in it with the state lawyer but Antonenko refused from his services.

Despite the cold weather, Kuzmenko was wearing summer clothes as it was supposed that she wore it on the day when the bomb was planted to the car of Pavlo Sheremet.

Kuzmenkos lawyer stated about the intention to strive for the repeat investigatory experiment as the video materials showed that two persons were walking. The investigation established that Andriy Antonenko was the second person.

As we reported National police detained the persons of interests in case of the murder of journalist Pavlo Sheremet. They also notified on suspicion.

Totally, there are five main suspects in the murder of the journalist.

Kyiv Pechersk District Court chose a preventive measure for Yulia Kuzmenko in the form of the detention for two months.

Pechersk district court of Kyiv chose the restrictive measure in the form of the 24-hour house arrest for military nurse Yana Duhar.

Andriy Antonenko was also arrested for two months.

Ukrainian journalist Pavlo Sheremet was killed in Kyiv in the morning of July 20, 2016. The car he was driving exploded in the citys downtown. The vehicle belonged to his civilian wife, Editor-in-Chief of Ukrainska Pravda outlet Olena Prytula; she was not in the car at the moment. The Ukrainian police qualified the explosion as intentional homicide. Then Ukraines Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko assumed the murder could be the part of some greater plan, perhaps designed by the Kremlin. The key version of Sheremets murder was his professional activity.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 21:01:26|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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PHNOM PENH, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- One Cambodian woman died and 16 others were injured after an under construction building collapsed in southwest Cambodia's Kep province on Friday, a provincial spokesman said.

"As of 7:00 p.m. local time, 17 people were pulled out of the debris of the collapsed building, but one died minutes after being sent to the hospital," Kep Provincial Information Department director and spokesman Ros Udong told Xinhua.

He said the rescue was still going on as witnesses reportedly said that between 20 and 30 people were in the six-floor guesthouse building when it collapsed.

The accident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. local time at an under-construction building in Kep city, he said, adding that the building collapsed when workers were constructing the seventh floor slap.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook page that he will fly to the collapsed site as soon as possible to lead the rescue operation.

Photos and video clips released by local media showed the concrete building collapsed almost to the ground, and excavators were used to remove the rubbles, as victims were seen pulled out of the debris alive and carried to a waiting ambulance.
Confirmed: Taiwanese Top Military Official Killed in Helicopter Crash

Sputnik News

07:49 02.01.2020(updated 10:01 02.01.2020)

A Blackhawk military helicopter with 13 people on board crashed on Thursday in the mountains outside the city of Taipei.

The Taiwanese Defence Ministry has confirmed the death of Air Force General Shen Yi-min - Chief of the Taiwanese General Staff. The official died when a military aircraft en route to the northeastern city of Ilan crashed in the mountains.

According to initial reports, at least 11 people survived the incident, however, China Daily stated in a conflicting report that only five people had been confirmed alive.

The Defence Ministry later announced that only 5 survivors had been found in the crash, also confirming that General Shen Yi-min had died in the accident.

The Taiwan News reported, citing the military, that along with General Shen, the list of passengers included several top officials from the General Staff.

A Sputnik

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What Is Climate Change? Is It Different From Global Warming?



Climate change is actually not a new phenomenon. Scientists have been studying the connection between human activity and the effect on the climate since the 1800s, although it took until the 1950s to find evidence suggesting a link.

Since then, the amount of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases) in the atmosphere have steadily increased, taking a sharp jump in the late 1980s when the summer of 1988 became the warmest on record. (There have been many records broken since then.) But climate change is not a synonym for global warming.

The term global warming entered the lexicon in the 1950s, but didnt become a common buzzword until a few decades later when more people started taking notice of a warming climate. Except climate change encompasses a greater realm than just rising temperatures. Trapped gases also affect sea-level rise, animal habitats, biodiversity and weather patterns. For example, Texas severe winter storms in February 2021 demonstrate how the climate isnt merely warming.

Why Is Climate Change Important? Why Does It Matter?





Marc Guitard / Moment / Getty Images

Despite efforts from forward thinkers such as SpaceX Founder Elon Musk to colonize Mars, Earth remains our home for the foreseeable future, and the more human activity negatively impacts the climate, the less habitable it will become. Its estimated that Earth has already warmed about one degree Celsius, or two degrees Fahrenheit, since the start of the Industrial Revolution around the 1750s, although climate change tracking didnt start until the late 1800s. That warming number may not sound like much, but this increase has already resulted in more frequent and severe wildfires, hurricanes, floods, droughts and winter storms, to name some examples.

Environmental Impacts

Then theres biodiversity loss, another fallout of climate change thats threatening rainforests and coral reefs and accelerating species extinction. Take rainforests, which act as natural carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But as rampant deforestation is occurring everywhere from Brazils Amazon to Borneo, fewer trees mean that rainforests are becoming carbon sources, emitting more carbon than theyre absorbing. Meanwhile, coral reefs are dying as warming ocean temperatures trigger bleaching events, which cause corals to reject algae, their main food and life source. Fewer trees, coral reefs and other habitats also equate to fewer species. Known as the sixth mass extinction, a 2019 UN report revealed that up to a million plant and animal species could become extinct within decades.

Human Impact

It can be easy to overlook climate change in day-to-day life, or even realize that climate change is behind it. Notice theres yet another romaine lettuce recall due to E. Coli? Research suggests that E. Coli bacteria are becoming more common in our food sources as it adapts to climate change. Cant find your favorite brand of coffee beans anymore? Or that the price has doubled? Climate change is affecting that too. Climate change is also worsening air quality and seasonal allergies, along with polluting tap water. Not least, many preliminary studies have also drawn a line between climate change and the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that is still gripping much of the world. Future pandemics are likely to happen more frequently until the root causes, such as deforestation, are addressed.

Speaking of larger-scale issues, global water scarcity is already happening more frequently. The Caribbean is facing water shortages due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall; Australias dams may run dry by 2022 as severe wildfires increase and Cape Town, South Africa has already faced running out of water.

As touched upon earlier, its one thing to be inconvenienced by a lack of romaine lettuce for a couple of weeks or higher coffee bean prices, but reports warn how climate change will continue to threaten global food security, to the point of triggering a worldwide food crisis if temperatures surpass two degrees Celsius.

Many of these factors are already contributing to climate migration, forcing large numbers of people to relocate to other parts of the world in search of better living conditions.

Unless more immediate, drastic action is taken to combat climate change, future generations will have to contend with worst-case scenario projections by the end of the 21st century, not limited to coastal cities going underwater, including Miami; lethal heat levels from South Asia to Central Africa; and more frequent extreme weather events involving hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, droughts, floods, blizzards and more.

Whats Happening and Why?

Fiddlers Ferry power station in Warrington, UK. Chris Conway / Moment / Getty Images

The Earths temperature has largely remained stable until industrial times and the introduction of greenhouse gases. These gases have forced the atmosphere to retain heat, as evidenced by rising global temperatures. As the planet grows warmer, glaciers melt faster, sea levels rise, severe flooding increases and droughts and extreme weather events become more deadly.

The Greenhouse Effect

In the late 1800s, Swedish chemist Svante Arrhenius studied the connection between the amount of atmospheric carbon and its ability to warm and cool the Earth, and while his initial calculations suggested extreme warming as carbon increased, researchers didnt start to take human-induced climate change seriously until the late 20th century.

But proof of human-led climate change can be traced to the 1850s, and satellites are among the ways that scientists have been tracking increased greenhouse gases and their climate impact in more recent years. Climate researchers have also documented warmer oceans, ocean acidification, shrinking ice sheets, decreased snow amounts and extreme weather as among the events resulting from greenhouse gases heating the planet.

Numerous factors contribute to the production of greenhouse gases, known as the greenhouse effect. One of the biggest causes involve burning fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, to power everything from cars to daily energy needs (electricity, heat). From 1970-2011, fossil fuels have comprised 78 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

Big Ag is another greenhouse contributor, particularly beef production, with the industry adding 10 percent in 2019. This is attributed to clearing land for crops and grazing and growing feed, along with methane produced by cows themselves. In the U.S. alone, Americans consumed 27.3 billion pounds of beef in 2019.

Then theres rampant deforestation occurring everywhere from the Amazon to Borneo. A 2021 study from Rainforest Foundation Norway found that two-thirds of the worlds rainforests have already been destroyed or degraded. In Brazil, deforestation reached a 12-year-high in 2020 under right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro. As it stands, reports predict that the Amazon rainforest will collapse by 2064. Rainforests are important carbon sinks, meaning the trees capture and remove carbon from the atmosphere. As rainforests collapse, the remaining trees will begin emitting more greenhouse gases than theyre absorbing.

Meanwhile, a recent study revealed that abandoned oil and gas wells are leaking more methane than previously believed, with U.S. wells contributing up to 20 percent of annual methane emissions.

Not least is the cement industry. Cement is heavily used throughout the global construction industry, and accounts for around eight percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

Natural Climate Change

Granted, natural climate change exists as well, and can be traced throughout history, from solar radiation triggering the Ice Ages to the asteroid strike that rapidly raised global temperatures and eliminated dinosaurs and many other species in the process. Other sources of natural climate change impacts include volcano eruptions, ocean currents and orbital changes, but these sources generally have smaller and shorter-term environmental impacts.

How We Can Combat Climate Change

Participant holding a sign at the climate march on Sept. 20, 2020, in Manhattan. A coalition of climate, Indigenous and racial justice groups gathered at Columbus Circle to kick off Climate Week with the Climate Justice Through Racial Justice march. Erik McGregor / LightRocket / Getty Images

While the latest studies and numbers can often feel discouraging about societys ability to prevent the worst-case climate scenarios from happening, theres still time to take action.

As a Society

In 2015 at COP 21 in Paris, 197 countries came together to sign the Paris Agreement, an international climate change treaty agreeing to limit global warming in this century to two degrees Celsius, and ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels; its believed that the planet has warmed one degree Celsius since 1750. Studies show that staying within the two-degree range will prevent the worst-case climate scenarios from happening. Achieving this goal requires participating parties to drastically slash greenhouse gas emissions sooner rather than later. However, there have already been numerous setbacks since then, from former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrawing from the Paris Agreement in 2020 to world leaders, such as China, the worlds biggest polluter, failing to enact aggressive climate action plans. Yet many of the treaty participants have been slow to implement changes, putting the world on track to hit 3.2 degrees Celsius by the end of the 21st century even if the initial goals are met. However, its worth noting that U.S. President Joe Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021, and pledged to cut greenhouse gases in half by 2030.

Then theres the Montreal Protocol, a 1987 global agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, chemicals that were commonly used in air-conditioning, refrigeration and aerosols. Recent studies show that parts of the ozone are recovering, proving that a unified commitment to combatting climate change issues does make a difference.

On a smaller scale, carbon offset initiatives allow companies and individuals to invest in environmental programs that offset the amount of carbon thats produced through work or lifestyle. For example, major companies (and carbon emitters) such as United Airlines and Shell have pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in part by participating in carbon offset programs that remove carbon from the atmosphere. The problem is that these companies are still producing high levels of fossil fuel emissions.

While individuals can make a small impact through carbon offsets, the greater responsibility lies with carbon-emitting corporations to find and implement greener energy alternatives. This translates to car companies producing electric instead of gas vehicles or airlines exploring alternative fuel sources. It also requires major companies to rely more on solar and wind energy for their energy needs.

In Our Own Lives

While its up to corporations to do the heavy lifting of carbon reduction, that doesnt mean individuals cant make a difference. Adopting a vegan lifestyle, using public transportation, switching to an electric car and becoming a more conscious consumer are all ways to help combat climate change.

Veganism

Consuming meat relies on clearing land for crops and animals, while raising and killing livestock contributes to about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UNs Food and Agricultural Organization. By comparison, choosing a plant-based diet could reduce greenhouse gas footprints by as much as 70 percent, especially when choosing local produce and products.

Public Transportation

Riding public trains, subways, buses, trams, ferries and other types of public transportation is another easy way to lower your carbon footprint, considering that gas-powered vehicles contribute 95 percent of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Electric Vehicles

Electric cars and trucks have come down in price as more manufacturers enter the field, and these produce far lower emissions than their gas counterparts. Hybrid vehicles are another good alternative for lowering individual emission contributions.

Conscious Consumption

Buying locally produced food and items is another way to maintain a lower carbon footprint, as the products arent shipped or driven long distances. Supporting small companies that are committed to sustainability is another option, especially when it comes to clothes. Fast fashion has become a popular option thanks to its price point, but often comes at the expense of the environment and can involve unethical overseas labor practices. Not least, plastic saturates every corner of the consumer market, but its possible to find non-plastic alternatives with a little research, from reusable produce bags to baby bottles.

Climate Activism

Those interested in becoming even more involved can join local climate action organizations. Popular groups include the Sunrise Movement, Fridays for Future, Greenpeace and the Sierra Club, to name a few. Voting, volunteering, calling local representatives and participating in climate marches are additional ways to raise your voice.

Takeaway

Its taken centuries to reach a climate tipping point, with just a matter of decades left to prevent the worst-case climate scenarios from happening. But theres still hope of controlling a warming climate as long as individuals, companies and nations make an immediate concerted effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions. As the world already experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, a rapid unified response can make all the difference.

Meredith Rosenberg is a senior editor at EcoWatch. She holds a Masters from the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in NYC and a B.A. from Temple University in Philadelphia.
The New York Police Department is searching for a woman who hurled abuse at a Jewish woman and threatened to throw her on the subway tracks in yet another anti-Semitic attack in the city.

The suspect was seen in cellphone image taken by the 41-year-old victim on December 2 as they waited on the northbound platform at the Utica Avenue station about 6.30am.

'You 'f-----g Jew with a wig ... I'm going to throw you on the tracks', the woman is heard saying.

The New York Police Department is searching for a woman who hurled anti-Semitic comments at a Jewish woman and threatened to throw her onto the subway tracks

'You 'f-----g Jew with a wig', the woman is said to have told a 41-year-old woman on the northbound platform at the Utica Avenue station subway station just before 6.30am

Both woman B boarded an incoming no. 4 train, where the 'verbal rant continued', NYPD said in a report released to DailyMail.com.

The victim got off the train at the Bowling Green stop in lower Manhattan, says the NYPD. The suspect hurling the anti-Semitic remarks continued on, cops said. She is wanted for aggravated harassment.

No injuries were reported.

The incident was just the latest in a string of anti-Semitic attacks reported around the city, and being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force.

The most recent involved a 15-year-old boy, who was attacked at knife point on a New York bus.

TIMELINE OF ATTACKS ON JEWS IN NEW YORK SINCE DECEMBER Jan. 1 - A 21-year-old Hasidic Jew is punched in the throat by two women as he tries to film them yelling anti-Semitic slurs at him in Brooklyn Dec. 31 - Jewish boy, 15, is attacked on a Brooklyn bus at knife-point as two assailants steal his earpods and yarmulke Dec. 28 - A suspect, believe to be Grafton Thomas, 37, enters a rabbi's home during a Hanukkah celebration in Monsey and attacks five with a machete Dec. 27, 7am - Man in hoodie threatens to shoot up Lubavitch headquarters in Crown Heights, Brooklyn Dec. 27, 12:40am - Tiffany Harris, 30, is arrested for allegedly slapping three other women in the face and head on a Crown Heights corner Dec. 26, 3:20pm - Homeless woman, 42, yells anti-Semitic slur and then strikes a Jewish woman in the head with her bag in front of her three-year-old son Dec. 25, 1am - A Jewish man wearing a skullcap while walking in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn was punched in an unprovoked attack Dec. 24 - A 25-year-old Jewish man had a drink thrown at him by a group shouting anti-Semitic slurs Dec. 24, 6pm - A Jewish man, 56, was punched in the head by one person as the same group filmed the incident and laughed Dec. 24, 5:30pm - A Jewish man is attacked by a group of teens with a camping chair and is punched several times Dec. 23 - A Miami man was arrested for making an anti-Semitic remark and attacking a man in midtown Manhattan Dec. 2 - A subway rider hurled anti-Semitic comments at a Jewish woman and threatened to throw her onto the tracks at the Utica Avenue station Advertisement

The teenager was riding the bus in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn on Tuesday when he was approached by two assailants armed with a knife. Police said they stole his earbuds and yarmulke before taunting him with anti-Semitic slurs.

The teenager was riding the bus in Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn on Tuesday when he was approached by two assailants armed with a knife. Police said they stole his earbuds and yarmulke before taunting him with anti-Semitic slurs.

The task force is also investigating a separate incident in Brooklyn where a 21-year-old Hasidic Jew was punched in the throat by two women as he tried to film them yelling anti-Semitic slurs at him.

Police said two black women approached the man while he was walking in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Broadway Triangle on Wednesday and started yelling: 'F**k you Jew' and 'I will kill you Jews'.

The man is believed to have pulled out his phone to film the two women as they continued to taunt him.

One of the women is accused of grabbing the man's phone, throwing it to the ground and punching him in the throat.

Footage obtained by Pix11 shows one of the women walking beside the man just before his phone is snatched.

Police arrested the two women a short distance away.

They have charged one of the women, identified as Arugudo Jacinte, with assault, robbery, harassment and criminal mischief.

No charges have yet been filed against the other woman who was taken into custody.

Mayor Bill de Blasio later tweeted about the attack on the 21-year-old saying: 'People MUST be able to walk their own neighborhoods free from fear'.

The mayor said the NYPD began an enhanced patrol presence in Jewish communities Thursday, relying on additional officers from the Strategic Response Group, the same highly trained unit that helped keep New Yorkers safe in Times Square during New Year's Eve.

Mayor Bill de Blasio's tweet announcing enhanced patrol presence in Jewish communities Thursday

Anyone with information of the hate-related incidents, or others, is urged to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @ NYPDTips.
Im a broken surfer, says photographer Ben Schutzer. I cant paddle into the waves anymore. I now surf through my camera."

Schutzer, now 47, started surfing long before he began shooting photos. At age six you could find him riding the long, rolling waves of Malibu's First Point at Surfrider Beach. He didn't chase the giant waves at famed surf spot Mavericks until the 1990s when he said, "It was a bunch of yahoos out there trying to figure out the wave."

There were no jet skis to help reach the break, nor inflatable vests for safety. Being out in the water was pure magic.

"Its the best rush in the whole world," he said. "Theres nothing better than surfing that wave. Its pure awesomeness." But after a horse riding accident and four shoulder surgeries, he hasnt been on a board in five years. Now he stays connected to the water by photographing surfers shredding crests the size of mountains.

Schutzer has worked as a professional surf photographer with his company RunAMuck for 10 years, with stories in "Surfer" magazine and shoots for pros like dedicated big-wave rider Trevor Carlson. A couple years ago, he followed his dream to focus on the largest waves at Mavericks, a legendary break located a half-mile offshore from Pillar Point.

With a storm off the Aleutian Islands near Alaska expected to deliver 35 foot waves to Northern California this week, Schutzer makes the drive from Los Angeles to Half Moon Bay on Highway 101. Along the way he stops to field emails and calls from big-wave chargers such as Half Moon Bay's Luca Padua and Nic Lamb, who won the last Titans of Mavericks competition in 2016.

Once Shutzer arrives in the Bay Area, he'll make trips to and from the airport to pick up friends hoping to catch the surf on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

"Hawaii gets the swell a day before we do," he said. "A lot of them jump to Hawaii and and then fly back here."

When the right conditions coalesce, Mavericks is the premiere break for big wave surfing. First, the swell has to be giant  at least 20 feet, but ideally over 30, and even as tall as 60 feet. Also, the tide has to be low at the time the big breakers hit and the wind needs to be light and preferably blowing in an easterly direction.

"South winds are horrible," he said. "They kill the whole face. We like an easterly wind best because it holds the wave up, but if it's too strong, it blows the boards up. That's when the big wipeouts happen."

On Thursday and Friday, the National Weather Service forecasts good conditions with breakers well over 30 feet and winds relaxing Thursday afternoon into Friday. In years past, organizers of the Titans of Mavericks contest closely tracked the wave to determine whether to invite competitors from across the globe.

But this year, the World Surf League indefinitely canceled the event due to logistical challenges and the inability to run it in 2017 and 2018. Yet even without the official competition, serious surfers who spend the year at places like Jaws in Hawaii and Nazare in Portugal flock to Mavericks every winter when the waves reach over two-stories tall.

Schutzer recalled one memorable wipe-out on a 45-foot-tall wave. "Its like being smashed with a three-story building of water," Schutzer explained.

ALSO: Record-setting 75-foot-tall wave recorded off California coast

Naturally its a different art than surfing, but photographing Mavericks is a huge challenge as the break is too far off the coast to capture up-close photos from land. Wearing a thick wetsuit and equipped with a waterproof camera, Schutzer gets closer to the wave on a boat or jet ski, with a driver maneuvering into the channel next to the break. Sometimes he jumps into the water for the perfect angle.

"You dont just point and click," he said. "All along youre bouncing on the boat or the jet ski. Its the closest thing I can do to surfing and bring stoke to everybody."

Although he clearly misses being on a board, Schutzer still gets a surfers high just from being around one of the gnarliest waves in the world.

"The energy I get from sitting in the channel with the big waves ... it feeds my soul. If I stay away from the ocean too long, I get moody. I get in a bad mood. The second waves come up, I get happy again. My energy runs off the tide."

Amy Graff is a digital editor at SFGATE. Email: agraff@sfgate.com
By PTI

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday cautioned that the world cannot afford another war in the Gulf, following the killing of Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike.

Voicing deep concern over escalation of tensions in the Gulf, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said, "The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation."

ALSO READ| Pakistan expresses concern, calls for maximum restraint over Iranian General Soleimani's killing

The UN chief said this is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. "The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," Guterres said.

Tensions are escalating in the region after Suleimani, who led the powerful Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed in an American drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. The strike was authorised by President Donald Trump.

....of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

Trump tweeted, "General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more. but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself."

"While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!" he said in the tweet.
EDWARDSVILLE  Madison County prosecutors have filed notices that they plan to seek mandatory life sentences against two people accused of killing three people last month in a home in Bethalto.

Brady K. Witcher, 41, and Brittany McMillan, 28, both of Birmingham, Alabama, could face life in prison if convicted on the charges because they allegedly killed more than one victim.

Assistant Madison County States Attorney Kerri Davis filed the notice on Tuesday. Wirther and McMillan are being held in the Madison County Jail

The two are charged in the Dec. 19 triple homicide of Shari Yates, 59; her son, Andrew AJ Brooks, 30; and John McMillian, 32, in Bethalto.

Both defendants have lengthy criminal records. Brittany McMillan is a former Bethalto resident who reportedly knew one of the victims. Authorities have said the she and Wirther allegedly went to the Bethalto home to steal a car.

Brittany McMillans hearing is set for Jan. 10. Witcher will appear Jan. 17. A spokesperson for the Madison County States Attorneys Office has said the case will probably be presented to a grand jury on Jan. 23.

On Dec. 23, the two each have been charged with nine counts of murder. Both were also charged with armed robbery and aggravated vehicular hijacking, both Class X felonies. Witcher was also charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony.

Police believe the duos alleged crime spree began in Birmingham, Alabama, on Dec. 13. Police received a 911 call from a woman at an apartment complex stating she was being held captive and that a woman had been murdered. Police arrived to find her bound and attempting to escape. She led police to the victims body.

Police say the two then fled in a stolen vehicle, driving to Nashville, Tennessee, where they kept a couple hostage before stabbing one of them and fleeing in their vehicle to the St. Louis area. Police found Yates Ford Focus at a Hazelwood, Missouri hotel, leading them to request Bethalto Police to check on her home.
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Iran has vowed to exact a 'crushing revenge' on American forces in retaliation for the killing of Quds commander Qassem Soleimani - leaving the Middle East on the brink of a conflict that could quickly spiral into World War 3.

The Iranian National Security Council is currently meeting in Tehran - chaired by Ayatollah Khamenei himself for the first time ever - to consider its response.

At their disposal is the world's 13th most powerful military, a host of militia groups spread across the Middle East, proxy-forces such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels, and allies like Syria's Bashar al-Assad.

Targets in their crosshairs are likely to include US troops and military bases in Iraq and Syria, Israeli forces in the Golan Heights, tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure.

While initial strikes are likely to be limited, they could herald a tit-for-tat series of events - drawing in Russian forces stationed in Syria defending a key Iranian ally in Bashar al-Assad, and Turkish forces fighting in the country's north.

China also has ships stationed in the Gulf of Oman and recently carried out joint naval drill with both Iran and Russia, raising the prospect that they could also become involved.

Saudi Arabia is already engaged in a conflict with Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, and any escalation by Tehran would be met with a response from Riyadh.

Turkish strongman Recep Erdogan's troops are deployed in northern Syria and he is close to Russia and Iran as well as being a member of NATO - making his actions unpredictable if a conflict escalates across the region.

The US, China, Russia and Israel all have nuclear weapons - with at least three of those possessing next-generation hypersonic missiles capable of breaching all defense systems.

Israel is also armed with nuclear weapons and is an obvious target for any Iranian attacks, but Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF will not hesitate to defend themselves and have recently struck Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Syria.

If Iran decides to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, as it has often threatened to do in the past, a host of world powers including European nations which rely on the oil which flows through the waterway could find themselves having to defend their interests.

Ultimately, if the tit-for-tat exchanges between these countries escalated far enough it is conceivable but unlikely that it would end with a nuclear exchange - and destruction on a global scale.

Iran is considering its options against America in retaliation for the killing of Quds commander Qassem Soleimeni in Baghdad. The conflict could quickly spiral out of control, dragging in other world powers including Russia, Turkey and China

Country by country, here is how the conflict could play out:

IRAN

The country has an army which is thought to number around half a million active servicemen, along with a population of some 82million from which to draw reserves.

At the military's disposal is an arsenal of ballistic missiles, tanks, attack helicopters, fast jets and gunboats.

While Iranian forces are unlikely to be involved in initial fighting, if the situation escalates then they could be dragged into a ground war with the US.

In the event that US forces are deployed into Iran itself, the country's biggest asset is geography: Surrounded on three sides by mountains, a fourth by ocean, and with a vast desert at its center, it poses a formidable obstacle - even for the US Army.

There are a number of non-military actions that Iran could take within its own borders which would threaten the US, including ramping up its nuclear program.

The country has breached Uranium stockpile limits and been enriching to above energy-grade levels since Trump tore up the deals, but could begin enriching to weapons-grade levels in response to the latest threat.

If that is the case, then US warships, bombers, and cruise missiles could be used to take out the facilities, having prepared plans to do so many times in the past.

Cyber attacks have also become an increasingly popular method of warfare and could be used by both Iran, America and their allies to attempt to win an early upper hand.

Targets would likely include Iranian nuclear facilities - which were successfully targeted with the Stuxnet virus in the past - communications equipment, radar, power networks and other key infrastructure.

To nullify the threat of American drones, Iran could use anti-aircraft missiles to shoot them down, as it did in June last year.

Iranian missiles could also be trained on US warships around the Arabian Peninsula, including the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, but this would be an extreme option and likely only taken after a ground invasion.

China also has ships stationed in the Gulf of Oman and recently carried out joint exercises with Iran and Russia, potentially dragging them into any conflict at sea.

IRAQ

There are some 5,000 US troops currently stationed around Iraq, with more on the way, all of whom are now targets for Shia militias which have fought for Iran - and in some cases directly with Soleimani - in the past.

The embassy in Baghdad, which has been the target of attacks in recent days, is likely to see renewed action, while military patrols and bases could be hit by ground troops and IEDs - Soleimani's weapon of choice against US forces during the 2003 invasion.

The US embassy in Baghdad, which has been attacked by pro-Iran militias in recent days, is likely to come under renewed attack along with other US bases and some 5,000 troops stationed in the region

Missile attacks of the kind which killed a US military contractor last week, sparking the escalation that ended in Soleimani's death, are also likely.

The Quds Force, which Solemani controlled for almost two decades, will orchestrate the attacks from behind the scenes and may become directly involved in order to avenge their beloved leader's death.

In the past, questions have been raised over whether Quds Forces operate independently of the regime in Tehran, raising the prospect of attacks even if not directly ordered by Tehran.

SYRIA

Bashar al-Assad is a close ally of Iran, and owes the continued existence of his regime in large part to the personal intervention of Soleimani, who helped him turn the tide of Syria's years-long civil war along with Russia.

While Assad is not likely to be involved in fighting directly, he could be persuaded to turn a blind eye to attacks by pro-Iran militias against several hundred US troops and Kurds remaining in the country after Donald Trump ordered a withdrawal.

Iran has also spent time establishing its own military infrastructure in Iran, complete with missile bases which Israel has previously said could be used against its territory.

Russia has ground forces stationed in Syria defending a key Iranian ally in Bashar al-Assad, who in large part owes the continued existence of his regime to Soleimeni who organised his forces during the country's civil war

Russia's latest S400 anti-aircraft systems in Syria, which could be used against American jets and bombers in the event the crisis spirals into a wider war

If Tehran decides to strike the staunch US ally, then the hammer will likely fall on the embattled Golan Heights region, though Tel Aviv has warned that Iranian missiles can range much further across its borders.

If fighting escalates here, then Russian forces stationed across the country could quickly become embroiled, along with Turkish forces currently deployed in the north.

ISIS will also likely exploit the situation to try and pit the sides against each-other, allowing them to seize back territory they lost in recent years.

LEBANON

The country is controlled by Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy fighting force, which has vowed 'worldwide resistance' following Soleimani's death.

The group could launch rocket attacks against targets in Israel, as well as anti-aircraft attacks against Israeli jets and drones operating in the region.

If Iranian forces inside Syria decide to launch an attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, then Hezbollah could provide support.

Iran also exerts control over Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas, both of which operate in the Gaza Strip and could be used to cause further problems for Israel.

SAUDI ARABIA

Another key US ally in the region, Riyadh has seen attacks against its oil infrastructure in recent months which were blamed on Tehran.

Iran could choose to harass, disable or destroy oil tankers sailing in the Persian Gulf which separates it from the Arabia Peninsula, potentially disrupting a key source of income for the Saudis.

Saudi oil infrastructure is likely to feature in Iran's plans for strikes in the region, following on from major disruption caused after a drone and missile attack on the country's largest oil refinery last year (pictured)

Tehran could also attempt a repeat of the audacious attack which knocked out the country's oil facilities in the summer, though security was massively ramped up afterwards, making success far from a sure thing.

One of the most extreme option available to Iran would be closing the Strait of Hormuz completely, cutting off a fifth of the world's daily oil supply.

While Tehran has often threatened to close the waterway, such a move would almost certainly prompt a response from US carrier groups in the region as well as dragging in other world powers who rely on the oil.

YEMEN

Iran has been fighting a proxy-war in Yemen using Houthi rebels, fighting against Saudi forces which are allied to the ruling regime.

Attacks against the Saudis could increase, and Iran could use Houthi drones and guided missiles to launch attacks against pipelines in Saudi Arabia and other infrastructure as it has done in the past.

AFGHANISTAN

The US has just reached a ceasefire agreement with the Taliban in Afghanistan in an attempt to put an end to the longest war it has ever fought.

But, as in Iraq and Syria, Iran has links with Shia militias across the region which it could leverage in an attempt to derail the process and plunge the region back into conflict, further extending US engagement there.

QATAR

The country houses the largest American military base in the Middle East, at Al Udeid, which is home to some 10,000 troops and dozens of fighters and bombers including F-22 fighters and B-52 bombers.

If all-out war breaks out with Iran, then Al Udeid will be at the center of efforts to establish air superiority, and as such will also be a major target for Iran and its allies.

Al Udeid air base (pictured during Ivanka Trump's visit) in Qatar will be at the center of US efforts to establish air superiority in the event of a wider war. There are dozens of aircraft at the base, including F-22 fighters and B-52 bombers

HOW U.S. COULD BIT BACK

The United States has a vast array of military hardware in the Middle East and Persian Gulf. Among the military options are F22 Raptor fighters based in Dubai, cruise missile-armed Ohio class submarines and aircraft carriers and US Special Forces who are still based in northern Iraq and Syria.

Strategic assets such as B2 Stealth bombers can also strike by flying over from the US mainland, and - in the ultimate event - America can also field nuclear weapons fired from silos on the mainland at virtually anywhere in the world.

HOW RUSSIA COULD BE DRAGGED IN

Tens of thousands of Russian troops and aircraft are based in Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad's regime. They include special forces and the feared S400 anti-aircraft missile - the most advanced missile system in the world. If the conflict escalates, Russia could feel compelled to defend its ally or Iran or retaliate if its troops are killed as collateral damage by the US.

It could also use strategic assets based in Russia such long range missiles and long-range bombers, along with ships and submarines based in the Mediterranean at Sevastopol.

HOW ISRAEL COULD RETALIATE

If Israel is attacked by Iran it is sure to retaliate. It has nuclear weapons and an array of advanced fighter jets capable of launching strikes at Iran and Iranian forces in Syria, as it has done in the past.

Its special forces are also among the most feared in the world, and stationed across the region.
The Ghana Prisons Service is pushing for a 280% increase in the daily feeding fee for inmates -- that is from GHc1.80p to GHc5.00 per inmate.

The Ashanti Region Commander of the Service, Samuel Owusu Amponsah indicated that congestion, coupled with inadequate funds for feeding has taken a toll on the health of the inmates in the country.

He said this while addressing members of the Action Chapel that had come to donate 200 bags of rice to the Kumasi Central and Amanfrom Prions on New Years Day.

Although the government is doing its best, the money is not enough so we are asking that government to increase the feeding fee to 5.00.

The quality of food is not good because the money is woefully inadequate, he lamented.

The gesture of Action Chapel in Ashanti Region is under the "Compassion in Action" Project initiated by founder, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams.

The project has for the past five years supported and given hope to prisoners across the country.

Mr Owusu Amponsah, who doubles as Deputy Director of Prisons, observed that but for the support from individuals and corporate Ghana, the situation would have been worse.

He then expressed his profound gratitude to the group for their charitable act adding that, your gifts will really help us."

Head Pastor of Action Chapel International in Northern Ghana, Bishop James Nana Ofori Attah, said to add value to ex-convicts, the church has established a skills training and rehabilitation centre for prisoners near Prampram in the Greater Accra Region.

He also advised the youth to stay clear of bad friends and company.

He noted that bad company corrupts good behaviour.

---Myjoyonline.com
D ominic Raab has urged all parties to de-escalate after a US airstrike killed Irans top general Qasem Soleimani.

The Foreign Secretary said "further conflict is in none of our interests" after Iranian leaders pledged severe retaliation to the airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.

Gen. Soleimani, 62, was being driven by car at Baghdad airport when the fatal attack took place, also killing top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The US Defence Department said Gen Soleimani was targeted because he was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members" in the region.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (seated centre) pictured alongside Gen. Qasem Soleimani who was killed in a US airstrike / KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty Images

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the strike and announced three days of national mourning.

Mr Raab issued a statement saying the Government had "always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led" by the general.

"Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests," Mr Raab added.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn hit out at the Government, telling them to stand up to the "belligerent actions and rhetoric" from the US.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab called for de-escalation / AFP via Getty Images

In a statement, Mr Corbyn said: "The US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance.

"The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States.

"All countries in the region and beyond should seek to ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict, which can only bring further misery to the region, 17 years on from the disastrous invasion of Iraq."

Labour leadership hopeful Clive Lewis, who served as a Territorial Army officer and completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan, said: "I shed no tears for Soleimani, he was a cruel man who unleashed suffering for many.

A picture published by the media office of the Iraqi military's joint operations forces on their official Facebook page shows a destroyed vehicle on fire following a US strike / IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

"But violence begets violence, especially without a thought out military strategy. I know this from my time in Afghanistan. The UK must now lead in being a broker for peace."

Sir Kier Starmer said it was an "extremely serious situation" while Jess Phillips said the US strike was "reckless foreign policy".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been celebrating New Year on the private Caribbean island of Mustique, is yet to comment.

Labour's shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon warned that there is a "real risk" Mr Trump will engage in a war with Iran "that would be even worse than that on Iraq".

'US is in a state of war with Iran' Brett McGurk has warned

Stella Creasy, a Labour MP, called for an "urgent statement" from the PM or Foreign Secretary and suggested a recall of Parliament was needed before Tuesday.

Green MP Caroline Lucas said the strike was "a hugely provocative act in a massively volatile region".

"UK Government must condemn it and work with colleagues in the US to counter Trump's reckless and dangerous foreign policy," she added.

Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike on Friday / EPA

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister who served as a captain in the Army, tweeted "this is big", adding: "Expect repercussions."

Former Middle East minister Alistair Burt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the airstrike was "extremely serious" and could cause "a huge potential escalation".

Mr Burt, who stood down as a Tory MP at the last election, stressed it is "very important now to concentrate on what happens next, and for everybody involved diplomatically to do everything they can to try and diffuse the situation".

The Foreign Office advises British-Iranian dual nationals against all travel to Iran and for other British nationals to seek the department's advice before travelling to the nation.

British nationals risk being arbitrarily detained or arrested by Tehran, the department warns.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been among the dual nationals being held in Iran since she was arrested in 2016 and accused of spying while visiting family.

Her husband warned "things are getting much worse" for relations with Iran, and told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where they're all really worried."

The general was head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, and a major figure in the Iranian regime.

His killing marks a dramatic escalation in the regional "shadow war" between Iran and the US and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.

President Hassan Rouhani called the assassination a "heinous crime" and pledged to ramp up military efforts against its perpetrators.

Iraq's prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has warned Friday's attack will "light the fuse" of war.
Bollywood actors often post pictures of their vacations on their social media. Some of the Bollywood celebrities holiday at the most exquisite locations. Recently many celebrities have left the country to vacation in exotic places all around the globe. Some Bollywood divas even started their new year 2020 with the beach vibes. Showing off their effortless charisma, perfect figures, and gorgeous faces, the actresses have raised the excitement among fans. Even their social media posts are flooded with appreciation for their alluring looks in the pictures. Here are the beach babes who were soaking up some sun in 2020.

Sara Ali Khan:

Sara Ali Khan who was in Kerala during the New Years eve, flew to the Maldives to extend her exotic vacation with brother. The actor has been treating fans with envious pictures in a bikini and gorging some lip-smacking food. The Simmba actor was also accompanied by her brother Ibrahim Ali Khan on her beach sojourn and shared a series of pictures of the duo enjoying in the pool and relishing a floating breakfast.

Also Read | Alia Bhatt's New Year Celebrations Was All About Beaches, Wine And Sunsets; See Pictures

Alia Bhatt:

Alia, who spent the New Year with her beau Ranbir Kapoor in New York, did not share a picture with him to wish new year. Instead, she shared a solo picture, wherein the caption gave a metaphorical reference to the light coming as she enjoyed the sunshine, amid the stunning backdrop of the water and the hills. Though not a new year post, she finally posted a snap with Ranbir and Brahmastra director Ayan Mukerji, again with a breathtaking vision of the sun setting behind them in the water.

Also Read | New Year: Water Babies Alia Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurrana, Others Share Stunning Pics To Wish

Mouni Roy:

Mouni Roy geared up to ring in her New Year in Dubai. The actor jetted off with her friends and loved ones. Sharing pictures from her vacay, Mouni has left no stone unturned in making heads turn with her alluring outfits. Mouni stunned her fans in her amazing yellow bikini. The actor enjoyed quality time at the beach and gave major vacation goals with her amazing posts.

Also Read | From Deepika Padukone To Sara Ali Khan, What These Actresses Were Upto On Jan 2, 2020

Also Read | Hardik Pandya's Fiance Natasa Stankovic Stuns In These Bikini Photos

Get the latest entertainment news from India & around the world. Now follow your favourite television celebs and telly updates. Republic World is your one-stop destination for trending Bollywood news. Tune in today to stay updated with all the latest news and headlines from the world of entertainment.
OTTAWAThe safety of Canadians in the Middle East is the governments paramount concern following the death of a top Iranian general in an American airstrike, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Friday.

Gen. Qassem Soleimani was the head of Irans elite Quds Force, and was killed in Baghdad late Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump accused Soleimani of plotting to kill Americans, and the death has prompted a vow of harsh retaliation from Irans supreme leader.

Champagne said Canada remains in contact with its international partners.

The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern, he said in a statement.

We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation.

The airstrike was seen as a major escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, though Trump insisted Friday he acted not to start a war but to stop one.

We do not seek regime change, however the Iranian regimes aggression in the region, including the use of proxy fighters to destabilize its neighbours, must end and it must end now, he said.

Still, on Friday, the U.S. announced it was sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Mideast, in the volatile aftermath of the killing, which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended as wholly lawful. He told Fox News Soleimani posed an imminent threat against the U.S. and its interests in the region.

Pompeo called world leaders Friday to explain and defend Trumps decision to order an airstrike that has sparked fears of an explosion of anti-American protests and further destabilizing of the Middle East.

The State Department said Pompeo had spoken Friday with top officials in Afghanistan, Britain, China, France, Germany and Pakistan.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said he spoke to his U.S. counterpart on Friday, and he is monitoring the situation.

Our focus remains the safety of our troops and all Canadians in the region, and helping build a stable Iraq by preventing the re-emergence of Daesh, he said, using the Arabic-language term for the Islamic State group, or ISIS.

Up to 850 Canadian Forces are authorized for deployment in the region, with 200 of those in Iraq as part of the NATO mission there. They assist mostly in behind-the-wire training missions of Iraqi forces in the wake of the global campaign to oust ISIS from the area.

The Department of National Defence wouldnt comment on what, if any, measures were being taken to protect them in light of the potential threat.

But a former foreign-policy adviser to the Canadian government says there are legitimate fears.

Retaliation from the generals supporters is likely after the three-day mourning period ordered by Irans supreme leader, who considered Soleimani a son, said Shuvaloy Majumdar, a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier institute.

We can expect ... there will be a wide range of asymmetric attacks against principally American assets but also quite possibly western ones, Majumdar said.

So I think that as we enter this new chapter, this is going to be a very significant question for how Canadians and the Canadian government respond to the security of our soldiers but also the advancing of our interests.

Majumdar advised the former Conservative government on foreign policy for years, including on the decision to list Soleimanis organization, the Quds Force, as a terrorist entity.

He called the leaders death the most consequential strike that has happened against a terrorist leader since the beginning of the so-called war on terror.

He oversaw a state-backed, industrial-scale, mechanized terrorism outfit that since the late 1990s, since he led the Quds Force, has become the most sophisticated terrorism (organization) the world has ever known.

The Quds Force is part of Irans Revolutionary Guards, reporting to the countrys leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei. The Quds Force trains and equips foreign militias, carries out bombings and assassinations, and otherwise uses unconventional methods to expand Irans military and diplomatic influence. Quds is the Arabic and Persian name for Jerusalem.

The United States designated the Quds Force a terrorist organization in 2007. Canada followed suit in 2012.

Canada has long been concerned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, led by Qassem Soleimani, whose aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond, Champagnes statement on Friday said.

The same U.S. strike that killed Soleimani also killed a leader in an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, a sometime Iraqi politician and U.S.-designated terrorist known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Late Friday, Conservative foreign-affairs critic Erin OToole and defence critic James Bezan sent out a joint statement calling on the government to declare Irans whole Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, expanding the designation beyond the Quds Force.

The IRGCs Quds Force, led by Qassem Soleimani, was at the centre of IRGC operations and bear responsibility for violence, destruction and a destabilizing influence across the Middle East, the statement said. It did not take a clear position on the strike that killed Soleimani.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh appeared to condemn the U.S. decision.

The U.S.s actions in Iran (sic) have brought us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East, he said in a statement on Twitter.

The prime minister needs to act quickly with other countries to de-escalate the situation and not be drawn into the path that President Trump is taking.

What role Canada could play is unclear.

Under the Conservatives, Canada cut off diplomatic ties with Iran. There was a limited effort to resurrect them under the Liberal government, to little effect. The Liberals relationship with the Trump administration is mixed.

Still, Canada has a stake in the region and must work with other allies in similar positions, said Younes Zangiabadi, the research director for the Iranian-Canadian Congress.

Iran has been arming itself for decades, and while some may cheer Soleimanis death, he was a hero to many Iranians and his killing will unite the country against the West and in favour of further action on the part of the Iranian regime, Zangiabadi said.

This is not going to go lightly, Zangiabadi said.

 With files from The Associated Press

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(Newser)  The killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in a US airstrike Thursday night is widely being described as a "game changer"and a major escalation in the Middle East. Gen. Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, was killed along with Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and several other officials from Iran-backed militias as they left the Baghdad airport, the BBC reports. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the killing of the popular generaland worldwide oil prices have jumped more than 4%. More:

Congress not consulted. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday night that the strike ordered by President Trump was carried out "without the consultation" of Congress, reports the New York Times. "American leaders highest priority is to protect American lives and interests," she said in a statement. "But we cannot put the lives of American service members, diplomats, and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. Tonights airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence."

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Who was Soleimani? The general, who oversaw Iran's intelligence and security operations in the Middle East for decades, "widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of US pressure," the AP reports. He became more widely known after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when the US blamed him for the deaths of hundreds of soldiers, and in recent years "had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership

The general, who oversaw Iran's intelligence and security operations in the Middle East for decades, "widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of US pressure," the AP reports. He became more widely known after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, when the US blamed him for the deaths of hundreds of soldiers, and in recent years "had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership A massive gamble . Insiders tell Politico that even some administration officials were shocked by the strike, which is expected to lead to retaliation and possible a wider regional conflict. "It is hard to overstate the significance," says retired Gen. David Petraeus. "But there will be responses in Iraq and likely Syria and the region."

. Insiders tell Politico that even some administration officials were shocked by the strike, which is expected to lead to retaliation and possible a wider regional conflict. "It is hard to overstate the significance," says retired Gen. David Petraeus. "But there will be responses in Iraq and likely Syria and the region." Condemnation from Iraq . Reuters reports that Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the strike as a violation of the conditions of the US presence in the country. The Iraqi military described militia leader Muhandis as a "hero martyr" who was killed "in a cowardly and treacherous attack."

. Reuters reports that Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the strike as a violation of the conditions of the US presence in the country. The Iraqi military described militia leader Muhandis as a "hero martyr" who was killed "in a cowardly and treacherous attack." Americans ordered to leave Iraq . The US Embassy in Iraq has told all American citizens to leave the country immediately, the Guardian reports. "US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," the embassy said in a statement.

. The US Embassy in Iraq has told all American citizens to leave the country immediately, the Guardian reports. "US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," the embassy said in a statement. 2020 contenders speak out . Trump "just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," Joe Biden said Thursday night. He admitted that no American will mourn the general but said that while the administration says its goal is to deter attacks from Iran, the strike is likely to have the opposite effect. Bernie Sanders also slammed the "dangerous escalation," telling the Daily Beast: "Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path for another one."

. Trump "just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," Joe Biden said Thursday night. He admitted that no American will mourn the general but said that while the administration says its goal is to deter attacks from Iran, the strike is likely to have the opposite effect. Bernie Sanders also slammed the "dangerous escalation," telling the Daily Beast: "Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path for another one." A "declaration of war." Iran will see the strike as a "declaration of war" and retaliation is inevitable, analyst Shahram Akbarzadeh writes at the Sydney Morning Herald. "Even before this event, the Iranian hardliners had cornered Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for being weak in the face of US bullying," he writes. And now, "the war of words seems to be replaced with simply war."

(Read more Iran stories.)
Ethiopian lawmakers have replaced anti-terrorism legislation that had drawn criticism from rights activists, although Amnesty International said the new version still had the potential to be used against government critics. The new law, adopted Thursday, removes text invoked to arrest scores of journalists and politicians over the years. A vaguely-worded provision to punish acts "encouraging terrorism" has been axed in favour of more specific language targeting "incitement". The new version also guarantees workers' right to strike even if they "obstruct public services", an offence the law otherwise classifies as terrorism. But the law also criminalises the vague act of "intimidation to commit a terrorist act." And it empowers lawmakers to identify and ban terrorist organisations, a move used in the past to outlaw opposition parties. "I can see that there are some pro-human rights developments in the new law," Amnesty International researcher Fisseha Tekle told AFP Friday. He added, however, that there was also "potential for abuse". Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has received accolades for political reforms including lifting bans on political parties, but the original anti-terrorism law passed in 2009 has remained in use. After five high-ranking political and military leaders were assassinated in June 2019, hundreds of people were held under the anti-terrorism law, Fisseha said. The new law notes that the old version had "loopholes which produced a negative effect on the rights and freedoms of citizens" and needed to be revised. Opposition politician Merera Gudina told AFP Friday that it was too early to tell what the effects of the new law would be. "We fear ruling party functionaries used to old habits could use the new law to target opponents," he said. Under the new law, lethal acts of terrorism can be punished with the death penalty or prison sentences of 15 years to life, terms that are broadly consistent with the old law. Terrorism acts that cause "serious bodily injury" or property damage can fetch prison terms of 10 to 18 years. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, pictured last month after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo
52 Black Hawk helicopters grounded after fatal crash

ROC Central News Agency

2020/01/02 21:18

Taipei, Jan. 2 (CNA) Taiwan has grounded 52 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters after the nation's chief of general staff and seven other officers were killed when a military Black Hawk helicopter crashed in a mountainous region in the north of the country Thursday.

The Air Force has grounded the 14 Black Hawk helicopters in its fleet and the Army its fleet of 30 for inspections of dynamic, radar and control systems, as well as fuselage structure, a military spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the National Airborne Service Corps (NASC) said it has suspended training operations with its eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

Chief of General Staff Shen Yi-ming () was among eight officers who died when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed in New Taipei's Wulai District en route to a military base in Dong'ao, Yilan County Thursday, as part of a pre-Lunar New Year visit to troops.

The incident was the second involving Black Hawk helicopters in Taiwan after a chopper dispatched by the NASC on a medical mission crashed near Orchid Island off the southeastern coast of Taiwan in February 2018, killing six people on board.

Taiwan purchased a total of 60 Black Hawk helicopters from the U.S. in 2010 at a cost of NT$84.67 billion (US$2.82 billion), with 30 designated for the Army, 15 for the NASC (including the one that crashed off Orchid Island in 2018) and 15 for the Air Force Rescue Group (including the one that crashed Thursday).

Currently the NASC has taken delivery of nine, while another six will be delivered in August 2020.

The Army officially commissioned its UH-60M Black Hawk combat team in December 2017 after verifying the helicopter fleet's initial combat capability.

The UH-60 Black Hawk is a twin turbo-shaft engine, single rotor helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. It is a medium utility/attack helicopter developed from the S-70 helicopter.

The Black Hawk is perfect for disaster rescue, emergency response, medical assistance, observation, patrol and transportation at high altitudes and at sea. It can carry 15 people (including 2 pilots, 2 crew chiefs and 2 rescue specialists) and 4 stretchers.

It is also capable of carrying 1,170kg of cargo in the cabin or hoisting 4,050kg under its belly. When used for firefighting it carries up to 2,400 liters of water.

The helicopter is perfect for rescue mission at altitudes above 2,000m or at sea at nighttime. Its best feature is nighttime reconnaissance.

The crash Thursday was the latest in a total of 332 aviation accidents involving Black Hawk helicopters around the world since 1979, after the crash of a Black Hawk helicopter in Minnesota on Dec. 5, 2019 resulted in three fatalities, according to Su Tzu-yun (), a researcher at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

(By Matt Yu, Huang Li-yun and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/AW

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When BlackBerry released its first smartphones back in 2002, all it offered was just enough juice in the battery to make calls for up to 30 minutes a day.

But to do that, one had to keep the phone in the charging dock for more than 10 hours! And it weighs 1.1 kilograms! Martin Cooper of Motorola when made the first mobile phone call on 3 April 1973 that was the weight of the device he used. Dimensions were 23X13X4.45 cm.

Difficult to imagine, right? Especially in this era of super-thin, milligram phones. Obviously, things were not quite rosy back then. While smartphones continued to evolve breaking new dimensions, it took another two decades to develop the first application for smartphones. It was IBM Simon, who introduced the first mobile apps for smartphones to the world. We have come a long way since then.

Over the years, Apples App Store and Googles Play store revolutionised the idea and now dominate the application landscape. However, in the beginning, when Apple launched its apps store in 2008, there were only around 500 apps. Later in 2018, Tim Cook announced that there were 20 million registered iOS developers catering for the 500 million weekly visitors to the App Store alone.

Though equivalent Android figures are not available for Google, unofficial estimates have put it above iOS in terms of developer volume. By any scale that is huge and all of them are currently focusing on over five billion mobile users in the world. Statistics say the App Store has 2.2 million apps, while Google play store has 2.8 million apps for download.

But, our question is where the Middle East stands in this app war. According to Go-Gulf, MENA region now accounts for 10 per cent of the global mobile app traffic and revenue generation. Bahrain, which has a population of 1,637, 896 as of 2019, according to internet world stats, enjoys 93.8 per cent penetration. i.e. there were 1,535,653 Internet users in Dec 2018.

To bring that into perspective, know that internet penetration in Saudi Arabia is 88.6pc and UAE is 96.9pc. As of April 2019, internet penetration in the Middle East was 67.2pc among the local population. On a global basis, Middle East internet users amount to only 4.0pc of the total, as the rest of the world standing at 96.0pc.

But, the scene is changing fast with middle eastern governments fast recognising the role of apps in processing public services more effectively and without delay. Bahrains fast-growing mGovernment (mobile government) App Store is a pioneer in this regard.

Realised as part of National eGovernment Strategy in 2016, mGovernment App Store aims at transforming government service usage from physical to electronic channels and help drive a structured approach to develop high-quality mobile apps.

As such, the service is divided into four main categories: information service (users can access government information, request data, register and generate reports), Interactive service (requires interaction between the users and governmental entities), Transaction service (involves the exchange of payment in return of a service) and Integrated service (requires data collection from multiple departments and governmental entities).

In short, the platform is a onestop-shop for mobile service apps by different entities in the Kingdom.
Germany on Friday urged restraint and de-escalation after the US killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, sending tensions soaring in the region.

"We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is now important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation," said Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.

"We, too, view Iran's activities in the region with great concern," she said, but warned that any conflicts can only be resolved through "diplomatic paths".

"It is particularly important to prevent from being dragged deeper into a conflict, because everyone has an interest in the continuing battle against IS" jihadists, she added.
A British teenager found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus has appealed to the Prime Minister to please bring me home.

The 19-year-old alleged she was raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room in the party town of Ayia Napa on July 17, but she has said Cypriot police forced her to sign a retraction statement which led to her being convicted of public mischief at Famagusta District Court, in Paralimni.

Every second of this ordeal has been a waking nightmare, the woman said.

Im 19 and all I want to do is clear my name and come home to my family, she told The Sun newspaper.

I would say to both the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, both of whom are fathers, please support me with your actions, not just with your words.

Expand Close Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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She is due to be sentenced next Tuesday, and is facing up to a year in jail.

The paper also said that the Foreign Office contacted the womans family on Thursday for the first time since her conviction.

Her family said they had not had any contact from Dominic Raab or ministers.

When contacted for comment, Number 10 reissued the Foreign Office statement from the day of the womans conviction, saying it was seriously concerned about the fair trial guarantees in this deeply distressing case and we will be raising the issue with Cypriot authorities.

The Foreign Office has also been approached for a response.

Pressure has continued to mount on the Cypriot authorities over the case, and one of the countrys former justice ministers said the public in Cyprus feel the 19-year-old has been punished enough.

Kypros Chrysostomides was among a number of prominent legal figures in Cyprus who wrote to attorney general Costas Clerides urging him to intervene in the case.

He told BBC Breakfast: The majority of the public in Cyprus feels that the young lady has already been punished enough. She has been in detention for four-and-a-half weeks and she is not able to travel to England during the proceedings.

We believe that the attorney general, who is the appropriate organ to exercise, initiate or discontinue criminal proceedings, should have done that already for the public interest.

Meanwhile, a linguist has told the Daily Mail that the womans alleged retraction statement is highly unlikely to have been composed by her.

Dr Andrea Nini analysed the confession supposedly given as evidence in the Cypriot court, which included phrases such as the report I did, not the truth, and doing sexual intercourse, and said it was likely penned by a local police officer.

He told the paper: Doing sexual intercourse is not something a native English speaker would say.

They would say having sexual intercourse..
Police in Mount Laurel have arrested a 45-year-old man who authorities say robbed a bank in Toms River on New Years Eve.

Patrick T. Callahan, 45, of Toms River, was taken into custody on Thursday after police followed up on a tip received on a Toms River police departments social media page, official said.

Callahan walked into a Chase branch on Route 37 west at about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday and handed a teller a note demanding money, Toms River police said.

He is being held at the Ocean County jail. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Det. Ryan Quinn at 732-349-0150 x 1361.

The Toms River Police were looking for the man pictured above in connection with the robbery of Chase Bank on Route 37.Toms River Police Department

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Ranchi, Jan 3 : Maoist Guerrillas set on fire six vehicles in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district on Friday.

According to police, about 20 to 25 Maoists attacked a private construction company's camp office involved in bridge construction over a river at Karigara river situated between Keredari and Piparwar police stations of Hazaribagh district. Maoist Guerrillas set on fire six vehicles used for construction work.

According to police sources, Maoist Guerrillas had sought Rs 8 crore levy from the construction company. The denial of levy is said to be the reason of the attack. On November 22, 10 to 15 Maoist Guerrillas had attacked the base camp of the same construction company and thrashed the labourers and snatched their mobiles. The construction company had stopped the work.

The work was restarted four days ago and Maoist Guerrillas attacked the construction company base camp and set on fire six vehicles on early Friday.

The company was constructing bridge at cost of more than RS 12 crore.

In another incident, Maoist Guerrillas set on fire a tractor at Palamau district.

Maoist Guerrillas had set on fire five vehicles on December 30 last year at Latehar and Palamau.

More than 60 vehicles involved in construction work were set on fire by the Maoist Guerrillas in 2019.
Ripple Bagel & Deli. | Photo: Cristian E./Yelp

Wondering where to find the best delis near you?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable delis in Indianapolis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges.

1. Ripple Bagel & Deli

Photo: Ken N./Yelp

Topping the list is Ripple Bagel & Deli. Located at 850 Broad Ripple Ave. in Broad Ripple, the deli, which offers bagels, sandwiches and more, is the highest-rated cheap deli in Indianapolis, boasting 4.5 stars out of 253 reviews on Yelp. The menu also offers hot dogs, salads and biscuits and gravy.

Yelper Gabby C., who reviewed Ripple Bagel & Deli on Oct. 12, wrote, "I've been multiple times, and the staff is always so patient with me while I look over the extensive menu. Whether I'm going for breakfast, lunch or dinner, I always find something that hits the spot."

Faith B. noted, "This place will have you coming back time after time to try a new combination."

2. Midday Gourmet Deli & Catering

Photo: Kimmi S.Yelp

Next up is Park 100's Midday Gourmet Deli & Catering, situated at 5501 W. 86th St., Suite G. With 4.5 stars out of 37 reviews on Yelp, the deli and caterer spot, serving sandwiches and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an inexpensive option. Soup and salads are also on the menu.

The site can tell you a thing or two more about Midday Gourmet Deli & Catering.

"We have terrific fresh products to build your own custom sandwich," it notes on Yelp in the section explaining specialties. "We also offer a large variety of grilled sandwiches. Try the Triple Grilled Cheese, Traditional Reuben or something unique like a Rachael."

3. McAlister's Deli

College Park's location of the popular chain McAlister's Deli, located at 8840 N. Michigan Road, Suite 104, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the low-priced deli, which offers salads, sandwiches and more, four stars out of 66 reviews. The menu also offers stuffed potatoes, soup and desserts.

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Concerning signature items, "Home of hand-crafted sandwiches, always fresh salads, giant stuffed spuds and our famous sweet tea," it states on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties.

4. Dagwood's Deli & Sub Shop

Photo: Brandi B./Yelp

Dagwood's Deli & Sub Shop, a deli and fast food spot that offers sandwiches and more located downtown, is another cheap go-to, with four stars out of 55 Yelp reviews. Head over to 923 Indiana Ave. to see for yourself. Look for the Hot Meatball Sub on the menu, which features seasoned meatballs, marinara sauce and provolone cheese.

In terms of signature items, "Gourmet deli sandwiches, soups and salads," it writes on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties. "All made to order. No production line type stuff."

5. DiBella's Subs

Over in Allisonville, check out this location of the national chain DiBella's Subs, which has earned four stars out of 44 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the deli, which offers sandwiches, salads and more, by heading over to 4335 E. 82nd St., Suite 103. On the menu, look for the Dagwood sub with turkey, ham and corned beef.

In terms of signature items, "At DiBellas Subs, the goal is always to make the best sub the customer has ever had," it writes on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties. "Every sandwich starts with freshly baked bread that is baked continuously throughout the day at the store's in-house bakery, giving the customer the freshest roll they've likely ever had. We custom prepare every sandwich using the highest quality of meats, cheeses and condiments, complemented by a choice of delicious toppings."

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.
(HealthDay)The prevalence of mental distress is 16.8 percent and the prevalence of depression is 32.1 percent among adults with arthritis, according to research published in the Jan. 3 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Janae D. Price, M.P.H., from the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues estimated the state-specific prevalence of frequent mental distress and history of depression among adults with arthritis using 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data.

The researchers found that among adults with arthritis in the 50 states and District of Columbia, the median state age-adjusted prevalence rates of frequent mental distress and history of depression were 16.8 percent (range, 12.9 to 22.4 percent) and 32.1 percent (range, 17.7 to 36.6 percent), respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence of frequent mental distress was significantly higher among women than men (19.9 versus 14.6 percent) and among those who were lesbian/gay/bisexual versus heterosexual (28.0 versus 16.8 percent). Similar findings were seen for the prevalence of a history of depression, with corresponding prevalence rates of 36.3 versus 24.0 percent and 46.7 versus 30.5 percent, respectively.

"The prevalences of both frequent mental distress and history of depression among adults with arthritis suggests that all adults with arthritis might benefit from systematic mental health screening by their provider and, if indicated, referral to mental health services and self-management education programs and engagement with mental health and allied professionals in a variety of clinical and community settings," the authors write.

Explore further Prevalence of anxiety, depression up for adults with arthritis

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
EU fishing agreements accused of contributing to overfishing in West Africa

by Aaron Orlowski

January 03,2020 | Source: SeafoodSource

European fishing vessels in West Africa  and the access agreements that allow them to fish there  threaten to undermine food security for local coastal communities, according to a recent study.



Fishing agreements between the European Union and West African countries continue to target fragile fish stocks in the region, according to Ifesinachi Okafor-Yarwood, who researches why people in West Africa are driven to illegal fishing and who recently published a study on the E.U.s contribution to overfishing in West Africa.



Driven by demand back home, E.U. vessels are targeting fragile fish species such as European anchovy, bigeye grunt, sardinellas, bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, and swordfish, according to the study. Small-scale fishermen in West Africa who rely on local fish could suffer if those populations become depleted.



Targeting African fisheries  despite evidence that some stocks are overexploited  has enabled the E.U. to preserve and regenerate fish populations in European waters while exporting overfishing abroad, according to Okafor-Yarwood.



"Their policies do not reflect the fact that they are in support of sustainable fisheries," Okafor-Yarwood, who earned her doctorate at Kings College London, told SeafoodSource. "The E.U. should be leading the way in making sure that they do not by their actions or inaction undermine sustainability of fisheries in that part of the world."



Okafor-Yarwoods study synthesized existing research, policy documents, and catch data in the E.U. and West African countries to conclude that fishing agreements between the two countries have shifted overcapacity in the E.U. fleet to West Africa, simultaneously shifting the decline in marine resources.



The E.U.s Common Fisheries Policy, first introduced in 1983, was originally created to preserve fish stocks, protect the marine environment, ensure the economic viability of European fleets, and provide consumers with quality food. But updates in 2013 explicitly extended sustainability requirements to third countries where the E.U. has arrangements to fish.



Access agreements arent the only problem, according to Beatrice Gorez, the coordinator for the Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements, which advocates in Europe for artisanal fishing communities in third countries. European Union fleets also target overexploited stocks in Africa through private licensing, chartering, joint venture agreements, and high seas fishing.



"It's important to consider all of these ventures if we want to combat overexploitation," Gorez told SeafoodSource. "An E.U. vessel barred from an agreement will just re-flag [or] get into a chartering operation [or] take private license in a neighboring country, and continue with the same negative impacts."



Allocating E.U. funds to pay for access agreements amounts to subsidizing fishing by artificially lowering costs for E.U. vessels in the region, Gorez said. Agreements that link financial compensation to permitted fishing levels end up encouraging overfishing because of the monetary incentives. Gorez believes that vessel owners should pay 100 percent of their access costs, and that payment levels should be set to help countries develop sustainable fisheries by funding monitoring, control, and surveillance, or research for artisanal fisheries.



But truly addressing overexploitation might require severely restricting access through zoning or even granting zero access.



"If we want to fight against the E.U. contribution to overexploitation, I feel the only way is to ensure E.U. fleets do not have any access to these resources, and this can be done through agreements," Gorez said. In addition to that, bottom-trawlers fishing in coastal tropical ecosystems have to scrapped.



"These [trawlers]  E.U., Chinese, locally flagged  are very destructive, compete with local fishing, and do not bring much to the coastal states," Gorez said.



Countries beyond the E.U. target fish populations in West Africa, especially China. But few governments proclaim such overt sustainability ambitions as the E.U.

 2020 Diversified Communications. All rights reserved.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its one of the best features of the Bayonne Bridge: A pathway that can be used by pedestrians and cyclists to cross the span between Staten Island and New Jersey.

But cracks in the surface covering of the walkway are already beginning to show, just eight months after the path was opened to the public.

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

The shared use path was opened last May 24, a few months after the newly raised bridge itself was opened following a six-year, $1.7 billion rebuild.

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The 8,400-foot path runs from Trantor Place on Staten Island to John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Bayonne.

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A Staten Island runner who used the walkway alerted me to cracks in the surface that he'd seen.

I took a walk across the span recently to see for myself.

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Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

It didn't take long for me to see the problem.

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There appeared to be many cracks.

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In some areas, it appeared that the cracks had been highlighted by spray paint, perhaps for purposes of repair.

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I saw a lot of these spray-painted areas.

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Some areas of the shared pathway, like this one, appeared to have been patched.

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Here's another.

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And another.

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In some areas, I saw many cracks.

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While other spots were in better condition.

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Here's a large area of cracks and white outlines.

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This spot appeared to be marked with an "X."

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While this one is highlighted by a circle.

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I saw the word "Replace" spray-painted onto this section of the pathway.

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This area was on the Bayonne side of the walkway.

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I saw a number of these marked areas.

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Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I wondered if people using the walkway had reason to be concerned about its structural safety.

So I reached out to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the bridge.

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In an email exchange, Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman told me, "There is absolutely no problem with the structural concrete."

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Coleman said, "The surface coating of the Shared Use Path (SUP) of the Bayonne Bridge is separate of the structural concrete slab."

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He said, "What you saw on the shared use path was crackling of a non-skid surface treatment applied on top of the structural concrete to improve traction and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians using the path."

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"Some areas of this covering were placed at the cooler range of the recommended ambient daily temperatures," Coleman said. "Application at these lower temperature may have caused the coating to crack. "

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He said, "Im told it is not uncommon for this type of coating to fragment."

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Coleman said, "We are pursuing other application procedures and we plan to recoat the entire SUP in late Spring/early Summer 2020."

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So the walkway is safe, according to the Port Authority. And I had no problems when I used it recently. I wasn't worried for my personal safety.

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Despite the cracks, which are easy to see.

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The 12-foot-wide path is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, but may be closed during foul weather.

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And the views are spectacular. But that's for another slideshow, so stay tuned!

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After taking over as the Army Chief, Gen M M Naravane will undertake his first visit to areas under the crucial Northern Command, including the Glacier, from January 9-10, sources said on Friday.

During his two-day visit to the areas under Northern Command, Naravane will also visit the Kashmir Valley, they said.

The Glacier is the world's highest-altitude battleground.

The Northern Command of the Indian Army is entrusted with manning the country's borders with Pakistan and China.

Naravane took charge as the Army Chief from Gen Bipin Rawat on December 31.
1 / 4 Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani was killed by the US on January 3, in an air strike at Baghdad airport ordered by President Donald Trump. Soleimani, who headed external operations of the Quds Force and was behind Iran's spreading military influence in West Asia, was in the crosshairs of America and its allies. Now, the question is, who was Soleimani and why the US killed him.

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Digital Editor
Copyright  2020 Albuquerque Journal

Twelve years after Danny Bacas bullet-riddled body was set on fire and left on Pajarito Mesa as a message to anyone who might decide to cross the Juarez cartel, the last man charged in his death was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years.

Friday morning in a hearing in a fourth-floor courtroom filled with two rows of his tearful and outraged family members, Jaime Veleta  whom prosecutors have called a cartel hitman  learned his fate.

During the trial, I couldnt help but think what the last minutes of (Bacas) life were like, prosecutor John Duran said as he asked for the maximum sentence. Being driven out to the middle of nowhere, in the dead of night, in the same time of year that we have now  cold  and essentially executed and lit on fire. Its egregious it took such a long time to bring this man to justice.

State District Judge Cindy Leos agreed, saying this was incredibly violent; it was premeditated.

After a weeklong trial in early October, a jury deliberated for only a couple of hours before finding Veleta guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy and kidnapping.

The ordeal started when 53-year-old Baca was tasked with taking $7,000 worth of marijuana and cocaine hidden in a compartment of a white Ford Mustang from Mexico to El Paso. Instead, he brought at least part of it to Albuquerque, possibly selling it.

So Veleta and cousins Jose and Mario Talavera went to his house in the East Mountains, looking for the missing drugs, and instead found the empty and dismantled car.

They took Baca to Pajarito Mesa, west of Albuquerque, and killed him.

This was a message clearly being sent by Mr. Veleta and his associates that these types of things are not tolerated, Duran said.

Jose Talavera, now 33, was arrested in 2011 in Valencia County. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in 2011 and was sentenced to 15 years. Mario Talavera, now 37, was arrested in 2015 after U.S. marshals tracked him down in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2017 and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Another accomplice, Gerardo Nunez, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and conspiracy in 2012 and agreed to testify against the other men, according to court documents.

Veleta was arrested in Mexico and extradited in 2018. He has been locked up in the Metropolitan Detention Center ever since.

Bacas family did not attend Fridays sentencing hearing.

When Veleta was given a chance to speak at the hearing, he addressed the prosecutor, pushing back on statements that the murder was willful and deliberate and expressing frustration with the way the trial went. He said he had not been on the run in Mexico, but rather had been living there with his family.

Im not that person they say I am  that Im a cartel member, Im a cartel assassin, Veleta said, standing next to his attorney. Im a hardworking man, and Ive always been a hardworking man. I have two daughters. I have a wife. I still have a family.

After the hearing, as his family filed out of the courthouse, his sisters referred to his statements, saying he did what he had to do to save his wife and daughter, who had been kidnapped.

We dont know how its first-degree murder willfully, Veronica Nunez said. It should be manslaughter.
As many as 20 residents from Delhis unauthorised colonies, including six women, received conveyance deeds and registration papers of their houses from Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on January 3.

The documents were handed over to 20 residents of Raja Vihar and Samaypur Badli ahead of Delhis assembly polls.

The documents were handed over to the residents under the Pradhan Mantri Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY). Till date, 57,432 residents have registered on the DDA portal to get ownership rights under the scheme.

As many as 3,500 applications have been completed so far, sources said.

"The money collected from the stamp duty and conveyance deed would be set aside for a special development fund and will be utilised for the development of social infrastructure in these colonies," Puri, minister of state (Independent/Charge), housing and urban affairs, told reporters.

Under the PM-UDAY (Prime Minister - Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana), a portal had been developed by DDA for registration of residents and filing application for conferment of rights in unauthorised colonies.

The beneficiaries would now be eligible to avail bank loans.

For facilitation of residents of unauthorised colonies, the DDA has opened as many as 50 help desks spread across Delhi.

PM-UDAY is for conferment of property rights to residents of Delhis 1,731 unauthorised colonies. Regularisation entails receiving approval of layout plans of the colony.

Conferment of property rights would allow residents to sell or purchase properties, avail bank loans, receive building plans approvals in case there is need to make changes to the current structure or construct a house on a vacant plot.

The conferment of ownership rights would also open the possibility of redevelopment.

DDA will come out with relaxed development control norms and incentives in terms of higher FAR so that new development can take place, Tarun Kapoor, vice Chairman, DDA, told reporters.
WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. John Katko on Friday said the U.S. airstrike that killed Irans top military commander was necessary and justified but he warned that the United States must be prepared for the consequences.

Iran promised harsh retaliation for the airstrike near Baghdads airport that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force and widely viewed as the second most powerful person in Iran.

Katko, R-Camillus, said Soleimani is responsible for the deaths of countless soldiers and Americans and behind the recent assault on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, with imminent plans of future attacks in the region.

But he added that President Donald Trumps administration must be ready for an Iranian response against U.S. interests at home and abroad.

With Tehran already vowing forceful revenge, there is no question this action will have consequences and the United States must be prepared, Kato said in a statement.

We need a decisive strategy and, as a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I recognize that we must be diligent in our efforts to bolster counterterrorism, Katko said. We must remain focused on keeping this country safe from retaliation  not only on the ground in the Middle East and here at home, but from potential cyberattacks against our nation.

Most House Republicans stood by Trumps actions on Friday. Some Democrats in Congress criticized Trump for failing to inform Congress ahead of the airstrike. Katkos office did not respond when asked whether Congress should have been consulted in advance of the attack.

Rep. Anthony Brindisi, D-Utica, said the attack raises questions about the administrations plans for dealing with Iran.

Congress needs to execute its constitutional responsibility and oversight of military operations, Brindisi said in a statement. The administration needs to present a clear plan that will protect Americas soldiers and our interests in the region. The American people and our brave men and women in uniform deserve that much.

Read more

Iran vows harsh retaliation for US killing of General Soleimani

NY 24 candidate: I oppose war with Iran, constitutional erosion that got us here (commentary)

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Image Credit: AITC Twitter

Siliguri/IBNS: Hitting out at Narendra Modi who has accused the Opposition of criticising Parliament instead of Pakistan, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked the Prime Minister whether he is an "ambassador of Pakistan" due to his repeated references to the neighbouring country.

Holding an anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, rally at Siliguri in north Bengal, Mamata said, "Why do you always refer to Pakistan? Are you the ambassador of Pakistan or what? Why do you always glorify Pakistan? You must speak about India and not Pakistan. Do not compare India with Pakistan."

"Whenever one asks about job and other necessities, the Prime Minister used to term him as a Pakistani. We are Hindustanis and not Pakistanis. We respect our own country."

Speaking in favour of the CAA at a rally in Karnataka, Modi on Thursday said, "The Congress and its partners are criticising Parliament but remains mum on Pakistan. They never criticise Pakistan. They should speak against Pakistan and not our own Parliament."

In her strong words against the Centre, the Chief Minister said she will never allow CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population of Register (NRC) in the state.

"At first we thought they were doing Census. Later we realised they were doing NPR in the name of Census. We will not allow NPR in West Bengal. We all are citizens," said the TMC chief urging people to unite against the BJP in the same land which had favoured the saffron party in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

(Image Credit: AITC Twitter)
For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergy, General Qassem Soleimani widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of US pressure.

For the US and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Irans proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.

Gen Soleimani survived the horror of Irans long war in the 1980s with Iraq to take control of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republics foreign campaigns.

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Gen Soleimanis popularity and mystique grew out of American officials calling for his killing.

By the time it came a decade-and-a-half later, Gen Soleimani had become Irans most recognisable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

The warfront is mankinds lost paradise, Gen Soleimani recounted in a 2009 interview.

One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries. But there is another kind of paradise.  The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed.

A US air strike killed Gen Soleimani, 62, and others as they travelled from Baghdads international airport early on Friday morning.

The Pentagon said President Donald Trump ordered the US military to take decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing a man once referred to by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a living martyr of the revolution.

Gen Soleimanis luck ran out after being rumoured dead several times in his life.

Those incidents included a 2006 plane crash that killed other military officials in north-western Iran and a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad.

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General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. https://t.co/Me5DMvMgSp  The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 3, 2020

More recently, rumours circulated in November 2015 that Gen Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

Iranian officials quickly vowed to take revenge amid months of tensions between Iran and the US following Mr Trump pulling out of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers.

While Gen Soleimani was the Guards most prominent general, many others in its ranks have experience in waging the asymmetrical, proxy attacks for which Iran has become known.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena, an adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on the social media app Telegram.

Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

Born on March 11 1957, Gen Soleimani was said in his homeland to have grown up near the mountainous and historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers.

The US State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Gen Soleimanis father was a peasant who received a piece of land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but later became encumbered by debts.

By the time he was 13, Gen Soleimani began working in construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organisation.

Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Gen Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake.

He deployed to Irans north west with forces that put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution.

Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war.

The fighting killed more than one million people and saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers.

Gen Soleimanis unit and others came under attack by Iraqi chemical weapons as well.

Amid the carnage, Gen Soleimani became known for his opposition to meaningless deaths on the battlefield, while still weeping at times with fervour when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

A burning vehicle at Baghdad International Airport following an air strike (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

After the Iraq-Iran war, Gen Soleimani largely disappeared from public view for several years, something analysts attribute to his wartime disagreements with Hashemi Rafsanjani, who would serve as Irans president from 1989 to 1997.

But after Mr Rafsanjani, Gen Soleimani became head of the Quds Force.

He also grew so close to Ayatollah Khamenei that the Supreme Leader officiated the wedding of the generals daughter.

As chief of the Quds  or Jerusalem  Force, Gen Soleimani oversaw the Guards foreign operations and would soon come to the attention of Americans following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

In secret US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, US officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Gen Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009.

Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi president Jalal Talabani offering a US official a message from Gen Soleimani acknowledging having hundreds of agents in the country, while pledging I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorised a bullet against the US.

US officials at the time dismissed Gen Soleimanis claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks.

Gen Qassem Soleimani (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

US forces would blame the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised explosive devices made IED a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a 2010 speech, US General David Petraeus recounted a message from Gen Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranians powers.

He said, Gen Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan, Gen Petraeus said.

The US and the United Nations put Gen Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though his travels continued.

In 2011, US officials also named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

But his greatest notoriety would arise from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of so-called Islamic State (IS).

Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Gen Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assads rule.

While a US-led coalition focused on air strikes, several ground victories for Iraqi forces came with photographs emerging of Gen Soleimani leading, never wearing a flak jacket.

Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life, one Iraqi militia commander said.
Segway has pulled inspiration from Jurassic World for a new personal transporter  a pod that resembles the gyrosphere.

Called S-Pod, this electric vehicle lets riders sit comfortably while powering the two-wheeled machine using a small joystick attached to the seat.

The S-Pod can hit speeds of 25 miles per hour and travel for about 44 miles on a single charge.

Similar to the original Segway scooter, the S-Pod also balances on two wheels as it travels.

However, a smaller third wheel has been added to the front for the vehicle to rest on when it comes to a stop.

Riders simply move a small joystick attached to the seat to guide the pod  similar to how the gryosphere in Jurassic World worked.

Scroll down for video

The S-Pod is an electric vehicle that lets riders sit comfortably while powering the two-wheeled machine using a small joystick attached to the seat. The S-Pod can hit speeds of 25 miles per hour and travel for about 44 miles on a single charge

For those who may not be comfortable using the joystick, the control pad can be removed, allowing the S-Pod to be controlled remotely.

The vehicle can hit speeds of almost 25 miles per hour and depending on the terrain, travel for 44 miles.

The company told The Verge that the S-Pod will debut in the third quarter of 2020 and that it plans to sell them to the public after that, possibly in 2021  a price for the vehicle has yet to be revealed.

The S-Pod will make its debut at Consumer Electronics Show 2020 next week in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Similar to the original Segway scooter, the S-Pod also balances on two wheels as it travels. However, a smaller third wheel has been added to the front for the vehicle to rest on when it comes to a stop

The firm is also set to display a new electric moped and a new electric scooter at the event.

Developed in conjunction with Ninebot, a Chinese robotics and transportation company that acquired Segway in 2015, the models are intended for mid- to long-range use, unlike Segways original, self-balancing standing transporter.

The most powerful variation of the Ninebot eScooter, called the E200P, will use dual lithium-ion batteries, reach top speeds of 62mph, go from 0 to 25mph in three seconds, and be able to travel as far as 124 miles on a single charge.

The eMoped will come in three variations, all of which will use lithium-ion batteries.

Segway has pulled inspiration from Jurassic World for a new personal transporter  a pod that resembles the gyrosphere (pictured)

The firm is also set to display a new electric moped (pictured) and a new electric scooter at the event

The least expensive model will deliver a 24-mile range, while the most expensive will carry customers 46 miles without a recharge.

A mid-range option will run for 37 miles.

All three models will hit a top speed of 15 miles per hour, and come with pedals to ensure users can keep moving even after the battery charge runs out.
Iran's top Iranian general killed in US airstrike

General Qassem Soleimani has been killed following a US air raid at Baghdad's international airport on Friday.

The United States killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and spearhead of Irans spreading military influence in the Middle East, on Friday in an air strike at Baghdad airport, the Pentagon and Iran said.

STRIKE AIMED AT DEFERRING FUTURE IRANIAN ATTACK PLANS

Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed in the attack, a militia spokesman said.

Iran's top Iranian general killed in US airstrike WATCH

At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani, the Pentagon said in a statement. This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, it added.

IRAN COMFIRMED HIS DEATH

US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Soleimani had been killed in a drone strike.

Irans Revolutionary Guards confirmed in a statement that Soleimani was killed. Honored supreme commander of Islam, Haj Qassim Soleimani, was martyred this morning after a life of struggle in an attack by American helicopters, the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement read on state TV.
Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces) fighters set the U.S. Embassy wall on fire as they protest to condemn air strikes on their bases, in Baghdad, Iraq December 31, 2019.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has urged American citizens to "depart Iraq immediately" after a U.S. airstrike killed Iran's top military commander, spiking tension in Iraq and the Middle East.

In a security alert issued Friday morning, the U.S. Embassy told citizens to "depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land."

The targeted killing of Major-General Qasem Soleimani, leader of the elite Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has drawn promises of retaliation from Tehran.
Photograph: Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Amy Klobuchar accepted a financial donation last year from a former prosecutor who has faced intense public condemnation for her handling of the Central Park Five rape case, in what may raise new questions about the Democratic candidates views on criminal justice.

Related: Donald Trump and the Central Park Five: the racially charged rise of a demagogue

Public records show Klobuchars primary campaign accepted $1,000 from Linda Fairstein in March last year and did not initially return the funds, despite public and vigorous criticism of the former prosecutor that erupted a few months later.

In an emailed statement, which was sent a day after the Guardian first requested a comment, a spokesperson for the Klobuchar campaign said the donation would be returned.

The campaign shouldnt have accepted this contribution and were returning it, a campaign spokesperson said.

Fairsteins prior record as head of the Manhattan district attorneys sex crimes unit came under renewed scrutiny last summer following the release of the Netflix series When They See Us, which examined the infamous 1989 case in which five innocent black and Latino teenagers were wrongly convicted and sent to jail for the rape of a white woman in Central Park.

A rapist and murderer who committed other crimes while the Central Park Five  Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Antron McCray and Yusef Salaam - were in prison later confessed to the crime.

The case has become a potent symbol of inequality in the US criminal justice system, and the unfair treatment of young black and Latino men. The men were awarded $41m in a settlement with the city of New York, but prosecutors never admitted to wrongdoing.

The Netflix film, by Ava DuVernay, helped to expose Fairsteins deeply flawed handling of the case, including the fact that the young mens convictions were based on coerced confessions and no forensic evidence. Fairstein, who became a crime novelist, resigned from various prominent board positions after the series was aired. Critics also called for a boycott of her books and popularized the hashtag #CancelLindaFairstein.

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The former prosecutor has called her depiction in the series grossly and maliciously inaccurate.

In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal last year, Fairstein said she agreed with the decision to vacate the rape convictions of the five after a DNA match concluded another man had committed the crime, but still insists that other charges  for first-degree assault, robbery, and riot, involving other people who were attacked that night  should have been kept in place against the men.

Fairsteins donation to Klobuchar was not the first time she participated in Democratic politics. She also hosted a fundraiser for Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts senator who is also running for the Democratic nomination, in 2012.

Asked about the event, Warrens campaign said in a statement last year: This was in 2012 but it was wrong. Lindas record is troubling  part of our deciding to run our presidential campaign the way we are is the decision to say Elizabeth is not going to give special access to high-dollar donors through closed-door fundraisers.

Fairstein also previously donated $5,400 to the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton. A 2014 item on Page Six in the New York Post described Fairstein as a personal friend of Bill Clinton, the former US president who is alleged by the tabloid of having once remarked that half of what I know about New York City I learned [from] Lindas books.

Klobuchar served as a prosecutor before becoming a senator from Minnesota. At that time, Klobuchar adopted a tough on crime policy, which has been criticised by progressives.

Writing in the Daily Appeal, Sarah Lustbader, a criminal defence attorney, said Klobuchars record was not callous or extreme, but that she did ramp up incarcerations in a way that was wrongheaded and cruel.
New Delhi: Indian Army Chief, Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday sent a strong warning to Pakistan, saying nuclear weapons are only good for deterrence and that the airstrike at Balakot terrorist camps by Air Force in February last year showed that terrorists cannot operate with impunity.

Historically, nuclear weapons have been good deterrence and that is where their role ends, Gen Naravane said, during a select media interaction.

He pointed out that recently India has been able to carry out two to three operations against Pakistan, without nuclear option coming into play.

Gen Naravane was responding to a question on how India can strike against terrorists across the Line of Control, without breaching the nuclear threshold.

Gen Naravane said that around 200-250 terrorists are waiting at different launch pads in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir. He said that daily infiltration attempts are being made.

He said the Balakot airstrike has shown that terrorist camps, their infrastructure and launch pads can be taken down.

Gen Naravane said that as a result of Balakot, there will be restrain by Pakistan and a note of caution before taking any escalatory action in the future.

Gen Naravane said that armed forces are preparing their modernisation ,not looking at the last war, but the next war.

He said that in future wars will involve use of more technology, robotics, cyber space and artificial intelligence.

He said that the proposal of the new Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Bipin Rawat to create a common Air Defence Command, to secure the country from aerial attacks is a good idea as this will allow the Army, Air Force and Navy to pool their resources and take a holistic view of the Air Defence.

Gen Naravane said the he disagrees with the allegations of politicisation of the armed forces.

The armed forces have been apolitical right since independence, he said.

Gen Naravane said that he agreed that infructuous ceremonial activities should be cut out. All the three services  Army, Navy and the Air Force  are on the same line on this, he said.
Members of the Muslim community, joined by students, held protests against the amended citizenship law in parts of Punjab on Friday.

At Malerkotla, protesters were led by former JNU student leader Umar Khalid.

On a call given by Muslim leaders in the state, they protested peacefully after Friday prayers, police said.

In Punjab's Muslim-dominated Malerkotla, some business establishments remained closed.

Black flags were put up on mosques in protest against the legislation.

The protesters carried placards terming the Citizenship Amendment Act "anti-Muslim" and against the Constitution.

They waved black flags and wore badges to show their resentment.

Punjab's Shahi Imam Habib-Ur-Rehman claimed that such protests were taking place throughout the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse)  Fri, January 3, 2020 07:07 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320a67df 2 Health sleep,health,pulmonary-fibrosis Free

New UK research suggests that people who regularly sleep too little or too much are more likely to have pulmonary fibrosis, compared to those who sleep the recommended seven hours a night.

The study, by researchers at the University of Manchester, looked at 500,074 participants taking part in the long-term UK Biobank study, which includes genomic data on more than half a million UK residents.

After finding that altering the internal body clock of mice could make the animals more likely to develop pulmonary fibrosis, the researchers wanted to see if the internal body clock, also known as circadian rhythm, could be linked to the disease in humans.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an incurable lung disease which occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. The thicker, stiffer tissue makes it more difficult for the lungs to work properly, and as the disease progresses, sufferers become increasingly short of breath. It can be caused by a variety of factors, and kills about 5,000 people a year in the UK, the same number as leukemia.

The findings of this recent study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that after taking into account known risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis such as body mass index, smoking, sex and age, participants who reported regularly sleeping four hours or less in a day had twice the chance of having the disease, while those sleeping 11 hours or longer in a day tripled their chance, compared to those sleeping seven hours per day.

Read also: Sleep more than nine hours and take naps? You could be increasing your risk of stroke

Working late shifts or having an evening chronotype (being a "night owl" and having a preference for staying up late rather than getting up early) were also associated with the disease, but to a lesser extent.

The researchers said that the link between sleep duration and pulmonary fibrosis is similar in strength to other known risk factors for the disease. They attribute the association to the circadian clock, which regulates nearly every cell in the human body and is the driving force between the 24-hour cycles in many biological processes such as sleeping, hormone secretion and metabolism. Their previous work suggests that the lung is a highly circadian organ, and its responses to its environment are regulated by circadian rhythms. The team also added that in the lungs these rhythms mainly affect processes in the normal lung tissue in the main airways. However, they found that in people with pulmonary fibrosis, the oscillations of this 'clock' also affect the fibrotic tissue found in the small air spaces, called alveoli. Scarring and thickening of the tissue around and between the alveoli is what causes pulmonary fibrosis, with the team adding that circadian oscillations can alter wound-healing.

Dr. John Blaikley, who led the project said, "Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating condition which is incurable at present. Therefore, the discovery that the body clock is potentially a key player potentially opens new ways to treat or prevent the condition. More work will need to be done around studying the association between pulmonary fibrosis and sleep duration to establish both causation and reproducibility. If these results are confirmed, then sleeping for the optimal time may reduce the impact of this devastating disease."
Beirut (AFP) - Carlos Ghosn claimed Thursday he organised his dramatic escape from bail in Japan alone as the disgraced auto tycoon enjoyed his first days of freedom in Beirut despite an Interpol arrest notice.

The exact circumstances of the former Renault-Nissan boss's escape from a case he said was "rigged" were unclear but media reports described a plot that had all the trappings of a spy novel.

Turkey said seven people had been detained for questioning, including four pilots, over how the wanted tycoon was able to transit through Istanbul.

Ghosn, who had been under house arrest in Tokyo since April, was believed to be holed up his central Beirut residence, where visitors filed in and out under the scrutiny of TV cameras.

His surprise return to Lebanon just before New Year's Eve raised fresh questions over his judicial status and marked the latest twist in a saga that has rocked the automotive and business world for more than a year.

Lebanon's state news agency quoted Justice Minister Albert Sarhan as announcing that "the public prosecutor... has received what is known as a red notice from Interpol in the Carlos Ghosn case".

An Interpol red notice is a request for a provisional arrest, pending extradition or prosecution, but it is not a warrant.

- Private operatives -

A Lebanese judicial source has already told AFP however that Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition agreement under which Ghosn -- who holds Lebanese, French and Brazilian nationalities -- could be sent back to Tokyo.

Ghosn stands accused in Japan of deferring part of his salary until after his retirement and concealing this from shareholders, as well as syphoning off millions in Nissan cash for his own purposes.

His escape caused deep embarrassment in Japan, where prosecutors launched an investigation into the security lapse and on Thursday searched his residence.

Japanese authorities are expected to analyse security camera footage from his residence and other places they suspect Ghosn travelled to before he fled, Japanese broadcaster NHK said.

Story continues

According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, Ghosn was smuggled out with the help of two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a music band for a Christmas party at his residence.

Quoting a Lebanese consultant in Tokyo, Kyodo said Ghosn hid in an instrument case before boarding a private jet -- a scenario a member of Ghosn's entourage has previously denied.

One of the operatives was a former Marine employed by a US security firm while the second worked for a Lebanese firm, Kyodo said.

More details could emerge when the former tycoon, who was first arrested in November 2018, speaks to the press in Beirut next week.

- Turkey arrests -

Ghosn denied through the Paris-based agency handling his PR that his family had anything to do with his escape.

"The media reports saying my wife Carole and other family members played a role in my departure from Japan are falsehoods. I alone organised my departure," he said.

Meanwhile Turkey also announced that it was holding seven individuals in connection with Ghosn's extraordinary escape.

The investigation is focused on two flights.

The first, a Bombardier labelled TC-TSR, flew from Osaka in Japan, landed in Istanbul at 5:15 am and parked in a hangar.

The second was a private jet to Beirut, a Bombardier Challenger 300 TC-RZA, which left 45 minutes later, according to the Turkish news agency DHA.

Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents seen by AFP.

NHK reported that the court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept "in a locked case" with the key held by his lawyers.

- Privilege and impunity -

Although Ghosn was restricted to his lush Beirut home only by the media's glare, not all in Lebanon welcomed his return.

Three lawyers submitted a report to the public prosecutor demanding that the businessman be prosecuted over a trip he made to Israel in 2008.

"Doing business with Israel is not a matter of opinion -- any normalisation is forbidden by law," Hassan Bazzi, one of the lawyers, told AFP.

Lebanon is technically still at war with Israel, which occupied the south of the country until 2000, and forbids its citizens from travelling there.

Ghosn had travelled to Israel and met then president Shimon Peres as part of a trip to support a partnership with an Israeli entrepreneur launching an electric car venture.

Some Lebanese see Ghosn as a symbol of their country's fabled entrepreneurial genius and a proud representative of its vast diaspora.

The mood has changed since his November 2018 arrest, however, and, weeks into an unprecedented wave of protests against corruption and nepotism, activists saw his return as another manifestation of privilege and impunity for the super-rich.
Ukraine has not imported gas from Russia for the fourth winter in a row, or 1,500 days. At the same time, the volume of Russian gas transited through the territory of Ukraine increased by 3% in 2019.

"As of January 1 (the fourth winter in a row), Ukraine has not imported gas for its needs from Russia for 1,496 days already. During this period, gas was supplied exclusively from the EU countries," reads the Ukrainian gas transmission system activity report for 2019.

At the same time, the volume of gas transited through the territory of Ukraine from the Russian Federation to European countries and Moldova in 2019 amounted to 89.6 billion cubic meters, up 3% or 2.8 billion cubic meters compared to the same period in 2018.

On December 30, Ukraine and the Russian Federation signed a five-year gas transit contract was with the possibility of extension for another ten years on the same terms. The minimum guaranteed volume of transited gas is 65 billion cubic meters for the first year and 40 billion cubic meters for the next four years.

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Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday (January 3) appointed Deputy Commander of the Quds Force Esmail Ghaani as the head of the unit after Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike earlier today in Baghdad, local media reported.

Tasnim News Agency quoted a statement by Khamenei as saying that the force`s programme will remain "unaltered from the time of Ghaani`s predecessor." "Following the martyrdom of glorious General Haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps", Khamenei said, as reported by Sputnik.

Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others, were killed in the airstrike carried out by the United States near Baghdad`s international airport. The strike has escalated tensions between the US and Iran, with Tehran vowing to take a "vigorous revenge" for the killing.

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France has urged its citizens in Iran to stay away from public gatherings and the Netherlands told Dutch nationals to leave Baghdad after the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq.

Earlier, Washington had told US citizens to leave Iraq, after Tehran threatened retaliation for the US strike that killed Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force and architect of Iran`s spreading military influence in the Middle East.

"Three days of mourning have been declared after the death of General Soleimani. In this context, we recommend French citizens to stay away from any gatherings and to behave with prudence and discretion and abstain from taking pictures in public spaces," France`s embassy in Tehran said on Twitter.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry told Dutch citizens to leave Baghdad "if that is possible in a safe manner." "Unrest and violence have increased in Baghdad, and around the airport. The situation is unpredictable," the Dutch ministry said in a statement.

Iran threatened to hit back US hard

Meanwhile, Iran threatened on Friday to hit back hard after a US airstrike in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran`s elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East.

Soleimani, a general, was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The overnight attack, authorised by President Donald Trump, marked a dramatic escalation in a "shadow war" in the Middle East between Iran and the United States and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed in the attack. Iran has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with an attack on the US embassy in Iraq by pro-Iranian militiamen following a US air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis.

Responding to the strike, Iraq`s prime minister said Washington had violated a deal for keeping US troops in his country. Israel put its army on high alert and US allies in Europe including Britain, France and Germany voiced concerns about an escalation in tensions.

The Pentagon said the "US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani". Trump ordered the strike to disrupt future Iranian attack plans, it said.

Concern about disruption to Middle East oil supplies, including shipping crude through the Gulf, pushed prices up nearly $3 a barrel. US employees of foreign oil companies in Basra were preparing to leave the country, but Iraq`s oil ministry said output and exports were unaffected.

Khamenei said harsh revenge awaited the "criminals" who killed Soleimani. His death, though bitter, would double the motivation of the resistance against the United States and Israel, he said.

In a statement carried by state television he called for three days of national mourning. Khamenei quickly appointed Soleimani`s deputy, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, to replace him as Quds Force head. The force`s agenda "will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor," Khamenei said in a statement.

Analysts say Iran is likely to respond forcefully to the targeting of Soleimani, who had survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades.

(With ANI/Reuters Inputs)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 09:47:13|Editor: ZD

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KAMPALA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday said at least 3,916 babies were born in Uganda on New Year's Day.

The east African country's newborns accounted for approximately 1 percent of an estimated 392,078 babies born worldwide on New Year's Day, UNICEF said in a joint statement issued here.

Each January, UNICEF celebrates babies born on New Year's Day, an auspicious day for child birth around the world.

"The beginning of a new year and a new decade is an opportunity to reflect on our hopes and aspirations not only for our future, but the future of those who will come after us," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

"As the calendar flips each January, we are reminded of all the possibility and potential of each child embarking on her or his life's journey -- if they are just given that chance," she said.

UNICEF said over the past three decades, the world has seen remarkable progress in child survival, cutting the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday by more than half.

However, there has been slower progress for newborns, with babies dying in the first month accounting for 47 percent of all deaths among children under five in 2018, up from 40 percent in 1990.

In Uganda, newborn deaths have stagnated at 27 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the children's agency. The leading causes of newborn mortality are complications of prematurity, birth asphyxia and severe infections, while one third of under-five deaths is due to largely preventable or treatable conditions, such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea.

Under-five mortality in Uganda reduced from 90 to 64 per 1,000 live births between 2011 and 2016, according to official statistics.

"Uganda has invested in ensuring child survival through community and facility level interventions hence the reductions we see in child mortality," said Jane Ruth Aceng, Uganda's minister of health, said in the statement.

"Additional efforts will focus on bringing services closer to our people through infrastructural development, including advanced care for all newborns by establishing special care units in hospitals and Health Centre IVs," she said.
A hostage standoff has ended peacefully in Illinois when a gunman who barricaded himself inside a bank surrendered to police after nearly seven hours of negotiations.

Dramatic video footage shows heavily armed SWAT team officers take a gunman into custody after a six-and-a-half hour standoff at Heritage Credit Union in Rockford on Friday.

The footage from WTVO-TV shows a man believed to be the gunman and his hostage, a woman, emerge from the bank with their hands up.

The tense scene begins as the entrance door to the bank opens. The suspect and the hostage then slowly walk out with their hands in the air.

Video footage shows the dramatic end to a tense six-and-a-half hour standoff at a Rockford, Illinois, bank, where a gunman took a woman hostage. The woman is seen with her hands up while the suspect is a few feet behind her kneeling on Friday night

Officers arrest the suspect, who is tackled to the ground on the left, while the hostage (right) is quickly ushered away from the scene

Officers then take the suspect (seen above in a dark-colored knitted cap) into custody

SWAT officers then order the man to get on his knees while keeping his hands in the air.

The woman is then seen standing still with her hands above her shoulders.

The officers, who are holding ballistic shields, slowly approach the hostage-taker as he is kneeling just a few feet away.

One of the officers grabs the man's hands and places them in handcuffs.

Two other officers take hold of the woman and quickly usher her away from the suspect.

Moments later, as the suspect is held down against the ground, officers remove what appears to be the gun used to hold up the bank.

The arresting officers lift the man up off the ground. He is wearing a knitted dark-colored cap.

The suspect is a white male. Authorities have yet to release information as to his identity.

Police say the man entered Heritage Credit Union in Rockford at around 2.30pm and demanded people leave, WREX reports.

Not everyone was able to exit the building at at 5959 E. State Street and the man barricaded himself inside.

Police say the man entered Heritage Credit Union in Rockford at around 2.30pm. Officers are pictured at the scene

The gunman demanded people leave. Not everyone was able to exit the building at at 5959 E. State Street and the man barricaded himself inside

Before the suspect surrendered, Rockford Police tweeted: 'ARMED ROBBERY: This afternoon at approximately 2:30 p.m. there was an armed robbery at the Heritage Bank on State and Mulford.

'The armed suspect has barricaded himself inside with one or more employees or customers.'

The department later updated followers, writing: 'UPDATE: At this time, one hostage is believed to be inside the credit union with the suspect. Officers are still working to resolve the incident peacefully.'

Rockford Police Chief Dan OShea told reporters: 'Were trying to make communications with him with our crisis negotiation team.

'No one is hurt at this point that were aware of... hopefully we can resolve this peacefully and soon.'

Rockford Police Chief Dan OShea told reporters: 'Were trying to make communications with him with our crisis negotiation team'
Mary Paula Arends-Kuenning Credit: Marianne Stein

School test scores often show gaps in performance between white and non-white students. Understanding the complex reasons behind this can help reduce those gaps and promote social equality, explains Mary Paula Arends-Kuenning, associate professor of agricultural and consumer economics at the University of Illinois.

Arends-Kuenning is co-author of a study that analyzes math test scores for 9th-grade students in Brazil and breaks down the characteristics associated with performance gaps between different racial groups.

"The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of why there's a gap between black students and white students in Brazil, in order to inform policies to narrow that gap," she says.

Arends-Kuenning and co-author Kalinca Leia Becker, who served as a visiting Fulbright Junior Faculty Scholar at U of I, analyzed various factors that might influence the performance gap. This allowed them to estimate the effect of socio-economic characteristics such as parental education and standard of living and school characteristics such as quality of education. The gap still remaining after accounting for these factors may be due to racial discrimination and stereotypes, Arends-Kuenning says.

A unique contribution of this paper is to perform a decomposition (break-down) of factors that influence performance gaps at different test score levels rather than just looking at averages.

The researchers found that for students with test scores in the lower and middle range, the performance gaps can largely be associated with socio-economic factors; however, for higher-scoring students, structural factors that might be attributed to discrimination and stereotypes play a greater role.

Understanding the complexity of how various factors interact can help inform policy interventions, Arends-Kuenning explains.

"For example, we know that parents' education has a big effect on student performance in school. One reason blacks might do worse in school than whites is that the black students have parents who have lower levels of education than the parents of white students.

"But we can also look at how those characteristics are rewarded in the school. It might be the case that having a parent with a high school education has more of an impact on your achievement if you're white than it does if you're black. And that could be due to many factors, but one factor might be discrimination. Something is blunting the effect of the education on the students' performance for different racial groups."

The researchers used test data from the Brazilian National Evaluation System of Basic Education (SAEB), which is conducted biannually at public schools for 5th-, 9th-, and 11th-grade students. SAEB measures cognitive ability, and also collects information about student and family characteristics.

They analyzed math scores from 2015 for students in 9th grade, which is the last year of middle school in Brazil. They compared results from white, brown (mixed-race), black, and indigenous students. The racial distribution of the Brazilian population is 42% white, 48% brown, 9.3% black, and 0.5% indigenous.

The study looked at four groups of variables that might influence results. Those included characteristics of the student, such as age and gender; family characteristics, such as parental education level and standard of living; classroom characteristics, such as size, racial composition, and teacher attributes; and school characteristics, such as infrastructure and the principal's gender and race.

"This paper is innovative because it looks at differences in performance not just on average, but across the entire distribution, at the 10th, 50th and 90th percentile," Arends-Kuenning says.

The study showed that for scores in the lower and middle percentiles, student performance gaps can mostly be explained by differences in socio-economic and school characteristics, such as parents' educational level and education quality.

"However, when you get to the upper end of the distribution, we find that the performance gap is also influenced by other factors, which might include discrimination and stereotype threat; that is, how students are treated in school," Arends-Kuenning says.

The study's results indicate that it's important to invest in education, not just for the current generation of students. When those students grow up and raise families, it will affect their children too. That's especially important for students who are at the lower end of the performance distribution.

"For the high-performing students, other interventions are needed," Arends-Kuenning explains. "The first step is to being aware that there is discrimination, and help students understand that it might be affecting why they are not doing well on standardized tests. The next step is to establish a policy to help students confront stereotype threat."

Explore further The new racial disparity in special education

More information: Kalinca Leia Becker et al, Analysis of Math Test Score Gap Between White and Non-White Students in Brazilian Public Schools: SAEB 2015, The Review of Black Political Economy (2019). Kalinca Leia Becker et al, Analysis of Math Test Score Gap Between White and Non-White Students in Brazilian Public Schools: SAEB 2015,(2019). DOI: 10.1177/0034644619879381
Downtown Carlisle Association earned honors from Main Street America for its Love Local program.

The organization was one of 16 American downtown Main Street organizations honored in the Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion Innovation Contest. The contest recognized creative ideas for driving business into downtowns on Small Business Saturday.

DCA promotions committee and staff, assisted by Chad Kimmel of Grand Illusion Hard Cider Bar, produced the winning Love Local campaign, the association said in a news release Thursday. Based on the marketing principle of you buy more from people you know, the program told the stories behind the local store owners.

The intention was to get the story behind the store, who is this entrepreneur, what got them to open a store, when did they know they wanted to choose this local-store-owner life, and why did they open in Carlisle? said Glenn White, executive director of the DCA.

Many store owners participated through surveys, calls and interviews.

This was a free promotion tied to our Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion advertising to all downtown businesses on what has become the largest shopping day in downtown said Virginia Mauk, DCAs Business Development Specialist.

Advertising consisted of partnerships with the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce and Borough of Carlisle on news conferences and news releases, ads on Cumberlink and PennLive, a pull-out downtown shopping map in The Sentinel and social media posts on Facebook.

The Love Local campaign was embedded in all marketing and included the store owner profiles being highlighted the week leading up to Small Business Saturday on social media channels. Finally, window posters were made with each businesses profile and hung on the doors or windows of each business.

The Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion Innovation Contest offered a top prize of a $1,000 gift card. Other winners will receive $500 on a gift card. The DCA said it will use the winnings to reimburse advertising and printing costs.

Email Tammie at tgitt@cumberlink.com. Follow her on Twitter @TammieGitt.

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Former Renault- boss Carlos Ghosn, who skipped bail in Japan and fled to Beirut, is due to be summoned by Lebanon's public prosecutor next week, an official said on Friday.

Japanese investigators are probing how the man who was once the country's best paid corporate executive managed to slip out of house arrest and dodge trial, causing a national embarrassment.

In Turkey, where Ghosn switched jets on his way to Beirut, a private aviation company said its aircraft were used illegally and filed a complaint after the authorities arrested seven individuals over the secret transit.

The Lebanese authorities have already stressed that Ghosn -- who holds the French, Lebanese and Brazilian nationalities -- had entered the country legally and that Beirut had no extradition agreement with Japan.

An official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity said a summons was expected to be handed to Ghosn next week, as a result of Interpol issuing a "red notice" against him.

"The Lebanese judiciary is obliged to hear him. But it can still decide whether to arrest him or let him remain free," the official said, adding that Ghosn could be heard on January 7 or 8.

Ghosn was arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 and has been under house arrest since April, facing multiple charges of financial misconduct.

An Interpol "red notice" is a request to law enforcement across the world to provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or similar legal action. It is not an arrest warrant.

The exact circumstances of Ghosn's escape remain unclear and Japanese investigators searched his Tokyo residence Thursday for clues.

On Thursday, Kyodo News quoted an associate of Ghosn, Imad Ajami, as claiming the tycoon was helped by two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a music band for a Christmas party.

But according to public broadcaster NHK, a surveillance camera at his Tokyo residence showed him leaving alone around noon on December 29 and not returning.

In Turkey, the interior ministry opened an investigation into how was able to switch private jets in Istanbul unnoticed.

The probe is focused on two jets: one that flew from Osaka to Istanbul, from where another took off 45 minutes later, bound for Beirut.

The Turkish private jet company MNG filed a complaint Friday alleging its aircraft were used illegally and said one employee admitted to falsifying the flight manifest to keep Ghosn off the passenger list.

Ghosn said in a statement on Thursday that he acted alone without his family's help.

The 65-year-old is due to speak to the media in Beirut next week.

"I have not fled justice -- I have escaped injustice and political persecution," Ghosn had said in a December 31 statement.

Ghosn has not been seen in public since he arrived in Lebanon, where he is believed to be holed up in a central Beirut residence.

Ghosn, who was born in Brazil, is well connected in Lebanon, where he owns stakes in several major business ventures and firms.

Some Lebanese see him as a symbol of their country's fabled entrepreneurial genius and a star representative of its vast diaspora.

The mood has changed since his November 2018 arrest, however, and weeks into an unprecedented wave of protests against corruption and nepotism, activists saw his return as another manifestation of privilege and impunity for the super-rich.
Sadaf Jafar's arrest and incarceration generated widespread outrage among social activists and Twitterati.

An Uttar Pradesh court has granted bail to teacher-actor-activist Sadaf Jafar, former IPS officer SR Darapuri, Pawan Rao Ambedkar and several others today. Arrested on 19 December, 2019, in Lucknow after the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, the activists have spent close to 15 days in jail during harsh weather.

Confirming the news, Sadafs sister Naheed Verma, who has been crucial in taking forward the legal battle, said, We are very thankful to all the well-wishers because of whom she could get bail.

The sessions court earlier rejected Sadaf's bail. Her arrest and incarceration generated widespread outrage among social activists, Twitterati and celebrities. On Thursday, thousands of people took to Twitter to get the the hashtag FreeSadaf trending. Various film personalities including Sushant Singh Rajput, Mahesh Bhatt, Swara Bhaskar and others also demanded Sadaf's release.

Sadafs case threw a light on the treatment being meted out to activists and protesters arrested in the aftermath of anti-CAA protests in Uttar Pradesh. Sadaf was arrested on 19 December and allegedly brutally beaten in police custody, which caused her to bleed internally. Activist Robin Verma, also from Rihai Manch, was allegedly beaten in Hazratganj police station.

Apart from Sadaf, Rihai Manch president Mohhamad Shoaib, former IPS officer SR Darapuri, Magsaysay award winner Sandeep Pandey were first placed under preventive detention. Darapuri and Shoaib were arrested later under sections 147, 148, 149, 152, 307, 323, 504, 506, 332, 353, 188, 534, 436, 120-B, 427 of the IPC and other Acts.

After a petition was filed on Sadaf's behalf demanding quashing of all the cases against her, the Allahabad High Court issued a notice on Thursday in which it sought the governments response within two weeks on Sadafs arrest. The petition claimed her arrest was illegal. Harjot Singh, Sadafs lawyer said that they have also demanded a probe not below the rank of superintendent of police under the judicial scrutiny over the charges slapped against her.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, speaking on Sadaf's arrest, earlier said that the Uttar Pradesh government had crossed all limits of inhumanity. Priyanka, meeting Sadafs children and family. said, The police have put Sadaf in jail by making baseless allegations.

More than 100 were arrested after the 19 December protests. Sadaf was filming videos of demonstrators at the time of her arrest. Previously, a report quoted the SHO of Hazratganj Police Station as saying that Sadaf was arrested along with violent protesters and added, We have sufficient video evidence of her involvement in the protest on 19 December. She can appeal against her arrest in court. Her sister had said Sadaf is innocent and that she should be released soon as she is a single parent.

The author is a researcher and writer working on forest and agrarian rights, gender-based violence and human rights issues.
India has over 5,000 years of history, can't consider Gandhi as father of nation: Savarkar's grandson

BJP invokes Mahatma Gandhi to defend CAA

India

oi-PTI

Indore, Jan 03: The BJP on Friday invoked Mahatma Gandhi to defend the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), claiming that the Father of the Nation had said if Sikhs and Hindus living as minority in Pakistan want to return to India, the country would welcome them and fulfil their primary needs.

Talking to reporters here, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya also said that the Modi government was currently not considering to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country. However, he said that there was nothing wrong in implementing the NRC as it is just a "process of registering the citizens of the country".

Don't get misled on CAA, NRC: UP CM's appeal to people

"The prime minister himself has said that no decision has been taken by the Centre to implement the NRC across the country...But what is NRC? It is the process of registering the country's citizens. Why shouldn't it be implemented?" Vijayvargiya asked.

"We should know who is living in our country. This country is a not a dharmashala (charity shelter)," he said.

Hitting out at the opposition over the anti-CAA protests, he said it was part of their "dirty politics".

"What is against the Islam in the CAA? There is no threat to the citizenship of Indian Muslims by this law. But irresponsible opposition, including the Left parties, are spreading propaganda about the CAA under a conspiracy of their dirty politics and spreading chaos in the country," he said.

"After the Independence, Mahatma Gandhi himself had said that if Sikhs and Hindus living as a minority in Pakistan feel that they want to come to India, the country will not only welcome them, but also fulfil their primary needs, including employment," Vijayvargiya added.

Without naming the Congress, he said, "Some political parties only sought votes in the name of Mahatma Gandhi. But the leaders of our party (BJP) implemented what Mahatma Gandhi has said, whether it is through the Clean India campaign or the CAA," he said.

Govt won't budge on CAA despite opposition criticism: Amit Shah

Under the CAA, people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 owing to their religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants and will be given Indian citizenship.

Responding to a query, Vijayvargiya said, "Do you agree with the suggestion that Rohingya Muslims should be allowed to live in our country?"

When asked about the booklet distributed at a camp of Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, which questioned the credentials of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar as a patriot, he said, "If someone spits towards the sky, it will fall on his face. The Congress' comments will not affect the reputation of a patriot like Savarkar, but it will definitely expose the Congress."

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Story first published: Friday, January 3, 2020, 16:57 [IST]
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress's Delhi unit chief Subhash Chopra on Friday dismissed any possibility of an alliance with the AAP for the forthcoming assembly polls, asserting his party will win a "clear majority" on its own and form the next government in the city.

Congress and AAP were involved in a long deliberation for an alliance to take on the BJP in Delhi ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, but the two parties failed to reach an agreement on seat-sharing.

"I would like to make it very clear, we are going to have clear majority. We are going to form the next government in Delhi. There is no chance of any kind of alliance," Chopra said when asked if the Congress was considering an alliance with AAP before or after the assembly polls, likely in February.

An announcement for the Delhi Assembly election is likely to be made in a few days.

Asked about number of seats his party expects to win, Chopra claimed the Congress will win a "clear majority" in the election to the 70 assembly seats.

The Delhi Congress on Friday set up an election "war room" at the party office on DDU Marg.

The war room, comprising 14 workstations manned by 30 volunteers, will provide logistic support to party candidates in the election.

Each volunteer will handle five constituencies and establish contact with party workers and leaders in those areas.

ALSO READ | Hitting out at BJP, AAP wishes happy new year to 'all seven CM candidates' of party

The ruling AAP has already rejected the possibility of forming an alliance with the Congress for the assembly polls, with senior party leader Sanjay Singh saying Congress is not even in the competition.

However, AICC in-charge of Delhi Congress PC Chacko asserted his party is "fully prepared" for the elections.

"We are very hopeful and confident that our graph is going up and we are sure Congress will come back to power single-handedly," Chacko told reporters.

Chopra said Congress will approach voters and highlight the work done by the Sheila Dikshit government in Delhi during its 15-year rule.

He also reiterated his party's poll promises of providing relief to consumers using up to 600 unit of electricity per month, free power to farmers and relief to small shopkeepers consuming up to 200 units of power.

The election committee of Delhi Congress will meet on Saturday to discuss candidate selection.

"We will give priority to youth and experience in candidate selection which will be completed soon," Chopra said.
The New York Times kicked off 2020 with a large feature story attempting to drum up outrage over the University of Wisconsin's Homecoming Committee releasing a video which had a lot of white students in it.



Even though the video had many non-white people in it, the New York Times suggested the fact "virtually everyone" in the video "was white" was an indictment of the university in itself.



"A 2-minute video was meant to unite the University of Wisconsin," The New York Times said. "Instead, it prompted a reckoning over race: Virtually everyone in it was white."





A 2-minute video was meant to unite the University of Wisconsin. Instead, it prompted a reckoning over race: Virtually everyone in it was white.https://t.co/bYaz02BTbn  The New York Times (@nytimes) January 1, 2020

"The outrage was almost instantaneous," the Times claimed, before going on to insist the video "galvanized and divided a university plagued by a history of racist incidents."



(The first article the Times linked to claimed some people allegedly shouted a racial slur out of their car, someone scrawled a racial slur on an Obama biography and some sorority girls mimicked an Asian accent as part of a skit. The second article was a story about someone having scrawled the N-word in a bathroom.)



"It made people uncomfortable, seeing a lot of people who look alike representing the university," The Times quoted student newspaper reporter Emilie Cochran as saying, "And it woke people up, saying, this is actually what our university looks like."





Wisconsin is 85.6% white, 6.4% black, 2.76% Asian. University of Wisconsin-Madison is 69.9% White, 5.58% Asian, 4.81% Hispanic, 2.91% Two or More Races, 2.25% Black or African American, 0.221% so it isn't shocking that a video of the University of Wisconsin would be mostly white  Greg West (@GregWest_HALOJM) January 1, 2020



"UW-Madison is home to Black students who fear for their safety because of the color of their skin," student Payton Wade claimed.



The students deleted the video and issued a groveling apology but that wasn't enough. The second largest newspaper in the state, The Wisconsin State Journal, ran an article in Oct 2019 highlighting the supposed outrage over the video featuring "almost exclusively white students."



(Incidentally, isn't it funny that the media which will one day say there's no such thing as "white" people and claim that Irish people and Italians were not considered "white" will turn around and say everyone with light skin is "white" when it suits their agenda?)



In a stunt which appears to have been aimed at playing up their victimization, a few weeks after the video was released "anonymous" students (who seem to have been caught by the university but not named) staged what amounts to a hate hoax by writing on a sign, "UW 4 WHITES ONLY."





Another #hatehoax: UW 4 WHITES ONLY! sign posted on @UWMadison campus. Students & admin panicked. Calls for those responsible to be expelled. Turns out to be a hoax campaign by social justice activists to bring awareness to trans people of color. https://t.co/CP8XafV18c pic.twitter.com/A9G5BVf7bs  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) October 22, 2019



As The College Fix reported, the school assumed it was evidence of "hate and racism" on their campus by white people.





UW stands against hate and racism.



Were aware that, last night, a racist message was posted on a building sign outside Science Hall.



We are removing this message and any others and @UWMadisonPolice is investigating. We will provide more info later today.  UW-Madison (@UWMadison) October 18, 2019



After more signs were discovered, one reading, "UW DON'T CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE" and another reading, "I'M TIRED OF HAVING TO TEACH MY TEACHERS," they finally realized it was a sham.





Update: Multiple posters around campus appear to be part of a coordinated campaign calling attention to experiences of underrepresented students.



Details: https://t.co/YHy5FO4ndl pic.twitter.com/Ms31Mf6WvO  UW-Madison (@UWMadison) October 18, 2019



Nonetheless, the Times described the now-debunked incident as triggering "a big explosion of racial tension" and said the campus was left "shaken and confused once again."



University officials "declined to identify the people involved" and the Times reports "[n]o one claimed responsibility by name, but a group of anonymous students issued a public apology."



Even when hate hoaxes are exposed, white people are still cast as the oppressors and those who staged the hoax are still cast as the victims.



Anti-white, hate-filled racist outlets like the Times love to headline race when white people are portrayed as the oppressors but hide race when white people are shown as victims.







This is the only form of "racism" not only permitted by the controlled media but actively promoted and encouraged.







Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds.




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Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Sat, January 4 2020

Skyward: Air Force personnel load equipment onto a CN-295 plane that will be deployed for a weather-modification operation at Halim Perdanakusuma air base in East Jakarta on Friday. The operation aims to reduce rain intensity across Greater Jakarta and prevent further flooding. (Antara/Aprillio Akbar)

While officials and politicians in Jakarta indulge in a blame game over responsibility for the severe flooding in Greater Jakarta, it seems that few people are willing to acknowledge that the climate crisis has hammered the country once again by inundating the capital in more water than it can cope with.

Aside from revealing the real culprit behind the floods, scientists also broke the bad news that such extreme weather might become a new normal in the future, urging everyone to be more prepared ahead of future disasters.

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Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Quds Force, attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran on Feb. 11, 2016. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

Republican and Democrat Lawmakers Respond to Killing of Top Iranian General

The U.S. airstrike which killed the Iranian regimes top military general, Qassim Soleimani (also Qassem Soleimani), late Thursday has divided Congress largely along party lines, with reactions both praising and condemning the actions of President Donald Trump, who authorized the strike.

The Department of Defense confirmed late Thursday that Soleimani was killed at the direction of the President.

Under Trumps authorization, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the department said in a statement.

The department said that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

A photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early on Jan. 2, 2020. (HO, Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via AP)

Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said on Twitter. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice.

Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, she wrote.

Republican lawmakers praised Trump for the airstrike, saying he had brought justice to U.S. military families.

Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing. @realDonaldTrump   Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 3, 2020

Sen.Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Soleimanis death presents an opportunity for Iraq to determine its own future free from Iranian control.

As I have previously warned the Iranian government, they should not mistake our reasonable restraint in response to their previous attacks as weakness.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: I appreciate President Trumps bold action against Iranian aggression. To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was quick to condemn the strike, warning that tensions between the United States and Iran could spiral out of control.

Tonights airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence. Americaand the worldcannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return, Pelosi said, adding that the strikes were conducted without the consultation of the Congress.

The Administration has conducted tonights strikes in Iraq without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran, she added.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said that while Soleimani was an enemy of the United States, the killing could put more Americans at risk.

One reason we dont generally (assassinate) foreign political officials is the belief that such action will get more, not less, Americans killed, Murphy said on Twitter. That should be our real, pressing and grave worry tonight.

Democratic presidential contender Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) described the move as a reckless one which escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict.

Our priority must be to avoid another costly war, Warren added.

According to the United States, Soleimani was responsible for orchestrating attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past two months, which included the attack at the military base in northern Iraq on Dec. 27.

Defence Secretary Mark Esper told the press on Jan. 2 before the Soleimani strike that Irans provocative behavior in Iraq has been clear for all to see. Theyve been shooting rockets, indirect fire, any type of things, attacking our bases  In the last [two months] alone, weve nearly a dozen attacks against U.S. forces, against our coalition partners.

Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place earlier this week, the department said.

Protesters burn property in front of the U.S. embassy compound, in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 31, 2019. (Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo)

This strike [at Solemaini] was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, the DoD announced. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

Trump on Dec. 31 told reporters at Mar-a-Lago club in Florida that he does not want war with Iran, dismissing concerns that tensions between the two countries could spiral into war.

Do I want to? No. I want to have peace. I like peace, he said. And Iran should want to have peace more than anybody. So I dont see that happening.

Mimi Nguyen Ly and Melanie Sun contributed to this report.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Friday that it has arrested three persons, including the then Superintendent of the Department of Higher Education, in connection with the alleged irregularities in Himachal Pradesh's pre-matric and post-matric scholarship scheme.

The central probe agency said that it has arrested Arvind Rajta, Superintendent Grade-II, Department of Higher Education, Hitesh Gandhi, Vice Chairman of K.C. Group of Institutions, and S.P Singh, head cashier, Central Bank of India.

A CBI official said that Raijta was arrested from Shimla, while Gandhi and Singh were arrested from Nawanshahr in Punjab.

The CBI has registered a case on the request of Himachal Pradesh government and further notification from Central government on May 7, 2019 against unknown persons under sections of criminal breach, cheating by impersonation, forgery, forgery of record of court or of public register and using forged documents as genuine.

The official said that the CBI had registered a case against unknown officials for alleged misappropriation of scholarship funds meant for Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe, Other Backward Classes and minority community to the tune of around Rs 220 crore between 2013-14 and 2016-17.

It was further alleged that the income or caste certificates of alleged students were not genuine. The CBI had earlier conducted searches at the location of 21 private institutes in May last year after registering the case.

The arrested persons will be produced before the designated court.
On January 13, the Gelendzhik Airport opens direct flights to Moscow, the Novorossiysk Transport Department informs.

It is specified that flights will be operated weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The final destination is the Domodedovo Airport.

The first flight from Moscow is scheduled for 10:50 with arrival in Gelendzhik at 13:00, the return flight will depart at 13:50.
Property and stock losses have been devastating in Victorias already battered north-east and Upper Murray regions, residents said, as they prepared for conditions to worsen dramatically on Saturday.

Temperatures are expected to reach up to 44 degrees, with dry conditions and gusty winds combining to create a horror recipe for firefighters and local residents as the fire front marches west.

There were early reports of properties razed in the Cudgewa and Corryong earlier in the week, as more people evacuated to Albury-Wodonga and beyond.

In Tallangatta, south-east of Wodonga, IGA owner Vince Ciccone said everyone was anxious, and the smoke was too thick to assess the devastation.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Branding him a clear and present danger to society and an exploding volcano, a justice on Friday slammed a New Brighton man convicted of a sex-attack rampage two years ago on the North Shore with a 35-year prison sentence.

This defendant was figuratively a volcano ready to go off, Justice William E. Garnett said as Taylor Hawkins sat impassively at the defense table. He began on Aug. 21, 2017, when he sexually abused one of six victims in the case.

On Sept. 19, 2017, the volcano erupted and culminated in an explosion in which five additional women were victimized, said the judge. But for the courage of those victims and the bravery of Good Samaritans, this defendant would have wreaked more havoc.

Beyond any doubt, Garnett added, this defendant is a clear and present danger to society.

Hawkins, a tall, well-built man garbed in a white thermal shirt and tan pants, declined to make a statement before Garnett imposed sentence.

No, thank you, the goateed defendant told the judge.

In November, a jury in state Supreme Court, St. George, convicted Hawkins, 29, of 15 counts, including criminal sexual assault (formerly classified as sodomy), attempted rape, sexual abuse, strangulation and attempted robbery in connection with the harrowing spree.

Prosecutors said Hawkins started with a single victim on Aug. 21, 2017.

The defendant groped a woman waiting at the S44 bus stop on North Burgher and Henderson avenues in West Brighton at about 6:45 a.m., said prosecutors.

She fought off Hawkins, and he ran.

Hawkins next attacks occurred about a month later on Sept. 19, 2017, Assistant District Attorney Rhiannon LaTour told jurors during the trial.

The defendant assaulted five women at different bus stops in Randall Manor, Stapleton, Tompkinsville and Brighton Heights, she said.

LaTour said Hawkins grabbed the victims from behind, choking most of them and tossing them to the ground.

One victim, a 14-year-old girl, testified Hawkins grabbed her by the neck and threw her down. He forced her to perform oral sex on him, and she bit his privates in a bid to fight him off, she testified.

A DNA sample taken from the girls cheek matched Hawkins, said LaTour, who along with Assistant District Attorney John Signoriello, prosecuted the case.

Hawkins did not testify.

About a half-dozen members of law enforcement attended the sentencing, as did a witness.

Hawkins mother also was present.

LaTour sought a sentence of 49 years.

I dont believe that this is unnecessarily harsh in light of the defendants actions, she said. This defendants actions on Aug. 21 and Sept. 19, 2017, were predatory. He targeted women who were alone at bus stops.

Hawkins, LaTour said, had shown no sign of remorse  (and) no sign of empathy or sympathy for the victims during the trial.

These women will take their experiences with them for the rest of their lives, said LaTour.

Defense lawyer Louis Gelormino implored Garnett to temper justice with mercy.

The attorney said Hawkins had been respectful and well-behaved throughout their dealings.

He never gave me an indication of being that person accused of these despicable crimes, Gelormino said.

I dont know what happened that night, but I do know Mr. Hawkins is not a young man devoid of decency, said Gelormino, adding my heart goes out to (the victims).

In imposing sentence, Garnett, the judge, said he was compelled to weigh all the factors, including Hawkins lack of a prior criminal record.

My sentence does not in any way minimize the trauma the victims experienced, said the judge. But it is my duty to take everything into consideration.

He then began sentencing Hawkins for each conviction, some running consecutively; some running concurrently.

The final tally added up to 35 years behind bars and 20 years post-release supervision.

Hawkins sat silently at the defense table throughout, looking straight ahead, his mouth slightly open.

Gelormino has said Hawkins intends to appeal.

The people of Staten Island will be a much safer place with Taylor Hawkins behind bars as a result of the significant prison sentence imposed on him today, said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. I want to commend the victims and witnesses for their bravery and strength in coming forward to help us hold this defendant fully accountable for his horrific crimes.

Additionally, I am immensely proud of the tireless advocacy displayed by Assistant District Attorneys Rhiannon LaTour and John Signoriello as they prosecuted this case to a successful end and ensured this defendant would never again be allowed to prey on an innocent victim, said McMahon.
FILE - In this May 11, 2012, file photo, then Nissan Motor Co. President and CEO Carlos Ghosn speak during a press conference in Yokohama, near Tokyo. A close friend says Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 that Ghosn, who is awaiting trial in Japan, has arrived in Beirut. It was not clear how Ghosn, who is of Lebanese origins, left Japan where he is under surveillance and is expected to face trial in April 2020. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkish authorities have detained seven people as part of an investigation into how former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, who skipped bail in Japan, was able to flee to Lebanon via Istanbul, Turkish media reported Thursday.

The state-run Anadolu Agency said the seven people are suspected of aiding Ghosn. NTV television said the probe was launched by launched by Turkey's Interior Ministry.

The private DHA news agency reports that those detained are 4 pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers.

Ghosn fled to Lebanon this week before his trial in Japan on financial misconduct charges. Turkish media reports said he flew to Lebanon on a private jet via Istanbul.

Lebanon has said that Ghosn entered the country legally and there was no reason to take action against him.

Japan does not have an extradition treaty with Lebanon.

Ghosn, who was charged with under-reporting his future compensation and a breach of trust, has repeatedly asserted his innocence. He says Japanese authorities trumped up the charges to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan Motor Co. and alliance partner Renault SA. Before his arrest, Ghosn was chairman of both Nissan and Renault.

His 1.5 billion yen ($14 million) bail that Ghosn posted on two separate instances to get out of detention is being revoked.
New Delhi: The Jammu and Kashmir administration is all set to release all political detainees, barring five leaders, in batches this month, who are currently held at a MLA hostel in Srinagar, said sources. However, the administration will continue to hold detained at least five leaders into detention for some more time.

The sources told Zee News that at least four leaders are set to walk free from their detention on Friday (January 03). The leaders who will be freed by the administration today are PDF leader Hakim Mohammad Yasmin, PDP leaders Rafi Mir, Ashraf mir and Majid Padru.

The five leaders, who will continue to stay in detention are PDP leaders Mehbooba Mufti, Naeem Akhtar and National Conference leaders Umar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah and Ali Mohammad Sagar. They were detained on August 4, a day before the Centre scrapped Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Unlike Ladakh, UT of J&K can elect a legislative assembly and a chief minister with the total strength of ministers not exceeding the 10 per cent of the total strength of the assembly.

Farooq Abdullah has been detained in his house at Gupkar Road that has been declared as a sub-jail. Omar Abdullah has been detained at Hari Niwas and Mehbooba Mufti is detained at a government house on MA Road in Srinagar.

A total of 35 mainstream politicians were moved from the Centuar Hotel on the banks of the Dal Lake to the MLA Hostel last month. Four of the detained politicians had been released earlier. The number of detained leaders is now 26. Around 50 other leaders from different political parties are also under detention at Centaur Hotel which has been declared as a sub jail.

Efforts by the BJP to fill the political vacuum have so far not met with success.

The Centre is in contact with leaders like Altaf Bukhari, Muzaffar Hussain Baig of the PDP, Usman Majeed of the Congress and others. The four leaders were recently invited on lunch hosted in honour of Members of European Parliament (MEPs) who visited Kashmir on October 29.

The MEPs met several groups of people with little standing in public.

Earlier on December 31, the J&K administration restored the SMS services in the Kashmir Valley from midnight. All mobile networks and landline connections were suspended across Jammu and Kashmir on August 5. Earlier on October 14, postpaid mobile services were also restored. The internet facilities were also restored in health institutions across Jammu and Kashmir while the connection at rest of the place is also being restored on a 'war footing'.

High speed broadband services were also resume in government schools and hospitals from Tuesday midnight.
Pakistan on Friday expressed deep concern and called for maximum restraint from all sides after the US killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, dramatically escalating hostilities in the Persian Gulf region.

General Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad Airport early on Friday.

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias.

"Pakistan has viewed with deep concern the recent developments in the Middle East, which seriously threatens peace and stability in the region," the Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) said.

The FO asked all parties to exercise maximum restraint, engage constructively to de-escalate the situation, and resolve issues through diplomatic means in accordance to the UN Charter and laws.

The FO said respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity were the fundamental principles of the UN Charter which should be adhered to.

The FO said unilateral actions and use of force must be avoided.

The Pentagon has confirmed the death of Soleimani, saying the military action was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.

"At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," the Pentagon said in a statement.
2019 witnessed a fierce race among manufacturers and distributors to reduce prices to attract more buyers.

Pick-up registration fee triples



In April, the registration fee applied to pick-ups and vans increased by three times when the Decree No 20 took effect.





Under the new regulation, pickups with five or fewer seats have to pay a first-time registration fee equal to 60 percent of the first-time registration fee applied to passenger cars with nine seats or less, instead of the previous rate of 2 percent.



As such, the new tax rate is 6-7.2 percent, and the 7.2 percent tax rate is applied in Hanoi.



VinFasts cars launched

2019 witnessed a fierce race among manufacturers and distributors to reduce prices to attract more buyers.

Vinfast, the Vietnamese automobile brand, marketed its first products in 2019 as it promised.



Fadil cars were delivered to customers in June and Lux duos in July.



VinFast now has to compete with foreign brands which have existed in the domestic market for many years.



Vietnamese favor foreign brands, but they welcomed VinFasts products which were advertised as using the most advanced technologies.



Japanese Nissan and Tan Chong extended car distribution contract



Tan Chong continues importing and distributing Nissan cars in the Vietnamese market until September 2020 under the extended car distribution market signed between the two parties. The old contract terminated in September 2019.



After the contract extension, Tan Chong has scaled up its business, though the sales of Nissan in Vietnam are not satisfactory.



Sources said Tan Chong is expanding its assembling activities in Da Nang and is trying to bring a Chinese car brand to Vietnam.



Ford stopped assembling Ford Focus



The manufacturer confirmed it stopped assembling the model in August 2019.



A Fords representative said the decision was part of the manufacturers business plan in the region which aims to gather strength on some models with high demand in Vietnam.



After it stopped assembling Ford Focus, it began assembling Ford Tourneo and Escape. The two models have been introduced in Vietnam, but only Tourneo is on sale, while Escape would hit the market in some months.



CBU imports arrived en masse



Vietnam imported 135,200 CBU cars in the first 11 months of 2019, worth $2.91 billion, nearly double the same period last year. The imports were mostly less-than-9-seat models from ASEAN.



Car prices slide



Automobile manufacturers and sale agents all cut selling prices to clear stocks and prepare to sell new models.



The car price decrease began in July and the movement continued though the market is in the high sale season.



The prices of bestsellers such as Toyota Vios, Fortuner, Wigo, Innova; Mazda CX-5, Mazda 3; and Ford Everest and Ecosport decreased by tens of millions of dong.

Chi Mai

Vietnam car market still sluggish in year-end sale season Despite sale promotion campaigns launched by manufacturers, the car market remained gloomy in the last months of the year.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 3, 2020) - Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CEM) (OTCQX: CNSNF) ("Constantine" or the "Company") announces the resignations of the following officers of the Company, effective as of December 31, 2019.

In June 2019, Constantine announced the spinout of its gold assets to a new company that was being created to unlock and distribute the value of Constantine's gold assets to its shareholders. Each Constantine shareholder of record on July 31, 2019 received one new company share of HighGold Mining Inc. ("HighGold") for every three shares of Constantine held. The spinout was completed under a plan of arrangement on August 1, 2019 and HighGold was listed and financed on the TSX Venture Exchange in September 2019 under the symbol HIGH.

The Company's Information Circular published last June disclosed that some of Constantine's management team would transition to the new company by the end of 2019. Mr. Darwin Green, Vice-President Exploration, and Ms. Naomi Nemeth, Vice-President Investor Relations, have now assumed full-time executive positions at HighGold as President & CEO and Vice-President Investor Relations, respectively. The Company gratefully acknowledges and thanks them both for their valuable contributions to Constantine over the term of their employment, including the transition period of the past five months, and wishes them every success in the growth and development of HighGold.

About HighGold

HighGold is currently a well-financed mineral exploration company with approximately $14M in working capital, focused on premier high-grade gold projects located in North America. HighGold's flagship asset is the high-grade Johnson Tract Gold (Zn-Cu) Project located in south-central Alaska, USA. The spinout included HighGold's flagship asset, the high-grade Johnson Tract Gold (Zn-Cu) Project located in south-central Alaska, USA, and a portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp, Ontario, Canada, namely the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, and the large Golden Mile and Golden Perimeter properties. HighGold's management is committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful stewardship of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration.

About Constantine

Constantine is a mineral exploration company led by an experienced and proven technical team with a focus on premier North American mining environments. The Company's flagship asset is the Palmer Project, a high-grade volcanogenic massive sulphide-sulphate (VMS) project being advanced as a joint venture between Constantine (51%) and Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. (49%), with Constantine as operator. Management is committed to providing shareholder value through discovery, meaningful community engagement, environmental stewardship, and responsible mineral exploration and development activities that support local jobs and businesses.

Please visit Constantine's website (www.constantinemetals.com) for more detailed company and project information.

On Behalf of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd.

"Garfield MacVeigh"

President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Garfield MacVeigh, President

Phone: 604-629-2348

Email: info@constantinemetals.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 statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward looking statements"). Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's management changes and other future plans, objectives or expectations of the Company are forward- looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51150
People are struggling in Dauphin, York, and Lebanon counties. A woman in Steelton Borough in Dauphin County told me that the cost of insulin co-pays had more than tripled for her diabetic teenage son, making it challenging to put food on the table for her family, especially toward the end of the month.

An elderly man in Springettsbury Township in York County told me that property taxes have become so high that he fears hell have to sell his house and move in with his daughters family.

A young mother in Lebanon told me that the cost of daycare for her two young children takes up most of her earnings from her part-time, slightly-above minimum wage job as a clerk in a convenience store, leaving barely enough for food and rent.

Sadly, I hear similar stories across Central PA. I can feel the anxiety among students at Lebanon Valley College, where I teach history and other courses, about the debt theyre accumulating and whether theyll be able to get a decent job after graduating. The anxiety and unease felt by these promising young people is thick in the air as they look ahead to uncertain futures.

Im running for state senate in Senate District 48 in the special election of Tuesday, Jan. 14 because I believe that the purpose of government is to serve the public good, and that our state government is largely failing to achieve this most basic purpose.

As a history professor, Ive studied periods of momentous change and the ways people have adapted to, embraced, and even learned to thrive with that change. The many challenges facing Pennsylvanians today  including skyrocketing health care costs, mounting income inequality, rising student debt, stagnating wages, deteriorating schools, and intensifying climate change  will require innovation and adaptation. I believe that the state government must be an active partner in helping everyone find and pursue opportunities in this rapidly changing world, while also providing a safety net for those struggling to adapt.

My opponent in this race, Lebanon County District Attorney Dave Arnold, offers more of the same policies that have helped to create our current troubles: cutting taxes for the wealthy and large corporations while shifting the tax burden to working people; reducing state spending on education and social services; limiting womens reproductive rights; ignoring the mounting threats of climate change.

To me, public service means doing what I can to help improve my community. Serving in the state senate would be a natural extension of the public service Ive practiced for years  as founder and Executive Director of the Quittapahilla Creek Garbage Museum, winner of the 2017 Governors Award for Environmental Excellence for its efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of keeping our waterways free of pollutants; President of the Quittapahilla Watershed Association (www.quittiecreek.org); President of the Friends of Old Annville (www.fooa.org); active member of the Quittie Creek Nature Park Committee, which stewards the Nature Park in collaboration with Annville Township; and Vice President of Lebanon Pipeline Awareness.

Fact is, I spend a good chunk of most every day performing some kind of volunteer public service for the larger community.

At 61 years of age, Im not looking for a new career, and pledge to serve no more than two full terms in the Senate. My opponent, a career politician in his fourth term as district attorney, has an annual salary of over $180,000 and close ties to big-money Harrisburg lobbyists. His nomination was so egregiously unfair that one committee member called it a sham (Penn Capital-Star, Oct. 17).

Other Republican activists complained about the nomination process to the state Party Chair, while several elected Republican officials signed a letter calling for Casey Long to resign as Lebanon County Republican Committee Chair.

How will my opponent vote on the important issues facing Pennsylvanians today? We dont know, because he hasnt articulated his positions on health care, education, income inequality, climate change, and other vital issues. He has refused most media inquiries and has only a bare-bones website. In contrast, I spent weeks thinking through my positions and creating a robust website that details my stances on key issues and invites voters to voice their concerns.

I believe that state government must play a vital role in improving the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. As a historian, Ive studied how adaptable people can be when confronted with hard realities and difficult choices. I have faith that we can successfully overcome our many challenges, which I pledge to approach with fairness, compassion, reason, and respect for all. For these reasons, I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Michael Schroeder is associate professor of history at Lebanon Valley College and the Democratic Partys nominee for Senate District 48. For more information, visit www.schroeder4senate.com.
FILE PHOTO: A model of a pipe line is seen at the main entrance to the Gomel Transneft oil pumping station near Mozyr

By Andrei Makhovsky and Olga Yagova

MINSK/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has halted oil supplies to refineries in Belarus, the Belarusian state energy firm said on Friday, amid a new contract dispute that is also threatening large Russian oil deliveries to Western Europe crossing the country.

Belarus's state firm Belneftekhim said deliveries had been halted as of Jan. 1.

Two trading sources told Reuters Russian oil transit to Europe via Belarus was so far continuing uninterrupted.

A Russian industry source familiar with the discussions said Russia could agree to a short-term supply deal with Belarus in the coming days. Supplies would come from small Russian firms until a new, longer-term deal is agreed, the source said.

Europe receives around 10% of its oil via the transit link, known as the Druzhba pipeline, which can supply more than 1 million barrels per day to countries including Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Moscow and Minsk have had several oil and gas spats over the past decade, in what has been described as a love-hate relationship between presidents Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin and Lukashenko have repeatedly toyed with the idea of political integration of the countries, but the autocratic Belarusian leader who came to power in 1994 has backtracked repeatedly.

Russia has cut subsidies to Belarus over many years and is now charging close to international prices for oil and gas, but contracts negotiations are often protracted.

"Deliveries have been suspended ... Plants are reducing their workload to the technical minimum," a spokesman for Belneftekhim said.

Russian pipeline operator Transneft <TRNF_p.MM> said Russian oil companies have not sent any oil to Belarus since Jan. 1, the TASS news agency reported.

"Since Jan. 1, we have not had any applications from oil companies to deliver to Belarusian refineries. However, oil transit through Belarus is continuing in full volumes," Transneft spokesman Igor Dyomin was quoted as saying.

Story continues

It was not clear when Moscow and Minsk could resume talks on their 2020 contract. Russia is on a New Year holiday until Jan. 9.

Belneftekhim said on Friday it had temporarily suspended the export of petroleum products as it was lacking the oil. It said it would ultimately fulfil its contractual obligations but did not say how. It also said it had enough petroleum product reserves to supply its domestic market in January and beyond.

Belarus exports around 12 million tonnes of petroleum products annually, primarily to Ukraine and Poland, data from state statistics agency Belstat showed.

In the first 11 months of 2019, imports from Belarus made up 35% of Ukraine's diesel fuel market and 36% of its petrol market, according to Ukrainian consulting group A-95.

(Reporting by Andrei Makhovsky in MINSK, Olga Yagova and Gleb Gorodyankin in MOSCOW, Pavel Polityuk in KIEV; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin, Dmitry Zhdannikov and Polina Ivanova; Editing by Alex Richardson/Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Grant McCool)
Asian stocks were mixed Friday and oil prices surged after an Iranian general was killed by US forces in Iraq.

News that Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed in an air attack at the Baghdad international airport prompted expectations of Iranian retaliation against US and Israeli targets.

The Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.3% to 3,076.73 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 0.2% to 28,482.88.

Taiwan and Singapore also declined.

Seoul's Kospi was off less than 0.1% at 2,173.20.

Markets in Malaysia and Indonesia, both oil producers, gained.

There was no immediate indication how Iran would respond to Soleimani's death, but Tehran has seized oil tankers and shot down a US military drone.

Washington blames Iran for attacks on tankers and a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry that temporarily cut its production by half.

Brent crude, used to price international oils, was up 2.14 US dollars at 68.39 US dollars per barrel in London after temporarily jumping nearly 3 US dollars.

The contract gained 25 cents on Thursday to close at 66.25 US dollars.

Benchmark US crude was up 1.87 US dollars at 63.05 US dollars per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

It lost 12 cents the previous day to close at 61.18 US dollars.
One might wonder why Im posting on such a trivial-seeming topic as mattresses. The troubling news of the US assassination of Irans top military commander Qassem Soleimani is Defcon 1 news, after all, and is understandably dominating the press and Twitterverse. And I have to confess its got me wound up about how reckless and wantonly destructive our foreign and Middle Eastern policy has been, and how weve somehow managed to turn the dial on that to 11.

However, as youll see in due course, laffaire mattresses is a classic case study in crapification, and it also serves as a useful thing to think about, since all were likely to see with Iran for the next few days is a lot of posturing plus media hate- and fear-mongering. And readers may be able to help!

Even though it is true that this killing amounts to an act of war, many regarded the severity of economic sanctions as an act of war too. So what is the pointto show the US as powerful even though it has yet to break Iran? To provoke Iran into doing something stupid?

It certainly did serve to poke a stick in the eye of Iraq, which was already gearing up to toss US troops out. The flagrant disregard for Iraqs sovereignity is only going to accelerate that process as well as push a lot of fence-sitters in Iraq towards Iran. How smart was that?

Much of the understandable jitteriness results from the idea that Iran will strike back and precipitate a hot war. Iran has managed to survive by being among other things exceptionally disciplined and strategic. Its unlikely to do anything without sounding out Russia and China, who are likely to be similarly measured and not show their hands.

Lambert will have way more on this in Links shortly, but far and away the best hot take comes from Elijah Magnier. He predicts Iran will make a symmetrical response, as in assassinate a similar-level US military official. That may take time but the Iranians are fabulously patient.

I believe, and Magnier seems to hold similar views, that Iran will also scale up harassments. For instance, the contested Leviathan gas field off Israel just started producing. Might there be a way to mess with that without risking a Deepwater Horizon type disaster? They would not be the intended retaliation, but diversions which would have the additional advantage of playing to the self-flattering US view that Iran is weak.

I strongly urge you to read his entire thread, but here are two key tweets:

The way it goes by #Iran style, usually but it could change, is to find a #US commander at the same level of #IRGC commander and assassinate him/her. This means all #US high ranking personnel could be potential targets because it also depends on the "opportunity".+  Elijah J. Magnier (@ejmalrai) January 3, 2020

Now, there might be few attacks here and there in #Iraq. Don't jump on the conclusion that "this is the revenge". It would be far from it. The real revenge will be by a hit at the same level or similar. This is what we need to watch and expect. #Iran doesn't respond in a hurry.  Elijah J. Magnier (@ejmalrai) January 3, 2020

Update 5:40 AM EDT. Wellie, just a minute ago, Magnier qualified his view:

Normally #Iran takes its time to respond but it is not excluded that Iran has decided to respond quickly.#QassemSuleimani was very close to Sayyed Ali Khamenei and reported directly to him. It is not unlikely the response may be closer than expected.  Elijah J. Magnier (@ejmalrai) January 3, 2020

But is this just messing with the US, to get the troops jittery? Unless Iran has a proportional response it can execute pronto, a quick response risks both being inadequately planned and not hitting the right strategic spot either. Back to the original post.

Now to retail therapy via mattresses. Well, except mattresses are also an unpleasant topic, albeit of vastly lower stakes.

I am old enough to remember when you could go into a mattress store and without too much difficulty, find a good spring mattress. Flippable. It would easily last over 10 years and if were a not heavy person, as long as 20 before it would develop sags.

To shorten what could be a very long story, Josh Kosman, in his classic The Buyout of America, has an entire chapter devoted to the crapification of mattresses. Private equity rollups turned the industry into a duopoly. The incumbents got rid of the flippable mattress, selling consumers on the falsehood that non-flippable mattresses, which dont last as long, were nevertheless somehow better.

Foam mattresses, which I regard as an abomination (had to throw a highly-rated one out in less than three years), have also been widely touted as a viable alternative to the solid, reliable spring mattress. To do so, they have had to sell a bug as a feature: the fact that they quickly develop depressions where you sleep as the mattress molding to your body. Help me.

Ive also tried some pricey hybrid mattresses, which some springs and a lot of foam on top. Despite their high ratings in supposedly independent reviews I havent found them anywhere near as satisfactory or trough resistant as a good old fashioned high end spring mattress.1 And even though most allow for 90 or 100 day free returns, as the Winkbed I purchased did, I didnt have the energy to send it back even though it was clearly getting dented before 90 days. This one had seemed to be the best of a not very good bunch, and if I returned it, what would I replace it with? So that one I after less than two years of use has been relegated to a guest bedroom.

Clive attests that the same crapification has take place in the UK:

Beds are simply a disaster. My mother-in-law replaced the bed in the room I use when I stay there. Despite my nagging, she insisted on buying a brand which goes back well over a century here but has merely been reduced to a shadow of its former self through joke offshore manufacturing. She paid 500+ for a single mattress (the room would take a double but she didnt see the point in the expense of a double bed in a guest room, which I get the point of). It was awful from no more than six months very occasional use. Springy, lumpy with (like yours) now a pronounced dip in the centre. And yes, I weight 160lbs tops. So its not like it is being pummelled having to accommodate a 250lb overweight person. Even the cat refuses to sleep on it. I had to replace my home bed a couple of years ago. I  very reluctantly  coughed up for a Tempur. It was 1,500 (unfortunately I need a Super King size as my feet protrude at the bottom of a double standard size) and I was in luck my existing mattress frame which was compatible (slatted wood supports) otherwise it would have been higher costs still to get a new frame too. It is pretty good, but no more than acceptable. But a proper quality sprung mattress would have been 4,000+ and that wasnt in my budget. Anything less than an artisan made thing is a gamble on plummeting quality which is simply all pervasive and trying to avoid it is down to guesswork.

I am interested in Westin mattresses as another case study. Readers with experience as buyers of that mattress in particular (the Heavenly Bed brand) are encouraged to pipe up in comments. Similarly, if you are at or very soon going to be a guest at a Westin Hotel, I have a wee favor to ask. In both cases, please provide an e-mail address where I can contact you. Thanks!

Update 8:20 AM: Many helpful comments but none from Westin mattress buyers OR people who are or will be staying at a Westin soon. If you are in either or both categories, please pipe up, thanks!

_____

1 Maine being Maine, they do have small companies that make flippable spring mattresses. One I tried seemed pretty good but was a bit bouncy (as in when you rolled over you got some reverberations) and I wasnt sure what to make of that. Plus they dont ship out of state, which creates a big barrier for non locals. So it isnt as if the traditional spring mattress is completely dead, but they are unduly hard to find.
Right now, 200,000 to 250,000 migrants are moving toward our borders, Erdogan said while addressing a conference in Ankara. We are trying to prevent them with some measures, but its not easy. Its difficult, they are humans too.

This after the UN on Monday said that of Idlib provinces some 3 million civilian population, up to 284,000 are currently on the move.

International reports commonly put the current numbers of Syrian refugees hosted by Turkey at about 3.7 million, which Erdogan has of late constantly reminded Europe of as he seeks support for foreign military intervention in places like northeast Syria and now even Libya.

During his latest comments, Erdogan actually put the number of refugees across all provinces of Turkey at a whopping 5 million  which would be larger than many small countries.

Crucially, during his speech on Thursday, he alluded to his prior threats to open the gates and allow refugees to flood into Europe,starting with Greece and other Mediterranean nations:

Although they [the West] have more resources than we do, why dont they accept them, why dont they open the gates? Erdogan asked.

While also slamming Arab League member states for not acting, he answered his own question with, We are Turkey. Alone this gives us a power and superiority that nobody has.

In late December, Erdogan reiterated prior provocative threats underscoring that Turkey cannot handle a fresh wave of migrants from Syria, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday, warning that European countries will feel the impact of such an influx if violence in Syrias northwest is not stopped, as Reuters summarized of the statement.

Ankara is currently seeking to persuade Moscow to halt its offensive on Idlib and to get its ally Assad to halt its military actions, which also includes a ground advance in the south of the province.

Russias Putin is expected to arrive in Isanbul on Jan.8 for a ceremony inaugurating a natural gas pipeline, but the two are also expected to address the contentious issues of Syria developments as well as the growing proxy war in Libya due to Gen. Haftars offensive on the capital.

On Thursday, Turkish parliament authorized sending troops to Libya to assist Tripoli in halting Haftars advance, while Russia has stood on the other side, voicing support of the Benghazi-based leader.
Hyderabad, Jan 3 : Hyderabad police have denied permission to the United Muslim Action Committee, led by AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, to organise a march here against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Owaisi, who is also Member of Parliament from Hyderabad, had sought police permission for the march on January 4 or 5. He had made an application to Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar.

Reacting to denial of permission, Owaisi said the United Muslim Action Committee would approach Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President said that protest against the black legislation is democratic right of citizens.

Urdu daily 'Etemaad', run by the AIMIM, quoted Owaisi as saying that the Police Commissioner is taking away the democratic rights of people. He pointed out that Action Committee has prepared a plan for a long programme against CAA.

Owaisi will be addressing a public meeting against CAA at Sangareddy town of Telangana on Saturday. The meeting is being jointly organised by United Muslim Action Commitee and Samvidhan Raksha Committee AIMIM is the biggest constituent of the Action Committee, an umbrella body of various Muslim groups. It had held a massive public meeting at AIMIM headquarters Darussalam on December 22 to oppose CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The MP had also led a delegation of Muslim leaders to meet the Telangana Chief Minister on December 25, urging him to not to conduct National Population Register (NPR) process in the state.

Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of various Muslim groups are going ahead with the 'Million March' against CAA, NRC and NPR in Hyderabad on Saturday.

The march will be organised at Dharna Chowk in the heart of the city. The JAC had earlier planned to hold the protest at Necklace Road on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake but the police asked them to shift the venue.

The JAC had originally planned the march on December 28 but the police denied permission for the same. It had then approached the High Court, challenging the police action.

JAC Convenor Mushtaq Malik said the High Court directed the police to consider a fresh request for permission for the march.
Tel Aviv [Israel], Jan 4 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday came out in the support of Trump administration for carrying out the strike near Baghdad's international airport which led to the killing of Iran's elite IRGC Qassem Soleimani, saying that "The US has the right of self-defence."

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right. Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks," PM Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on Twitter.In another tweet, Netanyahu also credited US President Donald Trump for acting decisively in the operation of Iraq that led to the killing of Qassem Soleimani -- a US-designated terrorist, along with six others."President Donald Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively. Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defence," he added.Meanwhile, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.The US had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed. (ANI)
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has condemned the murder of Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force, an elite unite of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, as the US act of international terrorism, Trend reports citing TASS.

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani  is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation," Zarif wrote on his Twitter account, describing the commander as "the most effective force fighting" the Islamic State, Al Nusra and Al Qaeda terror groups.

Zarif stressed that "the US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."

Earlier, the Pentagon confirmed that a missile strike near the Baghdad airport killed the head of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani. The operation was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump, the statement said.
TORONTO, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flora Growth Corp. (Flora or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent (LOI) to acquire a 90% equity interest in Kasa Wholefoods Company S.A.S. (the Transaction), a Colombian producer of exotic (Amazonian) fruit juices and chocolates. Kasa operates under the Mambe brand in Colombia.



Under the Mambe brand, Kasa produces fruit juices and pulps from organic exotic fruits such as mango, acai, passion fruit, camu and guava, as well as more commonly used fruits such as bananas, strawberries, oranges and apples. Kasa also produces chocolate confectionary using 70% Colombian cacao.

Mambe products are already widely distributed in Colombia, being sold in Colombias largest retailers including Carulla, Tostao Cafe & Pan, Deli Reposteria and is available for purchase through Uber Eats.

Over the last year, Kasa has been researching and developing CBD-infused juices and chocolate. Kasa already has a line of CBD-infused juices (10 mg CBD/250 ml of juice) and chocolate bars (40 mg CBD/100 mg of chocolate). Kasa is ready to sell such CBD-infused products in the Latin American market immediately upon receiving regulatory approval, which is expected in 2020.

Kasa has received several awards and grants from the Colombian government for its innovative products and social impact. Kasa works with local farmers and indigenous Amazonian communities to cultivate fruits for the Mambe beverages which provides sustainable economic opportunities to these communities and is a viable alternative to Amazon deforestation and illegal mining in these areas.

Damian Lopez, Floras CEO, commented: We are excited to acquire an entrepreneurial, innovative company like Kasa Wholefoods. They have done an excellent job of developing a line of world-class juices and chocolates. There is immense demand for CBD-infused products in Latin America and worldwide. We will combine our organic CBD-Oil with Kasas organic Amazonian based fruit juices and chocolates to satisfy this demand. We expect to obtain regulatory approval in Colombia to infuse food & beverages with CBD in 2020 and be the market leader in this category.

In order to close the Transaction, Flora must pay to shareholders of Kasa (the Vendors) an aggregate amount of USD$294,000 in cash and shall repay Kasas outstanding loan payables of USD$91,000. The Vendors shall retain a 10% equity interest in Kasa which may not be diluted until Flora invests USD$5 million in Kasa. Following the completion of this financing milestone, all shareholders of Kasa will be diluted if they do not participate in any Kasa financing.

The Transaction is subject to the parties negotiating and entering into a definitive agreement and obtaining of the necessary regulatory approvals.

Flora Growth Corp.

At Flora, we are building the worlds largest and lowest cost vertically-integrated producer of organic cannabis oils, CBD-infused food & beverage, pharmaceutical-grade, medical and cosmetic-grade derivatives from the cannabis plant.

For further information, contact:

Damian Lopez

+1 416 861 2269

damian.lopez@floragrowth.ca

Website: www.floragrowth.ca

Cautionary Notes

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the Companys operations, Kasas operations, the Companys ability to close the Transaction, the Companys ability to obtain regulatory approvals to infuse CBD-oil into food & beverages and the Companys future plans and objectives. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
By Trend

Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 23 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on Jan. 3, 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, Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding regions.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from Nagorno Karabakh and the surrounding regions.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
State Rep. Lynn Greer, a Republican from Rogersville, plans to file a bill this year in the Alabama Legislature called the Alabama Church Protection Act. It was previously introduced in the State House of Representatives in 2018 and 2019.

Were modifying Stand Your Ground so it will pertain to churches and church events, Greer said on Thursday. I think we have a better bill than we had three years ago.

It would add churches to the 2006 Stand Your Ground law, allowing churchgoers to defend themselves with guns at church.

Itll give not only criminal but civil immunity, Greer said. It would apply not just to churches but temples and mosques, he said.

This pertains to all religions, Greer said. It protects everybody.

The bill proposes that church members can use deadly force to defend themselves, and would be presumed justified if they believe someone is about to harm people in attendance at a church.

A shooting at a church in Texas the week after Christmas brought renewed attention to shootings at churches.

A shooter at West Freeway Church of Christ in a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas, shot and killed two churchgoers on Dec. 29, 2019. Jack Wilson, a member of the church security team, shot and killed the intruder, Keith Kinnunen, within six seconds after he fired the first shot.

I was shocked, Greer said. At my age, in my lifetime, you never expected this. Thats what our nation has evolved to. We kind of expect it.

Three deadly shootings in 2017 made it the deadliest year for killings at U.S. churches. But it has been a recurring problem, from seven dead at Wedgewood Baptist Church in Texas in 1999 to nine killed at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015.

Large churches can hire security, Greer said. Small churches rely on more informal protection, he said.

In Rogersville, there are 1,300 people and 12 churches, Greer said. They cant afford to hire a security team.

More than 94 people have been killed in at least 23 church-related shootings since 1999, with at least 8 shooters then killing themselves also.

The Alabama Church Protection Act will be on the ballot as a constitutional amendment in November this year for Lauderdale and Franklin counties, Greer said. He would still like to see the bill passed as a statewide law before then.

The next legislative session begins Feb. 4. Greer said that Sen. Arthur Orr plans to introduce the bill in the senate.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement Thursday saying that Alabamas Stand Your Ground law already offers protection for those who would defend themselves and others from a shooter at church.

The shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in Texas was a sobering depiction of good vs. evil in our society today," Marshall said. "Tragically, that congregation lost two of its members; yet mercifully, Jack Wilson spared the lives of many more. Texas law was recently updated to ensure that individuals like Mr. Wilson do not have to fear the threat of prosecution for carrying a firearm in a church that allows it. Fortunately, Alabama can proudly say that it already offers this same protection. We urge every church in our state to adopt a church security plan that will better ensure the safety of their members during worship.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The North Delhi Municipal Corporation on Thursday began with its project of solar panel installation in schools under its jurisdiction with the first one being set up at Municipal Primary School at Aruna Nagar. In the first phase, 1,500 KW capacity of solar panels would be installed in 230 municipal schools at a cost of Rs 4.3 crore.

This is 75 per cent of the total project cost. Around 75 per cent of this amount or roughly, Rs 2.8 crore has been received from the Ministry of Human Resource Development under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. The remaining Rs 1.5 crore, would be utilised from the plan head of education, which would be borne by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

North MCD has signed an MOU with Indra Prastha Power Generation Co. Ltd to install solar panels in its schools. Mayor Avtar Singh said that after the installation of these solar panels, 21 lakh units of electricity will be produced and the corporation will save or generate revenue of approximately Rs 1.78 crore per year. The project is aimed to create renewable energy source in an environment-friendly manner and ensure uninterrupted power supply to the municipal schools, he added.
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In signs that promoters' feud are far from over, InterGlobe Aviation on January 3 announced convening a meeting of shareholders on January 29, at the request of co-promoter Rakesh Gangwal, for removing various provisions in a key document of the company.

The extraordinary general meeting (EGM) would discuss deleting various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisiton of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and ' Tag Along Right', in the company's Articles of Association (AoA).

The development comes more than six months after Gangwal flagged concerns over corporate governance lapses at InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of the country's largest airline IndiGo.

The meeting is being convened on January 29 following request by Rakesh Gangwal (RG) Group and related entities who together hold 36.64 per cent stake in the company, a regulatory filing said on Friday.

The group comprises Rakesh Gangwal, Shobha Gangwal and The Chinkerpoo Family Trust (Trustee: Shobha Gangwal and J P Morgan Trust Company of Delaware).

The differences between co-founders and co-promoters -- Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia -- came to the fore in July 2019 after Gangwal sought market regulator Sebi's intervention to address alleged corporate governance lapses at the company. In the wake of the feud, arbitration proceedings are also going overseas between the two promoters' sides.

Bhatia and affiliates -- InterGlobe Enterprises (IGE) Group -- has around 38 per cent stake in the company.

On December 24, a request for EGM was made by Gangwal and the company's Board of Directors, on December 31, approved convening such a meeting.

The company received a letter on November 13, 2019 from Gangwal seeking changes in the AoA, the filing said.

Generally, an AoA provides the regulations for operating a company.

The shareholders' agreement expired on the fourth anniversary of the company's initial public offer -- November 10, 2019.

However, the AoA contains many provisions of that agreement. As these provisions have now expired, RG Group seeks an amendment to the AoA to remove those expired provisions, as per an annexure in the communication, dated December 24, from Gangwal seeking convening of the EGM.

Gangwal has sought deletion of various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisition of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and 'Tag Along Right'.

One of the Articles that is sought to be removed pertain to each group agreeing not to acquire additional shares or voting rights of the company that might trigger an open offer requirement under Sebi's takeover regulations.

If any member of the IGE (InterGlobe Enterprises) Group -- led by Rahul Bhatia or RG Group -- wants to transfer shares to a third party, then the non-transferring group will have the 'Right of First Refusal' subject to certain conditions.

Similarly, the non-transferring group will also have the 'Tag Along Right' wherein it would have the option to sell some part of the shareholding.

Another Article is that the transferring shareholder would not be entitled to transfer shares without prior written consent of the non-transferring shareholder.

"As per the legal advice received by the company, there are provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, as amended (the 'Companies Act') which give rights to the members to requisition on EGM," the explanatory statement to the EGM notice said.

Amid the promoters' feud, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta in November 2019 said there was "zero impact" on the carrier right now as they are on the same page over the airline's strategic direction.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation rose over two per cent to close at Rs 1,360.95 on the BSE.
WASHINGTON: A US strike killed Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani, the Pentagon said on Thursday, adding that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack Americans in Iraq and the Middle East. "At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," a Pentagon statement said.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," it said, adding that the United States would continue to take necessary action to protect Americans and interests around the world. The Pentagon statement said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

Live TV

US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Soleimani had been killed in a drone strike in Baghdad.

One US official said that Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also believed to have been killed in the strike, though he was not the primary target.

The official said it was aware of the possibility of an Iranian response and US military officials were ready to defend themselves.

The official did not rule out additional US troops or military assets going to the region.
WKTV -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has denied individual assistance to residents affected by the Halloween floods, according to a letter sent to the governor.

The letter states, The impact to the individuals and households from this event was not of such severity and magnitude as to warrant the designation of individual assistance.

The individual assistance would have provided funds to repair damages to, or buy out, residential homes and small businesses. This will be a crushing blow to homeowners who were hoping for federal buyouts of their homes.

NEWSChannel 2 spoke with the Mayor of the Village of Whitesboro, Bob Friedlander. "I'm very upset. I still have dozens of residents who cannot go in their homes. They're not liveable and they were hoping for the federal government to swoop in and help them. We need help from the state of federal government. This isn't over."

On Dec. 20, FEMA approved public assistance for 18 counties for debris removal and the restoration of infrastructure, like roads and bridges. The counties had to meet a threshold of $29.6 million to qualify for the federal funding.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. released a statement following the FEMA announcement.

"I am angry and disappointed in FEMAs decision to deny individual assistance and I request Governor Cuomo immediately appeal its decision. Time and time again, I have asked FEMA to reconsider its draconian thresholds and criteria to fund individual assistance to our residents who are suffering through no fault of their own and those requests are continuously ignored. Every time we have had weather-related emergencies I have shown Oneida County is ready and willing to assist our people. We have allocated tens of millions of dollars in individual assistance, municipal clean-up and long-term mitigation efforts. We have marshaled our government personnel and resources to assist during emergencies. We expect the federal government and the state to do the same when it comes to getting monetary assistance into the hands of residents who are suffering."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo can appeal the decision on individual assistance within the next 30 days.

Cuomo's spokesperson, Jason Conwall, said in a statement, "The governor is currently evaluating all options, including an appeal, with regard to FEMAs unfortunate decision to deny the state's request for individual aid following the severe weather and flooding that hit central and northern parts of New York this past Halloween."
BRIDGEPORT  Peter Tsimbidaros, a leader in the citys Greek community and a lawyer dedicated to help troubled children, died Thursday from injuries suffered in a car crash on New Years Day. He was 50.

Our whole community is in a state of shock, said The Rev. George Livaditis, pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Park Avenue. Peter was an amazing person who exemplified a true Christian. He helped so many people and his family are asking for prayers.

Tsimbidaros was on his way to have dinner with his parents to celebrate the new year shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday when his 2006 Honda CRV and a Chrysler minivan collided at the intersection of Fairfield Avenue and Ellsworth Street.

Police said the driver of the minivan, 50-year-old Keith Commerford of Bridgeport, received a summons in connection with an unrelated hit-and-run accident earlier in the day.

Tsimbidaros died from his injuries in the crash at Bridgeport Hospital Thursday morning.

Commerford was not charged at the scene and police said the crash is still under investigation.

Tsimbidaros was a longtime resident of the city and a member of the parish council at Holy Trinity.

Peter was my right-hand man, said Parish Council President Peter Karayiannis. He would always help out in the church, whatever needed to be done and we hope some justice is done.

John Bochanis, a long-time friend, said he and Tsimbidaros would get together every Sunday after church.

He was a very compassionate person, Bochanis said. He cared about people, especially children.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut Law School, Tsimbidaros was a solo practitioner in the city, concentrating on juvenile law. He often lamented when a teenager he had represented in juvenile court was later prosecuted for a crime in adult court.

Peter found it particularly fulfilling working with troubled children, said Bochanis. He worked very hard to help them turn their lives around and he became energized when he was successful.

There was a pall over Bridgeports state courthouse Thursday.

Peter was a decent, gentle human being, said Dean Pulos, an assistant court clerk. We are all just stunned. Its a tough loss.

Tsimbidaros is survived by his parents and a brother.

Calling hours have been set from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. The funeral will follow.
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India's unemployment rate rises to 7.7% in December: CMIE

India's unemployment rate increased to 7.7 per cent in December, slightly higher than 7.48 per cent reported in the previous month, according to data released by think-tank Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) on Thursday. In November, the unemployment rate had fallen nearly 1 per cent to 7.48 per cent compared to a three-year high

Auto slowdown: Bosch's India unit to cut workforce by 'a couple of thousands'

In wake of the ongoing slump in the auto sector, world's largest auto-part supplier Bosch Ltd will cut its India workforce by "a couple of thousands" in the next four years, Soumitra Bhattacharya, Bosch India Managing Director, has said. The company would let go around 10 per cent of the total workforce of 3,700 white-collar employees in India as part of the company's strategy to transform amidst the downturn in the automotive sector.

DMRC offers free Wi-Fi on Delhi Metro airport line

You will now be able to access free Wi-Fi on the airport line of the Delhi metro, i.e. the line from New Delhi to Dwarka Sector 21. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation or DMRC has launched a free high-speed internet facility on this line. DMRC MD Mangu Singh launched the free Wi-Fi facility at the Shivaji Stadium metro station. Passengers will have to log in to the METROWIFI_FREE network in order to be able to access the free high-speed internet network.

HDFC gets Irdai nod to acquire majority stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance

Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd (HDFC) has received approval from Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) to acquire a majority shareholding in Apollo Munich Health Insurance. The mortgage lender and its subsidiary HDFC ERGO have received all requisite approvals to acquire 51.2 per cent stake in Apollo Munich Health Insurance, HDFC said in filing to exchanges.

Electricity supply down 1.1% in December, declines for fifth straight month

India's electricity supply fell for the fifth straight month in December, provisional government data showed, potentially reflecting sluggish industrial activity amid an overall economic slowdown. Power supply fell to 101.92 billion units in December, down 1.1% from 103.04 billion units last year.

Tata Sons vs Cyrus Mistry: Boardroom battle goes to Supreme Court

Tata Sons on Thursday knocked the Supreme Court's door challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order reinstating Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of the holding company. While NCLAT ruled in Mistry's favour last month, Tata Sons had four weeks to challenge the NCLAT order. It has now asked the Supreme Court to put a stay on the appointment order on six grounds.

December factory activity picks up to 7-month high but business optimism weakens

India's factory activity expanded at its fastest pace in seven months in December as a jump in new orders prompted companies to ramp up production, a private business survey showed on Thursday. The uptick in Indian manufacturing sector growth signaled by the latest PMI results will be welcomed by policymakers, particularly given concerning results observed in October.












Recruits are walking on a snowy plateau. [Photo by Hou Chonghui for chinadaily.com.cn]

Thousands of new recruits received training on a snowy plateau in Northwest China's Gansu province.

In the early morning of Dec 22, a rushed sound of an emergency muster broke the tranquility at the third regiment camp for recruits of the Armed Police Force's Gansu Provincial Corps on an altitude of over 3,000 meters above sea level.

More than 2,000 new conscripts, mostly born after the year 2000, quickly assembled after hearing orders, and field training started under the extreme cold of -23 C.

The training covers tactics, commands and coordination practice, including basic tactical movements, formation changes and armed assaults.

Recruits are training in the cold winter. [Photo by Hou Chonghui for chinadaily.com.cn]
The U.S. airstrike that killed a prominent Iranian general in Baghdad raises tensions even higher between Tehran and Washington, after months of trading attacks and threats across the wider Middle East.

How Iran will respond remains in question as well, though its supreme leader warned that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for those who killed Revolutionary Guard Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani early Friday morning. That could include anything, from challenging U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf, firing ballistic missiles or deploying the asymmetrical proxy forces Iran has cultivated to cover for its long-sanctioned conventional forces.

Soleimani's death is the latest in a series of escalating incidents traces back to President Donald Trump's decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw America from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. However, overall enmity between Iran and the U.S. date back to its 1979 Islamic Revolution, as well as a 1953 U.S.-backed coup in Tehran that cemented the power of its ruling shah over an elected prime minister.

Here's where things stand now:

The General's killing

A U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's international airport killed Soleimani, 62, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, and five others. The Defense Department said it killed Soleimani because he "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week. Soleimani led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard's Quds, or Jerusalem, Force. That included overseeing forces fighting in Syria, as well as militias that targeted U.S. forces in Iraq with deadly bomb attacks after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Months of attacks

Citing an unspecified threat from Iran, the White House in May ordered a U.S. aircraft carrier to rush to the Persian Gulf. Soon after, explosions the U.S. blames on Iranian-laid mines targeting oil tankers near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil passes. Iran denied being involved, though it did seize oil tankers in response to one of its tankers being seized off Gibraltar. Iran also shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone. Trump pulled back from retaliating for the attack. Meanwhile, attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy industry escalated to a missile-and-drone strike in September temporarily halving its oil production. Israel meanwhile has repeatedly struck Iran-linked targets in Syria in recent years and has warned against any permanent Iranian presence on the frontier. The attacks culminated with American airstrikes hitting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and those militiamen attacking the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Iran's faltering nuclear deal

The attacks came after Trump's decision in May 2018 to withdraw America from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers. The 2015 accord saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump re-imposed American sanctions and levied even harsher ones, crippling its crucial oil industry. Iran initially proposed a policy called ``strategic patience,'' hoping to wait Trump out. But as Europe largely hasn't been able to offer Tehran a way around American sanctions, Iran has begun taking steps away from the deal. That has included breaking enrichment, stockpile and centrifuge limitations, as well as restarting its program at an underground facility. Tehran appears poised to take a new step away from the deal beginning from Sunday.

Iran's means of retaliation

Iran's conventional military force is limited. The backbone of its air power remains pre-revolution American F-4s, F-5s and F-14s, with a mix of other Soviet, French and aging aircraft. That fleet is outgunned by the modern U.S.-supplied fighter jets flown by Israel and the Gulf Arab states. To counter that, Iran has put much of its money toward developing a ballistic missile program operated by the Guard. Iran could fall back on its regional militant allies or proxies to launch an attack, like Iraqi militiamen, Lebanon's Hezbollah or Yemen's Houthi rebels. The U.S. has blamed car bombs and kidnappings never claimed by Iran on Tehran as well. The Guard also routinely harasses U.S. Navy vessels in Persian Gulf and surrounding waterways, while Iran has surface-to-sea missile batteries along its coast as well.

America's broad Mideast presence

The Persian Gulf hosts a series of major American military installations. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which oversees the region, is based in Bahrain, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia that is home to over 7,000 American troops. Kuwait hosts over 13,000 American troops and the U.S. Army's Central forward headquarters. Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is the largest port of call for the U.S. Navy outside of America. The UAE hosts 5,000 U.S. military personnel, many at Abu Dhabi's Al-Dhafra Air Base, where American drones and advanced F-35 jetfighters are stationed. The forward headquarters of the U.S. military's Central Command is at Qatar's sprawling Al-Udeid Air Base, home to some 10,000 American troops. In Oman, the sultanate allows thousands of overflights and hundreds of landings a year, while also granting access to ports and its bases. Meanwhile, U.S. forces are in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

A history Enmity

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. trace back decades. For Iranians, they point to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that toppled Mohammad Mosaddegh and cemented the power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Pahlavi served as a key U.S. ally for decades after, buying billions of dollars of weapons and allowing America to spy on the Soviet Union from his country. Over time, however, he eliminated all political opposition and seized all power in the country. By 1979, the fatally ill shah fled the country. The 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage crisis soon followed, a history the two countries remain captive to until today.

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An 85-year-old man has died following a crash in Co Offaly.

The crash, which involved a pedestrian and a car, happened in the Mountheaton area at 6pm yesterday.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was removed to the mortuary at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore for a post-mortem examination.

The man who was driving the car was uninjured.

The Roscrea/Shinrone road (R491) was closed last night for Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information regarding this incident, particularly any road users with camera footage who were travelling the Roscrea/Shinrone road between 5.30pm and 6pm on January 2 to contact Birr Garda Station on 057 916 9710, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
The tron at Stenton, East Lothian, Scotland. Image credit: Studio Karel/Shutterstock.com

This is the village of Stenton, in East Lothian, Scotlanda small agricultural village made up of a couple of buildings and patches of farmlands. In the medieval period, the main produce of the village was grain, hides and wool, which were sold at the markets every week. The cross like arrangement seen in the image above marks the site where the markets were held up to the middle of the 19th century.

The horizontal arm of this cross is the top bar of a weighing balance used to weight goods sold at the market. You can still see the hooks at either ends of the bar, from which weights and goods were hung. This kind of public balance is called a tron, from the French word troneau, meaning 'balance'. At one time trons such as this were a common sight across rural Scotland.

Before standardization of weights and measurements, much of Europe used the Imperial system of measurement used by the Romans. But after the fall of the Empire, standard measures diverged in different parts of Europe, so that by the early Middle Ages standards differed from place to place. The Scottish measures, which differed from the measures in England, used troy and avoirdupois to measure weights. The troy weight was used by silversmiths to measure gold, silver and gemstones, and by apothecaries to measure medicines and chemicals. Avoirdupois weight was used to measure bulkier goods like grains.

Market Scene by Pieter Aertsen , circa 1550.

Certain burghsan administrative unit similar to a city or a townwere entrusted with the responsibility of keeping the standards. Edinburgh kept the 'ell' for linear measure, Linlithgow the 'firlot' for dry measure, Lanark the 'troy stone' for weight, and Stirling the 'pint' for liquid capacity. Each burgh kept their own sets of weights to be used during market days, but they were seldom uniform, so that weights varied from burgh to burgh.

The public weighing machine, the tron, was one of the key places of the burgh. The street where it was situated was often known as the Trongate, and the tron was also the site of public meetings as well as punishments.

In 1824, the Imperial Weights and Measures Act attempted to introduce uniformity in weights and measures across Scotland, and by the middle of the 19th century Scottish weights and measures disappeared and were replaced by Imperial units. An attempt was made to introduce metric units to the UK and abolish the archaic Imperial measures as early as 1868, but it was not until the late 20th century that a gradual process of phasing out Imperial measures was begun in the UK. Today, most pre-packaged goods sold in the UK are labelled in metric units.
Layla Moran, a Liberal Democrats MP, has revealed she identifies as pansexual.

In an interview with the PinkNews website, the 37-year-old told how she had started a relationship with a woman six months ago, a development she described as surprising in terms of her sexual identity.

It was really wonderful on the one hand, but also quite surprising for me in how I had identified before, she told the publication.

It wasn't really something I had done before or considered before, but sometimes when you meet the right person, it just kind of happens.

Liberal Democrats Shadow Education Secretary Layla Moran identifies as pansexual. [Photo: Getty]

READ MORE: Bella Thorne identifies as pansexual

Moran is the first known British politician to openly identify as pansexual.

She cited this as part of her motivation to come out, calling parliament a weird, backwards place for LGBTQ+ people.

2020 is a new decade and a new path in my journey. Last year I fell in love with a wonderful woman. Something Id never even considered before. Now I am just happy #Pansexual #OutAndProud pic.twitter.com/jdfz87Hdkx  Layla Moran   (@LaylaMoran) January 2, 2020

However, she also said in an article she wrote for iNews that some journalists had suggested they would out her.

A number of high profile celebrities have previously said they are pansexual, including plus-size model Tess Holliday. The 34-year-old revealed in an interview with NYLON magazine that shes spent time reflecting on her sexuality and would consider a relationship with a woman, if she wasnt happily married to husband Nick - who she wed in 2015.

Last year, actor Bella Thorne told Good Morning America that after finding out about pansexuality, which does not consider sex or gender, she has had a self realisation.

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Im actually pansexual and I didnt know that, she explained. Somebody explained to me really thoroughly what that is. You like beings. You like what you like. Doesnt have to be a girl or a guy or a he or she or they or this or that. Its literally you like personality. You just like a being.

Musician Janelle Monae came out as pansexual in 2018, telling Rolling Stone: I read about pansexuality and was like, Oh, these are things that I identify with too. Im open to learning more about who I am.

Additionally, singer Miley Cyrus, who has been romantically linked to both men and women, came out as pansexual back in 2015.

Despite the headlines pansexuality has made in recent years, many dont know what it means.

The search term received a 100% spike on Google Trends in the wake of Morans announcement today.

What is pansexuality?

The word pansexual is derived from the Greek prefix pan, meaning all.

Often confused with bisexuality, pansexuality is where gender is not factored into attraction at all.

In contrast, those who identify as bisexual are attracted to both genders.

While being bisexual means being attracted to more than one gender, being pansexual means being attracted to all gender identities, or attracted to people regardless of gender, GLAAD, an organisation supporting LGBTQ+ representation in the media, explains on their website.

READ MORE: Woman refuses to attend her straight sister's 'coming out' party

Asked to define her sexuality by PinkNews, Moran said: Pansexuality, to me, means it doesn't matter about the physical attributions of the person you fall in love with, it's about the person themselves.

It doesn't matter if they're a man or a woman or gender non-conforming, it doesn't matter if they identify as gay or not.

In the end, these are all things that don't matter - the thing that matters is the person, and that you love the person.

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Renters homes will be checked to make sure they are not cold or mouldy in a crackdown on dodgy landlords.

In a pilot scheme, councils will install new wireless technology sensors to test temperatures and humidity levels to ensure tenants are warm over winter.

The government project aims to identify particularly cold homes and enforcement officers will place the devices in flats or houses where renters have reported problems.

Data gathered by the sensors will be used to ensure that landlords act to fix the problem or to take further action against them. The government project aims to identify particularly cold homes [File photo]

The sensors will then raise the alarm when the temperature gets too low or humidity reaches levels which can cause damp or mould in the trial being carried out in Greenwich, south-east London.

The data gathered by the sensors will be used to ensure that landlords act to fix the problem or to take further action against them.

The trial is part of a wider scheme in which 100-plus councils across England have been awarded a share of more than 4million to target unscrupulous or criminal landlords and letting agents who offer inadequate or unsafe housing.

In a pilot scheme, councils will install new wireless technology sensors to test temperatures and humidity levels to ensure tenants are warm over winter [File photo]

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick promised to achieve a better deal for renters.

He added: Its completely unacceptable that a minority of unscrupulous landlords break the law and provide homes which fall short of the standards we rightly expect, making lives difficult for hard-working tenants.

Everyone deserves to live in a home that is safe and secure. The funding will strengthen councils powers to crack down on poor landlords and drive up standards in the private rented sector across the country.

The cash pot was unveiled in November to help local authorities take enforcement action and tell tenants of their rights.

Across Yorkshire and the Humber, 22 councils will be funded to train more than 100 enforcement officers.

In Northampton, a special operations unit will be set up and in Thurrock, Essex, vulnerable young tenants will be given extra support in tandem with care services.

Labour housing spokesman John Healey said the funding did not make up for cuts to local authority budgets.

This puny commitment is a drop in the ocean compared to the cuts that councils have faced since 2010, he said.

The Conservatives have gifted rogue landlords the freedom to flourish by cutting council budgets, weakening their powers and refusing to legislate to drive up standards.
Gurugram The mayor and her two deputies met with the councillors who had tried, but failed, to pass a vote of no-confidence against the trio last month in the presence of the new commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, Vinay Pratap Singh.

Singh had called all the councillors of all 35 wards for an informal interaction at the civic bodys Sector 34 office.

During the meeting, Azad said, Gurugram belongs to all of us and we all have to work together for its betterment.

The meeting went off without a hitch, with no disagreements or protests from the mayors or the councillors.

On December 3, 2019, 13 councillors had boycotted the MCGs house meeting to protest the mayors decision to exclude seven of their agenda points from the final list. Subsequently, a letter bearing the signatures of 19 councillors, asking for the removal of the mayor and her two deputies from their posts, was submitted to the divisional commissioner, Ashok Kumar Sangwan.

A minimum of 12 councillors are needed for a no-confidence motion, but on December 18, when a floor test was expected, not a single councillor attended the meeting with Sangwan and the motion was quashed.

The hostility, however, continued among the mayors and councillors, with an alleged Finance & Contract Committee (F&CC) meeting being held on December 27, 2019, without notifying the rebel councillors, leading to objections from them.

On Wednesday, 10 councillors from the group had met the MCG commissioner to apprise him of the irregularities in the MCG.

However, on Friday, they did not protest or bring up any discrepancy during the meeting.

Incidentally, on Thursday, based on Ward 35 councillor, RS Rathees allegations, that the green belt between Bristol Chowk and Khushboo Chowk along Gurgaon-Faridabad Road has numerous anomalies, the mayor had submitted a letter to Vinay Pratap Singh, pressing for an enquiry into the matter.

Rathee was the self-proclaimed leader of the group looking to oust the mayor and her deputies.

Other key suggestions during Fridays meeting by councillors were to create a separate waste collection system for Faridabad and reserve the Bandhwari plant solely for Gurugram, reduce the booking amount of community centres, complete the takeover of markets in HSVP sectors, expedite the completion of pedestrian bridges at Gurugram railway station, establish citizen facilitation tenders and setting up a dispensary in each MCG ward.

The MCG commissioner said that tenders related to emergency maintenance would be done on an annual basis so that these works could be taken up immediately. He also said that there will be counters at the tehsil level for property tax and development fee, and it will be made mandatory to get a no-objection certificate from these counters before getting a property registered.

He also said that to better rankings in the upcoming Swachh Survekshan 2020, instructions have been given to all officials to clean all garbage points.
A security firm with its own uniformed 'bobbies' is launching the UK's first private prosecutions against pickpockets and shoplifters.

The company My Local Bobby provides security for a fee, but says that police often release suspected pickpockets and shoplifters when they are handed over.

As a result, the firm run by former Scotland Yard officers is now setting up its own prosecution unit to pursue the cases itself, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Director David McKelvey said the company's move was a 'win-win' for the regular police who would have more time to investigate other crimes.

Private security: One of the 'bobbies' provided by the company My Local Bobby patrols a street in West London. The firm is now launching prosecutions against shoplifters and pickpockets

Mr McKelvey says frustration has grown as the private 'bobbies' have caught shoplifters and pickpockets but police have failed to bring charges.

'Police take ages to turn up and when they do, despite overwhelming evidence, they simply take off the handcuffs and release them,' Mr McKelvey says.

'What we have done now is to employ a new prosecution team on shoplifting, pickpockets, low-level assaults and drug dealing and we will prosecute these offences ourselves.'

Police often decline to take up a case because they were too busy to spend hours interviewing a suspect over a minor shoplifting, he said.

However, Mr McKelvey warns that 'that shoplifter is going to go on and shoplift the next day and the day after' if no action is taken.

Detectives have also reportedly cited a lack of space in police stations as a reason to release suspects.

My Local Bobby has 30 operatives in red uniforms who stay within five-minute reach of the properties they are guarding.

The founder of My Local Bobby says frustration has grown as the private 'bobbies' (left) have caught shoplifters and pickpockets but police (stock image right) have failed to bring charges

Households pay between 100 and 200 a month for the 24-hour security service, which has proved popular in wealthy parts of West London.

Mr McKelvey says the aim is to have 'bobbies' walking the streets who would reassure the public and know the neighbourhood well enough to spot problems.

The firm is regulated by the Security Industry Authority, which issues licences to private security workers.

The company boasts on its website that it has already undertaken 400 private prosecutions with a 100 per cent success rate.

Mr McKelvey is a former Met Police detective chief inspector who retired from Scotland Yard in 2008.

He founded the security firm with Tony Nash, another Met Police veteran who was a borough commander in Newham.

The National Police Chiefs' Council says officers work with private security 'on a daily basis' but that firms such as My Local Bobby should not 'replace' ordinary policing.
New Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Women and members from the queer community on Friday took out a protest march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) here.



The demonstrators carried placards with slogans opposing the CAA, NRC and National Population Register (NPR).

Protests have been held in various parts of the country against CAA which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians who fled religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI)
By Jill Gralow and Wayne Cole

BATEMANS BAY, Australia/SYDNEY (Reuters) - Authorities urged Australians on Friday to evacuate parts of the eastern states of Victoria and New South Wales to escape bushfires they fear are set to burn out of control this weekend.

In a harbinger of the searing conditions expected, a number of fires burnt out of control in South Australia as temperatures topped 40 degrees C (104 F) across much of the state and strong winds fanned flames.

Victoria declared a state of disaster across areas home to about 100,000 people, with authorities urging people to evacuate before a deterioration expected on Saturday.

"If they value their safety they must leave," Michael Grainger of the state's police emergency responders told reporters. "I'd suggest personal belongings are of very, very little value in these circumstances.

"These are dire circumstances, there is no doubt."

At the summer holiday peak, authorities have advised tens of thousands of holidaymakers and residents to leave national parks and tourist areas on the south coast of New South Wales, where a week-long state of emergency has been called.

(GRAPHIC: New South Wales "Tourist leave zone" - https://graphics.reuters.com/AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES/0100B4TM2N3/tourist-leavezone.jpg)

A death confirmed on Friday takes the state's toll this week to eight. Two people have died in Victoria, and 28 are unaccounted for.

In Victoria, naval vessels Choules and Sycamore started evacuations of about a quarter of the 4,000 people stranded on a beach in the isolated town of Mallacoota.

With roads blocked, sea transport and some airlifts are the only way out of the stricken town, although heavy smoke prevented flights on Friday.

People in the fire-devastated New South Wales town of Cobargo angrily confronted Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a visit on Thursday, with one shouting that the leader should be "ashamed of himself" and had "left the country to burn".

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Morrison's conservative government has long drawn criticism for not doing enough to battle climate change as a cause of Australia's savage drought and fires.

This season's fires have scorched more than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of bushland, with 1,365 homes destroyed in New South Wales alone, including 449 this week on the south coast.

* Weather officials on Friday rated the danger from fire "very high" to "extreme" in most districts in South Australia, with a similar outlook for New South Wales and Victoria on Saturday.

* Please click on links to see maps posted on Twitter by emergency services in both states to predict the spread of fires on Saturday: https://bit.ly/2QnjU9L and https://bit.ly/2sL7dfR

* The head of the opposition Labor Party demanded a national response. "We haven't, in my lifetime, had people on beaches waiting to be evacuated in life jackets...like it's a peacetime version of something that we have seen during wartime," Anthony Albanese told a news conference.

* Since Monday, wildfires have killed ten people in New South Wales and Victoria, with 28 still missing in the latter.

* Police and emergency officials urged tourists to leave the south coast and Snowy Mountains of New South Wales because of dangerous fire conditions, and set a Friday deadline of 10 a.m. (2300 GMT Thursday) to leave Kosciuszko National Park.

* Thousands of people had already been evacuated from East Gippsland in Victoria, one of the largest such exercises since more than 35,000 people evacuated from the northern city of Darwin in the aftermath of cyclone Tracy in 1974.

* A contingent of 39 firefighters from North America arrived in Melbourne this week, taking to almost 100 the number of U.S. and Canadians helping to tackle the crisis.

* New Zealand will send 22 more firefighters to Australia next week, adding to 157 sent since October.

* Morrison blamed a three-year drought and lack of hazard reduction for the unprecedented extent and duration of the bushfires.

* Morrison said he was inclined not to proceed with plans for a Jan. 13 visit to India because of the fires, following which he was to have visited Japan.

* United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the world was "not winning" the race to tackle global warming.

(Reporting by Jill Gralow and Wayne Cole; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Clarence Fernandez)
No one in the government has ever called the three detained former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir 'anti-national', Home Minister Amit Shah has said, adding that a decision on their release will be taken by the administration of the union territory

New Delhi: No one in the government has ever called the three detained former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir "anti-national", Home Minister Amit Shah has said, adding that a decision on their release will be taken by the administration of the union territory.

Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti had to be detained for "some time" after they made provocative statements, the home minister said on Thursday night while addressing an event organised by media outlet ABP News.

"Please see the statements made by them, like the entire country will be on fire if Article 370 was touched...In the backdrop of these statements, a professional decision was taken to keep them under detention for some time," Shah said at the news summit.

Many political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including the three former chief ministers, were detained on 5 August, the day the Centre announced the abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

While Farooq Abdullah has been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act and confined to his Gupkar Road residence in Srinagar, which has been declared a sub-jail, his son Omar Abdullah has been detained at Hari Niwas. PDP chief Mufti was lodged at Chesmashahi hut initially but later shifted to government accommodation.

To a question pointing out that Abdullahs' National Conference and Mufti's PDP were alliance partners of the BJP at some point of time and the leaders were now being labelled "anti-national", the home minister made it clear that neither he nor anyone from the government had called them so.

"As far as the decision to release them is concerned, this decision will be taken by the local administration and not me," he said, adding that the administration will release them whenever it deems suitable.

Shah said the situation in the Kashmir Valley was under control and day-to-day life was going on smoothly. "Not a single inch in Kashmir is under curfew today," he added.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 20:36:24|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TEHRAN/BAGHDAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The tension between Iran and the United States has dramatically escalated following the killing of a senior Iranian commander in a U.S. airstrike on Friday in Iraq's capital of Baghdad.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Friday confirmed the killing of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the IRGC, in an airstrike on Baghdad's international airport by U.S. helicopters in the early morning.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Defense Department announced it conducted the attack under President Donald Trump's direction as a "defensive action" against Soleimani, who it said was planning further attacks on U.S. diplomats and service members in Iraq.

IRAN VOWS TO REVENGE

Iranian senior officials on Friday strongly condemned the assassination of Soleimani, while vowing to take revenge.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that those who assassinated Soleimani should wait for Iran's severe response, state TV reported.

Khamenei said that the mission of Soleimani and "resistance" will not stop by his death.

All should know that "the resistance movement will continue more strongly, and a definite victory awaits those who fight in this auspicious path," he said.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani echoed the remarks by the Iranian supreme leader, saying that the campaign against terrorism and radicalism in the region will continue "even determinedly" after Soleimani's death.

"With no doubt, the Iranians will take revenge for this horrible crime," Rouhani tweeted.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also strongly condemned the U.S. for assassinating Soleimani, saying Iran will "hold the criminal and terrorist regime of the United States accountable for this blatant crime," according to Press TV.

"The malice and stupidity of the terrorist American forces in assassinating General Soleimani, the hero and commander of fight against terrorism and extremism, will undoubtedly make stronger the tree of resistance in the region and the world," Zarif was quoted as saying.Mohsen Rezaei, the former commander of the IRGC, on Friday vowed "vigorous revenge" on the U.S. for killing Soleimani.

ESCALATING IRAN-U.S. TENSION

The long-time conflict between Iran and the U.S. has sharply escalated in the past days after angry Iraqi protesters stormed the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad on Tuesday to protest the U.S. air raids conducted on Sunday against five bases of Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

The U.S. airstrikes were conducted to retaliate for the killing of an American contractor and wounding of several U.S. soldiers in a rocket attack last Friday on a military base housing U.S. troops in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

"Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible," said Trump in a morning tweet, referring to the incident in which hundreds of Iraqi protesters stormed the U.S. embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone.

Some protesters smashed one of the gates and broke into the outer yards of the embassy, sparking a clash with the guards who fired tear gas to disperse them, an official from the Iraqi Interior Ministry told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

U.S. forces on Sunday attacked five locations in Iraq and Syria controlled by Iraq's pro-Iran Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH), or Hezbollah Brigades, killing dozens of Hashd Shaabi fighters.

Hashd Shaabi, an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization, was formed by the KH and other Shia Iraqi paramilitary groups in 2014. It currently includes more than 40 militant groups.

The protest prompted the U.S. to deploy about 750 troops immediately to the Middle East.

REGIONAL REACTIONS TO U.S. RAID IN BAGHDAD

In Friday's U.S. airstrike at Baghdad's international airport, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces, was also killed.

The Hashd Shaabi media office said in a statement that al-Muhandis and Soleimani were killed in their vehicle on a main road near the airport.

Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Friday strongly condemned the U.S. attack, calling the assassination of al-Muhandis, an Iraqi military leader, as "an aggression against Iraq, its state, its government and its people."

Mahdi said that attack "is a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty, a blatant attack on the dignity of the country and a dangerous escalation that ignites a destructive war in Iraq, the region and the world," he said in a statement.

He also considered he attack as "a flagrant violation of the conditions for the presence of U.S. forces in Iraq," stressing that its role is limited to training Iraqi forces and fighting Islamic State (IS) group within the international coalition forces and under the supervision and approval of the Iraqi government.

Mahdi called on Iraqi parliament to hold an extraordinary session to discuss taking the necessary legislative decisions that would preserve the dignity, security and sovereignty of Iraq, the statement added.

Syria's Foreign Ministry on Friday slammed the U.S. assassination of Soleimani as a "criminal, treacherous aggression," which "highlights again the responsibility of the U.S. for the destabilization of the region."

The ministry warned of "dangerous escalation" of the regional situation, while accusing the U.S. of igniting conflicts with the aim of enabling Israel to control the region.

The Palestinian left-wing faction, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said in a statement that the murder of Soleimani is a "quantum leap in the American aggression and wars it wages in the region."

The Islamic Hamas movement, which controls the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip, also condemned "the ongoing American crimes that create tension in the region, which serves the criminal Israeli enemy."

"The United States of America is fully responsible for the bloodshed in the Arab region," Hamas said in a press statement.

Israel, which regards Iran as its arch enemy, has not officially responded to the killing of Soleimani immediately.

Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his cabinet ministers to make no comments on the assassination.

Israeli Defense Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly held a security assessment of the situation at the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv.
The geographical position of Azerbaijan and ethnic structure of its population have created vital conditions for peaceful coexistence among different religions on the countrys territory. Throughout history Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other religions had a mutual impact on the culture of Azerbaijan and on one another.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Israel are at an excellent level and traditionally extend far beyond diplomacy and trade, The Jerusalem Post writes in the article The light in the world of darkness. The history of the Jews in Azerbaijan goes back to the days of antiquity, presumably to the times of Assyrian kings in the seventh century BCE. Therefore, it becomes relevant to claim that the Jewish Diaspora in Azerbaijan is among the first in the world. Initially, due to settling in the mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, Jewish groups were named Mountain Jews, nowadays in the Quba region of Azerbaijan. There is a place called Red Town or Qirmizi Qesebe, which is the largest Mountain Jewish settlement in the former Soviet Union and the only Jewish settlement outside of Israel and the United States.

Mountain Jews have managed to maintain their own culture and lifestyle across the centuries; and there are hundreds of well-known politicians, businessmen, scientists and other notable figures from that community now living and working in Russia, Israel, USA, Germany, the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, Mountain Jews in Israel actively support ties with Azerbaijan, celebrate its holidays and mourn its tragic days. For example, there is Mountain Jews Heritage Center called House of Azerbaijan and established in Acre that hosted a memorial event dedicated to Azerbaijanis, victims of genocide in Khojaly in 1992.

Jewish politicians have actively participated in the political and social life of the Azerbaijani Democratic Republic (ADR) which proclaimed its independence in 1918, including members of ADRs Parliament Moisey Gukhman, Konstantin Lisgar, who became minister for food provisions, and Dr. Yevsei Gindes, who was minister of health. Also, hundreds of thousands of Jewish families found a shelter in Azerbaijan during WWII. Approximately 200,000 Jews who were evacuated from other Soviet republics with the aim to rescue them from the Holocaust settled in Azerbaijani SSR. All of these symbolize trust that turned into a respectful coexistence and collaboration between Muslims and Jews.

Azerbaijanis are proud of their many Jewish fellow countrymen who brought fame and honor to their homeland. Among them was the Baku-born Jewish physicist Lev Landau, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1962 for his pioneering theories in condensed matter, especially liquid helium.Another proud Azerbaijani with Jewish roots is the national hero of Azerbaijan Albert Agarunov, who died defending Azerbaijans territorial integrity from Armenian aggression after the collapse of the USSR in 1991. In 1992, when the Karabakh war started, he voluntarily went to the front line. Agarunov, who was appointed tank commander, fought in various directions in Nagorno-Karabakh and destroyed a lot of enemy manpower and equipment. Agarunov was buried at the Alley of Martyrs in Bakus Highland Park. Azerbaijan honored the memory of its hero a by unveiling a monument created in his honor and installed in the street named after him.

Another reflection of peaceful and respectful Muslim-Jewish coexistence is that there has not been a single case of antisemitism registered in Azerbaijan, in contrast to many other states, including neighboring mono-ethnic Armenia. On the contrary, today, Azerbaijan with a Muslim majority is home to a Jewish community and eight synagogues. Recently, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which is based in the capital city of Baku, restored the centuries-old Jewish cemetery in the Mudji village of Ismailia. Also, the holy Torah was translated into the Azerbaijani language for the first time by the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

The growth of tolerance for Jews in Azerbaijani society is a reflection of the current governments policy. Such results may be achieved when the government prefers peace, tolerance, mutual respect and understanding over war, oppression, extremism and incitement. The continuing tolerance policy in modern Azerbaijan belongs to the national leader of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, who outlined the idea of equality of the national, ethnic, religious and social rights of all peoples who consider Azerbaijan as their homeland.Against a background of increasing religious and national hatred in the world, the perception of Islam in Azerbaijan remains as a religion close to Judaism, as both are part of the Abrahamic family of religions. From this perspective, it is relevant to suppose that the friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Israel are a light in the world of darkness and carry an important message to humanity. This is an example of how true Muslim-Jewish relations should be.Therefore, security for Jews is not of concern of the Jewish community in Azerbaijan. Jewish communities participate, lead and contribute to the multinational Azerbaijani society in the most productive way. Muslims and Jews and are friends in Azerbaijan and celebrate each others holidays and cultural experiences.
Thousands more have fled their homes in Australia amid fears wildfires raging across the country will become even more devastating over the weekend.

Concerns over the more than 200 fires burning and warnings of extreme danger to come prompted mass evacuations across the country on Friday.

The country is bracing for the crisis to worsen on Saturday as 40C temperatures and strong winds are expected to have devastating consequences.

Mark Jones, chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, said weather conditions were a cause for concern because some fires were still burning or smouldering.

He said: The ignition sources are already there. There are millions of sparks out there ready to go if they break containment lines.

Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Show all 40 1 /40 Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra in the state of New South Wales on 31 December 2019 AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billows from a huge bushfire that has torched over 200,000 acres of land in East Gipplsand, Victoria on 2 January EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Residents look on as flames tear through bushland in Lake Tabouriee, Australia on 4 January on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage behind Lake Conjola on 2 January Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter tackles a bushfire in East Gippsland, Victoria on 31 December EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter gives water to a parched koala in Cudlee Creek, South Australia AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters tackle a blaze as it tears through a farm in New South Wales on 21 December AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky is turned red over East Gippsland as fires continue to rage through Australian bushland on 4 January Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A kangaroo near bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures An aerial view of a bushfire near Bairnsdale State Government of Victoria/EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters work to tackle a blaze on the outskirts of Sydney on 31 December 2019 Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighting helicopter dumps water on a bushfire on the outskirts of the town of Bargo near Sydney Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Children play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A satellite image of the Batemans Bay showing smoke and fire from wild bushfires European Union, Copernicus Sentinel Data via REUTERS Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The afternoon sky glows red from bushfires in Nowra AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Burning embers cover the ground as firefighters battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The sky glows red as bushfires continue to rage in Mallacoota, Victoria Jonty Smith via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The remains of burnt out buildings along a main street in the New South Wales town of Cobargo AFP/Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters try to protect homes around Charmhaven, New South Wales NSW Rural Fire Service/AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale Glen Morey via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Business owners stand in front of their shop which was destroyed by a bushfire in Cobargo EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter dumping water on a fire in Victoria's East Gippsland region Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Think smoke from bushfires fills the air in eastern Gippsland Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures "Carmelised" snow caused by dust from Australian bushfires is seen near Franz Josef glacier in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland, Victoria. More than 800,000 hectares have been burnt in East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke billowing from a fire burning at East Gippsland EPA/DELWP Gippsland Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures LIFES.A.BREEZE via Reuters Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Smoke and wildfire rage behind Lake Conjola Robert Oerlemans via AP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A house and van are seen destroyed after bushfires ravaged the town of Bilpin, west of Sydney AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A helicopter fighting a bushfire near Bairnsdale in Victoria's East Gippsland region State Government of Victoria/AFP Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Fire and Rescue personal run to move their truck as a bushfire burns next to a major road and homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Amy, left, and Ben Spencer sit at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures A firefighter sprays foam retardant on a back burn ahead of a fire front in the New South Wales town of Jerrawangala AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Two bushfires approach a home located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Nowra AFP via Getty Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures Property under threat from the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield EPA Devastating wildfires rage across Australia: In pictures The main street of the New South Wales town of Bombala is pictured shrouded in smoke from nearby bushfires AFP via Getty

The Australian navy was called in to rescue about 1,000 stranded tourists and residents from beaches in the town of Mallacoota on the Victoria coast on Friday.

Landing craft ferried people to the HMAS Choules offshore.

Evacuees waiting to board the ship described smoke and embers flying everywhere when the fires were at their worst.

Its just scary waiting, Dani Barmeister told Channel Nine.

Darren Chester, MP for Gippsland, in Victoria, called it an unprecedented mass relocation of civilians.

Victoria premier Daniel Andrews declared a disaster across much of the eastern part of the state, which allowed the government to order evacuations in an area with 140,000 permanent residents and tens of thousands of holidaymakers.

In New South Wales, a state of emergency and a total fire ban have been declared.

Wildfire rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale, Australia (AP)

State Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers urged people not to delay leaving, noting four people in the state died in their cars as they made late attempts to flee.

We need people to stay focused, he said. Tomorrow is not the day to drop your guard.

The early start to Australias summer wildfires has already burnt about 5 million hectares of land, left at least 19 people dead, and destroyed more than 1,400 homes.

This week, at least 445 homes were destroyed on the New South Wales southern coast and dozens were burnt in Victoria.

Ten deaths have been confirmed in the two states this week, and Victoria authorities also said 28 people are missing.

Fires are also burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was inclined to cancel a scheduled trip to India later this month because of the wildfires.

In December, he cut short a family holiday in Hawaii in the face of public anger at his absence.

He made the remarks in Bairnsdale, Victoria, where he received a warmer welcome than he had in the wildfire-ravaged village of Cobargo, in New South Wales, a day earlier.

The prime minister cut short Thursdays visit when locals yelled at him, called him an idiot and criticised him for the lack of equipment to deal with fires in the village.

A firefighter, who lost his home in the fires, was also captured on camera refusing to shake Mr Morrisons hand.

A father and son died in a blaze while defending their home in the village on Monday.

The 19-month-old son of a volunteer firefighter who died while tackling bushfires received his fathers posthumous bravery medal during his funeral on Thursday.

Geoffrey Keaton and his colleague Andrew ODwyer were killed when a tree hit their fire truck, causing it to roll off the road near Buxton, southwestern Sydney, in December.

Volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul, who was expecting his first child with his wife, was also killed in a separate incident when his truck rolled over in extreme winds.

Smoke from the wildfires has also choked air quality and turned daytime skies to near-nighttime darkness in the worst-hit areas.

Sydney University ecologist Chris Dickman told the Sydney Morning Herald nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals are likely to have perished in New South Wales alone.

Frogs, bats and insects are excluded from his estimate, making the toll on animals much greater.

Additional reporting by agencies
After the United States killed a major instigator of terrorism, Americans had reason to solemnly give thanks. It means fewer innocent men, wom
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle helped take pictures of a couple struggling with a selfie stick while out on a hike in Vancouver.

The royals approached Iliya Pavlovic and Asymina Kantorowicz on New Year's Day in Vancouver Island's Horth Hill Regional Park.

Kantorowicz, a producer for CTV News, said she did not recognize the pair at first, instead noting that Duchess's Suits co-star Abigail Spencer - who the couple are spending the holidays with - 'looked familiar'.

But after the realization of who she was speaking to Kantorowicz says she 'froze up'.

She added: 'I actually couldnt believe who it was. Then I looked over to the side and thats when I realized Prince Harry was standing there.

'I kept looking back and forth like, "Is this actually happening?"

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle helped capture this picture of Iliya Pavlovic, left, and Asymina Kantorowicz, right. The royal pair approached them while on a New Year's Day hike in Vancouver Island's Horth Hill Regional Park to see if they needed help

Harry and Meghan had earlier shared this never-before-seen shot of baby Archie in a highlight reel of the family's most memorable moments from 2019

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent their first Christmas with baby Archie in this $14.1 million waterfront mansion in Canada, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed

Both couples were out in Vancouver Island's Horth Hill Regional Park on New Year's Day

The couple say Meghan was 'super friendly' and took three photos of them. Prince Harry is said to have joked 'no pressure' as she captured the images.

Kantorowicz added: 'We noticed a group was standing nearby and they had two dogs, one of which was approaching us.

'She starts asking if we want her to take a photo for us. We said sure. I didn't see who she was at that time.'

Once she realized it was the Duchess taking the picture Kantorowicz said: 'In that moment the only thing I could think to say, "There's only so much that selfie sticks can do".

'She laughed and responded with something like, "We'll have to do better," and then Harry said, "No pressure."'

Both couples are then said to have wished each other a happy new year.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, spent their first Christmas with baby Archie in a $14.1 million waterfront mansion on Vancouver Island.

They were joined by the Duchess of Sussex's mother Doria Ragland.

Locals in the islands rural community of North Saanich noticed cameras and fences erected at the property as early as December 19, before the mansion was swarmed with security guards.

The royal couple are spending time with the Duchess's Suits co-star Abigail Spencer. Markle and Spencer are pictured arriving in New York City in February

Harry had already been seen hiking in the Horth Hill Regional Park, and the couple have been spotted jogging around North Saanich

The couple were given permission by the Queen, 93, to celebrate the festive season alone instead of joining the Royal family in Sandringham and opted to go to Vancouver Island

Kantorowicz added: 'We kind of turned to each other laughed and said, "Did that just happen?" I still can't believe it. It feels like a dream.

'We didn't want to make a big deal of it. We really appreciated that she stopped to take a photo for us. We would not have recognized them had they not approached us.

'I was in shock and I didnt want to make it a big deal. But then we both called our moms to tell them.'

The royal couple are said to have been out on a hike with a black dog and a beagle.

They earlier shared a never-before-seen shot of baby Archie in a highlight reel of the family's most memorable moments from 2019.
Bernie Sanders opened his town hall in Anamosa, Iowa, on Friday with a searing rebuke of President Donald Trumps dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren also spent their days consumed with Iran.

Less than a day after the Trump administration confirmed the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the scramble to confront the Republican president on Iran laid bare how quickly the situation had metastasized into a potentially campaign-altering development.

While nearly universally condemning Soleimani in carefully crafted statements, Democrats sought to draw subtle distinctions between themselves and their party rivals on foreign policy  for better and for worse.

Biden, the former vice president and former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, leaned into his experience on the world stage at his first Iowa event Friday. Buttigieg cited his experience as a former military intelligence officer on the ground in Afghanistan.

Sanders reminded Democrats once again of his lonely  and politically prescient  vote against the Iraq war in 2002.

When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared that it would result in greater destabilization in that country and in the entire region, Sanders said. At that time, I warned about the deadly so-called unintended consequences of a unilateral invasion. Today, 17 years later, that fear has unfortunately turned out to be a truth.

Sanders, who has positioned himself to the left of the field on foreign policy, was the rare candidate not to go out of his way to assail Soleimani in prepared statements  avoiding a rhetorical two-step that could alienate interventionist-leery Democrats.

Warren failed to recognize that hazard in her initial statement, in which she called Soleimani a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.

Story continues

FILE -- In this Feb. 11, 2016 file photo, Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran. As Saudi Arabia holds a naval drill in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Soleimani, a powerful Iranian general was quoted, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, by the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies as suggesting the kingdom's deputy crown prince is so

After progressives criticized her tone, she issued a second, more singularly Trump-focused statement Friday, and referred to the killing as an assassination of a senior foreign military official  language echoing Sanders earlier characterization.

The killing suddenly refocused, at least for the moment, public attention on foreign policy, which has played a minor role in a presidential primary dominated by domestic concerns.

For most candidates, national security is a secondary issue, said Matt Bennett of the center-left group Third Way and a veteran of Wesley Clarks 2004 presidential campaign, noting that the moment does feel familiar to the political climate at the start of the Iraq war in 2003.

If this kind of results in Iran shelling some things and doing a cyberattack that screws up somebodys website for a while, then it wont have any impact [on the 2020 primary], he said. But if Iran responds with serious force in some way  and its impossible to speculate what that could look like  then I think it could raise real questions about the ability of the various Democratic candidates to credibly claim national security expertise.

Bennett said it is blindingly obvious that a shift in focus to national security would benefit Biden, with his extensive record on foreign policy  an opinion Bidens campaign shares. But it will also highlight  as Sanders has  progressives discomfort with his 2002 vote in favor of the invasion of Iraq.

The Republican National Committee immediately seized on the Iran strike to lay into Biden. In a prepared statement, it said that if Biden were president, Osama bin Laden would still be alive, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi would still be alive, Soleimani would still be alive, China would be eating our lunch and Iran would be on the path to a nuke.

Yet for Democrats, the broader concern was the reminder of Trumps singular ability to dictate the terms of the campaign. Trump speculated repeatedly during Barack Obamas presidency that Obama would try to exploit Iran for political gain, warning in one of several now-widely circulated tweets he will attack Iran in the not too distant future because it will help him win the election.

This week, it was Trump raising the specter of an escalating conflict in the Middle East and opening new battle lines in the 2020 primary.

On the one hand, this was retaliation of the highest order, against an indisputably brutal actor in Soleimani, which may rally Americans around the commander in chief, said David Axelrod, the former Obama adviser. On the other, it will almost certainly be interpreted by the Iranians as an act of war, and may fetch serious and far flung consequences which could entangle the U.S. in the Middle East in new and perilous ways.

In a victory lap Friday, Trump said Soleimani had killed or wounded thousands of Americans and got caught while plotting to kill more. For the Republican president, the political message was simple: Before issuing his statement, Trump had simply tweeted an image of the American flag.

Thus far in the campaign, foreign policy has figured as little more than an afterthought said Andrew Bacevich, the retired Army colonel and longtime professor of international relations. The crisis with Iran, carrying with it the possibility of war, all but obliges the Democratic candidates to take a stand. The real issue is not the escalating tit-for-tat violence, but whether or not to continue in the post-9/11 project of using force to impose order on the Greater Middle East. The effort has produced no positive results. Trump promised to call it off. He has obviously failed. Will the Democrats offer something better?

Holly Otterbein and Alex Thompson contributed to this report.


Weather Alert

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM EST TUESDAY... * WHAT...Very cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 25 below zero. * WHERE...Champlain Valley and lower Connecticut River Valley. * WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 3 PM EST Tuesday. * IMPACTS...The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The coldest wind chill values will occur between 2 AM and 11 AM on Tuesday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Avoid outside activities if possible. Wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves. &&
(Alliance News) - British American Tobacco PLC on Friday welcomed a move by US regulators to ban a number of e-cigarette products.

The US Food & Drug Administration said cartridge-based e-cigarettes in flavours other than tobacco or menthol will become illegal unless specifically authorised by the government.

However, in September the White House had promised a full ban, but this was scuppered by industry pressure.

The change will take effect in early February, outlawing cartridges with fruit, mint and candy flavours, which are particularly popular with young people. The ban will exempt large, tank-based rechargeable vaping devices, however, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adults.

"Yesterday's announcement takes us a step closer to a predictable regulatory environment in a key marketplace, but focus must now shift to enforcement to ensure vapour market regulations are effective," said BAT Chief Executive Jack Bowles.

"We have long said it is not the marketing of these products per se that is the concern, it is the irresponsible marketing of them that should be robustly addressed. For us, smart regulatory frameworks partnered with responsible marketing and appropriate enforcement will ensure the sustainability of adult consumer choice across all categories," Bowles added.

BAT said the FDA move shows vaping remains a credible alternative to smoking, and welcomed the clarity the new ruling gives.

BAT has already submitted one brand application for vaping products, and has several more lined up before the deadline of May this year.

"We will continue to work with the US FDA throughout the implementation of this new regulatory framework to make sure consumers have access to quality-assured products whilst doing our utmost to ensure that vaping remains positioned as a credible option for smokers looking for an alternative to tobacco," added CEO Bowles.

Shares were 0.1% higher in Johannesburg at ZAR603.78 early Friday. The London market is not yet open.

By George Collard; georgecollard@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd on Friday commented on the oil discovery made at the Carapa-1 well in offshore Guyana and its potential meaning for the adjacent Orinduik block.

Shares in Toronto-headquartered Eco Atlantic were up 7.4% at 55.82 pence in London in morning trading.

Carapa-1 is located in the Kanuku block, off the coast of Guyana, and is directly in board of Orinduik, in which Eco Atlantic holds a 15% working interest.

On Thursday, Tullow Oil PLC said early results from drilling at the Carapa-1 well suggest the finding of oil in Upper Cretaceous sandstones. Results show the four metres of net oil pay has a sulphur content of less than 1% and indicate the Cretaceous oil in the Stabroek licence extends southwards into Kanuku, with tests putting the oil at 27 degrees API.

Tullow did note, however, that the four metres of oil at Kanuku was less than expected. Tullow holds a 38% interest in Kanuku and a 60% interest in Orinduik. Total EP Guyana BV, part of Total SA, holds a 25% interest in Orinduik having exercised its option to acquire part of Eco Atlantic's interest in September 2018.

Eco Atlantic Chief Operating Officer Colin Kinley said: "The Carapa discovery is very important to us technically and confirms our thinking on prospectivity on our Orinduik block. The existence of a good oil grade unaffected by sulphur in board of us is excellent news. We have a proven source kitchen to the North, with ExxonMobil and partners having defined and now producing 32 API at the Liza field to the North of us, and now a 27 API oil discovery on Carapa to the South of us.

"We continue to gain a good understanding of the transportation and pooling systems, and we can see the reservoirs clearly in the Cretaceous. As more wells are drilled, it is becoming clearer to understand and define new drilling locations. We see very significant thick pay opportunities in the Cretaceous section on Orinduik and we are currently defining our upcoming drilling plans, which we hope to have confirmed in the next few weeks."

At present, Eco Atlantic is preparing an updates competent persons report, which will include recent discoveries in the tertiary section of Irinduik, as well as Exxon Mobil Corp's further regional 2019 discoveries.

By Anna Farley; annafarley@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
An angry group of local residents pelted stones at the Gurudwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening. India, 'strongly condemned' the vandalism, called on Islamabad to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community in the area.

India "strongly condemned" the vandalism of the Gurudwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening and called on Islamabad to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community in the locality.

According to initial reports, an angry group of local residents pelted stones at the gurdwara. The group, reports said, was led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, who is also the daughter of the gurdwara's reader.

Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared the video which, he said, showed an angry mob shouting anti-Sikh slogans outside Nankana Sahib.

"Live footage from Nankana Sahib where an angry Muslim mob is outside Gurdwara Sahib and raising anti-Sikh slogans," Sirsa said in a tweet.

LIVE Footage from Nankana Sahib where an angry Muslim mob is outside Gurdwara Sahib and raising anti-Sikh slogans I urge @ImranKhanPTI Ji to take immediate action on such communal incidents that are increasing the insecurity in the minds of Sikhs of Pak@thetribunechd @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/IlxxBjhpO2  Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) January 3, 2020

Sirsa also urged Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan to take immediate action "on such communal incidents that are increasing the insecurity in the minds of Sikhs of Pakistan". Police rushed to the scene of the incident to control the people who had gathered, ANI reported.

"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement, adding that members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev.

"These reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, the Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year. India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place.

"We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in the desecration of the holy Gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," the MEA added.

With inputs from agencies
Hong Kong, Jan 3 : Luxury French fashion house Louis Vuitton has planned to shut one of its eights stores in Hong Kong due to a major plunge in sales at the outlet since the anti-government protests began seven months ago, a media report said on Friday.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the brand has planned to shut its store in the Times Square mall in the shopping district of Causeway Bay, after the mall's owner refused a request to lower the rent on its prime second-floor space amid the plunging sales, the South China Morning Post said in the report.

Louis Vuitton had previously announced plans to open a ninth store at Hong Kong International Airport in 2021.

Before the protests, a large numbers of shoppers from mainland China would travel to the city to take advantage of lower prices for luxury goods since Hong Kong is a free port and does not impose customs tariffs on imported goods, the report said.

However, as some protesters have turned more violent and anti-China sentiment has increased, Chinese visitors have been shunning Hong Kong.

According to the latest figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, only 2.65 million people visited in November 2019, a decline of 56 per cent from the same period last year.

Retail sales have also plummeted with other international luxury brands including Moncler, Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo. These companies have reported sales declines of up to 45 per cent in Hong Kong during the third quarter that ended on September 30.

LVMH, the multinational luxury goods conglomerate that owns Louis Vuitton, reported a 25 per cent decline in its Hong Kong sales in the same period.

In the report, the South China Morning Post also said that to cope with the poor performance in its overextended Hong Kong retail network, LVMH has temporarily reassigned some sales staff to stores in mainland China, as many Chinese shoppers who used to come to Hong Kong for shopping sprees were now buying luxury goods back home.
A man allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a moving train at Ghitorni station on the Delhi Metro's Yellow Line on Friday, leading to brief delay in services, officials said.

Yellow Line connects Samaypur Badli in Delhi to HUDA City Centre in Gurgaon.

Police confirmed the incident but the identity, age and other details about the victim were awaited.

A man allegedly committed suicide at a station on the Yellow Line of Delhi Metro, a senior police official said.

Services were delayed on the Sultanpur-Huda City Centre section of the Yellow Line due to the incident, DMRC officials said.

"Delay in services between Sultanpur and Huda City Centre due to a passenger on track at Ghitorni. Normal service on all other lines," the DMRC tweeted soon after the incident.

The normal services were resumed after 10-15 minutes delay, officials said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The residence of a former Senate President, David Mark, in Otukpo town, Benue State has been gutted by fire.

Witnesses said the fire spread from a nearby bush bordering the fence of the ex-senate presidents residence and bunt down two ambulance vehicles as well as over 15 motor cycles parked in the premises.

It was gathered that domestic workers at the residence made frantic efforts to put out the fire without much success before the arrival of the State Fire Service in Otukpo.

One of the domestic workers, who preferred anonymity, said, we made every effort to quench the fire but the more we tried the more it continued to spread. It was when we noticed that we could not stop it from engulfing the guest house that we called in the Fire Service.

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With less than six weeks before Red Sox pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Fort Myers, Bostons roster is beginning to come into focus. Though the major changes (a trade involving David Price or Mookie Betts, perhaps?) have yet to happen, the 40-man roster has been significantly reshaped since the end of the regular season.

The Red Sox have added 11 new players to the 40-man roster and dropped 15 players since Oct. 1. Heres a quick refresher:

ADDITIONS (11): INF Jonathan Arauz (selected in Rule 5 draft), LHP Yoan Aybar (promoted to 40-man roster), INF C.J. Chatham (promoted), INF Bobby Dalbec (promoted), LHP Kyle Hart (promoted), RHP Chris Mazza (claimed off waivers from Mets), LHP Josh Osich (claimed off waivers from White Sox), INF Jose Peraza (signed as free agent), LHP Martin Perez (signed as free agent), C Kevin Plawecki (signed as free agent), OF Marcus Wilson (promoted)

SUBTRACTIONS (15): RHP Andrew Cashner (free agent), RHP Jhoulys Chacin (free agent), C Juan Centeno (outrighted to AAA), OF Gorkys Hernandez (free agent), INF Brock Holt (free agent), LHP Brian Johnson (outrighted), RHP Trevor Kelley (claimed by Phillies), C Sandy Leon (traded to Indians), 1B Mitch Moreland (free agent), INF Chris Owings (free agent), 1B Steve Pearce (free agent), RHP Rick Porcello (free agent - signed with Mets), RHP Josh Smith (free agent - signed with Marlins), 1B Sam Travis (designated for assignment), RHP Steven Wright (released)

Those moves, which included catcher Kevin Plawecki being signed and first baseman Sam Travis being designated for assignment Thursday, leave the Red Sox with a full 40-man roster. And while they dont have a final product just yet, the Opening Day roster is beginning to take shape.

Heres a projection of Bostons 26-man Opening Day roster, as things currently stand. The Red Sox are very likely to make significant changes before Opening Day, with potential trades involving Price, Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and others still possible.

LINEUP (9):

C Christian Vazquez

1B Michael Chavis

2B Jose Peraza

SS Xander Bogaerts

3B Rafael Devers

LF Andrew Benintendi

CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

RF Mookie Betts

DH J.D. Martinez

Analysis: Lineup-wise, the Sox look to be pretty much set (barring a trade). It appears Chavis, who has the ability to play both first and second base, is viewed as the primary first baseman at this point while Peraza will get the bulk of the playing time at second base. A trade involving an outfielder would significantly shake up the lineup, though if the Sox are able to move salary in another way (like by trading Price), that trio will go untouched.

BENCH (4):

C Kevin Plawecki

2B Jonathan Arauz

INF Marco Hernandez OR INF Tzu-Wei Lin

Unidentified first baseman (TBD)

Analysis: Plawecki (who got a major league deal) and Arauz (a Rule 5 pick) will be on the roster, barring injury. That likely leaves two spots for backup infielders, with Hernandez or Lin (who is out of options) filling one and an unidentified first baseman likely filling the other. The Sox could go a variety of different routes at first base but may benefit from adding a left-handed hitter to platoon with Chavis at the position. Of course, top prospect Bobby Dalbec could be considered for the Opening Day roster as well.

ROTATION (5):

LHP Chris Sale

LHP David Price

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez

RHP Nathan Eovaldi

LHP Martin Perez

Analysis: The Red Sox replaced Porcello with Perez, bringing in the lefty on a one-year deal last month. As of now, the Sox have five traditional starters -- four of their five returning arms along with Perez in the No. 5 spot. A Price trade would obviously shake things up significantly, with Boston either having to fill his spot with another traditional starter or opting to use an opener every fifth day. But for now, the Sox will move forward with five veteran options in the rotation.

BULLPEN (8):

RHP Brandon Workman

RHP Matt Barnes

LHP Darwinzon Hernandez

LHP Josh Taylor

RHP Marcus Walden

RHP Heath Hembree

Open spot (TBD)

Open spot (TBD)

Analysis: Somehow, the Red Sox are in a pretty good spot when it comes to their bullpen. Five pitchers -- Workman, Barnes, Hernandez, Taylor and Walden -- should be considered locks while Hembree (if healthy) will likely take a spot as well.

After that, things get tricky. Bostons internal options include Ryan Brasier, Colten Brewer, Travis Lakins, Mike Shawaryn, Hector Velazquez, Chris Mazza, Kyle Hart, Josh Osich and Bobby Poyner. Others may be added to the mix via free agency (major and minor) or trade.
WEST SPRINGFIELD  After taking the oath of office to become the citys new police chief, Paul Connor told the crowd that, as word got out he would be leading the department, he received dozens of phone calls and texts from people who told him his father would be so proud.

After all, Sgt. Jerry Connor was a police officer for 42 years. His pride in being a law enforcement officer rubbed off on his son, who decided he wanted to follow in his footsteps.

But Connor then paused in his speech and told the audience of friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers packed into the Justin Morgan Auditorium: I have to correct you on one thing. He is saying, What the hell are you doing?

Also sworn in Thursday were the nine members of the City Council and the six members of the School Committee.

Connor, a 23-year veteran of the Police Department, replaces Robert Duffy, who has been serving as interim chief since May 2018. When Connor thanked him for his years of service and commitment, the crowd broke into applause.

Duffy will retire on Friday and his family plans to meet him at this office and escort him out of the building to celebrate his last day. He said city officials couldnt have selected a better person to take over as chief.

He is ethical, considerate and compassionate, Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said of Connor. "I know he will lead this department in the right direction. He is really a wonderful human being.

Gulluni, who said he started working with Connor when he was an assistant district attorney, attended the swearing-in along with Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, Holyoke Police Chief Manuel Febo and multiple retired West Springfield police officers including former Chiefs Tom Fitzgerald and Thomas Burke.

Connor thanked his family for their support, including his mother Jean; wife Ann Marie, who pinned his new chiefs badge on his dress uniform; and his two daughters, Katelyn, 13, and Lauren, 11. He also thanked Mayor William Reichelt and the City Council and said he looks forward to working with them.

Connor said he learned many lessons from his father, who he said was a champion for the underdog and did his best to help everyone he could.

If you do the right thing and you treat people as fairly as you can, there is nothing else anybody can ask of you, and that will be the philosophy I try to take going forward, he said.

He thanked federal, state and neighboring police who reached out to him, and said he hopes to continue working with citizens, religious groups, businesses and anyone else in the community.

This is not a job that one person can be successful at by themselves. I am surrounded by a great team, Connor said about his own department.

While Connor said he has no immediate plans to make big changes at the department, he said he knows he will be facing a problem recruiting new officers, which is an issue departments across the country are facing.

We need to show that it is a noble profession, he said, pledging to make the people of West Springfield proud of their department.

Also sworn in during the event were City Councilors Brian Clune, Edward C. Sullivan, Brian J. Griffin, George R. Kelly, Sean T. Powers, Michael S. Eger, Nathan A. Bech, Anthony R. DiStefano and Daniel OBrien. Sullivan, a former mayor, is the only new councilor.

On the School Committee, Jennifer Marcus was sworn in for the first time. The five other members who took the oath of office to continue serving on the board were Kathleen Alevras, Nancy Farrell, Patricia Garbacik, William P. Garvey and Colleen Marcus.

Reichelt, who is midway through a four-year term, serves as chairman of the seven-member board.
Western Australias north-west coast could be hit by the seasons first cyclone in the coming days with a tropical low expected to develop over the region by early next week.

Residents in the Kimberley and Pilbara have been urged to remain alert and monitor safety warnings ahead of Cyclone Blake anticipated to make landfall east of Port Hedland late on Tuesday or early Wednesday.

DFES are managing the fire. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola

Bureau of Meteorology state manager James Ashley said BOM was closely monitoring a monsoon trough south of Indonesia and expected a low to develop from that in the next few days.

While its early days and without a low forming so far, its pretty hard to predict, theres a lot of uncertainty in the outcomes with this system," he said
By PTI

GUWAHATI: The Assam government has banned strikes by employees of oil and gas sector in the state for six months from December 31, 2019 under the ESMA, an official release said on Thursday.

Strikes by the officers, workmen, contract labourers, drivers and their helpers of tankers in the sector have been prohibited under the Essential Services Maintenance (Assam) Act, 1980, the release said.

This has been done in public interest and any service in any oil field or refinery of any establishment or undertaking dealing with the production, supply of petroleum products including natural gas will fall under the purview of this order, it added.
Chang Mari, a Climate and Energy Campaigner at the Greenpeace East Asia Seoul Office, poses for a picture during the inspection in Fukushima, Japan, in October 2019. / Courtesy of Greenpeace Korea

By Kim Jae-heun



"Korea should take a leading role in stopping Japan from discharging radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean," said Chang Mari, a Climate and Energy Campaigner at the Greenpeace East Asia Seoul Office, Tuesday.



The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry revealed last Monday its draft reviewing three ways to dispose of 1.15 million tons of radioactive contaminated water stored in some 980 tanks at power plants in Fukushima. It said Japan can discharge the radioactive water into the ocean, evaporate it into the air or a combination of the two methods.



Chang warned that if Japan really chooses to dump contaminated water into the ocean, it can cause serious damage to marine life and the ecosystems of not only the neighboring countries but the whole world.



"Korea, obviously will be affected the most by the discharge, as Japan's closest neighbor. However, water flows and it will eventually bring damage to the whole world," Chang said. "When a tsunami hit nuclear power plants in Fukushima in 2011, a high level of radioactive water leaked into the Pacific Ocean and it traveled around the world for a year to return to the East Sea. We found the level of cesium went up in the water there.



"The world knows this is dangerous but nobody is taking action because Japan has not confirmed its final decision on this issue yet. Tokyo is now observing what other nations have to say about their draft. However, other countries, especially developed countries, cannot protest Japan confidently, because they have had or still are discharging radioactive waste into the environment as well," Chang said.



According to Chang, the United States, Russia and China are not entitled to complain to Japan about the pollution. Even South Korea has been operating nuclear power plants and has already flown tritium into the sea, so it cannot be innocent.



However, the amount of tritium flowing into the sea at the time of nuclear power generation is much smaller than the amount Japan is reviewing to discharge.



"Korea will suffer an unprecedented and unpredictable level of damage if Japan release radioactive water into the ocean. Therefore, Korea has to take action on the national level and conduct research to set it as a global agenda in solving it," Chang said.



"Approaching the issue with the international law of the sea, it is Korea that has to take the leading role, because it will be affected the most as a neighboring country," Chang added.


The Latin American fashion readies to conquer two of the most pertinent territories for the fashion industry: Europe and the United States. While Studio F and Cueros Velez prepare their arrival in the European market, others like Leonisa and Cuidado con el Perro prefer to bet on the United States and some even choose to expand their brand by the hands of giants such as H&M. Latin American industry begins to look beyond its borders. So far very few Latin American groups have dared to expand their presence beyond the South of the American continent. The Colombian Totto and Leonissa or the Brazilian Havaianas have been the exceptions so far. However, more and more companies are jumping into the biggest fashion markets. Why hasnt Latin fashion worked up until now? According to various experts, it is because until recently there wasn't a requisite for it. The companies that decide to make the leap beyond Central and South America have already taken positions in the territory of large markets, such as Mexico, Colombia or Panama. In addition, the instability that fashion recipient countries such as Chile are going through could also be driving brands to look for changes.

One of the challenges they must overcome is, however, the fitting. In the case of accessories or footwear companies, such as Totto or Havaianas, adaptation is not necessary. In clothing brands, companies like Studio F intend to position themselves by taking advantage of their differentiation. Studio F does not plan to adapt its collections to European tastes nor its patterns to European physiognomy, but will introduce its entire collection into the country.

The Colombian company Studio F spreads its wings to the Spanish market

After having conquered Latin America with over 430 points of sale in the region, one of the largest fashion retailers in the country plans to settle in the Spanish market in 2020. We want to move from being a multinational company to a global fashion company," explained to Mds the head Studio F in Spain, Juan Aristizabal. In Spain, local groups, such as Inditex, are also global: instead of fashion coming from Europe, we want to bring fashion to Europe, disclosed Juan Aristizabal, in exclusive for MDS last December. The STF Group, one of the largest groups in the area of large fashion distribution, is preparing its entry into Spain with the help of a local executive to run the branch in the country. The company plans to invest between 6, 7 million dollars in three years for its development in the national market, operating with four distribution channels between owned stores, stands in El Corte Ingles, multibrand and ecommerce. STF Group, the owner of the brand, ended its fiscal year 2018 with a revenue of more than 280 million dollars and more than 13 million garments sold.

Agua Bendita paves its way across Europe

The arrival of the Colombian company outside of its local market first took place in January 2017 with a store at the El Doral shopping center, located in Miami, United States. Its positioning abroad was strengthened with the opening of its first single-brand Dubai store in September of the same year, until that date the company operated in fifteen multi-brand stores in the Middle East, in sites such as Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Lebanon. The companys expansion plan is not limited to Europe and the United States, according to the companys director, Esteban Gonzalez, the entry into new markets such as Germany, Australia, South Korea, and Japan is also envisioned. Founded in 2003, Agua Bendita, has a presence in more than 54 countries including the United States, Mexico, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. The Columbian company completed its fiscal 2018 with 25 stores in its local market and 15 abroad.

Totto continues its expansion across the world

Totto is a Colombian company, founded in 1987, it specializes in bags and backpacks, it launched its first store in the eighties. I991 Totto took its first leap abroad by opening a store in Costa Rica. The Columbian company is currently present in more than 30 international markets. To make its first invasion into the Old Continent, the company opened an office in Madrid at the end of 2009, with which it began its offensive in Spain, then in 2017 launched its first outlets in the United Kingdom and France. Currently, it equally extends its presence to North Africa and the Middle East. In order to keep to growing you must constantly look to expand in the market, signaled Yonatan Bursztyn, founder of the company. Totto has an annual turnover of more than 168 million dollars. The company has a presence in 40 countries ranging from Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany or France, to Chile, Ecuador or Guatemala and has over 600 stores worldwide.

Havaianas preserves its long strides abroad

The flip flops brand of the Brazilian group Alpargatas, was founded in the 1960s. The Brazilian company started its international expansion in 1998 when it began to be distributed officially in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and in the United States, among others. Its welcoming in the North American country led to the opening of its first store the Soho district, New York in 2007. The groups business centralizes in Madrid throughout the region of Emea (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), in addition to having the headquarters of its Spanish subsidiary there. Havaianas is currently present in 80 international markets and continues to strengthen its presence abroad with the opening of a subsidiary in China and it operates in the Tmall marketplace, owned by Alibaba. Besides, the flip flop company also reinforced its commitment to the online channel in India, where it landed on the ecommerce platform, Myntra.

Leonisa strengthens its visibility in the USA and Europe

The women's intimate fashion apparel company established its first international operations in 1965 with the opening of the first production plant in Costas Rica. In 2005, it began its infiltration into the United States, mostly through the Macys department store, as well as its store in the Mall of Georgia, in Gwinnett County, in the state of Georgia. In 1989, Leonisa first entered the European market via Spain and then extended to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy. The Columbian enterprise has three stores in Spain, in addition to kiosks in El Corte Ingles, the company distributes its lingerie apparel in the Spanish market from its headquarters in Barcelona.

Cuidado con el Perro sustains its paws in the United States

Cuidado con el Perro was founded in 2007, the company took its first international measures in the United States last July with a store resting on an 800-meter square space in the La Plaza shopping center, the city of McAllen, within the state of Texas. In October they inaugurated a new shop in Texas with a surface area of 500 meters square located in Cielo Vista Mall in the city of El Paso. The Mexican company previously operated via its on ecommerce channel in the United States, a selling method that it uses to equally expand its presence in the Canadian market. The company that operated in the fast fashion sector sums a total of 180 points of sale in its local market. It is worth noting that the presence of Latin American fashion in Europe, has not only been carried out through the arrival of important brands in the region, last November the Swedish giant H&M communicated its first collaboration with a Latin American designer, Johanna Ortiz, for the launch of a capsule collection that will be available starting March 2020.

Without a doubt, the Latin American market is a key point in the fashion industry, according to BMI Research, an emerging market analysis firm, the Latin American fashion market was worth more than 160 billion dollars in 2016, a figure that does not transcend in comparison to Asia, but it is much larger than the size of the fashion market in the Middle East, so despite the political instability in the sector, it is noticeable how the Latin American market bears strong foundations to continue its expansion.
Greece, Cyprus, and Israel have signed an agreement to construct 1,900-kilometer undersea pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe and potentially help the continent reduce its dependency on Russia for energy supplies.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Cypriot President Nikos Anastasiades attended the January 2 ceremony in Athens to seal the accord for the so-called EastMed project.

The deal comes as Russia prepares to start pumping gas this year through two new pipelines to Europe -- TurkStream and Nord Stream 2. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan are scheduled to launch TurkStream on January 8.

The three MedStream governments will next put the project out for bids from private investors for financing.

The countries hope to reach a final investment decision by 2022 and aim to have the pipeline completed by 2025.

European governments and Israel agreed last year to proceed with the project, valued at up to $7 billion.

It is expected initially to carry 10 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Israeli and Cypriot waters to the Greek island of Crete. It would then move on to the Greek mainland and into Europe's gas network through Italy.

Turkey has opposed the EastMed pipeline, saying it would not allow these types of projects without its participation or approval in the eastern Mediterranean.

Ankara also accused the three countries of attempting to encircle Turkey. Greece and Cyprus have a long history of bitterness with Turkey, and Israel has also had difficulties with Ankara.

The United States and the European Union support the project, with Washington often stressing the need for Europe to become less dependent on Russia for natural gas supplies.

Officials have also said they hope the deal could help spur additional investment in the natural gas sector in the Middle East.

The rival TurkStream project will carry a maximum of 31.5 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually to Turkey. Some of the gas will be exported further to Europe through Greece.

Russia expects to launch Nord Stream 2 to Germany through the Baltic Sea by the end of the year.

The EastMed pipeline would potentially compete for Balkan gas markets with TurkStream.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was scheduled to visit Cyprus on January 7 to discuss EastMed, but his visit was delayed due to attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The U.S. Congress last month passed a bill that sets aside $1 billion to support energy infrastructure projects in Eastern Europe with the aim of reducing the region's dependence on Russia.

With reporting by dpa, Reuters, and RFE/RLs Todd Prince In Washington
/ -- Catering services in Bengaluru are as cosmopolitan as the city. When researching for the best caterers in the city, customers are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of service providers. Scouring through several recommendations, menus, price packages and more, can be quite a daunting task.

Leveraging technology to address this issue of finding the best Bengaluru-based catering services, two techies Amit Vyas and Prasad N T, Co-Founders of Happient Info Services Private Limited, have launched OHIEO, an online platform that brings together over 300 kitchens from across the city.

Potential customers can peruse pre-set menus for a range of events, with group sizes going from as low as 25 to as many as 6000, in a range of Indian and international cuisines. Customers can select and customize a menu, compare services and prices, make a booking and pay on the site as well. A single point of contact assigned to each event/order ensures the human touch to this service. This executive looks after all the minute details, from table settings to delivery to set-up, serving of the food and anything the client may need.

Addressing Gaps in the Market



Explaining the gaps that OHIEO plans to address with its launch, Prasad, N T, Co-Founder, OHIEO says, "The catering sector in Bengaluru currently stands at around $12.8 million each month. Traditionally, the food market has been referral-based, but in the last decade with the emergence of online aggregators and delivery services, there has been an increase in demand for online options in catering for personal events and corporate food catering services. There is even a growing demand for catering for smaller groups of 25-50 people."



OHIEO aims to address the lacuna. Their services can be used by a cross-section of people for a range of events, going from corporates looking for snacks, daily lunches, dinners as well as boxed meals to corporate events and parties. OHIEO's services are dynamic and are geared towards handling personal events like weddings, house-warming functions, birthday parties and other social events.

"We decided to have a Christmas party for our staff at the office at the last minute. We could not find a caterer willing to take the job on. OHIEO came in at the right time and did a brilliant job of our event. They were courteous and on-point with all their interactions with us. They took care of all the minute details, from the menu to the service, the delivery, and the lovely thematic presentation. The service staff were efficient, well turned out and interacted well with our staff. We are sure to use their services again and will recommend them as well," says Maheshwari Verma from Bonito Designs.

Leveraging the Power of Technology



Speaking on the OHIEO experience, Amit Vyas, Co-Founder of OHIEO says, "For the internet savvy consumer of today, one looks for every service required online. Our use of technology has been to give customers a refined experience. We understand the premium on time and ensure that customers have a worry-free experience. Features such as being able to browse and compare catering menus online, pay using flexible options, placing an order online, receiving regular updates as well as tracking the order helps customers' focus on their events better. The single point of contact to help customize menus and ensure all minor details are taken care of, ensures our service is outstanding."



Subhash from Quantum Power Systems, Bengaluru can attest to that. He speaks of an online order placed with OHIEO for New Year 2020 celebrations. "It was on short notice and we were sceptical about it being done. The OHIEO team was extremely cooperative and ensured that we got just what we wanted. The food arrived on time, was well set up and presented. The staff were courteous all through the service and ensured every member of our office was well taken care of. It was a party that will be well remembered by our employees and our senior management leadership appreciated the food."



The founders of OHIEO believe that each of the orders received and executed on the platform are profitable, due to the order size, niche market and the kitchens associated with the business.

"We have no competition in some of our markets, as we are a service that provides solutions to hitherto unaddressed problems. Kitchens associated with OHIEO have the benefit of a platform reaching out to a larger audience. In turn, we pass on the benefits of competitive pricing to the customer. They are also assured of finding a menu in premium cuisines of their choice and the ability customize orders to their specific preferences," explains Amit



"In a competitive market like Bengaluru, it is difficult for a new catering business to be able to break in and be profitable. Getting onto the OHIEO platform and being associated with them exclusively as a kitchen a few months ago, changed that for us a business. From being restricted to small catering projects, we now cater to large corporates and are constantly finding newer clients to work with," explains Venkatappa Nayak of Chamundeshwari Kitchens in Bengaluru.

OHIEO currently operates in Bengaluru with plans to launch in Hyderabad by the end of 2020 and plans to be operational in all metros by 2022. OHIEO is also offering franchise opportunities to cloud kitchens that would like to associate with them.

For more details log on to: https://www.ohieo.com



Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1060930/Founders_of_OHIEO.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says a major overhaul of the Indigenous child welfare system that began on Jan. 1 won't unfold without stumbles, but the stakes are too high not to continue pushing forward.

"Mistakes will be made," Miller said. "We need to be ready for that, but that is a recognition that the status quo is unacceptable and that the work needs to be done."

Indigenous children make up seven per cent of Canada's population, but they represent about 50 per cent of youth in care, according to Miller. There are more Indigenous children in care now than at the height of the residential school era (which took place between the 1830s and the closure of the last institution in 1996).

The federal government passed Bill C-92  officially known as An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Metis Children, Youth and Families  last June, with the aim of tackling what has been termed a "humanitarian crisis."

The new legislation creates national standards on how Indigenous children are to be treated. For example, when looking to place kids in foster care, authorities are to prioritize extended family and home communities.

Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press

The law also allows communities to create their own child welfare laws, which take effect after giving the federal government one year's notice.

But some provinces and front-line service providers accuse Ottawa of lacking a plan to implement the law  and warn that it may fail the very children it's trying to help.

Jeffrey Schiffer is executive director of Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Canada's largest urban Indigenous child welfare organization. He said the federal government should have given itself more time to roll out the law.

"It think it was quick and it was hasty," Schiffer said. "Honestly, it's a little bit reckless to have this legislation come into force without regulations that guide its implementation, and we still have so many different ideas across Canada about what's going to happen."

Story continues

Agencies confused

Miller said that Ottawa is not taking a pan-Indigenous approach. He said the federal government will work with Indigenous communities on a case-by-case basis to tailor funds based on individual needs.

But Schiffer said the new law seems an awkward fit given the current demographics of Indigenous people  half of whom live off-reserve in cities.

Peter Scobie/CBC

He said he isn't sure how the new law applies on the front lines and worries it could create a jurisdictional quagmire.

"Right now, at Native Child, we're supporting over 60 First Nations bands, along with Inuit and Metis people," Schiffer said. "So does that mean that we're going to be using 60 different pieces of legislation? That would really complicate the work."

Schiffer said his organization hopes to sign protocols so it can provide services in line with whatever child welfare regime individual communities develop.

Possible constitutional challenge

The changes also don't sit well with some provinces. Alberta's Minister of Children Services Rebecca Schulz said her government wants Ottawa to delay the law's implementation to ensure everyone is ready.

"We still have a lot of questions about how this is going to roll out," Schulz said. "Liability is a major question, oversight is a major question, sharing of data is a major question."

Manitoba also shares the uncertainty. In an email statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for the Manitoba government said it "continues to have very serious concerns about the lack of meaningful and respectful engagement from the federal government on C-92.

"Our top priority is to ensure the safety of all children and rushing this bill forward without a detailed implementation plan or a commitment to federal funding is dangerous, to say the least, and could put children at risk."

Joe Fiorino/CBC

Quebec, meanwhile, wants out of Bill C-92 altogether. It's asking the province's Court of Appeal to rule on the constitutionality of the new law.

"There is a cost to inaction," Miller said. "I'm not going to let a constitutional battle distract me from helping communities take back control and custody of their children."

Miller said he is confident that C-92 can be implemented without re-opening the Constitution.

System will remain broken for years

Asked why these issues weren't addressed months ago, Miller said a lot of the groundwork on the legislation was done before it was passed, and he intends to speak with provincial governments about their concerns.

"A lot of what you're seeing is significant concern, which I share," Miller said. "We should all share it."

Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press

In his mandate letter to his new Indigenous services minister in December, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed Miller to work with the provinces and territories to fully put Bill C-92 into effect and ensure predictable and sufficient long-term funding. Miller said he is "laser-focused" on that task.

"You always wish you had more time to do things, but I'm in a position where I need to deliver, and I believe that at the end of the day, with the help of my department and the support of my cabinet colleagues, that Indigenous children will be better off," Miller said.

He said it will take years to fix a system that is broken.

"It's the beginning of a process."
(Natural News) A healthy digestive system is just as important for overall health as a healthy immune system. In fact, the two are connected. Several studies have shown how the body benefits from having a healthy gut microbiota  the community of microorganisms that live in the human gut. However, the exact role of this microbial community in the metabolism of the active components of medicinal plants is poorly understood. In a study published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, researchers from Central South University and the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine in China investigated the gut microbiota-mediated transformation of saponins from Panax notoginseng in vivo. They reported that the effectiveness of medicinal herbs and their bioactive components is influenced by a persons gut health, specifically, the state of their gut microbiota.

The role of gut microbiota in human health

The human gut is home to trillions of microbes: some beneficial and some potentially problematic if their numbers arent kept in check. According to recent estimates, the ratio of human cells to bacteria cells in a normal human body is 1:1, and the collective bacterial genome present in it contains 100 times more genes than the human genome. Combined, the bacterial genome and the human genome present in a body make up a persons microbiome.

Over the years, technological advancements have allowed researchers to appreciate the importance and impact of microbiome composition on human health. Being the more easily disruptable component of the human microbiome, gut microbiota has been the focus of numerous scientific investigations. Recent studies have accumulated considerable evidence of the role it plays in the development of chronic diseases. These diseases include obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, depression and cancer, among others.

According to a review published in the journal Cell, constituents of the gut microbiota, which include bacteria, viruses, and eukaryotes  interact with one another and with their hosts immune system in various ways. While some of these interactions have healthy outcomes, others influence the development of diseases. For instance, researchers have found that an increase in Clostridium and Fusobacterium bacteria in the gut is linked to gastric cancer. Meanwhile, increasing the number of Bacteroidetes bacteria and decreasing Firmicutes in the gut confers a protective effect against obesity.

Experiments involving germ-free mice have also produced interesting results. Devoid of all microorganisms, these animals have reduced gut secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that plays a crucial role in the immune function of mucous membranes. IgA is particularly important for the protection of mucosal surfaces and the preservation of host-microbiota mutualism. (Related: The health of your gut microbiome could predict your risk of heart disease, researchers find.)

The role of gut microbiota in the metabolism of P. notoginseng saponins

P. notoginseng or Chinese ginseng is a medicinal herb often used to stop the bleeding caused by injuries and to treat inflammation, trauma and internal hemorrhage. Studies on its medicinal properties also reveal that it has anti-vascular aging, anti-brain aging, anti-cancer and longevity-promoting properties. P. notoginseng contains many phytonutrients, most notably saponins, which are its major components. Saponins are a group of plant glycosides that exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant and immune-enhancing activities. However, saponins have poor oral bioavailability.

Previous studies have found that P. notoginseng saponins (PNS) can be metabolized by gut microbiota in vitro. To determine if this is also true in vivo, the researchers constructed pseudo-germ-free rat models using broad-spectrum antibiotics and gave them PNS. They also developed a set-up for the quantitative analysis of four PNS metabolites, namely, ginsenoside F1, ginsenoside Rh2, ginsenoside compound K, and protopanaxatriol. The researchers found that the four metabolites can be detected in the plasma of the control (normal) rats but not in the plasma of pseudo-germ-free rats. This implied that PNS cannot be biotransformed effectively when the gut microbiota is disrupted.

Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that gut microbiota plays an important role in the biotransformation of PNS into effective metabolites in vivo.

Sources include:

Science.news

ScienceDirect.com 1

ScienceDirect.com 2

Cell.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov
The investigation into the abduction and false imprisonment of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney is a complex case involving over 400 statements, a court has been told.

Sgt. Paddy McGirl told Judge James Faughnan at Harristown District Court in Roscommon that the investigation is still in its infancy.

He said it was not possible to give a timeline on when a book of evidence would be ready as it was a complicated case

It will be a lengthy investigation. There are over 400 statements, 1,000 jobs in the job book, CCTV footage from five counties and DNA and forensic evidence awaiting analysis, said Sgt. McGirl.

It is a complex case being investigated in two jurisdictions. There has been considerable progress in the investigation but it is still in its infancy. It is a lengthy investigation.

Three of the four men charged with assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Mr Lunney in Cavan in September last year appeared before the court this morning.

Darren Redmond, 25, from Caledon Road, East Wall, Dublin and Alan O'Brien, 38, of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, were remanded to appear again before Harristown District Court on January 17.

Another defendant, Luke O'Reilly, 66, from Mullahoran Lower, Kilcogy, Co Cavan, was remanded to appear before Harristown District Court next Friday, January 10, when he appeared before the court before Christmas.

A fourth defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, made an application for bail when he appeared before the court this morning.

Judge Faughnan refused the application after hearing submissions from the defendants legal representative and also from An Garda Siochana, who opposed the bail application.

Judge Faughnan listed eight reasons for refusing the bail application and remanded the defendant to appear again before Harristown District Court on January 17.
Notorious Dublin criminal Robbie Lawlor has been officially warned by gardai about an active threat against his life.

Senior sources have revealed that the threats against the gangster are coming from two crime factions - the 'Mr Big' drugs mob and associates of criminal Cornelius Price.

In recent days Lawlor (35) was served with a Garda Information Message - known as a GIM form.

They are issued to individuals against whom there is a credible and serious threat of being murdered.

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Lawlor was issued with a GIM form and offered security advice as detectives investigate sightings of "suspicious cars" near his home in Laytown, Co Meath, during the festive period.

Shooting

Gardai have been braced for gangland violence ever since Lawlor was released from jail on December 16, but despite threats "flying around" there have been no major incidents yet.

Lawlor walked free from Cloverhill Prison after a charge of assaulting his ex-girlfriend causing her harm was dropped.

A week earlier he was cleared by a jury of threatening to murder his ex-girlfriend's partner as well as four other serious charges including possession of a firearm and shooting his partner's mother's dog called Chopper.

Shortly before Christmas, a video emerged on social media showing Lawlor being confronted by another man who is believed to have close links to slain criminal David 'Fred' Lynch.

Expand Close Shooting victim Richie Carberry / Facebook

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The video shows a number of men on the street confronting Lawlor before he is struck in the face.

Lawlor then appears to throw a punch toward another man before taking a few steps back and laughing.

He is then told "that's only the start" and is hit on the head by the gang as it confronts him in the Jervis Street area of the city centre.

Later postings on social media claimed that the men who attacked Lawlor had managed to take gym gear from him but this has not been verified.

However, Lawlor has much more serious things to worry about after gardai received information that his rivals are planning to murder him.

One of these factions is controlled by feared hood Cornelius Price who came back to Ireland last month after one of his gangland rivals threatened to murder a close female relative of his.

Lawlor was targeted by associates of Price while on remand in jail and in October 2018 he was stabbed in Cork Prison after getting in a row with Price.

Sources say Lawlor has "vowed to take revenge" on Price and his mob.

However, Price's gang is also gunning for Lawlor, whose brother-in-law Richie Carberry (39) was shot dead in Bettystown, Co Meath, in November in a mob hit which is suspected of being carried out by the 'Mr Big' drugs gang.

This mob is also suspected of wanting to now murder Lawlor and it has access to even more cash and firearms than the Price gang.

Lawlor's associates have been previously linked to a string of unsolved gun murders.

These include the murder of Mr Big's right-hand man Ken Finn (36) who died after being shot in the head in Darndale in February 2018.

The Finn murder, combined with the recent fatal shooting of Richie Carberry, has made the two mobs mortal enemies.

Mr Big's crew is considered the biggest drug-dealing organisation on the northside and has also been involved in tiger kidnappings.

Dangerous

Tensions remain high in Lawlor's patch of Coolock, with detectives keeping a close watch on the situation amid fears that matters may escalate at any point.

A security bulletin was issued to all Dublin garda stations ahead of Lawlor's release from prison last month advising that officers "should exercise extreme caution" when approaching the dangerous father-of-three.

Lawlor had been locked up in jail since being charged with the offences which mostly related to incidents in 2018.

He has over 124 previous criminal convictions including a 16-month sentence imposed in April 2015, for possessing a stolen car.
A mystery pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China, has prompted Singaporean authorities to scan body temperatures of passengers arriving from the Chinese city by air starting today.

A total of 27 cases are reportedly being investigated in China after social media rumors suggested that the virus could be linked to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS. Among those infected, seven are in critical condition while the rest have stabilized, Reuters reported.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is aware of the cluster of severe pneumonia cases in Wuhan city, Hubei Province, China and is monitoring the situation closely, Singapores health ministry wrote in a statement last night. The ministry has not been notified of any cases as of yesterday.

As a precautionary measure, MOH has alerted all medical practitioners to be vigilant to look out for suspected cases with pneumonia who have recently returned from Wuhan, it added.

Temperature screenings will begin this evening, the ministry said. Those showing signs of fever, acute respiratory illness or pneumonia who have traveled to Wuhan within 14 days will be isolated as a precautionary measure and referred to hospitals for further medical assessment.

The health ministry also urged travelers to Wuhan to monitor their health closely and disclose their travel history to doctors.

It also advised the general public to take measures such as practicing good hygiene, avoiding contact with live animals and not consuming uncooked food.

The Chinese government has yet to determine the cause of the disease outbreak and cannot confirm that it is SARS, Reuters said, citing the official Peoples Daily newspaper.

Other severe pneumonia is more likely, an unnamed health official was quoted as saying.

Some of those who came down with the mysterious pneumonia were apparently working at a local seafood market, according to China Daily.

Medical workers were spotted spraying sanitizer in the market this week, it added. The market remains open.

Story continues

Photo purportedly showing medical workers at the seafood market linked to Wuhans pneumonia outbreak. Photo: /Weibo

SARS hit Singapore in 2003 after a woman who had been infected while traveling abroad returned to the city-state, setting off a series of transmissions. The virus spread to more than 200 people, 33 of whom died.

Among the measures taken at the time were temperature checks at the airport and in schools.

More news from the Little Red Dot at Coconuts.co/Singapore.

FORCED OUT: A VR Experience Inside Bangkoks Biggest Slum

Not far from Bangkoks Michelin-starred restaurants and go-go bars stretches a sprawling, riverside slum home to roughly 100,000 people. Invited to live and work there seven decades ago before the Thai capitals busy port went into decline, they now face mass eviction to make way for a riverside shopping mall.One of them is Ratchani Cheausuwan, a 56-year-old resident who pushes past fear, despair and partial paralysis as the sole means of support for a family of four, including two grandchildren, one of whom has a mental disability.Go beyond the headlines to meet Rachani and step inside Bangkoks Khlong Toei community in this mixed 3D/180 and VR/360 news feature. Best experienced via a VR headset.

This article, Changi Airport resumes temperature screening amid Chinese pneumonia scare, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters!
A dangerous sex offender and repeat rapist who ruined the life of a teenage babysitter was freed from prison in time for Christmas as the judge thought keeping him locked up would be 'unfair'.

Christopher John Bentley, 57, was sentenced to 24 years behind bars without parole in 2002, for separate attacks on two women on the same day while already on bail for drugging, tying up and raping a 16-year-old babysitter.

The sentence was reduced and he was released in May 2018, with 53 conditions he needed to abide by to remain free. He later broke them twice and was returned to prison in August that year.

But the dangerous rapist was granted another reprieve on Christmas Eve and freed just in time to spend Christmas Day at home.

Christopher John Bentley, 57 was given a last minute reprieve on Christmas eve which saw him being freed from prison despite being a violent serial rapist

Supreme Court judge Michael Corboy revealed to the court there were 'exceptional circumstances' why the sex offender should be released again- so he didn't lose his spot on the public housing list, reported The West Australian.

The court heard that despite having been serving time in a maximum security prison for most of the previous eight years, Bentley had been on the list for a house provided by Homewest, the public housing authority of the West Australian government.

Bentley was 'near or at the top of the list' but would go back to the bottom, if he remained locked up and was unable to accept a house this month.

'This court has commented in the past about the lack of appropriate accommodation for dangerous sexual offenders and the impact that the scarcity of accommodation can have on deciding whether the community will be adequately protected if an offender is released subject to a supervision order,' Justice Corboy said.

'In this case, the loss of Mr Bentley's priority for public housing could significantly and adversely affect his interests.'

The state argued that Bentley, 'was not to be trusted and he was willing to behave in a deceptive and devious manner'.

Christopher John Bentley was on parole for the vicious rape of a sixteen year old babysitter who he drugged and tied up, when he attacked another two women on the same day (Stock image)

The parole violations Bentley committed which saw him returned to jail were entering the property of a woman without permission and using prohibited substances.

Supreme Court of Western Australia documents show Bentley subjected his victim 'to a series of sexual assaults, involving sexual penetration with his penis of her mouth and her vagina and at one point, cunnilingus and fellatio' as well as combing 'the knife through her hair' during the terrifying ordeal.

Bentley also made headlines in 2015, when it was revealed he had been allowed to use social media while he was imprisoned.

He started a personal page on iExpress, where he wrote about the 'the injury' of imprisonment and how it 'crushes the spirit' with no mention of his victims.




The judge in Hunter Biden's paternity case will issue an order of paternity because it's no longer contested that he is indeed the father of a former stripper's child, according to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com.

Judge Holly Meyer, who took over the case after Judge Don McSpadden recused himself last week, asked Biden's lawyers on Friday to send over papers that redacted the name of the child, whose gender is being kept secret.

The parties will have a telephone hearing over the matter on Monday.

In November, DNA testing proved Biden, 49, is the father of Lunden Roberts' now 17-month-old child, after she filed a paternity suit in May 2019 in Independence County, Arkansas.

The two had met while Roberts, 28, worked as a stripper in Washington D.C. and she wants full custody, and Biden to pay child support and foot her legal bill.

The most recent filing comes after Biden tried to postpone his court appearance set for Tuesday, claiming he didn't receive 'proper notice' and wouldn't be able to make it because he lives in California.

The judge in Hunter Biden's paternity case will issue an order of paternity because it's no longer contested that he is indeed the father of a former stripper's child, according to court papers obtained by DailyMail.com

The two had met while Roberts, 28, worked as a stripper in Washington D.C. and she wants Biden to pay child support and foot her legal bill, as well as full custody

Biden seems mostly unbothered amid the heightened focus on his paternity case, as he was seen over the holidays shopping with his new South African wife Melissa Cohen, 32, who is pregnant and in her second trimester.

It seems he is reluctant to leave Los Angeles, asking to appear by telephone if Judge Meyer chooses not to postpone the hearing on Tuesday.

Next week's court date was originally set by Judge Don McSpadden on December 2, during a hearing which Biden didn't show up for.

McSpadden abruptly recused himself on New Year's Eve without any explanation.

Biden's lawyers claim that he confirmed in an email, which was filed by Biden's lawyer, Brent Langdon, that the January hearing was canceled.

But the new judge, Judge Meyer, reinstated it yesterday.

Langdon allegedly argued that Biden should have been given at least 20 days notice and has requested an order which would keep Biden's finances secret.

Next week's court date was originally set by Judge Don McSpadden (left) on December 2, during a hearing which Biden didn't show up for. McSpadden abruptly recused himself on New Year's Eve without any explanation. But the new judge, Judge Holly Meyer (right), reinstated it yesterday.

Judge Meyer asked Biden's lawyers on Friday to send over papers that redacted the name of the child, whose gender is being kept secret

McSpadden's recusal came two hours after 'defrauded investor' Joel Caplan, who wants to be made a party in the case, filed a witness statement from ex-Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin.

Shokin claimed he was fired in 2016 because he was leading an investigation into Burisma, the company Biden was a board member of, and refused to shut it down, despite pressure from Hunter's father, then-VP Joe Biden.

Hunter's finances are currently in the spotlight over his former position at the Ukrainian energy company, which has been at the center of Hunter's entanglement in President Trump's impeachment.

Trump's impeachment was sparked by his phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25, where he asked Zelensky to meet with Rudy Giuliani and US AG William Barr over claims Joe lobbied for Shokin's dismissal because of his investigation into Burisma, in an alleged attempt to protect Hunter from any possible prosecution.

This led to a whistleblower complaint from an officer within the CIA, and eventually led to Trump's impeachment in December.

Dominic Casey also wants in on Biden's Arkansas case, filing papers in late December, claiming he had provided Roberts with 'electronic access' to Biden's bank account records, which are 'subject of known felonies including fraud and counterfeiting.'

McSpadden's recusal came two hours after 'defrauded investor' Joel Caplan (left), who wants to be made a party in the case, filed a witness statement from ex-Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin. Dominic Casey (right) also wants in on Biden's Arkansas case, filing papers, claiming he had provided Roberts with 'electronic access' to Biden's bank account records

Casey heads up D&A Investigations, which is based near Orlando, Florida, and he is known for pursuing right-wing conspiracy theories. During the Casey Anthony trial he claimed a psychic told him where to find Caylee's body.

Hunter, who has been in and out of rehab six times for alcoholism and addiction, was accused in November of smoking crack and spending 'thousands of dollars' at the strip club during multiple visits.

According to the club's security worker Ranko Petrovic, Biden was a big-paying customer who often sat in the VIP room where he spent 'thousands and thousands' and drank during his visits. He often paid his bills with 'credit cards that didn't have his name on it'.

Biden's frequent stops and generous spending at the club have come under scrutiny as he was on the board of Ukrainian natural-gas company Burisma at the time.

Biden first joined that board in 2014 and was reportedly paid him as much as $50,000 a month. He served until his term expired in April 2019.

He was on the board during the time his father Joe Biden was in the White House as Vice President.
Global Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market size is expected to register a CAGR of 13.19% during the forecast period of 2019 to 2025.

Oligonucleotides are little fragments of nucleic acids that are produced through enzymatic chemistry and genetic engineering. The market over the review period is also expected to earn substantial valuation. The chemical synthesis of the nucleic acids with definite chemical structures is known as oligonucleotide synthesis. Its ability to produce results regarding customized nucleotides rapidly through inexpensive methods is making it choicest preference for a lot of research laboratories that are spending heavily in developing biotechnologies.

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Ventures and investments from big companies in the oligonucleotide synthesis market can prove beneficial in the coming years. Gene study can provide much-needed traction, and the market can witness substantial rise during the forecast period. But the cost associated with it can be a major factor, and lack of adept hands can be a market deterrent.

Competitive Landscape:

Prominent players functioning in the oligonucleotide synthesis market, as described by MRFR, are GE Healthcare (U.S.), Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc (U.S), Eurogentec S.A (Belgium), Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (U.S.), Bioautomation Corporation (U.S.), Agilent Technologies Inc. (U.S.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), Eurofins Genomics (Germany), L.G.C Biosearch Technologies (U.S.), Nitto Denko Avecia Inc. (Japan), and others.

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory developed an effective way to perform DNA synthesis without toxic chemicals, and its results are more accurate than previous techniques. This could lead to the development of DNA printers.

Oligonucleotide Synthesis Market Segmentation:

MRFR, for a better understanding of the oligonucleotide synthesis market, segmented the market by product type, application, and end-users.

Global Oligonucleotide Market, by Product

Oligonucleotide Column-based oligos Array-based oligos

Reagents

Equipment

Global Oligonucleotide Market, by Type

Custom Oligos

Predesigned Oligos

Global Oligonucleotide Market, by Application

Therapeutic Applications

Diagnostics RNAi Nucleic Acid Aptamers DNA/Antisense Oligonucleotides Immunotherapy

Research PCR QPCR/RTQPCR Sequencing Gene Synthesis

Others

Global Oligonucleotide Market, by End User

Hospitals

Specialty Clinics

Research Institutes

Diagnostic Centers

Others

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LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1 GLOBAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET SYNOPSIS, 20192025

TABLE 2 GLOBAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET ESTIMATES & FORECAST, 20192025 (USD MILLION)

TABLE 3 GLOBAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET, BY TYPE, 20192025 (USD MILLION)

TABLE 4 GLOBAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET, BY PRODUCT, 20192025 (USD MILLION)

TABLE 5 GLOBAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET, BY APPLICATION, 20192025 (USD MILLION)

TABLE 6 GLOBAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET, BY END USER, 20192025 (USD MILLION)

TABLE 7 GLOBAL OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET, BY REGION, 20192025 (USD MILLION)

TABLE 8 NORTH AMERICA: OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS MARKET, BY TYPE, 20192025 (USD MILLION)

Continued

Oligonucleotide Market Regional Analysis:

Region-specific segmentation of the oligonucleotide synthesis market, as discussed in the MRFR report, includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).

The rise of North America can be attributed to the constant search for better treatment. The robust healthcare structure and the infrastructure of the research centers are quite indicative of that. Regional endeavor for such things is getting mostly driven by chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Governments and private investors are equally funding for innovation in the sector, and it can take the regional market further ahead.

Europe is getting driven by the same intents like that of North America and is getting amply backed by research centers and government initiatives. Funding for the regional market is not a big problem as many pharmaceutical companies from the region are investing substantially in understanding the gene sequence to develop better drugs. The APAC region is expected to rise significantly as many of the global titans are looking at the region as a possible investment opportunity. Infrastructural benefits and low cost of resources are some alluring factors that are controlling the market.

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The desired oligonucleotide requires a perfect oligonucleotide chain which can easily be made in laboratories. The completion of the chain sees a release from the solid phase to the solution, deprotected, and collected. MRFR in their recent report on the oligonucleotide synthesis market distinctly studied segments with their proper valuation both value-wise and volume-wise to understand the market comprehensively. Factors that can impact the market in the coming years have also been included for a critical overview of the oligonucleotide synthesis market.

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Fish products in European supermarkets connected to unsustainable fishing practices in India

by Monica Evans

January 03,2020 | Source: Mongabay

Every year, billions of fish  almost one-fifth of the worlds annual wild catch  are dried, pressed and ground into oil and meal. The majority of this material is then fed to other fish and crustaceans: in 2016, 69 percent of fishmeal and 75 percent of fish oil were used for seafood farming.



A report released in October by the Netherlands-based Changing Markets Foundation (CM) followed fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) supply chains from fishery to fork. It connected a number of farmed-fish products sold in European supermarkets  often bearing sustainability certifications  to fishing practices the authors deemed highly unsustainable in India, Vietnam and the Gambia. Supermarkets selling the products include big names such as Sainsburys, ALDI, Tesco, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, REWE and Mercadona.



Proponents of aquaculture often frame it as both a solution to unsustainable fishing and a rapidly scalable way to feed the world. And the industry is growing: by 2030, its estimated that 62 percent of the worlds seafood will be farmed rather than wild-caught. But cheery images of locally farmed salmon swimming in fjords belie a grimmer reality: according to mounting research, aquaculture that relies on reduction fisheries, as fisheries dedicated to FMFO production are known, can actually be far more damaging to the marine environment than conventional fishing.

 2020 Copyright Mongabay-India

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods.
The uninhabited Caribbean island of Redonda has a thriving 'miraculous' ecology but it wasn't always this way - for decades it was ravaged by goats and rats.

The island was a hive of human activity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as miners worked to extract guano and phosphates for use in fertilizer.

It was deserted after the outbreak of World War I, leaving behind dozens of goats and thousands of rats - originally brought to the island by the mine workers.

In 2016 a team of conservationists from around the world started working to 're-wild' the island - their first task was to remove the 'starving goats' to nearby Antigua.

To remove the goats volunteers wrapped them in a plastic bag up to the neck and put 'pool noddles on their horns' - they were then put on a helicopter.

Since then the island has 'miraculously recovered', going from 17 different types of vegetation growing in 2012 to nearly 90 in 2019, environmentalists say.

The island has had a 'miraculous recovery' since the start of the restoration programme in 2016. On the left you can see a cliff side in 2016 and on the right an image from 2019

Redonda was deserted after the outbreak of World War 1, leaving behind goats and rats to destroy the 'delicate and unique ecosystem' by eating anything they could see

In just three years the island has seen the return of multiple species, including various types of nesting birds such as boobies and frigate birds.

They have also seen an increase in the number of geckos and tree lizards, say experts from the Antigua based Environmental Awareness Group (EAG).

'This has been the opportunity of a lifetime  witnessing the rebirth of an island', said Shanna Challenger, a coordinator for the project.

'Changes forecasted to happen in five years occurred within months.

'Our conservation efforts really show the benefits of invasive species removal on Caribbean island ecosystems.'

Teams from around the world worked with the Government of Antigua to restore Redonda to its natural state, including groups from the UK, USA and New Zealand.

To remove the goats volunteers wrapped them in a plastic bag up to the neck and put 'pool noddles on their horns' - they were then put on a plane bound for Antigua

This rare black lizard is native to Redonda and saw a massive increase in population size after the rats and goats had been removed from the island

Redonda sits about 30 miles from parent island Antigua, it is a rugged volcanic island with globally important seabird colonies and unique flora and fauna.

The island has species that have yet to be named, making it of 'vital conservation value', according to environmentalists from Flora and Fauna International.

Flora and Fauna international were one of a number of global teams working on the island, including the British Mountaineering Council, Island Conservation from the USA and Wildlife Management International from New Zealand.

'Since the ambitious restoration programme was rolled out, the rock of Redonda has been transfigured from an inhospitable lunar landscape to a greener haven', says a Flora and Fauna spokesperson.

The island was a hive of human activity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as miners worked to extract guano and phosphates for use in fertilizer

This image of a Redonda Ground Lizard was captured after the re-wilding of the island by conservationists, who say they're now thriving

The most important human intervention in the Redonda project involved removing the goats and rats from the island.

This involved rounding them up, putting 'pool noodles' on their horns and flying them for 20 minutes to Antigua, says the EAG.

While the team of volunteers had a plan to capture the goats, after a month they'd only managed to round up one animal. 'They were so smart', said Ms Challenger.

'They would look at our snares, and jump over them.'

Experts say the island has 'changed colour' from brown to a bright green as natural weeds, grasses and plants begin to return

Volunteers regularly return to the island to monitor the re-wilding, which has happened mainly without any human intervention

Nothing seemed to work, they tried leaving out food and fresh water but the goats didn't seem to want to leave.

Eventually more workers had to head for the island to round them up by hand and transport them by helicopter.

To keep the goats calm each one was strapped up to its neck in a plastic bag, had 'old yoga pants' put over its head and its horns covered with pool noodles for the duration of the 20 minute flight.

'The goats were dying of starvation - especially in the dry season and would eat any of the vegetation that dared to pop up its head on the barren land', according to the conservation project team.

'After months of thinking of ways to outsmart them, they have now been relocated to Antigua and are living happily in their new home.'

The island of Redonda was once a desolate place nearly destroyed by goats and rats, but volunteers have helped return it to a natural wonder with a unique ecology

The number of Redonda tree lizard (Anolis nubilus) have increased 'notably' since the project started, according to volunteers from EAG

The goats were found to be related to a species found on Cape Verde off the coast of Africa and others found in Cuba.

The more than 6,000 'large and voracious' black rats posed a bigger problem than the goats due to the inaccessible nature of parts of the island.

This is where the British Mountaineering Council came in.

They climbed the volcanic rock faces to check for rat populations and lay down poison to remove the invasive species.

Experts say the rats have been 100 per cent eradicated, although they are monitoring the island to ensure they don't return.

There are proposals to turn Redonda and its surrounding waters into a protected natural site to keep it's unique flora and fauna safe

The Redonda tree lizard (Anolis nubilus) is one of the reptiles that rebounded after invasive species were removed from the island

After the rats had finally been removed, EAG and other groups decided to see just how much the island could 'restore itself' without them stepping in.

This approach seemed to work as within a year 'there had been a miraculous recovery', said Ms Challenger.

The number of birds on the land had gone up tenfold and rare species of lizards native to the island had seen a 'significant' spike in population levels.

'Even the colour of the island changed', according to volunteers, who say it went from brown to green as the native grasses returned to the steep cliffs.

On particular success story was the Redonda tree lizard (Anolis nubilus) which rebounded after invasive species were removed from the island.
Two H125 helicopters have arrived in Kyiv from France, according to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

"The first two H125 helicopters have arrived in Kyiv for the needs of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine," the report says.

On July 14, 2018, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of 55 H225, H145 and H125 helicopters for the ministry.

Ukraine was expected to receive two more helicopters for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine until the end of 2019, and another 10 helicopters in 2020.

ish
Three fraternities at Clemson University in South Carolina were placed on disciplinary probation for violating the universitys code of conduct, according to a university report.

Delta Chi, Phi Delta Theta and Chi Phi were investigated following accusations of harsh new member processes, The Greenville News reported. The universitys report lists misconduct investigations involving alcohol, drugs, sexual assault, physical assaults and hazing.

Chi Phi is on probation until May 31, 2020. The report says fraternity members forced new members to consume alcohol after joining the chapter on Sept. 13.

Phi Delta Theta is also on probation until May 31, 2020 for not being forthcoming during an investigation into a Sept. 20 incident, the report says.

Delta Chi is on probation until Dec. 31, 2021 for forcing new members into personal servitude during an Oct. 16 incident, which is a form of hazing the report says.

Delta Chi is required to hold all new-member events on campus and take part in additional training and mentoring. Phi Delta Theta must conduct an investigation and review of its new-member initiation. Chi Phi must issue an apology letter to the students forced to consume alcohol and members must conduct a four week new member education course.

Chris Miller, Clemsons dean of students and interim vice president for student affairs, said if the chapters fail to complete the sanctions further punishment could be applied. He added that Clemsons student affairs office will ensure the organizations comply with the sanctions.

None of the fraternities immediately responded to requests for comment.

The universitys investigations were conducted under the South Carolina Tucker Hipps Transparency Act, which became law in June. The law requires South Carolinas public colleges and universities to report conduct violations by fraternities and sororities. Its named after Tucker Hipps, a Clemson University student who died in 2014 after falling off a bridge while running as he pledged for a fraternity.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Education South Carolina Universities
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told CNN's "New Day" on Friday that the U.S. strike that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was meant to disrupt an "imminent" attack against Americans in the Middle East.

"It was the time to take this action so that we could disrupt this plot, deter further aggression from Qasem Soleimani and the Iranian regime  as well as to attempt to de-escalate the situation. The risk of doing nothing was enormous. The intelligence community made that assessment, and President Trump acted decisively last night."

The state of play: Pompeo largely refused to elaborate on the details of the alleged Iranian plot, including the timing, only stating that it was centered "in the region" and not against the U.S. homeland.

He said that Soleimani was plotting a "big action" that could have put hundreds of American lives at risk.

Why it matters, via Axios' Mike Allen and Jonathan Swan: Soleimani had already cost hundreds of American lives over the years and was among the Middle East's most feared powers.

A source in close contact with Trump administration senior national security officials tells Axios that one scenario they are especially concerned about  and have been prepared for  is Iran launching cyberattacks.

That's the most likely way that Iran could retaliate stateside.

Go deeper:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

The Supreme National Security Council of Iran will hold an extraordinary meeting on the death of Major General Qassem Soleimani, spokesperson of the council Keyvan Khosravi said, Trend reports via Iran's media outlets.

The investigation on the US attack will soon be launched during the day, Khosravi noted.

On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force was killed as a result of air strikes at Baghdad Airport.

The Pentagon claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Iranian general. The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Before the strike, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the "game has changed" and it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives.
The Alliance supports measures aimed at strengthening Ukraine's capabilities to refute hybrid threats and cyberattacks.

Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine and Director of the NATO Liaison Office, Alexander Vinnikov, says that Ukraine and the Alliance Member States will this year conduct large-scale exercises, taking into account hybrid threats existing in the Black Sea region.

That's according to Vinnikovs op-ed "Ukraine-NATO: New Challenges and Opportunities, published in Ukrainian by Tyzhden.

Vinnikov says NATO supports measures aimed at strengthening Ukraine's ability to counter hybrid threats and cyber attacks. See also Russia intends to conduct flight exercises over Crimea more often.

Read alsoNATO outlines key tasks in reforming Ukraine's security, defense sectors in 2020

"We are stepping up our efforts to support security in the Black Sea region, in particular by increasing the number of joint exercises and port calls, and expanding information exchange. In 2020, Ukraine and NATO will jointly conduct large-scale exercises by the legend related to hybrid threats in the Black Sea region. This is another practical example of NATO support, agreed upon in April 2019 by the Alliance's foreign ministers in response to security challenges in the Black Sea region," Vinnikov wrote.

He assured that in 2020, NATO will continue to develop partnerships with their friends around the world, among which Ukraine has the status of a special partner.

"NATO Member States have been providing unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, its inalienable right to independently decide on their future. NATO does not and will never recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Crimea is Ukrainian territory. We also condemn Russia's aggressive actions in the Black Sea region and the support that Russia provides to paramilitary groups in eastern Ukraine," said Vinnikov.

Read alsoKristina Kvien appointed U.S. Charge d'Affaires a.i. in Ukraine

He also said that the Member States welcomed the commitment of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky toward a peaceful resolution of the Donbas conflict.

"There are high hopes that in 2020 we will see further progress, but today the conflict in Donbas keeps taking people's lives. The leadership of the Alliance has repeatedly emphasized the special responsibility that now lies with Russia, urging the latter to withdraw troops and hardware from the territory of Ukraine and cease all support to militants in Donetsk and Luhansk regions," said the official

Vinnikov added that, besides political support, NATO would continue to provide practical assistance to Ukraine.
The law follows a Reuters investigation into US intelligence firms working with the UAE on a spying operation there.

Newly passed legislation will push the United States State Department to disclose how it polices the sale of cyber-tools and services abroad.

The move followed an investigation by the Reuters news agency which revealed that US intelligence contractors clandestinely assisted a foreign spying operation in the United Arab Emirates, helping the monarchy to crack down on internal dissent.

The legislation directs the US State Department to report to Congress within 90 days on how it controls the spread of cyber-tools and to disclose any action it has taken to punish companies for violating its policies.

Under US law, companies selling hacking products or services to foreign governments must first obtain permission from the State Department.

US legislators and human rights advocates have grown increasingly concerned that hacking skills developed for US spy services are being sold abroad with scant oversight.

Just as we regulate the export of missiles and guns to foreign countries, we need to properly supervise the sale of cyber-capabilities, said Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger of Maryland, who drafted the legislation.

The provision was a result of a Reuters investigation, congressional staffers said, which showed US defence contractors ran a hacking unit in the UAE called Project Raven and that the State Department granted permission to three companies to assist the Emirati government in surveillance.

A State Department spokesman declined to comment. The agency previously said human rights concerns are carefully weighed before such licences are issued but declined to comment on the authorisations granted for Project Raven.

The UAE embassy in Washington, DC did not respond to a request for comment. In response to Reuters reporting, a senior Emirati official last year said the country possessed a cyber-capability that it needed to protect itself.

The new reporting guideline was part of the State Departments 2020 budget bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 20.

The UAE program used former US National Security Agency (NSA) operatives to target foreign rivals, human rights activists, and journalists, the Reuters reporting found.

While the secret Emirati hacking unit was initially created to help the country fight terrorism, the Reuters investigation revealed that it quickly became a tool for the monarchy to crack down on internal dissent. Reuters found the clandestine program helped local security forces track activists, who were sometimes later tortured.

Reuters reporting also showed how the State Department granted permission to three companies  US consulting firm Good Harbor, cybersecurity company CyberPoint International, and defence contractor SRA International  to assist the Emirati government in surveillance operations.

CyberPoint and Good Harbor did not immediately respond to requests for comment. General Dynamics, which now owns SRA, declined to comment.

Good Harbor and CyberPoint have previously told Reuters that they obtained proper permissions from the State Department and followed all US laws.

This report will help Congress ensure these sales are advancing our foreign policy goals, especially in light of recent reports alleging human rights abuses, said Ruppersberger, whose district is home to the NSA.
The US actions in the Middle East are fraught with unpredictable consequences, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, commented on the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.

The Chechen leader noted that many politicians, including UN officials, have already condemned US intervention in the Middle East. "Particular attention is paid to the US methods including attacking a sovereign state, he wrote in the Telegram.
When Second World War veteran Henry Golis learned his name would grace a street sign in his old east Winnipeg neighbourhood, he had one but thought: "I feel honoured. Very much so."

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When Second World War veteran Henry Golis learned his name would grace a street sign in his old east Winnipeg neighbourhood, he had one but thought: "I feel honoured. Very much so."

"My house was there and all my children were born on that street," the 93-year-old lifelong Transcona resident said Thursday of the section of Regent Avenue West between Winona and Madeline streets now bearing the honorary title of Henry Golis Way.

Born and raised in Transcona, Golis joined the Royal Canadian Air Force when he was 17, serving as a flight sergeant and wireless operator/air gunner. On Feb. 12, 1945, his crew's Canso bomber crashed into Saanich Inlet on route to landing in Patricia Bay, B.C.

"I had this accident when I was 19, I was the youngest one in the crew," Golis said, referring to himself as the "youngster."

There were eight men on board the plane; he was one of four survivors.

Golis recalled the survivors fought through high fires to get to open water before being saved. He spent five or six months in the hospital due to burns and injuries.

He returned home to Transcona after Japan surrendered in August 1945, and restarted his life. In 1950, he married his wife, Elsie, and together they had two girls and three boys.

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"I'm one of the surviving members of the Second World War legion here in Transcona. There's not too many of us left," he said. "It's going to be 94 years here in two weeks."

In November 2019, Transcona Coun. Shawn Nason made the push (with Golis' blessing) to rename the section of Regent Avenue West to recognize his contributions.

"It's an opportunity to honour their service," said Nason, the veterans and military liaison for the City of Winnipeg.

"It gives me a great deal of pride to acknowledge these people who served us and grew up in this community."

The honorary street name will remain for five years, in accordance with city bylaws.

camryn.patterson@freepress.mb.ca
T he awkward moment a firefighter who reportedly lost his house in a deadly fire refusing to shake hands with Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has been caught on camera.

The incident occurred during Mr Morrisons visit to the decimated town of Cobargo in the state of New South Wales where fires killed local father and son Robert and Patrick Salway.

Angry residents in the town lashed out at the Prime Minister during his visit saying he was not welcome and a video has since emerged of a firefighter refusing to shake his hand.

The video, tweeted by ABC journalist Sophie McNeill, shows Mr Morrison walking up to an unidentified fireman who was taking a break and attempting to shake his hand.

But the man responded by looking at the PMs outstretched hand and shaking his head.

He can be heard saying: I dont really want to shake your hand.

Mr Morrison then leans down and grabs hold of the mans hand and the firefighter pulls it away.

The PM is seen patting the firefighter on the shoulder and turning to walk away.

He then turns to a man who is drinking tea and asks: time for a cuppa? while the firefighter gets up and walks off camera.

Angry Cobargo residents explode at Scott Morrison

Another clip posted by ABC journalist Siobhan Heanue, shows Mr Morrison speaking to a fire official shortly after the incident, saying: Tell that fella Im really sorry, Im sure hes just tired.

The firefighter responds: No, no, hes lost a house.

The moment came as furious locals told Mr Morrison to p*** off and also refused to shake his hand.

Mr Morrison was forced to cut short his visit to the town after the reaction.

Since the start of the fire season in September, 18 people have been killed in Victoria and New South Wales.
Nollywood actress, Juliet Ibrahim has conceded that she has already failed in her new year resolution as early as the 3rd of January.

However, she stated that she would ensure she does better in 2021.

Read Also: Juliet Ibrahim Among Judges For Most Beautiful Girl In Liberia Pageant

Speaking in an Instagram post, the screen diva shared that she had planned on quitting drinking Champagne as her new year resolution but remembers that no one likes a quitter.

She wrote:

I appreciate everyone for showing concern yesterday.

So, heres what happened in 2020 already.

I planned that I would quit drinking Champagne for my New Years resolution, but I remembered that nobody likes a quitter. #2021 Ill do better for sure.
A woman who came to America from Brazil says in a federal lawsuit she was arrested by two Newark cops in 2017 and handed over to federal authorities after a former deputy police chief tipped them off about her open deportation warrant.

The allegations in the suit could possibly be a violation of Newark Mayor Ras Barakas sanctuary city executive order, which pledged no local resources would aid federal immigration law unless required by a court order or directive.

The order was signed two months prior to Andrea Florentinos arrest, who was living in Newark at the time but now resides in Elizabeth. The suit claims she was detained on Aug. 29, 2017 to prevent her from testifying in her estranged husbands domestic violence court case two days later.

She was traumatized by the whole thing, Andrea Mazzula, Florentinos attorney, told NJ Advance Media. "It was a very scary thing. She was literally dragged out of the house.

The city, which is named as a defendant in the suit, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The suit alleges Dominick Saldida, who also goes by Domingos Saldida, called one of the officers who made the arrest to tell him Florentino had an open immigration warrant. Saldida was a retired Newark deputy chief at the time, but was operating a private security company known as BlueLine Security Consulting.

Saldida currently works as the East Orange public safety director and had a prior stint as the acting public safety director in Dover. Saldida did not respond to a request for comment, nor did the City of East Orange.

A police report written by Newark police Lt. John Rodrigues and obtained through Florentinos attorney said the officer had received a call from Saldida on Aug. 28, 2017 about an open "immigration warrant. Rodrigues wrote in the report that he called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, to verify the warrant.

The report indicates that Florentino was arrested on one count of contempt, a fourth-degree charge that is defined as knowingly disobeying a judicial or court order. Her attorney said Florentino has not been deported.

A Newark Public Safety spokesman said Rodrigues is about to retire, but declined to say whether any of the officers involved in the arrest were administratively reprimanded in connection to the allegations in the suit. The city police department is named as a defendant.

THE ARREST

Two officers in plainclothes officers knocked on Florentinos window at 6:45 a.m. on Aug. 29, 2017 while she was home with her daughters, ages 3, 10 and 14, the suit says. The men did not identify themselves to Florentino but asked her to open the door so they could discuss a "green car parked across the street that belonged to her, the suit states.

As Florentino opened the door, the two men forced themselves inside her apartment, assaulted her and placed her in handcuffs, the suit says. The two men, later identified as Rodrigues and Newark police Detective Rafael Ramos, did not identify themselves or show a warrant for her arrest, the suit said.

[She] believed she was being abducted at the request of her estranged husband, the suit said.

Rodrigues and Ramos put her in the back of an unmarked police vehicle and drove her to a precinct. Only then did Florentino realize the two men were police officers, the suit states.

The officers called Florentino a "b---- and used phrases like, I love Trump and you can thank Trump as she was being transported to the station, the suit alleges.

Florentino was advised once she arrived at the precinct she had an outstanding order of deportation from 2005. She did not have any other legal or criminal issue, her attorney told NJ Advance Media.

The police report indicates that Florentino was advised of her open immigration warrant, but doesnt specifically say at what point.

An ICE officer arrived at the precinct and cuffed Florentinos hands and feet, the suit says. She was transported by Rodrigues and Ramos to an immigration holding facility for several hours, the suit and police report states.

Mazzula, the attorney for Florentino, said her client was not taken to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, where ICE detainees are usually held. The police report shows she was taken to 620 Frelinghuysen Ave., an ICE field office.

The lawsuit says Florentino was told she would remain in custody until her immigration status was determined or she could be released with an ankle bracelet.

Florentino accepted being released with the ankle bracelet so she could get back home to her daughters. She was then transported to another immigration facility in Newark to have the ankle bracelet secured on her leg that she was made to wear for six months, the suit said.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TESTIMONY

Its unclear if Florentinos husband, Frank Aiello, was ever convicted in the domestic violence case. Mazzula, the attorney for Florentino, said her client received a call from someone who identified themselves as working in the prosecutors office and was told she did not have to appear in court.

Florentino and her husband are currently separated but not divorced, Mazzula said. He is not named as a defendant in the suit, which was originally filed in Superior Court of Essex County.

Mazzula is unsure if Aiello had any connection with Saldida, the former deputy police chief, or his security company.

This is at least the second time a Newark resident has publicly said they were arrested by city police and handed over to federal authorities. Daniel Castro was arrested by city police in 2018 after a traffic stop and handed over to ICE, TAPinto Newark previously reported.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.
We hear the bushfire rather than see it, waking to cracking thunder and dark skies.

At first I think a storm was bringing much-needed rain. But this is no ordinary thunder; it is generated by a fire so large it has its own weather system.

Our plan to find a safe haven on the NSW South Coast for a holiday has failed. Now the five of us - myself, my husband, our two children and a close friend - are in one of the most dangerous parts of the state with no immediate way out.

People lined up to use the public telephone in Narooma as power and telecommunications remained down on New Year's Day. Credit:James Brickwood

In hindsight, we should never have left Sydney. We would have time to reflect on that later but right now we have more immediate concerns.
China's state broadcaster has released new footage of a warplane performing take-off and landing tasks from the country's second aircraft carrier, which is based in the disputed South China Sea.

Clips of the J-15 fighter jet, billed as the 'Flying Shark', drilling on the Shandong were shown by China Central Television Station less than three weeks after the domestically developed warship entered service in the southernmost part of China.

The commission of the 50,000-tonne vessel came as Beijing faces tensions with self-ruled Taiwan as well as the US and regional neighbours around the contested waters.

Footage released by China's state broadcaster shows soldiers directing a J-15 jet to take off

The drill took place on the country's second aircraft carrier based in the South China Sea

The Shandong, China's first domestically built carrier, was commissioned by Chinese President Xi during a ceremony at a naval port in Sanya, Hainan Province, on December 17

'Carrier-based jet J-15 took off from the Shandong, the first homemade aircraft carrier of country,' wrote the state-run station yesterday as it published the video.

'Here comes the "aircraft carrier style" of the Shandong,' it added.

The second line is in reference to a trending video post from six years ago, which showed a J-15 plane taking off from the country's first ever aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.

A picture of two soldiers directing the plane to fly later became a meme on the Chinese internet and was branded as the 'aircraft carrier style' or 'take-off style'.

The so-called 'aircraft carrier style' came into being six years ago when a J-15 plane conducted a take-off drill on China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. A picture of two soldiers directing the plane to fly (above) later became a meme on the Chinese internet

The J-15 is China's only carrier-based fighter jet model. Two of them are seen on the flight deck of China's sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, as it arrives in Hong Kong waters on July 7, 2017

The Shandong, China's first domestically built carrier, is based on the Soviet Kuznetsov class design and was launched at a shipyard in the northern port city of Dalian on April 27, 2017.

The vessel was commissioned by Chinese President Xi during a ceremony at a naval port in Sanya, southern China's Hainan Province, on December 17.

It has been named the Shandong after a province on China's eastern coast because the region has the country's first aircraft carrier base, military analyst Lijie told state-run newspaper Global Times.

Beijing's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, is a re-fitted Soviet-era Ukrainian ship and named after the province where it was revamped. It entered service in September, 2012.

The country is reportedly building a third aircraft carrier, which will be equipped with a flat-top flight deck and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, according to previous reports.

A picture released by Xinhua News Agency shows Chinese President Xi (central) meeting with representatives of the aircraft carrier unit at a naval port in Sanya on December 17

The deployment of the warship has added major firepower to China's military ambitions

The Shandong can hold 24 Shenyang J-15 fighter jets and has conducted nine sea trials

The Shandong can hold 24 Shenyang J-15 fighter jets and 12 helicopters, and has conducted nine sea trials.

Manufactured by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, the J-15 was developed by Chinese engineers after the country reportedly purchased a T-10K-3 (a Su-33 prototype) from Ukraine in 2001 and then reverse-engineered it.

It is so far China's only carrier-based fighter jet model.

Earlier last month, a video of two J-15 planes performing an unprecedented air-to-air refuelling mission was released by China Central Television Station.

The deployment of the mighty warship has added major firepower to China's military ambitions in a complex geo-political climate and put the Asian superpower in a small club of nations with multiple aircraft carriers.

The ship's home base, Hainan province, is in the South China Sea east of Vietnam, which has competing claims in the waterway along with China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei.

The Shandong is seen at a naval port in Sanya in China's Hainan Province on December 18

It is believed that the ship will be based in a newly complete aircraft carrier base in Sanya

In November China confirmed that the Shandong had sailed through the Taiwan Strait for 'routine' training and tests, drawing the ire of Taipei.

It is believed that the ship will be based in a newly complete aircraft carrier base in Sanya.

The facility has been described as 'a large military base built by the Chinese navy' and can hold 'various large vessels'.

Commenting on the construction of the base, Geng Yansheng, the country's then spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, previous said that it was 'very necessary and normal' for the Chinese troops to 'maintain and revamp' its facilities.

China, which sees democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, has stepped up military drills around the island since Beijing-sceptic President Tsai Ing-wen, who is seeking re-election, came to power in 2016.
Pakistan on Friday rejected reports that Gurdwara Nanakana Sahib near Lahore was desecrated by certain groups.

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, also known as the Gurdwara Janam Asthan, is the site where the first Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak, was born. It is regarded as one of the holiest Sikh sites.

Foreign Office in a midnight statement said the provincial authorities in the Punjab province have informed that there was a scuffle in the city of Nankana Sahib on Friday between two Muslim groups.

The altercation happened on a minor incident at a tea-stall and the District Administration immediately intervened and arrested the accused.

"Attempts to paint this incident as a communal issue are patently motivated. Most importantly, the Gurdwara remains untouched and undamaged. All insinuations to the contrary, particularly the claims of acts of desecration and destruction' and desecration of the holy place, are not only false but also mischievous, said the FO.

It said the Government of Pakistan was committed to upholding law and order and providing security and protection to the people, especially the minorities.

The opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a manifestation of Pakistan's special care extended to the minorities, in line with the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, it said.

According to some Indian media reports, a mob attack took place at the shrine. The reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones on Friday.

India's External Affairs Ministry said members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib.

"India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community," the MEA said in a statement.

"Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurdwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community," it said.

The MEA said the reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of a Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) also expressed concern over reports of the mob attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara.

In a tweet, Singh appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure that the devotees stranded at the gurdwara are rescued from the mob. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Panaji, Jan 3 : Even after implementation of the CAA, India will continue to be sensitive when it comes to cases of Muslims who are persecuted in Pakistan and want Indian citizenship, BJP national working president J.P. Nadda said on Friday.

Nadda also justified the non-inclusion of Muslims in the list of persecuted religious communities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh which are covered under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), arguing that because Muslims are a majority in the Islamic countries, they could not be suffering from religious persecution.

"When Muslims have come to India after persecution, they have been given citizenship separately. India is humanitarian. It believes in humanitarianism. There are many, including artistes, who have been given Indian citizenship and in such cases we will continue to be sensitive to the issue," Nadda told a pro-CAA rally in Panaji, which was attended by thousands of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers.

"But those who have come here after suffering (religious) persecution, where will they go? They are one of us. When they are persecuted, they will be protected by India, by (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi," Nadda also said.

The senior BJP leader also called those questioning the exclusion of Muslims from the list of religious communities, as "close minded" and added that the decision to drop Muslims from the CAA list was justified, because they are the majority community in the three neighbouring countries which the CAA covers.

"In Pakistan, Muslims are in majority. Is not Pakistan an Islamic country? Is not Bangladesh an Islamic country? Then how can they be religiously persecuted. Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians are persecuted. We are safeguarding those who have come to India," Nadda said.

The BJP national working president also said, that while the Muslim community had flourished in India, with the country producing more than one Muslim President, Chief Justices, Governors and Chief Ministers, the minority population in both Pakistan and Bangladesh had shrunk considerably, blaming the reducing numbers on religious persecution.

Nadda also urged Dalit leaders who are backing the anti-CAA protests to wake up to the realisation, that the CAA will enable Dalit clusters like the Matua samaj and the Rajbanshi samaj from Bengal and other low caste refugee groups in Rajasthan to merge into the Indian mainstream.
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The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Mitchell Kukulka.

Sunday, Dec. 29

10:43 p.m.  A deputy responded to a single-vehicle crash in Ingersoll Township. The driver was not conscious when the deputy arrived. There was minor damage to the vehicle. The driver was transported to the ER for an evaluation. A search warrant was obtained and served for her blood, and she was not lodged due to her condition.

9:15 p.m.  A deputy responded to an Ingersoll Township residence to check the well-being of a 15-year-old boy, who has been having a hard time with his parents' recent decision to get a divorce, and was having thoughts of self-harm. He was transported to MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland ER by the deputy, and his 34-year-old mother petitioned him to be evaluated for mental health.

7:10 p.m.  Deputies responded to a City of Coleman location to speak with an 18-year-old Isabella County boy, an 18-year-old Midland boy and a 21-year-old Midland man in reference to an incident that occurred in Coleman. The three said a vehicle had chased their's into Coleman. Once stopped, a woman approached their vehicle and pounded on the window. The woman was acting erratic and yelled at them for driving on her road before leaving the scene. The three did not know the woman and could not think of a reason why she would yell at them. She was believed to live across the street from the 18-year-old from Isabella County. Contact with the suspect was attempted and a voicemail was left on her phone to call back.

6:24 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a City of Coleman residence for possible child abuse. The caller, a 58-year-old Coleman man, said his daughter's boyfriend, a 21-year-old Elkton man, had slapped his 2-year-old daughter. Following contact with all parties involved, deputies found the 21-year-old was disciplining his child for getting into a garbage can  which is not a criminal act. Due to possible violence in the household, Child Protective Services was contacted.

1:56 p.m.  Officers responded to a report of domestic violence in the 6100 block of Jefferson Avenue.

1:04 p.m.  Deputies were sent to a Lee Township home for a report of a verbal argument between a 35-year-old father and his 16-year-old son. Upon investigation, it was learned the father struck his son with an open hand. The son was not injured. The father stated he "cuffed" his son trying to get control of him because he was out of control at the time. The son went to a family member's house for a few days. A 16-year-old witness left the residence and went to a grandparent's house for the evening. The 14-year-old daughter stayed at the house with the dad.

Saturday, Dec. 28

10:02 p.m.  Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Ingersoll Township.

9:34 p.m.  Deputies responded to a car-deer crash in Mills Township.

6:24 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Midland Township residence in reference to suspicious people in the caller's yard. Deputies were disregarded prior to arrival due to the caller finding the suspicious people were friends of hers.

4:54 p.m.  A 54-year-old Edenville Township man called to report his wife broke into their residence after she had moved out two weeks before. They are still married and she took her belongings. It was explained to the man that the residence was still legally his wife's until their divorce and she has the same rights to the residence as he does.

4:09 p.m.  A deputy was sent to Midland Township for a report of a possible drunken driver. The deputy located the vehicle in the City of Midland. Contact was made with the driver, who had not been drinking. The driver had a cigarette fall between his legs which caused his erratic driving.

1:28 p.m.  A deputy made contact with a City of Midland man at the Law Enforcement Center (LEC). The resident received a scam call stating he was going to be arrested unless he went and purchased $1,500 in gift cards. The resident believed it was a scam, and came to the LEC to confirm it was a scam and that he did not have a warrant for his arrest. The resident did not have a warrant and was advised it was a scam. The deputy attempted to call the suspect back but the phone number had been disconnected.

1:14 p.m.  A 25-year-old Grand Blanc woman was arrested for driving while license suspended following a traffic stop in Lee Township.

5:26 a.m.  Officers responded to a breaking-and-entering in the 6600 block of Eastman Avenue.

1:37 a.m.  A 35-year-old female reported a package was stolen from her porch while she was at work. After a short investigation, the package was located and turned over to the the complainant.

12:19 a.m.  A deputy initiated a traffic stop on a 42-year-old Saginaw man for a traffic violation in Homer Township. The man was arrested after it was discovered he had a suspended Michigan driver license.

Friday, Dec. 27

11:21 p.m.  A 76-year-old woman was receiving harassing text messages from an unknown subject. The text messages were part of an online scam requesting the complainant purchase gift cards. The complainant did not purchase any gift cards, and at the time of the complaint, she had not suffered a loss.

10:10 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Larkin Township residence in reference to a fraud complaint. Deputies made contact with the complainant, a 60-year-old woman, who stated she had fallen victim to a phone scam. The woman said she was tricked into giving a unknown male $1,100 in gift cards so her son, a 39-year-old man, would not be arrested for unpaid fines in Bay County. The woman advised she gave the card numbers to the scammer over the phone and when she attempted to call the scammer back, the phone number was disconnected. There are no suspects at this time.

9:16 p.m.  Officers responded to a hit-and-run crash in the area of Wyllys Street and Swede Avenue.

8:53 p.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a fight that involved several unknown subjects at a Jerome Township business. Upon police arrival, all of the subjects involved in the fight had left the scene. The deputies made contact with the 52-year-old business manager, who did not know any information regarding who the subjects were or what vehicles they left in. Deputies advised the woman to call the sheriff's office if the subjects returned.

7:20 p.m.  A 48-year-old Mills Township man called to report he gave a 53-year-old woman a $6,000 engagement ring  they have since broken up and she refuses to give the ring back. The man was advised to contact the courts to file a civil suit against the female.

6:14 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the 6900 block of Eastman Avenue.

3:23 p.m.  Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Joe Mann Boulevard and Jefferson Avenue.

10:38 a.m.  A deputy arrested a 41-year-old Lee Township man who came into the LEC to register for the Sex Offender Registry. The 41-year-old had an active warrant for failure to appear out of Midland County.

3:50 a.m.  Deputies responded to a Hope Township residence in reference to a disorderly 16-year-old boy. Deputies spoke with the 35-year-old mother, who said she shut off her son's internet, which made him very upset. The mother said her son then punched his wall but did not assault anyone. Deputies spoke with the boy, who agreed to calm down and listen to his mother in the future.
The Donald Trump administration and American partners are bracing for potential Iranian attacks throughout the Middle East after a Pentagon strike killed paramilitary leader Qasem Soleimani on Friday.

Former US officials said the death of Soleimani, who was considered a national hero in Iran after rising from division command during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s to commanding Irans military and paramilitary groups around Iraq, Syria and Yemen, could compel a range of covert or overt responses.

This response or [these] responses could happen anywhere, said Michael Mulroy, who until December served as the Pentagons top Middle East official. Between the IRGC Quds Force and their intelligence service, they have worldwide reach and will likely not exclude American civilians as targets.

Mulroy, who advocated for the United States to utilize irregular warfare tactics, cyber attacks and information operations to deter Iranian aggression at the Defense Department and now serves as an ABC News analyst, said Soleimani's death will "significantly increase the likelihood" of a vote in Iraq's council of representatives to expel more than 5,000 US forces in the country, which "may lead to more instability and less sovereignty in their country."

The fear that American troops fighting the Islamic State in Iraq could soon be forced to leave was echoed by current US officials who spoke to Al-Monitor after Baghdad released a statement Jan. 3 calling the strike that killed Soleimani a breach of Iraqi sovereignty.

I cannot imagine us being allowed to stay in Iraq, a US official told Al-Monitor, adding, And Iran will definitely look to take action against US targets.

A senior defense official who spoke anonymously to reporters Jan. 3 would not say if the United States gave Iraq advance warning of the strikes, approved by Trump when Soleimani arrived at a target of opportunity. The US had authority to strike against Soleimani before the action was taken, the official said.

We think this is going to be a significant disruption to ongoing plotting and planning, the senior defense official added, to say that a potential Iranian attack staged by Soleimani was imminent and would take place in the Middle East, not against the US homeland.

Mulroy said Soleimani orchestrated part of the Iraq insurgency, helped design and execute Bashar al-Assads crackdown in Syria and provided support in Yemen that made a humanitarian crisis even worse.

But others inside the administration did not have confidence that the Pentagon would be able to contain escalation from Iran even after the death of the influential military leader largely credited with building up Tehrans network of proxy groups in the Middle East.

I cant see how Iran doesnt consider this a declaration of war, the official, speaking not for attribution, added. The Pentagon OKd Jan. 3 sending a brigade of 3,500 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait that the agency put on prepare-to-deploy orders after Iran-backed protesters breached the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo  who spent most of Jan. 3 on the phone reassuring American partners and allies unnerved by the strike  as well as other US officials refused to discuss the nature of the threats against American forces and civilians that prompted the drone strikes that took Soleimanis life.

Though Soleimanis successor, Ismail Qaani, threatened that the world would see the dead bodies of Americans all over the Middle East in retaliation for the Quds Force chiefs death, Pompeo said the United States was prepared and had thought about this a great deal.

For his part, President Trump said the US did "not seek regime change" despite the strikes and wanted to drive Iran back to the bargaining table, though European allies feared a wider escalation. "We took action last night to stop a war, we did not take action last night to start a war," Trump said on Friday from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fl., but warned Iran to stop cultivating military proxies around the region.

But in Iraq, where the Baghdad government is under increasing pressure to expel US troops amid three months of anti-corruption protests that have forced the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, officials worried the Trump administration no longer had control of the situation.
Esri, the global leader in location intelligence, today announced that it will join this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), to be held January 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Esri will be on hand for a discussion moderated by location data company HERE Technologies about how geospatial technology can help businesses make better-informed geographic decisions, such as where to open new stores.

Who:

Jeffrey Peters, Director, Global Business Development, Esri

Jason Bettinger, Senior Director and Head of Retail & Financial Services, Americas, HERE Technologies

What:

Using the new breed of location data to decide where to open your next store: HERE Technologies in conversation with Esri

As brick and mortar retailers continue to innovate with new formats and shopping experiences, theyre also turning to high quality data when deciding on their next location. In this talk, Esri joins HERE to discuss how retailers are tapping into a rich resource of map, venue, and traffic information to achieve an advantage in what has become one of the most fiercely competitive sectors of the economy.

Where:

HERE Technologies booth, LVCC, Central Plaza, CP-2

Las Vegas Convention Center

3150 Paradise Rd

Las Vegas, NV 89109

When:

January 8, 2020, 12:00 p.m.12:15 p.m.

Learn more:

www.ces.tech

About Esri

Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, offers the most powerful geospatial cloud available, to help customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969, Esri software is deployed in more than 350,000 organizations including 90 of the Fortune 100 companies, all 50 state governments, more than half of all counties (large and small), and 87 of the Forbes Top 100 Colleges in the U.S., as well as all 15 Executive Departments of the U.S. Government and dozens of independent agencies. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial information technology, Esri engineers the most advanced solutions for digital transformation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced analytics. Visit us at esri.com.

Copyright  2020 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Community, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200102005308/en/
Indian Institute of Delhi will release GATE 2020 admit card today at its official website. According to the information bulletin, the GATE 2020 admit card will be released online on January 3, 2020.

GATE 2020 exam will be held on February 1,2,8 and 9. Around 8.6 lakh candidates have registered for the exam.

Candidates who have successfully registered for the exam can download their GATE 2020 admit card online at gate.iitd.ac.in.

How to download GATE 2020 Admit card:

Step 1: Visit the GATE 2020 official website at gate.iitd.ac.in

Step 2: Click on the link that reads GATE 2020 admit card

Step 3: Key in your login details in the GATE 2020 admit card

Step 4: Download the GATE admit card 2020

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The Queensland government will investigate how about 1000 patients might have been misdiagnosed during cancer screenings at a hospital in the state's south-east.

More than a dozen patients at Redland Hospital have been diagnosed with bowel cancer after concerns a doctor might have missed early clinical signs of disease more than a year ago.

The NSW doctor had conducted endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures on about 1500 patients, all older than 50, at the hospital between 2012 and 2018.

Fourteen Redland Hospital patients have been diagnosed with bowel cancer after concerns a doctor might have missed early signs of disease. Credit:Google Maps

The screening procedures allow doctors to detect and potentially treat early bowel or upper gastrointestinal issues before they develop further.
The airline is also experimenting with a new way to let customers search for flights: an interactive map that highlights airfares to multiple destinations instead of asking the traveler to search for flights to one city at a time. It was inspired by comments from customers last winter who asked whether they could just shop for 70-degree weather? Sharma said. Only about 20% of visitors to Uniteds website see the map, which is still being tested.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The text approved by the Podgorica Parliament provides for the nationalization of all Church properties. The leaders of the Serbian Orthodox Church have called this law "discriminatory", as it is directed against the "foreign Church" of Serbia. Violence and clashes in the square, the fears of the Moscow Patriarchate for a new autocephalous Church.

Podgorica (AsiaNews) - The authorities of Montenegro closed the year approving a draft law on the freedom of religious confession, which has sparked many protests and public demonstrations, as well as the condemnation of the Serbian Orthodox Church to which ecclesiastical jurisdiction Montenegro also belongs. The plan involves the seizure and nationalization of all the properties of the Orthodox Church, including the most famous monasteries such as that of Ostrog, and a few hundred shrines.

The leaders of the Serbian Orthodox Church have called this law "discriminatory", as it is directed against the "foreign Church" of Serbia, and the opposition parties have supported the protest by taking to the streets in various cities, blocking traffic and resulting in a violent repressions by police. Even a bishop, Metodij (Ostojc) of Dioklijsk, was subjected to violence, so much so that the Serbian Patriarch Irinej (Gavrilovic) invited all to "stop this terror".

The text also sparked bitter discussions in the Podgorica parliament, where oppositions asked to take into account the reasons of the Serbian Church; the majority coalition refused to discuss any changes. At the threat of blocking the vote by all means, the police intervened by throwing tear gas into the chamber, and arresting 22 deputies of the "Democratic Front" of Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia), including its leaders Andrij Mandic and Milan Knezevic, accused of having Parliament Speaker Ivan Brajlovic attacked. After the unrest, the majority deputies who remained in the chamber unanimously approved the document.

The law was then approved and signed by President Milo Dzhukanovic, a staunch proponent of Montenegro's integration into the European Union, which prompted him to support the need to detach the national Church from the Serbian one. Dzhukanovic supports the Orthodox minority formed in recent years with the name of the "Montenegrin Orthodox Church", which is making the request to obtain the Tomos of autocephaly as happened recently with the Ukrainian Church.

The Synod of the Patriarchate of Moscow, meeting at the end of December, expressed regret for the situation that has arisen in Montenegro: We address the international community with the appeal not to allow the violation of the rights of the Orthodox communities of Montenegro, reads the message released on December 30th. There is a clear fear that the same situation will arise in Ukraine, with a new national Church blessed by Constantinople, which would provoke a schism with Serbs and accentuate the one with the Russians, who have always been very close to the Church and the Serbian people.

The Moscow message states that "what they try to impose today on the believers of Montenegro, tomorrow could happen to those of other Churches", and the authorities of Montenegro are invited to listen to the reasons for the opposition and not to believe the myths of the "selfish" Serbs ", who would like to impose the domination of Serbia over the whole region. "We ask you - concludes the text - to see in the people of believers as mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, children, and not to abandon them in the hands of outsiders, to the harmful influences that come from the West and to support the canonical Church, which unites the majority of the citizens of your country ".
Farooq Sahab suggested me to speak with Pakistan but I will speak to the youth: Amit Shah in Srinagar

If normalcy to be brought in Kashmir, Article 370 has to be reinstated: Farooq Abdullah

All but six political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir to be released: Sources

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 03: The government is set to release all political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. The administration has however decided not to release six leaders who had been detained in the wake of Article 370 being abrogated.

Those set to walk free are Rafi Mir, Ashraf Mir, Majid Padru of the PDP and Hakim Mohammad of the PDF, sources tell OneIndia.

The six leaders whose detentions would continue would include, Mehbooba Mufti, Omar Abdullah, Farooq Abdullah, Naeem Akthar, Ali Mohammad Sagar and Saeed Parra.

Amit Shah explains why Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti had to be detained

Mehbooba and Omar Abdullah are lodged at the government house and Hari Niwas respectively. Farooq Abdullah, on the other hand, is detained at his residence on Gupkar Road, which has been declared as a sub-jail.

Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti had to be detained for "some time" after they made provocative statements, home minister, Amit Shah said on Thursday night while addressing an event organised by media outlet ABP News.

NEWS AT 3 PM, JAN 3rd, 2019

"Please see the statements made by them, like the entire country will be on fire if Article 370 was touched...In the backdrop of these statements, a professional decision was taken to keep them under detention for some time," Shah said at the news summit.

Many political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including the three former chief ministers, were detained on August 5, the day the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

While Farooq Abdullah has been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act and confined to his Gupkar Road residence in Srinagar, which has been declared a sub-jail, his son Omar Abdullah has been detained at Hari Niwas. PDP chief Mufti was lodged at Chesmashahi hut initially but later shifted to government accommodation.

To a question pointing out that Abdullahs' National Conference and Mufti's PDP were alliance partners of the BJP at some point of time and the leaders were now being labelled "anti-national", the home minister made it clear that neither he nor anyone from the government had called them so.

"As far as the decision to release them is concerned, this decision will be taken by the local administration and not me," he said, adding that the administration will release them whenever it deems suitable.

Shah said the situation in the Kashmir Valley was under control and day-to-day life was going on smoothly.

"Not a single inch in Kashmir is under curfew today," he added.
3 1 of 3 Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3





BRIDGEPORT  A Bridgeport man was held on a $500,000 bond Friday for his alleged part in a deadly crash that killed a well-known local attorney earlier this week, officials said.

Keith M. Commerford, 50, was taken into custody Friday night on an arrest warrant, according to Scott Appleby, director of emergency management and homeland security for Bridgeport.
Today, we'll introduce the concept of the P/E ratio for those who are learning about investing. To keep it practical, we'll show how China Travel International Investment Hong Kong Limited's (HKG:308) P/E ratio could help you assess the value on offer. China Travel International Investment Hong Kong has a P/E ratio of 10.73, based on the last twelve months. That means that at current prices, buyers pay HK$10.73 for every HK$1 in trailing yearly profits.

See our latest analysis for China Travel International Investment Hong Kong

How Do You Calculate A P/E Ratio?

The formula for price to earnings is:

Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share  Earnings per Share (EPS)

Or for China Travel International Investment Hong Kong:

P/E of 10.73 = HK$1.43  HK$0.13 (Based on the year to June 2019.)

Is A High P/E Ratio Good?

A higher P/E ratio implies that investors pay a higher price for the earning power of the business. That 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 Does China Travel International Investment Hong Kong'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 (12.0) for companies in the hospitality industry is higher than China Travel International Investment Hong Kong's P/E.

SEHK:308 Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 3rd 2020

This suggests that market participants think China Travel International Investment Hong Kong will underperform other companies in its industry. Since the market seems unimpressed with China Travel International Investment Hong Kong, it's quite possible it could surprise on the upside. You should delve deeper. I like to check if company insiders have been buying or selling.

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. And as that P/E ratio drops, the company will look cheap, unless its share price increases.

Story continues

China Travel International Investment Hong Kong saw earnings per share decrease by 37% last year. But over the longer term (3 years), earnings per share have increased by 10%. And it has shrunk its earnings per share by 13% per year over the last five years. This could justify a pessimistic P/E.

Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits

The 'Price' in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. The exact same company would hypothetically deserve a higher P/E ratio if it had a strong balance sheet, than if it had a weak one with lots of debt, because a cashed up company can spend on growth.

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.

How Does China Travel International Investment Hong Kong's Debt Impact Its P/E Ratio?

With net cash of HK$3.7b, China Travel International Investment Hong Kong has a very strong balance sheet, which may be important for its business. Having said that, at 47% of its market capitalization the cash hoard would contribute towards a higher P/E ratio.

The Bottom Line On China Travel International Investment Hong Kong's P/E Ratio

China Travel International Investment Hong Kong trades on a P/E ratio of 10.7, which is fairly close to the HK market average of 10.6. While the lack of recent growth is probably muting optimism, the net cash position means it's not surprising that expectations put the company roughly in line with the market average P/E.

When the market is wrong about a stock, it gives savvy investors an opportunity. As value investor Benjamin Graham famously said, 'In the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run, it is a weighing machine. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold the key to an excellent investment decision.

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.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
By Express News Service

TIRUVANNAMALAI: Counting of votes for the rural local body elections was delayed at several counting centres in Tiruvannamalai district due to protests. Meanwhile, a police Special Sub-Inspector died while on duty at a centre in the temple town. In Arni pancahayat union, a section of the staff drafted for counting work resorted to a flash stir alleging that they were not provided with adequate facilities. They also complained that food and water were not supplied to them. However, after a delay of about half an hour, the vote counting began in the centre located in the premises of Subramania Shastri Higher Secondary School, sources said.

police personnel tightening security in and around Arignar Anna Government Arts College in Cheyyar of Tiruvannamalai district; officials counting the votes for the local body polls | S Dinesh

At the centre in Polur, the counting process was delayed by 90 minutes due to various reasons such as late entry of candidates agents. In Cheyyar, the counting did not begin at the scheduled time as keys to the box, in which postal votes had been stashed, went missing, sources said, adding the box was opened by breaking the lock. In Tiruvannamalai town, vote counting commenced after initial delay at the counting centres in Danish Mission Higher Secondary School, which is the centre for Tiruvannamalai panchayat union, and Shanmuga Industries Higher Secondary School, the centre for Thurinjapuram union, due to staffs protest.

Special SI dies on duty

In Tiruvannamalai, a police special sub-inspector (SSI) died while on duty at a counting centre located at Shanmuga Industries Higher Secondary School. Murugadoss (55) complained of chest pain before collapsing, a police officer said. He was immediately taken to a government hospital where he was declared brought dead. Fellow policemen grieved his death.
Hotel Leelaventure Ltd on Friday said its name has been changed to HLV Ltd with effect from December 27, 2019.

"The name of the company has been changed from "Hotel Leelaventure Limited" to "HLV Limited" with effect from 27 December 2019," it said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The change of name of the company will come into effect from 8 January, 2020, it said.

Earlier in 22 October 2019, Hotel Leelaventure's board had approved the proposed change in name of the company to 'HLV Ltd' or some other suitable name, if it was not available.

As part of the Brookfield transaction, the word "Leela" would not be a part of the company's name, it had said in an exchange filing.

Also Read: Brookfield checks in at Hotel Leelaventure; industry experts cheer

The Mumbai-based hotel chain had announced in October last year that it had sold its hotel properties and operations to Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management Inc for Rs 3,950 crore. The deal, which took more than a year to come to fruition, includes the sale of hotel properties in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Udaipur and Agra. The deal excludes its fifth property, located in Mumbai.

The company will continue to own and operate the hotel in Mumbai under the Leela brand, licensed to it by Brookfield. It will also continue to own the land in Hyderabad and its share of apartments under the joint development project of residential apartments with Prestige Developers in Bengaluru, adjoining The Leela Palace Hotel.

Also Read: Despite all odds, the budget and mid-market hotels flourish in India

The company used the entire proceeds from the deal to repay its debt to the banks and financial institutions as part of a one-time settlement. As per some estimates, HLVL had an outstanding debt of over Rs 3,000 crore.

Meanwhile, shares of Hotel Leelaventure closed Friday's trade at Rs 5.91 apiece, down 0.84 per cent, on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

By Chitranjan Kumar
Recently Governor Cuomo has shown his affection for criminals with his new bail reform laws and we have already seen its negative effects. What we do not see publicly is the damage he has done to the employees that work behind the walls in the department of corrections. The governor on his own signed an executive order limiting the use of, as he calls it solitary confinement. First off, New York does not have solitary confinement. Those inmates placed in special housing are afforded more programs and services than those in general population. This is just him trying to placate to his constituents. The individuals placed in special housing are there because they cannot follow the rules of the agency and facility. It would only reason that some of those in society that cannot follow rules and laws of the land that landed them in jail would also violate individuals and laws in prison. To not be able to remove them from general population places both staff and inmates in grave danger. To not be able to remove criminals from the public places the public at risk. The same holds true in prison. If you cannot remove an individual from general population or to limit the time of removal, gives the criminals power and rewards their unruly behavior. Is this what we expect from the leader of the executive branch? If we die in the line of duty I would ask that the governor be a pall bearer to let us down one more time.
NEWS PROVIDED BY

Alveda King Ministries

Jan. 3, 2020



ATLANTA, Jan. 3, 2020 /Standard Newswire/ -- Evangelist Alveda King submits the following and is available for comment:

Greetings dear friends. HAPPY NEW YEAR! We are off to the races both figuratively and literally speaking. As I'm composing this message, I'm headed for Miami for a gathering of members of the evangelical community.



Meanwhile, I'm praying for healing of the rift that is threatening to tear the people asunder.



Next, we will kick off the Martin Luther King Holiday in Atlanta. Then it's off to Washington DC for the March for Life week.



The year 2020 promises to be exciting, challenging, heated and sensitive. Wow! What does this mean for the faithful? Will we sink or swim?



With Christmas 2019 now a blessed memory, please accept my fondest prayers and blessings as we enter this new year, 2020. For those who follow our blogs and social media networks, please know how much we appreciate your prayers and your support for both Civil Rights for The Unborn and for Alveda King Ministries.



From our perspective, much has been accomplished for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the first two decades of the 21st century. Now, we can expect to move up and ahead from here.



Towards the end of 2019 I called my immediate family and some of my extended family members over for dinner and fellowship. I told everyone that in 2020 I will be on steroids for what I believe with the Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the sanctity of life at the top of the list.



During our conversation, they asked if I'll be campaigning harder than ever for president Donald John Trump? This is what I said: As a Christian evangelist I'll be promoting the gospel and love of Jesus Christ and the sanctity of human life; and I'll be praying harder than ever for President Trump.



"Pray for kings and others in power, so we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God." 1 Timothy 2:2



I went on to say that while I stopped endorsing political candidates in 2008, I still support and pray for political platforms that support the sanctity of life. I added that of course we know that President Trump supports life; he's perhaps America's strongest prolife president ever.



HOW CAN THE DREAM SURVIVE? I became prolife in 1983 when I became a born-again Christian. Since then I have been proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and also the sanctity of life as a creative Christian evangelist. Using the creative gifts and talents that God gave me, I founded King for America in the 1990s.



After the turn of the century, I joined Priests for Life as executive director of what is now Civil Rights for the Unborn. Today, as Alveda King Ministries, we manage programs and projects all over America and around the world. Our contributions include working within the film, music, literary and media industries. We also mentor and sponsor organizations, groups and individuals who need a hand up or a boost in establishing their dreams and goals.



Since the turn of the century, Alveda King Ministries has published numerous books,

music projects, media messages and so much more; all for the purpose of advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the sanctity of Life. In the year 2019 alone, four new books and two new music projects were launched. We also jump started a new prolife genre.



Please stay tuned for 2020, as we pray together for a better America and a better world.
An artist's illustration of volcanoes on Venus. A new study suggests Venus may have harbor active volcanoes today, with eruptions in recent years.

Venus may still harbor active volcanoes, with eruptions taking place as recently as a few years ago, a new study finds.

Aside from Earth, the only other place known to host active volcanoes that spew lava is Jupiter's moon Io . Mars and Earth's moon once had active volcanoes, but they died long ago.

Still, there are hints that Venus might harbor active volcanoes, such as traces of sulfurous gases seen in its atmosphere . In addition, about a decade ago, scientists analyzing data from the European Space Agency's Venus Express probe suggested that some of the lava flows on Venus are less than 2.5 million years old , and possibly even less than 250,000 years old.

Related: The 10 Weirdest Facts About Venus

Specifically, in 2010, researchers found unusually high emissions of visible to near-infrared light from a number of sites on Venus. Surface regions that are old are expected to have lower emissions of such light after long exposure to weathering from Venus' hot, caustic atmosphere, so these patches of higher emissions hinted at recent lava flows.

However, the exact ages of these lava flows remain uncertain. This is because much is unknown about how quickly volcanic rocks alter in response to Venus' harsh atmosphere and how such changes influence emissions of visible to near-infrared light.

Hunting volcanoes on Venus

To see if lava flows seen on Venus are recent, scientists experimented with crystals of olivine , a green mineral commonly found in volcanic rock. They focused on how these crystals altered under conditions similar in some ways to what they might experience on the surface of Venus .

The researchers heated olivine along with regular Earth air in a furnace up to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit (900 degrees Celsius) for up to a month. They found olivine became coated within days mostly with the reddish-black mineral hematite, which in turn made certain features of olivine more difficult to detect.

Since the ESA's Venus Express , which orbited Venus from 2006 to 2014, apparently could detect signs of olivine even from orbit, these new findings suggested that such olivine came from volcanic eruptions recently, as otherwise chemical reactions with Venus' atmosphere would have obscured it.

"This is the first time we may have seen active volcanism on another planet," study lead author Justin Filiberto, a planetary scientist at the Universities Space Research Association's Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, told Space.com.

The researchers are now following up on their research with other volcanic minerals baked in air more similar to Venus' atmosphere  that is, laden with carbon dioxide and sulfur. "The results with those are pretty much the same," Filiberto said.

The scientists detailed their findings online Jan. 3 in the journal Science Advances.

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook .
PARIS - Global powers warned Friday that the American airstrike responsible for killing Irans top general made the world more dangerous and that escalation could set the entire Mideast aflame. Some U.S. allies suggested Iran shared in the blame by provoking the attack.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

PARIS - Global powers warned Friday that the American airstrike responsible for killing Irans top general made the world more dangerous and that escalation could set the entire Mideast aflame. Some U.S. allies suggested Iran shared in the blame by provoking the attack.

The deaths of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and several associates drew immediate cries for revenge from Tehran and a chorus of appeals from other countries seeking reduced tensions between Iran and the United States. As U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called world capitals to defend the attack, diplomats tried to chart a way forward.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting for the U.S. He moved quickly to appoint Soleimani's deputy, Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, as the new commander of the Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, which undertakes the country's foreign campaigns, including in Syria and Yemen.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged leaders to exercise maximum restraint, stressing in a statement that the world cannot afford another war" in the Persian Gulf.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas echoed the U.N. chief saying, "A further escalation that sets the whole region on fire needs to be prevented." Maas also noted that the assault followed a series of dangerous Iranian provocations.

In the United Arab Emirates, which sits across the Gulf from Iran, the minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, called in a tweet for rational engagement and a calm approach, free of emotion. Qatar, which shares a massive underwater gas field with Iran, also called for restraint in a Foreign Ministry statement.

Pakistani Shiite Muslims demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, near the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport that killed Tehran's top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Saudi Arabia, Irans top regional rival, added its own voice of caution against "all acts that may lead to aggravating the situation with unbearable consequences.

The White House sought to justify the killings with a tweet alleging that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

He should have been taken out many years ago! U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted. But the president also told reporters: We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.

Oil prices surged as investors fretted about Mideast stability. Social media flooded with alarm. Twitter users morbidly turned WWIII into the top trending term worldwide.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Soleimani's killing grossly violates international law and should be condemned.

He told Pompeo in a phone conversation late Friday that the move by the U.S. is fraught with severe consequences for the peace of stability in the region and doesn't help resolve complicated problems in the Middle East, according to a ministry statement. Lavrov also urged Washington to "stop using unlawful methods of force" in trying to achieve its foreign policy goals and instead bring "any problems to the negotiating table.""

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sits on a chair during a visit at the National Archaeological museum of Greece, escorted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, right, in Athens, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Netanyahu on Friday said Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, "is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks." (Dimitris Papamitsos/Greek Prime Minister's Office via AP)

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested earlier that Trump ordered it with one eye on his reelection campaign.

The U.S. military were acting on orders of U.S. politicians. Everyone should remember and understand that U.S. politicians have their interests, considering that this year is an election year, Zakharova said in a TV interview.

Trump's election opponents characterized him as reckless. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said the president tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."

Irans allies rallied to its side.

Syrias Foreign Ministry strongly condemned what it called "treacherous American criminal aggression." It said the attack reaffirmed U.S. responsibility for the instability in Iraq as part of its policy to "create tensions and fuel conflicts in the countries of the region."

The top leader of Yemens Houthi rebels, who are Shiite and closely allied with Iran, offered his condolences to the Iranian people. Abdul-Malek al-Houthi, whose forces are fighting the internationally recognized government, said that Soleimani's pure" blood has not been shed in vain.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani expressed concern in a statement that the death could mean more violence in the region. He said Afghanistan, despite the presence of 13,000 U.S. troops on its soil, does not want to be drawn into any confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Former Afghan President Hamed Karzai condemned the airstrike and said it violated international law.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks about the American drone strike on Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani during a campaign rally at the University of Dubuque, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, in Dubuque, Iowa. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

U.S. allies Britain, Germany and Canada suggested that Iran bore some responsibility for the strike near Baghdads airport. Iranian state TV said 10 people were killed.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the strike as a reaction to a whole series of military provocations." She pointed to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

We are at a dangerous escalation point," she said.

The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said his government had always recognized the aggressive threat" posed by the Quds force.

Following Soleimani's death, "we urge all parties to de-escalate," he said. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Soleimani's aggressive actions" had "a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said in a televised interview:"I hope the moods calm down and that Iran modifies its way of conducting politics, as other Arab countries have done in the past."

There were warnings the killing could set back efforts to stamp out remnants of the Islamic State group.

A top European Union official, Charles Michel, said the risk is a generalized flare-up of violence in the whole region and the rise of obscure forces of terrorism that thrive at times of religious and nationalist tensions.

Italy also warned that increased tensions risk being fertile terrain for terrorism and violent extremism. But right-wing Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini praised Trump for eliminating "one of the most dangerous and pitiless men in the world, an Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedoms.

Trump also won the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively.

In his calls to explain the strike to world leaders, Pompeo said the U.S. is committed to bringing down tensions that have soared since Iranian-backed militia killed an American contractor and the U.S. responded with strikes on the militia. That set off violent pro-Iran protests outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which in turn set the stage for the killing of Soleimani.

Doing nothing in this region shows weakness. It emboldens Iran, Pompeo said. We dont seek war with Iran, but we at the same time are not going to stand by and watch the Iranians escalate.

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In the Mideast, the strike provoked waves of fury and fears of worse to come.

Iraqs most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said in a speech during Friday prayers that the country must brace for very difficult times.

In Iran, a hard-line adviser to the countrys supreme leader who led prayers in Tehran likened U.S. troops in Iraq to insidious beasts" and said they should be swept from the region.

I am telling Americans, especially Trump, we will take a revenge that will change their daylight into to a nighttime darkness," said the cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami.

___

Associated Press writers Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations, Gregory Katz in London, Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Geir Moulson and Frank Jordans in Berlin, Daria Litvinova in Moscow, Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Matthew Lee in Washington, Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem, Rob Gillies in Toronto, Aya Batrawy in Dubai, Daria Litvinova in Moscow, Kathy Gannon in Islamabad and David Biller in Brazil contributed to this report.
MANILA, Philippines  The city government of Baguio on Friday said it is mulling over the possibility of filing administrative charges against a local judge who allegedly interfered in the arrest of a drunk taxi driver for purportedly attacking a police officer.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said they are studying lodging complaints against the judge, identified as Judge Roberto Mabalot of the Municipal Trial Court, Benguet Branch 1.

Magalong said a report forwarded to him by the Baguio City Police showed that Mabalot allegedly intimidated and shouted at police officers on duty to secure the immediate release of the taxi driver, identified as Jone Buclay.

According sa report na binigay sa akin ng ating City Director na si Col. Allen Co, talagang nakialam si Judge Mabalot, in fact he acted like a private lawyer, he said.

The way it was explained to me, very intimidating siya and outright nailabas niya agad ung lasing na driver at naiparelease pa niya yung taxi, he added.

On Tuesday, December 31, 2019, an internet user posted a dashcam video showing a police officer, identified as Patrolman Julius Walang designated at the Baguio City Traffic Enforcement Unit, almost run over as he tried to stop a cab driver who committed a traffic violation.

Walang accosted the cabbie and tried to issue a citation ticket for causing traffic along Abanao Street in Baguio City. But instead of stopping, the taxi moved towards the police officer who had to cling onto the cabs hood to prevent him from fleeing.

Buclay was later on brought to the police station and determined to be under the influence of alcohol.

During Buclays detention, police officers on duty claimed that Judge Mabalot suddenly entered the police station and scolded them for detaining the cab driver for a traffic violation that only carries a fine as penalty.

A CCTV footage also captured Judge Mabalot arriving at the police station around 9:25 in the morning and exiting with the taxi driver in tow several minutes later.

Story continues

He was lawyering for the accused and, of course, naintimidate po ung ating mga kapulisan doon and from his own words sabi niya ay fine lang kasi ang aanuhin, Baguio City Police director Col. Allen Rae Co said.

Ipinakita po ng ating kapulisan sa kanya yung positive result po nung alcohol breath test at umamin po ung tao (taxi driver) mismo na nakainom siya, he added.

It was later learned that Buclay works for a taxi company allegedly operated by a relative of Judge Mabalot.

In a message to Magalong, the judge insists that he did not interfere with the case, and that he only acted on a request he received to check up on the taxi driver for an alleged violation of reckless driving.

I declare that I did not at all interfere. The police will confirm this fact, he said, adding that he only told cops that they cannot detain the driver as the penalty for reckless driving is only a fine.

He, however, did not state in his message on whether he was aware that the taxi driver had tried to run over a traffic law enforcer.



The Supreme Courts Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), which supervises all judges and court personnel in the country, earlier said it is now checking the case.

We would like to get all available information before we require the concerned judge to comment, Supreme Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said.

Police said it will file multiple complaints against the taxi driver, including direct assault upon an agent of authority, resisting arrest and attempted homicide.  RRD (with details from Correspondent Grace Doctolero)

The post Baguio LGU mulls raps vs judge who allegedly interfered in drunk taxi drivers arrest appeared first on UNTV News.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has condemned the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCs) Quds Force, in a US air strike at Baghdad International Airport as an act of international terrorism.

The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, Zarif said in a statement on Friday, warning that the move would strengthen resistance against the United States and Israel in the region and the world, Iranian state television reported.

Iran often refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the US as a resistance front.

Soleimani, considered the architect of Irans regional security apparatus, was killed along with at least six others following US air raids at Baghdad International Airport. Iraqi armed group commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani and deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) or Hashd al-Shaabi, was also killed in the attack.

Following the announcement, Iranian state television presenters wore black and broadcast footage of Soleimani peering through binoculars across a desert and greeting a soldier, and of Muhandis speaking to followers.

The high-profile killings come amid a sharp escalation in Iran-US tensions. On Tuesday, Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq and their supporters held a violent protest at the US embassy in Baghdad, setting fires and attempting to storm the heavily fortified compound.

The protest came after the US attacked sites in Iraq and Syria belonging to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Iraqi militia founded by Muhandis and which falls under the Hashd al-Shaabi (PMF). At least 25 Kataib Hezbollah fighters were killed in the attack.

Harsh retaliation

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting and announced a three-day mourning in the country.

He said the killing of Soleimani, who he considered a close friend and confidant, would double the motivation of the resistance against the US and Israel.

All enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war, Khamenei said in a statement carried by state television.

Mohsen Rezaei, the former commander of Revolutionary Guard, also warned the US of revenge.

He [Soleimani] joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America, Rezaei, who is now the secretary of a powerful state body, said in a post on Twitter.

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeeras Dorsa Jabbari said a strong Iranian response was expected.

Theres a clear indication that there will be a military response at some point.

It is seen as a hostile act on an Iranian general who was not there in an official military capacity. Qassem Soleimani was in Iraq on an advisory role.

The supreme leader has said that this glorious, grandiose, and great fighter has now been martyred. He said he was one of the great followers of the late Ayatollah [Ruhollah] Khomeini, the founder of the Revolutionary Guard.

His killing by the US is being seen as an act of war and it will certainly have a very strong response, Jabbari said.

Ordered killing

The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani in Iraq, saying the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump and was aimed at deterring future attacks allegedly being planned by Iran.

The Pentagon said Trump had ordered Soleimanis killing after pro-Iran protesters this week stormed the US embassy in Baghdad.

Following Soleimanis death, Trump tweeted an image of the US flag without any further explanation.

A senior House Democrat said the US legislators were not told in advance of the attack ordered by Trump.

The strike conducted in Iraq against Soleimani went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement.

Soleimani was the mastermind of immense violence who has the blood of Americans on his hands, the Democratic legislator said.

But to push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congresss powers as a coequal branch of government, Engel added.
South Australia's Country Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones says the weather conditions are cause for concern because fires are still burning or smouldering.

"The ignition sources are already there," he said. "There are millions of sparks out there ready to go if they break containment lines."

CFS members put out a fire on a property at Mount Torrens in the Adelaide Hills on Friday. Credit:AAP

And a second home has been destroyed by bushfires in Tasmania, as authorities prepare for a weekend of worsening conditions.

CFS crews are continuing to monitor a number of fires on the South Australian mainland, including a blaze in the Adelaide Hills that has destroyed more than 25,000 hectares.
Amid continuing protests against the amended citizenship law in various parts of Delhi, security was beefed up at Jama Masjid here in view of Friday prayers.

Security personnel have been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure to avoid tensions as thousands assemble at the Jama Masjid to offer Friday prayers.

The police said that nobody has sought permission today to hold any protest in the area.

Since the enactment of CAA on December 12 last year, protests have erupted in various parts of the country including in the capital.

The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PARIS  Global powers warned Friday that the American airstrike responsible for killing Irans top general made the world more dangerous and that escalation could set the entire Mideast aflame. Some U.S. allies suggested Iran shared in the blame by provoking the attack.

The deaths of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and associates drew immediate cries for revenge from Tehran and a chorus of appeals from other countries for reduced tensions between Iran and the United States. As U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called world capitals to defend the attack, diplomats scrambled to chart a way forward.

A further escalation that sets the whole region on fire needs to be prevented, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said. He said he told Pompeo that the strike had not made it easier to reduce tensions. But Maas also noted that the assault followed a series of dangerous Iranian provocations.

The White House justified the killings with a tweet alleging that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. The 62-year-old led Irans elite Quds Force, which undertakes the countrys foreign campaigns. Iranian state TV reported that 10 people were killed in the airstrike near Baghdads airport.

He should have been taken out many years ago! U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted.

Oil prices surged as investors fretted about Mideast stability. Saudi Arabia, Irans top rival in the region, urged restraint and called on the international community to ensure the stability of such a vital region to the entire world.

Social media flooded with alarm. Twitter users morbidly turned WWIII into the top trending term worldwide.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, Frances deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio.

Russia characterized the killings as fraught with serious consequences. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that Trump ordered the strike with one eye on his re-election campaign.

The U.S. military were acting on orders of U.S. politicians. Everyone should remember and understand that U.S. politicians have their interests, considering that this year is an election year, Zakharova said in a TV interview.

His election opponents characterized Trump as reckless. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said the president tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox.

China described itself as highly concerned and urged all parties especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions.

U.S. allies Britain, Germany and Canada suggested that Iran bore some responsibility for the confrontation.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the strike as a reaction to a whole series of military provocations. She pointed to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

We are at a dangerous escalation point, she said.

The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said his government had always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force.

Following Soleimanis death, we urge all parties to de-escalate, he said. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Soleimanis aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond.

There were warnings the killing could set back efforts to stamp out remnants of the Islamic State group.

A top European Union official, Charles Michel, said the risk is a generalized flare-up of violence in the whole region and the rise of obscure forces of terrorism that thrive at times of religious and nationalist tensions.

Italy also warned that increased tensions risk being fertile terrain for terrorism and violent extremism. But right-wing Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini praised Trump for eliminating one of the most dangerous and pitiless men in the world, an Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedoms.

Trump also won the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively.

In his calls to explain the strike to world leaders, Pompeo said the U.S. is committed to bringing down tensions that have soared since Iranian-backed militia killed an American contractor and the U.S. responded with strikes on the militia. That set off violent pro-Iran protests outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which in turn set the stage for the killing of Soleimani.

Doing nothing in this region shows weakness. It emboldens Iran, Pompeo said. We dont seek war with Iran, but we at the same time are not going to stand by and watch the Iranians escalate.

In the Mideast, the strike provoked waves of fury and fears of worse to come.

Iraqs most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said in a speech during Friday prayers that the country must brace for very difficult times.

In Iran, a hard-line adviser to the countrys supreme leader who led prayers in Tehran likened U.S. troops in Iraq to insidious beasts and said they should be swept from the region.

I am telling Americans, especially Trump, we will take a revenge that will change their daylight into to a nighttime darkness, said the cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami.

___

Gregory Katz in London, Christopher Bodeen in Beijing, Geir Moulson and Frank Jordans in Berlin, Daria Litvinova in Moscow, Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Matthew Lee in Washington, Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem, Rob Gillies in Toronto and Aya Batrawy in Dubai contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 03:45:51|Editor: yan

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VIENNA, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Austria's conservatives and the Greens presented their coalition government's program on Thursday in Vienna.

Topics such as family bonus, headscarf ban, air ticket tax and climate protection are included in the government program.

With its motto of "Responsibility for Austria", Sebastian Kurz, Austria's former chancellor and leader of conservative People's Party, together with Wener Kogler, his counterpart from the Greens presented the cornerstones of their agreement to the public for the first time.

"We didn't take the easy way out and didn't agree on minimal compromises -- we combined the best of both worlds," said Kurz.

Austria's conservatives and the Greens agreed to form a coalition government on the first day of 2020. It will take a few days to complete the formation of the new government.

For the first time Austria will have a coalition government of the right-wing conservatives and the left-wing Greens.

The staff list of the Greens in the government is complete. Kogler will become vice chancellor of the upcoming government. As minister, he is responsible for sport, public service and art and culture.

As for the conservatives, Kurz will become the chancellor, while Alexander Schallenberg remains as foreign minister.

Austria's conservatives and the Greens agreed to form a coalition government on Wednesday, ending almost three months of negotiations.

This deal brought Kurz back to chancellery, after a political scandal led his coalition with the far-right Freedom Party to catastrophe.

A video released in May 2019 exposed Heinz-Christian Strache, chief of the Freedom Party, discussing potential infrastructure and media deals with a Russian businesswoman. Kurz, as the then chancellor, was forced to leave office.

However, the People's Party led by Kurz won again in parliamentary elections late September.
The Spiritual Faith Salvation Church (Gyidi) of Ghana, has elected Prophet Samuel Oteng to the episcopacy as the new presiding bishop.

The nomination of the new bishop received an overwhelming endorsement during a special annual convention held on January 1st, 2020, Asonomaso, in the Ashanti region, saw the hierarchy of the church, including Kings and Queens of the town.

The diocesan was described by the elders as wonderfully peaceful, soberly conducted and spirit-filled.

Responding, Bishop Samuel Oteng said he gladly accepted the office of Bishop with humility, resolving to serve faithfully the congregation and the people of the Spiritual Faith Salvation Church.

Leadership

In his sermon, the Presiding Bishop said the church required strong leadership in the effort to sustain its growth.

He also called on the congregants to use their image as Spiritual Faith Salvation to cause change and transformation in society.

Bishop Samuel Oteng, in an interview, said one of his key visions was to expand the evangelism outreaches to the world and give the church a much bigger presence in those parts of the country.

He has therefore emerged as the first presiding bishop-elect of the church in Ghana.

Spiritual Faith Salvation church was carved from the True Faith Church of Ghana into 1985.

Bishop Samuel Oteng became headman in 1983 at Dadiesoaba  Brong-Ahafo, he was a trained teacher in 1998.

Prior to his appointment as Bishop of the Spiritual Faith Salvation, he had served the church for 20 years in various capacities including as Supt Minister and Senior prophet.

---DailyView Gh
Ranchi: A picture showing Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in slippers is being seen by a lot of people on Facebook. The event is related to the Chief Minister taking a guard of honor in Ramgarh on January 2 where he arrived to offer prayers at Siddha Peeth Rajarappa temple along with his family.

On taking a guard of honor in slippers, Hemant Soren related the truth about this picture, saying he does not believe in the orthodox tradition. Soren wrote, "While some people are sharing this picture to show my simplicity, others are telling me that I have failed to honour the tradition. The truth is that the policemen were waiting for me, standing in the rain, for extending guard of honour to me, I, therefore, decided to first relive them as early as I could."

Live TV

Sharing the picture of facebook, JMM Executive President and new Jharkhand Chief Minister said that "as far as the tradition of wearing shoes is concerned, this was a British tradition and I do not believe in that." He further added, "I am determined to end this tradition of deputing policemen on the VIP duty very soon so that they are spared to spend more time in the service of people."

Notably, Hemant Soren today called on former President Pranab Mukherjee and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. Soren, who is also the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief, first met former President at his residence. The meeting of Soren with the former President and Kejriwal lasted for over 30 minutes each.

Earlier on December 29, Hemant Soren took oath as 11th chief minister of Jharkhand. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several leaders from different states, including former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

DMK president MK Stalin, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh, and RJD executive President Tejashwi Yadav also attended the ceremony.

The grand alliance comprising JMM-Congress-RJD stormed to power in Jharkhand winning 47 out of 81 seats. The BJP, however, managed to win only 24 seats in the state with Chief Minister Raghubar Das also losing his traditional Jamshedpur East assembly seat to rebel party leader Saryu Rai.

(With Agency Inputs)
The worlds largest and most influential consumer tech show gets underway in Las Vegas this week, ushering in a new decade of technologies.

CES 2020 is the 53rd edition of the annual showcase, which now accommodates more than 4,500 companies and startups.

Between 7 and 10 January, around 175,000 people are expected to trudge the halls of the World Trade Center Las Vegas looking to get a glimpse of what tech might soon be making its way into our lives.

There will of course be new TVs, computers, smart devices, and plenty about 5G from the world's biggest tech companies, as well as some more peculiar offerings.

We've rounded up what to look out for and all the details you need to know.

Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at Californias Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty

Transport 'pods'

The technology of travel has been a consistent theme in recent editions of CES, and 2020 is no different.

Attendees will be able to try out a "smart transporting pod" built by Segway. The pioneering personal transportation firm claims its S-Pod is designed to ferry people across university campuses, airports and theme parks.

"It is a safe, self-balancing vehicle that is operated by an intuitive assistive navigation panel," Segway states in press materials.

The Segway S-Pod can travel up to 24mph (Segway)

Swiss automaker Rinspeed is also unveiling a next-generation transport solution in the form of a modular pod system called MetroSnap.

The battery-powered "pod-type chassis" can carry people or goods across cities and Rinspeed hopes it can provide a new method of carpooling.

Samsungs Artificial Human

The routine absence of Apple at CES means Samsung is typically the marquee brand, despite typically saving its biggest phone announcements for Mobile World Congress later in the year.

The South Korean technology giant seems to have something unusual planned for CES 2020, having teased details of an Artificial Human called Neon.

Very little information has been provided beyond a few cryptic tweets from a recently established Twitter account. There have been images of jellyfish, plants, water droplets and peculiar patterns, as well as various iterations of the question: Have you ever met an artificial?

Speculation about what Neon is initially centred around Samsungs artificial assistant Bixby, though these rumours were quickly dismissed.

Honoured to have so much coverage even before we unveil, Neon tweeted last week. But contrary to some news, Neon is NOT about Bixby, or anything you have seen before.

A countdown for the official unveiling is ticking towards midnight on 7 January.

Ivanka Trump controversy

CES has frequently been criticised for not inviting enough women to give keynotes and other presentations.

For 2020, the trade show is attracting a different sort of controversy for inviting a terrible choice of woman for the keynote address: Ivanka Trump.

The US presidents daughter has no real tech credentials, with CES spinning it tenuously as a talk on the role tech plays in creating the workforce of the future.

Recommended 20 technologies that defined the first 20 years of the 21st Century

Tech commentator Rachel Sklar was among those who tweeted their dismay at the decision.

This is a terrible choice on so many levels but also  what an insult to the YEARS AND YEARS of protesting how few women were invited to keynote and being told it was a pipeline problem while similarly-situated men were elevated, she wrote.

There are so many great, qualified women. Shame.

Keynote times and dates

Beyond Ms Trumps talk, which many are calling for attendees to boycott, there are a number of major presentations to keep an eye on.

The biggest press events will take place on Monday before CES officially opens its doors to the public. Here are all the times of the major conferences:

LG  8am PST (4pm GMT), 6 Jan

Panasonic  10am PST (6pm GMT), 6 Jan

Intel  11am PST (7pm GMT), 6 Jan

Sony  5pm PST (1am GMT), 6 Jan

Samsung  6.30pm PST (2.30am GMT), 6 Jan

The most eagerly anticipated of these for gaming fans is Sony's, as some rumours suggest new details about the PS5 console could be announced.

Sony's teaser page for the event says it will unveil a unique vision of the future, bringing creativity and technology together like never before, to unleash new sensations and emotions".
A senior U.S. Democrat says lawmakers were not informed in advance of the U.S. attack that killed a top Iranian military commander who was traveling in Iraq.



Republican legislators meanwhile appeared to rally around the move, welcoming the assassination of Iran's elite Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani as a blow for the defense of Americans and U.S. territory.



Eliot Engel (New York), the Democratic chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said late on January 2 that the Baghdad strike against Soleimani "went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress."



Engel added that Soleimani, who was commander of Irans elite Quds Force, was "the mastermind of immense violence" who has "the blood of Americans on his hands."



But "to push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress's powers as a coequal branch of government," Engel added.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer (New York) "was not given advanced notice" of the strike, a senior Democratic aide told AFP.



"In a display of resolve and strength, we struck the leader of those attacking our sovereign U.S. territories," top House Republican Kevin McCarthy (California) said in a statement, according to the AFP news agency.



Other Republicans echoed such support.



"Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America," Senator Lindsey Graham (Republican-South Carolina), a close Trump confidant, tweeted.



"Wow -- the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically," he added.



He also went on to say that "if Iran continues to attack America and our allies, they should pay the heaviest of prices, which includes the destruction of their oil refineries."



The White House traditionally alerts senior members of both parties in the Senate and House prior to any major military action.

Based on reporting by AFP
Doctors at the Fort Worth hospital had planned to remove Tinslee from life support Nov. 10 after invoking Texass 10-day rule, which can be employed when a family disagrees with doctors who say life-sustaining treatment should be stopped. The law stipulates that if the hospitals ethics committee agrees with doctors, treatment can be withdrawn after 10 days if a new provider cant be found to take the patient.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Indian ride hailing company Ola on Friday announced people across the country travelled for over 20 million kilometres on its platform on New Years Eve.

While Bengaluru registered more number of trips to and from party areas, taking up 23 per cent of all trips, Mumbai closely followed by taking up 22 per cent of the trips and Delhi-NCR was at the third spot with 20 per cent of the total trips Additionally, on an average, people stepped out for parties between 7.30 - 8.30 p.m., with the most number of booking requests coming in at this time.

In a bid to provide safety and mobility support to citizens in high traffic areas on New Year's Eve, Ola had also deployed hundreds of "Safety Scouts" across Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Kolkata on December 31.

The "Safety Scouts" comprised both male and female personnel who are specially trained by the company to help provide safety and mobility support to citizens.
Representative image

After public outcry over the alarming number of infant deaths at JK Lon hospital in Kota, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot tweeted on January 2 that he had personally invited Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to inspect the government-run hospital.



I telephoned Central Health Minister @drharshvardhan ji and requested him to visit #Kota personally so that he can see the best of facilities and proper management by State Health Department and get himself apprised of the facts.

1/2

 Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 2, 2020



Harsh Vardhan ji is himself a doctor and if he visits the hospital in #Kota, it will also clarify the situation for people, who are giving reaction mischievously, knowingly, unknowingly and also innocently.

2/2

 Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) January 2, 2020



The high-level team being despatched by @MoHFW_INDIA incl experts from AIIMS Jodhpur, Health Finance & Regional Director,Health Services Jaipur. It will reach #Kota tomorrow. In my letter too to @ashokgehlot51 ji, Ive offered all possible assistance to prevent any further deaths

 Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 2, 2020

Sparking off political mudslinging over the death of more than 100 babies in December at the Kota hospital, Gehlot said the hospital provides the best of facilities and the state health department ensures proper management too. He urged the union minister to not believe in rumours and review the situation himself if need be.These remarks came from the CM of the Congress-ruled state after the Bharatiya Janata Party-run government at the Centre announced that a delegation of top health experts will be sent to the hospital on January 3, to assess what led to the tragedy. The experts would also analyse if there are any gaps in the infrastructure and suggest ways to avoid such mishaps in the future. To this, Dr Harsh Vardhan replied:

Notably, the saffron partys Rajasthan unit has already accused Gehlot of being insensitive towards the infant deaths, especially after he stated: Maute toh hote rahte hai (deaths are common). He had also claimed that though the number of infant deaths is alarming it has actually come down in the hospital, compared to 2014.

Reacting to this, state BJP president Satish Poona had said: These deaths should not have happened.

Meanwhile, the three-member committee appointed by the CM to investigate the matter has given the doctors at the hospital a clean chit, stating there was no negligence on their part, said a report by India Today.

They, however, admitted that there is a dearth of beds, due to which it becomes difficult to admit all the patients, and some of the incubators used for newborns are not in proper working condition.

According to reports, the children died of multiple reasons, including the inability to bear the extreme cold weather.
Union minister Anurag Thakur on Friday challenged Rahul and Sonia Gandhi to point out one word in the Citizenship [Amendment] Act (CAA) that calls for taking away citizenship.

Addressing a Press conference here, Thakur alleged that the "mother-son duo" was working towards "breaking" the country.

The minister said 2019 was the year of correcting "historical mistakes" made by the Congress.

"The Narendra Modi government ended Article 370, 35A and Triple Talaq. Similarly, the Ram Temple issue was resolved by the SC and the whole country accepted it. Somewhere, all the delayed issues were resolved by our government," Thakur said.

Apart from this, the BJP took the "historic decision" of passing the CAA in Parliament, he said. The CAA was passed to grant citizenship and not take away anyone's citizenship, he added.

There is not a single sentence in the CAA, which states that citizenship of a person will be taken away, Thakur said.

Taking a jibe at the Congress, Thakur said some people are determined to not read it (CAA) and they don't even attend the Parliament sessions when the subject is discussed.

"I want to challenge Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi to point out one word in the CAA which talks about taking away citizenship," he said, adding that the mother-son duo was working towards "breaking" the country.

It is unfortunate that the Congress is trying to instill fear in the minds of Muslims, he said.

"I request my Muslim brethren to read the CAA, as it cannot take away the citizenship of any Indian citizen," the minister said.

Asked about AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi's statement demanding withdrawal of the Act before January 26 or face consequences, Thakur said, "Forget about January 26, nothing can be done on the issue for the next 26 years.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Department of Defense confirmed late Thursday that the U.S. military has killed the Iranian regimes top military general Qassem Soleimani at the direction of President Donald Trump.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, or Jerusalem force, was killed by a U.S. airstrike following reports at least three Katyusha rockets were fired on an Iraqi military base housing coalition counter-terrorism forces. The strikes near Baghdad International Airport happened early Friday morning local time.

Soleimanis death was confirmed by Iraqi TV, three Iraqi officials, and Iranian state TV.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the department said in a statement late Thursday.

The department added that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the statement continues.

According to the United States, Soleimani was responsible for orchestrating attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past several months, which included the attack at the Kirkuk military base in northern Iraq on Dec. 27 that killed an American and wounded several American and Iraqi troops.

Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place earlier this week, the department said.

This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, the DoD announced. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

Prior to the DoDs announcement, but several hours after news broke about attacks at Baghdad International Airport, Trump tweeted an image of the American flag, without further comment.

Soleimani is considered the architect behind the Iranian regimes foreign influence activities in the Middle East as head of the Quds forcean elite unit within Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that is tasked with Irans extra-territorial military operations including activities to expand Iranian influence in Syria and rocket attacks on Israel.

Soleimani had been rumored dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad. More recently, rumors circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

The senior politician said Soleimanis body was identified by the ring he wore. DNA confirmation is pending.

The United States designated Irans IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in April 2019, the first time the United States has designated part of a foreign government as a terror group.

The IRGC FTO designation highlights that Iran is an outlaw regime that uses terrorism as a key tool of statecraft and that the IRGC, part of Irans official military, has engaged in terrorist activity or terrorism since its inception 40 years ago, the State Department announced at the time.

The IRGC was responsible for 17 percent of U.S. personnel deaths in Iraq from 2003 to 2011, which is about 603 deaths, the department said.

Melanie Sun contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
The Haryana cabinet on Friday approved a proposal to allow the use of Hindi in lower courts.

They decided to amend the Haryana Official Language Act, 1969 to authorise the use of Hindi for proceedings and judgments passed by courts subordinate to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The state cabinet also decided to request Haryana Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya to take the consent of President Ram Nath Kovind for the use of Hindi, in addition to English, for proceedings and judgments pertaining to the state by the high court.

A statement issued here said it was necessary for the propagation of Hindi that the language was used in a day-to-day work.

The purpose of justice in a democracy is that the plaintiff should get justice quickly in his own language and should not remain speechless during the proceedings, the statement read.

The Haryana Official Language Act, 1969 does not make any specific mention about the use of Hindi in courts and tribunals subordinate to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Section 3A will be added to the Act so that the proceedings or judgments of all civil and criminal courts subordinate to the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, revenue courts, rent tribunals or any other court or tribunal constituted by the state government are passed in Hindi, the statement said.

The cabinet also decided that the requisite infrastructure, including the training of staff, will be provided within six months to ensure a smooth implementation of the proposal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sarah Ferguson has revealed she is 'looking for strength and wisdom' in 2020 in her first Instagram post since her ex-husband Prince Andrew was sacked by the Queen.

Sarah, who is often known as 'Fergie', 60, shared a reflective New Year's message on Instagram alongside two images of the sun setting over mountains, believed to have been taken during her family's annual trip to the 13 million ski chalet in Verbier, which she owns with the Duke of York.

Prince Andrew did not join Fergie and daughters Princess Beatrice, 31, and Princess Eugenie, 29, for their annual New Year's winter break to the Alps, amid continued controversy of his friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Sharing the images online, Fergie wrote: 'As the sun goes down on 2019, I look to the mountains for strength and wisdom to guide us all into a magical and enlightened road ahead.'

Sarah 'Fergie' Ferguson, 59, posted a reflective Instagram post about seeking 'strength and wisdom' in 2020 as she shared a snap of sunset over mountains, believed to have been taken from her 13 million ski chalet in Verbier

The mother-of-two added: 'Happy New Year for 2020. So much love...in abundance.'

Fergie is believed to have taken the photographs over New Year, during the family's trip to the 22,000-a-week property, which Prince Andrew purchased in 2014.

Prince Andrew, who stepped back from royal duties after being 'sacked' by the Prince of Wales, 71, and the Queen in November over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, did not join the family and instead bought in the New Year 'lying low' at home.

'The Duchess of York will be spending Christmas in Switzerland', a friend of the Duchess told Richard Eden.

The post is the first the Duchess of York has shared online since Prince Andrew was sacked by the Queen, 93, in November (Fergie pictured with the Duke of York in June 2019)

Fergie shared her intention to 'look to the mountains for strength and wisdom' in her first Instagram post since Prince Andrew was sacked by the Queen

'Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will be joining her after they've spent the festive period with the Royal Family at Sandringham.

'Prince Andrew will not be joining them this year. He will be lying low back home.'

The Duke of York and Fergie, who divorced in 1996, purchased the seven-bedroom chalet in the Alps as a 'family investment' in 2014.

It was said Andrew had been tucked away at the opulent property with his closest friends when news of the Epstein sex scandal broke in 2015.

Fergie shared two images of the sun setting over the Swiss mountains, and is believed to have taken the photographs while on her family's annual New Year's ski trip to Verbier

Andrew and his family typically visit the exclusive Swiss resort several times a year, including for a winter break in the New Year and for his birthday in February.

The Duchess relocated to the property in the exclusive Swiss resort when she moved out of her ex-husband's official residence, Royal Lodge at Windsor.

The Duke was forced to step back from his public duties in November following a disastrous television interview about his friendship with Epstein.

During his disastrous Emily Maitlis interview on Newsnight, the duke denied they had discussed the Epstein scandal and Miss Roberts' claims that she was forced into having sex with Andrew.

Prince Andrew (pictured with Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and Sarah Ferguson) is believed not to have celebrated the New Year with his family at their 13 million ski chalet

The Duke of York purchased the 22,000-a-week property in the exclusive Swiss village Verbier with his ex-wife in 2014

Miss Roberts, now a married mother-of-three, gave an extraordinary interview to the BBC's Panorama  aired earlier this month  in which she said she was 'abused' by Andrew and left feeling 'ashamed and dirty'.

Her lawyer Mr Scarola said: 'We want Prince Andrew to give evidence under oath and tell us all he knew about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.'

Andrew has said he would co-operate with law enforcement authorities 'if required'.
Kim Cattrall has honoured her late brother Christopher, who passed away from suicide two years ago, on what would have been his 57th birthday.

The SATC actress, 63, shared an image of the duo with her 723k Instagram followers while adding the caption: 'Happy Birthday to my little brother, Christopher aka 'Topher' or 'Toe'. A sweet & gentle soul. Miss you today and everyday. RIPx'.

At the time of publication, Kim's SATC co-star Sarah Jessica Parker had not acknowledged the image, following Kim's claims that Sarah, 54, had 'exploited the family's tragedy' after his 2018 death when she paid tribute to the Cattralls.

Heartache: Kim Cattrall has honoured her late brother Christopher, who passed away from suicide two years ago, on what would have been his 57th birthday

In February 2018, Chris, 55, went missing when he left the house unlocked without his phone and wallet, after which Kim issued a plea for information.

With a heavy heart she then confirmed that he was found dead near his home in Alberta, Canada. Further details were not given, yet it was revealed that police 'had no reason to believe there was anything suspicious involved in his death.'

On Friday, Kim shared an incredibly sweet throwback snap as she cosied up to her brother while wishing him happy birthday on his 57th year.

Speaking to Daily Mail about his death, she said last year: 'No one can prepare you. He was suffering from depression but depression is a curious thing and it can be impossible to detect if someone does not want you to know...

Heartfelt: The SATC actress, 63, shared an image of the duo with her 723k Instagram followers while adding the caption: 'Happy Birthday to my little brother, Christopher aka 'Topher' or 'Toe'. A sweet & gentle soul. Miss you today and everyday. RIPx'

Pain: At the time of publication, Kim's SATC co-star Sarah Jessica Parker had not acknowledged the image, following Kim's claims that Sarah, 54, had 'exploited the family's tragedy' after his 2018 death when she paid tribute to the Cattralls

Happier times: In February 2018, Chris, 55, went missing when he left the house unlocked without his phone and wallet, after which Kim issued a plea for information (pictured with Chris and his wife)

'And so I didn't know. We [the family] didn't know. And when you lose someone to suicide there is always the question, 'If I could only have, if I did only, if I was only' and it haunts you. And you have to learn to live with those endless questions...

'The endless guilt, the endless frustration every day because you are in a new reality and there is nothing you can do to change it. It breaks you. It is so hard...

'There is a whole process for you and everyone around you of picking yourself up every day, going from a bad day to having a better day and then going back again. And it goes on.'

Shortly his death, Kim took to Instagram to thank both her fans and her Sex and the City colleagues for support before hitting out at Sarah.

Announcement: With a heavy heart she then confirmed that he was found dead near his home in Alberta, Canada. Further details were not given, yet it was revealed that police 'had no reason to believe there was anything suspicious involved in his death'

Her love: Speaking to Daily Mail about his death, she said last year: 'No one can prepare you. He was suffering from depression but depression is a curious thing'

Honoured: Shortly his death, Kim took to Instagram to thank both her fans and her Sex and the City colleagues for support before hitting out at Sarah

Following her thank yous, four days later, Kim shared an image with words reading: 'You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your 'nice girl' persona.'

She added a caption on the shot directed at Sarah, reading: 'My Mom asked me today 'When will that, that hypocrite, leave you alone?' Your continuous reaching out is a painful reminder of how cruel you really were then and now...

'Let me make this VERY clear. (If I haven't already) You are not my family. You are not my friend. So I'm writing to tell you one last time to stop exploiting our tragedy in order to restore your 'nice girl' persona.'

Their feud became well-documented after the end of Sex And The City, when is was alleged that Kim was demanding more money to match Sarah's salary.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details

Fuming: She slammed Sarah for her tribute to the Cattrall family
Like many of us, I have worried about the rising tide of rightwing populism, nationalism and polarisation across the world. Within just a few years, weve witnessed the election of Donald Trump in the US, the Brexit decision in the UK, the rise of Matteo Salvini in Italy, Victor Orban in Hungary, the Freedom party in Austria and the Law and Justice party in Poland. The worlds largest democracy, India, is menaced by a newly virulent nationalism and xenophobia.

For a long time I wondered what explained the appeal of these apparently fringe movements that, in my view, had accidentally gone mainstream. They seemed like the exception to a general rule of progression towards, not away from, democratic norms. But this year I came to a different conclusion: its democracy that is a precious exception to the rule, and one that is extremely fragile, for a simple reason: the human craving for order and security when chaos feels imminent.



Leaders are aware of this basic psychology and exaggerate threats to gain popularity. Trump did so masterfully: at campaign rallies throughout 2015 and 2016, he warned his ever-growing crowds that the US was a nation on the brink of disaster.

Read the whole story: The Guardian
But Trump had asserted for the past two years that the Iran agreement was the "worst deal ever," and so in 2018 he pulled out of the deal. He also added new sanctions that have devastated the Iranian economy and contributed to widespread street protests against the regime.

Iran announced in July that it was breaching the terms of the nuclear deal by enriching uranium beyond the 3.67% purity allowed by the agreement, enriching it above 4.5%.

This was still a very long way from the 90% purity that would be needed for a nuclear weapon, but it was a small step down the road to reactivating Iran's nuclear weapons program -- the program that Trump had repeatedly said he would never allow.
My family is concerned and sad, said Maryam, 35, a resident of Tehran. Soleimani had many fans in Iran, not only among the supporters of the Islamic Republic. Like other Iranians contacted Friday, she spoke on the condition that her full name not be used so she could talk freely about the death of a senior military commander.
While performing at the Bay Dreams Festival in New Zealand on Thursday, Halsey attempted to hype the crowd by saying, "You better show me why this is the best place in the world to perform, 'cause right now you look like a bunch of f**king Americans!"

One fan took such issue with Halsey's comments that she tweeted, "Imagine going to a music fest to see your favorite artist just to have her get angry and insult not just everyone there but all the american fans she's ever performed for. @halsey that was pretty s***ty, sis."

Halsey retweeted the comment and responded, "not angry or insulting! its banter!!!!! the crowd at bay dreams was f**king epiccccc. one of the best ever. and my american crowds are notoriously mental too. its just jokes. id say the same thing to a crowd in, lets say, scotland. 'ou look like a bunch of englishmen!' haha."

Most fans took Halsey's side, and a few even shamed the fan for claiming Halsey is her favorite artist, but not understanding her sense of humor.

In support of her new album, Manic, Halsey will kick off a European tour in Madrid in February, and she has U.K. dates scheduled for March. No word yet on North American dates.

Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Kolkata, Jan 3 : Four persons were killed in an explosion at a fireworks manufacturing factory in West Begnal's 24 Parganas North district on Friday, police said.

Bodies of four people were recovered from the spot at Naihati. Two of them were men, and two were women. They were all employees of the unit.

Eyewitnesses said there was a loud explosion followed by the fire.

Three fire tenders managed to control the situation after an hour-long effort.

Another person with severe burn injury has been hospitalised.

A forensic team came to the spot and collected samples.

Locals said many fire crackers were made illegally in the factory, for which a large amount of explosive materials were stocked.
A man uses crutches to walk through floodwaters at the Jatinegara area after heavy rains in Jakarta. (PHOTO: Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)

SINGAPORE  The Singapore embassy in Jakarta has advised Singaporeans living in the Indonesia capital to prepare for further flooding, following heavy downpours in recent days.

In a Facebook post on Thursday (2 January), the embassy advised Singaporeans in Jakarta to store important documents and valuables safely, and prepare spare batteries in case of power outages.

The advisory comes after reports of severe flooding and landslides in Jakarta and the surrounding areas which have killed 43 people, and left districts under water and thousands homeless.

It also listed roads in which flooding of up to 50 centimetres has been reported: Jalan Kemang Raya and Jalan Taman Bukit Duri in south Jakarta; Jakarta-Tangerang toll road km 4 and Jalan Daan Mogot in west Jakarta; Jalan Jatinegara Barat in east Jakarta and Jalan Gunung Sahari in central Jakarta.

The embassy has advised Singaporeans to monitor local media closely for updates and developments, including road closures and traffic diversions, and heed the advice of local authorities. They should also allow for more travelling time to the airport, as delays are expected.

Singaporeans are encouraged to e-Register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) if they have yet to do so. For urgent consular assistance, they can contact the Embassy in Jakarta at +62-811863348 or the Singapore MFA duty office at +65-63798800/8855.

Related story:

Indonesia flood rescuers hunt for missing after 43 killed
The US killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, as well as four other IRGC commanders and a top Iraqi militia leader, places Iraq at greater risk of instability or even collapse.

Already shaken by a protest movement and relentless Iranian pressure and interference, and with the threat of a resurgent Islamic State (IS), the Iraqi governments future hinges on what happens next between the United States and Iran.

How we got here: Iran rejects negotiations in favor of "sustained campaign" in Iraq

It was just last month, on Dec. 7, that US President Donald Trump celebrated Princeton graduate student Xiyue Wangs release from an Iranian jail in exchange for Iranian scientist Masoud Soleimani, with a tweet saying, Thank you to Iran on a very fair negotiation. See, we can make a deal together!

The "Swiss track" had promise for further hostage negotiations, but Iran-backed Iraqi militias, despite US warnings, continued to mount what Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top US military official, called a "sustained campaign" against US assets and interests in Iraq. On Dec. 27, the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah (Brigades of the Party of God) attacked an Iraqi military base near Kirkuk killing an American contractor and injuring four US soldiers, prompting a US retaliatory strike on Kataib Hezbollah two days later. This seems to have been the catalyst for Trumps decision to take out Soleimani.

Iranian-backed militias stormed the US Embassy compound on Dec. 31, in response to the US strike on Kataib Hezbollah bases. The drone attack on Soleimanis convoy Jan. 3 was labelled "a defensive action" to prevent additional "imminent" attacks, as Jack Detsch reports.

Iraq as ground zero

There is a range of speculation about when and where Iran may decide to respond. Iran, with its dilapidated navy and air force, would probably be hesitant to provoke a response that allowed the United States to take out its air and naval capabilities, as happened in 1988, accelerating Irans decision to end the Iran-Iraq War. Nor is it the Iranian style to prepare for land armies to clash on the battlefield, which is not the present style of warfare in the region.

Irans preference is asymmetry  car bombs, assassinations and other irregular tactics  taking its time and avoiding fingerprints. Recall the 1992 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires. Iran still denies its role in the drone/missile attack on Aramco facilities in September 2019.

The United States has bolstered its dominant military assets in the region, adding 15,000 troops since May, including 750 Marines and soldiers sent to protect the Baghdad embassy this week, as well as another 3,000 deployed to Kuwait.

The take here is therefore that Irans first move would likely be to secure its base  Iraq, Syria and Lebanon  before making its next move. These are the countries where Iran has invested the most, and where they cant afford to lose.

Iraqi leaders call for restraint

While condemning the killings as violations of Iraqi sovereignty and lauding Soleimani and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units leader Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, also known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, as martyrs and heroes, Iraqs top leaders  including Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, President Barham Salih, populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, as well as most other parties and factions  all issued statements rallying around Iraqi unity and restraint, as Ali Mamouri explains.

The Iraqi parliament may seek to legislate the withdrawal of the approximate 5,000 US forces from Iraq  a longstanding objective of Iran. If so, the loser will the Iraqi Security Forces and the winner will be IS.

If it happens, the Trump administration may seek to reposition some or all US forces in Iraqi Kurdistan, which in principle would be welcomed by the Kurdistan Regional Government. With such a deployment, the Kurdistan Region could become more vulnerable, not less, to Iranian intrigues.

Irans heavy hand in Iraq hasnt been able to stifle a distinct and growing nationalist trend among Iraqi leaders and protesters. Salih has been trying to build a consensus among Iraqi politicians and the pro-democracy/anti-Iran movement anchored in Tahrir Square to chart a course for reform, although this task just got a lot harder. Salihs efforts, and Sistanis calls for moderation, remain vital to keep Iraq together, if the United States and Iran can avoid further hostilities. Sadr, for his part, has rallied his militia, the Mahdi Army, and supporters, and will look to position himself as a broker between Tehran, the government and the street.

Irans flagging reputation in Iraq, and fear of further US actions, might give it pause if it is considering a violent response, as signaled by Iran and some of its proxies in Iraq. This powerful Iraqi nationalist and anti-Iranian trend cant be dismissed. If Iran pushes too hard, the consequences of state collapse will redound negatively to it and its proxies. The Iranian-backed militias siege of the US Embassy compound was a flop inside Iraq. Public opinion has turned against Iranian forces in Iraq, especially since the beginning of anti-government protests on Oct. 1, which militias close to Iran were accused of being involved in killing protesters and abducting large numbers of them, Ali Mamouri reports. The Tahrir Square protesters denounced the Green Zone siege, saying, We are not a part of these protests and we will continue protesting against the government until they fulfill their demands.

Iran also took the Trump administrations restraint for granted. The killing of Soleimani and his comrades was brilliant execution by US Special Operations Forces. The burden of fear for further US retaliation should weigh heavily in Iran.

Time to deconflict in Iraq  before its too late

Trump said today he does not "seek regime change" and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made clear that the United States is looking to de-escalate the situation with Iran. Tehran should pause rather than lash out, however strong the passions may be in Iran.

There has been a fair bit of shuttling and backchanneling among the United States, Iran and regional powers  including by Japan, Oman, Pakistan and Switzerland, as well as Iraq itself  and these good offices should be utilized, as the International Crisis Group suggests, to work out a modus vivendi around a stable Iraq that neither fully controls as a buffer between them.

The Trump administration and the Iranian government should keep the door open for diplomacy, or at a minimum, to convey messages with Iran for deconfliction in Iraq.

That may seem aspirational, or even unrealistic given events of the last 24 hours, but its a worthy cause, if a thin reed. The United States has invested over $1 trillion and over 5,000 lives in Iraq. The Iraqi protests are an inspiration to the region, and the Iraqi people deserve a chance to chart a course free of regional conflicts.
Press Release

January 3, 2020 Dispatch from Crame No. 693:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Statement on Panelo's and Guevarra's Defense of My Persecution 1/3/20 Presidential Spokesperson Panelo and DOJ Secretary Guevarra insist that the government is observing due process in my case and that my trial follows the regular judicial process. This is a lie. Due process in form only, i.e., a sham trial rooted in a patently bogus charge, is NO due process. Duterte himself targeted me for attack and imprisonment even before any case against me was investigated by any legitimate law enforcement agency. As early as July 2016, former SOJ Aguirre together with SOLGEN Calida, PAO Chief Acosta, Sandra Cam, Ferdinand Topacio, and a host of DDS wannabes from the PNP already started approaching and pressuring Bilibid convicts to solicit testimonies against me. This was followed by a public slut-shaming extravaganza that only Duterte has the character to perform, digging into my personal life and stripping me of my dignity, as he used the presidential podium to carry out his all-out war against me. This was complemented by his social media propaganda agents Mocha Uson, Sass Rogando Sasot, RJ Nieto, etc. and media personalities like the Tulfo Brothers. All the evidence of course was invented. In fact, former CIDG Chief (now Mayor) Benjamin Magalong himself testified that the CIDG itself had no information whatsoever that I was ever involved in the drug trade. There was no such allegations, from any other law enforcement or intel agency or from anyone, for that matter, before Duterte took power. It is only under Duterte that the case against me was fabricated, publicly tried in the kangaroo court of the House Justice Committee led by former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, then Majority Leader Rudy Farinas, then Committee Chairman Rey Umali, and railroaded by the DOJ Panel of Prosecutors under Aguirre's direction. Duterte himself, in so many occasions, has already declared me guilty even before any official investigation or formal trial started. This is not only a case of pre-judgment, but a case of outright persecution where none other than the powerful President is my accuser, prosecutor, judge and executioner. Malacanang also keeps on harping the Supreme Court decision in De Lima v. Guerrero, et al. which upheld my arrest and detention. However, in that case, not even the majority of the Supreme Court agreed on the nature of the charges filed against me. Some said it was illegal drug trading, others opined it was conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading, one justice said it was both. This is not possible, because an Information can only charge one offense, not two. As such, a summary of the votes of the majority reveals that the Information against me was patently void for failure to specify the nature of the offense I was being charged with, as even the majority justices cannot agree among themselves what offense I was being charged with. And yet they still upheld my arrest and detention. The SC decision is not a unanimous decision. Six justices dissented, with former Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio calling the case against me a "pure invention", "fake charge" and the "grossest injustice" ever committed upon any person in recent memory. But this is not the only indication that the Supreme Court itself was predisposed to kowtow to Duterte when it comes to my situation. Up to now, after more than three years, the SC continues to sleep on my Petition for a Writ of Amparo against Duterte, which asks the Court to order Duterte to cease and desist in his personal attacks against me. This petition has largely become moot and academic, not because Duterte has stopped his attacks, but because the damage done to me is already complete and absolute. If only the Supreme Court acted promptly on my petition and ordered Duterte to stop his personal acts of persecution against me, my predicament would not have come to this. Since the case was orchestrated, fabricated, and manufactured by Duterte and his operators, the evidence of the prosecution consist mainly of perjured testimonies coming from criminal convicts who are even disqualified by law to testify as witnesses for the state. It is revolting to note that none of these criminal convicts who all admitted during the House Justice Committee hearings of engaging in the drug trade was charged of any criminal offense, except for one. They were granted immunity in exchange for testifying against me, again illegally, because criminal convicts are prohibited by law from being granted immunity and turned state witness. Other so-called prosecution witnesses - Ragos, Ablen and Esmeralda - are equally with zero credibility. All shameless liars! They're no different from the convicts-witnesses. During the trial, the prosecution itself admitted that NOT A SINGLE ONE of the bank accounts identified by these criminal convicts to have been supposedly used to deposit the proceeds of the drug trade belongs to me. And more than three years after former SOJ Aguirre pronounced that he has in his possession the AMLC report of the "billions" in the drug trade transactions that supposedly passed through my accounts, the prosecution up to now cannot produce a single AMLC report that even a single centavo from the drug trade passed through my bank accounts. The prosecution says the AMLC Report "is still a work in progress", more than three years after Aguirre said it was already in his possession. "Work in progress" is just a euphemism for a fishing expedition, or bespoking AMLC records according to the requirements of the prosecution. Perhaps, more time is needed to fabricate and manufacture AMLC records in my case. So yes. Nothing in my arrest, detention, and trial is in accordance with ordinary legal and judicial processes. My case is a case of a targeted attack by none other than the President of the Philippines using the whole government machinery and the strong arm of the law to demolish, incapacitate, destroy, silence and put behind bars a political and personal opponent. This is all about Duterte's deep-seated personal vendetta against me. With all these glaring violations of my right to due process, it is impossible for Sec. Guevarra to go on proclaiming that he is not the one who should answer to his conscience. But of course, Meynard, you are not the one who will answer to your conscience, because after you joined Duterte and embraced his case against me hook, line, and sinker, as your own, I doubt if you still have one. Sayang ka Meynard. Sayang ang talino mo... I AM INNOCENT! ### (Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 693, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_693)
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Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Washington  Fri, January 3, 2020 10:05 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320b0099 2 Lifestyle cannabis,Illinois,united-states,marijuana,recreational-pot Free

Illinois started the new year on a high note Wednesday, becoming the latest US state to legalize recreational marijuana as the governor pardoned thousands for past low-level cannabis convictions.

The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act will allow residents 21 and older to legally purchase marijuana and will expunge thousands of individuals' criminal convictions throughout the state.

"We are restoring rights to many tens of thousands of Illinoisans. We are bringing regulation and safety to a previously unsafe and illegal market. And we are creating a new industry that puts equity at its very core," Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.

On Tuesday night, Pritzker granted 11,017 pardons for people with low-level cannabis convictions, the first round of a planned total of more than 700,000.

According to the statement, the new law will use 25 percent of the state's cannabis revenue to help "the communities hit hardest" by the earlier crackdown on marijuana.

Read also: High spirits: Study finds cannabis first used in Central Asian funerals

"Today we took another step toward justice, as we continue to address the failed war on drugs and the disproportionate impact it had on communities of color," Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx said in the statement.

Illinois residents age 21 and older will now be allowed to legally possess 30 grams of cannabis, five grams of cannabis concentrate or 500 milligrams of THC -- the main active ingredient of cannabis -- contained in a cannabis-infused product.

Non-residents are allowed to carry 15 grams of cannabis under the bill, which will also create a licensed growing and dispensary system.

Illinois is the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana, along with Washington, DC. Thirty-four states and the federal capital permit medical cannabis treatment.

But the US Drug Enforcement Administration still considers marijuana a dangerous substance alongside LSD and heroin.

A study by the federal Centers for Disease Control published in August found that states that legalize recreational marijuana see a reduction of at least 20 percent in fatalities linked to opioid overdoses.

Marijuana legalization has also been shown to improve a state's economic activity, creating jobs and bringing in new tax revenue.
A black woman says an employee at an Ulta Beauty store in Monmouth County told her that her skin was too dark for most colors in the store when she went shopping for makeup.

Ebony Kankam London said she visited the Holmdel store days ago to have her makeup done before her baby shower.

"I brought in a picture for reference and was told that my skin tone was too dark for most colors in the store. So this was the best she could do. She then asked if I had ever gotten my [makeup] done professionally, London wrote in a post on Instagram.

Like I felt like I was in 1990 when make up was made for one type of skin. In a store full of people who didnt look like me I felt sad and upset. Like my skin tone was a problem, the post added.

A post on Londons Facebook account about the reported experience was shared at least 2,500 times and attracted more than 200 comments. She could not be immediately reached Thursday.

An Ulta Beauty spokesperson said the company was in touch with London over the situation.

Guest satisfaction with our services is a top priority. We never want to hear that a guest has had anything less than a great in-store experience. This is our responsibility and we take it seriously, the spokesperson said in a statement. We do provide ongoing artistry education, and diversity and inclusion trainings across the organization, which is an important commitment that we recognize requires daily action and accountability. We remain committed to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where our guests can feel their best.

In a separate social media post, London said she was contacted by Ulta about the issue.

[Ulta] wanted to make this better by doing another makeover. But then I told them this is bigger than me and wanting my make up done and I now have a platform of women to speak for. So now they wanna call me back, a post Thursday on Londons Facebook stated.

Soooo I just got done talking w ulta corporate . they wanted to make this better by doing another makeover. But then I... Posted by Ebony Kankam London on Thursday, January 2, 2020

Last year, former Ulta Beauty employees accused the chain of racial profiling black customers, according to a story from NBCs TODAY. The makeup industry has faced criticism over ensuring it offers training and products for diverse skin tones.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday wrote a letter to his counterparts in 11 states, urging them to unite against Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA. The letter appealed to the various chief ministers to push for repealing the CAA passed by Parliament last month.

Apprehensions have arisen among large sections of our society consequent to the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. The need of the hour is unity among all Indians wishing to protect democracy and secularism, Vijayan said in the letter.

Vijayan also sought to draw attention to the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly on December 31, 2019, which requested the Centre to repeal the CAA expressing concern regarding the impact it will have on our nations secular credentials.

Chief ministers of 12 states have opposed the CAA, the most vehement being Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal. At a rally in Siliguri today, Banerjee lashed out at the Centre for passing the CAA and called on the states to unite against it.

I am fighting against National Register of Citizens and CAA, join hands with me. I am requesting all people to come forward to save our democracy, said Banerjee.

Kerala is the first state to pass such a resolution with both the ruling front and the Opposition backing it.

Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had hit out at the Kerala government after it passed the resolution saying Vijayan should seek better legal advice. Governor Arif Mohamed Khan had said that the state assemblys resolution against CAA has no legal validity and is unconstitutional.

Vijayan had, however, rejected the criticism saying the state assemblies have their own privileges.

State Assemblies have its own privileges. Such actions are unheard of anywhere. But we cannot rule out anything in the present circumstance as unprecedented things are happening now-a-days in the country, Vijayan said on Wednesday.
Charlize Theron (left) and the real Megyn Kelly (right). Photo: Left: Lionsgate/Right: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

One of the most high-profile battles of the Me Too movement took place in the Fox newsroom back in 2016, fought in part by conservative women who dont subscribe to the word feminism. With Bombshell, director Jay Roach and Oscar-winning screenwriter Charles Randolph sought to re-create the toxic workplace helmed by Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, who was accused by several former employees of sexual harassment. The film depicts versions of recognizable faces (Megyn Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, and, briefly, Geraldo Rivera), but also fictional composites, as is the case with Golden Globenominated Margot Robbies character, Kayla Pospisil, the heart of this story inspired by at least 20 people with connections to the real events.

To keep track of the many lives that were changed by the events depicted in Bombshell, heres a guide to the heroes and monsters in Roachs take on the world of Fox News.

Megyn Kelly (Played by Charlize Theron)

Megyn Kelly (played by Charlize Theron with some uncanny facial prosthetic work) wrote about the unwanted sexual advances of Ailes in a memoir titled Settle for More, which was released in November of 2016. In the book, she writes that the former Fox News CEO made sexual comments to me, offers of professional advancement in exchange for sexual favors, and, after unsuccessfully attempting to kiss her on the lips, asked, threateningly, When is your contract up? Kelly also claims that when she declined to publicly support him after Carlsons allegations were made public, Ailes engineered hit pieces about me online. She left Fox in January 2017 for a run on NBC, where she kicked off her show Sunday Night With Megyn Kelly with a one-on-one Vladimir Putin interview. (Kellys time on NBC came to an end when she made on-air comments about blackface on her morning show, Megyn Kelly Today, which led to NBC canceling the show three days later.) Shortly after Bombshell came out, Kelly posted on Instagram that she had nothing to do with the film, and would have made some edits if she could.

Gretchen Carlson (Played by Nicole Kidman)

Nicole Kidman (left) and the real Gretchen Carlson (right). Photo: Left: Lionsgate/Right: Chance Yeh/Getty Images for A+E

The best-selling author of Be Fierce and Getting Real began co-hosting Fox & Friends in 2005 and continued doing so until 2013, when she announced her resignation from Fox News. Carlsons contract with the company officially ended in 2016, and soon after, she filed a sexual-harassment lawsuit against Ailes. In 2017, she helped introduce the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Harassment Act, which, according to GretchenCarlson.com, voids forced arbitration agreements that prevent sexual harassment survivors from getting their day in court.

On the day of Bombshells release, in which Nicole Kidman plays a version of the former Fox employee, Carlson penned an op-ed for the New York Times titled Fox News, I Want My Voice Back, where she talks about the NDA (which she is seen signing at the end of Bombshell) that still restricts her from talking about what happened with Ailes. Along with Julie Roginsky (played in the movie by Ahna OReilly), she went on to create an organization called Lift Our Voices, which aims to stop companies from using NDAs in cases of workplace harassment and discrimination.

Roger Ailes (Played by John Lithgow)

John Lithgow (left) and Roger Ailes (right). Photo: Left: Lionsgate/Right: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

The year before he died, Fox News CEO Roger Ailes (played by John Lithgow in Bombshell) saw more than 20 women accuse him publicly and privately of acts of sexual harassment. After Ailes left Fox in 2016 (receiving a payment of $40 million and retaining an advisory position meant to last until 2018), it was reported that Ailes used Fox money to hire consultants, political operatives, and private detectives who reported only to him, to mount black room campaigns against his so-called enemies, including those who accused him of sexual harassment.

Kayla Pospisil (Played by Margot Robbie)

Margot Robbie as Kayla Pospisil. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate

Margot Robbies ambitious news junkie and Evangelical millennial Kayla Pospisil is not based on one particular person, but rather the experiences of the many people screenwriter Randolph interviewed throughout the course of his research. Kayla is an amalgamation of many womens stories, says Robbie, and some of the specifics you see in scenes with her are taken from real-life interactions those women experienced. The actress also says that, during character development, she mapped out Kayla entire career into her 60s.

Jess Carr (Played by Kate McKinnon)

Kate McKinnon as Jess Carr. Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate

In Bombshell, Kayla develops a relationship with a closeted gay and liberal woman named Jess Carr, played by Kate McKinnon. Like Pospisil, Carr is also a fictionalized addition to the Fox newsroom. According to McKinnon, she reflects firsthand accounts from women who claimed they couldnt be out in the Fox News environment.

Beth Ailes (Played by Connie Britton)

Connie Britton (left) and Beth Ailes (right). Photo: Left: Lionsgate/Right: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

Ailess wife Beth (played by Connie Britton) met Roger when she was a programming executive at CNBC in 1996. The two were married in 1998 (with Rudy Giuliani presiding over the wedding), and then Roger made Beth the publisher of two local newspapers he purchased just for her, the Putnam County News and Recorder and the Putnam County Courier. Beth Ailes stayed married to Roger throughout the tumultuous events of 2016, all the way up to his death a year later. She has since been quiet about addressing the accusations against her late husband, and has made it clear that shes not involved with any Roger Ailesbased projects, but you can see what shes up to these days on her blog, ElizabethAiles.com.

Megyn Kellys Staff

The three people with whom Kelly works closest in Bombshell are fictionalized characters, meant to provide a sounding board as she decides whether or not to speak out against Ailes. These characters include Kellys researcher Julia Clarke (Brigette Lundy-Paine), the wisecracking assistant Lily Balin (Liv Hewson), and Rob Delaney as executive producer Gil Norman.

Jeanine Pirro (Played by Alanna Ubach)

Alanna Ubach (left) and Jeanine Pirro (right). Photo: Left: Lionsgate/Right: Gary Gershoff/WireImage/Getty Images

Former Westchester County district attorney and current Fox News host Jeanine Pirro (played by Alanna Ubach) is characterized in Bombshell as the founding member of Team Roger who calls the allegations against Ailes absurd, and balks at Carlsons narrative in general: This guy is doing eight million things a day. You really think that hes chasing her around? In real life, she did indeed defend the CEO, relaying the aforementioned quote to the Wrap. Before her time as a host of the Fox News show Justice With Judge Jeanine, she served as Westchesters district attorney, launched a failed run for Senate in 2006 against Hillary Clinton, and became the GOPs candidate for attorney general of New York (losing to Governor Andrew Cuomo). Pirro had a show on the CW starting in 2008 that earned her a daytime Emmy Award, but made a home for herself at Fox News in 2011 with a show that still runs to this day. Most recently, she was suspended by Fox News for saying that the hijab worn by Representative Ilhan Omar indicates that she adheres to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution.

Rudi Bakhtiar (Played by Nazanin Boniadi)

Roachs film offers a brief, disturbing flashback to a moment around Thanksgiving 2006, when Fox News correspondent Rudi Baktitar (played by Nazanin Boniadi) was reportedly sexually harassed by Fox News D.C. Bureau Chief Brian Wilson. In 2007, Wilson publicly denied the charges and was promoted by Fox. Meanwhile, Bakhtiar was prohibited from talking about the allegations publicly. In 2016, however, Bakhtiar told Gabriel Sherman that she also faced sexual harassment from Ailes back in 2005. After leaving Fox, she worked in public relations at the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans, and is now a producer at Reuters.

Doug Brunt (Played by Mark Duplass)

Mark Duplass (left) and Doug Brunt (right). Photo: Left: Lionsgate/Right: Jean-Baptiste Lacroix/AFP/Getty Images

Kellys supportive husband, Doug Brunt, is played by Mark Duplass in Bombshell. Brunt is the former CEO of an internet security company called Authentium, Inc. He has since written three books, including Ghosts of Manhattan, a New York Times bestseller. Brunt has three children with Kelly.

Janice Dean

In Bombshell, one of Kellys biggest breakthroughs in her efforts to convince more women to come forward occurs when she meets a woman referred to in the film as Janice in weather, who is actually Fox & Friends meteorologist Janice Dean (not shown in the movie). In her book Mostly Sunny, Dean writes about covertly convincing women to share their stories of harassment at the hands of Ailes by sharing her own experience.

Juliet Huddy (Played by Jennifer Morrison)

Jennifer Morrison (left) and Juliet Huddy (right). Photo: Left: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival/Right: Nathan Congleton/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Kellys desire to speak up is further enflamed by a conversation with TV anchor Juliet Huddy (Jennifer Morrison), who tells Kelly about being harassed by Bill OReilly. Huddy departed Fox News in 2016, and reached a settlement in 2017 with 21st Century Fox regarding her allegations against OReilly. (She also accused current CEO of Fox Television Stations Jack Abernethy of harassment, which Bombshell alludes to when Huddy mentions a Jack.) Huddy currently co-hosts a radio show for WABC in New York.

Alisyn Camerota (Played by Tricia Helfer)

One of the stranger scenes in Bombshell sees Megyn Kelly on a rooftop, calling someone a few skyscrapers away, whos also on a roof. Its Roachs slightly comical way of introducing CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota (Tricia Helfer), who is known as a Fox Whisperer, given the time she previously spent at Murdochs network. On the day of Bombshells release, she published a piece in Vanity Fair detailing some horrific interactions with the fear-inducing wizard Ailes and his mind control. Camerota says that she spoke to Roach and Randolph about these experiences briefly during their scripting process.

Susan Estrich (Played by Allison Janney)

Allison Janney (left) and Susan Estrich (right). Photo: Left: David Livingston/Getty Images/Right: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Ailes receives some legal guidance in the film from Allison Janneys Susan Estrich, a multi-hyphenate who wasnt just his personal attorney, but a law professor and frequent Fox News analyst. Estrichs involvement with Ailes was scandalous, given that she was known as a liberal feminist and helped promote a wider understanding of acquaintance rape with her 1987 book, Real Rape. Speaking to the Washington Post in a piece titled What Is Feminist Hero Susan Estrich Doing Representing Roger Ailes?, Estrich defended her actions by saying, The man described by the media is simply not the man I know.

Dianne Brandi (Played by Amy Landecker)

Played in the film by Amy Landecker, Dianne Brandi was one of Ailess chief lieutenants and the executive vice-president of legal and business affairs at Fox News. She was listed in numerous lawsuits that alleged she failed to report inappropriate conduct when informed about it. Brandi denied the allegations, but took voluntary leave from Fox in October 2017, before returning in March 2018.

The Murdochs (Played by the Lawsons)

Ben and Josh Lawson (left) and Lachlan and James Murdoch (right). Photo: Left: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images/Right: Frank Micelotta/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

A key dynamic in the story of Ailess eventual downfall is the power exerted over him by the Murdoch family, namely Rupert (co-executive chairman of 21st Century Fox at the time) and his sons, Lachlan (Ben Lawson) and James (Josh Lawson). But lest Malcolm McDowells performance as Rupert Murdoch make the guy seem slightly likable, the billionaire downplayed the allegations against Ailes as isolated incidents. Its all nonsense, he told Sky News (which he owned until last year), describing the scandal as a problem with our chief executive, sort of over the year.

Rudy Giuliani (Played by Richard Kind)

Photo: Left: Lionsgate/Right: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani (played by Richard Kind) is shown in Bombshell offering his legal assistance to Roger Ailes. The two had a history of supporting each other. According to a 2007 piece in the New York Times, Giuliani and Ailes met attending dinner parties in the 1980s; Ailes went on to manage Giulianis first (and unsuccessful) campaign for mayor of New York. According to that same New York Times piece, Giuliani personally intervened (now as mayor) when Time Warner refused in 1996 to carry Ailess new station. Giuliani provided legal counsel to Ailes when accusations of sexual harassment surfaced. Randolph recently told USA Today that his version of Giuliani is a stand-in for three different lawyers, including Marc Mukasey, who told Vanity Fair in 2016 that Rudy and I have provided personal, private legal counsel to Roger, whom weve known for years.

Bill OReilly

OReilly doesnt appear much in the film, but his presence is a key part of the imposed silence that the women in Bombshell fight against. Regarding accusations going back to 2002 that included verbal abuse and lewd comments, OReilly settled with five women (including ex-producer Andrea Mackris, who is mentioned by Kate McKinnons character Jess) for a combined total of $13 million . As part of the settlement, Mackris had to agree to turn over all evidence related to the harassment, and deny the accusations if they ever went public. Months later, OReilly settled another separate case with Fox News legal analyst Lis Wiehl for $32 million, out of his own pocket, after she accused him of a nonconsensual sexual relationship.
Lashkar-e-Tayiba will use Aqa Mul Mujahideen to launch Rohingya terror outfit in India

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 03: Union Minister, Jitendra Singh said that the next step by the centre was to deport the Rohingyas from the country.

Speaking at a function in Jammu, Singh said that the next move by the government would be the deportation of the Rohingyas and the government was considering ways to do the same.

Singh's statement assumes significance in the wake of the agencies reporting the dangers that lurk around the Rohingya Muslims.

Rohingyas Muslims wary of future after CAA, don't want to return to Myanmar

There are around 40,000 Rohingya Muslims in India and the agencies have called them a danger. The links to terror outfits, hawala transactions among others have often been quoted by our Intelligence Bureau on several occasions. A recent incident that took place in Jammu has only raised concerns about the kind of dealings that the Rohingyas are into and how they have become a front for illegal activity.

The police had in August 2019, picked up three members of a Rohingya family for questioning after Rs 30 lakh in cash was recovered from them. The cash was found at a jhuggi in the Channi Himmat area of Jammu city. Investigations have shown that the cash belonged to Ismail and Noor Alam from Bangladesh.

The duo to whom the money belonged to had been living in Jammu for the past six years without valid documents. Investigations have also revealed that this money was parked with the Rohingya family with an intention of using for nefarious activity. The family was unable to explain the money, but sources say that they would have eventually got orders to pass on to some terror group or a member of a drug cartel.

The writing has been on the wall and the killing of Chotta Burmi in Kashmir clearly indicated the close association that the Rohingya Muslims have with terror groups. Burmi was killed in an encounter along with a commander of the Jaish-e-Mohammad. It was Burmi who was part of the Rohingya terror group, Aqa Mul Mujahideen who once shared the dais with Lashkar-e-Tayiba chief Hafiz Saeed.

NRC Assam coordinator dismisses reports of Rohingya migrant in draft list

The Lashkar-e-Tayiba had decided that it would launch the Rohingyas in Jammu where there is a huge settlement. They are easy preys and all attempts have already been made to install an Islamic ideology into them. Incidents such as the one at Bodhgaya are all attempts to show solidarity with the Rohingyas and lure them into terror groups.

NEWS AT 3 PM, JAN 3rd, 2019

On the Rohingya issue, terror groups such as the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, Students Islamic Movement of India and the Lashkar-e-Tayiba work in tandem. While the JuMB is tasked with ensuring that recruitments take place in camps at Hyderabad, West Bengal and Assam, the SIMI focuses on the northern cities including Delhi. The focus of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba has been primarily Jammu and it sees the overall operation.

The Lashkar-e-Tayiba has been espousing this cause since 2012 when it launched the Difa-e-Musalman-e-Arakan conference in Pakistan to highlight the issue. Following this. Saeed sent two of his men- Shahid Mahmood and Nadeem Awan to establish contacts with the Rohingyas. As part of this exercise, the target was the Jammu camp.

An Intelligence Bureau official tells OneIndia that this is a ticking time bomb and action has to be taken. There are several issues and the main one is that most of these persons are not documented, which makes tracking them extremely difficult. Take the case of the Jammu incident, the two persons lived in the country illegally for six years and easily slipped out without any documents. They even managed to leave behind a huge chunk of cash meant for nefarious activities, the officer further adds.
The John J. McCarthy Observatory in New Milford will present its next Second Saturday Stars program, Thycho at Uraniborg: Astronomy Before the Telescope, Jan. 11.

The program will run from 7 to 9 p.m. at the observatory located behind New Milford High School on Route 7 South.

Tycho Brahe was the worlds foremost astronomer just before Galileo first turned the telescope on the night sky.

It was Tychos accurate data that Kepler used to formulate his three Laws of Planetary Motion.

He as a well-educated Danish nobleman who was given his own island by the King of Denmark to use for his observatory.

Tycho led one of the most colorful lives in history.

The program will address his early life, why he wore a prosthetic nose, what happened to his pet elk, how his good manners killed him, and what has happened to him after he died.

The design and construction of his observatory and home will also be discussed as well as their reconstruction.

His instruments and observations and some of his other work will also be presented.
New Haven, Conn. -- A new study led by Yale University researchers finds that scaling up use of methadone and buprenorphine -- medications for treating opioid use disorder known as opioid agonist therapies (OATs) -- could greatly reduce HIV transmission rates and prevent deaths in Ukraine, where the disease is epidemic among people who inject drugs.

The study was published in The Lancet.

Annual new HIV infections in Ukraine -- home to Eastern Europe and Central Asia's second largest HIV epidemic -- rose from 9,500 in 2010 to 12,000 in 2018, according to the study. New infections are likely to increase by approximately 60,000 over 10 years without additional interventions.

The researchers found that treating at least 20% of people with opioid use disorder who inject drugs -- the minimum recommended by the World Health Organization -- could, over 10 years, prevent more than 10,000 new HIV infections and nearly 18,000 new deaths.

Currently, only 2.7% of people who inject drugs in Ukraine receive OATs, despite their proven effectiveness.

"Opioid agonist treatments are one of the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder and preventing HIV infections," said co-author Lynn Madden, a Yale postdoctoral associate in internal medicine and head of a foundation focused on substance use disorders and mental illness. "In addition to treating opioid dependence, it substantially reduces drug use and injection frequency, lowers HIV transmission rates, and prevents death, including death due to overdose," she said.

Senior author Alexei Zelenev, Yale associate research scientist in medicine, said the healthcare system in Ukraine needs modernization, and HIV testing needs to be expanded, as only 56% of the population with HIV are aware of their infected status.

"High prevalence in people who inject drugs, criminalization of drug users, large injection networks, and suboptimal access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder contribute to ongoing HIV transmission," he said.

Researchers obtained HIV epidemic profiles and regional data -- including OAT treatment -- for 23 regions in the Ukraine. Their mathematical model evaluated the efficiency of current OAT treatment programs and assessed the effect of expanding those programs to treat 20% of the drug-injecting population.

Taking into account regional differences, the study showed that scaling up OAT in regions with large populations of people who inject drugs -- like Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa, and Kyiv -- would lead to the greatest reductions in infections and death, but that smaller regions not covered by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) remain highly vulnerable to HIV outbreaks and need to be considered when allocating resources.

PEPFAR is the U.S. government's response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Scaling up OAT programs requires initiative on several fronts, said Zelenev.

In addition to expanding capacity at existing treatment sites, he said that expansion of addiction treatment into primary care clinics, as well as through take-home pharmacy prescriptions, can offer pathways for increased access to effective treatment.

"The expansion of OAT has not been adequate," he said.

Amid the ongoing military conflict with Russia, Ukraine faces a difficult financial situation that exacerbates the public health crisis.

Frederick Altice, professor of medicine, epidemiology and public health at Yale, and a co-author, said the study reveals the importance of scaling up evidence-based treatments to prevent new HIV infections and death.

"Ukraine is a major country in the Eastern European and Central Asian region, the only region globally where new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths remain increasing," he said. "Findings from this study have important implications for other countries throughout the region where the HIV epidemic is similar. In nearby Russia, new HIV infections and deaths are increasing faster than in any other country in the region due to their complete bans on OATs -- one of the greatest HIV prevention tools we have available to us."

###

Jiale Tan, former postgraduate associate at Yale and now a graduate student at the University of Michigan, contributed to the study, which was published on Dec. 20.
By Ko Shu-ling, KYODO NEWS - Jan 3, 2020 - 19:14 | World, All

In March 1996, U.S. President Bill Clinton ordered two aircraft carrier battle groups into waters off Taiwan's southern coast.

Prompted by Chinese threats against Taiwan before its first presidential election, Clinton's show of force insured that the poll took place as planned.

It also infuriated Beijing, which regarded Taiwan then much as today as a renegade province awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

In addition to guaranteeing Taiwan's right of self-determination, U.S. actions marked a shift in relations with the island from a strategic alliance with the brutally autocratic Kuomintang (KMT) that ran Taiwan after 1949, to an ideological one as the onetime police state evolved into a successful liberal democracy.

With another key election approaching on Jan. 11, some wonder if Taiwan's relationship with the United States may be returning to something once again more strategic than fraternal.

The context for this change is China-U.S. tensions as Beijing asserts itself to a degree it sees as commensurate with its development, something Washington regards as threatening after decades of openhanded engagement that policymakers assumed would produce liberalization there too.

The view that rivalry between China and the United States could affect Taiwan is well articulated in a recent essay by Richard Bush, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, who warns that as Beijing turns from "persuasion to coercion" in cross-strait dealings, current U.S. President Donald Trump's increasing support for Taiwan could draw it "into U.S.-China strategic competition beyond what is wise or necessary."

Charles Chen, former KMT presidential spokesman in the Ma Ying-jeou administration, calls the risk for Taiwan a potential "proxy war," a term that evokes past conflicts involving the United States, notably the war in Vietnam.

Most say the comparison exaggerates the danger posed by U.S. involvement, and coupled with Chen's ties to the KMT, Taiwan's China-friendly main opposition party, which is desperately seeking wedge issues in the run-up to January, make the notion easy to dismiss.

Certainly incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen's independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party is pleased with the increase in direct U.S. support, along with numerous Congressional bills and resolutions criticizing Chinese repression in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Yet neither Chen nor Bush propose anything not suggested in various concerns raised since 2016 when Trump was elected to office promising to confront China.

Many speculate that in trade talks Taiwan is merely a bargaining chip for U.S. negotiators, a suspicion reinforced by Trump's October announcement that he would pull troops out of Syria, thus abandoning the Kurds, a longtime ally in the fight against Islamic State.

Arms sales have also raised doubts about American motives.

For decades U.S. administrations refused to supply advanced weapons to Taiwan's military, arguing that expensive systems like the F-16V fighter jet were of little value because China could easily take out the infrastructure necessary to fly them.

In August, however, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of 66 F-16Vs to Taiwan, the first of which are estimated to arrive in 2023.

Aside from debates about their usefulness, arms sales are a high-profile reminder to Beijing that for all of its newfound power the United States is "still influential in the region," said Tsai Chung-min, professor of political science at Taiwan's National Chengchi University.

Such reminders can descend to outright taunts, like last year when the new American Institute in Taiwan opened bearing the insignia designating U.S. embassies, inferring diplomatic recognition that Beijing would find intolerable were it official.

While China regularly protests what it sees as meddling in its internal affairs, it is difficult to say how much is retaliation for U.S. actions because Beijing already exerts significant pressure on Taiwan.

Since Tsai came to office in 2016, China has suspended official contacts, limited the number of Chinese tourists allowed to visit, poached diplomatic allies and increased military patrols around the island.

It has also become adept at "sharp-power" tactics, including media manipulation, co-opting older governmental and business elites while suppressing new ones, illicitly financing pro-China candidates and espionage.

In November, a self-described Chinese spy claimed to have funneled Chinese money into the 2018 Kaohsiung mayoral campaign of Han Kuo-yu, the KMT long shot who surprised everyone by winning the contest only to be drafted soon after to run as the party's candidate for president.

Han denies taking Chinese money, but true or not, such allegations undermine confidence in the democratic process, producing the kind of partisan dysfunction that Ryan Hass, another Brookings Institution fellow, recently said would "poison (the) U.S.-Taiwan relationship."

Taking issue with the idea of a proxy war on the island, J. Michael Cole, senior fellow with the Global Taiwan Institute, argues that Taiwan is not a pawn, but that "its government and the voting public, not to mention civil society" are free to choose for itself the best path.

Yet warnings like Hass's are a reminder that democratic agency is fragile, and that subjected to external pressures it can become polarized as political parties indeed take up proxy positions.

Currently struggling in the polls, the KMT understandably seeks to diminish the advantage the DPP derives from its cozy relations with the United States.

To this end, Chen's talk of a proxy war only raised the stakes in following his one-time boss, former president Ma, who dismissed Taiwan-U.S. relations under Tsai as "friendly but inconsequential."

But in raising these stakes, such talk may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Conversely, pursuing closer U.S. ties is not a DPP election ploy.

Opinion polls show support for unification remains low despite China's efforts, increasing the likelihood of intimidation, as Bush contends, and to counter this, advanced fighters are necessary.

It is also the case that, strategic interests notwithstanding, fraternity persists in U.S. policy toward Taiwan, and not just in security matters.

The AIT sponsors numerous local initiatives, such as the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, a platform for sharing Taiwanese expertise beyond limits set by China, which blocks Taiwan membership in various international organizations.

Analysts agree that Taiwan resists unification not because of U.S. meddling, but because Beijing refuses to adapt policies to the island's political realities.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 21:17:31|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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PARIS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A man opened fire at an official at Dreux city hall in northern France before killing himself, local media reported on Friday.

Citing the prosecutor Remi Coutin, BFMTV news channel reported a man armed with a hunting rifle entered the city hall at around 10:00 local time (0900 GMT) and wounded services director in the leg. He then killed himself.

The incident would be the result of a private matter, it added.
Julian Castro debate

Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

Several prominent Democrats praised former HUD secretary Julian Castro on Thursday shortly after he announced the end of his 2020 presidential bid.

Ocasio-Cortez, who has celebrated Castro's policy positions on issues including immigration, said she was "proud of" his campaign, which she called an "act of service" to the progressive cause.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, both 2020 candidates, thanked Castro for his contributions to the policy debate. Warren called Castro a "powerful voice" for "bold and progressive plans."

Notably, Warren and Booker have the most to gain from Castro's primary exit. More than four out of five of Castro's supporters like Warren and nearly 70% of Castro's fans like Booker, according to Insider polling.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Several prominent Democrats, including 2020 presidential candidates and freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, praised former HUD secretary Julian Castro on Thursday shortly after he announced the end of his 2020 presidential bid.

Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, both primary competitors, thanked Castro for his contributions to the policy debate. Warren called Castro a "powerful voice" for "bold and progressive plans."

"You made this race strongerand you will continue to be a leader in our party and our country for many years to come," she tweeted alongside of a photo of her and Castro.

Ocasio-Cortez, who has repeatedly praised Castro's policy positions on issues including immigration, wrote that his campaign was an "act of service" to the progressive cause.

"I'm really proud of @JulianCastro and his campaign," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "He ran with true purpose and intentionality. His team uplifted important conversations and took on issues that most candidates shy away from. At their best, campaigns can be acts of service. Julian's campaign exemplified that."

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Notably, Warren and Booker have the most to gain from Castro's primary exit.

According to recent Insider polling, more than four out of five of Castro's supporters like Warren, which is 21 percentage points higher than her overall performance among Democrats. And 69% of Castro supporters like Booker, which is a massive 34 percentage points higher than his overall performance. This means many of Castro's fans could shift their loyalty to Warren and Booker.

Castro will also likely be considered by a host of candidates as vice presidential running mate material.

Castro stood out among the large crop of 2020 candidates in being the first to propose decriminalizing illegal border crossings. He changed the shape of the race and the nature of the conversation surrounding immigration with this proposal.

"For a long time in this country we actually did not treat crossing the border as a criminal act," Castro told NPR in May. "We treated it as a civil violation. A lot of the problems that we see in the system today flared up after we started treating it as a criminal offense."

Castro, who was secretary of housing and urban development under former President Barack Obama after serving as mayor of San Antonio, was the only Latino candidate in the race.

Despite strong debate performances and his progressive platform, Castro struggled in the polls and lagged behind on fundraising. He failed to qualify for the two most recent presidential debates.

"Today it's with a heavy heart, and profound gratitude, that I will suspend my campaign for president," Castro said in a video announcing his withdrawal from the race.

John Haltiwanger and Walt Hickey contributed to this report.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Alliance News) - Bezant Resources PLC said Friday it has been granted an extension for the initial assessment of a licence area in Zambia, containing the Buffalo exploration project.

In April last year the copper-gold exploration company had signed a memorandum of agreement with KPZ International Ltd for the option over an interest in a small-scale copper mining licence in Zambia.

The binding agreement granted Bezant a conditional option to acquire a 50% interest in licence number 15164-HQ-SML, containing the Buffalo exploration project.

Under original terms, the copper-gold exploration company had to complete an initial assessment of the license area, for up to USD200,000, by February 1.

The date has now been extended to April 30, the company noted.

All other terms remains unchanged, Bezan Resources said.

Colin Bird, executive chair of Bezant, said: "This extension will allow Bezant to fully understand the geological structure and presentation of mineralisation in an area which has produced promising copper results and indicated the presence of other base metals."

Bezant Resources shares were down 7.8% in London at 0.17 pence each on Friday.

By Loreta Juodagalvyte; loretajuodagalvyte@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The head of the German central bank, Bundesbank president Jens Weidmann, has called on European lenders to come up with cheaper and faster systems for transferring money, to combat alternatives such as Facebook's Libra.

He said there was no pressing reason yet for the European Central Bank (ECB) to develop its own digital currency.

"I'm not in favour of always immediately calling on the state" to come up with solutions, Mr Weidmann said in an interview with German newspaper 'Handelsblatt' published yesterday.

"In a market economy, it's up to companies to develop products that meet customer demands," he added.

Mr Weidmann, who heads up Germany's Bundesbank, has long called for caution over private sector digital currencies.

His comments echo concerns among officials from Europe to the US over Libra, a planned digital token backed by multiple national currencies.

Still, ECB president Christine Lagarde - in common with Bank of England governor Mark Carney - has said central banks should consider whether it makes sense to launch their own digital coins, and she may make that question part of a wide-ranging strategic review planned to start this month.

Mr Weidmann did not oppose such an investigation in the interview, but said it was important to first work out the pros and cons of such a move.

In the meantime, any currency should be subject to financial oversight, guarding against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, he suggested.

Bloomberg
The attack will likely "provoke significant retaliation" from Iran as well as Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, said Matthew Bey senior global analyst at Stratfor.

International benchmark Brent crude gained $2.42, or 3.6% to trade at $68.67, after earlier trading as high as $69.50. U.S. West Texas Intermediate gained $1.87, or 3%, to settle at $63.05 per barrel. Earlier in the session WTI traded at $64.09, its highest level since April.

The U.S. military took the "decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," a statement by the U.S. Department of Defense said Thursday night. It was a directive from the U.S. president, the DOD said.

Oil prices surged 3% on Friday following confirmation by the Pentagon that Iran's top commander was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, raising concerns of a bigger conflict between the two countries that could disrupt energy production in the region.

Iran is likely to return to backing attacks on oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf and the rest of the Middle East, Bey told CNBC. Tehran could also consider attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure if tensions escalate, and it would have both the "capability" and "willingness" to attack major choke points that would "take months to rebuild" in Saudi Arabia, he said.

Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, was killed, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, Iraqi television and officials initially reported. He is a key figure in Iranian politics and has been blamed by the U.S. for this week's attack of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

"It's been a knee jerk reaction because everybody is asking the question how is Iran going to retaliate, and I think that's why you've seen prices jump 3, 4%," Energy Aspects' Amrita Sen said Friday on CNBC's "Worldwide Exchange." "The real risk is how does Iran retaliate. We've seen what it can do in Saudi Arabia, does it do similar stuff again, is there another attack on Saudi facilities."

She said retaliation will likely "take some time," and that in the meantime oil might give back some of its gains.

"This market is extremely complacent. It never takes into account just how tight the market it ... the general view in the market has been 'oh the world is awash in oil' however incorrect it is, and unless an actual outage lasts, I'm not sure we're going to sustain this rally just yet," she added.

Iran has vowed to retaliate against the U.S, with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeting that "the U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism." Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the country's stance against the U.S. will be "more decisive" moving forward, while Defense Minister Amir Hatami reportedly said that "a crushing revenge" will be taken by Iran.

Tweet

The Associated Press cited an Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, who said al-Muhandis had arrived to the airport in a convoy to receive Soleimani whose plane had arrived from either Lebanon or Syria. The airstrike occurred as soon as he descended from the plane to be greeted by al-Muhandis and his companions, killing them all.

Soleimani's body was identified by the ring he wore, according to AP, which cited an Iraqi senior politician.

The attack came amid tensions with the United States after a New Year's Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The two-day embassy attack which ended Wednesday prompted President Donald Trump to order about 750 U.S. soldiers deployed to the Middle East.

The airstrike comes following an especially strong fourth quarter for oil, which saw OPEC+ announce deeper-than-expected production cuts in December, and after drone strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities rocked international markets. Following that September attack, WTI and Brent both surged around 15%.
Mount Paektu, a volcano straddling North Korea's border with China, is sacred to many Koreans, both in the north and south, who revere it as the mythical birthplace of a unified and independent peninsula.

North Korea says Kim Jong Un's father, Kim Jong Il, was born at Mount Paektu, though historians believe his actual birthplace was in Russia.

Nevertheless, visits to the mountain have previously heralded major policy decisions in North Korea.

Kim has recently said the world would soon see his country's "new strategic weapon" and that there was no longer reason for Pyongyang to be bound by a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests.

Last month, Pyongyang warned Washington of a possible "Christmas gift" after Kim gave the United States until the end of the year to propose new concessions in talks over his country's nuclear arsenal.
Evacuees are transported from Mallacoota (Australia Department of Defence via AP)

People shelter for safety on the beach at Batemans Bay after being evacuated from their homes nearby. Photo: INSTAGRAM @LAPPINGTHEISLAND via REUTERS

Evacuees walk down to the beach to board vessels and be ferried out to the navys HMAS Choules in Mallacoota, Victoria (Australia Department of Defence via AP)

Backlash: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is challenged by a resident of Cobargo as he visits the NSW town. Photo: 9 NEWS AUSTRALIA

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison faced enraged hecklers and an angry firefighter in a town ravaged by bushfires, piling pressure on the leader amid an unprecedented crisis that has killed at least 18 people.

A firefighter refused to shake Morrison's hand when he visited the town of Cobargo in New South Wales state on Thursday.

Video footage showed Morrison tried to grab the man's hand, who then got up and walked away, sparking an apology from the prime minister. A local fire official explained that the man had lost his house while defending others' homes.

Another man blasted Morrison for watching fireworks over Sydney Harbour from his official waterfront mansion, Kirribilli House, while fires raged further south on New Year's Eve.

"You won't be getting any votes down here, buddy. You're an idiot," the man shouted.

"I don't see Kirribilli burning after the fireworks," he screamed.

Morrison said on Friday he didn't take the attacks personally.

"I just see it as a sense of frustration and hurt and loss and anger that is out there about what is the ferocity of these natural disasters," he told reporters in Bairnsdale in eastern Victoria state.

"And I understand that, and we will seek to provide that comfort and support in whatever way we can," he said.

Morrison had walked away from a Cobargo woman who urged him to provide more funding to the town and state firefighters.

"This is not fair. We're totally forgotten about down here. Every single time this area has a flood or a fire, we get nothing," another woman shouted as Morrison drove away.

Even a state politician from his own Liberal party whose seat is in the region took a swipe at the prime minister.

"To be honest, the locals probably gave him the welcome he probably deserved," said New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance.

The prime minister, who won a surprise election victory last May, ended 2019 on a sour note with fires raging across five states while he took off on a family holiday to Hawaii. Facing criticism, he cut the holiday short and apologised for making a mistake.

He is now considering cancelling an official trip to India scheduled for Jan. 13 to 16, due to the fire emergency.

"I'm inclined not to proceed on that visit," Morrison said on Friday.

Australia's coal and gas exports, blamed for adding to global climate change and the conditions stoking bushfires, were expected to be high on the agenda for talks in India. Morrison's government has long supported a controversial coal mine planned by India's Adani Group in Australia.
SmallBiz Small Talk What's New for 2020 FILE - In this July 18, 2019, file photo speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., joins fellow Democrats and activists seeking better pay as the House approved legislation to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in a decade _ to $15 an hour, at the Capitol in Washington. As of Jan. 1, 2020, there are higher minimum wages in a quarter of the states, and new federal overtime rules. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  Small business owners have plenty of changes to deal with as 2020 begins  higher labor costs for many companies, and some owners will discover that they have to comply with new laws that arent on the books in their own states.

As of Jan. 1, there are higher minimum wages in a quarter of the states, and new federal overtime rules. The IRS has new W-4 forms owners will need to get used to. Plastic bags are on their way out at stores and other businesses in a growing number of places around the country. And California has new laws on freelancers and consumer privacy that can affect out-of-state companies.

A look at a handful of the 2020 changes in federal, state and local laws and regulations:

MINIMUM WAGES GO UP

The minimum wage is higher in 21 states as of Jan. 1, including New York, where the minimum rose Dec. 31, according to the National Employment Law Project. The increases in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York are steps toward an eventual $15 minimum approved by state legislatures.

Increases are planned later in the year in states including Connecticut, New York, Oregon and Washington, D.C., and some counties and cities are raising their minimums as well.

While many businesses pay hourly workers above the minimum, when there's an increase in the wage, many owners give all their staffers a raise to stay competitive amid a tight labor market.

NEW OVERTIME RULES

The Labor Department's long-awaited revamp of its overtime rules are now in effect, giving an estimated 1.3 million workers a raise. Workers earning under $684 per week or $35,568 must now be paid overtime, up from the previous threshold of $455 per week or $23,660 annually.

Retailers, restaurants and manufacturers are most likely to be affected, with shift supervisors and assistant managers among the positions that must now be paid overtime after 40 hours a week. While all employers are subject to the rules, the higher threshold is likely to have the greatest impact on small companies that lack the revenue cushion that larger businesses have against higher costs.

Employers are expected to limit the hours of some workers so they don't incur overtime, or raise some staffers' pay to a level above the threshold, making them exempt from the new rules.

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More information about the overtime rules can be found on the Labor Departments website, www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/overtime/2019/index.

NEW W-4 FORMS

The IRS has issued new W-4 forms for 2020, changing the way tax is withheld from employees' pay. The new forms reflect changes required by the tax law that went into effect in late 2017; they do away with the allowances long used to calculate how much money should be withheld from paychecks. Instead, the new forms use information that can be found on employees' tax returns.

Current employees don't need to fill out new W-4 forms, but new staffers or employees who want to change their withholding do need to complete them. The IRS has created a calculator to help small businesses compute withholding for the new forms if they don't use automated payroll software or providers. It can be found on the IRS website, www.irs.gov. Search for new Form W-4."

PLASTIC BAG BANS

A growing number of states, counties and cities have passed legislation prohibiting or restricting retailers and other businesses from giving customers single-use plastic bags to carry purchases. Oregon's ban went into effect Jan. 1, and Maine, New York state and Vermont have similar prohibitions going into effect later in the year.

There are variations among the laws and some exceptions  in New York, for example, pharmacies are exempt if the purchase is for a prescription drug, and restaurants can give diners bags for takeout food. Some of the laws also require a 5 cent charge if a customer wants a paper bag.

While the laws have been passed out of environmental concerns, small retailers might see a benefit from not having to buy and supply plastic bags. And those that sell reusable shopping tote bags could get a small revenue uptick.

CALIFORNIA CHANGE

A new California law gives consumers more control over the personal information companies collect and share with other businesses. While the law aims to exempt very small companies, those that do business with California residents, including out-of-state firms, can find themselves required to comply.

Under the law, companies must be able to tell consumers what information they have and what they do with it. Consumers must have the option to have their information deleted from companies' computer systems. Businesses that handle information collected by others  for example, payment processors  can also find themselves subject to the law.

Companies are subject to the law if they have worldwide revenue above $25 million, collect or receive the personal information of 50,000 or more California consumers, households or electronic devices; or those who get at least half their revenue from selling personal information. Small businesses can reach the 50,000 threshold for collecting or receiving information  an individual who has a phone, tablet, PC at home and one at work counts as four users, not one.

A separate law puts strict limits on who can work as an independent contractor or freelancer. The law is aimed at ensuring that workers in the gig economy like Uber and Lyft drivers get the protections that labor laws give employees. It will force business owners to decide whether to hire these workers as employees, even for temporary assignments, or look for help in other states.

The law also affects out-of-state companies if they have been using independent contractors or freelancers in California.

Changes in California laws are also noteworthy because the state can be a trailblazer when it comes to employee, consumer and environmental issues. The nation's first laws requiring paid sick leave for workers and banning plastic bags were enacted in California.

_____

Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg. Her work can be found here: https://apnews.com

_____

This story was first published Jan. 2. It was updated on Jan. 3 to correct the number of states with the minimum wage rising on Jan 1. It is 21 states, not 13 states.
The plan calls for the UMC to pay the new denomination $25 million over four years, and local churches that leave UMC and join the breakaway group will be allowed to keep their buildings and other property. The payment amount was determined based on a review of the financial health of the church and discussions with stakeholders, according to the Council of Bishops. Congregations that want to join the new denomination will have to take a vote, according to the proposal.
Salewa Ogunmefun, right, of One PA, speaks as advocates hold a press conference for the "Fair Workweek" scheduling bill before Council votes at City Hall in Philadelphia, PA on October 30, 2018. Read more

Happy New Year, Philly. Whether youre already back to the grind or headed back to reality soon, dont miss my colleague Cassie Owens seven tips for easing your post-holiday transition and implementing positive change in your 2020 routine.

Calls for change are already afoot at City Hall, where leaders are demanding lasting solutions to the annual outrage sparked by offensive performances at the Mummers Parade. This year, at least two marchers were spotted wearing blackface on New Years Day. Meanwhile, change is proving difficult for Philadelphias big business interests in city politics.

 Oona Goodin-Smith (@oonagoodinsmith, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

Last year, the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia announced plans to foster real change and a focus on growth.

Real change happened, but not the kind the chamber wanted. Instead, Working Families Party candidate Kendra Brooks beat back the chambers last-minute attempt to stop her from winning one of two Council at-large seats, becoming the only third-party politician to hold a Council seat in at least a century.

Reporters Chris Brennan and Sean Collins Walsh unpack the struggles of Philadelphias big business interests to influence increasingly left city politics.

Following another New Years Day Mummers Parade marred by controversy after at least two marchers in the Froggy Carr Wench Brigade were spotted wearing blackface, Philadelphia city leaders are calling for lasting change.

But its unclear what can be done to prevent future incidents of blackface or other offensive performances.

Some say the efforts must start from within the Mummers, some say the individuals who misbehave should be punished, and some say that without reform, the 120-year-old parade should end.

Froggy Carr leadership told The Inquirer that its not a racist club, and that the brigades 550 marchers should not be condemned for the actions of a few.

Still, said Council President Darrell L. Clarke, theres nothing funny about the brigades actions.

At some point, there needs to be a conversation about whether or not this particular portion of the parade should be allowed in the city of Philadelphia if people cant police themselves, he said.

About a month before Wawa disclosed a data breach exposing its customers credit and debit card information, Visa warned the Delaware County-based convenience store chain and other the gas station operators that hackers were targeting them to steal payment card numbers.

Specifically, Visas report cautioned that gas stations still using magnetic-stripe readers to accept payment were at risk. Wawa has since said it plans to implement chip technology this year.

Malware compromised Wawa customer credit and debit card information at potentially all store locations between March 4 and Dec. 12, 2019. If you think you may have been affected by the data breach, heres what to do.

What you need to know today

Through your eyes | #OurPhilly

A New Years Day sunrise: the perfect time to reflect. Thanks for the photo, @paulenereneephotography.

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

Black people are tired of being mocked by those who would engage in the age-old minstrelsy that is blackface. We are tired of those who hate us hiding behind paint, behind hoods, behind excuses and ultimately, behind a government that would dare to fund open bigotry with our tax dollars.  Columnist Solomon Jones on why the city should stop using tax dollars from black Philadelphians to support the Mummers.

With departments nationwide in need of reform, should police be abolished? Two scholars debate.

It may be time to stop describing Philadelphia as the poorest big city in America and start describing it as the place where generations of people have been systematically robbed of their wealth, writes the Inquirer Editorial Board.

What were reading

In South Philly and throughout the northeast, WHYY reports, a nonprofit is teaching elementary school children to say yes to consent.

From the rise of smartphones and the gig economy to a decrease in assets, Vice examines how the last decade created the always-on job.

For weeks, groups of mysterious drones have flown over parts of Colorado and Nebraska at night, disturbing residents in the rural area. And, the Washington Post reports, no one seems to know why theyre there.

Your Daily Dose of | Didgeridoo

Want to learn to play an unusual instrument in the new year? From the autoharp to the accordion, heres where you can try your hand at some of the less-celebrated musicianship in Philly.
Within a few hours of the drone strike that killed the notorious leader of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, Gen. Qasem Soleimani early Friday in Baghdad the world knew the United States had targeted him. Although the strike is a major tactical triumph for the United States, the decision to kill Soleimani - and to tout it publicly - could provoke dangerous strategic blowback.

No one should shed any tears that Soleimani is gone. He had the blood of thousands and thousands of people on his hands, including many civilians and American service members.

Soleimani was the architect of Iran's violent extremism and proxy wars throughout the Middle East, from Lebanon to Syria to Yemen to Iraq. He not only ran Iran's paramilitary operations for more than two decades, but he also linked those operations to a larger foreign policy designed to compensate for Iran's conventional military weakness and to counter the political influence of the United States and its Arab Gulf allies.

These are all reasons that the calculus regarding the drone strike that killed Soleimani should have been quite different from the decision to send a SEAL team after Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011. By the time of that raid on Abbottabad, bin Laden was a bedraggled figurehead holed up in a self-made prison, cut off from day-to-day control of the terrorist organization he had founded. No government publicly defended him or claimed him as their own, and the U.S. decision to publicly announce his death raised only minimal prospects of escalation from his stateless followers.

Soleimani, by contrast, was probably the second most important government official in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. This makes his death a significant blow to Iran, and it also means that the U.S. decision to take credit it for it in such a public manner is likely to prompt Iranian retaliation. It is impossible to predict the exact timing and nature of such retaliation. But Iran has plenty of damaging ways to escalate, ranging from attacking U.S. or allied forces in the region, to sabotaging oil infrastructure or transport, to quickening the pace of its nuclear program.

Both the Bush and Obama administrations reportedly passed on opportunities to strike Soleimani precisely because of concerns about escalation. Such worries are not new. Historically, and especially during the Cold War, fear of blowback was a reason to conduct targeted killings and other sensitive operations through covert means - ones that lent plausible deniability to the accused and thus decreased pressure for retaliation by the targeted state. This is why the United States concealed its campaign to arm the mujahideen fighting the Soviets in Afghanistan, for example. It deliberately supplied non-U. S. weapons to its proxies, so that even when the Soviets observed the new weapons, they didn't necessarily have to respond by directly confronting the United States.

In this case, we don't know if the Trump administration considered alternatives such as credibly threatening Soleimani without killing him, killing him in a way that left more ambiguity over who was responsible, or conducting the strike but simply refusing to confirm or deny responsibility. Those steps might have done more to achieve the administration's vaguely stated objective of "deterring future Iranian attack plans," because they would have left a bit more room for Iran to save face or back down. Instead, by conducting such a high-profile attack and announcing it to the world when regional tensions are already so high, the Trump administration has maximized the likelihood that Iran will feel compelled to respond in a big way.

It is possible, of course, that Iran will find a way to deflect the pressure for escalation, perhaps by redirecting domestic attention to Soleimani's funerals (one in Iran, one in Iraq, reportedly). Iranian retaliation might also be delayed or covert.

It is possible, too, that the Trump administration has carefully considered the prospects for serious Iranian escalation in response to the strike, is confident that the benefits of a highly public strike outweigh those potential risks and has thoroughly prepared to mitigate those risks to U.S. forces, installations, citizens and allies in the region. But nothing in the administration's prior pattern of national security decision-making would lead us to expect that President Trump and his aides engaged in this sort of deliberative analytical process.

A cynic might note that crowing about the strike is politically convenient for the president in an election year, and that many in Trump's administration would in fact welcome war with Iran. Indeed, Trump has been spoiling for a fight with Tehran since he entered office and tore up the Iran nuclear agreement, even though Iran was complying with it. Trump's pals Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel and Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia have no doubt been egging him on, relishing the prospect of Uncle Sam confronting their longtime regional nemesis.

Unfortunately, the last thing America needs is another war in the Middle East. The Trump administration's own published defense strategy says as much and emphasizes the need to put U.S. resources and attention elsewhere, especially Asia. Doing an end zone dance about killing Soleimani is likely to have the opposite effect. It will further entrench the United States in a region that the president himself has repeatedly stated we should be seeking to leave.

- - -

Talmadge is an associate professor of security studies in the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and senior non-resident fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution.
The Chandigarh Vigilance Department will investigate allegations of a local dentist that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana influenced police to lodge a case of cheating against him on the complaint of an NRI woman, officials said.

Dr Mohit Dhawan had filed a complaint against Asthana; former Chandigarh DGP Tajinder Singh Luthra; former DSP Satish Kumar; Inspector Ashwani Attri and an NRI woman before the CBI Director in New Delhi last year.

The doctor also levelled allegations of extortion, harassment and fabrication of documents by police.

The CBI had forwarded the complaint of Dr Dhawan to the Chandigarh Vigilance Department recently.

In 2018, the Chandigarh Police had registered a case of cheating against the doctor on the complaint of US national G D' Souza, who had alleged that Dr Dhawan's dental implant procedure on her was improper.

The dentist had claimed that the case was registered against him under the pressure of the senior CBI officer and the former Chandigarh DGP.

The doctor alleged that he had filed a cheque-bounce case against D'Souza in a court after her cheque for Rs 7 lakh was dishonoured.

"A staff member of the Vigilance office acknowledged that my complaint to the CBI has been forwarded to the Vigilance Department here on December 28," the doctor claimed.

In his complaint to the CBI, Dr Dhawan had attached copies of a few e-mails accessed through an RTI, which claim that the NRI woman had contacted Asthana.

Police said the matter is sub-judice in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Embattled prime minister Scott Morrison has defended his decision not to meet with former fire chiefs, saying he chooses to listen to those 'in their jobs now'.

The Australian leader has been widely criticised for his handling of the bushfire crisis in what has been the worst fire season on record.

A former top firefighter claimed he and 22 emergency services chiefs were 'fobbed off' by Mr Morrison when they penned a chilling warning about impending bushfires back in April.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) defended his decision to not meet with former fire chiefs, saying he instspoke to current fire chiefs about the impending bushfire season

They said they demanded a meeting with the PM - but he twice declined.

Asked about the claims he did not heed the experts' warning, Mr Morrison told A Current Affair it 'simply isn't true'.

'Well that just simply isn't true,' he said. 'I listen to the fire chiefs that are in their jobs now.

'And those fire chiefs provided those exact same warnings to deal with the situation we find ourselves in now.'

Former NSW Fire and Rescue commissioner Greg Mullins (pictured, right) is seen pitching in at a fire station in Sydney's northern beaches just prior to his retirement

Greg Mullins, the NSW Fire & Rescue commissioner from 2003 until 2016, and almost two dozen heavyweights sent a letter to Mr Morrison in April demanding an urgent meeting.

The letter said the ex-chiefs wanted to speak to the PM because 'increasingly catastrophic extreme weather events' would 'put lives, properties and livelihoods at greater risk and overwhelm our emergency services'.

After sending the letter, Mr Mullins did not hear from the prime minister's office for three months, when he was eventually offered a meeting with a lesser official, the energy minister Angus Taylor.

During a TV appearance in September, Mr Mullins said veteran firefighters had noticed how the climate was changing.

A kangaroo rushes past a burning house in Conjola (pictured) on New Year's Eve, with the situation likely to escalate again on Saturday

'Things are happening here that are outside the experience of season firefighters. I'm seeing things that frighten me,' he said.

Mr Mullins, a member of climate change action group the Climate Council, said global warming was making weather events more extreme.

'Extremes are far more extreme ... Somebody's got to wake up somewhere, and that somebody is in Canberra.'

Mr Morrison went on to explain what he understands to be the cause of the bushfires - but did not mention climate change.

Firefighters near the NSW town of Nowra (pictured) battle with horrific conditions on New Year's Eve as they fight to defend homes

'Because of the drought, because of the fact there has been no quenching rains following these fires starting, that means this season is running longer and is presenting even more difficult challenges,' he said.

'We'll learn those lessons, but I've got to say the coordination in incidents response centres and in small and larger towns over many, many months and many states, the coordination has been excellent.

'But as we go into this weekend, it will be a difficult Saturday.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured, left) and Darren Chester MP tour the Wildflower farm owned in Sarsfield, Victoria, on Friday

Grave warnings have been issued for Saturday, with experts predicting it could be one of the worst bushfire days yet.

The Rural Fire Service feared strong winds would spark new blazes in the Blue Mountains, with Sydney's west hitting 46C.

These bushfires could cross the Nepean River into greater Sydney and threaten Penrith if strong winds spread burning embers.

'Severe to extreme fire danger is forecast for these areas tomorrow with temperatures in the 40s, very low humidity and strong winds,' the RFS said.

'A south-westerly change will impact inland fires tomorrow afternoon and evening, and a gusty southerly change will impact coastal fires from late tomorrow afternoon, reaching Sydney around midnight.'

So far this season 18 people have lost their lives, with many more still missing as fires devastate entire towns and leave thousands homeless.

In Victoria, thousands of people are being evacuated from Mallacoota beach (pictured) onto the navy ship HMAS Choules
Judith Mundle was jailed for 18 weeks. (West Midlands Police)

A woman from Birmingham has been jailed after she bit a police officer minutes into the New Year.

Judith Mundle, 36, of Hagley Road, was escorted from a bar in Walsall by staff for aggressive behaviour minutes after midnight on New Years Day.

Police who witnessed her removal intervened as they were worried about the staffs safety.

After they took hold of her, Mundle began swearing and pushed two officers, including one who was trying to calm her down.

When they attempted to cuff her, Mundle launched forward and bit one on the arm.

The bite sank through three layers of clothing and cut the male officers skin, forcing him to go to hospital for a tetanus shot.

The officer needed a tetanus shot. (West Midlands Police)

He has also been given a course of antibiotics and will need a follow-up appointment to see if he needs further medication.

The commander of Walsall neighbourhood policing unit, Chief Superintendent Andy Parsons, said: This is a heinous act on one of our colleagues, who was trying to ensure the safety of our community as we enter a new year.

This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated on our streets.

Mundle was charged with assaulting an officer and assault causing actual harm and pleaded guilty to both at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court.

She was jailed for 18 weeks yesterday.

I very much welcome this sentence and hope people see this as a warning that we will take robust action against anyone who attempts to assault a member of our police family, Chief Supt Andy Parsons said.

Police across the country have reported a number of violent crimes taking place in the early days of 2020.

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After last months House vote to impeach Trump, largely along party lines, the parties are at an impasse regarding the timing and scope of a Senate trial. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has declined to transmit articles of impeachment  for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress  as Democrats seek guarantees that they will be able to subpoena documents and call several witnesses regarding Trumps conduct toward Ukraine.
When Bill Clinton, President of the United States, was revealed as having smoked cannabis at university, he protested that he did, but that he never inhaled.

More tea

More alley tea

More biddy tea 

More tally tea

More ways to pass the days till eventually tea

From Aansoo Aansoo mey Majood Hein Rowneywaley Ka Daam by Bachchoo

The rhyme we chanted in our college days was  Charsi kaddi na marsi! Aggar marsi, tho chaalees admi aagey karsi! This was unnecessarily aggressive for a peacemaking drug and there was no indication as to who the 40 victims would be.

I herewith admit that I have had my adventures with banta, ganja, charas and even with cannabis-penetrated rum  and let he who has not enjoyed a glass of bhang at Holi cast the first stone.

As an eight-year-old child, sitting on a step of the rear verandah of our Pune house, I watched my grandmother and her Parsi friends in the yard making a sweet called Vasanoo in large vessels on an open wood fire. Our cook would be sent to fetch a secret ingredient, a powder in a paper packet which the ladies conspiratorially added to the pot with smiles and whispers. My cook told me later that it was an illegal substance.

Years later I deduced that it was cannabis resin and when my mother and my mamu, her younger brother, were censorious about my drinking bhang at Holi at Hindu friends houses, I interjected that grandma used to mix cannabis into Vasanoo. Both mum and mamu vehemently denied any such possibility. A generation gap in social morals, I suppose.

When Bill Clinton, President of the United States, was revealed as having smoked cannabis at university, he protested that he did, but that he never inhaled. I inhaled. From the age of 14 in Poona (now Pune) the crowd of friends I moved with had occasional contact with ganja and though I didnt smoke tobacco, it seemed manly to venture into this forbidden territory.

Our family cook, Hukam Ali, regularly accused our dhobi Lakshman of being high on ganja and as a consequence returning clothes unwashed but ironed to a crisp to disguise the fact.

In Britain, at university, and then through long political association with West Indian comrades, there was a lot of dope about. I can never say I got habituated. It was an occasional blast.

My memorable encounter with cannabis was going with colleagues to Amsterdam at the time when I worked as a commissioning editor in Channel 4 TV in Britain. I was scheduled to give a lecture to a European TV convention that evening. My colleagues and I gathered in a Dutch pub before the event and one of them said we should sample the recently legalised cannabis of Holland. Someone bought a packet from the cannabis stall in the corner of the room and rolled a joint which we smoked as we downed our drinks. I felt absolutely nothing and remarked that the legalisation of the drug had killed its potency. The Dutch were kidding themselves and us tourists. My colleagues concurred. The stuff wed sampled was called skunk because of its rather strong odour.

We left the pub to get to my appointed lecture. The cold fresh air hit me. So did the hallucinatory effect of skunk. The placid canals of Amsterdam at twilight turned in my sight into raging, tormented seas. The neat, demurely lit drawing rooms of the buildings bordering the canals, in display with their curtains undrawn, became the dark palaces of Elsinore with Hamlets fathers ghost motioning to me from the windows.

I told my colleagues this was it! I couldnt go with them. I had to go back to the hotel. Two of them grabbed my arms and marched me, protesting that I was out of my head, to the lecture venue.

They said they too felt the effects but were determined that I wouldnt let Channel 4 down. I was escorted onto the stage and cant remember what happened next, but I must have had a rush of reviving adrenalin which sobered me up, because I was told afterwards that I delivered a succinct and convincing talk.

The reason, gentle reader, for these recollections, is that in Britain today there is a spirited debate in favour of legalising recreational cannabis. Canada is now the first G8 country to have universally legalised the substance. It is legal in 11 American states with 15 more states having decriminalised it.

Not as yet in Britain, where 8,000 people are jailed each year for cannabis offences. Thousands more are kept in police custody up and down the country. All of this costs the British exchequer and hence the taxpayer 2.5 billion. Each prisoner jailed for possession or growing cannabis costs the prison service on average 37,543 per year. The average wage of all of Britains citizens is 29,009. The police spend 212 million a year enforcing the law on cannabis and the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts spend another 47 million. Go figure, as they say in New York.

Legalising cannabis would free up the 2.5 billion for other social expenditure.

There is also the social cost of cannabis being illegal. Black people, though they form four per cent of Britains population, are 12 times more likely than whites to be convicted for a cannabis offence. The drug gangs of British cities claim hundreds of lives of mostly teenaged operators each year through knifings and shootings. Though cannabis is not the only drug these gangs murder each other for, legalising it would take away part of the incentive.

Though cannabis is called dope and marijuana in the US, giving it the conceit of European origin, in the Caribbean its still known as ganja, its Indian name as it was introduced to the islands by Indian indentured labour.

Just as potatoes originated in America, there is a convincing case for attributing the origins of cannabis sativa to the subcontinent. Perhaps it was, as the Indian history books which I was taught at school said, the exhilarating soma, quaffed by the early Aryans.
Love Island's hilarious voiceover man, Iain Stirling appeared on Loose Women on Friday and discussed working with girlfriend Laura Whitmore for the first time.

Laura is taking over from host Caroline Flack for the winter debut, which begins on January 12, after she was charged with common assault.

And while Iain didn't discuss Caroline directly, he joked that it's great that he will be working with Laura, for financial reasons and made some racy admissions, too.

'We've got the mortgage': Love Island's Iain Stirling joked about working with Laura Whitmore for the first time... and made a VERY racy bath-time confession on Loose Women on Friday

The couple have been dating since 2017 and Iain said: 'I love her, and there's mortgage commitments that need to be considered. More because she'll be coming to South Africa every now and then'

He said: 'She's great isn't she? I think she's great.

'I love her, and there's mortgage commitments that need to be considered. More because she'll be coming to South Africa every now and then.

'They take me a hot country and put me in a box. I could do it in my shed in my house, but why would I?'

All change: Laura got the job after Caroline Flack (pictured right in 2013) was forced to step down from the role after she was charged with assault

Iain said he gets in at two o'clock when the show is still a skeleton and adds his own funny voiceovers.

He said: 'Sometimes there's a guide by producers and they do it in a Scottish accent, which I find offensive.

'Sometimes there are little gaps I can put five seconds [of talking] in.'

Iain said he only gets to see the footage that the public sees.

Funny man: Iain said he gets in at two o'clock when the show is still a skeleton and adds his own funny voiceovers

He said: 'Sometimes there's a guide by producers and they do it in a Scottish accent, which I find offensive'

After his interview had come to an end, Iain raced back to his seat as he had forgotten to say when the show would be returning.

And the panel decided to keep him around for a little longer as they were discussing the Instagram post Maura Higgins shared of her and Curtis Pritchard in the bath.

He was asked if he and Laura have ever shared a bath together.

He replied: 'We've shared a bath on occasion. The problem is getting in and getting out.

'There's nothing more attractive than getting in and out of the bath. I'm like, "don't look at me!"'

Iain and Laura have been dating since 2017.

Laura has said her new Love Island role is bittersweet but that Caroline has given her blessing for her to take on the role.

Splish splash: The panel then discussed this picture of Curtis Pritchard sharing a bath with Maura Higgins
Four employees fired by Google right before Thanksgiving plan to file an unfair labor practices complaint this week with the National Labor Relations Board, charging that the company fired them for engaging in protected labor organizing.

Why it matters: The prospect of engineers challenging an iconic Silicon Valley firm under well-established labor laws could mark a sea change for the largely non-unionized tech industry.

Google's side: A statement to the press from Google last week referred to "an increase in information being shared outside the company" and said the four employees were let go because they were found to be "involved in systematic searches for other employees materials and work. This includes searching for, accessing, and distributing business information outside of the scope of their jobs."

In a new statement today, A Google spokesperson said the firings were the result of "intentional and often repeated violations of our longstanding data security policies... No one has been dismissed for raising concerns or debating the company's activities."

The workers say the suggestion that they leaked information is "flatly untrue" and that they believe they were fired for their activism in various causes within Google, including organizing against the company's potential work with Customs and Border Protection.

"The companys code of conduct states unequivocally: 'dont be evil, and if you see something that you think isnt right  speak up!' And we did," the four fired Googlers wrote on Medium.

What they're saying: In an interview with Axios, the four fired employees  Laurence Berland, Paul Duke, Rebecca Rivers, and Sophie Waldman  said their firing a week ago was abrupt and left them trying to line up legal representation over a long holiday weekend.

"This feels very much about scaring people who are trying to come together to act," Duke said.

"This isn't really about us  this is about the hundreds of thousands of people who work at the company, and Google's fear of their power," Berland said.

The big picture: Google has recently faced challenges from employees on several fronts, including:

Ethical controversies that have sparked employee unrest, including a now-scuttled project named Dragonfly to re-enter China's search market with a product censored to satisfy the Chinese government, and a now-cancelled joint research project with the Pentagon called Maven aimed at using AI to analyze imagery from drones.

that have sparked employee unrest, including a now-scuttled project named Dragonfly to re-enter China's search market with a product censored to satisfy the Chinese government, and a now-cancelled joint research project with the Pentagon called Maven aimed at using AI to analyze imagery from drones. Charges of bias included complaints from some conservative employees that the company's culture suppresses their point of view  and from outside critics on the right who maintain, with little evidence, that Google search is biased against them.

included complaints from some conservative employees that the company's culture suppresses their point of view  and from outside critics on the right who maintain, with little evidence, that Google search is biased against them. A previous challenge at the NLRB over employee complaints that Google had stifled their freedom of workplace expression. In September, Google reached a settlement with the NLRB that required the firm to post public statements reminding employees of their rights.

What to watch: Other companies will closely follow how far Google's engineers go in organizing further protests, and how much leverage they are able to bring to bear.

Our thought bubble: Google's cherished freewheeling culture of debate has already taken lots of blows. Whatever happens at the NLRB, the company is likely to find it extremely difficult to turn back the clock to its startup-era heyday of free expression and management-employee trust.

Go deeper: Tech's new labor unrest

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a new statement from Google.
After having come under severe criticism for running the hospital without adequate infrastructure, Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma said on Friday that all equipment at Kotas JK Lon Hospital, where 104 infant have died since December 1, 2019, will become functional by January 15.

A political row broke out after initial reports of the deaths of dozens of children at the facility, with several top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders attacking the Congress-led state government over alleged negligence. An inquiry by the state government found infrastructure challenges, but ruled out negligence as the cause of deaths of infants. The Rajasthan health minister blamed the previous BJP-led government in the state for the shortage of beds at the Kota hospital.

The hospital appeared cleaner on Friday, and the stray pigs and dogs that were earlier seen roaming the facility had disappeared from within the premises. The work for laying additional piped oxygen supply lines also began. The hospital authorities were quick to remove a green carpet laid out to welcome Sharma, after a crowd of people congregated in the hospital pointed it out.

Facing Opposition heat for not visiting Kota after the hospital got into the news following the death of 10 infants in two days (December 23 and 24), Sharma visited it on Friday with transport minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and held a two-hour meeting with Kota medical college principal Dr Vijay Sardana and JK Lon Hospital superintendent Dr Suresh Chand Dulara.

Sharma has sought estimates from the hospital authorities for building, equipment and staff so that it can be accounted for in the next budget.

He also said that the hospital had sufficient funds for repair of dysfunctional equipment.

We have given them 19 nursing staff and are trying to ramp up other facilities soon, he said.

Out of the 100 deaths in December, 70 were in the neonatal intensive care unit, 25 in paediatric ICU and five in general ward. Most of the toddlers, who come to this hospital, are referred to from other health care centres after they become very critical, Sharma said.

The Central governments team of health experts also reached Kota and will begin their assessment of the situation on ground.

The minister questioned the role of the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and said before going out of power in 2013, the Congress government sanctioned 60 beds each in the paediatric and gynaecology wards. Even after giving financial approval in July 2012, these beds were not added to the Kota hospital. Imagine if 60 beds were available, you wouldnt see two infants on one bed, the minister said.

Sharma said out of the 120 beds approved by them [in 2012], the BJP government set up only 45, and that too in the gynaecology ward only.

Khachariyawas said no one could question the intention of the government, which introduced the free medicine and free diagnostics schemes in Rajasthan. We will take strict action against the guilty, he said.

The ministers visit was preceded by war of words between the Congress and BJP workers. The police restricted entry of BJP workers at the hospital to prevent any clash between them and the Congress workers. When some BJP workers raised slogans from outside, Congress workers also got agitated and started raising slogans against Kota MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Earlier, on Friday morning, the police detained around a dozen Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers, who gathered outside the hospital to protest the ministers visit. They demonstrated outside the hospital and raised slogans against the state government. Kota deputy superintendent of police BS Hingad said that the workers have been detained to maintain law and order and will be released at some distance under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provisions.

Meanwhile, in Jodhpur, chief minister Ashok Gehlot defended the health minister for not visiting Kota earlier.

On receiving the information of deaths, we sent the expert committee to inspect the hospital and take necessary steps, he said. The CM said that the matter has been made an issue by the media and the Opposition. Such cases of infant deaths have also come up during the BJP government. Kota MP and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla knows everything and the issue will end the day he speaks.

He said that the state government has implemented the Nirogi Rajasthan Scheme to reduce infant and maternal mortality. Our predecessor government had approved proposals to develop many basic facilities for this hospital, but the BJP government did not act on those plans, he said.

Meanwhile, taking a suo motu cognisance of media reports about the deaths, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also issued a notice to chief secretary of Rajasthan to submit a detailed report within four weeks about the steps being taken to address the issue.
Grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on Friday urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the Congress booklet which claims that the Hindu Mahasabha co-founder had a "physical relationship" with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

Ranjit Savarkar also asserted that a criminal case should be registered against the Congress Seva Dal as it was during their camp that the booklet was distributed.

"Congress is plotting to defame Savarkar. The party is conspiring to spread anarchy in the country by making unwarranted accusations on the freedom fighter Savarkar. The government must take an action against the Congress Seva Dal and should register a criminal case against them," said Ranjit in a press release.

Ranjit has sought action from the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in this matter.

"A case should be registered under section 120, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Madhya Pradesh Government should ban the book," he added.

The booklet titled 'Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

"Writer has written it on the basis of evidence. But that's not important for us whether he was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek says he's already rehearsed what he's going to say to the audience on his final show, whenever that may be.

Trebek, host of the popular game show since 1984, announced last March that he'd been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer but will continue his job while he is still able.

In an interview with ABC News on Thursday night, the 79-year-old said he'll ask the director to leave him 30 seconds at the end of his last taping.

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Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, 79, says he has rehearsed his goodbye message for whenever he tapes his final show. Pictured: Trebek in an interview with ABC that aired on Thursday night

Trebek (left and right, with his wife Jean, 56) said he plans to ask the director to give him 30 seconds at the end of his last taping. He said that if viewers treat his successor as they've treated him, 'they will be a success and the show will continue being a success'

'I will say my goodbyes. I will tell people: "Don't ask me who's going to replace me because I have no say in that whatsoever.

He continued: '"But I'm sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me...then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye."'

Trebek has said in the past that he will stay 'as long as my skills have not diminished,' but told ABC's Michael Strahan that the process had already begun. He did not specify what he meant.

If there is a target date for his exit, he isn't letting on. Jeopardy! tapes each show weeks in advance.

Trebek revealed his diagnosis in a video message posted on the YouTube page of Jeopardy! on March 6.

Trebek (pictured) said he plans to ask the director to give him 30 seconds at the end of his last taping

Pancreatic cancer is caused by the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the pancreas, a large gland in the digestive system.

It typically doesn't show symptoms in the early stages. Sufferers tend to develop signs, such as back pain and jaundice, when it has spread to other organs.

According to the American Cancer Society, around 56,000 will be diagnosed in the US in 2019, and around 45,000 will die from it.

Less than seven percent of patients survive five years, which means pancreatic cancer has one of the worst survival rates of all common cancers.

Trebek, 79, revealed he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in a video message in March 2019. Pictured: Trebek speaks at the 44th annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California, April 2017

Trebek (left, 2019; and right, 2019) was reported to be near remission but then disclosed that he had begun a second round of chemotherapy. Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst survival rates of all common cancers with less than 7% of patients surviving five years

'I...wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health,' he told fans.

'Now normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I'm going to fight this, and I'm going to keep working.

'And with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease.

'Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years!

'So help me. Keep the faith and we'll win. We'll get it done. Thank you.'

After news this past spring that his tumors had shrunk in half and that he was near remission, Trebek told ABC's Good Morning America that he was undergoing chemotherapy again.

'There are moments when, for no reason at all, I feel this surge of sadness, depression,' he said. 'It doesn't last for very long, but it takes over your whole being for a period of time.'

He added that he has developed mouth sores that make it hard to enunciate and that, in the future, he may need to stop hosting Jeopardy! as a result.

Trebek (left, 1990; and right, 2019) has hosted Jeopardy! since 1984. He has won six Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host. Pancreatic cancer has one of the worst survival rates of all common cancers with less than 7% of patients surviving five years

Trebek appeared in a PSA posted to the World Pancreatic Cancer Day YouTube page (pictured) in October 2019

In October, he appeared in a public service announcement to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer.

In a video posted to the World Pancreatic Cancer Day YouTube page on Wednesday, Trebek talks about the symptoms he dealt with.

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously lethal because its signs are vague, and rarely appear until late stages when the cancer has spread far, making it harder to treat.

'I wished I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced prior to my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer,' Trebek says in the clip.

'Other common symptoms can include mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, new onset diabetes and the yellowing of the skin or eyes.'

Trebek said he decided to join forces with the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition to make the PSA because 'more attention and awareness are needed' to help patients 'fight and survive this disease.'

He asked viewers 'to join me in this fight' by wearing purple in November and 'spreading the word on social media'.

He ends by saying: 'Together, we can get it done.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:35:40|Editor: yan

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MALE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives welcomed over 1.67 million tourists in 2019, Managing Director of the state-owned Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation Thoyyib Mohamed said on Friday.

Maldives surpassed its 2019 target of attracting 1.5 million visitors by November last year. The government has raised it's target to 2 million visitors for the year 2020.

Meanwhile, the Public Service Media, quoting Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed, said that tourist arrivals by sea would be counted in future to keep accurate records.

The Maldivian government hopes to expand capacity in the tourism sector and attract 2.5 million tourists by the end of its term in 2023.

Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives, contributing about 38 percent to the island country's GDP in 2018.
In this file photo taken on Dec. 18, 2019, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper participates in a press conference at the State Department in Washington, DC. AFP



U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Thursday urged North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to exercise "restraint" after the communist nation threatened to reveal a "new strategic weapon" in protest over stalled nuclear talks.



Kim made the remark in a New Year's message that expressed his frustration over stalled denuclearization talks with the U.S. Experts have said the "strategic weapon" Kim said the world will see in the near future could be an intercontinental ballistic missile.



"We would urge restraint by Kim Jong-un," Esper said in an interview with Fox News, noting that the best path forward is still a political agreement on denuclearizing North Korea.



"We are on that path. We want to remain on that path, and we would obviously urge Kim Jong-un and his leadership team to sit back down at the negotiation table to do that," he said.



Esper made clear, however, that the U.S. military stands ready to "fight tonight" if necessary.



"We have a full array of forces. They are ready. They're Air and Naval, Marine, Army forces. We have our South Korean partners with us, and then we have a broader set of allies and partners out there as well," he said. "So I'm confident in the readiness of our forces to deter North Korean bad behavior and should that fail, to fight and win as necessary."



Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Esper also said the U.S. has been monitoring the situation very closely but would not say whether there have been indications of an imminent test or launch.



"I obviously don't talk about intelligence matters," he said.



Pressed to respond to Kim's threat to showcase a new strategic weapon, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley weighed in, "We'll see what happens.



"Our military defensive capabilities are adequate to defend the homeland." he added.






Ask them how this all started and the answer is a little unexpected: hot desking.

Amy Maas and Adam Dudding were working at New Zealand news website Stuff when the flexible working-space arrangement was introduced. One day in March 2017, they happened to sit next to each other and both started moaning about their day. Maas had a story idea that was proving far too complex and unwieldy to squeeze into a 2000-word feature. Dudding really wanted to make a podcast but couldnt find the right story to tell.

Each had what the other needed. And so the Gone Fishing podcast was born.

Gail Maney has maintained her innocence for 30 years. Credit:Jason Dorday/Stuff

Maas had visited a womens prison in 2016 to write a story about a prospective fashion parade and dinner being organised by prisoners. The event and the story never ended up happening. But while there, she met the prisoner in charge of the kitchen, a woman named Gail Maney, who told her that she was being paroled soon and wanted to write a cookbook.
Candace Owens dropped from Jameela Jamil podcast over 'only women can give birth' tweet

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Christian conservative commentator Candace Owens says famous British podcaster Jameela Jamil rescinded her invitation to appear on her show because she commented on Twitter that only women can give birth.

The 30-year-old Owens announced on Twitter Monday that Jamil, an actress and former BBC Radio 1 host, canceled her appearance because she felt Owens' tweet caused her trans-identified co-workers to feel "unsafe."

SAD TO ANNOUNCE that @jameelajamil has revoked my invitation to her podcast bc I tweeted only women can give birth, Owens said. Apparently the statement made her trans co-workers feel unsafe.

Owens added that her refusal to untether herself from biological realities has cost her once again.

In her tweet, Owens shared a screenshot of a message sent to her representative by Jamil explaining that Owens was being disinvited from appearing on the podcast because we have trans people working with us who would be offended by people who say only biological women can have babies.

You are both free to say whatever you like about this publicly, Jamils message read. Im sure you will have an entertaining spin. But nothing is worth my friends and coworkers feeling unsafe.

Jamil and Owens had a Twitter exchange the day before on Dec. 29.

It began when Owens commented on a Daily Mirror article with a headline reading Transgender man gives birth to nonbinary partner's baby with female sperm donor.

Woman gives birth to partners baby with male sperm donor, Owens tweeted in response to the Daily Mirror article. There. I fixed it for you.

Owens tweet drew a response from Jamil on Twitter.

OR... Nice to see a young couple in love, have a happy little baby, Jamil wrote in response to Owens tweet. Their gender is none of my business, worrying about it and mocking them is a pointless waste of time, (its just bullying) and they are hurting nobody. I wish them well. There I fixed it for you.

Minutes later, Owens fired back a tweet in response to Jamil.

LOL only women can get pregnant and only men can impregnate them is now considered a form of bullying, Owens wrote. @jameelajamil  keep us posted when 2+2=4 becomes a form of bullying as well.

Jamil is the founder of the I Weigh campaign that preaches body positivity and radical inclusivity. On her personal Twitter page, Jamil says her gender pronouns are she/her.

Owens tweet about being disinvited from the podcast drew the attention of Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump.

Radical political correctness makes me feel very safe, Gaetz sarcastically wrote in a tweet.

The Christian Post reached out to Jamil for comment regarding Ownes' interview being canceled. A response is pending.

Owens is known for being a former Democrat turned Republican who's a supporter of President Trump and hosts her own podcast, The Candace Owens Show, where she interviews guests and talks about politics and current events. Owens is also employed by PragerU, which publishes video content that advances Judeo-Christian values. In 2019, Owens testified before two congressional committees to give her testimony about race and hate crimes and co-hosted the Black Leadership Summit.

Owens formerly worked with the conservative activist group Turning Point USA.

In November 2018, Owens spoke at Liberty University in Virginia and accused liberals of "making fun of Jesus Christ" and trying to replace God with government in peoples lives.
BLOOMFIELD  A proposal to reunify the two Bloomfields is finding early support among some community leaders.

The village of Bloomfield is hoping to absorb the neighboring town of Bloomfield through a boundary agreement concept announced Dec. 18 by the two municipalities.

Voters in the town will be asked April 7 to cast their ballots in an advisory referendum on transferring the entire town to the village  essentially dissolving the town.

Community leaders are embracing the proposal as a way to reunite a fractured community and resolve financial troubles that have preoccupied local officials for years.

Rich Olenoski, a leader of the civic group called Modern Woodmen of America, said he considers the boundary deal long overdue.

It will be better to become a village and be united as one, Olenoski said.

Although officials say the reunification will increase property taxes for town residents, the towns elected leaders are among proponents of the deal.

Town Board member Tom Sullivan said forming one village of Bloomfield will help fend off possible annexation of town territory by the neighboring city of Lake Geneva or village of Genoa City.

You have to draw the line somewhere, Sullivan said. Otherwise, they will keep on grabbing.

The village and town split in 2011 when some town residents formed the village of Bloomfield as a separate municipality. An effort to include the entire town failed, and the new village has since struggled financially because of an inadequate tax base.

The population is about 4,600 in the village and 1,600 in the town.

The town and village already co-inhabit the old town hall, and the village provides some government services to the town. The village is governed by a five-member village board, while the town is governed by a three-member town board.

In a joint statement announcing that talks were underway toward a boundary deal to reunite the two municipalities, officials said it would not only prevent unwanted outside annexation, it would ensure local control of land use, capture tax revenue and re-establish the historic united community of Bloomfield.

Rosemary Badame, a onetime village board candidate, said combining the two municipalities will help the village extricate itself from a heavy debt load caused by borrowing to supplement insufficient property tax collections.

Badame said failing to incorporate the town into the village from the start has created troubles.

Ive watched them not succeed and not move forward like they thought they would, she said. Of the boundary deal, she added: I think it would work for us.

Village and town officials have not said whether they will pursue the agreement regardless of the outcome of the town referendum.

In a prepared statement, town attorney Anthony Coletti cited a recent court decision that he said affirms the legality of the boundary agreement being considered. Under the arrangement, all borders between the town and village would dissolve, leaving only the village.

Not long ago, some village leaders were discussing unincorporating the village and rejoining the town  the opposite of what is being discussed now.

Sullivan said reunifying the two municipalities has always been a long-term objective in the community.

In the long run, Sullivan said, it will benefit both the village and the town. If part of the town was annexed by either Lake Geneva or Genoa City, property taxes would increase much more, he said. By comparison, he said, the tax increase under the deal with the village of Bloomfield would be modest.

It wouldnt hurt anybody as far as pocketbook-wise, He said. We know that this could work.

Public information meetings on the matters are planned Feb. 19 and March 10, although details have not yet been announced.

Village trustee Sue Bernstein said she has heard similar agreements had been signed in nearby Salem Lakes and Silver Lakes.

It was the boundary agreement that brought it together, Bernstein said.

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I did it alone, fugitive Ghosn says of Japan escape

WORLD: Carlos Ghosn claimed yesterday (Jan 2) he organised his dramatic escape from bail in Japan alone as the disgraced auto tycoon enjoyed his first days of freedom in Beirut despite an Interpol arrest notice.

corruptionimmigration

By AFP

Friday 3 January 2020, 09:41AM

Former Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn has evaded house arrest in Tokyo after a dramatic escape and is now in Beirut. Photo: AFP

The exact circumstances of the former Renault-Nissan boss's escape from a case he said was rigged were unclear but media reports described a plot that had all the trappings of a spy novel.

Turkey said seven people had been detained for questioning, including four pilots, over how the wanted tycoon was able to transit through Istanbul.

Ghosn, who had been under house arrest in Tokyo since April, was believed to be holed up his central Beirut residence, where visitors filed in and out under the scrutiny of TV cameras.

His surprise return to Lebanon just before New Year's Eve raised fresh questions over his judicial status and marked the latest twist in a saga that has rocked the automotive and business world for more than a year.

Lebanon's state news agency quoted Justice Minister Albert Sarhan as announcing that the public prosecutor... has received what is known as a red notice from Interpol in the Carlos Ghosn case.

An Interpol red notice is a request for a provisional arrest, pending extradition or prosecution, but it is not a warrant.

Private operatives

A Lebanese judicial source has already told AFP however that Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition agreement under which Ghosn, who holds Lebanese, French and Brazilian nationalities, could be sent back to Tokyo.

Ghosn stands accused in Japan of deferring part of his salary until after his retirement and concealing this from shareholders, as well as syphoning off millions in Nissan cash for his own purposes.

His escape caused deep embarrassment in Japan, where prosecutors launched an investigation into the security lapse and yesterday (Jan 2) searched his residence.

Japanese authorities are expected to analyse security camera footage from his residence and other places they suspect Ghosn travelled to before he fled, Japanese broadcaster NHK said.

According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, Ghosn was smuggled out with the help of two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a music band for a Christmas party at his residence.

Quoting a Lebanese consultant in Tokyo, Kyodo said Ghosn hid in an instrument case before boarding a private jet, a scenario a member of Ghosn's entourage has previously denied.

One of the operatives was a former Marine employed by a US security firm while the second worked for a Lebanese firm, Kyodo said.

More details could emerge when the former tycoon, who was first arrested in November 2018, speaks to the press in Beirut next week.

Turkey arrests

Ghosn denied through the Paris-based agency handling his PR that his family had anything to do with his escape.

The media reports saying my wife Carole and other family members played a role in my departure from Japan are falsehoods. I alone organised my departure, he said.

Meanwhile Turkey also announced that it was holding seven individuals in connection with Ghosn's extraordinary escape.

The investigation is focused on two flights.

The first, a Bombardier labelled TC-TSR, flew from Osaka in Japan, landed in Istanbul at 5:15 am and parked in a hangar.

The second was a private jet to Beirut, a Bombardier Challenger 300 TC-RZA, which left 45 minutes later, according to the Turkish news agency DHA.

Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents seen by AFP.

NHK reported that the court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept in a locked case with the key held by his lawyers.

Privilege and impunity

Although Ghosn was restricted to his lush Beirut home only by the media's glare, not all in Lebanon welcomed his return.

Three lawyers submitted a report to the public prosecutor demanding that the businessman be prosecuted over a trip he made to Israel in 2008.

Doing business with Israel is not a matter of opinion - any normalisation is forbidden by law, Hassan Bazzi, one of the lawyers, told AFP.

Lebanon is technically still at war with Israel, which occupied the south of the country until 2000, and forbids its citizens from travelling there.

Ghosn had travelled to Israel and met then president Shimon Peres as part of a trip to support a partnership with an Israeli entrepreneur launching an electric car venture.

Some Lebanese see Ghosn as a symbol of their country's fabled entrepreneurial genius and a proud representative of its vast diaspora.

The mood has changed since his November 2018 arrest, however, and, weeks into an unprecedented wave of protests against corruption and nepotism, activists saw his return as another manifestation of privilege and impunity for the super-rich.
New Delhi

Standing on the stairs of her brick house in northwest Delhis Raja Vihar, 46-year-old Asha Devi looked elated.

Holding the registry documents of her 25sqm property in her hands, Devi said that she couldnt have been happier. The security and the feeling of owning a house has sunk in only today. The registry means that our home will not be razed now. This is a much waited relief for us, she said.

She now hopes of being able to get a bank loan against her property.

Devi was one of the 20 residents of two unauthorised colonies  Raja Vihar and Suraj Park  who were handed over the registry papers of their properties by Union housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday under the PM-UDAY (Pradhan Mantri-Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojna).

Asha Devi and others, who got the registry papers along with conveyance deed or authorisation slips from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), can now apply for bank loans. Her plans to reconstruct her house, however, will take some more time.

A senior North Delhi Municipal Corporation official said building plans for new construction or modification cant be sanctioned in the 1,731 unauthorized colonies, even if the owners have ownership rights over properties, till the time layouts of these colonies are prepared and approved.

A senior South Delhi Municipal Corporation officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, too said that the layout plans first have to be approved by the DDA in order for building plans to be sanctioned.

On its website, the DDA has said that for the layouts to be approved fire clearances of the colony and the properties therein from the Delhi Fire Services, government of Delhi is required.

However, a senior DDA official said that the land-owning agency is in the process of relaxing the development control norms for all 1,731 soon to be authorised colonies and has already started the process of issuing conveyance deed or authorised slips

The Central government had in October last year decided to confer ownership rights to nearly four million residents of 1,731 unauthorised colonies. A senior Delhi Development Authority (DDA) official said, so far around 57,000 people have registered themselves on its portal to apply for ownership rights.

I have been living here for the past 20 years, but could never build a proper house. Half of it is tin and bricks. The floors were cemented only a few years ago. Every time, we thought of making it pucca, the civic body officials would tell us that it will be demolished. I just feel relieved, said Asha Devi, who works at a factory.

The Raja Vihar colony came up in 1995, when a farmer cut out plots and sold it to people, said locals. The area mostly houses low-income households and is dotted with open drains and heaps of sewage that lay strewn by the roadsides. Every house shares its wall with another. Most are three-four storeyed structures. Sewer lines were laid five years ago, but have not been connected yet. All houses have piped water supply here.

Suraj Park, with bigger plots comprising middle-class households, is better off in terms of civic amenities like wider roads, drainage and streetlights. However, with the process of registry of houses starting, residents hope that the area will be developed with parks and healthcare facilities, as the work of registry of houses has begun.

However, reconstructing houses for locals of both colonies might be tricky. Residents will have to first get their building plans approved from the municipal corporations of their areas, which is subject to fulfillment of development control norms and approval of colonys layout plans.

Those who fulfill the norms  such as road width, right of way  can get their building plans sanctioned. However, the preparing of layouts for the entire area will take a while, as its a long-drawn exercise, said a senior DDA official.

Meanwhile, others who got their registry papers on Friday, said they can now get an education loan for their children against their property.

Finally, I have got the ownership of my own house. The biggest benefit is that I can now apply for bank loan, said Ram Kumar Bharadwaj (66), a retired government employee who owns a three-storeyed house in Suraj Park, near Rohini.

Some locals, however, were sceptical. Roshni Kumari, who teaches at a primary school said, There is no clarity about the scheme. Will we be able to redo our houses? Will the MCD not threaten to demolish anything that is newly constructed? Many years ago people were granted similar ownership certificates, but that did not bring any change in how we live.
Bindi Irwin attends the annual Steve Irwin Gala Dinner at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on November 09, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

TV personality and conservationist Bindi Irwin has vowed to save as many lives as possible as devastating bush fires rage on in Australia, destroying wildlife.

The daughter of Steve Irwin confirmed that she and her family were safe and that there were no fires near the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Queensland where they had already treated 90,000 patients.

Irwin shared a photo of herself standing in front of a photograph of her father Steve, who died in 2006, alongside his late mother, Lyn.

Read more: Bindi Irwin hints shell walk down the aisle with a koala

The 21-year-old captioned the post: "With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much. I wanted to let you know that we are SAFE.

"There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties. Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients. My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother.

"We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can."

Prolonged drought combined with hot temperates and strong winds have led the fires to spread rapidly.

The worst-affected state in Australia is New South Wales where more than 9.9million acres of land have burned, destroying thousands of homes.

NSW Rural Fire Service crews fight the Gospers Mountain Fire as it impacts a structure at Bilpin. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP Images via AP)

Across the country, 20 people are currently confirmed as having lost their lives, including three volunteer firefighters.

Half a billion animals are feared dead as a result of the fires, with at least 8,000 koala bears killed in New South Wales.

Footage has also shown dozens of kangaroos fleeing bushfires in the Monaro grasslands near Bredbo in the region.
The United States has asked all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

The U.S. embassy in Iraq issued the warning on Friday morning, hours after a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian general, Al-Jazeera reports.

Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite Quds Force unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq.

Mr Soleimani was killed alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, also called Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq.

The U.S. has confirmed that President Donald Trump ordered the airstrike.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Pentagon said in a statement circulated on Twitter Friday morning.

Iran has condemned the attack and vowed to retaliate. The Iraqi government has also condemned the attack. Both the U.S. and Iran have a lot of influence in Iraq.

Influential Iraqi Shiite clerics and leaders, allied to Iran, have also condemned the attack, with many fearing there might be attacks on ordinary American citizens in Iraq.

In the U.S., there have been mixed reactions to the attack with Republican senators such as Marco Rubio and Lindsey Graham commending it while influential Democrats such as Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi condemning it as not well thought out and putting U.S. interests in the Middle East at risk.

After the attack, Israel, a major U.S. ally, said it was increasing its defences in its borders with Lebanon and Syria.
A fresh plea has been filed by an NGO in the Supreme Court challenging the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, claiming that it is violative of fundamental rights granted under the Constitution and needs to be set aside.

The plea filed by NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and others also sought a direction to the Centre to refrain from preparing the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The NGO also sought interim stay on the CAA saying it would lead to irreversible consequences as the citizenship once granted cannot be reversed and such a person cannot be rendered stateless retrospectively, even if the disputed Act and notifications are declared unconstitutional subsequently.

"The petitioners herein are challenging the impugned Act as well as the impugned provisions and the impugned notifications, as being violative of Articles 13, 14, 15, 21, 51(c) and 51-A of the Constitution of India. It is submitted that the impugned Act, the impugned provisions and the impugned notifications are manifestly arbitrary and ought to be set aside..." the plea said.

It said the CAA makes professing of certain religions as a ground of eligibility for the status of citizenship which is against the principle of secularism and is violative of the basic structure of the constitution.

The NGO, while challenging the CAA on various other grounds, said, "the impugned Act and the impugned notifications are discriminatory as it is directed against Muslims on the basis of their religion and place of birth".

In its plea, the NGO said, "if the provisions of the CAA are operationalized and the NRC is prepared, several undocumented Indians will become stateless and therefore, it is submitted that this Court maybe pleased to direct the Respondent Union of India from refraining to prepare NRC arbitrarily".

The petition filed through advocate Ejaz Maqbool have also challenged Section 3(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, terming it as "arbitrary" and unconstitutional.

It said section 3(1) lays down different parameters for granting citizenship to children born in India in different periods.

Section 3(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, grants citizenship to children born in India in different periods in three different scenarios.

In the first scenario -- children born in India on or after January 26, 1950 but before July 1,1987, were entitled to Indian Citizenship by birth.

In the second scenario -- children born in India on or after July 1, 1987 but before commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, were entitled to Indian Citizenship by birth only if either of her/his parents was an Indian Citizen.

In the third scenario -- children born in India on or after commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, were entitled to Indian Citizenship by birth only if both of her/his parents were Indian Citizens or one of her/his parents was an Indian Citizen and the other was not an illegal migrant.

The NGO in its plea said though in first scenario while there are no conditions on children born between January 26, 1950 to July 1, 1987 for attaining Indian citizenship, in the other two scenarios it creates a certain class of stateless children.

"Section 3(1) provides for different treatment to children as per their date of birth and renders certain category of children stateless on the basis of classification on date of birth, which is manifestly arbitrary."



It said treating the excluded children as stateless is also violative of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990 to which India is a signatory.

On December 18, the apex court had agreed to examine the constitutional validity of the CAA, but refused to stay its operation.

The newly amended law seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on December 12, turning it into an Act.

The top court had then issued notice to the Centre and sought its response by the second week of January on a batch of pleas challenging the CAA.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde had fixed a batch of 59 petitions, including those filed by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, for hearing on January 22.

Several petitions have been filed challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, including by RJD leader Manoj Jha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi.

Several other petitioners include Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, All Assam Students Union (AASU), Peace Party, CPI, NGOs 'Rihai Manch' and Citizens Against Hate, advocate M L Sharma, and law students have also approached the apex court challenging the Act.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi: The Centre, which has been facing sharp criticism for turning down the tableau proposals of various states, on Friday released a list of the states that have been shortlisted for participation in this year's Republic Day Parade. According to reports, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Telangana are among those states that have been shortlisted for the Republic Day Parade 2020.

Besides these states, the Defence Ministry's list of shortlisted participants also includes states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

The list also includes names of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade; Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation; Department of Financial Services; NDRF, Ministry of Home Affairs; CPWD, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Ministry of Shipping.

Nearly seven opposition-ruled states feature in the Centre's list of shortlisted participants. However, the government has rejected the tableau proposals of West Bengal, Maharashtra and the Kerala governments.

Reacting to it, Kerala's Law Minister AK Balan alleged that the Centre's decision was "politically motivated".

Live TV

The Kerala government had proposed a theme depicting the art and architecture of the State, which was rejected by the screening committee of the Defence Ministry. This is the second consecutive time that the State`s proposal has been rejected.

An official statement issued by the Defence Ministry said that proposals of 16 states/UTs and six Ministries/Departments have been shortlisted for participation in Republic Day Parade 2020.

''There is a well-established system for selection of tableaux for participation in the Republic Day Parade as per which Ministry of Defence invites proposals for tableau from all States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments,'' the statement said.

The tableaux proposals received from various States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments are evaluated in a series of meetings of the Expert Committee comprising of eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography etc.

The Expert Committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and its visual impact before making its recommendations.

For Republic Day Parade 2020, a total of 56 tableaux proposals (32 from states/UTs and 24 from Ministries/Departments) were received.

Out of these, 22 were shortlisted for participation in the Republic Day Parade 2020 after a series of five meetings.
The bushfires in Australia are so severe they have already burnt more than twice as much land as the fires in the Amazon rainforest.

Since September almost six million hectares have been destroyed across the nation compared to the three million hectares burnt in the Brazilian Amazon over summer.

While the fires in South America caused a significant impact on fragile ecosystems the fires in Australia have been notable for their impact on built-up communities.

Pictured: A satellite image shows the extent of the Clyde Mountain fire burning at Batemans Bay on the New South wales south coast

The extent of the destruction has been depicted in a series of images created to demonstrate how bad the fires are for those living outside the country.

The total mass of destroyed land is being compared to the size of the country Belgium, to help those in Europe understand the extremity of the disaster.

In New South Wales alone the total land burnt stands at four million hectares.

The national figure is nearly double the size of the European nation and the total land burnt is nearly six times what was burnt during the wildfires in California in 2018 according to Insider.

The 2018 California fires burnt 800, 000 hectares.

Senior CSIRO research scientist and Executive Director for the Global Carbon Project Dr Pep Canadell told the Sydney Morning Herald the extent of the forest burning across Australia is unprecedented.

'We used to see hundreds of thousands of hectares burned in bushfires, but now we are seeing millions on fire,' he said.

He said the rate of growth will mean while Australia's forests used to be able to absorb the carbon released in fires, it's no longer going to be the case.

Pictured: Since September 14.6 million acres have burnt in Australia compared to the 7 million acres burnt in the Brazilian Amazon over summer

'It is drying in south-east Australia, that prompts the question if these trees will be able to bring all that carbon back [into regrowth].

'We may need more than 100 years to get back to where we were, after those mature forests with beautiful tall gum trees have burned.'

The fires are creating a flow-on effect as they release carbon into the atmosphere.

Pictured: A satellite image shows the extent of the Currowan fire burning on the New South wales south coast

As more land burns more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, the warmer the planet gets and the greater the risk of bigger, deadlier fires.

The fires burning in Australia have already released 350 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere, about 1% of the global carbon emissions since 2019.

To put that in perspective the Amazon fires produced less than half of that figure- 140 million metric tons of CO2.
MINSK -- Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus amid a disagreement over tariffs, according to officials at a Belarusian oil refinery in the northern city of Navapolatsak.



The officials told RFE/RL that the shipments stopped on January 1 and the facility is currently processing only Russian oil delivered before that date.



Belarus has been at odds with Russia over oil-transit prices for some time against a backdrop of increasing pressure by Moscow on Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka to deepen integration between the two countries.



A two-month deal on natural-gas prices hours before a December 31 deadline helped the sides avoid a gas shutoff to start the year.



Belarus is heavily reliant on Russia for fuel and funding and is a key transit route for Russian energy supplies to Europe.



Moscow and Minsk signed an agreement in 1999 to form a unified state, but little progress has been made in the ensuing two decades.



Meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lukashenka last year failed to bring the two sides together as the Belarusian president complained he was merely seeking "equal" terms.



Belarusian protests in December targeted the perceived secrecy of the talks and objected to closer ties to Russia.



Mike Pompeo this week postponed a planned visit to Minsk to meet with Lukashenka in what would have been the first visit by a U.S. secretary of state to that post-Soviet country in a quarter century.
For some, the Pennsylvania Farm Show seems folksy, if not quaint.

From the Main Hall with its iconic butter sculpture to animal pens, chirping chicks and a bustling food court, a thread of Americana is evident inside the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg.

For eight days every January, visitors find Amish furniture for sale, a blue-ribbon apple pie contest, tractor square dancing, cooking demonstrations and horse pulls, among hundreds of exhibits. They sip Pennsylvania Dairymens milkshakes and stuff themselves with chicken corn soup, mushroom burgers and apple dumplings.

The Farm Show, after all, is a showcase of the states agricultural industry. It is the Keystone States version of a state fair.

READ MORE:

Lately the show has taken on a bit of a hipper vibe. You can actually - gasp! - buy wine and hard cider, sample beer, order gluten-free foods, buy hemp products and grab a glimpse of Gritty, the famed Flyers mascot, in all of his buttery glory.

Like everything, you have to constantly change. You cant standstill. You either go forward or backwards. So, were going forward, said Ron Frederick, who assists with the FFA horticulture and window exhibits.

Here are five hip things youll find at the 2020 Farm Show:

The butter sculpture is revealed at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, January 2, 2020 and features Gritty, the mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Gritty in butter

Its not just that we predicted it when we came up with our list of butter sculptures we wanted to see. Its that we predicted a need for it. When Gritty, the mascot for the Philadelphia Flyers, first appeared, he was not warmly received by all. But it was only a matter of weeks before he was everywhere, and the Philly fans fully embraced their furry new friend. The memes were flying back and forth all through 2019 as the googly-eyed monster found a place in our hearts. And now hes got a place at our Farm Show, immortalized in that same buttery hall of fame - the annual butter sculpture - as figures like Benjamin Franklin and Milton Hershey.

Chiques Creek hemp tea is new in 2020. New items, and some returning favorites, are shown at the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show food court preview, January 2, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Hemp and more hemp

Suddenly, hemp is big business in Pennsylvania, thanks to a change in federal law that makes it easier to grow the crop commercially. (Hemp comes from the cannabis plant, but the psychoactive chemical THC which allows marijuana users to feel a high, is removed.)

Naturally, hemp is popping up in several forms at the show, including a range of products for sale such as hemp kitty litter. A hemp exhibit will give visitors a peek inside a small hemp house and hempmobile," both with parts made from hemp products.

In the food court the hemp theme continues at the PennAg Industries booth where they sell Chiques Creek Hemp Tea from Kreider Farms in Lancaster County. The 12-ounce bottles run $2 in three flavors - original, passionfruit-mint and peach-lemon-dandelion - and are made from hemp seed oil.

We are promoting Pennsylvania agriculture and hemp is an important agricultural product of the state of Pennsylvania, said Dave Andrews, Kreiders vice president of sales and marketing. We are trying to be leaders in hemp agriculture because its the beginning of a renaissance and we want to be on the leading edge of that.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman talks to FFA members before the butter sculpture is revealed at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, January 2, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

An unconventional lieutenant governor

Say what you will about our Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman or his politics, but hes a striking figure compared to his fellow Pennsylvania politicians. Even if he werent a tall, potentially imposing figure, youre not likely to see him in a suit and tie very often. And he certainly wasnt wearing one during the preview for this years Farm Show, as he posed with the butter sculpture - and mugged with Gritty for social media - and sampled new food court offerings. If the Farm Show is Graceland, the Dairymens milkshake is Elvis, he quipped, while sipping a Farm Show milkshake. He and his wife, Gisele, became political celebrities even before joining the Wolf administration - and did we mention that they hang out with Kim Kardashian sometimes?

Farm Show attendees visit the Pennsylvania Cider Guild area in the Main Hall to sip and sample hard cider, January 5, 2019. File photo by Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com PENNLIVE.COM

Lots of booze

Who would have thought you could drink alcohol at the Farm Show, let alone buy it? Weve come a long way in PA. In recent years, the Farm Show has tapped into the states booming booze businesses. For several years Pennsylvania wineries have had prime real estate at the show with a booth in the Main Hall where wineries pour samples and sell bottles of their best. Several years ago, hard cider followed and last year beer had its day with an inaugural craft beer competition. This year, for the first time, visitors ages 21 and older will be able to buy hard cider as well as sample craft beer. Of course, results from wine, hard cider and craft beer competitions will be announced on Jan. 4.

The Philly port sandwich, made with chopped portabella mushrooms seasoned with garlic, onions, salt, pepper and cheese, served Philadelphia cheesesteak style. is new for 2020. New items, and some returning favorites, are shown at the 2020 Pennsylvania Farm Show food court preview, January 2, 2020. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Gluten-free, vegan and organic foods

In the past, if you followed a strict diet, you were likely out of luck at the Farm Show. Most of the food court offerings hardly pass as health food. But vendors introducing more options, making it easier for those who cant or dont want to eat deep-fried everything. (Look, if Burger King can sell Beyond Burgers, the Farm Show can certainly do its part.) This year, the Mushroom Growers of Pennsylvania are selling a Philly Port Sandwich that can be ordered sans roll as a vegan and gluten-free option. In addition, the Pennsylvania Livestock Association added gluten-free meatballs. (Although, it notes all of its meats are gluten-free.) And Bell & Evans has brought on board a full menu of organic chicken items, including a new entrant for 2020, parmesan crusted chicken meatballs.

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By IANS

AGARTALA: In a big jolt to the narcotic syndicate, a joint team of Border Security Force (BSF) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 1,68,500 'Yaba' tablets worth around Rs 8.52 crore -- biggest consignment of narcotic drug in the northeastern region so far.

The BSF, who is mandated to guard 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border, seized the consignment on Thursday 9 p.m. from the house Tunu Miah, a resident of Matinagar village in West Tripura.

The consignment was stored his Miah's house for smuggling it across the border to Bangladesh.

"Acting on specific intelligence input provided by BSF intelligence branch about storing of huge consignment of narcotic drugs in the house of Tunu Miah, a joint team of BSF troops and DRI officials, Agartala swiftly cordoned the house. During a thorough search in the presence of two independent witnesses, the raiding party recovered two cartons and a polythene bag containing a huge quantity of Yaba tablets," a BSF statement said.

The cartons and polythene bags were opened leading to recovery and seizure of 1,68,500 Yaba tablets worth around Rs 8.52 crore along with two Maruti cars, which were being used for transportation of the consignment, said the statement.

"The BSF along with DRI, Agartala has given the first big jolt to the narcotic syndicate on the second day of the Year 2020 by seizing the biggest consignment of Yaba in the North-Eastern Region so far."

The BSF statement, however, clarified that Miah is currently residing at Bishalgarh, a town located in the Sepahijala district of Tripura, and has given his house to his nephew Soyag Miah.

"On observing joint operation teams of BSF and DRI approaching near the house, the occupants managed to run away, taking advantage of darkness."

The seized items have been handed over to the DRI, Agartala, for further legal action, said the statement.

Besides this operation, the statement said, BSF troops deployed along the Bangladesh border in Tripura, have also seized contraband such as 1,145 bottles of phensedyl, 31 kg ganja (marijuana), three cattle and other miscellaneous items having combined market value of over Rs 14.69 lakh along with Bangladesh taka 1,00,000 on Thursday.
US 1) Military takes out top Iranian general

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards overseas forces, has been killed in a targeted US air strike at Baghdad airport. A US Pentagon statement accused Soleimani of actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and said that US forces had at the direction of the President taken decisive defensive action. The death of the military leader  who controlled Tehrans extensive influence across the Middle East from Lebanon to Iraq, Syria and Yemen through the Revolutionary Guards al Quds forces  represents a dramatic escalation in the conflict between the US and Iran under the Trump administration.  FT

Strike also killed deputy commander of anti-American militia  Daily Telegraph

Countries stand on brink of war  The Sun

Tehran brands move an act of terrorism  Daily Express

US 2) Democrats warn of costly war

US lawmakers were not told in advance of the attack ordered by President Donald Trump that killed a top Iranian military commander, a senior House Democrat said late on Thursday. General Qassim Soleimani, head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed in a US airstrike alongside top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis early on Friday. The high-profile assassinations are likely to be a massive blow to Iran, which has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with the storming of the US embassy in Iraq. While Republicans cheered news of Soleimanis demise, Democrats said there were legal concerns over the operation and warned of severe repercussions.  Daily Telegraph

Iranian paramilitaries pull back from US embassy  FT

Cummings appeals to weirdos to shake up Whitehall

The prime ministers chief adviser has appealed for weirdos and misfits to come to work with him in 10 Downing Street on radical ideas as he set out plans to transform the way the government is run. In a blog post that will deepen his row with the civil service, Dominic Cummings urged true wild cards to bypass its formal recruitment process and get in touch with him via email. He argued that while there are many brilliant people in the civil service and politics there are also profound problems at the core of how the British state makes decisions. He said that at present we do not have the sort of expertise supporting the PM and ministers that is needed.  The Times

Extraordinary recruitment overhaul  Daily Telegraph

Wildcards wanted, but bluffers need not apply  The Times

Cummings hopes to be made redundant  Daily Express

More:

Johnson set for major battle with unions  Daily Telegraph

who claim reforms could lead to discrimination  The Guardian

Seizing chance for outside-in revolution  FT

>Today: ToryDiary: White hot heat of the technological Cummings?

as Johnson launches hunt for Labour mole

Boris Johnson has ordered a major probe into leaking of information from Whitehall  amid fears theres a Labour mole working at the highest level of government. The PM is said to be worried about an insider working at the top of the civil service, the Daily Mail reported. Government sources said Boris was concerned after multiple top-secret documents were leaked in the general election campaign. One source said: There was a pattern through the campaign of unhelpful documents being released. The intention was to embarrass the Government. The insider added: It does suggest we have a Labour mole and we are going to root them out. One of them was a Treasury document about Brexit which appeared to contradict some of the PMs claims about how goods would flow to Northern Ireland after we leave the EU.  The Sun

Complacent civil service needs a serious shake-up  Iain Mansfield, The Times

New broom will end the lazy bias of snivel service  Ross Clark, The Sun

Editorial:

Misfits wanted  Daily Telegraph

>Today:

Shapps could strip Northern of rail franchise

Grant Shapps is set to strip Northern Rail of its franchise, saying frustrated commuters will not have to wait long before action is taken. The Transport Secretary described services on the route as really bad and claimed passengers have had a nightmare on that line since 2016. The introduction of new timetables in May 2018 saw up to 310 Northern trains a day cancelled, with figures from the Office of Rail and Road showing that only 56 per cent of Northern services were on time in the last quarter. Asked if he would remove the franchise from Northern, Mr Shapps said: The simple answer to the question is yes, it is going to be brought to an end. Its partially a legal process but frustrated commuters will not have to wait long.  Daily Telegraph

Levelling up regions is easier said than done  Chris Giles, FT

Editorial:

End of the line  The Times

Conservative AM suspended after arrest

A Welsh Conservative politician has been suspended from his party after he was arrested by police. It is understood that assembly member Nick Ramsay was arrested on Wednesday evening at his home in Raglan, Usk, Monmouthshire. On Thursday, the Welsh Conservative party confirmed that the shadow finance minister had been suspended  from the Welsh Conservative Group at the National Assembly for Wales and as a Tory party member The Conservative party and Gwent police have been approached for comment.  The Guardian

Soubry and almost half of Tory voters want Farage in the Lords

Nearly half of Conservative voters believe that Nigel Farage should be given a peerage but most of the public is opposed to the idea, a poll suggests. Forty-five per cent of Tory voters surveyed believe that the Brexit Party leader should be given a seat in the Lords; 32 per cent oppose the idea and 23 per cent said they did not know. Overall more than half of all those asked, 53 per cent, opposed Mr Farage getting a peerage. Just over a fifth of those polled, 21 per cent, said that they backed such a move. Last week one of Mr Farages staunchest critics suggested that he should have a place in the Lords. Anna Soubry, the pro-EU former Tory MP who lost her seat at the general election, said that the former Ukip leader would make the upper chamber more representative.  The Times

Half of Britons want licence fee scrapped  The Times

>Yesterday: ToryDiary: Bullish Tory members: more than nine in ten think the next election will produce another Conservative majority

Eurosceptic MPs want Brexit ceremony enshrined in law

A group of Eurosceptic MPs campaigning for Big Ben to chime for Brexit on January 31 have tabled an amendment to Boris Johnsons Withdrawal Bill that would enshrine the ceremony in law. MPs have pushed for a symbolic chime of the bell to mark the UKs exit from the EU since March, but were blocked by John Bercow in his time as Commons Speaker. Mr Bercow chaired the parliamentary commission that presides over decisions about the bell, which is housed inside the Elizabeth Tower. The tower is currently undergoing a multi-million pound restoration and its normal hourly chimes have been silenced to protect the hearing of construction workers.  Daily Telegraph

Can Johnson hold the Tory tribes together?  Philip Collins, The Times

as Corbyn lays down motion for further delay

Labour has launched a fresh push for a two year Brexit delay if Boris Johnson doesnt seal a trade deal with the EU by June. Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a change to the PMs Brexit Bill  which will be brought back to the Commons for more scrutiny next Tuesday. After MPs passed the PMs Bill before Christmas, just a few more Parliamentary stages are required before it becomes law, and Britain leaves on January 31. But nothing significant will change day-to-day until the end of 2020, when Britain exits the transition period Labour has put down an amendment to extend the transition unless an agreement on the future trade partnership is done by June 15, 2020, or the Commons votes not to extend it.  The Sun

EU must wake up to what Britains departure means  Dominic Sandbrook, Daily Mail

A friendly Brexit divorce is now on the cards  Fraser Nelson, Daily Telegraph

>Today: Profiles: Sunak, rising star of the Johnson project

Labour leadership 1) Leaders critics fear hard-left move to control race

Jeremy Corbyns critics were on alert on Thursday night for an attempt by the partys hard left to seize control of the timing of the Labour leadership contest, after a poll suggested the more moderate Keir Starmer is the early frontrunner. The poll by YouGov confirmed that the Corbynite left is struggling to find a viable candidate to halt Sir Keir, the shadow Brexit secretary, who said on Thursday it was time to rebuild Labour as a trusted force for good. On Monday, Labours ruling National Executive Committee, which has been taken over by supporters of Mr Corbyn, will set the timetable for electing a new leader in the wake of the partys worst election performance since 1935.  FT

Loyalists could run stop Starmer campaign  Daily Telegraph

Fans call on Corbyn to stay on as leader  The Sun

Burgons suitability for office questioned  Daily Telegraph

Comment:

A new years resolution: join the Labour Party  Siobhain McDonagh, The Guardian

Labour leadership 2) moderates hit out at front-runner Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer is another white bloke from Islington and does not deserve to be Labour leader after serving in Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet, one of his moderate colleagues has said. The shadow Brexit secretary has opened a commanding lead among party members in the race to succeed Mr Corbyn but Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, said that he was not going to win back Labours lost heartlands. He urged members to avoid picking a leader to just put up more placards and get on another protest. Mr Coyle said that he was supporting Jess Phillips, an outspoken critic of Mr Corbyn, to be party leader.  The Times

Favourite calls for party to be rebuilt as force for good  The Guardian

>Yesterday: Left Watch: Will Starmer prove to be the new Kinnock?

Martin Kettle: What candidates will need to do if Labour is to win again

It is hard to know whether to laugh or cry. But Labour is unquestionably going to have to do very much better than this if it is to climb out of the electoral abyss into which Corbyn led it in December. Talking about resistance to Johnson is simply displacement activity. The central truth is that Labour has to make itself the electable alternative that it failed to be in 2019. It needs to have a strategy for power. In the real world, power is hope, not the other way round. The plain truth that underpins everything about Labour today is that it lost, extremely badly.  The Guardian

SNP MP admits Sturgeon has little chance of a referendum this year

Nicola Sturgeon has little or no chance of getting a second independence referendum this year, one of her MPs has admitted despite her claims her demand for a vote is irresistible. Kenny MacAskill, the East Lothian MP and the former Scottish Justice Minister, said the probability of another separation vote being staged in the short term is slim and more likely nil. But, amid expert criticism of the SNPs latest currency policy for a separate Scotland, he said the additional time could be no bad thing given the failure to have resolved some critical issues from 2014. He also called for protest marches campaigning for another independence referendum, and hinted at peaceful civil disobedience of the sort seen against the Poll Tax in the 1980s.  Daily Telegraph

Northern Irish leaders move to break devolution deadlock  FT

Moran in relationship with suspended Liberal Democrat staffer

Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrat MP and prospective leadership candidate, has announced that she is in a happy, loving, stable relationship with a woman. She said she had spoken out after being approached by journalists. If I am going to be outed I want it to be on my own terms, the MP for Oxford West & Abingdon said. She met Rosy Cobb, the Lib Dems former head of press, through work and said she had been told there was no conflict of interest. Ms Cobb was suspended by the party during the general election after being accused of forging an email and has not returned The MP said that the term she most identified with was pansexual, meaning that she is attracted to people regardless of gender identity.  The Times

News in Brief:
Reuters

Amazon employees say the company is threatening to fire workers for publicly pushing the company to do more to combat climate change. Amazon Employees For Climate Justice, a climate change advocacy group founded by Amazon workers, said Thursday that the company sent letters to members telling them that they could be fired if they continued to speak to the press.

This is not the time to shoot the messengers, said Amazon employee Maren Costa, in a prepared statement. This is not the time to silence those who are speaking out.

Amazon, which relies on fossil fuels to power the planes, trucks, and vans that ship packages all over the world, has an enormous carbon footprint. And Amazon workers have been vocal in criticising some of the company's practices.

(Also read: Amazon India plans to replace single-use plastic in its packaging by June 2020)

Last year, more than 8,000 staffers signed an open letter to CEO and founder Jeff Bezos, demanding that Amazon cut its carbon emissions, end its use of fossil fuels and to stop its work with oil companies that use Amazon's technology to locate fossil fuel deposits.

The online shopping giant said Thursday that employees can suggest improvements to how it operates within the company.

Our policy regarding external communications is not new and we believe is similar to other large companies," Amazon said.

The company in September released details on its carbon footprint for the first time after a campaign by employees. It rivals the emissions of a small country.

Major tech companies have been grappling with how to deal with employees who increasingly are speaking publicly about corporate policies and practices.

Five workers fired from Google late last year have filed federal labour practice complaints against the company, claiming they were let go because they were involved in employee organizing activities. Google disputes that, saying they were let go for violating the company's data security policy. Google employees have protested a wide range of issues at the company, including its handling of sexual misconduct claims.

Amazon has pushed recently to reduce its carbon footprint. It has vowed source all of its energy from solar panels and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. An entity can become carbon neutral by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal.

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases cause global warming, which can lead to rising sea levels and more destructive meteorological events.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Friday continued to question the legal sanctity of the Kerala Assembly resolution, seeking scrapping of Citizenship (Amendment) Act and termed it as "an exercise which does not serve anypurpose".

"If the Kerala Assembly passes a resolution that America should invade Afghanistan, then they are only wasting time", he told reporters here,taking a dig at the non-BJP parties for adopting aresolution which "goes against the Constitution".

He said the Citizenship issue is purely dealt with in the Union list and the state legislature has no role in it.

To queries related to the attack on him by major political parties in Kerala for openly defending the law, the Governor hit back, urging them to read the Constitution.

Khan said he has a "sacred duty to defend" the legislation as he was the representative of the President, who had given his assent to the law enacted by Parliament.

Khan said the parties have every right to put forth a demand to the Central government, but it should have been made outside the Assembly.

The Governor reiterated that the Citizenship issue is a non-issue for the state of Kerala.

"Is there any complaint that any foreigners are in Kerala?" he asked.

"This is an exercise which does not serve any purpose. It is only a wastage of money of people of Kerala", he said.

Khan had on Thursday said the resolution passed by the state assembly, demanding scrapping of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has no constitutional or legal validity.

"Citizenship comes exclusively in the domain of the Central government. The state government has no role. So why are these people engaged in something which is a non-issue for Kerala?," he had asked.

Pointing out that the southern state had not been affected by partition, the Governor said there are no illegal immigrants in Kerala.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Some of the employees have already made the move to Naperville, OHerlihy said. Once its complete by the end of February, the Naperville operations center will have just more than 2,000 employees under one roof, OHerlihy said.
Daniel Andrews has long feared that these days would come.

The Premier has been both dreading this crisis and preparing for it for 11 years.

Daniel Andrews in action on Friday. Credit:Erik Anderson

Its bad, very bad and it could get worse.

Were only halfway, at best, through this emergency and already the human toll of these fires looks grim, with two confirmed dead at the time of writing and grave fears held for the safety of the 28 people unaccounted for.
The Shiv Sena targeted the Centre by questioning the 'efficacy' of the 2016 surgical strike and said the perception that it would demoralise Pakistani terrorists remained an 'illusion' as Indian soldiers continue to get killed in terror attacks in Kashmir

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Friday targeted the Centre by questioning the "efficacy" of the 2016 surgical strike and said the perception that it would demoralise Pakistani terrorists remained an "illusion" as Indian soldiers continue to get killed in terror attacks in Kashmir.

Accusing the Modi government of boasting about how Pakistan was straightened out after the surgical strike, the Sena sought to know whether it has really happened. It also observed that troubled borders were not good for the country's well-being.

The Sena's remarks come in the wake of the death of an Army soldier from Maharashtra, Naik Sandip Raghunath Sawant, who was killed during a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

"The New Year did not begin on a positive note in Kashmir. Our jawan from Satara, Sandip Sawant, attained martyrdom in Kashmir along with two other soldiers. In the last one month, seven to eight jawans from Maharashtra were killed in the line of duty. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra is not responsible for this," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

The party also questioned whether the situation in Kashmir has improved after the surgical strike and abrogation of Article 370 provisions. The party, however, maintained that scrapping Article 370 was a good move.

India had conducted the surgical strike on 29 September 2016, across the Line of Control (LoC) as a response to a terrorist attack on an Indian Army base in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir earlier that month.

Without naming the Centre, the Sena alleged, "Circulating news that only the Pakistanis were getting killed in Kashmir will not change the reality as tricolour-draped bodies of Indian soldiers, like Sawant, are reaching their respective villages."

"There is a bloodshed along the Kashmir border and mounting anger among the families of martyred jawans. The perception that surgical strike will demoralise Pakistani terrorists has turned out to be an illusion. In fact, the (terror) attacks have increased," it added.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party accused the ruling BJP of boasting about straightening out Pakistan after the surgical strike. "But has Pakistan been really straightened out? Rather Pakistan has been indulging in ceasefire violations along the LoC every day," it added.

The Shiv Sena also questioned the government's claim that the situation in Kashmir was under control after the nullification of Article 370. "It is good that Article 370 was scrapped. Before that, surgical strike was carried out in Pakistan. But has the situation in Kashmir improved? The terror attacks continue. It's only that there is a control in reporting (these incidents)," it said.

The Sena also alleged that there was no clarity as to what was transpiring in Kashmir after the scrapping of Article 370 and only the media reports of soldiers sacrificing their lives have been coming out from that state. In a veiled attack on the BJP, its erstwhile ally, the Sena, also accused it of exploiting the surgical strike for political gains.
It is Gorakhpur redux, the first bad news of the New Year. One hundred children have died in December at the J.K. Lon government hospital in Rajasthans Kota, 10 of them within 48 hours. The annual figure is now a harrowing 963, and abysmal hygiene, staff shortage and poor maintenance of infrastructure are to blame. But an internal inquiry has given a clean chit to the hospital! With riders. It has made one alarming admission among others: that cylinders were being provided to patients inside the neonatal intensive care unit in the absence of oxygen lines, resulting in spread of infection.

Not unexpected, too, is the first reaction of chief minister Ashok Gehlot when confronted by the tragedy. It is one of denial. Both he and state health minister Raghu Sharma were quick to cry wolf, with Mr Gehlot remarking that discussions on it were motivated and designed to draw public attention away from the anti-CAA-NRC stir. The 2019 numbers are actually less than the preceding years  1,198 (2014), 1,260 (2015), 1,193 (2016), 1,027 (2017) and 1,005 (2018)  all smartly trotted out. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan has contested these figures, leading to a tactful retort by the CM. But parent experiences and a sudden and suspicious revamp of the hospital after the media coverage tell a different story.

The internal inquiry report pegged close to one half of the fatality figure to extreme weather conditions and exposure. But patients relatives reported flies had to be swatted away inside the neonatal ICU and windows had no panes, leading to freezing temperatures inside. Baby warmers prove crucial in such conditions, and yet only 24 of 71 available were working. There were just eight nurses against a requirement of 21, and they were being asked to monitor the oxygen themselves. The hospital had 20 ventilators, but only six were functional, according to its own records. New mothers were being made to share beds and a visiting NCPCR team found broken gates and pigs roaming in the yard. Just like in Gorakhpur, the inquiry committee found the reason behind most of the hospitals medical devices being unusable to be the lack of an annual maintenance contract.

While health is a state subject, governments irrespective of political ideology have been found sorely wanting in providing its citizens primary healthcare. J.K. Lon is a secondary-level hospital receiving patients even from neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh. A sobering thought for the Centre will be the fact that it spends only 1.1 per cent of its GDP in this sector, compared to developed nations like Britain, which spends 9.6 per cent. Also that the National Rural Health Mission is a complete failure, with no doctors and few paramedical staff. The floating of Ayushman Bharat notwithstanding, the larger part of our citizenry is unable to reach a health centre when in need and most deaths still occur at home. No amount of renaming of this mission is going to change that.

When will the blamegames end? Far too many children have died.
Residents of Bramptons Wildfield community believe every effort should be made to save a 19th-century home on The Gore Road the Region of Peel has slated for demolition by spring 2020.

Thanks to the efforts of resident Dan OReilly, Peel Regional Council agreed on Dec. 12 to have staff report back in 2020 on further options to preserve the building, which must be removed in order to facilitate the widening of Mayfield and The Gore roads.

OReilly requested the Region of Peel assume the entire relocation costs as incentive for a buyer to conclude a lot purchase agreement with a developer in Wildfields Vales of the Humber subdivision.

In 2018, regional council agreed with staffs recommendation that if a third party couldnt be found to buy and move the property, which they purchased in 2010, it should be demolished. Signage was placed on the property for nine weeks, but no interested buyers came forward.

At the time, staff estimated the relocating and rebuilding the building to nearby market standards would cost at least $2.1 million.

I hope that even if this building does end up getting demolished, maybe if theres another heritage home the region takes hold of . . . they might think about it and not let it sit for 10 years, OReilly told the Guardian.

Peel staff have appeared before the Brampton Heritage Board four times since 2011 to explore different options for the structure, but it was approved for demolition in October.

Currently on the Bramptons Municipal Register of Cultural Heritage Resources, the property forms part of the historical hamlet of Wildfield with St. Patricks Roman Catholic Church and cemetery.

Georgetown resident Davileen (Heffernan) Radigan was one of a dozen residents demonstrating in front of the house on Dec. 21. She lived in Wildlfield for 10 years as a child in the 1950s, and returned later to teach for 15 years at St. Patricks School.

It was one of those places that felt like it was central to the hub of the community, she said of the house, which was once a blacksmith shop. Its a precious place.

She added dozens of current and former residents stay connected from a distance, and gather from as far as Alberta every year for a reunion.

Hailey Montgomery is a reporter with the Brampton Guardian. Reach her via email: hmontgomery@metroland.com

Read more about:
A year ago, if you'd told me I'd be holding my newborn son in my arms at the start of 2020, I'd never have believed you. And 11 years ago, if you told me this, I'd have outright scoffed at the suggestion.

Because 11 years ago, I was deeply traumatised and nearly suicidal, dreading a return to Belfast for the trial of my rapist, who violently assaulted me in Colin Glen Forest Park, one spring afternoon in 2008.

In the years since then, I've written and re-written the impact of that afternoon on my life countless times: in my novel Dark Chapter, in radio and TV interviews, think-pieces and public talks.

Read More

As each year in my life went by, I gradually healed from the original violence, but would discover new, unexpected ways in which that single assault still affected me: in my reluctance to walk down a street alone at night, or in my general attitude towards dating, men, and relationships.

I especially doubted if I'd ever become a mother, as the long tail of the trauma disrupted my career and finances, the places I lived, my social circles, and - I feared - my chances of ever meeting someone suitable before my child-bearing years came to an end.

Would that be the long-lasting legacy of my rapist's actions that spring afternoon, when I was 29: that I'd never get to bear a child of my own? Often single and increasingly hopeless, I froze my eggs at the age of 37.

But life can take unpredictable turns, some bad, some good. And within the past year, I somehow, unexpectedly, met my partner Sam.

And even more unexpectedly, I became pregnant.

And now at the start of 2020, at the age of 41, I find myself the mother of a content and healthy four-week-old son named Timo, who looks at me every morning with his still-developing eyes, full of utter trust and hope, unaware of the violence that can exist in this world.

There is something about that infant innocence which promises to make things anew, even though I know it's impossible to erase the past entirely.

Rape and voluntary motherhood are not experiences you'd imagine to be closely connected. But as women we are so often still subject to the limitations of our biology: how our bodies can be cruelly used by others, or become requisitioned in the process of pregnancy.

As a survivor and activist against sexual violence, I'd been so accustomed to the negative aspects of female biology - our vulnerability towards assault - that motherhood has thankfully reminded me of this positive aspect: our ability to create another human being in the space of 40 weeks. And our chance to have a family, to raise a child, to have a 'normal' life that I never thought I'd have as a rape survivor.

Chance would have it that my newborn is a boy. My rapist was 15 when he attacked me and, to this day, I wonder how he grew up to be so violent at such a young age.

Now, tasked with the responsibility of motherhood, I see the need for raising a boy-child who will be considerate and understanding, respectful of gender equality, a positive contributor to our society.

Here is another opportunity to re-write our traumas of the past.

Has becoming a mother helped me heal? I think as rape survivors, we face a lifelong process of healing. But any life experience that can lessen the memory of our trauma, that can put distance between what happened then and where we are now - anything like that is a welcome step towards building a new, brighter life.

Later in 2020, I'll be returning to Belfast to run a series of literary events using writing to address experiences of gender-based violence, thanks to a literature grant from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

I'm also looking forward to finishing my second novel soon and to new writing projects. In fact, this very morning, I didn't expect to be writing the piece you're reading now.

So, we never know what the future holds. This year, we can hope for the best. And even if that doesn't happen, we can know that a better year will come along, sometime in the unmapped future.

Winnie M Li is the author of Dark Chapter, Legend Press, 8.99
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Bangladeshis and Rohingyas played a major role in smuggling of narcotic substances on India-Bangladesh border in northeastern state of Tripura during 2019, a BSF intelligence report said.

The report is based on the apprehension of the smugglers who were nabbed on the International Border of the two countries in Tripura -- a hilly state in northeast India which is bordered on three sides by Bangladesh and home to a diverse mix of tribal cultures and religious groups.

As per the document, accessed by IANS, a total of 134 foreigners -- including 92 Bangladeshis, 41 Rohingyas and one Nigerian -- were held in 2019 from India-Bangladesh border in Tripura.

"A total of 266 smugglers were apprehended on India-Bangladesh border in Tripura in 2019. Of them 132 are Indian nationals and 134 are other nationals that include 92 Bangladeshis, 41 Rohingyas and one Nigerian," the documents said.

The Border Security Force (BSF), which is mandated to guard the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border, said the 266 smugglers were involved in smuggling of Yaba tablets, Ganja (marijuana), phensedyl, liquor and cattle worth Rs 34.27 crore.

The document said that the BSF had seized a total of 3,59,059 Yaba tablets (Rs 17.45 crore); 10,907.08 kgs of Ganja (Rs 5.45 crore); 34,336 bottles of phensedyl (Rs 46.81 lakh); 5,792 bottles of liquor (Rs 8.72 lakh); and 2,333 cattle (Rs 1.78 crore) from the international border in Tripura during 2019.

The BSF, a 2.5-lakh strong force which also guards the 3,323 km India-Pakistan border, also seized 60 motorcycles worth Rs 48.08 lakh as well as various miscellaneous items amounting to Rs 8.54 crore.

Meanwhile, in a big jolt to the narcotic syndicate, a joint team of BSF and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) also seized 1,68,500 'Yaba' tablets worth around Rs 8.52 crore -- biggest consignment of narcotic drug in the northeastern region so far -- on the second day of 2020.

The BSF seized the consignment on Thursday 9 p.m. from the house of Tunu Miah, a resident of Matinagar village in West Tripura.

The consignment was stored in Miah's house for smuggling it across the border to Bangladesh.

"Acting on specific intelligence input provided by BSF intelligence branch about storing of huge consignment of narcotic drugs in the house of Tunu Miah, a joint team of BSF troops and DRI officials, Agartala swiftly cordoned the house. During a thorough search in the presence of two independent witnesses, the raiding party recovered two cartons and a polythene bag containing a huge quantity of Yaba tablets," a BSF statement said.

The cartons and polythene bags were opened leading to recovery and seizure of 1,68,500 Yaba tablets worth around Rs 8.52 crore along with two Maruti cars, which were being used for transportation of the consignment, said the statement.

"The BSF along with DRI, Agartala has given the first big jolt to the narcotic syndicate on the second day of the year 2020 by seizing the biggest consignment of Yaba in the North-Eastern Region so far." The BSF statement, however, clarified that Miah is currently residing at Bishalgarh, a town located in the Sepahijala district of Tripura, and has given his house to his nephew Soyag Miah.

"On observing joint operation teams of BSF and DRI approaching near the house, the occupants managed to run away, taking advantage of darkness." The seized items have been handed over to the DRI, Agartala, for further legal action, said the statement.

Besides this operation, the statement said, BSF troops deployed along the Bangladesh border in Tripura have also seized contraband such as 1,145 bottles of phensedyl, 31 kgs of ganja (marijuana), three cattle and other miscellaneous items having combined market value of over Rs 14.69 lakh along with 1,00,000 Bangladeshi takas on Thursday.

(Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in)
MIAMI, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Laurence Fishburne is well known for his many blockbuster performances. "Last Flag Flying," "John Wick" series, and "Deep Cover" are some of his best-known productions. The talented actor is lending his skills as host to the show "Behind The Scenes" with Laurence Fishburne. The enlightening program displays assorted topics pertinent to audiences worldwide. Coming to the show is an episode reviewing interior design solutions.

Interior design goes far beyond pure aesthetics. Interior design can indeed elevate the visual appeal of a space, but it can also improve the layout of a room for ease of use and functionality. Life has its many ups and downs, but good design can aid in making life more comfortable. A successfully designed room can help in its dweller's safety, health, and wellbeing. Lighting, furniture, colors, textures, are all brought together by experts to achieve the needs of its occupants. Satisfyingly designed spaces can improve sales, productivity, create a relaxing space, and attract clientele.

Professionals in the interior design field are equipped to meet the needs of both clients and spaces. In this episode of "Behind The Scenes" with Laurence Fishburne, the show will showcase some of the professionals in the interior design domain. They will explain what makes interior design solutions attractive to many persons.

"Behind The Scenes" with Laurence Fishburne is a high-grade informational program and is diligently looked over before broadcast. The show has received multiple awards for its efforts in public television.

Media Contact:

Tony Williams

561-549-9122

[email protected]

SOURCE Behind The Scenes with Laurence Fishburne

Related Links

https://behindthesceneslf.com/


The Prime Minister appeared on RTL TV on Wednesday evening for the traditional New Year's interview.

Xavier Bettel looked back at 2019 in an interview with Caroline Mart, covering topics from data protection to climate change in a year which was not always easy.

Felix Braz's heart attack was one of the worst moments

Asked whether he is relieved to see the back of 2019, Bettel admitted that the year had not been an easy one. Felix Braz's heart attack had come a year after the government lost one of its members, the Green's Camille Gira, who collapsed in the Chamber of Deputies. The Bettel-Schneider-Braz dynamic is to become Bettel-Kersch-Bausch. Last week, the LSAP presented their new team to replace current Deputy Prime Minister Etienne Schneider, who will step down from his three ministerial roles in February.

The Greens were forced to change their government team a few months ago after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Felix Braz suffered a heart attack on 22 August - one of the most difficult moments of 2019 for Bettel, who rushed to his colleague's side alongside Braz' daughter. He described waiting to hear information on Braz's condition as one of his worst moments of the year, and said it was a wonder that Braz is now recovering well.

Few changes to take place

Despite the shuffle in government positions, Bettel does not expect many changes to take place with his new deputy prime ministers, as the coalition agreement will still take precedence.

One thing which is unlikely to change is the constitution. Bettel expressed his disappointment that the antiquated constitution could only be reformed point by point without a public vote. On the topic of referendums, the Prime Minister did acknowledge the previous referendum of 2015 was not sufficiently prepared.

Climate change and the opposition's focus

One topic which the opposition enforced in the last year was climate change. The budget speech drew strong criticism from opposing MPs, who said it did not contain enough information on climate policies.

However, Bettel told RTL the government had ambitious goals for environmental improvements, particularly in light of predictions for the world's condition in 20 or 30 years. He described society as being in a state of auto-destruction and said it was time to apply the handbrake and that the government would now put into motion a number of policies designed to improve the state of matters in Luxembourg.

Full interview in Luxembourgish
Top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force and serves as Iran's pointman on Iraq, has reportedly been killed in a strike.  AFP/VNA Photo

BAGHDAD  Top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US strike on Baghdad's international airport on Friday, Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force has said, in a dramatic escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The Hashed's deputy chief was also killed in the attack, the force added, which comes after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy following deadly American airstrikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

"The deputy head of the Hashed, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road," the Hashed said in a statement early on Friday.

The airport was hit in a volley of missiles just after midnight, Iraq's military had announced.

Security sources said the bombardment hit a Hashed convoy and killed eight people, including "important figures."

The Hashed is a network of mostly-Shiite armed units, many of whom have very close ties to Tehran but which have been officially incorporated into Iraq's state security forces.

The units joined forces to fight the Islamic State group in 2014 but many of them had built up years of fighting experience during Iraq's war years, including against the US.

Muhandis is the Hashed's deputy chief but widely recognised as the real shot-caller within the group.

Soleimani heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force and also serves as Iran's pointman on Iraq, visiting the country in times of turmoil.

Both have been sanctioned by the United States.

'They will pay'

There was no immediate comment from the US on the developments, which come after an unprecedented attack on its mission in Baghdad.

A mob of Hashed supporters surrounded the US embassy on Tuesday in outrage over American airstrikes that killed 25 fighters from the network's hardline Kataeb Hezbollah faction, which is backed by Iran.

The US had acted in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

US President Donald Trump blamed Iran for rocket attacks targeting US forces as well as the siege at the embassy, saying: "They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat."

On Thursday, US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper told reporters there could be more attacks from Iran-backed groups but vowed American forces would respond.

"We are prepared to exercise self-defence, and we are prepared to deter further bad behaviour from these groups, all of which are sponsored, directed and resourced by Iran," he said.

The attack on the embassy highlighted new strains in the US-Iraqi relationship, which officials from both countries have described to AFP as the "coldest" in years.

The United States led the 2003 invasion against then-dictator Saddam Hussein and has worked closely with Iraqi officials since.

But its influence has waned compared with that of Tehran, which has carefully crafted personal ties with Iraqi politicians and armed factions, even during Saddam's reign.

Both Washington and Tehran backed Iraqi security forces fighting the Islamic State group, but the two have been at loggerheads since the United States pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Iran in 2018.

Iraqi officials have feared that their country could be used as an arena for score-settling between Iran an the US.  AFP
Protesters today burned UK and US flags after Irans top military commander was killed in an airstrike.

Thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran on Friday after the killing of Qassem Soleimani, who led Irans military operations in the Middle East, in the US strike at Baghdad International Airport.

The US carried out the attack independently of the UK, with Boris Johnson said to have had no prior warning of the strike. However, the UK is seen as a key ally of the US at a time when tensions - and talk of war - have skyrocketed.

Israeli flags were also burned in the protests.

Demonstrators burn US and UK flags in Tehran on Friday (West Asia News Agency/Nazanin Tabatabaee via REUTERS)

Protesters in Tehran on Friday (AP/Vahid Salemi)

The protests came as Iran announced three days of mourning for General Soleimani.

Tensions are so serious that the UK government has warned Brits in Iran that they could be in danger if they are seen at any of the protests.

Protesters burn a US in Tehran (AP/Vahid Salemi)

Demonstrators in Tehran on Friday (West Asia News Agency/Nazanin Tabatabaee via REUTERS)

Foreign Office advice issued on Friday read: Iran has declared three days of national mourning (January 3 to 6), following the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a US strike in Baghdad on January 3. Rallies and marches are likely in cities across Iran, and could become angry.

Read more from Yahoo News UK

How does Iran's military might stand up to the US and other nations?

Boris Johnson told to 'get off his sun lounger' and speak out on killing of Iranian commander

'Britain must not be Trump's sidekick': Labour MPs condemn 'reckless and unlawful' killing of top Iran general by America

You should avoid any rallies, marches, or processions, and follow the instructions of the local authorities."

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned harsh retaliation is waiting for the US as he hailed General Soleimani the international face of resistance.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
Israels prime minister defended a U.S. decision to launch an air strike on Friday that killed powerful Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and the Israeli military was put on high alert, after Iran threatened revenge, Reuters reports.

Senior defence officials in Israel, Americas closest ally in the Middle East and Irans top regional foe, also met to assess the situation after the killing of Quds Force chief Soleimani and an Iraqi militia commander in the strike.

Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office, Reuters informs.
Baghdad, Jan 3 : The US Embassy in Baghdad on Friday called on all American citizens to leave Iraq immediately following the death of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani in an American airstrike ordered by President Donald Trump.

"Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US Embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately," Press TV quoted the embassy as saying in a statement.

"US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land." The statement added that US citizens should "not approach the embassy", while the consulate general in Erbil in Kurdistan region would be open for appointments.

Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) or Hashd Shaabi (PMU), were killed in the US airstrikes on Thursday night that targeted their vehicle on the Baghdad International Airport road.

The deaths were confirmed by both the IRGC and the PMF.

The Pentagon in a statement confirmed that the strike was carried out "at the direction of the President".
She's been dating her boyfriend, Dave Bashford, since 2017.

But Home and Away star Sam Frost has sparked rumours the pair might have ended their relationship - as neither have posted a photo together in over three months.

Sam, 30, usually updates fans with sweet PDA snaps of the duo's antics - but her last post with Dave was on September 21, when they attended the Colgate Optic White Stakes Day together in Randwick.

Is it over? Sam Frost (centre) and her boyfriend Dave Bashford (left) haven't posted a picture together since September last year, sparking rumours of a split. Pictured with a male pal at the Colgate Optic White Stakes Day in Randwick in September

Coincidentally, Dave's last couple's photo - shared to his private Instagram account - was at the very same event, posted one day later.

Daily Mail Australia have contacted a representative for Sam for comment.

Only this week, the former Bachelorette decided to jet off on a girl's trip to New Zealand with her 'best mate'.

Sam, who is currently in Rawhiti, shared a picture of herself sporting a slinky bikini which she captioned: 'Exploring New Zealand with my best mate, making wrong turns which lead to discovering beautiful places.'

Sam had confirmed her relationship with the navy diver, with whom she had been friends for a long time, in July three years ago.

No word: The pair usually share PDA-filled snaps together, but have stayed silent over the past three months

At the time, she told The Daily Telegraph: 'I feel really blessed to have a friendship that has turned into something more.

'It's nice to be able to share [my career success] with him.'

The pair have faced a difficult year, after Dave pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing 0.4 grams of cocaine in May 2019.

Beautiful: Sam, who is currently in Rawhiti, shared a picture of herself sporting a slinky bikini which she captioned: 'Exploring New Zealand with my best mate, making wrong turns which lead to discovering beautiful places'

The 27-year-old was busted at the Beach Road Hotel in Sydney's Bondi on May 4, during a covert police drug operation.

Dave pleaded guilty to the charge at Waverley Local Court in Sydney on June 4, and on June 25 faced Magistrate Michael Compton after writing a letter expressing his 'remorse and insight' at the charges.

The court heard how Dave's 'actions have impacted himself, but also on his family and particularly his partner'.

Magistrate Michael Compton handed Dave a 12 month good behaviour bond and conditional release.

Loving life: Sam is currently enjoying the sights of New Zealand with her best friend

Referring to the intense public scrutiny Dave came under, Sam said at the time: 'I just love him so much and I think, fair enough if it was me, but it wasn't me and I had nothing to do with it.

'But it was something that happened and now it's public because of me.'

Sam said that having defended and protected our country for over 10 years as a navy clearance diver, Dave shouldn't be under such intense public glare.

'He's human, he made a mistake and he's extremely remorseful and I think it's unfair that it's had to play out in the media because he doesn't deserve it,' she said.
Iron Mountain Incorporated IRM is constructing its second data center in Manassas with an aim to strengthen its campus in Prince William County, VA, per an article by Washington Business Journal. The announced project, slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2020, will require funding of $225 million.



The project would provide jobs to 50 employees. Prior to this, in 2017, the company had completed the construction of its first phase of campus worth $100 million, located at 11680 Hayden Road. According to management, with this addition, Iron Mountain will provide purpose-built, enterprise-class data center capacity to address clients growing IT architecture challenges.



Iron Mountain has been trying to supplement its storage segments performance with the faster-growing Adjacent Businesses segment, most notably data centers. In fact, data-center wins and a robust leasing pipeline indicate Iron Mountains solid data-center platform, which offers a long growth runway. In the first nine months of 2019, the company leased 15 megawatts of capacity.



Notably, with growing popularity of cloud computing, IoT and big data, as well as the use of third-party IT infrastructure by several companies, data-center REITs have been witnessing a boom. Additionally, the estimated growth rates for AI, autonomous vehicle and virtual/augmented reality markets will remain robust over the next five to eight years. This will significantly propel growth of data-centers, helping Iron Mountain, Digital Realty Trust, Inc. DLR, Equinix, Inc. EQIX, CyrusOne Inc. CONE and others to excel.



To tap the growing potential of the data-center market, in September, Iron Mountain expanded its presence in Asia-Pacific region by unveiling a multi-tenant data-center facility in Serangoon, Singapore. Also, in the same month, the REIT had announced the successful development of approximately four megawatts of turn-key data-center capacity in Amsterdam and London.



However, given the data-center real estate markets solid growth potential, competition is expected to intensify from both existing and new players. Amid all these, an aggressive pricing pressure is expected in the data-center market.



Moreover, Iron Mountain has a highly-leveraged balance sheet. Also, the company needs huge investments to fund its efforts to shift revenue mix to faster-growing businesses and markets. This might worsen its risk profile, going forward.



This Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company has underperformed its industry in the past six months. Shares of Iron Mountain have recorded a decline of 4.9% against the industrys growth of 2.4%.



Story continues



You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



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Democrats claim that a newly released batch of emails proves that President Trump was withholding Ukraine funds as part of a quid pro quo to destroy Joe Biden's candidacy. In reality, the new emails show only that Trump was determined to investigate whether taxpayer money was being put to good use, even as bureaucrats were worried about procedures and timing. Although the emails are innocuous, Democrats are trying to leverage them into presenting new impeachment evidence in the Senate.

It's hard to remember with Nancy Pelosi contentedly sitting on the House's vote to impeach, but once upon a time, impeachment was something that couldn't wait. Thus, the Democrats' initial plan was to rush impeachment proceedings so as to create a sense of urgency about a whole bunch of nothing.

The result was that the House hearings were secretive, truncated, and so meaningless that the best Democrats could come up with was two generic articles of impeachment, the first of which boils down to disagreeing with President Trump's exercise of his constitutional foreign policy powers and the second of which purports to make it a hanging offense for a president to assert executive privilege claims.

In the wake of this shoddy proceeding, Democrats are now trying to dictate the way in which the Senate should hold its impeachment proceedings. Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, insists that, having abandoned their responsibility to make a real case in the House, the Democrats should now be allowed to do so in the Senate. To this end, Schumer is crowing that newly released emails at long last prove that President Trump did bad things vis-a-vis Ukraine and the emails must therefore be put into evidence in the Senate:

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) seized on newly released emails surrounding President Trump's decision to delay aid to Ukraine, arguing they underscored the need for witnesses and documents as part of an impeachment trial.

"The newly-revealed unredacted emails are a devastating blow to Senator McConnell's push to have a trial without the documents and witnesses we've requested," Schumer said in a statement.



"These emails further expose the serious concerns raised by Trump administration officials about the propriety and legality of the president's decision to cut off aid to Ukraine to benefit himself," he added.

Schumer's comments come after Just Security obtained unredacted emails between the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Pentagon about the decision to delay aid to Ukraine.

[snip]

"This new evidence also raises questions that can only be answered by having the key Trump administration officials  Mick Mulvaney, John Bolton, Michael Duffey and Robert Blair  testify under oath in a Senate trial," Schumer said Thursday.

Schumer's problem is that, if one takes the time to read the information Just Security offers about the allegedly "smoking gun" emails, one discovers that they prove nothing. We already know that Trump early on ordered that all payments to Ukraine be stopped pending investigations into both Ukraine's notorious corruption and the disproportionate amount of money American taxpayers provided, compared to that coming from the Europeans sitting geographically much closer to Ukraine.

Moreover, while the New York Times once attempted to paint the hold on funds as something done immediately before Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian president Zelensky, it now admits that the facts show that Trump was already worried more than a month before the call about excessive American taxpayer money going to a corrupt government.

Just Security concludes, based upon bias alone, that the new emails prove that a crazed Trump was going off the reservation to put pressure on Zelensky. The facts Just Security adduces, however, show something quite different: the bureaucrats surrounding Trump were worried that the U.S. might miss the regulatory deadline to release the funds. Some were also concerned about harm to Ukraine from delaying the funds' distribution.

That's it. Various government workers were fussing in the same way that Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman was fussing  they were worried that Trump was ignoring procedure and that he wasn't being fair Ukraine. Unlike Trump, there's no indication that they cared much about misusing American taxpayer dollars.

Significantly, nothing in the newly released emails shows that, before his now famous throwaway line during the telephone call with Zelensky, Trump indicated he was withholding funds in order to extort campaign aid from the Ukraine government, aimed at exposing Hunter Biden's bizarrely profitable employment and his father's potential complicity. In other words, this is another Democrat red herring.
DUBLIN, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements Market: Focus on Product Type, Applications, 5 Regional Data, 23 Countries' Data, and Competitive Landscape - Analysis and Forecast, 2019-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to the report, the global recombinant cell culture supplements market was valued at $258.8 million in 2018 and is anticipated to grow over $977.8 million by 2029. The global recombinant cell culture supplements market is expected to grow at CAGR of forecast period 2019-2029, aided primarily by the increased use of cell culture technology for research, production, and stem cell and regenerative medicine therapy.

This report provides a holistic view of the market in terms of various factors influencing it, including product optimization, and technological advancements.



The scope of this report is centered upon conducting a detailed study of the products and manufacturers allied with the market. In addition, the study also includes exhaustive information on the unmet needs, perception of the new products, competitive landscape, market share of leading manufacturers, the growth potential of each underlying sub-segment, and company, as well as other vital information with respect to global recombinant cell culture supplements market.

Cell culture is a major process in the biotechnological field for the modern-day life sciences. As the use of cell cultures has increased in the current scenario, the market offers great potential for growth and presents a million-dollar opportunity. Prominent players of cell culture media and supplement market include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Merck KGaA, Becton, Dickinson and Company, Hi-Media Laboratories, Sartorius AG, InVitro, SeraCare Life Sciences, Inc., GE Healthcare, Novozymes A/S, and Advanced Biotechnologies, Inc., among others.



North America is the leading contributor in the recombinant cell culture supplements market and contributed approximately 38.0% to the global market value in 2018. This region is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period from 2019 to 2029 and continue to dominate the global market in 2029. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The Europe region also contributed a significant share of 25.5% to the global market.

Research Highlights



Recombinant Epidermal growth factor is expected to witness a robust CAGR of 16.29% during the forecast period 2019-2029. However, the recombinant albumin market is anticipated to dominate during the forecast period 2019-2029.

Merck KGaA is currently the largest shareholder in the global recombinant cell culture supplements market. This market dominance is attributed to the broad range of recombinant cell culture supplements product portfolio that it is offering in this market and the massive demand for the company's product lines.



Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the role of media and supplements in cell culture and what are the advantages associated with serum-free media? What is the importance of recombinant proteins in cell culture applications?

What are the key trends of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market? How is the market evolving and what is its future scope?

What are the major drivers, challenges, and opportunities of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market?

What are the key developmental strategies implemented by the key players of the global recombinant cell culture supplements to sustain the competition of the market? What is the percentage share of each of the key players in different key developmental strategies?

What is the regulatory scenario of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market? What are the initiatives implemented by different governmental bodies and guidelines put forward to regulate the commercialization of recombinant cell culture supplements products?

What was the market size of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market in 2018 and what is the market size anticipated to be in 2029? What is the expected growth rate of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market during the period between 2019 and 2029?

What are the different recombinant supplement products involved in cell culture? Which product type dominates the market in 2018 and why? Which product type is expected to witness the highest growth rate and to dominate in the market in 2029?

What are the different application areas of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market? Which application type dominates the market in 2018 and is expected to dominate in 2029?

What was the market value of the leading segments and sub-segments of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market? What are the different macro and micro factors influencing the growth of the market?

Which region is expected to contribute the highest sales of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market during the period between 2018 and 2029? Which region and country carries the potential for the significant expansion of key companies for different recombinant cell culture supplement products? What are the leading countries of different regions that contribute significantly toward the growth of the recombinant cell culture supplements market?

What are the key players of the global recombinant cell culture supplements market and what is their role in the market?

Key Topics Covered



Executive Summary



1 Scope of the Work

1.1 Overview: Report Scope

1.2 Segmentation of the Global Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements Market

1.3 Assumptions and Limitations

1.4 Key Questions Answered in the Report

1.5 Base Year and Forecast Period



2 Research Methodology

2.1 Overview: Report Methodology



3 Market Overview

3.1 Fundamentals of Cell Culture

3.2 Role of Media and Supplements

3.3 Serum-free Media vs. Serum containing Media

3.4 Technological Advancements of Defined Media and the Importance of Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements

3.5 Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements Market Scenario

3.6 Assumptions and Limitations for Market Size Calculations



4 Market Dynamics

4.1 Impact Analysis

4.2 Market Drivers

4.2.1 Benefits of Using Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements

4.2.2 Increase in Funding and Investment in R&D of Life Science Sector

4.2.3 Rising Demand for Advanced Cell Culture Products

4.3 Market Restraints

4.3.1 High Cost of Cell Biology Research

4.3.2 Technical Considerations Associated with Cell Culture

4.3.3 Lack of Infrastructure and Skilled Professionals for Cell-based Research

4.4 Market Opportunities

4.4.1 Rising Demand for Monoclonal Antibodies and Stem Cell Research

4.4.2 Increasing Preference for Serum-Free Media



5 Industry Insights

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Patent Landscape



6 Competitive Landscape

6.1 Overview

6.2 Key Developments and Strategies

6.2.1 Product Launch and Development

6.2.2 Collaborations, Partnerships, and Joint Ventures

6.2.3 Acquisitions

6.2.4 Business Expansions

6.2.5 Others

6.3 Market Share Analysis

6.4 Growth Share Analysis



7 Global Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements Market (by Products)

7.1 Overview

7.2 Recombinant Albumin (rAlbumin)

7.3 Recombinant Insulin (rInsulin)

7.4 Recombinant Epidermal Growth Factor (rEGF)

7.5 Recombinant Transferrin (rTransferrin)

7.6 Recombinant Trypsin (rTrypsin)

7.7 Recombinant Insulin-like Growth Factor (rIGF)

7.8 Recombinant Stem Cell Factor Protein (rSCF)

7.9 Recombinant Aprotinin (rAprotinin)

7.10 Recombinant Lysozyme (rLysozyme)

7.11 Others



8 Global Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements Market (by Application)

8.1 Overview

8.2 Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine

8.2.1 Stem Cell Therapy

8.2.2 Cell Therapy

8.2.3 Gene Therapy

8.3 Bioproduction

8.3.1 Monoclonal Antibodies

8.3.2 Recombinant Proteins

8.3.3 Vaccines

8.3.4 Hormones

8.3.5 Other Biological Products

8.4 Academic and Research Application



9 Global Recombinant Cell Culture Supplements Market (by Region)

9.1 Overview

9.2 North America

9.3 Europe

9.4 Asia-Pacific

9.5 Latin America

9.6 Rest-of-the-World



10 Company Profiles

10.1 Overview

10.2 BBI Solutions

10.3 Corning Incorporated

10.4 Evercyte GmbH

10.5 FUJIFILM Irvine Scientific

10.6 Gemini Bio-Products

10.7 HiMedia Laboratories

10.8 InVitria

10.9 Kingfisher Biotech, Inc.

10.10 Lonza Group AG

10.11 Merck KGaA

10.12 PeproTech, Inc.

10.13 Shenandoah Biotechnology

10.14 Sino Biological Inc.

10.15 STEMCELL Technologies Inc.

10.16 Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4hm3b5

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]



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BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Friday demanded that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ban a booklet distributed by the Seva Dal which questions Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's credentials as a patriot.

The Hindi booklet, titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?", was distributed at a camp of the Congress-affiliated organisation in Madhya Pradesh.

The book alleged that Savarkar, after his release from Andaman's Cellular Jail, received pension from the British, and he and Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse were in a physical relationship.

Fadnavis, a former Maharashtra chief minister, said the Congress had exhibited its "wicked" psyche by circulating such a booklet, which underscored its "intellectual bankruptcy".

"The BJP strongly condemns the booklet. Venerable Hinduhriday-samrat Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray would have been the first to react in his archetypal style (to the booklet) had he been around," he said, using the popular epithet of 'king of Hindu hearts' for the Sena founder.

"Today, cannot have such an expectation, but expect that the chief minister announces immediate ban on the book," Fadnavis said in a series of tweets.

He also sought to know from the Shiv Sena "which entered into unnatural alliance with such a bankrupt party" (the Congress) if it will repeatedly entertain insults to its "deity" Savarkar for the sake of power.

The Sena formed alliance with the Congress and the NCP in Maharashtra after severing its ties with the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had slammed the booklet.

"Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind," Raut said.

Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's jibe that his name was not "Rahul Savarkar" and hence he would not seek apology (about his remark on rape) had riled the Sena.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pit bulls were stereotyped as a dangerous breed because of their aggression. (Photo : Dogtime.com)

Come the new year, a legislative law has allowed people to own pit bulls given that they are deemed as well-behaved.

Larger, more muscular breeds of dogs like Pitbulls and Rottweilers are previously banned due to the stereotype that they are more dangerous.

The local jurisdictions still do not completely allow people to own these breeds. However, an exemption can be granted if the pooch has completed the American Kennel Club's Canine Citizen program -- a test which checks the pet's aggression whenever it is around a stranger or another dog. The exemption will last for two years.

For those who failed, a dog will be given a "reasonable amount of time", which is determined by the city or county where the owner lives, to retake the behavior evaluation.

The law only covers domesticated breeds. Other members of the family of Canidae like wolves, coyotes, and hybrids are still prohibited to be owned.

The law has become effective since January 1, 2020.

Most dangerous breed of dog?

The public education website, DogBites, reported that over 14 years (2005-18), pit bulls contributed 66 percent to the fatalities caused by dog attacks.

One of the most notable cases of pit bull attacks on the previous decade is Mickey, a dog that was scheduled to be euthanized after almost he ripped off the face of Kevin, who was four years old back then. The case of the young boy was unfortunate, yet people rallied to save the dog.

Attorney John Schill, who was defending Mickey, said that it was the adult's fault that the kid suffered from that fate. He also said that killing the dog will not restore Kevin's face.

This aggression of this breed is linked to their genetic composition as they are the direct descendants of English bull-baiting dog -- a breed that was trained to attack and hold large animals like bears and bulls, according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

However, ASPCA also said that a canine's behavioral growth is a "complex interaction" of both environment and genetics. The development starts as early as while they were still in the womb. Early nutrition, mother's stress during the pregnancy and the temperature in the womb could affect the dog's nature.

Outside the womb, social interactions play a vital role in behavioral development. Exposing the puppies to positive experiences, especially on socialization, is considered as the key to preventing aggression.

This is why chained and isolated dogs are most likely to attack people, and unfortunately, pit bulls often suffer from this condition, ASPCA also said.

Supporters of pit bulls are working hard to "rebrand" the breed. Sara Enos, founder, and president of the American Pit Bull Foundation, said that irresponsible dog ownership should be blamed for the multiple savage attacks.

Any breed of dogs can be aggressive if they were treated inhumanely, she also said.

It is important to evaluate a dog as an individual rather than for its breed, ASPCA also said. Like Enos, they also believed that even more gentle dogs like Labrador retriever may display aggressive behavior around humans.

In 2013, former US President Barack Obama said that he does not support breed-specific ban since it is "largely ineffective" and often a "waste of public resources".

ALSO READ: Here is How Dogs Contribute to the Society
Northern Michigans rolling vineyards are a no-brainer vacation destination during warm weather months. But when winter blankets the grape vines with snow and you head out on a bluebird day when the expanse of sky overhead is matched only by the twin arms of Grand Traverse Bay, youve found a little slice of cold-weather nirvana. Scoring this vista while you are on a pair of snowshoes just makes it all a little sweeter.

Dates for snowshoeing events at Up North vineyards are available now through the next couple months. There are a few options for organized trips. Some vineyards, gear outfitters and transportation companies have put together a handful of tour options for day-trippers. Here are the details:

Grand Traverse Bike Tours provides snowshoe rental at Black Star Farms.

Snowshoe, Vines & Wines at Black Star Farms

The trails winding through Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay have been drawing snowshoe fans for years. This experience pairs easy-to-moderate trails through woods, orchards and vineyards with the chance to warm up afterward with a glass of Black Stars mulled wine on their heated Terrace Patio, or some homemade chili and hot sandwiches at their Hearth & Vine Cafe.

IF YOU GO

Black Star Farms

10844 E Revold Road, Suttons Bay

When: Saturdays through the winter, with the additional dates of Jan. 19 and Feb. 16. No reservations are needed, but the events are weather permitting.

The trails are free to anyone with their own snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Rental: Grand Traverse Bike Tours offers onsite snowshoe rental on Saturdays, plus additional dates stated above, from noon to 4 p.m. Snowshoe rental is $15, and the snowshoes must be returned by 5 p.m.

** Dates not offered, Jan. 11 and Feb. 8 due to Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail events.

For more information, check the Black Star Farms website.

Vine to Wine Tours offered guided snowshoe trips to a cluster of wineries in Northern Michigan.

Vine to Wine Snowshoe Tours

Grand Traverse Bike Tours has arranged another season of guided tours along a private vineyard trail in one of the prettiest corners of Northern Michigan. Billed as a winter wine country experience, it combines a casual snowshoe hike and a delicious lunch with stops at three separate wineries.

Participants will start at Big Little Wines and L. Mawby Vineyards in Suttons Bay where they will pick up their rental snowshoes and poles. Once geared up, theyll head toward Suttons Bay Ciders, where their lunch of homemade chili or soup and fresh bread will be served up alongside views of Grand Traverse Bay. Then its off to the hillside Ciccone Vineyards before rounding out the trip with a return to Big Little Wines, where its treehouse-like setting serves small-batch wines.

This is such a unique experience. I am so glad we can share our winter wonderland with so many fun people," said Nick Wierzba, owner of Grand Traverse Bike Tours. Snowshoe the vineyards, stop and taste wines, enjoy lunch overlooking the bay - a little adventure paired with wine tasting!

IF YOU GO

Tickets for Vine to Wine can be purchased online at www.grandtraversebiketours.com, or by calling the store at (231) 421-6815.

Price for the guided hike is $59 and includes the catered lunch and snowshoe and pole rental. Tastings at the separate stops are extra.

This event is for adults ages 21 and older. ID verification will be required at each winery. Make sure to wear comfortable winter boots, warm layers and gloves. This day trip also includes a souvenir water bottle and a van to shuttle any wine purchases you make along the way back to your parking area.

Dates offered are these Saturdays: Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Jan. 18, Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 15, Feb. 22, Feb. 29. To book a date, click here.

Private trips for groups of 5 or more can also be booked every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information on that option, click here

Bowers Harbor is one of the stops on the Snowshoe, Wine and Brew on Old Mission Peninsula.

Snowshoe, Wine & Brew

This fun excursion combining fantastic views, a little exercise and sips of wine and craft beer has become a weekend staple on the Up North winter tourism scene. And it all plays out at some of our favorite spots on Traverse Citys Old Mission Peninsula, which means you get the benefits of seeing both sides of Grand Traverse Bay.

Snag a ticket for one of the Snowshoe, Wine & Brew events, which happen every Sunday through March 8, and youll be hitting the vineyard trails with other winter enthusiasts looking to accent their workout with some tasty libations.

This is a one-of-a-kind event for Northern Michigan, offering a unique progressive tasting of wine, beer, cider and spirits at three popular venues along the Old Mission Peninsula, said Troy Daily, founder of the TC Brew Bus, which handles ticketing and transportation for the events.

Details: Everyone starts at Jolly Pumpkin, where you climb into the TC Brew Bus for a quick trip to Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery, where you can sample up to five different wines inside their tasting room. Then its time to hit the snowshoe trail (or foot trail for hiking if theres no snow) and follow a 3/4-mile-flagged corridor across the Old Mission Peninsula to Bowers Harbor Vineyards, where you can try another round of hard cider or wine samples. Then its another 1/3-mile trek back to your starting point. Next to the Jolly Pumpkin, youll be invited into Mission Tables tasting room for the final five samples of beer or spirits to top off your day.

If your tastes run more toward glasses than samples, both Brys Estate and Bowers Harbor will be offering $5 per glass wine specials on these days. Bowers Harbor also offers an outdoor fire area for those who want to stop and relax. And if you make purchases along the way, the TC Brew Bus will shuttle those back to the parking lot for you.

IF YOU GO

Tickets are $28 per person (snowshoe rentals are an additional $15) and can be purchased online at TCBrewBus.com/events. Space is limited. Reservations are required.

READ MORE:

Sleeping Bear Dunes announces winter snowshoe hike dates

Why this freediver stashes bottles in underwater wine cellar in Grand Traverse Bay

5 unexpected ways to enjoy Sleeping Bear Dunes in winter
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A federal judge sentenced a Colorado man to seven months in federal prison for phoning a threat into a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court judge after reading a news story about the judge ordering a defendants mouth taped shut during a hearing.

Michael David Miller, 22, of Colorado Springs left a voicemail in Judge John Russos chambers in Aug. 3, 2018 that laid out what Miller would do to Russo if Miller ever visited Cleveland.

The threats came after Miller watched a video of a county sheriffs deputy, at Russos direction, tape shut the mouth of defendant Franklyn Williams, who refused to stop talking during a July 2018 sentencing hearing. The video drew national attention, with many criticizing Russo for embarrassing Williams and potentially violating his rights.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James Lewis wrote in a sentencing memo that Miller threatened to stab the judge in the neck with a knife, repeatedly over and over until the blood pours down the streets of Cleveland until justice is served for what happened.

A federal grand jury in Cleveland indicted Miller in April and he was arrested that month. He pleaded guilty in September to transmitting of threat in interstate commerce.

In addition to the seven-month prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. on Friday ordered Miller to serve five months of home detention upon his release. Oliver also said Miller cannot contact Russo and cannot be in Ohio other than for court proceedings.

Millers attorney Roger Synenberg said his client made the threatening call while in the midst of heavy substance use. He said his client is now sober and is living a different life but understands there must be repercussions.

Miller, accompanied by his parents, apologized and said he is ready to live a productive life.

With my sobriety, I can achieve everything, he said.

Russo was not at Millers sentencing. Lewis said he spoke to the Common Pleas Court judge and that the judge said he pursued the case because its important to stand up and say that threatening a public official is not acceptable. Russo and his family were under surveillance for four days until law enforcement learned Miller had not left Colorado, Lewis said.

While Russo did not have any position on what sentence Miller should receive, Lewis said the defendant should serve a year in prison. Oliver said he thought a seven-month sentence was sufficient and that its important to show there are consequences for making threats against a judge.

Miller is free on bond. He is also awaiting sentencing in a court in Colorado after pleading guilty to a child pornography charge. Agents found illicit images on his iPhone during a search for the threats case, Lewis wrote in his sentencing memo.

Miller said he entered an agreement with prosecutors there to serve a one-year prison sentence.

If you would like to comment on this story, please visit Fridays crime and courts comments section.

Read more:

Judge calls man whose mouth was taped shut in Cleveland courtroom narcissistic, hands down 33-year sentence

Cleveland judge walked legal high-wire when he ordered guards to duct-tape defendants mouth

Cuyahoga County judge orders convicted robbers mouth duct-taped shut during sentencing
BEIRUT - Iran vowed revenge on Friday in response to a U.S. airstrike that killed Tehran's most powerful military commander, sharpening tensions across the Middle East as the Trump administration said it was sending thousands of troops to bolster security in the region.

Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani was a towering figure as Iran projected power across the Middle East, with close links to a network of paramilitary groups stretching from Syria to Yemen. And his death in the smoldering wreckage of a convoy in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, marked the most dramatic escalation in hostilities between the United States and Iran since President Donald Trump withdrew from the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018 and reimposed sanctions.

The deadly U.S. drone strike left U.S. outposts and personnel bracing for retaliatory attacks Friday and sent oil prices shooting upward. The U.S. Embassy in Iraq told Americans to leave the country "immediately."

Iran responded swiftly, promoting Soleimani's deputy within hours of the commander's death.

2 1 of 2 Washington Post photo by Jahi Chikwendiu Show More Show Less 2 of 2 Washington Post photo by Jahi Chikwendiu Show More Show Less



"His work and path will not cease, and severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with his blood and the blood of the other martyrs," Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement.

The country's defense minister, Amir Hatami, said the nighttime strike ordered by Trump would be met with a "crushing" response. If Iran were to order a reprisal, experts said U.S. troops in Iraq, oil tankers or other American economic interests in the Persian Gulf would be the likely targets.

The Pentagon said it was preparing to deploy an additional 3,500 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the region. According to two defense officials, the military also has put hundreds of soldiers from the Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade in Italy on alert for potential deployment.

Trump told reporters Friday that the United States had killed Soleimani in a bid to "stop a war." The president, speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, urged Iran not to retaliate. "We did not take action to start a war," he said.

The drone attack, which struck a two-car convoy on an access road near Baghdad International Airport and also killed several of Soleimani's local allies, sent anxieties rippling across a region already roiled by rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called the attack "an assassination" that was in "flagrant violation of the conditions authorizing the presence of U.S. troops" on Iraqi soil.

The country seemed to be holding its breath. Streets were quiet. Many restaurants were deserted. Along checkpoints down the streets, young soldiers and militiamen clutched their weapons tightly, appearing nervous at what might follow.

In Iran, Friday was a day of public mourning as tens of thousands of people took to the streets to decry the U.S. attack, even as many privately expressed worry about the escalating conflict with the United States.

While the killing of Soleimani came after a week of spiking tensions, including a siege of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by supporters of an Iranian-backed militia, the general had been one of the United States' most daunting adversaries for two decades.

Soleimani joined Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a young man and took control of the Quds Force, its special operations wing, in the late 1990s. Under his command, the force built alliances across the region by paying for weapons and providing strategic guidance. Soleimani was regularly photographed on visits to affiliated militias in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, burnishing an reputation as a talismanic operator with influence across the Middle East.

Iranian state media said he would be succeeded by his deputy, Brig. Gen. Ismail Qaani. Khamenei said strategy would remain "identical."

The U.S. strike appeared to have killed some of the Quds Forces' key allies. Among the dead were Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, a powerful Iraqi militia leader better known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was once imprisoned in Kuwait for bombing the U.S. Embassy there.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack was spurred by intelligence indicating that Soleimani was overseeing an "imminent" attack on American citizens in the Middle East.

"The American people should know that President Trump's decision to remove Qasem Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives," Pompeo told Fox News. "He was actively plotting in the region to take actions, a big action as he described it, that would have put dozens, if not hundreds, of American lives at risk."

Pompeo offered no public evidence to support his statements. They followed comments Thursday by Defense Secretary Mark Esper suggesting that Iran and its local allies may be preparing renewed strikes on U.S. personnel in Iraq.

The targeted killing set off a sharp political debate in the midst of the American presidential campaign.

As Republicans celebrated what they described as Trump's decisive action, Democrats criticized the president's order to act unilaterally while expressing grave concern that the action would move the United States closer to an intractable war with Iran.

"This morning, Iran's master terrorist is dead," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said in remarks on the Senate floor. "The architect and chief engineer for the world's most active state sponsor of terrorism has been removed from the battlefield at the hand of the United States military."

But across the aisle, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., predicted that Soleimani could become more dangerous to the U.S. in death "as a martyr than as a living, breathing military adversary."

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.

"There will be reprisals," he said. "This is why the United States does not assassinate leaders of foreign nations - in the end such action risks getting more, not less, Americans killed in the long run," he said.

Presidents typically inform the so-called Gang of Eight - the House speaker and minority leader, the Senate majority and minority leaders, and the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House and Senate intelligence committees - on high-level military operations.

Top Democratic leaders in Congress received no advance notification of the strike, according to aides. Speaking on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Charles Schumer said the administration must be "asked probing questions not from your inner and often insulated circle, but from others, particularly Congress, which forces an administration before it acts to answer very serious questions."

Experts warned Friday that the strike could be a catalyst for greater violence.

"We have to expect some escalation in the form of retaliation on the Iranian side," said Riad Kahwaji, founder of the Dubai-based Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis.

He predicted that the Iranians would seek to assassinate or kidnap senior Americans in the region or strike U.S. naval targets in the Persian Gulf. That could in turn prompt a further U.S. escalation, perhaps to include strikes on Iranian territory.

As Friday wore on, the responses from Iran's paramilitary allies rolled in. In Lebanon, Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah issued condolences for Soleimani's "martyrdom" and urged Shiite militia factions in Iraq not to let his death "go to waste."

Moqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Iraqi Shiite cleric and militia leader, used his Twitter account to order fighters from his Mahdi Army "to be ready." Formed in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the group gained notoriety for its attacks on U.S. troops.

Friday's drone attack raises fresh questions about Trump's approach to the Middle East. While the president has employed bellicose rhetoric and authorized several strikes against the military of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - a close Iranian ally - Trump has repeatedly promised to get the United States out of costly wars in the region.

In Iraq on Friday, families woke early and stayed home, glued to social media or satellite television channels where commentators turned over questions about what might happen next. When asked how they felt, some referenced the feeling of calm before the storm ahead of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

- - -

The Washington Post's Mustafa Salim in Baghdad, Liz Sly and Sarah Dadouch in Beirut, Erin Cunningham in Istanbul and Dan Lamothe in Washington contributed to this report.
A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Jan. 3, 2020. (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

State Department: Americans Should Leave Iraq Immediately

The State Department urged Americans to leave Iraq on Jan. 3 after the killing of the Iranian regimes top military official, Qassem Soleimani, near Baghdad International Airport.

Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended, the alert from the department stated.

U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy.

U.S. citizens in Iraq or those concerned about loved ones in Iraq were told to contact the State Department by phone and to avoid the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. They were also advised to follow local and international media outlets for updates on the situation.

#Iraq: Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy. pic.twitter.com/rdRce3Qr4a  Travel  State Dept (@TravelGov) January 3, 2020

The alert came two days after the State Department issued a travel advisory telling Americans not to travel to Iraq, citing terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping. Numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. sectarian militias may also threaten U.S. citizens and Western companies throughout Iraq. Attacks by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) occur in many areas of the country, including Baghdad, the department stated.

Attacks on the embassy forced it to suspend public consular services.

The attacks were orchestrated by Iran-backed militias, top U.S. officials said.

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)

The escalation warning Americans to leave Iraq immediately came after President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike on Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds force.

The strikes near Baghdad International Airport happened early Friday morning local time.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Department of Defense said in a statement.

According to the United States, Soleimani was responsible for orchestrating attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past several months, which included the attack at the Kirkuk military base in northern Iraq on Dec. 27 that killed an American and wounded several American and Iraqi troops.
Representative image.

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Banking service across the country could take a hit on January 8 as several bank unions are set to join the all-India general strike called by central trade unions.

The bank unions are protesting the recent decisions of the Modi government, its labour policies and banking reforms. They are also demanding a salary hike and other benefits.

In a release dated January 3, the State Bank of India said the effect of the proposed strike on its operations would be minimal. The six bank unions reportedly going on strike have very few SBI employees as their members, the bank noted.

The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA), All India Bank Officers Association (AIBOA), Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI),Indian National Bank Employees Federation (INBEF), Indian National Bank Officers Congress (INBOC) and Bank Karmachari Sena Mahasangh (BKSM) are the unions that will go on strike next week, the Indian Bank's Association told SBI.

Employees of the central bank, cooperative banks, regional rural banks and the Life Insurance Corporation of India are also likely to join the general strike, alongside teachers, government employees and workers from various other sectors like railways, steel, defence production among others.

10 central trade unions on January 3 called for a general strike or 'Bharat Bandh' on January 8, a day after they met the labour minister, reportedly to protest against government's anti-labour policies.

"The Central Trade Unions conveyed their firm resolve after the meeting called by Union Labour Minister (on Thursday). The general strike on January 8, 2020 stands," a joint statement issued by the 10 central trade unions said.
WORCESTER, Mass., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- On Jan. 12, 2020, The Be Like Brit Foundation will be honoring the 10-year anniversary of the tragic Haiti earthquake where over 300,000 people were killed, including their 19-year-old daughter, Britney.

Be Like Brit will be premiering their special 10-year anniversary documentary on all social media platforms. Co-Founders Len and Cherylann Gengel will be available for remote and on-site interviews at the Be Like Brit Headquarters in Worcester, Massachusetts and at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

Britney Gengel 3 hours before the earthquake

Be Like Brit Anniversary Events:

1) In Florida, Len Gengel will be available on Jan. 10 and 11 for interviews. On Sunday, they will be attending the services at Lynn University.

2) On Jan. 11 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Be Like Brit will be hosting their first-ever Open House at their headquarters  66 Pullman St. from 10 a.m.  2 p.m. Cherylann Gengel will be available for interviews. Come learn about what they do in Haiti!

ABOUT THE BE LIKE BRIT FOUNDATION

The Be Like Brit Foundation (BLB) was founded by Len and Cherylann Gengel to continue the work of their daughter, Britney Gengel, who perished in the earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010 while on a college service trip. Shortly before her death, she sent a text to her parents describing how much the work she was doing meant to her and how she wanted to start an orphanage there.

Today, Brit's Home is a state-of-the-art 19,000 square foot facility, built on a hillside overlooking Grand Goave, Haiti. It is a non-adoptive home to 33 girls and 33 boys ages 7 to 18. Our goal is to provide a permanent home for children without parents, or who had been living in abusive or neglected settings. Brit's Home includes play space, classrooms, a medical/dental clinic and a structured, supportive, culturally sensitive setting provided by the Haitian staff and dedicated to creating an atmosphere where children can develop and thrive.

In addition, BLB has brought over 1,800 people to Haiti through their "Britsionary" Program and have constructed over 145 houses. Since Hurricane Matthew, the Britsionarys have been helping to build homes for those whose homes were severely damaged and/or lost in the destruction.

Contact Information

(508) 886-4500

[email protected]

www.BeLikeBrit.org

Related Images

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Britney Gengel

Britney Gengel 3 hours before the earthquake

Related Links

Ten Year Anniversary Important Documents

Main Website

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyfJyLQukps

SOURCE The Be Like Brit Foundation, Inc

Related Links

https://belikebrit.org


WOODHAVEN, MI - A Michigan family spent the holidays searching for their beloved dog after he was ejected from their vehicle during a crash. Red is doing well this morning after finally being reunited with his family.

The golden retriever went missing on Christmas Day, according to the Associated Press. Thats when the Stevenson family was on their way to visit family when their car drove over a slippery spot on the Lapeer exit of I-75 in Auburn Hills. The car rolled over numerous times eventually hitting a guardrail. After being thrown from the vehicle, Red ran into the woods and went missing.

Wade Stevenson, his wife, Ruthie, and their 4-year old daughter, Hazel, were not seriously hurt in the crash. Wade Stevenson took to social media for help in finding Red. After a week of searching and hoping for the best, he posted the happy ending on Facebook: Michael James of Lending a Helping Paw Rescue captured Red in a live trap in Auburn Hills.

Stevenson told TV station WXYZ his family went through the worst Christmas ever, by far after Red went missing. Hes the fourth part of our family and the bond he shares with our daughter is the reason why my wife and me could not give up.

Red suffered a sprained leg and should be fine in a couple of weeks, reported WXYZ.
Syracuse, NY -- The son of Syracuses retired police chief was arraigned Friday on an illegal gun charge that carries up to a 15-year prison sentence.

And Frank Fowler Jr. confessed at the scene, a prosecutor said in court.

Its the latest arrest for the troubled son of the Syracuses longtime police chief, who has been sentenced to jail twice already in the past five years: once for copper pipe theft in 2015 and again for drug and burglary convictions in 2018.

Fowler Jr., 28, of Syracuse, was stopped with four other people around 1:45 a.m. Nov. 23, 2019 on Court Street and the intersection with New Court Avenue, in Salina.

Troopers said the 2014 Volkswagen Jetta they were riding in was stopped at a green light. The vehicle flashed its high beams several times, troopers said.

As a trooper spoke to the driver, he smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle, according to police reports. At that point, the trooper ordered everyone out of the car.

When the trooper opened the right rear door, he saw a handgun at the passengers feet. It turned out to be loaded.

Under law, anyone in the vehicle who knew of the gun can be convicted of illegal gun possession if he or she isnt licensed to carry. But proving who knew what can be difficult in court.

In this case, however, prosecutor Michael Whalen said that Fowler Jr. made statements to a police officer at the scene taking responsibility for the loaded gun in the car.

Fowler is barred from having a gun license because hes a convicted felon following his 2018 burglary conviction.

Frank Fowler Jr. leaves court on Jan. 3, 2020, after being arraigned on an illegal weapons charge.

Fowler Jr.'s lawyer, William Balduf, entered a not-guilty plea on his clients behalf. Fowler Jr. remains free after posting bail that was initially set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond.

Because illegal gun possession is a violent felony, its eligible for bail under the new reform law. But County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller noted that Fowler Jr. had returned to court Friday, as ordered, and so the judge declined to increase bail as requested by the prosecutor.
Another year and another surge in corporation tax revenues pushed the Exchequer receipts in 2019 to a record 59.3bn, up 6.8pc from 2018.

Company tax revenues, by far the fastest growing revenue source for the government came in 1.4bn above forecasts for last year, the Department of Finance said.

The original budget forecast was for company taxes, the majority of which are paid by American multinationals, to come in at 10.8bn.

Reflecting the growing economy and increased employment, last year was another strong year for tax receipts, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said.

The Minister said that there would be a budget surplus of 0.4pc of gross domestic product (GDP) for 2019 after it ran its first surplus since before the crisis in 2018.

Budget watchdog the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned that with one in every five euro of tax revenues now coming from companies, there is a risk to the budget if that source of income were to disappear.

Moves to tax digital companies like Facebook and Google globally are the biggest immediate threat.

Minister Donohoe acknowledged the risks and said the government was taking action on the budget.

Running budgetary surpluses is the first line of defence when it comes to our over-reliance on corporation taxation receipts, Mr Donohoe said.

Our aim is to build on this, achieving a surplus of 1pc t of GDP by 2022 and maintain that over the medium-term  subject to continued economic growth. In other words, excess corporation tax receipts are not being used to finance day-to-day spending but to reduce debt.
Training his guns on the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav said, 'Yogi Adityanath is worried about Kota deaths. When will he be worried about the Gorakhpur deaths.'

Lucknow: Amid a political storm over infant deaths in Kota, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday alleged that over a thousand children have died in the last 12 months in Gorakhpur and asked the Uttar Pradesh government as to who was responsible for it.

Training his guns on the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yadav said, "Yogi Adityanath is worried about Kota deaths. When will he be worried about the Gorakhpur deaths."

Yadav told a press conference in Lucknow that the ailing children in Gorakhpur were suffering from encephalitis but were administered different medicines so that the truth did not come out that they were dying of encephalitis.

"I will soon release a list of the dead children," he said.

"Why wrong medicines were administered? Who is answerable?" he asked.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister had on Thursday targeted the Congress over infant deaths in Rajasthan, saying party leader Priyanka Gandhi should have gone there to console the children's mothers instead of "playing politics" in UP.

At least 100 infants have died at a government-run hospital in Kota in the past month.

On Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh's remark that the SP chief should stay in Pakistan for a month to understand atrocities being faced by Hindus there, Yadav said the saffron party has made this suggestion as it does not want any discussion on unemployment.

Yadav also said very soon Samajwadi Party workers will take out rallies all over the state against the National Population Register (NPR), noting that it would do no good to the people.

"Nahi chahiye NPR, humey chahiye rozgar (We don't need NPR, we need employment) will be our slogan," he said.

The SP chief's remarks came against the backdrop of the Union Cabinet approving Rs 8,500 crore for updating the NPR.

He accused the BJP of being silent on economic issues, rising prices of essential commodities, higher cost of cooking gas cylinders and costlier electricity, he said.

Referring to the recent clashes in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party chief claimed that all the deaths during the anti-CAA protests were during police firing.

"All the deaths were caused by police bullets," he claimed.

Officials have maintained the death toll at 19, with some of the casualties in police firing which took place in "self-defence".
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

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New evidence showing Donald Trump's direct role in pressuring Ukraine for political favors is dialing up the heat as Republicans launch their New Year push to shield the President in a swift Senate impeachment trial.

Trump's top Senate protector, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, is expected to attempt to define the next phase of the drama on Friday morning with his first floor speech of 2020. It was not clear whether the aftermath of the stunning US strike to kill Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top military and intelligence officer in Iraq, would change plans on Capitol Hill. The attack has the potential to scramble political calculations in Washington, in addition to its huge global implications.

Whenever McConnell plays his next card, he is expected to push back on demands by Democrats to call senior current and former White House officials to testify in the trial after the President refused to allow them talk to House investigators.

McConnell's speech will ratchet up pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who presided over Trump's historic shaming last month but tried to bolster Democratic demands for new witnesses by declining to transmit articles of impeachment to the Senate. That means the trial -- once expected to start as soon as next week cannot yet start.

And calls for the Senate to broaden the investigation are resonating amid recent revelations that appear to bolster the impeachment case that Trump froze military assistance from Ukraine partly to coerce it to dig for dirt on his possible 2020 election rival Joe Biden.

Documents reviewed by the "Just Security" website show that a top White House budget official made clear the order to halt nearly $400 million in aid came directly from the President.

The story suggests that there could be new and damning bombshells in piles of official evidence that the President has refused to hand over to the House investigation. It offers a rationale why the White House might be keen to get the Senate trial over quickly before even more damaging evidence emerges.

"As part of our impeachment inquiry, the House subpoenaed these very documents," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said in a statement on Thursday. "From their deeply incriminating character, we can now see why they were concealed: They directly corroborate witnesses who testified that military aid to Ukraine was withheld at the direction of the President and that the White House was informed doing so may violate the law."

But Republicans claim that it is not the Senate's job to improve the impeachment case sent over from the House -- and point to the failure of Pelosi to launch court challenges to compel senior White House officials who Democrats now want called to the Senate to testify in the House probe.

Critical Capitol Hill battles

While the Senate trial is almost certain to acquit Trump of high crimes and misdemeanors, the Capitol Hill exchanges in the next few days represent a vital twist in the story.

Both sides are playing a game within a game -- seeking to mold a public narrative about the trial which could have vital political consequences only 11 months from Election Day.

Democrats are seeking to convince Americans that the GOP is cooking the trial to shield an unchained President guilty of committing a dangerous abuse of power -- soliciting foreign interference in a US election.

Republicans, welded inexorably to their norm-busting President owing to his stranglehold on GOP voters, are framing Pelosi's refusal to hand over articles of impeachment as proof Democrats have a weak case no matter how convincing the evidence delivered in testimony by career foreign policy officials.

The showdown reflects how the adversarial grouping of lawmakers and voters into two rival teams threatens Congress' capacity to wield its own constitutional powers in a dispassionate examination of Trump's conduct and whether it is worthy of removal.

The President, who denies all wrongdoing, insisted during his New Year retreat at his Florida resort that he doesn't "really care" if he has a Senate trial or not. But his frenzied two weeks of furious tweets and searing attacks on Democrats tell a story of an agitated commander-in-chief pining for an acquittal that he can portray as vindication and use to vault into election year.

"The Witch Hunt is sputtering badly, but still going on (Ukraine Hoax!," Trump tweeted on Thursday.

"If this.... had happened to a Presidential candidate, or President, who was a Democrat, everybody involved would long ago be in jail for treason (and more), and it would be considered the CRIME OF THE CENTURY, far bigger and more sinister than Watergate!"

Pelosi's dilemma

Pelosi's withholding of the articles of impeachment was meant to increase the leverage of the top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer as he wrestles with McConnell over the shape of the impeachment trial.

The speaker did succeed in concentrating attention over the holiday break on the GOP's open efforts to protect Trump from charges he abused power and obstructed Congress' investigation.

Several top Republican senators, including McConnell, have warned that they will not play the role of impartial jurors during the Senate trial, drawing outrage from Democrats.

Their comments also discomforted several moderate Republican senators. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she was disturbed by the majority leader's pledge to work with the White House counsel to coordinate arrangements for the trial.

On Monday, Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who faces a difficult reelection race, said on public radio in her state that it was "inappropriate" for senators to make up their mind before they had heard the evidence.

Collins also however backed McConnell's position that any decision on witnesses to be called should take place during the trial -- and not beforehand, as Schumer is demanding.

McConnell can only lose four GOP senators if plans for a trial come down to a series of majority votes in the chamber -- a dynamic that may have been on Pelosi's mind as she calculated her options late last year.

But while she can claim minor tactical victory in highlighting criticism of McConnell, the House has little capacity to force the Senate's hand. With McConnell apparently content to sit and wait for the articles -- and go on with confirming a relentless stream of conservative judges -- it's hard to see how Pelosi can engineer a strategic advantage.

Long game

Any plan designed to wait out McConnell, the self-confessed devotee of the long game, is unlikely to work. After all, he blocked President Barack Obama's Supreme Court pick Merrick Garland for 10 months, opening the way for Trump to construct a conservative majority on the nation's top bench.

Schumer is expected to follow McConnell with his own statement on Friday after spending the holidays holding a string of news conferences trying to pile up public pressure on his rival.

"Will the Senate hold a fair trial, or will it enable a cover-up?" Schumer said on Monday. "What are Sen. McConnell and President Trump afraid of if all the facts come out?"

Uncertainty about the opening of the Senate trial is an irritant for Democratic senators running for president, including New Jersey's Cory Booker, Vermont's Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts' Elizabeth Warren and Minnesota's Amy Klobuchar who must sit as jurors -- even as they battle it out in Iowa ahead of the first-in-the-nation causes next month.

Missouri Republican Sen. Roy Blunt, a member of his party's leadership team in the chamber, predicted that the process would largely be completed in the next month, despite current wrangling.

"I think what's going to happen is pretty predictable," Blunt said on his home state's KSSZ radio station Tuesday. "The President's been invited by the speaker to come and give the State of the Union speech on February 4th. My guess is we'll be done with this by the time the President comes."
Law enforcement officers stop activities of 15 illegal gambling venues from Dec 27, 2019 that tried to restart their work  Honcharuk

Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Goncharuk claims that according to reports on the government hotline, from December 27, 2019, law enforcement officers stopped the activities of 15 illegal gambling establishments that tried to restart their work.

"According to reports on the government hotline, from December 27, 2019, law enforcement authorities stopped the activities of 15 illegal gambling establishments that tried to restart their work," Honcharuk wrote on his Telegram channel.

On December 21, Interior Minister of Ukraine Arsen Avakov said that in pursuance of the government's decision, law enforcement authorities should end the activities of gambling establishments by 16:00 on December 20. As of 15:00 on December 20, police officers reported they had checked more than 500 establishments in all regions of Ukraine.
A state lawmaker is introducing legislation this session protecting in-state college tuition for military families who move out of state.

Sponsored by Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, House Bill 32 seeks to lock in the reduced rates for college tuition paid by Wyoming residents married or born to uniformed military members who were stationed in Wyoming at the time of their enrollment.

Reached by phone Thursday, Brown said the legislation was inspired by officials at the U.S. Department of Defense, who approached him at a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Transportation and Military Affairs and asked him to carry the bill.

Though the number of people the legislation is immediately estimated to impact is minimal  somewhere around a dozen students, Brown said  the cost differential can be significant. According to the University of Wyomings website, the cost of attendance for in-state versus out-of-state students can be as high as $14,000 annually  a cost routinely incurred by military family members stationed in the state whose enlisted members have left the state.

To qualify, students have to prove at the time of or prior to their enrollment that their family member was an enlisted member of the military and was stationed within Wyoming.

A small number of people are expected to take advantage of the legislation, Brown said. The bill is intended for those whose financial aid or tuition was subject to increase once their family claimed residency in another state on a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, for instance.

I immediately went to the University of Wyoming and the Community College Commission and asked them to give me a rough idea if they saw any problems with it, and they all thought this was a negligible amount, Brown said. To me, it just seems like a really good piece of policy to put forward.

After Brown posted about the bill on his Facebook page, one woman  who identified herself as a Wyoming native and a member of a military family  commented on her own experiences after moving to Iowa.

We kept our residency and returned to Wyoming, she wrote. One son was in college and the other entering his first year. Iowa State gave them in-state tuition rates. Wyoming did not, so when we moved here they remained in Iowa. The tuition was a part of our decision process. We would have preferred to have them move with us. Thankfully, we are blessed that they both live here now.

The bill, which currently counts eight co-sponsors between the House and Senate, does have some detractors who believe 18-year-olds should be treated as adults once they enter college, Brown said.

However, Brown pointed to the terms of federal student aid programs like FAFSA, which base financial aid off a parents income.

Once that gets brought forward, most of them see that it makes sense, he said.

The 2020 budget session begins Feb. 10 in Cheyenne.

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Wed be negligent if we didnt respond, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters on Friday in his Pentagon office. The threat of inaction exceeded the threat of action.

Still, officials offered scant details and only general explanations for why these reported threats were any different from the rocket attacks, roadside bombings and other assaults carried out by General Suleimanis Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps over the years. Size, scale and scope, General Milley said without elaboration.

National security experts and even other officials at the Pentagon said they were unaware of anything drastically new about Iranian behavior in recent weeks; General Suleimani has been accused of prodding Shiite militias into attacking Americans for more than a decade.

The drone strike came at a charged time for Mr. Trump, who faces a Senate trial after being impeached by the House largely along party lines last month for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. While advisers insisted politics had nothing to do with the decision, the timing was bound to raise questions in an era marked by deep suspicion across party lines.

General Suleimani was not a particularly elusive target. Unlike Bin Laden or al-Baghdadi, he moved about quite freely in a number of countries, frequently popping up meeting with Iranian allies or visiting front-line positions in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. He traveled with an air of impunity. His fans distributed photographs of him on social media, and he occasionally gave interviews. One former senior American commander recalled once parking his military jet next to General Suleimanis plane at the Erbil airport in northern Iraq.

Suleimani was treated like royalty, and was not particularly hard to find, said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former senior C.I.A. operations officer with extensive counterterrorism experience overseas. Suleimani absolutely felt untouchable, particularly in Iraq. He took selfies of himself on the battlefield and openly taunted the U.S., because he felt safe in doing so.

That public profile made him the face of the Iranian network across the Middle East, the so-called Axis of Resistance, which includes groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen and a range of militias in Syria and Iraq who share Irans animosity toward Israel and the United States. General Suleimani wanted to show that he could be anywhere and everywhere, an American official said, knowing he could be a target but obsessed with proving he had his hand in everything.
The following editorial appeared in Friday's Japan News-Yomiuri:

- - -

Where is the United States heading? The world is closely watching the U.S. presidential election in November.

A verdict will be handed down on U.S. President Donald Trump, who proclaims an "America First" policy and displays an unpredictable and impulsive political style.

The international order focusing on U.S. military and economic power has been shaken, and cooperation among its allies, as well as wider multilateral cooperation, has been experiencing a conspicuous decline. In the U.S.-China conflict, common ground cannot be seen. The world situation is increasingly uncertain.

Trump puts top priority on his reelection and makes efforts to produce "results" that he can use to appeal to his supporters. As U.S. foreign policy is thus promoted from that perspective, it will be unavoidable for every other country to be affected.

Something to be wary of is that North Korea may take advantage of a chaotic situation to repeat its military provocations and try to win concessions, such as a lifting of sanctions.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who is the chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea, warned at a plenary session of the party's Central Committee at the end of last year that Pyongyang will hold a "new strategic weapon." There is a fear that North Korea could change its current position of not producing or using nuclear weapons nor conducting nuclear tests.

Since the U.S.-North Korean summit meeting in 2018, Pyongyang has refrained from nuclear tests and test-launching intercontinental ballistic missiles. However, that does not mean Pyongyang's nuclear threat has been reduced.

It is vital to maintain the system of sanctions on North Korea until Kim takes a step toward the abandonment of its nuclear development. The history of past agreements on North Korea's denuclearization should not be forgotten, such as the Agreed Framework reached between the United States and North Korea in 1994 and a joint statement adopted after six-party talks in 2005. Both were broken by North Korean betrayal.

It is necessary that the international community strengthen its solidarity and insist that Pyongyang refrain from military provocations. Among other things, it is indispensable for both the United States and North Korea to make efforts to accumulate concrete measures toward denuclearization through their working-level negotiations.

The United States has promoted its sense of value - spreading to the world democracy, the rule of law and free trade, and sharing prosperity - since the end of World War II. But that sense of value is being shaken under Trump.

It is Trump's perspective that China has abused multilateral frameworks and that the United States has suffered a loss as a result. In a quest for U.S. profits, it is better to conclude new agreements that are favorable for Washington through bilateral negotiations. Stationing the U.S. military overseas and intervening in conflicts are also up for reconsideration as not being worth the cost.

Admittedly, attempts by prior U.S. administrations to encourage China to adopt democracy and fair trade did not succeed. People in the United States have become weary of its wars against terrorism in Afghanistan and in the Middle East.

Such circumstances may explain why Trump, despite continuing with his highly unconventional words and deeds, securely enjoys a certain amount of support.

It is quite reasonable for governments and people to consider, first and foremost, the interests of their own countries. This is true not only in the United States. Yet international cooperation does not necessarily run counter to national interests.

Multilaterally promoting rule-based trading systems, measures to cope with global warming and efforts to prevent terrorism will lead to more benefits for all countries.

Regional stability maintained through alliances is also in the interest of the United States. The present state of affairs - in which Trump is damaging the U.S. alliances with Japan, with South Korea and with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, by unilaterally demanding that allies assume more burdens - cannot be overlooked.

Historically, the United States has repeatedly chosen policies of active intervention in international affairs on the one hand, or isolationist policies on the other. It took the lead in World War II and in the establishment of the United Nations, but was hit hard by the Vietnam War and became inward-looking. With the end of the Cold War and in the Gulf War, the United States demonstrated its overwhelming presence once again.

The diversity of its people gathered from various racial and ethnic backgrounds and its frontier spirit of boldly challenging technological innovation are strengths that no other country but the United States has.

Just as the global community is in a period of change, now is the time when the resilience of the United States is being put to the test. If Trump's assertion spreads widely and the whole nation turns its back on international cooperation, it will become even more difficult, and take more time, to correct its course of action.

The U.S.-Russia framework of nuclear disarmament has been unable to deal with China's expansion of armaments and is now on the brink of collapse. Building a new system of disarmament to fit the changing times is necessary.

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference to be held this year is also a point at issue. There is a possibility of nonnuclear countries growing resentful of stagnation in nuclear disarmament, thus intensifying their confrontation with nuclear nations. Should the conference break down, the NPT's credibility will decline further.

The important thing is that the United States and Russia, first of all, must avoid a nuclear arms race and make efforts in confidence-building and disarmament negotiations. On top of these efforts, those two countries plus China must explore a new trilateral disarmament system.

The advancement in military technologies is remarkable. Schemes have taken concrete shape such as conducting operations in multiple domains simultaneously, particularly in outer space and cyberspace, together with operations on land, at sea and in the air. Development of weaponry utilizing artificial intelligence and of unmanned military aircraft is also advancing.

Existing regulations have been unable to keep up with the sophistication and complexity of arsenals. It is feared that a situation may unfold in which the exchange of attacks and counterattacks escalates beyond expectation. The mapping out of international rules is a matter of urgency.
Holidaymakers have hit out at P&O Cruises for ditching its traditional Union flags and patriotic singalongs at their cast off celebrations.

Angry Britons have blasted the 'snowflake' holiday company after it ditched its Last Night of the Proms-style Great British Sail Aways which included Rule Britannia and Jerusalem in favour of less patriotic pop hits.

Gary Linley, 62, and wife Diana, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire were outraged at the change - with their favoured songs replaced by the likes of Rod Stewart's Sailing.

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Angry Britons have blasted the 'snowflake' holiday company after it ditched its Last Night of the Proms-style Great British Sail Aways which included Rule Britannia and Jerusalem singalongs in favour of less patriotic pop hits

'There was none of the bunting, flags or patriotic songs. It isn't meant to be offensive to anyone,' the retired engineer told The Sun.

'It's just a great celebration of good old traditional British songs which are sung with a sense of British pride. What's wrong with that?'

Mr Linley said that a crew member told him the company stopped handing out Union flags to scrap single use plastic and to be more 'politically correct'.

He added: 'Some people aren't proud to be British any more but it's crazy  P&O are a British company who cater mostly for British customers and whose ships all have the Union Jack on them.'

Other disappointed customers hit out on Facebook.

Stephen Smith said: 'Just waiting to disembark in Barbados. No patriotic songs or Union Jacks. A member of staff said P&O are trying to appeal to the international market.'

Gary Linley, 62, and wife Diana, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire were outraged at the change - with their favoured songs replaced by the likes of Rod Stewart's Sailing (the pair are pictured)

Angry Britons have blasted the 'snowflake' holiday company after it ditched its Last Night of the Proms-style Great British Sail Aways which included Rule Britannia and Jerusalem in favour of less patriotic pop hits

Maureen Dobson said: 'The Great British sail away wasn't so great.'

It comes a week after the head of the Lake District National Park Authority said he wants to attract a greater diversity of visitors amid concerns swathes of the population feel excluded.

While hikers moaned Mount Snowdon was too steep, and parents blasted the Tower of London for being too gruesome and not appropriate for children.

MailOnline has contacted P&O Cruises for comment.
TOKYO - Security camera footage shows former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn walking out of his Tokyo home alone around noon on Sunday, hours before he fled the country in a private jet, Japanese state broadcaster NHK reported on Friday, citing investigative sources.

The footage is one more piece of the jigsaw puzzle as authorities here try to figure out how Ghosn jumped $14 million bail, fled the country and escaped to Lebanon to evade charges of financial misconduct and a potential jail term of up to 15 years.

Ghosn's escape has been a major embarrassment for Japan, with one outspoken politician saying the country had become a laughingstock.

Although surveillance cameras were installed outside Ghosn's home as part of his bail conditions, he was free to come and go as he pleased, and would regularly visit his lawyer's office to discuss his defense, his lawyers say.

The surveillance footage was not monitored in real time, and recordings only handed over to the authorities in the middle of every month, according to the website of one of his lawyers, Takashi Takano. Records of his meetings, of his mobile phone calls and of his Internet use at a computer in his lawyer's office, were also submitted on a monthly basis.

Lebanese news channel MTV had claimed Ghosn was spirited out of his home in a box designed for musical instruments, after a band had played there. Ghosn's wife Carole called that account "fiction," and it now appears all Ghosn needed to do was open the door and walk away.

The bail conditions were designed to keep him from tampering with evidence and fleeing the country, and were not meant to keep him under house arrest, lawyers say, and Ghosn and his family even visited Kyoto late last year.

Nevertheless, legal experts have already called for Japan to use GPS-monitoring for suspects released on bail, a practice common in the United States but not employed here.

From Tokyo, Ghosn would have had plenty of time to make it to Osaka's Kansai International Airport, roughly six to eight hours by car on a Sunday afternoon, depending on the traffic. From there he is believed to have flown to Istanbul and on to Beirut.

The flight-tracking website Flightradar24 showed that a Bombardier Global Express jet left Osaka's Kansai airport at 11:15 p.m. and arrived at Istanbul's Ataturk airport at 5:15 a.m. Monday. A separate plane, a Bombardier Challenger 300, took off from Istanbul to Beirut at 6:02 a.m.

Turkish authorities said on Thursday they had detained seven people, including four pilots and three ground staff, on suspicion of having helped Ghosn "illegally" transit through Istanbul, while officials told local media neither Ghosn's arrival nor exit were registered.

On Friday, the Turkish airline company whose jets were used to fly Ghosn from Japan to Lebanon said an employee had falsified records, and that Ghosn's name did not appear on any documentation related to the flights.

Istanbul-based MNG Jet said in a statement that it had filed a criminal complaint in Turkey concerning the illegal use of its jet charter services, adding that an employee admitted to falsifying records and "confirmed that he acted in his individual capacity" without the company's knowledge.

Japan's immigration authorities say they have no record of Ghosn leaving the country, although they did record passengers leaving on a plane for Istanbul on Sunday evening, local media reported.

It is only on his arrival in Lebanon that Ghosn resurfaced, entering on a French passport that he had been allowed to keep at his home in a locked case. Ghosn had been asked to surrender his French, Brazilian and Lebanese passports to his lawyers under the terms of his bail, but was allowed to keep a spare passport at his home, in a locked box with his lawyers having the keys.

In retrospect, the arrangements appear shockingly lax, as critics have not been slow to point out.

Unsurprisingly, Ghosn's journey appears designed to have ring as few alarm bells as possible.

He left Japan at the sleepiest time possible, late on Sunday night at the start of a holiday week here. His plane from Osaka flew entirely through Russian airspace before reaching Turkey, according to flightradar4.com, minimizing the number of countries it passed through. He landed at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, which was closed to commercial traffic in April 2019 after the opening of the new Istanbul Airport and now only handles military, private, cargo and diplomatic flights.

The biggest mystery remains how he evaded immigration controls in Osaka.

Experts say controls on passengers traveling on private jets around the world are generally much laxer than on people using commercial airlines.

But Ichiro Kubo, a former immigration control officer and now an immigration consultant, said he couldn't imagine Ghosn being waved through by immigration officials, especially as they keep a list of people barred from leaving Japan.

"If someone in the list tries to pass immigration he would be found," he said. "I wouldn't say there is a zero chance for some lapse to have happened, but his face is so well-known, and their very job is to prevent people like him from escaping."

Kubo speculated that Ghosn might have been spirited out in a box or item of luggage.

"It's possible that they didn't examine what's inside," he said. "It's private companies who are in charge of checking passengers' luggage."

But an airport employee told Japan's Jiji press that boxes of such a size would have been inspected. "We always open a large box especially those large enough to hold a human being," he was quoted as saying. "Normally, it's unthinkable."

Ghosn's escape is even more embarrassing for Japan given that the government says it is tightening its airport security ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to prevent terrorist attacks. The government's silence on the subject during the holiday week is also attracting criticism.

"For how much longer are the government and legal authorities thinking of enjoying their New Year holiday, even though they have committed a huge blunder like allowing Ghosn to escape?" tweeted former Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe, an outspoken critic. "Turkey has already detained people including pilots. Japan, with a government that has failed in risk management, is being laughed at."

_ _ _

The Washington Post's Kareem Fahim in Istanbul contributed to this report.
US Secretary of State said Friday that the US was "committed to de-escalation" after the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in an American strike.

Pompeo tweeted that he had spoken with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi about the killing.

"Thankful that our allies recognize the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Iranian Quds Force," he wrote. "The US remains committed to de-escalation."



The United States announced earlier that it had killed the commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force in a strike on Baghdad's airport.

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

Pro-Iranian demonstrators laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, angered by US weekend air strikes that killed two dozen fighters from the hardline Kataeb Hezbollah paramilitary group.

The strikes were in response to a rocket attack last week that killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months, including on December 27, the day the contractor was killed.

Soleimani "also approved the attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad, according to the Pentagon.
An angry group of local residents pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on Friday evening.

As per the initial reports, the group was led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of gurdwara's pathi.

Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared the video which, he said, showed an angry Muslim mob shouting anti-Sikh slogans outside Nankana Sahib.

"Live footage from Nankana Sahib where an angry Muslim mob is outside Gurdwara Sahib and raising anti-Sikh slogans," Sirsa said in a tweet.

He also urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take immediate action "on such communal incidents that are increasing the insecurity in the minds of Sikhs of Pakistan".

Police have arrived at the scene of the incident to control people. Further details are awaited.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Ru-Paul obsessed couple got engaged in front of their favourite drag queens after meeting them backstage at a gig.

Charlotte Finch, 19, knew she wanted to propose to girlfriend Meghann Kirkman, 18, two months after they met on a dating website last year.

She told the PA news agency: I knew I wanted to be with her forever.

When Drag Race came out in the UK we both grew a love for it  I love the US version, but her not so much.

They had been to see the Frock Destroyers, a girl group consisting of drag race stars Baga Chipz, Divina DiCampo and Blu Hydrangea, once before and Ms Finch knew she wanted to propose when they saw them for the second time.

She messaged Divina DiCampo on Instagram, who agreed to help her with the proposal.

Expand Close Ms Finch said she knew she wanted to marry her girlfriend two months after they met. (Charlotte Finch / PA) / Facebook

Twitter

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Whatsapp Ms Finch said she knew she wanted to marry her girlfriend two months after they met. (Charlotte Finch / PA)

After having their picture taken with the group, Ms Finch got down on one knee to ask Ms Kirkman to marry her.

Ms Finch, who lives in Sheffield, said: I was absolutely over the moon when she said yes.
President Akufo-Addo will open the Ghana Investment and Opportunity Summit scheduled to take place in London from 21st to 22nd January 2020.

The Summit is being held under the theme: Accessing the African Common Market Through Ghana-Technology, Digitization and Industrialization."

This is the second edition but this year's summit will be taking place as part of the bigger UK-Africa Summit with about 28 African leaders in attendance.

Organised by the Ghana High Commission UK in partnership with the Ghana Investments Promotion Centre (GIPC), the summit will also afford some key government actors an opportunity to engage global investors and attract strategic and development funds and investments for key projects as well as match local businesses with international partners and Investors.

Some of them include Foreign Affairs Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Trade Minister Allan Kyerematen, and Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.

The rest are Minister for Information Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister for Railway Development Joe Ghartey and the Minister for Food and Agriculture Owusu Afriyie Akoto among other top Chief Executives and dignitaries.

---citinewsroom
The American drone attack near the Baghdad airport early Friday that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the powerful Iranian commander, drastically ratcheted up tensions between Washington and Tehran, threatening to tip hostilities into war.

Heres what to know about what happened and what comes next.

Who was Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani?

General Suleimani was Irans most powerful security and intelligence commander. He was the longtime leader of its Revolutionary Guards Quds Force, the foreign-facing branch of the countrys powerful security apparatus.

He worked closely with Iraqi and Lebanese allies, nurturing proxy forces to form a Shiite axis of power throughout the region. His profile rose amid the fight to prop up President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and later the fight against the Islamic State.

He had long been designated as a terrorist by the United States and Israel, but many in Iran lauded him as a hero.
DUBLIN, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market, 2019-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market, 2019-2030

features an extensive study of the current landscape and the likely future opportunities associated with novel vaccine delivery devices, over the next 10-12 years.

One of the key objectives of the report was to estimate the existing market size and assess potential future growth opportunities for novel vaccine delivery devices. Based on various parameters, such as number of marketed / pipeline products, price of devices (for commercially available products only) and estimated annual adoption rate, we have developed an informed estimate on the likely evolution of the market over the period 2019-2030.

In addition, we have provided the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunities across:



[A] type of device (electroporation-based needle free injection systems, oral delivery systems, nasal delivery systems, jet injectors, microneedle patches and microinjectors)

[B] route of administration (oral, intramuscular, intranasal, intradermal and subcutaneous)

[C] type of vaccine (Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine, BCG Vaccine, DTP-HepB-Hib Vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Influenza Vaccine, Measles Vaccine, Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine and Others)

[D] key geographical regions ( North America , Europe , Asia and rest of the world)

According to experts, the global vaccines market is anticipated to generate revenues worth USD 100 billion by 2025.

Recent global immunization records indicate that more than 115 million children were immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in 2018. Given the rate at which the global population is growing, the demand for vaccines is likely to increase significantly.



However, biopharmaceutical developers are plagued by concerns related to storage and handling of such preventive / therapeutic products. One commonly reported issue is related to vaccine administration. Despite the success of conventional delivery approaches, which rely on the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes of administration, the present scenario dictates that further improvements are required in order to deal with challenges related to large scale immunization initiatives. Some of the commonly reported disadvantages of the conventional (parenteral) mode of delivery include pain during administration, risk of cross contamination, needlestick injuries, and inaccurate dosing.



Of late, there has been an evident shift in interest to non-invasive immunization methods, which include oral, intranasal and transdermal modes of administration. Currently, many biopharmaceutical companies and clinical research institutes are engaged in the development of novel vaccine delivery systems, taking into consideration the specific requirements of large scale immunization initiatives. As a result, significant efforts have been put into the development of drug delivery technologies / devices, such as microneedle patches, electroporation-based needle free injection systems, jet injectors, inhalation-based delivery systems, biodegradable implants and certain novel types of oral delivery systems.



It is worth highlighting that most of the aforementioned systems are specifically being designed to facilitate pain-free administration of vaccines and allow self-administration. Vaccine developers are also attempting to devise ways to make such products more stable so as to eliminate the need for cold chain in transporting such products. Given the pace of innovation in this field, it is anticipated that the novel vaccine delivery devices market is likely to witness radical changes in the coming years.



Amongst other elements, the report includes:

A detailed assessment of the overall novel vaccine delivery devices market landscape, featuring an elaborate list of device developers and analysis based on a number of relevant parameters, such as year of establishment, company size, geographical location, type of device (autoinjectors, microneedle patches, jet injectors, dry powder inhalers, microinjectors, nasal delivery systems, pen injectors, biodegradable implants, electroporation-based needle free injection systems and novel oral delivery systems), route of administration (subcutaneous, transdermal, intramuscular, intradermal, inhalation, intranasal, and oral), drug delivery mechanism (mechanical, electrical and miscellaneous), nature of vaccine administration (invasive and non-invasive), speed of administration (fast, moderate and slow), self- administration potential, provisions for audio / visual feedback, device usability (disposable and reusable), type of needle (needleless, fixed needle, detachable needle, and hidden needle), and current development status of novel vaccine delivery systems (preclinical / discovery, clinical and marketed).

A detailed competitiveness analysis of novel vaccine delivery devices, taking into consideration the supplier power (based on the year of establishment of developer company) and key product specifications (such as route of administration, device usability, drug delivery mechanism, availability of needle safety system, speed of administration, self-administration potential, provisions for audio / visual feedback, nature of administration, cold chain requirement and current status of development).

An analysis evaluating the effectiveness of various vaccines delivery devices in order to compare their respective strengths and capabilities based on a variety of relevant parameters, such as type of active ingredient, dosage form, route of administration, target disease indication and target patient population.

A detailed list of marketed and pipeline vaccine candidates that are anticipated to be developed in combination with novel vaccine delivery devices in the near future, featuring analysis based on parameters, such as type of active ingredient, dosage form, route of administration, target disease indication and target patient population.

Elaborate profiles of prominent product developers engaged in this domain; each profile features a brief overview of the company, its financial information (if available), information on its product portfolio, recent developments and an informed future outlook.

An analysis of recent collaborations and partnership agreements inked in this domain since 2014, including details of deals that were / are focused on novel vaccine delivery devices. The partnerships captured in the report were analyzed on the basis of year of establishment, type of agreement, type of device, type of vaccine, type of active ingredient and target disease indication.

A discussion on important, industry-specific trends, key market drivers and challenges, under a comprehensive SWOT framework, featuring a qualitative Harvey ball analysis that highlights the relative impact of each SWOT parameter on the overall market.

In order to account for future uncertainties and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three market forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of the industry's growth.



The opinions and insights presented in the report were influenced by discussions held with senior stakeholders in the industry.

The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with the following industry stakeholders:

Michael Schrader , Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Vaxess Technologies

, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Vaxess Technologies Mikael Ekstrom and Roger Lassing , Vice President, Business Development, Iconovo

and , Vice President, Business Development, Iconovo Henry King , Market Intelligence and Business Development Manager, Innoture

Key Topics Covered



1. PREFACE

1.1. Scope of the Report

1.2. Research Methodology

1.3. Chapter Outlines



2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



3. INTRODUCTION

3.1. Chapter Overview

3.2. Vaccines

3.2.1. Classification of Vaccines

3.2.2. Key Components of a Vaccine Formulation

3.2.3. Expression Systems Used for Vaccine Production

3.3. Vaccine Delivery

3.3.1. Intradermal Route

3.3.2. Subcutaneous Route

3.3.3. Intramuscular Route

3.3.4. Oral Route

3.3.5. Intranasal Route

3.3.6. Inhalation Route

3.4. Key Challenges Associated with Vaccine Delivery

3.5. Novel Approaches for Vaccine Delivery

3.5.1. Autoinjectors

3.5.2. Biodegradable Implants

3.5.3. Buccal / Sublingual Vaccine Delivery Systems

3.5.4. Electroporation-based Needle Free Injection Systems

3.5.5. Inhalation / Pulmonary Vaccine Delivery Systems

3.5.6. Jet Injectors

3.5.7. Microinjection System

3.5.8. Novel Orally Administrable Formulations

3.6. Future Perspectives



4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

4.1. Chapter Overview

4.2. Marketed Vaccines Landscape

4.3. Clinical-Stage Vaccines Landscape

4.4. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices: Overall Market Landscape

4.4.1. Analysis by Type of Device

4.4.2. Analysis by Route of Administration

4.4.3. Analysis by Drug Delivery Mechanism

4.4.4. Analysis by Nature of Vaccine Administration

4.4.5. Analysis by Speed of Vaccine Administration

4.4.6. Analysis by Self-Administration Potential

4.4.7. Analysis by Availability of Audio / Visual Feedback

4.4.8. Analysis by Device Usability

4.4.9. Analysis by Type of Needle

4.4.10. Analysis by Stage of Development

4.5. Novel Vaccine Delivery Device Developers: Overall Market Landscape

4.5.1. Analysis by Type of Developer

4.5.2. Analysis by Year of Establishment

4.5.3. Analysis by Company Size

4.54. Analysis by Geographical Location



5. DEVICE COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS

5.1. Chapter overview

5.2. Assumptions and Methodology

5.3. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices: Competitive Landscape

5.4. Concluding Remarks



6. TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

6.1. Chapter Overview

6.2. Assumptions and Key Parameters

6.3. Methodology

6.4. Vaccine Delivery Devices: Technology Effectiveness Analysis

6.4.1. Devices for Marketed Vaccines

6.4.2. Devices for Clinical-Stage Vaccines



7. NOVEL VACCINE DELIVERY DEVICES: LIKELY VACCINE CANDIDATES

7.1. Chapter Overview

7.2. Marketed Vaccines

7.2.1. Electroporation-based Needle Free Injection Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.2. Jet Injectors: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.3. Microneedle Patches: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.4. Nasal Delivery Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.5. Oral Delivery Systems for Liquid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.6. Oral Delivery Systems for Solid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.7. Prefilled Syringes: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3. Clinical-Stage Vaccines

7.3.1. Electroporation-based Needle Free Injection Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.2. Jet Injectors: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.3. Microneedle Patches: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.4. Nasal Delivery Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.5. Oral Delivery Systems for Liquid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.6. Oral Delivery Systems for Solid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.7. Prefilled Syringes: Likely Vaccine Candidates



8. COMPANY PROFILES

8.1. Chapter Overview

8.2. 3M

8.3. Becton Dickinson

8.4. Consort Medical

8.5. D'Antonio Consultants International

8.6. Enesi Pharma

8.7. Ichor Medical

8.8. Iconovo

8.9. Inovio Pharmaceuticals

8.10. PharmaJet

8.11. Union Medico



9. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

9.1. Chapter Overview

9.2. Partnership Models

9.3. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices: Partnerships and Collaborations

9.3.1. Analysis by Year of Partnership

9.3.2. Analysis by Type of Partnership

9.3.3. Analysis by Type of Device

9.3.4. Analysis by Type of Partnership and Type of Device

9.3.5. Analysis by Type of Vaccine and Type of Device

9.3.6. Analysis by Type of Active Ingredient

9.3.7. Analysis by Target Disease Indication

9.3.8. Popular Vaccine Delivery Devices: Analysis by Number of Partnerships

9.3.9. Most Active Industry Players: Analysis by Number of Partnerships

9.3.10. Geographical Analysis



10. SWOT ANALYSIS

10.1. Chapter Overview

10.2. Strengths

10.3. Weaknesses

10.4. Opportunities

10.5. Threats

10.6. Concluding Remarks



11. MARKET SIZING AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS

11.1. Chapter Overview

11.2. Forecast Methodology and Key Assumptions

11.3. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market, 2019-2030

11.4. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Type of Device, 2019-2030

11.5. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Route of Administration, 2019-2030

11.6. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Type of Vaccine, 2019-2030

11.7. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Regions, 2019-2030

11.7.1. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in North America, 2019-2030

11.7.2. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in Europe, 2019-2030

11.7.3. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in Asia Pacific, 2019-2030

11.7.4. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in Rest of the World, 2019-2030



12. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

12.1. Chapter Overview

12.2. Vaxess Technologies

12.2.1. Company Snapshot

12.2.2. Interview Transcript: Michael Schrader, Chief Executive Officer and Founder

12.3. Iconovo

12.3.1. Company Snapshot

12.3.2. Interview Transcript: Mikael Ekstrom and Roger Lassing, Vice Presidents, Business Development

12.3. Innoture

12.3.1. Company Snapshot

12.3.2. Interview Transcript: Henry King, Market Intelligence and Business Development Manager



13. CONCLUDING REMARKS



14. APPENDIX 1: TABULATED DATA



15. APPENDIX 2: LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS



3M

Abbott

AbCellera

ABO Pharmaceuticals

AC Immune

Accelovance

AdminMed

Aduro Biotech

Advagene Biopharma

Advaxis

Aelix Therapeutics

Aeras

Aesica Pharmaceuticals

Affinivax

Affiris

Agenus

AgResearch

Aimmune Therapeutics

Aivita Biomedical

AJ Vaccines

Aktiv-Dry

Alopexx Vaccine

AlphaVax

Altimmune

American Association for Cancer Research

Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biologic Pharmacy

Animal Health Board

Antares Pharma

Apogee Technology

Araclon Biotech

Archivel Farma

Argos Therapeutics

Astellas Pharma

AstraZeneca

Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute

AVIR Green Hills Biotechnology

Axon Neuroscience

Barr Labs

Battelle

Bavarian Nordic

Baylor College of Medicine

BCN Peptides

Becton Dickinson

Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Beijing Institute of Biological Products

Beijing Minhai Biotechnology

Beijing Tricision Biotherapeutics

Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise

Beijing Zhifei Lvzhu Biopharmaceutical

Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine

Bharat Biotech International

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Bilthoven Biologicals

Biofabri

Bioject Medical Technologies

Biological E

Bio-Manguinhos

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

Biomedizinische Forschungs

BioNTech

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals

Bioneedle Technologies Group

Biontech

BioSerenTach

Birla Institute of Technology and Science

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boryung Pharmaceutical

BrightPath Biotherapeutics

Bristol- Myers Squibb

Bul Bio-National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

Cadila Health Care

Cancer Insight

Cancer Research UK

Cancer Vaccines Charitable Trust

CanSino Biologics

Capital Medical University

Celerion

Celgene

Celldex Therapeutics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI)

Changhai Hospital

Charite University

Chengdu Institute of Biological Products

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Chinese PLA General Hospital

Chiron Behring Vaccines

Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research & Development of Immune-And Biological Products

City of Hope Medical Center

College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences

Consort Medical

Corium

CosMED Pharmaceutical

Cromos Pharma

CSL

CureVac

Curevo

DALI Medical Devices

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

D'Antonio Consultants International

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Debiotech

Department of Health and Human Services

Duke University

Dutch Cancer Society

Dynavax Technologies

E Ink Holdings

E3D Elcam Drug Delivery Devices

Earle A. Chiles Research Institute

Elios Therapeutics

Emergent BioSolutions

Emergent Product Development

EMMES

Emory University

Enesi Pharma

EuBiologics

Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution

FFF Enterprises

FHI 360

FIT Biotech

Flextronics International

Flinders University

FluGen

Forschungszentrum Jlich

Fourth Military Medical University

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Fuda Cancer Hospital

FUJIFILM Pharmaceuticals

Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology

GC Pharma

Genentech

GeneOne Life Science

Genetic Immunity

Genexine

Genocea Biosciences

Georgia Institute of Technology

GeoVax

German Cancer Research Center

Gilead Sciences

GlaxoSmithKline

GlobeImmune

GPO-MBP

Gradalis

Grameen Foundation

Green Cross

GreenSignal Bio Pharma

Gritstone Oncology

Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital

999 Brain Hospital Guangzhou Anjie Biomedical Technology

Guangzhou Trinomab Biotech

Gynecologic Oncology Group

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Hadassah Medical Organization

Haffkine Bio Pharmaceutical

Hemispherx Biopharma

HIV Vaccine Trials Network

Hookipa Biotech

Hoosier Cancer Research Network

Hualan Biological Bacterin

Ichor Medical Systems

Iconovo

IDRI

Il-Yang Pharmaceutical

Immatics

Immune Biosolutions

Immune Design

Immunitor

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics

Immunomic Therapeutics

ImmuPatch

Imperial College London

Imugene

INCYTO

Infectious Disease Research Institute

Innoture Medical Technology

Inovio Pharmaceuticals

Inserm

Institut Pasteur

Institute of Clinical Research

Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals

International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research

for Diarrheal Disease Research International Vaccine Institute

Intravacc

Invectys

IPPOX Foundation

ISA Pharmaceuticals

Istari Oncology

Janssen Biotech

Japan BCG Laboratory

Jiangsu Jindike Biotechnology

Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Jinan University Guangzhou

JN-International Medical

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Jurong Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Kenya Medical Research Institute

Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Kurve Technology

Laboratory Corporation of America

Leiden University Medical Center

Leidos

LG Chem

Likang Life Sciences

LimmaTech Biologics

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans

in LTS

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Charite University

LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation

Madison Vaccines

Mahidol University

Marker Therapeutics

Massachusetts General Hospital

General Hospital MassBiologics

Mayo Clinic

MCM Vaccine

McMaster University

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Medicago

Medical International Technologies

Medical Research Council

Medical University Innsbruck

Medical University of Vienna

Medigen Vaccine Biologics

MedImmune

MEDRx

MedsForAll

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Mercia Pharma

Merck

Microdermics

Micron Biomedical

Micropoint Technologies

MIKROGEN

Military Infectious Diseases Research Program

Minervax

Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone

Moffitt Clinical Research Network

Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute

Moore Medical

MSD Wellcome Trust Hilleman Laboratories

Mundipharma

Mylan

NanoPass Technologies

NantKwest

National Cancer Institute

National Institute for Health Research

National Institute for Medical Research

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

National Institute on Aging

National Institutes of Health

National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

National University Hospital

Hospital Naval Medical Research Center

Nemaura Pharma

Nemera

Neon Therapeutics

Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Nova Immunotherapeutics

Nova Laboratories

Novartis

Novavax

NovInject

Nuance Designs

OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals

OncoPep

OncoTherapy Science

Oncovir

Olymvax Biopharmaceuticals

OptiNose

Organon Teknika

Osaka University

University Ospedale San Raffaele

Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

Panacea

Parexel

PATH

PepTcell

Pfizer

PharmaJet

PHC Injection Device Technologies

Philipps University Marburg Medical Center

Philips Medisize

Picofluidics

Plumbline Life Sciences

Profectus BioSciences

Prometheon Pharma

PROSENEX Ambulatoriumbetriebs

Proswell Medical

Protein Sciences

Providence Cancer Center

Providence Health & Services

PT Bio Farma

Public Health England (PHE)

Queen's University Belfast

Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University

University Rising Tide Foundation

Robbins Instruments

Robert Koch Institut

Romagnolo Scientific Institute for the Study and Treatment of Tumors

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust Russian Academy of Sciences

Sanaria

Sanofi

Scandinavian Biopharma

Sellas Life Sciences Group

Sementis

Seqirus

Serum Institute of India

Shanghai Bovax Biotechnology

Shanghai Houchao Biotechnology

Shantha Biotechnics

Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute

Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories

SHL Group

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sinovac Biotech

SK Bioscience

Skinject

Stand Up To Cancer

Stanford University

Statens Serum Institut

Stevanato Group

Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research

Takeda

Task Foundation

Teva Pharmaceutical

Texas Children's Hospital

The Aurum Institute

The Clatterbridge Cancer Center

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University

The Immunobiological Technology Institute

The Methodist Hospital System

The Wistar Institute

Themis Bioscience

TheraJect

Third Military Medical University

Transgene

Treos Bio

Trudell Medical International

TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative

UbiVac

Union Medico

United States Agency for International Development

United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

United States Department of Defense

University Health Network

University Hospital Tuebingen

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

University Medical Center Groningen

University of Arkansas

University of California

University of Cape Town Lung Institute

University of Cologne

University of Copenhagen

University of Florida

University of Groningen

University of Iowa

University of Lausanne Hospitals

University of Liverpool

University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of Oxford

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pisa

University of Pittsburgh

University of South Australia

University of Southampton

University of Sydney

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin

University of Zaragoza

US Army Medical Research and Material Command

Vaccibody

Vaccitech

Valeritas

Valneva

Vaxart

Vaxess Technologies

VAXIMM

Vaxine

Vaxxas

VBI Vaccines

Vetter Pharma

ViciniVax

ViroStatics

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Washington University School of Medicine

School of Medicine Weill Medical College of Cornell University

West Pharmaceuticals

World Health Organization

World Vision of Ireland

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

XEME Biopharma

Xiamen Innovax Biotech

Xiamen University

University Ypsomed

Zosano Pharma

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US Navy's Sealift Fleet in Dire Straits Following Largest-Ever Stress Test

Sputnik News

22:00 02.01.2020

A recent, massive test of the US Navy's emergency cargo fleet has revealed some major shortcomings, with only half of the ships expected to be quickly ready for operation unable to even leave the dock.

In September of last year, the US Transportation Command carried out a so-called "turbo activation," the largest surge test it's conducted in decades, to see how the reserve cargo fleet would fare if it were called upon to transport large amounts of US military war materiel across the ocean tomorrow.

The results did little to inspire confidence in Washington's ability to send its boys "over there."

"The relatively low  Qualitative Mission Success Rate indicates the Organic Surge Fleet is challenged to be immediately available for a large-scale inter-theater force deployment without delays/impacts to force closure due to degraded readiness," reads an unclassified December 16 report by TRANSCOM on the test.

Of the 61 ships suddenly activated in the test, 40.7% were fully ready to support a major sealift operation - barely half of the standard 85% readiness expected by the Navy.

"You had 22 out of the 61 ships in either C-5 or C-4 condition," Sal Mercogliano, a merchant marine and current professor at Campbell University, told Defense News for a Wednesday article. "C-5 means that you can't even leave the dock; C-4 means you can leave the dock but you are not in any condition to sail any real distance. In my ballpark, that's non-mission capable. So right off the bat you lose 22 of the 61 ships. Then of the 33 that they activated, nine of them had issues. Three of them were C-4 level."

"If you are Indo-Pacific Command, or you are Central Command, and you are counting on a certain amount of square footage available to you, that's going to have huge ramifications," Mercogliano added.

The surge fleet is part of the legion of cargo ships coordinated by US Military Sealift Command to ship, refuel and resupply US forces around the world. Some of those ships are owned outright by the US Navy always fly under its colors using the USNS designation, but the surge fleet are dry cargo ships often chartered by the Navy for use in case of emergency shipping needs, such as a conflict breaking out.

While the Air Force's many heavy airlifting planes like the C-7 Globemaster III can provide emergency deployment of men and equipment to far-away lands, in the event of a major conflict, it's the Sealift fleet that will bear the vast majority of the transportation burden.

According to the Sealift Command website, the surge fleet includes eight fast sealift ships, 11 surge LMSRs (Large, Medium-Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off) and 44 reserve force ships, which includes a variety of roll-on/roll-off ships, breakbulk cargo vessels, tankers and crane ships. These ships are expected to be ready to proceed to a loading port in between four and 20 days after being activated, the website notes.

Retired Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, who heads the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration, which is responsible for maintaining the reserve fleet, told Defense News in November that a major problem of reactivating these aging ships is a shortage of engineers qualified to run the steam-operated vessels, which are all-but-nonexistent in the commercial world.

A chart accompanying the December report revealed that no Surge Fleet vessel is younger than 12 years old, with the majority of them between 40 and 54 years of age. The oldest, the steam-powered crane ship SS Grand Canyon State, was built in 1964.

Forbes noted in April 2019 that while Congress has mandated a new replacement fleet be built, with delivery beginning in 2026, there is no money in the Pentagon's 2020-2024 budget for such construction. One proposed replacement, the Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP), has proven far too costly to be viable, with former Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer saying in May 2019 that he needed ships perhaps one twentieth the cost of the CHAMPs, which weighs in at nearly $1 billion each.

A November memo from the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to the Pentagon recently obtained by Defense News that made apparent the wide rift between the two competing visions of the US Navy fleet's future also included a directive from the OMB to the Navy to produce a cheaper alternative than the CHAMP platform.

If the Navy cannot replace its Sealift fleet, it will find itself unable to move its vast land-based forces abroad to wage a major conflict.

 Sputnik

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(CNN)  An army of 100 life-sized cutouts of Mark Zuckerbergs took over the U.S. Capitol lawn ahead of the Facebook founder's Senate appearance Tuesday.

The stunt is the work of global activist group Avaaz, which wants Zuckerberg, Internet CEOs and government regulators to fight disinformation campaigns across Facebook and other social platforms.

"We know Facebook is doing things to address the fake news problem, but they are doing it in a way to that is too small and too secretive," Avaaz campaign director Nell Greenberg told CNN.

The Avaaz campaign also includes an open letter in response to Zuckerberg's apology, which more than 850,000 people across the world have signed. Zuckerberg took out full-page ads in several British and American newspapers to apologize for a "breach of trust" in the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

The letter addresses four key elements the organization wants Facebook and other internet sites to address: tell the truth, ban the bots, alert the public and fund the fact-checkers.

"We want Facebook to tell the truth regarding the work that is being done to stop this and the scale of the fake news and fake post problem. We just want to know the transparency of the problem and what is being done to tackle it," Greenberg said.

The group says the cutouts represents the hundreds of millions of fake accounts still spreading disinformation on Facebook.

Each is wearing a shirt that reads "Fix Fakebook."

This is the first time Zuckerberg will personally sit for questions from Congress. His testimony marks a pivotal moment for Facebook, as Zuckerberg will spend two days answering lawmakers' questions about what the company is doing to protect users' privacy.

This story was first published on "A sea of Mark Zuckerberg cutouts has taken over the Capitol lawn"
Turkeys parliament Thursday approved Ankaras plans to send troops to Libya at the request of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which has been struggling to overcome a military takeover by forces of retired General Khalifa Haftar, backed by Egypt, UAE and Russia.

The resolution was approved by 325 out of 509 parliamentarians. The text states that developments in Libya pose a threat to the region and asks for permission to deploy Turkish forces to foreign countries to intervene in conflicts outside the borders of Turkey for a period of one year, Daily Sabah reports.

The resolution was prepared last week after the GNA officially requested Turkeys military intervention late last month in view of countering the ongoing military offensive by Haftar forces to seize the Libyan capital over allegation that the GNA is controlled by militias and terror groups.

The request by the GNA came in the framework of Nov.27 security and maritime agreement between the GNA and Ankara.

Under the security aspect, the deal allows Turkey to provide military training and equipment at the request of the Libyan government.

The agreement met with several rejections including the Arab League, Greece and Israel.

The mandate given Thursday will allow Turkey to help the GNA also combat Daesh, al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations or illegal armed groups as well as illegal migration and human trafficking. Turkish soldiers will deliver humanitarian aid to the Libyan people and protect and defend Turkeys threatened interests, the resolution states.
In killing General Suleimani, Mr. Trump took an action that Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama had rejected.

Iran's top security and intelligence commander was killed early Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that was authorized by President Trump, American officials said.

The commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, who led the powerful Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed along with several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran when an American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the airport, according to The New York Times.

General Suleimani was the architect of nearly every significant operation by Iranian intelligence and military forces over the past two decades, and his death was a staggering blow for Iran at a time of sweeping geopolitical conflict.

Read alsoRussia, China, Iran will try to meddle in 2020 U.S. elections, security officials say

United States officials were braced for potential Iranian retaliatory attacks, possibly including cyberattacks and terrorism, on American interests and allies.

Israel, too, was preparing for Iranian strikes. Some of the country's most popular tourist sites, including the ski resort at Hermon, were closed, and the armed forces went on alert, officials said.

"In killing General Suleimani, Mr. Trump took an action that Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama had rejected, fearing it would lead to war between the United States and Iran," the publication says.

While many Republicans said that the president had been justified in the attack, Mr. Trump's most significant use of military force to date, critics of his Iran policy called the strike a reckless unilateral escalation that could have drastic and unforeseen consequences that could ripple violently throughout the Middle East.

"Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That's not a question," Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, wrote on Twitter, using an alternate spelling of the Iranian's name. "The question is this  as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?"

Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, called the killing of General Suleimani an act of "international terrorism" and warned it was "extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation."

"The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," Mr. Zarif tweeted.

Read alsoReuters: Oil prices jump $1 after U.S air strike kills Iran, Iraq military personnel

Hawkish Iran experts said the strike would be deeply painful for Iran's leadership. "This is devastating for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, the regime and Khamenei's regional ambitions," said Mark Dubowitz, the chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, referring to Ayatollah Khamenei.

"For 23 years, he has been the equivalent of the J.S.O.C. commander, the C.I.A. director and Iran's real foreign minister," Mr. Dubowitz said, using an acronym for the United States' Joint Special Operations Command. "He is irreplaceable and indispensable" to Iran's military establishment.

For those same reasons, other regional analysts warned, Iran is likely to respond with an intensity of dangerous proportions.

"From Iran's perspective, it is hard to imagine a more deliberately provocative act," said Robert Malley, the president and chief executive of the International Crisis Group. "And it is hard to imagine that Iran will not retaliate in a highly aggressive manner."

"Whether President Trump intended it or not, it is, for all practical purposes, a declaration of war," added Mr. Malley, who served as White House coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the gulf region in the Obama administration.

Some United States officials and Trump administration advisers offered a less dire scenario, arguing that the show of force might convince Iran that its acts of aggression against American interests and allies have grown too dangerous, and that a president the Iranians may have come to see as risk-averse is in fact willing to escalate.
In a statement, the IRGC said that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the Hashd Shaabi or the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), was also killed along with Soleimani in the strikes that targeted their vehicle on the Baghdad International Airport road, the Tehran-based Press TV reported.

Tehran, Jan 3 (IANS) Gen Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, has been killed in US airstrikes in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the IRGC confirmed on Friday.

The PMF has also confirmed the incident.

"The deputy head of the Hashd, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car," it said in a statement on Friday.

The group had earlier said that its public relations director Mohammed Reza al-Jaberi and four other members were also killed after three Katyusha rockets struck a military base next to the Baghdad airport earlier on Friday.

The PMF described the attack as a "cowardly US bombing".

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said that Soleimani was killed "at the direction of the President".

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," the BBC quoted a Pentagon statement as saying.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

The strike comes days after protesters surrounded the US embassy in Baghdad, clashing with American forces at the scene.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said late on Thursday that Washington would not accept attacks against its personnel in the region, blaming Iran for the violence at the embassy.

Since 1998, Maj Gen Soleimani has led Iran's Quds Force - the IRGC's elite unit which handles clandestine operations abroad, said the BBC.

In that position Gen Soleimani played a key role bolstering Bashar al-Assad's Iranian-supported government in the Syrian Civil War, and in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.

He was a hugely significant figure in the Iranian regime. His Quds Force reported directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He first came to prominence in his country serving in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

ksk/
Turkey's Parliament Passes Bill on Troop Deployment in Libya

Sputnik News

17:40 02.01.2020(updated 21:26 02.01.2020)

Previously, Ankara and the UN-recognised Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) presiding in Tripoli signed an agreement on military cooperation in November 2019.

The Turkish parliament has passed a bill giving a green light to the deployment of Turkish troops in Libya after discussions were held on 2 January. 325 lawmakers voted in favour of the motion, while only 184 rejected it.

"A Libya whose legal government is under threat can spread instability to Turkey. Those who shy away from taking steps on grounds that there is a risk will throw our children into a greater danger", said Ismet Yilmaz, a member of the governing AKP party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The decision was met with condemnation from Egypt, which opposes Ankara's decision to send troops to the civil war-torn country.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his American counterpart Donald Trump discussed Libya in a telephone call, with both stressing "the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional issues", the office of the Turkish president reported soon after the troop deployment bill was passed. Trump expressed his opinion in a conversation with his Turkish counterpart that foreign interference in the Libyan conflict complicates the situation in the country.

Turkey's Support for GNA

The bill was introduced after the country signed an agreement on military cooperation in 2019 with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, with the latter requesting military assistance from Turkey.

Tripoli has been under siege by General Khalifa Haftar, whose forces control most of the eastern part of the country, but is not recognised by the UN, unlike the GNA. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay earlier said that Ankara would send "the necessary number [of troops]" when needed, but added that it wouldn't be necessary if the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Haftar, halts its offensive against Tripoli.

Country Divided by Civil War

Libya has been divided between several groups fighting for power ever since its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was killed in 2011 as a result of an attack by opposition forces backed by Western countries. The UN-supported GNA, which controls the west of the country, and the LNA are the two biggest forces in the country.

The LNA's leader, General Khalifa Haftar, announced his offensive against Tripoli in April 2019, vowing to clear it of "terrorists", referring to the GNA, in just two weeks. His attack on the GNA's capital, however, stalled and has so far been unsuccessful in gaining ground in the city.

A Sputnik

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Lots of people do it  search through their attics in hope of finding something valuable. But Barbara Testa found more than she could have imagined.

In her grandfathers old steamer trunk she came across a manuscript. And not just any old manuscript. It turned out to be half of a draft of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, one of the great American novels. Scholars had been trying to find it for decades.

Barbara Testa found half the draft of "Huckleberry Finn" amongst her grandfather's belongings. Credit:Laura Testa-Reyes

Testa was an anonymous librarian in Hollywood. But her finding, in 1990, catapulted her into the history books as the linchpin in the reunification of the first and second halves of the draft of Mark Twains classic novel. She died on December 16 at her home in Boulder Creek, California, near Santa Cruz. She was 91.

The story began in the 1880s with her grandfather, James Fraser Gluck, a lawyer who was also curator of the library in Buffalo, New York, now called the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. He was a collector, and he aggressively solicited autographs and writings from contemporary authors, all of which he donated to the library.
NEW YORK  A few questions about Dellin Betances past came up Thursday during his introduction news conference with the Mets.

Again and again, the four-time All-Star reliever sounded and looked convincing insisting that he doesnt feel dissed that the Yankees didnt make much of an effort to keep him before he signed a one-year contract for $10.5 million guaranteed with their crosstown rivals on Christmas Eve.

There was no way that Betances was going to take any parting shots at the Yankees, his only professional team until now. He isnt sore at Yankees management for making its offseason focus on free agent pitcher Gerrit Cole, who signed a record $324 million contract with the Yankees on Dec. 10.

Gerrit Cole is a tremendous pitcher, Betances said while dressed in a Mets cap and No. 68 home jersey. They got a great guy there and I wish those guys nothing but the best. They treated me great. I enjoyed my time there. I created a lot of friends in that clubhouse. But for me, Im just excited to be here playing for the Mets and Im excited to start this new chapter in my career.

Betances picked the Mets over a bunch of other clubs that showed significant interest. The Yankees stayed in contact with agent Jim Murray, but never were serious contenders to re-sign Betances.

I think this offseason, I kind of went into it with my eyes wide open, Betances said. I wasnt sure what was going to happen. The excitement of being here with the Mets and the possibility to play for Carlos Beltran and play with this team excited me.

Beltran being hired as Mets manager on Nov. 1 contributed to the Betances signing. They grew close when they were both Yankees from 2014-16 and they talked a lot this winter.

I know as soon as he got the managerial job, he pushed my name to management and he did a tremendous job of letting them know how much he likes me, Betances said. For me, he played a big part definitely. I love Carlos Beltran.

Betances also is eager have a great 2020 season after spending almost all of last year on the injured list. A shoulder injury during spring training shut the 6-foot-8 right-hander down until September, then he suffered a season-ending torn Achilles during his two-batter season debut hopping off the mound following an inning-ending strikeout.

Betances wound up wearing a walking boot until early December, but hes expected to be 100 percent healthy for the start of spring training. Hes already long-tossing and scheduled to throw off the mound in a week or so.

Its typically a normal offseason as far as throwing wise and preparation, Betances said. The only thing is I have to work a lot harder now because Ive got to gain some of that strength back that you lose when you have to wear a boot for six weeks.

The native New Yorker was happy as a Yankee and hes still happy being a new member of the Mets.

I think the Mets were the team that wanted me from the start, he said.

With this new opportunity, Betances will have played for clubs in all five New York boroughs. Hes proud of that, too.

New York is in my blood, Betances said. I grew up playing in the (Manhattan) Lower East Side. I went to high school in Brooklyn and I played minor-league ball in Staten Island. In 2011, I made my major league debut in the Bronx, and now I stand here and get a chance to wear this Mets uniform playing in Queens.

Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RandyJMiller. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq to protect American personnel abroad, the Pentagon announced on Friday, dramatically escalating hostilities between the arch-rivals and spiking tensions in the already volatile Persian Gulf region.

Gen Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias.

Gen Soleimani, 62, was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Ayatollah Khamenei. His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the ayatollah and he was hailed as a heroic national figure.

The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani in the air strike, saying the military action was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.

"At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Following Soleimani's killing, Trump, now on vacation in Florida, did not comment immediately, except for tweeting an image of the US flag.

The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

Gen Soleimani and officials from Iran-backed militias were leaving Baghdad airport in two cars when they were hit by a US drone strike near a cargo area.

He had reportedly flown in from Lebanon or Syria. Several missiles struck the convoy and at least seven people are believed to have died, according to media reports from Baghdad.

The Pentagon alleged that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," it said.

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.

"The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, it said.

In Tehran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning.

Khamenei then extolled Soleimani saying dying for the cause was the general's great wish. "For years it was his wish to become a martyr, and finally God granted him his highest office", he said.

President Hasan Rouhani, reacting to Soleimani's killing, said it had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values".

Meanwhile, global oil prices have soared by more than four per cent in the wake of the attack.

The of Soleimani's killing generated different reactions in Washington along party lines with Republicans heaping praise on Trump and Democrats expressing concerns about the legality and consequences of the strike.

"I appreciate President @realDonaldTrump's bold action against Iranian aggression," Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a fierce Trump ally, tweeted. "To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more."



Trump's decision was supported by his former Cabinet colleague, Indian- American Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

"Qasem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, she tweeted.

Senator Marco Rubio backed Trump's action in a tweet. They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions. They badly miscalculated, he said.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who is also running for president in the Democratic primary, called it a "dangerous escalation" that brings the US "closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars."



"Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one, he said.

House Speaker and top Democrat Nancy Pelosi warned that the US could not "put the lives of American service members, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions."



Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018. The US then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US killing of a top Iranian military commander has made the world "more dangerous," France's Europe minister said Friday, calling for efforts to de-escalate the deepening conflict in the Middle East.

"We have woken up to a more dangerous world," Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio, saying President Emmanuel Macron would consult soon with "players in the region."



The United States confirmed it was responsible for an airstrike early Friday that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, ratcheting up the proxy war between the two powers.

"In such operations, when we can see an escalation is underway, but what we want above all is stability and de-escalation," Montchalin said.

"All of France's efforts... in all parts of the world aim to ensure that we are creating the conditions for peace or at least stability," she added.

"Our role is not to take sides, but to talk with everyone," Montchalin said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
China's Yutu 2 rover leaves tracks on the far side of the moon. The rover and its Chang'e-4 lander hit the one-year mark on the moon on Jan. 3, 2020.

China hit a historic milestone on the moon Friday (Jan. 3) as its Chang'e 4 lander and rover celebrated their first full year exploring the lunar far side.

The Chinese Chang'e 4 moon lander and its rover Yutu 2 officially completed their 13th lunar day on Thursday (Beijing time), according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. The pair has switched to a dormant mode to sleep through the lunar night, according to the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Chang'e-4 probe launched to the moon on Dec. 8, 2018 and made the first-ever soft landing on the far side of the moon on Jan. 3, 2019. The spacecraft touched down in in the Von Karman crater at the lunar South Pole-Aitken Basin, where they have been ever since.

Related: Chang'e 4 in Pictures: China's Mission to the Moon's Far Side

A record-breaking moon rover

As of Friday, the Yutu 2 rover has driven 1,173 feet (357.695 meters) on the moon's far side, according to China's state-run Xinhua news service. Yutu-2 (it's name means Jade Rabbit-2) has worked much longer than its initial three-month design life, becoming the longest-working rover on the moon.

"The scientific instruments on the lander and rover worked as planned. The rover conducted explorations of several sites and photographed and conducted an infrared detection of a stone on the lunar surface, said the center," Xinhua wrote of the mission Friday.

Chang'e-4 mission scientists have christened their landing site Statio Tianhe, Xinhua stated. "Tianhe" is Mandarin for the Milky Way and "Statio" is Latin for station.

China's Yutu 2 rover leaves tracks on the far side of the moon. The rover and its Chang'e-4 lander hit the one-year mark on the moon on Jan. 3, 2020. (Image credit: CNSA)

Chang'e-4's Yutu 2 rover has made several discoveries on the moon's farside. Among them, it found that the lunar regolith around the Chang'e-4 lander contains the minerals olivine and pyroxene, which came from deep inside the moon.

With Chang'e-4 on the far side of the moon, CNSA has been relying on a relay satellite called Queqiao, which is stationed beyond the moon in a stable Lagrange point about 310,685 miles (500,000 kilometers) from Earth. Zhang Lihua, the satellite's chief designer, said it could last another 10 years, according to Xinhua.

"We will let the Queqiao work as long as possible. It could also provide communication for probes from other countries if they intend to explore the moon's far side within the lifetime of the satellite," Xinhua quoted Ye Peijian, a Chinese Academy of Sciences researcher and a senior space expert, as saying.

While the Chang'e-4 mission continues, China is looking ahead to its next lunar mission: Chang'e-5.

That new mission, which is expected to launch sometime in 2020, will launch another lander and rover to the moon on a mission to return lunar samples to Earth.

Leonard David is author of the recently released book, " Moon Rush: The New Space Race " published by National Geographic in May 2019. A longtime writer for Space.com, David has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook .
United States is sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Mideast as reinforcements in the aftermath of the killing of Iranian General ...





United States is sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Mideast as reinforcements in the aftermath of the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in a strike ordered by President Donald Trump.





There has been no official confirmation of the plan, which runs contrary to Trumps policy of reducing US military presence in the region.





US troops going on a deployment





Defense officials who spoke Friday said the troops are from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They are in addition to about 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne who deployed to Kuwait earlier this week after the storming of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters.





According to AP, dispatching of extra troops reflects US concern about potential Iranian retaliatory action for the killing of Soleimani, commander of Irans Quds Force.





Prior to this weeks troop deployments, the administration had sent 14,000 additional troops to the Mideast since May, when it first publicly claimed Iran was planning attacks on U.S. interests.





The reinforcements took shape as Trump gave his first comments on the strike, declaring that he ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani because he had killed and wounded many Americans over the years and was plotting to kill many more. He should have been taken out many years ago, he added.





The strike marked a major escalation in the conflict between Washington and Iran, as Iran vowed harsh retaliation for the killing of the senior military leader. The two nations have faced repeated crises since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.





The United States urged its citizens to leave Iraq immediately as fears mounted that the strike and any retaliation by Iran could ignite a conflict that engulfs the region.





Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the strike as wholly lawful, saying that Soleimani posed an imminent threat against the U.S. and its interests in the region.





There was an imminent attack, Pompeo told Fox News. The orchestrator, the primary motivator for the attack, was Qassem Soleimani.




An incinerator to address deer carcass disposal in Unit CWD will be constructed in Fayette County. The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission (TFWC) approved a $1 million budget expansion for the project at its December meeting. The incinerator will be constructed at the Fayette County Landfill and will be maintained and operated by Fayette County.

CWD poses many challenges including safe disposal of deer carcasses.

As a response to concerns from citizens regarding the burial of carcasses, the TWFC has fully funded the purchase of a large incinerator that will be operational by next hunting season said Dr. Hank Wright, commissioner of TFWC District 9. We are working to put the best science available to use while serving not only the hunting public, but all citizens living in southwest Tennessee.

The large-scale incinerator will be available to processors and hunters to dispose of deer from the CWD-positive and high-risk counties of southwest Tennessee. The incinerator will get above 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature necessary to kill the disease.

When it comes to inactivating and denaturing prions and making them unavailable to infect additional animals, wildlife managers have very limited options, said Dr. Dan Grove, UT Extension Assistant Professor and Wildlife Veterinarian. Having a large scale incinerator available in Unit CWD will help provide a needed outlet for many of the potentially infectious waste materials generated from deer and CWD management activities in southwest Tennessee.

Since detecting CWD first in December of 2018, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has established the goal of keeping CWD from spreading, keeping the number of diseased deer in the affected area to a minimum, and reducing disease rates where possible. The TWRA has already sampled more than 10,000 deer for CWD this deer season and the reported number of positives this season is 148 thus far.
The headquarters of Prudential Life Insurance Company of Korea in Seoul



By Lee Kyung-min



Competition between Woori Financial Group and KB Financial Group will become fierce over the acquisition of Prudential Life Insurance Company of Korea, the local insurance arm of Prudential Financial, industry sources said Friday.



Either of the two that adds the Korean subsidiary of the U.S. insurance giant will solidify its business presence among its top five peers, all of whose top priority in 2020 is bolstering non-banking sectors via mergers and acquisitions (M&As).



The process to select a preferred bidder for the life insurer is scheduled for Jan. 20.



KB Financial is showing a keen interest to boost life insurance business, the long-cited weakness of the former industry leader recently outperformed by Shinhan Financial.



Shinhan reclaiming the top in 2019 was helped largely by successful acquisition of ING Life Korea, now Orange Life Insurance, from MBK Partners in 2018.



"Acquiring Prudential Life will certainly help us to improve overall business portfolio," a KB official said. "We cannot comment on the specifics about the ongoing developments."



Non-life insurance subsidiary of KB had an asset of 35.4 trillion won ($30.3 billion) as of September 2019, coming in fourth in the industry.



If the merger materializes, KB's life insurance with only 10.5 trillion won in asset can soar to the fifth largest in the industry from the current 17th.



Woori Financial Group is also gearing up for the takeover in line with group chairman Son Tae-seung who repeatedly emphasized growth via M&As especially involving securities and insurers.



This is in addition to the group-wide strategy to enhance closer integration among group subsidiaries that handle banking, card, asset management, real estate investment trust and investment businesses.



Prudential Life recorded 146.5 billion won in net profit in the first nine months of 2019, coming in sixth in the industry.



Its net profit was 311.3 billion won in 2018, coming in fifth.



The performance is notable given its asset size is only the 11th-largest in the industry at 20.1 trillion won as of June 2019.



Its risk-based capital ratio, considered a barometer for financial soundness, stood at 505.1 percent in June 2019, the top of the list of life insurers.



Besides the two, Hana Financial Group is seeking to acquire The-K Non-Life Insurance, owned by the Korea Teachers Credit Union (KTCU).



Despite the net losses reported by the non-life insurer specializing in auto insurance, Hana views injecting additional capital will soon normalize the operation of what could be a strong cash cow of the group.
















Trump's Declaration of War Conflict with Iran Could Be Inevitable after Killing of General

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted he does not want war with Iran. Now, with the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, that conflict could be inevitable. It is the price for instinctual foreign policy devoid of experts.
After handing over the reins of Chief of Army Staff to General Manoj Mukund Naravane after completing three years of the post, General Bipin Rawat was appointed as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on 1 January 2020

After handing over the baton as Chief of Army Staff to General Manoj Mukund Naravane, General Bipin Rawat has now moved on to play a new role, and a rather unprecedented one. The four star-decorated general was appointed as the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India on 1 January 2020. His appointment is seen as a watershed moment for India's military planning, which until now relied on the combined wisdom of chiefs of three forces and the defence secretary.

The creation of the post of CDS is expected to bring in a convergence among the three services for effectively dealing with future security challenges.

According to The Print, the colour of his uniform would remain olive green but there would be significant changes to represent all the three forces. The CDS uniform would also not have the four stars on the collar that chiefs have. The service ribbons, however, will remain in place, reports ANI.

Indian Army: Chief of the Defence Staff(CDS) on assumption of appointment will have his office in South Block. CDS shall have parent Service uniform. (pic 1: Car flag, Pic 2: peak cap, Pic 3: shoulder badges, pic 4: belt buckle) pic.twitter.com/efWkbSLKG8  ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a series of tweets, called the creation of the DMA and institutionalisation of the post of CDS a momentous and comprehensive reform that will help the country face the ever-changing challenges of modern warfare.

Creation of the CDS as single-point military adviser to the government was strongly recommended by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999. "This institution carries tremendous responsibility of modernizing our military forces. It would also reflect the hopes and aspirations of 1.3 billion Indians," said Modi.

As the first CDS takes charge, I pay homage to all those who have served and laid down their lives for our nation. I recall the valiant personnel who fought in Kargil, after which many discussions on reforming our military began, leading to todays historic development.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 1, 2020

The CDS will be the first amongst equals as permanent chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and will act as "principal military advisor" to the defence minister on tri-services issues. However, the other chiefs will also report directly to the defence minister on matters relating to their services. The CDS will not have any military command over the chiefs of the three services.

The CDS is a four-star general, just like the other chiefs, and his pay and perquisites remain unchanged.

Air Defence Command

In one of his first decisions, Rawat has issued directions to prepare a roadmap by 30 June to create a joint Air Defence Command to enhance the security of India's skies. But integration is a task easier said than done.

The decision is neither unique nor something unheard of as the idea for a CDS, and hence an integrated armed force, can be traced back to Lord Louis Mountbatten, the architect of Indias higher defence organisation. However, it is the one strategically important task that can be a thorn in the side of the CDS labouring to bring about such reforms.

Currently, the three services have 17 commands and it has long been held that modern warfare requires the three services to function in an integrated fashion. However, the inner rivalry between the three forces and bureaucratic obstacles have primarily defeated any efforts for deep-rooted reforms. The Indian Air Force, for one, has been traditionally seen as a force obtuse on relenting control of Indian skies for the sake of better coordination with the other two forces, who also inadvertently need limited but crucial air support in their operations.

As Mohan Guruswamy points out in his article, the air force has a record of waging obdurate turf wars. It fought a long battle to keep all military helicopters under its control till good sense finally prevailed and the army was allowed the use of Chetak helicopters for routine sorties, tactical supply and medical evacuation.

In such a scenario, attempts to set up a combined Air Defence Command in coordination with army and navy may meet with some resistance from the air force top brass. But the strategic importance of unification of India's air combat capacity can not be undermined. The air force is a revenue intensive force and by enabling other forces to draw from its pool of resources will not only strengthen the other two wings, but also ensure optimal utilisation of resources.

It is in this backdrop that Rawat's decision to to prepare a roadmap by 30 June to create a joint Air Defence Command is being watched.

Apart from this, another key area where Rawat seems to have focused is in inclusion of the Indian Coast Guard in matters of national defence. The force is a significant but largely underappreciated wing of India's defence. The coast guard not only monitors India's long sea coast, but is also crucial in intercepting infiltration bids and other security threats. Absence of physical barriers on the coast and presence of vital industrial and defence installations also enhance the vulnerability of the coasts to illegal cross-border activities, which is why the force remains a small but strategic umbrella for India's defence.

General Rawat has directed that all three services must consult coast guard in a time-bound manner on matters of national security. Decisions will, however, be taken to ensure optimisation of resources, the defence ministry said. It also said the CDS stressed that all must work towards accomplishing desired results and coming up with healthy views and ideas.

Some of the areas identified for bringing in tri-services jointness and synergy include setting up of common "logistics support pools" in stations where two or more services have their presence, they said.

After taking charge, he held a meeting with important functionaries of Integrated Defence Staff and directed heads of various wings to come up with recommendations to bring in inter-service synergy and jointness in a time-bound manner, officials said. He also underlined that efforts will be made to cut out infructuous ceremonial activities which are manpower intensive, officials said.

As CDS, Rawat will be the Principal Military Advisor to the defence minister on all tri-services matters besides helming the newly set up Department of Military Affairs (DMA).

The CDS will have a key role in ensuring optimum utilisation of allocated budget, ushering in more synergy in procurement, training and operations of the services through joint planning and integration. The other major mandate of the CDS is to facilitate indigenisation of weapons and equipment to the maximum extent possible while formulating the overall defence acquisition plan for the three Services.

Department of Military Affairs

The government has now created a new Department of Military Affairs in the Defence Ministry and it will be headed by newly-appointed CDS, according to an official order issued earlier this week.

The DMA will have an integrated headquarters of the Defence Ministry comprising of the Army headquarters, the Naval headquarters, the Air headquarters, the Defence Staff headquarters, and the Territorial Army.

This new department will handle matters relating to the three forces, and procurement exclusive to the services, except capital acquisitions.

Besides this, the department is tasked with promoting the use of indigenous equipment by the services.

With the latest changes, the Defence Ministry will have five departments under it and these are the Department of Defence, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of Defence Production, the Department of Defence Research and Development, and the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on 24 December, approved the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff. "The Chief of Defence Staff will also head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to be created within the Ministry of Defence and function as its secretary," an official statement had said.

With inputs from agencies
Charlton Heston in a scene from the epic movie 'El Cid.' Cordon Press

The real El Cid, the man named Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, did not own two swords that he called Colada and Tizona, nor did he have a horse named Babieca, and he never forced King Alfonso VI to swear that he had nothing to do with the death of the monarchs brother.

Also, his daughters names were not really Elvira and Sol, but Maria and Cristina, and he had a son named Diego. Nor is it true that his daughters were assaulted by the counts of Carrion, or that he himself won a battle after death.

As a matter of fact, it could well be that nobody called El Cid by that name during his lifetime, although he did go by the name of Campeador (from the Latin campidoctus, or lord of the battlefield), which he attached to his signature.

He headed a hybrid army made up of members of his own armed retinue as well as Muslim troops

But this does not mean that the real-life individual and his exploits were not extraordinary in their own right.

Now, a renowned medieval history scholar named David Porrinas, who teaches at Extremadura University, has published an enlightening new essay on the real Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, who was born around 1040 and died in 1099.

El Cid, historia y mito de un senor de la guerra (or, El Cid, history and myth of a warlord), focuses on Diazs battlefield activities and depicts him as a man of action. He was an adventurous, opportunistic and pragmatic warrior who was adept at navigating the often hazy frontier separating Christian and Islamic Spain. He headed a hybrid army made up of members of his own armed retinue as well as Muslim troops. He was a mercenary in search of booty, and a strong leader to follow in a mixed-up world where Christian and Muslim kingdoms fought against each other and among themselves, switching alliances regardless of religion.

Medieval knights depicted in the work Beato de las Huelgas.

He was a fearsome fighter who could prove brutal  he had civilians tortured and ordered the Muslim judge of Valencia to be burned alive  and he earned a reputation for being invincible in battle. Both the character and the backdrop are powerfully captured by the writer Arturo Perez-Reverte in his latest novel, Sidi, although the latter also includes a few legendary elements from the popular accounts about El Cid.

It is very complicated to extract the real, historical Cid from the legend that was created around him, explains Porrinas, underscoring that some enduring cliches have been around for so many centuries that it is difficult to banish them, as Diaz himself was banished twice by the king.

But that is not for lack of good historical sources, he notes. He is probably the character who attracted the greatest news coverage of his time, even more than the emperor himself, Alfonso VI. It is an absolutely exceptional thing to have this much information about someone from the 11th century who was neither a member of royalty or a high-ranking church official, says Porrinas.

One of these historical documents is the Historia Roderici, which was written during El Cids lifetime or shortly thereafter. There are also accounts by Muslim chroniclers who wrote about the conquest of Valencia, El Cids greatest military feat. Some of these historians even experienced the event first-hand.

Porrinas explains that even the document recording the marriage between Diaz and Jimena has survived, and that it shows Diazs own signature Ego ruderico (I, Rodrigo). The halting writing suggests that El Cid was much better with a sword than with a quill.

He was a fearsome fighter who could prove brutal: he had civilians tortured

Despite these sources, it is the Cantar de mio Cid, an epic poem that was put down in writing between the late 12th and early 13th centuries based on minstrel accounts, which has dominated the publics view of events. It established a literary imagery thats very different from the historical one, but which was destined for much greater success, notes Porrinas.

The confusion was compounded by the fact that in the early 20th century Ramon Menendez Pidal, a noted historian and scholar of Spanish folklore, decided that Cantar de mio Cid and other romances about Diaz de Vivar should be considered valid historical sources to learn about the real man.

And then there was the Franco regimes praise of the national hero, not to mention the 1961 movie starring Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren. The imagery contained in Cantar de mio Cid is very cinematographic, admits Porrinas, who says there were evident concessions made for mushiness, fantasy and morbid drama.

The scholar notes that none of the most famous episodes that most people think of when they think of El Cid actually happened. Instead, they were created much later. The duel with Jimenas father, for instance, first became part of the story in the 15th century. As for making the king swear that he had nothing to do with his brothers death, it was only in the 13th century that this episode was incorporated into tales about El Cid. In any event, it would have been impossible for a nobleman to thus defy the power of a monarch.

A statue of El Cid in Burgos.

Diego, the son that so little is known about, is reported by historical sources to have died in battle against Muslim troops at Consuegra in 1097. It was a severe blow for El Cid, who lost all hope of establishing a lineage that would perpetuate his hold on the recently conquered principality of Valencia, although he did manage good marriages for his daughters, says Porrinas.

As for the famous scene showing a dead El Cid tied to his horse and striking fear into his enemys hearts, it is part of the legend created by the monks at the monastery of Cardena, where Diaz was buried after his embalmed body was taken out of a Valencia under threat from the Almoravids.

Porrinas says there is no evidence that he was ever called Cid or Sidi (lord in Arabic) during his lifetime. The first time we see that is in the Poem of Almeria, dating back to the mid-12th century, where he is mentioned as Cid. This does not mean that his Arab soldiers or Valencian subjects did not call him that, but there is no documentary evidence of it.

It may come as a surprise to many that El Cid was a mercenary. It sounds pejorative, but that is the definition of someone who fights for money, says Porrinas. Rodrigo was very pragmatic and he understood that serving King Al-Mutamin of Zaragoza and his successors was the best way to achieve his own ultimate goal of taking Valencia. One cannot understand the Campeador without understanding his military, political and cultural relationship with the Muslims.

Porrinas laughs when he is asked if a book like his could have been published under Franco. Impossible. Francoism was devoid of ideology and it had to create one, and it appropriated symbols such as Don Pelayo, Covadonga, Agustina de Aragon and El Cid. Franco identified with the Cid of legend, and he liked others to see him that way too. He really made things easy for the shooting of the Charlton Heston movie, which globalized that epic image of the character.

Looking back at El Cid, Porrinas says that he did not change History with a capital H, but he did change cultural history. The epic poem Cantar de mio Cid changed the history of Spain, and both Perez-Revertes new novel and an upcoming Amazon Prime series have created renewed interest in Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar.

It is a new Cid for these new times, but that does not mean that it is the definitive one or that everything has already been said on the subject, notes Porrinas. History is a living science, and El Cid will still be riding for a long time to come.

English version by Susana Urra.
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[January 02, 2020] The Birth Of The Smart Health Home Industry To Be Revealed At CES 2020

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- You might be familiar with the term "smart home," but get ready for the "Smart Health Home" by Electronic Caregiver. At the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 in Las Vegas, Electronic Caregiver will present an ambitious new digital health technology solution named Addison Care. Addison Care is an innovative IoT-connected residential health solution capable of chronic care management, monitoring, behavioral health, rehabilitation support and continuum of care support. Addison sets up within minutes in your home with multiple touch screens networked together with far-field microphones, health peripherals, high-quality sound, RealSense Intel depth cameras, and includes a voice-powered 3D Virtual Caregiver named Addison. Addison is displayed inside interactive, dynamic 3D scenes and can perform demonstrations, conduct patient assessments and work with objects inside her environment. Addison first debuted as a prototype at CES 2019 and she demonstrated some impressive capabilities like collecting some key vitals and basic medication reminders. This year Addison promises to demonstrate a lot more capabilities coordinated with a production model debut, and managed by a fully functioning, highly secure, proprietary enterprise platform that is already serving patients in the market nationwide. This year at CES, Electronic Caregiver will debut new features Addison offers for health practices to manage in-office patient assessments, intake and outtake procedures. The company is also showing off a new clinical-based, motion analysis solution. "CES 2020 is a pivotal debut for us," Electronic Caregiver CEO Anthony Dohrmann said. "Addison is now market ready. She monitors vitals through six connected health devices. Her scenes are more capable, dynamic and fluid. Her voice capabilities are dramatically enhanced. The entire user experience has seen a 100-fold improvement. We've added features for child patients, chronic care patients, behavioral health, rehabilitation, and full-network integration with health providers. Oneof the most exciting Virtual Assistant features Addison will present at CES is the integration of Amazon Alexa."



Dohrmann went on to explain the difference between Addison Care and traditional apps and telehealth. Older adults find thumbing through menus and small screens a burden, and somewhat confusing. Rather than having to reach out and navigate the technology, with Addison, the technology reaches out to you, walking you through every step of interaction, patient assessment and treatment routine. Addison has also added gamification, education support for caregivers, and provides impressive connectivity for family members, providers and professional caregivers. As far as telehealth, Addison does provide telehealth connectivity standard, but fills the additional gaps in care by providing extended 24/7 support, assessment and monitoring. Electronic Caregiver has already deployed the Addison Architecture to manage thousands of patients nationwide, managing more than 5 million signals and engagements per year for patients and caregivers. Their service, which the company calls "advanced remote patient monitoring," is now reimbursed by Medicare. Addison Care is designed with equipment deployed in the home, which includes an impressive octuple redundant. For instance, in the event internet and/or power is lost to the home, the Addison solution has an integrated back-up battery and is cellular enabled through a connected smart hub. In partial resource mode, Addison Care can still connect to provide health peripherals for vitals monitoring, a physician-on-demand service called pocketMD, use of her emergency response wearable, monitored medication reminders, and even two-way natural language processing for automated in-home assessments. All critical alerts and notifications still function to serve customers, caregivers and partners.

About Electronic Caregiver, Inc. Electronic Caregiver has become a leading and highly recognized brand for virtual care solutions and advanced remote patient monitoring services. The company staff size has more than doubled in 2019 and is nearing 150 full time employees. Electronic Caregiver has invested more than $55 million and 10 years into research, development and a staged rollout of virtual care and health management solutions for chronic care patients, child patients and older adults. Electronic Caregiver offers its solutions through a network of leading national home care providers, health institutions and providers. Addison Care is the company's most advanced new technology, offering a Virtual Caregiver that deploys technology using IoT, 3D animation, mixed reality, Bluetooth, natural language processing, long range RF, cellular, machine learning, visual sensing and a suite of integrated electronics. The company manages its business using an advanced, proprietary enterprise management platform designed by the company and named Orion. Electronic Caregiver and Addison Care are now involved in numerous official clinical research initiatives in clinical settings to further validate utilization and efficacy in areas of improved outcomes, improved treatment adherence, and optimized continuum of care. www.addison.care

www.electroniccaregiver.com Media Kit: www.electroniccaregiver.com/press-resources Las Vegas, Nevada  Consumer Electronics Show; January 7-10, 2020

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 16:04:53|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Two workers were killed and one was injured in a tower crane collapse accident in western South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported Friday, citing the police and firefighting authorities.

The 30-meter-high, T-shape tower crane collapsed at around 8:32 a.m. local time at a construction site to build the headquarters of a cutting tool maker in Incheon, west of the capital Seoul.

Two employees from a crane installment company, who were working to dismantle the crane at a point 24 meters high, fell to the ground as the crane snapped for an unidentified reason.

The two, aged 58 and 50, were found dead. Another 34-year-old worker from the same company suffered an injury on his left arm and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Before the accident, the workers were loosening bolts to dismantle the crane in phases. The police were reportedly looking into a CCTV footage to determine the cause of the accident.
New Delhi:

After top poets and writers including Javed Akhtar, Rahat Indori and Vishal Bhardwaj on Thursday described attempts to paint Faiz Ahmed Faiz's revolutionary "Hum Dekhenge" as anti-Hindu and pro-Islam, a "ridiculous" and "narrow-minded" attempt; film director, lyricist and poet Gulzar asserted that his lines were taken out-of-context and it is wrong on the part of people who are using it as protest anthem.

Gulzar when quizzed about the probe by IIT-Kanpur over recitation of 'Hum Dekhenge' on Jamia Millia Islamia campus in their protest against the amended Citizenship Acts said, Faiz Ahmed Faiz was the founder of Progressive Writers movement and using a work that was written as a form of protest against Pakistani military dictator Zia-ul-Haq is not suitable. Whatever he has written has to be seen in its correct context and that is what needs to be done.

Faculty members and some students filed a complaint against a student for reciting the poem, which they claimed provoked "anti-Hindu" sentiments.

"This poem was written against a fundamentalist called Zia-ul-Haq, a dictator. It is interesting that fundamentalists, all kinds of, don't like this poem," Akhtar told India Today TV.

Filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj, who had used Faiz's 'Gulon Mein Rang Bhare...' in his critically-acclaimed, Kashmir-set 2014 film "Haider", said those interpreting it as pro-Muslim and anti-Hindu lack "emotional intelligence".

"It sounds totally ridiculous. To understand poetry, you need to feel it first. You need a certain standard of emotional intelligence, which seems to be completely lacking in those who are interpreting it as pro-Muslim and anti-Hindu," Bhardwaj told PTI.

Faiz's daughter Saleema Hashmi on the other hand found the whole controversy "funny" and hoped that ultimately her father's words will win over the hate.

Meanwhile, The protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act at the Jamia Millia Islamiahas entered its third week, with several students continuing to throng the streets outside the university.

The Jamia students, who has been demanding withdrawal of the amendments in the law, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark that his government has never discussed the National Register of Citizens (NRC) after coming to power for the first time in 2014.

The students asked how many detention centres will the government build if all Muslims, Christians and other minorities are "outsiders" and "illegal migrants".

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
The City of Farmington Hills is set to host a special recruitment event at noon on Sunday, January 5 at Farmington Hills City Hall, located at 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, for the Farmington Hills Police Department.

The Department is looking to fill open police officer and police service aide positions through the event, according to a press release.

Farmington Hills police is the 11th largest police department in Michigan, with 107 sworn officers and supported by an additional 37 full-time employees.

The patrol division is staffed by over 60 uniformed officers, and an investigative division that maintains two squads of detectives.

Its dispatch center is also the largest city-operated center in Oakland County, taking in over 100 calls o 9-1-1 daily and dispatching more than 45,000 calls for service annually.

Jobs at the Police Department have an average salary between $51,000 and $74,000 per year with a defined benefit pension.

For more information about the event or working at the department itself, visit the City of Farmington Hills website.
For eight years, a digital media company called Im Shmacked has posted viral videos of the college party scene. Beer bongs, booze, marijuana and scantily clad women are all featured prominently, in scenes set to upbeat party music. Cinematic shots of college campuses and university landmarks are interspersed with flip cup games and keg stands.

High schoolers love it. While university tours and campus promo reels can give them an idea of the academic environment at a college, Im Shmacked gives them an inside look at what really matters, in a social sense: the parties.

I used to look at the Im Shmacked party videos of the colleges I was looking at, said Darius Myers, who was a student at Snow College in Utah. The schools that had the coolest recap videos, it made me really want to go there.

The business model of Im Shmacked is to recruit undergraduates as content creators, often with promises of thousands of dollars a month in compensation and online fame.

By simply posting videos of parties and other viral antics, many were told, they could gain experience in online marketing and make cash from ads and by selling custom merchandise.

Instead, many students sank hundreds of dollars into Im Shmacked and ran Instagram accounts without pay.

In interviews with The New York Times, students said that after they confronted the company over false promises, they were threatened with lawsuits and intimidated into silence. Many who interned for the company fared no better.

A Decent Investment

Im Shmacked was founded in 2011 by Jeffrie Ray, an amateur filmmaker, then 19, and Arya Toufanian, a student at George Washington University, then 20. The two began traveling across the country, filming college parties and uploading the footage to YouTube.

The videos were a hit and often incriminating. One, filmed at West Virginia University, featured students smashing car windows interspersed with footage of them guzzling beer bongs during a St. Patricks Day charity party.

In 2012, it had more than half a million views. (It has since been removed from the web; the original YouTube channel for Im Shmacked has been deactivated for violating terms, but there is a new one.)

In order to keep up with demand, Ray and Toufanian started enlisting small groups of people to travel to different colleges, hosting wild parties for the sole purpose of content creation.

This was one of the first widespread digital efforts to capture booze-soaked party culture and package it for the web.

Im Shmacked, along with companies like Barstool and Total Frat Move, grew by churning out content that sold a fantasy of what college life could be like, racking up followers and view counts by the millions.

For many students, being affiliated with Im Shmacked was a status indicator. I thought getting the company name out there with my name would be a good networking opportunity for other things down the line in my life, said Jerry Shukes, who ran an Im Shmacked Instagram account at East Carolina University, in North Carolina.

After all, it was an Im Shmacked YouTube video of a party at East Carolina that influenced his decision to attend that school.

In the fall of 2018, Shukes paid $300 to Im Shmacked, thinking it would be a decent investment, and became part of what Toufanian called his college ambassador program.

That program, which officially started in 2016, was pitched to students simply: pay $45 to $500 and become the designated representative of the company at your school.

The designation meant running an Im Shmacked Instagram account that was school specific  @imshmackedpurdue, say, or @imshmackedcornell  and if a post or video went viral, it would often be reposted to the main Im Shmacked handle, which had 1.2 million followers. Students were told they could make money through online merchandise stores, ad placements and by charging other students to be featured on the accounts.

According to a company spreadsheet from 2017 and interviews with several people who used to work with Toufanian, at least 3,600 college kids took the company up on this offer. (Toufanian did not respond to an email sent requesting comments for this article. Ray, who left the company by 2016, could not be reached.)

There were some red flags. In 2013, after Im Shmacked sold hundreds of tickets to University of Delaware students for a party it failed to reserve a site for, police had to be called in to quell the disturbance.

In 2016, students at Santa Clara University in California demanded refunds from the company after it raised more than $30,000 for a concert and party that never took place. In 2017, Im Shmacked canceled a Halloween party in Utah the night before it was set to take place, leaving the events company it had teamed with on the hook for thousands of dollars.

Toufanian had also proved to be a loose cannon. In 2014 he threatened a Business Insider reporter with petitions to fire and deport her and tweeted that she should be prepping her anus for an attack.

Promises and Betrayal

Many of the Im Shmacked Instagram accounts grew quickly, and students were excited to be working with what they considered a mainstream brand. Some planned to add their ambassadorships to their resumes.

I thought the page was going to be something, said Jorge Flores, a student at the University of Kansas, who paid $300 to become an Im Shmacked ambassador. I thought it would be a good way to build a community at school.

Im Shmacked did tours on YouTube, he said, referring to the companys tendency to sweep through college towns like a rock band. So I was like, maybe theyd bring the tour to KU or expose me to other opportunities and help me make connections.

But over time, many students began to feel they were being used.

Shukes, the brand ambassador for East Carolina, eventually concluded he would never recoup the money he paid to the company. I was scammed, he said.

Many students who signed up did notice the companys disorganization from the start. It quickly became clear that some schools had multiple Im Shmacked ambassadors and Instagram accounts.

Penn State, for instance, had four Im Shmacked pages. In interviews, several students said that Toufanian promised them that competing accounts were frauds and that he would have Instagram remove them.

In reality, multiple Instagram accounts meant that students could be pitted against their peers to source the most viral content.

Toufanian had also told students that they would receive a cut of any items sold through college-specific merchandise shops that they could promote on their Instagram accounts; this, many believed, would allow them to quickly recoup the money they had given Im Shmacked up front.

But online storefronts were rarely created, according to someone who consulted with Toufanian on business matters, and student ambassadors never received a cut of any sales.

I worked at a sub shop on campus for $9.25 an hour. I was just expecting to make the money I gave them back in a month or so, said Arun Singh, who paid Im Shmacked to become an ambassador at Penn State in September 2018. But none of that happened.

In many cases, students said, once they paid the fee, they stopped hearing from the company. When Shukes tried to speak out about what happened to him, Toufanian sent him repeated messages on Instagram and an email.

One reads: Youll be sued personally and Im listing your individual name if your website isnt down in 24 hours. I will pursue you for damages. It is beyond illegal.

When another person set up an Instagram account on which he reposted screenshots from students who said they had been taken advantage of, Toufanian messaged him that he would soon be sued. Its criminal and slander, the message said. Reporting harassment to police theyll deal with you.

There are no records of lawsuits filed by Toufanian against students, but many reported being bullied by him and said they feared retribution. And he has a history of threatening legal action against those who cross him.

In 2016, Toufanian hired a lawyer to send a letter to Gawker Media demanding that it take down two negative articles about him, calling them libelous. (The same lawyer represented Peter Thiel in his legal attacks against Gawker.)

In December 2018, after the website 5orry published an article that was suspicious of another of Toufanians ventures  a stock trading scheme, operating under the Instagram handle @stocks  5orrys owner received many emails from Toufanian threatening legal action if the articles were not removed.

After today I will pursue a lawsuit against you with cooperation of police, Toufanian wrote in an email in April. You dont want to give me your name, your internet service provider and the host will tell me who paid for it when I sue them and press criminal charges. You cant hide forever. Last chance.

More recently, Toufanian filed a lawsuit against Kyle Oreffice, a stock trader, for defamation after Oreffice published an article on his website calling Toufanian a scammer and The Douche of Wall Street. (Toufanian also contacted Oreffices mother, she said, and posted her full name to his Instagram Stories.)

Toufanian has also had legal trouble come the other way. According to court records, he was sued in 2015 for breach of contract and in 2014 for transferring $120,000 from Im Shmacked into his personal bank account, among other claims.

In 2018, Madison Louch, a DJ and Instagram influencer with whom Toufanian had a personal relationship, filed a restraining order against him.

Ambassador Outreach

From 2016 to 2018, Toufanian ran his company from a pair of rental houses in Los Angeles with a rotating cast of associates, many of whom were working without contracts or job titles.

Im Shmacked interns lived in these houses. According to interviews with former roommates and business associates of Toufanian, these interns would spend hours messaging college students, trying to get them to pay hundreds of dollars to join the ambassador program.

Almost all communication with college kids was done via the primary Im Shmacked Instagram handle, which was verified. (Often, so many messages were sent each hour that the handle would be banned from sending new messages for chunks of time as part of Instagrams anti-spam protections.)

While they were recruiting others, several former interns said, they were being promised payments that never materialized. Some were told that they would have to work for the first month for free to prove themselves, but after that, they would receive commissions.

Some were promised bonuses if they performed well. When people quit or ran out of money, Toufanian scouted new workers by posting job listings to Instagram Stories.

A copy of an intern contract from 2017 included the phrase: Intern is expected to promote and grow the Companys respective accounts through diligent frequent posts and engagement with their market.

Everyone Knows the Name

Some students who believe they will never recoup their money are still running Im Shmacked accounts. Not long after Bradley Gasparovich, the administrator of @ImShmacked_MSU (Michigan State University), paid Toufanian $300 to be a college ambassador, Toufanian unfollowed him and blocked all communication.

Gasparovich was frustrated, feeling he had been taken advantage of, but decided to keep the handle active. He is interested in marketing and had amassed more than 7,000 followers, so now he is just posting for fun. I keep it because everyone knows the name, he said.

He also uses the account to warn other students. In September, after Im Shmacked put out a new call for college ambassadors on Instagram Stories, Gasparovich got messages from students who wanted to know how much money he was making, before they signed up for the program themselves.

Arya told them they will generate revenue right away, Gasparovich said. I said no! I did this last year, just dont do it.

Dakota Verrico, a freshman at Rutgers, in New Jersey, almost fell for it. After Verrico responded to the call-out, he was told that in order to learn more about the business opportunity, he would have to pay $500.

Toufanian told him that he could make up to $10,000 to $30,000 a month, Verrico said. I kept asking him, how would I make money from this? How does this work? (Verrico said that Toufanian ultimately left him a voice memo that explained that money was made through charging women to be featured on the Im Shmacked Instagram accounts in addition to other methods.)

In early October, the primary Im Shmacked verified Instagram handle disappeared. Instagram confirmed that the account was removed for multiple violations. Toufanian was distraught.

I have been desperate for 3 weeks now for our future. Our verified business Instagram @imshmacked was taken down, he tweeted at the CEO of Instagram. (The tweet has since been deleted.)

Students who lost money to Im Shmacked were relieved. But a new account could always pop up.

Verrico said he would urge all students to research any companies approaching them on Instagram, especially if the offer seems too good to be true. Still, he understood how someone falls prey to it.

They see a guy with 1 million followers and is verified, Verrico said. Thats how I was at first. I was like, Whoa. You just never would think someone with that much power would do that.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
The Obama administration is acknowledging its transfer of $1.7 billion to Iran earlier this year was made entirely in cash, using non-U.S. currency, as Republican critics of the transaction continued to denounce the payments.

Treasury Department spokeswoman Dawn Selak said in a statement late Tuesday that the cash payments were necessary because of the effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions, which isolated Iran from the international finance system.

The $1.7 billion was the settlement of a decades-old arbitration claim between the U.S. and Iran. An initial $400 million of euros, Swiss francs and other foreign currency was delivered on pallets Jan. 17, the same day Tehran agreed to release four American prisoners.

The Obama administration had claimed the events were separate, but recently acknowledged the cash was used as leverage until the Americans were allowed to leave Iran. The remaining $1.3 billion represented estimated interest on the Iranian cash the U.S. had held since the 1970s. The administration had previously declined to say if the interest was delivered to Iran in physical cash, as with the principal, or via a more regular banking mechanism.

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Earlier Tuesday, officials from the State, Justice and Treasury departments held a closed-door briefing for congressional staff on the payments, according to a Capitol Hill aide familiar with the session. The officials said the $1.3 billion was paid in cash on Jan. 22 and Feb. 5. The aide was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity.

The money came from a little-known fund administered by the Treasury Department for settling litigation claims. The so-called Judgment Fund is taxpayer money Congress has permanently approved in the event its needed, allowing the president to bypass direct congressional approval to make a settlement. The U.S. previously paid out $278 million in Iran-related claims by using the fund in 1991.

Republicans have decried the payments as ransom, a charge the Obama administration has rejected. On Tuesday, a group of Republican senators announced their support for legislation that would bar payments from the Judgment Fund to Iran until Tehran pays the nearly $55.6 billion that U.S. courts have judged that it owes to American victims of Iranian terrorism.

President Obamas disastrous nuclear deal with Iran was sweetened with an illicit ransom payment and billions of dollars for the worlds foremost state sponsor of terrorism, said Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), the bills primary sponsor.

Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also introduced a bill that prohibits cash payments to Iran and demands transparency on future settlements.

Sending the worlds leading state sponsor of terror pallets of untraceable cash isnt just terrible policy, Royce said. Its incredibly reckless, and it only puts bigger targets on the backs of Americans. ... This cash bonanza has emboldened Irans radical regime, and undermined Americas national security.

Both the House and Senate plan to hold hearings on the payments.

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San Francisco police are increasing patrols throughout the city in response to heightened tension between the U.S. and Iran, although there is no credible threat to the city, officials said Friday.

The bolstered law enforcement presence comes after an American airstrike on Thursday killed Irans top general, Qassem Soleimani, triggering global concern about dangerous consequences of the attack.

Additional resources have been deployed to key locations throughout San Francisco, according to the police department. Authorities are monitoring the situation and communicating with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

At this time we do not have any credible threats, San Francisco police said in a statement. We ask that if you see something, please say something. Call 911 or notify a police officer if you see something suspicious.

San Francisco joins other cities across the Bay Area, California and the country that upped security Friday.

Oakland Police Departments Intelligence Unit is in communication with local, state and national law enforcement agencies, police said.

The Oakland Police Department will continue to monitor the situation, police said in a statement. Security checks in key areas of the city will continue. At this time there are no known threats.

Police in San Jose said they are monitoring the situation and working with state and federal partners, but have not increased patrols.

The Los Angeles Police Department said Thursday night that it was monitoring events developing in Iran and was committed to ensuring the safety of the diverse community.

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.

In a similar statement, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the police had heightened security around New York City but there was no specific or credible threat.

Everyone should go about their lives unafraid, de Blasio said.

Anna Bauman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: anna.bauman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @abauman2
Turkish private jet company MNG has filed a criminal complaint saying its aircraft were used illegally to transport fugitive businessman to Lebanon as he fled prosecution in Japan, the firm said Friday.

It said one employee had admitted to falsifying the records to keep Ghosn's name off the flight manifest, and that he acted "in his individual capacity".

"MNG Jet filed a criminal complaint concerning the illegal use of its jet charter services in relation to Carlos Ghosn's escape from Japan," the company said in a statement.

It said two bookings were made in December by two different clients: one involving a flight from Dubai to Osaka, Japan and from Osaka to Istanbul; and the other a flight from Istanbul to Beirut.

"The two leases were seemingly not connected to each other. The name of Mr Ghosn did not appear in the official documentation of any of the flights. The jets did not belong to but were operated by MNG Jet," the statement said.

"After having learnt through the media that the leasing was benefitting Mr Ghosn and not the officially declared passengers, MNG Jet launched an internal inquiry and filed a criminal complaint," it added.

The company called for those who facilitated Ghosn's flight to be fully prosecuted.

Ghosn, who faced multiple charges of financial misconduct that he denies, won bail in April but with strict conditions -- including a ban on overseas travel and living under surveillance.

But the executive, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese nationalities, managed to slip out of Japan on Sunday despite having handed over his three passports to his lawyers.
The states Supreme Court chief justice has appointed two judges to help decide whether Aubrey Trail ends up on death row for the killing and dismemberment of 24-year-old Sydney Loofe of Lincoln.

Saline County District Judge Vicky Johnson, the trial judge, will consider aggravating and mitigating evidence along with Johnson County District Judge Julie D. Smith and Cass County District Judge Michael A. Smith, who were randomly chosen.

Chief Justice Mike Heavican issued the order Thursday. A date for the hearing hasnt yet been set.

The court confirmed that Julie Smith and Michael Smith are not related.

After a Saline County jury quickly found Trail guilty of first-degree murder in July, Trail opted for a three-judge panel to consider evidence to decide whether prosecutors can prove an aggravating factor necessary for capital punishment.

The Nebraska Attorney Generals office is alleging the murder "manifested exceptional depravity by ordinary standards of morality and intelligence.

At the hearing, the three-judge panel also could hear evidence by defense attorneys regarding mitigating factors before weighing if Trail should receive a death sentence or life in prison for Loofes murder.

Bailey Boswell, Trails co-defendant, is set for trial in March in Lexington.

She and Trail both were charged with killing Loofe, who went missing after going on a date with Boswell in November 2017.

Loofe's body later was found dismembered in rural Clay County.

Aubrey Trail in court

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostas Vlasis will represent the Greek government at the celebration of Epiphany at the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Monday, 6 January 2020, and attend the Blessing of the Waters at the Golden Horn in Fener. Subsequently, he will meet with the Association for the Support of Greek Community Foundations and with Presidents of the Communities at the Sismanoglio Megaro, and in the evening he will attend a dinner in his honour, in the presence of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

On Tuesday, 7 January 2020, the Deputy Minister will have a meeting with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, followed by statements to the press. He will also visit the Great School of the Nation and the Zappeion and Zografeion Greek community schools.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards drive a speedboat in front of an oil tanker at the port of Bandar Abbas. Atta Kenare | AFP | Getty Images

The U.S. killing of Iran's most revered military leader could be more impactful for the oil market than other recent incidents that have just temporarily spiked crude prices. Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who led the Iran Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force and built Iran's terror network across the Middle East, was killed by the U.S. in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq. Oil futures Friday afternoon were about 3% higher with West Texas Intermediate oil futures at about $63 per barrel, off its early high just above $64. International Brent crude futures were up 3.6% at about $68.67 per barrel. While oil backed off the day's highs, oil analysts expect the price to remain volatile and slightly elevated with the potential to move much higher, if there are further actions.

"I think we're in unchartered waters," said Helima Croft, head of RBC global commodities strategy. "This is not a run-of-the-mill general being assassinated. This is where it becomes really challenging for the market. I don't think this is a one off. You may have a reprisal. It may be quiet for a period, then there could be another incident." Analysts say Iran's unpredictability and web of proxies, like Hezbollah, creates an unmeasurable risk factor for the price of oil that the market is not reflecting, and it makes for an even bigger wild card because Iran can operate through them like a rogue nation.

'They have to do something'

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Soleimani's work will not end, and "severe revenge" awaits those who were responsible for his death. Analysts say Iran's retaliation could be aimed at oil or military facilities, or even come as cyberattacks "The Iranians can't lose face over this. They have to do something," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital. He expects the upper range for WTI crude to be $70 per barrel, and Brent to be $80 to $85 per barrel. "There's still a big cushion and a ton of spare capacity in Saudi Arabia. We're not in the dire tightly supplied market we were in a few years ago." Iran's economy has been severely damaged by U.S. financial sanctions and an oil sales ban, and as pressures intensified, attacks blamed on Iran or its proxies have increased. Tankers have been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, but the most stunning and shocking incident was the attack on Abqaiq and Khurais in Saudi Arabia, in September that temporarily knocked out 5.7 million barrels a day of Saudi Aramco production.

It was the first major attack on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and a wake-up call on a potential vulnerability, but the kingdom was able to make up for the shortfall by using its own reserves as it repaired the facilities.The price of oil rose briefly after the Aramco attack but quickly backed down after the impact on world oil supply looked to be minor. There was also a muted market reaction In May of last year, when four commercial ships anchored in the United Arab Emirates were hit by explosive charges causing large holes in their hulls, just above the waterline. Then a month later, two more oil tankers were attacked by what were widely believed to be limpet mines, explosives that are attached to the hull of a ship with a powerful magnet. Those attacks happened in the Gulf of Oman just outside of the Persian Gulf. Iran never claimed responsibility for any of the attacks. The Islamic Republic is also believed to be responsible for several cyberattacks in Saudi Arabia including one targeting petrochemical plants in the kingdom in January 2017. Iran also targeted the U.S. banking industry in 2012. "Since May, there's been a series of provocative incidents. The question is, what is the tipping point?" said Croft. Kilduff said it's hard to tell when Iran will strike back, as it has been deliberate in its attacks and is not always the apparent perpetrator. "I unfortunately think think Iraq is going to be the battleground. There will be a ton of mischief. You could see Iraq oil production in the cross hairs," he said.

Battleground Iraq

It was Iraq, where Soleimani was believed to be organizing further attacks on U.S. personnel and assets after an attack on U.S. forces in Kirkuk last week. During the past week, the U.S. Embassy was under siege in Baghdad by protesters who supported an Iranian-backed militia.

"It's the theater where you could have this type of confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. This situation remains very volatile, very fluid and the Iraqi government is caught between the U.S. and Iran," said Croft. There were recent protests in Iraq against Iran's involvement in Iraq's affairs. "I think they're tired of Iranian backed groups that have siphoned off government revenue and oil revenue. It's not like Americans are adored either. They are a reminder of the Iraq war and occupation. One of the biggest risks is the operations of U.S. companies in Iraq," she said. Dan Yergin, vice chairman of IHS Markit, said Soleimani's importance cannot be understated, as he masterminded the patchwork of terror proxies across the Middle East. He also had once been in the shadows but has more recently had celebrity status in Iran. "He was the author of mayhem. You could already see there was rising tension," said Yergin. Souleimani was also one of the most important people in the region and used his proxies to make sure Bashar al-Assad of Syria remained in power. "You also would take seriously what they said in the Defense Department statement. They may well have had knowledge that Soleimani was playing for the end game which was to force the U.S. out of Iraq," Yergin said.

Just 40% chance of war?

Henry Rome, Iran analyst with Eurasia Group, expects retaliation by Iran, but he sees only a 40% chance of all out war. "Iranian leaders are proud and quite risk acceptant. We expect moderate to low level clashes to last for at least a month and likely be confined to Iraq," he wrote. "Iran will also likely resume harassment of commercial shipping in the Gulf and may launch military exercises to temporarily disrupt shipping. Finally, it will respond in asymmetric ways that we cannot predict, akin to the Iran-backed attack in 1992 against a Jewish community center in Argentina. Beyond retaliation, Iran's ultimate goal in Iraq is to make continued American presence unviable."

A damaged pipeline is seen at Saudi Aramco oil facility in Khurais, Saudi Arabia, September 20, 2019. Hamad Mohammed | Reuters

Rome says that Iran is not likely to attack Saudi Arabia or oil infrastructure in the Emirates, and it should stay away from the U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, or Qatar. "These steps would have the effect of unifying the Gulf against Tehran; Iran will instead target its ire against Washington in the near term," Rome wrote. "The Iranian actions will stop short of what we would consider war." Iraq, if it is in the firing line, is a big target for the oil market, and it is OPEC's second largest producer, pumping about 4.6 million barrels a day. That is close to the record 4.5 million barrels exported by the U.S. last week, according to U.S. government data. It was the first time exports surpassed 4 million barrels a day.

Shale effect
Marko Walde, chief representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam

The year has been a great one for German-Vietnamese business relations. Some major projects in manufacturing as well as in green and clean energy sectors have come into being, using German technologies and know-how. German-invested enterprises expanded their investments in many provinces in Vietnam, not only in production but also in R&D, as well as training and technical centres, thereby showing their commitments in long-term investment in the Southeast Asian nation. German support has transferred technology and know-how to Vietnamese partners, helping them to effectively join the global supply and value chains.

According to Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, up until last year, German financiers supported the country with nearly $2.1 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 349 projects. Currently, German investment enjoys a great reputation in Vietnam and is welcomed by the government as well as local businesses. In the first 11 months of 2019, there were 33 German-invested projects in several sectors, from trade, consulting services to chemical production.

Many long-term investors such as Bosch and Siemens expanded their investment capital into Vietnam and act as typical examples of successful German investments.

Plans for digital transformation

In the wake of Vietnams focus on digital transformation, a number of German business missions have visited to study the market and prepare for future expansions to and in the country.

According to the results of our survey, AHK World Business Outlook conducted in April 2019, German investment in Vietnam can be predicted to grow further in 2020. As such, 55 per cent of German companies in Vietnam said they intend to expand their activities in the country and 59 per cent assume an increase in local employment.

Furthermore, German businesses expect that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement would improve the economic policies in Vietnam in the long run. European and German companies can enjoy the protection of investments with trade facilitation and increase their activities in the Southeast Asian nation. The elimination of bilateral tariffs and export taxes, together with the reduction of non-tariff barriers affecting the cross-border exchanges of goods and services, is expected to boost bilateral trade considerably and create new opportunities to access markets across a range of sectors. This is particularly true in sectors such as automobile, green energy, electronics, IT, food processing, and healthcare.

Once the EVFTA comes into effect, German and European companies will bring their well-known technologies in management and training to Vietnam, allowing for improved production conditions while reducing waste of material and resources. I strongly believe that, in the long term, there will be significantly increased FDI flows for high-valued projects into Vietnam.

Moreover, the trade agreement will also pave the way for effective platforms for direct technology transfer between companies from our two countries  which are essential and required in order to speed up the digital transformation process in Vietnam.

Increasing attractiveness

We have seen the encouragement of the Vietnamese government by implementing the next-generation FDI strategy, with a vision towards 2030, as well as eight proposed breakthrough reforms. Bolstered with such incentives, the country would not only attract German investment to Vietnam but also sustain the countrys rapid economic development, competitiveness, and inclusive prosperity.

Based on our survey, German investors concede that the inconsistent economic policies of the past, as well as the shortage of skilled labour, are burdens for their growth in Vietnam. Also, a lack of integrated supply chains, qualified domestic suppliers, and effective policies to assist local firms in improving their competitiveness has hindered businesses capabilities in Vietnam.

It is essential for the country to solve these problems by building and developing domestic supporting industries. As such, typical industrial clusters with advantages of various regions can help to create collaborative opportunities among domestic and foreign businesses. Moreover, developing a practice-oriented vocational education system with a focus on learning by doing will help to build a new skilled generation of labourers with profound knowledge, practical, and communicative skills. Afterwards, Vietnam can achieve a competitive advantage which can assure the sustainable development in the long run.

In the field of renewable energy, especially offshore wind, we would recommend that relevant mechanisms and strategies for offshore wind farm development are further being pushed. Offshore wind energy is more complex than other renewable energy sources. Therefore, a separate power purchase agreement is required to guarantee bankability. The government can ease the risk burden by creating stable framework conditions. Once these strategies are successfully implemented, we strongly believe that Vietnam will attract an increasing number of German investors in this sector.

Lastly, entry into a foreign market also involves risks and pending issues. Particularly, the geographical distance and the cultural differences are already complicating interactions between businesses from Vietnam and Germany. With our expertise and qualified consultants, the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam with its two offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will continue to build bridges, facilitate access, provide contacts, and solve problems. The final goal is to find suitable market entry strategies and reliable business partners for German businesses from a variety of fields.

In our German Business Incubator Vietnam, located in the Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City, we create an ecosystem for German and Vietnamese startups and small- and medium-sized enterprises. while providing working spaces, meeting rooms, networking opportunities, and workshops.

Since 2013, we have been implementing the dual vocational training model according to German standards in Vietnam for eight different occupations, in collaboration with both German and Vietnamese companies. After their graduation, the first trainees will be ready to enter the labour force with professional skills, meeting the industrys demands. With those projects, we show our commitment to support Vietnam in its endeavours for sustainable development.
Ex-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe apologized to investigators when he admitted to changing his story about green lighting a Wall Street Journal article that said the bureau was conficted on how to deal with the Hillary Clinton email probe.

The Daily Beast reported Thursday on new interview transcripts with McCabe and investigators that were released to the D.C. watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics via a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.

McCabe's admission left an investigator awestruck, saying 'things had suddenly changed 180 degrees' for the deputy director, as he could face prosecution for the about-face.

New transcripts obtained by the Daily Beast show that former deputy director of the FBI, Andrew McCabe, apologized in real time as he admitted that he had green-lit a Wall Street Jounral piece that said the bureau was conflicted on how to deal with the Clinton email probe

The article detailed 'tensions' within the FBI after more of Hillary Clinton's emails were discovered on Anthony Weiner's laptop days before the election. James Comey told Congress the probe had been reopened, something supporters said helped tank her campaign

The trouble for McCabe began on May 9, 2017, when he sat down with internal investigators to talk about a different leak to a media organization, Circa.

The agents also asked McCabe about a Oct. 30, 2016 story that appeared in the Wall Street Journal headlined, 'FBI in Internal Feud Over Hillary Clinton Probe.'

The story detailed 'tensions' within the FBI and the Department of Justice on the heels of the discovery that there were more of Clinton's emails on a laptop belonging to Anthony Weiner prompting the bureau to reopen the closed investigation that had haunted her presidential campaign.

With just days to the 2016 election, then FBI Director James Comey had written a letter to Congress saying the probe had been reopened, creating a media frenzy that bogged down the Clinton campaign. The Wall Street Journal story insinuated that not everybody at the FBI was happy with Comey's decision.

McCabe was asked by the investigators if he had authorzied the article and he said he didn't know its origins, according to The Daily Beast.

May 9, 2017 was also the day President Trump fired Comey, creating disarray at the bureau.

On Aug. 18, 2017, McCabe was asked about the Journal article again.

'I need to know from you,' the investigating agent said, 'did you authorize the article? Were you aware of it? Did you authorize it?'

McCabe looked at the story and then answered in the affirmative.

'And as nice as could be, he said, yep. Yep I did,' the transcript quoted the agent saying.

The investigator quickly realized that McCabe could face criminal prosecution for the admission, noting, 'things had suddenly changed 180 degrees with this.'

'In our business, we stop and say, now we're getting into an area for due process,' the agent said in a side account of what transpired, according to the Beast.

'I was very careful to say ... with all due respect, this is what you told us. This has caused us some kind of, you know, sidetracking here now with some information other people have told us,' the agent continued.

The investigator recalled airing frustrations to McCabe's face.

'I remember saying to him ... sir, you understand that we've put a lot of work into this based on what you told us,' the agent said. 'I mean, and I even said, long nights and weekends working on this, trying to find out who amongst your ranks of trusted people would, would do something like that.'

And that's when McCabe showed remorse.

'And he kind of just looked down, kind of nodded, and said, yeah, I'm sorry,' the agent recalled.

The Beast reported that McCabe's lawyer explained what happened by pointing to Comey's firing happening the same day the ex-deputy director denied getting the story out.

The story changed, the lawyer said, because McCabe wasn't prepared to answer the question, and then he didn't give it a second thought due to the chaos surrounding Comey's ouster.
Jeremy Corbyn has called the killing of Irans top General by the US an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed in a strike near Baghdad airport by US forces.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks during the Brexit debate in the House of Commons, London.

His death marks an escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, which have been at boiling point since Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions on Tehran.

Qassem Soleimani, center, pictured attending a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed by a US airstrike. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Iran has vowed harsh retaliation for the death of their general.

Speaking on Friday morning, Mr Corbyn condemned the move by the US.

He said: The US assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance.

The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States.

All countries in the region and beyond should seek to ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict, which can only bring further misery to the region, 17 years on from the disastrous invasion of Iraq.

Mr Corbyn has faced criticism in the past for accepting around 20,000 in fees for appearing on Irans state TV station Press TV.

The channel in banned in the UK over its role in the torture of an Iranian journalist.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also released a statement urging a de-escalation.

He said: We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qassem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

After news of Soleimanis death broke, Mr Trump tweeted an image of an American flag.

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

Story continues

It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

An adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani said: Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region.

Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

The attack comes after a year of escalating tensions in the Middle East and represents a drastic change for American policy toward Iran.

In 2019 Tehran shot down a US military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers.

The US also blames Iran for a series of attacks targeting tankers, as well as a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry that temporarily halved its production.
Rare Firefly, Gulf Coast Bee Move Toward Protection Good news for two tiny, rare species: In response to petitions by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it's considering Endangered Species Act protection for Delaware's Bethany Beach firefly and the Gulf Coast solitary bee.



Both coastal critters are threatened by sea-level rise, runaway development and pesticides.



Protecting the two insects under the Act would be a historic first both for fireflies and native, solitary bees in the continental United States.



"This is great news, but we can't prevent these insects' extinction without actually giving them the emergency-room protection only the Endangered Species Act offers," said Dr. Tara Cornelisse, a Center scientist. "We're losing insects across the globe, and they desperately need our help right now."



Read more in the Patriot-News.
Belview in south Kilkenny is home to the Port of Waterford which continues to enable regional and national economic growth, generating very significant direct and indirect employment.

As well as containers bringing goods to and from mainland Europe, the port has a strong bulk business with shipments of fertiliser, animal feed, steel and timber along with special consignments such as wind turbines. It continues to grow as the industrial zone which surrounds continues to expand.

One of 2019s major milestones at the port was the introduction of the first ever deep-sea container service on the Waterford-Rotterdam route which has a strong appeal to those shipping via Rotterdam to and from global locations such as those in Asia and the Americas.

The DFDS/Samskip short sea service to Rotterdam also continues to operate twice weekly.

The Belview Industrial Zone surrounding the port is also growing with both Suir Shipping and South East Port Services currently expanding their warehousing space.



The latter company also boosted their cargo handling capacity recently by investing in a new 3.5 million mobile harbour crane purpose-built by Liebherr in Germany.

The Ports cruise business supports the tourism and hospitality sector in the southeast, drawing in thousands of higher spending visitors each year  many of whom take shore excursions to destinations including Kilkenny.

Over the last two years, there were 35 cruise calls at Waterford, bringing 28,000 passengers to the southeast.

Responding proactively to climate change and emerging economic opportunities and challenges are among the key themes of the latest version of the Port of Waterford corporate plan.

As the Port of Waterford doesnt operate direct services between Ireland and the UK, no major operational issues are envisaged as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

Brexit represents a challenge in particular, to the agri-food sector which is important to the Port.

The corporate plan sets out how Waterford may be able to accommodate some activities that no longer fit comfortably at Dublin Port while Brexit may increase the attractiveness of Waterfords direct services to mainland Europe to those who previously moved goods using Britain as a land-bridge.

The port company continues to actively engage with key stakeholders and was pleased to host Shane Ross, Minister for Transport and John Halligan , Minister of State for Training Skills, Innovation.



With a staff of 40, the Port company made operating profits of 1.9m on turnover of 8m in 2018 and returned a dividend of 330,000 to the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport. Turnover in the first half of this year was over 4.1 million.

Active in the local community on both sides of the Suir, the Port of Waterford has partnered in education with Junior Achievement Ireland and members of the ports staff recently joined counterparts from neighbouring Smartply at a Junior Achievement Ireland mock interview workshop for students at the Abbey Community College in Ferrybank.

Fifth Year students from the same school also previously visited the Port at Belview to learn some of the skills they will need to transition successfully to the world of work.
US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who died in Baghdad "in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad," the Pentagon said Thursday.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," the Department of Defense said.

Following Soleimani's death, Trump tweeted an image of the US flag without any further explanation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The North Atlantic Current transports warm water from the Gulf of Mexico towards Europe, providing much of north-western Europe with a relatively mild climate. However, scientists suspect that meltwater from Greenland and excessive rainfall could interfere with this ocean current. Simulations by scientists from the University of Groningen and Utrecht University showed that it is unlikely that the current will come to a complete stop, due to small and rapid changes in precipitation over the North Atlantic. However, there is a 15 percent likelihood that there will be a temporary change in the current in the next 100 years. The results were published on 30 December in the journal Scientific Reports.

'The oceans store an immense amount of energy and the ocean currents have a strong effect on the Earth's climate,' says University of Groningen Associate Professor in Numerical Mathematics, Fred Wubs. Together with his colleague Henk Dijkstra from Utrecht University, he has studied ocean currents for some 20 years.

Box model

Ocean scientists have found that the Atlantic Ocean currents are sensitive to the amount of fresh water at the surface. Since the run-off of meltwater from Greenland has increased due to climate change, as has rainfall over the ocean, it has been suggested that this may slow down or even reverse the North Atlantic Current, blocking the transport of heat to Europe.

Simulations of the effects of freshwater on the currents have already been performed for some decades. 'Both high-resolution models, based on the equations describing fluid flows, and highly simplified box models have been used,' explains Wubs. 'Our colleagues in Utrecht created a box model that describes present-day large-scale processes in the ocean rather well.'

Total collapse

The idea was to use this box model to estimate the likelihood of small fluctuations in freshwater input causing a temporary slowing down or a total collapse of the North Atlantic Current. The current shows non-linear behaviour, which means that small changes can have large effects. The evolution of the physics described by the box model can only be obtained using simulations. 'As the transitions we were looking for are expected to be rare events, you need a huge number of simulations to estimate the chance of them happening,' says Wubs. However, the Dutch scientists found that a French scientist had devised a method to select the most promising simulations, reducing the number of full simulations required.

Sven Baars, a PhD student of Wubs, implemented this method efficiently and linked it to the Utrecht box model. Daniele Castellana, a PhD student of Dijkstra, performed the simulations. 'These simulations showed that the chances of a total collapse of the North Atlantic Current within the next thousand years are negligible,' says Wubs.

Interruption

A temporary interruption in the delivery of relatively warm water to north-western Europe is more likely: 'In our simulations, the chances of this happening in the next 100 years are 15 percent.' Such temporary transitions may cause cold spells in the North Atlantic, although this needs to be verified in further studies. Therefore, the current study is just a first step in determining the risk. The model does not take into account considerable changes in freshwater in the North Atlantic, which can be caused by the melting of the ice sheets. Wubs: 'Confirming our results through simulation with a high-resolution climate model will be the next challenge.'
Democrats face risks in delaying and prolonging the impeachment debate. Prime among them is the collision of the presidential primary calendar with a Senate trial  especially when the outcome does not appear in doubt and voters will render the ultimate verdict on President Trump in November. But there are risks in the other direction as well, to constitutional duty and to history, that argue in favor of standing firm on the demand for witnesses and documents. Its premature for Democrats to move on. It may not even be smart politics.
The United Methodist Church is expected to split into two denominations in an attempt to end a years-long, contentious fight over same-sex marriage, church leaders announced Friday. The historic schism would divide the nation's third-largest religious denomination.

Leaders of the church said they had agreed to spin off a "traditionalist Methodist" denomination, which would continue to oppose same-sex marriage and to refuse ordination to LGBT clergy, while allowing the remaining portion of the United Methodist Church to permit same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy for the first time in its history.

The plan would need to be approved in May at the denomination's worldwide conference.

The writers of the plan called the division "the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church to remain true to its theological understanding, while recognizing the dignity, equality, integrity, and respect of every person."

The United Methodist Church is the United States's largest mainline Protestant denomination. The church has fought bitterly about LGBT inclusion for years, and leaders often feared the fight would lead to a schism.

"I've always been committed to unity. But over time, it could not be unity at someone's expense," said Bishop Kenneth Carter, president of the church's Council of Bishops and one of the formulators of the new plan.

The plan was praised by conservatives and progressives within the church.

Jan Lawrence, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, a pro-LGBT group within the church, said the separation plan "gives the hope that we can move toward a church that allows healing to begin."

The split is "a resolution that's going to free the Methodist church to share love unconditionally with all people," said Andrew Ponder Williams, a married gay candidate for the clergy who was a member of earlier committees that attempted to resolve the issue.

The Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, vice president of the conservative Methodist organization Good News, also praised the plan: "We believed that separation was the only feasible way of resolving our conflict in the church and allowing different groups in the church to pursue ministry as they believe coincides with their understanding of the Christian faith."

Friday's announcement came as new sanctions were set to go into effect in the church, which would have made punishments for United Methodist Church pastors who perform same-sex weddings much more severe: one year's suspension without pay for the first wedding and removal from the clergy for any wedding after that.

Instead, leaders from liberal and conservative wings signed an agreement saying they will postpone those sanctions and instead vote to split at the worldwide church's May general conference.

They said the agreement was brokered by Kenneth Feinberg, the mediation expert who handled the compensation fund for victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, among other major negotiations.

The agreement pledges $25 million to the new "traditionalist" denomination, which will break away from the United Methodist Church. In exchange, Friday's announcement said, the new denomination would drop any claim to United Methodist assets, such as church-owned agencies.

Any local church that wants to join the new conservative denomination would have to conduct a vote within a specified time frame, the announcement said. A church would not need to vote to remain United Methodist. Churches that vote to leave could take certain assets with them, including their local church buildings in some cases.

An additional $2 million would go to any other new denomination that wishes to split from the church. The plan also calls for $39 million "to ensure there is no disruption in supporting ministries for communities historically marginalized by racism."

After the separation, the agreement said, the remaining United Methodist Church would hold another conference with the purpose of removing the church's bans on same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy. Some advocates for LGBT inclusion worried that simply removing prohibitions would not be enough.

"There are efforts in the protocol to stop condemnation of LGBTQ people, which of course is good. There are no signs pointing toward a church that affirms us and repents of the significant harm that has been done to LGBTQIA people for decades because of its complicity in spiritual violence against us," said M Barclay, who was ordained in 2017 as the United Methodist Church's first transgender deacon.

Barclay said the agreement does not put in place protections against discrimination of LGBT clergy.

The 16 members of the negotiating team that reached the plan included bishops from New York, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio, the Philippines and Sierra Leone. The team also included leaders from the most pro-LGBT Methodist factions, including the Reconciling Ministries Network, and the most conservative, including the Wesleyan Covenant Association and the Good News movement.

Conservative and liberal church leaders said they expect the agreement to pass in May, but some disagreed on which side African churches will join. The agreement allows an option in which African churches might be permitted to make their own decision on LGBT inclusion, apart from the U.S. church's steps.

"The church in Africa has been the strongest voice for unity," Carter said, arguing that African churches will remain in the United Methodist Church, which has ministries on the continent. "Mission in the African context is life and death. It's not ideological. It's water. It's education. It's food."

Conservatives theorized the African churches will instead go with the traditionalist camp, since they will oppose the American church's newly liberal beliefs on sexuality.

American Protestants are generally divided into three theological and cultural camps: evangelical churches, which almost unanimously oppose same-sex marriage and view gay conduct as sinful based on their reading of the Bible; historically African American denominations, which are more divided on the issue; and mainline Protestant churches, which tend to be both theologically and politically more liberal. Though mainline churches have a deep history in America - most of the Founding Fathers and most presidents since have been mainline Protestants - Pew Research Center's 2014 count found that less than 15 percent of Americans now identify with mainline churches, while 25 percent are evangelical and 20 percent are Catholic.

Many mainline denominations, including the Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, United Church of Christ and others, already perform same-sex marriages and appoint gay clergy. But the United Methodist Church has fought bitterly over the issue, to the point that leaders have feared a schism over the issue for years.

In part, that reflects political division in the United States: American Methodists are more conservative than other mainline Protestants. Pew Research Center found in 2014 that 54 percent lean Republican and 35 percent lean Democrat, a significantly more Republican tilt than other mainline denominations. Fifteen percent of Methodists describe themselves as "liberal," compared with 22 percent of mainline Presbyterians, 24 percent of mainline Lutherans and 29 percent of Episcopalians.

But the larger divide is between American Methodists and foreign members of the United Methodist Church, especially churches in Africa. In a church that conducts all of its major decisions in churchwide votes, the much more conservative-leaning voters from Africa competed with American delegates who often fervently pushed for a change on same-sex marriage.

At a conference last year where church leaders had declared they would solve this issue, many American delegates favored a plan that would have allowed local churches to make their own decisions on whether to perform same-sex marriages and ordain gay clergy. Some supported a plan to simply allow same-sex marriages worldwide. They were stunned when a third option passed, instead - one dubbed the "Traditional Plan," which ushered in not only a continued ban on LGBT weddings and clergy, but also harsher penalties for those who disobey church doctrine.

Resistance to the vote began almost immediately. Groups of clergy met in several cities in recent months to formulate options.

For some LBGT Methodists, Friday's news arrived too late. Williams, who worked on earlier negotiations, is pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ instead of the United Methodist Church.

"The temptation is to worry about the people screaming, 'I'm leaving. I'm done. I can't do this anymore,' " he said. "But for every one of those, there are 10 people respectfully, ethically and quietly exiting themselves and going somewhere new. That has been the past year for a lot of LGBTQ people and allies."

Conservative leaders said they realized they could not compel their peers to agree with their understanding of biblical morality.

"Some would say we should hold on to them to help steer them in the right direction, but you can't keep anyone a prisoner," said Mark Tooley, of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, which advocates for biblical orthodoxy. "The good news is, in the end, everyone is going to end up in a church where they want to be."
Fresh protests erupted in the Libyan city of Benghazi on Friday after Turkey authorised the deployment of troops to Libya to support the UN-backed government in Tripoli that is battling forces loyal to a rival government seeking to capture the capital. Turkish lawmakers voted 325-184 at an emergency session in favour of a one-year mandate allowing the government to dispatch troops amid concerns that Turkish forces could aggravate the conflict in Libya and destabilise the region.

The Tripoli-based government of Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj has faced an offensive by the rival regime in the east and forces loyal to commander General Khalifa Hifter. The fighting has threatened to plunge Libya into violent chaos rivalling the 2011 conflict that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. In Benghazi, demonstrators expressed their anger at what they labelled a "Turkish invasion" of their country and chanted slogans in support of Hifter's regime.

The Foreign Affairs spokesperson of the east-based government, Abdelhadi Al-Hawaii, said in a news conference that the battle in Tripoli would be "swift and decisive." Al-Hwajj also added that his government was communicating with the UN Security Council, European countries, the African Union and the Arab League about the Turkish decision. Libya has been in turmoil since a civil war in 2011 toppled longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed.

In the chaos that followed, the country was divided, with a weak UN-supported administration in Tripoli overseeing the country's west and a rival government in the east, aligned with the Libyan National Army led by General Khalifa Hifter. Each side is supported by an array of militias and foreign governments. The Libyan National Army and the eastern government enjoy the support of France, Russia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and other key Arab countries while the Tripoli-based government is backed by Italy, Turkey and Qatar.
An element of political and economic stability has been resumed, albeit temporarily, in the UK, following the Conservatives landslide victory; moreover, a government not led by Jeremy Corbyn.

What is worrying is the juvenile but dangerous antics of Donald Trump. Most people in the west have, until now, never heard of Qassem Soleimani, although his activities were well known throughout the Middle East. President Trumps decision to kill this bad guy, on the basis of allegedly planned attacks on American diplomats and service members in the Iraq region, is at best reckless.

Hopefully, the intelligence used to support this killing was not derived from the same source as the one used to invade Iraq in 2003. America, or more importantly, its leader, needs to refrain from flexing its military muscle abroad, and be mindful of compelling historical reasons not to do so. The latest reminders include Korea, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq.

Presidents and overinflated egos often part company, and to quote another well known American, there will hopefully be a conscious uncoupling on 3 November this year.

Christopher Learmont-Hughes Caldy, Merseyside

The UK must act

Britain must unequivocally distance itself from the US drone strike that assassinated Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and condemn it out of hand.

How many lives will subsequently be lost because of this one act of stupidity? Just how far will the American people allow this apparent delinquent look upon the world as his recreational playground?

William Burns Edinburgh

A human disaster

As a longtime supporter of various environmental organisations I am surely not alone in feeling sadness at the way warnings about climate change have been repeatedly sidelined.

For many, many years I have been pushing environmental awareness with little success. Most people have been content to at best nod sagely then carry on as usual, reassured no doubt, by official complacency. Ever since the Industrial Revolution, humankind has been on a binge of reckless consumption, exploiting the natural world in the guise of civilisation. Nature has absorbed our excesses, tolerated our destructive habits and watched our burgeoning populations.

Now, with depressing predictability, nature is beginning to fight back. The reaction of those unfortunate residents forced from their homes in South Australia is as one would expect anywhere, and our hearts go out to them. This, however, is just the beginning.

Extreme weather events have been predicted for many years. It is easy, when viewed from afar, to continue to not take the situation seriously, yet this is a global phenomenon. It will get worse and everyone, everywhere will be affected.

I predict, however, for the majority of humankind that, until the flames threaten our own homes, the flood water laps our own front doors and the inevitable shortages reach our own lifestyles, any action necessary to avert total disaster will be too little, too late.

Steve Edmondson Cambridge

A flight tax

I try hard not to fly, but with family abroad  including in Australia  thats not entirely possible. Im hoping that in addition to a complete reappraisal by the Australian government of its approach to global heating, one of the outcomes of the devastating bushfires will be a massive environmental restoration programme that people can pay into in order to offset their flights.

In the absence of a carbon tax, maybe make it a condition of landing for incoming flights and take-off for Australian citizens.

Patrick Cosgrove Bucknell, Shropshire

Ticket issues

Another year, another rail fare increase.

I accept that a good service costs money and the user should pay their share of costs.

Sadly it seems more about revenue maximisation as Simon Calders article points out.

Earlier this week I went to London, the operator was running a weekend timetable but charging weekday fares.

The bus company was running a weekend schedule and concession fares were available!

You couldnt make it up.

Hugh Woodhouse Brighton

Spin to win

I see Dominic Cummings is quoted as saying We do not care about trying to control the narrative and all that New Labour junk (Dominic Cummings calls for weirdos and misfits to apply for Downing Street jobs, 3 January).

Well thats about the most fiendishly clever piece of spin Ive ever heard.

Dr Richard House Stroud, Gloucestershire
New Delhi:

Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, Union minister of housing and urban affairs Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday handed over registry papers and conveyance deeds of houses to 20 residents of unauthorised colonies under the PM-UDAY (Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojna), even as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government alleged that the Centre had issued fake papers.

Puri handed over the conveyance deeds and authorisation slips to 20 residents of Suraj Park and Raja Vihar in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal.

About four million people living in 1,731 unauthorised colonies in Delhi will be given ownership rights of their properties, the Union government announced in October, laying out for the first time the charges and the process by which it will be done.

The announcement marked movement in a politically sensitive issue that has been in the limbo for over a decade.

Addressing a press conference Friday, Puri said more residents will be given ownership papers in the coming days. People had been hearing about the regularisation of unauthorised colonies for a long time as previous governments did not fulfil their promises. But now, development will take place in these areas at a greater speed, Puri said.

AAP reacts

Reacting to Puris remarks, Delhis deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the documents given to the residents were fake and called the process of granting ownership rights a poll gimmick.

Assembly elections in Delhi are scheduled in February.

The BJP is misleading people by giving fake papers to 20 people out of 40 lakh people in unauthorised colonies. What will happen to the remaining people? Will their homes be regularised? Sisodia asked.

The deputy CM alleged that because the Centre did not change the land-use in these colonies, sealing would continue unabated in these areas as people will not be able to make any changes to their buildings or carry out new constructions.

BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had said the colonies will be regularised. But they have started giving the conveyance deeds and registries... Clause 2 of these papers distributed by the Centre itself says that these papers will stand invalidated in front of the existent laws and the Master Plan for Delhi 2021. Any MCD official can demolish their homes. Station house officers can harass them, and any authority can seal these houses. Corruption will continue to thrive, Sisodia said.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwai tweeted,Now you are saying you will not regularise the colonies. How can you give registries in unauthorised colonies? How can there be a registry for home on farm land? Do not do fake registries, he tweeted.

Later, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari challenged Kejriwal to stop the ongoing registration. During the last five years, Kejriwal did not do anything. But when BJP conferred ownership rights to people in unauthorised colonies, Kejriwal asked for proof of the registry. Kejriwal and his team should firstly decide what they want, he said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday targeted the BJP, saying it should shun arrogance and go for a rethink on the amended citizenship act.

He also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking why such a situation has emerged that they had to clarify to the public about the legislation.

His remarks has came on a day when Union Home Minister Amit Shah is holding a rally in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Jodhpur.

"When the whole country is opposing it, then the BJP-led Centre should leave behind its arrogance and rethink," Gehlot said, alleging that the saffron party was still "adamant" on implementing the Act despite opposition from nine states.

Welcoming Union Home Minister Amit Shah to his home district for the rally, the CM said, "PM Modi used to give 'Mann ki Baat' speech and people used to listen. Now, why such a situation has developed that he has to give clarification regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act, NPR and the NRC."



"He is sending people all over the country, all leaders to go and explain to the public. Why such a situation has developed. I want to ask," he added.

The chief minister said the situation was so serious that people from all over the country were on the streets.

"They have come on the streets; the new generation has come on the streets. The youth of the country are worried about their future. Why such a situation developed," he asked.

Questioning the circumstances under which the citizenship legislation was passed in Parliament, Gehlot said it was during former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure that provisions of the National Register of Citizenship and the National Population Register were made.

But there was no ruckus at that time, he said, adding that it needs to be understood why it happened now.

Gehlot also accused the BJP of polarising the country.

"It is easy to talk about a Hindu rashtra. It is easy to advance the agenda. Ask them, when this is done, how many pieces of this country will be there. Do PM Modi and Amit Shah have the answer," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Serena Aunon-Chancellor, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine's branch campus in Baton Rouge, is the lead author of a paper describing a previously unrecognized risk of spaceflight discovered during a study of astronauts involved in long-duration missions.

The paper details a case of stagnant blood flow resulting in a clot in the internal jugular vein of an astronaut stationed on the International Space Station. The paper is published in the January 2, 2020 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, available here.

"These new findings demonstrate that the human body still surprises us in space," notes Dr. Aunon-Chancellor, who also remains a member of NASA's Astronaut Corps and is board certified in both internal and aerospace medicine. "We still haven't learned everything about Aerospace Medicine or Space Physiology."

Eleven astronauts were involved in the vascular study, which sought to help close gaps in knowledge about circulatory physiology that will not only benefit patients on Earth, but could be critical for the health of astronauts during future space exploration missions to the moon and Mars. The study measured the structure and function of the internal jugular vein in long-duration spaceflight where astronauts are exposed to sustained headward blood and tissue fluid shifts.

Ultrasound examinations of the astronauts' internal jugular veins were performed at scheduled times in different positions during the mission. Results of the ultrasound performed about two months into the mission revealed a suspected obstructive left internal jugular venous thrombosis (blood clot) in one astronaut. The astronaut, guided in real time and interpreted by two independent radiologists on earth, performed a follow-up ultrasound, which confirmed the suspicion.

Since NASA had not encountered this condition in space before, multiple specialty discussions weighed the unknown risks of the clot traveling and blocking a vessel against anticoagulation therapy in microgravity. The space station pharmacy had 20 vials containing 300 mg of injectable enoxaparin (a heparin-like blood thinner), but no anticoagulation-reversal drug. The injections posed their own challenges - syringes are a limited commodity, and drawing liquids from vials is a significant challenge because of surface-tension effects.

The astronaut began treatment with the enoxaparin, initially at a higher dose that was reduced after 33 days to make it last until an oral anticoagulant (apixaban) could arrive via a supply spacecraft. Anticoagulation-reversing agents were also sent.

Although the size of the clot progressively shrank and blood flow through the affected internal jugular segment could be induced at day 47, spontaneous blood flow was still absent after 90 days of anticoagulation treatment. The astronaut took apixaban until four days before the return to Earth.

On landing, an ultrasound showed the remaining clot flattened to the vessel walls with no need for further anticoagulation. It was present for 24 hours after landing and gone 10 days later. Six months after returning to Earth, the astronaut remained asymptomatic.

The astronaut had no personal or family history of blood clots and had not experienced headaches or the florid complexion common in weightless conditions. The changes in blood organization and flow, along with the prothrombotic risk uncovered in the study show the need for further research.

Concludes Aunon-Chancellor, "The biggest question that remains is how would we deal with this on an exploration class mission to Mars? How would we prepare ourselves medically? More research must be performed to further elucidate clot formation in this environment and possible countermeasures."

Internal jugular venous thrombosis has most often been associated with cancer, a central venous catheter, or ovarian hyperstimulation. Recently, it has been found in a growing number of IV drug abusers who inject drugs directly into the internal jugular vein. The condition can have potentially life-threatening complications, including systemic sepsis and pulmonary embolism.

Other members of the research team included James M. Pattarini, M.D., M.P.H., National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX; Stephan Moll, M.D., University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC; and Ashot Sargsyan, M.D., KBR, Houston, TX.

The study was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under the Human Research Program (grant NNJ11ZSA002NA).

Venous Thrombosis during Spaceflight, New England Journal of Medicine



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There are few countries where the power struggle between Washington and Tehran has had such an impact, and Abdul Mahdis government has fought to prevent Iraq from becoming an arena for a shadow war between the two. Intensified regional violence would likely begin there, said Henry Rome, an analyst with the Eurasia Group. Iranian-backed militias will attack U.S. bases and some U.S. soldiers will be killed; the U.S. will retaliate with strikes inside of Iraq, he wrote in an analysis.
This handout picture released by the Yilan County Fire Department on Jan. 2, 2020, shows rescuers searching for survivors after a military Black Hawk helicopter smashed into mountains in Yilan county near Taipei. Taiwan's top military chief Shen Yi-ming was killed in the helicopter crash, the defence ministry said, just days before the island goes to polls to elect a new president. AFP





Taiwanese military honor guards stand in front of portraits, including chief of the general staff Shen Yi-ming, center left, of the victims killed during a helicopter crash at a funeral parlor in Taipei on Jan. 3, 2020. AFP
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Trump began 2020 with a rant that sounded like it could have come straight from behind bars about dirty cops who threw his friends in jail.

Trump tweeted:

A lot of very good people were taken down by a small group of Dirty (Filthy) Cops, politicians, government officials, and an investigation that was illegally started & that SPIED on my campaign. The Witch Hunt is sputtering badly, but still going on (Ukraine Hoax!). If this.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2020

.had happened to a Presidential candidate, or President, who was a Democrat, everybody involved would long ago be in jail for treason (and more), and it would be considered the CRIME OF THE CENTURY, far bigger and more sinister than Watergate!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2020

Trump doesnt have 100,000 likes on either tweet, which considering that he has 68 million followers, suggests that his self-victimization rambles have worn thin with even his most dedicated supporters. Trump sounds like a criminal. Rants and raves such as this one only make it more difficult for people who are outside of the cult of Trump to support him.

Donald Trump wants America to believe that many of his friends, advisers, and associates who are now convicted felons were the victims of some vast conspiracy. Trump is hoping that the nation ignores the fact that he has a decades-long history of criminal behavior.

Trump sounds like a man who knows that his own freedom could soon be in jeopardy if he loses the election in November.

Criminal blames dirty cops is a story as old as incarceration itself, but until now, that story has never been told by the person sitting in the Oval Office.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

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The Renault-Nissan alliance is looking to reboot after the Carlos Ghosn episode AFP/Behrouz MEHRI

Here's what we know about the former Renault-Nissan boss's flight:

HID IN AN INSTRUMENT CASE

The exact circumstances of his departure from Japan, where he was under house arrest pending trial, are still shrouded in mystery.

On Thursday, Kyodo News quoted an associate of Ghosn, Imad Ajami, as claiming the tycoon was helped by two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a music band for a Christmas party.

But speaking to AFP on Friday, Ajami said this scenario was "speculation".

"I don't know how he left" Japan, Ajami said in a phone interview, adding that he had had no direct contact with Ghosn since he left Japan.

A surveillance camera at his Tokyo residence showed him leaving alone around noon on December 29 and not returning after, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Police think there is a possibility he joined someone to head for the airport as no suspicious person was seen around the time that Ghosn left, NHK said.

Ghosn is believed to have taken a private jet from Kansai Airport in western Japan on Dec 29, to Istanbul.

It is thought he then flew from there to Beirut.

TURKISH INVESTIGATION

Turkey's interior ministry has opened an investigation into Ghosn's apparent transfer between private jets at an Istanbul airport on Monday.

Officials questioned seven people, including four pilots, as part of the probe, news agency DHA reported Thursday.

The investigation is focused on two flights.

The first, a Bombardier labelled TC-TSR, flew from Osaka in Japan, landed in Istanbul at 5.15am and parked in a hangar.

The second was a private jet to Beirut, a Bombardier Challenger 300 TC-RZA, which left 45 minutes later, according to DHA.

Ghosn said in a statement on Thursday that he acted alone without his family's help.

FOUR PASSPORTS

There is no emigration data showing Ghosn's departure from Japan but he entered Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents seen by AFP.

Lebanon said the former car mogul - who holds Lebanese, French and Brazilian nationalities - had entered the country "legally" at dawn on Monday.

READ: Ghosn used one of two French passports to flee: Reports His three passports were held by his Japanese lawyers, to limit the risk of flight.

A source close to the matter told AFP, however, that the Tokyo court had nonetheless allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept "in a locked case" with the key held by his lawyers.

"RED NOTICE"

Interpol, the international police cooperation body, has issued a "red notice" for Ghosn's arrest in the wake of him fleeing Japan.

However, a Lebanese judicial source told AFP that Beirut and Tokyo do not have an extradition agreement under which Ghosn could be sent back to Japan.

Ghosn stands accused in Japan of deferring part of his salary until after his retirement and concealing this from shareholders, as well as syphoning off millions in Nissan cash for his own purposes.

His home in France was searched in June as part of a probe into his sumptuous marriage celebrations at the Palace of Versailles in 2016.

And three lawyers in Lebanon submitted a report to the public prosecutor on Thursday demanding that the businessman be prosecuted for a trip he made to Israel in 2008.

Details of just how he escaped could be clarified on Monday when the former auto executive is to speak to the press in Beirut.
A renowned Canadian poet, who had worked with the man convicted of killing an Indigenous woman 25 years ago, has cancelled his controversial presentation at an upcoming University of Regina event.

George Elliott Clarke said earlier this week that he wasn't ruling out reading the work of Steven Kummerfield, who was convicted of manslaughter in the beating death of Pamela George in 1995. Clarke had previously edited poetry by Kummerfield, who changed his name to Stephen Brown.

On Thursday, amid calls to cancel the event, Clarke apologized to members of George's family, who opposed the lecture. He said he would not read any of Kummerfield's poetry at the event. On Friday, he cancelled the lecture altogether.

"I never intended to cause such anguish for the family of Pamela George and the Indigenous community, and for that I am truly sorry," said Clarke in a written statement. The university has also released a statement, which was shared on Twitter by university president Vianne Timmons.

It said the university recognized its decision to bring Clarke to the event was "not supported by all communities and unfortunately brought back painful memories for many in relation to the 1995 killing of Pamela George."

The university said it's in the process of reaching out to Indigenous leaders, representatives, elders and groups to hear people's concerns and "perhaps begin a healing process."

Clarke is an English professor at the University of Toronto and a former parliamentary poet laureate. He said in his statement Friday he withdrew from the presentation with "great sadness."

"I am a mixed Black and Indigenous writer and scholar, and my advocacy for justice for Indigenous Peoples and People of Colour in Canada must never be in doubt," said Clarke's statement, which was emailed to CBC News by his literary agent.

"My purpose in my talk was to discuss the role of poets in dealing with social issues, but that interest has been lost in the current controversy."

Story continues

He previously told CBC News he cares passionately about violence against Indigenous women and that he is an ally.

George's daughter, Chelsey George, 33, spoke to CBC News on Thursday before Clarke confirmed he would not be reading Kummerfield's poetry at the event, titled "Truth and Reconciliation" Versus "the Murdered and Missing": Examining Indigenous Experiences of (In)Justice in Four Saskatchewan Poets.

Chelsey said it's not fair Kummerfield gets to live a normal life, and even become a published poet, while her mother's life was cut short.

"You don't know whether he changed or not," said Chelsey George. "It will never change the perspective from the families, from any of us.

"You did what you did, and you are who you are. You'll always be that person."

Pamela, 28, was killed in 1995 by Kummerfield and Alex Ternowetsky, who lured her outside Regina, beat her to death and then bragged about it. The two were initially charged with first-degree murder but were convicted of manslaughter and both sentenced to 6 years in prison.

Kummerfield was released on parole in 2000 after serving three years. He now lives in Mexico City.

Before releasing his statement Thursday, Clarke told CBC News that while his friend's crime was unpardonable, he has paid his debt to society  and could be seen as both a convicted killer and an appreciated artist.

"I apologize unreservedly to all who were offended by my statement as reported by CBC, particularly to the family of Pamela George," his statement said.

"She and her family are on my mind and in my heart as I ponder the grievous harm inflicted upon her and them."

As poet laureate for Canada's Parliament, Clarke featured two of Kummerfield's pieces as Poem of the Month on the government's website.

'A complete failure': FSIN

Earlier Thursday, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations called on the university to cancel Clarke's talk, because of his association with Kummerfield.

"I am disgusted, disheartened and hurt that university officials would consider promoting  even indirectly  this [killer's] work or even to allow the potential of it to be read aloud publicly within the community that still mourns her death," Heather Bear, vice-chief of the Saskatchewan Indigenous advocacy group, said in a statement emailed to CBC News prior to Clarke's statement.

Federation Chief Bobby Cameron said hosting Clarke is insensitive.

"This is a complete failure on behalf of the university and its board. Where is their so-called commitment to reconciliation? Where is their compassion for the children and family of Pamela George?"

Idle No More organizers have also started a petition urging the university to cancel the event, which quickly gained hundreds of signatures.

Richard Kleer, dean of the U of R's faculty of arts, said the institution seeks to encourage "open, civil and robust discussion on controversial issues," and that may include hosting people who have controversial ideas or associate with controversial individuals.

"The faculty will stand by the invitation and looks forward to hearing Clarke's strong message against violence and racism."

CBC

Randy Lundy, an Indigenous poet and former university professor, said given Clarke's long-standing relationship with Kummerfield, inviting him to Regina to discuss truth and reconciliation, or missing and murdered Indigenous people, is a "revictimization of the community here."

Lundy said Clarke's Indigenous background doesn't excuse his "indefensible" position on Kummerfield.

"As an Indigenous man, I would not presume to speak on behalf of Indigenous women, and I don't think that any of us get a free pass when it comes to difficult issues like this."

Lundy said he understands academic freedom and freedom of speech, but believes Clarke should be taking the concerns of the community more seriously.

In his Thursday statement, Clarke said: "I do hear the concerns of Indigenous peoples around my lecture and I can reassure all that the purpose of my talk is to look at how poets can be, should be, more responsible and responsive to grave social issues.

"I understand well the trauma of racist violence against Indigenous people and people of colour, and have dedicated much of my writing life to precisely this trauma," he said.

"I deplore all efforts to suggest that I can be in any way complicit with violence against Indigenous people. I have always condemned it; I condemn it now."

'He has responsibilities'

Krista Shore said she was hurt and disappointed when she read Clarke's earlier response to the community's concern. She was 12 when her mother, Barbara Ann Shore, was murdered in 1996.

Clarke's first response to the concerns, she said, seemed "combative towards Indigenous people."

"He may be part Indigenous and have that type of ancestry, but he has responsibilities and a role to play, too," said Shore, who also spoke to CBC News before Clarke issued his statement.

She said visitors like Clarke should consult locals on the land, history and political events before coming to speak. Shore added she is willing to talk to Clarke about respectful protocols and procedures.

Clarke's earlier refusal to say whether or not he would read poetry by Kummerfield put added stress on the mental health of George's family and families like hers, said Shore.

"Why play mind games with people? We're trying to heal here in Treaty 4 territory  and I don't think it's necessary that we bring a killer's name into light," she said.

"He got off very easy, and that is the sad thing about it all. And a lot of people are still suffering."

Chastity Delorme, an advocate for missing and murder Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG), said other work should be highlighted instead.

"We have many, many Indigenous women and Indigenous poets here in Saskatchewan that can be highlighted, like our families of MMIW who use this art therapy as a part of healing in this trauma," said Delorme.

"Their voices definitely need to be heard, and that is the priority."
On Jan. 1, big changes came to stores across Oregon -- and a lot of people werent prepared.

House Bill 2509 went into effect on Wednesday, banning most plastic bags statewide. The law also requires that retailers charge 5 cents for paper bags.

The new law caught a lot of people off-guard, despite the dwindling number of plastic bags at grocery stores in the days leading up to the change. And no, under the new law, stores arent allowed to absorb the customer charge for recycled paper bags.

Me carrying my groceries to the car because I forgot about Oregons plastic bag law pic.twitter.com/hCnm70BC2P  B-Wyld (@BrennenDub) January 2, 2020

Went to the grocery store and didnt realize Oregon banned plastic bags lmao pic.twitter.com/eZVItFTu0s  Brent W (@bwalk1510) January 1, 2020

Next time you head to the grocery store, don't forget your reusable bag! With the new year comes new laws into Oregon. Learn more about the changes in this recent story https://t.co/AYOlqRJpe4 pic.twitter.com/5jVAwxDUGS  City of Roseburg (@RoseburgOR) January 2, 2020

In Oregon: I wonder if any grocery stores will offer to "absorb" the $0.05 fee for paper grocery bags? Since stores get to keep the fee, it seems as there is no cost difference and this would be a great marketing tool. I would certainly shop at stores that offered the benefit.  Bryant (@bryant1962pnw) January 2, 2020

Tote bag sellers sensed a market opportunity, while environmentalists lauded the move.

Rumor has it you might be needing some sturdy tote bags for your future trips to the grocery store! Be the envy of your neighbors with some wonderfully adorned Oregon-based totes from Oregon Born. This one is brand-new and ready for you along with a whol https://t.co/vBz99nNjei pic.twitter.com/BkjFlblJYI  Oregon Born (@IAmOregonBorn) December 30, 2019

What do you think? Is a little initial chaos worth the benefit of reducing plastic waste? Or do you wish the state had done something else instead?
(TNS)  A holiday cyberattack on Richmond Community Schools means students will get a couple more days off.Cue the collective cheers.Classes were set to resume Thursday after the winter holidays. But, an early-morning announcement on the district's website said a virus paralyzed several servers, and that would take time to fix. Still, don't expect to be able to call the district to get information: Phones were one of the systems hit.Other affected systems included copiers, classroom technology  and heating.It was unclear from the district's announcement who  or what  unleashed the virus or what the attackers are seeking. But the district, which has about 1,400 students, said the virus was ransomware, which usually refers to a scheme that electronically hijacks a system or files until the victims pay a ransom.The district said student and staff information appears to be safe.Some hackers try to sell personal information that they can glean from records.More cheers, but muted ones.By late morning, Richmond Police Chief David Teske said the district had yet to report the attack as a crime, but he wasn't sure why. In general, he said, it's almost always best to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.Without more information, Teske added, it is difficult to say whether it was a student prank; an overseas syndicate that doesn't realize the difference between tiny Richmond, Michigan, and much larger Richmond, Virginia, or a sophisticated scheme to extort school officials."I don't know the extent of it," Teske said. "Everybody reaches out to the Internet."But, he said, it seems odd that hackers would target such a small city. Unless the cyber-savvy extortionists think smaller government agencies are just more vulnerable because they can't afford to spend big bucks on digital security.According to the FBI, these kinds of cyberattacks and threats are increasing every year and do severe damage. In addition to schools and governments, digital assailants are targeting businesses and even people's home computers and electronic systems."The incidents were not simply expensive inconveniences," Emisoft, a cybersecurity firm based in Nelson, New Zealand, posted on its blog. The company estimates nearly 1,000 government agencies, schools, and health care companies were targeted last year and it "put peoples health, safety, and lives at risk."The firm noted attacks forced emergency patients to go to other medical centers, hampered 911 services, and made it more difficult to maintain order.Earlier this month, the City of Pensacola, Florida, was attacked by Maze ransomware. The group behind the incident threatened to start releasing files if a $1 million payment wasnt made, according to a recent news report Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency in July after hackers targeted three school districts. Phones and computer equipment shut down, and electronic files suddenly became inaccessible.In June, local officials for Riviera Beach, Florida, agreed to have its insurance carrier pay hackers nearly $600,000 in Bitcoin, a hard-to-trace digital currency, to hackers who had disabled the small city's computer systems.A month before that, hackers held Baltimore hostage.Schools in the Richmond district  Richmond High, Richmond Middle, and Will L. Lee Elementary  will remain closed Thursday and Friday, the district said, as techs frenetically attempt to fix the problems.
Eight dead, five rescued in UH-60M Black Hawk crash

ROC Central News Agency

2020/01/02 14:29

Taipei, Jan. 2 (CNA) Five people were rescued and eight were confirmed dead aboard a military UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter that came down in New Taipei's mountainous Wulai District Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).

Among the eight dead was the nation's chief of the general staff, Shen Yi-ming (), Air Force Commander Hsiung Hou-chi () confirmed.

The chopper, part of the Air Force Rescue Team, took off from Songshan air force base in Taipei at 7:54 a.m. bound for a military base at Yilan's Dong'ao as part of a pre-Lunar New Year inspection.

It disappeared from radar screens at around 8:07 a.m. before making an abortive forced landing in the mountains, according to the ministry.

(By Flor Wang) Enditem/J

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A restaurant in the historic quarter of Malaga. Garcia-Santos

Sanchez Pastor street in downtown Malaga may be just 80 meters long, but it has 12 bars and restaurants as well as around 50 tables for al fresco drinking and dining. Close by, Caldereria street has 16 watering holes scattered along its 113-meter length, and over on Angel street, there are six on a 43-meter stretch.

The fact that it does not make anyone 100% happy is a sign that it is a balanced measure

City councilor Gemma del Corral

Over the next five years, these streets will be off limits to new food and drink venues as the city is not issuing any more licenses. The moratorium inside what are being termed Acoustically Saturated Zones (ZAS) encompasses a total of 103 streets where noise levels exceed 65 decibels during the day and 55 at night. In the worst cases, noise levels reach 90 decibels. Getting rest is impossible, complains Oscar Agudo, a local resident.

To comply with EU regulations, municipal authorities in the Andalusian city started to measure the noise levels on its streets more than 10 years ago. In 2016, the city published a map with the results and came up with several measures to reduce the noise in the worst-affected areas, including no licenses for new bars and restaurants in 98 streets around the city center and five more streets in the Teatinos university area. The measures, which are going into effect this January, also include earlier closing hours for establishments and fewer city-organized outdoor activities.

The new regulations were drawn up in the spirit of compromise, but have failed to please anyone. Javier de Frutos, president of the Malaga Hospitality Association, considers them an interference in the free market in a key area of the city that will have inevitable consequences: bar and restaurant owners fear job losses and giving a bad image to tourists. Meanwhile, those who have spent years complaining about the noise say that the measures are too little, too late, according to Alejandro Villen, the secretary of Malagas Historic Center Neighborhood Association.

City officials point out that they have acted in accordance with the regulation that obliges them to establish the ZAS areas. The fact that it does not make anyone 100% happy is a sign that it is a balanced measure, argues Gemma del Corral, the local councilor in charge of environmental sustainability policies.

Business owners fear job losses and giving a bad image to tourists

When municipal authorities recently analyzed the challenges of urban tourism in Malaga, a popular destination, they found that there was an excessive concentration of bars, restaurants and franchises in the old quarter. One in five ground-floor premises have been converted into bars or restaurants, according to a study carried out by the Observatory of Urban Environment (OMAU). This agency also noted that there has been an exodus of local residents from this area, particularly where late-night bars have flourished. Thats where the biggest problems lie, says Oscar Aguado. Residents of Mitjana square or Luis de Velazquez street have been complaining about the night-time noise for years, and blame much of it on the consumption of alcohol in non-designated outdoor areas, which is, in theory, prohibited by local bylaws.

Other measures aimed at reducing noise include the shutting of doors and windows in bars and restaurants after 11pm, and shorter opening hours for sidewalk cafes: from Sunday to Thursday they will have to close at 12.30am instead of 1am, and on Saturday night at 1am as opposed to 2am. During spring and summer, however, opening hours can be extended by half an hour.

Moreover, these business hours can be disregarded at other times of the year such as Easter and Christmas. In fact, there is a 20-day allowance when establishments can extend their closing times. This is down from the previous 70 days.

The city also aims to reduce the number of outdoor municipal activities in the center. We are exercising self-restraint,  says Gemma del Corral. We all share the responsibility of reducing the noise pollution.

English version by Heather Galloway.
People line up across the parking lot of Sunnyside and down to St. Mary's Road as they wait to get into the tent to fill out hitter paperwork and place their order, then go into the building to pick up their order at Sunnyside in Champaign on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020.
Justice A.O. Musa of Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja Thursday granted the application of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to keep the former attorney general and minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke in its custody for additional 14 days preparatory to his arraignment.

In granting the application, the judge stated that the extension of the remand of the respondent for another 14 days for the purpose of his arraignment in court is necessary and granted as prayed.

The Commission took custody of Adoke on December 19, 2019, upon his arrival from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Adoke who fled the country in 2015, has pending criminal charge of alleged abuse of office and money laundering in respect of the granting of the Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 245 to Shell and ENI.

It would be recalled that the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo revoked the OPL 245, which the late General Sani Abacha granted Dan Etete, his then Petroleum Minister, and reassigned it to Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO.

Etetes Malabu Oil and Gas, however, reclaimed the oil block in 2006 through the court. While Shell challenged the decision, a fraudulent settlement and resolution was consummated under President Goodluck Jonathans government, with Shell and ENI buying the oil block from Malabu in the sum of $1.1billion.

Investigations by the EFCC into the deal revealed crimes that border on conspiracy, forgery of bank documents, bribery, corruption and money laundering to the tune of over $1.2 billion against Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep (SNUD), Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE) and their officials, culminating in criminal charges against Adoke, Etete and others, which are pending in both the FCT High Court and the Federal High Court, Abuja

The absence of the defendants slowed the prosecution of the suspects, forcing the EFCC to obtain an arrest warrant against them on April 17, 2019.

Adoke, however, arrived the country on Thursday, December 19, 2019 from Dubai, United Arab Emirates into the waiting arms of EFCC operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

His return has now cleared the way for him to answer to the charges against him.

Justice Musa adjourned the case to enable its assignment by the Chief Judge.
Ethiopian Airlines and Boeing are continuing their partnership to deliver much-needed aid supplies to organisations across Ethiopia. In December 2019, when the airline took delivery of a new 787 Dreamliner from North Charleston, South Carolina, the jet was loaded with 34,000 lbs (15,422kg) of books and 5,800 lbs (2,631kg) of school supplies, clothing and medical supplies for the flight to the airlines hub in Addis Ababa.

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The organisation Ethiopia Reads will send the books and school supplies to its libraries across Ethiopia, which serve 100,000 children each year. Medical supplies, clothing and hygiene products will be delivered to the Mary Joy Development association, which helps women and youth gain the skills they need to rise out of poverty.

We are happy to partner with Boeing to carry humanitarian goods on our delivery flights from the US, said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, Tewolde GebreMariam. As a responsible corporate citizen, we take our responsibility to society seriously and always endeavour to contribute our share to the socioeconomic development of countries around the globe.

The December flight follows another flight in November when an Ethiopian Airlines B787 carried more than 11,000 lbs (4,990kg) of clothing, personal hygiene items and medical supplies from South Carolina for delivery to the Mekedonia Home for the Elderly and Mentally Disabled and St Pauls Hospital.

The flights are part of Boeings Humanitarian Delivery Flight Program, a collaboration between Boeing, its customers and non-governmental organisations, which delivers humanitarian aid around the world. The programme has delivered more than 1.6 million lbs (0.73 million kg) of humanitarian supplies on more than 200 flights worldwide since the inaugural flight in 1992. To date, Boeing has partnered with Ethiopian Airlines on 39 humanitarian delivery flights, delivering more than 266,000 plbs (120.656kg) of supplies to organisations in Ethiopia.

Through Boeings Humanitarian Delivery Flight Program, and in close collaboration with customers like Ethiopian Airlines and charitable organisations around the world, we are providing important and oftentimes lifesaving resources to those in need, said Cheri Carter, vice president of Boeing Global Engagement. We can do so much more when we work together, and Boeing is committed to continuing partnerships like this.
On Thursday, a U.S. missile strike killed Qassem Soleimani, a high-ranking official in the Iranian government and the commander of the countrys elite Quds Force. President Donald Trump, who personally signed off on the attack, has now radically escalated tensions between Washington and Tehran. Foreign policy commentators in mainstream media outlets have been warning that the repercussions will be staggering. Slates Fred Kaplan described the move as a declaration of war. Indeed, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has promised a forceful revenge, which could take the form of terrorist attacks against Americans abroad or in the continental U.S., intensified cyberwarfare, or a surge of missile strikes targeting American military personnel and bases in the Middle East.

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Some conservative outlets, in contrast, struck a largely bellicose pose and praised the president for dealing a forceful blow to Iran. Reliable Trump cheerleaders at Breitbart and Gateway Pundit are framing the turn of events as an unalloyed victory for the United States. A Daily Wire editorial from Josh Hammer made no mention of the potential fallout from the commanders elimination, simply proclaiming that the Obama Middle East foreign policy legacy is dead and that the only travesty here is that Qassem Soleimani was not taken out sooner. Another, from Ben Shapiro, did acknowledge that there is a lot to be nervous about, but said that it was mythmaking to suggest that Iran was benign until Soleimanis head was removed from his shoulders.

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Other outlets on the right ran opposing viewpoints on the wisdom of the strike. The Washington Examiners editorial board published a piece on Thursday night titled Iranian malevolence justified Trumps order to kill Qassem Soleimani, arguing that Soleimanis crimes could not go unpunished and that the strike was a shrewd show of strength against Irans attempt to overturn U.S. sanctions with aggression. But the Examiner also published two op-eds that were much less confident about the decision. The papers commentary editor, Timothy P. Carney, wrote an op-ed in which he rebuts his colleagues: If were better off with him dead, how could killing him be a mistake? Theres an easy answer to that question: Saddam Hussein and Moammar Qadhafi were murderous, oppressive dictators, but when the United States used force to oust them, leading to their deaths, we didnt make the world better off. Examiner columnist Daniel DePetris wrote an even more skeptical piece around the same time titled Killing of Irans Qassem Soleimani will bring violent chaos to the Middle East, predicting that Trump is not in fact prepared to deal with the fallout. Over in the National Review, the publications editorial board, which has criticized Trump in the past, wrote that Soleimani deserved to die for his role in the deaths of hundreds of our servicemen during the Iraq war and gushed, Neither George W. Bush or Barack Obama dared to take such a step, and it surely has rocked the Iranian regime to its core. David French then wrote a rejoinder with the headline, The Many Downsides of War with Iran, laying out the possible bloodshed and economic shocks that could result from ratcheting up the conflict.

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And on Fox News, a rift between two of the networks more right-wing hosts emerged. Sean Hannity, who was one of the first people to report the news on air before the Pentagon made the official announcement, called into his own show to rave about the strike even though he had the night off: This is a huge victory for American intelligence, a huge victory for our military, a huge victory for the State Department, and a huge victory and total leadership by the president. Former Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who was guest-hosting the show, also called the move a proportional response, not overstepping the line. Tucker Carlson, however, cautioned on his own primetime program that America appears to be lumbering towards a new Middle East war. He noted that Trump was elected on the promise that hed avoid war except when absolutely necessary, and is holding out faith that this is still the case, but worried that the presidents hawkish advisers may be steering him toward foreign conflicts.

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While there are differing levels of apprehension about the killing of Soleimani among these conservative commentators, they seem to share at least one sentiment: The reactions from Democrats and the media are silly and impotent. The Washington Examiner ran a list of the silliest tweets from mainstream foreign policy experts like former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power, while the Federalist made a mystifying claim that Democrats hate Trump more than they hate terrorists who kill Americans in reaction to Democratic candidates distress about how this will destabilize the region. The piece reads, Democratic presidential candidates and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders also bypassed this opportunity to praise Trump for the successful take-out of the worlds most dangerous terrorist, and instead focused only on ginning up concern that Trump has started World War III in Iran. Neither Sanders nor Warren has brought up World War III, but it is true that they did not praise Trump for bringing the U.S. to the brink of war with Iran.
(CNN)  A New York woman says she found a dead rodent sewn into a dress from a Zara clothing store. She is accusing the company of negligence and is seeking money for damages, according to court documents filed Friday.

Cailey Fiesel, 24, who lives in Manhattan, bought two dresses from the Zara store in Greenwich, Connecticut, on July 5, according to court documents. She says she hung the dresses up and left them in her closet for a few weeks after buying them.

On August 16, Fiesel took one of the dresses out of her closet and wore it to work, according to court documents. While at work, Fiesel became aware of a "pungent odor," but wasn't able to figure out where it was coming from, according to court documents. She then noticed what felt like a string brushing against her leg. When she reached down to inspect, she found something else entirely.

"To her utter shock and disbelief, as she ran her hand over the hem of the dress, she felt an unusual bulge and suddenly realized that it was not a string that was rubbing against her leg, but was instead a leg rubbing against her leg," the court documents state. "The leg of a dead rodent, that is."

Fiesel, represented by Morelli Law Firm PLLC, says she has suffered "significant personal injuries and emotional distress," according to court documents. She also says she developed a rash that was later diagnosed as a rodent-borne disease, according to court documents. Fiesel is seeking money "in a sum that will fairly and adequately compensate her" in return for these damages, according to court documents.

"Zara USA is aware of the allegation and we are investigating the matter further," Zara USA said. "The brand has stringent quality controls and health and safety standards worldwide that are followed and met in manufacturing, including stitching and pressing. We are committed to ensuring that all of our products meet these rigorous requirements."

While most clothing stores in the industry take about six months to develop new products and get them into stores, Zara only needs one week to do so, according to court documents. They launch about 12,000 new products every year, according to court documents.

Zara, which sells both men's and women's clothing, was founded in Spain in 1975, and expanded to the United States in 1989. Zara products are manufactured in countries like Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Morocco, according to court documents.
This is the astonishing moment three fishermen discover they caught more than they expected after landing a northern pike while on a New Year Day expedition.

The trio, Roger, Andy and Jeremiah had just landed the large fish from the Mississippi in Lacrosse, Wisconsin and decided to fillet it.

Upon slicing the pike's flesh, one of the men noticed it started to move.

Three Wisconsin fishermen caught this giant pike while on a trip to the Mississippi river

Amazingly, the perch inside the pike's stomach was still alive despite having been eaten by the larger predator

One of the friends believed the fish had just eaten a turtle so they were astonished to find the smaller perch slide out through the gap.

Amazingly, despite having been eaten by the pike, the perch was still alive and began flapping on the table.

The pike, which had just devoured the perch in its entirety, must have still been hungry after it grabs the line.
By PTI

PATNA: RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha on Friday claimed that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has lost his credibility in the wake of his JD(U), an alliance partner of the BJP, voting in support of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Parliament.

Addressing a press conference here, Kushwaha expressed scepticism over Kumar's categorical assertion that NRC will not be implemented in Bihar and challenged the chief minister to convene a special session of the assembly and get a resolution passed to this effect.

"Such a step has been taken in Kerala recently. If Kumar does the same, he might be able to redeem some of the credibility he has lost in the wake of his bewildering vacillation on this burning issue", the former Union minister who had floated his outfit after quitting the JD(U) in 2013 said.

He also pooh-poohed the assertions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that NPR and NRC are not related and said "anybody can check the records of the Parliament since 2014.

At least nine times it has been said by this government that NPR would be the precursor to NRC".

Asked why he did not speak out on the issue while he was a member of the Union Council of Ministers, from which he resigned in December 2018, Kushwaha said: "it is against norms for one minister to counter what is being said by another".

The RLSP chief, who joined the opposition Grand Alliance after quitting the NDA, said there was "a significant difference" between the NPR conducted by the Congress-led UPA government in 2011 and the exercise that is taking place at present.

"In the previous NPR, nobody was asked about his or her parents places of birth etc. These questions had first figured during the NRC that was confined to Assam. So we have reasons to fear that NPR will be followed by a country-wide NRC. It would hit the poor, especially those living in villages, hard as very few people will be able to produce documentary evidence of their citizenship", Kushwaha said.

"I am ready to believe Modi and Shahs claim that NPR and NRC are unrelated if they convene a special session of Parliament and get the 2003 amendment deleted whereby NRC was mandated", the RLSP chief said.

Kushwaha, who is on a statewide "samjho, samjhao desh bachao yatra" a tour aimed at explaining to the common public the perils of CAA and NRC, added "I have been meeting the youths, who are full of anger over issues like lack of jobs, poor education facilities etc.

It is very unfortunate that the government at the Centre has plunged the nation into a crisis that has diverted the public discourse".

"But, we must understand that this is not a Hindu versus Muslim issue. NRC, if implemented, will not adversely affect only Muslims. A huge number of Hindus, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, will suffer on account of the ill-conceived move of this government. It is another thing that the Prime Minister and the Home Minister have of late started resorting to lies, faced with protests that have gripped the entire country", Kushwaha added.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 20:00:19|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's macroeconomic data is supported by some microeconomic indicators, such as the number of new jobs, railway cargo volume and power generation and consumption, said an article on the website of the country's top economic planner.

Some 10 million new urban jobs were created in the first three quarters of 2019, while over 500 million trips were made during the National Day holiday. These indicators are manifestations of the steady 6.2-percent GDP growth registered in the first three quarters, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in the article.

Skepticism about the authenticity of China's GDP growth and other economic data is common, but is misleading and doesn't hold water, said the NDRC.

The "unofficial data" quoted by foreign media have defects, said the NDRC. Methods they applied, like satellite remote sensing and composite indexes, essentially belong to big data analysis, which may lead to inaccurate results due to difficulties in quality control.

The Chinese government uses three methods to calculate GDP, has built a statistical mechanism tracking the growth of the new economy, and is promoting unified regional calculation of GDP. A string of steps has enabled the country's economic accounting to match international practices, it said.

China's large economy provides it with scale advantages and confidence to pursue high-quality development, the NDRC said.
For the last few months, Bollywood tabloids have been carrying reports of a rumored romance between the happening young Bollywood stars, Siddharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani. Both Siddharth and Kiara were even spotted together at dinner dates and filmy events. However, both Siddharth and Kiara never made their relationship official.

But it looks like the star couple has finally decided to put an end to the speculations in style. They just returned to Mumbai after ringing in the New Year together in South Africa. Sid and Kiara even posted wildlife safari photographs from their romantic holiday on social media accounts, openly giving hints about their relationship. Sid and Kiara are said to have hit it off on the sets of their upcoming film, Shershaah.

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The Catalan Republican Left (ERC) party on Thursday agreed that it would abstain at this weekends investiture vote in Spains lower house of parliament, the Congress of Deputies, paving the way for Pedro Sanchez of the Socialist Party (PSOE) to be voted back in as prime minister.

The decision was taken yesterday by the national council of the ERC, a party from the northeastern Spanish region that supports independence for Catalonia and holds the key to Sanchez getting back into power thanks to its 13 deputies in Congress.

The presence of the Spanish prime minister and the Catalan regional premier at the talks will not be essential

Sanchez won the November 10 repeat election but, as at the previous vote in April, fell short of an absolute majority. Since the polls last fall he has been seeking the support of other parties to be voted back in to office. Sanchez quickly closed a coalition deal with Unidas Podemos, but talks with ERC have been long and arduous, and of course have been complicated by the fact that the partys leader, Oriol Junqueras, is currently in jail for his role in the 2017 Catalan independence drive.

On Thursday a majority of the attendees at the national council meeting voted in favor of abstaining at the vote  just three people voted against from a total of 203. In exchange, the PSOE has committed to negotiations about the political situation in Catalonia and the future of the region.

Pedro Sanchez (l) and Pablo Iglesias have reached a deal for a governing coalition. Andrea Comas

The text of the deal sets out a forum with no restrictions on the content of discussions, and that will get going 15 days after the new government is formed. Any deals reached, according to the text, will be subject to a vote by citizens of Catalonia. The presence of the Spanish prime minister and the Catalan regional premier at the talks will not be essential, according to the agreement. The text avoids making specific reference to the Constitution, although it does state that any possible deal will have to comply with the framework of the legal-political system.

The text makes clear that for the PSOE, the situation in Catalonia is a political conflict, a definition that the ERC wanted included from the outset of their negotiations. The deal also paves the way for more bilateral forums between Madrid and regional governments to deal with specific issues.

One notable absence from the deal is an independent rapporteur at the talks, to mediate between the two sides. The possibility of such a figure at the negotiations caused huge controversy just under a year ago among the political opposition, and set off a chain of events that eventually culminated in support for Sanchezs budget plans crumbling, and the calling of last years April general election.

The text makes it clear that for the PSOE, the situation in Catalonia is a political conflict

The first of two investiture debates will now take place on Saturday and Sunday. Sanchez will set out his policies if voted back in to office, and opposition leaders will have a chance to respond. A vote will be held on Sunday, at which the PSOE chief would need an absolute majority of 176 votes in the 350-seat chamber to prosper. This is highly unlikely to happen, meaning that there will be a second, shorter debate on Tuesday, and then a second vote at which a simple majority  more yes votes than no  is required .

With the votes of his own party and those of coalition partner Unidas Podemos, as well as the support of a smattering of smaller groups and the abstention of ERC, the stage is now set for Pedro Sanchez to once again be prime minister  barring any last-minute surprises. Should his bid fail, Spain could be facing its third general election in a year  the fifth in five years.

English version by Simon Hunter.
Mudita Girotra By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Wearing his uniform, Assistant Sub-Inspector Balluram Baliyan sat outside the mortuary at Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital on Thursday afternoon to collect the body of his 27-year-old son who died in harness earlier in the day. He left us alone, he wailed as he mourned for his son, Amit. Balluram was on duty when the fire office informed him about his son having been trapped in debris at the building that crumbled due to blasts following a massive fire.

He reached Okaya Godown in Mundka at 10 am and stayed there, worrying about his sons condition, till he was finally rescued around 1 pm. He went in the ambulance to the hospital and waited outside the Intensive Care Unit where his elder son succumbed to injuries. Howling, he went to the mortuary, where his sons postmortem was conducted.

ALSO READ: One firefighter killed, 14 others injured after explosion

Abhi abhi shaadi huyi thi uski (He married recently), he sobbed. Amit is survived by his parents, his wife, two elder sisters and a brother. The family hails from Mundbhar in Muzaffarnagar. His wife Shivani is serving as a constable in UP Police and is posted in Ghaziabad. His neighbours and friends, who stood in solidarity with his father at the mortuary, said that Amit got married about 10 months back. Amit was one of the 500 men recruited by fire department last year.

He will be paid tribute at the Rohini fire office institute where he underwent training. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore, saying he laid down his life while serving the people of Delhi. Nothing can bring back a loved one lost, but Delhi government will provide his family with `1 crore as financial assistance. This is the least we can do as a society, Kejriwal tweeted.
ZephyrTel achieves Select Partner status in the AWS Partner Network (APN) and launches its Cloud Forward innovation program

LONDON, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Following on from the AWS re:Invent conference in December, ZephyrTel is pleased to announce that it is taking its Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to a new level. ZephyrTel will do this by accelerating the migration of its end-to-end Telco software solutions suite and developing new innovations utilising artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) with Amazon SageMaker.

ZephyrTel had entered into a SCA with AWS in the first year of its formation, a testament to the company's growth strategy and focus on cloud transformation in the telecom market. The SCA has been focused initially on a go-to-market approach for ZephyrTel's industry leading Customer Experience Management platform, ResponseTek for Telco, which was the first ZephyrTel solution to be migrated to AWS. The portfolio of the ZephyrTel solutions is being broadened with immediate effect to include the OASIS Cloud Contact Centre, VoltDelta 360 Directory Assistance, NewNet Messaging, Invigorate Rating and Charging, and the newly acquired Accuris Networks WiFi Provisioning Suite.

With the depth of AWS services in the AI/ML space, ZephyrTel is also enhancing its Cloud Forward Vision in conjunction with the DevFactory of its ESW Capital parent. This can bring new innovation through collaboration with AWS in the AIML space, that will both augment the new solutions and be marketed in its own right on a global basis.

Mike Shinya, CEO of ZephyrTel, said: "We are dedicated to working with our 330 global Telco Operator customers on their journey to becoming Digital Service Providers. The new AWS tools can allow us to innovate with our customers, helping them to deliver new services more rapidly than ever before. We also believe AWS Outposts is a gamechanger for many of our customers that would want to run the ZephyrTel solutions using AWS on-premises."

About ZephyrTel

Launched in early 2018, ZephyrTel has rapidly scaled up to reach revenues of $70M, and its customers include more than 330 of the leading Telecom Operators globally. ZephyrTel is serving the telecommunications industry worldwide with cloud solutions for mobile, infrastructure, retail and customer experience, continuously extending its Telco product range. More information: www.zephyrtel.com.

For further information please email:

Mike Shinya, CEO [email protected]

Buddie Ceronie, Chief Marketing Officer [email protected]

SOURCE ZephyrTel

Related Links

https://www.zephyrtel.com/


The new decade began full of love and hope for one newcomer who faced hatred, death and despair not long ago.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The new decade began full of love and hope for one newcomer who faced hatred, death and despair not long ago.

Muhazu Muniru has lost nearly everything in his 33 years: home, family, security, best friend, and his health. In 2020, he has a safe place to live, a romantic partner, happiness, and optimism for long-term health and contributing to society.

"I want to go to school, to work, to have my own family and a beautiful life," said Muniru, who was granted refugee protection in late 2019. "Winnipeg has been good to me. Its taken care of me."

In 2014, he was run out of Ghana, where gay sex is outlawed and discrimination rampant. His boyfriend, who stayed in Ghana, was beaten to death. Muniru travelled to Brazil, Central America, Mexico, then the United States, where he was struck by another life-threatening challenge.

The splitting headaches and dizziness he suffered werent from being worn down by the journey but the early stages of kidney disease. He was hospitalized, then placed in immigration detention in the U.S., where it was determined he faced a "credible fear" of returning to Ghana but couldnt get an immigration hearing until after 2020.

He was released to wait in New York with a friends relatives, but couldnt afford the cost of medication while receiving dialysis and unable to get a steady job. After U.S. President Donald Trumps election and anti-immigrant rhetoric ramping up, Muniru feared hed be returned to Ghana.

Muniru paid a New Yorker US$300 to drive him to the border at Quebec. After struggling with French for months, in 2018, he took a train to Winnipeg, where he heard about a Ghanaian community that might help him.

It did: finding him a place to stay and connecting him to the health-care system, Rainbow Resource Centre, and immigration lawyer Bashir Khan.

Munirus nephrologist at the Health Sciences Centre, Dr. M.E. Karpinski, wrote a letter for his Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada hearing, saying Muniru, who is otherwise healthy, would be an excellent candidate for a kidney transplant.

The kidney specialist wrote his patient would be "very likely" to die if sent back to Ghana, where neither dialysis nor medication for transplantation are funded.

The Immigration and Refugee Board member who heard Munirus case Oct. 25 grilled him about his identity, orientation and his involvement with the LGBTTQ+ community in Winnipeg.

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In the end, he accepted Munirus claim for refugee protection in Canada  not because of his kidney disease but because of his well-founded fear of persecution in Ghana. Because of his sexual identity, there was nowhere in the West Africa country where hed be safe, the adjudicator ruled.

"I was shocked speechless," said a relieved Muniru.

As a permanent resident of Canada, Muniru said he can get on the wait list for a kidney transplant, which is nearly six years in Manitoba. In the meantime, hes going for dialysis three days a week, living with a supportive partner and hoping to get into school so he can achieve his goal of becoming a medical instrument technician.

"I want to stay in Winnipeg. I can have a beautiful life."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
Vogue Italia will not feature any photo shoots in its January 2020 issue to make a statement about sustainability.

In a note published on Wednesday,Vogue Italias editor-in-chief Emanuele Farneti explained the fashion magazines reasoning, citing the numerous resources required to create the 2019 September issue, the biggest issue of the year.

One hundred and fifty people involved. Twenty flights, ten trains. Forty machines available. Sixty international expeditions. At least 10 hours of light on continuously, partly powered by gasoline generators. Food waste from catering. Plastic to wrap clothes. Power to recharge phones, cameras Farneti wrote.

According to Farneti, the decision to omit photo shoots from the January issue was made on the basis of "intellectual honesty"  and the acknowledgement that there is a significant environmental impact associated with publishing a fashion magazine.

Instead of photographs, the issue, which will be available on newsstands on 7 January, features eight illustrated covers created by artists who have created without travelling, shipping clothes or polluting in any way.

The challenge was to prove that, as an exception, it is possible to show clothes without photographing them, Farneti explained, adding that this is the first time Vogue Italia has ever had an illustrated cover and that, as far as he is aware, this is the first time Vogue has printed an issue without photography since the existence of the medium.

While the change is temporary, the money saved from the sustainable issue will go to Fondazione Querini Stampalia, a cultural centre in Venice that was recently damaged by flood waters.

We will be donating the saved funds to the restoration of this foundation, because although the magazine will return to its normal production routine tomorrow, it's nice to think that something will remain of this issue: a small but concrete gesture, Farneti said.

Farneti also announced that from now on, Conde Nast Italia will only use compostable plastic to wrap the magazine.

The decision to acknowledge and commit to sustainability in the print magazine industry comes after Farneti and 25 other international Vogue editors made a pledge in December to help preserve our planet for future generations.

Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers Show all 10 1 /10 Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-7.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-2.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-3.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-6.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-4.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-1.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-9.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-10.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-8.jpg Vogue Peter Lindbergh's best Vogue covers peter-lindbergh-vogue-5.jpg AFP/Getty

Regarding the photograph-free issue, Farneti told The New York Times that declarations are not enough and its very important that you actually act.
SISKIYOU COUNTY, Calif.- The Siskiyou County Sheriff is expanding his search for information in an unsolved murder case.

The Sheriff's Office said Spencer Hodgson was found dead in a ravine in the Klamath River area on April 8, 2019. An autopsy was done two days later. It revealed Hodgson was shot to death.

The investigation later led the Sheriff's Office recovering Hodgson's truck and his dog Pepper, but the trail to his murderer went cold.

Hodgson most recently lived in the Klamath River area. He previously lived in Santa Cruz, California. Police say he as long-term ties there.

The Siskiyou County Sheriff said the investigation "revealed there are links" between Hodgson and people in the Santa Cruz County area. He's now working with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's office for assistance and support.

There is a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of any responsible for the Hodgson's murder.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office at (530) 842-8318 and refer to SCSO Case Number 1-19-0547.
Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi posted pictures of herself on social media on New Years Eve to promote Nepal tourism to people around the world, news portal ThePaper.cn reported on Jan. 2, 2020.

In the tweet posted on Dec.31, 2019, Hou posted pictures of herself posing at famous scenic sites in Kathmandu and said: True beauty always deeply touches the deep heart. Beautiful Nepal with history, diversity and nature deserves a visit. Wish #VisitNepal2020 successful!

(Photo via Ambassador Hou Yanqi's Twitter account)

The post quickly drew attention among Nepali netizens and media and won widespread applause. 2020 is Nepals tourism year, during which the Himalayan country hopes to rejuvenate its tourism industry by attracting 2 million tourists.

(Photo via Ambassador Hou Yanqi's Twitter account)

Since China and Nepal established diplomatic relations in 1955, the two countries have always supported each other and treated each other on the basis of equality.

The two countries will take the co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation on connectivity, trade and investment, energy, agriculture, culture and tourism, and build closer bonds between the two peoples, the Chinese Ambassador wrote on the website of the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

Hou, born in north Chinas Shanxi province in 1970, was appointed as the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal in 2018.

(Photo via Ambassador Hou Yanqi's Twitter account)
New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren calls on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi on Jan 3, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren calls on former President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on Jan 3, 2020. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Jan 3 : Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday called on former President Pranab Mukherjee and his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal here, and said he will "adopt" the Delhi government's model in the education and health sectors.

Soren, who is also the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief, met the former President at his residence. After meeting Mukherjee, Soren took to Twitter and wrote: "I met the former President and Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee in Delhi as a courtesy call and gave him the new year wishes from the 3.5 crore people of Jharkhand." Soren also shared the photographs of his meeting with the former President.

The JMM chief then drove to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener's residence in the Civil Lines area.

After meeting Kejriwal, Soren shared the pictures of his meeting on Twitter and wrote: "It was a pleasure to meet Arvind Kejriwalji and extend warm wishes from Jharkhand. We also discussed about the stellar public education and health initiatives undertaken by AAP government. Inspired to implement similar initiatives in Jharkhand." Kejriwal also responded to Soren and said, "It was a pleasure to receive Hemant Sorenji. I congratulate him for taking over as Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Jharkhand will definitely progress under his dynamic leadership. Both states will learn from each other." The meeting of Soren with the former President and Kejriwal lasted for over 30 minutes each.

Mukherjee and Kejriwal were expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Soren in Ranchi on December 29, but could not participate.

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and several other top opposition leaders attended the swearing in ceremony of Soren.

The grand alliance comprising the JMM-Congress-RJD stormed to power in the eastern mineral rich tribal state, winning 47 out of 81 seats.

The BJP managed to win only 24 seats in the state with Chief Minister Raghubar Das losing his traditional Jamshedpur East assembly seat to rebel party leader Saryu Rai.
Veteran broadcaster Marian Finucane, who has died at the age of 69, has been remembered as a tenacious and immensely capable journalist.

She was found at her home in Naas, Co Kildare, yesterday afternoon.

Tributes for the radio host have poured in from across the country.

President Michael D Higgins extended his sympathies, saying Ireland had lost a deeply respected, trusted and much-loved broadcaster.

In a statement, RTE director general Dee Forbes said staff at the national broadcaster were shocked and saddened.

"Marian was a broadcaster of immense capability; a household name, she was first and foremost a tenacious journalist with a zeal for breaking new ground," she said.

"From 'Women Today' to 'Liveline' to her weekday radio show on Radio 1 and, latterly, her enormously popular Saturday and Sunday radio programme, she tackled the big social issues of the day with command and insight."

Mr Higgins, who remembered Ms Finucane as a "superb professional", credited the legendary radio host for seeking a proper representation of women in broadcasting.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A career in radio: Marian Finucane in her early days with RTE Ground-breaking: Marian Finucane in her element, the radio studio from where she helped to change attitudes Broadcaster Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke and son Jack after she was conferred with an honorary doctorate by DIT in 2002. Photo: Tom Burke Pictured: RTE broadcaster Marian Finucane and Nuala O'Faolain in Nairobi, Kenya where they were covering the 1985 United Nations Decade for Women Conference for RTE. Marian Finucane Marian Finucane Zeal for breaking new ground: Marian Finucane was a household name with thousands of listeners tuning in to her RTE shows. Photo: Tony Gavin Marian Finucane on the Late Late in 1991 Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke after they were married in 2015. Photo: Frank McGrath Marian Finucane with Maeve Binchy at an Irish Hospice Foundation event. Photo: Jim O'Kelly Marian visting an orphanage in South Africa Voice of reason: Marian Finucane smiles after receiving the PPI Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008. Photo: Jason Clarke Photography 15/11/11 Marian Finucane at the launch of her book The Saturday Interviews 2005-2011 . Pictures:Arthur Carron/Collins Finucane M 8.4.10 0011 Marian Finucane Taoiseach Enda Kenny,TD and broadcaster Marian Finucane at the launch the Irish Hospice Foundation's 2016 Commemorative and 30th anniversary programme held in the Stephens Green Club yesterday. Pic Tom Burke 3/12/2015 Former Irish International footballer Niall Quinn and boadcaster Marian Finucane who were conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) at their annual conferring of Honorary degrees at a ceremony held in the Royal hospital,Kilmainham yesterday...Pic Tom Burke 26/11/02 Marian Finucane MARIAN FINUCANE Marian Finucane JOE DUFFY AND MARIAN FINUCANE AT THE LAUNCH OF JOE DUFFYS AUTOBIOGRAPHY "JUST JOE" AT HARRYS BAR IN THE O2 DUBLIN PIX BRIAN MCEVOY / Facebook

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"It is with the greatest sadness that I have learned of the passing of broadcaster Marian Finucane," he said.

"With her death, Ireland has lost a deeply respected, trusted and much-loved broadcaster.

"There will be many, in every part of Irish life, who will miss Marian's voice, but of course her loss is felt most acutely by her family and friends."

He and his wife Sabina offered their deep sympathies to her husband John, her son Jack "and to all the members of her extended family and wide circle of friends and colleagues".

Ms Finucane was found at her home in Naas yesterday afternoon.

She had recently returned from India after she and her husband John Clarke visited their son, Jack.

It's understood the RTE Radio host died in her sleep.

Ms Finucane's Saturday show on RTE Radio 1 was one of the most listened to radio programmes in the country with a listenership of 363,000 in 2019. Her show featured interviews, human interest stories, consumer and lifestyle news as well as panel discussions on issues of the week.

Each of her programmes began with Ms Finucane's signature tune, followed by her iconic phrase: "Hello there, and a very good morning to you."

Ms Finucane is survived by her husband and son.

Her daughter Sinead tragically passed away in 1990 at the age of eight after developing leukaemia.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar expressed his sympathies on Twitter, saying weekend mornings will "never be quite the same again".

"I am stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the death of Marian Finucane.

"She was a true broadcasting legend who reshaped current affairs radio. Ireland will miss her voice," he said.

"I spent many hours in the studio with Marian. She was thorough, courteous and professional. I'm very sad to think that we won't hear her voice again on the radio."

Miriam O'Calllaghan told the Irish Independent she was "just devastated" at the news of her sudden death and she was a huge influence on her career.

"She was the gold standard I hoped to reach one day.

"Marian was a feminist when there were few feminists here in Ireland. Her influence on the position of women in Ireland was immense," she said.

"Much was written about the role of the wonderful Gay but in my opinion, as much importance was the role played by Marian."

She pointed out Ms Finucane was much younger than Gay.

"She was the first woman to have the courage and great talent to liberate us women. A hero forever. Eternal gratitude.

"Most of all, I will never, ever forget her remarkably poignant interview with her dear friend Nuala O Faolain when Nuala was dying," she added.

"It was majestic, noble radio, the greatest interview I have ever heard. She was quite simply the most brilliant female broadcaster I have ever known. I am broken hearted.

"I keep thinking of her beautiful husband and son. At least she is now in heaven with her precious daughter."

Former RTE star Pat Kenny said he was in "total shock".

He knew Marian from early in her broadcasting career and described her as a pioneer for women in the media.

"She worked as a reporter on my programme at the beginning of her career and her work was characterised by an empathy, a warmth and an intelligent curiosity," he said.

"She was a pioneer in women's broadcasting, although she was never one for playing the gender card. In recent years, Marian became a staple of weekend listening. I just found it very hard to comprehend that Marian was no longer with us. She and I worked hand in glove over many years."

Mr Kenny said that Ms Finucane had a way of making her guests feel at home on her radio show.

"If people think of one thing about Marian, it was her warmth with the guests - whether they were the mighty or the unknown," he added.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will likely cancel his planned official trips to India and Japan this month amid the worsening bushfire crisis across the country.

Emergency services and Defence chiefs will brief a meeting of the national security committee (NSC) of cabinet on Saturday morning ahead of dire warnings for regional communities in the coming days.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison: "I'm inclined not to proceed on that visit." Credit:James Alcock

Mr Morrison was due to visit his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, from January 12 to 16 but said on Friday afternoon he was "inclined not to proceed". A planned trip to Japan, which Mr Morrison was due to visit on his way back to Australia, is also in doubt.

He has also cancelled plans to attend the Sydney Test cricket match over the weekend, a traditional prime ministerial engagement, and will instead be in Sydney and Canberra receiving briefings.
She rose to fame as the rebellious Selina Cook on Home and Away in the mid to late 1990s.

But Tempany Deckert stepped away from the spotlight to become a mother - and she has no regrets.

The 41-year-old, who is now a well-known Young Adult (YA) book author, tells The Daily Telegraph she felt uncomfortable with her overnight fame thanks to the soap.

Moved on: Former Home and Away star Tempany Deckert (pictured) revealed on Friday that turned her back on Hollywood to become a mum. She says if had pursued acting, 'I don't think I would have gotten married and had children. I feel like I dodged a bullet'. Pictured in 2015

'Becoming that famous overnight was a total shock,' she tells the paper. 'I thought it would feel wonderful and relieving, but it was actually really disconcerting'.

After finding success on Home and Away, Tempany headed for the bright lights of Hollywood.

But she found herself auditioning for 'small roles' and what she calls, 'vacuous, boring, cliched rubbish'.

Back then: The actress rose to fame as the rebellious Selina Cook on Home and Away. Pictured on Home and Away in the 1990s

Rebel rebel: She appeared as the eye-liner clad school girl on the soap between 1994 and 1998

Too much: The 41-year-old, who is now a well-known Young Adult (YA) book author, tells The Daily Telegraph she felt uncomfortable with her overnight fame thanks to the soap

She soon turned her focus instead to raising her two children with American filmmaker Brian Donovan, and chose to embark on a career as a writer.

The author says if she had pursued acting, 'I don't think I would have gotten married and had children... In some ways, I feel like I dodged a bullet.'

Still based in Los Angeles, Tempany is the author of 18 YA books, as well as picking up the occasional acting role in a TV movie or short film.

Issues: 'Becoming that famous overnight was a total shock,' she tells the paper. 'I thought it would feel wonderful and relieving, but it was actually really disconcerting'

Moving on: Tempany headed for the bright lights of Hollywood. But she was unhappy with the 'vacuous' roles she was offered. Pictured with her sons

New life: She soon turned her focus instead to raising her two children with American filmmaker Brian Donovan (right) and writing books. The family live in Los Angeles

She is still close to her erstwhile Home and Away co-star Isla Fisher, who she believes has found a special balance between fame and normality.

Tempany says: 'She's very good at maintaining old friendships while still mixing with big Hollywood. Her birthday parties are eclectic, to say the least!'

Isla told Stylist magazine last year that she did not have a great experience on the set of the show - but made close friendships.

Mates: Tempany is still close to her erstwhile Home and Away co-star Isla Fisher (right), who she believes has found a 'balance' between fame and normality. Pictured on Home and Away

Tempany says: 'She's good at maintaining old friendships while mixing with big Hollywood. Her birthday parties are eclectic, to say the least!' Isla is pictured on Home and Away

'I wouldn't say that I had the greatest experience on Home And Away,' she admitted.

'I learnt a lot, but I was very exhausted because the hours that they work you are very, very long and you're away from your family. My abiding memory is just being exhausted and sleeping whenever I could,' the Hollywood star said.

However she added: 'I'm still in touch with Tempany Deckert who played Selina and Kate Ritchie who played Sally.'
The historical sites of Old Sturbridge Village and Rhode Islands Coggeshall Farm Museum share the same challenge to its future viability: they need more people to show up and experience living history through their preservation.

The two sites have joined forces with package deals, consolidated management and other enticements they hope will attract new customers - and keep living rural New England history alive.

Museums face unprecedented competition these days, and many have struggled to maintain relevance and financial viability. Digital availability gives potential visitors new options, not the least of which is exploring history at their fingertips with their phones.

Thats not the same as a physical, visual experience, so museums are exploring new marketing methods to attract customers. Many have installed videos and interactive games, or modernized their presentations to fit 21st Century tastes.

Traditionalists have sometimes decried these strategies as a violation of true history and its preservation. Museum curators counter that living history will die if visitors stop showing up. New techniques can entice them to come, and when they do, the traditional artifacts, architecture and displays will be theirs to see as well.

One historical site, the Newseum in Washington, D.C., was dedicated to preserving the history of American media and journalism. A victim of competition from the nearby Smithsonian Institution, it closed on Dec. 31.

Closer to home, Old Sturbridge Village enjoyed an encouraging 4% one-year visitor increase in 2019. Its cooperative agreement with the Coggeshall (which is a 90-minute drive from Sturbridge in Bristol, R.I.) comes at an opportune time. New England colonial history will be in the 2020 news.

The 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre occurs on March 5. The 1620 Mayflower landing will be marked by 400th anniversary events. Nationally, 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote.

If this renewed attention to history helps attract people to our New England sites, all the better. The Old Sturbridge-Coggeshall collaborative is done with an eye beyond 2020, however. Old Sturbridge, which will assume many of the operational and executive duties of the Rhode Island site, marks its own 75th anniversary in 2021.

This joining of forces is a win-win, not just for each site but for New England adults and children whose knowledge of the past is best fueled by a direct, personal experience - a walk back into history, guided by the experts dedicated to keeping it alive.
Making predictions is a fools errand in the political arena. So much can go sideways for so many reasons. Only two things appear certain at this point: Gov. John Bel Edwards will have an even tougher time with the Legislature going forward than he had during this first term; and were headed for a very busy election season.

The Democratic governor locked horns with the GOP-controlled House of Representatives at almost every turn after he took office in January 2016. It began with the Houses refusal to elect then-Rep. Walt Leger III of New Orleans as speaker. Leger, a Democrat, was Edwards chosen candidate for the job.

For generations, the House went through the motions of choosing its own speaker, but the governor typically got his or her way. No longer. This go-round, Edwards is publicly taking a hands-off approach to the speakers race.

House Republicans have some internal rifts, but Rep. Sherman Mack has emerged as the front-runner to be speaker. His aim is to win without having to count on any Democratic votes. Thats a big neon sign telegraphing whats to come: Washington-style partisanship on virtually every issue.

In his first term, Edwards usually could count on the more moderate Senate to be his backstop. That, too, has changed. All moderate Republican senators are gone  most of them retired by term limits  and several Democratic senators likewise are gone. All were replaced by hard-right-leaning Republicans, which compounds Edwards difficulty in the next four years.

Meanwhile, when were not being bombarded by partisan messages from Baton Rouge and Washington, we should expect lots of campaign missives going into the November elections. The presidential race will top the ballot, and the re-election bid of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, could become an interesting statewide contest.

A host of local elections will fill out the November ballot. Heres a peek at some of them:

 Louisiana Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson cannot seek re-election to the state Supreme Court, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. Johnsons black-majority district (the only one on the seven-member High Court) is based in New Orleans, and the race to succeed her could attract a large field.

 New Orleans District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro is up for re-election, as are all Louisiana DAs. Cannizzaro stands out because hes vulnerable in the wake of the fake subpoena flap, his offices arrest of some victims to get them to testify, and recent revelations that his office has dropped at least 80% of misdemeanor domestic violence cases. One political group already has paid for a billboard promoting the hashtag #MoveOnLeon. Cannizzaro has not yet said if he will seek re-election, but At-Large City Councilman Jason Williams says hes running. Others may join him.

 District judges are on the ballot across the state, and some will have no incumbents because of mandatory retirements. More than two dozen judgeships in New Orleans alone will be on the ballot.

 All seven seats on the Orleans Parish School Board will be up for grabs.

And that doesnt count any special elections that may be called between now and November.
Fires in Australia now independently con the weather, which only contributes to the further spread of fire, BBC reported referring to the meteorological office of the country.

Australian fires have already covered almost 2000 km and reached the territory of New Zealand.

Cooling in the upper atmosphere, the smoke turns into powerful cumulonimbus clouds with thunderstorm potential. The electrical discharges arising in them lead to lightning - and they, in turn, can set fire to new land.

Sometimes a thunderstorm process reaches such proportions that a real fire tornado is formed - as happened in 2003 as a result of fires near the capital of Canberra.

Scientists have no doubt that the unprecedented fires in Australia - as in the Amazon last year and in California the year before last - are one of the consequences of global warming. Statistics confirm that the number of thunderstorms is increasing worldwide.

The last decade was the hottest in the history of observations on a global scale. The fastest temperature rises in the Arctic, but Australia is experiencing the most severe warming.

December 29 was the hottest day in the history of the country.
Washington: Idolised by his Iranian hard-line supporters, Qassem Soleimani was considered one of the most infamous military operators in the Middle East by the United States and its allies.

As leader of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, the 62-year-old bore responsibility for Iran's clandestine operations overseas, quietly extending the military reach of Iran deep into foreign conflicts like those in Syria and Iraq.

Qassem Soleimani, centre, has been killed by a US strike, the Pentagon confirmed. Credit:AP

In the process, he had earned himself a near mythical status among his enemies and idolisation by supporters.

Analysts have complained that Soleimani had more diplomatic clout than Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and pondered if he would eventually seek top political office himself. Some compared him to Karla, the fanatical, but fictional, Soviet spymaster in John LeCarre's Cold War novels.
As the United States and Iran head to a fresh round of confrontation, here is a quick snapshot of what happened on Friday morning:

What happened in West Asia?

Under direct orders from United States President Donald Trump, according to a statement by the US Department of Defence, the US killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards-Quds Force in a drone strike at the Baghdad International Airport.

Who was Soleimani?

Soleimani was in charge of Iranian Intelligence-gathering and covert operations. He was very close to Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, and seen as a potential future leader of the country, according to a profile in The New York Times. He played a key role in encouraging Shiite militants in Iraq after the US attacked the country back in 2003, which expanded Tehrans leverage in the country. As Irans influence in the region has grown, so did Soleimanis.

Watch: Qasem Soleimani killed by a US air strike, all you need to know

The US has claimed that Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition serving members, and approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad this week. This, for Washington, appears to have been the trigger for the presidential order.

What does it mean for the region?

The US and Iran have been in a state of confrontation ever since Donald Trumps election and his decision to walk out of the nuclear deal between the nations. Iran has responded to sanctions and what it sees as a betrayal by stepping up its offensive in the region. The attack on the embassy in Baghdad and now the killing of Soleimani, however, takes the confrontation to a possible stage of conflict. Given Soleimanis importance, Iran is bound to respond with force, though the question remains whether it will directly hit US interests and personnel or US allies, including Saudi Arabia and Israel, both of which have independent rifts with Tehran. Most observers and intelligence analysts expect an escalation.

What it means for India?

India depends substantially on crude imports from West Asia among other regions. A spike in prices, as is expected, will have an impact on Indias macroeconomic indicators at a time when the economy has been slowing down.

India is also the top recipient of external remittances in the world. In 2017, it received $69 billion dollars worth of remittances, according to the Reserve Bank of India data. But here is the crucial point. Over 50% of these remittances come from West Asia -- Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman in particular. Within India, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu account for over 58% of the total remittances. Instability in the region is expected to affect migrant workers -- estimates suggest there are over 8 million Indian workers across West Asia -- and remittance inflows.
The states lone correctional facility for girls and young women has among the highest rates of sexual abuse of any juvenile facility in the country, according to new federal data.

The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics issued a report in December that found 14% of the girls and young women housed at Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility reported being sexually assaulted or abused while at the institution in 2018. The rate is twice the national average, according to the data.

Jesse Lerner-Kinglake, communications director for Just Detention International, an international organization focused on ending sexual abuse in prison, said the federal data puts Oak Creek in the top 10 facilities with highest rates of reported sexual abuse, which he called a dubious list to be a part of.

The federal data is based on a 2018 survey of 42 girls and young women and does not make clear whether the abuse by other youth in custody or staff.

According to 2018 Oregon Youth Authority data, there was one report of sexual misconduct by staff against youth and one report of sexual harassment involving staff against youth. Benjamin Chambers, a spokesman for the youth authority, said both reports were not substantiated.

Joseph OLeary, director of the youth authority, said the agency is extremely concerned by the results. He said the data contradicts the results of independent audits and twice-yearly national surveys of Oak Creek offenders, which have found lower rates of reported abuse on par with the national average, agency officials said.

OLeary said agency officials need to figure out why theres a discrepancy between its data and the federal statistics.

We will also need to review and improve our current efforts to keep youth safe from sexual abuse, as well as identify ways to ensure we learn about and respond to incidents of sexual abuse, OLeary said in an email to staff, volunteers and lawmakers after The Oregonian/OregonLives inquiry about the federal report.

Chambers said the agency has added security cameras and beefed up training as part of its effort to reduce instances of sexual abuse. In response to the federal data, he said the agency has begun talking with the girls and women in custody about ways to confidentially report abuse.

Surveys of youth in custody at the facility found that youth perception of safety at Oak Creek is dramatically improving, he said.

The 50-bed facility houses young offenders from ages 15 to 25. They are typically there for drug-related offenses, are often victims of sex crimes and report very high rates of sexual trauma, Chambers said.

-- Noelle Crombie; ncrombie@oregonian.com; 503-276-7184; @noellecrombie

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Here is the face of Ernest Ewim, the master-planner of last Saturdays botched robbery attack against Mpape Abuja branch of First Bank...





Here is the face of Ernest Ewim, the master-planner of last Saturdays botched robbery attack against Mpape Abuja branch of First Bank.





He was the last of the gang to be arrested by the police.





Four other members of his gang, including the bank staff, Ehizo were arrested at the scene of operation on Saturday.





A statement by DSP Anjuguri Manzah, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, said Ewim, 29, was arrested by a team of Police Detectives at his hideout in Katampe, FCT.





With this arrest, the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the foiled robbery attempt is now five.





Police named the suspects to include Larry Ehizo, 30, Princewill Obinna, 24, Timothy Joe, 21, and Elijah David, 19.




Israel held emergency security talks Friday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a foreign visit as the Jewish state braced itself for fallout from the assassination of a top Iranian military commander in a US air strike.

Defence Minister Naftali Bennett chaired a meeting of security chiefs, including the heads of the army, the National Security Council and the Mossad intelligence agency, his office said.

Netanyahu broke off an official visit to Greece and flew home, expressing support for the overnight US strike that killed General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad.

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right," Netanyahu said as he boarded his flight from Athens.

"President (Donald) Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively," he said. "Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defence." On the ground, the Israeli army closed Mount Hermon ski resort on the annexed Golan Heights, a disputed territory which borders Syria and Lebanon.

Fighters of the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, Israel's bitter foe with which it fought a devastating war in 2006, are deployed on the other side of the armistice line.

Although an Israeli military source said there were no new troop deployments, tanks and soldiers sealed off access to the Hermon site, while an AFP correspondent also spotted a battery of the Iron Dome missile defence system.

The heightened state of alert came after Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" for Soleimani's killing, the biggest escalation yet in a feared proxy war between Iran and the US on Iraqi soil.

He was echoed by the leader of Hezbollah.

"Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins... will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide," Hassan Nasrallah said.

Soleimani, head of the Quds Force in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, had long also been in Israel's sights for his alleged links to attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide.

Among them, Israel's Haaretz daily said, were the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires and an attack on an Israeli tour bus in Burgas, Bulgaria in 2012.

Yossi Mansharof, an expert on Iran and Shiite militias at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, said Hezbollah was unlikely to seek a showdown in Lebanon given the country's current economic and political crisis.

Hezbollah's forces in Syria, however, could make a move, he said.

"Hezbollah can act against Israel from the Syrian side," he told AFP. "They would not dare to drag Lebanon into a military escalation." In addition to Hezbollah forces in Syria, the Quds Force and "many, many militias which Soleimani has fostered" are also stationed in the war-torn country, he pointed out.

He said Hezbollah had a worldwide network of operatives, and an attack on American officials, high-ranking military officers or other interests was also possible. The powerful organisation has boasted in the past that it "can target New York and Washington", Mansharof said.

In the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which rules the territory condemned Soleimani's killing but did not make any overt threat.

"Hamas sends its condolences to the Iranian leadership and people," it said in a statement. "Hamas condemns this American crime which raises tension in the region."



The leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said the Baghdad strike called for "a coordinated, comprehensive and continuous response from resistance forces" against "American and Zionist interests".
Rajasthan Minister Pratap Singh on Friday blamed staff of the government hospital in Kota, where more than 100 infants died in December last year.

"We believe that it is the responsibility of the hospital, doctors and nurses to control the deaths. If there was a lack of equipment, then they should have bought it. They have around Rs 6 crore with you. There is no need for so many equipments," Singh told ANI.

The minister also accused of politicising the incident and added that the government is "serious" about deaths of the newborn children.

"This is no political issue. BJP does not need to celebrate. This is an issue of the country and Rajasthan. They have tried to raise this as a political issue. The Rajasthan government is very serious about infant deaths," he said.

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Chief Secretary of Rajasthan to submit a detailed report within 4 weeks about the steps being taken to address the issue.

The Commission also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that such deaths of the children do not recur in future due to lack of infrastructure and health facilities at the hospitals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Following a Reddit thread about an issue with Google Assistant and Xiaomi-branded home security cameras, Google has indefinitely disabled integration with Mi Home, Xiaomis smart home platform. Google is investigating a bug that caused a user with a Xiaomi Mijia security camera to inadvertently view camera feeds from other homes.

Redditor Dio-V posted images in a post that detailed the issue. As per the post, when he asked his Google Next Hub to view one of their Xiaomi camera feeds, the Nest Hub displayed distorted still images from other homes, including one of a sleeping baby. The feeds looked like they came straight from a horror movie.



Source: Reddit

A Google Spokesperson said: Were aware of the issue and are in contact with Xiaomi to work on a fix. In the meantime, were disabling Xiaomi integrations on our devices..

Wed tell you to disconnect any Xiaomi cameras that you may have until the problem is fixed, but Google is already a step ahead. Well keep you updated when a fix arrives.

Source  Via
Press Release

January 3, 2020 De Lima defends activist Browder vs pro-Duterte attacks Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has defended renown activist and author of the New York Times bestseller "Red Notice" Bill Browder against coordinated political attacks from Mr. Duterte's troll armies and supporters on social media. De Lima made the remark after Browder was attacked by paid trolls and pro-Duterte bloggers for tirelessly campaigning to impose sanctions against human rights abusers from across the world, including De Lima's persecutors, through the Magnitsky Act. "Attacks vs you are proofs that rights abusers in PH have been notified alright. In fact, they're now erasing their dirty tracks, but the door to the world is closing in on them! Clock is ticking down," De Lima's post on Twitter read. "It looks like troll armies got their envelopes. Apart from deleting their evil tracks, they are now busy spreading fake news that have long been debunked," she added. The Magnitsky Act, enacted during the Obama administration, was named after Russian tax lawyer Sergei Magnitsky who experienced reprisal after uncovering a tax fraud scheme linked to Russian officials. He was jailed in Russia and later died. The Magnitsky Act, or the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, has become a powerful tool for enforcing accountability for human rights abuses perpetrated by repressive regimes. Browder has spent almost a decade conducting a global campaign seeking to deny visa applications and to freeze assets of human rights abusers globally, particularly those who played a role in Magnitsky's false arrest and death. He is also among those pushing for sanctions against De Lima's persecutors. In his recent post on Twitter that attracted attacks from trolls and pro-Duterte bloggers, Browder said "[t]he Philippine Government is having a full scale meltdown at the possibility of being sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act for the unjust detention of Sen. Leila de Lima..." De Lima has received bipartisan support from among the members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee which unanimously approved a resolution calling on the Philippine government to free her from detention and drop all charges against her. US Senate Resolution (SR) No. 142, primarily authored by Senators Marco Rubio and Edward Markey, adopted an amendment calling on the US President to impose sanctions under the Magnitsky Act, namely, entry ban and US asset freeze, on government officials responsible for orchestrating De Lima's arrest and prolonged detention, as well as on members of security forces and Philippine government officials responsible for the extrajudicial killings. In her recent Dispatch from Crame No. 668, the lady Senator from Bicol also thanked Browder for campaigning for the Global Magnitsky Act and ensuring that abusers and human rights violators are punished. "Bill Browder, the British fund manager and activist who pushed for the Magnitsky Act, welcomes its application on Philippine officials as a powerful tool against oppressors and human rights violators. [T]hank you, Mr. Browder and other champions for your work," she said. His grandfather, Earl Browder, the American trade unionist who, in 1927, met with and helped Philippine labor leaders establish relations with communist Russia, would have loved the irony of his capitalist grandson being responsible for the law that is now benefitting Philippine human rights defenders," she added. De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, said the Global Magnitsky Act sends "seismic shock to tyrannical powers who cut corners on human rights and will not stop at anything to shut down democratic voices." "I see a tool inspired by divine justice in Magnitsky Act - a powerful tool indeed to fight impunity," she said. Last Dec. 20, US President Trump signed into law the US Fiscal Year 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which includes a provision banning the entry of Philippine government officials responsible for De Lima's wrongful detention.
3 Jan  Mike Tuviera has nothing but good things to say about Maine Mendoza, his lead actress in the MMFF movie, "Mission Unstapabol: The Don Identity".

As reported on Inquirer, the filmmaker, who spoke about working with Mendoza in the movie, said that the actress is the kind of person who is driven by the need to continually develop herself and is never comfortable being in the same position for long.

"Among all my talents on the set, she's the only one who goes straight to the monitors to see how she did in her scenes," he said.

However, said Tuviera, the standard that she puts on herself also made Mendoza very critical of her own performance.

"But I also believe that that's the reason she has been making great strides as an actress," he said.

At the same time, Tuviera also praised the actress of being very observant, especially when it comes to tiny details.

"I have been working with her for three years now, and I think that it's something that comes naturally to her," said the director, who has also helmed Mendoza's previous films, 2016's "Imagine You and Me" and 2018's "Jack Em Popoy: The Puliscredibles".

(Photo source: Maine Mendoza Instagram)
Bay Area cafes tend to sell two kinds of drip coffee: one made via pour-over, where a barista slowly streams water onto grounds for one precise cup; or one made via batch brewer, an automated machine that can make a gallon at a time.

Some high-end coffee companies like Blue Bottle Coffee tout the human touch of pour-over and argue batch brewers are purely utilitarian, too often making mediocre, burnt-tasting coffee. But Eli Salomon, founder of Oakland manufacturer Voga Coffee, thinks pour-over varies too much from barista to barista, and that the high cost of labor involved means the coffee  regularly $5 in the Bay Area  is too expensive. Plus, it requires customers to wait.

Salomon wanted to merge the best of both methods and create a batch brewer that could easily and consistently produce coffee that is just as smooth, sweet and customizable as great pour-over.

The result is called Ground Control, and you might have already seen the machine peering out from behind a counter at a number of Bay Area cafes and restaurants, including Equator Coffees & Teas, Dandelion Chocolate and Chez Panisse. It looks kind of like a robot, with an Edison light bulb-esque top that spurts out liquid  and its wowing local roasters.

Its one of the best cups of coffee Ive ever had, said Helen Russell, CEO of Marin Countys Equator.

Voga wants to replace every drip coffee brewer in the world. It has sold its machines to cafes on multiple continents and won the Specialty Coffee Associations Best New Product Award, considered the coffee industrys highest honor for commercial equipment, in 2018. Ground Control is loosely based on a siphon  a vacuum coffee maker invented in the 1800s thats often said to produce the cleanest cup of coffee because it fully immerses the grounds and keeps the water temperature steady as it brews.

Those two principles carry over to Ground Control. Beyond the size, digital keypad and many programmable functions, theres one enormous difference: The machine brews the same grounds multiple times.

Weve created a new science of coffee that breaks essentially every single rule that was previously known in coffee brewing, Salomon said. Everything is upside down.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

A coffee fiend with no formal coffee industry experience, Salomon wanted to create a new drip coffee machine that would make the most delicious batches possible.

Salomon loved coffee made with a siphon  Blue Bottle Coffees Mint Plaza location is known for its lit-up bar of vacuum coffee makers. But siphons only make one portion at a time. He envisioned a giant, vacuum-powered, siphon-style machine that could make more coffee faster and be commercially scalable.

In 2013, he called his longtime friend Josh Avins, who had just finished his Ph.D. in chemistry at Columbia University, and explained the idea. Avins flew to San Francisco to build a prototype and test the theory in Salomons home. It worked: Salomon was thrilled with the result. But Avins thought they could do better.

Josh shattered (my) idea into a million pieces, and we picked it up and we came up with something a lot more beautiful, Salomon said. About a year later, he formally created Voga Coffee with Avins and Jason Sarley, a sensory analyst with the industry publication Coffee Review.

Avins was interested in coffee from a chemistry perspective. In the lab, he commonly worked on extractions, a procedure used to isolate a substance when it has been mixed with others.

What is coffee brewing but another extraction? Avins said. I thought, we never do a single extraction in my lab. Lets brew the coffee more than once.

Salomon thought Avins proposal was crazy. Rebrewing grounds using the pour-over method, for example, would create little more than dirty water. Over-extracting  letting the beans and water hang out too long together  notoriously creates a bitter cup. It went against everything he knew about brewing good coffee.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

Yet that crazy idea is what makes Ground Control tick. Water fully immerses grounds on the bottom of the machine, then a vacuum pulls the coffee to the top and dries out the grounds. The process repeats twice with fresh water, dripping a gallon of coffee into a thermos or carafe.

Every brew brings out a different layer of flavors, and then we blend them together, Salomon said.

Thats also where the customization happens. Cafe owners can create their own recipes for each type of coffee they carry, tinkering with the amount of time of each extraction for up to six extractions, though Salomon typically recommends three. A difference of a mere second in any of the brew cycles can create a radically different cup: perhaps more acidity, more sweetness, more floral notes, more chocolate.

Thats been the most exciting thing for me: creating the cup we want, said Rich Avella, co-founder of Highwire Coffee Roasters, which uses a Ground Control in its Berkeley cafe.

The amount of control and possibility with Ground Control led Avella to get rid of Highwires pour-over line in Berkeley. Many cafes tout pour-over for its precision, with a barista carefully streaming water into a filter for about five minutes, which gives the water a chance to slowly extract the best flavor from the coffee grounds. But that reliance on the human touch means pour-over can be difficult to do well consistently, and some customers dont want to wait that long for coffee.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

With Ground Control, we can offer a single origin thats in a really tailored recipe to deliver a great cup  and its ready right now, Avella said.

Paul Chinn / The Chronicle

The time-consuming nature of brewing every cup to order caused Dandelion Chocolate to stop offering pour-over  or any drip coffee  at its Valencia cafe for years. The cafe was too busy to handle the volume of orders, and batch brewers on the market didnt appeal to founder Todd Masonis. Then he met Salomon and tried a cup brewed on Ground Control.

When people try our chocolate, some say, I didnt know chocolate could taste this way. I felt the same experience with the coffee, Masonis said.

Now, Ground Control is at all of Dandelions three San Francisco locations as well as its new Las Vegas cafe. In addition to drip coffee, the machine allows Dandelion to brew cacao nibs for cacao nib coffee.

Highwire Coffee in Berkeley and Equator Coffee at Fort Mason became the first two cafes to get Ground Control machines two years ago. Now, there are roughly 70 installed around the world, including in Canada, Colombia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Salomon said Voga is talking to coffee chains and convenience-store chains, which could bring that number up significantly in 2020. Vogas goal is to bring its machines to about 300 more locations this year.

Salomon believes Ground Control is the first serious new technology in batch brewing since the first automated drip brewer in 1954. Recent innovations that have excited the coffee industry have focused on single-cup brewing, such as 2005s AeroPress and 2007s Clover. A popular at-home brewing tool, the AeroPress looks like a giant syringe and fully immerses grounds like a French press, except its use of a paper filter means the end result is smoother. Meanwhile, Starbucks purchased Clover, which uses a vacuum and digitally controls the temperature and number of seconds the grounds interact with water.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle

The development in batch brewing is exciting for top roasters like Equators Russell, who said great coffee beans can be ruined by an improper brewing process. (Its like listening to Mozart on AM radio versus going to the symphony, quipped Salomon.)

But Salomon says Ground Control is also meant for corner stores that want to take their drip up a notch or for places that serve but dont specialize in coffee, like Berkeley bagel shop Boichik Bagels. Machines start at $6,000  more than a standard drip brewer but less than a commercial espresso machine. Salomon hopes his machine makes great coffee more democratic.

Coffee used to be something that was accessible to everyone, and then we started to see a shift toward very expensive coffees, he said. Were not here to make a fancy cafe fancier.

Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker
The conspicuous exclusion of Muslims in the CAA will alter the demographic makeup of voters in states, creating a cushy vote bank for the BJP. Notably, war and natural disasters may force people to move, but otherwise, an increase in wages, better opportunity and even starvation are not enough.

As protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) continue to unfold across the country, take a look at one grim statistic: 25 people in India have lost their lives in these protests. That's a big number. Now compare this figure to the two deaths that have been caused as a result of the six-month-old pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, and it seems even bigger.

Many of us continue to lead our lives unaffected by this social unrest, but that luxury will vanish soon. The fate of these demonstrations is likely to have a long-lasting impact on us, we just dont know it yet.

In the current era where the Right-wing is in power in most countries and its rise continues unchecked, whats happening in India is representative of whats happening in the rest of the world. The problems are many, ranging from economic to climate-related. If we look at the experimental evidence that Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo present in their book Good Economics for Hard Times in the context of the CAA, National Population Register (NPR) and NRC, well understand how misguided some of our beliefs on immigration are.

Statistical discrimination

The authors tell us that the leader of the largest tribe doesnt have to deliver anything to remain in power  not even to his own supporters. Theyll remain supporters as long as theyre worried about being taken over. The Bharatiya Janata Party successfully instilled the fear of a Muslim takeover in Hindus, even though numbers indicate that the minority community forms 14.3 percent of our population today, and was 14.2 percent of our population seven years ago.

Modi appealed to three sections of society in both 2014 and 2019. The first was modern urban India, whom he pleased with a pro-business agenda. The second, the expanding middle class that lapped up nationalism rooted in Hindu tradition, and the third were upper caste Hindus who felt economically threatened by Muslims and lower caste individuals.

The CAA, in offering citizenship benefits specifically to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, will further this statistical discrimination. The conspicuous exclusion of Muslims will alter the demographic makeup of voters in states, creating a cushy vote bank for the BJP. Whats ironic is that while liberal protesters are fighting for the inclusion of Muslims in the Act, those protesting in Assam are against the CAA as a whole. They fear that legitimising illegal immigrants sooner than the due process permits will destroy their economy and culture. This too, is an unfounded fear.

Facts dont matter

Research has repeatedly shown that low-skilled migrants are no threat to the local population. They dont take away your jobs and strip you of your livelihood. In fact, some reports that have studied immigration impact on developing countries indicate that outsiders have a small positive impact on productivity. Immigrant labourers are known to be more efficient than natives, even if they work in poor conditions, and are more likely to become employers than locals. Plus, when they do take jobs, they take the ones that natives reject. If you look at whats happened in the US, after Trump cracked down on immigration, youll see that theres a shortage of farm labour in many US states. These jobs that were readily taken by Mexicans are now vacant. Even though employers are now offering higher wages to Americans for the same farm jobs, there are few local takers.

Most people blindly believe in the law of supply and demand. But in reality, the graph isnt a 45-degree line, like it was in our textbooks. Thats just napkin economics.

In 2017, when French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen blatantly lied to the French people about the number of male immigrants and the States contribution to look after immigrants welfare, it didnt affect her popularity  even after people were shown the facts. Banerjee and Duflo outline in their book a couple of experiments that prove that this is a winning electoral tactic, unaffected by fact-checking. People deliberately exposed to Marine Le Pens false claims were more likely to want to vote for her. Sadly, this persisted after her statements were fact-checked in front of them. Truth did not sway their opinions. Simply thinking about migration makes people more parochial. The facts arent allowed to get in the way.

In the case of the CAA and NRC, the government is doing a constant back and forth on its intentions for implementation. It says one thing today and denies it tomorrow, unafraid of of recorded videos, public record and the internet. Because the government knows that if you repeat a lie enough, itll become the truth.

The myth of the desolate refugee/illegal immigrant

If you look at the worlds refugees, the majority of them are from Syria, Iraq, Guatemala, and Yemen, which are far from the poorest countries in the world. Contrary to what citizens of well-to-do nations think, people dont like moving. War and natural disasters may force people to move, but otherwise, an increase in wages, better opportunity and even starvation are not enough. The authors go into a detailed experiment about monga (cyclical poverty and hunger) in Bangladesh, where poor migrants didnt move to cities with more opportunities, even after they had experienced living there and earned higher wages that they had been able to send back home.

Research also indicates that an immigrant population may attract new firms to a certain area, improve the economy due to increased spending on food and daily supplies, increase tax collection and increase the use of financial services due to the need to send money home and saving in the country of residence. Considering all this, India is not a top choice even for persecuted persons from neighbouring countries. Theyd much rather go off to Europe. Theres no need to panic, just protest peacefully.
Mexico's former top security official on Friday pleaded not guilty to charges he accepted a fortune in drug-money bribes from kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's notorious Sinaloa cartel.

Genaro Garcia Luna entered the plea in a New York courtroom. He has been indicted on charges of cocaine trafficking conspiracy and making false statements. During his brief appearance, Garcia Luna shook his head "no" as prosecutors outlined the charges against him.

A judge ordered him detained after a prosecutor argued he'd be a flight risk. Garcia Luna's lawyer said he'd seek bail at a later date. Garcia Luna was viewed as the point man in then-President Felipe Calderons 2006-2012 war on drugs.

As public safety secretary, he was one of the most feared members of Calderons government, but for years was dogged by allegations about his ties to drug traffickers.


By Express News Service

KOCHI: Bringing relief to residents living near the controversial Maradu highrises, Local Self Government (LSG) Minister A C Moideen on Thursday promised a change in the demolition plan.The minister said he would press for replacing Alfa Serene twin towers with either Golden Kayaloram or Jains Coral Cove, which are built in sparsely-populated localities, for razing on January 11, the first day of the controlled implosion. An official decision will be announced after the technical committee meeting at Maradu municipality office on Friday.

The minister also assured the delegation led by Tripunithura MLA M Swaraj that in case of any untoward incident during the final demolition, the government will compensate the loss of nearby residents along with the proposed insurance coverage.

Considering the concerns of nearby residents, the minister promised to postpone the implosion of Alfa Serene twin towers to January 12. He also agreed to compensate residents for any damage in addition to the insurance sum, said Maradu municipality chairperson T H Nadeera.

Shaji K R, the convenor of the Action Council of nearby residents, said the government will also provide three months rent to nearby residents who had to shift in view of the implosion.

Three residents have received monetary support from the contractor for three-month stay. There are many others who are struggling to shift from here. Hence, the government will support the residents by providing financial aid through Maradu municipality, he said.

At the meeting with the minister, it was also decided to complete the structural auditing of 21 houses and one godown near Alfa Serene and Holy Faith H2O with immediate effect. The contracting firms will repair the damage once final demolitions are over. The action council had been raising the demands ever since cracks appeared on the walls of several homes in the neighbourhood of the two apartment complexes.

The delegation that met the minister in Thiruvananthapuram comprised Maradu municipality vice-chairman Boban Nedumparambil, ADM K Chandrasekharan Nair, Fort Kochi Sub-Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, division councillor Disha Prathapan and action council representatives Shaji K R and Prakashan Nedumbillil.

Sarwate to reach city on Jan 9

Demolition expert S B Sarwate will reach Kochi on January 9 to oversee the final demolition scheduled on January 11 and 12. As the official consultant of the state government for the implosion, Sarwate will chair the final meetings of the municipalitys technical committee to chalk out last-minute arrangements. The IIT-Madras team will arrive on January 4 to install their equipment for vibration tests during the controlled implosion.

Residents call off hunger stir

Kochi: The action council of residents near Alfa Serene twin towers called off the indefinite hunger strike it launched in front of the highrise on the second day on Thursday, following an assurance from Local Self Government Minister A C Moideen. The residents had launched the protest demanding adequate protection to their homes situated near the to-be demolished apartments. We called off the stir following the ministers assurance. As of now, we have only received the minutes of the meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday. More details will become available only after the technical committee meeting at Maradu municipality office on Friday, said Harichandrasai K R, a resident.
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Shares of Jet Airways were locked in 5 percent upper circuit at Rs 34.20 on BSE on January 3 and looked on course to extend their winning run into the fourth consecutive session.

The stock has been gaining after a Bloomberg report suggested that the London-based Hinduja Group, led by brothers Gopichand and Ashok Hinduja, was planning to submit an expression of interest (EOI) by January 15.

The Hindujas are looking for a partner to purchase a stake in the airline, the article quoted a source as saying.

Discussion were in a preliminary stage, and the group could even decide against bidding for the grounded airline, it added.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.

The debt-laden carrier, which was Indias largest airline, has been grounded since April 2019.

Two months later, it taken to the bankruptcy court. A consortium of 26 lenders, led by State Bank of India (SBI), approached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to recover dues worth Rs 8,500 crore.

The bankruptcy court has asked the airlines Committee of Creditors (CoC) to expedite the bidding process. The NCLT recently permitted an extension of Jet Airways insolvency resolution by 90 days.
President Donald Trumps killing of one of Irans top military commanders means the elimination of a dangerous U.S. foe  but it also represents a risky escalation in a volatile feud that could backfire on U.S. personnel and allies in the Middle East and beyond.

The Pentagon confirmed Thursday that Qassem Soleimani, who leads Irans elite Quds force, was killed in what it termed a defensive action. Iraqi and other media said Soleimani died in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport. Some media accounts described the airstrike as coming from a U.S. drone, but the Pentagon did not specify.

At the direction of the president, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Pentagon said.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, it added, blaming him for recent attacks on U.S. troops and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

Irans foreign minister, Javad Zarif, accused the U.S. of international terrorism and said it bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.

FILE -- In this Feb. 11, 2016 file photo, Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran. As Saudi Arabia holds a naval drill in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Soleimani, a powerful Iranian general was quoted, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, by the semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies as suggesting the kingdom's deputy crown prince is so

Even the possibility that the U.S. had directly targeted Soleimani  especially on Iraqi soil  sent shockwaves around the globe, spiking oil prices and leading to instant assessments of the potential fallout. U.S. officials have long depicted Soleimani as a paramilitary and terrorist mastermind, deemed responsible for attacks on American troops in Iraq and against U.S. interests all over the world.

It is hard to overstate the significance, said retired Gen. David Petraeus, who oversaw the surge of American troops in Iraq in the violent years after the 2003 U.S. invasion. But there will be responses in Iraq and likely Syria and the region.

Story continues

Some current and former U.S. officials, as well as veteran Iran observers, said the killing was an escalatory move far beyond what they had ever expected.

Theres no chance in hell Iran wont respond, said Afshon Ostovar, an expert on Soleimani and author of Vanguard of the Imam a book about Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The strike also reportedly killed Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was traveling in the same convoy as Soleimani. It astonished even some members of the Trump administration who said killing the Iranian general had not been seriously considered  at least not recently.

I cant believe it, one U.S. official said. The immediate concern for me is: Whats the next step from Iran? Is this the beginning of a regional conflagration?

A former U.S. official who dealt with the Middle East said the strike was especially notable because it targeted the leader of a state apparatus, as opposed to a non-state actor.

We need to be prepared that were now at war, he said.

A Middle Eastern official said that a retaliation by Iran  known for its own assassinations abroad  could occur anywhere.

In this picture released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, left, Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, center, and commander of Iran's Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani attend a mourning ceremony commemorating Ashoura, the death anniversary of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. Shiite Muslims around the world are observing Ashoura, one of the most sacred religious holy days for their sect, which commemorates the death of Hussein, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

It could be targets in Africa, it could be in Latin America, it could be in the Gulf, it could be anything, the official said. I dont think theyre going to take the assassination of one of their key guys and just turn the other cheek.

Soleimani had been leading the Quds Force, a unit of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that is behind much of Irans military actions outside its borders. He was a hugely popular figure in Iran, and a frequent rhetorical target of President Donald Trump and his aides.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, for instance, repeatedly singled out Soleimani for criticism as part of the Trump teams broader anti-Iran maximum pressure campaign. Part of that campaign included designating the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization.

Trumps maximum pressure campaign has intensified in recent months, as the U.S. has clashed with Iran and its proxies. Just days ago, an American contractor died in Iraq after an attack by an Iraqi militia allied with Iran. The U.S. responded by bombing sites held by the group, killing some two dozen militiamen.

Within days, protesters believed to be linked to the Iran-backed militia breached parts of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad. The Iraqi government, meanwhile, condemned the U.S. airstrikes, noting that the militia had ties to its own security forces.

In comments Thursday that may have foreshadowed the strike, Esper warned that the U.S. reserved the right to strike preemptively in Iraq or the region. If we get word of attacks, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, protect American lives, the defense secretary told reporters at the Pentagon. The game has changed.

But the killing of Soleimani was a shocking development, even considering how tense U.S.-Iran relations have grown under Trump. The president has heaped economic sanctions on Irans Islamist regime and at times threatened Tehran with military action.

Trump also pulled the United States out of the internationally negotiated nuclear deal with Iran, saying it was too narrow and should have curbed Irans non-nuclear aggressions in the region as well as its nuclear program.

The two countries nearly came to a direct military clash earlier this year after Iran was blamed in a string of attacks on international oil tankers. The U.S. and Iran even downed each others drones, but Trump backed down at the last minute from staging a military strike directly on Iran.

Though he has sent thousands more troops to the region, Trump has said repeatedly that he doesnt want to engage in a new war in the Middle East. But the possibility that Iran will feel compelled to respond with escalatory actions of its own could embroil the president in a politically risky confrontation in the middle of an election year.

Democrats reacted cautiously to Soleimanis killing, but immediately raised questions about its legality, even as Republicans hailed it as an unalloyed triumph.

Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question, tweeted Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). "The question is this  as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?

Former vice president Joe Biden, the Democrats' leading presidential candidate, said that while 'no American will mourn Qassem Soleimanis passing," his killing was a "hugely escalatory move" that would prompt Iranian reprisals. "President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox.

The death of Soleimani is likely to have deep implications in Iraq and other countries in the region, where Iran has powerful political allies and proxy forces.

A boy carries a portrait of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in the U.S. airstrike in Iraq, prior to the Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed

The most immediate repercussions will be felt in Iraq, which for years has been a battleground for influence between Washington and Tehran. Iran has long sought to push U.S. troops out of Iraq, where theyve maintained a presence since the 2003 invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

Many Iraqis are sick of Iranian influence in their country. Recent widespread demonstrations have featured chants against Tehran and the Shiite clerics who largely run its religion-infused regime.

But Iraq also wants to avoid becoming ground zero for a U.S.-Iran war, while keeping up friendly relations with Iran to help its own economy.

It is only fair for Iraq to strive to achieve this balance but given the beef between Iran and the U.S. its a lost effort, a former Iraqi diplomat told POLITICO. The Trump administration is on a zero-sum mission vis a vis Iran, and expects Iraq to pick one side only.

Trumps hard line toward Iran has earned applause from other Middle Eastern countries, notably Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which consider Iran an implacable enemy bent on manipulating the region in its favor.

Still, Saudi and UAE diplomats in recent months have tried to cool tensions with Iran. And while theyre likely to shed few tears for Soleimani, they may worry about the blowback Iran and its allies are capable of creating in their own countries.

The Pentagon had considered striking Soleimani before, during the height of U.S. involvement in Iraq, when the Quds Force was supplying bombs and other weapons to Iraqi Shiite militia groups that the military estimated killed over 600 U.S. troops.

In 2006, according to an Army study of the Iraq War that was eventually declassified, the U.S. military headquarters in Iraq prepared a plan to kill or capture Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani, who had made his way into Iraq for at least the second time that year, the next time he visited the country.

But U.S. commanders ultimately refrained from taking action against Soleimani, allowing the Iranian general to enter and exit Iraq unhindered, says the study. It does not explain why the military did not act on the proposal or whether it was considered at higher levels, such as at the militarys Central Command or the Pentagon.

U.S. commandos in Iraq did detain some of Soleimanis Quds Force associates during raids later in 2006 and 2007, though, after the Bush administration granted expanded authorities for the elite troops to go after Iranian targets in the country.

Those captures proved controversial with the Iraqi government, which often granted Quds Force members diplomatic immunity and insisted on their release.

While Soleimanis death is no doubt a major loss for the Iranian regime, it is unlikely the ruling clerics and their military aides were entirely unprepared for it.

Ostovar, the Soleimani and IRGC expert, said in all likelihood Iran will name a successor soon because its systematic approach to their rule is really strong.

He was really just sort of the forward or outside face of the Islamic Republic, Ostovar said. He was the face of their strategy, but their strategy goes beyond him.


UNITED NATIONS  The UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors on Friday to discuss an uptick in violence in the embattled Syrian opposition stronghold of Idlib, diplomats said.

The meeting  which will begin at 10  comes at the request of Britain and France, with the backing of the United States, the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Thursday.

Some diplomats hope the session will provide an occasion to discuss the reauthorisation of cross-border UN humanitarian aid deliveries to millions of Syrians.

Humanitarian aid currently flows into Syria through UN-designated checkpoints in Turkey and Iraq without the formal permission of the government in Damascus, but that arrangement expires on January 10.

Last month, Russia and China vetoed a resolution that would have extended those deliveries for a year. Moscow says it will only approve a six-month extension using two checkpoints.

Three million people in the Idlib area benefit from that aid, according to the United Nations.

In a telephone call on Thursday, US President Donald Trump and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on "the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians," the White House said.

On Thursday, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities in the northwest of Syria."

"We call on those fighting, especially in the northwest, and those with influence over them for the following: stop all attacks on children and services that provide for them, including health and education facilities and water systems," she said in a statement.

According to UNICEF, at least 140,000 children have been displaced in the past three weeks due to fighting in and around Idlib.

Syrian ally Russia announced a ceasefire for Idlib in late August after months of bombardment that killed around 1,000 civilians.

But sporadic clashes and bombardment persisted throughout the autumn before a spike in violence in the past month, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.  AFP
Cong accuses BJP of using Tek Fog app to propagate agenda on SM, seeks intervention by SC

Goa: 4 pro-CAA Cong leaders quit, 3 of them join BJP

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Panaji, Jan 03: Four Goa Congress leaders resigned from the party on Thursday to protest against its stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act and three of them later joined the BJP, ahead of the saffron party's rally here on Friday.

Former Panaji Congress block committee president Prasad Amonkar, former block committee secretary Dinesh Kubal, former youth leader Shivraj Tarkar and North Goa minority cell chief Javed Sheikh quit the party in the morning, saying they were in favour of the amended citizenship law.

Amonkar, Kubal and Tarkar later joined the BJP, ahead of the party working president J P Nadda's public awareness rally on the Citizenship Amendment Act here on Friday.

Citizenship act protests: UP court grants bail to activist couple, 56 others

The three were welcomed into the BJP by party MLA from Panaji Atansaio Monserratte.

Later, talking to reporters, Amonkar said they joined the BJP as they support the Citizenship Amendment Act and want to create awareness about it.

"We resigned from the Congress because we oppose the wrong stand taken by it on the CAA and the National Register of Citizens. We found that Congress party was misguiding people, especially the minorities," Amonkar alleged.

Congress should stop "misleading people and creating fear in the minds of minorities for political mileage," he said.

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

"We all were part of the Congress' protest held last week against the CAA and NRC. But, we realised that the leaders, through their speeches, were trying to create fear in the minds of minorities. This is not right," he said.

Goa is a peace-loving state and the Congress is trying to instigate the minorities, Amonkar alleged.

The Citizenship Amendment Act has been enacted through a democratic process and seeks to give citizenship to refugees who have had centuries of cultural affinity with the Indian ethos, he said.

Face off: Why states have no right to stall NPR, citizenship law

"The CAA addresses concerns of minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Members of the majority community in those countries, who want to apply for Indian citizenship, will still be able to so as per the existing provisions," Amonkar added.

The Congress has been opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, terming it as "unconstitutional".
Thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to mourn the death of General Qassem Soleimani who was the head of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei paid tribute to him and called him a martyr before promising harsh revenge.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani echoed the threat of revenge and promised that there will be consequences. Foreign Affairs Minister Javad Zarif condemned the killing as an act of state terrorism.

IRGC officials, religious leaders, ministers, members of parliament, and the business community reacted in unison and hailed the commander as a fallen hero.

The White House and Pentagon said the attack on Soleimani was carried out with the aim of deterring future attacks allegedly being planned by Iran.

The Pentagon said Trump had ordered Soleimanis killing after pro-Iran protesters this week stormed the US embassy in Baghdad.
In an election year, kids are bound to be even more exposed to politics than usual. But even when students don't have debates to watch or mock presidential elections to vote in, educators are committed to getting young people interested and involved in civics. One way fifth grade teachers in Connecticut, Oregon, and New Hampshire are doing this is through a program called Kid Governor.

Here's the scoop on this award-winning national civics program for fifth graders.

How Kid Governor Started

Created by the nonprofit Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) in 2015 and timed to coincide with Election Day, the program aims to teach kids about state government, voting, and the importance of civic participation through an immersive and authentic election for a Kid Governor.

Since its launch, Kid Governor has expanded into multiple states. The Oregon Secretary of States Office and the New Hampshire Institute for Civics Education and New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College also run their respective state programs, according to Brian Cofrancesco, Head of Kid Governor for The Connecticut Democracy Center

How Kid Governor Works

Registered schools are given the chance to enter one student candidate into an state-wide Kid Governor election for fifth graders. "Fifth graders identify important issues in their communities, research those issues, create meaningful action plans for change, and make campaign videos," notes Cofrancesco.

The campaign videos outline:

Why they want to be their states Kid Governor

Their leadership qualities and skills

A community issue that they want to address and why its important

A three-point plan that will help fifth graders across their state make a difference on that issue

Story continues

The program also provides teachers with in-class lessons that guide everyone through the process. After reviewing schools' nominees, an Advisory Committee of civics and education professionals chooses seven final candidates, and their videos are posted online.

Once a Kid Governor is elected by each state, they serve a one-year term of leadership and advocacy. They create videos to share with constituents and other students about his/her community issue, maintain a blog about his/her community issue and actions being taken by students around the state, meet and speak with students and adults across the state, participate in programs with their states Kid Governor affiliate program, and have a special Kid Governor Office.

Kid Governor's Big Picture Goal

The Kid Governor program teaches fifth graders about civics and empowers them to make a difference in their communities," says Cofrancesco. "Whether they are voters in their state's election, candidates for office, or the elected Kid Governor, participants learn the importance of being active and engaged citizens now and when they are adults. Our team recognizes how committed our nation's fifth graders are to improving their communities and the world, and we are proud to provide Kid Governor as a platform for students to make their voices heard."

What's Next

Stay tuned on Kid Governor's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, as the program will be kicking 2020 off right by inaugurating the three Kid Governors who were elected in November and live streaming their ceremonies, Cofrancesco notes.

If you would like to bring the Kid Governor program to your state, head to KidGovernor.org or email info@kidgovernor.org.
Drug dealers get prison time

Drug dealers received prison sentences in a Dec. 18-20 term of Superior Court in Henderson County with Judge Peter Knight presiding, District Attorney Greg Newman announced.

Related Stories

The cases were:
During this time in previous years, enterprises were promoting exports to China to meet increasing demand by the years end, however this year, many enterprises have chosen to export to other markets.

Dang Phuc Nguyen, General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetables Association said that China is Vietnam's main export market for vegetables and fruits, but it is slowing down, mainly because Vietnamese enterprises have not been able to adapt to new import management measures from China. To compensate for the market shortage, enterprises are trying to diversify export markets, focusing on markets that have already signed free trade agreements (FTA) with Vietnam such as the EU, RoK, and Japan.

In particular, thanks to the Vietnam-EU FTA, opportunities for exporting fruits and vegetables to the EU are opening up. Vietnams export of vegetables and fruits to the EU reached US$100 million in 2018, which was considered too low compared to the market demand. The EU is currently importing various types of fresh fruits and vegetables from developing countries such as avocado, mango, and potato which is a great opportunity for Vietnamese vegetables and fruits.

Many exporters of agricultural products are also trying to expand their export markets in order to reduce their dependence on the Chinese market. According to the Import-Export Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), 2019 was a difficult year for Vietnam's fruit and vegetable sector as China - a market accounting for 70% of Vietnams total fruit and vegetable export turnover, strengthened their measures regarding testing, quarantine, quality control and traceability of Vietnamese agricultural products.

Vietnam's export revenue of vegetables and fruits to the Chinese market reached US$2.08 billion in the first 10 months of 2019, down 14.5% compared to the same period in 2018. This was also considered the main reason for the reduction of Vietnams export revenue of vegetables and fruits in the past 10 months of 2019.

However, Vietnams export of fruits and vegetables to other markets all increased by over 10%. Specifically, Vietnams export revenue to ASEAN increased by 26.6% (at US$146.4 million), to the US went up by 10.7% (at US$124.6 million), to the EU soared 32.2% (at US$121.7 million), to the RoK up by 12.4% (at US$107.4 million) and to Japan rose by 26.2% (at US$100.7 million).

Nguyen Thi Mai Linh, head of the Agricultural, Forest and Aquatic Product Import- Export Division (under the Import and Export Department) affirmed that vegetables and fruits are potential products of Vietnam with excellent growth potential in many new markets. The reduced dependence on the Chinese market could be a silver lining for Vietnam to diversify markets and focus on demanding markets.

Vietnam's export of vegetables and fruits to Asian markets including Japan, RoK, and ASEAN is expected to continue growing due to large market size, huge consumption, similar consumption habits, favourable geographical conditions for transportation, and reduced import tax rates due to the effectiveness of a number of FTA.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has been trying to implement FTAs and assist businesses in taking advantage of the benefits of FTAs in addition to boosting trade promotion to consolidate and expand export markets.

Nguyen Thi Mai Linh said that although the MoIT has effectively performed its role in opening the market in terms of tariffs, the problem for the Vietnam's fruit and vegetable sector is the quality and competitiveness of products.

Because of the small scale of production, cultivation and disease management processes have not been carried out comprehensively, resulting in uneven quality. It is also difficult to control products origin and safety, apply the world's standards for traceability, and negotiate for accreditation for quality management and food safety management. Therefore, various types of Vietnamese vegetables and fruits have yet to able to penetrate into many markets despite the complete removal of tax to 0%.

In parallel with solutions to open markets, businesses need to gradually improve and stabilise the quality of export agricultural products, deeply recognise and understand the standards of the importing countries and implement appropriate production methods to meet export standards.

Willem Schoustra, Agricultural Counsellor Vietnam and Thailand of the Royal Netherlands Embassy said that the most important factor for Vietnam's vegetables and fruits is food safety and the building of a sustainable production. To achieve the target, Vietnam should minimise the use of unsafe pesticides. By doing that, the opportunity for Vietnamese vegetables and fruits to enter the EU and many other markets will continue to expand.

Vegetables and fruits is the sector that has seen the most impressive export growth over the past years with an average growth of 26.5% during the 2011 - 2018 period.
The flight from Baku to Moscow was forced to emergency landing in the Volgograd airport, according to the press officer of the airport Anastasia Golodova.

The situation happened at 7:44 a.m. local time (6:44 a.m. Moscow time). The reason for the emergency landing was poor health of a passenger. The passenger was removed from the flight and taken to the hospital.

An hour later, the flight with 85 passengers aboard departed to Moscow.
OAKLAND (BCN)

Two convicted robbers were charged Friday for their roles in the death of a man who died after trying to get back his laptop computer, which was stolen Tuesday while he worked in a coffee shop in Oakland's Montclair district.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office charged Byron OJ Reed Jr., 22, of San Francisco, with murder and the special circumstance of committing a murder during a robbery.

Javon Lee, 21, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and both men were charged with second-degree robbery.

The robbery in the 2000 block of Mountain Boulevard, shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, ultimately claimed the life of 34-year-old Shuo Zeng.

He was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries but died there a short time later, according to police.

According to Zeng's Linkedin profile, he was a native of China, graduated with a degree in physics from Sichuan University and got a doctorate at Kansas State University.

Zeng's profile indicated that he moved to the Bay Area in 2015 to work for Aspera, an IBM company in Emeryville, as a research scientist and engineer.

Reed and Lee are scheduled to be arraigned at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland at 2 p.m. Friday.

Surveillance video shows two individuals snatching a laptop from Zeng and then fleeing into a waiting vehicle, Oakland police Officer Gerald Moriarty wrote in a probable cause statement.

Zeng chased the suspects to their getaway vehicle and a struggle ensued but he was hit by the vehicle and ultimately succumbed to his injuries, according to Moriarty.

Witness statements and a review of surveillance camera footage indicated that Lee was one of the people involved in taking Zeng's laptop and his actions facilitated the robbery and murder, Moriarty wrote.

Witness statements and surveillance footage also showed that Reed was the driver of the getaway vehicle, Moriarty said.

Reed and Lee were arrested in the 9400 block of MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland at 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to police.

Alameda County prosecutors allege that Reed was convicted of second-degree robbery in San Francisco on Nov. 22, 2017, and Lee was convicted of second-degree robbery in San Francisco on Feb. 27, 2017.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
- In the early morning hours on Friday, President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani

- The key Iranian military commander's car was bombed in an airstrike by the US

- News about the death of Soleimani spread like wildfire online and 'World War III' started trending

- Social media users across the globe feared that the US head of state's decision might be the the final nail in the coffin

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On Friday, Januray 3, 2020 South Africans and the rest of the world woke up to news that President Donald Trump had ordered an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport that killed Iranian commander, Qasem Soleimani.

The strike comes after the US embassy was attacked in Banghdad on New Year's Day. According to CNN, Soleimani headed Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit and he was considered to be the second most powerful man in the country.

The Pentagon confirmed the attack, adding it was a "decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad" and was intended to deter "future Iranian attack plans".

READ ALSO: Jeff Badu: Former Ghanaian gang member now CEO of multi-million dollar company

The Pentagon added that Soleimani and his Quds Force were behind the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members.

Shortly after the attack, Trump took to Twitter to share an image of the United States flag without a caption.

READ ALSO: Donald Trump: Vladimir Putin says US president will not be removed from office

However, now many believed the murder of Soleimani might have disastrous consequences and 'World War III' started trending online as social media users across the globe voiced their fears.

The fears have further been fuelled by the reaction of Iran's politicians. The country's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif took to Twitter to respond to Soleimani's assassination.

Zarif called the attack an "act of international terrorism" and "extremely dangerous".

Take a look at his tweet below:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed revenge Soleimani's death, saying that "harsh revenge awaits the criminals" involved.

Briefly.co.za took a look at some of the reactions internet users worldwide had to America's strike on the Iranian commander.

Want to be featured on YEN.com.gh? Send us a message on our Facebook page or on Instagram with your stories, photos or videos.

Source: YEN.com.gh
Newsfrom Japan

Tokyo, Jan. 2 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed his wish for a peaceful year in his New Year address to a large crowd of people gathered at the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo on Thursday.

This was the first New Year greeting to the public by the Emperor since he ascended the throne on May 1 last year, when the country's new era of Reiwa started.

"I'm happy to celebrate the New Year with you," the Emperor said as he appeared on the balcony of the palace's Chowaden reception hall along with Empress Masako and other members of the Imperial Family, including Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.

Noting that he is worried about the lives of people who were affected by last year's typhoons and heavy rain, the Emperor said, "I hope this year will be a peaceful and good year without a disaster."

The Emperor and Emperor Emeritus stood side by side before the public for the first time since the era change last year. The Emperor Emeritus is former Emperor Akihito, the father of the current Emperor.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
The Turkish legislature has approved a proposal to send troops to Libya, amid concerns the conflict in the troubled African nation could escalate insecurity in the Sahel region, which includes Nigerias extreme north.

The approval on Thursday followed the declaration, last December, by President Recep Erdogan to intervene in the Libyan conflict in support of the United Nations-backed Government of National Accord based in Tripoli.

Turkish President, Recep Erdogan Facts on Turkey

The development further internationalises the armed conflict in Libya, which has been torn by civil war since a NATO-led invasion led to the fall and killing of Muammar Gaddafi.

Already, Russia, Egypt, Jordan and UAE are backing the forces of Khalifa Haftar, a former late Gaddafis ally, who is pushing from the countrys east to out the GNA from Tripoli. No authority has had full control over Libya since the fall of Gaddafi.

Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari, has repeatedly blamed the situation in Libya for the flow of arms bandits and terrorists used in Nigeria. Apart from Boko Haram terrorism, which affects the entire Lake Chad region, Nigeria also faces troubles posed by bandits and armed herdsmen whose arms Mr Buhari has often say come from Libya.

Meanwhile, before the official approval of Mr Erdogans bill to deploy troops to Libya, there had been reports that mercenaries trained in the Turkish camps in Syria were being airlifted to Libya to on the side of the Tripoli-based government on contract for a time spanning between three and six months.

Russian-backed mercenaries and those from Chad are also reported to be fighting for the Haftars forces, now threatening the internationally recognised government as they tighten grips on Tripoli.

But using mercenaries in Libya is particularly dangerous. The governments in the Sahel region are too weak to stop crossing mercenaries and illicit arms flow.

Mr Erdogans bill received 325 votes against 184 opposition votes in the Turkish parliament.

READ ALSO:

Both the Turkish presidency and the White House said Mr Erdogan and Donald Trump discussed Libya via phone. Mr Trump and Mr Erdogan stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional issues, Ankara said, with Washington separately saying the US president warned against foreign interference in Libya.

In a joint statement on Friday, Greeces Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades warned the deployment of troops to Libya is a dangerous threat to regional stability.

They said Turkish intervention was a gross violation of a UN-imposed arms embargo on Libya.

Egypt, which backs the Haftar forces, also said Turkish troops deployment would negatively affect the stability of the Mediterranean region.

BBC reported Turkish Vice-President Fuat Oktay as saying the approved bill would be valid for one year without further details about the scale of the planned military deployment.

We are ready. Our armed forces and our defence ministry are ready, Mr Oktay reportedly said.

In a tweet following the parliamentary approval, Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, said, The Libyan motion is important for the protection of the interests of our country and for the peace and stability of the region.

Nigerias position

A spokesperson for Nigerias Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, said Abuja is studying the situation in Libya and will align itself with the position of the AU when declared.

Nigeria will definitely oppose any escalation of the conflict in Libya, he added.
President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States killing of Iranian military general was carried out to prevent an all-out war.

At a brief appearance before the media in Florida, Mr Trump accused Qassem Soleimani of plotting sinister attacks against U.S. citizens and interests in the Middle-East, which prompted him to order an airstrike to take him out.

We took action last night to stop a war, Mr Trump said. We did not take action to start a war.

It was the first media appearance of the president since Mr Soleimans death was announced early Friday, and he did not take questions from reporters.

The major-generals killing has drawn worldwide reaction, amidst fears about what would happen next. Mr Soleimani was the head of Quds Force, a covert wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His brutal exploits had been widely acknowledged by military analysts and governments across the world.

Iran has threatened to retaliate over the killing, which was launched Thursday evening near the Baghdad International Airport in Iraq.

Thousands of Iranians poured on the streets Friday afternoon to protest the U.S. action, describing it as a crime and shouting death to America.
Members of the Sheriffs Warrants Team then developed information that Johnson was staying at the hotel in Vernon Hills, and members of the team were able to confirm his room number, according to the sheriffs office statement.
An Irishman living in Australia told of his "very intense" experience after being trapped on a beach with his family while the raging bushfires broke out on the east coast.

Diarmuid O'Connor, from Ennis, Co Clare, lives in Sydney but was holidaying with family in Batemans Bay, New South Wales, when a warning over the deadly wildfires came.

"We're staying in a campsite, so we got evacuated to the beach. We stayed on the beach for maybe two hours while the fires burned around us," he told 'Today with Sean O'Rourke' on RTE Radio 1.

"We thought we were OK but then we saw there were a lot of water bombers coming into the town, dropping loads of water.

"There was a lot of helicopters dropping buckets into the sea.

"It was a very intense couple of hours.

"We eventually got back to the campsite, later on, but we had another big scare then.

"The sky went completely orange, there was no visibility, smoke everywhere. It got very scary. It cleared up after that for a while.

Expand Close People shelter for safety on the beach at Batemans Bay after being evacuated from their homes nearby. Photo: INSTAGRAM @LAPPINGTHEISLAND via REUTERS / Facebook

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Whatsapp People shelter for safety on the beach at Batemans Bay after being evacuated from their homes nearby. Photo: INSTAGRAM @LAPPINGTHEISLAND via REUTERS

"It's just been mayhem for two days. There's been no power, no communications. Internet down, phone down.

"A lack of communication has been a big issue, people didn't know what the situation was, or what roads were open, if people could leave the town."

Mr O'Connor spoke while he was stuck on the Princes Highway in New South Wales with his two daughters after an evacuation order was issued to tourists.

Stuck

He said his family were stuck after travelling 60km in 12 hours.

"The road has been closed now for eight hours. Essentially, we're sitting in the world's biggest car park.

"Apparently the road is open ahead but they're only letting 100 cars go at a time.

"There's no movement, and I'd be very surprised if we move in the next four or five hours," he said.

Mr O'Connor added that fuel was being rationed, and petrol stations couldn't open because there was no power.

"Even when they did open then, there was a lack of diesel. We're fine, we have a petrol car. But a lot of people are in caravans and big SUVs, they're all using diesel," he said.

"What we've seen today is even though the highway is closed, fuel trucks have been given police escorts through the fire zones and shooting down the highway because there's a lack of supply."

The bushfires have destroyed more than four million hectares, and at least 18 people have been killed.

However, an end is not in sight for the devastating fires as temperatures are expected to soar to 46C this weekend.
A computer-generated image of a man has been released after a woman was indecently assaulted by a stranger south of Brisbane.

Police said the 24-year-old woman saw a man pass her about 11.20am on December 18 at Adelaide Circuit Park East in Beenleigh.

Police have released a computer-generated image of a man who was allegedly involved in an indecent assault at Beenleigh. Credit:Queensland Police Service

Police say the man walked behind the woman a short time later and touched her inappropriately.

The woman screamed at the man before he ran around a corner.
Fugitive former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn was caught on a security camera leaving his Tokyo home by himself on the day he is thought to have fled to avoid a Japanese trial, local media reported Friday. Ghosn was not seen returning home after leaving around noon on December 29, public broadcaster NHK said, citing people involved in the investigation. He is thought to have taken a private jet from Kansai Airport in western Japan on that day, heading for Istanbul. It is believed Ghosn headed from there to Beirut. The news comes a day after prosecutors raided the residence as part of an initial probe into his flight. NHK said police were analysing other surveillance footage, believing there is a possibility he joined someone to head for the airport. The camera placed near the entrance of his Tokyo residence showed no suspicious person around the time that Ghosn left, according to NHK and the business daily Nikkei. Ghosn, who faced multiple charges of financial misconduct that he denies, won bail in April but with strict conditions -- including a ban on overseas travel and living under surveillance. But the executive, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese nationalities, managed to slip out of Japan on Sunday despite having handed over his three passports to his lawyers. Ghosn said on Thursday through the Paris-based agency handling his public relations that he organised his dramatic escape from bail in Japan alone and that his family had nothing to do with his escape. According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, Ghosn was smuggled out with the help of two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a group of musicians for a Christmas party at his residence. Quoting a Lebanese consultant in Tokyo, Kyodo said Ghosn hid in an instrument case before boarding a private jet -- a scenario a member of Ghosn's entourage has previously denied. Interpol, the international police cooperation body, has issued a "red notice" for Ghosn's arrest in the wake of him fleeing Japan, while Turkey announced it was holding seven individuals in connection with his escape. Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents seen by AFP. A court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport as he needed one to travel inside Japan, a source close to the matter has told AFP. According to this source, the court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept "in a locked case" with the key held by his lawyers. Ghosn says he did it alone
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) Google honored Filipina author Genoveva Edroza Matute with a doodle, as the award-winning author marked her 105th birth anniversary.

A doodle of Matute scribbling with her feather quill pen in what appears to be a library setting was displayed on the Google homepage on Friday.

The author, born in 1915, was known for her iconic short stories many of which fictionalized scenes from Philippine history.

Matute further cemented her mark in Philippine literature as she won the first ever Palanca Award for Short Story in Filipino in 1951 for Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti. She was also the First Filipina to win the prestigious award.

Arguably her most famous work, Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti, according to Googles blog, is the most anthologized short story in the native Tagalog language and is "still read to Filipino school children of all ages.

Matute in 1992 also received the Cultural Center of the Philippines Gawad Para Sa Sining for her valuable contributions in Philippine literature particularly in crafting a solid national identity through her works.

Aside from her writings, Matute was likewise known as a devoted educator and academic. She worked as a teacher and professor for over 40 years, having served as the head of the Filipino department at the Philippine Normal College (now Philippine Normal University).

Her other works include Ang Kanilang Mga Sugat, Sa Anino ng EDSA at Iba Pang Mga Kuwento, Walong Taong Gulang, and Paglalayag sa Puso ng Isang Bata.
This file handout picture released by the official website of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Nov. 27, 2019, shows him addressing a meeting with members of the Basij, a militia loyal to the Islamic republic's establishment, on the occasion of the "Basij Week" in the Iranian capital Tehran. Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after the United States killed the commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force, General Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Jan. 3, 2020. AFP



Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after the United States killed the commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force, General Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday.



"Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Khamenei said on his Farsi-language Twitter account in reference to Soleimani, also declaring three days of mourning.



"With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident".



Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed Soleimani had been killed early Friday, saying he was "martyred" in an attack by US helicopters on Baghdad airport.






An Aryan Brotherhood gang member faces a slew of charges related to the back-to-back shootings Saturday of a mail carrier in the Spring Branch area and a man at a nearby Costco gas station.

Police say Matthew Williams shot the mail carrier around 2 p.m. and drove to the gas station, where he allegedly attempted to shoot another man less than five minutes later.

Then, he sped out of the parking lot in a black Honda Fit  which he is accused of stealing the day before from an ex-girlfriend  collided into a vehicle and sped off without stopping, charging documents show.

Williams, who is a documented member of the white supremacy prison gang, is being held without bail after his arrest on Monday, according to court records.

The crime spree began on Friday, when Williams ex-girlfriend called police to her home in Katy. She said Williams took the keys to her car and home, and had a handgun. At one point, he was outside of her house, yelling for her and claiming he would kill her if he knows the police are coming. He said the only way hes leaving the house is if there is a shootout, she told authorities.

When deputies arrived, the ex-girlfriend said that they should forget about what she initially reported.

Williams resurfaced at 2 p.m. on Saturday, when he allegedly shot a U.S. postal worker who was delivering mail on Cedardale Drive. Witnesses reported hearing as many as four gunshots, and officers on the scene said the carrier had bullet wounds to the back and stomach, the documents show.

The postal carrier, identified as 30-year-old Adrian Jackson, was taken to an area hospital in an unknown condition. He later told police that the gunman, a white man with facial tattoos, was driving a black hatchback

Just 1.5 miles away after 2:02 p.m., at the Costco gas station on 1150 Bunker Hill, a driver pointed a gun out of the window of his black vehicle and shot a Costco employee walking toward him, authorities said. The employee only suffered a scratch on his face, authorities said. The gunman tried shooting the man again, but he fled after his gun misfired or jammed, authorities said.

The elderly employee, who police say is black, told a gas station attendant that a white man with face tattoos aimed at him from inside his car.

Parking lot surveillance video showed the incident, as well as the gunmans attempt to flee . The driver, who police later identified as Williams, rear-ended a womans car as she tried to exit the parking lot, according to court records. The woman took a photo of the vehicle - a black Honda Fit - which police tracked to Williams ex-girlfriend.

High on drugs, he drove to his brothers house and confessed to shooting the mail carrier, the brother told police.

Williams was arrested Monday on five felony charges - felon in possession of a weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, violating a protective order set forth by the ex-girlfriend and aggravated assault against a public servant.

The 24-year-old, of Katy, also faces a misdemeanor charge that accuses him of failing to stop and give information after the wreck at the Costco parking lot.

Spokespeople with the Houston Police Department declined to comment beyond a news release issued Thursday. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the city police department participated in the investigation.

Its unclear whether the shootings are believed to be race-related. The mail carriers race is unknown.

At the time of the shooting, Williams was out on bond on a terroristic threat charge related to his ex-girlfriend. He has prior felony convictions for criminal mischief, cocaine possession and evading arrest.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
Chun Soon-ok, center, who heads the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's special committee supporting small businesses, speaks during a news conference at the National Assembly, Monday, along with small business owners. / Courtesy of Chun Soon-ok



By Jun Ji-hye



A former lawmaker and a group of small restaurant owners are calling on the government to put the brakes on Delivery Hero's attempt to monopolize the domestic delivery app market, suggesting launching the tentatively named Zero Delivery that is interconnected with the Seoul city government's smartphone-based payment system Zero Pay.



Chun Soon-ok, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea who currently heads the party's special committee supporting small businesses, said restaurant owners and other self-employed people in addition to delivery riders and consumers have been all victimized by unfair treatment from food delivery-related apps that have moved to increase commissions and delivery charges.



Chun claimed heavier burdens are expected to be imposed on small businesses and consumers when Berlin-based online food delivery service Delivery Hero completes the procedures to take over Korea's largest food delivery app Baedal Minjok as the acquisition will allow Delivery Hero to secure almost a 100 percent share of the delivery app market here.



Delivery Hero already owns the second-largest and third-largest food delivery apps, Yogiyo and Baedaltong.



"The most realistic alternative would be the launch of Zero Delivery that is interconnected with Zero Pay," Chun said during a media conference at National Assembly, Monday.



"About 160,000 stores in Seoul have already taken part in Zero Pay, compared to the average 110,000 of the three food delivery apps. As Zero Pay networks are already established, the launch of Zero Delivery that will lower commissions and delivery charges will become a clever move to increase member stores and consumers of both services."



The Seoul Metropolitan Government began a trial run of the Zero Pay service in December 2018 in a bid to help relieve small merchants of burdensome credit card fees. The official service began in March.



The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is moving to expand the service gradually to other parts of the country by offering tax breaks and eliminating related regulations.



Chun said Zero Delivery will contribute to reduce the burden on small businesses and consumers, while improving treatment for delivery riders.



"I ask the Seoul Metropolitan Government to set up a taskforce participated in by small businesses, consumers and delivery riders to discuss the launch of Zero Delivery," Chun said.


Two lawsuits were filed this week in the U.S. District Court for Colorado alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act, one coming from an employee and the other from a prospective customer.

In the first instance, Roger King, an employee of iHeartMedia, alleged that his employer denied him time off to take care of his ailing wife and subsequently fired him after he revealed that he might have prostate cancer.

King claims that under the ADA, he should have been given reasonable accommodation in both circumstances.

The defendants refusals to engage in the interactive process, not allowing him the time off of which he had, and termination of his employment are all adverse actions, King wrote in his filing.

IHeartMedia, according to the lawsuit, said that they fired King because he provided voice-over segments to competitor radio stations, that he loaded the wrong key words in for a national contest, and a third reason his supervisor would not mention.

King, who is also alleging a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, is asking for back-wages and future economic losses.

The second complaint is a classaction suit from David Katt against Native Roots IPCO, a cannabis company. Katt, who is blind, alleges that Native Roots website is discriminatory because it is incompatible with screen reader programs that visually impaired people rely upon.

The company deprives blind and visually impaired individuals the benefits of its online goods, content and services  all benefits it affords nondisabled individuals  thereby increasing the sense of isolation and stigma among these Americans, Katt wrote in his complaint.

Katt said that he cannot come into the store because he is unable to read the hours on the website and cannot make online purchases. He alleges that Native Roots is denying service to an entire class of people covered under the ADA.

He wrote that the law requires the company to reasonably accommodate his disability by removing these existing access barriers and is asking the court to order Native Roots to make its website compliant.
"It is the most painful issue", the country's permanent ambassador in the UN says

Open source

Estonia promises to keep the question of the occupation of Ukraine's Crimea by Russia alive. It will be brought up during the next session of the UN Security Council. The country's permanent ambassador in the UN Sven Jurgenson said so as quoted by Ukrinform news agency.

"The issue of occupation of Ukraine, and specifically Crimea is the most important, and we'll try to keep it on the agenda all the time. It's the most painful issue", the official said.

According to him, among the issues that the UN Security Council would also keep on the agenda, will be the situation in Transnistria and Georgia.

Estonia currently represents Eastern Europe in the UN Security Council. Previously, Ukraine did so in 2016-2017.
Discover the Spirit of Japanese Woodcraft Through Legendary Artisans

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is proud to announce the exhibition HIDA | A Woodwork Tradition in the Making, which brings Japanese woodcraft from its spiritual homeland of the Hida region of Japan to Los Angeles for the first time. On display from January 16 through April 12, the exhibition invites visitors to discover the legendary craftsmen of Hida and their design legacy today, embodied in the work of century-old furniture maker Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd. Select items on display include a chair designed by the late Sori Yanagi utilizing wood-bending techniques native to Hida and part of the permanent collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; and a branch spoon created by Ibuki Kaiyama utilizing a traditional chiseling technique.



Located in the center of the country in Gifu Prefecture, the Hida region became known for its woodworking traditions and skilled artisans 1,300 years ago. This fame continues today through innovative design and sustainable use of the regions forests, particularly the iconic cedar tree, in everything from contemporary furniture to fragrant aroma oils.

The furniture maker Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd was founded in the region in 1920, and for nearly a hundred years has prioritized four core principles: Forest, Human, Time and Craft. Engaging all five senses, the exhibition guides visitors to experience these themes for themselves: coexistence with the forest (Forest), consideration of inherent human needs (Human), a legacy cultivated through time (Time), and a continuous refinement of craft (Craft). Displays will highlight regional specialties such as Hida-shunkei lacquerware, Ichii wood carving (Ichii itto bori  Japanese yew carving), and mageki (wood bending), as well as materials, prototypes, and products developed by Hida Sangyo and its frequent collaborations with some of the worlds top contemporary designers, such as Enzo Mari and Sori Yanagi.

Story continues

The exhibition will also spotlight where tradition meets technology and innovation, such as Hida Sangyos revolutionary wood compression techniques with cedar. This sustainable domestic wood is typically too soft for long-lasting furniture, but in the Hida Sangyo factory, cedar is compressed and strengthened for use in durable chairs, tables and flooring imbued with cedars subtle scent. As a business leader, Hida Sangyos success has also influenced a community of other manufacturers to stay in, or migrate to, the Hida area, furthering the time-honored mastery of the regions woodcraft.

For audiences passionate about craft heritage, sustainable business, or a closer connection with our natural world, HIDA | A Woodwork Tradition in the Making is not to be missed. A series of events and workshops will also accompany the exhibition. Stay tuned for announcements via our newsletter and website.

For more information on all programs, please visit https://www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles

Exhibition Credits:

Presented by JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles

Exhibition contents provided by Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Exhibition and Graphic Design | Daigo Daikoku

Planning and Production Assistance | Intertrend Communications, Inc.

Content Contribution | Historical Archive Office, Takayama City Board of Education

ABOUT HIDA SANGYO CO., LTD.

Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd., founded in 1920, is one of Japans oldest furniture manufacturers. Incorporating a philosophy based on the intersection of the ideas of: coexistence with the forest, consideration of human needs, experience enriched through time, and continuous refinement of craft, Hida Sangyo has established an enduring manufacturing culture, embracing sustainability and focused on the future. Hida Sangyos outstanding technical expertise, quality, and design skills have received acclaim in Japan and abroad. Their furnishings have been specifically selected to adorn the Japanese imperial palace. In 2007, the HIDA brand was exhibited at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York, one of the worlds five largest furniture fairs, where it received the Craftsmanship Award. The company is a regular exhibitor at the Milan Furniture Fair (Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano), and continues to produce coveted designs, expanding the potential of wood in collaboration with leading world designers.

ABOUT JAPAN HOUSE

JAPAN HOUSE is an innovative, worldwide project with three hubs, London, Los Angeles and Sao Paulo, conceived by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It seeks to nurture a deeper understanding and appreciation of Japan in the international community. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles occupies two floors at Hollywood & Highland. The 2nd floor features a gallery space and the 5th floor hosts a Japanese restaurant, relaxing library, and event venue, along with spectacular views of Hollywood and Downtown Los Angeles. JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles offers a place of new discovery that transcends the physical and conceptual boundaries creating experiences that reflect the best of Japan through its spaces and diverse programs.

Location: 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028

Website: www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles
The nine-year civil war between rival militias unleashed by NATOs destruction of the Libyan regime in its 2011 war threatens to escalate into all-out war between major regional powers. As the Turkish parliament voted yesterday to authorize a military intervention to back Fayez el-Sarrajs Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, key backers of Khalifa Haftars rival Libyan National Army (LNA) were denouncing the vote as illegal and threatening to intervene.

After a call with French President Emmanuel Macron on December 30, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi issued a communique denouncing the Turkey-GNA accords as illegal foreign intervention in Libya. Sisi said Libya, whose border with Egypt is 1,115 kilometers (693 miles) long, is a matter of national security for Egypt. Yesterday, the Egyptian foreign ministry published a statement condemning the Turkish vote in the strongest terms.

Reporting on the Macron-Sisi call, French authorities warned of the danger of military escalation and called all international and Libyan actors  to exercise the greatest caution. Both Paris and Cairo hypocritically expressed hopes that a conference on Libya in Berlin next month would lead to a peaceful negotiated settlement of the Libyan war.

On the ground, however, the GNA and LNA, and the sprawling array of international backers behind each faction, are all arming for war. At stake is not only domination of oil-rich Libya, but undersea oil and gas resources in the eastern Mediterranean that could provide 10 percent or more of Europes energy supply. As a result, the world is suddenly confronted with the very real and imminent danger of all-out confrontation between major military powers, including nuclear-armed imperialist states, over domination of north Africa and the Mediterranean Sea.

Yesterday, the Turkish parliament voted 325-184 for armed intervention in Libya, giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan full powers to decide on its scope. The resolution also supports Erdogans agreement with the GNA on dividing eastern Mediterranean energy resources. Its stated purpose is to protect the interests of Turkey in the Mediterranean basin and in North Africa, as well as blocking regional refugee flows and bringing humanitarian aid to Libya.

Erdogan threatened to send Turkish troops to Libya by land, air and sea and denounced Egypt and the United Arab Emirates for backing Haftar, asking: What business do they have in Libya?

Ankara is already sending Islamist militiamen to Libya from Idlib province in Syria, where they were deployed as part of the NATO proxy war in Syria but are surrounded by Syrian and Russian troops. NATO-linked sources including the Syrian Observatory on Human Rights claimed 500 Syrian fighters are already in Libya, citing videos issued by the fighters. Radio France Internationale cited anonymous sources at Tripolis Mitiga Airport, claiming fighters were transported by al-Ajniha Airlines, which belongs to militia leader and CIA asset Abdelhakim Belhaj.

Donald Trump called Erdogan after the Turkish parliament vote. The White House issued a brief statement but did not return press calls about his talk with Erdogan. Its communique blandly stated, The leaders discussed bilateral and regional issues. President Trump pointed out that foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya. The leaders agreed on the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians.

In the meantime, however, the backers of Haftars LNA are all rapidly arming it and advancing their strategic and financial interests. Hundreds of Russian-backed mercenaries allegedly linked to the Wagner Group company are fighting in Libya, raising the prospect of a Russian-Turkish conflict over Libya as well as Syria. Middle East Monitor reported that three cargo planes, one from the UAE with troops and two from Egypt with arms, recently arrived at Haftars bases in eastern Libya.

Haftar, whose troops advanced last spring but are now under sustained attack by GNA forces, said yesterday that he could take Tripoli in hours if Egypt sent troops to help him crush Sarraj. In talks on January 1 in Cairo, however, he threatened Sisi that if Egypt did not intervene militarily when Turkey did, Sisi would soon find Erdogans soldiers on (his) border.

Also yesterday, Israel, the Greek Cypriot regime and Greece signed a rival eastern Mediterranean energy deal for a pipeline opposed by Turkey, transporting natural gas from waters off Israel and Cyprus to Greece, Italy and beyond. This sets the stage for explosive conflicts in the eastern Mediterranean that are now directly bound up with the decade-long civil war in Libya.

Cyprus has been divided between Turkish and Greek zones since the 1974 war over the island, and competing claims between Turkish and Greek gas exploration vessels off Cyprus in recent months have led to violent ship collisions. Greece violently objected to the Turkish-Libyan deal signed last month, expelling the Libyan ambassador to Greece in protest. Greeces right-wing Kathimerini wrote that the Greek and Greek Cypriot governments hurried to finalize yesterdays deal to counter any attempt by the Turkish neighbor to stop the project.

The threat of all-out regional war over Libya is the consequence of the imperialist wars for regime change launched by the NATO powers in Libya and then Syria in 2011. Hundreds of thousands have died, the two countries have been devastated, and tens of millions have been forced to flee their homes. While the Syrian conflict escalated into a proxy war involving Iran, Russia, China and the NATO powers that nearly led to US missile strikes on Iran last year and a war directly involving Russia and China, a similar danger of escalation is now posed in Libya.

NATO launched the Libyan war to respond to revolutionary uprisings of the working class in Egypt and Tunisia, but it also reflected conflicts among the major imperialist powers. Washington backed London and Paris, who were eager to crush Colonel Muammar Gadhafis regime, a rival for influence in Frances former colonial empire in northwest Africa. Berlin and Rome, the former colonial power in Libya, publicly refused to join the war, however.

Commenting on the role of US President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the time, the WSWS noted: it is not to be assumed that Obama has fully worked through the implications of his support for Sarkozys schemes. By participating in a war publicly opposed by Berlin, Washington has all but repudiated its decades-long policy of maintaining the political and military unity of Western Europe. ... Washington has set into motion events which will have disastrous consequences.

This was borne out by the course of the Libyan conflict after NATO and its allied Islamist and tribal militias finally destroyed the Gaddafi regime in August 2011. Conflict erupted in particular between Paris and Romewho ultimately backed Haftar and Sarraj, respectivelywhile Washington had to withdraw from Libya in a rout after the destruction of its consulate and the killing of its ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, in Benghazi in 2012.

Since then, shifting coalitions of international backers have lined up behind the various militia factions that emerged in Libya. In the more recent past, France, Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates unofficially backed Haftar, while Italy, Turkey and Qatar supported the GNA and Sarraj, who formally enjoys UN recognition. Trump tried to split the difference, recognizing Sarraj but also calling Haftar, reportedly to declare his sympathies for the LNA.

These conflicts have periodically erupted into view, however, as last year when France recalled its ambassador from Rome for consultationsa move unprecedented since the two countries went to war during World War II.

The danger of a military clash involving Turkey, Egypt, Russia and major NATO imperialist powers is a warning to workers not only in North Africa but around the world. As the 21st century enters its third decade, it is clear that the major capitalist governments have no progressive solutions for the disasters unleashed by decades of imperialist wars in the Middle East and North Africa. As mass social protests against inequality and class struggles spread across Europe and the Middle East, it is critical to build a socialist anti-war movement in the working class.
VICTOR, N.Y. -- A special prosecutor has been tapped to handle the drunken driving case of New York Assembly minority leader Brian Kolb.

Kolb, 67, was arrested on New Years Eve after he crashed a state-owned vehicle into a ditch in front of his Victor home, according to the Ontario County Sheriffs Office. He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and making an unsafe turn.

Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella will serve as the special prosecutor for Kolbs case, said Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts.

The arrest came less than two weeks after Kolb, the Republican leader of the state Assembly, wrote a column asking residents to drink responsibility and stop drunken driving during the holidays.

Many of our holiday traditions, especially our New Years Eve celebrations, involve indulging in spirits. Done safely, and in moderation, these can be wonderful holiday experiences, Kolb wrote. However, tragedy can be only one bad decision away.

The accident that ended with Kolbs arrest was reported at 10:27 p.m. on New Years Eve.

Kolb crashed the 2018 GMC Acadia into a ditch in front of his 7980 County Route 41 home in Victor, about 20 miles south of Rochester, Ontario County Sheriff Kevin M. Henderson said. No injuries were reported, deputies said.

The assemblyman has been charged with having a blood alcohol content above the 0.08 percent state limit, deputies said. His exact BAC has not yet been released.

Kolb was first elected to the Assembly in 2000. He has been reelected nine times and has served as the Assemblys minority leader since 2009.

Republican Assemblyman Kieran Lalor, of the Hudson Valley, said Kolb should resign his leadership post.

That he hasnt done so already is a disgrace, Lalor (R-East Fishkill), said in a tweet.

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The war against dementia is being thwarted by unsuccessful drug trials, a lack of funding and patients being too sick to test therapies on, experts say.

Another three high-profile scientific trials failed this year in their quest to tackle Alzheimer's, the most common type of dementia.

Figures show there are at least 12 times fewer scientific papers on the topic as on cancer  despite both having similar patient numbers  and the UK spends as much in a day caring for dementia patients as it does in a year on research.

Scientists also say patients cannot yet be diagnosed early enough, so by the time they join trials their brains are often too damaged to have any hope of success.

But despite decades of failure, researchers say they still have hope  one said 'we can do this' if pharmaceutical companies and scientists work together.

The work going on in labs around the world is a literal race against time for millions of people, including 36-year-old mother-of-two Hannah Mackay, whose genes mean she will start to develop dementia when she's in her forties.

Hannah Mackay, 36, had a test which revealed she has a genetic fault which means she is certain to develop dementia in middle age, potentially in the next decade. She is raising money for the Alzheimer's Society and said work to tackle the disease is a 'race against time'

'One of the biggest challenges is that we're trying to develop treatments without a really detailed understanding of the disease,' Dr James Pickett told MailOnline.

Dr Pickett is the head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, a British charity which invests 10million into dementia research every year.

'We're piecing together important components,' he said, 'but we're not sure how they relate to one another.

'We didn't know at what point in the disease to start trials  we want to do it earlier and earlier but how do we find these people?

'It's remarkable how resilient the brain is and how much damage it can sustain before it has any major impact [and produce symptoms]. If problems showed earlier we could start to treat them sooner.'

Many of the world's biggest medical companies have made desperate attempts to create the first anti-dementia therapy, which would be a scientific landmark and a financial goldmine.

There are signs of progress in a US company seeking a licence to use a once-abandoned drug, and new technology lets scientists watch disease develop even in its early stages.

While scientists scrabble to try and even understand how dementia starts, the numbers of patients are skyrocketing.

Almost half a million people in England now have the brain-destroying disease  more than twice as many as a decade ago  and all are doomed to die with it.

The number of people with some form of dementia has more than doubled from 212,794 official diagnoses in 2007 to 474,693 at the last count in November 2019.

In the US there are 5.8million people living with Alzheimer's disease and the number of people dying of the condition more than doubled (145 per cent increase) between 2000 and 2017. A predicted 13.8m over-65s will have it by 2050.

In most cases, scientists have no choice but to test treatments on people who have already been dying for years and whose disease is beyond the point of repair.

The number of people officially diagnosed with dementia in England has more than doubled in the past decade. There were 212,794 cases in 2007, according to NHS figures, and 474,693 at the last count in November this year

WHICH PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES FACED SETBACKS IN 2018 AND 2019? Eli Lilly abandoned trials of would-be Alzheimer's therapy solanezumab in January 2018 because the effects it was having were of no statistical significance. Merck stopped a late-stage human trial of the drug verubecestat in February 2018 because a safety analysis said the benefit-to-risk ratio was not good enough. Johnson & Johnson stopped trials of its experimental Alzheimer's drug atabecestat in May 2018 because of safety issues. Some patients started to show signs of liver damage and the scientists decided the trial was too risky to continue. In 2018, Pfizer completely stopped trying to develop dementia treatments after a number of unsuccessful attempts, notably of Alzheimer's drug bapineuzumab in 2012. Roche halted two late-stage human trials of crenezumab, which it hoped would slow early Alzheimer's, because a mid-study analysis said it was unlikely to work, the company announced in January 2019. Amgen and Novartis abandoned an Alzheimer's drug called CNP520 in July 2019 because patients' symptoms continued to get worse when they were taking the treatment. Biogen and Eisai scrapped two late trials of Alzheimer's treatment elenbecestat in September 2019. Biogen and Eisai abandoned trials of their Alzheimer's drug aducanumab in March 2019 because scientists said the study had little hope of succeeding. The companies have since revived this, claiming they found new information in the data, and have applied to the US Food and Drug Administration for a licence to use it as a treatment for Alzheimer's. Advertisement

And even when researchers do find patients, they bring ethical problems and difficulties getting detailed feedback.

Dr Bart De Strooper, a world-renowned Alzheimer's expert and director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, said this separates dementia from other illnesses.

'In cancer or AIDS you can get consent from people to treat them more aggressively but this is more difficult for people with dementia,' he said.

'The patients dont complain  they dont suffer from anything. These drugs all have side effects, so people dont have motivation to take the medications.

'Doctors have an ethical responsibility because these are human beings and we have to be certain they will be safe.'

Because dementia patients lose their mental capacity it can be hard for doctors to get proper consent to give them dangerous or painful treatments, Dr De Strooper said.

And for those who do take part, if they are seriously ill already they may not be able to explain how the drugs are affecting them.

Between 1998 and 2017 there were around 146 failed attempts to develop drugs for Alzheimer's drugs, according to science news website, BioSpace.

Some of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies abandoned at least half a dozen more advanced attempts to find an Alzheimer's cure in 2018 and 2019.

Drugmakers Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck, Roche, Novartis and Biogen all had to scrap human trials of promising medicines.

Pfizer, a New York-based company worth $211billion, announced it was withdrawing from neurology research altogether after multiple trials failed.

A round-up published in July showed there were then 132 drugs in human trial stages for possible uses in Alzheimer's, up from 112 in May 2018.

The company making the biggest headlines in 2019 was Biogen, a $54billion (41bn) company based in Massachusetts.

In March, Biogen, working alongside Japanese pharma company Eisai, announced it was abandoning a late-stage trial of a drug called aducanumab.

There were high hopes riding on the drug, which researchers hoped would remove damaging amyloid proteins building up inside the brain.

But researchers running the trial said its chances of succeeding were too low for it to continue.

The companies abandoned two more trials of a different drug in September because the risks of taking it outweighed the benefits.

Biogen has since revived hopes for aducanumab by applying to the US Food and Drug Administration to use it in early Alzheimer's disease patients, after saying it had re-analysed its findings and still believed it could work.

The FDA is expected to reveal its decision in the spring.

Dr James Pickett (left), of the Alzheimer's Society, and Dr Bart De Strooper, from the UK Dementia Research Institute, told MailOnline it is difficult to see so many trials end up unsuccessful but that there are many reasons to be optimistic about dementia research

Other high profile failures last year included the company Roche cancelling two late-stage clinical trials of its drug crenezumab in January.

And a joint trial between Novartis, Amgen and Banner Alzheimer's Institute was also called off because patients' symptoms were getting worse.

Overwhelmingly, scientists trying to tackle Alzheimer's are targeting a type of clumping build up in the brain called amyloid plaques.

Despite strings of failed attempts to destroy these, Dr De Strooper remains 'convinced' they are the prime target, as well as swelling (inflammation) in the brain.

'The recent understanding of the inflammatory component of the disease gives me hope,' he said.

'FINDING TREATMENT FOR DEMENTIA IS A RACE AGAINST TIME' For Hannah Mackay, a 36-year-old mother of two, trying to find treatments which could slow down dementia is a very real race against time. Ms Mackay, from Sussex, found out one year ago this month that she had a genetic mutation which means she is certain to develop frontotemporal dementia, and she might get it before she turns 50. Both her grandfather and father were diagnosed with the crippling disease  which is passed on through the family  and she now faces the same fate. Ms Mackay, pictured with her father and her two daughters who are now six and three, has inherited a genetic mutation from her father and grandfather which means she is destined to develop frontotemporal dementia Although frontotemporal dementia is different to Alzheimer's it has similar effects and Ms Mackay has raised more than 10,000 for the Alzheimer's Society. 'I don't regret having the test to find out,' she said. 'I couldn't have done anything with not knowing. It was awful, it was sad and it was hard but my knowledge became power. 'I became determined to do something positive and to be able to help others along the way.' Ms Mackay's genetic mutation means that one day her body will stop producing a vital protein called progranulin which helps nerves in the brain to heal themselves and to grow. Without it, they will begin to die and she will start to lose brain tissue  the main effect of dementia. The genetic defect cannot be fixed and the dementia cannot  yet  be stopped or slowed down once it starts. Ms Mackay said she does not expect a cure to be developed in time for her, but that progress towards a treatment could be realistic. 'I would love something that gives me longer with my children  to see my children have their children and to see them get married,' she said. 'My grandad couldn't do grandad things with me and my dad hasn't been able to them with my kids. 'I'm really optimistic about what's being done and how hard people are working. Having seen what has happened in the last 10 years in dementia research and to imagine what we could achieve in the next 10 years is incredible.' Ms Mackay still works as a police officer and said all she can do now is to keep as fit and healthy as possible, and to spend time with her children. She is taking part in research about familial dementia and said she would get involved with a medical trial if one was started for her specific illness. Ms Mackay said she is now committed to staying as fit and healthy as she can, spending time with her children and enjoying her life while it is still normal 'Whats important in my experience is that everyones dementia is different and therefore different medications are needed to control different parts,' she said. 'We have to explore different things  it won't be the case that there will be a dementia pill to take in the morning. 'Everybody knows somebody who has been affected by dementia in some way. This is such a big thing and any research is so going to be so vital for future generations. It was too little talked about for such a long time.' Advertisement

'Inflammation in the brain is probably started by amyloid which we have started to understand rapidly and its very clear.

'Inflammation is damaging the nerve cells  we need to stop the inflammation then we can come back to amyloid.

'Sixty per cent of dementia is caused by Alzheimers but what were also learning is that much of the dementia is mixed.

'People have Alzheimers but also a vascular component and signs of other dementias. Its a mixed form so if we treat amyloid in these patients we then have to treat the other elements.'

Alzheimer's isn't the only type of dementia which urgently needs solving.

Hannah Mackay, a 36-year-old mother and police officer, has a genetic fault which means she is certain to develop frontotemporal dementia  probably in her 40s.

Her father is living with the disease and her grandfather died of it.

Unlike the build-up which happens in Alzheimer's, Ms Mackay's type of dementia is caused by a loss of a vital protein (progranulin), which causes nerves in the brain to die.

Ms Mackay does not expect a cure to be found before she's struck down by the disease, but said recent developments bring hope.

'It is a race against time,' she told MailOnline. 'When I first started this journey there wasn't a huge hope for medicines or clinical trials for this specific protein.

'But there is hope, amazing people are doing amazing things every day to try and find a cure for dementia.

Ms Mackay, pictured with the Alzheimer's Society's Dr James Pickett, has raised more than 10,000 for the charity, which invests huge amounts of money into researching the causes and effects of dementia

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain. There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimers disease is the most common. Some people may have a combination of types of dementia. Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way. Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED? The Alzheimers Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer's. It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million. In the US, it's estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer's sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years. As a persons age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia. Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed. IS THERE A CURE? Currently there is no cure for dementia. But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are. Source: Alzheimers Society Advertisement

'Encouraging people in these situations to feel comfortable taking part in research is so important.

'Research will only be as useful as the people who it can be tested on and things will always get to a point when they need to be tested on people.'

Research into more predictable forms of dementia like Ms Mackay's may be easier to plan because genetic risk is an early warning sign, but they affect far fewer people.

Inequality in research funding is another factor holding back scientists.

The Alzheimer's Society's Dr Pickett said the UK currently spends 85million per day dealing with dementia patients but it takes an entire year to spend the same amount on research.

And Dr De Strooper said there are 20 to 30 times more scientific research papers about cancer than there are about dementia, despite them both having approximately 45million patients.

'There have been something like 3.8million for cancer and 200,000 for dementia,' he said. 'I think we should declare war on dementia.

'It has been done a little bit in the UK. David Cameron in 2013 at the G8 summit in London  there they set that Alzheimers and dementia are one of the biggest hurdles and problems for our society over the next decade.'

The Dementia Research Institute, of which Dr De Strooper is director, has a budget of 35million per year guaranteed to 280million for seven years.

34billion per year is being spent looking after people with dementia, Dr Pickett said, and this is expected to soar to 90billion in the next 20 years.

Looking after people who have the condition, controlling their symptoms and improving their quality of life is a more realistic short-term goal.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged more than 1.6billion of dementia research funding over the next decade in his Conservative manifesto in November.

He said he hoped that would help scientists discover a 'moonshot' treatment to revolutionise dementia care.

Dr Pickett said the industry was overdue a 'shot of hope' and that Biogen's aducanumab could be the first step to success.

'We need the end of the string  something to pull and then to unravel things from it.

'Developments in technology mean we can study the brain better now. We can turn stem cells into nerves or grow a brain in a dish and this allows you to study cells in labs at a cellular level.

'We can study processes in the brain in a way that we couldn't before and have new ways to tell what's going on in the human living brain during life.

'In the past you could only diagnose specific types of dementia during an autopsy.

'There are a few milestones on the horizon which make it optimistic. As long as we keep the focus and collaboration and the first success doesn't throw everyone into competition, we can do this.'

The Alzheimer's Society celebrated its 40th anniversary in November and has, since then, funded some of the field's biggest breakthroughs and signed up thousands of people to clinical trials.

Visit the charity's website to find out more about its research, fundraising and work to provide and improve care for people all over the UK.
As we step into the New Year, it is time to focus on good investment opportunities.

Investors generally gauge a stocks potential returns by examining earnings growth and valuation multiples. At the same time, its important to measure the performance of such a stock relative to its industry or peers, or the appropriate benchmark.

If you see that a stock is underperforming on fundamental factors, then it would be prudent to move on and find a better alternative. However, those outperforming their respective sectors in terms of price should be selected because they stand a better chance to provide considerable returns.

Then again, it is imperative that you determine whether or not an investment has relevant upside potential when considering stocks with significant relative price strength. Stocks delivering better than the S&P 500 over a period of 1 to 3 months at the least and having solid fundamentals indicate room for growth and are the best ways to go about this strategy.

Finally, it is important to find out whether analysts are optimistic about the upcoming earnings results of these companies. In order to do this, we have added positive estimate revisions for the current quarters (Q1) earnings to our screen. When a stock undergoes an upward revision, it leads to additional price gains.

Screening Parameters

Relative % Price change  12 weeks greater than 0

Relative % Price change  4 weeks greater than 0

Relative % Price change  1 week greater than 0

(We have considered those stocks that have been outperforming the S&P 500 over the last 12 weeks, four weeks and one week.)

% Change (Q1) Est. over 4 Weeks greater than 0: Positive current quarter estimate revisions over the last four weeks.

Zacks Rank equal to 1: Only Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks  that have returned more than 26% annually over the last 26 years and surpassed the S&P 500 in 23 of the last 26 years  can get through. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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Current Price greater than or equal to $5 and Average 20-day Volume greater than or equal to 50,000: A minimum price of $5 is a good standard to screen low-priced stocks, while a high trading volume would imply adequate liquidity.

VGM Score less than or equal to B: Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 (Buy) offer the best upside potential.

Here are five of the 12 stocks that made it through the screen:

JD.com, Inc. JD: JD.com is one of the largest online providers of electronics goods and general merchandise products in China. The 2019 Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Beijing-based company is $1.06, indicating 211.8% earnings per share growth over 2018. This years average forecast is $1.47 pointing to another 38.7% growth. JD.com has a VGM Score of B.

Talos Energy Inc. TALO: An upstream oil and gas company with operations in the Gulf of Mexico and in shallow water offshore Mexico, Talos Energy has a VGM Score of A. Over 30 days, the Houston, TX-based company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 and 2020 increase 26.9% and 11% to $2.45 and $2.63 per share, respectively.

Sony Corporation SNE: Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, manufactures and sales several consumer and industrial electronic equipment. The firm has a VGM Score of B and an excellent earnings surprise history having surpassed estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 86.9%.

Performance Food Group Company PFGC: Performance Food Group is a marketer and distributor of food and food-related products from to customer locations across the United States. Sporting a VGM Score of A, this Richmond, VA-headquartered companys expected EPS growth rate for three to five years currently stands at 10.9%, comparing favorably with the industry's growth rate of 7.8%.

Vipshop Holdings Limited VIPS: Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Guangzhou, China, Vipshop Holdings is an online discount retailer of branded products. The company has a VGM Score of A and a good earnings surprise history having surpassed estimates in three of the last four quarters, the average being 20.9%.

You can get the rest of the stocks on this list by signing up now for your 2-week free trial to the Research Wizard and start using this screen in your own trading. Further, you can also create your own strategies and test them first before taking the investment plunge.

The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today

Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance.



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T he Australian navy has begun efforts to evacuate hundreds of people trapped in a fire-ravaged town ahead of more dangerous weather this weekend.

Around 800 people trapped in the town of Mallacoota in the state of Victoria are expected to be rescued by HMAS Choules.

It comes as a state of disaster was declared in Victoria for the first time and as thousands flee parts of neighbouring New South Wales (NSW), where a state of emergency has been declared.

Since the start of the fire season in September, 18 people have been killed in the two states. After this week alone, more than 1,200 homes have been lost and 17 people are missing.

Since Monday night, some 4,000 residents and tourists have been stranded on a beach after fires cut off roads and engulfed Mallacoota.

HMAS Choules has begun an operation to evacuate hundreds of those people with the elderly, sick and women and children being taken first.

In the early morning, the first evacuees appeared at the wharf where they will be ferried to the ship in small boats.

Traffic jam as Australia evacuation gathers pace

With all roads still blocked, sea transport is the only way out of the stricken town and each round trip could take a day or more.

Forecasters are warning that temperatures will soar above 40C degrees on Saturday, bringing a return of wild winds.

"It is forecast we will see dry thunderstorms coming across the state and the potential of lightning strikes mid-to late afternoon," Andrew Crisp, emergency management commissioner for Victoria, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

He urged people in the area to leave their homes immediately and not count on luck to avoid disaster.

Australian wildfires turn sky red 1 /16 Australian wildfires turn sky red via REUTERS brendanh_au/Twitter via Reuters via REUTERS via REUTERS via REUTERS via REUTERS via REUTERS Getty Images Courtesy of Stacey Broadfoot/AFP Courtesy of Caitlin Nobes/AFP vi BradleyWDeacon/Twitter

"This is your opportunity to get out. It is not just the fires we know. It is the new fires that might start today."

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat, which started at 8am local time on Friday (9pm GMT on Thursday).

In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews declared a state of disaster for six areas and resorts, including Mallacoota.

Australian PM heckled on visit to New South Wales

As he arrived in Cobargo, on NSWs southern coast, an area that has been worst affected by the unrelenting blazes, residents lashed out, telling him he wasnt welcome.

You won't be getting any votes down here, buddy, yelled one furious man. Youre an idiot.

Go on p*** off, he added, as friends joined in, shouting bye bye at the PM.

Mr Morrison was forced to cut his visit short following the criticism.
As Chiranjeevi was concluding his long solo speech, Rajasekhar snatched the mic from him and started pointing out issues in MAA which needed to be addressed.

The differences in Movie Artiste Association (MAA) have turned ugly once again, brandishing itself in front of Telugu cinema bigwigs such as Chiranjeevi, Mohan Babu, Krishnam Raju, Murali Mohan and Jayasudha.

The actor interrupted Chiranjeevis speech, snatched the mike from him and tried accusing MAA of improper behaviour. The senior actors present were livid. Chiranjeevi asked MAA to take disciplinary action. An ugly spat ensued.

Actor Rajasekhar was on bad behaviour. Things took a turn for the worse when Chiranjeevi asked the MAA committee to take disciplinary action against the actor.

It all started with one of Chiranjeevis best speeches in his career about the MAA and how it could take the Telugu cinema to newer heights. He spoke about how he and Nagarjuna had met CM KCR a couple of days ago. He emphasised on how KCR wanted to now focus on the Telugu film industry (TFI) and added that this was a good opportunity for the TFI to take everyones issues to the CM.

Then, the actor talked about meeting and requesting K.T. Rama Rao to allot land for MAA. He responded positively, but I hadnt announced that then because of the differences within MAA. Now, I request all to work together for the industry and its peoples development, he added.

Chiranjeevi also talked about his recent meeting with AP CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. We discussed the Nandi awards and he responded by asking us for suggestions on how he needs to take it forward. As there isnt a cinematography ministry in AP, the CM will hand that portfolio to Avanti Srinivas or another.

After allotting the portfolio, hell send the concerned officials to discuss the pending awards, Chiranjeevi said.

As Chiranjeevi was concluding his long solo speech, unable to take it any more, Rajasekhar snatched the mic from him and started pointing out issues in MAA which needed to be addressed. He said, Chiranjeevi spoke very well. The elections for Movie Artiste Association were held in March and Ive not done any films since. Ive only been working hard for MAA because of which Ive been facing problems at home; I even had a car accident due to the stress of those issues, he said.

Chiranjeevi stepped in, shouting, I just said well discuss the issues elsewhere, but youre going on and on. Then, condemning Rajasekhars behaviour, he asked the MAA disciplinary committee to take action against him.

But Rajasekhar wouldnt stop, All of us act as heroes in films, but when we work as real-life heroes, people crush us.

Soon, actor Mohan Babu and actress Jayasudha also tried to stop Rajasekhar, but to no avail. And when they told him he didnt have to be a part of MAA if he wasnt interested, Rajasekhar retorted, saying, We want to come; thats why we were here, but we also want to tell the truth.

Despite support from 18 members in the MAA executive body, this incident has cost Rajasekhar sympathies among those present there. Later Jeevitha, Rajasekhars wife, apologised to Chiranjeevi and others for the incident. She said, Hes like a kid, cannot hide his feelings or emotions. She tried to explain further, where Rajashekars behaviour was coming from, but the seniors present there, cut her short.

Later, Rajasekhar sent his resignation from MAA board.
Texas man who used "affluenza" as a defence at his trial for killing four people while driving drunk was arrested Thursday after authorities say he violated the terms of his probation. Ethan Couch, 22, was booked into a jail in Fort Worth after he tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, court records show. Couch's attorneys, Scott Brown and Reagan Wynn said their client has been intensely monitored for alcohol and illegal substance use for more than 20 months and has never been positive for the use of any substance before.

We cannot make any further statement until we have the opportunity to conduct an investigation to determine if, in fact, Ethan ingested THC and, if so, if it was a voluntary act on his part," Brown and Wynn said in a statement. Jail records did not indicate whether his bond had been set Thursday afternoon. Couch became known as the "affluenza teen" during his manslaughter trial for the 2013 crash. Couch, 16 at the time of the crash, was found to have a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit for adult drivers after the crash.

But a psychologist told a juvenile court that he was affected by "affluenza," or irresponsibility caused by family wealth. A judge originally sentenced Couch to 10 years of probation. But he was later jailed after attending a party where alcohol was served and then fleeing to Mexico with his mother to avoid punishment. He was released in 2018 after serving a nearly two-year sentence.

In 2013, Couch lost control of his familys pickup truck after he and his friends had played beer pong and drank beer stolen from a Walmart. He veered into a crowd of people helping the driver of a disabled vehicle on the side of the road. Authorities later estimated that he was going 70 mph in a 40 mph zone. The crash fatally injured the stranded motorist, a youth minister who stopped to help her and a mother and daughter who came out of their nearby home. Tonya Couch, Ethan's mother, is awaiting trial on charges of hindering apprehension of a felon and money laundering arising from when they fled to Mexico in 2015. She has been in and out of jail since then.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called on young scientists of India to "Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper," and said these four steps would lead our country towards faster development.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the inaugural ceremony of the 107th Indian Science Congress at the University of Agricultural Sciences, in Bengaluru. Photograph: Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo

The prime minister also stressed on the need to transform the landscape of Indian science, technology and innovation, as he assured that the government will ensure the 'Ease of doing Science' and effectively using information technology to reduce red tape.

"The growth story of India depends on its success in science and technology sector.

There is a need to transform the landscape of Indian science, technology and innovation," Modi said.

Speaking after inaugurating the 107th Session of Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru, he said, "My motto for the young scientists in this country is -Innovate, Patent, Produce and Prosper. These four steps will lead our country towards faster development."

"If we innovate we will patent and that in turn will make our production smoother and when we take these products to the people of our country, I'm sure they will prosper," he said adding that innovation for the people and by the people is the direction of our new India.

The prime minister also expressed happiness over improvement in India's ranking in the Global Innovation Index to 52.

Our programmes have created more technology business incubators in the last five years than in the previous 50 years. I congratulate our scientists for this achievement," he added.

Noting that new India wants technology and logical temperament, so that we can give a new direction for the progress of our social and economic life, Modi said with the production of cheap smart phone and cheap data in the country even a common man is confident that they are not separate and can directly connect with the government.

Observing that science and technology was being used in governance in a large scale, than ever in past, the prime minister said, "We are continuing our efforts to ensure 'Ease of doing Science,' and effectively using Information Technology to reduce red tape."

He also mentioned that the digital technology, e-commerce, internet banking and mobile banking services are assisting rural population significantly, and farmers are getting required weather information at their fingertips through e- governance initiatives.

The coming decade will be a decisive time for the science and technology based governance, Modi said.

Recalling his government's decision to get rid of single use plastic, Modi said, researchers have to find a cheap and efficient alternative to it in their labs.

He said the government's efforts were to reduce import of crude oil by 10 per cent by 2022, as it would provide opportunity for start-ups to explore in the field of ethanol and bio-fuel.

Stressing on the need to encourage industry based research, Modi said such efforts will play a key role in making the country a 5 trillion dollar economy.

"There is a need for revolution in technologies assisting agricultural practices. Can we find farmer-centric solutions to the problem of stalk burning for instance? Can we also redesign our brick kilns for reduced emissions and greater energy efficiency.

We need to find solution towards clean drinking water also," he said.

The prime minister also said our successes in space exploration should now be mirrored in the new frontier of the deep sea.

We need to explore, map and responsibly harness the vast oceanic resources of water, energy, food and minerals.
While focusing on the future, Winona Health has made powerful impacts in local health care during the past 125 years.

"I think (the hospital) started off with a very clear vision about taking care of people in this community, and that has held true till this day," Rachelle Schultz, president and CEO of Winona Health, said.

The year 2019 marked a key anniversary for the health organization that was created to meet a community need in 1894.

"The founders -- the physicians who founded it -- had a vision for what could serve this community well and how it should be put in place and developed," Schultz said.

Former Winona Health board chairman Gary Evans said, "Each and every resident of this area should consider herself or himself fortunate because vision and wisdom have guided every step of the organization, placing it at the forefront of quality care in this nation.

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"Frequently we who live here prefer to dwell on what the naysayers seek to perpetuate," Evans said. "But I firmly believe that Winona Health has been a godsend to the community for 125 years and is well positioned to bravely face an uncertain and evolving future because physicians, administrators, employees and board members have remained steadfast in their dedication to a continuously improving health-care system."

Winona Health, throughout its history, has looked ahead at new technology and medical advances to continue to prosper, as it is expected to in the future.

In the first year, 225 patients were treated in the first Winona General Hospital, supported by funds raised by the community.

The hospital was prepared to have room for only 18 patients, while it was located in the former Langley Home. The building was located at Sanborn and Winona streets, where years later, a Winona State University dormitory now calls home.

Many key beginnings followed the opening of the hospital, such as the founding of the volunteer auxiliary in 1894 and the Winona General Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1895.

The Langley Home didn't stay in that location for long.

By 1898, the hospital staff already had big dreams of a new home and, with the help of the community, raised $35,000 for a new building on Wabasha Street between Ewing and Lincoln streets.

Addition after addition followed with the help of community fundraisers. By 1926, the hospital had room for 130 patients.

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A new hospital

That was no longer enough space by 1959, which was the year of a new fundraiser: one to help build the Community Memorial Hospital at 855 Mankato Ave.

In the Winona Health publication "Reaching Out," the new hospital was described as "a tribute and a memorial to the people of Winona and the surrounding area, both present and past, whose sincere, united community effort and generous giving have translated into reality a long-cherished dream."

Patients received their first glimpse at Community Memorial Hospital on Aug. 11, 1962.

The decision to call Mankato Avenue home has continued to this day, even though the building has grown.

Winona Health has expanded, with additions such as the Adith Miller Manor and Roger Metz Manor -- both residences for people in need of memory care -- in 1992 and 1999, respectively.

The Watkins Manor, later known as Senior Living at Watkins, was a new addition in 2002 and allowed independent seniors to have a place to live where they can have some assistance.

In 2019, local college students joined the seniors. The students were able to pay small costs to live in the location, but spent time each month contributing to the work done at the location through volunteering.

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The Winona Health Foundation, formed in 1996, has helped make these dreams a reality with financial support.

Expansion continued with many different projects, but the technological growth matched at the same speed.

Winona Health worked to develop a communitywide electronic medical record in 2001, pioneering the way for such an opportunity.

Telecare also began to be used in 2010s to help give patients more opportunities to connect with medical staff.

Schultz said that the organization continuously attempts to be contemporary, keeping up with the changing world of medicine and technology.

Winona Health has grown in recent years beyond just purchasing new locations and starting new services, though.

In 2006 the Winona Clinic moved to the Winona Health campus. Winona Health purchased the old clinic's building on Sarnia Street, creating Sarnia Square.

The merger

By 2008, a merger was conducted between Winona Health and Winona Clinic.

Winona Health explained in the announcement, "The Winona Health-Winona Clinic merger is a result of proactive leadership at both organizations and a shared commitment to provide a stronger health-care system for area communities. Their common goals for a progressive health-care system include: recruitment of outstanding physicians, increased patient access to health-care resources (and) growth in local health-care services."

Evans said he thought the merger made sense both at the time that it happened and still today.

"Some Winona Clinic doctors owned a piece of real estate on Sarnia Street that was in need of updating and both organizations were seeking to utilize the best of the time's technology," he said. "For the doctors to join -- and strengthen -- Winona Health when they did brought good things for them in the areas of compensation and benefits and benefit to both organizations in the centralization of services on one campus, sparing the combined organization the duplication of services and machines."

Evans said that together, Winona Health and Winona Clinic are likely much stronger than they would have been separately. The merger has allowed them to make large progress and strides together.

"The merger, in my opinion, has allowed the combined organization to maintain a healthy balance sheet while steadily increasing the quality of care delivered in both the clinic and the hospital. Winona's selection as one the nation's 100 best small health-care systems is the product of great leadership, dedicated employees and people working together to ensure the best possible results for the people of the Winona area," Evans said.

Since the merger, Winona Health has continued to create and work with other key opportunities in Winona.

In 2011, Winona Health founded Live Well Winona, a community health hub.

The organization jumped on the opportunity to expand and provide retail-based services by taking part in the Main Square Development, located at Fourth and Main streets.

Winona Health has also taken the opportunity to unite with the Winona Family YMCA by having its campus be the home of a new YMCA building. Winona Health Rehabilitation Services will be housed within the new building when completed.

"(Winona Health) is a small organization that has pretty big aspirations and has done some pretty remarkable things," Schultz said.

Evans said, "To achieve the kinds of recognition this system has, given its position as one of very few Minnesota independent health-care systems, is an incredible, noteworthy tribute. Great health care requires devoted physicians, astute administrators, dedicated and wise board members and stellar employees. I believe Winona Health boasts all of these factors, combining to provide wonderful care to the residents of this region."

Even as its history has been defined by many powerful moments, the end of growth is not in sight.

"We're always thankful for what's come before us, but we're not living on the past," Schultz said. She said Winona Health continues to look toward what's coming next in health care.

Just like the organization's founders more than a century before, Schultz says, forward thinking is still a focus of Winona Health.

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(c)2020 Winona Daily News, Minn.

Visit Winona Daily News, Minn. at www.winonadailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Self-help guru and TV personality Phillip McGraw, better known as Dr. Phil, is selling the Beverly Hills, CA, mansion for $5,750,000 where his rocker son, Jordan McGraw, had been living with his bandmates. And it's quite an eyeful! Part playhouse, part Tim Burton homage, the outrageous, high-dollar design and questionable taste have sparked some big-time controversy on the web.

Ever since the Los Angeles Times first published the photos from the listing, social media has had a field day poking fun at the unconventionaldare we say, crazy?interiors that only a 20-something with unlimited funds could have dreamed up.

In summer 2016, a then-28-year-old Jacob offered The Daily Mail a tour of the estate. "The idea is kind of Tim Burton threw up on a canvas, and it turned into a house," he explained.

Regurgitation isn't usually a design aspiration for a nearly $6 million Beverly Hills mansion, but, hey, Dr. Phil's kid clearly had a vision for interior decoration that's unique. He dreamed up the wild wonderland with the help of L.A. design firm Mogul, according to the Mail.

As you enter the property, which the listing calls "eclectic," there's a snake fountain, a reference to "A Nightmare Before Christmas," giving guests just a hint of the acid trip to come. In the foyer, there's the bedazzled bar at the bottom of the entry, which is meant to look like the rabbit hole in "Alice in Wonderland." And the showstopper? It's the jaw-dropping, glassed-in wall of guns adorning the dining room.

Some of the photos, including one of the wall of guns, have been removed from the listing after receiving tons of social media criticism. The home's listing agent, Billy Dolan of Hilton and Hyland, didn't return a call and email for comment.

If you asked me whose dining room this was, Dr. Phil would not be my first guess pic.twitter.com/dX4EaxERbE  Kyle Gilboy (@KyleGilboy) January 3, 2020

Bedazzled bar realtor.com

Hallway realtor.com

Living room realtor.com

Art collection realtor.com

Game room realtor.com

Home theater realtor.com

Master suite realtor.com

Outdoor dining realtor.com

Black velvet wallpaper aside, the five-bedroom, 6,170-square-foot estate sits on a gated half-acre just minutes from the Beverly Hills Hotel, and has plenty to offer potential buyers willing to take on a remodel.

For his part, after leaving his stamp on the decor, Jordan has left the property behind to tour with the Jonas Brothers.

The post Dr. Phil Lists Bonkers Beverly Hills Mansion for $5.75M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
Hannah B. Higgins in The MIT Press Reader:

Called shikaakwa by the Miami-Illinois tribe for the skunky smell of the wild-onion that grew on the banks of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a French transcription of the earlier name for the area. Founded in 1833, with an initial population of 350, before the fire, it is said, Chicagos streets curved around the Lake Michigan waterfront and followed the course of the Chicago River and a network of cattle paths lain over Native American migration routes. In contrast to the organic form of the city associated with the early settlers, modern Chicago would be organized as a grid, with address numbers (beginning in 1909) that could tell any pedestrian where they were in relationship to the central point (0,0) of State and Madison streets. According to plan, the modules of this new grid, great skyscrapers, grew up from the rubble like gigantic, up-stretched skeletons of cast iron and, later, steel. The grid, a framework of spaced parallel bars according to the Oxford American Dictionary, appears here as the image of an emerging modernity.

More here.
(Newser)  When the Defense Department warned that holding up military aid to Ukraine might be illegal, an OMB official let the Pentagon know where the order was coming from. There was "clear direction from POTUS to continue to hold," Michael Duffy wrote, CNN reports that a new review of unredacted documents shows. The documents, including officials' emails, were reviewed by Just Security, a national security site. A court had ordered their release last month, but much of the content had been blacked out. Duffy's email, sent about two months into the freeze, had not been provided to House impeachment investigators. The documents show the Pentagon expressed a series of concerns about not sending Ukraine the money, including uncertainty about what would happen to it if the appropriation wasn't spend by the legal deadline, Sept. 30.

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The document review raises questions about the redactions, as they were the subject of congressional oversight efforts and Freedom of Information Act filings. "These redactions at least raise eyebrows," one expert said, adding that it's difficult to tell if the act was broken. "But does it appear suspicious given the damning nature of what was withheld, and the current government's obvious motivation for withholding it." The redacted text included not only the Pentagon warnings but basic information, all of which Aaron Blake calls in a Washington Post analysis "puzzling and even suspicious." (Read more Trump impeachment stories.)
In the spring of 2019, the girl and her mother were shopping for curtains at a Salvation Army in Gaithersburg, where Navarro spoke with the girls mother, detectives alleged in court papers. A short time later, he pulled up to them in the parking lot and offered them a ride home, the detectives said.
Delhi Fire Service personnel Amit Pawar, brother-in-law of Amit Balyan, the fireman who lost his life during a rescue operation in northwest Delhi's Peeragarhi, was also about to enter the building to pull out people trapped under the debris but was stopped by his senior as the structure had turned too dangerous, his family said on Friday.

Initially, Pawar was unaware his brother-in-law was among the three fire personnel trapped under the debris. Only after he checked the batch number of the DFS personnel, he got to know about Balyan.

"Pawar checked the batch number of people trapped and when he saw 100/65, he got to know Balyan was also among three firemen under debris," Ankur, the younger brother-in-law of Balyan, said.

Pawar, who is posted at Pitampura fire station, and his team members were about to enter the building but their senior officer stopped them as the "condition of the building was not good," Ankur said.

On Thursday morning, a portion of the building that housed a manufacturing unit of inverter batteries collapsed following an explosion due to a fire that had broken out there. The blaze started in the basement of the three-storey building around 4 am and soon engulfed it. More than 50 fire tenders and 300 personnel were deployed to douse the fire.

The case has been transferred to the Crime Branch, police said.

Ankur, who works in Gurgaon, said he got to know about the incident around 2 pm on Thursday.

The DFS staff paid tributes to Balyan Friday morning in Rohini.

"Officers and staff of DFS paid their last homage and tribute to the gallant Fire Fighter late Sh. Amit Kumar, who lost his life during the fire fighting operation at D-7 Udyog Nagar, Delhi on 02.01.2020 The tribute ceremony was held at FSMA Rohini at 0700," Delhi Fire Service director Atul Garg tweeted.

The street in Meet Nagar where Balyan lived was calm. Several people visited his home to console the family.

Shivani, Balyan's wife, said, "I last spoke to him around midnight. I took an off on Thursday as he had promised to take me out for some work. Later, I came to know that there was a fire incident. Initially, I thought it was a normal fire call.

"When I realised that he was stuck inside, I got scared and everyone was assuring me he will be fine. The moment I hear the of his death, I got numb and could not even move out of the house".

Rohit, Balyan's cousin, said, "He was very happy after being selected for DFS. I spoke to him a couple of ago and asked him about his job. He said everything was fine and he was performing well.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Few tears will be shed in many parts of the world for Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, whose Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps ruthlessly spread Iranian influence and contributed to the deaths of thousands of Syrians, Iraqis and Iranians, as well as hundreds of American servicemen in Iraq, over the past decade and a half.

But revenge is not a strategy, and the killing of General Suleimani is a major  and incredibly risky  escalation with Iran, a pivotal country of some 80 million people that has been largely estranged from the United States for 40 years. It will cause more instability and the loss of more innocent lives. Any chances for American diplomacy with Iran are dead for the duration of the Trump presidency  if not longer. Instead of one nuclear proliferation crisis, with North Korea, there will most likely now be two, as the 2015 Iran nuclear deal completely collapses. The Sunni fundamentalists who killed Americans in their homeland  something Iran has not done so far  will rejoice. Russia and China will be happy to see the United States mired in the Middle East for the foreseeable future.

It is important to remember who began this spiral. In May 2018, President Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear agreement negotiated by his predecessor at a time when Iran was in full compliance with it. When he did so, the Quds Force and its associated militias in Iraq were fighting the Islamic State in indirect coordination with the American military. The Persian Gulf was quiet.

For a year after the American withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the status quo prevailed. Then in April 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced what amounted to an embargo on the export of Iranian oil. Shortly afterward, Iran moved from strategic patience to resistance and retaliation: first against oil tankers, then against an American drone and in September against Saudi oil facilities. In Iraq, Iran-backed militias started lobbing rockets into the Green Zone and other locations where Americans are based. On Dec. 27, rockets killed an American contractor in Kirkuk, and the United States retaliated with strikes that killed two dozen militia members in Iraq and Syria. Iran-backed militias responded with an attempt to break into the American embassy in Baghdad on New Years Eve.
President Donald Trump wasted no time on Friday defending his potentially world-altering decision to kill the leader of Irans elite paramilitary forces, Qassem Soleimani  and warning that other enemies of the U.S. could easily face the same fate.

From Twitter to Mar-a-Lago to a Miami megachurch, the president used various public venues to champion the overnight drone strike against one of the most infamous figures in the Ayatollahs regime, trying to quell fears of a military confrontation and justifying his unilateral decision with a barrage of tweets, retweets and blunt statements.

Let this be a warning to terrorists: if you value your own life, you will not threaten the lives of our citizens, Trump declared at the beginning of a campaign event with evangelical leaders in Miami.

Attempting to disarm critics who accused him earlier in the day of needlessly escalating potential violence and unrest in the Middle East, Trump said he was acting solely out of caution  claiming that Soleimani was planning a very major attack against Americans and now his atrocities have been stopped for good.

We are a peace-loving nation and my administration remains firmly committed to establishing peace and harmony among the nations in the world, Trump said. We do not seek war, we do not seek nation-building, we do not seek regime change, but as president I will never hesitate to defend the safety of the American people.

The formal remarks came shortly after Trump left his Mar-a-Lago south Florida resort, where he had spent the holidays.

"We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war," he told reporters in an impromptu address before leaving the luxury getaway.

Earlier in the day, Trump kicked off his defense on Twitter.

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!" Trump wrote. "He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself."

Story continues

The president's message came hours after the Defense Department confirmed in a statement Thursday evening that Trump had directed the strike against Soleimani, which the Pentagon described as a "defensive action" that was "aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans."

The unexpected targeting of the leader of Iran's elite Quds force represents one of the president's boldest military maneuvers while in office, and marks perhaps the most serious escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran since Trump withdrew from the multinational nuclear pact with Iran in 2018.

The general's death in the opening days of a presidential election year is also likely to elevate the issue of American foreign policy in the region as Trump wages a competitive campaign for a second term in the White House.

"While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country," Trump tweeted. "They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

Addressing the media, Trump was stern and solemn.

Under my leadership, America's policy is unambiguous to terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American. We will find you. We will eliminate you, he said, estimating that hundreds of American civilians and servicemembers were victims to Soleimanis ruthless rule.

Soleimani made the death of innocent people his sick passion, contributing to terrorist plots as far away as New Delhi and London, Trump added. Today, we remember and honor the victims of Soleimani's many atrocities and we take comfort in knowing that his reign of terror is over.

Trump used the end of his remarks to tie Soleimani's killing to that of former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was killed in a U.S. raid in October. He also claimed credit for the elimination of the Islamic State's territorial caliphate, declaring that the "world is a safer place without these monsters."

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the hosts of "Fox & Friends" on Friday morning that even though Trump does not desire an armed conflict with Tehran, the administration will "respond appropriately" if the Islamic Republic does not move to wind down tensions with the U.S.

"The president's been pretty clear. We don't seek war with Iran," Pompeo said. "But we, at the same time, are not going to stand by and watch the Iranians escalate and continue to put American lives at risk without responding in a way that disrupts, defends, deters and creates an opportunity to deescalate the situation."

Although officials in Tehran have vowed revenge against the U.S. for Soleimani's death, Pompeo said he hopes Iran's "decision will be to de-escalate" rather than pursue a course of retaliation.

"In the event that they do not, in the event they go the other direction, I know that President Trump and the entire United States government is prepared to respond appropriately," he said.

By Friday afternoon, a defense official confirmed the Pentagon was deploying a brigade of roughly 3,500 Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the aftermath of the strike.

And Trump underscored that, warning Tehran that if Americans anywhere are threatened, U.S. intelligence already has a number of targets fully identified.

And I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary, he said.

But Trump allies, including those who speak directly with the president, downplayed any concerns about him reneging on his pledge to end America's "endless wars," saying they are confident Soleimani's killing will work to the benefit of his re-election campaign.

"An imminent attack was stopped," said a former campaign aide who is close to the White House. "America will rally behind this. Lives were saved."

Pompeo on Friday also participated in several phone calls with foreign leaders and senior diplomats  including those from Afghanistan, China, France, Germany, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom  regarding Trump's decision to eliminate Soleimani "in response to imminent threats to American lives," according to State Department readouts of many of the conversations.

The secretary largely declined to detail the nature of those "imminent threats" in an interview with CNN, but insisted the president's call "to remove Qassem Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives. There's no doubt about that."

Soleimani "was actively plotting in the region to take actions  big action, as he described it  that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk," Pompeo said, adding that "last night was the time that we needed to strike to make sure that this imminent attack, that he was working actively, was disrupted."

Pompeo did acknowledge that the threats removed by Soleimani's death were "located in the region" as opposed to the U.S. homeland, and said the intelligence community had assessed that "the risk of doing nothing was enormous."

This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday.

Pompeo similarly declined to elaborate on a State Department advisory issued early Friday urging American citizens to "depart Iraq immediately." Iraqi and other media have reported that Soleimani died in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport, and Trump earlier this week blamed Iran for a breach of the U.S. embassy compound in the Iraqi capital.

"Make no mistake about it, the Trump administration is focused on protecting Americans to the maximum extent feasible," Pompeo said. "We made the conclusion that a statement that we issued was appropriate, that the timing was right for that."

In a conference call briefing with reporters Friday evening, national security adviser Robert OBrien was similarly tight-lipped about Soleimanis alleged plans, calling those details extraordinarily sensitive.

OBrien did disclose that at the time of the strike, Soleimani was arriving in Baghdad from the Syrian capital, Damascus, and that the U.S. airstrike was meant to prevent further bloodshed of U.S. servicemembers or diplomats. While he wouldnt provide a timeline for when Trump authorized the strike on Soleimani, OBrien explained that obviously the decision was made in the context of last months attack that killed an American contractor in Iraq and subsequent protests at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

It was a very straight-forward decision for the president to make the call, OBrien told reporters, noting that Trump was just not prepared to risk the lives of Americans, given Soleimanis history in the region and the imminent nature of the threat.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi condemned the U.S. strike in a statement Friday, charging that "carrying out operations to assassinate Iraqi figures and figures from another country on Iraqi soil is a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty and a dangerous escalation."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, expressed support for Trump's directive. "Just as Israel has the right of self-defense, the United States has exactly the same right," he told reporters.

Trump drew Iraq further into the rapidly intensifying conflict between the U.S. and Iran in a pair of tweets later Friday morning, seizing upon anti-Iranian sentiments conveyed by Iraqi protesters in recent months.

"The United States has paid Iraq Billions of Dollars a year, for many years. That is on top of all else we have done for them," the president wrote. "The people of Iraq dont want to be dominated & controlled by Iran, but ultimately, that is their choice. Over the last 15 years, Iran has gained more and more control over Iraq, and the people of Iraq are not happy with that. It will never end well!"

OBrien on Friday expressed regret about efforts by Iraqs parliament to expel U.S. troops from the country, reiterating to reporters that the U.S. had invested an enormous amount of blood and treasure in the country.

He added that the U.S. would certainly be very disappointed if there was some sort of adverse decision by the Iraqi parliament with respect to our continued presence in Iraq, but added that he believed Iraqis would ultimately be glad to no longer live under the yoke of Soleimani.

The president also wrote online earlier in the morning that "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!"  an adage previously employed by his hawkish former national security adviser, John Bolton, who praised the administration in a tweet Friday.

"Congratulations to all involved in eliminating Qassem Soleimani," Bolton wrote. "Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide. Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran."

Pakistani Shiite Muslims demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, near the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed

Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of Trump's main congressional advisers on matters of foreign policy, echoed the White House's characterization of Soleimani's killing Friday, calling it a "preemptive, defensive strike planned to take out the organizer of of attacks yet to come."

Graham, a South Carolina Republican, also revealed that he was "briefed about the potential operation" while visiting Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., where the president has spent his holiday vacation.

"I appreciate being brought into the orbit," he said. "I really appreciate President Trump letting the world know you cannot kill an American without impunity."

But unlike Graham, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was not informed of the strike ahead of time, complaining in a statement late Thursday that the deadly action "was taken without the consultation of Congress."

Pelosi spoke by phone with Defense Secretary Mark Esper after the assault, around 9:40 p.m., according to a Democratic source with knowledge of the call.

The speaker and the Pentagon chief talked for 13 minutes, and afterward Pelosi issued a statement calling for a full congressional briefing "on this serious situation and on the next steps under consideration by the Administration, including the significant escalation of the deployment of additional troops to the region."

OBrien said that the administration was planning to offer classified briefings on the airstrike to members of Congress when they return from their holiday recess next week. He did not address the lack of notification beforehand other than to say that the White House would continue to make all notifications to Congress as required by law.

The president on Friday appeared to revel in his decision not to give top Democrats in Congress a heads up about the strike, at one point retweeting a swipe at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer by conservative commentator Dinesh DSouza.

Heather Caygle, Anita Kumar and Wesley Morgan contributed to this report.
Since the Columbine school shooting in 1999, there have more than 100 shootings with four or more fatalities in the United States, including more than a dozen occurring in schools or colleges and almost 10 in places of worship. Most of the killers were men. After that one commonality, their backgrounds vary: mental illness diagnoses; histories of criminal or domestic violence; paranoia; resentments; narcissism; rage against women, people of different races, religions, employers or co-workers; or hope for fame and glory to give meaning to their otherwise small lives.
(Photo via Changsha Evening News)

Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan province, is seeing a rise in convenience stores on its streets.

Apart from major commercial streets, many transportation hubs and hospitals in the city have now been equipped with 24-hour convenience stores.

Statistics indicated that over 40 percent of Today convenience stores in Changsha are running 24 hours a day, and over 50 percent of Qianhui stores, Today's rival, are doing the same. The city's municipal commerce department said that Changsha is now home to more than 300 such convenience stores.

Zeng Xiaoyan, the manager of a convenience store located near the Changsha Center Hospital, introduced that the 24/7 store has been running for nearly 10 years, and it has maintained sound operation thanks to its location.

The shop expects more than 200 customers between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am every day, generating around 30 percent of the store's daily turnover, Zeng said.

In addition to offering convenience, these stores are also increasing people's sense of security, especially at night. Chen Huan, a woman who works off-peak hours, noted that 24-hour convenient stores are the brightest places she sees at midnight.

With the entrance of foreign convenience store brands such as Today, 7-11 and Lawson, Changsha's local stores have to upgrade their business models.

"Modern convenience stores are demanding in technology," said Huang Wei, an agent of Today, adding that they call for a complete system including central kitchen, logistics and information technology, and the investment for such stores is always much higher than traditional ones.

Changsha's rapid economic development and urban construction are major reasons for the surging number of convenient stores in the city. "The number of 24-hour convenient stores to some extent reflects the economic development of a city," said Hu Zijing, chairman of the board of Friendship & Apollo, who owns the franchise rights of 7-11 stores in Hunan province.

Figures from China Chain Store & Franchise Association showed that the turnover of convenient stores across China grew by 15.2 percent last year, much higher than that of the supermarkets and department stores.
An actress who appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger is facing a second-degree murder charge after police say she fatally stabbed her mom inside her Kansas home last month.

Mollie Fitzgerald, 38, was behind bars in Johnson County on Wednesday, a day after her arrest in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City, according to online jail records. Her bail was set at $500,000, with an arraignment scheduled for Thursday.

Fitzgerald allegedly attacked her 68-year-old mom Patricia Tee Fitzgerald before the womans body was found in her Olathe home Dec. 20, the Kansas City Star reported.

The mother recently returned to the Kansas City area after living several decades in Texas with her lawyer husband, the womans brother Gary Hunziker, 72, told the Star.

We were shocked, he told the newspaper. It doesnt matter the circumstances. The loss of a sister is what its all about.

Mollie Fitzgerald played a Stark Girl in Captain America: The First Avenger, the 2011 blockbuster that grossed $177 million in the U.S., according to IMDB.com.

for everyone seeing mollie fitzgerald was in captain america and wondering who, she was the assistant lady at the stark expo pic.twitter.com/8Kw6AcNN9O  elijah  (@cherrystan_) January 2, 2020

Being a part of this production has been one of the best experiences of my life, Fitzgerald reportedly told a comic book publication in 2011.

A funeral for Patricia Fitzgerald was set for Friday, according to her online obituary.

"Captain America" actress arrested in connection with her mother's murder https://t.co/tBZNL7JQHh pic.twitter.com/wgAMKKybRI  Variety (@Variety) January 2, 2020

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) spawned the sequels titled Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and Captain America: Civil War (2016), but Fitzgerald was not in either of them.

Her credits also including writing, producing and directing several films, including 2011s The Lawful Truth which featured Captain America: The First Avenger director Joe Johnston in the cast.

By Nancy Dillon, New York Daily News
SRINAGAR: Iltija Mufti, daughter of incarcerated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday claimed that she had been detained at her Gupkar Road residence in Srinagar, blocking her visit to her grandfather Mufti Muhammad Sayeeds grave in Anantnag district.

Though the police said that Iltija was not detained, they refused her permission to visit Sayeeds grave at a short notice, the sources said that she was not allowed to move out of her Srinagar home on Thursday.

This correspondent saw a police vehicle placed at the main entrance to block the access.

Iltija said over the phone that her detention reveals the governments nervousness in dealing with the dissent and also negates its claim that situation in the Valley has returned to normal.

She said that she wanted to pay obeisance at her grandfathers grave ahead of his fifth death anniversary falling on January 7 and oversee the preparations being made for the event. She said over the phone, I have been detained here. I am not being permitted to leave this place nor is any one allowed to enter.



The Peoples Democratic Party has filed an application before Anantnags district court seeking permission for holding a prayer meeting near Sayeeds grave on his death anniversary.

Additional director general of police (law and order and security) Munir Khan rejected claims that Iltija has been detained. He said, The Anantnag police did not give clearance to her visit. She is among the people protected by the Special Services Group (SSG) and if such a person plans to visit any place, clearance from the local police is needed.

The officer said that Iltija, earlier during the day, informed the police about her intention to visit her grandfathers grave in Bijbehara and that the Anantnag police could not give its clearance on such a short notice. But Iltija accused the police officer of lying to media.

The matter of the fact is that he asked my driver and other staff members and even my (police) personal security officer not to come to my residence today. I have been in the Valley for over a week and was being allowed to move around only after I would inform the security team at our residence about my day plan. Today I was told that I need to get prior permission from the police if I want to come out of my home even for five minutes, she said.

The authorities are unlikely to grant the PDP permission to hold a rally or even a large prayer (fateha) meeting at the grave of its patrol Sayeed.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) holds a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Dec. 9, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Graham: Iranian Gen. Soleimani Is Dead Because He Miscalculated Trump

The reason why Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed by U.S. forces on Thursday was because of attacks he was planning against Americansnot because of attacks he carried out in the past, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Friday.

Soleimani, who headed the powerful Quds Force in the Revolutionary Guards, was killed in an airstrike in Baghdad, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. The Pentagon said it was taken as a decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel after it learned Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

The intelligence was that Soleimani was orchestrating chaos in Iraq at our expense and throughout the region, Graham, a top ally of President Donald Trump, told Fox News. The president was informed of these potential attacks and he acted. This was a defensive strike to neutralize future attacks that were planned and executed by Soleimani and the popular mobilization front: the Shiite militias in Iraq.

Trumps administration acted to prevent holy hell in the Middle East that would have been uncorked if Soleimani were allowed to act.

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)

Hes not dead today because of what he did in the past, hes dead today because he miscalculated what President Trump would do regarding future attacks, said Graham.

Trump, he said, should make it now clear to Iran and its supreme leader that any future attack will put its oil refineries at risk. Iran is one of the worlds top exporters of oil.

Their oil refineries are the last thing they have in terms of an economy, Graham said. To the Iranian government: If you want to stay in the oil business leave America and our allies alone and stop being the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, he added.

Graham, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, suggested that he would go a step further.

They are going to come after us with a vengeance if we do not reset the table quickly, Graham said. And, if I were the president, I would put on the table targets in Irannot Iraq and Syria. Economic targets that crush the economy.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote it was Trumps decision to eliminate Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives.

Responses

Following the generals death, countries heavily involved in the Middle East urged for de-escalation.

Britain Foreign Minister Dominic Raab on Friday called on all parties to de-escalate, adding that further conflict is in none of our interests.

Ulrike Demmer, a German government spokeswoman, said the United States was just reacting to Iranian provocations.

The American action was a reaction to a series of military provocations for which Iran is responsible, she told reporters at a press conference. We also see with great concern Irans activities in the region. We stand before a dangerous escalation, she added. Germany will try to de-escalate the situation, she said.

Russia, which has strengthened ties with Iran amid fighting in Syria, condemned the killing of Soleimani and offered condolences to the Iranian people after his death.

Meanwhile, several top Democrats in Congress said they were not informed of the strike ahead of time.

The Administration has conducted tonights strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran, Pelosi said in a statement. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he also wasnt informed.

If [the president] plans a large increase in troops and potential hostility over a longer time, the administration will require congressional approvaland the approval of the American people, Schumer said on the Senate floor on Friday.
Modi stressed that the protection of religious minorities in neighbouring countries was Indias national responsibility.

Bengaluru / Tumakuru: Facing unprecedented protests against the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday came down heavily on the Opposition Congress and its allies in the country, quipping that the agitators should instead protest against Pakistan for the atrocities against religious minorities in that country in the last 70 years.

Addressing a public gathering at Siddaganga Math in Tumakuru on Thursday, Mr Modi stressed that the protection of religious minorities in neighbouring countries was Indias national responsibility. These religious minorities sought refuge in India. I want to tell them those who are protesting against the CAA that they should first expose Pakistan and its misdeeds before the world if they have the guts, he said.

Criticising the manner in which Opposition parties and non-political organisations are holding protests across the country against the CAA, the PM suggested that those who really want to protest, should organise stirs in favour of Dalits and religious minorities, who have sought refuge in India. From time to time, religious minorities have faced humiliation in Pakistan which has unle-ashed atrocities on Hin-dus, Sikhs and Christ-ians, forcing thousands of them to take shelter in India. But the Congress and its friends have not uttered a single word against Pakistan, Mr Modi remarked.

The PM also raised the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution withdrawing special status to Jammu and Kashmir and said the government is committed to neutralise terrorism in the country. The abrogation of

Article 370 was an effort to remove the fear of terror and uncertainty in the minds of people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said adding that the government is firm on ushering in development in the Valley.

The Prime Minister was speaking after paying tribute to Shivakumara Swamiji, prominent Lingayat pontiff of Siddaganga Math, who died in January, 2019.
PHOENIX, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Many people have heard of Oskar Schindler thanks to Steven Spielberg's 1993 movie Schindler's List. But few have heard of Frans and Mien Wijnakker, who like Schindler, were recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. They were Christians who risked their lives to save at least two dozen Jews in southern Holland during World War IIeven performing a miracle to get a baby safely born.

Marty Brounstein Two Among the Righteous Few

Based in San Mateo, Calif., Marty Brounstein is a storyteller and author who has been crisscrossing the country for nine years to deliver more than 725 presentations about the Wijnakkers' extraordinary courage and compassion. They are the subject of his book Two Among the Righteous Few.

At a time when acts of hate and intolerance are rearing their ugly heads in the U.S., audiences around the county have responded with great enthusiasm to this inspirational story and the positive messages it has for people's lives today. Among the most receptive of these audiences have been those in the Valley of the Sun. Thus, Brounstein returns to the Phoenix area for a ninth straight winter to touch more people with the Wijnakkers' special story. Brounstein also has a meaningful personal connection that adds to the inspirational value of this story which he reveals in his engaging storytelling presentations. SPOILER ALERT: For without the help of the Wijnakker couple that miracle baby would not be here today. She happens to be his wife, Leah Baars.

Here is the lineup of the five public storytelling presentations in the Phoenix area for winter 2020:

On Jan. 22 , Brounstein will give the first of the presentations at Dobson High School at 7 p.m. at 1501 W. Guadalupe Rd. in Mesa .

, Brounstein will give the first of the presentations at Dobson High School at at 1501 W. Guadalupe Rd. in . The next talk will be at 2 p.m. on Jan. 26 at Chandler Public Library, 22 S. Delaware Street in Chandler .

on at Chandler Public Library, 22 S. Delaware Street in . On Feb. 11 , he will give a 7 p.m. presentation at West Valley Christian Fellowship Church, following a potluck dinner that begins at 6 p.m. The church is at 12649 N. 105 th Ave., Sun City .

, he will give a presentation at West Valley Christian Fellowship Church, following a potluck dinner that begins at The church is at 12649 N. 105 Ave., . He will also be the keynote speaker at the Stepping Stones of Hope fundraising event on Feb. 23 at 2:30 p.m. The event is being held at First United Methodist Church at 5610 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix . Tickets for that event are $10 for adults and $5 for students. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Diane Raden at [email protected] .

at The event is being held at First United Methodist Church at 5610 N. Central Ave. in . Tickets for that event are for adults and for students. To purchase tickets in advance, contact at . Brounstein's last public appearance will be March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Rd. in Phoenix .

In addition to his public appearances, Brounstein will visit some school classrooms to engage in book discussions with students and will present his "Making a Positive Difference" program at City of Tempe and City of Goodyear.

Brounstein was a management consultant who has written eight books related to business management. Two Among the Righteous Few is his ninth book. His work with the book led to him being a recent recipient of the Jefferson Award from the organization Multiplying Good. Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis was one of the founders of the organization that recognizes individuals who perform acts of public service. Brounstein has appeared on NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates in San Francisco, Catholic TV in Boston and WGN-TV and WGN Radio in Chicago.

Contact: Marty Brounstein, (650) 341-8001; [email protected]; www.MartyABrounstein.com

SOURCE Marty Brounstein

Related Links

http://www.MartyABrounstein.com


An assistant commandment rank officer of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has sent a legal notice to Jharkhand Police's senior officials and sought an unconditional public apology for allegedly concealing the truth, defamation and mental harassment.

Rahul Solanki who is deployed as the Assistant Commandant in 222 battalion claimed that senior officials of Jharkhand, including Inspector General Navin Kumar Singh, IPS Jharkhand Police, gave a false report to media houses without investigating the matter.

Advocate Abhinav Garg, who is representing Solanki, has sought a public apology in writing from the officials for defamation, mental harassment, compromising the safety and security of CRPF jawans, causing loss to the government exchequer and giving false information to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Commandant Solanki had earlier claimed that the troops after finishing their duty during the Jharkhand elections on December 7 were not even provided with any local assistance and were given "animal-like treatment" by the civil authorities.

There was no arrangement for drinking and cooking water and other basic necessities. The civil authorities affected "the dignity and honour" of the jawans when they reached Ranchi on Sunday after covering a distance of 200 km, including 17 km on foot.

Solanki further stated that as the commanding officer, it was his duty to pacify his jawans and to inform the higher authorities about the ill-treatment meted out to them.

However, on December 10, 2019, Solanki's duty was changed and he was directed to report back at unit Head-Quarter [Bijapur in Chhattisgarh] with immediate effect. He was asked to hand over the charge to an Inspector rank subordinate officer and the next day, a news report was published with headline "CRPF officer complaining of chaos was removed from election duty".

The CRPF official further alleged that the Inspector General concealed the facts about the incident and provided false information to media houses about the investigation.

He further stated that senior officials of Jharkhand police jeopardised the security of 80 CRPF Jawans by disclosing their commander's personal details like his name and hotel details, including his room number.

The disclosure of these details not only violated the right to privacy of an individual but was also highly irrelevant with the matter in issue, he claimed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Rajasekhar has clarified that he has no misunderstanding or fight with actor Chiranjeevi over issues in Movie Artist Association (MAA) after reports emerged that both had at war of words at an event on Thursday. The actor has, however, resigned from MAA.

On Thursday, Chiranjeevi and Rajasekhar exchanged verbal blows at the programme which was organized to launch the 2020 diary of MAA. An argument broke out between actors K Chiranjeevi and Rajasekhar after Chiranjeevi, who is the founding president of MAA, said that differences of opinion among MAA members should be sorted out peacefully, without making the issues public or creating controversies.

Rajasekhar, who has been the executive vice-president of MAA, snatched the microphone from actor-screenwriter Paruchuri Gopala Krishna and launched into an argument with Chiranjeevi and asked why members should not express their opinions freely. As per a report by Indian Express, Rajasekhar said: If there are small fires in MAA, efforts should be made to put them out immediately instead of allowing them to grow bigger. If there are differences of opinion among the members, they should be discussed and addressed instead of being told to keep quiet. In films, we as heroes speak out against issues. In real life, why should we keep quiet? The problems I am having in MAA are causing problems within my family, and I also met with a car accident recently due to the tensions in MAA. Following Rajasekhars comment, Chiranjeevi requested that disciplinary action be taken against the Ankusam actor.

Whatever happened today is only between Naresh, Maa and me.

Things aren't right here and I cannot stand aside quietly and watch. There is no misunderstanding or fight between Chiranjeevi Garu, Mohan Babu Garu and Me.

I apologise for any inconveniance caused to our guests!  Dr.Rajasekhar (@ActorRajasekhar) January 2, 2020

But it is high time and I had to speak about it! I have resigned from my post as Executive Vice President. I promise to do whatever I can for the industry on my own. Plz dnt blow up this issue as a personal fight between Mohan Babu garu, Chiranjeevi garu and me.  Dr.Rajasekhar (@ActorRajasekhar) January 2, 2020

I have high respect for both of them and their concern and work towards MAA. Do not project this in any other way.  Dr.Rajasekhar (@ActorRajasekhar) January 2, 2020

Also read | Bigg Boss 13: Rashami Desai touches Mahira Sharmas feet after ugly fight, viewers ask where are your etiquettes

After video clips from the event went viral, Rajasekhar took to Twitter and wrote: Whatever happened today is only between Naresh, MAA and me. Things arent right here and I cannot stand aside quietly and watch. There is no misunderstanding or fight between Chiranjeevi, Mohan Babu and me. I apologize for any inconvenience caused.

He also added that its high time and I had to speak about some things. I have resigned from my post as Executive Vice President. I promise to do whatever I can for the industry on my own. Please dont blow up the issue as a personal fight between me, Chiranjeevi and Mohan Babu.

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The way has been cleared for the first 20 women-only professor-level posts in Irish higher education under a ground-breaking Government initiative.

They represent the initial batch of 45 additional positions being created to redress the gender imbalance in the upper echelons of academia.

The eight universities, including TU Dublin, have each been awarded two of the new female professorships.

Meanwhile, three institutes of technology (IoTs), Carlow, Athlone and Cork, as well as the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DAIS) may appoint one each.

The posts are being shared among the 12 institutions following a competition in which 18 colleges responded to an invitation to apply for up to three positions each, with about 40 submissions in total.

An expert international panel, chaired by Professor Lesley Yellowlees of the chemistry department of Edinburgh University, assessed the applications and made recommendations.

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As well as being judged on the strength of the case made for the post, account was taken of each college's commitment to progressing equality of opportunity for female academics generally.

A Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) was spearheaded by Mary Mitchell O'Connor, the junior minister for higher education, to combat the under-representation of women in senior academic ranks.

Announcing the first 20 posts, Ms Mitchell O'Connor described it as "truly a game-changing moment in Irish academia".

"I am incredibly proud that this intervention will ensure a swifter gender re-balance, addressing the current-representation of women at the highest levels," she said.

A 2018 Higher Education Authority report found that 51pc of university lecturers, but only 24pc of professors, were female, while 45pc of lecturers in IoTs were female, but only 36pc senior lecturer positions were held by females.

Ms Mitchell O'Connor set up a gender equality taskforce, which found that, based on current recruitment and promotion practices, it could take up to 20 years to achieve an average of 40pc females at professor level in universities, and up to seven years to achieve gender balance at the highest career point in the IoT sector.

One of the taskforce's key recommendations was the creation of additional, gender-specific posts, at appropriate levels.

Now that the panel has made its recommendations, the individual colleges can advertise the new roles, which are expected to be in place before the start of the next academic year.

The new posts are being funded over and above the normal Exchequer-paid staffing allocations, with an additional cost this year of 1.5m, growing to 4m in 2021.

Government funding support will continue for a 10-year period.

This is round one of the initiative and there will be further invitations to higher education institutions in 2020 and 2021, with a view to creating the other 25 women-only professorships.
You are here: China

President Xi Jinping Thursday signed a mobilization order for the training of the armed forces, the first order of the Central Military Commission (CMC) in 2020.

Issued by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CMC, the order stressed strengthening military training in real combat conditions.

It also asked the armed forces to maintain a high level of readiness and step up emergency and combat training.

The order required strengthened joint command in training. It also stressed integrating new forces into the joint operations system.

Force-on-force training should also be strengthened and the evaluation system should be improved, according to the order.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 14:10:41|Editor: yhy

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PHNOM PENH, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Former members of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) have filed a request to the Ministry of Interior, asking for the formation of a new political party, a founder of proposed party's said on Friday.

"We submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Interior on Thursday, requesting to open a new party called the Cambodian Nation Love Party (CNLP)," Kheuy Sinoeun, one of the founders of the proposed CNLP, told Xinhua.

He said the ministry will take 15 days to decide whether to allow the proposed CNLP to be opened or not.

"If they allow us to open the CNLP, for the next step, we need to seek 4,000 thumb prints of supporters and to prepare the party's statute and leadership structure, and then file them together to the ministry for the party's formal registration," he said.

At this stage, the ministry will take a month to decide if they agree to formally register the party or not, he added.

Sinoeun said the CNLP aims to unite former opposition members, activists and supporters after the CNRP was dissolved in Nov. 2017 by the Supreme Court and its 118 members were banned from politics for five years.

"The new party will maintain the former CNRP's principles," he said.

He said three former CNRP members Chiv Cata, Kang Kimhak and Sim Sovanny are among the co-founders of the new party and they were previously part of the 118 banned politicians, but later, they had their banned political rights lifted after requesting Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.

According to Sinoeun, former CNRP lawmaker Chiv Cata is temporarily standing in as the new party's chairman.

Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), said the CPP welcomed the proposed new party, saying that it is the people's political right enshrined in the kingdom's constitution.

"As citizens, it is their political right to form a political party," he said.

If successfully registered, the CNLP will be the third party formed by former CNRP members.

The first two are the Khmer Will Party led by Kong Monika, the youngest son of former CNRP adviser Kong Korm and the Khmer Conservatism Party headed by former CNRP lawmaker Real Camerin.

Currently, there are more than 40 political parties in the country, according to the Ministry of Interior.
Australian victims blast PM Morrison

Bushfire victims shouted at Prime Minister at Scott Morrison, called him names and refused to shake his hand until he promised to do more.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison faced enraged hecklers and an angry firefighter in a town ravaged by bushfires, piling pressure on the leader amid an unprecedented crisis that has killed at least 18 people.

A firefighter refused to shake Morrisons hand when he visited the town of Cobargo in New South Wales state on Thursday.

"YOURE AN IDIOT"

Video footage showed Morrison tried to grab the mans hand, who then got up and walked away, sparking an apology from the prime minister. A local fire official explained that the man had lost his house while defending others homes.

Australian victims blast PM Morrison WATCH

Another man blasted Morrison for watching fireworks over Sydney Harbour from his official waterfront mansion, Kirribilli House, while fires raged further south on New Years Eve. You wont be getting any votes down here, buddy. Youre an idiot, the man shouted. I dont see Kirribilli burning after the fireworks, he screamed.

Morrison said on Friday he didnt take the attacks personally. I just see it as a sense of frustration and hurt and loss and anger that is out there about what is the ferocity of these natural disasters, he told reporters in Bairnsdale in eastern Victoria state. And I understand that, and we will seek to provide that comfort and support in whatever way we can, he said.
The Russian foreign ministry has condoled the death, warning this will exacerbate tensions in the entire region.

Serious consequences are inevitable following the assassination of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of Al Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the moving spirit behind Irans success in beating the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda and stabilising the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria, in an American drone strike at Baghdad airport early on Friday morning. India has to seriously consider the fate of the six million-plus Indians in the Gulf countries and the impact of instability on oil prices and Indias trade.

A White House statement attributed the escalation directly to US President Donald Trump. It has evoked disparate reactions. The Iranians have vowed vigorous revenge, as Gen. Soleimani was adored by the Iranian masses with his posters adorning Tehrans public spaces. Even more, it constitutes an escalating process of animosity between the United States and Iran, after President Trumps withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran on becoming President in 2016. The present tit-for-tat cycle began with the US attack on the camps of Kataib Hezbollah, the Iran-supported militia in Iraq and Syria on December 27. Iran retaliated by unleashing its surrogates in Iraq on the US embassy in Baghdad. The US followed with Soleimanis assassination.

The Russian foreign ministry has condoled the death, warning this will exacerbate tensions in the entire region. The Quds Force having been designated as a terrorist organisation by the US, the Democrats have been ambivalent in their reaction. Terming it legally tenable, they have warned of severe repercussions. Many on the social media tweeted New York Times front page of December 17, 1998, when President Bill Clinton unleashed air attacks on Iraq, for lack of cooperation with UN inspectors probing weapons of mass destruction, just as Mr Clintons impeachment process was reaching the Senate. By implication Mr Trump, who is also under impeachment, is creating a similar distraction.

India did not react immediately, even though old-timers recall close cooperation with Gen. Soleimani to stymie the Taliban in 1990s and bolster common Indo-Iranian ally Ahmad Shah Masood, the feisty leader of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. During a rare meeting I had with the IRGC commander in 2005, while I was Indias ambassador to Iran, I met Soleimani, who was present. But his fame rose after US President Barack Obama realised there was no countering ISIS, which burst into prominence with the overnight capture of Mosul in Iraq in June 2014, without Irans active cooperation. The Islamic Caliphate had literally overnight seized northern parts of Syria and Iraq. The Gulf sponsors of Sunni forces like the Emiratis, Saudis and Qataris only worsened the sectarian fighting by sponsoring different shades of radical groups. The nuclear deal with Iran by the P-5 plus Germany, christened the Joint Comprehensive Programme of Action (JCPOA), was the starting point of ushering Iran back into normal ties with the

US and the West. Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, however, resented the outreach. Iran rolled back the ISIS, with the Russians jumping in to provide military supplies and air support, and the Assad government stabilised. The outcome was the strategic ascendancy of Iran in the entire West Asian region denied to them as long as Saddam Hussein controlled Iraq. The Shia-Sunni contest thereafter stretched from Syria to Bahrain and Yemen.

President Trump, on taking office in 2017, reversed his predecessors strategic shift and ended up exacerbating the existing Shia-Sunni divide and creating a split even among Sunnis, with Qatar and Turkey not opposing Iran. Iraq became the battlefield of a new struggle for influence between Iran and Americas Gulf allies. Today that contest has entered a new and more dangerous phase, as an economically beleaguered and sanctioned Iran has become more risk-prone and aggressive. Since the attack apparently sponsored by Iran on Saudi Arabias biggest oil processing facility, Americas red lines were getting tested. The bombing of some oil tankers was another provocation. But in the past week Mr Trump, cornered domestically, has shown a desire to gamble with aggressive action. He rushed 4,000 troops to Iraq after the attack on the US embassy. The US had probably been shadowing Soleimani for some time and saw his hand in the attack on its Baghdad mission. In any case, months of public protests against the incumbent

Iraqi government and Iranian influence, in which many people were killed by the ruthless use of force by Iran-linked militias, were seen by Iran as US and Saudi meddling.

The situation is particularly volatile as Iran is now cornered. If it doesnt respond in kind and swiftly, its influence in the region will wane as its surrogates will sense an Iranian climbdown. Any assessment of the likely Iranian revenge must be prefaced by the thought that Soleimani and the IRGC faction supporting him may have gone beyond red lines of risk set by Supreme Leader Ali Khameini. He was being talked about as a possible candidate for the presidency in 2021, after the Parliament elections this year. As a popular figure, seen as restoring Iranian hegemony over West Asia as in the Achaemenid empire (553 BC-330 BC), he could have been a Napoleon-like figure who could threaten the whole order. However, abroad, he may be more powerful in his death than when alive.

The Iranian counter-move will emerge in next few days or weeks. President Trump appears to have now reached his Balakot moment. But between now and the November 2020 US elections, Iran is capable of inflicting a heavy cost on America and its Gulf allies. Thus, its not surprising UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed landed in Pakistan, which suddenly becomes a critical factor, being the only Islamic nation with nuclear weapons. India may discover that survival may be a more effective motivator than all the cajolements India can offer to the UAE and Saudis. Indias silence will sour our ties with Iran. Any criticism, however mild, or anodyne incantations of peace may be seen negatively by the US and its allies. In any case, India stands to lose if the situation exacerbates, with an Iranian revenge attack on the US or any US-supported military asset. The contest is between Iran and the US, the reigning superpower. The difference is that Shia Iran revels in martyrdom, like the Vietnamese. Are Americans ready for more blood-letting in an election year?
Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is looking to monetise its pipes and storage infrastructure via special purpose vehicles (SPVs) or subsidiaries, the Times of India reported.

These would then offer private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) companies a portion of the stake in the SPVs to gain funds, sources told the paper, adding that IOC's top management and Oil Ministry officials are discussing the same.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.

If implemented, IOC would likely employ the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) model, which it successfully undertook for its Paradip refinery tank farm facility in Odisha.

PE and VC funds would likely evince interest in IOCs assets as they offer assured returns and a quick exit option, an executive told the paper.

The funds raised would be used to expand operations and reduce borrowings, which will in turn raise profits and shareholder dividends.
Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus as talks on strengthening economic ties remained stalled over concerns that Russia could effectively swallow up its neighbour.

In a case that has echoes of Russia's relationship with Ukraine before it annexed the Crimean Peninsula, Belarus' state-owned oil company said Friday that Moscow has stopped supplying crude until contracts for this year are drawn up.

Belarus' two main refineries were operating at low capacity, running on reserves.

Russian oil company Transneft confirmed the suspension, which does not affect oil transit to Europe or the supply of natural gas.

Belarus relies on Russia for more than 80 per cent of its overall energy needs, including gas.

Over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports come from Russia. And it has been has been relying on discounted prices and loans from Russia for more than a quarter century.

But it has one point of leverage: Russia depends on Belarus to ship oil to wealthier markets in the rest of Europe.

About 10 per cent of Western Europe's oil supplies come from Russia, via a pipeline transiting Belarus.

The Kremlin has recently increased pressure on its ally, raising energy prices and cutting subsidies.

It argues that Belarus should accept closer economic integration if it wants to continue receiving energy resources at Russia's domestic prices.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held two rounds of talks in December, but failed to reach an agreement on deeper integration and on oil and gas prices.

Putin said Russia was not ready to subsidise energy supplies without a closer economic integration with Belarus, and Lukashenko insisted he would not sign off on the integration until the issues with oil and gas supplies were resolved.

In late December, Lukashenko ordered his government to look for alternative oil suppliers, though in practice that will be difficult considering the country's near-total reliance on Russia.

There are concerns in Belarus that the economic discussions are a plot by Russia to swallow up Belarus.

Those concerns have been fuelled by Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and its support for separatist insurgents in eastern Ukraine.

Before relations soured completely with Ukraine, Russia had likewise used energy supplies as political leverage to keep the country in its economic orbit and from developing closer ties with Europe.

There also has been speculation that Putin, who has been in power for nearly two decades, could contemplate a merger with Belarus as a way to stay at the helm of the new union state of Russia and Belarus after his current Russian presidential term expires in 2024.

Lukashenko repeatedly rejected the idea, vowing that his country would never become part of Russia.

Russia has started to strong-arm Minsk by trying to get Belarus' Soviet-style economy off its oil needle, but Lukashenko is fighting really hard, as he doesn't want to become a Russian governor, said Alexander Klaskovsky, a Minsk-based political analyst.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday asserted that peace was returning to the Kashmir Valley after the Centres move in August revoking special status to the region, but Pakistan-backed terrorists were making infiltration attempts every day.

General Naravane is expected to visit the Siachen glacier next week on his first outstation tour after becoming the army chief on December 31.

Terror activity and stone-pelting have reduced drastically. The law-and-order situation is improving and we expect it to improve furtherThere are 200-250 terrorists waiting to cross over into J&K. Infiltration attempts are being made every day, but we are thwarting them, Naravane told reporters.

The army chief said that the September 2016 surgical strikes against terror pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, followed by the February 2019 bombing of a terror facility in Pakistans Balakot, sent out a strong message to the neighbour that India can take down terror infrastructure and launch pads and you cannot operate with impunity.

Asked to comment on what Indias surgical strikes achieved given that the Balakot terror facility has been reactivated, the army chief said even when a target is destroyed during war, it is later reconstructed. We destroyed it. They have reactivated it. A lot of destruction happened thereThey will show restraint before taking escalatory action, Naravane said.

He said 20 to 25 terror camps were active across the LoC but their numbers and location kept fluctuating. We are keeping a constant watch, he said.

Asked how far India had pushed the nuclear threshold after Balakot, Naravane said, Nuclear weapons have been a good deterrence. Thats where their role ends. On two or three occasions, we have carried out operations without letting the nuclear portion come into play.

Asked to weigh in on a debate over the politicisation of the army, Naravane said the force had been apolitical since Independence and would continue to remain so. I dont know where these apprehensions are coming from, but I totally disagree, he said.

The outgoing chief and Indias first chief of defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said that the job of the military was to stay away from politics - just days after he triggered a controversy by condemning those leading public protests in comments widely seen as aimed at the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act, or CAA, protests raging across India. We (army) keep ourselves away from politics. We work on the directives of government, Rawat said.

General Naravane has taken over as army chief at a time the armed forces are facing a fund crunch that could hit weapons procurement. He said only a finite amount of resources were available for allocation to different government departments.

Within allocated resources, we need to be efficient and synergise the requirements of the armed forces. We have to pool our resources and make our money work better for us, he said, adding that Indias military expenditure seemed small at 2% of the gross domestic product but if the country became a $ 5 trillion economy, that percentage would be a lot.

Breaching the $5 trillion economy mark by 2024 is one of the key targets of the Modi government.

On the situation along the Line of Actual Control with China, he said the army needed to be firm without being aggressive.

Without being aggressive, you can assert your legitimate claims. It doesnt mean upping the ante or creating friction pointsIn that sense, we have to be firm about what is it that we want as far as resolution of the boundary question is concerned.

He said the creation of integrated battle groups (IBGs) that can be mission deployed swiftly -- a crucial component of the armys ongoing restructuring drive -- will make theaterisation easier. He said the conversion of corps-sized formations into the IBG format would take some time but good progress was being made. Once the government sanction comes, the transition could take 12 to 18 months, he said.

The army chief said there was scope for cutting down military pageantry and the three services need to be more professional in their approach and not get carried away by ceremonies where they were not required. An investiture ceremony has to have flags flying but red carpets are not needed during field firing, Naravane said. He said pageantry was fine on occasions like Republic Day and Army Day but it didnt have to be there during routine activities.

His comments come a day after General Rawat said steps would be taken to do away with infructuous ceremonial activities that are manpower intensive.

Naravane said the plan to set up an air defence command to enhance military synergy and optimally utilise the resources of the armed forces was a good idea. General Rawat, in his first official directive as CDS, on Thursday asked top officials of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff to prepare a proposal to create an air defence command.

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Last month, the NCLAT set aside the RoC decision allowing conversion of Tata Sons into a private company.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Corporate Affairs on Friday told the company law appellate court that it did not commit any illegality in granting permission to convert Tata Sons  the holding company of the $110 billion salt-to-software conglomerate  into a private company.

The submission was made before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) during the course of hearing on a petition filed by Registrar of Companies (RoC) that seeks modifications in the tribunal's 18 December 2019 judgment reinstating Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of Tata Sons.

A two-member bench of the NCLAT headed by Chairman Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya, which reserved its order on the RoC's petition, said it will clarify that the 18 December judgement does not cast aspersions on the RoC and indicated that its order is likely to come on Monday next week.

Last month, the NCLAT set aside the RoC decision allowing conversion of Tata Sons into a private company.

During the proceedings on Friday, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) said it was only discharging its duty and has not committed any illegality in the conversion of Tata Sons from a public company to a private company.

Director Prosecution, representing the MCA, informed the appellate tribunal that after amendment in 2015, there is no such requirement of any minimum prescribed share capital for conversion of companies from public to private ones.

"Nothing has been prescribed. There is no requirement. This has been done for ease of doing business," said the MCA official.

The MCA also said that RoC Mumbai was "duty-bound" to change the status, over such a request and there was no hurry from its part in the conversion of Tata Sons from a public to a private company.

However, on this, the bench said, "Hurry was not from your part. It was from their own part (Tata).

"Your help was in that... hurriedly changed with the board of directors" said the NCLAT.

Further, the appellate tribunal said the RoC cannot challenge its finding observations in the judgement before it.

"You are challenging the finding observation (of 18 December judgement). You go and challenge it before the Supreme Court. Your action challenging is prejudicial," said the NCLAT.

The appellate tribunal also clearly told the MCA that it was not making any aspersions against the RoC.

"We are not making any aspersions against you. These are our findings. We are not saying anything malafide against you. Your apprehensions are unfounded," said the NCLAT, "You can't ask for a change for just seeking a change".

Going a step further, the NCLAT also observed, "Your arguments seem that you are arguing for a company... You are arguing as a mouthpiece of a company. Don't plead like that".

NCLAT Member (Judicial) Justice Bansi Lal Bhat, who was also part of the two-member bench, observed, "This is for the first time we are seeing that a director prosecution is acting like defence".

On 18 December, the NCLAT directed the Tata group to reinstate Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of Tata Sons.

Tata Sons and Ratan Tata have separately moved the Supreme Court against the NCLAT order.

In its order passed on 18 December, NCLAT termed the appointment of N Chandrasekaran, as "illegal" following the October 2016 sacking of Mistry as Tata Sons' executive chairman. It had also directed the RoC to reverse Tata Sons' status from a 'private company' to a 'public company'.

The appellate tribunal had also quashed the conversion of Tata Sons  the principal holding company and promoter of Tata firms  into a private company from a public one and had termed it as "illegal".

It had said the action taken by the RoC to allow the firm to become a private company was against the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, and 'prejudicial' and 'oppressive' to the minority member (Mistry camp).

In an urgent application, which was mentioned on December 23, RoC Mumbai had asked the appellate tribunal "to carry out requisite amendments" of its judgement "to correctly reflect the conduct of the RoC Mumbai as not being illegal and being as per the provisions of the Companies Act".

In its plea, the RoC, which functions under the MCA, sought to be impleaded as a party in the two petitions and deletion of the words "illegal" and "with the help of the RoC" used by the NCLAT in its judgement.

Besides, it also urged the tribunal "to delete the aspersions made regarding any hurried help accorded by the RoC Mumbai to Tata Sons, except what was statutorily required" in para 181 of the order.

The RoC also said it has acted in "bonafide manner" in converting the status of Tata Sons as "there was no stay granted by this appellate tribunal on the operation of the judgement dated 9 July 2018, of Mumbai, NCLT, at the time when this intimation was filed by Tata Sons Ltd".

Months after Mistry was sacked, Tata Sons received its shareholders' nod in September 2017, to convert itself into a private limited company from a public limited company, thereby absolving it of the need to take shareholder consent in taking crucial decisions, which could be passed with just the board's approval.

Tata Sons was initially a 'private company', but after insertion of Section 43A (1A) in the Companies Act, 1956, on the basis of average annual turnover, it assumed the character of a deemed 'public company' with effect from 1 February 1975, the order said.
RICHMOND, MI  Hackers demanded that a Michigan school district pay $10,000 in bitcoin in order to restore access to its server.

Richmond Community Schools were scheduled to reopen from winter break on Thursday, Jan. 2 but had to postpone due to a hacking incident that occurred on their server, according to FOX 66.

The schools IT department noticed the hack had occurred on Dec. 27.

The department immediately shut down the server and made sure that the back-up servers had not been compromised. Hackers locked out the school district from accessing their server.

There was a ransom that asked the school to pay $10,000 in bitcoin to restore access to the server, according to the school district.

The server is expected to be back up and running, virus-free, in time for school to resume on Monday.
The discovery of multi-messenger nanoprobes allows scientists to simultaneously probe multiple properties of quantum materials at nanometer-scale spatial resolutions. Credit: Ella Maru Studio

Researchers at Columbia University and University of California, San Diego, have introduced a novel "multi-messenger" approach to quantum physics that signifies a technological leap in how scientists can explore quantum materials.

The findings appear in a recent article published in Nature Materials, led by A. S. McLeod, postdoctoral researcher, Columbia Nano Initiative, with co-authors Dmitri Basov and A. J. Millis at Columbia and R.A. Averitt at UC San Diego.

"We have brought a technique from the inter-galactic scale down to the realm of the ultra-small," said Basov, Higgins Professor of Physics and Director of the Energy Frontier Research Center at Columbia. Equipped with multi-modal nanoscience tools we can now routinely go places no one thought would be possible as recently as five years ago."

The work was inspired by "multi-messenger" astrophysics, which emerged during the last decade as a revolutionary technique for the study of distant phenomena like black hole mergers. Simultaneous measurements from instruments, including infrared, optical, X-ray and gravitational-wave telescopes can, taken together, deliver a physical picture greater than the sum of their individual parts.

The search is on for new materials that can supplement the current reliance on electronic semiconductors. Control over material properties using light can offer improved functionality, speed, flexibility and energy efficiency for next-generation computing platforms.

Experimental papers on quantum materials have typically reported results obtained by using only one type of spectroscopy. The researchers have shown the power of using a combination of measurement techniques to simultaneously examine electrical and optical properties.

The researchers performed their experiment by focusing laser light onto the sharp tip of a needle probe coated with magnetic material. When thin films of metal oxide are subject to a unique strain, ultra-fast light pulses can trigger the material to switch into an unexplored phase of nanometer-scale domains, and the change is reversible.

By scanning the probe over the surface of their thin film sample, the researchers were able to trigger the change locally and simultaneously manipulate and record the electrical, magnetic and optical properties of these light-triggered domains with nanometer-scale precision.

The study reveals how unanticipated properties can emerge in long-studied quantum materials at ultra-small scales when scientists tune them by strain.

"It is relatively common to study these nano-phase materials with scanning probes. But this is the first time an optical nano-probe has been combined with simultaneous magnetic nano-imaging, and all at the very low temperatures where quantum materials show their merits," McLeod said. "Now, investigation of quantum materials by multi-modal nanoscience offers a means to close the loop on programs to engineer them."

Explore further Quantum information gets a boost from thin-film breakthrough

More information: A. S. McLeod et al, Multi-messenger nanoprobes of hidden magnetism in a strained manganite, Nature Materials (2019). Journal information: Nature Materials A. S. McLeod et al, Multi-messenger nanoprobes of hidden magnetism in a strained manganite,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41563-019-0533-y
Vaughan Oliver, a British graphic designer whose album covers for the independent record label 4AD became visual accompaniments to influential alternative rock bands like Pixies, the Breeders and Cocteau Twins, died on Sunday in London. He was 62.

His death was confirmed by a spokesman for 4AD, who did not specify the cause.

Mr. Oliver grew up immersed in rock music and intrigued by album cover art. After studying design, he knew that he wanted to make artwork that was a fitting accompaniment to the music on an album.

I always wanted to design sleeves as a kid, he said in an interview with the online magazine Designboom. Record sleeves are ephemeral, and I always wanted to make them more than that.

Mr. Oliver began designing album covers for 4AD after meeting Ivo Watts-Russell, who founded the label with Peter Kent in 1980, at a party in London. He formed a design partnership called 23 Envelope with the photographer Nigel Grierson in 1983. After he parted ways with Mr. Grierson in 1988 he kept working for 4AD, collaborating with Chris Bigg and other artists under the studio name v23.
Former Fox News reporter Courtney Friel says Donald Trump, before he was elected president, asked her to kiss him while they were both married.

Friel discussed the incident in her upcoming book Tonight At 10: Kicking Booze and Breaking News, an excerpt of which was obtained by the New York Daily News.

The 39-year-old didn't specify when the alleged proposition occurred, but it would have likely taken place between 2007 and 2013, the years during which she worked at Fox News.

She also said that Roger Ailes, the late CEO and chairman of Fox News, once told her she was 'the hottest one' at the network.

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Courtney Friel, 39 (left), wrote in her new memoir that she had expressed to Donald Trump (right), before he became president, an interest in being a judge for the Miss USA beauty pageant. He allegedly called her with a proposition

Friel claims Trump invited her to his office to kiss him, but she rebuffed him, noting they were both married. Pictured: Friel, left, and her then-husband Chris Evans at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 64th Los Angeles Area Emmy Awarda, August 2012

Friel was sometimes a fill-in host on the morning show Fox & Friends. Pictured: Friel, left, with her then-husband, undated

Friel said she had expressed an interest in being a judge for the Miss USA beauty pageant, which was owned by Trump from 1996 until 2015 and used to air on NBC.

The real estate mogul allegedly called her office line with a proposition.

'Though he said I couldn't be a judge since I worked at a different network, he did ask me about my career goals and complimented my work at FNC,' Friel wrote in her memoir, according to the Daily News.

'Then, out of nowhere, he said: "You should come up to my office sometime, so we can kiss."'

Friel said she was appalled by his request.

'"Donald," I responded, "I believe we're both married." I quickly ended the call,' she wrote.

'This proposition made it difficult for me to report with a straight face on Trump running for president. It infuriated me that he would call all the women who shared stories of his bold advances liars. I totally believe them,' she states in the book.

She cheekily added: 'At least now I can joke that I could have banged the President - but I passed.'

Friel worked at Fox News for six years, both in their New York bureau and their Los Angeles bureau, sometimes as a fill-in host on the morning show Fox & Friends.

She joined Los Angeles station KTLA in 2013, according to her bio on the station's website.

Friel didn't specify when the event occurred, but she worked at Fox News from 2007 to 2013. Pictured: Friel when she worked at Fox News

At the time of the alleged incident, Friel was married to fellow reporter Carter Evans from 2005 to 2013, and Trump is still married to now first lady Melania Trump. Pictured: Trump, left, and Melania Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, on New Year's Eve 2019

Friel was married to CBS News Los Angeles reporter Carter Evans, with whom she shares two children, from 2005 to 2016.

Evans subsequently married Friel's KTLA colleague Lauren Lyster.

During the time of the alleged incident, Trump would have been married to now first lady Melania Trump.

The news anchor is not the only woman to have accused of sexual misconduct. At least 25 women have reported their own allegations dating back to the 1970s.

Trump and the The White House have denied all claims.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 01:21:41|Editor: yan

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Julian Castro, the only Latino contender for the Democratic Party's nomination to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump this election cycle, said Thursday that he is ending his campaign.

"It's with profound gratitude to all of our supporters that I suspend my campaign for president today," Castro tweeted.

"We've shaped the conversation on so many important issues in this race," he said in a video posted along with the tweet. "But with only a month until the Iowa caucuses and given the circumstances of this campaign season, I've determined that it simply isn't our time."

Castro, 45, formally launched his presidential campaign in January 2019.

A champion of progressive policies, the former housing secretary of the Obama administration and ex-San Antonio mayor has struggled with raising money and has not found his footing in polls.

In a tweet, former Vice President Joe Biden, the front-running Democratic candidate who worked with Castro in the Obama administration, praised him for using his platform "to lift the voices of others."

There are still 14 Democrats in the 2020 presidential primary field after Castro's exit.

According to the latest Economist/YouGov poll, Biden is leading the field comfortably at 29 percent, followed by senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, with 19 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg followed them at 8 percent, the poll showed. Senator Amy Klobuchar sat at 4 percent, while former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, entrepreneur Andrew Yang and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard tied at 3 percent.
Health Minister Simon Harris has launched a blistering attack on anti-abortion protesters outside the National Maternity Hospital, saying their actions were intimidating, sickening and anti-democratic.

He said he would look again at introducing exclusion zones, but admitted that implementing such a law is not straightforward.

How dare you? he said. How dare you turn up to the National Maternity Hospital and try to intimidate women?

Weve heard from women whod miscarried who were asked on the street: Are you going to murder your child? So this was anti-democratic, it was sickening, it was wrong.

Mr Harris was speaking after about 100 people, some carrying crosses, small coffins, and banners, demonstrated outside Holles St hospital for several hours on New Years Day.

Mr Harris said what happened was not legitimate protest, and accused those behind the demonstrations of seeking to intimidate and harass women, their families, and the healthcare staff treating them.

Whats not right and not proper is to gather outside a national maternity hospital and attempts to intimidate and harass women, their partners, and these healthcare staff at turning up to work, he said.

It struck me that the Dail is about 300m away from the National Maternity Hospital. The Department of the Taoiseach is about 300m, my department might be 800m or 900m away.

"Why werent they there? If you want to protest against government policy, off you go. Turn up at the Dail, turn up at the departments.

In relation to the establishment of exclusion zones, Mr Harris said he wants to introduce new laws for them but said it is not a simple process.

I do want to legislate for exclusion zones, he said. Its not that straightforward, though.

Ive obviously met the attorney general on it, and Ive met with the opposition. I met with the Garda commissioner in relation to this. Ive actually sent out a survey to healthcare providers who are providing the service as well.

Mr Harris said there are different ways to give effect to such exclusion zones.

One way they did in Britain that was subject to a legal challenge was a built-in powers for local authorities in relation to exclusion zones, he said.

Theres also the possibility for me to engage with the minister for justice in relation to criminal justice legislation around intimidation and harassment.

So I intend now, when the Dail resumes, to meet with the opposition and finalise the approach were going to take in that regard.

Mr Harris also said he wants to make free contraception available to all women and contraception of their choice.

I intend to move forward with legislation in that regard and 2020 with a view to introduce with us in 2021 on a phased basis.

Responding to the protests on Wednesday, Mary Higgins, a maternal fetal medicine specialist of the National Childrens Hospital at Holles St, said it was very upsetting for patients and their families who had to pass the protests.

Dr Higgins said the protesters gathered directly below the postnatal ward. She added that the protests were very troubling and inappropriate and that patients reported finding the chanting and the saying of prayers very upsetting.

Defending the protest outside the postnatal ward of the maternity hospital, Luke Silke, spokesman for the Students for Life group, said he would fear any move which would seek to limit legitimate protest and such exclusion zones would see that happening.

Mr Silke said the protestors were seeking to save lives and that he and his group would prefer to be standing outside the hospital offering advice to women.

He added that not all pro-life people were represented by the people who protested outside Holles Street.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 23:57:51|Editor: yan

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- China's securities regulator on Friday said the media report of the Shanghai-London Stock Connect program being suspended is not true.

The Shanghai-London Stock Connect program has been operating normally since its launch, said Chang Depeng, spokesperson with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, at a press conference.

Chang said the report does not conform to the truth, citing fact that many domestic enterprises have expressed interests in cross-border listing via the program.

Meanwhile, up to 11 British brokers have completed record filing for Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) conversion deals as of Friday, according to Chang.
The closest Julian Castros presidential campaign came to a breakout moment was during the first Democratic presidential primary debate in June. During a back and forth on immigration, Castro turned to his fellow Texan, former U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke, and said, Beto, you havent done your homework.

That stinging jab was part of a strong and impressive performance that attracted attention and praise from members of the media and viewers who, until then, had mostly ignored or dismissed Castro as the other young Texan running for president. That night, Google Trends showed a 2,400 percent spike in searches of his name during the debate.

But what appeared to be a springboard into the top tier of candidates never gave lift to the former San Antonio mayor and secretary of Housing and Urban Development; he consistently stayed in the 1 percent to 3 percent range of polling and failed to reach the qualifying standards for the November and December debates.

On Thursday, after nearly a yearlong candidacy, Castro suspended his campaign 32 days shy of the first votes in Iowa.

Yet Castro succeeded in ways that cannot be measured in polling or donations but will be gauged in months and years to come. He left the race a more consequential figure than when he entered, a 45-year-old no less in command of the gifts and potential he possessed when hailed as a rising star as the 37-year-old keynoter at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Castro consistently focused on issues such as immigration, police reform, mass incarceration, education, housing and poverty; in so doing, he forced the other candidates to respond. The issue on which he confronted ORourke was Section 1325 of federal immigration law, which makes it a criminal misdemeanor to illegally cross the border into the United States. Castro challenged all the candidates to vow to change it  and they did.

He offered detailed policy papers on these and other issues, including animal rights.

As much as any presidential candidate since Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, Castro used his campaign as a lens to bear witness to people who struggle and suffer on the margins of American life  men, women, and children who hunger for the American dream but who also go hungry.

In widening the range of the nations moral concerns, Castro traveled to Puerto Rico, skid row, Native American reservations, and poor urban and rural areas; through homeless tunnels; and to schools and the U.S.-Mexico border.

He spoke out for the migrant children separated from their families and locked up, for LGBT rights and on the moral imperative to at least discuss reparations, and he refused to let us forget the names of African American victims of police violence. These were names he spoke at his announcement for the presidency in January 2019, and names he spoke in the video announcing his campaigns suspension.

Castros departure as the only Latino in the race, just a few weeks after Sen. Kamala Harris dropped out, means a Democratic slate of candidates once the most diverse assembled by any party is now monochromatic as any past field.

All the remaining candidates are white with the exceptions of Sen. Cory Booker and businessman Andrew Yang, both of whom are also polling in single digits.

In recent weeks, Castro has been critical of presidential primary voting beginning in Iowa and New Hampshire, saying that as two of the whitest states in the country, they are not representative of Democratic Party (or America). This could be dismissed as complaints of a sore loser were it not true. Barack Obama (Iowa twice and New Hampshire once) and Sen. Ted Cruz (Iowa once) are the only candidates of color to win those states.

Also, in this cycle, the Democratic Partys debate requirements of polling and donor metrics have recently deprived Castro and Booker opportunities to make their appeals to prospective voters while allowing a billionaire like Tom Steyer to spend his way on stage. All this points to the need for change. Polling and donor bases are not the only metrics that matter.

Whatever the reasons, Castro was unable to do what he needed to remain in the race, but this is not the end of his story. Hell remain a national figure and important policy voice for decades.

And he may not be away from presidential politics for long. Castro will almost certainly be on the short list for vice president.

If being presidential is knowledgeably answering questions on a wide range of issues, showing thoughtfulness and fluency in presentation, maintaining a measured temperament and confidently engaging with voters, Castro was very much presidential in his campaign.
Everybody wants to try new fashion dresses in order to look trendier than others. A certain number of factors contribute towards making an individual stand out from the rest. One of the biggest factors is perhaps the kind of clothes that are worn. In this 21st century, what we wear speaks a lot about us, just like it did in the ancient times. In this article, we are going to talk about modern African dresses; dresses which will define your high standards as people gawk at you with fascination.

Source: pixoor.ir

In the above picture, the outfit is looking awesome, isnt it? The half sleeves tight-fit dress is suiting her well. Floral designs are always popular in the fashion industry. Fashion designers are coming up with new floral designs every now and then, and some of the prints will impress you. I am pretty sure you will love them. We shared some more awesome pictures of several African dresses, from where you can get some ideas about the fashion sense of the designers and the fashion trends.

Modern African dresses

That joyful yellow dress will unleash your feminine side, just look at how gorgeous the dress looks with its upper cut that give it a fun twist.

Source: pictame.com

The Africa Fashion Week London 2016 was the beginning of the new era of Modern African Dresses. Various eye-catching African designs were presented by the designers from all around the world. In the above picture, the model in the violet tight-fitting outfit is looking gorgeous. Starting from celebrities to common men, everyone was awe struck by the kind of beauty that the African culture possessed. African fashion is a mixture of Asian prints, western style along with some eye-catching colors to produce the best possible designs. For your convenience, we will show you some of the modern African dresses styles below.

READ ALSO: Pictures of head-turning African dress designs (2020)

1. Modern Aso Ebi Style

Source: grab.com.ng

Aso Ebi Style is a traditional style that has originated from the Nigerian Yoruba culture. These types of long full-length outfits are considered as one of the best modern African print wedding dresses available in the market. The designers gave it a completely new look by making in long maxis and gowns that suit African ladies. If you are looking for some modern African bridesmaid dresses, then you can go with the idea mentioned above. This kind of figure-hugging dresses can be worn on various occasions like weddings because of the traditional style it possesses. In case you are not a big lover of bright colors, Aso Ebi dresses are also available in a monotone and nude shade. It is preferably worn with modern gele to look good.

2. Ankara Style

Source: zumi.co.ke

Modern African shorts are popular in the market now. Outfits like this have got the touch of a chic style and are preferred by celebrities and models for various occasions. They can be worn as a casual outfit for a morning brunch or they can turn to a chic dinner outfit with some glamorous accessories. The beauty of this style that it is not only popular in Africa, but even among women from western countries. Below we shared more ideas on modern African fashion styles.

Just imagine yourself in that stunning dress, this outfit will definitely turn heads as you walk through the room

African street style for women

Who would not want that blazer in their wardrobe? That killer look is a must-have.

Source: outfittrends.com

Red on red is never a bad idea, a bold look for the daring women out there. You can either make it casual with some sneakers on, or spice things up with the right heels and make your peers jealous with that modern look.

3. Formal African outfits

The women in sleeveless African dress look amazing. The dress's colors and print are modern and will make you stand out in any crowd. That dress is perfect for an engagement or a wedding party. Go for that look with a natural make up and wow everyone while looking all radiant and trendy.

The designs of African dresses are pretty unique from other outfits. So, if you are planning to dine out somewhere, you can definitely go for such looks. A mermaid-shaped dress like this will highlight your curves and make you look exceptionally beautiful. Also what makes this dress unique is how it does not even need a necklace or much accessories; as the neck line is already attached to it this glittery piece that serve well like a piece of jewelry.

4. Celebrity style African fashion

Apart from vibrant colors that are popular among the African designs, vibrant colors are a great choice if you want to go for a more safer look and still look trendy.

Source: esnontv.com

In case you are looking for wearing any kind of short loose-fitting celebrity outfit, then you should definitely try the formal onesies and the shorts style. You can add designer tops and some shorts or cigarette pants but make sure you carry it well enough to stun the crowd around you.

5. Outfits for curvy women

Source: essence.com

If you have got a curvy figure and in case you are wondering, then you are in the right place. We got some modern African print dresses which will perfectly fit you. However, you must choose your inner wears very carefully and they must fit you so that the next time you go out you can flaunt your curves.

6. Dashiki tops and jackets

Source: oursaviorwfb.org

The dashiki prints are one of the best-looking prints one can come across, it also holds traditional value for African people. Tops and jackets with dashiki prints can be worn by both men and women. For women, the tops go well with leggings and boots. If you are a man, your dress will look good with denim and slippers, moreover, they are very comfortable to wear.

READ ALSO: African fashion styles 2020

7. African dresses for plus size women

Source: ankarashorts.com

To all the plus size women in Africa, whenever you are shopping, it is recommended that you go for Ankara designs which come with necklines. The combination of lace along with Ankara prints will help you to look attractive and beautiful. The plus size women can even go for the dresses where the lace is sewn with sleeves or bodice. You can even wear it for any occasion like a birthday party or dinner.

African attire latest

African fashion has changed over the years, and its not the same as it used to be, for instance. some used to term it as local and exotic. Style has improved over the time and most of the African men spend a lot of money on clothes which are quite expensive and holds the maximum demand in the market. With the modern design coming into play, the dresses look better on them.

African attire dresses and shirts

The African men have got the tendency to express their masculinity by means of outfit that they wear. One of the main influence behind this is the global fashion industry, which has helped a lot to determine how African men select their clothes in boutiques and stalls. African dresses and tops are very demanding in the international market. For the past years, the South African fashion industry has ruled across sub-Saharan Africa. There has been a tremendous growth in the recent times and is known to produce excellent African suits and casual clothes, and also in terms of unisex clothing. Fashion weeks are regularly organized in Johannesburg and Cape Town to make people aware of the latest designs which arrived in the market.

Source: eagleee.com

Lagos is famous among all the other cities when it comes to full-length long formal menswear in Africa. It has also got the highest number of wealthy people than any other towns in Africa. Being the commercial capital, day-by-day it is conquering menswear as well as fashion from South Africa. The clothing produced in Lagos are made in a traditional manner so that it could be used in various occasions, and moreover, the dresses are very attractive and beautiful when compared to their competitors from countries across Africa. The designers from West Africa are best known for their African shirt styles, which helps the men to have varieties. Some of the popular African designers like Kelechi Odu and Mai Atafo are highly skilled and experienced and when it comes to market and demand they are well aware of it.

Source: eagleee.com

Over the past years, the attire designers in Africa have developed their skills a lot though there were many obstacles that they have to face in their way. Today, they are one of the popular designers when it comes to the global market. This wouldnt have been possible if they didnt go according to the market condition. Since, there is a need of fashion in the international market this, in turn, is helping to evolve vibrant markets and also there is sufficient capital inflow which is helping the industries to grow and develop.

Modern African dresses 2020

8. Kitenge

Source: picmog.com

Kitenge dresses are known to be one of the most mind-blowing African designs that you will come across. These types of intense tops are considered one of the best available African dresses tops. To take Kitenge dress to the next level; the designers have produced some complicated designs which amalgam well with the Kitenges which are bright in color. When it comes to African attire, dresses and skirts material kitenge is the best. In case you are wondering which kitenge design you should go for then you dont have to worry, as there are plenty of online pictures from which you can easily select one.

9. Jelabiya

Source: snap361.com

Jelabiya is a popular African full-length-long wear, which is worn mainly by women in the Nile region which is in Egypt and Sudan. This is one of the popular modern African wear styles. It is very much similar to Arabian thawb. Jelabiya can be worn both as a formal and an informal wear. Jelabiya African wear designs are designed well and it's pretty comfortable to wear. Apart from that both men and women can wear Jelabiya, as they are very comfortable to wear during the summer season; these garments help to keep you cool when the temperature exceeds.

READ ALSO: Top trending images of latest African dresses on the Internet

10. African wear Ghana- Ghanaian smock

Source: eagleee.com

Earlier Ghanaian Smock was worn by the men in Ghana, today it is one of the most wanted African designs that people run after in the African market. These dresses are now made for modern women. Superior qualities of materials are used in designing these dresses which makes it the best in class. Generally, strip bands are used in making Ghanaian Smock, which is extracted from strip clothes that are handmade.

11. Kaftan

Source: qqtdd.com

If you are planning for a weekend party then this sleeveless tight-fit kaftan will suit you very well. The lady in the dress is looking cute and beautiful. A head bandana can be an addition to this kind of outfit.

Source: eastessence.co.uk

Kaftan also called as caftan is a kind of African wear for ladies which comes with long sleeves whose length is till ankles. The materials used in making such dresses are usually silk, wool, cotton or cashmere. The above dress is loose-fitting and very comfortable to wear. Its popularity has increased over the years across different cultures in Africa. It is worn as casual wear in some cultures and as a traditional wear in others which symbolize loyalty.

12. Djellaba

Source: biyadina.com

Djellaba is a print dress which can be worn by both men and women. These kinds of dresses are mainly seen in North Africa as djellaba and it is perfect for the kind of weather North Africa has got. The material used in making these dresses is generally wool and cotton at times. This dress comes with a large hood which is used to protect you against sun rays, precipitation, cold winds, sand and other weather condition.

13. Modern African bridesmaid dresses- Aso Oke

Source: steemit.com

Aso Oke, the most popular African design, is mainly worn by Nigerian and Benin people. All the four components of Aso Oke dress are iro a wrapped skirt, gele a head tie, iborun or ipele a shoulder sash. Aso Oke is seasonal and is considered to be one of the best African dresses that you will ever come across. It comes in different bright colors which makes these even more attractive. These days people like to wear non-traditional modern African lace dresses at their wedding. The above dress is the loose-fitting shapeless type.

14. Design of African dresses-Kanga

Source: eagleee.com

Kanga is one of the popular dresses and is mainly found in Larger East Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. One of the features which separate it from the other dresses is the Swahili quotes which are printed on these dresses. In the above picture, the lady in full-length long-sleeveless dress is looking beautiful. These quotes have got beautiful inner meanings and are among the modern African dresses designs.

15. Head Tie

Source: youtube, @JessicaPettway

Here we shared some ideas on head ties and bandannas. If you are planning for outings in the summertime then these will suit you very well on sunny days. Also, wear lightweight jewelry to make your outfit sassy.

Source: blogyourwaytoantarctica.com

This dress is similar to Aso Oke and comes with a head tie and is considered to be one of the flamboyant designs available in the market. These types of dresses will fall under African dresses with modern influence. Out of all the designs in Africa, when it comes to head tie, it is the best. The unique look is designed so that you can wear it in various functions. There are variations in head designs and they can either cover the full head or half part.

That's all on modern African dresses for now, if you like to see more pictures on this be sure to check other articles as well. Follow our website for more articles like this. Stay connected and never miss an update.

Source: YEN.com.gh
Not too long ago, on Nov. 8, 2011, Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev, German Chancellor Angel Merkel, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte participated in an inauguration ceremony for the first of two natural gas pipelines laid in the sea bottom from western Russia along the Baltic States to Germany.

You may have heard of this, known as Nord Stream I. This pipeline could deliver 27.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, equal to about 3.5% of the annual consumption of natural gas in the United States in 2016. A second pipeline of the Nord Stream I system was laid and inaugurated less than a year later on Oct. 8, 2012, doubling the flow to Europe, through Germany. Some readers may recall during a visit to the Nuclear Security Summit Meeting in Seoul, Korea on March 26, 2012, Presidents Obama and Medvedev met. This is where the hot mic moment occurred. Obama said, this is my last election, after my election I will have more flexibility. Medvedev said that he would relay the information back to Vladimir Putin.

Russia then moved to annex Crimea from the Ukraine on or about Feb. 23, 2014. This coincided with the deposing of Russia-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Was it Rahm Emmanuel, Obamas Chief of Staff, and former Mayor of Chicago who said never let a good crisis go to waste in 2012?

Putin wanted to right the wrong that Nikita Kruschev managed in 1954 by giving Crimea to the Ukraine. Annexation was effected on March 26, 2014. Less than two months later, Hunter Biden accepted a position on the Board of Burisma Holdings, a major energy company in Ukraine. His business partner at Rosemount Seneca, Devon Archer, who was a roommate of John Kerrys stepson, Chris Heinz, and a campaign baby bundler for Kerrys unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2004, was also on Burismas board. Were these U.S. citizens who had ties to high level Obama Administration folks a needed conduit? Another prominent name, Aleksander Kwasniewski, former president of Poland, also joined the Burisma board around the same time as Biden and Archer.

The founder of Burisma Holdings, Mykola Zlochevsky, was also the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine from July 2010 until April 2012. Then he became the deputy secretary for Economic and Social Security on the National Security and Defense Council until Russia interfered with Crimea in February 2014, under President Viktor Yanukovych. Zlochevsky was like the fox guarding the henhouse since oil and gas leases were awarded through his department. He fled Ukraine in 2014 and purportedly lives in Monaco.

International oil & gas companies have involved themselves in resource rich Ukraine. For example, Exxon Mobil in partnership with Royal Dutch Shell had leases to explore for offshore gas in the western Black Sea coast of Skifska. There was much promise in the region since Exxon Mobil discovered gas in the Black Sea in nearby Romania. Rex Tillerson was chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil when Russia annexed Crimea. Exxon Mobil had significant plays in Russia, both onshore and offshore as well. Exxon signed eight deals with Russian Oil Company Rosnefts President Igor Sechin in May 2014, a month after the Obama administration placed sanctions on Sechin. This exposed Exxon to $1 billion in losses by the end of 2014. Rex Tillerson was awarded the Russian Order of Friendship medal a year earlier.

If the interpretation of the tea leaves are right, Vladimir Putin wanted to exercise more control of the EUs energy by pushing more than the already-50% of their appetite for natural gas from western Russia. Ukraine was in the way. U.S. oil majors Exxon Mobil and Chevron realized that Ukraine was one of three European countries that allowed fracking for gas and they had substantial reserves. Chevron signed a $10 billion deal with Ukraine to develop the western Ukraine Olesky deposit holding an estimated 3 trillion cubic meters of gas reserves. Burisma had conveniently obtained the leases for a major source of shale gas to be fracked in the eastern Ukraine oblast (state) of Donetsk (estimated to contain about 60% to 70% of Ukrainian gas). Remember the aforementioned relationship between Burisma owner Zlochevsky and former President Yanukovych? Guess who had been a prior governor of the Donetsk Oblast? You guessed right if you said Yanukovych.

From whom has Ukraine received upwards of $3 billion a year? Gazprom has pipelines running through Ukraine and they make these transfer payments to Ukraine for the permission to transmit gas to Western Europe. So what does all of this add up to? Russia seizes a Russian friendly area of Ukraine where most people speak Russian, not Ukrainian. It causes disruption to international oil companies who planned to develop vast resources in eastern Ukraine. In parallel, Gazprom can turn off the gas flow through the existing land-based pipelines in Ukraine since they are about to commission Nord Stream II gas pipelines paralleling the pair of pipelines laid along the Baltic States sea floor to Germany. Transfer payments to Ukraine stops for onshore pipeline transit. That still leaves two other sources of gas. Chevron can frack in the west on their leases. The east is controlled by the Russian annexation of Crimea. So the only remaining source is a backflow from LNG imports to Poland.

Poland announced dropping the procurement of LNG from Russia and supplanted it by LNG exported from the US. However, international agreements would need to be arranged between Poland and the Ukraine to back flow gas to Ukraine until new fracked gas came on line from the Chevron fields. Could that be why Burismas Zlochevsky brought the ex-president of Poland onto his board? Is it possible that Burisma has been the lynchpin to Putins government to further his control of energy to the EU for use as a political tool?

Take a look at the following curve from the USAID website for aid disbursement history to Ukraine:
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- He was a dedicated police officer who turned peoples lives around.

That is how the wife of retired NYPD officer Gunther Schauer described her husband.

He encountered and helped many individuals in need on the job, she said.

"They would come back to him saying, thank you. Now I have a family and a job because of you,  said the wife, who requested her name be withheld from publication.

A 30-year-veteran of the department stationed at the 120 Precinct, Schauer, 78, died in a suspected suicide Thursday, law enforcement sources told the Advance.

He was a wonderful husband and now I dont have him anymore, his wife said.

Schauer retired in 1995 after he was honored by Kevin P. Farrell, then-assistant chief of Patrol Borough Staten Island, according to Advance records.

He loved his job, his wife said.

Schauers death is the last in a tragic trend of suicide among current and former police officers in New York.

A total of 10 active and retired NYPD officers died of suicide in 2019.

Three of those officers were from Staten Island.

Edward Rosa, a retired transit cop, took his own life near the Eltingville Transit Center in September.

Sgt. Terrance McAvoy died on July 18.

Michael Caddy, 29, an officer in the 121st Precinct, died on June 14.

Former NYPD Commissioner James ONeill described the citywide trend as a mental health crisis.

The number of suicides among police officers rose in 2019 nationwide as well, according to Blue H.E.L.P., a non-profit organization that has been tracking suicide numbers in law enforcement since 2016.

The organization verified 225 suicides last year -- more than all other line-of-duty deaths combined, according to USA Today.

The number of officers lost to suicide have consistently been higher than other causes of death, but agencies dont want to talk about it because of the stigma associated with mental health and suicide, the organization wrote in a release on Facebook.
Can Niche OTT Services Survive Without Aggregators?

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Watch the complete presentation from Streaming Media West, OTT202. 2019--The Year of Direct-to-Consumer Video Services?, in the Streaming Media Conference Video Portal.

Read the complete transcript of this clip:

Rob Dillon: Can the niche services survive on their own? Or, do they need to look to prove over some of the other aggregators to get them in front of people to help them with the discovery?

Joe Jorczak: I agree with Mike that niche services can survive. Think about the Anime community right? People who are passionate about their audience about their topic. If there was a service that fits their requirements and it's easy to subscribe, it gives them value of the long term. And the experience overall is--

Jim Long: And if you're that content supplier and I would say this to maybe even Disney. why not still have some stuff on Netflix, right? You know, and if the people want a deep dive into Star Wars and all that, you know where to go: Disney+. I certainly believe, you know, we've learned in this country that, give consumers your content wherever you can find them, and not doing that is like pretending you can predict the future of economics and consumer behavior, which, as far as I know, none of them can do so...

Mike Green: And Joe mentioned Anime, which is actually a good litmnus test for some of this topic because Crunchyroll has been at that for a long time and has been a successful standalone SVOD business. But you know now they're part of Warner Media with Otter, and may be part of HBO Max I'm not sure and at the same time anything that's even really strong in an independent niche maybe gets aggregated and then separately Netflix has added, I think, probably more Anime content than Crunchyroll has. I'm not sure exactly. But do people know Netflix for that? Are people finding it? Is that audience that's passionate about that content finding that need met within Netflix? I mean, what does that mean for those standalones?

Joe Jorczak: Well, and Sony just acquired Funimation and then they just acquired Aniplexity or aggregating that content. But I think if they let those brands live on their own and continue to have that brand identity and connection with our consumers, They can can still succeed. It's when you try to force them into this mold, this corporate umbrella, And wall things off is when they start to run into trouble.

Josette Bonte: I think it's going to be tough for niche OTT video services. To survive and thrive and you need to be very well capitalized. As I mentioned in my introduction, I'm doing some work with European Telecommunications companies that are launching search services and it's really hard, even with deep pockets. The level of market awareness that you have to create, the tremendous amount of marketing. Reaching your consumers is a pretty daunting proposition, which doesn't mean that some won't succeed--and you were mentioning Crunchyroll which is obviously a very, very successful service. Funimation as well. You know if just meet those fans or those communities you were talking about. The service, the services, the LBTG community and that, that has legs as we say in Hollywood.

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The Golden Globes, the booziest and most unpredictable major awards show on television, will be gracing screens Sunday night.

The event, which awards excellence in both film and television, is historically the first big ceremony and gala of the year wherein viewers tune in to watch accolades for the year's best works.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 15:31:50|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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TEHRAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement on Friday that those who assassinated Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), should wait for Iran's severe response, state TV reported.

Khamenei said that the mission of Soleimani and "resistance" will not stop by his death.

All should know that "the resistance movement will continue more strongly, and a definite victory awaits those who fight in this auspicious path."

The criminals who shed the blood of General Soleimani and his companions "should await a tough revenge," he said.

The Iranian leader announced three days of national mourning over Soleimani's death.

On Friday, IRGC confirmed in a statement that Soleimani has been killed in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport.

General Soleimani "was killed today in the air raid of U.S. helicopters," according to the statement.

Also, U.S. Defense Department said it conducted the attack at President Donald Trump's direction as a "defensive action" against Soleimani, who it said was planning further attacks on American diplomats and service members in Iraq.
" " A new study finds psychological differences between those who prefer iPhone and Android smartphones. Dan Sipple/Getty Images

We fancy ourselves a discerning lot. We make quick judgments about people based on how they dress, whether they sport tattoos, and what kind of car  if any  they choose to drive. And now, apparently, it's time to add another category to the list. According to a paper presented at the annual meeting of the British Psychological Society's Social Psychology Section today, a person's choice of smartphone can reflect aspects of their personality.

Researchers at the University of Lincoln's School of Psychology in the U.K. examined personality differences between iPhone and Android smartphone users over two complementary studies. The first examined how people perceive others by asking 240 participants about characteristics they associated with people who use iPhones and people who use Android smartphones. The second study then took the findings from the first and administered personality tests to a group of 530 people who actually use those devices, to ascertain whether perception lined up with reality.

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"This study provides new insights into personality differences between different types of smartphone users," said lead researcher Heather Shaw in a press release. "Smartphone choice is the most basic level of smartphone personalisation, and even this can tell us a lot about the user."

According to the initial inquiry, iPhone users were perceived to be more extroverted, but Android users were perceived as more honest, humble, open and agreeable. However, the second study found that  as many who've butted up against stereotypes could tell you  perception didn't always line up with reality.

So what did differ significantly between choice of phone? Android users tended to express personality traits that indicated a preference to avoid similarity more than iPhone users. And iPhone users tended to place more importance on owning and using a "high-status phone." Some perceptions did align with what the researchers observed: honesty and humility charted higher for people who use Android phones.

The research didn't ask survey participants why they consciously chose their phones, and influences can range from social status pressure to economic constraints. Also, this was a small study of British consumers, and not necessarily reflective of the world at large  for instance, a recent Twitter survey of smartphone users in five Asian countries found an overwhelming preference for phones using Android operating systems. But the University of Lincoln study points toward potential avenues of research useful from both a social science and corporate marketing viewpoint.

"Imagine if we further researched how personality traits relate to the applications people download," said Shaw. "It is becoming more and more apparent that smartphones are becoming a mini digital version of the user, and many of us don't like it when other people use our phones because it can reveal so much about us.

Don't believe that people have a very personal relationship with their phones? Check out this HowStuffWorks Now video to learn more about the curious attachment we feel for our devices:

Now That's Interesting Among this group of British smartphone users surveyed, women were twice as likely as men to use an iPhone.
WAKEFIELD, Mass., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA /OTCQX: CURLF), a leading vertically integrated cannabis operator in the United States, today announced that it has closed on the acquisition of the retail assets of Acres Cannabis ("Acres"). The acquisition consists of Acres' award-winning flagship dispensary in the heart of Las Vegas, adjacent to the Strip, and another dispensary in Ely, Nevada. Curaleaf's operations in Nevada now include two cultivation facilities, two processing sites and two dispensaries located in Las Vegas, with the retail location in Ely expected to open in the second quarter of 2020.

About Curaleaf Holdings

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (CSE: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is the leading vertically integrated multi-state cannabis operator in the United States. It is a high-growth cannabis company with a national brand known for quality, trust and reliability. The company is positioned in highly populated, limited license states, and currently operates in 12 states with 52 dispensaries, 14 cultivation sites and 14 processing sites. Curaleaf has the executive expertise and research and development capabilities to provide leading service, selection, and accessibility across the medical and adult-use markets, as well as in the CBD category through its Curaleaf Hemp brand.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current beliefs of Curaleaf and is based on information currently available to Curaleaf and on assumptions that Curaleaf believes are reasonable, including the ability of the parties to satisfy the conditions to closing of the transactions described above in a timely manner. More particularly and without limitation, this release contains forward looking statements and information concerning Curaleaf's expectations regarding the Acres business, and the anticipated benefits to Curaleaf of the acquisition thereof. 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 Curaleaf to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations; competition; changes in legislation affecting Curaleaf; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals and the other factors identified in Curaleaf's Listing Statement and its other public filings with the Canadian Securities Exchange. In addition, the closing of the transactions described above may not be completed, or may be delayed, if the parties' respective conditions to the closing of the transactions described above are not satisfied on the anticipated timelines or at all. Accordingly, there is a risk that the transactions described above will not be completed within the anticipated time, on the terms currently proposed and disclosed in this press release or at all.

Although Curaleaf has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Curaleaf as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. However, Curaleaf expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

Investor Contact:

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Dan Foley, VP, Finance and Investor Relations

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Tracy Brady, VP, Corporate Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
Oil prices soared to the highest level in more than three months today (Jan 3) after the US killed Major-General Qassem Soleimani, Irans most powerful figure after its supreme leader, in an airstrike in Iraq.

The killing sparked fears that escalating conflict in the Middle East could disrupt global oil supplies.

Brent crude was up 3% or $1.96 a barrel at $68.21, just off the session peak of $69.50 a barrel, highest since the mid-September attack on Saudi oil facilities. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $1.52 or 2.5% at $62.70 a barrel. The session high was $64.09 a barrel, its highest since April 2019, said a Reuters report.

The US air strike at Baghdad airport killed Soleimani, architect of Irans spreading military influence in the Middle East, with Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing revenge.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Soleimani was planning attacks on US facilities and workers in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and other countries, the Reuters report said.

Tensions between the US and Iran have flared over the past year as Washington reimposed sanctions on Tehran and in the aftermath of a missile and drone attack on oil installations of the Saudi Aramco company that US officials blamed Iran for.

The Soleimani attack has brought those tensions back to the forefront, fanning worries about a squeeze on crude supplies, though the effect of the increased geopolitical risk remains unclear.

Concern shifted to potential retaliation, and US oil companies were taking steps to evacuate workers from Iraq.

The Iranian retaliation could take the form of a quick response by proxies against US allies and assets. One-off incidents targeting Gulf oil flows are possible, as are attacks on Gulf oil infrastructure, after the Abqaiq incident did not trigger a US military response, said Paul Sheldon, chief geopolitical risk analyst at S&P Global Platts.

The US embassy in Baghdad on Friday urged all citizens to depart Iraq immediately, and dozens of US citizens working for foreign oil companies in the Iraqi oil city of Basra were preparing to leave, company sources told Reuters.

All oil fields across the country were operating normally and production and exports were not affected, Iraqs Oil Ministry said in a statement. It said no other nationalities were departing.
US President Donald Trump has blamed Iran for an attack on the American Embassy in Iraq that further damaged US relations with Baghdad and appeared to put Mr Trump's hopes for diplomacy with Tehran further out of reach.

Mr Trump warned Tehran would be held responsible.

Iran has rejected the accusation. "We are not leading the country to war, but we are not afraid of any war and we tell America to speak correctly with the Iranian nation.

"We have the power to break them several times over and are not worried," Revolutionary Guards Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami was quoted by news agency Tasnim as saying.

Mr Trump had said in a tweet "They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat." He later said he did not want or foresee a war with Iran.

Iran's army chief Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi also said yesterday his forces were ready to confront the "enemy".

"Our armed forces... monitor all moves, and if anyone makes the slightest mistake, they will decisively react, and if the situation heats up, we will show our abilities to the enemy," he said.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had condemned US attacks on Iranian-allied militias in Iraq, blaming the United States for violence in Iran's neighbour.

Iran protested to a Swiss envoy who represents US interests in Tehran, over what it called "warmongering statements" by American officials.

Hundreds of supporters of an Iranian-backed militia had chanted "Death to America" as they breached part of the outer security layer at the vast compound in Baghdad's protected Green Zone.

Diplomats were barricaded and unharmed inside the $750m embassy, built as a powerful symbol of US permanence after the 2003 invasion of Iraq that Mr Trump has derided as the worst US foreign policy blunder. But the hulking structure may now serve as a symbol of how difficult it can be to disentangle American interests from Iraq and the region despite the president's stated desire to get out of "endless wars" and reduce the United States' footprint in the Middle East.

Mr Trump faces a potentially combustible situation where the United States and Iran are elbowing for influence in Iraq as US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia, along with some of Mr Trump's in-house advisers, urge a more forceful confrontation with Tehran over its aggressive tactics across the Middle East.

The president's tweets struck an aggressive tone on Tuesday, but it is unclear what moves he will make next.

"Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat," Mr Trump tweeted from Florida where he is spending the holiday at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

"Happy new year!"

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the president held what he called a good meeting with advisers and approved sending a small contingent of Marines and two Apache helicopters to reinforce security at the embassy while tweeting: "The US Embassy in Iraq is, & has been for hours, SAFE!"

Defence Secretary Mark Esper also announced yesterday the administration was sending 750 troops to the region as "an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against US personnel and facilities, such as we witnessed in Baghdad".

Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally and foreign policy adviser, had breakfast with the president Tuesday and said in an interview Mr Trump was determined to "have no Benghazi on his watch," a reference to the 2012 attack on US government facilities in Libya that killed the ambassador and three other Americans.

Republicans harshly criticised the Obama administration and then-secretary of state Hillary Clinton for the response to the Benghazi attacks and Mr Trump's wariness over any comparisons between the two events was publicly on display.

"The Anti-Bengahzi!" he tweeted about his response to the situation in Baghdad.

Mr Graham said Mr Trump is not looking for a fight and hopes Iran will take steps that allow tensions to be eased soon.

"The goal is to de-escalate, but it takes two to do that," he said, adding Mr Trump and his national security team are discussing "a lot of options" he would not detail. ( Washington Post)
When Gigi Hadid headed to Dakar, Senegal earlier with UNICEF in December, she didnt know what to expect. Though she has been working with the UN agency since 2018, traveling to Bangladeshs Jamtoli Refugee Camp in August of that year, her most recent excursion represented an entirely new experience. This was my first time on the African continent, and Senegal was such an incredible place to start, said Hadid speaking over the phone from New York. There is so much amazing culture and art, and people are so warm and welcomingI truly enjoyed it.

On hand to support UNICEFs team as they travelled through the region visiting schools, maternal health centers, and small villages, Hadid got an inside view of the organizations work in educational and health services for children in need. With multiple stops and assignments along the way, the three-day trip was a whirlwind, one Hadid felt duty-bound to document closely. I realized that my greatest responsibility in this is just to share what Ive learned, increase the exposure, and make people remember that these issues are out there even if they arent in the news cycle, she says. Thats why social media has finally been given a meaning for meits important to highlight these stories.

Armed with a notebook, a camera, and a willingness to listen, Hadid and her best friend, artist Austyn Weiner, observed UNICEF programs such as a community led WASH initiative, a project building latrines and handwashing stations in small villages. They also joined the agencys entrepreneurial workshops in which young women are given the tools to pursue careers in STEM and new media.

For Hadid, who gave charitable donations in lieu of holiday gifts and updated her social media with links to UNICEF's Unite, a grassroots program focused on local activism, getting the word out about giving back is paramount. "The people we met and were working with [in Senegal] loved their lives, they just need help in small ways," she says. "My joy comes from sharing the information I learn [on these trips]; both the personal stories, and how people can become more involved."

Story continues

Here, the model shares the photo diary she kept throughout her trip.

DAY ONE

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

On our first day we visited womens shelters for victims of assault and abuse. This a beautiful place [called], La Maison Rose that was started by Mona Chasseiro, a French woman who had previously run a similar international shelter in her native France.

When I first began my partnership with UNICEF, Caryl Stern, the former CEO and president, taught me that the first question to ask [when meeting people] is always, what do you want us to tell the world about you? When I put the question to the women at the shelter, they said that they wanted to world to know that this is a place that took them in without judgment, where they found their families. They also said that despite the negative things they had experienced, they were able to find the joy in motherhood. I thought that was beautiful.

[We were able to see the place] where the women go to talk through what theyre feeling and what theyre going through. We asked them if we could sit and listen in. A few of them opened up and others just wanted to listen. It was brave of them to share their stories.

DAY TWO

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

We visited two schools in Kolda, 9 hours from Dakar. The first was an elementary school and the second a pre-K. In the past, the preschool was something that only families with money would have access to. UNICEF is trying to support and encourage school administrations in places where an elementary system already exists to introduce pre-K programs. Studies show that kids who start school at that level stay in school longer and continue their education further.

In Pre-K they begin with counting, learning their colors, and languages. The hope is that this will enable them to be more well-rounded, more confident, and better prepared to continue their schooling. Still, its not only a question of raising awareness in schools, its also about sensitizing the families and communities to understand the importance of child development from an early age. Its beautiful to see kids in a space where theyre just so happy to be there. And its not about who I am, because they dont have any ideaIm just another person in a UNICEF shirt.

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

UNICEF is now training community health workers about the importance of registering children at birth and working with the government to set up birth registration desks at hospitals and birthing centers. In the past, one in four children were not registered and did not have a birth certificate or other important documentation. When mothers go in for their prenatal checks now, they start by giving them a book that explains the importance of pre-and postnatal healthcare, but also of registration.

DAY THREE

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

Gigi Hadid visits Senegal with Unicef Photo: Vincent Tremeau, Courtesy of UNICEF

This was my favorite part because we were working hand in hand with the community. This village is about an hour outside of Kolda. There were several community leaders present one of whom being the Natural Leader, the lady pictured here in the red head wrap. Shes been appointed by UNICEF to support the facilities and educate her community on menstrual health. The donations of the fabric and reusable period pads are given to her to give to her community.

It's the little things that matter [during construction] like learning how to keep the latrines sanitary or how to build a pipe so that its able to air out. The communities take this [job] on with such pride; its a joy to help.

The natural leader told us that at one point, 20-30% of the community was suffering from stomach ailments, a huge problem since it results in dehydration. Those issues were resolved after the [UNICEF WASH] program. It's a fantastic thing to see the way that these small training programs can impact communities in a big way. When we spoke to one of the religious leaders during our meeting, he said that [previously] he'd only heard of UNICEF on the radio and now they were here to help his villagestories like that make me smile.

Originally Appeared on Vogue
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 2, 2020) - The Yield Growth Corp. (CSE: BOSS) (OTCQB: BOSQF) (FSE: YG3) is pleased to announce increasing global distribution of its brands. Further, the company intends to become a leader in the exciting and burgeoning psychedelic medicine industry as the company continues to build its international platform for sale of its Cannabis 2.0 and edible mushroom products.

To date, Yield Growth has made significant strides since going public in December 2018, having established a broad distribution network for its various brands, exceeding 12,500 potential retail points of sale in countries throughout Europe, North America and South America. It launched 17 new products in the past year and grew its catalogue to over 200 edible, topical and wellness products.

The Company's focus in 2019 was on laying a solid foundation for future product sales by minting meaningful distribution partnerships, and in 2020 it plans to focus on advancing those relationships to get products on store shelves and in the hands of consumers with the goal to increase sales revenues in the coming quarters.

"Our talented team has demonstrated that we can conquer territories as we rapidly developed an expansive international distribution network for our Cannabis 2.0 products," explains Yield Growth CEO Penny White. "We believe we have the products, the team, the network and the resources to make The Yield Growth Corp. a market leader in the decade ahead, which I hope will become known as the Roaring Twenties."

White continues, "We see tremendous growth potential for cannabis other plant-based therapeutic products. Psychedelic mushrooms, in particular, represent an exciting new opportunity for companies like Yield Growth, who look to capitalize on cutting edge science and technology. We plan to be the first publicly traded company to establish legal production and distribution of psilocybin for medical research."

Story continues

About The Yield Growth Corp.

The Yield Growth Corp. develops, manufactures and sells plant-based wellness products and conducts research into plant-based therapeutic compounds, in what the Global Wellness Institute reports is a $4.2 trillion-dollar global wellness market. It owns the cannabis wellness brands Urban Juve, Wright & Well and Jack n Jane. Its all natural hemp skincare brand, Urban Juve, has signed agreements for distribution in Canada, Germany, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Argentina, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia and is now in negotiations for distribution throughout the U.S. and all of Europe. Yield Growth's Wright & Well brands are launching a THC/CBD line of topical and edible products in Oregon this month and a CBD from hemp topicals line in California in 2020. Through its subsidiaries, Yield Growth has over 200 proprietary beauty, wellness, edibles and beverage formulas for commercialization. It has filed 13 patents to protect its extraction method and formulas and one patent for the use of compounds in psychedelic mushrooms to treat obesity and diabetes and to aid in weight loss. Yield Growth earns revenue through multiple streams including licensing, services and product sales.

For more information about Yield Growth, visit www.yieldgrowth.com or follow @yieldgrowth on Instagram. Visit www.urbanjuve.com and #findyourjuve across social platforms to learn, engage and shop.

Investor Relations Contacts:

Penny White, President & CEO

Kristina Pillon, Investor Relations

invest@yieldgrowth.com

1-833-514-BOSS 1-833-514-2677

1-833-515-BOSS 1-833-515-2677

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, "forward looking statements") under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, intellectual property protection, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen. The laws around cultivating, selling and using psychedelic mushrooms would need to change in most jurisdictions in order for the use of psychedelic products to be legal and sale of, and demand for, Urban Juve, Wright & Well, Flourish Mushroom Labs, Jack n Jane and UJ Beverages products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets. Yield Growth cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Yield Growth, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Yield Growth expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51133
Closing a State Prison Reckless Idea, Head of California Police Chiefs Group Says

California Gov. Gavin Newsoms dream of closing a state prison could quickly turn into a nightmare, one of the states top police chiefs said.

The notion of closing a prison at this point in the history of our criminal justice system in California, frankly, is a reckless idea, said Ron Lawrence, president of the California Police Chiefs Association. Closing a prison could lead to more prison overcrowding and homelessness, he said, and put greater strain on county jails and police.

Newsom has long decried what he calls over-incarceration, and has emphasized alternatives to imprisonment with a focus on rehabilitation. But, Lawrence contends that closing state facilities will only lead to criminals being released and not rehabilitated.

I arrest somebody here in my city, maybe for battery or maybe its for vandalism, or maybe its for burglary, said Lawrence, who serves as police chief in Sacramento Countys Citrus Heights. I take them to [the county] jail, but because the jail is full  the jail turns around and bounces them out.

Theres even a disincentive for city police to book criminals because every time one of his officers does, Lawrence has to pay the county sheriffs office a few hundred dollarsjust to see them back out on the streets all too soon.

If I know that they are going to turn around and release somebody, and Im going to get charged in my city budget, I might as well release them myself, he said.

This situation is the result of prison reforms that have already happened over the last several years in the state, Lawrence said. The reforms have offloaded the burden of overcrowding down to the county level. And he fears Newsoms plansrevealed in a video interview by the Fresno Bee editorial board on criminal justice reformwould aggravate the problem.

A sheriffs deputy checks the handcuffs on inmates at the Los Angeles Mens Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, May 19, 2004. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Newsom said that he would like to close one of Californias 34 state prisons, although he didnt specify which one. He had already decided in October 2019 to phase out all privately-owned state prisons. Those hold a smaller population of prisoners than larger state-owned prisons. Private prisons accounted for about 1,200 of the states total 124,000 prisoners in December 2019. By contrast the state prison San Quentin holds 4,200 inmates.

I would like to see, in my lifetime and hopefully my tenure, that we shut down a state prison, Newsom said. But you cant do that flippantly. And, you cant do that without the support of the unions, support of these communities, the staff, and that requires an alternative that can meet everyones needs and desires.

Newsom said the 10 to 20 hours a week his office spends on deciding whether or not to release inmates on parole, has been a source of inspiration for prison reform.

There have been moments knowing that the decision we made of freedom was also a sentence of death, said Newsom. Many prisoners put on parole have no resources to thrive or even survive after their release, he said. He blamed this on the failure of the prison system, which he said lacks effective rehabilitation.

One alternative to incarceration has been the states 43 Fire Camps. These are minimum-security facilities where male inmates receive emergency response training and work to fight fires and protect against floods during emergencies. They also perform other community services. About 3,000 inmates are currently at these camps.

A History of Overcrowding

In 2009, when the states inmate population had reached 180 percent of the prison systems design capacity, many inmates were not receiving routine medical and mental health care.

Inmates at the Mule Creek State Prison interact in a gymnasium that was modified to house prisoners in Ione, Calif., on Aug. 28, 2007. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A federal court ordered the state to reduce its inmate population to 137.5 percent of capacity, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011. That year, state lawmakers passed the Public Safety Realignment initiative, which saw the move of many state inmates to county jails.

Instead of building a new state prison to reduce overcrowding, realignment meant moving bad actors and hardcore criminals from state prisons to county jails, Lawrence said.

Ask any county sheriff in the state, and they will tell you that the violence rate and criminal sophistication in their county jails have exponentially increased, he said.

County jails were designed to hold inmates for up to one yearnot more, Lawrence said. But now  youve got prisoners in county jail systems for years on end. So, its a totally different climate.

He questions why the state stopped at 137.5 percent capacity in its mandate. The 137.5 percent of capacity, Ive never understood, Lawrence said. Why isnt it 100 percent?

The state has achieved 134.7 percent, exceeding the mandate but falling far short of the capacity the prisons were designed to handle.

Budget and Targets

Newsom said in his conversation with the Fresno Bee that he is proposing $75 million in his 202021 budget to support reforms in county jails. That may alleviate some of the additional strain if a state prison is closed.

While he didnt mention cost savings as the rationale behind shutting one down, funding has been the focal point of many similar discussions in years past. The cost of housing a single inmate in state prison averages about $81,000 a year in California.

Twenty years ago, legislators grappled with the notion of selling high-security San Quentin State Prison to real estate developers for an estimated $2 billion, given its waterfront view on San Francisco Bay. But a more likely target for Newsom is the medium-security California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco, said Matt Cate, a former CDCR secretary who is now a consultant, in an interview with the Sacramento Bee.

The CRC, deemed to be in a state of disrepair and slated for closure in 2012, currently holds about 3,300 inmates. But, according to Reuters, it remained open to ease crowding in the state prison system.

The Fresno Bee/Eric Zamora
You dont really learn anything, said Malkovich, who has appeared in more than 100 screen and theatrical productions; was a founding member of the Steppenwolf Theater Company, in Chicago; and is also a vintner and a mens fashion designer. Youre comprised of your experiences. And thats what makes you, or in fact breaks us all in the end.

His trademark gaptoothed smile spread slowly across his face: We die and then were gone. Thats O.K.

These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

What did you and Paolo discuss in terms of how your character might be a different type of leader than Jude Laws?

When we discussed it, mine was going to be a German who had spent a lot of time in England. Then he became an English aristocrat. The punk rock back story came when the decision was made to make him English. And then we communicated about what I thought was important or we could use more of or less of, et cetera. But it wasnt so much the discussion; the role kind of revealed itself in the writing and rewriting.

Of course with Paolo, most things are revealed when you see what the camera does. His way of putting people in a geography  in a room or outdoors, at a time of day  pretty much tells you what to do. The rituals, the secrets, the symbolism of the church: Thats a very hard kind of nut to crack with words.

Did putting on the papal vestments prompt something more in terms of connecting to that character?

Yeah, sure. Because the church just fits into all those Ss: symbolism, spirituality, sacredness, secrets. It satisfies a longing that I think naturally exists in people. How do we live? Why are we here? Was I even here? We kind of forget to ask those questions. Thats what I think the church is for. You know, Im an atheist, but I get the point. And thats something I think Paolo, being Italian and being Catholic, just understands on the most profound levels.
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) enhanced withdrawal limit of Rs 50,000 for the small depositors of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank Ltd (PMC Bank) has resulted in reducing the outstanding deposits by only 10 per cent.

In the last four months, the RBI had increased the deposit withdrawal limit four times. The initial amount allowed by RBI was just Rs 1,000. This was increased to Rs 10,000 per depositor and later to Rs 25,000. The RBI again revised it to Rs 40,000 and later to Rs 50,000 per depositor.

Despite higher limits, the outstanding deposits of the bank have reduced from around Rs 11,800 crore in September, when the RBI took charge of the bank, to Rs 10,800 crore by November-end. The RBI had stated earlier that the higher limit of Rs 50,000 per depositor covers more than 78 per cent of the depositors (not deposited amount).

Clearly, a bulk of the deposits of PMC Bank still locked because of RBI's takeover. The PMC Bank, currently facing action under Section 35A of the RBI Act, is under the charge of the central bank's administrator. The administrator would review the position in the next three months. It could be liquidation, revival, or a merger with another bank.

ALSO READ:PMC Bank-HDIL scam: Bank disbursed loans to Wadhawans without record, required forms

In the PMC Bank case, the RBI has also allowed withdrawals up to Rs 1 lakh on grounds of medical emergency and hardships. The hardship clause includes marriage, education, livelihood for senior citizens, etc. But the fate of many depositors with more than Rs 50,000 in the bank still hangs in balance.

Recently, there was a demand from the political corridors that the PMC Bank should be merged with Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, but the new Shiv Sena-led state government led is not very keen on this proposal.

Business Today had earlier reported that PMC Bank has disbursed loans to many entities connected to Wadhwan-owned HDIL. The chances of HDIL repaying the money look slim as the company has already defaulted on loans and is facing bankruptcy.

The RBI's initial inspection of PMC Bank had earlier shown three major irregularities, which included financial irregularities, complete failure of internal control and systems, and wrongdoing and under-reporting of its lending exposure.

ALSO READ:PMC Bank scam: HDIL group firm paid Rs 70 lakh a month to Anu Wadhawan, wife of promoter Sarang Wadhawan

PMC Bank, a 36-year old institution, is a cooperative bank regulated by the RBI and registered under the Cooperative Societies Act. The bank has 137 branches spread over half a dozen states. In fact, it has almost 100 branches in Maharashtra. The other states where it has branches include Karnataka (15), Goa (6), Delhi (6), and Gujarat (5). For the last one year, the bank has been focusing on making its loss-making branches profitable.

The PMC Bank debacle is not the first or the last case of misgovernance in the cooperative bank sector. There are currently close to a dozen urban cooperative banks under the charge of RBI administrator. Way back in 2001, cooperative banks came into the spotlight after the involvement of Madhavpura Mercantile Cooperative Bank in the Ketan Parekh scam.

In the last decade, the RBI did strengthen guidelines for cooperative banks pertaining to KYC, priority sector and also anti-money laundering. In fact, consolidation and liquidation brought down their number by 375 to 1,551 banks since early 2000.

Post the PMC Bank debacle, the RBI has restricted their lending to large corporates or a group of companies under a large corporate. The bank will also need prior approval of RBI for CEO appointments.

ALSO READ:PMC Bank loaned Rs 50 crore to HDIL days before Rs 6,300 crore scam came to light
A man and a woman may have gotten into an argument inside a Weston home that escalated to the two shooting at one another, deputies said.

When Broward Sheriffs Office homicide detectives arrived at the home in a gated community at 1065 Spyglass on Thursday night they found a 23-year-old Venezuelan woman on the floor dead from a gunshot wound.

At that time, around 10:20 p.m., they also found the man who lives there, Alan Orozco, with multiple gunshot wounds.

BSO detectives believe the two were involved in a verbal dispute prior to shooting each other, spokeswoman Robyn Hankerson said in a news release.

Orozco, 49, was taken to Broward Health Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Broward Sheriffs Office deputies responded to the scene of a fatal shooting at the gated community at 1065 Spyglass in Weston on Jan. 2, 2020. They believe a man and woman shot at one another in a domestic dispute.

Charges havent been filed. Deputies did not release the womans name, pending notification of her relatives.

A neighbor told Miami Herald news partner CBS4 that the two were renting the home and had been there for about six months.

They were very cordial. Every time that we were all outside, they always said hello or good morning, or you know, outside enjoying some of the weather, whatever the case may be, but you know, usually just very quiet, very unassuming, neighbor Jeff Miller told the station.

Miller said he and his wife heard the shots. By the time they determined they were not fireworks, they heard sirens approaching the community.

You know, the cliche, you would never expect something like this to happen in this neighborhood. It happened right next door, Miller told CBS4.

BSO homicide detectives are investigating.
By PTI

WASHINGTON: General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed in a precision US air strike in Iraq ordered by President Donald Trump, the Pentagon announced on Friday, dramatically escalating tensions in the strategic Gulf region.

General Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed following a US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport on Friday.

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani, 62, in Iraq, saying the strike was carried out at the direction of Trump.

ALSO READ | Qassem Soleimani: A general who became Iran's icon by targeting US

"At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," the Pentagon said.

Following Soleimani's death, President Trump, now on vacation in Florida, did not comment immediately, except for tweeting an image of the US flag.

The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The Pentagon alleged that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," it alleged.

It said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.

"The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world," it said.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump ordered killing of Iran guards commander in Baghdad, confirms Pentagon

Reacting to Soleimani's death, Iran said the country and the "free nations of the region" will take revenge on the United States.

"There is no doubt that the great nation of Iran and the other free nations of the region will take revenge for this gruesome crime from criminal America," President Hasan Rouhani said, referring to Iran's allies across the Middle East.

Soleimani's "martyrdom" by the aggressor and criminal America has saddened the heart of the nation of Iran and all the nations of the region," he said in a statement posted on the Iranian government website.

His death had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values", he said.

Trump's decision was supported by his former Cabinet colleague, Indian American Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

"Qasem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing," she tweeted.

"The defensive actions the US has taken against #Iran & its proxies are consistent with clear warnings they have received," Senator Marco Rubio said in a tweet.

"They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions. They badly miscalculated," he said.

In a statement, Defence Priorities Senior Fellow Lt.Col (rtd) Daniel L.Davis, alleged that Soleimani 'had 'a lot of blood' on his hands.

"Following this latest action, every possible precaution should be taken to safeguard US military forces in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the region, who remain vulnerable to retaliatory strikes. The best way to keep US forces safe is to remove them from the region," he said.

Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Congratulated Trump on his decisive action and the successful outcome.

"Qasem Suleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and his death presents an opportunity for Iraq to determine its own future free from Iranian control," Risch said.

"As I have previously warned the Iranian government, they should not mistake our reasonable restraint in response to their previous attacks as weakness.

The U.S. will always vigorously defend our interests and allies in the face of terrorist conduct and provocations," Risch said.

Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018.

It then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.
China's space industry is poised to embrace a super busy year in 2020 as about 50 launch missions are likely to take place this year, according to major contractors and sources from space industry circles.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, the country's leading space contractor, said in a statement on Thursday that it will strive to carry out more than 40 launch missions to serve national space programs, such as the completion of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, as well as demands from commercial satellite operators.

Sources inside the State-owned space giant who didn't want to be named told China Daily that all of the 40-some planned missions will be carried out by the conglomerate's Long March-series carrier rockets, the nation's backbone rocket fleet, and do not include those to be made by the company's newly developed Smart Dragon solid-propellant rockets.

This means the space magnate's actual launch number in 2020 will be even bigger.

"In 2020, all of our academy's operational rocket models, ranging from Long March 3A to Long March 5, will make flights, and four new types the Long March 5B, Long March 7A, Long March 8 and Smart Dragon 2  are scheduled to conduct their maiden mission," said an employee at the company's China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology in Beijing, the biggest developer and maker of carrier rockets in the country.

He said the academy is expected to launch more rockets than any other previous year.

Another State-owned actor  China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp  has plans for at least eight launch missions by its Kuaizhou carrier rockets, according to Zhang Di, a senior rocket scientist and chairman of Expace Technology in Wuhan, central China's Hubei province, a CASIC subsidiary that builds the Kuaizhou rocket.

Kuaizhou 11, a new type in the Kuaizhou family, is set for its debut flight in 2020 and will become the biggest and most powerful solid-propellant rocket in China, Zhang said in an earlier interview with China Daily.

Moreover, several private rocket enterprises have announced plans to launch missions in 2020 with their own rockets.

China was the world's most frequent user of carrier rockets in 2019 after gaining the title in 2018, with 32 successful orbital launches and two failures that year.

In 2018, China made 39 orbital launches, exactly the same number as the nation's total space missions in the entire 1990s.
Now Open

3 January 2020

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a leading provider of hotel management services and the world's largest hotel franchisor with over 9,200 properties across more than 80 countries, today announced the opening of its flagship Wyndham hotel brand in the Royal Town of Klang, just 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur.

Owned by Dwelling Makers Sdn. Bhd., a subsidiary of Acmar International Group of Companies, Wyndham Acmar Klang is poised to be a new landmark in Klang and a leading hotel choice for business travellers, meeting planners and leisure guests. The 488-room hotel will be managed by Wyndham's growing international hotel management arm.

Wyndham Acmar Klang is designed as a leading place to stay, dine and host excellent events in Klang with its plush rooms and stylish suites, a designer outdoor pool, world-class cuisine in a selection of dining venues and well-designed meeting spaces including a luxurious Grand Ballroom.

The hotel is ideally located for business travellers and meeting planners, offering a total of 11 meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art audio and visual systems and an onsite business centre. Meeting offerings include the Grand Ballroom, which caters up to 2,200 guests for seminars, business meetings, dinner functions and weddings, highlighted by its spacious and unobstructed high ceiling with grand chandeliers and equipped with state-of-the-art LED screens and sound systems.

Guests looking to travel into the city can access any one of three major highways - Federal Highway, New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and Konsortium Expressway Shah Alam Selangor (KESAS)  as well as several tourist attractions including Tugu Keris (Kris Monument), Klang's Little India District, Central i-City Shopping Mall, Raja Mahadi Fort and i-City Recreational Centre.

The hotel features a range of facilities catered to today's travellers, with a fitness centre and an outdoor pool as well as amenities for families including babysitting services and a kids club located in the hotel.

Wyndham Acmar Klang will offer guests a range of culinary options including an all-day dining restaurant serving local and international cuisine, a deli offering coffee and freshly baked pastries or cakes, a lobby lounge area serving cocktails and mocktails with live performances in the evening, and a Chinese restaurant serving Dim Sum and authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

It is difficult to overestimate the emotional devastation and mental anguish caused by Australia's current bushfire crisis.

As unprecedented events continue across the nation, University of South Australia mental health expert Professor Nicholas Procter says it is essential we recognize that intense, confusing, and frightening emotions are being experienced by many people, both those directly affected and those watching the crisis unfold.

"People and their regions have been significantly impactedlife as people knew it has changed," Prof Procter says.

"Impacts are being felt immediately and for a small number this will continue for many years to come. The loss of life, property, familiar surroundings and estimated loss of millions of animals is devastating.

"It's natural to feel overwhelmed, anxious, frightened, and begin to question why. It's also part of the human condition to re-run what has happened over and over, and to feel uncertain about what the future may hold."

Prof Procter says while such emotions are entirely normal, and adaptive, the severity of the current crisis means communities must be provided with a national, 'trauma informed' crisis response, aimed at ensuring both the victims of the fires and those assisting themincluding volunteer firefightersrecognize and respond to the associated mental health challenges.

"The immediate priority is to ensure survival and practical supportsafety is essential," he says. "But once evacuations are complete and as news of the fires enters a denouement, the role of executive government will be critical in the weeks, months and years ahead.

"There must be fully integrated knowledge about the implications of trauma and its effects on policies, procedures and practices.

"From an immediate crisis response to sustained ongoing trauma support, the entire system that surrounds individuals and communities, inclusive of the insurance industry and of local, state and federal government, must be geared towards realizing the widespread impact of trauma."

Prof Procter says current evidence and experience highlight the need for service providers to understand the devastating effects of trauma distress, recognize potential paths for recovery, and do all that is possible to actively resist re-traumatization.

"This includes health and human service workers, community and peer workersanyone with a platform for making sensitive decisions and, where necessary, revisions in how they work. In supporting people following bushfire crisis we should also be asking, 'when it comes to your mental health and wellbeing, what's the ideal scenario?'

"Interactions should be framed by the broad overarching questions, 'what's happened to you?' and 'how has what's happened to you impacted upon your life today?'," Prof Procter says. "This requires a deliberate moving away from the question, 'what's wrong with you?'"

Prof Procter emphasizes a wide range of emotional reactions are normal in situations such as the current bushfire crisis, and he says a national strategy could help people recognize and respond to these emotions in a positive, compassionate manner.

"When our nervous system is overwhelmed by stress, it sets off a range of powerful thoughts and emotions, and they can often come and go in waves," Prof Procter says.

"There may be times when you feel agitated, edgy and anxious, and other times when you feel detached and numb. Shock, fear, sadness, helplessness, even guilt, anger and shame, these are all normal feelings to experience."

Pointing to the frontline experience of rural mental health clinicians in South Australia and others with lived experience of mental health, Prof Procter says the evidence-based, best-practice during times of crisis is to work towards building trust through empathic, honest communication and person-centered approaches.

"Being trauma-informed begins with trauma awareness, involves strengths-based approaches, facilitating choice and remaining flexible through trusting engagement," Prof Procter says.

"Cultural sensitivity is also an essential element. People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds caught up in the bushfire crisis will express trauma experience and injury in ways that are in keeping with their culture.

"For many, trauma-informed practice means portraying genuine 'care,' embracing compassionate support and recovery with dignity, offering practical assistance and maintaining the working relationship through taking the least restrictive pathway."

More information: Nicholas Procter et al. Face to face, person to person: Skills and attributes deployed by rural mental health clinicians when engaging with consumers, Australian Journal of Rural Health (2015). Nicholas Procter et al. Face to face, person to person: Skills and attributes deployed by rural mental health clinicians when engaging with consumers,(2015). DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12204 Nicholas Procter et al. Engaging consumers in the Australian emergency mental health context: a qualitative perspective from clinicians working in the community, Health & Social Care in the Community (2014). DOI: 10.1111/hsc.12156
085169.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team

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Samsung sold more than 6.7 million 5G smartphones in 2019, exceeding its own expectations by a big margin. The South Korean electronics giant had shipped only 2 billion 5G devices by September and was hoping to just about double that number by the end of the year.

Samsung devices account for more than half of the total 5G smartphones shipped globally last year, according to a Counterpoint Research report. The company captured 53.9 percent of the global 5G smartphone market as of November 2019, it announced Thursday.

After years of work, 5G finally became a reality in 2019. South Korea and the US were the first ones to flip the switch and Samsung was ready with its Galaxy S10 5G to welcome the revolution.

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Since then, the company has launched four more 5G smartphones, including the Galaxy Note 10 5G, Note 10 Plus 5G, Galaxy A90 5G, and the Galaxy Fold 5G.

Going forward, Samsung is looking to bring 5G to more people and device categories. The company will be launching the worlds first 5G tablet, the Galaxy Tab S6 5G, in the first quarter of 2020.

Samsung is likely to launch several 5G-enabled mid-range smartphones as well this year. The Galaxy A90 5G is the only non-flagship Samsung smartphone to come with 5G support currently.

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For Samsung, 2020 will be the year of Galaxy 5G and we are excited to bring 5G to even more device categories and introduce people to mobile experiences they never thought possible, said TM Roh, head of Research and Development at Samsungs IT & Mobile Communications Division.

2020 will be the year of 5G

2020 will be the year of 5G not just for Samsung, but for the smartphone industry as a whole. Qualcomms latest SoCs, the flagship Snapdragon 865 and the mid-tier Snapdragon 765 make 5G support mandatory across any Android smartphone that offers them.

Several other chipmakers, including Huawei, MediaTek, and Samsung itself, have also announced 5G-enabled chipsets. And as more carriers across the globe deploy their public 5G networks, expect 5G to be standard in several parts of the world by the end of the year.

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5G smartphones contributed to a mere one percent of global smartphone sales in 2019. However, industry watchers expect 5G smartphone sales to grow 1,687 percent in 2020 to make up 18 percent of the global smartphone sales volume.

Samsung will be the frontrunner this year as well, though. The worlds largest smartphone vendor is expected to launch at least three Galaxy S11 models  or whatever Samsung calls them  with 5G in February.

With Huawei struggling to sell smartphones outside China because of the US trade ban and no iPhones currently having 5G support, Samsung is all poised to gain a big headstart early in the year.
BAGHDAD - Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a veteran Iraqi militant who was closely allied with Iran and rose to be a senior militia commander during the war against the Islamic State group, was killed overnight Friday in a U.S. strike that also felled Irans top general.

Al-Muhandis was the deputy commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella group of mostly Shiite paramilitaries. He was also the founder of the Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades. The U.S. blamed the group, which is separate from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, for a rocket attack in northern Iraq last week that killed a U.S. contractor.

The militias, many of which are backed by Iran and trace their roots back to the Shiite insurgency against U.S. forces following the 2003 invasion, mobilized in 2014 when the Islamic State group swept across northern and western Iraq.

Al-Muhandis, who had spent much of his life as a secretive operative in Irans regional shadow wars, emerged as a public face of the force, a tall man with a gray beard and thick glasses who was often seen on the front lines directing his fighters by radio.

He was killed in an American airstrike near Baghdads international airport around midnight along with Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans elite Quds Force and the architect of its regional military alliances. Also killed was al-Muhandis son-in-law Mohammed Rida al-Jaberi.

The PMF said in a statement that al-Muhandis body was destroyed beyond recognition.

The 56-year-old militant, born Jamal Jaafar Ebrahimi but best known by his nom de guerre, began his political life with the Dawa party, a Shiite Islamist group that was crushed by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in the 1970s. Like others in the party, including the future Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, al-Muhandis fled abroad and joined forces with Iran.

Al-Muhandis spent the next few decades in Kuwait and Iran, working closely with the Revolutionary Guard, especially during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. During his stay in Iran in the 1980s and 1990s, al-Muhandis worked with the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq and its military wing, the Badr Brigades.

After the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 that toppled Saddam, al-Muhandis like many other Shiite leaders, returned to Iraq and played role in politics, at one point serving as a member of parliament. Under Soleimanis direction, Iran steadily expanded its influence, forging close ties with Shiite militant groups as well as major political factions. Al-Muhandis operated independently at first before founding Kataeb Hezbollah.

In 2009, the U.S. Treasury targeted al-Muhandis and Kataeb Hezbollah with sanctions, saying they committed, directed, supported, or posed a significant risk of committing acts of violence against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces.

He was also convicted of planning the 1983 bombings against the U.S. and French embassies in Kuwait in which five Kuwaitis were killed. He was sentenced to death in absentia in Kuwait over the case. He was also linked to a 1985 assassination attempt against the emir of Kuwait.

When Kuwait raised the case of the bombings with Iraqi officials in the mid-2000s, al-Muhandis relocated to Iran. He did not return until after the U.S. withdrawal in 2011.

He re-emerged during the war against the Islamic State group, when his forced battled the Sunni extremists across western Iraq and eastern Syria. Those efforts also helped Iran to carve out a corridor of influence stretching across the Middle East to Lebanon and Israels doorstep.

Al-Muhandis used to give speeches in Arabic and Farsi.

In one of his speeches, al-Muhandis thanked Iran and specifically Soleimani for joining the fight against IS and sending weapons and ammunition by land and air.

They gave what they could immediately, al-Muhandis said. This courage and generosity came at a critical time.

When people speak about American and Russian weapons we ask them where were they in June 2014, al-Muhandis said. That was the month IS seized large parts of Iraq, pushing all the way to the outskirts of Baghdad.

Today the PMF and allied militias control large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria, where they are allied with President Bashar Assad and the Lebanese Hezbollah. Israel and the U.S. view the groups as part of an aggressive Iranian campaign to dominate the region.

Over the summer, PMF groups blamed Israel for mysterious drone attacks that targeted their positions in Iraq. The strikes eventually lead to the restructuring of the PMF to integrate them into the Iraqi military. The restructuring was approved by Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi.

On Sunday, U.S. airstrikes hit Kataeb Hezbollah posts in eastern Syria and western Iraq, killing 25 fighters and wounding dozens. Washington said the strikes were in retaliation for an attack on a base in northern Iraq that killed an American contractor and wounded four others.

Shiite militiamen and supporters retaliated by holding violent protests outside the U.S. Embassy for two days, causing damage to the entrances of the embassy. They withdraw on Wednesday following request from Iraqi officials.

In a recent interview, al-Muhandis was asked whether he sees himself one day outside the Popular Mobilization Forces. Its possible, he replied. God willing, as a martyr.

Al-Muhandis is survived by his Iranian wife and two daughters.

___

Mroue reported from Beirut.
January 2, 2020

Release

Statement by Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper as Prepared

Last Friday, the Iranian-backed militia Kata'ib Hizbollah or KH launched yet another attack against American forces in Iraq, resulting in the death of one American civilian, and injuries to four American service members, as well as two of our partners in the Iraqi Security Forces. This continues a string of attacks against bases with U.S. forces and Iraqi Security Forces. KH has a strong linkage to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force and has received lethal aid, support, and direction from Iran.

Over the last couple of months Iranian-backed Shia militias have repeatedly attacked bases hosting American forces in Iraq. These attacks have injured our partners in the Iraqi Security Forces, but fortunately Americans were not casualties of these attacks until last week. On November 9th, Iranian-backed Shia militias fired rockets at Q-West Air Base located in North-West Iraq. On December 3rd, they conducted a rocket attack against Al Asad Air Base, and on December 5th, they launched rockets against Balad Air Base. Finally, on December 9th, these same militia groups fired rockets at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center located on the Baghdad International Airport. It is clear that these attacks are being directed by the Iranian regime, specifically IRGC leadership.

In response, U.S. leaders have repeatedly warned the Iranians and their Shia militia proxies against further provocative actions. At the same time, we have urged the Iraqi government to take all necessary steps to protect American forces in their country. I personally have spoken to Iraqi leadership multiple times over recent months, urging them to do more.

After the attack last Friday, at the direction of the President, U.S. forces launched defensive strikes against KH forces in Iraq and Syria. These attacks were aimed at reducing KH's ability to launch additional attacks against U.S. personnel and to make it clear to Iran and Iranian-backed militias that the United States will not hesitate to defend our forces in the region.

On Tuesday, December 31st, at the instigation of Shia militias, violent rallies of members of these militias outside the American embassy in Baghdad resulted in damage to exterior entry facilities and buildings at the embassy compound. We know it was Iranian-backed Shia militias because key leaders were spotted in the crowd and some militia members showed up wearing their uniforms and carried the flags of their militia, including KH. We continue to urge the Iraqi government to prevent further escalation. Leaders of the Iraqi government have condemned the attack on the U.S. embassy, including the Iraqi president, prime minister, foreign minister, and speaker of the parliament. Additionally, regional and international partners have condemned the attacks on U.S. facilities, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain in the region, and the E.U., Germany, France, and others around the globe.

On Tuesday, to ensure the security of the Americans at the embassy in Baghdad, we immediately deployed Marines from Kuwait who arrived at the embassy in a matter of hours. We also deployed a battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division to ensure that we can provide additional defensive support to the embassy in Baghdad or elsewhere in the region as needed.

Let me speak directly to Iran and to our partners and allies. To Iran and its proxy militias: we will not accept continued attacks against our personnel and forces in the region. Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing. We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities.

To our partners and allies: we must stand together against the malign and destabilizing actions of Iran. The 81 nations and member organizations of the Defeat ISIS Coalition are in Iraq and Syria, and cooperating around the globe to defeat ISIS. We have worked closely with our partners in the Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian Democratic Forces to roll-back the so-called ISIS caliphate in Iraq and Syria and liberated millions of Iraqis and Syrians. NATO nations are also in Iraq to assist with building the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces. Unlike the Iranians who continue to meddle in Iraq's internal affairs and seek to use corruption to further Tehran's malign influence, the United States and our allies are committed to an independent, stable, secure, and sovereign democratic Iraq that addresses the aspirations and needs of the Iraqi people, who we see protesting for these very things and objecting to Iran's malign influence. We call on our friends and allies to continue to work together to reduce Iran's destabilizing influence so Iraq is governed by Iraqis without this interference in its internal affairs.

https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2049227/

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Indias health ministry rushes medical experts to Kota in Rajasthan state where more than 100 children died in a month.

Indias Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has rushed a team of paediatricians and other medical experts to a western Indian town where more than 100 children have reportedly died in a government-run hospital in the past month.

Indias Minister of Health and Family Welfare Harsh Vardhan on Friday said the experts will analyse clinical protocols, service delivery, manpower availability and equipment for maternal, newborn and pediatric care services at the Kota Medical College hospital in Rajasthan state.

The state government said there was no negligence on the part of doctors as most of the children who died were referral cases reaching the hospital in the town of Kota from distant villages, including newly born children suffering from low birth weight, premature deliveries and nascent infections.

State Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said in a tweet that the state health department was providing the best facilities in the hospital, which is nearly 400 kilometres (249 miles) southwest of New Delhi.

Rajasthan: Repair work underway at Kota's J K Lon Hospital where more than 100 children died in the last one month. State Health Minister Raghu Sharma and officials from the Centre will visit the hospital, later today. pic.twitter.com/YMVlw7xULk  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

The Press Trust of India news agency cited some health ministry officials as saying that more than 70 percent of key equipment like infusion pumps, warmers and nebulisers for newborns were not in working condition at the hospital.

There was also a shortage of doctors and supporting staff in the paediatrics department.

High death rates among children in some of Indias poorest regions have revealed cracks in the countrys healthcare system.

Poor parents in remote villages travel 100km (62 miles) or more to reach a well-equipped government hospital, with a large number of sick children dying on the way.
Since then, tension and anxiety among the areas Orthodox community has only increased after a string of anti-Semitic attacks in the region, including a mass shooting at a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, N.J., that killed two Hasidic Jews, among others, as well as a number of anti-Semitic crimes in Brooklyn and the stabbing in Monsey.

The police investigating the November attack had obtained surveillance video that showed the vehicle that might have been involved. The video was not high-quality, Chief Weidel said, so detectives showed the footage to area auto-body shops, where workers said they believed the car was a Honda Pilot.

A detective then discovered that a Honda Pilot had been in nearby Clarkstown about two and a half hours before the stabbing, he said. That vehicle was registered to Mr. Thomass mother, Kim Kennedy, who told officers that her son had driven the car that night, he added.

Ms. Kennedy told the police that Mr. Thomas likes to go driving around at night and that it was not unusual for him to be driving around at 3 a.m., Chief Weidel said. Ms. Kennedy told reporters on Thursday that when she spoke with the police, she was not aware they were investigating the attack.

The police subsequently spoke with Mr. Thomas, Chief Weidel said. He told them that he had been in Clarkstown, about 30 miles from his home, because the car had mechanical problems.

When detectives examined the car, they found nothing to suggest that it had been on Howard Drive or that it had been involved in the attack, Chief Weidel said.

The police have since obtained a federal search warrant for the Honda Pilot, Chief Weidel said. It was in the authorities hands as of Thursday, and they were examining it for any evidence that might connect it to the November attack.
The husband of a British-Iranian woman detained in Tehran fears the US drone strike that killed one of its top military leaders could make her release more difficult.

Richard Ratcliffe says the attack that killed General Qassem Soleimani in the early hours of today could make his wife Nazanin's bid for freedom more complicated.

After spending his first Christmas reunited with their five-year-old daughter Gabriella, he is now focusing on securing a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Their relationship was strained during his time as Foreign Secretary after he accidentally described Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe as a 'journalist'.

Her husband told Good Morning Britain: 'The death of Qassem Soleimani, one of the top people in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard - they are the people who hold Nazanin.

Richard Ratcliffe (pictured on Good Morning Britain) says the attack that killed General Qassem Soleimani in the early hours of today could make his wife Nazanin's wife bid for freedom more complicated

Mr Ratcliffe has been campaigning relentlessly since his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured) was detained at Tehran Airport in April 2016 and sentenced to five years in prison for spying

Mr Ratcliffe is pictured with his five-year-old daughter Gabriella carol singing after they were reunited following her return from her grandparents' home in Tehran

'So for all of us who are caught between Iran and the West it will make things more difficult.

'How we get out of the situation, goodness knows at this point.

'My job is knocking on the door of the Prime Minister and saying you are responsible for keeping all of us safe.'

Donald Trump ordered the airstrike that killed General Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at Baghdad airport on Friday.

Iran called the strike an act of 'international terrorism' and the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that 'harsh revenge is waiting for the criminals' who killed Soleimani.

Mr Ratcliffe has been campaigning relentlessly since his wife was detained at Tehran Airport in April 2016 and sentenced to five years in prison for spying.

Recently his daughter Gabriella, who is now five, returned from her maternal grandparents' home in Tehran to be reunited with her father.

Mr Ratcliffe's relationship with Boris Johnson (pictured together) was strained during his time as Foreign Secretary after he accidentally described Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe as a 'journalist'

He added: 'Things are getting much worse again between the US and Iran, but also between all of us and Iran.'

'I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where they're all really worried.

'I have been calling for a tougher line with Iran. You have to make it clear you can't use innocent people as leverage and that is still my position.'

Several experts have warned of retaliations from Iran following the American strike.

Former Middle East minister, Alistair Burt, said the situation is 'extremely serious'.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the air strike could cause 'a huge potential escalation' of the conflict, of which 'the consequences are unknown'.

Gabriella is pictured with her mother Nazanin

He added, it is 'very important now to concentrate on what happens next, and for everybody involved diplomatically to do everything they can to try and diffuse the situation'.

Asked how Christmas was with Gabriella, Mr Ratcliffe described her return as a 'bit of good news'.

He added: 'Suddenly we had a real Christmas with a real little girl.

'She was very weary of Father Christmas and the idea of a man coming into the house in the middle of the night.

'But we put a stocking out in the living room and she loved seeing her cousins and going carol singing.'

Mr Ratcliffe said she struggled to remember the concept of Christmas at first, having been in a Muslim country such as Iran for most of her life.

He said: 'It took a few days, but she's got a very clear sense now. She's already asking when is Christmas coming again?'

But he said it was extremely difficult period for his wife.

He added: 'It was really tough for her mum. We got a phone call on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

'She was stuck in prison away from it all. She was on hunger strike in solidarity with a British-Australian woman also in prison. That doesn't put you in a very good mood generally.'

But he says he continues to seek the positives, adding: 'There's a way that life is moving on for me and Gabriella and not for her.

'But the recharge of having her home and different things that give a sense for her that there will be a life afterwards.'

Asked about tensions between his family and the PM, he replied: 'We have a promise of a meeting with Boris Johnson, but no date.

'There's baggage in our relationship from when he was foreign secretary. They used what he said against her in a second court case.

'In all honesty he should sit with us.'

Gabriella will start school soon and is 'quite excited' Mr Ratcliffe added.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has called for calm over the looming conflict between the United States of America and Iran over the killing of an Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how Mr Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite Quds Forces, was killed in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq.

Mr Soleimani was killed alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, also called Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq.

The Pentagon confirmed that President Donald Trump ordered the airstrike.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Pentagon said in a statement circulated on Twitter Friday morning.

Spiralling conflict

Iran has condemned the attack and vowed to retaliate.

The Iraqi government has also condemned the attack. Both the U.S. and Iran have a lot of influence in Iraq.

Influential Iraqi Shiite clerics and leaders, allied to Iran, have also condemned the attack, with many fearing there might be attacks on ordinary American citizens in Iraq.

READ ALSO:

The U.S. has already asked its citizens to leave the region as a preemptive measure.

In the U.S., there have been mixed reactions with Republican senators commending the killing while influential Democrats condemned it.

After the attack, Israel, a major U.S. ally, said it was increasing its defences in its borders with Lebanon and Syria.

UN wades in

In a statement by the spokesman for the Secretary-General released Friday, it said the official has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf.

The official said Mr Guterres is deeply concerned with the recent escalation.

According to him, this is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint.

The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf, he added.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Three researchers from the University of Oxford and the South Iceland Nature Research Centre have found evidence of tool use by puffinsthe first evidence of tool use by any seabird. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Annette Fayet, Erpur Snr Hansen and Dora Biro describe their evidence of puffins using sticks to scratch a part of their body.

Over the past several decades, researchers have found many examples of non-human primates using toolsseveral types of passerine birds have been found to use tools, as well. Crows have been observed using sticks for many purposes, and parrots have been seen breaking seashells with rocks. But until now, no instances of tool use by seabirds have been observed. Because of their relatively small brains, many in the field believed they simply did not have the capacity to make use of a tool. But the researchers in this new effort have disproven these beliefs.

The researchers report that one member of their group witnessed a puffin grabbing and using a stick to scratch its back as it bobbled on the water four years ago. But because she did not have a camera with her, she was not able to capture evidence of the tool use in action. Much more recently, the researchers were able to video-record a puffin grabbing a small stick and using it to scratch its underside. Besides representing the first known use of a tool by a seabird, it is also the first-ever observation of a bird of any kind using a tool to scratch itself.

The researchers note that the bird in their recording lived on Grimsey Island in Iceland, where birds suffer from parasites in their plumage. They further note that last year was known to be a particularly bad year for tick infestations. They suggest using a sharp stick might have been more effective at removing the pests than beaks. They also note that because they witnessed tool use in two locations separated by a wide distance, it appears likely that tool use among puffins is common.

Explore further Pigs observed using tools for the first time

More information: A.L. Fayet, E.S. Hansen and D. Biro. Evidence of tool use in a seabird. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Published online December 30, 2019. Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences A.L. Fayet, E.S. Hansen and D. Biro. Evidence of tool use in a seabird.. Published online December 30, 2019. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1918060117

 2020 Science X Network
Reward money nearing $10,000 for information on missing Ohio teen Harley Dilly originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Three weeks after a Port Clinton, Ohio, boy was last seen, several organizations have raised almost $10,000 in reward money for any information leading to his safe return.

More than a half dozen organizations and businesses have donated since 14-year-old Harley Dilly was last seen on surveillance video walking to his high school on Dec. 20.

Dilly, who is 4-feet-9-inches tall, weighs 100 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes, was wearing glasses, grey sweatpants, a maroon "puffy" jacket and black sneakers, police said.

PHOTO: Port Clinton Police Department officers search for Harley Dilly, 14, who has been missing since Dec. 20, 2019, in Port Clinton, Ohio. (WEWS)

MORE: 14-year-old Ohio boy Harley Dilly missing for over a week, police 'concerned for his safety'

His family and the more than 70 law enforcement officials involved in the extensive search efforts have been "concerned for his safety" when the reward funds began at $4,000 on Christmas day.

Dilly's mother, Heather Dilly, spoke publicly for the first time on Friday since her son went missing.

"There's no words for any of this. I would never want anybody to go through this," Heather Dilly told Cleveland ABC station WEWS. "I mean, somebody had to have seen something."

She said the investigation is taking so much longer than she anticipated and is praying her son comes home safely.

"You see everything on TV, you watch all these crime shows and you think, 'oh, that's never going to happen.' And they solve it in an hour. It doesn't take an hour to find out everything," she said. "I love you Harley, please come home. Please, I just  We need you, I don't believe that you ran, but if you did just please, this isn't you."

PHOTO: A poster posted by Port Clinton Police Department shows Harley Dilly, 14, who has been missing since Dec. 20, 2019, in Port Clinton, Ohio. (Port Clinton Police Department)

Three local businesses, as of Thursday, and a couple submitted checks to increase the hopes of finding Dilly.

Fisherman's Wharf and BeYoutiful Hair/Nail Salon gave $2,000, Catawba Island Jewelers added $125 and RadAir Complete Car Care issued a $2,200 check. A couple gave an extra $1,000.

Story continues

MORE: Parents of boy who vanished 30 years ago still have hope he's alive

Port Clinton Police Department has posted daily updates on the social media account and as of Friday morning, there was "no new information to report."

Officials are asking anyone with information about Dilly's whereabouts to call The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 800-843-5678 or the Port Clinton Police Department 419-734-3121.
At least 65 people accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad have been killed outside the courtroom before their guilt was ascertained. Activist complains that justice for the accused has been denied and delayed. The blasphemy legislation is used to settle personal disputes quickly.

Lahore (AsiaNews)  Punjabs Provincial Assembly on 31 December unanimously passed a resolution calling on the central government to adopt stricter laws to punish blasphemy.

The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), an inter-denominational organisation that offers free legal support to victims of religious intolerance in Pakistan, slammed the resolution.

For CLAAS-UK director Nasir Saeed, there is no need to make the law more stringent; on the contrary, there is an urgent need to stop its ongoing misuse.

Every year, scores of people are accused of blasphemy in Pakistan. Muslim extremists often react very violently even if there is only a suspicion of blasphemy.

The existing blasphemy legislation disproportionately affects religious minorities, especially Christians, but Muslims have also been charged for insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

For years, activists have complained that blasphemy charges have been used in personal quarrels to quickly settle disputes over land and property.

Punjab MPAs believe instead that the current law is not correctly enforced, suggesting that blasphemy is tolerated under the disguise of freedom of expression.

There are hundreds of innocent people who have been languishing in jails for years as the courts delay their case hearings unnecessarily, Nasir Saeed said.

Intentionally and unintentionally these cases take longer than normal cases and judges  especially of the lower courts  avoid hearing these cases because of pressure from Islamic groups.

CLAAS director notes some striking examples of justice denied and delayed due to the climate of intimidation created by extremists.

First of all, there is the case of Asia Bibi, the Christian mother who spent nine years in prison. Secondly, there is that of Wajih-ul-Hassan, acquitted by the Supreme Court last September after 18 years in prison. Finally, Imran Masih, who has spent ten years behind bars, is still waiting for a final hearing by the Lahore High Court.

According to CLAAS, some 65 people have been killed extra judicially whilst several others have been burnt alive with nobody been brought to justice for their death.

Two prominent politicians who had opposed the abusive use of the law were killed in broad daylight: Salman Taseer, a Muslim, then Governor of Punjab, was killed in January 2011 by his bodyguard because he wanted to ask a pardon for Asia Bibi; and Shahbaz Bhatti, federal minister for minorities at the time of his death, killed a few months later.
SANTA FE, N.M. - New Mexicos plans to turn a state-owned building into a new contemporary art museum have been endorsed by a review board charged with preserving historic enclaves.

The Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board after meeting Thursday signed off on the revised design of the proposed structure, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported Friday.

The project initially drew sharp criticism for its esthetics, its height and concerns about a 1980s Chicano mural that will be destroyed to make way for the new museum. Officials say the plans now call for honouring the decades-old mural by projecting it onto a blank wall.

Review Board member Jennifer Biedscheid said experts from the public and private sector both concluded that the Multi-Cultural mural was unstable with extensive cracking and, therefore, beyond repair. She said the states design team plans to preserve it with the projection idea.

Board member Frank Katz said that would be acceptable. Its very sad about the mural, but I accept what the experts say. I would know no differently, he said. But I think projection of the mural  is fascinating.

The mural was created at the end of the Chicano Movement and came as similar murals in Los Angeles and San Diego were created to celebrate Mexican American and Native American culture and history.

The murals creation was headed by Gilberto Guzman. Artist Frederico Vigil, a native of Santa Fe, was among those who helped create the piece on the side of the Halpin State Archives building. Vigil was a student of Stephen Pope Dimitroff, who was an apprentice to Mexican muralist Diego Rivera.

The museum project is being spearheaded by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, which plans to remodel the state-owned Halpin Building into a museum showcasing contemporary art. The building is the former home of the State Records Center and Archives.

The Museum of New Mexico Foundation, which raises money to support state museums, has collected about $12.1 million for the project. The total cost is expected to be $12.5 million. Officials have said the museum will allow for the New Mexico Museum of Art to expand its exhibits and programs.

Construction is scheduled to begin early this year and is expected to be completed sometime in 2021.

A bill passed by the Legislature in 2017 requires state construction projects like this be done in co-operation with city historic district rules, but city approval is not required.

Katz said he was frustrated with the process but said the state did incorporate public feedback.
A man armed with a knife has attacked passers-by in a southern Paris park, injuring some, before being shot by police, French officials said.

A local mayor said one person was killed and several injured in the attack, but police could not immediately confirm the death or the number of injured people.
(Newser)  US health officials will begin cracking down on most flavored e-cigarettes that are popular with underage teenagers, but their plan includes major exceptions that benefit vaping manufacturers, retailers and adults who use the nicotine-delivery devices. The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will prohibit fruit, candy, mint and dessert flavors from small, cartridge-based e-cigarettes favored by high school and middle school students. But menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes will be allowed to remain on the market, the AP reports. The targeted flavor ban will entirely exempt large, tank-based vaping devices, which are primarily sold in vape shops that cater to adult smokers. Together, the two exemptions represent a significant retreat from President Trump's original plan announced four months ago, which would have banned all vaping flavors  including menthol  from all types of e-cigarettes.

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The new policy will spare a significant portion of the multibillion-dollar vaping market. And the changes mark a major victory for vape shop owners who sell the tank-based systems, which allow users to mix customized nicotine flavors. Vape shop owners expressed relief, and anti-tobacco advocates immediately condemned the decision to permit menthol and exempt tank-based vapes, accusing the administration of caving to pressure. "It's disturbing to see the results of industry lobbying to undermine public health protections, especially the lives and health of our youth," said the head of the American Lung Association. That and other health groups argue that teenagers who vape will simply shift to menthol if it remains on the market. The American Cancer Society called the decision to not ban all flavored e-cigarettes "unconscionable," per CNN.

(Read more vaping stories.)
As the year came to a close last week, I read the most important book of 2019, Permanent Record by Edward Snowden.

Although Snowdens book is mostly about government data collection on civilians, it dovetails with what I think is the major story of 2019  the rise of private sector data collection of details about our privates lives.

Snowden is one of the most polarizing figures in the United States.

In 2013, Snowden broke the law and his professional oath by exposing to select journalists secret documents drawn from the server archives of the National Security Agency and CIA, where he had worked as a systems engineer for seven years. He fled to Hong Kong and later landed in Russia, where he remains in exile today.

His exposure of state secrets about official surveillance methods and programs, Snowden claims, was in the interest of serving something larger than the laws of the state. He claims to serve the interests of people and the ideals of the U.S. Constitution.

Snowden takes pains in the first 100 pages to explain his deep roots in America and his familys history of government service. Both of his parents had top-secret clearances. In a latter section of the book, he describes reading a hard copy of the Constitution in his office cubicle to the puzzlement of his NSA and CIA colleagues.

More from Taylor: Investing based on social values? Prepare for a letdown

The first surprising fact in Permanent Record is what a good writer Snowden is. He has a knack for using anecdotes and humor to leaven his clear explanation of the technical issues of surveillance and the dramatic timeline of his treason for a higher cause.

Snowden says the failure of government checks to account for the new technology and the expanded mandate of the intelligence community, or IC, to collect data on citizens meant that something had been fundamentally broken. The IC had come to understand the rules of our system better than the people who had created it, he writes, and they used that knowledge to their advantage. Theyd hacked the Constitution.

Snowden uses the metaphor of Frankenstein to describe technology that spawns unexpected dangers for its creators and unsuspecting civilians.

Snowden does not reason like a technologist who admires technology for its own sake. He reasons like a humanist who understands technology enough to be very afraid for us.

A distillation of Snowdens warning is this: So vast are the powers of the U.S. governments spy technology that every web search, every location, every digital interaction any individual makes  down to the keystroke  can and will be monitored, recorded and used against you. This makes a mockery of what we might consider to be our Miranda rights and our constitutional protections against unlawful search.

More from Taylor: Should you prepay your childs college tuition?

In the six years since Snowdens disclosures, we have become increasingly aware not just of government collection of our personal secrets but also the willing donation of our personal secrets to private companies.

Snowdens biggest warning, at the time he exposed secrets in 2013, was about the warrantless surveillance of the U.S. government on private citizens through aggregated phone data collection.

Looking back on the biggest business stories of 2019, however, the issues raised by Snowden in his book clearly leaped from the government to the private sector.

Last year, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified to Congress about the damage his network can wreak on its 2.5 billion active users. Twitter banned political ads in 2019, although we continue to struggle with the political and social implications of this broadcast technology. Massive private data breaches, often of credit histories and personal identifying information, have become a monthly occurrence.

As Snowden says, If government surveillance was having the effect of turning the citizen into a subject, at the mercy of state power, then corporate surveillance was turning the consumer into a product, which corporations sold to other corporations, data brokers, and advertisers.

Because most of us dont understand communications and data technology and its development over the past 25 years, only the fringes of our political spectrum have the proper amount of paranoia to imagine the extent to which we are being watched. And being watched leads to being controlled, influenced.

If you cant sense the NSA monitoring all of your communications via your tooth fillings, you have not properly attached the tinfoil to your cranium. Keep pushing down harder. Yes, Im joking, but only because its easier to laugh than cry. In all seriousness, its very unsettling to read Snowdens book.

As citizens, we do not have sufficient privacy protections in place, appropriate for 2020 technology. As individuals, we have not adopted the correct behavior in 2020 to protect our individual privacy from either government or corporate overlords. Frankensteins monster is not going back to the laboratory without a terrible fight.

More from Taylor: Scarcity makes our brain focus  but impairs long-term financial planning

While acknowledging how polarizing Snowdens actions have been, I am not on the fence about his role, actions or motivations. Snowden is utterly credible. Informed. Thoughtful. Patriotic. We need to read his story and try to understand his lessons.

America was born from an act of treason, he reminds us.

The historical significance of his book and Snowdens actions will only be understood in the decades ahead. Meaning, if we heed his warning and build protections against surveillance technology from the private sector and government, hell be honored as a kind of early martyr to the cause, sacrificing his own liberty so ours can be preserved.

If we ignore his warning  which at this point in time seems the more likely path  the very meaning of his behavior will be discarded as illegal, unpatriotic and irrelevant. What was even the point of that guy? Who cares, well say, as we scroll through the timelines on our phone, uploading our location and faces to permanent data-storage servers, in blissful ignorance.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates.

michael@michaelthesmartmoney.com | twitter.com/michael_taylor
In my 10 years in Iran researching the Revolutionary Guards and their depiction in Iranian media, one of my key observations was that wherever they operate, in Iran or on foreign battlefields, they function with that same ad hoc leadership: Decisions and actions dont just come from one man or even a small group of men; many within the organization have experience building relationships, creating strategies and making decisions.

This contrasts with General Suleimanis public image, both at home and abroad, which, since 2013, has been propped up by a vast media campaign. I followed some of his media team during my research and saw how they produced films, documentaries and even music videos, in both Persian and Arabic, lionizing his feats against the Islamic State. Inside Iran, he consistently polled as one of the most popular figures in the regime. The fact that most of his activities took place outside Iran helped preserve his reputation in the often fractious politics of the Islamic Republic.

It is likewise hard to overstate the symbolic power of General Suleimani in the region, particularly among Arab Shiite groups in Iraq and Lebanon. He was the face of Iranian power from Lebanon to Yemen, a face that brought money, weapons and advisers. Yet he wasnt the only person in the Revolutionary Guards who built such personal relationships, as the Western news media tends to depict. Far from it.

Thanks to the guards ad hoc structure, the relationship between the Revolutionary Guards and Iraqi and Lebanese Shiite armed groups is a long and deep one. During my time in Lebanon and Iran, I met foreign militants who spent long stretches in Iran, for both work and pleasure. They spoke fluent Persian and fully understood the Revolutionary Guards ethos. The ties that bind many of these groups together include generations of marriage, commerce, history and culture. General Suleimani, as important as he was, was not singular.

Iran and its populations have thousands of years of history in the region. That doesnt get rooted out with assassinations and missile strikes. These relationships  among Revolutionary Guards cadres and between the guards and their allies abroad  are deep, and they do not rely on one figure. In fact, Iran has already named General Suleimanis longtime deputy, Ismail Qaani, as his successor.
This is something that is going to make it very difficult for our diplomatic presence there, our military presence there, Mr. Kim said in an interview.

General Suleimani, who led the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force, a special forces unit responsible for Iranian operations outside Irans borders, was long a figure of intense interest.

He was not only in charge of Iranian intelligence gathering and covert military operations, he was regarded as one of Irans most cunning and autonomous military figures. He was also believed to be very close to Ayatollah Khamenei, and was seen as a potential future leader of Iran.

The United States and Iran have long been involved in a shadow war in battlegrounds across the Middle East  including in Iraq, Yemen and Syria. The tactics have generally involved using proxies to carry out the fighting, providing a buffer from a direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran that could draw America into yet other ground conflict with no discernible endgame.

The potential for a regional conflagration was a basis of the Obama administrations push for a 2015 agreement that froze Irans nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

Mr. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, saying that Mr. Obamas agreement had emboldened Iran, giving it economic breathing room to plow hundreds of millions of dollars into a campaign of violence around the region. Mr. Trump responded with a campaign of maximum pressure that began with punishing new economic sanctions, which began a new era of brinkmanship and uncertainty, with neither side knowing just how far the other was willing to escalate violence and risk a wider war. In recent days, it has spilled into the military arena.

General Suleimani once described himself to a senior Iraqi intelligence official as the sole authority for Iranian actions in Iraq, the official later told American officials in Baghdad.
We had damning developments in just the last day where emails came out that made it very clear that they covered up the real reason behind the withholding of hundreds of millions of dollars to Ukraine, Wasserman Schultz said. Donald Trump was just impeached a week and a half ago, and we need to get to the bottom of how and who helped him carry out this illegal coverup, to allow him to withhold aid, to help him politically and personally, to allow Ukraine to interfere in the presidential election in 2020.
Starting today, Modi and top officials in the Prime Ministers Office will be briefed by various central ministries and departments on their plans as well as agenda for the next five years. They will also apprise the PMO of the work they have done so far in realising the agenda of governments second term in office.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a mission to supply water to every household, at a function in New Delhi on December 25, 2019. Photograph: R Raveendran / ANI Photo.

Over the coming few weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to review each department and ministrys work to evaluate their performance. The review could culminate in seeking inputs from them to turn around the economy, after the country witnessed its worst slowdown in 26 quarters in the second quarter of 2019-20.

Starting Friday, Modi and his top officials in the Prime Ministers Office will be briefed by various central ministries and departments on their plans as well as agenda for the next five years. They will also apprise the PMO of the work they have done so far in realising the agenda of governments second term in office.

According to sources, the PMO will appraise the departments on their performance over the last six months, and will seek solutions to revive growth. The commerce and industry ministry, among others, will present its report card to the PMO on Friday.

A part of the performance review started last month during the council of ministers meeting, with a few key ministries such as agriculture and aviation making their presentations.

The fresh set of review meetings are scheduled to take place on January 3 and 4, 7 and 8, and 13 and 14, depending upon the time taken by each ministry, Business Standard has learnt from government sources.

Officials said there is some talk that the exercise could form the basis for some sort of rejig of portfolios of ministers, but this could not be separately confirmed. The stock-taking exercise could also throw up valuable inputs for the upcoming Union Budget.

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell to 4.5 per cent during July-September. The finance ministry had said the slowdown has bottomed out and that it expects a gradual recovery from the October-December quarter. Others disagree.

The Reserve Bank of India now sees GDP growth for the first financial year under the second Modi government at 5 per cent, compared to the 6.1 per cent it projected earlier. While the finance ministry hasnt put out any revised estimates, officials say it is in line with the RBI.

If GDP growth for the year does come in at around 5 per cent, it will be the slowest growth rate since 2008-09.

On the issue of reviving growth and demand across sectors, officials say some of the topics likely to be discussed at these meetings are the need to boost capital expenditure for infrastructure ministries and revenue expenditure for rural and agricultural departments.

The PMO has debated whether to maintain fiscal discipline or provide stimulus to a flagging economy by sharply increasing expenditure, at meetings with economic advisors and finance ministry bureaucrats.

Fiscal discipline has always been a priority for the political leadership. But the situation this year is extraordinary in some ways. There have been discussions, but no decision has been taken, said an official.
John Boyega as Finn in a scene from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." The movie is one of many that has been filmed in the Wadi Rum area of Jordan. Read more

In a trailer for The Rise of Skywalker, the new Star Wars movie, Rey is racing across a desert landscape, lightsaber in hand, trying to outrun a spacecraft. The landscape looked familiar, and for good reason: I had visited this dramatic desert on vacation in Jordan.

This place, Wadi Rum, is four hours south of Amman after a long, flat, and mostly unremarkable drive on the Desert Highway. Just beyond the crest of a hill is something otherworldly, something the opposite of unremarkable.

Petra is widely known as the crown jewel of Jordan, but for adventure seekers, Wadi Rum, also called the Valley of the Moon, is the star. From the enormous red, pink, and brown sandstone cliffs rising up out of the sandy desert floor, its readily apparent why this place has earned starring roles as Mars in 2015s The Martian; as the fictional city of Agrabah in 2019s Aladdin; and, of course, as the fictional planet Pasaana for the final Skywalker installment.

As far back as Lawrence of Arabia in 1962, filmmakers have flocked there for its magnificent scenery. For tourists, Wadi Rum also offers a chance to experience the traditional Bedouin culture of southern Jordan.

I had never heard the term wadi before arriving in Jordan: It refers simply to a valley carved by water. Jordan is famous for its wadis, most of which are narrow canyons that provide great hiking and an escape from the sun. Wadi Rum is vast, the largest in Jordan, taking up 280 square miles, nearly the area of New York City, and extending south to Jordans border with Saudi Arabia.

Day-trippers can spend a few hours taking a jeep ride through Wadi Rum with stops to hike and scramble over rocks. But it is the experience of staying in one of the many Bedouin-run camps that is truly unforgettable.

In planning our visit, we were overwhelmed with the number of options for camps (more than 70) and were briefly tempted by the fancy biodome-style camps (some with air conditioning and hot tubs) that have landed on Wadi Rum in recent years (and are not locally owned, drawing scorn from the people who live nearby). But after looking through websites and reviews, we ultimately opted for a traditional camp, simply named Wadi Rum Bedouin Camp.

Once we had made our reservation, the owner, Mohammed, who was born and raised in Wadi Rum, emailed us instructions to arrive at the Rum Village Rest Stop by 2 p.m. on our arrival day. There, we would meet our guide for a jeep tour of desert highlights before heading to the camp for the evening.

A row of four-wheel-drive pickup trucks was waiting at the entrance to the rest stop. We slowed to a halt, rolled down our window, and spoke to the first driver we saw. "Were here for Bedouin camp," we said cautiously.

"Yes, Im Mohammeds cousin. He told me to come meet you. Come with me."

Carrying only what we needed for the day and overnight, the six of us climbed into the back of the truck, which was outfitted with a shade cover, ready to explore. Our driver wore a traditional dishdasha (a long white robe) with a kaffiyeh (a red-and-white scarf) atop his head. We had purchased similar scarves for ourselves, and it did not take long for us to see how essential they would be in the desert.

We would meet many of Mohammeds relatives during our stay  the camel herder, the cook, and others who popped in and out of camp with various messages and supplies. These extended Bedouin families all used to live a nomadic life in traditional goat-hair tents within the confines of the Wadi Rum protected area, herding goats and camels. People have lived here since prehistoric times.

But as wealth from tourism has spread through the community, many have moved to cement houses in the town of Rum just outside the park boundary. Mohammed told us that there were just five Bedouin families still living in the desert.

We commenced our bouncy two-hour drive into the desert  nowhere near long enough to explore the vastness of the park  and were all soon reaching for the grab bars and pulling out our scarves to keep errant hair and swirling sand out of our eyes. The kids in our group were certain theyd just boarded the best amusement park ride ever.

We had time to properly adjust our scarves at the first stop on our tour  the Lawrence Spring, supposedly where British officer T.E. Lawrence (yes, Lawrence of Arabia) camped during the great Arab Revolt of 1917-1918 and where camels rest and replenish their reserves with the spring water. It was Lawrences time here that first drew Western tourists to Wadi Rum.

Next, we rode to a narrow gorge, where we ascended a few sandstone steps and entered a cramped passageway with well-preserved Nabatean symbols and images of animals and humans dating back more than 12,000 years on the canyon walls.

From there, we began the heart-pumping  and heart-stopping  stage of the tour. We drove down to the base of a gigantic red sand dune dotted with a mix of children running to the top and adults slogging through the sand. At varying speeds, our group eventually made it to the top, and we were rewarded with a magnificent 360-degree vista.

(Fashion hint: Dont wear white on a visit to Wadi Rum. We would find red sand in our shoes and bags for days.)

Our next stop was hyped as a must-have photo op: a natural rock bridge with an ascent that provided another adrenaline boost. Our guide scampered up the slope of rock effortlessly with the children, while the adults in our group climbed on hands and feet and avoided sliding to our deaths.

The remainder of the tour was, thankfully, passive sightseeing  with the exception of one final treat for the kids. Turning around in his seat, our driver did a quick visual assessment of our group and decided that we might enjoy a little drag racing with another guide. He was half right  the children gleefully bounced around in the back of the pickup; the moms, not so much.

Soon enough, we arrived at the camp. In our tent, our host proudly pointed out the thick cotton quilts his mother had made and then guided us to the recently upgraded mens and womens bathrooms. Showers were available, but after learning that water must be trucked to the camp each day, we decided to pass.

We joined the other guests in the central dining tent, where we had traditional Bedouin tea with local herbs (sage, thyme, and rosemary) and a healthy dose of sugar. After, we were encouraged to climb up onto the cliffs behind the camp to view the stunning sunset, the sky filling with opaque pinks and reds and oranges as the light reflected off the dust in the desert air.

We clambered back down to the camp for dinner and gathered in a circle as the cook and his helper dug in the sand to reveal the handle of a large pot. After carefully clearing away the sand, they pulled out a traditional meal of zarb  lamb, vegetables, and rice  that had been cooked underground, Bedouin-style. We ate this along with Middle Eastern mezze (hummus, olives, and eggplant dip) and salads.

After a full day (and with full bellies), we headed back to our tents. But the desert had a bonus in store for us: the night sky, glittering with a jillion stars. Even in my most remote travels away from the light pollution of cities, I had never seen such a sight.

With morning came another surprise. At breakfast, we were startled to hear deep grunts and groans, which turned out to be camels waiting to return us to our car. For most of us, this was the first time riding a camel, delighting our laughing hosts, as we climbed up and captured the experience on video. The slow walk back was a different amusement ride and an opportunity to experience the magnificence of Wadi Rum.

Information: visitjordan.com and wadirumbedouincamp.com
A Kentucky jury has awarded $10.5 million to a woman whose leg had to be amputated after hospital staffers years prior didnt remove a sponge inside her during heart surgery.

The Courier Journal reports the jury awarded $1 million in punitive damages, $1.4 million in medical expenses and roughly $8 million for pain and suffering to 62-year-old Carolyn Boerste.

Boerste was 54 when underwent bypass heart surgery at the University of Louisville Hospital in 2011. At that time, nurses left an 18-by-18 inch sponge inside her.

The sponge eventually eroded into her intestine and caused gastrointestinal issues. The sponge wasnt discovered until 2015 during a CT scan. However, court documents show Boerste didnt find out about the sponge until 20 months later due to a communications mishap with the medical staff.

Attorneys James Bo Bolus and Nick Mudd said the ruling restores some sense of dignity to Boerste and reminds hospitals to be vigilant about removing all appropriate items after surgery.

David McArthur, a spokesman for the hospital, said it will appeal the decision. The hospitals experts had argued in court that Boerste lost her leg due to diabetes, smoking history and lifestyle choices.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Tableau rejection for R-Day parade politically motivated: Kerala govt

India

oi-Mousumi Dash

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 03: The Kerala government on Friday termed the Centre rejecting the state's proposed theme for the tableau for the Republic Day parade for the second consecutive year as 'politically motivated'.

The Kerala cultural minister A K Balan said today that the Defence Ministry rejected the state's theme in the third screening where they had proposed a beautiful theme in the background of backwaters. He added that he has failed to understand why the Modi government has a 'hatred' towards the state.

Upset on centre's decision Balan said that the Centre gets into a frenzy when it hears Kerala or Malayali. There was no politics in that tableau. This was rejected in the third screening and this is not possible without political intervention.

He has raised a question for centre asking why the state can't showcase backwaters or Kathakali or boats or anything that represents the culture of Kerala.

Balan asked, "Are they (BJP) expecting to improve their vote share in the state through these moves?"

Adding to this he also raised the centre's earlier decision where it had even rejected the recommendations for Padma awards from Kerala.

"Barring a few, they have rejected all the names," he said.

The state had proposed theme for the tableau for the Republic Day parade of art and architecture of the state with a Koothambalam, a model of the state's architecture, along with performing arts, including Kathakali, Kalaripayatt, Mohiniyattom, Theyyam and Chenda.

The front portion of the proposed theme reportedly had an elephant, the official animal of the state and coconut trees and others.

However, a jury member, Jayaprabha Menon gave a reason for rejecting the tableau, while speaking to PTI said that there was nothing fresh, nothing new in this year's theme in the tableau. There was no politics in a committee of artists, who decide the themes for the parade.

Last year also, the state's proposed 'Vaikom Satyagraha' theme was rejected by the centre for the Republic Day parade. The historic Vaikom Satyagraha in Travancore was against untouchability that prevailed in Hindu society. The movement was centred at the Shiva temple at Vaikom, near Kottayam during 1924-25.

Apart from Kerala, the Centre has also rejected the proposals of West Bengal and Maharashtra, prompting the TMC, Shiv Sena and the NCP to attack the Centre.

According to PTI, twenty-two proposals, 16 from states and union territories and six from central ministries -- out of a total 56 have been short-listed for this Republic Day parade, the Defence Ministry had said on January 1.

Republic Day Parade 2020 tableau war: After Bengal, Maharashtra, now Kerala sees red

The Ministry had received 32 tableau proposals from states and union territories and 24 from central ministries and departments.

The ministry has selected the tableaux proposals of 15 states and a union territory--Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

Of these, eight are BJP or NDA-ruled states, four are ruled by UPA and three by non-UPA and non-NDA parties. parade.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry remembered that the peninsula is under military occupation

British lifestyle magazine Good Housekeeping published the article, in which it recommended its readers to visit Russia and the occupied Crimea, using the illegally built Kerch bridge from the mainland Russia.

In return, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry remembered that the peninsula is under military occupation and asked the staff not to give the wrong idea to its readers.

"Crimea is definitely worth entering the list of the hottest destinations of 2020, but this territory is under military occupation", reads the message.

The Embassy also addeed the note about the annexation of Crimea from the UK Foreign Office's website.

Earlier, Estonia promised to keep the question of the occupation of Ukraine's Crimea by Russia alive. It will be brought up during the next session of the UN Security Council. The country's permanent ambassador in the UN Sven Jurgenson said so as quoted by Ukrinform news agency.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday accused Home Minister Amit Shah of imposing a "conspiratorial and divisive agenda" on India and bringing the country to a 1947-like situation.

The Congress also told Shah that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi continue to "abuse" opposition leaders even as NDA constituents and chief ministers of the ruling BJP are not accepting the amended Citizenship Act.

"Amit Shah ji. Modi ji and you have been made Prime Minister and Home Minister to work for the public welfare and generate livelihoods for them and not abuse opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi.

"You have put the entire country in a situation like that in 1947 with your divisive and conspiratorial agenda. You should desist from slapping your conspiratorial and divisive agenda on the country," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a video posted on Twitter.

He alleged that NDA partners and BJP chief ministers are themselves not accepting the "divisive" CAA but Modi and Shah were "venting out their grouse" on the opposition by abusing them.

ALSO READ | Priyanka Gandhi 'sending' new year cards with Preamble printed to people in UP

"Now your own partners and allies as also your chief minister of Assam Sabananda Sonowal have refused to accept and implement the divisive CAA. Why are you venting out your grouse on the opposition? You should first set your own house in order and then talk to the country and take on the opposition," the Congress leader said.

Tagging a news report in English about Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal not being ready to accept the CAA in his state, Surjewala tweeted in Hindi, "Your allies are not accepting the divisive CAA, your own chief ministers are not accepting the CAA. Should we send you a Hindi translation".

Surjewala earlier dared Modi to dismiss the Assam chief minister from his own party for openly opposing the amended Citizenship Act and declare him an "anti-national" for doing so.

"Mr Prime Minister, Stop fooling India! Your own CM is openly opposing CAA. Will you now declare him 'anti-national'? I challenge you to dismiss him before criticising the opposition," he wrote on Twitter.

Sonowal gave a fresh twist to the debate over the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), after he said in a tweet, "As a son of Assam, I will never settle foreigners in my state. This Sarbananda Sonowal will never allow this."

The Congress has been attacking the BJP-led government over the CAA and its chief ministers have said they would not implement the new citizenship law in their states.
In the afternoon of Jan. 1, just hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced the cameras and announced that he was seeking Knesset immunity from prosecution, his associates claimed he was still undecided on the matter. They were likely not confused but striving to create the impression that the prime minister, under indictment for bribery, was torn over whether to seek immunity, which means evading criminal prosecution. There was media and public speculation about Netanyahus intentions, but he had already decided weeks ago to seek immunity and was waiting for the most appropriate moment, knowing the issue was explosive.

His first task was winning his Likud's Dec. 26 leadership primary. Then he waited several more days, until less than four hours from the 30-day deadline set by law for submitting an immunity request. When Netanyahu finally faced the public shortly before the midnight deadline, he soft-peddled his immunity request, arguing that his indictment had not been filed in good faith. The charges against him were trumped up, he said, explaining that he was merely taking advantage of his legal right to continue serving the people and leading them to greater prosperity.

Netanyahu also had to explain why he had allegedly lied before the April elections when he indicated that he would not seek immunity. He had responded, What? No way, to an interviewer who asked him whether he would try to prevent his prosecution. This week, he provided a convoluted version according to which he had been telling the truth at the time and claimed the question had been slightly different.

Netanyahus immunity speech was not designed to win over voters from the centrist Blue and White Party, but rather to forestall defections from the so-called soft right, which might be put off by voting for a prime minister indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust and trying to evade the law. Blue and White chair Benny Gantz responded to Netanyahus nationally televised speech, Netanyahu knows he is guilty.  Such immunity is corruption, he said.

Polls conducted a day after the immunity speech showed that Netanyahus voters are on board. Results aired on Channel 12 and Channel 13 News indicated that support for the Likud remained unchanged, with Blue and White still slightly ahead. Netanyahu's speech did not jar the political stalemate that has Israeli voters almost evenly divided between the right and center-left. One constituency sees a successful prime minister being persecuted by the political left, the media and the state prosecutor; the other sees an opposite image of a prime minister under criminal indictment endangering democratic rule to save his own neck.

In yet another development in the political-legal drama shaking Israel, the countrys top court decided on Jan. 2 to dismiss a petition seeking a ruling on whether Netanyahu could be tasked with forming a government after the March 2 elections given his indictment. The three-member panel ruled that the issue was theoretical and thus premature. Election periods are a "realm of uncertainty," the judges wrote in summing up their decision, adding that in light of the most sensitive and complicated period the State of Israel is in at this time," it decided to "act with restraint and moderation" and dismiss the petition.

The judges ruling is rational. The 2020 elections will be the first in Israeli history to focus on the rule of law. Never has the Israeli public been so engaged on the issue. Past election campaigns with a rule of law or public corruption agenda failed to interest voters. But just as the 2011 protest movement shaped the 2013 elections around economic issues, Netanyahus indictment has made the debate on law enforcement and equality a hot electoral agenda item.

Netanyahus persistently high ratings and his oratory talents have turned the Supreme Court, the state prosecutor and the police into players on the political battle field. Netanyahu has been indoctrinating his followers for the past two years for just this moment, finding a receptive audience with declining public trust in these institutions. The police and state prosecutor have been repeatedly exposed as making arbitrary decisions and enjoying unsupervised power.

Netanyahu has never seemed interested in such matters. On the contrary, until his legal entanglement, he had defended the legal system and blocked eager Likud Knesset members such as Yariv Levin and Zeev Elkin from advancing laws limiting the authority of the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, now Netanyahu has named a justice minister to his interim government who has been aggressively combative against the system. Since his appointment six months ago, young Amir Ohana has become the darling of Likud members, reflecting the attitude within the ruling party toward the countrys legal and law enforcement institutions.

Never before had Likud voters demonstrated against the state prosecutor and the Supreme Court, and now they are doing so week after week, mobilizing an impressive presence of thousands of protesters. This agenda enjoys the full support of Netanyahu and his allies from the ultra-Orthodox and far-right parties, all of which have been working the persecution angle. These parties, which control 55 seats out of 120 in the legislature, are all expected to vote in favor of immunity for Netanyahu. Netanyahu is telling voters: You want me for another term? Vote for the ultra-Orthodox-right-wing bloc of parties so that I can muster a 61-seat majority in favor of immunity from prosecution.

On the other side of the aisle, for both Blue and White and hawkish Avigdor Liberman (who has announced his Yisrael Beitenu would vote against immunity), Netanyahus effort to evade the law and his war against law enforcement have yielded an electoral bonanza. These latest developments are generating a sense of urgency among many voters, and Blue and White will keep the issue high on the campaign agenda.

Although the United States' Jan. 3 assassination of Irans Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani is focusing attention on the defense arena and boosting Netanyahu as Mr. Security, the 2020 elections two months from now will revolve around his immunity.
Hospital workers listen as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a rally July 15, 2019 at Hahnemann University Hospital, railing against its closure and citing it as an example of why the country needs his OMedicare for AllO plan. Read more

Its been a rough 2019 for many workers in Philadelphia, with several major employers closing with little or no warning. Back in late June of 2019, members of District 1199C at Hahnemann University Hospital received shocking news: the corporate owners of the hospital planned to abruptly close down the facility. This put over 2,500 people out of work, including 700 members from our union.

State law requires 60-day notice for any hospital closure, but that clearly wasnt enough time. Workers, families, and communities need more notice to prepare for the devastating impact of the closure of a major employer. Thats why District 1199C and a growing coalition of organizations support changing state law to expand the notice time from 60 days to 180 days.

There is a federal law already in place, but its just not enough. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act was passed more than three decades ago and is clearly outdated for the modern economy. The WARN Act only guarantees most workers a 60-day notice of plant closings of more than 50 employees or mass layoffs of more than 500 employees. It simply does not do enough to protect workers in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.

Expanding this timeline to 180 days provides greater opportunity for these employees to properly prepare for unemployment, relocation, or other significant changes that affect both the workers and their families. It also allows communities more time to plan for shortfalls and increase services to adequately address the unexpected needs of suddenly unemployed workers.

The need for this legislation is clear. Pennsylvania has seen significant employer closures and large layoffs in just the last few months. In June, the sudden closure of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions oil refinery following a fire cost nearly 700 hourly union workers and thousands of contractors their jobs. Only a few days later, Hahnemann announced that it would also be closing.

That doesnt include more than 500 who lost work when UPMC Pinnacle Lancaster Hospital closed in March. Or more than 900 who were left unemployed when Wood-Mode, Inc in Snyder County abruptly closed in June. Inevitably, many factors impact the job market; but what we are seeing now it the cumulation of economic, environmental, and situational factors that leave workers behind, local governments with the bill, and communities in disarray.

Job loss casts a dark shadow over individuals, their families, and communities. A layoff can have serious economic consequences, the most obvious of which is the loss of steady income. Though many are eligible for unemployment benefits as they search for another job, those benefits eventually expire and do not fully replace lost wages. Many workers who have worked for a single employer for decades find that they have a set of unique and specialized skills that cannot be easily transferred to another job, even in the same industry. Individual and family health benefits, retirement funds, and long-term wealth all take a substantial oftentimes irreversible hit.

Unemployment can increase tensions and hopelessness both at home and in the community. Children are more likely to struggle in the classroom, creating ripple effects that are difficult to overcome. This legislation is beneficial to more than just employees who are facing layoffs. Unemployment also impacts tax revenues, reducing income and sales tax collection. This can lead to revenue shortfalls for state and local government. Increasing the notice period for closures will allow for government administrators to make necessary adjustments to maintain funding for critical services.

All of these consequences are serious, but as with many things, the way layoffs and closings are handled can make a significant difference in how workers and communities prepare for these obstacles ahead. The real problem arises is with sudden, large-scale job losses, where hundreds of workers are suddenly laid off with little more than a few weeks notice. The impact can have catastrophic effects on workers, families, and communities.

I strongly urge Pennsylvania lawmakers to consider passing legislation to enact a state-level WARN Act to protect hard working Pennsylvanians. Unemployment is not a partisan issue. Every single member of the General Assembly has constituents that deserve the time and dignity this legislation helps to provide. If we want to keep the economy going strong and continue to make great strides as a nation, we must stand behind the workers. Lets make Pennsylvania a leader in the fight for worker rights.

Chris Woods is the president of District 1199C of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Workers. christenw@1199cnuhhce.org.
NEW YORK (AP)  A New York City police officer convicted of breaking into a home during a drunken bachelor party in Nashville, Tennessee, has quit the force.

Michael Reynolds stepped down rather than face disciplinary proceedings, said Devora Kaye, a department spokeswoman.

Reynolds, who had patrolled Manhattan's Washington Heights neighborhood, will receive no pension or health benefits and will not be allowed to carry a firearm.

His actions are wholly inconsistent with the values and standards the New York City Police Department expects and demands of its officers, Kaye said in a statement.

News of Reynolds' departure came a day after protesters gathered outside the department to call for his firing.

Reynolds last month was sentenced to 15 days in jail after pleading no contest to aggravated criminal trespass and three counts of assault in the July 2018 home invasion.

Reynolds admitted breaking into a woman's home he drunkenly mistook for the Airbnb rental in which he was staying. He also admitted using a racial slur during the incident.

I'm absolutely sorry I said that word," Reynolds said during his sentencing hearing, according to a transcript of the proceeding. I had no intention of getting that intoxicated that night. If I could take it back, I definitely would have never came to that bachelor party.

Prosecutors said the woman had been home with her four sons at the time of the break-in.
SEATTLEAmazon has warned at least two employees who publicly criticized the companys environmental policies that they could be fired for future violations of its communications policy.

A lawyer in the e-commerce giants employee-relations group sent a letter to two workers quoted in an October Washington Post report, accusing them of violating the companys external communications policy. An email sent to Maren Costa, a principal user-experience designer at the company, and reviewed by The Post warned that future infractions could result in formal corrective action, up to and including termination of your employment with Amazon.

The lawyer in the human resources group, Eric Sjoding, advised Costa in the Nov. 22 email to review the policy again and in the future anytime you may consider speaking about Amazons business in a public forum.

(Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

Costa and Jamie Kowalski, an Amazon software development engineer, told The Post in a joint statement in October that the company is contributing to climate change as its cloud computing business aids oil- and gas-company exploration. Costa also met with Amazons human resources department to discuss the matter in October.

It was scary to be called into a meeting like that, and then to be given a follow-up email saying that if I continued to speak up, I could be fired, Costa said via email, referring to Amazons warnings to her. But I spoke up because Im terrified by the harm the climate crisis is already causing, and I fear for my childrens future.

Costa said she will not be silenced.

Its our moral responsibility to speak up  regardless of Amazons attempt to censor us  especially when climate poses such an unprecedented threat to humanity, Costa wrote.

Kowalski acknowledged receiving a similar letter from Sjoding but declined to comment on it. A third worker, Emily Cunningham, said that she was informed in a separate meeting that she had violated the companys policies after speaking out on social media and to news organizations about Amazons climate impact.

Amazons external communications policy is not new and we believe is similar to other large companies, company spokeswoman Jaci Anderson said in a statement. In response to whether Amazon was trying to stifle workers, Anderson said employees are encouraged to work within their teams, including by suggesting improvements to how we operate through those internal channels.

Tech workers have recently become more outspoken about concerns over their employers policies. During a Sept. 20 protest, thousands of Amazon employees walked out and criticized the companys climate policies and practices. In November 2018, thousands of Google employees walked off the job to protest of the companys handling of sexual harassment claims. Workers at Google, Amazon and Microsoft have spoken out in criticism of facial-recognition technology from their companies, fearing misuse by law enforcement and other government agencies.

As a result, some of those companies are attempting to crack down. Some Google employees have alleged they were recently fired in retaliation for their public criticism of the companys policies and their attempts to organize. Google said the firings were a result of violations of its policies around accessing and sharing internal documents and calendars and has denied they were retaliatory.

On Sept. 5, a day after an employee climate group emailed colleagues about the Sept. 20 walkout, Amazon updated its communications policy to create a more streamlined and user-friendly way to request PR approval to participate in external activities, according to a notification on the companys internal website viewed by The Post. The policy requires a business justification for any communications and notes that approval could take up to two weeks.

The earlier version of the policy, which had not been routinely enforced with activist employees, required workers to request approval via email from senior vice presidents to comment publicly. The update requires permission from lower-level executives and can be sought via an intranet page, a change Amazons Anderson said makes its easier for employees to give speeches and grant media interviews.

As with any company policy, employees may receive a notification from our HR team if we learn of an instance where a policy is not being followed, Anderson said.

The day before the walkout, Bezos held a news conference agreeing to measure and report Amazons emissions on a regular basis and meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement 10 years early. Critics said at the time that the commitments lack accountability and transparency.

Three weeks after, Amazon released a new policy statement outlining its positions on a variety of hot-button issues for which it has faced criticism, including an acknowledgment that it would continue to work with the energy industry.

While our positions are carefully considered and deeply held, there is much room for healthy debate and differing opinions, the company wrote at the time.

Costas and Kowalskis initial comments to The Post addressed that new policy statement.

All three employees are members of Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, a group that has called on the company to commit to being carbon neutral by 2030, to end cloud computing contracts that help energy companies accelerate oil and gas extraction, and to stop funding politicians and lobbyists who deny climate change.

Amazon also has a social media policy that allows workers to post missives as long as they do not disclose confidential business information. Workers also are supposed to note that they are expressing their own opinions, not the companys. Anderson said that policy is part of its overall communications rules, not separate from them.

Cunningham, a user-experience designer, said she was informed in an October meeting with a human resources executive that she had violated the companys recently updated policy. Cunningham criticized Amazons environmental policy at the companys shareholder meeting in May, and on social media and in news reports she has condemned Amazons work with oil and gas companies.

In an email, Cunningham wrote that the human resources meeting was frightening, adding that it also made her sad and angry, given the threat of climate change.

It was a clear attempt to silence me and other workers who have been speaking out about the climate crisis, Cunningham said.

Costa wrote that she understands that she cannot discuss confidential business information but that she believes she has an obligation to speak out about the causes of climate change and how to address them. Amazons efforts to silence employees criticism of its practices are damaging morale, she said.

Ive had colleagues, many of them very senior and tenured, say how disappointed they are  that this isnt the company they thought they were working for, Costa wrote.

Read more about:
Fully 8.5% of Hungarians have complaints about noise from the street or their neighbours, nearly the lowest rate in the European Union, survey data compiled by Eurostat show.

The survey data, from 2018, show the rate of the population that reported suffering from noise from the street or their neighbours was lower only in Croatia.



Almost 28% of Germans complained of noise, close to the highest rate in the EU.



The rate was 14.6% for the Czech Republic, 13.8% for Poland and 11.2% for Slovakia.



MTI Photo: Balaton Jozsef
US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who died in Baghdad "in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad," the Pentagon said.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," the Department of Defence said.

Following Soleimani's death, Trump tweeted an image of the US flag without any further explanation.

The strike, which occurred at Baghdad's international airport on Friday in Iraq, also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

A pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

The Baghdad airport was hit in a volley of missiles just after midnight Friday, Iraq's military had announced.

Security sources told AFP the bombardment hit a Hashed convoy and killed eight people, including "important figures." Soleimani heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force and also serves as Iran's pointman on Iraq, visiting the country in times of turmoil.

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization," the Pentagon said.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," it added.

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past months, including on December 27, the day the US contractor was killed.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.
West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh on Friday conducted a workshop on the amended Citizenship Act and asked party workers to reach out to the people on the issue to allay their "fears and misinformation" allegedly spread by the ruling TMC in Bengal.

He directed the cadres to go to each and every household of the state and tell people on the need for citizenship for refugees who have been forced to flee the neighbouring countries due to religious persecution.

"Efforts are on to malign the prestige of the country at international forum. The refugees have been made voters to seek their votes, but they have not been accorded citizenship. This is a farce," Ghosh claimed.

"We want that our refugee brothers get citizenship and live in this country with honour. But the opposition parties have other plans. They are opposing it for their own vested political interests," he said at the workshop here.

Ghosh along with top BJP leaders conducted the day-long workshop for party cadres on the new citizenship law.

The BJP leader said the issue would be a poll plank of the party in the municipal polls in 107 municipalities and Kolkata Municipal Corporation due in April-May 2020.

"The TMC might use the issue in the municipal polls. But that won't yield any results as the people are with us," he claimed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Newly appointed army chief, General MM Naravane, on Friday called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.



"General MM Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff, called on President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan," stated a tweet from Rashtrapati Bhavan's official Twitter account.

General Naravane took over as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday, succeeding General Bipin Rawat who has become India's first Chief of Defence Staff.

Naravane previously served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff. (ANI)
Norwegian authorities have suspended a search-and-rescue mission for two Bulgarian sailors who apparently fell overboard from a cargo ship, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry says.



The ministry on January 2 said rescuers halted operations because of high winds and eight-meter-high waves in the area.



"According to the Norwegian Joint Rescue Coordination Center, under the current climatic conditions there is no chance for those who have fallen into the water to survive for such a long time," the ministry said.



Two helicopters were involved in the search on January 2 in Norwegian waters some 400 kilometers off the town of Bodo.



The sailors went overboard from the Stara Planina cargo ship, which was carrying a crew of 19 people, 18 of whom were Bulgarian with one Ukrainian citizen.



The ministry said the operation would not be resumed on January 3. It said Norwegian police were investigating the case.

Based on reporting by Reuters
News websites and social-media threads this morning are filled with reports of the death of Qassem Soleimani, a name most Americans had never heard before.

So who is this man, whose death from a U.S. military drone in Baghdad has caused the hashtag #WorldWarIII to trend on Twitter?

Soleimani, also frequently spelled Suleimani, led the Quds Force, an elite branch of Irans Revolutionary Guard. He rose to prominence in Iran as a soldier during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s -- a conflict Iran calls the Sacred Defense -- but he was no ordinary military commander.

The best examination of Soleimani in the Western press came from acclaimed reporter Dexter Filkins in a 2013 New Yorker profile.

The Quds Force, Filkins pointed out, is roughly analogous to a combined CIA and Special Forces. That is, its goal is to exert its power across the Middle East by sowing violence and chaos.

That means Soleimani, 62, worked hard to prop up the brutal Assad regime in Syria, once insisting: If we lose Syria, we cannot keep Tehran. He also was responsible for killing many Americans in Iraq in the years since the U.S. toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. But his influence extended beyond those two well-known Middle Eastern hotspots.

Wrote Filkins:

Over the years, the Quds Force has built an international network of assets, some of them drawn from the Iranian diaspora, who can be called on to support missions. Theyre everywhere, a second Middle Eastern security official said. In 2010, according to Western officials, the Quds Force and Hezbollah launched a new campaign against American and Israeli targetsin apparent retaliation for the covert effort to slow down the Iranian nuclear program, which has included cyber attacks and assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

Since then, Suleimani has orchestrated attacks in places as far flung as Thailand, New Delhi, Lagos, and Nairobiat least thirty attempts in the past two years alone. The most notorious was a scheme, in 2011, to hire a Mexican drug cartel to blow up the Saudi Ambassador to the United States as he sat down to eat at a restaurant a few miles from the White House. The cartel member approached by Suleimanis agent turned out to be an informant for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (The Quds Force appears to be more effective close to home, and a number of the remote plans have gone awry.) Still, after the plot collapsed, two former American officials told a congressional committee that Suleimani should be assassinated. Suleimani travels a lot, one said. He is all over the place. Go get him. Either try to capture him or kill him. In Iran, more than two hundred dignitaries signed an outraged letter in his defense; a social-media campaign proclaimed, We are all Qassem Suleimani.

Soleimani was beloved in Iran, known for his khilib, or understated charisma. Irans government has already declared that there will be harsh retaliation for his killing.

Did the Trump administration do the right thing by taking him out? That depends on who you ask.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, called Soleimanis death a major blow to the Iranian regime.

Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, said Soleimani was a bad man with a lot of blood on his hands, but Donald Trumps decision to assassinate him was a reckless escalation that will take us further down the road to ruinous war.

Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat from New Jersey, pointed out that both Republican and Democratic administrations have had opportunities to kill Soleimani over the years and passed them up. So the question, he said, is: Why now?

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answered Menendezs question by insisting the decision to assassinate Soleimani was in response to imminent threats to American lives in the Middle East. He added: There would have been many Muslims killed as well, Iraqis, people in other countries as well. (Listen to Pompeo give an interview on CNN.)

Talking Points Memo editor Josh Marshall, for one, isnt sure what to make of Pompeos statement.

Who knows? Marshall wrote on Twitter. But if theres an imminent plot agst [sic] US military personnel, assassinating top regime/mil leader isnt the most obvious way to disrupt such a plot.

Read Filkins 2013 profile of Suleimani.

-- Douglas Perry

@douglasmperry

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Talking of the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s or, strict immigration laws in the Gulf countries, at rallies in support of the amended citizenship law, may appear outlandish. Yet, in West Bengal, such issues are being raised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as part of a campaign tuned specifically for indigenous Muslims. Special pamphlets are being printed for the minority community, while top leaders are addressing at least three workshops every week to train party workers.

In certain areas, such as Cooch Behar district in north Bengal, the BJPs minority morcha (front) leaders are saying that Muslims in the region were originally Hindus till their forefathers were forcibly converted by the generals of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

The converted Bengali Muslims are locally referred to as Narsho Sheikh. There are around 2.2 million Narsho Sheikhs in Bengal. I am one of them, said Ali Hossain, president of the BJPs Bengal minority morcha on Friday, hours before BJP state president Dilip Ghosh addressed workers at a workshop on Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). Many of the foot soldiers came from distant districts.

The strategy for Bengal comes in the wake of BJP national president Amit Shahs announcement that the party will win the crucial 2021 Bengal assembly polls with a two-thirds majority. Party leaders in Bengal are aware that achieving it will not be easy without Muslim votes even though they won 18 of the states 42 Lok Sabha seats last year.

The minority morcha is telling local Muslims that their counterparts, who sneaked in from Bangladesh over the past decades, are eating into their share of employment and livelihood. No Muslim country would allow that for the sake of religion or brotherly feeling. We are thus referring to wars between Islamic nations to illustrate that the nation is bigger than religion, said Hossain.

Muslims are in majority in Malda, Murshidabad and North Dinajpur districts and comprise a sizeable chunk of voters in Nadia and the North and South 24 Parganas. BJP has 0.4 million Muslim workers in Bengal.

A whisper campaign started months ago, said Hossain.

He added that a rally will be held in Kolkata later this month where the central leadership of the party will be invited to participate.

According to the 2011 census, Muslims comprise 49.92 per cent and Hindus compromise 49.31 per cent of the population in North Dinajpur which has nine assembly segments.

In Murshidabad, which has 66.27 per cent Muslims, there are 22 assembly segments. In Malda, which has 12 assembly seats, Muslims comprise 51.21 per cent. At present, most of the 43 assembly seats in these three districts are in control of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Significantly, no other state in India witnessed so much destruction to public and railway property as was seen in Bengals Malda and Murshidabad during protests against CAA. Trains and buses were set on fire.

Bengal BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said Mamata was scaring Muslims because the infiltrators are a big vote bank for her.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scaring all Muslims because she needs the captive vote bank of the illegal infiltrators whose number is more than 10 million in Bengal, said Basu.

Kolkata-based political science professor Udayan Bandopadhyay, however, says the BJPs strategy may not work.

I do not think BJP will gain from this strategy in Bengal. The Muslims are united against it. The party will gain if Left supporters back it the way they did during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls to counter the TMC, Bandopadhyay said.

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TRINITY, Fla., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- What wouldn't a mother sacrifice to give her child a quality education? Join students, parents, and community leaders to answer this question while discussing the power of school choice at the "Miss Virginia Screening Celebration" at Generations Christian Church Saturday, Jan. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

The centerpiece of the free event will be a 10 a.m. screening of "Miss Virginia," a movie drama inspired by the true story of education advocate Virginia Walden Ford. The movie stars award-winning actress Uzo Aduba as an inner-city mother who fights for better school options for her son.

Programming that will precede the screening includes remarks by Jim Howard, executive director of Trinity Security Allies and Starla Brown, state deputy director of Americans for Prosperity. After the screening, a networking reception will follow allowing attendees an opportunity to share their own education stories. Additionally, students from Dayspring Academy will perform the official National School Choice Week dance at 9:45 a.m.

This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2020, which will feature more than 50,000 school choice events across all 50 states.

Attendees may pre-register at https://trinityflscreening.splashthat.com/ or register in person from 8:30-9:00 a.m at the event. Generations Christian Church is located at 1540 Little Road.

"All are invited to enjoy the movie and take part in a community conversation about education," said Wendy Howard, outreach manager at Trinity Security Allies. "January is the perfect time to start thinking about your child's educational options for next year."

The Miss Virginia Screening Celebration is co-hosted by Trinity Security Allies, Americans for Prosperity Florida, and the Libre Institute.

As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort, National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for students, families, and communities around the country. From January 26 through February 1, 2020, more than 50,000 independently-planned events will be held in celebration of the Week. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week

Related Links

www.schoolchoiceweek.com


Speed was a factor in the horrific Christmas night crash that killed three Geneva teens, and injured two others.

Though Geneva police investigators have not finalized, nor officially released the crash report, Lt. Michael McDuffie on Thursday released some of the initial findings. Cassidy Dunn, Emilee Fain, and Addyson Martin, all 16 and longtime friends, were killed in the accident.

The Geneva High School students were killed, and the other two girls injured, the 6 p.m. Christmas night crash. Geneva Police Lt. Michael McDuffie said the girls were in a Lincoln MKZ when they topped a hill, ran off Westville Avenue and careened into an oak tree. There were no other vehicles involved, and McDuffie said they possibly swerved to avoid a deer.

The roof of the car had to be cut off to remove the girls from the vehicle.

McDuffie said Addyson was driving, and Cassidy and Emilee were sharing the other front seat. None of the three girls killed were wearing seatbelts. Emilees sister, Mollie Fain, and Emma Justice were in the back seat. They both were wearing seat belts. One of the backseat passengers was taken to UAB Hospital with critical injuries but McDuffie said her prognosis is good. They had her up walking the other day, he said.

McDuffie said alcohol, drugs and distracted driving were not involved in the crash. The posted speed limit in that area was 25 miles per hour, and he said the girls were traveling well above that based on the damage to the vehicle. There were no skid marks or any other signs of braking.

Though they had spent Christmas Day with their families, they had later gotten together at a friends house and were headed elsewhere after that gathering. Their deaths rocked the close-knit community of about 4,500.

The girls not only went to school together, but all three also attended First Baptist Church Geneva. Funerals for all three took place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The girls full obituaries can be read here.
Job Title: Program Manager

Learning Through Play Program Playmatters

Organization: War Child Holland (WCH)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

War Child works exclusively to improve the resilience and

wellbeing of children living with violence and armed conflict. We empower

children in everything we do. We work to unleash their inner strength through

our creative and engaging approach. We deliver vital child protection,

education and psychosocial support. We are present in countries where violence

and armed conflict are a fact of life. We work together with caregivers and

communities  as well as other NGOs  to strengthen the resilience and

psychosocial wellbeing of conflict-affected children.

Job Summary: Are you a seasoned and creative Program

Manager with a passion for tackling the challenges facing refugee children,

their families, communities and teachers? Do you have experience working with

refugee populations in East Africa? Are you ready for a new challenge, which

will see you lead War Childs efforts in collaboration with an IRC led

consortium to bring Learning through Play to hundreds of thousands of children

in East Africa?

War Child Holland (WCH) is seeking for a passionate,

creative and qualified candidate to support implementation of an exciting new

five year program to bring Learning through Play to refugee and host community

children in Uganda, Ethiopia and a possible third country. The PlayMatters

program is an IRC led consortium and is funded by The Lego Foundation for the

coming five years.

The Program Manager will be based in Kampala, with a

possible first phase in the Netherlands (War Childs Home Office in Amsterdam),

and will oversee all programmatic aspects, ensuring that objectives are met on

time and within budget.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:



Provide dynamic and creative leadership to the

program and the team



Oversees process bringing innovation to

implementation



Serve as the principal liaison with the lead

partner, as well as with other key partner officials and implementers, civil

society partners, and other stakeholders



Develop and maintain effective partnerships with

local and national organizations and Government



Ensure project activities are implemented on

schedule and within budget



Supervise, manage, and mentor project staff



Oversee project budgeting, financial management,

and compliance



Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of

program activities



Represent WCH publicly and support its

organizational development.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:



The applicant must hold a Post-graduate degree

in International Development, Conflict or Social Studies or other relevant

discipline



At least ten years of progressive experience,

including management experience in international development, with experience

working in East Africa (with an educational background as a plus)



At least three years of relevant technical

position, designing and implementing programs with a focus on improving

learning outcomes for children



Ideally, experience managing programs in

education, child protection, play and psychosocial support  in refugee

settings



Proven leadership qualities and excellent

management skills



Demonstrated ability to track and manage budgets

and plan both strategically and creatively to meet project objectives;



Affinity with Research and Play



Full professional Fluency in English required;

French is an asset



Fully support War Childs mandate and mission



Available full time and ready to travel



Preferred if candidate is already be based in

the region.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send

their applications online at the link below. Make sure to upload your English

CV (maximum of two pages) and cover letter by using the following hyperlink.

Click

Here

Deadline: 19th

January 2020

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or

find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is sending new year greeting cards to lakhs of people in Uttar Pradesh with the Preamble of the Constitution printed on those, party sources said on Friday.

The greeting cards, bearing the signature of the Congress general secretary, are being sent to intellectuals, writers, poets, journalists and social workers as well as the leaders and office-bearers of her own party, they added.

The sources said the state unit of the Congress is helping in this massive task and facilitating the delivery of the greeting cards to remind people of their responsibility towards saving the Constitution.

Priyanka Gandhi, who has lately been active in the state, visiting it frequently, was given the position of the Congress national general secretary just before the Lok Sabha polls held in April-May last year.

The Congress party, especially Priyanka Gandhi, has been at the forefront against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). She has read out the Preamble of the Constitution at various platforms.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Kumar Lallu alleged that the Constitution was being attacked under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the country.

"This is an effort by Priyankaji to make people aware of the basic ethos of the Constitution," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LONDON, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Austrian state of Carinthia may be best known for its crystal clear Alpine lakes and awe-inspiring mountains, but it is fast gaining in importance as a technology hotbed as well. Market-leading firms such as Intel, Lam Research, Infineon and Flex, alongside several cutting-edge start-ups, have all decided to locate in the region.



One reason why this part of the world is proving so attractive to tech firms is its mature research landscape, with the state boasting five independent research centres. In an exclusive article for The New Economy magazine, Jernej Dvorsak, Investment Promotion Manager at BABEG Invest in Carinthia , explained that there are other business-friendly factors at work too.

In addition to such fantastic infrastructure and investment, one of the biggest advantages to Carinthia is its enviable position on both European transport corridors  the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor and the Tauern Line, Dvorsak wrote . Everything is quick to get to within the state as well, making it extremely convenient for businesses.

Although the entire state provides a conducive environment for technology firms, particular areas are beginning to emerge as specialists in certain fields. Klagenfurt, the provincial capital, boasts a world-class IT centre in the form of its Lakeside Science and Technology Park, while Villach, the states second-largest city, has gained renown for its work with intelligent sensors and power electronics. In the Lakeside Park, BABEG recently built Europes biggest flying hall for drones and provided resident companies with the opportunity to develop their products and business models using new 5G technology that was established in October.

Businesses looking to locate in Carinthia will discover a state in possession of a highly skilled workforce, an attractive funding structure and no shortage of inspirational firms to collaborate with. The beautiful Alpine surroundings are just the icing on the cake.

Story continues

For more about BABEG Invest in Carinthia and how this state in southern Austria became a melting pot of research and innovation, check out the latest edition of The New Economy, available in print, on tablet and online now.

www.theneweconomy.com

World News Media is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world.
SANTA FE  Get rid of the perforated metal scrim on the north and south ends, and please, please try to do something to preserve the old mural in a meaningful way.

Thats the gist of the citys Historic Districts Review Board recommendation to Mayor Alan Webber regarding the citys position on the proposed redesign of the old building that is to become the states Vladem Contemporary art museum at the corner of Guadalupe Street and Montezuma Avenue. The mayor will take the recommendation to the states Department of Cultural Affairs, which owns the building, last used to house state archives.

When the $12.5 million renovation of the 103-year-old building that stands in the citys Transition Historic District was first proposed, it was met with objection by many who thought the proposed redesign was too big and too modern, and destroyed views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Others have supported a more modern design for a modern art repository.

While much of the Halpin State Archives Building would remain intact, the renovation calls for adding a second story and increasing its size to more than 35,000 square feet.

The final design recently announced by the state took off most of the scrim that would have covered window areas, but left some on the two ends. It also would remove a mural, painted on the east wall of the structure facing Guadalupe Street in the 1980s by Gilberto Guzman. The mural, which many have called for retaining, is considered an exceptional representation of the Mexican Azteca influence and was once included in a book about American street art.

One possible solution, or at least compromise, embraced by all board members present for Thursday nights meeting was to have the murals image projected on the same wall. The mural has been digitally archived and through 21st century technology can now be displayed in such a manner. The mural is a part of history we want to keep, board member Anthony Guida said. This is a great opportunity.

Board members and members of the public who spoke at the meeting said they were grateful the design team was accepting of previously expressed critiques of the original design. Its a better building than it was before, said John Pen LaFarge, past president of the Old Santa Fe Association, who added that he was mildly astonished that the state would even consider public input.

The Associated Press reported that writer Alicia Inez Guzman of Truchas said the destruction of the mural is evidence of erasure of Mexican American culture in Santa Fe. This is a prime example of gentrification. Its symbolic of a broader issue here about housing and certain populations getting pushed out, said Guzman, who is not related to muralist Gilberto Guzman.

In a brief interview after the H-Boards 4-0 vote expressing general agreement on the redesign and the recommendation to try to preserve the mural in some form, Mayor Webber called the effort a positive collaboration between the city and state. He noted the city has a good working relationship with the state department. Debra Garcia y Griego worked for the city before being appointed state cultural affairs secretary last year.
O il prices spiked following news that a top Iranian commander had been killed in US airstrikes.

It prompted Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to vow harsh revenge amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Oil prices surged on news of Soleimani's death, which ramped up supply worries as the geopolitical situation deteriorated.

The global benchmark Brent crude shot 2.97 per cent higher to $68.22 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude jumped 2.81 per cent to $62.90 per barrel.

Oil prices spiked after the US announced the death of Iranian Major-General Qasem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force / AP

Tapas Strickland, director of economics and markets at National Australia Bank, said: "It remains very unclear exactly what impact (the U.S. strikes) could have on the equity market.

"It is significant that one of Iran's top military generals was reported to have been taken out ... but it all hinges on what Iran does in terms of retaliation."

The strikes came after IS Defence Secretary Mark Esper said there were indications that Iran - or forces it backs - may be planning additional attacks after Iranian-backed demonstrators hurled rocks at the US embassy in Baghdad.

The US strikes in Iraq and recent dollar weakness also combined to burnish the value of gold, driving the precious metal 0.84 per cent higher on the spot market to $1,541.73 per ounce, around a four-month high.

Tehran shot down a US military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers last year. It. also blames Iran for a series of other attacks targeting tankers, as well as a September assault on Saudi Arabia's oil industry that temporarily halved its production.
Trump Tells Erdogan 'Outsiders' Trying To Complicate Situation In Libya

January 02, 2020

U.S. President Donald Trump has told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on January 2 that outsiders were complicating the situation in Libya.

It was not clear which countries or entities Trump was referring to, and a White House statement offered no other details.

News of the phone call comes after Turkish lawmakers voted 325-184 at an emergency session on January 2 in favor of allowing a one-year mandate to deploy troops.

There are concerns that Turkish forces could aggravate the conflict in Libya.

The Tripoli-based government of Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj is battling for power against a rival administration based in the east and led by General Khalifa Haftar.

Forces loyal to the warlord -- who is backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and others, including what is believed to be a force of Russian mercenaries  launched an offensive in April to capture the capital.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Sarraj's Government of National Accord had requested the Turkish deployment.

Ankara says the deployment is vital for Turkey to safeguard its interests in Libya and in the eastern Mediterranean.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/turkish-lawmakers- approve-troops-libya/30356417.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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T he targeted assassination of Irans most powerful military commander, General Qasem Soleimani, is a clear sign that the US is now in a state of war with Iran. Retaliation is bound to ensue, within days if not hours.

The leadership of Iran, from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the very top to President Rouhani and his foreign minister Javid Zarif, have sworn to hit back  and in this case they must be taken at their word.

The confrontation with the US has been building up for well over a year. Iran has engaged in a series of provocations against America and its allies in the region. The most spectacular was the series of disruptions and seizures of tankers in the Gulf and at the mouth of the Red Sea.

On September 14 Soleimanis men masterminded a co-ordinated drone and cruise missile attack on the pumping facilities in one of Saudi Arabias largest oilfields.

Soleimani had been Irans master strategist across the region for two decades. He was the architect of the alliance of Shia militias from the Mediterranean to the Gulf. In Syria these forces, led by Lebanons Hezbollah, have kept Bashar al-Assad in power.

Who was powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani?

In Iraq the network of Popular Mobilisation Forces, whose commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the drone strike at Baghdad airport, was repeating the pattern.

It had become one of the most powerful elements of Iranian sponsorship at the heart of the Iraqi state. The PMF militias, backed and trained by Iran under the direction of Soleimani, are an integrated part of Iraqs armed forces.

The Kataib Hezbollah militia, led by al-Muhandis, has carried out 11 attacks on US training centres and bases in Iraq in recent months.

The attack on a training base in Kirkuk, in which the militia fired 31 rockets and killed an American contractor, was taken as a declaration of war. President Trump ordered five retaliatory air strikes, and then the targeted killing of Soleimani and al-Muhandis.

General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike ordered by Donald Trump / Getty Images / PA

Quite why the president decided to kill Soleimani now still needs to be explained. He had been in the cross-hairs before  George W Bush and Barack Obama both discussed killing him  and Mr Trump turned down the option as recently as last summer.

He took the decision to act after a briefing from Defence Secretary Mark Esper, and with little or no consultation with allies, including Britain, which has forces and advisers in Iraq.

Congress, almost naturally, wasnt consulted. But some further explanation is now due. It should reveal how much the Trump team has calculated the likely and possible consequences.

The Pentagon said the strike against Soleimani was defensive, to thwart attacks on American personnel that they believe the Iranian commander and his Iraqi subordinate al-Muhandis were planning.

The question is whether this fits into a thought-out American strategy or was a knee-jerk reaction.

Possibly Mr Trump may have thrown whatever he had last week as a US strategy for the region on the bonfire. It could mean the end of US presence and influence in Iraq  and not on Washingtons terms.
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US Embassy asks citizens to leave Iraq

US has urged American citizens to depart Iraq immediately after a US airstrike killed Irans top military commander.

The US on Friday urged American citizens to leave Iraq immediately in the aftermath of an airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander in Baghdad.,

"DUE TO HEIGHTENED TENSIONS"

"Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the US Embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately," the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy asked its citizens to leave Iraq by air or relocate to a second-country via land routes.

"Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound [in Baghdad], all public consular operations are suspended until further notice," it said.

For those who need consulate support, the US Consulate General in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, will be in service, it added.
MINSK, Belarus  Russia has halted oil supplies to Belarus as talks on strengthening economic ties remained stalled over concerns that Russia could effectively swallow up its neighbor.

In a case that has echoes of Russias relationship with Ukraine before it annexed the Crimean Peninsula, Belarus state-owned oil company said Friday that Moscow has stopped supplying crude until contracts for this year are drawn up. Belarus two main refineries were operating at low capacity, running on reserves.

Russian oil company Transneft confirmed the suspension, which does not affect oil transit to Europe or the supply of natural gas.

Later on Friday, Belarus suspended its oil exports, which contribute up to 20% of annual GDP. State-owned oil company Belneftekhim said there were enough reserves to cover the countrys needs.

Belarus relies on Russia for more than 80% of its overall energy needs, including gas. Over 90% of its crude oil imports come from Russia. And it has been relying on discounted prices and loans from Russia for more than a quarter century.

But it has one point of leverage: Russia depends on Belarus to ship oil to wealthier markets in the rest of Europe. About 10% of Western Europes oil supplies come from Russia via a pipeline transiting Belarus.

The Kremlin has recently increased pressure on its ally, raising energy prices and cutting subsidies. It argues that Belarus should accept closer economic integration if it wants to continue receiving energy resources at Russias domestic prices.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held two rounds of talks in December, but failed to reach an agreement on deeper integration and on oil and gas prices.

Putin said Russia was not ready to subsidize energy supplies without a closer economic integration with Belarus, and Lukashenko insisted he would not sign off on the integration until the issues with oil and gas supplies were resolved.

In late December, Lukashenko ordered his government to look for alternative oil suppliers, though in practice that will be difficult considering the countrys near-total reliance on Russia.

There are concerns in Belarus that the economic discussions are a plot by Russia to swallow up Belarus. Those concerns have been fueled by Russias 2014 annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and its support for separatist insurgents in eastern Ukraine.

Before relations soured completely with Ukraine, Russia had likewise used energy supplies as political leverage to keep the country in its economic orbit and from developing closer ties with Europe.

Yuras Karmanau is an Associated Press writer.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.3

By Nargiz Ismayilova  Trend:

A new modern train control system is being introduced in Baku Metro CJSC, spokesman for the company Bakhtiyar Mammadov told Trend.

"Some types of the required equipment have already been purchased from Thales Group," the spokesman added.

"A new system is being tested at one of the metro stations," Mammadov said. "The full implementation of the system will take some time."

"Four types of Thales Group system are being installed, namely a microprocessor system ensuring control over the movement of trains, a dispatcher control system, which will be installed throughout the metro in the future, a TETRA radio communication system ensuring the operators communication with the dispatcher, systems and equipment, ensuring control over engineering and technical devices, escalators," the spokesman said.

"The microprocessor system and TETRA radio communication system are already being used."

"Despite the movement of trains on the existing green and red lines of the Baku Metro is currently based on SAT-ALI systems (automatic speed control and automatic control of a locomotive), CBTC automated control systems, which are the final product of technological development will be applied soon on the "green" and "red" lines along with the "purple line"," Mammadov added.

The "Research Agreement on the Establishment of Operational Control Center" and the "Agreement on the implementation of alarm and telecommunication systems of the Khojasan depot," signed by Azerbaijani First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva during a visit to France on March 11, 2019 are related to development of the Baku Metro in the coming years.

----

Follow the author on Twitter:@IsmailovaNargis
Oil prices soared early on Friday morning after U.S. forces in Iraq assassinated Irans most powerful and visible military leader, Qassem Soleimani.

The United States killed the Iranian general in an airstrike early on Friday morning according to Pentagon reports. Influential Iraqi militia commander and advisor to Soleimani, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was also killed in the attack according to a militia spokesman.

According to Al-Jazeera, the general was killed on his way to the airport in Baghdad, in what appears to be a series of targeted airstrikes on a convoy of vehicles carrying high profile guests which were being escorted from the airport by Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iran-backed group of militias.

Later this morning, The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the killing of the Iranian commander, stating the attack was carried out following a direct order from US President Donald Trump and was aimed at deterring future attacks on U.S. diplomats and service members throughout the region.

According to the Pentagon, the attack was a defensive action

U.S. President Trump has not yet responded to the high-profile assassination, but tweeted an image of the American flag with no commentary

pic.twitter.com/VXeKiVzpTf

 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

The airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani and Abu-Mahdi al-Mohandis can be seen as a major blow to Iran and as a direct response to last weeks attack on the U.S. embassy in Iraq by Iranian backed militias. Related: Iran Wants To Start Oil & Gas Production In This Disputed Hotspot

Irans Soleimani was not just the commander of its elite Quds forces, he was also the driving force behind covert operations throughout the entire Middle East, defending Irans interests in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon and was also said to have played a key role in the attacks on Saudi oil assets in September 2019.

The General was known to be one of the hardliners in Tehran and vowed to preserve the Iranian Republic in its current form. Feared by some, the general became some sort of an icon in Iranian popular culture, with his face being printed on banners and t-shirts. Also notable was his strong personal relationship with supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei from which he received Irans highest military decoration earlier this year.

Iranian leaders are expected to be gathering within the next couple of hours, and a firm response from Tehran can be expected within the next few days.

Irans supreme leader Khamenei has threatened "severe retaliation" against the "criminals" who killed Qasem Soleimani and has declared three days of national mourning following the death of the general.

Oil prices jumped more than 3% following the event, and can be expected to rise further towards the end of the week as geopolitical risk throughout the entire region just exploded.

By Tom Kool of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
General Qassem Soleimani was killed alongside six others following a US air raid at Baghdads international airport.

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGCs) Quds Force has been killed early on Friday alongside several others following a US air raid at Baghdads international airport.

Soleimani acquired celebrity status at home and abroad as leader of the Quds Force, the foreign arm of the IRGC, and for his key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq and spreading Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehrans regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check.

He survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past 20 years.

Soleimanis Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Irans borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011, and also helped armed groups defeat the ISIL (ISIS) group.

Ascent to power

Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998 and kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Irans ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrias al-Assad and Shia militia groups in Iraq.

He stepped into the limelight in recent years, appearing alongside Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Shia leaders.

In recent years, Soleimani has appeared alongside Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other Shia leaders [Khamenei.IR/AFP]

Under Soleimanis leadership, the Quds Force vastly expanded its capabilities, becoming a significant influence in intelligence, financial, and political spheres beyond Irans borders.

Soleimani was born into a poor family in southeastern Irans Kerman Province.

He started working as a 13-year-old to help support his family, spending his free time lifting weights and attending sermons by the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini.

As a young man during the Iranian revolution in 1979, Soleimani began his ascent through the Iranian military, reportedly receiving just six weeks of tactical training before seeing combat for the first time in Irans West Azerbaijan province, according to Foreign Policy magazine.

Soleimani emerged from the Iran-Iraq war a national hero for the missions he led across Iraqs border.

Arms in Iraq and Syria

Following the re-establishment of government in Iraq in 2005, Soleimanis influence extended into Iraqi politics under the leadership of former Prime Ministers Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Nouri al-Maliki.

During that time, the Badr Organisation, a Shia political party and paramilitary force that has been described as Irans oldest proxy in Iraq, became an arm of the state after the interior and transport ministries came under the control of the armed groups political wing.

Following the outbreak of civil war in Syria in 2011, Soleimani ordered some of his Iraqi militias into Syria to defend the Assad government.

During Iraqs fight against ISIL, the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces)  Iran-backed Shia paramilitary units, some of which fell under Soleimanis control  fought alongside the Iraqi military to defeat the armed group.

Mohammad Marandi, head of American Studies at the University of Tehran, said Soleimanis role in helping defeat ISIL made him a national hero and a martyr among the Iranian people and other Middle Eastern countries.

If it wasnt for people like him, this region would have seen black flags flying across the region.

Threats to Soleimani

Soleimani was rumoured to be dead on several occasions, including in a 2006 aircraft crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President al-Assad.

In November 2015, rumours circulated that Soleimani had been killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to al-Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

More recently in October, Tehran said it had foiled a plot by Israeli and Arab agencies to kill Soleimani.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in August that his country was working to uproot Soleimani, according to Israeli media.
Advertisement

By National Weather Service

Jan. 02, 2020 | CRITTENDEN COUNTY

By National Weather Service Jan. 02, 2020 | 09:16 PM | CRITTENDEN COUNTY

It's a reminder that tornadoes in the Ohio Valley can be devastating even in winter, as today commemorates 20 years since a pair of F-3 twisters hit western Kentucky. The first damaged 100 homes in Crittenden and Webster counties, and the second added 750 more homes in Owensboro.



On the afternoon of January 3, 2000, the first tornado traveled 15 miles from the Crayne community along the Crittenden/Caldwell county line to Diamond in Webster County. Both communities suffered severe damage from the 160 mile-per-hour winds, but luckily just a handful of injuries were reported along its quarter-mile wide path.



About 30 minutes later, a second tornado packing 180-mph winds touched down in Owensboro. On its 7-mile long, half-mile wide path, 750 homes were damaged and 50 were totally destroyed, along with damage to dozens of businesses downtown.



Between the two twisters, media reports said 22 people were injured, and property damage was later estimated at $70 million. More than 20,000 people were without power after the storm.



The storm front had impacts across the region. Cape Girardeau had 100-mph wind gusts, and a 130-mph downburst occurred near Carbondale.



Flash flooding was also a concern after 4 to 8 inches of rain fell in 24 hours from Paducah to Henderson and Madisonville.
Changes to the pensions regime that have left thousands of older people on the dole have been criticised as "demeaning".

Many of the roughly 30,000 workers retiring this year will be forced to wait two years for their State pensions. This will mean many will have to claim the dole until 2022.

This is because the qualifying age for the State pension rises to 67 in January 2021, and to 68 in 2028.

To counter this, reduced pension payments should be made on an interim basis, according to the Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF).

Figures in this publication last week show the number of over-65s on the dole has trebled since the Government made them wait an extra year for the pension. There are now 5,263 on Jobseeker's Allowance, which is 45 a week lower than the State pension.

Chief executive of the IAPF Jerry Moriarty said the situation was "highly concerning and demeaning" for Ireland's older population.

"The fact that our Government expects the 30,000 people who will turn 65 in 2020 to sign up for Jobseeker's Allowance for two years is nothing short of an insult," he said.

"A group who will have contributed to both the Irish tax take and the Irish economy for over 40 years should not have to face this prospect after a lifetime of work."

The boss of the pension-saver body called on the Government to consider the payment of a reduced pension for retirees who need or want to retire before the new State pension age.

"We are also advocating for some form of staged phasing in of the changes, to avoid the cliff edge, and to ensure that these pensioners do not lose out on a full year's pension."

A spokesperson for Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said the reason for the changes was to make the State pension system more sustainable as life expectancy increased.

Demographic change meant that the future costs of the State's pension provision are increasing by approximately 1bn every four to five years, the spokesperson added.
The past week ushered in not just a new year, but a new decade. The 2010s were an interesting time in New York City and state politics. Anthony Weiner was the front-runner for New York City mayor in 2013, and by 2016, he was already one of the biggest losers of City & States first decade. If New York lives up to its reputation, the next 10 years in local politics will surely take some unexpected turns.

First though, a look back not at the past decade, but the past week in the news.

Anti-Semitic attack in Rockland County

On Dec. 29, a man wielding a machete burst into a Hanukkah celebration at the Rockland County home of a rabbi and injured five people, including one man who remains in critical condition. The suspected attacker was quickly arrested and charged with attempted murder, a hate crime and several other crimes. The stabbing capped off a week that had already been marred by numerous anti-Semitic incidents in New York City. Following the stabbing attack, several Jewish lawmakers asked Gov. Andrew Cuomo to declare a state of emergency, which he has not done yet. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new efforts to combat anti-Semitism in Brooklyn. New Yorks congressional delegation also called for new federal funding for security at synagogues and other Jewish institutions.

Bail reform goes into effect

The new year ushered in changes to New Yorks bail laws, eliminating cash bail for many misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. Even before the Rockland County stabbing and other anti-Semitic attacks, Republicans offered grave warnings about the unintended consequences of eliminating cash bail in these cases. New York City Councilman Joseph Borelli pointed to an accused bank robber being released without bail as an example of the laws failure. The uptick in anti-Semitic hate crimes over the past two weeks led Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein to introduce legislation to make hate crimes eligible for bail. It also prompted de Blasio, who already had reservations about the bail reforms, to say that the new law needed some fine-tuning.

Brian Kolb arrested, vacates leadership post

Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb was arrested for allegedly drinking and driving after crashing his state-owned SUV in a ditch on New Years Eve. On Friday, Kolb stepped down from the leadership post that he had held for 10 years, saying in a statement that he would not let his personal challenges distract from the conferences goals. In an ironic, classic New York politics twist, Kolb had written a column just a week before his arrest warning against impaired driving and advising his constituents to drink responsibly over the holidays. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, which sparked another debate on the new bail reform laws.

Cuomo approves and rejects last-minute bills

Although the legislative session ended in June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo spent the end of 2019 putting his signature, or veto stamp, on some of the more than 900 bills the state Legislature passed last year. He vetoed a bill meant to protect employees from wage theft and another meant to lower barriers to medication used for opioid use disorder for those on Medicaid. He also declined to take action on a bill that would have eliminated the tipped minimum wage for the majority of workers subject to it. Cuomo did direct the state Department of Labor to phase out the tipped minimum wage by the end of 2020 for car wash workers and hairdressers, although restaurant workers were explicitly left out of the order. An addition to his vetoes, Cuomo also approved several bills, including one authorizing the design-build contracting method for New York City agencies. The process saves time and money by combining an infrastructure projects design and construction into one contract.

Queens borough president race takes shape

The race to replace former Queens Borough President Melinda Katz began to shift into full gear during the past week. It started when New York City Councilman Donovan Richards got the backing of the Queens Democratic Party in the upcoming nonpartisan special election. Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman also dropped out of the race, bringing the number of candidates down to five. New York City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer received the endorsement of Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, bolstering his progressive image. And with Katz officially out of office on Jan. 1, when she began her new gig as Queens district attorney, de Blasio declared that the special election will be held on March 24.

Update: Around the time of publication, former Queens Assistant District Attorney James Quinn announced his run for Queens borough president. He is the sixth candidate in the race.
Chetana Belagere By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Union governments think tank Niti Ayog hails Karnataka as an example for a successful public-private partnership (PPP). But, public health experts are not convinced.

When there is evidence of failed PPP models in primary and tertiary healthcare in Karnataka, why continue with the same mistakes? Why not invest in good public healthcare institutions instead of feeding the corporates? asks Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health expert who extensively studied the PPP healthcare model in the state.

Stakeholders of Niti Aayog are meeting on January 21 to discuss a PPP model to reportedly bridge the gap between medical education and the availability of qualified doctors.

Several models have been studied and tried since early 2000, but there is no dearth of stories of disasters in healthcare PPP, she explained.

ALSO READ: Niti Aayog unveils plan on takeover of district government hospitals by private players

Dr M Madan Gopal, former principal secretary to health and family welfare department said, there have been examples of failures in Karnataka. For instance, the PPP for primary healthcare, the Arogya Bandhu scheme, was scrapped by the state government in January 2016 following a series of complaints of non-compliance with rules, misuse of funds, lack of accountability, poor availability of qualified human resources and failure to provide quality service to patients by the NGOs running the primary health centres,

The PPP for tertiary care, the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, was rolled out by the government in Raichur in tie-up with Apollo Hospitals. The government provided 73 acres land for the hospital building and staff quarters, power and water and a financial aid of Rs 60 crore.

Following an evaluation by the state government in April 2011, it was found that there was poor governance, accountability and grievance redressal mechanism in the hospital. The contract was terminated in May 2012 and hospital equipment worth Rs 37 lakh was seized by the Principal District and Sessions Court for unpaid dues. These two have been highlighted as successful models of PPP? Dr Karpagam said.

Sulakshana Nandi, national joint convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan said, It will not only compromise on the quality and access to healthcare for poor patients but also lead to flourishing of private medical colleges. To encourage setting up of a medical college hospital, why should government hand district hospitals to a private entity?

She felt the trend will only produce doctors who have paid huge money as capitation fee. Meanwhile, Dr Alex Thomas, president of Association of Health Care Providers India said it is a good idea but it doesnt sound realistic.

If the government actually does a 50-50 of management of these hospitals, then the tie-up will work. Financial sustainability of private partner is also something which one has to look at, he explained.

Experts say the policy of encouraging private medical colleges, both through diminishing investment in public-funded medical education and through regulations designed to facilitate private colleges needs to be reversed.
To the credit of the government, the Prime Minister announced the intent to create the post of a Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) on August 15, 2019, and a communique was issued on the nuts and bolts related to the adoption of the CDS system. That is in contrast to the 18 long years it took after the Kargil Review Committee (KRC) and the Group of Ministers (GoM) had recommended the creation of a CDS and the integration of the defence ministry. This delay is not something unusual as most countries which have adopted the joint military security model have done so riding roughshod over opposition from within the armed forces and civilian bureaucracy. The United States, which considers itself a model of integration today, did move rapidly into the joint theatre concept after 1986 but till then its four services (including the Marines) resisted it tooth and nail. Only legislation, famously called the Goldwater Nichols Act, saw implementation of the integration under President Ronald Reagan after the failed Grenada operation and the earlier disastrous rescue operation of hundreds of hostages at the US embassy in Tehran in 1980.

In India, Kargil 1999 triggered the need for a CDS. The need was felt for a single-point strategic military adviser to the government. Even after the KRC and GoM recommendations, the government seemed reluctant and moved less than halfway to create a HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS), headed by a three-star officer, to address joint aspects. HQ IDS was to be the CDS domain, but awaited its true head for 18 years.

What has finally emerged may, of course, not meet every aspiration but a fairly exhaustive communique has clarified much. As a four-star officer the CDS will the first among equals, but by virtue of his retiring age being 65 will mostly be senior in service seniority to all the three service chiefs. He will exercise no operational command over the three constituent services, but will be the permanent chairman of the chiefs of staff committee (CoSC), giving that appointment stability for up to three years for the present, as against the short tenures which had become a characteristic of the CoSC. There is some criticism about appointing a CDS with only four-star rank; the perception prevails that equivalence of rank does not carry the stamp of authority. However, this is generally the rule in most other nations, and the physical seniority consideration would give authority as per norms of the uniformed services. The CDS will exercise authority over the only conventional joint command  the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) and also the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), where the nuclear launch resources of all three components are integrated for a nuclear response. The latter will make him the nuclear adviser to the PM, although the actual command and control of the nuclear forces may have several other layers. The CDS would also take under his wing the three special agencies involving domains of cyber, special forces and space, and all other systems relating to innovative technology. The 15-year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) will also evolve under him as will modernisation, and he will be the one allocating priorities after taking into account the recommendations of the three service headquarters. That means the financial allocations will be his responsibility, and that is where his power will largely lie.

An additional aspect is the three-year leeway given to the first CDS to prepare the ground for an integrated theatre command system. Thus, it is clear that the current CDS system is evolutionary and will progressively adopt more means of integration and joint functioning until an integrated theatre command system emerges something akin to the American model, where the theatre commander reports directly to the President through the defence secretary. Interestingly, an issue has been raised politically about a relative lack of clarity about the first among equals system; on who exactly will render one-point strategic military advice to the government since the CDS has no authority over the three service chiefs. In fact, it is heartening to note that after a long time a critical decision relating to the military is being debated within political circles. Even in the service community this doubt has been raised, and consensus appears on the fact that in the interim the CDS and the three service chiefs will all be invitees to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS); a virtual four-point advice as the CDS exercises no operational command and control over the component services and only commands the resources directly under him. Two points of significance here. First, that this is a work in progress and much depends on how the CDS system progresses from here; perhaps only the CDS may be consulted by the government and a service chief may be called upon to render more operational details, contingent upon the type of operation and the service primarily involved. Second, if and when the integrated theatre command system is in place, none of the service chiefs will have operational control over their forces; it is the theatre commanders who will enjoy that. In that situation, the CDS will be the one-point adviser to the government after the consultations with the integrated theatre commander have been conducted. There is nothing sacrosanct about this, and a unique system suited to Indian conditions may well emerge over the next few years.

Lastly, there is a question being raised about the newly-created department of military affairs, which the CDS will head with the status of a secretary. It is to be seen whether this will the precursor to a more integrated MoD if the HQ IDS acts as the core of the DMA with some inducted civilian bureaucracy. The defence secretary will obviously remain the coordinator between different departments of the MoD, but the CDS will have the power to send files directly to the Raksha Mantri (RM), thus circumventing the bureaucracy. A long-pending anomaly also needs correction when such momentous decisions have been taken. It is time the defence of India devolves on the RM. By a flawed understanding, this still remains the responsibility of the defence secretary, who is neither experienced nor empowered enough to execute it.

Much more debate on the CDS will follow in due course, but for now we need to celebrate a sound decision taken after years of political and bureaucratic procrastination.
The reaction of Iran to the death of General Qasem Soleimani will be elaborative, the Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian-Armenian University, Professor Garnik Asatryan told Armenian News - NEWS.am.

Now Soleimani is a consolidating icon, a factor uniting Iran at the metaphysical level to a much greater extent than all Western sanctions, the consequences of which the Iranians face regularly, he said

According to Asatryan, Iran is a state with a living ideology, it is not necessary to reduce it to an exclusively religious idea.

This ideology is much wider and reflects the great cultural continuity, regardless of the historical period and regimes, he noted adding that the personality of Soleimani fits perfectly into this great historical and cultural paradigm.

The incident, of course, is a serious blow to the already fragile stability in the region. President Trump, who ordered the liquidation of Soleimani, could not help but understand this. If you remember, it was the successively demonized US that Soleimani repeatedly advocated for dialogue with the West ... This is a completely shameful act of political assassination - moreover, on the territory of the country, which owes much to General Soleimani maintaining borders in an extremely dramatic period of its history. If this act is not condemned, first of all, at the level of international organizations, such organizations are worthless: then all their efforts to maintain peace are nothing more than an imitation, the professor noted.

Irans reaction is completely logical, he noted.

Soleimani caused delight even among the opposition-minded Iranian emigration, including America. The general became a symbol of the country's greatness and inflexibility, the very embodiment of Iran in the historical sense of the term, embodying the characteristics of both Iranian epic heroes and Shiite martyrs, connecting ancient Iran with today's ... Asatryan noted.

As Asatryan noted, Iran will certainly find a way to demonstrate both its mastery of the situation and its influence in the region. But the essential reaction of Iran will be elaborative.

The goal of any truly great country is not simply to demonstrate its strength or to be able to give an equal answer to the challenge, which, of course, is within Irans strength, but in a balanced strategy - to intelligently deter evil in the long term. Iran is not inclined to hasty, reckless steps, he noted adding that Iran has a different goal - security and peaceful development of its own state amid stability in the region.

Speaking about Armenia amid this situation, Asatryan noted that the Middle East crisis is entering a new phase of its development and no matter what this phase turns into - another round of tension or a big war, it will affect the country with varying degrees of severity.

Tests can be at any level. We are bordered by states that are either openly opponents of Iran and Russia, or acting as convenient bridgeheads for actions against these countries. Not inclining to excessive pathos and drama, I want to say that I have no doubt in the ability of our large civilizational space to withstand threats. But, given the fact that Armenia, being in an arc of tension, marks one of the most painful and at the same time the most important points of this space, we will have to show the highest degree of consolidation and mobilization, be prepared for sacrifice and for a feat if necessary. We cannot afford to be a weak link. Every step of the country's domestic and foreign policy should be extremely verified amid the recent development, and the security issues of the Armenian states should be in absolute priority. Difficult times await us. But God is with us, he concluded.
Lebanese neighbours of embattled former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn have welcomed his sudden return from Japan, but anti-government protesters accused the ex-tycoon of belonging to a corrupt elite.

In an upper-class district of the Lebanese capital, traffic appeared normal in front the pink-coloured town house said to be the ex-auto tycoons base in the country. It was not immediately able to confirm whether Ghosn was inside the house, where the pale blue shutters had been flung open but a black steel gate was firmly shut.

The 65-year-old Brazil-born businessman has said he escaped injustice in Japan, where he was on bail awaiting trial over financial misconduct charges. On the street corner, a shop owner in his fifties named Rene said he was delighted Ghosn had returned for New Years Eve.

Injustice is unacceptable, said Rene, who said the business tycoon had been a guest of honour at his sons high school graduation. They did him wrong. A person is innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around, he added quietly as his wife sat nearby.

Japan cannot treat like this a person who took over an indebted auto company and turned it around to make profits and become one of the worlds leading firms.

Huge respect

Many Lebanese view Ghosn as a symbol of their countrys large diaspora and a prime example of Lebanese entrepreneurial genius, and were shocked by his sudden arrest in November 2018. Ghosn was out on bail after 130 days in a Japanese detention centre, but his flight to Lebanon has dumbfounded even his chief lawyer in Japan.

He faces charges of deferring part of his salary until after his retirement and concealing this from shareholders, as well as syphoning off millions in Nissan cash for his own purposes. Journalists gathered in coats and woolly hats outside the pink house in Beirut Tuesday saw a security guard rushing out of the premises on a motorbike.

An unidentified man with greying hair approached the house and slipped a letter through the bars of the gate. And soon after, two vehicles belonging to the security forces pulled up and a high-ranking officer stepped inside the premises briefly before returning to the street.

In the building next door, a blonde woman in her fifties who asked to remain anonymous said she was appalled at the handling of Ghosns case in Japan. They cannot treat him this way, she said. We, his neighbours, have huge respect for him. For the Lebanese, he is a prime example of success.

On Twitter, television show host Ricardo Karam defended the former auto executive. Carlos Ghosn is back to freedom on New Years Eve, he said. Every human being deserves human rights and a chance to tell the truth out loudly. Congrats to humanity!
Indian equity indices tumbled in tandem with global markets on Friday after the killing of a top Iranian general by the US ratcheted up geopolitical tensions, triggering a flight from riskier assets.

After dropping over 286 points intra-day, the 30-share BSE Sensex ended 162.03 points, or 0.39 per cent, lower at 41,464.61.

Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty closed 55.55 points, or 0.45 per cent, down at 12,226.65.

Global equities swooned after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq, marking a dangerous escalation in Middle East tensions.

World leaders reacted to the killing with alarm, even as Iran vowed "severe revenge".

Safe-haven assets like gold and the Japanese yen strengthened as investors assessed the risk dynamics.

Brent crude futures surged 4.4 per cent to USD 69.16 per barrel on supply concerns.

Back home, Asian Paints was the top loser in the Sensex pack, dropping 2.16 per cent, followed by Axis Bank, Bajaj Auto, SBI, NTPC and Bajaj Finance.

On the other hand, Sun Pharma, TCS, HCL Tech, Infosys, Tech Mahindra and Bharti Airtel rose up to 2.08 per cent.

During the week, the Sensex slipped 110.53 points or 0.26 per cent, while the Nifty lost 19.15 points or 0.15 per cent.

"Investors turned cautious as tensions emerge in the Middle East. Crude oil prices rose while strong dollar held IT and pharma stocks higher. With market testing new highs, emergence of geopolitical tensions could force people to book some profits.

"Crude prices could turn volatile due to risk of possible retaliation from Iran which could impact the performance in the short-term," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

BSE power, auto, bankex, finance, metal, utilities and basic materials indices skidded up to 1.20 per cent, while IT, teck and healthcare rose up to 1.52 per cent.

Broader BSE Midcap index settled 0.45 per cent lower, while the smallcap gauge closed in the green.

In rest of Asia, Shanghai and Hong Kong bourses ended in the red, while Seoul settled a tad higher.

Stock exchanges in Europe opened significantly lower.

On the currency front, the rupee depreciated 37 paise against the US dollar to 71.75 (intra-day).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ANAMOSA  Joe Biden said he understands why Iowa Democrats are taking so long to make up their minds: Donald Trump.

Many of the Iowa Democrats who attend campaign events for myriad presidential candidates say they have not yet decided which candidate to support in the Feb. 3 caucuses. Polling supports a majority of them have not made up their minds or are willing to have their minds changed.

The former vice president said he feels confident those late-breaking Democrats will gravitate toward his campaign because of his experience.

I think the reason theyre taking so much time this time  is because of Trump, Biden said during an interview after a Thursday campaign event at the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa. And I think the overarching concern is who has the best chance of beating Trump and turning things around. And I think it goes to who they think is most likely to be able to win thats consistent with their value set.

Thats why I feel good, where we have support from across the spectrum, unlike a lot of people. So I just feel good about it.

Anamosa is in Jones County, which Trump won by 20 percentage points in 2016.

One man asked Biden  who he described as the establishment candidate and status-quo Joe  how he can assure Democrats a Biden-Trump matchup would not end the same as Hillary Clintons campaign in 2016.

Biden responded that he believes sexism played a role in Clintons defeat, and he thinks many voters feel duped by Trumps 2016 campaign and will not support Trump in 2020.

To support that point, Biden noted public polling that shows nearly half of Americans support removing Trump from office  47 percent, according to a rolling average calculated by FiveThirtyEight.com. <http://fivethirtyeight.com/>

I think what Trump has done has awakened people to say, My God, this isnt who we are,  Biden said during the interview.

Biden said he rejects the premise he is the safe choice among the field of Democratic candidates.

I think that to the extent that (sentiment) exists  I think Im seen as the guy whos most ready to be president, as opposed to the safe pick, Biden said. I think its mostly about a sense of enthusiasm (about) not just who can move the country, restore the soul, but how you enrich the soul of the country.

Earlier Thursday, the Biden campaign announced an endorsement from Abby Finkenauer, the freshman congresswoman from Dubuque who defeated a two-term Republican incumbent in 2018 in the 1st District, which Trump won in 2016.

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New use drone technology that will help farmers to walk crops more efficiently will be available from creators Drone Ag in March 2020.

Skippy Scout is a crop monitoring application (app) that uses drones to automatically capture images which are analysed by artificial intelligence (AI) to offer arable farmers vital broad acre crop insight.

The phone-based app uses GPS and mapping software to fly a drone to points in a field selected by the farmer.

The images taken by the drone are interpreted by the app to provide an accurate green area index (GAI) and count emerging plants.

The quality of image collected can also identify weeds and is accurate enough to capture insect damage on a single leaf.

Jack Wrangham, founder of Drone Ag, and his team have spent the last eighteen months developing the software and during 2019 worked with 200 triallists.

These ranged from farmers and agronomists to universities such as Harper Adams.

He sees drones as an essential tool for farmers today and also believes that in the next five years drones will help provide much of the information needed to aid precision farming decisions.

He explains: Farmers have always walked their crops. However, the time available to do this in the traditional way is diminishing.

As farm sizes increase and labour units per hectare decline, the risk of losing crops because a problem has not been identified quickly enough will increase.

Skippy Scout offers every farmer the chance to see and evaluate crops easily and efficiently using just a phone and a drone.

Skippy Scout is a phone-based application that connects to a drone. The farmer chooses points using maps of their farm that are stored in the phone app.

The drone then flies to the selection taking images at each point. The images are fed back to the phone for analysis and AI in the app interprets the images to offer the operator information and advice.

Each set of results is recorded to allow for future comparisons to be made year on year.

Mr Wrangham further explains that drones and technology are not future fantasy, but vital tools that are being used by farmers today.

Technology is not a threat to farming, it is an aid that can save time and money. Adapting farming methods to make use of technology like Skippy is crucial if agriculture is going to provide for the worlds ever-growing population.

We have involved hundreds of farmers as trialists and many more are waiting to use Skippy in 2020.

Drone Ag was able to crowdfund the investment needed to develop Skippy Scout and will launch the product in March 2020.

A partnership with drone specialists Heliguy will offer farmers the opportunity to lease a package of drone and software, allowing those interested to experiment and learn how drones can benefit their farm.

We are arable farmers and we have developed Skippy at our own farm in Northumberland. This software is genuinely easy to use and is priced to be affordable to every arable farmer.

We believe drones can help and we have developed this software to be accessible to everyone who wants to embrace change and adopt new farming practices, Mr Wrangham said.
- Earlier, US Senator Edward Markey was barred from entering the Philippines as ordered by the Malacanang

- Markey was banned in the Philippines after his call to release detained opposition Senator Leila De Lima

- The US senator said that President Rodrigo Duterte is mistaken if he thought that the order would silence his voice

- Markey was the third US official that was prohibited from entering the Philippines

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Recently, Democratic US Senator Edward Markey was barred from entering the Philippines.

KAMI learned that the Malacanang ordered the ban of Markey following his call to release detained Senator Leila De Lima.

In a report by CNN Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that Markey of Massachusetts is the third US official who is not allowed to enter the country.

Through a different tweet, Markey commented over the Malacanangs order.

President Duterte is sorely mistaken if he thinks he can silence my voice, he wrote on Twitter.

He has already failed to silence @SenLeiladeLima and others who have spoken truth to power. I stand with the people of the Philippines in fighting against his strongman tactics, he added.

PAY ATTENTION: Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news!

According to the Inquirer (authored by Christia Marie Ramos), the two other US senators who were prohibited from entering the Philippines were Patrick Leahy and Richard Durbin.

Leahy and Durbin introduced an amendment to the 2020 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill that aims to ban Philippine officials who are proven to be behind De Limas detention from entering the US.

De Lima served as the Justice Secretary from 2010 to 2015. In February 2017, she was detained for being allegedly involved in illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters!

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that up to 250,000 migrants were fleeing toward Turkey from Syria's north-west Idlib region after weeks of renewed bombardment by Russian and Syrian government forces.

Turkey already hosts some 3.7 million Syrian refugees, the largest refugee population in the world, and Mr Erdogan said it was taking steps with some difficulty to prevent another wave from crossing its border.

With winter worsening an escalating crisis, the United Nations has said some 284,000 people had fled their homes as of Monday. Up to three million people live in Idlib, the last rebel-held swathe of territory after Syria's nearly nine-year civil war.

"Right now, 200,000 to 250,000 migrants are moving toward our borders," Mr Erdogan told a news conference in Ankara.

"We are trying to prevent them with some measures, but it's not easy. It's difficult, they are humans too."

Towns and villages have been pounded by Russian jets and Syrian artillery since a renewed government assault last month, despite a deal agreed last September by the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran to ease tensions.

At least eight people, including five children, were killed on Wednesday in an Idlib town when the Syrian army launched missiles that struck a shelter for displaced families, witnesses and residents said.

In a report, the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the city of Maarat al-Numan and the surrounding countryside "are reportedly almost empty".

"Displacement during winter is further exacerbating the vulnerability of those affected. Many who fled are in urgent need of humanitarian support, particularly shelter, food, health, non-food and winterisation assistance," the OCHA said.

It said those displaced in December were fleeing toward Turkey, other parts of northern Idlib or toward other areas in northern Syria such as Afrin and al-Bab which Turkey seized in previous cross-border military operations.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, has vowed to recapture Idlib. Turkey has for years backed Syrian rebels fighting to oust Assad.

Mr Erdogan said last month his country could not handle a fresh wave of migrants from Syria, warning Europe that it will feel the impact of such an influx if the bombing is not stopped.

Moscow and Damascus both deny allegations of indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas and say they are fighting al-Qa'ida-inspired Islamist militants.

However, their advances also pile pressure on Turkey, which has 12 military posts in the area.

On Tuesday, Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar said it was out of the question for Turkey to evacuate its observation posts in Idlib.
Washington, Jan 3 : US President Donald Trump spoke over phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Libya and other regional issues, said the White House.

Trump told his Turkish counterpart on Thursday that "foreign interference is complicating the situation" in the war-torn country, according to a statement released by the White House, Xinhua news agency reported.

The two leaders agreed on the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians, the statement added.

Turkish Parliament on Thursday approved a motion authorizing a one-year deployment of its troops in Libya, despite the warning from some opposition parties that it will endanger Turkish soldiers' lives and add fuel to the proxy war in the North African nation.

Libya has been locked in a civil war that escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk which is allied with the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.

Turkey, along with its ally Qatar, backs the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj, while their rivals, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, support the LNA.
New York, Jan 3 : HIV patients lose immunity to smallpox even though they were vaccinated against the disease as children and have had much of their immune system restored with anti-retroviral therapy, says a new study.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of HIV medicines to treat HIV infection. It helps people with HIV live longer, healthier lives and reduces the risk of HIV transmission.

The study, published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases on HIV-associated immune amnesia could explain why people living with HIV still tend to have shorter lives on average than their HIV-negative counterparts despite being on antiretroviral therapy.

The study follows other research recently published in the journals Science and Science Immunology that found the immune systems of children who contracted measles similarly 'forgot' their immunity against other illnesses such as influenza.

For the study, lead researcher Mark K. Slifka from Oregon Health and Science University in US, and his colleagues compared the T-cell and antibody responses of a total of 100 HIV-positive and HIV-negative women who were vaccinated against smallpox in their youth.

The research team chose smallpox because its last known US case was in 1949, meaning study participants haven't recently been exposed to its virus, which would have triggered new T-cell and antibody responses.

They found the immune systems of HIV-positive women who were on antiretroviral therapy had a limited response when their blood was exposed to the vaccina virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine.

Normally, those vaccinated against smallpox have CD4 T cells that remember the virus and respond in large numbers when they're exposed again.

Previous research has shown smallpox virus-specific CD4 T cells are maintained for up to 75 years after vaccination.

This finding happened despite the fact that antiretroviral therapy works by boosting CD4 T cell counts in HIV-positive patients.

This indicates that while antiretroviral therapy may boost total T cell counts overall, it can't recover virus-specific T cells generated from prior childhood vaccinations.

The research team plans to evaluate whether the same phenomenon occurs in HIV-infected men, and if people living with HIV also lose immune memory to other diseases.

Researchers from SUNY Downstate, Georgetown University, Cornell University, University of Southern California and John Hopkins University, also contributed to this study.
(CNN)  Beijing has turned the tables on US President-elect Donald Trump over his accusation that climate change is a Chinese hoax, claiming that it was the Republican's own party that initiated global warming negotiations.

Trump in 2012 infamously claimed China had created the concept of climate change to make America's manufacturing sector less competitive, dubbing the global phenomenon "bulls**t" and "non-existent."

During international climate change talks in Marrakech on Wednesday, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin reminded reporters that climate change negotiations began with the UN's International Panel for Climate Change in the 1980s, supported by the US Republican-led administrations under Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.

It was the EU and the US who brought full climate change awareness to China, he said, according to notes sent to CNN by a Chinese delegate traveling with him.

Liu reiterated that climate change was not a hoax and that it was possible for Republicans to continue to support the process of addressing it, the delegate said.

The comments are something of a slap in the face to Trump, who painted China as an enemy of America, claiming the Asian powerhouse was "taking our jobs and taking our money."

US Secretary of State John Kerry tried to reassure delegates on Washington's stance on climate change.

"I know the election has left some uncertainty about the future. I can't speculate about what policies the President-elect will pursue, but I've learned that some issues look a little bit different when you're in office compared to campaign. Climate change should not be a partisan issue in the first place," he said in Marrakech.

"No one has a right to make decisions that affect billions based solely on ideology or without proper input," he said.

Read: Why climate change experts fear Trump's presidency

China and the US are the world's biggest emitters of greenhouse gases that are causing the earth's temperatures to rise, according to UN data

The two powers were not signatories to the Kyoto protocol that obliged developed nations to cut emissions by a certain percentage between the years 2005 and 2020

The US refused to sign the protocol and any other such binding agreement unless China was included.

The two nations did, however, sign the Paris agreement in climate change talks last year, which involves both developed and developing countries. It aims to keep the world's rise in temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to create a carbon-neutral world by 2100.

Trump has said he plans to dump the agreement, which he described as a "bad deal."

Scientists say a 2-degree Celsius rise would be dangerous for the planet.

Liu capped off his comments on America by saying the country should be more positive on climate change, considering it had a huge market from green energy and the technology to prosper from a low-carbon economy.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "China delegate hits back at Trump's climate change hoax claims"'
Bill Gates has become the latest billionaire to call for higher taxes on America's uber-rich.

The 64-year-old Microsoft founder - who is the second wealthiest person in the world with an estimated fortune of $114 billion - penned a New Year's Eve blog post detailing various ways that the government could extract more revenue from the wealthiest Americans.

'I think the rich should pay more than they currently do, and that includes [wife] Melinda and me,' Gates wrote on his website, Gates Notes.

Despite conceding that his proposals might not be popular with many moneyed Americans, Gates suggested that lawmakers could target the affluent by raising capital gains tax rates, increasing taxes on inheritances, and taxing fortunes that are sitting untouched in banks.

The tech guru stated that current tax methods favor the wealthy, and adversely affect the middle and working classes of the country.

'Today the U.S. government depends overwhelmingly on taxing laborabout three quarters of its revenue comes from taxes on wages and salaries,' Gates explained.

'Most people get almost all of their income from salary and hourly work, which is taxed at a maximum of 37 percent. But the wealthiest generally get only a tiny percentage of their income from a salary; most of it comes from profits on investments, such as stock or real estate, taxed at 20 percent if they're held for more than a year,' he continued.

Bill Gates has become the latest billionaire to call for higher taxes on America's uber-rich

Gates penned a blog post on New Year's Eve proposing ways for the government to effectively tax America's very wealthy citizens

'That's the clearest evidence I've seen that the system isn't fair. I don't see any reason to favor wealth over work the way we do today,' Gates then defiantly stated.

The billionaire went on to say he was also in favor of 'raising the estate tax and closing the loopholes in it that many wealthy people take advantage of'.

Changes enacted in Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 mean that only 2,000 estates are now liable for the estate tax, as a deceased individual can leave an inheritor up to $11.18 million per year with tax exemptions.

Gates slammed that change by claiming that a 'dynastic system where you can pass vast wealth along to your children is not good for anyone' as it destroys incentive for hard work.

Meanwhile, he further proposed targeting wealthy citizens by removing the cap on how much income is subject to Medicare tax and taxing large fortunes that are being held untouched in the bank.

The billionaire added that he believes lawmakers 'need to make state and local taxes fairer, since they represent a large portion of Americans' tax bills'.

The Seattle based businessman said he was in favor of 'adopting a state income tax in Washington'.

'I think the rich should pay more than they currently do, and that includes [wife] Melinda and me,' Gates wrote. The longtime couple is pictured in 2018

Elsewhere in his blog post, Gates explained why he only pays the minimum amount to the taxman, despite calling upon the government to increase the revenue they receive from the rich.

He said he funnels money into his Gates Foundation, which allows him to spend in more innovative ways that benefit society.

'In addition to fair taxes, Melinda and I think there's value to society in allowing the wealthy to put some money into private foundations, because foundations play an irreplaceable role that's distinct from what governments do well.

'In particular, philanthropy is good at managing high-risk projects that governments can't take on and corporations won'tfor example, trying out new approaches to eradicating malaria, which is something our foundation is working on,' Gates wrote.

Gates defended his philanthropy in his post, writing that it 'is good at managing high-risk projects that governments can't take on and corporations won't'

Meanwhile, the Seattle-based businessman warned against extreme levels of taxation that may hamper innovation.

'One of the reasons that innovators flock to the United States is that this country makes it easy to start a business, invest capital, and earn a profit.

'We shouldn't destroy those incentives, but we're a long way from that point now. Americans in the top 1 percent can afford to pay a lot more before they stop going to work or creating jobs,' he wrote.

Gates joins a long list of very wealthy Americans who say they are happy to pay more in taxes.

Last June, a group of billionaires shocked lawmakers in the US by calling on the 2020 US presidential election candidates to raise the taxes for the super rich.

An open letter signed by 19 of the 'richest 1/10 of the richest 1% of Americans' called for the creation a wealth tax on them and their peers.

Financier George Soros, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes and heiress Abigail Disney were among signatories.

The letter called for an increase in taxes on the wealthy to fund new investment in sectors including clean energy, universal childcare, student loan debt relief, improvements in infrastructure, and tax relief for low-income families.

It stated: 'America has a moral, ethical and economic responsibility to tax our wealth more.

'A wealth tax could help address the climate crisis, improve the economy, improve health outcomes, fairly create opportunity, and strengthen our democratic freedoms.

'Others have put far more on the line for America. Those of us in the richest 1/10 of the richest 1% should be proud to pay a bit more of our fortune forward to America's future.

'We'll be fine  taking on this tax is the least we can do to strengthen the country we love.'
ROME - Tension has dramatically increased across the Middle East on Friday after an American attack in Baghdad killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.



The head of Lebanese Hezbollah, Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, promised revenge.



"Inflicting the right punishment on these criminal assassins will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide," Nasrallah said in a statement cited by Lebanese media.



"Those of us who were at his side will follow in his footsteps and we will fight day and night to carry out his objectives," said the leader of the Party of God, backed by Tehran.



In a statement, Hamas said it sends its "condolences to the Iranian leadership and people for the death of General Soleimani, who carried out a key role in supporting the Palestinian resistance".



"We condemn the American criminals who spread tension in the region and benefit the criminal Zionist enemy. The United States is responsible for blood spilled on Arab soil. Its aggressive behavior creates new conflicts, without taking into any consideration the interests of the people, their freedom and stability," it said.



"General Qassem Soleimani was killed by the American-Zionist enemy while he was at the border," said Palestinian Islamic Jihad.



"We will all join together against this aggression," it said.



A member of Hamas, Bassem Naim, said that with Soleimani gone there is a risk that the entire region will be destabilised.



The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine also expressed its condolences.



"Soleimani was a leader who loved to fight on the ground," it said in a statement.



"He had sided with the resistance in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and everywhere. With this killing, America has opened the gates of hell," it said.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a sudden change of plans, decided to interrupt his current visit in Greece and return in the coming hours to Israel, said Israeli public radio.



Netanyahu also ordered his ministers to not comment on Soleimani's killing.



Israeli diplomatic forces are on high alert.



Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Ministry began a consultation convened by Defence Minister Naftali Bennett to discuss the possible repercussions of the general's killing on Israeli and the region.


The Pakistan Federal Cabinet on Wednesday, January 2, approved the proposed amendments of the Constitution and the Army Act to give the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa an extension for three-years. According to reports, the Pakistani government will also be introducing the bill in Parliament on Friday.

According to a cabinet member, the maximum age limit for an Army chief will be 64 years that will be applied in terms of extension, however, the regular age limit will for COAS will be 60 years.

Earlier in its verdict in December last year, the Supreme Court had emphasized that it was up to the Parliament to carry out the legislation.

Read: Pakistani TikTok star accuses Imran Khan's minister of lewd behavior in viral video; Watch

About Gen Bajwa's extension

According to media reports, earlier in August last year, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had attempted to extend the tenure of the COAS Bajwa through a notification. However, the apex court had suspended the notification for finding several irregularities in the way the extension was granted.

Read: Newly appointed CDS General Bipin Rawat briefs media

Further reports stated that Gen Bajwa was set to retire on November 28 last year. However, the Supreme Court gave a six months extension during which the Parliament would settle the issue.

Read: MASSIVE: US warns its air carriers to avoid Pakistan airspace over threat of attacks

Read: Indian Army chief's remark of 'preemptively strike' right 'irresponsible': Pakistan Foreign Office
CITY HALL -- New York City faces no specific credible threats at the moment following a U.S. airstrike attack that killed Irans top military commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Mayor Bill de Blasio and the citys top cop said Friday.

De Blasio said the U.S. strike on a state with a sophisticated military, like Iran, posed a threat different and greater than what New York City has faced previously. He cautioned that the country was now in a de facto state of war with Iran.

Over the last 20 years this city more than any other has suffered the results of terrorism, de Blasio said. The terrorism inflicted upon us came from non-state actors, it came from very dangerous terrorist movements and individuals. As of last night, we are dealing with a different reality.

None of us knows how this will play out, it will likely take weeks and months, maybe even years before we see where all this goes, he continued.

EXPECT GREATER POLICE PRESENCE AT KEY SITES

The mayor, alongside NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea and Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism John Miller, said the department would ramp up security at prominent locations across the city and use unpredictability as a deterrence.

Without saying where the NYPD would deploy more patrols, the mayor said officials believe the Iranians have an interest in prominent targets at well known American locations, which the department would keep special watch over.

The U.S. airstrike near Baghdads airport early Friday killed Soleimani and several of his associates. The 62-year-old led Irans elite Quds Force, responsible for the countrys foreign campaigns.

The White House justified the strike with a tweet alleging that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

But global powers took a dim view of the U.S. airstrike and urged restraint on all sides.

De Blasio said he was personally very happy Soleimani was dead, but cautioned that any U.S. retaliation could not be authorized without the approval of Congress, which he said must be brought to lawmakers immediately.

ROSE: PRESIDENT CANT GO TO WAR WITHOUT APPROVAL

Army veteran Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) said that the president cannot go to war without the approval of Congress.

No one should mourn the loss of Qassem Soleimani, who was responsible for hundreds of Americans deaths and injuries to thousands more  some of whom I know and served with, Rose said.

We are now faced with incredibly serious questions regarding the intelligence that led to this strike and what the Administrations plan is for what comes next. Let me be clear: No president, regardless of party, has the authority to go to war with Iran without Congressional authorization, Rose continued.

Associated Press material was used in this report.

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Hyderabad: IT and industries minister K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday officially kick-started the Telangana state governments Year of AI by launching the initiatives logo and website. The state government plans to conduct various events and deploy various projects by using artificial intelligence (AI) in 2020.

Mr Rama Rao, along with principal secretary, IT, Jayesh Ranjan, exchanged memoranda of agreement (MoU) with eight organisations including Intel, IIIT-H, IIT Kharagpur, NVIDIA, Adobe, Hexagon and NASSCOM. These organisations are expected to work with the government in fields such as applied healthcare, smart mobility, data sciences and skill development.

In his address, Mr Rama Rao spoke on how his government had always given importance to emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain and robotics. We launched our Information and Communications Technology (ICT) policy in 2016 in an attempt to a leader in emerging technologies. We formulated policy frameworks for blockchain, drones, cyber security and e-waste. Today, Telangana is ranked as one of the top states in blockchain in terms of adoption by government and on the presence of the ecosystem, he said.

We are not playing Big Brother: KTR

IT and industries minister K.T. Rama Rao also addressed issues related to privacy. People are getting paranoid about technology. They are afraid someone is snooping on them and violating their privacy. But they dont realise they are already using machine learning and AI technologies. For instance, if you see the photos in some phones, they are arranged in albums according to the people in these photos, he said.

However, he said, the government acknowledges these issues. Recently, our IT secretary had announced that the government had 30 crore data sets of the 4 crore people in the state. This would be very useful for AI applications. However, a newspaper reporter took this to be us playing Big Brother. We are not. We only want to use this data to help the people, he said.

Through these technologies, we are merely trying to ensure that the exchequers money is not misutilised and government services are distributed in a smarter way [..] Rest assured, we will pay heed and ensure the privacy of each and every citizen, he said.

The minister said AI could transform the future of many industries. Twenty years ago, nobody thought IT would be this big. Today, similar things are being said about AI. We know how much the IT industry has grown in Hyderabad, he said. Rama Rao explained that these applications would be crucial in helping the lives of people across the state.
For the last 10 years, St. Johns Congregational Church has been under the stewardship of Rev. Calvin J. McFadden who announced to his congregation in December that he will be leaving. The move will take him, and eventually his family to the Riceville Mount Olive Baptist Church in Houston, Texas on Feb. 2.

When I came to St. John's, I gave the church a 10-year vision, I called it the 2020 plan, said McFadden. I said, 'I'm starting in 2010 and this is where I see the Lord taking us over the course of the next 10 years.'

McFadden also serves as the executive director of Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School of Excellence, a charter in Springfield for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

McFadden felt a call to Gods service as a teenager. At 18, he went on to serve as a pastor during his college years at St. Joseph United Methodist Church in Deland, Fla., a small Methodist church which deepened his determination.

I was a college student at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and ... the college chaplain came to me to ask me about being a youth pastor at a little church, said McFadden. I was broke, and I said, Hey, I can work with kids and Im already in Ministry. I went over to interview, and when I got there, the folks were waiting to welcome me as their pastor.

From then McFadden became more confident through the church and in 1998 launched the first-ever African-American United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, Florida. The Ray of Hope United Methodist Church.

They had never had a predominantly African-American United Methodist Church in Tallahassee, the capital city in the state, said McFadden. The United Methodist Church in Florida at that time was very committed to starting new churches.

Ray of Hope grew from a small group of five people to an active congregation of more than 1,000 Hopemakers, during McFaddens time at the church.

[Hopemakers] was just the fancy word for calling our members, said McFadden. We called them, Ray of Hope hopemakers.

McFadden prides himself on the humble approach he takes toward his work and doesnt think there is anything special in the way he preaches. He told MassLive that he tries to have a sincere passion for leading people toward Jesus Christ that shows no pretension on his part.

I dont think there is anything specifically special about me, I try to tie biblical sermons of biblical stories [with] practical applications of peoples lives, said McFadden. And I think thats what people appreciate about my preaching and pastoring.

Many in his congregation are sad to see him go and are still dealing with the news.

I just found out today, said Charles Knight. He was the man to me. Every time I got something out of his sermon.

St. John's Congregational Church will announce a new Pastor in Jan. 2020 after Rev. Calvin Mcfadden announced that he is moving to Houston. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

St. Johns offers meals to the needy Monday through to Thursday, which according to Mcfadden is one of the biggest problems he has faced in his time at the church. Sometimes when looking out of his window he will see a line of people waiting for food that winds up the street.

There are many people in this community who are suffering, who are poor and cant afford the basic necessities of life. But to know that St. Johns is able to partner with other local organizations to help meet the needs of our community. I think thats what its all about. We try not to be an island unto ourselves, McFadden said.

The Food Bank of Western Mass. is one such organization St. Johns has partnered with.

According to his 10-year vision, he felt it was time for another challenge and claims that its Gods will that will send him to Texas.

I said, Lord if it is your desire for me to remain at St. Johns until I retire, Ill be submissive to your will, said McFadden. But, I knew that my personal desire was eventually to return south, to a much warmer climate and to finish the last half of my ministry in what we consider the Bible Belt.

His wife Jamina, and children, Catherine Yolanda and Calvin Jerome II McFadden will all stay in Springfield while Jamina finishes pursuing a Ph.D. at UMass.

She has always supported me in our moves and when I was working on my doctorate. So I think it certainly is only right that [I] would support her in continuing her doctoral studies and enjoying the work that she does, said McFadden. I [also] certainly didn't want to move the kids right now in the middle of the school year, but eventually our family will all be together in Texas.

Texas offers new challenges for McFadden as well as some comforts when it comes to churchgoers.

Riceville Mount Olive Baptist Church in Houston is an evangelical church that uses the five Es to advance its mission; Exalt, Enlighten, Equip, Embrace and Elevate.

St. John's Congregational Church will announce a new Pastor in Jan. 2020 after Rev. Calvin Mcfadden announced that he is moving to Houston. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

Texas has always been a favorite state of mine. I love the openness of Houston. I have always loved the flavor of Texas. You can certainly look at many churches in Texas; Dallas Houston, Austin, and San Antonio, there are huge churches in those areas because, in Texas, I'm not saying everyone goes to church, but a lot of people [do] go. McFadden states.

According to the Pew Research Center, 23% of people in Massachusetts attend church each week compared to 43% of Texans.

Four of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in modern US history have also taken place in Texas and within days of a shooter storming a Walmart in El Paso and killing 22 people, Texas passed a law that loosened even further the regulations in Sept. 2019.

On Dec. 29, a man shot and killed two people during a church service in White Settlement, Texas before two members of the church security team shot and killed him.

One of the things that I'm cognizant of is that unfortunately, this happened in Texas, but it certainly could happen anywhere, said McFadden. I think churches have to be very diligent in making sure that there's a level of security in their churches.

McFadden continued to say that a number of his congregation had reached out to him, expressing their worry about his move to a state with a much more lenient view on firearms.

I will tell you that my desire is certainly not for anyone to carry any firearms unless they are law enforcement, said McFadden. [Riceville Mount Olive Baptist Church] will have a security team to be the eyes and ears of the leaders of the church. But we also know that we can call on law enforcement if indeed something happens or there's a need. That would be my preference rather than a bunch of folks in the church opening fire for any reason that they might feel necessary.

The new law in Texas, that took effect on Sept. 1, 2019, allows Texans with concealed-carry permits to bring guns to places of worship unless a sign is posted prohibiting it.

Rev. Calvin J. McFadden will be leaving St. Johns Congregational Church on Jan. 26, 2020 and will be commuting back weekly to see his family and plans to stay in touch with his congregation should they need him for wedding or funeral services.

At this time the new pastor has not been selected but McFadden stated that the church committee has some promising candidates to fill the void that he will leave.
There was a time when Australian foresters kept Australian forests safe and productive. They maintained access tracks bridges and fire breaks, undertook prescribed burning, cleared flammable litter from the forest floor, cut suckers, manned fire lookouts, and maintained their own fire-fighting crews in decentralized districts. University-trained professional foresters were supported by tough, experienced rangers who learned their job in the bush.

Almost every advance in bushfire management in Australia, from the science of fire behavior to aerial burning, was thanks to our foresters. Into the 1980s, they were regarded as international leaders.

To pay for good forest management, sections of the forest were logged, allowing ground space and sunlight for the swift re-growth of new trees.

And those fading die-hards still beating alarm drums about man-made global warming should be reassured  the use of hardwood and softwood timber in power poles, telephone poles, bridges, wharves, posts, sleepers, haysheds, and houses provided long-term sequestration of the dreaded carbon. Moreover, growing trees extract CO2 more quickly than mature trees. Win, win, win.

Then we entered the Green Era. Foresters and timber-getters were demonized by urban greens, their tame bureaucrats and academics, and their state-run media mates. State forests were converted to national parks and wilderness areas, and John Howard created the hated Kyoto Protocol Forests on private land. Timber imports rose.

Every locked up, un-managed, un-burnt forest inevitably breeds disastrous wildfires. The combination of heavy fuel load, poor access for firefighters, drought, hot winds, arsonists, and dry lightning has only one assured outcome: a bushfire tragedy for the forest and the neighbors. (Why are no greens chaining themselves to trees now?)

This must change. No enquiries are needed. Anyone without green blinkers can see the evidence daily. So cut the locks, open the tracks, and remove the trash. Then call tenders from local people to use recreation, tourism, timber-getting or hunting feral animals to fund proper care and maintenance of our forests. A well managed forest can pay for its own management and also keep the community safe and happy.

Control must be local. Local foresters and local fire wardens must call the shots on when and how to reduce flammable litter, weeds, and suckers. Everyone should have the right (maybe the obligation) to fireproof his own properties and boundaries. There should be no more national parks  just local parks. And arson should be treated as terrorism.

The state governments can provide weather forecasts, bushfire warnings, radar information, aerial support, and TV performances. The Feds should return some of their tax receipts to help us to restore the forests we have lost, but otherwise, they should keep out of the way.

The urban greens have had their moment in the sun. They seized management of Australian forests from Australian foresters and have had every opportunity over the last 25 years to apply their evergreen theories on bushfire management. The result is there for everyone to observe: total and tragic failure.

Far too many bushfires start in national parks. Few stay in the parks.

It's time to get sensible forest policies and professional forest managers back on the job. Get rid of the Red Bull and the Green Fairies  bring back the White Knights.

Viv Forbes has been an explorer and pastoralist in Queensland and N.T. for most of his long life. He has lit fires (accidentally and deliberately), and he and his wife have fought fires and had their camps, fences, and pastures wiped out by fires. They were both members of a local bushfire brigade for over 25 years. (Judy was even qualified.)

This article has benefited from suggestions from experienced forest professionals and others.

Further Reading:

Green ideology, not climate change, makes bushfires worse:

https://volunteerfirefighters.org.au/green-ideology-not-climate-change-makes-bushfires-worse

Tasmanian Arson suspected:

https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6119161106001

Here are the culprits:

https://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2020/01/greenies-on-hazard-reduction-burns.html

While our ABC amends the past:

https://www.theunshackled.net/rundown/abc-attempts-to-memoryhole-story-on-backburning-protestors

Timber Imports to Rise:

https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/import-forecast-fells-domestic-timber-20101116-17w1p.html

Some Background:

https://saltbushclub.com/category/bushfires/
Bob Seely is the Member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight. He is running to be Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

The US drone strike killing of Iranian General, Qasem Soleimani, during a visit to Baghdad is a dramatic act, one which is very likely to generate a violent response from Tehran, although how is unclear.

Soleimani, 62, leader of Irans specialized Quds Force, was the public face and driving force of the expansion of Irans power throughout the Middle East in recent years. Like the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps it is both an ideological vehicle  the bulwark of the 1979 Iranian Revolution  and the expeditionary, violent wing of the Iranian state.

Like Russia, Iran has developed a very considerable expertise in what has been referred to as non-conventional forms of struggle. In Irans case, it is based less on the use of psychological tools such as deception and information warfare and more on supporting and developing proxies and insurgent tactics, ranging from paramilitary groups in Iraq to the Lebanese political/military organization Hezbollah.

Since the 1980s, books such as The Secret War with Iran have shown how Iran experimented and perfected the art of suicide bombs using proxies during the Lebanon civil war, primarily targeting Israeli soldiers and their Christian allies. However one of the most deadly attacks in that period was the 1983 suicide bombing of the US Marines, which killed 241 in Beirut. The attack was linked to Irans proxy, Hezbollah, and Iran itself. Iran has also been linked to assassinations of dissidents in Europe and even to the Lockerbie bombing, which killed 270 passengers and 11 on the ground in the UK.

Irans development of non-conventional war and proxy militias, not just in Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq but in Bahrain and elsewhere, was developed prior to Soleimanis leadership. But he took and expanded it, using these indirect tools to confront the US and Saudi Arabia. He was something of a hero in his own country, but a villain amongst many others, including Sunni Arabs and Iranian opponents of the Tehran regime.

It was Soleimani who very likely supported Iraqi insurgent attacks against US and UK forces, and was in part responsible for the development of the improvised bombs and the supply of rockets (made in China and elsewhere) that slammed into military bases and patrols during the Iraq Insurgency  including into the Basra airport base out of which many UK forces, including this author, served.

Indirectly, at least, he had the blood of many US and UK soldiers on his hands. He was the adversary of the US, the UK and many others who were victims of the Quds Force throughout the Middle East.

So what will happen next?

The current struggle between the US and Iran began in late spring 2018, when Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran Nuclear Deal, whereby Iran agreed to limit its nuclear development and accept international inspectors in return for the lifting of sanctions. The UK and others have remained committed to the deal.

US sanctions against Iran have proved highly effective. In response, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, called for pressure tools to be used against Washington. These included the seizing of vessels in the Persian Gulf, drone attacks on Saudi oil refineries, and attacks against US forces in Iraq.

In the past weeks, US forces have came under mortar fire  known as indirect fire  and the US embassy attacked by a mob. The US responded by striking several military bases on the Iraq/Iran border, and now by the killing of Soleimani.

Both Iran and the US have their strengths and vulnerabilities. Iran is economically weak and probably cannot strike back conventionally. There wont be an all-out war because Iran cant fight one.

However, there may well be a return to what one may call a hot, cold war. Iran has personnel across the Middle East, including proxy forces in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Iraq as well as clandestine personal elsewhere. It has advanced expertise in the arts of espionage-led warfare; suicide bombs, IEDs, and targeted killings.

The US clearly has highly sophisticated means for tracking Iranian personal, has forces in the region, and is hurting the Iranian regime through its sanctions. However, it is fighting on territory in which its Iranian enemy has freedom of movement through its proxies.

US actions may also hurt those in Iran wanting reform. More dangerously still, the US has many, many soft targets in the Middle East for Iran to attack, such as embassies, personnel, and citizens. America has allies, including both the Saudis and the Syrian Kurds, but it has also treated them poorly in recent months. The decision to abandon the latter  potentially to appease Vladimir Putin  now looks exceptionally foolish.

The greatest danger maybe that the President understands neither the style of conflict fought by Iran nor has the patience for a drawn-out campaign of the kind of which that the Quds Force and the IRGC will fight.

Iran may be more of a paper tiger than it appears, but we should expect retaliation, certainly non-conventional. Tehran will contemplate actions designed to humiliate the US and perhaps its close allies in the region  meaning Israel, Saudi Arabia, and possibly the UK.

Attacks are as likely to happen in Lebanon or Syria as Iraq. Individual assassination, which were conducted by the Iranians in Europe and the Middle East in the 1980s and 1990s, may again be mounted against individual targets. Irans response may also feature hostage-taking and suicide bombings.

For the UK, everything that is happening in the world, from the growth of China to a destabilised Middle East, shows how badly we need an overseas policy review so that we can begin to understand, in a strategic way, what may unfold in the coming years, and align our power to meeting those difficult challenges.
A plan released Jan. 3 that could be voted on in May proposes splitting the United Methodist Church into two groups - one group that could choose to keep the ban on same-sex marriage, while another group could update the church stance to allow same-sex marriage.

Some form of separation is going to happen, said the Rev. Dave Barnhart, pastor of St. Junia United Methodist Church in Birmingham, a long-time advocate of LGBTQ rights in the church. Who knows what the future holds?

Leaders are cautioning that its just a proposal at this point, one that would have to be voted on by the denomination. But activists on both sides see the potential for a split that would allow conservatives to walk away, keep their church buildings and start a new denomination. Progressives would keep the denominational structure, and then be able to update policy to allow same-sex unions.

Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, head of the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church, issued a statement today emphasizing that the proposal would need to be voted on and approved.

The Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation that was released today is a proposal developed by a diverse, 16-member group of United Methodist bishops and representatives from progressive, centrist and traditionalist caucuses, Wallace-Padgett said in her statement. This proposal, along with other legislation developed by groups and individuals, will go before the General Conference that meets in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 5-15, 2020. General Conference is the body of the United Methodist Church that sets policy for the denomination. The 2020 General Conference will be comprised of approximately 850 delegates from around the world.

The Traditional Plan adopted at the 2019 specially-called General Conference kept the bans on same-sex weddings and ordination of gay clergy adopted in 1972. That angered progressives who want the denomination to approve same-sex weddings.

Meanwhile, conservatives who oppose gay marriage are tired of the efforts to change church teaching and many are ready to leave the church if they will be allowed to take their property with them.

Wallace-Padgett urged Methodists to continue to pray for a solution. I invite our North Alabama United Methodists to continue praying for our church, our churchs effectiveness in fulfilling our mission of making disciples and the work of the upcoming 2020 General Conference, she said.

I think church schism is always a tragedy, always a sign of failure, said former Bishop William Willimon, previous head of the North Alabama Conference, in an interview with AL.com. The best you can say is the United Methodist Church is a mirror of the national political situation, without trying hard to be Christian. I think its sad.
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said on Thursday it had arrested a fleeing member of the armed robbery gang that attempted to rob a bank at Mpape, FCT.

A statement by Anjuguri Manzah, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, said that the arrested suspect, Ernest Ewim, 29, had been at large since the incident on December 28.

He said that the arrest of Ewim had brought the number of suspects arrested in connection with the foiled bank robbery to five.

The suspect was arrested by a team of police detectives at his hideout in Katampe, FCT.

With this arrest, the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the foiled robbery attempt is now five.

It named the suspects to include Ernest Ewim, 29, Larry Ehizo, 30, Princewill Obinna, 24, Timothy Joe, 21, and Elijah David, 19.

It said that the suspects would be arraigned upon conclusion of investigation by the police. (NAN)
Celtic Tiger-era property developer Sean Dunne has finally settled a long overdue 8,300 legal bill after a judge rejected claims he was too poor to pay.

The one-time 'Baron of Ballsbridge' is expected to escape potential contempt proceedings after paying the money on New Year's Eve - more than six months after it was due.

Mr Dunne (65) was hit with the bill last April after a US court ordered he pay up to $10,000 (8,900) towards the legal fees of his US bankruptcy trustee Richard Coan.

He subsequently received a bill for $9,330 and had until June to settle it.

But the Carlow-born businessman missed the deadline and later claimed he was "financially unable to comply with the order" due to bankruptcy proceedings.

A lawyer representing the Carlow-born businessman claimed he was "indigent".

But this was rejected last November by United States District Court judge Jeffrey Meyer, who said he was not persuaded Mr Dunne lacked the resources to pay the "modest amount", especially in light of the fact he had recently hired a new lawyer.

Mr Dunne finally issued a cheque for $9,330 to Mr Coan on Tuesday, according to a court filing seen by the Irish Independent.

The resolution of the row over the legal bill is just the latest twist in the sprawling legal proceedings Mr Dunne has been involved in since filing for bankruptcy in Connecticut in 2013 with debts of 700m. He and his then wife, former socialite Gayle Killilea, had relocated to the US state in 2010 following the financial crash in Ireland.

In his ruling in November, Judge Meyer said that unless the legal bill was paid he would not adjudicate on a motion from Mr Dunne for a fresh trial over claims he transferred assets to Ms Killilea to frustrate creditors.

Last June a US jury found Mr Dunne fraudulently transferred property, cash and other assets to Ms Killilea and ordered that she pay 18m to Mr Coan for the benefit of her ex-husband's creditors.

Ms Killilea has since been involved in settlement negotiations with the trustee.

Mr Dunne's lawyers are seeking a new trial or an order reducing the 18m judgment, claiming the jury's findings were contrary to the evidence.
President Donald J. Trump has long held strong opinions about using military force against Iran. He was not in favor of it.

In fact, he warned on multiple occasions in 2011, 2012 and 2013 on Twitter that then-President Barack Obama would attack Iran for political gain.

"So I believe he will attack Iran sometime prior to the election, because he thinks that's the only way he can be elected. Isn't that pathetic?" Trump said in a 2011 video. "Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate."

Early Friday, an American drone strike ordered by Trump killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and the country's top general. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the president directed the airstrike in response to unspecified "imminent" threats to American lives.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that the United States could expect a "harsh retaliation."

The strike caused #WagTheDog2020 to trend on Twitters and prompted numerous users to retweet Trump's posts about Obama and Iran.

In a campaign pledge, Trump promised to end foreign entanglements. After abruptly pulling U.S. troops out of Syria, he said on Oct. 23 that his broader "plan is to get out of endless wars, to bring our soldiers home, to not be policing agents all over the world."

Apparently his plan has changed in the interim.

Former acting and deputy CIA director Michael Morell told "CBS This Morning" Friday that the drone strike on Soleimani will enable Iranian hardliners. Morell said Iran will likely not engage U.S. forces but instead go after civilians and eventually a senior American official.

RELATED: Democrats call killing of general reckless

He also noted that Soleimani's likely successor will be his longtime deputy who shares the general's ideology and goals.

"So I don't think we'll see a change in Iranian behavior as a result of Qassem Soleimani's death," he said.

---

Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Digital Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate
Organised crime is a major blight on the lives of millions of people worldwide, and holds back economies in rich and poor countries alike.

A survey earlier this year asked almost 17,000 business leaders in the majority of the worlds countries about the extent of organised crime and its economic toll.

The annual executive opinion survey was compiled by the World Economic Forum (WEF), best known for organising the Davos summit.

A policeman stands guard in Sinaloa state, Mexico. Photo: Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images

Many Latin American and Caribbean economies ranked near the bottom of the list, with El Salvador rated worst of all by local business chiefs.

El Salvador, which suffered from a brutal civil war in the 1980s, also had the highest recorded homicide rate. Human Rights Watch says gangs have control of parts of the country, killing, raping or displacing those who resist them.

READ MORE: Why promoting people for loyalty can be a bad idea

At the top of the table was Finland, with business leaders reporting minimal evidence of organised crime. Finland also had the best score on WEFs 2019 global competitiveness rankings for the reliability of police services.

Many rich countries were lower down or only in the middle of the rankings, despite their economic development and high GDP per head. It suggests organised crime is at least occasionally a concern for some local business leaders.

Yahoo Finance UK analysed the scores of members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a club of many though not all of the worlds richest countries, on the list.

Here are the worst-ranked 11 OECD members on the WEF league table for organised crime.

Portugal

Portuguese police check for labour exploitation on a farm. Photo: Rafael Marchante/Reuters

Portugal came in at only 46th best in the world for businesses ability to operate free of any spillover effects from organised crime.

It is one of the main destinations for both cocaine and people trafficked from South America to Europe, according to the UN. Human trafficking is largely for sexual exploitation.

One huge organised crime ring with links to Portugal uncovered in 2015 had more than 50,000 victims around the world. The group ran a sophisticated pyramid fraud scheme, offering investments in a music sharing platform, according to Europol.

Story continues

France

France may be the worlds seventh largest economy, but it ranks below Portugal as only 60th best.

It has an estimated 19 million firearms in circulation among civilians, far higher than many other wealthy countries. By contrast, England and Wales, Colombia and Ukraine all have three million in circulation.

Like Portugal, it is one of the most common destinations for human trafficking from South America, and Europes fifth largest cocaine market.

Greece

Greece ranked 68th, with the country marking an important point on the so-called Balkan route for Afghan heroin heading to Europe.

Several significant Greek organised crime groups have also been caught facilitating illegal migration and providing fake documents to both them and other groups in recent years.

Europol says people smuggling is one of the most profitable and widespread activities among European organised crime groups.

United States

Police stand near where reputed mob boss Francesco 'Franky Boy' Cali lived and was gunned down in New York. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The US ranked in the middle of the league table in 69th position.

A report by the Congressional Research Service has previously warned that in the decade after 9/11, resources shifted away from fighting traditional crime towards counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence.

READ MORE: UK watchdog warns organised crime would exploit a no-deal Brexit

Subsequently, there has been a decrease in the federal law enforcement resources dedicated to organized crime matters, it said.

It also highlighted the threat to tax revenue from illegal activities such as cigarette trafficking and tax evasion scams, and to the financial industry from fraud.

United Kingdom

The UK ranked one lower than the US in the rankings at 70th.

A National Audit Office report earlier this year said serious and organised crime cost the UK 37bn a year.

It said more than 4,500 organised crime groups operated in Britain, from high-value property thieves to the drug trade to firearms supply.

Germany

Germany was four places below Britain and in the bottom half of the table at 74th.

It is the fourth biggest cocaine market in Europe, and one of the four biggest heroin markets. The largest ever cocaine haul was seized this summer, with customs officials finding a record 4.5 tons worth an estimated 1bn ($1.11bn).

Figures suggest the economic damage from organised crime has been dropping in recent years, however.

Hungary

A Hungarian police helicopter. Photo: AP Photo/Laszlo Balogh

Hungary ranked 80th on the list.

Organized criminal groups control most prostitution operations, stolen car rings, trafficking in human beings, human smuggling, and narcotics/tobacco trafficking, according to the US State Department.

Interpol says Hungarys landlocked location in central Europe, bordered by seven other countries, makes it attractive to organised crime networks trafficking drugs and people.

Turkey

Turkey ranked one lower at 81st.

It is a important point on drug supply routes into Europe, with large shipments often broken down into smaller parcels for distribution in Turkey.

Turkish trafficking groups have emerged as players in cocaine supplies for the European market in recent years. A significant amount of global drug seizures are in Turkey.

It is also a key point for people smuggling into the EU, particularly from Asia and Somalia, according to the UN.

Slovakia

Slovakia ranked 86th. It is one of the main producers of methaphetamine.

Its organised crime groups are involved in trafficking drugs, people, cigarettes and arms, as well as high levels of car theft, according to the US State Department.

Italy

Italy ranked much lower down at 117th, making it the 25th worst country.

Since their appearance in the 1800s, Italian organized crime groups, broadly known as the Italian Mafia, have infiltrated the social and economic fabric of Italy and have become transnational in nature, according to the FBI.

Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Nostra, is particularly infamous, with some estimating it is the second largest organisation in Italy.

The FBI says it specialises in heroin and weapon trafficking and political corruption, and is well-known for its attacks on Italian law enforcement.

Mexico

The Mexican Army after cartel gunmen clashed with federal forces. Photo: Reuters

Mexico had the second worst score in the world in 140th place, with only El Salvador behind it.

The countrys problems with cartels, drugs and violence are well documented, and anger over corruption and state failure to resolve the issues helped propel a radical new president to power last year.

Drug-related violence cost 29,000 lives last year, according to Reuters, with homicides expected to beat last years record high.

International gangs involved in drugs and extortion have a reported 70,000 members, according to Reuters.
Ranjit Savarkar, the grandson of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, on Friday, expressed sadness and disappointment after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray did not meet him over Congress Seva Dal's anti-Savarkar booklet.

Ranjit came to Mumbai to meet Thackeray over Congress Seva Dal booklet which claimed that Savarkar had a 'physical relationship' with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

As Thackeray did not meet him, Ranjit after submitting the letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office, said; "I came to meet the Chief Minister. I had sent several requests for an appointment but I could not meet him. He didn't have a minute to talk to me even when it's about Savarkar ji's respect. I am highly disappointed. It is an insult to Savarkar ji."

He said that he came to Mumbai to request Thackeray that state government should also file a case against those who have insulted Savarkar.

He questioned that the "importance of Savarkar has reduced that Chief Minister cannot give his two minutes" over the issue related to him.

"I will keep doing my bit for Savarkar's respect. If they do not listen to me then I will go to Janta Darbar," he said.

Ranjit also said that a case must be filed against several people, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress Seva Dal, for levelling allegations against Veer Savarkar.

The booklet titled 'Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

"Writer has written it on the basis of evidence. But that's not important for us whether he was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
EUGENE, Ore. -- Crime prevention experts at the Eugene Police Department say neighborhood watch groups are a great way to get to know your neighbors and fight crime at the same time.

Jeff Blonde, the crime prevention program manager, says the better you know your neighbors, the easier it will be to know if something is wrong.

"Sometimes people think that someone is being invasive into their privacy, so to speak, but we always try to tell people that can be a good thing," Blonde says. "It can work in your favor as well because they're noticing something you didn't. It could prevent a crime."

If you do notice something, Blonde says to call the non-emergency number for the police and let them handle it.

"We don't recommend intervention because you don't always know what you're dealing with," Blonde said. "We want the trained experts, our police officers, who are out there with the appropriate training and equipment and ability, that if there is a crime occurring they have the legal authority to arrest someone."

Neighborhood watches have been around for many years, but an interesting new twist is social media apps and surveillance technology, such as Ring.

"Some people will do it on Facebook or Twitter or Snapchat; there are a lot of different ways to communicate," Blonde says. "Some people are high tech, some are lower tech and they just do it the old-fashioned way of face to face. But it's nice to have options."

If you want more information, including ways to form your own neighborhood watch, visit the department's website.
WASHINGTON  When Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Elizabeth Warren surveyed the nations pharmacies, they found most of them failed to stock a lower-cost authorized generic form of insulin that could help many of the nations diabetics.

The Democratic senators also revealed the weaknesses in a drug industry tactic of selling a cheaper form of their brand name drug in the hopes of blunting public outrage over the high cost of medicine.

Last March, under political pressure to cut the price of the life-saving drug, Eli Lilly pledged to distribute a generic form of its brand name, $300-per-vial insulin drug, Humalog, at half the price.

At the end of the year, Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Warren, D-Mass., found that Lispro was not available in 83 percent of the pharmacies surveyed and many pharmacists were unaware of, or not adequately informing their customers, about the availability of the lower-cost Lispro. The senators had commissioned a survey, by telephone, by their staffs of nearly 400 pharmacies.

Its a bait-and-switch, Blumenthal said. Eli Lilly boasted about its generic and failed to make it available.

Eli Lilly said Lispro was used by more than 67,000 Americans in November, and 50,000 in October. Thats a fraction of the 7.4 million Americans with diabetes who use some form of insulin, which keeps a diabetics blood sugar level from getting too high or too low.

The drug company says more Americans are not using Lispro because pharmacy benefits managers and health insurance companies dont prioritize access to lower-cost drugs, preferring instead the rebates they receive from drug manufacturers such as Lilly for more expensive brand-name drugs.

Like Senators Warren and Blumenthal, Lilly would like to see even broader use of Insulin Lispro because its a real solution that lowers co-pays for people living with diabetes, the company said. But the senators paper fails to identify the system challenges that have inhibited access of this new lower list price option.

Unlike true generics, which are produced by competing drug companies, authorized generics are sold by the original manufacturer at a discounted price. The authorized generic has marketing exclusivity until the original brand drug loses its patent, which means the drug maker maintains its monopoly for that drug.

The Food and Drug Administration has a list of more than 1,200 authorized generic drugs, including Zoloft, Lipitor and Lopressor.

In the case of insulin, a drug that was first produced 100 years ago, drug manufacturers have kept their patents and generic companies at bay by making small changes to their products.

Three pharmaceutical companies  Sanofi, Novo Nordisk, and Eli Lilly  dominate the insulin market, producing more than 80% of the global insulin supply.

These companies have taken advantage of limited market competition by steadily hiking insulin prices, even though experts estimate insulin could be profitably produced for $7 to $11 per patient per month, the Blumenthal-Warren report said. The cost of insulin has risen by over 1,200 percent since the 1990s.

The report said that at least 12 Americans have died as a result of rationing insulin in the past three years, and roughly one in four patients with diabetes have reported skipping doses or rationing their intake due to the high price of the drug.

On average, diabetics use two to four vials per month, meaning those without insurance face costs of more than $1,000 per month without rebates or discounts.

And those with insurance may face steep co-pays.

Eli Lilly said insurers are using rebates from drug companies to lower premiums for all of their customers instead of lowering co-pays for chronic medicines like insulin.

Its why payers prefer higher list priced, higher rebated products, Eli Lilly spokesman Gregory Andrew Kueterman said.

He also said wholesalers and pharmacies solely decide whether to distribute or stock Insulin Lispro.

They are well aware and have access to Insulin Lispro, Kuterman said.

Blumenthal dismissed the pharmaceutical companys argument.

Eli Lilly is blaming everyone but itself, he said.

He said he and other Democrats will keep pressing Eli Lilly and other makers of insulin to drop their prices.

Insulin is a life-saving drug that is necessary for survival,  Blumenthal said. Its not a luxury or convenience folks can live without.

Meanwhile, Americas Health Insurance Plans, a health insurer trade group, said the promotion of authorized generics like Lispro is a distraction that does not result in any savings to consumers.

Now the Big Pharma company has two drugs on the market - the original, high-priced brand, and the lower-cost generic alternative, said AHIP spokeswoman Catherine Donaldson. It still has the corner on the market. And it wins regardless of which drug the consumer chooses.

She said she appreciated that an authorized generic offers a lower-priced alternative.

But why not simply drop the price of the branded drug so everyone can save? Donaldson asked.

In Canada, insulin is sold at about one-tenth of the list price in the United States. Last month, the Trump administration proposed regulations that would allow states to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada - but it excluded insulin and other complex biologic drugs.

Congress has also faltered in its attempts to rein in the costs of pharmaceuticals, which continue to rise.

On New Years Day, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Biogen and other drugmakers increased list prices on 50 drugs, by a median of about 5%. Additional price increases are expected in the following weeks.
Prince Charles, though there is no definite date yet, will take over the monarchy soon. However, the next in line after him, Prince William, may face a hard time before he can run the palace.

The transition of the monarch is expected to start either when Queen Elizabeth abdicates the throne when she turns 95 in 2021 (since Prince Philip retired from his royal duties at the same age) or when the Queen suddenly dies.

On the other hand, people have been calling him the "shadow King" after British biographer Robert Lacey exclusively told the Times of London that Prince Charles convinced the Queen to get rid of Prince Andrew after the Duke of York got involved with Jeffrey Epstein's scandal.

But even though he performs his duties well as the current heir to the throne, it sure haven't been easy for the Prince of Wales. With that said, it is likely he would do the same thing to his son.

Why Prince Charles Cannot Let Prince William Take The Crown Easily?

Aside from Prince Philip's disapproval on Prince Charles' plans for the monarchy, Mrs. Margaret Rhode -- Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin -- told PEOPLE that Her Majesty pledged to offer her entire life serving the monarchy.

Moreover, the University College London's Constitution Unit at the School of Public Policy added another reason why abdication is not one of the Queen's options.

"The first is the bad example of Edward VIII: his abdication brought the Queen's father onto the throne, unexpectedly and most reluctantly," the School of Public Policy reasoned out.

If that is the case, then Prince Charles has no chance to be the King of the monarchy even when her mother reaches the age of 95. This fact will also add more months -- or years -- on the Prince of Wales' waiting time.

As the heir to the throne, waiting over 60 years is already long enough and for him to rule the monarchy until his death is only natural and expected.

However, if the Prince of Wales would just set aside his years-old efforts, he could simply adbicate and hand the throne to Prince William with the help of the Parliament.

Would It Be Possible To Miss Prince Charles As King?

Since Prince Charles is getting older, rumors about the possibility of "skipping" Prince Charles and directly handing the throne to Prince William emerged.

The statistical data released by YouGov added more fuel to the idea, as Prince William gained an approval rating of 66 percent versus Prince Charles' 46 percent.

Despite these figures, Queen Elizabeth II cannot ignore the heir to the throne and choose Prince William to be the King.

Prince William's godfather, ex-King Constantine of Greece spoke once with BBC and said that due to deep-rooted traditions of the monarchy, the royals must "wait their turn" before they can rule the monarchy.

"It works from father to son, or mother to son, that's how it goes, and they have to wait their turn, whenever it comes. That's how it should be," he clarified.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio), a fully integrated, clinical-stage adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy company, today announced that Sheila Mikhail, AskBios Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, has been invited to provide an overview of the company at the 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, January 14, in San Francisco. Her presentation will take place at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time in the Elizabethan C conference room.



The annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is the largest healthcare investment symposium in the industry, bringing together industry leaders, emerging fast-growth companies, innovative technology creators, and members of the investment community.

About AskBio

Founded in 2001, Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) is a privately held, clinical-stage gene therapy platform company dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with genetic disorders. AskBios gene therapy platform includes an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process called Pro10 and an extensive AAV capsid and promoter library. Based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, the company has generated hundreds of proprietary third-generation AAV capsids and promoters, several of which have entered clinical testing. An early innovator in the space, the company holds more than 500 patents in areas such as AAV production, chimeric capsids and self-complementary capsids. AskBio maintains a portfolio of clinical programs across a range of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular indications with a current clinical pipeline that includes therapeutics for Pompe disease, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and congestive heart failure, as well as out-licensed clinical indications for hemophilia (Chatham Therapeutics acquired by Takeda) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Bamboo Therapeutics acquired by Pfizer). For more information, visit https://www.askbio.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

Story continues

Contact:



Robin Fastenau

Vice President, Communications, AskBio

+1 984.275.2705

rfastenau@askbio.com
'A lot worse than you can imagine:' Metro family has warning for others about the flu OLATHE, Kan. -- A metro family fighting for their daughter's life at Olathe Medical Center has a warning about the flu. They spent the first day of 2020 in the hospital after what they thought was a common cold turned out to be the flu and pneumonia.

We've noticed quite a few people hacking up a lung on our journey to the coffee shop and/or grocery store . . . Here's a reminder to avoid the sickening public or at least wash hands obsessively. Checkit:
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  US Senator Edward Markey, who was banned by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte from entering the Philippines, said he will not be stifled by what he described as a strongman's move to censor his critics.

The lawmaker from Massachusetts clapped back against the travel ban imposed by the Philippine government for his call to release Senator Leila de Lima from detention.

"President Duterte is sorely mistaken if he thinks he can silence my voice and that of my colleagues. He has already failed to silence Senator De Lima, [journalist] Maria Ressa, and others in his country who have spoken truth to power," he said in a statement on Thursday.

Philippines' Bureau of Immigration has been ordered by the administration to refuse entry to Markey and his fellow American Senators Richard "Dick" Durbin and Patrick Leahy.

Durbin and Leahy authored the resolution that bans all Filipino officials who played a role in putting de Lima in jail from entering the United States. The measure became part of the US federal budget for 2020 that was signed by President Donald Trump.

Markey said he will continue to fight for the "highest democratic ideals and against the strongman tactics of the Duterte government."

De Lima, a member of the opposition and a vocal critic of the bloody war on drugs of the Duterte administration, has been detained since February 2017 for supposedly abetting illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison while she was Justice Secretary from 2010 to 2015.

Durbin has maintained that De Lima has been imprisoned for "highly questionable charges," even as Malacanang insisted that her detention has legal basis.

Duterte's spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that should the order banning select Philippine officials from entering the US be implemented, Malacanang will retaliate by requiring all US citizens to secure travel visa before coming to this country.

Under the current setup, US citizens visiting the Philippines do not need to apply for a visa for a stay of not more than 30 days.
New Delhi [India], Jan 4 (ANI): President Ram Nath Kovind met achievers in various fields including science and innovation, sports, old art forms among others from across the country at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and urged them to continue their good work.



"President Kovind interacted with achievers who have done commendable work in various fields - science and innovation, sports, empowerment of divyang persons, farming and afforestation, women and child empowerment, education, healthcare, revival of old art forms etc," read a tweet from the official handle of the President of India on Friday.

The prominent persons, from across the country, who had excelled in various fields were invited to meet the President.

"Hailing from across the country, from Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, these achievers were invited to meet the President and visit Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President lauded their contribution and called them true nation builders. He urged them to continue their good work," a second tweet from the same handle read.

The President also met the newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, along with his wife Kalpana Murmu Soren, apart from Chief of the Army Staff, General MM Naravane who had called on President Kovind at his official residence, in two separate meetings on Friday. (ANI)


Nikil Saval at The Nation:

To search for Polanyis intellectual and political roots means coming into contact with a bewilderingly febrile left-wing intellectual milieu that appears to have little bearing on our present. However promising the current moment may seem with a self-described democratic socialist coming tantalizingly close to winning the Democratic Partys presidential nomination, Gareth Dales new biography offers us a bracing reminder of a far richer world of socialist activity that once existed in much of the West. Debates over early-20th-century Hungarian socialism; the strategic plans of Red Vienna; the reformist 1961 platform of the Soviet Communist Party: These questions obsessed Polanyi and his contemporaries to a degree that seems almost inconceivable now and certainly residing in a sobering distance to our own immediate lives. Polanyis political activism and intellectual work were implicated in the widest questions debated on the left. The son of wealthy Hungarian Jews, he emerged as part of the Great Generation of Hungarian artists and intellectuals in Budapest at around the turn of the 20th century. John von Neumann, the mathematician, and Bela Bartok, the composer, were his contemporaries; so were the sociologist Karl Mannheim and the Marxist theoretician and literary critic Gyorgy Lukacs. Polanyis brother, Michael, became a philosopher of science, who for many years was better known than Karl.

more here.
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Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : With the new year kicking in with new resolutions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi got into the first huddle of 2020 with his council of ministers on Friday evening.

With economic woes persisting and leading to the hike of railway fares for the first time in five years, the focus of Friday's meet will be on ministers holding portfolios that have a direct link to the nation's economy and rural infrastructure, said informed sources.

Sources also say the Prime Minister along with his ministerial colleagues may be given a briefing on the status of Air India's privatisation, so that everyone has a fair idea. In recent days, the process of selling off the Maharaja has picked up steam.

Modi is also likely to ask Gajendra Shekhawat's ministry to give a presentation on Atal Jal Yojna that was launched and named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, last Christmas, Vajpayee's birthday.

8,300 villages in states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka will benefit from it.

Just four days before this Christmas, Modi held 2019's last meeting of the full council of ministers at the newly-inaugurated Gujarat Bhawan.

Friday's meeting assumes significance as speculations of Cabinet expansion are doing the rounds for quite some time now. While few high profile ministers are rumoured to be shown the door, few technocrats are likely to be brought in.

Sources say, the meeting will spill over to Saturday when the same council of ministers will reconvene at 10.30 in the morning.
MANILA, Philippines  The recruitment agency that deployed Jeanelyn Villavende to Kuwait is facing possible cancellation of its license over the death of the Filipino household worker, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.

In a statement on Thursday, Bello said they will ask Villavendes agency to explain its inaction on the OFWs repeated requests for repatriation months before her death.

As early as September, she already complained about maltreatment and underpayment of salary. She also repeatedly requested the agency for repatriation, but they did not do anything, he said.

Preliminary reports submitted by Labor Attache Nasser Mustafa of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Kuwait revealed that Villavende was beaten to death, purportedly by her employer, and was already dead when brought to a hospital. Attending nurses reported that she was black and blue.

The exact date of Villavendes death is yet to be determined after the autopsy.

The report said Villavendes family was last able to talk to her in October. They again tried to contact her on December 13, but it was her female employer who who answered the call and told them that Villavende was busy.

The Kuwaiti employer has since been detained by authorities.

According to Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, death and burial benefits will be extended to the OFW, while her family will receive livelihood assistance and educational scholarship for her youngest sibling.

Cacdac recently went to Norala in South Cotabato to condole with Villavendes family and extend government assistance.

Villavendes death has prompted the Philippine government to impose fresh partial deployment ban to Kuwait.

Bello said the ban will only cover first time workers who will serve as household service workers to Kuwait, and excludes skilled and vacationing workers.

This should serve as a clear message to Kuwaiti authorities. The partial ban may ripen into total deployment ban if justice for Jeanelyn Villavende is not met, he said.

Story continues

In 2018, the Philippines and Kuwait signed a labor pact seeking to protect Filipino workers from abuses. This was after the Philippines implemented a deployment ban following the killing of Joanna Demafelis.

Demafelis remains were discovered inside a freezer where she was believed to have been kept for more than a year after she was reported missing in 2016.

Her employers, believed to have fled Kuwait a year before her frozen body was found, were later arrested in Syria and convicted for murder charges.

The post Murdered OFW in Kuwait sought help from agency months before her death  DOLE appeared first on UNTV News.
This picture taken on Dec 31, 2019 shows a firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. (SAEED KHAN/AFP)

Fuelled by searing temperatures and high winds, more than 200 fires are burning across the southeastern states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, threatening several towns.

The NSW state government declared a state of emergency, beginning on Friday, giving authorities the power to forcibly evacuate people and take control of services.

"It is hell on earth. It is the worst anybody's ever seen," Michelle Roberts said by telephone from the Croajingolong Cafe she owns in Mallacoota, a southeastern coastal town where 4,000 residents and visitors have been stranded on the beach since Monday night.

Roberts hoped to get her 18-year-old daughter onto a naval ship, which arrived off the town on Thursday, in order to escape the fires and thick smoke engulfing the town.

The HMAS Choules is expected to make two or three voyages over the coming days, state authorities said.

Elsewhere, long queues formed outside supermarkets and petrol stations as residents and tourists sought supplies to either bunker down or escape the fires, emptying shelves of staples like bread and milk.

More than 50,000 people were without power and some towns had no access to drinking water.

"Everyone's just on edge," said Shane Flanagan, a resident of Batemans Bay on the NSW coast.

Authorities urged a mass exodus from several towns on the southeast coast, an area popular with tourists during the summer holiday season, warning that extreme heat forecast for the weekend will further stoke the fires.

"The priority today is fighting fires and evacuating, getting people to safety," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney. "There are parts of both Victoria and New South Wales which have been completely devastated, with a loss of power and communications."

Eight people have been killed by wildfires in NSW and Victoria since Monday and 18 are missing, officials said on Thursday.

Temperatures are forecast to soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) along the south coast on Saturday, bringing the prospect of renewed firefronts to add to the around 200 current blazes.

"It is going to be a very dangerous day. It's going to be a very difficult day," NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

This season's blazes have killed at least 18 people, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and scorched about 5.5 million hectares - an area bigger than Denmark or the Netherlands. Officials in Victoria said 17 people were missing in the state.

The unprecedented crisis has sparked street protests calling on the government to immediately act on climate change, which scientists say is creating a longer and more intense bushfire season.

Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has come under increasing pressure for his actions, which included holidaying in Hawaii as the disaster unfolded and reiterating his support for Australia's lucrative - but heavily polluting - coal mining industry.

In his first official press conference since the latest blazes flared, Morrison said Thursday said "every absolute effort" was being made to assist affected communities.

"The best way to respond is the way that Australians have always responded to these events and that is to put our confidence in those who are fighting these fires," he said, while defending Australia's climate change policies as "sensible".
Turkish police reportedly detained four pilots, two airport ground workers and one cargo worker on January 2 in an investigation into how ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn transited through Istanbul en route to Lebanon after fleeing Japan. The same day the seven workers were also expected to give statements before a court. According to international media reports, Turkey's interior ministry had begun an investigation into Ghosn's transit as he fled to Beirut to escape what he called a 'rigged' justice system.

An interior ministry official also reportedly said that the Turkish border police were not notified about the former Nissan boss' arrival. The official further also added that neither his entry nor his exit was registered. According to reports, Ghosn arrived in Istanbul on Monday and the flight tracking data suggests that he used two different planes to fly into Istanbul and then on to Lebanon.

READ: What's Known And Not Known About Ghosn's Escape From Japan

According to international media reports, the Japenese authorities had allowed Ghosn to carry a spare French passport in a locked case while out on a bail and he was smuggled out of Tokyo by a private security company days ago. He was also out on conditional bail in which he was not even allowed to contact his wife.

Charges against Ghosn

Ghosn was awaiting trial in Japan on financial misconduct charges after Nissan claimed that the former chairman used the companys money for personal gain. He was first arrested back in November 2018 and faces four charges, including hiding income and enriching himself through payments to car dealerships in the Middle East. The Japanese tax officials had also found out that the 65-year-old former executive diverted corporate money for his private use. The National Tax Agency of Japan had reached the conclusion that Ghosn made donations to a Lebanese University and paid consultants fees to his sister using Nissan money.

READ: 'I Did It Alone', Ghosn Says Of Japan Escape

The tax agency had also reportedly ordered Nissan to pay taxes on the 150 million yen, which was recorded as office expenses for three years. The NTA determined that the money was spent for private purposes hence liable to pay taxes. Though the revelation could not have led to a criminal case, it is considered that the findings would have strengthened Nissans case against Ghosn.

READ: 'Won't Extradite Carlos Ghosn': France Says It Doesn't Turn Away Its 'nationals'

READ: Turkey Probes How Nissan Chief Ghosn Fled Via Istanbul
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul had a bright start to the New Year, as the charity received 5,000 in vouchers from Aldi Ireland this week to assist in the invaluable work they do in the Kildare community.

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul were one of two charities nationwide, chosen by Aldi staff, to be presented with 5,000 in Aldi vouchers, with staff from Aldis Naas Region voting for the support service.

Staff in Aldis remaining stores in the Mitchelstown region voted for Pieta House Cork to receive their 5,000 bursary.

Speaking at todays photocall, Ken Gore, Aldi East Wall Store Assistant said: We are truly delighted to offer The Society of St. Vincent De Paul this bonus bursary of 5,000 in Aldi vouchers as part of the Community Grants programme. They do fantastic work for the community, providing a necessary service to some of Kildares most in-need.

"Aldi has a strong commitment to Kildare, with eight stores in the county, and of course our Regional Distribution Centre, located in Naas. Through the Community Grants Programme, we have helped a wide range of charities in Kildare over the past number of years, and no doubt this bonus bursary is a welcome boost to The Society of St. Vincent De Pauls services.

Aldis Community Grants Programme helps fund local charities and organisations that contribute vital work and services in their local communities. Since its inception in 2016, the programme has helped over 340 local charities and community groups across the country.

By the end of 2019, a total fund of 284,500 will have been donated through the Aldi Community Grants programme to worthy causes throughout the nation.

Pictured are Nichola Mullen, Head of Fundraising, The Society of St Vincent De Paul with Ken Gore, Aldi East Wall Store Assistant at the Naas Aldi RDC receiving a 5,000 bursary as part of the Aldi Community Giveaway.
According to the top American diplomat, Qasem Soleimani was the "orchestrator, the primary motivator" for the recent US embassy attack in Baghdad. (Photo Credit: Reuters)

Washington:

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday defended the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani saying he was making efforts for an attack on Americans in the region. General Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday.

In an interview with Fox and Friends news show, Pompeo said: He's a military commander. He's a military commander who was actively engaged in plotting to kill Americans in the region. We had an important set of underlying reasons to take this strike. It was wholly lawful. We're confident that we not only got it right legally but we got it right strategically.

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and some local Iran-backed militias.

He (Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis) was the primary contact for Qasem Soleimani when it came to Shia militia forces acting in Iraq. He was a bad guy, Pompeo said.

I can only confirm that General Soleimani is dead; but if Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis has passed away as well, again, less risk in the Middle East, more freedom for Iraqis, more opportunity for Iraqi people to stand up and get an independent, free, sovereign Iraq built. It's what America has been there for, Pompeo said.

According to the top American diplomat, Soleimani was the "orchestrator, the primary motivator" for the recent US embassy attack in Baghdad.

He's got hundreds of American lives' blood on his hands, he told Fox News.

But what was sitting before us was his travels throughout the region and his efforts to make a significant strike against Americans. There would have been many Muslims killed as well -? Iraqis, people in other countries as well. It was a strike that was aimed at both disrupting that plot, deterring further aggression, and we hope setting the conditions for de-escalation as well, he said.

Responding to a question, Pompeo said that the Iranian leadership understands that Trump will take action.

We've made this clear for months. When I was the CIA director, we made very clear that these responses would be swift and decisive. We've now demonstrated that, he said.

Pompeo hoped that the Iranian leadership will see American resolve and that their decision will be to de-escalate, to take actions consistent with what normal nations do.

And in the event that they do not, in the event they go the other direction, I know that President Trump and the entire United States government is prepared to respond appropriately, he asserted.

The absence of Qasem Soleimani, he said, is a boon to this region.

It was very clear that we did so and we will continue to take actions to reduce risk and to protect Americans.

The US will continue to fight ISIS in the region, he asserted.

Pompeo said that the risk of doing nothing was enormous in the short term in terms of the imminent attack that Qasem Soleimani was plotting, but also highly risky as doing nothing in this region shows weakness.

It emboldens Iran, he noted.

It's what's happened under the previous administration for eight years where the Iranians felt free to conduct hundreds of attacks, he alleged.

"We know that this didn't work. President Trump has taken a fundamentally different approach, and we're confident that our strategy that we've developed, not only the economic pressure but building out coalition forces in the Straits of Hormuz, working to reinforce our Saudi and Emirati partners -- all of the things that we have done to create the conditions for a more stable and peaceful and prosperous Middle East, we think this is a part of," the top American diplomat said.

US Secretary of State Mike Mike Pompeo spoke over phone with several world leaders, including President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan and Pakistan's Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, to discuss with them the situation in the region.

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke today to Pakistani Chief of Staff General (Qamar Javed) Bajwa to discuss President Trump's recent decision to take defensive action by killing Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives, State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a readout of the call.

During the telephonic conversation, Pompeo underscored the Iranian regime's destabilising actions through the region and the Trump administration's resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners, Ortagus said.

Earlier in the day, Pompeo had said the US was looking to de-escalate tension in the Persian Gulf.

He had also shared a video on Twitter showing Iraqi nationals "dancing" after Soleimani was killed.

Iraqis - Iraqis - dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more, Pompeo said.

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AN idea, dreamed up by Focus Ireland in conjunction with the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare, resulted in a small mountain of presents which were shared by children who are homeless in the Mid-West.

Moved by the fact that there are so many children living in the Mid-West area who do not have a place to call home this Christmas, the Fitzgerald family put up a Gift of Giving Christmas Tree in the hotels entrance lobby, decorated with over 150 labels, each representing an individual child.

Read also: Newest Lotto millionaire narrowed down to one county Limerick town

Guests and patrons were encouraged to take a label and purchase a gift for the child mentioned on the label and bring it to the hotel. An overwhelming response to the campaign has led to over 260 gifts being donated to Focus Ireland which were distributed in time for Christmas Day.

Hotel proprietor, Mary Fitzgerald said that they were pleased to be able to partner with Focus Ireland at this festive time.

As we all gather in our homes with family and friends to celebrate Christmas, it is easy to forget that there are families who, for a host of reasons, do not have a home and some may be unable to provide gifts for their children. We are overwhelmed by the response.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice says it is changing the way it reports suicide attempts by state prisoners, counting only those involving overt acts and confirmed by a mental health diagnosis and not every possible attempt in which an officer was called to respond.

We recognized that we were over-counting, prison spokesman Jeremy Desel told the Chronicle last week. Any event that could be (an attempt) was counted as one, even if it did not meet the medical definition.

The fact that the change will result in a drastic drop in the number of attempts reported to the public  from an average of 167 a month last year to 23 when the new reporting system was established in September and 12 in October  is not the point, Desel said, because inmates will still receive the same care they would have under the previous protocol.

That assurance is not particularly comforting given that the state's prison system recorded a 20-year high in the number of completed suicides in 2018 as 40 inmates took their own lives while in custody.

It also raises legitimate concerns about the public's ability to meaningfully evaluate what is happening inside the prisons and the welfare of inmates.

This a great example of why TDCJ needs some sort of independent oversight like the ombudsman we have at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Scott Henson, executive director of the justice reform nonprofit Just Liberty, said in response to the change in reporting suicides. We dont see this kind of finagling with the numbers to lower them through the math instead of through policy in that agency.

Whatever the reporting regimen, it is crucial that corrections officials make sure appropriate actions are taken when an inmate expresses suicidal thoughts or exhibits behavior that requires additional monitoring or medical attention.

Suicide counselors and experts widely agree that people who talk about suicide or of harming themselves should be taken seriously. Desel is right when he says, that any suicide is one too many.

The state's challenge is made more difficult by the fact that the Texas prison system is dealing with a 24 percent increase in the number of mentally ill prisoners being held over the past decade. Almost 1 in 5 inmates, about 19.4 percent of those incarcerated, have diagnoses requiring mental health treatment behind bars, putting a strain on prison personnel and facilities.

Prison systems are overwhelmed with the numbers of people with serious mental illness that they need to respond to, Ronald Honberg, a senior policy adviser with the National Alliance on Mental Illness told The Associated Press. Oftentimes the staff dont have the training to really respond, and oftentimes the response is punitive.

This is why accurate reporting and transparency from prison officials is essential in helping the public understand why the number of suicides is rising and what can be done to reduce the deaths.

Does the system have adequate mental health resources and drug treatment programs to help those most at-risk? Is the use of solitary confinement involved? What is the response? Is it working?

The answers to those questions can only come through honest, accurate and transparent reporting. If the new numbers weaken the response inside the prison or reduce public scrutiny outside, real damage will be done.
Dhaka: 445 Bangladeshi are returning to their country after the National Citizenship Register (NRC) is implemented in Assam. This claim has been made by the head of Border Guard Bangladesh. He has said that 445 Bangladeshi have returned from India in last 2 months after NRC publication. Earlier, Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) chief Major General Shafinul Islam told that over 300 Bangladeshis have been arrested on behalf of India for lack of travel documents while traveling to Bangladesh.

Islam said in response to a question that, "We regularly catch people crossing the border. These Bangladeshi come to India unknowingly or for some work." On the question of India pushing 'illegal' immigrants in Bangladesh on a regular basis, the BGB DG said, "We regularly arrest people crossing the border illegally."

Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) chief Major General Mohammed Shafinul Islam, who visited India last Sunday, said that the use of the controversial National Civil Register (NRC) process in Assam was a 'political' as well as 'internal matter' of India. Islam responded to a question during a joint press conference with the Border Security Force (BSF) after signing the Joint Record of Discussion with the Indian paramilitary force.

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The Tamil Nadu Munnetra Kazhagam on Friday demanded police action against those allegedly demeaning Hindu Gods and freedom fighter late Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar in the social media.

The TMK said in a press release that a protest under the founder of the outfit S K Saamy Thevar was held recently here pressing for police action on the issue.

Muthuramalinga Thevar is a revered figure in the Tamil Nadu, especially in the southern parts of the state.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi, Jan 3 : The government of Andhra Pradesh has appointed special officials to implement the Disha Act, 2019.

Kritika Shukla (IAS) and M. Deepika (IPS) have been given the responsibility of implementing the Act which was cleared by the state's legislative Assembly recently.

The government of Andhra Pradesh came up with the Act after the gruesome gang-rape and murder of a Hyderabad veterinarian on November 27 last year.

The Act is aimed at expediting the verdict in trials in sexual offences committed against women and children within 21 days. It provides for death sentence in case of rape and gang-rape. The Disha Act was cleared by the Andhra Pradesh state Assembly on December 13, 2019.

Kritika Shukla, who works as Director of Women and Child welfare, and M. Deepika, an Additional Superintendent of Police, have been given additional charge of implementing the Act in the state.

The Disha Act (Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2019) aims at completion of investigation within seven days and trial in 14 working days, where there is adequate conclusive evidence, and reducing the total judgment time to 21 days from the existing four months.

The Disha Act also prescribes life imprisonment for other sexual offences against children and includes Section 354F and 354G of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The price of oil surged Friday as global investors were gripped with uncertainty over the potential repercussions after the United States killed Iran's top general.

that Gen Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in an air attack at the Baghdad international airport prompted expectations of Iranian retaliation against US and Israeli targets.

In previous flare-ups in tensions with the US, Iran has threatened the supply of oil that travels from the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world.

About 20 per cent of oil traded worldwide goes through the Strait of Hormuz, where the shipping lane is only 3 kilometers (2 miles) wide and tankers have come under attack this year.

The international benchmark for crude oil jumped 4.1 per cent, or USD 2.70, to USD 68.95 a barrel in London trading.

Revenge will come, maybe not overnight but it will come and until then we need to increase the geopolitical risk premium, said Olivier Jakob, head of consultancy Petromatrix, in a note to investors.

He noted that Iran's response may not be limited to the Strait of Hormuz.

In September, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels launched drone attacks on the world's largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia.

The strike briefly took out about half of the supplies from the world's largest oil exporter.

The US directly blamed Iran, which denied any involvement.

Launching attacks that can't be easily linked back to Iran limits the chances of direct retaliation.

But Iran has also directly targeted tankers. This year it seized a British-flagged tanker, the Stena Impero, for several weeks. And it has shot down a US military drone.

About 80 per cent of the crude oil that goes through the Strait of Hormuz goes to countries in Asia, including China, Japan, India and South Korea.

But the rise in the global price of oil will affect other countries more widely, particularly oil-importing countries with big manufacturing sectors like Germany and Italy.

Those countries fared worst in the stock market on Friday, with their main indexes falling 1.4 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  Four people were hurt on Thursday night following an explosion caused by an alleged gas leak in Makati City, according to local authorities.

The Makati police reported that the incident happened at the Judianchuanba restaurant in Yakal Street, Barangay San Antonio.

Photo shows debris of glass on the scene.

Investigators identified the victims, all with Chinese-sounding names, as kitchen helpers Cao Yue Qzang and Zhang Liang. Two other injured persons  Tang Ting and Yun Long Liun  were passersby. It's unclear if the four victims are Chinese nationals.

All of them were brought to Makati Medical Center for treatment, police said.

They added that they are still determining the cause of the blast, which happened at around 8:45 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Makati City government issued a cease and desist order on the damaged Chinese restaurant for its violation of existing city ordinances, laws and regulations.

Makati Police chief PCol Rogelio Simon said the eatery has no business permit.

Makati Police chief PCol Rogelio Simon said the Chinese restaurant where the gas leak happened has no business permit and committed other violations, too.

The owners of the restaurant also failed to comply with certain requirements for a business to legally operate such as securing fire safety inspection reports for 2018 and 2019, Simon added.

The inspection should be done at least once a year, the official said.

They also saw violations in the building code, Simon said.

Wala kaming nakitang sprinklers, fire extinguishers. Those are the initial violations na nakita namin.

[Translation: We did not see sprinklers, fire extinguishers in the restaurant. Those are the initial violations we saw.]

CNN Philippines Correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this report.
Hundreds of parents in Northern Ireland have been threatened with court action over their children's poor school attendance.

More than 1,000 were told they would face court action, with almost 400 fined.

Pupils were absent without authorisation for a series of reasons, including family holidays which did not have school approval.

Rates of unauthorised absence in Northern Ireland are higher than other parts of the UK, figures show.

Read More

A total of 1,112 parents or guardians here had court action initiated over their child's poor school attendance in the five years to last April.

During the same period, 374 parents or guardians were fined by the magistrates' courts.

The figures were released by the Education Authority after a Freedom of Information request by the Belfast Telegraph.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education explained that if a pupil's absence "causes concern" or if it falls below 85%, they are referred to the Education Welfare Service.

Former Education Minister Peter Weir said that while parents have responsibility for ensuring a child attends school, there are individual stories behind each case.

Figures obtained by this newspaper show:

School attendance in the 2017/18 academic year was just over 94%;

Of the near 6% of time missed due to absence, 3.9% was authorised absence and 1.9% unauthorised absence;

Some 170 parents/guardians had court action initiated against them in 2014/15, 267 in 2015/16, 190 in 2016/17, 311 in 2017/18 and 174 in 2018/19;

Forty-two parents/guardians were fined in 2014/15, 96 in 2015/16, 58 in 2016/17, 119 in 2017/18 and 59 in 2018/19;

A spokesperson for the Education Authority said parents must ensure their children attend school on a regular basis, adding that the organisation's responsibilities on pupil attendance are delivered through the Education Welfare Service.

In cases where parents do not cooperate with the advice and guidance of the Education Welfare Service - and where a pupil's attendance remains a matter of concern - the Education Authority may then consider legal action.

"While every effort is made to promote attendance, actions will be taken through court in some of the more exceptional cases, which could result in a parental fine," the Education Authority added.

Mr Weir, who was the last Education Minister before Stormont's collapse in 2017, said absenteeism has been an ongoing issue because of the nature of pupils missing school.

"It would be interesting to see how the numbers compare with other jurisdictions but it shows that 99.9% of parents will ensure that their children are present and at school on a regular basis," he said.

"There has to be some level of parental sanction but as part of that there may be a story behind some of those cases.

"It's also the case, and I know that it's something being looked at by others, that absenteeism relates to specific problems around bullying and problems of that nature.

"There will be stories behind some of those figures but in general it is important that there is good attendance because education is very much the key to improving life experiences."

A Department of Education spokesperson said schools should discourage holidays during term time due to the impact they have on pupils' learning and that holidays should be categorised as an unauthorised absence. Only in exceptional circumstances, agreed with the principal, should holidays be authorised by schools, the department said.

"Parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure that their children of compulsory school age receive a full-time education and if a child is registered in school, their parent/carer has a legal duty to ensure they regularly attend that school," the spokesperson added.

The Department of Education publishes an annual bulletin on school attendance, which is measured in half days.

Its latest statistics cover the 2017/18 academic year, when the overall attendance rate for primary, post-primary and special schools was 94.2%. Some 5.8% of half days in primary, post-primary and special schools were missed due to absence - 3.9% authorised and 1.9% unauthorised.

Illness remains the most common reason for authorised absence in all schools, along with medical or dental appointments.

A regional comparison shows Northern Ireland had the highest rate of unauthorised absence in the UK.

At primary school level its 1.6% rate compared to 1% for England and 1.3% for Wales.

At post-primary level, the 2.2% rate of unauthorised absence in Northern Ireland was above 1.6% in Wales and 1.5% in England.

Figures for Scotland are compiled every two years, and 2017/18 statistics were not available.
EDWARDSVILLE  Edwardsville Police Department partnered with the Illinois Department of Transportation and law enforcement statewide for the 2019 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which ran from Dec. 16 to Jan. 2.

Results showed zero tolerance for impaired driving, arresting 14 offenders. The department also wrote 12 speeding citations, cited six people for driving on suspended or revoked licenses and 61 other traffic citations.
ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study funded by the March of Dimes Center for Social Science Research and conducted by the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR), underscores the long-term effects of paid family leave on women's participation in the workforce. The analysis of states that have implemented paid leave policies found a 20 percent reduction in the number of women leaving their jobs in the first year after welcoming a child, and up to a 50 percent reduction after five years. This research is part of March of Dimes' mission to advance actionable science that can improve the health of all moms and babies.

This study, shared today at the American Economic Association Annual Meeting, analyzed labor market participation among women in California and New Jersey before and after each state implemented a paid family and medical leave system. Over the long term, paid leave nearly closes the gap in workforce participation between moms of young children and women without minor children. For women who do not have access to this leave, the study found that nearly 30 percent will drop out of the workforce within a year after welcoming a child, and one in five will not return for over a decade.

"Most Americans will face the demands of having a baby and many have to make serious sacrifices that affect much more than their finances," said Dr. Rahul Gupta, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Senior Vice President of March of Dimes. "This research is yet another proof point of the value of paid family leave, which not only benefits the economy and family finances, but the health of moms and babies  including lower rates of neonatal and infant death. More states must follow the lead of California and New Jersey."

The impact of access to paid leave was particularly pronounced for women with higher levels of education, who saw increases in their labor force participation up to eight years after birth. This trend indicates that paid leave is especially important for ensuring that the most educated workers can participate in the workforce.

"In most U.S. households, when a child is born, the default is that the mom steps away from the labor force at least temporarily," said economist and study co-author Dr. Kelly Jones, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at American University and a Senior Research Economist at IWPR. "If she can do that in a way that guarantees her return to that job and provides partial wage replacement, we are much more likely to encourage her attachment to the workforce."

The U.S. is the only industrialized nation that does not offer working parents paid time off to care for a new child. Many challenges facing new parents and their families could be solved if the U.S. provided paid family leave. For that reason, March of Dimes supports the Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act (H.R. 1185/S. 463), which is currently under review by Congress. This Act would create an affordable and self-sustaining national system to provide workers with up to 12 weeks of partial income through a family and medical leave insurance fund.

Among prime-age workers (aged 25-54) in the U.S., women's labor market participation is 75 percent, compared with 89 percent for men. This share includes those working full-time and part-time and those who are unemployed but seeking work. Meanwhile, fewer than 60 percent of U.S. workers have access to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which requires certain employers and all government agencies to provide 12 weeks of leave for childbirth, adoption or serious illness of one's self or a close relative. However, that leave is not required to be paid for the vast majority of workers and many cannot afford to take it. In December 2019, Congress took an important step forward by passing legislation to provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave for the nation's 2.1 million federal workers. But lawmakers must do more to ensure every family has access to paid leave to welcome a new child or manage a serious illness.

California implemented its Paid Family Leave Program in 2004, while New Jersey's Family Leave Insurance Program followed in 2009. In addition to those states, paid family leave systems currently exist in New York, Rhode Island, Washington and Washington, D.C., with bills pending in other states.

IWPR conducted this study through a grant from the March of Dimes' Center for Social Science Research. The Center for Social Science Research is supported by EMD Serono, Inc., the biopharmaceutical business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in the U.S. and Canada, as part of its Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Initiative. Read the full study manuscript here.

This study is part of March of Dimes' ongoing work to increase understanding of the numerous medical, social and economic factors that collectively contribute to the maternal and infant health crisis facing our nation. Learn more about March of Dimes and its work at marchofdimes.org.

About March of Dimes

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we stand up for every mom and every baby. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

About the Institute for Women's Policy Research

The Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that conducts and communicates research to inspire public dialogue, shape policy, and improve the lives and opportunities of women of diverse backgrounds, circumstances, and experiences. IWPR also works in affiliation with the Program on Gender Analysis in Economics at American University. Dr. Kelly Jones can be reached at [email protected] or @kmpjones on Twitter.

SOURCE March of Dimes

Related Links

http://www.marchofdimes.org


Read more: New regulations to help consolidate Saudi Arabias insurance sector

SAMA said that the rationale behind the move is to increase the stability of the countrys insurance industry, boost contributions to the growth of the national economy, and eliminate wrong practices in the industry.

The regulator ordered companies that currently have combined insurance and reinsurance operations to submit their plans on how to abide by the decision within three months. They were also given a period of one year to implement the necessary changes.
BELGRADE, Serbia  Montenegro on Friday denounced aggression against its embassy in Serbia during a protest by thousands of ultra-nationalists, saying the actions of hooligans who threw flares and chanted Set it on fire represented an attack on the countrys independence.

The crowd targeted the unguarded embassy in Belgrade and tried to burn the Montenegrin flag during the Thursday night protest of a religious rights law adopted by Montenegros parliament last month. Serbs say the law discriminates against the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic tweeted that the embassy attack was an uncivilized act and another challenge to his small countrys independence and freedom. He said it was stunning Serbian police did not protect the embassy on Thursday or during other recent protests.

We will save our Montenegro despite the hatred that is coming from the same actors inside and outside the country, Markovic said.

Montenegro split from much larger Serbia following a 2006 referendum. About one-third of the small Balkan countrys 620,000 citizens declare themselves as Serbs and want close ties with Belgrade.

Led by the Serbian Orthodox Church and backed by Serbias state propaganda, pro-Serb Montenegrins have been holding daily protest marches against the new religious rights law. They say the law will allow the Montenegrin state to impound Serbian Orthodox Church property, including monasteries, churches and other assets. The Montenegrin government has repeatedly denied those claims.

Adding fuel to the fire in what appears to be the lowest point in relations between the former Balkan allies, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday announced a private visit with Montenegrin Serbs for Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on Jan. 7.

He accused Montenegros prime minister of a notorious lie  that the embassy in Belgrade was not protected during the rioting.

We are not threatening Montenegros independence. You are threatening sacred monuments that dont belong to you, Vucic said.

Dusan Stojanovic is an Associated Press writer.
The BJP on Friday invoked Mahatma Gandhi to defend the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), claiming that the Father of the Nation had said if Sikhs and Hindus living as minority in Pakistan want to return to India, the country would welcome them and fulfil their primary needs.

Talking to reporters here, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya also said that the Modi government was currently not considering to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country.

However, he said that there was nothing wrong in implementing the NRC as it is just a "process of registering the citizens of the country".

"The prime minister himself has said that no decision has been taken by the Centre to implement the NRC across the country...But what is NRC? It is the process of registering the country's citizens. Why shouldn't it be implemented?" Vijayvargiya asked.

"We should know who is living in our country. This country is a not a dharmashala (charity shelter)," he said.

Hitting out at the opposition over the anti-CAA protests, he said it was part of their "dirty politics".

"What is against the Islam in the CAA? There is no threat to the citizenship of Indian Muslims by this law. But irresponsible opposition, including the Left parties, are spreading propaganda about the CAA under a conspiracy of their dirty and spreading chaos in the country," he said.

"After the Independence, Mahatma Gandhi himself had said that if Sikhs and Hindus living as a minority in Pakistan feel that they want to come to India, the country will not only welcome them, but also fulfil their primary needs, including employment," Vijayvargiya added.

Without naming the Congress, he said, "Some political parties only sought votes in the name of Mahatma Gandhi. But the leaders of our party (BJP) implemented what Mahatma Gandhi has said, whether it is through the Clean India campaign or the CAA," he said.

Under the CAA, people from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 owing to their religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants and will be given Indian citizenship.

Responding to a query, Vijayvargiya said, "Do you agree with the suggestion that Rohingya Muslims should be allowed to live in our country?"



When asked about the booklet distributed at a camp of Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, which questioned the credentials of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar as a patriot, he said, "If someone spits towards the sky, it will fall on his face. The Congress' comments will not affect the reputation of a patriot like Savarkar, but it will definitely expose the Congress.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 1.66 crore in a case pertaining to cheating and siphoning of the public money in Jharkhand and other states by offering returns on their investment.

The assets held in the name of Jeetendra Mohan, Vishal Kumar Sinha, Prashant Kumar, DJN Jewellers, Ram Kishun Thakur and sisters concerns of DJN group were attached under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

The immovable properties are located at Garhwa, Latehar and Ranchi Districts of Jharkhand.

The movable properties are in the form of bank balance to the tune of Rs 5.73 lakh lying in fourteen bank accounts and five vehicles worth Rs 59.57 Lakh.

The ED initiated investigations on the basis of FIR and charge sheet filed by Lalpur Police Station, District Ranchi under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for offence such as cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust.

Investigations conducted under PMLA revealed that the DJN Commodities was registered with MCX, Mumbai, under the proprietorship of Vishal Kumar Sinha.

The directors of this company conspired with other accused persons to cheat the investors and developed software in the name of the company i.e. DJN Commodities for offline trading.

Subsequently, DJN Commodities [offline] collected public deposits in the name of online trading with a promise to offer handsome returns at a high rate of interest on a monthly basis.

Instead of giving returns to investors, the accused persons indulged in money circulation activity and fraudulently gave a rosy picture to the depositors and investors about the sound financial health of the company.

The accused persons indulged in running ingenious schemes of recurring deposits in Jewellery shops to dupe innocent investors and depositors of their hard-earned money.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Paris, Jan 3 : A man stabbed at least four people, reportedly killing two, in a town near the French capital on Friday before police shot him dead, reports said.

Four people are believed to have been stabbed, including two who are reported to have died, in the attack in Villejuif, a town 7 km away from here, the BBC reported.

The assailant was chased by police and shot dead. There were reports he was wearing an explosive vest although there was no confirmation of this yet.
Deputy Defense Minister and Member of Parliament for the Nkoranza North constituency, Major Derrick Oduro, has said government would construct a 600-bed residential facility for head Porters (popularly called Kayayos) in 2020.

He indicated that plans are far advanced for the commencement of the project, in fulfillment of the ruling government's promises to the people of Ghana.

He indicated that the provision of such facility is very core to tackling the issue of sanitation.

The Deputy Minister further asserted that, sanitation is a national security issue, since it goes to the core survival of mankind.

He iterated that, sanitation is of global importance, such that the advanced countries have chosen to devote a handful of their budget revenue to sanitation.

He added that, the initiative is part of government's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6.

Goal 6 of the United Nation's SDG states, to Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, with the goal ofhaving eight targets to be achieved by at least 2030.

Meanwhile inspired by the visit of the Vice President to Agbobloshie and the NPP's promise to provide shelter for Head Porters and Traders, Zachariah Cobbina, a multi businessman who owns Zaakmus Enterprise has built an ultra-modern state-of-the-art shelter for the Agbobloshie community.

The completed project, which is estimated to have cost about Ghc500,000.00 has over sixty (60) bed facility, 50 unit toilet, bath and urinal facilities, dressing rooms, changing rooms and other facilities for user comfort.

Zachariah on his part was grateful to the President and Major Oduro for their part in ending the land guard issue that resulted in he getting access to his land at Kasoa.

He promised to replicate same project in Ashaiman and other parts of the country.

---Daily Guide
Homes come in all sides and shapes.

Why live in a house built with four walls when you can enjoy eight? Heres a chance to renovate an octagon house in Columbia County.

Located in Copake, New York, this half-acre property has three bedrooms. Originally built for Dr. John D. Reynolds in 1868, this unique house is among more than 100 eight-sided abodes built in NY state.

This form of architecture started with Orson Squire Fowler, a noted 19th-century phrenologist and publisher, who favored octagons more than squares. In his book ''The Octagon House, a Home for All,'' published in 1848, Fowler wrote how this style was more efficient in space, energy, and cost.

Following instructions in Fowlers book, progressive-minded Americans built octagon houses throughout the United States. Fowler even had one built for himself in Fishkill, NY. Known as Fowlers Folly, the four-story house had 60 rooms. Over the years, it passed through several owners and through periods of long vacancy, it deteriorated. Condemned as a public health hazard, the house was demolished in 1897.

Thousands of octagon homes were built nationwide and the trend hit its peak in the 1860s. Typically, they had two floors with a flat roof and cupola, and a circular veranda. According to the Columbia Paper, the Copake property is one of only three octagon homes in Columbia County.

In the 1970s, Helen Mang, an employee of the Independent Living Center, bought the Copake house. In her later years, Mang could not physically or financially care for the upkeep of the house. In 2011, her neighbor and an organized a group called, Copake Community Cares, worked to repair and repaint Mangs historic home. However, the work was never completed.

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

Details

Address: 193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516

Size: 1,400 square feet

Acres: .55 acres

Built: 1868

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1.5

Taxes: $1,575

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

Agent information

The property is listed by Arnold J. Greenberg of Starr Real Estate.

Phone: 518-229-8784

Email: aig3kids@aol.com

See the full listing

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

See more photos of the home below.

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

193 County Route 7A, Copake, NY 12516Courtesy of Arnold J. Greenberg

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This Weeks Show: January 4, 2019

In Studio Expert Automotive Panel

Harold Bendell, Major World

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Interviews

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Uncut Gems (Credit: A24/Netflix)

Adam Sandler could be up for an Oscar nomination for his bravura performance in the Safdie brothers' new movie Uncut Gems.

But if he doesn't walk away with a statue on the night, he can take solace in the fact that he utters some of the most swear words in the history of the movies.

Read more: Golden Globes 2020 predictions

Sandler plays Howard Ratner in the movie, a jeweller in New York's diamond district with an all-consuming gambling addiction.

He's also addicted to dropping the f-bomb, and utters the word a staggering 408 times in the movie's 135 minute screen time.

That's a fraction over three f**ks per minute, making the movie the seventh sweariest of all time, according to parents movie review site ScreenIt.

Casino (Credit: Universal Pictures)

It places the movie one place below Martin Scorsese's Casino, which comes in at number six.

As for the top five, Gary Oldman's gritty British drama Nil By Mouth comes in at five with 428 on the f**k count, Spike Lee's Summer of Sam at four with 435, and Scorsese's other sweary classic The Wolf of Wall Street with 569.

Read more: Sandler threatens to make awful movie on purpose

However, the top two movies are special cases, the swear figures really leaping up.

At number two is F**k, a documentary about the word which squeezed it in 857 times, with Canadian comedy Swearnet: The Movie, made by the filthy minds behind Trailer Park Boys, in at number one with 935 utterances.

Starring Sandler alongside Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, Lakeith Stanfield, Julia Fox and Eric Bogosian, Uncut Gems arrives in UK cinemas on January 10.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 14:10:41|Editor: huaxia

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CHANGCHUN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Li Ning, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at China Agricultural University, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for embezzlement at a court in northeast China's Jilin Province Friday.

Zhang Lei, an associate researcher at the university, also an accessory to the crime, was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison, according to a verdict of the Intermediate People's Court of Songyuan.

Li and Zhang were also fined 3 million yuan (430,500 U.S. dollars) and 200,000 yuan, respectively, according to the verdict. Their illicit gains will be turned over to the national treasury.

Li and Zhang were found taking advantage of the positions of managing the funds for scientific research projects to embezzle over 37.56 million yuan from 2008 to 2012, including nearly 21 million yuan from the projects of other members in Li's research group.

The money was transferred to companies controlled by Li and Zhang to invest in other companies, according to the court.

According to the latest scientific research funds management document, over 3.45 million yuan of the 37.56 million yuan was considered illegal gains instead of embezzlement, said the verdict, adding that Li and Zhang were accused of embezzling more than 34.1 million yuan.

The court offered leniency to Li taking into consideration that part of the embezzled money has been recovered, and to Zhang as he confessed to his crimes.
Every name on the BrandBucket marketplace is exclusively listed with BrandBucket. That means that all of our sellers are very responsive, making for quick domain transfers.

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In most cases, if a domain is moved between accounts at a single registrar, the transfer is quick and usually completes within 48 hours. If a domain changes registrars (in other words, you would like to move it away from where it is currently registered), the transfer is slower. The total transfer time can then be anywhere from 48 hours to 7 days.

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BRIDGEPORT  Three Stratford teenagers accused of setting fires in four communities including the blaze that burned the American Shakespeare Theatre to the ground last year will be given a chance to consider a plea deal at their next court date.

On an agreement with the prosecutor and defense lawyers, Superior Court Judge Joan Alexander continued the cases of 18-year-olds Christopher Sakowicz and Vincent Keller and 17-year-old Logan Caraballo to Feb. 13.

At that time, I hope to have an appropriate plea offer, the judge said. No other details were available.

The three teens are charged with arson, burglary and reckless endangerment in the 2019 fires.

In addition to the Jan. 13 fire that destroyed the American Shakespeare Theater in Stratford, the three teens are charged with the Jan. 15 fire in a vacant building at the Southbury Training School, the Feb. 8 fire in a vacant house on Richards Place in West Haven, the Feb. 17 fire at the former Bilco Co. in West Haven, the March 9 fire at Good Earth Tree Care on Longbrook Avenue in Stratford that destroyed a truck and the March 24 fire that damaged construction trailers at Silver Sands State Park in Milford.

Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Howard Stein told the judge that all the cases have been consolidated for prosecution in the Bridgeport court.

Following the theater fire, police said the teens admitted on SnapChat they set the fire on a posted video that was circulated around Bunnell High School where both Sakowicz and Keller were seniors at the time.

Police said Sakowicz and Keller later admitted to setting the fires.

During the interview, Christopher (Sakowicz) became very animated and excited talking about fire and different patterns fires make in various settings, police said.

Police said Sakowicz told them that the teens had broken into the theater basement through an unlocked rear door and that he had lit the fire using gasoline he had brought with him. On the way out of the burning theater, Sakowicz told police he had grabbed a security alarm panel as a souvenir.

Sakowitz and Keller later rode their bicycles to the theater site to watch it burn, police said.
Russia claims to now be digitally sovereign, with a dash of censorship, Kremlin-style. Russia is reported to have successfully implemented its so-called digital sovereignty bill, aimed at protecting the country by creating a sustainable, fenced-off national network, and successfully tested it, too.

In February, Russian lawmakers passed the Digital Economy National Program law, which requires Russia's internet providers to ensure that they can operate in the event of foreign powers acting to isolate the country online.

The measures outlined in the law include Russia building its own version of the net's address system, known as DNS. The bill would require Internet providers to make sure they can operate if foreign countries attempt to isolate the Runet, the country's national internet infrastructure.

Currently, a dozen organizations oversee the root servers for DNS and none of them are in Russia. The government says the bill will reduce Russia's reliance on internet servers in the United States.

But what the Kremlin calls sovereignty and safety, critics call pure censorship.

Russia has introduced several internet laws in recent years. In March, its parliament passed two bills outlawing "disrespect" of authorities and the spreading of what the government deems to be "fake news".

Last year, Russia also attempted to enforce a ban against the popular messaging service Telegram, after the company refused to provide encryption keys to the Federal Security Service (FSB). However, Telegram said it could easily bypass the ban, and, indeed, the app is still widely available in Russia.

After those measures were passed, thousands of people protested in Moscow against plans to introduce tighter restrictions on the internet.

Comparing it to some other countries, critics have warned that this could make it easier for the government to censor, reroute or block access to politically sensitive content, particularly during elections or anti-government protests.

In Iran, the National Information Network allows access to web services while policing all content on the network and limiting external information.

Related: The Crushing Reality Of Poverty In America

The so-called Great Firewall of China blocks access to many foreign internet services.

In Russia, the authors of the digital sovereignty bill explained that Russia will unplug itself in case of a major cyber threat. However, it was Russia that has regularly been accused of cyber-attacks on other nations and organizations.

The law itself was introduced after the U.S. administration published its 2018 National Cyber Strategy, which attributed cyberattacks on the United States to Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

It also comes amid media reports in June that Russia thwarted attempts by the United States to carry out cyberattacks on its power grid infrastructure.

The Kremlin can spin this any way it wants, but critics arent buying into the cyberwar protection angle alone.

The internet is a beast and the last real enemy of governmental control. Social media is its biggest weapon, which also means that its a target globally, with the Arab Spring the first domino, followed by the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Social media has played a crucial role in recent mass protest movements in Iraq, Iran, India and Hong Kong.

What Russia wants to be able to do is what Iran just did amid protests over the removal of fuel subsidies in mid-November, when the authorities shut off internet access, enabled by cooperation agreements with private networks.

By Anes Alic for SafeHaven.com

More Top Reads From Safehaven.com:
With robust economic and financial growth, Montgomery County is growing and preparing for whats ahead in 2020.

What could be described as The Woodlands premiere business event of the year, the Economic Outlook Conference 2020, is set to draw in a crowd of hundreds.

The conference, marking its 34th year, is a production entirely of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce and is hosted by the chamber each year since its inception. Itll be taking place at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center on Feb. 21.

The 2019 conference noted that they had approximately 650 attendees and in 2020 the chamber is expecting around 700, Margo McZeal, chamber director of governmental affairs at The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce says.

This years theme is Innovative Solutions In A Diverse Community and will be emceed by the CEO and president of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, J.J. Hollie.

A lot of businesses can attend and find out what is coming and whats happening in the new year, Hollie said.

Business and community leaders will gather for an anticipated day full of speeches, seminars that divulge in sustainable growth in the region and state, much like the previous years.

There will be discussions on economy, trends and growth by local, national and global speakers. Its an event for business leaders to gain knowledge and further insight on the current and future trajectory of the economy as well as projected growth.

More Information Want to go? What: Economic Outlook Conference 2020 Where:The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center When: Feb. 21 at 8 a.m. How much: Chamber-members $169 & Non-Chamber members: $199 Online: woodlandschamber.org/EOC or call 281-363-8106 for additional information. See More Collapse

Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the conference starts early morning at 8 a.m. and runs all the way to lunch at 1 p.m. The schedule consists of community/regional updates, economy updates, innovation panel and a lunch keynote.

University of Houstons president, Renu Khator, will be the lunch keynote speaker this year. Its more of a motivational speech.

I think her story is amazing, McZeal said.

The chamber wanted Khator to talk about her story and how she climbed the ladder of success. Shell be discussing how she built her empire at UH and how shes a inspiration to other women who are out in this workforce arena, McZeal says.

Theyre doing a lot of great things down there (University of Houston), Hollie said.

Hollie says the the university just developed an innovation curriculum where you can get a four year degree in innovation and innovation leadership.

Things like these are examples of what great universities need to do and are doing to develop the workforce that is needed to succeed in the Houston area, he said.

Each year the chamber  with collaboration with The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership  conducts a study to determine largest employers in the area to see how they grow and what the employee count is. The businesses have to have 100 employees or more to be apart of the study and results will be announced at the conference.

In The Woodlands currently, there are two Fortune 500 companies that are headquartered here.

Thats more than most states have, Hollie said. Were just in a phenomenally advantageous position and I think a lot of businesses recognize that.

laraib.hashmi@chron.com
Charlotte Crosby launching her series The Charlotte Show (Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Images)

Charlotte Crosby has confirmed that her dreams have finally come true as she is going on Im A Celebrity  but its not the UK version.

The Geordie Shore star is a huge fan of the reality show and has been hankering after a hammock in the jungle for some time.

But after failing to make it onto the ITV series she has landed a spot on the Australian version.

Read more: Charlotte Crosby breaks her nose

The series will see the celebs setting up camp in South Africa.

Crosby, 29, announced her news on Instagram, promising viewers a WILD ride.

She said: Wondered why Ive been quiet recently ?!?!

IM GOING IN THE GOD DAM SOUTH AFRICAN JUNGLE for @imacelebrityau !!!!

Sitting here writing this not actually having a clue what to expect. All I no is this IS GUNNA BE CRAZY!

Finally my dreams have come true and I dont have to photoshop my head on the English line up anymore.

See you soon my jungle buddies get ready for a WILD ride, she added.

Read more: Charlotte Crosby hits back at Roxanne Pallett

In 2016, Crosby claimed she was not wanted on the UK version of Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!

The star  who won the 12th series of Celebrity Big Brother - joked with her fans on Twitter that she was going to be a contestant on the show, even though she wasnt.

She later told The Sun: Everyone was so excited so Im hoping it gave the producers the push to think they should let me on the show. My fans were so upset because they want us on.

I cant go on as they wont have us, Ive been banned because I was on Big Brother and they wont follow suit.
(L) President Donald Trump listens to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speak during their meeting on Nov. 30, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) (R) Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran on Feb. 11, 2016. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

Trump Ordered Military Attack on Iranian General Qassem Soleimani to Protect US Personnel

The Department of Defense confirmed that the U.S. military killed the Iranian regimes top military general Qassem Soleimani at the direction of President Donald Trump.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed by a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport early Friday morning local time.

The strikes came after reports that at least three Katyusha rockets were fired on an Iraqi military base housing coalition counter-terrorism forces.

Related Coverage Head of Iran Quds Force Qassim Soleimani Killed in Baghdad Strike

Soleimanis death was confirmed by Iraqi TV, three Iraqi officials, and Iranian state TV.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Department of Defense (DoD) said in a statement late Thursday.

The department added that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the statement continues.

According to the United States, Soleimani was responsible for orchestrating attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past several months, which included the attack at the Kirkuk military base in northern Iraq on Dec. 27 that killed an American and wounded several American and Iraqi troops.

Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place earlier this week, the department said.

This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, the DoD announced. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

Prior to the DoDs announcement, but several hours after news broke about attacks at Baghdad International Airport, Trump tweeted an image of the American flag, without further comment.

Soleimani is considered the architect behind the Iranian regimes foreign influence activities in the Middle East as head of the Quds forcean elite unit within Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that is tasked with Irans extra-territorial military operations including activities to expand Iranian influence in Syria and rocket attacks on Israel.

Soleimani had been rumored dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad. More recently, rumors circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

A senior politician said Soleimanis body was identified by the ring he wore. DNA confirmation is pending.

The United States designated Irans IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in April 2019, the first time the United States has designated part of a foreign government as a terror group.

The IRGC FTO designation highlights that Iran is an outlaw regime that uses terrorism as a key tool of statecraft and that the IRGC, part of Irans official military, has engaged in terrorist activity or terrorism since its inception 40 years ago, the State Department announced at the time.

The IRGC was responsible for 17 percent of U.S. personnel deaths in Iraq from 2003 to 2011, which is about 603 deaths, the department said.

Officials who confirmed Soleimanis death said the strikes that killed him also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraqs Iran-backed Shiite militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) attends the funeral procession of Hashed al-Shaabi fighters in Baghdad on Dec. 31, 2019, who were killed in US airstrikes on a base in western Iraq near al-Qaim, on the border with Syria. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images)

The PMF, formed in 2014 with about 140,000 members in total, is an Iraqi government-sanctioned state umbrella group spanning about a dozen militia groupsmost of the groups, however, are mostly backed by Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed out in an earlier tweet that al-Muhandis was spotted outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad amid the two-day Iran-backed attacks that began on New Years Eve and ended Wednesday. Al-Muhandiss role in the attacks was unclear.

The attack today was orchestrated by terrorists  Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and Qays al-Khazali  and abetted by Iranian proxies  Hadi al Amari and Faleh al-Fayyad. All are pictured below outside our embassy. pic.twitter.com/2QfGGrfmDd  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 31, 2019

Al-Muhandis was also a former leader of the Iranian-backed Kataib Hizbollah (Kataib Hezbollah, KH) terror organization thats part of the PMF. He has a long history of terrorist and subversive activities. In 1983, he led terrorist attacks against the U.S. and French embassies in Kuwait, and his men have since been accused of extrajudicial killings in western Iraq.

Widespread protests in Iraq have been happening since October and have seen thousands of local Iraqis taking to the streets in Baghdad and the predominantly Shiite south. The protesters accused the government of being corrupt and decried the Iranian regimes growing influence in Iraqi state affairs through the militia groups. The mass uprisings have left more than 450 people dead, the vast majority being protesterskilled by security forces firing tear gas and live ammunition.

Hundreds of anti-government protesters march inside Tahrir Square carrying national flags and chanting religious slogans in Baghdad, Iraq on Dec. 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the militia groups hold about 47 parliamentary seats, giving them significant influence in the Iraqi government. According to the WSJ, Irans increasing influence over the militia groups and in Iraqi parliament has stirred public discontent and contributed to nationwide protests since October.

Following the deaths of Soleimani and al-Muhandis, Iraqi locals were seen taking to the streets to celebrate, shows a widely-circulated video that was also posted on Twitter by Pompeo.

Melanie Sun and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Donald Trump says that Iran general Qassem Soleimani was "caught" as he was "plotting to kill" many Americans, after years of anti-US military actions that have left thousands "killed or badly wounded".

The president ordered the airstrike on Soleimani, the leader of the elite Quds Force, on Friday morning, raising concerns of unrest and destabilisation in the region as US-Iran tensions reached new highs.

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself," Mr Trump tweeted.

He continued: "While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

The attack has left behind an unclear and potentially hazardous scenario on the ground in Iraq, and the region more broadly. Shortly after the attack was confirmed, as Mr Trump tweeted an American flag and US officials claimed the region was safer after the killing, the State Department sent out a security alert urging American citizens to leave Iraq "immediately", noting that Americans should also stay away from the embassy.

US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday 3 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures The wreckage of the car in which general Soleimani was travelling when a targeted US airstrike struck outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January Ahmad Al Mukhtar via Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest in Tehran after general Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike by American forces Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of Donald Trump AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn Israeli and US flags as thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of general Soleimani at the hands of America EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of Donald Trump pray at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held on the day following the killing of general Soleimani. At the event, the president praised the "flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader" AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A huge procession of mourners gather in Baghdad for the funeral of general Soleimani on 4 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani during an anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iraqis perform a mourning prayer for slain major general Qasem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the Great Mosque of Kufa AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A billboard reading 'Death to America and Israel', installed by Iran-backed shiite armed groups at a street in Jadriyah district in Baghdad, Iraq EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him visiting the family of Soleiman KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US flag as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Jalal Feiruznia, looks to a portrait of Soleimani, as he receives condolences at the Iranian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures People make their way on the street while a screen on the wall of a cinema shows a portrait Soleimani in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Aziz Asmar, one of two Syrian painters who completed a mural following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani poses next to his creation in the rebel-held Syrian town of Dana in the northwestern province of Idlib AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A demonstration in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures An anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Mujtaba al-Husseini, the representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in the holy shrine city of Najaf AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US and Israeli flags as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters demonstrate in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, in Peshawar, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters, holding a photograph of the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran Massoud Rajavi, outside Downing Street in London PA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A Syrian man offers sweets to children to mark the killing AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers attend a mourning prayer for Soleimani in Iran's capital Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and anti Israel slogans during a protest AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshipers chant slogans during Friday prayers Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A protest against the USA, in Islamabad, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranians burn a US flag in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin, Germany Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Vehicles of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol a road in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel. Following morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian women take to the streets in Tehran EPA

The Quds Force, which Soleimani led, is thought to have been responsible for the deaths of around 600 US soldiers during the Iraq War, mostly through the use of lethal roadside bombs it manufactured and flooded the country with. It also backed a number of Shia militias to fight against the US throughout the war.

Its unclear who the millions of dead Trump is referring to. But many credit Soleimani as being a major driving force behind the Syrian governments violent crackdown on the uprising against Bashar al-Assad  a conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands.

Trump also mentions the killing of protesters in Iraq. Iran-backed militias are thought to have been responsible for a violent crackdown on anti-government protests in Iraq. Hundreds are thought to have been killed by militia fighters since the protests began.

The White House has provided little evidence for the justification that the attack that killed Soleimani was in response to an "imminent threat", as secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed repeatedly on Friday morning in the hours after the airstrike.

"The world's a much safer place today and I can assure you that Americans in the region are much safer today after the demise of Qasem Soleimani," Mr Pompeo said during an interview with CNN.

As Mr Pompeo made those claims Friday, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the streets in Iran, carrying anti-Trump and anti-America signs and chanting against the actions of Washington. On Iranian state television, the killing was described as "the biggest miscalculation by the US" since the Second World War. "The people of the region will no longer allow Americans to stay," they said.

"Harsh vengeance awaits the criminals that got his and other martyrs' blood on their evil hands in last night's incident," said Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

 Hundreds of mourners gather outside home of assassinated Iranian general Soleimani in Kerman

The attack has been met with mixed response from major international powers. UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab issued a delicate statement, saying that Britain "recognised the aggressive threat" posed by the dead Iranian, but that "further conflict is in none of our interests." A German spokesperson also issued a statement of qualified understanding of the actions, saying that the airstrike was "a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility."

Meanwhile, China, Russia and France  a group that represents the majority of the permanent members of the UN security council, along the US and UK  said that the actions made the world more dangerous.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, Amelie de Montchalin, Frances deputy minister for foreign affairs, told RTL radio. When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is under way.
She rang in 2020 in paradise on a family holiday to the Maldives with husband Marvin and their two daughters.

And Rochelle Humes looked every inch the beach babe as she slipped into a belted black New Look swimsuit while soaking up the sun in the Indian Ocean holiday spot on Friday.

The TV presenter, 30, posed up a storm for an envy-inducing gallery of Instagram snaps, telling her followers she was 'making the most of her last few days of being Moana', in reference to the popular Disney character.

'Last few days of being Moana': Rochelle Humes looked every inch the beach babe as she slipped into a belted black swimsuit while soaking up the sun in the Maldives on Friday

The mother-of-two added a gold necklace to accessorise, and her braided hair was swept both down her back.

In a caption on the dazzling post, Rochelle likened herself to Disney island princess Moana.

She joked: 'Making the most of my last couple days as Moana....'

Rochelle has kept her fans updated with snaps from her family trip with DJ husband Marvin, 34, and their two daughters Alaia Mai, six, and Valentina Raine, two.

Sun-drenched: The TV presenter, 30, posed up a storm for an envy-inducing gallery of snaps, telling her followers she was 'making the most of her last few days in the island paradise

The couple enjoyed some alone time on Thursday courtesy of Rochelle's thoughtful mother, who has joined them on the family trip.

Posting a snap on her Instagram stories of an idyllic beach 'dinner for two' set-up, Rochelle revealed her 'cute mama' had surprised them with the gesture to say thank you for the trip.

In a note, she said: 'To Roch and Marv, just wanted to say thank you for letting me share your holiday with you and Alaia and Valle! Enjoy tonight. I love you all so much. Love, Mum (Rozzy) xxxx.'

On New Year's Eve, the former The Saturdays star shared a throwback snap from the moment Marvin popped the question in Antigua on New Year's Eve in 2011, joking about them both now having 'a few more lines, a lot more wine and less hair'.

'Dinner for two': Rochelle and her DJ husband Marvin, 34, enjoyed some alone time on Thursday courtesy of her thoughtful mother, who has joined them on the family trip

Wild thing: The mother-of-two looked glamorous in a leopard print maxi-dress, which she teamed with a gold clutch bag for the couple's romantic beach dinner date

Marking the milestone, Rochelle uploaded the photo from her engagement alongside the caption: '8 years ago today. Happy Anniversary my love.

'A few more lines, a lot more wine and deffo less hair. Wouldn't change a thing except the rapid decline in sleep, wow just look at how well slept we were..

'Ps I found that M&S bikini the other day, pulled out the padding don't need that any more after the babies.'

Marvin also shared his own love letter on Instagram with a quote about by Ruby Dhal, which read; 'If someone wants to be with you and I mean truly be with you, they will do everything in their power to make sure that you know.'

He captioned the post: 'I'm so glad I stole your phone out of your bag to get your number that night.. I'm so glad I told you exactly what I wanted and never played games..

Memories: On New Year's Eve, the former The Saturdays star shared a throwback snap from the moment Marvin popped the question in Antigua on New Year's Eve in 2011

'I'm so glad you believed my words, my eyes and my heart @rochellehumes 8 years ago you said yes and made my dreams come true..

'I'm so proud of everything we have now..you literally are a Superwoman..Happy Engagement Anniversary my love x'.

Marvin and Rochelle began dating in early 2010 after meeting a number of times at awards shows and concerts, and went public with the romance in March.

After a four-month whirlwind relationship, former S Club Juniors member Rochelle moved into the west London home Marvin previously shared with his JLS bandmate Aston Merrygold.

Marvin proposed to Rochelle, who was aged 22, in Antigua on New Year's Eve in 2011.

The happy couple married at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire on July 27, 2012.
He found God in a Toronto jail and then dedicated his life to helping others.

The Oakville community is mourning the loss of Rev. Peter Watters.

The retired associate pastor of St. Andrew church and former Oakville councillor died at Wyndham Manor on New Years Day.

He was 92.

Watters spent nearly 30 years serving the area as a Roman Catholic priest and more than 50 years helping others stay sober.

The longtime Oakville resident arrived at his calling via a very dark and winding road.

Watters lived in Oakville nearly his entire life, moving here in 1940 at the age of 12.

He came from a poor family and was forced to drop out of school in Grade 8 to find work.

He started drinking at 14 and in his 30s lost a successful Oakville paint and wallpaper business because of his addiction.

Watters drinking got so bad he became homeless in Toronto for a time.

I was bumming nickels and dimes, living in alleyways, eating at the missions, said Watters in a 2011 interview with the Toronto Star.

On Jan. 31, 1961, Watters ended up in a Toronto jail after crashing a vehicle into a streetcar.

It was here that Watters said he turned to God for help, praying on his knees to be relieved of his obsession to drink.

He began going to Alcoholics Anonymous, something he continued to do for many years.

I celebrated 50 years, said Watters in 2011.

Fifty years and Im still active. I wouldnt trade that for anything else. Thats an important part of my life.

Watters not only attended meetings but became a leader in AA, through which he travelled the world helping hundreds, if not thousands of people.

He rebuilt his life by starting a profitable business, producing a religious reader.

He was also elected to Oakville town council and then became the first chair of the Halton Catholic District School Board.

In 1978, Watters made a big change and gave away his business and home to enter the seminary at age 50.

He was ordained four years later.

Watters would go on to serve as pastor of several parishes in the Diocese of Hamilton.

RELATED STORIES Priest calls on his own demons to help others beat theirs

During those years he counselled people for a variety of addictions including alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, and pornography.

In 2001 he moved to St. Andrew church in Oakville, where he remained until his retirement in 2011.

In 2002, Watters was awarded the Caring Canada Award from former governor-general Adrienne Clarkson.

I lost myself, but then I found myself again, said Watters in 2011 as he prepared for retirement.

Gods been good to me and Ive had a wonderful life, but its time I had a little rest.

Watters visitation will take place Monday at St. Andrew church from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A mass and Christian burial will take place at St. Andrew church on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

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Iran is transformed after its second-most powerful figure was killed in a US attack, seen as a dramatic escalation.

Tehran, Iran  The assassination of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in air raids by the United States has triggered a wave of emotions and garnered a response of solidarity and retribution across the otherwise divided Iranian political spectrum.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and mastermind of its regional influence, was killed early on Friday near Baghdads international airport in an air strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei paid tribute to him as a martyr and promised to exact harsh revenge.

He announced three days of national mourning in honour of Soleimani, who was widely believed to be the second-most powerful figure in Iran.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani echoed the threat of revenge and vowed that there would be consequences. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif condemned the killing as an act of state terrorism in a statement.





The pure blood of Qassem Soleimani will surely strengthen the tree of resistance, unite the Iranian people, and make US policies in the region less effective by the day, he said.

Irans National Security Council has convened an emergency meeting to decide Irans reaction to the killing. Reports say Khamenei has participated in the meeting for the first time ever, denoting the gravity of the situation.

Irans supreme leader appointed Esmail Qaani as the new head of the IRGCs foreign operations on Friday.

Following the martyrdom of the glorious General Haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Several local news sources have reported that a number of Iranian fighter jets are patrolling the western parts of the country, which border Iraq.

The US air strike was a dramatic escalation of tensions with Iran, which have been continuously growing since Trump unilaterally withdrew from Irans nuclear deal with world powers in May last year and imposed crippling sanctions.

Hero remembered

IRGC officials, clerics, ministers, members of parliament, and the business community reacted in unison and hailed the commander as a fallen hero.

Gatherings are being organised in Tehran and across the country after Friday prayers to commemorate Soleimani and denounce the US and Israel.

State broadcaster IRIB and radio channels were allotting almost their entire broadcast time to news of Soleimanis assassination and programmes commemorating him. All television presenters wore black and a black strip adorned the top corner of the screens.





An IRIB presenter, who was interviewing IRGC spokesman Ramezan Sharif, kissed his uniform and embraced him as they broke down in tears.

All comedy films slated to be showed in cinemas were postponed and all music concerts were temporarily suspended.

A major passageway in Tehran, which has yet to be announced, will be named after Soleimani, officials said.

The assassination of Qassem Soleimani has definitely enraged a majority of Iranians, irrespective of political beliefs, said Ali Akbar Dareini, an expert on Iran-US affairs at the Center for Strategic Studies in Tehran.

Soleimani was the most popular political figure in Iran, according to several local and external polls. The latest, a poll commissioned by the Center of International and Security Studies at Maryland University, found that Soleimani had increased his influence, with eight in 10 respondents saying they view him favourably.

Declaration of war

The unilateral US sanctions were a declaration of economic war and this reckless move is obviously a major escalation and a declaration of war against Iran, Dareini told Al Jazeera.

The White House and Pentagon said the attack on Soleimani was carried out with the aim of deterring future attacks allegedly being planned by Iran.

The Pentagon said Trump had ordered Soleimanis killing after pro-Iran protesters this week stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad.





But Dareini believes the attack will lead to more insecurity and violence across the Middle East exactly contrary to what the Americans claim.

This is also a gift to Daesh and all terrorists in the region, the political analyst said.

Soleimani, along with Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a key figure in Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) who was also killed in the air strikes, were instrumental to the two countries fight against ISIL (ISIS).

After him [Soleimani], the political, security and military red lines of the region will be transformed, tweeted Hesammodin Ashna, a top adviser to President Rouhani. The deserts, mountains and valleys know him better than the streets, palaces and towers.
They just enjoyed a romantic getaway to the Bahamas.

And now Sofia Vergara and her hunky husband Joe Manganiello have touched back down in Los Angeles to enjoy a celeb-filled Golden Globes weekend.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Thursday morning that the Modern Family actress would be one of many stars presenting at Sunday's 2020 Golden Globes.

We're back: Sofia Vergara and her husband Joe Manganiello touched down at LAX on Thursday after spending New Years and Joe's 43rd birthday in the Bahamas

Hands on husband: Manganiello held onto the couple's adorable chihuahua as they forged their way through the busy airport

Pep in her step: The Modern Family actress radiated bliss after news broke that she would be one of many A-listers presenting at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday

The 47-year-old stunner rocked a casual, yet chic ensemble as she made her way through the busy airport.

Vergara sported a a long-line cardigan with intentional fraying and a braided collar.

She looked effortlessly cool in boyfriend-style dark wash denim jeans and a loose white burnout tee, which she dressed up with a pair of aviators that featured unique gold detailing.

Husband Joe followed closely behind the actress, carrying the couple's chihuahua who joined them on their island excursion.

The Magic Mike star drew attention to his famous muscular physique in a tight fitting Metallica band tee.

Veteran presenter: Sofia presented at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA

The couple's return to LA is timely, as it was recently announced that Vergara would be presenting alongside fellow actors Daniel Craig, Tiffany Haddish, Charlize Theron, and more, at the 2020 Golden Globe awards.

Vergara hasn't presented at the prestigious award show since 2017.

The Golden Globes are often considered the 'fun' awards show, where celebrities can kick back and laugh a little.

But even with a more laid back tone, the evening still calls for major fashion displays.

Vergara is known for showing off her famously curvaceous frame in tight fitting, bejeweled gowns, so fans are looking forward to seeing what look the Colombian beauty will show off on the red carpet.

Joe and Sofia spent New Years in the Bahamas, not only to celebrate the end of the decade, but to celebrate Joe's fourty-seventh birthday.

Happy Birthday Joe: Sofia Vergara shared this loving snapshot to her Instagram of herself and Manganiello on December 28th, as the couple celebrated his 43rd birthday in the Bahamas

Family photo: The couple posed with their chihuahua, who is featured regularly on Sofia's Instagram page, as they rocked 2020 party gear on New Years Eve in the Bahamas

Vergara shared intimate shots from all the festivities on her Instagram page.

One shot showcased Sofia sitting on her husband's lap, as she smiles lovingly upon him.

Another showed off the couple's silly side as they donned metallic 2020 glasses and posed with their chihuahua.

The couple linked up in 2014, after Manganiello raved about the Colombian bombshell in an interview with People magazine.

The following year they would be married.

On November 22 of 2019, the pair celebrated their 4-year anniversary and Sofia shared a flashback photo from the couple's wedding to her 17.8million Instagram followers.

The actress had her hands wrapped around her 6foot5 husband, as the pair flashed excited smiles on their special day.

'Happy Anniversary mi amor!!!' captioned Vergara.
'The Last Color', the directorial debut of renowned chef Vikas Khanna, has made it to the race of Oscars. The film found a place in the list of feature films for the Academy Awards. The chef-turned-filmmaker took to Instagram and Twitter to share his excitement along with a few stills from the Neena Gupta-starrer.

Actor Neena Gupta who plays a central role in the film reacted to Khanna's tweet and said that she cannot believe that the film is in the Oscar race. 'The Last Color' has not been released in Indian theatres yet but was premiered at the Mumbai film festival this year.

Produced by Odisha based producer Jitendra Mishra and helmed by Vikas Khanna, the film revolves around the lives of windows residing in Indian religious sites of Vrindavan and Varanasi.

Right after the news, excited Neena Gupta spoke to a publication and spilled the beans on her forthcoming projects that consist of some interesting films. She said,

"I'm getting a lot of different roles to play now. Some are of mothers but some are different but very challenging parts. I have finished seven projects, including web shows already. Panga releases this month. There is Shubh Mangal Zyaada Savdhaan that I just finished, then there's Nikkhil Advani's next (starring Arjun Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh), that I was shooting for in Patiala. My role in that film is a secret but everyone will be surprised when they see me in it."

And then she dropped a piece of news that no one saw coming. She confirmed that she has also shot for Ranveer Singh's Kapil Dev Biopic, titled '83'. She said,

"I have a small cameo in Kabir Khan's '83. I play Kapil Dev as in Ranveer Singh's mother in the film. I have just shot for it."

Apart from being a versatile actor and proving her mettle as an actor over the years, Neena has also been vocal about issues that bother or concern her. She was the first one to point out how actors her age are not roped in for roles suited for them, instead, younger actors 'take' the challenge and try to pull them off by prosthetic and makeup.

This snowballed into a huge controversy that involved Saand Ki Aankh actors Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar.


Green Leaf Innovations Inc (OTC:GRLF) announced this week the assignment of the former top regulator of Marylands medical marijuana industry, Joy A. Strand, as Executive Vice President.

"She is responsible for coordinating the companys government relations efforts in multiple states," said Kevin Goldberg, Green Leafs president and general counsel. She brings a wealth of knowledge about the cannabis industry and compliance. Were really looking forward to her input for all aspects of our operations.

Strand said, Im very excited about the opportunity. I know I have a lot to offer, but I also know I will have a lot to learn,

See Also: A Snapshot Of America's Medical Marijuana Markets: Maryland

Strand stated that she left the commission for personal reasons and the opportunity to join Green Leaf came well after her departure.

I expect that any of the regulators will treat gLeaf the same as any other regulated company, she said.

Members of the MMCC expressed about this issue.

David Torres, the MMCC's director of communications, told Baltimoe Business Journal the MMCC does not have any statuary authority to limit ex-employees" from working elsewhere after leaving the commission.

Michael Lord, executive director of the Maryland State Ethics Commission, told the Baltimore Biz Journal that "state law dictates that state employees who leave for another paying job are barred from working specifically on any 'case, contract or matter' that they worked on in their public position."

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Photo: Mia Bella Trattoria/Yelp

As fans of cronuts and cake pops can attest, food trends come and go. So how can you tell which tastes are trending right this minute?

We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp and SafeGraph, a dataset of commercial points of interest and their visitor patterns, to deduce which eateries have been in the limelight this month.

To find out who made the list, we first looked at Houston 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 increased their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance. Then we analyzed foot traffic data from SafeGraph to validate the trends.

Read on to see which spots are getting plenty of attention this winter.

Upstairs Bar & Lounge

Photo: ashkan n./Yelp

Open since 2016, this well-established lounge, venues and event space and cocktail bar is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Cocktail Bars" on Yelp.

Citywide, cocktail bars saw a median 2.1% increase in new reviews over the past month, but Upstairs Bar & Lounge saw a 2.3% increase, maintaining a convincing 4.5-star rating throughout. According to SafeGraph foot traffic data, the number of visitors to Upstairs Bar & Lounge more than tripled over the past month.

Curious about this business? We found this in its Yelp history section: "Located on the second floor of the expanded Hungry's location in Rice Village. We offer happy hour Monday through Friday, with tasty bar bites and appetizers, select wine specials, and craft cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juices and house-infused spirits. On Saturday and Sunday, join us for our Brunch on the Balcony, a fresh scene featuring many of Hungry's favorites in addition to off-the-menu features."

Located at 2356 Rice Blvd., Floor 2, in University Place, Upstairs Bar & Lounge offers bar bites like beef nachos and fire-roasted Brussels sprouts, along with five types of pizza and cocktails like the Netherland twist with Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit and Rose, blood orange, lime and agave. (Check out the full menu here.)

Story continues

Upstairs Bar & Lounge is open from 310 p.m. on Monday, 311 p.m. on Tuesday, 3 p.m.midnight on Wednesday and Thursday, 3 p.m.1 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m.1 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.10 p.m. on Sunday. According to SafeGraph, foot traffic is heaviest at 12 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays, with a slowdown on Thursdays.

Sambuca

Photo: victoria m./Yelp

Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about downtown Houston's Sambuca, the well-established lounge, music venue and New American spot is trending based on local foot traffic data.

While Sambuca stayed on par with the median 1.4% increase in new reviews businesses categorized as "American (New)" on Yelp over the past month, maintaining a mixed three-star rating, the number of visitors to Sambuca more than tripled over the same time frame, according to SafeGraph's foot traffic data.

Regarding specialties, "Sambuca features savory new American food and modern cocktails that will tempt any palate and nourish the soul. Our nightly live music will engage our guests in the energetic vibe of the restaurant, reminding them to enjoy the simple pleasures of life."  that's according to its Yelp page.

There's more that's trending on Houston's New American scene: Dish Society has seen a 2.4% increase in reviews, and Pinstripes and Bosscat Kitchen & Libations have seen 92.9 and 2.1% increases, respectively.

Open at 909 Texas Ave. since 2007, Sambuca offers soup, salad and meat and cheese boards as appetizers, along with entrees such as the miso sea bass and the shrimp & crab linguini. (Here's the rest of the menu.)

Sambuca is open from 11 a.m.11 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.midnight on Friday, 4 p.m.midnight on Saturday and 411 p.m. on Sunday. According to SafeGraph, it's usually busiest at 8 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and people visit Sambuca most on Fridays and Saturdays, so go on Sundays if you want to avoid the rush.

Mia Bella Trattoria

Photo: justin t./Yelp

Greenway's Mia Bella Trattoria is also making waves. Open since 2008 at 3773 Richmond Ave., Suite 1A, the well-established Italian and breakfast and brunch spot has seen a 1.4% bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 1.8% for all businesses tagged "Breakfast & Brunch" on Yelp. As for foot traffic, Mia Bella Trattoria saw visits more than triple over the past month, according to SafeGraph data.

What's the business known for? "Mia Bella, which translates to 'My Beautiful' Trattoria, is a delightful combination of Italian traditional dishes with an American regional flare. With multiple locations, the dining destinations are fun, intimate and moderately priced, just like the traditional Trattorias in Italy where families gather for wine and delicious food."  that's courtesy of its Yelp page.

Mia Bella Trattoria has three Houston-area locations. The restaurant offers a brunch menu featuring brioche French toast, eggs Benedict and the Mia Bella frittata. Over the past month, it's maintained a healthy 4.5-star rating among Yelpers.

Mia Bella Trattoria is open from 11 a.m.10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.10 p.m. on Sunday. According to SafeGraph, people tend to visit Mia Bella Trattoria on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and it attracts a quarter of its total visitors over those two days, with a slowdown on Mondays.

Politan Row

Photo: politan row/Yelp

University Place's Politan Row is the city's buzziest bar by the numbers.

The bar and food court, which opened at 2445 Times Blvd. in November, is still relatively new to Yelp, but has seen a surge of new reviews. Meanwhile, the median new review count for the Yelp category "Bars" was up 1.8% over the past month.

According to the business' Yelp page, Politan Row offers "a chef-driven food hall platform featuring a thoughtfully-curated mix of local food and beverage talent." The spot currently offers nine restaurant concepts ranging from Egyptian (Torshi) to Chinese (Breaking Bao) to vegan comfort food (Nice Sprout). (Check out all of the restaurants at Politan Row here.)

Politan Row is open from 7 a.m.10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday and Sunday and 7 a.m.11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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.
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Trump is tweeting about impeachment as he escalated tensions with Iran and pushed the United States closer to an expanded war in the Middle East.

While the official administration line is that Iran posed an imminent threat to American lives in Iraq, Trumps tweets show that his mind is still locked on impeachment.

Trump tweeted:

Christopher Bedford, The Federalist Senior Editor. There is NOTHING NEW in these Emails at all thats been discovered. Its exactly what we knew before, which is that the White House & political figures wanted to cut off aid, Trump wanted to question aid to a number of.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

.different places that he thought were wasteful, and the career staff, as they always do, pushed back, and made a million excuses as to why they could not possibly stop spending U.S. taxpayer money. There was a back & forth over the legal arguments, & the W.H. decision was.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

.followed, and then it was withdrawn. The Democrats argument for impeachment has not gotten stronger over the last few weeks. As Senator Josh Hawley just said, hes going to enter a Motion to Dismiss the Impeachment Trial because its never actually been brought to trial.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

Because Trump doesnt do subtle, this is pinned to the top of his Twitter account:

Trump is trying to distract from impeachment by ordering the killing of Irans top general. The warning has existed from those who know him, that if Trump ever felt cornered as president, he would do something desperate and extreme that would jeopardize American lives and national security.

The president has played his most desperate card in a bid to redefine himself as a wartime president instead of an impeached president.

This is an epic political miscalculation by Trump, as the anti-war position of the nation has not changed. The conflict with Iran has the potential to make the Iraq war look like a childs Sunday afternoon at the playground.

A war with Iran will cost Trump the election, as the president is risking American lives to save his political career.

For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.

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Hafan y Dref safe space will continue with no interruption of service as Red Cross step aside

This article is old - Published: Friday, Jan 3rd, 2020

A town centre safe space that offers support to people feeling vulnerable or unwell on a night out in town will continue, despite the current provider stepping aside.

Hafan y Dref welfare centre  located at the bottom of Town Hill near St Giles Car Park  offers a triage-service and immediate first aid if youre injured or suffering from too much to drink.

The centre has been staffed by British Red Cross volunteers since opening, and is funded by Wrexham County Borough Council, Nightsafe, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Service.

In an announcement on New Years Eve the Red Cross team said that it would be the last time they were providing the service.

The Red Cross said, Unfortunately the Red Cross has made the difficult decision to withdraw from services that involve providing first aid to the public. As the work we do in the welfare centre includes providing first aid, we will no longer be able to deliver the service.

We asked Wrexham Council if they would be seeking to recommission the service, and that we had been told the end date for the service was around April and if any early notification had been given to the council. We also noted the Welsh Governments 200,000 funding in 2015 to convert the centre, and asked if any of that cash would have to be given back if the service ceased.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: We are sorry to see Red Cross leave Hafan y Dref, and want to thank their team for all of the hard work they have put in since the welfare centre opened.

Although the Red Cross has withdrawn from Hafan y Dref, a new provider has been appointed and welfare services will continue to be offered from the site  there will be no interruption of service, and welfare services will still be provided to those contributing to Wrexhams night-time economy.

The tendering process for further provision will take place as planned in the spring.

Just before Christmas the Council issued a news release on the centre noting 48 ambulances have been cancelled so far in 2019 with more appropriate alternatives to 999 being found.

In December Michelle McBurnie, British Red Cross Volunteer said, The centre is there to help anybody that needs it whilst on a night out in Wrexham. It ensures that Wrexham is a safe place for a night out as well as reducing the strain on other partner organisations in the town centre.

The shift runs from 10.30pm to 4.30am overnight and sometimes-extra shifts are laid on for Christmas and bank holiday weekends, when most people would want to enjoy themselves with family; yet a regular group of volunteers willingly go out and ensure that the shifts are covered.

Between July and September this year, 95% of people who attended the welfare centre were treated for less than 30 mins before going on to enjoy the rest of their night or being taken home by a relative or friend.

The centre formally opened on December 18th 2015 after a successful pilot pop-up centre which operated during the August Bank Holiday Weekend that year.

Hafan Y Dref will be open tonight 10.30-4.30. Tonight our #volunteers will be providing welfare & first aid in @wrexham town centre for the very last time. Thank you everyone for your support over the last 4 years. #WrexhamWelfare #TeamNorthWales #RedCrossFamily #MakingMemories pic.twitter.com/yeo7nlwtdL  British Red Cross North Wales ILCR (@BRCNorthWalesER) December 31, 2019

In 11 months in 2018 it had saved 56 ambulance call outs, saving around 55,000, let alone the benefits of having the resources available for others.

In similar 2018 stats it was revealed that 79 per cent of people come into the centre themselves. Others are helped there by door staff (seven per cent), friends (four per cent), police officers (four per cent), street pastors (three per cent) and so on. Door staff and CCTV operators can also radio for assistance at the scene of an incident.

Often, people visit the centre for some time out and can have a coffee or a lie down, or recover from over-indulging. Most cases are alcohol-related. Although staff have given support and advice to people with mental health issues too.

The focus is on providing a social return, with people able to get support when they need it, and public health messages being passed on. 96 per cent of people who have been supported by the centre are able to go on to enjoy the rest of their night out.

Previously local police have outlined how referring people to the centre has also freed up policing resources, with no negative effect for those referred.
Mangalore (Karnataka) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) will celebrate Ram Utsav from March 25 to April 8 this year and will also distribute statues of Lord Rama in 3.75 lakh villages across the country.



It was from these villages that stones were sent for the construction of Ram temple foundation in 1989 during the Ram temple movement.

VHP will also be organising cultural programmes along with the distribution of statues. Several rallies, seminars and Ramayan recitation will be organised for the people.

This decision was taken during a meeting of VHP national core team in Mangalore.

In November last year, a five-judge bench had unanimously ruled in favour of Ram Lalla in the Ram Janmabhoomi - Babri Masjid case and said the entire disputed land spread over 2.7 acres will be handed over to a trust formed by the government, which will monitor the construction of a Ram temple at the site.

The top court also added that an alternative five acres of land at a prominent location in Ayodhya should be allotted for the construction of a mosque following consultation between the Central and the State government. (ANI)


Danbury, CT, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- We are pleased to inform you that Mr. Kathwari will participate in a Presidents Forum at the Asia Society in New York City. The event, which will take place on Wednesday, January 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature a moderated discussion between Asia Society President Josette Sheeran and Mr. Kathwari.



The conversation will cover a range of topics, including Mr. Kathwari's unique journey from Kashmir to America and his years at the helm of Ethan Allen, where he has spent decades continuously reinventing an iconic American brand. The discussion will also highlight Mr. Kathwari's recently published memoir, entitled Trailblazer: from the Mountains of Kashmir to the Summit of Global Business and Beyond, while exploring his work on many social and international issues, including his efforts to bring about peace in South Asia, particularly in his home country of Kashmir.

We invite you to click this link to learn more about the event: https://asiasociety.org/new-york/events/presidents-forum-farooq-kathwari .

ABOUT ETHAN ALLEN

Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. (NYSE: ETH) is a leading interior design company and manufacturer and retailer of quality home furnishings. The Company offers complimentary interior design service to its clients and sells a full range of furniture products and decorative accessories through ethanallen.com and a network of approximately 300 design centers in the U.S. and abroad. Ethan Allen owns and operates nine manufacturing facilities including six manufacturing plants in the U.S. plus two plants in Mexico and one in Honduras. Approximately 75% of its products are made in its North American plants. For more information on Ethan Allen's products and services, visit www.ethanallen.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Geri Moran

Ethan Allen Global, Inc.

geri.moran@ethanallen.com

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My father was married twice before I was born, once to a woman I met much later and once to my mother. When he asked me to speak in August at the reception of his third wedding, I believed it something I was incapable of doing: What could a son say about marriage to a father who had divorced twice, seeming to treat love as though it were seasonal?

I lived with both parents as a child, but somehow the earliest memory I have of my father is of calling him one night when I was 7 and he was traveling. We were three time zones apart, but my mother was able to reach him at his hotel room so I could tell him I could not sleep. I was worried about dying, the way other children might be afraid of the dark. I remember him consoling me, and his ability to be there for me  by phone, by any means necessary  grew as I grew.

My parents divorced amicably when I was 14, but eventually the turbulence of youth presented its challenges and I found myself passing through rehabs on my way to college. I kept a bag ready to go at any moment, traveling often between people and places, desires and disasters. I was an anxious, world-weary and troubled young man. Perhaps because of this, my father visited me wherever I went, if only to give me grounding.

Whether I was at a rehabilitation center in Utah; a military academy in Pennsylvania where I had asked my parents to send me post-9/11 when I was too young to enlist but eager to serve; a stifling hotel room in Miami; an unfurnished condominium in Juneau; or a rundown apartment complex in Savannah, my father would drive or fly to see me, sometimes for only a few short hours.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 01/03/2020



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Loren Goldstone and Alexei Brovarnik have announced they are expecting a son!Loren and Alexei, who appeared on Season 3 of followed by the first two seasons of : Happily Ever After?, announced their big news Thursday on Instagram."Our first [family] pic of 2020 brings us so much joy because today is the day we officially share that BabyBrov is a BOY!" Loren captioned a slideshow of photos from the couple's gender reveal party, which took place in December 2019."We were a smidge surprised needless to say, but we wouldn't have it any other way! And we just can't wait to meet our son this May! #teambrovarnik #babybrov #May2020 #boymom #letthebalaganbegin #blessed."The photos showed Loren and Alexei waiting to discover whether they have a "prince" or "princess" on the way. Blue confetti eventually gave the baby's gender away, and the pair celebrated by cutting into a blue cake.Alexei shared the same photos on his own account and added to the couple's statement, "Loren was [a] bit shocked but I knew it, needless to say we wouldn't have it any other way! We can't wait to meet our son this May! #teambrovarnik #babybrov#May2020 #itsaboy."Loren and Alexei told People their baby is "so loved already by so many.""They say there is no bond stronger than the one between a mom and her son, so the fact that I'm getting a mommy's boy has me over the moon, and the fact that Alex has a new fishing buddy and a mini-him, if you will, has him very excited!" Loren told the magazine."The Brovarnik name gets carried on another generation!"The couple announced they're expecting their first child together in October 2019, just one month after they celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary.Loren admitted at the time she's a bit "terrified" to become a mother but "over the moon" as well."I see a lot of people I know (personally) announcing their own exciting news, and now it's my turn!" Loren previously told People."I'm excited, terrified, over the moon, nervous and so much more! Alex is hands down the best partner I could have ever asked for during this time."Loren and Alexei revealed in Spring 2019 they had agreed to begin trying to conceive a baby in late 2019 in the hopes of having their first baby together in 2020.: What Now?'s third season included two episodes that provided viewers with an update on Loren and Alexei's life in Hollywood Beach, FL.The : What Now? episodes -- which were released online by TLC in April 2019, along with the rest of the original digital series' 21-episode third season -- showed the couple disagreeing on when would be the right time to start their family and where it would fall in their list of priorities.However, in the end, Alexei finally caved in and told Loren -- who had baby fever -- they could shoot to have their first child in mid-2020."I definitely think we're at that point in our marriage where having a baby would be a good thing. It wouldn't put a strain on our relationship," Loren told the cameras."It wouldn't be to help our relationship; I think it would give us a balance."Loren and Alexei were married for just over three years and had become new homeowners at the time the : What Now? scenes were filmed.Loren admitted to her husband the spark in their relationship had dissipated and trying for a baby might bring it back."She wants more than us, and I think that's just the next step and we're going to work towards it," Alexei revealed.Alexei told his wife getting pregnant "might be good" for them, "like, soon... not too long from now.""I think we're ready," Loren told her husband, before asking Alexei to clarify his ideal timeline for welcoming a child."Ideal date is August [in 2020]," he confirmed."Which means we'll have to start trying..." Loren began."In November 2019," Alexei determined.Loren wanted to move that date up to October 2019, but Alexei wasn't willing to budge because he had a feeling Loren would get pregnant right away, which turned out to be correct!"Okay, so we have a plan! We'll aim... for August [2020], and if it doesn't happen in August, we'll just keep going. And whatever happens, happens," Alexei told his wife."You can't push me too much anymore. We have a plan and that's it."Prior to agreeing on a timeline for their first baby, Alexei and Loren held opposing views on when to start trying.Not only were the new homeowners looking to renovate the kitchen and bathroom of their dated Florida condo, but Alexei was also going through the "long and tedious process" of obtaining his American citizenship -- and he was in the final steps.Alexei hoped to obtain his American citizenship before starting a family, telling the : What Now? cameras, "It will make me feel more comfortable with moving on with our lives and babies and next steps in our marriage."But Loren was aching for a baby, and many of her friends were already pregnant."Something in my heart is saying I'm ready, like if it happens, I'll be ready," Loren told the cameras.Loren accused her husband of using his citizenship "an excuse to delay other things" -- and she admittedly didn't "want to wait much longer" to start a family.Loren and Alexei met on a birthright trip to Israel. She was the staff leader and Alexei was the medic, and she found him "incredibly handsome."The pair kept in touch once Loren returned to the United States, and then she visited him five times in one year -- which resulted in an engagement.Once Alexei got approved for the K-1 visa and traveled to America, the couple got married during his 90-day visit in September 2015. They also subsequently had a second ceremony in Israel in July 2016 so both of their families could celebrate.Loren and Alexei currently appear together on : Pillow Talk, which features former cast members offering commentary on the reality franchise's current episodes.The seventh season of is now airing on Sunday nights at 8PM ET/PT on TLC.The fourth season of : Before the 90 Days is set to premiere Sunday, February 23 at 8PM ET/PT, taking over the time period currently filled by 's seventh edition.Want spoilers? Click here to visit our Spoilers webpage!
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:41:41|Editor: yan

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ADEN, Yemen, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Many of the Yemeni families continued on Friday to flee their residential neighborhoods due to the sporadic shelling carried out by the Houthi rebels in the country's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

A local government official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that "the families living in the southern part of Hodeidah received a new year amid continuing Houthi shelling on their houses."

"As a result of the shelling, many families decided to flee their houses in Hodeidah's neighborhood of Hays and headed to other places to live away from the shells," he said.

Over the past week, a number of families survived deadly attacks launched by the Houthi rebels in different government-controlled areas of Hodeidah, according to the official.

Residents in Hodeidah confirmed that the exchange of artillery shells between the two warring rivals was intensified at the beginning of the new year in Hodeidah.

They appealed to all humanitarian and human rights organizations operating in Yemen to urgently step in and work on protecting them and their families against the indiscriminate shelling attacks.

In October 2019, the United Nations started deploying cease-fire observers in Hodeidah, establishing five observation points near the military contact lines between the two warring parties.

The observation points are manned by liaison officers from both parties in accordance with the cease-fire agreement reached in 2018 in Sweden which also called on both warring sides to move forces away from ports and parts of the strategic city.

However, sporadic exchange of gunfire and artillery shelling continued to rock the strategic port city despite the presence of the cease-fire observers.

As the main Yemeni port city along the coast of the Red Sea, Hodeidah is the key lifeline entry of most Yemen's commercial imports and humanitarian aid.

The grinding war of more than five years has pushed over 20 million people to the verge of starvation.

The Iran-allied Houthis control much of Hodeidah while the Saudi-backed government troops have advanced to its southeastern districts.

The cease-fire deal in Stockholm was seen as the first phase toward achieving a comprehensive political solution to the civil war.
Tensions have been simmering across the India-Nepal border in Uttarakhand after the Indian government released the new map of India on November 2, 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 in J&K and the bifurcation of the state into Union Territories.

Nepal had, in November, said the Kalapani area situated in the country's far-West lies within the Nepalese boundary, after the new political map issued by India reportedly showed the region as part of its territory.

On January 2, foreign ministry spokesperson Ravish Kumar, during a press conference, asserted that the newly-issued map "accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India and has in no manner revised our boundary with Nepal".

Assuring that the boundary delineation exercise with Nepal is ongoing under the existing mechanism, Kumar said, We reiterate our commitment to find a solution through dialogue in the spirit of our close and friendly bilateral relations."

Meanwhile, Nepals ambassador to India Nilambar Acharya, on January 1, told The Times of India, Nepal does not see Kalapani as a small issue. It will further help build trust between the two countries if this issue is resolved. Such disputes should not be allowed to fester.

What is the Kalapani border issue and why is Kathmandu mounting pressure on Delhi to resolve it, lets find out:

What is Kalapani border?

Nepal has two tri-junctions with India  The Lipulekh Pass in the west and Jhinsang Chull in the east. The one under dispute currently is the Lipulekh Pass, which is located in Kalapani area at the border of Uttarakhand with Nepal.

Kalapani is a 35 square kilometre area in the hill states Pithoragarh district, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Why is it disputed?

The Nepalese government has claimed that the Lipulekh Pass belongs to them as mentioned in Sugauli Treaty signed between the British East India Company and Nepal in 1816.

The Treaty identified River Kali as Nepals boundary with India. The river has many tributaries, the confluence of which takes place at Kalapani.

While Nepal claims the origin of the river in Lipulekh Pass to be the main Kali and hence is asserting territorial rights to it, India claims that River Kali begins in Kalapani as this is where all its tributaries merge, and is exerting claims on the area to the east of it.

Why is Kalapani significant?

The Lipulekh Pass serves an important vantage point for India to keep a track of Chinas movements. The pass also serves as a trading route between India and China as well as a pilgrim route to Tibet.

Why is Kathmandu upset?

India and Nepal have by and large enjoyed friendly relations in keeping with the 1950 peace treaty, which said, There shall be everlasting peace and friendship between India and Nepal. The two governments agree to respect the complete sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of each other. According to Nepals ambassador to India, about 98 percent of Nepals border disputes with India are already settled.

However, in 2015, Kathmandu grew upset as it claimed that the Indo-China bilateral agreement to increase trade via Lipulekh pass was signed bypassing its authority.

Tensions between India and Nepal have now flared up over the territorial rights over Kalapani. Nepal said that it has written to New Delhi to resolve the issue earlier too, but India was apparently nor ready the. The two countries are yet to finalise a date for dialogue on the Kalapani issue.

How does this impact Indo-Nepal ties?

Indo-Nepal ties had received an impetus after Nepal was invited as a SAARC member to PM Modis swearing in ceremony. Modi had also visited the Himalayan nation as a part of his neighbourhood first commitment. India had also offered unconditional help during the earthquake that had ravaged Nepal in April 2015, even though the Indian media coverage had drawn flak from various quarters.

However, the bilateral ties have deteriorated considerably after the 135-day trade blockade in 2015, which was caused by protests by ethnic communities after Nepal adopted its new constitution in September 2015. Nepal alleges that India had a role in the economic blockade.

In addition, Indias shifting interest from SAARC to BIMSTEC and BBIN has upset Nepal; even as Delhi is displeased with Kathmandu joining Beijings Border Roads Initiative (BRI), which India has boycotted on several fora.

Moreover, demonetisation was a blow to Indo-Nepal relations as Nepal had Rs 33.6 million Indian currency in its formal bank channels alone.

A border dispute left unaddressed at this time, when Nepal is reducing its economic dependence on India with the help of China, could push Kathmandu further into the arms of Beijing, as well as invite China to intervene on the issue.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 11:19:24|Editor: yhy

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People wear facial masks as protection against poor air quality in Canberra, Australia, Jan. 2, 2020. While some big cities in Australia celebrated the New Year with fireworks and performances, the country's capital was choking in smokes from bushfires. According to the Nine News, Canberra's air quality is now the worst out of all major cities in the world. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)
The devil's face has apparently appeared in the bushfire smoke out of regional Victoria, according to a dairy farmer.

Craig Calvert shared the photo showing the face coming from the smoke of the fires in East Gippsland.

The photo was captured by a friend of Mr Culvert's as bushfires took hold of the region, including his farm near Sarsfield on Monday.

Pictured: the devil's face has appeared in an image of the bushfire smoke out of regional Victoria

'I'm not really into hokey pokey spooky stuff but there's a big devil face right in the fire,' he told Sunrise on Friday.

The 6th Generation Farmer spent 13 hours defending his property with his father where he described being hit five separate times, with fireballs jumping across the trees and fire so fierce it created a 'white flame'.

He described being shocked after seeing the photo.

'You won't believe it, I don't believe it,' he said.

The farmer's home was the only property left standing in the valley of Dirty Hollow, thanks in part to his family's efforts and a last minute rescue from the Victorian Country Fire Authority.

He said he's 'very glad no-one got killed' in the valley, although others in the greater East Gippsland area weren't so lucky.

Pictured: Dairy farmer Craig Calvert spent 13 hours fighting a fire threatening his property at Sarsfield in East Gippsland

One person is confirmed dead and 28 people are still missing after fires tore through East Gippsland ahead of New Year's Eve on Monday.

The mayor of East Gippsland Shire, Councillor John White told the Age he's concerned about the welfare of those missing.

'Are we going to see them walking up the road towards us? I don't know,' he said.

'That's a real worry, because that's potentially people's lives. You can put up another house, you can build new fences but you can't bring people back.'
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 21:06:27|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least four militants including a Taliban key commander have been confirmed dead in the northern region, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Friday.

The security forces' fighting planes, according to the official, struck a Taliban hideout in Jadok area of Kishindih district in the northern Balkh province Thursday night, killing a notorious commander Habibullah alias Khanjar (sword) and wounding another.

Similarly, the security forces' artillery targeted a Taliban fighters gathering in Gurziwan district of Faryab province on Thursday, killing three insurgents and wounding two others, Rezai asserted.

Taliban militants have not commented.
In a first cabinet meeting of 2020, Haryana government on Friday decided to celebrate this year as "Sushasan Sankalp Varsh".

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said if a person is untraced for more than six months then his family will be provided financial aid.

He also announced that Haryana Film Cell will be renamed as Haryana Film Promotion Board.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scott Morrison has visited a bushfire relief centre where he donated a bag of groceries and tried to raise the spirits of volunteers.

The Prime Minister had been visiting fire-ravaged towns across the country following fierce criticism over his handling of Australia's bushfire crisis.

Mr Morrison was accompanied by Nationals MP Darren Chester on Friday as he arrived at Lucknow Memorial Hall in the fire-stricken area of East Gippsland in Victoria.

He brought a bag from Woolworths to add to the food, toiletries, and other goods being donated to help locals as supplies run low in bushfire-stricken towns.

Scott Morrison was seen clutching a plastic Woolworths bag of groceries as he arrived at a relief centre at Lucknow Memorial Hall in East Gippsland on Friday

Mr Morrison was accompanied by MP Darren Chester as he visited volunteers and those who lost their homes in the bushfires

The prime minister greeted volunteers outside the hall before heading inside to listen to victims speak on their ordeal.

'Last time I was down here it was the drought and today it is the fires,' Mr Morrison said.

'It is a great hardship on this community, but look at the response.

'It's going to be a tough road ahead.'

Mr Morrison posed for photos before telling the crowd it was 'good to see your chins are up.'

Footage of the visit was shared on Twitter, where many took issue with the PM donating just one bag of goods

Mr Morrison was well-received by Lucknow residents and volunteers who appeared grateful for his contribution

'There is always something to look forward to,' he added.

The PM reportedly spent eight minutes talking to victims and volunteers before moving on to speak to other locals, according to 10NewsFirst.

Footage of the visit was shared on social media, where many criticised the PM for supplying only one bag.

'It kinda comes across as mockery? He's just not taking this seriously,' one person tweeted.

'One bag only. How embarrassing. Is he even human,' another person added.

Despite receiving criticism online, Mr Morrison was well-received by Lucknow residents and volunteers who appeared grateful for his contribution.

The prime minister personally donated approximately $70 worth of items including several packets of cereals, muesli bars, oats, Up and Go's, toiletries kits and dental hygiene products, a large bottle of sunscreen, body wash, pasta & pasta sauce, and several tins of tuna.

The visit, which actually lasted at least 15 minutes, was one of Mr Morrison's several stops throughout the fire affected region.

Mr Morrison was not well-received during his visit to Corbago, NSW on Thursday. One local refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters

Mr Morrison can be seen trying to shake the fireman's hand, however, the man only looks at Mr Morrison's hand before shaking his head. 'I don't really want to shake your hand,' the fireman says

Cobargo in New South Wales (pictured) has been ravaged by bushfires, turning the once quiet country town into a wasteland

The friendly welcome was a stark contrast to Mr Morrison's earlier visit to a NSW town on Thursday where he was slammed by residents.

In Cobargo, one woman refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters and others shouted abuse.

Mr Morrison responded on Friday by saying he understood the emotional response and did not take it personally.

Australia on fire: Bushfires continue to ravage NSW and Victoria. Pictured: Fires burn between the townships of Bemm River and Cann River in eastern Gippsland on January 2

'Whether they're angry at me or they're angry at their situation, I know that people are hurting I know that they're raw - I don't take these things personally.'' Mr Morrison said in an interview with Melbourne radio station 3AW.

'I understand that, I understand the emotion, the hurt, the frustration and anger.'

Cobargo was one of the worst-affected areas on New Year's Eve, losing several buildings on its main street, while a local father and son were killed trying to defend their home, and dozens of homes burnt down.

The PM had been trying to improve his public image after criticism of his handling of the crisis including taking a holiday in Hawaii as bushfires raged.
The commander of a vigilante group who set up camp near a border fence in southern New Mexico over illegal immigration has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Larry Mitchell Hopkins, 70, on Thursday pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in

Albuquerque to the charge, which stemmed from a November 2017 incident in the Four Corners region. Witnesses reported seeing weapons at Hopkins residence in Flora Vista and that the group he was involved in there was training to kill Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court.

In the plea agreement, Hopkins admits having nine guns at his residence in Flora Vista, which is in San Juan County.

He faces up to 10 years in prison at his sentencing, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico.

The gun charges against Hopkins were filed after he had made public appearances on behalf of a vigilante group in southern New Mexico, and talked openly about how the group was armed with weapons.

Hopkins had spent months living on the New Mexico border at a camp set up by the United Patriots of the Constitution, he told the Journal last March.

Hopkins, who was speaking under the alias Johnny Horton, identified himself as a leader of United Constitutional Patriots and spoke with the Journal for its 8 Hours on the Border series.

He said the group was trying to assist the Border Patrol against illegal immigration and that his group members always carry guns during their patrols.

Were always armed, he told the Journal. We dont point our weapons at people. But were armed, because we dont know who is coming across.

Sunland Park police and FBI agents arrested him last April.
The second part of the book is where Robertson broadens his argument beyond the Parthenon Marbles. He engages with the fact that existing international law does not apply, because states would not get on board with the relevant treaty unless it was made non-retroactive. In other words, international law has nothing to say about any cross-border movement of heritage that happened before 1970, which covers all colonial takings of heritage. The Shiva Nataraja statue was returned to India by the National Gallery of Australia. Credit: Nevertheless, Robertson suggests there are ways to work around this legal loophole. First, he invokes customary international law, looking at a wide range of state practice to suggest that there is an emerging norm that requires the restitution of heritage taken by colonial powers during their domination of other countries. But there is a problem with his argument here. While surveying a range of examples of countries in fact returning cultural objects to their countries of origin, he glosses over the fact that, for the most part, these countries go out of their way to state that they do give heritage back not because of a sense of legal obligation (an essential element of custom). Rather, these countries insist their return is done in the name of friendly relations (comity), which prevents that international law be actually formed. That friendliness is what Australia itself did to India when returning the Shiva Nataraja statue from the National Gallery of Australia, a case not mentioned by Robertson, who focuses on Australia as the victim of looting, rather than its perpetrator. An ABC Four Corners investigation had proven beyond all doubt the statue to be looted. Despite the application of international law, including the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, Australia still refused to acknowledge any legal wrongdoing. Other instances when the Convention did not apply also relied on comity, so it is unclear why things should be different moving forward.

This argument may seem technical, but it lies at the core of the issue from a legal standpoint: no law can be formed if countries such as Australia and Italy, when returning cultural heritage, say they do it in the name of comity, even if they say there is law when they want heritage returned to them. Hypocrisy and duplicity get in the way, and Robertsons plan does not clearly account for it.

Robertson uses famous examples such as the Koh-i-Noor diamond, the Benin Bronzes, the Bust of Nefertiti and Australias Gweagal Shield to show how the criteria he develops in the book can be applied to promote restitution. Most of these arguments are fairly straightforward, but some of his more innovative suggestions are problematic. For instance, he suggests that the countries to which objects are returned should be deemed safe countries with good human rights records. While uncontroversial on the surface, these arguments have in the past been manipulated to precisely deny claims for restitution. Their open-ended character is dangerous, and Robertson fails to grapple with that possibility. Robertson also taps into the proposition of restitution via the use of replicas. Unlike major museums who support this idea, though, he suggests that replicas should stay with the universal museums, and originals be sent to the countries of origin. I emphatically concur, since those subtle nuances that replicas cannot capture speak really to identity and historical ties, and not to the appreciation by an outsider to that culture, who would be unlikely to be able to tell the difference (I certainly would not). If the purpose of the universal museum is to make those objects available to a greater slice of humanity so they can be appreciated in relation to other objects, as well as education, replicas can more than do the job. That is one of the reasons the Victoria and Albert Museums famous Cast Collection was created in 1873, after all.
Moscow warned Friday that the US killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq would boost tensions across the Middle East.

"The killing of Soleimani.... was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region," agencies RIA Novosti and TASS quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

"Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Soleimanis assassination comes as the Islamic Republic and its allies have been struggling to retain influence in Iraq.

In the early hours of January 3, a US air raid killed General Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Units (PMUs).

The attack may prove to be US President Donald Trumps most reckless foreign policy decision in the Middle East. It was a grave violation of Iraqs national sovereignty and it is likely to result in further instability in the country and beyond.

It came on the tail of mass protests in both Iran and Iraq which challenged the Islamic Republic both domestically and regionally. Trumps decision to approve the assassination of Soleimani, however, has given a lifeline to the Iranian leadership and its allies in Iraq by driving nationalist sentiments and turning attention away from the failings of the governments in Baghdad and Tehran.

Escalation in Iraq

After Trumps withdrawal from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or the Iran deal, it was clear that the Islamic Republic would retaliate through its Iraqi proxies, undermining US influence in the Middle East.

As the US reimposed sanctions and introduced new ones, Iran launched a low-intensity war against the US and its regional allies. It is suspected of being behind multiple attacks on tankers in the Gulf as well as a drone attack on Aramco facilities in Saudi Arabia.

The Islamic Republic felt increasingly under pressure at home, as the economic situation deteriorated and it was forced to increase fuel prices by almost 200 percent, which sparked mass demonstrations.

On December 27, pro-Iranian Iraqi militias within the PMU attacked an Iraqi military facility, killing an American contractor and injuring several troops. Two days later, the US responded with an air raid on several targets related to Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia that is part of the PMUs, which resulted in the death of at least 25 of its members.

The situation escalated and on December 31, the US embassy in Baghdads Green Zone was stormed and its reception area set on fire. The brazen nature of the breach of the heavily fortified diplomatic compound sent a message to Washington which Trump clearly did not get.

This latest violation of Iraqi sovereignty will not only result in greater frustration among the Iraqi public, making the US even less popular, but it will also lead to renewed pressure on the lame-duck Iraqi government to expel the 5,000 American forces stationed there.

Iraqi anger

Since October, Iraq has witnessed a wave of protests against corruption, government mismanagement, and deteriorating living conditions across the south and centre of the country. Protesters have also rejected Iranian interference and support for the government.

Never had Irans influence in Iraq been so precarious since the 2003 Iraq war. Iranian-affiliated PMUs have been accused of targeting the protesters, who for the most part are their Shia coreligionists. The Iranian consulates in Najaf and Karbala were torched and Adel Abdul Mahdi, the Iraqi prime minister, whom Iran supported, had to resign in the face of the escalating violence against peaceful protests.

Iraq has never faced an intra-Shia crisis on this scale. The US attack, however, will likely undermine the Iraqi protest movement and may reunite Shia forces. While Iraqis may have protested against the PMUs, they would take even more umbrage at the US attacking one of their own leaders who led the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). The US made al-Muhandis a martyr.

Trumps decision to assassinate him and Soleimani offered a lifeline to the Iranian-affiliated militias, as well as the Islamic Republic, shifting the Iraqi demonstrators anger from corruption to the brazen violation of national sovereignty.

A potential blowback

With just 10 months left until the US presidential election, Trump seems set to fail on one of his main 2016 campaign promises: To withdraw from American commitments overseas, particularly in the Middle East. After the sacking of the American embassy, his administration announced 750 troops would be sent to the Middle East, with 4,000 more preparing to follow.

This is in addition to 14,000 US personnel who have been deployed to the region since May as a result of an escalation of tensions with Iran, including 3,000 who were dispatched in October after the drone attack on Aramcos oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.

If the security situation deteriorates further, more troops will likely have to be committed. Iran has a number of fronts where it can escalate its efforts against the US and its allies, including Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and the Gulf.

In Iraq, it can intensify the attacks of the PMUs on US troops and facilities. It can also push for the Iraqi government to demand the withdrawal of US forces from the country. Pro-Iranian political parties have already requested this in the past, most recently after Trump visited a US base unannounced a year ago, without meeting Abdul Mahdi in Baghdad. The US attack gives them yet another opportunity to renew this demand.

Apart from the PMUs and pro-Iranian political factions, other Shia forces are also not particularly happy with the US presence in Iraq. Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Sairoon coalition won the most seats in the 2018 parliamentary elections, has always been wary of Iranian influence in Iraq and has clashed with pro-Iranian groups, but he has opposed American influence even more. He came to prominence after 2003 by leading his militia in a years-long fight against US forces in Iraq. Several hours after the US attack, he issued a statement mourning Soleimani and al-Muhandis deaths and ordering his militia, the Mahdi army, to mobilise to protect Iraq.

As we enter a new decade, the events of the last week demonstrate how the US continues to misunderstand the ramifications of its actions in the Middle East. Trump has given both the beleaguered Islamic Republic and the PMUs the opportunity to shift the narrative of the Iranian and Iraqi protest movements away from them and towards the US. What the Islamic Republic and its allies lost in the deaths of two military commanders will be made up in their martyrdom being used as a source of new legitimacy in Iraq and beyond.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Hillary Clinton has been described as an "inspirational role model" for students after being appointed as the new chancellor of Queen's University.

The former US Secretary of State and First Lady will take up the largely ceremonial role immediately and serve for five years.

She succeeds Dr Tom Moran, who passed away in August 2018, and becomes the first woman to hold the post.

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South Belfast MP Claire Hanna described the appointment as a "positive reflection on Queen's University and Northern Ireland".

But it also provoked anger among some students and the Belfast Feminist Network, who criticised the move.

Accepting the position, Mrs Clinton said it is a "great privilege" to be named chancellor of Queen's, a place she has "great fondness" for.

"The university is making waves internationally for its research and impact and I am proud to be an ambassador and help grow its reputation for excellence," she added.

Mrs Clinton has a long history with Northern Ireland, first visiting in November 1995 with husband President Bill Clinton.

In 2018 she received an honorary degree from Queen's (inset right) and a new scholarship was set up in her name for postgraduate study in politics, human rights and peace-building.

Welcoming the appointment, Ms Hanna said: "Secretary Clinton has made a considerable contribution to Northern Ireland and as an internationally recognised leader will be a very fine advocate for Queen's and an inspirational role model for the student and alumni community.

"Secretary Clinton has a long-standing relationship with Belfast, spanning decades.

"This new role is an extension of her long-standing commitment to people in Belfast and across the north. As local MP, I look forward to supporting Chancellor Clinton, Professor Ian Greer and their colleagues across QUB."

Lisburn and Castlereagh Green Party councillor Simon Lee believes that Queen's will benefit hugely from the status of the Clinton name.

"Regardless of how one feels about her record, looking at it objectively, the appointment of Hillary Clinton is a big coup for Queen's University and will greatly enhance its reputation globally," he said.

"As a graduate of Queen's myself, I feel it's a good thing to have such a high-profile person as a former US Secretary of State in this role and it will open doors for the university.

"The Clintons have long been big supporters of Northern Ireland through their role in the peace process so I feel her appointment is entirely appropriate."

However, the move also sparked controversy, with Socialist Youth NI reacting angrily.

The group held a protest outside Queen's in October 2018 when Mrs Clinton was presented with her honorary degree.

Members have criticised how, when US Secretary of State, she handled the 2012 attacks on a US diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead. Queen's student and Socialist Youth member Lucy Marron told the Belfast Telegraph that a trail of death and destruction was left during Mrs Clinton's term as Secretary of State.

She cited US-orchestrated bombing campaigns in Libya and across the Middle East and coups against democratically elected governments in Latin America.

She added: "I, like many students, would refuse to shake her hand when receiving my degree."

Hamsavani Rajeswaren, vice-president for equality and diversity at Queen's, also criticised the decision, tweeting: "While I'd like to be delighted to think of the Chancellor of QUB finally being held by a woman, the fact that it'll be Hillary Clinton comes to me as deeply unsettling news.

"I don't need to explain why - Hillary's politics demonstrably prove she shouldn't be in this position."

Kellie Turtle, one of the founders of the Belfast Feminist Network, also expressed concerns over the appointment.

She said: "Her political influence over the years has at times been beneficial to progressing women's rights and equality but in many other ways has done huge damage to the rights of women, particularly those in other countries who have been subject to US foreign policy."

As chancellor, Mrs Clinton will preside over graduation ceremonies and act as an ambassador for Queen's abroad. She will also act as an adviser to Professor Greer, who is vice-chancellor, and senior management.

Stephen Prenter, pro-chancellor and chair of senate of the university's governing body, said he was delighted that Mrs Clinton was the new chancellor.

"Secretary Clinton has made a considerable contribution to Northern Ireland and as an internationally recognised leader will be an incredible advocate for Queen's and an inspirational role model for the Queen's community," he said.

Mrs Clinton was US Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed in a statement read out on state television that the commander of its Quds unit Qasem Soleimani was killed by US forces in Baghdad on Friday.

"The Revolutionary Guards announces that the glorious commander of Islam, haj Qasem Soleimani, following a life of servitude, was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning," said the report.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A U.S. missile strike killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani late Thursday, dramatically altering the escalating standoff between Washington and Tehran. U.S. officials said President Donald Trump signed off on the attack that was reportedly carried out by a drone that struck a two-car convoy on an access road near Baghdad International Airport, killing Soleimani and six others. Iraqi officials and the countrys state TV channel said top Iraqi militia leader Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimibest known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandiswas also killed in the strike.

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The strike comes after Iran and the U.S. had been trading military reprisals in an escalating tit for tat that resulted in a U.S. contractor being killed last week. Thursdays airstrike appears to have been set in motion by a Dec. 27 rocket attack that killed a U.S. contractor on a base in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, an assault the Pentagon blamed on Kataib Hezbollah, an Iraqi militia closely associated with Iran, the Washington Post reports. After the attack, Trump authorized airstrikes on militia targets in Iraq and Syria, which in turn prompted militiamen to attempt to breach the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

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General Soleimani was the architect of nearly every significant operation by Iranian intelligence and military forces over the past two decades, and his death was a staggering blow for Iran at a time of sweeping geopolitical conflict, the New York Times reports. American officials accuse General Soleimani of causing the deaths of hundreds of soldiers during the Iraq war, when he provided Iraqi insurgents with advanced bomb-making equipment and training. They also say he has masterminded destabilizing Iranian activities that continue throughout the Middle East and are aimed at the United States, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Gen. Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a statement. This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. Iranian leaders, including Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who once described Soleimani as a living martyr of the revolution, condemned the act. The final victory will make life more bitter for the murderers and criminals, Khamenei said of the U.S. strike.
January 2, 2020

News

By C. Todd Lopez

Defense.gov

Esper: Kataeb Hezbollah Will 'Likely Regret' Further Provocative Behavior

U.S. forces in Iraq were attacked Dec. 27 near Kirkuk by Kataeb Hezbollah, a group with links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force. The attack, which involved 31 rockets fired, killed one American civilian contractor and injured four American service members as well as two partners in the Iraqi security forces, Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper said.

"The U.S. military responded, and took defensive actions by striking KH bases in western Iraq and western Syria, striking a combination of the command and control [center] or weapons caches with considerable effect," Esper said during a press gaggle in the Pentagon today. "The attacks were quite successful."

In the wake of the KH attack, the defense department has deployed an infantry battalion  about 750 soldiers  from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Additional forces from the IRF prepared to deploy over the next several days, the defense secretary said.

"They are deploying to the region to, on order, reinforce our facilities and to protect our personnel in the region as called upon, and obviously they have the capability to perform other missions as well, as need be," Esper said.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley described the forces from the 82nd Airborne as a "general-purpose unit," on a defensive mission, adding that such a unit exists precisely for the types of situations it was called upon to respond to.

"It's going over there, it's going to be in Kuwait, and they may have follow-on missions in other places," Milley said. "But their purpose is defensive in nature, to defend U.S. personnel, equipment and facilities."

The chairman said other U.S. forces have been alerted, though no decision has yet been made to deploy those forces. "But there are a variety of forces that are alerted and prepared if necessary depending on the situation, as we move forward," Milley said.

Esper said "provocative behavior" by Iranian-backed Shia militias has been ongoing for several months. The Dec. 27 attack was the latest, he said, adding that while he believes the attacks may continue, the U.S. is ready.

"They've been shooting rockets, indirect fire, any type of things, attacking our bases for months now," the defense secretary said.

"In the last two [months] alone we've [had] nearly a dozen attacks against U.S. forces, against our coalition partners. So do I think they may do something [else?] Yes. And they will likely regret it. And we are prepared to exercise self-defense, and we are prepared to deter further bad behavior from these groups, all of which are sponsored, and directed and rescued by Iran," Esper said.

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The United States Marine Corps announced this week that it had authorized military police officers to bring their privately owned firearms onto bases, a rule change that senior officers said was hastened by fatal shootings at two Navy installations in the past month.

About 3,200 qualified law enforcement officers are eligible to arm themselves for their personal protection, but not in the performance of their official duties under the new rule, Captain Joseph Butterfield, a U.S.M.C. spokesman, said on Thursday. They are required to have a concealed carry permit for the firearms.

Previously, only service weapons could be carried by members of the group  which includes military police, criminal investigators and civilian law enforcement officers who work for the Marines at some bases  solely as part of their duties.

The Marine Corps said in a memo on Tuesday that the rule change had already been in the works when the tragic events  a Dec. 4 shooting at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and a Dec. 6 shooting at Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla.  convinced its leadership to accelerate the timetable.
Pentagon on Thursday (local time) said it has carried out a "defensive action" at the "direction" of President Donald Trump to protect US personnel abroad by killing the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani.

Pentagon has released a statement hours after media around the reported that Soleimani alongside six others was killed following a US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport.

Pentagon said that the strikes were aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

Besides Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport, reported Iraqi officials and state television.

"At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force," the statement said.

Pentagon has accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," the statement said.

"He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27th - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it added.

The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protestors attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad. The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a deadly US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the PMF.

The US has vowed to take action against the breach by protestors. Earlier in the day, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said it's time for Iran to start "acting like a normal country".

"Through the President's direction, we were able to physically defeat the caliphate that remains physically defeated, if you will," he added. "And now our aim is to deter further Iranian bad behavior that has been going on now for over 40 years. It's time that Iran started acting like a normal country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Columbia State Historic Park volunteers View Photo

There are a few events coming up in the first week of the new year.

As detailed here last year Tuolumne County Administrator Tracie Riggs hosted meet and greet sessions and in 2020 she is hosting more. Tomorrow, January 3rd, from noon to 2pm meet her at Heart Rock in Sonora as detailed here. Her other public meetings will be in March, April and May in Jamestown, Tuolumne and Groveland. Later in January, there will be more forums that Riggs has helped coordinate as detailed here.

On January 4th go to Columbia state historic park for their Docent Meet and Greet. From 10 am -12 pm enjoy a short presentation on the wide range of volunteer opportunities, then meet with individual docents for breakout sessions on a variety of topics. Docents will introduce you to the many areas to volunteering in, such as the museum, schoolhouse, construction, library, town tours, archives, and special events, to name a few. The docents are happy to help, and will answer any questions you may have, refreshments will be served. Contact details are in the event listing here.

The first Sunday of every month the American Legion Post 58 hosts its pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Veterans Memorial Hall. Details are here. There are no plays being performed this weekend, check out the local movie theater shows and times here.

Building a Better Brain is a physician evaluation and treatment plan that offers hope for individuals who are concerned about their risk for dementia, such as those with a family history of Alzheimers disease.

Informational seminars will be held on Tues., Jan. 7, and Wed., Jan. 8, 2020, at 4 p.m. at the Health Pavilion, located at 900 Mono Way in Sonora.

Seating is limited, RSVP information is in the event listing here.

Also on Tuesday, January 7th to hear Brynne Kennedy, Democratic Candidate for Congress, speak. Details about her town hall are in the event listing here.
The President of the U.S. Donald Trump The Washington Post

More than any other American military operation since the invasion of Iraq, the assassination yesterday of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the head of Irans Qods Force of its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, is a seismic event. The killings of Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leaders of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, were certainly meaningful, but they were also largely symbolic, because their organizations had been mostly destroyed. Taking out the architect of the Islamic Republics decades-long active campaign of violence against the United States and its allies, especially Israel, represents a tectonic shift in Middle Eastern politics.

To see just how significant Mr. Suleimanis death truly is, it helps to understand the geopolitical game hed devoted his life to playing. In Lebanon, Mr. Soleimani built Lebanese Hezbollah into the powerful state within a state that we know today. A terrorist organization receiving its funds, arms and marching orders from Tehran, Hezbollah has a missile arsenal larger than that of most countries in the region. The groups success has been astounding, helping to cement Irans influence not just in Lebanon but farther around the Arab world.

Building up on this successful experience, Mr. Suleimani spent the last decade replicating the Hezbollah model in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, propping up local militias with precision weapons and tactical know-how. In Syria, his forces have allied with Russia to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad, a project that, in practice, has meant driving over 10 million people from their homes and killing well over half a million. In Iraq, as we have seen in recent days, Mr. Suleimanis militias ride roughshod over the legitimate state institutions. They rose to power, of course, after participating in an insurgency, of which he was the architect, against American and coalition forces. Hundreds of American soldiers lost their lives to the weapons that the Qods Force provided to its Iraqi proxies.

Mr. Suleimani built this empire of militias while betting that America would steer clear of an outright confrontation. This gambit certainly paid off under President Barack Obama, but it even seemed to be a safe bet under President Trump, despite his stated policy of maximum pressure. Mr. Trump was putting an economic squeeze on Iran, and popular protests in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon were adding to the pressure, but Mr. Suleimani assumed that, in the end, control of military assets would win the day. Mr. Trump, it seemed, feared getting sucked into a war. Washington, in short, lacked a ground game.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A man accused of sexually assaulting a child inside an Ann Arbor middle school during an after-hours public meeting is heading to trial.

Johnathan James Green, 44, of Ann Arbor, was bound over for trial on several criminal sexual conduct charges at the conclusion of his Nov. 7 preliminary examination for an alleged September evening incident inside Scarlett Middle School, records show.

Green is charged with one felony count each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 13, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 13, unlawful imprisonment and accosting a child for immoral purposes.

He is accused of allegedly coercing a young girl to come with him to a secluded part of the school where he then sexually assaulted her, Ann Arbor police previously said. At the time of the incident, the school was open for its first Parent Teacher Student Organization meeting of the year, according to the Ann Arbor Public Schools website.

MLive/The Ann Arbor News does not identify victims of sexual assault.

The victim was heading out to play at a park near the school with a young male friend, she testified during the exam.

They saw a man she later identified as Green sitting in a blue Volkswagen Jetta near the school, she said. The pair initially ignored him when he said hello, but later approached the car and talked with him, the girl said.

Green told the kids he worked at the school and followed them inside after the girl said she wanted to give her friend a tour and show him her locker, she said. Green had no affiliation with the school, police said.

School surveillance video, reviewed by police, shows the children entering the school and walking in the hallways, in and out of the pool locker room and into a classroom as Green followed closely behind, officers testified during the exam.

While in the locker room, Green wrapped his arm around the girl and put her head onto his stomach, the girl said. There were no video recordings inside the locker room or inside the classroom where the alleged incident took place, police said.

The girl sat in a chair in a side room in the classroom while her friend played unattended, she said. Green knelt in front of her and began touching her legs, she said.

He then whispered, Youre going to like this, trust me, before putting his hands down her pants and rubbing her genitals, the victim said.

The girl elbowed Green and shoved him away before grabbing her friend and running toward the boys home near the school, she said.

The girl told the boys father what had happened and he told a family member to call police while he went to look for the man, the boys father testified.

The kids spotted Green attempting to drive away and the boys father blocked the car with his vehicle, yelling profanities at Green, he said.

Green, who smelled heavily of beer and old cigarettes, denied doing anything and told the father the kids better get their story straight, the father said.

The father attempted to open Greens car door but Green managed to drive around the blocking car and flee, the father said. The father jumped back in his car and pursued Green down Platt Road and Ellsworth Road until he ended the chase after getting Greens license plate number, the father said.

Using the plate number and the childrens description of the suspect, Green was found and arrested in his Ann Arbor home, police said.

Green is being held without bond in the Washtenaw County Jail. He is scheduled to appear Jan. 13 before Washtenaw County Trial Judge David Swartz.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct is punishable by up to life in prison.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that the percentage of minorities in Pakistan has reduced to mere three per cent from earlier 23 per cent, which is a testimony of hardships being faced by them in the neighboring country.

Goyal attended an event in Mumbai on Friday which was organised in favor of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

"Pakistan is an Islamic country. Congress is responsible for the division of India. Thousands of people came to India and we know in what condition they came here. The trains had only dead bodies. Earlier, Pakistan had 23 percent minorities and now it has reduced to just three percent," said Goyal.

The Union Minister further added that in India, the percentage of minorities has increased and not decreased like in Pakistan, because India has protected them and it is a secular country.

"The opposition is confused or maybe they are doing all this with proper planning. In the next 10 days, we will reach to three crore people and spread awareness about CAA," said Goyal.

BJP is planning a countrywide outreach program to clarify facts about the Citizenship Act and make its provisions clear among the masses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Philz Coffee | Photo: Joe M./Yelp

Looking for a yummy breakfast and brunch meal near you?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable breakfast and brunch restaurants around Berkeley, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges.

1. Philz Coffee

Photo: philz coffee/Yelp

Topping the list is an outpost of the chain Philz Coffee. Located at 1313 Ninth St., Suite 110 (between Gilman and Camelia streets.), the breakfast and brunch spot, which offers coffee and tea and more, is the highest-rated budget-friendly breakfast and brunch restaurant in Berkeley, boasting 4.5 stars out of 289 reviews on Yelp.

If you're curious for more, we found these details about Philz Coffee.

"It all began in 1978 when Phil purchased a convenience store in the heart of the Mission District," according to the history section of the business's Yelp profile. "He treated his customers with niceness and respect, always paying attention to their needs. He understood that if you put people first, you cannot fail."

As to what the business is known for, "At Philz we specialize in pour-over drip coffee made 'One Cup at a Time,' "it writes on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties. "Each cup is crafted to an individual customer's taste. You won't find any lattes, cappuccinos, espressos or pre-brews."

2. The Snack Shack

Photo: eric l./Yelp

Next up is The Snack Shack, situated at 1828 Euclid Ave. (between Hearst Avenue and Ridge Road). With four stars out of 156 reviews on Yelp, the beer bar and breakfast and brunch spot, serving burgers and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option.

The site has lots more information on The Snack Shack.

"Owner and Manager Rachel S. previously managed one of the Bay areas most famous burger spots in Sausalito California before branching out on her own to open The Snack Shack in Berkeley," it states in the bio section of the business's Yelp profile.

Story continues

3. Zing Cafe



Photo: olivia p./Yelp

Zing Cafe, a cafe and breakfast and brunch spot that offers coffee and tea and more, is another much-loved, inexpensive go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 96 Yelp reviews. Head over to 3051 Adeline St. (between Emerson and Essex streets) to see for yourself.

Concerning signature items, you'll find "Espresso, Chai tea, strong coffee, hot paninis, made-to-order sandwiches and fresh salads," it notes on Yelp in the section about specialties.

4. Cafe Buenos Aires

Photo: diana d./Yelp

Check out Cafe Buenos Aires, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 50 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the Argentine and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers coffee and tea and more, by heading over to 2999 Shattuck Ave. (between Ashby Avenue and Russell Street).

Furthermore, we found this about the business's signature items: "We offer empanadas, vegan empanadas, sandwiches, salads, coffees and teas," it notes on Yelp in the section explaining specialties.

5. Nuha's Cafe

Photo: manni z./Yelp

Last but not least, there's Nuha's Cafe, a Downtown Berkeley favorite with four stars out of 38 reviews. Stop by 2115 Milvia St. (between Addison and Center streets) to hit up the breakfast and brunch spot, which offers coffee and tea and sandwiches, next time you're looking to satisfy your cravings on a budget.

Yelper Fhjcg N., who reviewed Nuha's Cafe on Aug. 8 wrote, "Good sandwiches, good mochas and good dudes. I get the hot pastrami on sliced sourdough. It's good."

Victor G. noted, "The Morning Breaker is delicious. The morning breaker breakfast sandwich has thick (almost like an inch of) egg, sliced tomatoes, avocado and cheese  a must try!"

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.
Ways to make an ever-popular New Year's resolution a reality

Getting started on a healthy program can be easy with some professional help.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrisons visit to India in January has been put off to later in the year because of the bushfire crisis, people familiar with developments said on Friday.

The visit is being postponed to a mutually convenient time, said a person who declined to be named.

A statement from the external affairs ministry on a telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Morrison on Friday said the Indian leader looked forward to welcoming the Prime Minister of Australia...on a State Visit at a mutually convenient time later in the year. The statement did not give details.

Morrison had announced last October that he had accepted Modis invitation to visit India. He was expected to travel on January 13 to New Delhi, where he was to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue the following day.

Earlier on Friday, Morrison had said the plan to travel to India was still in place. Hours later, he told the media he was inclined not to proceed with the trip.

Morrison has faced criticism for his response to the bushfires, which have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 houses since September, and his governments coal export policy that some experts say has contributed to climate change.

During the phone conversation, Modi expressed condolences on behalf of Indians for the damage to life and property due to the severe and prolonged bushfires. He offered Indias unstinted support to Australia and its people during the unprecedented natural calamity.

Expressing satisfaction at progress in bilateral relations, Modi reiterated Indias commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with Australia.
Mohali, Jan 3 : A huge controversy erupted on Friday when Punjab opener Shubman Gill allegedly "abused" the umpire after being given out and refused to walk off the field during their Ranji Trophy game against Delhi at the I.S. Bindra Stadium.

A Times of India journalist narrated the series of events in a thread on his Twitter handle in which he claimed that Shubman, unimpressed with the decision of the on-field umpire, didn't move anywhere and remained at his crease.

The journalist further quoted Delhi vice-captain Nitish Rana as saying that Shubman walked down to umpire Mohamad Rafi and abused him. Following which, the umpire overturned his decision.

The decision to overturn the wicket, however, did not go down well with the Delhi team as they walked off the field and play was halted. Match Referee P. Ranganathan had to intervene and after a brief stoppage, play was resumed.

The 20-year-old Punjab opener was eventually dismissed by Simarjeet Singh. Shubman, after scoring 23 runs of 41 balls, was caught by Anuj Rawat.

In the Elite Group A and B standings, Punjab are currently at the top with 17 points whereas Delhi are at the 11th spot with seven points.

Gill will be leading India 'A' in the two tour matches and three one-day games in New Zealand and is also a part of the India 'A' squad for two four-day games, before Team India play five T20Is, three ODIs and two Tests beginning January 24.
Some Wisconsin fire departments have stopped using firefighting foam that contains a group of man-made chemicals that have been linked to increased cholesterol and cancer risk, among other health hazards.

The Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contaminate Wisconsins groundwater and waterways, and are also found in products like nonstick pans, the Wisconsin Public Radio reported.

In mid-December, the Madison Fire Department switched to fluorine-free foam.

Tests at the University of Notre Dame found the new foam has fluorine levels of one part per million. Thats compared to foams with fluorine at levels of 5,000 to 7,000 ppm, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

I dont feel safe with our firefighters being exposed to those products, Madison Fire Chief Steven Davis said.

Davis also has environmental concerns. After the American Transmission Co. substation fire in Madison in July, large amounts of chemicals were found in stormwater runoff, he said.

I would say the team would tell you no, but it works well enough to get the job done, Davis said of the new foam.

Firefighters will need to use more foam from now on, Davis said. To put out the ATC substation fire, he said firefighters needed about 40 gallons of foam concentrate.

Probably if that fire burned today, heaven help us, we probably are looking at maybe 50 gallons to 60 gallons of foam concentrate instead, Davis said.

State lawmakers are considering a bill to partially ban firefighting foams that contains the harmful chemicals.

Peter OLeary, Fond du Lac fire chief, decided to stop using foam containing those substances after hearing from a concerned water utility supervisor about the harmful chemicals.

It serves a purpose to us in extinguishing fires, but if the greater good is not using it, is better for the environment and longer-term health problems for people, were not gonna be a part of something like that, OLeary said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Agencies Wisconsin Chemicals
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei lashed out at the United States on Wednesday for striking at Shiite paramilitary that fought against the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia)

TEHRAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 01st January, 2020) Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei lashed out at the United States on Wednesday for striking at Shiite paramilitary that fought against the Islamic State terrorist group (banned in Russia).

The Pentagon targeted facilities of Kataib Hezbollah, which belongs to Hashd al-Shabi, in Iraq and Syria over the weekend for allegedly launching a rocket attack on a base in Kirkuk that killed a US contractor.

"Look at what the US is doing in #Iraq & #Syria. They're taking revenge on Hashd al-Sha'bi for defeating ISIS.

Since Hashd crippled & destroyed ISIS -which the US had created- they're taking revenge. The Iranian govt & nation & I strongly condemn the US's malice," Khamenei was quoted as saying on his Twitter page.

Hashd al-Shabi, also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, said dozens of its fighters had been killed in the US strikes. An angry mob besieged the US Embassy in Baghdad after a funeral was held for those slain. They torched the fence, forcing US guards to take cover. The United States said it would send extra troops to Baghdad.
New Orleans, LA - Serena Aunon-Chancellor, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine's branch campus in Baton Rouge, is the lead author of a paper describing a previously unrecognized risk of spaceflight discovered during a study of astronauts involved in long-duration missions. The paper details a case of stagnant blood flow resulting in a clot in the internal jugular vein of an astronaut stationed on the International Space Station. The paper is published in the January 2, 2020 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, available here.

"These new findings demonstrate that the human body still surprises us in space," notes Dr. Aunon-Chancellor, who also remains a member of NASA's Astronaut Corps and is board certified in both internal and aerospace medicine. "We still haven't learned everything about Aerospace Medicine or Space Physiology."

Eleven astronauts were involved in the vascular study, which sought to help close gaps in knowledge about circulatory physiology that will not only benefit patients on Earth, but could be critical for the health of astronauts during future space exploration missions to the moon and Mars. The study measured the structure and function of the internal jugular vein in long-duration spaceflight where astronauts are exposed to sustained headward blood and tissue fluid shifts.

Ultrasound examinations of the astronauts' internal jugular veins were performed at scheduled times in different positions during the mission. Results of the ultrasound performed about two months into the mission revealed a suspected obstructive left internal jugular venous thrombosis (blood clot) in one astronaut. The astronaut, guided in real time and interpreted by two independent radiologists on earth, performed a follow-up ultrasound, which confirmed the suspicion.

Since NASA had not encountered this condition in space before, multiple specialty discussions weighed the unknown risks of the clot traveling and blocking a vessel against anticoagulation therapy in microgravity. The space station pharmacy had 20 vials containing 300 mg of injectable enoxaparin (a heparin-like blood thinner), but no anticoagulation-reversal drug. The injections posed their own challenges - syringes are a limited commodity, and drawing liquids from vials is a significant challenge because of surface-tension effects.

The astronaut began treatment with the enoxaparin, initially at a higher dose that was reduced after 33 days to make it last until an oral anticoagulant (apixaban) could arrive via a supply spacecraft. Anticoagulation-reversing agents were also sent.

Although the size of the clot progressively shrank and blood flow through the affected internal jugular segment could be induced at day 47, spontaneous blood flow was still absent after 90 days of anticoagulation treatment. The astronaut took apixaban until four days before the return to Earth.

On landing, an ultrasound showed the remaining clot flattened to the vessel walls with no need for further anticoagulation. It was present for 24 hours after landing and gone 10 days later. Six months after returning to Earth, the astronaut remained asymptomatic.

The astronaut had no personal or family history of blood clots and had not experienced headaches or the florid complexion common in weightless conditions. The changes in blood organization and flow, along with the prothrombotic risk uncovered in the study show the need for further research.

Concludes Aunon-Chancellor, "The biggest question that remains is how would we deal with this on an exploration class mission to Mars? How would we prepare ourselves medically? More research must be performed to further elucidate clot formation in this environment and possible countermeasures."

Internal jugular venous thrombosis has most often been associated with cancer, a central venous catheter, or ovarian hyperstimulation. Recently, it has been found in a growing number of IV drug abusers who inject drugs directly into the internal jugular vein. The condition can have potentially life-threatening complications, including systemic sepsis and pulmonary embolism.

###

Other members of the research team included James M. Pattarini, M.D., M.P.H., National Aeronautics and Space Administration Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX; Stephan Moll, M.D., University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC; and Ashot Sargsyan, M.D., KBR, Houston, TX.

The study was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under the Human Research Program (grant NNJ11ZSA002NA).

LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans (LSU Health New Orleans) educates Louisiana's health care professionals. The state's health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans includes a School of Medicine, the state's only School of Dentistry, Louisiana's only public school of Public Health, and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty take care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment or cure disease. To learn more, visit http://www.lsuhsc.edu, http://www.twitter.com/LSUHealthNO, or http://www.facebook.com/LSUHSC.
President Donald Trumps decision to strike and kill the second most powerful official in Iran turns a slow-simmering conflict with Tehran into a boiling one, and is perhaps the riskiest move made by the United States in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The calculus was straightforward: Washington had to reestablish deterrence and show Iranian leadership that missiles fired at ships in the Persian Gulf and at oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, along with attacks inside Iraq that cost the life of an American contractor, would not go without response.

But while senior U.S. officials have no doubt the Iranians will respond, they dont know how quickly, or how furiously.

For a president who repeated his determination to withdraw from the caldron of the Middle East, the strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who for two decades has been leader of Irans most fearsome and ruthless military unit, the Quds Force, means there will be no escape from the region for the rest of his presidency, whether that is one year or five. Trump has committed the United States to a conflict whose dimensions are unknowable, as Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seeks vengeance.

This is a massive walk up the escalation ladder, wrote Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute. With Soleimani dead, war is coming  that seems certain, the only questions are where, in what form and when?

Bruce Riedel, the former CIA officer who spent his life studying the Middle East and is now at the Brookings Institution, said, The administration is taking America into another war in the Middle East, bigger than ever.

DOUG MILLS/NYT

Yet it may not be a conventional war in any sense, since the Iranians advantage is all in asymmetric conflict.

Their history suggests they will not take on the United States frontally. Iranians are the masters of striking soft targets, starting in Iraq, but hardly limited to that country. In the past few years they have honed an ability to cause low-level chaos and left no doubt that they want to be able to reach the United States.

For now, they cannot  at least in traditional ways.

But they have attempted terrorism, including an abortive effort to kill a Saudi ambassador in Washington nine years ago, and late Thursday the Department of Homeland Security was sending out reminders of Irans past and current efforts to attack the United States in cyberspace. Until now, that has been limited to attacks on U.S. banks and probes at dams and other critical infrastructure, but they so far have not shown they have the capabilities of the Russians or the Chinese.

Their first escalation may well be in Iraq, where they back pro-Iranian militias. But even there, they are an unwelcome force. It was only a few weeks ago when people took to the streets in Iraq to protest Iranian interference in their politics, not American. Still, there are soft targets throughout the region, as the attacks on the Saudi oil facilities showed.

Complicating the management of a perilous moment is the presidents impeachment and the revival of Irans nuclear program.

It is only a matter of time before there are questions about whether the strike was designed to create a counternarrative, one of a conflict with a longtime adversary, while a Senate trial to determine whether to remove Trump begins. And already there are charges that the president overstepped his bounds and that the decision to kill Soleimani  if it was a decision, and the Iranian leader was not simply in the wrong convoy at the wrong moment  required congressional approval.

The question is this, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., asked on Twitter as news of the strike spread. As reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?

Trump will argue that he was well within his rights and that the strike was an act of self-defense. And he will have a strong argument: Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of Americans in Iraq over the years, and doubtless was planning more.

The U.S. announcement, from Defense Secretary Mark Esper, cited the generals plans  which were not specified  as a justification for the action. If there was real intelligence of impending strikes, then the longtime principles of preemption, enshrined anew in U.S. policy by President George W. Bush, would apply.

The nuclear future is more complex.

Trump walked away from the 2015 nuclear agreement more than a year ago, over the objections of many of his own aides and almost all U.S. allies.

At first the Iranians reacted coolly and stayed within the limits of the accord. That ended last year as tensions escalated.

Before the strike, they were expected to announce, in the next week, their next nuclear move  and it seemed likely to be a move closer to enrichment of bomb-grade uranium. That seems far more likely now, and poses the possibility of the next escalation, if it prompts U.S. or Israeli military or cyber action against Irans known nuclear facilities.

Even those critical of the presidents nuclear move said they understood why the Iranian general was such a target.

These guys are the personification of evil, David Petraeus, the retired general who was architect of the surge in Iraq, said in an interview Thursday night. We calculated they were responsible for at least 600 deaths of American soldiers.

But Petraeus offered a caution.

There will be an escalation, he said. I assume they have to do something. And the only question is, over time, have we created more deterrence than if we had not acted?

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
Digital superimposition of the photograph of Sheena Bora and the skull recovered by the prosecution was a match, a forensic expert told a court here on Friday while deposing in the ongoing trial against former media barons Peter Mukerjea and Indrani Mukerjea.

Peter Mukerjea, Indrani Mukerjea and her first husband Sanjeev Khanna are accused of killing Indrani's daughter Sheena Bora in April 2012.

The trio was arrested in August 2015 when the alleged killing came to light after Indrani's driver Shyamwar Rai was arrested in another case.

Sunil Kumar Tripathi, professor and former Head of Department of Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), was summoned as a witness in the case as he and his team had carried out analysis on the skeletal remains allegedly of Sheena Bora.

Tripathi, during his deposition on Friday, told the court the digital superimposition of the photos of skull and that of Sheena Bora were a match based on facial landmarks, including teeth.

The witness explained how the digital superimposition software worked, adding that it was used to match key features of a face from a person's photograph with the photo of the skull.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The USA just tried real hard to start a war with Iran and they might have just succeeded.

Are you ready?

Breaking News: The U.S. confirmed it was behind the strike that killed the powerful Iranian commander Qassim Suleimani, a major escalation in a conflict with Iran https://t.co/NzSYmTMsZ6  The New York Times (@nytimes) January 3, 2020

So we did it! We assassinated the number two Iranian official while in Iraq, as he was an invited guest!

Right now the way I see it; many, too many Americans are cheerleading and desiring a war with Iran & are dancing over their own and over your childrens graves

Commander of the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, was killed by the rocket fire near the Baghdad International Airport, Al Arabiya and Sky News broadcasters reported on Friday. The United States carried out on Friday strikes on two Iran-linked targets in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the Reuters news agency reported, citing unnamed US officials.

Source: US Behind Baghdad Airport Attack That Killed Iranian Quds Commander, PMF Deputy Leader  Report  Sputnik International

Mahdi and Soleimani were in Iraq to negotiate with the Americans. The US knew where they were. It was a coward and cold blooded calculated act of ambush to provoke Iran

Now that is what I call opening a can of worms and you will not get the lid back on very easily

Never go full retard

And that my friends is exactly what America just did!

WtR

I guess this Tweet says it about as good as it gets and at least someone sees the truth:
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 06:29:20|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian authorities arrested on Friday head of the country's tax authority over bribery charges, official Ahram newspaper reported.

The Administrative Control Authority, the country's highest anti-graft agency, arrested Abdel-Azim Hussein Abdel-Azim, head of Egypt's tax authority, for allegedly receiving bribes from some legal accountants, said the report.

Egypt has been launching a massive anti-corruption campaign over the past few years that led to the arrest and imprisonment of several officials and senior employees and the retrieval of large amounts of public funds.
Downey Man Charged in Death of 6-Year-Old Godson

A 23-year-old Downey man was charged with murder today for allegedly fatally beating his 6-year-old godson the day after Christmas.

Tyler DShaun Martin Brand made a brief court appearance Monday afternoon on charges of murder and assault on a child causing death, but his arraignment was postponed until Jan. 16.

Prosecutors said Brand had been caring for the boy for several days over the holiday break. According to the District Attorneys Office, the boy was severely beaten, and he died at a hospital.

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Authorities identified the boy as Dayvon Taylor, who died shortly after 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. Police described Brand only as an acquaintance of the boys mother, but prosecutors said Brand was the boys godfather.

Brand, who was arrested Thursday night, faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorneys Office. Brand remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail.
In the province of Iloilo alone 179 people aged 9 to 21 tried to kill themselves in the past three years. Financial and social factors, including online bullying, are behind the trend. The cardinal notes that life is a gift, and a cultural renewal is needed.

Manila (AsiaNews/CBCP)  The Philippines is facing an alarmingly high rate of suicide, one that is increasing. In light of the situation, Card Luis Antonio Tagle issued a statement after Christmas, expressing his deep shock and pain for the trend, but hoping that a cultural renewal can counter the problem.

The message of the Archbishop of Manila, who was recently appointed head of Propaganda Fide, notes that The mystery of Christmas is contrary to the drive, the desire and the impulse to destroy people, lives, families, societies and creation.

In September, a provincial board in Iloilo drew attention to an increased trend in suicide and mental illness in the province.

About 179 people, aged nine to 21, attempted suicide between 2016 to 2019, 35 successfully, the Philippine News Agency reported.

Suicide rates went up alarmingly in 2018 up to June 2019 with about 100 recorded suicides across all ages, said Iloilo 3rd District Board Member Matt Palabrica.

The leading causes of suicide have been identified as problems in the family, financial issues, romantic relationships, trouble at school, and bullying.

For Palabrica, in-depth studies should be conducted into suicide and the reasons for the rising trend. We want to know why it is happening, he explained.

As he gets ready to leave for Rome and his new post, Card Tagle also expressed concern about the growing cases of bullying, especially on social media, which contribute to suicides.

We are saddened and shocked to see how some people find pleasure and success in having shattered other peoples lives, Tagle said.

We are even more disturbed to see young people already bent on harming themselves and ending their lives, he added.

Noting that the meaning of life as a gift is giving oneself and the gift of Christ to the world, the prelate urged people not forget that the gifts we give and receive are some symbols and signs of the greatest gift that God the Father has sent us, His son Jesus.
'Central Vista stretch required for Republic Day parade will be ready in time, some facilities later'

Republic Day Parade 2020 tableau war: After Bengal, Maharashtra, now Kerala sees red

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 03: After West Bengal and Maharashtra, Kerala's tableau proposal has been denied permission for this year's Republic Day parade 2020 on January 26.

Kerala had proposed a theme comprising the state's art and architecture, which would comprise the traditional art forms of Theyyam and Kalamandala. The tableau showed Kerala's backwaters, Kathakali, Mohiniyattam dancers and percussionists playing the traditional instrument of Chenda (drums).

Kerala Law Minister A K Balan however called the decision of rejecting Kerala's tableau as politically motivated. He also said that Kerala is the only state to pass a resolution in the state Assembly against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Republic Day Parade 2020: 22 including Telangana's tableau short-listed

Earlier, the Ministry of Defence had rejected tableau proposals of Maharashtra, West Bengal and Bihar.

Defence Ministry's list of shortlisted participants(tableaux) for Republic Day Parade 2020. pic.twitter.com/adKiUabpxQ  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

NEWS AT 3 PM, JAN 3rd, 2019

NCP MP Supriya Sule and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut targeted the Modi-led government for rejecting Maharashtra's tableau for the Republic Day parade, with the Sharad Pawar-led party dubbing the move an insult to the state. However, the state BJP said that in past Maharashtra's tableau had not featured in the January 26 parade many times.

The Ministry of Defence announced that it has selected 22 tableau out of 56 proposals for the Republic Day parade 2020 on January 26. The selected tableau will feature 16 states and union territories and six central ministries. The Ministry had received 32 tableau proposals from states and union territories and 24 from central ministries and departments.

It had earlier clarified the tableau proposal of West Bengal government was not taken forward for further consideration by the committee after deliberations in the second meeting.

After facing criticism from opposition political leaders in Maharashtra and West Bengal, the government rubbished claims that there was any malicious intent behind the move. They also said that even the BJP-ruled state has also been rejected this year. These states are Haryana, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh.

Republic Day 2020: After West Bengal, Maharashtra, Centre rejects Bihar proposed tableau

Meanwhile, after 4 years, the state of Telangana finally got an opportunity to showcase its cultural heritage in the form of a tableau at the upcoming Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2020. This time the tableau is about 'Bathukamma' and 'Medaram -Sammkaa Sarakka Jatara' festivals against the backdrop of Warangal's Thousand pillar temple.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day, which the Brazilian president accepted.
Pace University's former Chief Marketing officer Freddi Wald, (pictured), allegedly made repeated sexual advances towards school spokesman Scott Trent

A marketing executive at a New York university has been accused in a lawsuit of sexually harassing a colleague and calling him on FaceTime when she was naked.

Pace University's former Chief Marketing officer Freddi Wald allegedly made repeated sexual advances towards school spokesman Scott Trent and the university ignored complaints about it.

Trent was fired in August 2017 without any reason provided, it is claimed, and Wald then allegedly turned on him in the months before his termination because he rejected her sexual advances.

He also received numerous FaceTime calls which were of a sexual nature, according to lawsuit seen by the New York Daily News.

The lawsuit states: 'When the first call was opened, Wald was nude and barely clothed the second time. In both instances, Trent immediately terminated the calls and would not accept, answer, or return any Facetime call thereafter.

'Trent was startled, shocked and repulsed at seeing his boss nude.'

Another example of the alleged harassment came in March 2017, when they heard a student died of auto-erotic asphyxiation and Wald allegedly used the case to discuss sex with Trent.

The lawsuit claims: 'After being briefed on the aforementioned incident, Wald, in the presence of (another member of staff), inquired of Trent if he had ever engaged in such masturbatory activity himself, if he knew others that did, and if he had insight into how common a practice this activity was among men in general.

Scott Trent was fired in August 2017 allegedly without any reason provided. He claims Wald turned on him in the months before his termination because he rejected her sexual advances

'During the entirety of Trents employment... Wald expressed to Trent that her husband had experienced a declining interest in engaging in sexual activity with her and, instead, he preferred to watch.'

Wald then claimed she was frustrated by a lack of sex with her husband and referenced sex toys and vibrators in the conversation, according to the suit.

She is also accused of wrapping her arms over Trents shoulders so that her hands were on his chest and rubbed 'up against him from behind' at a holiday party in 2015.

The lawsuit continued: 'Wald stated to other Pace employees present that Trent was the best dressed person in the office, and that she found it attractive that Trent put such effort into his personal appearance and presentation... Wald also commented that Trent smelled good to her, dipping her head to smell Trents hair.

'Wald also expressed that she could always tell when Trent had been in the office from the smell of his cologne. She asked him the name of the cologne and how to spell it.'

The lawsuit claims that at a 2016 party, she 'repeatedly attempted to undress Trent in full view of University Relations staff, including removing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt.'

Wald had also allegedly made mention of 'intense sexual chemistry' that she claimed had existed between her and Trent

She touched his chest and buttocks, according to the lawsuit.

During the period between November 2016 and summer 2017, Wald allegedly claimed in front of colleagues that Trent be her 'surrogate' husband as she was in an unhappy marriage.

Wald had also mentioned 'intense sexual chemistry' that she claimed had existed between her and Trent, it is alleged.

A Pace spokeswoman claims the university dealt with Trents allegations and concluded that they were 'without merit.'

A spokesman told the Daily News: 'We have a zero tolerance policy against harassment and discrimination.

'If we receive a complaint, we investigate and take appropriate action. Based on the information provided and substantial records reviewed, there has been no finding of harassment or discrimination.'

The spokesman further stated to DailyMail.com: 'Numerous requests were made for supporting documentation about Mr. Trent's complaint that he claimed existed, yet he refused to provide the information.

'Outside counsel found no evidence to support Mr. Trents allegations concerning harassment and discrimination.'

Trent's attorney told the Daily News that his client was not interviewed by Pace University during their investigation into his allegations.
When Carlos Ghosn simultaneously ran Nissan and Renault, he skipped freely across the globe, racking up 150,000 flying miles a year. But he probably never made a trip like the one he took the night before New Year's Eve.

Catch up fast: The former CEO of Nissan and Renault somehow eluded 24-hour surveillance in Japan, where he is facing trial on financial misconduct charges, and turned up in Lebanon, saying he had escaped the "rigged Japanese justice system."

"I have not fled justice. I have escaped injustice and political persecution," Ghosn said in a statement.

Everything about this story is incredible, but perhaps no detail more intriguing than his alleged getaway vehicle: a large musical instrument case.

Citing TV news reports in Lebanon, the New York Post reported that a group of mercenaries posing as musicians entered Ghosn's Tokyo home, purportedly for a holiday concert, and later departed with the five-foot-six-inch Ghosn hiding inside a box, perhaps a six-foot-tall double-base case.

Worthy of a movie scene, those reports haven't been corroborated by Axios or other media, and the circumstances of his arrival in Lebanon remain shrouded in mystery.

Investigations are underway in Japan and Turkey, where the private plane he took from Tokyo stopped before he arrived in Beirut.

Seven airport staff and pilots were being questioned in Istanbul, per the FT, and Interpol issued a red notice  a Wanted poster, essentially  seeking Ghosn's arrest in Lebanon.

Ghosn's escape followed months of planning by associates, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

But Ghosn, countering rumors, insisted his wife, Carole, was not involved.

"I alone organized my departure," the 65-year-old said. "My family had no role whatsoever."

What to watch: Ghosn, who maintains his innocence, is planning a news conference for Wednesday. He's unlikely to reveal details behind his escape, but he will most certainly unleash pent-up anger against Japanese prosecutors and his corporate rivals at Nissan and Renault. Talk about must-see TV.

Go deeper... Former Nissan head Carlos Ghosn: I fled Japan to Lebanon to escape injustice
A member of Cop Watch joins New Yorkers in solidarity at the lighting of the Menorah on the 8th night of Chanukah at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn, New York, on December 29, 2019. Read more

On the seventh night of Hanukkah, hours after the shabbat, an assailant entered the home of Rabbi Chaim Rottenberg in Monsey, N.Y., and stabbed five people. Five Jews. The stabbing was the 13th anti-Semitic attack in New York in the span of two weeks. Earlier last month, in Jersey City, N.J., two assailants opened fire in a kosher market and killed three people.

After the attack in Monsey I didnt know how to feel. I dont wear a yarmulke. I dont go to synagogue or spend time in a rabbis house or in kosher supermarkets. The chances of my being victimized in an attack targeting Jews are very low. And yet, even though I didnt have the terrifying it could have been me thought, I was scared. Every anti-Semitic incident, attack, or statement is a reminder that as a Jew, I am, in fact, different. That at baseline, I am an other.

On my way to work in the morning, I often try to call my family in Israel to catch up  otherwise I miss them due to the time difference. After attacks, I find myself thinking twice before speaking Hebrew on the phone down the street, taking advantage of my privilege  and lack of Jewish memorabilia  that allows me to fade into whiteness. Thats an option that people of color, including Jews of color, dont have.

And it is in that moment of fear and isolation that the political exploitation starts.

After anti-Semitic attacks, pundits and politicians explain the attack through their own political lenses. The same attack in Monsey was blamed both on President Donald Trump and on Democrats. Others used the attack to double down on their support for Israel  and conflate support of Jews with supporting the concept of a Jewish ethno-state. The New York Posts editorial board wrote that the attack is a result of New York Citys softness on crime and Jew-hatred among some blacks, referencing the black assailants in Monsey and Jersey City.

The speed with which anti-Semitic attacks are used to promote a political agenda reeks of exploitation. It can also lead to more harm and more anti-Semitism.

So what does a productive response to anti-Semitism look like? An antiracist response.

In his book How To Be an Antiracist, historian Ibram X. Kendi argues that there is no such thing as not racist. Every action, idea, or policy is either racist or antiracist. Racist ideas and policies promulgate racial inequalities, while antiracist ideas and policies promote racial equity. Instead of analyzing whether people are inherently racist or not, Kendi urges us to analyze whether actions and ideas are racist or antiracist. Kendi doesnt write about this paradigm directly in the context of Jews in America, but his framework is useful for analyzing the response to anti-Semitic incidents.

 READ MORE: Ibram X. Kendis How to Be an Antiracist made me, a black educator, change my definition of racism | Perspective

A day before the Monsey stabbing, in response to the string of attacks that preceded it, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced new policing measures including beefing up police patrols in predominantly black neighborhoods in Brooklyn. Using Kendis neat dichotomy, we know from decades of stop-and-frisk, mass incarceration, and police brutality that increased police presence in communities of color causes tremendous harm and contributes to racial inequity. Then, de Blasios plan is simply racist. It is also likely to contribute to anti-Semitism.

Plans like de Blasios manufacture division between black and Jewish communities at minimum, and manufacture black anti-Semitism at worst. In a 1967 essay for the New York Times about black anti-Semitism, James Baldwin wrote: The Jews suffering is recognized as part of the moral history of the world and the Jew is recognized as a contributor to the worlds history: this is not true for the blacks. De Blasios policy does exactly that: increasing harm to black people  via over-policing  allegedly to prevent harms toward Jews.

After the attack in Jersey City  which was also carried out by black assailants  black and Jewish filmmaker Rebecca Pierce wrote an analysis of black anti-Semitism for the Jewish Currents. Pierce echoes Baldwins argument: The violent ideology of the Jersey City shooters reflects centuries of history in which Black and Jewish communities have been divided and pitted against each other under a system that harms us all.

 READ MORE: Philadelphias racist past and bad policy made Kensingtons Puerto Rican community extra vulnerable to violence | Brain Trust

Unlike exploitative political responses to the Monsey attack, or de Blasios harmful policy response, some reactions exemplified antiracist solidarity. In a moment of tremendous pain, some Jews came out in opposition to the police surge. The NYC nonprofit group Jews for Racial & Economic Justice tweeted: This is what dividing vulnerable communities look like. On New Years Eve, about 250 people  Jews, Christian, and Muslims of all races  rallied in Brooklyn under the banner Safety in Solidarity." They braved the cold to call for justice for everyone, not at the expense of anyone.

Anti-Semitic incidents, and accusations of anti-Semitism, have long been exploited to promote injustice. But antiracist solidarity is the only way to overcome anti-Semitism  to work together so that no one feels the acute otherness that I feel after an attack, and that others feel merely walking down the street.
PHOENIX  A retirement board granted early accidental disability retirement to a former Tempe police officer who fatally shot a teenager who was holding a replica gun and fleeing from a vehicle burglary.

The Arizona Republic reports the decision means Officer Joseph Jaen can receive a pension.

Jaen resigned in May.

An accidental disability is one that occurred while the employee was on the clock and permanently prevents the employee from doing his or her job.

Jaen worked as a Tempe police officer for 14 years and previously served three years with the Bullhead City Police Department.

Prosecutors are reviewing the case to determine if the use of force was justified and if any criminal charges should be filed against Jaen.

The Jan. 15 shooting occurred as Jaen was responding to a call of a suspicious car.

The officer spotted 14-year-old Antonio Arce allegedly burglarizing a truck.

Arce fled while holding a replica gun.

Police say Jaen fired his weapon because he thought the teens gun was real and perceived a threat.

Body-worn cameras show Arce didnt appear to turn around or point a weapon at Jaen.
Requesting Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to ban the Congress Seva Dal booklet on Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, BJP leader Ashish Shelar on Friday said it contains shocking lies about the late leader.

"CM Sir, if freedom fighter Savarkar falls under the limits of your 'Maharashtra Dharma' then immediately ban the booklet by Congress which defames Savarkar. Let the Marathi pride be visible! We condemn attacks by Congress on the symbols of patriotism. We all are Savarkar," he tweeted.

"Congress booklet contains shocking lies about Savarkar," the leader said in another tweet.

On Thursday a booklet was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal, which claimed that Savarkar had "physical relationship" with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse.

Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai had said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

The booklet, titled 'Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?', claiming to be quoting from page 423 of the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claims that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minority communities, and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.

BJP MLA Rameshwar Sharma has also accused the Congress of defaming patriots.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Whether or not you live in California, you've likely received something in your inbox about new privacy notices from one of the various companies you've interacted with, such as Lyft, Spotify and Hulu.

That's thanks to the California Consumer Privacy Act, which went into effect on Wednesday, Jan. 1, and deals with how large companies are allowed to collect and use data of California residents. It gives California consumers the ability to request personal data be deleted from a given company, among other protections. The law will make it harder for companies to collect and manage the kind of data about consumers that has powered digital advertising for years.

Businesses are subject to CCPA if they meet the requirements of having gross annual revenues of more than $25 million; buy, receive or sell the personal information of 50,000 or more consumers, households or devices in California; or derive 50% or more annual revenue from selling consumers' personal information. The company doesn't need to be in California but is subject to the law if it collects personal information on that threshold of residents there.

Though the law went into effect Wednesday, it technically isn't being enforced yet. Sarah Lovenheim, special assistant for strategic communications for California Attorney General Xavier Becerra's office, said businesses that meet the thresholds spelled out under CCPA "should be prepared to adhere to the law now." For noncompliance, companies will be required to pay $2,500 per violation if unintentional and $7,500 if intentional.

"While we can't take action until six months after finalizing our rules, or July 1  whichever comes first  we can consider a business's efforts to comply with the law from January 1, onwards," she wrote in an email to CNBC. The rules are technically subject to change until comments are considered. Businesses and other parties were able to submit comments about the regulations during public hearings, by mail or over email until last month.

And a lot of data is at stake. According to estimates in the Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment for the law, CCPA will protect more than $12 billion worth of personal information that's used for advertising in California each year.

Unsurprisingly, ad industry groups have pushed back against the law. The Association of National Advertisers, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the Interactive Advertising Bureau, the American Advertising Federation and the Network Advertising Initiative, some of the most powerful and influential trade groups for the industry, provided written comments last month.

The groups cited concerns about negative consequences proposed regulations could create for consumers and businesses. They said they were concerned the rules' provisions "impose entirely new requirements on businesses that are outside of the scope of CCPA and do not further the purposes of the law."
Attack at Nankana Sahib condemned, MEA urges Pakistan to take action

India

oi-Mousumi Dash

New Delhi, Jan 03: An angry mob on Friday evening pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

According to the initial reports, the agitated mob was led by the family of a boy named Mohammad Hassan, who had allegedly abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur and converted her, the girl is the daughter of gurdwara's pathi.

The Sikh girl was reportedly kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year.

The Nankana Sahib Gurdwara is the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev ji where the mob stormed today. The Akali Dal MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa shared a video which, he said, showed an angry Muslim mob shouting anti-Sikh slogans outside Nankana Sahib.

Sirsa took on to Twitter and wrote, "Live footage from Nankana Sahib where an angry Muslim mob is outside Gurdwara Sahib and raising anti-Sikh slogans."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concerned at the vandalism carried out at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan today. The MEA stated that the members of the minority Sikh community have been subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji.

The MEA has condemned the act saying, "India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community."

Pakistan resorts to first ceasefire violation of 2020

"Strong action must be taken against miscreants who indulged in the desecration of the holy Gurudwara & attacked members of minority Sikh community. In addition, Govt of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect & preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurudwara," the MEA stated.

The local Police reached the scene of the incident to control the agitated mob.
A sheriffs department truck drives through a flooded street in Washington after Hurricane Florence. | Photos: Cliff Hollis

Hurricane Florence flooded homes and businesses across eastern North Carolina, causing more than $24 billion in damage.

Eastern North Carolina has seen its share of hurricanes in recent years. They blow in, flooding homes and businesses and leaving thousands of displaced residents in their wake, unable to return to their damaged homes.The stress of being displaced, the gargantuan task of cleaning up muddy, moldy debris, and the financial burdens of storm recovery all add up to create the potential for mental health issues, said Dr. Heather Littleton, associate professor of psychology.After Hurricane Florence, Littleton received a RAPID grant from the National Science Foundation to study how individuals cope with and recover from severe and ongoing stress after storms. Study participants were surveyed after the hurricane and again after three and six months.Littleton said.There's often a coordinated effort to support storm victims immediately following a storm, and the community rallies and works together to help those in need, she said. But as the immediate need passes, those extra resources fade and volunteers return to their own homes and communities. There's also a lost sense of community connection as some displaced families may not return.Littleton said.Kayla Benson, who conducted door-to-door recruitment for the study as a student at UNC Pembroke, said the recovery process is incredibly long.she said,One family's home had been damaged by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and just after they finally returned, it was destroyed again by Hurricane Florence.Benson said.Dr. Ashley Britton, a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at ECU's Brody School of Medicine, said being displaced from home during the holidays can add an additional level of anxiety.she said.Compounding the problem is a shortage of mental health resources in rural communities, especially if there's a spike in demand after a natural disaster, Littleton said.she said.Britton said having more services available would help in improving the adjustment period for people affected by natural disasters, and that continued efforts to eliminate the stigma surrounding seeking help will lead to more people doing so.she said.She encouraged those who may need help to reach out to services available in their area or through a telepsychiatry program.Littleton pointed to Give an Hour as a program that provides mental health services or can connect people to services.
She propelled to fame as the super-stylish New York It girl on The City and now is often on the front row at the biggest events in the fashion calendar.

And Olivia Palermo enjoyed a break away from it all, as she enjoyed a day at the beach alongside her husband Johannes Huebl, 41, in Miami on Thursday.

The fashion influencer, 33, showed off her sensational figure in a black bandeau bikini as she relaxed on a sun lounger.

Wow! Olivia Palermo showcased her slender figure in a black bandeau bikini as she soaked up the sun in Miami with husband Johannes Huebl on Thursday

Olivia's ensemble showcased her toned abs and a slender figure, while she opted to keep her accessories simple by wearing chic shades so that all attention remained on her.

The brunette beauty swept her locks back into a tight bun, and she used a natural palette of make-up to accentuate her pretty features.

Meanwhile, German-born model Johannes, 41, offset his wife as he donned a pair of white swimming trunks and protected himself from the brilliant sun by wearing black sunglasses.

Beach babe: Olivia's ensemble showcased her toned abs and a slender legs

Glamorous: Olivia opted to keep her accessories simple by wearing chic shades so that all attention remained on her

Hunk: German-born model Johannes offset his wife as he donned a pair of white swimming trunks and protected himself from the brilliant sun by wearing black sunglasses.

Olivia shot to fame when she appeared in MTV's The Hills spin-off, The City, which documented Whitney Port's move to New York to work for Diane von Furstenberg in 2008.

The socialite appeared in both seasons of the reality show, as Whitney's workplace friend and later rival.

Since featuring on the series, Olivia has become one of the most established front-row regulars on the fashion circuit, attending the world's most prestigious events.

Stylish: The brunette beauty swept her locks back into a tight bun, and she used a natural palette of make-up to accentuate her pretty features

Beaming: The model couldn't help but smile as she spent time with her husband at the beach

Handsome: Johannes also showed off his ripped torso as he enjoyed a dip in the ocean

Olivia and Johannes met through mutual friends 12 years ago, before tying the knot in 2014 in a low-key ceremony in Bedford, upstate New York.

Back in June they celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary.

Discussing the secret to the couple's happy marriage, Olivia previously told Harper's Bazaar Australia: 'We try not to ever be separated more than seven days. Its just something we have always done.'

Talkative: Olivia chatted away with Johannes as they soaked up the sun
2020 is the year when 5G will go mainstream and a new report from Goldman Sachs is forecasting a hefty 200 million 5G smartphone shipments globally in the coming year. The estimate comes as part of a recently published report and is signaling a 20 fold increase compared to the 5G phone shipments for 2019. The largest part of those will be destined for the Chinese market and the high demand from consumers will also accelerate 5G base station deployment.

Last week another prediction claimed Huawei alone will top 100 million 5G smartphone shipments in China during 2020. China is looking to keep its lead in the 5G field going forward and is also projected to have the highest number of base station which are expected to number up to 1 million by the end of the year.

In related news, Xiaomi co-founder Lei Jun announced the company is planning to pump CNY 50 billion ($7 billion) in 5G, AI and IoT over the next five years. Back in October Jun revealed the company is planning to release more than 10 5G phones in 2020. Xiaomi is betting big on its 5G ambitions by building a separate factory for developing and producing its next-gen flagships.

In 2019 the company already tested the 5G waters with devices like the Mi Mix 3 5G and Mi 9 Pro 5G but 2020 will have much more to offer.

Via 1 | Via 2
Voting to name a $40 million school after your boss might be unethical, even if your boss is New Jerseys lieutenant governor, according to a state ethics panel.

The states School Ethics Commission found probable cause to sustain two of the eight ethics charges levied against Terry Swanson-Tucker, president of the East Orange School Board and chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.

The case now moves to an investigation and hearing by the Office of Administrative Law. It will determine if Swanson-Tucker violated state ethics law when she voted in December 2018 to suspend a district naming policy and rename the George Washington Carver Institute the Sheila Y. Oliver Academy.

Edward Kologi, Swanson-Tuckers attorney, downplayed the School Ethics Commissions decision, made at its Dec. 17 meeting and obtained by NJ Advance Media.

It only means that the complainant will have an opportunity to try to prove that Ms. Tucker cast a vote to rename the school based upon an ill motive, which does simply not exist, he said.

The ethics commission determined Swanson-Tucker may have violated state ethics law if East Orange resident Virginia Jeffries, who filed the complaint and said she was the only member of the public who stayed at the meeting to witness the vote, can prove one of two things occurred:

Swanson-Tucker voted to rename the school in order to create some benefit to herself such as to improve the future prospects/opportunities of a political appointee or government employee.

Swanson-Tucker cast her votes in order to acquire a benefit for a friend (in this case, Oliver, her boss.)

Swanson-Tucker and Oliver did not respond to a request for comment. Jeffries declined to comment because the case is ongoing.

The renaming of the school and subsequent ethics complaint was revealed in an NJ Advance Media investigation published in November.

The school board returned from a four-hour executive session around 10:45 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2018, voted to suspend a policy that prohibited naming schools after living individuals and then voted to rename the school after Oliver, a longtime East Orange resident who had given Swanson-Tucker a $150,000 state job, according to the complaint.

Neither resolution was on the school board agenda, and Swanson-Tucker voted for both rather than recuse herself. One former school board member told NJ Advance Media that naming the school after Oliver was 100% Terrys idea.

Oliver previously told NJ Advance Media she didnt learn about the school naming until several months later. Swanson-Tucker, who has denied any wrongdoing, said last year she wanted it to be a surprise to honor Oliver, a former city school board member, state Assembly speaker and the first African American woman to serve as New Jerseys lieutenant governor.

The former Carver Institute was razed and a new building that will bear Olivers name is under construction by the Schools Development Authority, the state agency that builds schools for about 30 low-income districts.

Two ethics experts told NJ Advance Media the case might not be a clear-cut ethics violation, but gives the appearance of a conflict of interest. They also questioned why the school board would need to abandon the process outlined in its naming policy, which calls for forming a committee, notifying the public of the planned name and accepting public comment before a final decision is made.

Had I been asked to advise her on the matter, I would have told her the prudent thing to do was to recuse herself, said John Farmer Jr., a former state attorney general who previously served on the New Jersey Governors Ethics Advisory Board.

Swanson-Tucker said the resolutions would have passed even without her vote and she would have recused herself if the school board legal counsel advised her to do so, she said.

It was nothing malicious, Swanson-Tucker said in November. Nobody was trying to dupe anybody.

Adam Clark may be reached at adam_clark@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on twitter at @realAdamClark. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Credit: Michael S. Helfenbein

University researchers finds that scaling up use of methadone and buprenorphinemedications for treating opioid use disorder known as opioid agonist therapies (OATs)could greatly reduce HIV transmission rates and prevent deaths in Ukraine, where the disease is epidemic among people who inject drugs.

The study was published in The Lancet.

Annual new HIV infections in Ukrainehome to Eastern Europe and Central Asia's second largest HIV epidemicrose from 9,500 in 2010 to 12,000 in 2018, according to the study. New infections are likely to increase by approximately 60,000 over 10 years without additional interventions.

The researchers found that treating at least 20 percent of people with opioid use disorder who inject drugsthe minimum recommended by the World Health Organizationcould, over 10 years, prevent more than 10,000 new HIV infections and nearly 18,000 new deaths.

Currently, only 2.7 percent of people who inject drugs in Ukraine receive OATs, despite their proven effectiveness.

"Opioid agonist treatments are one of the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder and preventing HIV infections," said co-author Lynn Madden, a Yale postdoctoral associate in internal medicine and head of a foundation focused on substance use disorders and mental illness. "In addition to treating opioid dependence, it substantially reduces drug use and injection frequency, lowers HIV transmission rates, and prevents death, including death due to overdose," she said.

Senior author Alexei Zelenev, Yale associate research scientist in medicine, said the healthcare system in Ukraine needs modernization, and HIV testing needs to be expanded, as only 56 percent of the population with HIV are aware of their infected status.

"High prevalence in people who inject drugs, criminalization of drug users, large injection networks, and suboptimal access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder contribute to ongoing HIV transmission," he said.

Researchers obtained HIV epidemic profiles and regional dataincluding OAT treatmentfor 23 regions in the Ukraine. Their mathematical model evaluated the efficiency of current OAT treatment programs and assessed the effect of expanding those programs to treat 20 percent of the drug-injecting population.

Taking into account regional differences, the study showed that scaling up OAT in regions with large populations of people who inject drugslike Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa, and Kyivwould lead to the greatest reductions in infections and death, but that smaller regions not covered by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) remain highly vulnerable to HIV outbreaks and need to be considered when allocating resources.

PEPFAR is the U.S. government's response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Scaling up OAT programs requires initiative on several fronts, said Zelenev.

In addition to expanding capacity at existing treatment sites, he said that expansion of addiction treatment into primary care clinics, as well as through take-home pharmacy prescriptions, can offer pathways for increased access to effective treatment.

"The expansion of OAT has not been adequate," he said.

Amid the ongoing military conflict with Russia, Ukraine faces a difficult financial situation that exacerbates the public health crisis.

Frederick Altice, professor of medicine, epidemiology and public health at Yale, and a co-author, said the study reveals the importance of scaling up evidence-based treatments to prevent new HIV infections and death.

"Ukraine is a major country in the Eastern European and Central Asian region, the only region globally where new HIV infections and HIV-related deaths remain increasing," he said. "Findings from this study have important implications for other countries throughout the region where the HIV epidemic is similar. In nearby Russia, new HIV infections and deaths are increasing faster than in any other country in the region due to their complete bans on OATsone of the greatest HIV prevention tools we have available to us."

Jiale Tan, former postgraduate associate at Yale and now a graduate student at the University of Michigan, contributed to the study, which was published on Dec. 20.

Explore further Opioid epidemic is increasing rates of some infectious diseases

More information: Jiale Tan et al. Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study, The Lancet HIV (2019). Journal information: The Lancet Jiale Tan et al. Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(19)30373-X
Anthony Gignac was born in Colombia and raised in Michigan. Yet somehow, over the course of 30 years and multiple scams, he managed to convince dozens of important people that he was a Saudi prince. Normally savvy investors forked over nearly $8 million in hopes of gaining access to what they thought was Gignac's untold wealth. "Perhaps there's an incentive to believe him if someone believes they're going to get something out of it. Or a fascination with royalty," Assistant U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin said in an interview with CNBC's "American Greed." "But they do, and they do it again and again. It's really quite astounding." Today, Gignac is serving an 18-year prison sentence after pleading guilty in 2018 to multiple felony counts including impersonating a foreign diplomat, aggravated identity theft, fraud and conspiracy. He has been ordered to pay more than $7 million in restitution, though it is not clear where the money to repay his victims will come from. Lisa Wentz, a San Francisco-based author and communication consultant who has studied the traits of con artists, said the story of Gignac and his victims is a cautionary one. "Many people think they can't be conned. It's not the truth," she told "American Greed." "Most of us can be conned at some point as long as that person is giving us something we want." To spot the fakers, Wentz urges people to be on the lookout for some of the telltale communication styles of con artists.

Beware of the extrovert

Many con artists have outsized egos, and Wentz said that can show up in the ways they interact with others. She calls it "extreme extroversion." "They need to have people around them all the time. They do not like to be alone. They want people around them that feed their ego, that build them up, that make them look good or that do their bidding," she said. Gignac was a prime example, particularly in some of the earlier incarnations of his Saudi prince act. "He was very audacious. He was very bold. And he was very aggressive," said Ryan McSeveney, a U.S. Diplomatic Security Service special agent. Investigators said Gignac would show up at the finest hotels, bark orders to the staff, and run up astronomical charges, flaunting his wealth, apparently stoking his ego, and perpetuating his con. "Because it's so bold and opposite of what you normally would expect a con man to do, it's probably why it worked," said Trinity Jordan, a former assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the case. "Extroverts communicate a different way than introverts do," Wentz said. "They need energy from other people, and it feels as though they're taking your energy or pulling the air out of the room a little bit."

All in the eyes

The eyes are the window to the soul, the old saying goes. While not exclusive to con artists, Wentz said a telltale sign of a fraudster is intense eye contact. "They will make that eye contact in a fond way, that they're listening to you, that they're taking you in, that they're hearing you and appreciating you. They're giving you a sense of value, and it feels good," she said. Indeed, some studies have associated reduced rates of blinking with certain psychological disorders, like sociopathy. "They literally blink less than a normal person," Wentz said. "And by the way, not all con artists are sociopaths, however, all sociopaths are con artists. One former prosecutor in Michigan, now a judge, described what he called a glint in Gignac's eye following one of his early arrests. "He was very fascinated that he was able to do this so easily," Washtenaw County District Judge Kirk Tabbey said. "It was as if he had found a way to survive or a way to live that was so amazing to him." Conversely, con artists can be artful dodgers  deftly deflecting tough questions. "If you ask them a question they don't want to answer, they'll deflect, throw shadows, change the subject quickly," Wentz said.

Spin cycle

Every con needs a good story. The ability to spin a good yarn  and recycle it again and again  can be another telltale sign of a fraudster "It's not just the same story, but they'll use the same inflection, the same word stress, the same pacing, same tone," Wentz said. Gignac's story about being a member of the Saudi royal family evolved over time. At one point, he claimed to be the recipient of hush money to cover up a homosexual affair with a real Saudi prince. Later, he claimed to have an inside track on valuable pre-IPO shares of the state oil company Saudi Aramco. The common thread was that his story was just outlandish enough to compel people to believe it "For most of us, we don't mingle with Saudi royalty," Wentz said. "We don't really know what the customs are, so we're willing to accept, to some degree, what we're being told. So, for instance, one of the things he did was say, 'Well, you have to give me gifts. That's customary.'" In Gignac's case, it worked so well that people somehow overlooked the fact that the supposed Saudi prince would routinely drink alcohol and eat pork in public. "He's supposed to be a believer in Islam, of Muslim faith, and he's woofing down all this bacon and pork products," Miami Herald reporter Jay Weaver told "American Greed."

Calm before the storm

Good con artists are so practiced in their story that they will never let you see them sweat. Wentz said the most adept fraudsters do not respond to stress the way the rest of us do. "Where a normal person would start to get edgy or concerned or worried and show their nervousness, the con artist won't," she said. Their heart rate's not increasing so they're going to stay super calm, clean, they have nothing to lose." Also working in the con artist's favor is their knowledge that none of us wants to admit that we have been duped. "Most of us don't believe that we can be conned, and when we meet someone that we like who is offering us something that we want and we don't know that it's fake yet, then naturally we want to defend them," Wentz said.

Counterattack
Carlos Ghosn has spent more than a year trapped in a Japanese legal odyssey thats transfixed the automotive world and thrown his life into chaos. Now, having pulled off a daring escape from Japan to Lebanon, hes an international fugitive.

But the executive is also free to speak his mind fully, without legal filtering, for the first time since his surprise arrest on the tarmac at Haneda airport back in November 2018. And this much seems likely: The former head of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA has stories to tell and scores to settle.

At stake is Ghosns entire legacy. Will he be remembered as the brilliant, cost-cutting manager who rescued Nissan and built one of mightiest auto alliances in the industry? Or will he be just another name in a hall of infamy of white-collar fugitives?

Ghosn said in his statement from Lebanon on Tuesday that he would finally communicate freely with the media, and look forward to starting next week. So get ready for whats likely to be a blistering public relations assault, starting with an expected press conference, that will rattle some cages in both Japan and France.

Based on past statements by Ghosn and his wife Carole, heres a guide to what may be in store.

I have not fled justice, Ghosn said in the first emailed statement after his remarkable exit from Japan. I have escaped injustice and political persecution. An even more robust indictment of the nations legal system is likely in the weeks ahead.

Ghosns arrest revived long-standing concerns about the fairness of Japans judicial system, where prosecutors can grill suspects repeatedly without their lawyers present and enjoy an almost 100% conviction rate.

Under the terms of the executives bail, the courts restricted contact with his family. In his Dec. 31 statement, Ghosn called the Japanese justice system rigged and said his basic human rights had been denied, including the presumption of innocence. Those are issues that he almost certainly would have put on the world stage had his case come to trial.

For months, Ghosns attorneys have been arguing that all of the charges against their client were bogus, the result of a broad conspiracy among nationalistic Nissan officials, Japanese prosecutors and the government itself.

The goal, according to Ghosn, was to smear him in order to prevent the executive from further integrating Nissan and Frances Renault, a plan that threatened the Japanese carmakers autonomy and was vehemently opposed in the highest echelons of Tokyo officialdom.

In April, Ghosn was detained before a scheduled tell-all press conference, prompting his camp to release a pre-recorded video for such an eventuality.

In it, Ghosn spoke of several Nissan executives whom he claimed turned on him to advance their own interests. The original video named the people; that segment was edited out in the version released to the public.

Im talking here about a few executives who, obviously for their own interests and for their own selfish fears, are creating a lot of value destruction. Names? You know them, Ghosn hinted in his video. Now, Ghosn may really be ready to disclose names.

In his video, Ghosn also criticized Nissans management for the companys poor performance, saying they lost sight of the need to move the alliance with Renault forward.

Im worried because obviously the performance of Nissan is declining, but also Im worried because I dont think there is any vision for the alliance being built, Ghosn said in the video.

Nissans earnings have tumbled to the lowest level in a decade and the stock was the worst performer on the Bloomberg World Auto Manufacturers Index last year (the second-worst was Renault), so he may hit that note again.

In several interviews, Ghosns wife, Carole, lashed out at the French establishment for not doing more to help the former head of Renault, who also is a French citizen.

In an interview with the Journal du Dimanche, she said President Emmanuel Macron hasnt answered her pleas for help. The silence from the Elysee Palace is deafening, she said. I thought France was a country that defended the presumption of innocence. Theyve all forgotten everything Carlos did for Frances economy and for Renault.

It remains to be seen which talking points Ghosn will hit the hardest. Yet this much is clear: He is a fighter, and he has everything to lose if he cant pull ahead in the PR war. That suggests his approach wont be subtle.
PERTH, Australia  Prime Minister Scott Morrison was confronted by angry residents who cursed and insulted him Thursday as he visited a wildfire-ravaged corner of the country.

Locals in Cobargo, in New South Wales, yelled at him, made obscene gestures and called him an idiot and worse, criticizing him for the lack of equipment to deal with the fires in town. They jeered as his car left. In the New South Wales town of Quaama, a firefighter refused to shake hands with him.

Every single time this area has a flood or a fire, we get nothing. If we were Sydney, if we were north coast, we would be flooded with donations with urgent emergency relief, a resident said in Cobargo.

The outpouring of anger came as authorities said 381 homes had been destroyed on the New South Wales southern coast this week. At least eight people have died this week in New South Wales and the neighboring state of Victoria.

More than 200 fires are burning in Australias two most-populous states. Blazes have also been burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

Im not surprised people are feeling very raw at the moment. And thats why I came today, to be here, to see it for myself, to offer what comfort I could, Morrison said, adding, There is still, you know, some very dangerous days ahead. And we understand that, and thats why were going to do everything we can to ensure they have every support they will need.

Morrison, who has also been criticized over his climate change policies and accused of putting the economy ahead of the environment, insisted that Australia is meeting the challenge better than most countries and exceeding the targets we set out.

Cooler weather since Tuesday has aided firefighting and allowed people to replenish supplies, with long lines of cars forming at gas stations and supermarkets. But high temperatures and strong winds are forecast to return on Saturday, and thousands of tourists fled the countrys eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions.

New South Wales authorities ordered tourists to leave a 155-mile zone. State Transport Minister Andrew Constance called it the largest mass relocation of people out of the region that weve ever seen.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a seven-day state of emergency starting Friday, which grants fire officials more authority.

Tristan Lavalette is an Associated Press writer.
A flag ceremony was held for Vietnam and four other new non-permanent members of the UNSC for the 2020-2021 tenure, comprising of Estonia, Niger, and Saint and Grenadines.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, said it is Vietnams great honour to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and holds the bodys rotating presidency in January.

He also said Vietnam will exert their greatest efforts to contribute to joint activities of the council in order to ensure the observance of the UN Charter and promote multilateralism.

Ambassador Quy called on countries to back Vietnams efforts, not only during the month-long presidency but also in the coming time ahead.

The same day, the UNSC approved Januarys work programme proposed by Vietnam.

Accordingly, the body will convene 12 open debates and 15 closed-door meetings to look into various regional and international issues such as the ongoing situations in the Middle East, Syria, Yemen, West Africa, Sahel, Mali, Libya, Central Asia and Cyprus.

UNSC agencies will also hold many meetings this month to discuss issues regarding sanctions, anti-terrorism, courts, children, armed conflicts and procedures.

Stepping up the observance of the UN Charter and boosting cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN will be two major roles of the council in January.

On the occasion, Vietnam received the up most approval of all UNSC member countries for the organisation of an open debate on regards to pushing ahead with the observance of UN Charter on January 9, and a meeting on ASEAN-UN cooperation in maintaining international peace and security on January 23.

Vietnams proposals aim to carry forward the role of multilateral, the UN Charter and basic principles of international law, for a better world.

Vietnam also wants to raise the efficiency of cooperation and comprehensive partnership between the ASEAN and the UN, for the sake of ASEAN member countries and the international community.

The Ambassador then went on to host a press conference.

At the press conference (Photo: PDVN)
Neffer Kerr knew the day would come when shed get a chance to try her hand at the blossoming cannabis industry.

Ive been keeping up with the legislation and the bills," Kerr said as she sat at the Thompson Center in Chicago on Thursday waiting for her turn to submit her application to open a dispensary. "I was definitely optimistic in watching the trend in other states. And we are pretty progressive so I always saw it coming.

Thursday was the deadline to apply for one of 75 new recreational marijuana dispensary licenses the state plans to issue by May 1, and Kerr, 38, of Chicago, was among those making a bid.

The states Department of Financial and Professional Regulation will use a point system to rank each application to decide who will get the new licenses, with scoring based on everything from knowledge and experience in the field to the strength of an environmental plan.

The latest phase of the cannabis rollout will test the social equity measures of the recreational pot law that have been heavily touted by Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration. Of 250 possible points, 50 are based on social equity elements.

Points will be awarded, for example, to applicants who can show that more than 50% of ownership has lived for at least five of the last 10 years in areas where there is a high level of poverty, unemployment or arrest rates tied to cannabis.

Applicants also can get points if the proposed business owner or owners have been arrested, convicted or adjudicated of a marijuana-related crime that is eligible for expungement under the new law. Businesses with at least 10 full-time employees could also qualify for social equity points if at least 51% of those workers live in areas disproportionately impacted by marijuana enforcement, or have been arrested, convicted or adjudicated of a marijuana-related offense.

In the event of a tie between two applicants, the department will look at the applicants community engagement plans to make a final call, according to the governors office.

What we are doing is trying to take this time to turn an industry around to where it actually looks like the state that we all call home, said Toi Hutchinson, a former Democratic state senator who co-sponsored the legalization bill and is now Pritzkers top adviser on marijuana policy. Thats an exciting thing. We are all waiting to see how this turns out.

The state will conduct a study at a later date to examine any disparities in the cannabis rollout,

Kerr was among 36 minority business owners who submitted an application with the help of Majority-Minority Group and 4thMVMT.

Ron Holmes of the Majority-Minority Group said all of the people his group helped were considered social equity applicants. While many with the group expressed confidence in the process resulting in money going back into minority communities, Holmes said there seems to be an information gap between the government and those who were most impacted by years of marijuana arrests.

Holmes also cautioned it will be critical to see how many dispensary owners are from minority communities.

Pedro Guerra, 33, of Back of the Yards, first learned about the process to apply for a license about five months ago. He met with people with the Majority-Minority Group, and it seemed to him like their values aligned.

It was a no-brainer after that, Guerra said.

While Guerra still thinks work needs to be done to dispel negative connotations marijuana has in the Hispanic community, he thinks a dispensary shop could help neighborhoods like his. He points out that other surrounding neighborhoods like Little Village and Pilsen are already seeing growth.

Back of the Yards, we are next, Guerra said. Theres culture there, theres history there. ... I could see something like a dispensary really helping and putting funds back in the community where its very well-needed.

Another applicant, Micah Crawford, 28, of Bronzeville, said shes spent the past year studying how she could start working in the cannabis industry. With the help of the Majority-Minority Group, Crawford submitted an application for a license Thursday, and she would ideally like to open up a shop near her South Side neighborhood.

I come from a neighborhood thats disproportionately impacted due to cannabis arrest and other drug arrests so I just wanted to make sure that people could see someone who looks like them really getting involved, Crawford said.

Another equity applicant, Daryll Daley, is an acupuncturist and filed the application with his business partner.

Daley, 62, of suburban Lake Bluff, said he and his partner plan to open up a shop separate from their acupuncture clinic if they are awarded a license. He noted that Chinese medicine has incorporated cannabis in the treatment of various conditions for centuries.

America is just catching up, Daley said.

The possibility of becoming a dispensary owner will also mark a shift from his days when he used to work for the Chicago Police Department.

Its like going 180, Daley said at the Thompson Center. Its a job. Being the police was a job. At that time in my life, it was against the law. As of yesterday, its not. So I dont have a problem with it.

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Volatility moved to the forefront on Friday with risk-off the theme after U.S. air strikes in Iraq killed a top Iranian commander, heightening geopolitical tensions. Investors still arent sure what impact the U.S. air strikes could have on the financial markets, but they are not taking any chances by taking early protection in the stock markets, crude oil market and safe-haven assets.

Most investors seem to agree that the next major move in the markets hinges on what the Iran government does in terms of retaliation.

Iraqi TV: Iranian Military Commander General Soleimani Killed in Baghdad Strike

Early Friday, an official with an Iran-backed paramilitary force said that seven people were killed by a missile fired at Baghdad International Airport, blaming the United States. It was not immediately clear who fired the missile or rockets or who was targeted. There was no immediate comment from the U.S.

Their deaths are a potential turning point in the Middle East and are expected to draw severe retaliation from Iran and the forces it backs in the Middle East against Israel and American interests.

U.S. Sees Signs Iran or Proxies May Be Planning More Attacks: Pentagon Chief

Even before the early Friday airstrikes by the United States, officials were on guard even if investors chose to ignore the warnings by posting record highs during Thursdays session. However, it looks as if gold investors got it right.

Hedge funds had been accumulating gold for about two months before last weeks breakout rally. The chatter in the markets had gold investors buying gold as a bet against the stock market sustaining the current record rally.

The warning from U.S. officials was probably ignored by most investors since the major business websites would rather promote the markets touching record highs than potential threats to the rally that could encourage investors to seek protection.

On Thursday, U.S. Defense Mark Esper said on Thursday there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the game has changed and it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives.

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There are some indications out there that they may be planning additional attacks, that is nothing new  weve seen this for two or three months now, Esper told reporters, without providing evidence or details about U.S. assessment.

If that happens then we will act and by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type indication, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces to protect American lives.

More What Ifs

If investors start to price in the possibility of retaliation from Iran then the upside momentum will slow. Investors could also trim exposure in the markets but by what percentage. Remember, there were NO 10% corrections in the market last year. Furthermore, analysts had been predicting single percentage gains in 2020 even before the escalation of Middle East Tensions.

Finally, China is allied with Iran. What if, they decide to postpone the signing of the trade deal next week? They may say its a translation issue and that they want to cross their ts and dot their Is. But they may want to send a message to the United States to back-off Iran. Remember, they are also still upset about the U.S. involvement in Hong Kong.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

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Dividend paying stocks like Melhus Sparebank (OB:MELG) tend to be popular with investors, and for good reason - some research suggests a significant amount of all stock market returns come from reinvested dividends. Yet sometimes, investors buy a popular dividend stock because of its yield, and then lose money if the company's dividend doesn't live up to expectations.

With Melhus Sparebank yielding 6.4% and having paid a dividend for over 10 years, many investors likely find the company quite interesting. It would not be a surprise to discover that many investors buy it for the dividends. Some simple analysis can offer a lot of insights when buying a company for its dividend, and we'll go through this below.

Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Melhus Sparebank!

OB:MELG Historical Dividend Yield, January 3rd 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are usually paid out of company earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. In the last year, Melhus Sparebank paid out 71% of its profit as dividends. This is a healthy payout ratio, and while it does limit the amount of earnings that can be reinvested in the business, there is also some room to lift the payout ratio over time.

We update our data on Melhus Sparebank every 24 hours, so you can always get our latest analysis of its financial health, here.

Dividend Volatility

One of the major risks of relying on dividend income, is the potential for a company to struggle financially and cut its dividend. Not only is your income cut, but the value of your investment declines as well - nasty. For the purpose of this article, we only scrutinise the last decade of Melhus Sparebank's dividend payments. The dividend has been cut by more than 20% on at least one occasion historically. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was kr9.50 in 2010, compared to kr9.00 last year. Dividend payments have shrunk at a rate of less than 1% per annum over this time frame.

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We struggle to make a case for buying Melhus Sparebank for its dividend, given that payments have shrunk over the past ten years.

Dividend Growth Potential

Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. Melhus Sparebank has grown its earnings per share at 7.1% per annum over the past five years. The rate at which earnings have grown is quite decent, and by paying out more than half of its earnings as dividends, the company is striking a reasonable balance between reinvestment and returns to shareholders.

We'd also point out that Melhus Sparebank issued a meaningful number of new shares in the past year. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective.

Conclusion

Dividend investors should always want to know if a) a company's dividends are affordable, b) if there is a track record of consistent payments, and c) if the dividend is capable of growing. Melhus Sparebank's payout ratio is within normal bounds. Unfortunately, earnings growth has also been mediocre, and the company has cut its dividend at least once in the past. While we're not hugely bearish on it, overall we think there are potentially better dividend stocks than Melhus Sparebank out there.

Are management backing themselves to deliver performance? Check their shareholdings in Melhus Sparebank in our latest insider ownership analysis.

We have also put together a list of global stocks with a market capitalisation above $1bn and yielding more 3%.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Truckstop.com said ransomware was behind a weeklong outage that affected sites including its load board, online carrier safety vetting and payment services.

The ransomware attack occurred on Friday, Dec. 20, Truckstop.com said in a statement. The company first notified users publicly the next day that its websites were "experiencing technical difficulties."

"We immediately engaged law enforcement and a leading team of security experts to confirm the security of our systems and safety of customer information," Truckstop.com said in a statement.

Truckstop.com handles about 500,000 loads per day and has 200,000 active users.

The New Plymouth, Idaho-based company said there is no evidence that any customer information was compromised, and systems are being continuously monitored for irregular activity.

"Should we determine that this incident impacted the security of that information, we will move quickly to notify anyone potentially affected," it added.

The outage hit at least seven sites owned by Truckstop.com. The affected services include the app-based load board, factoring, carrier onboarding, RFP tool, real-time freight monitoring, SaferWatch and ShipperMate. Most of the major services are up and running, the company said.

All but one of the sites is hosted by Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based data-hosting firm Involta. Amazon Web Services hosts ShipperMate.

Truckstop.com did not release figures on the cost of the outage. But many carriers switched to DAT's load board and other services during the outage, with DAT seeing a "massive spike" in customer queries.

Silicon Valley-based investment fund ICONIQ Capital acquired a majority stake in Truckstop.com this past April, valuing it at $1 billion.

2019 Was A Good Year For Ransomware

Computer security professionals say 2019 has been a banner year for ransomware, a type of computer virus that essentially locks users out of their computers until they pay a ransom. Security firm Emsisoft said 965 government agencies, hospitals and schools experienced ransomware attacks this year. Although the extent of damage can vary greatly, one estimate puts the typical cost of a ransomware outage at .1 million, with an approximate recovery time of nine months.

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Victims of ransomware are not required to report incidents to law enforcement, Emsisoft noted, making it difficult to compile information about ransomware attacks.

In November, the site for Louisiana's transportation department was hit by ransomware, preventing carriers from getting needed permits. A ransomware attack also hit LTL carrier A. Duie Pyle in June.

Emsisoft said the attacks are on the rise due "to organizations' existing security weaknesses and the development of increasingly sophisticated attack mechanisms specifically designed to exploit those weaknesses."

The U.S. Coast Guard published an alert Dec. 16 that an unidentified marine terminal was subject to an attack from a variant of ransomware known as "Ryuk." It likely entered the terminal's computer system through a phishing email. The Ryuk virus encrypted critical files and also affected industrial control systems for monitoring cargo movements.

"These combined effects required the company to shut down the primary operations of the facility for over 30 hours while a cyber-incident response was conducted," the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard said intrusion detection systems, up-to-date virus protection software, segmenting industrial controls from computer systems, and consistent backups would have limited the breach or at least minimized downtime.

Image by Ken Ritchie from Pixabay

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She's following her mother's footsteps into the limelight.

And, on Friday morning, Patsy Palmer, 47, took to Instagram to share a couple of cute snaps of herself with stunning model daughter Emilia Merkell, 18.

The former EastEnders actress and the Tatler cover star shared a peck on the lips for one photograph, while another showed Emilia's face scrunched up while nestled into her mother's.

Cute: On Friday morning, Patsy Palmer, 47, took to Instagram to share a couple of cute snaps of herself with stunning model daughter Emilia Merkell, 18

Patsy captioned the sweet shots: 'This is it !!!!! @emiliamerkell' love you so much.'

Emilia is currently finding her feet on the catwalk as a model, gracing the cover of Tatler in January 2019.

The brunette beauty is in a relationship with Chazz Nittoli, and often shares loved-up snaps of them having fun around the world.

Patsy is also mum to son Fenton, 19, an aspiring screenwriter who is also carving a career in the fashion industry with model management company The Dragonfly Agency.

Sweet: The former soap star and the Tatler cover girl shared a peck on the lips for one photograph, while another showed Emilia's face scrunched up while nestled into her mother's

Beauty! Emilia is currently finding her feet on the catwalk as a model, gracing the cover of Tatler in January 2019

Loved up: Emilia is in a relationship with Chazz Nittoli, and often shares snaps of them having fun around the world

Patsy Gave birth to her fourth child at age of 38, Bertie, who is now 9 years old.

The star also has eldest son Charley, 27, from her relationship with boxer Alfie Rothwell.

Charley is a successful actor, appearing in big-screen hits including Dunkirk and Darkest Hour.

The actor - who is in a relationship with actress Millie Brady, 26 - also appeared in Legend alongside Tom Hardy - before following more in his mother's footsteps in British dramas Casualty and Our Girl.

Goals: Patsy is a mum of four, with her three youngest children living with her in the US, while actor Charley resides in the UK

Patsy moved to California in 2014 for a new life with her family after quitting EastEnders for the second time, and has regularly documented her new life in the States on social media.

Despite only moving to LA six years ago, Emilia recently told Tatler she views the city as her home.

The model told the publication: 'I dont really feel like I lived in England; I was still a baby when I was there. LA is where Ive spent my formative years.'

With growing up in LA, Emilia has found herself becoming friends with Cindy Crawford's model-in-demand daughter Kaia Gerber.

The teen said: 'She was one of my first friends at school, I love her.'

In front of the camera: Patsy's son Fenton Markell, 19, (L) is an aspiring screenwriter and carving a modelling career with The Dragonfly Agency

Adorable: Patsy Gave birth to her fourth child at age of 38, Bertie, who is now 9 years old (Pictured with his father, and Patsy's husband Richard Merkell)

Patsy last appeared in EastEnders in 2014 when Bianca moved to Milton Keynes with boyfriend Terry Spraggan.

But the star is shortly set to reprise her role as Bianca for a brief stint, with many fans eagerly anticipating her reunion with daughter Tiffany (played by Maisie Smith).

According to The Sun, executive producer Jon Sen said: 'I'm thrilled Patsy's agreed to return to reprise her iconic creation in a blistering storyline that will grip fans this autumn.'

Impressive: The star also has son Charley, 27, from her relationship with boxer Alfie Rothwell, who is a successful actor, appearing in big-screen hits including Dunkirk and Darkest Hour

Charley, left, alongside Tom Hardy in 2015 film Legend, which covered the Kray twins' attempts to build a criminal empire in the 1960s

A source added: 'Bosses are delighted to be getting Patsy back. She's a real Enders icon and fans love seeing old faces return.

'She has yet to get her scripts but she will no doubt be at the centre of drama when she returns in the autumn.'

Patsy first joined EastEnders in 1993 as the loud-mouthed Bianca who eventually sparked up a romance with Ricky (played by Sid Owen) with the couple's 1997 wedding going down in soap history.

What a life! Charley - who is in a relationship with actress Millie Brady, 26 - also appeared in Legend alongside Tom Hardy

The couple went through some difficult times, including the sad loss of their baby daughter Natasha after learning she had Spina bifida just 20 weeks in the pregnancy.

Ricky's married to Bianca came to an end when she left Albert Square in 1999, but unbeknownst to Ricky, she was pregnant with his daughter Tiffany.

Bianca went through plenty of hard times as she struggled with being a single mum to Tiffany, Liam and Morgan as well as ward Whitney Dean (Shona McGarty), but after returning to EastEnders in 2008, she and Ricky re-married as part of the soap's 25th Anniversary.

Between 2011 and 2012 Patsy took several breaks from the soap, as Bianca was sentenced to six months in prison for assaulting mum Carol's lover Connor Stanley.
Julian Castro launched his long-shot bid nearly a year ago in his native San Antonio, hoping to excite a diverse coalition of voters who could power him to the White House.

When he bowed out of the race Thursday, his allies expressed frustration that he was prevented from doing so, casting him as a victim of a primary process that inhibits candidates of color. In interviews, a half-dozen former aides and allies cast the first major Latino candidate in the 2020 race as a casualty of a system that already felled California Sen. Kamala Harris and is keeping New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker from gaining traction.

How you fare in Iowa and New Hampshire sets the tone for how your campaign continues, and when you have these two states that in no way represent the diversity of the Democratic Party, it makes it very difficult for minority candidates to get momentum, said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa, who noted the impact a campaigns momentum  or lack thereof  has on fundraising, polling and media coverage.

If youve got people like Booker and Kamala Harris and Castro campaigning in places like Texas, California and South Carolina early on, theyre gonna get momentum, he argued. Theyre gonna get well known. Theyre gonna start raising money. These were high-quality candidates and people who have credentials, who have a history of public service, who are smart, who have ideas and who I think represent where were at as a party on the issues important to Americans.

With some two dozen candidates all vying for the Democratic nomination and party rules that emphasized national and early-state polling and grassroots fundraising to determine who could qualify for the sanctioned debates, Castros campaign had an uphill climb, some argued.

Black voters cast a majority of the Democratic primary vote in South Carolina and Hispanic or Latino voters make up a third of the population in Nevada. But the other two early states are overwhelmingly white.

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Struggling to keep pace with his rivals in fundraising, Castro lacked the infrastructure and resources of the other Texan in the race, former Rep. Beto ORourke, who ended his campaign in November.

Castro saw his only polling bump when the two Texans clashed over immigration policy at the first debate in June, hitting 4 percent in an ABC News/Washington Post survey days later. In every other approved national and early-state poll released in 2019, however, Castro sat at 2 percent or less.

He cast himself as a voice for marginalized communities, releasing detailed policies on immigration, policing, lead exposure, indigenous communities, people with disabilities and animals while also meeting with inmates and touring a Las Vegas flood tunnel where homeless people seek shelter.

Some of the people we targeted are people who literally dont ever vote and could never get included in the political process, people like homeless people, said a former aide who was laid off when the campaign shuttered its staff in New Hampshire and South Carolina to prioritize Iowa and Nevada.

Its tough because in places like Nevada, they rarely poll, the ex-aide added. The other issue is polling has always historically underpolled people of color and poor people, people who dont have landlines. So when you make that system, so when the DNC basically says, Oh, all right, this is how people are gonna qualify, youre setting people up for failure.

Mayra Macias, executive director of Latino Victory Fund, a progressive PAC that seeks to increase Latino political power and that endorsed Castro in August, said in her experience dealing with media, Castros candidacy was often written off. In her estimation, Castro fell victim to an electability argument that rewarded poll leaders in Iowa and New Hampshire with even higher polling and additional media coverage.

Castro never got significant media attention or polled above 2 percent in the first two early states.

The bulk of the interviews that weve had have felt like almost a moratorium since Day One  folks bringing up a million and one reasons why his campaign wasnt gonna be viable, Macias lamented. The mainstream coverage  or lack thereof  that his campaign received was a big factor, particularly because the campaign doesnt have the resources as other campaigns do to get their message out there to the American people, so a lot of the campaigns ability to reach out to folks really did depend on this earned media.

Colin Strother, a Texas Democratic strategist who once advised Castro, said the system seems like it was engineered to make the primary a three-person race between the three white septuagenarians in former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont while preventing diverse candidates like Castro, Harris and Booker from reaching the goal line.

But Castros staff is also responsible for his demise, Strother said, blaming the candidates senior team for robbing their candidate of the opportunity to get to Super Tuesday, when brown people and black people are finally gonna get a chance to vote.

They knew what the process was. At the end of the day, youve got to have a strategy to give your candidate a shot, and Julians staff didnt, he said. They were spending money they shouldnt have spent and pushing a strategy that they had to have a reasonable assumption wasnt gonna work.

Castros first campaign stop was Puerto Rico, instead of Iowa or New Hampshire, the traditional early states. And two days after the DNC announced its polling thresholds for the first two debates  thresholds that hinged on performance in the four early states  Castros campaign announced a 50-state tour.

The ploy may have been a creative effort to help him clinch 65,000 unique donors since 200 of them each needed to come from at least 20 different states. But the time and resources spent on trips to states like Idaho and Utah could have been used to campaign or advertise in Iowa, Nevada or Super Tuesday states.

After spending more than half a million dollars more than it raised in the third quarter, the campaign entered October with less than $700,000 cash on hand. Later that month, Castro warned his supporters that his campaign needed $800,000 to stay alive in the next 10 days to stay alive, emulating a strategy that helped extend the life of Bookers campaign.

Julian Castro visits Playita, one of the poorest and most affected communities by Hurricane Maria in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. The presidential candidate has joined dozens of high-profile Latinos in Puerto Rico to talk about mobilizing voters ahead of the 2020 elections and increasing Latino political representation to take on President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)

Castro met the self-imposed deadline, but still lacked the resources to sustain an ad campaign that could boost his polling enough to qualify for upcoming debates. He missed the last two in November and December, and the party rejected campaigns plea to allow more candidates to debate later this month.

When he was on the debate stage, Castro held his own, winning plaudits on the left for endorsing decriminalizing illegal border crossings, naming Atatiana Jefferson, a black woman who was shot and killed by a police officer in Texas, and mentioning transgender people when talking about abortion access.

Its a strong symbol when somebody can literally change the narrative on a few issues and not have the polling numbers but still the candidates on the stage also go toward that policy, said another former aide who worked under Castro at HUD. He pushed the envelope further than black and brown people have seen in a while.

Castro acknowledged Thursday morning that it simply isnt our time but also signaled that he isnt leaving the political arena.

Allies say he belongs in the conversation for vice president, highlighting him as a young, progressive minority with executive experience who became mayor of a major city and ran a Cabinet department in the Obama administration.

They note he would be a valuable asset to any Democratic ticket and could see him serving in a Cabinet position under a Democratic administration, running for governor of Texas in 2022 or possibly even president again in 2024 if Donald Trump is reelected.

Im not afraid to admit that on more than one occasion Ive asked each and both of those brothers to run for governor, said Hinojosa, the Texas state party chairman, alluding to Julian and his twin brother, Rep. Joaquin Castro.

But some Democrats warn that challenging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is a fools errand because the state isnt ready to put a Democrat in the governors mansion.

He wasnt really getting a lot of traction in Texas, noted the aide who worked under Castro at HUD. Thats a good symbol or sign that if you cant even carry your own territory, how do you push against that narrative, that youre strong enough or a viable candidate?

Strother, the Democratic strategist, added that even after ORourke dropped out of the presidential race, the Texas Democratic community of donors, activists and elected officials didnt coalesce behind Castro.

If he couldnt count on them in the biggest election of most of our lifetimes and in probably the modern history of the world, then I dont think that he should expect that theyll be there for him in a governors race, Strother said, noting Abbotts popularity and fundraising prowess.

In recent weeks, Castro had begun arguing for a greater focus on diversity on the front end of the primary calendar so that more people of color have more of a say in who ultimately becomes the nominee. No candidates of color this cycle have led polling in any of the four early states.

A lot of people will point out and say, Oh, but Barack Obama. Barack Obama is from Illinois, which is a bordering state to Iowa, said the former aide who was downsized. People in bordering states tend to do well, especially when you start sending volunteers. Right over the border isnt that far. You talk about one exclusion, one exception. Thats not the rule. We have a lot of work to do as a Democratic Party to uplift our candidates [of color].

Hinojosa, himself a Democratic Party leader, expressed frustration that the partys system allowed a now-former mayor in Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., to become a front-runner at the expense of more qualified candidates of color.

I dont want to put down Pete Buttigieg, but give me a break. This guy never got more than 8,000 votes in any election, Hinojosa said. Hes a front-runner in Iowa versus these three other individuals? What the hell does that tell you?


Darnell Rodgers, 23, was arrested on January 2 on kidnapping and domestic battery charges involving his girlfriend

Police in Las Vegas have revealed that the man seen in a disturbing home surveillance video violently dragging and kicking a woman during a confrontation on New Years Day was her boyfriend, and the couples one-month-old baby was in their car just steps away.

Darnell Rodgers, 23, appeared in court on Friday to face charges of kidnapping and domestic battery targeting his girlfriend, and had his bond set at $50,000.

A judge also barred Rodgers from making any contact with the victim, reported KTNV.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said that detectives managed to track down and apprehend Rodgers after watching the Nest recording that captured the early Wednesday morning attack on his girlfriend.

In the video, the victim, who has not been named, is heard screaming 'Stop, Darnell!' after running up to a stranger's house and banging on the door for help.

Police said that was the first of several domestic violence incidents involving the couple that took place on Wednesday.

Rodgers made his initial court appearance on Friday and a judge set his bond at $50,000

The owner of the house where the Nest camera captured that initial altercation called police and sent the video to them for review.

That video footage was sent to our agency, detective received that information, they had very little to go off of, police Capt. Dennis O'Brien told CNN.

But they were able to piece together all the calls for service that transpired in the Las Vegas Valley during the course of New Year's Day. They went through every case, every call for service to see if there was anybody that was similar in nature, similar in name and stature that would match the suspect and the victim.

Three hours later, police received another call about a domestic attack also involving a person named 'Darnell,' which led them to an address where they arrested Rodgers early Thursday morning.

O'Brien said the mans girlfriend and their baby are now safe.

According to Rodgers' arrest report cited by KVVU, the man and the woman were leaving a New Year's Eve party when they got into an argument in the car.

The 23-year-old suspect told police he was drunk and could not remember what exactly sparked the dispute, but he said it was about money.

Rodgers' girlfriend ran from the car to the home on New Year's Day at 12.48am. In the background, her boyfriend can be seen sprinting out towards her

Rodgers, 23, is shown running from the vehicle to catch up with the woman

The driver yelled at the woman, calling her a 'f****** b****', and kicking her on the front door steps before dragging her back to the vehicle

He reportedly admitted to investigators that he hit his girlfriend because 'she was going to take my kid away from me,' adding that he feared she would leave him.

In the Nest video recorded at 12.48am on January 1, the woman is seen running toward the front door of a home, crying, then banging on it and begging for help while the car - a white Hyundai sedan - sits in the street.

A few seconds later, the driver of the car is seen running toward her, before he beats and then drags her back to the car.

She screamed: 'Stop, please!' but he threw her to the ground, kicked her in the head and yelled: 'Why would you f****** do that!'

As he dragged her back to her feet, he continued yelling: 'Get in the car! Get in the car, you f****** b****!!'

He forced her inside before driving away.
CSC e-Governance Services India on Friday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) for sale of FASTags.

The agreement will facilitate sale of PPBL FASTags through the last mile network of 3.6 lakh CSCs, helping realise the government's vision of cashless and smooth transit at all toll plazas across country, a statement said.

"As per the MoU, CSC and Paytm Payments Bank will jointly aim to sell FASTags. For this, CSC will integrate its platform with Paytm Payments Bank to carry out seamless transactions," it added.

The Village Level Entrepreneurs will be trained on conducting paperless and cashless sales, the statement said.

FASTags -- which work on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology -- have been made mandatory at toll gates on national highways. The FASTag process allows toll payments directly from the prepaid or savings account linked to it, thus doing away with the need for waiting in queues, saving time and fuel.

As of December 31, over 1.15 crore FASTags have been issued.

CSCs started selling FASTags in September 2017 when it partnered with Equitas Bank. Later on, State Bank of India and HDFC Bank came onboard.

Since March 2019, CSC has tied up with National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also for selling FASTags. Around 2.84 lakh FASTags have been sold by CSCs across the country so far, with Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Haryana and Gujarat topping the list of states with maximum sales.

"CSCs have been providing FASTag service for the past two years. With FASTags becoming mandatory, we have received more than 8 lakh orders from VLEs. The transition towards digitization of toll tax payments through digital payment is a significant step towards modernisation," CSC SPV CEO Dinesh Tyagi said.

In addition, CSCs are also serving the vehicle owners and transporters through FASTag 'top-up' through wallet recharge. So far, more than Rs 74 crore worth top-up for FASTags has been done by VLEs across the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
OTTAWA - Federal Conservatives will gather in Toronto on June 27 to pick their next leader.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (737 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA - Federal Conservatives will gather in Toronto on June 27 to pick their next leader.

A decision to set the date for the vote was made Friday, the latest development in the effort to replace current leader Andrew Scheer, who announced in December he would resign upon the election of his replacement.

Former Conservative MP Lisa Raitt  who challenged Scheer for the leadership in 2017  was appointed soon after last month's announcement to be the co-chair of the committee charged with setting the rules of the contest.

"The committee is meeting frequently to make sure we do this in the most open, efficient and transparent way to make sure we get a good result," she said Friday.

The remaining rules, including the potential entry fee and the number of names required on nomination forms to enter, have yet to be set.

The decision to hold the vote in June is likely to receive mixed results from party supporters, some of whom wanted a vote sooner in order to set the party in good standing to defeat the Liberal minority government.

Former Conservative MP Lisa Raitt speaks with the media as she arrives for a Conservative caucus meeting on Parliament hill in Ottawa, Wednesday November 6, 2019. The Conservatives will choose their next leader at a convention on June 27 in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

But elements of the contest  including the requirement for a mail-in ballot  are enshrined in the party's constitution, making a speedier race challenging to organize.

Others hoped for a longer lead-in, which would allow those new to the party or the process time to mount a credible campaign.

There are a number of people already organizing for a run. They include Erin O'Toole, a current MP and former leadership contender, who held meetings over the holidays to put together a team, current MP and former cabinet minister Pierre Poilievre, as well as local businessman Bryan Brulotte, who has lengthy ties to the party.

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Former Quebec premier Jean Charest, former interim party leader Rona Ambrose and former cabinet minister Peter MacKay are also all considering a bid.

The June 27 vote will be only the third time the Conservative membership has elected a leader. The first was Stephen Harper, elected three months after the Conservative party was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservatives in 2003.

Ambrose was elected as interim leader by Conservative MPs and senators following Harper's resignation upon losing government in 2015.

Scheer was elected by the membership in May 2017, following a 16-month contest. He announced he was quitting in mid-December, saying he could no longer give the job his all.

His decision came amidst mounting criticism of his leadership, the party's failure to form government in the October election and questions about his use of party funds to cover his personal costs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- The ICON, Geely Auto's second BMA (B-segment Modular Architecture)-based SUV, will formally hit the market on this year's Valentine's Day, as the automaker tries to express the blessing of falling in love with technology.

Geely Auto started its year of 2020 with the delivery of the ICON's limited-run Milky Way. Offered in one variant and priced at RMB132,020, the Milky Way is supplied in only 2,020 units, which were entirely pre-ordered by consumers at the Auto Guangzhou 2019.



Retaining much of the design from the Geely's Concept shown at the Auto China 2018, the mass-produced ICON displays an evolve version of Geely's Expanding Cosmos design DNA. Above the grille, the slim headlight renders a more aggressive front fascia. The concave fog light area is embedded with several vertically-arranged LED light bulbs.



Staying true to the concept model, the ICON's car body inherits the distinct blocky silhouette. Besides, flush pop-out door handles and side-view mirror integrated with corning lamps would appeal to young tech-savvy audience. The floating roof and the pedal-shaped spoke edged by Continental's UC6 SUV tire add volume to the new vehicles personality.

The Expanding Cosmos design is also used in the rear end to echo with the front, while it is split by a license plate frame.

The ICON measures 4,350mm long, 1,810mm wide and 1,615mm tall, and carries a wheelbase spanning 2,640mm. The size makes the vehicle positioned as a compact SUV.



The minimalistic design continues in the interior. The infinity loop motif is frequently seen at places like air conditioning vent, gear selector and internal door handles. The full LCD instrument panel and the 10.25-inch floating touchscreen console equipped with the GKUI 19, Geely's latest smart ecosystem, create a futuristic ambient.

Under the bonnet, there is a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine assisted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system producing a combined 190PS and 300 Nm of peak torque, hooked up to 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The vehicle can sprint from standstill to 100km/h within 7.9 seconds, and consume 5.7 liter fuel per 100km (photo source: Geely Auto's WeChat account).
(Alliance News) - Augmentum Fintech PLC on Thursday said it has invested GBP7.5 million into digital bookkeeping platform Receipt Bank.

This investment is part of the Receipt Bank's Series C capital raise, led by Insight Partners, to expand to new markets in Asia and Europe. Receipt Bank currently operates in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, South Africa and France.

Augmentum's investment brings the amount raised by Receipt Bank in the latest funding round to GBP55 million. Others taking part included existing investors Kennet Partners and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

"Receipt Bank's continued growth and product evolution demonstrates that they provide an increasingly essential service for accountants as bookkeeping digitises, which is a trend that they will leverage as they continue their global expansion", said Tim Levene, Augmentum's portfolio manager.

Augmentum Fintech shares were trading down 0.1% at 102.90 pence per share on Friday morning in London.

By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The rise in populist politics across the world, and along with it the rise of populist leaders globally, has given way to what the Time magazine has dubbed as a "Tough Guy" era a time when the 'strongman' and his politics defines and, in some cases, redefines the politics of the nation.

This is evident from the way that some of the countries going through and witnessing this 'strongman' era have shaped their policies and debates in recent years.

The year 2019 was the year of change  for better or for worse  in the politics of a number of nations, and that churn was brought about by the policy decisions taken, in large parts, by one particular man and his vision.

In Britain, for instance, the debate surrounding Brexit led to an election that brought Boris Johnson firmly back into the driving seat while China's Xi Jinping battled a challenge to his country's hold over Hong Kong.

But before we get into the nitty gritties of what the "tough guys" did in 2019, and the challenges they faced, it is important to understand how and why we entered the times of the strongman to begin with.

So, how did these leaders rise?

Over the years, historians and political scientists have stated that the rise of a leader and his eventual grip over the masses of a nation in other words the normalisation and legitimisation of authoritarianism is not due to a single factor, but a combination of events and circumstances.

The Eastern Bloc in Europe, for instance, was meant to be a Communist bulwark against the influence of fascism and capitalism. In fact, the wall dividing East and West Germany was called, by the Communist East, as the "anti-fascist protective rampant".

The rising Soviet influence was, observers have said, a direct effect of the events preceding the Second World War. That argument was also true of the rise of fascism in Europe, which began in some cases during the First World War and in some cases after it.

Similarly, the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the clouds of economic and political uncertainty hovering over Russia ushered in the era of Vladimir Putin. Similar set of factors firmed up an already dictatorial administration in China.

As the Time magazine put it, however, recent years have seen a surge of the tough guys because of, and after, a narrative of "othering", wherein the leader pitches "us" vs "them". The so-called "others" change depending on which nation we are talking about, and they can range from illegal immigrants, ethnic and religious minorities to the elites and the rich.

The strongmen of 21st century that we now see at the helm of countries and governments across the world have built their politics around this narrative. The year gone by was important in that context, because it has set the tone for 2020 and thus the decade to come.

The Strongmen

From Brazil to Thailand and Turkey to Hungary via Israel, the list of leaders who have managed to win democratically by stroking populist sentiments and have concentrated power over the course of their tenures are many.

Here are some of the "tough guys" who, after being elected, have changed the face of politics both globally and within their respective countries, and will continue to wield influence as we enter 2020.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump

Not one who would generally be regarded as shrewd, the President of the United States of America and arguably the most powerful man in the world certainly has authoritarian tendencies.

During the course of 2019, Trump redefined American diplomacy, in the Middle East, in Afghanistan and with North Korea, with varied rates of success. Whether his promise, and the efforts therein, to withdraw troops from Afghanistan eventually succeeds or not will reportedly be tested in 2020, and so will the US military's interests in the Middle East.

Trump's global headaches come against the background of his impeachment proceedings in the US. While Trump might get acquitted in the Senate, he stares at a long and rocky road ahead and all this happens in the countdown to the US Presidential elections, scheduled for later this year.

All this doesn't make Trump seem all that tough and decisive anymore. However, he is expected to resort to his anti-immigrant and what observers have called xenophobic rhetoric during the course of the election campaigning things that helped him get elected in 2016, and might just help him sail through this year.

Vladimir Putin

The ex-KGB agent who had served in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) during the end days of the Soviet rule, Putin has, over the years, risen to consolidate power and firm up his hold over the Russian political establishment.

This year, he declared that Western liberalism is dead, and successfully tackled popular demonstrations against his government. In the aftermath of those protests, he also cracked down on political opposition, detaining leaders and over 2,000 demonstrators. Putin also introduced a law that effectively lets the state keep a hold over internet usage of citizens.

While the Russian government went against the norm and did not really shut down internet in the face of protests in May (unlike other countries where it has become the thumb rule, including in Iran), the government did introduce temporary jamming and selective outages.

Modern authoritarian leaders use similar techniques to maintain a hold over their citizenry, and Putin, experts have said, has introduced at least some of them. For instance, the Russian use of cyberspace for information warfare, and Putin's army of bots and internet trolls have allegedly influenced elections in other countries a dangerous trend, particularly in the year of US elections.

Xi Jinping

In neighbouring China, the President of the Communist nation, Jinping, over the course of past two years has pushed to firm up his hold over the vast country.

Easing into his second term, and maintaining power within the Chinese Communist Party, Jinping is now focused on building his legacy as one of the most important Chinese premiers in the country's long and colourful political past.

With that in mind, the work on the Belt and Road Initiative floated by Jinping has begun in earnest, and it will be one of the defining features of 2020, and indeed the coming decade after that.

The problem, though, might come from Hong Kong, where pro-democracy protests have been on for months without any sign of abetting. Here, too, observers say that the Chinese premier has played it carefully without use of excessive force, and ensuring that Hong Kong doesn't become another Tiananmen Square and, more importantly, doesn't become the rallying point for dissent in mainland China.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Called divisive by his critics and decisive by his supporters, Erdogan has, whether one likes it or not, come to define this decade in Turkish political history.

Erdogan's hold on power and currency against the opposition had supposedly increased after the 2016 coup attempt by sections of the Turkish military. If reports then emerging were to be believed, Erdogan's image as the leader who survived a military coup increased his legitimacy in the eyes of the people, who had taken to streets then to resist the coup attempt.

However, come 2019, challenges to Erdogan's hold have increased. In June 2019, his party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost Istanbul's mayoral election. This even after they allegedly forced the Turkey's election commission into nullifying an earlier April result that had also gone against Erdogan.

In addition to that, some of his older allies have come out against him, forcing Erdogan and his long-ruling party to "refresh itself and its energy" to build what he calls is a "new Turkey".

Erdogan plays a central role internationally as well, because Turkey plays an important role in the many conflicts ravaging the Arab world. In 2019, after the US reportedly gave Turkey the responsibility to handle with ISIS in Syria, Erdogan ordered Turkish troops to march into Syria as the US withdrew. He came under criticism for the move, but that does not seem to have deterred him from his campaign.

Viktor Orban

The Hungarian prime minister has been accused, in varying degrees, of corroding Hungary's democracy and steering the country's polity towards an autocracy.

Orban's government has allegedly used state machinery to intimidate political opposition, including tax investigations against independent media organisations and NGOs an echo, observers have said, of other autocratic leaders elsewhere in the world.

Orban, who claimed a landslide victory in 2018 elections to get re-elected for a third term, has, much like other authoritarian leaders of the 21st century in this list and outside of it, spoken about the "invasion" and the "threat" of the outsiders, namely immigrants and refugees.

Religion, like elsewhere in Europe, the US and South Asia, has been a major plank for Orban as well. He has spoken about protecting the "Christian Europe" and has called his own system "Christian Democracy". Delivered with a mix of anti-immigrant rhetoric, Orban's critics have said that it borders on xenophobia.

Orban too has his detractors, however, and he has found one in Pastor Gabor Ivanyi, who, along with other pastors from his Church wrote and published a text that denounced Orban's claim to a Christian government.

For 2020, Orban has said that tackling the economy would be his prime task, but experts say that one can expect more tussles with the European Union, and a greater slide in democratic ideals in Hungary this year.

Jair Bolsonaro

The Brazilian President, much like Trump, was infamous for his controversial statements and actions, all of which were highlighted during the course of his campaign and all of which did not stop him from getting elected.

The past one year, however, has been tremulous, with demonstrations against his government, allegations of corruption coupled with drug smuggling and sacking of associates on ideological basis.

For starters, Bolsonaro, who completed a year in office on January 1 this year, was looked at as a far-right radical who has, in past, extolled Brazil's military dictators and made unceremonious comments against women and gays. But, as his presidency enters its second year, his past and his present (read: his work as the President) will define the future course for Brazilian democracy.

Apart from these leaders, there are the others, as well. In Thailand, after a 2014 military coup that came against the background of a long-drawn political turmoil in the nation, Prayuth Chan-ocha became the Prime Minister. Earlier in 2019, he was elected by the Thai Parliament as the PM, thus completing a complicated transition from heading a junta to being the leader of a civilian government.

In Israel, meanwhile, Benjamin Netanyahu's grip over the country's politics seems to be slipping by the day, with the former commando unable to form a coalition government and being formally accused of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Israel's longest-serving leader, observers say, is now struggling for political survival.

While these leaders may, in the year ahead and the decade after, either come out stronger or fall and fade, critics suggest that what they have shown is the ability of authoritarianism to crop up via democratic means.

Most of these leaders have been elected, and many of their policies have been implemented via Parliament; moreover, their methods of eliminating opposition, in most cases, seem politically motivated but legally sound.

Experts have noted that these leaders do not really need to resort to all-out dictatorial means in order to implement their plans or ideologies: finding loopholes in legislative processes or gaining brute majorities often does the trick. For historians and political observers, that, among other things, is the most alarming trait a trait that we will continue see in 2020.
Members of Froggy Carr gather at 16th and JFK during the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, PA on January 1, 2020. Read more

As the Mummers began to march into the new year, they were once again unable to resist dragging behind them embarrassing relics of the past. At least two marchers with Froggy Carr, a wench brigade, wore blackface, which has been banned from the event since the 1964 parade but regularly still shows up in the 120-year-old New Years Day parade.

Members of the troupe say they were mimicking the look of Gritty, the Flyers mascot who dons orange and black. Some Froggy Carr members indignant responses to questions about the face paint  including some flat-out denials that white people wearing black paint on their faces is offensive  signal that this is more than a few bad actors.

That, and the fact that the men wearing blackface werent stopped at some point  although it is not completely clear when they put the paint on  suggests a troubling lack of empathy from the brigade as a whole.

Its hard to believe in 2020, after decades of conflicts relating to race and this parade, that any Mummer could genuinely believe that wearing black face paint  even with a few spots of Gritty orange  would not immediately be seen as offensive.

Blackface is rooted in early minstrel shows, when white people performed demeaning and dehumanizing caricatures of black people. There is no instance when it is not offensive. And the last people who get to defend it are white people. Froggy Carr owes the city a public apology.

The visual can carry as much weight and hate as the N-word. The Mummers should know this well, especially after last years controversy, in which an African American man marched with the Finnegan New Years Brigade Comic Club. In the skit, he walked a Mummer dressed like Mayor Jim Kenney as a dog. This prompted outrage from many Philadelphians of color who were upset by a sketch that they felt echoed the parades origins in minstrelsy.

Though an infusion of younger and racially integrated Mummers groups like the Vaudevillains, the Rabble Rousers, and the Lobster Club has sought to change the parades racist reputation in recent years, the persistence of this tired stereotype is proof that there is something profoundly broken in the Mummers.

In 2016, after many race-related issues, the city enacted a screening process for performances and provided sensitivity training for the leadership of troupes, including Froggy Carr. Mayor Kenney, formerly a Mummer himself, called out the offensive behavior in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, calling it abhorrent and unacceptable. Froggy Carr was disqualified from the parades competition and officials say further punishments are forthcoming.

Meanwhile, the Mummers themselves  particularly the string bands and fancy brigades who dont seem to struggle with living in the 21st century  should break ties with groups that have historically been problematic, including wenches like Froggy Carr and comic brigades like Finnegan, who smear the parade with their bad behavior.

Its embarrassing for the talented people who want to march with good intentions, and its embarrassing for the city to annually try to justify the celebration of racism on New Years Day.
(TNS)  Mountain Views controversial employee head tax aimed at alleviating Googles massive impact on the citys traffic and social services goes into effect Wednesday, offering an intriguing potential path for a region choking on its own growth.Derided by businesses that believe it will drive away jobs from the city and staunchly supported by advocates who say it will bring new money for much-anticipated mass transit and housing projects, the so-called head tax will charge businesses such as Google based on the number of employees they have working in the city.The new tax  overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2018  is expected to generate an estimated $6 million a year for a city cash-strapped to deal with hundreds of millions of dollars in transportation and housing needs. Just over half of the head tax revenue  about $3.3 million  will come from the citys largest employer Google, which is considered by many to have driven up the demand for housing and office space in Mountain View over the past 15 years.As the new tax takes effect, all eyes are on Mountain View as it is set to become another case study for cities across the country considering similar measures.Apples home of Cupertino is set to again discuss imposing a head tax on employers after shelving such a proposal in 2018. And Palo Alto also is gearing up for a similar conversation after studying Mountain Views process two weeks ago, with some members of the finance committee urging a council discussion on a head tax this year.Supporters such as former Mountain View mayor Lenny Siegel believe the tax will give the city the purchasing power it needs to deal with a jobs-housing imbalance that has persisted for several years and to tackle improvements to rail and transit service.Though he understands why some business owners might oppose the tax, Siegel said the tax was necessary.Theres a reason we pursued the tax as opposed to donations, Siegel said. Major infrastructure investments usually require bonding, and you cant bond against donations. The idea is to have a steady flow of revenue to build the infrastructure these companies need to survive.Unlike the lengthy battle between Amazon and the city of Seattle, Wash., over a similar head tax that later was repealed amid strong opposition from the tech giant, Siegel said Google was neither privately nor publicly opposed to the tax because he said it understood the underlying problem: more and more Google workers coming to Mountain View and straining existing city services.Employment at the Googleplex has more than doubled in the past decade, from 10,000 workers to more than 23,000, according to city documents. The citys second largest employer Symantec doesnt come close to that number, employing just over 2,800 people.To make sure the tax wouldnt unduly burden small businesses, then-Mayor Siegel and the council proposed a progressive tax that has enterprises smaller than 50 workers pay a flat rate of $100 to $400 a year.In addition to a progressive flat rate, the citys roughly 3,700 businesses will pay a progressive per employee rate. Businesses with up to 50 employees will pay a base rate of up to $75 per year, and those with more would pay the city a base rate on top of a per-employee fee that climbs with the work forces size, up to a maximum of $150 each at Google.But Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino doesnt think those safe measures will be enough to keep businesses in Mountain View. He said that taxing jobs is not a sustainable policy for the city and has warned officials over the past three years that the tax would drive businesses away or keep existing ones from expanding.I think what this does is make the rest of the 90 plus cities in the Bay Area incredibly excited that 4 or 5 have forgotten we shouldnt take jobs for granted, Guardino said of cities such as East Palo Alto and San Francisco that also have passed taxes aimed at large companies.Though 80 percent of the money is ostensibly going toward infrastructure improvements and the rest for housing, Guardino said he and other business leaders dont know if they can trust Mountain View will keep its word as to how it will spend the money.Mountain View intentionally went with a general purpose tax, Guardino said. Any given Tuesday night they could change that for any reason. So it is 100% factually incorrect that this tax on jobs is for transportation or for any purpose because the council chose not to go that route.Guardino said Mountain View should have come up with a special business tax that would have needed two-thirds support from city voters and required city officials to outline exactly what the money would be going towards. He said when cities are willing to be specific about where the money is going, we are much more open to taxes. Voters approved the head tax by 70 percent.Siegel said a special tax would have restrained the city from using the money as it sees fit.You need some flexibility with an important new source of revenue like this, Siegel said. What are we going to do, build a stadium? We have clear needs. I mean we might juggle the percentage going for housing rather than transportation. We have a range of things weve listed, and this will provide revenue to invest in improved infrastructure at a time when we have limited sources.
French police have shot and killed a man in a car park near Paris following a knife attack.

The incident took place near to the Hautes-Bruyeres State Park in Villejuif, according to the Prefecture de Police.

At least three people were stabbed in the Paris suburb before police were able to stop the attacker.

A local mayor said one person was killed and several injured in the afternoon attack, but police couldnt immediately confirm the death or the number of injured people.

Videos of the attack circulating on social media show armed police shooting the attacker in a Carrefour car park.

The footage appears to show the attacker wearing what resembles an explosive vest.

Police are advising people to stay away from the area.

The two injured victims are being treated in nearby hospitals, Laure Beccuau, the prosecutor whose office is handling the case, told reporters.

She said witnesses were being interviewed to establish what happened. She declined to disclose details about the attacker.

In the past four years, the French capital has been rocked by major attacks resulting in mass casualties.

In October last year, four people were stabbed to death at the Paris police headquarters by Mickael Harpon, an IT specialist working for the police.

Prosecutors said that attacker, who was shot dead by police, had come under the sway of radical Islamists.

Coordinated bombings and shootings by Islamist militants at the Bataclan theatre and other locations around Paris killed 130 people in November 2015.

Witnesses of the latest incident reported hearing the knifeman shout Allahu akbar during the attack.

Additional reporting from agencies
Referring to the targeted assassination of Irans terrorist mastermind Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad yesterday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explained: It was time to take action. The FOX News clip below from its morning news show runs short of two minutes, but Pompeo knows what he is talking about and should be heard out.

AEIs Marc Thiessen and Danielle Pletka explored the role of the Democrats in encouraging Iran in the recent podcast with Pompeo embedded below. Thiessen quotes Pompeo in relevant part in the FOX News column Trumps Iran strategy is working. Pompeo right to call out ex-Obama team members.

Quotable quote: Ill be straight up with you. You have folks who served in the previous administration who are telling the Iranian leaders today, Just hang on. President Trump will lose in the election in November and well go back to appeasement. America will write you a big check, well underwrite your terror campaign around the world, well give you a clear pathway to a nuclear weapon system. Just wait until the Trump administration is finished.
Traffic Police in Noida fined neary 2,000 people each day in 2019. More than Rs 14 crore was recovered in penalties, marking a 532 per cent increase in revenue as compared to the previous year, as mentioned by official data.

The police said that Rs 14.76 crore were recovered in penalties in 2019, which is a significant increase in collections from 2018 when Rs 2.77 crore were recovered in dues.

The police issued 6,99,708 challans to vehicle owners from January till December last year, the Noida Traffic Police stated. The number of challans issued in 2019 was 22.56 per cent more than 2018, when 5,70,908 vehicle owners were booked for violations, the police data said.

In 2016, fines were issued to 1,47,143 vehicles and in 2017, 1,58,849 were booked for violations, the police said.

The revenue collection from challans in 2016 was Rs 1.86 crore, while it stood at Rs 2.77 crore in 2017, according to the data.

The government had also increased the traffic violation penalties from September 1 last year. The government passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, 2019 to tighten traffic regulations. Drunken driving, over-speeding, overloading, no seat belt, no helmet are some of the violations that saw a spike in their penalties.

Also read: Motor Vehicles Bill: These traffic violations will now invite more fine

Also read: From driving without seat belt to overloaded vehicles; know all new fines on various traffic offences
A woman escaped injury in a gun attack on a Lurgan home.

Just before 8pm on Thursday shots were fired at the house on Maple Court in the Co Armagh town.

Police described the incident as "reckless" and it was lucky no one was injured.

Alliance Councillor Peter Lavery expressed concern saying the attack caused disgust in the town.

This was a disgraceful act, which could have resulted in injury or even worse. said he said.

This is a busy residential area, so those behind this shooting showed an utter disregard for everyone living there. There is disgust across the entire town about the return of guns to our streets.

I ask anyone with information on this incident to contact police with it immediately.

Inspector Ruston said: We are extremely lucky that no-one was injured as a result of this incident which occurred in a busy residential area.

"Whoever carried out this reckless act showed a total disregard for both those inside the property and local residents.

I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or anyone who has information that could assist police with their enquiries to contact police at Lurgan on the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference number 1682 02/01/20 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
New Mexicos oldest winery continues to stay current with new wines and new accolades.

La Chiripada Winery & Vineyard was awarded gold for its Cabernet Reserve and silver for its Vintners Reserve red blend at the 2019 San Francisco International Wine Competition in November. The winery participated in the competition for the first time in 2018 and won a silver medal for its port.

Our cabernet, its always been one of our more popular wines, said Nathan Johnson, La Chiripadas primary winemaker. We age it in oak for two years. This year, we did something different. We blended a little bit of our other premium grapes. We blended 10% tempranillo and 10% petit sirah just to give it an extra boost in the structure and complexity, and we built in a little more fruit quality as well.

La Chiripadas Vintners Reserve red blend has a nice sensual spice on the nose with dark cherries and a toasted oak finish. The wine is aged for 24 months in American and Hungarian oak. Johnson suggests pairing it with a New Mexico staple food, carne adovada.

The Vintners (Reserve red blend), thats our own blend, and we tend to switch it up every year, he said. This year, we did a bit of an experimentation experimenting with multiple wines to get the best blend that we could. What we came out with in the end is its 50% ruby cabernet, 40% tempranillo and 10% sangiovese. So sangiovese, it just brightens it up. It lightens up those two bigger reds and brings a nice balance in there.

Over the years, the winery has won awards at other international competitions, including the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Its biggest year at the competition was 2013 when it won Double Gold for its Viognier, gold for its Cabernet Reserve 2013, its Petite Sirah 2012 and its New Mexico Port 2013.

Johnson has been experimenting with a couple of wines that he will be releasing again because of to their popularity. They are the winerys dry riesling and its Rose del Bosque, a dry rose. He also has plans to create a new wine in 2020.

The dry riesling is a lively wine that dances on the tongue and finishes brightly on the top of the palate, Johnson said. Delicate pineapple teases the senses while it shows true riesling character. We recommend to pair with Thai food. Our Rose del Bosque has hints of strawberry, wild herbs, fig and sweet orange. This rose is lively on the palate with bold acidity and a lingering finish. It pairs well with Asian food.

La Chiripada wines are made with 100% New Mexico grapes. The winery grows about 40% of its grapes and gets the remaining 60% from New Mexico Vineyards, the largest vineyard in New Mexico.

Whats cool is weve got such a great climate for growing grapes here, Johnson said. Weve got these extremes. Weve got really cold winters and really hot summers, and you end up having these vines that have to work really hard, so they either have to dig really deep into the soil to get water, and digging so deep through that, they end up picking more minerality and having more complexities in the fruit itself, and we have our vineyard here in Dixon, which is at 6,000 feet, so thats pretty exciting that we can grow grapes at this high altitude, let alone high-quality grapes. We are limited to what we can grow here, but we have experimented, and weve found a selection of French hybrids that do well here.

Before Johnson took over winemaking duties at La Chiripada, the wines were created by his father, Patrick Johnson, and uncle, Michael Johnson, who founded the winery in 1977. Nathan Johnson and his wife, Kerryn, picked up and left their careers in New Zealand where Johnson had been living for 15 years to take over the winery in 2018. Patrick Johnson suffered a massive heart attack, and Michael Johnsons health also was declining. Nathan Johnson picked up the torch and is the winerys primary winemaker, with his father and uncle continuing to provide guidance.

Its been nice to be able to relieve the stress for them and help transition into running the winery between my wife and I, Nathan Johnson said. It was something that had to be done. Otherwise, we dont know what would have happened to the business.

LA CHIRIPADA WINERY & VINEYARD

WHERE: N.M. 75, RD 1119 #8, Dixon, NM

HOURS: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Tuesdays. For information, call 505-579-4437 or visit lachiripada.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The mayor of Tennessees largest county on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to welcome refugees, amid a drop in the number of people who are coming to the Memphis area as they flee persecution and war in other countries.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris held a ceremonial signing of a letter he sent to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month stating the countys desire to keep welcoming refugees from the around the world who, as Harris letter says, embark on arduous and perilous journeys to find safety.

We have a moral duty to help those in need, those in dire circumstances, Harris said during a news conference at his office in downtown Memphis.

The commitment by Harris, a Democrat, follows Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lees decision to continue to resettle refugees. Last month, Lee rejected the option offered to states by President Donald Trumps administration to stop refugee resettlement.

In Tennessee, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga also have said that they want to keep accepting refugees.

In September, Trump slashed the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. and authorized state and local governments to refuse to accept them. An executive order says that if a state or a locality has not consented to receive refugees under the State Departments Reception and Placement Program, then refugees should not be resettled within the state or locality unless the secretary of state decides otherwise.

Trumps order lets local governments decide on refugee resettlement if the state opts in.

More than 2,000 refugees resettled in Tennessee during the 2016 budget year, including 278 in Shelby County, refugee advocates said. The state number dropped to 478 in 2018 under Trump and and hit 692 in 2019.

Last year, only 44 refugees settled in Shelby County, the states largest by population, said World Relief Memphis Director P.J. Moore.

That number was down from 56 in 2018, Moore said. The county can handle up to 400 refugees per year, he said.

World Relief Memphis teams with local religious and community groups to resettle refugees.

Moore called the decrease in refugees a dramatic dropoff that can be attributed to policies coming out of Washington. Trump has signed off on a plan that continues a dramatic drop in the number of refugees taken in by the U.S. to no more than 18,000 in fiscal year 2020.

In the last full year of the Barack Obama administration, the refugee ceiling was 85,000. In 2019, the Trump administration set the limit at 30,000. That number was the lowest since the modern resettlement programs creation in 1980.

Harris was joined at the event by refugees from Africa and Asia who have settled in Shelby County.

John Liom, 31, said he came to Memphis from Egypt in 2003, four years after he fled war-torn Sudan as a boy.

Liom learned English, and he became a police officer in 2016. He thanked the Memphis community for welcoming him.

My dream came true, Liom said.
To the annoyance of some shareholders, Chicago Rivet & Machine (NYSEMKT:CVR) shares are down a considerable in the last month. The recent drop has obliterated the annual return, with the share price now down 20% over that longer period.

Assuming no other changes, a sharply higher share price makes a stock less attractive to potential buyers. In the long term, share prices tend to follow earnings per share, but in the short term prices bounce around in response to short term factors (which are not always obvious). So some would prefer to hold off buying when there is a lot of optimism towards a stock. Perhaps the simplest way to get a read on investors' expectations of a business is to look at its Price to Earnings Ratio (PE Ratio). A high P/E implies that investors have high expectations of what a company can achieve compared to a company with a low P/E ratio.

See our latest analysis for Chicago Rivet & Machine

Does Chicago Rivet & Machine Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry?

Chicago Rivet & Machine has a P/E ratio of 21.94. You can see in the image below that the average P/E (22.9) for companies in the machinery industry is roughly the same as Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E.

AMEX:CVR Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 3rd 2020

That indicates that the market expects Chicago Rivet & Machine will perform roughly in line with other companies in its industry. The company could surprise by performing better than average, in the future. Checking factors such as director buying and selling. could help you form your own view on if that will happen.

How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios

If earnings fall then in the future the 'E' will be lower. Therefore, even if you pay a low multiple of earnings now, that multiple will become higher in the future. So while a stock may look cheap based on past earnings, it could be expensive based on future earnings.

Chicago Rivet & Machine shrunk earnings per share by 54% over the last year. And it has shrunk its earnings per share by 13% per year over the last five years. This could justify a pessimistic P/E.

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Remember: P/E Ratios Don't Consider The Balance Sheet

Don't forget that the P/E ratio considers market capitalization. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. In theory, a company can lower its future P/E ratio by using cash or debt to invest in growth.

Such spending might be good or bad, overall, but the key point here is that you need to look at debt to understand the P/E ratio in context.

Chicago Rivet & Machine's Balance Sheet

Chicago Rivet & Machine has net cash of US$7.3m. This is fairly high at 29% of its market capitalization. That might mean balance sheet strength is important to the business, but should also help push the P/E a bit higher than it would otherwise be.

The Verdict On Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E Ratio

Chicago Rivet & Machine has a P/E of 21.9. That's higher than the average in its market, which is 18.9. The recent drop in earnings per share would make some investors cautious, but the net cash position means the company has time to improve: and the high P/E suggests the market thinks it will. Given Chicago Rivet & Machine's P/E ratio has declined from 21.9 to 21.9 in the last month, we know for sure that the market is less confident about the business today, than it was back then. For those who prefer to invest with the flow of momentum, that might be a bad sign, but for a contrarian, it may signal opportunity.

Investors have an opportunity when market expectations about a stock are wrong. As value investor Benjamin Graham famously said, 'In the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run, it is a weighing machine. We don't have analyst forecasts, but shareholders might want to examine this detailed historical graph of earnings, revenue and cash flow.

But note: Chicago Rivet & Machine 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).

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
The booklet was distributed at a camp of Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh (Photo Credit: Twitter)

New Delhi:

Congress is facing criticism from both new-found ally Shiv Sena and archrival BJP over a booklet distributed at its affiliate Seva Dal's training camp in Bhopal. The booklet made controversial remarks about Veer Savarkar making insinuation about his relationship with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse. A day after the story came to light, Shiv Sena and BJP trained their guns on Seva Dal's parent organisation Congress. Shiv Sena, who is part the Maharashtra government with it, said the Congress had "dirt" in their mind by questioning Savarkar's credentials as a patriot and his reputation for valour. BJP, on the other hand, described the comments as abhorrent and perverted.

The Hindi booklet, distributed at a camp of Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh, had claimed that Veer Savarkar and Nathuram Godse were in a physical relationship. The booklet also alleged that Savarkar encouraged Hindu men to rape women from the minority community. It also claimed that Savarkar had received pension from the British and had apologised several times.

BJP also put pressure on Shiv Sena with former CM Devendra Fadnavis demanding that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ban the booklet.Fadnavis said the Congress had exhibited its "wicked" psyche by circulating such a booklet, which underscored its "intellectual bankruptcy".

He also sought to know from the Shiv Sena "which entered into unnatural alliance with such a bankrupt party" (the Congress) if it will repeatedly entertain insults to its "deity" Savarkar for the sake of power.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut had slammed the booklet.

"Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind," Shiv Sena leader Sanajy Raut said, responding to the insinuations in the booklet, titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?"

BJP general secretary Anil Jain took a swipe at the Congress, saying "world knows various relationships of Congress leaders" but he does not want to throw such muck.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said Congress should apologise for the "perverted" content in the booklet.

"The booklet contains lies and perverted content. The Congress should tender an apology for the same," Patil said.

Union minister Smriti Irani asked the Congress how long it would "insult the sacrifices" of Savarkar and said the opposition party will have to give an answer to the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.

"The Congress, which is one of the ruling parties in Maharashtra, will have to answer the Marathi people and all patriots in the country how long will it continue to insult the sacrifice of Veer Savarkar," Irani said at the Delhi BJP office.

She also asked why does the Congress consider its "birthright to humiliate" Savarkar.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer, and developed the core of his philosophy on the concept of Hindutva.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
M/I Homes, Inc. (NYSE:MHO), which is in the consumer durables business, and is based in United States, saw significant share price movement during recent months on the NYSE, rising to highs of US$46.09 and falling to the lows of US$36.32. 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 M/I Homes's current trading price of US$39.77 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 M/I Homess outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change.

See our latest analysis for M/I Homes

What's the opportunity in M/I Homes?

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 9.32x is currently trading slightly below its industry peers ratio of 13.88x, which means if you buy M/I Homes today, youd be paying a fair price for it. And if you believe M/I Homes should be trading in this range, then there isnt much room for the share price grow beyond where its currently trading. In addition to this, it seems like M/I Homess share price is quite stable, which could mean there may be less chances to buy low in the future now that its fairly valued. This is because the stock is less volatile than the wider market given its low beta.

Can we expect growth from M/I Homes?

NYSE:MHO Past and Future Earnings, January 3rd 2020

Investors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. 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. M/I Homess earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 35%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.

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What this means for you:

Are you a shareholder? MHOs optimistic future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, 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 MHO? Will you have enough conviction to buy should the price fluctuate below the true value?

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping tabs on MHO, 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 MHO, which means its worth further examining 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 M/I Homes. You can find everything you need to know about M/I Homes in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in M/I Homes, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was killed Friday in a US strike on Baghdads international airport, Iran and the US confirmed, in the most dramatic episode yet of escalating tensions between the two countries.

The Pentagon said US President Donald Trump ordered Soleimanis killing, after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy.

Declaring three days of mourning across the country, Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to take severe revenge for Soleimanis death.

Trump tweeted out a picture of the US flag without any explanation, as the pre-dawn developments marked the most major escalation yet in a feared proxy war between Iran and the US on Iraqi soil.

Early Friday, a volley of missiles hit Baghdads international airport, striking a convoy belonging to the Hashed al-Shaabi, an Iraqi paramilitary force with close ties to Iran.

Just a few hours later, the Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Soleimani was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning.

The Hashed confirmed both Soleimani and its deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in what it said was a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road.

The Hashed is a network of mostly-Shiite armed units, many of whom have close ties to Tehran but which have been officially incorporated into Iraqs state security forces.

The units joined forces to fight the Islamic State group in 2014, after many of them built up years of fighting experience during Iraqs war years, including against the US.

Major decapitation strike

Muhandis was the Hasheds deputy chief but widely recognised as the real shot-caller within the group.

Soleimani headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and also served as Irans pointman on Iraq, visiting the country in times of turmoil.

Both were sanctioned by the United States.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had been actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

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It said it took decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, but did not specify how.

Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif slammed the US strike as extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation.

Top official Mohsen Rezai pledged to exact terrible vengeance upon America, and Tehrans top security council said it would hold an urgent meeting.

There was no immediate reaction from Iraqi officials on the strike.

In terms of a decapitation strike, what just happened is the most major decapitation strike that the US has ever pulled off, said Phillip Smyth, a US-based specialist in Shiite armed groups.

He told AFP it would have bigger ramifications than the 2011 US operation that killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and the 2019 American raid that killed Islamic State group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

There is no comparison, he added.

But others said it remains unclear how Iran could respond to the blow.

A lot of the focus is on what is the price that the US is gonna pay and how Iran will retaliate against the US, said Fanar Haddad of the Singapore Universitys Middle East Institute.

Oil prices soar

The developments come after an unprecedented attack on the US mission in Baghdad.

A mob of Hashed supporters surrounded the US embassy on Tuesday in outrage over American air strikes that killed 25 fighters from the networks hardline Kataeb Hezbollah faction, which is backed by Iran.

The US had acted in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

Trump had blamed Iran for a spate of rocket attacks targeting US forces as well as the siege at the embassy, saying: They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat.

US lawmakers however were not told in advance of Fridays attack, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement.

Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018.

It then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.

Oil prices soared following Fridays attack, with Brent surging 4.4 percent to $69.16 and WTI jumping 4.3 percent to 63.84.

The attack threatens to destabilise Iraq, which has close political and military ties with both Tehran and Washington.

The United States led the 2003 invasion against then-dictator Saddam Hussein and has worked closely with Iraqi officials since.

But its influence has waned compared with that of Tehran, which has carefully crafted personal ties with Iraqi politicians and armed factions, even during Saddams reign.

Iraqi officials have warned in recent months that their country could be used as an arena for score-settling between Iran and the US.

(AFP)
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA), after carrying out a quick assessment of what was done on the various recovery initiatives that took place in 2018-2019, within the ministry, one initiative that stood out was the home repair programs carried out by Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs.



Reason for the above is that over 135 clients were assisted, via their home repair projects, and yet the department continues to receive referrals and or requests for home repair.



The results coming out of these projects serves as indicator for the damages persons endured and the areas of concern that also need to be addressed, if these were not done. In addition to what was considered priority, such as a roof above residents head, other social challenges and material needs are also being looked into and addressed.



The aim of the Home Repair 2020 project is to improve the livability and safety of homes and the quality of life of deserving applicants who need it most. As such, persons in need of home repairs and other related issues are requested to attend the information and registration outreach sessions to take place in the various communities at any of the Community Help Desks.



Sessions will take place on the following days at 7:00 pm nightly, commencing this Saturday January 4, at the Government Administration Building; Monday January 6, at Dutch Quarter Community Help Desk; Tuesday January 7, at St. Peters Community Help Desk; Wednesday January 8, at Cole Bay Community Help Desk.



The Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour Pamela Gordon- Carty will be present to address the participants in attendance.



If additional information is needed, feel free to call or visit your nearest community help desk: St. Peters Community Help Desk (5203418), Cole bay Community Help Desk (5204315) and Dutch Quarter Community Help Desk (5207651). Visiting CHD hours are 8:30 am - 12:30 pm.
D onald Trump has responded to threats from Iran over the death of Qasem Soleimani by saying that the country has "never won a war".

The US president showed no sign of backing down and said Soleimani "should have been taken out many years ago" after Iran threatened "crushing revenge" over the airstrike which killed the top Iranian general .

Mr Trump wrote: "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!"

In two further tweets, he added later: "General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!

"He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself."

"While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

Shortly after the general's death was announced, Mr Trump had posted a picture of the American flag.

Mr Trump ordered the rocket attack on Soleimani when his convoy was spotted leaving Baghdad airport in Iraq early this morning.

Tensions rose rapidly as Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of retribution against the US, saying: Harsh revenge awaits the criminals.

Joe Biden, his rival Democratic presidential frontrunner, said the attack was a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region. He accused Mr Trump of tossing a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox.

Iraqs prime minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said the attack  which also killed an Iraqi militia leader  would light the fuse of a destructive war in his country and beyond.

Qasem Soleimani died in the attack in Baghdad / ISNA/AFP via Getty Images

The US Embassy in Baghdad told US citizens in Iraq to depart immediately. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a foreign visit to return home.

This morning the UK Government called for calm, and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was due to discuss the crisis with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Mr Raab said: We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani.

"Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

The killing of Soleimani, the mastermind of Tehrans military strategy across the Middle East, was said by analysts to be more significant than the killings of Osama bin Laden or Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Protesters burn US flags as they shout slogans against America / AFP via Getty Images

As the head of Irans elite special forces Quds Force, Soleimani was a cult hero for some in Iran with direct access to Ayatollah Khamenei.

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Tehran , chanting Death to America, torching the Stars and Stripes flag and holding up posters of the slain commander.

But the US regarded him as the leader of a terrorist organisation and blamed him for masterminding attacks on US diplomats and military personnel and fuelling conflicts in Syria and Iraq over the past two decades.

The attack happened as two cars were spotted leaving Baghdad airport. Soleimani, 62, is thought to have flown in from Syria or Iran with an entourage.

He was one of up to seven people killed in the US MQ-9 Reaper drone precision attack. Four missiles were fired. Soleimani was identified by his ring. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces which was behind Tuesdays attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, was also killed.

The Pentagon was braced for retaliatory terror and cyber attacks on US interests. In a statement, it said President Trump had ordered decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad.

The Pentagon said: General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months  including the attack on December 27  culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

The crisis has also raised fears about the safety of British troops in Iraq.

Who was powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani?

According to the Ministry of Defence, about 400 personnel are deployed across three main bases where they are training Iraqi forces tackling an Islamic State insurgency. There are also about 500 personnel at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where fast jets and reconnaissance planes fly out over Iraq and Syria.

An MoD spokesman said that there were no discussions about changing the forces it has deployed in the region at this time.

Tom Fletcher, the UKs former ambassador to Lebanon, said it was hard to overstate the potential impact of Soleimanis death. He said that Iran had been goading Washington, goading Donald Trump, adding: And of course, we dont just have erratic leaders at the moment in Tehran, we have an erratic leader in Washington as well.

Tensions between the US and Iran had been rising since the US last year pulled out of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers to curb Irans nuclear programme and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. The US also reimposed sanctions on Iran, sending its economy into freefall.

Protests Against US Assassination Of Qassem Soleimani in Iran, Kashmir and Pakistan

Today the price of oil rose to the highest level in three months at nearly US$70 a barrel due to fears that the crisis would hit supplies.

Republicans in Washington hailed Mr Trumps move to bring justice to American military families. The Presidents campaign press secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed the killing of Soleimani was the greatest foreign policy accomplishment, I would say, of the decade, if not our lifetime.

But the operation also reignited the debate in Washington over whether the Presidents war powers should be curtailed after Mr Trump bypassed Congress to approve the killing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi complained the strike was carried out without the consultation of Congress.

Iranian protesters burn US flags in rally 1 /56 Iranian protesters burn US flags in rally Anti-US effigy during a rally outside the former US embassy AFP via Getty Images Effigies and banners during a rally outside the former US embassy AFP via Getty Images Iranian cleric takes pictures of anti-US banners AFP via Getty Images Iranian protesters pose for a selfie with another dressed as US president Donald Trump AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Iranian protesters hold placards with anti-US slogans AFP via Getty Images Demonstrators hold anti-U.S. placards in Arabic AP Iranian woman holds the flag of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement (Back) during a rally AFP via Getty Images Iranian women display religious symbols written on the palms of their hands AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Demonstrators hold anti-U.S. banners and a torn makeshift U.S. flag upside down AP Demonstrators chant slogans as they set fire to a makeshift British flag AP Thousands of Iranian protesters wave national flags during a demonstration outside the former US embassy in the Iranian capital Tehran AFP via Getty Images Iranian protesters set US flags on fire AFP via Getty Images Schoolgirls hold the national flags along with anti-U.S. placards in the annual rally AP Iranian protesters set a US flag on fire during a rally outside the former US embassy AFP via Getty Images Iranian protesters set a US flag on fire during a rally outside the former US embassy AFP via Getty Images With anti-American slogans and effigies mocking US President Donald Trump AFP via Getty Images An Iranian woman holds a cardboard cutout representing a member of the Islamic State (IS) group in chains AFP via Getty Images An Iranian man walks past a new mural painted on the walls of the former US embassy AFP via Getty Images AP AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Actors wear hats colored in the flags of the United States, Israel, and Britain imprisoned in a cage during the anti-U.S AP AP An Iranian man aims a dart at a picture of US president Donald Trump AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images Iranian women pose for a selfie around an anti-US banner during a rally outside the former US embassy AFP via Getty Images Placard mocking US president donald Trump AFP via Getty Images In this Nov. 8, 1979, protesters chant outside the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. Forty years ago on Nov. 4, 1979, Iranian students overran guards to take over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, starting a 444-day hostage crisis that transfixed America AP 1979 - demonstrators burn an American flag atop the wall of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, AP Nov. 27, 1979 file photo, demonstrators, including oil tank drivers with their vehicles AP 1979 - Iranians gather before the entrance of the U.S. Embassy compound in Tehran AP In this Dec. 12, 1979, a new sign appears at the U.S. Embassy compound warning that "Iran will bury you." AP 1979- an armed Iranian student patrols the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, AP 1979 - One of the hostages held at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran AP 1979 - Iranian students display their weapons during a news conference in Tehran AP 1979 - Iranian child holds a photo showing Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini AP April 26, 1980 file photo, an undamaged helicopter sits on the ground behind the charred remains of a second U.S. helicopter in the Iranian desert of Dasht-E-Kavir, April 26, 1980. The site, about 300 air miles from Tehran, was where the United States rescue effort for those held hostage in Tehran was abandoned, and where a U.S. helicopter and transport aircraft collided. AP In this Nov. 5, 1979, a crowd of Iranian women wearing the traditional chador join an anti-U.S. protest in Tehran, Iran. AP 1979 - A mass of Iranian protestors is held back from the gates of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. AP

She said: American leaders highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American service members, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. Tonights airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence.

Alistair Burt, the former UK minister to the Middle East, said the drone strike takes the confrontation between the United States and Iran to a completely different level.

He told the BBC: Im quite sure the United States will have to come out with more justification for its actions.

But I think everyone has got to have extremely cool heads this morning. This is a very grave escalation in the affairs of the region, the consequences are unknowable and I think words and comments have got to be extremely carefully handled today.

Asked whether the UK Government would have been told about the US airstrike plans before they happened, Mr Burt added: I doubt it.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said : The US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance. The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US.
Currently, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy (ADJ) in muscle invasive bladder tumor remains controversial.

To evaluate the effect of ADJ on cancer specific survival of muscle invasive bladder tumor after radical cystectomy (RC).

Retrospective analysis of 292 patients diagnosed with urothelial bladder tumor pT3-4pN0 / + cM0 stage, treated with RC between 1986-2009. Total cohort was divided in two groups: 185 (63.4%) patients treated with ADJ and 107 (36.6%) without ADJ. Median follow-up was 40.5 months (IQR 55-80.5). Comparative analysis was performed with Chi-square test and Student's t test /ANOVA. Survival analysis was carried out with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Multivariate analysis (Cox regression) was made to identify independent predictors of cancer-specific mortality (CSM).

42.8% of the series presented lymph node involvement after RC. At the end of follow-up, 22.9% were BC-free and 54.8% had died due to this cause. The median cancer specific survival was 30 months. No significant differences were observed in cancer specific survival regarding the treatment with ADJ in pT3pN0 (p=.25) or pT4pN0 (p=.29) patients, but it was significant in pT3-4pN+ (p=.001). Multivariate analysis showed pathological stage (p=.0001) and treatment with ADJ (p=.007) as independent prognostic factors for CSM. ADJ reduced the risk of CSM (HR:0.59,95% CI 0.40-0.87, p=.007).

pT and pN stages were identified as independent predictors of CSM after RC. The administration of ADJ in our series behaved as a protective factor reducing the risk of CSM, although only pN+ patients were benefited in the stage analysis.

Actas urologicas espanolas. 2019 Dec 19 [Epub ahead of print]

G Del Pozo Jimenez, F Herranz Amo, J A Arranz Arija, E Rodriguez Fernandez, D Subira Rios, E Lledo Garcia, G Bueno Chomon, M J Cancho Gil, J Carballido Rodriguez, C Hernandez Fernandez

Servicio de Urologia, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Espana. Electronic address: ., Servicio de Urologia, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Maranon, Madrid, Espana., Servicio de Urologia, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Espana.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31866159
It is really hard for me to fathom how she let herself get into this situation, wrote Del. Wendell R. Beitzel (R-Garrett). I believed, like nearly all of my colleagues, that she was least likely of the members of the House to get caught up in a problem of this nature.
At this moment, an emergency evacuation of employees of the American oil field is underway in Iraq. The rescue operation of civilians is taking place against the backdrop of the complicated situation in the country after the assassination of the Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC, elite units of the Iranian Armed Forces) Qassem Soleimani, France-Presse reports.

Earlier, the US Embassy in Baghdad called on American citizens to leave Iraq ASAP.

"In connection with the increasing tension in Iraq and the region, the US Embassy [in Baghdad] calls on American citizens to pay attention to the travel warning for January 2020 and leave Iraq immediately," the statement issued on Friday by the American diplomatic mission informs.

It is clarified that US citizens should come back to their homeland by plane, "if possible, and if unsuccessful, use land transport to get to another country," TASS reports.

In addition, it became known that the embassy also suspends the provision of consular services until further notice. "US citizens should not approach the embassy," the diplomatic mission emphasized.

The U.S. State Department reported the killing of senior Iranian general by U.S. president Donald Trumps order to prevent attacks from Iran. In turn, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the assassination of Soleimani would lead to a more fierce confrontation between the Islamic Republic and the United States.
BEIRUT, Lebanon  Five days after his triumphant homecoming to Beirut, Carlos Ghosn is all but invisible.

A crowd of journalists from around the world lines up in the chilly rain on the sidewalk opposite his pink villa in Beirut each day, only to be disappointed. He is unlikely to be inside, and only a couple of people have gone in and out. Even close friends say they have not seen him.

[Latest updates on Mr. Ghosns press conference in Beirut.]

A photo has circulated showing Mr. Ghosn celebrating New Years Eve at what a friend said was a dinner for eight people, including his wife and some of his wifes friends. But in a country about the size of Connecticut, no word has leaked of where exactly Mr. Ghosn is staying while he prepares for  well  nobody really knows.
Open Letter Accuses Serbs Of 'Threatening Peace' In Montenegro, Region

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service January 02, 2020

Dozens of prominent current and former officials, academics, and cultural figures in the Balkans have joined an online petition warning of regional "threats to peace" from Belgrade amid ongoing fallout from a new law on religion in neighboring Montenegro.

The 120 initial signatories of the "Appeal Against Belgrade's Threats To Peace In Montenegro And The Region" include former presidents of Croatia and Slovenia, as well as former Yugoslav leaders, three current Serbian lawmakers, and tens of journalists, among others.

"We felt the need to remind ourselves of some of the things that happened in the 1990s and to point out that they are now happening in a similar scenario," Sonja Biserko, a signatory of the December 30 appeal and a founder and president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, told RFE/RL's Balkan Service, in a reference to the bloodshed that accompanied the breakup of Yugoslavia.

The passage last week in Montenegro's parliament of a new law on religion and faith that could result in the nationalization of church property has been bitterly opposed by the Serbian Orthodox Church, which still has a leading position among Montenegro's Orthodox believers and controls hundreds of churches and other sites.

It also sparked sometimes violent protests by pro-Serbian Montenegrins, angry demonstrations among Serbs, and a heated confrontation in the Serbian parliament, where some lawmakers argued that the Serbian government was doing too little to defend the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.

The Serbian Orthodox Church's Montenegrin arm, officially the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, has called the bill "discriminatory and unconstitutional" and said it clears a path to the "hijacking" of its property.

After the open letter appeared on December 30, Serbian President Aleskandar Vucic responded on Serbian TV by encouraging calm and saying Belgrade was not to blame since it didn't have anything to do with the new law.

Serbs, he said, have merely expressed concern for the position of Serbs and the Serbian church in Montenegro.

A fellow former Yugoslav republic, Montenegro shared a unified state with Serbia until an independence referendum in 2006.

"The Republic of Montenegro is a target of attempted destabilization by violent means: its peace, territorial integrity, constitutional order, the rule of law, citizens' equality, and equal status of all churches and religious communities are under threat," the public appeal argues.

It went on to accuse "Serbian extreme nationalists" of "using [the new law] as yet another attempt at a coup d'etat."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/open-letter-serbs-threatening-peace -montenegro-region/30357616.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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This is not a prediction, its simply an assessment of one of the obvious counterattacks in Irans ever-widening stable of options. Anyone telling you they know what will happen next is a liar. The exact thing that makes this situation so terrifying with Iran is that assassinating Iranian General Qasem Soleimani opens up a world of possible escalations that Iranian experts cannot even foresee. Iran has been very careful to try to constrain their attacks in this proxy war against the United States to the region (ie: the war in Yemen fought between Saudi Arabian and Iranian proxies), but the United States assassinating Irans second-in-command literally rewrote the rules in this conflict. By definition, what we did yesterday is an act of war, and we should be ready for responses in kind, especially given how woefully unprepared we are for a new kind of warfare. Former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats expanded on our massive digital vulnerability in a speech to the Hudson Institute in 2018.

You only need to go back less than two decades ago to put, I think, the current cyber threat into its proper context. In 2001, our vulnerability was heightened because of the stovepipe approach of our intelligence and law enforcement communities that produced what they called silos of information. At the time, intelligence and law enforcement communities were identifying alarming activities that suggested that an attack was potentially coming to the United States. It was in the months prior to September 2001 when, according to then CIA Director George Tenet, the system was blinking red. And here we are nearly two decades later, and Im here to say the warning lights are blinking red again. Today, the digital infrastructure that serves this country is literally under attack.

Every day, foreign actorsthe worst offenders being Russia, China, Iran and North Koreaare penetrating our digital infrastructure and conducting a range of cyber intrusions and attacks against targets in the United States. The targets range from U.S. businesses to the federal government (including our military), to state and local governments, to academic and financial institutions and elements of our critical infrastructurejust to name a few. The attacks come in different forms. Some are tailored to achieve very tactical goals while others are implemented for strategic purpose, including the possibility of a crippling cyberattack against our critical infrastructure.

In March 2018, the city of Atlanta fell victim to a massive cyberattack. Business was ground to a halt for days as no one could get into digital municipal systems thanks to ransomware that was estimated to cost the city $17 million. This attack was Iranian in nature, as the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported:

Authorities on Wednesday charged two Iranian citizens for the ransomware cyber attack that hobbled the city of Atlantas computer network in March, and the federal indictment outlines the pairs massive nationwide scheme to breach computer networks of local governments, health care systems and other public entities.

We tend to think of warfare in terms of bombs and foot soldiers, but the digital age has opened up a new front to defend. Cyber attacks can be launched from anywhere at any time and their origins can be masked to sow confusion as to who is responsible. It is highly unlikely that Iran would try to strike on U.S. soil with traditional kinetic warfare, but they have already proven they have the capability to cause widespread damage here with the push of a button.

In 2012, LawFare compiled a list of all significant cyber attacks on federal systems since 2004, accounting for a total of 65 attacks (which averages out to one every 45 days). We are already in the midst of a global cyber war, and we just turned a proxy war into an actual war. Iran is sure to retaliate against U.S. targets in the region, but this escalation has opened up a world of possibilities, and it seems naive to think they will not at least entertain their cyber options for attacking the United States here at home, given the litany of examples of how vulnerable we are to cyber warfare.

In October 2016, the internet was shut down across large swaths of the United States, as a distributed denial-of-service attack (DDoS) was launched against the Domain Name System (DNS) provider, Dyn. Malware infected a litany of Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart home systems, printers, baby monitors, and much moreessentially giving the attackers an army of zombie robots to do their bidding. There were three separate attacks during the day that crippled American internet connectivity, causing millions in damage to the economy over the course of several hours.

In 2017, the NSA lost control of EternalBlue, a cyberweapon designed to navigate through a backdoor in Microsofts operating system that the NSA never told them about. In 2018, this software was used in the WannaCry attacks that infected 200,000 computers across 150 countries, crippling National Health Services hospitals in England and Scotland. Later that year, this same exploit was used in the NotPetya attacks that completely debilitated a million computers in Ukraine. For three weeks in 2019, the city of Baltimore was under siege from this same attack, with security experts discovering that hundreds of thousands of attacks are made daily with this protocol. Welivesecurity revealed just how dire this situation is last year:

According to data from Shodan, there are currently almost a million machines in the wild using the obsolete SMB v1 protocol, exposing the port to the public internet. Most of these devices are in the United States, followed by Japan and the Russian Federation.

Combating this threat is firstly a matter of patching obsolete systems, but the United States government is notoriously far behind the times when it comes to cybersecurity (not to mention major industries like healthcare as well, or the stock market that was mysteriously shut down for three hours in 2015). All these municipalities falling victim to malware this past decade is a giant flashing red light, and we just stirred up a hornets nest halfway across the world. We have a digital target painted on our backs here at home, and Iran has the capability to do untold damage to our economy, health care system and general way of life using a simple exploit devised in NSA offices and tweaked in Tehran, let alone whatever digital contingencies they have planned for this situation (and rest assured, they have been planning for an attack like this for decades).

Iran is a rational actor. They talk a big game about wiping Israel off the map and attacking the Great Satan, but they understand initiating a full-scale war will not work out well for them. Thats why this conflict has largely remained in the region. However, the calculus now changes when the war is brought to their doorstep. What was a regional conflict largely encapsulating Iranian, Saudi, Israeli and US-backed militias now has the potential to involve the actual militaries of all four nations, and perhaps beyond. If Iran decides that they want to strike the United States in our homeland, a cyber attack is the easiest way to cause maximum destruction with some plausible deniability built in. Shipping, energy, local municipalities, big businessthese are just a few of the sectors Iran could target that would make us feel this war here at homenot to mention the more traditional kinetic warfare that could be brought to our doorstep with one of their terror cells (three men have been arrested since 2017 scouting U.S. domestic targets on behalf of Hezbollah).

This is bad. Eliminating one person does very little to neuter the systems he was controlling, and while the loss of Qassem Soleimani will be difficult for Iran to replace, his death will serve as a rallying cry for the thousands of militants under his command. There is a world that exists where the United States can quickly come together with Iran to de-escalate this situation, and Soleimanis death winds up being a positive developmentbut even without Trump as commander-in-chief, the military industrial complexs capability to come to a grand bargain like that is dubious at best. We just destabilized the most unstable region in the world even further, and at a certain point, it seems inevitable that our militaristic adventurism in foreign lands will eventually lead to serious retaliation here at home.

Jacob Weindling is a writer for Paste politics. Follow him on Twitter at @Jakeweindling.
As the decade draws to a close, its fair to say that the future of work has been a much-discussed topic over the last ten years, with digital disruptors impacting every aspect of the technology sector, from the tools we use to how we communicate and what constitutes the new normal when it comes to working practices.

Back in 2010, analyst firm Gartner published ten major predictions focusing on how the workplace would look in 2020. Included in the list were the de-routinisation of work, hyperconnectedness and the workplace becoming increasingly virtual, all trends that have become familiar to workplaces across the globe well before 2020.

Whilst some of the 2020 trends experts have outlined are already in place, it will be interesting to see how many of them become the norm rather than the exception in the long-term. And, with the number of unfilled jobs in the UK at near an all-time high, it will be up to companies to make sure the workplace they cultivate appeals to the talent they need to hire.

Remote working

Before the dramatic crash of WeWork back in September, the epic growth the company was experiencing showed that there is a growing number of workers who find themselves without a traditional office environment.

The number of remote workers has increased by 115 percent over the course of the last decade; with Gartner predicting that by 2020, half of the US will work outside the traditional office setting most of the time.

Organisations that are yet to embrace flexible working as a norm are set to lose out in the battle for talent when young millennials and Gen Xs start to enter the workforce. A Deloitte study found that nearly 75 percent of millennials believe that a work from home or work remotely policy is important, whilst a separate Ricoh study found that a third of European workers would be willing to take a 10 percent pay cut for an employer that embraces flexible working.

Robert Darling, COO at the appmaker Eko believes that, with approximately 70 percent of people across the world already working remotely at least once a week, more employers will move towards mobile-led technology over the next few years, to ensure that non-desk workers remain engaged in their work.

Darling thinks that throughout 2020, companies will need to invest heavily in technologies such as chat and video software to facilitate regular communication between traditional office workers and remote workers.

In addition, mobile-first technology with language translation capabilities will be a crucial tool for geographically challenged companies that employ high numbers of remote workers as it helps to create a more inclusive, close-knit office culture, Darling says. The future trend for in-app translation will also help break down communication barriers ensuring all employees are equally informed.

Joel Farrow, MD for EMEA at HR tech company Hibob also agrees that in the year ahead, it will be important that businesses put tools and processes in place to manage their new remote workforce successfully.

Communicating constantly will be crucial and making sure agile collaboration guidelines are established from the outset is essential, he says, adding that implementing the appropriate technology tools to enable remote working will help strengthen a companys collaboration culture and keep employees engaged.

According to the technology company Barco ClickShare, 53 percent of meetings currently involve attendees who join remotely, meaning its vital for companies to provide these remote participants with a way to interact with each other in the same way as they would in a face-to-face scenario.

As consumer technologies continue to improve in quality, employees now expect the technology they use in the workplace to keep pace. Organisations that are looking to implement a successful flexible working policy in 2020 need to ensure they embrace change and invest in solutions that improve remote working conditions, or face disengagement and negatively impacted productivity.

Diversity and inclusion

Within the technology sector, diversity is both an important talking point and the thorn in the side of any company that gets it wrong. Some of the biggest names in technology have suffered huge reputational damage in the past several years, leading to companies like Uber committing to two three-years goals in order to improve diversity at the company.

However, not every big tech company has got it right. Earlier this year, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, failed to pass several proposals to address sexual harassment, antitrust issues and diversity policies and at the end of December 2019, the company has once again become embroiled in a row after three trans women were fired under questionable circumstances.

In the UK, hiring demand for diversity and inclusivity (D&I) -related roles surged by 106 percent from last year, according to new Glassdoor research. According to the report, employers around the world are waking up to the need for robust diversity and inclusion efforts and are looking to invest in the top talent to deliver on these programmes.

As many companies have learned over the last decade, words without action typically dont lead to change. Glassdoors report predicts the tide will turn in 2020, with more companies putting their money where their mouths are by adding key D&I-focused employees in order to drive lasting change in their workplaces.

The expected uptake of flexible working polices will also have a positive impact on diversity, allowing individuals who are unable to work within the confines of a 9-5 office job the opportunity to enter the workforce again.

Mark Holt, chief technology officer at transport app Trainline says the company has continued to improve its diversity metrics over the years, not just because its the right thing to do but because it makes a noticeable impact to the success of the business.

You cant expect to cultivate a versatile and agile team, able to react in real-time to the ever-changing needs of customers, if you continue to hire the same kind of people, who think the same way, Holt says.

Augmented collaboration

One bold prediction for the workplace of 2020 is that there will be greater uptake in how human employees and artificially intelligent solutions work together to minimise the menial but necessary tasks that still proliferate across todays workplaces.

With 75 percent of organisations struggling to recruit digital skills, Neil Murphy, global VP at software vendor ABBYY thinks this will lead to a boom in the number of digital workers we see in the workplace. Murphy says that these workers can augment automation efforts with AI and machine learning, working in harmony alongside humans.

In fact, [ABBYY] found that the contribution of digital workers will grow by 50 percent in the next two years, illustrating a real shift to a future built on human-machine collaboration.

Murphy also notes that, despite some of the scaremongering about machines that has become increasingly prevalent in the media of late, automation can and should be human-centric  humans and machines, not human versus machines.

Only then can human workers focus on higher-level, creative and socially responsible tasks, and give customers better experiences and faster service, he says. In 2020, businesses that are quick to incorporate digital workers with content intelligence skills within their automation platforms will gain a significant competitive edge.

Dr. Marcell Vollmer, chief innovation officer at process mining software maker Celonis agrees with Murphy, but adds that this trend isnt necessarily new as people have been working collaboratively with technology such as laptops and mobile phones for many years.

"However, whats new is the advent of human-machine convergence, Vollomer notes. This goes hand-in-hand with advanced robotic technology, powering anything from smart glasses to intelligent assistants. Furthermore, autonomous machines will be capable of taking on even more tasks, enabling humans to focus on the real value-add work.

Over time, Angela Ashenden, principal analyst for digital workplace at CCS Insights expects these bots to become a standard additional resource for employees to take advantage of in order to reduce the repetitive and mundane tasks they must carry out on a daily basis.

[These bots will allow employees] to focus on more valuable, enjoyable tasks, Ashenden says. Rather than replacing roles directly, they will shift the focus of roles in a new direction, and will be as natural an extension of an employees toolset as business applications are today.

Re-skilling the workforce

In the UK, over 70 percent of technology employers are experiencing a skills shortage. While some of the larger technology companies are looking to change their entry requirements to tackle this crisis  turning to coding schools and bootcamps or removing the requirement that applicants must have an undergraduate degree  there is still a long way to go before we see this trend reverse.

Unfortunately, every kind of business is being affected to some degree but, according to recruiter Harvey Nashs CEO, Albert Ellis, one of the emerging trends that is beginning to become ever clearer is the divide between traditional, well-established brands and smaller, younger, more agile businesses. Ellis says that it is the big corporates that are feeling the pressure most and amongst businesses over 50 years old, 71 percent are facing a talent problem.

When it comes to re-skilling the workforce, there are two trends that are set to dominate the workplace of 2020. The first is by helping existing employees to develop a new skill set in order to fill internal vacancies.

Although many firms will assume the future of work involves the latest shiny technology  and in some cases it will  the future for the majority of businesses will increasingly involve enhancing the existing skills of employees.

Jonathan Richards, CEO and co-founder of HR software vendor Breathe, says that in the workplace of today, ITs role is about more than simply providing infrastructure and powering back-office activity.

We really need to consider the enormous potential there is for companies that use IT effectively, Richards says. Enhancing the existing skills of your companies workforce will not only increase productivity, but really demonstrates the company is welcoming of the tech-savvy influx of new minds.

And its not just long-time employees that will be looking to update their skill set in 2020. Ellis says that Harvey Nash have seen a profound generational shift when it comes to the job requirements young people are asking for.

Todays generation are most interested in innovative projects and learning new skills, more so than in salary and job security, Ellis says. They are looking to work for organisations with a clear purpose, and many of them also care deeply about working for a business with strong ethical, environmental and sustainability credentials. As a result, smaller, younger companies are frequently a more attractive proposition to todays wave of IT talent.

The other skills-based trend were set to see throughout 2020 is a renewed focus on so-called soft skills.

As more jobs become automated, softer skills like high emotional intelligence and problem solving will increase in value, Vincent Belliveau, chief executive of EMEA at talent management software maker Cornerstone On Demand explains. In fact, organisations should hire potential with a view of continually upskilling, because you cant hire your way through the skills economy.

Andrew Filev, founder and CEO of project management software specialist Wrike agrees, noting that as the nature of work transforms, jobs will become more cognitively challenging, boosting the need for creative, empathetic, and strategic career skills.

Filev states that the recruitment of employees with humanities and arts degrees will see 10 percent increase as storytelling, content, and design become increasingly important to brands.

Lastly, as organisations implement more tech-based solutions such as robotics and artificial intelligence into their workplace, the onus is on employers to ensure employees have the right skills to shape and extend their careers.

In fact, 81 percent of workers expect their employer to provide tools and training to adapt to new roles as technology changes. Furthermore, Filev believes e-learning will become mainstream and even mandatory in some rapidly evolving fields as employees look to keep abreast of emerging technologies. He claims that by 2025, 45 percent of white-collar employees will have used an e-learning platform to improve their job skills or explore new careers.

However, despite the concerns around the current pace of change, a study from Ricoh found that its not all doom and gloom. According to the companys research, more than three-quarters of European employees are confident that they have the necessary skillset to keep and progress their current job over the next ten years.
Iran's top security body called an urgent meeting Friday over the "martyrdom" of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani by the United States in Baghdad, semi-official agency ISNA reported.

"In a few hours, an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme National Security Council will be held to review the murderous attack on the vehicle of General Soleimani in Baghdad that lead to his martyrdom," ISNA quoted its secretariat spokesman Keyvan Khosravi as saying.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Kingwood Service Association parks are all open and safe to use after Tropical Storm Imelda dealt another blow to greenspace in the area.

Dee Price, President of the Kingwood Services Association and a Park Steward, said East End Park had to most flood damage from Imelda. Sand flowed down from the East Fork San Jacinto River and landed in the park while crushed granite was washed away by floodwaters. East End Park flooded during Harvey and twice last year, including during the rain storm in May, and during Imelda.

On two of the trails that went along the bank, a portion of the trail got washed away such that we had to close those trails, Price said. But the rest of the trails throughout the park, we brought in a contractor who went in and resurfaced all of the trails with crushed granite and got them all up to speed.

Related: Small businesses impacted by Harvey could qualify for $250K grant

Now, the parks are back open without the warning signs indicating dangerous trails. They cannot technically close East End Park because there is nothing in place to prevent people from proceeding into the park, but caution signs were used to indicate the danger of entering after Imelda. Price said she believes the parks are one of the features that attracts people to Kingwood.

I think weve got that park back up to speed and looking good, Price said.

Each of the villages in Kingwood have HOAs, which charge residents assessments to maintain the common areas of their assigned village. Each of the villages are members of KSA and send representatives from each village to build a budget. Based on the equivalent units of each village, broken down between the number of residential and commercial properties, a portion of the budget is allocated to the village HOAs, called CAs, to pay for the parks upkeep.

Related: 2020 vision: The biggest stories to watch in Lake Houston area this year

Renovations were completed at East End Park on Dec. 20. It took approximately $101,000 to refurbish the park after Harvey, according to Price. They do not yet have the price for Imeldas refurbishing costs.

Every time we have to close a park to restore it, and then we open it, people really let us know that they appreciate it, Price said.

In addition to the park recovery, Price said KSA is in the process of dredging along River Grove Park because it has been sanded in, preventing the boat ramp from opening.

In January, were going to kick off a project to dredge the area and then hopefully get our boat ramp open before Spring, Price said.

The repairs came after KSAs five parks  including Creekwood Nature, Deer Ridge, East End, Northpark and River Grove  were damaged during Harvey.

After Hurricane Harvey, KSA spent $346,700 from their parks budget to rebuild after the damage the storm caused. KSA had to refurbish all of the trails, four of which were flooded, but the trails along the bank did not get washed out. Imelda was the first flooding event that caused the bank to be washed away and eliminated portions of the KSA trails. In addition to the trails themselves, boardwalks and benches also had to be repaired.

For more information on KSA Parks, visit www.kingwoodserviceassociation.org.

savannah.mehrtens@chron.com
Late January 2, Kuzmenko was brought to the crime scene to conduct an investigative experiment.

Vladyslav Dobosh, the lawyer of civil volunteer and pediatric surgeon Yulia Kuzmenko, who is suspected of involvement in the murder of Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet in Kyiv in the summer of 2016, will submit a motion to conduct another investigative experiment following the first one, which took place late January 2.

Read alsoPediatric surgeon suspected of Sheremet assassination to be held in custody for two months as appeal rejected

In a comment to the Hromadske news outlet, he said two people could be seen in the video from the case file. The investigation established the second person was probably Andrii Antonenko, another suspect in the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet.

Dobosh clarified the investigative experiment had not been completed. Everything will be documented and sent for examination on January 3. This part of the experiment concerned Kuzmenko's walking.

As reported earlier, late January 2, Kuzmenko was brought to the crime scene to conduct an investigative experiment. Another suspect, Andrii Antonenko, refused to participate in the experiment over the absence of his lawyer.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Variably cloudy with snow showers. High near 20F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 6F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph, becoming E and decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Iranian officials are likely considering a cyber-attack against the U.S. in the wake of an airstrike that killed one of its top military officials.

Former U.S. officials and security experts said there is precedent for such concerns amid years of tit-for-tat cyber-attacks between the two countries. As recently as June, after the U.S. sent additional troops to the Middle East and announced further sanctions on Iran, cyber-attacks targeting U.S. industries and government agencies increased, the Department of Homeland Security said at the time.

In a tweet after the airstrike on Thursday, Christopher Krebs, director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, repeated a warning from the summer about Iranian malicious cyber-attacks, and urged the public to brush up on Iranian tactics and to pay attention to critical systems, particularly industrial control infrastructure.

The airstrike in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, a major general in the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard, who led proxy militias that extended the country's power across the Middle East. The strike ordered by President Donald Trump was in response to "an imminent threat," according to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.

By midday, shares of cybersecurity companies were mostly up, even as the broader market was down amid uncertainty created by the airstrike. Just before 1 p.m. eastern time, shares of CrowdStrike Inc. were up 3.7% and FireEye Inc., 2.7%.

John Hultquist, director of intelligence analysis at the cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc., said Iran has largely resisted carrying out attacks in the U.S. so far. But "given the gravity of this event, we are concerned any restraint they may have demonstrated could be replaced by a resolve to strike closer to home."

Iranian cyber-attacks have included U.S. universities and companies, operators of industrial control systems and banks. Iranian hackers tried to infiltrate the Trump campaign, and they have launched attacks against current and former U.S. government officials and journalists. The U.S., meanwhile, has employed cyberweapons to attack Iran's nuclear capabilities and computer systems used to plot attacks against oil tankers, according to the New York Times.

James Lewis, senior vice president at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, likened the airstrike to assassinating a top U.S. official, such as the head of the Central Intelligence Agency or the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As such, he said Iranian retaliation may include the use of force, but the government is also likely asking hackers for a list of options.

"Cyber-attacks may be tempting if they can find the right American target," Lewis said. "The Iranians are pretty capable and our defenses are uneven, so they could successfully attack poorly defensed targets in the U.S. There are thousands, but they would want something dramatic."

The geopolitical tension between the U.S. and Iran has ratcheted up since the U.S. withdrawal in 2018 from a nuclear deal struck under President Barack Obama. But the nations have a years-long history of cyber confrontation.

Roughly a decade ago, the U.S. and Israel reportedly used a computer worm called Stuxnet to ruin about 1,000 centrifuges at an Iranian nuclear facility. Then, starting in 2011, Iran-backed hackers launched disruptive attacks against dozens of mostly financial targets in the U.S. -- costing them tens of millions of dollars.

Neither the U.S. nor Israel ever responded publicly to the Stuxnet allegations.

Robert M. Lee, chief executive officer of the industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos Inc., said companies and cyber professionals need to be on guard against an attack.

"I would advise analysts to place a particular focus on looking for the tactics, techniques, and procedures of groups that have been shown to operate in the interests of the Iranian state," Lee said. "For companies that have yet to make proper investments into the cybersecurity of their business, there is not much that can be done quickly in situations like this."
The US faced criticism today for keeping its allies including Britain in the dark about the deadly airstrike that wiped out a senior Iranian general.

Qassem Soleimani was taken out in a rocket attack in Baghdad in the early hours of this morning that appears to have been kept a closely guarded secret until it was all over.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo confirmed that he spoke to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab this morning, but not until several hours after the military operation in the Iraqi capital.

Boris Johnson, who is currently enjoying a luxury New Year holiday on the Caribbean island of Mustique is also said to have been unaware of the action.

Critics hit out at the US way of operating, saying that in the past allies like the UK and France would have been kept in the intelligence loop.

Conservative Tom Tugendhat, an ex-soldier and the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the last parliament, said: 'I've long believed that the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other, and it's been a pattern sadly, which has been a bit of a shame, that the US administration of late has not shared with us and that is a matter of concern.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo confirmed that he spoke to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab (both pictured at a December Nato summit) this morning, but not until several hours after the military operation in the Iraqi capital

Conservative Tom Tugendhat said: 'I've long believed that the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other'

Writing on Twitter today, President Trump defended the action, saying: 'General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time'

'I would urge the US administration to share much more closely with allies, particularly those who are fighting alongside in the region, including us.'

General Soleimani was killed by a US air strike at Baghdad airport in Iraq ordered by President Donald Trump.

He was head of Tehran's elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East.

Writing on Twitter today, President Trump defended the action, saying: 'General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!

The death of Soleimani (left), a figure deeply ingrained in the Iranian regime who many had assumed would be the country's next leader, brings Iran and America to the brink of all-out war. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis had been instrumental in leading attacks on the US embassy (pictured right, outside the building)

British and American flags were burned by demonstrators protesting in Tehran against the killing this morning

'He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself.'

Following the attack Mr Raab released a statement, saying: 'We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani.

'Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.'

Mr Pompeo later tweeted: 'Discussed with Dominic Raab the recent decision to take defensive action to eliminate Qassem Soleimani.

'Thankful that our allies recognize the continuing aggressive threats posed by the Iranian Quds Force. The U.S. remains committed to de-escalation.'
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined CNN and MSNBC Thursday night where he weighed in on the airstrike earlier in the day that killed high-ranking Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani at Baghdad airport. President Donald Trump said just two days earlier that he doesnt want, nor does he foresee, war with Iran. Though Booker agrees that Soleimani was responsible for hundreds of American deaths, he also expressed concern that the consequences of such a strike may not have been well thought out.

This is not something that should be done on impulse, Booker said. It should be done in a larger strategic vision and understanding what the consequences could be in taking out this significant  assassinating someone of such a significant leadership role in Iran.

Other presidential candidates also shared their thoughts and concerns about the killing of Soleimani.

My statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/4Q9tlLAYFB  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 3, 2020

Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars.



Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 3, 2020

Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

Booker also expressed his doubts that military action will solve the state of constant conflict in the region.

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This Middle East we have seen is not going to be solved, as we know in Afghanistan now with the Afghan papers coming out, we are not going to solve these problems, as our own generals are saying, with our United States military, Booker said. There must be diplomatic solutions.

The Pentagon said in a statement after the strike that Soleimani was developing plans to attack Americans in the region, as he has done in the past, and that this was a defensive measure. But, as the airstrike was carried out without congressional approval, Booker isnt quite ready to accept the Trump administrations rationale.

I have a lot of concerns right now as this is unfolding about that standard of the use of military force and I have a lot of concerns about a president whos already shown to have no strategy for the larger challenges we have in the Middle East, especially around Iran, Booker told CNN, later adding on MSNBC, These are statements coming from the Trump White House. Theres a lot more facts that have to come out to see if indeed this president, who already has done things that have undermined what people on both sides of the political aisle in the Senate have said do not constitute the authorization for the use of military force.

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Foreign Investment into Africa is the most deceptive and abused phrase ever used purposely to confuse people of goodwill that International Corporate world are trying to do for Africa what was done for Europe after the War. While it is true that Europe and other continents got richer, the face of poverty shifted from Asia to Africa. This is reality today that most people, with any form of sincerity or conscience cannot argue with.

What most of us do is blame Africans for their own predicament from slavery to neo-colonialism. Of course, there are enough blames, greed, traitors and accomplices to go around. It still takes two to tangle. European countries have benefited right from the days of slavery to money laundering today; not by passive accidents but by active designs.

While it is true that money laundering incurs consequences for Africans caught in the process, it does not negate the amount of stolen money into European and American banks or economy; into the hands of legal and financial accomplices that are charging about a third of the loot as fees. Helped hide poor countries' foreign reserves abroad.

Foreign companies are still at it just as when economic opportunities dried up in 1800 Europe and the Americas, they turned to far away continents looking for natural and human resources. Even the Moroccans, decided on further South into West Africa to capture the gold after fighting wars that depleted their resources and left them poorer. All these have become ancient history today. But if we do not learn from our past, we are bound to repeat the same mistake in the future. Africas future started yesterday.

According to OXFAM, it is indisputable that about one trillion American dollars have been lost from Africa to enrich other countries in Europe and Asia. If that is not Foreign Investment (or drain) from Africa, how difficult is it to understand the reverse psychology practices of how Europe (under) developed Africa. It has never been a secret since France, a small country with a tiny tribal population still feeds on French Speaking developing countries. African foreign reserves in France Treasury cannot be spent without the approval of France. Indeed, one of their Presidents, so admitted publicly.

Middle Class Africans, especially the ones trained at the London School of Economics, Wharton Business School, Harvard or University of Toronto have preached to us since Independence that only Foreign Investment can save Africa. Voila, realities have taught us different lessons. Sixty years is a long time, enough to understand the Dynamics of Economics. Somehow African markets have adopted Western and Eastern European Economics, be it capitalist or communist theory like old wine in a new bottle.

Obviously, the only missing theory has been African Economics. We must hastily add that it is not out of commission or omission but out of favor to old colonialists to be like them. Those African professors that dared criticize the cramming of Communist or capitalist economic theory as unsuitable or unworkable without adaptation to African market realities, were run out of town as teachers of Voodoo Economics. The reason is not farfetched. Africans longed to be part of the world communities so bad, we were willing to relinquish anything with African appellation or culture.

Those that are still preaching African Salvation by the way of foreign investment have not given up. Indeed, their staunch advocates come are Africans. While those old enough to remember the relative economic reprieve Africa had after Independence, they came to realize that it was only political but did not include actual economic independence. The ploughing of African wealth continued as foreign investment.

Moreover, Africa economic fortune declined further with the introduction of Structural Adjustment. Even when the International Monetary Fund and World Bank expressed misgivings at a conference in Ghana that they did not take the sociopolitical factor into consideration, we had some African economists insisting that African countries implemented Structural Adjustment wrongly, as the cause of the problem.

Then came Devaluations that paralyzed most African countries in the guise that once our human and natural resources become cheaper for foreign currencies, they would be able to buy more and that would spur economic growth by creating more jobs. Those propagating what we all knew as blatantly false then and now realized that we had no commodity that would enter their market.

Even under Obama Administrations AGOA, most of our commodities were rejected as substandard. Most African businesses do not realize what it takes to get our products into their markets, in their stores shelves, even at the risk of a temporary loss in profit.

It all boils down to promises into the future prospects or fooled as promising emerging markets that has never been realized. They choose the best countries open for business based on what they can scoop out as fast as they can on demand not on what Africa can gain. We are the fastest growing economies after they have had their lion share with promises of crumbs in the future.

They sell us rosy prospects as they did with religious deliverance that we will reap our reward in heaven, as long as we obey and abide by their rules on earth. So, there has never been any reasonable chance that foreign investment from their countries would liberate us in 60 years after Independence or ever as their internal traitors support their chicanery. An attractive charade for a toddler's intelligence.

There has always been one-way flow of capital either by money laundering with their corporate firms that source raw materials in Africa before and after Independence. Most, if not all, have never been foreign currency earners into Africa but they dip into meagre reserves to launder money back into their countries under the guise that they have to buy and import foreign materials for our factories; otherwise they layoff local workers.

African business men have learned well from their foreign masters and partners. Most of them have never earn foreign currency for their countries but dug deep into local reserves as international companies and launder foreign reserves into shell companies.

How much longer is this going to take until Africans realized that if they were crawling for over 60 years since Independence, they could have been better off than the abject poverty, disillusionment and obsession the foreign investments have left them. When all along, Africa was the source of foreign investments into Europe, America and Asia.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 10:07:17|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, skipped reverse repos for the eighth day on Friday.

The banking system reports a relatively high level of liquidity at present to offset the impact of reverse repos maturing, the PBOC said in a statement.

Reverse repos worth 150 billion yuan (about 21.5 billion U.S. dollars) matured Friday, meaning the central bank withdrew the same amount of funds from the financial market.

A reverse repo is a process in which the central bank purchases securities from commercial banks through bidding, with an agreement to sell them back in the future.

The country will continue to implement a proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy, according to the annual Central Economic Work Conference held in December 2019.

The quality and effect of the fiscal policy must be enhanced with more efforts on structural adjustment, while the monetary policy should be pursued with moderate flexibility to maintain market liquidity at a reasonably ample level, said a statement released after the conference.
T he killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the countrys elite Quds Force, in a US airstrike at Baghdad airport, has led to immediate threats of retaliation from Tehran and prompted international alarm about the likelihood of a serious escalation of conflict and instability in the Middle East.

This reaction is unsurprising because the decision by President Donald Trump to take out one of the most important figures in the Iranian regime is certainly a high-stakes gamble that could have unpredictable repercussions.

That is not to say that the Presidents actions are mistaken, however.

In an unpleasant regime, he was one of the worst.

Nor is President Trump, who had already upset Americas Western allies by tearing up the nuclear deal agreed with Tehran by his predecessor Barack Obama, necessarily wrong to respond to the recent killing of an American contractor in a missile strike in Iraq blamed on Iran  and the subsequent attack on the American embassy in Baghdad  in such a robust way.

Previous attempts by Barack Obama to rein in Iran through a more conciliatory approach largely failed.

The question, however, as so often with President Trump, is does he have a strategy? Eliminating a hated figure is eye-catching, but has he an effective long-term plan for dealing with Iran?

The world waits to see.

Stopping violent crime

The promise today by the Met Commissioner Cressida Dick that her force will be redoubling its efforts to reduce violent crime is both welcome and regrettably necessary after a year in which far too many lives have been lost needlessly.

As Dame Cressida says in her article for the Evening Standard today, it is particularly distressing that 25 of the 149 victims of last years bloodshed were teenagers, but every one of the homicides in the past 12 months was a tragedy.

It is right therefore that the Met should use the arrival of 2020 to enhance its efforts to prevent further bloodshed.

Dame Cressida says there will be more officers on the streets in the worst-affected areas, plus continued targeting of known regular knife carriers and those particularly malign individuals who seek to drag young people into crime. Police work in schools will also be stepped up. All this should bring positive results that are much needed.

It is clear, however, that while Dame Cressida understandably focuses on what her own officers can achieve, much of the long-term response must be for others to deliver.

One such person is Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has wasted too much time trying to score political points over this issue and not enough on contributing to its resolution.

Neither must ministers fall short, whether in delivering promised extra officers or providing the funding and legal framework to permit the effective, proportionate use of new technologies such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence.

As Dame Cressida says, London owes it to the grieving parents to stop the killing. Her words must be heeded by everyone.

Brilliant London fashion

London Fashion Week Mens starts tomorrow with optimism high about the prospects of a new decade of success for both the menswear industry and its female equivalent.

This confidence should be well founded and is a reminder of the brilliant contribution, creatively and economically, that designers in the capital and elsewhere make to our national life.

We salute their achievements and look forward to an exciting event.

Listen to today's episode of The Leader:
Friends of a 60-year-old woman who has been missing in Yellowknife for more than a week are getting more and more worried with each passing day.

According to police, Sladjana Petrovic was last seen in downtown Yellowknife on Dec. 26. She was reported missing the next day after she did not show up to the Salvation Army in Yellowknife to get medication she used to treat depression.

"This is so surprising for me, that she just disappeared, for how many days now," said Lidija Trailovic, a close friend of Petrovic. "I'm just hoping that she is somewhere alive."

Trailovic and Petrovic have been close for 12 years. Both came to Canada from Serbia.

Petrovic has struggled with mental illness, but Trailovic and others who know her said she had been cheerful and upbeat in recent times.

"This is very strange, how she can disappear like this," said Trailovic. "There are lots of things going through my mind. I don't know, maybe someone tricked her and abducted her or something. But knowing her, she would not go with anyone that she didn't know."

It's quite troubling, because she is such a creature of routine and habit. - Val Braden, Petrovic's friend

Trailovic said her friend does not use a cell phone, but knows the phone numbers of her close friends. None of them have heard from her.

The RCMP is still looking to the public for help finding Petrovic.

On Thursday, another friend, Val Braden, was driving around town putting up posters in the hope that someone will come forward with information.

Richard Gleeson/CBC

"We were supposed to meet for coffee on the 27th, in the afternoon," said Braden. "When she didn't show up, I tried calling her and she wasn't home. Sometimes she would forget the time or the day, so I wasn't too worried at that time."

Braden continued trying to call her during the day and evening, but there was no answer. She said she got a call from the RCMP Saturday morning letting her know Petrovic had been reported missing.

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'It's quite troubling'

Braden has known Petrovic for about 15 years. The two met when Braden was teaching English as a second language and Petrovic was one of her students.

"It's quite troubling, because she is such a creature of routine and habit, and to have her not being home when she was going to be, or not meet someone when she said she would is very disturbing."

Braden said she recognizes that Christmas can be a hard time for many people, but said Petrovic was very cheerful and doing well.

"We have tried to think of all the places she could have gone, people she could have seen, areas she could have been in. We've been around there. I know the RCMP has done some looking as well. We're putting up posters and hoping that people who see those posters might keep an eye out for her."

Search and rescue teams looking: RCMP

RCMP clarified in a press conference Friday afternoon that she was last seen on the morning of Dec. 26.

"We've received tips and we're following them," said Staff Sgt. Yannick Hamel. "I know there are tips that came in today."

Hamel said search and rescue teams have been involved in trying to locate Petrovic, and that searches were happening in the downtown area Friday.

"We're exploring everything at this time. The investigation is ongoing," said Hamel.

Police are asking anyone with information about where Petrovic may be to call the Yellowknife detachment at (867) 669-1111. Tips can also be left anonymously by text by following the instructions at nwtnu.tips.com.
Last month, Nevada Copper (TSE:NCU) commenced production at its underground Pumpkin Hollow Mine.

Construction began in 2018, and on Christmas Eve last month the company announced that it shipped its first copper concentrate.

Nevada Copper is taking a staged approach to building out its operation, starting with getting its underground mine up-and-running first. An open pit mine, which is currently in the feasibility stage, is planned to be built nearby.

Nevada Copper's president and CEO is Matt Gili, a mining engineer with a focus on underground operations.

He previously worked as Rio Tinto's chief operating officer for Oyu Tolgoi.

He also had stints at Barrick Gold and Hecla Mining.

Gili remarked that logistics are easier in Nevada compared to his previous stint in Mongolia.

"You can get parts. In 36 hours, you can deliver anything to Nevada," said Gili.

The project economics for the underground mine are a post-tax 25% internal rate of return of 25% with a $301 million net present value. The mine life is estimated at 13.5 years. The life of mine all-in-sustaining-cost is $1.96/lg of copper.

The mine is located about 1 hour and 17 minutes drive from Reno, Nevada, near the community of Yerington. The highway to get to the site passes by Tesla's battery plant.

Nevada Copper is starting with the underground operation first. A feasibility study for the open pit is starting this year.

Nevada Copper said the underground operation has the advantage of generating cash flow for the company more quickly before it makes a decision on the open pit. "Our strategy has been to advance the underground for a nominal price. That will then get the underground into production, become a cash-flow machine that then funds the corporate activities and will then allow us to advance the open pit as the next phase," said Gili.

The underground operations have the added advantage of running an exploration drilling for the open pit at a lower cost. Nevada Copper's open pit mine is planned to built near the underground operation. When running its exploration drilling program from underground, the company estimates it will be drilling 200 or 100 feet per hole as opposed to 2,000 feet at surface.

As of the first week of January, the company built its East Main Shaft with lateral development advanced 8,900 feet on both levels. Intermediate maintenance shops have been established on both the 2,850 and 2,770 levels. An East-North Vent Shaft is being advanced.

While the underground mine was being built, an above ground processing facility was constructed. The unit includes a conveyance system; crushing and griding circuit; floatation and thickening circuit; and filtering circuit. Anticipated production is 5,000 short tons per day of production.

The company has 250 employees, contractors and subcontractors on site. Staff for underground mine is 325-350 staff once running.

Time Lapse Video of Processing Facility Construction from Nevada Copper on Vimeo.

Images and video courtesy of Nevada Copper. Kitco's site visit to Pumpkin Hollow was funded by Nevada Copper. Picture of Reno courtesy of Trevor Baxter
We're just three days in and 2020 has already been wild and unexpected. Apparently, Kylie Jenner brought in the new year dancing to a Punjabi song. Who would've thought?

Yep, a video of her dancing - read: grinding - to Mundian Toh Bach Ke is going around on Instagram and well, it's safe to say no one saw that one coming.

While this was enough to get desi people excited, just like every time a white celebrity would reference something remotely desi, but just imagine how perfect it would've been if the song playing was any Diljit Dosanjh song? But unfortunately, Kylie still doesn't know woh usko kinna pyaar karda.

This is, obviously, the most expected thing, of course.

 Instagram

Moreover, looks like Kylie was little too full of Tequila to actually notice much. The pictures are great, though.

Diljit, after he sees the video, probably -

But, for real, we're all waiting for him to say something now, if she's already listening to Punjabi music, that's a good way for him to actually shoot his shot.
President Donald Trump authorized a US strike that killed the influential Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani in Iraq early Friday morning, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Describing the move as a decisive defensive action, the Pentagon insisted that the strike was aimed at deterring Iran from launching future attacks after an Iraqi proxy group fired rockets at a US base in Kirkuk and Iran-backed demonstrators breached the US Embassy grounds in Baghdad.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, the Pentagon said in a statement late Thursday, after Iraqi state television had already confirmed Soleimanis death in a US-led drone strike.

Just hours earlier, Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters that the United States had the authority to take preemptive strikes to defend American troops and diplomats against planned Iranian attacks. Reuters reported that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units political wing and head of Khataib Hezbollah, an Iran-linked group, also died in the strike.

The Pentagon said Soleimani orchestrated the Dec. 27 rocket attacks in Kirkuk that the United States blamed on Khataib Hezbollah and demonstrations at the US Embassy in Baghdad. The United States insists that Soleimani has harassed and intimidated American forces for decades, helping to introduce complex improvised explosive devices into Iraq after the American invasion that caused 17% of US deaths in the conflict, according to the State Department.

Soleimanis death, which sent shockwaves through social media, marks a major turning point for the Trump administrations campaign to contain Iran-linked attacks in the Middle East that have spiked since the United States ended sanctions waivers for importers of Iranian oil in May.

Petroleum markets spiked by 3% on reports of the militia leaders death, a popular figure in Iran who had once been seen as a future political star. While Trump tweeted out a pixelated image of an American flag just as the Pentagon announced Soleimanis death, some US officials feared that the American administration was not ready for an Iranian response.

We are ill-prepared for the consequences of this decision, said one US official, who noted that Iran could seek to target American forces in Iraq or the US Embassy in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

Becca Wasser, a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation who studies Iran, tweeted that Irans top targets could include Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia, where the United States surged forces over the summer; Al-Udeid air base in Qatar, where 11,000 US troops are based; or the US Navys Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain.

Gen. Mark Milley, the Pentagons top military official, said earlier on Thursday that Iran was behind as many as 15 attacks on US forces since October, but the Trump administration has spotted troubling Iranian activity throughout the Middle East over the summer.

Other US officials insisted that the Quds Force leaders death was necessary to dislodge Iranian attack planning, but was not seen inside the administration as an escalation. Soleimani was plotting lots of attacks  wasnt a question of us being escalatory, a State Department official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.

But Soleimani's death immediately sparked clear-cut divisions in Congress. Trumps allies celebrated the death of the Iranian militia leader as a restoration of US deterrence after the president twice refused to strike Iran as tensions surged over the summer.

I appreciate President Trumps bold action against Iranian aggression, said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a close ally of the president who unsuccessfully pushed for American strikes on Iran in June after the downing of a US surveillance drone over the Gulf of Oman. To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more, he added.

But the US administration has not provided a clear-cut legal justification for recent strikes to counter Iranian provocations, including the use of precision-guided munitions on Khataib Hezbollah facilities on Dec. 29. A Pentagon spokesperson referred Al-Monitor to Espers comments to reporters about the authority for those strikes, but the Defense chief did not name a specific legal statute.

Democrats feared the assassination would lead to a wider regional conflict without congressional approval. House Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., said the administration gave Congress no notification or consultation, and that the strike would not be covered by any existing military authorization.

The regime and its proxies have global reach that they may use to seek retribution for this strike, endangering the lives of Americans around the world, Engel said in a statement. And we are now again on the brink of direct confrontation in the Middle East. Newsweek reported that the Pentagon used the 127e program to target Soleimani, an authority typically used by the United States to direct foreign troops in raids against terror targets.

The United States has added nearly 15,000 troops in the Middle East as tensions with Iran have sparked since May, including 750 Marines and soldiers from the 82nd Airborne division tasked with protecting the Baghdad embassy earlier this week.

But just as Tehran has used car bombs, assassinations and other irregular tactics in the past, in the wake of Soleimanis death, officials fear that Iran will pursue an asymmetric response that could again catch American troops off guard with tensions set to continue rising.

This is not the type of warfare that were particularly good at; Iran is excellent at it, the US official who spoke to Al-Monitor said. Were about to find out just how vulnerable we are in the Middle East.
Its probably no surprise that a new global safety study concluded that for 2020, Qantas is the worlds safest airline (remember that famous discussion in the movie Rain Man?). But its definitely a surprise that Southwest Airlines ranked so far down on the AirlineRatings.com list  dead last among U.S. carriers  earning only three out of a possible seven stars.

Most of the other U.S. carriers in the study earned a full seven stars (out of seven), including American, Delta, United, Alaska, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Frontier, Sun Country, Silver Airways (a regional airline serving Florida and the Bahamas), Cape Air (a small-plane turboprop carrier in New England, south Florida and the Caribbean) and Omni Air International (a charter carrier). However, only Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines rank among the world's top 20 safest carriers, according to AirlineRatings analysis of 405 carriers worldwide.

The three U.S. airlines that didnt earn seven stars were Spirit, Allegiant and PenAir (a commuter carrier in Alaska). But each of them had a rating of four stars, still better than Southwests three.

Southwests three safety stars puts it in the company of carriers such as Aerocaribbean (Cuba), Avia Traffic Co. (Kyrgyzstan), Novoair (Bangladesh), Tajik Air (Tajikistan) and Turkmenistan Airlines, as well as Air Panama, Ethiopian Airlines and northern Canadas First Air.

Even with three stars, Southwest still ranked higher than two-star airlines in the study such as Iraqi Airways and Afghanistans Ariana Afghan and Kam Air. (The study found just a single company that merited only one safety star: Nepal Airlines.)

So what happened to Southwest? One standard that most carriers easily passed in the AirlineRatings.com study was an absence of passenger fatalities over the past 10 years, and thats one thing that tripped up Southwest. You might recall that in April 2018, a Wells Fargo Bank executive on a Southwest flight from New York's LaGuardia to Dallas died after she was struck by a piece of shrapnel that crashed through her window when an engine failed and blew apart. The B737 had to make an emergency landing in Philadelphia. That was the first U.S. airline passenger fatality since 2009.

But theres an even bigger factor  and not an entirely fair one. The study placed major importance on whether an airline has passed an operational safety audit (IOSA) conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade organization of the worlds airlines. And Southwest didnt check that box  although that seems to be a technicality. Registering for IOSA certification and auditing is not mandatory, AirlineRatings.com noted. Therefore an airline that does not have IOSA certification may have either failed the IOSA audit or alternatively chosen not to participate.

An IOSA audit is required for airlines that belong to IATA, but according to an online list of IATA carriers, Southwest is not a member. Because U.S. airlines are so closely regulated and inspected by the FAA, Southwests lack of an IOSA audit doesnt mean its not safe. But its failure to get that audit cost it three stars out of seven in the AirlineRatings.com safety study.

AirlineRatings.com said its safety study considers a comprehensive range of factors that include audits from aviations governing and industry bodies, government audits, airlines crash and serious incident record, profitability, industry-leading safety initiatives, and fleet age. It does not consider the size or number of safe flights completed each year by the airline, which would likely boost the rating of Southwest considering its sheer number of incident-free flights every year.

From Perth, Australia, Geoffrey Thomas, editor and publisher at AirlineRatings.com told SFGATE, "Southwest is a great airline, but is not amongst our safest airlines due to the fact that it has not completed the International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit or IOSA. This is an audit that is done every two years and covers over 1000 parameters many of which are operational and safety areas." He added that since Southwest has not participated in an IOSA audit, it has not made the top 20 list in any of the five years this study has been published. Using the sort function on the online list, we were unable to remove the IOSA criteria to see how Southwest ranked without that.

Rating airlines on safety is a touchy, difficult subject. For example, a competing airline rating site, SkyTrax.com, states that it "does not publish a comparative rating of airline safety standards or airline safety record details, because there is no single accurate, global reference of safety standards and/or safety incidents which provides information that can in our opinion be truly trusted by passengers, or which supplies total accuracy to customers in choosing an airline... It is critical that any single, global measure of airline safety provides exactly that  a single rating format with no gaps caused by inconsistency in the way safety incidents may or may not be reported."

UPDATE: Southwest Airlines provided the following statement to SFGATE on Friday: "As we approach nearly 50 years of air service, Southwest has safely transported more U.S. air travelers each year than any other carrier, for well more than a decade. Safety has been, is and will remain our number one priority and focus. We note that the primary driver in ranking carriers within this study is IOSA registration, which, to date, as an airline serving primarily US destinations, we have chosen not to pursue. We regularly evaluate whether an additional affiliation with IATA, which administers the IOSA program, would make sense as our international footprint grows. "

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In declaring Qantas to be the worlds safest airline, AirlineRatings.com noted that over its 99-year history the worlds oldest continuously operating airline has amassed a truly amazing record of firsts in operations and safety and is now accepted as the industrys most experienced airline. It noted that Qantas has pioneered a number of safety-related technologies such as real-time monitoring of its engines across its fleet using satellite communications, which has enabled the airline to detect problems before they become a major safety issue.

Other carriers in the studys top 20 safest airlines include Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Australia, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, TAP Portugal, SAS, Royal Jordanian, Swiss, Finnair, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, and KLM.

Thomas said that US carriers Delta, American and United, all had incidents involving allegedly intoxicated pilots during 2019, which ruled them ineligible for the top 20 list.

AirlineRatings.com also issued a separate list of the Top 10 Safest & Best Low-cost Airlines. That list includes Air Arabia, Flybe, Frontier, HK Express, IndiGo, JetBlue, Volaris, Vueling, Westjet, and Wizz.

You can scroll through a complete rating list of all the studys airlines here.

Read all recent TravelSkills posts here

Chris McGinnis is SFGATE's senior travel correspondent. You can reach him via email or follow him on Twitter or Facebook. Don't miss a shred of important travel news by signing up for his FREE biweekly email updates!
The U.S. air strike in Iraq that killed the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force took out a man seen as Tehran's "second-most powerful man." Speaking on January 3 in Prague, the director of Radio Farda, RFE/RL's Persian Service, Mehdi Parpanchi, called Qasem Soleimani "irreplaceable," in part because of his close connections with Iranian military proxies throughout the Middle East.
Gather around yall. Let me tell you about Pecos Bill.

Born in 1845, Pecos Bill traveled across Texas as a baby but fell out of the covered wagon and was raised by coyotes. Later, he became a cowboy, slinging a rattlesnake as a lasso with which he roped a twister. He rode a horse named Lightning and shot out all the stars except one: the Lone Star.

Of course, Pecos Bill was just a tall, Texas tale actually hatched in the mind of writer Edward Tex OReilly in 1917. As we enter 2020, the Texas economy is the new Pecos Bill. So commonplace as to be a trope: the Texas economy is booming at a record pace. Jobs bloom like bluebonnets. Theres just one hitch: Its about not to be true.

The breakneck economic growth of the Lone Star State is about to slow down in 2020 and 2021  way down in some corners. The economies of the biggest Texas cities will still grow but not at the rip-roaring rate to which were accustomed. And big cities such as Houston are what power Texas. Theres a lesson here. The Trump economy is not as hot as the stock market would have us believe and while the Pecos Bill economy isnt cold, it is cooling.

First, lets separate the bulls from the manure.

Yes, the Texas economy outpaced the national economy in 2018. But in 2019 the economy slowed and many leading indicators turned south, which suggests the same for next year. People have stopped stampeding to Texas. The price of oil, despite a December surge, remains way down from its earlier highs. And while a new report predicts that from 2020 to 2021 Texas cities will still outperform lots of others, theyll do so by less impressive margins.

There is no recession on the horizon for 2020, but there are warning signs of another cooling. In October, the manufacturing sector in Texas shrunk for the first time in three years. Drilling was down 10 percent in 2019. And a couple of President Trumps signature policies are actually hurting the Texas economy, bigly: trade and immigration.

The U.S. would be very well-served to restructure its immigration system to be more skill-based and employer-based, like Canada, the president of the Dallas Fed, Robert S. Kaplan, said at Rice University recently. If you believe youre going to cut the number of immigrants and grow GDP, those two things do not go together.

It has been immigrant workers and their offspring who have kept the aging U.S. workforce from graying even faster, and half the growth in the labor pool has come from immigrants and their offspring. And the best thing Texas could do? Invest in early literacy for starters, he added, as swell as math and science education. When it comes to education, Texas ranks consistently in the bottom half of the 50 states.

So, now this is a moderate-growth economy, not a red-hot one. Our massive population boom in Texas has actually slowed. The cost of living is no longer cheap and we have the highest uninsured rate for health in the nation. And rashly slashing immigration, instead of rewriting the law, means fewer workers and less productivity now and in the future.

The Texas economy isnt radically distinct from the larger American economy, no matter how much politicians boast, brag and bawl about our exceptionalism. And its fueled by its largest cities, which are all facing, with varying levels of difficulty, a global slowdown. Two thirds of the worlds largest 900 cities will see a drop in their economic output in 2020 and 2021 because of, yes, a slowdown in global trade, according to a report by Oxford Economics, a British-based research and consulting firm.

Three of the fastest growing, major North American cities in recent years are in Texas. Austins growth was strong throughout the last decade, thanks to a diverse mix of growth industries that includes high-tech and advanced manufacturing, the studys author, Stephen Adams, a senior economist, wrote. Austins economy grew at an explosive 3.5 percent in 2018-2019. Houston was right behind at 3.2 percent and Dallas followed at 2.8 percent.

Looking forward, however, the situation is liable to change somewhat. In general, the large west coast and southern cities are still likely to be among the stronger North American performers in 2020-21, he continued. But we forecast that their growth rates will be similar to, rather than markedly stronger than, growth in other large cities.

So, growth in Austins economy will drop by a third to 2.5 percent, the study says. San Antonios will drop a little further. Meanwhile, the economies of Dallas and Houston will fare better but drop by a full percentage point nonetheless, from as much as 3.6 percent, in the case of Houston, to 2.4 percent by the end of 2022. Thats better than a lot of cities across the nation but still a cut of a full third in urban growth rates. That means the big cities will have less economic oomph with which to power the state economy as a whole.

Meanwhile, outside the big cities, the oil patch, namely Odessa-Midland, is headed for a rough year.

Wall Street is losing its appetite for large-scale investments in oil.

Investors are no longer into growth. They want returns, said Houston consultant Jack Belcher, senior vice president of Cornerstone Energy, an advisory firm. A big consideration is investment capital. Its a big squeeze.

Economist Ray Perryman notes Texas retains significant advantages, but says it faces strong headwinds.

The state continues to be a leader in new locations and is seeing significant growth in all types of technology production and services. It is also seeing growth in key service sectors and an expanding international footprint. Perryman said. Having said that, there are plenty of challenges. The state is facing a substantial worker shortage (the key factor in our lower growth projections) and is harmed by the ongoing trade wars.

Thats proof that the Lone Star States economy isnt bulletproof to dumb political choices and that its linked to the American and global one. Which naturally reminds me of a story about roosters.

When I was a little boy my grandmother sent me to fetch eggs from the chickens and the rooster took out after me. I dutifully reported the incident. My grandmother was not a trifling woman. So, next I knew, that rooster was lunch. If politicians want to crow at every sunrise they have to face the sunset at the polls.

In Washington, that means consequences for messy, and so far failing, trade conflicts. In Austin, that means that politicians, led by the governor, need to rethink the way they are against every form of big government  except for the kinds of their own making. They need to let cities do what they need to do. If they want to ban plastic bags and fracking, kick Chick-fil-A out of the airport, grow trees or protect rights, then the state should let them.

Texas cities can help save Texas economy, and they are the big reason why it can, despite its challenges, stay strong for decades. But for that to happen, we must make the right choices. From now on, it is not Dont Mess With Texas  its Dont Mess With Texas Cities. But we cant do that or solve real challenges, like the aging workforce, with the magical thinking favored by the governor and so many of the states other politicians.

So, if you think, as they do, that the Texas economy is magically exceptional to reality, then let me tell you how the Gulf of Mexico was created with rain from California. And the Rio Grande was dug with a stick.

You know, by Pecos Bill.
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan approved a resolution which allowed Turkey to deploy the army to Libya.

Thus, the document is completely ratified by Ankara, TASS reports.

Yesterday, the resolution was approved by the Turkish parliament. The government has not revealed details about the possible Turkish deployment. The motion allows the government to decide on the scope, amount and timing of any mission.
Interpol on Thursday issued a red notice asking Lebanon to arrest Carlos Ghosn, the former Nissan chairman who fled house arrest in Japan for Beirut.

Driving the news: Investigations into Ghosns escape are underway in Japan and Turkey, where the private plane he took from Tokyo stopped. Seven airport staff and pilots were arrested in Istanbul, per the FT.

Ghosn, who was arrested in late 2018, had been awaiting trial in Tokyo on charges of financial misconduct  accusations he has consistently denied and which he claims were trumped-up as part of an attempt to remove him from his position as chairman of Nissan.

For the past seven months he had been living in a large house  a former embassy building  in central Tokyo under strict bail conditions and what was thought to be the watertight scrutiny of Japanese prosecutors.

Mr. Ghosns escape had been planned with the help of private security operatives since October, according to people familiar with the situation.

Go deeper: Former Nissan head Carlos Ghosn: I fled Japan to Lebanon to escape injustice
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Satin Creditcare Network Ltd (SCNL), one of the leading microfinance companies in India, has received External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) funding of $15 million from OeEB, the Development Bank of Austria, to accelerate its microfinance lending portfolio.

The investment will support SCNL in its planned expansion, portfolio growth and its efforts in increasing financial inclusion through its operations in 22 states, the company said.

This will be the third round of ECB funding by a foreign institution in SCNL whilst showcasing their continuous interest in the company and the Microfinance sector in India.

The first ECB investment in SCNL was by World Business Capital and second investment was by responsibility investment.

This is OeEB's first investment in MFI industry in India under the new ECB guidelines. OeEB works in developing countries and emerging markets and provides financing for sustainable economic development.

HP Singh, Chairman & MD, SCNL said, "We are delighted that OeEB, Development Bank of Austria rest strong trust in SCNL by making us their first choice of funding in India. The funding from OeEB will help us to strengthen our ongoing credit lending services to a larger section of existing and potential customer base and accelerate our reach across India." Sabine Gaber, Member of the Executive Board of the Development Bank of Austria, commented, "Increasing financial inclusion is one of our main strategic goals. We are therefore proud to work with SCNL - an experienced partner in the field of microfinance. Especially women often have very limited access to financial services, which is why we are particularly happy that our funds will support female entrepreneurs and contribute to improving gender equality in India." With an outstanding portfolio of Rs 7,182 crore and serving over 3.6 million customers, SCNL has been given again the top industry grading by CARE to MFI1 grading.
Burma Most Myanmar Trafficking Cases Involve Forced Marriage in China: Police

A woman from Myanmar who was forced to marry a Chinese man is seen after returning to Yangon in June. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

Yangon  Most of the human trafficking cases reported in 2019 involved forced marriages in China, according to Myanmars Anti-Human Trafficking Polices annual report.

The study said 196 human trafficking cases out of 239 (82 percent) involved trafficking to China for forced marriage, childbirth for Chinese families, labor and prostitution.

The police said 188 cases (79 percent) involved forced marriage to Chinese men. There were eight cases of forced labor, adoption, prostitution and childbirth.

In 2018, 206 trafficking cases were reported across the country, with 164 citizens trafficked to China, including 154 forced marriages to Chinese men, according to the police.

Yangon Region and Shan State reported the most cases with 65 each.

The police reported that of 358 cases last year, 297 victims were female.

It said 732 people, including 505 females, were prosecuted in relation to trafficking.

The police said there were more prosecutions to come.

Police Major Khin Maung Kwel from Yangons anti-trafficking task force told The Irrawaddy on Friday that poverty, lack of job opportunities and hardship were behind the trafficking issue.

He said women from other nations were also being trafficked to China for forced marriages. Human Rights Watch said in March 2019 that the proportion of women in China had fallen every year since 1987.

It estimated there were 30 to 40 million more Chinese men than women with many males in their late 30s having little prospect of marriage. The New York-based NGO said victims were sold for between US$3,000 (4.4 million kyats) and US$13,000.

The police figures are far lower than those of independent studies.

The 2018 report by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Kachin Womens Association of Thailand said more than 100,000 women from Myanmar had returned from China between 2013 and 2017.

It said 7,800 returnees had been married to Chinese men, of which 5,000 were in forced marriages. The report said 3,900 of those women had been trafficked into forced marriages and 2,800 had been forced to give birth.

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Unfortunately, she is also susceptible to tech bros clear-skinned optimism and willing to hypothesize the presence of humanity in places where it has gone the way of The Dodo (by which I mean the viral-animal-video website that claims to advocate for animals through the promotion of visually compelling, highly shareable content). She comes across an article about an e-reading start-up promising to bring a revolution to book publishing  one of several proposed Netflix for books projects that have thankfully failed to achieve Netflix-level success. Despite suspecting a lot of fine print, she finds herself intrigued as much by the possibility of a not-so-bleak future for the publishing industry as by the prospect of making more than $30,000 a year (no benefits). After a series of ambiguous and casual interviews, she accepts a three-month trial position, to the consternation of her publishing friends, who see the e-book start-up as the enemy.

[ Read an excerpt from Uncanny Valley. ]

Wiener frequently emphasizes that, at the time, she didnt realize all these buoyant 25-year-olds in performance outerwear were leading mankind down a treacherous path. She also sort of does know all along. Luckily, the tech industry controls the means of production for excuses to justify a fascination with its shiny surfaces and twisted logic. She reads the blogs. It was easier, she writes, to fabricate a romantic narrative than admit I was ambitious  that I wanted my life to pick up momentum, go faster. Even two-thirds of the way through the book, when Wiener, by now established in San Francisco, is poised to scale by taking a customer-support job at a cutesily branded open source start-up with possibly redemptive techno-utopian roots (GitHub), she has not yet realized her personal pathology is a widespread affliction. An entire culture had been seduced by ambitious, aggressive, arrogant young men from Americas soft suburbs. (Wiener is from Brooklyn, a perspective that occasionally shades her narrative.)

Back in New York, when her trial period at the e-book start-up ends, shes not asked to continue  she is, in the words of the C.E.O., who accidentally posts this comment about her in the company chat room, too interested in learning, not doing. Nevertheless, shes able to assimilate to start-up culture in at least one critical way: She fails up. Her bosses help her find a new job out West, on the customer-support team of a data-analytics start-up founded by college dropouts that is hyped in tech-world parlance as a rocket ship and the next unicorn. She finds the analytics start-ups bizarre interview questions infuriating (How would you describe the internet to a medieval farmer? asked the sales engineer, opening and closing the pearl snaps on his shirt, sticking his hand thoughtfully down the back of his own waistband). For years, she says, shed wonder if she got the job because the process had revealed a degree of obedience desirable in a customer-support representative. In fact, she got it because one of the companys founders gave her a section of the LSAT as the final portion of the interview, and she managed a perfect score. I was always overthinking things.

Image Anna Wiener fills out our worst-case scenarios about Silicon Valley with shrewd insight and literary detail. Credit... Russell Perkins

Wiener becomes part of the ecosystem; as a non-engineer seen as expendable, shes eager to please and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to something bigger than herself. She tries to learn JavaScript in a weekend, an impossible project cruelly encouraged by her DFTC boss (who will, by the end of the book, burn out). She gets promotions and a small amount of equity  always disclosing the numbers, a small political statement consistent with her light blurring of company and brand identities. She wears her company T-shirts. She is subject to blithe sexism and assured, Thats just who he is. She goes on nature retreats and listens to electronic dance music. She buys the same glasses, Australian work boots and cashmere sweaters as everyone else, compelled to optimize though shed always liked her inefficient life.
Two iconic lion sculptures that have guarded the entrance to HSBC headquarters in Central for decades will disappear from public view for only the third time in their history, so they can be restored after being vandalised on New Years Day.

On Friday morning, the bronze statues were covered with hoardings after they were sprayed with red paint and briefly set alight with stickers after anti-government protesters vented their destructive fury against the banking giant.

An HSBC spokeswoman said initial cleaning was being carried out on the damaged lions while conservation experts from Britain would be invited to advise on the restoration.

We are saddened by the attempts to vandalise the lions. Our first priority is always the safety of customers and employees, she said.

The whole restoration process will take a period of time so now they are covered with whiteboards for protection. We are committed to doing everything we can to conserve the bronze lions, which form part of the banks and Hong Kongs history.

An anti-government protester sets fire to one of the lion statues outside HSBC's headquarters on New Years Day. Photo: AFP

The two lions have only been removed from public view twice before, when they were seized by the Japanese during the second world war, and in the 1980s when the banks new headquarters were being built.

Recently, HSBC has drawn the ire of some protesters who blame the bank for the closure of a fundraising account for protesters held by a group called Spark Alliance. In December, police froze more than HK$70 million (US$9 million) in the account and four Spark Alliance members were arrested in connection with money laundering.

The bank first adopted the sculpted lions as its icons in 1921 when Alexander Stephen, the then chief manager, decided a pair of lions symbolising protection and security would look impressive outside the new Shanghai branch, which was being built at the time.

He wrote that the inspiration for his decision came from the imposing lions outside the Venetian Arsenal.

The lions have now been hidden from view while they go through a period of restoration. Photo: Winson Wong

The Shanghai lions were cast in bronze in England from models prepared by Henry Poole, and were shipped out to China for the opening of the new building in 1923. They were named Stephen and Stitt after Stephen and Gordon Stitt, the then Shanghai manager, with Stephen depicted roaring, and Stitt in a dormant pose.

Story continues

Later, when HSBC decided to build its Hong Kong headquarters in Central, it commissioned another two bronze lions from Shanghai-based British sculptor WW Wagstaff, who cast them in Shanghai.

Both lions were in place for the opening of the new headquarters in October 1935. They have guarded the bank entrance in Central ever since, except for two notable periods of absence  during the second world war, and in the 1980s for the construction of the current HSBC building.

During the second world war, Hong Kong was invaded and occupied by the Japanese army. The statues were among a series of bronze items taken by the Japanese to be melted down for munitions, but they survived because the war ended before this could happen.

They were recognised by an American sailor in Osaka in 1945 and a year later were returned to Hong Kong. One of them still bears bullet marks from the fighting in Hong Kong when the Japanese invaded.

This article Iconic HSBC lions in Hong Kong facing long period of restoration after being set on fire by protesters first appeared on South China Morning Post

For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.
Ambassadors of the two countries decry the glorification of wartime Ukrainian nationalists who promoted ethnic cleansing of Jews and Poles

Activists of various nationalist parties carry torches during a rally in Kyiv, Ukraine (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Israel and Poland, which have clashed repeatedly in recent years over differing interpretations of the history of the Second World War, came together on Thursday to issue a rare joint condemnation of Ukraine over its efforts to rehabilitate nationalists who collaborated with the Nazis.

The criticism came one day after Ukrainians marked the 111th birthday of Stepan Bandera, the wartime leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), a violently anti-Semitic organization that collaborated with the Nazis. Among Holocaust historians, the consensus is that the OUN and its military offshoot, known as the UPA, were responsible for the deaths of thousands of Jews and up to 100,000 Poles during the war (estimates vary).

In a joint letter to civic leaders in Lviv and Kyiv, Israeli ambassador Joel Lion and his Polish counterpart, Bartosz Cichocki, expressed concern regarding efforts to honor Bandera and Andryi Melnyk, the head of a competing faction of the OUN.

In Kyiv on Wednesday, local officials raised a giant banner with Banderas picture over the city administration building, prompting anger from Jewish activists. That came just over a week after the Lviv Oblast Council approved funding for a 2020 celebration in honor of Melnyk.

Joint statement of Ambassador of ???????? @B_Cichocki

and Ambassador of ???????? in Ukraine @ambassadorlion pic.twitter.com/Fofworw07B  PLinUkraine (@PLinUkraine) January 2, 2020

Remembering our innocent brothers and sisters murdered in the occupied territories of Poland 1935-1945, which now constitute a part of Ukraine, we the Ambassadors of Poland and Israel believe, that celebrating these individuals is an insult, Lion and Cichocki wrote.

Glorification of those who promoted actively the ethnic cleansing is counterproductive in the fight against Antisemitism and the reconciliation of our People, they continued.

These very days our governments are spending their utmost efforts to respond to the further attacks on Jews in different countries and prevent attempts to falsify history of the Second World War, they added in an apparent reference to recent Russian claims that Poland precipitated the global conflict.

Thursdays letter is the second time that Lion and Cichocki have come together to call for a change in Ukrainian memory policy. In June, the pair signed a joint letter to the mayor of the Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankisvsk, protesting the unveiling of a monument honoring Roman Shukhevych, a collaborator with the Nazis who was implicated in the murder of countless Jews and ethnic Poles.

A building of Kiev City Administration was decorated with an image of Stepan Bandera, leader of fascist and antisemitic Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, whose members heavily participated in Holocaust and organized mass killings of 100 thousand peaceful Poles in 1941-1944. pic.twitter.com/WmLYvzO8hI  Eduard Dolinsky (@edolinsky) January 2, 2020

Following Ukraines 2014 revolution, the former Soviet republics parliament passed a series of bills known collectively as the Decommunization Laws, meant to sever the countrys ties to its Russian and Soviet past. One of the bills prohibited what it called the public denial of the legitimacy of the struggle for independence of Ukraine in the twentieth century.

In practical terms, these bills paved the way for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian ultranationalist figures who had collaborated with the Nazis.

Over the last several years, streets all over Ukraine have been named after far-right figures and steps have been taken to rehabilitate their images, casting them as fighters for democracy whose followers saved Jews from the Germans.

Asked about the letter, Ambassador Lion told The Times of Israel that Israel and Poland have a common interest in combating Holocaust denial and rewriting of History.

Israel has repeatedly clashed with Poland since it passed a bill that made it illegal to hold Poland responsible for Nazi crimes in 2018.

Critics of the law, including Israeli politicians and prominent Holocaust historians, warned that it would limit debate about the Holocaust and serve to obscure the actions of Poles who betrayed Jews to the Germans or killed them.

Last month, in what may signal the beginning of a change in Ukraines approach to its past, the government announced that it was appointing Anton Drobovych, an academic who had previously worked at the Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center, as the new head of the Institute for National Memory, the state body primarily responsible for implementing memory policy.

Read the original text at The Times of Israel.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or 112.International and its owners.
- An online post regarding Vice President Leni Robredos statement about the Ayalas has been circulating on social media

- The post claimed that Robredo said it would be better to pay the Ayalas because they may suffer losses for giving free water

- However, it has been reported that the claim was false and misleading the public

- The spokesperson of Vice President has released a statement and clarified the issue

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A social media post has claimed that Vice President Leni Robredo has released a statement about the Ayalas amid the water crisis the Manila Water has been facing.

However, KAMI learned that the claim was false.

In a report by Rappler, the post claimed that Robredo said she would rather pay the Ayalas instead of giving free water to the people.

Siguro ang importante bayaran na lang 'yung mga Ayala. Kawawa naman sila malulugi dahil lang gusto nating makalibre ng tubig, it read in the photo.

You may check the post here:

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However, Rappler reported that the Vice President never said such a statement.

Robredos spokesperson, Barry Gutierrez, has clarified the issue and said, The Vice President never said anything even remotely similar to this.

It follows the pattern of fake and outrageous quotes being attributed falsely to the VP on social media, as part of an obvious and deliberate effort to damage her reputation, he added.

On December 15, 2019, Robredo said on her radio show Biserbisyong Leni that she supported a review of the deals between water concessionaires. However, she warned them to be careful so that they will not drive away investors.

Leni Robredo is the 14th Vice President of the Philippines and the second woman to ever assume the post. She is the widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Please like and share our amazing Facebook posts to support the KAMI team! Dont hesitate to comment and share your opinions about our stories either. We love reading about your thoughts and views on different matters!

Source: KAMI.com.gh
Al-Muhandis was deputy leader of Hashd al-Shaabi, an Iraqi paramilitary group with close ties to Iran.

Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, killed early on Friday in a US air strike in Baghdad, was seen as Tehrans man in Iraq and a sworn enemy of the United States.

The US strike on Baghdads international airport also killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and a friend of al-Muhandis.

The men died in an air strike on a convoy belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces) an Iraqi paramilitary force with close ties to Iran, whose deputy chief was al-Muhandis.

It came just days after Hashd members and supporters attempted to storm the US embassy in Baghdad after the US launched air attacks against Kataib Hezbollah positions in Iraq and Syria.

Al-Muhandis  the widely-used nom-de-guerre for Jamal Jaafar al-Ibrahimi  was among the crowds of PMF members and supporters that protested at the embassy on Tuesday.

Known for his strong anti-US rhetoric during the US-led occupation of Iraq, al-Muhandis, 56, also built up close ties to Iran over decades.

Muhandis was demonstrative of how Iran built its network of proxies in Iraq, said Phillip Smyth, a US-based researcher focused on Shia armed groups, as cited by AFP news agency.

He has history with basically every major network Iran had in Iraq. You would not have found a stronger ideal of Irans influence in the country, he said.

Born in 1953 in Iraqs southern Basra, al-Muhandis held both Iraqi and Iranian citizenship.

He started his political life with the Dawa party, a Shia group that was crushed by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in the 1970s. Like others in the party, including the future Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, al-Muhandis fled abroad and joined forces with Iran.

In the 1980s, he became commander of the Badr Corps, a unit of Iraqi fighters founded in Iran in opposition to then-president Hussein.

He was sentenced to death in Kuwait for involvement in the 1983 bomb attacks on US and French embassies there but fled the country.

Inveterate opponent of US

After Husseins removal in the US-led invasion in 2003, al-Muhandis briefly served as a member of parliament in Iraq following the 2005 elections.

He then helped found Kataib Hezbollah  an Iran-backed paramilitary group that has targeted US troops. The US targeted three Kataib positions in Iraq and two in Syria on Sunday in response to a rocket attack in northern Iraq last week that the US blamed on the group  and which killed a US contractor.

In 2009, the US sanctioned both al-Muhandis and Kataib Hezbollah as terrorist entities.

Washington said he ran weapons smuggling networks and participated in bombings of Western embassies and attempted assassinations in the region.

Michael Knights, an expert at the Washington Institute, described al-Muhandis as the most inveterate opponent of the United States among Iraqs Shia armed groups.

He was later appointed deputy head of the Hashd, founded as a loose network of Shia-majority factions fighting the ISIL (ISIS) group in Iraq.

It was later absorbed into Iraqs formal security forces, but critics say that some of the factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, still operate independently of Baghdad.

Muhandis worked assiduously to develop the Hashd into an organisation that was neither subject to full prime ministerial command nor subordinate to the conventional security forces, said Knights, as cited by AFP news agency.

Although he worked under Faleh al-Fayyadh, also Iraqs national security adviser, al-Muhandis was widely recognised as the Hashds real leader, observers said.

He had both the utmost loyalty of its forces on the ground and control over its financial resources.

That made him the central nervous system of the IRGCs Quds Force in Iraq, Knights wrote last year.

He was a personal adviser to Soleimani, with the two pictured on multiple occasions in warm embraces.

Like the Iranian commander, al-Muhandis sported a white beard and kept his white hair swept into a neat coiffe.

Despite his high-profile position within the Hashd, al-Muhandis rarely appeared in public or delved into politics.

He broke his usual silence last year to blame the US and Israel for a string of mysterious blasts on Hashd bases.

It remains unclear who could replace him, Smyth said, as it would be challenging to find someone with such a close ideological and personal relationship to Iran.
Another associate, Valorie Moser, who the authorities said helped recruit the women, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion.

Mr. Wolfe, Mr. Garcia and Ms. Moser pleaded not guilty in the criminal case.

The authorities said in October that Mr. Pratt, who is originally from New Zealand, had left the country and was considered a fugitive. During the civil trial in San Diego, only one defendant, Mr. Wolfe, appeared in court, and provided guarded, and at times inconsistent testimony, Judge Enright wrote.

The tentative ruling does not affect the criminal case, Mr. Kaplan and Mr. Sadock said in a joint statement. The governments burden of proof in the criminal case is beyond a reasonable doubt, which is much higher standard than in this civil lawsuit where the burden of proof is a mere preponderance of the evidence.

Judge Enright found that the women had been lured with Craiglist ads that offered to pay them around $5,000 for photos or video shoots. The ads did not indicate that any nudity or pornography would be involved.

Wanted, one ad read, beautiful college type preppy girls, for video and photo shoots.

The women who responded to the ads said they were directed to innocuous websites, with pictures of clothed women, that asked for their contact information and photographs.

The ads turned out to be from the producers of GirlsDoPorn, who were seeking women to make so-called amateur pornography, which often features fresh-faced actresses paired with seasoned male performers.

Once a newly recruited woman had flown to San Diego, she found herself alone in a hotel room with two men about to shoot a pornographic video, Judge Enright wrote.
Tourists should leave the United Arab Emirates immediately after the US killed a top Iranian general, experts have warned.

President Donald Trump had Qassem Soleimani destroyed in a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport this morning.

It has seen a dramatic rise in tensions in the Middle East, with the State Department - as well as other western countries - urging citizens to get out of Iraq and Iran.

Tehran-based analyst Mohammad Marandi said the US has 'declared war' against the two countries and 'it's best for Westerners to evacuate countries like UAE and Iraq immediately'.

Tehran-based analyst Mohammad Marandi (pictured) said the US has 'declared war' against the two countries and 'it's best for Westerners to evacuate countries like UAE and Iraq immediately'

Qassem Soleimani (left), the highest ranking general in the Iranian military, was killed in a drone strike outside Baghdad's airport in the early hours of Friday. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (right) warned of 'severe revenge'

The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump

He added: 'It is best for all American citizens to leave the region immediately. US occupiers will be forced to leave Iraq.'

Yoel Guzansky, an expert on Iran at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Strategic Studies, also said Iranian retaliation against US or Israeli targets was likely in the short term.

Guzansky said the killing struck a huge blow to Iran and restored American deterrence in the region.

It comes as Tehran announced three days of national mourning for the terrorist general Soleimani.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of 'jihad' against the 'criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood'.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured) warned of 'jihad' against the 'criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood'

Iraq's prime minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi predicted a 'devastating war' will ravage his country.

An Iranian presenter embraced army spokesman Ramezan Sharif during a tearful live broadcast as they announced Soleimani's death, the general responsible for shaping Iran's foreign policy throughout the Middle East, he was revered and loved in his homeland.

The drone strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which besieged the US embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Still images from bystander video show the burning wreckage after the airstike

Iraqi prime minister Mahdi decried the assault by the US as 'a brazen violation of Iraq's sovereignty and blatant attack on the nation's dignity.'

The Pentagon said President Donald Trump had ordered the 'decisive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Soleimani' who was 'actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.'

Khamenei tweeted earlier: 'All friends& enemiesknow that Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation & definite victory awaits the fighters on this blessed path. The loss of our dear General is bitter. The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals.'

His Defense Minister Amir Hatami vowed a 'crushing revenge' for the 'unjust assassination.'

Tehran has said it will announce its official position on Soleimani's death in the coming hours.

The administration spokesman telling state TV: 'We will teach such a lesson to the US that Donald Trump and all future presidents of the United States will never forget.'
In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of China Dongxiang (Group) Co., Ltd. (HKG:3818) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This is done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for China Dongxiang (Group)

The method

We have to calculate the value of China Dongxiang (Group) slightly differently to other stocks because it is a luxury company. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to growth at an annual growth rate equal to the 10-year government bond rate of 1.6%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.3%. Relative to the current share price of HK$0.9, the company appears quite undervalued at a 40% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= CN0.07 / (7.3%  1.6%)

= HK$1.4

SEHK:3818 Intrinsic value, January 3rd 2020

Important assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at China Dongxiang (Group) as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.3%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.912. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Story continues

Next Steps:

Whilst important, DCF calculation shouldnt be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price to differ from the intrinsic value? For China Dongxiang (Group), I've compiled three fundamental factors you should further examine:

Financial Health: Does 3818 have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does 3818's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Are there other high quality stocks you could be holding instead of 3818? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the SEHK every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
BJP working president J P Nadda on Friday advised the Dalit leaders who are opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to "improve their thinking".

He was addressing a gathering of more than 20,000 people here in support of the controversial legislation.

"Dalit neta jo aaj CAA ka virodh kar rahe hai, unko kehna hai ki apni mati sudharo. (Dalit leaders who are opposing the CAA, they should improve their thinking)," he said.

"You have to understand that 70-80 percent of the people who have come from neighbouring countries to India (due to religious persecution) are from Dalit communities," Nadda claimed.

"They are oppressed people who have suffered. We have to bring them into mainstream," he said.

He also challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to "speak ten lines" on the CAA, with at least two lines giving reasons for opposition.

Union minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and BJP Goa unit chief Vinay Tendulkar also participated in the rally.

Naik alleged that the Congress was trying to create confusion in the minds of people as it was losing ground all over the country.

The Congress had supported proposal of amendment in the past, but now that it was in opposition, it was calling it anti-minority community, he said.

"Everyone who is opposing this act knows it is not against the minorities but they pretend to be unaware of it," Naik said.

Sawant said Goa residents who hold Portuguese passports will not be affected by the CAA.

"Those who are creating fear in the minds of minorities should stop it," he said.

The gathering was preceded by a procession from Patto on the outskirts of Panaji to Azad Maidan here.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A police sketch has provoked ridicule online after a key facial feature was excluded from the image.

Police in Western Australia released a composite of a man who appeared to have no mouth in an appeal for information on Thursday.

But many were quick to joke about his potential to provide information to police if he didn't actually have the capacity to speak.

Police in Western Australia released a composite image of a man who appeared to have no mouth in an appeal for information on Thursday (pictured)

One Facebook uder said: 'The accused should be pretty easy to spot, it's not often people are missing their lips, while one described him as 'the silent type.'

Another said: 'Anything you say or do will be used in a court of the law against you.'

However some didn't find the situation so funny, questioning why people were making jokes in the light of an alleged assault.

Police described the man as white between 35-40 years old with a fat build and large stomach.

They are hoping to question the man regarding an indent dealing offence in Yokine, WA in early December 2019.
Open source

Russian citizen Yulia Radochinskaya was detained at the airport while trying to smuggle stolen iPhone worth of 100 thousand dollars into Russia, Kod.ru reports.

On December 26, Julia flew to John F. Kennedy's New York International Airport, where she told U.S. customs and border officials that she had flown into the country to buy a smartphone and laptop. Radochinskaya said she worked at the airline and that she would stay in the country for three days.

But according to her LinkedIn profile, Radochinskaya works as a flight attendant for the now-defunct Russian airline.

And she had to fly back to Moscow later that day from Newark airport. While Julias hand luggage was being checked at the airport, 92 iPhones in the value of 100 thousand dollars were found.

Due to the check, Julia did not have time for the flight and took the ticket for the next day. By that time, the customs services had checked the export documents and arrested Rodchinskaya after they had found that the documents were fake.

As we reported earlier, Apple has made changes to the maps, stating that Crimea is Russian. According to the RIA Novosti, Russia is going to control the issue of Crimea in Apple services.
MONTREAL, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite common misperceptions, CEO compensation in Canada largely reflects the nature of the job, the skills required and the global demand for top talent, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.



The best business leaders in the world, just like top professional athletes and entertainers, are in limited supply while also being in high demand globally, so the compensation they receive reflects that, said Vincent Geloso, Fraser Institute senior fellow and author of The Truth about CEO and Worker Compensation .

The study finds that there are several myths and misunderstandings about CEO compensation.

Myth: CEOs arent worth the high levels of compensation they receive.

Fact: The limited supply of people with the unique skillset to manage large, complex firms, coupled with the high demand for such people to lead the worlds largest companies results in the high compensation they receive, and is a reflection of their market value.

Myth: CEOs make too much compared to the average worker.

Fact: Claims about the gap between CEO and worker pay in Canada are overestimated because of faulty comparisons. For example, when total compensation for the top 1000 CEOs in Canada is compared with the total compensation (including benefits) of workers at those same companies, the pay gap is 81 per cent less than stated in some studies.

Myth: CEOs enjoy long careers and receive high levels of compensation for many years.

Fact: CEO turnover is very high. In fact, looking at the Globe and Mails CEO surveys from 2007 to 2017, of the top 100 CEOs listed in 2007, only 15 of them remained in the top 100 list ten years later.

The study also notes that sometimesfor example, in industries with government monopoly charters or protection against foreign competitionCEOs are selected not for their business or leadership skills, but for political reasons.

When a CEO is appointed because of his or her political connections in order to secure government subsidies or keep a market protected from competition, its fair to question their compensation because it isnt being determined in a competitive market, Geloso said.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Vincent Geloso, Senior Fellow

Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:

Bryn Weese, Associate Director, Communications

Fraser Institute

Tel: (604) 688-0221 ext. 589

E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook
Renault India has posted a 64.73 per cent increase in sales figures during December. The French auto manufacturer sold to 11,964 units last month, as against 7,263 units sold in the corresponding month a year ago, Renault India said in a statement.

Launch of new products including SUV Triber, hatchback Kwid and compact SUV Duster helped the company increase its sales by 7.8 per cent in 2019 to 88,869 units, as opposed to 82,368 units in 2018.

The 7-seater compact MPV Triber clocked total sales of 24,142 units since its launch in August, Renault said in a statement.

Renault and its Japanese partner Nissan are trying to rekindle their relationship after the arrest of the Renault-Nissan alliance's former head Carlos Ghosn. The French auto major is also searching for a new chief executive officer after the ouster of Thierry Bollore from the company in October. Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard said in early December that the company is close to finalising the shortlist of names for its next chief executive.

ALSO READ: Renault close to finalising shortlist for new CEO, says chairman Jean-Dominique Senard

ALSO READ: Datsun to launch compact SUV in India, likely to be called Magnite

ALSO READ: It's a wrap: The best and worst of cars in 2019
The windows at 107 Main St. in North Adams show work by Galen Cheney and Debi Pendell

Main Street in North Adams Filled With Art in the New Year



Jon Verney's 'Sightseer' is featured at 105 Main St.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Downtown North Adams is glammed up for the new year, thanks to an artistic collaboration among the city of North Adams and the Berkshire Cultural Resource Center and Fine and Performing Arts Department of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.



New work from local artists, one Mass MoCA artist in residence, two MCLA alumni and eight MCLA students has been placed in storefront windows along Main Street. Visitors who wish to read more about the artists and obtain a walking map can isit MCLA Gallery 51 at 51 Main St. in North Adams.



"We wanted to ignite Main Street in a way that reflects the rich and eclectic arts community that works here, studies here, and comes here to experience all that North Adams has to offer," BCRC Director Erica Wall said.


Iranian Quds Commander Qasem Soleimani, PMF Deputy Leader Killed in Baghdad Airport Attack - Report

Sputnik News

04:08 03.01.2020(updated 04:53 03.01.2020)

Iraq's Shia Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said on Friday that several members of the militia, as well as several " guests", were killed by rocket fire near the Baghdad International Airport.

Iraqi state-run media said Friday that the deputy head of the PMF, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force unit, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani were killed in the incident.

Al Arabiya and Sky News broadcasters echoed reports of Soleimani's death. There has been no official confirmation issued by Tehran or the IRGC.

According to earlier media reports, all of those killed were in a small convoy leaving the airport late on Thursday. The projectiles are reportedly said to have also hit facilities of the Iraqi army and the international coalition. According to the Al-Sumaria broadcaster, the strike also injured at least 12 Iraqi servicemen and killed a civilian.

The PMF blamed the US and Israel for the deadly airstrike.

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the Mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani", a spokesman for the PMF, Ahmed al-Assadi, said, cited by Reuters.

According to US officials, cited by Reuters on the condition of anonymity, the Thursday strikes were carried out against two targets in Baghdad linked to Iran.

Earlier in the day, the PMF  reportedly responsible for the recent siege of the US Embassy in Baghdad  confirmed its senior official in charge of public relations, Mohammed Jabiri, had been killed in the attack.

The situation in Iraq escalated on Tuesday when Shia protesters attempted to storm the gates of the US Embassy in Baghdad, following airstrikes on an Iran-backed unit of Kataib Hezbollah operating in the country. The strikes were carried out in response to an attack at the Kirkuk base that killed a US contractor.

The deadly airstrike occurred amid escalating US-Iran strife in the Middle East. Since May 2019, Washington - after unilaterally withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear accord - has been building up its military presence in the region, in what US senior officials characterize as a clear message to Iran.

A Sputnik

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If you filled up this morning, you might have noticed a higher price at a pumpa side effect of the U.S. airstrike that killed an Iranian general on Thursday.

The U.S. airstrike in Iran killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force. The U.S. says hes behind attacks in Iraq and elsewhere that have for years killed Americans. Officials acted Thursday, claiming he had ordered new attacks on Americans.

Oil prices increased because of the increased geopolitical risk in the region. After the U.S. announced it did the airstrike and killed a military leader, that sent shock waves across the market because we weve seen increasing tension between the U.S. and Iran. This incident is another linchpin in that dynamic, said Devin Gladden, a spokesperson for AAA. AAA tracks gas prices nationwide.

The price of crude oil spiked about 4 percent overnight. The cost of Londons Brent crude increased more than $2.50 a barrel, to $68.96, in its biggest jump since the drone strikes on a Saudi Arabian oil facility in September. West Texas Intermediate rose to $63.72 a barrel, an eight-month high.

Essentially, Gladden said the market is worried the supply of crude oil may be disrupted.

Across the country, the average price of regular gasoline was up nearly 2 cents today compared to prices last week, according to gasbuddy.com. On average in Alabama, the price of regular unleaded fuel was up just under 1 cent compared to Thursday.

The sharpest recorded increase in gas prices was in the Anniston-Oxford area, where gas prices are on average 9.2 cents higher today than they were Thursday, according to gasbuddy.com.

Gas and oil prices also spiked in September after drone strokes on a Saudi Arabian oil facility. The U.S. blamed Iran for those drone strikes. Prices lowered in the weeks and months after that attack.

While Friday mornings increase may have Americans worried, Gladden said its still too early to know how the price of gas and oil will be impacted by the U.S. conflict with Iran.

Depending on how high prices go and how long they stay at higher price will determine the extent to which consumers will feel the impact, he said.
But our job is to not look the other way as so many Illinois politicians have. Our job is to shine a spotlight so Tribune readers can see the debacles  such as these six consecutive years of falling population  that their public officials mismanagement has aggravated. We wont stop writing about the fragile fiscal conditions across Illinois driven largely by pension obligations and overspending, and how that affects Illinois citizens, their futures and their job opportunities.
3 1 of 3 FBI Houston Show More Show Less 2 of 3 FBI Houston Show More Show Less 3 of 3





The FBI in Houston is hoping the public can identify the first bank robbery suspect of the new decade.

The man walked into the Woodforest National Bank inside the Walmart at 9460 West Sam Houston Parkway South around 11:40 a.m. Thursday. The FBI says that the man pulled a gun and passed a note to the teller demanding money and threatening harm.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other officials in Lucknow on January 5 to review the preparations for the 11th edition of Defence Expo.

The expo, which is slated to be held from February 5 to 8 next year, will showcase India's defence manufacturing prowess. It will provide an opportunity to major foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to collaborate with the Indian defence industry and help promote 'Make in India' initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In September last year, Singh had reviewed the preparation of the exhibition in a meeting attended by the Chief Minister in New Delhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Editor's note: In honor of the new year, The Columbus Telegram is publishing a new two-week series, "20/20." We will first profile five older Columbus residents and then five area residents in their 20s. See previously published stories at ColumbusTelegram.com

Teach, teach and more teaching. That has been the life of current Columbus resident Doug Hobel during the past several decades in Nebraska.

Hobel is now retired and lives in the Prairie Village Retirement Center, but he still looks back on his days in education fondly. Prairie Village Activity Director Nancy Koch said that Hobel is a wonderful, welcoming person who is an important part of the Retirement Centers family.

He is very outgoing ... He is a pleasure and very articulate, Koch said.

Hobel was born and raised in Leigh. From there, he went on to Wayne State College where he obtained a bachelors degree in the fine arts. Afterward, Hobel went on to get his masters degree at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in special education.

He began his teaching career in Albion, where he taught for five years. He then later went on to work as a teacher in Papillion and La Vista for 28 years. During that time, Hobel earned a plethora of awards for his teaching prowess.

After that time, Hobel decided that it was time to let a young person take on the reigns of teaching in his position. After 30 years in Nebraska public education, Hobel finally retired. From there, he decided to move back to Leigh and also move into his childhood home, which was also the home that his parents built. That alone made it all the more special and personal to him.

During his later years in education, Hobel began to substitute at both of the Leigh schools and was an office worker there, too. He did that for more than two decades.

Hobel was also a host at one of the Leigh country clubs, a member of the Leigh Public Library Board and did visitations for the Kracl Funeral Chapel.

During his 20s, he recalled how everybody he knew was working hard to establish themselves.

Everybody was busy. When youre 20, you dont think about a lot of the worlds problems. Youre just more concerned about getting established in your career, Hobel said. In my early 20s, I was working on getting established in my career, but in my late 20s, I focused on getting involved in communities and things like that 

Being immersed in community activities was always a priority for Hobel.

My family was always in the community element. My mother was, my dad was, and so it was just a natural thing to do, he said.

Hobel moved to Columbus this past July because he said he was getting to the point where he no longer wanted to have to do certain tasks like mowing the lawn and, essentially, completing other daily things associated with owning a home.

Im 81, so I thought that its time to give up the family home," Hobel said. "I was getting tired of doing the mowing and shoveling, and all that stuff  I was waiting for a new apartment like this."

Hobel said he thinks the move was well worth it and that he enjoys a lot of aspects about Columbus, some of which are nostalgic.

Ive always liked Columbus, Nebraska, because thats where we (as a kid) always came to do shopping through the years when we lived in Leigh," he said. "We had a grocery store (in Leigh) growing up, but I have always liked Columbus, and I have friends here."

His advice to younger people in their 20s today is for them to live their life to the fullest and make sure that they are giving it their all.

Live every day and do your best," Hobel said. "There are going to be some ups and there are going to be some downs. Every day may not be good but there is some goodness in every day."

David Becker is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at david.becker@lee.net.

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The United States is deploying thousands more troops to the Middle East following an airstrike in Iran that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, according to multiple media reports.

A deployment of the elite Army Rangers based in the U.S boarded aircraft heading for the Middle East on Thursday night, a Pentagon official told the New York Times.

Iran has vowed to avenge the death of Soleimani, which happened near Baghdads airport. Soleimani was the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the Department of Defense said.

The additional troops being deployed will come from the Immediate Response Force of the 82nd Airborne Division, according to CNN, which reported that the new deployment will include about 3,000 soldiers.

The attack on Soleimani was authorized by President Donald Trump, acting in an effort to protect U.S. personnel abroad, according to a Department of Defense statement.

Earlier Friday, Trump tweeted that Soleimani had killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time.

Soleimani was developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, according to the statement. He carried out other attacks in the last few months, including on Dec. 27, and the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this week, the Department of Defense said.

General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Related Content:
Ranjit has sought action from the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in this matter.

'Congress is plotting to defame Savarkar. The party is conspiring to spread anarchy in the country by making unwarranted accusations on the freedom fighter Savarkar. The government must take an action against the Congress Seva Dal and should register a criminal case against them,' said Ranjit in a press release. (Photo: File | ANI)

New Delhi: Grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on Friday urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the Congress booklet which claims that the Hindu Mahasabha co-founder had a 'physical relationship' with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

Ranjit Savarkar also asserted that a criminal case should be registered against the Congress Seva Dal as it was during their camp that the booklet was distributed.

"Congress is plotting to defame Savarkar. The party is conspiring to spread anarchy in the country by making unwarranted accusations on the freedom fighter Savarkar. The government must take an action against the Congress Seva Dal and should register a criminal case against them," said Ranjit in a press release.

Ranjit has sought action from the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in this matter.

"A case should be registered under section 120, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Madhya Pradesh Government should ban the book," he added.

ALSO READ: Godse had physical relationship with Savarkar - Booklets on RSS spark controversy in Bhopal

The booklet titled `Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

"Writer has written it on the basis of evidence. But that's not important for us whether he was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.
The order to attack would have come from President Trump himself. Tehran's response: the supreme guide Khamenei announces a "very harsh revenge" for the martyrdom. The senior officer was a leading national figure. Attack could plunge relations to new low.

Baghdad (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, head of the Qods special forces, died in a US raid in the area of Baghdad international airport in Iraq this morning. According to initial reports, the order to attack would have come in person from US President Donald Trump and risks dragging the two nations to the brink of open war; since the Islamic revolution of 1979, in fact, the two countries have never found themselves at such a heightened level of tension.

Not surprisingly, among the first official reactions to the attack - in addition to Trump who tweeted a US flag and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who relaunches a video of (alleged) "Iraqi citizens" celebrating - there is that of the Iranian Drand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who immediately announced a "very hard revenge" for the "martyrdom" of Soleimaini, "prized for his incessant efforts of these years".

Announced three days of national mourning, he then added that even in the face of his death "his work will not be interrupted" and a "harsh revenge awaits the criminals who have their hands stained with his blood". Khamenei has called the head of the Qods force - among the fiercest opponents of the United States (and Israel) in the area - the "international face of the resistance" and everyone who supports it will be his "avengers".

The Qods Force is a special unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (the Iranian Pasdarans, who respond to the Supreme Leader in person). The departments, mostly highly specialized elite teams, are responsible for military and tactical operations outside the country. The same general was among the most powerful and respected figures in the Islamic Republic, he was considered a fine military strategist and was closely linked to Khamenei.

The 62-year-old Soleimani was in a car (the convoy was made up of two cars) near Baghdad international airport, along with some local exponents of the pro-Iranian militias. He would have arrived earlier from Syria or Lebanon, but there is no certain confirmation of this. In recent years, the senior officer has orchestrated, among others, Assad's war in Syria (Tehran and Moscow are the main allies of Damascus), the conflict in Iraq and the fight against the Islamic State (IS, ex Isis) in the region.

Unofficial sources speak of "several missiles" that hit the cars, killing at least five people. The Pentagon confirmed the killing, carried out "on the instructions of the president". Among the victims, there would also be the leader of the PMU (Iraqi popular mobilization forces) Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, the man who on 30 December spurred the crowd to attack the US embassy.

The military operation threatens to further escalate the tension between Washington and Tehran, which could result in open conflict. The two nations, among which there are no diplomatic relations, are already the protagonists of proxy wars in many areas of the world, from Syria to Iraq, up to Yemen. Accelerating the crisis of the last two years, the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Iranian nuclear agreement (JCPOA) combined with the policy of maximum pressure with the sanctions and the assault of pro-Tehran militias of the last few days at the US embassy in Baghdad .
SAGINAW, MI  While Saginaw experienced fewer murders in 2019 than in the two prior years, Bay Citys homicide rate increased.

Nine people were killed within Saginaws city limits throughout 2019. By comparison, there were 15 homicides in 2018 and 16 in 2017.

Thats a 40 percent decrease in homicides from 2018 to 2019. For context, the citys highest murder rate since 2007 was in 2013, when it hit 26 homicides.

Of the nine homicides in 2019, three have resulted in suspects facing criminal charges, a clearance rate of 33.3 percent. The national averages for homicide closure rate was 62.3 percent in 2018 and 61.6 percent in 2017, according to the FBI.

The cases that have led to charges are:

The killings that have not resulted in charges as of Jan. 2 are:

Dominique K. Turner , 26, the victim of a drive-by shooting that occurred just before 1 a.m. on Jan. 9. Responding police found Turner dead just inside the doorway of a residence in the 2500 block of Lynnwood Avenue.

Gregory Cross , 37, died in a deliberately set house fire at 2420 Bancroft St. on April 22. Gross was visiting from Lansing.

Robert T. Washington , 29, found dead from at least one gunshot wound near the rear playground of the closed Heavenrich Elementary School, 2435 Perkins St. on May 22.

Damon Q. Adkins , 34, shot along with three other men in the 1500 block of N. Charles St. on June 21. Adkins died at the scene while the other three men survived.

Married couple Brenda Renee Boyd-Johnson, 59, and Larney Kim Johnson, 63, found deceased from gunshot wounds inside their home in the 900 block of South 17th Street on Nov. 1.

Eight of the nine homicides resulted from gunfire; Cross was the only one that did not.

Saginaw also experienced a 25 percent decrease in non-fatal shootings from 2018 to 2019, from 53 to 40.

Saginaw Police Chief Robert M. Ruth ascribed the declining homicide and shooting rates to the collaborative efforts of his agency, the Michigan State Police, the Saginaw County Sheriffs Office, the Saginaw County Prosecutors Office, Saginaw County Central Dispatch, the FBI, the Bay Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (BAYANET), the Michigan Department of Corrections, the Department of Justice, neighborhood watch associations, and citizens for reporting criminal activity.

Im very proud of all the Saginaw Police officers, detectives and civilian staff who are devoted to keeping our citizens safe in the city of Saginaw, Ruth said. Without their hard work and dedication this wouldnt have happened.

He added that he is planning a press conference for later this month to go over the citys crime statistics from 2019.

Saginaw Mayor Floyd Kloc seconded Ruths lauding of law enforcement agencies in reducing the homicide rate.

Were very happy with it, of course, Kloc said. We attribute to all of the efforts by our police chief and the officers, including all of the agencies we work with. Its a huge, concerted effort.

Kloc also praised the work of the citys neighborhood associations.

Theyre a big part of getting criminals that are charged put away," he said. "Theyre very important to us and we really appreciate what theyve done to help us.

An additional nine homicides occurred in other jurisdictions within Saginaw County, including the bludgeoning-stabbing death of an inmate at Saginaw Correctional Facility in Tittabawassee Township. Of those nine, six have resulted in criminal charges.

They are:

Overall, this means there were 18 homicides throughout Saginaw County in 2019, nine of which have resulted in criminal charges and one in which the case was cleared due to the suspects own suicide. Thats a clearance rate for the entire county of 55.5 percent.

In 2018, there were 17 homicides in all of Saginaw County.

Bay City, by contrast, experienced two homicides in 2019, the most its had in several years. From 2013 to 2018, there were three homicides reported  one each in 2017, 2016, and 2014 and zero in 2018, 2015, and 2013.

Both of 2019s homicides resulted in the arrests and charging of suspects:

Overall, most crimes declined in Bay City from 2018 to 2019.

Through November 2019, first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct reports dropped by 28 percent, robberies by 26 percent, arson by 33 percent, motor vehicle theft by 15 percent, and burglaries by 16 percent. Felonious assaults, though, did increase by 50 percent, according to statistics provided by Bay City Public Safety Director Michael J. Cecchini.

There were no homicides reported in other jurisdictions in Bay County in 2019.

Key takeaways from Saginaw Police crime statistics in 2018

Crime down, but homicides continued to rise in 2017
(Newser)  In 1979, Pink Floyd's The Wall was released, Margaret Thatcher was elected prime minister of the UK, and Jose Romero escaped from a South Carolina prison. Almost 40 years to the day of his jailbreak, however, the sexagenarian (he's said to be 63 or 64) was arrested in Delaware under an alias, and soon afterward identified by fingerprints as the longtime fugitive. NBC News reports Romero was first busted three days after Christmas when police got a call about someone trespassing at a Dover convenience store. When cops arrived, they say Romero gave them a Delaware ID with the name Arnaldo Figueroa on it. He was processed, fingerprinted, and released. When the prints came back indicating he was Romero, however, police tracked him down on New Year's Day and rearrested him without incident.

story continues below

WRDE notes Romero had been serving an 18-year sentence for armed robbery when he escaped on Dec. 13, 1979, from a facility in Anderson County, SC, used to house an inmate work crew. New charges against Romero, who'll be extradited back to the Palmetto State, include public intoxication, loitering, and criminal trespassing for the Dec. 28 incident, as well as forgery, criminal impersonation, and being an out-of-state fugitive. Romero will have to serve out the remaining time on his original sentenceabout seven yearsas well as additional time if convicted for his escape; WLTX notes that new time could be between 10 and 15 years. "He definitely would've been out by now and hopefully would've gone on to a productive life," a South Carolina Department of Corrections rep says. "Now he's looking at some substantial time." (Read more fugitive stories.)
Trump warns Turkey's Erdogan against military intervention in Libya

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 10:57 PM

US President Donald Trump has warned his Turkish counterpart against sending troops to Libya hours after Turkey's parliament approved a bill allowing the government to do so.

The deployment Ankara says aims to shore up the UN-backed government in Tripoli, which has been under sustained attack since April by military strongman General Khalifa Haftar.

In early April, Haftar launched an offensive to capture the capital. Since then Tripoli's southern suburbs have been hit by deadly fighting.

In his phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday, Trump warned against "foreign interference" in Libya, according to the White House.

The two also discussed the situation in Syria, White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

"The leaders discussed bilateral and regional issues," Gidley said. "President Trump pointed out that foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya."

Trump and Erdogan also called for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, where Turkey has brought in a new column of military forces and hardware to be deployed in its observation posts there.

"The leaders agreed on the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians," Gidley said.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said his country's military would not leave the posts in Idlib, according to a Britain-based war monitor.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that the column entered the Syrian territory through Kafr Lusin border crossing, and consisted of armored vehicles as well as trucks carrying logistics.

On Sunday, Akar said it is "out of the question" for Turkey to evacuate its military observation posts in Syria's Idlib.

"We respect the agreement reached with Russia and we expect Russia to abide by this agreement," he said in comments published on Sunday on the Turkish defense ministry's Twitter account.

On October 9, Turkish military forces and Ankara-backed militants launched a long-threatened cross-border invasion of northeastern Syria in a declared attempt to push militants from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) away from border areas.

Ankara views the US-backed YPG as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been seeking an autonomous Kurdish region in Turkey since 1984.

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US President Donald Trump's decisions provoke global risks, said Polan ex-PM, European Council, the chair of the European Peoples Party, Donald Tusk.

Europe and the US must at all costs maintain transatlantic unity in the face of an impending political earthquake - regardless of the fact that President Trumps decisions provoke global risks, his intentions are not clear. Poland must actively defend this unity, he said.

Earlier, Pentagon said they killed the commander.

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," a Pentagon statement said. "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."
The Zacks Building Products  Wood industry includes manufacturers of lumber and other wood products that are used in home construction, repair and remodeling, and development of outdoor structures. Companies in the industry also design, manufacture, source and sell flooring products.



Lets take a look at the industrys three major themes:

The industrys prospects are highly correlated with the U.S. housing market condition. Any untoward situation influencing the construction and housing sectors will impact the industry participants financials. Housing starts, a big source of demand for forestry products, have been bullish in recent times. Lower mortgage rates since the beginning of 2019 appear to be boosting buyer demand for housing and improving housing dynamics should help industry players entire mix of businesses, including lumber, Oriented Strand Board or OSB, and timber. The industry stands to benefit from increased government spending on infrastructure projects and strong gains in repair and remodeling activity.



Volatility in lumber price has been a major concern for the wood industry. An unusual rise in the cost of lumber products sold by primary producers will increase the cost of inventory and limit margins on fixed-priced lumber products. However, a decline in costs will lead to lower profits as products sold will be indexed to the current lumber market.



Again, weaker export and domestic demand resulting from continued Chinese tariffs on Southern Yellow Pine logs coupled with an increase in tariffs on Southern Yellow Pine lumber remains the culprit. Meanwhile, lower OSB pricing continues to hurt the profitability of industry players. The companies whose products have a high degree of product concentration in OSB continue to struggle with lower OSB pricing. We do not expect OSB pricing to recover to levels seen in 2018 in the near term.



Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bleak Prospects



The Zacks Building Products  Wood industry is a 12-stock group within the broader Construction sector.



The groups Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates gloomy near-term prospects. The Zacks Wood industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #186, which places it in the bottom 26% of more than 250 Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.



The industrys position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are gradually losing confidence in this groups earnings growth potential. Since June 2019, the industrys earnings estimate for 2020 has gone down 106%.



Despite the industrys dull near-term prospects, we will present a few wood stocks that one can buy or hold on to. But its worth taking a look at the industrys shareholder returns and current valuation first.



Industry Lags Sector, Outperforms S&P 500



The Zacks Building Products  Wood industry has lagged its own sector marginally over the past year. However, it has outperformed the Zacks S&P 500 composite over the same time frame.



Over this period, the industry has gained 40.4% compared with the sectors growth of 41.9%. Meanwhile, the Zacks S&P 500 composite has witnessed growth of 30.7%.



One-Year Price Performance

Story continues











Industrys Current Valuation



On the basis of forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio, which is a commonly used multiple for valuing wood stocks, the industry trades at 51.6X versus the S&P 500s 20.3X and the sectors 18.4X.



Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 51.6X, as low as 16.3X and at the median of 23.9X, as the chart below shows.



Industrys P/E Ratio (Forward 12-Month) Versus S&P 500











Bottom Line



Low mortgage rates combined with resilient economic fundamentals comprising low unemployment rate should buoy the housing market and hence the wood industry. Also, uptick in single-family housing starts and strong gains in repair and remodeling activity are expected to drive demand. However, lower OSB pricing and continued Chinese tariffs on Southern Yellow Pine logs coupled with an increase in tariffs on Southern Yellow Pine lumber are pressing concerns for the industry.



Currently, there are two top-ranked stocks in the Zacks universe of Wood stocks that are standing tall despite weak industry fundamentals. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



Trex Company, Inc. (TREX): Headquartered in Winchester, VA, this company, with a Zacks Rank #2, manufactures and distributes wood/plastic composite products, and related accessories primarily for the residential and commercial decking, and railing applications in the United States. Estimates for this companys 2020 earnings per share have witnessed upward revisions of 0.7% in the past 60 days. The company has a three-five year expected EPS growth rate of 10%.



Price and Consensus: TREX



Norbord Inc. (OSB): Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, this company manufactures and sells wood-based panels for retail chains, contractor supply yards, and industrial manufacturers primarily in North America and Europe. Its estimates for 2020 earnings have witnessed upward revision of 2.2% in the past 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same indicates year-over-year growth of 1,087.7%.



Price and Consensus: OSB





Investors may also hold on to the following stocks, which currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and have solid earnings prospects.



Boise Cascade Company (BCC): Headquartered in Boise, ID, this company is one of the largest producers of engineered wood products and plywood in North America and a U.S. wholesale distributor of building products. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of 15.9%.



Price and Consensus: BCC





Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (FND): Headquartered in Smyrna, GA, this company operates as a multi-channel specialty retailer of hard surface flooring and related accessories. This Zacks Rank #3 companys consensus estimate for 2020 earnings calls for year-over-year growth of 21.7%. Its three-five year expected EPS growth rate is pegged at 23.6%.



Price and Consensus: FND









JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (JELD): Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, this company manufactures and sells doors and windows, primarily in North America, Europe, and Australasia. This Zacks Rank #3 companys consensus estimate for 2020 earnings indicates year-over-year growth of 31.2%.



Price and Consensus: JELD





7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days



Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers Most Likely for Early Price Pops.



Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.6% per year. So be sure to give these hand-picked 7 your immediate attention.



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Trex Company, Inc. (TREX) : Free Stock Analysis Report



Norbord Inc. (OSB) : Free Stock Analysis Report



JELD-WEN Holding, Inc. (JELD) : Free Stock Analysis Report



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Uttar Pradesh, Assam and a few other states have established the role of Popular Front of India (PFI), an alleged radical group, in the violence that erupted during the recent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, officials said on Friday.

While the UP government has written to the Home Ministry seeking a ban under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Assam government has sent a detailed report to it on PFI's role in the violence in Guwahati on December 11.

"The UP Police, the Assam Police and police forces of several others states have established PFI's role in the recent violence," a senior Home Ministry official said.

Last month, UP Police arrested at least 14 PFI activists for allegedly instigating violence in the state while Assam Police also picked up PFI state unit president Aminul Hoque and Mohammad Muzammil Hoque, the press secretary of the organisation, for their alleged role in violence in Guwahati.

The National Investigation Agency had also submitted reports on the group to the Home Ministry, claiming it was involved in terrorist activities, including running terror camps and making bombs, and it was a fit case to be banned under the UAPA.

However, Home Ministry officials are tight-lipped on the possible action against PFI, saying the ministry would not like to comment on an individual organisation before taking any action.

"Until criminality of any organisation is proved on the basis of available evidence, we cannot make any comment on any organisation," another ministry official said.

The cases which the NIA had cited for PFI's alleged involvement in terror acts were: chopping of a professor's palm in Kerala's Idukki district and organising a training camp in Kannur from where the central probe agency allegedly seized swords, country-made bombs and ingredients for making IEDs.

It had also mentioned the murder of RSS leader Rudresh in Bengaluru and the alleged plans to carry out terror attacks in South India by involving another outfit, Islamic State Al-Hindi.

Attempts to speak to P Koya, an office-bearer of the PFI, to get a reaction, did not fructify. He also did not respond to an SMS sent by the PTI.

The PFI reportedly has presence in 23 states and the strongest in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, officials said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A fresh plea has been filed by an NGO in the Supreme Court challenging the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, claiming that it is violative of fundamental rights granted under the Constitution and needs to be set aside.

IMAGE: Residents take part in a peaceful protest against amended Citizenship Act, in Mohali. Photograph: PTI Photo

The plea filed by NGO Association for Protection of Civil Rights and others also sought a direction to the Centre to refrain from preparing the National Register of Citizens.

The NGO also sought interim stay on the CAA saying it would lead to irreversible consequences as the citizenship once granted cannot be reversed and such a person cannot be rendered stateless retrospectively, even if the disputed Act and notifications are declared unconstitutional subsequently.

"The petitioners herein are challenging the impugned Act as well as the impugned provisions and the impugned notifications, as being violative of Articles 13, 14, 15, 21, 51(c) and 51-A of the Constitution of India. It is submitted that the impugned Act, the impugned provisions and the impugned notifications are manifestly arbitrary and ought to be set aside..." the plea said.

It said the CAA makes professing of certain religions as a ground of eligibility for the status of citizenship which is against the principle of secularism and is violative of the basic structure of the constitution.

The NGO, while challenging the CAA on various other grounds, said, "the impugned Act and the impugned notifications are discriminatory as it is directed against Muslims on the basis of their religion and place of birth".

In its plea, the NGO said, "if the provisions of the CAA are operationalized and the NRC is prepared, several undocumented Indians will become stateless and therefore, it is submitted that this Court maybe pleased to direct the Respondent Union of India from refraining to prepare NRC arbitrarily".

The petition filed through advocate Ejaz Maqbool have also challenged Section 3(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, terming it as "arbitrary" and unconstitutional.

It said section 3(1) lays down different parameters for granting citizenship to children born in India in different periods.

Section 3(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, grants citizenship to children born in India in different periods in three different scenarios.

In the first scenario -- children born in India on or after January 26, 1950 but before July 1,1987, were entitled to Indian Citizenship by birth.

In the second scenario -- children born in India on or after July 1, 1987 but before commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, were entitled to Indian Citizenship by birth only if either of her/his parents was an Indian Citizen.

In the third scenario -- children born in India on or after commencement of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003, were entitled to Indian Citizenship by birth only if both of her/his parents were Indian Citizens or one of her/his parents was an Indian Citizen and the other was not an illegal migrant.

The NGO in its plea said though in first scenario while there are no conditions on children born between January 26, 1950 to July 1, 1987 for attaining Indian citizenship, in the other two scenarios it creates a certain class of stateless children.

"Section 3(1) provides for different treatment to children as per their date of birth and renders certain category of children stateless on the basis of classification on date of birth, which is manifestly arbitrary."

It said treating the excluded children as stateless is also violative of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990 to which India is a signatory.

On December 18, the apex court had agreed to examine the constitutional validity of the CAA, but refused to stay its operation.

The newly amended law seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

President Ram Nath Kovind gave assent to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 on December 12, turning it into an Act.

The top court had then issued notice to the Centre and sought its response by the second week of January on a batch of pleas challenging the CAA.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde had fixed a batch of 59 petitions, including those filed by the Indian Union Muslim League and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, for hearing on January 22.

Several petitions have been filed challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, including by Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Manoj Jha, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen leader Asaduddin Owaisi.

Several other petitioners include Muslim body Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, All Assam Students Union, Peace Party, CPI, NGOs 'Rihai Manch' and Citizens Against Hate, advocate M L Sharma, and law students have also approached the apex court challenging the Act.
Barcelona close in on Real Madrid's goalscoring throne Barcelona One behind Los Blancos

Barcelona have been closing the gap on Real Madrid in recent years in terms of trophies, and now they could be on the verge of overtaking their greatest rivals on the goalscoring front.

While Los Blancos (33) still have six more league titles than Barcelona (27), they could be about to surrender their lead in goals scored.

Real Madrid have had a higher total of league goals since moving ahead of Barcelona in the 1962/63 season. By the end of that campaign, Los Blancos had scored 1981 league goals compared to the Blaugrana's 1958.

Ever since then, Real Madrid have always had a higher total. In fact, they had a lead of 139 goals at the end of the 1989/90 season.

When Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in the summer of 2018, Real Madrid still had an advantage of 42 league goals.

Now, Barcelona are just one goal behind Real Madrid's current tally of 6,137 and could draw level and overtake their great rivals this weekend.
2019 was not a great year for many in the blockchain space. Yet, despite widespread employee downsizing and some projects falling by the wayside, blockchain in Israel is thriving. The number of companies in the crypto and blockchain fields grew by 32% in 2019.

Blockchain in Israel booming despite market conditions

According to a report by the Israeli Bitcoin Association published in local financial site Globes, in December 2019 there were 150 active blockchain and cryptocurrency-related companies in Israel. This represents an increase of 32% from the 113 registered at the end of 2018.

Of course, this percentage growth rate doesnt reveal the entire picture. Not every company operating in blockchain in Israel has found success. The survey found that out of the 113 blockchain companies registered at the end of 2018, just 63 of them continued to operate.

So, almost half of all blockchain companies in Israel folded throughout 2019? Its possible. However, according to the Israeli Bitcoin Association, it could also be that they changed the nature of their operations from blockchain to fintech or software development, for example.

Moreover, while a 32% increase is certainly a positive for the industry after another difficult year, the number pales into significance compared to the previous year. At the end of 2018, the increase of companies in blockchain in Israel was 113% from the previous year with just 53 in Dec 2017.

Further, while blockchain is steadily growing in this land, it remains a mere drop in the ocean compared to the tech industry at large. A recent report by PwC on the health of the tech sector in Israel found that the number of unicorns (private ventures with a valuation of more than $1bn) rose from 11 to 20 in 2019, with the value of exits doubling from the previous year.

More companies but smaller and more niche

The report on blockchain in Israel further found that companies in this area tend to be small, employing fewer than 10 members of staff. This would appear to be a significant drop from previous years.

Story continues

According to the Israeli Bitcoin Association, 65% of companies said that they employed up to 10 employees. 31% had between 11 and 50 employees on their books, while just four companies (fewer than 3%) employed between 50 and 200 people.

Funding was also significantly reduced in 2019 compared to the last two years. This is unsurprising given that Israeli companies received some of the most capital in the 2017 ICO frenzy  and at least $600m in 2018 alone.

Raising capital has become harder for businesses all around the world in this space and the situation is no different in Israel. Sources of financing in 2019 included some seed funding (around 34% of companies), round A funding (just 1%), and round B funding (6%). The majority of businesses working in blockchain in Israel are self-funded.

While companies are somewhat geographically dispersed, the majority are located in Tel Aviv, Israels business hub. Of the 150 companies, 91 are located here, with others in Jerusalem, Netanya, Herzliya, and a few other towns and cities.

When it comes to the level of maturity, most of the companies remain very much in start-up mode. Half have released some kind of MVP (Minimum Viable Product) with some 19% in the beta stage. A quarter are still in the research and development stage.

Wrapping it up

Blockchain in Israel may be dwarfed by the wider tech industry here. Companies are small, struggle to raise capital, and many have had to pivot to survive. However, despite the challenging market conditions, the blockchain scene here continues to grow.

With 32% more companies working in the space, no matter their size, we can expect some interesting developments to come out of Isreal this year.

The post Israel a pioneer with 32% more blockchain companies in 2019 appeared first on Coin Rivet.
T he former head of the civil service has warned Boris Johnson's chief adviser Dominic Cummings that the organisation cannot be changed overnight.

Lord Kerslake said the service was "open to improvement and change" but that Mr Cummings would "have to work with the civil service" to make that happen.

Lord Kerslake told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We need to wait to see the detail of this. But what I would say is of course the civil service should be open to challenge, to improvement and change - that's part and parcel of how it stays a good civil service.

"What I would guard against is getting into a war with the civil service where they get given the blame if you like for anything that doesn't quite go right - it works a lot better if you deliver change with the grain of the civil service."

Lord Kerslake has issued a warning to Dominic Cummings over the Prime Minister's reported 'seismic changes' to the civil service / PA

Lord Kerslake said: "My point would be Government's come in at this situation and the biggest risk for them is hubris - they think because they've won an election they can do everything and change everything overnight and it isn't like that. If they don't want to hear that then so be it.

"But there's plenty of evidence that change is possible in the civil service, it was achieved when I was there, it has been achieved since, but you have to work with the civil service and try to carry them with the process of change."

He added: "There's a balancing act here between getting things done and also making changes to the way the civil service works and that's something they're going to have to work through, and I would advise them to work it through in some detail."

General Secretary of the First Division Association trade union also warned Mr Cummings' call for changes into how government works was "worrying".

Political advisor Dominic Cummings arrives at 10 Downing Street / Getty Images

Dave Penman told BBC's Radio 4's Today programme: "But it's quite an unusual approach and I think what's more worrying rather than the kind of dynamics of his blog and some of the language in it, is the kind of approach being taken by Government, or certainly being signalled by Government about what it thinks of the capability of the civil service just now and what needs to change."

Pushed on whether it is right for a political figure such as the Prime Minister's aide to lead this, Mr Penman added: "The civil service is recruited on merit, it's a really fundamental principle. You are employed in the civil service because of what you can do, not what you believe."

He continued: "If you surround yourself with people who are recruited simply because they believe the same as you believe, and whose employment is at your behest, is that the best way for the civil service or advisers to speak truth unto power? I don't think it is, and I think some of those approaches are quite dangerous as well."

Mr Cummings posted an apparent job advert on Thursday saying Number 10 wants to hire an "unusual set of people with different skills and backgrounds" to work as special advisers and potentially officials.

The former Vote Leave director said he hopes to be made "largely redundant" within a year by the recruitment drive.

He called for officials including "weirdos and misfits with odd skills", data scientists and policy experts to apply to a gmail account if they think they fit the bill.

Mr Cummings warned that there is "some profound problems at the core of how the British state makes decisions" and that he currently makes decisions "well outside" his "circle of competence".

And he says the need for change comes with Brexit requiring large policy and decision-making structure changes and a Government with an 80-strong majority having "little need to worry about short-term unpopularity".

Under a subsection on hiring "super-talented weirdos", he writes that the Government needs "some true wild cards, artists, people who never went to university and fought their way out of an appalling hell hole".

Mr Cummings' post came after Rachel Wolf, who helped draw up the blueprint of Tory election pledges, said civil servants could be made to take regular exams to prove they are up to their Whitehall jobs.
British American Tobacco said it welcomed a US ban on flavoured e-cigarettes (Yui Mok/PA)

Shares in British American Tobacco (BAT) have risen after the tobacco giant welcomed the US health regulators move to ban popular e-cigarette flavours.

The FTSE 100 firm said it would comply with the new guidelines unveiled by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a bid to curb teenage vaping.

Under a new policy that will launch next month, e-cigarette makers will be banned from selling fruit and mint flavoured pod-based e-cigarette flavours in the US.

BAT, which produces the Vype and Vuse vaping brands, said it believes appropriate enforcement will ensure the sustainability of adult consumer choice across all product categories.

It said that the policy announcement has provided much-needed clarity to its vaping business, following a significant period of disruption and uncertainty.

US regulators have continued to clamp down on vaping and advertising over the past year after concerns over the number of young people using e-cigarettes.

Tobacco companies have doubled down on vaping in recent years, as cigarette sales continue to dwindle in the US and other major markets.

Jack Bowles, chief executive officer at BAT, said: Yesterdays announcement takes us a step closer to a predictable regulatory environment in a key marketplace, but focus must now shift to enforcement to ensure vapour market regulations are effective.

We have long said it is not the marketing of these products per se that is the concern, it is the irresponsible marketing of them that should be robustly addressed.

For us, smart regulatory frameworks partnered with responsible marketing and appropriate enforcement will ensure the sustainability of adult consumer choice across all categories.

BAT said it has already applied for FDA permission for continuing the sale of its Vuse brand, which is now a requirement for suppliers before May 2020.

Shares in the business increased 1.9% to 3,328p in early morning trading.
You cant go to the Pennsylvania Farm Show and not eat.

The food court is one of the biggest draws during the eight-day show, although it opens a day early noon to 9 p.m. today (Jan. 3) for a preview with free parking.

While standards such as maple frozen yogurt, fried vegetables and milkshakes are sold every year, visitors can always count on a batch of new offerings. Its exciting to see - and eat - what the vendors create.

This year, at least seven new foods are available for your dining pleasure. We were fortunate enough to enjoy a preview tasting of the newest items.

Here, weve ranked them, ending with our No. 1 pick in the bunch.

7. Sausage of the Day

The Pennsylvania Livestock Association is mixing it up and serving sausage o the day at its booth. We cant complain. The one we sampled hit the spot and was served with a zesty sauce. The sandwiches sell for $7 and can be ordered without a roll.

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6. Gluten-free meatballs

They taste like ordinary meatballs. But this version from the Pennsylvania Livestock Association are gluten-free, giving visitors another option in the food court. Theyre served sans bread or atop a roll in the form of a meatball sub with marinara sauce. The sandwiches are $7 for a small and $9 for a large.

5. Grilled Cheese Stix

All we need is a bowl of tomato soup. (Maybe next year?) The Pennsylvania Dairymens Association has added a new item this year, Grilled Cheese Stix. Basically, a grilled cheese sandwich made with mozzarella cheese, it is cut into finger-sized friendly strips made for dipping into optional cups of marinara (25 cents extra). The real clincher is the buttered Martins Potato Bread made in Chambersburg. The bread makes this sandwich. Grilled Cheese Stix sell for $4.

4. Parmesan Breaded Chicken Meatballs

PennAg Industries has teamed up with Bell & Evans to sell chicken meatballs. Were pretty sure these will convince even your Italian grandmother that chicken makes a good meatball. The flavor bombs take on an Italian profile with garlic, mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning with a delightful Parmesan breading. They are super moist to boot. They sell four for $5 or as a sub for $7.

3. Flyin Porker Sandwich

Its advertised as the Farm Shows newest sandwich. The Flyin Porker Sandwich by The Pennsylvania Livestock Association is the perfect solution for those who cant make up their minds. Its made with half pulled pork and half brisket. The tender meat cant be beat. Pick from a roll or a bowl. Then, add your choice of barbecue sauce from a condiment bar. The sandwiches sell for $10.

2. Hemp Tea

Watch out milkshakes. Theres a new beverage in the food court. Welcome Chiques Creek Hemp Tea to this years menu board at the PennAg Industries booth. The teas sell in three flavors  original, passionfruit-mint and peach-lemon-dandelion  and are made with hemp seed, one of the states hot new crops.

All three flavors are light and go down easy with a hint of sugar. We recommend you try all three but if you have to pick one, we suggest the cool passion-fruit mint.

Kreider Farms in Manheim started producing the drinks in July 2019 and sells them at select Giant Food Stores in Lancaster County. The 12-ounce bottles sell for $2.

1. Philly Port Sandwich

Jawn the pack and order this veg version of the famed Philadelphia cheesesteak. The Mushroom Farmers of PA nailed it with their new Philly Port Sandwich. Chopped portobello mushrooms are seasoned with garlic, onions, salt and pepper and nestled with American cheese on a chewy Liscios Bakery roll. We promise you wont miss the chopped steak. Sandwiches sell for $5.

DETAILS: Farm Show is held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center at 2300 N. Cameron St. in Harrisburg. Hours are: 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 4, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Jan. 5, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Jan. 6-10 and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 11.
"At the direction of the (US) President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani," Efe news reported citing the statement as saying on Friday.

Washington/Tehran, Jan 3 (IANS) Gen Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, was killed in a US attack ordered by President Donald Trump, the Pentagon said in a statement.

"The strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans... The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world," it added.

Following the development, President Trump posted a picture of an American flag on his Twitter account, without any comment.

In a statement issued on Friday, the IRGC said that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the Hashd Shaabi or the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), was also killed along with Soleimani in the strike that targeted their vehicle on the Baghdad International Airport road, the Tehran-based Press TV reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the US attack as "extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation".

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani, the most effective force fighting IS, Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda, is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation.

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he said in a series of tweets.

Meanwhile, the PMF has also confirmed the incident, adding that its public relations director Mohammed Reza al-Jaberi and four other members were also killed after three Katyusha rockets struck a military base next to the Baghdad airport earlier on Friday.

It described the attack as a "cowardly US bombing".

Since 1998, Maj Gen Soleimani led Iran's Quds Force - the IRGC's elite unit which handles clandestine operations abroad, said the BBC.

In that position Gen Soleimani played a key role bolstering Bashar al-Assad's Iranian-supported government in the Syrian Civil War, and in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.

He was a hugely significant figure in the Iranian regime. His Quds Force reported directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He first came to prominence in his country serving in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.

Friday's targeted strike took place amid increased tensions between Washington and Tehran after hundreds of protesters stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday, where they managed to breach the main gate and enter some rooms, lighting fires.

The siege was in response to an American attack on the positions of some Iraqi militia battalions in western Iraq on December 29 in which, 25 of militiamen died and more than 50 were injured according to the PMF.

The Pentagon said at the time that it had launched "defensive attacks" against Kataib Hizbollah, which operates under the umbrella of the PMF and is allegedly responsible for launching projectiles and rockets at US interests on Iraqi soil.

Earlier on Thursday, Pentagon chief Mark Esper asked Iran to stop its attacks against the US in the Middle East and said "attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing".

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The Vice President of Imani Africa, Bright Simons says the investment made by government towards the Year of Return initiative was misdirected.

He indicated that it focused more on advertisements, instead of revamping various tourist sites which he notes could have earned the country more revenue.

In an interview with JoyBusiness, Mr Simons said The Year of Return has been a spectacular PR successcompared to the Joseph Project, the goodwill has been more. So thats very positive.

He added that With every good PR campaigns, it must be followed by sales. So when the government announced that $1.9 billion extra has been made, I was puzzled because that would suggest tremendous sales success. I was puzzled because of the historical data that I knew

The problem we have is that our heritage tourism sites are in disarray. We have about 64 forts and castles built sometime between 1482 to 1740. Of those, about a half are already in alter ruin, the other half is not viable for tourism.

The Ghana Tourism Authority said it invested $6 million in preparation towards the Year of Return initiative.

The Year of Return marketing campaign in 2019 was created to encourage African diasporans to resettle and invest in Africa. A total of $1.9 billion has been generated into the economy through activities related to the Year of Return, according to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Barbara Oteng-Gyase The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwesi Agyeman clarified that the $1.9 billion projection was based on expected revenue to be derived from the number of tourists, on assumption that they spent $2,500 over a ten-day period.

As at September 2019 according to air travel traffic, 75,000 tourists are said to have visited Ghana.

The Ghana Tourism Authority, however, says it is awaiting figures on travel for January 2020 to assess the overall number of visitors that made it for the year of return.

JoyBusiness
An extraordinary row has broken out between Labor and the Greens with opposition backbencher Pat Conroy describing a Greens Senator "disgusting" and "offensive" for using the bushfires to politically attack his opponents.

The row was sparked when Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John lashed out at the major parties on Twitter for kowtowing to "their corporate mates" on global warming.

He has since posted follow-up tweets labelling his political opponents "climate criminals".

The 24-year old was not in the parliament at the time when his Greens party combined with the Coalition to vote down the emissions trading scheme put forward by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2009.
The BJP on Friday accused the Congress of misrepresenting the Citizenship Amendment Act as an instrument of snatching citizenship of the country's Muslims and asserted the law is meant to give one to persecuted minorities from Muslim-majority countries.

Addressing a press conference in Almora as part of the BJP's campaign to counter the opposition propaganda on the CAA, Chief Minister Trivevdra Singh Rawat said the law is "misleadingly being propagated" by the Congress as an instrument of taking away the citizenship of Muslims in India.

He also said by "spreading lies" about the amended citizenship law, the Congress is only furthering its policy of "divide and rule inherited from the British".

"The Congress is misleading the people on the issue in pursuit of its policy of divide and rule inherited from the British. The policy Congress adopted to divide the people at the time of Independence is being repeated by the party today," Rawat said.

The chief minister said the Act, being opposed by the Congress today, was actually initiated by its government headed by ManmohanSingh.

"The Act has been passed by Parliament as the population of minorities in Pakistan has drastically come down from 23 per cent at the time of partition to 3.7 per cent in 2011.

"Muslim population in India on the contrary which stood at 4 crore at the time of independence has increased to 20 crore at present," the chief minister said.

He said the religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries neighbouring India are persecuted, forced to change their religion and marry Muslims.

The chief minister also said around 200 families residing in Rishikesh, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand fall under the purview of the amended citizenship law.

Similar press conferences were held in Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi by Uttarakhand Urban Development Minister Madan Kaushik and state BJP vice president Jyoti Prasad Gairola, respectively.

Union Human Resources Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur and Uttarakhand BJP president Ajay Bhatt will hold press conferences at different places in Uttarakhand over the next few days to "shatter the myths about CAA".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III applauds the passage of new federal legislation known as the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act.

The TRACED Act is the first federal law designed to combat the rampant problem of robocalls, which increased by more than 36 percent in 2018. The law will prioritize industry-wide implementation of call authentication protocols (SHAKEN/STIR), a framework which will allow voice providers to adopt call-blocking technology and prevent spoofed calls at no additional cost to consumers. It also creates an interagency working group to take additional actions to reduce robocalls and hold telemarketers and robocallers accountable.

States lead enforcement of the federal do-not-call laws and have supported this legislation from the start, said General Slatery. By updating laws and regulations, increasing transparency, and putting some teeth in the penalties for making illegal calls, the TRACED Act enables this Office to do more to protect Tennessee consumers from being harassed and scammed.

The law also requires the FCC to put new limits on robocalls that are legal, placing new limits on the types of organizations that can make those calls and who can receive them. A coalition of 54 attorneys general formally supported the TRACED Act in a letter to Congress in March 2019: https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/news/2019/3/5/pr19-07.html

The TRACED Act was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump Monday. It passed both the House and Senate with nearly unanimous bipartisan support. The House version of the bill was introduced and sponsored by Tennessee Representative David Kustoff and co-sponsored by Tennessee Representatives Tim Burchett, Chuck Fleischmann, David Roe, and John Rose. Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn co-sponsored the bill in the Senate.
EPSOM, England, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Italian and Indian dishes were the most popular international meals cooked at home by people in the UK during 2019, according to a recent study.

The survey, conducted by Leatherhead Food Research, reveals that the Top Ten Global Cuisines cooked at home in the past year are:

Italian (79%)* Indian (78%) Chinese (61%) Thai (50%) Spanish (46%) Greek (39%) Turkish (15%) North African (15%) Japanese (14%) Lebanese (9%)

*Figures show the percentage of respondents who have cooked a dish from this region in the past 12 months.

The findings also indicate that home cooks are getting more adventurous with global cuisine, with 70% claiming they now prepare more international dishes than in the past. This figure increases to 82% for the 16-35 age group. Many people (40%) say they are inspired to extend their repertoire by TV cooking shows and celebrity chefs.

Leatherhead found that most people (61%) enjoy discovering their own international recipes and cooking from scratch. This is especially true of the younger 16-35 age group (70%). However, nearly a quarter (24%) of people get frustrated that it's not always easy to find the specialist ingredients they need in their usual shops.

Leatherhead's Consumer and Sensory Director Cindy Beeren says the findings provide important insights for the food industry:

"It's no surprise that Italian tops the list, pasta and pizza are family staples for many," she explains. "However, it's interesting to see that Indian food comes in at such a close second, and that Chinese, Thai and Spanish dishes are cooked by so many people. As home cooking takes on more international flavours, supermarkets need to find ways to keep up with consumer demand. There's nothing more frustrating than shopping for a particular recipe, then finding that the specialist flour, sauce, herbs or spices that you need are nowhere on the shelves."

Leatherhead Food Research is a Science Group company. This research into the UK's global cuisine trends was conducted via its proprietary consumer insight database during November 2019, with 927 people aged 16 and over taking part.

Further information about Leatherhead is available at www.leatherheadfood.com.

About Leatherhead

Leatherhead Food Research provides expertise and support to the global food and drink sector with practical solutions that cover all stages of a product's life cycle from consumer insight, ingredient innovation and sensory testing to food safety consultancy and global regulatory advice. Leatherhead operates a membership programme which represents a who's who of the global food and drinks industry. Supporting all members and clients, large or small, Leatherhead provides consultancy and advice as well as training, market news, published reports and bespoke projects. Alongside the Member support and project work, our world-renowned experts deliver cutting-edge research in areas that drive long term commercial benefit for the food and drink industry.

About Science Group

Leatherhead is a Science Group company. Science Group plc (AIM:SAG) is an international consulting services group supporting the product innovation lifecycle to enable our clients to deliver on their investments in R&D. Our services fall into four broad categories: Applied Science, Product Development, Technology Advisory and Regulatory. These services are combined with vertical market expertise in Medical, Food & Beverage, Industrial, Chemical, Energy and Consumer sectors. With offices throughout Europe, North America and China/Hong Kong and with over 30 languages written and spoken, Science Group supports a global client base.

www.sciencegroup.com
The next decade will be a decisive time for science and technology-based governance, he added.

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday assured Ind-ian scientists here that his government will use Information Technology (IT) to reduce red tape and ensure ease of doing science while exhorting them to explore, map and responsibly harness the vast oceanic resources of water, energy, food and minerals.

Inaugurating the 107th edition of the Indian Science Congress, Mr Modi said, Our successes in space exploration should now be mirrored in the new frontier of the deep sea. Our programmes have created more technology business incubators in the last five years than in the previous 50 years. I congratulate our scientists for this achievement. The PM complimented Indian scientists for improving the countrys ranking in the innovation index.

Coining a slogan for young Indian scientistsinnovate, patent, produce and prosper, Mr Modi said these four steps will lead our country towards faster development. If we innovate, we will patent and that in turn will make our production smoother and when we take these products to the people of our country, I am sure they will prosper.

He said that with the production of cheap smartphones and cheap data in the country, even a common man is confident that he can directly connect with the government.

Mr Modi said that digital technology, e-commerce, Internet banking and mobile banking services are assisting the rural population significantly, and farmers are getting the required weather information at their fingertips through e-governance initiatives.

The next decade will be a decisive time for science and technology-based governance, he added.

Referring to his governments decision to scrap single-use plastic, Mr Modi asked researchers to discover a cheap and efficient alternative to single-use plastic.

He said that the governments efforts are to reduce the import of crude oil by 10 per cent by 2022, as it will provide an opportunity for start-ups to explore the field of ethanol and bio-fuel. Besides, a fillip to industry-based research will help in making the country a $ five trillion economy. There is need for a revolution in technologies assisting agricultural practices. Can we find farmer-centric solutions to the problem of stalk burning for instance? Can we also redesign our brick kilns for reduced emissions and greater energy efficiency? We need to find a solution towards clean drinking water also, he added.

Two Nobel laureates and 15,000 delegates are attending the five-day annual jamboree in Bengaluru. For the first time, the Farmers Science Congress will be held as part of the annual event along with the Childrens Science Congress and Womens Science Congress.
Judge Denies Challenge to Rachel Rossis Ballot Designation as Public Defender in Race for L.A. District Attorney

Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff ruled that Rachel Rossi lawfully listed Public Defender, Federal as her ballot designation in her campaign for Los Angeles County District Attorney. Last week, Rossi was made aware by George Gascons campaign that they were leading a challenge to her ballot designation filed for the March 3rd Presidential Primary election. Gascon, the former San Francisco District Attorney, is also running for Los Angeles County District Attorney.

I was disappointed that George Gascons team decided to challenge my ballot designation when I correctly listed my former occupation on the ballot as a federal public defender, stated Rossi. It is unfortunate that we spent Christmas Eve in court defending a baseless challenge. I am happy, however, that the judge agreed with us today and denied the petitioners frivolous petition.

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She continued, I have been an attorney for ten years, and have committed almost seven and a half of those years serving as a public defender in L.A. County and the Federal Public Defenders Office, up until I resigned in February of this year. As the judge ruled today, my ballot designation describing my former job as a federal public defender is appropriate under the law. I am proud to be the first former public defender to run for L.A. County District Attorney.

Rossis attorney Marc Williams with Cohen-Williams added, We are pleased that the Court followed the law and issued the correct ruling today. Rachel Rossis ballot designation emphasizing her experience as an Assistant Federal Public Defender is truthful, accurate and lawful.

California Elections Code Section 13107 expressly permits candidates to use no more than three words designating either the current principal professions, occupations or occupations or the principal professions, vocations, or occupations of the candidate during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing of nomination documents. Elections Code  13107(a)(3) (emphasis added).

Rachel Rossi will appear on the March Presidential Primary Ballot in Los Angeles County with the ballot designation of Public Defender, Federal.
Amid a political storm over infant deaths in Kota, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday alleged that over a thousand children have died in the last 12 months in Gorakhpur and asked the UP government as to who was responsible for it.

Training his guns on the UP Chief Minister, Yadav said "Yogi Adityanath is worried about Kota deaths. When will he be worried about the Gorakhpur deaths".

Yadav told a press conference here that the ailing children in Gorakhpur were suffering from encephalitis but were administered different medicines so that the truth did not come out that they were dying of encephalitis.

"I will soon release a list of the dead children," he said.

"Why wrong medicines were administered? Who is answerable?" he asked.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister had on Thursday targeted the Congress over infant deaths in Rajasthan, saying party leader Priyanka Gandhi should have gone there to console the children's mothers instead of "playing politics" in UP.

At least 100 infants have died at a government-run hospital in Kota in the past month.

On Uttar Pradesh BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh's remark that the SP chief should stay in Pakistan for a month to understand atrocities being faced by Hindus there, Yadav said the saffron party has made this suggestion as it does not want any discussion on unemployment.

Yadav also said very soon SP workers will take out rallies all over the state against the National Population Register (NPR), noting that it would do no good to the people.

"Nahi chahiye NPR, humey chahiye rozgar (We don't need NPR, we need employment) will be our slogan," he said.

The SP chief's remarks came against the backdrop of the Union Cabinet approving Rs 8,500 crore for updating the NPR.

He accused the BJP of being silent on economic issues, rising prices of essential commodities, higher cost of cooking gas cylinders and costlier electricity, he said.

Referring to the recent clashes in Uttar Pradesh, the SP chief claimed that all the deaths during the anti-CAA protests were during police firing.

"All the deaths were caused by police bullets," he claimed.

Officials have maintained the death toll at 19, with some of the casualties in police firing which took place in "self defence".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Paris prosecutors on Friday opened a rape probe after a writer published her account of a relationship she had, from the age of 14, with a prominent literary figure much older than her.

Vanessa Springora, now aged 47, wrote of the relationship with writer Gabriel Matzneff, now 83, in a book entitled Le Consentement [Consent], published on Thursday.

The book has sparked a debate in France about liberal attitudes towards sex with minors in some intellectual circles in the past.

In 1977, Matzneff was among the signatories of two calls for more relaxed laws on sexual relations with minors.

Other signatories included the writers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.

In his 1974 book Les Moins de Seize Ans [The Under-16s], Matzneff wrote that he was captivated less by a particular sex than by extreme youth, that which runs from the age of 10 to 16 

In an interview with news magazine Le Nouvel Obs ahead of her books publication, Springora said she always knew that [she] could only take back ownership of this story with a book, and in no other way.

She had been the victim of a triple predation: sexual, literary, and psychological, she added.

READ ALSO:

Matzneff, in a letter to news magazine LExpress, accused her of wanting to throw him into the accursed cauldron with other cultural figures accused of sexual misconduct.

Paris prosecutor Remi Heitz said, in a statement that did not mention Matzneff by name, that the investigation would look into the acts detailed in Springoras book and also seek to identify any other potential victims of similar acts.

(dpa/NAN)
Press Release

January 3, 2020 Bong Go expresses optimism entering 2020; reiterates commitment to provide continued service to all Filipinos through better access to quality government services Detailing what the country can expect from him in 2020, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go vows to continue provide prompt service to all Filipinos during a radio interview with DZRH on Thursday, January 2. "Asahan n'yo po patuloy pa rin po akong magseserbisyo at magiging tulay ninyo sa gobyerno at kay Pangulong Duterte," Go said, adding that he will continue to file and support measures promoting further the welfare of all Filipinos. "Asahan n'yo po ako po ay tuloy-tuloy na magbabalangkas ng batas na paki-pakinabang lalong lalo na po sa mga mahihirap nating mga kababayan," he added. During the interview, Go also discussed his priority bills, saying that they are aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos through better access to quality government services. "Isa po sa mga ipinasa kong batas at maaari naming pag-usapan sa committee ngayong simula ng taon ay ang pagkakaroon ng mandatory evacuation centers sa bansa. Kagaya ng gusto ni Pangulong Duterte, kailangan nating magpatayo ng safe, permanent at dedicated na evacuation (center) na kumpleto po sa mga kagamitan," Go said. Also known as "An Act Establishing a Mandatory Evacuation Center in all Cities, Provinces and Municipalities, Appropriating Funds Therefor", Senate Bill (SB) 1228 states that an evacuation center will be established in every city, province and municipality throughout the country. Aside from providing the basic needs and assistance to all evacuees, the said evacuation centers will also guarantee the safety and well-being of all Filipinos who have become victims of natural calamities or any other hazard or emergency event. These events include typhoons, floods, fire, storm surges, other weather disturbances and outbreak of diseases that may cause imminent danger to life and property. The bill also provides for the minimum requirements for every evacuation center such as its location, amenities and accessibility, operation and management, among others. Several regions in the country recently suffered from the onslaught of Typhoon Ursula, resulting to several deaths and affecting thousands. Mindanao was also hit this lately by fourth strong earthquake last December 15. In his previous visits in several evacuation centers in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato, Go emphasized the need to establish permanent evacuation centers. Many of the evacuees spent the Christmas and New Year's eves in temporary shelters. To further improve the government's preparation and mitigation response to natural disasters and calamities, Go is also pushing for the passage of Senate Bill (SB) No. 205 or the "Department of Disaster Resilience Act of 2019" which proposes for the creation of DDR, "an empowered, highly specialized department with clear unity of command and primarily responsible in ensuring safe, adaptive and disaster-resilient communities." The bill seeks to establish a clear system of responsibility for disaster preparedness and response in all levels of the government, given the increasing number and devastation brought about by various disasters. Through the proposed measure, the existing Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) offices will be renamed as Local Disaster Resilience Offices. A Disaster Resilience Fund will also be established to finance DDR's operations, disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness, response, recovery, rehabilitation and building forward better programs, projects and activities formulated in the national level. Currently, disaster-related responsibilities are shared among various government agencies. And the existing National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is a mere coordinating body. In his previous interviews, Go admitted that "Kailangan na po talaga nating i-scale up ang preparedness to resiliency against disasters. Napapanahon na din na talagang magkaroon ng sariling departamento na nakatutok talaga dito sa mga ganitong pangyayari." He added that "Sa pagpapatayo ng departamentong ito, mas magiging mabilis ang pagtugon ng pamahalaan, mas maiibsan ang masamang epekto ng kalamidad at mas mabilis makakabangon ang ating mga kababayan." After he strongly condemned in the same interview the killing of Jeanelyn Villavende, an overseas Filipino worker in Kuwait, Go also urged his fellow lawmakers to expedite the passage of SB 202 or the Department of Overseas Filipinos Act of 2019. SB 202 seeks to address issues such as the need to improve coordination among concerned offices, hence the proposal to put them together under one roof to expedite services for OFWs and to also avoid finger-pointing among agencies concerned with OFW affairs. The bill proposes that the following agencies and their powers and functions be transferred to the new department to be established: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO), International Labor Affairs Bureau of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO). The powers and functions of the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs under the Department of Foreign Affairs and all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices and their officials under DOLE will also be transferred to the proposed department. Go also discussed how his other bills are progressing in the Senate and their intended benefits to Filipinos. "Itong Magna Carta for Barangay, pinag-aaralan pa po ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 'Yung National Housing Development Production and Financing Act, nasa komite na po ito at ididinig po ito. "Ito rin pong Fire Protection Modernization Act, maghi-hearing na rin po ito. Itong Amendment to Solo Parents' Welfare Act of 2000, itong Act Reinstating the Death Penalty for Certain Heinous Crime Involving Dangerous Drugs and Plunder, nag first reading palang po ito. "Meron din po akong na-i-file na panukalang batas na amendment to the GCTA Law, Barangay Health Workers Act, at Bill proposing to Provide Free Legal Assistance to the AFP and PNP Officers and Personnel. "Marami pa pong iba. Emergency Medical Services Systems Act, nag first reading pa lang po ito. Advanced Nursing Education Act, Bill Expanding the Purposes and Application of the Special Education Fund, (first hearing to be scheduled soon), Philippine High School for Sports, ito po'y pag-uusapan sa plenary soon," Go told, adding that he will continue to promote the interests of Filipinos. "Marami pa pong iba na sana ay mapakinabangan po ng bawat Pilipino. Palaging uunahin ko po ang interes po ng bawat Pilipino," Go said.
To the Editor:

On behalf of the Bad Axe Free Methodist Church, we would like to thank our many visitors for making our recent live nativity a huge success.

We were overjoyed at the attendance, and sincerely grateful that so many would brave the cold temperatures and enjoy the three performances, including our camel and donkey who included a few "spontaneous unwritten speaking" parts in the production!

We hope that you enjoyed the presentations and delighted in our recreation of the birth of Jesus, and we look forward to presenting another Live Nativity next year. Thank you!

Staci Schweitzer and Mary Robinson
A photographer happened upon a tree root that looks exactly like a charging deer with long antlers.

Amateur Wildlife photographer Stephen Plant spotted the find in a woodland area in Louth, Lincolnshire.

The 61-year-old, who runs photography website S.N.A.P, had seen the deer several times before deciding to take a picture.

A photographer happened upon a tree root that looks exactly like a charging deer with long antlers in Louth, Lincolnshire

Amateur Wildlife photographer Stephen Plant spotted the roots. Pictured: Louth, Lincolnshire (stock image)

He said: 'To be honest, I have stepped over it a few times. It is in the woodland.

'I just thought it was awesome. I couldn't believe it.

'It seems to have a little digit extended so it is pointed to the treasure!

'To be honest, Im an atheist and I believe Christmas is Pagan and I think I found it on New Years Day so it is like that deep dark mid-winter, so the Pagan festival.

'I can imagine daisies round it in the Spring.

'Also we are over the hill with the shortest day. That is quite a prominent thought.'

The deer is highly symbolic in some Pagan and Wiccan traditions, with horned god Cernunnos believed to be connected to a stag.

Mr Plant, who has Tourette's syndrome, aims to throw light on the condition through his work.

He also raises money for mental health charity Mind through his website.
President Moon Jae-in speaks during a speech at the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port on Friday. Yonhap



President Moon Jae-in chose South Korea's largest vehicle export port as the venue for his first field visit of the year Friday, a show of his government's resolve to support the development of environment-friendly automobiles and pull off a rally in exports, a key pillar of the country's economy.



"Today, we are starting a new decade to make a leap into the world's big-four export powerhouses by 2030," he said in a speech delivered at the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin port, some 70 kilometers southwest of Seoul.



He witnessed the loading of environment-friendly vehicles produced by the nation's major automobile firms  Hyundai and Kia  for customers in Europe.



The Moon administration has formally designated the future-generation car sector as South Korea's potential growth engine, along with bio-health and non-memory chips.



It has set the goal of making South Korea the world's most competitive future car producer by 2030.






The European Commissions new president will make her first official visit to Britain this week, laying the groundwork for the next phase of Brexit talks ahead of the UKs departure from the union.

Ursula von der Leyen, who replaced Jean-Claude Juncker in December, will meet Boris Johnson at Downing Street on Wednesday  in a reversal of previous visits which have usually seen British prime ministers trek to Brussels for audiences.

The commission presidents visit comes ahead of Britains formal exit from the European Union, which is expected on 31 January, pending approval of the Brexit deal by the UK parliament and European parliament.

Ms Von der Leyen is expected to use the meeting to advise Mr Johnson to consider extending the Brexit transition period, which will expire at the end of this year unless the UK decides to extend it.

She warned in an interview with French financial title Les Echos last week that it might be necessary to extend the extremely short cliff edge beyond the end of 2020.

It would be reasonable to evaluate the situation mid-year and then, if necessary, agree on extending the transition period, she told the newspaper.

But Mr Johnson has announced his intention to write the 31 December transition end date into law, effectively legally binding himself to not extend the period.

Under the withdrawal agreement, the decision on whether to extend has to be made by July, six months from the end of the transition, in order to give both parties time to prepare for a cliff edge.

If no free trade agreement is negotiated then the UK will crash out without a trade deal on WTO terms. Labour has said Mr Johnson should extend the transition period by the maximum two years.

While some issues such as citizens rights, the divorce bill and the Irish border will have been solved in the withdrawal agreement struck by Mr Johnson, others will be left hanging at a cliff edge.

Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Show all 8 1 /8 Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes Conservative party leader Boris Johnson drives a JCB through a fake wall POOL/AFP via Getty Images Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes AFP via Getty Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes REUTERS Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes PA Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes AFP via Getty Bizarre: Boris Johnson drives 'Brexit' digger through boxes AFP via Getty

Even if the UK does manage to negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK, the economic damage to the UK from leaving the single market and customs union is expected to be considerable, according to the governments own estimates.

A basic free trade agreement as planned by Mr Johnson is one of the loosest possible relationships between the UK and the EU. Previous similar agreements have taken years to negotiate.
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday handed over conveyance deeds and registry papers of houses to 20 residents of unauthorised colonies.

The documents were given to the residents of Raja Vihar and Samaypur Badli at a press conference here, ahead of the Delhi assembly polls.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi had recently asked residents of unauthorised colonies not to trust the BJP-led Centre unless they get registry papers of their houses in their hands.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Republican lawmakers quickly spoke out Thursday in strong support of President Donald Trump's attack that killed Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, as Congress complained it received no advance notice of the strike.

The high praise from the right stood in stark contrast to reaction from Democrats, who severely criticised Trump's latest move in a sign of Washington's polarisation ahead of this year's presidential elections.

"In a display of resolve and strength, we struck the leader of those attacking our sovereign US territories," top House Republican Kevin McCarthy said in a statement. The sentiment was swiftly echoed by his fellow Republicans.

"Wow - the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically," Senator Lindsey Graham, a close confidant of Trump, wrote on Twitter.

The strike on Soleimani, which occurred at Baghdad's airport on Friday in Iraq, also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

It came after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

The White House traditionally gives warning to senior members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of major military action.

But House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement that the strike "went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress." Soleimani was "the mastermind of immense violence" who has "the blood of Americans on his hands," the Democratic lawmaker said.

But "to push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress's powers as a coequal branch of government," Engel said.

Mood from the Democratic camp was decidedly critical, particularly from presidential candidates in the 2020 campaign.

"President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," said former vice president Joe Biden, who leads the pack of Democratic contenders, in a statement. "Iran will surely respond. We could be on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East," Biden said.

US entrepreneur and Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang wrote on Twitter that "war with Iran is the last thing we need and is not the will of the American people.

"We should be acting to deescalate tensions and protect our people in the region." Democratic Vermont senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars." The winner of the Democratic primary will battle Trump for control of the White House in November elections, with the attack sure to feature center-stage during pre-vote debates.

It was already a topic trending in US-based think tank and diplomatic circles late Thursday.

"Make no mistake: any war with Iran will not look like the 1990 Gulf war or the 2003 Iraq war," Richard Haass, president of the US-based Council on Foreign Relations, wrote on Twitter.

"The region (and possibly the world) will be the battlefield," he wrote.
I have my suspicions, I don't want to say that because other people have those suspicions also.

It is a tragic thing when I see that, it's a tragic thing but someone could have made a mistake on the other side.

It was flying in a pretty rough neighbourhood and somebody could have made a mistake.

Some people say it was mechanical. I personally don't think that's even a question, personally. So we'll see what happens.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 21:13:30|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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SKOPJE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The parliament of North Macedonia has confirmed that Prime Minister Zoran Zaev submitted his resignation on Friday in compliance with the agreement reached by political parties of the country after its bid for the accession negotiation with the European Union was denied in October last year.
United Airlines will pay $321,000 in back pay and compensatory damages to a female flight attendant to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the federal government.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had sued Chicago-based United in 2018 in San Antonio alleging the airline failed to protect the flight attendant from a pilot who had posted nude photos and videos of her on the internet.

The flight attendant, identified as Jane Doe, later filed her own complaint in the case. She lived in San Antonio. She alleged that the online postings by pilot Mark Joseph Uhlenbrock were harassing and created a hostile work environment.

On ExpressNews.com: EEOC sues United Airlines over pilot posting nude photos of flight attendant

In the settlement, approved Dec. 19 by U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, United denied that it engaged in any unlawful conduct or discrimination.

United agreed to pay an undisclosed amount in attorneys fees to the flight attendants lawyers.

In addition, United must distribute its anti-harassment/anti-discrimination policy to all employees within 90 days. The company was required to revise the policy to address harassing conduct affecting the workplace, whether on or off duty, and perpetrated through the internet or social media.

The company also must provide training on the policy to flight operations and in-flight management employees based at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

We have a zero-tolerance policy for any type of harassment in the workplace and expect our employees to treat each other with dignity and respect, United spokesman Charles Hobart said in an emailed statement Friday. We strongly disagree with the EEOCs allegations and will continue to reinforce the procedures and training we have in place to protect our employees from sexual harassment.

Uhlenbrock, 65, pleaded guilty in 2016 in San Antonio federal court to a stalking charge and was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Records show he was released in August.

On ExpressNews.com: United Airlines pilot pleads guilty to stalking ex-S.A. girlfriend

United stated Uhlenbrock was removed from his position in late 2015 following his arrest by the FBI. He retired in lieu of termination in 2016, the company added. The EEOC alleged he was allowed to retire with benefits despite the criminal case.

The flight attendant dated Uhlenbrock for about five years beginning in 2002 and allowed him to take nude photos and videos of her, court documents in his criminal case indicated. He also took a video of her sunbathing without her permission, documents stated. He later posted them to the internet, the EEOC said.

The EEOC alleged United failed to prevent and correct Uhlenbrocks behavior, even after the flight attendant made numerous complaints and provided substantial evidence of his conduct to the airline. She first complained in 2011.

United decided to protect the harasser Uhlenbrock, the flight attendant alleged in her complaint.

In its response to her lawsuit, United said it concluded that Uhlenbrocks conduct stemmed from a private consensual relationship. It also noted the flight attendant filed civil lawsuits against him. Those suits, filed in state District Court in San Antonio, were settled for $110,000, records show.

Nevertheless, United found that Uhlenbrock had violated its workforce guidelines and counseled him.

Texas Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox

The flight attendant said she subsequently discovered in 2013 that Uhlenbrock was still posting sexually explicit photos of her on the web. United responded that it was unable to confirm that Uhlenbrock was the source of the postings.

The flight attendant later turned to the FBI and the EEOC for help. Her attorneys didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The case highlights the issues of employer accountability for harassment in the workplace, said Robert A. Canino, an EEOC regional attorney in Dallas.

Employee workdays and job sites are no longer defined by time cards and the walls of a building, but by the breadth of a digital day and the reach of electronic communications, he said in a statement.

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
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Twitter users flayed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday after he reportedly tweeted an old video clip of violence in Bangladesh but blamed "Indian police for action against Muslims in Uttar Pradesh".

#ImranKhan trended with 19K tweets as Twitter users criticised him. Some even posted memes to make fun of him.

Later, a user tweeted that Imran Khan had deleted all such tweets after being called out out for the "fake video" posted by him.

One user commented that the Pakistan leader was doing all this due to frustration.

"Imran Khan can only do this when the Indian Prime Minister is strong. Pak missing MMS badly," said one user.

"When the Congress IT team handles the account, this is bound to happen," remarked another.

One user tagged @UN and wrote: "Imran Khan putting old videos of Bangladesh and spreading lies about India. Please take strict action against him for spreading fake news about other nations." "No need to take action. He is decreasing his own credibility," said another user.

One user commented: "So much insult that you have became a laughing stock @ImranKhanPTI." "Imran Khan Niazi deleted those tweets," pointed out one user.
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Linkedin Javier Tovar/Andrew Marszal (Agence France-Presse) Los Angeles, United States  Fri, January 3, 2020 14:07 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320b9817 2 Entertainment Golden-Globes-2020,golden-globe-awards,united-states,film,television,Netflix Free

Hollywood's biggest stars gather Sunday for the glitzy Golden Globes, the first major awards show of a packed season that looks set to mark Netflix's coming-of-age in Tinseltown.

The celebrity-filled gala in Beverly Hills is billed as the most raucous event in the showbiz calendar, where success helps create buzz ahead of next month's Oscars.

Netflix garnered an overwhelming 34 Globe nominations across film and television categories, and is the hot favorite to win several major gongs at the champagne-soaked ceremony.

The streaming giant has two frontrunners for the night's top film prize, best drama -- Martin Scorsese's gangster epic The Irishman and heart-wrenching divorce saga Marriage Story.

"They are having a really good year," Variety awards editor Tim Gray told AFP, noting Netflix has "five or six" heavyweight films this season, up from just Roma last time around. "I think they'll do well."

Netflix only began producing original movies in 2015, but has spent billions to lure the industry's top filmmaking talent and fund lavish awards season campaigns.

The firm's Vatican drama The Two Popes has four nods, while Eddie Murphy is the favorite to win best comedy actor for the streaming giant's blaxploitation biopic Dolemite Is My Name.

Murphy, making a comeback to the awards circuit, is among a plethora of A-listers enthusiastically campaigning throughout the busy season.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's 90-odd members, who vote for the Globe winners, are a priority stop for every serious contender. Last year, they correctly picked the Oscar winner in every film category except for best musical score.

"They don't generally miss more than one, maybe two" Academy Award winners, said Chris Beachum, of awards prediction website GoldDerby.

Oscar nominations voting ends Tuesday, two days after the Globes.

Read also: Golden Globe nominations to reveal Hollywood award season hopefuls

Ricky Gervais back again

British comedian Ricky Gervais returns for a record fifth time to host the ceremony, where his provocative barbs have both riled and delighted Hollywood stars in previous years.

Gervais has promised it will be "the very last time" he hosts.

While several film categories are too close to call, Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood is tipped to take home the prize for best comedy, according to GoldDerby.

Brad Pitt is also a clear frontrunner for his supporting turn in the 1960s Hollywood pastiche, set against the backdrop of the Manson cult murders.

Joaquin Phoenix is leading a crowded drama field for his radical turn in dark comic book tale Joker, while Renee Zellweger is angling hard for the best actress gong with Judy Garland biopic Judy.

Newcomer Apple will be hoping to make waves in the television categories, where its #MeToo drama The Morning Show has multiple nominations.

But it must fend off Netflix's flagship The Crown, boasting a new cast led by Oscar winner Olivia Colman.

And early signs suggest a breakthrough year for Asian filmmaking.

Asian-American actress Awkwafina is seen as a shoo-in for best actress in family tragicomedy The Farewell, while South Korean black comedy Parasite is expected to bag the award for best foreign language film.

Bong Joon-ho, the filmmaker behind Parasite, goes head-to-head with Hollywood heavyweights Tarantino and Scorsese in the best director category.

Read also: Ellen DeGeneres to get Golden Globe lifetime award for TV work

'Good year' for films

But the HFPA drew stinging criticism for its failure to nominate any female directors. The surprise omission of Greta Gerwig (Little Women) was particularly notable.

"Of course, I'm disappointed. I love the film that we made," Gerwig told AFP last month.

"There are so many beautiful films made by women this year," she said, but added that the overall low number of female-helmed movies was "dreadful" for the industry.

HFPA president Lorenzo Soria defended the all-male list, telling Variety that members of his organization "don't vote by gender" but "by film and accomplishment".

Gray agreed the director nominations list remains "pretty good," with Sam Mendes (1917) and Todd Phillips (Joker) rounding off the slots.

"All the directors who were nominated deserve it," he said. "It's not a simple case of prejudice against women directors."

He added: "It's just a good year -- every category is overcrowded."
Goehle, of Highland Park, who said she remembers being intrigued by design during her many childhood visits to Chicagos Museum of Science and Industry, said Shapiro helped her and Snow launch the business after they saw an opportunity to create a new company focusing on storytelling and design.
OAKRIDGE, Ore.  The man who died in a fire in an Oakridge cabin has been identified as James Edward Anderson, 50, of Oakridge.

The identification was determined during the investigation into the incident, the Lane County Sheriffs Office said.

Court documents show Anderson was wanted out of Sherman County on a theft charge, accused of stealing a $450 cooler from a Grass Valley business.

On Monday, Oakridge police officers were trying to arrest Anderson on the theft warrant when he barricaded himself inside a cabin, the sheriffs office said. Oakridge police called for assistance at 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

Authorities said the cabin was east of Oakridge near Highway 58 and Warner Creek Road up a narrow road overgrown with vegetation.

Deputies and officers were unable to get the man to come out, and shortly before 3 a.m., authorities heard a small explosion followed by a fire in the cabin.

Deputies said firefighters couldnt get their truck through to the cabin on the narrow road. Due to heat and explosions likely caused by propane tanks, first responders were forced to back away from the area until the fire was out. Once the fire was extinguished the mans body was found inside the cabin.

The Lane County Sheriffs Office and the Lane County Medical Examiners Office are investigating the death. The Oregon State Fire Marshals Office is investigating the fire.
Public Designation of Leopoldo Cintra Frias Due to Involvement in Gross Violations of Human Rights

Press Statement

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

January 2, 2020



The Department is publicly designating Leopoldo Cintra Frias, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba (MINFAR), under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, due to his involvement, by command responsibility, in gross violations of human rights. Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign government officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.

The law also requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members. In addition to the public designation of Leopoldo Cintra Frias, the Department is also publicly designating his children, Deborah Cintra Gonzalez and Leopoldo Cintra Gonzalez.

As Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, Cintra Frias bears responsibility for Cuba's actions to prop up the former Maduro regime in Venezuela. Alongside Maduro's military and intelligence officers, MINFAR has been involved in gross human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela, including torturing or subjecting Venezuelans to cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment for their anti-Maduro stances. Dismantling Venezuela's democracy by terrifying Venezuelans into submission is the goal of MINFAR and the Cuban regime.

The international community can clearly see how fearful Cuba is of democracy  both for its own citizens and Venezuelans. We strongly encourage other governments and international organizations to continue promoting accountability for the Cuban regime for its involvement in violations or abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Cuba, Venezuela, and beyond.

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Days after a Kerala assembly resolution demanded that the Citizenship Amendment Act be scrapped, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday wrote to 11 non-Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministers asking them to take similar steps against the controversial law and pitching for unity to protect democracy and secularism.

The Kerala assembly had on Tuesday passed the resolution -- supported by ruling Communist Party of India Marxist-led Left Democratic Front and opposition Congress headed United Democratic Front -- demanding the repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Kerala became the first state to take such a course amid the continuing protests against the citizenship law in various parts of the country.

Vijayan, who has been strident in his opposition to the CAA, wrote to chief ministers of 11 states, including Bihar's Nitish Kumar, an ally of Bharatiya Janata Party, saying there was need to stand united in preserving the country's democracy and secularism.

"The need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism.

"People from various cross sections of the society irrespective of any difference they might have, need to stand united in preserving the basic tenets of our polity which form the cornerstone of Indian democracy," he said in his letter.

Vijayan, the lone Left chief minister in the country, claimed apprehensions have arisen among large sections of the society consequent to the CAA.

He drew attention of the 11 states to the resolution passed by the Kerala assembly on December 31 expressing its concern regarding the impact the CAA on the "nation's secular credentials" and urging the Centre to repeal it.

States, which have the opinion that the CAA should be repealed, can also consider similar steps so that it will be an "eyeopener" to the proponents of the CAA and the National Register of Citizens," Vijayan said.

The Marxist veteran expressed hope that the unity in diversity of the country, which has stood the test of times, will ultimately emerge stronger.

"Kerala has decided to address the apprehensions about NRC that preparations of NPR (National Population Register) will lead to NRC by staying all activities relating to NPR in the state," he said in the letter.

Vijayan's appeal to his counterparts comes a day after Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said the resolution passed by the state assembly against CAA has absolutely no Constitutional or legal validity.

Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had criticised the Left government for passing the resolution and said Vijayan should seek "better legal advice."

Vijayan sent identical letter to chief ministers Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Hemant Soren (Jharkhand), Uddhav Thackeray (Maharashtra), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), Y S Jaganmohan Reddy (Andhra Pradesh), Kamal Nath (Madhya Pradesh), Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan) Naveen Patnaik (Odisha) and V Narayanasamy (Puducherry).
Photo: Air Transat

An Air Transat flight bound for Vancouver from Costa Rica lost a door panel in flight on Dec. 21.

Aeroinside.com reports the Airbus A321-200N, registration C-GOIF, dropped the panel from an overwing exit after taking off from Liberia.

The aircraft was on a positioning flight with just six crew on board.

As the plane climbed through 14,000 feet, the flight crew received indication the right overwing exit was unsecured. Cabin crew reported an alarm went off, a large panel had fallen off, and there were hissing sounds.

The crew declared PAN PAN and returned to Liberia for a safe landing.

Aeroinside's report contains information from the Civil Aviation Daily Occurrence Report System.

Transport Canada endeavours to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data contained within CADORS, however, the information within should be treated as preliminary, unsubstantiated and subject to change.
Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto

A judge in California has given a total of $12.7m (9.7m) to 22 young women after ruling they were tricked into starring in online porn movies.

According to the judge's ruling, the videos produced by website GirlsDoPorn were uploaded to the internet despite the models being given assurances that they would not be.

In some cases, the videos led the victims - all aged 18 to 23 when the recordings happened - to being socially ostracised and becoming suicidal.

Ruling on Thursday regarding their 2016 lawsuit, San Diego Superier Court judge Kevin Enright said the women had replied to Craigslist ads seeking models and were then conned and coerced into performing porn.

The adverts allegedly did not make it clear the work would involve nudity or performing sex acts - with one ad reading: Wanted: beautiful college type preppy girls for video and photoshoots.

Local CBS affiliate CBS8 reported that the defendants, including GirlsDoPorn CEO Michael J Pratt and actor Andre Garcia, were facing federal sex trafficking charges, filed not long after the civil case. Garcia and others were in custody, while Pratt remained at large.

San Diego Superior Court Judge Enright wrote that the defendants "tactics have caused the videos to become common knowledge in plaintiffs communities and among their relations and peers  the very thing that plaintiffs feared and that defendants expressly assured them would not happen".

"As a result, plaintiffs have suffered and continue to suffer far-reaching and often tragic consequences, he said in his ruling.

He added: Collectively, they have experienced severe harassment, emotional and psychological trauma, and reputational harm; lost jobs, academic and professional opportunities, and family and personal relationships; and had their lives derailed and uprooted. They have become pariahs in their communities. Several plaintiffs have become suicidal.

According to Courthouse News Service, the videos were shared on GirlsDoPorns subscription-based websites weeks after the shoots and footage was shared on Pornhub, one of the most viewed websites in the world.

Story continues

During the recruiting process, the defendants paid women to act as references, pretending to be models from previous shoots and vouching for their privacy being protected.

Judge Enright, who granted the women between $250,000 and $500,000 each in damages, found evidence the defendants harassed some of the women who filed the lawsuit.

One of the women had a porn video she performed in sent to dozens of students, academics and other staff at her law school after she employed a lawyer to help her track down a copy of the documents she had signed, the judge wrote.

The defendants denied ever having sent the clip.

According to the Department of Justice, the websites owners and two members of staff have been charged in federal court in relation to the claims. A third defendant, videographer Matthew Wolfe, was also named.

Read more

Government told to crack down on revenge porn and deepfake porn
The accusations in a new lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson sound familiar: The consumer goods giant knew for decades that its baby powder and other talc-based products were contaminated with carcinogenic asbestos, but continued to market the items.

What makes this case different is that it was brought by a state.

Hector Balderas, the attorney general of New Mexico, accused Johnson & Johnson on Thursday of misleading consumers, especially children and black and Hispanic women, about the safety of its talc products. The company, he said, concealed and failed to warn consumers about the dangers associated with their talc products, which are thought to include lung disease, ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of internal organs that is associated with asbestos.

Its the latest in a wave of legal claims against the 134-year-old consumer products company. Johnson & Johnson faces more than 16,800 other talc-related lawsuits, most filed on behalf of individuals, as well as investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.

Johnson & Johnson said in a statement that it is reviewing the New Mexico lawsuit, adding that it will continue to defend the safety of Johnsons Baby Powder, which is supported by decades of scientific evidence showing our talc is safe and free of asbestos.
Donald Trump has been accused of hypocrisy for ordering the potentially inflammatory killing of a top Iranian general, after a series of tweets emerged from 2011 of him saying former president Barack Obama would start a war with Iran in order to get re-elected.

The killing of Qassem Soleimani, Tehrans top military commander in Iraq, has sparked warnings from former diplomats and the international community, and is being described as the biggest escalation of tensions in the region for years.

Mr Trump ordered the airstrike near Baghdad Airport that killed Soleimani, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the senior commander of a major Iraqi militia, on Thursday.

Soleimani was one of the most powerful figures in Iran, enjoying a close relationship with supreme leader Ali Khamenei, and Iranian leaders have vowed to retaliate against the US as a result of his killing.

Between 2011 and 2015, Mr Trump tweeted multiple times that Mr Obama was vying to start a war with Iran because of his inability to negotiate.

Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Show all 17 1 /17 Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, their surface-to-air missile is seen as it shoots down a US surveillance drone EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures This photo shows US RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned surveillance drone. A drone of this model was shot down by Iran on Thursday 21 June AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An oil tanker is on fire after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13. The US has blamed Iran for the attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures US President Trump holds up a signed executive order to increase sanctions on Iran on 24 June AP Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iranian President Rouhani stated in a televised address that the White House is "afflicted by mental retardation" following the increase in sanctions on 25 June EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An Iranian navy boat tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A screenshot from a video released by the US Department of Defense that the US claims to show Iranian removing an unexploded limpet mine form the hull of the Japan-owned ship that was attacked in the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An item reportedly found on the Japan-owned oil tanker that was attacked on June 13 in the Gulf of Oman AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A handout photograph from the US Department of Defense shows a composite material that the US claim was left behind on the hull of the Japan-owned oil tanker following the removal of an unexploded limpet mine Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A view from the cabin of an Iranian navy boat as it tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The picture suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The pictures suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack EPA

He repeated his convictions in a video in 2011, saying: "Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate - he's weak and ineffective.

"So the only way he figures that he's going to get re-elected, and as sure as you're sitting there, is to start a war with Iran."

In 2012, Mr Trump tweeted: Dont let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected  be careful Republicans!

Mr Trumps action has drawn criticism from social media users who have called him a hypocrite for risking a military escalation with Iran after his repeated accusations towards Mr Obama.

One Twitter user said: We knew [Mr Trump] would start a war to distract people from your IMPEACHMENT and here you are f***ing around with Iran.

In July last year, Mr Trump tweeted that Iranian President Hassan Rouhani must NEVER EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN.

He said: YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE.

The threat came after Mr Rouhani cautioned the president against pursuing hardline policies against Tehran with the warning: War with Iran is the mother of all wars.

Under the Trump administration, tensions with Iran have steadily escalated since the US left the Iran nuclear deal.

The framework of the Iran nuclear deal was one of the defining foreign policy achievements of Mr Obamas presidency. It was agreed between Iran, the EU, the US and the other four permanent members of the UN Security Council, and would have seen international economic sanctions lifted in exchange for limitations on Iran's nuclear programme.

However, the deal was vetoed by Mr Trumps administration in 2018 and the US withdrew from the deal.

Mr Trump claimed in 2015, a year before he became president, that the nuclear deal would lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

Mr Rouhani has warned Tehran will take revenge for the death of Mr Soleimani.

The flag of General Soleimani in defence of the countrys territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue, he said in a tweet.

The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime.
The state, however, has many more options to raise much-needed funds than local jurisdictions do, and I hope that in the upcoming legislative session in Annapolis the General Assembly will take advantage of some of those options. Tax brackets that are more progressive would bring fairness and additional funds. According to the Maryland Center for Economic Policy, 99 percent of Maryland residents make less than $535,000 a year but pay 1.4 percent more of their income in taxes than those who make more than that. If this were rectified by increasing income taxes on those who could most afford it, along with reversing the recent cut to the millionaire estate tax and closing corporate loopholes, we would be well on our way to having the state be able to foot a larger proportion of the bill instead of kicking it to the counties and Baltimore.
DALIAN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Customs in Dalian of northeast China's Liaoning Province said Friday they had intercepted more than 270 tonnes of manganese ore with excessive radioactivity.

The cargo was seized on Nov. 15, 2019 during checks when natural radionuclide level was found 4.4 times higher than the state limit value, said the Dalian Customs.

According to the customs, the substandard manganese ore, worth 4.14 million yuan (around 594,000 U.S. dollars), was imported from Mozambique. It may cause long-term contamination to the environment and pose a threat to human beings, animals and plants.

The customs has sealed up and isolated the cargo according to relevant regulations and will send it back to its port of origin.
Funding for hazard reduction burns needs to increase fivefold just to hold the threat to lives and property at current levels, experts warn, saying NSW alone needs to spend $500 million a year.

The state currently spends between $50 million and $100 million annually on burning programs.

Experts warn a new approach to prescribed burns and funding is needed as climate change increases the threat from bushfires to lives and property. Credit:Jeff Darmanin

Bushfire expert Ross Bradstock on Friday said investment needed to jump to half a billion dollars a year in NSW just to keep pace with the increasing bushfire threat. He also warned limiting the focus of reviews into this summer's catastrophe to fuel-load management would not be enough to lower the increasing risk of catastrophic bushfires under climate change.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday said a "wide range of factors" would be reviewed after the bushfire crisis, including the contribution of climate change and drought. He highlighted the "many restrictions" placed around "hazard reduction in national parks, dealing with land-clearing laws, zoning laws and planning laws", saying they were issues that needed to be considered "along with many others that we will all have to look at together".
Taiwan's Uniformed Military Chief Killed in Helicopter Crash

By VOA News January 02, 2020

Taiwan's top military officer was among eight people killed Thursday when their helicopter crashed in a mountainous area outside the capital, Taipei.

The defense ministry says the Blackhawk helicopter carrying Air Force General Shen Yi-ming, the chief of Taipei's general staff, and 12 others took off from an air base in Taipei early Thursday on a flight to visit soldiers at a base in northeast Yilan county. The helicopter disappeared from radar screens just minutes later.

Three major generals were also among those killed in the crash, while five others survived.

Wednesday's crash happened just nine days before Taiwan's presidential and parliamentary elections. A spokesperson for President Tsi Ing-wen said she will suspend her re-election campaign until Saturday.

Taiwan has purchased Blackhawk military helicopters from the United States for decades, including a 60 Blackhawks in 2010. Six people were killed in 2018 when a Blackhawk helicopter crashed off Taiwan's east coast.

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JONESBORO, Ark., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A healthy holiday season challenge at Unilever's Jonesboro location spread cheer through the region with employees experiencing comprehensive preventive health exams and their collective effort earning a donation to the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. This program is a win-win, with good health practices for employees and an investment in the local community.

EHE Health and St. Bernards Medical Center challenged Unilever Jonesboro employees to complete 200 preventative health exams inclusive of biometrics, screenings for cancer cardiovascular and mental health, in addition to appropriate age and gender screenings. Employees received a full picture of their health status, recommendations for better management of their health, and a Health Mentor to support them as they work toward achieving their personalized goals.

In exchange for reaching the participation goal, EHE Health pledged a $5,000 donation to The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. The Food Bank donation provides nearly 20,000 meals for families in Arkansas over the holidays. "Donations to the food bank are helpful, especially this time of year when many do not know where their next meal will come from," said Amber Horton, Corporate Partnership Coordinator at The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas.

To meet this community challenge, EHE Health brought health care to employees in a creative way via an on-site pop-up clinic at Unilever's Jonesboro factory. The services were provided over a two-week span, beginning December 2nd.

Following the preventive exams, Unilever employees were given access to EHE's Health Mentorship program to help adopt healthier habits and reach personal health and wellbeing goals. The healthy pop-up concept is based on a partnership between Unilever and EHE Health, rooted in their common goal to help employees bring their best selves to work daily. This is the first pop-up clinic Unilever U.S. has utilized nationwide and is considered a great success in seeing nearly 200 employees.

"I believe in the power of prevention and believe this is a unique opportunity uniting preventive care and convenience," said Erik Gibson, Safety, Health and Environment Manager at Unilever.

"If you can't get employees to their annual physical, you bring the annual physical to them, and at work," said Urvashi Saigal, U.S. Benefits Manager for Unilever. "That is exactly what transpired during the last five months of planning with the dedicated EHE Health team and St. Bernard's  we now provide the annual preventive exam on-site at Jonesboro. The two-week experience will bring long-term value to our employees and their families."

About EHE Health:

EHE Health is a national preventive health Center of Excellence provider system. EHE Health's evidenced-based preventive program is offered to large, self-insured employers to give their employees and beneficiaries a value-based entry point to a lifetime of organized, effective, efficient, and satisfying care. Founded in 1913, EHE Health is the firstand onlynational health care provider in America specializing in preventive health. For more than 100 years, EHE Health has been dedicated to health, productivity, and longevity for patients and improving the value of the health care benefit offered by large employers.

About Unilever North America

Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. In the United States and Canada, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Love Beauty and Planet, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond's, Popsicle, Pure Leaf, Q-tips, Seventh Generation, Simple, Sir Kensington's, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TAZO, TIGI, TRESemme and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.

Contact:

Iesha Reed

[email protected]

SOURCE EHE Health
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 16:26:55|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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ANKARA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish parliament on Thursday passed a motion authorizing the government to deploy troops in Libya for a year in support of the United Nations (UN)-backed government based in the capital Tripoli, prompting opposition from some of its regional neighbors.

The Turkish lawmakers voted earlier on Thursday on the motion in an emergency session. It was approved with 325 votes in favor and 184 against.

The motion said sending troops to Libya aims to prevent the "illegitimate mass migration threat and formation of a favorable environment for terrorist organizations and armed groups."

Libya has been locked in a civil war that escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in the capital Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk which is allied with the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.

Regional countries including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia support Haftar's LNA, while the GNA is backed by Turkey and Qatar.

Turkey has found the GNA a valuable ally in the region, as the latter recognized Turkey's territorial claims in the eastern Mediterranean, where Greece and Cyprus want to build a pipeline to carry natural gas to Europe.

In response to Turkey's approval on Thursday, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Egypt "warns against the consequences and repercussions of any Turkish military intervention in Libya."

"Such an intervention would negatively affect the stability of the Mediterranean region and Turkey would bear full responsibility for that," it added.

The Cairo-based Arab League (AL) said on the same day that it considered the move a "promotion of the ongoing conflict" in Libya.

"The AL Council stresses support for the political process in Libya," the AL said, adding it considers a 2015 UN-brokered peace deal between Libya's warring factions, reached in Morocco's Skhirat city, as "the only reference for settlement in Libya."

The approval "marks a dangerous escalation of the conflict and a significant deterioration of the situation. Turkey should not violate the Libyan Political Agreement and related United Nations resolutions," said a joint statement made in Athens by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Thursday's approval came over a month after Turkey sealed a controversial maritime boundary delimitation agreement with the GNA along with a security cooperation deal, to extend maritime zones for Turkish energy explorations and block further Greek and Cypriot energy drilling activities in the Mediterranean.

The agreement was praised as a "historic step" by the Turkish press and experts, but it angered regional neighbors, inflaming tensions in the eastern Mediterranean over energy resources.

To some Turkish experts, both the agreement and Thursday's approval were a bid to break Turkey's isolation in the eastern Mediterranean and protect its interests.

The military mission has become essential to Turkey's national interests and it will address the long-term objectives regarding Turkey's role in the Mediterranean, said Serkan Demirtas, a Turkish political analyst.

"Turkey has been isolated by its main regional adversaries Greece, Egypt and Israel, thus Ankara needs new allies in the region. That's why it signed maritime boundary delimitation and security deals with Libya to break off this isolation," said Oytun Orhan, coordinator at the Ankara-based Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies..

The GNA is one of the few regional actors that back Turkey's vital interests in the eastern Mediterranean, and Turkey is keen to safeguard the deals between the two sides, he added.
A man who defecated on the floor of a Northern Ireland hospital and refused to clean it up saying "that's what hospital staff were for" has been handed a suspended jail sentence.

Ciaran Donohoe from Culmore Road in Londonderry was handed a five-month jail term, suspended for two years, at Londonderry Magistrates' Court.

The 45-year-old admitted committing criminal damage at Altnagelvin Hospital on May 2. He also admitted driving under the influence of the drug etizolam, possessing the drug, assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour and causing criminal damage to police handcuffs by contaminating them.

A solicitor for the Public Prosecution Service told District Judge Barney McElholm that on that date police received reports of a car being driven in an erratic manner along the Culmore Road.

The car was traced to Donohoe's home address and there the police found the car parked in a rear driveway. Its wheels and bonnet were warm and Donohoe admitted he'd been driving the car.

Because of his condition which included slurred speech, glazed eyes and unsteadiness on his feet the police breathalysed him on suspicion of drink driving. When the reading produced a zero result the police searched Donohoe and found a number of etizolam tablets in his trouser pockets.

Due to a concern for his safety, the police brought Donohoe to Altnagelvin Hospital. In the accident and emergency department he used loud offensive language in front of other patients and staff members.

He refused several police requests to moderate his behaviour before asking to be taken to a toilet inside which he defecated on the toilet floor before picking up his stool and throwing it around the bathroom.

When he was handcuffed he contaminated the handcuffs and sang at a police officer "come out you black and tan, fight me like a man". He was also covered in his own urine.

Defence barrister Stephen Chapman described Donohoe's behaviour as "a distasteful nature of offending".

He said Donohoe's driving licence was revoked soon after his offending, for which Donohoe was remorseful, embarrassed and shameful. Mr Chapman said that Donohoe, who apologised for his behaviour, lived with his parents in the family home.

Donohoe was put on probation for 18 months, given five months jail suspended for two years, disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined 300 and ordered to pay compensation to the police for contaminating the handcuffs which had been applied to him.
Here are the cybersecurity highlights in 2019 as selected by the Vietnamese Network Security (VSEC).

1/ On May 9, the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) attracted the publics attention when choosing 'Make in Vietnam' as the main message at a national forum discussing the development of technology companies.





This is the message for Vietnams technology sector, but it has a strong impact on cybersecurity firms and acts as the premise for new Vietnamese high-quality security products such as USEC - ultra-secure data storage device (developed by VSEC); Security Email Gateway Advanced  malware attack prevention solution via email system (Viettel); and EagleEye malBot  product that detects and prevent malware in real time (FPT).

A serious incident in the finance and banking sector occurred in mid-November, causing panic among the public: 2 million bits of data of a large bank in Vietnam were exposed.

The security products are all created, designed and developed in Vietnam.



2/ The Prime Minister released Directive No 14 on ensuring cybersecurity to upgrade Vietnams ranking.



The directive requests appropriate agencies to spend at least 10 percent of total budget for IT application on cybersecurity products and services, and prioritize Vietnam-made products, solutions and services.



This is the first time the budgeting for cybersecurity is legalized. This shows the determination to promote the development of the IT security industry.



3/ A serious incident in the finance and banking sector occurred in mid-November, causing panic among the public: 2 million bits of data of a large bank in Vietnam were exposed.



On Raidforums, a forum of hackers, which specializes in selling stolen data, a data file believed to contain information of the clients of a bank in Vietnam was uploaded. The information includes customer codes, names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email, home address and workplaces of approximately 2 million Vietnamese.



This is not the first time personal information of Vietnamese individuals has leaked out. The incidents show that the data protection in Vietnams finance institutions and banks still do not receive appropriate attention.



4/ 2019 was the year which witnessed the strong development of the hackers forum in Vietnam. The hacker spirit has been supported and put into mainstream activities.



Participating in open competitions in the country, young Vietnamese hackers also were supported and encouraged to participate in international competitions, where they can show their skills of detecting vulnerabilities.



Many events for hackers were organized in 2019, including Hacker Street, organized for the second time at the Cybersecurity Day, the Hackathon 2019 organized by VSEC and Hacksmith, and the launch of Vietnam Bug Bounty, the largest Vietnamese platforms connecting white hat hackers.



5/ MIC has officially built an ecosystem to enhance the security and safety assurance for e-government, smart city and the national (important) information system.

Ha An

CMC Cyber Security receives VNISA Information Security Awards for 5 consecutive years CMC Cyber Security (CMC Corporation) was granted the Information Security Awards 2019 by the Vietnam Information Security Association (VNISA) at the Vietnam Information Security Day 2019 held in Hanoi on November 29.
Asmara (Eritrea) (AFP) - Eritrean taxi driver Mihreteab recalls brimming with hope in July 2018 when his country reached a peace agreement with neighbour and longtime foe Ethiopia.

But a year and a half later, that hope has given way to disenchantment.

"I don't see any changes so far. People are still in jail and life is the same," he said while waiting for passengers on a main avenue in Asmara.

Like other ordinary Eritreans who spoke to an AFP journalist during a rare visit to the famously closed-off country, Mihreteab asked that his full name not be published.

On the streets of the Eritrean capital, he was far from alone in feeling disillusioned.

"I like my country and I think you are also enjoying your stay. However, life is still the same for me," said Tekie, a small trader who sells home appliances at a market in the city centre.

Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a deadly border war beginning in 1998 that claimed nearly 80,000 lives before a stalemate took hold in 2000 and lasted nearly two decades.

Last year's surprise peace deal remains the signature achievement of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and is the main reason he received this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

During the whip-fast rapprochement that followed, embassies reopened, flights resumed and meetings were held across the region.

But progress has since stalled and the land border between the two nations is once again closed.

Inside Eritrea, speculation that peace would spur reforms and ease years of repression has so far proved misguided.

The regime of Isaias Afwerki, the only president Eritrea has ever known, has given no sign of any kind of political opening, and the situation may in fact be getting worse.

In June, officials ordered the closure of Catholic-run health centres after church leaders published a letter expressing concern over the lack of reforms.

There are also reports of a new wave of attempts to nationalise private schools.

Story continues

Nevertheless, ordinary Eritreans appear to appreciate Abiy's peacemaking efforts, and the Ethiopian leader seems genuinely popular on the streets of Asmara.

"He's a good man and really deserved the Nobel," said Nigisti, a handicrafts vendor.

-'One day life will change'-

Even if the hoped-for benefits of peace haven't materialised, some Eritreans remain optimistic.

Nazret, who sells cereal in Asmara, is among them.

"The peace deal gives me hope that one day life will change. Peace is important for us," she said.

Buying vegetables nearby, Netsunet said she also chose to focus on the positive.

Born in Ethiopia in 1982 to parents of Eritrean origin, she was forced out during the war and has spent half her life in a country she does not consider her own.

She prefers not to dwell on the moment she was "separated by force" from Ethiopia, and said she is grateful that now she has an opportunity to return.

"At least today, we can fly to see each other," she said. "I plan to visit my old neighbours in Ethiopia in December."

Eritrean officials argue that it's wrong to suggest nothing has changed in Eritrea.

Instead, they say the pace of reform has been deliberately slow to preserve their country's sovereignty.

Last week, Asmara hosted a summit for the Addis Ababa-based United Nations Economic Commission for Africa that drew delegates from across the region.

According to Mohammed Gumhed, a researcher at the Eritrean foreign ministry, this kind of event "could not have happened before the peace deal".

-A 'new chapter'?-

During his opening remarks at the conference, Eritrean Foreign Affairs Minister Osman Saleh Mohammed declared that a wave of hope and unity was washing over the Horn of Africa after decades of conflict.

He emphasised Eritrea's progress in expanding access to health services, water, education and transportation.

Addressing criticism of Isaias' iron-fisted rule during a briefing with conference delegates, Ghetachew Merhatsion, who works in the president's office, said Isaias was merely respecting the will of the people.

"We see multi-party systems in many African countries and that is good for democracy. However for now Eritreans have decided to have only one party and we are making progress," he said.

Alem Kibreab, director-general at Eritrea's Ministry of Energy and Mines, held out hope that the peace deal could change how the world sees Eritrea and how international investors engage with the country.

"Who would invest when there is no peace? Now a new chapter is beginning," he said.

Asked about progress on reopening the two countries' land border, Ambassador Tesfamicael Gerahtu, an official at the Eritrean foreign ministry, predicted that the main crossings would soon be reopened, though he said this would have to wait until "implementation of the agreement is finalised".

"The dialogues are at an advanced stage and we hope it will soon be declared," he said.
Liberty Korea Party lawmakers stage a protest in front of the National Assembly to voice opposition to the new prosecutorial reform bill, Dec. 17. Korea Times file



By Kim Hyun-bin



Starting this year, protesters are able to stage rallies in the vicinity of the National Assembly, keeping police on their toes.



Until last year, protests were banned from within 100 meters of the Assembly, but the Constitutional Court ruled last May that the law was in discordance with the Constitution, saying it "violates the right to protest and to hold rallies."



It also ruled, if a revision is not made by Dec. 31, 2019, the law would lose its legal force in 2020.



However, lawmakers failed to pass the revision due to scores of other contentious pending bills awaiting vote.



As a result, there is no longer any law prohibiting large-scale rallies in front of the National Assembly, putting the police on high alert.



Rep. Kang Chang-il of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea issued several revised bills that allow small rallies which do not hinder the National Assembly's functions. However, those bills have been pending at the Assembly's standing committee without going through formal discussions.



Currently, anyone who registers for a rally could protest right in front of the National Assembly, and worries are growing that protesters could even jump the 170-centimeter fence around the property.



In times of emergency, the police are seeking to set up boundary lines in several areas around the premises and dispatch more personnel to the scene.



Even though large protests hinder the operations of the National Assembly, police will have no legal authority to disband the rallies or punish protesters.



There are several large rallies scheduled to be held during the weekend near Seocho Station on Seoul Metro Line 2 and in central Seoul, where road congestion and additional traffic restrictions are expected in the area.



Conservatives are scheduled to hold rallies throughout the weekend, kicking off with a massive rally held by the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, Friday.



Starting at 3 p.m. the participants of the rally will march from Seoul Station to Gwanghwamun Square, while another rally is scheduled consisting of 10 conservative groups which will be held in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Seoul, calling for President Moon Jae-in's resignation.



Another conservative rally is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday near the Supreme Prosecutors' Office at Seocho Station, calling for the release of imprisoned former President Park Geun-hye.



"Traffic congestion is expected in central Seoul and in the Seocho area which will cause inconvenience," a police officer said. "We advise people to use public transportation, and we advise drivers to take alternative routes that avoid congested areas."


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Legal at Last

Marijuana buyers rejoice at their long-delayed liberation.

by Sabine Bickford

From the January, 2020 issue

In 1965, John Rosevear was arrested for growing marijuana in his backyard. His landlord was furious with him. "He thought I was the lowest thing," says Rosevear.



So did the police and courts: Rosevear was convicted and served seven months in jail.



Fifty-three years after he got out, Rosevear walked into his former landlord's office at 321 E. Liberty to check out its newest tenant: newly licensed recreational marijuana retailer Arbors Wellness.



Thanks to a referendum passed in 2018, the sale of recreational marijuana became legal in Michigan on December 1. Hundreds of people lined up that day to be among the first customers at Arbors Wellness, Exclusive Brands on Varsity Dr., and Greenstone Provisions on Ashley.



By mid-month they'd been joined by Skymint on South Industrial and Ann Arbor Healing on Washtenaw, and the lines had finally begun dwindling. When we caught up with Exclusive Brands customer Joel Yoder under the heat lamps at the back of the tent-covered line in Varsity Dr.'s industrial park, he estimated that he had been waiting for only ten minutes.



Yoder, thirty-five, said he's been smoking since his teen years and until recently held a medical marijuana license. He hails from Newport, near Monroe, but was in Ann Arbor because his township has opted to ban recreational sales.



Yoder says it's a relief to be able to buy marijuana legally and without fear, but others in line, including a man who said he was from Las Vegas and identified himself as "Christopher Walken ... I mean Hawkens," were wary of going on record. Two men cited concerns about their current and future jobs, and all four women we approached gave nervous headshakes at the mere idea of being interviewed.



Rosevear, who ended up walking out of Arbors Wellness empty-handed because they didn't have the variety he was looking for, says that after so many years his own fear is hard to shake. "We developed a distrust of the police,

...continued below...

and the police began to distrust us," he says. He says that at his trial, police brought forth a manuscript of a book he was writing on how to grow marijuana as evidence of a "sinister nature."Marijuana remains an illicit substance at the federal level, but so far there has been no federal action taken against any of the new recreational marijuana establishments (Michigan had eleven at press time, with more opening as licenses are issued). Yoder thinks the days of raids and banks refusing to work with marijuana-associated businesses are over. "If Trump was going to do anything, he would have by now," he says.[Originally published in January, 2020.]
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cuyahoga County Council President Dan Brady said he is not ready to support using opioid-settlement money to pay a portion of the salary for a new position, as proposed by the administration of County Executive Armond Budish.

Contacted by cleveland.com, Brady said he knew Budishs administration intended to create a position to oversee the opioid funds and programs, but nobody said anything about how it would be funded. Brady said he will meet with Budish on Friday to learn more.

Im not convinced it would be an appropriate use of opiate funds, but I havent been fully briefed on this, he said.

On Monday, the Budish administration announced that it intends to appoint Public Safety Chief Brandy Carney to the new job of special operations chief, and to pay an unspecified portion of her annual salary of $130,500 with money from the opioid settlements.

As part of her new duties, Carney would oversee disbursements from the settlement money and would serve as a liaison to other government programs dealing with opioid addiction.

The use of settlement money to pay a portion of Carneys salary would be subject to approval by County Council.

Council will be interested because it created a special opioid fund to ensure that money from the settlements with drug companies was used solely to address the opioid crisis.

Councilman Jack Schron proposed the legislation, which was passed by Council in December.

Schron also told cleveland.com this week that the intention to use settlement money to pay a portion of Carneys salary came to us as a surprise. He, too, wants more details from the Budish administration about how much opioid money would be used for the salary, and what Carneys work would entail.

I didnt think anyone anticipated wed be taking a salary out of thesettlement funds, Schron said.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Jan. 02, 2020 | MCCRACKEN COUNTY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 02, 2020 | 10:35 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY

The McCracken County Sheriffs Department is currently looking for any information regarding the whereabouts of a fugitive.



Forty-one-year-old Brannon L. Rowe of Metropolis was arrested on two separate occasions last year by sheriffs detectives. He was released on bond, but failed to show up for his October court dates in McCracken County.



Rowe was once again charged by detectives in late 2019 with fraudulent use of a credit card between $500 and $10,000, and later arrested on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He has since been charged with two counts of bail jumping.



Rowe is described as a white male, with brown hair and blue eyes. He's 5 10 tall, weighs 170 pounds, and has several tattoos including a large one on the left side of his neck.



The McCracken County Sheriff's Office is encouraging those with information on Rowe's whereabouts to contact them, or their local law enforcement agency.
Paris [France], Jan 4 (ANI): French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had a telephonic conversation with his American counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, following the latest developments in Iraq, specifically the actions undertaken overnight where Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes were killed.



Jean-Yves Le Drian called on all parties involved in Iraq to show restraint and said that every effort must now be made to avoid further escalation of tensions and to facilitate de-escalation in order to preserve the stability of Iraq and region as a whole.

The foreign minister also underscored France's concern over the rise in tensions in the Middle East over the past several months, with a sudden escalation in Iraq in recent weeks.

"The priority must be to continue the actions of the International Coalition against Daesh, which is operating in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi authorities and in support of Iraqi security forces. The Coalition's continuity is essential to preserving the achievements of five years of combat against Daesh and guaranteeing a lasting victory against terrorism throughout the entire region," the minister added.

This statement comes at a backdrop of Washington's strike carried out near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

The US had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

Meanwhile, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC. (ANI)


Hyderabad: Protestors planning to join the anti-CAA on January 4 are confused after receiving two different calls from the divided leadership organising the stir in Hyderabad. The first call for a million people march was given on December 31 by the Joint Action Committee against CAA, NRC and NPR, while a second protest call was given by AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, for two dates  January 4 and 5.

Protestors are confused and bitter as to why there are two different calls being given for the same cause. There is anger, especially amongst the young Muslim protestors, who see it as a design to highlight disunity rather than project unity for the cause.

Mushtaq Mallik, chief of Tehreek Shabaan, said, we have given a call for peoples participation against this anti-constitutional law. The Necklace Road was identified but since the police gave permission only for Indira Park, we finalised it.

The JAC had written to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to lead the march. We have called several social activists and leading political party leaders to join us in this protest as we wish to showcase it as a peoples movement.

The AIMIM had also applied for permission for January 4 and 5 a few weeks ago. Mr Owaisi, in his tweet, said that he has proposed a protest march from Darusalam to Masab Tank, and one from Charminar to Dharna Chowk. Senior party leaders said that their call for a rally was different from the march.

This stand of party workers of the MIM and members of the anti-CAA JAC is clashing at the ground level.

Local people are getting invites from two places for the same cause but at different venues.

Anger is also pouring out on social media from youngsters, who wonder how these two protests are different from each other. Political considerations, mood of people and whether it was an attempt to sabotage the movement are being discussed.

Youngsters from both peoples side  MIM party workers and JAC members  are indulging in bitter argument on social media. But showcasing disunity is only harming the protest, youth say.

Nizamuddin Farooqui, who volunteered to help poor Muslims respond to NRC documentation process in Assam, said, This move by politicians to divert attention is to get political mileage for municipal elections in the state. These tactics will not work as people are not ready to listen. People are upset with Islamic scholars and maulanas who are taking a pro-CAA stand. There is severe distancing by people of such leaders, who are with political parties supporting the CAA. At the ground level, no maulana will be taken seriously if they have a pro-CAA stand. Appeasement through silence, not participating in protests and not calling people to join are being taken seriously by youngsters.

The JAC has given a call to join the stir to people from different social organisations.
Simba has raised a further 24m dollars in funding for its latest expansion (Simba / PA)

Online mattress business Simba has securing a further 24 million dollars (18.2 million) to fund expansion plans, the company has confirmed.

Bosses said they plan to use the latest investment by Cartesian Capital Group to grow profitability in its main markets, accelerate its Canadian business and expand further in China.

Steve Reid, chief executive at Simba, said: Despite the challenging market conditions, 2019 has been a transformative year for Simba.

We focused on disciplined growth, both in the UK and globally, which has paid off.

This year Simba achieved UK profitability whilst delivering significant global EBITDA improvements, and we are now in a position where we are primed for profitable growth on a global scale.

The company already operates in nine countries across Europe, Asia and North America, selling mattresses direct to consumers.

It is a fast-growing market, with several rivals trying to dominate the space.

Last year, Simba and rival Eve Sleep announced plans for a merger, in an attempt to grow business. However, by September the deal had fallen apart, with Eve explaining it wanted to focus on cutting costs following an over-expansion.

Simba said it had pulled out of the deal because it was now profitable in the UK  something bosses previously thought would have come sooner with a merger.

Both businesses have struggled previously in a tough market.

Simba was forced to slash its valuation from 200 million to around 20 million a year ago to secure new growth funding.

Meanwhile, Eve had seen its share value slide due to an over-expansion in Europe after floating on a 140 million valuation.

It is now valued at around 6 million.

The new investors in Simba, US-based Cartesian, have a portfolio of three billion dollars spread across several different countries and industries.

Peter Yu, managing partner at the firm said: With tenacity, nimbleness, and discipline Simbas leadership have successfully steered the company through challenging market environments.

Simbas innovations and proprietary technology create a uniquely attractive value proposition and a truly global appeal.
Seven-storey building in coastal province of Kep collapsed on Friday.

At least four people have died after an under-construction building in Cambodia collapsed with more than 30 people on site, police said.

The seven-storey building in the coastal province of Kep collapsed on Friday. By night, 20 injured workers were rescued, provincial authorities said.

The incident came a year after 28 people were killed in another construction site collapse in Preah Sihanouk province.

More:

Nguon Samet, deputy police chief for Kep province, said the building apparently collapsed when cement was being poured on its top level.

Recovery operations were continuing with debris being removed to try to locate any people still trapped.

Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun said the cause of the collapse, nature of the structure and ownership of the building were unknown.

Now, we focus on rescuing people, he added.

Prime Minister Hun Sen posted on his Facebook page that he would depart to Kep province shortly to lead the rescue team, helping to rescue the workers that got trapped under the collapsed building.

The collapse of the building under construction last June in Sihanoukville, another coastal province, killed 28 construction workers and injured 26 others, underlining concerns about the areas rapid development and inattention to safety.

The coast has been rapidly built up to cater to a booming tourist industry.

In December, a Buddhist temple collapsed while under construction in Siem Reap, home to Cambodias famed Angkor temples, killing at least three people and injuring 13 others, including two monks.

Cambodia is undergoing a construction boom to serve growing crowds of Chinese tourists and investors.
By PTI

LUCKNOW: A court here on Friday reserved order on the bail plea of Congress worker Sadaf Jafar, ex-IPS officer S R Darapuri and six others.

They were arrested for alleged involvement in violence during anti-CAA protests here.

The court of Additional Sessions Judge SS Pandey heard their individual pleas as well as submissions of the government lawyer.

The others whose pleas were heard are Mohd Naseem, Mohd Shoaib, Nafees, Pawan Rai Ambedkar, Shah Faiz and Mohd Aziz.

Jafar was arrested on December 19 while she was live on Facebook from the spot where protests against the amended citizenship law had gone violent.

Police had said she was arrested for her involvement in clashes.

According to government lawyer Deepak Yadav, the Hazratganj police had arrested them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1932.

They were earlier sent to judicial custody.
A Vietnamese woman committed suicide with her newborn baby in the city of Gimhae in Gyeongsang Nam Province, South Korea on Thursday, Korean media reported.

Yonhap News quoted local police as saying the woman had attempted to take her own life by jumping off the eighth floor of an apartment building, with her two-week-old daughter in her arms.

The baby died on the spot while the mother survived the fall and was rushed to a local hospital in a critical condition.

The Vietnamese woman, who is about 20 years old, gave birth two weeks ago and had been suffering from postpartum depression prior to the incident, her Korean husband was quoted by Yonhap as saying.

South Korean police have found a letter that appears to be a suicide note left by the Vietnamese woman and are investigating the case.

Suicide is not uncommon among Vietnamese brides in South Korea.

In many cases, the victims committed suicide after suffering from domestic violence and discrimination.

In November 2012, there was no survivor when a Vietnamese bride named Vo Thi Minh Phuong committed suicide with her two children in Busan, a large port city in southern South Korea, Chosun News reported.

South Korean police later announced that Phuong committed suicide because she could no longer put up with the frequent beatings by her Korean husband.

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Dear Heloise: I keep getting phone calls from someone telling me that I have money left in banks and other accounts, which they can help me get for a fee of 10%. They said there's a ton of paperwork, but they'll handle that for me. All I have to do is send them the 10% once they find out how much is owed to me. This sounds like a scam, but what if it's true?
Here are some reactions to the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, in a U.S. air strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport.

US Senator Chris Murphy

Murphy, a Democrat, said while Soleimani was "an enemy of the United States," the killing could put more Americans at risk.

"One reason we don't generally (assassinate) foreign political officials is the belief that such action will get more, not less, Americans killed," Murphy said on Twitter.

"That should be our real, pressing and grave worry tonight."

Former US ambassador to the United nations Nikki Haley

"Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands," Haley said on Twitter. "His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. "Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing."

Mohsen Rezaei, Commander of Iran's Mohsen Rezaei, Former Commander of Iran's revolutionary guards

"He joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America," Rezaei, who is now the secretary of a powerful state body, said in a post on Twitter.
Launching global offers on its RuPay International debit/credit cards, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has come up with a 40% cashback perk on using these cards. This offer is valid on international POS transactions at the outlets that accept RuPay International Cards.

The users can avail a 40% cashback for such transactions in UAE, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UK, the US, Spain, Switzerland and Thailand. As per NPCI, Indians travelling abroad can earn up to Rs 16,000 cashback per month once they activated their Internation RuPay cards.

Additionally, more cashback can be earned by the customers by using multiple RuPay cards. The method to activate the cards include contacting the issuing bank, using net banking, mobile banking, phone banking or branch banking services of the respective issuing bank.

Read: India to launch RuPay card in Saudi Arabia during PM Modi's visit

Eligibility for earning cashback

The eligibility of the customer for availing the cashback is determined after they do a minimum transaction of Rs 1,000. However, the maximum cap for the transaction is penned at Rs 4,000 at a time. The RuPay International card should be used four times in a month in order to be eligible for getting a cashback.

Apart from earning cashbacks, RuPay International Cardholders can enjoy the benefit of accessing to RuPay affiliated domestic/international airport lounges.

Read: No MDR charges applicable on payment via RuPay, UPI from Jan 1: FM

The customer can get various discounts/offers on booking international flights and hotels in association with Thomas Cook and Make My Trip. The COO of NPCI, Praveena Rai while talking about the offer said that RuPay is expanding in international markets through networks like JCB, Discover and Diners Club International.

She added that RuPays aim was to make the overseas travel experience of their customers seamless and memorable.

Read: Snapdeal gears up to offer Diwali discounts, partners with RuPay

Read: Paytm Maha Cashback Carnival kicks off September 29: Deals, discounts

(With Agency Inputs)
I want them to live a life that they recognize, she said. And I dont see why Arizona would have a problem with that.

Fillmore said he has no issue with what adults do and how they identify themselves.

If theyre adults and want to go those different ways, whatever, I dont have any problem with that, he said.

I dont have a problem with the LGBT community at all, he said. I look at it, when I was a kid, the big thing was what I do in my bedroom is my own business. They are absolutely correct.

But he said its quite different where children are involved.

We get little kids that are really unconcerned or unaware even of their own sexuality being told this stuff and taught this stuff, he said. It creates a lot more angst and anxiety in their end, I think, than is beneficial.

The bottom line, said Fillmore, is that all of this discussion about gender identity, particularly in the education arena, takes away the focus from the primary goal of school.
Dr. Sally Goza, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, called for the U.S. Congress Thursday to step in where the administration has failed in addressing nicotine addiction among five million of the countrys youth who are said to be using flavored electronic nicotine delivery products.

On Thursday, the Trump administration announced that it will prohibit the sale of most flavors in pre-filled, cartridge-based e-cigarettes designed for one use, but failed to include menthol in the prohibition and exempted tank-based vapes sold in adult-only vaping shops that can be filled with an individuals choice of flavorings.

There are a number of bills in Congress seeking to regulate e-cigarettes whose fruity and dessert flavors have made them surge in popularity in recent years with young users and that have been allowed to be on the market without prior approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

During a late afternoon media teleconference, Goza and the heads of seven other public health organizations organizations, including Dr. Gary LeRoy, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Gary Reedy, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society - Cancer Action Network, expressed both disappointment and displeasure over the announcement that had been much anticipated.

President Donald Trump had signaled in September plans to ban all vaping flavors and had met before Thanksgiving with the organizations that participated in the conference call.

Le Roy said the announcement falls far short of what we asked for and Goza called it a missed opportunity that fails to take strong action.

Teens are sleeping with these products under the pillow, said Goza of flavored e-cigarettes that she termed dangerous and highly addictive for children.

Her comments were echoed by Reedy who said he was extremely disappointed by the announcement, noting that it was an American Cancer Society study more than six decades ago that showed the link between tobacco use and lung cancer.

We have been fighting to reduce tobacco consumption in the U.S., Reedy said, and now we have a whole new generation of young people addicted to nicotine."

Harold Wimmer, chief executive officer and president of the American Lung Association, said he, too, was deeply disappointed at todays announcement and added the ALA did not see any compromise for addressing what the participants called a major health epidemic short of clearing the market of all flavored e-cigarettes.

Others participants included Matthew Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, who did not see the recent change in the federal minimum age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping cartridges, from 18 to 21, significantly impairing access by the underage seeking to buy them at adult vape shops; Nancy Brown, chief executive officer and president of the American Heart Association; Robin Koval, chief executive officers and president of Truth Initiative, and Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping E-cigs (PAVe).

A recent survey on the use of e-cigarettes by young people in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows a significant increase in reported use of menthol- or mint-flavored e-cigarettes among high school students whose only current tobacco product is e-cigarettes even as the fruit-flavored continue popular with both high school and middle school students.
Photo: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI

Theres only one movie from 2019 that featured a murderous gown, a menstruating mannequin, and long monologues about washing machines that function as erotic ASMR. That movie is writer-director Peter Stricklands In Fabric, a darkly comedic horror film about the power of coveting clothes.

Set during the January sales of 1993, the center of Fabrics universe is Dentley & Sopers, a department store dripping in mid-century retail glitz. Though not thematically a giallo picture, Stricklands latest is aesthetically a descendent of those decadent Italian genre films, and much like the filmmakers previous effort, The Duke of Burgundy, a meticulously styled world of beauty and fine things obfuscates an interior world that is  just a bit off. Dentley & Sopers is presided over by a surly, withered man named Mr. Lundy (Richard Bremmer), and the face of the store is Miss Luckmoore (Fatma Mohamed), a mysterious woman with a religious sort of devotion to the act of shopping. Over the course of In Fabric, she enchants her customers into making purchases, pushing one red dress particularly hard onto a lonely single mom (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) looking to feel her best on date night. Behind the scenes, supernatural business is afoot; we soon learn this garment will wreak havoc on whoever comes to own it.

Just before In Fabric hit theaters (its now available to watch on demand), Vulture spoke with Strickland about his undeniably perplexing film, why he had to cut an ejaculation scene to accommodate the MPAA, and what the hell chic menstrual tasting means.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste in In Fabric. Photo: A24

What came first when you started writing In Fabric, the dress or the world around it?

Oh, the dress first. Absolutely. I was always thinking of an object that was malevolent. I really wanted to explore responses to clothing, but I wasnt interested in fashion as such. I was more interested in this very visceral response to clothing. How you feel when you put something on, how you can transform yourself, and how you can escape all your problems? You know, the things that drive us to buy something.

Were also looking at body dysmorphia, how you are a prisoner to your perception of yourself  maybe your distorted perception, fetishism, and how its very difficult to throw a dead persons clothing away. I think clothing is inherently haunted to some degree. Once its been worn by someone it contains its own power, whether its the power to disgust you, the power to turn you on, or the power to make you cry. So I guess I wanted to do a genre film, but I wanted to look at this way that characters are ruled by clothing.

Youre really changing my outlook on consignment shopping.

Sorry! [Laughs.] I remember one jacket I bought had this stink of body odor on the armpit, and its a very weird feeling. Its kind of like a proxy intimacy, because youll never know what that person looked like, so you just start imagining things. Once the human presence is on clothing youve got a lot of mileage to tell all kinds of stories. There are all these kinds of fantastical elements where bodily fluids could be acting as dye for the clothing, with the menstrual blood and the blood from the veins of the characters.

The Phantom Thread Ive been waiting for, honestly.

Oh, I love that movie. You know, I saw Phantom Thread just when we finished shooting, and I kind of wish I saw it before, because there were some things I might have stolen from it [laughs].

I was terrified of mannequins when I was younger, and I really appreciate how this movie captured their truly ominous nature.

I mean, thats how I saw it as a kid. The way they were positioned, it felt like they were nodding at me, and I remember the hands because back in the 70s, they were much more angular than they are now, much harsher. The fingers were longer and splayed out as if they were casting a spell on you. I remember my mother used to take me to the shops in a pushchair, and I was parked just underneath one mannequin. Sometimes I think that might explain why I lost my hair. But yeah. Theyre very eerie things, very scary.

You mentioned bodily fluids earlier and I wondered, did you always have a menstruating mannequin sex scene in the script, or did that get teased out along the way of writing?

I wrote that quite late actually. What was annoying about that scene was we didnt have time to finish it. A very important element is when Mr. Lundy ejaculates and it lands on a dress, which is for sale the next morning. The semen dries into this silvery pattern that looks like a design that somebody thinks looks good and buys it, which really keyed into the idea of having body fluids acting as design or acting as dyes. Its just a real shame that we couldnt finish it. The MPAA demanded we cut it, otherwise we were going to get a harsher rating for the film. We were not allowed to show Fatma licking [the menstrual blood from the mannequin]. Of course, I would never judge any individual who finds it hard to watch, but I still think it should be up to a paying audience to decide if they want to walk out or not. We are so used to seeing women being mutilated [onscreen]. Surely, come on, you can put up with a bit of chic menstrual tasting versus serious, horrific mutilation. I mean, its just not remotely on the same level. But I dont want to get into this kind of moralistic argument.

Right. There are eight Saw movies, and this is one woman licking vagina blood off her fingers. Its a bizarre double standard.

I admit it is a bizarre scene, but still within the realm of being consensual. I would never force it on somebody if they didnt want to watch. I respect that. But it seems bizarre, as you say, to allow horrific murder and torture in other films but not something as innocent as that, really.

Every single line Fatma Mohamed delivers as the lead shop woman is incredible. Purchasing clothes is an act of poetry for her. Tell me how you feel about the retail experience and why you made the most florid dialogue in the film about shopping.

It was a mixture of my response to her performance in my previous film, The Duke of Burgundy, where she brought this flamboyance to my dialogue, and I really wanted to go further with it. Plus, I was thinking about having worked in retail and how the British use euphemistic language so cunningly. Right now theyre trying to increase the retirement age to 75 and they have this hashtag, #AgeConfidence. Its just bizarre, and I remember this job advertised for a night shift stacking shelves in a warehouse. The job title was twilight replenishment operative.

Of course Im exaggerating, but Im stretching the elastic of believability. Im never snapping that elastic. So there is this playful, satirical element to it, but also there is this love of a certain type of shop. I remember those stores. I come from a middle-class family, but the type of stores my mother used to go were always middle-class aspirational. There was this element of fantasy. Once you stepped into a changing room, you were imagining yourself being invited to canapes at the Swiss embassy, or whatever  some element of fantasy. They were always aspiring to elegance, but they were always slightly off.

I read you say that theres a bit of you reflected by in each character, so in what ways is Fatmas Miss Luckmoore you?

Um, woo! Maybe its best to leave it as a mystery? I think when you write, its a very weird tension between confession and playing a game of hide-and-seek with the audience. Youre both revealing yourself and hiding yourself. What was interesting is the gender thing. In a way, you can hide more effectively in a different gender. I guess this is no big secret, but Ive always loved flamboyance in film, whether its George Kuchar or its Anna Biller or its Visconti, Douglas Sirk. Ive always loved that aesthetic, and I think Miss Luckmoore really had that for me, this very sensual approach to things. Also, I always wanted to write a bad character that I could love. Ive always loved the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz, so theres definitely an element of putting a lot of love into Fatmas character even though she is pretty dastardly.
As part of his 2020 State of the State agenda, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is pushing for alcoholic beverages in New York movie theaters and changes to a Prohibition-era law affecting craft beverage producers.

Cuomo released a three-point plan to boost the craft beverage industry in New York. He wants to reform the state's tied house law which prohibits manufacturers and wholesalers from having influence over retailers selling alcoholic beverages.

Under Cuomo's proposal, New York's tied house law would match the federal statute. The federal tied-house law allows relationships between different parts of the industry if the retailer is "wholly owned" by the manufacturer or wholesaler.

The state's stricter tied-house law has affected manufacturers and retailers of craft beverages. Cuomo said some businesses have been denied licenses because of the existing provisions.

Allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages in movie theaters isn't a new proposal for Cuomo. He's included it in past State of the State presentations and executive budget proposals.

Cuomo's plan would amend the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to allow movie theaters to sell beer, cider, mead, spirits and wine. Some movie theaters can offer alcoholic beverages under the state's existing law, but the facilities must have full kitchens and tables inside the screening rooms to sell alcohol.

The proposal would limit alcohol sales to adults ages 21 and over who have tickets to movies rated PG-13 or higher. Only one drink will be sold to a customer at a time.

"Theaters all across the state will be able to provide an important amenity to its guests, promote New York state wine and craft beverages, and the tax revenue generated from alcohol sales will benefit the state," said Joe Masher, president of the National Organization of Theater Owners of New York State and chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas.

Cuomo also wants to establish a post-secondary institution license to allow higher education programs to produce and sell alcoholic beverages under one license. There is a growing number of colleges and universities offering programs related to craft beverage production. But there are limits on the programs. The student-produced craft beverages can't be sold unless an exception is provided by the state Legislature.

According to Cuomo's office, the new license would help ensure there is a skilled workforce for New York's craft beverage producers.

"New York's craft beverage industry is flourishing thanks to eight years of targeted investments and forward-thinking policies that are attracting new businesses and supporting our booming tourism industry," Cuomo said. "This measure will remove outdated Prohibition-era rules that hamper private sector investment, ensure we're training the next generation of workers in a critical industry and give more New Yorkers the opportunity to responsibly enjoy a drink at the movies."

The number of craft beverage producers in New York has grown since Cuomo became governor in 2011. The number of licenses issued for farm-based craft beverage producers increased by 181 percent since Cuomo's first Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit in 2012. There were 282 farm-based producers in October 2012. Today, there are 792.

New York has the most hard cider producers of any state, has the second-most craft distillers, ranks third in the number of breweries and fourth in total wineries.

Cuomo will deliver his State of the State address Wednesday in Albany.

Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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John Mulaney Was Once Tasked With Breaking The News Of Dave Chappelles Departure To Comedy Central Execs Elijah C. Watson Elijah Watson serves as Okayplayer's News & Culture Editor. When

Mulaney recounted the incident on Netflixs YouTube channel, Netflix Is A Joke.

Prior to becoming a Saturday Night Live writer and accomplished stand-up comedian, John Mulaney had served as a temp assistant at Comedy Central. And it was during this job that Mulaney was tasked with telling execs at the television channel that Dave Chappelle was leaving.

READ: The 20 Best Chappelles Show Sketches Of all Time

In a recent episode for Netflixs YouTube channel, Netflix Is A Joke, Mulaney recounts how he fielded the phone call where Chappelle had went missing to South Africa.

They were like, You have to interrupt the meeting and tell them, Mulaney recalled. I was like, Okay. So I went in and was like So, Dave Chappelles gone.

Initially, the execs werent concerned, noting that Chappelle was often late for work. That changed after Mulaney repeated that Chappelle was gone, which then to the execs wanting to get the physical tapes of the comedians third season of Chappelles Show.

They wanted to get season 3 of Chappelle. The tapes from production. They were going to put me on a plane that day and send me to L.A. to get physical tapes so they couldnt be destroyed and fly back to New York with them, Mulaney explained.

Back in 2017, Chappelle spoke with Gayle King about why he left his beloved show.

I was talkin to a guy he basically said to me that comedy is a reconciliation of paradox, and I think that was an irreconcilable moment for me, the comedian previously said. That I was in this very successful place, but the emotional content of it didnt feel anything like what I imagined success should feel like. It just didnt feel right.
After years of discussion the new universal healthcare scheme came into effect this year with a pilot launch in Port Said as of July. Seven general hospitals, four medical centres and 25 healthcare units have been upgraded to receive patients under the new scheme in the coastal governorate.



Port Said resident Salah Abbas, 69, finds the new system extremely useful. Against a seven per cent deduction from his pension he can access free medical services, from initial examinations to open-heart surgery, bone-marrow transplants, neurology and micro-surgery.



When he first read reports about the system he headed straight to his nearest healthcare unit to file the needed information and receive his medical insurance card.



The universal healthcare scheme represents a much needed improvement in healthcare, says Ahmed Atta, the former head of hospitals affiliated to the General Authority for Health Insurance. The old system did not cover all Egyptians or provide for all treatments. People would have to apply for state support, which was a cumbersome process, and required a host of documents to prove their medical status.



The new system is being implemented in phases and will cover all governorates by 2032. Following the trial run in Port Said, the government system is being rolled out in Luxor, South Sinai, Ismailia, Suez and Aswan where, according to a Ministry of Health statement issued in November, work is already underway to develop the healthcare infrastructure. It includes the upgrading of 246 clinics and 42 hospitals and the construction of 30 new health units.



According to the Health Ministry, 500,000 citizens have been registered in the health insurance system in the affected governorates and training programmes are being carried out to ensure the provision of quality services.



To finance the new scheme employers pay four per cent of each employees monthly salary. Employees pay one per cent of their salaries, with an additional three per cent deduction to cover an unemployed spouse and one per cent for each child. The state will pay the equivalent of five per cent of the minimum wage to cover healthcare of people whose low incomes mean they cannot afford to pay into the system.



Additional sources of financing include 0.25 per cent of corporation tax and a levy of 0.5 per cent on the revenues of food and pharmaceutical companies. A portion of the fees collected through road tolls, the renewal of driving licences and taxes on cigarettes will also help finance the healthcare scheme.



Alongside efforts to roll out the insurance scheme, the government launched several new health initiatives and followed up on others already underway.



The new initiatives included early screening for breast cancer and consciousness raising and treatment schemes for tumours of the uterus, osteoporosis and reproductive health.



Children were the focus of many government initiatives. Nour Al-Hayat (Light of Life), which combats the causes of blindness and poor vision among school children, was launched early in the year, targeting 10 million primary school students. The scheme aims to provide one million corrective glasses and 250,000 operations for children needing eye surgery.



Obesity, anaemia and stunting among school students were the target of a collaborative campaign by the education and health ministries. The campaign targeted 11.5 million primary students at 22,000 schools across Egypt. Pupils were screened for anaemia, obesity and nutritional stunting and, where appropriate, referred for medical treatment. The campaign grew out of a much smaller initiative which examined 500 children and found high levels of anaemia.



The government continued with its 100 Million Healthy Lives which aims to eradicate Hepatitis C in Egypt by 2022. In 2016 an estimated 40,000 Egyptians died of the disease, and up to five million were thought to be infected.



The 100 Million Healthy Lives Initiative was launched in October 2018 under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and lasted until April 2019. It screened more than 52 million citizens for Hepatitis C (HCV).



The campaign also examined patients for high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Citizens needed only to turn up at one of the mobile clinics and present their ID to be tested free of charge. Anyone found to have the virus was directed to a general hospital where they underwent further tests and, if necessary, began treatment. While the full 12-week course of anti-Hepatitis C drug treatment costs $84,000 in the US, the Egyptian government was able to agree a deal with the drug providers and acquire the course for $900.



World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom presented President Al-Sisi with a verification report covering the 100 Million Healthy Lives, Womens Health and Childrens Health initiatives.



WHO supports Al-Sisis initiatives to provide healthcare to Egyptian and African citizens the organisation is Egypts partner in implementing the 100 Million Healthy Lives initiative, as well as all initiatives aimed to address health problems in Egypt and Africa, said Adhanom.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 December, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the title: To good health

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Major US Cities Increase Security After Top Iranian General Killed

New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, and other cities are on high alert after the United States killed a top-level Iranian general in an airstrike on Thursday night.

Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on Thursday that he had spoken with top New York City Police Department officials about the immediate steps that the agency could take to prevent any Iranian reprisal attacks.

Have spoken with Commissioner Shea + Dep Commissioner Miller about immediate steps NYPD will take to protect key NYC locations from any attempt by Iran or its terrorist allies to retaliate against America, he wrote on Twitter. We will have to be vigilant against this threat for a long time to come.

Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force and one of the most powerful figures in Iran, was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, according to the Department of Defense. Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has vowed to carry out harsh revenge in the wake of his death.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo wrote that Soleimani had posed an imminent threat to American lives before the Trump administration made a decision to eliminate him.

The Defense Department had blamed Soleimani for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, adding that he was behind attacks on bases in Iraq, including one on Dec. 27 that killed an American citizen. That attack drew reprisal from U.S. forces, which struck several Quds Force-backed Kataib Hezbollah targets inside Syria and Iraq before New Years Day.

The Los Angeles Police Department stated that there were no credible threats to the city following the airstrike. However, it said it is monitoring the developments.

We will continue to communicate with state, local, federal and international law enforcement partners regarding any significant intel that may develop, the department wrote.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, issued a statement to local news media and said there was no threat posed by Iran following the generals death.

While there are no immediate threats to the District of Columbia, we remain vigilant and MPD & HSEMA will remain in close contact with regional and federal partners to monitor evolving eventsboth at home and aboard. As always, we remind members of the public if they see something, say something by contacting law enforcement of any suspicious activity, Bowser told Fox5.

The State Department called on American citizens to depart Iraq immediately after the Friday airstrike at Baghdads international airport.

Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all public consular operations are suspended until further notice. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy, the agency wrote in a statement.

And it wasnt just U.S. interests that were on high alert. Israel, the chief American ally in the region, placed its military on alert, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip following Soleimanis death, Reuters reported.

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee told the agency that the Mount Hermon ski resort located in Golan Heights was closed following an assessment of the situation.

There are no further instructions to the residents of the Golan Heights area and routine activities continue as normal, he added.

Israel has long considered Soleimani and his Quds Force a major adversary. In 2019, the military said it foiled a Quds Force-backed attack involving Syrian drones.
Analysts expect upbeat results as Tesco joins a row of UK retailers hoping to cash in on the Christmas period in a trading update next week.

The supermarket is likely to benefit from the festive season to start the decade on a strong note.

We expect a relatively upbeat trading update from Tesco on 9 January, confirming clear market outperformance in the UK over Christmas, said James Grzinic and Frederick Wild, analysts at Jefferies.

Shareholders will also be scouting for news on the companys proposed sale of its Asian business. Tesco said in December that it is reviewing its operations in Thailand and Malaysia after getting interest from potential buyers.

With recent media coverage suggesting that the Asian process could materialise rather quickly, and investors more willing to engage on UK domestics, the stars look well aligned for a strong start to 2020 for the shares, Mr Grzinic and Mr Wild said.

Analysts at the Share Centre pointed out that this could give the business more than 6 billion to help fight off the competition from discount retailers.

The acquisition of wholesale group Booker also provided a boost and if the sale of the Asian businesses, announced in December, goes ahead the company will have further financial firepower with which to fight off the challenge of discount groups Aldi and Lidl, they said.

Investors will also be looking for signs of growth in the companys delivery service, after its Christmas advertising put home delivery at the front and centre of its campaign.

A 90-second film highlighting the supermarkets role in delivering Christmas to the nation for the past 100 years, played in December. It featured a driver making deliveries to Winston Churchill, and Jim Bowen during an episode of game show Bullseye.

The Jefferies analysts said that like-for-like sales are likely to fall by 0.5% over Christmas as it restructures in Central Europe.

The supermarket has been heavily restructured under chief executive Dave Lewis, who is set to leave the business in the summer.

We assume a modestly negative UK retail like-for-like in the third quarter, but an improvement back to positive over the Christmas weeks, Mr Grzinic and Mr Wild said.
Going from PR to peanuts meant I had plenty of transferable skills. In a nutshell, both are about people and selling! I use my communication skills, problem-solving and strategic planning, organisational skills and interpersonal skills in both roles.

If I was starting from scratch I would:

I would have started with a website, and directed all inquires through the website. As it stands inquiries come through messenger, Facebook, Instagram and via email or phone calls. Its hard keeping track of all my wholesale orders as each wholesaler contacts me via their own chosen method. If I was starting from scratch, I would have controlled this better and had orders via the websites stockist portal from the beginning. The website is still not built, which is proof you can run a business and succeed without one, but I have no doubt that when I do get one my side hustle may become my full-time vocation!

Hardest time:

Its actually now, juggling both my corporate world and my booming confectionery side-hustle and deciding where my future lies. As well as understanding packaging requirements set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (which includes nutritional panels on food packaging) I have to understand customs clearance paperwork. When I imported my uber cool confectionery cart from Italy it had to clear Australian customs and there were costs involved. Plus theres the physical reality of cooking peanut brittle several times a week: its a different kind of stress to the corporate environment.
A Woman threw her then boyfriend's phone into a bath of hot water before their "toxic" 10-year relationship ended in violence, a court heard.

Carol Costello (35) admitted damaging the phone but was acquitted of assaulting her ex-partner, who suffered "gruesome" head injuries after the hotel room argument.

Costello hit David Boland on the head with a glass but insisted it was self-defence and that he attacked her first.

Judge John Hughes dismissed the assault charge, saying there was a conflict of evidence and he had a doubt in the absence of independent witnesses.

He said there had been "nil co-operation" from the hotel, the Kilford Arms in Kilkenny.

Costello, a supermarket sales assistant of Rathmines Avenue, Dublin 6, had denied assault.

Judge Hughes gave her the benefit of the Probation Act for criminal damage, which she admitted.

Smashed

Dublin District Court heard the couple had spent Christmas 2018 in Kilkenny and returned to their hotel room early on December 27 after drinking throughout St Stephen's Day. They argued as Costello wanted access to Mr Boland's phone.

He alleged she smashed it off a table, ran into the bathroom and threw it into the tub which was full of hot water.

He said there was a struggle and he "put her on the floor" to calm her.

A staff member called to the room and left again.

Mr Boland said Costello went back to the bathroom and when he followed her, she turned and hit him on the head with a glass.

He insisted he never "laid a finger on her" except to hold her shoulders, and denied threatening, hitting or choking her.

Costello said she did not smash the phone off a table but did throw it into the bath to be "petty" and alleged Mr Boland became angry and slapped her on the face.

There was a struggle and Mr Boland put her to the floor, got on top of her and started choking her, she alleged.

She alleged that he "came at her" again and she grabbed the nearest thing to her - a pint glass - and struck him in self-defence.
When Paulina Ambert's cousins came to El Paso in September, her father suggested they visit the Border Patrol Museum. On a warm Saturday, Ambert, then a college senior, and her relatives drove the short distance from her parents' home to a blocky one-story building near the foothills of the Franklin Mountains.

Together, they explored the 6,000-square-foot display area, a single high-ceilinged room where staff say most guests spend less than an hour. After wandering past retired equipment like a sea foam green 1985 Pontiac Firebird used to chase smugglers in Arizona, they studied archival photographs and text panels about the agency's history.

That history, Ambert later said, struck her as "a little glorified" - partly because, as a naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Mexico, she had grown up in a community with a more critical perspective toward U.S. immigration officials. In recent months she'd been dismayed to observe the addition of troops and concertina wire to the international crossing when she returned to El Paso from visiting family or the doctor in Juarez.

"I don't agree with how militarized the border is," she said. "I respect the job that the Border Patrol does, but I also think it's important to have a conversation about it from both sides."

As the flood of Central American migrants and the Trump administration's response have intensified scrutiny of the Border Patrol, the museum has attracted visitors who want to talk about current events. Yet despite its location 10 miles from the Rio Grande, the museum avoids engaging its audience in a dialogue about immigration or border security. And that is by design.

Although it has no formal relationship with the Border Patrol, the museum was founded in 1985 by the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers, whose members compose its board of trustees. Accordingly, the attraction presents agency history from an internal perspective. There are even recruiting materials near the door.

Museum director David Ham said the history exhibits are meant to be purely factual and that the staff steers clear of political conversations - such as about the border wall - with the roughly 18,000 annual visitors. (The fraternal order doesn't have a formal policy about whether museum staff can talk about politics with visitors, but it does have policies for its own website, which asks that posters keep remarks nonpolitical.)

"We get political questions all the time, but our parent organization is a fraternal organization, and they don't discuss politics," Ham said. "We present our history, but what the current strategies are - we have no control over that."

Ham retired from a three-decade Border Patrol career in 2003 and served on the museum's local board of governors before becoming director in 2015. A self-described history geek, he compiled most of the text for an exhibit about the agency's development. That story starts in the early 1900s with mounted guards who enforced immigration restrictions such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The Border Patrol was established in 1924, during Prohibition, and often clashed with liquor smugglers.

In the mid-20th century, the agency's focus shifted to apprehending people who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in search of work. One panel explains a 1950s mass deportation of unauthorized workers called "Operation Wetback." (The phrase is "part of our history, but we don't use it anymore," Ham said, adding that it is no longer acceptable.) Later, as drug trafficking increased, agents again worked to stop smugglers.

A single display covering the period since the agency became part of the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 includes photos of agents surveying terrain and of President Donald Trump's April 2019 visit to a Border Patrol station in Calexico, California.

Another exhibit features a homemade boat, made from two truck hoods welded together. A sign explains that smugglers used it to ferry people across the Rio Grande near Laredo for $500 a person. A visitor named Roger from Silver Spring, Maryland, described the boat as "a combination of ingenuity and cruelty" because of the price smugglers charged. "It's inhumane what's happening," he said, choking up. "They take advantage of these poor people."

Roger also took issue with the nine-minute Border Patrol-produced film he had watched at the museum. "What it told was the Border Patrol side of the story, and it didn't touch at all on the issues that we're facing today with illegal immigrants, refugees, etcetera," he said.

Some immigration activists have argued that the museum is making a political statement by offering a selective presentation of history. In February 2019, a group called Tornillo: The Occupation (now referred to as the Tornillo Coalition) included the museum in a weekend of protests that also targeted a detention facility for migrant children. Some participants placed stickers bearing the likenesses of children who died in Border Patrol custody over museum displays, including photos of agents killed in the line of duty.

"The Border Patrol Museum tries to say that it's not political, but it is very political in terms of its language and in terms of how people who are immigrants are being portrayed," organizer Elizabeth Vega said.

Over the past decade, more museums have begun to tackle thorny issues, such as race, immigration and climate change, said Dina Bailey, director of methodology and practice for the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, which helps museums and historical sites tell more-inclusive histories and foster dialogue and reflection among visitors.

"People are trying to make connections to what's happening in their lives today," she said. Organizations need to figure out "how to be comfortable talking about contemporary issues, even if we don't have all of the answers."

Ham said he does plan to update the "2003 to Present" exhibit. "The wall and influx of what I call OTMs (other than Mexicans) over the past year or two all needs to be addressed, because that's part of our history now," he said. But he's still skeptical about engaging visitors in discussions about present-day issues.

"We're going to show what is currently going on, but we're not going to comment on the right or wrong of it," he said. "You can make up your own mind."
The latest polls in Belarus also show that citizens are not at all as willing to unite with Russia as Moscow would love them to be.

Russia has been mounting pressure on Belarus to gain influence and ultimate control, and the two countries are just half a step short of an actual "hybrid war".

It might as well have already begun, Belarus Partisan suggests, adding that Belarusians may just be oblivious to sophisticated signs of Russia's hybrid aggression.

The publication reflects on possible actions to follow on the part of Russia in relation to Belarus.

"An open military invasion is unlikely, here 'thanks' to Ukraine because, despite major preparations for the process, Russia nevertheless got their hands 'burned' badly. Blitzkrieg never worked out," the article says, adding that another such massive campaign could turn out too costly for Russia's struggling budget.

Moreover, as Ukrainian experience showed, "the deployed agents of influence, like the Orthodox Moscow Patriarchate, or billions invested in propaganda were of no help because people who love their country cannot be defeated."

The latest polls in Belarus also show that citizens are not at all as willing to unite with Russia as Moscow would love them to be.

Read alsoRussia pressuring, "tightening grip" on Belarus, Lukashenko complains

Besides, the publication adds, Russia has no significant military presence in the form of large military bases which would provide important tatical support, as the Russian Black Sea fleet base in Sevastopol did during Crimea annexation.

The easiest way for the Kremlin remains destabilization with the simultaneous removal of President Alexander Lukashenko from power, which would create a temporary power vacuum, typical for countries where a dictator steps down and for some reason fails to appoint a successor.

In this context, historian Sergei Klimovsky earlier said that Susanne Brandstatters film "Checkmate: Strategy of a Revolution", telling about the events in Romania in 1989 that led to Nicolae Ceausescus overthrow and execution is a hint: "They can get you, too."

In the situation where Belarus expects a relatively stable year, having gotten a China loan and not needing Russia's financial support, there is only one player seeking to "rock the boat" and topple Lukashenko, and it's Russia, the authors wrote.

By the way, the tarring method, applied recently against the Belarus president to discredit him in the eyes of the West and China, yielded no result - that's where an old and murky report suddenly resurfaced about opposition figures who went missing years ago.

Read alsoRussia sought to build air base in Belarus in exchange for fighter jets

In conditions where economic or informational methods don't work, while military incursion is unfeasible at the moment, one thing remains on the table for Russia, which is destabilizing its neighbor, preferably with a toppling of the country's president, which would create pretext for "providing fraternal assistance" up to the introduction of peacekeepers. After all, albeit virtual, the Union State exists, while Belarus is also a member of the CSTO military Bloc.

The Kremlin will not cease its efforts, the authors suggest, adding that the situation in Belarus "is too reminiscent of the summer-autumn 2013 in Kyiv: everything seemed to be calm, nothing portended trouble, the process of 'finalization' of the Ukraine-EU association agreement was slowly ongoing, while Russia had already started its hybrid war, which was invisible to Ukrainians"

The publication notes that a similar process might have already begun in Belarus as "the scripts tailored by the Kremlin are just too similar."
D onald Trump has said the US acted to stop a war by killing Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in an airstrike.

The head of Tehran's elite Quds Force was killed by a US drone strike in Baghdad airport on Friday morning.

Soleimani spearheaded Middle East military operations and Mr Trump claimed he "should have been taken out many years ago".

At a press conference on Friday, the US president said: We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on Iran / AP

Mr Trump said the US was not seeking regime change, but claimed the world was a safer place without monsters such as Soleimani.

He said: If Americans anywhere are threatened we have all of those targets fully identified and I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary, and that particularly refers to Iran.

He added that the Iranian general was plotting "imminent and serious attacks on American diplomats".

Soleimani pictured in 2016 / AP

Mr Trump said: "Under my leadership America's policy is unambiguous to terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American, we will find you, we will eliminate you.

"We will always protect our diplomats, service members, all Americans and our allies."

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks following the U.S. Military airstrike / REUTERS

His statement comes as the US announced that 3,000 more Army troops would be sent to the Middle East as reinforcements.

The US has already sent nearly 15,000 troops to the Middle East since May, when it first publicly claimed Iran was planning attacks on US interests.

This includes 700 soldiers deployed to Kuwait earlier this week after the storming of the US Embassy compound in Baghdad by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters.

President Trump said that he ordered the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani because he had killed and wounded many Americans over the years and was plotting to kill many more.

The strike marked a major escalation in the conflict between Washington and Iran, as Iran vowed harsh retaliation for the killing of the senior military leader.

Donald Trump ordered the rocket attack which led Iran to promise 'harsh revenge' / AFP via Getty Images

The two nations have faced repeated crises since Mr Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

The United States urged its citizens to leave Iraq immediately as fears mounted that the strike and any retaliation by Iran could ignite a conflict that engulfs the region.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo defended the strike as wholly lawful, saying that Soleimani posed an imminent threat against the US and its interests in the region.

There was an imminent attack, Mr Pompeo told Fox News.

The orchestrator, the primary motivator for the attack, was Qasem Soleimani.

The White House did not inform politicians before the strike.

It was expected to give classified briefings to members of Congress and staff in the afternoon.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo / AFP via Getty Images

The embassy in Baghdad, which was attacked by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters earlier this week, is closed and all consular services have been suspended.

Around 5,200 American troops are already based in Iraq, where they mainly train Iraqi forces and help to combat Islamic State militants.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that harsh retaliation is waiting for the US, calling Soleimani the international face of resistance.

He declared three days of public mourning and appointed Major General Esmail Ghaani, Soleimanis deputy, to replace him as head of the Quds Force.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the killing a heinous crime and vowed his country would take revenge.

Thousands of worshippers in the Iranian capital Tehran took to the streets after Friday prayers to condemn the killing, chanting Death to deceitful America.

The targeted strike, and any retaliation by Iran, could ignite a conflict that engulfs the region, endangering US troops in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

Over the last two decades, Soleimani had assembled a network of heavily armed allies stretching all the way to southern Lebanon, on Israels doorstep.

The car that was carrying Gen. Soleimani / AP

However, the attack may act as a deterrent for Iran and its allies to delay or restrain any potential response. Oil prices surged on news of the air strike while markets were mixed.

The killing promised to strain relations with Iraqs government, which is allied with both Washington and Tehran and has been deeply worried about becoming a battleground in their rivalry.

The US Defence Department said it killed 62-year-old Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

It also accused him of approving the violent protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad.

The strike, on an access road near Baghdads airport, was carried by a US drone, according to an American official.

Soleimani had just disembarked from a plane arriving from either Syria or Lebanon, a senior Iraqi security official said.

The blast tore his body to pieces along with that of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces.

Irans state TV said 10 people were killed, including five Revolutionary Guard members and Soleimanis son-in-law, whom he did not identify.

The tensions are rooted in Mr Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw the US from Irans nuclear deal with world powers, struck under his predecessor Barack Obama.

Since then, Tehran has shot down a US military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers.

Qassem Soleimani: Who was the Iranian general?

The US also blames Iran for other attacks targeting tankers and a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry that temporarily halved its production.

Supporters of Fridays strike said it restored US deterrence power against Iran, and Trump allies were quick to praise the action.

To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more, South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham tweeted.

Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran, Mr Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton wrote in a tweet.

Others, including Democratic White House hopefuls, criticised Mr Trumps order.
ITS been months since Catriona Gray gloriously walked away with the Miss Universe title, but her road to success was very different from the other winners from the Philippines.

According to Catriona, she was aiming for the pageants crown for reasons beyond mere personal ambition. Rather, she wanted the Miss Universe title so she could use it as a platform to boost her advocacies and causes, to give back to the community.

Throughout her journey, she showed how different she was, starting with signing up as an independent candidate for Binibining Pilipinas. She also formed her own pageant team, handpicking her own designers, mentors and stylists.

Along the way, Catriona had her share of naysayers and haters. She faced the grueling physical challenges of perfecting her walk and dealing with psychological pressure of carrying the hopes of over 100 million Filipinos during the pageant. This is the reason why it was such sweet triumph when she finally won the Miss Universe 2018 title.

Many Filipinos, especially millennials, draw inspiration from Catrionas story of never giving up and finding new ways to reach her ultimate goal of being a beauty queen. Like her, they strive hard and seek innovation to achieve their goals and aspirations. Many felt so personally invested in my journey because they saw themselves in me, as I put myself out there, Catriona shared.

I wanted to share my journey, including the trials, the risk of joining the pageant, the motivation (which is my charity work), the people who helped me along the way, along with the failures, too, she continued.

In chasing her own dreams, whether for a modelling career or for furthering her advocacies, Catriona looked for people, teams and organizations that could help her do just that.

I choose my partners very carefully. For instance in the case of money matters, I chose to go with my most trusted bank, BDO. Their recent Find Your Way campaign is deeply personal for me, and I am so honored that BDO saw my journey as a way of inspiring other people, she shared.

Story continues

Ive had several financial conversations with BDO officers and I am so impressed by their depth of knowledge and am using that to help me achieve my unique goals, Catriona said.

My dreams will continue to evolve! I would love to see myself pursuing music as a performer and recording artist with the goal of having my own songs and doing benefit tours. Also, I plan on pursuing business that has a community contribution, the beauty queen added.

I want to be known as a purposeful queento represent a person that not only strives for success, but realizes the responsibility of helping others achieve it also. (PR)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Thomas G. Farmer, the co-owner of Fins & Tails Gourmet Seafood Store in Syracuse, died on New Years Day.

Farmer, 69, of Syracuse, operated the store with his wife Margaret for more than 32 years, according to his obituary. When the store on Erie Boulevard East closed in September, a sign was posted in the window the dream is over.

When the store marked its 25th anniversary, Farmer talked with Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard about starting the store, fish and how the seafood market had changed in Central New York. He also shared a couple of recipes.

According to his obituary, Farmer was born in Clinton and was a graduate of Watertown High School and Monmouth College. He worked for Dixon Fisheries in Peoria, IL for 10 years, then moved to Syracuse and opened the store.

He also was a lead guitar player in many area bands and once, while he was in college, opened for REO Speedwagon, his obituary said.

If you have a suggestion for a feature obituary, please email the link and any other information youd like to share to bduncan@syracuse.com

More recent feature obituaries:

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NHRC sends notice to Rajasthan govt over death of more than 100 infants in Kota hospital: Official (Photo Credit: News Nation File)

New Delhi:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Rajasthan government over the death of more than 100 infants at a state-run hospital in Kota since the beginning of December, officials said on Friday. It has taken note of media reports on deaths of the babies at the government hospital, reported ANI. The Commission has issued a notice to Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan to submit a detailed report, within 4 weeks in the matter including the steps being taken to address the issue & to ensure that such deaths of the children do not recur in future.

Meanwhile, death toll rose to 106 as two more infants died in the JK Lon hospital on Friday. The Centre will send a high-level team comprising experts from AIIMS, Jodhpur and health economists to a government hospital in Rajasthan's Kota, where 100 infants died in December, to assess the infrastructural gaps and measures to be taken to prevent further deaths.

Hospital authorities, however, said the number of deaths reported at the health facility in 2019 has witnessed decline since 2014 when 1,198 children died.

The rights panel, in a statement, observed that the painful death of children in such a large number is a "matter of concern" for the commission. "The state is duty-bound to provide basic necessary medical care to its citizens," it said.

"The state authorities have reportedly stated that the number of deaths is "low in comparison with earlier years", the NHRC statement said.

"As per the statistics quoted by the state authorities, 963 children have died in the year 2019 at J K Lon government hospital while this figure was above 1000 in the preceding years," the rights panel said, quoting reports.

The commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights.

"Ten out of 100 children died between December 23 and 24. Reportedly, over 50 per cent of the gadgets installed in the hospital are defunct and the hospital is lacking cleanliness and basic infrastructure including oxygen supply in the Intensive Care Unit," the NHRC said quoting reports.

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WILLIAMSPORT  Penn State again calls untrue and offensive the allegation it manipulated the fallout from the 2017 hazing death of Timothy Piazza to allow it to acquire the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity house property.

The university repeated its position in a New Years Eve brief supporting its opposition to claims in a federal lawsuit brought by Alpha Upsilon Chapter of the Fraternity of Beta Theta Pi Inc., referred to as the House Corp.

Penn State also accuses the House Corp. of disingenuously characterizing Piazzas death by alleging he tripped over a student, lost his balance and fell down the steps into the basement of Beta house.

Notably, the university points out, the House Corp. does not deny the chapter engaged in illegal hazing on Feb. 2, 2017, at a bid acceptance event. Piazza, 19, died two days later.

James and Evelyn Piazza, in a separate pending federal lawsuit against 28 fraternity members and security firm, claim their son fell because he was intoxicated after being forced to consume an excessive amount of alcohol at the event.

Following an investigation into the death, the national Beta Theta Pi fraternity closed the chapter and the university separately revoked recognition, effectively banning it.

The House Corp. owns the on-campus property but the 1928 deed gives the university the right to purchase it if it no longer is used as a fraternity.

Penn State exercised that right and has a lawsuit pending in Centre County court to force the House Corp. to comply with the deed provision.

In its suit in U.S. Middle District Court, the House Corp. accuses Penn State and three administrators of using Pizzas death to trigger the deed option.

It contends by the university arbitrarily and capriciously banning the chapter, it has been deprived without due process of its ability to derive income from renting the house to members.

In response, the university points out the House Corp. has obtained rooming house and rental house permits and it provides overnight accommodations there for alumni.

Judge Matthew W. Brann in November dismissed part of the suit but gave the House Corp. the opportunity to file an amended complaint on its due process and third-party breach of contract claims.

Also still active is a bad faith allegation that was included in a civil conspiracy claim Brann dismissed.

Besides the university, the other defendants are its president, Eric Barron, Vice President of Student Affairs Damon Sims and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Danny Shaha.

They argue the amended the complaint is a second attempt to put forward baseless claims to frustrate the sale of the property.

They say the amended complaint is nearly identical to the original one and includes claims that were previously dismissed.

Editors note: This post was updated to correct the spelling of Timothy Piazzas last name.
Five suspected gunmen and a civilian died in the multiple gun battles reported on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Sister City, according to Tamaulipas authorities.

READ MORE: New Years firefights in Nuevo Laredo leave suspected cartel members dead

Officials also said that two state police officers and one civilian were injured.

Our recognition to the state police who have acted firmly and courageously facing the criminals in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Gov. Francisco Javier Garcia Cabeza de Vaca said in a statement. After the cowardly attacks by the Cartel del Noreste in Nuevo Laredo, the Tamaulipas government will not lower its guard and will continue to act firmly against criminals. In Tamaulipas, there will be no truce against the violent. The Tamaulipas government will use all the instruments at its disposal to continue facing the criminals.

At about 5 p.m. Wednesday, cartel members attacked state police officers who were patrolling in Colonia San Rafael. Suspected gunmen also shot at Hotel Villarreal, which where state cops are housed. An officer and a civilian were wounded.

Suspects were wearing tactical equipment similar to Mexicos Navy troops, according to authorities. They were on board various vehicles. A local business named Marmoles y Canteras on Avenida Cesar Lopez de Lara caught fire. An investigation is underway to determine what caused the fire.

A second firefight was reported at Hospital San Jose, where two gunmen and a female civilian died. A vehicle caught on fire due to the gunfire, according to police.

On Tuesday afternoon, cartel members fired shots at police officers in Colonia Manuel Cavazos Lerma. Three assailants died and a cop was injured.

We continue to monitor reports of ongoing violence and blockades on major highways in Nuevo Laredo. U.S. government employees remain under curfew. Avoid the area, the U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo said on Facebook.

The consulate continues to monitor the security situation following the violence reported between Mexican authorities and criminal organizations.

U.S. government personnel are subject to enhanced restrictions on their movements  and an earlier evening curfew than normal until further notice. U.S. Citizens should notify friends and family of your safety, monitor local media for updates and avoid public places, the consulate said in a statement.

U.S. citizens seeking assistance in Nuevo Laredo should call +52 867 714 0512, +52 55 5080 2000 or e-mail at nuevolaredo-acs@state.gov.

Authorities in Laredo are keeping their ears to the ground on the occurrences in Nuevo Laredo.

Due to the violence in Nuevo Laredo, (Texas Department of Public Safety) will be increasing enforcement efforts along the Laredo border to assist our local, county and federal partners in order to continue keeping our community safe, DPS said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Webb County Sheriff Martin Cuellar released a statement telling the community not to cross to Nuevo Laredo.

We have information that there have been intensive shootings between cartel members and Tamaulipas State Police, the sheriff had posted on his Facebook.

Laredo police also released a statement regarding the violence across the border.

READ MORE: Tricia Cortez named 2019 LMT Laredoan of the Year

There are currently reported violent confrontations happening in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas at this time, police said in a statement Thursday evening. We strongly recommend against unnecessary travel into Mexico due to the high potential of continuing violent clashes. The Laredo Police Department is closely monitoring the situation as it develops and will continue to collaborate with all area law enforcement to maintain the safety and security of the city. We are informing you to bring awareness to the situation and not to cause undo concern or panic. Laredo, Texas remains a safe city. Thank you.
A woman cannot be forced to work when she has to take care of her minor child and her husband cannot be allowed to "make merry", a court here has observed while enhancing the maintenance amount for a child to Rs 35,000 from Rs 10,000 per month.

The stern message for the estranged husband came from Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Goel, who took note of the fact that the woman, despite being well-qualified, had to quit her lucrative job to take care of her son, a premature baby who needed extensive care during early childhood.

The court passed the directions while hearing the woman's appeal against a trial court order dismissing her plea seeking enhancement of the interim maintenance paid by her husband for their child, which was Rs 10,000 per month.

"The appellant (woman) cannot be forced to work when she has to take care of her minor child and to allow the husband to make merry. Even though the wife is well-qualified, she has to settle between her earnings, desires, needs and necessities to take care of her child. She cannot be allowed to become a machine for 24 hours.

"The amount of interim maintenance of the minor child is enhanced from Rs 10,000 to Rs 35,000 per month.... The amount of arrears be cleared by father within two months," the court said in its order.

It further said the man, who worked at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), could not be allowed to say that he was not in a position to earn more or that most of the amount was required for his own purposes.

"The couple was blessed with a minor child, which is also the liability of the husband, and he should take care of the minor child and shoulder the responsibility of his child," the court said.

During the proceedings, the counsel for the wife told the court that she had to resign from her job at the Royal Bank of Scotland since it was not possible for her to do night duties due to her child's medical conditions.

"The arguments of the appellant have force and considering the condition of the minor child, it can be presumed that he requires constant consideration of his mother and in these circumstances, the appellant will have to face problems. If she chooses to work, she will have to do night duties also. Though it is not disputed that she is well qualified and capable to work, but her circumstances cannot be ignored," the court observed.

It further said the welfare of a minor child was the paramount purpose for both parents and he or she could not be thrown at the mercy of others by the father.

"The minor child is entitled to some reasonable maintenance amount for leading a decent, dignified life. The welfare of a minor child is the paramount purpose for both parents and the minor child cannot be thrown at the mercy of others by the father. In the present case, the minor child has been awarded an interim maintenance of a meagre amount of Rs 10,000 per month, who is in the custody of the wife.

"In the present state of affairs, maintenance of Rs 10,000 is not on the higher side, considering the qualification and financial status of the respondent, who is a man of means and a qualified person. The husband is duty-bound to support his wife as well as child and is required to use all his potential for his earning," the court said.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Saturday said that the decision to kill Iran's elite IRGC Qassem Soleimani by Donald Trump administration saved many American lives.

"US President's decision to remove Qassem from the battlefield saved many American lives. It was imminent, this was an intelligence-based assessment,'' said Pompeo, in an interview to CNN.

"The risk of doing nothing was enormous. The risk was not just in Iraq, this was throughout the region. It was using these proxy forces that Qassem has manipulated for so long to bring so much destruction," he added.

Pompeo also accused Qassem of inflecting enormous harm not only on American lives but of creating destructive action activities throughout the middle-east region.

He further accused him of the supporting "the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas and all of the bad actors in the Middle East."

This statement comes at a backdrop of Washington's strike carried out near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.

The US had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By IANS

MUMBAI: A major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran - the two biggest oil-producing nations - following a US airstrike killing one of Iran's most powerful military commanders, General Qasem Soleimani, has sent global financial markets into a tailspin.



While the stock markets have taken a beating, gold, silver and oil prices have jumped sharply.



While a rush to buy safe-haven assets over the rising West Asia tensions acted as support of gold and silver prices, worries over an oil supply disruption boosted oil prices. Besides, investors turning risk-averse led to a stock market decline.

ALSO READ: Trump ordered killing of Soleimani to protect US personnel abroad, says Pentagon

India's benchmark index, Sensex fell as much as 230 points as the global oil benchmark oil shot over 4 per cent to touch $70 a barrel. Besides, NYMEX crude rallied over 4 per cent on Friday to hit a high of $63.84/bbl, the highest level since May 2019.



The Indian rupee lost 34 paise to the US dollar and was trading at Rs 71.71 a dollar at 3 p.m.



On the MCX, gold contracts for February rallied nearly 2 per cent to trade at Rs 39,993 per 10 gram while silver also jumped over 1 per cent. COMEX gold rallied to hit a high of $1543.7/oz, the highest level since September.



Ravindra Rao of Kotak Securities said, "Crude oil prices might further move higher amid concerns about retaliatory moves by Iran. However, market reaction may subside if there is no retaliatory move by Iran or no major exchange of words between Tehran and Washington," Rao added.

ASLO READ: Qassem Soleimani: A general who became Iran's icon by targeting US



Rao further noted that WTI crude oil is trading close to the resistance near $64/bbl. If the resistance holds, we expect a corrective dip in prices. On the contrary, if the price sustains above $64/bbl the upside might extend to $65.50/bbl.



"In the case of gold, the immediate resistance is near $1546/Oz. On the break of the resistance, the price might move close to the September 2019 highs of $1560/Oz," he said.



Analysts from Anant Rathi said that: "Adding to the geopolitical tensions North Korea has given up hope on the lifting of sanctions anytime soon as it looks to find a way to survive under crushing economic sanctions while building an even stronger nuclear powerhouse."
Sushmitha Ramakrishnan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: After lawyer Gayatri Khandhadais participation in the anti-CAA protests and kolam demonstrations, Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan told reporters on Wednesday that she was associated with a Pakistan-based organisation. He made the comments based on select information displayed in the Facebook account of the lawyer. Despite there being enough information on her research work about the oppression of religious minorities in several countries, including Pakistan, Viswanathan said that the police will investigate her links with Pakistan. This soon led to the trolling of Khandhadai in social media and character assassination.

Speaking to Express, she says that the police officer did not even read her research report, which is in fact about the plight of minorities, like Hindus, in Pakistan. With the uninformed rallying against her, Khandhadai says that her blood will be on the Police Commissioners hands, if she is ever harmed.

The commissioner said that Khandhadai has come under the scanner of the police after her social media profile shed light on her role as a researcher with Bytes for All, a Pakistan-based association for citizen journalists and researchers.

He added that none was arrested or detained for drawing kolams and maintained that police personnel had to intervene when an elderly resident there objected to protesters drawing words opposing CAA (alongside a kolam already drawn up by his family members) in front of his house.

Here are excerpts from an interview with Khandhadai on the allegations levelled against her:

Could you elaborate on your connection with Bytes for All and the work that you did there?

I am a researcher and lawyer. I carry out multiple research studies. This particular one is called 'Desecrating expression: An account of freedom of expression and religion in Asia'. Its on how majoritarian religions are used to suppress minorities across Asia. I reflect sensibly about what happens in Pakistan and Bangladesh, including about what happens to Hindus, Ahmedis, atheists and LGBT persons.

Could you discuss more extensively about the content of your research and how it connects to CAA and NRC?

In fact, this research can give what BJP cannot produce, which is a recent report on the plight of minorities in these nations. They should be calling me and congratulating me for producing a legitimate report that they can actually cite in the parliament. While the BJP plans to give privilege to the plight of only certain minorities, while I hold that all minorities should be provided a safe haven.

What impact will the Pakistan connection have on you?

The commissioner conveniently picked out just one organisation that has been mentioned on my profile; absolutely omitting the other two organisations, one of which Im currently working for and am liaising with. The entire design is to put me in harms way. What the commissioner has done is absolutely unacceptable. He is so concerned about the safety of the complainant (referring to when he refused to reveal details of the complainant to protect their identity), but why hasnt he extended that courtesy to me?

So I think Commissioner Viswanathan is personally now responsible for my safety and security. Now let him speak out on how he is going to keep me safe in this environment. Because Im not going to stop protesting and if Im hurt or hounded, its on him. My blood will be on his hands and his conscience.

What do you have to say about the other allegation that you drew anti-CAA slogans over previously drawn kolams?

That claim is absolute nonsense as the police were already there even before we arrived. The media was there through the whole process watching us from all angles. We did not draw atop anyone elses kolam.

Commissioner Responds

Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan, said that he did not make any adverse remark about Khandhadai without evidence or verification. Even when the reporter questioned about her link to Pakistan, I explained that she is a researcher and we are verifying if there is any link. Adding to his claims, a senior police officer said, During the press meet on Wednesday, the police commissioner only responded to a question raised by the reporter. Since the media played up the issue, saying that there is a link between Gayathri and Pakistan, it doesnt mean we were involved in character assassination.
Kanpur: The Uttar Pradesh Police has filed a chargesheet in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in connection with a case in which a 23-year-old rape survivor from Unnao was set ablaze on the morning of December 5 by those accused of her rape.

The chargesheet is based on the woman`s dying declaration and the statements of witnesses. The incident took place under the Bihar police circle on the morning of December 5 when the victim was on her to Rae Bareli for a court hearing.

The victim suffered 90 per cent burn injuries and was taken to Lucknow from where she was airlifted to Delhi`s Safdarjung Hospital. She died on December 6.

The five accused -- Shubham, Shivam Trivedi, Hari Shankar, Umesh and Ram Kishore -- had allegedly poured petrol on the rape survivor to prevent her from going to Baiswara railway station from where she was supposed to board a train for Rae Bareli.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Unnao Vikrant Vir said the police had prepared the case on the basis of electronic evidence and the statements of the villagers who took the survivor to the hospital.

The mobile phone location of the accused had traced them to the crime spot. Forensic evidence also established their role in the crime. He stated that the petrol used to set the woman ablaze had been siphoned off from Shubham`s bike.

Earlier, the woman had claimed that she had been allegedly gang-raped by Shubham and Shivam in December 2018. The FIR was lodged in March 2019 on the orders of the court.

In its chargesheet against the two accused in the rape case, filed on December 10, Rae Bareli police charged them with gang-rape, destruction of evidence and repeated rape.

Additional SP Vinod Kumar Pandey, who investigated the case, said that the police will move an application in the court of the district judge for transferring the case to the fast track court.
Hours after a US airstrike near Baghdad international airport killed Iran's elite Quds Force chief General Qassem Soleimani, India on Friday called for restraint, saying that it is vital that the situation does not escalate further.

"We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tension has alarmed the Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

"It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so," it added.

Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others, were killed in the airstrike carried out by the United States near Baghdad's international airport.

The strike has escalated tensions between the US and Iran.

Russia, China and Syria have condemned the US move while Iran has vowed to take "vigorous revenge" over the killing.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leader of Iran's elite Quds Force killed in US airstrike near Baghdad airport originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed late Thursday in a U.S. airstrike that targeted a convoy near the main airport in Baghdad.

Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis also died in the airstrike, Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias, confirmed to ABC News.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed in a statement to ABC News that U.S. forces were responsible for the attack.

PHOTO: Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Sept. 18, 2016 in a photo provided by the office of the Iranian supreme leader. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)

"At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization," the statement read. "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

Following the strike, the U.S. State Department issued an alert early Friday morning urging U.S. citizens to leave Iraq and to avoid the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

PHOTO: Burning debris is seen on a road near Baghdad International Airport, which according to Iraqi paramilitary groups were caused by three rockets hitting the airport in Iraq, Jan. 3, 2020, in this image obtained via social media. (Iraqi Security Media Cell via Reuters)

"Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately," the alert said. "Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy."

MORE: Pentagon leadership confident in security of US Embassy in Baghdad, undecided about additional troop deployments

Soleimani and the Quds Force "were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," said the Department of Defense statement explaining the strike. "He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months -- including the attack on December 27th -- culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel."

Story continues

One U.S. civilian contractor was killed and several service members were wounded in the Dec. 27 rocket attack on the K1 military base used by U.S. and coalition forces in northern Iraq. The attack led to retaliatory U.S. military strikes in Iraq and Syria Sunday against the Iranian-backed militia the U.S. blamed for the Dec. 27 attack, which in turn led hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters to attempt to storm the U.S. embassy in Baghdad on New Year's Eve.

Thursday's strike against Soleimani "was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the U.S. statement continued. "The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

PHOTO: Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, left and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, right, in photos provided by the office of the Iranian supreme leader. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AFP/Getty Images.)

In Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei promised retribution for the strike.

"Years of sincere, brave efforts fighting against the devils & villainous in the world & yrs of wishing for martyrdom on the path of God finally took the dear Commander of Islam, Soleimani, to this lofty status," Khamenei tweeted. "His efforts & path won't be stopped by his martyrdom, by God's Power, rather a #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs' blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge."

"Targeting & assassinating General Soleimani -- THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al -- is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said on Twitter. "The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism."

(MORE: Pentagon expects to deploy troops to Mideast after Iraqi protesters assault US embassy, torch guardhouse to protest airstrikes)

Officials in the largest U.S. cities said they were marshaling resources following Thursday's military action.

"Have spoken with Commissioner Shea + Dep Commissioner Miller about immediate steps NYPD will take to protect key NYC locations from any attempt by Iran or its terrorist allies to retaliate against America," New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Twitter, referring to New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea and Deputy Intelligence Commissioner John Miller. "We will have to be vigilant against this threat for a long time to come."

"While there is no credible threat to Los Angeles, the LAPD is monitoring the events developing in Iran," Los Angeles Police Department officials tweeted. "We will continue to communicate with state, local, federal and international law enforcement partners regarding any significant intel that may develop."

PHOTO: Map shows location of airstrikes on U.S. embassy and airport in Baghdad. (J.magno/AP)

U.S. reaction to the strike was largely split down party lines.

"Qassem Suleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and his death presents an opportunity for Iraq to determine its own future free from Iranian control," Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. "As I have previously warned the Iranian government, they should not mistake our reasonable restraint in response to their previous attacks as weakness. The U.S. will always vigorously defend our interests and allies in the face of terrorist conduct and provocations."

MORE: Protesters outside Baghdad embassy disperse, US citizens still warned to avoid area

"The defensive actions the U.S. has taken against #Iran & its proxies are consistent with clear warnings they have received," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), another Foreign Relations Committee member, posted to Twitter. "They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions. They badly miscalculated."

The defensive actions the U.S. has taken against #Iran & its proxies are consistent with clear warnings they have received They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions They badly miscalculated  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020

"Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That's not a question," Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), who is also on the Foreign Relations Committee, tweeted. "The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?"

Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That's not a question. The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020

"Trump Admin owes a full explanation of airstrike reports -- all the facts -- to Congress & the American people," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), who is on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said on Twitter. "The present authorizations for use of military force in no way cover starting a possible new war. This step could bring the most consequential military confrontation in decades. My immediate concern is for our brave Americans serving in harm's way."

ABC News' Elizabeth McLaughlin, Matt McGarry and Megan Hughes contributed to this report.
By Brian Nguyen

Time Magazine declared climate change activist Greta Thunberg Person of the Year after she inspired children and teenagers around the world to protest and fight for their future. Thunberg then went on to speak in front of the UN, shaming leaders for creating the climate crisis and demanding action. On the right, however, Thunberg has been painted as a pawn, a victim or as a villain. President Trump has infamously attacked the 16-year-old on Twitter, saying she needs anger management. Is Greta Thunberg a hero?

Thunberg inspired her generation to take action against climate change. Millions have taken to the streets demanding action thanks to her.

Listen to what she said to world leaders at the UN:

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg at #UNGA: "This is all wrong...You all come to us young people for hope. How dare you! You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty wordsand yet, I'm one of the lucky ones." https://t.co/YTVSvKxTkg pic.twitter.com/px90HghuQd  ABC News (@ABC) September 23, 2019

Supporters say Thunberg has given leadership and moral clarity about climate change while our elected officials across the world sit around doing nothing.

.@GretaThunberg has pissed off the most powerful man in the world solely because she came to this country and shamed us for our inaction. She is a moral leader.  emptywheel (@emptywheel) December 30, 2019

And shes pretty good at dunking on President Trump.

Greta Thunberg isnt the hero we deserve, shes the hero we need. pic.twitter.com/Luo9Na38ur  Zack Hunt (@ZaackHunt) December 12, 2019

However, there are some people who think negatively of Thunberg. They say she is part of a political agenda and she is being used by leftists to push their policies.

President Trump has attacked her.

She seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see! https://t.co/1tQG6QcVKO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2019

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.
Protesters and militia fighters enraged by US airstrikes on Iraq staged a violent demonstration outside the US Embassy in Baghdad, torching a security post and hurling stones as security forces and embassy guards hit back with stun grenades and tear gas.A Hashd al-Shaabi fighter holds a sign reading Close the American embassy otherwise people will close it", as others set fire on the US Embassy wall to condemn airstrikes on bases belonging to Hashd al-Shaabi (paramilitary forces), in Baghdad, Iraq. (Image: Reuters)
WESTPORT  After nearly 52 years of serving pizza, it would be an understatement to consider Westport Pizzeria a staple in town.

Elected officials and members of the community on Friday gathered to commemorate the business after the owner announced it would close on Jan. 11.

SIGN UP here to get daily Westport News and alerts on breaking news

For me its really special to be able to recognize this family for their incredible work, state Sen. Tony Hwang, R-28, said. Its all about a family committing itself to the community.

Hwang was joined by state Rep. Gail Lavielle, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe, Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker and other dignitaries to recognize Westport Pizzeria owner Carmelo Mioli and his family. Attendees enjoyed pizza as they reminisced about the eatery.

This is an opportunity for us as leaders of the community and the general community to take a moment and say thank you, Hwang said. Thank you for the thousands of people youve fed at events, and at households and helping to make them feel like theyre at home.

The business originally opened at 107 Main St. in 1968. Mioli, commonly known as Mel, said after years of working it was time to finally retire.

I think its time to do something else, the 79-year-old Westport resident said, adding he would be spending more time with his family.

Originally from Italy, Mioli said he knew Westport was the perfect place for his family in America, due to the community-focused feel of the town. After more than 44 years on Main Street, the business moved to its current location at 143 Post Road E.

With the announcement of the restaurants closure, many have since come in to share their memories, Mioli said.

Im impressed at how many people came here. Most with tears in their eyes, he said. ... I still look forward to seeing everybody. Whether thats in town or even at the beach.

Marpe said hearing the news of Miolis retirement was bittersweet.

This is an exceptional business, he said. We celebrate our locally owned businesses because of what they bring to the community, and more than what I can think of any other business, Westport Pizzeria has been that model.

Many in attendance recalled the personal impact Westport Pizzeria had on their lives. Westport-Weston Probate Judge Lisa Wexler said the shop was one of the reasons her family moved to Westport; her son would go on to work there until he finished college.

Its a beautiful story, Wexler said of the pizzerias success in town.

For some, the connection went beyond the restaurants time in Westport. Umberto Amato, a Westport resident, was neighbors with Mioli in Sicily and arrived in the United States a month before his longtime friend.

You couldnt find better pizza in Westport, Amato said. Ill always remember the people and this business.

Gifts and a proclamation from the state of Connecticut was presented to Mioli for his contributions to Westport.

Surrounded by the community hes become an integral part of, Mioli expressed gratitude for the friends and memories he made over the years.

Im glad everyone could be here, he said. This particular moment I wont forget for the rest of my life.

dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com
Home Search ICH By Larry C Johnson January 02, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - Many of the critical tools employed in the coup to paint Donald Trump as a tool of the Russians and to manufacture a pretext for removing him from office, were created more than twenty years ago. I am talking about the surveillance state that the American electorate has ignorantly accepted as necessary in order to keep us safe from terrorists. Despite previous warning from whistleblowers like Russ Tice, Bill Binney, Ed Loomis and Kird Wiebe, no action to rein in the surveillance monster was taken until Edward Snowden absconded with the documents exposing the vast amount spying that the U.S. Government is doing to its own citizens. But even those weak efforts to supposedly rein in the NSA proved to be nothing more than mere window dressing. The spying got worse. Just ask Donald Trump and the members of his campaign that were targeted first by the CIA and NSA and then by the FBI. Fundamental civil rights were trampled. The real irony in all of this is that Barack Obama, as President, took credit for helping revise the laws in order to prevent the spying exposed by Edward Snowden. But under the Obama Administration, spying on political opponents--both real and perceived--escalated. We know for a fact that journalists, such as James Rosen and Sheryl Atkinson, were targets and their communications and computers attacked by the U.S. Government. We know, thanks to a memo released by Judge Rosemary Collyer, that "FBI consultants" were making illegal searches of NSA material using the names of Donald Trump, his family and members of his campaign staff. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter We Were Warned About the Deep State, but Refused to Listen Some of this NSA material came courtesy of the Brits and their collection on U.S. targets. Some of this material came from the NSA's own collection and storage of all electronic communications and was obtained using a nifty NSA tool called XKEYSCORE. Listen to Ed Snowden's description. Also, take time to appreciate the irony that CNN and other journalists were actually trying to report real news. Now they are full blown apologists for the abuse of the intelligence collection tools. Six years ago, former NSA Technical Director for Military and Geopolitical Issues, Bill Binney, and Russ Tice, a former NSA analyst, appeared on the PBS News Hour. Once again, they make very clear the enormous nature to the threat to our civil liberties. Too bad Donald Trump did not listen to their warning. Given the robust, wide ranging ability of the NSA to probe all communications by any person in the United States, it is remarkable that no real dirt on Donald Trump was ever uncovered. Had such information existed, it would be in the NSA's storage vaults in Utah and crooked CIA analysts under Brennan's direction would have found it and used it. But that did not happed. The best the intel folks could fabricate were the salacious claims attributed to reports ostensibly created by former British spy, Christopher Steele. Turns out that the titillating account that Trump hired hookers to perform coprophilia (could of been worse, coprophagia) was nothing more than idle bar talk. What has happened to Donald Trump can happen to any of us. It is time to take this threat seriously and put the intel agencies back into a properly monitored corral. Otherwise, we will lose this Republic. Mr. Johnson, worked previously with the Central Intelligence Agency and U.S. State Departments Office of Counter Terrorism, is a recognized expert in the fields of terrorism, aviation security, crisis and risk management. This article was originally published by "Sic Semper Tyrannis " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== Note To ICH Community We ask that you assist us in dissemination of the article published by ICH to your social media accounts and post links to the article from other websites. Thank you for your support. Peace and joy Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Information Clearing House has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Information ClearingHouse endorsed or sponsored by the originator.) Privacy Statement The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House.
Editor's Note: 2020 is expected to be another year of significant uncertainty and turmoil. But the question is what asset will emerge the victor when the dust settles from the global trade war, Brexit, recession threats, negative bond yields. Its a showdown of global proportions, so dont miss all our exclusive coverage on how these factors could impact your 2020 investment decisions.

(Kitco News) - Gold prices are sharply higher and hit a four-month high in early U.S. futures trading Friday as the recent geopolitical calm has been shattered by a U.S. military air strike in Baghdad, Iraq that killed a top Iranian general. Silver prices pushed to a two-month high today as safe-haven demand for the precious metals is back in order. February gold futures were last up $20.90 an ounce at 1,548.80. March Comex silver prices were last up $0.179 at $18.225 an ounce.

The Iranian general was killed along with an Iraqi paramilitary leader. The U.S. said Iran was planning to kill Americans in the Middle East. The strike also comes after the major attack on a Saudi oil installation a few months ago, in which the U.S. blamed Iran. Iran has said there will be harsh retaliation for the U.S. military action.

Global stock markets plunged on the news and U.S. stocks are set to open the New York day session with strong losses. Other key outside markets today see crude oil prices spiking, hitting a 10-month high and presently trading around $2.25 higher at near $63.40 a barrel. The U.S. dollar index continues its rebound from this weeks multi-month low and is trading moderately up on the day.

The keen uncertainty regarding this situation, including how Iran will respond, is likely to keep the global marketplace on edge for some time to come. That will keep gold and silver prices elevated for at least the near term. China has urged both the U.S. and Iran to use restraint, as China and the U.S. are set to sign a partial trade deal on January 15.

The U.S. military action against Iran overshadows a very busy day for U.S. economic data, including the afternoon release of the FOMC minutes from the last meeting. Traders and investors will glean the FOMC minutes for clues on the future direction and timing of U.S. Federal Reserve monetary policy. Other U.S. economic data due for release today includes the ISM New York report on business, the ISM manufacturing report on business, construction spending, the weekly DOE liquid energy stocks report and domestic auto industry sales.

Technically, the gold bulls have the solid overall near-term technical advantage and gained more power today as an accelerating price uptrend is in place on the daily chart. Bulls next upside price objective is to produce a close in February futures above solid resistance at the September high of $1,571.70. Bears' next near-term downside price objective is pushing futures prices below solid technical support at $1,520.00. First resistance is seen at todays high of $1,554.00 and then at $1,560.00. First support is seen at $1,540.00 and then at the overnight low of $1,530.40. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 7.5.

March silver futures bulls also have the overall near-term technical advantage as a price uptrend line is in place on the daily bar chart. Silver bulls' next upside price breakout objective is closing prices above solid technical resistance at $19.00 an ounce. The next downside price breakout objective for the bears is closing prices below solid support at $17.00. First resistance is seen at todays high of $18.325 and then at $18.50. Next support is seen at $18.00 and then at this weeks low of $17.83. Wyckoff's Market Rating: 6.5.
The US announced a countrywide ban on all flavoured vapes on Thursday. Photo: Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

One of the worlds biggest tobacco companies has said it welcomes the US decision to ban all flavoured vaping products.

The US announced a countrywide ban on all flavoured vapes on Thursday. The ban follows concerns about the number of teens and young adults in the US who are taking up vaping. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said there were epidemic levels of youth use.

READ MORE: Teenager who had a double lung transplant after vaping was just days from death

British American Tobacco (BATS.L) on Friday said it welcomes the US FDAs guidance. British American Tobacco (BAT) makes cigarettes under brands such as Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Benson & Hedges, and Rothmans. It also offers a vaping product under the brands Vype and Vuse in the US.

BAT chief executive Jack Bowles said in a statement: "Yesterday's announcement takes us a step closer to a predictable regulatory environment in a key marketplace, but focus must now shift to enforcement to ensure vapour market regulations are effective.

READ MORE: Vaping firm Juul reassures customers as lung disease fears grow

"We have long said it is not the marketing of these products per se that is the concern, it is the irresponsible marketing of them that should be robustly addressed.

Shares in BAT rose 1% in London following the statement.

US Health Secretary Alex Azar said Thursday the ban would strike the right public health balance by maintaining e-cigarettes as a potential off-ramp for adults using combustible tobacco while ensuring these products dont provide an on-ramp to nicotine addiction for our youth.

READ MORE: Flavoured e-cigarettes may trigger cancer by damaging lung tissue

Juul, the biggest vaping brand in the US, has already pulled all its flavoured pods after pressure from politicians.

Bowles said BAT would continue to work with the U.S. FDA throughout the implementation of this new regulatory framework.
As Australia burns it seems almost callous to call an exhibition Water. When this show was being planned the curators at Brisbanes Gallery of Modern Art could hardly know it would coincide with one of the worst bushfire seasons of all time. They were more likely motivated by the drought that has dragged on since 2017 and shows no sign of ending soon.

This elaborate survey, which features work by both international and Australian artists, is a sincere attempt to make a connection between the rarefied world of art and the issues that confront us as a community, a nation, a planet.

Olafur Eliasson's Riverbed artwork aims to remind people how precious water is. Credit:Iwan Baan

It may not be easy to find positives in the bushfires but this summers apocalyptic conditions offer persuasive evidence that global warming is real and needs to be addressed with the utmost urgency. The fires have also highlighted the disconnect that exists between a general public concerned for their childrens future, and a government that wants to pretend everything is under control, and sees no need for long-term policies.

One of the reasons democracy is dying is that politicians have found they can obtain excellent results with spin rather than action. Just keep boasting and spouting, generating inquiries that give the impression of activity while doing nothing to solve a problem that becomes more critical by the day. How good is that?!
On Jan 2, 2020, we issued an updated research report on Terex Corporation TEX. The company is progressing well on its Execute to Win strategy and ongoing initiatives in Aerial Work Platforms (AWP) and Materials Processing (MP) segments. Its disciplined capital-allocation strategy will also fuel growth. However, the overall slowdown in industrial equipment demand remains a headwind.



Muted Guidance for 2019 and 2020



Considering the overall slowdown in industrial equipment demand and impact of adverse foreign exchange rates, Terex projects earnings per share of $3.00-$3.20 for fiscal 2019 on net sales of approximately $4.4 billion. The company anticipates sales to be down 2-4% compared with the prior expectation of 1-3%. For 2020, Terex anticipates sales to be down 10% year over year.



There has been a downward trend in net bookings in the Aerial Work Platform segment since fourth-quarter 2018. For the segment, Terex anticipates the segments sales to be down 6-7% in fiscal 2019. Demand in the major markets for Aerial Work Platforms (AWP) has declined, putting sales under pressure. Terex is thus cutting down production and managing inventory levels to align with demand, which will impact margins. Moreover, lower volume, adverse foreign exchange rates and product mix will weigh on margins for the year.



Global market uncertainty is weighing on the Material Processing segment. Sales in fiscal 2019 are expected to be up 3-5% and operating margin is anticipated at 14-14.5%. There has been a dip in net bookings for the segment lately, pointing to weaker demand in their global markets.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2019 earnings is at $3.08, suggesting growth of 13.7% from the prior year. The same for fiscal 2020 is at $2.26, indicating a year-over-year decline of 26.6%.



Ongoing Initiatives to Yield Results



Despite the headwinds mentioned above, Terexs AWP segment will gain from strategic source and savings, operational execution, strengthening global footprint and innovative new products in the long haul. The segment continues to improve sales in the Asia Pacific region and China, fueled by increasing product adoption. The utilities business will gain from the new manufacturing facility being built in Watertown, SD, which will increase capacity and significantly improve productivity. The utility equipment market has significant potential in North America and developing markets.



In the MP segment, the company continues to invest in India to capitalize on the country and the surrounding markets prospects. Its strong product pipeline and consistent strong execution also positions the segment well for growth.



Execute to Win strategy: A Key Catalyst

Story continues

Terex has made considerable progress in its strategic transformation plan that has three principal elements  Focus, Simplify and Execute to Win. While the Focus element calls for increased investments on high performing businesses, the Simplify aspect focuses on complexity reduction and cost management. The Execute to Win is focused on three key management processes  talent development, strategy development and deployment, and operational excellence.



In sync with this, Terex sold the Demag mobile crane business and exited the mobile crane product lines manufactured at Oklahoma City facility, to improve operating performance. The company has also simplified key elements of infrastructure, including implementing a new global performance management system, consolidating to a single chart of accounts and up-grading primary ERP system.



Healthy Balance Sheet Bodes Well



Terex continues to follow a disciplined capital allocation strategy while investing in future growth and creating additional value for shareholders. The company has $200 million remaining on its share buyback authorization. The company is making strategic investments in high performing businesses. It anticipates capital expenditure of $120 million and $100 million in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Net debt has gone down to $700 million as of Sep 30, 2019 from $847 million as of $847 million as of Dec 31, 2018. Terexs net debt to adjusted EBITDA remains a healthy 1.5x as of Sep 30, 2019, down from 2.0x as of Jun 30, 2019.





Over the past three months, shares of Terex have gained 23.3%, outperforming the industrys growth of 22.3%.



Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider



Terex currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).



Some better-ranked stocks in the Industrial Products sector are CIRCOR International, Inc. CIR, Berry Global Group, Inc. BERY and Northwest Pipe Company NWPX. All of these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



CIRCOR International has an expected earnings growth rate of 59.3% for fiscal 2020. The stock has appreciated 29% over the past three months.



Berry Global has a projected earnings growth rate of 19.3% for fiscal 2020. The companys shares have rallied 25% over the past three months.



Northwest Pipe has an estimated earnings growth rate of 23.1% for fiscal 2020. Over the past three months, the companys shares have gained 20%.



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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS), the department in charge of issuing the coveted H-1B visas, will switch to a new system come April that could hurt the Indian IT industry, as per a report by The Economic Times.

Under the new system, employers would be required to put forward the names of employees requiring a work permit in advance. Of these, the agency would then shortlist candidates who are eligible to apply for the visa.

Immigration attorneys quoted by the paper believe that the lack of clarity on the detail of the new visa registration process could lead to a delay in the process altogether. This could also mean that companies and foreign nationals applying for the visa may miss the October 1 date when they are supposed to start working.

Over 70 percent of H-1B visa recipients are Indians. However, under the Trump administration, rejection rates for Indian IT firms have seen a jump from 6 percent in 2015 to 24 percent in 2019, the report noted.

This meant that Indian IT firms will take more time and be more rigourous while placing their application for review, which could further increase costs for these firms.

The report also quoted an immigration expert stating that there may be a possibility of the USCIS revoking the H-4 Employment Authorisation Document (EAD), which allows spouses dependent on H-1B visa holders to work in the US. If this happens, companies in the US might get affected as many families might decide to move back to India.
A security ship crew of Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries prepares to anchor in Natuna during a security patrols along Indonesia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in Natuna, Ranai, Indonesia on Aug. 16, 2016. (Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

Indonesia Boosts Patrols After Chinese Boat Trespasses in Its Waters

JAKARTAIndonesia has increased patrols around islands near the disputed South China Sea after a Chinese coast guard vessel trespassed into Indonesias exclusive economic zone, authorities said on Jan. 3.

The Chinese vessel entered waters off the coast of the northern Natuna islands in mid-December, leading Indonesian foreign ministry to issue a strong protest and summon the Chinese ambassador in Jakarta.

Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China had sovereignty over the Spratly islands and their waters and that both China and Indonesia have normal fishing activities there.

He did not mention the Natuna islands, which lie to the southwest.

China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea. Neighbors Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

Nursyawal Embut, director of sea operations of Indonesias Maritime Security Agency, told Reuters that the agency had deployed more ships to the Natuna Sea.

Were intensifying patrols in the sea to anticipate territorial violations, and also illegal fishing at North Natuna. Were trying to prevent foreign ships from violating our territory, he said.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also told reporters that the government had agreed to increase patrols in the waters and reiterated Indonesias accusations against China.

Indonesia on Wednesday called on Beijing to explain the legal basis and clear borders regarding its claims to the exclusive economic zone.

Chinese embassy in Jakarta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Indonesia has repeatedly clashed with China over fishing rights around the Natuna Islands, detaining Chinese fishermen and expanding its military presence.

By Stanley Widianto
Railway minister Piyush Goyal delivers his pitch in support of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Mumbai, Friday Jan. 3, 2020. Union ministers launched countrywide defence of the new.(PTI Photo)

Jodhpur/Mumbai: Following up the Prime Ministers defence of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Union ministers have stepped their evangelising mission to drum up support for the law, which excludes Muslims from seeking refuge in India if persecuted in neighbouring countries.

Home minister Amit Shah, who piloted the bill in Parliament, said in Jodhpur Friday that the government would not budge an inch on implementing the new law despite countrywide opposition to it.

BJP MPs have been asked to organise awareness programmes on CAA nationwide. Amit Shah kicked off one such event on Friday and used the occasion to accuse the Congress and other opposition parties of running a misinformation campaign.

He said the amended law does not take away Indian citizenship from anyone but only grants it to non-Muslims from three neighbouring countries if they have come to India from three before 2015. Shah accused the Congress of playing vote-bank politics by spreading such misinformation.

Railway minister Piyush Goyal graced a similar show at the IMC Centre at Churchgate in south Mumbai. Here too the Congress was the target of attack: the opposition party was mocked for becoming "directionless" and spreading rumours in a bid to stay relevant.

I believe the Congress has become a directionless party, Ggoyal said. It has slowly lost its supremacy in every state and it is forming governments in many states as a junior partner," he said.

He tok a dig at the Shiv Sena, a recently estranged ally of the BJP, which performed a strategic walkout on the citizenship amendment bill (CAB) in the Rajya Sabha after having voted for it in the Lok Sabha. "Some confused parties supported the CAB in the Lok Sabha, but after an immoral coalition with new friends, they walked away from it in the Rajya Sabha," he said.
Panaji, Jan 3 (PTI) Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and late Manohar Parrikar for induction of Rafale jets, BJP working president J P Nadda on Friday said that now the Air Force can target Pakistan without crossing the border.



He was speaking at a rally here in support of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).



"As part of several decisions taken on defence procurement, (during Parrikar's tenure as defence minister) we got 36 Rafale fighter jets. Now our Abhinandan would not have to go to Pakistan, he can be in India and attack Pakistan," the BJP leader said.



Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman was held captive for 60 hours in Pakistan after his aircraft was shot down during the India-Pakistan standoff of February 2019.



Nadda accused the UPA government of failing to upgrade India's defence infrastructure.



"Today I offer my tributes to former chief minister and former defence minister Manohar Parrikar....He has done so much for defence forces under the leadership of Narendra Modi," he said.



"During UPA's ten-year rule, every defence deal was under cloud of suspicion of corruption. May it be helicopter deal, submarine deal....they did not sign any procurement deal for ten years," he said.



He also said that the UPA government could not sort out the issue of One Rank One Pension, which was settled by Parrikar.



"One Rank One Pension was introduced and Rs 20,000 crore were sent to the homes of our soldiers," he said.
Australian insurance group says it has received thousands of claims related to deadly bushfires that are still burning.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG) on Friday estimated net claim costs from natural disasters at 400 million Australian dollars ($279m) for the first half of fiscal 2020 in the wake of a deadly season of bushfires in the country.

Australias largest insurer said it had received more than 2,800 bushfire-related claims since the start of September 2019, adding that more than 1,500 of these were lodged since the start of December 2019 and related to residential properties.

Bushfires so far this season have scorched more than 4 million hectares (10 million acres) of bushland and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, including 381 homes destroyed on the south coast just this week.

Another death from the fires in the state of New South Wales (NSW) was confirmed on Friday, taking the toll there this week to eight. Two people have died in the state of Victorias fires, and 28 others are unaccounted for.

Evacuations are continuing, with the Australian navy currently ushering away some of the thousands of people stranded on the east coast as a searing weather front was set to whip up more blazes across Victoria and NSW.

Out of the 400 million Australian dollars of the claim costs it expects for the six months ended December 31, 2019, overall bushfire events are likely to account for more than 160 million Australian dollars ($111m), IAG said.

In comparison, the insurer had logged higher net natural peril claim costs of 414 million Australian dollars ($280m) in the first half of 2019, a sharp uptick from the year earlier due to higher claims from a hailstorm in Sydney.

The company said the perils estimates for the period included three continuing bushfire events, but added it has limited the impact of those fires on its profits through its reinsurance programme.

IAG separately said it had raised its catastrophe reinsurance programme for the 2020 calendar year to 10 billion Australian dollars ($7bn) from 9 billion Australian dollars ($6.3bn) last year.
The issue of the occupation of Ukraine will constantly be on the UN Security Council agenda.

"The issue of the occupation of Ukraine, in particular of Crimea, is of utmost importance now, and we will try to keep it on the agenda constantly. This is the most pressing issue," Sven Jurgenson, the Permanent Representative of Estonia to the United Nations, said in a commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent.

When asked what conflicts in Eastern Europe will be considered by the UN Security Council, Jurgenson mentioned the situations in Transnistria and Georgia.

"We also have other potential conflicts - if you look at Transnistria or the occupation of part of Georgia. But the Ukrainian issue is the most pressing one at the moment," the diplomat added. Estonia was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for two-year terms spanning 2020-2021, representing Eastern European States.

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The French President Emmanuel Macron has called on all sides to avoid an escalation of tensions after a US airstrike killed Iran's top military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq.

Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force and architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, was considered the second most powerful figure in Iran behind Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. He was killed early Friday in a strike in Baghdad.

The attack was praised by US President Donald Trump's Republicans and close ally Israel, but elsewhere there were sharp warnings it could inflame regional tensions.

Macron, along with foreign affairs minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, met regional and international partners to discuss the airstrike, urging restraint on all sides.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world, France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio.

The European Union warned against a generalised flare-up of violence. Britain and Germany noted that Iran also bore some responsibility for escalating tensions, while Saudi Arabia urged restraint.

Russia condemned Soleimani's killing with President Vladimir Putin warning any escalation would be dangerously destabilising for Iraq. Konstantin Kosachev, head of Russia's foreign affairs committee of parliament's upper house, warned on Facebook that "retaliatory strikes will certainly follow".

Fellow United Nations Security Council member China said it was highly concerned.

'Biggest US blunder'

The Iran National Security Council said it would wreak severe revenge on the US for the death of Soleimani at the right time and in the right place.

"The US regime will be responsible for the consequences of this criminal adventurism. This was the biggest US strategic blunder in the West Asia region, and America will not easily escape its consequences, the council said.

Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, was replaced on Friday by his deputy in the Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Ghanni, according to Iranian media.

Solemani had been in charge of Iranian military operations abroad in Syria and Iraq. Ghanni's role will be unchanged, according to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
(Natural News) Well, its officially the year 2020 according to the Gregorian calendar, and millions of people are dead from climate change. Or at least thats what The Guardian (United Kingdom) predicted back in 2004 as part of a bogus climate report it published that year.

The left-wing paper predicted all sorts of global calamities that were supposed to have initiated the moment the ball dropped in Times Square, including European cities sinking into the ocean, nuclear war, widespread rioting, and mega-droughts, whatever that means.

While our world is certainly a powder keg of chaos just waiting to explode, global warming certainly isnt the spark that lit the fuse. But this is what The Guardian told its readers nearly two decades ago, blaming planetary heating for an impending global catastrophe that has yet to fully materialize.

According to a secret report obtained by The Guardian that year, major European cities will be sunk beneath rising seas as Britain is plunged into a Siberian climate by 2020. This secret report went on to warn that [n]uclear conflict, mega-droughts, famine and widespread rioting will erupt across the world.

As far as we can tell, Europe is still fully intact, besides all of the Middle Eastern migrants that are being imported by the globalists to destroy it. Great Britain also has the same dreary, moist climate its always had, and can hardly be considered a Russian tundra.

As for the other stated calamities, we can see that things are reaching a boiling point in the Middle East, Australia is burning to the ground in many areas, and natural disasters abound  but is any of this actually the result of people still eating meat and passing gas? Hardly.

The political ideologies of climate fanatics are perhaps the biggest contributing factor to the impending global collapse

If anything, the leftist politics embraced by the climate crazies is the biggest factor pushing our world to the brink, not a warming planet. Instead of supporting closed borders, as one example, which would help to secure our country from foreign threats, the same leftists who suffer from climate anxiety believe that no human is illegal, which is contributing to the catastrophic future that this 2004 report predicted.

Likewise, the failure of people on the left, as well as on the right, to put an end to genetic crop modification is contributing to the mass destruction of our environment and ourselves, thanks to all of the chemical poisons being doused on our crop lands and into our water supplies.

The catastrophic shortages of water and energy that Peter Schwartz and Doug Randall, the two authors of the 2004 climate report published by The Guardian, warned about are similarly a product of horrid leftist policies like the push towards eliminating fossil fuels and the refusal in leftist enclaves like California to properly manage our precious water resources.

Even if Greta Thunberg were to have every one of her climate wishes granted to her by the climate gods, wed still be dealing with hordes of leftists who support globalist policies like multiculturalism that are contributing to mass chaos not just in the United States but all across the globe  chaos thats precipitating many of the riots, civil unrest, and wars that were now witnessing.

So, in a sense, The Guardian was right: 2020 isnt looking so good from a peace and safety perspective. But is global warming to blame? No. Leftist politics are largely to blame, as is mass ignorance about the climate that has Democrats worrying about petty things like plastic straws when they should be addressing much bigger issues like toxic fluoride in our water supplies, forced vaccination, unlabeled GMOs, illegal healing plants, and our political structures insatiable desire to be a constant police force far outside of our borders.

For more related news about the climate change hoax, be sure to check out Climate.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Many Iranians were shocked to wake up to the news of the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the chief commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. The surprising development is already bringing the political groups and people inside Iran closer to each other as the possibility of war looms.

It was around 3 a.m. in Tehran when reports about the United States killing Soleimani were first announced on Iraqi television. Iranian media outlets needed time to confirm the news and at first only reported the assassination of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units. Finally, after two hours of uncertainty, Irans state TV broke the news to Iranians, confirming the death of Soleimani.

The first Iranian official to react to the US strike was Gen. Mohsen Rezai, a former IRGC chief commander who vowed to take harsh revenge against the United States. Minutes later, Hesam Ashena, a senior adviser to Irans president, described Soleimani's killing as crossing the red lines of Iran, saying US President Donald Trump awaits the consequences of his decision.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who enjoyed a close relationship with Soleimani, stated that the Foreign Ministry is ready to use all its international, political and legal capacities to hold Washington responsible for the assassination.

Meanwhile, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a condolence message, announcing three days of national mourning and warning the United States, A harsh revenge awaits the criminals. The same promise was reiterated by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who promised revenge for the martyrdom of Gen. Soleimani.

Reformist Ali Rabie, a former high-ranking security official and the current spokesperson for Irans government, called the killing of Soleimani a hideous action. He said that Irans strong response will come soon.

Ahmad Khatami, Tehran's conservative Friday prayer leader, said in his sermon, I declare that America will no longer have peace in the world. Today, the resistance in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon is sorrowful with Soleimanis [death], and the time has arrived that these animals be wiped off the face of the region.

Moderate Heshmatollah Falahat-Pishe, the former chairman of Irans parliamentary foreign policy commission, told the semi-official ISNA agency that the officials didnt pay enough attention to the fact that United States and the United Kingdom are in charge of security at Iraqi airports. Since the beginning of the [story] of the American contractor' death, I emphasized that this was a trap for the Iranians because Trump was [striving] to change the situation" to distract from his impeachment scandal. "Prior to this, Americans had also killed their own individuals and forces to create excuses for themselves. I predicted that this would be a trap to ambush Iranians, and it happened.

Senior Reformist figure Azar Mansouri slammed the US president for assassinating a man who played a central role in fighting IS, saying, The world should judge: Who is is creating chaos in the Middle East?

Reformist Hossein Alai, a military analyst and former naval commander of the IRGC, warned that tensions will rise in the region as the result of the assassination.

At the end of the day, this will lead to US withdrawal from Iraq, but we should expect more crazy actions by the United States. America may have more attacks and assassination on its agenda and the Iraqi government along with the people of Iran and Lebanon should be careful, wrote Alai.

Former Iranian nuclear negotiator Seyyed Hossein Mousavian, who is based in the United States, believes that Trump has made the biggest strategic mistake of his presidency, saying, US centers and forces across the region and world are [now] subject to long-term threats that will have irrecoverable damage.

Meanwhile, Irans supreme leader appointed Gen. Esmaiel Qaani as the new chief commander of the Quds Force. Qaani has been actively involved in the organization since its establishment in 1981 and was Soleimani's deputy during the past two decades.

Irans government-run IRNA news agency argued that the United States will soon threaten Iran with wide attacks targeting oil refineries to deter Tehran from taking revenge and that the first impact of the strike will be insecurity across the region for American forces.

Advisers of Mir-Hossein Mousavi, the 2009 opposition leader who is under house arrest, condemned the assassination. The martyrdom of Soleimani is an act of terrorism, against international rules and does not support peace and security in the region, they stated.

It seems Soleimani's assassination is bringing Iranians from across the spectrum together, at least temporarily.
A 60-year-old woman and her two daughters are being investigated over a deadly fire that killed more than 30 animals, including Europe's oldest gorilla, Massa. Officials in Krefeld, Germany, confirmed the women had gone to the police after the fire on 1 January, which investigators believe was caused by paper lanterns released on New Year's Eve, Euronews reports in its article Mother and daughters investigated over German zoo fire that killed 30 animals.

The women are being investigated for negligent arson, a crime that can carry a prison sentence of up to five years. Although fireworks are legal and widely used in Germany on New Year's Eve, the use of sky lanterns - also known as Chinese lanterns  is illegal.

Krefeld Zoo announced on Wednesday that five orangutans, one chimpanzee and two gorillas, as well as smaller species of monkeys and flying foxes, were killed in the fire. In a press conference, zoo director Wolfgang Dreen said that two chimpanzees had "miraculously" survived with just minor injuries. The women bought the five lanterns online, police said, and did not know they were illegal.

Criminal police chief Gerd Hoppmann said that it was very courageous of the women to come forward, describing them as completely normal people who seemed very sensible, very responsible". Police are limiting the amount of information that they release about the suspects, fearing reprisals.

Meanwhile, questions have been raised about why the ape house had no sprinkler system or fire alarms, prompting the zoo to point out that they were not required when the building was built in the 1970s.

After news of the fire broke early on New Year's Day, Krefeld Zoo confirmed at around 5.30 am that its "worst fears had become a reality". "An unbelievable tragedy rolled us shortly after midnight. Our monkey house has burned down to the basic scaffolding," it said. Speaking soon after, German Animal Welfare Society James Bruckner commented on early speculation that fireworks may be to blame for the fire. If fireworks really caused the fire, this would be a terrible proof of the dramatic consequences uncontrolled fireworks can have," he said. "At least around areas where many animals live - and of course zoos are among them - there is an urgent need for protective zones where private New Year's Eve fireworks are prohibited. Otherwise, even fatal fires cannot be ruled out - regardless of whether they are in zoos, animal shelters or farms. We now hope for a quick clarification of the tragedy in Krefeld for all parties involved."
State Bank of India has invited applications against 8000 vacancies for the post of clerk . The online registration begins today on January 3, 2020 and will end on January 26, 2020. There are a total of 7870 for general recruitment drive while 130 for special recruitment drive.

The preliminary exam will be conducted in the month of June while the main examination will tentatively be conducted on August 10, 2019.

SBI CLERK RECRUITMENT 2019: EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

Candidates can apply for the posts if they are graduate in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent qualification from a central government recognised university.

Those who are in the final year/semester of their graduation may also apply provisionally subject to the condition that, if provisionally selected, they will have to produce proof of having passed the graduation examination

SBI CLERK RECRUITMENT 2020: SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process will consist of on-line test (preliminary & main examination) and test of specified opted local language.

SBI CLERK RECRUITMENT 2020: PAY SCALE: Rs.11765-655/ 3-13730-815/ 3-16175-980/ 4-20095-1145/ 7-28110-2120/ 1-30230-1310/1-31450. The starting Basic Pay is Rs.13075/- (Rs11765/- plus two advance increments admissible to graduates)

SBI CLERK RECRUITMENT 2020: PRELIMS EXAM

Preliminary Examination (online) consisting of Objective Tests for 100 marks will be conducted online. This test would be of 1 hour duration consisting of 3 Sections including English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning ability.

There will be negative marks for wrong answers in the Objective tests. 1/4th of mark assigned for question will be deducted for each wrong answer.

SBI CLERK RECRUITMENT 2020 MAIN EXAM:

Main exam will be conducted for those who clear the prelims exam. The main exam consists of general/ financial awareness, general English, quantitative aptitude, reasoning ability and computer ability. The main exam will have 190 questions carrying 200 marks in total.

Check SBI Clerk Official notification

Heres the link to apply online

SBI RECRUITMENT 2020: HOW TO APPLY

Visit the official website of SBI at bank.sbi/careers

Find the notification of SBI Clerk and click on Apply online

A form will appear.

Fill in the correct details required

Scan and upload your photo and signature

Pay the application fee online

Submit

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Vietnam Airlines and US-based Delta Air Lines will begin their reciprocal codeshare agreement in January to operate Vietnam  US flights via Japans Tokyo.

Vietnam Airlines' Boeing 787-10 aircraft

The US Department of Transportation recently granted approval for the two airlines to expand cooperation after they inked two-way codeshare agreement in August 2019, according to the representative.



Under the agreement, Vietnam Airlines will provide Vietnam  Tokyo flights while Delta Air Lines will operate services between Tokyo and US cities. The two-way partnership allows passengers to book a codeshare flight and fulfill flight formalities only once for their entire journey through either Vietnam Airlines or Delta Air Lines, thereby facilitating their visits to popular destinations in both nations.



The Vietnam Airlines representative said that with the US Department of Transportations approval, the carrier has complete its right to operate routes to and from the US, including regular flights, charter flights and two-way partnership flights. This is billed as a significant move for the airline to explore travel demand between Vietnam and the US while making customers form the habit of flying to the US on Vietnam Airlines-operated flights.



In 2010, Vietnam Airlines clinched a one-way codeshare agreement with Delta on ten international routes to and from the US, and ten domestic routes in the US. The agreement has enabled Vietnam Airlines passengers to fly to eight US states by transiting in Tokyo (Japan) or Frankfurt (Germany). However, Vietnam Airlines only marketed and sold tickets for the flights, while Delta had the right to operate them.



In 2018, the Vietnam-US route saw 757,000 arrivals, up 8 percent year on year. Of them, 18,000 came from the virtue of the two airlines cooperation, primarily from the US to Vietnam.



Delta, an airline based in Atlanta city, provides international flights to North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean. VNA
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) said 21 airports that it is managing and operating are expected to serve a total of 127 million passengers in 2020, a year-on-year rise of 10 percent.

The total number of passengers served at airports could be higher if obstacles in the management of flight zones, land, and legal provisions in investment could be addressed. (Illustrative image)

The figure will include more than 46 million international visitors and 81 million domestic ones.



The total number of passengers served at airports could be higher if obstacles in the management of flight zones, land, and legal provisions in investment could be addressed to speed up aviation infrastructure upgrading projects, according to the ACV.



The corporation said in 2020 it will focus investment on building passenger terminals T2 at Vinh International Airport in the central province of Nghe An and Cat Bi International Airport in the northern port city of Hai Phong, and passenger terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City.



ACV will also carry out projects upgrading and expanding domestic terminals at Tan Son Nhat airport, and passenger terminals at Lien Khuong Airport in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.



It will also prepare for investment in passenger terminal projects at Da Nang International Airport in the central city of Da Nang, Cam Ranh International Airport in the south central province of Khanh Hoa, and passenger terminals T2 at Dong Hoi Airport in the central province of Quang Binh and Tho Xuan Airport in the north central province of Thanh Hoa.



The ACV will invest in projects expanding aircraft aprons at Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Cat Bi, Phu Bai (Hue), and Noi Bai airports.



Vietnam greeted over 18 million international tourists in 2019, the highest level so far, according to the General Statistics Office.



The number showed a year-on-year rise of 16.2 percent. Tourists from Asia made up 79.9 percent of the total, up 19.1 percent, Europe up 6.4 percent, America up 7.7 percent, and Africa 12.2 percent. VNA
In the early hours of the morning, local time, state media in Iraq reported that Qassem Suleimani, Irans top security and intelligence official, had been killed in a drone strike at Baghdads international airport, along with figures tied to Iran-backed Iraqi militias. In the United States, where it was Thursday night, the news quickly spread, albeit with key details missing; cable news shows and one broadcast network, CBS, cut into their programming with portentous reports that something serious had happened. An hour or so later, the US government confirmed that its military had killed Suleimani at the direction of the president. Trump remained strangely quiet, though he did tweet a picture of an American flag. In response, Iranian officials tweeted their countrys flag, and threats of revenge. Such is the road to war in 2020.

Some context: Suleimani was greatly influential in Iran and widely revered by his countrymen. As head of the Quds Force, an elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, he was responsible for Irans prodigious maneuvering throughout the Middle East. According to a former operative of the Central Intelligence Agency who spoke to Dexter Filkins in 2013 for The New Yorker, Suleimani is the single most powerful operative in the Middle East. In recent years, Suleimani was influential in buttressing the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian dictator, and other efforts that cost livesincluding those of US troopsin countries from Iraq to Lebanon. According to the New York Times, Trumps plan to kill Suleimani was initiated last week, after the administration accused an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia of killing an American contractor in an attack on an Iraqi military base. The militia denied involvement; the US bombed some of the militias bases anyway. Afterward, when militia members sieged the US embassy in Baghdad (staffers were trapped inside; none were hurt), American officials blamed Suleimani for being the instigator.

ICYMI: Who didnt kill Jimmy Hoffa

Presidents Obama and Bush never took shots to kill Suleimani, fearing war with Iran. Trump went ahead and did it. Does that mean were now at war with Iran? Experts initial reactions, it seems, have fallen on a spectrumfrom lets keep things in perspective to war is now inevitable to were already there. (In The Atlantic, Andrew Exum, who served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East policy under Obama, wrote that the killing of Suleimani doesnt mean war, it will not lead to war, and it doesnt risk war. None of that. It is war.) Two points of consensus emerged: that we are in uncharted territory and that whatever happens next will not be good. No hot take makes any sense now, Rasha Al Aqeedi of Irfaa Sawtak, a site associated with the US-funded Middle East Broadcasting Networks, wrote. None of us who work on Iraq closely ever anticipated a scenario without him.

Nevertheless, hot takes aboundedon Twitter, where everybody suddenly seemed to be an expert on Iran, and in the news. (In particular, a CNBC pieceAmerica just took out the worlds no. 1 bad guytook a lot of heat online.) Cable shows invited guests with close ties to the military-industrial complex: Fox News hosted Bush stalwarts Karl Rove and Ari Fleischer; MSNBC interviewed Brett McGurk, a diplomat involved in Iraq policy during the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations; CNN had on Max Boot, a Washington Post columnist who was a vocal proponent of the Iraq war. For many progressive commentators, it was all a bit too 2003 for comfort. Cable news is hard-wired to support war, Carlos Maza, formerly of Vox, tweeted. It relies heavily on ex-military, ex-national security people for commentary, and routinely marginalizes anti-war voices.

Much has changed since the early 2000s, including Boots perspective. He has recanted his support for the Iraq war and warned that war with Iran would be worse. Still, as I wrote last year amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, much mainstream coverage of the countries relationship has been too quick to paint Iran as the menacing, unilateral aggressor, and has parroted US government talking points without applying due skepticism.

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Last night, as reporters scrambled to fill in the details of Suleimanis killing, news outlets turned repeatedly to press releases, including the Pentagons assurance that the strike on Suleimani was aimed at deterring future attack plans. As the Posts Josh Rogin tweeted, By the Pentagons own logic, if Iran retaliates, the strike mission failed its key goal. Remember that. Thats sound advice. Already, Iran is promising harsh retaliation.

Below, more on Qassem Suleimani and Iran:



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: The dilemma that is Times columnist Bret Stephens

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
In 2020, the Verkhovna Rada may become both a great unifying ground and a driver of the downfall of the entire ZeTeam. It all depends on how quickly deputies will "grow up" and gain political wisdom.

The New Year's Eve 2019 wasn't special for most of the Servants of the People, as they could not imagine back then that the year will bring them a fast-paced career. However, after the euphoria of winning the election, the reality of parliamentary everyday life brought them down from the skies.

In 2019, the Rada faced three key tasks where it had to demonstrate effectiveness. It's about bills on the state budget 2020, the "special status" of Donbas, and the land market. While two of them saw no issues during the vote as deputies were playing the same notes, the land reform bill was a mishap. On this legislation, the Servants of the People so far cannot find an understanding both with their fellow deputies and their opponents from other factions.

Since the first days of Rada's work, analysts and experts have predicted that a majority would gravitate toward fragmentation. Majority MPs, considering key bills, will focus on the moods of their constituents, and this is especially true of the "land market". In addition, the conditional Kolomoisky Group, the Pavliuk Group, and others have a so-called "golden card" that will be drawn during the votes for bills that are crucial for the President's Office.

Scandals are not very conducive to understanding between MPs. Albeit contributing to some PR, they also turn for a monomajority into a negative assessment both by voters and some fellow faction members. For example, the case of Bohdan Yaremenko (the prostitute row) and the failure to vote for his dismissal, as well as the appointment of Yelizaveta Yasko, who earlier failed in the party primaries but was actually imposed by the President's Office, indicate that "Servants of the People" begin to realize that there is a parliamentary-presidential model of government in Ukraine, not the other way around.

Deputies begin to grow up and understand their role in the political process, so, from time to time, they deliberately fail to vote on the bills that are being imposed on them from above. We will see more of this in 2020.

Influence groups within a majority will play a more important role, especially when it comes to key bills

Although forecasts are hard to draw, it is Parliament that can serve as a platform for the country's unification, as President Zelensky said in his New Year's greeting, but it can also become a factor of an even greater division. It all depends on the principles and model of national dialogue that the authorities will promote in 2020. After all, winning an election is one thing, but "winning the power", that is, retaining legitimacy and popular support, is a higher-level game. In this situation, the fight will be for the content, not the form. It will be for the minds, not for some creative appearance.

The parliamentary-presidential model of government is implemented in the so-called coalition politics of parties, whose ideological principles may vary, while they are united in their common goals for the sake of the country. For example, in the last ten years the civil movement has grown significantly in Ukraine. It became a deterrent against authorities that tended toward authoritarianism. It has formed its leaders, many of whom have become part of the governing team. Therefore, "civic nationalism" as an idea, as a consensus of the elite groups and the public, remains important. Even more so, for a country with unhealed post-conflict wounds.

It is clear that there is a constant debate about the country's goals

And it is important that it goes on within Parliament because the very consensus, the very coalition, relies on the quality of elite groups represented in the Verkhovna Rada. If they fail to reach an understanding, the streets will have their say. And no one wants another Maidan.

Therefore, despite the desire of some politicians to use controversial topics as a "torch", the key challenge of the Rada in 2020 will be to keep the debate within Parliament premises and to make sure it doesn't spill beyond its walls.

Taras Semeniuk is an analyst at KyivStratPro
Nineveh Plains Transitional Justice Report: 2019 in Review

Washington -- The year 2019 brought mixed outcomes for Iraq's Nineveh Governorate. The Islamic State (ISIS) suffered serious setbacks, but an unknown number of militants remain at large in the governorate. Security, however, has not improved as Iranian-backed PMF militias sought territorial control. These militias would eventually become an ignition point for protests which defined the country, but demonstrations were prevented in the governorate. The UNITAD investigation into the crimes of ISIS gained traction, but the methodology continues to prompt questions of whether it is too little, too late.

Organization

Iraq launched a Will of Victory campaign in 2019, which included military operations in Nineveh intended to disrupt the organization of ISIS. The campaign relies heavily upon PMF militias, whose continued presence in Nineveh often prompts questions of whether they are motivated by fighting ISIS or by seizing new territory.

Motivations of various militias aside, the Will of Victory campaign regularly announced the results of counter-terrorism activities throughout the year. In December, a flurry of arrests took place during the Christmas season, a time when terrorists traditionally plan attacks. A total of 14 were arrested, and 18 others were killed. Though the timing was notable, the numbers are on track with previous monthly announcements. "I think ISIS is still in Iraq; the only difference is they threw [down] their weapons and they will pick them back up at any weak point," said one Christian.

Though ISIS continued to show itself organizationally capable throughout 2019, the year was largely defined by the sophisticated organization of the PMF militias that took control of the Nineveh Plains. Many residents complained that there was no difference between the behavior of ISIS and the militias. Harassment and extortion of non-Shia religious groups became commonplace. "Their main excuse for taking the money is that they are protecting our village. At the other side, (the militia) facilitates life for the Shabak since they are Shia Muslims. They make the process for Shabak very easy," added a Christian from Qeraqosh.

International attempts to lessen Iran's militia influence in Iraq heightened their resolve to maintain and grow their role in the country. While Iraqis protested the role of these militias, fear of militia retaliation in the Nineveh Plains caused many to discourage and even prevent locals from joining the protests.

Polarization

Much of the polarization within the Nineveh Governorate relates to the consequences of corruption and conflicting visions regarding the region's future. Through the support of militias, Shia Muslims have gained a strong foothold in Nineveh that didn't exist pre-ISIS. Retaliation of suspected ISIS militants has strong religious and tribal undertones. International aid for rebuilding the Nineveh Plains began flowing more smoothly, along with fresh reports of corruption, creating new lines of division even within recipient communities.

For example, one Christian shared, "We've been witnessing development in the area, as you can notice the paving of the main road. Still (Christian leaders) are taking a percentage on each project illegally, and that is making organizational work very difficult."

PMF militias remain the most significant source of polarization in Nineveh. "The militia of Hashid and their followers are destroying every way we find to live. They started with our homes post-liberation, then our jobs by making transportation from and to Qeraqosh very difficult. And now our agriculture. Surviving here became very difficult. I am not sure if we can survive for more than five years if the situation keeps like that," shared one Qeraqosh farmer.

In July, the United States issued sanctions against two PMF militia figures and the former governor of Nineveh, who facilitated PMF activities. The PMF's response was aggressive, and local Christians were placed within their crosshairs for further harassment. "It is a game, and we are the hostages in the middle of it. Not only Christians, but all Iraqi citizens are affected by the US-Iran conflict," one Christian shared with ICC. The PMF's aggression has only grown, particularly outside of Nineveh, where the protests were more common. The culture of fear that the PMF has established within Nineveh prevented many from joining the demonstrators.

Investigation

The investigation into the crimes of ISIS was painfully slow to launch, but gained significant traction in 2019. Most of the focus was on exhuming mass graves of Yazidi victims and digitizing evidence in Mosul. For many Yazidis, the slowness of the process has been a significant discouragement, leaving many feeling hopeless about the future. Rebuilding activities are largely absent from Sinjar, further deepening their sense of discouragement. Whereas Christian areas have seen much physical restoration, the investigation of ISIS crimes has been largely overlooked in these areas.

"I believe the government intentionally forgot us; it is indirect message to leave. The problem is we don't even have [the] capability to leave, so it is permission to die," added one victim of ISIS's genocide.

A consistent theme of the investigative process is the process of detainment and trial of suspected ISIS members. Where to detain ISIS suspects remains under constant discussion, including whether they should even be detained in Nineveh, where many of their genocide victims live. Who pays for their detainment is yet another question, as ISIS has many foreign fighters. Their home countries often refuse to financially contribute, while refusing to accept these fighters back home for trial. The underlying concern is what will happen to these fighters if no one accepts responsibility, potentially leading them to be released back into Iraqi society. Such uncertainty further destabilizes the area's security environment.
NEW YORK, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NetworkWire  CryptoCurrencyWire (CCW), a multifaceted financial news and publishing company, is pleased to announce its collaboration with LATOKEN for the Blockchain Economic Forum in Davos. Slated for Jan. 20-24, 2020, in Davos, Switzerland, the forum will gather government officials, investors and entrepreneurs to discuss potential structural change in capital markets and payments systems, to get vitalizing ideas, and explore partnership opportunities.



BEF Davos kicks off on Jan. 20 with Blockchain Capital Markets Day, which includes a keynote address titled The future of capital markets and money. This keynote will discuss everything from why a digital future is inevitable to the reasons digital monies and assets are so important.

Other BEF opening-day events include three round-table discussions and an LATOKEN evening reception. The first round table is titled Money 2025: Private Banks, Central Banks or Blockchain Digital Currencies?, the second one is titled The Venture capital and Hedge Funds 2025: Liquidity via Tokenization, and the third round table is titled Security Token Offering Markets.

And that is just a glimpse of the power of the BEF agenda. Other BEF events throughout the remaining four-day event include invaluable one-on-one development meetings with LATOKEN CEO Valentin Preobrazhenskiy to discuss potential fundraising options, co-investments and partnerships, as well as other impactful keynote addresses and round table discussions with some of the best-known experts and professionals in the blockchain space.



We are pleased to be the official newswire and a media sponsor for the BEF 2020 event in Switzerland, says Jonathan Keim, director of communications for CryptoCurrencyWire. BEF events have gained a global reputation for providing insightful, valuable information about the global economy. With our distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets via NetworkWire, as well as high-performing social media channels followed by blockchain enthusiasts, we look forward to sharing information on the upcoming BEF 2020 and generating buzz about what attendees can expect to experience when they attend.

Story continues

Additional information about the Blockchain Economic Forum, including registration details, is available at the following link: http://bef.latoken.com/davos2020?utm_source=cnw .

About CryptoCurrencyWire (CCW)

CryptoCurrencyWire is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with CCW Prime . As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CCW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, CCW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness.

CryptoCurrencyNewsWire is where news, content and information converge via crypto.

For more information, please visit https://www.CryptoCurrencyWire.com

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Khartoum, Jan 3 : A Sudanese military plane crashed shortly after taking off from El Geneina airport in West Darfur State, killing 18, the army said.

The Antonov 12 plane "crashed five minutes after taking off from El Geneina airport" on Thursday evening, said Amer Mohamed al-Hassan, spokesman of Sudanese army, in a statement.

"Seven crew members, three judges, and eight citizens including four children were killed in the incident," noted the statement, according to Xinhua news agency.

Investigation is underway to determine the causes of the incident.

The plane earlier transported medical materials for the Sudanese Red Crescent Society in El Geneina, capital city of West Darfur state.

El Geneina has witnessed tribal clashes over the few past days that left many people killed or injured.
Orange County Regional History Center | Photo: Julio H./Yelp

Looking to try the best gift shops in town?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable gift shops in Orlando, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges.

1. Orange County Regional History Center

Photo: kalvin K./Yelp

Topping the list is the Orange County Regional History Center. Located at 65 E. Central Blvd. in Central Business District, the museum, venues and event space and gift shop is the highest-rated inexpensive gift shop in Orlando, boasting 4.5 stars out of 52 reviews on Yelp.

Curious to know more?

"The Orange County Regional History Center has been located in the restored historic 1927 courthouse since 2000," the business says in the history section of its Yelp profile.

As to what the business is known for, "The museum features smart, surprising fun for all ages throughout three floors of dynamic permanent exhibits. Visitors journey through 12,000 years of Central Florida history, from the region's fascinating transition from an Indian settlement to a small town surrounded by citrus groves and cattle ranches to today's tourist-centric community," it states on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties.

2. Kernel Encore Gourmet Popcorn

Photo: julio h./Yelp

Next up is Kernel Encore Gourmet Popcorn, situated at 601 N. Primrose Drive. With 4.5 stars out of 48 reviews on Yelp, the popcorn shop, gift shop and chocolatier and shop has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an affordable option.

If you're hungry for more, we found these details about Kernel Encore Gourmet Popcorn.

"Who is Kernel Encore?" the business explains in the history section of its Yelp profile. "We're popcorn lovers just like you! We love popcorn so much that we started this company to share our love of gourmet popcorn."

Furthermore, we found this about the business's signature items: "More than 300 flavors of popcorn are available in sizes ranging from single-serve to bulk," it writes on Yelp in the section about specialties.

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3. Sprinkles Jewelry and Gifts

Photo: shelley h./Yelp

Sprinkles Jewelry and Gifts, located at 3108 Corrine Drive, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable gift shop, jewelry and women's clothing spot five stars out of 11 reviews.

If you're curious to know more, we found out these facts regarding Sprinkles Jewelry and Gifts.

"Sprinkles Jewelry and Gifts started as an online store in 2005 on eBay and Amazon," per the history section of the business's Yelp profile.

Furthermore, we found this about the business's signature items: "Sprinkles Jewelry and Gifts is proud to have the lowest prices in Orlando on bedsheets, greeting cards, crystals, jewelry and more," it notes on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties.

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.
News 18 Killed in Karen State Car Accident

Rescuers from the Myanmar Fire Service Department conduct a rescue operation at the scene of the accident on the Asia Highway in Myawaddy on Jan. 3. / Myanmar Fire Service Department
Tom Tugendhat is MP for Tonbridge and Malling.

Few military commanders have had the freedom Qasem Soleimani has enjoyed. For the best part of 20 years, Soleimanis actions have been Irans foreign policy. Regimes he has backed, militias he has supported and terrorist campaigns he has encouraged have become the strategy of the mullahs in Tehran.

Soleimani joined the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps at the time of the Iranian revolution. Founded to defend the regime, the IRGC is separate from the regular army, navy and air force. It answers to a different command structure and runs companies and businesses that enrich its generals. It has been at the vanguard of Iranian military action inside and outside the country to keep the dictatorship in power.

Over the years the IRGC have crushed uprisings at home using their Basij volunteer militias to assault protestors and terrify opponents from speaking out. Abroad they have expanded their operations. The special operations unit, named the Quds Force after the Arabic name for Jerusalem, is charged with conducting operations to bring about the Islamic revolutions goals, including the destruction of Israel. Thats where Soleimani has excelled.

Since around 1998, Maj Gen Soleimani has led the Quds Force in expanding from their traditional alliances with Hezbollah and others and used Iraq and Afghanistan to develop capabilities he would later go on to perfect in Syria. In all those struggles he has used three principle means that our own forces would recognise  supplying weapons, partnering with local forces and bringing specialist skills.

In Afghanistan, these partnerships were far from ideological. The Taliban, a Sunni religious cult, almost went to war with Iran in 2001 but only five years later, Iranian weapons were turning up in weapons caches in Helmand. The Quds Force shared skills too. Over the years, Afghan insurgents used increasingly professional shaped-charges to pierce armour and kill British, American, and other Nato servicemen and women. The intelligence trail was clear  the parts and knowledge came from Tehran.

In Yemen the same unit supplied rockets that have been falling on Saudi Arabia and bringing death villagers in the mountains. The Houthi rebellion has largely been a proxy war by Tehrans military against their Sunni rivals in Riyadh with Yemeni civilians paying the highest price.

On Israels borders katyusha rockets that have killed civilians and been hidden amongst a Lebanese population terrified into silence. Both sides of the conflict have suffered but perhaps Lebanon most of all. In recent years thousands of Lebanese have been pressed into Hezbollahs militias to fight in Syria. Many have been killed.

Skills transfer and terrorist training was not limited to the region but have seen groups spreading around the world. The 2012 attack on Israelis in Bulgaria, the assassinations of Arab nationalists 2015 and 2017 in the Netherlands and the failed bombing campaign in France in 2018 all point to a willingness to use any means to spread terror around the world. In 2015 this reached the UK.

Hezbollah-connected groups were found to have collected three tonnes of ammonia nitrate explosives in north west London and though the planned operation never took place, the warning that we here are not immune from Soleimanis brand of foreign policy was clear. Even after we signed the nuclear agreement with Iran, the Quds Force saw us as a target.

The question now is what this means for Iran and what it means for us.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneis rapid appointment of Soleimanis deputy as his replacement masks the hole left in Iranian leadership. Despite his long addiction to opium he must know that Soleimani is irreplaceable. Over the past decades Irans strategy has been the general and his mythical status shows it.

Through personal relationships he has picked political leaders, backed their armies and funded their campaigns. If Bashar al Assad still sits in Damascus, its not because of his own skill, we saw how useless a commander he was in the early days of the revolution, but because Soleimani willed it. It is unlikely the IRGC will be able to find another leader like him.

Now Britain and others have a chance to reach out to former enemies and partners and point out that era defined by one man can end. The death of hundreds of thousands of Syrians, Iraqis, Lebanese and more can stop. The policy embodied in one man can end. But that requires some choices not only by the Iranian dictatorship, but many others in the region. This is a chance to change direction, lets hope we take it.
Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq early Friday, wasn't just an infamous terrorist organizer and one of the regime's most powerful officials - he was also one of President Donald Trump's social media antagonists.

International experts have long known of Soleimani as the leader of Iran's elite Quds Force and the shadow commander of proxy conflicts across the Middle East, but many Americans first heard of the general in 2018, when he started arguing with Trump via memes on Instagram.

The Trump administration was engaged that year in a pressure campaign against Iran, whose president, Hassan Rouhani, warned in July that "America should know that peace with Iran is the mother of all peace, and war with Iran is the mother of all wars." This was relatively mild for a theocratic regime whose founding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini dubbed the United States "The Great Satan," but Trump took particular offense.

"To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE," he wrote on Twitter in all capitals.

A few days later, Soleimani stepped in to defend Rouhani. "It is not in our president's dignity to respond to you," he told Trump via Iran's Tamsin news agency. "If you begin the war, we will end the war. You know that this war will destroy all that you possess. "

For a high-level commander in a regime that bans most major social media platforms for its citizens, Soleimani was unusually internet savvy. That same month, the general shared with his nearly 70,000 Instagram followers an image of the White House exploding, which was later archived by the Middle East Media Research Institute. The poster appeared to have been taken from the 2013 film "Olympus Has Fallen," and doctored so that Soleimani stands in front of the inferno with a walkie-talkie in his hand.

This back and forth took shape after Trump withdrew from a three-year-old nuclear deal with Iran, and as he threatened new economic penalties on the country. In his own Hollywood riff in November 2018, Trump tweeted a poster of himself posing heroically against a "Game of Thrones"-style background and play on the show's "Winter is coming" tagline: "SANCTIONS ARE COMING."

Trump didn't address Soleimani specifically, and it's unclear whether he was intentionally mimicking the general's meme, but Soleimani responded in kind a day later.

Superimposing himself into movie posters has since become one of Trump's favorite social media tactics - see Trump-as-Rocky-Balboa and Trump-as-Thanos from last year.

Soleimani didn't fare as well. Instagram suspended his account in April, after Trump followed through on his sanctions threat. Justifying the U.S. airstrike that killed him in Baghdad on Friday, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said, "Gen. Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

Iran has promised to retaliate, and thousands of U.S. troops have been ordered to the region amid fears of a new war.
Sydney's west could burn on Saturday as 46C temperatures bring bushfires into Australia's biggest city.

The Rural Fire Service feared strong winds would spark new blazes in the Blue Mountains.

These bushfires could cross the Nepean River into greater Sydney and threaten Penrith if strong winds spread burning embers.

An alert was issued on Friday afternoon predicting the worst for Saturday afternoon as the Bureau of Meteorology forecast maximum 46C temperatures for Penrith and Richmond.

'Severe to extreme fire danger is forecast for these areas tomorrow with temperatures in the 40s, very low humidity and strong winds,' the RFS said.

'A south-westerly change will impact inland fires tomorrow afternoon and evening, and a gusty southerly change will impact coastal fires from late tomorrow afternoon, reaching Sydney around midnight.'

Sydney's west could burn on Saturday as 40C temperatures bring bushfires into Australia's biggest city (pictured is a Rural Fire Service map)

'These conditions will make fire behaviour erratic and very dangerous.'

More than 170,000 people living in Penrith and surrounding suburbs on the western edge of Sydney are potentially at risk.

The RFS issued a map showing the possibility of embers spreading from areas of the Blue Mountains to the north.

'Potential ember attack  you should not be in this area on Saturday as new fires could start and spread quickly,' it said.

'If you are in the area of the general areas on this map, be vigilant for new fires that may start well ahead of the fire front.'

The Rural Fire Service fears strong winds will spark new blazes in the Blue Mountains, which would cross the Nepean River into greater Sydney and threaten Penrith (pictured is the Green Wattle Creek fire as viewed from Katoomba in early December)

The RFS feared new fires could start on Saturday in the Lower Blue Mountains, parts of western Sydney and the Southern Highlands.

'There may potentially be new fires burning in these areas that we do not yet know about, which may threaten you without warning,' it said.

The weather bureau rated the chance of rainfall on Saturday at five per cent, as Australia continued to battle the worst drought in living memory.

Making matters worse, the Gospers Mountain fire north-west of Sydney has already burnt since late October, destroying more than 510,000 hectares of bushland.

A new fire in the overlapping Wollemi National Park area began on Friday afternoon.

The Green Wattle Creek fire, south of Sydney, is also continuing to burn around Lake Burragorang - a man-made waterway is connected to Warragamba Dam, which supplies drinking water to 3.7million people in Sydney.

It has issued an alert on Friday afternoon predicting the worst for Saturday afternoon as temperatures soared (pictured are fires at Bilpin in the northern part of the Blue Mountains six days before Christmas)

The Gospers Mountain and Green Wattle Creek fires weren't from the only bushfires with the potential to merge into a mega blaze.

Another set of bushfires on either side of the New South Wales and Victorian border could also merge.

Fire authorities fear strong north-westerly winds could push the fire in Corryong, in north-east Victoria, further north where the Dunns Road fire is burning in the NSW Snowy Mountains near Tumbarumba.

Bushfires are threatening a 250km stretch of the NSW South Coast and eastern Victoria - where the navy is evacuating residents from Mallacoota.

More than one thousand people and their pets stranded at Mallacoota in Victoria's east have been bundled onto naval ships and taken to safety.

Two vessels were docked at the small coastal community to evacuate locals and tourists on Friday, ahead of worsening weekend bushfire conditions.

Many of those rescued on Friday in Mallacoota (pictured) will spend hours at sea before landing in the safety of southern Victoria, having been forced to flee their homes

Almost 60 people set off on MV Sycamore early in the morning, bound for Stony Point, near Hastings at Western Port on the Mornington Peninsula.

About 1100 people later boarded HMAS Choules for a late afternoon departure. Roughly 250 pets including cats, dogs, a rabbit and a bird were also among the evacuees.

The coastal community was hit by fire on Tuesday morning, with about 4000 people forced to flee their homes and shelter at the beach. Ongoing fires meant they have been isolated there since.

HMAS Choules commander Scott Houlihan said people were 'very thankful' for the chance to flee.

'It's a real atmosphere of appreciation,' he told ABC Gippsland ahead of the ship's departure.

Vulnerable residents are being helped by the military in the huge evacuation taking place in Mallacoota (pictured) as hundreds try and escape before conditions worsen on Saturday

He said the way the town has rallied and prepared for the evacuation against the backdrop of widespread devastation is one of the most impressive things he has experienced.

'It has been quite an uplifting experience and really shows you the true human spirit,' he said.

The Mallacoota evacuees will travel for about 20 hours, with an evacuation centre likely to be set up at the HMAS Cerberus naval base.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the evacuation has been a 'big focus' for the federal government, with the military also tasked with helping people find shelter once they land.

'The ADF is also working now with the state government on setting up evacuation centres and providing accommodation - not a tent city, but at a number of those locations that are available,' he told reporters in Bairnsdale.

Families with small children were the first to be evacuated on a landing craft to MV Sycamore (pictured) on Friday, just 24 hours before catastrophic weather conditions are forecast to whip up more blazes

Another area being considered for an evacuation centre is Bandiana near Wodonga on the NSW border.

About 2800 people have chosen to stay at Mallacoota, while 500 may be flown out once the local airport reopens.

The Mallacoota community had been receiving more than 12,000 litres of fuel a day to ensure the town centre was operational.

About two dozen firefighters had been ferried to the cut-off town from Lakes Entrance by Victorian Fisheries Authority vessels at 7am to relieve crews there.

Other isolated communities have also received additional supplies including water, Mr Morrison said.
A senior police officer should be quizzed by MPs over the investigation of a baseless rape claim against Leon Brittan, a former top detective said last night.

Paul Settle said James Vaughan, chief constable of Dorset Police, must be questioned by the home affairs committee over his support of senior Scotland Yard officers accused of hounding the terminally ill Tory peer to his grave.

James Vaughan, left, backed Scotland Yard's decision to interview Lord Brittan, right, under caution about sex claims previously dismissed by prosecutors

In a controversial review of the case, Mr Vaughan backed the Yards decision to interview the former home secretary under caution about sex claims previously dismissed by prosecutors.

The rape accusations against Lord Brittan were made by a mentally ill Labour activist with a history of making bogus allegations. As a detective chief inspector in the Met, Mr Settle spent several months investigating her claims in 2013 before concluding there was no evidence that the offence of rape had been made out.

He ruled there was no need to interview Lord Brittan and shut down the probe, codenamed Operation Vincente.

But after former deputy Labour leader Tom Watson intervened on behalf of the accuser in 2014, Met chiefs hurriedly reopened the inquiry and called the gravely ill peer on his mobile phone as he lay in his hospital bed to demand he be interviewed under caution.

Under pressure from the MP, officers continued investigating Lord Brittan even after he died of cancer aged 75 in January 2015.

In October 2015, the home affairs committee criticised the Mets treatment of Lord Brittan and praised Mr Settle, who gave evidence before it, for his conduct in the case. He told MPs he had been sidelined by superiors after speaking out in defence of the peer and said he was the victim of a witch-hunt.

Met chiefs hurriedly reopened the inquiry after former deputy Labour leader Tom Watson, pictured, intervened on behalf of the accuser in 2014

Now, on the fifth anniversary of Lord Brittans death, the scandal of the bogus rape claims that dogged his last months has been reignited amid questions over the findings of Mr Vaughans review in 2016.

The recent publication of a previously suppressed report into the case by ex-High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques has raised serious questions about the chief constables findings.

Sir Richard, who praised Mr Settles decision to close the inquiry without interviewing the Tory peer, said in his report published in October: I do not agree with significant parts of the Dorset review I do not consider that interviewing Lord Brittan could conceivably have advanced the investigation.

Sir Richard also backed the suggestion that the offence of rape had not been made out. He added that the prolonged extension of the inquiry into Lord Brittan was unjustifiable and most unfair to the late peers family.

He attacked the failure of ex-Met deputy assistant commissioner Steve Rodhouse, who oversaw the probe, to give a sufficient apology to Lord Brittans widow Diana.

Mr Rodhouse was also in charge at the same time of the Mets shambolic Operation Midland investigation into the VIP child sex abuse and murder lies of the fantasist known as Nick, real name Carl Beech, now serving an 18-year jail term.

In her interview with police, Lord Brittans accuser  known by the pseudonym Jane  claimed she was raped in 1967 when she was 19. She admitted she regarded the Tory peer as a political enemy.

The scandal of the bogus rape claims that dogged Lord Brittan's last months has been reignited amid questions over the findings of Mr Vaughans review in 2016

But the summary of Mr Vaughans Dorset review, given to MPs in January 2016, concluded she displayed no malice in her motivation and described her as a credible and compelling witness whose allegations were far from fanciful.

In response to questions from the Daily Mail, Mr Vaughan revealed he was briefed by Mr Rodhouse  now the 245,000-a-year head of operations at the National Crime Agency  when he carried out his review.

He said: I respect Sir Richards findings but I dont agree with them. I firmly believe that an interview was appropriate, proportionate and necessary.

He added his review was thorough, impartial and objective.

Mr Settle said: It should be noted that when publishing the Henriques report in October, the Met still saw fit to withhold key evidence.

This has left the impression that there was still something to actually investigate, and that re-opening the investigation and subjecting Lord Brittan and his family to such stresses in his final months was somehow justified.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Once the circumstances of the allegation are released everyone will be able to see how ridiculous the allegation was to begin with.

It is only right that Mr Vaughan appears before the home affairs select committee, where he can justify his stance and respond to cross-examination based upon the facts.
Major IT firms such as Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies, Infosys, Cyient, and L&T Technology Services have direct exposure to Boeing or its suppliers ecosystem, which comprises engine manufacturers, body suppliers, and avionics providers.

These firms provide services like application development, testing, engineering, avionics, and business process management for the Boeing 737 Max programme.

IT outsourcing contracts of more than $1 billion currently executed by Indian companies are at risk of termination because Boeing has halted the production of its flagship Boeing 737 Max jets with effect from January.

According to sources in the know, major IT firms such as Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Technologies, Infosys, Cyient, and L&T Technology Services have direct exposure to Boeing or its suppliers ecosystem, which comprises engine manufacturers, body suppliers, and avionics providers.

Boeing figures on the top ten list of many Indian service providers.

"So, those players will definitely be affected in the short run.

"But the larger issue is if Boeing is hit, overall spending in the aerospace segment will also come down, said Pareekh Jain, an IT outsourcing advisor and founder of Pareekh Consulting.

After temporarily discontinuing the production of 737 Max wide-bodied aircraft earlier this month, the US-based aerospace giant told its suppliers to halt shipments starting from January.

As a sign of the ongoing crisis, the firm earlier this week ousted its chief executive officer (CEO) Dennis Muilenburg as it struggled to win regulators trust after deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

According to estimates, the aerospace engineering outsourcing market worldwide is estimated at close to $4 billion per year, which is equally contributed by Boeing and Airbus.

Of the $2 billion of IT works outsourced by Boeing, Indian service providers get mostly half the deals every year.

Among the global service providers, Accenture and Capgemini lead the list.

Currently, suppliers to Boeing include engine manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, General Electric, and Safran, while body parts of Boeing 737 Max are provided by Spirit AeroSystems and Safran.

Similarly, Rockwell and Honeywell are the major avionics providers to Boeings programmes.

Most Indian players have exposure directly to Boeing or to its supplier ecosystem.

"For instance, TCS, HCL Technologies, and Cyient have direct exposure to Boeing, while Spirit AeroSystem is a client for Infosys, said a person familiar with the outsourcing market.

Detailed emails sent to TCS, HCL Technologies, Cyient, and L&T Technology Services remained unanswered till the time of going to press. Infosys declined to comment.

Usually outsourcing contracts have safeguard clauses, which are likely to protect IT firms from losses (in the case of termination).

"But, profitability will definitely be hit in the short run, said Sanchit Vir Gogia, founder and CEO, Greyhound Research.

He, however, added all the suppliers had long-term views about their engagement with Boeing and would overcome this short-term blip.

The Boeing crisis, which has brought down American manufacturing output apart from its trade and sales of durable goods, has a silver lining.

Engineering services firms are still counting on the silver lining from this crisis.

"If 737 Max goes down, Boeing may increase its spend on other programmes like 797.

"This will support Indian engineering services firms, said another outsourcing advisor.

Boeing 797 is the companys another new aircraft programme, which is likely to come up with 225- and 275-seater aircraft.

Photograph: Matt Mills McKnight/Reuters
As The New York Times reported in 2017, "Iran never lost sight of its mission: to dominate its neighbor so thoroughly that Iraq could never again endanger it militarily, and to use the country to effectively control a corridor from Tehran to the Mediterranean."

The U.S. occupation pushed the two regimes into a close alliance. In the country we set out to liberate, our forces now face attacks from militias that Iran supports.

We left in 2011 because the Iranian-allied Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki refused to sign an agreement protecting American troops from prosecution in Iraqi courts. The space we vacated was filled by militants known as Islamic State. In 2014, we returned to fight this new enemy in tacit cooperation with ... Iran.

The bewilderment and regret the war fostered back home served to discredit leaders in both parties, as well as the premises of U.S. foreign policy. They fostered a widespread cynicism that sunk Hillary Clinton -- who had supported the invasion - and boosted someone whose chief foreign policy credential was having nothing to do with such failures.
In a shocking incident, a video has emerged on Friday of a mob of 400 people pelting stones in the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan. Visuals show that the mob surrounding the Gurudwara and pelting stones at the Gurudwara which is the birthplace of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev. Sources report that the mob was led by Mohd. Imran Attari -the brother of Mohammed Hassan who was responsible for the forcible conversion of a Pakistani Sikh girl - Jagjit Kaur. No arrests have been made till now.

Jagjit Kaur- forced conversion victim returns home, Sirsa thanks MEA

Nankana Sahib attacked

Sources report that the protestors consisting of Muslim residents of Nankana Sahib had proclaimed that they will soon change the name from Nankana Sahib to Ghulaman-e-Mustafa. Moreover, the mob allegedly claimed that 'no Sikh will remain in Nankana'. Reports suggest that several Sikh devotees were stranded inside the Gurdwara which was attacked by the mob on Friday evening.

This incident has occurred a day after the celebration of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti on Thursday. The Nankana Sahib is a city in Punjab province of Pakistan where Guru Nanak was born and first began his preaching. The recently inaugurated Kartarpur corridor connects India to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara - which is another significant Gurudwara for Sikhs. India has been demanding that Nankana Sahib too should be opened to Indians.

Yogi Adityanath says, 'After Kartarpur, it will be Nankana Sahib'

Forced conversion Pak Sikh girl

Meanwhile, the main leader of the mob is the brother of Mohammed Hassan - who was accused of kidnapping and forcibly converting a Sikh girl -Jagjit Kaur. Akali Dal leader Manjinder Sirsa, in August, had shared a video of the grieving family telling how 18-year old Jagjit Kaur was allegedly abducted and converted to Islam in Pakistan. The family had alleged that she was converted by coercion and was threatened that her brothers and father would be shot if she did not convert to Islam.

Amarinder Singh meets Amit Shah, raises Pak Sikh girl conversion issue

On September 3, the victim was reunited with her family after Pakistan faced global anger due to inaction. Pakistan had claimed that Punjab's Nankana Sahib police had arrested eight people - including Hassan, in connection with the case after the victim was shown to her parents from a distance at Governors House. Despite being rescued, reports claim that Jagjit Kaur - now known as Ayesha has refused to convert back to Sikhism.

Sirsa: Will continue fighting for safety of Hindu & Sikh girls in Pak
'The orders for the (Quds) force remain exactly as they were during the leadership of martyr Soleimani," said Khameini. "I call on the members of the force to be present and cooperate with General Qaani and wish him divine prosperity, acceptance and guidance.' (Photo: Twitter)

Tehran: Iran's supreme leader appointed Esmail Qaani as the new head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm after its commander, Qasem Soleimani, was killed on Friday in a US strike on Baghdad airport.

"Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Qaani was described by Khamenei as one of the 'most decorated commanders' of the Guards during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

"The orders for the (Quds) force remain exactly as they were during the leadership of martyr Soleimani," said Khameini. "I call on the members of the force to be present and cooperate with General Qaani and wish him divine prosperity, acceptance and guidance."

Meanwhile, Iraqi President Barham Saleh called for restraint after Soleimani's death.

"We call on everyone to restrain themselves," Saleh said in a statement, characterising the strike as an 'aggression' and saying Iraq would be destabilised if 'voices of reason' did not prevail.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Tehran to protest against American 'crimes', reported an AFP correspondent, after Soleimani was killed in the strike.

Chanting "Death to America" and holding up posters of Soleimani, the demonstrators filled streets for several blocks in central Tehran after Friday prayers.

Meanwhile, the leader of Iran's opposition group that has been in exile, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), called the killing an "irreparable blow" for Iran's Islamic regime.

The killing is an "irreparable blow for the regime of the mullahs", Maryam Rajavi, the head of the NCRI, said in a statement issued in Paris.

"It is now time to expel the mullahs from the region, in particular Iraq, Syria and Lebanon," she added. Rajavi accused Soleimani of being "one of the biggest criminals in Iran's history" and "personally implicated in the massacre of thousands of people in the region."

"With his elimination, the process of overthrowing the mullahs' regime will be greatly accelerated," she added.

The NCRI, the political wing of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI), has long pressed for the overthrow for the Iranian regime from its Paris base.

NATO closely monitoring situation

Following the airstrike, the NATO military alliance has been monitoring the situation in Iraq closely with an eye to the safety of its training mission there.

"NATO is monitoring the situation in the region very closely. We remain in close and regular contact with the US authorities," said its spokesperson Dylan White. "At the request of the Iraqi government, NATO's training mission in the country is helping to strengthen the Iraqi forces and prevent the return of ISIS."

Earlier in the day Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, had said that US' move targetting Suleimani would come with grave consequences as he described the slain general as "the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS)".

Fearing a fallout over the strike, the US embassy in Baghdad has urged all American citizens in Iraq to "depart immediately".

US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," the embassy said in a statement.

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Diamonds' rarity, beauty, and strength are supposed to reflect the resilience and longevity of marriage.

But with the world's diamond deposits slowly depleting (less than 20 per cent of diamonds mined are of gem quality) and an increasing demand for bespoke jewellery, particularly among millennials, if someone wants a unique and high quality item and not just something that has been mass produced, costs can be eye-wateringly high.

That's where Tobias Kormind comes in. He is co-founder and managing director of 77 Diamonds, an independent online diamond jeweller that 'cuts out the middlemen' by sourcing stones straight from the miners.

Shirley Bassey famously sang the title tune in James Bond movie Diamonds are Forever

The 46-year-old former banker set up the venture in 2003 as part of the digital marketing agency he co-founded.

He and his partners understood online marketing and e-commerce and he had a particular interest in diamonds, bolstered by his sister's marriage into a family of diamond cutters.

Requests from his friends asking him to help them find stones to create the perfect piece for themselves highlighted the demand for an end-to-end service.

In 2008 he left the agency and took 77 Diamonds with him, revamping the website and seeing orders coming in almost instantly, making a 2.5million turnover in the first year alone.

'I saw similar players in the US growing but there was no equivalent in Europe so we saw the opportunity and took it,' he says.

A vertically integrated business

Tobias Kormind set up 77 Diamonds in 2003 as part of the digital agency he co-founded

The company was founded on the premise that with the advent of modern technology and modern jewellery manufacturing methods, it was possible to create a new breed of jeweller to serve customers in a better way.

Tobias and his team aim to offer not only the largest selection of diamonds in the world, but to manufacture their jewellery to such high standards that could out-compete the likes of leading luxury brands such as Cartier, De Beers and Tiffany - and at a fraction of the price.

'We are a vertically integrated business that is essentially a manufacturer but also an e-commerce business with experts in online marketing, website design, social media, PR and more,' says Tobias.

'Most businesses are either manufacturers or online and don't make their own products but we do both. We have our own platform and technology so we are also IT experts.

'It is insanely complicated which makes it fun but you have to be disciplined and make sure you have good people in all areas  every employee is a trusted lieutenant.'

77 Diamonds' unique pieces are made in-house, with each craftsman creating between 10 and 15 items a day, each with a two to three-week turnaround - or up to five for intricate designs

According to a 2017 report, the nation that spends the most on engagement rings is the US, where the average cost was at an all-time high that year, at $6,351 (4,970)

The firm's USP, according to Tobias, is the bespoke service that 77 Diamonds has to offer, giving customers the ability to build their perfect piece from scratch, from the carat, colour and clarity of the diamond to its cut and even contouring.

'Big chains can buy bags of medium quality diamonds and preset them with a cheap manufacturer and still sell them with a massive mark-up,' Tobias says.

Diamond engagement The first well-documented use of a diamond ring to signify engagement was by the Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477, to Mary of Burgundy. It influenced those of higher social class and wealth to give diamond rings to their loved ones.

'But the consumer has gotten wise to that and is looking for something different and special.

'It's not good enough to have something pre-made and mass manufactured now. To have something personal is important - especially to those in the millennials category.'

The firm's diamonds are crafted in-house by a highly-skilled team, with each member creating between 10 and 15 items a day, each with a two to three-week turnaround - or up to five if it is a particularly intricate design.

Some 60 per cent of the firm's business comes from making engagement rings, which start at around 450 each. For comparison, a brand new Tiffany engagement ring starts at around 1,100.

According to a 2017 report, the nation that spends the most on engagement rings is the US, where the average cost was at an all-time high, at $6,351 (4,970) which is 25 per cent higher than in 2011.

Back-up Brexit plans

As a business that also caters for Europe, the UK's looming exit from the European Union has posed several challenges for the firm, and Tobias has had to start thinking about contingency plans.

'We are definitely freaked out about Brexit,' he says. 'That's one of the reasons we wanted to expand into Europe.

'I am worried about the UK economy and the potential tariffs that could be added, and in turn, the impact on our competiveness.

'I think leaving the European Union is a huge mistake and the UK will suffer massively economically in the first five years even if it does work out over the long term.'

London is home to the company's headquarters, a showroom and most importantly, its manufacturing hub, but Tobias reveals he is considering opening another office somewhere in mainland Europe to tackle the issue with tariffs.

Currently, there is also a showroom in Manchester and Frankfurt, with two more due to open in other areas on the continent by the end of the year.

But Tobias remains on top of any eventuality and maintains a positive outlook having already dealt with adversity throughout the company's journey, facing more than just the typical challenges every small business experiences, and coming through stronger each time.

He decided not to look into angel investing or crowdfunding, instead putting his own money into the business and growing organically.

He said: 'You're always told to use investor funding but we put our own money in, which is a hairy scary uncomfortable thing to do. When you do something new you take a risk and you don't know how it's going to work out.

'Pouring your own money in is not fun so unless you want all the control, I don't advise it. You'll have an easier life using other people's money. It's worked out for us now and we know how to run and build a much more fundamentally sound business but it's been hard. It's a double-edged sword.'

Last year however, the company accepted funding from a well-known investor based in Germany, who has since become a member of its four-strong board.

77 Diamonds' website has a large choice so you can find exactly what is right for you. There is a live chat option online or you can go into one of their showrooms

Tobias recalls realising the hard way that the company needed to constantly adapt in order to keep up with a changing economy - and believes many other firms are 'sleepwalking'

Forward-thinking

The company has yet again enjoyed a successful Christmas period - arguably its busiest - with a 40 per cent increase in online traffic in November and December compared to September and October. This is also a huge 121 per cent increase on 2018.

As 77 Diamonds goes from strength to strength, Tobias is focused more than ever on expanding the brand across Europe and reviving the 'devastated high street' and the UK's 'dying diamond industry'.

'So much manufacturing has moved overseas over the years and that particular skill set has been lost,' he says. 'The UK isn't the hub anymore. Everything is about cost now and so companies are mass manufacturing in places like India, China and Thailand.'

And when it comes to service, he says things aren't looking any better. He adds: 'You walk into a jewellery store these days and you are served by someone who barely knows what they are talking about.

'Our website has the biggest selection of diamonds in the world so you can find exactly what right for you. There is a live chat option online or you can come into our showrooms. Either way, we will guide you without an agenda.

'Those are the kinds of business models that are going to win. We have always been very forward-thinking and watching where the market trends are going. The high street has been devastated which is sad but a lot of businesses are not changing their business models to keep up with times.'

Tobias recalls getting it wrong himself in the past and realising the hard way that the company needs to constantly adapt in order to keep up with a changing economy.

'One of our biggest mistakes was not investing enough in IT from the start,' he admits. 'We had too few IT people and too many projects so we didn't move quickly enough for a long time.

'We also went through a period of tough trading in 2017 and 2018 and so had to spend more on marketing for the same results. There have been a few times when we have had to have a hard look at everything and reevaluate and find ways to optimise or prepare ourselves for the worst.

'But now we are seeing better returns than ever before. We've had to wake up and really kick the tires at times. A lot of business owners have been sleepwalking  they will suddenly wake up and realise this isn't an easy ride.'
Remittance into Vietnam over the last 20 years (unit: billion dollars). Source: WB

With remittances hitting $17 billion, some investors and homebuyers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are expecting the market to warm up towards the end of 2019 and early 2020. The expectations are quite reasonable because Vietnam has been one of the top ten recipients of remittance over the world for the last three years. Moreover, as the financial and gold markets are undergoing turbulence, remittance money is finding its way into real estate projects.

Is soaring remittance good news for real estate?

The World Bank estimated remittances flowing into Vietnam in 2019 at $16.7 billion. This is the fifth time Vietnam has entered the top ten remittance-receivers over the world. Remittance flows into Vietnam have risen 120-fold, from $0.14 billion in 1993 to $13.8 billion in 2017, and soared to $16 billion in 2018. Experts said that the $16.7 billion of remittances in 2019, equivalent to 6.4 per cent of the GDP, was quite a boot for the socio-economic development of the country.

Luong Thanh Nghi, deputy head of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said that there are 4.5 million Vietnamese living, working, and studying in 110 countries and territories over the world, and as many as 3,000 firms owned by overseas Vietnamese operate across 52 cities and provinces of the country with the total registered capital of $4 billion.

These overseas Vietnamese investors come from the US, Canada, Australia, Russia, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, and Switzerland. Their projects and businesses usually specialise in trade, export, tourism, construction, real estate, farming and processing seafood, as well as software.

Experts said that remittances to Vietnam consistently rank in the top ten because most Vietnamese businesses and employees who do business and work overseas maintain close ties with their families, parents, brothers, and sisters in Vietnam.

Especially, Vietnamese people are keen to save money and send it home to their families so that they can buy a new house. Additionally, some of those working abroad had borrowed a lot before going abroad, so they had to send money back to repay.

Notably, although Ho Chi Minh City receives the most remittances in the country, a big part of this has been spread across the country, with great amounts spent on buying houses in Hanoi, markets that are more profitable than Ho Chi Minh City.

Chairman of Phu Quy Land Nguyen Manh Ha confirmed that based on more than 20 years of experience in real estate brokerage, remittance receivers have a distinct taste for real estate because they are inexperienced in other investment sectors.

The Matrix One at the centre of My Dinh area

Which projects are hottest?

While real estate is the favourite investment sector for the huge remittances flowing into Vietnam in 2019, according to Nguyen Van Dinh, the general secretary of theVietnam Association of Realtors, remittances will go to the real estate projects that are legally clean and provide attractive discounts and good customer care services.

This is a chance for remittance receivers to show off the money their families send home through new and beautiful houses.

In order to welcome remittances at the end of the year, real estate developers have been pushing up and releasing projects along with offering preferential and supportive policies.

MIKGroup, the developer of The Matrix One, said that they are launching a broad sales campaign to serve homebuyers from other localities, even Ho Chi Minh City, and support them with the paperwork and proving their financial resources.

"This year, after my family sent home nearly $100,000, I decided to buy an apartment at The Matrix One in the My Dinh area, in which I have been interested for a long time because of its good location and modern design, as well as proximity to the F1 racetrack and a large park," Ngo Thi Ha (living in Cau Giay district) said.

She also said that The Matrix One is one of the very few projects in Hanoi released at this time. Besides Ha, her friends are also interested in the project and would like to buy an apartment for investment purposes.

"The Matrix One has already finished the fourth floor, and construction is carried out at a very high speed. The most time-consuming part of every project is the foundation, basement, and commercial floors. The construction of the floors for apartments will be much quicker, around 4-5 days a store. Now that the four commercial floors are completed, The Matrix One is expected to be topped out and finished by the end of 2020," a manager of MIKGroup said.
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Titled as the 'second-longest-running show' on prime time American television, General Hospital chronicles the story of families, friends, enemies and lovers' life-changing events in the large upstate New York city of Port Charles, which has a busy hospital. Create by Doris and Frank Hursley, General Hospital holds the record for most Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding DramaSeries, with 13 wins. However, it seems like fans of the show are now expressing their concern, as the recent episode of the show suggested an unpredicted hint. Here are the details.

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General Hospital spoilers: Ava Jerome dies in General Hosptial

Maura West, who portrays the character of Ava Jerome in General Hospital, is considered one of the best female villains to have graced the show. Maura West won three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her stellar performance in the much-acclaimed show. However, it seems like the viewers of General Hospital are now in distress, as the recent episodes of the much-acclaimed television series have hinted the death of their favourite character, Ava Jerome. The recent episode witnessed James Patrick Stuart pushing Ava Jerome over the edge of Wyndemere, which leads to the speculation of her death. As the episode proceeds, James comes up with the perfect scenario with Ava Jeromes recent mental breakdown and the alcohol she had to drink while waiting at James wedding to Nina. However, the previews of the upcoming episodes show no signs of Ava Jerome's death.

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Ryan should really know his place in their relationship.... He just won't ever win against a badass like #AvaJerome . Just a very short vidlet and it's nothing fancy but i couldn't do NOTHING with this incredible moment they gave us. pic.twitter.com/zYdJptRU5K  Sierra Jerome (@Portcharlesgirl) May 25, 2019

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Back on Sept. 10, 2015, District Court Judge Kurt Krueger gave Jennifer Lince of Butte the benefit of the doubt and suspended her 10-year sentence for felony charges of issuing a bad check, fraudulently obtaining dangerous drugs, and deceptive practices.

At that time, Lince had been found guilty of issuing two bad checks in the amount of $13,000, obtaining prescription medications under a friends name, and applying for a credit card under a relatives name and charging more than $17,000 in his name.

On Aug. 23, 2018, Lince, who had recently pleaded guilty to felony theft, was given yet another chance, this time by visiting District Court Judge Mike Salvagni.

He, too, suspended her prison sentence of seven years.

Sentencing conditions Lince accepted in 2015 and in 2018 included that she was to make restitution and to stay out of trouble.

She has done neither, prosecutors said, and on Thursday, Krueger sentenced Lince, 36, to seven years with the Department of Corrections, with two years suspended and credit for 90 days served.

During Thursdays testimony, Lince told the court that she had just in the past year been diagnosed with narcolepsy and now that she is getting treatment, she is functioning better. Also, the court was told, she is pregnant.

Lince went on to explain that she is not a person who wants to continually be in the justice system.

I want to be a productive member of society, she said. I need to get on my own two feet, work, and not sleep all the time.

Prosecutor Mike Clague disagreed with Linces assessment, and asked Krueger to revoke her previous sentence suspension.

We've got to quit going down a well were never going to get out of, he said.

Clague told Krueger that Lince didnt stop in 2015, nor in 2018.

She has to stop taking advantage of the people of Butte-Silver Bow County, he said.

Lince, who also has a felony charge pending in Madison County, was immediately taken into custody.

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The United States is now at war with Iran.

This is the inescapable result of President Donald Trumps order to assassinate Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of Irans Quds Force, arguably the most powerful military leader in the Middle East, and the most important person in Iran, except for the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

You dont deliberately kill someone like Soleimani unless youre at war with his country, and even then, you want to think long and hard before you do, given the near-certainty of blowback. The blowback may soon be coming. Friday morning, Khamenei called for three days of national mourning and a forceful revenge. It would be shocking if he didnt follow through.

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To convey a sense of Soleimanis significance, it would be as if, during the Iraq war, the ayatollah had ordered the assassination of Gen. David Petraeus, Gen. Jim Mattis, the head of Special Operations Command, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.* Soleimanis responsibilities corresponded with all four of these roles. Even then, the analogy falls short because, among Shiite Muslims across the region, Soleimani also exuded the charisma of a religious icon, a holy warrior.

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For the past 20 years, he had been the architect of Irans expansionist foreign policy, running subversive operations and controlling Shiite militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Afghanistan. In the months after the Sept. 11 attacks, he shared intelligence about al-Qaida and the Taliban with U.S. officials, until President George W. Bush declared Iran to be part of the axis of evil. In the fight against ISIS, his militias were crucial in forcing the groups fighters out of Iraq. But he was also responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. troops during the Iraq insurgency. On Thursday night, the Pentagon justified its action by claiming that he was about to launch an offensive against American embassies and armed forces throughout the region.

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Even if that is true, killing him doesnt make much strategic sense. As important as he was, his loyal and capable lieutenants are still capable of executing the missions. (His deputy, Esmail Ghaani, took formal control of the Quds Force hours after his death.) U.S. officials are already bracing for a variety of counteractions, including embassy stormings (that could make the one in Baghdad this week look like a halfhearted rehearsal), assassinations, cyberattacks, economic sabotage, and military assaults.

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It is hard to discern how Trump, who ordered the assassination personally, thinks this will play out. On New Years Eve, he told reporters that he wanted peace with Iran. Just two days later, did he think that killing Irans top military commander was somehow not an act of war? If he grasped that it was, did hedoes hebelieve that the blow would bring the regime to its knees or rouse the Iranian people to mount a revolution? (His former national security adviser, John Bolton, expressed that hope shortly after the killing.) Many Iranians, especially in the cities, despise the mullahs in charge of their government, as shown by the massive protests that have swept the country in recent months, but they despise foreign intruders even more. The ghost of Mohammad Mosaddegh, the democratically elected prime minister who was overthrown in a joint American-British coup in 1953, still haunts the Iranian landscape, animating every crisis since.

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Trump also said, in his New Years Eve comments, that if a war with Iran did erupt, it would go very quickly. That is also what Bushs secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, blithely predicted about the war in Iraq. Five days or five weeks or five months, but it certainly isnt going to last any longer than that, he said a few months before the invasion. It is worth noting that Iran is three times larger than Iraq, with nearly three times the population.

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The attack is also certain to alienate the government of Iraq, which would be a necessary ally in a war with Iran. First, the U.S. drone strike took place in Iraq, from the airport in Baghdad, against a motorcade that included Soleimani, who travels freely throughout the region, Second, the attack also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, a large coalition of Iran-backed militias in Iraqthe point here being that he was an Iraqi, and technically an Iraqi government official. Third, and most crucial, Iraqs political and military leaders have long tried to pull off a delicate balancing act, catering to their American and Iranian patrons, but in a pinch, they know they cant afford to alienate the Iranians, their much closer neighbors. And, in this case, after an American attack on Iraqi soil, killing Iraqi citizens as well as one of Irans biggest leaders, it will be very hard for them to avoid taking Irans side explicitly.

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The pro-Iran militias lifted their recent siege on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad only after Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi agreed to have Parliament hold a debate on whether U.S. troops should be ousted from his country. Even for those many Iraqis who oppose Iranian influence and who may have heaved a sigh of relief at news of Soleimanis death, it will be hard to defend a continued American presence under the circumstances.

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Trumps actions on Thursday had no strategic purpose.

It might be different if Trump had been responding to a deadly provocation. But this crisis began when a pro-Iran militia fired missiles at a U.S. base, killing one American contractor. No president could have let that deed go unpunished, but Trumps initial responsefive airstrikes on militia-controlled sites in Iraq and Syria, killing 24 people and wounding dozens morewas clearly disproportionate. And his follow-up after the dramatic but bloodless embassy siege, the killing of Soleimani and a few of his comrades, goes well beyond that, constituting a major, in some ways unprecedented, escalation. It will also be observed, by American allies and foes, that none of this would have happened if Trump hadnt pulled out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal for utterly capricious reasons.

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Trumps actions on Thursday had no strategic purpose, and this means that, at a moment when he needs allies more than ever, he is less likely than ever to recruit them.

Did Trump have an endgame in mind when he ordered the attack, or was his action, like so many of his words and actions, simply impulsive? Did any of his advisers warn him of the legal implications and the potential political, military, and economic consequences? We now know that Congress wasnt notified, much less consulted. Did the National Security Council even meet to weigh the pros and cons or to discuss alternative responses? Give Trumps track record on deliberations, its unlikely.

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In any case, whether Trump means to provoke a war or wants to pursue a diplomatic course at some point, there is no one around him very capable of doing either. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has no credibility with Iran, having openly advocated a regime-change policy. Secretary of Defense Mike Esper, a former aerospace lobbyist, has no background in this sort of thing. The policy bureaus in the Pentagon and State Department are desperately short of specialists in the region, most of them having either resigned or been fired. Trump may think this doesnt matter, having said on many occasions that he knows more about making deals than any general or diplomatwhich might be the most worrisome aspect of this crisis.

No one can confidently predict what might happen next. But those who dont grasp the essence of what happened Thursday nightthat Donald Trump declared war on Iranare kidding themselves.
MBABANE  Branding is everything! The above accession has been acted on by the former Association of Christian Artists in Swaziland (ACASWA) which has once again changed its name.



The association has changed their name from ESWACA (Eswatini Association of Christian Artists to ACAESWA (Association of Christian Artists in Eswatini) last month.



The change happened barely six months after the association changed its name from ACASWA to ESWACA which this publication wrote about.

This was confirmed by the associations President, Phetsile Masilela, who also said they also wished to notify the public that this was due to similarities in abbreviation of Eswatini Association of Christian Artists (ESWACA) and Eswatini Civil Aviation Authority (ESWACAA).



The name of the association has now been reviewed. This is purely done for purposes of protecting the images of both entities, said Masilela. She then announced that new official name of the association was now Association of Christian Artists of Eswatini (ACAESWA).



We would like to thank the public and all stakeholders for their understanding in this regard.

She also revealed that the new name change would be officially launched end of January.



Encouraging



The Association of Christian Artists in Eswatini (ACAESWA) is the mother body of all gospel artists. The association is known for encouraging gospel artists in the country to subscribe their music to the association. The organisation among other activities facilitates workshops to prepare artists for performances. In 2014, they facilitated the music workshop to impart valuable knowledge on artists.



In the past month, governing artistry bodies have been shaken up in the country, including the name change of the stated association.

Recently, SWAMA (Swaziland Arts and Music Association) faced an abrupt change when Melusi Zox Dlamini resigned and Member of Parliament Lutfo Dlamini was reinstated as the new SWAMA President.

Lutfo was revealed as the new president over a week ago.
By Eric Zuesse

January 02, 2020 " Information Clearing House " -Former US President Barack Obama is now in severe legal jeopardy, because the Russiagate investigation has turned 180 degrees; and he, instead of the current President, Donald Trump, is in its cross-hairs.

The biggest crime that a US President can commit is to try to defeat American democracy (the Constitutional functioning of the US Government) itself, either by working with foreign powers to take it over, or else by working internally within America to sabotage democracy for his or her own personal reasons. Either way, its treason (crime that is intended to, and does, endanger the continued functioning of the Constitution itself*), and Mr. Obama is now being actively investigated, as possibly having done this. The Russiagate investigation, which had formerly focused against the current US President, has reversed direction and now targets the prior President. Although he, of course, cannot be removed from office (since he is no longer in office), he is liable under criminal laws, the same as any other American would be, if he committed any crime while he was in office.

A December 17th order by the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) Court severely condemned the performance by the FBI under Obama, for having obtained, on 19 October 2016 (even prior to the US Presidential election), from that Court, under false pretenses, an authorization for the FBI to commence investigating Donald Trumps Presidential campaign, as being possibly in collusion with Russias Government. The Courts ruling said:

In order to appreciate the seriousness of that misconduct and its implications, it is useful to understand certain procedural and substantive requirements that apply to the governments conduct of electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes. Title I of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA ), codified as amended at 50 USC. 1801-1813, governs such electronic surveillance. It requires the government to apply for and receive an order from the FISC approving a proposed electronic surveillance. When deciding whether to grant such an application, a FISC judge must determine among other things, whether it provides probable cause to believe that the proposed surveillance target is a foreign power or an agent a foreign power. 

The government has a heightened duty of candor to the FISC in ex parte proceedings, that is, ones in which the government does not face an adverse party, such as proceedings on electronic surveillance applications. The FISC expects the government to comply with its heightened duty of candor in ex parte proceedings at all times. Candor is fundamental to this Courts effective operation. 

On December 9, 2019, the government filed, with the FISC, public and classified versions of the OIG Report.  It documents troubling instances in which FBI personnel provided information to NSD[National Security Division of the Department of Justice] which was unsupported or contradicted by information in their possession. It also describes several instances in which FBI personnel withheld from NSD information in their possession which was detrimental to their case for believing that Mr. [Carter] Page was acting as an agent of a foreign power. 

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On December 18th, Martha McCallum, of Fox News, interviewed US Attorney General Bill Barr, and asked him (at 7:00 in the video) how high up in the FBI the blame for this (possible treason) goes:

MACCALLUM: Were you surprised that he [Obamas FBI Director James Comey] seemed to give himself such a distance from the entire operation? JAMES COMEY: As the director sitting on top of an organization of 38,000 people you cant run an investigation thats seven layers below you. You have to leave it to the career professionals to do. MACCALLUM: Do you believe that? BARR: No, I think that the  one of the problems with what happened was precisely that they pulled the investigation up to the executive floors, and it was run and bird dogged by a very small group of very high level officials. And the idea that this was seven layers below him is simply not true. The current (Trump) A.G. there called the former (Obama) FBI Director a liar on that.

If Comey gets heat for this possibly lie-based FBI investigation of the US Presidential nominee from the opposite Party of the sitting US President (Comeys own boss, Obama), then protecting himself could become Comeys top motivation; and, in that condition, protecting his former boss might become only a secondary concern for him.

Moreover, as was first publicly reported by Nick Falco in a tweet on 5 June 2018 (which tweet was removed by Twitter but fortunately not before someone had copied it to a web archive), the FBI had been investigating the Trump campaign starting no later than 7 October 2015. An outside private contractor, Stefan Halper, was hired in Britain for this, perhaps in order to get around laws prohibiting the US Government from doing it. (This was foreign intelligence work, after all. But was it really? Thats now being investigated.) The Office of Net Assessment (ONA) through the Pentagons Washington Headquarters Services, awarded him contracts from 2012 to 2016 to write four studies encompassing relations among the US, Russia, China and India. Though Halper actually did no such studies for the Pentagon, he instead functioned as a paid FBI informant (and its not yet clear whether that money came from the Pentagon, which spends trillions of dollars that are off-the-books and untraceable), and at some point Trumps campaign became a target of Halpers investigation. This investigation was nominally to examine The Russia-China Relationship: The impact on US Security interests. Allegedly, George Papadopoulos said that Halper insinuated to him that Russia was helping the Trump campaign, and Papadopoulos was shocked at Halpers saying this. Probably because so much money at the Pentagon is untraceable, some of the crucial documentation on this investigation might never be found. For example, the Defense Departments Inspector Generals 2 July 2019 report to the US Senate said ONA personnel could not provide us any evidence that Professor Halper visited any of these locations, established an advisory group, or met with any of the specific people listed in the statement of work. It seems that the Pentagon-contracted work was a cover-story, like pizza parlors have been for some Mafia operations. But, anyway, this is how Americas democracy actually functions. And, of course, Americas Deep State works not only through governmental agencies but also through underworld organizations. Thats just reality, not at all speculative. Its been this way for decades, at least since the time of Trumans Presidency (as is documented at that link).

Furthermore, inasmuch as this operation certainly involved Obamas CIA Director John Brennan and others, and not only top officials at the FBI, there is no chance that Comey would have been the only high official who was involved in it. And if Comey was involved, then he would have been acting in his own interest, and not only in his bosss  and heres why: Comey would be expected to have been highly motivated to oppose Mr. Trump, because Trump publicly questioned whether NATO (the main international selling-arm for Americas defense-contractors) should continue to exist, and also because Comeys entire career had been in the service of Americas Military-Industrial Complex, which is the reason why Comeys main lifetime income has been the tens of millions of dollars he has received via the revolving door between his serving the federal Government and his serving firms such as Lockheed Martin. For these people, restoring, and intensifying, and keeping up, the Cold War, is a very profitable business. Its called by some the Military-Industrial Complex, and by others the Deep State, but by any name it is simply agents of the billionaires who own and control US-based international corporations, such as General Dynamics and Chevron. As a governmental official, making decisions that are in the long-term interests of those investors is the likeliest way to become wealthy.

Consequently, Comey would have been benefitting himself, and other high officials of the Obama Administration, by sabotaging Trumps campaign, and by weakening Trumps Presidency in the event that he would become elected. Plus, of course, Comey would have been benefitting Obama himself. Not only was Trump constantly condemning Obama, but Obama had appointed to lead the Democratic National Committee during the 2016 Presidential primaries, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who as early as 20 February 2007 had endorsed Hillary Clinton for President in the Democratic Party primaries, so that Shultz was one of the earliest supporters of Clinton against even Obama himself. In other words, Obama had appointed Shultz in order to increase the odds that Clinton  not Sanders would become the nominee in 2016 to continue on and protect his own Presidential legacy. Furthermore, on 28 July 2016, Schultz became forced to resign from her leadership of the DNC after WikiLeaks released emails indicating that Schultz and other members of the DNC staff had exercised bias against Bernie Sanders and in favor of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 Democratic primaries  which favoritism had been the reason why Obama had appointed Shultz to that post to begin with. She was just doing her job for the person who had chosen her to lead the DNC. Likewise for Comey. In other words: Comey was Obamas pick to protect Clinton, and to oppose Trump (who had attacked both Clinton and Obama).

Nowadays, Obama is telling the Partys billionaires that Elizabeth Warren would be good for them, but not that Sanders would  he never liked Sanders. He wants Warren to get the voters who otherwise would go for Sanders, and he wants the Partys billionaires to help her achieve this (be the Partys allegedly progressive option), so that Sanders wont be able to become a ballot option in the general election to be held on 3 November 2020. He is telling them whom not to help win the Partys nomination. In fact, on November 26th, Huffington Post headlined Obama Said He Would Speak Up To Stop Bernie Sanders Nomination: Report and indicated that though he wont actually say this in public (but only to the Partys billionaires), Obama is determined to do all he can to prevent Sanders from becoming the nominee. In 2016, his choice was Hillary Clinton; but, today, its anyone other than Sanders; and, so, in a sense, it remains what it was four years ago  anyone but Sanders.

Comeys virtually exclusive concern, at the present stage, would be to protect himself, so that he wont be imprisoned. This means that he might testify against Obama. At this stage, hes free of any personal obligation to Obama  Comey is now on his own, up against Trump, who clearly is his enemy. Some type of back-room plea-bargain is therefore virtually inevitable  and not only with Comey, but with other top Obama-appointees, ultimately. Obama is thus clearly in the cross-hairs, from now on. Congressional Democrats have opted to gun against Trump (by impeaching him); and, so, Trump now will be gunning against Obama  and against the entire Democratic Party (unless Sanders becomes its nominee, in which case, Sanders will already have defeated that Democratic Party, and its adherents will then have to choose between him versus Trump; and, so, too, will independent voters).

But, regardless of what happens, Obama now is in the cross-hairs. Thats not just political cross-hairs (such as an impeachment process); it is, above all, legal cross-hairs (an actual criminal investigation). Whereas Trump is up against a doomed effort by the Democratic Party to replace him by Vice President Mike Pence, Obama will be up against virtually inevitable criminal charges, by the incumbent Trump Administration. Obama played hardball against Trump, with Russiagate, and then with Ukrainegate; Trump will now play hardball against Obama, with whatever his Administration and the Republican Party manage to muster against Obama; and the stakes this time will be considerably bigger than just whether to replace Trump by Pence.

Whatever the outcome will be, it will be historic, and unprecedented. (If Sanders becomes the nominee, it will be even more so; and, if he then wins on November 3rd, it will be a second American Revolution; but, this time, a peaceful one  if thats even possible, in todays hyper-partisan, deeply split, USA.)

There is no way that the outcome from this will be status-quo. Either it will be greatly increased further schism in the United States, or it will be a fundamental political realignment, more comparable to 1860 than to anything since. The US already has a higher percentage of its people in prison than does any other nation on this planet. Americans who choose a status-quo option will produce less stability, more violence, not more stability and a more peaceful nation in a less war-ravaged world. The 2020 election-outcome for the United States will be a turning-point; there is no way that it will produce reform. Americans who vote for reform will be only increasing the likelihood of hell-on-Earth. Reform is no longer an available option, given Americas realities. A far bigger leap than that will be required in order for this country to avoid falling into an utter abyss, which could be led by either Party, because both Parties have brought the nation to its present precipice, the dark and lightless chasm that it now faces, and which must now become leapt, in order to avoid a free-fall into oblivion.

The problem in America isnt either Obama or Trump; its neither merely the Democratic Party, nor merely the Republican Party; it is instead both; it is the Deep State. Thats the reality; and the process that got us here started on 26 July 1945 and secretly continued on the American side even after the Soviet Union ended and Russia promptly ended its side of the Cold War. The US regimes ceaseless thrust, since 26 July 1945, to rule the entire world, will climax either in a Third World War, or in a US revolution to overthrow and remove the Deep State and end its dictatorship-grip over America. Both Parties have been controlled by that Deep State, and the final stage or climax of this grip is now drawing near. America thus has been having a string of the worst Presidents  and worst Congresses  in US history. This is todays reality. Unfortunately, a lot of American voters think that this extremely destabilizing reality, this longstanding trend toward war, is okay, and ought to be continued, not ended now and replaced by a new direction for this country  the path toward world peace, which FDR had accurately envisioned but which was aborted on 26 July 1945. No matter how many Americans might vote for mere reform, they are wrong. Sometimes, only a minority are right. Being correct is not a majority or minority matter; it is a true or false matter. A misinformed public can willingly participate in its own  or even the worlds  destruction. That could happen. Democracy is a prerequisite to peace, but it cant exist if the public are being systematically misinformed. Lies and democracy dont mix together any more effectively than do oil and water.

This article was originally published by " Strategic Culture Foundation " -
China plans to build at least 4,000 kilometers of new railway lines this year, including 2,000 km of high-speed lines, the country's top rail operator said on Thursday.

The planned development of new railways this year is part of the nation's effort to maintain large-scale fixed-asset investment, Lu Dongfu, general manager of China State Railway Group, said at its annual work conference.

The Ministry of Transport said in December that China would spend at least 2.7 trillion yuan ($386 billion) on transport infrastructure projects this year, with 800 billion yuan going to railways.

In 2019, 802.9 billion yuan was spent on railways in China and 8,489 km of new track became operational, surpassing the annual targets of 800 billion yuan for investment and 6,800 km of new lines.

As a result, the nation's fast-expanding railway network reached a total length of 139,000 km by the end of last year, while the high-speed rail network exceeded 35,000 km, a year ahead of China's plan to build a total of 30,000 km of high-speed railway lines by 2020.

Among the 51 new railway lines last year, the opening on Monday of the high-speed route linking Beijing and Zhangjiakou, co-host city of the 2022 Winter Olympics, marks significant progress in the autopilot system of China's high-speed trains. Equipped with the system, trains can run automatically at a maximum designed speed of 350 km per hour.

As for this year, measures will continue to be taken to bolster areas of weakness in the nation's railway infrastructure, Lu said.

Construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, the second railway into the Tibet autonomous region after the Qinghai-Tibet line, will be a major project this year, he said.

The company called for preparatory work to take place on the project's official launch, including optimizing a plan for organizing early construction of certain sections, pushing forward the railway's initial design, and drawing up its specified technical and management standards.

Lu also told the conference that the total revenue of the rail transport sector increased 6.1 percent year-on-year in 2019 to 818 billion yuan, and it is expected to reach 868 billion yuan by the end of 2020.

In a bid to make the company more market-oriented and capable of providing better cargo and passenger transport services, it will establish a mechanism for evaluating the profits of train operations and thus better organize rail services.

It will also explore more flexible pricing mechanisms for high-speed trains and offer deeper discounts on a growing number of railway lines, as well as start piloting the application of digital ticketing throughout the network.

Zhang Xiaodong, a professor of rail transportation economics at Beijing Jiaotong University, said, "Since the opening of China's first high-speed railway, the Beijing-Tianjin line, in 2008, the country has constructed more high-speed rail lines than Japan and Europe did in 40 years."

The construction of high-speed railways in China saves passengers travel time and has assisted regional economic development, he said, adding that it also played an important role in boosting the flow of talent and information and reshaping China's economic map.
Mariah Carey is the latest celebrity to fall victim to a Twitter hack as the star's account was reportedly commandeered while she was taking a nap.

Carey, 49, says she was asleep when a series of tweets - some with racial slurs - were sent out to her 21 million followers.

The tweets also included suggestive messages about the rapper Eminem, including "Eminem has a little p***s" and "Eminem can still hold this p***y."

After Carey woke up and the tweets were deleted she wrote, "I take a freaking nap and this happens?"

Rapper Eminem is also mentioned in the book / PA Archive/PA Images

In July, actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba also fell foul of hackers when her account was taken over and a series of racist and homophobic slurs were tweeted.

After her account was recovered, Carey returned to business as usual by wishing her followers a happy new year and sharing a video of herself in a pool in the Dominican Republic, where she has been enjoying a luxurious break.
ALBANY  Addiction recovery advocates are voicing concern after Gov. Andrew Cuomo approved a bill that removes restrictions on addiction treatment drugs for privately insured New Yorkers, while vetoing a similar bill for Medicaid recipients.

The aim of the bills was to remove prior authorization requirements imposed by health plans on drugs that treat opioid addiction  a move one recent study said could save New York both lives and money. One bill addressed commercial insurers; the other addressed Medicaid managed care plans.

Late Wednesday night, less than a day after Cuomo signed the commercial bill, he vetoed the Medicaid bill, citing the unfair competitive advantage it would give to one pharmaceutical manufacturer in particular.

Without naming the manufacturer, the veto message his office released says the manufacturer has failed to offer sufficient competitive pricing to be included on preferred drug lists and managed care formularies, and suggested the states Medicaid program would be forced to pay whatever price they charge for drugs that have no clinical benefit over others in their class (providers and patients dispute this last point).

Enactment of this law, therefore, does nothing to improve access, the message reads. Rather it only increases the bottom line of one particular manufacturer costing the state approximately $30 million.

Such cost is untenable, it continues, when the state is facing a $4 billion structural deficit in its Medicaid program.

Advocates and lawmakers have argued that any cost increase from the bill would be easily offset by the health care savings that result when people get help for their addictions. Medication assisted treatment, in particular, has been shown to cut an opioid-addicted persons chance of dying by more than half.

A study by RTI International published last month, for example, found New York could save roughly 586 lives and $52 million a year in inpatient and emergency room costs if it removed prior authorization on addiction treatment drugs for its Medicaid population.

The Legal Action Center, which commissioned the study, said Thursday it was deeply disappointed by the governors veto.

We are concerned that Medicaid recipients in New York no longer have the same access to medications that commercial beneficiaries have, the nonprofit said. Prior authorizations have been shown to have no medical value but rather function as a barrier to quickly accessing vital substance use disorder treatment.

As the opioid epidemic has raged, public health officials and advocates have increasingly called for the removal of prior authorization requirements when it comes to addiction treatment.

The process  in which doctors must obtain advance coverage approval from a patients health plan before administering certain prescribed medications  is intended to control costs and ensure appropriate care is being delivered. But too often it delays treatment, physicians say.

With addiction, that could mean the difference between life and death, they say.

The message is clear  there are two different standards for people with a substance use disorder in New York: instant access and choice for people with private insurance and barriers and only limited options for people who do not have private insurance, said John Coppola, executive director of the New York Association of Addiction Services and Professionals.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Cuomos office didn't respond to questions about the veto. The veto message says the administration offered many potential compromises on the Medicaid bill, but every effort at a compromise was rejected.

Linda Rosenthal, who sponsored the bill in the Assembly, tweeted Thursday that rejecting one bill while approving the other makes the veto that much more indefensible.

Instead of ensuring access parity, this veto institutionalizes two-tiered system of addiction treatment whereby wealthy can more quickly access lifesaving drugs, while vulnerable NYers must continue to jump through hoops, increasing the likelihood that they die while doing so, she tweeted.

Jasmine Budnella, drug policy coordinator for VOCAL-NY, a nonprofit that staged rallies and lobbied for the bill, believes the veto will shape Cuomos legacy on the opioid crisis.

Her group has been critical of the governor in the past, claiming he has devoted too few state funds to the crisis and blocked a New York City pilot program from moving forward that would allow individuals to consume illicit drugs under medical supervision. Research shows such programs  currently available in Canada, Europe and Australia  are effective at reducing overdoses and boosting access to treatment.

In a moment in history where bipartisanship is an anomaly, Gov. Cuomos actions are proof he is neither a progressive or a leader, and his governance is dangerous and built on falsehoods, Budnella said. We are not fooled, and will not stop fighting until we end overdose in New York State.

The Cuomo administration announced last month that opioid overdose deaths outside of New York City have declined for the first time in 10 years. According to preliminary state data, there were 1,824 deaths in 2018, down from 2,170 a year earlier.
Represntative Image

That all-girls/boys trip you kept putting off, the Manali dreams you traded for other plans, the couples getaway you talk about every time you meet your friends, may all just finally work out this year. Thanks to the numerous long weekends that dot the year 2020, you would be able to do all of this and more, without running out of your leaves for the year.

When the calendar for the year 2019 was out, people were all ecstatic because of the number of national or government holidays that fell on Fridays or Mondays. And almost as if every travel bugs prayer was answered, this year has even more. The deal here is about 12 long weekends this year!

In January alone, excluding the bygones, namely, New Years Day (January 1  Wednesday), Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti (Jan 2  Thursday), there's Lohri (Jan 13  Monday), and Makar Sankranti/ Pongal (January 14  Tuesday).

February has one optional holiday on the 21st, which is once again a Friday, for those who celebrate Maha Shivratri.

March 10 is Holi, which falls on a Tuesday. So again, if you can just take one day off from work, you could gift yourself a nice four-day trip. Wed suggest a stay at Varanasi for a wholesome experience of the festival of colours.

April turns out to be the most gifted month, vis-a-vis long weekends, up till this point of the year. Ram Navami falls on April 2 this year, which is a Thursday. Friday is working, but then again, just a days leave, and youd have yourself a big five day holiday.

Mahavir Jayanti  an optional holiday  falls on April 6, which is a Monday, meaning you could easily plan a trip to Gir Forest, Ranthambore, or the Bandhavgarh Reserve.

The month of May starts with a holiday across the world with May 1 being celebrated as Labour Day, which falls on a Friday, followed by Buddha Purnima (optional) on May 7, a Thursday. So, a days leave here would earn you a good four-day trip to the foothills in places such as Dehradun, Auli, Raithal, etc.

Unfortunately, this year, Eid ul-Fitr, which is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal and the end of Ramadan (month of fasting), falls on May 24, which is a Sunday.

However, it is not reason enough to dampen your spirit just yet, as Eid ul-Adha which will be celebrated on July 31 this year, falls on a Friday.

This long weekend flows over to the next month, with Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi Purnima falling on August 3, a Monday. You can just go home this time to spend the festivity with your loved ones. August 17 is the Parsee New Year or Navroz, which falls on a Monday, giving you the opportunity to take a break from work and dip your fingers in delectable Parsee platters, available in abundance in the western part of the country.

Another good time to spend with your family would be August 31, again a Monday, when you can celebrate Onam, or visit a Malayali friend to soak yourself in some traditional South Indian fanfare.

Gandhi Jayanti - October 2 - is on a Friday and while it may be a dry day, that doesnt mean you cannot have fun. The weather is pleasant in the hill stations around this time, so you could always go to the multiple weekend getaways that the Western Ghats boast of.

Skip to November, Dhanteras falls on a Friday (November 13), followed by Diwali, which sadly wraps up in the weekends. However, who would mind being home around family this time of the year, especially, when Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on November 16, a Monday. It may not be a calendar holiday, but you can always seek a day off.

Luckily for all of us, Christmas falls on a Friday this year, giving us all a good excuse to have a copious amount of the heady mix with friends and family, without having to worry about reporting to work the next day.

And as if this year wasnt done make us flash a toothy grin, January 1, 2021, will also fall on a Friday, meaning boundless revelry on New Years Eve.

Now that we have sorted you out with a list of all the holidays you can plan, start preparing the itinerary and save up to indulge in a heavy dose of wanderlust all year round.
Police on Friday arrested two youths for allegedly killing a minor girl at Kosagumuda area of Nabarangpur district, a senior police officer said.

The officer said the girl was not raped as alleged by her family members but was murdered.

Nabarangpur SP Kukshalkar Nitin Dagdu said the two arrested youths are Khadi Bhatra of Koraput district and Badi Majhi, a native of the victims village.

"As per our investigation, the girl was murdered over a one-sided love affair. However, the girl was not raped as alleged by her family members," the SP said.

The victim had rejected Bhatras marriage proposal and slapped him. In order to avenge the humiliation, Bhatra hatched a plan with Majhi and killed the girl by strangling her, the SP said.

The girl, went missing on December 13 night. Her body was found from a paddy field near her village. There were multiple injury marks on her body. She was kidnapped while coming out of the house to attend the natures call, the police said.

The minor killing incident had created an uproar in Nabarangpur district with members of Christian Samaj of Kosagumuda dismissing the post-mortem report and threatened agitation. Her family members had alleged that she was raped and murdered.

Opposition Congress had also organized a 12-hour Nabarangpur bandh demanding action against the culprits.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The following are the top 10 events that shaped the development of the capital city of Hanoi as announced by the municipal Party Committee.

1. NA adopts resolution on piloting urban administration model in Hanoi



The 14th National Assembly passed a Resolution on piloting an urban administration model in Hanoi at its eight session on November 27. This provides an important basis for the capital city to improve operation efficiency of its political system, streamline payroll, arrange apparatus, and improve state management in 177 wards across the city.

2. Party and political system building work bear fruits



In 2019, the municipal Party Organisation continued its efforts to promote the Party building work in a comprehensive manner, channeled focus on building a strong and pure political system, and paid due attention to the studying and following of President Ho Chi Minhs thought, morality and lifestyle.



The city drastically carried out Directive No. 15-CT/TU on strengthening the leadership of the party committees at all levels in the reception of citizens and the settlement of complaints and denunciations in the city, and Resolution No.15-NQ/TU on building strong and pure party committees and ensuring social order in all communes, wards and towns.



Besides re-arranging and streamlining the political apparatus, the city also promoted the role of the Fatherland Front and socio-political organisations so as to build the great all-people solidarity bloc and develop a prosperous city.

3. Hanoi witnesses robust economic growth, takes lead in FDI attraction



Hanois gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is estimated to reach a four-year high growth rate of 7.62 percent in 2019.



Thanks to the citys efforts to improve its business and investment climate, more investors have shown their interest to land investment in the city. Hanoi lured 8.05 billion USD in foreign investment in 2019, the highest amount after 30 years of reform and integration. It has led the nation in terms of FDI attraction for the second year in a row.



This year, the city welcomed over 28.9 million visitors, up 10.1 percent year on year, of which around 7 million are foreign visitors. Total tourism revenue in the year was estimated to surge 34 percent to 103.81 trillion VND (4.49 billion USD).



4. Hanoi obtains significant results after ten years building new style rural areas



After ten years of implementation, the National Target Programme on New Style Rural Areas and the Party Committees Programme No.02-Ctr/TU on developing agriculture, building new-style rural area and improving local livelihoods have shown positive results. To date, the city has six districts and 356 communes (or 92 percent of the total communes) recognised as new-style rural areas, particularly there are three communes achieving advanced criteria. Actually, the programmes have cast a new look to the rural areas while improving livelihoods in the city.

5. External affairs are promoted



Along with boosting cooperative relations with cities and provinces across the country, Hanoi has enjoyed sound relations with its foreign partners, with more than ten international agreements signed. Besides, the city welcomed 204 foreign delegations and leaders of large corporations in the world.



Particularly, the city worked closely with competent ministries, sectors and agencies to successfully host the second DPRK-USA Summit on February 27 and 28, leaving lasting impression on international friends.

6. Hanoi named member of UNESCOs Creative Cities Network



Hanoi, together with 65 cities in the world, was designated as part of the UNESCO Cities Network on October 30. The move is expected to create favourable conditions for Hanoi to position its brands as well as affirm its stature as the creative capital of Vietnam in the Southeast Asian region and the world.



The event particularly took place on the occasion that the city celebrated the 20th anniversary of its recognition as City for Peace by the UNESCO (July 16).

7. Hanoi achieves outstanding results in social welfare Thanks to the municipal Peoples Councils Resolution No.04/2019/NQ-HDND dated July 8, 2019 on specific policies on stabilising livelihoods of the poor, in 2019, nearly 15,400 households escaped from poverty, or 433.5 percent of the yearly plan. By the end of this year, the citys poverty rate is expected to drop to 0.42 percent, and there is no impoverished families in the citys nine districts in accordance with the nations multidimensional poverty scale.

8. Hanois education sector develops comprehensively



Hanoi continues to affirm its leading position in the country in terms of education quality. In the national competitions for excellent students, the city had 14 first prizes, 42 second prizes, 56 third prizes and 38 consolidation prizes. At international contests, local students won 78 gold medals, 84 silver medals, 95 bronze medals and 30 consolidation prizes.



In 2019, Hanoi has for the first time successfully hosted the International Mathematics and Science Olympiad for Primary School, drawing the participation of 1,700 people from 24 countries and territories worldwide.

9. Local athletes greatly contribute to Vietnams success at SEA Games 30

The Vietnamese delegation bagged 98 gold, 85 silver and 105 bronze medals at the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 30) in the Philippines. Of the total amount, Hanoi athletes contributed 34 gold, 27 silver and 25 bronze medals.

10. Hanoi ensures political security, social order



The capital city has witnessed positive changes in traffic safety and urban order. Hanoi worked hard to enhance fire prevention, search and rescue work, prevent terrorism activities, and ensure safety for important political events./.
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For Yemen, 2019 was a year of continued failure to reach a breakthrough in efforts to resolve the conflict that has torn apart the country since the coup that ousted the internationally recognised government in September 2014.

It was also a year in which other dimensions of the crisis grew more articulated and acquired increasing prominence. While the central government-Houthi dimension of the Yemeni crisis was marked by the persistent floundering of the Stockholm Agreement that was signed in December 2018, mounting tensions in the resurgent north-south tug-of-war erupted in armed clashes in the south.

Simultaneously, regional impacts on the conflict grew more pronounced against the backdrop of rising tensions in the Gulf between Iran, on the one hand, and Saudi Arabia and the US, on the other, in tandem with US moves to tighten sanctions against Iran.

PLAYERS IN THE YEMENI FIELD: A STRATEGIC SHIFT

The UAEs military withdrawal from Yemen was among the most remarkable transformations in the Yemeni arena in 2019, and its effects will continue to play out in 2020. The Emirati decision precipitated action on the part of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the chief exponent of the Southern Movement and the main bulwark against the political and military expansion of Islamist forces, to fill the vacuum created by the departure of UAE forces from Aden. The UAE had long harboured grave reservations towards the Yemeni government because the Yemeni Muslim Brotherhoods military brigades are a major contingent of pro-government forces and because the Muslim Brotherhoods political facade, the Yemeni Congregation for Reform Party, forms the backbone of the government of Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The UAE announced its intended pull-out in early July. A month later, clashes broke out following a missile attack against Al-Jalaa military camp in Aden during a military parade, claiming dozens of casualties, including Munir Al-Yafie, aka Abu Al-Yamama, the commander of the Security Belt Forces, the STCs military wing. Although the Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, it nevertheless triggered an armed conflict between pro-Hadi forces supported by Saudi Arabia and Southern Belt forces supported by the UAE. The warfare, in turn, fuelled rumours of sharp differences and rising tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, the two main partners in the Arab coalition that was formed to restore the legitimate government in Yemen.

The War of the Southern Cities, which was fed, in part, by a resurgence of the southern secessionist project, quickly spread from Aden eastward to the governorates of Abyan and Al-Dalie. It took over two months of Saudi-brokered talks, hosted in Jeddah and Riyadh, to reach a settlement. The agreement signed between the Hadi government and the STC contains three annexes covering political, military/security and economic arrangements that, taken as a whole, reaffirm the hierarchical pre-eminence of the internationally recognised government while acknowledging a central role for the UAE-backed STC.

The military/security annex outlined a process for restructuring the Joint Forces so as to merge pro-Hadi forces with the Security Belt and other coalition-backed forces in western Yemen, such as the Republican Guards led by Tarek Saleh, the nephew of former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the Giants Brigade, another Southern Movement militia that had been instrumental in the battle to drive Houthi forces out of the south and much of the western coast before 2017. In addition, the security annex provides for the replacement of UAE forces by Saudi forces in the south, a process that had already begun in Aden, Al-Bariqa and Lahaj even before the agreement was formally announced.

The effects of warfare between the STC and government forces in the south also rippled northward to Taiz where fighting erupted between Islah forces and the Abu Al-Abbas Brigade, a UAE-affiliated militia that is part of the Joint Forces. As a result, Taiz, which has been under siege from the north by Ansarallah (Houthi) forces for several years, has become the focus of an intractable multi-faceted conflict. Observers believe that Islah is now determined to assert itself more forcefully in the Taiz theatre after having lost its influence in the south as a result of the Riyadh agreement between the government and the STC.

NEGOTIATION STANDSTILLS

While some settlements and agreements have inspired optimism, their implementation is still mired in practice. The main agreement in the Houthi-government conflict, the Stockholm Agreement, has effectively been reduced to a process of imposing security arrangements exclusively in and around Hodeida in the framework of negotiations between the two sides hosted by a UN committee aboard a UN ship anchored off port. But even these have ultimately failed to produce tangible progress on the ground. The two sides continue to trade accusations over who is to blame for the failure and for ceasefire violations. A sudden wave of escalation during the last quarter of this year threw into relief the profound gap between the two sides and the UNs inability to compel them to commit to peace.

It is also believed that the recently concluded Riyadh Agreement provoked the Houthis  who saw it as directed against them  into redeploying forces southwards towards the borders of the southern governorates. For instance, they have repositioned themselves in the southern part of Hodeida and in Al-Dalie, and they have sustained strikes against pro-government forces in the west. Some analysts have suggested that the purpose is to up the pressure on Saudi Arabia, but inside Yemen this time, as opposed to through cross-border missile attacks.

In this regard, the first half of 2019 was marked by an intensification of Houthi missile and drone strikes targeting vital targets inside Saudi Arabia, such as Abha airport and Aramco facilities. More recently, however, there have been signs that the Houthis have shifted their attention southwards where Saudi forces have replaced UAE forces.

The problems with the Hodeida Agreement extend beyond the security arrangements. The question of the prisoner exchange will also probably carry on into next year due to the lack of anticipated progress.

As for the economic question, which has been handled in a parallel track in Amman, where the UN mission to Yemen has another base apart from those in Aden and Sanaa, the institutional bifurcation of the Yemeni Central Bank remains unresolved. The Houthis control the banks central headquarters in Sanaa while the internationally recognised government officially relocated the headquarters to Aden on a provisional basis.

But even implementation of the Riyadh Agreement appears stuck. The main contingents of security forces have yet to be merged into a single cohesive order, as had been agreed upon, and the task of forming a Yemeni government in accordance with the power sharing provisions of the political annex has dragged on well beyond the agreed upon deadline.

THE WORST HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE WORLD

Five years after the start of the conflict, Yemen remains the largest humanitarian emergency in the world, with 24 million people out of the population of 30.5 million in need of humanitarian assistance, UNICEF reported at the end of November 2019. Despite historic gains made for children since the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted 30 years ago by the United Nations General Assembly, Yemen remains one of the worst places to be a child. Continuing brutal conflict and a subsequent economic crisis have left basic social services systems across the country on the brink of collapse with far reaching consequences on children. Today, over 12 million children  nearly every child  in Yemen is in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.

Robert Mardini, the UN observer of the International Committee of the Red Cross, told journalists in late November that despite a de-escalation of fighting in Yemen, which is positive news, the Arab worlds poorest nation faces a very dire humanitarian situation. In addition to an escalation in dengue cases, there are tens of thousands of cholera cases as well, he said. Reports have cited more than 3,500 cases of dengue fever in Taiz alone, while around 3,000 have been infected with Malaria in Hodeida.

For several years, the UN and other international relief agencies have been warning of the increasingly dire malnutrition crisis in Yemen. According to their reports, 22 million Yemenis out of a population of 30 million suffer from malnutrition.

Children are bearing the brunt of the conflict: 2,000 children have been killed and 4,800 have been maimed since the conflict began; 2,700 boys have been recruited into armed forces and groups; and over 368,000 children under five years old are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Despite the increasing urgency of these agencies warnings, they appear to fall on the deaf ears of those who should be listening to them most.

TERRORISTS IN YEMEN

For the second year running, the 2019 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), which appeared in November, lists Yemen among the top 10 terrorist-affected countries. Yemen rates the eighth highest, like last year. These 10 countries suffered 87 per cent of terrorist-related deaths worldwide. The Yemeni conflict continues to reap a horrific toll: The war has claimed over 91,000 fatalities since January 2015, with 2018 being the deadliest and most violent year on record, the report states.

The report ranks the Houthi Ansarallah Movement as the deadliest terrorist group in Yemen, while 2018 saw a continued decline in the activities of Islamic State (IS) affiliates in Yemen. Of the five IS affiliates, only the Aden-Abyan one remains active and this was responsible for only two terrorist attacks in 2018, according to the report. It was also responsible for two attacks in August 2019 in the context of the conflict between government forces and STC forces. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) remains active in the south. It was responsible for 19 terrorist attacks in the period covered by the report. Most of them took place in southern and central Hadramaut and Shabwa governorates. Nevertheless, AQAP activity has declined greatly in recent years, compared to its peak in 2015 when it had full control of Mukalla, the capital of Hadramaut.

The Yemeni conflict still has no end in sight. Opportunities for peace in the country that has been torn by war for over five years are growing further remote. Yemen does not have the petroleum wealth of other war-torn countries such as Iraq and Libya. If such wealth can be a major source of conflict and its perpetuation, it can also be a source of healing when its revenues are channelled into post-war reconstruction projects. Therefore, even if/when the Yemeni war ends, the country will continue to suffer its humanitarian plight, the consequences of which have been at least as catastrophic as those wrought by the war.

Because of its geopolitical position, Yemen is important at the regional level in the context of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The perpetuation of these tensions will continue to cast their shadow over the war and the prospects for peace. Conversely, developments in Yemen, whether positive or negative, will remain a gauge of Iranian-Saudi tensions and the climate in the Gulf region as a whole.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 26 December, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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At the start of their careers, they lacked mobile communication other than one clunky shared cellphone and numeric pagers to return calls. When they left fire grounds, Brady and Piringer had to hustle back to their office, type up a news release and fax them one-by-one to local newsrooms. But as technology evolved, Brady looked to other large agencies such as the Los Angeles Fire Department to spot trends that worked. Locally, other agencies followed how Brady embraced social media to expand his departments message.
The United States Marine Corps has become the latest branch of the military to ban its soldiers from using TikTok due to concerns that the Chinese-owned app could be collecting Americans' personal data.

'This decision is consistent with our efforts to proactively address existing and emerging threats as we secure and defend our network,' Captain Hector Alejandro of the Marine Forces Cyberspace Command told TMZ.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the Army has banned soldiers from using TikTok.

The Army announced that the app, which is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, was no longer allowed on government phones on Monday because it is considered a cyber threat.

The United States Marine Corps is barrings its soldiers from using the popular social media app TikTok. Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force are seen above during drills with Japanese and South Korean troops in Pohang, South Korea, in April 2013

Earlier this week, the US Army banned soldiers from the app amid concerns that the Chinese-owned program could be collecting American users' personal data (file photo). ByteDance is the Chinese parent company which owns TikTok

Army recruiters began using TikTok last year as a means to reach young people and were still using it as of two months ago, despite calls from lawmakers to conduct a national security review.

The policy reversal was prompted by a December 16 Defense Department Cyber Awareness Message which identified TikTok as 'having potential security risks associated with its use'.

The message directed Defense Department employees to uninstall TikTok to avoid exposure of personal information and to 'be wary of applications you download, monitor your phones for unusual and unsolicited texts etc'.

The Navy implemented a similar ban in mid-December, warning sailors that they would be blocked from the Navy intranet if they failed to remove the app from their government-issued phones.

It is unclear whether the Air Force has followed suit.

Over the past two years, TikTok has become a viral phenomenon among American teens, allowing users to create minute-long videos set to catchy music. It has been downloaded more than 750 million times in the last year, far surpassing apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Sens Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) called for the intelligence community to evaluate TikTok's national security risks to determine whether it could be used to spy on US citizens in October.

In a letter to acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, the lawmakers said that because ByteDance is based in China, TikTok could be forced to 'to support and cooperate with intelligence work controlled by the Chinese Communist Party'.

TikTok responded by saying that it stores all US user data in the United States and backs it up in Singapore.

'Our data centers are located entirely outside of China, and none of our data is subject to Chinese law,' the company said in a statement.

'Further, we have a dedicated technical team focused on adhering to robust cybersecurity policies, and data privacy and security practices.'

TikTok has become a viral phenomenon among American teens, allowing users to create minute-long videos set to catchy music (file photo)

New York Sen Chuck Schumer (left) and Arkansas Sen Tom Cotton (right) called for the intelligence community to evaluate TikTok's national security risks in October

In November, TikTok executives refused to appear before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing examining the tech industries relationship to China, furthering lawmakers' concerns.

The company said in a statement at the time: 'Unfortunately, on short notice we were unable to provide a witness who would be able to contribute to a substantive discussion.

'We remain committed to working productively with Congress as it looks at how to secure the data of American users, protect their privacy, promote free expression, ensure competition and choice among internet platforms, and preserve US national security interests.'

Sen Cotton responded with a statement saying that TikTok's refusal 'underscores concerns that the company is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party and will not secure the rights and privacy of its American users'.

In February, TikTok was hit with a $5.7million fine over allegations that it illegally collected personal data from children under 13.
State officials knew settling a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit filed by Connecticuts hospital industry posed risks.

Thats why Gov. Ned Lamont built emergency provisions allowing state government to back out of the deal if federal Medicaid funding  which will pay for more than half of the settlement  is dramatically reduced in future years.

But shifting fiscal winds from Washington, D.C., arent the only risk Connecticut faces.

For good or ill, state officials relied on aggressive increases in hospital taxes to keep Connecticuts finances in balance during an extremely sluggish recovery from the last recession. Between 2013 and this year, hospitals pumped more than $1 billion into the states coffers, funds that otherwise might be raised by income tax hikes, municipal aid reductions, program cuts or all of the above.

But under this settlement, the state pledges to keep hospital taxes flat through 2026  even though history suggests Connecticut and the nation are overdue for another economic downturn.

That means if another recession arrives in the new year or soon thereafter, Connecticut wont have the hospitals to bail them out.

Even critics of the tax, who argue the hospital tax hikes of the past decade were a mistake that hurt the state in the long run, acknowledge that lawmakers and Lamont will face some very tough choices during the next downturn.

Thats the part thats starting to scare me, said Rep. Toni E. Walker, D-New Haven, longtime co-chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee.

Walker, who supported the hospital lawsuit settlement, said it was a mistake for state government to lean so heavily on the industry during the last recovery. But she also said Connecticuts social services safety net and its municipal aid program have gotten significantly leaner over the past decade and shouldnt be targeted for more cuts when the next recession comes.

If we cant get any more revenue somewhere else, then we have to cut, Walker said, and this is going to become a war.

Lawmakers and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy created the hospital levy in 2011 as a tax in name only. The industry paid $350 million to the state, which responded by redistributing all of those funds, plus another $50 million, back to hospitals.

Connecticut didnt lose out because these supplemental payments helped the state to leverage hundreds of millions of dollars annually in federal Medicaid reimbursements  a back-and-forth arrangement encouraged by Washington and employed by most states.

But as Connecticuts recovery from the last recession plodded along far slower than officials anticipated, Malloy and lawmakers gradually increased the tax, scaled back the supplemental payments  and forfeited huge federal dollars in the process.

Hospitals, who paid a total of nearly $2 billion more than they received between 2013 and 2019 collectively, sued four years ago on grounds that this system abused the process allowed under Medicaid.

Most people accepted this settlement was the right thing to do because of the fear of the possible outcome  that a court could say you have to refund all of this money, said Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, co-chair of the tax-writing Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Facing an industry claiming roughly $4 billion in damages, Connecticut agreed to pay $1.8 billion to hospitals over the next seven years  with just over half being covered by federal Medicaid reimbursement payments.

And while that deal also came with a pledge to modestly trim hospital tax rates  and avoid any hikes  through 2026, lawmakers were happy to remove a multi-billion-dollar risk. I think that was enough, alone, for most people to back the deal, Fonfara said.

But the discipline part, cleaning up our finances, I dont know if people are realizing were going to have to bite the bullet, he added.

The war and bullet-biting Fonfara and Walker fear is possible despite overwhelming bipartisan support for the settlement, largely because theres little-to-no agreement on what Connecticut can tap as an alternative cash cow.

Many of Walkers fellow Democrats in the House and Senate majorities are wary of further cuts in spending on social services and local aid.

If theres no other acceptable alternative, progressive Democrats say the answer should center on raising income taxes on Connecticuts wealthiest residents. Though the states largest revenue engine is fairly progressive at the lower end  households earning less than $35,000 per year usually have no tax liability  that progressiveness flattens out quickly.

Many middle-class and rich households all pay an effective tax rate that ranges between 5 percent and 6.5 percent. [The highest earners, singles making more than $500,000 per year and couples topping $1 million, pay 6.99 percent.]

But Lamont, a wealthy Greenwich businessman, and the growing number of Democratic legislators from Fairfield County, have staunchly opposed income tax hikes aimed exclusively at the rich. The administration fought hard this past session to kill a proposal for an income tax surcharge on investment-related earnings of Connecticuts wealthiest households.

Combine that with traditional Republican legislative opposition to tax hikes of any kind, and theres no easy consensus on what might replace hospitals as Connecticuts budget cure-all.

I viewed the hospital tax as more of a gimmick than a systemic change, said Deputy House Minority Leader Vincent J. Candelora, R-North Branford, a veteran of the finance committee and another advocate of the lawsuit settlement.

The systemic change Candelora and many of his fellow Republican lawmakers favor involve significant reductions in state employee benefits.

But those are locked in by contract through mid-2027 and state employee unions, which granted concessions in 2009, 2011 and 2017, say theyre done until lawmakers are ready to ask the rich to pay more taxes.

GOP leaders counter by saying lawmakers could still vote to scale back, or even eliminate, certain retirement benefits effective mid-2027  and enjoy some budgetary savings now. Because benefit obligations would be less in the future, they argue, Connecticut could scale back its payments now into those programs.

The unions, Lamont, and many Democrats in the legislature, have countered that this approach violates collective bargaining rules and wouldnt survive a court challenge.

I think thats always been the elephant in the room, Candelora said. Democrats and the unions are there at all costs to protect each other. We have to start making tougher decisions.

Lamont, and others, are hoping it wont come to that.

The economy has slowed somewhat, but 2019 closed without a national recession.

More importantly, Connecticut currently has a record-setting $2.5 billion in its emergency reserve, and the rainy day fund could clear $2.8 billion by the end of next summer.

This would leave the state with a fiscal cushion approaching 15 percent of annual spending  the maximum allowed by law.

Still, thats no guarantee that Connecticut wont have to cut spending and/or raise taxes in the next downturn.

During the last recession  between 2008 and 2010  annual tax receipts in the General Fund fell from $12.5 billion to $10.9 billion.

A downturn like the last one, followed by a similarly sluggish recovery, easily could consume all of the states reserves and still leave Connecticuts finances in the red.

Despite this, some say Connecticuts path forward out of any recession involves strengthening its hospital industry, not weakening it.

Both Lamont and Connecticut Hospital Association CEO Jennifer Jackson hailed the deal as an economic step forward.

Prolonging litigation in court would benefit nobody, and certainly not the residents of our state, Lamont said. Going forward, it is my hope that this partnership will put us on a new path in which we can work with our hospitals and partner in a way that benefits the quality of care for our states residents while simultaneously addressing the cost of that care.

Today marks the start of a new partnership with the state that will strengthen health care in Connecticut for the benefit of everyone who lives here, Jackson said.

University of Connecticut economist Fred Carstensen, who was commissioned by the CHA in 2015 to analyze the provider tax, concluded it not only weakened the economy, but cost the state more than it raised.

The state probably lost $2 billion in other tax revenue because of the negative feedback, Carstensen said.

Hospitals, which are some of the states largest employers, trimmed staff and put off investing in new equipment and specialized treatment programs. Support businesses, such as medical and equipment suppliers, also were harmed.

All of those people were not paying income tax, were not paying sales tax, he said.

Legislators and Malloy also failed to understand the concept of medical tourism  that many people travel to other states for better access to health care, particularly specialized services.

And as patients go, doctors, nurses and medical suppliers follow, Carstensen said.

Its a compound thing, keeping your folks in Connecticut to get their medical services and attracting more people from out of state to come, he said, adding that Connecticuts health care industry lost significant ground to the Boston and New York metro markets over the past decade.

The Malloy administration repeatedly defended the escalating hospital tax, noting the industry still paid its top executives robust salaries.

More importantly, the Malloy administration argued, the expansion of health care access brought about by the federal Affordable Care Act channeled a huge swath of new patients  and business  into hospitals.

The industry countered by saying this growth chiefly came from Medicaid patients whose care cost hospitals more than government payments could cover.

But while hospitals were forced to adjust over the past decade, Fonfara said, it will be state governments turn to make even harder choices in the years to come.

And though theres no consensus on what to do if or when the reserves run dry, the Hartford lawmaker said hes optimistic legislators will turn to a more sustainable solution the next time one is needed.

I think weve learned the hard way when were not disciplined how much it hurts us, he said. Thats what people are fed up with.
News reports began surfacing just before Christmas about mysterious drones, with wing spans estimated at 6 feet, flying grid patterns at night over northeastern Colorado.

They remained a mystery with the start of the New Year, The New York Times reported Wednesday. Its creepy, one resident told the Times about the flights now extending over Nebraska.

Theyve been doing a grid search, a grid pattern, said Colorados Phillips County Sheriff Thomas Elliott, according to The Associated Press. They fly one square and then they fly another square.

The Federal Aviation Administration and others are investigating whos responsible and what the drones are being used for. The probe comes as that agency is considering new requirements to make drones identifiable remotely. Public comment is being taken on the proposal until March 2.

Nearly 1.5 million drones and 160,000 remote pilots are registered with the FAA. The proposed Remote ID rule would apply to all drones that are required to register with the agency -- recreational drones weighing under 0.55 of a pound are exempt -- as well as to anyone operating a foreign civil UAS in the United States.

Reports of potentially hazardous or unauthorized use of drones, or unmanned aircraft systems, have grown more common as more hobbyists and professionals have taken up flying them, according to the FAA.

And that includes sightings reported in the Lehigh Valley and northwestern New Jersey.

Across Lehigh, Northampton, Warren and Hunterdon counties, the FAA lists 25 sightings reported from May 2015 through June 2019 -- the most recent sightings reports available at faa.gov.

Nationwide, the FAA says it receives hundreds of complaints a month. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the number of recent sighting reports has varied from 12 during the first quarter of 2017 to nearly 60 in spring 2018 and 2019.

Some of the Lehigh Valley region sightings were reported as follows:

10:08 a.m. March 7, 2016, Allentown: The pilot of a Piper P28A reported a red helicopter-type UAS half the size of their aircraft around 200 feet below him at 2,800 feet. Bethlehem police were notified. No evasive maneuvers were required.

May 5, 2016, Allentown: A med-evac helicopter crew reported seeing an orange-white UAS with a canopy pass 300 feet underneath aircraft at 2,000 feet. Again, law enforcement was notified -- this time Pennsylvania State Police -- and no evasive action was taken.

July 14, 2016, Allentown: An Allegiant A320 crew reported they saw a drone approx. 1 mile north of the aircraft ... . The pilot reported the drone looked like a ball. Altitude unknown.

May 28, 2017, Blairstown Township: At Triple Brook Camping Resort, New Jersey State Police reported an unregistered UAS struck a parked vehicle at the campground in Warren County, N.J., when battery power was lost. The campground was very crowded and the police thought the incident was dangerous. No injuries were reported on the ground. (A similar incident May 7, 2019, in Monroe County caused more than $500 in damage to a parked vehicle, according to another FAA complaint.)

July 3, 2017, Allentown: The pilot of a Piper 28A reported drone was flying very fast above the (aircraft) opposite direction continuing southwest bound. The pilot had no time to react. No evasive maneuvers were conducted.

Oct. 14, 2018, Allentown: The pilot of a Piper PA32 flying at 3,000 feet reported seeing a drone described as about the size of a Canadian goose at about 4,000 feet, or 1,000 feet above the plane. State police notified, and no evasive action taken.

June 9, 2019, East Texas (Lehigh County): The pilot of a Raytheon BE20 reported a drone 500 feet below him. Drone estimated to be at 4,500 (feet). Location is almost directly over the Lehigh Valley Mall.

The FAA on its website connects drone pilots to the rules and regulations that apply to recreational and certified/commercial operators alike. It also details new requirements of all certified pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft being rolled out Jan. 13.

The agency also offers the B4UFLY Mobile App to help pilots learn where they can and cannot fly a drone.

Centre Square in Downtown Easton is seen from above Jan 31, 2017.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

In the Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority has a one-page flyer on its website with Dos and Donts, plus the requirements to fly within 5 miles of any of its airports in Hanover Township, Lehigh County; Allentown and Forks Township.

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority (LNAA) has information on our website with specific instructions for any UAS (drones) operators that intend on flying near any of our aviation facilities (ABE, Queen City Airport or Braden Airpark)," the authority stated in response to an inquiry from lehighvalleylive.com. Its extremely critical that operators adhere to these requirements as they ensure the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. The LNAA continues to monitor the growth of UAS and its integration into the National Airspace System.

The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority carries this FAA flier of drone and model aircraft Dos and Donts on its website.Courtesy image | For lehighvalleylive.com

Violations of federal aviation regulations can lead to civil penalties, and potential arrest. As of late November, the FAA had about 104 enforcement cases involving potentially unsafe or unauthorized drone use, a representative said Thursday.

"The agencys focus is on educating all pilots -- aircraft pilots and drone pilots -- about safely flying in the National Airspace System," FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said. "In most cases, we work with drone pilots to educate them about safe operations and encourage compliance with the regulations. However, in cases where we determine that enforcement action is warranted, violators could face civil penalties exceeding $30,000 and potential criminal prosecution."

The goal is to protect the national airspace that hosted 900 million passengers in 2018, FAA Deputy Administrator Daniel K. Elwell said in remarks last June in Baltimore.

Collectively, our education and outreach efforts are yielding results, he said in his speech. The annual rate of increase of pilot reports about drones in places they shouldnt be is dropping by 50 percent each year -- while the number of UAS operating in the airspace is increasing.

Properly used, drones open up new worlds of opportunities in everything from photography to agriculture to scientific research to law enforcement, and on and on.

A New York State Police drone flies in a demonstration while a jetliner tens of thousands of feet above flies by Jan, 26, 2018.Syracuse.com file photo | N. Scott Trimble

But along with the potential for hazardous or unauthorized flights, drones also raise the specter of malicious intent. In the Slate Belt, 44-year-old Jason Muzzicato, of Washington Township, Northampton County, pleaded guilty last year to operating a drone vehicle without FAA clearance but disputes an allegation from prosecutors that he used it to drop homemake explosives onto his ex-girlfriends property.

An FBI official told a congressional committee last year drone technology "offers substantial benefits for our society and economy" as well as "raises new risks."

The FBI is concerned that criminals and terrorists will exploit UAS in ways that pose a serious threat to the safety of the American people, Deputy Assistant Director Scott Brunner said in his statement for the record. The UAS threat could take a number of forms, including illicit surveillance, chemical/biological/radiological attacks, traditional kinetic attacks on large open air venues (concerts, ceremonies and sporting events), or attacks against government facilities, installations and personnel.

Brunner went on to say these threats are not merely hypothetical, citing adversaries use of "cheap, commercially available drones to conduct attacks and reconnaissance in Syria and Iraq.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
The Trump administration announced on Thursday a temporary ban on many candy- and fruit-flavored vaping products in an effort to curb an epidemic of e-cigarette use among teens.

The decision means that manufacturers of certain vaping products in youth-friendly flavors must stop selling the products within 30 days of the ban. If they want to resume sales, they will need to convince the Food and Drug Administration that the pod flavors are safe and appropriate for the public.

But the new ban does not extend to menthol flavoring, and that represents a retreat from an earlier White House plan to bar "all flavors" other than tobacco.

The new policy will also leave Juul, the leading e-cigarette among teens, largely untouched. The company suspended nationwide sale of sweet flavors like mango and cucumber in October, then added mint to the list in November. It still sells menthol pods.

"Our action today seeks to strike the right public health balance by maintaining e-cigarettes as a potential off-ramp for adults using combustible tobacco while ensuring these products don't provide an on-ramp to nicotine addiction for our youth," the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement on Thursday.

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But public health experts have warned that if menthol vaping products remain permitted, teens using other flavors will simply switch to menthol, and manufacturers will modify or re-brand other flavors to fit the mold.

About two-thirds of high school students who vape currently use menthol or mint flavors, making them nearly as popular as fruity flavors, according to this year's National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Alex Azar, the secretary of Health and Human Services, announced the administration's intent to limit vaping flavors in September. At the time, he said the flavor ban "would include mint and menthol."

The decision "creates a giant loophole that benefits Juul  the company that created the youth epidemic and irresponsible vape shops  and leaves America's kids at risk," said Matthew Myers, the president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

"The e-cigarette policy announced today by the Trump Administration breaks the Administration's promise to kids and families to eliminate the flavored e-cigarettes that are driving an epidemic of youth nicotine addiction," he added.

Pediatricians, public health experts and even the first lady have been pushing for strong action on teen vaping, which has erased years of progress on reducing youth tobacco use. The latest Monitoring the Future report found that 14% of high school seniors had vaped in the past month, and 8% of them said they were "hooked" on vaping. Both of those figures were up sharply from the previous year.

Conservative groups, meanwhile, have urged the president to soften the planned crackdown, with some explicitly warning that a flavor ban could ruin his chances of reelection.

The retreat is reminiscent of Trump's vow to strengthen gun regulations in August after a string of mass shootings, only to back down in the face of industry opposition.

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The flavor ban comes amid skyrocketing rates of e-cigarette use among teenagers across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 5.4 million middle and high school students were vaping in 2019.

Hundreds of thousands of those young people will develop a nicotine addiction and ultimately switch to smoking regular cigarettes, according to researchers. Cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, respiratory diseases and a variety of other chronic conditions.

Vaping Illness

The recent vaping deaths are bad. The long term toll will be even worse

The flavor ban comes amid an outbreak of more than 2,500 cases of a lung disease linked to vaping. Last month, health officials said vitamin E acetate was responsible for the "vast majority" of cases, most of which involved cartridges containing the marijuana chemical THC. At least 54 people have died in the outbreak.

The epidemic of teenage vaping has been building for years. During the Obama administration, FDA officials noticed a drastic uptick in youth e-cigarette usage and attempted to implement a vaping flavor ban more than four years ago, a Times investigation found.

A draft of the proposed rule stated that any flavored e-cigarette fluid would have to be removed from the market within 90 days. Regulators cited copious evidence for the move. For instance, a 2014 survey that asked young people who vaped why they did it, more than 80% marked the answer "It comes in flavors I like."

More than 100 tobacco industry lobbyists and small business advocates mobilized to defeat the proposed flavor ban. Senior Obama administration officials ultimately sided with them and overruled the FDA, The Times reported.

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"We had deep respect for the science-based agencies. In this case, the science wasn't clear," Cecilia Munoz, who headed President Obama's Domestic Policy Council at the time, told The Times. "The question was: Is it reasonable to effectively shut down all of these vape shops and businesses when the benefits and harms were still inconclusive?"

When Trump announced his intent to ban all vaping flavors in September, he said it would protect "innocent children."

"They're coming home and they're saying, 'Mom, I want to vape,'" the president said. "It's something that, frankly, should have been looked into a few years ago in a much more advanced way."

The first signs of a possible retreat came two days later, via Twitter.

"While I like the Vaping alternative to Cigarettes, we need to make sure this alternative is SAFE for ALL!" Trump tweeted. "Let's get counterfeits off the market, and keep young children from Vaping!"

On Tuesday, Trump told reporters at Mar-a-Lago on that he expected an announcement "very shortly" and that "The flavors are going to be checked. We have to protect the children. We have to protect the families."

___

(Times staff writer Noah Bierman contributed to this report.)

___

(c)2020 Los Angeles Times

Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, supports President Donald Trumps decision to kill the head of an Islamic group the United States designates as a foreign terrorist organization. And the president of Iran said his country will take revenge.

The U.S. Department of Defense issued a release Thursday saying the U.S. military killed Qasem Soleimani, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force in Iran. The strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, the department said.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, the release said. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

The department said Mr. Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months, including an attack on Dec. 27, which resulted in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

The president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, issued a statement Friday morning.

The flag of General Soleimani in defense of the countrys territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue, the Iranian president said in the statement. The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime.

In a statement of support on Friday, Stefanik said Soleimani was responsible for exporting terrorism around the world and targeting American troops.

President Trump is reaffirming the proven doctrine of Peace Through Strength, she said in the statement. Iran was given multiple warnings and instead chose to continue to escalate tensions and threaten US troops and diplomats. The era of leading from behind with pallets of cash is over. Every American should thank our brave men and women in uniform and our Intelligence Community who executed this successful mission.

21st Congressional District Democratic candidate Tedra Cobb of Canton released the following statement Friday afternoon:

Qasem Soleimani is responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent people, including hundreds of Americans. However, our actions have long-term ramifications that have escalated tensions in the region. The consequences of this mission remain largely unknown, but we are already anticipating retaliation. Congress, and Elise Stefanik in particular, as a member of the Armed Services and Intelligence Committee must ensure this Administration puts together a coalition of allies and exhausts all diplomatic efforts before moving forward. The lives of American troops, diplomats and innocent civilians are on the line.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand offered similar advice to the Trump administration:

Gen. Soleimani was directly responsible for the deaths of many Americans and our allies. But rather than making America and the world safer, President Trumps impulsive actions have instead moved us closer to war.

Without seeking congressional authorization or presenting any coherent or clear strategy, President Trump ordered military action that may precipitate another armed conflict in the Middle East. Escalating military actions against Iran has put our service members and Americans abroad in grave risk of retaliation by Iran and its proxies. It is troubling that Americans serving our country have been put in harms way again because President Trump did not carefully consider the devastating consequences of war with Iran before ordering this strike.

Time and again, this president has acted recklessly and without strategy, escalating military risk, breaking his own promises, ignoring the precedent of the last two decades of war, disregarding allies, and throwing away our diplomatic wins. He has allowed North Korea to grow bolder with its nuclear ambitions, abandoned our Kurdish allies in Northern Syria, bullied Ukraine for political gain and has brought us to the brink of war with Iran. This reckless approach to national security and foreign affairs cannot be allowed to continue.

President Trump must notify Congress immediately and seek authorization based on a clear explanation of the goals of military action, our adversaries and the countries where our service members would be sent into conflict. The Trump administration must brief Congress immediately on any military plans and what steps are being taken to safeguard Americans. And Congress must exercise its constitutional authority before it is too late.

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A shot of Prince Harry holding baby Archie, believed to be taken somewhere in Canada. [Photo: PA Media]

A community-based knitting group has become inundated with orders after the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs son Archie wore one of their hats.

Make Give Live is a social enterprise knitting business based in New Zealand.

Seven-month-old Archie wore a hat made by the organisation in a recently revealed photograph.

The photo, believed to have been taken in Canada by Meghan Markle, shows Archie in the arms of his father. Both are dressed for winter in coats and knitwear.

READ MORE: Archie wears 16 Boden jacket and mini Ugg boots in new photo

The image was shared on the @SussexRoyal Instagram account on New Years Day as part of a video reflecting on the familys year.

In the wake of the social media post, orders of the hat have increased tenfold.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were gifted one of Make Give Lives hat during their visit to New Zealand in 2018 when Meghan was pregnant.

Its believed the Duchess purchased two more hats herself - and it was one of these which Archie wore for the photograph.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their baby son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor at a meeting with Archbishop Desmond Tutu at the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019. [Photo: Getty]

The groups founder, Beckie Smith, told the BBC it came as a complete surprise that the young royal wore the hat.

We had no idea it was going to happen, she told the broadcaster, explaining that she first became aware after a member of her knitting group showed her the picture.

It was only after Archie wore the hat that Smith learned they had received an overseas order from an address in Windsor, where the Sussex family is based.

READ MORE: Couple claim Meghan Markle took their photo on New Year's Day hike

The group has since been inundated with orders  receiving 450 in the days since the photo was shared.

It typically receives 45 orders a month.

Smith added that she hadnt suspected the post would prompt an overwhelming increase in sales.

I don't think we realised what the impact would be in terms of sales. It was just lovely to see our hats being posted and being able to spread our message.

We weren't really prepared for the sales that came with it... it just took off like crazy.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 10:20:18|Editor: Liu

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States has carried out air strikes against Iran-related targets in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq, on early Friday, according to media reports citing anonymous U.S. officials.
A man who is determined to swap his old pencil for an item worth one million dollars has already managed to trade the worthless object for a box of cigars worth $230.

An anonymous software engineer, 28, from Northern Ireland, is on a mission to help people in need by bartering his way to a million dollars online and donating the proceeds to charity.

The mysterious philanthropist has been documenting his journey through his Instagram page and has so far managed to swap four items, which have all been donated from strangers around the globe.

An anonymous software engineer, 28, from Northern Ireland, is determined to swap an old pencil (pictured) for an item worth one million dollars

The man has already managed to trade the worthless object for the latest item, a box of 12 DavidOff Nicaragua Diademas Cigars worth $230 (pictured)

The project began in October, after the man discovered the old pencil at the bottom of his bag, and the account has gained nearly 20,000 followers in just over two-months.

The items so far include a single King Edwards cigar worth $6.00, a signed children's book donated by author Mikael Lindnord worth an estimated $25, a set of Rubik's cubes worth $29.99 and a box of 12 DavidOff Nicaragua Diademas Cigars priced at $230.

His first post was two pictures of the old pencil, which read: 'This is where it all begins, I just need to swap this pencil for something that is worth a little more, like a pencil that is in better condition, a pen, perhaps even a pencil with an eraser'.

Instagram users intimidatingly loved the idea, with several taking to the comments to share their amusement.

The first item that was traded for the pencil was a single King Edwards cigar worth around $6.00

Next was a signed copy of a children's book, donated by it's author Mikael Lindnord, worth an estimated $25

A set of three Rubik's cubes worth $29.99 and some stickers was donated as the third item

The Million Dollar Pencil swaps items through the page's direct messaging feature and the anonymous man also posts stories showing the item be opened

'Get after it man', while another added: 'This is pure madness but I'm here for the ride.'

According to Metro, the man was inspired by entrepreneur Kyle MacDonald, who in 2006, conjured up a plan to get his own home by trading a red paperclip.

The practically worthless item was exchanged online for items and experiences such as a beer keg, a Kiss snow globe, a year's free rental in Phoenix, Arizona and an afternoon with Alice Cooper.

After one year of internet bartering, which involved a total of 14 trades, Kyle - who was 26 at the time - completed the deal and moved into a two-storey, three-bedroom,farmhouse in Kipling, Canada.

The man was inspired by entrepreneur Kyle MacDonald (pictured), who in 2006, conjured up a plan to get his own home by trading a red paperclip

The Million Dollar Pencil swaps items through the page's direct messaging feature and the anonymous man also posts stories showing the item be opened.

He believes the entire process will take around ten years and has already been offered some bizarre items such as sex toys and guns.

Speaking to the publication, he said: 'I have to be really careful when deciding what to trade, I am always after something that appeals to a wide range of people. I am in negotiations right now.

He even revealed that celebrities are keen to get involved with the trading process, claiming: Ive had some well-known people DM me about how they are potentially interested in doing a trade in the future  comedian Bert Kreischer, musician Danny Worsnop, and a friend of Conor McGregors'.
ANNE DRAGO, Stonington, Girls Basketball, Senior; Drago was named to the all-tournament team at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. In two games, she scored 38 points and had eight rebounds.

DANTE WILK, Westerly, Boys Basketball, Senior; Wilk was named MVP of the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament after the Bulldogs beat Chariho in the title game. Wilk had a combined 35 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals in two tournament victories.

TYLER LABELLE, Chariho, Boys Basketball, Junior; LaBelle scored 41 points in two games to earn all-tournament honors at the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament. LaBelle had 22 in a win against South Kingstown and 19 in a loss to Westerly.

ADDIE HAUPTMANN, Wheeler, Girls Basketball, Senior; Hauptmann scored 32 points in two games in the Montville Christmas Tournament. She also had 20 rebounds, seven assists and eight steals.

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Unknown militants have fired three rockets at Baghdad International Airport close to part of the airport that houses U.S. military forces and Iraqi partners.

Local sources told The Daily Beast that the attack consisted of three Katyusha rockets which hit the outer limits of the airport near a base which housed the advisory units for the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition.

Several sources confirmed to The Daily Beast that Mohammed Rida al-Jabri, a senior member of Iraqs Iranian-backed militia force, the Popular Mobilization Forces, was killed outside Baghdad airport late Thursday along with an unknown number of guests. Its unclear yet whether al-Jabri and his associates were killed in the reported Katyusha rocket strike or as part of a separate incident.

Iraqi officials reportedly closed the airport following the attack and locals reported that U.S. military helicopters could be seen flying overhead afterwards.

Social media users posted a number of pictures and videos purporting to show a burning vehicle outside the airport perimeter late Thursday.

The incident comes amid a series of rocket attacks against U.S. military facilities in Iraq that have ratcheted up tensions between American forces and Iranian-backed militias in the country.

The attacks started this summer as Iran mounted a pushback campaign against the Trump administrations maximum pressure policy against Tehran, an effort that U.S. officials say included covert attacks against Gulf oil shipments and an increase in Iranian missile and drone attacks against energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Thursdays attack closely resembles a similar incident in mid-December when rocket fire aimed at Baghdad International Airport injured five members of Iraqs Counter Terrorism Service, a special operations unit which has fought closely and trained alongside American commandos.

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It's a new decade, but does anyone else feel as if they have traveled back in time to May 1, 2003? That's when George W. Bush gave his "Mission Accomplished" speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, prematurely declaring victory in Iraq.

President Trump had largely delivered us from the stultifying partisan foreign policy debates of that era. Yes, he has escalated more "endless wars" than he has ended. But having a Republican president who regarded the Iraq war as a mistake and has at times resisted the counsel of his most hawkish advisers broadened the conversation and with it the range of possibilities.

Trump's strike killing Iranian Major Gen. Qassem Soleimani inside Iraq brings back memories of Mission Accomplished. Some of the conservatives cheering most loudly aren't normally Trump fans. "General Soleimani is dead because he was an evil bastard who murdered Americans," said Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb). "The president made the brave and right call, and Americans should be proud of our servicemembers who got the job done." Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a Trump ally who is a Bush throwback on foreign policy, told reporters. "I think we need to be ready for a big counterpunch," girding for wider conflict with Iran.

Like Saddam Hussein, Soleimani has blood on his hands, including that of many Americans who fought in Iraq. Yet what is next and whether it furthers our national interests and security remains unclear. Our remaining forces in the region are vulnerable to Iranian retaliation as never before, even as the threat from Tehran to the U.S. homeland is remote.

The partisan debate has returned: Democrats cry "wag the dog" and "Trump's Benghazi" in the aftermath of the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad that motivated the Soleimani strike; even Republicans who once talked about abandoning the neoconservatism that led to Iraq cheer Trump and downplay the possibility of an Iraq-like war with Iran.

Story continues

Trump isn't Dubya. He has so far confined even his activities in Iraq to fighting ISIS. He has been skeptical of regime change, nation-building, and democracy promotion. He could retaliate against the embassy attackers and leave well enough alone. But Trump also does not like to look weak and has unrealistic diplomatic expectations. If Iran escalates, will he once again increase the number of troops in Iraq?

After all, former National Security Adviser John Bolton is a hawk who says he doesn't believe in the neoconservatives' candy and unicorns about democracy promotion. Neither did George W. Bush himself, as he campaigned on exit strategies and a "humble foreign policy." What is Trump's exit strategy here? Even Bush rebuffed advisers who wanted a reprise of the Iraq war inside Iran.

With the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the U.S. toppled the chief regional counterweight to Iran and empowered Shiites likely to be closer politically to Tehran than Washington would prefer. "Whether due to loyalty, fear, or bribery, the Shiite government in Iraq will not take America's side against Iran," notes political philosopher Yoram Hazony, whose book The Virtue of Nationalism has become one of the premiere texts of the Trump years.

More simplistic forms of nationalism are still a potent political force, however. And Americans will rightly want to defend their troops and diplomatic personnel from foreign attack abroad. Soleimani is dead, but it is difficult not to worry more dangerous times lie ahead and voices of caution will once again be drowned out in the emotionally charged debate.

More stories from theweek.com

America is guilty of everything we accuse Iran of doing

5 scathing cartoons about Trump's Iran provocation

An introvert's guide to parenting an extroverted child


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A charity shop in Edinburgh raised 5,000 in just two hours after thrifty shoppers queued up to get their hands on an array of top designer goods

Items, including Jimmy Choo shoes and Hermes scarves, were sold at a fraction of their original price in the Shelter shop in Stockbridge, Edinburgh.

Around 100 bargain hunters formed a queue outside before the doors opened at 10am for the shop's 17th annual New Year sale.

Early birds rummaged for designer brands including Vivienne Westwood, Liberty and Mulberry, and one of the first items off the shelves was a pair of Jimmy Choo stilettos for 80.

Around 100 bargain hunters formed a queue outside before the doors opened at 10am at the Shelter shop in Stockbridge, Edinburgh

Items, including a Vivienne Westwood piece, were sold at a fraction of their original price in the shop

The shop raked in 1500 in less than 30 minutes and 5000 in the first two hours of the sale, which will continue for a week.

The most expensive item - a rare Art Nouveau book signed and illustrated by the Czech painter and graphic artist Alphonse Mucha - was snapped up by the first customer through the door, for 500.

It numbered 228 one of only 252 copies produced in 1900.

The shop raked in 1500 in less than 30 minutes and 5000 in the first two hours of the sale, which will continue for a week

The most expensive item - a rare Art Nouveau book signed and illustrated by the Czech painter and graphic artist Alphonse Mucha - was snapped up by the first customer through the door for 500. Pictured: Shoppers queue up with their finds

A first edition Winnie the Pooh was sold for just 10.

Other collectables ranged from Liberty ties to a 1970s Sindy doll bathroom suite and a selection of cult games including Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder.

A portrait of the actor Laurence Olivier by fellow thespian Antony Sher, titled 'Olivier's Dream', was available in the window for 200.

In the book department, 'The Woman's Book', containing 'everything a woman ought to know' remained available for 30.

All of the items had been donated to the shop in recent months.

Shop manager Pete Jew, who has organised the sale since its inception, was blown away by the success.

Other collectables ranged from Liberty ties to a 1970s Sindy doll bathroom suite and a selection of cult games including Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder

A portrait of the actor Laurence Olivier by fellow thespian Antony Sher, titled 'Olivier's Dream', was available in the window for 200. Pictured: Shoppers browse the sale

In the book department, 'The Woman's Book', containing 'everything a woman ought to know' remained available for 30. Pictured: Shoppers peruse the shelves

He said: 'This is the biggest day in our year by far and this is the busiest ever - there are three times the number of people we get normally on the opening day of the sale and we can't get everybody in at once.

'It's fantastic - I only wish we had a shop three times the size.

'It's an exciting shopping experience unlike any other because nobody knows what's for sale until we remove the tissue paper from the window for the big reveal.

All of the items had been donated to the shop in recent months. Shop manager Pete Jew, who has organised the sale since its inception, was blown away by the success. Pictured: A woman buys teddy bears at the shop

Mr Jew said: 'This is the biggest day in our year by far and this is the busiest ever - there are three times the number of people we get normally on the opening day of the sale and we can't get everybody in at once'

Designer vs charity shop: How much did the bargain hunters save? Vivienne Westwood jacket Charity shop: 80 New: around 500 Jimmy Choo stilettos Charity shop: 80 New: around 500 Hermes scarf Charity shop: 10 New: around 400 Monokel Eyewear sunglasses Charity shop: 30 New: around 80 All 'new' prices are rough estimates based on the average cost of similar new items by the brands Advertisement

'This annual event can only happen because of the generosity of our customers and supporters. I've been here 20 years and the community loyalty is enormous. People really want to support Shelter at this time of the year.'

Cinzia Pusceddu, 53, who grabbed a mirror for her house nearby, said: 'I joined the queue about 20 minutes before the shop opened and the line was along the street.

'It's a small shop and it was a bit crazy but I managed to get a nice mirror -- it's 30 but it's a good one and very well made.'

Graeme Sneddon, 57, spent about 50 on a selection of classic rock LPs. The marketing director, who lives locally, said: 'I come in most weeks and buy vinyl, but they save some of the best ones for the January sale.

'I've got Hawkwind, Neil Young, The Who, Deep Purple and an album I've never seen before by a band called Mountain, but it looked interesting. I'm taking the day off to listen to them now.

'The Hawkwind was 15 - it's worth about 50 but I won't sell it.'

Abby Richards, 27, who spent 40 on a painting of irises for her new home in the city, said: 'I've just moved in to a big old house with lots of blank walls so I've got a nice picture of flowers to help fill them. I don't know if it's worth anything but it's a good cause.'

Ali Devine, 54, who queued with her family, said: 'We spent 40. I picked up a lovely Hermes scarf for 10 so whoever donated it, thank you very much.

'My husband got some shoe trees and our daughter Zoe got some furry Ugg slippers. We're delighted. It was manic but everyone was friendly and we enjoyed the experience.'

The shop has been a fixture in the city's Raeburn Place since 1981. Pictured: Shoppers carry their goods through the shop

Volunteer Carlotta Moro places items in the shop window which features a bust, a guitar, Monokel sunglasses and two plates

Ailene Young, Shelter's Head of Retail for Scotland, said: 'This is the highest turnover day that the charity has for a shop in Scotland.' Pictured: 'A shopper looks at a mask of former prime minister Tony Blair'

Ailene Young, Shelter's Head of Retail for Scotland, said: 'This is the highest turnover day that the charity has for a shop in Scotland.

'It's been absolutely phenomenal. There was a grey Vivienne Westwood coat that I had my eye on but it was away within minutes and I'm delighted about that.

'It's all about making as much money for Shelter Scotland and its work to help homelessness.'

The New Year sale of donated designer items has become an annual highlight in recent years. Pictured: Shoppers queue outside

Some of the top brands on display in the shop window. Shoppers don't know what's for sale until tissue paper is removed from the window

Amanda Comisari with a rare early 1900s illustrated edition of 'Cloches De Noel Et De Paques' that she bought at the designer goods sale

Shoppers examine their items at the till at the designer goods sale in Stockbridge. Top brands included Jimmy Choo and Mulberry

Record collector Graeme Sneddon with some vinyl records he bought at the designer goods sale at Shelter Scotland's shop

The shop has been a fixture in the city's Raeburn Place since 1981, but the New Year sale of donated designer items has become an annual highlight in recent years.

All funds raised go towards Shelter Scotland's work to help homeless and badly-housed households across Scotland.

The charity runs a free national helpline which provides support and advice to people struggling with their housing.
'Quiet back channel advice will probably be rendered by Saudi Arabia to India that international perception on both issues does not favour India and that it should be prudent to look inwards and introspect on where the failing has been,' notes Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).

IMAGE: A huge protest in Bengaluru on December 23, 2019 against the Citizen (Amendment) Bill and National Register of Citizens. Photograph: ANI

If you have been deeply involved with following the nuances of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the turbulence that has followed, it is very likely that you missed the news announced first only by Pakistan that a special foreign ministers's meeting of the Saudi Arabia-led Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will be held in all probability at Islamabad in April.

The main agenda at the event that Pakistan announced with unabashed glee is that of Kashmir and even the CAA.

For Pakistan this is equivalent to being in seventh heaven, never mind that there is little enthusiasm from Saudi Arabia during who's Foreign Ministers' visit to Islamabad the event seems to have been discussed.

Pakistan's enthusiasm appears to have remained short lived as it is now being reported that the meeting will only be one of members of parliament of OIC countries and not at the ministerial level.

A complex set of Islamic politics and diplomatic competitiveness for cultivation of respective narratives of India and Pakistan forms the backdrop to these happenings.

It is worth analysing to get the right perspective and how much of a difference it makes to India.

An Islamic summit was held in Kuala Lumpur between December 18-21, 2019.

It was sponsored under the stewardship of the world's oldest head of government, Prime Minister Mohammad Mahathir of Malaysia and the Islamic world's latest aspirant for higher leadership, President Recep Erdogan of Turkey.

It was a decision taken on the sidelines of the UN general assemby in August 2019 and included Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan as one of the originators of the proposal.

The meeting was purported to be for discussions on countering Islamophobia around the world, but it was outside the format of the OIC, the Saudi-sponsored 57-strong Islamic grouping headquartered in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is extremely sensitive to anything about the Islamic world being discussed outside the OIC's ambit and views it as a threat to its primacy in the Islamic world perceived due to its rich energy reserves and custodianship of the two most holy shrines of Islam.

The three sponsors were joined by Qatar, Iran and Indonesia lending their weight before the meeting, the former two adding to the irritation of Saudi Arabia, being its two nemeses.

Pakistan is the last among Islamic nations who could be expected to proceed against the desire of Saudi Arabia, being tethered and beholden to it for several economic bailouts, including a current one.

However, its own desire to punch much above its economic weight appeared to force it to step out of tune.

Just before the Kuala Lumpur meeting, the Saudis spoke to Indonesia and coerced it into not attending the event.

The same did not work with Malaysia.

As for Pakistan, Imran Khan was summoned to Riyadh after which he pulled Pakistan out too, much to the chagrin of strategic commentators in his country who questioned both decisions; to agree to attend and then to pull out under Saudi pressure thus affecting Pakistan's independent and sovereign credentials.

Considering that Malaysia and Turkey's efforts to dilute the Saudi leadership of the Islamic world could be serious, especially with Qatar and Iran too attending the meeting, the Saudis attempted to mollify Pakistan with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan's day-long visit to Islamabad.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi exploited the opportunity to brief the visiting prince about the Pakistan perceived situation in J&K and the new developments involving India's Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

The Saudi concession of accepting an OIC meeting (yet undetermined at what level) to discuss these issues even after the solid support extended to India through the Pulwama, Balakot and Constitutional abrogation episodes may seem surprising to India.

India is one of Saudi Arabia's largest purchasers of energy and has a Diaspora of 3 million workers and other professionals in that country.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi welcomes Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Palam air force station in New Delhi, February 19, 2019. Photograph: PTI Photo

In the last few years, and especially under Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, the India-Saudi Arabia relationship has flowered and along with it India's relationship with other Gulf States -- the UAE and Bahrain in particular.

In fact, under its current leadership, India's overall relationship with the Islamic world has seen much improvement, a major foreign policy achievement.

The late external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj attended and addressed the OIC's foreign ministers's meeting in Abu Dhabi on March 1, 2019.

There are two issues of significance here.

The first is that the Saudis were concerned enough to attempt mollifying Pakistan after it had been coerced not to attend the Kuala Lumpur meeting.

It meant that the challenge from Malaysia, Turkey and Qatar is considered serious enough to Saudi pre-eminence, especially since arch adversary Iran seems to be with them too.

Pakistan is a country of 207 million Muslims and therefore cannot be taken lightly.

The Saudis would like to keep such nations cultivated with an odd concession; Pakistan sought one such concession, an OIC discussion on Kashmir and the CAA.

Second, Saudi Arabia has been prudent enough not to jump the gun and accept an immediate OIC meeting at whatever level.

It has given India a clear four month lead to ensure that it gets its diplomacy going as also its perception management about both issues -- Kashmir and the CAA.

Quiet back channel advice will probably be rendered by Saudi Arabia to India that international perception on both issues does not favour India and that it should be prudent to look inwards and introspect on where the failing has been.

On Kashmir, Indian diplomacy was proactive and the pace of engagement has to be maintained.

Lots of questions are being put to us in India and our responses are now appearing defensive.

Refusal to engage with those who do not accept or agree to our point of view is an unconvincing strategy and must be replaced by readiness to engage in the spirit of debate and alternative opinion.

Knowledgeable and experienced Kashmir hands must be extensively used for this to keep our missions fully proficient with their confidence to justify our stance.

The international media has been less than kind to India and our efforts need to redouble in that domain.

The issue of CAA will prove to be a greater challenge since the government itself says that perceptions about it even within India are incorrect.

When such issues reach the street international perceptions tend to go along with the street and need to be contested more vigorously.

The Saudis under pressure within the Islamic world must not turn their back against India on these two issues.

Although there are four months yet to an unconfirmed OIC meeting which may ultimately be inconsequential, it is the manner in which Pakistan plays its diplomatic hand as also the way Saudi Arabia perceives the dynamics of its influence waning or enhancing, which will decide which way the latter will play its hand.

India's engagement not only with the Islamic world but also with many other influential nations must rise to the level of being transformational.

It's what the navy calls out in emergency -- 'all hands on deck'

Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) is the former GOC 15 and 21 Corps and one of India's leading strategic analysts. The general is a frequent contributor to Rediff.com.
[January 03, 2020]

Thermo Fisher Scientific to Present at 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on January 13, 2020

WALTHAM, Mass., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, announced that Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer, will present at the 38th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, California, on Monday, January 13, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. (PST) followed by a Q&A session at 4:30 p.m. (PST).

You can access the webcast of the presentation and the Q&A session via the Investors section of our website, www.thermofisher.com.

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $24 billion and approximately 70,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, delivermedicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands  Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services  we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive support. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com.







Media Contact Information:

Ron O'Brien

Phone: 781-622-1242

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.thermofisher.com

Investor Contact Information:

Ken Apicerno

Phone: 781-622-1294

E-mail: [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thermo-fisher-scientific-to-present-at-38th-annual-jp-morgan-healthcare-conference-on-january-13-2020-300980663.html

SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific
Pakistan reports mixed 6M dispatches in December

03 January 2020

In the six months of July-December 2019, Pakistani cement plants in the northern region saw a rise in domestic dispatches, but export sales were subdued, according to All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers' Association (APCMA). In the south the domestic offtake was poor, but exports delivered a positive performance. APCMA attributes this to the two-tier growth in the country's economy.

In the 6MFY19-20 cement dispatches in the country increased 6.5 per cent to 24.751Mt when compared with 23.239Mt dispatched during the same period last year. Domestic consumption registered a rise of only 3.5 per cent to 20.373Mt from 19.677Mt in the same period last year, while exports surged by over 22 per cent to 4.377Mt from 3.561Mt in the year-ago period.



Out this total, the northern cement grinding units dispatched 17.406Mt cement to the local market in 6MFY19-20, registering a YoY increase of 11.7 per cent. Exports from the north reached only 1.42Mt, down 3.9 per cent YoY.



The southern region dispatched 2.967Mt of cement to the domestic market in the 6MFY19-20, representing a decline of 27.4 per cent when compared with the year-ago period. Exports from the south in the last six months almost matched the local consumption in that region. The exports were 2.957Mt, registering a considerable growth of 41.9 per cent.



December 2019

In December 2019 cement dispatches increased by 10.7 per cent YoY to 4.306Mt from 3.891Mt. Pakistani cement consumption increased by 7.2 per cent to 3.536Mt in December 2019 from 3.3Mt in December 2018, while exports surged 30.4 per cent from 0.591Mt in December 2018 to 0.769Mt in December 2019.



During the last month of 2019, the cement mills based in northern Pakistan dispatched 3.172Mt, 11.2 per cent higher than 2.852Mt in December 2018. Domestic offtake increased from 2.62Mt in December 2018 to 2.96Mt last month, whereas exports fell from 0.227Mt in December 2018 to 0.207Mt in December 2019.



Southern-based cement mills dispatched 1.135Mt in December 2019, up 9.2 per cent from 1.039Mt in December 2018. Domestic consumption declined from 0.675Mt in December 2018 to 0.572Mt in December 2019. However, exports from the region increased to 0.563Mt in December 2019 from 0.364Mt in December 2018.

Government support needed

With cement dispatches estimated at just over 47Mt in 2019 and a capacity of 59.65Mta, the industry has considerable overcapacity, according to APCMA. This situation is expected not to trigger any investment and expansion in the industry and employment in the sector is set to gradually decrease. To support the sector, APCMA has suggested that the government needs to start work on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and announced housing projects to boost the contribution of the construction sector and provide job opportunities for skilled and unskilled labour.

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The statistical clocks are reset as Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park kicks off the 2020 racing season on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 4).

The 14-dash Saturday presentation has a 12:30 p.m. first-race post time with Race 11 on the program being carded as the New Years Pace. The $2,100 event has Silverhill Buddy tacked as the morning-line favourite from post 4 with David Dowling in the bike for co-owner and trainer Dave Myers, who co-owns with Joanne MacRae and Gwyneth McGuirk. The now six-year-old son of Proven Lover had a banner season in 2019 with seven wins and $12,980 in purse earnings, with his latest trip to the winners circle just two starts back.

Summerside Raceway sophomore-track-record-holder Complete Player has post 2 in the full field with Kenny Arsenault picking up the catch drive behind the six-year-old son of Brandons Cowboy from the Tom Weatherbie stable. Smart Official leaves from post 7 with Jason Hughes at the lines for trainer Peter Lanigan of Montague.

Race analyst Les MacIsaac sides with Silverhill Buddy for the top piece of his selection in the New Years Pace.

Silverhill Buddy had to work hard for the front last time and while there's no guarantee it will be easier today since there's early speed to his inside, he still gets top billing, MacIsaac said.

Also in the field is Harbourlite Jerry (Driven by Steven Shepherd), Selkirk Echo (Ken Murphy), Oh To Be Me (Gary Chappell), Melanies Magic (Adam Merner) and Smiley Bayama (Corey MacPherson).

The Preferred Pace will see a tight knit field of five vying for a $2,900 purse in race 7. Screen Test rides a two-race win streak into the event from post 5 with MacPherson at the lines for trainer Stephen Gass of Cornwall. Other top entries are Creepin (Dowling) and Winter Blast (Hughes).

(Red Shores Charlottetown)

To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Saturday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.
Former members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party formed a new political entity on Thursday, taking the number of parties formed by the former opposition members following the CNRPs dissolution to three.

Former CNRP officials Chiv Cata and Kang Kimhak are the co-founders of the party and were previously part of the 118 opposition officials banned following the dissolution of the party in 2017.

The two former CNRP members were given amnesty from the ban last March, during an attempt by the government to create factions in the opposition by allowing members to request a return to political activity.

Chiv Cata, sitting alongside 21 members of the new party, said the party, called Cambodian Nation Love Party, was created because of the hopeless situation of the party leadership and to continue the struggles against dictatorship and injustice.

Senior opposition leader Kem Sokha is currently on bail and will go to trial on treason charges in two weeks and former party leader Sam Rainsy is in exile in France.

The reason that we create this new party is because we are hopeless and because of the ongoing divisions among the [opposition] democrats, Chiv Cata said.

The party claimed that it was independent of existing political affiliations and was being funded, for now, by its members.

Chhim Kan, chief of the Interior Ministrys Department of Association and Political Party Affairs, said he had already received the application and the application would be approved if the party met all the necessary requirements.

Since the CNRP was dissolved, three new parties have been formed by its former members or their family members. They are the Khmer Will Party, Khmer Conservatism Party and now the Cambodian Nation Love Party.

Kong Monika, youngest son of CNRP and Sam Rainsy Party stalwart Kong Koam founded the Khmer Will Party a few months before the 2018 general election, where the party won no parliamentary seats.

In September 2019, former CNRP lawmaker Real Camerin founded the Khmer Conservatism Party, after he too received political rehabilitation in March.

Morn Phalla, a former CNRP executive member living in exile, said it was not the right time for his former colleagues to form a new party.

This is indeed just to serve and to help support the ruling partys legitimacy, particularly, to entertain Mr. Hun Sens ambitions, Morn Phalla said.

After the 2018 national election, the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party won all National Assembly seats, turning parliament into a one-party legislative body. Observers and analysts have said the creation of smaller, so-called opposition parties was intended to legitimize the governments claims of a multiparty democracy and to fracture the opposition CNRP.

However, CPP spokesperson Sok Eysan dismissed any allegation that the ruling party was behind the creation of these smaller parties to mitigate risks of foreign reprimand, such as the current EU investigation into a potential suspension of the Everything But Arms trade privileges.

It is their autonomous right as citizens to form a political party or an association, Sok Eysan said.
"There's no doubt people are justified in feeling angry, people are justified in feeling scared. A lot of people are feeling anxious, that's normal and we have to accept these emotions. "I don't begrudge anybody for feeling the way they do. Everybody reacts to very difficult circumstances differently, we have to accept that. Our job as leaders is to get resources where they need to be." Mr Morrison was forced to make a quick getaway into a government car after his visit to Cobargo, where locals heckled him and refused to shake his hand. Cobargo was where father and son Robert and Patrick Salway lost their lives this week, when fire roared through the area early on Tuesday morning, torching buildings in the town's historic main street.

Mr Constance said the "only two people providing leadership in the state" were Ms Berejiklian and Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. "I know this is tough, and I know I'm on his side of politics. But, you know, [Premier] Gladys [Berejiklian] and [RFS Commissioner] Shane Fitzsimmons came here two days ago," Mr Constance said. Ms Berejiklian has worked every day of the fire crisis, visiting areas destroyed by the South Coast firestorm as well as being at RFS headquarters for regular briefings. Meanwhile, NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and NSW Deputy Premier, John Barilaro, have been holidaying in London. Both are due to return on Friday or Saturday. Mr Constance said he would visit Cobargo later on Friday before arriving back in Malua Bay ahead of what are expected to be dire fire conditions on Saturday.

People feeling raw: Morrison Mr Morrison told ABC News he went to Cobargo to "see it for myself, to offer what comfort I could, but you can't always in every circumstances". "I'm not surprised people are feeling very raw at the moment," Mr Morrison said. "I understand the very strong feelings people have. They've lost everything and there are still some very dangerous days ahead." He acknowledged the anger of bushfire victims who rounded on him in Cobargo but said he did not take the attacks personally because it was his job to offer comfort and support.

Loading "People are angry and people are raw and people are upset," Mr Morrison said on Melbourne radio station 3AW on Friday morning. "Whether they are angry with me or they are angry about the situation, all I know is they are hurting and its my job to be there to try and offer some comfort and support. "That's my job. I don't take these things personally, why would I? "I know that people are hurting, I know that they're raw and I know what our job is and it's to work closely with the states and support them in everything they need and pre-empt their requests and ensure that our defence forces and other agencies are ready to go."

Loading Asked about Mr Constances remark that he had received the welcome he "deserved" in Cobargo, Mr Morrison told 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell he had not seen those. Asked if he was confident he had done everything he could, the Prime Minister said it was the federal governments role to offer every assistance it could to the states. "But I do know people are angry and they'll often fixate on whether its the Prime Minister or someone else and I understand that, I understand the emotion, I understand the hurt, the anger, the frustration," he said. "And what we will do is just continue to offer use every resource and person we have to assist the situation".

Loading Mr Morrison later played down any rift between himself and Mr Constance, saying he had "reached out to him" following his comments on Channel Seven. Mr Morrison said he had known Mr Constance "for a long time" and he had been through a "terrible, terrible experience and ordeal". "Andrew, like so many in that part of NSW - his neighbour lost his own property there, and he's been defending his own property there," Mr Morrison told reporters in Bairnsdale, eastern Victoria. "He's deeply part of that community. So I can understand how Andrew would be feeling at the moment. So I've reached out to him today, and offered that apology to him [for not being in contact]."

Mr Morrison said he did not take angry interactions with community members "personally". "I just see it as a sense of frustration and hurt and loss and anger that is out there about what is the ferocity of these natural disasters." "If people want to direct that at me, that is up to them. It's not something that will distract me." Mr Morrison said he was reviewing whether to leave Australia as scheduled on January 12 for a long-scheduled official visit to India and Japan. He cut a family holiday to Hawaii short last month following the deaths of two volunteer firefighters after he was heavily criticised for leaving the country as the bushfire crisis worsened.

Ex fire chief slams Morrison Former NSW Fire and Rescue commissioner Greg Mullins said the Prime Minister failed to prepare for the fire crisis after advice from former fire chiefs earlier this year was ignored. Speaking to ABC Radios Josh Szep on Friday, Mr Mullins said the federal government had been put on notice for this summers monster fire season. "This is what 28 other former fire chiefs and I tried to warn the PM about back in April or May. We werent listened to." The chiefs urged the federal government to deploy the army in a "more organised" fashion and to invest in firefighting aircraft.

"All we have is seven large air tankers in Australia. [In California] they had 35 large air tankers working [the fires], plus dozens of helicopters." As well as long-term planning, the Prime Minister could be doing more while the fires were still raging, Mr Mullins said. "Our Prime Minister should be on the phone to [Canadian Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau right now and saying, 'We need 20 of your purpose-built water scoopers which are mothballed during your winter.' " Mr Mullins said hed never experienced conditions like those seen this week. "All states are starting to burn. When they burn simultaneously, we cant share firefighters, we cant share trucks."






A woman believed to be Carole Ghosn, wife of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, leaves in a car, in Beirut, Lebanon. / Reuters

ISTANBUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - A Turkish private jet operator said on Friday that ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn used two of its planes illegally in his escape from Japan, with an employee falsifying lease records to exclude his name from the documents.

MNG Jet said it had filed a criminal complaint over the incident, a day after Turkish police detained seven people, including four pilots, as part of an investigation into Ghosn's passage through Istanbul en route to Lebanon.

Ghosn has become an international fugitive after he revealed on Tuesday he had fled to Lebanon to escape what he called a "rigged" justice system in Japan, where he faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes.

Lebanon on Thursday received an Interpol arrest alert for Ghosn, whose surprise escape from his home in Tokyo to a separate home in Beirut has not been fully explained.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that the diminutive Ghosn slipped out of Japan aboard a private jet hidden in a large black case typically used to carry audio gear. He was accompanied by a pair of men with names matching those of American security contractors, the newspaper said, citing people familiar with Turkey's probe into the escape.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK, citing investigative sources, said a surveillance camera captured the former Nissan chairman leaving his Tokyo residence alone shortly before his escape.

The security footage was taken by a camera installed at his house in central Tokyo around noon on Sunday, and the camera did not show him returning home, NHK said.

By early Monday, he had touched down in Istanbul.

MNG Jet said in its statement it leased two jets to two different clients in agreements that "were seemingly not connected to each other." One plane flew from Osaka to Istanbul, the other from Istanbul to Beirut.

Story continues

"The name of Mr Ghosn did not appear in the official documentation of any of the flights," it said.

"After having learnt through the media that the leasing was benefiting Mr. Ghosn and not the officially declared passengers, MNG Jet launched an internal inquiry and filed a criminal complaint in Turkey," it added.

An employee admitted to falsifying the records and confirmed he "acted in his individual capacity," the company said.

The pilots and other detainees, including two airport ground staff and one cargo worker, were sent to court on Friday after giving statements to police, according to a Reuters witness.

Late on Friday the court ruled to formally arrest five of the suspects, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported. The other two suspects were released from custody, according to media reports.

Turkish interior ministry spokesman Ismail Catakli told reporters earlier on Friday that Ghosn was believed to have been transferred through the cargo section of the airport in Istanbul, but did not provide further details.

Ghosn has said he will speak publicly about his escape on Jan. 8.

Some Lebanese media, in reports similar to the Wall Street Journal, have floated a Houdini-like account of Ghosn being packed in a wooden container for musical instruments after a private concert in his home, but his wife has called the account "fiction."

NHK said police suspected Ghosn may have left his home to meet up with someone before heading to an airport. Under the terms of his bail, Ghosn was required to have security cameras installed at the entrance of his house.

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A couple died early Friday when fire raced through an apartment building in Bayonne, authorities said.

The multiple-alarm fire started about 2 a.m. in a building on Islandview Court, according to the Bayonne Office of Emergency Management. OEM officials urged city residents to avoid the area.

The Hudson County Prosecutors Office confirmed an elderly couple has died in the blaze and the countys Regional Arson Task Force and Bayonne Fire Department are investigating.

The New Jersey Red Cross deployed a team of disaster response volunteers to the area to assist dozens displaced by the fire.

Our @NJRedCross disaster responders are assisting families displaced by this mornings fire in #Bayonne. pic.twitter.com/aF1hKsh7lr  Matthew Teter (@mattteter) January 3, 2020

BFD is operating at a multiple alarm structure fire on IslandView Court. Please avoid this area. Posted by Bayonne Office of Emergency Management on Thursday, January 2, 2020

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.
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks at the Elysee Palace on May 06, 2019 in Paris, France.

French President Emmanuel Macron is under growing pressure from trade unions as he seeks to reform the country's pension system.

Public sector workers entered their 30th day of industrial action on Friday  the longest protest in France since 1986, when transport workers demonstrated for 28 days. The latest dispute doesn't seem to have an end in sight, with trade unions criticizing Macron for "living in his own bubble."

"The process will be protracted, strikes could last for another month," Tomasz Michalski, professor of economics at HEC Paris business school, told CNBC Thursday.

There will be a new round of talks between government officials and trade unionists Tuesday. Workers are set to take to the streets again later next week.

During his new years' address, President Macron asked for a "rapid compromise" between his government and workers.

"What has he said that was new about this famous social  reform? Nothing. I have heard this speech 1000 times before. We have the impression that the President of the Republic has closed himself within his own bubble," Philippe Martinez, secretary general of the General Confederation of Labour, a trade union, told BFM TV Wednesday.

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The Federation Syndicale Unitaire, another French trade union, also said in a statement Wednesday that the President is in "denial of the social reality."

"It is therefore more than ever necessary to continue the mobilizations," they argued.

The open-ended strike is an attempt by public sector workers to show their dissatisfaction with the government's plan to update the pension system. France has one of the most expensive pension systems in the world, according to data from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). President Emmanuel Macron vowed ahead of his election in 2017 to make the current setup simpler.

Macron is pushing for a single, points-based system. This would replace the current 42 different pension plans that vary according to profession and region, which means some workers are currently entitled to a full pension before the minimum retirement age of 62. The proposed regime aims to make pensioners contribute the same amount and give them equal rights.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 08:30:07|Editor: Liu

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- West Ham United are preparing a formal bid to sign Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa, according to media reports in the South American country.

However the Hammers face competition from Flamengo, where he spent 2019 on loan from Inter Milan, as well as Premier League rivals Chelsea and Crystal Palace, O Globo reported.

It added that West Ham are willing to offer 17 million pounds (23 million U.S. dollars) to secure the 23-year-old on a long-term deal.

The figure trumps a proposal already submitted by Flamengo, who are expected to make an improved bid for the forward in the coming days.

Barbosa, who is nicknamed Gabigol, scored 43 goals in 59 matches across all competitions for Flamengo in 2019, helping the club to the Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores titles.

His impressive season came after a prolific 12-month loan at Santos, where he netted 27 times in 53 matches.

Barbosa was considered one of the most promising young forwards in the world in 2016, when he joined Inter Milan for 30 million U.S. dollars from Santos.

But he managed just one goal in 10 matches for the Italian club before an equally unsuccessful six-month loan spell at Benfica.
New Delhi:

In what can spark a fresh controversy, the Narendra Modi government rejected the tableau proposal by Bihar. The development comes after the Centre turned down West Bengal and Maharashtras plans for the Republic Day celebrations. According to sources in the government, Bihars bid did not find favour on the ground that it did not fulfil the necessary criteria laid down for choosing tableaux from the states for the occasion. Bihar had put forward its tableau based on the theme of 'Jal-Jivan-Haryali Abhiyan' launched by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in October 2019 to boost green cover and the ground water table in the state.

RJD has slammed the Modi governments decision. "They (NDA government at the Centre) earlier shot down Bihar's demand for special status and has now rejected a proposal to showcase its scheme through a tableau on the Republic Day.... This is the truth of the 'double-engine' government trumpeted by the BJP," RJD spokesman Mritunjan Tiwari was quoted as saying.

On Thursday, the Centre reportedly rejected the Maharashtras tableau proposal for the Republic Day parade. The development came hours after the Trinamool Congress on Thursday hit out at the BJP-led government at the Centre over the rejection of West Bengal's tableau proposal for Republic Day parade, saying it insulted the people of the state for protesting the amended Citizenship Act.

Twenty-two proposals from 16 states and union territories and six from central ministries and out of a total 56 have been shortlisted for this parade. Maharashtra tableau was based on the 175-year-old journey of a theatre of the state. But reports suggest that it was not approved by the Union Culture Ministery. Some states have a chance for the rotational method every year.

Slamming the Centre, NCP leader Supriya Sule said Republic Day is celebrated across India and all states should participate in the parade. But the government is acting aggressively and treating non-BJP ruled states with discriminatory behaviour. Both Maharashtra and West Bengal have played a vital role in country's independence. It's an insult to the states, and I condemn this action."

The Defence Ministry had on Wednesday rejected West Bengal's tableau proposal. The West Bengal government's proposal was rejected after an Expert Committee examined it in two rounds of meeting, a statement by the ministry said. "The tableau proposal of the West Bengal government was not taken forward for further consideration by the Expert Committee after deliberations in the second meeting.

"It is pertinent to mention here that the tableau of the Government of West Bengal was short-listed for participation in the Republic Day Parade 2019 as an outcome of the same process," it said.

West Bengal Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Tapas Roy accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of having a "vindictive attitude" against the state.

"Just because West Bengal has been opposing anti- people policies of the BJP government, a step-motherly treatment is being meted out to the state. As we have opposed anti-people laws like CAA, the Centre has rejected our tableau proposal," Roy told PTI.

This is not the first time that West Bengal's tableau proposal has been rejected. There have been previous instances also, he said. "Such cheap politics won't deter us from opposing anti-people policies. The BJP has insulted the people of West Bengal and they would get a befitting reply for it in the near future," Roy said.

Responding to the allegations, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said the tableau was rejected as the state government didn't properly follow the rules and procedure in submitting the proposal.

"The state government has not followed the rules. Other states have followed them, so their tableau proposals were accepted. The TMC should stop doing politics on each and every issue," Ghosh said.

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The Vajpayee government was never questioned for amending the Citizenship Act in 2003, but suspicion about the current regime's intentions led to nationwide protests, former minister Yashwant Sinha said here on Monday.

Dismissing the government's argument that amendment to the Citizenship Act was part of the BJP's poll promises, Sinha asked if a manifesto can "supercede" the Constitution.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is against the the Constitution as it discriminates on the ground of religion, he told PTI on the sidelines of an event at St Xavier's College here.

"They (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah) are completely contradicting what they said earlier," the former BJP leader said.

Both were "scared" because of the nationwide protests, which led them to go back on promise to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country, Sinha said.

All political parties had supported the amendment to citizenship laws carried out during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2003, he said.

"Do you remember any protests (happening) in 2003? I don't remember any. No hackles were raised. We talked about a national register of Indian citizens being prepared, though it was left vague because the rules were to be framed later," he said.

"Why has CAA caused so much disruption? Because people go by the intention of the government. In Vajpayee's time, they didn't suspect the intention of the government. In the present situation, they suspect the intention behind this move," the former Union minister said.

He also argued that with Aadhar in place, there was no need for a National Population Register (NPR), as biometric details of people are already with the government.

The difficulties during the NRC exercise in Assam tells us what kind of mayhem it will cause if carried out nationwide, Sinha said.

The bureaucrat-turned-politician also attacked Modi, comparing him to medieval ruler Muhammad bin Tughluq, for pushing ahead with the Rajpath revamp plan at a time when the economy is in the middle of a slowdown.

He blamed the government for focusing only on supply side measures to reverse the slowdown and not pushing up demand, which he said was "dead".

Instead of corporate tax cuts which would lead to revenue loss of Rs 1.46 lakh crore, same quantum of relief



should have been given to the farm sector and infrastructure building, the former finance minister said.

Sinha claimed he had warned of the impending troubles 27 months ago in an article, but the government only published a counter penned by his son and then Union minister Jayant Sinha, instead of taking corrective measures.

He also alleged that the government was "fiddling" with data and manipulating it to present a rosy picture, and expressed disappointment at the Budget, which he said was "undone" frequently by the government (by subsequent tinkering).

On stock markets going up despite the slowdown, Sinha said he suspected that the markets were being "played up" by vested interests.

He also reiterated that not joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership illustrated "cowardice".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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The state is awarding nearly $30 million to support agriculture projects, including $200,000 to Otsego Now for the Oneonta Halal Meat Processing Facility.

The facility will provide custom meat processing for local farmers and growers, and tap into the market of USDA-inspected Halal beef, lamb, goat and other meat products in the New York City metropolitan area.

The 7,200 square-foot facility will be located in the Oneonta Business Park.

New York is home to the best farms and best food and beverage businesses in the world and they are growing local economies, creating jobs, and improving quality of life, said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball.

The funds were distributed on Dec. 19 as part of the 2019 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative.

Other awards from the REDC initiative include:

 Western New York  $2.94 million was awarded to Empire State Brands for the renovation of a vacant food processing facility in Dunkirk. The facility will be used to launch a vertically-integrated growing, processing and packaging operation for quality hops, malted barley, wheat, rye and other grains products.

 Finger Lakes  $60,000 was awarded to Deer Run Winery to increase wine production capacity and introduce new and trending products to the marketplace.

 Southern Tier  $599,000 was awarded to Saputo Dairy Foods USA to purchase and install new equipment enabling the company to create jobs, increase production efficiency, and support the launch of new milk products.

 Central New York  $5 million was awarded to Cayuga Milk Ingredients for the installation of an evaporator and feed system and a UHT/Aseptic bottling line in order to increase production.

 North Country  $250,000 was awarded to Ward Lumber Worker Cooperative, Inc. to purchase the assets of Ward Lumber, Inc., including real estate, machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures, to preserve operations in Jay and Malone.

 Capital Region  $475,000 was awarded to King Brothers Dairy to expand its processing capacity and add a production line that will produce premium yogurt.

 Mid- Hudson Region  $800,000 was awarded to New York Juice Company, a subsidiary of Direct Refreshments, to design and construct a 50,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Dutchess County.

 Long Island  $180,000 was awarded Harbor Lights Oyster Co. North Fork to build the North Fork Aquaculture Center to house an oyster hatchery and a shellfish processing center that will offer accessible services to the local seafood industry.

 New York City  $600,000 was awarded to The Randalls Island Park Alliance to repurpose an existing vacant building into an accessible Nature Center at Randalls Island Park.
Odisha Police arrested a trainee air hostess from her residence here for aiding a gangster in his extortion activities from behind the bars.

The 26-year-old woman is the second to be arrested in a week in connection with the case.

She was arrested from her Darga Bazaar residence and produced at a local court which remanded her to jail custody after rejecting her bail plea, the police said.

A woman law student was arrested earlier this week on the same charges of aiding the same gangster.

Both the women are arrested under Indian Penal Code sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 387(extortion), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 507 (criminal intimidation by anonymous communication) and under sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, the police said.

The gangster Mohammed Shakeel is now lodged in Choudwar circle jail and had allegedly threatened a Cuttack businessman over WhatsApp video call on December 14 and had demanded Rs 10 lakh from him.

The two women had allegedly facilitated the video call for Shakeel, the police said.

The businessman had submitted a written complaint to the police.

Shakeel, his father and four of his accomplices are behind the bars in connection with various cases for over four months.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The hospital could appeal or reapply for certification by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but it would not be able to bill for care throughout the lengthy process. Only four hospitals across the country had their federal funding terminated for the year ending Sept. 30, according to the agency.
In the January 3 episode of In The News podcast, host Jerome Anthony gets in conversation with Dustin Yarde and Siddhesh Raut from the Moneycontrol newsroom to find out the top developments from India and around the world.

Yarde talks about escalating US-Iran tensions that were triggered following the death of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani. The top military official was killed along with Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in a US-led air strike at Bagdad International Airport in Iraq.

Next, Raut talks about Bosch India planning to cut 2,000 jobs as the company battles a slowdown in sales.

He also discusses Ratan Tata moving the Supreme Court against the NCLAT order on reinstating former executive chairman Cyrus Mistry at Tata Sons.
The Australian navy on Friday began evacuating around 1,000 people stranded on the east coast of the fire-ravaged country as a searing weather front was set to whip up more blazes across the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW).

At the peak of the summer holiday period, tens of thousands of holidaymakers have been urged to leave national parks and tourist areas on the NSW south coast and eastern areas of Victoria before a return of temperatures above 40 degrees Celcius (104 F) and hot winds on Saturday.

Victoria declared a state of disaster for the first time, giving authorities broad powers to compel people to leave their properties and take control of services, similar to the state of emergency that has been declared in NSW.

Andrew Crisp, emergency management commissioner for Victoria, urged people in at-risk areas to leave their homes immediately and not count on luck to avoid disaster.

This is your opportunity to get out. It is not just the fires we know. It is the new fires that might start today, he told ABC News.

The states Premier Daniel Andrews said the state of disaster was an extraordinary step for extraordinary circumstances. If you can leave you must leave. Not just for your safety but for the safety of those who may be called to your aid, he told ABC news.

Another death from the fires in NSW was confirmed on Friday, taking the toll in the state this week to eight. Two people have died in Victorias fires, and 28 others are unaccounted for.

The navys HMAS Choules and Sycamore started the evacuations of around 1,000 of the 4,000 people stranded on a beach in the isolated town of Mallacoota in far-east Victoria, federal member of parliament Darren Chester tweeted on Friday morning.

With all roads blocked, sea transport and some airlifts are the only way out of the stricken town.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had called for calm on Thursday, before visiting the fire-devastated NSW town of Cobargo.

Bushfires so far this season have scorched more than 4 million hectares (10 million acres) of bushland and destroyed over 1,000 homes, including 449 homes destroyed on the south coast this week.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has rated six of South Australias 15 weather districts at extreme fire danger rating on Friday; three are rated severe, five at very high and one at high.

For Saturday, the BOM has extreme fire danger ratings for four of 17 districts in NSW. Six areas are rated severe, 10 are very high and one is high. In Victoria, one district has a forecast extreme rating, three are rated severe, three at very high and two at high.

NSW rural fire service (RFS) says there are 127 fires burning in the state and warned of a fire front stretching 60 to 70 km (37-44 miles) on Saturday. It tweeted a map of predictions of the spread of fires on Saturday.

Fire Spread Prediction for Sat 4 Jan 2020

Dangerous fires in Shoalhaven, South Coast, Snowy Mountains & areas surrounding Greater Sydney. You should not be in potential spread areas or potential ember attack areas on Saturday. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/Ry14FXgPR2  NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 3, 2020

Victorias emergency coordination center published its map of fire predictions (pdf).

Ten people have been killed by wildfires in the eastern states of NSW and Victoria since Monday, and 28 are still missing in Victoria.

New Zealands government said it would send another 22 firefighters next week. Since October, Australias Pacific neighbor has deployed 157 firefighters to Australia. Firefighters have also traveled from the United States and Canada to assist in the firefighting efforts, with many giving up their Christmas and New Years holidays to help out.

By Jill Gralow and Wayne Cole
For those reasons, many residents have paused their life plans. Edmond Chan, a 29-year-old math teacher, and his girlfriend do not talk about getting married or starting a family anymore. They have discussed moving to Taiwan but cannot afford to.

Mr. Chans role has changed over the year from educator to counselor for students who cannot talk to their parents about the protests. He can no longer talk about the unrest with his own parents, who he says would rather not watch the news or discuss politics.

We are very confused about how to teach a child that Hong Kong is a good place to live, Mr. Chan said as he watched a recent lunchtime protest. When his own students come to him for guidance, he does not know what to say.

Official figures do not show whether more people are leaving Hong Kong than before, but the signs of interest are there. Applications for a certificate required to change citizenship have jumped by nearly three-quarters from a year ago, according to local data. Immigration consultants describe a flurry of requests for information. Fliers advertising investment-for-citizenship programs in other countries can be found in the lobbies of luxury apartment buildings.

Edward Suen, the 42-year-old owner of a marketing firm, is encouraging friends to explore that possibility, especially if they have children. If you can afford it, he said, leave.

Mr. Suen has himself vowed to stay and support the protests. He was galvanized after participating in Hong Kongs first major street march this year, in June, which organizers said had drawn one million people. City leaders rejected their demands.

Days later, during a meeting on a work trip, Mr. Suen held his phone surreptitiously under the table and watched a video of police officers firing tear gas at protesters surrounding Hong Kongs legislative building.
A candidate for future phage therapy - bacteriophage against multidrug-resistant clinical strains of Pseudomonas bacteria. Credit: M. Rohde/HZI Braunschweig

Resistance to antibiotics is on the rise worldwide. Fraunhofer scientists have joined forces with partners in the Phage4Cure project to explore alternatives to antibiotics. One objective is to vanquish multidrug-resistant pathogens with viruses called bacteriophages. Another is to see these phages approved to treat the dreaded hospital germ Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most frequent bacterial cause of pneumonia.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic resistance has reached alarming levels worldwide. WHO Secretary General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says it is jeopardizing a hundred years of medical progress. Finding a solution to this problem is one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare. This is where the Phage4Cure project enters the picture (see box for more details). Partners in this project, including the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM at Braunschweig, aim to enlist bacterial viruses, also known as bacteriophages or simply phages, to wage war on bacterial infections. Phages are viruses that invade and multiply in bacteria, finally causing them to lyse, or burst. The great advantage of phages is that they attack only a specific host bacterium, ignoring bodily cells and other bacteria. In Germany, phage preparations have not yet received regulatory approval, which is why the Phage4Cure partners are seeking to establish phages as a new drug. "Phage therapy is nothing new; countries of the former Soviet Union have used it successfully for decades. However, this kind of personalized treatment has not yet been approved in Germany, a major reason being the lack of clinical trials. But now, in light of antibiotic resistance, more and more research is focusing on phagesespecially since no new antibiotics are being developed by the pharmaceutical industry," says Prof. Holger Ziehr, project manager at Fraunhofer ITEM.

Phages as an additional therapeutic approach

The partners' efforts towards a new phage therapy address every step of the development chain: the selection of promising phages, development of the manufacturing process for the phage as a pharmaceutically active agent, manufacturing of the investigational medicinal product, preclinical research and clinical trials. The first item on their agenda is to develop an inhalable drug cocktail comprised of three bacteriophages to treat for the multidrug-resistant bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in cystic fibrosis patients and urinary tract infections. It can even lead to septicemia, or blood poisoning. The new phage cocktail will have to comply with European pharmaceutical requirements. Cystic fibrosis patients are intended to be the first to benefit. Many more could follow. "Our goal is to develop phages as an additional therapeutic approach for a variety of infectious diseases, in particular those where antibiotics are no longer effective," says Ziehr.

Fraunhofer ITEM in Braunschweig is responsible for the manufacturing process, which involves the propagation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells in bioreactors. "Once a certain cell density has been attained, we add phages that invade the cells and continue to propagate there until all bacteria are destroyed. This leaves a clear culture broth containing phages, which we purify pharmaceutically in the next step," says Ziehr, a biochemist. The manufacturing process is platform-like by design. With a few minor adjustments, it can be adapted to other phage manufacturing processes. Fraunhofer ITEM sources phages from the DSMZ. (See the facts-and-figures box for details.)

Mixing a potent phage cocktail

The idea here is to combine three different phages in a cocktail for the patient. Collecting clinical bacterial isolates from cystic fibrosis patients was an early priority on the project's to-do list. The DSMZ then identified phages that are able to dissolve the isolates. "This screening pinpointed three phages with the broadest possible host spectrum. Collectively, they can lyse 70 percent of the 150 isolates. We would be able to heal around 70 of 100 patients with our phage cocktail," says Ziehr.

Fraunhofer ITEM has been GMP-licensed to produce biologics such as proteins for more than 20 years. It is now going to apply for an extension to the manufacturing license to include phages as well. Once this extension will have been granted, the institute will be in a position to produce the three phages and mix them to a cocktail that will serve as investigational medicinal product for clinical trials. Preclinical research is scheduled to start in spring at the Fraunhofer ITEM's Hannover site. "Two more phage projects have been added since Phage4Cure. In the PhagoFlow project, we are developing bacteriophages to rapidly treat sepsis in wounds. In the Phage2Go project, we are developing phages for inhaled MRSA therapy," says Ziehr, shedding light on further projects to research treatments for bacterial infections.

Explore further Bacteria-infecting viruses bind mucosal surface and protect from disease
What German physicist Stefan Hell initially thought was a crazy idea of working on breaking the diffraction barrier in microscopy later fetched him the Nobel Prize in 2014.

The Nobel laureates work is significant as it could prove significant in finding remedies to incurable diseases like cancer and neuro-degenerative diseases.

At the 107th Indian Science Congress here on Friday, the German physicist shared his experience



"Throughout the 20th century, scientists believed there is no way to get the highest spatial resolution that only was released," Hell told the audience.

"...But now, the development of this microscopy, which I'm responsible for, showed that this is not true.

You can go beyond that. You can have a higher spatial resolution, you can clearly see that here there are filaments of resolve that are not resolved in a normal mode."



The microscopy he developed is significant as it has the ability to peep deep into the cells to show how they function.

He said it would enable one learn how cells work even at at a fundamental level.

"And you don't forget every disease no matter what it is.. infection, cancer, whatever, neurodegenerative disease. In the end, it's a malfunctioning of the cell".

Once it is understood how cells work and how the proteins are arranged inside it and what they do, it would become easy to understand they malfunction, the scientist said.

"And I believe that over the coming years it will help us tremendously to understand diseases or to find remedies or to counteract them," Hell told the gathering.

Giving an interesting anecdote, the Nobel laureate said he hit upon the idea while working for a startup company that had developed light microscopes for the inspection of computer chips.

His job was to measure the size of the computer chips.

Anxious to pursue fundamental physics, Hell ended up scanning the chips with microscopes of the 19th century, frustrating him, as he felt he was wasting his time.

Before he could slip into depression, it occurred to him that there could be some fundamental problem left in this in microscopy, such as breaking the diffraction barrier.

"I realised that breaking the diffraction barrier, that would be worthwhile working on. This is how I got to think about the problem, the Nobel laureate said.

He said working on breaking the diffraction barrier was a 'crazy idea' because textbooks said it never works.

To the audience of young students and budding scientists, Stefan Hell said people often ask him what the key to success is, to which his reply has always been: "Aim high, stay grounded.

And if you are lucky and have a good idea, you might even hit the bulls eye.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hollywood stars Richard Gere and Gerard Butler welcomed 2020 in India with a high dose of spirituality.

The 'Pretty Woman' actor attended the opening ceremony of a teaching session of The Dalai Lama at Kalachakra Ground in Bodh Gaya, Bihar on Thursday.

Meanwhile, doing Suryanamaskar up in the hills, 50-year-old Gerard wooed his Instagram followers on the first day of 2020 with an eye-soothing photograph straight from the Himalayas.

Spreading the new year cheer, the 'London has Fallen' actor shared the post along with the caption that read, "Let your light shine into the new decade. Sending you all love. Happy New Year from the Himalayas."

Industrialist Yash Birla, who had joined the actor on the trip, too shared a picture on his Instagram handle, where he is seen posing with the star for the camera click.

"Rishikesh is rising, London has not fallen.. 300 per cent..a day well spent and most memorable in the resonance of the holy Ganges @gerardbutler," Yash captioned the post.

Indian fans of the Hollywood mega-star were elated to know of his India visit as scores of comments poured in on his post.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bill de Blasio insists that Trump's rhetoric and growing white supremacy are the cause for the increase in the number and intensity of anti-Semitic attacks in New York City and surrounding communities. However, those are peculiar root causes, considering that the assailants have consistently been minorities, usually blacks, none of whom are part of the recognized Trump demographic.

Like de Blasio, Democrat Jews also try to deny this reality, for they find mystifying the fact that the black community they marched arm in arm with during the Civil Rights Movement should now turn on them. Their befuddlement and misdirection ignore the role Islam plays in rising anti-Semitism among an activist segment of leftist urban blacks.

Before going any farther, let me hasten to state that this post is not meant to accuse American blacks generally of being anti-Semitic. It is meant, however, to investigate one reason behind the reality that a narrow subset of blacks is becoming more violently anti-Semitic.

Andrew Bostom, who has spent decades studying Islam, has issued a series of tweets showing that the anti-Semitism that animates Louis Farrakhan and his supporters has been incubating among urban blacks since the early 1960s. For example, Dr. Bostom quotes from Louis E. Lomax's When the word is given; a report on Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and the Black Muslim world (Cleveland, World Pub. Co., 1963, pp. 7273):

Malcolm [X] has always maintained excellent relations with top Arabs at the United Nations. Few, if any, of these meetings were ever public. But they did occur and there is every indication that they are still going on. The road to Mecca was cleared long before Malcolm and Elijah [Muhammad] left these shores; powerful pro-Nasser Arabs are quietly in Malcolm's corner, and many Black Muslim bazaars open with the reading of cabled greetings from 'Our Beloved Brother Gamal Abdel Nasser.' ... [B]oth (black) Muslim and Moslem (orthodox Muslims) worship Allah. And that  at least so the hajj committee said  is all that matters. ... The Black Muslims carefully describe themselves as 'anti-Zionist' rather than as against the Jews. (Emphasis mine.)

Dr. Bostom also quotes Malcolm X, who is still an admired figure in the American black community, reveling in his meeting with the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin el-Husseini  a man whom Hitler considered an ally in part because of their mutual and murderous hatred of Jews. Malcolm X appeared untroubled by el-Husseini's Nazi ties and anti-Semitism:

When I opened my door, just across the hall from me a man in some ceremonial dress, who obviously lived there, was also headed downstairs, surrounded by attendants. I followed them down, then through the lobby. Outside, a small caravan of automobiles was waiting. My neighbor appeared through the Jedda Palace Hotel's front entrance and people rushed and crowded him, kissing his hand. I found out who he was: the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. Later, in the hotel, I would have the opportunity to talk with him for about a half-hour. He was a cordial man of great dignity. He was well up on world affairs, and even the latest events in America. ... I talked at length with the blue-eyed, blond-haired Hussein Amini [sic], Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. We were introduced on Mt. Arafat by Kasem Gulick of the Turkish Parliament. Both were learned men; both were especially well-read on America.

One could argue that Malcolm X's opinions are more than fifty years old and therefore meaningless today. That argument ignores the fact that Louis Farrakhan, a man given center stage just over a year ago at Aretha Franklin's funeral, continues to speak of Jews in Hitlerian terms:

Thankfully, Farrakhan's Nation of Islam has a relatively small membership. The problem, though, is that it has a large reach into radical black culture, as was demonstrated when one of the Founders of the Women's March couldn't stop herself from offering gushing praise for Farrakhan.

Islam, whether traditional or Farrakhan's brand, also has a large reach in American prisons. As my cousin the prison chaplain wisely said long ago:

It is not a contradiction to be a Muslim and a murderer, even a mass murderer. That is one reason why criminals "convert" to Islam in prison. They don't convert at all; they similarly [sic] remain the angry judgmental vicious beings they always have been. They simply add "religious" diatribes to their personal invective. Islam does not inspire a crisis of conscience, just inspirations to outrage.

One of the many benefits of Trump's prison reform, in addition to (one hopes) stemming the dangerous tide of fatherless children in the black community, may be to remove more blacks from Islam's reach in prison and place them back into their more traditionally Christian communities.

Another thing to consider in terms of black anti-Semitism is that, thanks to the Democrats' relentless push for the black vote since LBJ's Great Society, blacks hew Left politically and anti-Semitism is baked into Leftism. This arises in part because the Left sees both Christianity and Judaism as moral religions standing in the way of the Left's plans. The Left also reserves special animus for the Jews because Karl Marx, a virulent anti-Semite who was himself the son of a converted Jew, forever identified Jews with the sins he assigned to capitalism.

All is not lost, though. Candace Owens and other courageous blacks are leading a Black Great Awakening, so I'll leave you with this uplifting video:
TEHRAN, Iran, Jan.3

Trend:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is attending the urgent meeting currently being held at the Supreme National Security ouncil over the assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani as a result of the US air raid.

"The urgent meeting is being held to review the US attack on General Soleimani in Baghdad airport," said the spokesman of the Supreme National Security Council, Trend reports citing Eghtesad News.

On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force was killed as a result of air strikes at Baghdad Airport.

The Pentagon claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Iranian general. The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad.
A community-funded air ambulance service in Co Cork is at risk of being grounded within a fortnight due to a funding shortfall.

The Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) air ambulance, which is based in Rathcoole near Mallow, began on July 30, 2019 and has been "extremely busy" since its launch.

"We've done approaching 250 missions for the National Ambulance Service. We've been busier than we initially anticipated," pilot John Murray told C103's Cork Today.

The air ambulance has flown 17 missions more each month than anticipated since its launch five months ago.

"We might not save lives every day but we do several times a week," Mr Murray said.

The air ambulance, pilots, fuel and insurance are mainly funded through charitable donations while the National Ambulance Service provides an advanced paramedic and an emergency medical technician on board as well as medical supplies.

Air ambulances are well-supported by the public in the United Kingdom and those running the ICRR hope to follow their model.

"We would anticipate that there is enough goodwill in the community to support us in a similar manner. We are at a position at the moment where we have a shortfall of funding," Mr Murray said.

We are appealing to the general public to help us moving forward with this particular shortfall. We're just hoping that the general public will get on board now for this short-term funding shortfall. Moving forward we will need continued support as well.

The organisation has appealed to the Government for a one-off intervention at this time and is awaiting a response. However the charity's original agreement with the Government was that the community would fund the running of the aircraft.

It is estimated the running of the helicopter will cost 1.5m each year.

"If we were to get 1 per person in the south of the country we'd have it covered," Mr Murray said.

The ICRR has sent up a GoFundMe appeal with the aim of raising 400k to continue the air ambulance service.
If there's one thing Dora Beraha regrets in her twilight years, it is not passing on the 500-year-old language of Istanbul's Jews, Ladino, now on the point of extinction. "After us, will there still be people who speak this language?" says 90-year-old Beraha. "Surely, very few. It is possible that it will disappear." Ladino is a unique mix of medieval Castilian and Hebrew, with sprinklings of Turkish, Arabic and Greek, that emerged when Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, with many ending up in the Ottoman empire. Turkey now has the largest community of Jews in the Middle East outside of Israel -- around 15,000 -- some of whom are belatedly fighting an uphill battle to preserve the language before it disappears. Ladino was passed down through the generations, peaking in popularity in the 19th century, but increasingly fell out of use in favour of French among Jews in the later Ottoman period. Minority cultures and languages were deliberately suppressed when modern Turkey was formed in the 1920s. "Citizens, speak Turkish!" was a rallying cry of the new republic. Beraha made a conscious decision to avoid teaching Ladino to her children, wanting them to assimilate as much as possible. "We wanted them to succeed," she says. - Saving Ladino - Turkey's neutrality during the Second World War spared Ladino-speakers the decimation of Jewish communities in other parts of the region, but today the remaining practitioners are mostly advanced in age. According to UNESCO, more than 100,000 people still speak Ladino around the world, mostly in Israel where tens of thousands of Jews from the former Ottoman empire have immigrated to in recent decades. Technically, 'Ladino' refers to a different language used by Spanish rabbis to teach Hebrew texts, but it has become the common name for Judeo-Spanish, which is also known as Judesmo and Spanyolit. Karen Sarhon, 61, has dedicated her life to saving Ladino. She heads the Turkish Ottoman Sephardic Research Centre and El Amaneser, a monthly supplement written entirely in Ladino, for the Turkish newspaper Salom. Sarhon says there has been a resurgence of interest in the language lately. "We launched El Amaneser in 2003 with eight pages. Today, it's 32 pages," she said, adding that 8,000 people read the supplement each month in Turkey and abroad. She knows that Ladino is losing out to "more useful" languages such as English and Spanish, so in the hopes of reaching younger readers, she posts regular tutorials on social media. - 'Who we are' - The fight to preserve a crucial piece of the Turkish Jewish identity comes at a difficult moment for the dwindling community, which has faced security threats including bomb attacks on two synagogues in 2003, and flagrant anti-Semitism in some newspapers. Can Evrensel Rodrik, Beraha's grandson, is one of those hoping to regain the lost tongue. The 30-year-old biologist says none of his cousins spoke Ladino and he had to force his grandparents to teach him. Rodrik says a different approach is needed to spark the interest of younger generations and give the language a future, such as opening a Ladino radio station, translating a video game or teaching it to children at a Jewish creche in Istanbul. For many Jews in Turkey, Ladino is the last, vanishing tie to their historical roots in Spain. "From a very young age, I've been told: 'Vinimos de la Espana en 1492'," says Evrensel Rodrik, using the Ladino phrase. "A big part of who we are, a great culture and a great language, will disappear if we lose Jewish-Spanish." For others, like Denise Horada, 63, who sings every Thursday in a Ladino choir, the language evokes more recent memories. "It reminds me of my grandmother. I always heard these songs when I was young," she says, smiling. "When I sing, it's as though she was by my side." "Before it's too late" Sarhon has started building an archive and has conducted interviews with the few people, like Beraha, for whom Ladino is their mother-tongue. Tapping the hard disk that contains her treasure trove, she says: "If future generations want to know where they came from, how their ancestors spoke, their sense of humour, they will have it all here." 30 year-old Can Evrensel Rodrik was taught Judeo-Spanish when he was a child by his 90 year-old grandmother Dora Beraha Ladino is a unique mix of medieval Castilian and Hebrew with flavours of Turkish, Arabic and Greek Karen Sarhon is the editor of the El Amaneser monthly which is published entirely in Judeo-Spanish In an effort to save the language, a choir in Istanbul sings Judeo-Spanish songs
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A $30 million lawsuit against The Vatican blames policies that mandated secrecy in handling allegations of sex abuse by clergy.

The late Reverend Monsignor Kenneth Romain Morvant, ordained into priesthood by The Vatican in 1961, is alleged to have drugged altar boys with alcohol during weekend sleepovers in his parish residence. Once the boys reached intoxication, Morvant raped, molested and sexually exploited them, according to the lawsuit.

Morvant was suddenly removed from the parish in the wake of rumors, according to the lawsuit filed by Spagnoletti Law Firm on behalf of the former altar boys, now grown men. He was pastor and head of multiple schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and Diocese of Lafayette from 1961 to 2003.

"Morvant's Vatican-granted authority, power and access as a priest allowed him to ingratiate himself with the altar boys and their parents. The Vatican's policies protected him and kept him gainfully employed. Yet The Vatican has refused to cooperate with judicial entities, to the further detriment of survivors of sexual abuse," Eric Rhine, Spagnoletti Law Firm said.

The lawsuit cites The Vatican's 1922 and 1962 instructions regarding solicitation of sex, which called for extreme secrecy and priestly reassignments. Failure to comply with the instructionseven if they violated state, federal or international mandatory reporting lawswould result in excommunication, and thus, damnation for Catholic believers.

"Not only has The Vatican consistently placed the reputation of the Church and protection of perpetrators above the wellbeing of children, The Vatican failed to establish clear rules, mechanisms and procedures for mandatory reporting to law enforcement of all suspected cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation," Marcus Spagnoletti, Spagnoletti Law Firm said.

"The Vatican refuses to address its clergy child sex abuse crisis. The Vatican could do so by promoting the reform of statutes of limitations in countries where statutes impede survivors and their families from seeking justice. But, by clinging to policies that promote secrecy, cover ups and protect the Vatican's own reputation, The Vatican leaves its victims to suffer in hopelessness," Felecia Peavy, attorney for the plaintiffs said.

SOURCE Spagnoletti Law Firm
Lawmakers of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) walk out of the National Assembly's plenary session en mass after an electoral reform bill to expand the Assembly seats for proportional representation was passed, Dec. 27. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



After numerous rounds of negotiations and debates over the past years, the National Assembly has adopted a new electoral system that will be applied in the upcoming general elections in April.



The National Assembly passed an electoral reform bill Dec. 27 that has been pushed ahead by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and four other minor parties since they placed it on a legislative fast track in late April. The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) has strongly protested the reform, staging filibusters.



The new electoral system seeks an expansion of proportional representation to make the National Assembly more reflective of the electorate. Under the new system, two ballots are conducted for the 300 National Assembly seats, with one for 253 single-member districts on a first-past-the-post basis and the other for the remaining 47 seats through a national-level vote for a party.



Although the 15.6 percent of seats decided by proportional representation has not been changed from the previous mixed-member proportional (MMP) system, the new MMP system applies a different calculation for 30 out of the 47 seats. It calculates the number of seats allocated to each party reflecting their approval ratings to the whole 300 seats, while the previous system applied the approval ratings only within the limit of 47 seats for the proportional representation.



The new system places the cap for the number of proportional representation seats allocated according to the new calculation at 30, while the remaining 17 seats will be distributed based on the previous calculation.



In short, the previous MMP system consists of two "parallel" ballots while the new system is rather "interlocking" as it calculates the seats according to the proportional representation ratios for the total 300 seats that also include the 253 seats for single-member districts.



While the revisions are welcomed by minor parties as they would receive more seats for the proportional representation, the LKP warned that it would launch a satellite party to garner more proportional representation seats in the upcoming elections. The minimum threshold of garnering at least 3 percent of the total vote for a party to secure proportional representation seats will be maintained.



Concerns were also raised that the ruling DPK might also want to launch a satellite but political watchers said it remains to be seen as the DPK would not want to ruin its solidarity with other minor parties, with the Justice Party in particular, as the two parties have cooperated in previous elections.



Such cooperation among parties would be more important as more new parties are likely to be launched under the new system that allows more seats for small parties through proportional representation.



It is also likely that a multiparty scheme will appear in the National Assembly with no party holding a strong majority, according to calculations based on parties' approval ratings.



Parties are also urged to set new strategies to target young voters, as the electoral revision also encompasses lowering the legal voting age from 19 to 18, the OECD standard.



Meanwhile, political spats over reform bills are likely to continue as the LKP is planning to file a constitutional appeal over the electoral reform bill, saying interlocking the proportional representation with the seats for single-member districts is in violation of the principle of direct elections.



At a Dec. 27 Assembly plenary session, 156 lawmakers voted for the bill, out of 167 who participated in the vote. Ten lawmakers voted against it and one abstained.



Supporters of the electoral reform say the new system prevents "dead votes" in elections while those against it say it could bring political chaos by flooding the National Assembly with minor parties.



The main opposition party is also at odds over establishing a special investigative body against corruption of high-ranking officials and their family members. The judiciary reform bill was also passed at a separate plenary session Dec. 30. It had been on a legislative fast track since April along with the electoral reform bill.



The issue is also at the center of President Moon Jae-in's reform policies against the prosecution. The special investigative body, if set up, will directly investigate and prosecute the President, lawmakers, the chief justice and other justices of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court.



Other high-ranking officials including the prime minister and officials at the Prime Minister's Office, officials at the National Election Commission, prosecutors and judges and high-ranking police officers are also subject to its investigative powers.



The right of accusation and sustainment of a public prosecution, currently an exclusive authority of the prosecution, will also be partially distributed to the special investigative body.


by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 3, 2020

The Supreme Court should reject Facebook's request to intervene in a lawsuit accusing it of violating a federal robo-texting law, attorneys for Montana resident Noah Duguid argue in papers filed Friday.

Facebook asks this court to validate the practice of making robocalls to cell phones over their owners objection, Duguid's lawyers write. Facebook presents no compelling reason for the court to entertain its arguments.

The papers come in response to Facebook's request that the Supreme Court review a ruling issued last year by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which allowed Duguid to proceed with a claim that Facebook violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by allegedly sending him unwanted text messages.

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The legal battle dates to 2014, when Duguid alleged in a class-action complaint that Facebook repeatedly notified him via text that his account had been accessed -- even though he never had an account with the service.

Duguid, whose carrier had apparently assigned him a recycled phone number, alleged the messages ran afoul of the federal robotexting law. That law prohibits companies from using autodialers to send texts to consumers without their consent, and provides for damages ranging from $500 to $1,500 per violation.

The measure defines an autodialer as equipment that is capable of storing and dialing numbers using a random or sequential generator. But that definition has been interpreted differently by judges throughout the country.

Facebook argued that its texting system wasn't an autodialer because it didn't generate the numbers randomly, but in response to information about a potential security breach.

The appellate judges in the 9th Circuit disagreed, based on their interpretation of the word autodialer. They defined that term as equipment capable of storing numbers and automatically dialing them.

Facebook recently asked the Supreme Court to review that ruling. Among other arguments, Facebook says the appellate court's definition of autodialer is so broad it could potentially cover all smartphones.

To say that the decision below will carry extraordinary practical consequences is an understatement, Facebook wrote in its petition for review.

Duguid's lawyers, including the watchdog Public Citizen, counter that Facebook is interpreting the opinion too broadly.

This case has nothing to do with calls made by smartphones, counsel writes. It concerns use of sophisticated technology to send automated text messages to cell phones, and nothing in the result threatens liability for ordinary phone calls.

Facebook also argues the robo-texting law violates the First Amendment because the law exempts currently texts aimed at collecting debts owed to the government. The company says it is unconstitutional to impose different rules on companies engaged in debt collections than for other communications.

Duguid's lawyers counter that Congress didn't exempt texts related to debts owed to the government until 2015 -- which was after Facebook allegedly sent the texts to Duguid. Therefore, Duguid's lawyers write, questions about the constitutionality of the exemption are irrelevant to Facebook's liability for texts sent before 2015.

A caller who used an [autodialer] to call a cell phone to collect government-backed debt in 2014, when Facebook sent Mr. Duguid its messages, would, under the law at that time, be liable to the same extent as Facebook, they write.

The high-profile battle has drawn the attention of outside organizations -- including the largest business group, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable, which represents the biggest companies in America. Both recently filed friend-of-the-court briefs that urged the Supreme Court to curb people's ability to sue over unwanted texts.
Jodhpur (Rajasthan): Party lines grew harder on the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Friday with Union home minister Amit Shah kicking off a nationwide BJP campaign in defence of the new law and opposition figures like Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan urging fellow CMs of non-BJP parties to pass Assembly resolutions against the legislation just as he did in his state.

Signalling the BJPs firm intent, Amit Shah asserted at an awareness rally in Jodhpur that the Union government would not budge an inch on the new citizenship law and rounded it with a photo op with Pakistani refugees. The refugees duly expressed gratitude to the government for bringing in the new law.

Even if all these parties come together, BJP will not move back even an inch on this issue, Shah declared, starting off a nationwide campaign by BJP MPs and ministers to drum up a defence of the government.

You can spread as much misinformation as you want, Shah said.

Characteristically, the BJPs political messaging included a strong dose of mockery. At the Jodhpur rally, Amit Shah challenged the Congress Rahul Gandhi to a discussion and asked, Rahul Baba, if you have read the CAA, then come to discuss it anywhere. And if you have not read it, I will translate it in Italian and send it you to read it."

Beginning Saturday, the BJP has planned 500 rallies such as the one Amit Shah led in Jodhpur, aiming to reach three crore people.

The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi refugees, but not Muslims, from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

Opposition moves were equally strident as the BJPs. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to 11 non-BJP chief ministers to follow the example of his state Assembly in passing a resolution demanding that the CAA be scrapped.

Vijayan sent identical letter to chief ministers Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan), Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Hemant Soren (Jharkhand), Uddhav Thackeray (Maharashtra), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), Y S Jaganmohan Reddy (Andhra Pradesh), Kamal Nath (Madhya Pradesh), Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Naveen Patnaik (Odisha) and V Narayanasamy (Puducherry).

Former foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon also pitched in on the oppositions side, saying the amendment of the Citizenship Act was the Uunion government's "self-inflicted goal" which has "isolated" India and that the list of critical voices both at home and abroad is "pretty long".

Fridays rhetoric was sharper following Prime Minister Narendra Modis strong attack on opponents of the CAA whom he advised to go protest against Pakistans treatment of its minorities rather than here in India. Hitting out at Modi for "frequently comparing India with Pakistan", Mamata Banerjee wondered, at her own rally in Siliguri, if he was an ambassador of Hindustan or the neighbouring country.

Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan? Are you (Mod) the prime minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan? Why do you have to refer to Pakistan in every issue?" she asked.

Amit Shahs Jodhpur rally was a strategic move to win the rhetoric war. Besides it being the constituency of the states chief minister, it also has a sizeable population of refugees from Pakistan. Among the exhibits presented by the BJP in this show was the manifesto of the Congress for the 2018 Rajasthan assembly polls. Doing a readout of that document, BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao said it promised all-round development to refugees from Pakistan, including those linked to their citizenship and rehabilitation.

Union minister Nityanand Rai came up with an even more involved angle. He claimed that the opposition to the CAA is really only an "attack on OBCs"; those protesting against the new legislation should be declared "anti-OBC" and "anti-Dalit".

The minister of state for home claimed that most of the non-Muslims fleeing harassment in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belong to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalits.
Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, speaks at a symposium at the Ministry of Finance in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng has called for tightened controls on fiscal expenditure and efforts to consolidate the progress of tax and fee cuts.

More efforts should be made to improve the quality and efficiency of proactive fiscal policies and more attention should be paid to structural adjustments, Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Thursday at a symposium at the Ministry of Finance.

Fiscal expenditure should be decided based on fiscal revenue and the management of the budget performance evaluation should be strengthened, Han urged.

Expenditure in key areas should be secured and the transfer payments to local governments, especially areas with difficult conditions should be increased, according to the vice premier.

Han also stressed the need to actively forestall and defuse local governments' debt risks and make good use of the special local government bonds.
Associated Press

An iconic Chicano mural in Santa Fe painted by Mexican American artists is scheduled for destruction to make way for a new contemporary museum, generating a debate about gentrification and whose culture state and city officials are seeking to preserve.

The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs said last month state officials have determined the Multi-Cultural mural whose creation was headed by Gilberto Guzman is unstable with extensive cracking and, therefore, beyond repair.

No treatment is currently possible that can fully address the integrity of either the original image or the artists aesthetic intent, the agency said in a statement Dec. 10. Many public art programs consider murals to be temporary with a lifespan of approximately 10-20 years.

But writer Alicia Inez Guzman of Truchas said the destruction of the mural is evidence of the erasure of Mexican American culture in the capital city of New Mexico  the nations most Hispanic state. She questioned whether state officials actively engaged with Mexican American activists enough about the mural and what was at stake.

This is a prime example of gentrification. Its symbolic of a broader issue here about housing and certain populations getting pushed out, Guzman said, who is not related to the muralist Gilberto Guzman.

State officials said the mural has been digitally photographed for future archival purposes.

The announcement on the mural came as state officials unveiled plans for the New Mexico Museum of Art Vladem Contemporary. According to the plans, the museums design would preserve the historic integrity of the surrounding area in the Santa Fe Railyard District.

We are very excited about the possibilities this new building offers to exhibit world-class post-war and contemporary art while expanding our ability to present educational programs, said Michelle Gallagher Roberts, acting executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Art.

Groundbreaking on the project is scheduled for later this year. Its unclear when officials will begin destroying the mural.

The mural was created at the end of the Chicano Movement and came as similar murals in Los Angeles and San Diego were be created to celebrate Mexican American and Native American culture and history.

Artist Frederico Vigil, a native of Santa Fe, was among the artists to helped create the piece on the side of the Halpin State Archives building. Vigil was a student of Stephen Pope Dimitroff, who was an apprentice to Mexican muralist Diego Rivera.
Russian oil transiting through Belarus to Western Europe is still flowing.

Russia has halted oil supplies to refineries in Belarus, the Belarusian state energy firm said on Friday, amid a new contract dispute that is also threatening large Russian oil deliveries to Western Europe crossing the country.

Belaruss state firm Belneftekhim said deliveries had been halted as of January 1.

Two trading sources told Reuters news agency the Russian oil transit to Europe via Belarus was so far continuing uninterrupted.

Europe receives about 10 percent of its oil via the transit link, known as the Druzhba pipeline, which can supply more than one million barrels per day to countries including Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Moscow and Minsk have had several oil and gas spats over the past 10 years, in what has been described as a love-hate relationship between presidents Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko.

Putin and Lukashenko have repeatedly toyed with the idea of political integration of the countries, but the Belarusian leader who came to power in 1994 has backtracked repeatedly.

Deliveries have been suspended ... Plants are reducing their workload to the technical minimum Belneftekhim spokesman

Russia has cut subsidies to Belarus over many years and is now charging close to international prices for oil and gas, but contracts negotiations are often protracted.

Deliveries have been suspended  Plants are reducing their workload to the technical minimum, said a spokesman for Belneftekhim, known in English as the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry.

Russian pipeline operator Transneft also said Russian oil companies had not sent any oil to Belarus this year, the TASS news agency reported.

Since January 1, we have not had any applications from oil companies to deliver to Belarusian refineries. However, oil transit through Belarus is continuing in full volumes, Transneft spokesman Igor Dyomin was cited as saying.

It was not clear when Moscow and Minsk could resume talks on their 2020 contract. Russia is on a long New Year holiday until January 9.
RENO, Nev., Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPD Holding Corp. (OTCBB: UPDC ) (the Company or UPDC), a consumer products development company with concentrations in the specialty beverage and health and wellness industries, is pleased to announce it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Be Tru Organics Inc. , a Nevada corporation (Be Tru), for the development of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage products under the BeTru Wellness brand.



The BeTru Wellness brand is a great addition to our expanding beverage portfolio, said Mark Conte, CEO of the Company. Many beer, wine, and spirits distributors are seeking to expand their ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage offerings, including in the hemp-derived ingredients category. We intend to leverage this demand and work with retailers and direct-store-delivery (DSD) wholesalers to begin rolling out our hemp-based specialty beverage products on both a regional and national scale.

Keith Gordon, President of Be Tru, stated this is the perfect time to develop and promote BeTru Wellness branded beverages alongside other products that have common distribution channels with UPDC products. We anticipate multiple co-marketing and co-distribution opportunities between Be Tru and UPDC, including through Be Trus existing distribution arrangements through United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), which is a wholesaler that specializes in distributing organic and wellness products across the U.S. and Canada.

The Companys current beverage portfolio includes the iMetabolic line of nutraceutical beverage additives, focused on weight loss and weight management, and the Record Street line of ale and lager beers, focused on recreational use by pairing drinkable craft beers with a music-driven lifestyle.

The Company anticipates the launch of BeTru Wellness branded ready-to-drink, hemp-infused waters in 24-pack cases of 500 mL biodegradable plastic bottles and 12-pack cases of 1,000 mL biodegradable plastic bottles to launch in Spring 2020.

About Be Tru Organics Inc.

Be Tru Organics Inc. ( www.betruwellness.com ) is a cause driven company specializing in holistic products for everyday health and balance in the human body with the goal to promote well-being within the mind, body, and soul. The BeTru Wellness brand promotes the health and wellness benefits of hemp-extract ingredients through its wide range of topical and ingestible products.

About UPD Holding Corp.

UPD Holding Corp. is engaged in the business of product development, marketing, distribution, and sales through its three wholly-owned subsidiaries, United Product Development Corp., iMetabolic Corp. ( www.imetabolic.com ), and Record Street Brewing Co. ( www.recordstreetbrewing.com ), with concentrations in the specialty beverage sector and health and wellness industry. UPDCs growth strategy focuses on target demographics and markets that are believed to represent underserved consumer needs, as well as leveraging distribution networks and customer remarketing opportunities across in-house and licensed brands.

Mark Conte , CEO & Director

(775) 829-7999

Notice About Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements", as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, the accomplishment of any of our plans listed for any acquisitions, production, marketing, products or product sales, and the timeliness within which such items may be accomplished, as referred to in this news release.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with acquisitions, product development and sale. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and that which is made publicly available by us from time to time.
by Jamie Mellor | Blues Correspondent | Fri, Jan 3rd 1:51am EST

Jordan Binnington allowed seven goals on 41 shots before getting pulled late in the third period Thursday versus the Avalanche.

Fantasy Impact:

Binnington was a great fantasy asset once he took over last season and should be an exciting option. However, while it appears to be Binnington's job so far this season, the Blues still have Jake Allen under contract for the same two seasons.
The owners of The Range store in Maynooths Carton Retail Park have appealed to an Bord Pleanala over Kildare County Councils refusal to enable it to make changes on noise levels..

CDS (Superstores International) Limited have appealed the decision of the Council which refused permission for work on November 26 last.

It had sought permission for additions to the existing unit including air conditioning and condenser units and noise abatement screens.

It also sought permission amend Condition 9a of a previous planning permission (17/237) on noise.

SEE ALSO: Plans for massive builders compound to carry out expansion at Intel in Leixlip

The company said the purpose of the proposed revision is to bring the noise limiting levels (and hours) in-line with those used by the Irish Environmental Protection Agencies Office of Environmental Enforcement (OEE).

Residents in Leinster Park in Maynooth objected to the council when the application came in.

Among other things they said that CDS had exceeded noise levels set down in the previous 2017 application.

SEE ALSO: more Kildare stories

The residents said they had tried to engage with the company but to no avail and pointed to unauthorised development and enforcement notices sent by the council to CDS.

Kildare North TD, Bernard Durkan and Cllr Tim Durkan, are on record as supporting the Leinster Park Residents Association in their objection.

A council planners report said that on July 20 2018, noise levels had been exceeded 21 times between 9.15-14.45.

The council planners report recommended refusal and CDS was refused permission.

The company lodged its appeal on December 20 last.
The Trinamool Congress leadership on Friday asked party councillors to shun luxury and reach out to the masses ahead of the crucial Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections slated this year.

According to the TMC sources, the party has already conducted a survey to assess its support base and penetration of the BJP in 107 municipalities of the state and that in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) that will go to polls in April-May 2020.

The civic polls, in which about 60 per cent voters of the state would be eligible to take part, are being tipped as "mini assembly election" ahead of the crucial 2021 state polls.

Senior TMC leaders, including party MP and president of TMC youth wing Abhishek Banerjee, who also happens to be nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with poll strategist Prashant Kishor, held a closed door meet during the day with the party councillors, MLAs and MPs of KMC areas, and discussed strategy for the upcoming elections.

According to the TMC sources, during the meeting the leadership made it amply clear that the sole criteria for getting ticket will be performance of a councillor in the last five years.

"We were told that no amount of lobbying with the top leadership would help in getting ticket. Only performance will be the criteria for the party nomination.

"We have been told to shun luxurious style of living, not to use costly cars, not to show off jewellery or money while meeting locals,"a TMC councillor said after the meeting.

"We have been told to shun arrogance of power and if needed reach out to cross section of people with the developmental work that we have done in the last five years," the TMC councillor said.

The TMC have been in power in KMC for consecutive two terms since 2010.

According to the TMC sources, the survey report would play a key role in adopting strategy and selection of candidates would be conducted for the municipal polls.

The Trinamool Congress leadership has asked its party councillors in Kolkata to ensure effective implementation of the "Didi ke Bolo" (tell Didi) programme in the city, which would be one of the yardstick for getting nomination in the KMC polls.

The polls have assumed significance as the BJP has emerged as a tough challenger to the ruling Trinamool Congress, making deep inroads in the state and pushing the opposition Congress and Left Front to distant third and fourth spots respectively.

The BJP, in the Lok Sabha elections held earlier this year, bagged 18 of the 42 seats in the state, just four short of the TMC. The TMC's tally came down from 34 in 2014 to 22 seats this time.

Following the poor show, the TMC roped in Kishor and his team I-PAC to strategise ahead of the assembly elections in 2021.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Shiv Senas Priyanka Chaturvedi poked fun at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan after he posted a fake news video, claiming violence against Muslims in India. The politician called the Pak PM geographically challenged citing his earlier goof-up about Germany and Japan sharing a border. She took a dig at him with a popular Hindi proverb to call out liars.

READ: PATHETIC: Pakistan PM Imran Khan Attacks India With Old B'desh Video Claiming It's From UP

READ: Imran Khan Posts Fake News: Netizens Catch Pakistan PM Posting B'desh Clip To Attack India

Taking to Twitter moments after the Imran Khan tweeted a video and captioned it, Indian polices pogrom against Muslims in UP (sic), Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote, Pakistan PM Imran Khan is so geographically challenged that earlier for him Germany&Japan were immediate neighbours with a common border. Now hes passing off a video from Bangladesh as that from India. Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate.

Heres the post

Pakistan PM Imran Khan is so geographically challenged that earlier for him Germany&Japan were immediate neighbours with a common border. Now hes passing off a video from Bangladesh as that from India.



Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate. pic.twitter.com/JtgQqccAVj  Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) January 3, 2020

Imran Khan deleted the post immediately after realising he had made another goof-up. Netizens pointed that the video was from Bangladesh since RAB written on the police personnel's uniform clearly showed it was performed by Rapid Action Battalion, an anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit of the Bangladesh Police. Many of them had a good laugh over it.

READ: Imran Govt Scurries To Seek Stay On Supreme Court's Ruling On Army Chief Bajwa Extension

This is just the latest attempt by Pakistan to sell fake news as part of its propaganda against India. The devious campaign has been ongoing since India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution, integrating J&K with India like never before.

READ: NIA Team Heads To Lucknow To Probe PFI Links To Anti-CAA Violence In Uttar Pradesh
President Donald Trump on Friday said top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was "terminated" when he was on the verge of attacking US diplomats but he insisted that Washington is not seeking to topple Iran's government.

"Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel, but we caught him in the act and terminated him," Trump said in a statement before television cameras in Florida.

While referring to the Iranian military mastermind, killed in a US air attack earlier Friday in Baghdad, as "sick," Trump attempted to lower tensions by insisting that he does not want war with Iran.

"We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war," he said, adding: "We do not seek regime change.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Company files criminal complaint in Turkey over former Nissan heads escape from Japan to Lebanon via Istanbul.

A Turkish private jet operator has said former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn used two of its planes illegally to escape from Japan, alleging an employee falsified records to exclude his name from documents.

MNG Jet said on Friday it had filed a criminal complaint about the incident, a day after Turkish police arrested seven people, including four pilots, as part of an investigation into Ghosns passage through Istanbul on the way to Lebanon.

Ghosn, a French citizen with Lebanese ancestry, has become an international fugitive after he revealed on Tuesday he had fled to Lebanon to escape what he called a rigged justice system in Japan, where he faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes.

Lebanon on Thursday received an Interpol arrest warrant for Ghosn, whose surprise escape from his home in Tokyo to a separate residence in Beirut has not been fully explained.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK, citing investigative sources, said a surveillance camera captured the former Nissan chairman leaving his Tokyo home alone shortly before his escape.

The security footage was taken by a camera installed at his house in central Tokyo at about noon on Sunday, and the camera did not show him returning home, NHK said.

Ghosn carried a spare French passport in a locked case while out on bail to escape Japan, NHK also said.

The businessman holds citizenships with Lebanon, France and Brazil, but those passports were with his lawyers at the time of his escape, according to a lawyer.

By early Monday, he had touched down in Istanbul.

Two different clients

MNG Jet said in its statement it leased two jets to two different clients in agreements that were seemingly not connected to each other. One plane flew from Osaka to Istanbul, the other from Istanbul to Beirut.

The name of Mr Ghosn did not appear in the official documentation of any of the flights, it said.

After having learned through the media that the leasing was benefitting Mr Ghosn and not the officially declared passengers, MNG Jet launched an internal inquiry and filed a criminal complaint in Turkey.

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An employee admitted to falsifying the records and confirmed he acted in his individual capacity, the company said.

Ghosn was first arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 and faces four charges  which he denies  including hiding income and enriching himself through payments to car dealerships in the Middle East. He enjoyed an outpouring of support from Lebanon after his arrest.

The former chairman has said he will speak publicly about his escape on January 8.

Some Lebanese media have floated a Houdini-like account of Ghosn being packed in a wooden container for musical instruments after a private concert in his home, but his wife has called the account fiction.
She is one of the most recognisable faces in show business and fashion.

Yet Victoria Beckham has candidly spoken out about how it has taken her years to come to terms with her looks and to have the ability to accept her 'imperfections'.

Despite her claim, the fashion designer, 45, admitted during an honest interview with Harper's Bazaar that she still doesn't consider herself to be 'beautiful'.

Honest words: Victoria Beckham has candidly spoken out about how it has taken her years to come to terms with her looks and to have the ability to accept her 'imperfections'

She revealed: 'Do I think of myself as beautiful? No, absolutely not. But I make the best of what I have. I see my imperfections and flaws and I smile: it's who I am and I'm not going to try to change that.

'It's taken me a long, long time to recognise that by 45 years old, actually I'm all right.'

Alongside the interview, Victoria also posed for a series of fashionable shots as she channelled the sixties with some eye-catching looks from her current collection.

For one arty shot, where the fashion mogul donned a skirt suit and chic high-necked blouse, Victoria was joined by her spaniel Olive.

Not me! Despite her claim, the fashion designer, 45, admitted during an honest interview with Harper's Bazaar that she still doesn't consider herself to be 'beautiful'

Following reports that she has been forced to make dramatic cuts after her eponymous fashion label plunged 36million in debt, Victoria also touched on the hard work and struggles of maintaining her business empire.

The former Spice Girl said: 'I learnt an enormous amount being very young and very, very famous. You realise it's much more difficult to maintain success than it is to actually achieve it  and it's not as glamorous as people would think.'

Victoria went on to discuss the efforts that go into making her brand a success, as she reveals she would never produce clothing just for the sake of it.

Businesswoman: Following reports that she has been forced to make dramatic cuts after her eponymous fashion label plunged 36million in debt, Victoria also touched on the hard work and struggles of maintaining her business empire

The mother-of-four divulged: 'I was really focusing on the brand, looking at its DNA and at my community, being true to who I am and what my strengths are.

'I see those as beautiful clothes, great silhouettes, strange colours that you wouldn't typically put together that are almost so wrong they're right.

'It's about presenting clothes that are elevated enough for the catwalk but that people are actually going to wear; it's never about showing fashion for the sake of showing fashion.'

As well as chatting about her business empire, Victoria also mentioned her personal life, at home with her husband David, 44, and their four children, Brooklyn, 20, Romeo, 17, Cruz, 14 and Harper, eight.

Family unit: As well as chatting about her business empire, Victoria also mentioned her personal life, at home with her husband David, 44, and their four children, Brooklyn, 20, Romeo, 17, Cruz, 14 and Harper, eight

Home life: Despite their affluent lifestyle, Victoria insisted that her and David are very hands-on at home and they both take it in turns to run their kids to school

Back in the day! Victoria first rose to prominence as one firth of nineties girl band the Spice Girls and she claimed she is still so proud of everything they conquered (pictured in 1990)

Despite their affluent lifestyle, Victoria insisted that her and David are very hands-on at home and they both take it in turns to run their kids to school.

She added: 'I'm up early working out but one of us will do the school run and we always try to be home by dinnertime. We're very strict about that when we're in London  at 6pm we are all together, eating dinner, talking about our days.'

Victoria first rose to prominence as one firth of nineties girl band the Spice Girls and she claimed she is still so proud of everything they conquered.

Detailing her time in the band, she said: 'It was about making people embrace who they are, being happy with who they are, being the best version of themselves and for that to be celebrated.

'And the fact that it was OK to be a little bit different  why conform, you know?'

The February issue of Harper's Bazaar is on sale from 3 January 2020.
N avy ships have rescued hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands have been urged to flee before a predicted worsening in Australias already-devastating wildfires.

More than 200 fires were burning, and warnings of extreme danger to come on Saturday amid more high temperatures and strong winds have set in motion one of the largest evacuations in Australian history.

Thousands have already fled at-risk coastal areas, creating traffic gridlock in places, while firefighters escorted convoys of evacuees as fires threatened to close roads.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrew declared a disaster across much of the eastern part of the state, allowing the government to order evacuations in an area with as many as 140,000 permanent residents and tens of thousands more holidaymakers.

HMAS Choules has rescued hundreds of people from a fire-ravaged town in Victoria (REUTERS) / Reuters

If you can leave, you must leave, Mr Andrews said.

South Australias Country Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones said weather conditions were a cause for concern because some fires were still burning or smoldering.

The ignition sources are already there, he said. There are millions of sparks out there ready to go if they break containment lines.

The early and devastating start to Australias summer wildfires has made this season the worst on record. Almost 30,000 square miles of land  and area almost the size of Croatia  have burned, at least 19 people have been killed, and more than 1,400 homes have been destroyed since the fires started in September.

Australian wildfires turn sky red 1 /16 Australian wildfires turn sky red via REUTERS brendanh_au/Twitter via Reuters via REUTERS via REUTERS via REUTERS via REUTERS via REUTERS Getty Images Courtesy of Stacey Broadfoot/AFP Courtesy of Caitlin Nobes/AFP vi BradleyWDeacon/Twitter

This week, at least 448 homes have been destroyed on the southern coast of the state of New South Wales (NSW) and dozens were burned in Victoria.

Ten deaths have been confirmed in those two states this week, and Victorian authorities also say 28 people are missing.

Fires are also burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

The navy was evacuating hundreds from the Victorian coastal town of Mallacoota, which has been cut off for days by fires, forcing as many as 4,000 residents and tourists to shelter on beaches. Landing craft ferried people to the HMAS Choules offshore.

A firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra / AFP via Getty Images

Choules Commander Scott Houlihan said 963 people had signed up for evacuation by sea and more had been airlifted to safety.

A state of emergency was in place in NSW, along with a total fire ban.

State Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said strong winds and high temperatures on Saturday would make the fire danger worse in many areas and urged those who could flee to do so.

We know people have got a little bit of fire fatigue. Theyve been dealing with this now for months, Mr Rogers said. But we need people to stay focused. Tomorrow is not the day to drop your guard. Take it seriously. If youre in those areas where we put those maps out, do not be there.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the township of Bairnsdale in Victoria and received a warmer welcome than a day earlier in NSW.

Mr Morrison cut short a visit to the town of Cobargo when locals yelled at him, made obscene gestures, called him an idiot and told him to p**** off, criticising him for the lack of equipment to deal with the fires in town.

In a radio interview Friday, Mr Morrison said he understood the anger of people affected by the fires.

Angry Cobargo residents explode at Scott Morrison

People are angry and people are raw and people are upset, he said. Whether they are angry with me or they are angry about the situation, all I know is they are hurting and its my job to be there to try and offer some comfort and support.

Smoke from the wildfires has choked air quality and turned daytime skies to near-nighttime darkness in the worst-hit areas.
As Iran vows harsh revenge, Trump and Pompeo say Soleimani was planning to take big action against American lives.

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday defended the US presidents decision to order the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, saying Iran was planning imminent action that threatened American citizens.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed by US forces in an air raid at Baghdad International Airport. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) was also killed. Iran has threatened severe retaliation.

He [Soleimani] was actively plotting in the region to take actions  a big action, as he described it  that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk, Pompeo told CNN.

We know it was imminent, Pompeo said of Soleimanis alleged plot, without going into detail about the nature of any planned operation.

This was an intelligence-based assessment that drove our decision-making process, Pompeo added.

Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest against the assassination of the Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani [West Asia News Agency)/Nazanin Tabatabaee/Reuters]

The Pentagon confirmed that Soleimani was killed at the direction of President Trump.

In his second tweet since the strike, Trump said, Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation! His first tweet, just after reports of the attacks surfaced, was an image of a US flag.

Trump also said Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many morebut got caught! He added that Soleimani should have been taken out many years ago.

Pompeo told Fox News that the US remains committed to de-escalation with Iran, but is prepared to defend itself.

Iran will see American resolve and that their decision will be to de-escalate, to take actions consistent with what normal nations do. And in the event that they do not, in the event they go the other direction, I know that President Trump and the entire United States government is prepared to respond appropriately, Pompeo said.

On Twitter, Pompeo said he was making calls to world leaders to explain and defend Trumps decision. Before dawn in Washington, DC, on Friday, the State Department said Pompeo had spoken with the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany as well as Chinas state councilor. Leaders in all three of those countries urged restraint.

We are at a dangerous point of escalation. It is now important through prudence and restraint to contribute to de-escalation, said Chancellor Angela Merkels spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer.

Spark a devastating war

Leaders in the Middle East condemned the US attack, with Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi calling it an aggression on Iraq that would spark a devastating war.

The assassination of an Iraqi military commander is an aggression on Iraq as a state, government and people, Abdul Mahdi said in a statement.

Carrying out physical liquidation operations against leading Iraqi figures or from a brotherly country on the Iraqi lands is a flagrant violation of Iraqs sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that triggers a destructive war in Iraq, the region and the world, Abdul Mahdi said.

He added that the attack was a flagrant violation of the conditions authorising the presence of US troops on Iraqi soil.

A demonstrator holds the picture of Qassem Soleimani during a protest in Tehran, Iran [West Asia News Agency/Nazanin Tabatabaee/Reuters]

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US of harsh revenge for the assassination.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif condemned the killing as an act of state terrorism.

The pure blood of Qassem Soleimani will surely strengthen the tree of resistance, unite the Iranian people, and make US policies in the region less effective by the day, he said in a statement.

Many analysts in Iran called the strike an act of war.

The attack took place amid tensions with the US after an Iran-backed militia and its supporters breached the US embassy in Baghdad.

The protests at the embassy on New Years Eve was in response to a deadly US air attack that killed 25 forces of the PMF, also known as the Hashd al-Shaabi group.

Congressional approval?

Back at home, Trump also faced sharp criticism from Democrats, who said he acted without congressional approval.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the strike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence.

America  and the world  cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return, she said in a statement. The Administration has conducted tonights strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress.

A person as holds a picture showing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei greeting Iranian commander of the Quds Force Qassem Soleimani [Abedin Taherkenareh/EPA-EFE]

Eliot Engel, Chairman of the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, also questioned the legality of Trumps move.

This strike went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress, Engel said in a statement.

To push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congresss powers as a coequal branch of government, he added. Even if this strike was in self-defense, no current congressional authorization covered it and the President needs to notify Congress within 48 hours pursuant to the War Powers Resolution. The law requires notification so the President cant plunge the United States into ill-considered wars. We must also hear without delay from senior officials about this action and their plans to deal with the aftermath.

Many Republicans, meanwhile, praised the decision.

Soleimani was a terrorist. President Trump and our brave servicemembers just reminded Iran  and the world  that we will not let attacks against Americans go unpunished, said Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted, Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America.
Whether military matters come to dominate the primary, in the remaining month before the Iowa caucuses, is likely to depend on events in Iraq and Iran  and perhaps in neighboring countries  and how severe and visible any ensuing clash with Iran turns out to be. Foreign affairs have so far played a strictly limited role in the Democratic race.

There have been major debate-stage duels over health care, taxation, immigration, criminal justice and gun control, but only glancing disagreements about the role of the United States abroad and the proper way to resolve American military engagements in the Middle East and Central Asia.

On Friday, much of the Democratic field proceeded with  and recommended  caution. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota called on the Trump administration to consult with Congress about a strategy for preventing a wider conflict. And in North Conway, N.H., Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Ind., called the Baghdad attack an extremely provocative act, noting that Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush had both considered but opted against attempting to kill General Suleimani.

If we have learned nothing else from the Middle East in the last 20 years, its that taking out a bad guy is not a good idea unless you are ready for whats coming next, said Mr. Buttigieg, who referred several times to his own service in the military.

The possibility of a new and protracted conflict abroad could well reshape the general election, even beyond the Democratic race. Mr. Trump ran for president on a pledge to pull back the United States from foreign wars, drawing support from unconventional quarters for a Republican because of the perception that he would pursue an America First policy of relative isolationism and national self-interest.

But Mr. Trump had already drawn criticism from his Democratic rivals, and even within his own party, for presiding over a chaotic pullback from Syria, and the eruption of large-scale violence in Iran and Iraq could profoundly complicate his aim to seek a second term on a message of peace and prosperity. After Thursdays attack, the Trump administration announced that thousands more troops would deploy to the region in anticipation of Iranian action.
Union minister hit out at those raking up the issue of safeguards as regards domicile in on Friday and said the region would have safeguards that were appropriate for a Union territory.

The Congress sought adequate legal and constitutional safeguards to protect the rights of the locals to land and jobs.

The Conference (NC) also urged the government to clear the ambiguities regarding jobs, land and delimitation in

"We will have safeguards, which are appropriate for a Union territory," Singh said, addressing the officers of the government at a three-day training programme on the general fund rules here.

"Who told you that domicile and such provisions will not be safeguarded? Those raising such issues should be questioned as to why they denied people provisions (of the Centre for the benefit of people) for the last 72 years. They should first answer that," he added.

On delimitation, the minister said, "We will have delimitation also. Everything will happen. When it happens, do not resort to complaining. Those making a hue and cry will have problems that their constituencies have been reserved."



He said the land prices had gone up by 40 per cent in Jammu.

Referring to an advertisement issued by the high court, opening recruitment to aspirants from all over the country, Singh said within 24 hours, it was withdrawn.

"Nobody stuck to prestige. Could it have been possible during the days of the previous governments? We realised that this was anomalous unless rules were framed," he said



NC's provincial president Devender Singh Rana urged the government to clear the ambiguities as regards jobs, land and delimitation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Amidst a growing demand for domicile certificates and job protection following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the ruling BJP assured people last month that their rights would be protected to the maximum permissible limits under the Constitution.

The government was already working to protect the rights of the locals as regards land ownership, industries and jobs, state BJP's chief spokesperson Sunil Sethi said in a statement here.

In an apparent reference to the Jammu and Kashmir Panthers Party (JKNPP) and the Congress, who are demanding domicile certificates and job protection, he alleged that left without any logical stand and political issues, these parties were trying to incite people by making false and irresponsible statements.
New Delhi:

Amid the ongoing protests over the citizenship law, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lashed out at the Opposition saying that the Narendra Modi government wont withdraw the law come what may. Addressing a rally in Rajasthans Jodhpur, Shah said that, Even if all these parties come together, BJP will not move back even an inch on this issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act. You can spread as much misinformation as you want. In a message to the refugees, the Home Minister also said that, "Want to tell all refugees that your 'ache-din' are here, you are going to become Indian citizens... These refugees are as Indian as I am.

Shah also took on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that, don't be afraid of Mamata didi, she is only trying to save her vote bank." The Union Home Minister also slammed Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot saying, Gehlot ji, instead of opposing this (Citizenship Amendment Act) first focus on the children who are dying in Kota everyday, show some concern, mothers are cursing you.

The attack comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the ongoing protests were against the Parliament and called on the agitators to raise their voice against Pakistan's atrocities on its minorities for the last 70 years. The Prime Minister said protecting and supporting minorities of neighbouring countries who have sought refuge in India was our cultural and national responsibility.

"Those who are protesting against the Parliament of India, I want to tell them that the need was to expose Pakistan's deeds on the world stage. If you want to protest, protest and raise voice against Pakistan's deeds for the last 70 years, you should have that guts," he said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
As Kerala became the latest state to complain that its tableau for the Republic Day Parade was rejected (for the second straight year) for political reasons, the government put out data on the number of proposals for tableaux received, and the number accepted.

This year, the government has selected 22 tableaux -- 15 states, 1 union territory, and six government departments -- from a total of 56 applications (32 from states and UTs, 24, departments).

Typically the government selects around 22 or 23 tableaux. The selection is made by a panel set up by the ministry of defence, which is in charge of the parade.

The states and UTs that are part of the parade this year are: Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya (all ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party); Odisha and Tamil Nadu (ruled by the BJPs friends and allies); the newly-declared UT of Jammu and Kashmir; the Congress-ruled states of Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan; and regional party ruled Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The ministry of defence statement on the tableaux said the selection was made after five rounds of meetings.

Last year too, there were 16 states and UTs that were part of the parade. In 2018, the number was 14, and in 2017 and 2016, 17.

This year, the government departments selected are the department of promotion of industry and internal trade, department of drinking water and sanitation, department of financial services, the National Disaster Response Force, the Central Public Works Department of the ministry of housing and urban affairs and the ministry of shipping.

A government officer said on condition of anonymity that usually, the government avoids repetition of states so as to give every state and UT  a reasonable chance for representations. Commenting specifically on the fact that the tableau from the drinking water and sanitation department has been selected twice in two years, the official added that this merely reflects the governments priorities.

For 2020, the drinking water and sanitation department is promoting the Jal Jeevan Mission which aims to provide piped drinking water for all by 2024, and in 2019, it did a retrospective of four years of the nationwide cleanliness campaign Swachh Bharat Mission.

To be sure, West Bengals tableau was part of the parade in 2019, 2017, and 2016; Maharashtras in 2017, 2018, and 2019; and Keralas in 2018.

A former government official involved in the process of organising the parade for more than a decade said that the concept of the Republic is what guides the tableau. The army, states and UTs, and different departments of the government are part of the parade. This is a competition where all states are equal, and the selection is done by an expert committee of eminent people, said this person, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Proposals are first made in a concept form, after which the proposals have to be executed practically in the form of a prototype, the former official said. The prototype will have to exhibit the granular details of the concept, and it is this stage where many applicants drop out, said the former official.

This year, West Bengal was one of the first states to protest, with the ruling Trinamool Congress alleging that it was not selected as it has criticised the ruling BJP time and again.

In response, the defence ministry said that this was entirely on merit.

Kerala and Maharashtra, also ruled by non-BJP governments have voiced their protest too. NCP leader Supriya Sule has alleged step-motherly treatment from the Centre. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, who hails from the state has said that he will take up the issue with the Centre.

Kerala politicians too, have alleged mistreatment as their tableaux has not been selected for the second consecutive year. State Law Minister AK Balan said that the decision to reject Keralas tableau was politically motivated, as the state assembly passed a resolution against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

After the Bihar tableaus rejection, the Janata Dal (United), an NDA ally, and the senior partner in the NDA government in the state has not protested but the states opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has alleged that Centre is humiliating the people of Bihar.
Photo: Vulture

The world of romance writers  if you know, you know  is embroiled in drama this week. It started back in August, when Courtney Milan, a Chinese-American romance writer, called out another romance writer, Kathryn Lynn Davis, for racist portrayals of Chinese women in her 1999 novel, Somewhere Lies the Moon. On Twitter, Milan called the book a racist mess and shared several images of offensive sections of the book. In one, Davis describes Chinese characters as having bronze skin and slanted almond eyes. (Davis is a white writer.)

Here she is, meeting another Chinese family in London.



Im gonna be honest: I dont know how I feel about bronze as the standard for Chinese skin (prior tweets), but I *do* know how I feel about yellow.



And about almond eyes. pic.twitter.com/n9R1usyjCy  Courtney!!! Milan  (@courtneymilan) August 26, 2019

Fast-forward four months to December 2019, when the Romance Writers of America informed Milan it would discipline her for her comments. The RWA is a trade organization that represents thousands of romance writers. (Milan is a former member of its board.) Davis, along with another member, Suzan Tisdale, filed complaints about Milans tweets to the RWA. I would not have filed a complaint if she [Milan] had been more professional, Davis told the New York Times. She also said the comments cost her a publishing contract, the Times also reported. Tisdale, the second complainant, employs Davis at a publishing imprint.

The RWA  Milan voluntarily stepped down from her position as ethics committee chair to avoid a conflict of interest, according to the RWAs statement  found only one of the complaints valid, a violation of the associations express purpose of creating a safe and respectful environment for its community of writers. Following the ethics committees report, the RWA ultimately decided to suspend Milan for a year and ban her from ever holding another leadership position. This decision hit Twitter  shared by writer Alyssa Cole  just before Christmas, which went over exactly how you imagine it went over. Some of the backlash was from writers and members who felt that the dispute wasnt handled with enough transparency, the Times reports. The R.W.A. formed a separate group to address the complaints, for example, and didnt inform the ethics committee, which Ms. Milan previously led, about them.

One of the reasons I believed in RWA was because I saw how hard my friend, Courtney Milan, worked to push the organizations inclusiveness. Today, the day before Christmas Eve, RWA notified her theyd agreed with ethics complaints filed against her for calling out racism.  Alyssa!!! Cole (@AlyssaColeLit) December 24, 2019

Rachel Grant, a writer who is a member of the RWAs ethics committee, told Vulture that the committee was formed last January with members signing on for two-year terms. While Ethics Committee members identities are confidential, we do have the right to identify ourselves and I chose to do so on the 24th of December after RWA released a statement that said, at a meeting today that identified a gap between policy and process, RWAs Board of Directors rescinded its vote accepting the findings of the Ethics Committee report and the consequent penalties against Courtney Milan pending a legal opinion, Grant said via email. The RWA, she said, did not fully explain what it meant by gap. As a member of the standing committee, I believed I knew the truth and it was more than a gap, she said.

Instead of having that standing ethics committee tackle the complaints against Milan, Grant said, RWA president Damon Suede assembled a new committee tasked specifically with doing so  a secret committee that myself and other members of the standing committee knew nothing about, yet the report presented to Milan stated the ethics committee findings were unanimous, she explained. Grant tweeted on Christmas Eve about the shadow committee, as did her (now former) committee mate, Ruby Lang, the next day. Silencerequired by the ethics committee processprotected those guilty of creating a secret committee, and I selfishly wanted it known that the REAL committee had nothing to do with the finding, Grant said.

I am a former member of the first committee (I resigned yesterday) and can verify. They formed a new committee without telling us about the complaint. Most of us found out on Monday evening. But RWA called this a unanimous decision and said standard procedure was followed. https://t.co/EmgjUplGiw  Ruby Lang (@RubeLang) December 25, 2019

Suede, in a statement posted to Twitter by Milan on December 27, claimed the second committee was created because of the high caseload as well as the normal turnover. Grant said she did not believe there had been any turnover and the committees workload had been minimal. I had been on the committee since the previous January and had only served on one panel to review one complaint, she said. A second complaint had been reviewed by other members on the committee, and some committee members had yet to serve on a panel at all.

On December 26, The Hollywood Reporter obtained a letter signed by 28 RWA members (specifically chapter leaders) calling for Suede to step down. Eight members of the board have since resigned, the Times reports, including a former president of the RWA. After this private information was made public on December 23, it led to an intense backlash online  including the spreading of false information, threats, and personal information. The Board then held an emergency executive session, rescinding the remaining sanctions, the RWA said in a statement on December 30 following the fallout. That is where things stand and where they will remain unless a future Board decides to revisit the issues. Several Board members have subsequently resigned for a variety of reasons. Folks on Twitter have also pointed out Suedes own history of trafficking in stereotypes in his writing.

Tried a Damon Suede book once. Quit early on. Closeted white fireman hero sees 2 guys fucking in an alley: The man humping away looked Middle Eastern and covered in dense hair. Fireman is shocked to learn this big Arab gorilla is fucking a white paramedic MC knows. Nope, bye. pic.twitter.com/fDJbh82y7r  Marjorie Ingall (@MarjorieIngall) December 29, 2019

The December 30 statement from the RWA says, Our Code of Ethics and procedures cannot be selectively or inconsistently applied on a situational basis, and says that all complaints are to be dealt with according to the organizations policy manual. The complaint against Milan was selectively and inconsistently handled and in no way followed the policy manual, Grant told Vulture. Given my experience with the one complaint I reviewed since joining the ethics committee, I am shocked at the wording and findings of the shadow committee. We made sure our findings complied with policy and procedure every step of the way, reviewing the Code of Ethics within the Policy Manual repeatedly to make sure we were only examining evidence that was permitted.

She noted a section from the Code of Ethics that lays out the exclusions for a member repeatedly or intentionally engaging in any other acts of a violent, harassing  or intimidating conduct that objectively threaten a members career, reputation, safety or wellbeing. That list includes non-RWA operated social-media posts, such as Milans tweets about Somewhere Lies the Moon. Milans Twitter thread was specifically excluded from being considered as evidence in this complaint. The case should have been thrown out based on that alone, Grant said. Writer Tessa Dare also tweeted noting discussion of books is also on the exclusion list.

On Twitter, many writers are following Milans lead and calling for Suede to resign and demanding an audit of the RWA. On her blog, Nora Roberts  a genre heavyweight  wrote an entire post about the debacle. (As she notes in the post, she is not on Twitter.) Roberts left the RWA years ago, following a number of incidents, including the time the RWA declared romantic relationships as strictly heterosexual in 2005. She penned a letter to the editor of the Romance Writers Report and was urged to pipe down for, in her words, fear the lesbians would take over RWA. The letter was only published after she threatened to take out a full-page ad and run it herself. I hope that light continues to shine, and by doing so may change RWA for the good, may remind those in leadership positions what the purpose was all those years ago, Roberts wrote in her blog post. To support and advocate for romance writers. Not specific kinds of romance writers. She ended the post with a blanket apology for any offensive content she may have written throughout her career. Chuck Tingle has, uh, also weighed in.

1) I call for the resignation of Damon Suede.



2) I call for an immediate, full, forensic audit of the Romance Writers of America.  Courtney!!! Milan  (@courtneymilan) January 2, 2020

I became the president of @GSRWA today & our new board now has full authority to make decisions for our chapter.



We held an emergency session today & unanimously voted to no longer have Damon Suede or Geoff Symons at our conference, @ECWC_Seattle_WA.



See this thread for more. https://t.co/jhiFHe56Ue  Jennifer Henderson (@_JennyHenderson) January 2, 2020

I am no longer a member of @romancewriters because they processed my resignation last week in two seconds (funny how they're not being efficient about anything else), but I join my fellow authors in demanding the resignation of Damon Suede and a full forensic audit of RWA.  Suleikha Snyder (@suleikhasnyder) January 2, 2020

Has @romancewriters responded to the multiple requests from members for 1) @DamonSuede to resign and 2) an immediate full forensic audit? This whole situation is extremely shady and the membership needs to know what's going on NOW.  Alyssa!!! Cole (@AlyssaColeLit) January 2, 2020

I began Day 2 of 2020 with a letter to the RWA Board outlining my concerns about utter disregard for policy & asking for a full forensic audit and the removal of Damon Suede for failing to do his fiduciary duty to the organization. You can, too! Emails: https://t.co/EaoBMvAvZ4  sarah maclean (@sarahmaclean) January 2, 2020

Resign, @DamonSuede. Youve presided over an ethics process with previously admitted irregularities, the resignation of 2/3 the Board, a call to resign from over 20 chapters, a recall petition, and national bad press about RWA. Let us escape with some dignity.



RESIGN.  Tessa Dare (@TessaDare) December 31, 2019

UPDATE: Today we mailed @romancewriters the petition package for the recall of Damon Suede. We were able to collect 1092 signatures. ~400 more than necessary to reach or 10% of voting membership goal. A copy of the letter can be viewed here:  CIMRWA (@CIMRWA) December 31, 2019

The RWA has said it will be bringing in a law firm to conduct an audit of the process and these events to provide a clear report of the facts. We await updates with bated and racially sensitive breath.

Update, January 3 at 12:04 p.m.: Milan, via an assistant, provided a statement to Vulture:

I was censured by my writers organization for making comments on social media about the systemic racism of a publisher and that publishers editors, after having received a service award from that writers organization for spending four years tirelessly working to improve systemic racism within the industry.

The Ethics Committee, which was appointed for the purpose of hearing this dispute, was separate and distinct from the regular Ethics Committee; the matter was treated entirely differently as a procedural matter from the last time I was a party in an RWA Ethics dispute  earlier this year when I filed claim against Cristiane Serruya.

The current president, Damon Suede, has admitted that he was the RWA Board Liaison for the Ethics Committee in this matter, which is curious because as of October of 2019, the Ethics Committee did not have a Board Liaison according to the Policy and Procedure Manual.

This entire matter has been a massive breach of fiduciary duty, and I am heartbroken that an organization that I served for four years has decided to set itself on fire in a win for absolutely nobody.

This piece has been edited to clarify that the RWA privately informed Milan of her censure and to note that the eight members of the RWA board resigned prior to the RWAs statement on December 30. Changes have also been made to further specify which information came from statements from the RWA and to add detail about the ethics committee. A statement from Rachel Grant has also been included.
Only a handful of businesses across NSW and Victoria are being convicted and publicly identified for breaking food safety laws every year.

NSW local councils launched 10 prosecutions against retail food businesses for food safety law breaches in the 2019 financial year, according to the NSW Food Authority's annual report.

Only a handful of businesses are being convicted and publicly identified for food safety breaches. Credit:Jessica Shapiro

NSW businesses successfully prosecuted in court are "named and shamed" on a public register for two years. The register currently lists 20 cases, with the most recent offence being committed in 2018.

There were 817 businesses added to a separate register for businesses hit with on-the-spot fines for health and breaches last year in that state.
Logo of Ant Financial Services Group is seen next to a logo of Alipay at the Digital China exhibition in Fuzhou, Fujian

(Reuters) - China's Ant Financial, an affiliate of ecommerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings, has joined the race for a digital banking licence in Singapore, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has said it will issue five such licenses, as it embarks on the biggest liberalisation of its banking sector in two decades.

"In line with our commitment to promoting financial inclusion globally, we have submitted an application to the Monetary Authority of Singapore for a digital wholesale banking license," a spokesperson for the company said in an emailed statement.

"We look forward to contributing to the development of the digital banking landscape in Singapore."

Gaming firm Razer Inc also on Thursday said it was leading a consortium that has applied for a license, while earlier this week Singapore Telecommunications Ltd and Southeast Asian ride hailing firm Grab said they were teaming up for a bid of their own.

MAS, Singapore's central bank, is set to issue up to two "digital full bank" licenses and three wholesale bank licenses.

The city-state is set to announce the winners in mid-2020 and the digital banks are expected to start operations in a phased manner from mid-2021.

A spokeswoman for MAS said it could not comment on individual license applications.

(Reporting by Leng Cheng and Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Nikhil Kurian Nainan in Bengaluru; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Congress' Delhi unit chief Subhash Chopra on Friday dismissed any possibility of an alliance with the AAP for the Delhi Assembly Election 2020, asserting his party will win a 'clear majority' on its own and form the next government in the city

New Delhi: Congress' Delhi unit chief Subhash Chopra on Friday dismissed any possibility of an alliance with the AAP for the forthcoming Assembly polls, asserting his party will win a "clear majority" on its own and form the next government in the city.

Congress and AAP were involved in a long deliberation for an alliance to take on the BJP in Delhi ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election, but the two parties failed to reach an agreement on seat-sharing.

"I would like to make it very clear, we are going to have a clear majority. We are going to form the next government in Delhi. There is no chance of any kind of alliance," Chopra said when asked if the Congress was considering an alliance with AAP before or after the assembly polls, likely in February.

An announcement for the Delhi Assembly election is likely to be made in a few days.

Asked about the number of seats his party expects to win, Chopra claimed the Congress will win a "clear majority" in the election to the 70 assembly seats.

The Delhi Congress on Friday set up an election "war room" at the party office on DDU Marg.

The war room, comprising 14 workstations manned by 30 volunteers, will provide logistic support to party candidates in the election. Each volunteer will handle five constituencies and establish contact with party workers and leaders in those areas.

The ruling AAP has already rejected the possibility of forming an alliance with the Congress for the assembly polls, with senior party leader Sanjay Singh saying Congress is not even in the competition.

However, AICC in-charge of Delhi Congress PC Chacko asserted his party is "fully prepared" for the elections. "We are very hopeful and confident that our graph is going up and we are sure Congress will come back to power single-handedly," Chacko told reporters.

Chopra said Congress will approach voters and highlight the work done by the Sheila Dikshit government in Delhi during its 15-year rule.

He also reiterated his party's poll promises of providing relief to consumers using up to 600 unit of electricity per month, free power to farmers and relief to small shopkeepers consuming up to 200 units of power.

The election committee of Delhi Congress will meet on Saturday to discuss candidate selection. "We will give priority to youth and experience in candidate selection which will be completed soon," Chopra said.
Lucknow, Jan 3 : The report on land embezzlement in Uttar Pradesh's Sonebhadra, that led to a massacre in July last year, has severely indicted the family of veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister, late Kamlapati Tripathi.

According to the government spokesman, nearly 9,687 bighas of land in Mirzapur, of which Sonebhadra was a part till 1989 when it became a separate district, had been usurped by Rajeshpati Tripathi and Laliteshpati Tripathi who had set up cooperative societies to acquire the land.

The land which belonged to the Gram Sabha should have been given to Dalits, tribal and other weaker sections of society. But the Tripathi family had formed 26 societies in Mirzapur and 12 in Sonebhadra to take possession of the land. Nearly 14.7 k bighas of land was usurped by them in Mirzapur and 5.7 k bighas of land in Sonebhadra.

Interestingly, most of the original documents related to the land have gone missing.

The Yogi Adityanath government is now preparing a major action against the Congress family.

A senior government official said on Friday that the Chief Minister had ordered steps to initiate the process of taking back the usurped land.

"The land belongs to weaker sections of society and will be used for their welfare. Schools, stadium, hospitals etc. will come up on the land. At present, the Congress leaders have built palatial farmhouses on the usurped land," the official said.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was the first political leader to reach Sonebhadra after ten tribals were massacred over the land dispute on July 17 last year.

"Probably she would not have gone if she had known that her own party leaders were responsible for what happened," said the government spokesman.
Residents move the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

The death toll from floods in Indonesia's capital rose to 43 on Friday as rescuers found more bodies amid receding floodwaters, disaster officials said.

Monsoon rains and rising rivers submerged at least 182 neighborhoods in greater Jakarta and caused landslides in the Bogor and Depok districts on the city's outskirts as well as in neighboring Lebak, which buried a dozen people.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said the fatalities also included those who had drowned or been electrocuted since rivers broke their banks Wednesday after extreme torrential rains throughout New Year's Eve. Three elderly people died of hypothermia.

It was the worst flooding since 2013, when 57 people were killed after Jakarta was inundated by monsoon rains.

Floodwaters started receded in some parts of the city on Thursday evening, enabling residents to return to their homes.

Wibowo said about 397,000 people sought refuge in shelters across the greater metropolitan area as at their peak floodwaters reached as high as 6 meters (19 feet) in places.

Those returning to their homes found streets covered in mud and debris. Cars that had been parked in driveways were swept away, landing upside down in parks or piled up in narrow alleys. Sidewalks were strewn with sandals, pots and pans and old photographs. Authorities took advantage of the receding waters to clear away mud and remove piles of wet garbage from the streets.

Residents walk near the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Residents walk near the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Residents try to move the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Residents walk near the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Residents stand near the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Residents move the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

A women stands near the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Residents walk near the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Residents walk near the wreckage of cars that were swept away by flood in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. Severe flooding in greater Jakarta has killed scores of people and displaced tens of thousands others, the country's disaster management agency said. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Electricity was restored to tens of thousands of residences and businesses.

Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma domestic airport reopened Thursday after its runway was submerged. Nearly 20,000 passengers had been affected by the closure.

The head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency Dwikorita Karnawati said more downpours were forecast for the capital in coming days and the potential for extreme rainfall will continue until next month across Indonesia.

The government on Friday kicked off cloud seeding in an attempt to divert rain clouds from reaching greater Jakarta. Authorities warned that more flooding was possible until the rainy season ends in April.

The flooding has highlighted Indonesia's infrastructure problems.

Jakarta is home to 10 million people, or 30 million including those in its greater metropolitan area. It is prone to earthquakes and flooding and is rapidly sinking due to uncontrolled extraction of ground water. Congestion is also estimated to cost the economy $6.5 billion a year.

President Joko Widodo announced in August that the capital will move to a site in sparsely populated East Kalimantan province on Borneo island, known for rainforests and orangutans.

Explore further Nine dead after Indonesian capital hit by New Year flooding (Update)

 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
J ess Phillips is widely rumoured to be readying herself to launch a bid for the Labour leadership.

She has already sparked speculation that she plans to run for leader after tweeting a graphic which said "2020" and "Watch this space".

Now, according to BBC Radio 4, the outspoken Birmingham Yardley MP is likely to announce the launch of her leadership campaign today.

A poll earlier this week revealed that Ms Phillips was the the third most popular choice for the top job, following Sir Keir Starmer and Rebecca Long-Bailey.

Here's all you need to know about Jess Phillips:

Who will replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader? 1 /4 Who will replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader? Rebecca Long-Bailey Getty Images Lisa Nandy REUTERS Keir Starmer PA

Who is Labour MP Jess Phillips?

Born and raised in Birmingham, Ms Phillips is the daughter of a Stewart Trainer, a teacher, and Jean, the ex-deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation and chair of the South Birmingham Mental Health Trust.

She revealed in an interview with the Guardian that both her parents were left wing Labour members who quit the party in protest over the Iraq War.

The 38-year-old studied for a degree in economics and social history at the University of Leeds and a postgraduate diploma at the University of Birmingham, before starting work for the Women's Aid Federation of England in 2010.

In 2012, Ms Phillips was elected as a Labour councillor for the Longbridge Ward, in south-west Birmingham. Just a year later she was selected from an all-women shortlist to contest Birmingham Yardley, a seat she won in the 2015 general election with 41.6 per cent of the vote.

Ms Phillips, is on the soft left of the party, has been an outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership as well as speaking out against the war in Iraq during Tony Blair's tenure.

A mother of two boys, she is critical of the direction the party has taken under Mr Corbyn, and nominated Yvette Cooper to run for the top job in the 2015 leadership election.

TODO: define component type apester

While Ms Phillips has never held a role on the front benches, her outspoken nature and fierce campaigning on a number of issues such as equality and tackling violence against women has brought her into the public consciousness.

Her candidacy would offer one of the cleanest breaks from the politics of the Corbyn era. Since the party's disastrous defeat at the 2019 general election she has been campaigning for people to join Labour in a bid to change it.

Despite many seats in Leave-supporting areas falling to the Conservative Party last year, there was only a small swing in her constituency despite the fact she was a Remainer standing in a Leave area.

Ex-Labour MP for Great Grimsby, Melanie Onn, said Ms Phillips would be in a "very good position to be able to reach out to ordinary people" if she were to formally stand for the Labour leadership.
This is your last weekend to take advantage of the half-price sale of Mehring publications. Major titles by David North are on sale at 50% off, including:

2018  The Heritage We Defend recounts the issues of politics, theory and principle that the Fourth International confronted after its foundation in 1938. This book is a critical documentation of the history of the roots of the International Committee of the Fourth International and the fight for Trotskyism in the 20th century.

An extensive 2018 preface elaborates the political trajectory of the successors of Shachtman-Burnham, from their split with the Fourth International in 1939-40 through to the modern-day supporters of figures like Murray Bookchin.

2017  Why Study the Russian Revolution? This 2017 series of nine Centennial lectures by leaders of the ICFI throws light on the relation between the spontaneity of the masses and their growing consciousness, as the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky, sought to elaborate the complex struggle to establish a new socialist society in the Russian Revolution of 1917. This title also includes nine additional essays by North.

2016  A Quarter Century of War: The US Drive for Global Hegemony 1990-2016 depicts the global military assault by US imperialism as it sought to overcome its economic weakness and deflect domestic social tensions by laying waste to the Middle East, Yugoslavia and Afghanistan. North predicted that the US Unipolar moment would end in a  rendezvouswith disaster.

2015  The Frankfurt School, Postmodernism and the Politics of the Pseudo-Left: A Marxist Critique examines the relation between Marxist theory and the development of the revolutionary program, perspective and practice of the Trotskyist movement. North shows the reactionary character of various anti-materialist tendencies associated with the Frankfurt School, existential irrationalism and postmodernism, and its connection to pseudo-left movements such as Syriza and Podemos.

2014 In The Russian Revolution and the Unfinished Twentieth Century, North wrote, If historians still look back in anger on the last century, it is because mankind is still fightingin the spheres of politics, economics, philosophy and even artits undecided battles. In examining the socioeconomic and political issues of the 21st Century, North argues that the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 did not signal the end of Marxism and world socialist revolution, but the demise of anti-working-class bureaucracies and, ultimately, the dawn of a new era of international class struggle.

2013  In Defense of Leon Trotsky. Seventy years after the assassination in 1940 of the great representative of classical revolutionary Marxism, three British historians revived long-discredited Stalinist falsifications to slander Trotsky. Norths defense of historical truth against the scurrilous biography by Robert Service was endorsed in the American Historical Review and by leading European historians.

Take advantage of the last few days of the sale of Marxist literature at Mehring.com!
WASHINGTON  Iran's top commander, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, has been killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, the Pentagon confirmed Thursday night following reports of his death on Iranian state television and Iraqi media. Soleimani, who led a special forces unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, had been a key figure of Iranian and Middle East politics. His death exacerbated already-high tensions between Iran and the United States and triggered concerns of retaliation from Iranian forces.

File photo of the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force, Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Mahdi Ghasemi | AFP | Getty Images

Oil prices rocketed by nearly 4% in the morning of Asia trading hours, while Brent crude soared 3.98% to $68.90 per barrel. U.S. crude surged 3.87% to $63.55 per barrel. Here is the full statement from the Department of Defense: At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more. He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months  including the attack on December 27th  culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week. This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world. Hours after the Pentagon's announcement, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Twitter that the killing of Soleimani was "extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation." "The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he said. Zarif tweet The latest development comes on the heels of a New Year's Eve attack by Iran-backed militias on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. The two-day embassy attack prompted President Donald Trump to order the deployment of approximately 750 U.S. soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.

The wave of protests in Iraq came hours after the U.S. carried out military airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against an Iranian-backed militia group on Sunday. Trump ordered the "precision defense strikes" on five Kataeb Hezbollah facilities following a string of attacks on Iraqi military bases that host American troops. Last week, a U.S. civilian contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi base near Kirkuk. On Thursday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told reporters at the Pentagon that the U.S. may conduct preemptive strikes against Iranian-backed militias. "If we get word of attacks, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, protect American lives. The game has changed," he said.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper speaks during the joint press conference with Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford (not in the picture) on August 28, 2019 in Arlington, Virginia. China News Service | Visual China Group | Getty Images

Earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iranian-backed forces for a series of attacks on bases in Iraq and warned that any future attacks on Americans or U.S. allies would be "answered with a decisive U.S. response." "As long as its malign behaviors continue, so will our campaign of maximum pressure," Pompeo said during a Dec. 11 press conference at the State Department. Following Soleimani's death and that of one of his aides in the U.S. attack, Helima Croft, head of global commodity strategy at RBC Markets, warned: "This brings us to the precipice of a full-blown shooting war with Iran  not a shadow war or a proxy war." "It is almost impossible to overstate the implications of this event," she told CNBC via email. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have soared following Trump's withdrawal from the landmark Iran nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration. The 2015 nuclear agreement lifted sanctions that crippled Iran's economy and cut its oil exports roughly in half. In exchange for sanctions relief, Iran accepted limits on its nuclear program and allowed international inspectors into its facilities.

Hassan Rouhani, Iran's president, pauses whilst speaking during a news conference in Tehran, Iran, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. Bloomberg | Getty Images

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden warned that "Iran will surely respond." "President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interest, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond," he said on Twitter. Joe Biden tweet: No American will mourn Qassem Soleimani's passing. He deserved to be brought to justice for his crimes against American troops and thousands of innocents throughout the region. Sen. Elizabeth Warren called the U.S. attack a "reckless move" that "increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict." Warren tweet: Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war. The relationship between the U.S. and Iran worsened following a string of attacks in the Persian Gulf this summer. In June, U.S. officials said an Iranian surface-to-air missile shot down an American military surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the aircraft was over its territory. That strike came a week after the U.S. blamed Iran for attacks on two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf region and after four tankers were attacked in May. The U.S. in June slapped new sanctions on Iranian military leaders blamed for shooting down the drone. The measures also aimed to block financial resources for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tensions soared again in September when the U.S. blamed Iran for the strikes in Saudi Arabia on the world's largest crude-processing plant and oil field. That attack forced the kingdom to cut its production operations in half and triggered the largest spike in crude prices in decades and renewed concerns of a new conflict in the Middle East. Iran maintains that it was not behind the attacks.
Bhopal: The crucial five-day-meet of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) began in Indore on Thursday to specify role of the Sangh activists in the ongoing nationwide campaign in support of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), besides giving shape to its plan to strengthen its base in poll-bound West Bengal.

RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat, who arrived in Indore in the morning, held discussions with senior leaders of the outfit in the city to set the agenda for the meeting.

The agenda for the meet has been finalised in the meeting of senior RSS leaders that lasted nearly five hours. The executive body of the RSS will finalise the activities for the organisation for the current calendar year, besides deliberating on crucial issues such as CAA, removal of Article 370, construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya and economy of the country, a senior RSS leader indicated to this newspaper.

Sources said the Sangh leadership was also worried over erosion of base of BJP in Jharkhand leading JMM-Congress coalition to ride to power in the State in the recently held Assembly polls.
The Baloch leaders look upon this policy of forcible abduction followed by rape and murder as a form of collective punishment aimed at crushing the freedom movement by breaking the will of the Baloch people.





by Jaibans Singh





Balochistan, the most restive province of Pakistan, has entered a new era of violence and dissent. Inputs of atrocities being committed on innocent civilians by the Pakistan Army and its sponsored terrorists are coming out frequently despite an attempt to keep the situation under wraps. The root of the problem lies in the fact that the people of Balochistan have never accepted their forcible merger as a province of Pakistan. The beleaguered nation has been fighting for independence for many decades.





People in Balochistan





Historically, Balochistan has remained a sovereign nation for millennia. It was illegally and immorally split by the British; first the western part was merged with Iran in 1879, later, in 1893, the British merged the northern part with Afghanistan, once again illegally. In 1928, Iran, under Shah Reza Pahlavi, forcibly occupied the remainder of the western region. The eastern remained under British protection; its main ruler was the Khan of Kalat.





In 1947, when the British left the sub-continent after partitioning it into India and Pakistan, Kalat-Balochistan remained a free and independent country. That was the time when India should have taken the initiative to merge the region with its Union. Sadly, the same did not happen.





On March 27, 1948, seven and a half months after partition, Pakistan invaded and occupied Kalat. The Pakistan Army arrested the elected representatives of Balochistan, abolished the Baloch government, and illegally merged it as a province of the new Nation. The aging Khan of Kalat, Mir Ahmad Yar Khan, approached India for protection but was refused by the Jawahar Lal Nehru led government. Thus, Balochistan was forcibly inducted into the state of Pakistan.





Ever since, the province has been struggling for its rights; this struggle has taken the form of open rebellions and demand for independence. Many have lost their lives, honour and property in an environment of deplorable violations of human rights. Leaders and activists, including Mir Suleman Dawood Jan, the 35th Khan of Kalat, are living in self-imposed exile and fighting in international forums for the rights of their oppressed people.





The Baloch observe November 13 as Baloch Martyrs Day and pay respects to those who attained martyrdom in the very legitimate fight for independence. Thousands of Baloch political activists, including women and children, have been killed in the decades-long freedom struggle. A large number are missing - allegedly lodged in detention centres by police and army. The media blackout and state sanctions against free press in Balochistan have emboldened the forces to commit more atrocities and suppress Balochistans democratic voice.





The November remembrance is followed by sustained activism in the month of December. This year, on December 10 (internationally observed as Human Rights Day), the focus was on atrocities being committed by Pakistan Army and other Government forces on Baloch women and children. Pakistan is committing war crimes in broad daylight and before the eyes of the world. We do not ask our enemy to spare the freedom fighters and political workers, but we have always said that the world should bind Pakistan to respect the laws of war. Our women, children and the elderly are being abducted and killed by Pakistans armed forces, says Allah Nazar, a well known Baloch activist, while openly accusing Pakistan of committing war crimes.





The Baloch leaders look upon this policy of forcible abduction followed by rape and murder as a form of collective punishment aimed at crushing the freedom movement by breaking the will of the Baloch people.





The Baloch leadership in exile is consistently highlighting the plight of their people across the world and especially in forums associated with the United Nations. Baloch human rights groups gathered in London recently to accentuate the overlooked plight of the people of Balochistan. A Conference, The humanitarian challenges in Balochistan was held in Germany by three organisations dedicated to the Baloch cause: Baloch Human Rights Council (BHRC), Baloch Human Rights Organization (BHRO) and Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB). Also in December, a week after Human Rights Day, members of the Baloch Republican Party (BRP) and Baloch Republican Students Organization (BRSO) held a protest in the South Korean city of Busan.





The message emanating from all forums is the same. It constitutes an appeal to the international community to intervene to stop Pakistan from committing atrocities on such a large scale and accede to the Baloch demand of total freedom. The exiled Khan of Kalat, Mir Suleman Dawood Jan, roots for a referendum in Balochistan. He is certain that over 90 per cent people will vote in favour of freedom. Why then is Pakistan keeping the region under its control forcibly?





Pakistan needs to be compelled by the international community to stop the systematic and organised campaign of violence that is specifically targeting women and children. Pakistan also needs to be stopped from tinkering with the culture, identity and way of life of the Baloch. Once atrocity is stopped, then the issue of the constitutional rights of the Baloch can be arbitrated in accordance with the historical realities that govern the region.





The Baloch leadership is making fervent appeals to India for support. They feel that if India could do so for Bangladesh it can do so for Balochistan also. Pakistan cannot be allowed to literally annihilate an entire race with the use of brute force. Presently its actions in the unfortunate region can be categorised as crimes against humanity, genocide and ethnic cleansing. India has a particular responsibility to come forward and assist in every manner possible. It is the duty of the country to do so in concert with its policy of maintaining humanity and freedom at all costs.





(Jaibans Singh is a reputed geo-strategic analyst and editor of defenceinfo.com, where a version of this article first appeared)
After spending the past eight years at the epicenter of San Franciscos civic art world, Tom DeCaigny plans to step down from his role as the citys director of cultural affairs this month.

DeCaigny told Arts Commission staffers in an email that hed be leaving his post Jan. 24. He plans to take a job with the California Alliance for Arts Education, a statewide organization that promotes expanding and improving art curriculum in schools.

After nearly a decade at the helm of the Art Commission, DeCaigny established a reputation as a broad-minded and energetic organizer who oversaw a mammoth rise in the commissions reach and influence. The Arts Commissions budget doubled to around $40 million while DeCaigny was cultural director, and funds that provided grants to artists and arts organizations tripled.

I see my role as a facilitator, DeCaigny said in an interview. Its my job to advance the democratic process for establishing art in the public realm. The job of the director is to ensure theres a broad sense of inclusion and voice in what art and culture mean, and my role was to lift other people up in that process.

Changing jobs, he said, feels really exciting and really bittersweet.

What Tom did is unlike anything Ive ever seen in terms of the growth and prominence of the arts in San Francisco, said Jonathan Moscone, chief producer at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. He was so sophisticated about having the right kinds of conversations with right people to make the right kind of change happen and to increase the impact of the Arts Commission.

As director, DeCaigny and his staff worked to support the 15-member Arts Commission as it fulfilled its key functions, namely the design review of public buildings and spaces  anything from parks to government buildings to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. The commission also awards millions of dollars in grants to artists and acts as a steward of the citys civic art collection, including city-owned arts buildings, like the Bayview Opera House and the African American Art and Culture Complex.

He inherited an organization in disarray when he was picked for the job in late 2011. His predecessor, Luis Cancel, was forced out following revelations that he was telecommuting from Brazil. And a civil grand jury report in 2012 slammed the shabby state of the civic art collection among a host of other problems at the commission, including low staff morale and organizational dysfunction.

It was a time of crisis, DeCaigny said.

He also helped lead the charge for a successful November 2018 ballot measure  Proposition E  that funnels a portion of the money collected from taxing hotel stays to grants for artists and cultural programs. The funds are meant to foster a flourishing arts scene, which in turn can make the city more enticing to tourists and enrich life for residents. The measure, which passed with broad support, was expected to bring in nearly $11 million in 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Former Supervisor Katy Tang, who worked to get the measure on the ballot, said DeCaigny deserved huge credit for marshaling a range of diverse  and some times divergent  opinions together to agree on the vision for what would become Prop. E.

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.

What was so tremendous about Prop. E and all the passion that Tom brought was how he helped bring everyone together. It was a battle to say that art is really important. And if you truly believe its important, you have to invest in it, Tang said.

DeCaigny also helped facilitate a contentious debate over the removal of a deeply controversial statue in San Franciscos Civic Center Plaza. The statue, named Early Days, depicts a fallen, nearly naked American Indian lying at the feet of a vaquero and a missionary. Activists, many of whom saw the sculpture as a perverse celebration of the subjugation of native peoples, spent decades trying to get the statue taken down. It was removed in September 2018 and has been kept in fine-arts storage.

The move, DeCaigny said, embodied the racial equity values of the commission. That was something the community fought for for so long.

The Arts Commission is expected to work closely in concert with Mayor London Breed in choosing DeCaignys successor. The commission votes to select a candidate, but the mayor appoints all of the commissioners.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa
Irked at local MLA Praniti Shinde not being included in the Maharashtra cabinet, Congress workers in Solapur burnt an effigy of senior leader and state in charge Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had, on Monday, expanded his council of ministers by inducting 26 Cabinet and 10 ministers of state.

Praniti, daughter of veteran Congressman and former chief minister and Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, and three-time MLA from Solapur City Central, however, did not find a place.

A Youth Congress leader blamed Kharge for Praniti not being included in the cabinet and said protesters burnt an effigy of the veteran Karnataka politician.

On Thursday, several Congress workers had staged a protest outside the party headquarters in Solapur, while some 100 functionaries have submitted their resignations over the last two days.

On Tuesday, Solapur district Youth Congress president Nitin Nagne had written a protest letter in blood to party chief Sonia Gandhi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Begusarai: Firebrand BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh has once again done what he does best - create a row. In a statement in Bihar's Begusarai that is surely expected to rake up a political controversy, Singh has alleged that missionary schools lack 'sanskar' or values.

But as a solution, Singh has prescribed teaching of 'shlokas' of the Bhagvad Gita and the verses of Hanuman Chalisa. Singh has said the Bhagvad Gita should be taught in schools to prevent children from drifting away from the culture and traditional values.

The minister did not stop at that. He went on to add, "I would like to say to people present here, this practice should start from the private schools since at government-run ones, we run the risk of inviting accusations of imposing the 'bhagwa' (saffron) agenda." Then came his 'beef' remark. "When children go abroad they start eating beef because they are not well versed in their culture and religion," he said speaking at a function. "Thus, they should be taught the Bhagvad Gita," he added.

"We send our children to the missionary schools. They get through IITs, become engineers, go abroad and start eating beef because we don`t teach them our culture," the BJP leader said.

Singh was well aware how provocative his comment could be. Probably that`s why he added soon after, "We are often accused of being radicals. But our culture is that of generosity."

It`s not the first time that Singh has made such comments. Earlier, he said they would use techniques that cows would bear only female calves so that there would be no cases of lynching.

At elections rallies he said those opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi should "go to Pakistan".
THE ADECCO GROUP COMPLETES THE DIVESTMENT OF SOLIANT HEALTH

Zurich, Switzerland, 3 January 2020: The Adecco Group, the world's leading HR solutions partner, announces the successful completion of its divestment of Soliant Health to Olympus Partners.

Having received all necessary regulatory approvals, the Adecco Group has successfully completed the divestment of its US healthcare staffing business, Soliant Health, to Olympus Partners for a cash consideration of USD 612 million (EUR 551 million). The transaction will result in a gain on sale to be recognised in the Group's Q4 & FY 2019 results.

The sale is part of the Adecco Group's strategy to concentrate on globally scalable brands and digital solutions.

As previously communicated, the Group will provide an update on the use of proceeds, in line with its capital allocation policy, with the release of the Q4 2019 results on 26 February 2020.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to the Adecco Group on the transaction.

For further information please contact:

The Adecco Group Investor Relations

investor.relations@adeccogroup.com or +41 (0) 44 878 88 88

The Adecco Group Press Office

media@adeccogroup.com or +41 (0) 44 878 87 87

adeccogroup.com

Facebook: facebook.com/theadeccogroup

Twitter: @AdeccoGroup

Financial Agenda

Q4 2019 results 26 February 2020

Q1 2020 results 5 May 2020

Q2 2020 results 6 August 2020

Q3 2020 results 3 November 2020

Capital Markets Day 2 December 2020

Forward-looking statements

Information in this release may involve guidance, expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to Adecco Group AG as of the date of this release, and we assume no duty to update any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Numerous factors could cause or contribute to such differences. Factors that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements include, among other things: global GDP trends and the demand for temporary work; changes in regulation of temporary work; intense competition in the markets in which the Company operates; integration of acquired companies; changes in the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified internal and external personnel or clients; the potential impact of disruptions related to IT; any adverse developments in existing commercial relationships, disputes or legal and tax proceedings.

About Soliant Health

Soliant Health (Soliant) is a healthcare services outsourcing platform. The company identifies and recruits highly-skilled healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties and connects them with healthcare providers in the education, nursing, pharmacy, and life sciences segments, primarily on a temporary basis. Soliant has approximately 500 employees and is headquartered in Tucker, GA with offices in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, California and Texas. Soliant joined the Adecco Group in 2009 through the MPS Group acquisition.

About Olympus Partners

Founded in 1988, Olympus Partners is a private equity firm focused on providing equity capital for middle market management buyouts and for companies needing capital for expansion. Olympus is an active, long-term investor across a broad range of industries including business services, food services, consumer products, healthcare services, financial services, industrial services, and manufacturing. Olympus manages in excess of $8.5 billion mainly on behalf of corporate pension funds, endowment funds and state-sponsored retirement programs.

About the Adecco Group

The Adecco Group is the world's leading HR solutions partner. We provide more than 700,000 people with permanent and flexible employment every day. With more than 34,000 employees in 60 countries, we transform the world of work one job at a time. Our colleagues serve more than 100,000 organisations with the talent, HR services and cutting-edge technology they need to succeed in an ever-changing global economy. As a Fortune Global 500 company, we lead by example, creating shared value that meets social needs while driving business innovation. Our culture of inclusivity, fairness and teamwork empowers individuals and organisations, fuels economies, and builds better societies. These values resonate with our employees, who voted us in the top five on the Great Place to Work - World's Best Workplaces 2018 list, for the second year running. We make the future work for everyone.

The Adecco Group is based in Zurich, Switzerland. Adecco Group AG is registered in Switzerland (ISIN: CH0012138605) and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ADEN). The group is powered by ten lead brands: Adecco, Adia, Badenoch & Clark, General Assembly, Lee Hecht Harrison, Modis, Pontoon, Spring Professional, Vettery and YOSS.
New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Several Delhi University teachers on Friday staged a protest outside the office of varsity's vice chancellor (VC) demanding absorption of ad-hoc teachers.

The agitating teachers also marched up to the Swami Vivekananda statue in the university near the VC office.

The teachers, for a long time, have been demanding absorption of the ad-hoc teachers in the university and to also include their experience as an ad-hoc teacher while calculating the promotion criteria.
New Delhi/Islamabad, Jan 3 : Iran's most powerful military commander Qassem Soleimani who was killed in a US drone strike on Thursday in Baghdad had been secretly using Baloch militant groups against Pakistan.

According to a leaked letter of Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs, 14 personnel of Pakistan Armed Forces were killed recently by Baloch militants based in Iran. This was one of the several attacks orchestrated by Baloch militants shielded by Iranian intelligence chief and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Soleimani.

Intelligence sources told IANS that Pakistani forces were killed on April 18, 2019, weeks after 27 IRGC soldiers were killed by Pakistani terrorists on February 13. Soleimani had strongly lashed out at Pakistan after the killings of 27 Iranian revolutionary guards.

In their complaint to Iranian Embassy, Pakistan foreign ministry wrote, "15 to 20 terrorists who camouflaged themselves in Frontier Corps (FC) uniform barricaded the road and stopped 3 to 4 buses travelling from Ormara to Gwadar on the coastal highway at Buzi Top in the dawn of 18 April 2019 and on the identification of the passengers, shot down 14 personnel belonging to the Armed Forces of Pakistan. 'BRAS' which is the alliance of three Baloch terrorist organisations have claimed responsibility for this terrorist act. After the incident, the terrorists who arrived from border region returned to that area." Pakistan, the letter, pointed out, "has repeatedly shared intelligence about these activities. The information about the hubs of these Baloch terrorist organisations in Iran, having training camps and logistics bases across the border, was shared with Iranian intelligence in the recent past, and on a number of occasions earlier. Unfortunately, no action has been taken by Iran in this regard, to date." Protesting against the killing of its forces, Pakistan, pleaded with Iran to act against the Baloch groups based in Iran, whose locations it had identified several times.
- Education CS George Magoha said the government will take stern action against parents who will fail to take their children to school

- The technocrat revealed the government will sponsor 9,000 needy 2019 KCPE candidates to join Form One

- The professor said the scholarships will be awarded to needy students who obtained 280 marks and above

All 2019 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates must join Form One, the government has said.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said his ministry is keen to achieve a 100% primary to secondary school transition rate as he warned parents against letting their children stay at home.

READ ALSO: Nyeri woman who conned locals KSh 100, 000 in fake William Ruto's visit arrested

Education CS George Magoha says all KCPE 2019 candidates must join Form One. Photo: George Magoha.

Source: Facebook

READ ALSO: Frustrated Nairobi man offers to help Uhuru clean Nairobi River in 3 months

According to a report by the Daily Nation on Wednesday, January 1, the tough-talking technocrat said the government will take stern action against parents who will fail to take their children to school.

We shall go after the parents and they will tell us why the children are not in school. If we find the children, we will take them to school ourselves and we will do it forcibly, he said.

A file photo of Health CS Sicily Kariuki inspecting the 2019 KCPE exams. Photo: The Standard.

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Feri iliyosababisha kifo cha Mariam Kighenda na mwanawe yapigwa marufuku kuhudumu

We will go for the parents of children who may have been married off early and forcibly take the children to school to ensure that all Class Eight candidates transit to secondary school," he added.

The former Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) chair was speaking in Nyeri county when he made an impromptu visit to the homes of bright but needy children at Witemere slums in Nyeri town.

The needy learners are part of the 9,000 others who will receive full scholarships from the governments KSh 3 billion Elimu Fund which was launched in 2019.

The President directed that we give at least 30% of these scholarships to children in urban slums and it will also happen in 2020 and other years to come to ensure no child is out of school, he said.

The scholarships will be awarded to needy students who obtained 280 marks and above as well as orphans and those with disabilities who scored below 280 marks.

In 2019, close to one million primary school leavers joined Form One which brought the government within touching distance of its goal to achieve 100% transition from primary to secondary school.

Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly.

The Blind Tailor, I don't want people to pity me. I want them to be encouraged by my story | Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 107th session of Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru today.



Modi on Thursday met Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan.

Modi is on a two-day visit to the state which will conclude on Friday.

Earlier yesterday, he launched five Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He also offered prayers at Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru where he addressed a gathering after distributing Krishi Karman Awards to states. (ANI)
Turkey's lawmakers approve troop deployment to Libya

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 7:16 PM

Turkey's parliament approves military deployment to Libya, aimed at shoring up the UN-backed government in Tripoli, which has been under sustained attack since April by military strongman General Khalifa Haftar.

Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop said on Thursday that the legislation passed with a 325-184 vote. All important opposition parties in the assembly voted against the bill.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AK Party and its allies hold a parliamentary majority. Parliament cut short its winter recess to address the ongoing developments in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

Ahead of the crucial vote, Turkey's Vice-President Fuat Oktay told state news agency Anadolu that no date had yet been set.

"We are ready. Our armed forces and our defense ministry are ready," he said, adding that parliamentary approval would be valid for a year.

He described the parliament motion as a "political signal" aimed at deterring Haftar's army.

"After it passes, if the other side changes its attitude and says, 'OK, we are withdrawing, we are abandoning our offensive,' then what should we go there for?"

In a Twitter post last week, Erdogan's communications director Fahrettin Altun urged outside powers to stop meddling into Libya's internal affairs.

"We're supporting the internationally recognized legitimate government in Libya. Outside powers must stop supporting illegitimate groups against the Libyan government."

President Erdogan said last month that Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's Government of National Accord (GNA) requested the Turkish deployment after the two signed a military deal that allows Ankara to dispatch military experts and personnel to Libya.

The Tripoli-based government has been under sustained attack since April by eastern military commander General Haftar, who is backed by Turkey's regional rivals -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an offensive in April, but their advances were brought to a standstill by pro-government troops along the city's southern outskirts.

In November last year, a UN report said several countries were violating the arms embargo on Libya in place since the overthrow of its long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Jordan and the UAE regularly supply Haftar's forces, it said, while Turkey supports the GNA.

Turkish and Emirati drones were spotted in Libyan skies during clashes over the summer.

Turkey has also used its alliance with the Tripoli government to advance other interests. They have signed a maritime jurisdiction agreement giving Turkey rights to large swathes of the Mediterranean where gas reserves have recently been discovered.

The memorandum of understanding on the maritime jurisdiction areas with Libya is regarded as strategic for Ankara which strengthens its hands against claims by Greece and the Greek Cypriot government.

The maritime deal between Turkey and Libya has angered neighboring Greece. Athens has said the deal could complicate its decades-old dispute with Ankara over Cyprus and maritime rights in the Aegean Sea.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkish troops invaded the northern third of the island in 1974 in response to a coup sponsored by the Greek military junta.

Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the European Union, and says the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has the right to explore around the entire island.

Last month, a Turkish military drone employed for the exploration of natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean landed at an airport on the divided island of Cyprus.

Turkey already has two drilling vessels in the eastern Mediterranean despite the threat of European Union sanctions.

Egypt condemns Turkey decision

In a statement released on Thursday, Egypt's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the vote by Turkey's parliament vote to allow troop deployment to Libya.

The statement said any such deployment could "negatively affect the stability of the Mediterranean region" and called on the international community to urgently respond to the move.

Turkey's fierce rivalry with the military government in Egypt is seen as another motivating factor behind the planned deployment.

The administration of President Erdogan strongly backed Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood government that was violently overthrown by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in 2013.

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(Alliance News) - Craven House Capital PLC said Friday its 100%-owned subsidiary Craven House Capital North America LLC has agreed to a loan from LM Funding America Inc.

Craven House Capital PLC holds a 26% stake in LM Funding America.

The loan agreement will see LM Funding lend CRVNA USD1.5 million, which will be used to provide liquidity for investment purposes. The loan will act as an advance on the USD3.6 million convertible loan repayment owed to CRVNA from LM Funding.

CRVNA has agreed to extend the maturity of the loan owed to it by LM Funding to April 15 next year from January 16 this year.

"In order to accommodate this CRVNA requested a partial repayment of USD1.5 million against the CRVNA loan, however, at the request of LM Funding this has been structured as separate loan facility in the form of the LM Funding loan which provides additional benefit to CRVNA as the LM Funding loan is repayable in shares of LM Funding at a premium to the current market price of LM Funding," Craven House Capital explained.

The USD1.5 million borrowed by CRVNA is repayable on April 15 this year, with interest payable at a rate of 6% per annum. It can be repaid in cash or 640,000 shares in LM Funding, from CRVNA to LM Funding.

Shares in Craven House Capital were 8.1% higher in London on Friday at USD2.0 each. LM Funding America closed trading in New York on Thursday at USD0.83 each.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Meanwhile, she and her daughter started buying merchandise for the store.

Our Life by Stella's shop opened Dec. 1.

The store sells clothing, jewelry, shoes and housewares. It even sells those pepper grinders used in the restaurant that Stella's customers have wanted. The pepper mills come in brass, copper and silver and in different sizes and styles.

"We have mostly Greek designers and designers who have that Greek and Mediterranean aesthetic designs," Katrina Giavos said. "We have a couple of local Greek artist from Richmond and New York. But most everything we have is imported from Greece. It is nice because it is different and people have really taken to it because it is different."

But the space is more than just a retail shop.

It is a place where patrons to Stella's restaurant can sit - or browse the store - while waiting for a table. There is a lounge area in the front of the store for people to sit. Before, customers had to wait outside the restaurant or they left.
Joy Ranch reopens under new ownership

Joy Ranch near Watertown has reopened under new ownership.
Wang Xudong, curator of Palace Museum in Beijing (Photo/Peoples Daily)

The year 2020 marks the 600th anniversary of the completion of the Forbidden City and the 95th anniversary of the establishment of the Palace Museum. To celebrate the year, the Palace Museum will host a series of activities, Wang Xudong, curator of the Palace Museum, told Peoples Daily in an exclusive interview.

The museum will hold seminars, publish research outcomes, launch exhibitions, organize philanthropic activities, and release TV and film works on the Palace Museum this year, Wang disclosed.

As a highlight of the celebrations, the Palace Museum will invite 600 children from remote and impoverished areas to visit the museum, 600 students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to come to the museum for cultural exchange, and 600 students to take part in a Chinese calligraphy competition at the museum.

We will continue to explore the infinite potential of the Forbidden City, including its aesthetic value, historic value and scientific value, Wang said.

By Dec.19, the Palace Museum had received 19 million visitors in 2019. The number was the largest compared with other museums around the world.

Over the past 95 years, staff members have made great efforts to protect the museum and rescued a large number of cultural relics. Now, their focus is on both rescue and preventive protection, and they have included risk monitoring as an important part of protection.

The Palace Museum has proposed building itself into a safe museum, an academic museum, a digital museum, and a vigorous museum, Wang said. In addition, the museum will also enhance cooperation with universities and research institutes and apply 5G technology to the operation of the museum and achieve digitalization.
The Australian navy on Friday began the evacuations of some of the thousands of people stranded on the east coast of the fire-ravaged country as a searing weather front was set to whip up more blazes across the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW).

At the peak of the summer holiday period, tens of thousands of holidaymakers were urged to leave national parks and tourist areas on the NSW south coast and eastern areas of Victoria before a return of temperatures above 40C (104 F) and strong winds on Saturday.

Traffic out of Bateman's Bay, a popular holiday spot on the NSW south coast, was less busy than on Wednesday and Thursday, with many people having heeded the directives to leave the area before the weekend.

Victoria declared a state of disaster for the first time, giving authorities broad powers to compel people to leave their properties and take control of services, similar to the state of emergency that has been declared in NSW.

Andrew Crisp, emergency management commissioner for Victoria, urged people in at-risk areas to leave their homes immediately and not count on luck to avoid disaster.

"This is your opportunity to get out. It is not just the fires we know. It is the new fires that might start today," he told ABC News.

Another death from the fires in NSW was confirmed on Friday, taking the toll in the state this week to eight. Two people have died in Victoria's fires, and 28 others are unaccounted for.

The navy's HMAS Choules and Sycamore started the evacuations of nearly 1,000 of the 4,000 people stranded on a beach in the isolated town of Mallacoota in far-east Victoria, federal member of parliament Darren Chester tweeted on Friday morning.

With all roads blocked, sea transport and some airlifts are the only way out of the stricken town, and each round trip by sea could take a day or more.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had called for calm on Thursday, before visiting the fire-devastated NSW town of Cobargo where he was not entirely welcome.

Story continues

Video showed Morrison confronted by a group of angry locals, one of whom shouted he should be "ashamed of himself" and said he had "left the country to burn".

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance, whose represents the local area and is from the same party as the Prime Minister, said he had not heard from Morrison and did not know he was visiting the area.

"To be honest the locals probably gave him the welcome he probably deserved," he told Channel 7.

Morrison's conservative government has long drawn criticism for not doing enough to address climate change as a cause of Australia's savage drought and fires.

Bushfires so far this season have scorched more than 4 million hectares (10 million acres) of bushland and destroyed over 1,000 homes, including 381 homes destroyed on the south coast just this week.

Anthony Albanese, head of the opposition Labor Party, called for a national response to a national emergency. "We haven't, in my lifetime, had people on beaches waiting to be evacuated in life jackets...like it's a peacetime version of something that we have seen during wartime. This is not business as usual," he said in a media conference.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews says the state of disaster was an extraordinary step for extraordinary circumstances. "If you can leave you must leave. Not just for your safety but for the safety of those who may be called to your aid," he told ABC news.

Ten people have been killed by wildfires in the eastern states of NSW and Victoria since Monday, and 28 are still missing in Victoria.

NSW rural fire service says there are 127 fires burning in the state and warned of a fire front stretching 60 to 70 km (37-44 miles) on Saturday. Past Saturday, there were no other peak days of fire danger forecast for a while.

Police and emergency services again urged tourists on the state's South Coast and in the Snowy Mountains to leave the area ahead of dangerous fire conditions. The deadline to leave Kosciuszko National Park was 10 a.m. Friday (2300 GMT Thursday).

Thousands of people had already been evacuated from the region of East Gippsland in Victoria, one of the largest in the country since the northern city of Darwin evacuated over 35,000 people in the aftermath of cyclone Tracy in 1974.

A contingent of 39 firefighters from North America landed in Melbourne this week, bringing to almost 100 the number of U.S. and Canadian experts who have flown in to help deal with the crisis.

New Zealand's government said it would send another 22 firefighters next week. Since October, NZ has deployed 157 firefighters to Australia.

Morrison, forced to defend his government's limited action on climate change, blamed a three-year drought and lack of hazard reduction for the unprecedented extent and duration of this year's bushfires.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed sympathy for those who have suffered in Australia, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said on Thursday, adding that Guterres has warned that when it comes to tackling global warming, "right now the pace we're on, we're not winning that race."

(REUTERS)
Value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. After all, who wouldnt want to find stocks that are either flying under the radar and are compelling buys, or offer up tantalizing discounts when compared to fair value?

One way to find these companies is by looking at several key metrics and financial ratios, many of which are crucial in the value stock selection process. Lets put Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. RCL stock into this equation and find out if it is a good choice for value-oriented investors right now, or if investors subscribing to this methodology should look elsewhere for top picks:

PE Ratio

A key metric that value investors always look at is the Price to Earnings Ratio, or PE for short. This shows us how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings in a given stock, and is easily one of the most popular financial ratios in the world. The best use of the PE ratio is to compare the stocks current PE ratio with: a) where this ratio has been in the past; b) how it compares to the average for the industry/sector; and c) how it compares to the market as a whole.

On this front, Royal Caribbean has a trailing twelve months PE ratio of 13.95, as you can see in the chart below:

This level actually compares favorably with the market at large, as the PE for the S&P 500 stands at about 20.15. However, if we focus on the long-term PE trend, Royal Caribbeans current PE level puts it above its midpoint of 15.06 over the past five years.

The stocks PE however compares favorably with the Consumer Discretionary Markets trailing twelve months PE ratio, which stands at 24.27. This indicates that the stock is undervalued right now, compared to its peers.

Meanwhile Royal Caribbean has a forward PE ratio (price relative to this years earnings) of 14.01, which is slightly higher than the current level. So, so it is fair to expect an increase in the share price in the near term.

Story continues

P/S Ratio

Another key metric to note is the Price/Sales ratio. This approach compares a given stocks price to its total sales, where a lower reading is generally considered better. Some people like this metric more than other value-focused ones because it looks at sales, something that is far harder to manipulate with accounting tricks than earnings.

Right now, Royal Caribbean has a P/S ratio of 2.63. This is lower than the S&P 500 average, which comes in at 3.48x right now. Also, as we can see in the chart below, this is much below the highs for this stock in particular over the past few years.

Broad Value Outlook

In aggregate, Royal Caribbean currently has a Value Score of B, putting it into the top 40% of all stocks we cover from this look. This makes Royal Caribbean a solid choice for value investors.

What About the Stock Overall?

Though Royal Caribbean might be a good choice for value investors, there are plenty of other factors to consider before investing in this name. In particular, it is worth noting that the company has a Growth Score of B and a Momentum Score of F. This gives RCL a Zacks VGM score  or its overarching fundamental grade  of B. (You can read more about the Zacks Style Scores here >>).

Meanwhile, the companys recent earnings estimates have been mixed at best. While the current-quarter estimate has seen no upward and one downward movement over the past two months, the current-year estimate has seen no upward and two downward movements, in the same time frame.

This has had a mixed effect on the consensus estimate. While the current-year consensus has remained stable over the past two months, the next-year estimate has fallen 0.2%. You can see the consensus estimate trend and recent price action for the stock in the chart below:

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Price and Consensus

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Price and Consensus

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. price-consensus-chart | Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Quote

Such mixed analyst sentiments is the reason why the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and why we are looking for in line performance from the company in the near term.

Bottom Line

Royal Caribbean is an inspired choice for value investors, as it is hard to beat its incredible lineup of statistics on this front. Also, with a sluggish industry rank (among Bottom 10% of more than 250 industries) and with a Zacks Rank #3, it is hard to get too excited about the stock.

Also, over the past two years, the broader industry has clearly underperformed the market at large, as you can see below:

So, value investors might want to wait for Zacks rank, industry rank and analyst sentiments to turn around in this name first, but once that happens, this stock could be a compelling pick.

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Monash University researchers have developed the world's most efficient lithium-sulphur battery, capable of powering a smartphone for five continuous days.

Prototype cells have been developed in Germany. Further testing in cars and solar grids to take place in Australia in 2020.

Researchers have a filed patent on the manufacturing process, and will capture a large share of Australia's lithium chain.

Imagine having access to a battery, which has the potential to power your phone for five continuous days, or enable an electric vehicle to drive more than 1000km without needing to "refuel".

Monash University researchers are on the brink of commercialising the world's most efficient lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery, which could outperform current market leaders by more than four times, and power Australia and other global markets well into the future.

Dr Mahdokht Shaibani from Monash University's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering led an international research team that developed an ultra-high capacity Li-S battery that has better performance and less environmental impact than current lithium-ion products.

The researchers have an approved filed patent (PCT/AU 2019/051239) for their manufacturing process, and prototype cells have been successfully fabricated by German R&D partners Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology.

Some of the world's largest manufacturers of lithium batteries in China and Europe have expressed interest in upscaling production, with further testing to take place in Australia in early 2020.

The study was published in Science Advances on Saturday, 4 January 2020 - the first research on Li-S batteries to feature in this prestigious international publication.

Professor Mainak Majumder said this development was a breakthrough for Australian industry and could transform the way phones, cars, computers and solar grids are manufactured in the future.

"Successful fabrication and implementation of Li-S batteries in cars and grids will capture a more significant part of the estimated $213 billion value chain of Australian lithium, and will revolutionise the Australian vehicle market and provide all Australians with a cleaner and more reliable energy market," Professor Majumder said.

"Our research team has received more than $2.5 million in funding from government and international industry partners to trial this battery technology in cars and grids from this year, which we're most excited about."

Using the same materials in standard lithium-ion batteries, researchers reconfigured the design of sulphur cathodes so they could accommodate higher stress loads without a drop in overall capacity or performance.

Inspired by unique bridging architecture first recorded in processing detergent powders in the 1970s, the team engineered a method that created bonds between particles to accommodate stress and deliver a level of stability not seen in any battery to date.

Attractive performance, along with lower manufacturing costs, abundant supply of material, ease of processing and reduced environmental footprint make this new battery design attractive for future real-world applications, according to Associate Professor Matthew Hill.

"This approach not only favours high performance metrics and long cycle life, but is also simple and extremely low-cost to manufacture, using water-based processes, and can lead to significant reductions in environmentally hazardous waste," Associate Professor Hill said.

###

The research team comprises: Dr Mahdokht Shaibani, Dr Meysam Sharifzadeh Mirshekarloo, Dr M.C. Dilusha Cooray and Professor Mainak Majumder (Monash University); Dr Ruhani Singh, Dr Christopher Easton, Dr Anthony Hollenkamp (CSIRO) and Associate Professor Matthew Hill (CSIRO and Monash University); Nicolas Eshraghi (University of Liege); Dr Thomas Abendroth, Dr Susanne Dorfler, Dr Holger Althues and Professor Stefan Kaskel (Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology).

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After being accused of offering and selling meat products that were not inspected by the USDA, a Worcester food store has entered into a consent decree with the government to resolve the allegations, officials said Friday.

The government filed a complaint against Makola Market, at 1145 Main St., after investigators with the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA issued several written warnings to Makola Market and its owner and manager, Comfort Russell, to stop purchasing, offering for sale, and selling misbranded meat food products that were not inspected by the USDA, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Andrew E. Lelling.

Additionally, the market was warned for its failure to maintain the required business records of the purchase and sale of meat products, the statement said.

During the latest USDA inspection, investigators noticed the store was offering federally uninspected uncooked beef heads to retail customers. The store did not maintain business records documenting the origin of the beef heads, the statement said.

Makola Market has now entered into a consent decree with the government.

Consumers should be able to trust that the food they buy is produced and sold under safe and sanitary conditions, Lelling said. This consent decree establishes procedures to prevent this business and its owner from further jeopardizing the health of consumers.

The consent decree permanently enjoins Makola Market and Russell from further violating the FMIA and provides investigators with broad access for inspection of the premises and business records in the future. If violations continue, Russell and the store will face significant penalties, according to the statement.

Our inspection personnel are on the job daily, verifying that establishments are providing consumers with safe, wholesome, and properly labeled meat products, said Carmen Rottenberg, FSIS Administrator. The consent decree agreed to by Makola Market provides our investigators with broad access to the premises and business records so that we can be confident in the safety of their meat products.
Dylan Dreyer and her husband Brian Fichera have kicked off 2020 in the best way possible: with the arrival of their newborn baby.

The 38-year-old Today star gave birth to her second son, Oliver George, on Thursday morning at 9:13am, with the baby boy weighing in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 19 inches.

Speaking to her co-hosts on the phone on Friday morning during the Third Hour of Today, Dylan, who suffered a first-trimester miscarriage last winter, said she feels 'so happy and so blessed' - before joking that she had 'just got all her drugs' so was doing 'just fine'.

The perfect way to start the new year! Today star Dylan Dreyer and her husband Brian Fichera welcomed their second son, Oliver George, on Thursday morning

Mother and child: The 38-year-old revealed her joyful news on Friday morning, revealing that her baby boy weighed in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces when he was born

Siblings: The couple already have a three-year-old son, Calvin, together, and he was on-hand to meet his newborn brother at the hospital on Thursday just hours after he was born

She also opened up about the inspiration behind her newborn son's name, admitting that it had no real 'significance' for the couple, it was just a moniker that they both really liked.

'It's funny because there was no significance behind Calvin, and there's no significance behind Oliver!' she confessed. 'There was a period of time when we had a list of like five different names, and we were somewhere, and everyone we were around was named Oliver.

'It was when I was in London covering the Royal Ascot and we had to pick up Brian's suit from a store called Oliver Brown, and there were just all these signs [so] we were like, "Yeah, we think Oliver is it!"

'Then we ran all our names by Calvin, and he's been calling him Oliver since day one, so we said, "It's really going to confuse Calvin if we change his name now!"'

However, Dylan, who is understood to have given birth via C-section, confessed that while her oldest son loves the name, he hasn't quite mastered its correct pronunciation yet, saying: 'He says Oviler, but we'll work on that!'

Luckily, a few mixed up letters didn't taint Calvin's first meeting with his baby brother, with the proud mother-of-two describing the special moment between her two boys as 'pure joy'.

'We really built up the excitement for Calvin,' she explained. 'I had to go into the hospital early yesterday morning, so when I woke up at 5 o'clock, Calvin woke up, he wanted to get dressed, he wanted to come with us.

Family of four! Dylan revealed to her Today co-hosts on Friday that there is 'no significance' behind the name Oliver, but that it was a moniker her entire family loved

Gang's all here: The mother-of-two phoned into the Third Hour of Today on Friday to share her joyful news with the other hosts, revealing that she feels 'so happy and so blessed'

Special bond: Dylan revealed that Calvin's first meeting with his baby brother was 'pure joy'

'And I said, "Mommy and daddy have to leave, but you're going to come to the hospital and meet Oliver today!" And he had his shoes on and his jacket on, and he was so ready to come.

'Then he walks in with this huge smile on his face, and he sits on my lap and he looks at Oliver and he asks to hold him straight away. It was just perfect. It was the sweetest thing, he is so happy.'

Speaking about the newborn's features, Dylan joked that neither she nor her husband can work out where their son's 'huge lips' have come from, however she said that she 'just wants to kiss them every second'.

'He's got a ton of hair,' the proud mom added. 'Calvin was born bald and he stayed bald for a year, but Oliver has this huge head of blonde hair, and I don't know where that came from either, because mine's fake!'

So far, the parents are adjusting well to being mom and dad to two children, and Dylan said that any worries she had about her feelings towards a second child disappeared as soon as he was born.

'Everything just clicked,' she said, explaining that she and her co-host and fellow mom Sheinelle Jones had talked about 'how you find love for a second child' before Oliver was born.

'It feels complete, it's just the four of us, everything about it just feels right,' she shared. 'There was no adjustment period, it was like, "Oh yeah, this is us, this is our family."'

Dylan's joyful new arrival comes less than nine months after she opened up about suffering a heartbreaking first-trimester miscarriage, with the NBC host sharing her painful story on the Third Hour of Today back in April.

Recalling her heartbreak at the start of 2019, Dylan shared her joy that this year has kicked off in such a positive way.

'It was a long time coming, this year started off a lot differently than the way it ended,' she said.

'Everything just clicked': Dylan said that there was 'no adjustment' time needed for the family to welcome their new member

Waiting: On New Year's Day, just hours before giving birth, Dylan proudly showed off her big baby bump in a series of family photos posted on her Instagram account

Meaningful: In the caption, she thanked her fans for 'following along on our blessed journey'

Back in April, when Dylan first revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage, she recalled the horrifying moment she realized that she was losing her baby.

'Five weeks go by, I wake up to just bleeding,' a tearful Dylan said at the time.

'To the point where Im standing in the shower and it wont stop,' she continued. 'I wake up and I tell [Brian] that and I say I think I lost the baby."'

Dylan also spoke out about her struggle with infertility, revealing that the couple had tried to conceive naturally for six months before seeking advice from her OB-GYN who explained that the Today host had an incredibly low egg count.

When having Calvin, Dylan underwent an emergency C-section, which left her two-thirds of her uterus scarred. The leftover scar tissue made it difficult for a fetus to inhabit her uterus.

The couple decided to try IVF - however before they were able to begin treatment, their doctor shared the happy news that they had gotten pregnant naturally.

'I was just waiting for the phone call from Dr. Reichman, to tell me how much of each drug to use,' she explained to People at the time. 'Instead, when he called, he said, "Well, you cant start IVF because youre already pregnant!" We were in complete shock. We couldnt believe it!'

In fact, Dylan said she 'had no idea' it was even possible for her to get pregnant naturally, and that she was still carrying on with 'classes to learn about the injections and how to mix the medications', all the while not realizing that she had already conceived her baby.
New Delhi:

At least 8 including top Iran and Iraq commanders of Hashed military force were killed in the US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport. A senior Iraqi politician and a high-level security official confirmed to the Associated Press that Gen Qassim Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in the US airstrike. It should be noted that Gen Qassim Soleimani was the head of Iran's elite Quds Force while Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Soon after the attack, the PMF blamed the United States for an attack. However, there was no immediate comment from the US or Iran.

According to a report of PTI, the security official further stated that al-Muhandis had arrived at the airport in a convoy to receive Soleimani whose plane had arrived from either Lebanon or Syria. The airstrike occurred as soon as he descended from the plane to be greeted by al-Muhandis and his companions, killing them all. The senior politician also added that Soleimani's body was identified by the ring he wore.

A newsweek report says that US President Donald Trump approved the drone strike in Baghdad.

Soleimani had been rumoured dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Also Read: US Hits Pro-Iran Group With Deadly Strikes In Iraq, Syria

More recently, rumours circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syria's Aleppo. Earlier, Iraq's Security Media Cell, which releases information regarding Iraqi security, said Katyusha rockets landed near the airport's cargo hall, killing several people and setting two cars on fire.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
A young couple were left star-struck yesterday after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex offered them a helping hand while out on an afternoon stroll.

Iliya Pavlovic and Asymina Kantorowicz were attempting to take selfies in Vancouver Island's Horth Hill Regional Park, when a woman approached and asked if theyd like her to take a snap for them.

Ms Kantorowicz, a producer for Canadas CTV News, told the channel she didn't recognise the obliging stranger at first, who walked over from a group standing nearby.

"She starts asking if we want her to take a photo for us," she explained. "We said 'sure'. I didn't see who she was at that time."

It was only after she spotted Meghan's Suits co-star Abigail Spencer that she realised the royal couple were stood before her.

"I froze up. I actually couldnt believe who it was. Then I looked over to the side and thats when I realised Prince Harry was standing there," the Canadian native explained.

"I kept looking back and forth like, 'Is this actually happening?'"

As reality sunk in, Ms Kantorowicz and her partner accepted Meghan's kind offer.

"In that moment the only thing I could think to say, 'There's only so much that selfie sticks can do, she told CTV News.

"(Meghan) laughed and responded with something like, 'We'll have to do better,' and then Harry said, 'No pressure," she explained.

The couples then wished each other "Happy New Year and carried on with their respective hikes.

Harry and Meghan release new photo of Archie in New Year message

Ms Kantorowicz said she and her partner turned to each other following the chance encounter, asking 'Did that just happen?'.

"We didn't want to make a big deal of it. We really appreciated that she stopped to take a photo for us, she added, describing Meghan as super friendly.

"I was in shock and I didnt want to make it a big deal. But then we both called our moms to tell them," she said.

I still can't believe it. It feels like a dream."

First glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan's newborn son - In pictures 1 /28 First glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan's newborn son - In pictures The Duke and Duchess of Sussex gave the world its first glimpse of the royal baby PA The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are joined by her mother, Doria Ragland, as they show their new son, born Monday and named as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, to the Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle Chris Allerton/SussexRoyal/PA The Duke and Duchess of Sussex with their baby son, who was born last month Dominic Lipinski/PA Meghan said Harry and her son were the "best two guys in the world" Dominic Lipinski/PA Their son was born in the small hours of Monday morning PA The Queen is due to be the first royal to meet the baby PA The Duchess said the birth of the child was "magic" PA Dominic Lipinski/PA The Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed the name of their son on Wednesday as Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor PA PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Dominic Lipinski/PA Sky News Sky News

It wasn't the first time Harry and Meaghan were spotted hiking at the popular Horth Hill park over the festive period. Numerous locals have reported meeting them in the area since they arrived in December.

The royal pair opted to spend their first Christmas with baby Archie on Vancouver island rather than joint the Queens traditional Sandringham celebrations, following a year dogged by criticism.
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner has told Boris Johnson to make a statement on the killing of a top Iranian military commander. (PA Images)

Boris Johnson has been told to get off his sun lounger and make a statement on the American killing of a top Iranian general.

Labour shadow education secretary Angela Rayner - who has widely been tipped to enter the race for her partys deputy leader role - said the Prime Minister needed to speak about the escalating dangerous situation in the Middle East.

Mr Johnson has been holidaying on the Caribbean island of Mustique with girlfriend Carrie Symonds.

Ms Rayners comments follow the US assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Irans notorious Quds Force, in Iraq. President Donald Trump said the general was planning fatal attacks against Americans.

The killing has led to speculation over how the Iranians might respond, with the countrys Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring that harsh retaliation is waiting.

The PM must at least get off his Sun lounger to make some kind of statement on the US attack killing the senior Iranian general and the escalating dangerous situation between Iran and the USA. Leaving it to the hapless Dominic Raab will not suffice   Angela Rayner  (@AngelaRayner) January 3, 2020

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab released a statement earlier today, which said: We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qassem Soleimani.

Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Asked if a comment from the Prime Minister could be expected, the Downing Street press office told Yahoo News UK that the governments response was being led by the Foreign Office.

Mr Johnson has visited the private island of Mustique to celebrate the New Year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds have travelled to the Caribbean on holiday. (PA Images)

Qassem Soleimani (L) during a campaign against ISIS in 2015. REUTERS/Stringer

Mr Raabs comments have been criticised by Labours shadow foreign secretary and leadership candidate Emily Thornberry.

The Foreign Offices call for restraint today is too little and far too late, in the wake of such a brazen, unlawful and provocative attack, she said.

Story continues

Soleimani was an influential and important commander for Iran who oversaw their involvement in the Syrian Civil War and conflict in Iraq.

He was in charge of the Quds Force, which the US has designated as a terrorist organisation.

In two tweets, President Trump said the commander was responsible for killing and injuring thousands of Americans and claimed he was also accountable for deaths in Iran, too.

General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

....of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

The Foreign Office has advised British people visiting Iran to avoid any rallies, marches or processions taking place during the three days of national mourning declared in the country.

Rallies and marches are likely in cities across Iran, and could become angry, advice on the Foreign Office website states.
WASHINGTON - Democrats in Congress are seeking access to secret grand jury testimony from special counsel Robert Muellers Russia investigation, arguing in court Friday that it is relevant to President Donald Trumps impeachment and could even be a basis for additional accusations against him.

A three-judge panel that heard the argument, including a Trump appointee, appeared divided and did not immediately rule on the case. It was one of two separation-of-powers fights between Congress and the Justice Department argued Friday before judges on Washingtons federal appeals court.

At issue is whether House Democrats can obtain grand jury testimony outlined in Muellers 448-page report, which examined the Trump campaigns ties to Russia and whether the president sought to obstruct that investigation. The Justice Department appealed a judges order from the fall directing it to produce that material.

A Justice Department lawyer argued Friday that the grand jury material bore no relevance to the impeachment inquiry, which centres on Trumps efforts to press his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate a political rival and concerns activities that occurred after the Mueller investigation had concluded.

The House has now adopted two articles of impeachment that have nothing to do with this case, Mark Freeman told the court.

But Douglas Letter, the Houses general counsel, said the Russia material is on point, given the momentous stakes of deciding a presidents fate in impeachment proceedings.

Theres nothing more important than determining whether the president of the United States should remain the president of the United States, he said.

Letter said the House was seeking a discrete disclosure, noting that lawmakers werent seeking access to all grand jury testimony but only to testimony that Mueller made reference to in his report and therefore considered relevant to his investigation.

Its limited because its what special counsel Mueller decided to put in his report, Letter said. This is already vastly more limited than us just coming in and saying, Impeachment, we get everything.

Freeman said Congress has over time changed its arguments for why it needs the testimony, and that though lawmakers now say they want the information for a Senate impeachment trial, they initially sought it as part of the Mueller investigation  which concerns events that are separate from the impeachment inquiry.

He also questioned the Houses need for the testimony, suggesting it already has plenty of information about the investigation through the unredacted portions of Muellers report.

But Judge Judith Rogers, a nominee of former President Bill Clinton, took issue with that argument, saying: We all know that a single sentence can be devastating and can lead to exculpatory as well as incriminating evidence. The length and the percentage (of redactions) is not necessarily dispositive.

Testimony taken by grand juries is traditionally treated as secret, in part to protect the privacy of people who are not charged or who are considered peripheral to a criminal investigation. In certain cases, though, courts have authorized the disclosure of the information. The House Judiciary Committee, for instance, obtained grand jury materials from the Watergate investigation in the 1970s.

Judge Neomi Rao, a Trump appointee, questioned whether courts had the authority to force one branch of government to turn over grand jury material to another branch, and asked how Congress had the right to a court-enforceable order to obtain such information.

She appeared reluctant to rule in the Houses favour on what she described as a political question.

Though Letter said courts are constantly ordering the disclosure of grand jury material, Rao responded: The power to order might be different in this context where its the Congress thats seeking the materials and theres an interbranch dispute.

Letter said the courts are the proper place to resolve the dispute, noting that though Congress theoretically has authority to dispatch a sergeant-at-arms to the Justice Department to collect the material and to engage in a gun battle if necessary, thats not the ideal course of action.

The third judge on the panel, Thomas Griffith, an appointee of President George W. Bush, peppered both attorneys with questions about their arguments.

He suggested that Letter was invoking the word impeachment as a mantra for arguing that Congress was entitled to everything it wanted. But he also asked Freeman, the Justice Department lawyer, why the court shouldnt just follow the Nixon-era precedent of grand jury disclosure  which he called the gold standard  and uphold the lower court decision in this case.

The district court is saying, if were going to err here  and thats not the right word to use  were going to err on the side of giving them more, not less, just the way (Judge John) Sirica did in Watergate, which is the gold standard, Griffith said. Thats the gold standard.

____

Follow Eric Tucker at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, January 3, 2020

Apple CEO Tim Cook made a $2 million donation to an unnamed charity in late December.

The donation  6,880 shares of Apple stock  was identified in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing released Thursday.

A tweet he sent Wednesday might reveal his state of mind and give insight into the type of charity that might have received the donation.

There is opportunity in every new beginning, he wrote. In 2020 lets use it to lead with our humanity, to protect and strengthen our planet, and to build a future wed be proud to pass on. Happy New Year!

Technology leaders  those who run companies that generate revenue from online advertising and consumer data, as well as entrepreneurs  have come under fire for their wealth of late. Cooks latest donation comes during a time when U.S. presidential candidates such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are proposing solutions including a wealth tax.

A federal wealth tax is one possible solution proposed by presidential candidates. Sanders in September 2019 released an aggressive proposal  The Tax on Extreme Wealth  promising to cut the wealth of billionaires in half over 15 years. Sanders told The New York Times in an interview that billionaires should not exist.

Cook is not even noted as one of the top wealthiest people in the world, according to the Forbes top list.

At the time of Cooks donation the shares were worth $1.99 million, according to 9To5Mac, which first spotted the SEC filing. The share price has since risen to $300.35 per share.

Its not the first time that Cook has donated a large sum of Apple stock. In mid-2019, Cook donated 23,700 worth of Apple shares. In 2014, he donated to an LGBT equality campaign. Apple, the company, donates to disaster relief efforts, and PRODUCT(RED), according to one report.

In 2015, Cook said he would donate his entire fortune to charity.

Separately, on Thursday Apple and U.K. chip designer Imagination Technologies announced a new license agreement. Imagination makes and licenses intellectual property for semiconductor System-on-Chips, and supports the development and manufacturing of Digital Audio Broadcasting radios.
Its the holidays, which means you need something long to read while lounging around the house. Luckily, were taking a break from the news to give you an in-depth look at each of the Flyover states as we head into 2020. With the help of cleveland.com data guru Rich Exner, weve compiled all sorts of facts and figures from the past two elections to really understand whats happening on the ground in our seven states.

Today we head to our last Flyover state, Iowa. Heres where you can find our write-ups about Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Well be back to our regular schedule starting Monday.

Iowa

Its the New Year, and that means youre going to be hearing a lot about the state I was born in and that you may have driven through that one time.

What can really be said about the Hawkeye States politics that hasnt already been said at this point? Its extremely important during the primary season. Not everyone is happy with that, but its a tradition that dates back to 1972 (with 1976 being the first big one).

Over the past four decades, the Iowa caucus has both made candidates and broken them.

So buckle up, because in exactly one month, the political worlds eyes will be fixed on the smallest state in Flyover country.

Population

Iowa has the smallest population of all the Flyover states, but is also the fastest growing. It isnt projected to lose or gain a congressional seat as a result of 2020 redistricting.

The full set of data can be found here.

2010: 3,046,355

2012: 3,076,097

2016: 3,131,785

2018: 3,156,145

Net change: 109,790

Net change in Flyover states: 724,790

U.S. change: 18,421,896

Percentage change: 3.60%

Flyover percentage: 1.17%

U.S. percentage: 5.97%

Voting age citizens 2012: 2,276,376

Voting age citizens 2016: 2,320,932

Voting age citizens 2018: 2,327,219

Net change: 50,843

Flyover change: 950,932

U.S. change: 13,557,146

Percentage change: 2.23%

Flyover percentage: 2.07%

U.S. change: 6.16%

Demographics

This might not come as a shock, but Iowa is the least diverse of all the Flyover states, largely due to its lack of a major metro area outside Des Moines.

However, Iowa has the second youngest median age of any Flyover state. It is only one of two Flyover states with a younger median age than the national median age.

The full set of data can be found here.

White: 90.2%

Flyover median: 81.0%

U.S.: 72.2%

Black: 3.6%

Flyover median: 11.2%

U.S.: 12.7%

Asian: 2.5%

Flyover median: 2.8%

U.S.: 5.6%

Other or multi-race: 3.7%

Flyover median: 5.2%

U.S.: 9.5%

Hispanic: 6.1%

Flyover median: 6.9%

U.S.: 18.3%

Foreign Born: 5.5%

Flyover median: 5.5%

U.S.: 13.7%

Median age: 38.1

Flyover median: 39.5

U.S. median: 38.2

Education and economics

Iowa is on the low end of Flyover states in terms of educated adults, including the lowest amount of adults 25 and up with a graduate or professional degree. It does boast the highest high school graduation rate for those 25 and older. Historically, public primary and secondary education has been very important to Iowa voters (after all, the state is the headquarters of the ACT).

Iowa ranks in the middle of the pack in terms of median family income, but sits at $4,032 higher than the next closest state, Michigan.

The full set of data can be found here.

High school degree or higher (25+): 92.3%

Flyover median: 91%

United States: 88.3%

Bachelors or higher (25+): 29.0%

Flyover median: 29.6%

United States: 32.6%

Graduate or professional degree (25+): 9.4%

Flyover median: 11.1%

United States: 12.6%

Median family income: $76,068

Flyover median: $76,068

United States: $76,401

Jobs and unemployment

When we decided to put together this list, we wanted to look at the jobs and unemployment figures around the time of the presidential election. Iowa has consistently had a much lower unemployment rate than all the Flyover states and the national rate, partly due to the states reliance on the agricultural industry. However, Iowas job growth rate has also been consistently lower than its neighbors.

The full set of data can be found here.

Jan. 2013 jobs: 1,516,000

Jan. 2017 jobs: 1,568,600

Oct. 2019 jobs: 1,596,100

2013-2017 change: 52,600

Iowa percentage change: 3.5%

Flyover percentage change: 5%

U.S. percentage change: 7.7%

2017-2019 change: 27,500

Iowa percentage change: 1.8%

Flyover percentage change: 1.9%

U.S. percentage change: 4.3%

Jan. 2013 unemployment: 4.9%

Flyover median: 7.9%

U.S. rate: 8%

Jan. 2017 unemployment: 3.4% (-1.5)

Flyover median: 4.9%

U.S. rate: 4.7% (-3.3)

Oct. 2019 unemployment: 2.6% (-0.8)

Flyover median: 3.9%

U.S. rate: 3.9% (-0.8)

Politics and races

Iowa politics are an interesting amalgam of several different states. Des Moines is large enough to carry some of the urban politics that come with cities. But with vast amounts of rural areas in the western half of the state, an old industrial climate in the eastern half and several small-to-mid-sized towns scattered throughout, there is a surprising amount of political dynamics for a state that could easily be mistaken for another Kansas or Nebraska.

In the past decade, Iowa state government has been somewhat mixed. Republicans have controlled the governors office since 2011 when popular former four-term Gov. Terry Branstad came back for a second go-around as the states top official. Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, succeeded Branstad in 2017 after Branstad was appointed ambassador to China.

But Democrats have been perfectly capable of winning statewide. Attorney General Tom Miller and Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald have won every election theyve competed in dating back to 1994 and 1982, respectively. Auditor Rob Sand also won in 2018 over incumbent Republican Mary Mosiman.

The statehouse started the decade under Democratic control. Following the 2010 elections, the chambers split, with Democrats controlling the state Senate and Republicans controlling the state House of Representatives. The Senate has since swung hard to Republicans, who gained a majority after the 2016 election and gained even more seats in 2018. Interestingly, the House has swung more toward Democrats since the Republicans took control in 2011.

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both Republicans, represent the state in the U.S. Senate. The four members of Congress are split 3-1 in favor of Democrats after a pair of flipped districts in 2018. Notably, Iowa has arguably the least gerrymandered and most competitive congressional districts of all the Flyover states.

President Barack Obama easily beat Republican Mitt Romney in 2012 by nearly 92,00 votes  about six-percentage points  to capture the states six electoral votes. President Donald Trump convincingly won in 2016 by more than 147,000 votes  about 10-percentage points.

Democrats won the U.S. House vote in 2012 and 2018 while Republicans won in 2014 and 2016. Republicans won by a much wider margin in 2014 and 2016 than Democrats did in 2012 and 2018.

The full set of data can be found here.

2012 presidential election margin: D, 91,927

Flyover: D, 1,847,011

U.S.: D, 4,982,291

2016 presidential election margin: R, 147,314

Flyover: R, 251,345

U.S.: D, 2,868,686

2012 Iowa congressional vote margin: D, 45,882

Flyover: D, 539,951

U.S.: D, 1,711,566

2014 Iowa congressional vote margin: R, 86,676

Flyover: R, 1,312,838

U.S.: R, 4,042,298

2016 Iowa congressional vote margin: R, 139,184

Flyover: R, 1,118,012

U.S.: R, 1,106,727

2018 Iowa congressional vote margin: D, 52,338

Flyover: D, 1,862,288

U.S.: D, 10,336,840

The 2020 election

Another shocking development, but Iowa is kind of crucial to 2020. Trump has a negative approval rating in the state.

Caucus date: February 3

Trump net approval: -13 (22-percentage point drop from January 2017)

Real Clear Politics Polling average Dem nomination (as of Jan. 2):

Pete Buttigieg: 22.0

Bernie Sanders: 20.0

Joe Biden: 18.8

Elizabeth Warren: 16.0

General election polling (as of Jan. 2):

RCP Polling average Trump v. Biden: Trump +2.5

RCP Polling average Trump v. Sanders: Trump +5.5

RCP Polling average Trump v. Warren: Trump +7.0

Political handicapper ratings:

Sabatos Crystal Ball: Leans Republican

Cook Political Report: Lean Republican

Inside Elections: Lean Republican

Politico: Lean Republican

Other races to watch

Iowa is the only Flyover state where nearly every federal race is slated to be competitive, including one of the highest-profile Senate races in the country.

Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican, is up for re-election after winning in the 2014 red wave year. She is a prime target for Democrats looking to flip a Senate seat.

After Democrats flipped two seats in 2018, Republicans are looking to take back control of the congressional delegation. Freshman Reps. Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne are the top incumbent targets, with retiring Rep. Dave Loebsacks seat also in the GOPs line of sight.

Besides looking to hold their seats, Democrats are hoping to cash in on the unpopularity of Rep. Steve King, a GOP pariah who was stripped of his committee assignments after espousing white supremacist views. King is facing several Republican challengers, who have a legitimate chance of knocking him off the ballot. If King loses the primary, the seat likely becomes less competitive.

Senate

Incumbent:

Sen. Joni Ernst, Republican

Challengers:

Former Navy Adm. Michael Franken, Democrat

Theresa Greenfield, Democrat

Kimberly Graham, Democrat

Eddie Mauro, Democrat

Cal Woods, Democrat

Paul Rieck, Republican

Ratings:

Sabatos Crystal Ball: Leans Republican

Cook Political Report: Likely Republican

Inside Elections: Lean Republican

Politico: Lean Republican

1st Congressional District (Cedar Rapids)

Incumbent:

Rep. Abby Finkenauer, Democrat

Challengers:

Thomas Hansen, Republican

State Rep. Ashley Hinson, Republican

Ratings:

Sabatos Crystal Ball: Toss-up

Cook Political Report: Toss-up

Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic

Politico: Toss-up

2nd Congressional District (Iowa City)

Incumbent:

None, Rep. Dave Loebsack, Democrat, is retiring

Challengers:

Newman Abuissa, Democrat

State Sen. Rita Hart, Democrat

State Sen. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Republican

Former Illinois U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling, Republican

Ratings:

Sabatos Crystal Ball: Toss-up

Cook Political Report: Toss-up

Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic

Politico: Lean Democratic

3rd Congressional District (Des Moines)

Incumbent:

Rep. Cindy Axne, Democrat

Challengers:

Brad Huss, Republican

Bill Schafer, Republican

Former Rep. David Young, Republican

Ratings:

Sabatos Crystal Ball: Leans Democratic

Cook Political Report: Toss-up

Inside Elections: Toss-up

Politico: Toss-up

4th Congressional District (Ames, Sioux City, Mason City)

Incumbent:

Rep. Steve King, Republican

Challengers:

J.D. Scholten, Democrat

State Sen. Randy Feenstra, Republican

Steve Reeder, Republican

Bret Richards, Republican

State Rep. Jeremy Taylor, Republican

Ratings:

Sabatos Crystal Ball: Likely Republican

Cook Political Report: Likely Republican

Inside Elections: Tilt Republican

Politico: Lean Republican

Enjoying The Flyover? Be sure and subscribe here.

Email Seth at SRichardson@cleveland.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SethARichardson.
PHOTO  In this 2016 photo released by the office of Iran's supreme leader, Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Soleimani was killed yesterday in U.S. airstrike on the Baghdad airport in Iraq.

As the U.S. sends some 3,500 additional troops to the mideast, Washington Post reporter Mustafa Salim [@Mustafa_salimb on Twitter] describes the mood in Baghdad as grim.

In the Washington Post today, he writes, "Streets were quiet. Many restaurants were deserted. Along checkpoints down the streets, young soldiers and militiamen clutched their weapons tight."

A young protester tells him: "World War III is about to happen."

Hope that kid in the street is wrong. Iran has vowed to exact "severe revenge" on the United States after air strikes killed Qasem Soleimani.

Excerpt:

Iraqis know well what it means to be trapped in a bloody shadow war between allies Iran and the United States. Some referenced the feeling of calm before the storm that pervaded the days before the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. "It's just like 2003, but we have social media this time," one woman wrote in a post. In Tahrir Square, the epicenter of anti-government protests that have swept the country and decried Iranian influence over Iraq's politics, early morning celebrations over Soleimani's death gave way to a darker mood. Many said they feared a violent assault by Iran-backed militias, as they have already witnessed several times in recent months. Unlike previous Fridays among the protesters, there were no chants, activities or free food. For one of the young men gathered there, Ayad Emad, it was time to leave. "World War III is about to happen and this is beyond demonstrations demanding reforms. No one is going to listen to us, given the circumstances." More than 500 people have already died in a months-long and Iran-backed campaign to quash the movement. "If there is an act of revenge for what happened this morning, there will be unnecessary bloodshed," Emad said.

atmosphere in Baghdad streets is very tense, a situation similar to the state of anticipation in 2003. What happened last night was big and has serious consequences. At the beginning of the tension between the US and Iran, the Iraqis knew that Iraq willl the play ground (1-2)  Mustafa Salim (@Mustafa_salimb) January 3, 2020

IRAN LIVE UPDATES at Washington Post: 3,500 additional U.S. troops headed to Mideast as Iran threatens retaliation
MANZINI - While many people had a peaceful crossover to 2020, the same could not be said about six residents of Luve.



This, because one of them succumbed to injuries he sustained while the other five are fighting for their lives in hospital after being involved in a nasty car crash.

The accident occurred at Luve on New Years Eve at around midnight.



Information gathered was that four of the survivors of the accident are siblings, another is a close relative to the four siblings, while the deceased was a resident of the area.

Narrating the sequence of events, one of the survivors, Banele Zubuko, stated he, together with his siblings, and one of their close relatives,



Journey



Sihle Maseko, who later passed on after the accident, were embarking on a journey to their parental home at Nyakeni on New Years eve at around midnight when they received a tip-off that one of their own, Ndumiso Zubuko (his brother) was involved in a quarrel with a notorious gang from Luve.



He said as soon as they were privy to such information, they made a U-turn and drove back to where the quarrel was unfolding in a bid to rescue his brother.

He said upon arrival at the scene, they discovered that indeed his brother was being attacked by a mob right in the middle of the road joining Luve and Mafutseni and they parked the car which they were driving in, a Honda Fit sedan on the side of the road and intervened in the squabble with an intention to reason with the mob to pardon his brother. However, we got more than we had bargained for as the mob was unyielding to our request to let go of my brother and began to attack us as well, he said.



According to Zubuko, after realising that the mob was baying for their blood, they had no other alternative but to run for dear life with an aim to seek refuge in the Honda Fit sedan they had parked nearby.



He said while they were running, he stumbled and fell and one of the attackers took advantage of this and stabbed him with a sharp object in the face.

His siblings managed to escape into the car but after realising that he was not with them, they went back to search for him and were victorious in their quest as they successfully rescued him and they all managed to board the motor vehicle.



Zubuko said as soon as they had boarded the motor vehicle, the driver of the car drove off at a very high speed in an attempt to elude the attackers.

He said given that the attackers were hot on their heels, one of the attackers, a female, whose identity could not be immediately ascertained, was accidentally knocked down by the car as they attempted to speed off.



Due to the impact, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned soon after knocking down the female attacker.

He said the female attacker who was knocked down by the car sustained major injuries and was later rushed to hospital where she is currently recuperating.

I cannot precisely recall what happened thereafter as I lost consciousness. When I regained consciousness, I was already admitted to the hospital, however, I was later informed by my sisters who came to pay me a visit in the hospital that my siblings sustained major injuries during the accident while Maseko passed away, he said.



It is believed Maseko was ejected from the vehicle and died on impact.

When asked what the bone of contention was between his brother and the mob, he disclosed that he was not privy to such details.

Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mguni confirmed the incident.

.
Amaravati, Jan 3 : As protests by Amaravati farmers intensified over the proposal for three capitals for Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday said that the rationale behind every decision is the welfare of all.

He said that the government takes decisions for the good of all sections of people and all regions of the state.

Jagan, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, was speaking at Eluru in West Godavari district after launch of Arogyasri, a healthcare scheme.

"From village to state administration, all are equal. Fruits of development and governance should reach all sections of people. We will correct the wrong decisions made in the past," he said.

Jagan said he would use his position of the chief minister to make sure that people live in harmony and fruits of development reach all.

His remarks came amid continuing protests by farmers in Amaravati over the three capital proposal. Farmers, who gave 33,000 acres of land for development of Amaravati as the state capital in 2015, are demanding that the capital be retained in Amaravati.

Jagan has mooted the idea of developing Visakhapatnam as administrative capital and Kurnool as judicial capital. According to this proposal, only Assembly and Raj Bhavan will function in Amaravati.

Experts committee constituted by the state government has also made the same recommendation for decentralised development.

The government earlier this week set up a 16-member high-power committee to analyse the report of experts' panel and take a final decision.

The farmers, who have been protesting for more than two weeks, say that shifting Secretariat and Chief Minister's office to Visakhapatnam and High Court to Kurnool will spell doom for them.

Amaravati was the brainchild of Jagan's predecessor N. Chandrababu Naidu, who had plans to build it as a world-class city.

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which came to power in May last year, alleged that the previous Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government resorted to insider trading and that it wanted to develop capital at Amaravati to benefit people of Kamma community, from which Naidu comes.

The TDP chief, however, has rubbished the allegations.
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New York, Jan 3 : Americans woke up on Friday to warnings from decorated US military experts and West Asia pros that the US airstrike near Baghdad airport that killed Irans top military commander General Qassem Soleimani is the equivalent of "pouring gasoline on a smouldering fire" and an 'inflection point that tilts the world and Americans in particular into a far more dangerous place in the span of one night.

The killing of Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force and the architect of the country's most significant interventions across West Asia, has spiralled US-Iran tensions to a new high.

"Unprecedented", "inflection point", "unbelievably horrific consequences", "prepped and ready for attack" sum up the theme of reactions flowing thick and fast from West ASia specialists on Friday.

"This is an inflection point. You can drop a plumb line from that day we decided to invade Iraq to where we are today," former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis told an early morning news television.

The former NATO Commander said the US is "tactically" better off with Soleimani being "taken off the chessboard" but strategically there's "no structure or strategy for where we're going to take this thing next." "The Pentagon today is going to be on all hands on deck" and prepared for the response which is all but certain, Stavridis said.

In terms of impact, the retired four-star Navy Admiral compared Soleimani's killing to the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, the highest-ranking officer in the US military, being eliminated.

"So, we've got to up our defensive game in the Persian Gulf or our ships in Afghanistan for our troops there in Iraq, in Syria, in Europe. US troops in Europe will be targeted, our ally, Israel will be targeted," he said.

Michael Weiss, author of a bestselling book on ISIS, is calling Soleimani's end "the most seismic event in West Asia in the 21st century." Soleimani, Weiss told a news show, was the most "Machiavellian military commander" in several generations, who was single-handedly responsible for overseeing and orchestrating Iran's proxy wars with at least half a dozen countries.

Sometime in 2007, Soleimani is said to have boasted to David Petraeus, his US counterpart in Iraq, "I hope you enjoy the brief respite that you're getting here in Baghdad; I've been busy in Beirut." Conventional war, proxy war and cyber warfare are all included in the experts' bucket list of immediate next steps as Iran prepares to retaliate.

On January 1, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei taunted Donald Trump on Twitter, effectively calling the US President a paper tiger and challenging him to bring it on.

Trump simply took the bait, said Weiss.

Ambassador Wendy Sherman, who led the US negotiating team that reached an agreement on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1, the European Union and Iran, said on TV the "one-off action" that killed Soleimani could have "unbelievably horrific consequences" for the US.

If Iran goes on the offensive, what will the US reaction look like? Stavridis said "that'll be everything from aircraft carriers flowing to the region, Marine Expeditionary Unit, the US package is going to be prepped and ready." Iran's supreme leader Khamenei has warned that "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the US. He called Soleimani the "international face of resistance." The US has said that Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use deadly roadside bombs against US troops after the invasion of Iraq.

On Sunday, US airstrikes killed 25 Iranian-backed militia fighters in retaliation for the killing of a U.S. contractor at an American base in a rocket attack the previous week.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 21:05:27|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BANGKOK, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Ministry of Public Health said on Friday that the ministry has rolled out new regulations for tattoo skin-artists to get an annual health clearance.

The health clearance requires the tattoo skin-artists to know about proper use and disposal of their tools and wastes.

"The announcement of the new health regulation for tattoo skin artists has been published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday already, and I already signed it," said Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha. "The new regulation will take effect in 90 days."

Sathit said the new health regulation is to ensure that tattoo clients are not harmed through infection or allergic reactions to colorings and chemicals used by tattooists.

Skin-artists are required to be healthy and free of respiratory and skin diseases, said Sathit.

Tattooists must have a medical certificate from an annual physical checkup, to demonstrate that they are in good health and do not carry hepatitis B or C, or tuberculosis, the deputy health minister said.

As tattoo art in Thailand has been on the rise, many Thais and foreigners travel to Thailand to have their body parts inked with images of spirituality and fashion.

Sathit said it was vital for the Ministry of Public Health to roll out this new measure as there have been many cases where clients have complained about infection from tattoo needles.
The police in Ferozabad district have sent out notices to about 200 people asking them to explain why action should not be taken against them for the violence during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests.

Ferozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Jan 3 (IANS) In an embarrassment to the Yogi Adityanath government, which is taking strict action against those who indulged in violence during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests, the police has served a notice to a man who died six years ago.

One such notice has been served to Banne Khan, who died six years ago at the age of 94.

Khan's son Mohammad Sarfaraz confirmed the incident and said that the police should have conducted a 'proper inquiry'.

"I also have my father's death certificate. I am going to tell the police to go to my father's grave and ask him to apply for bail. What else do I do?" he asked.

Two other men in their nineties -- 93-year-old Fasahat Meer Khan, who has been bedridden for months and 90-year-old Sufi Ansar Hussain, who is suffering from pneumonia and has just returned from a Delhi hospital after his treatment -- have also received similar notices.

Khan is the founder of a college in Ferozabad while Hussain has been a caretaker at a local mosque for about six decades.

Both men are members of their local peace committees that regularly coordinate with the police for maintaining peace in any area.

In notices issued to both men, they have been asked to appear before a government magistrate and apply for bail after submitting a bond of Rs 10 lakh.

Ansar Hussain said: "I was at Sir Gangaram Hospital in Delhi on December 25 and have returned only yesterday. I do not know why they did this. I have spent all my life to ensure peace in the city. There was an Urs on December 20 and I had even invited the authorities."

Ferozabad City Magistrate Kunwar Pankaj Singh said that there was an error and will be rectified.

"There was a lot of pressure on us to maintain peace and these were interim measures taken based on the reports from various police stations," he told reporters and added that no action will be taken against any elderly persons.

The protests against the new citizenship law were held in several parts of Uttar Pradesh.

In Ferozabad, where four people died in clashes on December 20, about 35 cases were registered and 29 people named in them, out of which 14 people were arrested and jailed by the local police. After the violence subsided, the local police sent out notices to at least 200 people asking them to prove they would not be a threat to peace in the area.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had warned of a 'crackdown' on the protesters and the government ordered that those found responsible for damaging public property during the protests would have to pay for it.

amita/dpb
New Year is a time to think about and focus on areas you need to improve in your life.

Very often, people treat New Year as an opportunity just like a fresh slate, to correct past mistakes during the upcoming year.

We make yearly resolutions hoping for a change in behavior, usually with the goal of improving relationships, health, general well-being, and so on.

What can you do this New Year to make your life better?

Take a look at the following:

1. Learn something new

Tutoring are great source of useful information and a great distraction from your scheduled classes, not to mention a very productive use of your time.

Learning outside of course materials is crucial to help broaden your knowledge base and impress future employers.

If you want to expand your expertise in your area of study, expert tutors can be great recommendation source for tutoring more related to your studies.

Start following influencers on social media in your areas of specialization.

Many podcasts cover broad topics of physical well-being and mental health.

Alternatively, documentaries can be a great way to unwind from the stress of your workload.

You can find a huge variety to choose from online, whether you are interested in history, art, sociology, fashion, or politics.

You can also try picking up an autobiography written by one of your favorite public figures.

2. Set daily personal goals

Many New Years resolutions involve daily goals of exercise and meditation in an effort to improve overall well-being and mental health.

While these are always beneficial areas of focus, try setting more specific goals relating to the people and habits in your own life.

For example, if you are working on a project with a very difficult classmate, make a personal resolution to change your own behavior.

Once you realize the source of stress in the situation  maybe this person is too controlling, too lazy, or too loud  then you can begin to resolve your own behavior.

3. Take time for yourself

December is a time for giving, but as the year winds down it's important to take some time for yourself.

Find a way to let out some stress. Spending some time at the gym can kill two birds with one stone ... improving your physical and mental health.

Maybe even just dedicate a quiet corner in your house to finding your zen when you have a free moment.

Nobody wants to start off a new year with the baggage they carried around in the previous one.

Find that peace of mind that'll give you a clean slate.

4. Practice gratitude

This New Years, think about how you can make your life more meaningful and how you can connect with your community by volunteering or making a resolution to be kinder and more patient with others.

Show compassion when a friend offers help.

Give compliments where you feel they are deserved.

You can help your community by donating food, mentoring at-risk youth, volunteering at an annual event, or participating in a clothing drive.

You might be surprised by the satisfaction you can feel from any of these acts of service.

5. Reconnect with Someone

It seems like everyone is too busy to catch up these days.

How many times have you told someone We need to get together! and never followed through? No judgment.

Weve all done it.

Luckily you have another chance this year to make good on your promise.

6. Get a target and go for it!

Are you beginning a degree in engineering or computer science ?

Set yourself a goal to communicate with the established professionals who inspire you.

What if you send an email to Bill Gates asking for career advice and he actually replies?

It might sound impossible, but you will be surprised by the help some people are willing to offer students and aspiring professionals.

All it takes is a little risk-taking and the impact could be life-changing.

The difference between realistic and unrealistic goals is the expectation of achieving them.

Realistic goals might include saving a certain amount of money by the end of the month or improving your relationship with a peer.

Unrealistic goals, on the other hand, might be less in your control, like establishing a relationship with one of the worlds most famous computer scientists.

The reward, however, will be much more gratifying.

Keep in mind that these unrealistic goals are not completely out of reach, and should not cost you your integrity.

They should inspire you to think creatively, to take risks, and most importantly they present the possibility for real, impactful change in your life.

7. Create future plan

What do you want to achieve both professionally and personally?

Map out a plan to get there , breaking it up into short, medium and long term benchmarks.

No matter where you are in life now, plan goals you can realistically achieve in the next week, month, and overall goals you can reach before you get there.

Use your social life to set deadlines for yourself, like completing an assignment during the week before the party you have planned over the weekend.

You can also make a list of companies you are interested in and make sure you contact them all before the end of the month.

Financial planning is crucial as well.

Create a budget for yourself. Once you see where your money actually goes, set a realistic budget for yourself each month and try to cut back where possible.

It is never too early in life to start avoiding debt and monitoring your credit score.

About The Author

Emmanuel Asiedu is a Content Writer and a Home Tuition Analyst at Excellent Home Classes.

He helps connect parents and students to expert tutors all over the country.

You can reach him at www.excellenthomeclasses.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2)  New motorcycle taxi service JoyRide has denied any links to the Duterte administration, as it admitted to having an official of the president's political party at its helm and once asking a senator for help.

"Wala pong kahit na sinong tiga-gobyerno na miyembro ng JoyRide [No one from government is part of JoyRide]. We want to put that very, very clear," JoyRide Vice President for Operations Noli Eala said in a media briefing Thursday.

JoyRide is one of two new entrants authorized by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to offer motorcycle rides for hire in Metro Manila and in Cebu, as part of an extended pilot run before the service is legalized.

JoyRide would be entering the market dominated by Angkas, which already had a six-month trial run late last year. The new service has raised eyebrows amid supposed ties to presidential aide now Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, who has denied that he owns the company.

Some netizens have questioned JoyRide's origins when the LTFRB announced its entry in the motorcycle taxi market, with even early calls to boycott the company sprouting on social media.

Eala clarified that JoyRide is backed by two "low-key" businessmen: Ralph Nubla Jr., president of Echague Realty Corp. and director of the Philippine Bank of Communications; and Bea Chua, who is behind logistics firm Happy Move. He described them as involved in banking, real estate, and wholesale and retail trade.

PDP ties?

The motorcycle taxi service also dismissed ties to President Rodrigo Duterte's political party, PDP-Laban.

Edwin Rodriguez, JoyRide's business development officer, is secretary-general of PDP-Laban Quezon City chapter. He was seen bringing Quezon City Rep. Onyx Crisologo and ANAKALUSUGAN party-list Rep. Michael Defensor  both PDP-Laban alllies in Quezon City  in inspecting JoyRide's training facilities.

"Hindi ako lumapit sa kanila (PDP-Laban) para maimpluwensyahan at humingi ng tulong para makapasok ang JoyRide [I did not approach PDP-Laban to ask them to help usher in the entry of JoyRide]," Rodriguez said.

The pilot run has been designed to collect data for Congress, which will craft a law formally allowing motorcycle taxi services in the country.

Eala defended this appointment, saying Rodriguez had "logistics expertise" which landed him the post.

READ: Inter-agency body eyes to finish motorcycle-taxi pilot program before March

Eala also admitted that his team once wrote to the office of Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III  whom he called a "family friend" of the owners  in September to ask for help in reaching out to the Department of Transportation. Pimentel is PDP-Laban president.

"It was simply because we needed a way to send our letter faster to the Department of Transportation and we were hoping he could help. He made this recommendation on his own personal volition and it was not because of any other consideration," Eala said, adding that Pimentel simply forwarded their letter to the agency.

Recruitment on track

JoyRide said it is hiring more drivers, but denied it is poaching from competitors.

"We have never gotten any rider from Angkas. We will continue to build our own fleet based on our program," Eala said, but noted that they are willing to accept applicants from their rival firms if ever. "Kung meron pong gustong sumali sa amin [If others want to join us] from other rider groups, they are welcome but they have to go through our processes again."

JoyRide requires all partner-drivers to go through driving tests and training as well as safety seminars before they are allowed to offer rides to the public.

He added that they have 1,493 riders online as of December 31, with 5,414 others waiting activation. Eala said JoyRide targets to fulfill the 10,000 rider slots given to them by LTFRB by February, giving them around two months to offer rides before the pilot run ends March 23.

The LTFRB announced last month that it is capping the number of riders equally among Angkas, JoyRide, and MoveIt for the trial period, where it will assess the pros and cons of running motorcyle taxi services.

Motorcycles or habal-habal rides have become the quick fix for commuters battling heavy traffic in Metro Manila and Cebu's roads.

Move It speaks up

Tthird motorcycle service provider Move It has also disclosed ownership, saying the company is owned by We-Load Transcargo Corporation.

Its president and chief executive officer Francis Juan began in the jeep assembly business before opening Pier One Bar and Chic-Boy Restaurant.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report.
A womans body was found in a shallow grave in the backyard of a home where investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies worked overnight and today on Chapel Drive in Hueytown.

Trussville police late Friday afternoon said the remains have positively been identified as Paighton Houston. The Jefferson County Coroners Office has not yet released the cause and manner of death.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Houston family as they begin the grieving process,'' said Trussville Det. Ben Short, who has been assisting in the investigation.

Houstons body was wrapped in some sort of fabric but her body was intact, said Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District Attorney Lynneice Washington.

Houstons mother, Charlaine Houston, posted this on Facebook: Our family didnt get the news we had hoped for but I am very grateful that Paighton is coming home. We dont have to go through the torture of not knowing what was happening to her and where she could be. God answered our prayers, he brought her home to us. I prayed that if she was already in heaven, I just had to know so my heart could put closure to the missing nightmare. Paighton is eternally home with Jesus. Our family appreciates all the prayers, love and support from the Trussville community and around the world for Paighton. She touched the hearts of many in our efforts to bring her home and my heart is touched by everyones love for our family. God will be our strength in the hard days ahead as we go through finding out what happened and life without Paighton. Continue to pray for our family. We are so thankful to you all!

Houston vanished Dec. 20. She was last seen at Tin Roof in the 2700 block of Seventh Avenue South in Birminghams Lakeview District.

The remains were recovered in the muddy, nasty back yard of the home, which is not currently occupied. Investigators arrived at the house at 9 a.m. and the transport van left the scene with the remains shortly before 1 p.m.

"It just takes time,'' said Washington. We have to preserve the integrity of the crime scene and the integrity of the body.

The focus of the probe is a house and surrounding property on Chapel Drive at Love Street. Authorities on the scene included Birmingham police homicide officials, Trussville and Hueytown police, Jefferson County Sheriffs Office deputies and K9, the Jefferson Countys Metro Area Crime Center. Hueytowns Crime Scene Van arrived on the scene shortly after 9:30 a.m.

Neighbors say an elderly man once lived at the home, but family members took him out of the house a while back to care for him.

Several large white portable tents were on the property where investigators were working.

Jefferson County sheriffs Chief Deputy David Agee said the sheriffs office is taking over as the lead investigative agency on the discovery of the remains. He emphasized that this is a death investigation that has not yet been deemed a homicide. "Right now we have a lot more questions than answers,'' Agee said, but we hope to have those answers real soon. Were gonna work hard and were going to find out what happened.

Washington said its always a tough situation to recover human remains and todays investigation is no different. "Somebody is missing from somebodys family and hopefully once we identify who that person is, theyll have closure,'' Agee said. But its always a sad occasion when you have a death.

"Its always hard whenever you find the remains of a person because there are family members attached to those remains,'' Washington said. Of course the most thing a family would want is to have their missing family member returned to them but we cant give them that. The only thing we can do at this point is try to give them justice.

According to Birmingham police, Houston left the bar about 10:45 p.m. with two heavy-set black males. Sgt. Johnny Williams said it was reported that Houston left the location willingly with the two men.

Paighton Houston, 30, has been missing since Dec. 20, 2019. Her mother posted on Facebook Jan. 3 as investigators search a Hueytown house as part of the probe. (Facebook)

She had reportedly gone to the Birmingham bar with co-workers. Friends on Facebook said Houston didnt know the men and that the last text message from her to a coworker  about two hours after she left Tin Roof - stated she didnt know where she was, and she felt she might be in trouble. Her mother said that text is very concerning and family said she has not used her bank account since she disappeared and said her phone is going straight to voicemail.

Someone knows something, and we have to bring her home, her mother posted on Facebook last week. Her last message said, "she didn't know these people and she was in trouble. The detectives are working to find her but please help us with any information you get.

Gov. Kay Ivey offered a $5,000 reward for information in Houstons disappearance. Crime Stoppers also offered a $5,000 reward for a total of $10,000.

The police presence in Hueytown began about 1:30 p.m. Thursday when investigators received a tip about an ongoing undisclosed investigation. Initially Hueytown police shut down Pinewood Avenue from Johnson Drive to the girls softball park but later reopened that roadway and moved to the second location where more than a dozen marked police cars and unmarked vehicles congregated on Chapel Drive beginning shortly before 5:30 p.m.

One man Thursday night said investigators asked him if he had a shovel. They temporarily suspended the investigation overnight about 9:30 p.m. but taped off the house and posted Hueytown officers at the scene around-the-clock to preserve the site.

They obtained a search warrant for the house and property and set a 9 a.m. meetup time to be back out at the scene.
New Rochelle, NY, January 3, 2020--A new study shows the feasibility of using gene therapy to treat the progressive neurodegenerative disorder chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The study, which demonstrated the effectiveness of direct delivery of gene therapy into the brain of a mouse model of CTE, is published in Human Gene Therapy, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. Click here to read the full-text article free on the Human Gene Therapy website through February 3, 2020.

Ronald Crystal and colleagues from Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, coauthored the article entitled "Anti-Phospho-Tau Gene Therapy for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy."

There is currently no treatment for CTE, which is caused by repeated trauma to the central nervous system (CNS), such as that suffered by soldiers, athletes in contact sports, and in accident-related trauma. Inflammation results in the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated forms of Tau protein (pTau). Crystal et al. developed an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver an anti-pTau antibody to the (CNS). They showed that direct delivery of the AAVrh.10anti-pTau directly into the hippocampus of brain-injured mice was associated with a significant reduction in pTau levels across the CNS. They propose that doses could be scaled up and this strategy could be effective in humans as well.

"CTE is much more prevalent than was initially realized, and there is currently no therapy available," says Editor-in-Chief Terence R. Flotte, MD, Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor of Medical Education and Dean, Provost, and Executive Deputy Chancellor, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA. "This new work from the Crystal laboratory is potentially ground-breaking as a means to remove the offending Tau phoshoprotein."

###

About the Journal

Human Gene Therapy, the Official Journal of the European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy and eight other international gene therapy societies, was the first peer-reviewed journal in the field and provides all-inclusive access to the critical pillars of human gene therapy: research, methods, and clinical applications. The Journal is led by Editor-in-Chief Terence R. Flotte, MD, Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor of Medical Education and Dean, Provost, and Ex-ecutive Deputy Chancellor, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and an esteemed international editorial board. Human Gene Therapy is available in print and online. Complete tables of contents and a sample issue are available on the Human Gene Therapy website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Tissue Engineering, Stem Cells and Development, and Cellular Reprogramming. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.
This season of Tim Allen's series Last Man Standing is less political than it has been in the past. (Photo: Michael Schwartz/WireImage)

In its first few seasons, Tim Allens sitcom Last Man Standing regularly entered the political fray, with Allens central character siding with conservatives and the likes of President Donald Trump. The show was canceled in 2017 and brought back on Fox in 2018, but with less talk about government.

Allen explained to USA Today that theres a simple reason that happened: Jokes about Trump were so easy and everybody was doing it on talk shows, so weve just kind of left it alone because its not funny anymore to us. The main couple has just moved on.

The new episodes of Last Man Standing, which returns for its eighth season on Thursday, will instead tackle the way government affects the family of Allens character, Mike Baxter, and his business, Outdoor Man.

Even for those of us who are political, thats not much of our day, Allen said. Most of our day is getting along and working, our families, (our) kids and the things at their school.

However, there are upcoming storylines that show the political leanings of the lead character, whom Allen has described as like Archie Bunker with a college education. Allen teased that writers are working on one about guns, which Baxter sells in his business.

Tim Allen stars in an episode of Last Man Standing. (Photo: Craig Sjodin/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)

This is a sporting-goods store and an outdoors store, so there are weapons involved and weapons for hunters, he said. These guys have been selling guns. How do they feel about that?

The Toy Story actor said other political philosophies will play a part, too.

Were going to talk about what it is to be a good businessman. Your workers are your family. And then he sounds like Bernie Sanders, Allen said. I was reading the vlog [script] and I go, Good God, I think Bernie Sanders said this yesterday.

Allen, who attended Trumps inauguration, once compared Hollywood to 1930s Germany for people who arent politically liberal. Hes described himself as kind of an anarchist for responsible government that actually does what we pay them to do.

Story continues

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As followers of Jesus, we delight in Gods mercy and grace and believe in the power of restoration and forgiveness. At the same time, we recognize that Gods Word holds leaders in the Church to high standards, since they serve as representatives of Christ Himself. The question before us is this: Does Todd Bentley, founder of Fresh Fire Ministries, live up to those standards? Is he qualified to be a recognized leader in the Church?

The signers of this statement are leaders in ministry who were asked to review a matter that invokes these beliefs, and to judge the fitness of a person for ministry according to biblical standards and the leading of the Holy Spirit. In conducting such investigation there are limits on what can be known with certainty, but we look carefully at long-term track records and the accumulated testimony of many witnesses.

The opinion we have reached here is theological, answering the question: Does Todd Bentley, founder of Fresh Fire Ministries, live up to the high standards required of those who serve as representatives of Christ? Is he qualified, according to our understanding of biblical standards, to be a recognized leader in the Church?

As part of this process we sought to hear Todd's side directly, but he declined to answer a list of 60 questions compiled by the investigator after initially agreeing to respond. (Todd required the investigator to submit the questions through his attorney, after which he ceased communicating with Dr. Brown or the investigator.)

Based on our careful review of numerous first-hand reports, some of them dating back to 2004, we state our theological opinion and can say with one voice that, without a doubt, Todd is not qualified to serve in leadership or ministry today.

There are credible accusations of a steady pattern of ungodly and immoral behavior, confirmed by an independent investigators interviews dating from 2008 up through 2019, along with other testimonies dating back to 2004. And while we only took into account first-hand reports, there are many other second- and third-hand reports repeating the same accusations, often from people in different parts of the country (or, world) who had no connection between them, other than their interaction with Todd.

We love Todd and believe that he has been supernaturally gifted by God, and our highest joy would be to see Todd coming before God and the community of believers in humility and repentance, openly desiring help to get his life fully healed and surrendered to Jesus. Sadly, we see no signs of true, lasting repentance. Instead, we see a steady pattern of compromised behavior, including credible accusations of adultery, sexting (including the exchanging of nude pictures or videos), vulgar language, and substance abuse.

And, to repeat, these charges have been brought by numerous witnesses over a period of roughly 15 years, right until 2019. Even more importantly, many of these activities have involved people for whom Todd was spiritually responsible (interns, staff, team members, individuals he was ministering to), making these violations all the more serious.

In our view, this disqualifies Todd from public ministry until such time that he has demonstrated true, lasting fruits of repentance, which would include: the breaking of these long-term, sinful habits; public acknowledgement of his sin, without equivocation, including asking forgiveness of those he sinned against; and submission to local church leadership until trust had been rebuilt. This would likely take a period of years.

We also recognize that formal ordination into the ministry amounts to a recognition by other leaders of a candidates qualifications to serve as a leader in the Church. We therefore recommend that Todds current ordination be rescinded until the process of repentance and restoration, described above, has taken place.

It is also our opinion that, while it is possible for Todd to do public ministry again in the future, at no point should he lead his own ministry. Instead, if he was truly restored to God and in submission to godly authority, he could serve in another leaders ministry. But we believe it would be unwise and even potentially dangerous for him to lead his own ministry again.

Unfortunately, what's missing in the modern church is often the combination of relational and organizational accountability, which would ensure each minister's ability to navigate turbulent emotional, organizational, and spiritual waters. We pray that Todd would find such relational and organizational accountability, and it is our hope that this will become the norm, rather than the exception, for other leaders in the days ahead.

We recognize, of course, that we have no legal authority over Todd or his ministry, nor do we seek to have such authority. Rather, as elders in the Body of Christ who have been asked to judge righteously, and in the fear of the Lord, we make our viewpoint public, praying that this will help bring confidence and hope to those who have been sinned against as well as encourage deeper accountability in the Church.

We pray for Gods best for Todd and his family and encourage them to seek out godly help with the hope that their lives may be fully restored in God.

Dr. Brown will be issuing a separate statement outlining the process to this point, and we encourage you to direct all questions to him. May 2020 be a year of redemption, restoration, and hope for the Body of Christ.

Dr. Joseph Mattera, Overseeing Bishop of Resurrection Church, Brooklyn, New York, and Convener of the U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders

Dr. James W. Goll, Founder of God Encounters Ministries, Franklin, Tennessee

Dr. Jane Hamon, Co-Pastor, Vision Church @ Christian International, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Bishop Harry Jackson, Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church, Beltsville, Maryland, and Presiding Bishop of the Ambassadors of Hope Fellowship of Churches

Dr. Don Finto, Pastor Emeritus, Belmont Church, Nashville, Tennessee, and President and founder of Caleb Company
The resignation of Allahabad University Vice Chancellor Ratan Lal Hangloo, who was under the scanner over alleged financial and administrative irregularities, has been accepted, officials said Friday.

His resignation was sent by the HRD Ministry to Rashtrapati Bhawan and it has been approved, officials told PTI. Hangloo had resigned on Wednesday.

He was under the scanner since 2016 over alleged irregularities. Hangloo was also summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW) last week over allegations of improper handling of sexual harassment complaints and lack of grievance redressal mechanism for female students.

"I resigned because baseless enquiries were initiated against me. On several occasions it was proved that there was no substance in the complaints. I resigned because I was totally fed up," Hangloo had said in the statement, announcing his resignation.

He was appointed as Vice Chancellor in 2015. He had earlier served as Vice Chancellor of the Kalyani University in West Bengal.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
January is set to be an extremely busy month for the Supreme Court of India when the bench assembles on Monday after a long winter break. Among some key cases slated for hearing include PILs challenging the constitutional validity of CAA, the abrogation of Article 370 as well as a plea seeking a stay on the electoral bond scheme

The Supreme Court of India will open after a long winter break next week and host of important cases await hearing as the bench assembles on Monday. Similarly, many important cases are listed before different high courts which have already started working at the beginning of the New Year.

Tata Sons Private Limited Appeal against NCLAT order

The Tata Sons Private Limited (TSPL) moved the Supreme Court on 2 January against National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order which reinstated Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of the group. TSPL had challenged the NCLAT order making a plea that it has undermined corporate democracy and the rights of its board of directors.

Sabarimala Review Petition

The Sabarimala review petition is expected to be listed before a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court in January. On 14 November, the Supreme Court pronounced its judgment in Sabarimala review petition and referred the matter to a seven-judge bench and held that restrictions on women in religious places were not limited to Sabarimala alone and was prevalent in other places of worship as well. The apex court, in a split 3:2 verdict, observed that the case did not only concern the entry of women to the Sabarimala shrine but will have larger ramification on all aspects where religious rights are pitted against principles of gender parity.

Petitions against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

Several petitions were filed challenging the constitutional validity of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by parliament last year. On 18 December, the Supreme Court while refusing to stay the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) 2019 that seeks to grant citizenship to non-Muslim migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before 31 December 2014, agreed to examine its constitutional validity. The apex court had issued notice to the Centre and sought its response by the second week of January and had fixed hearing on 22 January as the next date of hearing these petitions.

Petition challenging revoking of Article 370

The Supreme Court will hear a batch of pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre's decision to abrogate Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. On 11 December, the bench of Justices NV Ramana, SK Kaul, R Subhash Reddy, BR Gavai and Surya Kant had deferred the hearing in the matter until January 2020.

Petition challenging Electoral Bonds

On 4 December, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan seeking to stay the implementation of the electoral bonds scheme. The court agreed to hear the case in January this year.

Prashant Bhushan, appearing for petitioner Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) had said that the scheme opened the floodgates of unlimited corporate donations to political parties and anonymous financing by Indian as well as foreign companies that can have serious repercussions on democracy in the country.

Cases before the Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court on 2 January reserved its order in a PIL filed to form a panel to inquire about the police action against the students of Aligarh Muslim University during anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest on 15 December. The bench comprising of Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Vivek Varma will pronounce the order on 7 January.
LONDON, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) ("Avon") announces that Jan Zijderveld will step down as Chief Executive Officer concurrent with the pending closing of the sale of the company to Natura &Co Holding S.A. (B3: NTCO3), as Avon embarks upon the next chapter in its 130-year history, joining the Natura &Co family of companies.

Mr. Zijderveld's departure is effective immediately upon closing, which is scheduled to occur later today, January 3, 2020, and he will hand over leadership to Natura &Co Executive Chairman Roberto Marques and the leadership team that will be announced soon after the closing of Natura &Co's acquisition of Avon, which was announced on May 22, 2019.

In his nearly two years at Avon's helm, Mr. Zijderveld has been instrumental in turning around the company through its Open Up strategy, which aims at making Avon the digital social selling beauty company by rebuilding the fundamentals and modernizing its model. This started with strengthening the brand proposition and driving price improvements. Reinvesting in Avon's beauty entrepreneurs and launching the digitization of the business, all the while enhancing productivity across the business, transforming its culture and restoring the relevance of this iconic business and brand.

A native of The Netherlands who has lived in eight countries on three continents, Mr. Zijderveld joined Avon in February 2018 after a 30-year career at Unilever NV/PLC, during which he was most recently a member of the Unilever Executive Committee and President of Unilever's European business, the company's largest operating business.

Avon, by joining a group that includes Natura, The Body Shop and Aesop, will become part of the world's fourth-biggest pure-play beauty company, reaching more than 200 million consumers worldwide through multiple channels. The group will have annual gross sales above US$10 billion, 6.3 million representatives and consultants, 3,200 stores and a presence in more than 100 countries.

Jan Zijderveld said: "The combination of Avon with Natura &Co is a transformational event and the right moment for Avon to start its next growth phase. I will leave Avon with a feeling of pride for what we have accomplished together with the company's talented and passionate people and teams. With the Open Up strategy, we have made significant progress in building a more stable foundation from which Avon can grow well into the future. We have modernized the brand, sharpened the portfolio and brought on-trend, innovative products to our consumers. Most importantly, we have put our passionate representatives back at the heart of everything we do, empowering them to grow their business and reach new consumers. Natura &Co is the right home for Avon to accelerate its Open Up strategy and continue to change women's lives, and I will be cheering from the sidelines."

Chan Galbato, chairman of the Board of Directors of Avon, added: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our thanks and sincere admiration to Jan for his tremendous accomplishments at Avon's helm and know he will do well in his future endeavors. The transaction we will soon conclude with Natura &Co is testament to his success in turning around the company through his Open Up strategy. He leaves a strong legacy on which to build, and Avon is well positioned to write a new chapter of its growth story with Natura &Co."

(AV-IR)

About Avon Products, Inc.

For more than 130 years Avon has stood for women: providing innovative, quality beauty products which are primarily sold to women, through women. Millions of independent sales Representatives across the world sell iconic Avon brands such as Avon Color and ANEW through their social networks, building their own beauty businesses on a full- or part-time basis. Avon supports women's empowerment, entrepreneurship and well-being and has donated over $1 billion to women's causes through Avon and the Avon Foundation. Learn more about Avon and its products at www.avonworldwide.com. #stand4her

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Because forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties, actual future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to the pending acquisition of Avon by Natura &Co, as well as the other risks detailed in Avon's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and Avon's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Avon undertakes no obligation to update any statements in this press release for changes that happen after the date of this release.

SOURCE AVON Products, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.avonworldwide.com


Political arrogance and a myopic vision have made the Bharatiya Janata Party so blindsided that it has mistaken the majority numbers in the Lok Sabha to be a mandate for imposing majoritarian ideology.

It is indeed paradoxical that a government that refuses to tell us the source of of BJPs humongous electoral bonds funding, the extent of black-money obliterated, publicly disclose Prime Minister Narendra Modis controversial educational degrees, and present the correct data on GDP and unemployment should ask each and every 130 crore people of India to furnish documents to establish our citizenship. It is a monumental travesty.

The Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register are a deadly triumvirate that is a part of a larger Hindutva ecosystem which is blatantly divisive and is being deployed with remorseless precision all over India as the BJP believes it will pay huge electoral dividends.

But the massive crowds on public squares all over the country protesting against the sectarian politics are a manifestation of an India that will not be subjugated or suppressed by the authoritarian fascists. A new vocabulary has coruscated India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech at Ram Lila Maidan in Delhi where he blamed the Congress party and Urban Naxals for instigating students was archetypal gaslighting: its sole purpose was that if you cant convince them, confuse them through devious mendacity.

The PMs speech was an epitome of disingenuous propaganda meant to deliberately confuse the people on the NRC, detention centres and the religious character of the CAA where the Muslims are being officially targeted. It is distressing that Mr Modi found his voice after over 20 innocent Indians were killed.

Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly talked of an all India NRC and of potential termites who need to be thrown away, both in Parliament and outside. The Minister of State for Home has acknowledged in Parliament that the NPR is the basic foundation, a precursor to the NRC.

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The new NPR, in fact, has two crucial intriguing questions that demonstrates BJPs political intentions: Place and Date of Birth of Parents and Place of Last Residence. Both these data captured can be used to determine citizenship. And why should the NPR be used for welfare subsidy distribution when the government has already adopted Aadhaar for the same?

Mr Modis government is a past master at doublespeak but India and the world has seen through their chicanery and hypocrisy. It is clear that the immediate trigger for the CAA was to negate the NRC results in Assam that found nearly half the illegal immigrants to be non-Muslims.

The distraught local BJP leadership wants a fresh NRC following the disastrous contretemps. It is hardly surprising that the Sangh Parivaar finds itself in a political dilemma with both its wobbly feet on a banana peel.

The police brutality especially in Uttar Pradesh is extremely disturbing and exhibits the institutional bias against the minority communities in our state institutions responsible for law and order. It is in BJP-administered states like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, et cetera that has seen largescale violence and that is not an unusual coincidence.

It is as per the BJP playbook of maligning civil society. PM Modi has already commenced his pedestrian, substandard rhetoric by dragging in a Pakistan-Congress connection into his fulminating speeches. It is contemptible baloney.

The secular inclusive fabric of Indias constitution is under threat. A prominent BJP leader from Haryana, Leela Ram Gurjar, intimidated people by saying that those who opposed CAA/NRC will be wiped out in an hour; another threatened to cut Keralas Central assistance if NPR was not implemented in the state.

A climate of fear is being created, but it is good to see that several state governments have said that they will oppose the NRC and now even NPR in their states. We face the extraordinary prospect of the bitter most confrontationist federal showdown with the Centre since 1947.

Demonetisation did such serious structural damage to the Indian economy that we are still feeling its negative repercussions; the CAA, NRC and NPR likewise can create social mayhem that may take decades to restore.

We need to put an end to exclusionary politics and imbibe the Idea of India that celebrates our religious plurality and secular diversity. The vicious, violent attacks on protestors, imposition of Sec 144 , Internet shutdowns that have the dubious distinction of the longest in any democracy and the attempt to throttle free expression tells us that Indias unofficial Emergency has now entered 67 months.

I have a question for Indias Prime Minister: who and what did he mean when he said that you could recognize protestors (and by extension insinuating that they are perpetrators of violence) by their clothes?

If the countrys highest executive indulges flagrantly in dog whistle politics, it is hardly surprising that India has entered into a dangerous phase of political polarization.

But the Jharkhand election results tell us all that Indias democratic syncretic multicultural character is not easy to destroy. The people of India fought valiantly against the British for our freedom struggle. They have a deeper inner resilience. They are capable of heavy lifting.

Thus, we start 2020 on a depressing, dismal and despondent note. But as they say the darkest hour is before the dawn.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of Yahoo or Verizon Media.
Unionized employees of a downtown Tim Hortons picketed at Portage and Main Friday morning after the franchise owner locked them out over a wage increase roughly equivalent to the price of a Timbit.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Unionized employees of a downtown Tim Hortons picketed at Portage and Main Friday morning after the franchise owner locked them out over a wage increase roughly equivalent to the price of a Timbit.

"We really arent asking for much," said Ben Garus, a baker who started working at the Lombard Avenue location in August.

The 15 workers, who are represented by the Workers United Canada Council, sought a 30-cent per hour increase in the most recent round of collective bargaining. The franchise owner, JP Shearer, offered 20 cents, which would bring the wage to $11.95/hr.

The union rejected the offer and asked to continue negotiating. In response, the owner gave it two weeks' notice before locking the employees out and bringing in new workers, union representative Andy Spence said.

Spence said the franchisee runs six Tim Hortons locations in Winnipeg, but only the shops at Lombard Avenue and Graham Avenue are unionized.

When the offer for a 20-cent an hour raise was made to the unionized employees on Graham, they agreed. But when the Lombard shop held a strike vote in December, 95 per cent of its members agreed to take action.

The union was certified in 2017, and the first collective agreement included a 30-cent raise, boosting hourly wages from $11.15. Employees are now asking Shearer to match it and to move toward a living wage.

Cherry Garcia (centre) holds a sign at a rally of Tim Hortons employees outside of 1 Lombard Place on Friday. Fifteen workers at the restaurant were seeking a 30-cent increase in a recent round of collective bargaining. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press)

A "living wage" is defined by Living Wage Canada  an advocacy organization  as something separate from a minimum wage, which is the lower limit all employees must receive by law. Minimum wage hardly keeps pace with the rising costs of living, advocates say, leaving employees to make difficult spending decisions and unable to improve their financial situations.

The living wage is one based on what earners need to fully address the costs of living in a specific community.

In its 2017 report for Manitoba, Living Wage Canada calculated the amount needed for a family of four, with two parents working full-time, to cover those costs in Winnipeg was $14.54/hr.

Manitoba's consumer price index  which measures the fluctuation in the average cost of a set basket of goods and services  has steadily risen since the last Tim Hortons union wage agreement. In October 2017, the CPI was 131.4, but in 2019, it was 138, representing a five per cent jump. (A raise to $12.05 from $11.75 would amount to an increase of just over 2.5 per cent over the same approximate period.)

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Cherry Garcia, 36, who has worked at the Lombard location for seven years, said the extra 10 cents/hr would go a long way in helping her support her daughter. "It will add up," she said.

Since unionizing, the Lombard staff have gained some rights, including three days of paid bereavement leave and an increase in allowance for safety footwear. But the wage increase would have the most direct benefit on employees at the busy downtown shop, Spence said.

"Its not a big ask," he said. "These are low-wage workers who should be treated with some respect. Some of them have been working here for nearly a decade, and they deserve better treatment."

Inside the underground plaza, the restaurant's new employees tended to the morning coffee-break rush, while the manager refused comment.

The franchise owner didn't respond to an interview request.

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca
The United States military killed General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in a drone strike in Iraq on Friday to protect American personnel abroad, dramatically escalating hostilities between the arch-rivals and spiking tensions in the already volatile Persian Gulf region.

IMAGE: General Qassem Soleimani headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's Quds Force and served as Iran's pointman on Iraq.

Gen Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday.

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias.

Gen Soleimani, 62, was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Ayatollah Khamenei.

His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the ayatollah and he was hailed as a heroic national figure.

The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani in the air strike, saying the military action was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.

"At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Following Soleimani's killing, Trump, on vacation in Florida, initially tweeted an image of the US flag.

Hours later, he tweeted again. "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!" he wrote, in an apparent slight against the nuclear deal his predecessor Barack Obama negotiated with Tehran.

Later in series of tweets, Trump said that General Soleimani should have been eliminated many years ago as the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards killed and wounded thousands of Americans and was plotting to kill many more

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number....

"Of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!," Trump tweeted.

The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

Gen Soleimani and officials from Iran-backed militias were leaving Baghdad airport in two cars when they were hit by a US drone strike near a cargo area.

He had reportedly flown in from Lebanon or Syria. Several missiles struck the convoy and at least six people are believed to have died, according to media reports from Baghdad.

The Pentagon alleged that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," it said.

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.

"The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, it said.

In Tehran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning.

"For years it was his wish to become a martyr, and finally God granted him his highest office", Khamenei said.

President Hasan Rouhani, reacting to Soleimani's killing, said it had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values".

Meanwhile, global oil prices have soared by more than four per cent in the wake of the attack.

The news of Soleimani's killing generated different reactions in Washington along party lines with Republicans heaping praise on Trump and Democrats expressing concerns about the legality and consequences of the strike.

"I appreciate President @realDonaldTrump's bold action against Iranian aggression," Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a fierce Trump ally, tweeted. "To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more."

Trump's decision was supported by his former Cabinet colleague, Indian- American Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

"Qasem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, she tweeted.

Senator Marco Rubio backed Trump's action in a tweet. They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions. They badly miscalculated, he said.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who is also running for president in the Democratic primary, called it a "dangerous escalation" that brings the US "closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars."

"Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one, he said.

House Speaker and top Democrat Nancy Pelosi warned the US could not "put the lives of American service members, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions."

Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018.

The US then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.
US Second Fleet Declared Fully Operational to Challenge Chinas Arctic Ambitions

News Analysis

The U.S. Navys Second Fleet that was disbanded during the Obama years has been reactivated to full-operational capability to meet challenges, such as Chinas increasing activity in the Arctic.

The Navys Second Fleet was responsible for protecting American interests from the northernmost point of the Earth to the Caribbean, with about 126 ships, 4,500 aircraft, and 90,000 sailors. The fleet was targeted by the Obama administration as a relic of the U.S.-Soviet Cold War on Aug. 10, 2010, and then deactivated in 2011.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in mid-October 2010 began debating plans to gain new territories in the Arctic as a focus for its Twelfth Five Year Plan published in 2011. Mentions of Arctic initiatives and China as a near-Arctic state began appearing in official state-planning documents in 2015, culminating in the region being included by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in his Jan. 25, 2018 One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road Initiative) update speech that embraced a Chinese vision of a shared future along the Polar Silk Road.

Beijings Arctic exploitation has been overshadowed by what the U.S. Congressional Research Service terms the new great power struggle driven by Chinas militarization of the South and East China seas to enforce its Nine Dash Line claims for exclusive economic dominance over 2 million square kilometers (sq. km) of Asian maritime waters.

Chinas Polar Silk Road gambit that involves up to 21 million sq. km of the Earths most unknown and underdeveloped maritime regions has set off alarm bells over national security concerns for many northern nations. Niklas Granholm of Swedens Defense Research Agency warned, Chinas increasing activity in the Arctic has been met with concern that it may lead to a significant redrawing of the regions geopolitical map.

Arctic domination could potentially be very lucrative. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the area holds 30 percent of global natural gas and 13 percent of oil reserves. New technology and climate change is expected to open year-round regional transit by 2050. Chinas strategic ally Russia has already lodged Arctic territorial claims with the United Nations for 1.2 million sq. km of sea shelf that extends 650 km from its shoreline.

The Trump administration began reestablishing the Second Fleet on July 1, 2018 with just 11 officers and four enlisted personnel. But by September 2019, the Second Fleet had grown to nearly 30 ships and 120 aircraft.

One of the Second Fleets prime missions is dealing with Chinese and Russian technology advances that have led to an undersea environment characterized by ubiquitous passive sensors, quiet submarines, supersonic and hypersonic anti-ship missiles (ASM), smart mines, and the increasing use of paramilitary forces, such as Chinas Little Blue Men that regularly harass shipping in the South China Sea.

Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa Adm. James Foggo recently told reporters that global submarine competition is heating up: This has been one of the busiest years that I can remember, and Ive been doing this since 1983, he said.  Russia has continued to put resources into their undersea domain. Its an asymmetric way of challenging the West and NATO alliance and actually theyve done quite well.

Coinciding with the Second Fleet achieving full operational capability, the non-partisan Center for the Strategic and Budgetary Assessment (CBSA) issued a report titled: Taking Back the Seas, Transforming the U.S. Surface Fleet for Decision-Centric Warfare. The CBSA argues that the U.S. Navy must become more agile and cost effective, because it is still weighted toward large combatants that are too expensive and manpower-intensive to achieve the numbers needed for distributed operations during combat against a great power like China.
Christian prayer hall dedicated to Jesus Christ attacked by Hindu radicals

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A Christian community hall in Indias predominantly Hindu West Bengal state was attacked by Hindu radicals during a launch ceremony, according to local reports.

The Indian English daily newspaper The Telegraph reports that three people linked to President Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party were arrested Sunday night in connection to the attack on the community hall dedicated to Jesus Christ in East Midnapore Village.

The attack took place on Saturday afternoon when around 800 people from 28 different villages were gathered for the buildings inauguration. The building is called Jishur Aradhona Griho (or Jesuss Prayer Home).

Hindus in the area were suspicious that the community hall would be used to convert Hindus to Christianity.

A first information report was filed with police by the organizer, pastor Anup Kumar Gosh. Gosh said that a mob of about 20 men attacked with crude bombs and sticks. The activists are also said to have planted Hindu flags.



News 18 India reports that the attackers first attacked vehicles parked in the vicinity of the center and then hurled crude bombs and beat worshipers as they tried to flee. The men also entered the church and destroyed church property.

They damaged everything that belonged to the church, Gosh told News 18.

Gosh told The Telegraph that four people, including two children, were injured in the incident.

Kanai Lal Das, the husband of a BJP official, was accused of being the leader of the attack. BJP leader Swapan Ray, however, told The Telegraph that Das and the three men who were arrested have been framed.

District Superintendent of Police V. Solomon Nesakumar told News 18 India that seven men were accused of participating in the assault.

We are carrying out raids and hopeful of nabbing the remaining accused, Nesakumar said.

Gosh told The Telegraph that of the 800 people who gathered for the inauguration, hardly 10 were Christians.

The Christian Post reached out to the persecution advocacy nonprofit International Christian Concern, which also reported the attack in West Bengal, for information as to why so many non-Christians attended the event. A response is pending.

Christian Persecution in India has greatly increased since the election of Modi in 2014 and the rise of the BJP party. India now ranks as the 10th worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List.

Every year more violent incidents are registered, mainly because the government is looking the other way, an Open Doors USA dossier on the situation in India reads.

According to Open Doors, Hindu radicals view Christians as alien to the nation.

Driven by a desire to cleanse their country from Islam and Christianity, nationalists do not shy away from using extensive violence to achieve their goals, an Open Doors fact sheet reads.

In December, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom voiced concern about a new bill that the panel believes is trying to create a religious test for Indian citizenship in the majority Hindu nation.

Despite increasing religious freedom concerns in India, the country is not recognized by the U.S. State Department as a country of particular concern for religious freedom violations. However, India is listed by USCIRF as a Tier 2 country of concern.
In any other Sydney Test match the most sustained and powerful period of applause will tend to be in recognition of a batsmans century, a bowlers collection of wickets or another milestone of significance.

On the first day of this years edition on Friday, however, it occurred even before a ball was bowled, with more than 33,000 spectators at the SCG delivering a minutes standing ovation to thank the firefighters and other emergency services personnel who have braved terrible conditions to combat the bushfire crisis.

Australia captain Tim Paine greets John Corry of the Ku-ring-gai Fire Brigade on Friday. Credit:Getty Images

Despite the havoc being wreaked around the country, the show went on at the SCG, but it did so with a heavy heart.

Players on both the Australian and New Zealand teams wore black armbands as a tribute to those who have lost their lives and they and the crowd demonstrated their appreciation for those who have fought the fires, paid and volunteers, as they were joined in the arena by John Corry, deputy captain of the Ku-ring-gai Bushfire Brigade, who shook the hand of Australia captain Tim Paine.
MBABANE  A South African couple is worried sick about their 16-year-old daughter, who was allegedly sneaked into the kingdom, against their consent, by a local prophet who owns a church.



In fact, a kidnapping case has been reported to the South African Police Service by the parents of the minor. The Vosloorus police also confirmed that the case was opened on January 1, 2020. They also confirmed the case number.



The implicated parties and the name of the church will not be revealed for now as the prophet has not been charged as yet.

The parents, who reside in Vosloorus, South Africa (SA), revealed that the prophet is the founder of a certain ministry in Manzini and has also opened a branch in the neighbouring country. They mentioned that they had sent their child to visit her grandmother during the holiday season in Mpumalanga, South Africa, when they learnt that she had been allegedly taken by the local prophet.



Worshipped



The parents added that they were once church members who worshipped under the leadership of the prophet but they had since chosen to leave the church because of allegations which will not be repeated due to their defamatory nature. The childs father alleged that he had once told the prophet that he and his family had disassociated themselves from his leadership and would solve their issues as a family regarding the minors behaviour.



Apparently, the parents once sought the intervention of the prophet in calling to order the teenage girl who was said to be mischievous.

However, despite disassociating himself and his family from the prophet, the father alleged that the prophet still went against their will and brought the minor into Eswatini.



The father said: We are disheartened as parents because he (prophet) took our child against our will and without a travel document. My wife is also hysterical about the disappearance of our child and we have even opened a case of kidnapping here in SA against the prophet, he said.

He further wondered why the prophet would take their child without their consent.



Police Deputy Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni said they were aware of the case though it was still not handled by them directly as the crime happened in SA. Mnguni said they were working with their SA counterparts to get to the bottom of the matter.

Conference of Churches President Bishop Stephen Masilela condemned the prophets actions.



Our ministry as men of God is clean and should be blameless. How does it happen that a man of God would fetch a minor girl from home to worship in the country for the crossover? Masilela questioned.



The bishop further highlighted that there had to be an arrangement made between the girls parents and the prophet for consent. In addition, the man of the cloth pointed out that the child was young to make sound decisions for herself and it was a crime to then travel with a minor without her parents consent.

Masilela encouraged clergyman to be cautious of situations which may lead to their integrity being questioned. He quoted the book of Hebrews 12 verse 1, where he mentioned that believers were surrounded by a crowd of witnesses.

Therefore, the man of the cloth warned that Christians should throw off everything that hindered their progression to Christ and the sin that so easily entangled and should run with perseverance the race marked for them.

The bishop said Christianity should not be tainted and should be blameless. Masilela highlighted that he would investigate on the matter to determine its veracity.
FILE PHOTO: Venezuela's Chief Prosecutor Tarek William Saab talks to the media during a news conference in Caracas

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela has requested Brazil extradite five former members of the Venezuelan armed forces suspected of participating in a raid on a remote military outpost in southern Venezuela in late December, according to chief prosecutor Tarek Saab.

Last month, Brazil's government said it was processing asylum claims from five deserting Venezuelan soldiers authorities had picked up near the border. The government did not mention the raid, but a Brazilian military source said the soldiers were suspected of involvement in the attack.

In a tweet, Saab posted a Jan. 2-dated letter to Brazil's top public prosecutor, Augusto Aras, formally requesting their extradition. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the country's foreign ministry had previously requested that Brazil hand the soldiers over

Brazil's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Relations between the two neighbouring South American countries have deteriorated this year since conservative Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, along with dozens of other countries, recognised Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's rightful leader, arguing Maduro should resign.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in Caracas; Additional reporting by Jamie McGeever in Brasilia; Editing by David Gregorio)
The German Defense Ministry ordered the German military in Iraq not to leave their bases after General Qasem Soleimani assassination, AP reported.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the U.S. strike as a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility, pointing to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

We are at a dangerous escalation point and what matters now is contributing with prudence and restraint to de-escalation, she said. Germany currently sits on the U.N. Security Council but is not a permanent member.
The chase ended on Highway 58 at the intersection of North Hickory Valley Road near Harrison Wednesday morning.

The chase also involved the use of spike strips.

He was finally captured on Highway 58 near the intersection of Hickory Valley Road.

A search of the vehicle turned up 150 rounds of ammunition, several fake IDs, and a powdery substance.

Pennington is wanted in Georgia for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Brent, the international benchmark, LCOc1 hit an intraday high of $69.16 a barrel, its highest since 17 September, before easing to $68.21, up $1.96, or 3 percent, by 0618 GMT

Singapore: Brent crude futures jumped nearly $3 on Friday to their highest since September after a US airstrike killed key Iranian and Iraqi military personnel, raising concerns that escalating Middle East tensions may disrupt oil supplies.

Brent, the international benchmark, LCOc1 hit an intraday high of $69.16 a barrel, its highest since 17 September, before easing to $68.21, up $1.96, or 3 percent, by 0618 GMT.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 were trading up $1.68, or 2.8 percent, at $62.86 a barrel, having earlier spiked to $63.84 a barrel, the highest since 1 May.

The supply-side risks remain elevated in the Middle East and we could see tensions continue to elevate between the US and Iran-backed militia in Iraq, said Edward Moya, analyst at brokerage OANDA, in an e-mail to Reuters.

An airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

Soleimanis killing marks a dramatic escalation in the regional shadow war between Iran and the United States and its allies. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed harsh revenge.

There is an ever-present risk that Iraq would be the theater where the struggle between the US and Iran would play out, Helima Croft, RBC Capital Markets global head of commodity strategy said in a note.

Iraq, the second-largest producer among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, exports about 3.4 million barrels per day of crude mostly from southern Basra port.

The surge in oil price just now was primarily driven by news of US airstrike killing a high-level general of Iran, said Margaret Yang, market analyst of CMC Markets.

Oil prices were also lifted by Chinas central bank saying on Wednesday it was cutting the amount of cash that banks must hold in reserve, releasing around 800 billion yuan ($115 billion) in funds to shore up the slowing Chinese economy.

This came shortly after data showed Chinas production continued to grow at a solid pace and business confidence shot up.

Oil prices still have room for further upside as many analysts are still having to upgrade their demand forecasts to include a rather calm period on the trade front, Moya said, referring to warming trade relations between China and the United States.

President Trump is likely to take a break on being tariff man until we get beyond the presidential election in November.
Meeting. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Amegy Bank Building, 1717 W. Loop South. Speaker: Chade Burke, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region. Cost: $35-$45. Information: info@transclubhou.org or 713-510-3445.

Class hosted by Fort Bend County Libraries. 2 p.m., University Branch Library, 14010 University Blvd. Information: www.fortbend.lib.tx.us.

Courthouse 101:

Fort Bend County Law Library will provide a basic introduction to the legal system. 10-11 a.m., Fort Bend County Justice Center, 1422 Eugene Heimann Circle, Richmond. Cost: Free. Registration: www.fortbend.lib.tx.us or call 281-341-3718.

Job Search 101: The Art of Marketing Yourself:

10 am.-1 p.m., 3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 102. Cost: Free. Online: http://js101.org. E-mail: js101info@gmail.com.

Job Search 101 Networking and Light Bites:

1:30-3:30 p.m., Barrys Pizza, 6003 Richmond. Cost: Free. Website: www.js101.org, Email:js101info@gmail.com.

Wednesday

2020 Economic Business Forecast:

Luncheon hosted by the MIT Enterprise Forum of Texas. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Houston Federal Reserve Bank, 1801 Allen Parkway. Panelists: John Duca, vice president and senior policy adviser at Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Boyd Nash-Stacey, senior economist at BBVA Compass, and Gabriella Rowe, executive director of The Ion. Cost: $40-$55. Registration: www.miteftexas.org.

Worldwide Employee Benefits Network:

Meeting. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Maggianos Little Italy, 2019 Post Oak Blvd. Speaker: Monirah Bacnik, founder and CEO of brand28. Topic: Open Enrollment Season is Over, Now What? How to effectively communicate & engage with employees all year long. Cost: $30-$50. Registration: www.webnetwork.org.

Business Plan Basics:

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., University of Houston Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $29. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

QuickBooks for Beginners:

Workshop hosted by SCORE Houston. 10 a.m., Palm Center, Technology Center, 5330 Griggs. Information: www.houston.score.org.

Job Search 101: Creating Your Resume Brand:

10 am.-1 p.m., 3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 102. Cost: Free. Online: http://js101.org. E-mail: js101info@gmail.com.

Job Search 101: Preparing for a Job Fair:

1:30-3:30 p.m., 3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 102. Cost: Free. Online: http://js101.org. E-mail: js101info@gmail.com.

Thursday

Pricing Successful Proposals for Government Contracts:

9 a.m.-noon University of Houston Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: Free. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Three Cs of Social Media Success:

9:30 a.m.-noon, University of Houston Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $29. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

A Look at the Hottest Small Business Trends for 2020:

Webinar. 10-11 a.m., University of Houston Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: Free. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Job Search 101: LinkedIn Connections:

10:15 a.m.-1 p.m., 3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 102. Cost: Free. Online: http://js101.org. E-mail: js101info@gmail.com.

Friday

Myth Busters: Tax Considerations for the Self-Employed:

9 a.m.-noon, University of Houston Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $19. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Impuestos Estatales y Federales para LLCs (State & Federal Taxes for LLCs):

Conducted in Spanish. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., University of Houston Bauer College SBDC, 2302 Fannin, Suite 200. Cost: $19. Information: www.sbdc.uh.edu.

Job Search 101: The Art of Identifying the Ideal Company:

10 am.-1 p.m., 3300 Chimney Rock, Suite 102. Cost: Free. Online: http://js101.org. E-mail: js101info@gmail.com.

Saturday

Starting and Running Your Own Business:

Hosted by SCORE Houston. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Houston Community College Southeast Campus, Workforce Building, 3rd floor, 6815 Rustic. Information: www.houston.score.org.

Tax Season - Are You Ready?:

Hosted by SCORE Houston. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Octavia Fields Branch Library, 1503 S. Houston Ave., Humble. Information: visit www.houston.score.org.

katherine.feser@chron.com

twitter.com/kfeser
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 20:42:13|Editor: Lu Hui

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Photo taken on Nov. 17, 2018 shows villagers collecting river snails for making river snail rice noodle in Longling Village of Rongshui Miao Autonomous County of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Combining traditional food materials of the Han people with Miao and Dong ethnic groups, river snail rice noodles, or "Luosifen" in Chinese, is a dish of rice noodles boiled with pickled bamboo shoots, dried turnip, fresh vegetables and peanuts in spiced river snail soup. The specialty, whose creation was listed as part of Guangxi's intangible cultural heritage in 2008, has become one of the most sought-after dishes after the hit documentary A Bite of China mentioned it in 2012. River snail rice noodles give the city a new way out as the number of instant river snail rice noodle manufacturers has been mushrooming and the online market has been expanding. The government of Liuzhou has been boosting a series of industries related to river snail rice noodle. The promotion of river snail rice noodles benefits the impoverished households in Liuzhou as the output value of the industry has reached six billion yuan (860 million U.S. dollars) per year. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)
Sean Sammit, 26, claimed he was attacked by he left Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, on December 15. He has now admitted to making up the story

A Jewish man who claimed he was stabbed in an anti-Semitic attack has been arrested after his Apple Watch revealed that he was fabricating the story.

Sean Sammit, 26, claimed he was attacked by an unidentified white man as he left Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield, Michigan on the evening of December 15.

Sammit - who works as a cantor at the temple - told police that his attacker had yelled out anti-Semitic slurs and stabbed him in the parking lot before fleeing on foot.

Sammit drove himself to a nearby hospital where he presented with minor injuries.

Investigators combed through surveillance video bu were unable to find any evidence of any attack, Sammit's story could not be corroborated by any potential witnesses.

Authorities soon became suspicious, and asked to examine Sammit's Apple Watch in order to analyze his Health Data.

It showed his heart rate did not spike at any time around 7pm - the time he claimed the attack occurred.

Instead, police noticed that his heart rate was elevated earlier in the evening, which prompted them to comb through the inside of Temple Kol Ami.

According to The Jewish News, they discovered 'bloody tissues in Samitt's office and in the men's bathroom'. They also found 'a knife with blood on it in the kitchen area'.

Once confronted with the evidence, Sammit admitted he made up the attack as he wanted to get out of his contract with Temple Kol Ami.

Once confronted with the evidence, Sammit admitted he made up the attack as he wanted to get out of his contract with Temple Kol Ami. He is pictured in a recent social media photo

He claimed he had been teased by colleagues because he suffers a 'medical condition'.

Samitt has worked at the temple since August of 2018 as cantorial soloist. He was also employed as a music teacher at a school connected to the place of worship.

He has now tendered his resignation.

Carolyn Normandin, a director for the Anti-Defamation League in Michigan, blasted Sammit for faking the attack at a time when real incidences of anti-Semitism are on the rise.

'The most important thing that I want people to understand is that it is very destructive to file a false police report,' Normandin told Jewish News.

'Not only is it illegal, but it doesn't help anyone. This now makes real reports come under suspicion. At a time like this, when there is an uptick in anti-Semitism, filing a false police report harms everyone.'

Samitt has worked at the temple since August of 2018 as cantorial soloist. He later admitted to making up the attack, claiming he wanted to get out of his contract with the place of worship as he was teased by his colleagues

She thanked the local police department for acting 'swiftly and very professionally'.

Sammit has been charged with one count of falsely reporting a felony, which is punishable by up to four years in prison. He is set to return to court on January 14.

The story comes amid a spate of anti-Semitic attacks that have been occurring across the country.

On December, 10, shooters left six dead after opening fire in a kosher supermarket in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, five people were seriously injured last Tuesday night during an attack staged at the Monsey, New York home of a rabbi who was holding a Hannukah party.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar on Friday urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the Congress booklet which claims that the Hindu Mahasabha co-founder had a "physical relationship" with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

Ranjit Savarkar also asserted that a criminal case should be registered against the Congress Seva Dal as it was during their camp that the booklet was distributed.

"Congress is plotting to defame Savarkar. The party is conspiring to spread anarchy in the country by making unwarranted accusations on the freedom fighter Savarkar. The government must take an action against the Congress Seva Dal and should register a criminal case against them," said Ranjit in a press release.

Ranjit has sought action from the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in this matter.

"A case should be registered under section 120, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Madhya Pradesh Government should ban the book," he added.

ALSO READ: Godse had physical relationship with Savarkar - Booklets on RSS spark controversy in Bhopal

The booklet titled `Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

"Writer has written it on the basis of evidence. But that's not important for us whether he was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jan. 02, 2020 | 04:59 PM | PADUCAH





According to the Paducah Police Department, officers performed a traffic stop on a vehicle Wednesday morning for having an expired registration. One of the passengers in the vehicle was asked for his name and date of birth. The passenger, 28-year-old Marcus J. Tyler, reportedly gave the name and date of birth of his brother.







Officers say Tyler was uncooperative when asked to get out of the vehicle, telling officers he was unable to stand. Officers assisted him with exiting the vehicle, and reportedly found a handgun. A computer check allegedly revealed the gun was stolen. Tyler told officers that an unknown man at a club had asked him to hold it.







Tyler was arrested and lodged in the McCracken County Regional Jail. He is being charged with receiving stolen property, identity theft, and the bench warrant charging him with not paying court costs.

A Paducah man is facing stolen property, and identity theft charges after a traffic stop.
Demonstrators react during a protest against the killing of the Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis who were killed in an air strike in Baghdad airport, in Tehran, Iran on Jan. 3, 2020. (Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency/Reuters)

Iran Vows to Take Revenge After US Kills Top Commander

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the country would take revenge after the United States took out Qassem Soleimani, commander of the head of Irans elite Quds Force.

Years of sincere, brave efforts fighting against the devils & villainous in the world and years of wishing for martyrdom on the path of God finally took the dear Commander of Islam, Soleimani, to this lofty status. His blood was shed by the most barbaric of men, Khamenei said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Khamenei praised Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, calling them martyrs.

Soleimanis efforts wont be stopped by his martyrdom, by Gods Power, rather a Severe Revenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his and the other martyrs blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an international figure of Resistance and all such people will seek revenge, Khamenei said.

All friendsand enemiesknow that Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation and definite victory awaits the fighters on this blessed path. The loss of our dear General is bitter. The continuing fight and ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals.

His efforts & path wont be stopped by his martyrdom, by Gods Power, rather a #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge. /3  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 3, 2020

The flag of General Soleimani in defense of the countrys territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism and extremism in the region will be raised, and the path of resistance to US excesses will continue. The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime.  Hassan Rouhani (@HassanRouhani) January 3, 2020

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani added in a Friday statement that the U.S. airstrike was a villainous and cowardly measure.

The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime, he said.

Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister, said in a statement that Soleimani was extremely effective in fighting ISIS and other terrorist groups and called the killing an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.

The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, he said on Twitter. The brutality and stupidity of American terrorist forces in assassinating Commander Soleimani, Zarif said in another statement reported on by state media, will undoubtedly make the tree of resistance in the region and the world more prosperous.

A woman sits at a bus stop in front of an anti-US mural on the former US embassys wall in Tehran, Iran on Jan. 3, 2020. (Nazanin Tabatabaee/West Asia News Agency via Reuters)

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)

The U.S. Department of Defense said that the killing of Soleimani was taken as a defensive action, a day after it warned that the military would take preemptive action if it learned Iran was planning attacks on American interests.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, it said.

President Donald Trump said in a statement Friday morning that Soleimani was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself.

He should have been taken out many years ago! he added.
A new leak claims that JJ Abrams was unsatisfied by several orders made by Disney in relation to his most recent Star Wars film.

One Reddit user is claiming that there were behind-the-scenes issues with the film from the off right through to its completion a few months back.

The report claims that Abrams was "devastated" by the film's final cut, which was 40 minutes shorter than he expected it would be.

Consequently, the phrase "Release the JJ cut" has begun trending on Twitter, with one actor from the film urging Disney to include the deleted scenes on the DVD.

*Spoilers for the film below  you have been warned*

According to the leak, which cites bullet points from an alleged conversation with an anonymous person who worked on the film's production, Abrams was not a fan of the kiss shared between Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) before the latters death. It is claimed to have been added by Disney to please both sides of the fandom.

Star Wars films  ranked worst to best Show all 11 1 /11 Star Wars films  ranked worst to best Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 11. Star Wars: Episode II  Attack of the Clones (2002) The prequel trilogy has lived on in infamy, but the true low point of this low point in the Star Wars franchise must be Attack of the Clones, the dry, crusted middle of the cinematic sandwich. While Revenge of the Sith has some sense of completion and The Phantom Menace has some sense of wonder, all Attack of the Clones has is a CGI Yoda bopping about the screen like an unswattable fly while battling Christopher Lees Count Dooku. Its a film driven by unnecessary desires: from the space politics, to Boba Fetts backstory, to Padme and Anakins romance. The latter is the most insufferable, since George Lucas never had much of an ear for dialogue, as notoriously pointed out by Harrison Ford when he declared on set: George, you can type this s***, but you sure as hell cant say it. Which leads us to one of the worst line readings in cinematic history, when Hayden Christensens Anakin laments: I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating  and it gets everywhere. Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 10. Star Wars: Episode III  Revenge of the Sith (2005) Hollywood has increasingly made the assumption that darker means better when it comes to cinema  it explains why the Harry Potter films look like they were made while someone gradually turned down the dimmer switch on the studio lights. Of course, audiences know that darker sometimes means that your protagonist-turned-villain becomes a youngling-murdering, amateur street magician-looking sourpuss. Anakins arc here comes to a whimper of an ending, underlined by the much-derided decision to have Darth Vaders first moments onscreen involve him howling Noooooo! up to the sky like a mournful hound. That said, Ewan McGregor confirms here that he managed to escape the franchise largely unscathed, as this instalment sees him have the most fun with the clunky dialogue (see: Hello there! and I have the high ground!). Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 9. Star Wars: Episode I  The Phantom Menace (1999) The Phantom Menace escapes slightly ahead of the rest of the prequel trilogy, if only for the fact it remembers these films are meant to be fun once in a while. The pod race  its a good scene! Darth Maul is all looks, zero follow through  its embarrassing to act like youve won, only to be cut in half and sent hurtling down an exhaust pipe  but his inclusion in the film did introduce one of the best musical themes in Star Wars history, John Williamss Duel of the Fates. However, the space politics are a particular drag here, with all the talk of trade disputes, and, of course, it's obligatory to mention the terror that is Jar Jar Binks. Rex Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 8. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Although its the weakest of the new generation of Star Wars films, Solo still holds up as a fun romp worthy of Han Solos rascal reputation. Alden Ehrenreich picks up on enough of Harrison Fords mannerisms to sell the character without sliding into imitation, while Donald Glover is a scene stealer from the very moment he walks on screen as Lando Calrissian. Its a lost opportunity, then, that the film is otherwise slowed down by an impulse to offer backstory to as many aspects of Hans character as possible. Did we really need to know how we got the name Solo? Really? Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 7. Star Wars: Episode IX  The Rise of Skywalker Director JJ Abrams, like the hero of an ancient prophecy, was destined to make both enemies and allies with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. There will be arguments. And there will be arguments about the arguments. There will be obsessive deconstructions and over-interpretations of each frame and intake of breath. But, at the end of the day, this is still a Star Wars film in its very bones, muscle, and sinew. Whatever controversy Abrams might have brewed up with his artistic choices, he still captures magnificently the soul of this series: that unwavering hope that the powerless can win, despite the odds. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 6. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) Theres a lot to wrap up in the concluding chapter of the original trilogy. The result is a few odd turns for the sake of plot convenience. What does one do with a character as enigmatic as Boba Fett? Why, have him topple into the Sarlacc pit within the first 20 minutes! How does one put to rest the love triangle hinted at in A New Hope? Why, insert a revelation that Luke and Leia are, in fact, brother and sister! Even the second Death Star oddly feels sillier than The Force Awakens and its third attempt at a giant ball in space, since The First Order at least had the excuse that their obsessive admiration of the Empire may have clouded their judgement. That said, theres still plenty of charm to be found here and the Ewoks arent all that bad. Before you dismiss them as irritating merchandise opportunities, its worth remembering that they have absolutely no qualms about killing and eating people. Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) If Rogue One is any indication of Disneys plans for the franchise and its future, then theres no cause for concern. The first of the A Star Wars Story spin-offs, it shifts into gear with ease, soothing audiences by not straying too far from the familiar timeline while introducing a full set of new characters and a grittier tone. Stylistically, it feels more like a Vietnam War movie and is proof of how far a gifted director like Gareth Edwards can stray from the franchises usual formula and still feel grounded in the same world. Plus, you have to admire the guts it takes to deliver an ending like that Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 4. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) Disney made a very smart move with The Force Awakens. As the first Star Wars film of a new generation, it not only had to make its own mark, but feel familiar enough that it welcomed fans back with open arms. The balance is hit perfectly here. Thats largely due to the films new trio of central heroes, who radiate the same kind of warmth, bravery, and spirit that carved a special place in peoples hearts when they were first introduced to the franchises original stars. Daisy Ridleys Rey, John Boyegas Finn, and Oscar Isaacs Poe honour Star Wars's past while striding into its unknown future. It also helps that the film has landed on a villain like Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), whose drive and complexity may see him surpass even Darth Vader by the end of his story in Episode IX. Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 3. Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) Any divisiveness the film attracted certainly proved one thing: heres a Star Wars film that actually took a creative risk. And what a bold, ambitious, and ultimately beautiful risk that was. Director Rian Johnson took the cinematic legacy presented before him and added a new richness to its textures. He allowed heroism to go beyond the clean divide between good and evil; through Luke and Rey, we were taught not to be ashamed of our doubts but to grow stronger because of them. We were taught not to use destiny as a crutch, but to know when to forge our own paths. The Last Jedi is a soulful film told through some of the most striking cinematography of the entire franchise. Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 2. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) Its the place where it all began. The Star Wars franchise has only become the success it is today because of how purely revolutionary the first instalment was as a piece of Hollywood filmmaking. It is, to this day, one of the most successful examples of the modern epic, endlessly imitated but so rarely with the same heart or ambition. George Lucas tapped into one of the most timeless qualities of storytelling: its ability to let us see and understand our own world through the eyes of another. Star Wars has become so iconic because, even on such a grand scale, we know and relate to the emotions at hand  fear, love, or a desire to do whats right. Rex Features Star Wars films  ranked worst to best 1. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) The Empire Strikes Back is remarkable in its ability to pursue real emotional stakes. Its closing moments, the final note to its symphony of sacrifice and tragedy, leaves us with the single, delicate emotion that is hope, blooming in the darkness as our heroes set out to save Han and restore the Rebel Alliance. What A New Hope built up by making us fall in love with these characters, The Empire Strikes Back recouped in sharing with us their pain and their fears. Darth Vaders reveal that hes Lukes father has, of course, found its place in history, but theres an equal sense of emotional resonance in the moment Leia and Han depart, moments before hes trapped in carbonite. When Leias I love you is returned by Hans I know  a line written by Harrison Ford himself  were reminded of how magical Star Warss sense of storytelling can be, condensing everything that these two characters feel for each other into five simple words. Rex Features

Abrams reportedly shot a scene that would have gone down immensely well with die-hard fans.

The moment in question would have seen Star Wars actors Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker), Samuel L Jackson (Mace Windu) and Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) return as Force ghosts.

Its claimed that these three actors shot scenes in costume and that, when their voices appear in the finished film, the dialogue is actually taken from this cut scene.

The scene is said to have been removed for unknown reasons, but its potential existence could explain why Christensens appearance on a Star Wars panel was cancelled at the last minute in September.

Since the films release last month, it has divided critics and audiences, with some highlighting the movies sense of adventure and others criticising it for its moments of fan service.

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Consequently, the film has a critical score of 54 per cent on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes  one of the lowest for any movie in the long-running Star Wars franchise. Its audience score sits at 86 per cent, though, which is 43 per cent higher than the score amassed by previous Star Wars film The Last Jedi.

Abrams recently revealed what he believes to be the answer to one of The Rise of Skywalkers biggest mysteries: what Finn was about to say to Rey before getting sucked into the quicksand in Pasaana.

Find a list of every unexpected cameo in the film here.
Talented triple threat local actor Jordan Dobson  who appeared in the ensemble for Theatre Horizons 2018 production of The Color Purple in Norristown  is now starring in a lavish new adaptation of West Side Story on Broadway. He plays Tony, one of the leads.

Dobson had been understudy to lead Isaac Powell, but Powell suffered a leg injury on stage in December. The musical has been in previews since Dec. 10 in advance of an official opening at the Broadway Theatre in February, a date that has been reportedly pushed back from Feb. 6 to Feb. 20 to allow Powell time to recover.

Meanwhile, Dobson, 23, who graduated from Pennsauken High School in 2014 and from Temple University in 2018, is making the most of his chance, which began when he took over the role in late December.

Im very happy, obviously, and its been like a dream. Im super thrilled, said Dobson, but added hes been instructed to refer further inquiries to the theaters representatives and is not permitted to do interviews. A representative of the theater declined comment.

Also excited was Jordans father, the Rev. Eric Dobson, a housing advocate who lives in Germantown. The morning of Jordans first performance, he checked his phone to find several middle-of-the-night messages from his son. He was panicked until he found it was good news  Jordan was going to debut on Broadway.

Eric couldnt make the 2 p.m. show, but made it for the 8 p.m. performance. Jordans mother, Evelyn Dobson, and stepmother, April Dobson, were there, too.

That whole day was a whirlwind, and I dont know if I can express what its like to see everything your son has worked for come to fruition, said Eric, who said his son has always been driven. I dont think hes had a vacation since high school. In fact, I urged him from time to time to take it easy, but he says, Dad, this is what I want to do. At Temple he was always busy. While other kids were doing what kids usually do, he was working."

At Pennsauken, Dobsons talent was easy to spot, said drama teacher Kathryn Brown.

Very talented, very humble

He was an absolute joy to work with, very talented, very humble, and already a budding triple threat (singing, dancing, and acting) when he was high school. He was willing to try everything, from serious roles to comedy. To see him take that and move forward has been brilliant to watch over the last couple of years, said Brown, who said Dobson starred in a production of Into the Woods at school. Everyones dream is to one day hit Broadway, and to see him get that opportunity is stellar.

Dobson isnt the only Pennsauken High grad involved in the production. Barry Spatz, class of 2005, has served as substitute pianist for several performances, which hes also done for other Broadway productions including Mean Girls. Spatzs mother, Holly, who described Dobsons performance as fabulous, youd never know he was an understudy," said a high point for Barry was playing some of the shows music for lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who wanted to hear some of the reworked tunes used in the new production.

The Broadway revival of West Side Story is directed by Tony winner Ivo van Hove (A View from the Bridge). The show had been significantly reimagined  Jerome Robbins famous dance routines have given way to new choreography by Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker. The legendary Leonard Bernstein music and Sondheim lyrics remain, augmented by modern multimedia touches.

Dobson and the production have gotten a lot of attention. The show, produced by Scott Rudin, sold out its first six previews to gross more than $1 million. Second week sales grew to nearly $1.5 million. The play, loosely adapted from Romeo and Juliet and set among New York street gangs, was first performed on Broadway in 1957. The movie version debuted in 1961.

Dobson has extensive local credits in theater. In addition to Theatre Horizons production of The Color Purple, hes appeared on Philly stages recently in Shelter at the 2019 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

He has been a teaching artist for the Arden Theatre Companys drama school, according to the Arden website, and has appeared at Arden, the Act II Playhouse, Mauckingbird Theatre Company, and other Philadelphia companies. At Temple, he served as the dance captain for The Merry Widow at the Boyer College of Music and Dance.
Lucknow, Jan 3 : In an unexpected turn of events, Lucknow's Additional District Judge, Sanjay Shankar Pandey, on Friday said that he has reserved orders on the bail petition of Congress spokesperson Sadaf Jafar, retired IPS officer S.R. Darapuri and around eight more people.

Earlier in the day, the lawyers had informed the media that the protesters had been granted bail.

The ADJ has now reserved the order due to technical reasons and it will, in all likelihood, be delivered on Saturday.

"In all probability, bail would be granted," said counsel Amir Naqvi who argued on behalf of Sadaf, Darapuri and two others.

On the other hand, the habeas corpus petition filed for senior advocate Mohammad Shoib would come up again for hearing before the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court.

The division bench of Justice Shabihul Hasnain and Justice Virendra Tyagi would further take up the case on Monday.

The 72-year old human rights lawyer was picked up by the police from his home in Aminabad on the night of the CAA protests on December 19.

The names of retired IPS Darapuri, Sadaf Jafar and Mohammad Shoib are among the accused in FIR no 0600 registered at Hazratganj police station on December 19 night.

Sadaf was arrested from the protest site at Parivartan Chowk on the evening of December 19 during the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests in Lucknow while she was streaming them live.

Last week during her Lucknow visit, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had met Sadaf's children and Darapuri's family to express her solidarity.

The Indian Penal Code sections under which these activists have been arrested include 307 (attempt to murder), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 147 (charges of rioting), 148 (charges of rioting with a deadly weapon) and 152 (assaulting a public servant).
The day after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a drone attack that killed one of Irans top military leaders, Portlanders will gather downtown to protest the attack and any further military action that might lead to war with Iran.

The Portland Democratic Socialists of America will gather at Terry Schrunk Plaza at 364 SW Madison St. in downtown Portland for a No War on Iran protest. According to a Facebook page for the event, the protest will start at 5 p.m. and last two hours.

Thursdays drone attack in Baghdad, Iraq, killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of the Quds Force, an elite branch of Irans Revolutionary Guard, and Iraqi paramilitary chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Iran has declared that there will be harsh retaliation against the U.S. for Soleimanis killing.

Organizers of the Portland protest urged people to speak up against the U.S. getting into another war.

Trumps assassination of an Iranian military general in Iraq on Thursday was an illegal act of war on Iran, the Facebook post for the event said. Everyone in the U.S. and Portland needs to get in the streets to stand against another illegal U.S. war which would lead to a massive death toll. The U.S. needs to exit the Middle East immediately.

Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; jramakrishnan@oregonian.com; @JRamakrishnanOR

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Oil prices are sensitive to geopolitical tension. Theres renewed tension between the US and Iran due to the attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. The tension could impact oil prices. Market Realist reports in its article Could US and Iran Tension Impact Oil Prices? that Iraqi Shiite militia supporters organized the attack in the response to the US airstrike. Last week, a rocket attack killed a US contractor in Kirkuk.

Trump blamed Iran

On Tuesday, President Trump tweeted, Iran killed an American contractor, wounding many. We strongly responded, and always will. Now Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. They will be held fully responsible. The Trump administration could impose more stringent sanctions on Iran. Last year, the US and Iran were on the brink of war after Iran shot down a US surveillance drone. In November of 2019, the US imposed sanctions on officials who are linked to Irans top leader, Ali Khamenei. In September 2019, the US held Iran responsible for a drone attack on Saudi Arabias oil facilities.

What could be provoking Iran?

Khamenei wants the US sanctions on Irans energy exports to end. Analysts think that Iran could attack Middle East oil targets to pressure the US for negotiations, based on an S&P Global Platts report. Irans economy is on the verge of collapsing due to these sanctions.

According to the IMF, Irans GDP is estimated to have contracted by 9.5% in 2019. The slowdown in Irans GDP could continue this year. Irans crude oil exports have fallen below 1 MMbpd (million barrels per day) compared to more than 2 MMbpd before the sanctions.

Rising tensions between the US and Iran dont suggest the possibility of talks anytime soon. If the US sanctions on Iran continue this year, it could be a bullish driver for oil prices. The global oil market could remain oversupplied in the first two quarters.

Also, in the absence of talks, the Strait of Hormuz could be a potential point of conflict. Last year, oil tankers movement was sabotaged through the strait.

The total flow of crude oil and condensate and petroleum products through the strait was 20.7 MMbpd in 2018 based on EIA data. Most of Saudi Arabias seaborne oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. In 2018, around 1.4 MMbpd of oil supplies to the US from the Persian Gulf passed through the strait. Any conflict in the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a surge in oil prices.
Two of the country's fastest roads are actually saving lives.

No one has died on either the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway, or the SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, since they opened just over two years ago, figures released to Stuff show.

Waikato Road Policing Team Leader Rupert Friend says he wasn't surprised by the lack of crashes because roads rated at 110kmh were required to have side and median barriers.

"From a road policing perspective if we could build 80,000 km of the road like that in New Zealand I would be a happy camper," he says.

The increased speed limit of 110kmh was implemented on December 11, 2017, on both sections of road.

Since then, until October 2019, there have been no fatal crashes at all on the Cambridge section, between Tamahere and Karapiro, with one serious crash, two minor crashes, 17 non-injury crashes reported.

On the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road - there have been three crashes reported - with one being minor injuries and the other two were non-injury crashes.

The type of vehicles involved in those crashes have largely been cars, vans and SUVs.

Rupert says the Cambridge section was "about as safe an engineered road we can have".

"Because if something goes wrong everybody is going in the same direction and therefore it's highly unlikely that anybody is going to come to an absolute sudden stop which is where the deaths happen.

"It's the rate of deceleration that kills people whether that is hitting a concrete wall, a truck, a car coming the other way or a tree that expressway excludes you to get to anything like that."

He says the wire barriers were designed to bounce you back onto the road after absorbing a lot of the energy, therefore slowing you down.

While he'd love to see all roads in New Zealand designed in the same way, he acknowledged that wasn't possible.

"But it's physically not going to happen, so the risk is around our roads on which people are separated by a narrow white line and they're doing 100kmh that is where the speed is more concerning."

He says that deviating by five or 10 kilometres on 110km doesn't have a lot of impact whereas speeding on a road with no median barrier like on SH1, after the Expressway ends at Karapiro, was hugely dangerous.

"Taking someone's speed from 104km to 103km reduces the likelihood of fatality in a crash by four per cent. So if you actually decrease their speed by seven or eight kilometres down from 110km to sitting at 100km you actually decrease that likelihood of fatality hugely if something goes wrong."

It also means officers can focus resource on the more dangerous pieces of road.

"Our three highest risk roads in the district and our top priority are SH1 Karapiro, the triangle at Matamata which is SH29, SH27 and SH24 and SH25 to SH25a up and over the Kopu Hikuai - so our highways staff are told that it's non-negotiable you will be there every day."

Crashes had also deceased on the Expressway from Te Rapa to Taupiri. Although it's not engineered to the same level as the other two roads, as it doesn't have a left-hand barrier the entire way.

"I think we've had one serious injury but it has dramatically reduced from what it was."

He believes the finished Huntly section will also see a reduction in serious crashes.

"That Huntly stretch is one of our most dangerous roads around."

An NZTA spokesperson says the speed limit would only be increased to 110kmh on roads which could support higher travel speeds without compromising safety.

That included having standards such as two lanes in each direction, a median barrier, no significant curves, and no direct access to neighbouring properties.

"At present only a few state highways are likely to meet these standards."

The 110 km/h speed limit requires separate approval and bylaw. The decision on making a 110 kmh speed limit bylaw lies with the relevant road controlling authority along with consultation.

For the consultation of the SH1 and SH2 sections to be increased to 110km NZTA received almost 11,500 submissions from the public and stakeholders with 73 percent of the submissions in favour of increasing the speed limit on the two roads.

-Stuff.co.nz/Jo Lines-MacKenzie.
A notorious New Jersey serial killer, dubbed the "Torso Killer for his brutal dismemberment of his victims, has confessed to killing three Bergen County teenagers in the late 1960s. The crimes that had been unsolved for more than five decades are now officially cleared, authorities say.

Richard Cottingham, 73, admitted to strangling Irene Blase, Denise Falasca and Jackie Harp in 1968 and 1969, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella confirmed in an email to NJ Advance Media. Cottingham has been in the state prison system since the early 1980s for other murders.

In July 1968, Cottingham strangled Harp, 13, of Midland Park, as she was walking home from band practice, Musella said.

On April 7, 1969, Blase, 18, of Bogota, vanished from Hackensack and was found strangled to death in Saddle River the next day.

Much like Blase, Falasca, 15, of Closter, was abducted from Emerson on July 14, 1969 and found strangled to death the next day in nearby Saddle Brook, the prosecutor said.

The Prosecutors Office investigations revealed that Richard Cottingham committed these homicides, Musella wrote.

The office did not immediately explain how they were able to get Cottinghams confession. Musella also did not immediately say if or how Cottinghams existing prison terms or parole eligibility might be affected.

Cottingham has not been charged with the girls murders, but the cases have been, what is called exceptionally cleared.

Detectives did this over 15 years, author and historian Peter Vronsky revealed Monday night at an event in Midland Park, where Harps murder had loomed over town as a cold case.

Those confessions were made sometime between 2004 and 2019  it began in 2004  through this ongoing dogged process," Vronsky told NJ Advance Media.

The teens killings add to a list of grisly slayings by Cottingham, who would often brutalize his victims bodies after he killed them, cutting off their limbs, breasts and heads. The gruesome manner in which Cottingham dispatched his victims earned him the nickname "the torso killer.

Between 1967 and 1980, Cottingham, of Lodi, killed six women in New Jersey and New York. His interstate killing spree was discovered in May 1980, when a maid at a Hasbrouck Heights motels heard a woman screaming from inside his room. Cottingham had attempted to rape and murder the 18-year-old woman.

When police arrived, they found the woman bound with handcuffs on her ankles, bite marks on one breast and a knife wound below it.

The investigation into Cottingham led to a trail of violence and savage murders. He ultimately was convicted of two murders and three kidnappings in New Jersey, in addition to the murders of three women in New York.

Richard Cottingham being led out of court in Hackensack in 1982 following a guilty verdict.Photo by Peter Karas

In 2010, investigators from the Bergen prosecutors office were able to elicit a confession from Cottingham for another previously unsolved murder, from 1967.

As with Cottinghams recent confessions, Bergen investigators made relentless visits to his prison cell for interviews. Finally, Cottingham pleaded guilty to the murder of Nancy Schiava Vogel, of Ridgefield Park. He strangled the 29-year-old married mother of two in Little Ferry. Her nude, bound body was found in her car, in Ridgefield Park.

Vogel had last been seen three days earlier, when she left to play bingo with friends at a local church.

Cottingham is currently serving more than 200 years for two murders in New Jersey and a life sentence for Vogels murder. He has been in custody since July 1981 and has a parole eligibility date in August 2025, according to prison records.

He is currently incarcerated in New Jersey State Prison in Trenton.

Rodrigo Torrejon may be reached at rtorrejon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rodrigotorrejon.

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Another legal firm is exploring action against former fund manager Neil Woodford

A third law firm is pursuing claims against Hargreaves Lansdown in the wake of the Woodford investment scandal.

Nelsons, an East Midlands firm, is exploring legal action against the online investment platform which continued to support Neil Woodfords doomed Equity Income fund right up to the moment it was suspended last year.

Savers who used Hargreaves platform to invest in Woodford Equity Income, which had been on the firms influential best buy list, were stunned when the fund collapsed in June.

Nelsons Cathryn Selby said: Its clear that many investors relied upon the representations made by the positive wording on the website, or in its magazine, when making investment decisions.

Nelsons has invited anyone affected by the closure of the 3 billion fund to get in touch. Two law firms, Leigh Day and Slater & Gordon, have confirmed they are also looking into launching claims.
A Russian Antonov military plane carrying Sudanese judges and injured people crashed on Thursday in the Darfur region of Sudan, with all those on board killed, according to the Sudanese Red Crescent.

The plane was travelling from the city of El Geneina  located in the west of Sudan, near the border with Chad  to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.

It was not immediately clear what caused the crash.

The aircraft was transporting people injured in a tribal conflict in Darfur to Khartoum for treatment.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
The UN Security Council will meet behind closed doors on Friday to discuss an uptick in violence in the embattled Syrian opposition stronghold of Idlib, diplomats told AFP.

The meeting -- which will begin at 10:00 am (2030 IST) -- comes at the request of Britain and France, with the backing of the United States, the diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Thursday.

Some diplomats hope the session will provide an occasion to discuss the reauthorisation of cross-border UN humanitarian aid deliveries to millions of Syrians.

Humanitarian aid currently flows into Syria through UN-designated checkpoints in Turkey and Iraq without the formal permission of the regime in Damascus, but that arrangement expires on January 10.

Last month, Russia and China vetoed a resolution that would have extended those deliveries for a year. Moscow says it will only approve a six-month extension using two checkpoints.

Three million people in the Idlib area benefit from that aid, according to the United Nations.

In a telephone call on Thursday, US President Donald Trump and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on "the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians," the White House said.

On Thursday, UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Henrietta Fore called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities in the northwest of Syria."



"We call on those fighting, especially in the northwest, and those with influence over them for the following: stop all attacks on children and services that provide for them, including health and education facilities and water systems," she said in a statement.

According to UNICEF, at least 140,000 children have been displaced in the past three weeks due to fighting in and around Idlib.

Syrian ally Russia announced a ceasefire for Idlib in late August after months of deadly Russian and regime bombardment that killed around 1,000 civilians.

But sporadic clashes and bombardment persisted throughout the autumn before a spike in violence in the past month, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack has dismissed his suit against Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman Marc Meyer for allegedly accepting Democratic challenger Lore Breitmeyer Jones application for the ballot after the filing deadline Dec. 9 and petitioning to have Breitmeyer Jones removed from the 2020 Democratic Primary ballot.

Noack Campaign spokesman Allen Blakemore said the suit is impractical after Meyer testified under oath last week, he accepted a completed application and payment from Breitmeyer Jones before the 6 p.m. deadline.

Breitmeyer Jones called the suit frivolous.

In 2016, Commissioner Noack managed to run unopposed by bullying his Republican primary opponents out of the race; however, in 2020 the voters in South Montgomery County will finally have a choice on the ballot in November, Breitmeyer Jones stated in a release. However, Noack did have a Republican challenger Jay Mac Sanders in the 2016 GOP primary. Noack beat Sanders with 73 percent of the vote.

The concern over Jones filing began Dec. 10 when Noacks campaign requested Breitmeyer Jones petition for office Dec. 10 after Meyer initially said that was how she filed. However, MCDP declined to provide that information and later said Breitmeyer Jones actually filed by paying the fee and not by petition.

Noack said he was ultimately provided Jones application for office which indicated she filed by paying the fee.

Blakemore accused Meyer of changing his story regarding the filing several times.

While we will never be certain of what really happened at Democratic Party headquarters on the night of Dec. 9, we can all be absolutely certain that the results Nov. 3, 2020, will guarantee the reelection of James Noack as County Commissioner, he said.

Breitmeyer Jones countered, calling Noacks actions theatrics.

Now that Mr. Noack has stopped the theatrics, he should stand up and run on his record, she stated. The residents of South Montgomery County deserve a chance to vote for a commissioner that upholds hometown values and family-oriented priorities.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
Quds commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed Friday in a US strike, was one of Iran's most prominent figures who orchestrated thousands of killings on behalf of Tehran in attacks on the West and allies in the region.

As the head of the Quds - or Jersualem - Force of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani was officially charged with protecting the Islamic revolution, and in practice was used to enforce the regime's will across the Middle East.

Commonly known as the second most powerful man in Iran, wielding more influence than the president, he was seen by many as a future leader.

His CV included helping Shia militias to kill hundreds of American troops during the US invasion of Iraq, backing Assad as he slaughtered civilians by the thousands during the Syrian civil war, and most recently overseeing the slaughter of hundreds of anti-Iran protesters in Iraq.

Qassem Soleimani (pictured centre in Iraq in 2015), leader of Iran's Quds force and the country's second-most powerful individual, has been killed in a US airstrike

Soleimani was beloved by the Iranian regime (pictured being kissed by the Ayatollah) for enforcing its will across the Middle East, including killing hundreds of US troops with IEDs

Born into a poor agricultural family in Kerman province, central Iran, in 1957 he worked in construction and then a city water department before the 1978 Islamic Revolution began.

As protests against the Shah grew, Soleimani was involved in organising demonstrations against the monarch.

After the Shah was deposed, Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guards at its formation in 1979, then served as leader of a company that helped repel Saddam Hussein's invasion in 1980.

He was promoted to commander of a division while not yet 30 and by the mid-Eighties was organising missions inside Iraq to undermine the Hussein regime, often bullying, bribing and otherwise exploiting Iraqi Kurds.

In 1999, during student protests in Iran, he threatened to topple the government in order to crush the demonstrations, and in 2002 - just a few months before the US invaded Iraq - he was promoted to head of the Quds Force.

US officials say the Guard under Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against US troops after the invasion of Iraq, resulting in the deaths of some 600 US troops.

Soleimani himself was popular figure among pro-regime Iranians, who saw him as a selfless hero fighting Irans enemies abroad.

He had been rumored dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad.

Rumors circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

Soleimani has been in and out of Baghdad in recent years.

Last month, he tried to broker agreements as Iraqi parties struggled to form a new government.

Where once he kept to the shadows, Soleimani has in recent years become an unlikely celebrity in Iran - replete with a huge following on Instagram.

As commander of the Quds force for more than two decades, Soleimani helped prop up the Assad regime as the dictator slaughtered his civilians by the thousand and oversaw the killing of hundreds of protesters in Iraq

His profile rose suddenly when he was pushed forward as the public face of Iran's intervention in the Syrian conflict from 2013, appearing in battlefield photos, documentaries - and even being featured in a music video and animated film.

In a rare interview aired on Iranian state television in October, he said he was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war to oversee the conflict.

To his fans and enemies alike, Soleimani was the key architect of Iran's regional influence, leading the fight against jihadist forces and extending Iran's diplomatic heft in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

'To Middle Eastern Shiites, he is James Bond, Erwin Rommel and Lady Gaga rolled into one,' wrote former CIA analyst Kenneth Pollack in a profile for Time's 100 most influential people in 2017.

'To the West, he is... responsible for exporting Iran's Islamic revolution, supporting terrorists, subverting pro-Western governments and waging Iran's foreign wars,' Pollack added.

With Iran roiled by protests and economic problems at home, and the US once again mounting pressure from the outside, some Iranians had even called for Soleimani to enter domestic politics.

While he has dismissed rumors he might one day run for president, the general has played a decisive role in the politics of Iran's neighbor, Iraq.

As well as talks on forming a government, he was pivotal in pressuring Iraq's Kurds to abandon their plans for independence after an ill-judged referendum last September.

His influence has deep roots, since Soleimani was already leading the Quds Force when the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001.

'My Iranian interlocutors on Afghanistan made clear that while they kept the foreign ministry informed, ultimately it was General Soleimani that would make the decisions,' former US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker told the BBC in 2013.

During the US invasion of Iraq, Soleimani was credited with teaching Shia militias how to make powerful roadside IEDs, blamed for more than 600 troop deaths

An Iraqi youth celebrates before a burning US army vehicle following an ambush on a US army convoy in the town of Khaldiyah, 80 kms west of Baghdad, 18 September 2003

During Syria's civil war, Soleimani was instrumental in helping to reinforce the regime of Bashar al-Assad (his troops, pictured), even as he slaughtered tens of thousands of civilians

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Soleimani's popularity and mystique grew out American officials calling for his killing.

By the time it came a decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

'The warfront is mankind's lost paradise,' Soleimani recounted in a 2009 interview.

'One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries.

'But there is another kind of paradise. ... The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed.'

His firm but quiet presence play perfectly to the Iranian penchant for dignified humility.

'He sits over there on the other side of room, by himself, in a very quiet way. Doesn't speak, doesn't comment, just sits and listens. And so of course everyone is thinking only about him,' a senior Iraqi official told the New Yorker for a long profile of Soleimani.

A survey published in 2018 by IranPoll and the University of Maryland - one of the few considered reliable by analysts - found Soleimani had a popularity rating of 83 percent, beating President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Western leaders saw him as central to Iran's ties with militia groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas.

Soleimani was closely associated with Hezbollah, Iran's proxy force in Lebanon which has carried out terror attacks across the Middle East

Soleimani is also thought to have been the point man for Irans foreign policy in places like Afghanistan and the Caucasus region.

Part of his appeal was the suggestion he might bridge Iran's bitter social divides on issues such as its strict 'hijab' clothing rules.

'If we constantly use terms such as "bad hijab" and "good hijab", reformist or conservative... then who is left?' Soleimani said in a speech to mark World Mosque Day in 2017.

'They are all people. Are all your children religious? Is everybody the same? No, but the father attracts all of them.'

While Soleimani rose in the ranks to be one of the most powerful figures in the Islamic Republic, he was not known to be a religious man.

He never received a religious education. Instead, he rose through the ranks of the military after the Islamic Revolution.

A father of five, the 61-year-old Soleimani rarely gave media interviews.

But there are a few details about his life that are public knowledge.

Born March 11, 1957, Soleimani was said in his homeland to have grown up near the mountainous and the historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers.

The State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Soleimani's father was a peasant who received a piece of land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but later became encumbered by debts.

Soleimani was also instrumental in organising Shia militias who ransacked the US embassy in Iraq over Christmas (pictured)

Anti-Iran protesters in Iraq were killed in their hundreds by security forces last year, with Soleimani overseeing the carnage

By the time he was 13, Soleimani began working in construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organization.

Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake.

He deployed to Iran's northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution.

Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war.

The fighting killed more than 1 million people and saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers.

Solemani's unit and others came under attack by Iraqi chemical weapons as well.

Amid the carnage, Soleimani became known for his opposition to 'meaningless deaths' on the battlefield, while still weeping at times with fervor when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

It is not known if he participated in the mass demonstrations that eventually led to the ouster of the shah in 1979.

After the Islamic Republic came to be, Soleimani joined the Iranian Revolutionary Guards  a military force separate from the army.

Soleimani's charisma propelled him to the senior officer ranks. In 1998, he was named commander of the Quds Force.

'Quds' is the Persian word for Jerusalem, which the Iranians have vowed to liberate.

It was first established during the Iran-Iraq conflict with the goal of helping the Kurds in their struggle against Saddam Hussein.

Another key function of the Quds Force was to spread the Islamic regime's message to the Iranian military - a necessity at the time given that there were fears the army would turn against the government.

The Quds Force eventually started to train military outfits outside of Iran, like Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Lieutenant General and Commander of the Quds Force Qasem Soleimani praying during a religious ceremony in Tehran in March 2015

In secret US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, US officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009.

Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi President Jalal Talabani offering a US official a message from Soleimani acknowledging having 'hundreds' of agents in the country while pledging, 'I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorized a bullet against the US.'

US officials at the time dismissed Soleimani's claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks.

US forces would blame the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised explosive devices made IED - improvised explosive device - a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a 2010 speech, US General David Petreaus recounted a message from Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranian's powers.

'He said, "General Petreaus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan",' Petraeus said.

The US and the United Nations put Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though his travels continued.

In 2011, US officials also named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

But his greatest notoriety would arise from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of the Islamic State group.

Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assad's rule.

While a US-led coalition focused on airstrikes, several ground victories for Iraqi forces came with photographs emerging of Soleimani leading, never wearing a flak jacket.

'Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life,' one Iraqi militia commander said.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) has called for calm following alleged prophesies predicting death for some students of the institute.

Prof Abednego Feehi Okoe Amartey said a supposed prophecy claiming doom and death for UPSA students and other stakeholders in their auditorium on April 9, 2020, causing fear and panic must be ignored.

As the leader of the appointed authority and VICE-CHANCELLOR of this great university, I wish to assure all our cherished students and stakeholders that NOTHING WILL HAPPEN on the said date on our campus, the VC said.

It has almost become a norm for some self-acclaimed men of God predicting doom at dawn of every new year.

Many have questioned the validity of their so-called visions and predications while others simply take them with a pinch of salt.

Calling their bluff, Prof Okoe Amartey assured students and other stakeholders that UPSA has tried and tested men and women of God solidly behind it who cry to God consistently on its behalf.

The greatest ALTAR is in heaven and the God of heaven watches over us. You are all safe on our campus. Go about your normal duties with joy and confidence in God.

The UPSA VC wants students and other stakeholders to continue to offer thanks and prayers to our Heavenly Father for His abundant mercies and protection. We are safe in Him.

Prof Okoe Amartey also wished students a Happy New Year as they return to campus in the coming days.

---Myjoyonline.com
Sonny Mehta, the India-born, Cambridge-educated editor who for more than 30 years presided over Alfred A Knopf and the New York publishing scene with seemingly effortless grace and erudition, died on Monday at 77. Mehta published Nobelists and Pulitzer Prize winners as well as first-time authors, and here he is remembered by some of the writers whose careers he shaped. John Banville I loved Sonny for his grace, his insouciance and his sly, quiet humour. When he first told me of the mysterious, debilitating illness that attacked him some years ago, he described how one day he found ...
Big Tech may want to get into banking this year, but it doesn't want to be your bank.

Google plans to introduce consumer bank accounts later this year in collaboration with Citibank and a California-based credit union. The company wants to piggyback off the financial know-how of its partners, while providing the digital layer through Google Pay.

It's somewhat similar to a move from once of its Silicon Valley peers. In 2019, Apple debuted a credit card that created in partnership with Goldman Sachs. Like Google, the company has left much of the financial legwork to its bank partner while designing the card itself and integrating it with its digital wallet app.

Though their products are different, both firms share something in common: they have no plans to become regulated financial institutions like Citi or Goldman. While Big Tech  a group of companies that includes Google, Amazon, Facebook and Apple  will undoubtedly push deeper into finance this year, their progress in banking will be "more of a slow creep than big strides," said Sarah Kocianski, head of research at fintech consultancy 11:FS.

"The big tech firms will continue to add services that are peripheral to banking to their existing offerings, without going full-stack banking," she said. "The headache of getting, and maintaining, a banking license would likely be considered too big a risk for these companies. Instead, they will continue to operate with licensed partners."

In Europe, plenty of online banks from Monzo to N26 have emerged, targeting the wallets of younger, tech-savvy consumers. Singapore and Hong Kong are also in the process of introducing new digital bank licenses to make it easier for tech businesses to offer financial services. Kocianski explained that U.S. tech companies would be put off by becoming banks themselves due to the accompanying regulatory restraints.

That's a view echoed by Accenture's global payments lead, Sulabh Agarwal. The analyst told CNBC it made little sense for tech giants to become banks. He said the return on capital for a tech company is much greater than that of a lender.
Arab League Condemns Turkish Parliament Approval to Send Troops to Libya

Saudi Press Agency

Thursday 1441/5/7 - 2020/01/02

Cairo, Jan 2, 2020, SPA -- The Arab League strongly condemned and denunciated the Turkish parliament's approval to authorize the Turkish president to send troops to Libya .

In a statement issued today, Arab League expressed its support of the political process through the full implementation of the Sukhairat Agreement as the only reference for any political settlement in Libya.

The Arab League also expressed concern about the possibility of military escalation that may aggravate the crisis in Libya and threaten the security and stability of the neighboring countries and the whole region, the statement added.

--SPA

22:03 LOCAL TIME 19:03 GMT

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Hunter Curtis has discovered the incredible hide-and-seek potential of his parents' new $6.6million Vaucluse mansion.

On Friday, Roxy Jacenko shared a photo of her five-year-old son bundled up and ready for bed in his sister Pixie's wardrobe.

'Don't know why a bed was purchased,' Roxy wrote in her mocking caption.

I'm good in here! On Friday, Roxy Jacenko shared a photo of her five-year-old son Hunter bundled up and ready for bed in his sister Pixie's wardrobe

'All he needed was a pillow and a cupboard,' the 39-year-old added.

'Got this parenting thing down pat.'

The PR maven saw humour in the fact her son's favourite place in their new luxury mansion is his eight-year-old sister's cupboard.

Roxy first treated fans to a glimpse inside her lavish Vaucluse pad on her reality show, I am Roxy, in September.

'Don't know why a bed was purchased': The PR maven mocked her son for sleeping in the cupboard, despite having a lavish bedroom inside the family's new $6.6M Vaucluse mansion

During the episode, she revealed there's been a lot of arguments with her husband Oliver over the design of the new home.

At the time, she said: 'I get obsessive. It builds up and it builds up, and I need results. I'm a perfectionist.'

It comes after Hunter announced a business venture focusing on hats and bow ties, via his own Instagram page.

Look out, Pixie! It comes after the mini-mogul announced a business venture focusing on hats and bow ties, hoping to follow in the success of his sister's booming bow business

Hunter is hoping to follow in the success of his sister, whose bow business is booming.

A retail expert told Daily Mail Australia that if the brand's popularity continues to grow, the company is projected to have a $3million-per-year annual turnover by 2023, at which time Pixie will be 11.
An airport baggage handler has revealed why putting a padlock on your luggage won't keep it safe from thieves and can instead make it even more of a target.

The worker, who shared his musings on Reddit, said that trying to protect your bag with expensive locks will lead people to believe you are hiding something of value inside.

'It's literally not even a deterrent,' he said. 'Some might take it as a sign that the bag is worth searching.'

An airport baggage handler has revealed why putting a padlock on your luggage won't keep it safe from thieves and can instead make it even more of a target (stock image)

Others went on to suggest that breaking into a bag undetected was very easy, and only requires a pen to pull off.

'You can pop a zipper with a pen and drag the locked zipper pulls around the bag to close them back up,' one person said.

The tip of the pen can open and then re-seal the zipper without damaging the bag or its contents.

The thread of comments also warned travellers against putting their home address on luggage tags in the event a thief steals your luggage - and then knows where you live.

The Australian Government's Smart Traveller website does encourage passengers to 'secure luggage against tampering or theft' but that doesn't necessarily indicate purchasing a lock.

Consumer group CHOICE also reiterates the truth in the Reddit thread and says a lock 'can't really guard luggage against determined thieves'.

'A lock may slow down a thief but it will not stop the skilled or the determined,' it said.

Consumer group CHOICE also reiterates the truth in the Reddit thread and says a lock 'can't really guard [their] luggage against determined thieves'

'Even if you're sporting the latest model, your luggage may still be exposed - soft suitcases can be slashed, and even hard types can be vulnerable.

'Depending on the brand, it may be possible to split the zipper open.'

CHOICE explained that cable ties can be unzipped and then put back together with a nail file nor removed with scissors.

As for the cling-wrap option, the group says although the plastic can easily be split open, the approach does make it difficult for items to be slipped into a bag unnoticed.

'The best measures to protect your belongings are to: take out comprehensive travel insurance, and pack valuables only in your carry-on luggage,' the group concludes.
That both still chose to immerse themselves in the police world despite what they endured just adds another layer of intrigue to their characters.

Thats what I loved about this from the start, Leslie says. Its not your average police procedural.

What this production is however, is a uniquely gripping drama that crosses decades to weave a mystery that engulfs an entire town.

Suspects pop up at every corner, just who the good guys and villains are changes depending on point of view and an unsettling air hangs over everything in a way usually only seen in atmospheric European dramas such as The Bridge or The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Similarly, the wild Tasmanian highlands of The Gloaming are just as important to the plotlines and characters in setting the tone, signature of series creator and writer Vicky Maddens style, as seen in the iconic The Kettering Incident.

The Gloaming on Stan. Credit:Stan

I think with a lot of the Scandi-noir crime weve had over the past few years, Victoria Madden was very aware that the landscape always played such a massive part in those shows, Leslie said.

So, she always said Tasmania was the main character of the show and its such a haunted landscape.

You kind of arrive on set to shoot a scene and look around and go: Oh right! Right! I totally understand why this show is set here!

From the tangled rainforest where the murder victim is found to the gothic mansion where OConnell and McGees childhood ended, the setting of The Gloaming helps create an air of tension where murder seems right at home.

It doesnt look like an Australian show, Leslie says.

Its shot in a part of the world we dont normally see so I think for people around the world it wont look like an Australian show, which is really exciting.

Alongside Leslie and Booth, a cast of Australia (and New Zealand)s best actors round out the crime thriller as those who are investigating the two crimes and those who are caught in their web.

The Gloaming on Stan. Credit:Stan

Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish, Mystery Road) plays the chief of detectives, who doesnt want to know about OConnell and McGees past as long as they can do their jobs; Martin Henderson (Greys Anatomy) plays a local property developer with a connection to McGee neither are willing to admit; and Rena Owen (Once Were Warriors) is a spiritual teacher hoping the ghosts from her past dont make it into the present.

Theyre all parts of a multi-layered puzzle which could tear the quiet Tasmanian community apart, Leslie says and what makes The Gloaming so complex.

We talk about haunted characters and a haunted landscape, but really the story is youve got this modern-day crime and youve got this crime from the past and the two are sort of running parallel and getting closer and closer together, Leslie says, and eventually theyre going to collide.

I think its really going to tock a lot of boxes for people and theyll really enjoy it!

Every episode of the Stan Original Series The Gloaming is now streaming, only on Stan  Australias unrivalled home of original productions.
To observe August 5 as Black Day in J&K, Pak Army, ISI put out detailed flow chart

Let Abhinandan go: When Pakistan Army chief was jittery and his legs shook in nervousness

Thaw in tensions? Pak Army chief says time to bury the past

Pakistan resorts to first ceasefire violation of 2020

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, Jan 03: The Pakistan Army shelled mortars along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a Defence spokesman said.

The Indian Army retaliated to the shelling that took place on Wednesday night.

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector in district Poonch around 2100 hours on Wednesday", the spokesman said. The firing stopped at 2330 hours.
Pakistan dismisses new Indian Army Chief's statement

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Jan 2, IRNA -- Pakistan on Thursday rejected the new Indian Army Chief, Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane's statement about pre-emptive strikes inside Pakistan administered Kashmir region.

In a statement Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that there should be no doubt about Pakistan's resolve and readiness to thwart any aggressive move by India, inside its territory in Kashmir.

She said Pakistan will continue to contribute towards peace, security and stability in the region and beyond.

Tensions between India and Pakistan increased after Pakistan shot Indian jets in February last year.

Later India's Prime Minister announced his decision to roll back the semi-autonomous status of Kashmir region, which further increased tension between the two states.

Both countries accuse each other of targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire on the border in Kashmir.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi of Pakistan wrote letters to the President of United Nations Security Council and the UN Secretary-General urging them to play roles for regional peace and also warned India of any misadventure.

272**1430

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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) Officials from the Philippines and Kuwait are set to meet in Manila this month to work out an agreement on a template contract for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in the Gulf State, a Cabinet official said Friday.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III told CNN Philippines The Source that technical working groups of both governments want to finalize the proposed standard employment contract this month, when Kuwaiti officials are scheduled to visit the Philippines.

December 27, (Kuwait) Ambassador (Musaed Saleh Ahmad) Althwaikh asked me, 'You go to Kuwait second week of January? We finalize the contract, Bello said in the interview Friday. I said no, not us going there, but you coming here. Because of this incident, yesterday they agreed to come here already.  he added.

The template contract for OFWs is contained under a provision of a labor deal signed by both countries in 2018. The agreement aims to protect the welfare of Filipino workers in the Gulf State.

The proposed contract, in particular, would allow Filipinos to keep their passports and cellphones which are often surrendered to employers. There will also be designated working and sleeping hours for the OFWs, among others.

Bello, however, said both parties continue to disagree on certain rules in the provision. He said that under the agreement, the contract should contain four signatoriesthe employer, employee, and the recruitment agencies in the Philippines and in the employer's country.

Apat dapat 'yun pipirma, para they will be answerable kung sakaling may violations Hindi kami nagkakasundo kasi gusto nila, dalawa lang pipirma. Gusto lang nila, employer and worker natin, Bello explained.

[Translation: There should be four signatories, who will be the ones answerable should there be any violations. But we are disagreeing. Theyre pushing for only two signatoriesonly the employer and our worker.]

The need for a specific employment contract resurfaced following the recent reported death of Jeanelyn Villavende, a household worker who was allegedly killed by her Kuwaiti employer.

Villavendes case along with other reported maltreatment and deaths of OFWs-- also prompted the Labor Department to impose a partial ban on deployment to Kuwait.

Bello, who vowed full justice for Villavendes family members, said the ban will stay onuntil the suspects in her death are charged by the Kuwaiti courts.
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T ens of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets in protest at the killing of a Tehrans most powerful military chief.

Chanting "death to America" and carrying posters of General Qasem Soleimani, demonstrators marched through Iran's capital condemning "US crimes".

The country's leaders have vowed harsh revenge" after Donald Trump ordered the fatal airstrike on the commander in Baghdad this morning.

As tensions between the two countries escalate, funeral crowds have lined the streets to mourn the fallen general.

Footage from Gen. Soleimani's hometowm Kerman shows crowds dressed in black streaming through the main thoroughfare.

What began as a small gathering after Friday prayers soon spiralled into a large public procession, according to local reports.

In footage of the crowd, men can be heard beating their chests in a traditional Shiite expression of grief.

Meanwhile in Tehran, mourners shouted in unison: "The axis of any evil is America, the motto of religion and the Quran is death to America," according to Aljazeera.

"O leader of our revolution," they added "Condolences, condolences."

State news agency IRNA reported similar demonstrations in the cities of Arak, Bojnourd, Hamedan, Hormozgan, Sanandaj, Semnan, Shiraz and Yazd.

While in the Iraqi town of Karbala, aggressive anti-American chants were said to be "reverberating" from within a mosque.

Three days of national mourning were declared in Iran following the death of its top general.

A government spokesman said the country's top security body would meet today to discuss the "criminal act" that led to his death.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the strike, while Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called it an "act of international terrorism".

His death has also dominated Iranian media, which has paid tribute to him for his military life, particularly his involvement in the wars in Iraq and Syria.

The general is being remembered as a "martyr" and several TV channels have put a black diagonal band in the upper-left corner of their screens in his honour, the BBC reported.

Who was powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani?

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) spokesman Brigadier-General Ramezan Sharif said the US and Israel would receive a "tough response" to the killing, calling it a "blatant crime".

"Today, the Israelis and Americans have committed a blatant crime at odds with all international regulations and laws and they should rest assured that they will receive a tough response," he told local media this morning.

Iran considers Israel a staunch enemy and has long accused it of orchestrating attacks against its country.

He added that, while IRGC members are currently in mourning "their determination to take revenge on the usurper Zionist and criminal America will be greater".

"Certainly the momentary joy of the Americans and Zionists will not last long and will turn into mourning," he threatened.

However, White House officials have expressed no remorse for their actions, defending the attack as necessary to "protect US personnel abroad".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the airstrike had prevented an "imminent attack" on Americans in the Middle East.

Speaking to CNN and Fox News, he said the US government had made an "intelligence-based assessment" to target Gen. Soleimani.

"He was actively plotting in the region to take actions - a big action as he described it - that would have put dozens, if not hundreds of American lives at risk," Mr Pompeo claimed.




Haiti - Social : Haitian students in China celebrate the 216th anniversary of independence





It is at the Crowne hotel Plaza in Beijing (Pekin, capital of the People's Republic of China) that Guy G. Lamothe, the Permanent Representative of the commercial office of Haiti in China has chosen to share with the Association of Haitian Students in China , the traditional "joumou" soup (giraumon soup) of January 1st, in which the majority of Haitian students from Beijing participated as well as their friends from here and elsewhere, where music, songs, wishes and patriotism for this 216th anniversary of the independence of our Motherland, was on the evening's program.



Ambassador Lamothe, who is in his 6th month in China, reminded the students of the discipline they must demonstrate. For Lamothe it is an obligation for them to be true Haitian ambassadors in the Orient and their duty to integrate into Chinese society to be more successful. Note that the commercial office that Lamothe heads, is getting closer and closer to Haitian students in China to help them integrate better.



He also congratulated the Association of Haitian Students in China which has given itself the task of grouping the students, welcoming them upon their arrival in order to facilitate their integration, particularly in their university.



In his message Guy Lamothe wished his young Haitian students to see the emergence of a group of Haitian entrepreneurs in China, which goes beyond simple import-export, in order to have real added value and contribute to reduction of the deficit trade balance between China and Haiti.



New plans and new challenges were at the heart of the exchanges between the Haitian, Chinese and African participants of this evening of January 1, 2020.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Toronto will begin requiring short-term rental hosts to register with the city this spring, according to an update posted to the citys website that sheds more light on its plan to implement the new rules after a win at the provincial planning tribunal in November cleared the way.

The rules, which allow short-term rentals in principal residences, are now in effect, said Elizabeth Glibbery, interim director with the citys investigation services, Municipal Licensing and Standards division, in an email.

Licensing of short-term rental companies and registration of operators will begin in spring 2020. Current and aspiring operators will have three months to complete this step, with details on exact dates to come, according to the citys website.

As the licensing and registration system is being put in place, the city continues to respond to issues on a complaint basis. Residents can contact 311 to report issues related to short-term rentals, such as noise, waste and zoning infractions and the city will investigate accordingly, added Glibbery.

Under the new rules, people can rent up to three bedrooms in a unit for an unlimited number of nights per year (up to a maximum of 28 days per stay) or their entire home for a maximum of 180 nights per year, says the city website.

The updates on the implementation plan, posted on the citys website late last month, come after Toronto won a hearing at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) in November.

The decision squashed an attempt by Airbnb landlords to stop the citys updated zoning bylaw amendments meant to tackle short-term rentals, which council approved in 2017.

The new regulations were supposed to come into effect in June 2018 but were put on hold during the landlords appeal to the tribunal.

Under the new regulations, short-term rentals are restricted to principal residences in an attempt to crack down on so called ghost hotels, where residential properties are consistently rented out to visitors.

Homeowners also wont be allowed to use basement apartments as Airbnbs or other short-term rentals. Only full-time residents of such suites can rent them for less than 28 days.

The Licensing and Registration Of Short-Term Rentals bylaw prohibits individuals or companies from advertising, facilitating the advertising or brokering a short-term rental if its operator is not registered with the city, Glibbery added.

Short-term rental companies allowing unregistered operators to list on their platforms or contravening the bylaw can be charged.

Following the registration period, all registered short-term rental operators will be required to pay a four per cent Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) on a quarterly basis, the citys website says.

New operators can register on an ongoing basis.

The LPAT said in its Nov. 18 written decision the new rules have the potential to put up to 5,000 of Torontos more than 21,000 Airbnbs back into the long-term residential market.

In early December, seven landlords for Airbnb-style rentals said they plan to ask a divisional court for leave to appeal the rules upheld by the LPAT.

The city will proceed with implementation plans even if an appeal has been submitted, Glibbery said.
Curtland Jack underwent surgery but it is still too early to deduce whether there has been any improvement in his condition.

Curtland Jack, the Auxillary Police Officer who was left paralysed after being shot in the neck during an incident at Heritage Square, Kingstown, November 22, underwent surgery at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on Friday, December 27 and was discharged last Tuesday.





Michael Charles, Commandant of the local Auxillary Police and retired Commissioner of Police, made the confirmation to THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday.





The surgery was performed by Neuro Surgeon Dr. Peter Kowlessar of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is assisting with the medical expenses.





Tyson Spencer, 30, of Green Hill, who is accused of shooting Jack and two others, remains in custody, following the prosecutions continued objection to his bail, based on the victims condition, described as extremely serious.

Spencer is charged with attempting to murder Jack, and wounding with intent, Dwayne Peters of Kingstown and Deron Quashie of Choppins.





The matter has been adjourned to April 27.




Turkey's parliament approved Thursday military deployment to Libya aimed at shoring up the UN-backed government in Tripoli, sparking a blunt warning from US President Donald Trump against any "foreign interference" in the war torn country.

The beleaguered Tripoli government has been under sustained attack since April by military strongman General Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by Turkey's regional rivals -- Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

In response to the prospect that Ankara might intervene, Trump had told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a call "that foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said in a statement.

Egypt also strongly condemned the Turkish vote, saying it amounted to a "flagrant violation of international law and Security Council resolutions on Libya".

President Erdogan is due to receive Russian President Vladimir Putin next Wednesday to inaugurate a new gas pipeline and Libya is expected to be a key topic of discussion.

Erdogan has repeatedly accused Russia of sending private mercenaries to support Haftar's forces, though this has been denied by Moscow.

At the same time, Turkey and Russia have managed to work closely on the Syrian conflict despite supporting opposing sides, and are expected to seek a similar balancing act with regards to Libya.

Territorial control in Libya. By (AFP)

Erdogan's office confirmed last Friday that a request for military support had been received from the internationally recognised Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).

No details have been given on the scale of the potential deployment and Vice-President Fuat Oktay told state news agency Anadolu on Wednesday that no date had yet been set.

"We are ready. Our armed forces and our defence ministry are ready," he said, adding that parliamentary approval would be valid for a year.

He described the parliament motion as a "political signal" aimed at deterring Haftar.

"After it passes, if the other side changes its attitude and says, 'OK, we are withdrawing, we are abandoning our offensive,' then what should we go there for?"

The bill passed easily by 325 votes to 184.

"The Libyan motion is important for the protection of the interests of our country and for the peace and stability of the region," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted after the vote.

Russia connection

A UN report in November said several countries were violating the arms embargo on Libya in place since the overthrow of long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Jordan and the UAE regularly supply Haftar's forces, it said, while Turkey supports the GNA. Turkish and Emirati drones were spotted in Libyan skies during clashes over the summer.

"We're supporting the internationally recognised legitimate government in Libya. Outside powers must stop supporting illegitimate groups against the Libyan government," Erdogan's communications director Fahrettin Altun tweeted last week.

Turkey has used its alliance with the Tripoli government to advance other interests.

Erdogan and Fayez al-Sarraj of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, signed a disputed maritime jurisdiction agreement in November. By Mustafa Kamaci (TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP/File)

It signed a military cooperation agreement with the GNA during a visit by its leader, Fayez al-Sarraj, to Istanbul in November.

But they also signed a maritime jurisdiction agreement giving Turkey rights to large swathes of the Mediterranean where gas reserves have recently been discovered.

The agreement drew international criticism, particularly from Greece which says it ignores its own claims to the area.

Analysts say Ankara was responding to being frozen out of regional energy deals, notably the "East Mediterranean Gas Forum", formed this year by Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Italy and the Palestinian territories.

Turkey's fierce rivalry with the military government in Egypt is seen as another motivating factor behind the planned deployment.

Erdogan strongly backed Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood government that was violently overthrown by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in 2013.

Haftar has previously ordered his forces to target Turkish companies and arrest Turkish nationals. Six Turkish sailors were briefly held by his forces during the summer.
Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said that the issue of Kota infants deaths should not be 'politicized' and there would be some drawbacks in different hospital which media has a right to highlight so that it can be improved by the government.



On being asked about the lack of basic hygiene inside the ICU where over 100 infants recently died in a hospital in Kota, Gehlot said: "You will definitely find some drawbacks when you'll visit any hospital across the country. I believe that if and when we'll be informed about any lack of facility inside a hospital we will work towards it."

He also said that the government intends to reduce the infant mortality rate to a minimum in the state and it is very said even if a single infant dies.

"It is extremely saddening even if one infant dies. We want that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) should be reduced in Rajasthan. This issue should not be politicized. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is an MP from Kota and he has all the knowledge about the matter so the day he speaks about it, the issue will end," said Gehlot.

Gehlot further added that during BJP's term around 1,000 infants used to die in a year but in the current government's term the count has come to around 900.

"The health minister doesn't need to visit Kota today but the media has made an issue out of it so he has to go. As soon as the incident came to light, the expert teams were sent there and a detailed investigation has also taken place. There was no negligence in the treatment. Infants have died during BJP's tenure and during our term, the death rate has reduced," he added.

On January 2, an official from the hospital in Kota said that three more children died on the first two days of the New Year, taking the toll to 103.

As per a government report, at least 91 infants lost their lives at the government hospital in Kota in December last year, following which Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government is being targetted by the BJP and other opposition parties in the state. (ANI)


In early December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan kindled an old culinary rivalry between two Turkish cities  Kastamonu and Kayseri  by praising Kastamonus pastirma, a spicy cured beef that is part of the national cuisine and a ready accompaniment to raki, the anise-based national drink.

Erdogans words on the best pastirma had immediate ripple effects in other cities such as Afyon and Sivas, which also lauded their versions to be the best. The sales of pastirma soared all around the country.

Pastirma, also known as basturma or bastirma, can be found in the Levant, as well as in Anatolia. Different cultures claim its origins, but some versions  albeit with different spices  can be found in Armenia, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece and other countries in the Balkans. Febe Armanios, a professor of history at Middlebury College, who researches culinary and food history of the Eastern Mediterranean, told Al-Monitor that she had been introduced to "basterma" in Egypt, where it is a delicacy that few can afford.

Robyn Eckhart, a food journalist and the author of Istanbul and Beyond: Exploring the Diverse Cuisines of Turkey, says pastirma resembles Italian bresaola with the addition of all the bold flavors, including garlic. Indeed, at the turn of the century, Armenians who arrived in Beirut have been ridiculed due to the spicy scent of pastirma that others claimed oozed from their bodies.

It is also the Armenians who keep up the tradition of pastirma In Los Angeles. Sahags Basturma, a family-run business, is managed by Harut and Rebeka Tashyan, who proudly told Al-Monitor that late chef Antony Bourdain had devoted an episode to their shop.

A good pastirma depends on many factors, ranging from the type of meat, the waiting period and the weather and the spices used. It can be made at home, but it requires patience, as it may take up to 45 days depending on the thickness of the meat. Pastirmas taste first and foremost depends on the quality and the section of the beef used. The most precious pastirma are made from the shoulder area, known as entrecote, or Porterhouse steak. Tenderloin and top sirloin are reserved for the most expensive kinds.

Although today most pastirma is produced in factories, the process still requires a human touch. The meat needs to be cleaned and large quantities of salt  be it rock, sea, kosher salt or whatever the producer prefers  need to be put in pockets carved into the meat.

Each meat is different, some absorb salt promptly, others gradually, Harut Tashyan told Al-Monitor. You have to be attentive to the meat rather than simply following the clock.

Once the salt is absorbed, the excess salt has to be thoroughly washed off the meat and then dried out. Then  and this is the required step  it needs to be pressed to ensure that all excess water or blood is extracted. Traditionally, this step, which makes pastirma different from other processed meats, was done with heavy marble blocks and then the meat was hung in racks to dry. This was when the weather conditions played a role  the best results are achieved when it is naturally air-dried. The town of Kayseri claims it owes its pastirma to the mountain air and its Indian summers. Not surprisingly, the term in Turkish for a prolonged summer is pastirma yazi, the summer of, or for, pastirma.

Producers put out the pressed meat to be air-dried between late August to November when there is little to no rain and a nice warm breeze.

The last step is coating the logs of meat with chemen  a mixture of spices, oil, garlic and salt  and hanging them again.

For Armanios, it is the chemen that makes pastirma into an exceptional delicacy. From a culinary history angle, many cultures have produced dried beef, she said. For me, the most distinctive element of pastirma is the composition of the chemen paste or [as it is called in Arabic] majun al-hilba that coats the dried meat. It is an East-West combination of spices: garlic, salt and sometimes cumin or coriander. But it almost always includes red paprika, which is a New World spice that didnt really make it to Europe and the Middle East till the 1600s or 1700s. And it must include ground fenugreek seeds, an Old World spice that gives its pungent flavor and smell.

Fenugreek, a piquant herb, alters the scent of human sweat for a few days  and that's why many consumers today would either shun pastirma or prefer the modern, light versions without chemen.

Every maker has its own recipe for chemen, Eckhart noted, explaining that Kastamonu pastirma is less garlicky than that of Kayseri. Some attribute this smoother taste to organic Taskopru garlic of Kastamonu that is known for its sweeter aroma.

Pastirma ekmek  something like a calzone filled with slightly sliced pastirma and rubbed with butter as soon as it comes out of the oven  is a thing in Kastamonu and its wonderful, Eckhardt said. Chemen is a culinary delight on its own; it keeps forever and can flavor rice, bulgur, eggs, meat dishes, and be stirred into suzme yogurt [drained or Greek yogurt] for a dip.

Traditional Levantine cuisine lovers make and keep jars of chemen at home and swear by its health benefits.

Eckhardt likes to compare pastirma to Italian bresaola due to its bold flavors enhanced by chemen, rather than pastrami. But whoever its Western cousin may be, pastirma is used in a variety of ways both in traditional Turkish cuisine and Western-inspired recipes. It can take the place of bacon in burgers, ham in an omelet, prosciutto in pasta and pepperoni on pizza. Thicker slices with more coarse sections of meat can be utilized in stews of all kinds. Chemen coating in thicker slices is heavier and it adds an amazing aroma to stews.

Pacanga boregi, a special pastry also utilizes pastirma, along with different types of paninis. Most households enjoy pastirma with eggs for breakfast but also it is a must-have for special holidays, such as Ramadan, Christmas or New Year's. Harut and Rebeka Tashyan explained that they receive a high number of orders during the holidays as families want to remember home with the aromas of pastirma filling their homes. Indeed, quite a few visitors from Turkey not only sample pastirma in Los Angeles but also take it back home with them.

So, returning to Erdogans statement, where is the best pastirma, you ask? The best pastirma is the one where natural products are used from grass-fed cows to high-quality clean air and spices. Like most preserved foods, pastirma is an honest witness of our environment.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 20:36:23|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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by Dana Halawi

BEIRUT, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Retaliation from Lebanon to the assassination of Iran's senior commander Qassem Soleimani is highly possible, experts said.

Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed late on Thursday in an airstrike on their convoy in Baghdad airport.

The assassination sparked anger among top Iranian officials and Tehran's allies in the region including Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy in Lebanon, whose leader vowed to continue the path of Soleimani while adding that punishment is the responsibility of all fighters worldwide.

"The assassination of Soleimani is a very big escalation and I am afraid that retaliation will happen from Lebanon through Hezbollah which now has a valid excuse to attack Israel," political analyst Youssef Diab told Xinhua.

"Lebanon is not a priority for Hezbollah. The Shiite political party follows an Iranian agenda," Diab said.

Soleimani is considered as one of Iran's most powerful men. He was commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, an elite unit that handles Iran's overseas operations, and is considered to be a terrorist organization by the United States.

He was also one of the main leaders to support Hezbollah in its war against Israel in July 2006.

"Soleimani has considerable footprint in Lebanon through Hezbollah," Sami Nader, director of Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs in Lebanon, told Xinhua.

Nader said that retaliation is very likely to take place from Lebanon because Hezbollah has considerable clout in the country and history shows how Americans have been targeted by the Shiite group in the past in Lebanon by attacking their embassy and U.S. marines.

Nader said he is not sure how and when Iran will hit back but it will surely do so to protect its image.

"An attack may also be followed by negotiations because both parties have an interest to find a peaceful solution," he said.
The three British Airways flight attendants who were killed in a crash with a lorry on New Year's Eve were due to fly to Las Vegas the next day.

Dominic Fell, 23, Joe Finnis, 25, and Rachel Clark, 20, were killed when when their car collided with an HGV near Heathrow Airport in Stanwell, Surrey, shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

Another 25-year-old stewardess, who was also in their vehicle, survived and is currently in a serious condition in hospital.

All four cabin crew were friends seeing in the new year together - two of them had finished work at Heathrow at about 6pm, while the other two were on a day off and not scheduled to be on duty.

Rachel Clark, 20, died in the collision near London Heathrow Airport on New Year's Eve

Tributes for Dominic Fell (above), 23, included 'keep flying high' after he was named as a victim

Tributes have been left at the scene of the collision in Stanwell dedicated to the three cabin crew named the 'BA Angels' with the airline tie wrapped around a lamppost.

One card reads: 'To our BA Angels rest in peace my lovelies - fly high'.

It comes after Dominic's mother said today that her son will 'always be her gem and star'.

Joe Finnis, 25, was named in tributes after he was killed in the car crash in Stanwell, Surrey

Flowers have been left at the scene of the collision in Stanwell, near London's Heathrow Airport

A picture showing Dominic Fell, 23, (far right) Joe Finnis, 25, (far left) and Rachel Clark, 20 (middle)

A British Airways model plane next to flowers and photographs that have been left at the scene

One card reads: 'To our BA Angels rest in peace my lovelies - fly high' (left). British Airways ties are wrapped around a sign which reads: 'Our BA Angels, you'll forever be loved' (right)

A woman reads the tributes that have been left for the three cabin crew who were tragically killed

Christina McGilligan-Fell, who is the former mayor of North East Lincolnshire told GrimsbyLive: 'It has been a privilege to have been his mother. He will always be my gem and my star.'

She added: 'I have read many of the tributes to Dominic and they are wonderful and reflect how gregarious, genuine and humanitarian he was.'

Dominic's family, including his sisters Elle and Laura, travelled to his home in Swindon following the tragedy.

Dominic Fell with his mother Christina McGilligan-Fell and sisters Elle and Laura (far right) for his mother's 60th birthday in January last year

A letter for the three victims of the crash on a snowman that has been left at the scene of in Stanwell

Dominic Fell with sisters Elle, left and Laura, right

Dominic had worked for British Airways for two years and had completed a course in photojournalism at the Grimsby Institute.

He studied for his BA degree in photography at the University of the Arts in London in 2017 and compiled a series of photographs of his hometown of Grimsby for his course.

Ms McGilligan-Fell said she wanted to thank everyone for their support and tributes to Dominic and said he left his 'indelible mark' on so many lives.

His colleague, Rachel Clark, had completed her training only weeks before she died and posted a series of photographs of her at a ceremony in November.

She wrote: 'What a crazy six weeks it has been!

'Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way and to this fabulous group of people for making these weeks bearable! The start of a new chapter.'

Miss Clark completed her training in November, posting on Facebook at the time how it had been a 'crazy six weeks' and her excitement for 'the start of a new chapter'

Tributes poured in for the 20-year-old and her friend Marnee Burgess wrote on Facebook: 'I can't believe you're gone. I will never forget that beautiful smile that lights up every room you enter.

'Three years feels like a lifetime I have known you. Thank you for welcoming me into your family and treating me like I've always been part of it.

'I will never forget how much you cherished my boys and how amazing you were with them and the memories will stay close to my heart forever.'

A fundraising page has been set up for the families of those affected, with tributes flooding in on the GoFundMe page (above and below)

Another friend, Hanushe Lala, added: 'I am truly lost for words; you were a kind, beautiful and intelligent person who only ever brightened up everyone's day

'You will always have a special place in my heart, forever and always. I hope you rest in eternal peace. All our thoughts and prayers are with your family and loved ones.'

A 'BA Angels Fund' set up for the families of those affected had raised more than 82,000 for the victims' families.

Posts on the BA Angels fundraiser included condolences from Laura Stewart, who said: 'Dom and Joe were truly special men and I hope that their families take some comfort in knowing that they were so loved by everyone they have flown with! I'll miss you.'

Ms McGilligan-Fell added: 'I have read many of the tributes to Dominic and they are wonderful and reflect how gregarious, genuine, and humanitarian he was.

'I have never seen such wonderful accolades from people all over the country.'

Fellow cabin crew members have also changed their profile pictures on Facebook to a memorial image reading 'forever in our hearts' with the BA logo.

A map shows where the crash happened in Stanwell, near Heathrow, and just outside London

The off-duty BA cabin crew were in a white Toyota Yaris which was involved in a crash with a white Mercedes HGV at the junction of Bedfont Road and Long Lane in Stanwell, Surrey, at 11.39pm on New Year's Eve.

The lorry, which was part of a fleet which is operated by air services provider dnata, left the road and ended up in nearby Longford River.

Surrey Police issued the names of the three dead, but said that formal identification had not yet taken place.

The crash happened when the white Toyota Yaris the cabin crew were travelling in collided with a white Mercedes HGV at a junction in Stanwell, Surrey, at 11.39pm on New Year's Eve
UK has enhanced security and alertness at military bases in the Middle East after the legendary Iranian general Qasem Suleimani was killed as a result of US airstrike, Reuters reported.

About 400 British troops are in Iraq. They are mainly located at the base of Taji, north of Baghdad.

The safety and security of our personnel is of paramount importance and we keep our force protection measures under constant review. We do not to comment on specific force protection measures, a spokesman from Britains Ministry of Defence said when asked about the report.
Two years ago, on the last day that former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens was in office, she thought she was going to be set free. Now 71, Pickard was one of 15 women represented by a team of lawyers, including retired St. Louis University law professor John Ammann, seeking some form of clemency. All but one  Patty Prewitt  admit their crimes. All say they were abused by their husbands, or had very troubled childhoods, and received sentences out of whack with societal norms, if not then, most definitely now. In Pickards case, the domestic abuse was so bad she had been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of it. She was sentenced to life without parole for arranging for somebody else to kill her husband. Shes been in jail for 20 years.
Were fast approaching 300 days until Election Day  when New Jersey voters will decide whether recreational cannabis should be legal. More than 60% of New Jerseyans favor legalization. Is it safe to assume adult-use marijuana will be legal about this time next year?

Three leaders in the cannabis space will address all the important issues that lie ahead during a business networking session Jan. 15 at Red Tank Brewery in Red Bank.

Tickets are limited for this NJ Cannabis Insider meetup. Sponsored by Supreme Security Systems, speakers include Republican state Sen. Declan OScanlon, Fruqan Mouzon, a leading cannabis attorney and the former general counsel for the state Senate Majority Office; and Jackie Cornell, chief of policy at 1906 cannabis edibles and former principal deputy commissioner at the state Department of Health.

In addition, several other high-profile industry insiders  from lobbying, legal, financial, insurance and medical industries  have already signed up.

New Jerseyans have been eagerly waiting for the legislature to take action on legalization," Cornell told NJ Cannabis Insider last month after the Senate and Assembly cast historic votes to place the question of legalization to voters in 2020. It is imperative that the ballot initiative is coupled with a meaningful implementation plan for Jan. 1, 2021.

Before Election Day, Cornell said, there is plenty more to do for the states 60,000 medicinal patients, starting with appointing the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, meeting the statutory deadlines in the Jake Honig Act, as well as moving forward with critical research through the clinical registrant permits.

OScanlon, a supporter of medical cannabis, has said he wont support any form of legalization legislation until and unless voters have voted in favor of legalization.

Mouzon, who is a pro-business lobbyist, told NJ Cannabis Insider hes extremely optimistic about the ballot measure passing next fall.

The most recent poll found that 62% of New Jersey residents are in favor of ending marijuana prohibition in this state and there is reason to believe that support is growing, said Mouzon, the cannabis chair at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter. Nationally, that number is 66-67%. I believe those numbers. I would be more shocked if the referendum failed than I would be if the Jets, Giants, or Knicks made the playoffs this year.

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets for the Jan. 15 meetup.

NJ Cannabis Insider also opened early-bird registration to its spring live event on March 10 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison. Featuring the states leading voices on all things cannabis, all previous events have sold out to capacity.

NJ Cannabis Insider is produced by NJ Advance Media, which also provides content for NJ.com, The Star-Ledger and other affiliated papers. Subscribe here for exclusive insider information from NJ Cannabis Insider.

Have information about this story or something else we should be covering? Tell us. nj.com/tips
It is only on his arrival in Lebanon that Ghosn resurfaced, entering on a French passport that he had been allowed to keep at his home in a locked case. Ghosn had been asked to surrender his French, Brazilian and Lebanese passports to his lawyers under the terms of his bail, but was allowed to keep a spare passport at his home, in a locked box with his lawyers having the keys.
Leato is also accused of passing himself off as the owner of a Dolton property he briefly ran as a restaurant called Everetts in late 2018 before closing up shop and relocating to Thornton last spring. Dolton police allege that after he closed his restaurant in town, he used false credentials to pose as the owner of the property and took $17,231 from a tenant for the promise of a lease and a business license, according to a criminal complaint.
We did a Christmas special for Netflix about Jesus youth titled The First Temptation of Christ. Mr. Porchat opens with the fact that the Bible has a glaring gap. Jesus is 12 and  bam  hes already 30 years old being baptized in the River Jordan. Why is there no account of his youth? What were they trying to hide?

We hypothesized that Jesus loved men. We werent the first to come up with this, of course. Before us, Mark the Evangelist had already told us in that apocryphal text that The youth came to him, wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the kingdom of God.

Brazils evangelical bench may not know this passage, just as it certainly does not know of Monty Python, Mel Brooks, South Park and so many who have already poked fun at the sacred cows of Christendom before we did. Today, there are a dozen lawsuits and petitions demanding the content be taken down.

The Public Prosecutors Office accepted a petition from a Catholic organization that demanded not only censorship but also payment of a fine of nearly half a million dollars  two cents for each Brazilian who professes Catholicism in the country. Im curious about this accounting. I was baptized in the Catholic Church, but I didnt receive my first communion. Am I entitled to two cents? Does not receiving communion disqualify me, or am I eligible for one penny? Does the remaining penny go to those who were confirmed?

This is not new to us. What has changed is that since this president took office, the attacks have come in different forms. On Dec. 24, for example, a group of masked men attempted to set our offices on fire with Molotov cocktails. The security guard managed to put out the fire and no one was hurt.

The next day, a group that called itself Popular National Insurgence Command, inspired by the Integralist movement, claimed responsibility for the attack. Brazilian Integralism was a 1930s anti-Semitic movement  yes, there were many Brazilians, of mixed race themselves, who were sympathetic to a movement that would have sent them to a concentration camp.

We believed the movement had been eradicated along with syphilis and tuberculosis. But it seems all these evils are back in Mr. Bolsonaros Brazil.
Turkish officials hail Libya troops motion

Turkey's Communications Director said on Twitter that the deal between Turkey and Libya is the best guarantee for regional security and stability.

Turkish officials welcome a motion ratified by parliament that authorized the country to send troops to Libya.

"Turkey will continue to be strong in the field and at the table," presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Twitter. "The Libya troops deployment motion ratified in the Turkish Parliament is an important step taken in order to ensure peace and stability in Libya and to protect the interests of our country in North Africa and the Mediterranean," he added.

"WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE SECURITY OF OUR LIBYAN BROTHERS"

"Our parliament authorized the deployment of our troops to Libya to help the Libyan government upon their official request. We are committed to the security of our Libyan brothers and sisters. We will oppose any attempts to sow discord among them for the interest of outsiders," Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said

He said some countries try to put "their narrow interests above international peace and security in the Mediterranean" and warned that any agreement excluding Libya's legitimate government will drag the country into further chaos.

"Turkey will work toward defending international law, achieving security and preserving peace in Libya & the Eastern Mediterranean. We will prevent any effort to exploit the conflict in the region. At the same time, we are also ready to cooperate on establishing stability!" he added.
By Associated Press

TEHRAN: For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergy, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani widely represented a figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of U.S. pressure.

For the US and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Iran's proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.

Solemani survived the horror of Irans long war in the 1980s with Iraq to take control of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republics foreign campaigns.

ALSO READ: Donald Trump ordered killing of Iran guards commander in Baghdad, confirms Pentagon

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Soleimani's popularity and mystique grew out American officials calling for his killing.

By the time it came a decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Iran's most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but becoming as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

The warfront is mankinds lost paradise, Soleimani recounted in a 2009 interview. One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries. But there is another kind of paradise. ... The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed.

A US airstrike killed Soleimani, 62, and others as they travelled from Baghdad's international airport early Friday morning. The Pentagon said President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to take decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing a man once referred to by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a living martyr of the revolution.

Soleimani's luck ran out after being rumored dead several times in his life. Those incidents included a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad. More recently, rumours circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

Iranian officials quickly vowed to take revenge amid months of tensions between Iran and the U.S. following Trump pulling out of Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. While Soleimani was the Guard's most prominent general, many others in its ranks have experience in waging the asymmetrical, proxy attacks for which Iran has become known.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the U.S. into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena, an adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on the social media app Telegram. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

Born March 11, 1957, Soleimani was said in his homeland to have grown up near the mountainous and the historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers. The U.S. State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Soleimanis father was a peasant who received a piece of land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but later became encumbered by debts.

ALSO READ: 'US strike' killed top Iran, Iraq commanders at Baghdad airport, says Hashed al-Shaabi military force

By the time he was 13, Soleimani began working in construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organization. Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake. He deployed to Irans northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution.

Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war. The fighting killed more than 1 million people and saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers. Solemanis unit and others came under attack by Iraqi chemical weapons as well.

Amid the carnage, Soleimani became known for his opposition to meaningless deaths on the battlefield, while still weeping at times with fervour when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

After the Iraq-Iran war, Soleimani largely disappeared from public view for several years, something analysts attribute to his wartime disagreements with Hashemi Rafsanjani, who would serve as Irans president from 1989 to 1997. But after Rafsanjani, Soleimani became head of the Quds force. He also grew so close to Khamenei that the Supreme Leader officiated the wedding of the generals daughter.

As chief of the Quds  or Jerusalem  Force, Solemani oversaw the Guards foreign operations and soon would come to the attention of Americans following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

In secret US diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, U.S. officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009. Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi President Jalal Talabani offering a U.S. official a message from Soleimani acknowledging having hundreds of agents in the country while pledging, I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorized a bullet against the U.S.

U.S. officials at the time dismissed Soleimanis claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks. U.S. forces would blame the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised explosive devices made IED  improvised explosive device  a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a 2010 speech, U.S. Gen. David Petreaus recounted a message from Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranians powers.

He said, Gen. Petreaus, you should know that I, Qasem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan, Petraeus said.

The US and the United Nations put Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though his travels continued. In 2011, US officials also named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

But his greatest notoriety would arise from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of the Islamic State group. Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assads rule. While a U.S.-led coalition focused on airstrikes, several ground victories for Iraqi forces came with photographs emerging of Soleimani leading, never wearing a flak jacket.

"Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life," one Iraqi militia commander said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  President Rodrigo Duterte postponed his visit to victims of a series of earthquakes in Mindanao and other scheduled events a second time, media officers from Malacanang said Friday.

Duterte was originally supposed to see the victims on Thursday but Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he had it rescheduled to Friday because he was not feeling well.

Panelo said Duterte was feeling under the weather in a way that is ordinary for someone his age.

"Ordinaryong masamang pakiramdam ng isang 74-year-old," Panelo said.

[Translation: He's not feeling well in a way that's ordinary for a 74 year old.]

In an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines earlier, the President assured he is alright but not at the peak of health. He added that he is still fit enough to continue his hobby of riding motorcycles.

Dutertes health has concerned the public as well as foreign officials after he cut short some of his schedules. In October, he visited Japan but had to come back to the Philippines earlier than scheduled due to back pain.

In previous speeches Duterte has admitted suffering from migraines, nausea, pain, Buerger's disease, and myasthenia gravis.

Malacanang has refused to issue a health bulletin saying the Constitution only requires it in case of serious illness.
Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth moved into their $20million mansion in Byron Bay just before Christmas, after two years of renovations.

And the Spanish actress, 43, hosted a glamorous housewarming party on New Year's Eve to celebrate.

Elsa went underwear free in a sheer dress as she danced with friends and family - including Matt Damon's wife, Luciana Barroso.

Party time! Elsa Pataky (second from left) went underwear free in a sheer dress as she hosted a Studio 54-themed New Year's Eve party at her $20million mansion in Byron Bay on Tuesday

The Fast and Furious star revealed on Instagram that it was a Studio 54-themed bash, and all of the guests dressed appropriately.

Elsa's eye-catching frock featured intricate beading and white feathers at the hem.

She also crimped her blonde hair extensions and accessorised with pineapple-shaped sunglasses.

Gang's all here! Elsa posed for photos on her mansion's balcony with Luciana Barroso (centre, behind Elsa), her sister-in-law Samantha (far left) and mother-in-law, Leonie (second from left)

She kept her makeup look minimal, allowing her natural beauty to shine through.

Elsa posed for photos on her mansion's balcony with Luciana, as well as her mother-in-law, Leonie, and sister-in-law Samantha.

Samantha - who is married to Chris' older brother, Luke Hemsworth - wore a black lace bodysuit, metallic shorts and silver boots.

Leonie opted for a dazzling silver frock and styled her blonde hair loosely.

Elsa captioned the Instagram post in both Spanish and English: '2020 let's go!'

New home: Elsa and her husband, Chris Hemsworth (right), moved into their Byron Bay home several weeks ago, after two years of renovations

Elsa and Chris, 36, moved into their Byron Bay 'mega mansion' several weeks ago.

The 4.2 hectare estate, which the couple purchased in 2014 for $7million, has been completely transformed and is now believed to be worth significantly more.

In addition to a huge rooftop infinity pool, the property also boasts five bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and a butler's pantry.

Perfect timing! The Hemsworth family moved in just before Christmas. Elsa is pictured here with her three children: daughter India Rose, seven, and twin sons Tristan and Sasha, five

The home functions as a luxury retreat too, complete with a steam room, sauna and massage centre, as well as a state-of-the-art gym.

There is also a study and a 7m x 4m walk-in wardrobe for Elsa.

Elsa married Chris - who is known for playing Thor in the Marvel Universe films - in late 2010 after less than a year of dating. They share three children: daughter India Rose, seven, and twin sons Tristan and Sasha, five.
The attack on the Army Public School demonstrated how the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan had often targeted the countrys most vulnerable citizens.

Pakistan will have to overcome the barriers to structural transformation that have been stifling its development in the previous decade.

It has been a decade that Pakistanis would rather forget. It has not been the best of times as the country lurched from one crisis to another. The death of hope has made future prospects more uncertain. The overall crisis of leadership has never been so pronounced.

Despite two elections the democratic political process remains fragile. The country has already moved to becoming a diarchy with an ineffectual civilian government virtually playing second fiddle to the military. The weakening of democratic institutions has provided a greater opportunity to forces outside the government to get more deeply involved in manipulating politics while attempting to thwart basic rights.

More worrisome is that under a democratically elected government there is now a move to stifle freedom of expression and plurality of views through unannounced censorship and other forms of pressure exerted by security agencies. The populism is increasingly manifested in rising authoritarianism, thus undermining democratic political culture. The 2010s have seen further erosion in the rule of law. The state has seldom been so fractured.

The decade witnessed the deadliest terrorist attack in the countrys history when on December 16, 2014 the Pakistani Taliban took their campaign to a ruthless new level with an assault on a school in Peshawar that killed 141 people  132 of them schoolchildren. The attack on the Army Public School demonstrated how the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan had often targeted the countrys most vulnerable citizens. Described as Pakistans 9/11, the incident should have been a turning point in the countrys battle against militancy and violent extremism but unfortunately it didnt happen. Violent extremism remains a major threat to the countrys stability. There are serious questions about the states capacity and willingness to counter radical sectarian groups.

The economy has remained the biggest challenge for successive governments in the past 10 years. A major challenge is how to transform a crumbling institutional structure and address the key constraints to economic growth. Pakistan will have to overcome the barriers to structural transformation that have been stifling its development in the previous decade. Partial and half-hearted reforms cannot take Pakistan out of the current morass.

The security of the country is threatened by a failing economy, population explosion, poverty and environmental degradation. A massive youth bulge and a rising uneducated and unskilled population with few prospects of finding productive employment presents a terrifying scenario. Failure to address these problems could lead to the country sliding further into the abyss of poverty. Pakistan has one of the highest population growth rates in the world, offsetting efforts to improve social indicators. With a 2.4 per cent growth rate, the population has crossed the 208 million mark, making it the worlds fifth most populous country. It is sitting on a potential demographic disaster with more than 60 per cent of its population under 25 years of age. The inability of the state to productively utilise a large young generation could cause further social dislocation and conflict.

Pakistans foreign policy challenges have not been less daunting in the last decade. With extremely problematic relations with the United States, growing tension with India and worsening conflict in Afghanistan, Pakistan has been in a difficult situation on the external front too. Indias actions in Jammu and Kashmir and its growing belligerence has created a very dangerous scenario.

Undoubtedly, Pakistan has played a very important role in facilitating negotiations between the US and the Afghan Taliban that have shown significant progress. But there is no probability of the Afghan war ending soon. To deal with these enormous internal and external challenges, the country needs political stability and a leadership that is not stuck in the past and has a vision for change.

By arrangement with Dawn
2020 Wyong Field Day

While many have been preparing for and then getting over Christmas feasts, or those less lucky, protecting their and others home from bush fires some of the CCARC club members have been working hard to make sure the 2020 Wyong Field Day is going to be one to remember for all the best reasons.

Along with the traders, exhibitors, boot sale sellers and Lectures, this year we are arranging a Fox-Hunt day to take place at Wyong on the Saturday immediately prior to the big day. We will also be able to run Australian Licence exams again this year under the control of our AMC approved examiners, so get your reservations in, in plenty of time.

We are just waiting for confirmation of supply of the valuable prizes to the annual raffle but I can tell you it'll be good again!

Disabled parking is, as always, available with wheelchair access to all three levels of the event. The gates open at 8:30am - with the traders arriving to set up from 6 am.

Over the coming weeks I'll be bringing you more detailed information, including an impressive list of lectures, but if you'd like to take your web browser to www.fieldday.org.AU you'll see all the information there first.

Ed VK2JI
Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Trumps Bid to Block McGahn Testimony

A federal appeals court on Friday heard oral arguments in a dispute between Congress and the Trump administration over the subpoena demanding that former White House counsel Don McGahn testify before the House Judiciary Committee.

In the case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the three-judge panel is deciding whether to enforce the subpoena requiring McGahn to testify before House lawmakers.

McGahn, who was viewed as a key witness in then-special counsels Robert Muellers investigation, was subpoenaed by the chambers Judiciary Committee in April to provide documents and appear before lawmakers as part of their investigation of possible obstruction of justice by President Donald Trumpsomething that Mueller didnt conclude on in his report. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

The White House blocked his appearance in May, asserting executive privilege over the documents. This prompted House Democrats to subsequently sue McGahn in August in an attempt to enforce the subpoena.

In November, a district court judge ruled that McGahn must testify before the House, saying that executive branch officials are not absolutely immune from the compulsory congressional process, even if the president expressly directs the officials non-compliance. The Justice Department (DOJ) subsequently appealed the decision to the appeals court.

On Friday, DOJ lawyers urged the judges to rule that the court did not have the authority to decide on interbranch disputes and that Congress lacked standing to bring a lawsuit to enforce their subpoena.

Justice Department lawyer Hashim Mooppan argued that in an interbranch dispute, no one has the standing to enforce a subpoena in the court, as it would shift the power from the executive to the legislative and radically change the courts role.

Mooppan said the traditional role of the court is to preside over cases relating to private rights such as in cases protecting private parties from the government.

When instead you have a political food fight, when youve got Congress on the one side, and the Executive on the other side, and the Judiciary in the middle, picking and choosing who the winners are, that is not the traditional role of the federal courts, Mooppan told the judges. And that is when the public might wonder why with all respect, unelected, unaccountable judges are deciding who wins a political fight.

He also added that if the court referees in disputes between political branches, it risks politicizing the court and undermining public confidence in the court.

Mooppan also went on to argue that if the court started ruling on disputes it will never end.

There will be case after case after case and this court will be in the business of resolving disputes between the branches over information, he told the judges. It wont be good for the courts. And it frankly wont be good for either of the political branches, because sometimes the House will lose some of those cases, and then they will have less power than they had before.

Meanwhile, House lawyers tried to persuade the court to enforce the subpoena on McGahn, arguing that the information could give rise to new articles of impeachment against Trump. The House approved two articles of impeachment in December against the president in a partisan vote.

The House committees lawyer, Megan Barbero, said that if the committee is unable to obtain a judicial remedy for enforcing the subpoena then it would shift the balance of power significantly in favor of the executive branch.

Judge Thomas Beall Griffith asked her whether her arguments are to protect the Houses oversight power or to discover more evidence for further articles of impeachment against the president.

Barbero replied that they were here because of impeachment purposes related to the existing articles of impeachment and the committees ongoing investigation, citing the Houses Dec. 23 brief.

McGanns testimony remains central to the committees ongoing investigation into the presidents obstructive conduct, she said. And if his testimony produces new evidence supporting the conclusion that President Trump committed impeachable offenses that are not covered by the existing articles, that committee will proceed accordingly, including, if necessary, by considering whether or recommend additional articles.

She also argued that McGahns testimony is necessary because it would help the committee find evidence of a pattern of misconduct by the president.

A similar three-judge panel, with two judges from this case, heard oral arguments on Friday for another case related to the release of grand jury materials from Muellers investigation.
Cascades, Mauritius (PANA)  A police officer shot a man in Cascades, southern Mauritius, who was assaulting his wife and two children with a sword early on Friday, police source told PANA
(CNN)  A bride is born?

Lady Gaga has apparently confirmed her engagement to boyfriend, Christian Carino, by referencing her "fiance, Christian" during a speech Monday at Elle's 25th Annual Women in Hollywood Celebration.

The "A Star Is Born" actress wiped away a tear as she spoke and thanked "all the loved ones" in her life who take care of her every day.

Lady Gaga engaged

Gaga and Carino, a talent agent, have been low-key about their relationship since they were first spotted together in January 2017.

It's been a big month for Gaga, who was honored at the Elle event and is earning rave reviews and Oscar buzz for her performance in "A Star Is Born" with Bradley Cooper.

The soundtrack to the film debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 album chart this week, marking Gaga's her fifth chart-topper and Cooper's first.

Gaga was previously engaged to actor Taylor Kinney, who she dated for four years before Kinney proposed on Valentine's Day 2015.

Gaga announced that she and Kinney were taking a break in 2016, following speculation they had split.

She posted a photo with the actor on Instagram at the time of her breakup with a caption that began, "Taylor and I have always believed we are soulmates."

"Just like all couples we have ups and downs, and we have been taking a break," Gaga wrote. "We are both ambitious artists, hoping to work through long-distance and complicated schedules to continue the simple love we have always shared."

Gaga used her Elle speech to talk about the role women play Hollywood and referenced her own experience with sexual assault.

"We women in Hollywood, we are voices," she said. "We have deep thoughts and ideas and beliefs and values about the world and we have the power to speak and be heard and fight back when we are silenced."

CNN has reached out to reps for Gaga for comment.

This story was first published on CNN.com "Lady Gaga thanks her 'fiance' during speech"
"Twilight" star Peter Facinelli is engaged to his actor-writer girlfriend Lily Anne Harrison.

The couple got engaged during their holiday getaway in Mazatlan, Mexico, reported People magazine.

"Both are beyond elated and are very much looking forward to all that the New Year will bring," Facinelli's representative told the publication.

Both Harrison and Facinelli also shared the pictures from their engagement dinner on the beach on Instagram.

Facinelli is best known for his role as Carlisle Cullen in the "Twilight" films, while Harrison's acting credits include guest roles on "One Tree Hill", "The Craft Store" and "Two Guys One Truck".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, deploy from Pope Army Airfield, N.C., on Jan. 1, 2020. (Capt. Robyn Haake/US ARMY/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon Confirms Extra Troops Heading to Middle East

The United States is sending additional troops to the Middle East, the Department of Defense confirmed on Jan. 3.

As previously announced, the Immediate Response Force (IRF) brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division was alerted to prepare for deployment, and are now being deployed, a Department of Defense spokesman said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

One battalion of the IRF was deployed to the area of responsibility. At the same time, the remainder of the brigade was placed on 96-hour notice. This deployment was an anticipated and expected outcome when they were placed on notice, he added.

The brigade will deploy to Kuwait as an appropriate and precautionary action in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, and will assist in reconstituting the reserve.

The United States has deployed 14,000 troops to the Middle East since May 2019, not including the approximately 700 troops it sent from the IRF earlier this week after Iran-backed militias breached the outer walls of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

Pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters set a fire during a demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 1, 2020. (Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo)

A U.S. Army paratrooper of an immediate reaction force from the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, reaches for his weapon shortly before boarding a C-17 transport aircraft leaving Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Jan. 1, 2020. (Jonathan Drake/Reuters)

A photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early on Jan. 2, 2020. (HO, Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via AP)

The number of troops in the new deployment was estimated at 2,800 since a brigade usually consists of about 3,500 troops, reported Reuters. The department didnt state an exact number.

The fresh deployment comes after the U.S. took out Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the countrys Quds Force, overnight with a strike near Baghdad International Airport.

U.S. military leaders said they learned that Soleimani was planning an attack on U.S. interests, compelling President Donald Trump to authorize the strike.

The attack Soleimani was planning in the Middle East region was imminent and would have killed Americans and Iraqis, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

I cant talk too much about the nature of the threats, but the American people should know that President Trumps decision to remove Qassem Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives, Pompeo said on CNNs New Day.

President Donald Trump said on Twitter that Soleimani killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many morebut got caught!

.of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

Trump urged Irans leaders to negotiate, not go to war, while Iranian leaders vowed to retaliate, calling Soleimani a martyr.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said during an appearance on state TV later Friday that the killing of Soleimani was clearly a terrorist action.

Iran will launch various legal measures at the international level to hold America to account for Soleimanis assassination, he added.

Allen Zhong contributed to this report.
For the past 40 years Peter Wright, NSW's last volunteer rescue diver, has spent hot summer days diving in the dark of the Murray River to recover the bodies of more than 50 people who have fatally drowned.

Now 65, Mr Wright doesn't look forward to summer. The trip across Corowa's John Foord Bridge where young people jump into the Murray below "makes the hairs on his arms stand up".

He knew two of three men who fatally drowned there. When he recovered the body of the third, the "nicest young man" in 2010, the man's dad was waiting when Mr Wright arrived about midnight. They recovered the body in an hour or so, he said, saving the family the "full overnight horror experience" of waiting.

Volunteer diver Peter Wright during a search for a missing man in the Murray River just before Christmas in 2013. Credit:The Border Mail

In the past decade, more than one-third of the 2855 Australians who fatally drowned did so in inland waterways.
An aerial photo of rapeseed plants shows a pretty scene in the Wanfenglin scenic area of Southwest China's Guizhou province. [Photo by Li Lingyan/chinadaily.com.cn]

The lovely blossoms of golden rapeseed oil plants are brightening the Wanfenglin scenic area in Xingyi, Southwest China's Guizhou province, when most places in China remain in the grip of the cold winter, waiting for the coming of spring. Surrounded by peaceful villages and verdant mountains, a stretch of yellow flowers transforms the vicinity into a beautiful landscape.

Wang Jin contributed to the story.

5

1

[ Editor: SRQ ]
This is an opinion column.

I dont have any interest in blaming President Trump for starting a war with Iran. Truth be told, weve been at war with Iran for nearly all my life. All thats changed has been degrees. Attempt to put your finger on any one thing that started it or escalated it, and youll draw a line back to the shah, if not further. It warms. It cools.

Now its hot again.

A day after an American drone killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, a lot of folks who spent all night binging on Twitter suddenly find themselves experts in international relations and Middle Eastern affairs.

Im not an expert, and I wont pretend to be.

But there is a story I once heard that troubles me  first told to me by a friend, a journalist who had been embedded in Iraq during the war, and later corroborated by Wikileaks dump of diplomatic cables. It tells something important about who were up against, and its a lesson Americans should take to heart now before we catch one in the back when we arent looking.

Saddam Husseins forces endured in the Iran-Iraq War in large part by achieving air superiority. Iraq didnt exactly win the war, but it fought a much bigger country to a draw because it could bomb Iran and there wasnt much Iran could do about it.

At least, at the time. That was the 1980s.

That Iraq war ended and ours began. Then another. In the midst of it, Saddam literally buried his air force in the sand in a futile attempt to protect it from ours. The pilots went home. U.S. forces toppled Saddam and crushed the Iraqi military, and our long occupation began.

In its rationalization of Soleimanis killing, our government has focused on Americans he killed in Iraq during that occupation, but we should pay at least as much attention to the Iraqis that Iran killed, too.

During the Shia insurgency, a curious thing happened.

Iraqi pilots, most retired since the end of the war 20 years earlier, began dying. And not of old age. They were murdered on their doorsteps, on streets, in their homes. Under cover of Iraqs sectarian violence, Iran took its revenge.

According to the cables made public by Wikileaks, Iran and its proxies killed at least 180 Iraqi pilots. Hundreds more fled in search of safety we couldnt guarantee.

I dont mean to romanticize or easternize the Iranian threat, but if were going to confront this world power, we mustnt do so casually but, rather, with a clear mind and a long-term plan.

Im not confident we have either.

We have military superiority in nearly every respect but one. Since 9-11 our country has engaged in wars without end, but many Americans go about their lives oblivious they exist. As our attention spans will leap from one social media outrage to the next, we are now up against a power with a long memory and a documented record of revenge.

Iran and the United States have been in a simmering conflict for 40 years. We just raised the temperature again. Maybe it was necessary. I dont know and Im not ready to make a judgment about it. I dont have strong feelings about it except for dread.

Americans in Iraq have been told to leave the country. Our State Department has told Americans around the world to be on alert. And now we wait. Maybe something happens soon. Maybe later.

Maybe much later.

Because as hard as it is to pinpoint what started this conflict, whats more elusive is an end.

And if were not mindful, this new/old war could wait patiently to surprise us on our doorsteps after weve forgotten it exists.

Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for the Alabama Media Group.

You can follow his work on his Facebook page, The War on Dumb.

And on Twitter.

And on Instagram.
People living in predominately Hispanic neighborhoods are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared to people living in non-Hispanic neighborhoods, researchers from Penn Medicine and the Duke University of School of Medicine reported in the journal Circulation. This same group also had a lower likelihood of survival.

Most previous studies, including ones led by Penn, have concentrated on gender, age, and residents of predominantly black neighborhoods, who are also less likely to receive CPR from bystanders. However, few have been conducted around CPR delivery in the Hispanic population, despite it being the fastest growing community in the United States.

This is an underrecognized disparity that deserves more attention and resources if we're going to better understand what's driving it. One of the first steps is to focus on ways to implement programs that help more people from the Hispanic community get CPR trained and ultimately save more lives." Benjamin S. Abella, MD, MPhil, senior author, professor of Emergency Medicine in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and director of the Penn Center for Resuscitation Science

Administering CPR following cardiac arrest can double or even triple a person's chance of survival, according to the American Heart Association.

"It is critical to consider how to address these disparities, including targeted CPR training for Hispanic populations," said lead author Audrey L. Blewer, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor in the department of Family Medicine and Community Health at Duke, who began the study as the assistant director for Educational Programs at the Center for Resuscitation Science at Penn Medicine.

The team conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium, a network of regional clinical centers in the United States and Canada that study out-of-hospital treatments of cardiac arrest and trauma. The study analyzed over 27,000 different cardiac arrest events between 2011 and 2015.

In neighborhoods with less than 25 percent Hispanic residents, CPR was administered in 39 percent of events, compared to only 27 percent of events in neighborhoods with more than 75 percent Hispanic residents.

Patients who suffered a cardiac arrest in neighborhoods with predominately Hispanic residents also had a 44 percent lower likelihood of survival, as compared to those who lived in neighborhoods with predominantly non-Hispanic residents. Most of the bystander CPR events occurred in the home.

"These findings should inform future messaging around bystander CPR and educational initiatives, including the provision of dispatch CPR targeting largely Hispanic neighborhoods," the authors wrote.
Actress Rose McGowan stars in a powerful portrait session captured by fashion photographer and cultural provocateur Rankin for Hunger Magazine. In charge of styling was Scott Robert Clark, with beauty from makeup artist Marco Antonio, and manicurist Jess Thompson. Production by Jordan Rossi. Rose talked exclusively with Hunger Magazine about masculinity, gender, the cult of America, and the power of short hair.

I think gender is going to keep getting broken down more and more. And were going to see older people fighting it more and more. Probably most of the older generation will give up. But I hope, before they give up fighting, they will see that they themselves can be different and no one has to live according to any invisible rules. None of the rules are real  its all an illusion. The system is a complete fallacy. We all know its built on lies.  Rose McGowan for Hunger Magazine, on the future of gender.

On masculinity.

My heart breaks for boys when I see them being moulded into men. If we could get back to understanding that were human before were a gender then we could solve a lot of problems. Boys get stolen really early and put in this tight-fitting jacket  heres what you can be and heres what you are. They do the same thing to girls, in a totally different way, but for men so much gets repressed so you can be the idea of what a man is supposed to be. How can you not help but have an inner rage?

On the importance of being human

So much of the dialogue about gender, to me, is missing the human point. The media has pitted us against each other for so long because the media is controlled and dominated by an older set of men.

When I was homeless, I was 13 and I had nobody raising me and I didnt know how to grow up. So I would imagine the 10% better version of myself and imitate that until it became real. Ask yourself: In any given situation, what would the better version of myself do? And then act like that until it becomes second nature.

I know a lot of great men. But I still think, like any great woman, we can all be better. We can still look at other perspectives and different points of view and try to understand ourselves. We should aim to be happy with ourselves instead of buying into the fear paradigm  which is only going to place us at odds with each other.

On the cult of America.

American masculinity is really toxic and really dangerous. Its dangerous to the world. This idea that America is number one and each man there is number one and superior  thats a load of bullshit everybody knows it. But they continue with this mass conformity and cult-like way of thinking.

This cult-like way of thinking is exactly like the cult I grew up in. Theres no difference. Its just on a bigger scale. Especially now with Trump, he repeats the same things  thats brainwashing. He instils fear of others in people  thats brainwashing.

When you cross stupidity with fear, thats a really dangerous mix. I found it really dangerous and hard to adjust to. I dont think I ever did.

On Incels

I see the Incel man as being terrified. Theyre terrified of change, theyre terrified of others, theyre terrified of losing this idea of superiority. I was at a dinner with my ex-boyfriend, who is black, and a guy at dinner said: I wish it was the 1950s again. My ex said: Only white men say that. Thats what an Incel is to me. They wish their life was still like that. They didnt have to be scared then. Without that power structure feeding them every day, theyre taking it upon themselves to feed themselves. Ultimately, why would you want to live a life that angry? Why would you want to live that way?

On the power of short hair

I always had short hair growing up. Then when I was in Hollywood, they told me I had to have long hair otherwise the men wouldnt want to fuck me. If they didnt want to fuck me, they wouldnt hire me. A woman told me that.

The longer my hair is, the less powerful I feel. The side effect I noticed when I shaved my head is that men could hear the words coming out of my mouth for the first time. They couldnt hear me before. I had not expected that.

The question she wishes journalists would stop asking her

The question I always get thats really stupid is: Well, how do men know if theyre allowed to flirt anymore? It makes me want to bang my head against the ground. If youre not grabbing people against their will, you should be okay. If youre not punishing them for not going out with you, you should be okay. If youre not seeking revenge because this girl doesnt like you, you should be okay. Its fine to flirt but its another thing when someone buys you a drink and thinks they own your hour or that night.

Hunger Magazine  www.hungertv.com

Photographer: Rankin  @rankinarchive

Stylist Scott Robert Clark

Makeup Artist: Marco Antonio

Manicurist: Jess Thompson

Producer: Jordan Rossi

Star Rose McGowan

Stills Assistant: Manny Owusu Afram

Stills Assistant: Ben Duah, Tatjana Galic

Digital Tech Alex Gale
Smoke-choked Sydney ushered in the New Year with a huge fireworks display, kicking off celebrations for billions around the world and ringing in the new decade. Australias largest city usually puts on a dazzling display of pyrotechnics over the glittering harbour, but this years celebrations were overshadowed by calls to cancel the fireworks as devastating bushfires rage across the country.

Toxic smoke haze has shrouded Sydney for weeks and a petition to cancel the event out of respect for fire victims attracted more than 280,000 signatures. Fireworks displays were scrapped in Australias capital, Canberra, and Sydneys western suburbs due to elevated fire danger and extreme weather conditions.

Critics wanted Sydney to use the Aus$6.5 million ($4.5 million) spent on the display to fight bushfires ringing the city, but officials say the event is worth Aus$130 million to the economy and cancelling it would not help those impacted by the fires. We have committed to harnessing the enormous power of the event to raise more money for drought- and fire-affected communities, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.

More than 100,000 fireworks lit up the skyline for the hundreds of thousands of spectators thronging the city centre. Crowds were warned to take care as strong winds gusted in the harbour, forcing the cancellation of a boat display that would have blasted water into the sky.

Celebrations amid upheaval

As the clock ticks past midnight, major cities in Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas embraced the celebrations, but in many places the festivities were marked by turmoil and political upheaval. After more than six months of near-daily demonstrations, Hong Kong ushered in 2020 with a series of pro-democracy rallies planned for New Years Eve. Protesters formed human chains that stretched across busy shopping streets and through residential neighbourhoods.

As the clock struck midnight in North Korea, a large crowd gathered for a concert in the centre of Pyongyang cheered as the clock struck midnight, with fireworks bursting in the sky above a neon-lit stage hosting a tightly-choreographed dance performance. Across the border, South Koreans flocked to bell-ringing ceremonies -- a traditional ritual marking the start of the new year -- with thousands watching the ritual in central Seoul alongside performances by Korean pop stars.

In Paris, 250,000 to 300,000 people usually gather on the Champs-Elysees to welcome the New Year, but turnout suffered amid a gruelling transport strike that has spelt weeks of misery for commuters. Midnight in London was marked by the chimes of Big Ben, which has been silent during a long restoration, as traditional fireworks are set off over the Thames for the last new year before Brexit.

It follows a year of political wrangling that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May and culminated in Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledging to leave the European Union on January 31. In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin is set to deliver his annual New Year address, 20 years after he was elevated to the presidency by Boris Yeltsins shock resignation in his 1999 end-of-year speech.

Russia will celebrate the new decade over several time zones, with Muscovites flocking to the centre of the capital for fireworks over the Kremlin.

Looking to 2020

As partygoers embrace the festivities, attention will turn to 2020 and whether it will be as tumultuous as the previous year, which saw an explosion of demonstrations as people demanded an overhaul of entrenched political systems and action on climate change. The protests in Hong Kong, sparked by a now-abandoned bill to allow extraditions to the authoritarian mainland, have since morphed into a popular revolt against Beijing s control.

The citys biggest crisis since the former British colonys return to Chinese rule in 1997 appears set to spill over in 2020, with protesters already preparing the years protest schedule and the government showing no sign of backing down. Anti-government protests also swept Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East in 2019, including mass demonstrations that brought down leaders in Lebanon, Algeria, Sudan and Bolivia.

Climate change sparked rallies worldwide calling for action, initiated by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg, as temperatures soared above records, Iceland lost its first glacier to climate change, and Venice was swamped by flooding not seen in decades. US President Donald Trump again dominated headlines in 2019, culminating in his historic impeachment by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on two counts of abuse of office and obstruction of Congress.

The Republican- controlled Senate is unlikely to convict Trump in a trial expected to begin in January but the controversy over claims he pressured Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, a rival in his 2020 re-election bid, will linger until the November poll.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Cyrus Mistry was seen concentrating authority in his own hands alienating the (Tata Sons) board of the company even on matters relating to the Tata operating companies where the company had huge financial exposure and the spat with Japanese telecom partner DoCoMo brought ill-repute and reputational losses to Tata Sons, Tata Sons chief Ratan Tata said in his petition to the Supreme Court on Friday.

Ratan Tata approached the Supreme Court to challenge the NCLAT ruling a day after Tata Sons moved the Supreme Court against the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order favouring Mistry's return.

IANS has reviewed the petition filed by Ratan Tata.

In his plea, Tata said the findings of the Appellate Tribunal were "wrong, erroneous, contrary to the record of the case and required consideration by the Supreme Court," Tata said in the petition.

Launching a scathing attack on Mistry, Tata said Mistry of his own free volition reached out to Ratan Tata and Noshir A. Soonawala repeatedly, seeking their guidance in relation to the conduct of the affairs of Tata Sons, as also the operating companies.

"During this time, Cyrus Mistry was also seen concentrating authority in his own hands and alienating the Board of the Company even on matters relating to the Tata Operating Companies where the Company had huge financial exposure and the Board of the Company had to contend with such decisions being cast upon it as fait accompli," Tata said.

Tata has contested the order that held him guilty of oppression and mismanagement without giving an explanation on any actual or legal ground.

"The (NCLAT's) judgment is also infirm because it blatantly indulges in propagating a selective narrative where relevant facts and record have been glossed over, submissions made by the appellant and other respondents have been ignored and if noticed then are not been dealt with in the impugned judgment," the petition said.

"The pretense of reasoning and judicial approach is betrayed by omission to consider the record itself," Tata said in his plea.

He further stated that it was very unfortunate and distressing that the judgment, without providing any proper evidence, passed adverse remarks against the appellant (Tata) who has spent more than half his life in building the reputation of Tata Sons and other Tata operating companies.

Tata also accused Mistry of bringing disrepute to the brand of Tatas.

A glaring example of Mistry's lack of leadership skills with which "It was during Mistry's tenure that Tata Sons reneged on its word with DoCoMo under the agreement citing purely legal and technical arguments. Even after an adverse verdict was delivered in the arbitration, Mistry showed complete obstinacy and attempted to resist complying with the legal obligations further," said the petition.

"This is not what the Tata Sons brand stands for. Quite to the contrary, honouring its commitments is one of Tata Sons' highest virtues it takes great pride in. The spat with DoCoMo, which was widely covered by the press, brought ill-repute and reputational losses to Tata Sons," it further added.

On Mistry's other decisions as Tata Sons chairman, Ratan Tata also raised questions.

"Cyrus Mistry also failed to timely capitalise on business opportunities when they presented themselves and Tata Sons' financial performance, under his tenure, was also deeply unsatisfactory. All of the above, gradually lead to a complete loss of trust in the ability of Mr Cyrus Mistry to lead Tata Sons from the front and for the future," he said, adding this is evident from the instances of Tata Motors' rights issues and the Welspun transaction.
An insurance policy purchased by Axia Contracting from Praetorian Insurance Co. required a six-foot chain link fence to completely surround the job site. That is a standard term for all policies underwritten by QBE North America, according to its lawyers.

But was the purpose of the fence to deter theft, fire, or something else?

Because the policy did not say, Praetorian was not entitled to a declaratory judgment excusing it from covering fire damage to a partially-constructed motel even though everyone agreed no fence had been erected, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decided.

In a 3-0 decision, the appellate panel reversed a ruling by the federal district court in Denver finding that Axia has materially breached its insurance contract. The court said in an opinion written by Carlos F. Lucero that the district court erred by ruling that the failure to fence the job site was a material breach of contract.

District Judge William J. Martinez had granted summary judgment in favor of Praetorian on his own motion, without even considering the question of whether coverage was excluded under the specific terms of the policy.

The appellate court, in its unpublished decision, said that was a step too far.

As defendants argue, treating the failure to fence as a material breach could excuse Praetorians obligation to cover damage from a tornado, the court said. Such a result is clearly inconsistent with the parties expectations as indicated by the policys plain terms.

Axia Contracting was building a 139-room Courtyard by Marriott near a light-rail station in the Denver suburb of Aurora, Co. Someone set fire to the partially-constructed building early in the morning of June 19, 2017. No fence had been erected, so Praetorian denied coverage.

The carrier filed suit seeking a declaratory judgment that it was not liable. Axia and the property owner, North Dakota-based 225 Blackhawk Hospitality, filed suit alleging breach of contract and bad faith.

The policy had a protective devices endorsement that required the insured to maintain a list of protective devices listed on a protective devices schedule. A six-foot tall chain link fence with gates that are always locked after working hours was on that list.

The policy stated that fire coverage was excluded if any of the required protective devices was missing, but it did not say whether the fence was a fire protection device. The policy covered other perils, including theft, and also listed theft-protection devices on the schedule of protective devices.

Nothing in the PDE or PDS comes close to clearly and unequivocally telling the insureds that Praetorian would have no obligations whatsoever under the policy if the insureds did not maintain a six-foot chain link fence around the project, Denver attorney Scott W. Wilkinson argued to the appellate court.

In a telephone interview, Wilkinson noted that the trial court judge never ruled on the question of whether the fence was a protective device intended to protect from fire. Instead, he essentially adopted an argument that hadnt even been argued by the insurer and decided that failure to install a fence was a material breach of contract.

Wilkinson said the circuit courts decision will require him to decide whether a chain link fence is a fire-protection device. He said he thinks he can win that argument. QBE in its own underwriting materials states that a six-foot chain-link fence is not enough to deter arson and recommends fire-protection materials in addition to crawl-over protection to guard against arson.

Its pretty easy for someone to hop a fence with a can of gas and set a fire, Wilkinson said.
The US assassination of one of Irans top security officials early on Friday could mean war with the Islamic Republic and unpredictable consequences, warned a former US intelligence officer and diplomats with expertise in the Middle East.

US officials insist the killing was a defensive measure meant to save American lives and did not signal a war. Secretary of state Mike Pompeo told US television outlets that Washington was not seeking an escalation.

But Iran is unlikely to see it that way, and the US will have to prepare for responses and consequences of an unpredictable, costly and potentially consuming conflict with the Islamic Republic.

Its war, said a former US intelligence officer who has worked on Iraq and Iran. It was always somewhat of a war but when you cut his head off, thats war. Theres no other way around it.

He spoke on condition of anonymity because he continues to work on sensitive security matters.

US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday 3 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures The wreckage of the car in which general Soleimani was travelling when a targeted US airstrike struck outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January Ahmad Al Mukhtar via Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest in Tehran after general Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike by American forces Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of Donald Trump AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn Israeli and US flags as thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of general Soleimani at the hands of America EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of Donald Trump pray at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held on the day following the killing of general Soleimani. At the event, the president praised the "flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader" AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A huge procession of mourners gather in Baghdad for the funeral of general Soleimani on 4 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani during an anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iraqis perform a mourning prayer for slain major general Qasem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the Great Mosque of Kufa AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A billboard reading 'Death to America and Israel', installed by Iran-backed shiite armed groups at a street in Jadriyah district in Baghdad, Iraq EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him visiting the family of Soleiman KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US flag as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Jalal Feiruznia, looks to a portrait of Soleimani, as he receives condolences at the Iranian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures People make their way on the street while a screen on the wall of a cinema shows a portrait Soleimani in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Aziz Asmar, one of two Syrian painters who completed a mural following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani poses next to his creation in the rebel-held Syrian town of Dana in the northwestern province of Idlib AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A demonstration in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures An anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Mujtaba al-Husseini, the representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in the holy shrine city of Najaf AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US and Israeli flags as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters demonstrate in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, in Peshawar, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters, holding a photograph of the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran Massoud Rajavi, outside Downing Street in London PA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A Syrian man offers sweets to children to mark the killing AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers attend a mourning prayer for Soleimani in Iran's capital Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and anti Israel slogans during a protest AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshipers chant slogans during Friday prayers Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A protest against the USA, in Islamabad, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranians burn a US flag in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin, Germany Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Vehicles of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol a road in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel. Following morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian women take to the streets in Tehran EPA

Diplomats and Middle East observers across the globe were stunned by the assassination, as leaders in major capitals conferred on whether the US killing amounted to the opening of a new chapter in one of the worlds most volatile regions.

The world cannot afford another Gulf war, Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, said.

Many worry it is already too late.

We are now directly engaged in a conflict with the Iranian state, said Dalia Dassa Kaye, director of the Middle East programme at the Rand Corporation, a research firm partly funded by the US government. This is not just through proxies; this isnt sanctions. This significantly increases the risk.

Iran and the US have been locked in confrontation for 40 years, though tensions cooled as both countries found themselves facing the threat of Isis in Iraq.

The latest round of escalation began after the administration of Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal forged by his predecessor and launched a campaign of maximum pressure targeting Irans economy. Washington has accused Iran of being behind a stepped-up campaign of harassment and sabotage targeting American interests. It launched airstrikes on an Iranian-allied militia on Sunday in response to a barrage of rockets that struck a base in northern Iraq, killing one American contractor.

Next came the attack on Tuesday on the US embassy in Baghdad by Iraqi militiamen loyal to Iran. No American was hurt, but protesters set the facility on fire, angering US officials who had promised a day earlier that the airstrikes on Sunday had deterred Iran.

The US killed Qassem Soleimani after he arrived on a plane in Baghdad and while in the company of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a leader of pro-Iranian Shia militiamen.

Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei, its president Hassan Rouhani and a slew of other officials vowed vengeance for the slaying of Soleimani, but did not hint at any specific actions.

US needs to know that the criminal attack on General Soleimani is its biggest strategic mistake in west Asia, and that the US will not easily escape the consequences of this miscalculation, said a statement issued by Irans Supreme National Security Council.

US officials have for years considered killing him, but have refrained for fear that the potential costs would outweigh the benefits.

Soleimani had long been acting with increasing impunity throughout Iraq and Syria in recent years, posting photographs of himself posing at battlefronts. One western diplomat described the killing as quite a bold move that sends a message to [Irans] system that the old rules of engagement no longer apply.

Still, despite his high profile, Soleimani was no swashbuckling freelancer like Osama bin Laden or guerilla leaders of the past, but an official of a government with a bureaucracy and a budget; take him out and the Iranians could replace him, which they did within hours, and continue any of his projects. Soleimani is also considered a senior Iranian official as well as a close friend of Mr Khamenei.

What are we trying to achieve here? Whats the end game? Dalia Dassa Kaye, director of the Middle East programme at the Rand Corporation

The Quds force is a state organisation, said the former US intelligence official. They are part of a formal military service. They have a government and economy backing them. Is America ready to deal with that?

Killing him risks an escalation that the US didnt count on, and that is how big wars start, said a former US official.

What nations know how to do is reciprocity, said Richard Stengel, a former State Department official. The Iranians will not see this as reciprocal. They will see this as a massively, exponentially disproportionate response which is not reciprocal or commensurate with what theyve done.

Mr Trumps bluster about the killing and the open way it was conducted almost forces Iran to act.

Possible venues in which Tehran could respond to Washington include Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, where Iran holds significant sway and controls assets. The Islamic Republic could also launch renewed attacks against the USs Middle East partners, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Iran has already upped pressure on its allies in Baghdad to boot US forces from the country, which it already appears inclined to do.

Iran also has cyber capabilities which it has refined in the years since the US and Israel attacked its nuclear programme with the infamous Stuxnet virus.

Theyre going to attack US interests and people, said the former US intelligence official. Its not always soldiers and diplomats. There are large companies, American interests and people that can be touched. This is an old-world fight. There has to be a response or responses.

Next week, Iran is also set to announce its pullback from the nuclear deal, which it has been chipping away at for months in incremental steps to punish western nations for abiding by US sanctions. We have a decision due next week on whether Iran will continue to talk back from its commitments, said Ms Kaye. I would expect Iran to escalate its nuclear programme.

The more important question, though, may be what the US will do after the Iranian response, and whether the US is prepared to respond to the next Iranian escalation. What are we trying to achieve here? Whats the end game? said Ms Kaye.

Its unclear whether the Trump administration has thought about all of the implications of the attack, and what it means for US security policy.

Now that weve made this move, we have to make counterterrorism steps and prepare for any state acts, said the former US intelligence official.

Ms Kaye speculated that the administration was beginning to believe its own rhetoric that the regime in Tehran was on the verge of collapse due to the US sanctions, and it was convinced by hardliners in Washington that taking out Soleimani would deliver a knockout blow, or at least not cost too much.

What worries me is the question whether the Trump administration has gone through all the possibilities, probabilities and possible outcomes and done a cost-benefit analysis, said Mr Stengel, author of a book called Information Wars, about disinformation campaigns. I hope they have. Everything Ive read is that the whole national security process is broken.
On January 2, the armed formations of the Russian Federation violated ceasefire in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area in eastern Ukraine four times.

The enemy used grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and other small arms to fire on positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the press center of the JFO Headquarters reports.

In the zone of action of tactical force East, Russian-led forces used grenade launchers of different systems and small arms to shell Ukrainian troops near Novotroitske (36km south-west of Donetsk); mounted antitank grenade launcher and small arms  outside Mykolaivka (77km west of Luhansk).

In the zone of action of tactical force North, the enemy fired under-barrel grenade launcher on Ukrainian positions near Orikhove (57km north-west of Luhansk); grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and other small arms  in the area of Novoluhanske (53km north-east of Donetsk).

No casualties among members of Joint Forces were reported on January 2.

Today, the Russian-occupation troops have opened fire from grenade launchers of different systems, heavy machine guns and other small arms on the defenders of Novoluhanske .

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Turkish Parliament Sanctions Libya Military Deployment Amid Concerns, Condemnation

By Dorian Jones January 02, 2020

A motion sanctioning the deployment of armed forces to Libya easily passed the Turkish Parliament on Thursday, but the specter of Turkish forces entering the Libyan civil war is triggering alarm and condemnation.

Passing with a 325-184 vote, the motion gives Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a one-year mandate to send armed forces in support of Libya's internationally recognized Government of National Accord.

The GNA is currently besieged by Libyan General Khalif Haftar's military forces, who now control eastern Libya.

Turkish forces becoming involved in the Libya civil war is causing international concern. Following Parliament's vote, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Erdogan by telephone.

"President Trump pointed out that foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya," said Hogan Gidley, principal White House deputy press secretary.

"Egypt condemns in the strongest terms this step that violates United Nations resolutions," said an Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement. "The Arab Republic of Egypt also warns of repercussions of any Turkish military intervention in Libya and confirms that this intervention will negatively affect stability in the Mediterranean Sea region."

Cairo is backing Haftar's military forces, and previously warned it was ready to deploy its own forces if Ankara went ahead with sending soldiers.

'Not intervening in Libya'

Ankara dismissed concerns over any Libyan military deployment.

"Turkey's agreement with the Libyan government is the best guarantee for security and stability in the Mediterranean. We will, of course, protect our rights and interests in the Mediterranean," tweeted Fahrettin Altun, Turkey's director of communications.

"Some countries are trying to put their narrow interests above international peace and security in the Mediterranean. Any agreement struck with a group other than the legitimate government in Tripoli will drag the country further into chaos," Altun added.

During debate over the motion, the Turkish government tried to allay international and domestic concerns.

"We're not intervening in Libya. We are just meeting a request for help from the internationally recognized government there," Emrullah Isler, Erdogan's envoy to the fractured nation, told parliamentary deputies ahead of Thursday's vote.

'Disastrous call'

All of the parliamentary opposition parties opposed the motion.

"This motion does not speak of 'national security,' it speaks only of 'national interest,' " Unal Cevikoz of the main opposition CHP Party said during the feisty debate. "It is a disastrous call by the presidential palace to send our citizens to the deserts of Libya."

Opposition deputies also raised concerns over the broad nature of the motion with little information on the type of Libyan military deployment.

Ahead of the vote, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar suggested any military action would be confined to training and providing munitions and weapons. Last year, Ankara sent several armed drones in support of the GNA.

But while Haftar's forces, backed by Russian mercenaries, are tightening their control around Tripoli, reports by local Turkish media suggest the GNA may be looking to Ankara to deploy a force of as many as 2,000 combat soldiers.

Strategic interests

According to observers, Erdogan expedited passage of the motion because of the imminent threat faced by the GNA. Erdogan argues that the GNA's survival is key to Turkey's strategic interests.

Last November, he signed two agreements with the Libyan government. One was a security agreement in which Ankara pledged military support. The second gave Turkey control of a large swath of the eastern Mediterranean between the two countries.

The region is the center of an increasingly bitter rivalry among regional countries for the search of hydrocarbons. Ankara is alarmed at growing cooperation involving rivals Greece, Israel, Egypt and the Greek Cypriots in the search for and exploitation of the region's energy.

"No plan in the region that excludes Turkey has any chance of success," Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay said Wednesday.

Gas pipeline

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an agreement in Athens committing his country, Greece and the Greek Cypriot government to building a multibillion-dollar gas pipeline.

The pipeline seeks to exclude Turkey from lucrative transit fees in distributing vast gas reserves discovered off the Israeli coast to Europe. But the route of the planned pipeline passes through the Mediterranean Sea under Turkish control in its agreement with the GNA.

"These agreements with the GNA are of so much strategic importance for Turkey," said energy expert and former Turkish Ambassador Mithat Rende. "The strategy of Turkey is to protect its legitimate rights in the eastern Mediterranean. The strategy is to have an equitable solution to the matter, because we have overlapping claims. Turkey made it clear after signing these agreements. Turkey is ready to speak with Greece and other authorities."

Turkey's strategy of coercing its regional rivals to negotiate is widely seen as increasingly dependent on the survival of the GNA. However, Ankara may yet hold off deploying soldiers to Libya.

"Passing the motion in Parliament has a strong political message," Oktay said. "If they [Haftar's forces] stop their attacks or withdraw, we may see this as appropriate. But if they keep continuing their attacks, the motion gives us a one-year mandate, so we may deploy our soldiers whenever necessary."

Given that Libya is nearly 2,000 kilometers from Turkey, analysts warn any major military deployment into a combat zone carries considerable risk.

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BEIRUT  Lebanon's justice minister said Thursday that Lebanon has received an international wanted notice from Interpol for Nissans ex-chair Carlos Ghosn, four days after he fled Japan to Lebanon before a trial on financial misconduct charges.

Albert Serhan told The Associated Press in an interview that the Red Notice for the former automotive titan was received earlier Thursday by the prosecution.

Ghosn skipped bail before his much-anticipated trial, which was to start in April. He arrived in Lebanon, where he was raised after moving from Brazil as a young boy, on Monday via Turkey and hasn't been seen in public since. Authorities have said that he entered legally on a French passport.

A plane carrying Ghosn arrived at 5:30 a.m. (0230 GMT) Monday at Istanbuls Ataturk Airport, Hurriyet reported, adding that prosecutors ordered the arrests after widening their investigation.

Flight tracking data from that time suggests that Ghosn used two different planes to fly into Istanbul and then on to Lebanon.

Japanese authorities allowed Ghosn to carry a spare French passport in a locked case while out on bail, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday, shedding some light on how he managed his escape to Lebanon.

While some Lebanese media have floated a Houdini-like account of Ghosn being packed in a wooden container for musical instruments after a private concert in his home, his wife called the account fiction when contacted by Reuters.

She declined to provide details of the exit of one of the most recognized titans of industry. The accounts of the two sources suggest a carefully planned escape known only to a few.

They said a private security firm oversaw the plan, which involved shuttling Ghosn out via a private jet to Istanbul before pushing onward to Beirut, with even the pilot unaware of Ghosns presence on board.

Interpols so-called Red Notices are requests to law enforcement agencies worldwide that they locate and provisionally arrest a wanted fugitive.

Story continues

Serhan, the minister, said the Lebanese prosecution will carry out its duties, suggesting for the first time that Ghosn may be brought in for questioning. But he said that Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition treaty, ruling out the possibility that Beirut would hand Ghosn over to Japan

One sources who spoke with Reuters said Ghosn was greeted warmly by President Michel Aoun on Monday after flying into Beirut via Istanbul and was now in a buoyant and combative mood and felt secure.

Security forces are guarding Ghosn's current residence in Lebanon, as seen in the photo above. He is staying at the home of a relative of his wife, but plans to return soon to a gated villa in the upscale Beirut neighborhood of Achrafieh, one of Reuters' sources said.

The plan to slip Ghosn out of Japan, which marked the latest twist in a year-old saga that has shaken the global auto industry, was crafted over three months, according to Reuters' sources.

It was a very professional operation from start to finish, one of them said.

In his meeting at the presidency, Ghosn thanked Aoun for the support he had given him and his wife, Carole, while he was in detention, the sources said. He now needs the protection and security of his government after fleeing Japan, the sources added.

The meeting between Aoun and Ghosn has not been made public and a media adviser to the presidents office denied the two men had met. Reuters' sources said specifics of the meeting were described to them by Ghosn.

Japanese prosecutors on Thursday raided Ghosn's Tokyo home. Japanese media showed investigators entering the home, which was Ghosn's third residence in Tokyo since he was first arrested a year ago. Authorities have now searched each one.

Tokyo prosecutors and police did not immediately comment. Government offices in Japan are closed this week for the New Year's holidays.

It was unclear how Ghosn avoided the tight surveillance he was under in Japan and showed up in Lebanon.

Ghosn said Tuesday in a statement that he left for Lebanon because he thought the Japanese judicial system was unjust, and he wanted to avoid political persecution. Ghosn will hold a news conference in Beirut on Jan. 8, a lawyer for Ghosn said.

Lebanon has said earlier that Ghosn entered the country legally, and there was no reason to take action against him.

Ghosn's lawyers in Japan said they had no knowledge of the escape and they had all his passports. Ghosn has French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV, without identifying sources, reported Thursday that Ghosn had two French passports.

Earlier, Japanese reports said there were no official records in Japan of Ghosns departure, but a private jet had left from a regional airport to Turkey.

Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency said Thursday that Turkish authorities had detained seven people as part of an investigation into how Ghosn fled to Lebanon via Istanbul.

The private DHA news agency reported that those detained are four pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers.

The Hurriyet newspaper said the plane carrying Ghosn landed at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 29. Ghosn was not registered upon landing and was smuggled on board another plane that left for Lebanon, the paper reported.

Ghosn, who was charged in Japan with under-reporting his future compensation and breach of trust, has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying authorities trumped up charges to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan Motor Co. and alliance partner Renault SA.

The 1.5 billion yen ($14 million) bail that Ghosn posted on two separate instances to get out of detention is being revoked.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Update: Jacinta has been located safe and well.

Earlier: Gardai are appealing to the public for help to find a teenage girl who is missing from Dublin since Tuesday.

Jacinta Hand, 17, is missing from Seville Place and was last seen in Navan on December 31.

She is approximately 5'6", of medium build and has blue eyes. She has blonde hair with brown streaks.

She is known to frequent Dublin City Centre, Blanchardstown and Navan areas.

Anyone with information on Jacinta's whereabouts are asked to contact Gardai at Store Street on 01-6668000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Photo: OPP

A tragic New Year's Day car crash in northeastern Ontario killed three siblings under the age of 12 and left their young friend in hospital with life-threatening injuries, provincial police said Thursday.

Const. Michelle Coulombe said officers are still investigating the crash, which saw a vehicle carrying members of two families strike a rock cut near a highway close to Sudbury, Ont, shortly before 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

"It's quite the tragedy," Coulombe said in a telephone interview. "I can't even imagine."

Coulombe said the four children and their mothers were travelling back to their homes in Chelmsford, Ont., just outside Sudbury, in a 2007 Honda Accord at the time of the crash. She said weather conditions at the time of the crash were reasonable with only a light dusting of snow on local roads.

Police have not yet determined what caused the vehicle to leave Highway 17 and crash into the rock cut, Coulombe said, adding the investigation is ongoing. But she said the scope of the tragedy quickly became clear when officers arrived on the scene.

Brothers Destiny and Flourish Osagie, aged 11 and 10 respectively, were pronounced dead at the scene, she said. Their six-year-old sister, Britney Osagie, was taken to hospital, but later pronounced dead as well.

The crash also badly injured a 10-year-old boy who Coulombe described as a friend of the Osagie family. She said he remains in hospital with undisclosed, life-threatening injuries.

Coulombe said both families were part of the Greater Sudbury Area's Nigerian community and had called the region home for some time, but offered no further details.

The Osagie's 45-year-old mother, who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash, was not injured in the collision. Coulombe said another 45-year-old woman, the mother of the 10-year-old boy, sustained minor injuries and has already been released from hospital.
Pollution: Low tide exposes oily mud on a river bed in K-Dere, a village in the Niger Delta region

Martha Alfred used to harvest 20 bags of cassava each year before an oil spill forced her to abandon her field and hawk roasted fish to survive.

Her smallholding at Ikarama-Okordia, a community in southern Nigeria's Bayelsa state, became unfit for growing crops after crude from a nearby Shell facility spewed into the environment last August, she says.

Today, the 33-year-old mother of two looks angry and helpless, her woes compounded by downpours during the last rainy season that flooded her land.

"The soil has become infertile because of the spills," Alfred told AFP.

"Each time I remember the spills and now the floods, my heart bleeds," she said.

"People from Shell came and promised to do something for me. Up until now I have not heard from them."

Ikarama-Okordia, a collection of villages, is one of the most polluted sites in the oil and gas-rich Niger Delta.

A major pipeline that passes through the fishing and farming community of 50,000 people has been the subject of spills and militant attacks for over 20 years.

Shell said it recorded a total of 21 spills in the area between 2009 and 2018.

Overall, rights groups say that millions of barrels of crude have leaked out across the Niger Delta region over the years.

The oil companies blame most of the leaks on sabotage from local residents and criminal gangs stealing the crude.

But under Nigerian laws, the firms are obliged to clean up all spills whatever their cause.

Villagers argue some spills are due to operational factors.

Undeterred by chronic oil pollution, fishermen in K-Dere village clear the land to plant cassava

"It's not completely true all the incidents are caused by sabotage. Some of them are due to equipment failures," Ikarama community leader Morris Lamiengha told AFP.

Asked about the allegations from the residents of Ikarama-Okordia, Shell insisted it meets its obligations on all clean-ups and helps affected communities whatever the reasons for the leakages.

"Shell has always and will always live up to its responsibility," spokesman Bamidele Odugbesan told AFP.

"The problem we face is re-pollution. After we clean a site, the vandals will go back and damage the facility to steal the oil without considering the negative impact on the environment."

'Destroyed the ecosystem'

A vicious cycle is repeated across the entire region: environmental degradation, pollution, neglect, under-development, anger, frustration and pain.

In oil-rich Ogoniland, it took a 2011 United Nations Environment Progamme (UNEP) report before the government launched a clean-up of the spills in the area that looks set to last some 30 years.

In Oloibiri, where crude was first discovered in Nigeria in 1956, the locals live in abject poverty. No jobs, roads, hospitals and schools.

The Oloibiri oil well no longer produces and is overgrown with weeds, while the residents drink and wash in stream water.

A government promise in 2001 to erect an oil museum in Oloibiri as a monument to the first oil well in Nigeria has yet to be fulfilled.

Locals and environmental campaigners say oil majors like Shell, Exxon Mobil, Eni, Total and Chevron, are not doing enough for host communities despite many decades of oil exploration in the region.

Nigeria, Africa's largest producer, produces an average of two million barrels of crude per day, which accounts for 90 percent of foreign exchange earnings.

"The oil firms have destroyed the region's ecosystem through their operations," said Michael Karikpo of Environmental Rights Action lobby group.

Pollution from illegal oil refineries in the Niger delta have worsened the the environmental damage

He said the people's mainstay of farming and fishing has been ruined without providing an alternatives, forcing local residents to engage in criminality for survival.

"That's why incidents of bunkering, oil thefts, pipeline vandalisation and illegal refineries will continue in the Niger Delta," he said.

He said only very few Nigerians were benefiting from oil money, while tens of millions eke out a living on less than two dollars per day.

For him, the only way to avoid spills is do away with oil production entirely.

"We should stop oil production in Nigeria because of its negative impact on the people and the environment and focus more on renewable energy," he added.

'Sitting on gunpowder'

Anyakwee Nsirimovu of Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition said the nation is "sitting on a keg of gunpowder if nothing is done to address the grievances of the oil-producing communities".

He said rather than being a benefit, "oil has been a curse for the people", adding that there was little or nothing to show for the billions of dollars made from the sector.

"Our situation is like someone who lives at the bank of a river but washes his hand with spittle," he said.

He recalled the unrest in the region in the early 2000s by militants seeking a fair share of the nation's oil wealth for the local people.

Months of militant attacks on pipelines and oil infrastructure slashed Nigeria's output to less than a third at the time, hurting government revenues.

It took a 2009 government amnesty for the oil rebels before they laid down their arms and halted the attacks.

Explore further Shell agrees to start clean up of 2008 Niger Delta oil spill

 2020 AFP
Mr Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018: Getty

US forces' targeted killing of Iranian Maj-Gen Qassem Soleimani represents just the latest escalation in Donald Trump's long-running campaign to contrast himself with his predecessor by taking an increasingly aggressive posture towards Tehran.

Mr Trump took office in 2017 having promised to pull the United States out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the agreement between Iran, the European Union, and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

The agreement, which limited Iran's ability to enrich nuclear materials to weapons grade for ten years, was widely seen as one of former president Barack Obama's major foreign policy accomplishments.

While many of Mr Trump's closest advisers  including former secretary of defence James Mattis and former secretary of state Rex Tillerson  counselled him against pulling out an agreement with which Iran was judged to be compliance, the president ignored his advisers by refusing to certify Iran's compliance in October 2017. In May 2018 he declared that the US would withdraw from the deal, and by the end of 2018 both Mattis and Tillerson had left government service.

Mr Trump and his administration have since embarked on what he has called a maximum pressure campaign akin to the regime of increasingly crippling sanctions which led to his first meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and has routinely spread misinformation about the actions taken by Mr Obama to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, such as falsely claiming that his predecessor  who he repeatedly accused of being a secret Muslim who was not born in the United States  bribed Iran by settling a long-running legal dispute over a refund for military equipment purchased by the previous government of Iran.

Most of the other permanent UNSC members, however, have opposed the US withdrawal and, led by French president Emmanuel Macron, have endeavoured to keep Iran at the negotiating table even as Tehran has retaliated against US sanctions by restarting uranium enrichment.

Story continues

Additionally, Mr Trump in April took the unprecedented step of declaring Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps  the branch of Iran's military to which Soleimani belonged  a terrorist organisation over the opposition of the Pentagon and Central Intelligence Agency. The IRGC Quds Force, which Soleimani led, had been a designated terrorist organisation since 2007.

It was the latter group's designation which figured prominently in a Defence Department statement taking responsibility for the death of Soleimani.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation, Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement.

Read more

Qassem Soleimani of Iran's Quds Force 'killed in airstrike'

Pentagon US confirms it has killed leader Qassem Soleimani

Trump's confidence over North Korea and Iran relations proving naive

Irans supreme leader attacks Trump on Twitter
A representative for eight businesses based on Melbourne's Central Pier have expressed "disbelief" at Development Victoria's decision not to reopen the 100-year-old structure.

Development Victoria on Friday announced its decision not to reopen the pier, following a 15-week assessment of the structure by engineering firm KBR.

The closure resulted in the loss of 1300 jobs, according to a spokesperson for the business which occupied the now-abandoned pier.

The pier remains fenced off and closed after it was shut due to structural issues. Credit:Darrian Traynor

Restaurants and function venues were abruptly evacuated on August 28 after engineers told Development Victoria  which is responsible for the Docklands pier  that the structure needed to be closed as it had rapidly deteriorated and wasn't safe to use.
GETTY

For the most part, 2019 was a year to forget for the cannabis sector.

In Canada, the legal market stumbled on a number of fronts; failing to meaningfully put a dent in illegal sales; struggling to open enough retail stores; and legalizing cannabis vaping devices as three provinces suspend sales due to health concerns. The list goes on.

Licenced producers saw billions wiped off their balance sheets as shareholders balked at dismal financial results that shattered the investor euphoria leading up to legal recreational sales.

In the United States, the sector grew under a patchwork of state-level legislation at odds with federal law. In November, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that federally legalizes cannabis. But the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, or MORE Act, will face steeper odds in the Republican-controlled Senate.

As the year drew to a close, the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences ETF (HMMJ.TO), a basket of Canadian cannabis growers, fell to a record low, losing 43 per cent in 2019. Meanwhile, the actively-managed Purpose Marijuana Opportunities Fund (MRJOF) fell about 20 per cent, withstanding the worst blows in large part due to a pivot to U.S. pot stocks.

Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Pablo Zuanic expects that theme to play into 2020, as he sees more positive developments on the horizon in the U.S. than Canada this year.

Here are five things hes watching for:

Congress will likely pressure the FDA to set guidelines for CBD.

The passage of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill set the stage for a wave of CBD-infused products. The non-intoxicating cannabis compound has gained massive popularity for its perceived wellness benefits.

According to Cowen, nearly seven per cent of Americans are already using CBD products, with the market forecast to rise to 25 million consumers who would spend a total of US$16 billion by 2025.

Massive companies like Unilever (UN) and Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) have announced plans to sell CBD. However, the U.S. government has not concluded that CBD is generally recognized as safe for use in human or animal food.

Story continues

Several specialists we have spoken with expect Congress to put pressure on the FDA to set clear guidelines on what products will be allowed, on requirements and standards, and on enhanced enforcement, Zuanic wrote in a report. We see this as positive for the larger CBD companies that have a strong brand name, science to back up their claims, and a secure supply chain.

Some form of the SAFE Act should at least make it to a vote in the Senate

Like the MORE Act, the SAFE Banking Act cleared a vote in the House last year and requires passage in the Senate before becoming law. The legislation would allow financial institutions to work with cannabis companies without fearing retribution.

Passage of the SAFE Act would allow players greater access to capital, which itself would bring greater transparency, Zuanic wrote. We expect the Senate to take action and pass some version of the SAFE Act, likely pruned and stricter.

Headlines from Illinois and New Jersey putting recreational cannabis on the ballot this November will likely pressure other states

Illinois became the eleventh state to allow recreational cannabis on Jan. 1. According to state officials, almost $3.2 million worth of pot was sold on the first day. Zuanic expects positive news for legal cannabis in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania in the coming months.

The idea of a domino effect should not be discounted, he wrote. Illinois may provide a blueprint regarding issues like social equity and transparency. In our view, with more states going recreational, this will put pressure on Congress to pass measures like the SAFE Act.

Slow Canada

Canada had a significant head start on cannabis, becoming the first G7 nation to legalize the drug on Oct. 17, 2018. But there have been a number of missteps, particularly in Ontario, where only about two dozen physical stores have opened. The province recently abandoned its lottery system to award new store licences. New stores are expected to be authorized at a pace of 20 per month, beginning in April.

Canada may only plod along, Zuanic wrote. We worry consensus sales expectations remain high.

Little progress expected in Europe

Medical cannabis sales to European nations, Germany and Denmark in particular, are highly prized by Canadian licenced producers. However, the number of kilograms crossing the Atlantic has been slow to increase despite growing demand.

Europe, as an outlet, may not be a meaningful factor in 2020, Zuanic wrote.

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Carlos Ghosn claimed Thursday he organised his dramatic escape from bail in Japan alone as the disgraced auto tycoon enjoyed his first days of freedom in Beirut despite an Interpol arrest notice. The exact circumstances of the former Renault-Nissan boss's escape from a case he said was "rigged" were unclear but media reports described a plot that had all the trappings of a spy novel. Turkey said seven people had been detained for questioning, including four pilots, over how the wanted tycoon was able to transit through Istanbul. Ghosn, who had been under house arrest in Tokyo since April, was believed to be holed up his central Beirut residence, where visitors filed in and out under the scrutiny of TV cameras. His surprise return to Lebanon just before New Year's Eve raised fresh questions over his judicial status and marked the latest twist in a saga that has rocked the automotive and business world for more than a year. Lebanon's state news agency quoted Justice Minister Albert Sarhan as announcing that "the public prosecutor... has received what is known as a red notice from Interpol in the Carlos Ghosn case". An Interpol red notice is a request for a provisional arrest, pending extradition or prosecution, but it is not a warrant. - Private operatives - A Lebanese judicial source has already told AFP however that Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition agreement under which Ghosn -- who holds Lebanese, French and Brazilian nationalities -- could be sent back to Tokyo. Ghosn stands accused in Japan of deferring part of his salary until after his retirement and concealing this from shareholders, as well as syphoning off millions in Nissan cash for his own purposes. His escape caused deep embarrassment in Japan, where prosecutors launched an investigation into the security lapse and on Thursday searched his residence. Japanese authorities are expected to analyse security camera footage from his residence and other places they suspect Ghosn travelled to before he fled, Japanese broadcaster NHK said. According to Japan's Kyodo news agency, Ghosn was smuggled out with the help of two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a music band for a Christmas party at his residence. Quoting a Lebanese consultant in Tokyo, Kyodo said Ghosn hid in an instrument case before boarding a private jet -- a scenario a member of Ghosn's entourage has previously denied. One of the operatives was a former Marine employed by a US security firm while the second worked for a Lebanese firm, Kyodo said. More details could emerge when the former tycoon, who was first arrested in November 2018, speaks to the press in Beirut next week. - Turkey arrests - Ghosn denied through the Paris-based agency handling his PR that his family had anything to do with his escape. "The media reports saying my wife Carole and other family members played a role in my departure from Japan are falsehoods. I alone organised my departure," he said. Meanwhile Turkey also announced that it was holding seven individuals in connection with Ghosn's extraordinary escape. The investigation is focused on two flights. The first, a Bombardier labelled TC-TSR, flew from Osaka in Japan, landed in Istanbul at 5:15 am and parked in a hangar. The second was a private jet to Beirut, a Bombardier Challenger 300 TC-RZA, which left 45 minutes later, according to the Turkish news agency DHA. Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents seen by AFP. NHK reported that the court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept "in a locked case" with the key held by his lawyers. - Privilege and impunity - Although Ghosn was restricted to his lush Beirut home only by the media's glare, not all in Lebanon welcomed his return. Three lawyers submitted a report to the public prosecutor demanding that the businessman be prosecuted over a trip he made to Israel in 2008. "Doing business with Israel is not a matter of opinion -- any normalisation is forbidden by law," Hassan Bazzi, one of the lawyers, told AFP. Lebanon is technically still at war with Israel, which occupied the south of the country until 2000, and forbids its citizens from travelling there. Ghosn had travelled to Israel and met then president Shimon Peres as part of a trip to support a partnership with an Israeli entrepreneur launching an electric car venture. Some Lebanese see Ghosn as a symbol of their country's fabled entrepreneurial genius and a proud representative of its vast diaspora. The mood has changed since his November 2018 arrest, however, and, weeks into an unprecedented wave of protests against corruption and nepotism, activists saw his return as another manifestation of privilege and impunity for the super-rich.
The Department of State Services (DSS), has paraded the mastermind of the double phantom wedding between President Buhari and the minister of humanitarian affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq on one hand, Buhari and minister of finance, Zainab Ahmed, on the other.

He is a 32-year-old man, Kabiru Mohammed, a member of the Kwankwasiya Movement in Kano.

Dr. Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesman said Kabiru, who is not known to work for Kannywood, was behind the creation and sharing of a fake video in connection with the fake wedding.

Afunanya said the agency sprang into action to fish out the mastermind following formal complaints lodged by the two ministers on separate occasions after the fake videos had gone viral between August and October 2019.



Last year, 2019 between August and October there was a defamatory video that circulated widely across Nigeria and showing false engagement of Mr. President in marriage with some members of his cabinet.

One was the Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, and another was that of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq.

On the 11th of October, 2019 the Minister of Finance, brought a formal complaint to the Service in which she stated that the video had cost her big embarrassment and asked that an investigation be opened into that audio/video and the materials associated with it, the infographics and all the materials that were in circulation at the moment. She asked that a detailed investigation be opened in that regard with a view to identifying the persons or groups of persons that may have been behind the circulation of such defamatory materials.

The Service went into investigation and we can announce that it had apprehended the person that is involved and the person who started this and who circulated the materials. His name is Kabiru Mohammed. He hails from Kano. He is 32 years. He holds a diploma in Hausa and Fulfulde from the Federal College of Education, Kano and also holds a diploma in Mass Communication from Aminu Kano Islamic School, according to him.

He has confessed and investigation has also revealed his involvement in the creation of these materials and the circulation of the materials. The investigation is continuing to determine the actual reasons behind his intent. What we can assure you as Nigerians is that we would continue to deepen this investigation and bring it to a logical conclusion.

We will do everything needful within the ambit of the law to bring this to a logical conclusion, as to determine whether there is or not other persons, interests, and motives behind this other than what he has said.

We want to use this opportunity to once again please ask Nigerians as always that the spread of false news through social media does not do well for any person. You may enjoy the spread of such falsehood when you are not the victim. But if you become the victim, you will know the pain. And we want to urge every citizen and residents and of course, Nigerians, that anywhere they are, they should desist from spreading falsehoods, misrepresentations, rumours against one another, against then government, and against institutions of government.

By the time you click that button and you spread or participate in sharing news that is not true, you are helping in causing disharmony, you are helping in bringing problem in the country. And you are also feeding on differences in the country to bring about chaos, anarchy, and instability.

As we go into the New Year, we urge everyone to make a new attitude and begin to find reasons to be more patriotic, to be more law-abiding, and be better citizens and to help move Nigeria forward. On our part, we would continue to perform our duties and responsibilities without let or fear and will always collaborate with all stakeholders particularly the media and strategic partners to make sure there is lasting peace in the country.

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A North Carolina man was beaten up last week by the father of two small children he was accused of molesting while visiting a home in Spotsylvania County over the holidays, authorities said.

Sheriff's Capt. Liz Scott said deputies had to rescue the suspect from further injury after responding to a 911 call. Scott said the father had already obtained a weapon and that deputies may have saved the suspect's life.

Mark Anthony Stanley, 60, of Burlington, North Carolina, is charged with two counts of taking indecent liberties with a child and assault. He is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

According to Scott, Stanley came to Spotsylvania to visit relatives. On Dec. 29, Scott said, the father of the children, ages 2 and 3, woke up at 6:30 a.m. and went to check on them.

He walked into the room and told authorities he caught Stanley molesting the children. "It was an absolutely horrible incident," Scott said.

The county's emergency dispatch center received a 911 call during the commotion, but heard only loud screaming in the background. It was not clear who in the house made the call.
Demi Rose has been travelling the world from one exotic location to the next, but has shown no sign of tiring of her luxurious lifestyle.

The 24-year-old model posted a very revealing snap of her soaking up the sunshine as she laid out on a bed of palm leaves.

Her skimpy black and caramel crochet bikini gave an eyeful of her ample cleavage and helped to accentuate her curvaceous figure.

Beach babe: The 24-year-old glamour model posted a very revealing snap of her soaking up the sunshine as she laid out on a bed of palm leaves in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The British beauty looked playful as she pulled on her string bikini laces, accentuating her tiny waist, and let her dark chestnut locks flow down over the sand.

Demi also appeared unafraid to have some fun in the sun as she frolicked around on the beach, ending up with her legs and torso covered in sand.

Her pretty features were enhanced with peachy shadow, fluttery lashes and rose gloss.

She shared the racy photo from her latest holiday in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco on Mexico's east coast, adding the cheeky caption: 'Do damage to you but you love it.'

Demi has been travelling the world in recent months following her amicable split from boyfriend DJ Chris Martinez in October.

Wow: Her skimpy black and caramel crochet bikini gave an eyeful of cleavage and helped to accentuate her curvaceous figure

Before Mexico, Demi enjoyed a break in Jordan and before that, she was posting pictures from Sri Panwa Phuket and Las Vegas.

Demi also saw her career surge in 2019 as she booked several high profile modelling gigs, and launched a swimwear collection with Oh Polly.

However, the influencer also struggled with an intense loss last year, announcing the death of her mother Christine Mawby who passed away aged 64 in July.

Fun in the sun: She experienced a turbulent 2019. Yet Demi Rose saw in the New Year in style as she soaked up the sunshine on a holiday in Mexico

The tragedy came just eight months after her beloved father Barrie died in October 2018.

Revealing that 2019 had been both the 'hardest' and 'best' year of her life, she wrote: 'Wow what a year. It definitely has been the hardest year of my life but the also the best year of my life.

'Im proud of myself for getting through the hurdles Ive faced and the growth that Ive experienced. Im ready to say goodbye to 2019 and Im SO excited for whats to come in this new year.

'I wish you all an amazing 2020 filled with lots of blessings and love. Thank you for all your support, always. Love you guys!'
Temirlan Machalikashvili's death remains uninvestigated after two years

By Levan Abramishvili

Two years have passed since the State Security Service's (SSS) large-scale special operation in Duisi village, but the ongoing investigation into Temirlan Machalikashvili's brutal murder has so far produced no results.No one has been prosecuted for more than two years since the investigation began and Machalikashvilis parents have not been granted the victims legal successor status.Local NGO, Human Rights and Monitoring Center (EMC) issued a statement alleging that the negligence in the investigation of Machalikashvili's death is unfair to family members who have been seeking legal remedies from the State for two years, instead of recognizing and persecuting criminals, though, the family members have become the target of dehumanization and harassment instead of restoring their rights and seeking fair justice.It was clear from the outset that the investigation would have only formal and illusory nature and would complicate achieving fair justice due to the State Security Service's illegal interference into the investigation and substantial violation of the rules for obtaining and keeping evidence, as well as the dehumanization of the Machalikashvili family, reads the statement.According to EMC, an effective and thorough investigation into Machalikashvili's case was critical to restoring confidence in the rule of law for the local Pankisi community. In the past few decades, no serious cases of the State violence in the Pankisi Gorge have been properly investigated, creating a problem of mistrust and alienation among locals.The case of Machalikashvili further highlighted the severe legal and social consequences of a policy-oriented towards repression, punishment and control in the Pankisi Gorge and created a critical need of changing such policy, says EMC.EMC claims that the investigative actions carried out by the Prosecutor's Office have already identified important legal conditions and the legal basis for assessing responsibility for specific persons has been established.Some of the circumstances mentioned in the statement include the expert assessment, saying that when Machalikashvili was shot he was laying in the horizontal position, which rules out that he would be able to detonate a grenade, which the SSS alleges. As well as that the special operation in Pankisi Gorge was planned with oral consultations and the risk assessments and written instructions werent provided.It is noteworthy that Machalikashvilis case is already being dealt with by the European Court of Human Rights, where, on behalf of the family, EMC has alleged the breach of the Articles 2 (Right to Life), 3 (Prohibition of Torture and Inhuman Treatment) and 13 (Right to Effective Remedies) of the European Convention on Human Rights.The European Court has already set a deadline for the Georgian government to answer questions and share case files on the case. EMC expresses hope that using international mechanisms will enable the Machalikashvili family's real rights to be restored and justice achieved.Considering the above, EMC once again calls on the Prosecutors Office to come to a conclusive decision on the case, revealing the criminal responsibility of those carrying out the shooting, planners of the special operation and granting Malkhaz and Mediko Machalikashvili the legal status of the victims successors.19-year old Temirlan Machalikashvili was fatally wounded during an anti-terrorist raid in the Pankisi Gorge on December 26, 2017. Officials claim that he was shot while trying to detonate a grenade. The family says that he was sleeping when the police entered the house and shot him without warning.Machalikashvili has been protesting and asking for fair investigation and restoration of justice since May 2018.
The HRD Ministry on Friday formed a three-member committee to probe into allegations of irregularities against Allahabad University VC Rattan Lal Hangloo, officials said.

The move comes after President Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the visitor of the university, accepted the resignation letter of Hangloo submitted earlier this week.

"A three-member panel has been formed to probe the allegations of academic, financial and administrative irregularities against Hangloo," an official told PTI.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ma 'n Pa Grocery | Photo: Carlos P./Yelp

Wondering where to find the best grocery stores near you?

Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable grocery stores in Long Beach, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to meet your needs.

1. Ma 'N Pa Grocery

Photo: Melissa D./Yelp

Topping the list is Ma 'n Pa Grocery. Located at 346 Roycroft Ave., the grocery store is the highest-rated cheap grocery store in Long Beach, boasting 4.5 stars out of 171 reviews on Yelp. The grocery store offers a wide selection of items, from fresh produce to deli meats to baked goods.

2. Angelo's Italian Deli

Photo: Steve N./Yelp

Next up is Angelo's Italian Deli, situated at 190 La Verne Ave. With four stars out of 468 reviews on Yelp, the deli and grocery store has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option.

Scott A., who reviewed Angelo's Italian Deli on July 31, wrote, "This place is a hidden gem... They have a large selection of Italian foods, spreads, olive oils, drinks, wine and candy... Friendly people and family owned.They also sell pasta, cooked and uncooked. Large selection of Italian wines."

Yelper Howard R. noted, "Excellent selection of Italian wines and great sandwiches."

3. La Bodega Market

Photo: Jackie M./Yelp

La Bodega Market is another much-loved, cheap go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 24 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2900 E. Anaheim St. to see for yourself.

Thomas H., who reviewed the business on Feb. 4, wrote, "What an awesome place... The store smells good  right when you walk in. you smell all the fresh produce... Prices are comparable [and] quality is superior."

Yelper Oscar R. noted, "Their meat is amazing and the guacamole is out of this world."

4. El Mercado 2

Photo: Meriam S./Yelp

Check out El Mercado 2, which has earned four stars out of 14 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the grocery store by heading over to 1168 E. Fourth St.

"We offer a wide selection of groceries specializing in Hispanic products," it notes on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties. "Our produce department contains an abundant variety of fresh produce for less. Our meat department always has extremely fresh meats for affordable prices."

Story continues

5. Colima Market

Photo: Angela M./Yelp

Last but not least, there's Colima Market, a Long Beach favorite with four stars out of 18 reviews. Stop by 427 E. Market St. to hit up the grocery store, meat shop and Mexican spot next time you're looking to satisfy your cravings on a budget. The market and taqueria sells a variety of meats, and also serves tacos, burritos, tortas, nachos and more.

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.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : In an attempt to restrict students from getting registered for new semester in the Jawaharlal Nehru University, some students of the varsity allegedly barged into the room used to provide power to WiFi connection to the entire campus and cut the connection.

Speaking to IANS, top officials of the varsity administration confirmed the incidents, while claiming that the students have been identified and the university is in process to get a FIR registered against them.

"At about 1 p.m., some 15-20 students barged into the Centre for Information System and locked the doors from inside. The electric connection to wifi devices were shut down by these students," the official said.

The official added that the administration has decided to file a FIR against these identifed students.

"Our entire campus is now connected to Wifi, even the library has been updated to E-library. But after this lockdown, work from the the library to the administration has stopped," he added.

The lockdown is being seen as an attempt to stop students from getting registered in the new semester.

"The Left has shut down the University WiFi system in JNU to prevent academic registration from taking place. These are the same people who had smeared against the govt for banning internet in Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370," said a message circulated by some varsity students soon after the news of lockdown emerged.

However, the JNU Students Union denied these allegations, terming them baseless allegations made to demean students' protest against the proposed fee hike.

"There is no way that we can shut down WiFi and above all, if someone wants to register, they could have used their data pack to register. JNU's website is not hacked so these allegations are baseless," JNUSU Vice President Saket Moon told IANS.
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Chennai, Jan 3 : Police opened fire in Tamil Nadu's Virudhunagar on Friday in order to disperse two clashing groups.

According to the reports reaching at the police headquarters here, a group was returning home after paying their respects to freedom fighter Veerapandiya Kattabomman when their vehicle was attacked by a group pelting stones.

As the two groups started clashing, police fired in the air to disperse them.

Nobody was injured as the firing was in the air, a police official in Virudhunagar district told IANS.
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Donald Trump has said a top Iranian general killed in a US air strike near Baghdads airport was targeted because he was was plotting to kill many Americans.

He should have been taken out many years ago! the US president tweeted, as Iran vowed harsh retaliation for the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, who had been the architect of its interventions across the Middle East.

The killing of Gen Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, marks a major escalation in the stand-off between Washington and Tehran, which has gone from one crisis to another since Mr Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

Washington said it was sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Middle East and urged American citizens to leave Iraq immediately following Fridays air strike at Baghdads international airport, which killed Gen Soleimani and nine others, Irans state TV reported.

The State Department said the US embassy in Baghdad, which was attacked by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters earlier this week, is closed and all consular services have been suspended.

Around 5,200 American troops are based in Iraq, where they mainly train Iraqi forces and help to combat Islamic State militants.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that harsh retaliation is waiting for the US, calling Gen Soleimani the international face of resistance.

He declared three days of public mourning and appointed Major General Esmail Ghaani, Gen Soleimanis deputy, to replace him as head of the Quds Force.

Expand Close Ayatollah Ali Khamenei talks with Qassem Soleimani (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the killing a heinous crime and vowed his country would take revenge.

Thousands of worshippers in the Iranian capital Tehran took to the streets after Friday prayers to condemn the killing, chanting Death to deceitful America.

The targeted strike, and any retaliation by Iran, could ignite a conflict that engulfs the region, endangering US troops in Iraq, Syria and beyond. Over the last two decades, Gen Soleimani had assembled a network of heavily armed allies stretching all the way to southern Lebanon, on Israels doorstep.

However, the attack may act as a deterrent for Iran and its allies to delay or restrain any potential response. Oil prices surged on news of the air strike while markets were mixed.

The killing promised to strain relations with Iraqs government, which is allied with both Washington and Tehran and has been deeply worried about becoming a battleground in their rivalry.

The US Defence Department said it killed 62-year-old Gen Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused him of approving the violent protests at the US Embassy in Baghdad.

The strike, on an access road near Baghdads airport, was carried by a US drone, according to an American official.

Gen Soleimani had just disembarked from a plane arriving from either Syria or Lebanon, a senior Iraqi security official said. The blast tore his body to pieces along with that of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces.

Irans state TV said 10 people were killed, including five Revolutionary Guard members and Gen Soleimanis son-in-law, whom he did not identify.

Expand Close A burning vehicle at the airport after the air strike (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office/AP) AP / Facebook

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The tensions are rooted in Mr Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw the US from Irans nuclear deal with world powers, struck under his predecessor Barack Obama.

Since then, Tehran has shot down a US military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers. The US also blames Iran for other attacks targeting tankers and a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry that temporarily halved its production.

Supporters of Fridays strike said it restored US deterrence power against Iran, and Trump allies were quick to praise the action. To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more, South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham tweeted.

Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran, Mr Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton wrote in a tweet.

Others, including Democratic White House hopefuls, criticised Mr Trumps order. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said the president had tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, saying it could leave the US on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East.
Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling attend the 20th anniversary celebration of tailor and fashion designer Gresham Blake at the Hard Rock Hotel London on November 28, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Hard Rock Hotel London)

Iain Stirling has expressed his excitement at his girlfriend Laura Whitmore stepping up as the new Love Island host.

Whitmore is set to replace Caroline Flack on the winter edition of the programme when it launches Sunday 12 January after the former host withdrew from her duties following an arrest and charge of assault.

Speaking on Loose Women today, Stirling spoke about Whitmores new role to the panellists as he said: "She's great isn't she?"

Read more: Caroline Flacks boyfriend Lewis Burton gutted to spend Christmas apart

"I think shes great," he went on before jesting: "I love her and there are mortgage commitments that need to be considered."

Laura Whitmore attends the Glamour Women of the Year Awards at Alice Tully Hall on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Stirling has been the show's narrator since it began in 2015. This will be the first series without Flack hosting.

He said that working alongside his girlfriend on the programme, which films in South Africa, means they will be able to spend more time together as opposed to less.

He explained: "More, because she'll be coming back and forth to South Africa every now and again."

During his appearance on Loose Women, Stirling didn't mention his long-time co-worker, Flack.

Caroline Flack (L) and Iain Stirling attend the ITV Gala held at the London Palladium on November 9, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Last month Flack, 40, announced she wouldn't be hosting the show this time round, writing in an Instagram post: "There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regards to my personal life. While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to co-operating with the appropriate authorities and I can't comment further on their matters until the legal process is over.

"However, Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it's the best show on telly. In order to not detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is to stand down for Series 6.

Love Island presenter Caroline Flack leaves Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on December 23, 2019 in London, England. The Love Island host attended court after being charged with assault by beating following an argument with boyfriend Lewis Burton. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

"I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town."

She appeared in court on Monday 23 December where she pleaded not guilty to attacking her 27-year-old boyfriend Lewis Burton.

Burton, whom Flack has been banned from seeing, has said he does not want to press charges against her. She's due to appear in court again on 4 March.
Hyderabad: The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) is going to collaborate with the Government of Telangana to carry out research in Artificial Intelligence. The Institute is partnering with the Information Technology, Electronics and Communication Department, for building, and identifying quality datasets, along with third parties such as Industry.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof B S Murty, director, IIT Hyderabad, and Jayesh Ranjan, principal secretary to Government of Telangana, during an event held on January 2, 2020 as part of 2020: Declaring Telanganas Year of AI initiative.

They will also work on Education and Training to prepare and deliver content and curriculum on AI courses, which are to be delivered to college students along with industry participants.

Prof Murty, director of IIT Hyderabad, said, IIT Hyderabad is a pioneer in the field of Artificial Intelligence. IIT Hyderabad is the first institute in the country to launch a BTech program in AI. With a strong base of close to 25 faculty in the Department of AI, IIT Hyderabad is looking forward to such opportunities to come up with many more innovations and research achievements in the field.
Critics of United States (US) President Donald Trump had been slamming his foreign policy approach of relying solely on economic levers by rebuffing the American deep States longstanding preference for periodically employing military force to assert US power. These critics must be stumped by the daring Trump-ordered assassination of the commander of Irans Revolutionary Guards Corps, General Qasem Soleimani, who was effectively the second most powerful person in his country.

Iran is virtually Indias neighbour. Until 1947, India and Iran had long shared a common border. But Iran was not on Prime Minister Narendra Modis mind when he sought to initiate a new practice on New Years Day. To discuss a shared vision of peace and prosperity in the subregion, Modi telephoned leaders of all of Indias immediate neighbours other than its two adversaries, China and Pakistan.

Modis exclusion of Pakistan and China, which routinely flout international norms, was intended to underscore the threat to regional peace from their growing axis. Chinas challenge to norms and rules, of course, extends across the Indo-Pacific region. But the US-Iran tensions following Soleimanis assassination could impinge on Indias security interests, including its reliance on oil and gas imports from the Persian Gulf region.

More broadly, by drawing the US into greater conflict with Iran, the killing could distract from Americas larger strategic goals, as in the Indo-Pacific region. Iran will likely retaliate against Soleimanis killing, waging its conflict with the US across West Asia and beyond and employing all tools. A US-Iran escalatory spiral would serve as a strategic boon for China.

The Trump administrations free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) held great promise when it was unveiled more than two years ago. It was seen as a much-needed successor to the Barack Obama administrations pivot to Asia, which failed to take concrete shape. The broadening of US policy focus to a wider region (Indo-Pacific) was a response to the expanding ambitions of China, which, after building and militarising artificial islands in the South China Sea, has started focusing on the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific.

The concept of a FOIP was authored by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and embraced by India and the US. India has been including the free and open phrase in joint statements with strategic partners. As US deputy assistant secretary of State, Alex Wong, put it, India as a nation has invested in a free and open order.

The Trump administration, however, has still to provide strategic heft to its FOIP policy. Indeed, like Tokyo, Washington no longer refers to its FOIP vision as a strategy. After Soleimanis killing, there is a real risk that Trumps FOIP policy, like Obamas pivot to Asia, could fail to gain traction. The tensions with Iran, by distracting American policymakers, could result in Trumps FOIP policy remaining more rhetorical than real.

To be sure, Trumps lasting legacy will be the paradigm change in Americas China policy. As philanthropist George Soros recently put it, The greatest  and perhaps only  foreign policy accomplishment of the Trump administration has been the development of a coherent and genuinely bipartisan policy toward Xi Jinpings China.

US leadership and resolve are essential to build a credible counter to Chinese expansionism. But the roles of the other major democracies are also important.

In this context, Abes postponement of his India visit due to Assam unrest could only have pleased Beijing. A Modi-Abe summit in Guwahati, followed by the two leaders visit to a new peace museum in Manipur that commemorates the Battle of Imphal between the Imperial Japanese Army and allied forces during World War II, would have highlighted Northeast Indias role as the bridge to the rest of Asia.

The Assam violence, although short-lived, will make already-wary Japanese companies more reluctant to invest in Indias northeast  to the delight of China, which doesnt want any foreign investment or even multilateral lending going there. With private Japanese investors averse to taking risks, Japan must provide greater Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans in order to finance socioeconomic projects in Indias Northeast. India, however, is already Japans largest ODA recipient. Japan is the only foreign power allowed to undertake projects in Indias sensitive Northeast, as well as in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Against this background, an Indo-Pacific concert of democracies isnt on the horizon. But if democratic powers leverage their bilateral and trilateral partnerships to generate progress toward such a concert of democracies, the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific may be achievable in the years ahead. This, of course, is contingent on US foreign policy not becoming preoccupied again with the Muslim world. US interventions in the Islamic world under Trumps immediate two predecessors paved the way for Chinas muscular rise. Now, by taking on Iran, Trump could relieve pressure on Beijing and undermine the fundamental shift in the China policy he initiated.

Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist

The views expressed are personal
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The Congress said that it had conveyed its stand about portfolio allocation to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Congress's Ashok Chavan spoke to reporters after a meeting of leaders of the ruling coalition of Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress here.

The meeting on Thursday night was attended by Chavan, Maharashtra Congress chief Balasaheb Thorat, NCP's Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena's Eknath Shinde and others.

The Congress, which has got 12 berths in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, wants two additional departments relating to rural areas.

"We gave our proposal to the CM. He will take a call," Chavan said while downplaying reports about resentment in the party over portfolio distribution.
Bhopal, Jan 3 : Retail giants Walmart, Amazon and Reliance are gearing up to tap the strategic location of Madhya Pradesh to set up logistic bases by locating national distribution centres and warehouses in the state.

The improved connectivity of Madhya Pradesh with other states in all directions has caught the eye of all key businesses.

The state is likely to see intense activity on this front in March and April with Walmart national head Krish Aiyar and strategic business head Stacy Stanley planning visits in January and February to survey locations for the hubs.

Amazon India business head Charu Mathur is scheduled to visit during the next couple of months to work out details of business logistics.

The youth of the state are expectantly awaiting such growth for employment opportunities. The state government has offered to open up opportunities for all prospective businesses to make the most of the strategic location, growing infrastructure and abundant manpower to expand activity.

The state has asked the business houses to train the youth and provide them jobs.

The Reliance Group, headed by Mukesh Ambani, has already offered to invest Rs 400 crore to set up 42 distribution centres in the state and has surveyed land near Bhopal and Indore. The group plans to translate the idea into action in March and April.

According to the Principal Secretary to the state government for industrial investment policy and promotion, Rajesh Rajoura, Walmart, Amazon and Reliance have expressed interest in building logistic hubs and warehouses in the state. Setting up retail outlets is neither their priority nor the state government's. But logistic hubs will get due consideration.

Amazon also plans to enter fresh fruit and vegetable markets in a big way and would want to set up centres for supply in Madhya Pradesh and the rest of the country.
Kathmandu, January 3

Chines ambassador to Nepal Hou Yanqi says that China welcomes any economic assistance to Nepal from the international community as long as the Nepalese government can take decisions about it on its own feet.

Ambassador Hou, who was addressing a New Year press conference at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, said that as Nepal is one of the least developed countries, it needs international support not only from China, but from other countries as well. Nepal is an LDC. Nepal needs assistance and support not only from China, but from the international community. We welcome any kind of assistance to Nepal if its in the sense of economic cooperation, she added in response to a query from the media.

China, however, wants that under any terms of cooperation the Nepali side can decide independently and that it benefits the Nepali people and Nepals national interest, the ambassador said. We would like to see that during the process of the MCC, the Nepali govt can decide on the issue in the interest of Nepal, she added.

Hous comments come as the government prepares to table the Millenium Challenge Corporation compact with the United States in parliament. Various leaders of the ruling NCP have voiced their concerns over the $500 million grant deal with the US government saying that it is part of the Trump administrations Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at countering Chinas Belt and Road Initiative. While the government has already signed the MCC deal with the US, it is waiting for the agreement to be ratified by parliament. After the deal is ratified by parliament, the government has to chip in $130 million for the implementation of the Electricity Transmission Project (ETP) and Road Maintenance Project (RMP) under the MCC. The funds will also be used to develop the Hetauda-Damauli-Butwal 400kVA transmission line and rehabilitate 305km of highways from Itahari-Kakarvitta and Pokhara-Butwal.

Meanwhile, ambassador Hou held that in 2019, China-Nepal relations blossomed in an all-round way. She said that bilateral ties achieved rapid development in the fields of politics, economy, trade and people-to-people exchange. While Chinese companies have become a major force in the contracting and construction business, the exchange of visits at the highest level also facilitated the strengthening of ties, said the ambassador.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh Rail Corporation to build a metro station near the Gorakhpur railway station to facilitate passengers.

Official sources said two light metro corridors are proposed to be built in the constituency which Adityanath represented in Parliament. All stations will be elevated and the project is estimated to cost around Rs 4,589 crore, they said.

The first corridor will be 15.14-km long from Shyam Nagar to MMM Engineering College.

It is estimated that 1.55 lakh people will travel daily on the corridor in the year 2024. This number is likely to increase to 2.05 lakh in 2031, while in the next 10 years, 2.73 lakh people are likely to take the train in this corridor daily, they said.

The second corridor will be built between BRD Medical College and Nausad, which will be 12.70-km long, with 12 stations. It is estimated that 1.24 lakh people will travel on the corridor daily in the year 2024.

At a meeting, the chief minister also directed officials to prepare a feasibility report on modes of transport options, including metro, in temple town of Varanasi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had a telephonic conversation with his American counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday, following the latest developments in Iraq, specifically the actions undertaken overnight where Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes were killed.

Jean-Yves Le Drian called on all parties involved in Iraq to show restraint and said that every effort must now be made to avoid further escalation of tensions and to facilitate de-escalation in order to preserve the stability of Iraq and region as a whole.

The foreign minister also underscored France's concern over the rise in tensions in the Middle East over the past several months, with a sudden escalation in Iraq in recent weeks.

"The priority must be to continue the actions of the International Coalition against Daesh, which is operating in Iraq at the request of the Iraqi authorities and in support of Iraqi security forces. The Coalition's continuity is essential to preserving the achievements of five years of combat against Daesh and guaranteeing a lasting victory against terrorism throughout the entire region," the minister added.

This statement comes at a backdrop of Washington's strike carried out near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

The US had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

Meanwhile, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
American University of Beiruts electrical engineering professor and Lebanons Prime Minister-Designate Hassan Diab is expected to face major challenges as he begins the process of forming a new government. Although the 60-year-old academic lacks in-depth experience in running a government, Diab is not tainted by corruption or theft of public funds.

As Lebanon teeters on default, Diabs ability to cobble Lebanon back into a functioning system depends on whether he will have the courage and vision to implement a revitalization plan that could shake the country to its very core. France, Lebanons primary benefactor and historical ally, together with major regional and international funders of Lebanons economic revitalization, must inform Lebanese politicians that high-level corruption and thievery can no longer be tolerated.

If Diab hopes to overcome the countrys domestic and regional challenges, he must form a cabinet of technocrats with expertise in their respective fields without being restricted by religious quotas. The process must be transparent and inclusive, and must reflect the new realities in the country as expressed by the protesters.

The protesters are not driven by or beholden to any partisan or religious ideology. Their goal is to create an inclusive, functioning government devoid of corruption and committed to serving all the people of Lebanon. Both the French and the American governments support this credible goal.

A tough accountability system will require clear metrics against which progress can be regularly measured. Regional and international donors should establish an International Monitoring Group (IMG) to evaluate the financial performance of the new government, especially the disbursement of the billions of dollars in recovery money from the international donor group.

The IMG would include representatives from Qatar, expected to be the largest regional contributor to Lebanons recovery, France, the United States, Germany, the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and the protest movement. Although so far it has no designated leader, it should agree on at least one person to represent it on the IMG.

The recovery process should focus on four specific projects. The projects include the banking sector, foreign investment, the environment and public services, and the Syrian refugee crisis. International donors through the IMG should earmark a minimum of $2.5 billion to each of these projects.

The banking sector must ease its consumer lending to encourage businesses to hire new employees. Banks should permit customers freer access to their money. Large depositors, however, will be scrutinized more thoroughly before they can access their deposits.

The IMG will be responsible for monitoring foreign investments in major economic infrastructure projects. Managers of these mega enterprises would provide detailed quarterly status reports to the IMG. The review process must be committed to zero tolerance of any form of corruption or patronage jobs that could lead to corruption.

The countrys physical environment  including the water system, public services, roads and highways, the police force and the firefighters  is on the verge of collapse. Government neglect, inaction, fraud, corruption, large kickbacks and the lack of quality control have led to shoddy workmanship and poor physical structures.

Syrian refugee repatriation

The Assad regimes brutality has forced hundreds of thousands of Syrians to seek shelter in Lebanon. These refugees have been a huge burden on the Lebanese economy, infrastructure, education, public services, housing and employment.

The Diab government must enact a Syrian Refugees Repatriation Act (SRRA) that would guide repatriating Syrians to Syria. Under the SRRA, each Syrian family would be given $20,000 to resettle in their country. Syrians whose safety could be threatened if they return should be reviewed separately by the IMG legal staff before a decision is made whether or not they would be returned to Syria. The Syrian refugee presence in Lebanon is untenable.

The current crisis and the ongoing demonstrations have shown that the confessional system over the years has contributed to corruption and mismanagement across many sectors of the Lebanese economy, politics and society. This system of governance, which defined the Lebanese state since independence in 1943, was more or less reaffirmed in the Taif agreement at the end of the 15-year civil war in 1989. It is time to jettison confessionalism in Lebanon.

Working closely with the IMG, Prime Minister Diabs government and representatives of the protesters must draw up a referendum for a national vote on the future of the country. The Lebanese people will be asked to vote in a national referendum on whether Lebanon should be a secular, democratic republic where freedoms of speech, assembly, thought, movement and worship for all Lebanese regardless of sect, religion, gender, or educational or economic status are guaranteed.

A national referendum approved through fair and free elections should go a long way toward restoring the peoples confidence in their national institutions. If this is done and Prime Minister Diab is able to connect with the people, Lebanon will be on its way to recovery. Furthermore, the envisioned Lebanese democracy will be a fitting New Years gift to the peoples of the Middle East.

Emile Nakhleh is research professor and director of the Global and National Security Policy Institute at UNM and a former senior intelligence service officer at the CIA. A longer version was published on ResponsibleStatecraft.org.
Associated Press

Today's top trending stories

Read more about why Ivanka Trump's planned appearance at CES is causing controversy, concerns over a potential SARS outbreak in China, and check out other stories trending online today.

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Complaints about Trump at CES

While the Consumer Electronics Show has been seen for years as the best place to find the newest gadgets, televisions and more, this year the show has a political twist. Planners are receiving complaints that Ivanka Trump has been chosen as a keynote speaker this year.

Read more about why people are upset from USA Today

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Medical community focused on China

Reports of a pneumonia outbreak in parts of China has some concerned that the country has another outbreak of SARS on its hands. Medical officials criticized China for its handling of the outbreaks in the past.

Read more from CBS News

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Amazon's warning to employees

A group of Amazon employees who have been speaking out against the company's environmental impact have been contacted by Amazon's HR department that they are in danger of termination. The company maintains that the workers are in violation of longstanding policies regarding public comments about their employer.

Read more from BBC News

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New documents in impeachment case

Unredacted versions of e-mails associated with the Trump administration and the investigation over aid to Ukraine have Democrats again calling for a full Senate trial against the president.

Read more about what is reportedly contained in these documents from NBC News

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Other headlines trending today

Members of Congress ask Supreme Court to 'reconsider' landmark Roe v. Wade abortion ruling (CNN)

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Hall of Fame announces modern-era finalists for Class of 2020 (NFL.com)

How to see this weekend's Quadrantid meteor shower (CNET)

Kelly Osbourne sets record straight about father Ozzy Osbourne's health (USA Today)

Movies already disappearing from Disney+ (Polygon)
By Express News Service

Amitabh Bachchan will travel to Europe next week to shoot the last schedule of 'Chehre'. A mystery thriller, Chehre unites Big B with Emraan Hashmi for the first time. Emraan is shooting for the film in Delhi till December 7, after which the team will take off for Europe, amidst chilling temperature and abundance of snow.

Producer Anand Pandit confirms, We will be shooting an action sequence at a Slovakian national park and in south Poland beginning December 10. Amit ji will be leading a chase sequence. The schedule is spread over eight days with Amit ji also engaging in mild hand-to-hand combats. We have roped in two in two action directors from Europe to design the sequence.

We will be filming in unexplored, scenic locations, for which we have taken special permission. The temperature will be between minus 5-7 degree Celsius and there will be snow, which we are all excited about.Directed by Rumi Jaffery, Chehre is scheduled to release on April 2020. The film also stars Rhea Chakraborty, Siddhanth Kapoor, Drithiman Chakroborthy, Raghubir Yadav and Annu Kapoor.
Immigration advocates say the initiative exposes migrants to violence, restricts their ability to seek US protections.

The United States will expand the scope of a controversial programme that returns non-Mexican migrants and asylum seekers crossing Mexicos border to that country to await their US court hearings, the Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday.

Washington already has sent more than 56,000 migrants to Mexico under the programme, known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The majority have been Central Americans applying for US asylum.

The effort  which had been implemented over the past year at ports of entry in Texas and California  will be applied at a port of entry south of Tucson, Arizona. Previously, migrants encountered in that area had been sent to El Paso, Texas, to process their return to Mexico.

US President Donald Trump has made a crack down on immigration a major focus of his first term in office and has continued to press the issue in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election.

Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said in a written statement on Thursday that the MPP programme has been an extremely effective tool.

Immigration advocates counter that the initiative exposes migrants to violence in Mexico and restricts their ability to seek protections in the United States. The US consulate in Mexicos border city of Nuevo Laredo issued a security alert on Wednesday, warning against gun battles and urging government employees to take precautions.

The consulate continues to monitor the security situation in Nuevo Laredo. US government personnel are subject to enhanced restrictions on their movements, earlier evening curfew than normal until further notice. Assistance: +528677140512, +525550802000, nuevolaredo-acs@state.gov  USCG Nvo Laredo (@USAConNVL) January 2, 2020

Mexicos asylum agency, known as COMAR, said on Wednesday that it had received 66,915 applications for asylum in 2019, up nearly 126 percent from the previous year.

The agency has struggled to process the crush of applications with limited resources. COMAR received 20 million pesos ($1 million) in funding from the Mexican government in 2019, the lowest sum in seven years.

In December, US border authorities expanded a separate programme to process asylum cases rapidly to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, according to CBS News. The programme, known as Prompt Asylum Claim Review (PACR), had been launched months earlier as a pilot in the El Paso area.

US authorities have not specified the criteria to place migrants in a growing array of border programmes, which include MPP, PACR and another initiative that sends asylum seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to request protection in Guatemala.

Rodney Scott, acting deputy chief of the US Border Patrol, told reporters in December that the factors change on a daily basis but are determined in coordination with the receiving countries.
Major General Qassem Suleimani quds force hashid shaabi qods

REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Iran's elite Quds Force commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, was killed in an airstrike, the US military announced Thursday.

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force," the Defense Department said in a statement, using a different spelling of his name.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," the statement said, adding that "this strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans."

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Iran's elite Quds Force commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, was killed in an airstrike in Iraq, the US military announced Thursday.

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force," the Defense Department said in a statement, using a different spelling for his name.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," the statement said, adding that "this strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans."

"The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world," the statement added.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of the Shiite Iran-backed militia responsible for the assault on the US Embassy in Iraq earlier this week, was also killed in the airstrike, according to Iraqi state media. A senior Pentagon official told Newsweek that al-Muhandis and Soleimani were killed and that DNA results were pending.

Story continues

us embassy iraq protest

Associated Press/Khalid Mohammed

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, the Iran-backed umbrella paramilitary group, said in a statement, according to Reuters.

PMF sympathizers orchestrated the protests at the US Embassy on New Year's Eve, prompting the US to send in military reinforcements to secure the site. That assault followed a rocket barrage on December 27 that killed an American contractor and retaliatory US airstrikes thought to have killed 25 militants.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper in a statement Thursday said the US "will not accept continued attacks against our personnel and forces in the region."

"Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing," Esper said. "We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities."

Soleimani was designated by the US as a terrorist for his ties to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps. The elite Quds Force, a branch of the Revolutionary Guard, provided lethal aid to the Taliban and other extremist groups.

Some US lawmakers spoke out in support of the operation announced Thursday.

"The price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically. Major blow to Iranian regime that has American blood on its hands," Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said in a statement. "Soleimani was one of the most ruthless and vicious members of the Ayatollah's regime. He had American blood on his hands."

"If Iranian aggression continues and I worked at an Iranian oil refinery, I would think about a new career," Graham later added.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani

Reuters

Who was Soleimani?

Soleimani, 62, was the leader of the Quds Force, a division of the Revolutionary Guard trained in unconventional warfare beyond Iran's borders, including in Syria and Iraq. His influence in the region was met with consternation by US officials, who widely allege that his actions further destabilized the region.

Soleimani commanded the Quds Force for over 20 years and also provided military aid to militant groups designated as terrorist organizations, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. In 2007, the US designated Soleimani as a terrorist and imposed sanctions against him, pointing toward roughly $100 million to $200 million that was provided to Hezbollah and weapons that were provided to the Taliban.

"In addition, the Qods Force provides lethal support in the form of weapons, training, funding, and guidance to select groups of Iraqi Shi'a militants who target and kill Coalition and Iraqi forces and innocent Iraqi civilians," the US Treasury said in a statement in 2007.

Soleimani was also sanctioned in 2011, when the US linked him to a plot to kill a Saudi ambassador in Washington. Despite the sanctions and travel bans, Soleimani traveled throughout the world, including Russia, and met with senior officials.

Soleimani was previously rumored to have been killed in a 2006 airplane crash in Iran and a 2012 bombing in Syria.

Following a fiery 2018 tweet in which Trump threatened Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with "CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE," Soleimani offered a response.

"As a soldier, it is my duty to respond to your threats ... If you want to use the language of threat ... talk to me, not to the president," Soleimani said, according to a Reuters report citing an Iranian state news agency.

"We are near you, where you can't even imagine ... Come. We are ready ... If you begin the war, we will end the war," Soleimani added. "You know that this war will destroy all that you possess."

Read the original article on Business Insider
UPDATE 4:34 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2020 - Action News Now spoke with a cybersecurity expert Friday afternoon about Enloe's network infrastructure being attacked.

"Ransomware attacks are pretty much standard about how they come about," Ethical Hacker Will Caput said. "It's a fishing email, someone will click on it, it will unload a payload into the network and propagate throughout the network. The attacks are more like encrypting everything on the drive, they are not taking information. It's mainly just an infection and a money grab. You plan for this type of attack, you do that by having a plan in place and train employees. I foresee that we're going to have a lot of these attacks, targeting hospitals."

---

UPDATE 11:11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2020 - Enloe Medical Center has announced that its network infrastructure was attacked on Thursday evening.

The network infrastructure was attacked with what is referred to as ransomware. Essentially, Enloe said the data on the network was encrypted in a way that it was not immediately accessible by the hospital.

Enloe IT Security notified local law enforcement and the FBI. According to Enloe's IT Security consultant, over 500 similar attacks were reported across the nation in 2019. The focus seems to be on midsize businesses and municipalities.

Our caregivers did an incredible job responding to the cybersecurity incident and are doing everything possible to return our core systems to functionality, protect patient information, and partner with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, said Jolene Francis, Enloes director of Advancement & Communications. Well planned and frequently practiced back-up protocols ensure that patient care remains uninterrupted as we work toward restoring affected systems.

Officials said the cyber incident affected hospital and Enloe clinic phone systems, which have since been partially restored.

The privacy and security of information in our possession is one of the hospital's highest priorities, and we have strict security protocols in place to protect the information in our care, added Kevin Woodward, Enloes chief financial officer. Upon learning of this incident, we immediately took steps to restore critical operating systems and ensure the security of our network. At this point in time, we have no indication or evidence that suggests patient medical data has been compromised.

This is a developing story. Action News Now is working to learn more information.

---

UPDATE 9:29 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2020 - Enloe Medical Center experienced a computer outage that started Thursday night.

There is no word on when the problems will be resolved. Action News Now is working to learn more information.

---

CHICO, Calif. - A spokeswoman for Enloe told Action News Now the hospital is experiencing a system outage.

The system went out earlier in the night and affected the phone system as well, according to the spokeswoman.

With a practiced back-up plan being acted out, patient care is unaffected.

As of 11 p.m., the phone system was slowly coming back up and they are working to learn more information on what happened to cause the outage.

There was no estimated time for the return of the systems but they are working on restoration.
General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's elite Quds Force and among the country's most powerful figures, was reportedly killed in an American airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday morning. "At the direction of the president, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani," the Pentagon said, accusing him of "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." The assassination of Soleimani comes after Iran-backed Iraqi militias attacked the American embassy in Baghdad earlier this week to avenge the deaths of several militia members killed in another U.S. airstike. "[B]e prepared for all sorts of Iranian retaliation against U.S. diplomatic and military personnel," Council of Foreign Relations President Richard Haass warned on Twitter shortly after reports of the general's death first emerged.

More stories from theweek.com

America is guilty of everything we accuse Iran of doing

Iranian military adviser: No American military staff or sites 'will be safe'

Trump's perilous delusions about Tehran


Press Release

January 3, 2020 Angara- Revival of the EDCOM is needed to address the new challenges of the Philippine education sector To aid the government in its efforts to improve the state of education in the country, the Senate is pushing for the revival of the Congressional Committee on Education (EDCOM). Five senators, led by Sonny Angara, have filed Senate Joint Resolution No. 10 calling for the creation of the EDCOM, which will be composed of five members each from the Senate and the House of Representatives. The EDCOM will be tasked to review, assess and evaluate the formal, non-formal, informal and alternative learning systems, including continuing systems of education at all levels. "A lot has been done to improve the country's educational system over the years but it has become apparent that we need to do more to put us at par with the rest of the world," Angara said. "The results of the 2018 round of the Programme for International Student Assessment or PISA, which saw the Philippines at the bottom or second to the last in the list of 79 countries on reading literacy, mathematics and science literacy, was a wake up call, not only for the DepEd but to Congress as well. We need to act right away," Angara added. It was back in 1990 during the presidency of Corazon Aquino that the first EDCOM was created through Joint Resolution No. 2 passed by Congress. Headed by Angara's father, former Senate President Edgardo Angara, the EDCOM came out with a report entitled Making Education Work, An Agenda for Reform that paved the way for the implementation of education reforms in the country. Among the products of the EDCOM report was the "trifocalization" of the education system, with the Department of Education having oversight over basic education; the Commission on Higher Education for higher education; and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for technical and vocational education and training (TVET). Twenty five years have passed since the EDCOM report came out but challenges remain in the education sector that have yet to be addressed. The net enrollment ratio for junior and senior high school in 2018 were at 81.4% and 51.2% respectively, while the completion rate of secondary students was only at 84.3% in 2017. The basic education system still suffers from chronic shortages of teachers and classrooms, large class sizes and low levels of learning achievement. In 2018, the passing rate in licensure exams was pegged at a low 37.9%. TESDA has yet to fully implement the provisions of Republic Act 7796 or the TESDA Act of 1994, particularly the devolution of TVET to local governments and industry. The number State Universities and Colleges and Local Universities and Colleges have increased significantly since 1992, leading to duplication of degree offerings with consequent decreases in the provision of faculty and physical facilities requirements. Angara noted that there were also major recommendations of the EDCOM that were not acted upon such as the creation or institutionalization of a permanent National Coordinating Council for Education to harmonize the policies and programs of the three education agencies and dovetail them to national development plans. "The demands of the workplace are constantly changing and so are the challenges to education brought about by the Fourth Industrial Education. The fast pace of change across the globe is demanding shifts in our educational paradigms, away from content-centric learning to skills and outcome-based learning," Angara said. Just like its predecessor, the new EDCOM will come up with a report on its findings, including short and long-term policy and program recommendations. The chairpersons of the Senate Committees on Basic Education, Arts and Culture and on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education and the chairpersons of the House Committees on Basic Education and Culture and on Higher and Technical Education shall serve as co-chairs of the EDCOM. The EDCOM will have three years from its organization to complete its mandate. Apart from Angara, Senate Joint Resolution 10 has Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Grace Poe and Joel Villanueva as co-authors.
Nuclear deal

July 25, 2015

Iran, the United States and other nations approve a deal in which Iran agrees to shift its nuclear program from weapons production to peaceful commercial use for 10 years. Iran allows international inspectors on its nuclear weapons sites.

In exchange, the United States and the United Nations Security Council lift energy, trade, technology and financial sanctions against Iran.

The pact, established during the tenure of President Barack Obama, is an executive agreement, not a treaty, which means it isnt formally approved by Congress. Republicans oppose the deal and question its legality.

Timeline: How tensions escalated with Iran since Trump withdrew US from nuclear deal

Leaving the deal

October 2016

Presidential candidate Donald Trump says Iran should write the United States a thank you letter for the stupidest deal of all time. Trump says the United States will withdraw from the deal if hes elected.

May 8, 2018

President Trump announces the withdrawal from the Iran deal. Iran, France, Britain and Germany say they will stay in the pact.

President Donald Trump regards the Iran pact as "stupid."

US increases pressure

August-November 2018

The United States reimposes economic sanctions targeting Iran's energy, financial, shipping and shipbuilding industries. Iran says it will take unspecified actions regarding the nuclear deal if Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China don't help it engage in international trade.

April 8, 2019

Trump says he will designate Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards as a foreign terrorist organization. The Pentagon opposes the change, saying it increases the possibility of retaliation against American military and intelligence personnel.

April 22

Trump says the United States will end exemptions on sanctions against countries buying oil from Iran, putting more pressure on Irans economy.

May 5

John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, says the United States will send an aircraft carrier strike force and Air Force bombers to the Middle East. The deployment shows Iran that any attack on United States interests or on those of our allies will be met with unrelenting force.

Story continues

Iran retaliates

May 8

Iran says it will increase its production of enriched uranium and heavy water.

May 12

Four oil tankers  two from Saudi Arabia, one from the United Arab Emirates and one from Norway  are attacked in the Persian Gulf. The United States says Iran is behind the attacks.

June 13

Two oil tankers  one from Norway, the other from Japan  are attacked in the Gulf of Oman. The United States blames Iran, which denies responsibility.

June 20

Iran shoots down a U.S. surveillance drone it says violated Iranian airspace. The U.S. Central Command says the aircraft was in international territory.

June 20

Trump orders retaliatory attacks against Iran but cancels the strikes shortly before they are to be launched. Four days later, he imposes more sanctions against Iran.

July 1

Iran says its exceeded the amount of low-enriched uranium it was allowed to build under the 2015 agreement.

US-Iranian tensions rise

July 4

Gibraltar and British marines seize the Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 at the request of the United States. The ship is suspected of illegally transporting oil to Syria.

July 18

Trump says a U.S. Navy vessel shot down an Iranian drone that came within 1,000 of the ship.

July 20

Iran seizes the British-owned oil tanker Stena Impero near the Strait of Hormuz.

July 22

Iran says its arrested 17 Iranians and charged them with spying for the United States. News reports say some of the Iranians were executed.

General killed after clashes in Iraq

.

Dec. 27

A U.S. civilian contractor is killed and several troops injured in a rocket attack in Kirkuk. The militia group Kataib Hezbollah is blamed.

Dec. 29

U.S. planes bomb three sites in Iraq  one of them in Al-Qaim  and two sites in Syria. Twenty-five people are killed. The sites are tied to Kataib Hezbollah.

Dec. 31

Militia-backed protesters attack the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Jan. 2

Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani and five others are killed in a U.S. drone strike at Baghdad airport. U.S. officials call it a "defensive action," saying Soleimani planned attacks on U.S. diplomats and troops.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US and Iran: Key events since Trump withdrew from nuclear deal
The daughter of an Australian mum of two who was viciously assaulted while filming a street brawl in Bali on New Years Eve has called for justice.

Brenda Graham, 53, from Perth, Western Australia was enjoying a night out when she saw a fight break out in front of her by Kuta beach.

Ms Graham pulled out her mobile and started recording the fight- later saying if roles were reversed she'd hope someone recorded for her to use as evidence.

She was left unconscious on the pavement with her nose broken in three places and is flying back to Australia to undergo extensive facial surgery.

Brenda Graham, 53, can be seen with blood pouring down her face after the vicious attack

'My mum is a 53-year-old woman who was walking home from the beach after a nice night of being out for New Year's, she did NOT deserve to be f***ing attacked for being a witness to a ridiculous incident,' her daughter Zara said in a Facebook post as she shared screenshots of the attackers.

'If anyone in Bali knows the people that attacked my mum, brand them. I want their names and I want them held accountable.'

The video shows another woman involved in the street fight lunge at Brenda while she was filming, knocking the phone out of her hand and flinging her to the pavement.

Brenda Graham's New Year's Eve celebrations in Bali turned into a nightmare when she was assaulted by a stranger and needed hospital treatment for her broken nose

'Don't film, you idiot,' the woman shouted after the spontaneous assault.

'I was punched in the head, knocked to the ground, had my head stomped on, body stomped on, phone kicked out of my hand,' Ms Graham told Nine News.

A picture taken after the incident shows Ms Graham awaiting treatment in a hospital in Bali, her once yellow dress soaked with blood.

Brenda's daughter Zara told 7News the incident was something nobody would ever want for their parent.

She said her father has developed a permanent brain injury and requires round-the-clock care in a home, and that her family has been through enough.

Ms Graham had booked the dream trip to Bali in order to be more 'independent'.

Another woman involved in the street fight can be seen lunging at Brenda Graham while she was filming

'She hasn't said a word, she hasn't gone near anyone,' Zara said of the moments prior to the attack.

'She thought ''OK, well I'm going to quickly pull out my phone and film it, just because if it was happening to me I would want to catch it for evidence''.'

'Even if it's you, even if you are the people involved, just come forward and own up to it,' Zara said.
The seafood market to which an epidemic of what China is calling "pneumonia of unknown cause" was traced in Wuhan, China, Dec. 31, 2019.

Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said on Thursday it had isolated a patient who arrived from the central Chinese city of Wuhan, which state media says has seen an outbreak of "viral pneumonia" in recent days, but that she tested negative for SARS, avian and seasonal influenza.

The woman has been placed in isolation at Tuen Mun Hospital after falling sick after arriving from Wuhan, where officials are investigating 27 cases of viral pneumonia, including seven people in critical condition.

The Authority said the woman has an upper respiratory tract infection and a fever and is in a stable condition, but has tested negative for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), as well as bird flu and regular influenza.

Officials in Wuhan said that several clinics and hospitals in the city have received patients suffering from pneumonia, of which the cause was unknown. However, all patients have previously visited a seafood market in the city.

A team of experts from the National Health Commission arrived in Wuhan on Tuesday, and are "conducting relevant inspection and verification work," state broadcaster CCTV reported.

Online activist Zhang Ruigen said there are concerns that the ruling Chinese Communist Party may seek to cover up the seriousness of the outbreak, as it was accused of doing in 2003 by the World Health Organization during the SARS outbreak.

"I think the Wuhan government is cracking down on information," Zhang said. "They are trying to do a news blackout, and they are calling the truth rumors and fake news the truth."

"When SARS broke out in 2003, the government also blocked the news and said it was rumors, and then said it couldn't be covered at all," Zhang said. "This is still the same routine: they are calling it 'pneumonia of unknown cause.'"

"The first thing they think about is how not to reveal the truth. The first thing they do is detain people and censor public speech," he said.

Coverup feared

A local resident surnamed Feng agreed.

"They are deleting everything, and people are frightened because they haven't made an official announcement yet," Feng said. "I think the local government wants to cover it up, because it's the end of the year, and stability matters more than anything; that's their MO."

SARS -- described as atypical pneumonia caused by a coronavirus -- killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong in 2003. The virus, which infected more than 8,000 people around the world, is believed to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.

The WHO declared China free of the SARS virus in May 2004.

Initial reports indicated that a case of coronavirus-linked pneumonia was confirmed in the Central (No. 2) Hospital of the Tongji Medical College.

An employee who answered the phone at the hospital's department of respiratory medicine declined to comment when contacted by RFA.

"Sorry, we haven't received any feedback on the situation," the employee said.

An official who answered the phone at the Wuhan municipal health bureau said there was as yet no confirmed diagnosis of the disease.

"It should be referred to as pneumonia of unknown cause," the official said. "Don't cause panic. We haven't had any fatalities yet so people should just pay attention to hygiene and don't go to crowded places."

The seafood market that the epidemic was traced to lies close to Hankou Railway Station, which sees tens of thousands of people passing through every day, and yet the market hasn't been shut down, just subjected to disinfection routines, sources in the city told RFA.

While reports have suggested the virus may have come from infected meat at the market, health officials have said there have been no cases so far of human-to-human transmission.

Reported by Wong Siu-san and Sing Man for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Qiao Long for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Mumbai/IBNS: Reacting to the terming of legendary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poem 'Hum Dekhenge' as "anti-Hindu" by some faculty members of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, lyricist Javed Akhtar called the incident "absurd and funny", media reports said.

Akhtar also added Hum Dekhenge was written by the legendary poet against the then Pakistan government under President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq.

The faculty members complained that the students who took out a protest march against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and in solidarity with assaulted Jamia Millia University students on Dec 17 sung the lines of the poem which hurt sentiments of other communities.

Following the complaints, the IIT Kanpur constituted a panel to decide whether the poem is "anti-Hindu" or not.

The lines which have come under the scrutiny are, "Jab arz-e-Khuda ke Kaabe se, sab buut uthwaae jaayenge / Hum ahl-e-safa mardood-e-haram, masnad pe bithaaye jaayenge/ Sab taaj uchhale jaayenge, sab takht giraaye jaayenge/ Bas naam rahega Allah ka, hum dekhenge.

The translation put out by rekhta.org as quoted by The Times of India reads, "When from the sacred square of the Kaaba / Idols of false Gods will be uprooted / When to us rootless and unwanted / Seats of power will be granted / All crowns will be tossed into the air / All thrones ground to dust / Only the name of Allah will prevail / We will see!"

Students of various colleges, universities across the nation took to streets to protest against the CAA over the last few weeks with some protests even turning violent.

The CAA, if implemented, will grant citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi but not Muslim refugees who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan before 2015.

While majority of protesters are accusing the government of hurting the secular fabric of the nation by choosing religion as the basis of the law, agitations in Assam broke out against granting citizenship to any community in the state.

The Centre argued that the law is aimed at granting citizenship to all religiously persecuted minorities of the three nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated no Indian Muslims need to worry about the their citizenship.--
The Centre is planning to talk to the state governments after the Union Budget 2021 presentation on February 1. It is also exploring ways to manage a possible revenue shortage and consequent GST compensation to the states from the next fiscal. The finance ministers of state governments are also expected to meet the finance minister after the Union Budget to discuss the overhauling of GST slabs, the source said.

New Delhi: Amid conflicting reports of an impending restructuring of the goods and services tax (GST) slabs, it is learnt that the central government is keen to have three different slabs of GST from the existing four.

Besides, the government is also mulling a marginal increase in the current GST rates for some key items phase-wise to boost the tax mop-up.

Experts are, however, of view that there should not be more than two slabs of GST in the system.

Talking to Financial Chronicle on condition of anonymity, a member of the apex body of the indirect taxes, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), said, The government is planning to reduce the number of GST slabs to three from the existing number of four. The final call will be taken by the GST Council soon in the regard.

Also, the GST rates of some key items are set to be increased, if not at one go but phase-wise, to boost GST collection for the government. However, it is up to the GST Council to take a final call on the issue and the council is likely to finalise the revised rates within a months time, the source added.

A panel comprising central and state government officials has been formed to review the current rate structure and examine ways to boost revenue collection. The government is likely review around 150 products that are currently exempt from GST and the GST Council is expected to discuss the panels recommendations at its next meeting, the a finance ministry source said.

In line with media reports, meanwhile, the experts have also favoured the reduction of slabs from the present four. Subhash Varshney, former principal chief commissioner of GST in the Mumbai Circle, said there should be only two slabs of GST rates.

He said less number of slabs would help taxpayers file GST returns easily and help reduce the tax evasion.

The Centre is planning to talk to the state governments after the Union Budget 2021 presentation on February 1. It is also exploring ways to manage a possible revenue shortage and consequent GST compensation to the states from the next fiscal. The finance ministers of state governments are also expected to meet the finance minister after the Union Budget to discuss the overhauling of GST slabs, the source said.

Revenue secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey is learnt to have scheduled a meeting with the tax commissioners on January 7 to discuss ways for streamlining the GST system and plugging leakages. This meeting with commissioners of state tax and the chief commissioner of central tax will also deliberate about enhancing GST compliance by plugging loopholes and discouraging tax evaders, the source said.

Ways to stop tax evasion without any overreach or harassment to the genuine taxpayers will be discussed with the top tax officials and the enforcement wings, the source added.

As of now, there are four GST slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent tax.
Lenovos new 8th-gen ThinkPad X1 Carbon thin and light laptop comes less than half a year after the company introduced its 7th-gen model so maybe it shouldnt come as a surprise that the new version looks virtually identical to its predecessor.

The similarities arent just skin deep though  not only is the body of the laptop unchanged, but so are the processor options. The new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 8 is available with the same 10th-gen Intel Comet Lake processors (up to a 6-core Core i7 chip with vPro) as last years model.

But there are a few changes that help justify the new name.

First up, the new Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon has support for new display options including a 500-nit FHD display and/or a PrivacyGuard screen that lets you limit the viewing angles on the display to keep people sitting near you from seeing what youre looking at.

Second, the new model supports WiFi 6 (802.11ax). And third, theres an updated keyboard with dedicated buttons for making VoIP calls using Skype or other services.

And thats about it. If none of those are must-have features for you, then you might be able to save a few bucks by picking up a Gen 7 model instead. The new ThinkPad X1 Carbon should hit the streets later this year for $1499 and up.

The 14 inch laptop weighs 2.4 pounds and will be available with up to a 4K display, up to a Core i7 processor, up to 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM, p to 2TB of PCie solid state storage. It features two Thunderbolt 3 ports, an HDMI 1.4 port, and two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A ports, plus a 51 Wh battery and an HD webcam and IR camera with a ThinkShutter that you can slide over the front to block the cameras when youre not using them.

via Lenovo and AnandTech
Tensions between the US and Iran entered uncharted territory following the killing of top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike in Iraq, with experts fearing the incident could trigger a conflict.

Soleimani, 62, rose steadily through the ranks of the Iranian military until he was named in 1998 the head of al-Quds Force, the most elite unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Force (IRGC). Soleimani was considered the second most powerful leader after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and on his watch, al-Quds Force was linked to killings and assassination attempts in countries ranging from Syria and Lebanon to Germany and even India.

Following a bomb attack on an Israeli diplomats vehicle in the Indian capital in February 2012, Delhi Police came to the conclusion the suspects involved in the unsuccessful assault were members of IRGC, media reports had said at the time. The bombing occurred at the same time as other attacks linked to the IRGC in Bangkok, Thailand, and Tbilisi, Georgia.

The al-Hashd al-Shaabi, an umbrella group of Iran-controlled militias in Iraq, announced on Twitter Soleimani was killed along with its leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The drone strike was carried out near a cargo area at Baghdad airport on the orders of US President Donald Trump while Soleimani and nine others were leaving in two vehicles.

The Pentagon, in a statement, said Soleimani was killed at the direction of the President in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad. The strike was retaliation for the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, which was carried out by Iran-backed militias, and aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

The US statement said Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani and al-Quds Force, which along with IRGC was designated by the US as terrorist organisations in April 2019, of being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition personnel. Trump claimed Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of millions.

He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months  including the attack on December 27th  culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, the statement said.

Ayatollah Khamenei said severe revenge awaits those criminals behind the attack, and President Hassan Rouhani pledged Iran would take revenge on the US for this heinous crime. Soleimanis death has redoubled the determination of ...Iran to stand up to the US, Rouhani said.

Irans foreign minister Javad Zarif described the killing of Soleimani as an act of international terrorism and a foolish escalation. Iraqs Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the killing as a dangerous escalation of regional tensions.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo spoke to UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab, German foreign minister Heiko Maas and Chinas politburo member Yang Jiechi to explain the defensive action to eliminate Soleimani and said the US remains committed to de-escalation.

Tensions between the US and Iran have spiralled since Washington pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the Iran nuclear deal and imposed strict sanctions on Iranian oil exports last year, forcing major importers such as India, China and Japan to cut purchases to zero. Tensions also spiked after several attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf last year, which the US and its allies had blamed on Iran.

The al-Quds Force has been linked to Irans efforts to increase its influence in countries such as Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria by propping up Hezbollah and other pro-Iran militant groups. Under Soleimanis leadership, the force expanded its military presence in Iraq by training and arming Shia militias, and shaped Bashar al-Assads campaign against rebel forces in Syria.

But Soleimani was also seen as a national hero in Iran for helping lead the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Former CIA director David Petraeus once recounted a story at a think tank event that demonstrated Soleimanis influence. While leading the US campaign in Iraq in 2008, a senior Iraqi leader conveyed to Petraeus a text message from Suleimani: General Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassem Suleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza, and Afghanistan. And indeed, the ambassador in Baghdad is a Quds Force member. The individual whos going to replace him is a Quds Force member.

Soleimanis death could be a major tipping point, given his proximity to Irans Supreme Leader. The al-Quds Force, along with the rest of the IRGC, reports to Khamenei, and some considered Soleimani to be more powerful than Irans President in matters of foreign policy.

We should expect to see the most significant/aggressive response, tweeted Yashar Ali, a journalist who closely tracks developments in Iran.

He added in another tweet: But killing Soleimani is not like killing the head of a terrorist org. Its like killing the head of a terrorist organization and a head of state. You have to treat it as such and the US has not DIRECTLY engaged in assassinations on that level in decades.

Given Indias strong relations with both the US and Iran  external affairs minister S Jaishankar visited Tehran in December for a meeting with counterpart Javad Zarif  and the presence of some 8 million Indian expatriates in West Asia, any escalation in tensions could have widespread ramifications for New Delhi, both in terms of foreign policy and economy.

The Indian nationals in the Gulf region account for annual remittances of about $40 billion, and any conflict could not only affect this but also trigger a massive exodus of expatriates.
Irans ability to impact the U.S. will probably be mostly within the Middle East theater, said Neil Beveridge, a senior analyst at Bernstein, a market research firm. Iraq and Saudi Arabia are obvious targets.

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz

Tankers carrying most of the oil leaving the Persian Gulf region  about 18 million barrels a day  as well as giant vessels loaded with liquefied natural gas, must pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel that separates the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Iran and leads to the Indian Ocean.

The strait is 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, and the width of the shipping lane in either direction is just two miles wide, according to the United States Energy Information Administration.

Irans coastline covers much of the east side of the gulf, leaving Tehran well placed to harass shipping with small boats, missiles, mines and other weapons. Last year, Iran seized a number of tankers in the area in an apparent effort to show that if Tehran was not permitted to export its oil, then supplies from other producers in the area were at risk.

Market participants worry that Iran could step up such attacks on shipping, although such a move would be likely to bring a quick response from United States military forces in the area.

Other vulnerable points

Iran has other options for retaliating against Washington and its allies. It was clear in September that key Saudi oil installations could be knocked out with missile and drone attacks. Analysts worry about a similar strike by Iran, or a larger version.

Analysts also say the oil installations of Saudi Aramco and other producers around the Persian Gulf could prove vulnerable to cyberattacks that might severely disrupt their operations.
Management and Staff of Metrocint General Insurance, MetroLife and THE VINCENTIAN joined in welcoming all those who attended Appreciation Day 2019.

Editors Note: This article was first published in 2015. We find that it holds much relevance to the present, and with a few adjustments here and there, we are pleased to re-present it for your reading.





Metrocint General Insurance Co. Ltd. celebrates another milestone  the 51st anniversary of its birth.

In an era when mergers and buyouts, some amicable, some hostile, cloud the landscape of the world of business and commerce, Metrocint stands towering on its own; honouring its commitments to a growing clientele even as it expands its portfolio.





Those who have been intimately associated with the company, the first indigenous Insurance Company in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, speak to an unlikely journey that began 51 years ago. Many were those who doubted the feasibility of the investment, and predicted its demise within a year.





As fate would have it, Metrocint blossomed in a rigidly controlled, staid industry, to become a national leader.

Its services, originally founded on a portfolio that included only coverage for motor vehicles, now include a full complement of general Insurance Products  Houseowner/Householders, Commercial Fire and Perils, Consequential Loss of Profits, Burglary, Employers Liability and Public Liability.





More recently the portfolio has expanded to include Life, Personal Accident, Group Life insurance coverage in association with Pan American Life Insurance Group.





It is safe to say, that the huge gamble taken by its founder, Egerton Uncle Metro Richards, has brought returns on a humble investment some 51 years ago, improved services to an expanding clientele, and a healthy competitive atmosphere to the industry.





As such therefore, Metrocint is today an integral player in the broad financial service sector of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, honouring its commitment to both clients and the state.





So, as we look back over the last five decades, we are satisfied that Metrocint has become one of the top movers and shakers in the local insurance industry. Those who laboured through the vineyards of the past, not least its founder Egerton Uncle Metro Richards, must have got it right.





Admittedly, theres much room for growth. In some ways, even after 51 years, it could feel like the foundation has just been laid. For as Metrocint grows from strength to strength, as it gains territory and holds on to it, there is a sense that this company is focused on ensuring regular growth to the benefit of those it serves directly and to the states economy as a whole.





And, perhaps all of this success is due to the personal connections and hometown ties that have characterised the companys modus operandi, as enlarged in living colour by its founder, and continued by his successors.

That could well be the basis for what makes Metrocint so different.

Join us in celebrating our 51st anniversary. We got you covered.




For the third consecutive year, homicides decreased in San Antonio, falling to 105 in 2019.

Homicides in unincorporated areas of Bexar County increased slightly last year, to 15 from 13 the previous year, according to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office.

While the fluctuations were minor, the figures are significantly lower than those of 2016, when there were 149 homicides in San Antonio and 20 in unincorporated areas of Bexar County. That year was the citys deadliest in more than two decades.

Officials said the 2019 numbers are preliminary and could change slightly.

Annual homicide counts provided by law enforcement must meet the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting Program definition, which doesnt include justified homicides or officer-involved killings.

The 2018 data provided Thursday by the Police Department and Bexar County differ slightly from the figures they provided to the FBI earlier last year.

Police Lt. Jesse Salame, who works in the police chiefs office, said the homicide number for 2018 was 108, one more than the department previously reported. Salame could not immediately explain the difference.

The Sheriffs Office initially reported 10 homicides in 2018. Deputy Johnny Garcia said some killings were reclassified as homicides, bringing the total to 13.

Michael Fisher

The decrease in homicides over the last three years was not unique to San Antonio but mirrored a trend seen in many major cities, including Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston and San Francisco.

On ExpressNews.com: SAPD unveils initiatives to combat homicides, violent crime

Experts say its normal for crime to fluctuate from year to year because of a variety of factors, including shifts in the unemployment and poverty rates, gang-related activity, drug use and poor community-police relations.

Crime is generally lower now than in the early 1990s. Homicide totals peaked then, at one point reaching 220 in San Antonio, and the per capita rate was 23 per 100,000 people. Last year, the per capita rate was 7 per 100,000.

In the past, Police Chief William McManus has credited the decrease in homicides locally to the departments continued efforts to apprehend known criminals and enhance community engagement.

In 2017, after the spike in homicides and violent crime, McManus unveiled the Violent Crime Task Force, a collaboration of local, state and national agencies that focused on repeat offenders rather than crime hot spots, as the department had in the past.

Crime doesnt just happen in one section of the city, and we dont want to target one section of the city, McManus said then. We dont want to overpolice. We have our Intelligence Unit detectives talking about who we need to target  people, not areas.

McManus has also credited the decrease in crime to the work of officers in the SAFFE Unit, or San Antonio Fear Free Environment, which works hand in hand with residents and businesses to prevent crime.

On ExpressNews.com: After infants body found, San Antonio police doubt father injured his son accidentally

Sheriff Javier Salazar has said crime goes in cycles, spiking sometimes for no apparent reason. He said most violent crimes are not random  victims usually know those who commit such acts.

If youre involved in a high-risk lifestyle  gangs, drugs, things like that  youre going to, of course, dramatically increase your chances of becoming a victim of violent crime, possibly even a homicide, Salazar said in 2017.

There were several notable homicides in 2019, including that of King Jay Davila, an 8-month-old boy who police say was killed by his mothers fiance, and Andreen McDonald, whose husband is charged in connection with her death.

Another high-profile crime involved the shooting deaths of San Antonio hairstylist Nichol Olsen and her two daughters at a luxury home in a gated subdivision in North Bexar County. Their deaths remain shrouded in mystery because the case is still open, but authorities have ruled the deaths of Alexa Montez, 16, and London Bribiescas, 10, as homicides.

On ExpressNews.com: Deaths of mother and daughters remain a mystery

Officials said all three crimes were linked to family violence. The yearly total for that type of crime is not available yet, but in 2018, at least 29 people died from domestic violence in Bexar County, according to San Antonio Express-News data. Thats one-third more than in 2015.

In response to the problem, city and county leaders initiated two wide-ranging plans last year that approach the scourge of family violence as a public health issue rather than solely a crime issue.

They have identified several changes that they hope will combat the problem, such as creating a crisis hotline, providing free legal assistance to survivors and training medical professionals to better identify signs of domestic violence.

Staff Writer Peggy OHare contributed to this report.

Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeaton
(Natural News) As much as Democrats hate guns, gun rights and the Second Amendment, they are the best marketers and sellers of firearms and firearms accessories around.

When Barack Obama was president, every time he brought up new control measures like an assault weapons ban, sales of those weapons would blast upward. That led some of us to believe that Obama, secretly, owned stock in American firearms makers.

Well, guns and ammo are selling like crazy again, this time in the state of Virginia and for a far more serious reason: Citizens there appear to be arming up for possible conflict with authorities.

As reported by the Washington Examiner:

With Virginia Democrats taking over all branches of state government, a firearms store owner in the state says sales of guns, magazines, and ammunition are up 200%, and more of his customers are paying in cash.

Why would it matter that Democrats now control all legislative branches of government in the state? Because since winning control in November, they have been promising to usher in a raft of new gun control laws including, but not limited to, gun confiscation schemes and red flag laws that violate the Fifth Amendments due process clause.

This is the largest Christmas and November, December that weve had, basically, since Trump has come on board. The only other person that was a better salesman right now is when we had President Obama, Jerry Rapp, owner of SpecDive Tactical, in Alexandria, told the website.

There hasnt been quite the rush on guns during the current administration because President Trump has routinely spoken in support of the Second Amendment which, libs need reminding, is still part of the Constitution.

Every time [Obama] turned around he was going to ban something or make something illegal. But even that isnt even close to the amount of sales were selling right now of magazines, of guns, of every kind of gun from pistol, rifle, shotguns, to AR platforms and ammunition, Rapp said. We cant keep it in stock.

Democrats are also great authoritarians

Its not just Virginia Democrats seeking to undermine the Second Amendment, Democrats in Congress are attempting to do the same thing. Freshman Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who was previously a Virginia state senator, has proposed a bill that would require the use of credit card data to track gun purchases. And while theres not a snowballs chance in Hades that its going to pass, news of her bill has nonetheless spread throughout Virginia.

Think about that, though: An American lawmaker actually proposing to empower the federal government to steal private purchasing data in order to track gun sales. Wexton whacked three amendments at once, the Second, the Fourth (privacy), and the Fifth (due process). Buying a gun is not against the law; furthermore, its no business of anyone in government how many legal guns a citizen purchases. (Related: NRA: First weeks critical in fight to save gun rights in Virginia; is a showdown looming with Democrats?)

But because of Wextons proposal, Rapp said several of his customers have been making their purchases using cash instead of a credit or debit card (because that data is still out there for the governments taking, with or without the presidents permission).

Rapp also said some of the legislation Democrats in Virginia are proposing would harm his gun safety training (imagine that.)

From a gun place, the biggest [proposed legislation] that affects me right now, because were a training company that sells guns, is if you are a trainer or if you train your son or daughter, that you could become a felon, but as a training place, we do safety, Rapp told the website. We do training both from a basic pistol, rifle, shotgun to advanced combat shootings and tactical shootings for the military, law enforcement, three-letter agencies.

Democrats are great gun salespeople, thats for sure. But they are far better authoritarians.

Sources include:

WashingtonExaminer.com

NewsTarget.com
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned his country about a difficult economic future.

Kim made the comments in his New Years message published Wednesday at the end of a four-day meeting of the ruling Workers Party.

The North Korean leader also seemed to reject the possibility of progress in talks with the United States on the countrys nuclear weapons program.

Kim expressed a new, tougher approach to the United States.

We have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, Kim said.

Kim also threatened to restart intercontinental ballistic missile or nuclear tests. He warned the world would soon see a new kind of weapon. But his comments about his own countrys future also show a small change in his situation.

The failure of the February 2019 meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, with U.S. President Donald Trump may have hurt his influence at home.

I think the failure of Hanoi created somecosts for him and those advocating for diplomacy with the U.S., said Andray Abrahamian. He is with George Mason University Korea. They looked weak by asking for sanctions relief, now theyre signaling that they dont need it.

Hard-liners oppose talks

At the failed negotiations in Hanoi, Kim offered to dismantle some of the Yongbyon nuclear center. In exchange, North Korean negotiators wanted a lessening of sanctions that have severely hurt the countrys economy. Trump rejected the offer. This might have created embarrassment for Kim.

North Korea has been under United Nations sanctions for years and U.S. sanctions for even longer. The sanctions are part of an international effort to cause North Korea to end its nuclear weapons and long range missile programs. Trump has refused to reduce the sanctions until North Korea agrees to stop all of its nuclear weapons activities.

The failure in Hanoi created difficulties for North Koreas small, but important, growing merchant class. It also strengthened the argument of the countrys traditional hard-liners. They are against negotiations that may cause the country to give up its nuclear weapons.

Kims statement may have been a call for loyalty.

Kim Jong Uns message on sanctions was about accepting them, explained Jenny Town. She is a Korea specialist at the Stimson Center, a research group in Washington D.C.

Hard times ahead

One important possible change could be a strengthening of North Koreas byungjin policy. That policy calls for the country to work toward nuclear and economic growth at the same time.

The byungjin idea is very clear to North Koreans. It means doing with less to help the national economy, said Rachel Minyoung Lee. She is a North Korea expert with NK News, a website that reports on North Korea.

It means hard times ahead, she added.

Kim also called for a campaign against the small, private markets that have been growing during the last 20 years. This might make life even harder for North Koreans.

Duyeon Kim is a senior adviser for Northeast Asia and nuclear policy at the International Crisis Group. She says North Korea will now try to become a nuclear and economic power.

Kims speech did not completely reject nuclear negotiations. However, it did suggest a more hard-line policy in 2020.

Im Kelly Jean Kelly.

VOAs William Gallo reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

approach n. a way of dealing with a problem

sanctions n. an action taken to force a country to obey international laws by stopping or limiting trade

ballistic missile n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance then falls to the ground and explodes

advocacy n. supporting a cause or an idea

relief n. removing or reducing something that is painful

dismantle v. to take apart

hard-line adj. tough and strong

embarrassment n. the state of feeling foolish in front of others

merchant n. those who buy or sell products
In keeping with the provisions of the National Medical Commission Act 2019, the National Medical Commission, an overarching body, is all set to launch this month. Business Today has learnt that the process is currently on to fill the key positions required under the new structure. Among these, two major appointments were made public on Thursday. Professor Suresh Chandra Sharma, the head of ENT head-neck surgery at AIIMS, Delhi, was appointed as the Chairman of the National Medical Commission, while Rakesh Kumar Vats, the Secretary General of the Board of Governors, was appointed as the Secretary of the Commission. However, it is still not clear when they'll take charge in their new role.

Two years back on January 1, 2018, healthcare professionals rang in the New Year, debating implications of the National Medical Commission Bill tabled in the Lok Sabha.

In 20 months, the bill was passed by both the Houses of Parliament and received the Presidential assent. The Act is now in force, and a board of governors was set up last year to perform the duties of the Medical Council of India. It is chaired by Dr Vinod K Paul, member of government think tank NITI Aayog.

On the progress on setting up the new structure, Dr Paul told Business Today: "The structure of the commission comprises a chairman, four presidents and two full-time members. These appointments are being made. These are all full-time ACC (Appointments Committee of the Cabinet) appointments. After these (appointments) are made, the commission will be launched and (it'll) replace the Medical Council of India... we expect this to happen this month."

On forming the rules that may be required, he said: "The Act is already in force and some rules have already been framed. More will be framed as the time comes."

Those who have tracked the evolution of reforms in the medical education in India, requesting anonymity, say, "If done in good faith, it will work quite well. It has done a very important thing of completely separating the three functions the Medical Council was doing earlier - accreditation; syllabus and curriculum; and medical ethics. If allowed to function separately, led by well-qualified men and women, these bodies will do their tasks well."

The National Medical Commission is an overarching body that'll frame policies and co-ordinate the activities of four autonomous boards. The appointment of independent board members, whose roles are crucial, will be keenly watched. Each board will separately look at undergraduate and postgraduate education, medical assessment and rating, and ethics & medical registration.

The impact of some provisions of the Act and their implementation will also be analysed closely. For instance, some of its much talked about provisions include converting the final year examination into a nationwide exit test called NEXT, and in sync with the kind of test done at the time of admission. Today, there is a common entrance examination for MBBS (called NEET). Similarly, other provisions such as those relating to the regulation of fees and registration of community health providers will also be watched closely.

Also read: National Medical Commission Bill 2019: What is it and why is the medical fraternity opposed to it?
In 1970, the Maryland General Assembly passed the Public Information Act. Like the Freedom of Information Act, its more well-known federal counterpart, the PIA gives citizens the right to access many public documents, theoretically within 30 days. In 2015, the state also created a public-access ombudsmans office and the Public Information Act Compliance Board, hoping to give people and agencies fighting over public information requests a way to make peace without going to court.
GREENBELT, Md. - Former Maryland delegate Tawanna Gaines was sentenced to six months in prison Friday for one count of federal wire fraud.

Gaines, a Democrat from Prince George's County, resigned before pleading guilty in October. She admitted to using more than $22,000 in campaign donations to pay for dental work, hairstyling, an Amazon Fire TV stick and other personal expenses.

The 67-year-old apologized to her family, her constituents and the people of Maryland before receiving her sentence.

"I took my oath very seriously, but I fell short," Gaines said.

She must surrender to authorities on Feb. 24. After serving the prison term, Gaines faces three years of supervised release that will include two months of home detention.

Gaines must pay $22,565 in restitution. Under state law, the conviction also means she must forfeit her pension.

More than a dozen supporters, including current and former public officials, appeared in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt or wrote letters asking the judge to consider leniency. Many described their shock at learning about Gaines's misuse of campaign funds and said it seemed out of character.

One supporter, Judge Michele Hotten of the Maryland Court of Appeals, spoke of her friendship with Gaines and told the court "we cannot measure a person by one single incident."

"We have to measure the totality of the person," Hotten said, "and in my estimation, Ms. Gaines is a wonderful, contributing member of the society."

In letters, several Democratic and Republican state lawmakers agreed.

"It is really hard for me to fathom how she let herself get into this situation," wrote Del. Wendell Beitzel,a Republican from western Maryland. "I believed, like nearly all of my colleagues, that she was least likely of the members of the House to get caught up in a problem of this nature."

House Speaker Adrienne Jones, a baltimore County Democrat, told the judge she has considered Gaines a close friend since Gaines became a member of the House in 2001.

"She was always willing to go the extra mile for her Prince George's County constituents," Jones wrote.

A former volunteer in Gaines's office, Shirley Brown, wrote that when she learned of Gaines's arrest, she thought, "That is not the Tawanna Gaines I know."

"She was always willing and ready to welcome constituents into her office to listen to their concerns," Brown wrote. "Also, she very fairly and open-mindedly listened to those who wanted her to hear their position on an issue, even if it was different from her position."

Prosecutors had asked for an eight-month prison term, while Gaines's defense attorney had asked for home detention.

U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang acknowledged Gaines's many supporters and said he did not think incarceration was necessary to deter her from further offenses. He also noted the former lawmaker had not sold her vote, did not live lavishly and was a primary breadwinner for a household that included her son and grandchildren.

"I do believe this was a lapse of judgment in an otherwise honorable life and career," Chuang said.

The judge said her sentence was meant to reflect the seriousness of the breach of public trust and deter other officials from corruption.

Chuang told Gaines that "at this point in our history, trust in government and our public officials is very low, perhaps dangerously low," a circumstance that could "jeopardize democracy itself."

"So now more than ever, those in public service must carry out their duties in a way that validates and builds the public trust in our system of government," Chuang said. "And stealing from your campaign fund, like any public corruption, does the opposite."

In November, Gaines's daughter and campaign treasurer, Anitra Edmond, 43, also pleaded guilty, to funneling more than $35,000 designated for the "Friends of Tawanna P. Gaines" campaign for her personal use. She is scheduled to be sentenced in February.

Jones, the House speaker, said Thursday she will support legislation that would bar family members from serving as someone's campaign treasurer. She said that "it makes it cleaner" to exclude family members from handling political contributions, because "we tend to not be as overly cautious with our family members."

- - -

The Washington Post's Erin Cox contributed to this report.
TUCSON, Ariz.Three mountain lions found feeding on human remains near a popular Tucson hiking trail have been killed, Arizona authorities said on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

They were not suspected of killing the person but were determined to be a danger to the public because they showed no fear of officers trying to remove the remains, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said in a statement, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

The area in the Coronado National Forest was closed for a day while officials attempted unsuccessfully to trap the mountain lions.

The medical examiner will work to identify the name and cause of death for the person found Tuesday morning off the Pima Canyon Trail.

The trail at the base of Mount Lemmon was re-opened on Wednesday, ahead of a planned Jan. 14 re-opening, after authorities decided there was no danger to the public.

Woman Tries to Pry Open Mountain Lions Jaws to Save Her Dog

In other news involving mountain lions, a Southern California woman punched a mountain lion on Dec. 5, and tried to pry its jaws open to save her dog from an attack in her backyard, but the pet was killed, officials said.

The woman suffered a minor cut after the mountain lion attacked her miniature Schnauzer in the city of Simi Valley, police Sgt. Keith Eisenhour told KNBC-TV.

The womans name was not released.

She obviously cared about her dog very much, as all dog owners do, Eisenhour said. She tried to fend the animal off by punching it, elbowing it, and tried to pry its jaws open.

Police Cmdr. Adam Darough told the Ventura County Star that responding officers saw the mountain lion eating the dog in the backyard, but it quickly took off into the hills.

The attack happened about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of downtown Los Angeles in a neighborhood adjacent to wildlands.

It followed a report that another dog was injured by a mountain lion in the same area late Wednesday.

Earlier Wednesday, there were mountain lion sightings in the area that led to a search by police, a Ventura County sheriffs helicopter, and animal control officers.

Nothing was found, and police said at the time that it was believed the animal had fled back into the hills.

Many mountain lions in the area and wildlands to the south are being studied by biologists with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to determine how they survive in habitat increasingly fragmented by development and freeways.

Darough said the mountain lion seen Wednesday had a tracking collar, but officers could not see if the animal that attacked the dog had a collar.

Ana Beatriz Cholo, a spokeswoman for the national recreation area, told the Star that the animal was not one of the mountain lions being tracked with a working collar but may be an adult female that was living in the area before her collar stopped working.

The National Park Service installed a tracking collar on that female in 2014 when she was 4 or 5 years old and was mostly living around the highest peak in the Santa Susana Mountains. Now, she would be fairly old for a female mountain lion in the wild.
At a time when leaders visit other countries with heavy security, Ireland Prime Minister Leo Varadkar did not avail any police security during his visit to India. Varadkar, who is of Indian origin, was on a private visit to India this week to celebrate New Year's with his family.

About his visit

On his private visit to Indian, the Prime Minister of Ireland visited his ancestral village Varad in the coastal Sindhudurg district of neighbouring Maharashtra along with his family members. According to Varadkar, this was his first visit to his village.

After the villagers felicitated him, Varadkar said that it was a 'special moment' as three generations of his family were present at the gathering.

Read: Ireland PM Leo Varadkar visits his ancestral place in Konkan

Further, he visited Goa on Monday to celebrate the New Year. According to reports, he stayed at a plush resort in North Goa district. According to the police, he availed no security during his visit. The Ireland Prime Minister left for New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon from Goa.

Read: Director Martin Scorsese: 'The Irishman' might be my last one

Read: Ireland to impose latte-levy by 2021 to reduce single-use plastic cups

About Leo Varadkar

Leo Varadkar became the Prime Minister of Ireland in June 2017. His father Ashok Varadkar, a doctor, had moved to the United Kingdom in the 1960s. Leo Varadkar, like his father, is also a medical professional and studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin before entering politics.

Read: Hillary Clinton appointed as chancellor of Queen's University Belfast in Ireland

(WITH PTI INPUTS)
MANZINI - I did not want any man to have her. If I could not have her, she had to die. These were the words of the man who is alleged to have brutally murdered his wife by slitting her throat during New Years Eve.

The accused, Themba Matsebula (42), was arrested by the police on Wednesday and made a court appearance and confession yesterday morning. The murder incident occurred at Mhlaleni, which is under the Kwaluseni Constituency.



In statements recorded and submitted in court, Matsebula alleged that he had been having marital problems with his wife, Celiwe Nxumalo (38) for quite some time and he would go away and leave her with their child to get peace of mind. Matsebula said while he was getting a breath of fresh air, he came across another woman, whom he allegedly fell in love with.



Mistress



I would return home once in a while to check on my wife and child but I had a mistress. As time went on, I discovered that my wife was having a love affair and another man was visiting her now and again. I was infuriated by the news which I later confirmed and started following the two once in a while. On the day of the incident, I was informed that they had met near the overhead bridge in Matsapha and I followed them, Matsebula is said to have submitted when recording the statements.



He added that when he came across the duo, they did not see him as he allegedly stood at a distance.

The accused said when they made a movement, he continued following them until they got to the boyfriends house, where his wife allegedly waited for him (boyfriend) outside.



They were both going to attend a crossover event in a certain church and while my wifes lover had gone inside his house to change, she waited. I then approached her and asked her about the affair. All I was trying to do was for her to realise that she was making a mistake as she was still a married woman. We argued and a fight ensued.

I got so angry and I assaulted her with open hands and a fist and she fell. I quickly went to the house to get a weapon and returned where I finished her off. I stabbed her in the cheek, face and throat and further dragged her away from the incident scene before I escaped, Matsebula is said to have told a judicial officer.

The accused made a court appearance, confession before newly-appointed acting Magistrate Innocent Mahlalela yesterday. Matsebula has been charged with the murder of his wife, Celiwe Nxumalo, which occurred at Mhlaleni on December 31, 2019. The accused is expected back in court next week, pending his committal to the High Court.

. . .
Democrats question whether US president needed congressional approval, while Trump says he was acting in self-defence.

Washington, DC  The US assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, has prompted questions over whether President Donald Trump had the legal authority to order Fridays killing.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed by US forces in an air raid at Baghdad International Airport. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), was also killed. Iran has threatened severe retaliation.

The Pentagon said the drone attack came at the direction of the president. The defence department statement sought to justify Soleimanis killing by citing his Quds Force role in the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Trump and his top aides defended the decision as legal within the authority the president has to protect US forces from attack.

Soleimani was planning imminent and sinister attacks, Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Friday.

But we caught him in the act and terminated him, he added. We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war.

Without elaborating, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said Soleimani was planning imminent action against American lives.

A man holds a picture of slain Iranian Revolutionary Guard Major-General Qassem Soleimani during a demonstration in Tehran [Atta Kenare/AFP]

But top Democrats question whether Trump needed to seek congressional approval for the raid.

Its debatable whether there was legal justification for this strike, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said in a news conference on Friday.

This is the equivalent of the Iranians assassinating the US secretary of defence. If the Iranians were to assassinate the US secretary of defence we would consider that an act of war and we would respond disproportionately, Murphy said.

The answer largely depends on the facts the Trump administration based its decision  facts that may never be made public.

US president may use force, short of war, to protect American interests as the commander-in-chief under Article II of the Constitution, said Bobby Chesney, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law who specialises in national security issues.

If the facts are as the defence department said, then the president relatively clearly has Article II authority to act in self-defence of American lives, Chesney told The Associated Press news agency.

Escalation

But some analysts and US members of Congress said Trump appears to be crossing the line put forth in the 1973 War Powers Act, by risking a major escalation with Iran. The landmark legislation says that sustained hostilities that put US forces in harms way require prior approval by Congress.

Middle East wars dont happen by accident, said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC.

They are preceded by actions, misperceptions until one side takes a new step that elevates things to a new level and that is essentially what the assassination of Soleimani means, Miller told Al Jazeera.

The new place that we are in is that the shadow war is over, he said. This raised the stakes considerably beyond the pattern of tit-for-tat that has governed the Iran-Israel relationship and the Iran-US relationship for years.

Demonstrators attend a protest against the assassination of Soleimani [West Asia News Agency/Nazanin Tabatabaee/Reuters]

Congress has passed two authorisations for use of military force for wars against al-Qaeda in 2001 and Iraq in 2002.

Both the Trump administration and the previous Obama administration claimed authority to attack the ISIL (ISIS) group in Syria and Iraq under the 2001 authorisation, launched the USs so-called global war on terror.

But Congress has not authorised military action against Iran and national security experts said the prior authorisations cannot be construed to cover a new war.

We do need a new authorisation, said Lawrence Korb, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a think-tank allied with the Democratic Party.

We cant rely on what was passed back in 2001 and say that justifies what the president has done, Korb, also a former assistant secretary of defence, told Al Jazeera.

Would Congress back Trump?

Whether Congress would back Trump in a war with Iran is highly uncertain. As tensions between the US and Iran flared in 2019, Democrats in the House of Representatives voted to prohibit the Trump administration from taking any military action against Iran. That provision was dropped from defence legislation in a conference with the Republican-led Senate.

Further, with an impeachment trial looming in the Senate and the 2020 election just 10 months away, the Trump administration already faces a credibility problem in Congress. Democrats on Friday called for an immediate explanation of the presidents decision and raised doubts about Trumps strategy versus Iran.

Im deeply concerned about the dangers of a costly long-term, military confrontation with Iran, said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal.

This action has the effect of destabilising an already unstable area of the world, Blumenthal told reporters on Friday.

With most senators yet to return to Washington, DC, from the holiday recess, US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Trump administration officials would brief staff aides on Friday. There will be a second briefing for senators when they return next week, the Republican leader said.

A demonstrator holds the picture of Qassem Soleimani during a protest in Tehran, Iran [West Asia News Agency/Nazanin Tabatabaee/Reuters]

Trump ally and prominent US Senator Lindsey Graham thanked the president for the decision.

Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America, Graham tweeted.

McConnell called Soleimani Irans master terrorist.

The architect and chief engineer of the worlds most active state sponsor of terrorism has been removed from the battlefield at the hand of the American military, McConnell said.

But analysts and anti-war advocates disputed that rationale as a legal basis for the military action.

The fact that the United States designated Qassem Soleimani on its own unilaterally as a foreign terrorist does not give the United States, in law or in practice, the right to kill him, said Hillary Mann Leverett, a political risk consultant and former director of Iran affairs at the White Houses National Security Council.

In US law, it gives the United States the right to seize his assets, but not to kill him, Leverett, told Al Jazeera.

Medea Benjamin, the founder of anti-war advocacy group CodePink, called the assassination of Soleimani flatly illegal.

I cant imagine even any iota of legality when this has nothing to do with the fight against ISIS, which is why US troops are in Iraq, Benjamin told Al Jazeera.

The reality is the US troops have been in Iraq, doing illegal work against US law and the Iraqi constitution that we helped write, Benjamin said. The killing of the most powerful military-political person in Iran is such an obvious move to war you would have to be an even bigger idiot that Trump, not to recognize, this is war.

CodePink and the ANSWER Coalition are organising anti-war rallies in more than 30 US cities set for Saturday night calling for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

US media, citing defence officials, reported on Friday that the US is sending 3,000 additional troops to the Middle East to provide a rapid response force to protect against further threats.
For the uninitiated, Genesis is the luxury arm of Hyundai Motor Company.

Established in 2015, the brand mainly operates in North America, Europe, Middle East, and its home country of South Korea. It doesnt operate yet in the Philippines, but hopefully, we will eventually see and experience their vehicles first hand, including their upcoming release, the GV80 SUV.

Genesis has just shared the first official images of their first-ever SUV offering, revealing a stylish three-row people carrier with very distinct features such as a massive diamond grille, quad headlamps, and what Genesis describes as the Parabolic Line that runs along the side enhanced by power lines above each wheel emphasizing stance and presence.

genesis.com

The first batch of images of GV80 SUV, which Genesis plans to supplement in the coming weeks with more product info, provide a complete picture of the first SUV created by Genesis Design.

The G-Matrix pattern that appears in light fixtures throughout the exterior, as well the design of the wheels, is inspired by beautiful orchids seen when diamonds are illuminated by light, Genesis adds.

genesis.com

The company doesnt reveal any powertrain details, but fans of the brand assume that it will be their signature twin-turbo V6 housed in the GV80s engine bay, the same one powering the G80 Sport sedan and Kia Stinger. That engine is good for 365 hp and 510 Nm of torque.

The classy and well-appointed interior upholds the beauty of open space, employing minimal controls to highlight the cabins spaciousness. Slim air vents that run almost the entire length of the dash help magnify its width. The centerpiece of the console is a jewel-like rotating electronic gear selector, which Genesis describes as providing an exquisite balance of simplicity and glamour.

genesis.com

The GV80 is the fourth model in the Genesis lineup, after the G70, G80, and G90 sedans. The SUV will use a rear-wheel drive platform similar to its sedan siblings, but an all-wheel drive option will be available.

Story continues

The GV80 is slated for a January launch in South Korea, with other markets including North America to follow in the summer. A smaller version, the GV70, will arrive before the year ends.

genesis.com

Also read:

The post Genesis Teases New GV80 SUV with First Batch of Images appeared first on Carmudi Philippines.
Chinas decision to suspend a link between the Shanghai and London stock exchanges is less a blow for markets than a warning shot to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he readies the United Kingdom for Brexit.

According to people familiar with the matter, the Chinese government has temporarily halted the Shanghai-London Stock Connect on political grounds. One person said that Britains stance on the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong is one of the issues that prompted the move, and that how relations with the U.K. proceed will determine whether the link is restored.

The timing is unlikely to be a coincidence, as Johnson seeks to strengthen trading ties with China after the U.K. leaves the European Union this month, and with a decision looming on whether to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co. to play a role in future British broadband networks.

Though the link between the two exchanges  designed to allow companies listed on one venue to issue shares on the other  has so far underwhelmed, its suspension is the latest indication of how ties have deteriorated.

This break is pretty symbolic because the reality is our business practices do not align, said Tom Tugendhat, a ruling Conservative lawmaker who chaired the House of Commons foreign affairs committee in the last Parliament. Chinas political response really speaks to a growing reality  their economic model is not aligned to a free market based on the rule of law.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said hes not aware of the specifics of the stock exchange case. I would just like to stress that we hope the U.K. will provide a fair and just and open, non-discriminatory environment for Chinese businesses to invest there, he told reporters in Beijing on Thursday. We hope it will create fair conditions for practical co-operation between the two countries.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Shanghai Stock Exchange did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while representatives for the London Stock Exchange and U.K. Treasury declined to comment.

China has a fairly extensive track record in putting up informal barriers to trade or harming business relations as a way for the Chinese government to wield more influence over other governments, said William Nee, a business and human rights analyst at Amnesty Internationals Hong Kong office. Beijing has been particularly sensitive to criticism of its conduct in Hong Kong.

The U.K.-China relationship is now a far cry from the golden era imagined by former prime minister David Cameron, who wanted to reboot ties to Beijing via trade and investment. Tensions over the disputed South China Sea have played a part, but its events in the former British colony of Hong Kong that have done the most damage.

The two sides have been engaged in a prolonged spat over Beijings handling of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, which the U.K. returned to Chinese rule in 1997 on the agreement that the territorys independent courts, capitalist system and democratic institutions would be maintained.

Despite calls from the protesters to intervene more, the British government initially limited itself to demands for authorities to show restraint and urging dialogue to defuse tensions  though even these interventions triggered an angry response from Beijing.

But Johnsons government raised the stakes when it accused China of torturing a former employee of the British consulate in Hong Kong, and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab summoned the Chinese ambassador in London.

The Chinese government warned at the time that further interference in Hong Kong will eventually harm U.K. interests.

A long-delayed decision on whether to allow Huawei access to the U.K.s so-called 5G communications networks has the potential to fuel further tensions if Johnson succumbs to U.S. pressure to ban the Chinese company on security grounds.

The Financial Times recently reported that U.S. President Donald Trumps administration has stepped up the pressure to block Huawei, citing an interview with national security adviser Robert OBrien. The U.S. has warned allies that the Chinese government could gain a backdoor to communications networks, and has threatened to withdraw intelligence sharing.

The decision is fraught with risk, and Johnson has hinted the U.K. could follow some of its international security allies including Australia and New Zealand by restricting or banning the company  though he could seek a compromise by allowing Huawei to participate only in so-called non-core elements of the network.

The hidden state subsidies to firms like Huawei, which are also said to co-operate with the human rights violations were seeing in Xinjiang, mean it is hard for our markets to trade on the same basis, Tory MP Tom Tugendhat said. Co-operation is important to both China and the U.K., but that has to be based on reality.

For now, Chinas decision to suspend the stock exchange link has more symbolic than financial significance. Only one Chinese company, Huatai Securities, has listed in London since the program launched last year, while no U.K. companies have come to the Shanghai exchange.

Huatais global depositary receipts tumbled 11 per cent in London following the news the link was suspended.

According to Pang Zhongying, a member of the Beijing-based Academic Committee of Pangoal Institution think tank, Brexit provides Johnson  who won a large majority in last months election  with an opportunity to reset ties with China.

Britain needs to renegotiate a new trade and investment pact with its major business partners, including China and U.S. in the post-Brexit era, and that creates new opportunities for both countries, he said. As the world knows, the British governments main focus is on Brexit and Hong Kong is absolutely not their priority.

Read more about:
A llies of the US including the UK could be at risk of retaliation from Iran following the killing of the country's most powerful military commander.

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed along with up to six others in a drone attack ordered by US President Donald Trump near Baghdad's airport on Friday.

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region", sparking warnings of "harsh revenge" from Tehran.

American officials also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

The rapid rising of tensions led to to several experts warning of the risk of retaliations from Iran.

Ian Bond, foreign policy director at the Centre for European Reform, said on Twitter the airstrike was a "big escalation" by Mr Trump.

Protests Against US Assassination Of Qassem Soleimani in Iran, Kashmir and Pakistan

He added: "No doubt #Soleimani was very bad actor, with much blood on his hands.

"But killing non-state terrorists eg [al-Qaida founder Osama] bin Laden or [so-called Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-] Baghdadi very different from killing senior official of internationally-recognised state.

"Big escalation by Trump, and a lawless step that increases risk to US and allies."

Dr Jack Watling, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said the attack was "very significant" because it was a "declared assassination" outside a declared armed conflict.

However he believed Iran was not likely to want to provoke a war with the US.

Dr Watling said: "The significance of this strike is that it is a declared assassination of a senior officer in another state with whom the US is not in a declared armed conflict and conducted on the territory of a third party.

"That's a very significant development in and of itself.

"Ultimately Iran does not want to provoke a full-scale conflict.

"I would expect there will be attacks on US forces, but they will be conducted with care."

Dr Watling added if the UK was seen by Iran to be participating in US actions it could capture or arrest British citizens in the region.

He added: "The Iranians do not draw a direct line between the UK and US, however, if the UK is perceived to be participating in US actions then they will directly target UK interests.

"The UK is not automatically the first target. Citizens in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon would certainly potentially be at risk, dual-nationalities in Iran will certainly be at risk of arrest under espionage charges."

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged all parties to de-escalate the situation, saying further conflict is "in none of our interests".

Additional reporting by PA Media

Listen to today's episode of The Leader here:
Jonathan Watkins, 38 (pictured), of Floyd County, Kentucky admitted to killing his neighbors' dogs and told police he did it because he wanted to make a 'doggy coat'

A Kentucky man has been arrested after allegedly skinning four of his neighbors' dogs to make a 'doggy coat.'

Jonathan Watkins, 38, of Floyd County has been charged with torturing a dog and tampering with evidence.

On Monday, Kentucky State Police received a call from a home Open Fork Road regarding animal cruelty complaint, reported WKYT.

When police arrived, a neighbor told them that Watkins came to his home to ask for a cigarette and was covered in blood.

The neighbor said that, when asked, Watkins said: 'I've been skinning dogs' according to an arrest citation.

The neighbor didn't believe him initially because he knew Watkins had a history of mental health issues.

However, he later saw what looked like animal skins and dog carcasses on Watkins ' front porch railing, the arrest citation states.

The neighbor told police that he was missing two dogs and thought another neighbor was missing two dogs as well.

A state trooper who responded found Watkins at his home with a large hunting knife knife and what appeared to be blood on his clothing, reported WKYT

When the trooper asked where the blood came from, Watkins replied, 'I'm making myself a doggy coat,' according to the arrest citation.

He was arrested and charged with torturing a dog and tampering with evidence and is being at held at the Floyd County Detention Center (pictured) without bail

Watkins told the trooper that he stabbed the dogs to death and then skinned them before throwing the carcasses over the hill.

After admitting to killing his neighbors' dogs, he said: 'There isn't anything wrong with me making myself a fur coat.'

Watkins is currently being held at the Floyd County Detention Center without bond.

Floyd District Court Judge Jimmy Marcum also ordered Watkins to undergo a psychiatric examination, court records showed.
Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of betraying Karnataka in a "big way" by not announcing any flood relief for the state during his two day visit, despite the mandate given to him by the people during the Lok Sbha polls.

There was expectation from the people that Modi would announce something to the effect, but he 'did not utter a word on it,"



He recalled that during the previous election, Modi had said that if BJP comes to power at both at state and the centre, the doors of good fortune will open for Karnataka.

"Forget about opening the doors of good fortune, he did not even open the doors of his house to the leaders of his own party, Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters here, he pointed out that the people of Karnataka had elected 25 BJP MPs during the Lok Sabha polls.

"With 25 MPs and with their own Chief Minister, all we got was Rs 1,200 crore (flood relief).

Thats why I call Yediyurappa a weak CM...he should have demanded for about Rs 36,000 crore estimated from centre and for declaration of floods as national disaster, but he didnt have the courage, he said.

Modi had begun his two-day visit to Karnataka on Thursday, which he ended after attending various programmes at both Tumakuru and Bengaluru.

Noting that Modi should have at least given an assurance to examine the states demand of adequate flood relief, Siddaramaiah said the Prime Minister had not responded to it despite Yediyurappa raising the issue, which showed his "neglect" towards Karnataka.

"...people of the state voted for Modi, but today Modi has betrayed Karnataka in a big way, he said.

As many as 103 taluks in 22 districts of Karnataka were affected due to unprecedented floods in August, in which over 80 people were killed.

Around seven lakh people were shifted to safe areas during the deluge and thousands of houses were damaged.

Flaying Modi for making a political speech in front of school children at Siddaganga Mutt on Thursday, Siddaramaiah asked what was the need and relevance to speak against Congress and about Pakistan, CAA and NRC in front of them.

"it was a dirty political speech, not the one to speak in front of children.For Modi everywhere it is politics,he said.

Lambasting Congress and its allies for opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act, Modi on Thursday had said the ongoing protests were against Parliament and called on the agitators to raise their voice against Pakistan's atrocities on its minorities for the last 70 years.

Agreed that Pakistan is an evil nation..but (what) are you doing against the minorities here, Mr Modi," he asked.

He sought to know if implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens "on the basis of relgion" was right



"Did you have to speak about it in front of children? Siddaramaiah asked.

He could instead have spoken about issues concerning the state and the country, he added.

The former Chief Minister said Modi is a "good speaker" who uses his skills to divert the people's attention from real issues like the economy and other things by raising emotive issues like Pakistan, terrorism.

"Congress was not opposing Parliament as claimed by Modi or the position of the Prime Minister, but agitating against the divisive of BJP, he said, adding that the Modi led government has lost its "sensitivity".

He also questioned why Modi had not announced a "Bharat Ratna" to Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt, to whose "Gadduge' (final resting place) PM had paid respects during his visit to the Mutt on Thursday.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lucy Hale went on a coffee run in a tiger sweatshirt and blue leggings on Thursday in Los Angeles after recently co-hosting a New Year's Eve celebration in New York City

The 30-year-old actress wore a black Anine Bing terrycloth cotton sweatshirt with a large tiger graphic print.

She completed her sporty outfit with cobalt Alo Yoga leggings and blue trainers.

Coffee run: Lucy Hale went on a coffee run in a tiger sweatshirt and blue Alo Yoga leggings on Thursday in Los Angeles

Lucy accessorized with a black beanie and Ray-Ban sunglasses.

She carried an iced drink and a cup of coffee along with a bottle of water and a brown purse.

Lucy was back in Los Angeles after joining Ryan Seacrest, 45, as his new co-host on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast from Times Square in New York City.

She took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a photo with show headliner Post Malone, 24.

Sporty outfit: The 30-year-old actress wore a black terrycloth Anine Bing sweatshirt with a large tiger graphic print and blue leggings

She's back: Lucy was back in Los Angeles after joining Ryan Seacrest, 45, as his new co-host on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast from Times Square in New York City

'Such a nice guy,' Lucy wrote in the caption for her roughly 24.5 million followers.

Post, real name Austin Richard Post, performed his hit songs Circles and Congratulations before the ball drop in Times Square.

Lucy can next be seen on television playing the title role in Katy Keene based on the Archie Comics character.

Annual event: Ryan Seacrest welcomed Lucy as his new co-host on the ABC show replacing Jenny McCarthy

The series will premiere February 26 on The CW.

The Memphis native also can be seen in the upcoming supernatural horror film Fantasy Island based on the 1977 ABC television series of the same name.

Fantasy Island is scheduled to be released February 14 in the US by Sony Pictures Releasing.

Lucy played Aria Montgomery on the TV series Pretty Little Liars from 2010 to 2017.
Katelynn Hardee is one sweet little 5-year-old from Vista, California, who goes to kindergarten at Breeze Hill Elementary School.

One day while she was at school, she heard a mom talking to one of the other students about how she could not afford to send them to one of the after school programs.

So, Katelynn went home and asked her mom Karina questions about the conversation she had just heard.

She started asking me a lot of questions and I just tried to explain to her that sometimes people arent as fortunate and that we need to try to be kind and give when we can, Karina shared with CNN.

Katelynn wanted to do something to help those less fortunate than her, and she knew just what to do.

She set up a little stand in her neighborhood to sell cookies that she baked, along with cider and hot cocoa.

Facebook; Katelynn smiles above at her stand

Katelynn ended up selling $80 worth of delicious treats and drinks, and she and her mom donated the money to her elementary school.

Katelynns hard work and kindness have paid off the lunch debts of over 100 students that go to the same school as her.

Her goal is to keep her stand going and pay off the lunch debts of every student in her school district.

When she achieves her goal, shes moving on to helping fund programs at her school that are getting cut out of the budget.

How sweet is that? You go, Katelynn!

Bre is a female millennial go getter residing in New York. One part entrepreneur, one part geek, she obtained her degree in Textile/Surface Design from The Fashion Institute of Technology.

She has held some exciting roles in both fashion as a designer working for brands like Victorias Secret and Henri Bendel, as well as in ad tech working for publishers like Ziff Davis.

Today she operates Chip Chick Media which reaches millions of women each month.

Bre is passionate about teaching women how to build a business and be an entrepreneur, in addition to keeping her readers informed of the latest technology trends and exciting products to improve their lifestyles.

You can send Bre a message here.
Historians may well trace the moment Qassem Soleimani signed his own death warrant to one day back in the summer of 2018.

Donald Trump had fired off a typically abrasive tweet 72 hours earlier, accusing his Iranian opposite number Hassan Rouhani of using 'demented words of violence and death'.

The US President promised 'consequences the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before'.

Donald Trump said he did not order the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani to start a war but to 'stop a war'

Donald Trump fired off a typically abrasive tweet in the summer of 2018, accusing his Iranian opposite number Hassan Rouhani of using 'demented words of violence and death'

Soleimani, who was Iran's highest-ranking general and probably the most powerful military officer in the Middle East, responded in a speech at a military base in Hamdan, 200 miles southwest of the capital Tehran.

A man who wore his power so lightly and was so softly spoken that one American journalist described him as 'theatrically modest' dropped his usual reserve to lay into Mr Trump.

He said the President's 'idiotic comments' had been delivered 'in the style of a bartender or a casino manager'. He then raised his voice to a yell and, wagging his finger, declared: 'Mr Trump, the gambler! You are well aware of our power and capabilities in the region.

'Come, we are waiting for you. We are the real men on the scene, as far as you are concerned. You know that a war would mean the loss of all your capabilities. You may start the war, but we will be the ones to determine its end.'

Eighteen months later, the man who prayed for martyrdom as the fulfilment of his life as a fighter for the Islamic Revolution was granted his wish.

Qassem Soleimani criticised Trump's 'idiotic comments' and said: 'You are well aware of our power and capabilities in the region'

Soleimani sent thousands to their deaths during a military career that started when Iraq invaded Iran in 1980.

He was then a foot-soldier in an army which  confronted by Saddam Hussein's sophisticated weaponry and poison gas  displayed fanatical courage.

Soleimani was in the ranks from start to finish of that terrible war, defying death so often that he seemed to have more lives than a Persian cat.

As he rose through the ranks of Iran's special forces, reaching the very top by 1998, Soleimani was distinguished by his refusal to be a desk general.

Even his worst enemies respected his courage in leading from the front. That gave him rare respect even among countrymen who had come to detest the Islamic Republic's repression and corruption.

Recently, after years operating in the shadows, Soleimani raised his media presence, which made some people think he was positioning himself for run to be president. He was certainly as much a shadow foreign minister as a general.

Soleimani became notorious as the patron of terrorist groups from Lebanon to Latin America and when he met Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin in 2015 to plot a joint intervention in Syria it was clear he was a key player in world politics.

Qassem Soleimani was Iran's highest-ranking general and probably the most powerful military officer in the Middle East

It marked a high point in a giddy rise to the top for a man from very humble beginnings. Born in 1957 near the Afghan border, Soleimani's formative years were marked by poverty.

But the Islamic revolution brought him close to the future Ayatollah Khamenei, today's supreme leader, when both were part of the underground struggle against the Shah.

Along with Khamenei, Soleimani become a comrade-in-arms of a future president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This made him a core member of Iran's ruling class.

As the commander of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force he was at the forefront of the battle against Israel. Quds is the Iranian name for Jerusalem. For Shiite fundamentalists like Soleimani, ultimate victory was defined as sweeping through Iraq to wipe Israel off the map.

His revolutionary guards were not just the protectors of Iran's ruling hardliners but the regime's key tool for promoting their brand of radical anti-Israeli Islam across the Middle East.

Soleimani was responsible for extending Iran's arc of influence  its 'Axis of Resistance'  from the Gulf of Oman through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon to the shores of the Mediterranean.

Although he hated the United States, Soleimani was a cunning tactician. He recognised that from Afghanistan to Syria, Iran's Shiites shared a common enemy with the Americans in the Sunni fundamentalist terrorist groups, Al Qaeda and so-called Islamic State.

And he was willing to cooperate with Washington if it helped him achieve his goals.

Ironically, the same US air power which killed him had provided air support to his men among the ground forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq.

He may have been popular for fighting the hated IS, but Soleimani's wars abroad made many Iranians mutter that huge sums and blood had been spent propping up the regime's allies while life at home was getting harsher.

He was ruthless in suppressing dissent inside Iran by shooting protesters. And he had urged Shiite militias in Iraq to gun down demonstrators there too. Now the man who lived by the sword has died by it.
Furious Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank customers won't get their wages paid into their accounts until tomorrow after staff owned up to using the wrong data on transactions.

Website Down Detector, which tracks complaints that services are not functioning, shows a growing trend of people complaining of issues with the bank.

At 8.45am, the site showed 410 complaints against the service, 62% relating to online banking, 28% to mobile banking, and 8% to payment cards.

Angry customers are bombarding the bank's social media teams with complaints of problems with wages, claiming to have not been paid and are now stuck in an overdraft with bills to pay.

Website Down Detector, which tracks complaints that services are not functioning, shows a growing trend of people complaining of issues with the bank

The 'outage map' of where complaints are originating from. Angry customers are bombarding the bank's social media teams with complaints of problems with wages, claiming to have not been paid while their colleagues have

One Twitter user was told by Yorkshire bank that the problem was 'not a banking issue', despite saying previously that staff had used the wrong data

One Twitter user was told by Yorkshire bank that the problem was 'not a banking issue', despite saying previously that staff had used the wrong data.

A spokesperson told MailOnline the delay with Bacs transactions was caused by the 'processing date for a Bacs file being incorrect, which delayed transactions showing in customers' accounts'.

Twitter user 'Julie' said that the bank had 'admitted twice... that there's thousands of people contacting them re payments not hitting accounts tonight, as scheduled', attributing it to a 'Clydesdale/Yorkshire/Virgin Money update/IT problem'.

Jo Wooldridge tweeted at Yorkshire Bank saying: 'Is there a problem with the bank today? My wages haven't gone in and normally in at midnight! Hope I get no charges when bills try to come out!'

Peter Franks said: 'Your bank is rubbish my wages hasn't been put in my bank and on phone for 45 minutes waiting to be answered.'

Yorkshire Bank replied saying: 'Hi Peter, we're currently experiencing a larger than expected call volume. I'd advise contacting your employer to look into your wages not being paid. As this is not a banking issue. Steven.'

Mr Franks responded: 'Yes it is others that bank with you they wages hasn't been paid into there bank stop blaming other people.'

One Twitter user contacted the service's 'Ask Yorkshire Bank' account saying: 'Is Yorkshire Bank down as I've not been paid today while others have, thanks.'

Customers complained on Down Detector that they were now in overdraft with bills to pay

In the early hours of this morning one upset customer wrote: 'My scheduled pay from work hasn't entered my account nor has it for other colleagues with Yorkshire Bank.

'Is there a problem and/or do you know when it will be going in?'

Carlos Morais said: 'Not a good start for @VirginMoney take over from Yorkshire bank. Today's wages haven't gone in. Only people banking with Yorkshire bank haven't been paid, every one else has. So standing orders have bounced... Not happy at all.'

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group (CYBG) bought Virgin Money in 2018 to create the UK's sixth largest bank. It plans to change the name to the better-known Virgin Money brand, with its branches due to be renamed by October 2021.

Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank Group (CYBG) bought Virgin Money in 2018 to create the UK's sixth largest bank. It plans to change the name to the better-known Virgin Money brand, with its branches due to be renamed by October 2021

A spokesperson told MailOnline this morning: 'We are investigating the reports as a priority and will provide an update for customers as soon as possible.'

This evening they added: 'We are aware some customers experienced a delay today with Bacs transactions reaching their accounts.

'This was caused by the processing date for a Bacs file being incorrect, which delayed transactions showing in customers' accounts.

'We apologise for any inconvenience caused to those customers affected. We are now working to get account balances updated overnight so that correct funds are available from early tomorrow morning.

'We can assure customers that they will not be negatively impacted financially as a result of this.

'Anybody with any ongoing concerns should contact the bank through the usual channels.'

Twitter user 'Julie' said that the bank had 'admitted twice... that there's thousands of people contacting them re payments not hitting accounts tonight, as scheduled', attributing it to a 'Clydesdale/Yorkshire/Virgin Money update/IT problem'

Lee Barratt said: 'Right no wages gone in, on hold for half hour, get through and all the guy can say is contact employer, employer hasn't sent wages through in time.

'How come other employees with other banks have been paid then?! I think someone at Yorkshire Bank is talking nonsense.'

Lee Johnson said: 'I should of been paid my wages today and I've not received any money in to my Yorkshire bank account. All the people I work with who bank with yourselves haven't been paid.'
A 39-year-old fake lecturer, Isaac Obi, was arraigned by the police in Lagos on Friday before an Ojo Magistrates Court in Lagos, NAN reports.

The prosecutor, Insp. Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant, Obi,charged with three counts of false pretence, fraud and stealing, committed the offence on Nov. 1, 2019 in Lagos.

According to Uche, the defendant presented himself as a lecturer from the University of Lagos to one Lucky Ikeduba.

Read Also: Police Confirm Arrest Of Mastermind Of Abuja Bank Robbery

The prosecution also alleged that the accused lied to Ikeduba that he can secure admission into the university.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant requested and obtained N250,000 from the complainant to facilitate the admission process.

The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 78, 287, 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence and the Magistrate A.A. Adesanya admitted him to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case until March 4, for mention.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  On her last days, Jeanelyn Villavende  the Filipina domestic worker killed in Kuwait  was apparently prevented from taking phone calls from her family in the Philippines, her relatives revealed Friday.

Her stepmother, Nelly Padernal told CNN Philippines that she last spoke to Villavende over the phone on October 27, 2019.

Villavende did not talk much but assured her family she was "okay." Padernal said her stepdaughter seemed fine, and that their family believed she really was.

Padernal, however, started worrying in November because she could only talk to the Kuwaiti employer, who would say Villavende was too busy working.

"Noong December 11, tawag ako ulit, ganun pa rin 'yung sinasabi ng employer niya, hindi na pinapakausap sa akin," Padernal said in a phone interview on Friday. "Nangamba na ako."

[Translation: On December 11, I called again, her employer said the same thing, not letting her speak to me. I got worried.]

Feeling restless, Padernal made another call two days later.

"Nagsalita na yung employer na back to the Philippines daw si Jeanelyn tapos nagsabi ako sa kanya ano ang reason... Sabi niya early in the morning daw 10:00 gumising tapos no work daw, no cook. 'Yun nagalit ang employer niya," Padernal said.

[Translation: The employer said Jeanelyn was back to the Philippines so I asked her why. She said early in the morning, at 10:00, Jeanelyn woke up and did not work or cook. The employer was mad.]

"Sabi ko baka nag-rest lang sa sobrang pagod," she added.

[Translation: I said Jeanelyn was probably just too tired so she decided to take a rest.]

Padernal never heard from Villavende or her employer since then, until a lawyer from the Department of Foreign Affairs informed their family on Monday that Villavende was killed. The exact date of her death remains unknown days after making headlines this week.

The suspects  the couple in the household where she worked  are now detained in Kuwait.

Justice for Jeanelyn

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said Villavende was badly beaten up, her body black and blue when brought to the hospital.

"Sana bigyan ng hustisya ang kaso ni Jeanelyn (I hope justice is served in Jeanelyn's case)," Padernal said. All the family could do now is wait her her remains in her hometown in South Cotabato. They were told it take a few more days because of the autopsy.

The Philippine government is now working on a partial deployment ban, prohibiting new and returning household service workers from flying to Kuwait. Bello said the ban would be lifted only when Villavende's killers are charged.

He added that Villavende already reported to her local recruitment agency in September 2019 that she was being maltreated and underpaid. Villavende also requested for repatriation, but the agency did nothing, Bello said. It is now under investigation, facing possible suspension or cancellation of license.

PH-Kuwait relations

The Philippines implemented a total deployment ban in February 2018 after a string of reports of Filipino workers being abused and killed in Kuwait, including Filipina maid Joanna Demafelis who was found dead inside a freezer.

The ban was also lifted in May that year. The two countries also signed an agreement for the protection of Filipino workers.

Bello, however, lamented that certain provisions have not been followed, including the drafting of a template employment contract that would allow Filipinos to keep their passports and cellphones which are often surrendered to employers. The working and sleeping hours should also be specified, Bello said.

More than 200,000 Filipinos are in Kuwait, mostly household service workers.

The Gulf state is the tenth biggest source of remittances, with Filipinos working there sending $625.9 million (around 31.97 billion) back home from January to October 2019, according to central bank data.
Prince Andrew begged paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's alleged fixer Ghislaine Maxwell to defend him but she refused, it emerged today.

The Duke of York asked his friend to give a public statement after Virginia Roberts claimed she was trafficked by Epstein as a 17-year-old and forced to have sex with the royal three times.

The claim emerged in an explosive new report by Page Six report that also claimed Maxwell could have been smuggled from the US and living in a safehouse in Israel.

A source told the New York-based publication: 'Andrew pleaded with Ghislaine to publicly defend him.

'She carefully considered it, but decided no good would come of it (if she came forward). It isn't in her best interests.'

Prince Andrew, 59, strenuously denies having sex with Roberts and claims he can't remember meeting her despite a photograph of him with his arm around her at Maxwell's London home.

Ghislaine Maxwell (right) is pictured with Prince Andrew (centre) and Virginia Roberts (next to him), who says that the Duke of York slept with her after Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her to London

In his car crash interview with the BBC he even suggested it was faked because he had never been upstairs there.

The explosive Page 6 report has also asserted that deceased sex criminal Epstein and Maxwell were foreign intelligence 'assets', and that she is currently hiding in a safehouse in Israel.

'Ghislaine is protected. She and Jeffrey were assets of sorts for multiple foreign governments.

'They would trade information about the powerful people caught in his net  caught at Epstein's house,' an unnamed source told Page Six.

Maxwell, 58, has been accused in lawsuits of procuring underage girls for Epstein to abuse and shre among his wealthy and powerful friends, and is reportedly the subject of an ongoing FBI probe.

She has always denied any wrongdoing. Her attorney did not respond to an inquiry from DailyMail.com this week.

Maxwell, 58, has been accused in lawsuits of procuring underage girls for Epstein to sexually traffick among his wealthy and powerful friends. They are seen together on Wall Street in 2005

After Epstein's re-arrest last year and death behind bars in August, Maxwell has remained out of sight and her whereabouts unknown.

She believes she can escape prosecution forever and return to her partying lifestyle because she has so much compromising information on powerful people, a source has claimed.

She is 'totally convinced' that she can stay in hiding and eventually clear her name, The Sun Online reports.

Family friend Laura Goldman says Ghislaine is being hidden by rich friends but plans to get back to normal 'once the dust has settled'.

She is apparently so brazen that she's texting friends in different social circles despite hiding.

Ms Goldman, who is friend's with Maxwell's sister, Isabel, said: 'Ghislaine and her sister Isabel remain totally convinced that she'll escape any criminal convictions and will eventually clear the family name and return to high society once the dust has settled.

'She has wealthy connections who hide her and even pay some legal fees. She can stay out of the public eye as long as she wants.'

Epstein (pictured) killed himself in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges

And she says Maxwell, who she previously branded 'sex-obsessed', doesn't believe she has done anything wrong.

Ms Goldman claims that Maxwell is relieved at Epstein's death and that it means she can escape justice for her alleged crimes.

She added that Maxwell still 'adores' Prince Andrew, who was forced to step down from royal duties due to a backlash over his friendship with Epstein.

But she isn't willing to come out of hiding for the Duke of York and will only do so once it is a benefit to her, Ms Goldman said.

Born in France, Maxwell is both a U.S. citizen and British subject. Her family's alleged ties to Israel's national intelligence service, Mossad, have been well documented.

Maxwell's father, Robert Maxwell, was a Czech-born British media mogul whose financial fraud in raiding the Mirror Group pension fund was discovered after his death in 1991.

Also a British member of parliament, Robert Maxwell reportedly had ties to British intelligence, the Soviet KGB, and Mossad  and was suspected of being a double or even triple agent by British Foreign Office officials.

Ghislaine (left) is seen in 1987 with her mother and father, the pension-raiding one-time owner of Britain's Daily Mirror and New York's Daily News, and alleged Mossad operative

After his mysterious death on his yacht, the Lady Ghislaine, off the Canary Islands in 1991, Robert Maxwell was buried in Jerusalem with high honors, with Israel's prime minister and multiple current and former heads of Israeli intelligence services in attendance at the funeral.

His favorite daughter, Ghislaine, first met Epstein in the early 1990s, at a party in New York City.

The two had a romantic relationship for several years, but the exact nature of their relationship over the following decades remains unclear.

Epstein's household staff have described her as 'Lady of the House' and sworn in depositions that she was at the center of managing his household affairs.

'They were like partners in business,' Janusz Banasiak, Epstein's house manager, said in a deposition.

Epstein's butler, Alfredo Rodriguez, described Ghislaine Maxwell in a deposition as 'the boss.'

Epstein's accusers have said that Maxwell's authority extended to managing the complex logistics of his perverse activities with girls as young as 14.

'She orchestrated the whole thing for Jeffrey,' said Sarah Ransome, one of some two dozen women who spoke out before a federal judge in New York in August.

Epstein and Maxwell are seen at Batman Forever premier in New York in 1995. Maxwell was close to Epstein for years and is reportedly the subject of an FBI probe into his inner circle

Maxwell is seen posing in 1999 for a photo shoot to promote Sotheby's vintage fashion collection that left assistants taken aback by her 'intensely sexual vibe'

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein are seen on a pheasant shoot with Prince Andrew in Sandringham, Norfolk, Britain in December 2000

Some of the most serious allegations have come from Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Maxwell in a lawsuit of luring her to become an international sex slave for Epstein and his pals.

Roberts says that she was 16 or 17 in the summer of 2000 and working as a towel girl at Mar-a-Lago when Maxwell approached her, eventually leading to her being flown around the world on Epstein's 'Lolita Express.'

Roberts' recently unsealed lawsuit claims that Maxwell 'actively took part in recruiting underage girls and young women for sex with Epstein, as well as scheduling the girls to come over, and maintaining a list of the girls and their phone number.'

Maxwell has strenuously denied in the past that she was involved in criminal sex trafficking or any other sex crimes.

After Epstein took a sweetheart plea deal in 2008 to state charges of procuring for prostitution and served a one-year jail sentence in Florida, Maxwell and Epstein were no longer spotted together at public events.

She remained active on the New York social scene for several years, however, until mounting lawsuits and allegations began to draw harsher scrutiny.

In April of 2016, the New York townhouse where she had lived was sold for $15 million, and around the fall of 2016, she was no longer seen or photographed publicly.

She was last spotted publicly at a social event in Geneva, Switzerland on June 8, less than a month prior to Epstein's re-arrest in the U.S.

Earlier this week, the Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts called for Maxwell to be brought forward to face the justice system.

Earlier this week, Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre (seen in a BBC interview) called for Maxwell to be brought forward to face the justice system

'How is anyone, friend or family member, hiding such a monster?? 99% of the population would turn [in] Ghislaine Maxwell. Who's hiding who and why??' Roberts tweeted.

'Maxwells downfall will be her arrogance- in her eyes always above the law,' Roberts added.

'She is diabolically evil. I would suggest to whoever is hiding her or knows whereabouts she is, to turn her in as shed easily throw anyone who gets in her way under the bus,' she continued.

Epstein died in federal custody in August while facing sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide by New York City's medical examiner, but his lawyers have disputed that finding.

Epstein's death, at age 66, came a little over a month after he was arrested and charged with trafficking dozens of underage girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 to 2005.

Prosecutors said he recruited girls to give him massages, which became sexual in nature.
The case is certain to inject the divisive politics of abortion into the 2020 presidential race. President Trump ran and won in 2016 partly on a promise to nominate Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe, and June Medical is the courts first case on abortion since Justices Neil M. Gorsuch and Brett M. Kavanaugh, both appointed by Mr. Trump, joined the court.

The sheer number of those signing the brief suggests the importance that Republicans place on restricting abortion rights and telegraphing to their core supporters that they are serious about doing so. The signers include the top three House Republicans  Representatives Kevin McCarthy of California, Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Liz Cheney of Wyoming  and the No. 2 Senate Republican, John Thune of South Dakota.

But Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, did not sign. Nor did several Republicans facing challenging re-election contests in politically competitive states, including Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Martha McSally of Arizona. The two Democrats who signed, Representatives Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota and Daniel Lipinski of Illinois, are both from the partys conservative wing. Mr. Peterson broke with Democrats last month in voting against impeaching Mr. Trump, and Mr. Lipinskis stance against abortion rights has prompted internal strife within the party.

The brief was drafted by Americans United for Life, an anti-abortion-rights group. Katie Glenn, a lawyer for the organization, said that when the court took the case, members of Congress wanted to weigh in. But, she said, they are aware that overturning Roe would be a huge leap, even for a court that is moving to the right.

No one is going into this case with an expectation that Roe v. Wade will be overturned, Ms. Glenn said. However, the court has the opportunity to reconsider the precedent that has gotten us to where were at, and thats all that the members of Congress were seeking to point out, that it is the courts prerogative to assess the jurisprudence that got us here.
What Is Universal Health Coverage?

In 2017, the UN Tokyo Declaration adopted the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Concept. The essence of adopting the UHC Concept is to reduce barriers to accessing health services globally. As such, the UHC Concept has been the single most powerful concept th at public health has offered the world and it represents a landmark for global health and development.

In further detail, the UHC Concept requires that all people should be able to have an equitable access to quality health services devoid of financial, geographical, social, political, racial and other barriers. UHC is linked to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, hence it is expected that each country will take gradual strategic steps necessary to achieve UHC by 2030. Therefore, a UHC-oriented health service must be affordably tailored to the health needs of the beneficiary population. The service must be appropriate and affordable.

Political Will Is Required To Achieve Universal Health Coverage

Regardless of how gradual the steps to achieving the UHC by 2030 may be, political-will, commitment, consistency and policy reviews will be necessary along the way. The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated that UHC is a political choice, so world leaders have given strong signals of readiness to make such a bold choice for their people. This is why governments such as the Government of Ghana must not pay lip service to the attempts required to achieve UHC for the people of Ghana, especially mindful of the stark reality that very wide healthcare accessibility gaps permeate the entire country. Over delay in the distribution of the procured constituency ambulances for example depicts weak political will for attainment of UHC no matter how far away the 2030 deadline may seem.

The year 2030 is a decade from today and to procrastinators, it is far away but to proactive minds, it is not far at all, hence the time to act swiftly with good results is now in order to achieve the UHC. In 2015, Ghana had a deferred hope in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 & 5 relating to maternal and child healthcare with special focus on reducing maternal and child deaths. In my measured view, these MDGs have been re-packaged into SGD 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and the UHC has been linked to it per the Tokyo Declaration in 2017.

The Three (3) Dimensions of Universal Health Coverage

The UHC Concept has three (3) main dimensions namely:

Who To Cover: This dimension of UHC refers to the type of population the health services are being provided for. The beneficiaries of the quality health services being provided must be considered right from policy formulation stages within a healthcare system. Health services are provided to people in need so a service that fails to address the expressed health problems in the community does not pass for a quality service. Again, who to cover demands that healthcare provider attitudes at the point of service delivery must not be hostile but friendly. National Health Policy Reforms are also required to determine what the populations require. Any attempt to make such policy reforms ought to be based on empirical data regarding epidemiological patterns within communities and communal attitudes towards healthcare especially in the area of socio-cultural beliefs as well as geographical factors. For example, UHC oriented health services planned for a community like Nzulezu in the Western Region of Ghana must take into adequate consideration, the fact that the community hangs on water. Established in 1996 and now the most conspicuous agency of the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) exists to ensure among other things, an easy geographical and financial access to healthcare throughout the country. However, whether or not the GHS has done this effectively over the years is another subject worthy of debate against the background of whether or not the GHS has been given free hand to operate or it has been controlled with a political remote. Again, has the Mental Health Authority and for that matter our psychiatric hospitals been given adequate resources and on time to provide mental health services to the people? Are there plans to rehabilitate the old psychiatric hospitals and even build new ones in other parts of the country? For far too long, mental healthcare has been left largely in the hands of spiritualists and should we continue in same direction, 2030 will come and go and the story may even be worse.

What To Cover: This is the second dimension of the UHC Concept. What to cover simply refers to the kind of services required to be equitably provided to ensure that no segment of the population is deprived of the needed healthcare to stay healthy and productive. The services to provide must take cognizance of the communal needs within a country. Much as some of the services are demanded universally, there are community specific ones that seek to address endemics and neglected tropical diseases especially in our neck of the woods called Ghana.

Fortunately, Ghana has the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in place, which is an important vehicle for achieving. Just like the UHC Concept, the NHIS is supposed to be a pro-poor health financing arrangement. However, how effectively the NHIS vehicle will be driven in the direction of the UHC goal achievement is what matters. It is not lost on us that Ghana formulated the Free Maternal Healthcare Policy (FMHP) in July 2008 and has been implementing it with funding from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) but could still not achieve the MDGs 4 & 5 in 2015. As a result, maternal and child mortalities are still great concerns for Ghana's Health System to deal with. The FMHP directly benefits the Women In Fertile Age (WIFA) population and neonates.

The NHIA's over delayed claim reimbursements to healthcare providers of various kinds especially in the public sector actually thwarts effective implementation of the FMHP. This delay in financial resource allocation at policy implementation stages therefore gives room for inimical street-level bureaucrat discretions that lead to policy failure. As such, attempts to achieve the UHC by 2030 do not call for lip service but political-will and meaningful and result-oriented actions or healthcare interventions. Government must therefore ensure that the NHIA reimburses submitted claims on time. We have just started the year 2020 and 2019 submitted NHIS claims are still in arrears. How can Ghana achieve UHC with this current attitude? NHIS has been implemented for years but there is no nationally accepted digital platform for claims management. Where is the political will towards the healthcare of the people we lead?

How To Reduce The Cost Of Care: This UHC dimension relates to ensuring that the required health services are offered at affordable service charges or prices. It is in view of this that Government through the Ministry of Health must re-visit its stand on the framework contract on the supply of the 54 essential medicines. The framework contract requires that government health facilities buy 54 selected essential medications only from the respective Regional Medical Stores (RMS). Shortage of those medicines at the RMS for a long time means shortage at the hospital pharmacies too hence patients must go and buy them from private pharmacies in town. Medication costs at private pharmacies are usually higher than the prices at the hospital pharmacies even though exceptions may abound. This occurrence of medication shortage at hospital pharmacies works against the UHC dimension of how to reduce cost in order to make the service affordable to the people. We must not give room for factors that work against the attainment of the UHC once we are truly committed to it as a country.

Badasu (2004) opined that declining or delayed government budget allocation is a possible impetus for health facility managers to focus on various ways of revenue mobilization rather being concerned with the patients' ability to have financial access to healthcare. Other Ghanaian scholars (Nyonator and Kuntzin, 1999; Agyepong, 1999) agreed that anytime the street-level bureaucrats (facility managers) are more concerned about revenue generation, it becomes difficult for the patients especially the poor to afford the health services because service charges are sometimes increased arbitrarily. This occurrence compels most of them to resort to unrefined herbal and self-medications that further complicate their health conditions. The pregnant women also resort to the prayer camps with its attendant challenges thereby leading to preventable maternal and neonatal deaths or stillbirths. Perhaps what is referred to as affordable health service is also debatable because what is affordable to one patient may not be affordable to the other even within the same community. Affordability is therefore relative. That is why national health system reforms must skew towards pooled funds or social health insurance policies rather than cash-and-carry (outright payment for health service out of pocket).

As it stands now, Ghana is not able to eradicate the cash-and carry health-financing method. This is because it is not all disease conditions that are covered under the NHIS. In some cases also, NHIS medications are not available due to the 54-medicine framework contract that the MOH signed with the 16 pharmaceutical companies. It may also be the case that even though the medications are available, healthcare providers are selling them only on an out-of-pocket basis due to the over delayed claim reimbursement by the NHIA.

The NHIA also makes huge deductions from the submitted claims without prompt information to the healthcare providers regarding why the deductions have been made from their submitted claims. Institutional attitudes of this nature do not constitute fertile grounds for the attainment of the UHC in 2030. Government and for that matter the MOH, NHIA and all other stakeholders must eschew lip service and move into result-oriented actions if we really want to achieve the UHC goal in line with SDG 3.

Conclusion

I think that for Ghana to achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, it is a gradual process but my caution is that 10 years from today is not too far so we should all work proactively to achieve milestones necessary. Kitty Genovese Syndrome or bystander apathy should be eschewed. Enough of the sensitization and long speeches to make the nation aware of UHC. Let us fold our sleeves and get to work so the SDG 3 and UHC so they do not become another mirage like MDGs 4 & 5.

~Asante Sana ~

Author: Philip Afeti Korto.i-okjl;l;

Email: [email protected]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 24)  Globe Telecom earned this year's Asia's Best Workplace of the Year award during the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability Awards (ACES).

The said awards body gives recognition to the continent's most successful individuals and companies in terms of leadership and sustainability. This year, Globe Telecom was lauded for its initiative to provide its employees the best working environment possible, as well as various opportunities for holistic development.

"We are glad to be recognized as Asia's Best Workplace of the Year at the prestigious ACES. Being an integral part of the company's and nation's success, we put a premium on ensuring our employees find purpose and meaning in their work," said Globe's Chief Human Resource Officer Renato Jiao.

"By allowing their work to serve a purpose beyond just livelihood, we ensure the ability of our people to lead happy and meaningful lives. This, more than anything else, is what sets Globe apart from any other company."

ACES annually presents the Asia's Best Workplace of the Year to the company that best represents a people-centric approach and a strong commitment towards employee empowerment and enrichment.

Holistic growth for employees

Globe provides employees opportunities for continuous learning through its program called Globe University. The program offers over 100 skills and leadership training courses.

Over 2,900 people have benefited while almost 1,000 leaders have emerged from these courses alone. These courses are powered by digital learning tools, and taught by our expert partners in the field using different methodologies.

Every quarter or semester, Globe also holds an organization-wide town hall event called Ka-Globe Jam. This is where its senior leaders  led by Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu  summarize and celebrate quarterly business results, achievements and milestones of the company. Through the feedback mechanism of The Hub, Globe identifies employee concerns regarding any company policy, standard or process.

Globe also allows employees to strike a work-life balance in its headquarters in Taguig City through various in-house facilities such as a gym, bank, salon, pharmacy and carwash, among others.

Keeping in mind that every employee has unique needs, Globe has created the My Choice Flexible Benefits Program. It gives employees the flexibility to customize their company benefits in order to suit not only their own personal needs, but that of their dependents as well.

On top of their leave credits, the company had also decided to give each employee two days of volunteer time-off per year devoted to corporate social responsibility work. In 2017, volunteerism in Globe reached an all-time high of 52.8 percent of the total employee base, with over 3,000 employees contributing over 60,000 man-hours.

These initiatives are centered on the company's belief of continuously spinning the Circle of Happiness  from employees to customers and shareholders.
Exxon wont have to pay a $3-million fine the U.S. Treasury Department imposed on the supermajor for doing business with Rosneft amid a growing load of U.S. sanctions against Russia.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a federal judge this week ruled against the fine, which followed the imposition of the first round of U.S. sanctions against Russia after its 2014 annexation of Crimea. According to the ruling, the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control had failed to give Exxon notice of how it interprets the sanctions, which was a violation of the Fifth Amendment.

The reason for the fine was that the Rosneft official who signed the joint exploration contract with Exxon, chief executive Igor Sechin, was on the sanction list even though Rosneft itself was not.

Exxon quit the project two years ago after its attempts to win a sanction waiver from Washington failed. Even so, the WSJ notes, the supermajor did not quit its legal fight against the fine.

Exxon teamed up with Rosneft on Arctic oil exploration in 2011 and three years later the two announced they had struck oil. At the time, this was the northernmost oil well in the world, with Rosnefts Sechin expecting the deposit could hold as much as 100 million tons of crude. However, thats when the Crimea annexation came followed by the sanctions and activity around the Universitetskaya-1 well wound down.

Rosneft is still active in the region, however, with drilling plans in place for more deposits in the Kara Sea where the Universitetskaya-1 well was drilled.

Exxon, meanwhile, remains a partner to the Russian major in the Sakhalin-1 offshore project, which was exempted from sanctions. The two got embroiled in a dispute started by Rosneft, which claimed the Exxon-led consortium operating the project had unjustly enriched itself, but settled in 2018, when the consortium agreed to pay the Russian company $230 million out of court.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
By PTI

KATHMANDU: The Nepal National Assembly has unanimously asked the government to intensify the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Nepal-India border dispute in the Kalapani region. A resolution proposed by ruling Nepal Communist Party chief whip Khim Lal Bhattarai on Thursday was supported by main Opposition Nepali Congress chief whip Sarita Prasain at the National Assembly.

The resolution urges the government to resolve the border issues at the earliest based on the Nepal-India High-Level Technical Committee initiative, according to Parliament sources. Nepal had raised objections after India released its new political map in November last year following the reorganiation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Nepal claimed that Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani areas were shown under Indian territory even though they lie within the Nepalese territory. India has said the new map accurately depicts its sovereign territory and it has in no manner revised its boundary with Nepal.

ALSO READ| Nepal preparing for talks with India on Kalapani issue: Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali

Nepalese territories including Darjeeling were handed to the British East India Company as concessions under the Sugauli treaty which was signed in 1816 on the conclusion of the Anglo-Nepalese War. Under the treaty, the Nepalese-controlled territory that was ceded included all areas that the king of Nepal had won in earlier wars such as the kingdom of Sikkim in the east and Kumaon and Garhwal in the west.

Presenting the resolution in the House, Bhattarai said the entire nation was drawn to the recently-published Indian political map depicting the Kalapani region comprising Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani as Indian territory.

"We have tabled this resolution to make sure the government takes stronger diplomatic and high-level political initiatives to keep Nepali land free of encroachment and to ensure Indian forces deployed in the Kalapani area are withdrawn," Bhattarai said at the Upper House.

ALSO READ| Our map accurately depicts India's sovereign territory, boundary with Nepal not revised: MEA

Nepali Congress lawmaker Radheshyam Adhikari said that Nepal-India relations were multi-dimensional and that the government needs to ensure the ties were were not affected. Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said Nepal-India borders were determined by the Sugauli Treaty of March 4, 1816 and three other subsequent documents.

Gyawali said several maps -- Sugauli Treaty-era map (1816), a map prepared by Survey of British India in 1827, Almora map from 1844 and Kumaon-Garhwal map from 1850 -- proved that Limpiyadhura was the origin of the Kali River. "At a time when unprecedented national unity has been displayed by major political forces, it is a right opportunity to resolve this issue," Foreign Minister Gyawali said.

He claimed that after the 1850s, India first changed the map and then shifted its border. Gyawali said that after the Sugauli Treaty of 1846, India renamed the river originating from Limpiyadhura to 'West Kali' and designated another river originating from Lipulek as the 'border river'.

"We will not accept the shifting of border unilaterally, we want to resolve the issue through diplomatic channel," he said. He underlined the need for re-construction of border pillars that were damaged. Chairman of National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina directed the government to implement the resolution adopted by the house.
BISMARCK, N.D. - The wet weather that caused so many flooding problems around the Midwest in 2019 had one small silver lining: electric generation from the Missouri Rivers six upstream dams was up 5.6 per cent, federal officials said.

It was the first time this century that the river had back-to-back years producing surplus power, which is good news for consumers. The Western Area Power Administration relies heavily on energy from the dams for the power it sells and must buy electricity on the open market in years when hydropower is underperforming  a cost that eventually is passed to ratepayers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages dams and reservoirs along the 2,341-mile river, said energy production from the dams in the Dakotas, Montana and Nebraska was 13 billion kilowatt hours last year, up from 12.3 billion in 2018 and more than 38 per cent above the long-term average.

A billion kilowatt-hours of power is enough to supply about 86,000 homes for a year, said Mike Swenson, a corps engineer in Omaha, Nebraska.

The WAPA buys and sells power from 56 hydropower plants around the nation. The Missouri River dams are its second-largest producer of energy that is then sold to rural electric co-operatives, municipal utilities, Indian tribes and other customers.

Drought years caused by shallow river levels forced WAPA to spend more than $1.7 billion since 2000 to fulfil contracts, including $28.3 million in 2017.

WAPA spokeswoman Lisa Meiman said the agency was able to sell at least $40 million in excess power over the past two years to help offset those losses.

Generation was way above average for the past two years, she said.

Oahe Dam near Pierre, South Dakota, which holds Lake Oahe in the Dakotas, and Garrison Dam, which creates Lake Sakakawea in western North Dakota, are typically the biggest power producers in the Missouri River system.

Oahe Dam generated 4.2 billion kilowatt hours last year, up from the long-term average of 2.7 billion kilowatt hours, Swenson said. Garrison Dam also generated 3.2 billion kilowatt hours of electricity last year, up from long-term average of 2.2 billion kilowatt hours, he said.

The plants have generated an average of 9.4 billion kilowatt hours of electricity since 1967, including a high of 14.6 billion kilowatts in 1997, Swenson said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 13:42:39|Editor: Xiang Bo

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NANJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- East China's Jiangsu Province used 20.95 billion U.S. dollars of foreign investment in the first 11 months of 2019, ranking first in China, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The province attracted 3,005 new foreign-invested projects during the period, according to a symposium on foreign investment held in the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu.

The provincial utilization of foreign investment in biotechnology industries increased by 127.8 percent year on year in the period, and that in high-end software and information services rose by 99.5 percent year on year, the authorities said.

The utilization of foreign investment from Britain, Japan and the Republic of Korea increased by 113.3 percent, 29.3 percent and 19.6 percent year on year, respectively, according to local authorities.
Nonprofit Central City Concern closed its publicly funded Northeast Portland facility where intoxicated people were brought to sober up as an alternative to jail on Friday and ended its roving van service that transported people there.

The agency said the sobering station and the Central City Concern Hopper Inebriate Emergency Response Service, also known as CHIERS, are no longer available. There currently isnt a plan in place to replace them.

The sobering station and van service had operated by Central City Concern since 1985 and was meant to provide a safe space for people to recover from alcohol or drug use. More than 3,000 people used it in 2018 and most spent six to eight hours there, according to the nonprofit. The city of Portland largely paid for its operations.

The closure comes after Central City Concern officials told representatives with the City of Portland, Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties as well as other cities and medical service providers last month that they planned to close the sobering station imminently. Nonprofit officials cited concerns for the safety of patients and staff, who they said were no longer able to give the level of medical care required by most people who arrived at the center.

The agency said they received more and more patients in the midst of a mental crisis, agitated from opioid or meth use or a combination of both, leading to increased safety risks.

More and more, were seeing people ending up in the sobering center when they should be in places where they can be given medication and a higher level of monitoring until their crisis subsides, Dr. Amanda Risser, Central City Concerns senior medical director of substance use disorder services told The Oregonian/OregonLive in an interview last week. We dont have medicine, we dont have padded safety rooms and we dont have the resources at the sobering center to do the hands-on intervention that happens in psychiatric centers. It just isnt an acceptable risk anymore.

She said the agency recently implemented new screening criteria for accepting patients that weeded out people at high risk to threaten or harm themselves or others. Patients with a high potential for violence were redirected to a hospital, Risser said.

Risser said the station accepted eight to 10 people a day before the new screening was implemented and but just two to three afterward.

Its difficult to close a program that has been such an important part of the community for decades, Risser said in a statement Friday. But closing the Sobering Station makes room for a new approach to treating people in crisis and incapacitated by drugs and alcohol. We look forward to supporting our partners in this effort.

The nonprofit said it is still figuring out what the next steps are for the two dozen full-time and on-call employees who worked at the sobering station.

The agencys current contract with the City of Portland expires June 30. The nonprofit said it first told the Portland Police Bureau in August that it didnt plan to renew the deal to operate the sobering center or CHIERS van service.

The Portland Police Bureau announced Dec. 23 that its officers would take inebriated people to hospital emergency rooms.

The nonprofit had contracts for sobering services with Portland and Washington County and sent invoices to all other agencies that transported patients there. The Washington County contract was sent to expire Jan. 21.

More than 2,700 people or around 85% of people who arrived at the sobering center from July 2018 to June 2019 were brought by Portland police. The agency also received patients from law enforcement agencies as far away as Canby, Sandy, St. Helens and McMinnville.

Central City Concerns Detox Center in North Portland will remain open. Hooper Detox is a subacute center that admits patients voluntarily for medical treatment of their withdrawal symptoms. Patients can stay there for days and receive medications in a center staffed with nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Brian Terrett, a Legacy Health spokesperson, said hospital emergency departments have been bracing for the impact of the sobering station closing, but havent seen a larger than normal influx of intoxicated patients.

He said hospitals in the area did see a notable decrease in wait times for patients when Unity Center for Behavioral Health opened. Unity was created to relieve the burden on ERs who were ill-prepared to deal with people in the midst of psychiatric distress and needed a long period of intensive monitoring and care. So when those people were no longer in ERs, people with physical injuries and illnesses could move through the department faster.

Terrett said sobering center patients could cause the same backlog since they need to be monitored. Emergency departments are designed to treat people in ERs and then move them to other areas for recovery, he said.

Any time anything is introduced into that system thats not designed to be handled in that way, itll create challenges and problems, Terrett said. We believe the only way to solve this problem is for the community to come together and find a solution.

We have said we would be more than happy to be part of that conversation, but again it needs to be a community-wide conversation.

Molly Harbarger of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report.

-- Everton Bailey Jr; ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 | @EvertonBailey

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
Lois Irene Evans, beloved wife of Tony Evans for 49 years and founder of Pastors' Wives Ministry, passed away Dec. 30, 2019 of biliary cancer. She was 70.

Tony, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, shared the news on Facebook. "Just before the sun came up this morning," he wrote, "the love of my life transitioned from earth and watched her first sunrise from heaven."

Lois was with her husband and the couple's four children when she died Monday (December 30).

"As she slipped away, we told her how much we love her, how proud we are of her, and how thankful we are for the life she has lived," Pastor Evans wrote. "We are what we are because of her."

Priscilla Shirer, best-selling author, actress, and the Evanses' daughter, tweeted, "Goodnight my beautiful, beloved Mommy. I'll see you in the morning."

The Evanses' son, Christian music artist Anthony Evans, Jr., posted, "I love you forever, Mommy."

Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear also expressed his condolences on Twitter. "Grieving with you and your family, Dr. Evans," Greear tweeted. "Your and Mrs. Lois' life and ministry have been an almost incalculable blessing to many of us."

Marshal Ausberry, president of the National African American Fellowship of the SBC and pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station, Virginia, shared with condolences with Baptist Press.

"Lois Evans has been a picture of a loving wife, mother, and Christian woman," Ausberry told BP Thursday (January 2). "Lois Evans' strong support of her husband enabled him to do all he did. They truly served well as a team. The Evans family has touched countless lives around the world."

A 9 a.m. viewing and an 11 a.m. funeral are scheduled for Monday (January 6) at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church.

"We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers," Pastor Evans wrote. "Many have asked how to help during this time. In honor of Lois, I would also love for you to consider sending flowers this week to your pastor's wife. Lois loved receiving flowers but she also loved giving them. Because her passion was ministering to pastors' wives and making sure they felt loved and cared for, your gift of flowers in her memory would be a gift to us as well."

In lieu of flowers, he suggested "continuing the ministry to pastors' wives that was dear to Lois' heart" by contributing to The Urban Alternative's Pastors' Wives Ministry.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear when the Max will fly again. Boeing is still working on software and computer updates to prevent a repeat of crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people. In both crashes, a key sensor malfunctioned and triggered an automated system to push the nose of the plane down, according to accident investigators.
US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the top Iranian commander killed in a U.S. air strike, Qassem Soleimani, was planning to kill Americans.

General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!, Trump wrote in a tweet.

In his first substantial comments on the operation, carried out earlier Friday at Baghdads international airport, Trump tweeted that Soleimani should have been taken out many years ago!

Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! Trump said.

His only earlier comments on the dramatic news included a tweet featuring a picture of a US flag and another, cryptic tweet stating that Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!
A major snowstorm toured the United States this week, making stops across the central and northeastern parts of the country and wreaking havoc along the way. Meanwhile, a plan for New Year's Eve fireworks didn't work out as anticipated, drivers had to dig themselves out of an extraordinary mess and some package deliveries might not have arrived on schedule - and strong winds were the culprit. Here's a look back at the final week of the last decade.

Snowy, icy storm hinders travel in Northeast

The year 2019 ended on a stormy note as snow and ice slammed Wisconsin to Maine between last weekend and early this past week. After leaving its mark on the central U.S. in the form of snowfall, wind and ice, it headed farther east, where it caused travel headaches on the roads and at airports.

The final Monday of the year was not a great day to be traveling to or from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where more than 500 flights were delayed due to the storm, FlightAware reported. As the storm hit the Northeast, Boston's Logan International Airport travelers had to endure 150-plus flight delays.

About .4 inches of ice had coated this branch by early Sunday, Dec. 30, in Plainfield, Massachusetts.

Glazed-over roadways triggered a number of accidents in New Hampshire, but the good news is that there weren't any reported injuries. In Massena, New York, around .86 inches of ice accumulated over a day's time by Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, people in Portland, Maine, saw more than 6 inches of snow by early Tuesday.

The storm also left quite a few people in the dark, with more than 13,000 power outages reported across New York and over 50,000 people without electricity in Michigan from last weekend into early this week. Powerful winds knocked out power to 100,000 customers in Ohio at one point.

Same winter storm pounds central US, shuts down highways

Volunteers help a woman dig out her parked car on Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, after it was blocked by snow from a plow that was clearing snow in downtown Fargo, N.D., after a blizzard that dumped a foot of snow in some areas of the metropolitan area. (AP Photo/Dave Kolpack)

Before it hit the northeastern U.S., the same major storm pounded the midwestern and central portions of the country with similar impacts. On Saturday, drivers in Minneapolis were hit with icy roads that resulted in multiple crashes. Conditions were bad enough to prompt Minnesota State Patrol to advise against traveling in the area that morning.

Story continues

The next day, the winter storm dumped heavy snow that triggered accidents and highway shutdowns across Nebraska and the Dakotas, with some spots in central Nebraska receiving more than 8 inches of snow early Sunday.

Sgt. Jesse Grabow tweeted this image from Interstate 94 in Clay County, Minnesota on Sunday, Dec. 29, showing just how severe the travel conditions were in the midst of the winter storm. (Twitter photo/@@MSPPIO_NW)

That seems like nothing compared to the 16 inches that covered Jamestown, North Dakota, on Sunday. Over in Ellendale, emergency management reported "complete whiteout conditions" along with 14 inches of snow on the ground.

Things got extra chilly in Colorado

While Colorado is no stranger to frigid conditions, the thin air also became exceptionally cold on Monday as temperatures dipped into the negative digits overnight.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Boulder tweeted that the freezing weather impacted spots across Colorado's north-central mountains and high valleys. "The lowest temperature recorded was a frigid minus 48 degrees Fahrenheit at Antero Reservoir," the NWS tweeted. Now, that's cold.

Odd phenomenon wreaks havoc on New Year's Eve motorists

Extreme conditions didn't just impact the central and northeastern U.S. this week. In Washington, New Year's Eve drivers found themselves either having to dig themselves out of an incredible 20- to 30-feet-high mess due to powerful winds -- or abandon their cars completely that evening. At least one of those vehicles was a semi-truck.

"In the 20 years that I have worked here, I have never seen it as bad as this," said Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Thorsan.

The culprit? Tumbleweeds. Yes, you read that correctly.

This image from Wednesday morning shows a car just about buried in a thick wall of tumbleweeds. (Twitter photo/@WSDOT_East)

A huge pile of wind-blown tumbleweeds caused a commotion on parts of State Route 240 near West Richland. The unusual phenomenon actually shut down some of the highway. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger said wind gusts reached almost 50 mph in nearby areas.

Cleanup crews saw no break from the strong winds by New Year's Day, which only made clearing the mess that much more difficult. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Powerful winds threaten on-time deliveries in Colorado, Wyoming

New Year's Day winds were pretty powerful in other areas, as well. If you're wondering why your one-day Amazon order was late to arrive, it might have been due to some strong winds causing trouble in the Colorado-Wyoming area.

This video shows just how gusty the winds were at the border of those states on Wednesday. An Amazon Prime delivery truck took a slight detour as the gusts temporarily pushed its path sideways and off the road. The good news for the driver is that the winds did not topple over the vehicle.

Winds thwart fireworks display plans in Seattle

The midweek wind that pounded the West at the turn of the decade continued to cause problems-this time, in Seattle.

Fireworks around the Space Needle were scheduled to illuminate the night sky into New Year's Day, but strong winds got in the way of those plans. Two hours into the new year, organizers had to admit defeat as they tweeted the disappointing announcement that the fireworks show was not happening.

"Due to high winds, we are still unable to proceed with the fireworks display at 2 a.m. on Jan. 1," a tweet from the Space Needle account read. "Unfortunately, this calls for the cancellation of this year's display."

Multiple tornadoes tear through Mississippi

At least seven small tornadoes were confirmed last weekend across Mississippi, the NWS office in Jackson reported. Eight counties, including Hinds, Attala, Choctaw and Oktibbeha, were affected by the twisters that brought winds of 105 mph to those areas, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The NWS hasn't reported injuries related to those tornadoes. It stated that one of them was an EF1 that formed north of Jackson in Madison County, and crossed the county line into Attala, covering about 7 miles. The severe weather left many without power; around 2,850 Entergy customers lost electricity.

Record rainfall, deadly flooding terrorize Indonesia's capital city

Jakarta was left underwater after heavy rain and thunderstorms lashed the capital city of Indonesia Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. A large portion of the city was inundated with feet of rainfall. At least 42 people were killed, according to Bloomberg, with one person missing.

A man carrying a boy wades through floodwaters at Jatibening on the outskirt of Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

The storm's immense flooding forced over 400,000 people out of their homes. The bad weather also hindered air travel at Jakarta's second-largest airport, Halim Perdanakusuma, both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Jakarta's governor, Anies Baswedan, said around 120,000 people have been deployed to assist with water rescues and evacuations. The deadly New Year's Eve rain event is reportedly the highest rainfall amount for the city in 24 years. The East Jakarta Airport measured 15 inches of rain on Jan. 1.

Growing bushfires in Australia obliterate 12 million acres by New Year's Day

The Australia fires continue to devastate New South Wales and Victoria amid a catastrophic bushfire season. Officials in both states declared a state of emergency on Thursday as high temperatures and strong wind gusts exacerbated the fight against the growing blazes.

By New Year's Day, the burnt acreage total and death toll reached 12 million acres and 17 fatalities, while a reported 480 million animals have perished in the fires. Those wildlife deaths include the 30 percent of Australia's koala population that may have been killed as their habitats were destroyed.
The prime minister of the former republic of North Macedonia has resigned to protest his countrys failure to join the European Union. Parliament and lawmakers were to vote on a new government later Friday.

By Stefan J. Bos

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said he resigned Friday to pave the way for a new caretaker Cabinet and to organize an early election. The government leader stepped down because he is furious about his nations inability to join the European Union.



Zaev asked for a snap vote, saying he wanted to express disappointment and outrage on the EUs failure to start membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania last year.



France, backed by Denmark and the Netherlands, strongly opposed membership talks. They demanded an overhaul of the EUs procedures before admitting new members.



That came as a disappointment for North Macedonia, which till recently was known as Macedonia. The Balkan nation changed its name to take away objections from neighboring Greece against its EU ambitions.

NEW TENSIONS EXPECTED

Prime Minister Zaev warned that the EUs inability to expand would lead to new nationalistic tensions in the volatile Balkans, which had several wars in the 1990s. "If they turn out the lights from the stars of the European Union, it will be dark here," he said.

"In that case, we will lose ourselves. There is soil for radicalism and nationalism to rise again, which will mean big damage to the Balkans. When the Balkans have a problem, Europe has a problem," the prime minister warned.



Zaevs Social Democrat-led government took office in 2017.



But with his countrys European future uncertain, it remains unclear how much support Zaevs party will receive in the upcoming vote.






Paris, Jan 4 : French President Emmanuel Macron and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin called on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid any new escalation after the killing of a top Iranian commander in a US airstrike in Iraq.

Over a phone call on Friday, Macron and Putin discussed the situation in Iraq and neighbouring countries and "agreed to stay in close contact for the next few days to avoid another dangerous escalation of tension," the office of the French president said in a statement.

Macron stressed that 2015 nuclear deal signatories need to remain closely coordinated in order to call on Iran to quickly return to full compliance with its nuclear obligations and to refrain from any provocation, the statement added.

Iran's top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after the killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), in a US airstrike in Baghdad on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The US Department of Defense said the strike was "aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans." The German government on Friday also called for de-escalation following the killing of the Iranian commander.

"We are at a dangerous point of escalation, and it is now important to contribute to a de-escalation with prudence and restraint," said Ulrike Demmer, deputy spokesperson of the German government.

"Regional conflicts can only be resolved through diplomatic channels, and we are in contact with our allies to this end," she noted.
SBI said it will sell two NPAsRohit Ferro Tech with an outstanding amount of Rs 1,313.67 crore and Impex Ferro Tech with dues of Rs 200.67 crore, on 17 January

The country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) and Union Bank of India are looking to sell their non-performing loans totalling Rs 2,836 crore to banks, asset reconstruction companies and other financial institutions.

While SBI has put on sale Rs 1,554.87 crore of three assets, state-run Union Bank of India has invited bids to sell 11 NPAs worth Rs 1,280.87 crore, according to separate public notices by the two lenders.

All these NPAs will be sold through e-auctions during January.

In a notice issued on Thursday, SBI said it will sell two NPAsRohit Ferro Tech with an outstanding amount of Rs 1,313.67 crore and Impex Ferro Tech with dues of Rs 200.67 crore, on 17 January.

The bank said Rohit Ferro Tech will be sold on cash-cum-securities receipts with a 50:50 ratio and Impex Ferro Tech only on 100 percent cash. Both the companies are promoted by Kolkata-based SKP Group which is into manufacturing, trading, import and the export of ferroalloys. The group also has presence in steel, power and cement sectors.

In a notice on its website on 12 December, SBI had sought bids to sell another Kolkata-based engineering firm Avani Projects and Infrastructure, having outstanding loans of Rs 40.53 crore.

The bad asset will be sold on 100 percent cash basis through an e-auction to be held on January 10.

Public sector lender Union Bank has invited all-cash bids for 11 NPAs.

The bank is selling GVK Power Goindwal Saheb (Rs 443.84 crore), Chennai Elevated Tollway (Rs 192.24 crore), Rajamundry Godavari Bridge (Rs 153.03 crore), Sona Alloys (Rs 135.58 crore), Supreme Manorvada Bhiwandi Tollways (Rs 113.95 crore) and NSSL Ltd (Rs 61.63 crore).

The other five smaller NPAs includes Shri Raghunath Rai Memorial (Rs 51.91 crore), Vikas WSP (Rs 46.45), Kamachi Industries (Rs 28.37 crore), Karur KCP Packaging (Rs 26.55 crore) and Pacific Hospitals (Rs 5.87 crore).

All the 11 assets were declared NPA between December 2012 and November 2017, Union Bank said. The auction will be conducted on 13 January.
The readings of royal astrogers serve only as a guide. However, they made headlines recently after bringing some exciting prospect for Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle this 2020.

The Bad News

Royal astrologers have been controversial recently, especially with some unwanted predictions for the royal family.

It surprised royal watchers when a royal astrologer predicted that the monarchy will still face more difficulties next year after it went through a lot in 2019 -- from Prince Philip's car accident to Prince Andrew's withdrawal from his royal duties.

Moreover, according to royal astrologer Debbie Frank, Queen Elizabeth II will face more troubles in the next 12 months and it may start in late March.

Talking with The Sun on Sunday, Frank predicted that "as Saturn's stark influence remains into the New Year," it will surely cause difficult times to Her Majesty. She also noted that the eclipse will send signals that the problems are just around the corner.

"An eclipsed full moon on January 10 - a subtle effect of which may be visible from the earth - looks set to create further family ripples," she stated.

The eclipse will be followed by a closer approach of Saturn to Pluto, which signifies a time for "reality checks."

Moreover, Frank suggested the Queen to launch boundaries and laws to protect the monarchy.

Despite this forewarning, another set of royal astrologers somehow cleared their worries away after they predicted something good coming into the royal family's way.

What's The Good News?

Through Daily Mirror, Royal astrologers Francesa Odie and Ann-Louise Holland predicted that both Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, will give birth to babies this 2020.

According to the experts, they felt that the Cambridges are placed "by eclipses and planetary action" into a universe of changes. They based this prediction on the theory wherein eclipses repeat the same scenario every 19 years, and 2020 is the 19th year ever since Kate met Prince William at their university.

"If she falls pregnant again, this will be an important child and will change Kate's outlook where she establishes herself as the nation's ultimate mother," the astrologers stated.

Meanwhile, the experts read how Mars' retrograde in the constellation of Aries in September will make Meghan be out of the public's eyes due to a "reduced schedule" because of a potential pregnancy.

In 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan welcomed their first son Archie, the current youngest member of the monarchy.

Meanwhile, Prince William and Kate currently have three children -- Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The Problem For Prince Harry

Prince Charles is a few steps closer to the throne now that Queen Elizabeth II is nearing her 95th birthday. Once Prince Charles takes over, Prince William will move up, and so is Prince Harry and his baby Archie.

Prince William will be the heir to the throne after Prince Charles, followed by his children Prince George (eldest child of the Duke of Cambridge), Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Prince Harry will be fifth in line to the throne then; however, it would only be possible if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge decide not to have another child.

It may still sound good news though, since Prince Harry could make it to the top five "reserves" while his son Archie would be the sixth.

But whatever the future holds for them, having something to look forward to can certainly help ease the tension in the palace.

No pressure, Kate and Meghan!
(Newser)  It was freezing in many parts of Illinois on New Year's Day, but that didn't stop droves of people from standing in line for the state's first day of legal marijuana sales. And the day brought in a hefty haul: NBC Chicago reports that, per the state's Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, more than 77,000 transactions took place throughout the state, bringing in almost $3.2 million in cannabis sales. "I have waited 46 years for this moment," says one man who walked two hours to a Chicago-area dispensary to make his purchase, adding he may frame his gram of pot as a "memento." To buy pot in the state, the 11th in the country to legalize marijuana for recreational use, customers must have a government-issued ID to prove they're 21 or older, and all purchases are cash only.

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"The amazing thing about that is that there's a significant portion of these dollars that go directly into this community reinvestment fund, so we can continue to rebuild communities that have been hardest hit by the war on drugs," an adviser to Gov. JB Pritzker said at a Thursday presser, per CNN Business, which notes Pritzker expunged more than 11,000 records for minor cannabis convictions earlier in the week. "So sales are great, but let's never lose sight on the impact that we're having on families around this state." CBS News notes that cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. In addition to the District of Columbia, Illinois joins 10 other states in legalizing pot for recreational use: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. (Read more Illinois stories.)
The Madras High Court on Friday dismissed a plea seeking a direction to the Union government to remove Banwarilal Purohit as Tamil Nadu Governor for not passing orders on the Council of Ministers' advice to release the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

A Division Bench, comprising Justices M Sathyanarayanan and R Hemalatha dismissed as not maintainable, the petition of president of Kanchipuram District Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, M Kannadasan.

The petitioner submitted that the Council of Ministers had passed a resolution on September 9, 2018, recommending and advising the Tamil Nadu Governor to order premature release of seven convicts.

Despite a lapse of nearly 15 months, the Governor was yet to take a call and therefore such 'inaction' amounted to violation of provisions of the Constitution, Kannadasan said



He said he had also submitted a representation to the union government on November 22, 2019, pointing out the 'inaction' on the part of the Governor and prayed for appropriate action to remove him and it was acknowledged on December 3, 2019.

The petitioner, alleging inaction on the part of Union government, filed the above writ petition.

Home Ministry Officials had said the Governor has no power to release the seven convicts as recommended by the state government and would have to consult the Centre as per law.

Since the probe into the case was done by CBI, the Governor would have to consult the central government before taking a decision to remit or commute the sentence of the seven convicts, they had said.

The AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu had recommended to the Governor to release the convicts, a move hailed by most political parties in the state.

On August 10, 2018, the Centre had opposed in the Supreme Court, the proposal of the Tamil Nadu government to release the seven convicts, saying that setting them free would set a wrong precedent.

The Supreme Court had said that the state government cannot remit sentence of any convict in cases probed by a central agency and the Centre's approval was mandatory to release the killers of Rajiv Gandhi as the case was probed by the CBI.

Nalini, her husband Murugan, Santhan, Robert Payas, Perarivalan, Ravichandran and S Jayakumar are serving life term in connection with the assassination of Gandhi by a suicide bomber at an election rally in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Brothers Lewis and Jack Burdett have one New Year's resolution: to find their mother, Sarah. Since the 46-year-old beautician went missing 14 months ago, their lives have been in complete turmoil.

They know she was murdered; they know who did it. But they don't know why, where, how, or the location of her body.

All they have are the same terrible, never-ending questions: How did she die? Was she drugged or in pain? Did she put up a fight? Will they ever bring her home?

'Until we can lay her to rest properly and say goodbye to our mum, there'll be no end to this for us,' says Lewis, 23, the eldest of Sarah Wellgreen's five children. 'But only one person knows the truth and he's not telling.'

Sarah Wellgreen in 1999 with Lewis, four, and Jack (right), three. The 46-year-old beautician went missing 14 months ago

That person is taxi driver Ben Lacomba, 39, Sarah's estranged partner and father to her three youngest children.

He is the man Lewis and Jack used to call 'Dad'. Today he sits, clinging to his corrosive secrets, in HMP Belmarsh  one of the few murderers convicted in the absence of a body.

Jailed for life on November 8, with a minimum term of 27 years, Lacomba was found guilty of Sarah's 'callous and chilling' murder on the strength of compelling circumstantial evidence.

This is Lewis and Jack's first interview since his conviction. Their relief that 'justice was done' is clear. They are incredibly thankful to the police and Crown Prosecution Service; also grateful to the volunteers from Sarah's Kent village who are still searching for her.

But the case is far from over for them and won't be until they have their mother back.

To that end, they reveal they have made the painful decision to request a prison meeting with Lacomba in the hope he'll break his silence.

'I want to look him in the eyes and say: "Just tell us where she is, for your kids' sake and for ours," says Jack, 22, a retail worker. 'No feeling will be left unsaid.'

Jack wants Lacomba to hear about the hours he's spent scouring the countryside near the home from which his mother disappeared, helped by volunteers and dog units, looking for any trace of her.

Jack (left) and Lewis Burdett made the painful decision to request a prison meeting with Ben Lacomba in the hope he'll break his silence

Lewis, a soldier, adds: 'People keep telling us "he won't see you", but I want to try. He's the only person who knows what happened to Mum and the only person who can give her back to us.

'I have just two questions for him: "Why?" and "Where is she?". He might tell us, or he might sit there in silence, just as he's always done since the day she went missing, but the truth will come out one day.'

Ben Lacomba is one of just 18 'no-body' murderers jailed in Britain since 1954 when the 'no body, no murder' rule was effectively overturned.

If a new law is passed, he will never be released unless he reveals the location of Sarah Wellgreen's remains.

The Prisoners (disclosure of information about victims) Bill, was included in the new Conservative Government's agenda and is expected to progress through Parliament within weeks.

The bill is known as 'Helen's Law', named after Helen McCourt, murdered in 1988 by Ian Simms as she walked home from work in the village of Billinge in Merseyside.

Jailed for life in 1989 with a 16-year minimum term, Simms, 63, has never revealed the location of Helen's body.

Helen's mother, Marie, has tirelessly campaigned for him to be denied parole unless he does. She described the confirmation that legislation will go through as 'the best Christmas present ever'.

Ben Lacomba (pictured) insisted he was asleep when Sarah went missing

Lewis, whose family has been in touch with Mrs McCourt, says: 'If that law is passed, then telling the truth is the only way Ben Lacomba would ever get out.'

Lewis and Jack can never forgive Lacomba for the lies he told during his four-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court in October.

Lacomba insisted he was asleep when Sarah went missing from the 300,000 home they shared in New Ash Green, Kent, on October 9, 2018, leaving behind her car, handbag, purse, bank cards, phones and jewellery.

The couple split in 2014, but Sarah had moved back into the family home in May 2018, to co-parent their three young children. They'd agreed to lead separate lives, sleeping in different bedrooms, but the arrangement was fractious.

With relations at breaking point, Sarah had secured a mortgage to raise the 50,000 needed to buy Lacomba out of the property. The day before she went missing, Sarah told him she'd landed a well-paid job as a business development manager, enabling her to support their children without him.

Faced with losing his home and kids, Lacomba  described as 'angry, bitter and controlling'  planned to 'erase her from his life for ever'.

Switching off the CCTV which covered their property, he murdered Sarah and moved her body in his taxi to an unknown location while their children slept. Despite extensive police searches of more than 1,250 areas, Sarah has never been found.

Reporting her missing to police two days later, on October 11, 2018, Lacomba claimed he had no idea where she'd gone, telling officers Sarah led a 'weird' life and was seeing 'quite a few blokes'.

Lacomba told the court he and Sarah were a 'fantastic team' and insisted 'I definitely haven't killed her'. He claimed a long-handled 'gravedigger's' shovel found in his shed was a Christmas present for his frail, elderly mother.

Lacomba, pictured during interrogation, claimed he had no idea where she'd gone, telling officers Sarah led a 'weird' life and was seeing 'quite a few blokes'

The jury took three-and-a-half hours to find Lacomba guilty after hearing an occupant in the house had woken in the early hours to find both Sarah and Lacomba gone from their separate beds.

Only he came back. A red Vauxhall Zafira with taxi markings was picked up by CCTV at eight different locations between 2.13am and 4.27am at the time Lacomba claimed to be asleep.

Lacomba's almost identical taxi was seen with mud under the arches the following morning, only for it to be 'sparkly and clean like a brand-new car' hours later. He threw his mobile phone in the Thames so police could not examine his text messages.

Sentencing him, Judge Christopher Kinch QC told Lacomba he'd carried out a 'thoroughly wicked plan, executed for selfish interests without any thought of the dreadful consequences'.

The brothers were toddlers when Sarah split from their father, and aged nine and ten when their mother  a Lloyd's TSB bank manager  met Lacomba on an internet dating site in December 2004.

Sarah went missing from the 300,000 home she shared with Lacomba in New Ash Green, Kent

Lacomba, the son of an English mother and Spanish father, had moved to Majorca in 2002 to train as a pilot after working in London for a TV and music post-production company. After a 12-month long-distance relationship, Sarah, who had two failed marriages behind her, decided to join Lacomba in Spain with the boys in 2005.

'Mum had always been very hard-working and independent, but she just wanted what everyone else wants  happiness. She wanted to give us a proper family life with a mum and a dad,' says Jack.

'Mum really loved Ben and, to begin with, they were really happy together. We liked him, too. We were really excited to move to Majorca. What kid wouldn't want to go live somewhere nice and sunny?'

'He was the only father we'd really known as children and he wanted us to call him 'Dad' and take his surname, so we could be a proper family.'

Life in Spain, though, was not the dream they'd wanted.

Unable to speak the language, Sarah couldn't get a job and missed her work, family and friends back in the UK. The boys struggled at school and had few friends.

Lacomba's big ambition to become a commercial airline pilot failed to materialise and he had a low-paid airport job.

After the birth of their first child, the family returned to the UK in 2007 for financial reasons, eventually buying a house in New Ash Green, Kent.

Sarah returned to her bank job, while Lacomba  after six months as a stay-at-home dad  became a taxi driver. Two more children followed.

'After his first child was born, Ben lost all interest in us. We felt pushed aside because we weren't his flesh and blood,' said Jack, who has reverted to his real father's surname, as has Lewis.

'Mum ran the house, looked after the financial side and organised family life.

Despite extensive police searches of more than 1,250 areas, Sarah has never been found

'She paid for the loft conversion, conservatory and kitchen and all the bills, while he did nothing. They started bickering constantly. They'd argue over money, or if someone was going out, everything. Ben was very controlling and enjoyed being a pain, just for the sake of it. Mum was really fed up with him.'

Lacomba, the court heard, resented Sarah for having so many children and admitted he had 'trust' issues when she gave him two more, after she'd apparently agreed to be sterilised after their first.

The relationship was already more or less over when Sarah met someone new on holiday in Spain in 2014 and told Lacomba, asking him if he still loved her.

Lacomba responded by kicking her out of the house and changing the locks. A couple of days later, he booted out 17-year-old Jack followed by Lewis, leaving all three homeless. 'I was at school when a teacher pulled me aside and took me to the office. Ben had just dumped two suitcases there with all my things in them and said I wasn't welcome back,' says Jack.

'For weeks, we went from one B&B to another. It was terrible hearing Mum crying down the phone to social services saying she'd lost her three young kids and couldn't provide for me. Ben always played dumb, but he was very tactical. He knew that if he was in the house with the kids and she couldn't get in, then he would be the sole carer. He always had the upper hand.'

Locked in an acrimonious custody battle, Sarah fought tooth and nail to see her children. She gave up her bank job and retrained as a beautician, so she would have more time to spend with them. Her savings dwindling, and she moved back to her Portsmouth home  spending hours driving back and forth to collect or drop off the children who shuttled between their warring parents.

A potential new law, which will keep killers behind bars until they reveal the location of their victim's body, has been named Helen's Law in honour of Helen McCourt (pictured) who was murdered 25 years ago

Hostilities reached new heights when Sarah met new partner Neil James, 46, a divorced father-of-two, on a dating website. Lacomba was furious when Sarah moved into his flat with the children in Farnham, Surrey, in December 2016 after the central heating broke down in her own home.

'Neil was a good bloke and wanted to marry Mum, but Ben seemed to have social services on speed dial,' says Jack. 'Mum was terrified he would take the children away from her again if she stayed with Neil or, even if she moved them back again to Portsmouth.'

Lewis was horrified when his mother told him she'd found a solution to the problem.

'She phoned me up and said: 'I don't know how you're going to take this, but I'm moving back in with Ben.' I said: 'Is this some kind of joke?' I told her she was an idiot after all he'd put her through, but she thought it was the only way to keep the kids.'

The brothers are racked with guilt for not acting with more urgency when Neil James phoned the morning after she was last seen alive on October 9, 2018, to ask if they'd heard from their mother, who wasn't answering calls.

Mr James had stayed in contact with Sarah and was one of the last people she spoke to by phone. She told him she'd gone to bed early because she couldn't stand to be in the same room as Lacomba.

Jack says: 'I was the one who said 'wait another day'. I feel guilty about that, but Mum could look after herself. If she'd been reported missing immediately, who knows what the police might have found.'

Lewis adds: 'After Neil's call, I phoned Ben that night and said: 'Is Mum there?' He said he hadn't seen her since yesterday. I said, 'I'll call the police' and he said 'I'll do it because she lives here'. I didn't suspect him for a second.

'Next morning I called him again and said: 'Have you heard from her?' When he said 'No', I said 'Call the police', but it took him a couple of hours to get round to it.'

Now they know why.

Jack says: 'Losing my mum is the most traumatic thing I have ever known, ripping a hole in my heart.

'That is hard enough, but with no body, we have nowhere to say goodbye. Our younger siblings know Mummy is never coming back, but are too young to understand and it's heartbreaking to hear them say 'She'll always love us and be there for us', but not know where she is.'

Might Lacomba's conscience be troubled enough for him to agree to meet Sarah's adult sons and tell the truth now? Lewis and Jack are not holding out much hope.

'I don't think he'll ever admit it, because as soon as he does, the whole world will know what he did and his kids will realise what he is,' says Jack.

'But until he tells us where Mum is, he's not going anywhere.'
Arkansas Baptist State Convention failed to report abuse allegations against pastor, lawsuit claims

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A Southern Baptist leader in Arkansas has been accused of violating state law by failing to report allegations that a Hot Springs pastor sexually abused a minor on church property, according to a lawsuit filed in December.

The civil lawsuit filed Dec. 16 accuses Arkansas Baptist State Convention Executive Director Sonny Tucker of failing to report suspected child sexual abuse to authorities after he was contacted by the ex-wife of Millcreek Baptist Church pastor Teddy Leon Hill about concerns that Hill might've been abusing minors.

It's unknown whether Hill's ex-wife, Carolyn Latham, made any attempt to contact the police to report her suspicions.

Attorneys representing an unnamed plaintiff referred to as "John Doe" claim Hill met Doe when Doe came to the church at 13 years old seeking refuge from a troubled home. The lawsuit accuses Hill of sexually molesting and abusing Doe starting in 2014.

In 2016, Hill became Doe's legal guardian, the lawsuit adds. Doe then moved into Millcreek's parsonage, where Hill was living.

"Such abuse was perpetrated by Hill in his role as guardian, mentor, counselor and Pastor to Doe and occurred on the church property of Millcreek," the lawsuit alleges. "The abuse perpetrated included multiple acts of sexual battery with Doe and involved deviate sexual activity."

The lawsuit alleges that Latham contacted Tucker and ABSC in February 2018 to report her suspicion that Hill was sexually abusing Doe and possibly other minors. A few weeks later, Latham reportedly met with Tucker to discuss her accusations concerning Hill.

"Based on Ms. Lathams reports to ABSC and Tucker, ABSC and Tucker had a

reasonable basis to believe Hill had engaged in sexual conduct with a minor," the lawsuit claims. "Regardless, neither Defendant ABSC nor Tucker reported Hill to the Child Advocacy Hotline."

The lawsuit adds that illegal conduct allegedly continued "unabated" until July 2018, about two weeks before Hill resigned as the church's senior pastor.

Hill, who retired in July 2018, told The Houston Chronicle that he retired because he was old. Hill added that he was unaware of the lawsuit or the claims in it.

Listed as defendants in the suit are Hill, Millcreek Baptist Church, the Diamond Lakes Baptist Association, Tucker and the ABSC. The attorneys claim that Tucker had an obligation under the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Act to report the allegations against Hill to the Child Abuse Hotline.

In a statement released last week, the ABSC explained that no criminal charges have been filed against Hill or anyone else listed in the lawsuit nor have there been any criminal convictions related to the matter.

The state association stressed that it's taking the allegations very seriously. ABSC is represented by the law firm of Friday, Eldredge & Clark.

So far, our lawyers have seen no indication of impropriety on the part of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention or Dr. Tucker, the ABSC statement reads. Rather, it appears the plaintiff does not understand the relationship between the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and the local church and pastor.

The ABSC contends that the plaintiff mistakenly believes that the Arkansas Baptist State Convention somehow controls the local church and should have been monitoring this local church pastors actions.

The lawsuit contends that "defendants are part of a hierarchical institution in which there exists a system of oversight and control by ABSC over Diamond Lakes and Millcreek and Hill and by Diamond Lakes over Millcreek and Hill."

The Southern Baptist Convention is not a top-down denomination but rather an association of autonomous churches that govern themselves.

In any event, the Convention has no responsibility in this case for his and/or the local churchs actions, the ABSC statement argues.

The Arkansas Baptist State Convention has long placed a high priority on ministry and safety for children and students. For several years, the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, under Dr. Tuckers leadership, has been involved in an intentional, statewide safety and training emphasis to equip churches to better prevent and respond to sexual abuse.

The convention added that it will cooperate with attorneys to defend what appears to be false accusations.

The lawsuit comes as the SBC and the Baptist General Association of Virginia and the Petersburg Baptist Association were added to a similar lawsuit earlier this year.

The Virginia lawsuit alleges that Baptist leaders mishandled complaints about a youth minister convicted of abusing young boys. The Virginia lawsuit contends that the convention can be held liable for the actions of local churches, according to The Houston Chronicle.

These organizations are working together in harmony, attorney Kevin Biniazan told the newspaper. The success of one benefits the other. And vice versa.

At SBCs annual meeting last June, SBC delegates approved a resolution to expel churches accused of mishandling claims of sexual abuse or racism. They also amended SBC bylaws to give SBCs Credentials Committee the power to investigate complaints against churches in instances of sexual abuse or racism.
SYDNEY  One of the largest evacuations in Australias history was under way Friday ahead of hot weather and strong winds that are forecast to worsen devastating wildfires raging across the country.

More than 200 fires were burning, and warnings of extreme danger to come Saturday prompted mass evacuations. Traffic was gridlocked as people fled and firefighters escorted convoys of evacuees as fires threatened to close roads. Navy ships were called in to pluck hundreds of people stranded on beaches.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews declared a disaster across much of the eastern part of the state, allowing the government to order evacuations in an area with as many as 140,000 residents and tens of thousands more vacationers.

If you can leave, you must leave, Andrews said.

In South Australia state, fire officials said the weather conditions were cause for concern because fires were still burning or smoldering.

The ignition sources are already there, Country Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones said. There are millions of sparks out there ready to go if they break containment lines.

The early and devastating start to Australias summer wildfires has made this season the worst on record. About 12.35 million acres of land have burned, at least 19 people have been killed, and more than 1,400 homes have been destroyed.

This week, at least 448 homes were torched on the New South Wales southern coast and dozens more burned in Victoria. Ten deaths have been confirmed in the two states this week, and Victoria authorities also say 28 people are missing. Fires are also burning in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

The navy evacuated hundreds from Mallacoota, a coastal town in Victoria cut off for days by wildfires that forced as many as 4,000 residents and tourists to shelter on beaches. Landing craft ferried people to the HMAS Choules offshore.

Evacuees waiting to board the ship described smoke and embers flying everywhere when the fires were at their worst.

Choules Commander Scott Houlihan said 963 people had signed up for evacuation by sea and more had been airlifted to safety.

Shonal Ganguly and Steve McMorran are Associated Press writers.
The market was quiet most of the time in 2019 though it witnessed many transactions in some segments in the first months of the year.

According to Duong Thuy Dung from CBRE, there were two big problems that eroded clients confidence.





First, legal problems. A lot of projects could not be implemented on schedule because of the slow licensing process. As a result, real estate developers suffered heavily as they had to sit idle while paying bank loan interest and other kinds of expenses.



Second, difficulties in accessing bank loans. Commercial banks have been instructed by the State Bank of Vietnam to tighten funding of real estate projects, which is believed to have high risks.

The market was quiet most of the time in 2019 though it witnessed many transactions in some segments in the first months of the year.

The problems eroded buyers confidence and affected foreign investors.

After five years of hot development, the real estate market began slowing down. This, according to Dung, is good news as the market will have time to consume the inventories.



Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuong, CEO of Dai Phuc Land, also noted that the property market is singing the bass after five years of hot development. The demand for houses is increasing and economic development indicators are still better than expectations, but the large-scale legal crisis has decreased the supply sharply. Real estate firms are in a difficult period as short-term and long-term business plans all need adjustment.



However, there was a sharp increase in foreign investment inthe sector. This shows that foreign investors are optimistic about Vietnam in the long term.



2019 saw sharp fluctuations in the property market. While the first months of the year witnessed land fever with a high absorption rate, the next months saw a different situation. The short supply pushed prices up and led to a decrease in number of transactions.



Meanwhile, Nguyen Hoang Tuan, CEO of Yes house, gave positive assessment about the real estate market in 2019, saying that the market remains stable with no real estate bubble.



Tuan said the market is purifying unclear investment business trends and customers will be more selective when buying products to avoid risks.



Local authorities are examining problematic projects and will soon grant licenses to projects which can meet requirements. Therefore, the market will warm up again.



Of various real estate products, land plots remain the favorite product for buyers. They are believed to have high safety and high profitability.



In 2019, the land price in key markets increased by 15-20 percent. The increase is expected to double in 2020.

Le Ha

Vietnam's real estate market may suffer decline in 2020 2019 was a tough year fot the real estate market when many projects remained stagnant. However, the situation may be even more serious in 2020.
FORT EDWARD  The newly elected Washington County Board of Supervisors chairman, Samuel Hall, said the county needs a long-term plan.

We dont want to be managing by crisis, said Fort Ann Supervisor Hall, who replaced Argyle Supervisor Bob Henke as board chairman. Over the next two years, it is critical for our county to get going on a different path.

On Thursday, Hall was elected chairman and Henke vice chairman, during the boards organizational meeting in Fort Edward.

The county under Henkes direction over the past four years was successful on several fronts, including getting the mortgage tax payments for the county approved, which Hall agreed was positive.

Weve had a rather long travail over our mortgage tax bill, a way to bring some stability to our college funding, Henke said. It was opposed by some pretty prominent political forces right within our own county.

To assure its passage, in 2018, Henke took county delegations to meet with legislators.

I told them ... When you take action that affects the daily life of that person, that person becomes one of your constituents no matter how much money they have or how they vote, Henke said. This year, our bill has passed both houses ... a huge load will be lifted off our county budget and a huge impetus given to our college as we go forward.

In the December board meeting, Henke announced he would not serve as board chairman for a fifth year, because several members of the Republican caucus, who control a majority of the towns weighted votes, chose Hall for the top post instead.

The majority of the weighted vote dont want me, Henke said at the December meeting.

At the time, outgoing Greenwich Supervisor Sara Idleman expressed her disappointment that Henke would not be continuing as board chairman.

I want to thank Bob Henke. He is an amazing leader, she said. He does his job with dignity, integrity and respect.

In 2019, in addition to his town supervisor responsibilities, Henke filled several county staff roles, including county administrator and zoning officer. According to county law, the chairman takes on the duties of top county positions when they are vacant.

I feel this is a gravely important position and I tried to approach it with dignity and a work ethic, Henke said. Ive been here every day. Ive answered the phone, Ive gone out in the middle of the night when needed.

While working as code enforcement officer, Henke said, in six months they made significant advances.

We went from a department where houses were being built on nothing but verbal inspection, and checks for permit fees were left uncashed for up to four years, sitting in drawers, Henke said. And our hard-working and dedicated employees were frustrated and stymied when they tried to behave professionally.

We are now fully staffed, handling 50 percent more workload than before, Henke said. Serving more of our towns and maintaining records critical to our citizens. 

Hall, who was elected Fort Ann supervisor in November after Richard Moore stepped down from the post, said his prior military background and experience as the countys former director of veterans affairs gives him both a county and federal perspective in planning for the countys future.

What I bring is years of service with the federal government, Hall said on Thursday, referring to his 33 years of Army service. And I have worked on special projects with the county government.

Hall said, in addition to standing committees, he wants to set up ad hoc committees, taking advantage of specific expertise on the board.

Hall said he will also focus on county infrastructure and roadways.

I would like to look at doing some different things in different ways, he said.

Kathleen Phalen-Tomaselli is a reporter and photographer covering Washington County, arts and life, features and breaking news.

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At the international automobile checkpoint Hrushiv, on the Ukrainian-Polish border, soldiers of the Lviv detachment detained a foreign car, which was on the international wanted list. The vehicle was driven by a 50-year-old citizen of the Russian Federation who was traveling on departure from Ukraine. The main border service of Ukraine website stated this.

Law enforcement authorities found that, according to the Interpol database, a 2012 Lexus Ukrainian registration vehicle was stolen and has been wanted since 2019.

This was reported to the duty Interpol in Kyiv. Now the foreign car was handed over to the National Police.

In total, in 2019, border guards discovered more than 120 vehicles that were wanted, in particular through Interpol.

As we reported, Head of Crimean human rights group Olha Skrypnyk stated that the Russian Federation keeps at least 89 people behind the bars only on Crimean cases
To fully grasp Irans current situation, we need to be reminded of the Islamic revolution of 1979. Many Iranians have compared the 1979 Islamic revolution to the Arab-Muslim conquest of Persia in 651 AD when Arab conquerors forced the Persians to convert to Islam and started to demolish Zoroastrian temples. Those who refused to convert, a special tax was imposed known as jizya (poll tax), and acquired the status of dhimmis.

Ibn Kathir (Commenting on Quran 2:256 in the unabridged version of his tafsir) -- "Therefore all people of the world should be called to Islam. If anyone of them refuses to do so, or refuses to pay the jizya, they should be fought till they are killed."

The 1979 Islamic revolution was a plague upon the Iranian people. Most people are under the impression that Iranians voluntarily chose an Islamic government. Nothing could be further from the truth. On March 30, 1979, the new and unstable Islamic leadership conducted a referendum asking all Iranians over the age of 16 a simple yes or no question: should Iran be an Islamic republic? Michael Axworthy states "there may have been some irregularities in the referendum. According to many people, it was a complete sham. Those who marked No faced severe consequences.

To give legitimacy to the illegitimate government, they closely monitored the voting process. For forty years, the Iranian people have tolerated this brutal regime. They gradually developed Stockholm syndrome. If Iran were to hold a referendum on the Islamic Republic today, over 80% would clearly oppose it -- the 1979 brief post-revolutionary excitement and sense of freedom quickly gave way to the new rulers systemic Islamization of state and society.

Since the beginning of the Islamic revolution, the regime has used coercion, cooptation, and persuasion to try to change the cultural values of the Iranian people. They purged all traces of the Persian monarchy and renamed every street in Iran. They closed universities for three years (19801983) and after reopening, banned many books and purged thousands of students and lecturers from the schools. In the end, it failed miserably.

From 1981 until 1985, almost 8,000 people were executed, and similar numbers were killed during the so-called great massacre in the final year of the 198088 war with Iraq. The Islamic Republic became one of the most oppressive regimes in the world and presently holds the worlds highest execution rate.

Since the 2009 Green Revolution, the situation in Iran has become more tense and unstable. Sporadic protests have intensified. Within 48 hours, protests were occurring at least 80 cities, and the refrains of the demonstrators had catapulted from economic grievances to explicit denunciations of the system and the entirety of its leadership. In fact, it directly aimed at the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who called the crackdown a justified response to a plot by Irans enemies at home and abroad and towards Velayat-e faqih (guardianship of the Islamic jurist).

The recent uprising by millions of people throughout Iran is a clear indication that the Islamic theocracy is in irreversible collapse. The overwhelming majority of the people are determined to establish a fully secular democracy with complete separation of mosque and state. Iranians want nothing less than regime change.

Ali Khamenei is in a state of panic. He has ordered his security forces to do whatever it takes to crack down on the protesters. The regime realizes the current protests are much different and much larger than the 2009 Green Movement. The recent protests show the working-class and lower middle-class Iranians in small towns and medium-sized cities across Iran calling for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. Many have chanted in support of exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi. For many demonstrators, the miserable state of the Iranian economy and corruption provided the perfect vehicle for pent-up expressions of Persian nationalism.

The call of the opposition has been resoundingly answered by President Trump and some of his cabinet members. Iranian leaders are despised by all segments of the Iranian population. It is just a matter of time before the regime falls. The main concern now is how to ensure a smooth transition from a theocracy to a secular democracy and to ensure Irans territorial integrity.

In short: the people of Iran wish nothing less than a complete regime change through the democratic process of a free referendum. They believe it is the surest, safest and the fastest way to achieve a democratic Iran and end the worlds nightmare of nuclear holocaust that is currently confronting us all.
[January 03, 2020] From Wireless Earbuds to 5G: Canadians Are Enthusiastic About Today's and Tomorrow's Tech, Says CTA

TORONTO, Jan. 3, 2020 /CNW/ - Canadians are enthusiastic about technology, from current ownership of products such as smart speakers and smart watches to broader innovations still coming to market like 5G and drones  according to two new reports from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), owners and producers of CES, which will be held Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Current Technology Canadians Own CTA's 4th Annual Consumer Technology Ownership and Market Potential Study: Canada, examines Canadians' household ownership and intent to purchase across 59 consumer tech products. The study says ownership of the three screens - televisions (owned by 93% of Canadian households), smartphones (85%) and laptops (74%) - remain Canadians' most owned tech devices. In the year ahead, 30% of Canadians households plan to buy a smartphone, 26% expect to purchase either wired or wireless earbuds and 17% expect to buy a TV. Canadians also have a strong interest in streaming content, whether first-time or repeat owners. Greater than one in ten expect to add a smart TV (12%) or digital media streaming device (11%) to their households in the next 12 months. "From east to west, CTA's research shows Canadians value making technology part of their daily lives for work and play," said Lesley Rohrbaugh, director, market research, CTA. "We are seeing differences in tech ownership and purchase intent at the provincial level, mostly driven by population density and economic factors." The type of tech devices Canadians own most frequently varies by province. Among the findings: While nine-in-ten of those living in Ontario (90%) and Alberta (91%) own a smartphone, Quebec (79%) and Atlantic Canada (78%) have lower ownership rates.

(90%) and (91%) own a smartphone, (79%) and (78%) have lower ownership rates. Household ownership of videogame technologies  console, portable or retro devices  is highest in Ontario (58%) and lowest in British Columbia (38%) and the Atlantic region (37%).

(58%) and lowest in (38%) and the Atlantic region (37%). The highest ownership ates of wearable fitness trackers are in Ontario (29%) and Manitoba / Saskatchewan (23%), and smart watches in Ontario (20%) and Alberta (17%).

(29%) and / (23%), and smart watches in (20%) and (17%). Ownership of wireless earbuds is high in Ontario (31%) and Quebec (35%), compared to the other regions where the ownership rate is 21% or less.

(31%) and (35%), compared to the other regions where the ownership rate is 21% or less. When it comes to automobile technology, Quebec residents (30%) are more likely than average (20%) to own a remote starter. Ownership rates are lowest in the Atlantic provinces (11%) and British Columbia (5%).



Canadians' Awareness of Emerging Technologies CTA's Emerging Technology in Canada: 2019 Consumer Sentiment says Canadians believe emerging technologies are helping to improve communities by making them safer, more efficient and environmentally sustainable. According to the study, Canadians are excited about innovations including 5G connectivity, drones, ridesharing and electric scooters  and Canadians are highly familiar with drones (fully 98% are aware), ridesharing (94%), self-driving vehicles (91%) and 5G (73%).

The report also identified some regional gaps in awareness of emerging tech. Almost half (47%) of people in Toronto have taken advantage of ridesharing, while only approximately one-third (31%) of Canadians overall have used the service. And while 53% of all Canadians expect smart cities to have a meaningful impact on society within five years, 70% of Torontonians expect the same. "Naturally, Canadians are most excited about emerging tech that's already delivering benefits  drones helping crews rescue lost hikers and skiers, and ridesharing companies providing more options for transportation," said Rohrbaugh. "While there's more consumer uncertainty about technologies that have not yet come to market like self-driving vehicles, Canadians still recognize the potential these innovations have to keep us safer and reduce the number of accidents on roadways." CTA's Emerging Technology in Canada: 2019 Consumer Sentiment was conducted online from Sept 9 to 11, 2019. A total weighted sample of 1200 adult Canadians was obtained, ensuring proportionate representation of residents based on age, gender, region and education. Certain regions were oversampled to obtain a minimum unweighted sample of 100 from each region. The margin of error was 2.83 percent. CTA's 4th Annual Consumer Technology Ownership and Market Potential Study: Canada was conducted online from Oct 4 to 12, 2019. The survey was administered to 2006 adult Canadians. Weights were applied to ensure the data is representative of the Canadian population with respect to age, gender and region. The margin of error was 2.19 percent. CES  the world's largest, most influential technology event  welcomes some 5,000 professionals form Canada and more than 100 Canadian companies each year. Find the list of Canadian companies exhibiting at CES 2020 at CES.tech. About Consumer Technology Association: As North America's largest technology trade association, CTA is the tech sector. Our members are the world's leading innovators  from startups to global brands  helping support more than 18 million American jobs. CTA owns and produces CES  the largest, most influential tech event on the planet. Find us at CTA.tech. Follow us @CTAtech. SOURCE Consumer Technology Association

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Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino is trying to get one lucky patron into a new Jeep Gladiator this January.

Apache Spirit Club members can earn entries now through Jan. 26. Members earn an entry into the Jeep Gladiator Giveaway every Friday and Saturday with every 75 points they accrue playing their favorite games. One lucky winner will be selected on Jan. 26 to drive away in a 2020 Jeep Gladiator.

Inn of the Mountain Gods sister location Casino Apache has plenty of ways to win cash and prizes this month. Every Tuesday in January is a chance to earn a great gift as part of the casinos National Day Earn & Get promotion. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, guests can earn a Casino Apache branded Tile Mate Tracker for National Technology Day. On Jan. 14, patrons can receive a Casino Apache travel kit for National Shop for Travel Day. Players can get a Popcornopolis Popcorn Cone on Jan. 21, for National Popcorn Day and a blueberry batter gift set on Jan. 28 for National Blueberry Pancake Day while supplies last.

Casino Apache is giving back to its area residents during its Loco for Locals $20,000 Winter Klinko promotion this January. Local guests have a chance to win $200 in cash on the spot when they earn 40 points playing their preferred games from 4 to 6:50 p.m. every Thursday. Drawings will be held at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursdays.

The young at heart have an opportunity to walk away with extra cash this month during the High 5s for 55s Lucky Lotto. Players ages 55 and older who earn 35 slot points can enter the Lucky Lotto drawing for a chance at $500 each week. Senior players also receive five times the points on Mondays when they play their favorite slot machines from 8 a.m. to midnight. On top of that, senior players also get 50% off dining vouchers on Mondays and Wednesdays, with the exception of Monday, Jan. 6, when the senior multiplier and dining offer will not be available.

Apache Spirit Club members will be able to earn five times the points from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on New Mexico Statehood Day, Jan. 6, and on Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 20, at Inn of the Mountain Gods and Casino Apache.

Bingo players have several days to enjoy some fun sessions at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays and at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays inside Club 49. Players can grab something to eat and a cocktail or soft drink during bingo sessions. Paper and electronic packages are available, as well as daubers for purchase. Bingo buy-in sales open 30 minutes before each session. There are 11 games each session.

Also at Club 49 guests can sing their hearts out during karaoke beginning at 8 p.m. every Thursday. Come in to sing or observe the fun while sipping on a cocktail or two. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Club 49 is also home to popular area musical acts every Friday and Saturday night.

The live music lineup continues in the 1852 Treaty Room from 8 p.m. to midnight on weekends. Listen to the soothing sounds of John Anderson on Friday, Jan. 3; Jerry Marquez on Saturday, Jan. 4; George Hernandez on Jan. 10, Suzi Weber on Jan. 17, Wait for What?! on Jan. 18; Bo Rivers on Jan. 24 and Tony Bravo on Jan. 25. On Saturdays, head to Wendells Lounge for live music from 8 p.m. to midnight every Saturday. The lounge offers spectacular views along with delicious appetizers and signature martinis, margaritas and cocktails.

It will be hard to stay in your seat when Los Huracanes del Norte visit Inn of the Mountain Gods on Jan. 11. The legendary norteno bands music has earned a spot on Billboards regional Mexican categorys Top Ten or Latin Albums charts from the late 1990s to 2006. Its music continues to move audiences. Check out why when the group takes the stage at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29, plus fees. Country lovers wont want t miss Neal McCoy on Jan. 25. The country star, who has won multiple country music awards, will perform his top songs during his performance at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25, plus fees.

For concert tickets or more information on Inn of the Mountain Gods and Casino Apache, call 800-545-9011 or visit innofthemountaingods.com.

Got a tip on your favorite casino? Contact Rozanna M. Martinez at rmartinez@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @RozannaABQ.
WASHINGTON  In 2007, U.S. commandos watched as a convoy carrying a powerful Iranian military leader made its way to northern Iraq.

It was a prime opportunity to take out Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who had been accused of aiding Shiite forces that killed thousands of American troops in Iraq. But ultimately, military leaders passed on a strike, deferring to deep concerns about the potential fallout of such a provocative attack.

To avoid a firefight, and the contentious politics that would follow, I decided that we should monitor the caravan, not strike immediately, retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal wrote last year in Foreign Policy.

Fears about the repercussions and reverberations of a targeted killing of Soleimani persisted throughout the administrations of President George W. Bush, a Republican, and President Barack Obama, a Democrat, according to officials who served under both. Soleimani, they calculated, was just as dangerous dead and martyred as he was alive and plotting against Americans.

That approach came to an end this week when President Donald Trump authorized an airstrike against Soleimani. He was killed after his plane landed at the Baghdad airport.

Trump heralded the attack on Twitter, declaring that Soleimani should have been taken out many years ago!

But some former administration officials argued that despite Soleimanis role in orchestrating deadly attacks on U.S. troops, Trumps decision may ultimately put Americans in the region at heightened risk.

Previous presidents have had the opportunity to take measures like what we saw last night but have held back because of the risks entailed and the questions that were there about where this would all lead, said Derek Chollet, an assistant secretary of defense during the Obama administration. Unfortunately, those questions are not any clearer today.

Indeed, Trumps strike against Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, thrusts Washington and Tehran into uncharted territory after months of rising tensions. Its unclear how or when Iran will respond, or whether that response will pull the U.S. deeper into a military conflict abroad.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said officials were well aware of the prospect of retaliation, but believed the risk of inaction exceeded the risk of action. He cited compelling, clear, unambiguous intelligence indicating that Soleimani was planning a significant campaign of violence against the U.S. in the coming days, weeks, months. He would not provide any specifics on the intelligence.

In the hours after Soleimanis death, the State Department urged American citizens to immediately leave Iraq and defense officials said the Pentagon was sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the region.

Previous administrations weighed concerns about Iranian retaliation as they monitored Soleimani, who kept a low profile and traveled only to countries like Iraq where the Quds Force already had strong security.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan and former CIA analyst who tracked Soleimanis activities, said there was a simple question that prevented both the Bush and Obama administrations from targeting the Iranian leader.

Was the strike worth the likely retaliation and the potential to pull us into a protracted conflict? Slotkin said. The two administrations I worked for both determined that the ultimate ends didnt justify the means.

Former Obama administration officials said discussions about taking out Soleimani never reached an operational phase. Beyond the risk of escalation with Iran, officials said they were uncertain that taking the Quds leader off the battlefield would have any impact on Tehrans regional aggression or support for terror groups.

The Obama administration also worried that killing Soleimani would undercut diplomatic efforts to forge a nuclear deal with Iran, according to one official. The U.S. and five other nations signed a nuclear accord with Tehran in 2015, but Trump withdrew from the pact after taking office.

The officials insisted on anonymity in order to discuss internal national security deliberations.

The U.S. hasnt been alone in monitoring Soleimanis whereabouts over the years.

Israel, a staunch opponent of Iran, had followed the Quds commander as well, said Yoel Guzansky, an Iran expert at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.

Guzansky said Israel, a country with a sophisticated military backed by the U.S., could have also taken out Soleimani, but had held back because of concerns about retaliation.



AP reporters Sagar Meghani and Lolita C. Baldor contributed to this report.
(HealthDay)Nurses with specialty certification may speed translation of evidence-based research into everyday clinical practice, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Critical Care.

Kristin Hittle Gigli, Ph.D., R.N., from the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues conducted an online survey of 268 nurses in 12 adult intensive care units across six hospitals in a single, integrated health care system. The survey assessed the relationships between critical care nurses' education level and specialty certification, their individual psychosocial beliefs about their place on the intensive care unit team (professional identity, self-efficacy, and role clarity), and their perceptions of evidence-based practices used in the intensive care unit.

The researchers found that 71 percent of respondents had a bachelor of science degree or higher education and 26 percent had critical care certification. Certified nurses reported greater knowledge of spontaneous breathing trials and lung-protective ventilation compared with noncertified nurses. Certified nurses also reported significantly higher self-efficacy and role clarity compared with noncertified nurses. There was an association between certification and greater perceived value in specific practices (daily interruption of sedation: adjusted odds ratio, 2.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.0 to 6.3; P = 0.05; lung-protective ventilation: adjusted odds ratio, 1.9; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 3.3; P = 0.03). There was no association between education level and greater knowledge of or perceived value in evidence-based practices.

"Supporting specialty certification among nurses is a plausible way to assist with the adoption of evidence-based practices as a means to improve intensive care unit quality and should be evaluated further," the authors write.

Explore further Many nurses believe in sedation for comfort of ventilated patients

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, deploy from Pope Army Airfield, N.C., on Jan. 1, 2020. Additional troops from the brigade are deploying, the Department of Defense said on Jan. 3, 2019. (Capt. Robyn Haake/US ARMY/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon Anticipating More Attacks by Iran and Proxies

Iran, or the forces it backs, may be planning additional attacks on American presence in the Middle East, said U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Jan. 2 in the wake of a string of attacks that left one American dead and the U.S. Embassy stormed by Iran-backed terror groups. Washington may act preemptively to prevent further attacks, Esper said.

There are some indications out there that they may be planning additional attacks, that is nothing new  weve seen this for two or three months now, Esper told reporters.

If that happens, then we will act, and by the way, if we get word of attacks or some type indication, we will take preemptive action as well to protect American forces, to protect American lives.

In recent months, Iranian-backed Shiite terror groups have repeatedly attacked bases that host U.S. troops in Iraq.

On Dec. 27, one such attack caused the death of one U.S. civilian as well as injuries to four U.S. troops and two Iraqi Security Forces members.

In response, the Pentagon deployed F-15 fighter jets to strike three sites in Iraq and two in Syria that Esper described on Dec. 29 as command points and weapons caches of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-sponsored terrorist group.

The Shiite terror groups retaliated by spurring violent rallies, during which mobs pelted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad with rocks on Dec. 31, causing damage to exterior entry facilities and buildings at the embassy compound, Esper said in a Jan. 2 statement.

Dozens of attackers linked to Kataib Hezbollah smashed a main door to the embassy compound and set fire to a reception area, but didnt breach the inner compound.

The attackers withdrew on Jan. 1 at the behest of the Iraqi government and after U.S. President Donald Trump had U.S. Marines and Apache attack helicopters reinforce the embassy. Trump authorized the deployment of an additional 750 troops of the 82nd Airborne Division to neighboring Kuwait, a move described by Esper as a precautionary action in a Dec. 31 statement.

Preemptive Action

Esper emphasized that the administration wont tolerate Iranian actions that endanger not only U.S. troops, but also civilian personnel, such as diplomats, or U.S. citizens.

Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing, he said.

In a Jan. 2 Fox News interview, Esper declined to provide specifics, but raised the possibility the United States may act preemptively.

Im not going to telegraph what were going to do, but people know we have vast capability to do any number of things, he said. Well act in response to actions by Iran or its proxies and well act to preempt any attacks on our forces or our personnel by Iran or its proxies.

Esper noted that Iraqi forces were supposed to guard the area around the U.S. Embassy.

Trump on Jan. 1 said he spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi that day and that the Iraqi government stepped up very nicely after the embassy attack.

Abdul-Mahdi is backed by Iran and has already announced plans to step down in the face of anti-government protests during which more than 450 people were killed. Most of the dead were protesters killed by Iraqi security forces, which have incorporated some of the Iran-backed terrorist groups. Irans influence in the country has been one of the grievances voiced by the protesters.

No to USIran War

Trump said he doesnt want a war with Iran, but if there was one, it wouldnt last very long.

I dont think Iran would want that to happen, he said.

Irans Revolutionary Guard Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami said on Jan. 2 that the Islamic regime wasnt moving toward war with the United States but wasnt afraid of any conflict, according to semi-official agency Tasnim.

We are not leading the country to war, but we are not afraid of any war, and we tell America to speak correctly with the Iranian nation. We have the power to break them several times over and are not worried, he said.

Irans army chief Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi told state-controlled IRIB that Iranian forces were ready to fight. Our armed forces  monitor all moves, and if anyone makes the slightest mistake, they will decisively react, and if the situation heats up, we will show our abilities to the enemy, he said.

Iran Under Pressure

The protests in Iraq coincided with mass protests in Iran, where the Islamic regime acknowledged that up to 200,000 took to the streets. At least 208 people are believed to have been killed, Amnesty International reported on Dec. 2.

In response, Trump put sanctions on three leaders of Iran-backed terror groups in Iraq.

Irans economy has been placed under extensive sanctions imposed by Trump since 2018 after he quit the 2015 Iran nuclear deal entered into by his predecessor.

Trump has offered to negotiate a new deal, but wants it to address not only Irans nuclear program, but also matters such as its ballistic missile program and funding of terror groups across the Middle East. Tehran has refused to talk until the United States returns to the dealwhich Iran has since breachedand lifts sanctions.

Zachary Stieber, Reuters, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Donnie Wahlberg left a $2,020 tip at IHOP to celebrate the start of the New Year.

The 'Blue Bloods' star and his wife Jenny McCarthy headed to the popular American restaurant chain near their St. Charles, Illinois, home on Wednesday (01.01.20) to spread some cheer at the start of 2020, as they left a whopping $2,020 tip on a $75.45 bill.

Jenny posted the evidence on Twitter when she shared an image of their receipt, which showed the tip amount, as well as a message to their waitress at the top that read "Thanks Bethany".

She captioned the image: ". @DonnieWahlberg starting 2020 off like the amazing man he is. #ihop #2020tipchallenge (sic)"

The "2020 Tip Challenge" appears to be a reference to a generous tipping trend for the New Year, which is believed to have originated in Michigan, when a server at Thunder Bay River Restaurant received a $2,020 tip on a $23 bill.

Bethany Provencher, the IHOP server who received the tip, later spoke about the whopping tip, and said she almost "fell to the floor" when she looked at the receipt.

She said: "I've loved Donnie my whole life - I was a very big New Kids on the Block fan when I was a kid. I didn't want to freak out at the table, so I went into the bathroom and freaked out a little. I was like, 'Oh my god!'

"I served them the best I could do. He folded up the receipt and he gave it to me, and told me not to open it until he left. I said 'okay, thank you, guys, come again. I'll take care of you again.' Then I open it, and I almost fell to the floor."

The 37-year-old waitress says she "started crying" after receiving the tip, and explained the money would help her "make ends meet".

She told People magazine: "I just started crying. I couldn't believe it. I mean, who does that? It was a blessing. I just moved into an apartment, I'm a single mother - by myself with my son. So I struggle every day to make ends meet. And now I can buy furniture and put some money in the bank, and make sure my son is good."
Jodhpur, Jan 3 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday announced that the BJP won't go back an inch to revoke the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) even if all the opposition parties unite. Rather, the party will work hard and reach out to the youth and minorities to make them understand that the CAA has not been introduced to snatch citizenship but to give citizenship to the religiously persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Shah was speaking at a pro-CAA rally called to make people aware of the CAA and the NRC at Adarsh Vidhya Mandir School here in Jodhpur.

Shah also challenged former Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying that if he has not studied the law, he should go to a corner and check to find out what this law means.

"CAA has been introduced to give citizenship to persecuted minorities from three nations," he said adding that he can translate it in the Italian language too if Rahul Gandhi doesn't understand this basic fact.

Shah said the CAA is being opposed by those who have become habitual to playing politics and they have started a wrong campaign over it to mislead the youth of the country and hence, we decided to reach out to the people and make them aware of it.

Shah came down heavily on Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Jodhpur, which is the CM's home turf for over the last 40 years, asking him to stop playing politics on the CAA and instead pay attention to infants dying in Kota as the bereaved mothers are cursing him.

He also asked Gehlot to stop bowing his head at the Delhi durbar and instead start looking into the state's affairs.

Shah claimed that the Congress government in its manifesto had announced granting citizenship to migrants from Pakistan, however, they could not do it because they were thinking of their vote bank and were busy playing politics for the same.

The Home Minister asked why was the country divided on a religious basis and who triggered the division of the nation? It was the Congress who divided the country on religious grounds, he said.

"After partition, Pak had 30 per cent minority which has been reduced to 3 per cent now, Bangladesh had 30 per cent minority, which today has reduced to 7 per cent. I want to ask Rahul baba and Mamata didi where did they go. Either they were murdered, converted or they have come here. I want to call human rights commission that these people who were crorepatis there have no money now, the females were raped there, converted via nikah, however, none of the human rights activists register their pain," said Shah.

"I want to ask Mamata didi and Mayawati where did human rights go when these minorities were being persecuted in neighbouring nations. No one ever thought of these migrants but the PM with his 56-inch chest came ahead promising that he will care for them," he said.

Shah said, "I want to ensure these migrants that goods days are here for them (acche din aa gaye hain) and they shall get their citizenship soon." This country is as much theirs as it is ours, he said.

He also called on the people to give a missed call on 88662-88662 to share their support to Modi on the CAA and to give a befitting reply to the Mamata, Mayawati and Kejriwal grouping.

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New Delhi:

Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkars grandson Ranjit Savarkar on Friday expressed his disappointment after he failed to meet Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray over an insinuation by Congresss key frontal organisation Seva Dal about Savarkar's relationship with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

Ranjit Savarkar also demanded an FIR against several people, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the Seva Dal, for levelling allegations against Savarkar in a booklet.

I came to meet CM, I had sent several requests for appointment but I could not meet him today. He didn't have a minute to talk to me even when it's about Savarkar ji's respect. I am highly disappointed. It is an insult to Savarkar ji, Ranjit Savarkar said.

A case must be filed against several people, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress Seva Dal, for levelling allegations against Savarkar ji, he added.

The Congress came under attack from both its new ally Shiv Sena and rival BJP after a Hindi booklet, distributed at a camp of Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh, had claimed that Savarkar and Nathuram Godse were in a physical relationship.

The Sena said the Congress had "dirt" in their mind by questioning Savarkar's credentials as a patriot and his reputation for valour while the BJP described as abhorrent and perverted the comments by the Seva Dal against the Hindutva ideologue in a Hindi booklet.

The BJP also demanded an apology from the Congress. BJP general secretary Anil Jain took a swipe at the Congress, saying "world knows various relationships of Congress leaders" but he does not want to throw such muck. "Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man.

A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind," Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, responding to the insinuations in the booklet, titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?"

The book also alleged that Savarkar received money from the British after he was released from Andaman's Cellular Jail. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said Congress should apologise for the "perverted" content in the booklet.

"The booklet contains lies and perverted content. The Congress should tender an apology for the same," Patil said.

"Savarkar was acquitted by the court in the Gandhi assassination case. Despite this, the Congress-affiliated organisation is trying to link him and the accused in the case," he said.

Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's jibe that his name was not "Rahul Savarkar" and hence he would not seek apology (about his remark on rape) had riled the Shiv Sena, his party's new-found ally in Maharashtra. Anil Jain said nobody in the Congress suffered like Savarkar, and asked how low can the opposition party fall to attack the Hindutva icon. The Congress should answer about such an abhorrent comment made about Savarkar, he added.

"Except for a family nobody is worthy of respect for the Congress," Jain said, accusing the party of denigrating leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Savarkar. Union minister Smriti Irani asked the Congress for how long would it "insult the sacrifices" of Savarkar and said the opposition party will have to give an answer to the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.

"The Congress, which is one of the ruling parties in Maharashtra, will have to answer the Marathi people and all patriots in the country how long will it continue to insult the sacrifice of Veer Savarkar," Irani said at the Delhi BJP office.

She also asked why does the Congress consider its "birthright to humiliate" Savarkar. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer, and developed the core of his philosophy on the concept of Hindutva.

(With PTI inputs)
Following US' airstrikes on Iran, "World War 3" started trending on Twitter. On Thursday night, US carried out airstrikes in Baghdad killing Iranian general Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani was regarded as the second-most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The overnight attack was authorised by US President Donald Trump to protect US personnel abroad, the Pentagon said. "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," the Department of Defence said.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised to take revenge for the death of Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. "With his departure and with God's power, his work and path will not cease, and severe revenge awaits those criminals who have tainted their filthy hands with his blood and the blood of the other martyrs of last night's incident," said Khamenei in a statement.

Israel put its army on high alert and US allies in Europe including Britain, France and Germany voiced concerns about an escalation in tensions. The US embassy in Baghdad urged all American citizens to depart Iraq immediately.

Amid the developments, Brent crude oil prices rose up to $69.16 per barrel marking a spike of 4.39% -- its highest level since September.

In the midst of escalating tensions between US and Iran, Twitter foresaw another World War. Talk about the tensions made World War III the top trend on Twitter. While a lot of people spoke about how this could indeed lead to a war, some did not miss the opportunity to make a meme out of it.

Opening twitter and seeing World War 3, US and Iran, ISIS, Donald Trump trending and we're only 3 days into the year #WWIII pic.twitter.com/Jkr5xsrJM6 - Kirsty (@kkirstylouise) January 3, 2020

China and Russia realising it won't be them causing World War 3 #WWIII pic.twitter.com/5XOAFFTQaf - WW3 Memes (@ww3_meme) January 3, 2020

3 days in and the world is on the brink of war and we all memeing it. We truly are the best generation #WWIII pic.twitter.com/F0yGKK7iTv - SNOW SOS (@SNOWSOS1) January 3, 2020

Me coming up with excuses to avoid getting drafted #WWIII pic.twitter.com/emVi3TqdJt - zavooo (@_zavo1) January 3, 2020

Me walking into prison after refusing to get drafted into World War 3. #WWIII pic.twitter.com/dJVFBsRDjM - WW3 Memes (@ww3_meme) January 3, 2020

Me going to bed knowing I don't need to study for my exams anymore #WWIII pic.twitter.com/RbsTSosFBq - Ibrahim Fakhroo (@DivineDiabetic) January 3, 2020

Laughing at all these #WWIII memes but realizing Iran still have nuclear weapons pic.twitter.com/9YZR38Sh2h - rofey (@r0fez) January 3, 2020

When you laughed at all them world war 3 tweets but then you end up getting drafted pic.twitter.com/lCsg2oziEy - Tiktoks With Vine Energy (@tiktokvinez) January 3, 2020

Everyone: "let's start out this year with good vibes and get along with everybody" Donald trump: pic.twitter.com/QgRwzfW1kh - Hollow (@banditluckk) January 3, 2020

Also read: US President ordered 'killing' of Iranian commander Qassem Suleimani; Ayatollah Khamenei vows revenge

Also read: Who is General Qassem Suleimani? Iran's top commander killed by the US
A driver pleaded guilty last month to hitting a 22-year-old pedestrian in New Brunswick and then leaving the scene, the Middlesex County Prosecutors office announced Thursday.

Daquan White, 27, of North Brunswick, pleaded guilty on Dec. 3 to knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in death and hindering his own apprehension for causing the death of Anthony Cruz-Medina, 22, of New Brunswick, prosecutors said.

White was driving a 2001 Acura CI Coupe on April 20 at 12:40 a.m. when he struck and killed Cruz-Medina on Livingston Avenue near Baldwin Street, according to a statement from the prosecutors office. Cruz-Medina was pronounced dead at the scene.

New Brunswick Police and the prosecutors office began an investigation and arrested White in May and charged him with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal crash, tampering with evidence and two counts of hindering apprehension, authorities said.

Under the plea deal, which calls for an 8-year prison term with four years of parole ineligibility, several of those charges were dropped.

White was scheduled to be sentenced in Middlesex County Superior Court on March 9, according to the statement.

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.

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By Express News Service

CHENNAI: As the trends stand on Thursday night, it was a tight race between the AIADMK and DMK in the rural local body polls. With the vote counting delayed for reasons including failure to provide food for the booth staff, it is expected that the final tally will be available only by Friday.

Both DMK and AIADMK alternatively took the lead position throughout the day. But since results were declared only in about one-fourth of the seats, one has to wait till Friday evening to know which of the alliance has fared well. The vote counting was also largely peaceful expect a few stray incidents.

ALSO READ: No breakfast no counting, say officials

If the trends continue to be similar on Friday, both DMK and AIADMK will have something to cherish. The DMK can boast that it put up a decent show despite the ruling party having the advantage of control over the state administration. The AIADMK can claim that it has reversed its fortunes compared to the results of the Lok Sabha polls and it is due to the leadership of the Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Meanwhile, the DMK president, MK Stalin, accused the State Election Commission of delaying the declaration of results in seats where the DMK won. Soon after Stalin submitted a petition on this to the State Election Commissioner R Palaniswamy, the party also moved the Madras High Court with the same accusation and wanted the court to have an urgent hearing.

ALSO READ: Differently-abled Dalit woman wins ward member post in Tamil Nadu's Aathu Pollachi panchayat polls

The court agreed to hear the matter and posted it before a single member bench of Justice M Sathyanarayanan and the arguments commenced at around 9 pm. The DMKs counsel alleged that the certificates were not issued by the election officers in many of the places where the DMK candidates won and that there are plans to replace the ballot boxes on Thursday night.

The party argued that CCTV cameras were not installed in many booths. The state election commissions counsel argued that the DMK is making general allegations without giving any particular details. The commissions counsel submitted that for instance results were declared in 30 percent of the seats in Salem.

ALSO READ: Third time unlucky? Man who made Odanthurai a model village defeated

AIADMK, poll body refute DMKs allegations

After hearing the arguments on both the sides, the court adjourned hearing in the case to Friday and directed the state election commission to file a detailed affidavit by 4 pm on Friday as to the manner in which the counting process was being conducted, declaration of results, requests made for re-counting and recordings of CCTV cameras.

The AIADMK condemned accusations of the DMK. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, went into a huddle with senior functionaries of the party AIADMK headquarters and discussed the outcome of the elections. Talking to reporters after the meeting, party spokesperson C Ponnaiyan charged that the DMK was trying to create confusion by levelling allegations against the State Election Commission.

ALSO READ: DMK knocks on SEC doors over malpractices

The State Election Commissioner R Palaniswamy denied the accusation made by DMK leader Stalin and said that the Commission was discharging its duties in a free and fair manner. Palaniswamy also explained that the declaration of results were bound to be time-consuming because of the lengthy counting process and that every step of counting was being done in the presence of agents of all political parties.

Counting will go on during the whole night on Thursday and we expect that the counting process will be completed on Friday. There was no wanton delay in declaring the result at any place. In this connection, the SEC pointed out that the results for Melpuram panchayat union in Kanyakumari district where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were used for the first time, much earlier in the day.

ALSO READ: A conservancy worker once, woman elected as panchayat president in Tamil Nadu's Watrap



He also said 16,000 CC cameras have been installed in the 315 counting centres to videograph the entire process and over one lakh officials have been engaged in counting votes. Besides, 1,890 micro observers were also monitoring the elections.

Murder of democracy

DMK president MK Stalin visited the poll panel office for the second time around 11.30 pm. He later told reporters that in places where the DMK candidates had won, results were delayed and AIADMK candidates were later declared winner, which is murder of democracy.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday called upon his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at the latter's residence here.

After the meeting, Soren said they discussed public education and health initiatives undertaken by the Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital.

"It was a pleasure to meet Shri .@ArvindKejriwal 'ji Chief Minister of Delhi & extend warm wishes from Jharkhand. We also discussed about the stellar public education & health initiatives undertaken by @AamAadmiParty govt. Inspired to implement similar initiatives in Jharkhand," Soren tweeted.

Kejriwal said Jharkhand will definitely progress under the dynamic leadership of Soren.

"It was a pleasure to receive Sh @HemantSorenJMM ji. I congratulate him for taking over as CM of Jharkhand. Jharkhand will definitely progress under his dynamic leadership. Both states will learn from each other," Kejriwal said on Twitter.

Soren, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) working president, was sworn-in as the 11th chief minister of the state on December 29.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It docked this morning at Berth 42 at the terminal operated by Logistec.

Captain Qin Xiao Fei will receive Monday, January 6, as part of an official ceremony, the Gold-Headed Cane, a trophy awarded each year to the Master of the first ocean-going vessel to reach the Port of Montreal without a stopover. This ceremony will mark the 181th anniversary of this great tradition in the shipping community.

About the Port of Montreal

Operated by the Montreal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montreal is the second largest port in Canada and a diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods: containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. The only container port in Quebec, it is a destination port served by the largest shipping lines in the world. It is also an intermodal hub with a service offering that is unique in North America, featuring its own rail network directly dockside connected to Canada's two national rail networks. The MPA also operates a Cruise Terminal and a Port Centre.

The MPA factors economic, social and environmental components into its corporate initiatives. This commitment is governed by a sustainable development policy whose guiding principles focus on involvement, cooperation and accountability. Port activity supports 19,000 jobs and generates $2.6 billion in economic benefits annually.

SOURCE Montreal Port Authority

For further information: Melanie Nadeau, Director of Communications, Montreal Port Authority, 514-283-1385, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.vieuxportdemontreal.com/


The resolution professional had informed the bankruptcy tribunal that two new investors had shown early interest for investing in Jet. One of them is a foreign investor from West Asia and the other is an Indian-entity-backed by a UK investor.

Lenders to the beleaguered Jet Airways have extended the deadline for submitting fresh expressions of interest (EoIs) to January 15 amid reports of Hinduja Group showing interest in investing, sources privy to the development said.

Sources, however, said no fresh EoI had been submitted so far.

Earlier, the lenders had decided to call for fresh EoIs and set a deadline of January 6 for submission of EoIs.

This came after South America-based Synergy Group, which emerged the sole bidder in the first round of bidding, failed to come up with a definitive resolution plan to revive the airline.

The Synergy Group has also not submitted any fresh EoI.

Resolution professional, Ashish Chhawchharia, had informed the bankruptcy tribunal that two new investors had shown early interest for investing in Jet.

One of them is a foreign investor from West Asia and the other is an Indian-entity-backed by a UK investor.

Jet has completed 180 days of its insolvency proceedings and has extended the corporate insolvency process by another 90 days.

The Synergy Group had sought clarity on the availability of slots in the domestic as well as the international routes from the ministry of civil aviation before submitting a resolution plan.

The ministry, however, wanted a resolution plan on the table before giving any assurances on slot allocation.

Interestingly, Jet stocks have gained 15 per cent in the past five trading days. It closed at Rs 32.60 on Thursday, up 5 per cent.

Jet was admitted under the insolvency process on June 20 after bankers failed to find any takers despite months of negotiations. The airline stopped flying on April 17, leaving over 14,000 employees high and dry.

The airline has received claims from creditors worth Rs 36,090 crore of which Rs 14,640 crore has been admitted as on October 20.

Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
Last week, we explored those Luxembourgers who were likely first to set foot in the Belgian Congo, including soldiers and engineers. In this week's instalment of our mini-series, we look at the next generations of Luxembourgish citizens on their colonial ventures.

The 1920s onwards saw a dramatic increase in the number of Luxembourgers emigrating away from the Grand Duchy to the Belgian Congo. The prior generation of Luxembourgers in the Congo had been more specific. These had been soldiers and engineers who contributed to establishing Belgian colonial rule over the vast African territory. By the time the Luxembourgish population in the Congo had risen substantially, they had reached the heyday of African colonialism, or the golden age of African colonialism - either way, doesn't it make you wince slightly?

Luxembourg's history: Colonial complicity - Luxembourgers in the Belgian Congo - part one

Some historians have divided the colonial conquest of the Congo into two different chapters - one, Leopold II's pure corporate and profit-driven enterprise of the Congo Free State and two, the expatriation of Europeans seeking new beginnings in the immediate post-war period. Whilst worth differentiating, it would be simplistic and disingenuous to claim that the Belgian Congo was a peacefully-run colony from the 1920s onward. The natives still suffered at the hand of the colonial administrators, a point which should not be forgotten.

Mortality rate declines, Luxembourgers on the move

Why exactly did Luxembourgers tend to emigrate in larger numbers in the interwar period? First of all, there's the organisation support framework provided by the Cercle colonial et al. Added to that is one crucial factor - the mortality rate. The Europeans who travelled to Africa and the Congo in the nineteenth century often succumbed to illness, usually caused by malaria. Consequently, there was a high mortality rate among those who travelled to construct the railway in the Congo. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, there was certainly a sense of risk involved in committing to a colonial project.

The Belgian provinces of the Congo in 1926. From 1923 onwards, Luxembourgers were able to join the colonial administration. /  By Institut Royal Colonial Belge - Atlas general du Congo / Algemene atlas van Congo (in fr, nl), Belgium: Institut Royal Colonial Belge, 1948-1963, OCLC 681334449 / http://www.kaowarsom.be/en/online_maps, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63348632

Some twenty years later, the risks had declined and the colonial administration of the Belgian Congo had begun taking shape, having repressed a series of revolts before this point. For Luxembourgers, the appeal of the Congo was similar to the appeal of moving to other continents in the nineteenth century - the opportunity for economic prosperity. This was especially acute in the interwar period, due to the postwar economic crash having ramifications in Luxembourg too. There were not enough jobs available, and Belgium was offering comfortable salaries and an enticing lifestyle to Europeans willing to move to the Congo. One Luxembourger who departed for the Congo in 1932 said: "Ech gin an de Kongo fir mer eng Situatioun ze maachen", translated as 'I'm going to the Congo to get a job.'

However, the Belgian Congo was not unaffected by the economic crisis. As the 1930s progressed, many Luxembourgers struggled to be hired in the Congo, even those considered to have more privilege than others. This reached a high point in 1935 as Luxembourgers claimed they were treated badly by the Belgian authorities in the colony, the conflict ultimately pitting the Cercle colonial against Nicolas Cito. The issue of Luxembourgers' contracts not being renewed was prolific in the late 1920s too, as a first class vet was fired in 1929, one and a half years after arriving in the Congo. Engineers, pharmacists, labourers, and craftsmen all struggled to find work.



As we briefly mentioned in the last article, the number of Luxembourgers in the Congo rose considerably in the interwar years. Luxembourgers joined the Belgian administration from 1923 onwards, culminating in around 252 Luxembourgers living in the Congo by 1930. As the economic crisis set in by the 1930s, the number of Luxembourgers there did dip, only to grow after the Second World War.

Who were the Luxembourgers in the Belgian Congo?



A tricky question encountered by historians examining the presence of Luxembourgers in the Congo is how you define them in contrast to Belgians. Regis Moes attempted, first, to define Luxembourgers based on their religion (Roman Catholicism) and native tongue, but this quickly posed methodological difficulties. Belgians were also predominantly Roman Catholics and a great deal of Belgians from Wallonia, namely the Luxembourg province and specifically around Arlon, also spoke Luxembourgish. Consequently, Moes determined Luxembourgers based on their social sphere - the majority of these Luxembourgers that moved to the Congo belonged to the middle class and - and adherence to Luxembourgish holidays, like its National Day. Finally, Moes considered Luxembourgers based on their habits keeping on top of Luxembourgish media.

Luxembourg's history: Colonial complicity - Luxembourgers in the Belgian Congo - part one

The main reason Belgium encouraged Luxembourgers to move to the Congo - and indeed become part of the colonial administration - was born from a sense of Belgian annexationism, which eclipsed in the immediate post-WWI period. If we take a quick trip back to Luxembourg in the First World War, the German occupation led to a stark increase in anti-German sentiment. This allowed space for alternatives to Luxembourg's historic links to Germany, such as the Zollverein.

The Belgian-Luxembourgish Economic Union of 1921 was designed as a type of successor to the Zollverein, and some Belgians hoped this could lead to further collaboration between the two countries, who - as you might remember- used to be considered the same territory 100 years prior. The economic union also gave Luxembourgers a privileged status in the Congo, compared to other non-Belgian Europeans.

One of ten kuba raffia palm textiles auctioned on Sotheby's. The textiles were initially collected by governor Fritz Wenner in the Congo between 1920 and 1941. /  Screenshot/ www.sothesbys.com

There was a limit to how far Luxembourgers could ascend to in the colonial administration - at least, without naturalising as Belgian citizens. Those Luxembourgers seeking to ascend to higher ranks in the colonial administration had to give up their Luxembourgish citizenship and become Belgians. One notable example of this is Fritz Wenner, who was named governor of Kasai in the 1930s. This Luxembourger managed to reach the level of governor, but only by naturalising as a Belgian citizen.

---

Nathalie Lodhi is an editor and translator for RTL Today with a background in history. If you have a question, suggestion, or subject you'd like to offer insight on, contact Nathalie at nathalie_lodhi@rtltoday.lu
Redemption Church asks court to evict John Grays Relentless Church from property

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Just over a month after serving Pastor John Grays Relentless Church with a 30-day notice of termination for buildings they were leasing from Redemption Church in Greenville, South Carolina, Redemptions founders, pastors Ron and Hope Carpenter, have now asked a local court to evict the celebrity preacher.

Gray was given until the end of 2019 to vacate the property amid allegations that he had been shady and dishonest in executing an agreement with the Carpenters after they passed the reins of their Redemption Church to him in 2018 which he rebranded as Relentless Church.

In court documents cited by the Greenville News Thursday, Redemption argued that Relentless Church had proposed an asset transfer agreement for the properties, which Redemption initially agreed to. Grays church allegedly failed to deliver or execute the agreement which should have included written leases. That failure on the part of Relentless Church, the Carpenters argue, invalidated the initial agreement, forcing Redemption Church to remove their support as well.

Gray was allegedly expected to rebrand and assume the debt and mortgage obligations of Redemption Church but he incorporated Relentless as a new organization instead and tried to purchase Redemption's assets, the court filing argues.

Relentless Church reportedly also chose to operate on a month-to-month lease and was unable to cover debt on The Imagine Center. To prevent the property from going into foreclosure, Redemption Church said it had to cover the debt that should have been paid by Relentless Church.

"Redemption is unable to continue to absorb the mounting debts and past due accounts associated with the Greenville property during Relentless tenancy and therefore has no other option but to seek to regain possession of the property sooner rather than later," Katari Buck, an attorney representing Redemption Church told Greenville News in a statement.

Redemption Church is asking the court to declare Relentless in default and that the church has no right to remain on the property which they are currently refusing to vacate.

Gray said in a statement to Greenville News that he dealt with the Carpenters honorably, adding that the dispute will be addressed in court.

"We stand behind our original statement and are confident that the payment amounts required under the leases referenced in the complaint have and will continue to be paid," Gray said. "Our efforts at mediation and with wise counsel to present every detail absent of legal have proven fruitless on their end multiple times."

He further added: "To the Relentless Church family, please note, we have dealt honorably and have utilized every possible measure to resolve these differences to date. We will continue to serve the Lord, reach the lost, and serve the community. This unfortunate issue will not hinder the vision, work, functionality, or heart of this church."

In 2018, after handing the keys of their church to Gray, the Carpenters moved to San Jose, California, to officially become the new pastors of the 14,000-member Jubilee Christian Center, which they renamed Redemption.
The first babies of a new decade have been born, with Ireland's first baby of 2020 officially a Dub.

Hundreds of bundles of joy were delivered across the country yesterday, the first of them coming just 12 minutes into the new decade.

Patience Setuke gave birth to her daughter Victoria Setuke in the Rotunda Hospital, weighing in at a healthy 7lb 12oz.

The new mother was delighted with her baby, who was one of 10 born in the same hospital before 1am.

The last of the 10, born at 12.59am, was Clare Lynch's new arrival, who is yet to be named - although the little girl's big sister Nina (6) is pushing for the name Ava.

Ms Lynch, and the baby's father Pero Pejoski, said they were over the moon with their 5lb 11oz bundle.

Expand Close Clare Lynch and Pero Pejoski with their baby. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins / Facebook

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Whatsapp Clare Lynch and Pero Pejoski with their baby. Photo: Gareth Chaney, Collins

"It's very exciting," Ms Lynch, from Blanchardstown, said. "Everybody was really excited last night, even though it was very busy.

"All of the staff were brilliant as always. Especially on New Year's, you don't even know what day it is."

Ms Lynch added she was in no way disappointed that her new arrival wasn't the first of 2020.

"I was here since Monday and you're thinking, 'oh, maybe it'll be tomorrow', and then I never expected her to be one of the first of the decade," she said.

Expand Close Ashley Barron with her baby girl in Limerick. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Ashley Barron with her baby girl in Limerick. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

"I didn't think about her not being the first, because it was a bit of a surprise she came today at all - an added surprise."

In University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Ashley Barron said she was "on cloud nine" after delivering "the first little girl to be born in Limerick" at 4.33am. Ms Barron's daughter, who is yet to be named, weighed 6lb 3oz and arrived four days early.

"She was due on the 5th (of January) but she couldn't wait, so she arrived today.

"She was the first little girl to be born in Limerick. She's as good as gold.

Expand Close Derek OSullivan and Caroline Brady from Co Clare with their baby girl. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Derek OSullivan and Caroline Brady from Co Clare with their baby girl. Photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

"She hasn't said a peep since she was born - long may it continue, please God," she joked.

Ms Barron, who is originally from Donegal, was hopeful her daughter would be "the first of many, please God".

"She is 6lb 3oz and she's very long," she said. "I don't know where she's getting that, I'm only 5ft 3in myself."

"(Her dad) is nearly 6ft, so she might get it from his side of the family; we'll give him the credit for that," she added.
Activists promote "fair workweek" legislation, one of several worker-friendly bills passed in recent years by City Council over the objections of business interests. Read more

Last spring, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia announced a plan to up its political game. The business lobbys goal was to sink more resources into City Council races and foster real change and a focus on growth.

Real change came. Just not the kind the Chamber wanted.

Beating back a last-minute campaign by the Chambers political action committee that even a business lobbyist called awkward, Kendra Brooks of the progressive Working Families Party won one of the two Council at-large seats effectively reserved for candidates outside the Democratic Party. Those seats have been held by Republicans since the 1950s. On Monday, Brooks will be inaugurated as the only third-party politician to hold a Council seat in at least a century.

I do feel like they underestimated the power of the Working Families campaign, and then at the last minute they tried to do something to stop it," Brooks said. "But we had already run an effective campaign up to that point.

Campaign-finance reports show the Chambers PAC raised about $235,000 in 2019, while the campaign arm of the Working Families Party raked in more than $1 million.

And those resources were spent in vastly different ways. Working Families Party canvassers pounded the pavement, knocked on doors, and mailed out campaign literature. The Chamber went negative, sending uncharacteristically incendiary text messages and robocalls, including one that said, Radical liberals in the Working Families Party are trying to eliminate the GOP from Philadelphia city government."

"These far-left socialists want to raise our taxes, implement socialized medicine, and declare war on middle-class families, the Chamber campaign warned.

In other cities, big-business interests are often feared political players. In Philadelphia, specific industries or companies find success lobbying lawmakers or winning favors from city agencies. But the voice of the business community as a whole has long played a less significant role in shaping political discourse. And in the past, the business lobby could rely on help from the mayors office, which for years had been occupied by politicians sympathetic to their concerns. But as a new generation of liberal activists has pushed the city further to the left, the struggles of big business to influence policy and politics have come into sharper focus.

 READ MORE: Philadelphia lobbyists keep making last-minute changes to bills, and reform advocates feel set up

In the last few years, the Chamber has sought to improve its standing in City Hall. It has beefed up its political spending, engaged more with Council members in their neighborhoods, formed new alliances with the building trades unions, and diversified its board and staff  politically and demographically  to fight the perception that the group is dominated by wealthy white Republicans who live in the suburbs and work in Center City.

A membership-based organization of firms throughout the tri-state area, the Chamber advocates for business-friendly policies, and its top funders include Comcast, Peco, Wells Fargo, and Independence Blue Cross. While it has always weighed in on policies at the city and state level, the groups involvement in electoral politics has been less consistent.

Chamber spokesperson Dan Fee said the groups new focus is on addressing Philadelphias 24.5% poverty rate  the highest of any large U.S. city  through inclusive neighborhood job growth.

Going forward, anyone who cares about reducing poverty, which means increasing the number of people working, will have to be aggressive because what has been tried in the past hasnt worked, Fee said. There have been activists for 30 years who have had ideas. Poverty has been a problem for decades. ... Maybe you should focus on actually putting people to work."

John Hawkins, a City Hall lobbyist with major corporate clients, said the Chamber is moving in the right direction.

Their awkward text-message campaign was too little too late," Hawkins said. But in these hyperpartisan times, every interest group has got to get in the arena, and for the last couple decades theyve been on the sidelines. Im glad to see them stepping up.

It wont be easy. The Chambers recent moves came at the same time that the citys progressive movement has won a series of upset victories and pushed a pro-worker agenda that has rankled many business owners.

In recent years, Council has passed laws, some of which have yet to take effect, aimed at ensuring workers have access to paid sick leave, requiring service-industry companies to give their employees predictable schedules, prohibiting parking-lot operators from firing workers without just cause, and closing the gender pay gap by prohibiting employers from asking job applicants about their previous salaries. Business interests last month failed to head off changes to the citys controversial 10-year tax abatement on new construction, although the Chamber supported reform.

 READ MORE: How will the economy, home prices, and the new tax abatement affect Philly in 2020? Experts weigh in.

David L. Cohen, a longtime political power player and Comcast executive who recently announced he will be stepping down from his position, bemoaned the state of Philadelphia politics in a recent interview on 6ABC.

 READ MORE: David Cohen is a 2020 political player. His sway in Philadelphia has become another question.

Theres just no way to describe City Councils attitude toward business other than to say that they are antibusiness, they are hostile to business, said Cohen, who previously served as the Chambers board chairman and was chief of staff during Ed Rendells business-friendly mayoral administration in the 1990s. If one more member of City Council tells me, Im not antibusiness; Im just pro-worker, Im going to feel like strangling someone, because what they are is theyre pro-unemployed worker.

The Chamber and other big-business interests used to rely on mayors like Rendell, John F. Street, and Michael Nutter to be a bulwark against Council proposals they didnt like, said Joseph McLaughlin, director of Temple Universitys Institute for Public Affairs. Mayor Jim Kenney, however, relied on the backing of progressive groups in his 2015 run for mayor and takes pride in the workers rights legislation approved during his administration. Thats why, McLaughlin said, the Chamber is attempting to connect more with lawmakers on their home turfs.

Its not enough anymore to just go make deals with leaders and things fall where you want them to," McLaughlin said. "You have to connect with legislators at the ground level.

The Chamber has attempted to toe a line between being more politically aggressive and building relationships with city politicians, a strategy that has produced mixed results. The Chamber, for instance, is working to forge bonds with district Council members through a neighborhood-centered engagement strategy. But it also angered some members and the Kenney administration when it sued to prevent the city from enforcing the gender pay equity bill. (The case is pending on appeal.)

The Chamber is bringing on more Democrats as it seeks to steady itself politically. Former State Rep. Mike Gerber of Montgomery County, the senior managing director of FS Investments, is an active member of the groups board. And this year the Chamber tapped William Carter, a former staffer and confidant of Council President Darrell L. Clarke, to be its vice president of local government advocacy and engagement.

Brooks said that, despite the Chambers attacks on her during the campaign, shes willing to work with them.

We should come to the table and have a conversation if theyre really sincere about creating more jobs  more good-paying jobs here in the city," she said. We need to make sure that job growth should happen in Philadelphia, and also quality good job growth, so people can afford to stay and live in Philadelphia.

Fee said the Chamber decided to go negative on Brooks after realizing how much money Working Families Party-aligned groups outside Philadelphia were spending.

In the final days of the election, it became clear just how much outside money was being spent, and there was a decision to support people who were longtime champions of inclusive neighborhood growth," Fee said.

Councilman Allan Domb, a condominium magnate and one of the most business-friendly Council members, said the business community and progressives need to come together if the city is going to address poverty in a meaningful way.

One side cant do this, he said. You need both sides, and I think the Chamber, from what Ive seen, theyve been working toward accomplishing that goal.
Clarifying India's stance on the Rohingya refugees in India, Union Minster PMO (MoS) Dr Jitendra Singh, on Friday, has stated that the government was considering the next move regarding Rohingya refugees, according to PTI. He clearly stated that Rohingya refugees who have fled from will not be able to get citizenship under the newly amended Citizenship Act. The Rohingya Muslims who fled Myanmar to avoid religious persecution are not eligible to citizenship as the Act offers citizenship to refugees who are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Deportation of Rohingyas next: Centre

Govt's next move regarding deportation of Rohingya refugees as they will not be able to secure citizenship under new law: Union minister Jitendra Singh  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 3, 2020

SC agrees to hear PIL seeking deportation of Rohingyas in four weeks

Calcutta HC stays Rohingya deportation

Earlier on Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court stayed the deportation of a Rohingya couple who had illegally entered India back in 2017 and was about to be deported back by Indian Authorities. The bench had not only issued a stay order but also a notice to the Bengal Government to provide basic amenities to the couple to help them "live a life with dignity." The bench said that it was taking this decision to "uphold the spirit of humanity."

Calcutta HC stays deportation of Rohingya couple to "uphold the spirit of humanity"

India deports Rohingyas

In October 2018, India first deported seven Rohingya men to Myanmar which led to several refugees fleeing the country. India has categorised Rohingya's as illegal migrants and has ordered their deportation. Furthermore, in January, it deported a Rohingya family of five - its second deportation. In August, the SC has agreed to hear the Centre's plea to identify and deport to Myanmar around 40,000 illegal Rohingya Muslims staying in India.

Read: International court judges authorise Rohingya investigation

Rohingya Exodus

Nearly 7,40,000 Rohingya Muslims were forced to take refuge in several camps in Bangladesh after Myanmars military launched a crackdown on the minority group. The crackdown on minorities tarnished Suu Kyi's global image, following which Amnesty International revoked its highest honour -- the Ambassador of Conscience Award that it had conferred on the State Counsellor in 2009. After Suu Kyis defence at the ICJ, the human rights organisation in a statement accused the leader of downplaying the severity of the crimes committed against the Rohingya Muslims.

Bangladesh FM Momen says Myanmar has 'softened' stance on Rohingya issue post ICJ hearing
Workers' Party members Low Thia Khiang (left) and Sylvia Lim. (Yahoo News Singapore file photos)

SINGAPORE  The Ministry of National Development (MND) has ordered Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) to recuse town councillors Sylvia Lim and Low Thia Khiang from certain financial decisions, in order to prevent a recurrence of irregularities caused by the two Aljunied GRC Members of Parliament (MPs).

In a media statement on Friday (3 January), MND said AHTC has been instructed to strip Lim and Low of the power to unilaterally incur or approve expenditure, accept or waive any quotation or tender or to serve as cheque signatories for AHTC.

While we note the measures that AHTC has put in place, it is not apparent  and AHTC has not demonstrated  how they would be effective to guard against a recurrence of irregularities arising from the acts of dishonest Town Councillors, said the ministry.

It added that the order does not preclude the Workers Party (WP) MPs from continuing to serve as elected members of AHTC, and discharging their duties.

Background to the move

In December, MND had said that it remains concerned about AHTCs financial affairs and was considering regulatory action to ensure proper safeguarding of public monies managed by Town Councils.

It followed a decision by AHTC not to recuse Lim and Low from all matters relating to, and oversight over, financial matters of the town council, despite a parliamentary motion in November by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat calling on them to do so.

The High Court found in October that Lim, Low and WP chief Pritam Singh were liable for damages suffered by AHTC, which is said to have made millions in improper payments under their watch. WP is currently appealing the High Court judgement.

MND response to AHTC

In its latest statement, MND alluded to the serious and grave findings of the High Court judgement, which found that Lim and Low had breached their fiduciary duties to AHTC, acted dishonestly, and without integrity and candour.

It wrote to AHTC on 4 December to request information on AHTCs reasons for not requiring Lim and Lows recusal, and whether it intends to implement other interim measures or safeguards. MND received AHTCs response on 13 December.



As the ministry was unconvinced by the measures taken by AHTC, it issued the order pursuant to section 43D(2)(b) of the Town Councils Act. It will be reviewed after the High Court rules on the WPs appeal.

Story continues

Yahoo News Singapore has reached out to WP for comment.

Related stories

COMMENT: Heng Swee Keat needs to raise his game against Workers' Party

Timeline of Aljunied Hougang Town Council saga from 2011-2019
As per Arab media reports on Thursday, the International Criminal Police Organization's (Interpol) cell in Saudi Arabia had arrested Muzaffar Iqbal on Wednesday, reports The News International.

Islamabad, Jan 3 (IANS) Saudi Arabia has handed over slain Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch's brother, who was an absconding suspect in her murder, to authorities in Islamabad, the media reported.

He had on record admitted to drugging and killing his sister when he was presented before a special magistrate.

The arrest was made on the Pakistani government's 2016 request to Saudi Arabia as Iqbal was residing in the Kingdom at the time. Iqbal has been accused of aiding and abetting in Qandeel's murder.

In 2016, Qandeel was strangled to death by her brother Waseem at her residence in Punjab province, following which her father, Muhammad Azeem Baloch, had lodged a murder case against his son, accomplice Haq Nawaz, and various others.

An affidavit submitted by the parents in 2016 had also named two of other sons, Aslam Shaheen and Arif.

In October 2019, Arif, was caught with the help of Interpol from Saudi Arabia and transferred to Multan following his arrest.

On August 22, a court had rejected an appeal of the late model's parents to acquit their sons as they had forgiven them. Prior to that, however, her parents had refused to pardon their sons and had called for capital punishment in the case.

ksk/
Attackers torch houses and other buildings of Tawari community in Kogi State, close to capital Abuja, police say.

At least 19 people were killed by unidentified gunmen in a night-time raid on a rural community in central Nigeria on Friday, according to police.

The attackers torched houses and other buildings of the Tawari community in Kogi state, 100km (60 miles) south of the capital Abuja.

They burned some houses, a school, a church and the palace of the local ruler, William Aya, a regional police spokesman, told AFP news agency. Nineteen people were killed.

A local security source told AFP that the killings were suspected to be a reprisal attack linked to clashes with a rival community in the area, but there was no official confirmation.

Aya said the motive for the attack and the identity of the assailants remained unclear.

We have commenced the investigation and it will reveal what happened, he said.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, January 3, 2020

A recent ruling that allows Illinois residents to bring a class-action against Facebook over its facial recognition technology could result in a wave of new lawsuits against technology companies, the libertarian group TechFreedom is telling the Supreme Court.

If uncorrected, this decision threatens to unleash a wave of costly, 'no-harm' class action 'strike suits,' TechFreedom writes in papers filed Friday.

The group adds that the risk of facing such lawsuits may impact Facebooks decision to offer useful products, including the facial recognition service at issue here, and could also discourage innovative newcomers and dampen the relentless cycle by which past Internet giants have seen their dominance disrupted.

advertisement advertisement

The organization makes the argument in a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Facebook's request that the Supreme Court intervene in the biometric privacy battle.

The fight centers on the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, which requires companies to obtain written releases from people before collecting face geometry and other biometric data, including retinal scans and voiceprints. The measure provides for damages of up to $5,000 per violation.

In 2015, a group of Illinois residents alleged in a class-action complaint that Facebook's photo-tagging function violates the Illinois law.

Facebook's photo-tagging draws on a vast trove of photos to recognize users' faces and suggest their names when they appear in photos uploaded by their friends.

To accomplish this, Facebook allegedly analyzes the photos and creates a database of facial templates without first notifying people or obtaining their consent, according to the lawsuit.

Facebook argued that the complaint should be dismissed on the grounds that the Illinois residents weren't injured by the alleged violation.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently sided against Facebook and allowed the class-action lawsuit to proceed.

Taking into account the future development of such technology ... it seems likely that a face-mapped individual could be identified from a surveillance photo taken on the streets or in an office building, the appellate judges wrote. Or a biometric face template could be used to unlock the face recognition lock on that individuals cell phone.

Last month, Facebook asked the Supreme Court to review that ruling. Among other arguments, the company says the scenarios proposed by the appellate judges are too speculative to warrant a class-action lawsuit.

TechFreedom agrees, arguing that people shouldn't be able to sue in federal court over speculative, insubstantial harms.

Controlling information relating to ones self is something important to many individuals. The law, as academics, legal institutions, and courts acknowledge, still requires a factual showing of perceptible harm, the group writes.
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan authorities Friday confirmed the killing of four terror suspects among Islamists who ambushed two buses in the coastal region on Tuesday
By PTI

TEHRAN: Iran's supreme leader on Friday named the deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm Esmail Qaani to replace its commander after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad.

"Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Qaani was described by Khamenei as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

"The orders for the (Quds) force remain exactly as they were during the leadership of martyr Soleimani," said the supreme leader.

"I call on the members of the force to be present and cooperate with General Qaani and wish him divine prosperity, acceptance and guidance," he added.
The co-stars Richard Schiff, Michael ONeill and of course Aldis Hodge, who does really heroic work [as the death-row inmate]  were not personality characters or celebrity actors. When Chinonye said, Im interested in the life; were not going to cut around, and we let the camera roll  well, that would scare some people away. But these were people who were unafraid because we understand that life happens between the lines. We knew we were going to work on a different level, and everybody delivered. It was spiritually satisfying.

The Tears

As Bernadine oversees the execution of an inmate who insists he is innocent, tears begin to stream down her nearly expressionless face.

Just those circumstances are enough. It makes you weep as a person if you have any empathy and compassion. I had to control myself not to sob, because that is who I am: I cry other peoples tears. I experience other peoples joy. Thats the calling. But knowing that Bernadine could not do that, as the actress you just keep breathing. Its like sustaining a note. You keep breathing because Bernadine doesnt get to not be Bernadine in a moment.

I could feel that my nose was starting to run and Alfre would probably go [sniffs]. But the point is, that was the end of the line for her. Her life as she knew it stopped when [Hodges character] stopped. She was paralyzed. That also meant Im gone. Ive crossed over because even when people are mad and crying, theyre wiping their mouth. She had to experience the bottom.

You dont use your own life  because its a dishonor to your life to use your personal emotions. And they dont carry the same way. I want to be able to smell my character. I want to know, as Im doing it, how that person stays in their skin.

The Aftermath

I left the stage. I had to get out. And I went to my trailer and sobbed  because I can sob. Thats the thing: This protocol, it asks of us as actors what we absolutely dont trade in as human beings. And so you have to purge [your character], purge it, purge it, purge it. Then you take your clothes off, wash your face and go home, and youre yourself. Im so grateful I always have had strong and deep love around me, and joy. I think thats why Im able to regenerate. I heal quickly.

It was easier to shoot the film than the next month after that, where I was in my charmed life of support and love. I would just burst into tears at the farmers market. I would weep for about two minutes. Nothing was sad on my mind when I realized Im weeping for the men we talked to.
[January 03, 2020] LetinAR Breaks Down Technical Barriers of AR Optics Again With "PinMR 2020" in CES 2020

LetinAR Inc. (CEO Kim Jae-hyeok), a developer of optical solutions for Augmented Reality (AR) smart glasses, announced that, at the CES (News - Alert) 2020 in Las Vegas, USA, to be held between January 7~10, it will be releasing its "PinMR 2020" lens, which brings AR optics to the next level. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005133/en/ LetinAR PinMR Optical Solution for AR Devices (Photo: Business Wire) As a developer of optical systems for AR smart glasses, LetinAR introduced its "PinMR (Pin Mirror)" technology at the CES and MWC in 2018 and 2019. LetinAR drew the attention of global companies as it was recognized for having overcome performance limitations of the existing AR optical system, on the back of its unique and practical technology. LetinAR released its "PinMR 2020" lens at the CES 2020, which resolves technological barriers and elevates the optical system to the next level. The strongest feature of the "PinMR 2020" lens is that it overcomes the issue of the vertical viewing angle, which has been the greatest challenge to AR optical system technology. The vertical viewing angle which was previously limited to 23 has been widened to close to 40, thereby enhancing performance by approximately 73%. On top of that, the eye-box, an existing strength, has been further improved, so that it can be easily worn like regular glasses. At the CES 2020, visitors can experience an ultra-high definition, immersive AR demonstration, which is optimized for PinMR 2020 lns. The company plans to exhibit interactive responsive content that provides the first-hand experience of the improved viewing angle and eye-box. Users may also test demonstrations in the form of goggles, giving users the experience of wearing helmets such as Iron Man's Jarvis, or those worn by F-35 fighter plane pilots. By combining the AI facial recognition function to the "PinMR" lens technology, the company plans to present a vision for future applications of AR. Also receiving the spotlight is the AI translation solution which utilizes True Wireless Headsets (TWS) and "PinMR" smart glasses. Two people, each wearing smart glasses and sharing a set of wireless earphones, will speak in their language, and it will be translated into the counterpart's language in both voice and subtitle formats. It draws attention as a solution to ease language barriers when traveling or on business trips, etc.



Last December, LetinAR's technological excellence was recognized upon its selection, amid a competition ratio of about 4-to-1, as a finalist, for the Prism Awards, held by the International Society of Optics and Photonics (SPIE), the most prestigious institution in the field. SPIE shared on its website that it selected LetinAR as a finalist in the category of Vision Technology in "appreciation of the company's contribution to the development of technology in this world". The final winner will be announced in San Francisco in February at the Photonics West, one of the largest optics events in the US. Kim Jae-hyeok, CEO at LetinAR says, "It was LetinAR's strong technological base that enabled us to not only overcome the limitations of the existing AR optical system, but to also overcome the vertical viewing angle issue, which has been regarded as a major technological challenge," and added that "we plan to demonstrate diverse forms of AR at the CES 2020 to show the changes that can be brought to the lives of humankind." Yang Sang-hwan, the director of the Naver D2 Startup Factory, explained that "LetinAR's technology excels to the point that it may earn the Prism Award by SPIE, the leading authority in the field of optics, and it's encouraging to see how the company proves to the world its ability to overcome technological challenges." He went on to say that "LetinAR's PinMR technology will spearhead the commercialization of AR smart glasses."

Since its inception in 2016, LetinAR with PinMR technology has been in the global spotlight during the previous CES and MWC. As of late, LetinAR is taking a radical leap towards the next business phase with several global AR companies with newly designed products including PinMR-embedded development kits for customers to harness the development of any kind of AR devices. To find more about the LetinAR or demonstrations at the CES 2020, visit https://letinar.com or e-mail [email protected]. LetinAR Inc. Founded in 2016, LetinAR Inc, a startup company made its appearance in the scene of Augmented Reality presenting a new paradigm-changing technology - PinMR lens. This technology was developed mainly to redress common failings found in current products; heavy and expensive hardware, and deficient functions that inhibit the construction of real eyeglasses-shaped designs and render wearability and usability mediocre at best. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005133/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 3)  Prince Harry just gave the public a sneak peek of wife Meghan Markle's adorable baby bump, which was taken during the royal couple's recent Pacific tour.

The Duke of Sussex, through the Kensington Palace's official Instagram account, posted a photo of Markle cradling her bump during a walk through the forests of New Zealand.

Prince Harry thanked the countries they visited, saying he and the Duchess felt very "inspired" following the trip.

"It has been a privilege to meet so many friendly Kiwis, Australia, Fiji, Tonga and NZ," Prince Harry captioned the photo on Friday.

"We leave feeling inspired and reminded of how every single one of us can make a difference," he added.

The royal couple announced they were expecting a child at the start of the tour, where they paid visits to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.
A koala joey affectionately named Keli will be released back into the wild after he was rescued near death from the bushfires.

The Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie released images of Keli after he returned from the brink of death after coming in weighing just 275g.

'Just a brighter moment in all the tragedy in Australia at the moment we wanted to share something good,' the post read.

Keli was rescued from the NSW mid north coast on September 8 having been abandoned on the ground.

He had a fungal infection, his fur had all but disappeared and he weighed less than a half a kilogram.

Keli the koala joey (pictured) was found abandoned in a bushfire zone in September weighing just 275g with a fungal infection and barely any fur left

On Thursday the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital posted a picture of Keli on his road to recovery weighing 1kg, with no fungal infection and his fur growing back thick, he will be released back into the wild in the cooler months

'Look at Keli today a whopping 1 kg in weight, the fungal infection has gone and all his fur is regrowing. It's still early days yet, we will get very excited when he makes 2.5 kg,' the post continued.

'And it's time for him to come into the 'dehumanising trees ' in preparation for release back to the wild.

'Release will not happen until the cooler months, and thankfully there is still some good habitat left in selected locations.'

The mid-north coast of New South Wales was home to up to 28,000 koalas, but wildfires in the area in recent months have significantly reduced their population.

Environment minister Sussan Ley said figured couldn't be determined until after the bushfire crisis had passed.

'Up to 30% of their habitat has been destroyed,' she said.

'We'll know more when the fires are calmed down and a proper assessment can be made.'

Images shared of koala's drinking water after being rescued from the wildfires have gone viral on social media in recent days.

'I get mail from all around the world from people absolutely moved and amazed by our wildlife volunteer response and also by the habits of these curious creatures,' Ms Ley said.

Authorities have no exact figure on how many native animals in total have been killed, but experts say it is likely to be in the millions.
Union home minister Amit Shah said on Friday the government will not change its stance over the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, even as Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to 11 chief ministers to follow his state in passing a resolution against the new law.

Protests have continued across the country against the legislation since Parliament approved it on December 11. CAA proposes to ease citizenship for minorities from three Muslim-majority countries  Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Several opposition parties have alleged that the law is divisive and against Indias secular values because it differentiates among people on the basis of religion.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is not going back an inch on CAA, Shah said at a gathering in Rajasthans Jodhpur. The law is not against the minorities, he said.

There is no provision in the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to take anyones citizenship away but it is a law to grant citizenship, the BJP president added.

The remarks came on a day the Kerala CM tried to rally support of 11 non-BJP ruled states against the law. He has written to Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, Jagan Mohan Reddy, Hemant Soren, Uddhav Thackeray, Kamal Nath, Amarinder Singh, V Narayanaswamy, Ashok Gehlot and Naveen Patnaik.

The need of the hour is unity among all Indians who wish to protect and preserve our cherished values of democracy and secularism. We are sure our unity in diversity, which has stood the test of times, will ultimately emerge stronger. Kerala has decided to address the apprehensions about NRC [National Register of Citizens] and that preparation of NPR [National Population Register] will lead to NRC by staying all activities relating to NPR in the state, Vijayan said.

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh came out in support of the Kerala assembly resolution, demanding the scrapping of CAA. He said it was the voice of the people which was against the legislation and the Centre should pay heed to it. MLAs represent the voice of the people at large, Singh said in an open letter to Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

A protest was held against CAA and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Bengaluru on Friday. Protests were also held in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, while addressing an anti-CAA rally in Siliguri, said it was a shame that people were being asked to prove their nationality, even after 70 years of Independence.

The BJP, meanwhile, held rallies in support of the legislation, saying it was in the process of reaching out to 30 million families to spread awareness on the issue.

(With inputs from agencies)
Idaho State Police(BONNER'S FERRY, Idaho) -- A cargo train derailed, sending the engine into an Idaho river late Wednesday night, leaving the driver and crew to be rescued by boat and authorities working to contain diesel fuel leaking into the river.



The Burlington Northern Railroad train derailed into the Kootenai River, near the town of Bonner's Ferry. Local authorities were alerted around 9 p.m. and warned that the crew may be trapped inside.



Local sheriffs, search and rescue, ambulance and fire teams deployed to the scene to find that the engine was only accessible from the water, ABC Fox Montana reported.

Boundary County Emergency Management, BNSF, ISP, Boundary CSO/EMS/Fire are on scene of a train derailment in the area of Crossport just east of Bonners Ferry. Be aware that local roads in the area may be congested or intermittently closed as crews work to remove the engines. pic.twitter.com/Z1iwdGVByk  Idaho State Police (@ispdistrict1) January 2, 2020

Boundary County Sheriff's Marine rescue crews were able to reach the engine by boat and safely retrieve the train operators, who were not injured.



Night-vision video shot from helicopters showed the engine entirely in the river and partially submerged, with part of the second car in the water. The remaining 113 cars, seven of which contained hazardous materials, stayed upright, ABC affiliate KXLY reported.



"Once we got onto the location we had good visibility above the wreckage except for the river, which was socked in with fog on one-half of the river, which was the side the train was on," Rob Cherot, one of the rescue pilots called to the scene, told KXLY.



Reports indicated that the derailment was the result of a rock slide.



Crews continue to work to remove the locomotive from the river and to stem the contamination from diesel fuel leaking from the wreck. Firefighters and railway workers have deployed containment booms at multiple spots on the river to minimize any negative environmental impacts, ABC Fox Montana reported.



On Thursday, local officials issued a state of emergency in order to restrict boat access to the area while the cleanup continues.



Writing on Facebook, the North Bench Fire District said: "All the First Responders and agencies involved in the incident did an amazing job, and the crews faced a difficult and dangerous situation and were able to safely and effectively prevent loss of life and reduce further environmental impacts."



Copyright  2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Last New Years Eve, one of my politically curious friends made a little prediction: By the end of 2019, Joe Biden would be the Democratic front-runner.

Because were really, really cool people, he quickly wrote up his forecast in the dorkiest possible way  a Google Calendar item complete with a reminder so he could correctly time his expected gloating for 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2019.

When that alert popped up on Tuesday night, it ignited a bit of a debate.

Sure, Mr. Biden leads most national polls. But we dont hold a national primary. In Iowa and New Hampshire  those two crucial early-voting states  Mr. Biden is lagging behind. Oh, and the last Democratic Party-approved poll of an early-voting state was conducted before Thanksgiving, so any numbers on the race are totally out of date anyhow. Fun!

The whole discussion felt emblematic of the political year were entering. From Congress to the campaign trail, our politics are profoundly unsettled.
GREENSBORO, N.C., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bell Partners Inc., one of the nation's leading apartment investment and management companies, today announced that it has acquired Alexan Marymoor, a 222-unit multifamily community in Redmond, Washington on behalf of its Fund VII investors. The property will be renamed Bell Marymoor Park and will be managed by Bell Partners. This is the company's second acquisition in the Seattle metro area, following the acquisition of Bell Overlake in September.

Bell Marymoor Park is situated near the Seattle area's largest employers, including Amazon, Facebook and Salesforce. Additionally, the multibillion-dollar redevelopment of Microsoft's nearby world headquarters will create further job opportunities for residents. Multiple light-rail stations are being constructed near the property with completion scheduled for 2023, which will connect the community more closely with downtown Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region.

"Our investment in Bell Marymoor Park represents a continuation of our strategy to acquire high quality communities in desirable and growing locations where our vertically integrated platform can enhance value," said Nickolay Bochilo, Executive Vice President of Investments at Bell Partners. "The east side of Seattle is an attractive area for investment due to rapidly expanding major technology companies, high-quality schools, differentiated lifestyle amenities and the high cost of buying versus renting. These factors support attractive fundamentals for rental housing."

Built in 2019, Bell Marymoor Park has thoughtfully designed modern amenities and unit finishes. The property is comprised of a single structure, including a parking garage, and units feature stainless steel appliances, vinyl-plank flooring, quartz countertops, tile backsplashes and in-unit washers and dryers. Communitywide amenities include a rooftop "treehouse" with grilling stations, a bar, fireplace and sun-nooks; an arboretum; a bike repair station and storage; a conference center and a fitness center.

About Bell Partners Inc.

Established in 1976, Bell Partners Inc. ("Bell Partners" or the "Company") is a privately held, vertically integrated apartment investment and management company focused on high-quality multifamily communities throughout the United States. With approximately 55,000 units under management, Bell Partners is one of the largest apartment operators and renovators in the United States. The Company has over 1,400 associates and eight offices (including its headquarters in Greensboro, N.C.) and offers an extensive and full-service platform containing expertise in acquisitions and dispositions, construction, financing, property operations, accounting, risk management and all other related support functions. Bell Partners is led by a senior management team with an average of over 20 years of experience that has invested throughout all phases of the real estate cycle and has helped the Company complete over $15 billion of apartment transactions since 2002, including approximately $1 billion in 2019 transactions. For more information, visit our website at www.bellpartnersinc.com .

Contacts:

John Perilli / Allie Rudden

Prosek Partners for Bell Partners Inc.

(212) 279-3115

[email protected] / [email protected]

SOURCE Bell Partners Inc.
(ANSA) - Rome, January 3 - Matteo Salvini, the leader of Italy's rightwing League party, on Friday welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to order the attack in the area of Baghdad airport in which Iranian general Qassem Soleimani was killed.

"Free women and men, faced with the silence of the cowards in Italy and the European Union, I must thank Trump and America's democracy for having eliminated one of the world's most dangerous, ruthless men," Salvini said.

"An Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedom".


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), left, at a press conference on Capitol Hill on, Dec. 19, 2019 and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) at a media availability on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 7, 2018. (Saul Loeb and Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

McConnell Expects Articles of Impeachment to Be Sent to the Senate Soon

Senate leaders anticipate articles of impeachment will be heading the Senates way soon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Friday.

McConnell criticized House Democrats for their treatment of the impeachment inquiry, claiming they developed cold feet after the partisan vote to impeach President Donald Trump.

By spring, Speaker Pelosi told the country Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless theres something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I dont think we should go down that path, because it divides the country, he said, speaking on the Senate floor in Washington. That was the speaker less than a year ago.

He also referenced comments House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) made during President Bill Clintons impeachment in 1999, when Nadler said an impeachment push shouldnt be favored by only one party.

Democrats have let Trump Derangement Syndrome develop into a kind of dangerous partisan fever that our founding fathers were afraid of, he added.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), speaks on the Senate floor, at the Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 19, 2019. (Senate TV via AP)

And then, just before the holidays, this sad spectacle took another turn. As soon as the partisan impeachment votes had finished, the prosecutors began to develop cold feet. Instead of sending articles to the Senate, they flinched. They flinched. Thats right. The same people who spent weeks screaming that impeachment was so serious and so urgent that it couldnt wait for due process now decided it could wait indefinitely while they check the political winds and look for new talking points.

McConnell dismissed the idea that Pelosi could pressure Senate leaders into holding the kind of trial she wants, reiterating he wants to follow the precedent set during the Clinton trial. The two-phase process allows the prosecutors and defense, or House lawyers and Trumps representatives, to present their cases to the Senate before senators then vote on whether to allow witnesses.

Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have called for witnesses to be subpoenaed for the Senate trial, including acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.

Schumer said on the Senate floor that the issue holding up the Senate trial is whether there will be witnesses or documents.

The Republican leader hasnt given one good reason why there shouldnt be relevant witnesses or relevant documents, he added.

Trump was impeached on Dec. 18, 2019, for abuse of office and obstruction of Congress.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi presides over Resolution 755, Articles of Impeachment Against President Donald Trump as the House votes at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 18, 2019. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Pelosi later Friday responded to McConnell, writing: For several months, the House has subpoenaed documents and witnesses which the President stonewalled. These cases are now in the courts. While the House nevertheless was able to obtain compelling evidence of impeachable conduct, Leader McConnell knows full well that the Presidents obstruction of the House impeachment inquiry is unprecedented and in defiance of our system of checks and balances.

Leader McConnell is doubling down on his violation of his oath, even after the exposure of new, deeply incriminating documents this week which provide further evidence of what we know: President Trump abused the power of his office for personal, political gain, she claimed.

The American people deserve the truth. Every Senator now faces a choice: to be loyal to the President or the Constitution. The GOP Senate must immediately proceed in a manner worthy of the Constitution and in light of the gravity of the Presidents unprecedented abuses. No one is above the law, not even the President.

Both Pelosi and Schumer shared a story that included unredacted versions of emails from Trump administration officials about the hold placed on aid to Ukraine over the summer, asserting the emails backed up the impeachment efforts.

Trump has largely focused on the situation in the Middle East this week but did issue a statement late Thursday, directing attention to the recent findings by Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz and calling the impeachment efforts a continuation of a Witch Hunt.

If this had happened to a Presidential candidate, or President, who was a Democrat, everybody involved would long ago be in jail for treason (and more), and it would be considered the CRIME OF THE CENTURY, far bigger and more sinister than Watergate! he said.
Wah Modi Wah!! Siddaramaiah lashes out at PM for ignoring K'takas flood woes, calls BSY a weak CM

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Bengaluru, Jan 03: The Opposition Congress and JD(S) slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to Karnataka, with former chief minister Siddaramaiah posing a slew of questions under the #answermeModi hashtag.

Briefing media at KPCC office, former CM Siddaramaiah said,''In last elections, PM Modi said if BJP comes to power in Centre and state, there will be development. But nothing has happened, CM and ministers should have spoken to PM about relief fund for floods. That is why I call BS Yediyurappa a weak CM.''

The former chief minister pontificated that the Centre was yet to give Karnataka its share of funds.

''Centre has only estimated loses of Rs 3,800 crore. Modi must remember his promises made during election rally,'' he said.

Siddaramaiah resigns as Opposition Leader after Cong defeat in Karnataka bypolls

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

Listing out issues seeking Modi's answers, Siddaramaiah said,''During the tenure of Modi government, GDP has decreased.''

Thank you @BSYBJP for endorsing what @INCKarnataka & @dineshgrao @siddaramaiah have been saying all along.



Hope more BJP leaders will get spine to demand @narendramodi to undo the injustice meted out to

us.



With state electing 25Mps & the ill treatment that we got is abhorrent pic.twitter.com/hT860UVXhc  Karnataka Congress (@INCKarnataka) January 3, 2020

In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah had also criticised the prime minister for his 'delayed' visit to the state, among others.

Mr. @narendramodi,



You did not visit Karnataka when it was devastated by floods,



You did not visit Ktaka when our farmers cried for help,



But all of a sudden, when you want to launch your political propaganda, you remember innocent ppl of Ktaka.



Wah Modi Wah!!#  Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 2, 2020

Former CM and JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy was also equally sarcastic when he demanded answers from the PM.

Siddaramaiah, Kumaraswamy booked for sedition over protest against I-T raids

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Karnataka on a two-day visit and was on the dais during the event held to distribute Krishi Karman Awards and Commendation Awards to states. The PM also gave away the Agriculture Minister's Krishi Karman Awards for Progressive Farmers.

Earlier on Thursday, #GoBackModi was trending on Twitter with several Tweeple criticising the PM for not having visited the mutt when the seer died.
In one of the pictures, Kamya can be seen flaunting her toned body in a bikini. Along with the picture, the 40-year-old actress wrote, My body is my canvas, each mark tells a story and reminds me how Im braver than what caused it, each dot which at some point I may have tried to hide as a silly conscious younger self and the ever-changing pounds on me depending on my love for my baby and my love for food! I m proud of and own my canvas and cant wait to fill it with the brushes of my desires in the years to come (sic)." (Image: Instagram)
Two men were arrested for allegedly beating up three men in south Delhi during a parking dispute, police said on Friday.

The accused were identified as Chinmaya Sejwal and Hitesh, they said.

According to police, they received information regarding a quarrel at Prem Singh Parking, Lado Sarai, on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

Police rushed to the spot where they met one Abdul Zain Khan, a resident of Abul Fazal Enclave, Jamia, Okhla.

Khan said the incident took place around 11 pm on Thursday when he was sitting in his car along with his friends Rajesh and Tarun at Prem Singh Parking after attending a birthday party of their colleague.

When they were about to move from the place, three men came near his car and started knocking at the window pane of the car and hurled abuses.

The complaint said the accused were drunk and they had quarrelled over the parking issue.

When the complainant and his friend objected to it, the accused attacked them, police said.

Khan and Rajesh were medically examined at AIIMS Trauma Centre and on Khan's complaint, a case under section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (criminal act with common intention) of the IPC has been registered at Saket police station.

The vehicle of the accused has also been seized, police said, adding they are investigating all the allegations levelled by the complainant.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An extra set of paws will be walking the halls of Spring ISD schools in 2020, as their police departments newest K9 recently completed his training.

The new K9, a German shepherd named Brix, completed the 120-hour program with his trainer, Officer Juan Estrada in December. They will now begin using their skills to assist in detecting explosives across Spring ISD schools, Planet Ford Stadium and at events.

Related: Spring ISD Police get new K9

Weve bonded together very well, Estrada said. He trusts me and I trust him. Weve become very close.

The program involved honing the detection skills of Estrada and Brix and developing the relationship between the two.

Its learning your dog and observing your dog, Estrada said. When youre working, you have to watch your dog.

Estrada noted that K9s are trained to alert handlers when they detect certain scents, in his case, scents that could mean an explosive. Brix is also able to detect guns and ammo which could be on campuses.

Related: Five stories to watch in Spring in 2020

Brix will be the second dog on Spring ISDs police force, joining their other K9 Paco, who is used to detect drugs on school campuses.

Spring ISD Police Officer David Fuente, who handles Paco and helps with training, said dogs trained in explosives are increasingly in demand.

This will be beyond the school district, Fuente said. Theyre going to be called to work special events and assist the sheriffs department when they need help.

Brix was given to the Spring ISD Police Department through K9s4COPs, a nonprofit which funds the purchase of K9s for law enforcement agencies. They have given more than 200 dogs, who have seized more than $350 million in illegal materials over eight years.

paul.wedding@hcnonline.com








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Rampant racist profiling in the Gatineau area saw the local law enforcement dubbed as the most racist Canadian police force of Canada in 2019. Take a look into one of the many incidents of harassment made by Gatineau police perpetrators.

There are several accounts of Gatineau police performing what one might call laughable operational procedures. These apprehensions are deemed laughable due to the creativity of the Gatineau police when coming up with reasons to flag down and stop civilians.

The human race has advanced greatly in the pursuit of equality when it comes to racial difference. However, the Gatineau police appear to be trapped in some kind of backwards time loop wherein it is encouraged to inappropriately stalk people of colour.

This is, of course, not to say that it is at all appropriate to stalk anyone under any circumstances. However, the Gatineau police seem to have taken into their virtues backwards practices seen in the south of America in the 1950s. The apparent practice in Gatineau of veritable police thugs stalking people of colour is abhorrent, to say the least.

It is currently unapparent how the local law enforcement of Gatineau has decided that stalking, harassing and at times even roughing-up people of colour is an acceptable practice. There is virtually no other place in Canada as racially discriminating as Gatineau as it pertains to be police and people of colour are loath to sleep soundly at night knowing that law enforcement has been orchestrated against them.

A recent study commissioned by the Montreal police turned-up systematized racial profiling which is now the subject of a class-action law suit in Quebec superior court.

Its quite unfortunate how police in the province of Quebec with an emphasis in both Gatineau and Montreal see fit to emulate the practices of a Police State in the notoriously racist era of the South African apartheid regime.

The common practice of carding in Gatineau and Montreal occurs when a person of colour is stopped when either driving or walking for no bona fide reason on than to cross-question them about their presence in the area. The police officer then checks their drivers license to see if the individual is wanted for arrest, because apparently visible minorities with an emphasis on black males ought to be all treated as criminals.

In a responsible democratic society the police ought not to pull you over unless youve committed a violation. In most carding cases, the only violation would be that you are a person of colour simply breathing.

A late-night drive turned sour for a black male one late night in Gatineau. According to the records shared by The Canadian Business Daily, Officer Bergeron who carries Badge number 5708 initiated an illegal stalking against the black male for around five minutes.

The illegal stalking follows the black males decision to make a right hand turn down Boul Maloney. Once Officer Bergeron spotted the black male making a right-hand turn, he naturally decided that he was a danger to the community and decided to stalk him.

The ridiculous reason for the pursuit is that the black man was driving a rented car. Officer Bergeron went on to assert that his position as an officer of the Gatineau Police Department entitles him to pull over anyone under any suspicion.

The black man quickly understood that he was being subjected to carding. Officer Bergeron pulled him over to check his drivers license because black male are apparently a suspected criminal because of his skin colour.

In addition to this, in another incident a black male was ridiculously stopped by two Gatineau Police officers for simply walking on the grassy landscape of a commercial building. Fortunately, the black male was well versed in law and questioned the Police due to the lack of a criminal violation.

In response to the black males question regarding the lack of Canadian Criminal Code violation, the Police responded with nothing and subsequently left. Reportedly, the Police were expecting to encounter a less educated Negro who wasnt educated with their rights.

Lets consider the black male who was pulled over by the Gatineau Police simply because they did not appreciate the sound of his vehicle. How is the local law enforcement allowing such atrocious behaviour to go on unchecked? Nowhere else in Canada is there such a rampant display of racism.

Unfortunately, this is only some of the many racial practices employed by the Gatineau Police. The rap sheet of harassment against racial minorities is extensive and exhausting and it seems as though the Gatineau police are showing no signs of slowing down.

A numerous amount of racism goes unreported in Gatineau as compared to Montreal . This is because black people in Gatineau are so much more fearful of the racist thugs operating in the Gatineau police as compared to black communities in Montreal. In Montreal, black communities have the support of city council unlike the City of Gatineau which colludes with police racism.

In the meantime, if youre a person of colour living or even if youre white and look poor empower yourself with efficient knowledge in the law and if youre either walking and driving late at night there as see a police cruiser, consider it likely that you will be stopped.

Unlike both Ottawa and Montreal, do you know that I have never seen even one homeless person or panhandler in Gatineau? That is not because Gatineau is a welfare state where everyone is supported with an amazing social assistance system to prevent homelessness.

The City of Gatineau and their polices apparent answer to keeping the city as clean as possible from drifters, homeless people, and vagrants is apparent to harass them so much that they will flee to the City of Ottawa like some kind of safe haven.

Every single time I have seen an apparent vagrant / drifter they have been stopped by one of these fascistic Gatineau police cruisers that seem to be part of a clandestine social engineering policy executed by the effective operation of a Police State in the City of Gatineau which seems to have a joint policy of targeting black people and poor people for oppression.

When is the City of Gatineau going to start to respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Fascism has no place police departments in the constitutional democracy that Canada represents and its about time that the City of Gatineau begin to respect its obligation to respect the civil rights and rule of law in Canada.
W ith a bit of luck, the Team Margot Atlantic Rowers will arrive at English Harbour in Antigua later this month. Theyre one of 35 teams taking part in the worlds toughest row  a 3,000 mile race across the ocean as part of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

The team has shown incredible determination over the past 18 months just getting to the starting line. Its been a comedy of errors, with challenges that have highlighted the resilience and resourcefulness needed to keep an Atlantic rowing team together.

The crew of three dads with an average age of 50, Martin, Hamish and Guy, have never been away from their families over Christmas. Finding themselves on a tiny boat in the middle of the ocean was an odd and somewhat surreal experience for them. Especially when a shark swam alongside them for longer than they would have liked.

During training they had to overcome medical issues including a broken collarbone, detached retina, broken elbow, chipped ankle and hip replacement. They sought to recruit a fourth team member who not only wanted to row across the Atlantic but whose family, career and finances would permit them to be away for the six or so weeks it takes. Team skipper Martin Beaumont believes in vino veritas and felt that the most important part of the interview process was in the bar.

They eventually resigned themselves to entering as a three-man team, supporting the charity Team Margot Foundation, which encourages everyone who is eligible, particularly those of mixed heritage, to register as a stem cell and bone marrow donor. My family and I set up Team Margot Foundation in memory of our daughter, who had two forms of leukaemia and died aged two in October 2014. Beaumont explains: The most frustrating thing is that the person with the potential to save a life could be sitting next to you on the Tube.

Unusually, the rowers are not asking for money and registration neednt cost you a penny. Instead theyve been campaigning under #WeRowYouRegister because you dont need to do anything extreme (like rowing across the Atlantic) we just want you to register. Registration is a simple and painless process which can be started online. It involves completing a form and swabbing the inside of your cheek so that your DNA can go onto a register of unrelated donors and be matched with a patient in need. A transplant is usually the best chance a blood cancer patient has of survival and you might be the only person in the world who can provide a match.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has handed over social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch's brother, an absconding suspect in her gruesome murder, to Pakistan, days after he was arrested in the Gulf kingdom, according to a media report.

Fouzia Azeem, better known as Qandeel, was strangled to death by her brother Waseem Khan at her home in Multan in the Punjab province on July 15, 2016, in a chilling murder that sent shock waves across Pakistan, triggering an outpouring of grief on social media and igniting fierce debate over the prevalence of "honour killings" of women.

Waseem had confessed to the murder of his 26-year-old sister and said she had brought "disrepute" to the "family's honour" with her risque videos and statements posted on social media.

The International Criminal Police Organization's (Interpol) cell in Saudi Arabia arrested Muzaffar Iqbal, brother and suspect in Qandeel's murder, on Wednesday as part of their job to tackle international crime, Geo News reported.

The arrest was made on the Pakistani government's 2016 request to Saudi Arabia as Iqbal was residing in the country at the time.

Iqbal has been accused of aiding and abetting in Qandeel's murder, the report said.

Following Qandeel's murder, her father Muhammad Azeem Baloch had lodged a murder case against his son, accomplice Haq Nawaz and others.

An affidavit submitted by the parents in 2016 had also named two of their other sons, Aslam Shaheen and Arif.

In October last year, Arif, another absconding suspect and brother, was arrested with the help of Interpol from Saudi Arabia and transferred to Multan.

In September, a model court had sentenced Waseem to life in prison for murdering his sister after he admitted to drugging and killing his sister.

Six others, including Mufti Abdul Qavi and Qandeel's two brothers, Shaheen and Arif, were acquitted in the case.

On August 22, the court had rejected the August 21 appeal of late model's parents to acquit their sons as they had forgiven them.

Prior to that, however, her parents had refused to pardon their sons and had called for capital punishment in the case.

Qandeel had become famous for her bold social media pictures, videos and comments.

But those posts in which she spoke of trying to change "the typical orthodox mindset" of people in Pakistan were considered outrageous by the largely conservative Pakistani community.

Described as Pakistan's Kim Kardashian, Qandeel built a modelling career on the back of her social media fame.

She faced frequent backlash and death threats, but continued to post her pictures and videos.

The 2016 killing sparked fierce debate in Pakistan over the prevalence of "honour killings" of women.

Every year over 1,000 women are murdered in Pakistan in so-called 'honour killings' committed by their male relatives.

Qandeel's murder restarted the debate in the Muslim-majority country that led to the passing of an amendment to Pakistan's Penal Code in October 2016, allowing the police to take over from the victim's family as the main complainant in the case of an "honour killing".

The amendment made it impossible for Qandeel's family to use the country's laws that allow close relatives of murder victims to pardon the killers.
Regarding Putin rebuffs Western criticism of 1939 Stalin-Hitler pact (Dec. 24): Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Poland of being responsible for starting World War II, alongside Nazi Germany. This is yet another egregious example of Russian propaganda and historical revisionism, the sole aim of which is to incite division and polarization not only within our alliance, but also in our respective domestic affairs.

As an honorary consul of Poland, but first and foremost as an academic, I have always believed that facts matter. In an era when there are nefarious actors whose aim is to alter facts and to distort history solely for political gain, we cannot stand idly by.

This is yet another test of our ability to respond jointly to such propaganda. Let me stress that this is a continuation of what we have seen in Poland as well as in the U.S. I believe quite strongly that the upcoming year, with so many meaningful anniversaries, will present the Kremlin with ample opportunities to peddle these falsehoods even further.
Happy New Year and a brand new decade starts. For Tamil cinema 2020 is going to be a crucial year, as there will be disruptive technological and commercial changes within the industry.





Anyway as usual the first Friday of 2020 will see a large number of Tamil releases. The big release of the week is the Kannada dubbed film Avane Sriman Narayana. The funny part of it is that the producers, distributors and theatres are unaware about these releases mostly with unknowns. Nobody has any real idea whether these films actually get a screening. They just add to the numbers.





There are 8 Tamil releases - Anatha Veedu, Ayya Ullen Ayya, En Sangathuaala Adichavan Evanada, Kadhal Vizhigal, Pachai Vilakku, Pizhai, Thedu, Thottu Vidum Thoram.





There are 5 English releases  Bombshell, Cats, Richard Jewell, The Grudge, The Informer. The Hindi releases of the week are the unknown Bhangra Paa Le and Sab Kushal Mangal. These are all given multiplex single show releases.





There are two Malayalam hold over from Kerala Christmas releases Prathi Poovankozhi and Valiyaperunnal. One Marathi film Fatteshikast gets a weekend morning show.




Musicals from two local high schools will vie for honors this year in the 18th annual Tommy Tune Awards, with the shows scheduled to take the stage this month.

Dickinson High School will compete for the first time this year with Newsies, and Clear Lake High is participating with Once Upon a Mattress.

This is the first year for Dickinson to enter the Tommy Tune Awards, which is sponsored by Theatre Under the Stars in Houston. Newsies will feature a cast of 94 students from grades K-12.

Other musicals from area schools in the Tune competition include Anything Goes at Pearland High and Matilda the Musical at Friendswood High.

The Tommy Tune honors will be presented April 28 in a Tony Awards-style ceremony at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Houston.

Also to be announced that evening will be about 10 scholarships that TUTS will award to top students from the 46 participating schools who plan to pursue a career in the arts. Applications for the scholarships are available at www.tuts.com.

Dickinson

In Newsies, DHS senior Hunter Miles will star as Jack Kelly, the leader of a pack of mostly homeless orphans, in a show loosely based on the real-life story of the newsboys strike of 1899 in New York City.

In their research, the Dickinson thespians discovered that the newsboys were both male and female; so both boys and girls were cast as newspaper hawkers who balk when publisher Joseph Pulitzer hikes the cost of the product he sells to them for delivery.

The plight of the newsies is championed by a cub reporter, Katherine Plumber, who is portrayed by junior Annabella Gleeson.

On Broadway, Newsies won 2012 Tony Awards for best original score and choreography.

Among the 12 featured dancers in the Dickinson production will be senior Ashley Williams, junior Edwin Dodd and sophomores Adrian Allen, Adeni Boyer and Asiah Wooten, who are members of the Dickinson High Schools dance team, the Dickinson Diamonds.

Theater directors Laurel Powell and Marisa Hataway hope that Newsies will enjoy the high acclaim their students have achieved in University Interscholastic League one-act play competition.

We have been quite successful the past few years with our (one act plays), said Hataway, noting that scenes from August: Osage County in 2019 and A View from the Bridge in 2018 each placed third in Region 3, just a notch away from advancing to the 6A state finals. Along the way, DHS students won district, bi-district and area titles, along with top awards for acting and technical crew.

Tommy Tune judges will attend one of the six Newsies performances, at 7 p.m. Jan. 31-Feb. 8 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2 at Dickinson High School, 3800 Baker Drive, Dickinson. Admission ranges from $8-$12. For information, call 281-229-6519 or message lpowell@dickinsonisd.org.

Clear Lake High

In Once Upon a Mattress at Clear Lake High, junior Marco Molldrem will play Prince Dauntless in an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Princess and the Pea.

He falls in love with a girl named Fred, said choir director Jade Blakey, explaining that the musical comedy, which is set in a fictional medieval kingdom in Europe, opened on Broadway in 1959.

A senior, Kelli Lunell, plays the Jester, who gleefully schemes with the Minstrel (senior Sam Nichols) to ensure that the match is a success.

The most familiar face from the original production is probably comedienne Carol Burnett, who became an overnight star when she made her Broadway debut as Princess Winnifred in 1959. The late Imogene Coca, Ann B. Davis and Dody Goodman also played the dream part, with Sarah Jessica Parker starring in the most recent Broadway revival.

The show features music by Mary Rodgers (a daughter of legendary composer Richard Rodgers), lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer.

Show dates are 7 p.m. Jan. 24-25 and Jan. 31-Feb 3 at the schools performing arts center, 2929 Bay Area Blvd. Tickets are for $10 students and $12 for adults. For more information, call 281-284-0000.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.net
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday clarified that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him the Centre would consider the state's demands for more funds for development and called him a 'great visonary."



He said the Prime Minister spoke to him personally assuring him of all help and suggested that he come to New Delhi and meet the union Ministers concerned on the matter.

The clarification came a day after Yediyurappa sought the Centres help while addressing the 'Krishi Karman' awards event in Tumakuru, which Modi attended.

In a statement the Chief Minister said a section of the media had attached a motive to his speech, "which was plain and honest in its content."



Being in a federal set up, there was nothing wrong in placing the facts before the Prime Minister and making submissions, he said.

He said that as Chief Minister, he placed the state's problems and need of more funds for development before Modi.

Yediyurappa said he had urged the Prime Minister to grant more funds for relief work, scientific and remunerative price for farm produce, and special fund of Rs 50,000 crore for speeding up of on-going irrigation works.

As it was a farmers meet, I felt it worthy and timely to plead with the Prime Minister for more funds for all the developmental activities in the state," he added.

Modi not responding to request during his two day visit to the state had drawn flak from sections of the media, social media users and also the opposition parties.

Noting that undoubtedly the Prime Minister was a great visionary and his concern for the poor and farmers was unquestionable, Yediyurappa said when the world is appreciating his statesmanship and visionary zeal, it is in very bad taste for the media to attribute motives to my speech and relate it to the prime minister.

In fact, the Prime Minister spoke to me personally and assured me of all help and suggested I come to New Delhi and meet the concerned Ministers and apprise them about the states problems and pending projects.

He also directed me to prepare a detailed report on this matter, the Chief Minster said.

Yediyurappa requested the electronic and print media not to misinterpret, but support the government in the interest of development of the state and interest of the people and hoped they would respond to it.

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too had alleged that Modi's act of ignoring Yediyurappa was equivalent to insulting Kannadigas.

"Irrespective of the party from which @BSYBJP is elected, he is our @CMofKarnataka & our representative.

The act of @narendramodi to ignore Yediyurappa & humiliate him on the stage is equivalent to insulting Kannadigas. I condemn this," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Some twitter users who trended "#GobackModi" on Thursday had used a clipping of Yediyurappa's speech about not getting additional flood relief from the Centre despite repeated requests, at a programme attended by the Prime Minister, to attack him.

Yediyurappa, while referring to the flood damage had said on Thursday he had brought to Modi's notice that the loss was over Rs 30,000 crore and that additional funds had not been released despite his repeated requests to the Centre.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bengaluru:

Two Nobel laureates will be among policy makers, academicians and other delegates to take part in the 107th Science Congress, to be inaugurated in Bengaluru on January 3 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Nobel laureates Stefan Hell from Max Planck Institut Germany and Ada E Yonath, an expert in structural biology from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, will take part in the event.

The president of Nanyang Technological University, Subra Suresh, a material scientist from Indonesia, and renowned cardiologist CN Manjunath, will also be present, Indian Science Congress General President Prof K S Rangappa told reporters here.

With the theme Science and Technology for Rural Development, the five-day Congress is expected to attract more than 15,000 delegates.

Dr S Rajendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru, where ISC will be held said they were expecting more than 15,000 people, including scientists, intellectuals, academicians, policy makers, researchers and delegates from various institutions to attend.

He said challenges in higher education in the country would be discussed at the Womens Science Congress, Childrens Science Congress, Science Communicators Meet, Formal Science Congress, Yoga Science and the Forum of Vice-Chancellors and IIT Directors.

Farmers wbo brought in innovations would be introduced to the audience and their ideas and suggestions discussed.

Many farmers in the country have become innovative. They have become experts. We wanted to bring all these farmers on a single platform so their innovations and innovative ideas are discussed and deliberated for the whole day, Dr Prasad said.

Bharat Ratna Prof CNR Rao will inaugurate the Children Science Congress,while noted scientist in the DRDO, Dr Tessy Thomas will inaugurate the Womens Science Congress.

Dr Thomas is the Director General of Aeronautical Systems and former Project Director for Agni-IV missile in the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

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It will move to the third floor of the RTD building, taking nearly 40,000 square feet.

The key to our search was finding centralized space that provides areas for teamwork, collaboration and wellness. We feel that the RTD building provides all of that and more, Amin said. The downtown location is accessible to all of our associates who live across the region from New Kent to Midlothian and from Hopewell to Short Pump, as well as those that travel from the D.C. and Hampton Roads areas. Shamin has spent the last few years learning about the needs of our associates and how we can improve their quality of life in the workplace.

The companys 70 corporate employees will relocate from its current offices. It plans to hire more employees and the additional space will allow for that, Amin said.

Plans call for renovating the RTD building, which will retain the newspapers branding, Amin said. For instance, Shamin plans to upgrade the lobby and common areas with a hospitality focus that would include a cafe, lounge and a new fitness center for the buildings tenants.

Shamin plans to lease out the balance of the space on the first and second floors. The company already has had some inquiries about leasing the space, Amin said.
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The prime minister of North Macedonia submitted his resignation Friday, paving the way for a new caretaker Cabinet to be named in order to organise a snap election.

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev's resignation was delivered to parliament and lawmakers plan to vote later Friday on forming a caretaker Cabinet of technicians that will organise the election set for April, government spokesman Muamed Hoxha told The Associated Press.

Zaev has asked for an early election, noting his disappointment and outrage on the European Union's failure to start membership talks with North Macedonia and Albania last year.

France, supported by Denmark and the Netherlands, strongly opposed membership talks, calling for an overhaul of the EU's procedures for admitting new members.

Zaev's Social Democrat-led government took office in 2017.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
During 2020, cybersecurity will finally be seen as the joke that it is. There is no such thing as cybersecurity. Everything you put on your computer, on the internet or on social media will be available to anyone and everyone.
The country's largest lender SBI on Friday said it is looking to sell 50 lakh shares representing 1.01 per cent stake in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) as part of its capital raising exercise.

Currently, State Bank of India (SBI) holds 5.19 per cent stake in the exchange.

"SBI is one of the shareholders of National Stock Exchange of India Ltd and intends to divest up to 1.0101 per cent (50,00,000 equity shares) of its equity shareholding in NSEIL (National Stock Exchange of lndia Ltd) through a competitive bidding process," the lender said in a public notice.

The bid should be submitted for a minimum lot of 10,00,000 shares in the prescribed format and the last date for submission is January 15, 2020, it said.

In 2016, SBI sold 5 per cent stake in the NSE to Mauritius-based Veracity Investments for Rs 911 crore, valuing the exchange at over Rs 18,200 crore. Post this transaction, SBI holding came down to 5.19 per cent while its subsidiary, SBI Capital, holds 4.33 per cent stake in the exchange.

The recent exit of IFCI from the NSE valued the country's largest stock exchange at around Rs 35,000 crore.

Last month, IFCI sold its entire 2.44 per cent stake in the NSE for a consideration of Rs 805.6 crore.

Besides NSE stake dilution, the bank is looking to raise fund from initial public offer of its subsidiaries UTI Mutual Fund and SBI Cards and Payment Services Ltd.

SBI Cards, the credit card arm of State Bank of India, on Wednesday filed Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) for its initial public offer (IPO) with Sebi in November.

The company will offer up to 13,05,26,798 equity shares via offer for sale route. This will include up to 37,293,371 share sale by SBI and up to 93,233,427 shares on offer by Carlyle Group (CA Rover). In addition, the company will also issue fresh equity shares of Rs 500 crore.

Up to 18,64,669 shares have been reserved for employees of the company whereas 1,30,52,680 have been reserved for SBI shareholders.

SBI holds 76 per cent in SBI Cards and rest of the stake is held by Carlyle Group.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iranian armed forces members march during the ceremony of the National Army Day parade in Tehran, Iran September 22, 2019. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

As tensions escalate following the killing of one of Irans top generals by the US, the focus is on the potential impact of such a move on the international stage.

Jeremy Corbyn condemned the 'extremely serious and dangerous' move by Donald Trump, while fellow Labour MPs warned that it has taken countries including the UK one step closer to all-out war.

Donald Trump himself alluded to the possible result of his decision to kill General Qassam Soleimani, tweeting: Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

As speculation turns to where the latest exchange between Iran and the US could take the international community, the fighting power of possible countries involved in any escalation comes into play.

Iran

Iran boasts an armed forces made up of around 873,000 military personnel and two organisations - its army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to Global Firepower's 2019 Military Strength Ranking, Iran's military is ranked as the 14th most powerful armed forces in the world.

Irans 2018 defence budget was estimated by The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) to be $19.6billion - 4.6% of its GDP.

Despite its strength in numbers, experts observe that Iran has been hampered in the past by its inability to buy Western technology and the effect economic sanctions has on it.

That said, it has still maintained its own air force and navy, as well as developing ballistic missiles.

Iran has developed its own missiles (Picture: STR/AFP via Getty Images)

In June 2019, Military Times asked experts what war between the US and Iran could look like, assessing differences between various elements of their armed forces.

In terms of the navy, while Irans could not compete with its US rival, the experts observed that Iran uses swarming small boats, drones and sea mines to deter and harass an opponents fleet, especially at choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Story continues

The experts pointed out that Irans air defences are more modern than other rivals the US has faced, including Russian-made missile systems air defence systems and its own surface-to-air missiles.

They also reference the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), which describes Iran as having the regions largest and most diverse arsenal of ballistic missiles, with ranges from 300km up to 2,500km.

United States

The United States is accepted as having the worlds most powerful military, with Global Firepower ranking it number one for military strength.

The US military is the most powerful in the world (Picture: Capt. Robyn Haake / US ARMY / AFP)

Its total military personnel stands at just over 2million (2,141,900) - dwarfing Irans.

In 2019, US military funding stood at $716billion, and reportedly accounted for around 36% of the worlds defence spend.

That large budget helps fund the worlds largest air force and the worlds largest navy by tonnage.

The US boasts 13,398 aircraft and 2,362 fighter aircraft - both putting it as number one in the world.

On top of that, it has 6,287 combat tanks and total naval assets numbering 415, including 24 aircraft carriers.

As of 2019, the US reportedly had an inventory of 6,185 nuclear warheads, of which 3,800 were part of its stockpile.

The US and Russia are thought to possess comparable numbers of nuclear warheads and together, the two nations possess more than 90% of the world's nuclear warheads.

Donald Trump's 2020 defense spending bill, the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), authorised a top-line budget of $738 billion (Picture: Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Donald Trumps 2020 defence spending bill authorised a budget of 738 billion - including $635 billion for base Pentagon spending, $23.1 billion for Energy Department nuclear weapons programs, $71.5 billion for war operations and $5.3 billion for emergency disaster recovery for military bases.

Previously, as he unveiled his 2019 budget proposal, the US President said: "In the budget, we took care of the military like it's never been taken care of before, adding: Our military was totally depleted and we will have a military like we've never had before.

Others

The UK

Ranked the eighth strongest military in the world, the UKs military personnel stands at 233,000, according to Global Firepowers index, along with a defence budget of around $47.5bn.

According to the index, the UKs total aircraft strength is 811, with 129 fighter aircraft, 331 combat tanks and 76 total naval assets - including one aircraft carrier.

The UK's military is ranked eight in the world (Picture: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Images via Getty Images)

The UK is one of five official nuclear weapon states under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and has an independent nuclear deterrent. According to some reports, the UK has been estimated to have a stockpile of 120 active nuclear warheads and 215 nuclear warheads in total.

According to the Government website, the UK is committed to a minimum and credible deterrent and is: committed to maintaining the minimum amount of destructive power needed to deter any aggressor.

Irans allies

Its military might may not stand up to that of its western rivals, but Iran has plenty of allies in the Middle East.

From militias to Hezbollah and Gaza militants, there are several groups that would back Tehran in conflict.

Iraq militias

Iranian-trained Shiite militias in Iraq include three groups led by men with close ties to Gen Soleimani.



The militias, which fall under the umbrella of Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), number more than 140,000 fighters, and while they fall under the authority of Iraqs prime minister, their leaders are politically aligned with Iran.



 Hezbollah

Militias are among potential allies of Iran (Picture: REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani)

Hezbollah was established by Irans Revolutionary Guard during Lebanons civil war in the 1980s and has become among the most effective armed groups in the region.

The group has an arsenal of rockets and missiles that can reach deep into Israel and has fought alongside government forces in Syria for more than six years.



Hezbollah has said it is not seeking another war with Israel, and it is not likely to join in any regional confrontation  at least not in the early stages  unless provoked.



 Yemens Houthis



Yemens Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, are viewed by Saudi Arabia as an Iranian proxy. Iran has been accused of providing arms to the rebels, including the long-range missiles they have fired into Saudi Arabia, but Tehran denies arming them, despite supporting them.



 Gaza militants



Iran has long supported Palestinian militant groups, including Gazas Hamas rulers and particularly the smaller Islamic Jihad group.

While tensions have run high in Gaza since Israels targeted killing of an Islamic Jihad commander, it is questionable whether Hamas would rally to Irans side since it is in severe financial crisis.
Weeks after resigning as Secretary of Energy, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry has rejoined the board of directors overseeing the Dallas pipeline company Energy Transfer.

In a Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Energy Transfer reported that Perry had joined the board of directors for LE GP LLC, a company that owns and oversees the Dallas pipeline operator.

Exact compensation figures were not disclosed but under the company's board rules, Perry would be eligible to receive an annual retainer of $100,000 as well as annual stock awards worth up to $100,000 in value.

Shortly after leaving the Texas governor's office in 2015, Perry served on the board of directors for Energy Transfer and its pipeline and gas station subsidiary Sunoco.

Perry resigned from the two board seats to join the Trump administration as Secretary of Energy in March 2017. He left the post in December. Perrys long-planned departure coincided with the Ukraine scandal and the impeachment inquiry examining whether President Donald Trump held up military aid to Ukraine to pressure the government to investigate a political rival, former vice president Joe Biden, and his son, Hunter.

Although he did not testify, Perry was mentioned during the hearing as a player in the White Houses Ukraine strategy. Perry has denied any wrongdoing.

Fuel Fix: Get energy news sent directly to your inbox

Founded by the Dallas billionaire Kelcy Warren in 1995, Energy Transfer has nearly 11,800 employees across the United States and Canada. The company posted a $1.7 billion profit on $54.1 billion of revenue in 2018.

Energy Transfer owns and operates more than 86,000 miles of pipelines across the United States. The company built controversial pipelines such as the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Trans-Pecos Pipeline, which both faced criticism from Native American groups, environmentalists and other opponents.

Perry and Warren have a long history together. Warren donated $20,000 to Perrys 2010 gubernatorial campaign, Texas Ethics Commission records show. The Dallas billionaire donated another $6 million to Perrys unsuccessful presidential run in 2016. He also donated a combined $103,000 to Trumps 2016 presidential campaign.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) The Philippine government will now officially stop sending new household service workers to Kuwait.

This comes after officials of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Governing Board signed Friday the partial ban on the deployment of overseas workers to the Gulf State.

The move comes in line with the recent reported cases of OFW deaths in the country, particularly that of Jeanelyn Villavende, who was allegedly killed by her Kuwaiti employer.

The ban deemed effective immediately will cover all newly-hired Filipina domestic workers in Kuwait. Those whose exit permits that were issued on or before January 3, may still be allowed to go, said Bernard Olalia, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration Administrator.

They will be allowed to leave [for Kuwait] so long as their [Overseas Employment Certificate] was issued on or before January 3 at closing time (5 p.m.) today, Olalia told CNN Philippines News Night.

He added that returning domestic workers or balik manggagawa are also allowed to go back to their employers in Kuwait.

The government, however, will consider lifting its latest move once the suspects in Villavende's death are charged.

He (Kuwaiti Ambassador) asked me until Monday for the charge to be filed. I told the ambassador that the moment the charge is filed, then I can lift the partial deployment ban, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III told CNN Philippines Source, quoting his recent conversation with Kuwait Ambassador to the Philippines Musaed Saleh Ahmad Althwaikh.

The Cabinet official also warned of a possible return of the total deployment ban should there be no accountability for the Filipina's case.

If they charge the suspect yung (the) couple, then there is a reason for us to lift the partial deployment ban. But if they do not charge, then this may rise into a total deployment ban," Bello added.

The suspects the couple of the household where the Filipina workedare now detained.

READ: PH gov't seeks justice for OFW death in Kuwait

The Philippines in February 2018 also implemented a total deployment ban of Filipino workers to Kuwait amid numerous cases of Filipino nationals deaths, including that of Joanna Demafelis who was found inside a freezer of her employer's home. The ban was lifted in May that year.

The incidents led to a crafting of a labor deal between the two countries, which aims to protect Filipino workers in the Gulf state. Bello, however, lamented that some provisions of the agreement have not been followed, including the drafting of a template employment contract that would allow Filipinos to keep their passports and cellphones which are often surrendered to employers.

Nothing less than justice

The Labor chief likewise assured the victims family that justice will be served. This includes possible administrative sanctions against the recruitment agency which hired Villavende.

I told them frankly that 'do not be surprised if I have your license suspended', Bello said as he recalled another conversation with officials of 5 Star Recruitment and Manpower Corporation.

We'll ask them to explain their failure to give sufficient protection to Jeanelyn. And if their explanation is not enough to satisfy the administrator of the POEA including the board and including me, then we will have to impose some administrative penalties, he added.

Olalia said he has yet to hear an official response from the Kuwaiti government on the incident.

Olalia added that he had also spoken to 5 Star Recruitment, but the agency said Villavende did not report any abuse when they spoke with her in the first week of December.

When they spoke to our kababayan in first week of December 2019, there were no reports that she has been beaten up by the employer... the reports that she was beaten up was, I think it came only after the death of the OFW, he said.

He said the agency instead was informed of complaints from Villavende of a salary delay as early as August but neither she nor her family sought repatriation. He added that according to the agency, Villavendes employer allowed her to return to the Philippines in January.

Emmanuel Geslani, recruitment and migration expert, warned that if the agency indeed failed to act on a previous complaint from the employee, then it would correspond to a serious violation of POEAs existing rules on monitoring.

If there was an official complaint from the relatives of Villavende which would have reached the POEA that she was abused...the agency could have taken action like talk to her foreign recruitment agency in charge of the employer, Geslani told CNN Philippines New Day.

CNN Philippines Eimor Santos, Catherine Modesto, and Dessy Bautista contributed to this report.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 00:37:54|Editor: yan

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ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Friday disclosed the repatriation of some 102 illegal Ethiopian migrants who were stranded in Sudan.

The repatriated Ethiopian nationals, who have been repatriated to the East African country as part of the joint efforts between the governments of Ethiopia and Sudan through the Ethiopian Embassy in Sudan and Sudan's Human Trafficking Prevention and Control Office, were stranded in Sudan en route to the Middle East by illegal human smugglers, the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed on Friday.

The illegal migrants, who had been stranded by human smugglers across warehouses and impersonal places, have been sheltered at the Ethiopian community center in Khartoum, capital of Sudan before they returned home, it was noted.

According to the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 500 Ethiopian nationals - who are said to be victims of human trafficking, detainees and vulnerable citizens - have been repatriated from Ethiopia's neighboring country Sudan during the first half of the current Ethiopian 2019-2020 fiscal year through the joint coordination efforts of the Ethiopian government, concerned Sudanese authorities as well as various international organizations.

The UN migration agency (IOM) had recently stressed that as human smugglers continue to target young Ethiopians, more and more Ethiopian migrants have been lured to travel through irregular means.

In addition to Sudan, illegal human traffickers also apply Ethiopia's eastern neighboring country Djibouti, to smuggle Ethiopians hoping to find employment in informal economic sectors across major Middle Eastern economies.

The UN migration agency in last month disclosed that some 8,987 Ethiopians who were stranded in Djibouti have been voluntarily repatriated from Djibouti during 2019, registering an increase of more than 3,600 from the previous year.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison was welcomed by bushfire survivors as he travelled through bushfire-ravaged districts in East Gippsland, in contrast to the more hostile reception he received at Cobargo in NSW on Thursday.

Mr Morrison stepped out on Friday bearing a shopping bag full of goods for the volunteer-run relief centre at Lucknow, which has been a hub of activity since the fires broke out.

Sarsfield resident Wayne Johnston inspects damage to his property on Friday. Credit:Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The reception was a stark contrast to what happened on Thursday at the NSW town of Cobargo, where residents heckled the prime minister.

At least one firefighter also refused to shake his hand, but the same scenes were not repeated in Victoria.
Global powers warned January 3 that the world has become a more dangerous place and urged restraint after the US assassinated Iran's top general, although Britain and Germany also suggested that Iran shared blame for provoking the targeted killing that dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the Mideast. China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the UN Security Council, took a dim view of the US airstrike near Baghdad's airport early Friday that killed Gen Qassem Soleimani.

The White House said in a tweet that Soleimani, who led the elite Quds Force responsible for Iran's foreign campaigns, was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio.

"When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is underway.

Russia likewise characterized the deadly US strike as fraught with serious consequences.

A Foreign Ministry statement warned that such actions don't help resolve complicated problems in the Middle East, but instead lead to a new round of escalating tensions.

China described itself as highly concerned.

Peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be preserved, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

"We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions.

But while echoing the concerns of other Security Council members about spiraling tensions, Britain and Germany broke ranks, voicing qualified understanding for the US position.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the US strike as a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility, pointing to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

We are at a dangerous escalation point and what matters now is contributing with prudence and restraint to de-escalation," she said.

Germany currently sits on the UN Security Council but is not a permanent member.

The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said we have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani."

Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate," he said.

Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Montchalin, the French minister, indicated urgent reconciliation efforts are being launched behind the scenes. French President Emmanuel Macron and his foreign minister were reaching out to all the actors in the region, she said.

In the Mideast, the strike provoked waves of shock, fury and fears of worse to come.

Iraq's most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said in a speech during Friday prayers that the country must brace for "very difficult times."

In Iran, a hard-line adviser to the country's supreme leader who led Friday prayers in Tehran likened US troops in Iraq to insidious beasts" and said they should be swept from the region.

I am telling Americans, especially Trump, we will take a revenge that will change their daylight into to nighttime darkness," said the cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami.
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges Baxter International (NYSE: BAX) investors who have suffered losses in excess of $100,000 to submit their losses now to learn if they qualify to recover compensable damages. The January 24, 2020 lead plaintiff deadline in a securities fraud class action that has been filed against the company and senior executives is fast approaching.

Class Period: Feb. 21, 2019 - Oct. 23, 2019

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Jan. 24, 2020

Sign Up: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/BAX

Contact An Attorney Now: BAX@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

Baxter International (BAX) Securities Class Action:

The complaint alleges that Defendants misled investors by engaging in fraudulent accounting.

According to the complaint, Baxter engaged in intra-company transactions to generate foreign exchange gains and losses, used foreign exchange rate conventions that violated generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and enabled intra-company transactions to be undertaken after the related exchange rates were already known.

Baxter investors began to learn the truth when, on Oct. 24, 2019, Baxter disclosed an Audit Committee investigation into the Companys accounting for certain foreign-currency sales, which violated GAAP and resulted in Baxter misreporting nearly $300 million in net foreign-exchange gains over the past five years. Baxter said it would not be able to timely file its third quarter 2019 quarterly report.

This news drove the price of Baxter shares sharply lower that day.

More recently, on Nov. 22, 2019, Baxter disclosed that it had received a notice of noncompliance from the NYSE, threatening to potentially delist the Company should it fail to file its quarterly report and any subsequently delayed filings by May 20, 2020.

If you invested in Baxter between Feb. 21, 2019 and Oct. 23, 2019 (the Class Period) and suffered significant losses, you may qualify to be a lead plaintiff  one who selects and oversees the attorneys prosecuting the case. Contact Hagens Berman immediately for more information about the case and being a lead plaintiff.

Were focused on investors losses and whether Baxter sought to manufacture profits through shady foreign-currency sales accounting, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you purchased shares of Baxter and suffered significant losses, click here to discuss your legal rights with Hagens Berman .

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Baxter International should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email BAX@hbsslaw.com .

About Hagens Berman



Hagens Berman is a national law firm with nine offices in eight cities around the country and eighty attorneys. The firm represents investors, whistleblowers, workers and consumers in complex litigation. More about the firm and its successes is located at hbsslaw.com . For the latest news visit our newsroom or follow us on Twitter at @classactionlaw .
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have only until January 3, 2020 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ), if they purchased the Companys securities between July 3, 2018 and October 8, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.



What You May Do

If you purchased securities of AZZ and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-azz/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court by January 3, 2020 .

About the Lawsuit

AZZ and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On May 17, 2019, post-market, the Company disclosed a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting related to preparation and review of revenue reconciliations after adopting a new revenue recognition standard. On October 8, 2019, the Company disclosed that its 2Q2020 financial results were delayed to allow the Company additional time to complete the review of the Form 10-Q for its fiscal year 2020 second quarter ended August 31, 2019. On this news, the price of AZZ shares plummeted nearly 14%.

The case is Atayi v. AZZ Inc.,19-cv-00928.

About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC

KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nations premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients  including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors  in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana.

To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com.



Contact:
Middle and high school students at Spring ISD will have some new options for classes next school year, which they and parents can look at in the recently released education planning guide.

The Spring ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the guides at their December board meeting, establishing the courses available to students for the next school year. New courses included for students are at advanced or remedial levels, as well as some dual-credit and career training options.

Our education planning guide does focus on opportunities and choice for every family, said Spring ISD Chief of Curriculum and Instruction Khechara Bradford. We really do look at expanding it within reason to make sure students find themselves in courses that interest them and also lead them to pathways beyond the K-12 environment.

Related: Five stories to watch in Spring in 2020

The guide ensures all Spring ISD students follow the foundation high school program for graduation established by the Texas Education Agency, Bradford said, while also giving them additional opportunities in areas such as science, engineering, math, arts and humanities, business and public services.

Spring ISD updates the guide every year to fall in line with TEA requirements and updated state house bills, Bradford said. The planning guide becomes effective when students first transition into middle school when they can start selecting courses.

We really want to foster both thinking of rigor and considering challenge, Bradford said.

Middle school students have Pre-AP courses they can select, as well as several electives. One specific update to the middle school curriculum this year is the new elective, Advancement via Individual Determination. AVID looks at teaching study skills, note taking, time management and leadership officer training.

More Information View the updated education planning guides here. See More Collapse

High school students will have the option next year to take an Advanced Placement course in computer science principles. Bradford said they are also beginning a pilot course at Westfield High School, where they will give students the option of taking a barbering class that could lead to licensure.

Additional updates include updating the dual-credit offerings at the high schools to match Lone Star College, so students can earn college credits before graduating high school.

Bradford said, when updating the guide, Spring ISD does take requests for courses from teachers, counselors and principals, which are later considered by a committee and district leadership before their final determinations are made. They also take into consideration what career paths Spring ISD students could take locally when considering courses for career and technical education.

Spring ISD Board of Trustees President Rhonda Newhouse commended staff for updating the guide by December.

Related: Spring ISD Board discuss targeted improvement plans

This is the first time we have gotten this this early in the school year and its very impressive, Newhouse said. Weve always said the earlier that we get it, that our students and parents get it, the better selection they have. It allows us to ripple down and get our teachers and courses in place and have everybody with their schedules by the end of the school year.

Spring ISD Board Member Deborah Jensen commended the amount of options in the guides.

This is a wonderful service to our community as well as our students, Jensen said.

Students will begin selecting courses this January, with the goal to complete selections by the end of the month.

paul.wedding@hcnonline.com
Screencap of States Times Review's Facebook post (left) and Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam. (PHOTOS: POFMA Office, Parliament screencap)

SINGAPORE  Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Friday (3 January) rejected an application by the founder of a socio-political website to cancel a correction directive issued to it under a controversial anti-fake news law.

The outcome of States Times Review founder Alex Tans application to cancel the directive was announced in a press statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday.

The ministry said that Tans application, which was sent on Wednesday, had simply restated the false statements and provided no evidence to disprove the grounds on which the correction directive was issued.

After having carefully considered the application, the Minister for Home Affairs has decided to reject it. Alex Tan has been notified of the rejection, said the MHA.

The correction directive was issued last year over a States Times Review Facebook post falsely claiming that several individuals have been arrested over a post about Shanmugam, in accordance with the Protection against Online Falsehoods and Manipulations (POFMA) law.

The post, published on 23 November, alleged that the ruling Peoples Action Party had planned to field a Christian evangelist in a bid to garner Christian support and possibly turn Singapore into a Christian state.

It then claimed that the whistleblower who exposed the party candidates Christian affiliations was arrested and faced charges for fabricating fake news.

It also alleged that the owner of the NUSSU-NUS Students United Facebook page  which had in a post written about the candidate and later singled out by Shanmugam for misquoting him on religion and politics  was arrested on the ministers orders.

These false statements of facts were refuted in the MHAs statement on 28 November, said the ministry. A correction directive was issued to Tan on the same day, which required him to insert a correction notice stating that the States Times Reviews Facebook post contained false statements of fact.

Story continues

Tan  who is based overseas  had refused, saying he is an Australian citizen and would not comply with requests from a "foreign government". The MHA confirmed on Friday that Tan has, to date, not complied with the request.

Social media giant Facebook was then ordered by the POFMA office to put up a correction notice at the bottom of the States Times Reviews social media post.

The incident marks the second of four times POFMA has been invoked since it was enacted in October last year.

The first occasion was on 25 November, when the POFMA office issued a correction notice to opposition party Progress Singapore Partys member Brad Bowyer, regarding his Facebook post on investments by Temasek Holdings.

Three directives were also issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to opposition party Singapore Democratic Party on 14 December, regarding two Facebook posts and an online article by the party titled, SDP Population Policy: Hire Sporeans First, Retrench Sporeans last.

The party submitted an application on Friday to the MOM to cancel these directives.

On 16 December, Peoples Voice Party chief and opposition politician Lim Tean was issued a correction order by the Ministry of Education for several Facebook posts covering the issue of scholarships for foreign students.

Have a tip-off? Email us at sgnews.tips@verizonmedia.com. In your email, do provide as many details as possible, including videos and photos.

Related stories:

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Fake news law: Correction notice issued to States Times Review
PERSHING SQUARE HOLDINGS, LTD. ANNOUNCES TRANSACTIONS IN OWN SHARES AND WEEKLY SUMMARY OF TRANSACTIONS IN OWN SHARES

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) ("PSH") today announced that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's Public Shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"):

Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 2 January 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 35,505 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 1,488 pence 19.55 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 1,462 pence 19.21 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 1,481 pence 19.46 USD Ticker: PSHD Date of Purchase: 2 January 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 62,081 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 19.50 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 19.18 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 19.38 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Ticker: PSH Date of Purchase: 2 January 2020 Number of Public Shares purchased: 39,362 Shares Highest Price Paid Per Share: 19.60 USD Lowest Price Paid Per Share: 19.48 USD Average Price Paid Per Share: 19.54 USD

PSH will hold these Public Shares in Treasury. The net asset value per Public Share related to this buyback is 26.94 USD 20.34 GBP which was calculated as of 31 December 2019 (the "Relevant NAV"). After giving effect to the above buyback, PSH has 206,540,836 Public Shares outstanding, or 212,196,336 Public Shares calculated on a fully diluted basis (assuming that all Management Shares had been converted into Public Shares at the Relevant NAV). Excluded from the shares outstanding are 4,415,914 Public Shares held in Treasury. The prices per Public Share were calculated by Jefferies.

The number of PSH Management Shares and the one special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) have not been affected.

PSH also announces that it has published to its website, in accordance with the EU Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, details of transactions in its own shares for the past week. Information is available at https://pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/other-materials/.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200102005571/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Hazel Stevenson +44 020 3757 4989, media-pershingsquareholdings@camarco.co.uk
Would you like to become an entrepreneur in 2020 but a niggling doubt is holding you back?

You're not alone - many would love to become their own boss, but are scared of failing or concerned they cannot finance a successful start-up.

But fear not, help is at hand and this year - or decade - could be the one where your dream of becoming a business owner come true.

While the notion of becoming an entrepreneur can be a daunting, it's never been easier to start a business according to our panel of experts.

The year of your start up! Could 2020 be the year you start your own business from that idea you've been bottling up?

Britain has risen to 8th on the annual list by the World Bank on its ease of doing business rankings.

Craig Beaumont director of external affairs and advocacy at the Federation of Small Business, says: 'Britain remains a great place to start an enterprise.'

Ben Gamble, head of agency at creative events agency, Shout About adds: 'The mechanics of setting up a company are much easier in 2020 than they were in 2010.

'You can set up a registered company, launch a basic website and open a bank account within 24 hours with basically no experience in business. You just need to know how to turn a computer on.'

Ultimately, there's never a good or bad time to start a business. It's all about creating the right idea, product or service.

While a high number of businesses do fail in the first couple of years after launch, following the advice from those who have done it may help you make a success of it.

Below, we share 12 tips from entrepreneurs who've made a success of their new career path  some from scratch  who share their insights and experience on how to become a successful entrepreneur in 2020:

1. Don't let Brexit hold you back

Brexit anxiety could have held a fair few people back from starting a business in the last few years, but Ben believes that entrepreneurs with a good idea and passion will work around it.

He says: 'Ultimately all a company is a group of people and get the right group together and you're likely to beat the statistics and become successful.'

UK entrepreneur and founder of private investment business REL Capital, Andy Scott, believes the dust will settle now that the Brexit path seems clearer after the Conservative election win.

He says: 'My view much like the infamous "millennium bug" which was thought to be an apocalyptic event is that Brexit will be viewed as a storm in a teacup and very little changed, and people will wonder what all the fuss was about.'

Brexit may be on the mind of would be entrepreneurs but with a bit of planning it can be managed and may not be as big a problem as first expected, say experts

2. Try to solve one problem

You don't have to solve all the problems in the world to make your millions  only one. There's plenty of problems to choose from so pick one and stick at it.

Alex Davies, chief executive and founder of Wealth Club, says this is how he created his business.

'My first tip to entrepreneurs is to start a business that solves a problem  a real problem  in a sector you know inside out.

'For instance, Wealth Club was born out of personal frustration. Because of cuts to allowances for high earners, I could no longer put money in a pension and had to look for tax-efficient alternatives.

'So, like many in my position, I started investing in VCTs and EIS. What I found surprised me: very little information, reams of paperwork, nothing online.

'It was like winding the clock back 30 years. I set up Wealth Club to change this and, because of my previous experience - I've always worked in financial services - I was confident I knew how.'

Becky Downing created her own business after getting bad service and being robbed

3. Hire the right team

Becky Downing, chief executive of Buzzvault says finding talented people to help grow the business  whether that's marketers, product managers or developers  should be a central part of the strategy.

'A team with enough drive, experience and ambition to deliver is also a help in winning investment money and launching clients.'

I started my business after getting robbed Becky (pictured above) qualified as a lawyer but ended up working 16-18 hour days, learning to work under significant pressure. She had always wanted to start her own business, and after seeing the pressure other colleagues were under. Having previously had a bad experience with a removal company, she realised there was no quality control and risk of rogue traders. This initially led to the creation of Buzzmove, which allows people to compare prices from removal companies, and Buzzsurvey which provides digital home surveys and inventories, helping people to move home more efficiently. Following the successful launch of these businesses, the real 'light bulb' moment came when Becky came back to her London home one evening to find the place ransacked with her belongings scattered She was insured, but the process of making her claim took over a month. Having already established Buzzsurvey, she realised she could use the same technology, apply it to the insurance market and Buzzvault was born. Becky says: 'As a chief executive founding a new business, you have to accept that you will come up against a million obstacles, raising money from investors and building the client base among them.'

4. Offer your staff flexibility

If you want to hire and retain talent you should consider offering your employees perks that few businesses can offer: flexible and remote working.

While this may sound counter-intuitive when you're launching a start-up there are, in fact, more benefits to offering this to your staff. Studies show that you're more likely to earn your employees' trust and loyalty.

It's also good for mental health and helps to boost productivity.

Richard Morris, chief executive of IWG UK says: 'Crucially, offering flexible working also allows for personal productivity of your workers which ultimately ladders up to direct business benefits.

'According to a study by IWG, 82 per cent of businesses feel that offering flexible working strategies increases productivity.

It can allow workers to continue to work without the usual geographical commitments to a fixed location, which also gives entrepreneurs the ability to hire people from anywhere with fewer restrictions.

'It also means employees can avoid the train delays and cutting out the stressful commute.

'That's the sort of commitment that speaks volumes to a workforce and can be a game changer in the war for talent  especially for entrepreneurs.'

Richard Morris, CEO of IWG UK says that offering employees flexible working has many benefits

5. Consider starting your business with family (yes, really!)

Starting a business alone is tough. But it can be made easier by having people by your side who know you, who have your back and who you can trust.

Chanda Bell (see below) turned a family tradition 'Elf on the Shelf' into an international craze by going into business with her mom Carol Aebersold and sister Christa Pitts.

When it comes to mixing business with family, Chanda advises: 'My number one rule is you really have to like each other already. There's got to be a lot of love and respect.

'We do a really good job in the family in separating business from our personal life. The key to success is to figure out what you are best at.

'Then all the other family members promote what you're good at and you stay in your lane.'

I started my business using my family's Christmas tradition Chanda Bell (left) started her business with her mother Carol (middle) and sister Christa (left) back in 2005 and made her first million dollars in 2007 Back in 2005, Chanda Bell took a gamble with her mother, Carol Aebersold and sister Christa Pitts, by sticking $25,000 (just over 19,000) on her credit card to create a family business. Chanda says Elf on the Shelf was created with no money and little business nous. It was just inspired out of passion and a hope that a story about an elf that enchanted them when they were children would be embraced as a Christmas tradition by other families. Thanks to social media the Elf on the Shelf brand has now developed a cult status among families with parents and children getting really competitive over sharing images on what the elves get up to. In the UK the business has grown astronomically since launch with 50 per cent growth year on year in sales from 15 licensing partners. The product is also distributed in 12 countries and to date over 13million Scout Elves have been 'adopted' around the world. Chanda says her husband believed in her. 'My husband is very careful with money so when he gave me the go-ahead I know that I was supposed to be doing this. It was a little bit of a Christmas miracle.'

6. You CAN start all over again

Andy Scott is an entrepreneur and turn around specialist. He believes with the right mentor people can create successful businesses

If you've started a business before and failed, there's no reason why you can't dust yourself off and try again.

If you're passionate about a certain industry or have a specific talent it's possible to start where you left off.

Failing doesn't mean you should do something completely different.

Andy Scott realised this when he had over-extended on loans back in 2008 during the financial crisis.

He lost everything.

He then hit rock bottom after breaking both legs in an accident.

But the subsequent struggles forced him back into thinking about how he could return to what he knew  making money out of property.

Last year he told This is Money how he got back on his feet by investing in dilapidated buildings and then evolved into becoming a turnaround specialist buying distressed businesses with his business REL Capital.

7. You don't need a head office

Phil Smith used to be a full time hairdresser and owned 28 franchised Toni & Guy Salons with at least 15-20 people running them.

But he became frustrated with staff issues and realised he was merely 'fixing problems' which is not what he wanted to do.

He set about fulfilling his dream of 'location independence' by tapping into his passion for travel.

So he started his own brand of hair care products  Phil Smith Hair, which were successfully stocked in retailers like Sainsbury's and sold online.

Now he only needs to be in the UK for testing and developing products and the rest of the year he travels and works remotely  spending 100,000 a year on living and working abroad.

Phil says: 'I started off with six shampoo products but now 50 products with a further nine launching in spring  all going into men's grooming.'

'I enjoy having location independence. It was always my goal. We have a small office in Shoreditch but if they are all in that office at one time I'd be very surprised.'

Entrepreneur Phil Smith has embraced 'location independence' and travels the world doing a job he loves with his family in tow

8. Don't be discouraged if others say 'no'

There are plenty of success stories out there of people getting finance, especially on the likes of Dragons Den.

But there are a number of entrepreneurs that fail to get funding but go on to make a success of it anyway.

Take passionate rum enthusiast Paul Stanley for instance was rejected by all the Dragons when he pitched for 50,000 on the BBC Two show.

Things started to unravel when the Dragons became sceptical about his entrepreneurial acumen after he admitted to owning a pub that had gone downhill after he transferred its management to his chef.

He didn't let it get him down and in the end his rum, Cloven Hoof, ended up being a best seller on Amazon.

He told This is Money that he had no regrets and encouraged others to go on the show: 'If you get a chance to go on Dragons' Den - even if you don't want money  it is good for publicity.

'Stick to your guns and do it your way rather than the established corporate way.'

Paul Stanley was emotional when his deal fell through on Dragon's Den. But since the show aired, sales of Paul Stanley's Cloven Hoof hit top spot for rum sales on Amazon

9. Find a good mentor

It's not always easy finding someone with the know-how and time to show you the business ropes.

I enjoy having location independence. It was always my goal. We have a small office in Shoreditch but if they are all in that office at one time I'd be very surprised. Phil Smith

But with a bit of effort it's possible to find someone who can mentor you. But you may have to give them something in return.

It may mean buying into an already established idea or business.

Andy says: 'A great way to find a mentor is looking for a retirement sale.

'You can often extract 30-40 years of knowledge from someone on a one to one basis who wants to see their business legacy continue and their baby go to a good home.

'Alternatively if just starting out, are bright, entrepreneurial and want to learn, approach companies you admire, and offer your services free or as cheap, in exchange for working for them in different departments.'

More women are getting financial backing from crowdfunding websites and other female business owners than before

10. Don't fear being a woman in business

Getting into the start-up world has been a male dominated area. But increasingly, women are being financially supported by backers other than banks.

According to Luke Lang, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Crowdcube, out of the 760 start up or growth companies that have been funded on Crowdcube, nearly a quarter have been founded by women.

Luke says: 'From the founder's side, women entrepreneurs often bring powerful communities which tie in at multiple levels to the process of crowdfunding.

'Women tend to establish mission-driven businesses, motivated by challenges they've faced personally - themes that resonate with our investors.

'From the investor side, for 2019, 21 percent of Crowdcube's 220,000-strong investor community are women.

'Over the years, we at Crowdcube have seen that women investors are drawn to backing female-led business across the investment world.

'We're incredibly proud at Crowdcube to have fuelled the growth efforts of female entrepreneurs like Louise Hill of gohenry and Tamara Lohan of Mr & Mrs Smith.

'These women are creating enormous shared value, connecting communities, and going beyond the boundaries.'

11. Being determined can trump degrees

It may sound obvious, but having determination is possibly the number one trait you need to have as a successful entrepreneur thanks to the knock-backs and obstacles you'll need to jump.

Becky says: 'You can have an MBA from Harvard and even have the right initial connections, but driving things forward and overcoming those obstacles is tough.

'If building a company wasn't hard, everyone would be doing it. Grow that thick skin, keep your eye on the end goal and nothing can stop you.'

12. Make sure you get the basics right

Having a basic plan and not jumping in feet first with just an idea is still one of the most fundamental pieces of advice that most experts stand behind.

Craig says: 'The fundamentals of starting a new, successful business don't change with time: research and establish your customers, develop a great offering that betters the competition, write a brilliant business plan and ensure you have your numbers, cashflow and inventory under control.

'And most of all  seek advice from those how have done what you are trying to do  and that's easiest through peer organisations like FSB.'
Samsung will reportedly launch a new iteration of its Galaxy Buds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds+, alongside the upcoming Galaxy S20 smartphone in February. Thats according to industry insiders who have now released a purported official render of the true wireless earbuds.

Surprisingly there dont appear to be any major design changes from last years Samsung Galaxy Buds, pictured above. Samsung will instead stay focused focus on keeping what worked with those other earbuds externally. That will keep almost all improvements internal.

The one noteworthy difference appears to be in the colors available. As shown in the render, the company looks to be preparing a third color option called Sky Blue. That will reportedly join the colors offered with the previous iteration  namely the standard white and black options.

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So whats changing with the new Galaxy Buds+?

The biggest changes to the new variation on Samsungs Galaxy Buds wearable are allegedly going to be under the hood. That means that the overall look, aside from the addition of a new color, will stay the same. Thats not necessarily a bad thing since the design is already competitively refined. Functionality, in terms of touch-based controls is already on point too with the current iteration of the device.

The chief complaints about Samsungs original Galaxy Buds have centered on sound quality and volume. Those are both areas where Samsung will reportedly improve matters.

The original Buds also last approximately 6-hours, with 13-hours of playback once the charging case is factored in. Since that case isnt changing here, the charging capabilities of that arent likely to be either. But that doesnt mean the company will be able to keep battery life consistent. Refueling that battery will most likely remain at the users discretion, based on the identical case design. That should mean users have the option to charge via either a cable or wirelessly.

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Improved audio will almost certainly impact how long the buds can go on a single charge. So the battery life may actually decrease with the upcoming gadget. Conversely, Samsung may be optimizing the battery for longevity alongside audio changes. It remains to be seen whether that will make up for any decrease caused by improvements to sound.

A launch alongside the Samsung Galaxy S20 makes sense

The timing of the purported release also makes quite a bit of sense with consideration for Samsungs history with the device. Samsung Galaxy Buds launched alongside the Samsung Galaxy S10 series last year in February at the companys Unpacked event. The South Korean tech giant will almost certainly launch its next flagship this February too.

It isnt out of the question that the company plans to repeat last years tactic and launch a new listening device to pair with that flagship. Rumors and leaks predict that the flagship series itself will be dubbed the Samsung Galaxy S20 instead of the Galaxy S11. That device is expected to herald some significant changes for the series, including its first 108-megapixel camera. So it would make sense to launch a vastly-improved accessory at the same time.
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In your 60s, you start looking at things a bit differently, especially your finances. If you started saving for your retirement years early on, you might have a decent-sized nest egg to sustain you during your retirement years.

You may or may not depend entirely upon your investment vehicles like TFSA or RRSP to fully cover your retirement living expenses. But one thing you can rely upon is your CPP income.

As CPP is mandatory, you and your employer have been contributing to it since you have been working. If you started working early on in your life and always made sufficient contributions to your CPP in all your working years, you might be in the top tier of CPP payouts. You will be getting an amount nearer to $1,134, instead of the average monthly CPP payment of $640.

Qualifying for a high CPP payment is based on two criteria that you have little control over. Its just one of the reasons why theres such a massive difference between the maximum CPP amount you can get and the amount average retirees actually get.

But there is something that you can do to fatten up your CPP cheque significantly. And its a relatively simple thing to do: wait. And though waiting five years extra for your first CPP payout seems harsh, its well worth it.

65 or 70

Sixty-five is the age you at which qualify for your CPP  the age where the pension overlords will start writing you a CPP cheque every month until the inevitable end.

But the age of 65 isnt written on stone. You can start your CPP pension early, at the age of 60 or you can wait till 70 to start the pension. But why should you wait five extra years after qualifying for CPP at 65 years of age?

The answer is 42.

If you wait till 70 to get your first CPP pension, it will be 42% more than what you would have received at the age of 65. For example, if you qualify for the dead-average CPP pension of $640 a month when you are 65, and you choose to start getting paid, you will receive $640 a month for the rest of your life. If wait till 70 to start your CPP, however, youll get a monthly sum of about $909.

Story continues

In the meantime

The five pensions-less years between 65 and 70 might prove a bit hard to live through, without cracking open one of your nest eggs. But you can be smart about it.

One of the easiest ways is to invest in a high yielding dividend aristocrat and receive reliable payouts. But it isnt the only way. You can also invest in a fast-moving growth stock like that of Air Canada (TSX:AC)(TSX:AC.B).

Air Canada has been one of the best growth stocks this year, with over 90% growth since January. Even if we look back to the five-year history of this stock, the increase in market value has been an incredible 320%. It translates to about 64% growth a year. Lets tone it down to 60% for a simple calculation.

Lets say you invest $20,000 in Air Canada when you are 64 years of age. By your 65th birthday, your investment will (hopefully) be worth $32,000.

If you require a monthly income of $640, equivalent to what your CPP payment would have been, you can sell $7,680 worth of shares, which will leave you with a $24,320 investment. If it follows the 60% trend of growth, you will own shares worth about $38,912 by the time you are 66.

Realistically, it might not always be that straightforward, but it should give you an idea.

Foolish takeaway

Waiting till 70 to start your CPP pension seems like the best option. As it will be your most dependable income source, making it as big as it can get is only logical. Think about it; just five years of waiting will get you 42% more for the rest of your life.

More reading

Fool contributor Adam Othman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020
Appointment

3 January 2020

Ibrahim Farraj has been appointed the executive assistant manager of InterContinental Aqaba Resort.

Farraj assumes his new challenge with over 22 years of experience, 17 of which were spent in the hospitality sector. In 2005, Farraj joined IHG, and in 2007, he became part of the InterContinental Jordan family. He worked his way up the career ladder until he became InterContinental Jordan's director of rooms in 2014.

In his new capacity, Farraj will be assisting Firas Irsheidat with managing the day-to-day operations of the property, ensuring that it provides the best and highest service standards to its guests.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has urged the country's auditing organs to fully perform their duties and improve auditing mechanisms.

Xi, also Chinese president, chairman of the Central Military Commission and head of the central auditing committee, made the remarks in an instruction as authorities recently commended outstanding auditing institutions and individuals.

Auditing organs have played an important role in promoting the implementation of policies made by the CPC Central Committee, helping fight against the "three tough battles," maintaining fiscal and economic order, improving people's livelihood and building a clean Party and government, Xi said.

Xi urged auditing authorities to fully perform their duties, uphold law-based auditing, improve mechanisms and make greater contributions to the modernization of China's system and capacity for governance.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Zhao Leji, both members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice heads of the central auditing committee, on Thursday met with representatives of outstanding units and individuals.

A total of 80 units and 45 individuals were commended by the office of the central auditing committee, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Audit Office.
President Trump, after warning three days ago that Iran would pay "a very BIG PRICE," authorized a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that killed Iran's top general and second most powerful official, Qasem Soleimani.

Why it matters: Soleimani had cost hundreds of American lives and was among the Middle East's most feared powers. But Iran seems certain to respond, potentially further destabilizing the world's most volatile region.

"In killing General Soleimani," the N.Y. Times reports, "Trump took an action that Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama had rejected, fearing it would lead to war between the United States and Iran."

From the Pentagon's statement: "At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization."

Behind the scenes: A source in close contact with Trump administration senior national security officials tells Axios that one scenario they are especially concerned about  and have been prepared for  is Iran launching cyberattacks.

That's the most likely way that Iran could retaliate stateside.

The big picture: The president who wanted to bring home the troops is now engaged in the most intense conflict with Iran in recent history.

So much has changed  and so fast.

A few months ago, Trump was musing about bringing U.S. troops home from the Middle East, and to let others fight it out in the sand.

Now, hes adding forces, and theyre necessarily on a war footing.

Between the lines: Trump now has to prepare for an extreme backlash from Iran  and likely intensified attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East, and anywhere else within Irans planning reach.

It also means possible retaliation against U.S. allies, especially Israel, writes Axios contributor Barak Ravid.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a trip to Greece to return to Israel to monitor the situation.

It is still unclear if the U.S. gave Israel any heads up before the strike on Soleimani.

Israeli officials tell Ravid that Israel doesnt know if and how Iran is going to retaliate  but, right now, the decision is to keep a low profile and not get involved in the ongoing tensions in Iraq.

Risk of world war ... CFR President Richard Haass tweets: "Make no mistake: any war with Iran will not look like the 1990 Gulf war or the 2003 Iraq wars."

"It will be fought throughout the region w a wide range of tools vs a wide range of civilian, economic, & military targets. The region (and possibly the world) will be the battlefield."

The bottom line: Modern wars are fought mostly with the most expensive, most difficult to recruit, train and retain: special forces.

Go deeper: Trump's twin war threats
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobas largest sexual assault treatment program has expanded care for victims of domestic violence.

Seeing a need for trauma-informed treatment that wasnt solely for people who have been sexually assaulted, the forensic nurses at Winnipegs Health Sciences Centre are now using their training to care for people whove been physically abused by their partners.

Since Nov. 1, the team of about 14 sexual assault nurse examiners has also been seeing patients whove been strangled or otherwise subjected to violence, said Ashley Smith, co-ordinator of the program.

"That expansion was done because, basically, we saw a need for it. We know that Manitoba has a high rate of intimate partner violence and domestic violence, and so we knew that because forensic nurses have the expertise to care for victims of violence and give trauma-informed care, we have that specialized training," Smith said.

"This was another area that forensic nurses are providing care to in other places across the country, as well as in the United States and North America, so we knew it was an area that we could expand to and provide more service."

"We know that Manitoba has a high rate of intimate partner violence and domestic violence, and so we knew that because forensic nurses have the expertise to care for victims of violence and give traumainformed care, we have that specialized training." Ashley Smith

Since the programs expansion in November, the team provided 25 intimate-partner violence consultations with patients to discuss their options, a spokeswoman for HSC said.

Those whove been sexually assaulted by intimate partners have always been able to receive treatment and forensic examinations under HSCs program, although they dont have a choice about whether to proceed with criminal charges. Policies meant to combat domestic violence mandate a police investigation when someone alleges theyve been sexually assaulted by a current or former partner.

Other sexual assault victims have more time to decide whether they want to come forward to police. For more than a decade, the team at HSC has offered victims the option of a "forensic hold" on evidence collected during their sexual assault examination. DNA evidence and other information about the assault is kept by police indefinitely until victims decide they want a criminal investigation to be conducted.

Individual responses to trauma and its effects on the body and brain mean victims cant always decide right away whether to file a police report, Smith said.

"Rather than forcing people to make a decision sometimes hours after the assault, when they might still feel the shock and might be processing what happened, we can give them more time to be able to make an informed decision. And so by doing the forensic hold, we can document the assault, we can take some types of forensic evidence in these cases, and that evidence and information isnt lost, and it gives those individuals another tool to be able to make that decision later on," even years later, she said.

There were about 294 sexual assault forensic exams conducted in Winnipeg last year, and 44 of those patients opted for forensic holds as of Dec. 20, 2019, according to HSC.

We really want to communicate to individuals that even if theyve gone home and theyve showered or theyve washed clothing or its been a few days, to still come in because theres still a lot we can do for them  forensically but also medically, because we also care about that persons physical and psychological health. Ashley Smith

The forensic exams can be done up to 10 days after a sexual assault. Theyre conducted in a private, unmarked area of the hospital. The sooner patients come in, the better, because DNA evidence degrades over time, Smith said.

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"But technology advances have been really expansive over the last number of years in terms of DNA technology, so thats why weve expanded our time frames. Ideally for forensic evidence collection, we would like to see people within five days. We still will collect beyond that," Smith said.

"We really want to communicate to individuals that even if theyve gone home and theyve showered or theyve washed clothing or its been a few days, to still come in because theres still a lot we can do for them  forensically but also medically, because we also care about that persons physical and psychological health."

Manitoba had the second-highest rates of intimate-partner violence among Canadian provinces in 2018, behind only Saskatchewan, a Statistics Canada study released in mid-December states.

Manitoba had 592 domestic violence victims per 100,000 people, with women in rural areas more likely to suffer violence. The data came from police statistics on reported crimes in 2018.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay
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The global 3D bioprinting market size is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2026 registering a CAGR of 19.5%, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Growing usage of 3D printing in cosmetic surgeries and innovations in the 3D bioprinting are expected to propel the market growth over the forecast period. The technology is commonly used to print prosthetics and dental accessories, medical devices, and bone implants. The medical application segment is projected to expand at a significant pace, as the technology has the potential to reduce the drug development costs.

For instance, in March 2016, a U.S.-based specialty pharmaceutical firm became the worlds first company to receive approval from the FDA for Spritam, a 3D bioprinted drug. Rising cases of chronic diseases and limited number of organ donors along with rising compliance in the drug discovery and development are also expected to boost market growth. Moreover, technological advancements, increased R&D investments, and growing geriatric population bases across the globe will drive the market further.

Further key findings from the study suggest:

The syringe-based bioprinting emerged as the largest segment with market share of over 36.10% in 2018 and it is expected to register a CAGR of 18.9% over the forecast period

Dental segment is expected to register the fastest growth due to increasing usage of 3D printing technologies in dental prosthetics

North America led the global market within 2018 owing to the presence of well-established companies and heavy research funding from the federal government

Some of the companies in the global 3D bioprinting market include Organovo Holding, Inc.; BioBots; Cyfuse Biomedical K.K.; Luxexcel Group BV; TeVido BioDevices, LLC; 3Dynamics Systems Ltd.; Aspect Biosystems; Stratasys Ltd.; Materialise N.V.; EnvisionTEC; Voxeljet AG; Oceanz; and Bio3D Technologies Pte. Ltd.

Grand View Research has segmented the global 3D bioprinting market on the basis of technology, application, and region:

3D Bioprinting Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026)

Magnetic Levitation

Inkjet-based

Syringe-based

Laser-based

Others

3D Bioprinting Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026)

Medical Tissue and Organ Generation Medical Pills Prosthetic and Implants

Dental

Biosensors

Consumer/Personal Product Testing

Bioinks

Food and Animal Product

3D Bioprinting Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2026)

North America U.S. Canada

Europe Germany U.K. France Italy Spain

Asia Pacific China Japan India Australia South Korea

Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Colombia

Middle East & Africa South Africa Saudi Arabia UAE



Access full research report on global 3D bioprinting market:

www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/3d-bioprinting-market
The Vajpayee government was never questioned for amending the Citizenship Act in 2003, but suspicion about the Modi govt's intentions led to nationwide protests, former minister Yashwant Sinha said in Mumbai on Friday

Mumbai: The Vajpayee government was never questioned for amending the Citizenship Act in 2003, but suspicion about the current regime's intentions led to nationwide protests, former minister Yashwant Sinha said in Mumbai on Friday.

Dismissing the government's argument that amendment to the Citizenship Act was part of the BJP's poll promises, Sinha asked if a manifesto can "supersede" the Constitution.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is against the Constitution as it discriminates on the ground of religion, he told PTI on the sidelines of an event at St Xavier's College in Mumbai.

"They (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah) are completely contradicting what they said earlier," the former BJP leader said.

Both were "scared" because of the nationwide protests, which led them to go back on the promise to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country, Sinha said.

All political parties had supported the amendment to citizenship laws carried out during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government in 2003, he said.

"Do you remember any protests (happening) in 2003? I don't remember any. No hackles were raised. We talked about a national register of Indian citizens being prepared, though it was left vague because the rules were to be framed later," he said.

"Why has CAA caused so much disruption? Because people go by the intention of the government. In Vajpayee's time, they didn't suspect the intention of the government. In the present situation, they suspect the intention behind this move," the former Union minister said.

He also argued that with Aadhar in place, there was no need for a National Population Register (NPR), as biometric details of people are already with the government.

The difficulties during the NRC exercise in Assam tells us what kind of mayhem it will cause if carried out nationwide, Sinha said.

The bureaucrat-turned-politician also attacked Modi, comparing him to medieval ruler Muhammad bin Tughluq, for pushing ahead with the Rajpath revamp plan at a time when the economy is in the middle of a slowdown.

He blamed the government for focusing only on supply-side measures to reverse the slowdown and not pushing up demand, which he said was "dead".

Instead of corporate tax cuts which would lead to a revenue loss of Rs 1.46 lakh crore, the same quantum of relief should have been given to the farm sector and infrastructure building, the former finance minister said.

Sinha claimed he had warned of the impending troubles 27 months ago in an article, but the government only published a counter penned by his son and then Union minister Jayant Sinha, instead of taking corrective measures.

He also alleged that the government was "fiddling" with data and manipulating it to present a rosy picture, and expressed disappointment at the Budget, which he said was "undone" frequently by the government (by subsequent tinkering).

On stock markets going up despite the slowdown, Sinha said he suspected that the markets were being "played up" by vested interests.

He also reiterated that not joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership illustrated "cowardice".
South Sudan Pardons High-Profile Prisoners

By Ayen Bior January 02, 2020

Lawyers say South Sudan pardoned dozens of prisoners Thursday, including prominent academic Peter Biar Ajak and Kerbino Wol, a South Sudanese businessman who has been in prison since April 2018.

That pardon was announced on state media in a presidential decree Thursday evening.

Ajak Mayol Bior, who was the lead counsel for Wol, said they expect the prisoners to be released "as soon as tomorrow."

"This pardon now legally will translate itself that all the other legal proceedings that were happening should stop," Mayol said.

Ajak's wife, Nyathon Hoth Mai, took to Twitter to announce the news.

Monyluak Alor, who represents Ajak, said the team is pleased with the decision, which comes after months of imprisonment for his client. Ajak was arrested at Juba International Airport in late July 2018. In June, a high court sentenced him to two years in prison on charges of disturbing the peace following a riot at the prison known as Blue House.

The same court sentenced Wol to 13 years in prison for his role in the October 2018 uprising in the Blue House.

Both men were brought to court in March to face charges of terrorism, sabotage and treason.

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President Donald Trump on Friday morning tweeted his first statement after an American airstrike killed Iran's top military commander hours earlier.

"Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!" the president tweeted. It wasn't immediately clear what Trump meant by the tweet.

TRUMP TWEET

On Trump's order, U.S. forces on Thursday launched an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and an aide after they arrived at Baghdad's airport. Iran vowed to retaliate. The State Department urged American citizens to leave Iraq.

Later, Trump tweeted that Soleimani was "directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people," and that the military leader "should have been taken out many years ago!"

TRUMP TWEET 2

TRUMP TWEET 3

Trump had been conspicuously quiet on Twitter since the news of Soleimani's death was first reported late Thursday. Before his vague tweet and subsequent denunciations of Soleimani on Friday morning, Trump had retweeted other people's reactions to the attack as well as a wordless message featuring only a low-res image of the American flag.

Flag tweet

The killing sent shock waves through the Middle East and global markets. Oil prices surged and U.S. stock futures slumped Friday morning.

The attack also intensified already-high tensions between the United States and Iran. Soleimani led the special Quds Force unit of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards and has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and many other across the Middle East. The Pentagon said he had been actively planning attack on U.S. diplomats and service members in Iraq and elsewhere throughout the region.
The United States is deploying nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Middle East amid increased tensions between the US and Iran following the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.

The thousands of troops come as the US awaits retaliation from Iran for the airstrike that killed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force leader, and as tens of thousands of anti-America demonstrators have taken to the streets in Iran to protest the loss of the general.

Prior to the airstrike at the Baghdad airport that left Soleimani dead, the US had deployed about 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne to Kuwait, after the US Embassy compound in the Iraqi capital was stormed by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters. The thousands of additional troops are reportedly going to be deployed from the same division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, according to Defence Department officials who spoke to the Associated Press.

Shortly before ordering the troop deployment, Donald Trump justified the attack on Soleimani, saying that he had "killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more."

It remains to be seen how Iran may respond to the killing, which targeted a well known and respected military leader in the country's most elite force. But, Iran state television has attacked the killing as "the biggest miscalculation by the US" since the Second World War. "The people of the region will no longer allow Americans to stay," the network said.

US Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrive at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, 2 January 2020 (via REUTERS)

US Army paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrive at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, 2 January 2020 (via REUTERS)

US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday 3 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures The wreckage of the car in which general Soleimani was travelling when a targeted US airstrike struck outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January Ahmad Al Mukhtar via Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest in Tehran after general Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike by American forces Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of Donald Trump AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn Israeli and US flags as thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of general Soleimani at the hands of America EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of Donald Trump pray at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held on the day following the killing of general Soleimani. At the event, the president praised the "flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader" AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A huge procession of mourners gather in Baghdad for the funeral of general Soleimani on 4 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani during an anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iraqis perform a mourning prayer for slain major general Qasem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the Great Mosque of Kufa AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A billboard reading 'Death to America and Israel', installed by Iran-backed shiite armed groups at a street in Jadriyah district in Baghdad, Iraq EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him visiting the family of Soleiman KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US flag as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Jalal Feiruznia, looks to a portrait of Soleimani, as he receives condolences at the Iranian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures People make their way on the street while a screen on the wall of a cinema shows a portrait Soleimani in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Aziz Asmar, one of two Syrian painters who completed a mural following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani poses next to his creation in the rebel-held Syrian town of Dana in the northwestern province of Idlib AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A demonstration in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures An anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Mujtaba al-Husseini, the representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in the holy shrine city of Najaf AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US and Israeli flags as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters demonstrate in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, in Peshawar, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters, holding a photograph of the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran Massoud Rajavi, outside Downing Street in London PA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A Syrian man offers sweets to children to mark the killing AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers attend a mourning prayer for Soleimani in Iran's capital Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and anti Israel slogans during a protest AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshipers chant slogans during Friday prayers Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A protest against the USA, in Islamabad, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranians burn a US flag in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin, Germany Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Vehicles of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol a road in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel. Following morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian women take to the streets in Tehran EPA

"Harsh vengeance awaits the criminals that got his and other martyrs' blood on their evil hands in last night's incident," said Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader.

US officials have provided disparate accounts of the threats that Americans now face in the region. The US State Department is urging Americans to leave Iraq as soon as possible, and has suspended consular operations in Baghdad amid the "heightened tensions in Iraq and the region".

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, meanwhile, has said that the attack on Soleimani has made Americans safer, in spite of that warning from his own department. Mr Pompeo has claimed that the strike was carried out after the US learned of a "imminent threat" to Americans.

"The world's a much safer place today, and I can assure you that Americans in the region are much safer today after the demise of Qasem Soleimani," Mr Pompeo said on Friday morning during an interview with CNN.

But that is far from the consensus among American allies abroad, and major military powers in the world.

UK foreign secretary has said Britain "recognised the aggressive threat" posed by the Iranian military leader, but cautioned that "further conflict is in none of our interests." Germany, meanwhile, has also expressed concern for ongoing conflict, but provided a qualified statement that the killing was "a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility," according to the Associated Press.

France, Russia and China  three permanent members of the UN security council alongside the US and UK  have all warned that the actions on Friday morning against Soleimani have made the world more dangerous.

We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous, Amelie de Montchalin, Frances deputy minister for foreign affairs, told RTL radio. When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is under way.
Moscow warned Friday that the US killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq would boost tensions across the Middle East.

"The killing of Soleimani... was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region," news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

"Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people."

Russia and Iran are key allies in the Middle East, with the militaries of both countries backing President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria.

Moscow is also one of the world powers that negotiated the landmark Iran nuclear deal that Washington withdrew from in 2018, leading to a surge in tensions.

Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the foreign affairs committee of the Russian parliament's upper house, said Soleimani's killing was a mistake that would hit back at Washington.

"Retaliatory strikes will certainly follow," he said in a post on his Facebook page, adding that Israel was likely also worried.

He said the killing marked the end of any chance to salvage the nuclear deal.

"The last hopes of resolving the Iranian nuclear problem have been 'bombed'," he wrote.

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Men guard a vehicle as it arrives at the home where former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn is staying in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday. / AP

BEIRUT  The family of former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn played no role in his escape from Japan, Ghosn said in a statement on Thursday, days after his abrupt arrival in Beirut from Tokyo, where he faces trial for alleged financial misconduct.

"There has been speculation in the media that my wife Carole, and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan. All such speculation is inaccurate and false," said the statement.

"I alone arranged for my departure. My family had no role whatsoever."

Sources close to Ghosn said he was prompted to flee after a recent court session in which he learned that the second of two trials would be delayed until April 2021.

"They [prosecutors] said they needed another whole year to prepare for it. ... He was distressed about not being able to see or speak to his wife," one of the sources close to Ghosn said.

A request to see or speak to his wife over Christmas was also denied, the sources added, part of strict conditions set on his bail.

The sources said Ghosn had grown distressed that authorities were pressuring his family to draw a confession from him after his daughter and son were questioned by Japanese prosecutors in the United States in early December.
A quiet lounge in a corner of Japan's third-largest airport was likely the last stop for Carlos Ghosn before he fled the country, transforming the former Nissan 7201.T chairman into one of the world's most famous fugitives.

Ghosn departed on a private jet from Kansai International Airport in the western city of Osaka, the plane's operator said, meaning he would have left from the small lounge area used exclusively for private flights.

The aircraft operator, Turkish firm MNG Jet, said one of its employees had admitted falsifying records by not including Ghosn's name in the official documentation.

Ghosn faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes in Japan and was able to orchestrate his departure despite being under strict surveillance by Japanese authorities, with movements and communications curtailed. He denies the financial misconduct charges.

"He would have had to go through as a passenger, perhaps in disguise," airport spokesman Kenji Takanishi told Reuters.

The slightly built former Nissan boss has concealed his identity before: when first released on bail in March, he walked out of the detention centre disguised as a workman to avoid media.

After landing in Turkey, Ghosn switched planes and flew on to his childhood home, Lebanon. His escape capped a year-old saga which has gripped the global auto industry.

Kansai airport spokesman Takanishi said privacy was a big attraction for wealthy travellers at the 300-square-metre "Premium Gate Tamayura" - which means "fleeting moment" - for private jets.

PASSENGER IN DISGUISE?

Private jet owners pay 200,000 yen ($1,850) to use the facility in Osaka, where normal immigration and baggage procedures apply. Luggage too large for the X-ray scan is opened and examined, Takanishi said, meaning it was unlikely Ghosn could have been smuggled on board.

Yet immigration officials have no record of him leaving, public broadcaster NHK has reported. The former auto executive holds French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship.

"I think I would recognise Ghosn if I took a good look at his face, but we don't really look at people's faces," said a security guard at the private gate.

"It would be harder to spot him if he was wearing a disguise or was in a group."

One airport official, who also declined to be identified, said airlines often outsource security and luggage checks to private security companies in Japan, unlike other countries where government or military officials normally do them.

Outside the terminal entrance, a dedicated parking lot stands less than 100 metres away, allowing a degree of privacy not afforded to commercial jet passengers.
Agrochemical maker Insecticides India Ltd (IIL) has received an clearance for setting up a pesticide manufacturing unit in Bharuch, Gujarat that will entail an investment of Rs 40 crore, according to an official document.

The union ministry has given the go-ahead to IIL's proposed project after taking into account the recommendations of a green panel.

The clearance, however, has been given with some conditions, the document added.

As per the proposal, IIL wants to set up a pesticide and pesticide intermediates manufacturing unit with a production capacity of 2,500 tonne per month at Dahej in Bharuch district in an area of 52,000 square metre.

The estimated project cost is Rs 40 crore and will generate direct and indirect employment for 150 persons.

IIL has six formulation units in Chopanki (Rajasthan), Samba and Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir), Dahej (Gujarat). It also has technical synthesis plants at Chopanki and Dahej to make technical grade chemicals.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia has cut oil supplies to Belarus, the press service of the Belneftekhim State Concern informs.

It is reported that capacity utilization has been reduced to the minimum permitted level. "Oil supplies from Russia have stopped, now we are actively working on concluding contracts for January," TASS quotes the source as saying.

In turn, the official representative of Transneft, Igor Demin said that the Russian monopoly did not receive applications from Russian oil companies for deliveries to Belarus since January 1.
CHICAGO  Across snow-covered North Dakota, U.S. farmers are stuck with fields full of weather-damaged corn  a crop they planted after the U.S.-China trade war killed their soybean market. Many dont know yet what crops theyll plant next season among a host of dicey options.

In Texas, Kansas and Colorado, farmers are weighing whether they should plant fewer acres of corn and more sorghum, even though China has all but stopped buying it. Thats because sorghum costs about half as much as corn to plant, which appeals to farmers wary of investing too much for an uncertain return.

As the U.S. farm economy reels from the worst harvest in decades after nearly two years of the trade war, U.S. grain growers are struggling to decide what crops might keep them in business.

President Donald Trump announced last month that China had agreed to double its pre-trade war purchases of U.S. agricultural products over the next two years as part of a Phase 1 trade deal. That brought little comfort to U.S. farmers because China still has not confirmed the commitment or signed any deal.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Ground-breaking research by the University of Birmingham has discovered a new technique to assess the aggressiveness of childhood brain tumors.

Funded by Children with Cancer UK, Action Medical Research and The Brain tumor Charity, the study is the first of its kind and will allow clinicians to give more personalized treatments for childhood brain cancers, which currently account for one third of all childhood cancer deaths in the UK.

Researchers took biopsies of childhood brain tumors over five years to study their chemical make-up in high precision.

They found that the level of lipids and glutamine they contained were direct indicators of how aggressive a tumor would be. The more glutamine a tumor contains, the less aggressive it is likely to be; the more lipids a tumor contains, the more aggressive it is likely to be.

The study also found a non-invasive technique can be used to measure these concentrations in higher precision than is currently being done in routine clinical practice. Clinicians can simply put patients through an MRI scanner, then use a Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to determine the levels of glutamine and lipids in the tumor.

Introducing this method across UK clinical practice will help increase the odds of children with brain tumors receiving treatment. This non-invasive approach specifically benefits young patients with brain tumors in high-risk areas, such as the brain stem, who may not ordinarily undergo a biopsy due to the tumor's sensitive location.

It will also enable clinicians to have a more accurate understanding of each tumor's aggressiveness and to tailor treatments accordingly, so that they are only as toxic as they need to be.

Andrew Peet, research lead at the Children's Brain tumor Research Team and Professor of Clinical Paediatric Oncology at the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Children's Hospital, said: "This study is a huge step forwards towards the introduction of more personalized treatment for childhood brain tumor patients.

"Assessing how aggressive these tumors are at an earlier stage will help ensure that treatment is no more toxic than it needs to be, reducing the adverse effects on patients and improving their quality of life."

Acting CEO of Children with Cancer UK Mark Brider, commented: "Childhood cancers are very different to those found in adults, they are often more difficult to treat and the treatment can be incredibly debilitating.

"Brain tumors are among the most common childhood tumors and I am very pleased to see developments being made to make treatment less toxic. Children with Cancer UK helps fund childhood cancer research projects like the University of Birmingham's study in order to improve survival rates and outcomes so that children don't have to suffer long-term effects from treatment."

Explore further Epilepsy drug inhibits brain tumor development

More information: For more information about Children with Cancer UK, visit childrenwithcancer.org.uk
Donald Trump's order to kill a top Iranian commander has laid bare Washington's stark political divide, with Republicans rallying behind the president and Democrats warning that Friday's attack could trigger a devastating military confrontation.

Significant US military operations on foreign soil often gain bipartisan support, as was the case in 2011 when American special forces killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.

But such consensus has frayed in recent years, and the surprise pre-dawn attack in Baghdad that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign operations arm, has highlighted the widening chasm on Capitol Hill.

Democratic lawmakers and aides say congressional leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both fierce Trump critics, were left in the dark about the deadly strike.

The White House traditionally gives warning to senior members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of major military action.

But one Republican confidant of Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham, said he "was briefed about the potential operation" when he visited with Trump this week at his Florida resort.

"This was a defensive strike to neutralize future attacks that were being planned and executed by Soleimani," Graham told Fox News, adding he appreciated "being brought into the orbit" of military assault planning.

Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy called the attack "a display of resolve and strength," while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Soleimani was an "evil man."



But while Democrats joined their Republican opponents in condemning Soleimani's actions, and involvement in the deaths of Americans, they savaged Trump's order ahead of this year's presidential election.

Pelosi said Soleimani's killing risks provoking a "dangerous escalation of violence."



And Schumer chimed in that Trump "may well have brought our nation closer to another endless war.""A trigger happy armchair strongman, lacking congressional authority, has recklessly brought our nation closer to war," House Democrat Hank Johnson said on Twitter.

The strike on Soleimani also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

It came after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction in response to a rocket attack that killed an American contractor in Iraq.

Democrats vying for the right to take on Trump in the November election also weighed in, starting with former vice president Joe Biden, who said the Republican had "just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."



While most Republicans backed Trump, some party moderates joined Democrats in calling for a full briefing by the administration and a congressional role on future action.

McConnell said senators would hopefully get a classified briefing "early next week," and urged them to reserve judgment until they can "review the facts."



Senator Rand Paul, long opposed to expanded US military engagement abroad, was seemingly alone in delivering a sharp warning from Republican ranks.

"A war without a Congressional declaration is a recipe for feckless intermittent eruptions of violence w/ no clear mission for our soldiers," he tweeted.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 14:28:43|Editor: Liu

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by Pankaj Yadav

NEW DELHI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The death of more than 100 newborns or infants (aged less than one year) in December alone at a government hospital in India's western state of Rajasthan has turned into a big crisis, attracting public attention.

According to the latest figures, as many as 104 newborns or infants died at the hospital in the past 33 days.

A center government's special team of doctors and health experts is visiting the Hospital to investigate the matter and will submit a detailed report.

The team comprising four doctors having specialisation in areas like Paediatrics and Neonatology would be reaching the J.K. Lone Hospital and Medical College in the state's Kota district on Friday.

The state's Health Minister Raghu Sharma "is also travelling to the Hospital on Friday" to assess the situation, an official source close to him told Xinhua over phone.

Various unhygienic conditions have been alleged at the district hospital, pointing to a deeper crisis in the primary health care system.

"Broken windows and gates, pigs roaming inside the Hospital's premises and an acute shortage of staff" were found by a team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that visited the hospital, said English daily Hindustan Times in an article published Friday.

"In the last six years more than 1,000 children have died every year in the Hospital. The deaths point to a deeper crisis of the heath care system," said the news paper.

"Many infants come to the Hospital in terminal condition with bleak chances of survival because they failed to get adequate and timely care at the first two levels of health care systems in the country."

"Rajasthan and the center government should use the tragedy at the Hospital to embark on more comprehensive reforms in the health sector," it said.

Meanwhile, the country's Health Minister Harsh Vardhan wrote a letter to the state's Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, expressing concern on the infants deaths. He requested Gehlot to "assess the situation and take proactive steps to avoid these preventable child deaths, said an official statement issued by the country's Health Ministry.

Vardhan also spoke to the state's chief minister over phone to discuss the situation at the Hospital.
Rome, Jan 3 : The killing of Iran's most powerful military commander in a US air raid in Iraq marks a "dangerous escalation" of tensions between Washington and Tehran, the Italian government said on Friday, urging diplomatic efforts towards dialogue.

"The latest developments of the situation in Iraq are very worrying. The last few days have seen a dangerous escalation that has culminated in the killing of General Qasem Soleimani," said a Foreign Ministry statement.

Soleimani was assassinated early on Friday at Baghdad airport, along with other Iran-backed militia figures in a drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. The air strike came after protesters attacked the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this week in an assault the Pentagon said that Soleimani had approved.

"Italy appeals strongly for moderation and responsibility, keeping channels of dialogue open and avoiding acts that can have serious consequences for the entire region.

"No effort should be spared to ensure a de-escalation and stability. New hotspots are in no one's interest and risk becoming fertile ground for terrorism and violent extremism," the Foreign Ministry statement said.

Iranian officials have called the drone strike an act of war to be met by "harsh retaliation".

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said those killed in the strike also included Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who commanded the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group which Washington blamed for the killing of a US civilian contractor in northern Iraq last Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed Ukraine among other subjects in a telephone call on Friday, the Kremlin press service said.

"The parties considered key aspects of a settlement of the internal Ukrainian conflict and highlighted the importance of a consistent implementation of the Minsk Package of measures and the decisions made at the Normandy-format summit in Paris on December 9, 2019. They praised the prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Donbas on December 29, 2019 and the conclusion of a package deal on the transport of Russian gas to Europe across Ukraine at the end of 2019," it said.

Putin and Macron exchanged warm New Year's greetings, it said.

"They also touched upon some items on the bilateral agenda and agree to continue contacts," the Kremlin said.
On January 2, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Ulrik Debo, a Danish citizen and Monaco resident, with orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to secretly control a microcap shell company for the purpose of pumping and dumping its shares.

According to the SEC's complaint, beginning in late spring 2019, Debo and others purchased Herbatech Life, Inc. (EVTP) and planned to issue EVTP stock to nominee shareholders they controlled, without disclosing their actual control to investors. The complaint alleges that Debo planned to promote EVTP stock and pump and dump its shares for profit. Debo allegedly took the lead in coordinating the purchase and control of EVTP, including by contributing funds for its purchase, installing an acquaintance as the nominal CEO and nominal majority shareholder, retaining an attorney to assist in making the dormant shell "current," and hiring a marketer for a promotional campaign. The complaint alleges that, once under Debo's control, EVTP filed a quarterly report on November 25, 2019 that failed to disclose Debo's control, rendering it materially misleading. The SEC filed its complaint before Debo and others were able to engage in promotional activity to "pump" EVTP's stock.

The complaint, filed in federal district court in Manhattan, charges Debo with violating the antifraud provision of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and seeks a permanent injunction, disgorgement with interest, civil penalties, and a penny stock bar against Debo.

In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York today announced criminal charges against Debo.

The SEC's investigation was conducted by Joseph Darragh, Kristine Zaleskas, Paul Gizzi, Michael Paley, and Judith Weinstock in the SEC's New York Regional Office. The litigation is being led by Mr. Gizzi, and the case is being supervised by Sanjay Wadhwa. The SEC appreciates the assistance of U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Protests renew in Georgia in front of the Parliament - GeorgianJournal
Guwahati (Assam) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that the government is waiting for electronic evidence over the role of Popular Front of India (PFI) in stoking violence in the state.



"We are waiting for electronic evidence on PFI's role in stoking violence in Assam. A laptop has been seized which is with Central Forensic Lab. Once electronic evidence emerges, we will take a call on writing to Centre to ban PFI in the state," Sarma told ANI.

Meanwhile, state president of PFI Aminul Haque was arrested on December 18 last year.

The arrest was made in connection with the violence that erupted in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

A total of 46 cases have been registered, while 27 people were arrested in connection with vandalism in Guwahati district during the anti-CAA protests.

In December last year, the Assam Police had detained more than 3,000 people and arrested 190 persons for indulging in violent protests in the state over the amended citizenship law.

Protests had broken out in several parts of the country including Assam over CAA, which grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI)


CORUNNA, MI  In the wake of a missing man being found dead in a rural Shiawassee County home, police are investigating whether other missing people met a similar fate.

However, it doesnt appear at this point that the killing of 25-year-old Kevin R. Bacon was the work of a serial killer.

There are missing persons cases throughout the state, said Michigan State Police Special 1st Lt. David Kaiser. We dont know that we could link any of those to our suspect. This doesnt appear to be a serial person. There are no indicators of there being other (victims). Theres no evidence to support that.

Police in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 28, found Bacons body inside the basement of the Morrice-area home of Mark D. Latunski, 50, in the 700 block of W. Tyrrell Road. Police arrested Latunski at the time and he was later arraigned in Shiawassee County District Court on charges of open murder and mutilation of a human body.

When we arrest a suspect, a lot of the time our job is just beginning, Kaiser said. Its a very fluid, ongoing investigation.

Kaiser declined to state Bacons cause of death or what led to the mutilation charge, saying those details will likely come out at Latunskis preliminary examination on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Bacon, of Swartz Creek, was a hairstylist who specialized in vibrant coloring at Uniquely U Salon in Swartz Creek and studied psychology at the University of Michigan-Flint. Michelle Myers, Bacons best friend and roommate, called him compassionate, caring and loving.

Myers described Bacon as a colorful, vibrant being both inside and out. He did what he wanted to, when he wanted to, and let very little hold him back. He was attentive and could remember all the small details  even all the ones that you forgot.

Myers previously said that around 5 p.m. Dec. 24 Bacon told her he was meeting up with a man he had met on the Grindr dating app. Then at 6:12 p.m., Bacon texted her that he was going to be out for a while and he wasnt sure when hed be back, but he was having fun, Myers has said.

Bacons family became concerned when he didnt show up for breakfast on Christmas Day and called police later that day. Police soon found Bacons car at a Family Dollar in Clayton Township, inside which they found Bacons phone, wallet, and some clothes.

Police were led to Latunskis home after some Facebook posts about the residence were relayed to investigators, according to Bacons father, Karl Bacon.

Latunski described himself as a self-employed chemist on his public LinkedIn profile. He was known to stop taking the medication prescribed to treat his mental health illnesses, according to records from the 66th District and 35th Circuit courts.

A motion filed Aug. 22 by former wife Emily Latunski to suspend Mark Latunskis parenting time states he was diagnosed with major depression, paranoid schizophrenia, and traits of a personality disorder in 2010 and 2012.

In September 2013, Mark Latunski was arraigned on two counts of parental kidnapping related to him keeping two of his four children from their mother  Emily Latunski  for more than 24 hours, according to 66th District Court Records. Mark Latunski took the kids to a hotel and refused to return them to their mother, the records stated.

Kevin Bacon's family released this picture of him to the media. The family says he's been missing since Christmas Eve.

Mark Latunski was found incompetent to stand trial in the court case in February 2014. A judge ordered Mark Latunski to undergo outpatient treatment in May 2014, court records show.

Mark Latunskis psychiatric treatment was reported in an Aug. 14, 2014 letter to the courts.

(Mark Latunski) has proven not to be a danger to himself or others, despite brief periods of hospitalization and hasnt attempted to harm himself or others at any point, said Daniel DeVries, the psychiatrist who treated Mark Latunski.

The kidnapping case was reopened in January 2015 when Mark Latunski was found competent to stand trial. It was later dismissed without prejudice in February 2015, according to 66th District Court records.

Latunski in December 2016 married Jamie J. Arnold, whom hed met on Grindr, in Key West, Florida. The couple separated in September 2019, Arnold said.

Latunski in February was fired from his job making lubricants for American Chemical Technologies. He requested the court adjust his child support payments after losing his job, according to a Feb. 28 motion filed with the 35th Circuit Court.

To my knowledge, he was fired due to erratic behavior at work. He was accusing his place of employment of contaminating the products he would make, Arnold said.

Arnold said he became aware of Latunskis mental illnesses when he began saying stranger and stranger things. For instance, Latunski claimed his four children werent his, Arnold said.

I knew something wasnt right, but I didnt know it was to that extreme, Arnold said. He was progressively saying stranger and stranger things like the neighbors were polluting our water supply. They were all nonsensical. All I knew was I had to get out of the situation.

Emily Latunski filed a motion to suspend Mark Latunskis parenting time on Aug. 22, alleging that he may be off his medication and becomes delusional if he is.

(Mark Latunski) accused (Emily Latunski) and her brother of trying to murder him by putting poison in his well, lawyers for Emily Latunski stated in the motion to suspend his parenting time.

Mark Latunski was arrested on July 19 for failure to pay child support and spent four days in jail. A bench warrant was then issued for his arrest on Oct. 23 because he again failed to pay child support. Mark Latunski was also scheduled to appear at an evidentiary hearing for parenting time on Dec. 10.

On Nov. 25, police responded to Latunskis house after a neighbor called 911 on seeing a man wearing only a leather kilt running outside with Latunski chasing him. The 29-year-old fleeing man told responding Michigan State Police troopers he had been chained in Latunskis basement.

He said he became frightened or spooked and thats why he ran from the house, Kaiser previously said. Everything that happened in the house was consensual. Nobody wanted to file a complaint or file a police report. No criminal act was discovered and there was nothing we could do as law enforcement.

The younger man put on clothes and troopers returned the $300 kilt to Latunski, Kaiser has said.

The younger man advised he did not want a report to go to the prosecutors office and he was not looking for any type of criminal charges, Kaiser has said. The incident was resolved with troopers taking the man away from Latunskis home, the lieutenant has said.

Troopers did not arrest Latunski on his bench warrant during the Nov. 25 incident. Asked why, Kaiser said the warrant may no longer have been in the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) or Latunski may have already been arrested on it.

Shiawassee County Central Dispatch could not state when the bench warrant was entered into LEIN. Staff at the Shiawassee County Jail, though, said Latunski was arrested on Dec. 10 on the warrant, only to be released the next day.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3 in the student parking lot outside the Swartz Creek High School, 1 Dragon Drive.

Suspect in Kevin Bacon murder case has long history of mental illness, records show

Candlelight vigil for Kevin Bacon to be held in Swartz Creek

Man wearing only leather kilt ran from murder suspects rural Michigan home in November

YouTuber Jeffree Star donates $20k toward funeral expenses for Swartz Creek man

Murder and mutilation charges filed in death of Swartz Creek man

Parents of slain Swartz Creek man talk about son, homicide investigation

Police confirm location of where missing Swartz Creek mans body was found

Missing Swartz Creek man found dead; one arrested on murder charge

Family searching for Swartz Creek man
In October 2017, I took a job with the Winchester Star, a weekly newspaper owned by what was then known as GateHouse Media. I was the only reporter covering Winchester, a Boston suburb of about 23,000 residents. When I started, I was also the fourth person in five years to hold the job.

It took a year before I felt I had a grasp on the Winchester community and its key issues: a low percentage of affordable housing, rapid growth of the school population, and high property taxes, among others. The more I attended local events and interacted with residents and officials, the better I understood the town. Learning more about Winchesters zoning laws helped me to better cover controversial stories related to land use and housing. Local seniors told me how they struggled to afford staying in homes where they raised their families, and helped me move my stories beyond property-tax numbers. Eventually, locals started calling me with story tips that didnt surface at public meetings or in press releases, enabling me to write with greater insight and not miss stories important to the community. After my first year at the Star, one resident said to me, Were not used to reporters staying this long.

In August, GateHouse parent company New Media Investment Group announced its acquisition of the media giant Gannetta merger whose goal, according to a press release, is to preserve and enhance quality journalism. (The deal closed in November; the new company is now simply known as Gannett.) Since then, discussions of the merger have revolved around forthcoming layoffs, which will doubtless damage the quality of local news coverage. But the preservation of quality journalism also depends on Gannett keeping journalists in those jobs it doesnt cut.

PREVIOUSLY: The precarious state of local-news giants

It takes time for journalists to develop connections to their communities. That connection is something communities expect: according to a 2019 Pew Research Center study, 81 percent of adults believe reporters should be personally engaged with their local area, and about 85 percent believe reporters should understand their communitys history. Asked for their perception of local news community connections, 34 percent of respondents said local journalists are out of touch. Respondents who believed their local journalists were in touch expressed greater confidence in their local media, and were more likely to see it as fair.

In 2016, GateHouse New England went through a major reorganization. It cut staff at its weeklies by reducing two-person teamseditor and reporterto one: a multimedia journalist, whose role essentially combines the responsibilities of a print editor and digitally-minded reporter. This past summer, the company consolidated 50 of its New England weeklies into 18 publications.

Some reporters handled digital sites and print papers for two or three communitiesa setup that would make it nearly impossible to develop a meaningful connection with those communities.

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While its not unusual for young journalists to move on to bigger outlets after a year or two, the increasingly heavy workloads, low salaries, and lack of backup prompted several of my former colleagues to leave.

As a multimedia journalist, I was responsible for daily coverage on Winchester Wicked Local sitethe Stars digital imprintincluding breaking news stories, coverage of select board and school committee meetings, police report summaries, and local features. To keep up pageviews and to encourage the growth of a digital audience, I layered my stories with photos, videos, and other tools such as maps and audio clips. I also had to balance those digital demands with curating the weekly print paperlaid out by a separate print editorwhich involved ensuring that the front page featured a decent photo (often taken by me), and that letters, op-eds, and community news were included. Some reporters handled digital sites and print papers for two or three communitiesa setup that would make it nearly impossible to develop a meaningful connection with those communities.

The relatively low compensation for these responsibilities makes it hard for reporters to keep up with their living expenses. (My salary, $30,000, was on the high end.) Some of my former colleagues made it work by taking on side jobs or living farther away from the communities they covered. Abbi Matheson, a former colleague who covered Arlington, left after 15 months due to financial concerns. I would have stayed in that job for a lot longer if I had made enough money to pay for my student loans, she told me.

I would have stayed longer, too. I loved the work and the community I covered. While low pay was also a major factor in my decision to leave, it wasnt the only reason. The relentless pressure that came with not having enough backup for late-night meetings, weekend events, and vacations eventually started to take a toll on my family. While my managers were supportive of a healthy work-life balance, opting out of local events meant potentially missing an important story and, with that, a chance to boost pageviewsone of the main metrics for measuring a reporters success. As a result, in an effort to cover all key aspects of Winchester life, I often felt like I was falling short.

If the new Gannett wants to ensure a stronger future for journalism, it must equip its journalists with tools and resources that will make it possible for them to get to know their communities beyond the surface and continue to illuminate local issues vital to our democracy.

ICYMI: Hundreds of pink slime local news outlets are distributing algorithmic stories and conservative talking points

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Mariya Manzhos is a freelance journalist based in Boston. Her writing can be found at mariyamanzhos.com.
Here are the top five ag issues during 2019, based on issues that were discussed in this throughout the year.

1. Weather issues and crop production challenges.

Mother Nature was not kind to many farmers in the Upper Midwest in 2019, as well as in some areas of the Eastern Corn Belt. Many weather reporting stations reported record precipitation in 2019, with several areas receiving 50 percent or more above the normal growing season rainfall.

This resulted in very late planting in some areas, crop drown-out and poor growing conditions in other areas, and widespread areas of delayed harvest. In fact, some portions of North and South Dakota, and adjoining areas of Western Minnesota, still have thousands of acres of corn yet to be harvested.

Severe storms with hail and wind damage to crops also resulted in yield reduction in many parts of the region.

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Some growers in western Minnesota, along with North and South Dakota, are reporting their lowest corn yields since the disaster year of 1993. Overall, corn yields in region were 10 to 20 percent below long-term averages, and probably 15 to 30 percent lower than 2015-2017 average yields. In general, soybean yields were 5 to 20 percent below long-term average yields.

Minnesota is projected to have a 2019 corn yield of 170 bushels per acre, which compares to 182 bushels per acre in 2018 and the record yield of 194 bushels per acre in 2017. Other 2019 projected statewide corn yields that are below recent averages are North Dakota at 142 bushels per acre, South Dakota at 151 bushels per acre, Indiana at 165 bushels per acre, and Illinois at 179 bushels per acre. The projected 2019 corn yield for Iowa is better at 192 bushels per acre.

USDA is estimating the 2019 Minnesota soybean yield at 45 bushels per acre, Iowa at 53 bushels per acre, South Dakota at 43 bushels per acre, and North Dakota at 33 bushels per acre, which are all below average yields in recent years.

2. The ongoing trade war.

During 2019, the trade war with China continued, which kept increased tariffs in place on many ag products being shipped to China. The total amount of ag exports has decreased in two years from over $20 billion in 2017 to less than $10 billion in 2019.

Soybeans and pork have been two of the commodities hit the hardest by the added tariffs on grain and pork products being shipped to China. Tariffs have also remained in place on products traded with Canada and Mexico, the partners with the U.S. in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). China, Canada and Mexico account for more than 40 percent of all U.S. ag exports on an annual basis.

The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to replace NAFTA was agreed upon by the leaders of the three countries late in 2018. However, the USMCA agreement needs to be approved within the various countries, including by the U.S. Congress, before being implemented. Congress took action on the USMCA agreement very late in 2019, and work needs to be done on language in the agreement related to labor and environmental issues. As 2020 begins, it appears that the USMCA agreement will be approved by Congress and implemented this year, which should help stabilize agriculture trade between the three counties.

Late in 2019, there was also some positive news regarding phase one of a new U.S. and Chinese trade agreement. If implemented, this agreement could greatly enhance U.S. exports of certain ag products to China in the coming years.

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3. Tight cash flow margins and the declining farm economy.

Earlier in 2019, the University of Minnesota reported that the median net farm income for Minnesota farmers in 2018 was only $26,055, the lowest in the past 23 years of analyzing farm business management records. In addition, 2018 was the fifth year in a row of sub-par net farm income levels in the state, the first time this has occurred since the 1980s. Some farmers in southern Minnesota had 2018 net farm incomes that were even lower, feeling the effect of reduced crop yields that resulted from excessive rainfall during the 2018 growing season, as well as the impacts of reduced crop and livestock prices, resulting from the U.S. trade wars.

Net farm income levels for 2019 are likely to be quite low again because of reduced crop yields and continuing low grain and livestock prices. The level of crop insurance carried by farmers for the 2019 crop year, along with grain and livestock marketing decisions that were made, will likely have a significant impact on profitability for individual farm businesses. It is estimated that government payments will make up one-third or more of potential net farm income for 2019 in the U.S farm sector. These payments will primarily come from crop insurance indemnity payments, disaster payments, and market facilitation program (MFP) payments to farmers that are being paid to offset income loss from the ongoing trade wars.

4. RFS waivers and the impact on the ethanol industry

The granting of "small refinery exemptions" (SREs) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency garnered considerable attention by ethanol and biodiesel plants, farm organizations and political leaders during 2019. In the past couple of years, the EPA has granted an unusually high number of SREs, which has impacted demand for renewable fuels and has negatively impacted the profitability of the ethanol and biodiesel industries. Since EPA increased the use of SREs, 19 ethanol plants in the U.S. have either closed or idled production, including the Corn Plus ethanol plant at Winnebago, Minn., and other plants have reduced their production levels. It is estimated that the 2.5 billion gallon per year biodiesel industry in the U.S. has lost nearly 10 percent of the total demand due to the SREs granted by EPA in the past three years.

The Trump administration has proposed some changes to the procedures for the Renewable Fuel Standard that will hopefully address some of the issues related to the granting of the SREs. However, it is still unclear if the EPA will limit the use of SREs in the future or implement the strategies to stabilize demand for renewable fuels.

5. Implementation of the New Farm Bill.

The new Farm Bill, titled the "Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018," will govern U.S. farm programs from 2019 through 2023. Sign-up for the new farm program for the 2019 and 2020 crop years is currently ongoing at local USDA Farm Service Agency offices and will continue until March 15. Producers will have a choice between the price-only "price loss coverage" (PLC) and county yield revenue-based "ag risk coverage" (ARC-CO) program choices for the 2019 and 2020 crop production years. Beginning with the 2021 crop year, producers will be able to make an annual election between the ARC-CO and PLC program choices. Farm operators with prevent plant acres in 2019 may also consider the "ag risk coverage individual" (ARC-IC) program option, which utilizes farm-level crop yields. FSA and University Extension Services are hosting many farm program information meetings in early 2020.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke to Pakistan's Chief of Staff Qamar Bajwa over "US defensive action to kill Qassem Soleimani" to protect American interest in the region.

"Pakistan's Chief of Staff General Bajwa and I spoke today about US defensive action to kill Qassem Soleimani. The Iran regime's actions in the region are destabilizing and our resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities, and partners will not waver," wrote Pompeo on Twitter.

This comes at a backdrop of Washington's strike carried out near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.

The US had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hon. Vincent Sowah Odotei, MP of La Dadekopon Constituency

03.01.2020 LISTEN

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the La Dadekopon Constituency is edging towards crisis as party activists and Member of Parliament for the area, Vincent Sowah Odotei, hit new levels of hostility.

Ever since Odotei indicated his plans to seek re-election, the vast majority of party faithfuls have strongly opposed the former student leader's actions and opinions.

According to the supporters, the MP has failed woefully and did not deserve another chance to represent the party in the 2020 parliamentary elections.

Party loyalists are accusing the MP of denying them high-level job opportunities.

They allege that the constituency received a quota for at least six persons to be enlisted in the Ghana Armed Forces each year, but the MP deprived them of that opportunity accusing him of giving those slots to his cronies.

All efforts to get the MP to speak to the issue proved futile. Neither did he pick our calls nor respond to our messages.

The MP, who doubles as a Deputy Minister for Communication, recently suffered a frosty reception from furious party supporters who had gathered at the constituency office.

Tensions hit the roofs after shouts of wicked person and selfish rang out from the supporters.

The MP took offence and charged on the crowd. In the near brawl, Odotei was seen taking off his jacket, in apparent readiness to take on his supposed detractors - who he believed were supporters of his opponent, Joseph Gerald-Nyanyofio.

It is reported that the clash at the party office was the second in less than a year, with the first having occurred at the La Trade Fair Centre.

But a party sympathizer, who witnessed the fracas, has expressed worry about the behaviour of the MP. She pleaded anonymity.

I was very shocked. The bevaviour of the MP was disappointing and unparliamentary given his position in government, she said.

The woman, who spoke with a sad voice, continued: This kind of despicable behaviour makes some of us ashamed as NPP sympathisers.

Calls have been made on Odoteis likely opponent (Nyanyofio) in the parliamentary primary to sign up to a clean election campaign pledge, perhaps to forestall further confrontations.

A statement signed by Gerald-Nyanyofio and sighted by Modernghana promised the leadership of the party to run a vigorous campaign devoid of personal attacks.

I will never at any point ride on the back of political euphoria to sanction the politics of insults or any form misconduct and misdemeanour towards my senior brother, Hon. Vincent Odotei, the statement said in parts.

Both candidates appeared hopeful of emerging winner in the party primaries scheduled for March 30, 2020.
Shanghai (AFP) - Former Yugoslavia star Dragan Stojkovic left Chinese club Guangzhou R&F on Friday and could be replaced as coach by former Barcelona player Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

The 54-year-old Stojkovic was in charge for more than four years but Guangzhou finished 12th out of 16 teams in the Chinese Super League last season.

They conceded 72 goals in 30 matches, the worst defence in the league, and the club said in a statement on the Twitter-like Weibo that Stojkovic's reign was over.

"This is a very difficult decision but in order to maintain the progress of the club and for the team to move forward, we believe now is the right time to turn the page," the club said.

Guangzhou, who have the former Tottenham Hotspur player Mousa Dembele in midfield, were tight-lipped about Stojkovic's replacement.

However, Chinese media said that it is likely to be the 44-year-old Van Bronckhorst, a former Dutch international who played as a defender and midfielder for Arsenal and Barcelona.

Van Bronckhorst was in charge at Feyenoord from May 2015 to June 2019, winning the Dutch league and twice the cup.

Stojkovic was appointed coach of Guangzhou in August 2015, taking up the position vacated less than a year earlier by ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Stojkovic previously told AFP that Swansea City, then in the Premier League, had once approached him to be their manager.

"Maybe 10 days after my signing here, I received a call again from them (Swansea). I said, 'It's too late now, my friend, I'm in China'," he said.

"I said that I cannot change my decision, I am here now."
Belarus has temporarily suspended export of petroleum products from its oil refineries, the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim informed TASS on Friday, Trend reports citing TASS.

"Yes, we confirm that export of petroleum products out of the country has been temporarily suspended due to the situation caused by the suspension of Russian oil [export] to our oil refineries," the concern informed.

Earlier on Friday, Belneftekhim Concern said that Russia had stopped oil supplies to Belarus, adding that the capacity of the countrys oil refineries had been reduced to the minimum technologically permissible level.

On December 30 and 31, Russian and Belarusian leaders Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko held two phone calls, during which they discussed the export of Russian oil and gas to the republic. Lukashenko also discussed this matter with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak on December 21. On the same day, Lukashenko mandated the Belarusian oil and gas complex leadership to sign contracts for oil deliveries and to work on the conditions of delivering raw materials from Baltic ports via the railway service and the Druzhba pipeline. Earlier, the Belarusian leader stated that in 2020, Belarus plans to purchase 20 bln cubic meters of gas and 24-25 mln tonnes of oil from Russia.
In all jurisdictions, particularly in this part of our world, governments are adjudged to a greater extent by the extent to which they are able to among other things; meet the educational needs and aspirations of the citizenry through policy initiatives and interventions. It is so because, with education, comes immense economic dividend such as; good jobs and good salaries for citizens, competent educated workforce and smart citizenry who are catalysts for positive change and development. It is thus not surprising to note that in Ghana, a large chunk of our national budget is consumed by the provision of quality education.

Needless to say, governments have also had to grapple with paying for the numerous infrastructure deficits, not to talk of recurrent expenditure on emoluments and compensations of teachers, and goods and service for running schools among others. We are told that the British colonial administration in the Gold Coast was derelict in even making basic education free, because at the time it was not free in the imperial Kingdom. Also in Ghana, most of the governments we have had have looked on

whilst many children stayed out of high school for lack of accessibility or better still affordability. This is particularly so in southern Ghana, where boarding fee was a barrier to access, given that most senior high schools in Ghana are boarding schools.

The good old John Agyekum Kuffour (JAK) having actualized the true meaning of Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE), it was only reasonable Nana Akufo-Addo made a promise of free senior high school education. But his opponents bastardized the idea, and said it was impossible. It is next to impossibility, hopelessly unrealistic, possible in 20 years they said. They vilified him, and asserted it was a seductive political announcement, designed to win votes from willing mass of gullible people. But Akufo-Addo maintained that the 21st century is an era of knowledge, and the-much-sought-after-knowledge is what fuels modern civilization, not Gold and timber, or even our toddling hydrocarbons industry.

By some unlucky accident, the NPP candidate was not successful in the second round of election in 2008, despite having led in the first round of election by a higher margin than the eventual winner garnered in the second round, with just a narrow majority. And this coincidence of error was the time Ghana retrogressed. The trail of destruction was all over; the public purse saw the worst desecration. As it turned out, the NDC was incapable of responding to the needs of the ordinary Ghanaian. And high school education became for a selfish club of the rich and capable. No wonder that high school boarding education became more expensive than undergraduate studies; an emotional comparison by most parents.

Nana Akufo-Addo was a true believer of winning the presidency for his vision of free SHS to be brought to pass. A true believer as he was, he doubled down on his promise in 2012 and 2016 to deliver the free senior high school for all Ghanaian children. And thus far the NPP under him, has consistently promised the Ghanaian people Free SHS in three consecutive elections (manifestos). The 2016 manifesto clearly states, the NPP will redefine basic education to include Senior High School (SHS), covering vocational, agriculture and technical schools, and make it available for free on universal basis to all Ghanaians. After eight years of opposition, when eventually the mandate was entrusted it in 2016, the NPP did not hesitate to implement same.

Immediately after the inauguration of the president, his opponents, in self-flattery turned their own speculations into nationwide rumour of how our programs would be destined for a spectacular failure. But we see in Akufo-Addo (and the intellectual excellence of top crop of his ministers), a leadership that endeavors to take bold innovations that would ensure eternal legacies for generations yet unborn. And with each passing day, they got disappointed as his government dispelled their doubts. For instance, in 2017 there was a 10% increase in budget allocation to the education sector. The increments were largely caused by two main drivers; free SHS and Restoration of teacher and nursing trainees allowance.

Government spends GH2,312 on each of the 1,264,000 SHS student currently under the policy per year. And a total of GH693m has been paid since the restoration of allowances for teacher and nursing trainees in 2017. These social protection policies have put money in peoples pockets, as the finance minister has said. Government has also recruited 66,357 teachers according to the Director-General of G.E.S. There is a revamp of classroom blocks and ancillary facilities across all double track schools in Ghana today. These and many more have sent cold shivers down the spines of the members of the largest opposition party and its flagbearer.

Waking up to the realization or the reality of free SHS, now in a face-saving move, John Mahama who ridiculed free SHS is all of a sudden in town promising TVET for free at all levels. This same man was somewhat indifferent when parents struggled to pay for their wards fees whiles he and his henchmen plundered the nations resources with pedigree. The most stinging indictment is when this individual once remarked that, very soon Akufo-Addo would be promising free air, as free education which the then-candidate promised in his view is a constitutional requirement. But his courage had failed him. And yet his so called progressively free policy was a convenient excuse to deny the rest of the countrys children their birth-right, what he had benefited personally as a boy in northern Ghana.

Now bereft of confidence to win the 2020 election, he makes the most absurd suggestion to cancel the licensure exams for teachers. Well he said, among other vain talks, that he would abolish double track through massive infrastructure as if buildings are like tomatoes to be acquired every day at the Mala Atta market. Even more comical is the promise to review the entire free SHS policy, which Ghanaians see could well be a subterfuge, devoid of any truth. This clearly is a kneejerk reaction to the thriving free SHS policy which has taken the wind out of the sail of John Dramani Mahama. The Akans say, se kwatrekwa se bema wo ntoma a, tie ne din, to wit if a person who is naked promise you a cloth to put on, just listen to his name.

In fact, the 2016 manifesto of John Mahama campaign did not have education as a focus. The main focus is on so called, Putting peoples first, Building a strong economy for job creation, Expanding infrastructure for accelerated development and Advancing transparent and accountable governance. The bit about education lacked clarity. The flagbearer is quoted as saying; We will continue to take bold initiatives to improve access, affordability and quality at all levels. It is expanded into the same things successive governments have been doing from Adam with the same expected outcomes. The text is embellished with rehashed words in the political lexicon as improve, enhance, resource, complete and so on. The only pro poor bit is the promise to absorb fully the WASSCE registration fees, which the Akuffo-Addo government having already conceived the idea, only to be plagiarized by the NDC, has implemented same in government.

So, you see my dear reader, Mr. Mahamas intention for the education sector is without vision and in a realm of murky darkness. His terribly trivial contribution to the sector when he sat on the highest throne in Ghana is not only an air and mark of the betrayal of a northern mandate, but also a visible strangul
EOG Resources, Inc. EOG is well poised to grow on the back of significant U.S. shale presence.

Headquartered in Houston, TX, EOG Resources is primarily involved in exploring and producing oil and natural gas. It has a market capitalization of $49 billion. The leading upstream energy players operations are spread across the United States, China and Trinidad. In the next five years, the companys profit levels are expected to rise 9.4%.

EOG Resources, Inc. Price and Consensus

EOG Resources, Inc. Price and Consensus

EOG Resources, Inc. price-consensus-chart | EOG Resources, Inc. Quote

Courtesy of solid prospects, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock is worth holding on to at the moment.

Whats Driving the Stock?

The upstream energy player has an attractive growth profile, huge inventory of drilling opportunities, upper quartile returns and a disciplined management team. The company has significant acreages in oil shale plays like Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford. Most importantly, EOG Resources is among the leading players in the Bakken play and the largest in the Eagle Ford. The upstream players extensive reach to these key shale resources will likely support long-term production growth.

In the promising shale plays, EOG Resources has identified 9,500 undrilled premium wells that could provide access to 9.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent estimated potential reserves. In the Eagle Ford alone, the company identified 2,300 undrilled premium locations with significant oil equivalent barrels of estimated potential reserves.

EOG Resources has been focusing on consistently returning cash to its shareholders. Since 2017, the company has managed to increase annual dividend by 72%. It is targeting dividend yield growth of 2% from the current level of 1.6%. Moreover, the company is committed to strengthen the balance sheet and lower its debt burden by $3 billion in the 2018-2021 period to retain its dividend and financial strength. Additionally, the companys agreement to sell natural gas for roughly 15 years to Cheniere Energy, starting early 2020, has secured significant future cash flows.

Story continues

Downsides

There are a few factors that are impeding the growth of the stock lately.

EOG Resources produces more than 93% of its crude equivalent volumes from the United States, with insignificant exposure to Trinidad and other international resources. With the business scenario in U.S. plays being very competitive, the company is losing the opportunity to capitalize on profitable international exploration and production operations.

Rising lease and well operating expenses are hurting its bottom line. Notably, from 2016 to 2018, EOG Resources lease and well operating costs had increased nearly 40%. Moreover, in the first nine months of 2019, the companys lease and well expenses had increased more than 10%, and gathering and processing costs were up 8.3%.

Importantly, although the phase-one Sino-U.S. trade agreement has solved a few issues of the United States, there are still many areas, including energy, that need attention. This raises concerns that the tariff war may again escalate and hurt commodity prices, in turn affecting EOG Resources profits. Also, the companys operations in China can be affected by escalating tensions between the two governments.

To Sum Up

Despite significant prospects as mentioned above, higher lease and well expenses are a concern. Nevertheless, we believe that systematic and strategic plan of action will drive its long-term growth.

Key Picks

Some better-ranked stocks in the energy sector include CNX Resources Corporation CNX, Antero Midstream AM and Frank's International N.V. FI, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

CNX Resources earnings for the current year have witnessed four upward revisions in the past 60 days versus no movement in the opposite direction.

Antero Midstreams fourth-quarter 2019 earnings growth is expected to be 130%.

Frank's Internationals bottom line for 2019 is expected to rise 23.8% year over year.

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Zacks Investment Research
Days after UP Police alleged that Pro Pak slogans were raised in Meerut on December 20 during an anti-citizenship amendment act (CAA) protest, a shocking incident has taken place on Friday. Explaining the incident Meerut SP Akhilesh Narayan Singh, while speaking to Republic TV has said that one person has been arrested because they recieved information that pro-Pakistan slogans were raised. He added that investigation is going on. He ensured that everything else is fine in Meerut city.

One arrested for raising Pro-Pak slogans

In a shocking development, the Uttar Pradesh police on Friday has arrested a person in Meerut for allegedly raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans. Police report that 7-8 youth around the age of 18 years had allegedly raised pro-Pakistan slogans. While the police have arrested one youth - Abu Zar, (aged 22-23) they are on the look out for the others.

Recalling the incident, Zar has confessed on camera " 5- 6 boys were raising slogans. I told them not to do so , so they opposed me. They were first raising slogans of India, but when I opposed them to not worsen the situation, the started saying 'Pakistan Zindabad'."

Earlier on Thursday, police have identified the three individuals who opened fire using unlicensed weapons during the December 20 Meerut violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act. As per sources, their names are Naeem, Faisal and Anis. Suspected to have links with the Popular Front of India, these individuals are under the scanner of the Uttar Pradesh police.

READ: Crackdown On PFI: 25 Persons Arrested, UP Police Raids 23 Locations Over Anti-CAA Violence

Controversial video from Meerut

This comes after a video of a senior police officer from Meerut went viral last week, where was seen allegedly chanting communal and inappropriate remarks. The video reportedly from last Friday that surfaced on December 27 showed Superintendent of Police(City) of Meerut Akhilesh Narayan Singh saying: "Go to Pakistan" to the alleged rioters.

In the video accessed, SP Akhilesh Narayan Singh allegedly says said: "Where will you go? I will set this lane right now that you have given me this chance. Pointing at some black and blue badges, the Police officer reportedly says: "These black and blue badges you people are wearing, tell them to go to Pakistan. (Nahin woh to theek hai jo kaali patti aur neeli patti baandh rahe ho unko keh do Pakistan chale jaayein).

READ: Anti-CAA Violent Protests: SDPI & PFI Under Police Scanner For Allegedly Inciting Violence

He continues his rant: "Desh main agar nahin rehne ka man hai to chale jao bhaiya. Aaoge yahan aur gaoge kahin aur ka. (If you do not want to live here then go away. You come here but you sing praises about somewhere else?)," the police officer says. In the video, Singh and the other policemen then proceed to move ahead but the seemingly infuriated officer returns to the same men at least thrice and ends by saying, "I have taken the picture. Now I will show you. I will throw every man from here in jail. (Ek ek ghar ke ek ek aadmi ko jail main band karunga main)." He then says, "I will destroy everyone."

READ: UP Police Issue 'WANTED' Posters Of Protestors Who Led Violent Demonstrations In Meerut

Meerut ADG alleges Pro Pak slogans raised

After the video went viral, he released a statement saying they were provoked. Speaking to news agency ANI, SP Akhilesh Narayan Singh said that pro-Pakistan slogans were raised. He justified his action saying that they had information that such elements stay in that lane. "When they said Pakistan Zindabad as soon as they saw us, then we said that if you are so much in love with that country then you can go there", he said.

READ: NIA Team Heads To Lucknow To Probe PFI Links To Anti-CAA Violence In Uttar Pradesh
A suspected firearm was behind a security alert in Antrim.

The item was found in a car which had been set alight in the Tarragon Road area of the town in the early hours of Friday morning.

The area was sealed off for most of Friday morning as police, army bomb disposal experts and forensics officers attended the scene.

Superintendent Sue Steen said: Officers attended a report of a car deliberately set alight shortly after 2.45am this morning. The fire was extinguished and a suspicious object was located inside the vehicle.

A suspected firearm has now been removed from the vehicle by police for further examination and residents who were impacted have now returned to their homes.

"All roads have now re-opened and police would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding, as officers worked to keep the area safe.

Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding this incident and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 124 03/01/20. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
December meant some real good times for alcohol manufacturers as people of Delhi consumed liquor worth around Rs 1,000 crore this year, suggest reports. The actual stats on the sales of bottles via vends, hotels and bars, however, are in the process of compilation. The number (Rs 1,000 crore) has been arrived at after considering the revenue collected by the excise department in the form of liquor duty, a Times of India report citing a source said. The department's earnings in terms of liquor duty are estimated to be Rs 465 crores in December. This is a very minor increase compared to the last year's December figures, i.e., Rs 460 crores.

According to an excise department official, the amount was calculated considering the liquor supplied to vends, hotels and bars. The national capital has a network of 864 vends, both government and private whereas 951 hotels, bars and clubs have the liquor licence.

Coincidentally, Delhi had a record sale of alcohol in December 2019, which has also been the 2nd coldest month since 1901. The reason behind the increased revenue earned by the excise department is said to be the department's decision to lower down the prices of some popular imported liquor brands. Last year November, the excise department reduced the prices of around 10 foreign liquor brands by 20-25 per cent.

An official told the daily that the lowering down of the prices not only benefitted the department but also the sellers as the sales of liquor went up by about 3 times post this decision. Before this, people used to go to Haryana for cheap liquor, and also because of the massive price difference of Rs 800-Rs 1200. There also used to be smuggling of liquor to Delhi.

The reduction of prices has not led to much differences in the rates, which is why customers are now buying these brands from local shops. Reports suggest that if the government hadn't shut 120 departmental stores that sold wine and beer in the 3rd week of December following complaints regarding irregularities, its revenue collection could have been even higher.

Also read: Wait for Budweiser, Hoegaarden gets longer as maker AB InBev fails to overturn Delhi ban
Britain on Friday called for calm after a US strike in Baghdad killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, increasing tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Foreign minister Dominic Raab said London had "always recognised the aggressive threat" posed by Soleimani and his Quds Force, adding: "Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is none of our interests.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
It didnt take limp Democrats long to voice their condemnation of Trumps destruction of the evil General Soleimani. This man had orchestrated terror, massive violence and deaths around that region for 20 years including the recent attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq. These leaders of weakness were quick to attack Trump but couldnt muster the stomach to attack Soleimani in the past. That policy empowered him to move freely about the region entering many nations with no concern. He had just arrived from Lebanon where he had been plotting with Hezbollah to attack Israel.

This is not a war against a sovereign nation, Iran, but an action of anti-terrorism against a violent deadly organization, Qud, which was planning more violence against American contractors, diplomats and military personnel in Iraq. Iran doesnt want to move troops into Iraq so they use surrogates in Iraq to foment insurrections and terror. This action disrupts that plot.

Silly Democrat analysts and media experts have no clue about the Iranians and their potential for deadly violence. Let me remind everyone, Joe Biden, who was first to denounce the destruction of the bloody Soleimani, earlier denounced the state of Texas for changing their law which allowed weapons in churches. If Joe has been in charge, his foolishness would have led to many more deaths in the recent church shooting near Ft Worth. Joe Biden is not only delusional, hes dangerous. He would be a disaster as president.

Ilhan Omar, in her condemnation of the president, tweeted she will step in to stop Trump. Just how will she do that? And isnt it interesting she says this when he destroys an Iranian terrorist leader? Isnt it interesting her comments appear to reveal indifference to what a threat Soleimani was to American military and diplomatic personnel? This thinking by Omar and others is why Congress was not notified before the attack on Soleimani. Who could trust Omar, who is on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, with classified intelligence like this?

Omar is not alone in her thinking. There has been strong backlash over MSNBCs Joy Reid appearing to cheer on terrorists attacking the embassy in Baghdad hoping it would be Trumps Benghazi. The recent attack in Baghdad was in retaliation for the US destroying Hezbollah militants who recently attacked U.S. servicemen in Iraq, killing an American private contractor. Iran supports Hezbollah and that was why Soleimani was in both Lebanon and Iraq.

Whatever Reids twisted statement meant it further reveals the radical lefts weakness and what they think of Trump and millions of Americans who voted for him. And they want us to trust them with our security and running the nation?

Ralph Miller

* * *

Excellent points by Mr. Miller on the whacking of the Iranian General by President Trump and the members of our Armed Forces. I would add another to his Hall of Shame. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut severely criticized the President for his actions. Funny just the week before he criticized the President for not reacting to the attack on our Embassy saying no one feared the U.S. anymore. Kind of similar to John Kerry who was, "against the Iraq war before he was for it."

Then Murphy dug his hole a little deeper and said Trump's actions were equivalent to Iran assassinating our Secretary of Defense. Really Senator, when was the last time a Secretary of State was outside the embassy of a country in another foreign country leading an assault on its walls.

Whatever became of the Democrat party of FDR, Truman, JFK, Sam Nunn and Joe Lieberman, who ironically was succeeded by Murphy.

Douglas Jones

Ooltewah

* * *

I doubt that General Soleimani was of sterling character nor do I think he was a friend/ally of the United States. However, I do wonder about the motive(s) that Trump used in deciding to attack and kill him. While the catalyst for this killing may have been the attack on the American embassy, I seriously wonder if this attack gave Trump an opportunity to draw attention away from the impending impeachment proceedings by providing the world something violent and inflammatory to see. To focus attention on something in another part of the world (and thus to direct it away from the politician himself and his questionable actions) is an old political trick.

As an American citizen and veteran, I do strongly object to this administration's putting the lives of thousands of young American servicemen and servicewomen at risk by escalating tensions in the Mid-east. Such a tactic is especially heinous if the intent is to delay the appropriate impeachment process that follows questionable behavior on the part of an American politician.

Tim McDonald

* * *

These are some thought-provoking letters of reasoning that concerns our national security and well-being. Sometimes in the mirror we see what we want to see.

In regard to Mr. McDonalds comments about President Trump possibly drawing attention away from impeachment by striking at Soleimani and Irans extended terror network, I see no political trick here. President Trump did what administrations before him were too timid to do after the U. S. had suffered the results of Irans terror. Was he to wait while Soleimanis terrorists attacked and killed more innocent victims? Wait until whenever the political stunt of impeachment has blown away or ended?

At least if not more, the administration took out a leader of terror who apparently was planning more terror attacks. What I do see is an opposing party out to damage and bring down a president at any costs and by any method. The real trick is how the Democrats have corruptly, lied, twisted and dangled impeachment out to damage this setting president. Questionable behavior really focuses then on the democrats. Have no doubt the liberal Democrats really want to extinguish or wipe out the 2016 voters choice.

Gerald Presley

* * *

I am not sure when Mr. McDonald wrote his comment regarding the rationale for killing General Solemenei in Baghdad, but given Sec. Pompeo's statement that the general was in Iraq to coordinate, with his Iraqi allies, further attacks on the embassy and other friendly sites, I believe the drone strike was completely warranted. If anyone has paid attention to the Iranians over the last 40 years, it is evident that they have been continually at war with the U.S. and General Solemenei has been the primary architect of their attacks throughout the world. He got what he deserved.

Prior to recent attacks, President Trump had acted with restraint toward Iran's provocations in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere, however, the recent missile and embassy attacks by Iranian backed factions combined with the intelligence that further attacks were imminent required a measured response. By giving the Iranians and their allies a bloody nose with the promise of further responses to continued attacks, Mr. Trump has given the mullahs a clear indication of his resolve. Nobody wants a hot war with Iran, but it's their decision as to how to respond. I believe that the Iranian leaders will back off rather than risk further damage to their fragile hold on power.

The assertion that this current action is meant to be a distraction from impeachment is beyond ludicrous. The Democrats still cannot get over Hillary's defeat and impeachment is just one more feeble attempt to overturn the election and remove the most effective leader this country has seen since Reagan. Regarding questionable behavior on the part of an American politician, I am assuming that the reference is probably in regard to Adam Schiff.

Jim Nelson
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the government aims to develop India as a world-class $100 billion bio-manufacturing hub by 2024. This, he said, will happen with right policy initiatives and support to innovative research, human resource development and enterprise

PM Modi was speaking at the inauguration of 107th Indian science Congress at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK in Bengaluru.

Government officials seemed quite upbeat. From $100 billion by 2024, they revised the bio-economy target to $150 billion by the same year. In this, the contribution of bio-manufacturing is projected at around $100 billion. The current size of the bio-manufacturing could not be available as numbers are still being verified, said officials. However, industry estimates it in the range of $15-20 billion.

Many in the industry welcomed PM Modi's focus on bio-manufacturing. However, they do see challenges. They believe that a lot more may need to be put in place including conducive policies and efforts aimed at reducing the costs of manufacturing.

Some industry experts, not wanting to be quoted, said that 2024 appears to be an aggressive target; India could hope to get to that number in bio-manufacturing by 2030. "It takes about four years to get regulatory approvals alone," one of the experts said.

Others in the industry feel one way to encourage bio-manufacturing could be by backing bio-manufacturing as a service and encouraging companies to do this. The government should consider subsidising the costs also.

Start-ups need a closer attention. They do have products but they are unable to take it to the next level because of clinical trials. First, they need to manufacture clinical trials material in a GMP (good manufacturing practices) facility; not many facilities are available where they can get it done.

Healthcare, other than agriculture and water governance, was an important component of the PM Modi's speech. For instance, he pointed to the need to have make-in-India medical devices to "bring the fruits of advances in diagnostics to our people". He said: "To promote well-being, we should not only practise some of the tested traditional wisdom but also continuously enlarging its scope by introducing the modern tools and concepts of contemporary bio-medical research."

"Our vision should be to protect people from the threats of dangerous communicable diseases (like Ebola and others)... We must work overtime to fulfil the promise to eradicate TB (tuberculosis) by 2025," he added.

Also read: Indian Science Congress: More tech business incubators created in 5 years than last 50 years, says PM Modi

Also read: PM Modi to address 107th Indian Science Congress in Bangalore today
The wait is almost over for diners in Mobiles Oakleigh historic district: Star chef Jim Smiths new venue, The Hummingbird Way, will open Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Smiths credits include winning the Great American Seafood Cook-Off in 2011, serving as the executive chef for the state of Alabama and as chairman of the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission. Hes also widely known for appearing as a Top 10 contestant in the 2016 season of Top Chef.

Smith has described The Hummingbird Way as a new concept on an oyster bar theme. A public statement announcing the opening date said it will feature locally sourced ingredients and Gulf Seafood and will present an experience that its Southern-inspired and upscale  yet approachable.

In choosing my next venture, I knew I wanted to stay in Alabama and create a seafood-centered restaurant, Smith said in Fridays announcement. The coastal area already felt like home due to my work with Alabama Gulf Seafood, and with so many locals wanting to see another restaurant succeed in this specific location, landing here was an obvious choice.

The new restaurants location is 351 George St. It formerly was the site of Kitchen on George, a restaurant operated by the culinary program at Virginia College. That business shut down in late 2018 after the for-profit college ceased operations due to impending loss of accreditation and other issues.

The menu will include an oyster bar featuring Gulf oysters plus various shrimp and crab options, according to the announcement, which offered additional information about the menu: Starters include such items as Cast Iron Buttermilk Biscuits with Dark Cane Syrup, Crab Rangoons with Pepper Jelly, Gumbo, and Pear Salad, among others. Entrees range in price from $16 to $40 and feature both land and sea options include Roast Quail, Slow Duck Fat Poached Cobia, Pork Cheeks and Grits, Whole Grilled Snapper, Ribeye, and Chicken Pot Pie. For the traditional diner, Old Fashioned Seafood Platters featuring fried or grilled shrimp, oysters or catch of the day will be served with fries and coleslaw.

The Hummingbird Way Oyster Bar will be open 5-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday for brunch. Reservations are welcomed and can be made by calling the restaurant at 251-408-9562.

For more information, visit www.TheHummingbirdWay.com.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.s APD shares have popped 43% over the past year. The company has also outperformed its industrys decline of 18.4% to over the same time frame.



Air Products, a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, has a market cap of roughly $51 billion and average volume of shares traded in the last three months was around 951.8K. The company has an expected long-term earnings per share growth rate of 12.3%, above the industry average of 10.2%.





Lets take a look into the factors that are driving this industrial gas giant.



Whats Going in APDs Favor?



Healthy growth prospects and upbeat outlook for fiscal 2020 have contributed to the run-up in Air Products shares. The company expects adjusted earnings for fiscal 2020 in the range of $9.35-$9.60 per share. This calls for a 14-17% rise year over year. It also sees adjusted earnings per share for first-quarter fiscal 2020 in the band of $2.05-$2.10, which indicates 10-13% rise year over year.



The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for fiscal 2020 of $9.48 reflects an expected year-over-year growth of 15.5%. Moreover, earnings are expected to register a 11.8% growth in the fiscal first quarter.



Air Products productivity actions, investments in high-return projects and new project wins should drive its fiscal 2020 results. The company is boosting productivity to improve its cost structure. It is seeing positive impact of its productivity actions and is expected to benefit from additional productivity and cost improvement programs in fiscal 2020.



Air Products is also poised for growth on the back of its project investments. The company expects the Jazan gas and power project in Saudi Arabia to contribute to the growth in its adjusted earnings per share in fiscal 2020. The Lu'An syngas project in China is also contributing to the results in the companys Industrial Gases  Asia segment.



The company has a total available capacity to deploy (over fiscal 2018-2022) nearly $18 billion in high-return investments, aimed at creating significant shareholder value. It has already spent or committed more than half of this capacity.



Air Products also remains committed to maximize returns to shareholders. It generated roughly $2.7 billion of distributable cash flow during fiscal 2019. This marks an increase of nearly 20% from fiscal 2018 levels. This distributable cash flow enabled it to pay roughly $1 billion or around 40% as dividends to shareholders.

Story continues

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Price and Consensus

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Price and Consensus

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Quote

Stocks to Consider



Some better-ranked stocks worth considering in the basic materials space include Daqo New Energy Corp. DQ, Pan American Silver Corp. PAAS and Sibanye Gold Limited SBGL, each sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



Daqo New Energy has projected earnings growth rate of 294.7% for 2020. The companys shares have rallied roughly 122% in a years time.



Pan American Silver has estimated earnings growth rate of 38.1% for 2020. The companys shares have shot up roughly 57% in a years time.



Sibanye Gold has projected earnings growth rate of 587.5% for 2020. The companys shares have surged around 232% over a year.



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Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, its expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.



A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday indicated that he is likely to cancel his first official visit to India scheduled from January 13 amidst the catastrophic bushfire crisis in his country.

Massive fires ripped through swathes of the Australia's south-east on New Year's Eve, killing at least 20 people and stranding holidaymakers as seaside towns were ringed by flames.

Australian authorities on Thursday declared a state of emergency and forced evacuation of residents, tourists and closure of roads in the bushfire zones in the states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria ahead of Saturday's forecast of "horrible" fire conditions due to the intensified heat wave.

Morrison was due to visit India on January 13-16 following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During a press conference in Bairnsdale in Victoria, the prime minister said "The National Security Committee is going to hook up actually in the morning on this. I'm inclined not to proceed with that visit (to India)."



"There are some issues that I need to resolve formally, through what you would expect when you make a decision of that nature. To work though those issues with the other ministers. But that is my inclination at this point, I'll make a further announcement on that and we will make the arrangements accordingly," he said.

Prime Minister Morrison said a further announcement would be made about the decision to cancel his trip to India.

Last month, Morrison had come under fire and was forced to cut short a holiday to Hawaii just before Christmas following the bushfire conditions.

On Thursday, during his visit to the bushfire hit NSW South Coast town of Cobargo, Morrison was also heckled by angry locals.

He later told ABC channel that he came to Cobargo to "see it for myself, to offer what comfort I could, but you can't always in every circumstances".

"I'm not surprised people are feeling very raw at the moment," Morrison said adding "I understand the very strong feelings people have. They've lost everything and there are still some very dangerous days ahead."



Media reports said that a planned trip to Japan is also in doubt now.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A pedestrian wears a mask as smoke shrouds the Australian capital of Canberra, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020. Australia deployed military ships and aircraft to help communities ravaged by apocalyptic wildfires that destroyed homes and sent thousands of residents and holidaymakers fleeing to the shoreline. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's unprecedented wildfires are supercharged thanks to climate change, the type of trees catching fire and weather, experts say.

And these fires are so extreme that they are triggering their own thunderstorms.

Here are a few questions and answers about the science behind the Australian wildfires that so far have burned about 5 million hectares (12.35 million acres), killing at least 17 people and destroying more than 1,400 homes.

"They are basically just in a horrific convergence of events," said Stanford University environmental studies director Chris Field, who chaired an international scientific report on climate change and extreme events. He said this is one of the worst, if not the worst, climate change extreme events he's seen.

"There is something just intrinsically terrifying about these big wildfires. They go on for so long, the sense of hopelessness that they instill," Field said. "The wildfires are kind of the iconic representation of climate change impacts."

Q: IS CLIMATE CHANGE REALLY A FACTOR?

A: Scientists, both those who study fire and those who study climate, say there's no doubt man-made global warming has been a big part, but not the only part, of the fires.

In this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, aerial photo, wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale, Australia. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. (Glen Morey via AP)

Last year in Australia was the hottest and driest on record, with the average annual temperature 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above the 1960 to 1990 average, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology. Temperatures in Australia last month hit 121.8 F (49.9 C).

"What would have been a bad fire season was made worse by the background drying/warming trend,'' Andrew Watkins, head of long-range forecasts at Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, said in an email.

Mike Flannigan, a fire scientist at the University of Alberta in Canada, said Australia's fires are "an example of climate change."

A 2019 Australian government brief report on wildfires and climate change said, "Human-caused climate change has resulted in more dangerous weather conditions for bushfires in recent decades for many regions of Australia."

Q: HOW DOES CLIMATE CHANGE MAKE THESE FIRES WORSE?

A: The drier the fueltrees and plantsthe easier it is for fires to start and the hotter and nastier they get, Flannigan said.

"It means more fuel is available to burn, which means higher intensity fires, which makes it more difficultor impossibleto put out," Flannigan said.

In this satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel imagery, 2020 twitter page dated Dec. 31, 2019, shows wildfires burning across Australia. (Copernicus Sentinel Imagery via AP)

The heat makes the fuel drier, so they combine for something called fire weather. And that determines "fuel moisture," which is crucial for fire spread. The lower the moisture, the more likely Australian fires start and spread from lightning and human-caused ignition, a 2016 study found.

There's been a 10% long-term drying trend in Australia's southeast and 15% long-term drying trend in the country's southwest, Watkins said. When added to a degree of warming and a generally southward shift of weather systems, that means a generally drier landscape.

Australia's drought since late 2017 "has been at least the equal of our worst drought in 1902," Australia's Watkins said. "It has probably been driven by ocean temperature patterns in the Indian Ocean and the long term drying trend."

Q: HAS AUSTRALIA'S FIRE SEASON CHANGED?

A: Yes. It's about two to four months longer, starting earlier especially in the south and east, Watkins said.

"The fires over the last three months are unprecedented in their timing and severity, started earlier in spring and covered a wider area across many parts of Australia," said David Karoly, leader of climate change hub at Australia's National Environmental science Program. "The normal peak fire season is later in summer and we are yet to have that."

Q: IS WEATHER, NOT JUST LONG-TERM CLIMATE, A FACTOR?

FIEL - In this image made from video taken on Dec. 22, 2019, and provided by Oakbank Balhannah CFS, a koala drinks water from a bottle given by a firefighter in Cudlee Creek, South Australia. Thousands of koalas are feared to have died in a wildfire-ravaged area north of Sydney, further diminishing Australia's iconic marsupial, while the fire danger accelerated Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019 in the country's east as temperatures soared. (Oakbank Balhannah CFS via AP, File)

A: Yes. In September, Antarctica's sudden stratospheric warmingsort of the southern equivalent of the polar vortexchanged weather conditions so that Australia's normal weather systems are farther north than usual, Watkins said.

That means since mid-October there were persistent strong westerly winds bringing hot dry air from the interior to the coast, making the fire weather even riskier for the coasts.

"With such a dry environment, many fires were started by dry lightning events (storms that brought lightning but limited rainfall)," Watkins said.

Q: ARE PEOPLE STARTING THESE FIRES? IS IT ARSON?

A: It's too early to tell the precise cause of ignition because the fires are so recent and officials are spending time fighting them, Flannigan said.

While people are a big factor in causing fires in Australia, it's usually accidental, from cars and trucks and power lines, Flannigan said. Usually discarded cigarettes don't trigger big fires, but when conditions are so dry, they can, he said.

Q: ARE THESE FIRES TRIGGERING THUNDERSTORMS?

In this image released Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in Gippsland, Australia, smoke rises from wildfires burning in East Gippsland, Victoria. Thousands of tourists are fleeing Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. Cooler weather has aided firefighting and allowed people to replenish supplies. (DELWP Gippsland via AP)

A: Yes. It's an explosive storm called pyrocumulonimbus and it can inject particles as high as 10 miles into the air.

During a fire, heat and moisture from the plants are released, even when the fuel is relatively dry. Warm air is less dense than cold air so it rises, releasing the moisture and forming a cloud that lifts and ends up a thunderstorm started by fire. It happens from time to time in Australia and other parts of the world, including Canada, Flannigan said.

"These can be deadly, dangerous, erratic and unpredictable," he said.

Q: ARE THE AUSTRALIAN TREES PRONE TO BURNING?

A: Eucalyptus trees are especially flammable, "like gasoline on a tree," Flannigan said. Chemicals in them make them catch fire easier, spread to the tops of trees and get more intense. Eucalyptus trees were a big factor in 2017 fires in Portugal that killed 66 people, he said.

Q: HOW CAN YOU FIGHT THESE HUGE AUSTRALIA FIRES?

A: You don't. They're just going to burn in many places until they hit the beach, Flannigan said.

In this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, aerial photo, acres of scorched land are seen in Bairnsdale, Australia. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. (Glen Morey via AP)

"This level of intensity, direct attack is useless," Flannigan said. "You just have to get out of the way... It really is spitting on a campfire. It's not doing any good."

Q: WHAT'S THE LONG-TERM FIRE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR AUSTRALIA?

A: "The extreme fire season in Australia in 2019 was predicted," said Australian National University climate scientist Nerilie Abram. "The question that we need to ask is how much worse are we willing to let this get? This is what global warming of just over 1 degree C looks like. Do we really want to see the impacts of 3 degrees or more are like, because that is the trajectory we are on."

Explore further With warming, get used to blackouts to prevent wildfires

 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
'Containing the situation requires the immediate halt to all kinds of regional intervention in the affairs of Arab states and peoples,' the Egyptian foreign ministry said on Friday

The Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday it is following up with great concern the current rapid developments in Iraq, saying it is very important that escalation be avoided.

Egypt calls for containing the situation and avoiding any further escalation, read the statement.

A US airstrike at Baghdad airport on Friday killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, prompting regional and international concerns of increased tensions in the Middle East.

"Containing the situation requires the immediate halt to all kinds of regional intervention in the affairs of Arab states and peoples, which have only resulted in rising tensions and divisions among Arab people who aspire for peace and stability," the statement added.

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Commuters group lawyers said that Senator Koko Pimentel could be liable for graft charges for endorsing motorcycle taxi mobile app Joyride to the Department of Transportation.

During a press briefing, Lawyers for Commuter Safety and Protection Ariel Inton stressed that legislators have no business interceding for a private party that has an application with a government entity.

Whether overtly stated or not, the letter of Senator Pimentel has the effect of an intercession for the benefit of Joyride, Inton noted. And based on recent developments, Joyride clearly benefited from DOTrs latest decisions, he added.

Inton and Raymond Fortun showed a letter of endorsement from Senator Pimentel for We Move Things Philippines (Joyride) to participate in the pilot implementation. The letter was received at the DOTr Secretarys office September 3 last year.

Attached is the letter of Joyride president Sherwin Yu addressed to Tugade.

Both Inton and Fortun raised that though Yu already mentioned in a press conference that he and Pimentels wife Katherine Yu are related as mentioned in Joyrides press conference, Yu and Pimentel are family friends.

Meanwhile, Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who also attended as resource person at the event, showed a Google Maps photo of a huge in Marikina before it was converted to Joyrides onboarding facility.

The photo, which was taken by Google Maps in January of 2019, showed a huge sign with Pimentels photo and signature. Angeles then showed a recent photo of the same facility which is now being used by Joyride.

So all these beg the questions: What is the real connection of Senator Koko Pimentel to Joyride?Are Neil Sherwin Yu, the president of Joyride, and Kathryna Yu-Pimentel, the wife of Senator Pimentel, related since they share the same surname?  Angeles asked.

Another very important question is thisif Senator Pimentel was just a family friend of the owners, would he risk being accused of graft just to do a friend a favor? Angeles added.

Story continues

Irregularities with TWG?

It was also during the same media briefing where Inton and Raymond Fortun cited some some irregularities pertaining to the motorcycle taxi study.

Fortun said that during the first issuance of General Guidelines for the Pilot Implementation of Motorcycle Taxis, it was under the Department of Transportation.

First of all, they came up with a new Department Order or DO dated December 19, 2019, constituting a new Technical Working Group or TWG composed only of representatives from government agencies. The original civil society stakeholders were effectively eased out, Fortun revealed.

Fortun also said that the new DO constituted the new TWG and appointed LTFRB Board member Antonio Gardiola Jr. as TWG chair. But, the funny thing about it is that it was not only printed using an LTFRB letterhead (and not a DOTr letterhead), it was signed by Mr. Gardiola himself as the new chairman of the TWG and LTO Asec. Galvante, Fortun shared.

This means that Mr. Gardiola appointed himself as the TWG chairman in his capacity as the TWG chairman, Fortun added.

Aside from that, Fortun said that although the new DO that included the constitution of the TWG was signed on December 19, the new TWG has already been meeting since November 20th, without involving the original members.

The DOTr and the LTFRB were all willing to do all these irregularities just so they can accommodate two new players and cut down the competitiveness of the pioneer player, Inton noted.

This begs the question, why is the DOTr seemingly favoring the two new players while putting undue pressure on Angkas? What are the reasons? he added.

And why is Joyride insisting that there needs to be another player in the test run so that data will come from two different sources even though their business model is almost an exact replica of the Angkas business model? Fortun raised.

A lot of things are unclear as of the moment, and we rely on our friends in media to dig further to find out the truth in the interest of transparency. What is clear, however, is that there was an effort by Senator Pimentel to intercede for Joyride, particularly in light of current decisions by the DOTr that seem to favor them while putting pressure on Joyrides main competitor, Inton stressed.

Further, Inton suggested said that since it is under a study for Congress to enact a law that would allow motorcycles, the Congress should take a look at the issue sorrounding the program.

Also read:

The post Could Senator Pimentel Face Graft Raps for Endorsing Joyride? appeared first on Carmudi Philippines.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday alleged that the Indian government was indulging in state terrorism. To buttress his ridiculous claim, he posted some videos of the Uttar Pradesh police allegedly targeting Indian Muslims. However, he was spreading fake news as the footage was of Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion from Dhaka. People on social media were quick to nail this propaganda of Pakistan.

Read: Bilawal Bhutto Predicts Fall Of Imran Khan's "puppet Regime", Recalls Benazir's Warning

Here are the netizen reactions on Imran Khan spreading fake news:

Same @ImranKhanPTI , i can't find any evidence of indian police involve in this type of action against the civilians.



Fake video! https://t.co/Vs3kmfkE6D  Aman Saraf (@Aman9342) January 3, 2020

Fake video HO HO HO . Pak PM is tweeting fake video. Prime Minister of Pakistan peddling Fakes  #ISupportCAA (@TewariAlok) January 3, 2020

Read: Imran Khan Fearmongers Over Kashmir And Anti-CAA Protests, Threatens 'befitting Response'

You mean Bangladesh ??? Stop tweeting other country police action video and mentioning as Indian Police action in UP. You are a PM,and try to be one, Dont act like some random fake news factory employee.  Sandeep Gowda (@sandygowda) January 3, 2020

Read: Religious Freedom Deteriorated In Pakistan Under Imran Khan Govt: UN Commission

Dear Pakistan ,



He is PM or Warrior of SM.



Hundreds of video circulating for giving religious context . Somebody suggest him alternate way of saving his chair. He thinks he can't continue as PAK PM without cursing india on weekly basis .#Useless_Fellow  Pankaj Tiwari (@panksktiwari) January 3, 2020

Pakistan's failed attempt to corner India

Since the Balakot airstrike, Imran Khan has been trying to portray India in a poor light at various forums. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Khan went on to threaten India of another Pulwama-like attack. However, his bid to internationalise the Kashmir issue has consistently failed. His repeated verbal attacks on India come at a juncture when he is facing a lot of opposition in Pakistan for the dire state of the economy and the indiscriminate jailing of dissident leaders.

Read: 'Litmus Test' For Imran Khan: Netizens Slam Pak PM For Inaction Against 'Badmash' Nephew
FILE - In this March 27, 2019 file photo, signs about measles and the measles vaccine are displayed at the Rockland County Health Department in Pomona, N.Y. Measles continues to spread in the United States, with more 704 cases reported so far this year spread among 22 states. Read more

Public health protections affect our health in countless ways, but they often operate in the background. In 2019, several moved to the forefront. Here are five that had the greatest impact.

1. The Epidemic: Opioids

While the opioid epidemic was not a new public health concern in 2019, it was the year when awareness moved into action. In August, an Oklahoma judge ordered New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million (later reduced by more than $100 million to reflect a mathematical error), in response to allegations that the company had contributed to the opioid crisis. It was the first case to go to trial of the thousands of similar cases brought against pharmaceutical companies and helped influence strategies for the similar cases that followed.

Beyond lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, in October, an Eastern District of Pennsylvania judge ruled that the federal Controlled Substances Act did not prevent a nonprofit organization from opening a supervised injection site in a Philadelphia neighborhood ravaged by the opioid epidemic. Additionally, in September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that $1.8 billion of federal funding would be provided to states to help combat opioid addiction.

2. The Outbreak: Measles and the anti-vaccine movement

In 2019, the conversation surrounding mandatory vaccination requirements for schoolchildren received renewed attention and made its way onto the priority list of many state legislatures. The anti-vax movement drew scorn both nationally and internationally as 2019 measles outbreaks threatened to strip the United States of its status as a measles free country. By early December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had recorded nearly 1,300 cases of measles in 31 states, the greatest number recorded since 1992. The outbreaks were largest in areas where groups of people were unvaccinated.

To combat these outbreaks, the states of Washington and Maine passed legislation that removed the personal belief exemption for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine requirement in schools. In June, New York eliminated the religious exemption to the vaccine requirement for all students in public, private and parochial schools.

3. The Tech Industry: High-tech health care

With reports that Americans spent approximately $3.65 trillion on healthcare in 2018, tech companies took notice and invested their resources heavily in healthcare.

In September, Amazon launched Amazon Care, a primary-care clinic available for Amazon employees in Seattle, that offers in-person, telemedicine, and prescription services, as well as options for at-home visits. Then in November, Google announced a partnership with Ascension, the countrys second-largest hospital system, to store and analyze medical data in the hopes of improving medical care. The partnership has led to the testing of software that allows medical providers to search a patients electronic health record by specific categories and also allows the provider to create charts to display the data, giving providers a clearer representation from which to glean patterns or problems.

In 2019, Apple revealed three new large research efforts, which will allow participants, through an Apple-device-supported application, to quickly and accurately share information with researchers from major research institutions.

The first completed study, Large-Scale Assessment of a Smartwatch to Identify Atrial Fibrillation, was published in November in the New England Journal of Medicine. The virtual study did not require the more than 419,000 participants to go to a clinic or hospital to be monitored, but instead used sensors on the Apple Watch to detect the amount of blood flowing through the wrists to check for abnormal heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation. The information was then delivered to the participants iPhones and Apple Watches.

4. The newest promise and threat: home genetic testing

2019 was the year that brought the conversation about genetic testing to the forefront of consumers minds. In February, the home DNA-testing company 23andMe revealed that it had secured approval for a new genetics-based screenings, allowing the company to provide users with risk assessments for specified diseases. Robert Green, a medical geneticist at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, noted that the genetic screening tests used by these companies are typically not as complete as the genetic testing you receive from your doctor.

Early in the year, FamilyTreeDNA, one of the countrys largest at-home DNA-testing companies, admitted to users that it shared DNA data obtained through its tests with federal investigators working to solve crimes. The announcement sparked a debate over the privacy and ethical ramifications of a private company having access to and ownership of extensive genetic and personal data.

In December, Department of Defense officials issued a warning that many DNA testing companies were targeting military members with promotional discounts for testing kits. The warning noted that these kits have not been reviewed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration and advised military personnel that taking these tests could create security risks for those whose data are collected.

5. The Payers: Medicare for All

The issue of universal health care coverage grew steadily in prominence during the year. In February, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Democrat of Washington, introduced legislation to create a system of Medicare for all by eliminating the programs requirement that recipients be age 65 or older and dispensing with copayments, premiums, and deductibles. Proposals along these lines drew considerable attention among Democratic presidential candidates. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders stood behind the concept of Medicare for all, including the elimination of private insurance, while other leading candidates like Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg called for more modest reforms and objected to the elimination of private insurance.

These five developments in public health will continue as important issues in 2020, and they will affect all of us in one way or another for years to come.

Mara Smith is an associate general counsel for Brighton Health Plan Solutions, LLC, a third-party administrator and health plan management innovator operating on the East Coast.
A resolution passed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg on September 19, 2019, titled "On the importance of preserving historical memory," has elicited a strong reaction. The resolution expressed concern about the efforts of the current Russian government to "whitewash the crimes committed by the Soviet totalitarian regime."

The E.P. resolution has ignited a fierce battle over memory, particularly over interpretation of the start of World War II. Its most controversial statement is that the war, the most devastating in European history, was started as an immediate result of the notorious Nazi-Soviet treaty on non-aggression, more commonly known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of August 23, 1939. The pact divided Europe and the territories of independent states between the two totalitarian regimes, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, and paved the way for the outbreak of the war.

Response to the resolution was quick and has begotten a war of historical memory and accuracy. Russian president Vladimir Putin is a familiar international figure, but his prowess as a composer of history has been hidden. The truth will out. In December 2019 Putin began revisionist history, in what is virtually a revival of a Stalinist historical narrative.

He is naturally angry at the E.P. resolution that the Soviet Union, as well as Nazi Germany, was responsible for starting World War II. Putin joins those historians and politicians commenting on the forthcoming 75th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany on May 9, 1945. Not surprisingly, because of the present tension between Russia and Poland, he counterpunches against the E.P. by asserting that Poland, not the Soviet Union, was partly responsible with Germany for the start of World War II. In a speech in St. Petersburg on December 20, 2019 to leaders of former states of the Soviet Union, Putin carried with him what he said were archival documents on which he drew, arguing that Europe deliberately hides the truth about World War II in order to blame the Communist Party.

Hitherto, we all knew, or thought we knew, that World War II began at 5 A.M. on September 1, 1939, when the Nazi Luftwaffe bombed the Polish town of Wielun, killing 1,200, and when five minutes later the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein fired at a garrison of Polish soldiers, a military transit depot on the Westerplatte peninsula, part of the Free City of Danzig, now Gdansk. Paradoxically, the Polish government is planning to build a museum on the Westerplatte site to honor the defenders of the peninsula. It will show that Poland suffered proportionately more than other countries; about 20% of Polish citizens were killed during the War. By comparison, though estimates of the exact number differ, the War led to the deaths of 27 million Russians, both civilian and 8.6 million military.

After large-scale bombing of Polish railroads and communications centers, German troops began a mass invasion of the country. What is crucial in this recital of history is that on September 17, 1939, two weeks after the Nazi attack, the Soviet Union attacked Poland from the east. Putin has defended this action in a number of ways. Warsaw had sent militants to carry out sabotage and terrorist attacks and had made preparations for the partition and occupation of Czechoslovakia. German troops entered Poland after the Polish government lost control of its armed forces, and there was difficulty in the territory of the country. Besides these considerations, the Soviet Union was restoring political and historical justice by returning to lands illegally seized by Poland in 1920. It was also protecting the populations of Belarus and the Ukraine.

Putin did not mention the aggressive Soviet war against Finland that started on November 30, 1939, nor the invasion and annexation of parts of Romania.

To illustrate the relationship between the two countries, on September 22, 1939 an official ceremony was held in Brest-Litovsk by Soviet and German troops to mark the departure of German troops back to the line in Poland agreed to in the secret protocol of the M-R Pact. Two months later, on November 27, 1939, representatives of the two sides discussed the methods of cooperation to fight Poland. Other meetings occurred between the Soviet NKVD and the Nazi SS. Moreover, the Soviet Union supplied resources for the German war machine. The last Soviet supply train left for Germany on June 21, 1941, one day before Operation Barbarossa was launched against Moscow.

Putin remarked that unlike the heads of European countries, Stalin did not "tarnish" himself by any personal meeting with Hitler. But he showed no sign that he had seen the image of Stalin together with Ribbentrop, both smiling, an indication of collaboration.

Putin's argument is that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact has been taken out of context by Westerners and that the Western powers and Poland had signed their own agreements with Nazi Germany. He referred to two documents: Warsaw in 1934 agreed with Berlin on the non-use of force. The Anglo-German naval agreement of 1935 allowed Germany to have its own navy, which was forbidden after World War I.

Here Putin touched on the 1938 Munich agreement and the role of British prime minister Neville Chamberlain. Surprisingly, he praised Winston Churchill for his "honest assessment" of the situation. He holds that Munich made war inevitable. In 2005, he accused the Baltic states of politically attacking Russia to cover the shame of Russia's collaboration with the Nazis. Other Russians, including the culture minister, criticized those in the West who oppose the annexation of Crimea by indicating that Ukraine entered into collaboration with the Nazis during the war. Munich is forever the hallmark of appeasement, the failure to check aggression. The West allowed the Nazis to invade Czechoslovakia and take the Sudetenland, with its 3 million mainly German-speakers.

Interestingly, an exhibition at the Russian State Archives in Moscow is exhibiting documents of 1938 Munich and the Nazi actions during 1939. At the opening of the exhibition, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in December 2019 said the Soviet Union was forced on its own to ensure its national security and sign a non-aggression pact with Germany.

Putin and Russian leaders such as the culture minister call the M-R Pact a triumph of Soviet diplomacy. Until recently, Russia has debunked the existence of the basic feature of the pact. What is missing in Putin's account of history is the secret protocol in which the Soviet Union and Germany agreed to divide parts of eastern Europe.

Putin has not yet said his policy was to "make Russia great again," but he continually refers to the Russian role in what he calls "the Great Patriotic War" and celebrates the Soviet role as Victory Day on May 9, now a major Russian holiday. But he still needs lessons in history. It is clear that Germany, Italy, and Japan were the aggressors in World War II, and that Britain and the United States were defenders. The issue in judging Putin's argument is whether the main role of the Soviet Union in the start of the war was victim of or collaborator with Adolf Hitler. Germany might well have been defeated at an early stage if the Soviet Union had not helped the Nazis until it was attacked in 1941.

Whatever the judgment, all can agree that appeasement is a dirty word, not a rational policy.

Image: Vladimir Putin via Flickr.
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The male driver, female front seat passenger and two small children were unharmed, but the last three were taken to a hospital as a precaution because of flying glass debris, police said.
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shareholder Rights Law Firm Johnson Fistel, LLP, is investigating potential claims against 500.com Limited (NYSE: WBAI) ("500.com" or the "Company") for violations of federal securities laws.

On December 31, 2019, the Company announced it had formed a special committee to investigate alleged illegal money transfers and the role played by a former director of the Company's subsidiary in Japan and two former consultants by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. The Company also made known that Xudong Chen, Chairman of the Board, would give up his employment effective December 30, 2019, until the investigation concluded.

If you lost money, realized or unrealized on your 500.com investment, and are interested in learning more about the investigation or your legal rights and remedies, please contact Jim Baker ([email protected]) by email or phone at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number.

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Johnson Fistel, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York, and Georgia. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonfistel.com . Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

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Gambling addicts who search Google for help to quit are being bombarded by adverts for online casinos.

The search companys algorithm is serving up ads promoting thousands of pounds of bonuses offered by betting websites, with many even boasting of being able to circumvent software designed to protect problem gamblers.

Google searches for Gamstop, a UK programme allowing people to ban themselves from online gambling, send users to lists of casinos that are based offshore and are not part of the self-exclusion service.

The adverts potentially lure vulnerable users into placing more bets at the moment they are seeking to stop gambling for good.

Some of the adverts were still displayed even after The Independent highlighted the issue to Google and the tech company said any offending accounts had been suspended from its AdWords platform.

Results for a search for Gamstop UK on Thursday 2 January; Google says the relevant accounts have been suspended from its advertising platform

On Thursday, the top result from a Google search for Gamstop UK was an advert stating: Not on Gamstop Popular sites  Get 300 per cent Bonus.

All of the top four links, which advertisers pay Google for, pointed to lists of casinos allowing customers to work around the self-exclusion service.

Clicking through leads to lists of dozens of offers presenting new customers with hundreds free spins on online slot machines, roulette and other potentially addictive games at virtual casinos based in Cyprus and the Caribbean island of Curacao, among other locations.

The link to the actual Gamstop website was relegated to Googles free search results which start from position five on the page. Searches for a number of other related terms threw up similar results.

Carolyn Harris, a Labour MP and chair of a cross-party group on gambling-related harm, said the adverts were immoral.

I dont necessarily blame Google, said Ms Harris. In a way they are victims of the ingenuity of companies who are capable of bypassing any measures that are put in place.

I have serious reservations about the entire self-exclusion system and the gambling industrys willingness to tackle the problem.

The all-party parliamentary group is set to reconvene next week and will conduct an inquiry into the issue of online adverts that undermine efforts to tackle problem gambling.

Gamstop chief executive Fiona Palmer said she was very concerned about the impact the websites may have on people who have self-excluded.

When people search for information about self-excluding from online gambling, they should only see results relating to Gamstop and organisations providing support for problem gambling, Ms Palmer said.

Consequently, we are working with Google and other search engines to ensure that when people search for information about self-excluding from online gambling our website is prominently displayed and these websites are not included within the search results.

The Google adverts appear to be placed by third party companies, rather than online casinos themselves. Gambling companies pay referral fees to intermediaries who can find new customers that may turn into lucrative regular players.

This week, the extent to which gambling companies multibillion-pound profits rely on problem gamblers was revealed in a report obtained The Guardian, which showed that one firm collected 83 per cent of its deposits from just 2 per cent of its customers.

A Google spokesperson said: We support responsible gambling advertising and its important to us that people see useful and relevant ads in this area.

As such, we have strict policies around gambling ads, which we enforce rigorously. We have suspended the accounts in question.

The company says it uses a combination of humans and algorithms to vet adverts and enforce its rules.

But on Friday, after Google provided a statement, at least one gambling advert was still showing close to the top of search results for Gamstop

Dont miss the chance to have fun again, the advert read. Find the best sites not on Gamstop here.

A search for Gamstop UK on Friday 3 January still showed an advert allowing gamblers to circumvent software designed to help them quit

Gambling adverts have been inappropriately placed on Google searches before. In October, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned an ad for a casino app which targeted customers who googled How to unsubscribe from all gambling.

Trade body the Betting and Gaming Council called on Google and other search engines to update their gambling blacklists to prevent similar problems emerging again in future.

Anyone who sees gambling adverts targeting search results for help with addiction is advised to contact industry regulator the Gambling Commission.
Friday, January 3, 2020 at 8:02AM

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans are getting two new shows to look forward to this year. Disney moved up the release of WandaVision to this year instead of in the spring of 2021, but it hasn't specified which month it's coming out. We don't know why Disney decided to move but the release, but it will join The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which will also be making its debut this year.

WandaVision will be following the relationship between Scarlet Witch and Vision post-Avengers: Endgame. The teaser images hint at a 1950s element to the show, but also, it's going to be connected to the 2021 MCU movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The British student convicted of lying about a rape allegation in Cyprus has urged Boris Johnson to intervene in her case.

The 19-year-old faces up to a year in prison after she was found guilty of 'public mischief' over her claim that 12 Israeli men gang-raped her in Ayia Napa.

Lawyers and campaigners have raised doubts about the verdict after the teenager, who intends to appeal, said she was forced to sign a retraction statement by Cypriot police.

The Foreign Office says the UK is 'seriously concerned' about the fairness of the woman's trial and it is understood officials have raised the 'deeply distressing case' with the Cypriot authorities.

Speaking to The Sun, the British woman called on the PM and foreign secretary Dominic Raab to intervene personally.

The British woman who claimed she was gang-raped by 12 Israeli men in Cyprus arrives at Famagusta District Court in Cyprus on Monday

'Every second of this ordeal has been a waking nightmare,' she said.

'I'm 19 and all I want to do is clear my name and come home to my family.

'I would say to both the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, both of whom are fathers, please support me with your actions, not just with your words. Time is running out for me. Please, please help.'

The woman has been on bail since the end of August, after spending a month in prison, and could face up to a year in jail and a 1,700 euro 1,500 fine when she is sentenced on January 7.

The teenager's mother has said she would 'definitely' like Mr Raab to intervene in the case.

She told BBC Radio 4 earlier this week: 'I would love the Foreign Secretary to get involved, that would be fantastic.'

The British student convicted of lying about a rape allegation in Cyprus has urged Boris Johnson (pictured) to intervene in her case

The mother said they will be appealing against the verdict 'without question' and hoped the FCO could help them progress the case to the Cypriot Supreme Court.

A number of prominent legal figures in Cyprus have written to attorney general Costas Clerides urging him to intervene in the case.

But the government of Cyprus has said it has 'full confidence in the justice system and the courts'.

The attorney general said on Tuesday that he could not suspend the trial because she had levelled 'grave accusations' against police investigators that had to be adjudicated in court.

Judge Michalis Papathanasiou said he believed the woman had made false allegations because she felt 'embarrassed' after realising she had been filmed having sex in a video found on some of the Israelis' mobile phones.

'The defendant gave police a false rape claim, while having full knowledge that this was a lie,' he said.

'There was no rape, or violence, and police had carried out a thorough investigation making all necessary arrests.'
Iran on Thursday (local time) termed the US' act of killing the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, an "extremely dangerous and a foolish" escalation.

Iran Foreign Minister Javed Zarif took to Twitter soon after Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani. He said that Washington bears responsibility for all consequences of its "rogue adventurism".

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani--THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al--is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," Zarif tweeted.

The US on Thursday carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Washington had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

The strike has escalated the tensions between the United States and Iran. The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protestors attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad. The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a deadly US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

The US has vowed to take action against the breach by protestors. Earlier in the day, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said it's time for Iran to start "acting like a normal country".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
tech2 News Staff

Ross LaJeunesse, former Google head of International Relations, stepped down from his position in April 2019 but never revealed the reason for doing so. However, now, LaJeunesse has come clean about why he left the company.

In a blogpost on Medium, LaJeunesse says that he was "sidelined" from the conversations regarding the company's "Project Dragonfly". To recall, under Google's secret project, the company was trying to launch a censored search engine in China. In collaboration with a Beijing-based website called 265.com, Google had reportedly developed blacklists for blocking out certain categories, keywords from a probable Chinese search engine such as democracy, human rights, and peaceful protest.

(Also read: Googles internal conflict with privacy team has led to the end of Project Dragonfly)

LaJeunesse writes in the blog post, "I was alarmed when I learned in 2017 that the company had begun moving forward with the development of a new version of a censored Search product for China, codenamed 'Dragonfly'". The company had stepped back from China market earlier because the government demanded full access to the company's user data and wanted the company to fully co-operate to ensure that the Chinese users saw only that content that was "in line with the government".

Here's the answer to a question a number of people have asked me: "why did you leave Google?" #RossForMaine pic.twitter.com/ZZwiJ0XMTV  Ross LaJeunesse (@RossforMaine) January 2, 2020

He further said that when Google announced that it will set up a Google Center for Artificial Intelligence in Beijing, that is when he felt powerless. He writes, "it made it clear to me that I no longer had the ability to influence the numerous product developments and deals being pursued by the company."

(Also read: Google employees 'confused and angry' about censored search engine for China)

After this, he thought that if Google adopts country-wide Human Rights Program publicly, it would make them follow the human rights principles. But it did not pan out as he thought it would. He says, "Each time I recommended a Human Rights Program, senior executives came up with an excuse to say no." He says that because he was constantly "advocating for a human rights-based approach", he was "sidelined" from the ongoing conversations on whether the company should go ahead with "Project Dragonfly" or not.

According to him, "Just when Google needed to double down on a commitment to human rights, it decided to instead chase bigger profits and an even higher stock price."

I wanted to share my story about Google with a series of Google search ads.

This ad was rejected for "trademark infringement." Here's the story Google doesn't want you to see: https://t.co/3rshhA9CSV

As your Senator, I'll bring accountability to big tech. #RossForMaine pic.twitter.com/Sl7ihcg385  Ross LaJeunesse (@RossforMaine) January 2, 2020

He also saw an unhealthy work culture where "senior colleagues bullied and screamed at young women, causing them to cry at their desks". When he went to HR about this he was assured that it will be taken care of.

After that, he "accidentally got copied in an email from a senior HR director. In the email, the HR director told a colleague that I seemed to raise concerns like these a lot, and instructed her to 'do some digging' on me instead."

(Also read: Sundar Pichai to head Google's parent co, Alphabet Inc: The rise of a soft-spoken engineer from Chennai)

He was assured after this episode that he has been misunderstanding the situation and "was offered a small role in exchange for my acquiescence and silence."

LaJeunesse says that he was re-orged out of a job and left the company.

Fast-forward to present, he is running for the Senate as a Democrat in Maine.
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BETHLEHEM  Two brothers are charged with working together in the theft of a large-screen television, town police said Thursday.

Police said they responded at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 29 to a report that a shoplifter left the Glenmont Walmart after stealing a TV. Following a short search they arrested Aurelio Berrios, 44, but the TV wasn't found. Berrios was issued a court appearance ticket for next week on a misdemeanor petit larceny charge.
Ever since the tension mounted between India and Pakistan following Uri and Balakot incidents last year, the security of 100-km tidal estuary Sir Creek, the marshy, treacherous and uninhabited water on the international border has come to prominence. Although there is no recent history of infiltration bids except regular apprehension of fishermen or fishing boats from Pakistan landing on the Indian side, the Border Security Force (BSF), that mans the area, has been on its toes securing the area.

The tension has only resulted in BSF jawans spending more time in the harshest condition along the International Maritime Border. Instead of patrolling the border for six to seven months a year, the BSF has now stationed its manpower all around the year. Earlier, in monsoon when the weather conditions worsened, the BSF used to come back to safe areas.

Since June 9, we decided to make it (the vigil) a round-the-year affair. Only in case of extreme weather conditions do we leave the area. The border is secured and not a single incident of infiltration or any smuggling bid has ever occurred through this area in recent past, said G S Malik, Inspector General of Police, BSF, Gujarat Frontier.

Staying in this water along the international maritime border is an arduous task. The strong wind laced with high salt content makes the jawans sick most of the time. Even patrolling in the strong wind becomes a back-breaking exercise. Recently, the BSF has deployed a team called Crocodile Commando which is specialised in swimming in rough water, walking through the marshy land, firing from the speed boat among other tactics.

There are five major creeks including Kori and Sir Creeks, a number of water channels and over three dozen bets or soil depositions on Indus river delta. Navigating through these through high or low tides coming from the Arabian Sea is quite a challenge. Officers say that there are places where not even GPS works. The BSF has been regularly seizing Pakistani fishermen and their boats at Harami Nallah in Sir Creek that engage in fishing. BSF says that this area is full of crabs for which the fishermen throng the troubled water. A senior officer says that on an average 20 to 25 such events are reported in a year.

Although the Arabian Sea has been used by the Pakistan-based smugglers through shores like Jhakhau, Mandavi and Porbandar, there is not a single incident that has been reported from Sir Creek border. The BSFs jurisdiction starts from Koteshwar, where the famous Shiva temple is located. This is the village from where Kori Creek starts. The BSF has to navigate through six creeks and many channels covering roughly 40 km distance to reach the maritime border. The distance, based on weather condition, takes nearly four hours.
Face of evil: Convicted serial killer Richard Cottingham, 73, has confessed to killing three teenage girls in New Jersey in 1968 and 1969

A notorious convicted serial killer nicknamed the 'Torso Ripper,' who is currently serving a 200-year sentence for six murders, has confessed to strangling three New Jersey teenagers more than 50 years ago.

Richard Cottingham, 73, has taken responsibility for the murders of 13-year-old Jackie Harp, 18-year-old Irene Blase and 15-year-old Denise Falasca between 1968 and 1969, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella confirmed in an email to NJ Advance Media.

Cottingham, who has been behind bars since the 1980s, has not been formally charged with the girls' slayings, but the heretofore unsolved cases have now been reclassified as cleared.

Investigative historian and author Dr. Peter Vronsky, who wrote about Cottingham and other serial killers in his 2018 book, 'Sons of Cain,' said that it took police detectives 15 years to extract these latest confessions.

He was also featured in the 2009 documentary film 'Serial Killers,' in which he was interviewed by a Canadian journalist about his gruesome crimes.

Until his most recent confession, Cottingham was officially known to have killed six women in New Jersey and New York between 1967 and 1980, but claimed to have been behind anywhere from 85 to 100 murders.

Solved: Jackie Harp (left) was just 13 years old in July 1968 when she was strangled to death in Midland Park, New Jersey. A year later, a boy riding his bike found the partially naked body of Denise Falasca (right), 15, who had been strangled near a cemetery

Cottingham, pictured in 1982, is serving sentences totaling more than 200 years for the murders of six women

According to the prosecutor's office, Cottingham admitted to strangling Jackie Harp in July 1968 in Midland Park, New Jersey.

According to a newspaper article, the killer used a cord from Harp's high school banner to asphyxiate her.

In April 1969, Cottingham strangled to death Irene Blase, of Bogota.

In July 1969, he struck again, this time strangling Denise Falasca, who was found partially naked near St Paul's Cemetery in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, by a young boy riding his bicycle.

Cottingham first drew the attention of authorities in late May 1980, when he was arrested for the attempted murder and rape of 18-year-old prostitute at a Quality Inn motel in Hasbrouck Heights, reported The Record.

Cottingham's first known victim was Nancy Schiava Vogel (left), a 29-year-old married mother-of-two who was strangled in her car in 1967. In 1979, Cottingham killed and beheaded Deedeh Goodarzi, 22 (right), inside a Times Square motel in New York

A maid heard screams coming from a room, where police found a woman with handcuffs on her ankles, bite marks on one breast and a knife wound below it.

The surviving victim later testified at trial that Cottingham told her during the attack, 'You have to take it. The other girls did, you have to take it too. Youre a whore and you have to be punished.'

Two weeks before his arrest, police found the body of 19-year-old Valerie Ann Street at the same Quality Inn motel.

Cottingham (pictured left in court in 1982, and right in an undated mugshot), who has been in custody since 1981, will be up for parole in August 2025.

Cottingham spoke to a Canadian journalist in 2009 for a documentary titled 'Serial Killers'

The woman, whose body was found covered in bite marks and bruises, died of asphyxiation.

The subsequent investigation linked Cottingham to the savage murders of Deedeh Goodarzi, 22, and an unidentified woman, whose mutilated bodies missing their heads and hands were found inside a burning hotel room near Times Square in December 1979.

Cottingham eventually was convicted of two murders and the kidnappings and assaults of three other women in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the murders of three prostitutes in New York.

Two of his victims he dismembered, cutting off their heads, hands and feet, earning him the moniker 'the Torso Ripper.'

In 2010, Cottingham pleaded guilty to the 1967 slaying of Nancy Schiava Vogel, a 29-year-old married mother-of-two who was strangled to death inside her car.

She had been last seen three days earlier, when she left home to play bingo with friends at a local church.

Cottingham received sentences totaling more than 200 years for his crimes. He will be up for parole in August 2025.

He was featured
Former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon on Friday said the amendment of the Citizenship Act by the government was a "self-inflicted goal" which has "isolated" India and the list of critical voices both at home and abroad is "pretty long".

Speaking at a press conference where a number of academicians discussed the adverse implications of the contentious law, which has led to nationwide protests, Menon said the move has resulted in India being "hyphenated" with Pakistan as an "intolerant" state.

"What we have achieved in the recent past is to hyphenate our (India's) image with Pakistan in a fundamental way, which is an intolerant state," said the former National Security Adviser.

He said the perception of India has changed after the law was passed.

"India has isolated itself through the move and the list of critical voices in the international community is also pretty long now. Perception of India has changed in the last few months. Even our friends have been taken aback," Menon said.

Referring to Bangladesh Home Minister ?Asaduzzaman Khan's remarks where he said "let them fight among themselves" when asked about CAA and NRC, Menon said, "If this is how our friends feel, think of how happy this will make our adversary.

"What we have achieved in the recent past is to hyphenate our image with Pakistan in a fundamental way, which is intolerant state."



He said,"What the world thinks matters more to us now than ever before.

"But we seem determined with actions like these (CAA) to cut off and isolate ourselves. That is no good to anybody," he said.

"We seem to be in violation of international covenants. Those who think that international laws cannot be enforced, they must consider political and other consequences of being perceived as violators of international conventions," he added.

"Rather than attending the meeting and putting forth India's views, we chose to duck," he said, in an apparent reference to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar cancellation of a scheduled meeting with a US congressional delegation over the presence of Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who has been critical of the Indian government.

Terming CAA a "self-inflicted goal", Menon said India has "gifted" its adversaries "platforms from which to attack us".

He said United Nations Security Council discussed Kashmir for the first time in 40 years following the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Others who spoke at the event at Press Club were academicians included Zoya Hasan, Niraja Jayal and Faizan Mustafa among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The U.S. killing of Tehran's top military commander on Iraqi soil shouldn't derail trade talks between Washington and Beijing in spite of warmer diplomatic relations between China and Iran in recent years.

"The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq should be respected, and peace and stability in the Middle East Gulf region should be maintained," China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Friday. "We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and to avoid the further escalation of tension."

But Beijing has too much to lose in economic terms to justify anything more than stern criticism of U.S. action toward Tehran, economists and analysts said.

"China will, despite its closeness with Iran, still recognize that the U.S. is their big trade partner," said Adnan Mazarei, an Iran specialist at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and a former deputy director of the International Monetary Fund's Middle East Department.

"And, given the unfavorable sentiments in the U.S. government these days toward China, they would be very, very hesitant to come out and make declarations of any sort," he added. "None of these three countries can change trade policy overnight."

President Donald Trump's decision in 2018 to withdraw from the landmark Iran nuclear deal, in particular, drove a wedge between the U.S. and its Western allies and is widely viewed as the beginning of the recent downward spiral in U.S.-Iranian relations.

The decision also highlighted China's closer energy and business ties with Iran. Beijing announced that it wouldn't participate in U.S. oil sanctions against Tehran and last month held joint naval war exercises in the Gulf of Oman.
Vadodara: BJP national working president JP Nadda said here on Thursday that Congress has not condemned the violence that took place during the protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, implying that they are behind it.

"Congress says they are not behind the violence," said Nadda. "If you are not behind it, then so many days have passed, why have you not condemned it?" he asked while addressing an event here.

Jagat Prakash Nadda, BJP in Vadodara, Gujarat on #CitizenshipAmendmentAct: Congress says they are not behind the violence. If you are not behind it, then so many days have passed, why have you not condemned it? (2.1.20) pic.twitter.com/xBoi0CHB25  ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2020

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Earlier in the day, he offered prayers at the Swaminarayan Mandir. Temple saints handed over a letter to the BJP leader in support of CAA.

The party is conducting meetings and organising seminars on CAA. Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday launched a toll-free number to get support from people for its campaigns in favour of the amended citizenship law.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.
Ansel Elgort spent the holidays living in the lap of luxury in the beachside enclave of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.

The Baby Driver actor and his longtime girlfriend Violetta Komyshan soaked in some holiday sun at the exclusive Villa Las Hamacas, a $20million estate featuring amenities like an infinity pool, concierge service and six well-appointed bedrooms.

The property has become quite the destination for celebs, with VIPs like Bella Thorne also recently enjoying the digs.

Getting away from it all: Ansel Elgort, 25, and his high school sweetheart Violetta Komyshan, spent the holidays living in the lap of luxury in the beachside enclave of Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic

The space also comes with a pool table, several comfortable sitting spaces, and plenty of privacy for the A-list set.

Ansel and Violetta certainly looked like they were enjoying their time, as they shared several loved up shots on Instagram.

In a very cheeky snap posted to the actor's Instagram, Ansel picked up and kissed a bikini clad Violetta while standing on one of the Caribbean nation's pristine white beaches.

The star's hand clutched the pert derriere of his girlfriend of eight years.

VIP property: Villa Las Hamacas at Cap Cana rents for $15k a night

Breathtaking: The $20million estate featuring amenities like an infinity pool, concierge service and six well-appointed bedrooms

Entertaining: The space comes with plenty of comfortable spaces and a pool table

He captioned the sun-soaked post: 'How you gon be mad on vacation?'

The couple have been dating ever since they met at the performing arts high school LaGuardia in New York City.

They did briefly break up in 2014, citing busy work schedules.

Greenery: There is an abundance of beautiful outdoor spaces

Destination: Elgort and Komyshan's stay in the Dominican Republic has put them in good company, as the Caribbean nation has attracted an array of A-listers who value their travel destinations being family-friendly and private including Beyonce and Jay-Z

Paradise: The couple looked like they were truly in paradise

Elgort and Komyshan's stay in the Dominican Republic has put them in good company, as the Caribbean nation has attracted an array of A-listers who value their travel destinations being family-friendly and private including Beyonce and Jay-Z.

No doubt celebrities will be able to focus on their loved ones as Cardi B took a trip to the Caribbean country in October to throw her grandmother an 80th birthday bash.

Golden Globe nominee Taron Egerton and Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul have recently splurged on lavish birthday celebrations in the Dominican Republic as Jennifer Lopez, Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, and the Kardashians have also enjoyed relaxing times there without fear of being bothered.
Two apartment properties - including a cornerstone of downtown Birmingham - sold recently for a combined $21 million.

Newmark Knight Frank Multifamily said Jemison Flats, which includes 23,000 square feet of commercial space, and Pawnee Square, a 72-unit complex, have sold.

Senior Managing Directors Bo Flurry and Justin Uffinger of the Newmark Knight Franks Birmingham office represented the seller in both transactions. Pawnee Square was sold by San Diego, CA-based Verada Properties and acquired by WeldenField Development of Birmingham. Jemison Flats was sold by Birminghams LIV to PFS Jemison Flats LLC, based in Tacoma, Wash.

The properties were highly sought after because of their key locations across two of Birminghams most dynamic submarketsDowntown and Highland Park," Uffinger said. "Additionally, both properties offered an ideal scenario for new ownership to modernize the building interiors which helped drive investor demand.

Jemison Flats, located on First Avenue North, was built in 1906, with additions in 1910 and 1928. It offers studios and one and two-bedroom loft style apartments.

Constructed in 1979, Pawnee Square has two-story, loft-style units with upgrades including hardwood flooring and granite countertops.
Cash handout to compensate the scrapping of meat subsidy will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries during the first week of January, said Labour Ministry. A total of 165,310 Bahraini families will receive cash handouts worth BD 7,020,895 as part of the deal, said the Labour and Social Development Ministry in a statement.

Compensations will be credited into the citizens bank accounts for the first three months of 2020 in advance during the first week of January. The statement further confirmed finalising all preparations for the payments of the meat subsidy compensation based on a Cabinet Resolution in May 2015.

Bahrain chose to end its subsidies on meat and poultry products in 2015, as nations across the Middle East scrambled to deal with the crisis sparked by the drop in oil prices. However, the government here decided to compensate eligible Bahraini citizens by paying cash handouts to minimise the impact of the sudden hike in meat prices following the move. To be eligible, the beneficiary must the head of the family and a permanent resident of Bahrain.

Registration was intended to prepare a database and ensure the Finance Ministrys readiness to credit the amounts quarterly. The subsidies, according to the ministry, are deposited every three months in advance to the head of the familys bank account. Head of the family will receive a compensation of BD5, 3.500 BD (Bahraini dinars) for every 15-years-old individual and older and 2.500 BD (Bahraini dinars) for every individual under 15-year-old.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the Information Authority, the E-government and the Ministry of Finance, are cooperating to implement the redirect subsidies for meat project as per His Highness Prime Ministers resolution NO. 25 of 2013. Several proposals were made over time to double or triple the cash handouts to compensate the citizens for removing meat subsidies but were rejected by the government.

During one such instance, the government said, It did not plan to raise direct cash allocations for subsidies in the next two years above the 382 million dinars ($1.01 billion) budgeted for 2018. In October 2019, the government paid BD 6,964,167.000 as meat subsidy compensations to citizens bank accounts.
A U.S. appeals court on Friday began hearing arguments in a bid by President Donald Trump's administration to block former White House Counsel Don McGahn from testifying to a congressional committee as part of the impeachment effort against Trump.

The case was being heard by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The arguments came in the administration's appeal of a Nov. 25 ruling by U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson that McGahn must comply with an April subpoena from the Democratic-led House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

The panel filed suit seeking to enforce its subpoena for McGahn to testify about Trump's efforts to impede former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 election and numerous contacts between Trump's campaign and Moscow.

The administration has directed current and former officials not to comply with congressional subpoenas for testimony and documents. McGahn, who left his post in October 2018, defied the subpoena but has said he would comply if ordered to by a court.

The committee's lawsuit was filed in August, a month before the House launched its impeachment inquiry against the Republican president centering on his request that Ukraine investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden and his son.

The House on Dec. 18 passed two articles of impeachment - formal charges - accusing Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

In a court filing, House lawyers said McGahn's testimony was still vital to the impeachment proceedings and could affect the House's strategy for the expected trial in the Republican-led Senate to determine whether Trump will be removed from office. The House has also not ruled out McGahn's testimony giving rise to an additional article of impeachment.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and accused Democrats of trying to nullify the results of the 2016 election that brought him to power.

The three appeals court judges are Republican appointees Thomas Griffith and Karen Henderson and Democratic appointee Judith Rogers.

The Trump administration has argued that senior presidential advisers are "absolutely immune" from being forced to testify before Congress about official acts. The lower court judge rejected that argument, declaring that "no one is above the law."

A report by Mueller, released by the Justice Department in redacted form in April, portrayed McGahn as one of the few figures in Trump's orbit to challenge him when he tried to have the special counsel, who was appointed by the Justice Department in May 2017, removed.

According to the Mueller report, McGahn told Mueller's team that Trump repeatedly instructed him to have the special counsel ousted and then asked him to deny having been so instructed when word of the action emerged in news reports. McGahn did not carry out either instruction.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is pressing for the Senate to hear testimony during the impeachment trial from current and former Trump aides who refused to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry.

The appeals court will also hear arguments on Friday in a separate lawsuit by the House Judiciary Committee seeking access to grand jury evidence from the Mueller investigation. A judge ruled in October that the information should be produced to Congress, rejecting the Justice Department's arguments that by law it must be kept confidential.

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From Marine Corps orphans to top-scoring fighter pilots, the fabled Black Sheep followed pugnacious Pappy Boyington to fame.

It was one of the biggest air raids in the entire campaign for the Solomon Islands. More than a year after U.S. Marines landed on Guadalcanal, Navy TBF Avengers and SBD Dauntless dive bombers were to hit the Japanese base on Ballale, at the far end of the island chain, on September 16, 1943. Navy F6F-3 Hellcats and Royal New Zealand Air Force P-40 Kittyhawks flew cover. And way up over 20,000 feeteither for altitude advantage or their own protectionwere some two-dozen Marines. VMF-214 was a newly reorganized squadron on just its third mission, and flying an ill-starred fighter to boot: the Vought F4U-1 Corsair, or Bent-Wing Bird.

High atop the four-mile-tall array, squadron commander Major Gregory Boyington was feeling sorry for himself. Without victories, his cobbled-together squadron of shiny new lieutenants and disbanded-unit orphans would soon be washed back into the replacement pool. In his 1958 memoir, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Boyington admitted he almost didnt notice when the rest of the massive U.S. formation suddenly dived under a layer of stratus. What in hell goes? he muttered. We must be over the mission.

Following him down, the other Corsair pilots found the bombers pounding Ballale and dozens of Japanese fighters coming up to do battle. Boyington was suddenly amazed to see, not 30 feet away, a red-balled A6M Zero practically flying on his wing. Thats when he realized he had completely forgotten to switch on his gunsight and guns.

Most Americans think of Pappy Boyington as actor Robert Conrad portrayed him in the TV series Baa Baa Black Sheep, yet even that nickname was invented by the press. In the Solomons his pilots called the 30- year-old major Gramps. After claiming six victories in China while piloting P-40s with the American Volunteer Groupbut only being credited with two by the Flying TigersBoyington had arrived in the Solomons just as the Marines replaced their Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats with new Corsairs.

Designed behind a bombersize prop more than 13 feet across (the inverted gull wings and long nose were necessary to give it ground clearance), the F4U was the first American single-engine plane to average more than 400 mph, but it was prone to unrecoverable spins and landing stalls, and that hose nose blocked the pilots vision on straight-in carrier approaches. The Navy judged it unfit for shipboard ops, but good enough for the Marines. In Boyingtons opinion: The Corsair was a sweet-flying baby if I ever flew one. No longer would we have to fight the Nips fight, for we could make our own rules.



Sporting caps and bats sent to them by the St. Louis Cardinals, VMF-214s stellar lineup of aces includes (front row, from left): Chris Magee (9 victories), Bob McClurg (7), Paul Mullen (6 1/2), Boyington (24), John Bolt (6, plus 6 more in Korea) and Don Fisher (5). (National Archives) Sporting caps and bats sent to them by the St. Louis Cardinals, VMF-214s stellar lineup of aces includes (front row, from left): Chris Magee (9 victories), Bob McClurg (7), Paul Mullen (6 1/2), Boyington (24), John Bolt (6, plus 6 more in Korea) and Don Fisher (5). (National Archives)

He made his own squadron, too. Later portrayed on TV as misfits and rejects awaiting courts-martial, the Black Sheep (the first choice, Boyingtons Bastards, was nixed as not press-friendly) were in fact among the most experienced pilots in the theater. Even the rookies had accumulated high flight hours, and the outfits 10 veterans included several with more victories than Boyington. Though they had flown together only briefly before September 16, the results of that first day of combat were unequivocal.

At the debrief after the mission, Lieutenant Bob McClurg reported getting his first kill in a head-on pass: I just held the trigger down as we came at each other. I was scared to death. Boyingtons wingman, Lieutenant Don Fisher, scored two, including one that he shot off his leaders tail. I was right behind [the Zero], and he blew, Fisher recounted. The wings went each way. But he had lost sight of Gramps, who was hours overdue returning to base. VMF- 214 had almost marked Boyington MIA when his Corsair at last arrived and he climbed out of the cockpit, claiming no fewer than five killseven discounting his AVG victories, an ace in a day.

After reportedly maneuvering the first Zero into an overshoot (and charging his guns), Boyington had sent it down in flames, then gunned down enemy fighters halfway back home, including one that exploded completely when I was about 50 feet from him. Too close to evade, he had flown directly through the explosion, somehow dodging the pilot, engine and still-spinning prop.

There was no gun camera film in those days; Boyington had only his word to back up his claims. But he had stopped off at the recently captured forward air base at Munda, on New Georgia, almost out of gas and ammo, with dents all over his Corsair from flying debris. His killsalmost half the squadron score of 11 (plus eight probables) were confirmed. Within a few weeks, propelled by the COs Flying Tiger back story and the Marine Corps press machine, the Black Sheep were a household name. And they were just getting started.



Beneath the palms at Turtle Bay, Boyington briefs (from left) Rollie Rinabarger, Hank Boo Bourgeois, John Begert and Stan Bailey. (National Archives) Beneath the palms at Turtle Bay, Boyington briefs (from left) Rollie Rinabarger, Hank Boo Bourgeois, John Begert and Stan Bailey. (National Archives)

Lieutenant Bill Case had only scored a probable over Ballale. One week later he held his fire to within 50 feet of a Zeros tailtoo close and rounds from his Corsairs six wide-set wing guns straddled its fuselage. I spent about 2,000 rounds figuring that out, said Case, as quoted in Bruce Gambles 1998 book The Black Sheep. I finally put the pipper up above his tail and about 6 to 8 feet to the sideand hit him with three guns at a time.

Lieutenant John Bolt had missed his first kill over Ballale. The first time I saw a meatball it was a full deflection shot, and he just zipped by, he reported. I was in a state of shock. Over Vella Lavella, however, Bolt got behind two Zeros in succession, flaming both for a double kill.

Lieutenant Chris Magee had likewise been flummoxed by the speed of air combat: All I could do was keep spinning my neck and lookingeverything was happening so fast. Called Maggie (though rarely to his face, as he was a dedicated weightlifter and fitness fanatic), Magee plunged from 13,000 feet into a pack of Aichi D3A2 Val dive bombers attacking a U.S. convoy. The Japanese were going into a straight dive, so I headed into the dive with them, he recalled. Of course, by then the [American] antiaircraft was all around us, but you dont even think of that.The [Vals] kept going down, and I kept in there, firing. By the time they pulled out above the water, he had splashed two, and a third probable, when he heard bullets striking his plane like a hail storm on a tin roof. The Vals escortZeros, always slow in a divehad caught up. Magee made it back to base with 30 bullet holes in his Corsair. He was recommended for a Navy Cross, and his nickname changed to Wild Man.

During the late 1943 island-hopping campaign up the Solomons,VMF-214 flew out of bases so far forward that they were often behind Japanese lines. (Navy Seabees had started the reconstruction of desolate, bomb-pocked Munda while the enemy still held the far end of the strip.) On their first tour, the Black Sheep suffered an almost 40 percent casualty rate, including one pilot shot down in a friendly-fire duel with Navy PT-boats. Yet they overflew Bougainville so regularly that the Japanese, via radio, dared Boyington by name to come down and brave the anti-aircraft; instead he taunted Zero pilots that they should come up and fight. John Bolt even flew an unauthorized one-man air raid on Tonolei Harbor, making two strafing runs on troop transports and boat traffic. I was only taken under fire from one gun, he reported to a furious Boyington on his return, adding that its 20mm tracers just floated by. Despite his COs ire, Bolt received a congratulatory telegram from no less than Admiral William Bull Halsey, plus the Distinguished Flying Cross. He would eventually earn a Navy Cross as well.



During a simulated scramble at Turtle Bay on September 11, 1943, Bill Case leads Rinabarger, Begert and Bourgeois to their F4U-1s. (National Archives) During a simulated scramble at Turtle Bay on September 11, 1943, Bill Case leads Rinabarger, Begert and Bourgeois to their F4U-1s. (National Archives)

In six weeks VMF-214 scored 57 kills, with 19 probables. Wild Man Magee claimed seven. Bill Case finished with eight. On his last mission, for no real reason Case lowered his cockpit seat a notch; when a 7.7mm bullet pierced his canopy, instead of drilling him through the skull, it merely creased his scalp.

Halsey visited VMF-214s base to shake hands all around. Boyington was nominated for the Medal of Honor. At a November photo op on Espiritu Santo, a Corsair was dressed up with his name and 20 Japanese victory flags, though in fact it was a point of pride in the squadron that they all shared airplanes; not even Boyington flew a personal mount. Hero-hungry America couldnt get enough of the Black Sheep. Neither could the Marine Corps, which boosted squadron pilot strength from 28 to 40.

On November 1, the Allies finally landed on Bougainville, capturing just enough beachhead for a staging field at Torokina. For the first time Allied fighters could reach Rabaul, the Pearl Harbor of the Southwest Pacific. Within shooting distance of 26 victoriesthe American record held since World War I by Eddie Rickenbacker, only recently tied by Captain Joe FossBoyington led a fighter sweep, marking the first appearance by American single-engine planes over Simpson Harbor. (When a Navy squadron commander questioned his tactics, Boyington snapped: Tactics? Hell, you dont need any tactics. When you see the Zeros, you just shoot em down, thats all.) Against such an armada, however, the Americans found few Zeros willing to fly. McClurg broke formation to dive after a Nakajima A6M2-N Rufe floatplane, his fourth kill: He was sitting there just flying straight and level. Nothing to it.[Boyington] looked over at me shaking his fist at me for breaking formation. But the CO himself went down alone to strafe the air base at Lakunai. We scared them, he declared. We ought to send up only about 24 planes, so theyd be sure to come up and fight.

A week later the Allies sent two dozen B-24 Liberatorsbut backed up by nearly 100 Corsairs, Hellcats, Kittyhawks and Army P-38 Lightnings. This time the Japanese matched them fighter for fighter. In this titanic dogfight over Rabaul the Black Sheep lost three but claimed 12, Bolt and McClurg getting doubles to become aces, Magee raising his total to eight. And Boyington got four, at one point taking on a nine-plane formation all by himself: I came down unknown to the Zekes and picked off the tail-end man, and then ran like a sonof-a-gun. He even made a strafing run on a Japanese sub he caught on the surface. It was his second-best day ever as a Black Sheep.



Boyington climbs aboard F4U-1A 41-7883 in December 1943. (National Archives) Boyington climbs aboard F4U-1A 41-7883 in December 1943. (National Archives)

The closer he came to the record, however, the more he seemed to feel the weight of history bearing down on him. He gave reporters wave-offs and brusque replies: I didnt come out here to make news. I came out here to fight a war. McClurg got his seventh, Magee his ninth and Don Fisher got a double to become an ace, but Boyington stalled. The hunting was fine, he said of those last days of 1943, but Im doing some dumb things up there! He scored one more Zeke over Rabaul, but the next day was outflown by an enemy plane he reported as a Nakajima Ki-44 Tojo that got away, scored only as a probable. On a subsequent mission he had to turn back with his windscreen covered in oil; at one point, as several fellow pilots attested, he undid his straps and stood up into the slipstream to wipe it off.

Dont worry about me, he told his men. If you guys ever see me going down with 30 Zeros on my tail, dont give me up. Hell, Ill meet you in a San Diego bar and well all have a drink for old times sake. They celebrated New Years Eve Black Sheep style, firing so many pistol flares that the transport fleet offshore got underway, fearing an air raid.

On January 3, 1944, Boyington led another sweep to Rabaul. The Japanese saw the Americans coming and sent up some 70 fighters to intercept. Boyington led the charge down into them. I poured a long burst into the first enemy plane that approached, he said. The Zero burst into flames, and several pilots saw it go downBoyingtons record-tying 26th victory. But they lost sight of Gramps in the low-level haze, where he found some 20 enemy fighters waiting. Word of his record kill preceded him back to base. There was a radio recording hookup, remembered one Black Sheep, and the Marine Corps and Navy photo sections had cameramen there. Elation turned to shock when Boyington failed to return. In the movies it would be labeled pure corn, wrote one correspondent. Things like that dont happen.

Bolt got his sixth the next day, but adding insult to grievous injury, with its tour finished, VMF-214 was broken up and scattered for reassignment. A reconstituted unit did not fare so well on its return to combat. In August 1945, the survivors were preparing to muster out when word came that Boyington was not only alive but now considered the top-scoring Marine ace of the war, having claimed two more Zeros on his last mission before going down in the ocean. (Today official sources credit him variously with between 24 and 28 victories.) Hed been picked up by a Japanese sub, and spent the rest of the war as a POW. That October on the White House lawn, President Harry S. Truman awarded Boyington his posthumous Medal of Honor, but not before Pappy had his promised reunion with the Black Sheepone so legendary that its said to have been the first bender to rate a photo feature in Life magazine.

What America knows as the Black Sheep Squadron flew together as a unit for only about three monthsless than one 13-week television seasonbut destroyed 97 enemy aircraft, with 35 probables and 50 damaged, plus almost 30 ships sunk. Of the 28 pilots on their first tour, no fewer than nine became aces. Bolt went on to score six kills in Korea for 12 totalthe Marine Corps only jet ace and only ace in two warswhile Magee flew Messerschmitts for the Israelis, bootlegged booze and robbed banks. One of the few WWII-vintage squadrons still serving today, VMF-214 flew Corsairs in Korea, A-4 Skyhawks in Vietnam and AV-8B Harrier jump jets in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over the years the forlorn black sheep on the squadron insignia, which a bunch of orphan flyboys first scribbled up on Guadalcanal, has become a proud, foot-stamping ram. And no matter what they fly, their crest still bears a Bent-Wing Bird.

Black Day for the Black Sheep The Black Sheep who went to war in 1945 never got the chance to live up to their legacy, but they lived up to their name. Mostly fresh out of flight school, they lost 11 Corsairs and seven airmen during training to collisions, disappearances and freak accidents. One pilots life raft ballooned inside the plane, shoving him out of the cockpit at 5,000 feet without his chute; another had a fatal tangle with an aerial towed target banner; a thirds belly tank tore loose on a carrier landing, hit the prop and exploded, immolating him in the cockpit. Even their mascot, a black lamb named Midnite, was run over by a car and killed; Midnite II proved to be an ornery ram with a penchant for butting heads with squadron mates. The Corsair had changed too. Finally cleared for carrier ops, the new F4U-1D could pack 1,000 pounds of high-explosive or napalm bombs, eight five-inch HVARs (high-velocity aircraft rockets) or a centerline-mounted 11.75-inch Tiny Tim missile. All these weapons were stocked when VMF-214 boarded the Essex-class carrier Franklin. Sailing as part of Task Force 58 in support of the Okinawa invasion, Big Ben would make the closest approach to the Japanese Home Islands of any U.S. carrier in the entire war: just 50 miles, a mere 10-15 minutes flying time, off southern Kyushu. At dawn on March 19, Franklin had more than 30 aircraft on deck and 22 below, readying for a strike into Japans Inland Sea. Many VMF-214 pilots were prepping for their mission in the squadron ready room above the hangar deck when, at about 0705 hours, a single Japanese plane (usually described as a Yokosuka D4Y3 Judy) dropped out of the low cloud cover, crossed the ship bow to stern at mast height and pickled off its ordnance dead center. At least one 550-pounder punched through the flight deck into the crowded, busy hangar space below and exploded.

Listing heavily but still afloat after taking bomb hits on March 19, 1945, USS Franklin burns as its crew gathers on the flight deck. (National Archives) Listing heavily but still afloat after taking bomb hits on March 19, 1945, USS Franklin burns as its crew gathers on the flight deck. (National Archives) In the confined space, the blast redoubled. Burst tanks and lines spattered aviation fuel. Bombs and rockets set each other off. The rippling explosion was so powerful it heaved the entire 32-ton forward aircraft elevator clear up out of its well. The flight crews in the hangar deck never knew what hit them. Concussion bucked the overhead ready room so hard the floor broke pilots legs where they stood or hurled them bodily against the ceiling. Some jumped or were blown overboard. Few escaped uninjured as flames ravaged the listing carrier stem to stern, punctuated by ordnance cooking off. More than 800 men died, with almost 500 wounded. The tale of Franklins epic, and ultimately successful, battle for survival has passed into U.S. Navy legend, but 32 men of VMF-214 never lived to fight it, let alone fight the enemy. For both Big Ben and the Black Sheep, World War II was over.

For further reading, frequent contributor Don Hollway recommends Baa Baa Black Sheep, by Gregory Pappy Boyington (more for flavor than accuracy); Bruce Gambles The Black Sheep and Swashbucklers and Black Sheep; and Once They Were Eagles, by VMF-214 intelligence officer Frank Walton. To view related video and additional photographs, visit donhollway.com/blacksheep.

Originally published in the January 2014 issue of Aviation History. To subscribe, click here.
Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed Friday in a US strike, was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies.

General Soleimani, who headed the external operations Quds Force for the Guards, had wielded his regional clout publicly since 2018 when it was revealed that he had direct involvement in top-level talks over the formation of Iraq's government.

It was no surprise at the time for a man who has been at the centre of power-broking in the region for two decades.

Soleimani has been in and out of Baghdad ever since, most recently last month as parties sought to form a new government.

Where once he kept to the shadows, Soleimani has in recent years become an unlikely celebrity in Iran -- replete with a huge following on Instagram.

Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani (center) 'was personally the most popular regime figure in Iran' said one expert on Middle East affairs

His profile rose suddenly when he was pushed forward as the public face of Iran's intervention in the Syrian conflict from 2013, appearing in battlefield photos, documentaries -- and even being featured in a music video and animated film.

In a rare interview aired on Iranian state television in October, he said he was in Lebanon during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war to oversee the conflict.

To his fans and enemies alike, Soleimani was the key architect of Iran's regional influence, leading the fight against jihadist forces and extending Iran's diplomatic heft in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

'To Middle Eastern Shiites, he is James Bond, Erwin Rommel and Lady Gaga rolled into one,' wrote former CIA analyst Kenneth Pollack in a profile for Time's 100 most influential people in 2017.

'To the West, he is... responsible for exporting Iran's Islamic revolution, supporting terrorists, subverting pro-Western governments and waging Iran's foreign wars,' Pollack added.

With Iran roiled by protests and economic problems at home, and the US once again mounting pressure from the outside, some Iranians had even called for Soleimani to enter domestic politics.

While he has dismissed rumours he might one day run for president, the general has played a decisive role in the politics of Iran's neighbour, Iraq.

As well as talks on forming a government, he was pivotal in pressuring Iraq's Kurds to abandon their plans for independence after an ill-judged referendum last September.

Soleimani was key military decision-maker in Iran

His influence has deep roots, since Soleimani was already leading the Quds Force when the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001.

'My Iranian interlocutors on Afghanistan made clear that while they kept the foreign ministry informed, ultimately it was General Soleimani that would make the decisions,' former US ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker told the BBC in 2013.

His firm but quiet presence play perfectly to the Iranian penchant for dignified humility.

'He sits over there on the other side of room, by himself, in a very quiet way. Doesn't speak, doesn't comment, just sits and listens. And so of course everyone is thinking only about him,' a senior Iraqi official told the New Yorker for a long profile of Soleimani.

A survey published in 2018 by IranPoll and the University of Maryland -- one of the few considered reliable by analysts -- found Soleimani had a popularity rating of 83 percent, beating President Hassan Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Western leaders saw him as central to Iran's ties with militia groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas.

Part of his appeal was the suggestion he might bridge Iran's bitter social divides on issues such as its strict 'hijab' clothing rules.

'If we constantly use terms such as 'bad hijab' and 'good hijab', reformist or conservative... then who is left?' Soleimani said in a speech to mark World Mosque Day in 2017.

'They are all people. Are all your children religious? Is everybody the same? No, but the father attracts all of them.'

-AFP
New Delhi: Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati expressed her anguish over the rising number of infant deaths at JK Lon Hospital in Kota and hit out at Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for their insensitivity towards the issue. She said that the attitude of the Gehlot government in Rajasthan was condemnable as it has mismanaged the situation, causing the death of 100 children in Kota, and still remains irresponsible and unsympathetic to the situation.

Taking to Twitter, said, "The death of over 100 kids in the Congress-ruled Rajasthan is a matter of pain and sadness. What`s highly condemnable is that Gehlot remains insensitive and highly irresponsible towards the issue."

In her second tweet, the BSP supremo said, what made the story sadder was that the top leadership of the Congress, which included a woman General Secretary (Priyanka), had kept mum on the issue. "It would have been better had she met those poor mothers who lost kids in the manner she met UP (protest) victims," she tweeted.

"If the Congress woman General Secretary fails to go and meet the mothers of deceased kids in Rajasthan`s Kota district, her act of meeting victims of any matter in UP will be considered a mere political drama being played for selfish political ambitions, with which UP public should remain cautious," the BSP chief said in third tweet.

Reacting to Mayawati's tweet, CM Ashok Gehlot, without naming the BSP supremo in his post, said the state government was quite sensitive about the issue and there should be no politics on this. "The death rate is continuously declining in this hospital, and we shall try to reduce it further. Health of mothers and their children remains our top priority," he said. In his second tweet, he said the ICU for kids was started in Rajasthan in 2003 during the Congress regime. Even in Kota, the ICU was set up in 2011 under our government, he added.

In the third tweet, the Chief Minister said the central expert team was welcome to help improve health services. "We are ready for the improvement of medical services with their consultation and cooperation. #NirogiRajasthan is our priority," Gehlot said. He added that the media was welcome to provide facts without any pressure.

With three more death of infants on the first two days of the new year, the death toll in the JK Lone hospital in Rajasthan`s Kota has reached to 104.
Uttarakhand'sUrban Development Minister Madan Kaushik on Friday saidthe Citizenship Amendment Act is meant to grant citizenship to persecuted minorities from Muslim majority countries of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan seeking sanctuary in India and not to snatch anyone's citizenship.

Addressing a press conference here to clear the air over CAA, Kaushik, who is also the state government's official spokesman, accused opposition parties including the Congressofmisleading people by saying this law will snatchcitizenship of Muslims in India.

Terming Congress's interpretation of the law as "impractical", the minister said the CAA was in no way related to the National Register of Citizens.

He said though the Congress is opposing the CAA at present it was the initiator of the law.

On a number of occasions while in power, the Congress had supported the rights of minorities living in Muslim majority countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Kaushik's press conference here was part of the party's programme to counter the opposition's campaign on CAA and NRC.

State BJP leaders will hold a series of press conferences at different places in Uttarakhand over the next few days to explain the intent behind the amended Citizenship Act.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
SAN ANTONIO  Police on Thursday arrested a man accused of driving a truck at more than 100 miles per hour through a West Side neighborhood and striking a minivan, killing two people in the first hour of the New Year.

Cesar Gonzalez, 18, faces two counts of failure to stop and render aid resulting in death, according to San Antonio Police.

SAPD spokesman Officer Douglas Greene said Gonzalez was arrested without incident at noon today in the 3400 block of West Laurel, less than a mile from where the accident occurred.

Detectives said Gonzalez was the person behind the wheel of a Chevy Silverado that collided with a van at about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 3400 block of West Poplar Street.

RELATED: Man injured by shots fired through his windshield

The minivan was driven by 31-year-old Jesus Aguilar Jr., who was traveling with 14-year-old Kristina Aileen Spohn and two children ages 1 and 5.

Investigators said the driver of the minivan was killed upon impact. Spohn was ejected and died before authorities arrived. The victims were memorialized at a vigil Thursday evening at the crash site. Police have not released their names or relation to each other.

The children suffered second degree burns to their upper body and face and were taken to University Hospital. They were listed in stable condition Thursday, Greene said.

The Chevy Silverado continued east on Poplar, striking a private fence and utility pole a block away from the crash site. Two males ran away, witnesses said.

On the Express-News: Friends, family gather to remember victims of New Year's Day crash

Greene said police received numerous tips about the suspects that led them to Gonzalez.

"At this point we feel that we have the main suspect in the case," Greene said. "We are still looking to talk to more people to get some more information on how all of this went down."

Greene said investigators are working to determine where Gonzalez was going and why he was driving so fast.

"Some information that we're getting is that he was at a party and there is some possibility of intoxicants being involved," he said.

Greene said the Silverado did not belong to Gonzalez, but to someone he knew.
A gazetteer is a geographical directory or dictionary that is used in conjunction with an atlas or map, and contains information about the physical features and social statistics of a country, continent or region. The contents of a gazetteer can also include a subjects gross domestic product (GDP), population, literacy rate, and dimensions of peaks and waterways. The information contained in a gazetteer is usually sub-divided into topics and listed in alphabetical order.

Historical Background

The history of gazetteers can be traced back thousands of years to the Hellenistic period of Ancient Greece. An article written in 1923 by twentieth-century historian W.W. Tarn suggests that a list and description of provinces in Alexander the Great's empire that dates from between 324 and 323 BC represents the earliest known gazetteer. This date range is estimated based on the fact that the text contains information written before the Partition of Babylon, which occurred in 323 BC. It is possible that gazetteers were used even earlier in Ancient Egypt, although the history remains unclear. British archeologist Penelope Wilson describes an ancient papyrus from Tanis, Egypt that includes information about every administrative unit of ancient Egypt. Although the document is similar to a gazetteer, Wilson does not classify it as such.

The first known gazetteer from China dates back to the first century. However, gazetteers became more common during the Song dynasty, which lasted from 960-1279, due to the use of print media. Chinese gentry became involved in producing gazetteers that contained information about their local areas and served as a source of pride. Additionally, a geographical dictionary was written by Stephanus of Byzantium during the sixth century. Despite being currently incomplete, the text is considered to be greatly significant to the creation of gazetteers in Europe. Today, gazetteers are readily available online and in the reference section of libraries.

Modern Era

The widespread use of gazetteers throughout world grew quickly since they were first created. In Britain, gazetteers became popular, especially in the nineteenth century, as publishers such as Chambers, Fullarton, W. & K. Johnston, and Mackenzie attempted to meet public demand for information given the expanding British Empire. Technological advancement has helped innovate gazetteers in Britain, including the National Land and Property Gazetteer and the National Gazetteer for Scotland. Increased globalization makes gazetteers continue to be important, although significant amounts of content is now produced digitally rather than in print. Additionally, digital developments, such as Google Maps, help people learn about and explore new places.

Significance Of Gazetteers

Gazetteers are designed for use alongside atlases or maps, and therefore contain information about various regions of the world. As a result, they remain important, especially for researchers and students. The information contained in a gazetteer provides the reader with various information about a given region or country, and can even be used to develop plans for roads and transportation networks. Finally, gazetteers are useful in navigation, and are used in conjunction with maps by explorers and mountain climbers.
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's scheduled visit to India later this month, has been cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances of the bushfires in Australia, diplomatic sources said.

Morrison was slated to pay a state visit to India from January 14 to 16.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Morrison and conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the damage to life and property in Australia due to severe and prolonged bushfires.

"He also offered India's unstinted support to Australia and the Australian people, who are bravely facing this unprecedented natural calamity," according to an official statement.

Earlier in the day, Morrison said he is "inclined' to cancel his visit to India scheduled for this month amid the worsening bushfire crisis in the country, local media reported.

"I'm inclined not to proceed on that visit. There are issues I need to resolve formally when working through issues of that nature. That is my inclination on that issue," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Morrison as saying.

Wildfires have wreaked havoc in parts of Australia for months.

The Australian Prime Minister was forced to cut short a holiday to Hawaii just before Christmas following the death of two volunteer firefighters.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Baghdad: The Pentagon says the US military has killed Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of US President Donald Trump.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the Pentagon said in a statement.

The key Iranian military leader and an Iraqi militia commander, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, were assassinated in an air strike on their convoy in Baghdad airport, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

Revolutionary Guard's foreign wing, or Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, centre. Credit:AP

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias.
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Shilajit Mitra By

Express News Service

In 'Sab Kushal Mangal' (a new rom-com directed by Karan Vishwanath Kashyap) a local strongman and a journalist fall for the same girl. Akshaye Khanna and Priyaank Sharma play the male leads, with Riva Kishan portraying their object of affection. Priyank is the son of Padmini Kolhapure and Riva is the daughter of Ravi Kishan.

The film was shot in Ranchi, and will open in theatres on January 3. Remember the bedtime stories told by your grandparents? They were always very sweet stories, where all was well. They touched your heart and made you feel nice. This film is much like that, Khanna says. The actor calls the experience a satisfying journey, having appeared in more serious roles in recent films like Section 375 and The Accidental Prime Minister.

On working with newcomers, Khanna notes, Both Priyaank and Riva have done exceptional work. I feel the quality of performance by youngsters is much higher today. They are well prepared and willing to surrender to their director, in a way that (my generation of actors) never did. In the film, Khannas character, Baba Bhandari, is a hardened heavy who melts at the sight of Mandira (Riva).

The trailer shows him sporting flashy shirts and scheming to impress the girl. Its a unique character, something I have never done before, says Khanna adding, The film follows his transformation from a strongman to someone he is not. Its a fun, light part I hope people will enjoy.

He says the film is a callback to the simpler times of the 90s. Its a slice-of-life story of those times, when people were not that well-informed, the pace of life was slower and family was all-important. In a sense, the film will take you back to a different value set.

Khannas comedy credits includes his films with Priyadarshan, most memorably Hungama (2003) and Hulchul (2004). You could compare Sab Kushal Mangal with my work with Priyadarshan, he says, They have similar sensibilities; its traditional yet not a wannabe traditional. It conveys a sense of togetherness and bonding that never goes out of fashion.

Khannas character

In the film, Akshaye Khannas character, Baba Bhandari, is a hardened heavy who melts at the sight of Mandira (Riva).
Farooq Kperogi, an associate professor of journalism in the US, says he is one of the reasons why the Buhari Media Centre (BMC) was es...





Farooq Kperogi, an associate professor of journalism in the US, says he is one of the reasons why the Buhari Media Centre (BMC) was established.





In a series of posts on Twitter on Thursday, the critic of Buhari described himself as an employer of labour in the country.





He alleged that millions of people with fake social media accounts were employed by the BMC to attack him due to his critical posts on the presidency.





In December, the professor had a meltdown on Twitter over a controversial news item he shared in the past.





He had shared a report which said Sambo Dasuki, a former national security adviser (NSA), died in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).





When Dasuki was released, many online supporters of the president taunted the professor who later went off the radar momentarily.





In the new tweets, Kperogi hit back at his attackers.





Youre a BMC Troll? Im Your Employer! Sometime in 2017, a long-time acquaintance of mine who works in the Presidential Villa told me I had become a big-time employer of labor in Nigeria, Kperogi said.





I was puzzled until he explained that I was one of the major reasons the Buhari regime inaugurated a shadowy troll farm called the Buhari Media Center, which now goes by other names. The BMC started with only about 40 people who have multiple fake social media accounts.





But its now an entire propaganda and mind-management industry that employs thousands of people and sucks up millions of naira monthly. N-Power beneficiaries have now been incorporated into it.





Their remit is to flood online comments with pro-regime propaganda, smear and libel government critics, invent slanderous falsehoods against critics, magnify the slip-ups of critics and use that as a crutch to deflect focus on the governments unending fraud, etc.





But the unhealthy fixation the Buhari regime has on me is flattering, frankly. This must either mean that, in their cluelessness, they hyperbolize my influence on Nigerians or that my exposes of their malfeasance is achieving the intended effect. Or both.




Adults possessing small amounts of marijuana for personal use will no longer be prosecuted in two northern Virginia counties, new prosecutors in Fairfax and Arlington said Thursday in one of their first days on the job.

The moves fulfill campaign pledges by Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano and Arlington County Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, who won election in November promising sweeping criminal justice changes.

Descano and Dehghani-Tafti said pot possession prosecutions do little to protect public safety, disproportionately fall on people of color, saddle defendants with damaging convictions and drain resources that can better be spent on more serious crimes.

But the policy changes angered some critics who said the prosecutors were overstepping their authority and drew sharp questions from at least one Fairfax County judge.

Descano said the policy brings Fairfax County's values into the courthouse.

"I traveled around Fairfax County for over a year listening to people," Descano said. "The thing that came up time and time again was simple possession of marijuana - how it was a waste of resources and led to unjust outcomes."

Dehghani-Tafti's office expressed a similar sentiment in a motion to the court. "In a world of limited resources, it is the Commonwealth's position that these should be directed towards more serious felony offenses, towards offenses against people and their property, and towards investment in programs that demonstrably reduce recidivism," the filing read.

Prosecutors in Fairfax will continue to pursue cases against people distributing marijuana and conspicuous public consumption of pot, Descano said. He said his office will make a case-by-case determination regarding whether the facts qualify as "simple possession" of marijuana.

In motions to dismiss three cases, Dehghani-Tafti said her office will examine each marijuana possession case and absent aggravating factors will not pursue prosecution. Such cases made up 14% of arrests and 10% of prosecutors' caseload in Arlington last year.

Her office moved Thursday to dismiss a simple marijuana possession charge and downgraded another drug charge against the same defendant from a felony to a misdemeanor. Arlington Public Defender Brad Haywood said he and other defense attorneys were also getting copies of discovery materials, after years of fighting the previous commonwealth's attorney over access.

"During plea negotiations, we have also already noticed an increased openness to mitigating facts, such as a defendant's mental illness, struggles with substance use or the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction," Haywood said.

The new policy quickly hit a speed bump in Fairfax County on Monday morning in the first case in which it was applied. Chief Deputy Commonwealth Attorney Terry Adams told Fairfax County General District Court Judge Mark Simmons that the government was dropping a possession charge against a defendant named Jose Diaz.

Adams gave a long statement about the problems the office saw with marijuana prosecutions. Simmons indicated that he was skeptical of a blanket policy of dropping all marijuana possession cases, before denying the request to dismiss the case against Diaz, who did not have an attorney.

"In this court, everything is individualized," Simmons said.

Simmons later reversed course and dismissed the possession charge against Diaz, after a public defender stepped in to represent him. Possession charges were also dismissed against five other defendants.

Sang Lee, of Centreville, who spoke limited English, was clearly relieved after his possession case was dismissed. Outside the courtroom, Lee asked whether marijuana had been legalized, before a reporter explained that it had not.

"I feel awesome," Lee said.

Fairfax County police said they have no immediate plans to change how they will enforce marijuana possession, but they referred all other questions back to Descano's office. Two Fairfax County police unions declined to comment on the policy.

While simple marijuana possession alone has not yet come up in an Arlington court, Arlington Coalition of Police President Scott Wanek said some officers already feel Dehghani-Tafti has been too lenient in other cases. He cited cases, including traffic cases and an assault case, where he said charges were reduced.

Wanek said officers are discussing pursuing their own misdemeanor cases in court. Virginia law allows such a move, but the Arlington police chief has said he would not make such a policy lightly. Descano said he has not heard of similar plans in Fairfax.

Amy Ashworth in Prince William County, who replaced longtime prosecutor Paul Ebert, said she plans to approach those charges on a case-by-case basis. Buta Biberaj, who took office in Loudoun County on a liberal platform, did not respond to requests for comment on her plans for marijuana prosecution.

State Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, who sits on the Courts of Justice committee, said Descano and Dehghani-Tafti are required to prosecute marijuana possession cases under the oath they swore to uphold the law.

"It is a problem when prosecutors unilaterally decide that because they disagree with a law they aren't going to enforce it," Obenshain said.

Steven Emmert, an attorney focusing on appellate issues, said the legality of the prosecutors' moves remains untested. He said Virginia's Supreme Court has never ruled directly on the topic.

"It presents an interesting separation of powers issue," Emmert said. "In theory, a prosecutor should be able to say I'm going to choose which of these crimes I'm going to prosecute - that's prosecutorial discretion - but what these prosecutors are doing is essentially deciding not to prosecute a whole class of offenses. That's where the separation of powers issue comes in. The legislature has the power to say what's illegal."

There has already been some legal wrangling in this area.

Early last year, the Norfolk commonwealth's attorney announced that he would stop pursuing circuit court appeals of marijuana possession cases because of the racial disparity among those charged.

The effort angered some circuit court judges, who said he was trodding on legislative turf. The judges refused to dismiss the charges in some cases, so prosecutor Greg Underwood asked the Virginia Supreme Court to compel the judges to do so. In May, the Supreme Court sided with the judges.

The Virginia legislature will take up bills that deal with decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana among a spate of other criminal justice reforms.

The policy changes in Fairfax and Arlington bring the counties more in line with some surrounding jurisdictions. Alexandria created a pot diversion program last summer. In 2015, the District of Columbia legalized possession of marijuana under certain circumstances.

In Montgomery County, State's Attorney John McCarthy's office has not prosecuted personal possession marijuana cases since the state decriminalized pot possession about six years ago, he said. His office recently has scaled back prosecution of small "distribution cases" that, in reality, are no more than one friend selling a joint to another friend.

"Judges don't want to see these de minimis marijuana cases. Juries don't want to see them," McCarthy said. "Jurors were telling us: 'Why are you wasting our time with this?' "

- - -

The Washington Post's Dan Morse contributed to this report.
The United States and Iran once again totter on the precipice as the world holds its breath. But even by the hard-nosed standards of West Asia, the USs assassination of the Iranian Al Quds Force commander, Qasem Soleimani, was unusually public. The Donald Trump administration has given Tehran no space for manoeuvre or chance for de-escalation by killing a man who was central to the Iranian regime. Iran has a policy of retribution for lesser slights and will strike back. And that is exactly why the rest of the world is watching to see what happens next. Iran may avoid a direct military confrontation, but it has a smorgasbord of options, including using Shia proxies to hit US assets in West Asia or using cyber weapons to cripple networks in mainland America.

Unlike previous confrontations over the past four decades of the US-Iranian rivalry, however, regional circumstances are different today. Oil is no longer the weapon it once was. Iran cannot afford to shut down the Straits of Hormuz even if it had the ability to do so. Its primary customer is its ally, China, while an oil-exporting US would financially benefit from such a move. Washington is all-powerful but its interest in the Persian Gulf in dipping. Mr Trump remains a reluctant warrior. If Tehran had not surrounded the US embassy in Iraq, a red line for a president whose generation was scarred by the 1979 hostage crisis, it is likely the present tit-for-tat round would have simply petered out. Iran, on its part, may have assembled an informal empire of influence extending to the Mediterranean but its economy is shrinking and it struggles with rising social unrest. A warrior without will versus another without a way complicates the matrix.

Iran will use Soleimanis death to shore up support for the regime. Retaliation will probably happen in due course, but with care to avoid pushing Mr Trumps buttons and focus on signalling Iranian resolve to the region. Tehran can afford to be restrained. The US continues to slowly lose influence in West Asia. Saudi attempts to push back Iran in Yemen and elsewhere have failed. Both the US and Iran have elections coming up and a full-scale conflict is not a winning gambit in either of the campaigns. What the immediate future holds is hard to predict. But the long-term will remain a tale of regional disequilibrium, with mid-level powers like Iran and Russia struggling to replace the vacuum left by a US whose interests are shifting eastward.
Since EPIC acquired Frenkel in November 2017, the companys Northeast footprint in risk management, property and casualty insurance, international client services, employee benefits consulting, program solutions and private client services has significantly expanded, the company said.

Frenkels decision to join EPIC has helped us deliver an expansive new set of capabilities to our clients, with the same commitment to service delivery that has been a hallmark of our firm, said former Frenkel & Company CEO John Kelly.

Kelly now serves as CEO of EPIC New York following the rebranding.

Throughout the past two years we have had the opportunity to integrate our teams, culture and businesses and are proud to now be able to present this unification across the risk management and employee benefits community together as one EPIC, commented EPIC Holdings president Steve Denton.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Syrian President Bashar Assad in his New Year greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude for Russia's help in the fight against terrorism in Syria, his press service said on Monday

DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th December, 2019) Syrian President Bashar Assad in his New Year greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude for Russia 's help in the fight against terrorism in Syria , his press service said on Monday.

"President Assad expressed his deep gratitude for all the efforts carried out by the Russian Federation in all spheres to support Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity... and to help the Syrian people get rid of the evil of terrorism so that they can live again in peace and safety," the press service said.

The Syrian president also conveyed hope that the two countries' bilateral ties would be enhanced.

Earlier in the day, Putin confirmed his intent for further cooperation and the continued support for Syria's unity in his New Year message to Assad. The Russian president also expressed hope that their joint efforts would make it possible to settle the crisis in Syria and bring about peace there in the upcoming year.
A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq on January 3, 2020. The Pentagon said that the US military has killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. (Image: AP)
'In enacting the citizenship law, the BJP's focus has been so much on consolidating its Hindu vote bank all over the country to divert attention from the economic downturn that the party forgot that there are Hindus and Hindus and that one group of Hindus may not always be warmly embraced by another,' notes Amulya Ganguli.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

After the euphoria bred by the party's second successive Lok Sabha victory about rapidly fulfilling its -- and the Sangh Parivar's -- dream of converting India into a land of, by and for Hindus, the outbreak against one of the cornerstones of the Hindutva project -- the new law on citizenship -- must have come as a rude shock.

Till the violence broke out, the BJP appeared to cherish the hope of marching unimpeded from one Hindutva agenda to another -- the revocation of Article 370 to show Muslims their place in the Kashmir valley, the citizenship law, the national register of citizens, and so on.

Now, the BJP may have to slow down and take a deep breath.

The reason why it has stumbled in Assam is that as a party of Hindi-speaking, vegetarian, chapati-eating north Indian Hindus, it doesn't have the faintest idea of the landscape beyond Aryavarta.

Assam typifies such an unfamiliar terrain for the Parivar.

Consumers of rice and non-veg food, the people of the state zealously guard their distinctive identity.

Moreover, it has long been felt there that this identity is under threat from what used to be East Bengal, then became East Pakistan and is now Bangladesh.

The perception of threat is from another group of rice-eating non-vegetarians -- the Bengali-speaking Muslims of East Bengal and Bangladeshi Hindus.

The migration of hardy East Bengali Muslim peasants into Assam from the 19th century onwards, which was dubbed the 'grow more Muslims' policy by the British viceroy, Lord Wavell, continued even in the post-Partition period.

But the influx of Bengali-speaking Muslims was accompanied by the growing presence of Bengali Hindus from Bengal before and after Partition.

The Assamese feared the rise in the number of Bengalis of both denominations will reduce the locals to a minority status similar to the fate of the Tripura tribals.

It was this apprehension which fuelled the anti-Bengali disturbances in Assam in the 1960s.

Known as the Bongal kheda (oust the Bengalis), the movement saw a partial revival during the 1979-1985 agitation by the All Assam Students Union although it was mainly directed against the illegal Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh.

Even then, there was a flight of Bengali Hindus to West Bengal during this period.

Today, it is again the fear of immigration from Bangladesh which has brought AASU to the fore against the new citizenship law.

The apprehension among Assamese Hindus is that the lure of securing Indian citizenship will lead to yet another influx of Bengali Hindus to the state as also to other parts of the north east, posing a demographic, linguistic and cultural threat to the locals.

During the 1979-1985 agitation, the BJP sided with AASU, largely because of the anti-Muslim character of the campaign with Arun Shourie (now in the 'secular' camp) playing a leading role.

More recently, the BJP's political successes in Assam and elsewhere in the region was based on the exploitation of the anti-Muslim thrust of the earlier agitations.

In enacting the citizenship law, however, the BJP's focus has been so much on consolidating its Hindu vote bank all over the country to divert attention from the economic downturn that the party neglected to consider the nuances of such a policy.

It forgot that there are Hindus and Hindus and that one group of Hindus may not always be warmly embraced by another.

There are also non-Hindus, as in Meghalaya and elsewhere in the north-east, who do not share the BJP's fondness for the Hindus.

Besides, the earlier anti-Muslim slant may have been sidelined in Assam and the neighbouring states by the anxiety over the advent of a large number of Hindus.

It is this diversity of attitudes which is beyond the BJP's ken.

Amulya Ganguli is a writer on current affairs.
Extreme conditions threaten to push major fire fronts into more heavily populated parts of NSW on Saturday, including parts of outer Sydney, amid warnings that the bushfires could move "frighteningly quick" due to high winds and soaring temperatures.

With 11 deaths from the bushfires in NSW and Victoria since Monday, tens of thousands of people made a final attempt to flee devastated areas ahead of the worsening conditions on Saturday.

Firefighters work to prevent a blaze from crossing the Kings Highway near Batemans Bay. Credit:Kate Geraghty

The Rural Fire Service is warning potential ember attacks on Saturday risk extending fires to areas at the foot of the Blue Mountains, north west of Penrith. On the South Coast, massive blazes from Bega to south of Batemans Bay have the potential to spread vast distances.

Ember attacks are also a major risk from Batemans Bay to north of Jervis Bay, as they are in the Snowy Mountains where there is the potential for enormous blazes to spread over huge areas.
Washington has said it plans to place such weapons in the Asia-Pacific following the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. The U.S. accused the other treaty signatory, Russia, of cheating by developing weapons systems banned under the treaty. However, many analysts say Washington has long sought to deploy intermediate-range missiles to counter China's growing arsenal.

A senior U.S. diplomat says Washington is consulting with its allies as it proceeds with plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles in Asia, a move China says it will respond to with countermeasures.

In a conference call Tuesday, State Department Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs Andrea Thompson said governments would decide whether or not to host such missiles.

"That's a sovereign decision to be made by the leaders of those governments," Thompson said. "Any decision made in the region will be done in consultation with our allies -- this is not a U.S. unilateral decision."

U.S. mutual defense treaty allies Japan, South Korea and Australia are considered the prime missile base candidates, although Beijing has warned that any nation that accepts such an arrangement will face retribution, likely in the form of an economic boycott or similar sanctions. Although China maintains a large stock of intermediate-range missiles, it says those are unable to reach the U.S. homeland, while missiles deployed by the U.S. in Asia would be within striking distance of mainland China.

While the U.S. decision to leave the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has placed the future of arms control agreements in doubt, Thompson said the move had brought a "positive response from partners and allies globally, not only tied to the Indo-Pacific but our NATO partners as well."

She also said Washington hopes Beijing will join in discussions with the U.S. and Russia on a nuclear arms limitation pact after the current agreement, known as New START, expires in 2021. China has said it has no intention of entering into any such trilateral negotiations.

"Part of being a responsible actor... you need to have transparency and responsibility. So we encourage China to come to the table as well," Thompson said. "The world demands it. That's what responsible nations do."
FORT EDWARD  A Hudson Falls couple who police said were major heroin dealers were sentenced Friday to 9 years each in prison.

Family members of a woman who died from an overdose and who are awaiting word on a possible homicide prosecution watched from the court gallery.

Michael H. Stockwell, 40, and his 40-year-old girlfriend, Jill M. Hurley, made no apologies Friday as they came before Washington County Judge Kelly McKeighan for sentencing, both blaming addiction for their decision to sell opioids.

Each faced a range of between 9 and 11 years in prison, based on their guilty pleas last month to two felony counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance. They sold 120 bags of a heroin/fentanyl mix during a police investigation last spring. A day after the second sale, they were arrested with 450 bags of the drugs.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is significantly more powerful than heroin.

Washington County Assistant District Attorney Devin Anderson told McKeighan the couple were drug lords who were poisoning the boys and girls, sons and daughters of Washington County. He asked McKeighan to impose the maximum sentence of 11 years.

Hurley called her plea deal unfair and asked to withdraw her guilty plea. McKeighan rejected the request.

McKeighan imposed the nine-year term, citing the lack of prior criminal record for both defendants.

The sentencing occurred two years to the day after the opioid overdose death of 40-year-old Queensbury resident Angela Dean, and a large contingent of Deans loved ones were on hand.

Stockwell and Hurley were the last two people known to be with Dean at a Moreau motel, and they are believed to have sold drugs to her hours before she was found dead. Family members submitted a statement to the Washington County District Attorneys Office under the victims impact statute.

Deans sister, Judy Viger, wrote that Stockwell and Hurley knew Dean had just completed a rehabilitation program and praised her progress on Facebook four days before her Jan. 3, 2018 death. Her family said she became addicted to prescription painkillers after an injury, then turned to heroin.

Viger called them terrorists for continuing to sell opioids even after the death of a friend from the drugs.

They went there and preyed upon her weakness and most vulnerable moment and sold her what killed her, heroin/fentanyl, Viger wrote. It almost makes it worse to know it wasnt just some dealer off the streets who didnt know Angie, but people who claimed to be her friends.

While I remain hopeful they will be charged federally with her death, I am happy and I find comfort knowing these two are off the streets in our community. Just maybe we saved someone elses family from having to bury their beloved child, she added.

Neither Stockwell nor Hurley has been charged in connection with the death, but police and federal prosecutors are continuing to investigate whether a federal prosecution can be initiated.

A number of opioid dealers have been prosecuted in federal court in Albany for overdose deaths in recent years. Federal laws are viewed as more favorable for holding drug dealers accountable for deaths.

Don Lehman covers police and court matters, Warren County government and the outdoors. He can be reached at 518-742-3224 or dlehman@poststar.com

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West Bengal CPI(M) general secretary Suryakanta Mishra on Friday said if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was serious about her opposition to CAA and NRC then she should not oppose the January 8 general strike called by Left trade unions and parties.

Mishra called upon the people of the state to make the January 8 strike called by Left trade unions and parties against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Population Register (NPR) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) a "success".

Addressing the foundation day programme of party mouth-piece Ganashakti here, Mishra said: "if the CM makes any attempt to break that strike, there will be resistance."



He said "You (CM) have been vocal about your opposition to CAA and NRC. Are you serious? It will be proved on that day (January 8)."



Mishra also said if Banerjee "has good intention, then she should call a special session of West Bengal assembly to discuss NRC and CAA."The CPI(M) leader said the BJP was diverting attention from basic economic issues by "bringing up Balakot, Ram Temple, Article 370 and now CAA and NRC one after another as part of their fascist agenda.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Siddhant will next be seen in Bunty Aur Babli 2 followed by Shakun Batra's untitled next alongside Deepika Padukone and Ananya Panday.

Mumbai: The 'Silent find of the Year' Siddhant Chaturvedi has a busy year ahead with a line up of various big-budgeted movies, the actor was recently part of a panel discussion where he opened up about how he prepared for his role as MC Sher in Gully Boy and what he works on while preparing for any role.

The actor shared the two most important things that he focuses on when preparing for any role, he shared, "Im an actor who focuses on two things which is voice and body language" he further went on to talk about how he prepared to essay the role of MC Sher and added, "Somehow I cracked the voice, for the body language Ranveer advised, because he was losing weight and I was like I need to gain weight to look big and then theres the way you sit, you walk. So Zoya was like Sher Sher Sher Sher workshop, one and only because I was locked 25 days before the shoot, in that workshop I asked Zoya, I said Zoya I have this one question, I know its silly but I dont know, is it a lion or is it a tiger and shes like, its a lion." An interesting fact to be noted that in a previous interview, Gully Boy director Zoya Akhtar mentioned this same situation and said that when Siddhant asked her the question, that was the moment she knew she found her MC Sher.

Siddhant further went on to add, "So I went back home turned on Nat Geo and started watching documentaries on lions. And I was just binge-watching all these documentaries, and thats what I tried to you know, reflect in my character. Hes (Mc Sher) big, Hes broad but theres a certain war you know because hes the King. But tigers are different, theyre always looking for a prey, they hunt all the time but lions only hunt when theyre hungry and they are lazy and thats how I lived you know, I (Mc Sher) used to eat, sleep, lift, rap, thats it and that was my lifestyle."

In previous interviews, Siddhant has often mentioned that he wants to experiment with characters and make sure not two characters are the same. Having a happy year, Siddhant bagged the titles of "Breakthrough Actor of the year", "Fresh Face of the year", "Most Promising Newcomer" and "New Comer of the year" in 2019 and has a lot more to look forward to.

On the work front, Siddhant will next be seen in Bunty Aur Babli 2 followed by Shakun Batra's untitled next alongside Deepika Padukone and Ananya Panday.
Amid the unrest triggered by his idea of three capitals for the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday maintained that he believed it would only be just if neeru, nidhulu and paripalana (water, funds and administration) were equally available to all.

Addressing a public meeting here after launching a pilot scheme on extension of Arogya Sri health insurance services, the Chief Minister said his government has been taking every decision on the basis that everyone should be well, every region should be well.

For us, all are equal from the village administration upto the state-level. Our belief is that it will only be just if water, funds and administration are equally available to all, Jagan noted.

All decisions were accordingly being taken to ensure justice to everyone and every region, he added.

The Chief Minister further said he would correct all the mistakes of the past (regimes).

I promise that the power given to me by the people and the position I got by Gods grace will be utilised for the development of all. People should live in brotherhood and harmony should prevail among all regions, the Chief Minister said.

On December 17, Jagan had mooted the idea of having three capitals for Andhra Pradesh, with the executive capital in Visakhapatnam, legislative capital in Amaravati and judicial capital in Kurnool, spread over the three predominant regions of the state.

Based on the recommendations submitted by two committees in this regard, the Jagan government constituted a high-powered committee of ministers and bureaucrats to study the suggestions and come out with a way forward on decentralised development.

The committee was set up in the backdrop of farmers in Amaravati region, who gave up their fertile lands for the capital, being on an agitation path for the past 17 days.

The state government is expected to firm up its decision on the capital issue by this month-end after the high powered committee submits its report.
Politburo member Thuong extended his Tet wishes to Prof Le Ngoc Tra and discussed current education issues. He wished Tra and his family good health, joy and luck in the new year, and shared his hope that Tra would continue to contribute his talent and knowledge to the national education sector.

While visiting Peoples Artist Dinh Bang Phi, Thuong acknowledged his considerable contributions to the boi singing art. He said that traditional art forms boast great value, contributing to fostering the personality, culture and soul of the Vietnamese people.

Thus, the Party always attaches importance to promoting the role of traditional art genres.

The Party official wished artist Phi good health to continue to practice and transfer the traditional profession to the younger generations.

* Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man visited Chairman of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS)s Executive Council, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, in Ho Chi Minh City on January 2.

The VFF leader sent best Tet wishes to Buddhist monks and nuns in Ho Chi Minh City and nationwide on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2019.

*On the same day, a delegation from the High Command of Naval Region 5, Southern provinces and news agencies paid a pre-Tet visit to soldiers and people in An Son Island Commune in Nam Du Archipelago, Kien Hai district, Kien Giang province.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 2, 2020 / Mota Ventures Corp. (MOTA.CN) (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed a binding letter of intent dated January 2, 2020 (the "LOI") which outlines the terms and conditions pursuant to which, the Company will acquire (the "Proposed Acquisition") all of the share capital of Tropical Verde Coast Ltd. ("Tropical Verde").

Tropical Verde is an arms'-length party that holds a Tier 1 cultivation license in Jamaica. Tropical Verde is focused on cultivation and extraction of cannabis as well as distributing cannabis products in herb shops, dispensaries and health and wellness retail locations across the Caribbean. Tropical Verde is currently finalizing its irrigation systems, fencing and security on five acres of leased property, and anticipates that growing will commence by late Q1 2020. Jamaica has a long and rich history of producing high-quality marijuana products. Jamaica's outdoor growing conditions coupled with the availability of unique strains, position it to be a leader in the Caribbean region. As a result of the acquisition, Mota Ventures will indirectly hold a 49% stake, and a 95% net profit royalty of a medical cannabis company that holds a tier 1 Cultivator's license in Jamaica to produce cannabis for medicinal purposes.

"This transaction shows Mota Ventures strategic commitment to becoming a low cost producer and distributor of high quality CDB products globally. The Caribbean region is a very large emerging market with Jamaica leading the way," said Joel Shacker, Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

The LOI contemplates that the Company, would acquire all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Tropical Verde in consideration for Cdn$5,000,000, which will be satisfied through the issuance of 11,111,111 common shares (the "Consideration Shares") at a deemed price of Cdn$0.45 per share, to the existing shareholders of Tropical Verde. The Consideration Shares will be subject a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Story continues

The Proposed Acquisition remains subject to a number of conditions, including completion of due diligence, receipt of any required regulatory approvals, and the negotiation of definitive documentation, which is expected to include additional warranties, representations, covenants and terms and conditions that are customary and consistent with industry standards for this type of transaction. The Proposed Acquisition cannot be completed until these conditions have been satisfied.

The Company also announces that with completion of the acquisition of NNZ Consulting Corp. ("NNZ"), the board of directors has decided to award Nima Bahrami, the President of NNZ, a bonus of 250,000 shares of the Company for the instrumental work he did in arranging the transaction. All shares issued to Mr. Bahrami will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Mota Ventures Corp.

Mota Ventures is seeking to become a large-scale vertically integrated low-cost producer and exporter of the highest quality CBD products worldwide. The 2.5 hectare site located in Colombia has optimal year round growing conditions and access to all necessary infrastructure. The site is located approximately 2 hours outside of Bogota 20 minutes away from the free trade zone and 30 minutes away from the international airport. Phase one will consist of a state of the art 60,000 square foot greenhouse with the capacity to produce more than 14,000,000 grams per year along with build out of the Company's extraction facilities. The Company will focus on CBD extraction to produce pure raw CBD, with the goal to make value added CBD products and create its own brand to be sold internationally.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MOTA VENTURES CORP.

Joel Shacker

Chief Executive Officer

For further information, readers are encouraged to contact Joel Shacker, Chief Executive Officer at +1.236.521.2177 or by email at IR@motaventuresco.com or www.motaventuresco.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Acquisition and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Proposed Acquisition, the anticipated business activities of NNZ and Ihuana and the reliability of third party information and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. For the purposes of such statements, the Company has assumed the regulatory regime in place in Colombia will continue to permit Ihuana to cultivate non-psychoactive cannabis and produce CBD. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include changes to the regulatory regime in Colombian with respect to the cultivation of non-psychoactive cannabis and production of CBD. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

SOURCE: Mota Ventures Corp.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/571839/Mota-Ventures-Signs-Binding-Letter-of-Intent-to-Acquire-Tropical-Verde-Coast




NEW YORK, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP announces that a federal securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of purchasers of the securities of HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO) between January 25, 2019 and November 15, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period).

All investors who purchased shares of HEXO Corp. and incurred losses 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 shares of HEXO Corp., you may, no later than January 27, 2020, 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 the shares of HEXO Corp.

## Follow the firm and learn about newly filed cases on Twitter and Facebook. ##

HEXO Corp. creates and distributes cannabis products. The Company offers cannabis peppermint oil, sublingual sprays, marijuana powder, dried flowers and intimate oil. HEXO serves the cannabis market worldwide.



According to the filed complaint, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that:

Hexos reported inventory was misstated as the Company was failing to write down or write off obsolete product that no longer had value;



Hexo was engaging in channel-stuffing in order to inflate its revenue figures and meet or exceed revenue guidance provided to investors;



Hexo was cultivating cannabis at its facility in Niagara, Ontario that was not appropriately licensed by Health Canada; and



as a result, Hexos public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

Wolf Haldenstein 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.
Many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet. Personal finance headlines are all about reducing expenses and debt. Canada is fresh off an election campaign where affordability was a dominant theme. And some experts are even predicting a recession, which means further belt-tightening.

Canadians have so much stress about paying bills today that saving for retirement wouldnt even be on our radar screens, right?

Wrong.

Recent public opinion research commissioned by the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and conducted by Abacus Data found that four out of five Canadians would choose a better pension (or any pension) over a pay raise. Think about that  even as many of us are struggling to keep up with our expenses today  a full 80 per cent would still forgo more money in their pockets now in exchange for better financial security later in life.

This tells us that Canadians are thinking long-term and have a high level of anxiety around retirement security. Here are some more findings from our survey of 2,500 Canadians:

More are worried about saving enough for retirement (75 per cent) than are worried about current government debt (64 per cent) or personal debt (55 per cent);

Seventy-six per cent say the shrinking of workplace pension coverage hurts the economy.

These results present a clear call to action to enhance retirement affordability. Canadians see the problem, understand its impacts, and want to collaborate with employers and governments to find a solution. And they are prepared to do their own part by choosing better pensions over salary increases.

Canadians have a track record of thinking long term about their finances and decision-makers are wise to keep this in mind. When enhancements to CPP were being considered in 2015, a HOOPP-commissioned survey of Canadians asked if they considered their CPP contributions a tax or an investment in their future. A full 74 per cent understood that, yes, its an investment.

This level of public support made it a smart call for federal and provincial governments to agree to the CPP enhancements that took effect in January of this year.

More findings from the recent research show Canadians see the bigger picture:

Eighty-three per cent believe government should modernize regulations to allow for more innovative pension plans and savings arrangements.

Eighty per cent would rather employers make direct contributions to a retirement plan over receiving that money as salary.

The problem is that retirement is becoming increasingly expensive. The erosion of workplace pension plan coverage and quality means more and more Canadians are being forced to save on their own  and that is extremely expensive and difficult to do.

This is where the discussion too often devolves into a debate between defined benefit vs. defined contribution, but it doesnt have to be so binary.

Other research by HOOPP from last fall found five value drivers that make it much more affordable to save for retirement. These value drivers include things like mandatory paycheque deductions, pooling your money with other savers and professional investment expertise. These can be incorporated in any number of ways. Jointly governed multi-employer plans are just one example of how to give employees access to the five value drivers without asking the employer to assume all of the risk on their books.

The bottom line is that we need to keep talking about this issue, and collaborating on ways to implement more affordable retirement savings plans. It will require creativity and diligence, but its essential work. Canadians want and expect it.
Adani Group's port developing arm Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) on Friday said it will acquire 75 per cent stake in Krishnapatnam Port Company (KPCL) in a cash deal that values the port at Rs 13,500 crore.

The acquisition of nearly 75 per cent stake from the existing shareholders of KPCL will accelerate APSEZ's stride towards 400 MMT by 2025, the company said in a statement.

The estimated enterprise value for the proposed acquisition is Rs 13,572 crore, the company said in a regulatory filing.

"Given the best-in-class infrastructure and the distinct hinterland catered by KPCL, this acquisition will not just increase our market share to 27 per cent but also add remarkable value to our pan-India footprint," company's CEO and Whole Time Director Karan Adani said.

Located in the southern part of Andhra Pradesh, KPCL is a multi-cargo facility, which handled 54 MMT in FY2018-19, the release said.

The revenue for financial year 2018-19 was Rs 2,394 crore.

"With the experience of successfully turning around acquisitions of Dhamra and Kattupalli ports, we are confident of harnessing the potential of KPCL and improve returns to stakeholders," Adani added.

He further said that that APSEZ will target to enhance cargo volume at KPCL to 100 MMT in around seven years and will double its EBIDTA in around four years through its process improvements and industry best practices.

The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in 120 days.

"The purchase consideration will be funded through internal accruals and existing cash balance," it said.

APSEZ further said that with this acquisition, credit metrics of the company on consolidated level are not expected to change.

The net debt to EBIDTA of consolidated APSEZ, including KPCL in FY2021 is expected to be around 3.2 times, which is in line with the pre-acquisition of net debt to EBIDTA of 3.1 times in FY19.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wearing Out a Welcome in Iraq By Paul R. Pillar January 02, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - The scene in the Green Zone in Baghdad easily evokes memories of Tehran forty years ago. A U.S. embassy in the Persian Gulf region is under siege by an angry mob. The protestors, predominantly young, break through the outer walls of the compound as U.S. diplomats take refuge in a safe room. President Trump implicitly extends the parallel by reacting in the narrowly anti-Iran terms that have defined his policies in this part of the world. Iran is orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, Trump tweeted from Mar-a-Lago. To those many millions of people in Iraq who want freedom and who dont want to be dominated and controlled by Iran, this is your time! But a closer look at what has been happening in Iraq suggests that genuine anger had much more to do with events than any orchestration did. The protestors who smashed their way into the embassy compound did so in defiance of appeals from leaders armed with loudspeakers. And the popular anger displayed at the embassy was also quite visible elsewhere in Iraq. If there is a parallel with Tehran in 1979, it is to be found primarily in a U.S. failure to anticipate and understand the nature of the anti-U.S. anger so much in evidence. The newest outburst in Baghdad is in response to U.S. airstrikes Sunday on facilities in Iraq of the Kataib Hezbollah militia, which killed at least 25 and wounded at least 55 more. The airstrikes were billed as retaliation for a rocket fired two days earlier at an Iraqi naval base that killed an American civilian contractor and wounded several other Iraqi and U.S. personnel. Iraqis noticed the obvious disproportionality between the U.S. airstrikes and what they were retaliating for, and this disproportionality was part of what underlay the angry popular response. Another part was the fact that a foreign power was taking it on itself to conduct a military attack inside Iraq against Iraqi citizens. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter The senior Shia cleric in Iraq, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, was reflecting the sentiments of many Iraqis when he condemned what he called atrocious aggression by the United States and violation of Iraqi sovereignty under the pretext of responding to some illegal practices by some sides. Sistani said that only Iraqi authorities are entitled to deal with these practices and take necessary measures to prevent them. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi condemned the U.S. attack as an unacceptable vicious assault that will have dangerous consequences. Iraqs National Security Council stated that it would have to reconsider its relationship with the U.S.-led coalition working against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq. Before the events of the past few days, recurrent popular protests in Iraq had acquired an anti-Iran tinge. The Trump administration may have interpreted this as Iraqis finally deciding to go all in with the administrations own nothing-but-hostility posture toward Iran that has been the basis of its maximum pressure campaign against Iran. If so, this interpretation was mistaken. Most Iraqis do not want endless confrontation with Iran and a risk of once again suffering, as they did in the 1980s, from open conflict with Iran. Most Iraqis are dissatisfied with the performance of their own government. Given that Iran is the most influential foreign power in Iraq today, it became an auxiliary target of the popular dissatisfaction with the Iraqi regime. If the United States had instead been the most influential foreign power in Iraq today, it would have been that auxiliary target. The U.S. knack for counterproductive military actions in Iraq continues. The war that the Bush administration launched in 2003 provided the biggest single boost to Iranian influence in Iraq, or for that matter to Iranian influence in the Persian Gulf region generally. Now this weeks U.S. airstrikes have converted what had been a story of popular protests with an anti-Iran tinge into a story of strongly anti-U.S. protests. If there has been Iranian orchestration behind any of this  including the rocket attack on the Iraqi naval base last week  it would have been a calculated attempt to provoke just the sort of unpopular U.S. response that in fact occurred, thereby taking the focus of angry Iraqi citizens away from Iran and redirecting it toward the United States. U.S. military personnel are in Iraq supposedly on an anti-ISIS mission. Under the Trump administration, there appears to have been mission creep, in Iraq as well as Syria, in which somehow confronting Iran has become part of a new mission. That mission has never been justified. No one has explained exactly how the current state of Iraqi-Iranian relations threatens U.S. interests  beyond any threat to the very same U.S. military personnel in Iraq, which brings circular reasoning into play. Seemingly forgotten among all this is how Iran, and the Iraqi elements it supports, also have been performing an anti-ISIS mission. The United States would serve its own interests by letting that mission be performed by the locals best in position to perform it, and moving toward a withdrawal of its forces from Iraq. Let someone else worry about inflaming popular sentiment through perceived violations of sovereignty. Such a redirection of U.S. policy would take those troops out of harms way. It would reduce the risk of a U.S.-Iranian clash, benefiting nobody, on an Iraqi battlefield. And it would reduce the chance of anther U.S. embassy being overrun by an angry mob. Paul R. Pillar is Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Studies of Georgetown University. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Geneva Center for Security Policy. He retired in 2005 from a 28-year career in the U.S. intelligence community, after which he was visiting professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University. This article was originally published by " Responsible Statecraft" - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mongolian President Khaltmaa Battulga exchanged New Year congratulations on Wednesday, pledging to enhance their countries' cooperation.

In his message, Xi said that 2019 witnessed significant progress in China-Mongolia relations, with the two sides marking the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and achieving fruitful results in exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

He recalled that when Battulga paid a state visit to China and attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation last April, they had in-depth exchange of views and reached important consensus, providing important political guidance for bilateral relations.

Stressing that he attaches great importance to China-Mongolia relations, Xi pledged to work with Battulga to push for new progress in the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership, so as to benefit the two countries and their peoples.

For his part, Battulga recalled that in 2019 Mongolia and China held grand celebrations for the historic year of the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, adding that through joint efforts of the two peoples, the Mongolia-China comprehensive strategic partnership has achieved all-round development.

As permanent neighbors, Mongolia and China have always been committed to regional security and development while respecting each other's development path as well as interests and concerns, Battulga said.

He said he stands ready to maintain close cooperation with Xi and wishes China prosperity and progress.


Presidential candidates halt campaigns after military chopper crash

ROC Central News Agency

2020/01/02 19:45

Taipei, Jan. 2 (CNA) The three candidates running for president in Taiwan's Jan. 11 election announced Thursday they would temporarily suspend their campaigns, after eight armed forces members, including Chief of the General Staff Shen Yi-ming (), were killed in a helicopter crash earlier that day.

President Tsai Ing-wen's () Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said it would observe a period of mourning by suspending all campaign activities from Thursday through Saturday.

In a separate statement, Tsai said she had traveled to Yilan on Taiwan's eastern coast to oversee recovery efforts at the crash site, and had ordered the Ministry of National Defense (MND) to begin an investigation into cause of the accident.

As a sign of mourning, national flags at military installations around the country will be flown at half-mast for three days, Tsai said.

Meanwhile, Kuomintang (KMT) presidential nominee Han Kuo-yu () issued a statement paying tribute to the victims of the crash, while urging people to pray for the recovery of the five survivors.

The KMT likewise announced that it would suspend campaigning for a two-day period in the wake of the accident.

People First Party (PFP) nominee James Soong () canceled his campaign schedule for Thursday and Friday, and called on Tsai to focus on stabilizing the military's command structure, following the death of its highest-ranking officer.

According to the MND, Thursday's crash occurred when a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with 13 people on board was forced to attempt an emergency landing in a mountainous area of New Taipei City's Wulai District.

The chopper was traveling from Taipei to a military base in Dong'ao, Yilan County, where Shen was scheduled to visit troops in advance of the Lunar New Year, the ministry said.

(By Yu Hsiang, Yeh Su-Ping and Matthew Mazzetta) Enditem/AW

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Skies in the small coastal town of Mallacoota have turned dark as night as dangerous bushfires continue to burn out of control across Victoria and NSW.

An eerie red haze brought on by thick ash and smoke blanketed the fire-ravaged region of East Gippsland just after 12pm on Saturday before the skies turned completely black.

Heavy smoke has prompted an air quality alert for the Central, North Central, Northern Country, North East and Gippsland Regions by the Environmental Protection Authority.

The national bushfire death toll reached 23 on Saturday after two people were killed in a blaze on the popular tourist spot of Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia.

The pair died trying to flee when their vehicle was overtaken by a ferocious fire, emergency services confirmed.

The massive fire broke containment lines on Friday and was described as 'virtually unstoppable' as it destroyed buildings and burned through more than 150,000 hectares of land.

The deaths were an ominous sign for NSW and Victoria as they braced for a 'fire onslaught' with terrifying conditions forecast for Saturday.

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Two people were killed after a bushfire on Kangaroo Island broke containment lines Friday and was described as 'virtually unstoppable' as it destroyed buildings and burned through more than 14,000 hectares of Flinders Chase National Park

The worst is yet to come for NSW and Victoria as high temperatures and dangerous winds threaten to shift the direction of raging bushfires. Thick smoke shrouded a road near Moruya, in the NSW south coast on Saturday

An aerial show bushfire smoke blanketing Sydney's skyline on Saturday, as bushfires continue to burn in the south coast of NSW and the Blue Mountains

Skies in the fire-ravaged East Gippsland town of Mallacoota turned red on Saturday as bushfires worsened

Photos shared on social media show skies later turned black in the middle of the afternoon

The conditions prompted Prime Minister Scott Morrison to send in 3,000 Australian Defence Force reserves to help in the bushfire recovery.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said temperatures would soar past 40C in NSW before a 'volatile' southerly wind sweeps through in the afternoon.

'We're going to have a long day dominated by hot temperatures, dry atmosphere and winds coming out of the ranges,' he told reporters.

'It will make for a very dangerous day and it will make for volatile fire grounds.'

A 264,000-hectare blaze that has been burning through Green Wattle Creek, in the Blue Mountains, is also threatening to break containment lines and could reach suburban areas.

Firefighters tackle a bushfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, where residents were told to evacuate

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Saturday he will send in 3,000 Australian Defence Force reserves to help in the bushfire recovery. Australian Army Sappers from No. 5 Engineer Regiment are seen prior to deploying

Searing temperatures up to 45C are expected in bushfire ravaged communities in NSW and Victoria on Saturday, creating catastrophic conditions

Fires continue to flare up in the Green Wattle Creek area of the Blue Mountains and are threatening to break containment lines and cross into Sydney's southwestern suburbs including, The Oaks, Mowbray Park, and Picton

Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured at the NSW Rural Fire Service Headquarters in Sydney) said NSW is bracing itself for a difficult day ahead but affirmed authorities have 'never been as prepared as we are today'

BUSHFIRES SWEEP ACROSS AUSTRALIA AMID DANGEROUS WEATHER CONDITIONS Evacuations are underway and emergency alerts are in place in NSW, Victoria and South Australia as high temperatures and dangerous winds forecast for Saturday are expected to create disastrous fire conditions. NEW SOUTH WALES/ACT At least 148 bushfires were burning in NSW Saturday morning with about 60 uncontained

12 are burning at emergency level

17 people dead

3.6million hectares burned, greater than the size of Belgium

At least 1,365 homes confirmed destroyed VICTORIA Two people dead, 28 missing

About 50 bushfires burning

More than 784,000 hectares burned

68 structures confirmed destroyed but this number is expected to rise significantly SOUTH AUSTRALIA Three people, including two from Kangaroo Island, are dead

17 bushfires burning, four of significance

More than 100,000 hectares burned

88 homes confirmed destroyed

About 600 properties on Kangaroo Island remain without power with SA Power Networks warning it may be some time before crews can access the fire ground to assess damage QUEENSLAND 33 bushfires burning

250,000 hectares burned

45 homes confirmed destroyed WESTERN AUSTRALIA More than 35 bushfires burning, two of significance

1.5million hectares burned

One home confirmed destroyed TASMANIA 23 bushfires burning, two of significance

30,000 hectares burned

Two homes confirmed destroyed NORTHERN TERRITORY Five bushfires burning

Five homes confirmed destroyed Advertisement

Commissioner Fitzsimmons said there is 'potential for the fire to break out, cross the (Warragamba) dam and move into the western suburbs of Sydney.'

'It has the potential to come out into more populated areas this afternoon.'

He said crews have been doing 'extraordinary work' by setting controlled fires and using aircraft and machinery to try to keep the flames away.

Sydney's southwestern suburbs including The Oaks, Mowbray Park, and Picton could be at risk if the fire crosses over.

Fitzsimmons called on residents and tourists in the path of the fires to evacuate as soon as possible.

More than 130 fires are burning in NSW and at least half of those are out of control.

RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers warned the fires could move 'frighteningly quick.'

Embers carried by the wind had the potential to spark new fires or enlarge existing blazes.

'We are unfortunately very likely to lose homes but we will be very happy and call it a success if no lives are lost,' he said.

Weather conditions were already deteriorating Saturday morning as temperatures reached dangerous highs across most of NSW, including Sydney as well as western and southern parts of the states, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged people to evacuate bushfire hotspots while they still had time, but authorities have warned the window to leave is closing.

'All of the major road networks are still open, but we can't guarantee that beyond the next few hours. So, there are still windows for people to get out,' she told reporters on Saturday.

More than 3,000 firefighters are on the frontline, with 31 specialist strike teams in place across NSW as firefighters warn some towns cannot be defended.

Catastrophic fire conditions are forecast in fire ravaged regions of south-eastern Australia. Pictured: A wild fire burning out of control on South Australia's Kangaroo Island

Half of Kangaroo Island has been razed by horror bushfires (pictured in yellow above)

Dramatic footage has captured the moment a fire whirl was formed in a wild bushfire on South Australia's Kangaroo Island

In South Australia, Premier Steven Marshall said more than 100,000 hectares of Kangaroo Island, about one quarter of its total area, had been burnt, but weather conditions have now improved.

Tourists waking up on Kangaroo Island on Saturday saw the true extent of the devastation after the unstoppable fire tornado tore through the island on Friday.

Daily Mail Australia reporter Sophie Haslett who was on the island at the time said a number of homes and farms were totally wiped out by the blaze.

One farmer Robert Englebarts, 62, said his entire farm was destroyed but he managed to save an injured joey named Raven from the blaze.

He told Daily Mail Australia that he had been looked after for the night by a 'kind local'.

'Forget the government, people here will help others rebuild,' he said.

Mayor Michael Pengilly said the island looked like it had been hit by a 'nuclear bomb'.

'It has been absolutely devastating,' he told ABC News this morning.

While the warning level for the fire was reduced Saturday, the Country Fire Service said it was still a risk to lives and property.

The first 60 evacuees who fled Mallacoota on the HMAS Sycamore (pictured) arrived at Hastings, in Western Port, southern Victoria on Saturday after evacuating the fire-ravaged coastal town

Evacuees who fled the Mallacoota on Friday were seen disembarking the HMAS Sycamore in Western Port following a 20-hour journey

Passengers were seen carrying just a few personal items as they made their way to the Somerville Recreation Centre where a relief centre has been set up

Victoria has declared a state of disaster with two people confirmed dead and grave fears for 21 who cannot be accounted for in East Gippsland.

Many fires in the region have already merged and the current risk is the 124,000-hectare fire in the northeast at Corryong merges with another fire in NSW as multiple evacuation orders are issued across Victoria's Alpine region.

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said anyone making late decisions to leave needed to check the fire conditions.

'We have a long way to go today. Today is a very challenging day for all of us,' he said.

The unprecedented declaration, which triggers powers introduced after the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, allows authorities to compel people to leave.

Tens of thousands of residents and holidaymakers have already fled the fire zones with many sheltering at evacuation points deemed safe by authorities.

The military has also been supporting the fire response, with about 1,200 people evacuated from the Victorian coastal town of Mallacoota by navy vessels on Friday.

Sixty evacuees who fled on the HMAS Sycamore arrived at Hastings, in Western Port, southern Victoria on Saturday morning, following a 20-hour journey.

Many were seen embracing their friends and loved ones after making it to Western Port safely

Thousands of tourists and holidaymakers had been stuck in the small coastal town since New Year's Eve after being told it was too dangerous to leave the seaside town due to raging bushfires

Mallacoota bushfires evacuee Emily Wellington (left) hugs a family member after arriving at the Somerville Recreation Centre. Some became emotional as they reunited with loved ones

Another 1,100 will reach the site on HMAS Choules in the afternoon.

Around 4,000 tourists and holidaymakers had been stuck in the small coastal town in the East Gippsland region of Victoria since New Year's Eve after being told it was too dangerous to leave due to raging bushfires.

Evacuees were seen hugging outside Somerville Recreation Centre as they reunited with friends and loved ones after disembarking.

Emergency Management Commissioner for Victoria Andrew Crisp said both the Sycamore and Choules will re-supply and head back to Mallacoota later today to evacuate the those who stayed behind.

Thousands more, including young families and children remain in Mallacoota, after efforts to evacuate some by helicopter were thwarted by smoky conditions.

Steve Zanetti and his wife Megan and their 13-month-old daughter Mia are among those who are still waiting to be rescued from fire-ravaged East Gippsland.

The family was meant to be evacuated via helicopter late on Friday but were told they would have to stay another night due to poor visibility from heavy smoke.

Ben Nutbeen (pictured) and his family were some of the people rescued on the HMAS Choules which is expected arrive on Saturday afternoon

About 1,200 people were bundled onto two naval ships on Friday, bound for the Mornington Peninsula. Evacuees are seen lying down at the port as they wait to be rescued

Steve Zanetti and his wife Megan and their 13-month-old daughter Mia are among those who are still waiting to be rescued from fire-ravaged East Gippsland. The family was meant to be evacuated via helicopter late on Friday but was told they would have to stay another night due to poor visibility from heavy smoke

'Around 8pm we've got call from Victoria Police saying Megan and Mia will be evacuated around 11pm. Then we found it was cancelled, too much smoke,' Mr Zanetti told Today.

Commissioner Crisp said officials will continue to evacuate people via naval ships and helicopters, as weather and smoke conditions allow them.

Blackhawks have also been flying aged and infirm people out of the fire grounds.

'It's not just the ships. We have the plan in place and we know the area is significantly impacted by smoke,' he said.

'We have Chinooks that can carry 50 people, they are ready to go based at East Sale the RAAF Base there, if the smoke clears we can get them in.'

Ben Nutbeen and his family were among those who made it out of Mallacoota on the HMAS Choules that is expected arrive in southern Victoria later today.

Evacuees from Mallacoota, boarding the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) MV Sycamore

Families with small children were the first to be evacuated on a landing craft to MV Sycamore (pictured) on Friday, just 24 hours before catastrophic weather conditions are forecast to whip up more blazes

The mass evacuation came as thousands of people spent four days in limbo after being told it was too dangerous to leave the seaside town following the bushfires on Tuesday

'Life on a boat ain't that bad. The kids are settling in well. Fed well, looked after well. They opened the ship us to us, given us full access to any part of the ship we want. Been kind and generous,' he told Today from the ship.

'We are incredibly thankful to be on here. We are so lucky to have power, beds, showers, water. Heaters TVs,' his kids added. 'After everything that's gone on we are happy to get out of here. Ready to start helping.'

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW was bracing itself for a difficult day ahead but affirmed authorities have 'never been as prepared as we are today.'

At least 137 fires continue to burn across the state, with about 60 uncontained.

Mass evacuations in southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria were underway last night as officials warned that 46C heat and high winds will see terrifying fires spread wider than ever before.

The 1,300 inhabitants of Batlow in southern NSW have been told by fire chiefs the historic apple-growing town is 'undefendable'.

Officials have said they will not fight fires there because a wall 1000C flame could rapidly sweep over 100km in one day and make the area a 'dead man zone'.

'We don't want firefighters in the path of it,' said RFS Public Liaison Officer Brad Stewart. Residents were told to leave on Thursday but anyone left will have to seek shelter because it's now too late to get out.

Meanwhile, fires raging outside Sydney could threaten urban areas on the city's outskirts such as Penrith due to temperatures in the 40s, very low humidity and strong winds.

Last night thousands fled a 14,000km evacuation zone - an area roughly the size of Vanuatu - from Bateman's Bay to the Victorian border as officials sent 250,000 text messages telling people to get out before first light.

An evacuation was also under way in South Australia's Kangaroo Island as raging fires threatened almost all of the holiday hotspot, leaving only the more built-up areas in the east safe.

A warning has been issued by the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) on Saturday of the Ravine fire which is uncontrolled.

In a desperate plea late on Friday night, the NSW Rural Fire Service begged those in the path of fires to 'leave tonight' as they pose a 'serious threat to life'.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack urged locals to get out while they can.

A kangaroo pictured fleeing outside a burning building in Conjola on the New South Wales south coast on New Years Eve

'If they haven't got the ability to defend their home, or if they're in an area where they've been advised to leave, then please heed that advice,' Mr McCormack said.

'We can always rebuild houses but we can't restore lives.'

'People getting to places of safety right now is incredibly important,' Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as he toured burnt-out towns on Friday.

'Because in about 24 hours from now, or even less, the situation will be far more dangerous.'

Thousands of people have already fled Australia's bushfire-ravaged southeast as a state of emergency is declared and catastrophic fire conditions approach.

Streams of cars, caravans, trucks and buses clogged the highways as people heed the warnings to leave.

Dozens of makeshift campsites are springing up in towns deemed safe by authorities, straining resources despite the military's ongoing relief operation.
American actor Leonardo DiCaprio spent the New Year's Eve with his girlfriend Camila Morrone in St Barts.

According to Page Six, Leonardo was packed on the PDA as the couple took a dip in the ocean.

The actor had a camera in his hands and was ready to get some extremely great shots of his hot date.

Leonardo went shirtless in the water with just shorts on while her girlfriend, on the other hand, showed off her amazing physique in an animal print bikini.

Previously Dicaprio was spotted playing Instagram boyfriend for Morrone while the couple were in Antibes, France, for the Cannes Film Festival, reported Page Six.

As per the reports, the couple has been together for almost two years now.

Leonardo and Camila started dating back in December 2017.

Recently Camila defended the age-gap between her relationship with Leonardo and said: "There's so many relationships in Hollywood and in the history of the world, where people have large age gaps. I just think anyone should be able to date who they want to date.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Kevin Carson, the curator of the Roddy McCorley Society living history museum in Belfast, holds a pair of Colonel Gaddafis slippers

The metal frame of an L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (top) and a resin copy

The mangled metal frame of an L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle thought to be that of a soldier involved in the Narrow Water atrocity: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Police are investigating claims a rifle held by a republican collection of Troubles artifacts may have belonged to the British Army and possibly held by a soldier killed in the biggest single attack on troops in Northern Ireland.

The Roddy McCorley Society in west Belfast is attempting to secure official museum status ahead of a major expansion.

Its collection - amassed over five decades - includes items related to the Troubles and associated with the republican tradition, as well as some items from loyalists.

Shoes reputedly owned by Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and apparently gifted to IRA leader Joe Cahill during a visit to the North African country while trying to secure arms for the Provisionals.

The Troubles collection also includes a bed and blanket from Long Kesh/Maze prison and a badly damaged Army issue rifle a member of the public apparently found close to the site of the Narrow Water bombings that killed 18 soldiers in 1979.

The double IRA bombing was the biggest single loss of life suffered by the Army during the Troubles.

UUP MLA Doug Beattie said the weapon should be confiscated by police "to ensure all evidence has been gathered and a valid decommission certificate has been issued.

"Then it needs to be returned to MoD for disposal," he added.

The Roddy McCorley Society was formed in 1972 to raise funds for the families of republican prisoners. The collection began with art crafted by those prisoners, such as Celtic crosses and leather wallets.

The society has already secured Belfast City Council backing to transform the collection's present home, in three rooms above the Roddy McCorley Social Club on the Glen Road, into a purpose-built museum facility.

Expand Close Kevin Carson, the curator of the Roddy McCorley Society living history museum in Belfast, holds a pair of Colonel Gaddafis slippers PA / Facebook

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As part of the process it is hoping to achieve museum accreditation. The society recently met with officials from National Museums NI to discuss its ambitions. It's hoped gaining the status would allow it to collaborate with other museums and potentially exchange items.

While telling the story of the Troubles through a republican prism, the collection also includes several loyalist items, donated by ex-prisoners from the other tradition who have visited as part of reconciliation initiatives.

Detective Chief Superintendent Bobby Singleton, who works in the PSNI's legacy and justice department said press reports of the Narrow Water weapon had attracted the attention of the police.

We are now aware of the existence of what is reputed to have been a weapon belonging to British Army personnel at Narrow Water," he said.

"We have now commenced initial enquiries with a view to establishing the veracity of these claims and what, if anything, PSNI will be legally required to do.
Bruce Campbell in The Evil Dead

Sam Raimi has declared his interest in directing another Evil Dead film.

Raimi actually started the series with 1981s The Evil Dead, which he followed with 1987s Evil Dead II, and then 1992s Army Of Darkness, all of which he co-wrote and directed. These have since been followed by a 2013 reboot, various comic books and video games, a TV series, and even a musical.

So it is little wonder then that Raimi believes theres still more to come from the Evil Dead franchise.

Read More: Sam Raimi Says Evil Dead Sequels May Still Happen

During a recent question and answer session on Reddit, Raimi was asked, Will we get a final Sam Raimi Evil Dead movie. This provoked Raimi to reveal that he is currently working on a new Evil Dead story with star Bruce Campbell and producer Robert Tapert that an unnamed, young filmmaker will direct.

Raimi then quickly added, As for me.... I would love to direct a new Evil Dead movie... but I'd really like to do it with Bruce. And he says he's retired the character. I hope not.

The producer of "30 Days of Night", Sam Raimi, attends the film's premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood October 16, 2007. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)

Campbell announced that he was done with the character after the TV series Ash vs Evil Dead was cancelled in 2018, as he insisted that he was now too old for the role, especially because of the physical demands that were required.

Read More: Exclusive: Evil Dead star felt tortured on set

Clearly Raimi isnt convinced. But while we wait for him to talk Campbell out of his self-imposed convalescence and bring horror icon Ash Williams out of retirement, audiences can at least take in The Grudge, which the Spider-Man director has produced, with Nicholas Pesce writing and directing.

"The Evil Dead", a 1981 American horror film starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Ted Taimi, Betty Baker and Richard DeManincor. (Photo by: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty images)

Unfortunately, Raimi only seems focused on producing at the moment, because the last movie he actually directed was 2013s Oz The Great And Powerful.
Indonesia: Heavy rains have led to flash floods and landslides in and around Jakarta, the capital of the country. They have taken at least 21 lives and displaced thousands of people from their homes according to a social affairs ministry spokesperson, Joko Hariyanto. Communication lines are disturbed affecting train services and there are instances of power outages in some areas. In short, the floods have devastated the infrastructure of Jakarta.

The year-end rains inundated the city and nearby areas with a forecast of still more rain to add to the miseries of the people.

Weathermen have cautioned that extreme weather could continue until January 7 and people must be on alert to face more natural disasters like flooding or landslides. This is the age of active social media platforms and videos keep emerging of rescuers helping those in distress.

News AU quotes Indonesias President Joko Widodo as saying that there is a need to accord priority for the evacuation of people from danger zones. He also advised different groups of the city administration to rise to the occasion. On this occasion, he took to Twitter to explain delays in the implementation of projects related to flood control. The authorities have attributed the loss of lives to factors like drowning, electrocution, and hypothermia.

Flash floods killed at least 17 people and left tens of thousands homeless in the most intense rains to strike Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, since record keeping began https://t.co/A6df2OOBsP  The New York Times (@nytimes) January 2, 2020

Plans to relocate Jakarta

Jakarta is located in a place that is prone to floods. It continues to feel the effects of sea-level rise on a regular basis.

Discuss this news on Eunomia

The city and its surroundings support a population of more than 30 million. In 2017, it faced one of the deadliest floods that left more than 50 dead. Prior to that, large portions of the city went underwater due to the overflowing of canals.

Jakarta floods leave 16 dead and 20,000 homeless https://t.co/AQFyEPIBLd  The Guardian (@guardian) January 2, 2020

News AU adds that the government has already announced its intention to relocate the capital to East Kalimantan province on Borneo.

Of course, the government has plans to modernize the city as well and it has earmarked funds for that. The fact remains that the capital is located in a low-lying area and is vulnerable to floods during the rainy season. Incidentally, sea-level rise is a threat to cities located in coastal areas and Jakarta could be setting a trend for relocation that others might follow for survival.

Jakarta faces a bleak future

According to the BBC, Jakarta has the distinction of being one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world. Experts say the city could disappear from the landscape and go totally underwater by 2050. The latest round of rains and floods have killed at least 21. The weathermen measured 14.8 inches of rainfall in a day at an airport in East Jakarta.

This is the most rain in a single day since 1996 as per records provided by the weather agency. The authorities evacuated more than 62,000 people and many took shelter on rooftops. The supply of electricity in certain areas is disconnected as a precautionary measure while the operation of trains is also stopped because of waterlogged tracks.
Cam Battley was forced out of his executive job at Aurora Cannabis (ACB.TO)(ACB), according to one analyst. Cantor Fitzgeralds Pablo Zuanic sees the departure as a win for shareholders, and a signal the company is shaking up its bloated senior management structure.

On Dec. 21, Edmonton-based Aurora said Battley stepped down from his chief corporate officer role. However, Zuanic describes it as a forced departure.

We understand that Mr. Battleys departure was not voluntary and thus see potential for ACB to turn the corner regarding reconciling its long-term ambitions with a more realistic approach to managing its near-term profitability and cash flow, he wrote in a note to clients on Thursday.

Cam Battley of Aurora Cannabis is pictured at his companies penthouse office in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Battley joined Aurora in 2016 and became chief corporate officer in 2018, where he was the public face of the company. He often spoke before chief executive officer Terry Booth on quarterly earnings calls, handled most media interviews, and regularly presented to audiences at cannabis industry conferences.

Yahoo Finance Canada reached out to Battley for comment on the circumstance under which he left Aurora, but received no response. Aurora has not named a replacement to fill the vacant job.

Aurora shares have slid more than 80 per cent from their post-recreational-legalization high in March. U.S.-listed shares hit a new 52-week low on Tuesday, dropping to $1.88 in early trading. The battered stock fell about 10 per cent on Dec. 23, the first trading day after Battleys exit was announced.

Zuanic believes the market read the news wrong, a mistake he blames on the large portion of Aurora stock held by retail investors.

The fact that he had become, somewhat de-facto, the face of the company, and given his fairly active Twitter feed, the market took his departure negatively, he wrote.

Zuanic points to the 14 per cent jump in Canopy Growth (WEED.TO)(CGC) shares following the announcement of Constellation Brands (STZ) veteran David Klein as the companys new CEO. Klein replaced Bruce Linton, Canopys charismatic leader who was ousted from his job last July amid lacklustre financial performance.

Story continues

Canopy underwent a months-long talent search before Klein was given the top job last month. Zuanic hopes Nelson Peltz, the well-known American shareholder activist who Aurora brought on as a strategic advisor last March, will help recruit a David Klein-type CEO as part of a broader management shakeup.

We think current CEO Terry Booth could take the role of chairman, Glen Ibbott should stay as CFO, and the new CEO could rationalize what we deem to be a bloated senior management structure, he wrote.

Zuanic cut his price target for Aurora shares to $5 from $5.85 on Thursday and maintains an overweight rating.

If Mr. Peltz could also negotiate a CPG (consumer packaged goods company) taking a stake in ACB, we think the stock could have a great 2020, he wrote.

New York-listed shares fell 3.94 per cent to $2.08 at 12:05 p.m. ET. Toronto-listed shares dropped 3.23 per cent to $2.70.

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

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The AES Corporation, based in Virginia, installed the worlds largest solar-plus-storage system on the southern end of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. A scaled-down version was first tested at NREL. Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL

An oft-repeated refrainthe sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blowis sometimes seen as an impediment to renewable energy. But it's also an impetus toward discovering the best ways to store that energy until it's needed.

Declining costs in available technologies have propelled interest in energy storage forward like never before. The price of lithium-ion batteries has fallen by about 80% over the past five years, enabling the integration of storage into solar power systems. Today, nearly 18% of all electricity produced in the United States comes from renewable energy sources, such as hydropower and winda figure that is forecast to climb. And as communities and entire states push toward higher percentages of power from renewables, there's no doubt storage will play an important role.

Compared with the same period a year earlier, the United States saw a 93% increase in the amount of storage deployed in the third quarter of 2019. By 2024, that number is expected to top 5.4 gigawatts, according to a forecast by market research firm Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables. The market value is forecast to increase from $720 million today to $5.1 billion in 2024. Driving such growth is an increased focus on adding renewable energy sources to the nation's grid.

Only in the past decade has the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources become an economic possibility, said Paul Denholm, a principal energy analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). He joined NREL 15 years ago and, at the time, he and other analysts were busy plotting a path to 20% of the nation's energy supply coming from renewable sources. Now, they're aiming much higher.

"The declining cost of wind and solar and now batteries makes it conceivable to consider 100% renewables," he said.

NREL's Renewable Electricity Futures Study estimated that 120 gigawatts of storage would be needed across the continental United States by 2050, when the scenario imagined a future where 80% of electricity will come from renewable resources. The country currently has 22 gigawatts of storage from pumped hydropower, and another gigawatt in batteries.

Deployment of Storage a Must in Hawaii

Hawaii, which must import all of its fossil fuels and pays a high price for electricity as a result, is experimenting with using battery storage to meet its energy goals. The state is aiming for 100% clean energy by 2045, using both renewable energy and improved energy efficiency. The AES Corporation, based in Virginia, has installed the world's largest solar-plus-storage system on the southern end of Kauai.

Solar panels capable of producing 28 megawatts of electricity were paired with 18,304 lithium-ion battery modules. The batteries are charged during the day and deliver energy in the early morning and evening when the solar panels aren't generating electricity.

The system stores enough energy to meet electricity needs for four hours and eliminates the need for 3.7 million gallons of fuel annually, according to Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, which provides power to the island. Kauai now generates about 55% of its energy via photovoltaic (PV) systems.

NREL researchers tested how well this PV-storage system would work by installing and evaluating a scaled-down version at its Flatirons Campus.

"You can see simulations and you can see some graphs. It's nothing as convincing as seeing a utility-size device operating," said Przemek Koralewicz, principal investigator on the testing project. "This gives you a lot of confidence."

A second AES PV-plus-storage plant now under construction at the Navy base on Kauai will provide electricity to customers as needed but also serve as an isolated microgrid for the military should power be interrupted. When the new plant becomes operational next year, about 60% of electricity on Kauai will come from renewables.

"These two plants from AES can supply half the power for the entire island," Koralewicz said. "During the night, they can provide full power, in certain scenarios. That's why it's important to test it. AES doesn't want it to be unstable or have problems."

Battery storage provides a way to keep the grid stable, allowing an instant balance between supply and demand. Storage also is poised to replace conventional energy generation during peak demands, eliminating the need for additional plants, but limitations hamper the use of batteries. A power plant can remain operational for decades, but a battery must be replaced after about a dozen years. Batteries also suffer from a limited capacity, which means they typically only can store enough energy to provide power for four hours.

Cost of Storage Isn't Easy to Quantify

Pinning down the cost of storage remains elusive. A frequently used metric called levelized cost of energy (LCOE) allows a comparison of the cost to generate electricity by different means. But the LCOE is only accurate when the differing technologies provide the same services.

A group of NREL researchers, including David Feldman and Robert Margolis, developed an LCOE for solar plus storage. "Like all LCOEs, it has its limitations in use," Feldman said. "One of the challenges, particularly for storage, is that there are so many different use cases that cost doesn't mean much unless you are defining the value that the system brings."

Using storage can save a utility money by reducing the need to generate electricity and avoiding transmission costs.

An NREL-authored paper published last year in The Electricity Journal found solar-plus-storage reduced utility costs for commercial buildings in more than half of the 17 cities examined, in some cases by as much as 24%. Using batteries for storage, the properties were able to offset a utility's rates that require users to pay more during times of peak demand.

Peaking power plants, fueled by natural gas and switched on to help meet peak demand, run into cost comparisons against batteries capable of storing four hours of energy. For that duration, the balance tips in favor of batteries. Beyond four hours, though, the battery becomes more expensive.

"The reason why we have so many peaking plants is air conditioning," said Denholm. "That's when we use the most electricity. One thing you can do is instead of building a bunch of power plants that only run 100 hours a year when it's really hot, you can store cold energy in the form of ice or something. Make ice at 4 in the morning and then, when it gets hot in the middle of the afternoon, you can release that cold stored energy and cool down your house or your building."

NREL's Paul Denholm (left) visits a site in the Mojave Desert, where a solar facility will play a key role in increasing the amount of renewable energy available for Los Angeles. Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL

Technologies Encompass a Wide Range

"There's a misunderstanding. Storage is often looked upon as electrochemical storage or battery storage," said Adarsh Nagarajan, the group manager for Power System Design and Planning at NREL and who works extensively on integrating renewables onto the grid. "Storage is beyond batteries. It's beyond electrochemical. It's much broader."

The Department of Energy (DOE) Global Energy Storage Database counts nearly 700 storage projects announced, operational, or under construction across the United States that rely on myriad technologies. In addition to batteries, the storage methods include ice, pumped hydropower, heat, chilled water, and electrochemical. Still other technologies are under development.

"There is no one winner," Nagarajan said. "All of them should work together in order to achieve a certain goal, which is grid stability and resilience and to fulfill customer needs."

But even with so many ways to store energy already available, new or improved technologies are constantly being proposed. Researchers at NREL developed a technique to inject natural gas into depleted wells, patented a method for storing pressurized hydrogen inside specially designed wind turbines, and improved the design of lithium-ion batteries to make them last longer.

Clear favorites have emerged among storage technologies already in use. The DOE Energy Storage Technology and Cost Characterization ReportPDF calculated that among battery technologies, lithium-ion batteries provide the best option for four-hour storage in terms of cost, performance, and maturity of the technology. For a longer span, pumped-storage hydropower and compressed-air energy storage are considered the best options. Between those two, pumped-storage hydro is the more mature technology and accounted for 98 percent of worldwide energy storage deployed in 2018.

Water Most Commonly Used in Storage

Pumped storage hydropower is the backbone of the nation's storage capability. Historically, it was used to incorporate large, inflexible generation onto the power system. Currently, pumped storage is being used to help integrate large amounts of renewable energy onto the grid, serving as an enabling technology that both improves reliability and reduces costs. Pumped storage hydro relies on two reservoirs sited at different elevations. Electricity that's been generated but not immediately needed is used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper one. When power is needed, the stored water is released to flow downhill and power a turbine.

"One of the real challenges hydro faces is that it can take eight to 10 years to get a plant built," said Greg Stark, the hydropower technical manager at NREL as well as the laboratory's waterpower grid integration lead. "Given all the uncertainty in the power markets, people are hesitant to invest in a 10-year project."

To help address these time-to-market concerns, the DOE has instituted the FAST Commissioning Challenge. Tessa Greco, NREL's new water power innovative projects manager, is leading the competition for the department's Water Power Technologies Office, with the goal being to cut project execution time in half while also reducing the costs and risks associated with bringing pumped storage online. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has also recognized these challenges and has ordered that licensing decisions for closed-loop pumped storage projects be made within two years. So far, this type of systemwhich isn't connected to an existing body of water and thereby reduces environmental concernshas yet to be built in the United States.

Several projects are in process, including the Gordon Butte project in Montana. The Gordon Butte system, which has been permitted and is expected to begin construction this year, will use two man-made reservoirs and three turbines to provide 400 MW of capacity and 8.5 hours of storage. Pumped storage has historically required a unique design and build strategy for every new project; however, the Gordon Butte project presents a replicable model, which could save money for potential developers.

"Pumped storage really comes into its own when you need very large amounts of power for an extended period of time," Stark said. "Part of that is because the incremental cost to increase the duration for pumped storage is just building a bigger reservoir. It's still the same turbines and other infrastructure, whereas with battery storage for example, if you want longer duration, you have to buy more batteries."

Seasonal Storage Requires Careful Study

Long-term energy storage is roughly defined as from 10100 hours. Anything over that is considered seasonal. Wind blows more in the spring, so being able to capture that energy until it can be used when needed in the summer creates research opportunities. Hydrogen, hydropower, and compressed air are the most viable technologies for storing energy over lengthy periods, according to Omar Guerra and Josh Eichman, researchers at NREL studying the value of seasonal energy storage technologies.

Working in partnership with Southern California Gas Company, NREL installed a bioreactor to test power-to-gas technology as a way to store renewable energy. The project, a first in the United States, relies on microorganisms that convert hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane. The methane can be stored in the company's pipeline for use later.

The network of natural gas pipelines across the United States runs for about 3 million miles and already is used as a storage vehicle. "It's moving the gas, but it's also a way to store it," said Keith Wipke, manager of NREL's Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies program.

Hydrogen can be added to the natural gas pipelineas much as about 10%or stored separately. One method to store hydrogen that's been proposedbut has yet to be widely adoptedis carving out space within salt caverns, Wipke said.

Storing natural gas helps hedge against price fluctuations and meet seasonal demands, but the cost of the equipment has stalled the adoption of seasonal electricity storage. Hydrogen storage remains an emerging technology, but as research leads to improvements it's expected to eventually be the most cost-effective method for keeping and discharging at least a week's worth of electricity, Guerra said. Pumped hydropower and compressed air storage of as long as two days are forecast to be cost-competitive with generating new electricity.

"Pumped hydro and compressed-air energy storage are well-developed technologies, so we don't expect a significant decline in those capital costs," Guerra said. "Those costs also may depend on the location. In some places you may have an opportunity to develop pumped hydro in a cost-effective way. In other places you may have the opportunity for compressed-air energy storage."

"We need to drive the cost down on the technologies we have today, and certainly some new technologies that are better and cheaper would be good," Wipke said.

Zhiwen Ma is working on just that. The researcher works in NREL's Thermal Systems Group and focuses his efforts on concentrating solar power, or CSP. The technology uses a series of mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, and the energy captured can be stored in molten salt. But the salts are corrosive, so research is ongoing to the ideal containment vessel. Instead of salt, Ma is using sand to store the heat.

DOE's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, which funds futuristic ideas, has awarded NREL $2.8 million to investigate the feasibility of Ma's low-cost thermal energy storage system. When needed, the heated sand will heat a fluid that drives a gas turbine attached to a generator.

"The main advantages over molten salt are the low cost and performance," Ma said. The sand is a fraction of the cost of the salt but can be heated to 1,200 degrees Centigrade compared to 600 degrees for nitrate salt or 800 degrees for chloride salt.

With so many options to store energy, researchers are determined to find the best methods. After all, the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow.

Explore further Montana energy storage project lines up financial partner

More information: Joyce McLaren et al. Solar-plus-storage economics: What works where, and why?, The Electricity Journal (2019). Joyce McLaren et al. Solar-plus-storage economics: What works where, and why?,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.tej.2019.01.006
GREENWICH, Conn. and NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Lapetus Capital II LLC (together with its affiliates, "Atlas"), along with other participants in its solicitation, including BW Coated LLC (together with its affiliates, "Blue Wolf"), own approximately 9.43% of the outstanding common stock in Verso Corporation (NYSE: VRS, the "Company" or "Verso"). Atlas and Blue Wolf announced today that they have filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Atlas and Blue Wolf have also sent a letter to stockholders outlining their significant concerns regarding the business performance and governance of Verso and why they believe the election of their three highly-qualified nominees to the Board of Directors of Verso (the "Board") is necessary to ensure that the Company is run in the best interests of all stockholders.

Additionally, Atlas has filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery to prevent further delays of the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders in violation of Delaware law and to obtain critical documents to ensure that all stockholders are capable of rendering an informed vote with respect to the proposed sale of the Stevens Point and Androscoggin mills. Atlas has previously requested all of this from the Company, which it has refused to produce.

The full text of the letter is below, and a copy of the lawsuit and other important materials, including Atlas' and Blue Wolf's proxy statement, can be found at www.fixverso.com.

December 31, 2019

THE VERSO BOARD NEEDS CHANGE NOW

Protect your Investment by Voting to Elect Our Three Nominees

 Sean T. Erwin, Jeffrey E. Kirt and Timothy Lowe 

on the BLUE Proxy Card Today

Dear Fellow Verso Corporation Stockholder:

Lapetus Capital II LLC (together with its affiliates, " Atlas " or " we ") and the other participants in this solicitation, including BW Coated, LLC (together with its affiliates, " Blue Wolf "), are the beneficial owners of 3,273,231 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the " Common Stock "), of Verso Corporation, a Delaware corporation (" Verso " or the " Company "), representing approximately 9.43% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. We are collectively among the largest stockholders of Verso. Together, Atlas and Blue Wolf have been owners of, and instrumental in the management of numerous companies in the paper, pulp and packaging industries. Our investment in Verso began over two years ago and we are long-term oriented investors.

For the reasons described in this letter and our proxy statement, we are deeply concerned by the business performance and governance of Verso and believe urgent, meaningful and long-overdue changes to the composition of the Board of Directors of Verso (the " Board ") are necessary to ensure that the Company is run in the best interests of all stockholders. If elected at the annual meeting of stockholders, newly scheduled and postponed further to January 31, 2020 (the " Annual Meeting "), we believe our three (3) nominees  Sean T. Erwin, Jeffrey E. Kirt and Timothy Lowe  will help the Board achieve that goal, by contributing their decades of relevant experience, while assisting with the development and implementation of a cohesive and comprehensive long-term strategy to reposition the Company to finally realize its full potential.

We strongly urge you to join us in supporting the election of our three (3) nominees by signing, completing, dating and returning the accompanying BLUE proxy card using the enclosed postage-paid envelope today .

OUR CONCERNS

Our belief that the Board needs change arises from a multitude of concerns. We believe the Board demonstrated little or no interest in pursuing corporate governance improvements until ( and only until) AFTER we proposed a competing slate of directors for election. Here are a few of the Board's governance failures in just the past two years:

The Board took over a year to pursue stockholder-friendly governance changes that were highlighted when 38.3% to 53.7% of the votes cast in the election of directors at the 2018 annual meeting withheld support from the Board's four non-executive directors;

The Board awarded itself excessive director compensation as compared to companies of a much larger size;

The Board engaged in a "Strategic Review Process" without announcement of a transaction for over two years (i.e., not until after our competing director slate was proposed for election);

The Board has provided little transparency regarding the terms of the proposed sale of the Stevens Point and Androscoggin Mills (the " Specialty Mills ") to Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC and the expected use of proceeds, but expects stockholders to make an uninformed decision with respect to the proposed sale on January 31 st , absent of the additional disclosure we have repeatedly asked for;

") to Pixelle Specialty Solutions LLC and the expected use of proceeds, but expects stockholders to make an uninformed decision with respect to the proposed sale on , absent of the additional disclosure we have repeatedly asked for; The Board violated Delaware law by failing to hold the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders until January 2020  nearly 16 months after the last annual meeting of stockholders; and

law by failing to hold the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders until  nearly 16 months after the last annual meeting of stockholders; and The Board decided to ignore significant stockholders by nominating five (5) new directors without including any of the highly-qualified nominees proposed by one of the Company's largest stockholders.

In addition, the Board has, in our opinion, supported consistently poor operating performance, including:

Lack of a value creation plan and placing too much emphasis on repeated sales processes with three (3) new Chief Executive Officers in as many years;

new Chief Executive Officers in as many years; Poor performance as compared with Verso's peer group; and

A track record of ill-conceived capital investments including the recent decision to convert the Androscoggin mill A3 paper machine.

The Board Lacks the Relevant Experience

Required to Unlock Verso's Potential

We believe that the Company has industry-leading assets and a high-quality work force that, if managed properly, would produce substantial returns for its stockholders. But, we also believe that, over the two-year period of our investment, the Board has failed to improve the performance of the business primarily because the Board has lacked the required industry experience (based on their publicly available biographical information) needed to lead a recovery of the Company. We lack confidence in the Board's ability to establish and execute a value creation strategy for the Company and manage capital investments wisely. As one example, we have concerns about the significant investment the Board approved in 2018 to convert the A3 paper machine at Androscoggin to engage it to produce containerboard and other packaging grades, which was undertaken without providing stockholders with any details on the expected return on investment.

Based on Verso's disclosure regarding the potential sale of the Specialty Mills, we understand that, after the Specialty Mills are sold, the vast majority of Verso's remaining business will be in the bleached kraft pulp and graphic paper market segments (and not packaging papers). In the face of a clear experience gap on the Board, we were further stunned when, immediately after proposing the sale of the Specialty Mills, the Board added additional members who, based on their publicly available biographies, have little or no experience in these key segments of the remaining business.

The Board has Resisted Change -- BUT Their Service has been Very Lucrative for THEM at the Stockholders' Expense

As discussed in our proxy statement, we have tried to engage constructively with the Board with multiple offers (including those solicited by the Board and its advisor) to purchase a significant stake in Verso that we believe would have (i) resulted in greater cash proceeds for stockholders than the net cash proceeds that are expected to be generated as a result of the proposed sale of the Specialty Mills, and (ii) provided a total consideration at a meaningful premium to the closing stock price at the time when our proposals were submitted to the Company. Time and again, the Board refused to pursue the proposals we made that we believe would have provided attractive value for stockholders. Despite our persistent good faith efforts to engage constructively with the Company regarding value-creating transactions for stockholders, we have been continuously disappointed by the Board's lack of substantive action and communication, which strengthens our belief that the Board was perfectly satisfied with the status quo until we nominated a slate of competing directors for election.

At the same time, a review of the payments received by incumbent Board members for their annual service to the Company reveals that the incumbent directors have profited handsomely (and, in our opinion, unjustifiably) from their directorships at Verso:

Consider the following:

In 2018, the directors of Verso 1 earned $393,162 of average compensation  $293,151 in cash and $100,011 in stock compensation. 1 This compensation seems excessive to us in comparison to public companies of much larger size. For example, the directors of Exxon Mobil Corporation, a company with a market capitalization approximately 460x 2 greater than that of Verso, 3 earned $366,488 of average compensation in 2018  $105,616 in cash and $260,607 in stock compensation. 4 These excessive payments were approved by the Board that included Messrs. Scheiwe and Shuster  each of whom is still standing for election to the Board. 3

earned of average compensation  in cash and in stock compensation. This compensation seems excessive to us in comparison to public companies of much larger size. For example, the directors of Exxon Mobil Corporation, a company with a market capitalization approximately 460x greater than that of Verso, earned of average compensation in 2018  in cash and in stock compensation. These excessive payments were approved by the Board that included Messrs. Scheiwe and Shuster  each of whom is still standing for election to the Board. Based on the average compensation set forth above, Verso's directors only receive approximately 25% of their compensation in Company stock. We also note that executives and directors of Verso, as a group, own less than 1% of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock and most, if not all, has been secured through grants rather than cash investment.

Moreover, we are astonished that this was a five- (and, later, four-) person Board that claimed to need TWO Chairmen, with each Chairman receiving $100,000 PER YEAR, IN ADDITION to other payments for Board service. It begs the question: what state of disarray is the Board in that it requires (at times) half of its Board to serve as a Chairman concurrently? This same Board also felt the need to pay members of its "Strategic Alternatives Committee" $20,000 to $30,000 PER MONTH of service, including three (3) of the four (4) (and, at times, five (5)) directors on the Board. In our opinion, these payments reveal that the incumbent Board has done more to enrich themselves than anything it has done for Verso's stockholders and that the incumbent directors have strong incentives to avoid the addition of independent directors to the Board, lest their lucrative remuneration for service as directors at Verso be interrupted.

This Board's Actions Are a Textbook Example of "TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE"

After the resignation of the former Chief Executive Officer on April 5, 2019, the Company's five-person Board had a vacancy for over seven (7) months until the Board's announcement of its expansion and the appointment of three (3) additional directors in November 2019. These changes to the Board composition took place only after we nominated directors to the Board. Indeed, the Board also agreed to sell the significant assets of the Specialty Mills which of course would then make the resulting Verso a smaller company with this enlarged Board composition. This makes no sense to us.

The recently announced resignations of directors Carr and Davis were a welcome announcement and, in our opinion, long overdue, as were the various corporate governance improvements only recently proposed by the Board, and again, only AFTER we proposed a competing slate of independent directors. We of course find the timing of the Board's recent pronouncements and changes to be convenient, particularly since it appears to us that the Board delayed the 2019 Annual Meeting by up to three months to January 2020 simply to incorporate these changes. We believe that the Board's belated efforts to add new directors are half-hearted and unsatisfactory for stockholders, given that these new directors have been selected by a Board that is responsible for much of what ails Verso and considering that, based on publicly available biographies, the Board's proposed new directors do not appear to have experience in bleached kraft pulp, graphic paper and specialty paper businesses. This is a textbook case of too little, too late.

It seems obvious to us that experience in these segments will be required for the development and implementation of a cohesive and comprehensive plan for Verso's future and that, at this juncture, adding independent directors with such relevant experience and proposed by major stockholders would be good for all stockholders of Verso. The Board's lack of transparency includes the proposed sale of the Specialty Mills at a headline price of $400 million, when (in fact) the Board admits that the net proceeds arising from the sale will be only about half of the value (or about $225 million). We have asked numerous times for additional disclosure regarding the sale of the Specialty Mills. Rather than addressing our questions, which in our opinion would help all stockholders make a more informed decision on a significant transaction that will have a huge impact on the Company, we believe the Board is instead trying to create turmoil and force stockholders to vote on the sale of the Specialty Mills as quickly as possible, without the required information to make an informed decision. We believe our proposed directors will provide much needed transparency to the Board, including with respect to any strategic initiatives or alternatives, like the sale of the Specialty Mills.

Yet, the Board has steadfastly refused to appoint our nominees as directors and would prefer to seek the election of recently selected and less than ideally qualified directors at Verso, including three directors with no relevant industry experience who have only recently been identified to stockholders. All of this while opposing the election of our nominees who have experience in industrial businesses, including businesses in the specific sectors in which Verso participates bleached kraft pulp, graphic paper, specialty paper and pulp.

OUR THREE (3) NOMINEES HAVE EXPERIENCE AND FRESH STOCKHOLDERS' PERSPECTIVES NEEDED TO REFOCUS THE BOARD ON A VIABLE LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO GROW VALUE

We believe that our three (3) nominees possess the necessary skills and experience to assist with the fulfillment of Verso's potential and to increase value for all stockholders. In furtherance of our long-term vision for the Company, we have identified three (3) highly-qualified director nominees. Our nominees bring deep and extensive knowledge of the bleached kraft pulp, graphic paper and specialty paper segments of the industry and relevant experience at companies undergoing operational challenges.

If elected, we believe our three (3) nominees will contribute toward the development and implementation of a viable long-term strategy to reposition and operate the remaining businesses of Verso. In addition, they will encourage improved governance and greater Board and management focus on the achievement of operating efficiencies and increased returns for stockholders, including enhanced financial reporting and a sensible long-term capital allocation plan. Finally, by enabling the business to finally fulfill its own operating potential, they will better position the Company to generate significant stockholder value. We believe our nominees will be independent thinkers and active listeners to advocate for the perspectives of all stockholders.

Mr. Sean T. Erwin has extensive leadership experience within the paper and pulp industry including his most recent service as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Neenah Paper, Inc. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of Neenah Paper, Inc. from 2004 until 2011. While at Kimberly Clark from 1978 until 2004, he held numerous senior positions in both finance and business management, which culminated in being named President of Kimberly Clark's Pulp and Paper Sector. We believe that Mr. Erwin's leadership experience in the paper and pulp industry and as a director of a public company make him well-qualified to serve on the Board.

Mr. Timothy Lowe has approximately 30 years of experience in the forest, paper and pulp industry, including turnarounds at Twin Rivers Paper Company (a pulp, specialty and lightweight graphic paper and dimensional lumber manufacturer) and Northern Resources Nova Scotia Corporation (an integrated forest products company). We believe that Mr. Lowe's extensive executive and operating experience in industry turnarounds makes him well-qualified to serve on the Board.

Mr. Jeffery E. Kirt is the founder and Managing Partner of Fifth Lake Management, LLC, an investment manager focused on direct investments in private equity and special situations, and certain affiliates. We believe that Mr. Kirt's significant prior experience in the industrial and service sectors and past experience in sourcing, evaluating and managing investments, together with his organizational and leadership experience and success in turnaround situations, makes him well-qualified to serve on the Board.

DON'T BE FOOLED!

Verso's Recital of Its Settlement Discussions with Atlas is a "Red Herring"

And Insulting to ALL Stockholders

As you can see, we believe that Verso has and, in the absence of significant Board change, will continue to underperform for its stockholders. We also believe that the business failures at Verso merit the kind of change for which we advocate. However, to distract you from their repeated failed governance and poor decision-making, the Board has opted to provide you with a one-sided and misleading description of last-minute settlement discussions that were initiated and, then, abruptly terminated, by the Board just prior to the commencement of this proxy solicitation. Without going into a line-by-line rebuttal of the Board's self-serving presentation, we want you to know that the Board's recital of what happened in those discussions is, in our opinion, intended to deflect attention from the Board's continuing failure to fulfill its obligations towards stockholders, like you and us.

For example, in its recital of the settlement discussions that occurred in its definitive proxy statement, the Board (which, collectively, owns less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Verso) would have you believe that we bought 9.43% of the outstanding shares of Verso and proposed three (3) qualified candidates for election to the Board to profit from, among other things, the reimbursement of a portion of our expenses in this contest and from access to material non-public information about Verso. These assertions are absurd, given our established 20-year track record of successful investing in the pulp, paper and packaging industries (including specifically in the subsectors in which Verso participates), where we have consistently generated profits for our investors by investing in underperforming businesses and unlocking the full potential of those companies over the long term. We want all stockholders of Verso to profit from their investment in Verso by adding our candidates to the Board so they can help improve the Company and increase stockholder value. Period. This is not a game.

Regarding the settlement discussions, you may wish to know that we had requested that any standstill agreement stay in place through Verso's 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held by December 31, 2020 (noting that the Board delayed the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders until January 21, 2020). We also conveyed that the standstill (amongst other items) was negotiable and we would entertain going into 2021. There are other exaggerated statements but they are just not the key parts of the discussions.

Most importantly and the real hold-up to negotiations, the Board stated that they must have a standstill agreement that prevented us from talking to other stockholders! As significant stockholders who believe speaking to and listening to other owners is paramount, Atlas and Blue Wolf believe they must be able during this period to talk to other stockholders regarding the potential sale of the Specialty Mills, and plans to operate the Remaining Business should that transaction close. The Verso Board stated that their standstill position was non-negotiable and two of our nominees could not join the Board unless we agreed to their standstill provisions, which effectively would have gagged one of their largest owners. Again, this makes no sense to us.

To us, all of this discussion however is just another "red herring" from a Board that doesn't want you to focus on, among other things, how its individual members have profited at your expense without ever providing you with the assurance of a sensible long-range plan to create value at Verso. Ask yourself, do you believe this Board genuinely attempted to settle this situation? We first proposed new Board nominees in June. Six months later, in December  just two days after making their settlement "offer" to us and moments after having substantive discussions on the terms of the settlement  the Board unilaterally terminated settlement discussions and added a director, adding yet another director only six days after that. This experience has further reinforced our view that we need to elect all three (3) of our nominees to jumpstart the process of effecting significant change at Verso and maximizing returns for all stockholders.

For these reasons, among others, we strongly urge you to vote "FOR" the election of our nominees today by signing, completing, dating and returning the BLUE proxy card using the enclosed postage-paid envelope today.

If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please contact Harkins Kovler, LLC, which is assisting us with the solicitation of your vote, by telephone at +1 (212) 468-5380 (call collect) or toll-free at +1 (877) 339-3288 or by email at [email protected].

Very truly yours,

Andrew M. Bursky and Timothy J. Fazio ATLAS HOLDINGS LLC

Adam Blumenthal BLUE WOLF CAPITAL ADVISORS IV

LLC

Atlas Holdings is an industrial holding company with a portfolio of 20 companies with aggregate annual revenues of approximately $5 billion, operating approximately 150 facilities and employing more than 18,000 people globally. Although we are engaged in a variety of industrial sectors, Atlas Holdings has been successfully investing in the pulp, paper and packaging industries since our formation in 1999, including specifically in the subsectors in which Verso participates  specialty paper, graphic paper, packaging paper and pulp. We generate profits for our investors by investing in underperforming businesses and unlocking the full potential of those companies over the long term. Atlas Holdings has a total of approximately $3.0 billion of committed capital under management, including $1.7 billion in its third investment fund.

Blue Wolf Capital Partners is a middle market private equity firm whose partners have decades of experience investing in and growing companies. Blue Wolf transforms companies strategically, operationally and collaboratively. Blue Wolf manages challenging situations and complex relationships between businesses, customers, employees, unions and regulators to build value for stakeholders. For over a decade Blue Wolf has been an active investor in pulp, paper and forest products companies with a highly successful track record. Blue Wolf has over $1.6 billion in committed capital.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

On December 31, 2019, Lapetus Capital II LLC ("Lapetus"), together with the other participants in Lapetus' proxy solicitation (the "Participants"), filed a definitive proxy statement and accompanying BLUE proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to be used to solicit proxies in connection with the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders of Verso Corporation (the "Company"). LAPETUS STRONGLY ADVISES ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES FROM THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION AND A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTERESTS THEREIN. The Definitive Proxy Statement and a form of proxy is available to stockholders of the Company at no charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and is also available, without charge, on request by contacting Lapetus' proxy solicitor Harkins Kovler, LLC by telephone at the following numbers: 1 (212) 468-5380 (banks and brokers call collect) or toll-free at 1 (877) 339-3288.

Media Contacts:

Prosek Partners

Andrew Merrill / Brian Schaffer

646.818.9216 / 646.818.9229

[email protected] / [email protected]

1 Eugene Davis, Alan Carr, Steven Scheiwe and Jay Shuster.

2 Verso Corporation definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2019.

3 Exxon Mobil Corporation definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2019.

SOURCE Atlas Holdings LLC; Blue Wolf Capital Advisors IV, LLC
Newly appointed army chief, General MM Naravane, on Friday called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"General MM Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff, called on President Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan," stated a tweet from Rashtrapati Bhavan's official Twitter account.

General Naravane took over as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff on Tuesday, succeeding General Bipin Rawat who has become India's first Chief of Defence Staff.

Naravane previously served as the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
He said the process on Friday morning had been smooth and the mood was calm. Mr Hack said he was looking forward to getting home following some "stressful" days spent camping and sheltering inside the local cinema. He said his son was "doing well". "I don't think he fully comprehends what's going on."

Mr Hack celebrated his 39th birthday last night with a camp dinner and some drinks. "It will be memorable", he said. George Mills, from Melbourne, boarded the smaller vessel, the MV Sycamore, and described the surreal feeling. "It's really quite eerie. We're watching landing ships coming in to go out to a ship we can't see," Mr Mills said. "We packed up the caravan and boat at 6am and were ready for the 7.30am ferry.

"Buses split up into times, with the more vulnerable people first out. "We're on a smaller boat. We're only allowed to take what's essential, carry-on baggage and a small blanket." "We've been told we're going to Hastings and from there buses will take us to Melbourne and Somerville. "This ship is very comfortable. The crew are extremely friendly and are showing us around."

West of Mallacoota police and the coast guard have evacuated about 30 people from Tamboon and Tamboon South this morning. Loading Antonella Hellier owns a holiday house in the town and made the agonising decision to evacuate. We were prepared to stay and head down to the beach, but the police told us the opportunity was there to leave. There was a lot of smoke around and we know tomorrow is going to have worsening conditions, so we took the offer. Having been there, I just have to say the amount of work the police, the firefighters and all the emergency services are doing is amazing.

Two confirmed dead, 28 people missing Premier Daniel Andrews said on Thursday 17 people were unaccounted for, however on Friday morning he said the number had risen to 28. All 28 people are from East Gippsland. "We have grave fears for those 28 people," he said. "A number of those 17 people declared unaccounted for yesterday have been found, those numbers will move around." Police said a second Victorian man had died after suffering what is believed to be a medical episode while fighting the fires.

His body was found about 8.30pm on Wednesday by family at a property in Maraningo Creek, near Genoa. It comes a day after the body of 68-year-old Mick Roberts was discovered on his property at Buchan. State of disaster declared The Premier declared a state of disaster for six local government areas in Victoria and Alpine resorts during a late night press conference on Thursday, the first time such powers have been used by the state government since being recommended after the Black Saturday bushfires. Affected areas include East Gippsland Shire, Mansfield Shire, Wellington Shire, Wangaratta Rural Shire, Towong Shire, Alpine Shire, Mt Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts

The burnt Clifton Creek primary school. Credit:Joe Armao According to 2018 Census figures, the total population across the affected local government areas is more than 140,000. "If you can leave, you must leave. If you stay we cannot guarantee we can protect you," Mr Andrews said. Mr Andrews said the emergency powers gave all government departments a "singular focus" and allowed for formal town evacuations. Loading

It also gives authorities powers to take over private land for relief centres and temporarily acquire community infrastructure. The powers are scheduled to run for seven days, though this could change. Wangaratta Rural Shire mayor Dean Rees said relief centres have been set up in Wangaratta to cater for an influx of people. The town of Wangaratta isnt in the direct path of the fire at the moment, so weve set up two relief centres for people in neighbouring towns," he said. Weve got about 30,000 people in our shire, but Id imagine up to 20,000 people could be dislodged with towns like Bright, Myrtleford and even Beechworth being evacuated.

We had 20 people stay in the centres last night and were expecting that number to rise significantly today following last nights announcement," he said. State braces for worsening conditions On Friday the state was preparing for potentially catastrophic conditions on Saturday. Two evacuate now warnings and 12 watch and act alerts were in place on Friday morning and 66 aircraft are available to be used statewide to help where necessary. A spokesman for Emergency Management Victoria said a large number of fires were still burning.

"There are currently 49 fires burning across the state and 784,000 hectares have been impacted. Seventeen people are unaccounted for and two are confirmed dead," he said. Fires burning out of control at Mallacoota in east Gippsland in Victoria. Credit:Justin McManus "One of the main goals today is to restore access to towns isolated by the fires. We'll have the Australian Defence Force continue to provide assistance and support as well," he said. The threat comes from forecast temperatures of more than 40 degrees in fire-affected areas, dangerous winds and the drying effects of extremely low humidity. Loading

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the low humidity could help fires spread more than 20 kilometres overnight, at a time when, in normal conditions, they would move more slowly. Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Dean Stewart said conditions on Friday would aid in evacuation efforts, but things would turn on Saturday. "Winds will be relatively light across the state today, which is good news when we're talking about trying to get people out of areas," Mr Stewart said. "It will, however, be quite hot in the north-east, with temperatures looking to hit the high 30s and early 40s. In Corryong it will be 39 and Wangaratta will hit 41." In East Gippsland, temperatures will be a lot cooler, with thick smoke haze preventing the full force of the sun taking toll.
An astronaut with the 'first blood clot in space' had to be treated remotely by a doctor in the USA - all while orbiting 200 miles above the Earth on the ISS.

University of North Carolina blood-clot expert, Dr Stephen Moll, treated the unnamed astronaut and his first reaction was to ask if he could make a house call.

The astronaut hasn't been named for 'privacy reasons' but Dr Moll confirmed they were two months into a six month mission on the International Space Station.

He said it was 'a very tricky situation' due in part to the limited pharmacy on board the station and difficulties in extracting fluids in a zero gravity environment.

Dr Moll and a team of NASA specialists treated the astronaut with medication.

Scroll down for video

University of North Carolina blood-clot expert, Dr Stephen Moll, treated the unnamed astronaut and his first reaction was to ask if he could make a house call - seen here in an Earth based replica of the space station

'NASA told me they couldn't get me up to space quickly enough, so I proceeded with the evaluation and treatment process from Earth', he said.

The space based patient was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the jugular vein of the neck.

It was the first time a blood clot had been found in an astronaut in space so there was no established method of treatment for the condition in zero gravity.

It was found during a research project that involved astronauts taking ultrasounds of their neck to find out how body fluid is redistributed in zero gravity.

The astronaut hasn't been named for 'privacy reasons' but Dr Moll confirmed they were two months into a six month mission on the International Space Station

'If it wasn't for the study, there's no telling what the outcome could have been', said Dr Moll, who is now working with NASA on detection and treatment of blood clots.

'Normally the protocol for treating a patient with DVT would be to start them on blood thinners for at least three months', said Dr Moll.

He said this was to prevent the clot from getting bigger and to lessen the harm it could cause if it moved to a different part of the body such as the lungs.

There was a risk of internal bleeding from an injury to someone taking blood thinners that could be difficult to stop, according to the blood-clot expert.

'In either case, emergency medical attention could be needed. Knowing there are no emergency rooms in space, we had to weigh our options very carefully.'

WHAT IS DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS? Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It is associated with being inactive for a long time, such as after an operation or during a journey, as well as being linked to a family history of the condition, pregnancy and obesity. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in the affected area. If the clot dislodges and travels to the lung, it can cause a deadly pulmonary embolism. This occurs in around one in 10 DVT cases. Anti-clotting drugs are given to prevent the thrombosis growing and dislodging. The risk of developing DVT can be reduced by wearing compression stockings and staying as active as possible while on flights. People should also maintain a healthy weight, not smoke and exercise regularly. Source: Bupa Advertisement

Moll and a team of NASA doctors decided to go ahead with the blood thinning treatment for the astronaut but had limited pharmaceutical options.

They only had an injection based version of the drug they decided to use - Enoxaparin - on board the station and only enough to last 40 days at the dosage prescribed by Dr Moll.

Three days after the Enoxaparin ran out a supply ship arrived at the ISS containing a different medication - Apixaban - a tablet selected by Dr Moll that the patient could take for the final part of their mission.

The full treatment lasted 90 days and also involved the astronaut performing ultrasounds on their own neck with guidance from radiologists on Earth.

There were also regular phone calls and emails between the patient and Dr Moll throughout the process, in an 'extreme example of telemedicine'.

'It was incredible to get a call from an astronaut in space', said Dr Moll.

'They just wanted to talk to me as if they were one of my other patients. And amazingly the call connection was better than when I call my family in Germany, even though the ISS zips around Earth at 17,000 miles per hour.'

The astronaut stopped taking the medication four days before their return to Earth due to the potential danger of re-entry.

When Dr Moll examined the patient after they'd landed on Earth he found no more treatment was needed for the blood clot.

He is now working with NASA to better understand the risk of blood clots in zero gravity and future treatment options.

'How do you minimize risk for DVT? Should there be more medications for it kept on the ISS?', said Dr Moll.

'All of these questions need answering, especially with the plan that astronauts will embark on longer missions to the moon and Mars.'

The findings have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
An Irish expat whose son narrowly escaped an apocalyptic fireball headed straight towards him, has said a miraculous change in wind direction saved his life.

Cork native Catherine Sutton-Brady, who lives in Sydney but is originally from Winters Hill, told of her son's lucky escape as he and a group of his Australian friends fled to the beach in the fire-ravaged town of Mallacoota.

Massive bushfires have been burning out of control in the region on the Victoria coast, with around 4,000 residents and tourists fleeing to the beach to escape the inferno on Monday night.



Oisin Sutton-Brady, who was on a camping trip to the seaside beauty spot, found himself staring down a massive fireball that threatened to engulf him and the others.



They could hear gas bottles exploding in properties and caravans. Not only was it completely apocalyptic, it was like a war zone, she told presenter Deirdre OShaughnessy in an interview from Australia on Corks 96Fm earlier today.



After the sky turned an eerie black colour, the evacuees were told that when the second (mayday) siren went off that they would need to get in the water and put their heads under water as thats the only way theyd be safe from the fire, Ms Sutton-Brady said.



Luckily, by some miracle just before the fireball hit them, an 80 km/hr gust of wind took it in the other direction, she said.



Oisin and his friends were among the first to be evacuated from the disaster as the Australian naval vessels the MV Sycamore and HMAS Choules began what local MP Darren Chester, called an unprecedented mass relocation of civilians from the town.



Oisin was en route to Melbourne where he and the other evacuees were to be housed in a naval evacuation centre following their 20-hour journey.



Before he left and spoke with his mother by phone, he also paid tribute to the volunteer rescuers, she told the radio show.



One of the things he wanted to say is that without those volunteer firefighters theyd all be dead, she said.



He just cannot say enough how great those guys are. They stopped defending property and just stood in a ring around all the people on the beach and on the lakeside to defend them against what was a huge ball of fire coming towards them, she said.



Ms Sutton-Brady made the comments as one of the largest evacuations in Australias history was underway today ahead of hot weather and strong winds that are forecast to worsen devastating wildfires raging across the country.



More than 200 fires were burning, and warnings of extreme danger to come today prompted mass evacuations.



Traffic was gridlocked as people fled and firefighters escorted convoys of evacuees.

Navy ships were called in to take hundreds of people stranded on beaches.



Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews declared a disaster across much of the eastern part of the state, allowing the government to order evacuations in an area with as many as 140,000 permanent residents and tens of thousands more on holiday.



If you can leave, you must leave, Andrews said.



In South Australia state, fire officials said the weather conditions were cause for concern because fires were still burning or smouldering.



The ignition sources are already there, Country Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones said.

There are millions of sparks out there ready to go if they break containment lines.



The early and devastating start to Australias summer wildfires has made this season the worst on record. About 5 million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land have burned, at least 19 people have been killed, and more than 1,400 homes have been destroyed.



This week, at least 448 homes have been destroyed on the New South Wales southern coast and dozens were burned in Victoria.



Ten deaths have been confirmed in the two states this week, and Victoria authorities also say 28 people are missing.
Back in 2017, Chelsea Clinton sent a tweet criticizing President Trump over his decision to have his daughter, Ivanka Trump, at a Group of 20 meeting. Soon after, the State Department  led by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the time  launched a weeks-long investigation.

The department discovered that the official Twitter account for the U.S. mission to the European Union had liked the tweet, which led to the department interviewing nearly 10 administrators of the account about whether they mistakenly or deliberately hit the button, The Daily Beast reports. A source familiar with the exchange said the State Department officials leading the inquiry "wanted blood" but all the staffers interviewed denied any involvement. Eventually, the account's access was restricted to just two people.

The incident, which became known as the "Chelsea Clinton thing," contributed to a growing sense of paranoia within the White House that still exists today, in which Trump aides try to scope out who might be trying to undermine the president, per The Daily Beast.

Alas, in this instance, the State Department was never able to determine who liked the tweet, and the culprit remains at large. Read more at The Daily Beast.

More stories from theweek.com

The booming stock market shows America is diseased

Trump gave 'clear direction' to hold Ukraine aid, says White House official in uncovered documents

Trump's 'greatest honors' include a bill by Bernie Sanders and John McCain, signed into law by Obama


The violent mob that had gathered outside Nankana Sahib Gurdwara dispersed on Friday after police released Ehsaan, the man who had allegedly abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of the Gurdwara's panthi.

The mob was also seen shouting ant-Sikh slogans outside Nankana Sahib.

Earlier in the day, India had strongly condemned the "wanton acts of destruction and desecration" at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and called upon Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the members of the Sikh community.

Previously, an angry group of local residents pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The group was led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of gurdwara's pathi.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BREAKING NEWS: There are reports in the Iraqi capital of missiles striking near Baghdad airport, after a series of explosions were heard.

Citing Iraqi security forces, Al Jazeera reported that rockets targeted a joint US-Iraqi counterterrorism military site in the area. Multiple news agencies in the region are reporting civilian casualties in the rocket attack.

Two SUVs were directly hit in the road leading in-out the civilian Baghdad International Airport , body parts everywhere according to witnesses on the ground pic.twitter.com/cvDyXOpWZY  Steven nabil (@thestevennabil) January 2, 2020

Four rockets hit an Iraqi military base near Baghdad airport, Reuters reporting citing the police.  Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) January 2, 2020

WOW, The rockets landed in Baghdad airport actually targeted JOINT AMERICAN  IRAQI counter-terror center, per Al Jazeera citing Iraqi security forces  Ragp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) January 2, 2020

BREAKING Baghdad Airport currently closed to traffic but intense military activity after the fall of 4 missiles  AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) January 2, 2020

One of the rockets fell inside air cargo zone, #Baghdad airport.  Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) January 2, 2020

Update: Iraqi sources tell al-Jazrera that 3 missiles hit the vicinity of Baghdad Airport.#Iraq https://t.co/uFEC5sRcOu https://t.co/Ow7Ian7hQL  Baxtiyar Goran (@BaxtiyarGoran) January 2, 2020

Incidents near Baghdad International airport reported #breakingnews; At same time @EsperDoD "Iran & its proxy militias: we will not accept continued attacks against our personnel & forces in the region. Attacks against us will be met w/ responses in the time, manner, & place" pic.twitter.com/6Nhi4TM8eW  Seth Frantzman (@sfrantzman) January 2, 2020

Are "mourners" firing missiles at Baghdad International Airport? #AlHadath confirming multiple blasts around the Arrivals building. PS: "Mourners" is the new sarcastic nickname for Iran militias known as Hashd Shaabi. After media used the term during the attack on the embassy. https://t.co/WgCfGy6QQu  Walid Phares (@WalidPhares) January 2, 2020

Footage shows civilian cars outside of Baghdad Airport on fire after being hit by missile/s. Via @omartvsd #Iraq pic.twitter.com/9lTCRLqkik  Baxtiyar Goran (@BaxtiyarGoran) January 2, 2020

3 Katyusha rockets in the vicinity of Baghdad International Airport near the sleeve of advisory units of the International Alliance, which is located in the vicinity of Baghdad Airport.

Civilians burn cars pic.twitter.com/GruQFI1Rva     (@saifsalahalhety) January 2, 2020

1 person was killed and others injured as a result of the bombing at Baghdad International Airport.  Sefa Karahasan (@sefakarahasan) January 2, 2020
MTNL was locked in an upper circuit of 5% at Rs 9.90 after the media reported that the company has started the process to monetise assets worth Rs 23,000 crore as it aims to turn profitable in the next fiscal year.

According to media reports, MTNL has submitted plans to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) to monetise Rs 6,200 crore worth assets that include 36 acres of land bank in Mumbai, shops-cum-offices in Delhi, and residential quarters in Noida etc.

The company has received interest from 14,387 employees for the voluntary retirement scheme (CRS) which will result in annual savings of Rs 1,700 crore for MTNL. The loss-making PSU has a total of 18,422 employees. The company looks to realise around Rs 5,000 crore from the sale of its land parcels located at prime locations of Mumbai like Vasai hill, Mulund, Simpholi etc, reports added.

In October 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for revival of BSNL and MTNL by administrative allotment of spectrum for 4G services, debt restructuring by raising of bonds with sovereign guarantee, reducing employee costs, monetisation of assets and in-principle approval of merger of BSNL & MTNL.

MTNL stock has advanced 50.91% in last three months as compared to a 22% rise in BSE Telecom index.

MTNL reported a dismal Q2 2019 numbers. On consolidated basis, the company reported a net loss of Rs 950.17 crore in Q2 September 2019 as against a net loss of Rs 859.23 crore in Q2 September 2018. Company's net sales declined 16.7% to Rs 388.53 crore on YoY basis.

State-run MTNL is a telecommunications service provider in the metro cities of Mumbai and New Delhi in India.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 00:02:51|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Differences should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee said on Friday in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

During the talks, the U.S. side reported its position on the current situation in the Middle East.

Yang, who is also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, said that China is highly concerned about the current situation in the Middle East.

China has always maintained that differences should be resolved through dialogue and consultation, Yang said, adding that China opposes the use of force in international relations.

China hopes that all parties concerned, especially the United States, will exercise restraint and get back to the track of dialogue as soon as possible to de-escalate the tensions, Yang said.

Both sides also exchanged views on China-U.S. relations.
Tunisias nominal Prime Minster Thursday unveiled his long awaited cabinet with only two ministers of the former cabinet kept.

Habib Jemli appointed by his party, the Islamist Ennahdha party, in October following parliamentarian elections has proposed a 28-member cabinet including four women.

The team approved by President Kais Saied is almost made of new faces with no political ties.

Jemli last month following several failed talks with leading political parties indicated that he will form a cabinet whose lineup is made of independent and competent Tunisians. He did not however rule out fishing ministers in the government of outgoing Prime Minister Youssef Chahed.

Rene Trabelsi, minister of tourism and Noureddine Selmi, minister of equipment have been retained.

The first successfully managed to revive Tunisias tourism industry that floored following a series of terror attacks in 2015 where over 70 people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed.

Trabelsi will continue in his capacity as tourism Minister.

Selmi on the other hand is moved to the Local Affairs and Environment Department.

Following the cabinet appointment, President Saied, himself an independent, asked the speaker of the parliament Rached Ghannouch to set a date for the confidence vote.

Under the Tunisian constitution, the parliament has to confirm the proposed cabinet before it officially takes office.

Jemlis team will have to cope with hard economic conditions marked by high unemployment rates, especially among youth.
Standing as we are at the dawn of a new decade, I cant help but detect a shared sense of doom. Perhaps its what seems an increasingly degraded, incapable politics facing the possible collapse of our economic system and an impending climate crisis unlike anything our species has known, while our societies are more polarised, angry and less cohesive than they were.

Despite the propaganda of relentless connection, whats actually happening is that were living in separate worlds. Credit:New York Times

The 2010s were different, werent they? Other decades could be captured by lists of events. This one seems more defined by phenomena: an innumerable number of tiny changes that seeped into every corner of our lives and disrupted the basic logic of our social and political existence. Its the decade of system breakdown, from the political through to the social and even our systems of communication.

This was the decade we turned inward and away from others. Its true politically, but its also true culturally and socially, too, and everything flows from that. The overarching, thorough-going phenomenon that defined the 2010s is that its the moment the very notion of a public started rapidly disintegrating while we were busy staring at our phones.

Despite the propaganda of tech companies which speaks of an age of relentless connection with people who were once unreachable, whats actually happening is that were living in separate, individually customised and curated worlds.
The information was announced at a meeting of the award steering committee chaired by Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Central Organisation Commission on January 2.

After the fourth edition of the awards was launched, many training courses have been held for reporters to provide them with knowledge about Party building.

As a result, the contest has seen broad participation of writers from across the country.

Following two rounds of judgement, the organisers have selected the 57 best works to be honoured, including five A prizes, 10 B prizes, 15 C prizes and 25 consolation prizes.

There are two new awards, for the best work on safeguarding the ideological foundation of the Party and for the best work by a Vietnamese writer living abroad.

Speaking at the meeting, Chinh said the award-winning works will help enhance the awareness about Party building and bolster the public confidence in the Party.

The awards ceremony will be held and broadcast by the national broadcaster VTV on January 15, on the occasion of the 90th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
As the Lake Houston area continues to grapple with long-term flood mitigation efforts after Hurricane Harvey, businesses are receiving support from local organizations and officials to remain in operation.

Sam Schrade, board chair for the Lake Houston Area Chamber of Commerce and owner of DNA Studios, said there are many challenges when businesses are victims of flooding events.

Businesses are made to generate revenue. And when natural disasters occur and you cant generate revenue, you start having a bunch of problems, Schrade said. Especially when you have flooding and you have challenges of getting employees to work. You have a challenge of getting products and goods and services in and out of your business.

Related: Small businesses impacted by Harvey could qualify for $250K grant

A sustainable future

Houston city council member Dave Martin said that there is a symbiotic effect between neighborhoods and commercial businesses after flooding events. If residents begin to move out, businesses will not have a customer base and the community risks becoming an area where no one is interested in living, which affects home values and tax revenue for government entities as well.

Without the retail base, without the commercial base, there are no tax dollars to make reinvestments back in the area, Martin said. ...Your neighborhood will thrive if the retail businesses are there. If people go away from their homes and if businesses start closing up, the neighborhood shrinks and becomes a place where no one desires to live.

Without a thriving community, home values are effected and businesses risk shutting their doors, according to Martin.

Retail and residential are totally connected with flood mitigation, Martin said. Without flood mitigation, the retail shrinks and the home side of it will go away. The values will go away.

Related: SJRA walks a tightrope between Kingwood, Conroe as residents protest lake lowering

There are many different flood mitigation efforts underway in the Lake Houston area. Between projects like adding gates to the Lake Houston dam, efforts to improve storm drains by Houston Public Works and dredging projects in the West Fork San Jacinto River, the Lake Houston area is the scene of several flood prevention efforts.

Legislative options

Texas Representative for District 127 Dan Huberty said that since he passed his first piece of legislation on sand mining in 2011, there has been something every year that is an effort made to complete projects for flood concerns.

In 2011, Huberty helped pass House Bill 571 to address concerns about what was then unregulated sand mining along the San Jacinto River. The legislation required dirt, sand and rock quarry operations across the state to register with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The regulations help keep sand from flowing into the river and creating sand bars that reduce the capacity of the San Jacinto River and change the flow of water, putting homes and businesses in harms way of floodwaters.

However, he said more still needs to be done.

Huberty said the work that is being done today is critical. For example, Lake Houston was built in 1953 but has never been dredged before recent mitigation efforts, causing the lake the loose 30% of its capacity, he said.

The things that were doing are going to be permanent. That is going to allow this to have a lasting impact for our community for the next 50 years, Huberty said.

savannah.mehrtens@chron.com
(Natural News) Well, its official: The most pressing issue on the FDAs plate involves banning the majority of flavored e-cigarettes currently on the market because theyre apparently too scary to allow grown adults to purchase according to their own free will as Americans.

According to reports, the Food and Drug Administration under Trump has announced that Americans will no longer be allowed to purchase any nicotine-based vaping cartridges that contain flavors like fruit, candy or dessert because these tend to appeal to teenagers.

The only e-cigarettes that the FDA will allow to be sold moving forward are menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes  because the Americans who pay FDA salaries apparently cant be trusted to make their own decisions without the nanny state government telling them what to do.

Exempt from the ban are large, tank-based vaping devices, which will continue to be sold at smoke shops as they long have been. But pre-flavored e-cigarettes that appeal to younger people are now off-limits  because, again, limiting Americans freedoms will apparently make America great again.

The Trump administration had originally planned to ban all flavored vapes, including the tank-based varieties. But because of much backlash, the current administration retreated by gutting these major provisions, which will allow the multibillion-dollar vaping market to continue.

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that typically heat a flavored nicotine solution into an inhalable aerosol, explains Breitbart News about what an e-cigarette usually involves. They have been pitched to adults as a less-harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, but there is limited data on their ability to help smokers quit.

For more related news about government interference into Americans ability to live freely, be sure to check out Tyranny.news.

It doesnt matter if e-cigarettes help people quit smoking or not  if Americans want to purchase them, theyre constitutionally protected in doing so

We cant help but object to Breitbarts rationale, here, as it suggests that the only things that should be legal for Americans to purchase and use are things that contain associated data to show their ability to accomplish some public health agenda.

Regardless of whether or not e-cigarettes help people to quit smoking real cigarettes, the fact remains that its not within the purview of the FDA or any other government agency to ban them on the basis that theyre not helpful, or that children might try to purchase and use them.

Children do things all the time that they shouldnt do, but that doesnt mean that we ban the targets of their mischief. If we banned everything that was misused by someone out there in society, then nothing would be legal.

But this is the new approach to freedom in the new United States, where nanny state thinking has infected nearly every crevice of American life. Whether its herbal remedies like cannabis or kratom (mitragyna speciose), raw milk or non-fluoridated water, the government is hellbent on eliminating all forms of freedom that it claims are a threat to public health.

We have to protect our families, Trump told reporters right before the e-cigarette ban, implying that freedom somehow puts our families at risk, and thus needs to be eliminated. At the same time, its a big industry. We want to protect the industry.

In other words, Americans are only allowed to have freedom when a big industry benefits from massive sales. This is why the FDA refuses to go after the tobacco industry, which we would similarly oppose on the grounds that people should be allowed to smoke tobacco if they so choose without the government getting in the way.

Even the Republicans are buying into the nanny state, noted one Breitbart commenter about this latest news from the Trump administration. These arent the vaping products that resulted in sickness and death, but hey, we gotta do something!'

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
He rung in the New Year with a family trip to Barbados.

And Anthony Joshua continued to make the most of his sun-drenched getaway, as he strolled along the beach with a female companion yesterday afternoon.

The two-time heavyweight champion, 30, flaunted his muscular physique and sported a pair of bright blue swim shorts while larking around on the shoreline.

Joshua has been enjoying the break with his relations, and shared a post earlier in the day which said he was hanging out with the queens of his family.



It is therefore possible that the unknown woman he was enjoying some downtime on the beach with is a member of the Joshua clan.

The duo laughed and joked as they strolled along the shoreline together, with Joshua sweetly wrapping his arm around her shoulders at one point.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
"Nations" portion of the Young Leaders Conference outreach project recently broke ground on fresh water well in Malawi

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2020 / Elder Mark Moore Jr., host of the Young Leaders Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, is proud to announce the recent launch of the YLC outreach project. In early December, the organization broke ground on a fresh water well in the Southeastern African nation of Malawi.

Young Leaders Conference says that the well will serve 2,000 people. The organization will also establish a village committee, which will oversee the sustainability of the well and will also provide the village with hygiene and sanitation training.

"While we want to be an organization that serves our neighborhood, we do not want to neglect our global responsibility," says Elder Mark Moore Jr.

"We are happy to provide this well, which will positively impact the lives of many in the surrounding community. This project is being completed through a partnership with Water Wells For Africa"

The Young Leaders Conference emphasizes ministry, media, and marketplace, allowing young leaders to connect with each other. The conference offers credibility, connections, and content over the form of six unique tracks to reflect the diversity of its audience, including pastors/preachers, entrepreneurs, singles, creatives, women in ministry, and ministry families.

Elder Mark Moore Jr. announced the Malawi Mission as part of the Young Leaders Conference's 2020 vision.

For more information, please visit https://www.exploreylc.com/

About Elder Mark Moore Jr.

A graduate of Morehouse College, Elder Mark Moore Jr. is rising as one of his generations premier thought leaders in the areas of ministry, media and marketing. He is the host of the Young Leaders Conference which is recognized as one of the largest faith gatherings for millennials of color in the world. In addition, Elder Mark Moore Jr. serves as pastoral assistant for the Faith Covenant Church and national youth president for the Apostolic Assemblies of Christ, Inc.

For more information about Elder Mark Moore Jr., visit https://www.eldermarkmoorejr.com/

Contact:

Elder Mark Moore Jr.

info@eldermarkmoorejr.com

SOURCE: Elder Mark Moore

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/571925/Elder-Mark-Moore-Jr-Announces-Young-Leaders-Conferences-Launch-of-Malawi-Mission
DGP OP Singh says PFI behind violence in UP: DGP Singh said the Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 25 PFI members for their involvement in anti-national activities so far.

DGP OP Singh says PFI behind violence in UP: Uttar Pradesh DGP OP Singhs claim that Popular Front of India (PFI) was actively involved in the anti-CAA violence has bolstered Yogi Adityanath governments claim to impose a ban on the controversial organisation. DGP Singh said the police have the digital footprint that PFI incited violence. Meerut SP (City) Akhilesh Narayan, who was caught on camera telling violent protesters to go to Pakistan, has also said that PFI played a key role to spread violence in the city.

DGP Singh said the Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested 25 PFI members for their involvement in anti-national activities so far. While the Ministry of Home Affairs is mulling a ban on the PFI, the Kerala-based organisations general secretary M Muhammed Ali Jinnah said the allegations were absurd and a face-saving act by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

Rubbishing all allegations against the organisation, Anees Ahmed, national secretary of the PFI, said the organisation works around population-related issues focusing on gender equality, women empowerment and adolescents health and it has nothing to do with terrorism or anti-CAA violence.

On being questioned about SSP Gautambudhnagar letter that claims some senior police officials were involved in the transfer racket, Singh said they are looking into this whole matter, but this is gross violation of the service rules as the SSP is not authorised to speak to the media on the issue and IG Meerut is looking into the matter.

Keeping in view the allegations levelled against the PFI in Uttar Pradesh, the West Bengal Police have denied permission to the organisation for conducting a rally against the CAA and the NRC in the states Murshidabad district on January 5, 2020, reports said. The organisation had also invited Trinamool Congress MP of Murshidabad, Abu Taher Khan to attend the rally.

Earlier, Union Minister and BJP MP from Begusarai in Bihar Giriraj Singh said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is supporting the PFI.

For all the latest National News, download NewsX App
PORTLAND  The town is working to establish a canoe/kayak launch on the Connecticut River, and officials have targeted a site on the Wangunk Meadows for the launching area.

To access the proposed site, the town is working to complete and land swap with the Portland Exchange Club. If approved by both the town and the club, the club would get slightly more than 1.5 acres at the entrance to the Exchange Club Fairgrounds.

In return, the town would get a little more than a half-acre that would enable residents to use a roadway down to the proposed launch site.

Attorneys for the two entities are working to iron out details of the proposed swap, First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said Thursday.

Bransfield said she wants to create a citizens committee to help move the project forward, and asked interested residents to submit their names to her office.

In the meantime, the town also has established a connection to the Connecticut River Conservancy.

The 67-year-old conservancy was created to revive and protect the 11,000-square-mile watershed that feeds the river as it flows 410 miles south from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound, touching New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The subject of numerous paintings by 19th century artists  most famously Thomas Coles View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm, commonly known as The Oxbow  the Connecticut River grew up with the nation and was heavily affected by the Industrial Revolution.

So affected, American Rivers said it often was described as Americas best landscaped sewer.

While the river has seen substantial cleanup efforts, the conservancy said many challenges remain.

If we could fit what we do on a business card, we would. We cant. Sewage discharge, endangered mussels, nuclear plant effluent, invasive plants, fish passage, land preservation, urban parks, river access, hydro-plant licensing, biodiversity, public education, water quality testing, habitat restoration, toxic spills, river cleanups, municipal water permits  we work on all these issues, the conservancy states on its website.

The site the town is eying for the launch is part of some 500 feet of river frontage that is part of the Prout property, which was donated to the town for farming or recreational use, said Selectman Louis J. Pear, who has been kayaking for more than a decade.

Were the proposal to be approved, residents could launch their canoes or kayaks from there.

A flat-water kayaker (versus a white-water kayaker), Pear says he loves the quiet and peaceful calm of kayaking.

He said a citizens committee also could do some more investigating about the type of roadway leading to and from the site, but also about the myriad regulatory agents that might have a say on the appropriateness of the launch site, including the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Long Island Sound Study (a cooperative effort of Connecticut, New York and the federal government).

The committee also would be tasked with investigating potential funding sources for the launch, Pear said.

jmill@middletownpress.com
Global Anti-Nuclear Antibody Testing Market Can be Worth $ 1300.6 MN by 2023 to Grow at 9.6% CAGR Due to Increasing Technological Advancements.

Anti-nuclear antibody test is used for detecting antinuclear antibodies in blood. The immune system can make antibodies to fight with various infections. Sometimes, ANA in a body can attack the tissues in that body itself. ANA tests can help doctors to determine autoimmune ailments.

The primary market driver for the global anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market growth is increasing technological advancement. Adoption of new medical techniques and increasing prevalence of many autoimmune diseases also drive the global anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market growth. The increasing use of technology in medical sector is also boosting the anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market. Major brands are investing money in research & development (R&D) to develop more advanced medical devices or equipment for the market that can elevate the anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market revenue.

Avail a Free Sample@ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/3210

Anti-Nuclear Antibody Testing Market Key Players

The Industry Big players in the global anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market include Abcam PLC. (USA), Alere (USA), Antibodies Inc.(USA), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (USA), Erba Diagnostics (USA), Indur Services, Inc. (the USA), MBL International Corporation (USA), Merck KGaA (Germany), and Trinity Biotech (Republic of Ireland).

Intended Audience

Anti-nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test products manufacturers

Anti-nuclear Antibody (ANA) Test products and services providers

Medical Research laboratories

Research and Development (R&D) Companies

Market Research and Consulting Service Providers

Potential Investors

Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) Testing Market Segmentation

The global anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market segmentation encompasses application, end-user, and type. MRFRs take on the market surveys various facets of the market in-depth.

The application-based segmentation of this anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market covers lupus, polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, Sjogrens syndrome, and others. The lupus segment has been sub-segmented into discoid lupus erythematosus, neonatal lupus, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The rheumatoid arthritis segment has been sub-segmented into seropositive and seronegative. The scleroderma segment has been sub-segmented into localized scleroderma and systemic scleroderma. The Sjogrens syndrome has been sub-segmented into primary and secondary.

By type, the anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market has been segmented into enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, and others. The ELISA segment has been sub-segmented into competition/inhibition ELISA, direct ELISA, indirect ELISA, and sandwich ELISA. The immunofluorescence segment has been sub-segmented into primary (direct) and secondary (indirect).

In the context of end-user, the market has been segmented into hospitals & clinics, research laboratories, and others.

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Regional Segmentation

A geographical outlining of the global anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing market covers the Americas (North America & South America), Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).

The Americas is the largest regional market as North America alone holds the potential of being the largest regional market. Due to technological advancement and the presence of key market players, North America is a greater market than South America. The main reason for North America being the top regional market is the availability of advanced medical facilities and high disposable income of patients. USA and Canada generate the maximum revenue in the market.

Europe is the second-largest regional market due to the availability of funds for R&D activities, availability of advanced medical facilities, high density of population, technological advancement, and presence of some key market players. The most powerful country-specific markets in Western Europe are France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK.

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region can be fastest growing regional market due to high density of population, rapid development in technology, improving healthcare sector, and a large number of people suffering from different ailments that require treatment via ANA. The remarkable country-specific markets in this region are Australia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

The MEA is the smallest regional market due to limited development in the medical sector. Some country-specific markets that are better than most of the markets are Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Report Prologue Introduction Research Methodology Market Dynamics

4.1 Drivers

4.2 Restraints

4.3 Opportunities

4.4 Mega Trends

4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators

Market Factor Analysis

5.1 Value Chain Analysis

5.2 Porters Five Forces

5.3 Demand & Supply: Gap Analysis

5.4 Pricing Analysis

5.5 Investment Opportunity Analysis

5.6 Merger And Acquisition Landscape

5.7 Upcoming Trends

5.7.1 Market Trends

5.7.2 Technological Trends

5.7.3 Insurance & Regulations

5.7.4 Others

Continued

Browse Complete Report Details@ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/anti-nuclear-antibody-testing-market-3210

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Since 2017, AARP and Pollen have joined forces to honor 50 Minnesotans over the age of 50 who are making an impact. Pollen describes the honorees as leaders "who are writing their own rules about aging." One Rochester resident made the 2019 list; Dr. Sharonne Hayeswas recognized in the "Disruptor" category.

Dr. Hayes, a professor of cardiovascular medicine and director of diversity and inclusion at the Mayo Clinic, was first recognized as a "disruptor" back in 1974 when she and several female classmates at Central Junior High School here in Rochester charged the local school board with discrimination.

Title IX had been in effect for two years; however, the school district had not quite caught up. At the time, ninth-grade boys were allowed to participate on the high school team, while ninth-grade girls were not.

Hayes, a member of the junior high school swim team, said, "I was no swim star  but it was about social justice and equity."

Hayes and her classmates were successful in their efforts, and Dr. Hayes has been "disrupting the gender status quo ever since."

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Working in the area of cardiology, a specialty comprised of only 14% women, Hayes is especially aware of her leadership role.

"With the experience of being the only in a work group and always in the minority, I know the personal impact of having successful role models," she said.

Not only has she mentored women in medicine, but she has also developed mentoring programs to increase workplace diversity. In 2017, Dr. Hayes was recognized for her commitment to mentoring when she received the American Heart Associations Women in Cardiology Mentoring Award.

In the 1990s, she founded the Mayo Clinic Womens Heart Clinic to champion treatment for women and prevent heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in the nation. She went on to help launch WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

In 2010, Dr. Hayes became the first director of diversity and inclusion at Mayo Clinic. Her office aims to not only ensure that "equitable care is delivered to patients," but also focus on diversity in the workforce.

It is her ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, mentoring and heart health that earned her the 2019 "disruptor" award. Reflecting back on her determination to advocate for herself and others back in 1974, Hayes said, "I have not changed a whole lot."

Adam Ericksonof Oronoco received a national achievement award and was honored in a ceremony in Phoenix last month.

Erickson, a school bus technician for First Student (which operates buses for Rochester Public Schools), was recognized as First Student/ASE (National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence) National Master School Bus Technician of the Year.

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Timothy Zilke, ASE president and CEO said: "We are proud to partner with First Student to recognize Adams commitment to excellence in providing the very best in school bus maintenance and repair. This dedication is reflected in the talented professionals we recognize each year, and Adam represents the best of the best."
Remote school districts have some unique challenges, especially when it comes to technology. Thats something that Damon Hargraves, the director of federal programs for the Kodiak Island Borough School District, located on an island off the coast of Alaska, knows all too well. The district has about 2,200 students spread among four villages.

Internet connectivity and recruiting staff are big challenges. And so is trying coordinate and learn from neighboring districts. Were hundreds of miles away from the next school district. Its difficult for us to take leads from our neighbors or get help from our neighbors, Hargraves said.

But the district has been able to find creative ways to put technology to good use, including to create a welding certification program that relies heavily on distance learning.

Education Week chatted with Hargraves to talk about his work. What follows is an edited transcript.

Tell me about the challenges of just getting online.

We work with less, Hargraves emphasized. Many districts strive to offer connections of 25 megabits per second. But in Kodiak, a lot of schools are operating on just 6 or 8 megabits per second, meaning that only one classroom at a time could stream video in some schools, he said. We just have to juggle he said, to make sure the classes that need to be connected at a certain time are indeed, connected.

Do most students in your district have internet connectivity at home? How does that affect teachers ability to assign certain kinds of homework?

Students who live in the districts main hub, the city of Kodiak, tend to have internet at home, even if its just on their phones, Hargraves said. Thats thanks in part to the fiber optics infrastrucutre on the island. At Kodiak High School, its very easy for a teacher to give a homework assignment, say, read this article in the New York Times and the student could access that and its no big deal, Hargraves said. In our rural schools, you couldnt give that same assignment because many of our kids dont have internet at home and the cellphone coverage is very, very slow and spotty at best.

Does that lack of connectivity impede teaching and learning?

It can. Its really a question of opportunity. Weve taught without bandwidth and without technology for a long time. What it really means is it limits your options. As a teacher, you want to do this really, really cool thing. Youre hearing about others who are doing this really, really cool thing through PBS kids or the Smithsonian website. And kids just cant access that content at home. We just work our way around it.

What are you doing to prepare students for the workforce?

Hargraves is proud of the districts distance welding class. This course is a good example of how weve been able to overcome some of limitations, he said. Its been hard to find skilled welderslet alone welding teachers to offer the course in small sites, where only ten kids may be interested in the program. So the district has put out a broad net, Hargraves said. What we have done is weve been able to hire people from the community to come in to school even if they dont have welding expertise, if theyre interested in learning right alongside the kids and if they can help us ensure safety at the local site,

Then a distance-welding teacher in the communitys largest hub, Kodiak City, can work with them on getting the skills they need to get different welding certifications. So the model is work with local people in the village sites, have the expertise here in Kodiak City. Then, once or twice a year, we fly the kids into Kodiak High School and they are able to take their welding certificate test and get certified in different kinds of welding, Hargraves said.

And students with a welding certification will qualify for plenty of jobs in Kodiak. Its something thats needed here. We have all of our boats. We have a massive fishing industry, Hargraves said.

The district also has an auto-shop and has plans to start offering cosmetology certifications.

How do you entice people to work in such a remote area?

The district looks for employees who have an adventurous spirit. Kodiak is really an awesome place if youre into the outdoors. Hargraves said job fairs are not always a good source of potential staff. Instead, its better to connect directly with universities when looking for teachers.

And to recruit tech folk, weve really gone out of our way to grow our own, Hargraves said. One hundred percent of the people in our tech department are from Kodiak."(Thats five employees). The district tries to pique students interest in tech by offering IT-related clubs in high schools.

And Hargraves and his team are willing to hire employees who have potential but might need additional training. Thats really been the key. My advice to another [rural] district would be invest in your IT department, through training, he said. Those people who are in investing in your community, build them up.

This interview is part of a series of Q&As with education technology district leaders. Got a story to tell about your district? Want to participate? Email aklein@educationweek.org.

Photos courteousy of Damon Hargraves
Inundated with now and then photos on social media, New Years resolutions, and expert articles about how to make ever-lasting change, Natasha and Minahil seemed to be the only purveyors of inspiration this New Year

Our headlines already read: Things are getting worse. Were not even a week into the new year, the new decade.

A second headline reads It is hell on earth and were also being warned not to underestimate the chances of another term with Donald Trump in the White House.

Between news of record-breaking hospital overcrowding as the height of flu season approaches, visible climate breakdown in the form of seemingly unquenchable forest fires and the prospect of another four years of Donald Trumps polarising politics, hopes for a better year, a better decade, can feel easily dashed.

And then you see two teenage girls on TV, studying for their Leaving Cert, with every odd stacked against them, and yet they triumph.

Amidst reruns of Mrs Browns Boys, recaps of a TV presenters career, and tributes to deceased entertainers, Christmas television seemed sorted. The unwanted chocolates, more than likely the strawberry ones, remained untouched at the end of the box as the channel hopping between the terrestrial and the streaming threw up the same predictable options.

Until it didnt.

An unexpected documentary on RTE One on New Years night gave us the stories of Natasha Maimba and Minahil Sarfraz.

With a showdown between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin being predicted as the defining moment for the decade ahead, it can be hard to locate leadership.

And then you meet Natasha Maimba and Minahil Sarfraz  two 18-year-olds who arrived in Ireland as young children, their mothers fleeing persecution in Zimbabwe and Pakistan respectively.

The friends met in a direct provision centre in Athlone, both seeing education as their way out of this life in limbo.

And so they put their heads down and focused on the books  the documentary Leaving Limbo follows the girls preparation for the Leaving Cert in Our Ladys Bower school.

There are plenty of high-fives, talk of anxiety, and eight exams in 11 days, and then the summer comes and so does the wait for the results.

During the wait, the girls talk about their futures, their hopes of a future as asylum seekers, what paths will and will not be available to them. They talk about politics and share an agreed knowing about making a difference.

And then the results come in.

Natasha is now studying law in DCU and Minahil is studying medicine in Galway.

This, and theyre both Unicef Ireland Youth Ambassadors for Child Migrants. This work you can follow on their shared Twitter account  @NatashaandM.

For Minahil, becoming a doctor has always been a dream. Firstly because shell never have to rely on a man, and secondly because she wants to inspire others.

It has always been my dream to be a doctor and it is definitely living up to my expectations, she tells viewers.

For a girl in my country, education is the best thing for you because you get to be independent and you have yourself to rely on. I dont want to be the girl who has to rely on a man.

I just want to inspire others who are in a similar circumstance and show them that you can fulfil your dreams.

We want to show that no matter what you go through, if you work hard enough anything can be achieved.

Meanwhile, Natashas legal studies will follow in the footsteps of her mothers own advocacy work.

I didnt leave my home because I wanted to, I left my home because I needed to, Natasha says.

My mother has always been huge in making sure girls have education and women are able to make decisions in our country.

Because my mother stood up for women and the voices of women, she was a huge target for the government.

But its not just their Leaving Cert results and their college placements that make Natasha and Minahil inspiring viewing  its ultimately their sense of hope as opposed to victimhood, their proactive nature despite the conditions and background theyve had to survive in, and their youthful friendship.

And at the end of the documentary you see them walking tall and proud, dressed to the nines, celebrating their achievements and themselves at their school graduation.

Inundated with now and then photos on social media, New Years resolutions, and expert articles about how to make ever-lasting change, Natasha and Minahil seemed to be the only purveyors of inspiration this New Year.

And they shouldnt have to be.

We have paid and elected leaders who did not flee persecution in the middle of their childhoods. We have paid and elected leaders who did not have to live in limbo while waiting on word of their right to live in Ireland.

Why is it that those who come from disadvantaged situations end up being the most inspiring?

How is that those who triumph over disadvantaged situations end up offering the rest of us a glimpse of what real leadership could look like?

This is what we should expect from our leaders  not showdowns between grown men.

Weve a housing crisis to address, that even a three-year-old could tell you the private market will not fix. We absolutely must focus on a just transition to a carbon-neutral economy where no one, no farmer, no worker, gets left behind. Weve childcare to sort out and the direct provision system too.

Fighting in the Dail chamber, mudslinging on social media, and cynical headline-grabbing slogans will address none of these pressing issues in 2020, or in the years ahead.

We should not have to find hope and inspiration in two teenage asylum seekers, because our political leaders should come with the maturity and wherewithal to bring about the kind of change that Natasha and Minahil have shown theyre capable of.
DALLAS - A man who became known as the affluenza teen for his unusual defence at a 2013 manslaughter trial was set to be released from a Texas jail after prosecutors raised questions Friday about a drug test that triggered an alleged probation violation.

Ethan Couch, 22, avoided prison following his initial conviction for killing four people while driving drunk. He was instead sentenced to 10 years of probation after a trial in which a psychologist testified that Couch  16 at the time of the crash  was affected by affluenza, or irresponsibility caused by family wealth.

Couch was arrested Thursday after probation officers reported that a drug monitoring patch he wears returned a weak positive result for THC, the psychoactive substance found in marijuana, District Attorney Sharen Wilson said in a statement. But it is possible the patch was set off by legal CBD oil and it will take further testing to be sure, she said.

Couchs lawyers said they are optimistic the tests will verify he did not use a prohibited substance.

Ethan is committed to his sobriety and to remaining compliant with all of the terms and conditions imposed by the court, attorneys Scott Brown and Reagan Wynn said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for the Tarrant County District Attorneys Office confirmed he is to be released from a Fort Worth jail, which his attorneys said would happen either Friday or Monday ahead of further investigation and testing.

In a Friday court filing, prosecutors said that after getting the drug test result a court officer wanted Couch in custody to ensure he doesnt shave his head because his hair might be needed for a follow-up test.

The court officer declined to comment. The Tarrant County probation office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of many chemicals found in cannabis. Most CBD is made from hemp, a low-THC relative of marijuana that was legalized by the 2018 federal farm bill.

Texas later approved hemp cultivation, creating a haze of legal confusion because most state crime labs cant do the testing to tell the difference between the cannabis plant and its illegal cousin, marijuana.

Couch was found to have a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit for adult drivers after the 2013 crash. Although he was spared prison then, he was later jailed after attending a party where alcohol was served and then fleeing to Mexico with his mother to avoid punishment. He was released in 2018 after serving a nearly two-year sentence.
Snowmageddon warnings in North America come from tropics more than Arctic stratosphere







Reading UK (SPX) Dec 29, 2019





Winter weather patterns in North America are dictated by changes to the polar vortex winds high in the atmosphere, but the most significant cold snaps are more likely influenced by the tropics, scientists have found. A team led by the University of Reading conducted the first ever study to identify how the four main winter weather patterns in North America behave depending on the strength of the stratospheric polar vortex. This is a ribbon of wind and low pressure that circles the Arctic at height ... read more
Reaction from area politicians to the United States airstrike in Iraq that killed Qassem Soleimani, Irans top general:

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.)

Issued the following statement Friday at 7:45 a.m.:

Qasem Soleimani was responsible for the murder of hundreds of Americans. The world is a better place now that he is dead. Every American should be grateful to our armed forces who carried out this strike with incredible skill and precision. The Trump administration was right to restore deterrence against Iran.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

Issued the following statement Friday at 1:04 p.m.:

Qassim Suleimani was a military figure who inflicted terror and killed thousands in Israel, Iraq, Syria and other places. He was directly responsible for the killing of hundreds of American soldiers and civilians. The world is safer with him gone.

The Trump administration must provide a full briefing to Congress next week regarding the following:

The intelligence used to authorize the strike;

The legal basis for the strike;

The nature of the threat articulated by the Pentagon in its statement last night; and

The preparations and planning the administration has undertaken regarding potential retaliation by the Iranian regime against Americans abroad and here at home.

I have grave concerns that President Trump and his administration have not provided the American people with a comprehensive strategy on Iran. Finally, this and other recent actions by the administration have been taken without a congressionally approved Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). As we prepare for fallout in the coming days, Congress has a critical role to play in assessing the legality of the strike, understanding its impact on U.S. national security and conducting oversight over this administrations actions abroad.

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.)

Issued the following statement Friday at 2:16 p.m.:

The United States will not allow Iran, or its terrorists like Soleimani, to destabilize the region and the world, and kill Americans with impunity. The decades of ignoring acts of terror, or addressing it with harsh language are over. These airstrikes were wholly appropriate. We continue to show the strength and resolve of our nation, and the presidents undeterred and relentless pursuit of combating terrorism and keeping us safe.

U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.)

Posted on Twitter at 8:26 a.m.:

From day one, President Trump has been committed to achieving peace through strength, protecting Americans at home and abroad. Our armed forces are the best in the world, and were indebted to them.

AP Explains: Rising Iran, U.S. tension after general's killing DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The U.S. airstrike that killed a prominent Iranian general in Baghdad raises tensions even higher between Tehran

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Israeli officials say the country is bracing for possible Iranian retaliation after the U.S. killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani  and has started taking precautionary measures.

Why it matters: Some Iranian officials mentioned Israel as a "co-conspirator" in Soleimani's death alongside the U.S. Israeli officials say Iran could retaliate against Israel as part of any larger move against the U.S. by using their proxies in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

It is still unclear if the U.S. gave Israel any heads up before the strike on Soleimani in Baghdad.

The big picture: It seems Iran was caught by surprise by the U.S. strike and miscalculated Trumps thinking.

Iran's national security council, headed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, convened to discuss different options, though the easiest way for Iran to retaliate is in Iraq through its proxies there.

It seems to want and use this development to push for a strategic change in Iraq  mainly for Iraq's parliament to move to get U.S. forces out of the country.

What's happening: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to cut short his visit to Greece and return to Israel on Friday in order to monitor the situation.

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett convened an emergency meeting at the IDF's headquarters in Tel Aviv to discuss the situation.

The Israeli army also announced it was closing the Mount Hermon ski resort in the northern Golan Heights. The site on the border with Syria is a potential target for rocket fire by pro-Iranian militias in Syria.

What they're saying: "Just as Israel has the right of self-defense, the United States has exactly the same right," Netanyahu said in a statement.

"Qasem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks."

"President Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively. Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defense."

What's next: Israeli officials don't know if and how Iran will retaliate  but the current decision is to keep a low profile and not get involved in the tensions in Iraq.

For this reason, Netanyahu's office asked all government ministers to refrain from public statements on the issue.

Go deeper: America's war footing against Iran
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be on a one-day visit to Lucknow on January 5.



BJP Lucknow chief Mukesh Sharma said that Singh, a Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow will arrive at Lucknow airport in the morning and will attend a programme in support of the amended Citizenship Act.

In the afternoon, Singh will reach Chief Minister's residence to review preparations for Defence Expo-2020 which is scheduled to take place between February 5-8 next month.

He will fly back to Delhi in the evening. (ANI)
Mumbai, Jan 3 : Sidharth Shukla and Rashami Desai have taken ugly fights in the house to a new level on "Bigg Boss" season 13, but a new hate story seems to be brewing. Mahira Sharma and Paras Chhabra's relationship hit a rocky patch in "Bigg Boss" house when the former slapped the latter in a fit of rage.

In a promo video released by the makers, Mahira is seen getting into a fight with Rashami Desai over 'paranthas'. The fight soon turns nasty, with Rashami telling Mahira that she will make her own 'parathas'. The verbal exchange leaves Mahira fuming.

Paras then goes to Mahira to console her. He asks her why she is frustrated and is fighting with him, and then goes on to cover her mouth forcefully. This gesture seems to irritate Mahira, who then slaps him. Paras gets angry and walks off while telling Mahira that what she did is unacceptable.

In another shot, Paras is seen telling Mahira that he stays away from girls who slap guys and for him, his self-respect comes first. Then, Mahira tries to stops him from leaving, he shrugs her hands off of him and leaves her.

Paras and Mahira are believed to be the power couple of this season of the reality show. They are often seen supporting and defending each other.

Latest updates on Bigg Boss Season 13

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
On Dec. 21, Aurora Cannabis (NASDAQ:ACB) announced that its chief corporate officer, Cam Battley, would be leaving the company to work for MedReleaf Australia. Aurora owns a 10% stake in MedReleaf and has 50% voting rights in the company.

Earlier in the month, Neil Belot also decided to leave the company, although Aurora made no formal announcement. It hired Belot in 2017 to be its chief global business development officer, helping with its international growth.

Anytime a company loses a key executive, let alone two (especially since it's struggling), it could be a cause for concern.

Was Battley just the fall guy?

Battley was often the face of Aurora, speaking for the organization and providing the news media with updates. And with the company falling short of expectations multiple times, he's likely drawn the ire of agitated investors as well, especially as the stock hit new 52-week lows several times last year. Over the past 12 months, Aurora's share price has fallen by 61%, which is even worse than how the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF performed, which declined by 41% during the same period.

At least part of the frustration from investors comes with the company's projection that its EBITDA should be positive by now. A year ago, Battley told investors that profitability was in sight, stating that "we can project positive EBITDA in the second calendar quarter." That's in reference to the company's fourth-quarter earnings of fiscal 2019. The company would not come close to profitability, even at adjusted EBITDA, which was a loss of 11.7 million Canadian dollars ($9 million). Although it was an improvement from the third quarter, when Aurora lost CA$36.6 million, investors were disappointed.

With reports surfacing that Aurora forced Battley out, it could show that Aurora is trying to distance itself from its poor performances in 2019 and looking to start with a clean slate for the new year. While Battley may have just been the figurehead and not likely the one behind the forecasts themselves, it's an easy way for the company to try to separate itself from those aggressive projections.

Does Belot's departure mean Aurora will focus less on international growth?

It's unclear whether Aurora pushed out Belot as well, and it's unlikely we'll ever know the real reasons he exited the company. But with the departure being low key and Aurora not announcing his replacement, it could indicate that the company is shifting priorities away from the global market for cannabis and onto the domestic one. While Aurora is still active globally and prides itself on having a presence in 25 countries, cash flow has also been on the company's mind of late.

In a press release on Dec. 23 about its recent changes, the company said, "Aurora has taken steps to proactively rationalize capital expenditures, reduce near-term debt and bolster liquidity in an effort to position the Company for the long-term success." Moving cash flow and expenses away from its global strategy would align with that statement, especially as the company focuses on ingestible products, which are now legal in Canada.

What should investors do?

Turnover shouldn't come as a big surprise, especially given the challenges that Aurora has faced in the past year. With the company falling short of expectations, it was likely that there would be changes coming. And while investors may not be excited by the moves, they do make Aurora's management team leaner and perhaps more focused.

However, investors should wait until the company releases some positive results before buying shares. As poorly as the marijuana stock has performed, its low price isn't enough to make it a buy. All that matters is if Aurora is able to hit a positive EBITDA figure and if it can do that while continuing to grow. Right now, it hasn't demonstrated that it can, and until it does, investors should stay away from the stock.
Union Minister Nityanand Rai and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said on Friday that those protesting against the amended Citizenship Act are "anti-OBC" and "anti-Dalit".

Rai, the Union minister of state for home, claimed that most of the non-Muslims facing harassment in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belong to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalits.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) to give them respect. If someone opposes CAA, declare him anti-Dalit and anti-OBC," Rai told a gathering at an 'OBC Town Hall' here.

"Opposition to CAA is an attack on OBCs. A handful of people have come out and are protesting against the amended law. OBCs should roar like lions, louder than the protesters," he said.

Asserting that the government will "drive out every terrorist from the country", the junior minister in the home ministry said, "They (terrorists) will either be driven out, or sent to jail or hell."



At the event, Uttar Pradesh minister Dara Singh Chauhan accused the opposition parties of disrespecting the OBCs for 70 years.

"Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving reservation to OBC students in Kendriya Vidyalayas. Our PM led surgical strikes, brought CAA, brought back (Wing Commander) Abhinandan (Varthaman) from Pakistan. Only an OBC could have done it," he said and accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of deceiving OBCs by stopping their registration in OBC list.

About the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, Rai said it will be a "big test for the OBCs". Hitting out at Kejriwal, he said, "We have to wipe off his name from Delhi .. he should be driven out."



Rai claimed that the OBCs have benefitted the maximum from all schemes of the current central government.

"Modiji gave the OBC commission a constitutional status so that reservation for OBCs cannot be revoked," he said.

Maurya said that those opposing the CAA are "anti-OBC and anti-Dalits and they never want underprivileged people to succeed".

He said OBCs account for around 60 per cent of Delhi electorate and the BJP will get around 40 lakh OBC votes in the upcoming assembly elections.

"OBCs are not the bogies of a train but the engine. Be prepared to scrub Delhi clean of the AAP," Maurya told the congregation.

"Also remember that the maximum number of those facing atrocities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are OBCs and Dalits... those opposing CAA are anti-Dalits and anti-OBCs," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
'In 2020, we might see the re-birth of electric cars, with their positive image driving sales. It could become part of a customer's lifestyle statement. Though the numbers could be less, the excitement among citizens would be more.'

T E Narasimhan reports.

Photograph: Courtesy Pixabay

The year 2019 was a mix of ups and downs for electric vehicle (EV) sales in the country. The new year is expected to be better, with the entry of more electric cars and Chinese entities' entry, bringing down the average cost.

The second phase of the Rs 10,000-crore scheme of the central government, termed Faster Adoption and Manufacturing for Hybrid and Electric vehicles (FAME II), offers higher incentives to higher powered products.

It excludes lead acid battery-powered two-wheelers and mandates that e-scooters should have 80 km per charge and a minimum top speed of 40 kmph, with at least 50 per cent localisation in manufacturing.

This has left a large share of two-wheelers out of the incentive, says CRISIL Research.

Recently, Union minister Prakash Javadekar told Parliament about 285,000 buyers of electric/hybrid vehicles had been supported by a subsidy of Rs 360 crore under FAME.

Sohinder Gill, director-general, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), said, "The year 2019 was full of turmoil for the EV industry. Sudden policy shock by the government in March 2019 led to a decline in sales of electric two-wheelers under FAME II. It has made companies becoming less dependent on government subsidies."

The number of electric two-wheelers sold under FAME in the first six months of this financial year (April to September) saw a 94 per cent decline to around 3,000 units, from 48,671 units in the same period last year.

The number sold without FAME incentive in the period went up to around 49,000 units, 2019, from around 10,000 during the same period last year, said SMEV.

Low-speed lithium battery vehicles without the FAME incentive cost around Rs 55,000. The high-speed electric two-wheeler costs around Rs 80,000 after the incentive applied, said sources.

The number of electric cars within the FAME scheme of under Rs 15 lakh cap sold during April to September almost halved to 340.

They do not include the numbers of Hyundai's Kona, launched in July, according to the Society. Reports say only around 1,500 electric cars for personal use have been sold so far during the financial year.

Some of the positive developments were entry of leading players into the EV business, state governments announcing policies and customers becoming more aware of the benefits of such vehicles.

The goods and services tax (GST) for EVs was cut from 12 per cent to five per cent in July. The GST rate on charger or charging stations for EVs was also reduced from 18 per cent to 5 per cent.

The central government also announced additional income tax deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh on interest paid on a loan to buy an EV, apart from duty exemptions for some parts.

2020

"In 2020, we might see the re-birth of electric cars, with their positive image driving sales. It could become part of a customer's lifestyle statement. Though the numbers could be less, the excitement among citizens would be more," hoped Gill.

In the two-wheeler category, there was entry of Bajaj, TVS and Revolt in the market, hitherto driven by established players like Hero Electric and Ather. People could become more brand conscious.

The e-rickshaw market seems likely to remain dominated by the unorganised sector. Authentic players in the three-wheeler segment might partner with municipal bodies, battery manufacturers or fleet operators. It would be a test year for e-buses.

"Overall, we anticipate the market to grow by 100 per cent," said Gill.

BIS Research says the EV market is anticipated to grow at a compounded annual rate of 43.1 per cent, charging infrastructure at 42.4 per cent and the battery market at 60.1 per cent during the period from 2019 to 2030.

"Despite the Indian automotive industry experiencing a sharp decline in FY19, the EV market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. With the BS-VI (emission) norms becoming applicable from April 2020, EVs will become more price-competitive with conventionally fuelled vehicles, thus accelerating sales," it added.
Reginald Quintin closed his eyes, listened to all the commendations and responded accordingly.

Former Arrowroot Association worker Reginald Uncle Reggie Quintyn of Edinboro, West Kingstown, is this countrys latest centenarian.





Quintyn, born on December 28th 1919, fittingly marked his milestone on Saturday 28th December 2019, with a celebration at his home.





A prayer ceremony, including the administering of the Holy Communion, ushered in the joyous occasion. It was led by Rev Otis Nichols of the Anglican Church, assisted by Anglican Lay Preacher Jennifer Glasgow Browne.





This was followed by a period of gaiety and celebration with drinks, snacks and music.





Glasgow-Browne said it was an honour to be able "to minister to Quintyn as a member of the Anglican Church .. of which he had been a faithful and devoted member for so many years.





"In my ministry to him, he has always kept the faith, he is always happy whenever I come to him.  I know he looks forward to my visit and he continues to keep the faith and trust in God, the Anglican Lay Preacher said, adding, "He is a true person who believes in his God and his Father.





Central Kingstown Member of Parliament Daniel Cummings was in attendance. He presented Quintyn with a gift basket, congratulated him on the attainment of what he said was "an amazing milestone, and wished that, "God continues to inspire and bless you in all your undertakings.





Greetings from family members and close friends were also expressed to the centenarian.





Quintyn, a man of few words, sat quietly with eyes closed for most of the celebration. He, however, expressed thanks after each commendation.





He shared his spotlight moment with longtime companion Myra Cole, with whom he is known to have developed a thriving black pudding business over some sixty years.





Cole is now in her nineties.





Persons attending the birthday celebration described Quintyn as still having all his mental faculties and of being in good health.
Equity benchmark BSE Sensex dropped over 100 points in opening session on Friday as global equities turned negative after the US killed a top Iranian general, fuelling fears of a conflict in the oil-rich region.

Brent crude surged 4.4 per cent to USD 69.16 and WTI jumped 4.3 per cent to 63.84.

The 30-share BSE index was trading 107.35 points or 0.26 per cent lower at 41,519.29. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty slipped 39.10 points or 0.32 per cent to 12,243.10.

Asian Paints was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding up to 1.62 per cent, followed by Tata Steel, HDFC Bank, Mahindra and Mahindra, HUL, IndusInd Bank and Maruti.

On the other hand, ONGC was the top gainer, rising up to 2.77 per cent. TCS, Infosys, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharma and Hero MotoCorp were also trading in the green.

In the previous session, the 30-share gauge ended 320.62 points, or 0.78 per cent, higher at 41,626.64. The closed 99.70 points, or 0.82 per cent, up at 12,282.20 -- its new closing record.

Meanwhile, on a net basis, foreign institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 688.76 crore, and domestic institutional investors purchased shares worth Rs 63.95 crore on Thursday, data available with stock exchanges showed.

According to traders, domestic investors followed Asian markets which fell after the Pentagon confirmed that US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who died in Baghdad "in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad".

Bourses in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul were trading in the red, while those in Tokyo remained closed for New Year holidays.

Shares on Wall Street ended significantly higher on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the rupee depreciated 17 paise to 71.56 against the US dollar in morning session.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A United States intelligence soldier says his mother was lured into meeting immigration officials on the promise they would review her deportation order, after she's spent more than 30 years in the US, only to handcuff her and send her back to Mexico as soon as she walked through the doors of their federal building.

Rocio Rebollar Gomez, 51, who has previously deported three times, was driven to Tijuana on Thursday morning after attending the Edward R. Schwartz Federal Building in San Diego.

Her heartbroken son, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gibram Cruz, now fears he will never see his mother again as the area is one of the high-risk places military personnel can't travel.

He and his sister Karla McKissick are furious and feel they were 'tricked' by ICE who promised Gomez they could review her case. But this never happened. Instead, Gomez, a grandmother-of three who has been in the US for 31 years, was put in handcuffs immediately after entering the building and deported.

'I feel betrayed, to be honest. The sacrifices that my mother and I have done for my country have been in vain,' Cruz, 30, said according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Rocio Rebollar Gomez thought she was going to meet with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officials in San Diego to possibly review her case again on Tuesday but the 51-year-old mother-of-two was immediately deported to Tijuana. It was the fourth time she has been deported to Mexico

Rocio Rebollar Gomez (center) was deported to Mexico on Thursday after her fight with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement to remain in the United States was exhausted. Her son, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gibram Cruz (right) says he's worried he won't be able to visit her because of restrictions on military personnel from traveling to places deemed to be a high risk

Friends and family members showed up Thursday to support Rocio Rebollar Gomez, who was later deported to Mexico for the fourth time

Former 2020 White House hopeful and California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris even tried on intervene on behalf of the serviceman to no avail.

'She was literally living the American Dream', Cruz told KNSD earlier this month.

'When I grew up we lived above a laundry mat. She worked hard. She was making, at that point, over $100,000 a year. She was paying her taxes', the soldier said of his mom, who ran a natural products business and drove an Uber for more than eight hours per day.

'How does it hurt anyone for my mother to stay here? What risk is the country running?'

Rebollar Gomez on December 4 was denied discretionary protections given to military personnel related to undocumented immigrants that could have allowed her to continue her stay.

Once denied, she was issued removal order to self-deport from the U.S. by January 2.

Rocio Rebollar Gomez (center) spent the Christmas holidays with her son U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gibram Cruz (right) and daughter, Karla McKissick (left), at her home in the Lincoln Park, San Diego

Rocio Rebollar Gomez unlawfully entered the United States in 1988 and was first deported to Mexico a few years later after she was detained in a raid at her job

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gibram Cruz said the sacrifices 'I have done for my country have been in vain' after his mother was deported to Mexico on Thursday

She had first come to the U.S. illegally in 1988, but was forced to return to Mexico within a few years when she was detained by immigration officials in a raid while working in a raid at a hotel.

At the time, she was pregnant with her youngest daughter, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The Mexican national then returned and was deported on two occasions in the mid-2000s.

Her last arrest came in March 2018 when ICE officers detained her at a store she owned.

Aside from the ICE arrests for living in the U.S. without legal documents, Rebollar Gomez does not have a criminal record. She has been upfront about her refusal to live in Mexico after her brother was murdered by a cartel in Acapulco after the family had paid a ransom to secure his freedom. His body was never found.

Because of her deportations, she is not even a candidate for asylum.

Her son says he is haunted by one time he witnessed his mother removed. Each time she has returned she has rebuilt her life from scratch. She was able to buy a house again two years ago, which she has spent the time fixing.

The son said he passed on studying law after college to join the military, hoping the decision would somehow help keep his mom from being removed again.

Rebollar Gomez applied for the Military Parole in Place program which is designed to offer protection to undocumented family members of U.S. military personnel.

Sadly, her application was denied.

Former 2020 White House hopeful and California Democratic Senator Kamala Harris tried on intervene on behalf of 30-year-old U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gibram Cruz (left) and delay Rocio Rebollar Gomez's (right) deportation to Mexico

U.S. Army 2nd Lt., Gibram Cruz (left), walked his mother, Rocio Rebollar Gomez's (right), to an ICE office in San Diego and expected immigration officials to review her case again before they deported her to Tijuana, Mexico

Rocio Rebollar Gomez (right) shares an emotional hug with a woman upon arriving in Tijuana after ICE deported her on Thursday

The family already has had reason to worry, after the mother's brother appeared to have fallen victim to cartel violence in Mexico. Despite paying thousands of dollars in extortion money, the family never was able to retrieve his body.

Having a son in the military also is sure to make her a target, the family says.

'She would be an easy paycheck for them', the son said, referring to the cartels. 'How am I supposed to keep her safe?'

The mother admitted to the Daily Beast, before she was deported, that she's 'worn out' by her ordeal.

'I feel like my life is gone and everything I have is heremy whole life', she told the news outlet.

'I cannot eat, I cannot sleep, my life is on hold. No one should be going through what I am going through'.

When she showed up for her appointment Thursday, her ankle monitor bracelet was removed and her lawyer was told the ICE would attempt to review her case one more time.

Nonetheless, Rebollar Gomez was removed from the federal building and driven off to Tijuana near the Sam Ysidro Port of Entry, according to Univision.

She was received by her half-sister with whom she will be staying for a short time as she plans her future options.

'The point is the moral and psychological hurt that happens to everyone whos been through this. It changes your life,' Rebollar Gomez said.

McKissick is unable to visit her mother soon because she does not hold a U.S. passport. Cruz will not be able to visit Rebollar Gomez due to restrictions on military personnel from traveling to places deemed to be a high risk.

'Being far from your children that youve raised and given your life to, and being alone all of a sudden with nothing,' Rebollar Gomez added. 'Its not that you cant keep going and push forward, but if theyve taken away your motivation? If its stayed behind?'
Microsoft's Edge last month posted its first ever double-digit browser share, while Google's Chrome slid for the third month straight.

Mozilla's Firefox once again held steady, keeping its head above water.

According to data published Sunday by California-based metrics company Net Applications, Edge's October share climbed by 1.4 percentage points, ending the month at 10.2%, the first time Microsoft's browser broke through that psychologically important barrier. The gain was the largest ever for Edge in a single month, almost double that of the previous record set in December 2019.

The increase was so large that it immediately raised suspicions that it was a miscount by Net Applications rather than a reflection of reality. Bolstering that was an even greater boost to the share of Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE), the obsolete browser the Redmond, Wash. company has started to strip of some of its support. IE's share for October  5.6%  was 1.7 points higher than the month prior, a jump so out of character as to be unbelievable.

Edge's gain was understandable, at least. Microsoft relaunched that 2015 browser earlier this year when it recast Edge with the Google-dominated Chromium technology, the same that powers Chrome. Not only did Microsoft make Edge a Chrome copy, but it also expanded support to versions of Windows other than 10, as well as macOS and, more recently, Linux.

Since January, Edge has slowly been adding share; 3.2 points since the Chromium-based Edge went final in the Stable channel. In the past 12 months, Edge has gained 4.1 percentage points, for an average of a third of a point per month.

At that pace, Edge should sit at almost 11% by year's end and at 15% by December 2021. Of course, that assumes Edge can maintain growth, which in turn requires one or more rivals continues to give up share.

The most likely loser? Chrome, mostly because of its titanic share but also because Edge is, well, Chrome wearing a different outfit.

Microsoft's launch of Windows 10 20H2  the H2 signifying the year's second feature upgrade  last month may assist Edge as it continues to climb: 20H2 includes Chromium Edge. That should accelerate the replacement of original Edge, the version introduced in mid-2015 that ran only on Windows 10, with the sounder Chromium browser.

Chrome down for third consecutive month

Chrome dumped seven-tenths of a percentage point in October, falling back to 69.3%. The decline was the third in as many months, an unusual run that's occurred only four times in the browser's 15 years. (The last time it happened before this was in September-December 2019.)

Whenever Chrome suffers losses in two or more straight months, it's tempting to wonder whether the browser has peaked. Computerworld has tentatively pegged more than a couple such milestones before but been proven wrong each time. The browser could easily bounce back as it has before.

Computerworld's latest forecast  as always, based on Chrome's 12-month average  stayed with growth, albeit pared significantly from 30 days ago. Chrome should return to 70% by March 2021 and reach 71% by September 2022. (The latter was three months later than last month's forecast, showing how present declines quickly impact future gains.)

Edge remains Chrome's most dangerous competitor, primarily  and this is Google's own doing to some degree  because the former is the latter, what with both relying on Chromium. But Microsoft has cards to play here that Google cannot match; Microsoft will leverage its enterprise management reputation and expertise in an attempt to wean commercial customers from Google's browser.

Microsoft's strategy, then, would be the opposite of Google's. The latter pushed Chrome to consumers until its share reached tipping point, and employees demanded the right to run the same browser they'd become familiar with at home. Microsoft would instead hope to win over business users in the expectation that they might want to run the same browser on home PCs, tablets or even phones.

Firefox: Not dead yet!

Firefox didn't move its share needle last month; it stayed at the same 7.2% mark it earned in September. That meant Firefox didn't gain any ground. It also meant it didn't lose any, probably its most important goal for now and the foreseeable future.

Mozilla's browser also stuck to the bad news forecast of last month, although Computerworld's current prediction puts it under 6% in August 2021, two months later than last month's estimate. At its 12-month rate of decline, Firefox will dip below 5% in May 2022.

Elsewhere in Net Applications' numbers, Apple's Safari slumped by two-tenths of a percentage point in October, sliding to 3.4%. Opera Software's Opera fell by a slightly-larger three-tenths of a point to end the month at an all-time low of seven-tenths of a point.

Net Applications calculates share by detecting the agent strings of the browsers used to reach the websites of Net Applications' clients. The company counts visitor sessions to measure browser activity.

Or it used to.

At the same time it published October's share numbers, Net Applications announced that it's pulling the plug on the data source. "October 2020 is the last month of data," the firm said. "Why? An upcoming change in browsers will break our device detection technology and will cause inaccuracies for a long period of time."

The change Net Applications cited would remove much of the agent string information used not only to compile analytics such as browser and operating system share, but also by advertisers and/or scammers to "fingerprint" individuals so that they can be more thoroughly tracked as they conduct their online lives.

Computerworld has not yet decided whether to continue the "Top web browsers" series, and if so, which alternate data source might be used.

Stay tuned.
Rachel Madley in The Scientist:

Over the past decade, Americans have debated the best way to fix our broken healthcare system, one that allows 35,000 Americans to die each year because they dont have health insurance and many more to forego necessary treatment or go bankrupt paying for care. This debate has intensified in recent months due to the increasing popularity of Medicare for All, a proposal to create a publicly funded single-payer health system, and its central role in the Democratic presidential race. First, lets define what these terms mean: Single-payer Medicare for All would establish a public funding mechanism for healthcare that covers everyone for all medically necessary treatment, including dental, vision, and hearing care. This care would be free to everyone at the point of service, regardless of income, age, employment, or immigration status. Medicare for All changes how care is financed, but not how its delivered, thus patients would have free choice of any doctor or hospital. Besides the benefits to patients, Medicare for All would save approximately $500 billion annually in healthcare costs, according to one estimate, by, among other things, cutting out thousands of insurance middlemen and negotiating drug prices at the national level.

Many health professionals support Medicare for All, including a majority of doctors and the largest nurses union in the US, as do a majority of registered voters in the US overall, but biomedical scientists have so far been silent. Yet they do have a stake in the outcome of healthcare reform. Medicare for All would increase the clinical data available for research and allow all patients to benefit from scientific innovation. Scratch the surface of our health system and we find that it hurts patients directly and indirectlynot just by keeping medical care out of reach, but by hindering the kind of medical research that drives innovation and benefits everyone. Todays fractured system sequesters patient data within millions of different hospital and insurance databases, with little cross-institutional data sharing. When data are shared by multiple institutions, the coding and format are not standardized, making research on those cohorts difficult or impossible.

More here.
Construction equipment giant Doosan Bobcat completed its acquisition of a Wisconsin plant and three lawn equipment brands belonging to Schiller Grounds Care Inc.

Terms of the deal announced Thursday were not disclosed. The purchase includes Schiller's "Bob-Cat Mowers" factory in Johnson Creek, Wis., as well as its Steiner brand of tractors and its Ryan brand of grounds maintenance equipment.

About 200 Schiller workers will be transferred to Doosan Bobcat as part of the purchase agreement.

The deal is the latest of several Midwest expansions for Doosan Bobcat, which is based in South Korea with its North America headquarters in West Fargo. It operates facilities in Litchfield, Minn.; Bismarck, Gwinner and Wahpeton, N.D.; and in China, India, France and the Czech Republic.

In November, Doosan Bobcat opened a $2 million global collaboration center in downtown Minneapolis.

Doosan Bobcat also is currently building a $26 million addition to its plant in Litchfield. That factory makes buckets, augers snowplow and other attachments for construction loaders and excavators. The Litchfield addition will open in September 2020.

The acquisition of Schiller's brands feeds to the company's expansion plans.

Doosan Bobcat's 2019 sales will be about $3.8 billion, said CEO Scott Park recently. His plans call for doubling that number over five years through a mix of organic sales, new products and acquisitions like the one finalized this week.

"We are pleased and proud to welcome the Bob-Cat Mowers, Steiner and Ryan team members into the Doosan Bobcat family," said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America. "We are bringing great people and strong brands into our organization to help further grow our business and reach more customers and markets."

Visit the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) at www.startribune.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Meet Major DP Singh, a living example of the phoenix that a soldier truly is

Action will be taken in accordance with law to secure justice for all: Army on Nagaland firing incident

Army Chief to pay first visit to areas under northern army command, including Siachen

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Jan 03: After taking over as the Army Chief, Gen M M Naravane will undertake his first visit to areas under the crucial Northern Command, including the Siachen Glacier, from January 9-10, sources said on Friday.

During his two-day visit to the areas under Northern Command, Naravane will also visit the Kashmir Valley, they said. The Siachen Glacier is the world's highest-altitude battleground.

The Northern Command of the Indian Army is entrusted with manning the country's borders with Pakistan and China.

Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane wants Pak to make peace with scrapping of Article 370 in J&K

Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as the Chief of Army Staff, succeeding General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday. Before this General Naravane served as vice chief of the Army.

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Story first published: Friday, January 3, 2020, 23:40 [IST]
"Reckless," "a dangerous escalation," and "severe revenge": These are just a few of the words coming from international leaders and politicians in the wake of the U.S. killing of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top military commander and the face of the Islamic Republic's interventions across the Middle East. "A #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs' blood last night," Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's most powerful leader, wrote on Twitter on Friday morning. "Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge." The Thursday night airstrike that killed Iran's most notorious military commander and spy, who headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force for more than 20 years, sent shockwaves through the Middle East and beyond. According to Phillip Smyth, a Shiite Islamist militarism expert and senior fellow at the Washington Institute, it's "the most major decapitation strike the U.S. has ever engaged in."

As tensions escalated, U.S. stocks fell Friday. Brent crude spiked as much as 4%, gold hit a four-month high, and the dollar fell to its lowest level in nine weeks. The State Department has ordered all American citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately. Tweet1 The U.S. had been pursuing the shadowy leader for decades. Soleimani was the face of Iran's military interventions overseas and what the U.S. government describes as the country's "malign activity," including training and deploying proxy fighters and supporting Bashar Assad in Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Shiite militias in Iraq. His operations within Iraq at the height of the Iraq war killed hundreds of U.S. personnel. Since 2003, Iranian proxies in Iraq have killed more than 600 Americans, the State Department said last year. The U.S. response to Soleimani's killing has been mixed, with a fair amount of criticism aimed at President Donald Trump from his Democratic opponents. Former Vice President Joe Biden said overnight that Soleimani "deserved to be brought to justice for his crimes against American troops and thousands of innocents throughout the region." But the Democratic presidential frontrunner stopped short of praising the Trump administration and warned of adverse consequences, adding "this is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region." "President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," Biden wrote. Agnes Callamard, the United Nations' special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, said in a post on Twitter that the killing of Suleimani "most likely" violated international law. "Use of lethal force is only justified to protect against an imminent threat to life," Callamard wrote. Use of drones for targeted killings outside active hostilities was "almost never likely to be legal," she noted.

Protesters shout slogans against the United States and Israel as they hold posters with the image of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in Iraq, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani during a demonstration in the Kashmiri town of Magam on January 3, 2020. Tauseef Mustafa | AFP | Bloomberg

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was also highly critical of the action. "Trump's dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars," he said in a statement. "Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one." The hit on the mastermind of Iran's foreign policy comes at a boiling point for U.S.-Iran tensions. It follows U.S. airstrikes in Iraq that killed 25 members of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group responsible for rocket strike that killed a U.S. contractor and other U.S. allies in northern Iraq in late December. The last week saw members of that militant group and others attack the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, many of whom chanted "Qasem Soleimani is our leader."

Even before that, 2019 was marked by successive escalations from both sides, including Washington's designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, Iran's shooting down of a U.S. drone, intensifying U.S. sanctions on Tehran, attacks on oil tankers and Saudi Aramco facilities that have been blamed on Iran, and Tehran's incremental rolling back of its commitments to the Iranian nuclear deal after the U.S. ditched it in 2018. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wrote on Twitter on Friday morning: "The path of resistance to US excesses will continue. The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime." Tweet2 Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi also condemned the "assassination"  which was carried out in Baghdad  calling it "an act of aggression on Iraq" and "breach of sovereignty that will lead to war in Iraq, the region, and the world." Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah, the small country's most powerful Shiite political and militant entity, vowed Friday to "continue the path" of the Iranian general and described the punishment of the U.S. as a responsibility of all Hezbollah fighters. Saudi Arabia in a statement called for "self-restraint" and said the "international community must fulfill its responsibilities to take the necessary measures to ensure the security and stability of this vital region for the whole world."
A photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early on Jan. 2, 2020. (Iraqi Prime Minister's Press Office via AP)

2020 Contenders Condemn Trump-Ordered Airstrike That Killed Iranian General

Democratic presidential contenders criticized the airstrike that President Donald Trump ordered overnight, killing Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Former Vice President Joe Biden said that Soleimani deserved to be brought to justice for killing American troops and innocent people but none of that negates the fact that this is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region.

President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.

My statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/4Q9tlLAYFB  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 3, 2020

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) added, Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.

Donald Trump ripped up an Iran nuclear deal that was working. Hes repeatedly escalated tensions. Now hes assassinated a senior foreign military official. Hes been marching toward war with Iran since his first days in officebut the American people wont stand for it, she said.

Donald Trump ripped up an Iran nuclear deal that was working. Hes repeatedly escalated tensions. Now hes assassinated a senior foreign military official. Hes been marching toward war with Iran since his first days in officebut the American people wont stand for it.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

Soleimani was a terrorist responsible for killing Americans. But this wasnt authorized by Congress and is an escalation that risks a wider war with Iran. Mr. Trump risks making a bad situation worse with reckless action, billionaire Tom Steyer said in a statement.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Soleimani was a murderer with the blood of Americans on his hands but said Trumps track record and his history of making reckless and impulsive decisions made the situation deeply concerning.

Statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/NIiDJSOjZy  Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) January 3, 2020

Former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick called Soleimani a menace to the world and to peace-loving people everywhere.

At the same time, a difficult situation is becoming more dangerous because of a lack of leadership, he said. Without the President explaining the plan or path forward, we risk making the situation even more perilous and our country and the world less safe.

Responsible leadership requires that we consider and plan for the consequences in advance. My statement on the death of Qassim Suleimani: pic.twitter.com/q1j2Gypjqv  Deval Patrick (@DevalPatrick) January 3, 2020

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang didnt mention Soleimani being killed but said that he is running on a pledge to end so-called forever wars.

This decision highlights the need to get Donald Trump out of office. We need better decision making in the White House that does not escalate violence but instead invests in diplomacy to achieve our national interests, he said.

This decision highlights the need to get Donald Trump out of office. We need better decision making in the White House that does not escalate violence but instead invests in diplomacy to achieve our national interests.  Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) January 3, 2020

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) also didnt mention Soleimanis killing. In a statement, he said, Trumps dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars. Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.

Trumps dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars. Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.  Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 3, 2020

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) claimed that We have a president who has no strategic plan when it comes to Iran and has only made that region less stable and less safe. He denounced Trumps decisions during an appearance on MSNBC late Thursday.

Former Rep. John Delaney (R-Md.) said in a statement: While Soleimani was directly responsible for the deaths of countless lives, including many Americans, and was a significant danger to our troops and a destabilizing force in the region and deserved to be brought to justice for his actions against our troops, the Administrations failure to brief Congressional leadership on this action is troubling and raises the risk of reckless actions that could lead to a dangerous escalation.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) said in a video statement that the bombing was an act of war, with no authorization of declaration of war from Congress. She accused the president of placing the United States in a state of war with Iran and has seriously escalated this tit for tat conflict, pushing us deeper into an endless quagmire. We need to get out of Iraq and Syria now. That is the only way that were going to prevent ourselves from being dragged into this quagmire, deeper and deeper into a war with Iran. #WWIII #TrumpsWar #StandWithTulsi pic.twitter.com/nb8mLfiywq  Tulsi Gabbard  (@TulsiGabbard) January 3, 2020 Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said Soleimani was responsible for directing Irans destabilizing actions in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the Middle East, including attacks against U.S. forces.But the timing, manner, and potential consequences of the Administrations actions raise serious questions and concerns about an escalating conflict. pic.twitter.com/KhJNdKV65V  Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) January 3, 2020 Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that said Soleimani was a threat to Americans but there are serious questions about how this decision was made and whether we are prepared for the consequences. He said the next steps should include consulting Congress, American allies, and stakeholders in the Middle East. My statement on the killing of Qassim Suleimani. pic.twitter.com/DUCVczjNzm  Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) January 3, 2020 Author Marianne Williamson said in a statement: This isnt about whether Soleimani was a good man any more than it was about whether Saddam was a good man. Its about smart versus stupid use of military power. Invading Iraq was criminally irresponsible & tweets like this about Iran are from the same crowd, the same insanity. She said she was praying for peace. Republicans largely praised Trump for killing Soleimani, who both parties agreed was responsible for hundreds of American deaths and thousands of others. For more than a decade he masterminded Irans malevolent and destabilizing actions throughout the Middle East, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a Senate floor speech on Friday afternoon. Soleimanis actions led to the rise of the ISIS terrorist group, he added. For too long this evil man operated without restraint and countless innocents suffered for it, he said. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said in a statement on Twitter: Facing repeated #IRGC attacks the U.S. & @potus exercised admirable restraint while setting clear red lines & the consequences for crossing them #Irans Quds Force chose the path of escalation. He added, They are entirely to blame for bringing about the dangerous moment now before us.
But the American airstrikes came at a particularly combustible moment in Iraq, where anger at foreign meddling was already running high. For much of the last 16 years, Iraqis ire has been directed at the United States for its invasion and the war and occupation that followed. Iran has also deeply embedded in Iraq, raising fears that the country would be caught in the rivalry between Tehran and Washington. The countrys top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, warned that Iraq must not become a field for settling regional and international scores, and Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi called the airstrikes a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
'GMA' Book Club pick: 'Long Bright River' by Liz Moore takes a hard look at the opioid crisis originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com

Long Bright River, by prize-winning author Liz Moore, is the "GMA" Book Club pick this month!

Start your new year with this blockbuster novel that critics are calling one of the most anticipated books of 2020.

"Long Bright River," which is being compared to the likes of "Gone Girl," is a thrilling and mysterious page-turner set in a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis. Two once-inseparable sisters find themselves at odds. One, Kacey, lives on the streets in the vise of addiction. The other, Mickey, walks those same blocks on her police beat. They don't speak anymore, but Mickey never stops worrying about her sibling.

Then Kacey disappears, suddenly, at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in Mickey's district, and Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit -- and her sister -- before it's too late.

Alternating its present-day mystery with the story of the sisters' childhood and adolescence, "Long Bright River" is at once heart-pounding and heart-wrenching: a gripping suspense novel that is also a moving story of sisters, addiction, and the formidable ties that persist between place, family, and fate.

PHOTO: Long Bright River by Liz Moore is a page-turning thriller about a female cop and her lost sister set in a neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis. (ABC News Photo Illustration, Riverhead Books)

"Long Bright River" hits shelves Jan. 7. Get started reading with an excerpt below.

Read along with us and join the conversation all month long on our Instagram account  GMA Book Club and #GMABookClub.

PHOTO: Long Bright River by Liz Moore is a page-turning thriller about a female cop and her lost sister set in a neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis. (ABC News Photo Illustration, Riverhead Books)

Start reading an excerpt now

Today, the streets of Kensington are quieter than normal. The cold spell hasnt snapped. Its freezing, and the sky is stark white, and theres a terrible wind at face level that leaves me breathless each time I have to step out of my vehicle.

Story continues

Only the hardiest, or the most desperate, are outside today.

I turn the cruiser down a side street and pass six boarded up houses in a row. Abandos, they are called here. Forgotten, condemned, some of them containing within them, no doubt, several poor souls whove made a shelter of them. I think of the drafty insides of these houses, the furniture left behind, the pictures on the walls. I think how lonely it must be for their new inhabitants to look upon these possessions, the remnants of the families who lived there in decades prior. Textile workers. Metalworkers. Fishermen, if the houses are old enough.

Two winters ago, there was a terrible fire in an abandoned factory nearby. It began when two occupants, desperate for warmth, started a blaze in a tin trash can, right there in the middle of the factory floor. A firefighter died trying to put it out. This has become the latest in the long list of things we are to be alert for on patrol: the smell of wood smoke from any unknown source.

No calls in my PSA for an hour. At ten I park the car near Alonzos and go in for a cup of coffee.

As I come out, cup in hand, two young girls Ive seen around the neighborhood, sixteen or seventeen years old, approach me, chewing gum, walking slowly. Theyre both wearing canvas sneakers with no socks, which makes me shiver a little in sympathy. I cant tell if theyre working.

When they approach me, I am surprised. Typically, regulars simply ignore uniformed police officers, or stare at us defiantly and wordlessly.

But one of them speaks.

 Do you know anything about the murders, she says to me.

Its the first time Ive been asked. Rumors are spreading, it seems.

 Were working on it, I say. Were getting close.

My standard answer whenever anyone inquires about an open case. I feel I should say this, even though I dont know much more than they do. Sometimes, at work, I feel the way I do when Im talking to Thomas about his father: a little bit guilty for lying, a little bit noble for upholding a pretense that will ultimately preserve his feelings. Ill bear the burden of the lie, for my son, for these girls.

I remember then about the video.

 Actually, I say, could you take a look at something?

I produce it on my phone: the short clip that Homicide sent to us this morning after roll call. I play it, and then pause it on a still frame that shows the POI.

 Does he look at all familiar? I ask.

Both girls look intently. Both shake their heads. No.

I go through these motions a few more times throughout the day. But nobody seems to recognize him. A couple of women make little murmuring sounds when Katie Conway crosses the screen: recognizing her, perhaps, or recognizing their own fragility, how easily it could have been them.

Just before four oclock, as my shift is winding down, I see Paula Mulroney for the first time in a while. Shes off crutches, finally, leaning up against a wall outside Alonzos, holding a cigarette in one hand.

I stop the car. Get out. I havent seen her since Kacey went missing. Ive been wanting to talk to her.

Paula has never let my falling out with Kacey affect her friendliness with me. Thats between you guys, she said to me once, confidentially. Normally, when she sees me, she greets me with a smile and with some good-natured ribbing. Here we go, she often says. Here comes trouble.

Today, she keeps her face quite still.

 Hello, Paula, I say.

She says nothing.

 Im glad to see you, I say. I heard Kacey was missing. I was just wondering if you had any idea where she is.

Paula shakes her head. Drags from her cigarette.

 Nope, she says.

 Whens the last time you saw her?

She snorts. Says nothing.

Im confused suddenly.

 Is it true, I say, that you told Alonzo she was missing? Because

She cuts me off. Look, she says. I dont talk to the police.

Im taken aback. Ive never before heard this from Paula.

I try a different tactic.

 Hows your leg? I say.

 Terrible, says Paula.

She drags on the cigarette again. Shes inches away from me.

 Im sorry to hear that, I say.

Im not certain how to proceed.

 Do you want me to take you to the hospital? I say, but Paula waves me off. Shakes her head.

 I was wondering if I could ask you something else, I say.

 Go ahead, says Paula. But her voice is dismissive, and her implication is clear: You can ask anything you want. I wont answer.

I take out my phone and play the video for her. She cant help herself: shes curious. She leans down to inspect the phone.

When Katie Conway crosses the screen, Paula looks sharply at me.

 Yeah, she says, thats Katie. I knew her.

 You did?

She nods. She turns back to me, looks at me hard.

 Little girl they found off Tioga, right? I knew her.

I consider Paula. Im not sure why shes telling me this.

 She was such a nice girl, says Paula. She was just a baby. Such a nice kid. I knew her mom too. Her mom was godawful. Shes the one turned her daughter out.

Paula is still looking hard at me. Something about her expression looks accusing in some way. The cigarette goes into her mouth. Every time I speak to Paula I recall her as she was on a particular day in high school: head held high, leading a pack of popular girls down a hallway, laughing and laughing at a joke someone told. Even now, despite how much our lives have changed, I feel a certain intimidation around her.

 Do you know anything about how she died? I ask Paula, who regards me for a moment before speaking.

 Isnt that what you should be telling me? Paula says levelly.

Again, I grasp for words. This time, none come to me.

 Youre the cop, right? says Paula.

 Were working on it, I say again.

 Sure, says Paula. She squints down the Ave. Judging by the quickness of her movements, the chattering of her teeth, shes dopesick. Shes stooped over slightly, her arms folded across her middle. Shes nauseated.

 Sure you are, Mickey, Paula says. Well, work harder.

I know enough to know that I should leave her now, let her find her fix.

Before I do, though, I say to her, Can you watch one more time? The important parts at the end.

Paula rolls her eyes, agitated, but she bends her head toward the screen, squinting. She watches as the man crosses the screen, then grabs the phone out of my hand. She looks up, eyes wide.

Do you recognize him? I ask.

I notice suddenly that her hands are shaking.

Youre kidding me, she says.

Read along with us and join the conversation all month long on our Instagram account  GMA Book Club and #GMABookClub.
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

If youre looking for a personal loan, your options are increasing. Theres the traditional route  visit a loan officer at your bank  or the more modern option of an online lender that can get you a loan virtually overnight, if you qualify.

Financial technology companies that offer personal loans online are encroaching on banks in the lending business. Fintechs originated almost half (49.4%) of unsecured loans in March 2019, up from 22.4% in March 2015, according to a recent study by credit bureau Experian.

While some large national banks dont offer personal loans, others are responding to the competition with online offerings of their own. PNC Bank, one of the largest banks in the U.S., launched online personal loans this year to capture customers it couldnt serve at brick-and-mortar locations, says senior vice president for personal lending Chris Dervan.

Like many industries, theres been a big trend toward digital, and that trend will continue, he says. But part of what were seeing is that theres still a substantial customer base who likes that personal touch.

The heightened competition means consumers can handpick where they get a personal loan, be it online or at a bank branch. Here are four questions to ask when choosing between a bank loan and an online loan.

1. Would you pay for personalized loan service?

One of the obvious differences between bank and online lenders is the face-to-face exchange you can have at a physical bank.

If you value personal interaction and the security of knowing who is handling your loan, a bank might be for you, says Eric Simonson, a Minneapolis-based certified financial planner and owner of Abundo Wealth.

Some people like to just know that theres a  person that makes sure the loan goes through smoothly for them, he says.

Also, you may have the opportunity to negotiate a lower rate or qualify with a lower credit score if youre talking to a person you already have a relationship with at a bank, Simonson says.

But the personal touch might come at a premium, says Oklahoma-based CFP Kyle Jackson. He says brick-and-mortar banks tend to pass on to the consumer operational costs that online lenders dont have, which can result in higher rates or fees.

2. How fast do you need the money?

If you need a loan quickly, online might be the way to go.

Online lenders  and traditional banks with an online option  can sometimes process an application and make a decision more quickly than banks that dont have an internet presence, Jackson says.

Some of those lenders can fund the loan the same day you apply, or the following business day.

Lenders with an online presence can also expedite your research process if they post their rates, says Todd Nelson, senior vice president with LightStream, the online lending arm of SunTrust Bank.

If youve got good credit, you dont really worry whether youre going to get approved, he says. What youre more concerned with is Am I going to waste my time with applying for a loan and getting back an offer I dont want?

3. Are you comfortable applying for and managing a loan online?

For an online loan application, youll need to electronically share information like your Social Security number, education history and bank account information, which might require granting the lender access.

Especially in those cases, beware of scammers. Wisconsin-based CFP Ben Smith with Cove Financial Planning says that if you dont feel confident that you can tell whether an online lender is legitimate, the safest option would be a physical bank.

Managing a loan online, which typically means your only contact with the lender is via a customer service representative, can prove challenging for folks who arent financially or technologically savvy, Jackson says. If this is you, the online-only experience may not be a good fit.

4. Where can you get the best loan?

The chief considerations when shopping for a loan should be its rate, fees and terms, Nelson says, rather than whether its from an online lender or a bank branch.

Some online lenders let you pre-qualify and see your potential rate, which is helpful information to have as you shop around.

Simonson notes that if you have less-than-desirable credit or are seeking a loan for a nontraditional reason, a community bank or credit union might be more willing to take on the risk of lending to you than a big bank or online lender would be.

Annie Millerbernd is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: amillerbernd@nerdwallet.com.

The article Online or In Person: Whats the Better Way to Get a Loan? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
Police officers patrol in the park in Villejuif after the attack - AFP

One man was killed and two other people seriously injured in a knife attack by an unidentified assailant in the Paris suburb of Villejuif on Friday.

Police shot dead the assailant, who has not been identified. The motive is still unknown. The attacker apparently stabbed people at random in the Hautes-Bruyeres park, which was packed with families and children during the school holidays. He stabbed two people before he entered the park.

The man who died was an elderly local man who tried to defend his wife, who was stabbed in the neck and is described as being in critical condition in hospital.

Police cordoned off the area as they checked for possible accomplices. Anti-terrorist prosecutors have gone to the scene to assess whether the motive was terrorism.

Loic Travers, a police union spokesman, said: No one can be sure at this stage whether this was a terrorist act.

Witnesses told Le Parisien newspaper that the attacker shouted Allahu Akhbar as he lunged at passers-by.

Yves Lefebvre, another police union spokesman, said the offficers had opened fire on the attacker because they feared he might be wearing a suicide belt.

Police used a robot to examine his body for explosives but none were found. The assailant, who has not been named, was psychologically troubled, according to local sources. He was known to be in the habit of walking barefoot in the park.

At 16:15 local time, several hundred people were being kept inside a shopping centre near the scene of the attack under police orders. A police source said officers wanted to make sure the area was safe before allowing them to leave.

After the attack, the knifeman fled to another suburb, L'Hay-les-Roses, where he was shot dead by police, security sources said.

Vincent Jeanbrun, the mayor of Villejuif, said: People are really shocked and worried and theyre saying this could happen anywhere at any time, but they are relieved that the police intervened rapidly.

Story continues

Police arrived at the scene about 10 minutes after the attack, reported to have taken place at 14:00 local time (13:00 UK time).

A bystander phoned the police within a few minutes of the attack to report two injured people lying on the ground, and another caller reported a man carrying a knife. Police arriving at the park heard shouts from people running away from the park.

Witnesses said dozens of people ran from the area in panic as news of the attack spread.

The injured received initial treatment in several ambulances which rushed to the scene.

Laurent Nunez, the junior interior minister, arrived at the scene within two hours of the attack.

In April 2015, police said they had foiled an apparent terrorist plan to attack at least one church in Villejuif. An Algerian suspect, Sid Ahmed Ghlam, 24, was arrested in Paris after he accidentally shot himself in the leg. He later admitted planning to attack one or two churches in Villejuif, the interior minister said.

France has been on high alert for terrorism and thousands of armed police and soldiers have been patrolling city streets since 130 people were killed in the November 2015 Paris attacks, claimed by Isil.
Lenovo is introducing a new brand for personal computers aimed at content creators: the company is unveiling two Lenovo Creator Edition laptops ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show  but theyll only be available in select markets not including North America.

Theres also a new Creator Edition desktop computer that will be available globally, plus a few Creator Edition monitors.

The Lenovo Yoga Creator 7 is a 15.6 inch laptop with support for up to an unspecified 10th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and the latest NVIDIA GTX graphics (which Ive come to learn is code for NVIDIA hasnt announced the GPU that were using yet).

The laptop has a 1920 x 1080 pixel IPS display with 100-percent sRGB color gamut and support for up to 300-nits of brightness, support for up to 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of PCIe solid state storage.

Lenovo says the Yoga Creator 7 measures about 0.7 inches thick and has a starting weight of 4 pounds. It supports WiFI 6 and has a decent range of ports including a USB 3.1 Type-C port, two USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports, HDMI port, and SD card slot  but no Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Other features include a backlit keyboard, fingerprint reader, numeric keypad, and support for Alexa and Cortana. The notebook has a front-facing Dolby Atmos speaker in addition two two more stereo speakers.

Lenovos IdeaPad Creator 5 is a 4.8 pound laptop with a 15.6 inch full HD anti-glare display with 100-percent Adobe RGB color gamut. It also supports up to a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 processor and the latest NVIDIA graphics card, but this model has a smaller 45 Wh battery, stereo 1.5 watt speakers, and a chunkier body that measures about an inch thick.

It tops out at 802.11ac WiFi, but this model does have a dedicated Ethernet jack in addition to an HDMI port, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, and a USB 2.1 Type-C port.

Again, neither of these laptops will be sold in North America.

What you will be able to buy in the US is the new Lenovo IdeaCentre Creator 5 desktop PC with support for up to the latest Intel Core i9 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics, 32GB of RAM, and 3TB of storage (1TB SSD + 2TB HDD). But it wont go on sale until October, when youll be able to pick one up for $1100 and up.

Lenovo is also launching two new Creator edition monitors  the $900, 27 inch, 4k Lenovo Qreater 27 Monitor with slim bezels and a screen that vibrates to function as a speaker, and the 27 inch, 2560 x 1440 pixel Lenovo Q27h Monitor with a $350 price tag.
An Irishman living in Australia has told of his "intense" experience after being trapped with his family in the deadly bushfires on the east coast.

Diarmuid O'Connor, from Ennis in Co Clare, lives in Sydney but was holidaying with family in Bateman's Bay when a warning over the fires broke out on New Year's Eve morning.

Eight people have been killed by wildfires in New South Wales (NWS) and Victoria since Monday and 18 are missing, officials said. Tens of thousands of holidaymakers fled seaside towns on Australia's east coast as bushfires approached, and military ships and helicopters began rescuing thousands more trapped by the blazes.

Emergency

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Fuelled by searing temperatures and high winds, more than 200 fires are burning, threatening several towns.

The NSW government declared a state of emergency yesterday, giving authorities the power to forcibly evacuate people and take control of services.

Speaking on Today With Sean O'Rourke on RTE Radio One yesterday, Mr O'Connor said: "We're staying in a campsite, so we got evacuated to the beach. We stayed on the beach for maybe two hours while the fires burned around us.

"We thought we were OK but then we saw a lot of water bombers coming into the town, dropping loads of water.

"There was a lot of helicopters dropping buckets into the sea. It was a very intense.

"We eventually got back to the campsite, but we had another big scare then. The sky went completely orange, there was no visibility, smoke everywhere. It got very scary.

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''It's just been mayhem for two days. There's been no power - no communications. Internet down, phone down. People didn't know what the situation was, or what roads were open to leave the town."

Mr O'Connor spoke while he was stuck on the Princes Highway with his two daughters after an evacuation order was issued. He said his family were stuck in a town called Milton after having travelled 60km in 12 hours.

"The road has been closed now for eight hours. Essentially, we're sitting in the world's biggest car park. Apparently the road is open ahead but they're only letting 100 cars go at a time."

Meanwhile, a business owner described it as "hell on earth".

"It is the worst anybody's ever seen," Michelle Roberts said by telephone from the Croajingolong Cafe she owns in Mallacoota, a town where 4,000 residents and visitors have been stranded on the beach since Monday night.

Ms Roberts hoped to get her 18-year-old daughter onto HMAS Choules, a naval ship, which arrived yesterday in order to escape the fires and thick smoke engulfing the town.

Evacuation

But the ship, which can carry up to 1,000, may need to make two or three voyages.

Elsewhere, long queues formed outside supermarkets and petrol stations as residents and tourists emptied shelves of staples such as bread and milk.

More than 50,000 people were without power and some towns had no drinking water.

"Everyone's on edge," said Shane Flanagan, a resident of Batemans Bay.

Authorities urged a mass exodus from several towns on the southeast coast, an area popular with tourists during the summer, warning that extreme heat forecast for the weekend will further stoke the fires.

"The priority today is fighting fires and evacuating, getting people to safety," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

"There are parts of both Victoria and New South Wales which have been completely devastated, with a loss of power and communications."

Temperatures are forecast to soar above 40C along the south coast tomorrow, bringing the prospect of renewed firefronts to add to 200 current blazes.

"It is going to be a very dangerous day. It's going to be a very difficult day," NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

Forced to defend his government's limited action on climate change, Mr Morrison blamed a three-year drought and lack of hazard reduction for the unprecedented extent and duration of this year's bushfires.

Bushfires so far this season have razed more than 4 million hectares of bushland and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, including 381 homes destroyed on the south coast this week.
A Massachusetts-based nonprofit that tracks police suicides says at least 228 officers died by suicide in 2019, the highest number the organization has reported yet.

The 2019 number is again higher than all other line-of-duty deaths combined, a release from Blue H.E.L.P. says.

Because the organization compiles reports of suicide deaths among current and retired officers to arrive at its number, the true total is likely higher. That also means this year's increase may simply indicate more people are reporting officers' suicide deaths.

"While it's disheartening to see these numbers rise, we can't be sure that suicides are on the rise or if they are being reported more accurately," a release quotes Karen Solomon, co-founder of Blue H.E.L.P.

The organization, which allows individuals and agencies to report officers' suicide deaths on its website, says this is the fourth year it has collected data.

Currently, the organization's website reports 172 officer deaths due to suicide in 2018, 168 in 2017 and 143 in 2016. As of Thursday night, the organization has reported one officer died due to suicide in 2020.

Citing data from the Officer Down Memorial Page Inc., Solomon told USA TODAY in an email that 132 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2019, data that includes deaths due to 9/11 illness and heart attacks.

Blue H.E.L.P.'s count of officer suicides in 2019 will continue to grow as new reports are made, Solomon wrote.

Blue H.E.L.P. hopes to help lower the number of officer deaths due to suicide with advocacy work, including increasing the availability of mental health resources for officers across the country.

Talking about mental health within the law enforcement community was taboo for many years, but that culture is slowly changing, Jeff McGill  the organization's co-founder  has previously said.

How cops cope with shooting trauma: 'Theyre going to be forever changed,' Virginia Beach police chief says

Story continues

More clinicians who understand law enforcement culture are needed, and departments should boost support systems, both within their department and within officers' families, for employees who respond to shootings, car wrecks and deaths over the length of their career, McGill said.

"It builds up over time, and while it might not affect you right now, these psychological injuries that come along with a law enforcement career are likely to cause problems within your personal or professional life," he said. "We have to be more proactive. We have to."

New York City Police officials gather along Wilcox Street behind the 121st Precinct station house following a report of a police officer shot in the Staten Island borough of New York, Friday, June 14, 2019. The officer's condition wasn't immediately known. (Joseph Ostapiuk/Staten Island Advance via AP)

This summer, three New York City police officers died by suicide in 10 days, prompting NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill to encourage fellow officers to not be afraid to seek help.

"This is a mental-health crisis," O'Neill tweeted. "And we  the NYPD and the law enforcement profession as a whole  absolutely must take action. This cannot be allowed to continue.

"Accepting help is never a sign of weakness," he added. "In fact, it's a sign of great strength."

Examples of officers who worked to resolve a mental health crisis by seeking help can be a powerful tool for aiding officers in need, according to Blue H.E.L.P.'s release.

"Success stories need to be told  they exist, and they can help police officers, agencies, and organizations continue to change the culture in law enforcement in positive ways," the release quotes Blue H.E.L.P. public relations adviser Doug Wyllie.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

Contributing: Christal Hayes and Joey Garrison, USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blue HELP reports 228 police suicides in 2019, highest total yet
The stars were aligned perfectly on Thursday for benchmark indices to touch fresh record highs but overnight news about US killing a top Iranian commander in an airstrike in Iraq flared geopolitical concerns which could weigh on equity markets.

Indian market could remain under pressure if the tensions escalate between the US and Iraq, says Rusmik Oza, Sr. VP (Head of Fundamental Research-PCG), Kotak Securities Ltd in a special podcast with Moneycontrol.

Iran vowed harsh revenge after the United States killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and architect of Irans spreading military influence in the Middle East, in an airstrike said a Reuters report.

The geopolitical concerns which have emerged are severe because Iran would retaliate which could spook the market further, especially the Crude. It could have little longer implication, he said.

He further added that considering the fact that the market was trading with high valuations, and everyone was too optimistic about the Budget 2020  this (geopolitical concerns) lead to a knee-jerk reaction. The negative sentiment on the Street could remain for 1-2 weeks.

A mild correction in the market is possible that will be led by heavyweights which rallied in the past. But, overall the market structure is still sound and the event does not change the theme of global liquidity which will still remain abundant.

Investors would have to wait for record highs. Oza is of the view that if the geopolitical concerns escalate then the market could take a breather if not, the record highs are possible ahead of the Budget.

Impact on crude oil:

The crude oil is likely to head towards $70-75/bbl. We are in a comfortable zone as long as the crude oil prices are trading below the $75/bbl mark, said Oza.

However, the recent run-up is temporary and as and when things stabalise crude oil prices would also nomalise. So, yes, crude prices will spike but it would not be able to hold onto higher levels as long as we dont have a war-like situation.

Tune in to the podcast for more.

: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
President Donald Trump stands in front of the media while talking about the situation at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, from his Mar-a-Lago property, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Associated Press

President Donald Trump on Friday morning put out his first substantive statement on his decision to order an airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran's most powerful military leader, late Thursday.

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!" Trump tweeted.

He added: "While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump on Friday morning put out his first substantive statement on his decision to order an airstrike that killed Iran's most powerful military leader, Qassem Soleimani, late Thursday.

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!" Trump tweeted. "He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself."

The president added: "While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

Soleimani was the commander of the elite Quds Force and a revered leader in Iran.

Shortly after Trump's tweets, John Bolton, his former national security adviser, congratulated "all involved in eliminating" Soleimani.

Story continues

"Long in the making, this was a decisive blow against Iran's malign Quds Force activities worldwide," Bolton, a hardcore Iran hawk, tweeted. "Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran."

Iraqi state TV first reported news of the airstrike, though it was initially unclear who carried it out. The Pentagon later confirmed that the US military, acting on the orders of the president, was responsible.

"The U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force," the Pentagon said in a statement.

It added: "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

The statement also blamed Iran for attacks on coalition bases in Iraq in recent months and for orchestrating the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad this week.

Soleimani's killing drew vastly differing responses from US lawmakers. While many said that Soleimani was a dangerous force that threatened stability in the Middle East, Democratic lawmakers criticized the president for ordering the airstrike without the congressional approval mandated by US law.

They also warned of the consequences of Trump escalating tensions with Iran and bringing the US closer to the brink of a potentially devastating war in the region.

"Tonight's airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement Thursday night. "America  and the world  cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return."

Sen. Tom Udall of New Mexico tweeted that Trump's order brought the US "to the brink of an illegal war with Iran."

"Passing our bipartisan amendment to prevent unconstitutional war with Iran is urgent. Congress needs to step in immediately," he added.

Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut sounded the alarm as well.

"Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. That's not a question," he tweeted. "The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?"

Republicans, meanwhile, praised the president, saying he took decisive action to protect American interests abroad.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted that Iraqis were "dancing in the street for freedom" and "thankful that General Soleimani is no more."

Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, also congratulated Trump while criticizing former President Barack Obama.

"Soleimani was a mass murderer. He killed many Americans and his own people," Giuliani tweeted. "This is not Benghazi. Obama did nothing about it.@realDonaldTrump acted immediately to protect Americans. Democrats are also Americans and should support our President."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Uttar Pradesh minister Dara Singh Chauhan on Friday hailed Narendra Modi's leadership saying only a prime minister from a backward community was capable of retaliating the Pulwama terror attack, bringing back Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from Pakistan and introducing amendments to the citizenship law.

Addressing a congregation of OBC community members here, Uttar Pradesh forest minister Chauhan, said Prime Minister Modi has given constitutional rights to the OBCs and that is why the opposition is scared and clamouring for his removal.

"You saw it after Pulwama (attack). No other prime minister could have dared to do so... A decision to retaliate could be taken because the son of a backward community member is the prime minister of the country. Be it (Article) 370 or Citizenship Amendment Act. No one could have done this, save a backward community member, a man with a 56-inch chest," Chauhan said.

"You saw it after Pulwama. Our jawan who was left behind in Pakistan... His name is Abhinandan. Everyone knows him. We cannot even imagine what Pakistan would have done to him. But a man from backward community born to a poor mother said 'Listen, if we don't see Abhinandan in our country by tomorrow, people will find it difficult to search for Pakistan on world map," he said.

Chauhan alleged that for 70 years, prime ministers from non-BJP parties "disrespected and trampled" on the OBCs.

Modi gave reservation to OBC students in Kendriya Vidyalayas. For the first time, any government has extended OBC reservation benefits to PSUs and other financial institutions, he said.

He accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of deceiving OBCs by stopping their registration in OBC list.

"Once BJP is in power in Delhi, we will include all OBC people on the national capital's OBC list and give employment to them and their family members," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LONDON  The number of migrants arriving in Britain in small boats crossing the English Channel rose more than sixfold over the past year, according to estimates from the BBC and other news organizations, even as the government moved to step up enforcement.

At least 1,892 people arrived by small boats crossing the Channel in 2019, according to research by the BBC. That remains a small fraction of the number crossing the Mediterranean to continental Europe  more than 100,000 last year, according to the United Nations, down from more than a million in 2015.

But it contrasts with the governments official figure of 297 for Channel crossings in 2018.

Security experts and rights groups said the rise reflected the closing of migrant camps in Calais and Dunkirk, in France. From those busy ports, migrants could stow away on trucks, generally a less risky option than crossing in often unseaworthy small vessels.

The authorities have also sought to crack down on smuggling by truck and shipping container, prompting migrants to seek alternative routes like the dangerous Channel crossing.
Maura Higgins has revealed she 'struggled to keep a roof over her head' while battling severe financial problems prior to finding fame on Love Island.

The reality star, 29, explained how this time last year she was 'so unhappy' but is now looking forward to an 'even bigger' 2020 as she reflecting on an 'incredible 2019.

In a lengthy Instagram post, the former ring girl - who will make her Dancing On Ice debut on Sunday night - warned fans that social media is not real life, while thanking them for their support.

Changes: Maura Higgins has revealed she 'struggled to keep a roof over her head' while battling severe financial problems prior Love Island (pictured on a private jet in December)

Maura wrote: '(Bit late) Wishing everyone a very happy & healthy new year! I honestly cant put into words how incredible my 2019 has been.

'To think this time last year I was so unhappy and struggling to keep a roof over my head...you can achieve anything you put your mind too!!

'A lot of you would have looked at my social media and thought wow she has an incredible life to all of the young girls reading this, please remember Instagram is NOT real life!

'We can all filter, photoshop, edit etc (guilty) but we never know what is actually going on in a persons life, so for 2020 please remember to be kind.

Grateful: The reality star, 29, explained how this time last year she was 'so unhappy' but is now looking forward to an 'even bigger' 2020 as she reflecting on an 'incredible 2019'

Thanks: In a lengthy Instagram post, the former ring girl warned fans that social media is not real life, while thanking them for their support

'I am so incredibly grateful for all of the support I have been given in the last few months... 2020 is going to be even bigger. I love you all.' (sic)

Maura found fame last summer when she entered the Love Island villa and coupled up with ballroom dancer Curtis Pritchard - after he left 'half-girlfriend' Amy Hart.

She had initially set her sights on boxer Tommy Fury, who was coupled up with social media star Molly-Mae Hague, and asked him for a kiss during her first few days on the show.

After finishing in fourth place, Maura has gone on to star in fashion campaigns and even have her own collection with Ann Summers.

Pals: Former Islander Lucie Donlan commented on Maura's post, saying she was 'inspiring'

Wow: The brunette bombshell has graced the covers of magazines including Hello!, Grazia and Ireland's Stellar after her stint on TV

The brunette bombshell has also graced the covers of magazines including Hello!, Grazia and Ireland's Stellar.

Prior to appearing on the ITV2 dating show, Maura worked as a ring girl and model, while making a little extra cash by selling lingerie and bikinis on online marketplace Depop, for as little as 9.

Life post-Love Island has been so busy for Maura that she's had to spend time away from her boyfriend Curtis, 23.

The pair finally found the time to reunite as she documented their meeting with a sexy bath snap while wishing her followers a Happy New Year.

Maura shared a steamy picture of professional dancer Curtis naked in the bath as she joined him while sipping a glass of red wine.

Loved-up: Maura and her professional dancer boyfriend Curtis Pritchard, 23, came fourth on the show and have stayed together since leaving the villa

Steamy: Maura and Curtis finally found the time to reunite, as she documented their meeting with a sexy bath snap while wishing her followers a Happy New Year

Their reunion comes days after Curtis told TV host Lorraine Kelly he will be too busy to spend time with Maura over the festive period.

He revealed he will be kept 'quite busy' with his role as Dick Whittington in a pantomime in High Wycombe until January 5, as he joked: 'I think I have a day off in March next year.'

His brother, Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard, 25, quipped: 'Maybe more like April', as the pair appeared on the ITV1 show to speak about their panto roles.

Maura is hard at work as she prepares to compete in Dancing On Ice, which starts on Sunday - the date her boyfriend finishes his pantomime.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Ranjit Savarkar, the grandson of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar, on Friday, expressed sadness and disappointment after Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray did not meet him over Congress Seva Dal's anti-Savarkar booklet.



Ranjit came to Mumbai to meet Thackeray over Congress Seva Dal booklet which claimed that Savarkar had a 'physical relationship' with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

As Thackeray did not meet him, Ranjit after submitting the letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office, said; "I came to meet the Chief Minister. I had sent several requests for an appointment but I could not meet him. He didn't have a minute to talk to me even when it's about Savarkar ji's respect. I am highly disappointed. It is an insult to Savarkar ji."

He said that he came to Mumbai to request Thackeray that state government should also file a case against those who have insulted Savarkar.

He questioned that the "importance of Savarkar has reduced that Chief Minister cannot give his two minutes" over the issue related to him.

"I will keep doing my bit for Savarkar's respect. If they do not listen to me then I will go to Janta Darbar," he said.

Ranjit also said that a case must be filed against several people, including Rahul Gandhi and Congress Seva Dal, for levelling allegations against Veer Savarkar.

The booklet titled 'Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence.

"Writer has written it on the basis of evidence. But that's not important for us whether he was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old. (ANI)


India had in Dec announced cancellation of its annual summit with Japan due to the violent protests that rocked Assam over CAA controversy.

New Delhi: After cancellation of its annual summit with Japan that was to have been held in Guwahati, India on Thursday expressed confidence that the new dates for the summit would be finalised very soon in consultation with the Japanese side.

It may be recalled that due to the violent protests that rocked Assam in December due to the CAA controversy, India had last month announced cancellation of its annual summit with Japan that was to have been held in Guwahati from December 15 to 17. With that, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abes scheduled visit to India for the summit had also then been cancelled. While the dates had then been officially announced by India, Guwahati had never been announced as the venue officially although preparations had been made to hold it there.

On Thursday, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, We are in touch with the Japanese side through diplomatic channels. We do hope that very soon, we will come to the finalisation of the date. It is an annual mechanism, the Summit that was supposed to be held in December, that is the one that is getting postponed. All these matters will be in discussion with the Japanese side.

Meanwhile, the MEA spokesperson also said that Australian PM Scott Morrison had been invited to India to address the Raisina Dialogue conference -organised jointly every January by the MEA and private thinktank ORF  in the middle of this month. The MEA also said at least 10 foreign ministers of various countries had already confirmed participation to attend the Raisina Dialogue.
The Congress told Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday that NDA constituents and chief ministers of the ruling BJP were not accepting the amended Citizenship Act but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and he continued to abuse the opposition.

"Amit Shahji, Modiji and you have been made by the public to work as prime minister and home minister and not abuse the opposition leaders.

"Your allies are not accepting the divisive CAA, your own chief ministers are not accepting the CAA. Should we send you a Hindi translation," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet in Hindi.

He tagged a report that said Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was not ready to accept the CAA in his state.

Surjewala earlier dared Modi to dismiss his own chief minister for openly opposing the amended Citizenship Act and declare him an "anti-national" for doing so.

"Mr Prime Minister, Stop fooling India! Your own CM is openly opposing CAA. Will you now declare him 'anti national'? I challenge you to dismiss him before criticising the opposition," he wrote on Twitter.

Sonowal gave a fresh twist to the debate over the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), after he tweeted, saying, "As a son of Assam, I will never settle foreigners in my state. This Sarbananda Sonowal will never allow this...."



The Congress has been attacking the BJP-led government over the CAA and its chief ministers have said they would not implement the new citizenship law in their states.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CDC survey showed that 55.3% of kids tried e-cigarettes because they were curious about them while 22.4% were intrigued by the flavors. Almost all, 86.3%, had come in contact with some form of nicotine-product advertisement.

According to the anti-tobacco group Truth Initiative, youths under 25 are three times more likely to smoke fruit-flavored e-cigarettes than adults.

Britain has imposed strict regulations on e-cigarette marketing and targeting of children. American companies, on the other hand, remain free to market their products as they please. Some websites post a pro-forma question asking visitors whether they are older than 21, but all it takes is a click on the yes button, and a world of flavor purchases awaits.
First person to legally obtain 'nonbinary' gender status now calls it psychologically harmful

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The first person to obtain legal nonbinary gender designation on ID cards and U.S. documents has called the scheme a sham and recently changed his legal sex marker back to male to accurately reflect his biological sex.

James Shupe, who used to go by the name Jamie when he identified as female, successfully petitioned the same court that allowed him to obtain "nonbinary" legal status to allow him to restore his sex marker on his birth certificate to "male," according to PJ Media.

Documents exclusively given to the outlet show that Shupe's petition described "non-binary"  a gender identity that is said to mean neither male nor female or perhaps some of both  as a "psychologically harmful legal fiction."

Shupe now says he hopes his successful petition will prevent others from seeking that same legal recognition.

"The charade of not being male, the legal fiction, it's over," Shupe said in an interview with PJ Media.

"The lies behind my fictitious sex changes, something I shamefully participated in, first to female, and then to nonbinary, have been forever exposed. A truthful accounting of events has replaced the deceit that allowed me to become America's first legally nonbinary person."

He added, "The legal record has now been corrected and LGBT advocates are no longer able to use my historic nonbinary court order to advance their toxic agenda."

"I am and have always been male. That is my biological truth, the only thing capable of grounding me to reality."

In March, Shupe announced on Twitter that he had come to faith in God. He is also speaking out about the harms inherent in transgender medicine.

"I ended up in the psych ward three times because of hormones. I had blood clots in my eyes because my estrogen levels were 2,585 instead of 200, low bone density, problems controlling my bladder, and emotional instability," Shupe told the outlet.

"Blood tests indicated I was dropping into kidney disease territory (EFGR below 60) for about 18 months, I had chronic dermatology issues and skin reactions to estrogen patches, I passed out on the kitchen floor from Spironolactone."

In 2015, The New York Times published an article about his transition from male to female. The following summer an Oregon judge issued a court order for his sex to be legally changed from female to nonbinary  designated with the letter X  on his birth certificate.

Earlier this year, Shupe also asked the Social Security Administration to change his identity on documents back to male. The government agency reportedly refused to accept a letter from a doctor saying that he was indeed a biological male, and instead required him to use their template stating he had undergone a gender transition to male.

"It's an incredibly painful thing to walk back a landmark court decision that made you internationally famous and admit the whole thing was based on lies and deceit," he said.

In an interview with The Christian Post earlier this year, when asked what he would tell young people who have begun believing they are transgender or nonbinary, Shupe said he knows they have been led to think that gender identities are real but they are not.

"To the children, I say: I understand that you are reluctant to take the advice of older people and would prefer to test things out yourself, but you can't walk this harm back. You only have one body. You only have one reproductive system. Please don't ruin it chasing the fantasy that you are something other than your biological sex," Shupe said.

"While your suffering is real, a gender transition is not the answer to your problems. Right now there is no reward for being the person who resists succumbing to gender dysphoria. That's going to change and you should be proud to be a part of that change."
The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hassan Rouhani has promised that his country will carry out a retaliatory attack on the United States.

This is coming following the killing of Irans military leader, General Qasem Soleimani by a United States airstrike on the orders of US President, Donald Trump in Iraq.

Also Read: Thank God, Thank Trump: Fani Kayode Reacts As FG Orders Release Of Sowore, Dasuki

The killing of the Iranian military leader has caused world panic on social media.

And the President of Iran who hailed the late general for defending the integrity of Iran expressed that Iran will take revenge for the heinous crime.

See his post below:
Israel Unveils Unseen New Military Unit 'to Operate in All Fronts of the War'

Sputnik News

16:03 02.01.2020

The military did not reveal when it will become operational, but said troops that would be part of it have already arrived at a base, whose location has not been disclosed.

Israel's military said on Wednesday that it has created a new type of combat unit it called the first of its kind anywhere in the world. It will bring together several military specialisations under one roof. The Israeli Defence Forces said the unit, which will be comprised of air power, combat engineering, infantry, and tanks is part of a plan to make Israel's military more lethal, effective, and prepared for threats it is expected to face.

"Its members are meant to know how to operate in all fronts of the war, with the central characteristic being a high level of fitness and the ability to locate, attack, and destroy the enemy in all regions and on all levels", the military said.

The IDF said the unit is revolutionary and has no analogue in the Israeli military. Even in cases when tanks are fighting along with infantry, each area is subordinate to its own commanders. The new unit would see all military specialisations under the same commander.

The detachment, which military officials said would be the size of a battalion, has not been named yet, but at the moment is being referred to as "the multi-faceted unit". It will be commanded by a lieutenant identified only by the first letter of his Hebrew name.

The Israeli Defence Forces said it would not reveal what units would become part of the new detachment. However, it revealed that among them would be members of the 401st Armoured Brigade, the Golani Brigade, Nahal Brigade's Reconnaissance Battalion, the elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, and the Paratroopers Brigade.

The new detachment is also meant to serve as a testing ground for another combat unit tasked with developing new techniques and tactics.

A Sputnik

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A BASE jumper found himself stuck on a mountainside on Sunday and recorded his incredible rescue with his body camera.

Scott Frankson was base jumping over the Superstition Mountains in Arizona when his parachute got stuck. BASE jumping is a dangerous sport where participants leap from certain heights wearing a wingsuit and parachute (the acronym BASE stands for: buildings, antennas, spans and Earth, in the form of cliffs or promontories).

According to Good Morning America, Frankson has been BASE jumping for decades.

In the footage, Frankson is seen dangling off of a vertical wall where a small sliver of his torn parachute had caught onto a rocks edge. A helicopter is seen hovering above his head and state troopers worked to figure out how to grab ahold of Frankson before the parachute fully ripped.

The wind can be heard whipping through the parachute, making Franksons situation all the scarier. He was suspended hundreds of feet off the ground.

Finally, a state trooper was able to release Frankson from his parachute and pull him back to the mountain top. Miraculously, Frankson escaped the horrifying situation unscathed and calmly walked away from the cliffs edge.

In 2015, Frankson had another close call BASE jumping over the same Superstition Mountains, Good Morning America reports. His body camera footage from that event revealed how his parachute lines got tangled with a friends parachute, and the two spiraled down the mountain face in an almost-deadly free fall. At the last second, the two were able to separate, and Frankson crash-landed on the face of a boulder.

BASE jumping is legal at Superstition Mountain, although officials advise against it.
US President Donald Trump spoke of war in his first remarks after the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force (IRGC) , at his direction. US officials have said the Iranian general posed imminent threats to Americans in Iraq and the region.

Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike on a convoy of cars near the Baghdad airport Thursday, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an Iraqi militia commander.

Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation! President Trump wrote in a cryptic tweet Friday morning in his first remarks on the killing, in a clear reference to the Iran deal from which he withdrew in May 2018, calling it a horrible one-sided deal. Thus far, his only response had been a tweet of the American flag.

Watch: Qasem Soleimani killed by a US air strike, all you need to know

The reference to war was taken by experts as a warning to Iran of consequences to a retaliatory strike, which has been signaled by Teheran. The US is prepared for all eventualities, officials have said. As a precautionary measure, the state department has asked US citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

The president followed up with more posts, subsequently saying Soleimani had killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number.

He went on to claim Soleimani was both hated and feared in Iran and that Iranians are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!

In phone calls to counterparts in Germany, China and the UK, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States remained committed to de-escalation, according to readouts of those calls released by the state department. He described the killing as a defensive action taken in response to imminent threats to American lives.

Soleimani was considered the second most powerful man in the Iranian government after the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and he was said to be a charismatic general who was widely respected and revered by the forces.

A retaliatory response was expected from Iran, which could potentially plunge West Asia, an area already at the edge, into a military conflict with severe implications for world oil prices and related issues.

At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the US department of defense said in a statement late Thursday, adding, IRGC-QF was a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

The Pentagon said Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

And went on to hold him responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had orchestrated multiple attacks on US-led coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months  including the attack on December 27th  culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, it said.

The US defense department said the a airstrike aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans and warned that it will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

The United States designated IRGC a foreign terrorist organization in April, making it the first government agency so proscribed by the US. And Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had declared Soleimani a terrorist shortly after, setting him up as a possible military target.

Hes a terrorist. Qassem Soleimani has the blood of Americans on his hands, as do the forces he leads, Pompeo told Fox news. America is determined each time we find an organization, institution or an individual that has taken the lives of individuals, it is our responsibility to reduce that risk.

The Iranian generals killing quickly became political with the presidents rivals. No American will mourn Qassem Soleimanis passing, said former vice-president Joe Biden in a statement. He deserved to be brought to justice for his crimes against American troops and thousands of innocents throughout the region. He supported terror and sowed chaos.

But Biden, who is the top contender for the Democratic nomination to take on Trump in November, added, None of that negates the fact that this is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region. Serious concerns were expressed by others of a retaliatory strike from Iran.

Experts were unanimous about an impending response but they were unsure about the time and place. Or, the magnitude.
President Moon Jae-in offers his hand gestures to Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, Moon's right, on his way for a tea meeting also with other senior presidential aides at the President's main working room in Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



President Moon Jae-in appointed former ruling party head Choo Mi-ae as justice minister Thursday, a few days after the National Assembly passed a bill to set up an anti-corruption agency to investigate corruption allegations against high-profile officials.



"At the stroke of midnight, Choo Mi-ae officially took the role as the country's justice minister. President Moon approved this at 7 a.m., Thursday," Cheong Wa Dae spokeswoman Ko Min-jung told reporters via a text message.



The appointment came two days after President Moon requested the National Assembly to approve Choo for the position. He asked the Assembly to forward confirmation reports by New Year's Day, however, it failed to do so as the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) refused to adopt them.



Generally, minister-nominees must undergo a confirmation hearing at the Assembly, but the President isn't bound by any recommendation made, and can appoint his designates to the posts despite the parliamentary body's disapproval.



Moon has done so in previous cases. "After the President decided to nominate Choo for the position, he had no plans to withdraw the nomination," another Cheong Wa Dae official said.



The new justice minister has a "candid outspoken style" and is widely-regarded as a "reformer." She is a long-time ally of the President and is considered the "right fit" for the position because of her backing of Moon's drive for prosecutorial reform.



The position has been vacant for 80 days since Moon accepted the resignation of Cho Kuk. Cho, considered one of Moon's top lieutenants, resigned citing the growing burden from a corruption investigation into his family on multiple charges.



The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office indicted Cho last week. A prosecution official said the former justice minister was facing at least 11 criminal charges including working with his wife to manipulate and fabricate official documents to help their daughter's admission into prestigious universities.



Officials at the presidential office and ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmakers said Choo would accelerate efforts to reform the prosecutorial system amid growing public distrust of state prosecutors.



"The new justice minister is the right person to reform and stabilize the prosecution. We want Choo to firmly strengthen its core values in terms of fairness and justice. Choo is determined to explore all measures that will complete prosecutorial reform," DPK spokesman Lee Hae-shik said Thursday.



President Moon's appointment of Choo angered the LKP which demanded her withdrawal citing the Assembly's non-confirmation.



Keen attention is being paid to any measures related to structural changes at the prosecution that Choo will come up with. These could include changes among senior prosecutors who support for Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-youl. Choo has made it clear that the justice ministry won't cooperate with prosecutors handling key pending issues.



"I am ready and will listen views and opinions on issues from the prosecutor's office. However, that doesn't mean the ministry will cooperate with the office as the justice minister has the authority to direct the prosecution," Choo told lawmakers during her recent Assembly confirmation hearing.



On taking power in 2017, President Moon vowed to reform the prosecution to improve transparency, strengthen fairness and to better handle social unease. The Assembly recently passed a bill to establish an independent agency dedicated to investigating allegations of illegal behavior by high-ranking government officials.



The prosecution has been center stage in controversies involving political corruption. Moon's liberal supporters claim that the prosecution has long been used "politically" by former conservative administrations to target their opponents.



The appointment of Choo and the passage of the bill come just months before a key general election in April, which the Moon administration and the ruling party view as a key barometer of public opinion for the second half of the incumbent's presidency.



Despite the President's initial rapid diplomatic rapprochement with North Korea at the start of his term, substantial results have yet to be seen. Relations between the Koreas have worsened as Cheong Wa Dae faces a number of other challenges including reviving the sagging economy.



"Cheong Wa Dae and the ruling party are under pressure to do something to prevent the President suffering from lame-duck status," a presidential office official said recently.



According to the latest poll by Gallup Korea, President Moon's approval rating in December was around 47 percent, about the same as at the beginning of the year.




Spains National Police force has arrested three men suspected of sexually assaulting three sisters from the United States on New Years Eve in the southeastern Spanish city of Murcia. The alleged victims, aged 23, 20 and 18, who are from Ohio, reported the incident to the authorities, sparking a manhunt that lasted around 24 hours until the suspects were detained.

Two of the women reported being raped vaginally, and the alleged attackers did not use condoms

The three women met the men in a pub on December 31, according to reports from local media outlet La Opinion de Murcia. One of the sisters left with one of the men to go to his house. The other two stayed in the bar until leaving with the remaining two men, headed to the apartment in which the women were staying and planning on continuing their New Years celebrations. In both cases, the women reported having been raped by the men, who, according to sources from the central government delegation in Murcia, are of Afghan origin.

After having reported the alleged sexual assaults, the women were given forensic examinations at the Hospital Virgen de la Arrixca in Murcia. According to La Opinon de Murcia, two of the women were raped vaginally, and the alleged attackers did not use condoms. As such, DNA evidence will potentially be able to back the womens story. The third woman, the same newspaper reported, was not raped vaginally but was sexually assaulted and beaten.

The Spanish authorities examined security camera footage and interviewed witnesses in order to identify the three men, who were located together in a property. The men offered no resistance to arrest and, according to sources from the investigation, appeared surprised when the police arrived.

After being arrested, the men  who are aged between 20 and 25  were taken to the cells of a police station. The three are facing charges for sexual assault, threats and battery.

The men offered no resistance to arrest and, according to sources from the investigation, appeared surprised when the police arrived

One of the sisters had been living in Murcia while studying at university, and was due to return on Thursday to the United States. The other two had been visiting their sister on vacation when the alleged assault took place.

According to sources from the investigation who spoke to state broadcaster RTVE, the three women were planning to maintain their travel plans and head back to the United States, leaving the case in the hands of their attorneys.

As well as offering help to the victims, the consulate section of the US Embassy is keeping in close contact with the Spanish police, according to a spokesperson from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

English version by Simon Hunter.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - The U.S. airstrike that killed a prominent Iranian general in Baghdad raises tensions even higher between Tehran and Washington, after months of trading attacks and threats across the wider Middle East.

How Iran will respond remains in question as well, though its supreme leader warned that a harsh retaliation is waiting for those who killed Revolutionary Guard Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani early Friday morning. That could include anything, from challenging U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf, firing ballistic missiles or deploying the asymmetrical proxy forces Iran has cultivated to cover for its long-sanctioned conventional forces.

Soleimanis death is the latest in a series of escalating incidents traces back to President Donald Trumps decision in 2018 to unilaterally withdraw America from Irans nuclear deal with world powers. However, overall enmity between Iran and the U.S. date back to its 1979 Islamic Revolution, as well as a 1953 U.S.-backed coup in Tehran that cemented the power of its ruling shah over an elected prime minister.

Heres where things stand now:

THE GENERALS KILLING

A U.S. airstrike near Baghdads international airport killed Soleimani, 62, as well as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, and five others. The Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week. Soleimani led the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards Quds, or Jerusalem, Force. That included overseeing forces fighting in Syria, as well as militias that targeted U.S. forces in Iraq with deadly bomb attacks after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

MONTHS OF ATTACKS

Citing an unspecified threat from Iran, the White House in May ordered a U.S. aircraft carrier to rush to the Persian Gulf. Soon after, explosions the U.S. blames on Iranian-laid mines targeting oil tankers near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil passes. Iran denied being involved, though it did seize oil tankers in response to one of its tankers being seized off Gibraltar. Iran also shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone. Trump pulled back from retaliating for the attack. Meanwhile, attacks on Saudi Arabias energy industry escalated to a missile-and-drone strike in September temporarily halving its oil production. Israel meanwhile has repeatedly struck Iran-linked targets in Syria in recent years and has warned against any permanent Iranian presence on the frontier. The attacks culminated with American airstrikes hitting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and those militiamen attacking the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

IRANS FALTERING NUCLEAR DEAL

The attacks came after Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw America from Irans nuclear deal with world powers. The 2015 accord saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump re-imposed American sanctions and levied even harsher ones, crippling its crucial oil industry. Iran initially proposed a policy called strategic patience, hoping to wait Trump out. But as Europe largely hasnt been able to offer Tehran a way around American sanctions, Iran has begun taking steps away from the deal. That has included breaking enrichment, stockpile and centrifuge limitations, as well as restarting its program at an underground facility. Tehran appears poised to take a new step away from the deal beginning from Sunday.

IRANS MEANS OF RETALIATION

Irans conventional military force is limited. The backbone of its air power remains pre-revolution American F-4s, F-5s and F-14s, with a mix of other Soviet, French and aging aircraft. That fleet is outgunned by the modern U.S.-supplied fighter jets flown by Israel and the Gulf Arab states. To counter that, Iran has put much of its money toward developing a ballistic missile program operated by the Guard. Iran could fall back on its regional militant allies or proxies to launch an attack, like Iraqi militiamen, Lebanons Hezbollah or Yemens Houthi rebels. The U.S. has blamed car bombs and kidnappings never claimed by Iran on Tehran as well. The Guard also routinely harasses U.S. Navy vessels in Persian Gulf and surrounding waterways, while Iran has surface-to-sea missile batteries along its coast as well.

AMERICAS BROAD MIDEAST PRESENCE

The Persian Gulf hosts a series of major American military installations. The U.S. Navys 5th Fleet, which oversees the region, is based in Bahrain, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia that is home to over 7,000 American troops. Kuwait hosts over 13,000 American troops and the U.S. Armys Central forward headquarters. Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is the largest port of call for the U.S. Navy outside of America. The UAE hosts 5,000 U.S. military personnel, many at Abu Dhabis Al-Dhafra Air Base, where American drones and advanced F-35 jetfighters are stationed. The forward headquarters of the U.S. militarys Central Command is at Qatars sprawling Al-Udeid Air Base, home to some 10,000 American troops. In Oman, the sultanate allows thousands of overflights and hundreds of landings a year, while also granting access to ports and its bases. Meanwhile, U.S. forces are in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

A HISTORY OF ENMITY

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. trace back decades. For Iranians, they point to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that toppled Mohammad Mosaddegh and cemented the power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Pahlavi served as a key U.S. ally for decades after, buying billions of dollars of weapons and allowing America to spy on the Soviet Union from his country. Over time, however, he eliminated all political opposition and seized all power in the country. By 1979, the fatally ill shah fled the country. The 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage crisis soon followed, a history the two countries remain captive to until today.

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Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
Declaring Amaravati as unfit for being the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a US-based global consulting firm, on Friday recommended that the entire state administration be shifted from Amaravati to Visakhapatnam.

The company submitted its report to chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at the Secretariat in the evening. A six-member expert committee, headed by retired IAS officer G N Rao, in its report submitted on December 21, also made a similar recommendation.

The government last week appointed a 16-member committee which would go through both the GN Rao panel report and the BCG report, before making its own recommendations on the capital city for the state by January 20.

Speaking to reporters after the BCG submitted its report, planning department secretary G S Vijay Kumar said the consultancy firm recommended that the state secretariat, Raj Bhavan and the chief ministers office be located in Visakhapatnam.

The assembly can be either in Vijayawada or Amaravati and the high court can be shifted to Kurnool, he said.

He said the BCG had suggested decentralised development of all regions with a balanced and inclusive growth strategy. It has divided the 13 districts in the state into six regions, depending on the natural resources and growth potential, taking into consideration economy, industry, agriculture, services, infrastructure, and social infrastructure aspects.

The BCG analysed the potential of Amaravati and said the success ratio for economic development was very low in the greenfield capital city. It will take more than 40 years for the development if Rs 1 lakh crore is spent for Amaravati construction. About Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 crore would be spent on only debt services for the capital city construction, the report said.

The BCG also felt that Amaravati was not suitable for construction of a capital city as the five kilometre range from the Krishna river front was prone to flooding and inundation. Instead, it can be developed as an education hub, food and fisheries hub and hi-tech organic agriculture hub. Focussed effort is needed on these clusters to ensure employment creation and faster development, the report said.

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WASHINGTON  Did President Donald Trump have the legal authority to order the killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq?

The answer depends largely on facts that arent publicly known yet. And experts are quick to point out that even if it was legally justified that doesnt make it the right decision, or one that will be politically smart in the long run. Iran and its allies are vowing revenge.

In its limited explanation so far, the Pentagon said Gen. Qassem Soleimani was actively developing plans to kill American diplomats and service members when he was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near the Baghdad airport shortly after arriving in the country.

That would appear to place the action within the legal authority of the president, as commander in chief, to use force in defense of the nation under Article II of the Constitution, said Bobby Chesney, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law who specializes in national security issues.

If the facts are as the Defense Department said, then the president relatively clearly has Article II authority to act in self-defense of American lives, Chesney said.

That justification would apply even if Soleimani hadnt already launched an attack under the established doctrine of anticipatory self-defense, according to Jeff Addicot, a retired Army officer and expert in national security law at St. Marys University School of Law in San Antonio.

Legally theres no issue, Addicot said. Politically, however, its going to be debated, whether its the correct response. In my opinion its the appropriate response, but its certainly legal.

Self-defense would be a legal justification under both U.S. law and the laws of international armed conflict, though the experts consulted by The Associated Press repeatedly stressed that this would depend on what intelligence prompted the killing, and American authorities may never release that information.

Under international law, self-defense, to be lawful, will need to be invoked in situations where there is an imminent attack against the interest of the territory, in this case of the United States, said Agnes Callamard, United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. At this point in time, the United States has not thus far provided any information suggesting that there was an imminent attack against the American interest.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the general posed an imminent threat. He was actively plotting in the region to take actions  a big action, as he described it  that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk, he told CNN.

The U.S. has used such justification in the past. In April 1986, President Ronald Reagan launched strikes against Libya based on what he said was solid evidence of attacks planned by longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi against U.S. installations, diplomats and American tourists. The attack, which the president said was carefully targeted to minimize casualties among civilians, killed about 40 people but not the Libyan leader.

One problem with relying on the self-defense rationale is that the justification is undermined if the risk of retaliation would create more of a threat to Americans, said David Glazier of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. This is an incredibly complex question, he said. Id be very wary of anyone who says they know the answer.

There are separate but related legal questions about other aspects of the attack that Iran state TV said killed a total of 10 people, including a deputy commander, five Revolutionary Guard members and Soleimanis son-in-law. Among them: Was this a legitimate military target? Yes, since the general was a military and not a civilian figure, according to experts.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, oversaw foreign operations that U.S. officials say have killed hundreds of American troops.

Callamard said the deaths of civilians make this potentially an arbitrary killing under international human rights law. But U.S. experts said so-called collateral deaths have long been an unfortunate fact of war and whether this would amount to a war crime would depend on factors such as how many of the people killed could be considered legitimate targets in a conflict.

Democratic leaders of Congress complained they werent notified of the strike in advance. Chesney said the administration could argue it has legal authority to protect the troops in the Middle East who were dispatched under congressional authorizations in 2001 and 2002 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

That argument, however, starts to get shakier if the killing of Soleimani escalates into a wider conflict, said Stephen Vladeck, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law who specializes in national security law and the prosecution of war crimes.

Even though the Executive Branch has pursued ever-broader theories of the Presidents unilateral power to use force in self-defense, one of the critical considerations in each case has been whether the force comes with a risk of escalation, Vladeck said by email. Where, as here, there is no question that it does, the argument that the President needed clearer buy-in from the legislature is much, much stronger.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said the world is better off without Soleimani. But after receiving a classified briefing on the intelligence that led to the strike he questioned the timing and expressed concern about what might happen next.

Sulemani has been engaged in deadly and malevolent action throughout the region for a long time, Schiff said. And the question is why the administration chose this moment, why this administration made the decision to remove him from the battlefield and other administrations, both parties, decided that would escalate the risks, not reduce them.

__

With contributions from Associated Press journalists Martha Collins in London; and Padmananda Rama, Mary Clare Jalonick and Laurie Kellman in Washington.
Cuisine de France owner Aryzta has asked a US court to force McKee Foods, a former significant customer, to disclose a raft of financial information, after the latter claimed it suffered at least $16m (14m) in losses because Aryzta was allegedly unable to fill many of its orders in 2017.

Lawyers for Aryzta, whose CEO is Kevin Toland, have claimed that family-owned McKee Foods has "delayed and deflected" the Swiss-Irish company's efforts to discover relevant information that it says would demonstrate if McKee "sustained any damages at all".

"McKee has turned this proceeding into a war of attrition by refusing to produce relevant evidence that goes to the heart of any potential damages calculation. Court intervention is required," said Aryzta's lawyers in court filings this week.

Tennessee-based McKee sells well-known cake snack brands in the US, such as Little Debbie. It has annual sales of about $1.5bn.

Aryzta wants information "substantiating the fines and penalties McKee claims it was required to pay to retailers, as well as the incentives it provided to its customers in the absence of the Aryzta-made items".

McKee sued Aryzta in 2017 after the Swiss-Irish company's facilities in Chicago were put under strain when the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency cracked down on illegal workers. That saw about 750 staff from the two Aryzta facilities forced to leave their roles.

The workers had been supplied by a third-party jobs agency, and Aryzta was not aware their authorisations were deficient.

Aryzta has also asked the US court to force McKee Foods to supply information including its board minutes.

The firm's lawyers have told the court they want McKee's "unredacted board minutes, as well as internal reports, analyses and presentations prepared before and after McKee received notice of the Aryzta labour event, to scrutinise how McKee responded and was impacted".

The lawyers added that they required "documents related to any third-party vendors who performed work for McKee before or after McKee terminated the OMA [original manufacturing agreement], and all due diligence McKee performed regarding the immigration status of such employees, to counteract McKee's claim that Aryzta's handling of the operational workforce at its bakeries was improper or inconsistent with industry standards".

McKee has previously claimed that before and after the ICE audits, Aryzta knew staff at its plants in Chicago were not authorised to work in the United States.

Aryzta is currently engaged in a major turnaround plan.
Beirut: Lebanon has received an Interpol arrest warrant for former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn, while Turkey launched an investigation into his daring escape from Japan via Istanbul.

Ghosn became an international fugitive after he revealed this week he had fled to Lebanon to escape what he called a "rigged" justice system in Japan, where he faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes.

Fugitive: Carlos Ghosn, former Nissan chairman. Credit:Getty Images

Sources close to Ghosn said a delay to his trial and a strict ban on communicating with his wife motivated him to go ahead with a plan to use a private security company to smuggle him out of Japan via private jet.

The Interpol red notice, which calls on authorities to arrest a wanted person, was received by Lebanon's internal security forces and has yet to be referred to the judiciary, a Lebanese judicial source said.
Boundary issue should not cloud relations: New Delhi tells Beijing.

New Delhi: In the context of Nepals territorial claims on the Kalapani area in Indias Uttarakhand state, the MEA on Thursday made it clear that New Delhi considered Kalapani to be very much part of Indian territory, but added that India wanted to resolve the boundary issue with Nepal through dialogue.

On the Kalapani issue, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, Our map accurately depicts the sovereign territory of India, adding that the new map of India (after division of Indias erstwhile J&K state into two union territories) has not revised depiction of Indian territory in any way. Meanwhile, the MEA also said India had conveyed to its giant neighbour China last month that the boundary issue between the two countries should not cloud the overall bilateral ties between the two nations.

Speaking on Sino-Indian bilateral ties and Indias views, Mr Kumar said, It (bilateral ties) should be addressed from a strategic perspective of India-China relations. It was also decided that while the discussions go on, there should be peace and tranquillity on the border which is very important for the overall development of the bilateral relationship... and also how a proper discussion on the boundary is important for the overall development of the bilateral relationship... These are sensitive negotiations... Every year, some progress is made.

The Indian views were conveyed last month to China on December 21 during the 22nd meeting of the Special Represent-atives of the two countries in New Delhi - national security adviser Ajit Doval and Chinese foreign minister and state councillor Wang Yi.

On recent media reports of several Indian Tamil fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters, the MEA spokesperson said India has taken up the matter with Sri Lanka and that New Delhi hopes for early resolution of the matter.

The MEA pointed out that India now has very good cooperation with Sri Lanka on this issue and that Indian fishermen who are detained or arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy are being released from time to time.
BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. - A Tennessee teenager was arrested in connection to a shooting that killed a pregnant woman and her fetus, paralyzed her 8-year-old daughter and wounded another adult family member, authorities said.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a news release.

The Associated Press does not generally identify juveniles who have been accused of crimes.

On Dec. 1, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and officers from the Brownsville Police Department responded to a shooting where they found Alexis Branch, 24, dead at the scene, the bureau said. Branch was eight months pregnant and her fetus was also killed.

Branchs 8-year-old daughter was shot and suffered paralysis over much of her body, investigators said. An unidentified adult family member received injuries that were not considered life threatening. A motive for the shooting was not immediately released. It was unclear whether the teenager had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
Former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon on Friday slammed the government for amending the Citizenship Act, saying India has "isolated" itself through the move and the list of critical voices both at home and abroad is "pretty long."



Speaking at an event where a number of academicians discussed the adverse implications of the contentious law, which has led to nationwide protests, Menon said the perception of India has changed after the law was passed.

"India has isolated itself through the move and the list of critical voices in the international community is also pretty long now. Perception of India has changed in the last few months. Even our friends have been taken aback," Menon said.

"What we have achieved in the recent past is to hyphenate our (India's) image with Pakistan in a fundamental way, which is an intolerant state," said the former National Security Adviser.

What the world thinks matters more to us now than ever before, he said and asserted that disengagement or going alone is not an option.

"But we seem determined with actions like these (CAA) to cut off and isolate ourselves. That is no good to anybody," he said.

"We seem to be in violation of international covenants. Those who think that international laws cannot be enforced, they must consider political and other consequences of being perceived as violators of international conventions," he added.

Others who spoke at the event at Press Club were academicians included Zoya Hasan, Niraja Jayal and Faizan Mustafa among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
David Hay was a high-ranking official with the New York City Department of Education when he went on a dating app last July and found someone named Colton, whom Mr. Hay believed to be a 14-year-old boy living in a small Wisconsin city, federal prosecutors said.

He began sending sexually explicit messages, the prosecutors said on Friday, and made plans to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity.

But Colton was, in fact, an undercover police officer, and Mr. Hay was charged in federal court on Friday with trying to entice a minor for sexual activity.

If convicted, Mr. Hay, who served as deputy chief of staff to schools chancellor Richard A. Carranza, faces a mandatory 10-year prison term and up to life.
Certainly, decisions of when and where are tethered to legalities and congressional oversight, depending on circumstances, as well as international considerations. The attacks of 9/11 provided an excuse to invade Iraq, to put it bluntly, under the umbrella of President George W. Bushs fiat that our enemies thereafter would include any country that aided terrorism or sought weapons of mass destruction. The axis of evil, of course, included Iran.
On May 31, 1979, a national radio station went on air, RTE Radio 2, as a response to the massive blossoming of pirate radio stations.

Across on Radio 1, as it was then called, 'The Gay Byrne Show' was extended to two hours. On the same day that Radio 2 was launched, Marian Finucane got her big break with the start of a new 30-minute daily programme on RTE Radio 1 called 'Women Today'.

It was a historic day.

It is hard to believe that in less than two months we have lost both Gay and Marian, the twin pillars of public broadcasting for 40 years.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A career in radio: Marian Finucane in her early days with RTE Ground-breaking: Marian Finucane in her element, the radio studio from where she helped to change attitudes Broadcaster Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke and son Jack after she was conferred with an honorary doctorate by DIT in 2002. Photo: Tom Burke Pictured: RTE broadcaster Marian Finucane and Nuala O'Faolain in Nairobi, Kenya where they were covering the 1985 United Nations Decade for Women Conference for RTE. Marian Finucane Marian Finucane Zeal for breaking new ground: Marian Finucane was a household name with thousands of listeners tuning in to her RTE shows. Photo: Tony Gavin Marian Finucane on the Late Late in 1991 Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke after they were married in 2015. Photo: Frank McGrath Marian Finucane with Maeve Binchy at an Irish Hospice Foundation event. Photo: Jim O'Kelly Marian visting an orphanage in South Africa Voice of reason: Marian Finucane smiles after receiving the PPI Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008. Photo: Jason Clarke Photography 15/11/11 Marian Finucane at the launch of her book The Saturday Interviews 2005-2011 . Pictures:Arthur Carron/Collins Finucane M 8.4.10 0011 Marian Finucane Taoiseach Enda Kenny,TD and broadcaster Marian Finucane at the launch the Irish Hospice Foundation's 2016 Commemorative and 30th anniversary programme held in the Stephens Green Club yesterday. Pic Tom Burke 3/12/2015 Former Irish International footballer Niall Quinn and boadcaster Marian Finucane who were conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) at their annual conferring of Honorary degrees at a ceremony held in the Royal hospital,Kilmainham yesterday...Pic Tom Burke 26/11/02 Marian Finucane MARIAN FINUCANE Marian Finucane JOE DUFFY AND MARIAN FINUCANE AT THE LAUNCH OF JOE DUFFYS AUTOBIOGRAPHY "JUST JOE" AT HARRYS BAR IN THE O2 DUBLIN PIX BRIAN MCEVOY / Facebook

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Whatsapp A career in radio: Marian Finucane in her early days with RTE

Marian was the voice of reason on the national airwaves for four decades.

She was fair, welcoming, reassuring, trusting and trusted, charming yet inquisitive.

She was a unique broadcaster and she had a unique role in the creation of modern Irish broadcasting.

Early in 1979, RTE set up an internal working party to investigate representation of women in news reporting.

Its report found that 'a lone Martian orbiting the Earth who happened to tune into some hours of Irish radio or television might well conclude that humankind was divided into two sexes in proportions six to one'.

Producer Clare Duignan suggested the idea for 'Women Today' to Michael Littleton, the visionary head of radio at the time, to redress this imbalance. 'Women Today' did exactly what it said on the tin. A mixture of reports, interviews, music and studio discussions, it was an instant success.

Marian Finucane was a qualified architect when she became a continuity announcer in RTE in 1974. Her warm voice and sharp intellect ensured that she would soon get free rein on the radio. And her TV career was mentored by producer Eoghan Harris. Marian had also been involved in the fledgling Irish women's movement in the 1970s, so she was the obvious choice as presenter of 'Women Today'.

Marian temporarily left the programme after two years to edit 'Status Magazine', again aimed primarily at women, and Doireann Ni Bhriain and Hilary Orpen continued presenting 'Women Today', with Patrick Farrelly and Michael Holmes producing.

Extended to one hour in 1985 and renamed 'Liveline' - a title dreamt up by Hilary Orpen and Ed Mulhall - the 2pm to 3pm slot kept many of the elements and staff of 'Women Today' and with Marian Finucane back as presenter, it was given a much broader remit. In the early days of 'Liveline' it was mainly a magazine programme with an emphasis on the empowerment of women. One new feature of 'Liveline' was a Friday panel discussion where callers were called to interact with experts in the studio.

Gradually the phone element gathered ground on 'Liveline' but only on the basis of the response of listeners to the issues under discussion; reports, inserts and studio guests were slowly phased out as the production team saw the power of listeners phoning in.

Joe Duffy is the presenter of 'Liveline'
Maura Higgins attending the launch of Dancing On Ice 2020, held at Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire

Maura Higgins during the Dancing On Ice 2019 photocall at ITV Studios on December 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Maura Higgins attending the launch of Dancing On Ice 2020, held at Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire

Maura Higgins during the Dancing On Ice 2019 photocall at ITV Studios on December 09, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Dancing On Ice contestant Maura Higgins says she won't be afraid to disagree with the judges on the hit show.

The Longford star has also revealed she is terrified at the thought of performing live on the series in the coming weeks

She told Hello! magazine she will be open to criticism from judges John Barrowman, Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean but she won't be afraid to challenge them.

"I still want to know what I'm doing right. It'll make me work harder the following week," she said.

Expand Close Maura Higgins and professional skater Alexander Demetriou (Ian West/PA) / Facebook

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"If I disagree, I'm not going to be afraid to say it. I won't cry, I'll probably make them cry."

But she admitted she is full of nerves about her first live performance.

"In the tunnel before we come out in rehearsals my legs are like jelly. It's so scary.

"I keep forgetting the steps. I'm not a performer. I've never done anything like this in my whole life. I'm petrified."

The Irish model, who was the breakout star from Love Island last summer, said she feels it is harder to win over the public on ice.

"I feel like it's hard for me coming from Love Island," she said. "Obviously it was my mouth that got me to the final then, but on this I'm not talking. You just have to keep your mouth shut and smile."

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The former grid girl said she loved the more daring parts of the performances with her skating partner Alexander Demetriou.

"I trust Alex 100pc. The lifts and the spins and stuff haven't been scaring me. I've been fine with all that," she added.

"It's the steps I'm struggling with. I love the spins and the lifts. I've been upside down and everything."

She said she had a good relationship with her partner.

Expand Close Maura Higgins attending the launch of Dancing On Ice 2020, held at Bovingdon Airfield, Hertfordshire / Facebook

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"We have such a laugh and take the p**s out of each other, but we get the work done."

The 29-year-old, who shares her private life with Dancing With The Stars boyfriend Curtis Pritchard, says he hasn't been doling out any dancing tips.

"I think it's very different on the ice," she said.

"Training is already hard enough without going home and practising in the evenings.

"It's a lot of training. You want to take your mind off it when you go home.,"

She hopes to see Love Island stars in the audience, and added: "I'm very close to fellow Love Islanders Chris [Taylor], Molly-Mae [Hague], Tommy [Fury], Lucie [Donlan] and Joe [Garratt]."
BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- Congratulations to the folks at Rainforest Car Wash, who collected more than 5,300 cans of food for local food banks in December. According to their Facebook post, thats over 4,000 meals for our local families in need. Thats awesome.

Theyre back: After a six-month hiatus, the popular Genealogist Is In! service is returning in January 2020 to the Medina County District Librarys main branch, 210 S. Broadway St., Medina. From 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday afternoons, one of Medinas crack genealogists will be on hand to assist you with your genealogy and local history questions. The Genealogy Team includes Lauren Kuntzman, Kathy Petras and Lisa Rienerth.

This is a first-come, first-served program, so if you have to wait your turn, they are asking for patience. Besides, theres lots to check out in the new genealogy center -- maybe sign up to use the 3D printer.

The team is always able to point us in the right direction when were trying to find genealogy answers, so Im really glad the lab is up and running again.

The team is also heading up the annual History Day at the Medina Library. Stop in from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 25. Im planning to be there with a display from Brunswick, so be sure to say hello.

Medina County Junior Leadership students were invited to the governors mansion. (Photo Courtesy of Leadership Medina County)

How cool is this? Participants from Junior Leadership of Medina County met with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine about efforts to expand the Ohio Governors Imagination Library (OGIL) Program into Medina County.

The program promotes early childhood literacy by providing a new book to children every month from the time they are born until the age of 5. The books are free to the child, with the state providing a dollar-for-dollar match with the local affiliate.

Junior Leadership Director Carrie Park took eight students to Columbus in order to attend a workshop at COSI and learn more about the OGIL.

After the workshop, the students -- Jimmy DeJongh (Highland), Gracelin Gorman (Medina County Career Center), Elizabeth Oberhaus (Highland), Chase Marquis (Highland), Ian Morgan (Medina), Collin Spittle (Highland), Molly Stillwagon (Highland) and Emily Winnicki (Cloverleaf) --were invited to a holiday social at the governors home.

Tough end to the year: I can remember years ago (when I wrote the obituaries for the paper) that there were always a lot of deaths right after Christmas. This year is no exception. It seems like an especially difficult year for friends and relatives. A couple of old friends are among them.

John A. Marinchek, of Hinckley, died on Christmas Day -- less than a month before his 86th birthday. Most people remember John for his work with the Korean War Veterans organizations. He served in the Army. He was also a proud member of American Legion Post 234 and Brunswick VFW post 9529. Our condolences to his family, which includes his wife of 64 years, Jody.

Max E. Rohrbaugh, 89, of Medina, died Dec. 31 in Medina, the same city in which he was born. He was also a veteran, who served in the Navy. Most of you will remember him as a barber for over 40 years, owning and operating Maxs Comb and Shears. He was married for 69 years to Esther and, once again, Im sure his entire family is going to miss him.

Then, for those of you who have fond memories of eating German food at Heimatland Restaurant, I saw that Erika M. Saxby died Dec. 28 at the age of 87. Her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will surely miss her.

Good run: Jim Horn, a member of the Brunswick Rotary Club, ran in the recent Akron Food Bank charity run. He made it 3 miles to raise money for the Akron Food Bank.

Great to see: Did you watch the Brunswick High School Marching Band perform in London on Jan. 1? Maybe you couldnt be there in person, but there was an incredible watch party at the Eagles Club, and at least two TV news stations carried stories and photos. You can actually still see their performance on YouTube or go to the Brunswick Band Parents organization on Facebook and see photos and videos taken by them: facebook.com/Brunswickbandparents.

Interesting update: The Brunswick Rotary welcomed an old friend, Lou Chapman, at a recent meeting. According to newsletter editor Marsha Pappalardo, Lou and his wife stepped up a few years back to be host parents for Icee from the Philippines; the following year, Lous granddaughter Hailey went to Japan on a Youth Exchange. The Brunswick Club was her host club.

Icee has returned to visit her host family here, and she is like another daughter in the Chapman family. Hailey has gone on to graduate from college and, even though she had to take a crash course in Japanese the summer she left, she is now fluent and working as an international translator.

Appreciated: National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day is Jan. 9, and St. Ambrose Parish is inviting everyone to join them at Mass on Jan. 11 or 12. If you contact the parish with the names of your family or friends serving in law enforcement, they will be mentioned in the weekly bulletin, inviting the entire parish to hold them close to God in prayer. You can contact them by phone at 330-460-7300 or stop at the office, 929 Pearl Road, Brunswick.

Mario reached a milestone: Congratulations to Mario Ortiz, who just celebrated his 90th birthday! OK, Mario -- lets go for 100!

Open house set: The Medina community is invited to an open house at the Medina Community Recreation Center to experience everything the facility has to offer.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 11 and its FREE! All you have to do is bring a non-perishable food item for Feeding Medina County. Acceptable non-perishable food items are: 16-ounce peanut butter in plastic jars, 20-ounce squeezable jelly, pudding -- high calcium, fruit in cups or aluminum cans -- unsweetened/natural or in natural juices, 10.5-ounce chicken noodle or tomato soup, 15-ounce cans of vegetables, macaroni and cheese -- boxed, microwave cups or pouches -- and 5- to 7-ounce cans of tuna.

The first 300 in the door at the open house will receive a cool cell phone stand, complements of Healthy Medina County. There will be ongoing fitness class demonstrations, so come dressed to try it out. A schedule is available at medinaoh.org/medina-rec.

Attendees can work out in the fitness center or walk/jog the track. The fieldhouse will be filled with inflatables and Toddler Open Gym for the kids, along with an ongoing pickleball demonstration. Open swim time in the pools will be after 1 p.m.

Tours of the facility will be conducted every hour on the hour. There will be free child care in the Rascal Room for ages 6 months to 8 years. Local vendors will be set up in the main hallway and a DJ will keep things lively.

The center will be offering discounts to new members and special offers for fitness classes. Everyone will be entered into the grand prize drawing to win a $250 MCRC gift certificate that can be used toward a membership, fitness classes or the Rascal Room. Non-members will need to show a photo ID when they enter.

Contact Boyer at samboyersunnews@yahoo.com
A writer who has compiled a new book about Dundonald Cemetery on the outskirts of Belfast thinks he may have come up with an answer to the riddle of why the name of a lifelong friend of author CS Lewis isn't included on the headstone of his family's grave.

Peter McCabe believes Arthur Greeves' name was omitted from the memorial because he was homosexual, and in less tolerant times the reaction from outsiders could have been too much for his kith and kin to handle.

Greeves, who came from a wealthy family of linen merchants, died in 1966, and Peter told guests at the launch of his book it was a sad irony that the event was being held at the EastSide Visitors Centre in east Belfast overlooking a square named in honour of CS Lewis, who never sought to disassociate himself from his boyhood friend.

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The Dundonald book is a follow-up to one taphophile (that's an enthusiast for graveyards to you and me) Peter wrote about the City Cemetery in west Belfast and which was published several years ago.

Though he was born and reared in Dundonald, Peter had never set foot in the sprawling cemetery on his doorstep until recently when he started researching the graves for tours, which proved to be the impetus for the release of the book.

What Peter found in the cemetery fascinated him as he realised that many people whose names he recognised - and who were hugely influential in the history of Belfast - were buried at Dundonald. People such as Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon, Dr Fleming Fulton, chemist Horatio Todd, whose name lives on in a pub in Ballyhackamore, and two Henry Joy McCrackens, though neither of them was the United Irishman with the same name.

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One McCracken, who is mentioned in the book, was a former fighter pilot who died in Palestine and who is commemorated on a side panel of a headstone at Dundonald to his shopkeeper father Henry Joy McCracken from the Upper Newtownards Road.

Among the unexpected gems that Peter was able to unearth in the cemetery was the fact that an American actor with his own star on the Hollywood walk of fame is commemorated on a grave not a million miles from the Irish Holywood.

Slim Summerville, who is thought to have had family links to Northern Ireland and starred in movies like The Keystone Kops, All Quiet On The Western Front and Jesse James, had a sister, Susan Holland, living in Belfast and she arranged the tribute to her sibling.

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Even though it isn't in the records, the ashes of Belfast-born movie director Brian Desmond Hurst were scattered in 1986 on the grave of his younger brother Robert, who was buried in Dundonald Cemetery after his death in 1917.

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Hurst directed a number of successful films in the States including 1961's A Christmas Carol, or Scrooge as it was called in America.

But another film, Ourselves Alone, the loose English translation of Sinn Fein, had earlier been banned in Northern Ireland because even though it depicted a love story set against the backdrop of the War Of Independence in Ireland, it was seen here as pro-republican, a claim Hurst vehemently denied.

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Nearly 1,000 graves are referenced in The Guide To Dundonald Cemetery, and like his previous book on the City Cemetery, Peter has tried to cluster the burial places together in easy-to-follow trails within the new publication.

Among the 20 trails is one linked to the wartime Blitz in 1941 when over 1,000 people were killed by the Luftwaffe in four bombing raids on Belfast in April and May of that year.

At least 105 of the Blitz victims are buried at Dundonald, which opened as a municipal burial ground in 1905, 10 years after Belfast Corporation, realising that they were running out of burial space, bought 42 acres of land for 40,000.

Initially a quarter of the cemetery was allocated for Catholic burials but the decision was later rescinded, though Peter has no clear idea why.

These days there are no new plots available at Dundonald but burials still take place in existing graves at the cemetery, which is dominated by a five-metre tall grey limestone war memorial that stands at its highest point.

According to military records, there are 167 Commonwealth war graves in Dundonald, with soldiers from the First World War and Second World War either buried or commemorated there if their bodies were never returned.

East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, who was brought up close to the cemetery but was never in it in his youth, has written a foreword for the book, and in his introduction Peter reveals that actor, writer and theatre director Sam MacCready was a major source of encouragement with the publication, but died before it came out.

Playwright Forrest Reid, who was namechecked by Joanna Lumley in a speech at the Baftas earlier this year, is buried at Dundonald, and also there is renowned artist Joseph W Carey, whose most famous commission was to paint 13 scenes from Belfast history for the Ulster Hall.

Peter says that a less-known fact about Carey was that he had a connection to the Great War as a commandant of the British Red Cross at that time.

Conflict which erupted in the years after the end of the First World War is also chronicled in the book with references to 20 civilians and members of the security forces who were buried at Dundonald after they were killed during the 1920s.

One of the few victims of the Troubles to be buried at Dundonald is Private Fred Starrett, who was killed along with a UDR colleague while closing a security gate on Royal Avenue when an IRA bomb exploded behind hoardings at the CastleCourt shopping centre, which was under construction at the time in February 1988.

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The two soldiers - the other was Private James Cummings - are remembered every year in an Orange Order parade in the centre of Belfast.

Other trails in the book are ones associated with Harland and Wolff, many of them pinpointing the graves of workers who died in accidents at the shipyard.

A survivor of the Titanic disaster, fireman Johnny Haggan, is also buried in Dundonald.

After scrambling on board the keel of a lifeboat of the stricken liner in the Atlantic, Johnny was eventually rescued by HMS Carpathia along with Charles Lightoller, who was the most senior Titanic officer to escape and who was portrayed in the lead role in the movie A Night To Remember by Kenneth More.

One trail at Dundonald is dedicated to players and officials who were linked to Glentoran Football Club, a team synonymous with east Belfast.

A number of largely forgotten stars from bygone days like Johnny Scraggs and Billy Emerson are buried at Dundonald, but Peter also pays tribute to Roy Stewart, who died as a result of an undiagnosed heart condition just hours after playing for the Glens in a Uefa Cup Winners' Cup game against Borussia Monchengladbach at The Oval in March 1974.

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Another trail is devoted exclusively to the final resting places in the cemetery of women like the east Belfast hairdresser who was flown to London for the Queen's Coronation in 1953 to style the hair of Lady Brookeborough, the wife of the former Stormont Prime Minister.

One grave at the cemetery, where it is mainly Protestants who are buried there, made Peter's hair stand on end.

Sean Murray, who was born in the Glens of Antrim, was a self-avowed republican who not only joined the IRA, but was also a founding member of the Communist Party in Ireland.

Peter says: "My first thought was why was he buried near Ballybeen? Was he trying to wind the people in east Belfast up?"

It turned out that his grave had been bequeathed to the Communist Party by a H&W foreman David B Scarborough, whose attempts to fight sectarianism in the Belfast shipyard were dramatised by Sam Thompson in his play Over The Bridge.

Peter McCabe's fascination with quirky headstones also stands out in his book in which he focuses on offbeat stories and names like Walter Salter, Mary De'Ath and the Chicken family.

He also tries to explain why so many people in Belfast's more affluent suburbs used to have their addresses carved on their headstones - to ensure everyone knew how far they had progressed in the world.

Quite a few headstones have biblical quotations and other sayings of years gone by.

One of the most common inscriptions is 'sleeping with Jesus'.

But one, Peter says, is a different take on the theme. It says that Joseph Hicks was 'put to sleep by Jesus'.

A Guide To Dundonald Cemetery By Peter McCabe. Available from the EastSide Visitors Centre in east Belfast
By Express News Service

KOCHI: Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam, the Kitex-backed non-profit organisation formed to make the grama panchayat the best in the country by 2020 and presently ruling the civic body, was dealt a major blow on Wednesday after panchayat president K V Jacob resigned from the post.

Jacob resigned without waiting for the no-confidence motion planned against him by the panchayat committee and backed by 14 members of Twenty20, which came to power in 2015 after winning 17 out of 19 seats.After stepping down, the Pukkattupady councillor launched a scathing attack against Sabu M Jacob, Twenty20 chief coordinator and managing director of Kitex Garments Ltd, alleging he was trying to bring autocracy in the panchayat committee.

People had high hopes with Twenty20. However, we did not implement any fruitful project, alleged K V Jacob.He said he had planned to implement the Singapore development model at Kizhakkambalam with industrialists support. It was our only way forward as the government fund was insufficient to implement the model. However, they backed out after Sabu blocked them from participating, alleged Jacob. He alleged neither the president nor panchayat members had a say in any project. The projects were implemented as Sabu wished. Those who favoured him got the benefits, he alleged.

He alleged that several projects that the panchayat undertook were pending and many roads in the panchayat were in tatters. Only contractors of Twenty20 took up the projects. Other contractors would be threatened. Contractors of Twenty20 extended the work as per their wish. Though the panchayat committee and Twenty20 members are fed up with Sabus autocratic nature, they do not react out of fear, alleged Jacob.

Charges rubbish

Denying the allegations, Sabu Jacob told TNIE that the panchayat committee wanted to oust K V Jacob as there were many corruption allegations against him. Jacob has been with the organisation since 2012 and had been the panchayat president since 2015. He never complained until now. Now, when a no-confidence was to be brought against him, he is accusing me of being an autocrat, said Sabu.

He said the projects undertaken by the panchayat were on course. We plan the projects to ensure that no alteration is done in 10-20 years. For instance, while repairing a road, we make sure that the next panchayat committee does not need to repair it, said Sabu, adding, All the projects will be completed in our tenure. Sabu, who is currently in the US, will be back by Saturday. The 19-ward committee will meet on Sunday and elect the next president. The new president will be declared at a public meeting and rally on January 12.

Sabu behind food security markets closure

K V Jacob alleged Sabu was behind the closure of the food security shop, which was opened at Kizhakkambalam in 2013 to provide grocery and essential items at prices lower than market rates. The market was closed in June last year. Sabu issued cards to buy items from the shop only to his supporters. Others were not allowed to buy from the market, alleged Jacob. M T Varghese, a resident, said the market was set up using Kitexs CSR fund. So, Sabu cant prevent people from buying from the market, he said. Sabu, however, said the market was closed for renovation and will be reopened on January 6. The project aimed at aiding people. However, it lacked facilities like permanent power connection and air conditioning. Now, it will be reopened with more facilities, including a medical store, said Sabu. The market had a daily footfall of 5,000 people. This shows how much people support me. This will be proved in the upcoming local elections, he said. However, K V Jacob termed the markets reopening as another one of Sabus gimmicks in view of the elections.
The United Methodist Church is expected to split this coming May into two factions, one of which will allow same-sex marriage, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

The church has long faced infighting over the issue of same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBT clergymen. A conference of the church in February 2019 voted to penalize clergymen who perform same-sex marriage.

The vote exposed divisions between liberal members who favored a more relaxed LGBT policy and more traditional members, many of whom hail from countries outside the U.S., especially African nations.

Leading clergymen announced on Friday that they plan to split a traditionalist faction away from the United Methodist Church, while allowing the rest of the UMC to permit same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBT clergymen.

The initiative represents the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church to remain true to its theological understanding, while recognizing the dignity, equality, integrity, and respect of every person, the writers of the plan said. Local churches will be required to vote to join the traditionalist faction within a specific time frame.

A final church-wide vote on the plan will be held at the churchs 2020 General Conference, to be held in May in Minneapolis, Minn.

Methodists form one group within mainline Protestant churches in the U.S., which include the Episcopal, Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations. Mainline Protestants are generally more open to same-sex marriage than Evangelicals, and all mainline churches except Methodists already permit the practice.

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Oil prices in the Asian trading market have jumped after media reported that the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, was killed in a US airstrike near Baghdad's international airport.

According to Sputnik, Brent crude soared 1.31 percent, to USD 67.12 per barrel, while US crude jumped 1.24 percent, to USD 61.94 per barrel during the morning trading hours in Asian Markets.

The United States has confirmed that Soleimani was killed in "defensive action" carried out on the "direction" of President Donald Trump to protect US personnel abroad.

Besides Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and five others were also killed in the US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport, reported Iraqi officials and state television.

The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protestors attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad. The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a deadly US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Will the AIADMK acknowledge the role of CAA and the anti-CAA protests, both inside the state and outside, as among the causes for the current electoral reversal, as many in the party now want?

It is unlikely to do so, but then the pressure will increase on the leadership to reassess the BJP alliance at one level and the blind support for Prime Minister Narendra Modis controversial policies on the other, says N Sathiya Moorthy.

IMAGE: A DMK delegation led by party president MK Stalin (2nd from right) met Tamil Nadu State Election Commissioner R Palaniswamy on January 2, 2019, to complain about the local bodies election results not being declared in some constituencies. Photograph: Courtesy, DMK on Twitter.

The controversial Citizenship Amendment Act has taken the first major electoral toll in southern Tamil Nadu, where the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has lost the much-delayed rural panchayat polls to the rival DMK.

More than the Opposition parties and independent media houses, second-line party cadres have said as much, over a year ahead of the assembly polls due by May 2021.

With this, the AIADMK has lost the electoral initiative to the DMK twice in the same year after gaining some ground in between. The party had lost the Lok Sabha polls in the company of the BJP, though the latter had swept the same elsewhere across the country in the first half of the year. For the AIADMK, it also meant that the partys minority government in the state could survive after they won nine seats in a total of 22, for which by-elections were held alongside.

Better still, by winning the two assembly seats for which by-polls were held a couple of months later, the AIADMK could convince the states electorate, media and national observers that the DMK-Congress combines LS poll sweep was just a fluke.

The rural panchayat polls has now put paid to their unsubstantiated claims and intended insinuations against their electoral rivals.

With results still rolling in from various parts of the state, AIADMKs former parliamentarian and one-time state minister Anwar Raja attributed the partys poor showing this time to their voting for the CAB in both the Houses of Parliament. He said that his relatives have lost in their native wards/villages while other reports indicated that it had become not uncommon for the AIADMK nominees to lose.

Over the past couple of decades, elections for both urban and rural local bodies used to be held within months after the assembly polls. The unwritten dictum was that he who won the assembly polls usually swept the local bodies polls, including those for city corporations, whose numbers have been increasing.

However, it was not to be the case after the state voted the AIADMK back to power for a second successive term in 2016. Yet, given party supremo Jayalalithaas health and death later in the same year, the AIADMK state government put off the local bodies polls, almost indefinitely.

Post-Jayalalithaa, when the party split under the aegis of her jailed confidante Sasikala Natarajan, and under present-day deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam once in between, the AIADMK lost its stomach for facing the voters. With the DMK and other interested parties moving the Madras high court and the Supreme Court repeatedly, the state government could not delay them any further -- and conducted them with great ingenuity.

Thus, the government divided the local bodies into urban and rural ones and decided to hold the polls only for the latter. Even then, it did not follow the SC dictum to order delimitation based on the latest, 2011 Census figures but had them instead under the forgettable 1991 head count. The latter had become irrelevant with an intervening Census 2001, too.

As if all this were not enough, the AIADMK got a near-unexpected boon when the SC ruled against conducting rural local bodies polls in nine of the 37 districts as they had been created by the creation of five new districts, thus requiring fresh de-limitation for identifying reserved seats and woman-quota wards, unions and district panchayats -- both on a rotational basis. They will now have to be held without much delay. The less said about the urban local bodies, comprising city corporations and town municipalities, the better it may be for the AIADMK -- but not for the state government.

Worse still for the AIADMK, the current results have since shown that the party may not be as strong as it had hoped for in its traditional rural strongholds, as was the case through the MGR and Jayalalithaa eras. This has punctured the cadre morale, after the twin seat assembly by-polls had boosted the same from a disastrous LS poll figures -- both in terms of seats and vote-shares.

The AIADMKs electoral loss is not comparable to the BJP allys in the recently-lost Jharkhand assembly polls. Despite perceptions to the contrary, the Jharkhand polls were halfway through the different phases when the anti-CAA protests began rocking the nation. In Tamil Nadu, it was complete and expanding when the rural local bodies polls came to be held in two phases on December 27 and 30.

For now, even as the current results were rolling out, deputy chief minister OPS acknowledged the poor performance of the party, and said that they accepted the same with all humility. He has also promised that the leadership, which also comprises chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, or EPS, would study the results and evaluate the causes for the reversal.

The admission comes after AIADMK second-line leaders had attributed the absence of the last-mile link to the common man as among the major causes for the AIADMK-BJP combines poor showing in the Lok Sabha polls. Translated, it also implied that in the absence of civic body elections for three years in row, the money taps at their levels had dried up and all that was coming in got diverted to party and bureaucratic higher-ups.

In context, the loss of local body seats -- and more so perceptions of the same -- can impact on cadre morale even more than otherwise. A detailed analysis on a later date when all results became available alone would tell them as to what kind of arrangements would work for them, while they are competing with popular acceptance all over again vis a vis their DMK rivals at the grassroots level.

An interesting aspect of this election is that the DMK, which was demanding early polls and went repeatedly to courts for ensuring the same, seemed reluctant to face the same when they became real. It had more to do with intervening elections through the three years, and a more recent belief that with only a year-plus to go for the assembly polls and the possibility of the state government starving local bodies of funds if the DMK won, the party could become unpopular with the masses ahead of the assembly polls.

Now, the question remains: Will the AIADMK acknowledge the role of CAA and the anti-CAA protests, both inside the state and outside, as among the causes for the current electoral reversal, as many in the party now want? It is unlikely to do so, but then the pressure will increase on the leadership to reassess the BJP alliance at one level and the blind support for Prime Minister Narendra Modis controversial policies on the other.

It was even so when the AIADMK-BJP combine was swept out near-clean in the LS polls last year. Second-line leaders and cadres alike were believed to have told the EPS-OPS leadership that the unacceptably disastrous results owed to the alliance with the BJP and the unthinking support for the Modi overnments policies, which were otherwise controversial, to say the least.

Ex-MP Anwar Raja, who has since openly come out on the CAA issue, linking it to the AIADMKs poor poll showing now, had defied the leadership and had spoken against the triple talaq bill when Parliament debated the same. He also voted against it -- and was denied re-nomination. Such voices of concern, though not necessarily of rebellion, is bound to be heard more frequently from now on -- and sooner, so that the leadership would have time to rework its priorities.

In the final analysis, the chances of AIADMK cadres looking elsewhere for medium and long-term electoral succour, just as a common rumour used to begin doing the rounds in and for the rival DMK when Stalins ever-estranged elder brother and former Union minister M K Azhagiri was around and active. Their father and pater familias of the party, late M Karunanidhi, settled the issue in Stalins favour, when he sacked Azhagiri from the DMK, citing his anti-party activities as among the causes for the electoral defeat in 2011 assembly polls.

It is not the case for the EPS-OPS combine within the AIADMK, where pressure may also come upon Panneerselvam to stake his claim -- and those of his one-time loyalists, in party and governmental affairs. EPS began dominating both over a year ago, though the mutual understanding was that EPS will head the government and OPS will have a greater say in party affairs -- though both are designated as co-coordinators, in the place of a strong general secretary, which founder MGR and Jayalalithaa were in their time.

If the EPS-OPS combo could still breathe easy, it owes to the absence of a strong and charismatic competitor from within the party. None is expected to emerge in the foreseeable future, especially after jailed Sasikalas newphew, T T V Dhinakaran, had a dismal performance in the LS polls, after early promise to the contrary.

Interestingly, Sasikala is expected to serve out her four-year, court-ordered prison term by early 2021, only weeks/months ahead of the assembly polls. Given that her present-day rivals are already well-entrenched in the party and her nephew-led AMMK has come a cropper in the LS polls, the cadres may not have much in store for her, even if she chose to enter direct politics -- unlike when Jayalalithaa was around.

But then, uncannily though from a political point-of-view, income-tax authorities brought her back to the news pages recently, when it was reported that Sasikala had brought properties with thousand-plus crore of demonetised currency, from within her prison cell!

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and political analyst, is Distinguished Fellow and Head-Chennai Initiative, Observer Research Foundation.
"The chosen name, Bristol Park, reflects the comfortable, home-like atmosphere of these assisted living and memory care communities," said Sagora Senior Living Sr. Vice President, Dara Brown.

Sagora Senior Living, one of the nations top 50 senior housing operators, started operating five Heartis communities in Texas including Heartis Amarillo, Cleburne, Conroe, Cypress and Eagle Mountain on November 1, 2019. These communities have officially been renamed as Bristol Park at Amarillo, Bristol Park at Cleburne, Bristol Park at Conroe, Bristol Park at Cypress and Bristol Park at Eagle Mountain.

The addition of these communities extends Sagora Senior Livings operations to 44 multi-state communities in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama and California.

"The chosen name, Bristol Park, reflects the comfortable, home-like atmosphere of these assisted living and memory care communities," said Sagora Senior Living Sr. Vice President, Dara Brown. This transition to Sagora has been a smooth one and there has been no disruption of services to our residents.

New websites are currently in production and will be launched within the coming weeks. To find out more about Sagora Senior Living, call (817) 446-4792 or visit http://www.Sagora.com.

ABOUT SAGORA SENIOR LIVING

The Sagora Senior Living family of companies is focused solely in the seniors housing industry, with involvement in the ownership, development, acquisition and operation of communities, including cottages, independent living, assisted living and memory care. The company currently operates 5,000+ seniors cottages and apartments, serves 4,700+ residents and employs 2,600+ associates.
Marginal drop in Q3 volume- Headwinds in hair oil demand and liquidity issues persist- Margin profile remains strong

-

Pricing actions & marketing initiatives to help growth in Q4

Maricos business update for the December quarter (Q3) of 2019-20 has proved to be a dampener of sorts for any expectations of sequential improvement in performance.

Its category growth across personal care remained under pressure in the said quarter. India business suffered a marginal decline in volume growth due to softness in the hair oil segment. This is disappointing and misses our already low expectations. To put into perspective, volume grew 1 percent in Q2 FY20 and 5 percent in Q3 FY19.

While the company has consolidated its market share in key franchises, de-growth in the hail oil industry continues. Going by the recent results, almost all the organised players (Dabur, Bajaj Consumer Care & Marico) in this space have been impacted.

Among trade channels, traditional ones continue to face liquidity challenges. Though modern channels and e-commerce stayed strong, the business update suggests that these are also feeling the sales pinch.

This, according to the company, is partly due to its specific price management measures to counter inter-channel conflict. Recently, FMCG companies have treaded with care in relation to urban trade channels such as Cash and Carry (Metro, Reliance and Walmart) as they provide heavy discount in lieu of higher offtake commitment. Though this channel can scale up fast, companies are turning conservative as there is a challenge to maintain price parity.

Having said that, there are a few positive takeaways. Foods and allied categories fared relatively better. In Q2 FY20, foods franchise posted a strong value growth of 34 percent YoY (year on year), similar to what it achieved in Q1 (38 percent YoY).

In other geographies, Bangladesh (46 percent of international business) stands out. EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) margins are expected to improve compared to the previous year because of benign input cost. In Q3 FY19 and Q2 FY20, EBITDA margin was 18.8 percent and 19.3 percent, respectively.

Outlook

While analyzing this update, one should also note that towards the end of Q3 FY20, the FMCG player has taken marketing initiatives and pricing interventions in its key portfolio, which could show up in better volume growth in Q4 FY20.

Though we acknowledge risk factors of competitive intensity, liquidity challenges for both urban and rural general trade and continuation of rural distress, the company is taking steps in terms of pricing interventions and incentivisation schemes for wholesale vendors. Further, there are a few signs of improvement for rural demand on positive outlook for rabi crops.

Further, margin profile remains strong and in the immediate term, it provides bandwidth to the company to position its products competitively and up advertising spend. The managements decision to put the cost advantage to work for long term investments remains a crucial strategic move as it helps in reducing dependence on Parachute and Saffola and drive growth in the premium segments. In this context, we acknowledge that categories like male grooming, serums, hair nourishment and foods are expected to play a significantly higher share in the next five years.

Finally, post recent correction after adjusting for near term estimates, the valuation appears attractive. Marico is trading at 35x FY21 estimated earnings which at a ~28 percent discount to the average multiple of tier 1 stocks in FMCG universe  Dabur, HUL, Godrej Consumer, Britannia and Colgate. We believe that given the long term outlook for an increasing diversified consumption story, the current valuation presents an accumulation opportunity on declines.

Follow @anubhavsays

For more research articles, visit our Moneycontrol Research page

Moneycontrol Research analysts do not hold positions in the companies discussed here
In a humming factory in Kenya's highlands, tea is hand-plucked from the fields, cured and shredded into the fine leaves that have sated drinkers from London to Lahore for generations.

But Kenya's prized black tea isn't fetching the prices it once did, forcing the top supplier of the world's most popular drink to try something new.

In the bucolic hills around Nyeri, factory workers are experimenting with a range of boutique teas, deviating from decades of tradition in the quest for new customers and a buffer against unstable prices.

Like the bulk of Kenya's producers, they've been manufacturing one way for decades -- the crush, tear and curl (CTC) method, turning out ultra-fine leaves well suited for teabags the world over.

Now however, between conveyor belts whizzing tonnes of Kenya's mainstay CTC into heaving sacks, huge rollers also gently and slowly massage green leaves under the watchful eye of workers, all freshly trained in the art of what is known as orthodox tea production.

In the hills around Nyeri, in Kenya's highlands, producers are experimenting with a range of boutique teas /  AFP

The end result -- a whole leaf, slow-processed variety, savoured for its complex tones and appearance -- is still being perfected at Gitugi, a factory in the foothills of the Aberdare Range that has been trialling these teas since June.

It has been costly shifting into orthodox, and a cultural change for workers and farmers, said Antony Naftali, operations manager at Gitugi, in Nyeri some 85 kilometres (52 miles) north of Nairobi.

But the risk was necessary: prices for stalwart CTC at auction nosedived 21 percent in 2018-2019 compared to the prior financial year, underscoring the urgency to diversify and extract more from every tea bush.

"We have relied for so many years on traditional CTC. But the price has dropped. We want to reduce the pressure... but also, to explore this new market," Naftali told AFP.

- Market turmoil -

Even since prices have recovered somewhat, any fluctuations are still keenly felt in Kenya, the world's biggest exporter of CTC.

Tea is a staple drink in Kenya, though, unlike other major producing countries, it consumes far less than it exports.

After prices plummeted for tea produced in the traditional 'crush, tear and curl' way, some have shifted to what is known as orthodox tea production, a gentler, slower way of tea making resulting in a whole leaf /  AFP

The humble cuppa is a pillar of the economy: one in 10 Kenyans depends on the tea industry, according to the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), which represents 650,000 smallholder farmers by selling and marketing their tea.

The poor returns this year sparked angry protests on estates, and tea companies registered losses.

Part of the problem is oversupply.

Higher prices in recent years spurred investment in tea planting, resulting in Kenya's best-ever haul in 2018 -- at 493 million kilos (one billion pounds).

One in 10 Kenyans depends on the tea industry, according to the Kenya Tea Development Agency, which represents smallholder farmers by selling and marketing their tea /  AFP

But Kenya also has long relied on too few buyers, shipping 70 percent of its tea to just four markets.

Its top three customers -- Pakistan, Egypt and Britain -- have all seen a weakening of their currencies in recent times, making tea imports pricey.

Other big buyers -- Iran, Sudan and Yemen, chief among them -- have struggled to make payments.

"Our key markets are in turmoil," Lerionka Tiampati, KTDA chief executive, told AFP.

"When you cannot control the price, then there's not very much you can do. But what we are doing is we are trying to diversify the product."

- Reading the leaves -

Orthodox production opens doors to markets where whole leaf, bespoke teas and custom infusions are rewarded with higher prices, says Grace Mogambi, KTDA's manager of specialty products, who has travelled the globe to learn what drinkers want.

Grace Mogambi, the Kenya Tea Development Agency's manager of specialty products, says "consumer taste preferences are changing" /  AFP

Studying samples in Gitugi's cupping room, Mogambi reels off the qualities desired by discerning tea drinkers: Russians like whole leaves, Germans prize tips, Saudis demand jet black and Sri Lankans dislike stalks.

"Consumer taste preferences are changing. Drinkers are becoming more aware of the type of tea they prefer," said Mogambi, clad in a white laboratory coat, before swirling a mouthful of tea and ejecting it into a spittoon.

"If I'm spending more money on a cup of tea, I prefer given characteristics to be present."

But orthodox and specialty lines represent only a tiny fraction of Kenya's exports, and critics say the KTDA -- which accounts for 60 percent of the country's tea production -- has been slow to adapt.

Craft tea varieties also appeal to younger tea drinkers, a growing market /  AFP

The board decided in 2000 to launch an orthodox range but, by the end of 2019, just 11 of its 69 factories were expected to be producing teas other than CTC.

Some like Kangaita, a factory at the southern flank of Mount Kenya, have been cultivating purple teas -- a rare speciality unique to the region.

Other craft varieties include white premium, a loose leaf packaged in deluxe pyramidal teabags.

These appeal also to younger tea drinkers, a growing market demanding something other than run-of-the-mill black tea.

"Youthful tea drinkers are definitely looking for wellness, and other health benefits in tea," said Gideon Mugo, chairman of the East African Tea Trade Association.

Major brands outside the KTDA have been targeting the youth segment.

Kericho Gold produces a line of "attitude teas" packaged in bright boxes, including one for "love" and another marketed as a hangover cure.
Four children were among those killed after a military plane crashed a few minutes after takeoff in the Sudanese town of El Geneina, a military spokesman said according to a state media outlet.

The aircraft carrying 18 people, including seven crew members, crashed five minutes after it left the airport on Thursday killing everyone on board, Brigadier Amer Muhammad al-Hassan, said in a statement Thursday according to state news SUNA.

An Antonov military plane crashed Thursday evening five minutes after it took off from El Geneina Airport, which led to the death of all its crewseven officersin addition to three judges and eight citizens among them are four children, al-Hassan said in the statement according to state news SUNA.

The military spokesman said an investigation is underway to find out the cause of the accident, though there were no immediate reports of foul play.

A UN Sudan spokesperson told CNN the plane was heading to the capital Khartoum before the crash.

Poor Aviation Safety Records

Plane crashes are not uncommon in Sudan, given the countrys poor aviation safety records.

In 2003, a civilian Sudan Airways plane crashed into a hillside while trying to make an emergency landing, killing 116 people, including eight foreigners.

Only a small boy survived the Boeing crash.

El Geneina

Recent tribal clashes in El Geneinawhich is the capital of West Darfur and lies close to Sudans border with Chadhave killed at least three dozen people, including women and children and the organization and other peacekeeping forces started to evacuate their staff and contractors on Jan. 1, according to the UN.

On Thursday, Sudans Red Crescent said the casualty toll had jumped to 48 killed and 167 wounded in the violence. The local relief group has also said that more than 8,000 families were displaced after violence erupted in the region.

There is a heavy military presence around the city, which has received security reinforcements and visits by senior officials this week.

The clashes pose a challenge to efforts by Sudans transitional government to end decades-long rebellions in areas like Darfur.

In response, rebel groups from Darfur suspended peace talks with the government and called for an investigation.

Earlier this week, Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok and Gen. Mohammeed Hamdan Dagalo, deputy head of the Sovereign Council, had visited the town and expressed their commitment to prosecuting the perpetrators.

The Associated Press and CNN Wire contributed to this report.
The VFF President paid a visit and presented gifts to needy children at the Hoa Mai Can Tho foster house.

On the same day, he also conveyed Tet (Lunar New Year) greetings and presented 100 gifts to social welfare beneficiaries in Thanh Xuan commune, Chau Thanh A district.

At the meeting, the VFF leader said that in the past few years, the front and the Vietnam Red Cross have called on organisations and individuals to provide financial support to help those less fortunate to build houses.

He hoped that in the coming time, needy households will make concerted efforts to escape poverty.

On this occasion, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and businesses also donated VND740 million to support Tet gifts for policy beneficiary families and poor households in Hau Giang province.
Five people are facing dozens of charges between them after an investigation into drug trafficking in the Niagara Region.

Local police say they launched their probe in November, focusing on the Ontario cities of St. Catharines, Thorold and Welland.

They say they searched properties in Thorold, Welland and Hamilton on Thursday, seizing large quantities of crystal meth, fentanyl, cocaine and hydromorphone.

Police say they also found five firearms along with ammunition and brass knuckles.

Three men and two women are facing a total of 57 charges, including multiple counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

All five are scheduled to appear in court in St. Catharines today.
As Ghana decides to forcefully remove the Nigeria High Commissioner, Olufemi Michael Abikoye, from his residence located at No.10 Barnes Road in Accra, the Nigerian government has waded into the matter.

There is a general feeling out there that this could spark another Diplomatic row.

The media outlets on Thursday referenced an alleged statement by Mr Abikoye, dated December 31, 2019, in which he is reported as saying that a Ghanaian company, Amaco Microfinance Company Limited, had instructed the High Commission to vacate its diplomatic property at No.10 Barnes Road, Accra.

- Nigeria High Commissioner, Olufemi Michael Abikoye

According to the report, the property had been reallocated to Amaco Microfinance since August 26, 2019, by Ghanas Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources with the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

The letter further stressed that failure to comply within the stipulated time will lead to depositing the Missions belongings at the nearest Accra police station, Accra-based Citi FM quoted from the said statement from Mr Abikoye.

But Nigerian-based online portal, Legit.ng, reported Thursday evening that a Spokesperson for the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ferdinand Nownye, has denied the reports that Ghana sent the Nigerian envoy packing.

We are working on it; there is no cause for alarm. It is not our chancery, not our residence, it is just one of our official quarters and has been unoccupied for some time. Though we have some items inside it, no one is occupying it, Legit.ng quoted Mr. Nwonye as saying.

The Nigerian news outlet further stated that Mr. Nwonye explained that the said property located on 10, Barnes Road in Accra is just one of the official quarters of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.

According to the report, Mr. Nwonye explained that the property had a lease agreement signed between the Nigerian Ministry of Finance and Ghana, which expired in August 2019 and hence the Ghanaian government decided to lay claim to the property.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abikoye is also alleged to have said that the reallocation of the property was done without recourse to the [Nigerian] High Commission.

---MyJoyOnline
The Food and Drug Administration would consider restricting the sale of menthol-flavored vaping products if teens start using them as the agency moves to ban most other flavors, an FDA official said Friday.

Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" that if kids start to "migrate" to menthol-flavored pods, then the agency will "revisit" its rules.

The FDA announced Thursday it is banning most fruit- and mint-flavored nicotine vaping products in an effort to curb a surge in teen use. It is specifically banning cartridge-based nicotine pods like Juul, allowing vape shops to continue selling tank-based flavored nicotine liquids. Companies will still be able to sell tobacco and menthol-flavored pods for adults who use them to quit smoking.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters Thursday that the FDA has allowed tobacco and menthol flavors to stay on the market because they were "less appealing" to kids.

According to two studies published in November in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Association, more than half of teenagers who vape use Juul e-cigarettes, and its mint pods were the No. 1 flavor favored by high school kids.

But public health experts, some of whom are calling for the elimination of all flavored e-cigarettes, fear that kids could end up switching to menthol once the fruity flavors are all gone.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a congressional hearing earlier this year that a flavor ban should include menthol.

Zeller said the FDA has the ability to monitor any changes in teen use of e-cigarettes, which he called an "epidemic."

"Too many kids are walking around thinking that e-cigarettes are harmless," he said.
American gasoline prices could rise in the coming weeks over fears about the potential fallout from the U.S. killing of an Iranian military leader. And those price hikes could escalate if the conflict intensifies.

But with oil production strong in the U.S. and elsewhere, the effect on fuel is likely to be muted in the near term.

"Were talking about making a nickel of an impact on gas prices over the next week," says Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis at fuel-savings app GasBuddy.

To be sure, the American airstrike that killed the Iranian general, Qassem Soleimani, while he was visiting Iraq could trigger a chain of events that would have a greater effect on the price of gas.

"The severity of their response is whats going to impact gas prices most," DeHaan says. "This could really escalate from here on out."

This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early, Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump.

If oil jumps more than $5 a barrel and gasoline follows it higher, the increase in prices could have a "pretty significant impact to consumers" says AAA spokeswoman Jeanette Casselano. Gas is made by refining crude oil.

U.S. oil futures prices rose3.7% to $63.44 at 9:51 a.m. ET on Friday.

The national average price of gasoline reached $2.59 on Friday, up 3 cents from a week earlier, according to AAA.

Traders are bracing for the possibility that Iran will retaliate by restricting the flow of oil in the Middle East or potentially attacking production sites.

$3 gas is becoming a distant memory: Gas prices likely to stay steady in 2020

When to fill up: Why you should fill up on gas on Monday mornings (and never on Friday afternoons)

When a Yemeni rebel group attacked Saudi production in September, causing a temporary spike in global oil prices, U.S. officials blamed Iran. While Saudi production came back online within weeks, that attack was viewed as a revelation regarding Iran's capacity to target foreign oil.

But perhaps the biggest threat is that Iran could use its military power to throttle access to the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

Story continues

"Thats where three-quarters of Middle Eastern crude oil is flowing through," DeHaan says. "There are options to go around it, but youre talking about probably a 30-day increase in time if you go around the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa."

One thing that's not a concern: access to Iranian oil. When the Trump administration canceled the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran, it reimposed strict sanctions on Iran, blocking much of the country's oil output.

That means any outages in Iranian oil won't have much of an impact on prices.

What's more, surging U.S. production has flooded the markets with oil, which has helped keep prices relatively low.

U.S. oil output spiked 38.6% from 8.84 million barrels a day in 2016 to 12.25 million in 2019 and is likely to rise to 13.18 million in 2020, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Also, Saudi Arabia, which is likely to be aligned with the U.S. against Iran, could ramp up oil output if Trump pressures the country to step in, DeHaan says.

"Dont expect a sustained oil price rally," UBS global chief investment officer Mark Haefele wrote Friday in a research note. "If the situation worsened, and oil supplies were disrupted, this could have broader economic and financial market impacts through a sharp rise in crude oil prices," he continued, but added that ""We still expect an oversupplied oil market in 2020."

Before the attack, petroleum analysts expected gas prices to remain relatively steady in 2020.

GasBuddy's DeHaan projected that prices would average $2.60 nationally for the year, down from $2.62 in 2018.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @NathanBomey.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran attack: Soleimani killing to boost gas prices as oil spikes
Taiwans military chief and seven others have died after a helicopter carrying high-level defense officials crash-landed Thursday morning in a mountainous region south of capital Taipei.

The Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported the casualties during an afternoon news conference. Taiwans chief of general staff, Shen Yi-ming, is among the dead. Five people survived the accident.

Taiwans official broadcaster Central News Agency also confirmed the death of Shen.

The 62-year-old took office as the top chief last year. He had earlier served as the 22nd Air Force commander of the Air Force and Deputy Minister of Defense, and has undergone military training in France and the U.S.

I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen wrote on Facebook. She added that Shen is an outstanding general and that his death is saddening.

The tragedy comes at a tense time for the self-ruled island, which is claimed by China. On Tuesday, the Taiwanese parliament passed an anti-infiltration law to combat perceived threats to the islands democratic independence from mainland China as the island gears up for a presidential vote on Jan. 11.

The incumbent, Tsai, is running on the promise of upholding the territorys sovereignty and maintaining a distance from the mainland. Beijing has said that it would not rule out using force against the island.

The Taiwanese UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter took off just before 8 a.m. and last made contact at 8:07 a.m., according to a defense ministry news conference. Taiwan air force commander-in-chief Hsiung Hou-chi said the helicopter went down in the hilly district of Wulai, and that the crash was caused by mechanical or environmental factors, which were yet to be clarified. Two rescue helicopters and 91 personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Some of the people (on board) are still inside trapped, some have gotten out, Hsiung said. But as for the details, we still need the further report from the search and rescue team on the scene.

The exact cause of the crash and conditions of the five who survived is not known.

According to the defense ministry, the helicopter was on a routine mission to visit soldiers stationed in Yilan, a county in the territorys northeast, ahead of the Chinese New Year.
The AGR (adjusted gross revenues) ruling of the Supreme Court continues to spring surprises. Over the past few weeks, there are random yet unmissable numbers being thrown around in the media reports. The AGR blow that was initially believed to just strike the telecom operators down has now begun to spook the non-telecom entities.

In fact, the DoT's (department of telecom's) reported demand of Rs 3.12 lakh crore from three non-telecom entities - GAIL, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers & Chemicals (GNVFC) and PowerGrid Corporation - is now more than double the estimated dues (Rs 1.47 lakh crore) from 15 telecom companies such as Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Communications. Out of 15 telcos, just five are operating currently.

These entities (both telecom and non-telecom) owe money to DoT for different types of licences. GAIL, for instance, was asked to pay for IP-I (infrastructure provider-I), IP-2 and ISP (internet service providers) licences. DoT, the nodal agency for telecom services in the country, grants different types of licences - basic, UASL, cellular, ILD, VSAT, NLD, IP-I, PMRTS - to numerous entities for carrying out their businesses and sell services to consumers.

Also Read: DoT seeks Rs 1.72 lakh crore in past statutory dues from GAIL after SC ruling

While these non-telecom entities were expecting some demand from DoT after the apex court's order, nobody had imagined the magnitude. It's obvious that these entities would not likely pay the due amounts as they would go belly up. In nearly all the cases, the DoT dues on these companies are far higher than their annual revenues, net profits and market capitalisation.

It is understood that DoT's internal estimates are based on the AGR definition - as certified by SC in its October ruling - which should also take into account the non-telecom revenues of these entities, but these lofty estimates have opened a Pandora's Box. And this is just a beginning as similar demands are expected to be made from other entities such as Oil India, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, RailTel and others.

It also seems rather illogical that telcos were fighting the AGR case for the past 14 years wherein their own dues were far lesser than non-telecom companies.

Also Read: DoT plans to approach Trai in January for views on additional 5G bands

So far, the telcos have done their bit by knocking on the doors of the government to provide relief. The chances of a direct succour seem distant as similar demand could arise from other distressed sectors such as automobiles, steel, real estate and agriculture.

They have also filed petitions in SC to review interest, penalty and interest on penalty which constitute nearly 75 per cent of their total dues. Telcos have recently raised tariffs to tide over the AGR crisis but how much they are going to benefit from it is yet to be seen. Vodafone Idea has made it clear that without the government support, they are likely to shut shop.

The non-telecom entities are still evaluating legal remedies. Gujarat-based GNVFC, for instance, is seeking expert legal advice on the matter and based on the advice, it will decide the future course of action.

Non-telecom entities can argue that telecom licenses obtained by them don't directly result in generating revenues for them. Their core businesses are elsewhere whereas telcos generate the bulk of their income from selling services riding on the licensed airwaves.

Also Read: Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea to ring in 2020 on a bad note

But where does this lead to? Is DoT looking at giving an indirect relief to telcos? One thing these monumental demands have done, for sure, is to take all the attention away from telcos. In order to make a problem look less severe, create a bigger problem.

Then, when the time comes to clear out the mess, everybody will benefit. Nobody is arguing that the incumbent telcos are in a position to pay dues but by raising substantial demands from non-telecom companies who are probably undeserving of the dues, DoT could perhaps be making a case where the dues will be lowered for everybody.

The consequentialism theory says that most people would believe that lying is wrong, but if telling a lie helps save somebody's life, it's the right thing to do. In the similar fashion, if saving telcos ensures a steady income for the government (and boosts India's image as investment destination), the DoT would be better off giving up on some of the windfall gains from the AGR case. And after all, the frequent visits of the telecom bosses to Sanchar Bhawan in the recent weeks would pay off.

Also Read: Reliance Jio adds 91 lakh new customers in Oct; Vodafone Idea, Airtel recover from subscriber loss: TRAI
3 1 of 3 Saratoga County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Show More Show Less 3 of 3





WILTON  A Malta teen was arrested on Friday after he allegedly threatened students at the Maple Avenue Middle School on social media, the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office said.

Michael L. Ross, 18, of Raylinsky Road allegedly posted a video on Instagram in which he allegedly threatened to bring a firearm to the school to harm students after getting involved in an argument between his younger step-siblings and other students who attend the school, Superintendent of School Michael Patton said.
A mock US flag is laid on the ground for cars to drive on in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on January 3, 2020, following news of the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards top commander Qasem Soleimani in a US strike on his convoy at Baghdad international airport. Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP

Tensions with Iran escalated Friday with news that the U.S. killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's military Quds Forces. Soleimani sponsored terrorist activities and was one of the most despised figures in the West, said Peter Marta, partner in the cybersecurity practice at law firm Hogan Lovells and an expert in Middle East intelligence. But Soleimani also served as more of a legitimized "head of state" among Shiite Muslim state agencies globally compared to other terrorist leaders. This is particularly worrisome, since Iran has explicitly shown its ability to conduct widespread cyberattacks against American businesses in response to U.S. government action, notably against the biggest U.S. banks throughout 2012 and 2013, Marta said Friday. "Soleimani was one of the top two or three most powerful figures in the region," he said. Iran also possesses a vast trove of intelligence, thanks to a sustained campaign of intellectual property theft against hundreds of U.S. academic institutions, according to the Department of Justice. It said the targets have included universities that conduct biological, chemical, defense industrial, space and nuclear research for the federal government. Iran has also conducted malicious cyber operations against other countries, most notably Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and government offices, and U.S. intelligence agencies have said Iran has attacked and planted malware on industrial facilities in the U.S., including dams. Iran may not have the extensive cybersecurity resources as the United States, but these three factors show the country may have a surprisingly large strategic strength as a conflict looms.

Operation Ababil

In 2012 and 2013, several of the world's largest banks were stunned by a series of high-volume distributed denial of service attacks against their websites. This type of attack, known as DDoS, involves sending small "packets" of information in a very high volume to crash the servers supporting those websites. Login pages for numerous big banks crashed, leaving consumers unable to view their accounts. The Izz Ad-Din Al Qassam Cyber Fighters, an Islamic activist organization self-styled similarly to the hacking collective Anonymous, took responsibility, saying the attacks were retaliation for a series of anti-Islamic actions by the U.S. Pastor Terry Jones. But U.S. intelligence agencies later revealed the "hacktivist" group was a smokescreen, and the attack was actually sponsored by Iran, partially in response to sanctions imposed against the country by the U.S. and other international organizations. It would be the first public example of a trend: When the U.S. issues sanctions against Iran, the country retaliates with cyberattacks. The killing of Soleimani represents a "much more meaningful event" to Iran than mere sanctions, Marta said, and the possibility of commensurate cyberattacks is significant. In a note to investors Friday, Evercore analysts Ken Talanian and Kirk Materne warned that the killing could result in more cyberattacks against U.S. companies. "Though the cyber security stocks typically are less reactionary to cyber headlines than they were in the past, we believe that significant events still help justify cybersecurity related spend across the industry," the Evercore analysts wrote. "It is uncertain whether there are methodical attacks underway by Iran, but we believe it is likely that the near-term increased tension between Iran and the U.S. could result in reactionary cyberattacks."

Iranian intelligence
The goal of this article is to teach you how to use price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll look at The New Zealand Refining Company Limited's (NZSE:NZR) P/E ratio and reflect on what it tells us about the company's share price. Based on the last twelve months, New Zealand Refining's P/E ratio is 20.26. That is equivalent to an earnings yield of about 4.9%.

Check out our latest analysis for New Zealand Refining

How Do You Calculate A P/E Ratio?

The formula for price to earnings is:

Price to Earnings Ratio = Share Price  Earnings per Share (EPS)

Or for New Zealand Refining:

P/E of 20.26 = NZ$1.88  NZ$0.09 (Based on the year to June 2019.)

Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good?

A higher P/E ratio means that buyers have to pay a higher price for each NZ$1 the company has earned over the last year. 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 Does New Zealand Refining's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers?

The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. You can see in the image below that the average P/E (10.3) for companies in the oil and gas industry is lower than New Zealand Refining's P/E.

NZSE:NZR Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 2nd 2020

Its relatively high P/E ratio indicates that New Zealand Refining shareholders think it will perform better than other companies in its industry classification. Shareholders are clearly optimistic, but the future is always uncertain. So further research is always essential. I often monitor director buying and selling.

How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios

If earnings fall then in the future the 'E' will be lower. Therefore, even if you pay a low multiple of earnings now, that multiple will become higher in the future. A higher P/E should indicate the stock is expensive relative to others -- and that may encourage shareholders to sell.

Story continues

New Zealand Refining saw earnings per share decrease by 28% last year. And it has shrunk its earnings per share by 33% per year over the last three years. This might lead to low expectations.

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. That means it doesn't take debt or cash into account. Hypothetically, a company could reduce its future P/E ratio by spending its cash (or taking on debt) to achieve higher earnings.

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.

New Zealand Refining's Balance Sheet

New Zealand Refining has net debt equal to 45% of its market cap. While it's worth keeping this in mind, it isn't a worry.

The Verdict On New Zealand Refining's P/E Ratio

New Zealand Refining has a P/E of 20.3. That's around the same as the average in the NZ market, which is 19.4. With modest debt, and a lack of recent growth, it would seem the market is expecting improvement in earnings.

Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. If the reality for a company is better than it expects, you can make money by buying and holding for the long term. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold the key to an excellent investment decision.

But note: New Zealand Refining 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).

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday presented the Congress party's manifesto for the 2018 Rajasthan assembly election where it had promised citizenship to displaced refugees from Pakistan.

BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao held up a copy of the manifesto to point at 'Item No. 27', saying: "I've in my hand the manifesto of Congress for Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2018. Item No. 27 of this manifesto relates to governance. They claim citizenship rights in this and there's a promise that they are lying about today." Elaborating further, the BJP parliamentarian said that the Congress, in its manifesto had promised an "all-round development of people who have been displaced from Pakistan"

"That means the refugees, and they promise to give them citizenship rights and rehabilitation of those families," Rao said at a press conference here.

Calling out the Congress, he claimed that the grand old party has been "continuously lying", and accused the party of fooling the people.

The Congress has taken a strong position against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), claiming it was discriminatory. The BJP, through these documents hopes to show the flip flops of the Congress on the matter of the CAA.

The CAA benefits Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian and Parsi refugees from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who sought refuge in India before 2015. The Amendment, however, leaves out Muslims from these nations.
At the same time, members of the new cabinet do not rule out the possibility of gradual removal of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation

France 24

Austria's new coalition government, led by Sebastian Kurz, is set on a policy of supporting sanctions against Russia, but does not rule out their cancellation. This is stated in a government program agreed by the Austrian People's Party and Greens party, Ukrinform reports.

"Austria supports EU sanctions against Russia within the framework of the European consensus," the government program document reads.

At the same time, members of the new cabinet of Austrian ministers do not exclude the possibility of gradual removal of restrictive measures against the Russian Federation in case of progress in the implementation of Minsk agreements.

Official Vienna considers Kyiv an important partner of the EU in Eastern Europe and supports the economic and political rapprochement of Ukraine and Europe, the program of the new government emphasizes.

As we reported earlier, the EU decided to prolong the sanctions against Russia until March 15, 2020. The respective decision was announced by the European Council on December 12.

"The measures consist of an asset freeze and travel restrictions. They currently apply to 170 persons and 44 entities. The relevant information and statement of reasons for the listing of these persons and entities have been updated as necessary.
By Luiza Ilie

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's state pension system needs a complete overhaul focused on contributions and private funds to become sustainable, Finance Minister Florin Citu said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

The European Union state overhauled its communist-era pension system in 2008, making it mandatory for all working Romanians under 35 to contribute to private pension schemes as well as their state pension.

The liberal government is grappling with a massive 40% increase in state pensions from September 2020, introduced by its centre-left predecessor, that will bust EU budget limits and risk credit downgrades by ratings agencies.

The pension increase is also likely to leave the country vulnerable in the coming years as birth rates boomed after a communist-era abortion ban in 1966 - meaning the number of pensioners is set to rocket soon after 2030.

"Our vision is for an entirely new pension system, not just a new bill," Citu said. "I hope it is not too late because any restructuring needs several decades to become effective, and 2030 is just around the corner."

Romania's seven private pension funds now manage assets worth just under 13 billion euros and are the largest institutional investors on the bourse.

The previous Social Democrat government, which collapsed in a no-confidence vote in October, had focused on raising current state pensions.

Earlier this year, it capped contributions to private pension funds at 3.75%, lowered management fees and raised social capital requirements to prohibitive levels.

Citu's government, which came to power in November, will undo those requirements via emergency decree later this week, and he said he would propose raising contributions to 5% in 2021 and 6% in 2022.

"Contributions will remain unchanged only next year, given the current financial situation," he said. "We want a system ... that is based on contributions, one that gives greater importance to the privately managed side, which provides yields."

Story continues

Next year's 40% hike in pension payouts has prompted rating agency Standard & Poor's put Romania on negative watch.

Facing an election next year, the centrist government has said it will enforce existing legislation, but that it will pare state spending and boost tax collection to stop deficits ballooning.

Romania's government expects the deficit to fall to 3.6% of gross domestic product next year and 3.3% in 2021 from an estimated 4.4% this year, but remain above the EU's 3% limit until 2022.

The European Commission has estimated Romania's deficit will hit 6.1% of GDP in 2021, if no additional measures are taken.

"The estimates are from before this government came in. I will attempt to assure the European Commission and financial markets that ... the path we are on is that of fiscal consolidation," Citu said, adding the switch from a pro-cyclical stance would not be abrupt so as to not choke economic growth.

"I want to show them that whatever is above the 3% limit will go towards public investment."

He also said he would propose that the government postpone by one year via emergency decree any additional spending-friendly changes made by lawmakers.

Citu said the country's gross financing needs for next year would be lower than this year's estimated 90 billion lei ($21 billion). The ministry's foreign issuance target will start from 5 billion euros ($5.51 billion), the same amount it sold this year.

To start, debt managers plan to tap foreign markets for more than 2 billion euros in early 2020, he said.

($1 = 0.9073 euros)

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Vehicle owners have begun flooding offices of the Drivers and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) across the country to secure the 2020 number plates.

The yearly ritual which is usually characterised by the mad rush to obtain vehicle number plates following the arrival of a new year makes the premises of the DVLA at its branches across the country busy.

Registered and unregistered vehicles are usually lined up at the offices of the DVLA with some owners joining long queues to register their new vehicles and others renewing their roadworthy certificates.

The DVLA has introduced a new Vehicle Registration System (VRS) to enhance its operations.

The new system will among other things help prevent duplication of number plates of different vehicles.

The DVLA has also introduced new prefixes for number plates in specific areas of the country.

At the Kumasi office of the DVLA for instance, some vehicle owners who spoke to Citi News said they were at the premises as early as 4 am on Thursday to have their vehicles registered, but the long queues have caused them to wait for a long time.

I am here to have my vehicle registered. I have been here since 4 am and it is almost midday and I have not been able to go through the process yet. I have not been called yet and I dont know if I will be able to go through, one of the vehicle owners said.

Others also believe that the introduction of the digitized system by the DVLA is commendable and will help vehicle owners.

The digitized registration system will help us than the previous one which was manual. There is now a digital address system and even the registration of the Ghana Card is also digital. So, if it is being introduced at the DVLA, I think it will help, another vehicle owner said.

Officials at the Kumasi office of the DVLA said they are working to ensure the huge numbers of vehicle owners trooping to have their vehicles registered are all served.

Ashanti Regional Head of the DVLA, George Afful told Citi News that his outfit was aware of the huge numbers of vehicle owners that were coming in and the officers were working hard to ensure they are all served.

The activities of middlemen popularly called Goro Boys continue to be an issue for the DVLA.

Mr Afful urged the public and other vehicle owners to deal strictly with DVLA officers who can be identified in order not to be victims.

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L: Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 18, 2016. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File) R: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington on June 10, 2019. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Pompeo Posts Footage of Iraqis Celebrating Death of Irans Top Military General

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared footage showing Iraqis celebrating the death of Irans top military general, Qassim Soleimani (also known as Qassem Soleimani).

Soleimani, Irans top general and the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East, was killed by a U.S. airstrike at Baghdads international airport early Friday morning local time, Iraqi TV and three Iraqi officials confirmed.

Pompeos post shows footage of people running through the streets, cheering as they carry the national flag of Iraq after Soleimanis death. The tweet, which is flooded by ensuing comments that appear to also celebrate the death of Soleimani, reads: IraqisIraqisdancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more.

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

Soleimanis death came shortly after reports emerged about at least three Katyusha rockets fired at an Iraqi military base that was housing U.S. and Iraqi counterterrorism forces, located near Baghdad International Airport.

Soleimani, 62, is considered the architect behind Irans elite Quds Forcean elite unit within Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) that is tasked with Irans extra-territorial military operationsincluding activities to expand Iranian influence in Syria and rocket attacks on Israel.

The United States in April 2019 designated Irans IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). It marked the first time that the United States designated part of a foreign government as a terror group. The State Department announced at the time that the FTO designation highlights that Iran is an outlaw regime that uses terrorism as a key tool of statecraft and that the IRGC, part of Irans official military, has engaged in terrorist activity or terrorism since its inception 40 years ago.

Officials who confirmed Soleimanis death said the strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iraqs Iran-backed Shiite militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The PMF, formed in 2014 with about 140,000 members in total, is an Iraqi government-sanctioned state umbrella group spanning about a dozen militia groupsmost of the groups, however, are mostly backed by Iran.

Months-Long Protests in Iraq

Widespread protests in Iraq have been happening since October and have seen thousands of local Iraqis taking to the streets in Baghdad. The protesters accused the government of being corrupt and decried the Iranian regimes growing influence in Iraqi state affairs through the militia groups. The mass uprisings have left more than 450 people dead, the vast majority being protesterskilled by security forces using tear gas and live ammunition.

Hundreds of anti-government protesters march inside Tahrir Square carrying national flags and chanting religious slogans in Baghdad, Iraq on Dec. 5, 2019. (Hadi Mizban/AP Photo)

The Wall Street Journal reported that militia groups hold about 47 parliamentary seats, giving them significant influence in the Iraqi government. According to the WSJ, Irans increasing influence over the militia groups and in Iraqi parliament has stirred public discontent and contributed to nationwide protests since October.

Trump Ordered Attacks

A senior Iraqi security official told The Associated Press that the airstrike that killed Soleimani took place near a cargo area near Baghdad International Airport after he left his plane and joined al-Muhandis and others in a car. The official added that the plane had arrived from either Lebanon or Syria.

AP reported that two officials from the PMF said Suleimanis body was torn to pieces in the attack and al-Muhandiss body was not found. A senior politician told the AP that Suleimanis body was identified by the ring he wore.

A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq on Jan. 2, 2020. (HO, Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via AP)

Several hours after their deaths, the Department of Defense confirmed that President Donald Trump directed the U.S. military to kill Soleimani.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the department said in a statement late Thursday.

According to the United States, Soleimani was responsible for orchestrating attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past several months, which included the attack at the Kirkuk military base in northern Iraq on Dec. 27 that killed an American and wounded several American and Iraqi troops.

Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place earlier this week, the department said in their statement. The two-day Iran-backed embassy attack, which began on New Years Eve and ended Wednesday, prompted Trump to deploy about 750 U.S. soldiers to the embassy.

Protesters are seen through a broken window of a checkpoint belonging to the U.S. embassy, in front of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 31, 2019. (Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo)

Protesters burn property in front of the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 31, 2019. (Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo)

Pompeo pointed out in an earlier tweet that al-Muhandis was spotted outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad amid the attacks. Al-Muhandiss role in the attacks was unclear.

The attack today was orchestrated by terrorists  Abu Mahdi al Muhandis and Qays al-Khazali  and abetted by Iranian proxies  Hadi al Amari and Faleh al-Fayyad. All are pictured below outside our embassy. pic.twitter.com/2QfGGrfmDd  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 31, 2019

Al-Muhandis was also a former leader of the Iranian-backed Kataib Hizbollah (Kataib Hezbollah, KH) terror organization thats part of the PMF. He has a long history of terrorist and subversive activities. In 1983, he led terrorist attacks against the U.S. and French embassies in Kuwait, and his men have since been accused of extrajudicial killings in western Iraq.

The United States ordered defensive strikes targeted at KHs headquarters over the weekend, which prompted the Iran-backed attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The defensive strikes were in response to an attack on the Kirkuk military base on Dec. 27 that the United States believes was carried out by KH. The strikes killed 25 fighters of the KH, the AP reported.

U.S. officials have suggested they were prepared to engage in further retaliatory attacks in Iraq.

Let me speak directly to Iran and to our partners and allies, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on Thursday. To Iran and its proxy militias: we will not accept continued attacks against our personnel and forces in the region. Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing. We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities.

US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper speaks onstage during a briefing in Mar a Lago, Palm Beach, Florida on Dec. 29, 2019. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

To our partners and allies: we must stand together against the malign and destabilizing actions of Iran. The 81 nations and member organizations of the Defeat ISIS Coalition are in Iraq and Syria, and cooperating around the globe to defeat ISIS  Unlike the Iranians who continue to meddle in Iraqs internal affairs and seek to use corruption to further Tehrans malign influence, the United States and our allies are committed to an independent, stable, secure, and sovereign democratic Iraq that addresses the aspirations and needs of the Iraqi people, who we see protesting for these very things and objecting to Irans malign influence.

We call on our friends and allies to continue to work together to reduce Irans destabilizing influence so Iraq is governed by Iraqis without this interference in its internal affairs, Esper said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Marvel Studios will make another history after its president Kevin Feige confirmed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will welcome its first transgender character soon.

Since 2008, Marvel Studios has been releasing films under the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- from "Iron Man" being the first until the most recent 2019 movie "Spider-Man: Far from Home."

They are expected to release more movies after they unlocked the doors of the MCU Phase 4. However, Feige also shocked fans with the news about their plans of releasing its upcoming set of movies, which will include transgender characters.

Official Announcement

The 46-year-old chief appeared as a guest speaker at the New York Film Academy where he shared Marvel Studios' intentions in adding someone to represent the LGBTQ community in the MCU.

The scoop followed the moment when a student of the said academy asked Kevin whether the studio "will add more diverse superheroes" in the future.

"Yes, absolutely yes," Feige disclosed. "Very soon. In a movie, we're shooting right now."

Though he did not exactly reveal in which movie the character will appear, fans speculated that they will introduce the first transgender hero on either "Black Widow" or "The Eternals".

"Black Widow" is already scheduled for release on May 1, 2020, while "The Eternals" is currently in active development. The aforementioned films are the first two movies that will begin the saga for Phase 4 of the MCU this year.

More Hints Before?

In Aug. 2019, Kevin Feige told Good Morning America that "The Eternals" will be the home of the MCU's first openly gay character.

"The Eternals" will star Brian Tyree Henry, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Drag Race guest judge Kumail Nanjiani -- a team of extremely powerful perpetual aliens. Marvel Studios is currently filming the movie before its release by Nov. 6, 2020.

"He's married. He's got a family. And that is just part of who he is," Feige said back then..

According to CCXP 2019 expo's report that circulated last month, footage from the film showed that Brian Tyree Henry, who plays the role of Phastos, will be the one to play the said role.

In addition, We Got Covered revealed that the trailer they played during the expo included a scene where "he is holding hands with a male partner, with the pair accompanied by two kids."

Henry's character is arranged to join Tessa Thompson's character, Valkyrie, as the first openly LGBTQ characters in Marvel's history.

Marvel fans are still unsure if everyone will like the idea, as this news came after the studio received backlash over how Marvel low-key included the first-ever gay character in "Avengers: Endgame."

The film's director Joe Russo suddenly stepped in one of the scenes and performed a very brief cameo. He played the role of a grieving gay man in a therapy session.

"Representation is really important," Joe Russo said in an interview with Deadline in pursuit of explaining his short-term role. "It was important to us as we did four of these films, we wanted a gay character somewhere in them."
New Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Congress leader Alka Lamba on Friday asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to clear his stance on National Register of Citizens (NRC) saying Congress state governments have made it clear that it will not be implemented but he was silent on the matter.



Lamba, who was in APP before she returned to Congress, was speaking at a protest over the Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC outside Jamia Masjid here.

"All the states with Congress governments have made it clear that they will not implement NRC but it is very unfortunate that Delhi is still waiting for an announcement from Arvind Kejriwal. He will come asking for votes. People are on the streets against NRC but why is he silent?" Lamba asked.

"If you are scared of Modi-Shah then tell us, if you are not scared than have you signed any agreement with them then also tell us! Don't keep us in the dark," she added.

The government has said that there has been no discussion on NRC. It has also said that there has been no link between National Population Register, which will be conducted next year, and NRC.

Protests have been held against CAA including the national capital.

The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains Parsis, Buddhists and Christians who fled religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014. (ANI)


Violent clashes between rival youth groups took place in Loni Kalbhor on Thursday afternoon leaving six people injured.

They were injured due to stone-pelting. Four two-wheeler vehicles parked outside Mayur residential society were torched by the hooligans.

Anti-rioting policemen rushed to the spot and the fire brigade was summoned to douse the flames.

Police Inspector Suraj Bandgar said that the police were trying to ascertain the identities of the persons involved in the clashes.  The youths are at loggerheads with each other over area supremacy, hence they are resorting to spreading terror through arson and violence in the area. We will book them under stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code as it is an act of pre-emptive violence, he said.
Dubbing the new citizenship law, the proposed National Register of Citizens and NPR a "package" aimed at creating "a rift between Hindus and Muslims", CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury on Friday accused the BJP of indulging in "dirty" to consolidate its vote bank.

Addressing a rally organised by the CPI(M) to protest against the new citizenship law, Yechury claimed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been trying to change the secular democratic republic into a Hindu Rashtra for several decades.

In a video posted on the BJP website, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had explained that people should "understand the chronology. The National Population Register will come first, on this basis of which the NRC will be prepared and the non-Muslims whose names will not figure in the NRC will be given citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act", Yechury said.

However, the video was later withdrawn, he said.

"This package of the NPR, NRC and the CAA has been brought by the BJP to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims, leading to tension, an atmosphere of fear and violence to polarise the nation communally," the CPI(M) general secretary said.

Shah, also the BJP president, had assured the Muslims not to worry but what was left unsaid was that they would be thrown out, he claimed.

"The BJP is deliberately indulging in communal polarisation and dirty with the intention of Hindutva vote bank consolidation. This is dangerous for both the present and the future of the country," Yechury said.

The genesis of this 'project' can be traced to the pre-Independence era when Hindu Mahasabha's Veer Savarkar had first raised the two-nation theory of a Hindu Rashtra and an Islamic Republic, he said.

"It was exactly one year later that M A Jinnah also raised the demand for a separate Islamic state which ultimately happened with Independence. The Congress and the Left organisations were insistent that independent India's character will be a secular democratic republic which ultimately was adopted," Yechury said.

After independence, the RSS sought a Hindu Rashtra on the ground that an Islamic country has been created, but its demand was rejected, the Left leader said.

"This angered them and its first victim was Mahatma Gandhi. For the past several decades, they are trying to change this republic into a Hindu Rashtra. They will take oath as ministers on the Constitution but will go on to violate it in their quest to make India a Hindu Rashtra," he said.

Yechury said the amended Citizenship Act talks about according Indian citizenship to refugees who are victims of religious persecution, but it leaves out Tamils from Sri Lanka, Rohingyas from Myanmar and Ahmadiyyas from Pakistan.

"Each religion has a holy book. But for all citizens of this country there is only one book - the Indian Constitution. If that book is violated, we as true patriots will raise our voice against the CAA. Where in the Constitution is it written that citizenship will be connected to religion?" the CPI(M) general secretary said.

"Our constitution begins with Hum log - We, the People. The Hum in Hindi stands for Hindus - Hu - and Muslim - M. The BJP wants to violate this principle and we will not allow this conspiracy to succeed," Yechury said.

The CPI(M) had supported the NRC in Assam as it was part of the Assam Accord with the cut-off date of March 24, 1971, he said adding that the situation in the state is very different from the rest of the country.

Floods wash away homes in states like Bihar and Assam forcing people to move to new areas, Yechury said. "How can they produce resident certificates? Now D-voters will be created across the country as in Assam."



Pointing out that 13 chief ministers have announced that they will not allow the CAA or the NRC to be implemented in their states, he appealed to others to follow suit.

In videos that have gone viral showed that the police in BJP-ruled states like Assam, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh indulged in violence and blamed citizens protesting against the amended Citizenship Act and proposed countrywide NRC, Yechury claimed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 13:16:36|Editor: Xiang Bo

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BEIJING, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- As we enter the third decade of the 2000s, new technologies and breakthroughs are expected to bring about new applications and refresh our life experience.

In 2020, we might make more sci-fi scenes real while facing more controversies over some of those new-comers.

SMARTER ROBOT & BRAIN CHIP

Humanoid robots are becoming more human and the trend will not stop in 2020. Owing to massive data training as well as the 5G technology, they will become even smarter. During this year's Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, the robots will help guide visitors and carry luggage with backpack-like wearable bones outside their bodies.

In the big data era, people are obsessed with algorithm. Last year, Google took a quantum lead in computer science by completing a complex computation in 200 seconds. The same calculation would take even the most powerful classical supercomputers on earth approximately 10,000 years to finish, according to its team. Although the claim was questioned by some experts, it still makes people wonder if there will possibly be a "quantum hegemony?"

Blockchain is another beauty. Facebook announced last year that it would launch cryptocurrency Libra in 2020. There are some other countries brewing their own digital currencies. People are waiting to see which national central bank would be the first to release digital currency.

Elon Musk said last year that he had tested brain microchip on a monkey and enabled it to control a computer with its brain. He also said his company hoped to start human testing before the end of 2020, sparking debate over what will an "internet of brains" mean.

A PAUSE FOR LIFE

Life science is closely linked with health.

You may highly doubt there is a "pause button" for life, but doctors in the United States have placed humans in suspended animation for the first time, according to an exclusive from British weekly New Scientist.

The technique, officially called emergency preservation and resuscitation, is carried out on people who arrive at the U.S. University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore with an acute trauma.

It involves rapidly cooling a person to around 10-15 Celsius degrees by replacing all their blood with ice-cold saline. The patient's brain activity then almost completely stops, and a surgical team has two hours to fix the person's injuries before the patient is warmed up and restart heartbeat. The full results of the trial are expected to come out by the end of 2020.

New drugs and new therapies are also worth attention. The results of a trial in South Africa on HIV vaccine named HVTN 702 will also be disclosed. Experts hope the vaccine could deal a blow to the AIDS.

TOUR OF UNIVERSE

In 2020, Curiosity will not be the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s only active Mars rover for much longer. Mars 2020 rover will be headed for the Red Planet this summer. Rosalind Franklin operated by European Space Agency and the United Arab Emirates' Hope probe are both set to be launched this year for their Mars exploration mission. Besides, China also plans to implement its Mars probe task for the first time, unlocking the missions of orbiting, landing and cruising at one lift-off.

NASA also said it would allow tourists to go to the international space station by U.S. spacecraft as soon as in this year. The round tickets, however, could cost up to 60 million U.S. dollars excluding food and accommodation.

However, not all news from the space is good news. The militarization of space, for example, looms as the U.S. Department of Defense's fiscal year 2020 budget proposal recognized that "future wars will be waged not just in the air, on the land, and at sea, but also in space and cyberspace," months before the U.S. government announced that it would establish the U.S. Space Command. Those moves are expected to trigger arms race in the outer space and impair international security.

(Xinhua reporters Zhou Zhou, Zhang Jiawei, and Zhang Yirong contributed to this report)
Tehran [Iran], Jan 03 (ANI): Iran on Thursday (local time) termed the US' act of killing the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, an "extremely dangerous and a foolish" escalation.



Iran Foreign Minister Javed Zarif took to Twitter soon after Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani. He said that Washington bears responsibility for all consequences of its "rogue adventurism".

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani--THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al--is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," Zarif tweeted.

The US on Thursday carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Washington had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

The strike has escalated the tensions between the United States and Iran. The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protestors attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad. The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a deadly US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

The US has vowed to take action against the breach by protestors. Earlier in the day, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said it's time for Iran to start "acting like a normal country". (ANI)


John Royalty said the United Service Organizations offices at George Bush Intercontinental Airport are as comforting as coming home to grandmas house for active and retired military and their dependents.

The office features amenities like a kitchen with a variety of free meals and snacks, soft couches, reclining chairs, four computers connected to the internet, and printers available to print flight orders. All of which are complemented by a set of homemade blankets made by a retirement home nearby, the Center Operations Supervisor for north Houston and retired military member said. The USO runs primarily on volunteers, many of which are caretakers in a way to those who enter the cozy getaway for active and retired military and their families. For those who have kids traveling with them, they offer a small game room as well. Right now, there are new TVs in the room donated by a local school.

In order for these amenities to be provided, the IAH USO is supported by Houston Airports, The Market by Villa, HMS Host, Paradies Lagardere, Hudson Group and Joe Myers Ford. Instead of using their budget for food that these companies provide, Royalty said they can spend the budget in other areas.

We have so many donors right now that I dont have to touch the budget, it just all comes to us, Royalty said. Its amazing how many donors and people who help are out here.

Related: Humble ISD honors military with Veterans Day celebrations

The USO has served the members and families of the U.S. Military for over 77 years, located at or near military installations across the world according to the organizations website https://www.uso.org/about . Their slogan, Force Behind the Forces embodies what it means to support those who work or volunteer at USO locations.

The USO has been around since 1941. It [was] first started by Franklin Roosevelt during World War II. They tried to disband it after World War II and realized the USO was needed, regardless of if were in combat or not. So they started the USO as we have it now and its really been the same ever since.

Although the space at the IAH USO is limited, those who visit seem to enjoy having a touch of home inside the rush of the airport according to Royalty.

Its amazing to see just the generosity from everyone who comes through and really respects what we do, Royalty said.

As part of being the force behind the forces, the USO also welcomes gold star families  those who have lost a family member in military service. Royalty said its a somber and tough time, sometimes presented with short notice. Despite the periodic short notices, Royalty said three or four volunteers always manage to show up for the families.

Theyll greet them at the gate as they come in. Theyll stand on the tarmac outside where they do the dignified transfer from the plane. Theyll coordinate with the chaplains at the airport to be there as well for emotional support, Royalty said. They really do a lot. I can think of specific instances, but I would just say in general thats what really impresses me as a staff member.

Related: Navy CPO surprises daughters at school after 11-month deployment in Africa

Volunteers are what keeps the Houston USOs running. Only four people are paid staff members who manage operations, while over 250 volunteers operate the centers.

Dona Elaine Nelson, an IAH USO volunteer of three years, said she volunteered at the airport for their general volunteer program. She was approached by a USO volunteer at the time who sparked her interest in joining. Nelson, whose husband is a Navy veteran, said the IAH USO is a form of hospitality that goes above and beyond and is a rewarding form of service.

I have ancestors that have been in every military, all the way back to the Revolutionary War and I thought, well, I can do my part. So thats how it got started, Nelson said.

The volunteers go beyond the requirements to ensure every guest is well taken care of, even in strenuous circumstances. One military dependent visited their location while on his way home during a break from college and lost his wallet in the USO. After initially searching for it without any luck, another USO visitor found it in the crease of a recliner about two months later. They were able to return it, and Nelson said she now has friends in Idaho.

So in the long process, we became friends, Nelson said. Its awesome. We send notes to each other quite often.

Cindy Reeves, a volunteer with USO Houston for 12 years, is familiar with working with the military. She has worked in an Army hospital and her late husband was a C1-41 pilot in the Air Force and said she has strong feelings for the military.

It makes me feel like Im contributing to the military and it makes me aware of our military, Reeves said. In our country, only about one percent of people have served or will serve in the military and most people dont think anything about it. They just assume that someone else is going to serve in the military.

For those interested in volunteering, visit https://houston.uso.org/support/volunteer.

savannah.mehrtens@chron.com
Mumbai, Jan 3 : A fresh controversy erupted on Friday over booklets brought out by the Congress' Seva Dal which has allegedly made certain derogatory remarks pertaining to revolutionary Vinayak Damodar 'Veer' Savarkar and Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.

Savarkar's grandson Ranjit Savarkar demanded that Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray should file cases against the Congress, its former President Rahul Gandhi, and other leaders involved in publishing the objectionable references, while the Madhya Pradesh government should ban the offensive book.

In the Seva Dal booklets, "Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer" and "RSS and BJP Kuch Tathya aur Jankari" are among other titles which are being distributed at the ongoing 10-day Seva Dal training camp in Bhopal.

Among other things, one of the booklets has claimed that there was a physical relationship between Godse and Savarkar, the former Hindu Mahasabha chief.

Picking up an extract from Dominique Lapierre & Larry Collins' book, "Freedom At Midnight", the booklet said: "Before Nathuram Godse adopted Brahmacharya, there is just one mention about his physical relationship. The only physical relationship which Godse had before adopting Brahmacharya was a homosexual relationship with his political guru Veer Savarkar." Ranjit Savarkar, who is the Chairman of Swatantryaveer Savarkar National Memorial, here, said: "The Congress has been targeting Veer Savarkar and his legacy repeatedly for political mileage, but we never thought it would stoop so low." He demanded that all the Congress leaders responsible should be booked for defamation, criminal conspiracy and other sections of the Indian Penal Code, and the booklet must be banned.

Ranjit Savarkar pointed out that the references made in the book, "Freedom At Midnight", were withdrawn by the publishers long ago.
According to the ASEAN FinTech Census 2018 from Ernst & Young  a global leader in assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services  Vietnam currently ranks second (after Singapore) amongst ASEAN member states in the number of incubators, accelerators, and innovation labs. The fintech market was worth $4.4 billion in 2017 and is predicted to reach $7.8 billion by 2020, equaling a 77 per cent increase over three years.

The fintech sector has very high growth potential, as the number of non-cash transactions in Vietnam is only 4.9 per capita, compared to 59.7 in Thailand, 89 in Malaysia, and 26.1 in China, according to a World Bank survey.

Policy and regulations are key factors contributing to the success of a fintech hub  concluded the Connecting Global Fintech report by Deloitte, in partnership with the Global Fintech Hubs Federation in 2017. Good regulations should be able to establish a healthy balance between maintaining stability in the market and protecting customers, while providing enough wiggle room for companies to develop and implement the latest innovations.

As an innovative factor, fintech requires corresponding policy and regulations, most of which do not exist yet. Due to the lack of a legal framework, the competent authorities feel out of their depth when assessing dossiers, which leads to lengthy procedures or straight-out rejection. As a result, several projects could not be deployed and the chance of having innovative startups slips by. Consequently, the Vietnamese economy will be at a higher risk of lagging behind other countries.

Additionally, the lack of regulations allows many companies to operate illegally. Without proper control from the authorities, these operations carry too many risks related to high-tech crime and fraud or financial crimes, such as theft of personal information, tax evasion, money laundering, or unlawful capital mobilisation.

Therefore, a legal framework is in urgent demand to boost fintech growth and prevent illegal practices. The sooner policies and regulations for fintech are in place, the earlier the Vietnamese economy can benefit.

Vietnam's fintech future looks bright as its start-up ecosystem is now home to more than 150 companies and brands, covering a broad range of services

Regulatory sandbox  responding to urgent need of fintech

Taking the initiative, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued Decision No.999/QD-TTg on August 12 to approve the Project on Promoting Sharing Economic Model.

The goal of the project is to ensure an equal business environment among enterprises according to the sharing economy and traditional economy models, while ensuring the legitimate rights, responsibilities, and benefits of parties participating in the sharing economy, including service providers, service users, and platform providers.

Furthermore, the project encourages innovation, the application of digital technology, and the development of the digital economy.

Decision No.999/QD-TTg has turned on the green light and removed barriers for fintech, preparing for further developments. Referring to the experience of developed countries, the best way to build a legal framework is operating a fintech regulatory sandbox.

The sandbox helps regulators understand new technologies  and any associated risks  before products hit the mass market, and that helps startups to build in safeguards for consumers at an earlier stage.

Such a sandbox is a framework set up by a financial sector regulator to allow small-scale, live testing of innovations by private firms in a controlled environment (operating under a special exemption, allowance, or other limited, time-bound exception) under the regulators supervision, as defined by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP).

The sandbox helps regulators understand new technologies  and any associated risks  before products hit the mass market, and that helps startups to build in safeguards for consumers at an earlier stage.

At the workshop on Deploying sandbox to strengthen the foundations of the sharing economy, on November 11, 2019 Nguyen Xuan Viet Binh, executive of e-wallet firm Moca Technology and Services JSC, said Moca supported the promulgation of the sandbox mechanism in fintech, as it would help promote innovation for fintech businesses, enhance people's access to banking services and comprehensive financial services, and move the country towards a cashless society.

This is aligned with the prime ministers Decision No.2545/QD-TTg approving the scheme on non-cash payment development in Vietnam in 2016-2020.

Ngo Van Duc, deputy head of the Payment Department under the State Bank of Vietnam, said that sandbox is important for the fast-developing banking-financial system and fintech in Vietnam.

So far, 30 non-bank organisations have been licensed by the SBV to provide intermediary payment services; 24 banks, together with more than 50,000 places, have implemented QR code payment; 76 organisations have deployed internet payment services; and 44 organisations have provided mobile payment services.

These numbers prove that fintech is an inevitable trend in Vietnam, but there still exist gaps in legal regulation. First, fintech management has not been mentioned in any legal document. Second, there is no organisation specialised in supporting and handling problems related to fintech activities. Third, except for intermediary payments, fintech activities are not yet regulated by legal documents, Duc added.

Current legal provisions related to the operations of credit institutions do not yet allow the application of modern technology solutions. To solve these problems, creating a regulatory sandbox for fintech is an urgent need, he concluded.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 06:34:20|Editor: yan

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday the U.S. airstrike in the Middle East is bound to push up Brazil's fuel prices.

Reporters asked Bolsonaro to comment on the U.S. airstrike which killed a top Iranian military commander in Iraq, and whether his administration would take any action to halt the likely spike in fuel prices if the conflict escalates.

"It will have an impact. We will have to see what our limit is because fuel prices are already high here, so things will get complicated if they rise more," Bolsonaro said.

The Brazilian president said he had not had the chance to talk to his economy minister or the CEO of state-run oil and gas giant Petrobras to discuss the situation, and stressed that he will "talk to those who understand" the matter better before making any decisions.

"I will talk to those who know about it," he said, adding "Brazil is doing well because I don't poke my nose into everything, I ask about it."

Bolsonaro added that he will meet army Gen. Augusto Heleno, minister of Institutional Security, to find out more about the U.S. attack and its political implications.
Redevelopment is taking place around the former military bases at Horsham and Warminster (shown here) even as EPA testing shows groundwater in the area is contaminated by PFAS, a chemical compound that was commonly used in firefighting foams. Read more

The Air Force will spend more than $2 million to permanently stop PFAS-contaminated water from flowing off a former Montgomery County base into local waterways, officials said Friday.

The agreement to fund the fix comes after more than two years of requests from local residents and officials to address the highly contaminated water that has flowed off the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove and into local creeks.

Water contamination from PFAS, a family of chemicals that have been linked to health problems, has affected millions of residents nationwide, including thousands in swaths of Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Here, the chemicals ran off the former Willow Grove and Warminster naval bases into waterways and drinking water supplies.

 READ MORE: PFAS regulation plan passed in latest spending bill, but weakened by Congress first

Those have since been cleaned, but contamination remains in groundwater, storm water, and other parts of the environment. Across the country, the military has responded differently at various bases and has been pressed by affected states for more funding and cleanup.

For years, we have been deeply concerned by the ongoing contamination flowing from the Willow Grove base and into our regions groundwater, said U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, the Democrat representing Montgomery County, who had lobbied the military to address the issue and announced the Air Force funding on Friday.

It could take up to two years to build the containment and filtration system, which is being designed by the Warminster Municipal Authority, said Timothy Hagey, the authoritys general manager. The final design is in progress, and it will collect and treat the ground and surface water before it flows off the base.

We would like to get it done as soon as we can, Hagey said Friday.

The municipal authority has shown a preliminary design to the Air Force; a final design will take six months to complete, he said. Actual construction will take a year, plus time for bidding, approvals, and permits.

The system will collect and treat the water and is slated to be designed to treat 500 gallons a minute, which, along with improvements to an existing retention basin, would handle most, if not all, rain events," Hagey said.

The Air Force disbursed $2.8 million for the project, Deans office said; Air Force spokespeople confirmed the anticipated cost is more than $2 million.

For years, the water has been moving off the Willow Grove base and into a tributary of Park Creek, which eventually flows into Neshaminy Creek  which goes into the Horsham-area water treatment facilities.

Today, we are a step closer to cleaning up our regions drinking water, Dean said.
"The Informer"; Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike, Clive Owen, Common, Ana De Armas, Arturo Crasto, Eugene Lipinski; Direction: Andrea Di Stefano; Rating: *** and 1/2 (three and a half stars)Directed by Andrea Di Stefano and adapted from Anders Roslund and BArge HellstrAm's best-selling novel "Three Seconds", the film is a gripping and compelling tale that is full of tense twists and turns.

It tells us the story of a former special operations soldier and ex-convict, Pete Koslow (Joel Kinnaman) and his desperate plight to lead a normal family life. Circumstances turn him from a loving husband to a convict, who is then forced to work undercover with the FBI, teaming with Wilcox (Rosamund Pike) and Montomery (Clive Owen), to bring down the Polish drug lord who is known as The General (Eugene Lipinski).

When the big drug deal, whose exposure was supposed to be Peter's exit ticket from the world of crime ends on a bloody note after a NYPD police officer is killed by one of the trigger-happy gangsters, Koslow finds himself stuck in the crossfire between the mob and the FBI.

He is now forced to accept his fate, re-enter the prison system or his wife Sofia Hoffman (Ana de Armas) and daughter would suffer the consequences. How he disentangles himself from this dangerous web and escapes, forms the crux of the tale.

The plot, despite straying into narrative cliches of the given genre, proves a solid thriller that genuinely keeps you on the edge of the seat throughout. While the entire narrative was even paced, the third act proves a bit shaky in terms of scene handling. The climax crashes in an off beat note.

One of the strong points of the film, apart from the writing of the screenplay, is the performance by its stellar cast. Kinnaman steals the show with his Koslow act. He is explosive and brooding as Koslow, proving an impressive presence in the physical and often brutal action sequences. His desperate fight for survival finds a visceral pathos.

Rosamund Pike also nails her character Wilcox to perfection. The other actor who steals the show is Common, playing the determined NYPD police officer Grens, who runs into Koslow's case. He is menacing, brooding and actually quite hysterical.

Eugene Lipinski is wasted in a miniscule, unexciting role as Mob Lord. But nevertheless he leaves his mark, every time he was on screen albeit for a short duration.

The Cuban actress Ana De Armas, with her sultry looks is definitely a scene stealer, but unfortunately her character is underwritten and she has hardly anything to offer.

Overall, with ace production values and the right dollop of action sequences, the film, is a hard-edged, old-school crime thriller that has a raw and gritty feel and is engaging till the very end.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Hyundai Development consortium to buy 31.05% of Asiana Airlines for $2.16 bn

South Korean construction major Hyundai Development Co said on Friday its consortium will acquire a controlling stake in the countrys second-biggest carrier, Asiana Airlines Inc, for 2.5 trillion won ($2.16 billion).

Hyundai Development said it will share 2.01 trillion won of the 2.5 trillion won its consortium with Mirae Asset Financial Group will pay for the acquisition.

Asianas top shareholder, Kumho Industrial Co Ltd, put its 31.05 per cent stake up for sale earlier this year as it came under pressure from the airlines creditors to reduce debt at the loss-making carrier.

Hyundai Development Company (HDC) said its consortium with Mirae Asset has been selected as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of Asiana Airlines, a representative airline of South Korea.

HDC Hyundai Development Company feels massively honored for being selected as the preferred bidder on the 12th by participating in the main bidding for the acquisition of Asiana Airlines, a representative airline of South Korea, Mong-gyu Chung, chairman of HDC Group, said.

The acquisition of Asiana Airlines is based on the strategic judgment that the airline industry, the national infrastructure, is in line with the sustainable growth of HDC Group. HDC Hyundai Development Company will make every effort to conclude this contract smoothly as a preferred bidder and will support Asiana Airlines as much as possible so that Asiana Airlines can have the best competitiveness after the contract, he added.

The acquisition by Hyundai Development Company is expected to ease the financial pressures of Asiana Airlines, which is facing domestic and international competition.

HDC will also continue to invest in new aircraft and services after the acquisition.

The acquisition will also see the HDC Group expanding in the mobility group as well as the aviation industry. HDC hopes to strengthen the future competitiveness of South Korea by creating positive synergy with the employees of Asiana Airlines.
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) and Hepatitis and Punjab government's Infection Control Program Primary and Secondary Health Care Department have agreed to establish a Hepatitis Clinic here at the varsity Campus

BAHAWALPUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Jan, 2020 ) :The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) and Hepatitis and Punjab government's Infection Control Program Primary and Secondary Health Care Department have agreed to establish a Hepatitis Clinic here at the varsity Campus.

According to IUB spokesman Shahzad Ahmad, the clinic aimed at declaring the Islamia University of Bahawalpur as Hepatitis free university. This clinic would also ensure screening of every single student, faculty, staff members and their families, Hepatitis B vaccination and treatment of Hepatitis positive individuals.

IUB Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr Athar Mahboob and Program Manager of Hepatitis Control and Infection Program Dr Khalid Mehmood signed the agreement in a ceremony at Baghdad ul Jadeed Campus here on Friday.

Principal Quaid e Azam Medical College Bahawalpur Prof. Dr. Khawaja Fayyaz Ahmed, senior faculty members and officials of District Health Authority Bahawalpur were also present on this occasion.

It is important to mention here that a mega Hepatitis screening and vaccination campaign launched by the provincial government is going on in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur.

As many as 30 thousand students, faculty members and employees will be screened, vaccinated and treated to make the university, the first Hepatitis free university of the country.
Pro-Iranian militiamen and their supporters set a fire during a demonstration in front of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 1, 2020. (Khalid Mohammed/AP Photo)

US Nationals Warned Not to Travel to Iraq Day Before Iranian General Qassim Soleimani Killed in US Airstrike

The U.S. State Department updated its travel warning for Iraq advising Americans against traveling to the region a day before President Donald Trump authorized strikes that killed the Iranian regimes top military official, Qassim Soleimani (also Qassem Soleimani), near Baghdad International Airport.

The update renewed the travel advisory level to Level 4: Do Not Travel and listed terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict among the reasons why American travelers should avoid traveling to Iraq.

U.S. citizens in Iraq are at high risk for violence and kidnapping, the travel warning advised on New Years Day. Numerous terrorist and insurgent groups are active in Iraq and regularly attack both Iraqi security forces and civilians.

A photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan. 2, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. (HO, Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via AP)

U.S. citizens and Western companies in Iraq may also be targeted and threatened by anti-U.S. sectarian militias, it said, adding that there is a risk of attacks by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in many areas of the country, including Baghdad.

It noted that all public consular operations at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad had been suspended on Jan. 1 following attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militias and their supporters who stormed its outer perimeter, setting fires, throwing rocks, and smashing surveillance cameras.

The militia withdrew on Wednesday after retaliating against what the U.S. called defensive airstrikes on targets related to the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah, also Hizbollah, terror group in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. conducted strikes against the group following the death of a U.S. defense civilian contractor in a rocket attack on a northern Iraqi military base on Dec. 27 that the United States has deemed Kataib Hezbollah responsible for.

The State Departments travel warning added that American nationals should not go through Iraq to Syria to engage in armed conflict, as fighting on behalf of, or supporting designated terrorist organizations is a crime that can be heavily penalized with large fines and prison time in the United States.

They would face extreme personal risks (kidnapping, injury, or death) and legal risks (arrest, fines, and expulsion), it stated. The Kurdistan Regional Government stated that it will impose prison sentences of up to ten years on individuals who illegally cross the border.

For those who do decide to travel to Iraq, however, the State Department said it advised drafting a will, planning a funeral and discussing the allocation of belongings with loved ones.

Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney, the advisory said. Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.

Qassem Soleimani Killed in Baghdad Strike

Soleimani, who was the head of Irans elite Quds Force or Jerusalem force, was killed by an airstrike authorized by Trump, the Department of Defense confirmed late Thursday.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the department said in a statement.

The department said that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

(L) President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing the White House to Joint Base Andrews en route to San Diego, Calif., on March 13, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

(R) Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran on Feb. 11, 2016. (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Photo)

General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the statement continued.

According to the United States, Soleimani was responsible for orchestrating attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past two months, which included the attack at the military base in northern Iraq on Dec. 27.

Defence Secretary Mark Esper told the press on Jan. 2 before the Soleimani strike that Irans provocative behavior in Iraq has been clear for all to see. Theyve been shooting rockets, indirect fire, any type of things, attacking our bases  In the last [two months] alone, weve nearly a dozen attacks against U.S. forces, against our coalition partners.

Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place earlier this week, the department said.

This strike [at Solemaini] was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, the DoD announced. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

Mimi Nguyen Ly and Melanie Sun contributed to this report.
An adorable dog has been filmed excitedly going back to the office after his Christmas break.

The one-and-a-half-year-old cavachon dog named Lenny couldn't wait to get into the office for the new year start on January 2nd.

Owner Jenn Quinn, who works as a digital marketer at education and training company The B2W Group in Manchester, filmed Lenny running up to doors and wagging his tail as she went to her desk.

Scroll down for video

Let me through please! Lenny, who is one-and-a-half years old, couldn't wait to get into the office on January 2nd as the company re-opened in the new year

The clip shows the lift door opening, only for Lenny to bound out as soon as a gap opens.

He runs around excitedly as he waits for owner Jenn to let him through the next door.

After excitedly running through another four doors, his owner then opens the final door to the office space- only for Lenny to run off to greet his human workmates.

In the lift: The clip shows the lift door opening, only for Lenny to bound out as soon as a gap opens. In the video, Lenny and Jenn go through five doors before reaching the office space

Lenny is registered as a therapy dog, making up the growing number of animals helping to provide comfort and support to the people around them.

Owner Jenn told MailOnline: 'He runs in like that every single morning out of pure excitement!

'We get into the office for 8 so its even before many people get in, he just genuinely loves getting into the office!'

She shared the video on business networking site LinkedIn. His enthusiastic entrance soon went viral, almost racking up 30,000 views online.

Jenn said: 'When it comes to leaving I usually have to carry him because hes burnt so much energy through the day'.

After excitedly running through another four doors, his owner then opens the final door to the office space. Owner Jenn Quinn says he is enthusiastic every morning
The authorities of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria, founded by Davidos father, Dr Deji Adeleke are facing public scrutiny once again over their religious intolerance, in a country with a constitution that provides for freedom of religion.

The private school, which is founded on the religious ethics of the Seventh Day Adventist church, drove itself into the new storm following the suspension of a part three Law student, Lawal Toheeb, for failure to attend the universitys compulsory chapel activities.

Lawal was suspended last month for a semester and as P.M.News gathered, he may be expelled on resumption for not identifying and adhering to the religious activities in the school.



In a letter of suspension, signed by the school registrar, Mr. Oyerinde Caleb Oyejola JP, the student was found guilty of gross disrespect to constituted authority. This followed the approval by the President/Vice Chancellor of the report of the Students Disciplinary Committee

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Viewers were left divided over the topic, with some branding Sally 'heartless'

Meanwhile Sally argued that 'the best way is not just sitting around at home'

She clashed with journalist Sally Jones on the programme about the topic

Lara said: 'You should be able to go to your doctor and given a note' for time off

Viewers of Good Morning Britain were left divided this morning after two guests clashed over the idea of compassionate leave following a break-up.

Matchmaker Lara Asprey and journalist Sally Jones, both from London, appeared on the show this morning to discuss taking time off to grieve the end of a relationship.

While Lara argued employees should be given time off by doctors if they experienced debilitating stress from a break-up, Sally suggested it was better to just get on with it.

Viewers were left divided over the suggestion, with some calling Sally 'heartless' for her stance, while others said they would rather compassionate leave for bereaved employees be 'sorted out first'.

Matchmaker Lara Asprey and journalist Sally Jones clashed while appearing on Good Morning Britain to debate taking time off to grieve the end of a relationship

One slammed the idea on Twitter, writing: 'Time off work for a heartbreak?! My granddad died on Christmas Day and I only get one day for the funeral. So I feel like we need to sort that before heartbreak leave.'

But others felt it would be sensible, with one saying: 'Heartless woman. Some people cannot function when they're heartbroken and in certain cases it would be deemed dangerous to let them work the only healer is TIME.'

Matchmaker Lara argued in favour of the idea, telling presenter Kate Garraway that sudden break-ups could be particularly stressful.

She said: 'It depends on how the situation happens. If you're broken up by text, which is happening more and more often, I think that has caused a lot more people to have anxiety and stress levels rising.'

Viewers were left divided by the segment online, with some suggesting Sally was 'heartless' for arguing against heartbreak leave

She went on to argue that other break ups may not warrant needing time-off, saying: 'Some break ups happen quite slowly. You can live with someone and it's just not working.

'You can get used to the idea and concept that you're not going to be with someone forever.

'When it happens suddenly and the world is shaken, you can experience levels of stress that can be debilitating, and I just don't think it should be undermined. I think people should talk about it.'

Meanwhile presenter Kate interjected to suggest that people should use annual leave in order to 'take time off to cry and watch black and white movies.

Lara suggested people should be able to go to their doctor and ask for a note in order to be signed off work after a break-up

Lara went on: 'I don't think you need heartbreak leave from your employer. But I do think you should be able to go to your doctor and say, "I cannot cope" and the doctor can write you a note and you should be able to write you off for as long as you need.'

'And that's okay, it can be very discreet, and behind closed doors.'

But Sally disagreed, saying that it was 'patholigising' something which is normal for almost everyone to go through.

She said: 'If you go to work and you've got friends there who understand what you're going through, you're much better to get back on the horse.

The two women clashed over the topic on the programme, with Sally suggesting people would be better going to work to be 'distracted'

'If necessary, have a cry in the loo, and you're with bosses who are understanding...'

But Kate pointed out that those who are heartbroken could be 'putting a huge burden on those around you', adding: 'There may be people who are not displaying symptoms, but just not functioning properly.'

Sally went on: 'This is a very natural thing, its happened to all of us at some time or another, sometimes several times over.'

'It's making something like an illness when it's just a natural reaction to a horrible thing that has happened.'

Sally called heartbreak 'a natural thing' and said she didn't agree with people taking time off work and making it into 'an illness'

But Lara argued: 'Studies have shown if you repress these feelings it will come back as other symptoms...'

The women clashed as Sally interrupted, saying: 'I'm not saying repress them, I'm saying let people know whats happened, so if you do need to go have a good scream or shout [you can].'

She went on: 'It happened to a very close friend of mine just before Christmas in a very sad difficult way and I think she took absolutely the right line by learning a new skill, or taking on a new physical activity.

Kate agreed, adding: 'At some point you've got to crack on. You've got to handle things.'

Meanwhile Lara argued that whether people should be allowed time off depended on the circumstances of the breakup

But Lara continued to argue her point, saying: 'It all depends on the circumstances and how the break up happens.

'Certain people will deal with things a lot better than others, some people will need a lot of support because of their situation and circumstances.'

Meanwhile Sally suggested work could also provide a good distraction for people, adding: 'There's a great tendency to pathologise things which are perfectly natural.

'You've got people who are obese claiming they've got eating addiction or can't keep away from other people, like sex addiction...you're much better to admit, "Yes i'm really miserable", but the best way is not just sitting around at home.'
China's Uighur Crackdown 'The Holocaust Did Not Take Place in One Day'

The Chinese government is currently interning hundreds of thousands of the country's Uighur Muslim minority. In an interview, Jewher Ilham, the daughter of human rights activist Ilham Tohti, who has been sentenced to life in prison, calls on the European Union to take action against Beijing.
Reacting to the killing of a top Iranian commander by the United States, India on Friday said the increase in tension has alarmed the world and asserted that peace, stability and security in the region is of utmost importance to it.

IMAGE: Shia Muslims from Srinagar carry photographs of the killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani as they take part in a protest against the US air strike on Iraq military base. Photograph: PTI Photo

In a statement, the external affairs ministry said India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so and it is vital that the situation does not escalate further.

General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq on Friday, the Pentagon announced.

The head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus was killed when the drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday.

The deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias were also killed in the strike.

In its statement, the external affairs ministry said, "The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India."

The ministry also said that it is "vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so".
What Trump has demonstrated  time and again  is that unpredictability combined with a willingness to use force is a reminder to the world that it challenges the United States at its great peril. The drone attack against Soleimani was certainly a dangerous thing to have done. It was also necessary. Soleimani was intent on killing more Americans than the hundreds for whose deaths he is already responsible. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, vowed severe revenge. If he acts on that impulse, the same president, advised by the same core national security team of Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and national security adviser Robert C. OBrien, will use the same military to respond with the same lethal effectiveness.
- Aliko Dangote, Africa's richest man became $4.3 billion richer in 2019

- He ended the decade with a net worth of almost $15 billion, making him the 96th wealthiest man in the world

- His fortune continued to grow on the back of investments in cement, flour and sugar

Information reaching YEN.com.gh indicates that Africas richest man, Aliko Dangote, became $4.3 billion richer in 2019.

The 62-year-old businessman ended the decade with a net worth of almost $15 billion, making him the 96th wealthiest man in the world.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his fortune continued to grow on the back of investments in cement, flour and sugar.

READ ALSO: Meet the journalist who is in court for impersonating Akufo-Addo's aide

Born into a wealthy Muslim family of traders in the north, Dangote incorporated his own business selling cement at 21.

He shifted to manufacturing building materials in the 1990s, helped by government policies that encouraged ways to reduce the need for imports.

The year 2020 could be a significant one for the billionaire, who is close to completing one of the worlds largest oil refineries in Nigeria.

The plant has the capacity to meet more than Nigerias entire fuel consumption and could transform an economy that currently imports all its refined product needs.

Dangote is also constructing a fertilizer factory on the same site.

READ ALSO: NPP wants to set up a bank to serve their selfish gains  Rawlings claims

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that President Nana Akufo-Addo has reiterated to Ghanaians that he will ensure that Ghanas 8th elections under the 4th republic is a free, fair and transparent one.

In a new year's message to the people of Ghana, he urged the nation to ensure that the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections were held in a peaceful, transparent atmosphere and manner.

According to him, he is confident that Ghana will rise to the occasion in December 2020 and continue to be the beacon of democracy and hope for Africa.

READ ALSO: New Year Message: Akufo-Akufo assures Ghanaians of a peaceful and fair election in 2020

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
New Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati on Friday demanded that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot should be sacked in the wake of deaths of over 100 infants in a government-run hospital in Kota.



Taking to Twitter, she claimed that the Rajasthan Chief Minister was making statements that were "irresponsible" and "unsympathetic".

"To hide his incompetence, Rajasthan Chief Minister is making irresponsible and unsympathetic statements. This is highly shameful and condemnable," she said in a tweet.

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister demanded that CM Gehlot be dismissed and replaced by a new dispensation, claiming that otherwise more women will lose their children.

"In such a situation, the Congress should not simply express its displeasure when about 100 mothers have lost their children, they should also dismiss him immediately and must appoint the right person. That would be better, otherwise more women will lose their children," she said in another tweet.

As per a government report, at least 91 infants lost their lives at the government hospital in Kota in December last year. Following the incident, the Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government has come under fire from the BJP and other Opposition parties in the state. (ANI)
In a galaxy far, far away, in the fictional world of Star Wars  heroes and villains live on far-flung worlds.

But could human life really thrive on the moons of Endor, Jedha and Yavin 4?

Star Wars-obsessed astrophysicists have long debated what the reality of those types of planets being able to sustain life is.

Now Phil Sutton, a planetary scientist at the University of Lincoln, has analysed whether life could exist on distant 'exomoons' such as may orbit Kepler-16b  and if they would really look similar to those depicted in George Lucas' epic franchise.

'While it might sound as unfathomable as Jabba the Hutt on a treadmill, in fact, many of the worlds depicted in Star Wars could exist in our universe,' he told MailOnline.

In a galaxy far, far away, in the fictional world of Star Wars  heroes and villains live on far-flung worlds. But could human life really thrive on the moons of Endor or Jedha (pictured)?

A prime candidate planet in our galaxy that could have an exomoon, however, is Kepler-16b (pictured in an artist's impression, left)  a gas giant some 200 light years from our solar system. The planet also has its own equivalent in the universe of Star Wars  like Tatooine, the home planet of Luke Skywalker (right), Kepler-16b orbits not one but two stars

WHAT IS TIDAL LOCKING? Tidal locking is the phenomenon which sees a moon appear fixed in place around a planet, with only one side being visible. This happens when the rotational period - time it takes to spin 360 - is the same as the time it takes to complete one orbit. The lunar cycle is an example of this, with the moon completing one trip around Earth every 28 days, the same time it takes to spin around entirely. it is because of tidal locking that the 'dark side of the moon' exists. Advertisement

As the moon orbits Earth, exomoons orbit exoplanets  worlds outside of our solar system.

For now, exomoons remain merely theoretical, as none have been detected.

Current telescopes and astronomical techniques are not yet powerful enough to spot these bodies.

Dr Sutton's work, however, focuses on their likely role in the universe and their potential ability to harbour life.

Thousands of astrophysicists around the world are already casting their gaze further out in to the universe, far beyond the reach of our Sun, looking for exoplanets around distant stars.

More than 4,000 exoplanets have already been discovered to date by such missions as TESS and SETI.

The next step, Dr Sutton believes, is finding the moons that may orbit them.

Outside of not having a Millennium Falcon with which to reach it, the issue with studying far-flung satellite worlds like the Endors and Jedhas of the big screen is actually being able to spot them in the first place.

A prime candidate planet in our galaxy that could have an exomoon, however, is Kepler-16b  a gas giant, like our neighbours Jupiter and Saturn, that lies some 200 light years from our solar system.

The planet also has its own equivalent in the universe of Star Wars  like Tatooine, the home planet of Luke Skywalker, Kepler-16b orbits not one but two stars.

Together, these stars have a mass that is comparable to that of our Sun.

Kepler-16b resides squarely in the middle of the so-called 'habitable zone' around the twin stars where liquid water, a key ingredient for life, could exist  but it is far too big to support life itself.

Instead, astronomers are straining to see if the giant planet has a moon, because such a satellite could be a realistic candidate for 'Earth 2.0'.

If one is present, it could potentially have liquid water and be similar in size to Earth, making it very likely to be habitable  and eerily similar to Star Wars' populated moons like Endor or Yavin 4.

'The planet [Kepler-16b] itself is not habitable as it is too large,' Dr Sutton said.

'But it does have the potential to support a moon; recent research suggests that an earth-sized moon could orbit this binary planet and be habitable, proving that moons orbiting planets just like Tatooine can exist.'

'While it might sound as unfathomable as Jabba the Hutt on a treadmill, in fact, many of the worlds depicted in Star Wars could exist in our universe,' he told MailOnline. Pictured, the jungle moon of Yavin 4, on which the Rebel Alliance had their main base

According to Dr Sutton, older moons that had become tidally locked to their planet, with circular orbits, would be more likely to be habitable.

Tidal locking is a phenomenon in which a satellite takes the same amount of time to orbit a planet as it does to rotate.

The moon is tidally locked, which is one we always seem the same side from Earth while never getting a peek at the 'dark side of the moon'.

In contrast, young, non-tidally-locked moons would experience significant tides caused by the gravitational pull of the planets they orbit.

This would cause daily volcanic activity, before even considering the effect such might have an a moon's ocean.

Dr Phil Sutton from University of Lincoln studied a 'super Saturn' called J1407b (pictured in this artist's impression) to find possible moons. They are very difficult to spot but Dr Sutton claims they may be the best hope for finding extraterrestrial life

Dr Sutton has spent years trying to find a way to spot exomoons, focusing on the so-called 'super Saturn' exoplanet J1407b, but to no avail.

He spotted a blip in the images taken of the distant planet's and ran computer simulations to see if this could have been formed by an orbiting piece of rock  like a moon  passing in front of the world.

His research found the opposite, however, with the promising signal on this occasion being impossible to explain by the presence of a moon.

'Hopefully, as we do more investigations into our vast universe, these elusive exomoons will become more common,' Dr Sutton said.

This, he added, would be 'similar to what has happened to the explosion in exoplanet discoveries in the last few decades  which now stands at just over 4,000 confirmed exoplanets.'

'This is an exciting possibility, and would be a genuine potential for living outside of our own Solar System, but right now were not at the level seen in Star Wars. Yet.'

STAR WARS-LIKE PLANETS AND MOONS Planet or moon Star Wars analogue Saturn's moon, Mimas Death Star Kepler-452 Coruscant Uranus and Neptune Bespin Kepler-16b and Kepler 1647 b Tatooine OGLE-2005-BLG-390 Hoth Kepler-22b Kamino Kepler-10b and Kepler-78b Mustafar

But as the possibility of finding our first exomoon creeps ever-closer, astrophysicists are grappling with another problem that George Lucas never had to face.

It seems almost impossible for an Earth-like moon to form naturally around vast planets.

'A recent study showed that Hot Jupiters  large gas giants that are close to their stars  cannot form earth-sized exomoons as they move inwards to their current location close to the star,' Dr Sutton told MailOnline.

'A more likely scenario for a planet to have a sufficiently large moon that would be habitable, like those in Star Wars, is if they were smaller planets that came to close to the planet and were captured.'

'We do know this can happen  as Neptune captured a dwarf planet with an atmosphere, which is now known as Triton.'

'Triton is in fact larger than Pluto, yet is classed as a moon due to being captured by the gravitational field of Neptune.'
The Beaverton School District in Oregon has agreed to pay $119,500 to settle a federal suit filed by parents arguing that the district failed to take proper precautions to protect their 5-year-old in light of the students severe allergies to nut and egg products.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports before their child started kindergarten at McKinley Elementary School, Anna McFaul and Benjamin Vidic provided the school nurse with a health management plan informing the school of their daughters severe allergies.

The school served her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on her eighth day of school, claiming it was OK to eat because it contained sunflower seed butter, which was false, the suit said.

The school then failed to recognize when the student went into shock, thinking only she was ill, according to the suit. The father rushed his daughter to a hospital where she was admitted to the intensive care unit, the suit said.

The Beaverton School District did not admit liability but agreed to take added measures to ensure its staff are trained to protect students and can properly respond to an allergic reaction.

The district agreed to pay $71,700 to the family impacted and $47,800 to cover their attorney costs, according to records in the U.S. District Court in Portland.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Education Oregon
The US government began sending asylum-seekers back to Nogales, Mexico, yesterday to await court hearings that will be scheduled roughly 350 miles (563 kilometers) away in Juarez.

Authorities are expanding a program known as Remain in Mexico that requires tens of thousands of asylum seekers to wait out their immigration court hearings in Mexico.

Until this week, the government was driving some asylum seekers from Nogales, Arizona, to El Paso, Texas, so they could be returned to Juarez.

Authorities are expanding a program known as Remain in Mexico that requires tens of thousands of asylum seekers to wait out their immigration court hearings in Mexico. Pictured are migrants who are applying for asylum in Texas

Now, asylum-seekers will have to find their own way through dangerous Mexican border roads. Pictured are migrants sitting at the Leona Vicario federal shelter in Juarez

Now, asylum-seekers will have to find their own way through dangerous Mexican border roads.

About 30 asylum seekers were sent to Nogales, Mexico, on Thursday, said Gilda Loureiro, director of the San Juan Bosco migrant shelter in Nogales, Sonora.

Loureiro said the migrants hadn't made it to the shelter yet but that it was prepared and has a capacity of about 400.

'We're going to take up to the capacity we have,' she said.

Critics say the Remain in Mexico program, one of several Trump administration policies that have all but ended asylum in the U.S., puts migrants who fled their home countries back into dangerous Mexican border towns where they are often kidnapped, robbed or extorted.

About 30 asylum seekers were sent to Nogales, Mexico, on Thursday, said Gilda Loureiro, director of the San Juan Bosco migrant shelter in Nogales, Sonora. Pictured are migrants praying at the Leona Vicario shelter in Juarez

A Human Rights First report released in December documented at least 636 public reports of violence against asylum-seekers returned to Mexico including rape, kidnapping and torture. Human Rights First said that was a steep increase over October, when the group had identified 343 attacks, and noted the latest figure is surely an under-count because most crime victims don't report.

The government calls the program Migrant Protection Protocols.

Nogales is now the seventh border crossing through which U.S. authorities returns migrants to Mexico to await court hearings. The policy was introduced in January 2018 in San Diego.

Nogales is now the seventh border crossing through which U.S. authorities returns migrants to Mexico to await court hearings. Pictured is a migrant at the Leona Vicario shelter in Juarez

More than 56,000 people were sent back to Mexico by the end of November, according to Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. Of the more than 24,000 cases that have been decided, only 117, or less than 1%, have been granted asylum or some other form relief allowing them to stay in the United States.

But U.S. authorities have lauded the program, saying it's helped to significantly reduce illegal border crossings. The Border Patrol apprehended just over 33,000 people along the Southwest border in November, compared to 144,000 in May, when border crossings peaked.

In a statement, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said the program has been 'an extremely effective tool.'

'I am confident in the programs continued success in adjudicating meritorious cases quickly and preventing fraudulent claims,' Wolf wrote.

A three-judge appeals court panel heard arguments Oct. 1 in San Francisco on a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union to block the policy. The court has yet to rule.
File image

Union minister Ramdas Athawale hit out at the ruling Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over non-allocation of portfolios to its ministers so far, saying that it was the "failure" of the alliance.

The MVA comprises Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress and their smaller allies.

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and six of his ministers took oath on November 28.

The cabinet was expanded on December 30, but the allocation of portfolios is yet to be done.

"It is the failure of the 'aghadi' (alliance) if it still has not been able to allocate portfolios to its ministers," Athawale told reporters here.
 Flash

A total of four people were killed and five injured on Thursday in two separate gunmen attacks in Iraq's eastern province of Diyala, a police source said.

In the first attack, two men and a woman were killed and three men wounded when unknown gunmen threw a hand grenade on them in a village in the town of Abu Saida, some 90 km northeast of the capital Baghdad, Raed Eissa from Diyala's police told Xinhua.

The Iraqi police launched an investigation into the incident which was followed by gunfire between unknown gunmen, Eissa said.

Abu Saida and its surrounding villages have witnessed clashes among local tribes in the past few weeks.

In the other incident, gunmen believed to be affiliated with Islamic State (IS) militants opened fire with their machine guns at a security checkpoint in the town of Maqdadiyah, some 100 km northeast of Baghdad, leaving a security member killed and two others wounded, according to Eissa.

Despite repeated military operations in Diyala Province, remnants of IS militants are still hiding in some rugged areas near the border with Iran and in the sprawling areas extending from the western part of the province to the Himreen mountain range north of the provincial capital Baquba, some 65 km northeast of Baghdad.

The security situation in Iraq has been dramatically improved since Iraqi security forces fully defeated the extremist IS militants across the country late in 2017.
MAGALIA, Calif.- People on the ridge say they're fed up with people dumping and even looting on their burned properties.

Action News Now spoke with one man, George Gold, who lost his home in Magalia.

He says his property has been targeted by looters 6 times since the Camp Fire, but that's not the only problem he's been dealing with.

Thursday, he spent 5 hours picking up trash that was also dumped on his property.

He says, "The problem is that we survivors, you can look at all the stuff you want, but for me, it's one insult, one setback, one depressing event after another, it's just depressing."

Deputy Steve Bertagna with the Butte County Sheriff's Office, says now that they are aware of this issue on Ishy Drive, they plan on keeping an eye on it.

They also found a name in the trash and are attempting to locate that individual to see what role, if any, they played in the crime.
The FBI's New Orleans field office and the New Orleans Police Department are requesting the public's assistance in identifying a man who tried to rob two New Orleans banks Thursday,

The man tried to rob the Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Co. at 200 St. Charles Ave. and later robbed the Capital One Bank, 4121 Canal St.

He entered the Gulf Coast Bank about 2:35 p.m., brandishing a black handgun, and presented a note demanding money to a teller. However, he left before getting any money and fled on a bicycle.

About 30 minutes later, the FBI said, the same man entered the Capital One branch, approached a teller, brandished his gun and presented a note demanding money. This time he got $302 in cash before again fleeing on a bicycle.

The suspect was described as an African-American male, approximately 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, approximately 40 to 50 years old, with a slender to medium build. He was wearing a dark blue Dickies work shirt and pants.

Anyone with information on the man's identity or where to find him is asked to contact the FBI at (504) 816-3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously at (504) 822-1111. Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information which leads to an arrest and indictment.

FBI spokesman Craig Betbeze said law enforcement officials also believe the man who robbed the same Capital One bank on Dec. 23 "may be a transient who resides in the New Orleans area. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the FBI, or Crimestoppers if you would like to remain anonymous."

The public can visit bankrobbers.fbi.gov for further information about suspects wanted for bank robbery.
A prisoner was shot dead inside the district jail here in Vaishali district on Friday while at least five other inmates were injured in a clash that followed, an official said.

It is suspected that he was killed by one of the five injured prisoners.

"A pistol and some cartridges have been recovered. Further investigations are on," said District Magistrate Udita Singh who reached the jail along with police officials upon learning about the incident.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
College students have cultivated their own cannabis businesses since the beginning of time, jokes Craig Markovitz, assistant teaching professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, making light of the copious amount of marijuana smoked as privately as possible.

But when Markovitz was asked about cannabis in the context of entrepreneurship, he starts talking faster. Theres an extraordinary amount of emerging growth and opportunity to take advantage of. From a growth perspective, its unique. Every day, you read news about innovation and regulation that will impact the industry, he said.

Markovitz thinks college students (even undergraduates) are uniquely poised to uncover -- and plug -- the holes in the cannabis industry. In his time at CMU, Markovitz has witnessed 300-plus startups raise more than $2 billion in the last decade, with the Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship working with approximately 400 entrepreneurs on more than 80 startups at any given time -- which includes cannabis-related heavy hitters.

Savvy entrepreneurs know that 11 states (plus Washington, D.C.) have legalized marijuana for recreational use for adults over 21. Additionally, 33 states have legalized medical marijuana, so theres tremendous growth opportunity within the industry for young people to lead the revolution, of sorts.

RELATED: Podcast: Cannabis Investing Tips For Non-Millionaires

The floodgates are wide open for job creation as well. Cannabis job opportunities -- from budtenders, to those in the insurance industry -- increased 79 percent between 2018 to 2019 alone. Leaflys 2019 Cannabis Jobs Count reported that cannabis directly employs more than 211,000 full-time workers in the U.S., and even more indirectly. By 2021, 400,000 new jobs will appear in the U.S. in the industry, according to Business Insider.

Karson Humiston knows the job stats like the back of her hand -- its why she created Vangst, a cannabis recruiting platform. Vangst has connected over 10,000 candidates with cannabis jobs through direct hire, career fairs, a job board and more.

Vangst provides talent acquisition services by sourcing the best in the biz for our clients needs, Humiston said. Vangst catches the best talent for our clients. Im part Dutch, so Vangst is both a part of my heritage and representative of our mission, she added. Vangst means to catch in Dutch, so the companys meaning is twofold for Humiston.

Its a multimillion-dollar company -- and Humiston created Vangst during her college years.

Humiston saw a gap in the cannabis market while a college student at St. Lawrence University. After visiting a cannabis trade show in Colorado, she noticed that cannabis businesses reported hiring as one of their greatest pain points. Humistons attitude was, why wait?

Im an entrepreneur at heart, so any time is the right time to execute a good idea, she said. I seized the opportunity to provide a solution to this issue by developing a comprehensive hiring process specifically for the cannabis industry.

Why College Is The Best Time For Cannabis Entrepreneurs

Katie Peranick, a 2019 graduate of Fresno State University and entrepreneur focused on digital media, said college happens to be the ideal time to make accomplishments happen because theres much less pressure for immediate success. Everything is counted as a learning opportunity and experience, Peranick said. Peranick has had the opportunity to partner with an accelerator program focused on legal cannabis and CBD over the past two years. Shes partnered with 420interactive to provide digital media services to the cannabis and CBD industry. Peranick saw a major need for advertising and marketing due to the roadblocks put in place by major advertising platforms like Google and Facebook.

There is also the student card that can take you pretty far. When doing outreach or research, I always led that I'm a student working on a new project. Everyone wants to help students succeed, and college entrepreneurs can use that to their advantage, Peranick said.

Fresno State offers an entrepreneurship department and a community dedicated to helping young entrepreneurs succeed. Professors themselves can offer students hands-on experience starting and exiting business ventures, as well as offering a mentorship program that partners business owners with students.

Overall, college can give you a great support system and a valuable network within the local business community, said Peranick.

Its this Why the heck not? attitude that Craig Markovitz says makes college students more than ready for cannabis entrepreneurship opportunities. He says students have a special quality going for them: Theyre nimble enough to adjust to just about anything. They can move more quickly, they can adapt, theyre informed, its perfect. If you can interpret and process the opportunities in the industry and be nimble, youre set up to on a pathway to establish your stake, he said.

RELATED: How To Convince Cannabis Investors To Give You Money

Meeting Changing Needs

College entrepreneurs take note: Read up on the latest news every day, because one day in the cannabis industry is like one year in any other industry. Blink once, and you might miss something.

If there's one thing I've learned being in the cannabis space, it's to stay on your toes, said Mike Mejer, founder and CEO of Green Lane Communication, a PR firm that helps businesses in the cannabis space. Mejer will graduate with his MBA in marketing from Molloy College in Hempstead, New York, in 2020.

Vangst employees have stayed nimble. When they discovered the need for access to temporary employees during high-traffic seasons and harvests, it was clear to Humiston that Vangst needed to be part of the solution. We created the industrys first fully-compliant contingent employment platform, Vangst GIGS. We have access to the largest pool of cannabis talent in the industry and offer the first fully-compliant gigs platform, which allows us to fill the previously unmet need of the industry, Humiston said.

Navigating Rules And Regulations

Markovitz says the cannabis industrys industrys regulatory environment is unique, so college entrepreneurs should watch it like a hawk. She added, if they dont, they could get blindsided by some sort of regulatory change that screws them over. Youve got to be informed about whats going on from a regulatory standpoint, he said.

The Farm Bill Act of 2018 foreshadowed explosive growth for hemp-containing products, including CBD, in the coming years. However, most cannabis-derived products, including CBD, are still illegal under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Marijuana-containing products also remain illegal under the Controlled Substances Act. Its a dissonant collection of laws for the budding industry.

And, although Karson Humiston and Vangst isnt a plant-touching business, she does concede that these restrictions affect her clients. She says she and her team are well-versed in the legality of each state so they can properly vet the talent for each individual client.

RELATED: How This Investor Blazed A Path To Success In The Cannabis Industry

Gain Traction

Traction is a Markovitz buzzword. He says its all about painting a compelling picture for a potential investor whos asking, How risky is this? How much risk am I willing to assume to get into this relative to my return?

So whats the secret sauce for college cannabis enthusiasts-turned serial entrepreneurs?

In short, Markovitz says the secret is to position solutions, build a prototype, raise money and be able to say, Weve done it, weve validated it, its not theory, weve accomplished this. 75 percent of companies dont generate a return. Investors are looking for that 25 percent.

Oh, and he adds that building a team of smart, passionate, hardworking and ethical people is just as important, because youll spend more time with them than your family. Markovitz added, I believe startups in this space would be best-served by a combination of an experienced team, deep industry expertise and evidence of the impact of a solution via a pilot or similar MVP strategy. If you have great people working on progress and just keep knocking down milestones, youll keep moving forward.

Related:

How College Students Iron The Wrinkles In The Cannabis Industry

13 Must-Watch Movies for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Why Some Entrepreneurs Will Never Make It  But Here's How You Can



Copyright 2020 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
President Moon Jae-in, center, congratulates the first export of a Niro-branded eco-friendly vehicle developed by Kia Motors during his visit to the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin seaport, a trade hub of South Korea's vehicle exports located 70 kilometers southwest of Seoul, Friday. Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



President Moon Jae-in vowed to expand the country's exports for this year by providing various assistance programs for domestic vehicle manufacturers with competitiveness especially in electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).



"South Korea has taken steps toward becoming one of the world's big four powerhouses in terms of export volume by 2030. Korea has begun exporting eco-friendly vehicles and this will clearly help us put a big fresh impetus on the country's economy," the President said in a speech delivered at the Pyeongtaek-Dangjin seaport, 70 kilometers southwest of Seoul, according to Cheong Wa Dae press pool reports, Friday.



Moon visited the seaport as his first field trip of 2020, Cheong Wa Dae said, in a move to soothe looming concerns over both internal and external economic challenges and to represent the country's confidence to better handle such factors for sustainable growth.



"Congratulations for the outbound eco-friendly vehicles as this has been made possible thanks to South Korea's advanced homegrown tech. The country is the world's first to mass-produce FCEVs. Last year, the export volume of EVs doubled and that of FCEVs tripled compared to the previous year. And more importantly, the cumulative sum of eco-friendly vehicles South Korea exported last year exceeded 740,000, which is excellent," Moon said.



Exports are one of the key pillars of the country's economy. But exports by Asia's fourth-largest economy shrank 5.2 percent in the final month of 2019 compared to the same month a year earlier, according to trade ministry data. It was the biggest decline in exports since a 2.1 percent drop in April 2019. Economists say the core growth engine for the country's economy will regain its vigor this year partly thanks to recovering demand for computer memory chips.



By directly mentioning Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the President also congratulated the country's advances in eco-friendly technology.



"For example, Kia Motor's Niro EV can run more than 380 kilometers on a single charge and was named as one of the top EVs last year both in Europe and the United States. Hyundai Motor's hydrogen truck was also picked up as the one of the innovative trucks this year in Europe. More importantly, 1,600 such trucks are set to be exported," Moon told participants.



On Friday alone, over 4,200 vehicles, including Niro crossover SUVs and Hyundai's Neptune-dubbed semi-trucks, will head to Europe via the port.



Since the beginning of his presidency, the South Korean leader has been driving to expand the country's share in the highly lucrative eco-friendly vehicle business sector in sync with moves by global car manufacturers which have been concentrating on the development of eco-friendly vehicles in response to climate change.



Korea plans to invest at least 380 billion won ($328 million) in relevant research and development projects by 2025. The Pyeongtaek-Dangjin seaport is crucial in the country's exports as it is located adjacent to China's coastal industrial complexes.



At the event, the President also said the seaport is a "core base for trade with China and one of the trade ports for ASEAN countries." By last year, some 1.44 million vehicles passed through the port.



President Moon and his ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) are aiming to emerge victorious in the upcoming April general elections to prevent Moon himself from suffering from his possible "lame-duck" status for the remainder of his five-year term.



As his signature "engagement-centric" North Korea policy has brought "partial results" because of North Korea's refusal to return to the table for nuclear disarmament dialogue with the United States, Moon and the DPK plan to promote the economic agenda as key appealing points for the April general elections, officials at the presidential office said.



The President's job satisfaction rate held steady at around 44 percent in the third week of December last year, according to the latest poll by Gallup Korea. The DPK had about 37 percent, far ahead of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, which garnered 23 percent.








TRINITY COUNTY, Calif. - The Trinity County Sheriffs Office is looking for four suspects in an armed robbery.

Trinity County Sheriffs Office Dispatch received a 911 call, reporting a robbery had occurred in the Trinity Pines area on Jan. 1 at approximately 8 a.m., deputies said.

The victim told investigators that four people in masks all armed with firearms bound the victim and stole a gold bracelet, ring, 100 pounds of pot, and the victim's white 2007 Toyota Tundra. The Sheriff's Office said the California License Plate is 8K26366.

The suspects arrived at the location in an unknown vehicle. They were described as one Hispanic, one Asian, and the remaining two of unknown ethnic origin, deputies said.

The victim is expected to be okay, deputies said.

Any individuals with information are encouraged to contact the Trinity County Sheriffs Office Investigations Division at 530-623-2611.
A cheating case was registered against a Congress MLA from Punjab and two others after some residents of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh alleged irregularities in a chit fund scheme, police said on Friday.

These investors claimed they had been cheated of Rs 96 lakh after which a case was registered against MLA Pritam Singh, who is director of the chit fund firm, and managers Rakesh and Kamal Kishore Sharma, Madan Mahal police station in charge Sandeep Ayachi said.

Pritam Singh is the MLA from Bhucho Mandi, a municipal council in Bhatinda in Punjab.

The irregularities at Singh's GCA Private Limited Company, which started operating in Jabalpur in 2006, pertain to the period between 2008-18, Ayachi said.

"When people reached the chit fund office to get returns on their investments on maturity, they were told the head office would clear the amounts. After they could not contact the firm and its functionaries over a long period of time, these investors approached police," he said.

A case has been registered under sections 420, 406, 409 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the three and further probe was underway, he informed.

No arrests have been made so far, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of haemophiliacs might not have been infected with HIV and hepatitis if a vital blood-clotting protein had been sourced from the UK, documents suggest.

An estimated 7,500 people in Britain were infected with the killer diseases in the 1970s and 1980s through contaminated blood donations  many imported from the US, where they had come from high-risk groups including prisoners and homeless people.

But Scotland had spare capacity to provide the vital Factor VIII clotting protein to patients in England, a document released under the Freedom of Information Act suggests.

An undated file photo shows Professor John Cash, National Medical Director of the Scottish National Blood Service. The contaminated blood scandal has been labelled the worst treatment scandal in NHS history, and killed more than 2,400 people

Undated handout photo issued by the Factor 8 Campaign of Factor VIII blood products. Scotland had spare capacity to provide the vital Factor VIII clotting protein to patients in England, a document released under the Freedom of Information Act suggests

Government officials rejected the idea, according to a letter dated from January 1990. The document was released to campaigner Jason Evans, whose father died in 1993 after contracting hepatitis and HIV.

In it, Professor John Cash, a former director of the Scottish Blood Transfusion Service, described the decision not to use Scotland to produce Factor VIII for England as a grave error of judgment.

The letter said there was very substantial spare capacity at the Protein Fractionation Centre in Liberton, a suburb south of Edinburgh, where Factor VIII was separated out of donated blood.

Professor Cash wrote: It was assumed by those of us on the shop floor that this experiment would expedite arrangements to give England and Wales assistance  but nothing materialised. I sense the ineptitudes of the past  the 1970s and 1980s  are about to catch up with us.

A 2018 file photo shows campaigner Jason Evans, whose father died from contaminated blood, outside the High Court in London.

The contaminated blood scandal has been labelled the worst treatment scandal in NHS history, and killed more than 2,400 people.

Mr Evans, founder of the Factor 8 campaign group, said: We have testimony in black and white here, from a very senior source, which effectively shows hundreds of HIV infections within the haemophilia community could and should have been prevented.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: The infected blood tragedy should never have happened and the ongoing public inquiry was set up to get to the truth and give families the answers they deserve.

The inquiry resumes its public hearings next month.
Hyderpora encounter: SIT warns of legal action over speculative remarks about probe

Salim Parray gone: Cops gun down Kashmirs most dreaded terrorist

Former Jammu and Kashmir CMs to lose SSG security cover

J&K: 4 soldiers, including a lieutenant, injured in mine blast in Rajouri

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Rajouri, Jan 03: Four soldiers, including a lieutenant, were injured in a mine blast along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Friday, officials said.

The blast took place during patrolling in forward area along the Line of Control in Kalal in Naushera sector, they said.

NEWS AT 3 PM, JAN 3rd, 2019

The injured persons were rushed to a hospital, the officials added.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Friday, January 3, 2020, 16:22 [IST]
Caroline Flack's beloved French Bulldog Ruby is staying at a five star 80-per-night pet hotel after the star fled to Los Angeles on Sunday.

The television presenter's pooch has taken up residence at the Country Dog Hotel in Taunton, Somerset while Caroline, 40, takes time out after her assault charge.

And the former Love Island presenter has spared no expense for Ruby, who has so far spent the New Year enjoying country walks, homemade biscuits and evenings by a roaring log fire.

Apart: Caroline Flack's beloved French Bulldog Ruby is staying at a five star 80-per-night pet hotel after the star fled to Los Angeles on Sunday after her assault charge

The luxurious hotel shared a snap of Ruby warming herself by the fire on New Year's day- with the pooch even wearing a pink bobble Christmas jumper with a penguin on.

In a nod to Caroline's troubles, the owner Rebecca captioned the photo: 'Life cant always be perfect and filled with happiness. It comes with its ups and downs and we all have them but we can all hope that moving forward everyone can be kind.

'Heres Ruby sending some New Years Day love to you all today.'

Fleeing the country: Caroline has fled to LA after she was charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27 (pictured at her court hearing last Monday)

Services at the hotel include bespoke 1-1 training, fresh Aga cooked biscuits, adventures days, pampering treatment and daily updates to owners.

The doggy resort has already garnered a celebrity clientele including Love Island's Laura Anderson, Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen and Greg James.

Caroline has had Ruby for over a year, after getting the pooch when she was with her ex-fiance Andrew Brady.

When the pair split, the television host eventually became the sole owner of Ruby after Andrew, 27, went on a one-way trip to Australia.

Caroline has fled to LA after she was charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.

Ahead of her court hearing on the 23rd December, she stepped down as the host of Love Island, with ITV announcing Laura Whitmore as her replacement.

Caroline, who 'feels trapped in the UK', will take time for herself and go on long hikes while she is away from her home in London, reports the Sun.

A source said: 'Caroline feels trapped in the UK. She can't see or communicate with Lewis but she also doesn't want to return to her flat because her every move is documented by photographers.

'Shes driving herself mad, as she likes to be busy ... shes jetted to LA.

'Whenever she's hit hard times, she's always "found herself" again in the mountains, away from the limelight. She wants to feel the sunshine on her skin, do long hikes and clear her head.'

Showbiz: The doggy resort has already garnered a celebrity clientele including Love Island's Laura Anderson (left), Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen (right)

Stepping out: Lewis was pictured looking devastated as he left court after his girlfriend pleaded not guilty to assaulting him last week

'Gutted I am not allowed to protect her right now': Lewis posted a picture of himself with Caroline on his Instagram after her court hearing

MailOnline contacted Caroline's representatives for comment.

The former Strictly winner was accused of hitting Lewis over the head with a lamp while he slept as well as smashing a glass after looking at texts which made her think he was cheating.

She and her partner Lewis were both allegedly covered in blood when police arrived at their flat in Islington, North London, on December 12, with Lewis saying in a 999 call that she 'tried to kill me, mate', Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard.

One officer described the chaotic scene as 'like a horror movie'.

Lewis was said to have been 'almost begging the operator to send help' with his face 'covered in blood', while Caroline allegedly had two cuts to her wrist.

After being taken into custody, former X Factor host Caroline - whom the court heard was 'manipulative' towards Lewis and accused him of ruining her life - allegedly flipped over a table and had to be restrained on the ground by police.

Her boyfriend was allegedly left with 'significant head injuries'.

Caroline pleaded not guilty to common assault and the court heard she wanted to 'spend time' with him over the Christmas and New Year period.

She put her head in her hands when the judge refused an application to remove bail conditions preventing her from contacting Lewis directly or indirectly and from attending his address.

Caroline has been released on bail until her trial in March.
Manufacturing consent for war on Iran

U.S. threatens Iran with pre-emptive action By RT



January 02, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has warned that he will take preemptive action to protect US forces if he receives word of attacks by Iran or its proxy forces, claiming to have indications of such attacks in the future.



Esper said he expects more provocative behavior by Iran-backed groups  and warned that they will likely regret it.



Theyve beenattacking our bases for months now, Esper claimed, apparently pinning every rocket attack on a coalition base in recent months on Iran. He called on Iraq to do moreto address these Iran-sponsored militia groups and to stop their attacks on US and coalition forces, complaining the US has not seen sufficient action on that front from Baghdad. The Trump administration blamed Tuesdays siege of the US embassy in Baghdad on Tehran and sent 750 troops to Iraq in order to beef up security at the diplomatic compound. Iran, President Donald Trump has said, will be held "fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities." However, the protesters who surrounded the embassy were motivated by rage over US strikes that killed 25 members of Kataib Hezbollah, part of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) and officially part of the Iraqi military. Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get Your FREE Daily Newsletter Tehran, meanwhile, has accused the US of punishing it for defeating Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) terrorists. It slammed the audacity of Washington fobbing responsibility for the protests off on Iran when US airstrikes  supposedly in response for an attack on a coalition base near Kirkuk  had actually motivated the embassy-storming. The Trump administrations rhetoric regarding Iran may trigger deja vu for those who remember the most recent Iraq War, with its talk of preemptive strikes against leader Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi leader was said to be was sitting on a cache of weapons of mass destruction and had to be stopped before he could use them. Now known to be a complete fiction, the weapons of mass destruction trope has been recycled in the Trump administrations sanctions on Iran, deeming the countrys largest airline a weapons of mass destruction proliferator. The US could send still more forces to the Middle East, Esper said, pledging to take it day by day.A variety of forces are standing by in case they are needed, Joint Staff General Mark Milley said. The US has some 60,000 troops in the region already. This article was originally published by "RT" - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here
IndiGo will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of its members on the request of Rakesh Gangwal-led RG Group on January 29. The EGM has been called to pass amendments to the Articles of Associations of the company as "special resolutions". The company said after it received a letter from Gangwal on behalf of the RG Group it obtained legal advice on whether there was any obligation on the board to approve the amendment to the Articles.

"The company advised that the Shareholders Agreement and the Articles do not impose an obligation on the Board and the Company's management to approve the proposed amendments to the Articles," it clarified.

Also Read: IndiGo promoters' spat not over, Gangwal writes to Sebi urging action against team Bhatia

The board in its meeting on December 21, 2019, agreed to Gangwal's request of an EGM, in which the members could decide on the amendment of the Articles as requested in the shareholder letter, the statement said.

As per provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, the RG Group, which comprises Rakesh Gangwal, Shobha Gangwal and The Chinkerpoo Family Trust, has the requisite shareholding of 36.64 per cent in InterGlobe Aviation Limited, which empowers them to seeks an EGM.

Bhatia and his InterGlobe Enterprises (IGE) Group own around 38 per cent of the airline.

Also Read: IndiGo promoters' spat: Rakesh Gangwal says he prefers short-term financial pain to seeing the airline falter

Gangwal and Bhatia have been sparring over questionable related-party transactions and composition of the company's board for long. The spat between the two cofounders first emerged in July after Gangwal complained to the Securities and Exchange Board of India alleging that Bhatia indulged in questionable related-party transactions.

During the Annual General Meeting on August 27, both the promoter groups voted in favour of all resolutions, including amending the Articles of Association, expanding the size of the board to 10 members, and appointing the chairman as an independent director. Incidentally, Gangwal did not attend the IndiGo's AGM.

Also Read: IndiGo promoters' spat: Did Rakesh Gangwal throw in the towel?

Gangwal had also issued a statement, saying he was satisfied with the new related party transactions (RPTs) protocols approved by the board and was open to the amendments in the IndiGo's Articles of Association (AoA) to increase the board strength to 10. The statement came as a surprise because Gangwal agreeing to a 10-member board (and not seven as he has proposed earlier) still left his previous issue unresolved.

InterGlobe Aviation stock was trading 2% higher at Rs 1,358.40 in afternoon trade on Friday.

Edited by Manoj Sharma
Hiring for registered nurses in El Paso is going strong. Employers in the industry posted 12 new jobs over the past week, and 84 in the last month, more than for any other job category in the area, according to ZipRecruiter, a leading online employment marketplace.

Registered nurse also came in eighth in terms of local employers adding new jobs by occupation.

Top companies seeking local registered nurses include ISYS Solutions, Sterling Medical and National Smart Healthcare Services.

This story was created automatically using local jobs data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
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Linkedin Sybilla Gross (Bloomberg) Sydney, Australia  Fri, January 3, 2020 15:23 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320bb4f8 2 World #Australia,#fire,millions,animals,killed Free

Close to half a billion animals in Australias New South Wales state may have been killed in wildfires since September -- and the number could climb.

Research, led by the University of Sydneys Chris Dickman, said many of the estimated 480 million affected mammals, birds and reptiles would have been directly killed by the fires or indirectly through loss of habitat.

Prior research indicates that in severely burned areas the resulting lack of shelter, lack of food, and incursions by invasive predators -- red foxes and feral cats -- lead to further drastic but indirect reductions of animal numbers, Dickman said Friday.

Distressing images of injured or dead Australian native animals -- including koalas and kangaroos -- have been flooding social media streams as the wildfires sweep through southeastern Australia, destroying vast tracts of land and homes. The human death toll since the fire season began months ago in the southern hemisphere winter stands at 20.

Koalas have been particularly affected, according to Environment Minister Sussan Ley who told local radio that up to 30% of the population on the mid-north coast of New South Wales may have been killed.

Nature Conservation Council ecologist Mark Graham also highlighted the plight of koalas last month when he spoke at a state parliamentary inquiry into the diminishing population.

With the type of fast-moving crown fires that we have been experiencing, koalas really have no capacity to move fast enough to get away, he said. There is such a big area now that is still on fire and still burning that we will probably never find the bodies.

Even still, the 480 million figure really only provides a rudimentary indication of the true scale of ecological destruction, according to Dickman, who highlighted it was a conservative estimate.

The fires have destroyed more than 12 million acres (5 million hectares) -- an area thats more than twice the size of Wales.
A young Cork man charged with carrying out the robbery of 1,800 from a Cork city convenience store breached his bail eight times over the holiday period and was today remanded in custody.

Sergeant John Kelleher asked Joshua Hurley if he was aware of the seriousness of the charge. The 24 year-old replied at Cork District Court:

It seems to be. I am, yes.

Garda Robert McCarthy arrested Joshua Hurley last month and charged him with the robbery from the Unity shop on Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, on November 28.

Sergeant John Kelleher said on that occasion that there was no objection to bail being granted to the accused at Cork District Court but there were certain conditions to the attached to the bail for Hurley.

Those conditions required him to reside at an apartment at Clifton View, Ballintemple, Cork, sign on three times a week at Anglesea Street garda station, abstain from all intoxicants, keep a 9pm to 6am curfew and have no contact, direct or indirect, with the injured parties.

However, Garda Ray Costello arrested Hurley and brought him before the court today. Evidence was given by Garda Costello and Garda Deirdre Hayes in respect of various alleged breaches of bail by the accused.

Gardai called to his apartment on December 23, 24 and 26, and on January 1 at various times between 10pm and midnight and he did not answer and he also failed to sign on at Anglesea Street garda station on December 21, 23, 25 and 28.

The young man said there was only one night he was not at home and that was Christmas Eve/Christmas Day when he stayed with his sister but was there every other night and must not have heard the buzzer. He said he should have heard it even though it was not a very loud buzzer and he was on medication that made him drowsy but, he said, he was not making excuses.

Judge Olann Kelleher said the accused got a chance and had not kept to the conditions. He remanded him in custody on the robbery charge until January 9.
Ines Basic took to Instagram on Friday to reveal she was removing her shoulder tattoos.

The 29-year-old explained that she had always feared the process because she had heard horror stories about removing tattoos.

But now that she's on her second session, the former Married At First Sight star says she 'doesn't find it that painful'.

Gone: MAFS star Ines Basic (pictured) revealed on Friday that she's removing her shoulder tattoos

Ines made the comments outside the Clean Skin Laser Tattoo Removal clinic in Queensland.

She went to to make an 'after' video which showed small 'cute ice packs' on her shoulders where the tattoos sit.

It's unclear what the tattoos say, but they are script on either side of the brunette's neck along the shoulders.

All good! The 29-year-old had always feared the process because she had heard horror stories. But now that she was on her second session, she says she 'doesn't find it that painful'

Ouch: She went to to make an 'after' video which showed small 'cute ice packs' on her shoulders where the tattoos sit

Old ink: It's unclear what the tattoos say, but they are script on either side of the brunette's neck along the shoulders

Ines told her fans that she had considered removing the ink for 'years and years' but feared the process.

It comes after revelations that the reality star appears to be a completely new person following a deep spiritual transformation.

On Monday, Ines announced she was embarking on a 21-day 'manifestation challenge' created by motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein.

The brunette beauty was inspired to partake in the challenge after Gabrielle followed her on Instagram.

Brand new me! On Monday, Ines announced she was embarking on a 21-day 'manifestation challenge' created by motivational speaker Gabrielle Bernstein

Inner turmoil? Ines said her 'ego was at war' with herself and causing physical tension in her head, so she was taking Gabrielle's manifestation challenge to 'dissolve' it

'It's really powerful,' she told her Instagram followers. 'I've been freaking out. I was like, "Why would a woman who has sat with Oprah follow me on Instagram?"'

Ines then explained how she had grown up reading the works of philosopher Carl Jung and new age guru Deepak Chopra.

The Bosnian immigrant said her 'ego was at war' with herself and causing physical tension in her head, so she was taking Gabrielle's manifestation challenge to 'dissolve' it.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

A man was taken into custody Monday in San Francisco following an incident in which he reportedly chased a person with a needle, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

On Monday at 5:35 p.m., officers responded to the area of Mission and 7th streets on a report of someone chasing another person with a needle.

Responding officers located the suspect and saw him chasing the victim, police said.

Police were able to take the suspect into custody, and he was transported to a hospital in a condition that was not life threatening.

The suspect was ultimately released from the hospital and booked into jail.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
A heartbroken family struggling to deal with the deaths of three family members has been targeted by scammers attempting to reap funds from their loss.

Dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, died trying to defend their home from bushfires in Cobargo in the south east of New South Wales on Tuesday.

Tragically, within 30 hours of their deaths, Robert's mother Edna Salway died peacefully.

Dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, died trying to defend their home from bushfires in Cobargo

The Salway's were dealt another devastating blow when fraudsters tried to capitalise on their loved ones' deaths.

The fundraiser, started the day after the men died, raised almost $4,000 from nearly 60 people before it was reported and shut down.

Kellie-Ann Hancock, Patrick's sister, and her husband Dean Hancock learned about the scam from their niece, Megan, whose name had been used to begin the fake campaign.

Mr Hancock reported the scam to NSW Police and said those behind the fundraiser 'will be held to account'.

Patrick Salway (pictured with his wife Renee) was found by another family member after trying to tackle a bushfire attacking his family home

The remains of burnt out buildings are seen along main street in Cobargo on December 31

'There will never be a GoFundMe Page issued by this family,' he said.

The Ms Salway discovered the account after receiving unexpected messages from wellwishers before warning others over Facebook to be wary.

Her repugnant revelation sparked outrage among commentators, who offered their condolences on yet another misfortune.

'That is disgusting! How can someone be so heartless especially at a time like this! Deepest condolences to you & your family we are thinking of you and your family at this heartbreaking time,' one person wrote.

The fraudulent campaign had almost reached the target goal set by the scammers before it was shut down

Dean Hancock (right), Robert's son-in-law and Patrick's brother-in-law, shared the sad news to friends on Thursday

Another said:' This is bloody awful! What scumbags would do this!'

On Thursday, Mr Hancock shared the sad news of his brother-in-law and father-in-law's passing with friends.

'We have been dealt the most horrific and devastating blow to our family, imaginable!!!' he wrote.

'Robert and Patrick were two of the most amazing and genuine pair of blokes that I have ever had the honour of meeting!'

Patrick Salway, 29, pictured with his pregnant wife Renee - died fighting the fires with his dad Robert Salway as they continued to ravage areas of NSW

The remains of burnt out buildings are seen along main street in the New South Wales town of Cobargo on December 31, 2019

Mr Hancock told of their heroic actions before they were hit by a fireball in the moments before they were about to leave their property.

'These two heroes, were hit by a fireball less than 10metres from the back door of Rob's house, so hard that Patrick was still seated on the four wheeler...On a 260 acre property that had less than 3 acres of bush land...,' he continued.

'They were in the final stages of preparing their property before leaving... Rob had been ripping his beloved paddocks up, to remove as much fuel in the path of the fire as he could.

'As a grass and turf farmer, this would have been his last ditch effort - his final card to play.

'Shortly before 5am, on Tuesday morning, they were gone - Rob in his tractor on one side of the fence, Pat on the bike, the other side - facing each other.

'We are so f**kin' heartbroken!!!

'Today (Thursday), about 30 hours later, Rob's mother, Nanna Salway, passed away peacefully in Bega, without even knowing about her beloved son and grandson.

'Three generations in 30 hours.'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo posted a video on Twitter Thursday he said showed Iraqis "dancing in the street" after the United States killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

"Iraqis - Iraqis - dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more," Pompeo wrote, alongside footage of scores of people running along a road and waving what appeared to be Iraqi flags and other banners.

President Donald Trump ordered the killing of the Iran Revolutionary Guards commander, who died Friday "in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad," the Pentagon said.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," the Department of Defense said in a statement.

"General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more." Pompeo did not provide a source for the video or offer any details about where the images were filmed.

The strike at Baghdad's international airport also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

A pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that killed an American contractor working in Iraq.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past months, including on December 27, the day the contractor was killed.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid reports of the role of Popular Front of India (PFI) in stoking violence in the state during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, former chief minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi said that the government should take appropriate action if it has the evidence.

He, however, refused to comment further on the situation citing a lack of evidence.

"I do not know all the details regarding PFI but the government will naturally take action if anyone is involved in the anti- act. But I do not know the full details whether they are involved in activities which are anti-India. They should differentiate between an armed revolution and violence while taking action," Gogoi told ANI on Friday.

"They (government) also accused the Congress and the left-front of indulging in violence. But violence and anti- activities are two different things. If anyone violates the Indian Constitution, by trying to bring an armed violation then take action on them," he added.

The senior Congress leader further said that he was opposing the CAA as it was opposed to the secular ideology of the country and cited that it was akin to following Mohammad Ali Jinnah's ideology of two-nation theory.

"Some parties want to create a Hindu-Muslim divide to capture the political power but the Indian culture and Hinduism is opposed to it. CAA is against the ideology of Swami Vivekananda, Hinduism is pluralistic. Hinduism is tolerant while Hindutva is not. We do not want to follow Jinnah's two-nation theory, which is a separate country for Muslims and Hindus," Gogoi told ANI.

He further added that the CAA will have an impact on the whole of the nation, not just Assam, and added that this is why the Hindus around the country were also opposed to it.

"CAA will not profit anyone, it is not just that Assam will be affected by it but the whole of India will suffer due to it. The secular character of India will be violated by CAA. The people are forward-looking today, they do not want to be communal. That is why the maximum number of Hindus are against it," he said.

Meanwhile, state president of PFI Aminul Haque was arrested on December 18 last year.

The arrest was made in connection with the violence that erupted in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

A total of 46 cases have been registered, while 27 people were arrested in connection with vandalism in Guwahati district during the anti-CAA protests.

In December last year, the Assam Police had detained more than 3,000 people and arrested 190 persons for indulging in violent protests in the state over the amended citizenship law.Protests had broken out in several parts of the country including Assam over CAA, which grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Public Sector Reforms Mr. Thomas Kusi Boafo has urged Ghanaians to be patient with President Akufo-Addo since he is committed to delivering upon all his campaign promises.

According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government under former President John Dramani Mahama, left the economy in the wilderness, thus, making it difficult for Nana Akufo-Addos administration to resuscitate and build on it.

if Ghanaians could witness remarkable improvement in their socio-economic livelihoods they should have the patience for President Akufo-Addo because am confident he will deliver all his promises if we have the patience for him, Thomas Kusi Boafo told Lawyer Ohene Gyan on Pae Mu Ka on Kumasi-based Kingdom FM 100.1

Mr. Kusi Boafo has lauded the social intervention program being implemented by the government and believes it would be fruitful, and he appealed to Ghanaians to be patient and hopeful for better socio-economic living conditions.

He underscored the need for the NPP leadership to strengthen party structures and adequately resource Constituency executives, which remained the strong pillars and hopes of the party if it could retain power in Election 2020.

if Ghanaians could witness remarkable improvement in their socio-economic livelihoods they should have the patience for President Akufo-Addo because am confident he will deliver all his promises if we have the patience for him, Thomas Kusi Boafo told Lawyer Ohene Gyan on Pae Mu Ka on Kumasi-based Kingdom FM 100.1

Mr. Kusi Boafo has lauded the social intervention program being implemented by the government and believes it would be fruitful, and he appealed to Ghanaians to be patient and hopeful for better socio-economic living conditions.

He underscored the need for the NPP leadership to strengthen party structures and adequately resource Constituency executives, which remained the strong pillars and hopes of the party if it could retain power in Election 2020.

However, he revealed the government had achieved a lot, but it required the party to sell these achievements to the electorate and see the hopes of the nation.

Until this was done, Mr. Kusi Boafo said, critics and detractors would peddle lies, making the government unpopular and influence the voting masses.

---Kingdom 107.7 FM / KingdomfmOnline.com
Honeymooners Justin and Hailey Bieber puckered up for a wet-haired, swimsuit-clad selfie for the viewing pleasure of his captive combined 355.4M followers/subscribers on Thursday.

Among the commenters on the 25-year-old Grammy winner's 'Love from the BIEBERS' Instagram post was Orange Is the New Black star Taryn Manning, who gushed: 'So fun! So cute! So love!'

The 23-year-old IMG Model was wearing the same bikini in the selfie video she shared Thursday of Instagram's new fortune teller filter predicting 'in 2020 I will be dead.'

'Love from the BIEBERS!' Honeymooners Justin and Hailey Bieber puckered up for a wet-haired, swimsuit-clad selfie on Thursday

Among the commenters on the 25-year-old Grammy winner's 'Love from the BIEBERS' post was Orange Is the New Black star Taryn Manning, who gushed: 'So fun! So cute! So love!'

'It's given me this one twice,' Hailey lamented via Insta-story.

The daughter of Stephen Baldwin and the Canadian crooner rang in their New Year with plans on having 'babies next season.'

'Please be my New Years kiss even when I'm 80!' the Arizona-born blonde wrote of Justin.

The devout Christian couple - who met at Bieber's 2009 concert meet-and-greet - wed September 30 at South Carolina resort Palmetto Bluff.

'It's given me this one twice': The 23-year-old IMG Model was wearing the same bikini in the video she shared Thursday of the new fortune teller filter predicting 'in 2020 I will be dead'

'Please be my New Years kiss even when I'm 80!' The daughter of Stephen Baldwin and the Canadian crooner rang in their New Year with plans on having 'babies next season'

Newlyweds: The devout Christian couple - who met at Bieber's 2009 concert meet-and-greet - wed September 30 at South Carolina resort Palmetto Bluff

On Thursday, the heavily-tattooed millennial caved in and joined TikTok, a video-sharing social networking service, which was launched in 2017 by a Beijing company, ByteDance.

In his first-ever post - captioned 'Am I doing this right?' - Justin morphed five images of himself at different ages.

Other celebrities already on TikTok include Lil Nas X, Will Smith, Miley Cyrus, The Rock, Post Malone, Kylie Jenner, Doja Cat, Jimmy Fallon, and Tony Hawk.

'Am I doing this right?' On Thursday, the heavily-tattooed millennial joined TikTok and posted a video morphing five images of himself at different ages

Trendy: Other celebrities already on TikTok include Lil Nas X, Will Smith, Miley Cyrus, The Rock, Post Malone, Kylie Jenner, Doja Cat, Jimmy Fallon, and Tony Hawk

Bieber also teased a clip from the music video of his new single Yummy - dropping midnight on Friday - which featured two Japanese women chatting about him at a club.

The platinum blond pop star is 'pretty much done' with his fifth studio album inspired by 'his struggles with depression' and he's 'aiming for early 2020' release.

According to Variety, the former YouTube star 'earned around $20M' to star in YouTube Originals' 10-episode free docuseries Justin Bieber: Seasons premiering January 27.

Dropping midnight on Friday! Bieber also teased a clip from the music video of his new single Yummy, which featured two Japanese women chatting about him at a club
A 40-year-old man has allegedly stabbed his own father with a machete following an argument at their Melbourne home.

Police and paramedics rushed to a residence in Noble Park, in the city's south-east on Friday morning, where a 69-year-old man was suffering from stab wounds.

Neighbours said they heard fighting and loud screams coming from the home before the attack, reports 7 News.

Police and paramedics rushed to a residence in Noble Park, south-east Melbourne, where a 69-year-old man was treated for stab wounds

Police have arrested a 40-year-old male but he has not yet been charged.

Detectives are now interviewing other family members who were at the house when the incident happened.

More to come.
Taking a dig at the BJP, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the saffron party has seven chief ministerial candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.

This came a day after Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) tweeted an image of a poster wishing a "very Happy New Year to all seven chief minister candidates of Delhi BJP Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwari, Vijay Goel, Hardeep Singh Puri, Harsh Vardhan, Vijender Gupta and Parvesh Singh".

"But the question is who will contest against Arvind Kejriwal," the party had asked in its tweet.

"The BJP has seven chief ministerial candidates for Delhi. Assembly elections in Delhi would be fought on the basis of work done," Kejriwal said at his fourth town hall meeting in east Delhi's Trilokpuri.

Replying to a question about the AAP's defeat in last year's general elections, he said Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are very different from each other.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot become the chief minister of Delhi," he added.

The Delhi elections have to be held before February 22, when the term of the current legislative assembly ends.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Vikrant returns to India after 13 years with an overall distinguished career spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry, in India and internationally

Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company has appointed Vikrant Shrotriya as Managing Director & Corporate Vice President for the India business.

Vikrant returns to India after 13 years with an overall distinguished career spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry, in India and internationally.

Talking about his new role, Vikrant said, Its an immense honour to lead the India operations of Novo Nordisk and I am very happy to be back after a gap of 13 years. India is an important market for us, and our focus is on enhancing healthcare through awareness and education. We will continue to work on improving access to quality care by working closely with the relevant stakeholders.

A graduate of Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Pune, Vikrant has worked in many national and international organisations in India, South East Asia and more recently in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries wherein he was Vice-President for Novo Nordisks GCC business and Corporate Vice President for Saudi Arabia.
The U.S. Army this week has banned the popular TikTok app from government mobile amid fear of China-linked cyberespionage.

The US Army has banned the use of the popular TikTok app on mobile phones used by its personnel for security reasons.

TikTok is a social media app that allows its users to create and share short form videos.

The app developed by the Chinese firm ByteDance has over 1.3 billion installs worldwide, it has come under close scrutiny in the US and other countries for its alleged link with the Government of Beijing.

All free accounts are by default public, only subscribers could restrict the access to the accounts content.

US Army spokeswoman, Lt Col Robin Ochoa, told US media that the app is considered a cyber threat.

In October, both Democratic and Republican senators called for an investigation by intelligence agencies into the popular app, while in December the US Navy announced a similar decision.

It is considered a cyber threat, Lt. Col. Robin Ochoa, an Army spokeswoman, told Military.com. We do not allow it on government phones.

As of mid-December, the Army began advising soldiers to stop using TikToK on all government-owned phones, Ochoa said. The U.S. Navy recently put out similar guidance, prohibiting the use of TiKTok on government phones, according to reports by Gizmodo and other publications. continues Military.com.

The policy reversal on TikTok comes after the release of a Dec. 16 Defense Department Cyber Awareness Message identifying TikTok as having potential security risks associated with its use, according to the message.

The military is also inviting its staff to avoid the use of the app on private mobile phones, the Department of Defence recently also issued guidance for employees to be wary of applications you download.

Experts speculate the app can be used for intelligence gathering on US citizens and for this reason it represents a threat to homeland security.

Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton suggested that TikTok could also be used for a foreign-influence campaign similar to that carried out on social media in the 2016 US presidential election. reported the BBC.

Speaking to the BBC in November, TikTok said that changes made over the course of 2019 included strengthening the capabilities and autonomy of the US team.

The company behind TikTok attempted to reassure the US authorities explaining that all US user data are located outside China, and not subject to Chinese law.

This week TikTok released its first-ever transparency report, which includes data access requests from various countries. Strangely China was absent, top information requests came from India (107 requests) the United States (79), Japan (35), Germany (12) and France (8). The reports also states that top requests for content removal came from India (11), United States (6) and Japan (3).

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs  TikTok, privacy)
TOKYO  Carlos Ghosn was aided in his escape from Japan by an American security consultant who accompanied him on the flight out of the country, a person familiar with the matter said, while a Turkish charter jet company said on Friday that its planes were used illegally to pull off the plan.

The Japanese news media also reported on Friday that surveillance camera footage showed the former auto industry mogul leaving his Tokyo home by himself on Sunday, a day before he turned up in Beirut, Lebanon.

With the new details, a clearer  if still imperfect  picture is emerging of how Mr. Ghosn, Japans most prominent criminal defendant, managed to evade authorities. The American consultant, a former United States Green Beret named Michael Taylor, was introduced to Mr. Ghosn by Lebanese intermediaries months ago, said the person, who asked not to be identified to discuss a sensitive issue.

Turkish media outlets have reported that Mr. Taylor and another American were the only people listed as passengers on a manifest for the flight that carried Mr. Ghosn from Japan to Turkey. On Friday, MNG Jet, an aircraft charter company, said one of its employees had falsified records to remove Mr. Ghosns name from the official documentation for two flights.
Irish Water was warned five-and-a-half years ago about the problems that led to the country's biggest-ever drinking water contamination scare.

An assessment of works needed at the Leixlip Water Treatment Plant in July 2014 reported that filters were failing and may not be removing bacteria and parasites, including cryptosporidium.

It was among a number of assessments that detailed serious deterioration and neglect at the plant.

It was found to be operating with out-dated technology, corroded parts and unreliable back-up systems from an overcrowded, leaking premises described as a fire hazard with likely asbestos contamination.

All the assessments stressed the national strategic importance of the plant, which is the country's second largest and supplies 660,000 people in Dublin, Kildare and Meath, including homes, businesses and major employers.

One assessment stated: "There has been a noted deterioration in the filtrate quality from all 15 rapid sand filters."

The filters were "essential" to removing particles and impurities it said, warning: "With continued deterioration of these sand filters, the risks of cryptosporidium breakthrough and contamination of the treated water will increase further."

Yet filter replacement began only last July and is expected to take until this summer to complete.

In the meantime, those 660,000 people were placed on boil water notices last October and again in November because of fears of parasitic contamination, causing major disruption to households and business.

Read More

Irish Water said the filters could not all be replaced at once as the water supply to the region is so stretched that the plant had to keep operating at full or near to full capacity at all times.

That is still the case although some production has been transferred to another plant to try to speed up the work.

Irish Water has warned there is no guarantee that conditions will not deteriorate and said further boil water notices might have to be declared before the replacement work was completed.

The company took charge of the country's water services only in 2014 and the scale of the task of bringing the Leixlip plant up to standard is clear from the assessments carried out between then and 2016.

The administration and control building (ACB), which was built in the 1960s, had never undergone refurbishment or upgrade.

"There is evidence of cracking in the structure and possibly some subsidence. There is asbestos in the adjacent redundant old pump room and therefore possibly also in the ACB," one report said.

"Leaks have appeared in the external walls and the roof. The accommodation is overcrowded for the staff."

It added that the position of the stairs in the centre of the crowded building was a fire hazard. The building was also "unsightly", it said.

Another report said the many electrical control panels throughout the plant were fitted with automatic fire extinguishers that were more than 20 years old and had never been serviced.

"The entire system is ineffective, with many parts perished," it said, warning that a fire would completely destroy the electrics and knock the plant out of production.

"Not only does the current situation represent a serious fire risk, but it may also compromise Irish Water's fire insurance policy."

Irish Water said the system had since been replaced and that improvement works had been carried out on the ACB.

Sludge presses at the plant had not been serviced for years and were operating below capacity so that they were not removing sufficient water from the sludge sent to landfill.

As a result, the sludge was heavier than it should be and an extra 130,000 a year was being spent on transporting it.

The general control system was 20 years old and parts were hard to source.

"At the time of installation in 1995, they would have been considered leading-edge technology" but they were now "legacy equipment", a report stated.

A unit that controlled valves in the event of a power failure was itself prone to failure.

"Without this unit to control the valves in the event of a power failure, raw water will continue to enter the plant without being treated," a report warned. "It's critical that this unit be replaced as soon as possible."

A pump and stand-by pump at the sludge plant were "old and not reliable".

"There is a risk of sludge being discharged into the river where the EPA sample weekly," that report warned.

A number of 'clarifiers' in one part of the plant suffered corrosion, collapse and deformity.

There were also problems with the equipment that mixed the water and coagulant - a substance used to extract solids from the water - so extra chemicals were being used to boost the effectiveness of the process, which was not considered best practice.

A disinfection system was also prone to failures and there was no back-up system, although one has since been installed.

Irish Water has not released full details of the works required, citing commercial sensitivities and potential difficulties in negotiations with staff unions, contractors and local authorities.

But it stressed that numerous works had been carried out in response to the reports and said further works were scheduled for 2020 and 2021.

It said this now included ultra-violet disinfection which the Environmental Protection Agency asked Irish Water to consider putting in place as an added safeguard for public health following the October and November incidents.
Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library will celebrate its 15th anniversary this month, underscoring the long-term partnership between Harris County Public Library and LSC in Tomball.

Reading programs at LSC-Tomball Community Library helped Debbie Huffstutlers granddaughter progress from the ABCs to chapter books in less than a year.

We are really blessed to have this library on the Tomball campus, Huffstutler said in National Library Week video last year. My granddaughter is four and she told me last month that she thought she was supposed to go to kindergarten before she started college. We are glad that shes talking about university.

Related: Tomball ISD to open apprenticeship-style energy and business academy in fall 2020

Allowing non-student patrons to have educational experiences at the college is one of the things LSC-Tomball President Lee Ann Nutt loves most about having the community library on campus.

Anybody can come and experience the college without having to enroll in a class and that improves the awareness of the college, Nutt said. It increases our value as a resource in the community. When people are coming to the library, whether with their children, for a specific program, or just to check out a book, because they are on the college campus they may learn and develop the belief that maybe college is for them when the library is seen as an extension of the college.

Jan. 25 kicks off a week of special events with an open house anniversary celebration from 12-3 p.m.

Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce President Bruce Hillegeist was among the community members present during the librarys ribbon cutting ceremony on Jan. 20, 2005.

Hillegeist frequented Tomballs library throughout his childhood and teens, watching services transfer to increasingly larger facilities, he said in a video on the LSC-Tomball Community Library Facebook page.

It is a true asset, a true community library here in Tomball and we are very proud of the Lone Star College community library, he said.

What was considered Tomballs first library service operated out of the old Main Street post office in the 1920s, according to the University of North Texas Libraries Portal to Texas History. A volunteer librarian managed the library of about 200 books, which were supplied by Harris County and kept within a single bookcase.

When the Great Depression hit, the library stopped operations. The community went without library services until after World War II when a county-run mobile library began visiting Tomball every three weeks.

Eventually, a Friends of the Library group was established to pursue a more permanent library that would meet the needs of a growing city. The organization raised funds and rented a facility on West Main Street.

The library relocated to a larger facility on Elm Street in 1965. As its programs steadily grew in popularity, the Friends of the Library recognized the need to pursue an even larger building. In the 70s, a 6,000-square-foot library opened on an acre of land donated by the city on James Street.

Tomball College and Harris County Public Library began collaborating in the early 2000s on an even larger combined library facility to be located on what is now the Lone Star College-Tomball campus. From 2001-2005, Tomballs library temporarily operated out of a building on Main Street until the new librarys grand opening in January 2005.

A decade-and-a-half later, the 72,000-square-foot LSC-Tomball Community Library accommodates more than 300,000 visitors annually, according to the library website.

Despite the fact that the librarys huge, it still has the small-town neighborhood library feel that the Tomball communitys all about; family-like, welcoming, and it has heart also, like Tomball, said LSC-Tomball Community Library Director Janna Hoglund.

Activities to celebrate the 15th anniversary are planned from Saturday, Jan. 25 through the end of the month, including the grand opening of the Tomball Innovation Lab on Jan. 28 from 5-7 p.m.

Related: Tomball Innovation Lab to include 3D printing, virtual reality

With support from the college, Tomball chamber, city, economic development corporation, HCA Houston Healthcare, Tomball ISD and Harris County Pct. 4, the library transformed a former computer lab into a creative resource for the public, offering free access to modern technologies such as 3D printers, a laser cutter and Oculus Go virtual headsets. And according to Hoglund, this is just the beginning.

Were already thinking about how its going to be in the future, Hoglund said. Were still working on the grand opening, but were already looking forward to what we can do with our resources that we have here in the library, in the college, and also through our partners. So, I think the skys the limit with the support that were getting.

The lab is just one example how the college-library partnership has impacted the community.

The two entities mutual support has resulted in library additions such as the Tomball Community Art Showcase, a joint project between the college, library and Tomball ISD. The showcase, which debuted last year, highlights the talent of local artists.

Related: Tomball library cuts ribbon on Community Art Showcase featuring local students work

An interactive childrens play area, the George and Barbara Bush Family Place, also opened in the library last year thanks to a grant HCPL received from the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and Phillips 66.

According to the HCPL website, LSC-Tomball Community Library sees about 38,600 people attend its more than 1,800 programs offered in-library annually such as computer classes and literacy services. In response to patron demand, the Tomball Community Library expanded services to the LSC-Creekside Center in January of last year.

Were receiving just tremendous, tremendous positive feedback from parents because the Creekside community, its mostly young families with little kids, so were receiving a lot of toddlers, a lot of preschoolers there for our story times, Hoglund said. Were also moving forward. Were offering some smaller collection for people to be able to check out childrens books. Also, were able to create library cards  public library cards  and people are able to request holds to be delivered to Creekside.

Nutt said the relationship between the college and library continues to flourish through community outreach initiatives and by collaborating as a cohesive educational resource.

Were both serving the community, so its seen as our library, not their part and our part; its all together, Nutt said. Were able to find more and more ways to connect the two entities and really make it seem to the community like one, and thats the way it should be.

mfeuk@hcnonline.com
Qasem Soleimani, a top military commander in Iran, was on Friday killed in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport. The...





Qasem Soleimani, a top military commander in Iran, was on Friday killed in an airstrike at the Baghdad International Airport.





The Pentagon said the attack was carried out on the order of President Donald Trump to deter future Iranian attack plans.





It added that Soleimani was killed because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.





The airstrike comes days after an Iran-backed militia and its supporters breached the US embassy in Baghdad.

Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) confirmed that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the force, was also among those martyred by an American strike.





The Pentagon said Soleimani, head of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members, and the wounding of thousands.





Javad Zarif, Iran foreign minister, described the attack as foolish and dangerous.





The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, Zarif wrote in a tweet.





Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans Suprme Leader, has vowed avenge the killing, saying harsh revenge awaits the criminals involved.





Khamenei said the fight would continue, adding that it had been Soleimanis wish for years to become a martyr.





He also declared three days of mourning for the deceased.





His pure blood was shed in the hands of the most depraved of human beings, Khamenei said.












She broke up with Luke Packham in November, after a brief fling which began when they met on Love Island Australia.

And Cassie Lansdell revealed on Thursday that she has a new man in her life: Neil Szlagowski from the DJ duo Seeing Double.

The 27-year-old shared a photo to Instagram of herself with her boyfriend on New Year's Eve at midnight.

New Year, new man! Love Island's Cassie Lansdell has debuted her boyfriend, Neil Szlagowski

Neil kissed Cassie's face against the backdrop of Sydney's world-famous fireworks display.

She captioned her post: 'Kicking off 2020 with this little rocket #love #newyear.'

While Cassie did not identify her boyfriend or tag his Instagram profile, her followers soon discovered a striking similarity to the Sydney-based DJ.

Mystery solved! While Cassie did not identify her boyfriend or tag his Instagram profile, her followers soon worked out his identity

They worked out that Neil was her new man because the DJ brothers follows Cassie on Instagram, and she follows him back.

Funnily enough, Neil is a twin; the other half of Seeing Double is his brother, Jake.

While Cassie's fans weren't 100 per cent sure of Neil's identity at first - due to how similar the brothers look - a relationship with Jake seemed unlikely.

Lookalikes: Neil (left) is one half of the DJ duo Seeing Double alongside his twin brother, Jake

Jake lists on Facebook that he is 'in a relationship with' hospital manager Rheanna Mills.

When contacted for comment, Cassie said: 'Good digging! Yes, I am dating Neil from Seeing Double, We are now official and I am very happy.'

Coincidentally, Cassie's last boyfriend, Luke, is also a twin. Luke and his brother, Josh Packham, appeared on Love Island together.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was teaching new lessons in civic responsibility to MPs by saying if they voted against a bill in Parliament, it was a "protest" against the House.

The former Union minister said the Congress was not against giving refuge and citizenship to those persecuted in Pakistan irrespective of their religion, but wanted a non-discriminatory law that applied equally to all such people.

"The prime minister is teaching MPs new lessons in civic responsibility. I did not know that if an MP voted against a Bill in Parliament, that MP was 'protesting against Parliament'," Chidambaram said in a tweet in Hindi.

He said the Congress was only demanding a humane and non-discriminatory law that should apply equally to all persecuted people irrespective of their religion.

"We are not against giving refuge and eventually citizenship to those persecuted in Pakistan, be it Hindus, Sikhs, Jains or Christians.

"We only demand that the law should apply equally to all persecuted people including Pakistani Ahmadiyyas, Sri Lankan Tamils, Bhutanese Christians, Myanmarese Rohingyas etc. The ideal law should be one which is humane and non-discriminatory," Chidambaram said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hit out at the Congress and its allies for opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), saying the ongoing protests in the country are against Parliament and called on the agitators to raise their voice against Pakistan's atrocities on its minorities for the last 70 years.

The prime minister has also said protecting and supporting the minorities of the neighbouring countries, who have sought refuge in India, is our cultural and national responsibility.

"Those protesting against the Parliament of India, I want to tell them that the need is to expose Pakistan's deeds on the world stage. If you want to protest, protest and raise voice against Pakistan's deeds for the last 70 years, you should have that guts," he said, addressing a gathering at the Siddaganga Math in Karnataka on Thursday.

"If you want to shout slogans, shout against the way in which atrocities are happening against minorities there; if you want to hold rallies, hold it in favour of the Dalits and downtrodden people who have come from Pakistan (to India). If you want to stage a dharna, do it against Pakistan's deeds," Modi said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In this Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, file photo, Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Quds Force, attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran. AP



Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, the top commander of the elite Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, helped Iran fight proxy wars across the Middle East by inspiring militias on the battlefield and negotiating with political leaders.



His death on Friday in a U.S. air strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport marked the end of a man who was a celebrity at home and closely watched by the United States, Israel and Tehran's regional rival Saudi Arabia.



The Pentagon said the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.



Soleimani was responsible for clandestine overseas operations and was often seen on battlefields guiding Iraqi Shi'ite groups in the war against Islamic State.



He was killed along with top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Both men were seen as heroes in Iran's fight against its enemies and state television heaped them with praise shortly after their deaths were announced.



The television showed footage of Soleimani as a young high-school graduate commanding a unit in Iran's war with Iraq in the 1980s.



After that, he rose rapidly through the ranks of Iran's Revolutionary Guards to become chief of the Quds Force, a post in which he helped Iran form alliances in the Middle East as it came under pressure from U.S. sanctions that have devastated the Islamic Republic's economy.



The United States designated the Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist organization in 2019, part of a campaign of maximum pressure to force Iran to negotiate on its ballistic missile program and nuclear policy.



Soleimani had a pointed reply: any negotiation with the U.S. would be "complete surrender."



Soleimani's Quds Force shored up support for Syrian President Bashir al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped militiamen defeat Islamic State in Iraq.



Its successes have made Soleimani instrumental to the steady spreading of Iran's clout in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehran's regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check.



Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made Soleimani head of the Quds Force in 1998, a position in which he kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Assad's government, and Shi'ite militia groups in Iraq.



In the past few years, he has acquired a more public standing, with fighters and commanders in Iraq and Syria posting images on social media of him on the battlefield, his beard and hair always impeccably trimmed.



"WE ARE CLOSE TO YOU"



Soleimani's growing authority within Iran's military establishment was apparent in 2019 when Khamenei awarded him the Order of Zolfiqar medal, Iran's highest military honour. It was the first time any commander had received the medal since the Islamic Republic was established in 1979.






Iran's response to the U.S. killing of Qasem Soleimani, a top Iranian military official, could target oil infrastructure and transit in the Middle East, analysts say.

Driving the news: The airstrike in Iraq that killed Soleimani pushed prices sharply upward last night and into this morning.

And they would likely go much higher if the conflict escalates, especially if major energy facilities are hit in response, though, needless to say, we don't know the scope of Iran's next steps.

The big picture: "[T]he killing of Soleimani calls for a serious increase of the geopolitical risk premium," Olivier Jakob of the consultancy Petromatrix tells the FT.

Where it stands: Oil prices are up almost 4% in the wake of the U.S. strike. The global benchmark Brent crude is trading at $68.76 per barrel.

Threat level: A note from the Rapidan Energy Group games out Iran's options and concludes the most likely scenario is that Iran will "first look for ways to recoup leverage short of targeting U.S. military personnel."

"That shifts risk back onto oil vessels and facilities. ... [T]he risk of another major attack against Gulf oil vessels or facilities is now above 50%."

What they're saying: Jason Bordoff, head of a Columbia University energy think tank, predicted via Twitter that Iran's response will be "severe" and "deadly" and "certainly may include escalating attacks on energy infrastructure."

He said the major September aerial strikes against Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, which the U.S. blamed on Iran and temporarily took millions of barrels per day of production offline, was "just the beginning."

But, but, but: Eurasia Group analysts predicted in a note that while Iran will certainly respond, it's "unlikely to immediately attack Saudi or Emirati oil infrastructure or US bases in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, or Qatar."

Overall, they're hardly ruling out a major military conflict, but expect "moderate to low-level clashes to last for at least a month" that are likely confined to Iraq.

They also expect Iran to harass and even temporarily disrupt commercial shipping in the Gulf.

"Prices will likely hold around $70/barrel but could make a run at $80 if the conflict spreads to the oil fields of southern Iraq or if Iranian harassment of commercial shipping intensifies," they write.

Go deeper:
3 1 of 3 Michael C. Juliano/ Staff Photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Humberto J. Rocha Contributed / Contributed Photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3





WESTPORT  After less than a year in town, Chefs Table will soon be closing its Westport location.

An employee at the restaurants Fairfield location confirmed on Friday the Westport shop will be closing Jan. 15. The eatery opened in April at 161 Cross Highway, filling a hole left in the neighborhood when longtime tenant Christies Country Store closed in 2018. It was one of several small shops at the plaza, which included an adjoining auto repair shop.
The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced details of a special 28 million economic stimulus package for the Border region.

The package, which applies to counties Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth, is designed to drive economic activity in the region and ensure that businesses have additional support in mitigating the impact of Brexit.

The Border Economic Stimulus Package includes:

3 million for the six Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) in the border counties for capability development programmes for micro and small firms with ambition;

An 8.5 million Brexit Transformation Fund to enable firms to transform their businesses and diversify markets;

1.5 million for Industry Fellowships targeted at businesses located in Border counties, administered by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI); and

A 15 million competitive Border Enterprise Development Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland (EI).

To help stakeholders investigate the viability of potential projects and prepare final submissions for consideration for the 15m Border Enterprise Development Fund, Competitive Feasibility Funding is also available. This will be a grant of 15,000 or 50% of eligible costs, whichever is lesser, available to eligible applicants.

The Minister also announced that as part of the next phase of the IDA's Regional Property Programme, three new Advanced Technology Buildings will be built in Dundalk, Monaghan and Sligo in 2020. These buildings will be critical as the IDA seek to attract more Foreign Direct Investment to the Border region.

Announcing details of the stimulus package, Minister Humphreys said:

All of the research shows that the Border region is most exposed to the impact of Brexit. I want to ensure that businesses in the region are supported by Government in responding to the challenges and uncertainties which lie ahead.

"This is the first time my Department has provided targeted, ringfenced funding to a specific region which represents a strong statement of our commitment to the Border area. Through this package of measures, I want to make businesses in the border region more resilient, more innovative and more competitive so that we can stimulate enhanced economic activity in the region.

Minister Humphreys added:

The funding I am announcing today is in addition to all of the existing Brexit supports which are already available nationwide. This is a series of bespoke, targeted initiatives designed to deliver maximum impact for the Border region.

This additional 3m for the LEOs in the border counties will enable them to pilot a series of mentoring programmes for businesses focused on boosting exports, embracing innovation and improving management and financial skills capability.

The 8.5m Brexit Transformation fund will enable Enterprise Ireland to support individual company capital projects to build Brexit resilience through transformation initiatives and diversification of product and markets.

The 1.5 million in funding for Research Fellowships will see researchers take up placements in industry bringing new energy and specialist expertise to businesses in the Border region.

I am also introducing a 15 million Competitive Border Enterprise Development Fund. This Fund will have a ground-up approach so that we can support national/regional, county and local stakeholders who come up with exciting, innovative and collaborative proposals which will make a positive economic impact in the Border region.

Finally, Minister Humphreys announced that a series of workshops with representatives from her Departments enterprise agencies (Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs, SFI and IDA Ireland) will take place in each of the six border counties in the coming weeks to raise awareness of the various strands of the funding package.

This is a golden opportunity for businesses in the border region and I want to ensure that they get the maximum benefit out of this funding. I would therefore encourage companies to attend these workshops, details of which will be announced shortly, so that they can hear directly from our enterprise agencies about whats involved. I want to see strong, innovative, industry-led proposals coming forward which will make a real and lasting difference to the region.
CARBONDALE  In the spiritual tradition of the Hopi Tribe, which, along with its Puebloan ancestors, has populated the American Southwest for centuries, death is the beginning of two journeys, distinct but inseparable, according to former Hopi Tribal Archaeologist Kurt Dongoske.

There is a physical journey that brings the body back to a oneness with the earth, Dongoske writes, and a contemporaneous spiritual journey, taking the soul to a place where it finally resides.

For more than 200 Hopi and Navajo ancestors, the journey resumed this year after a long and painful interruption, including a pit stop in Carbondale.

From 1977 to 1983, Southern Illinois University Carbondale led a massive series of archaeological digs at Black Mesa, in Northern Arizona, where Peabody Energy leased land from the Navajo Nation and the Hopi Tribe to strip mine for coal.

Because Peabody was working on reservation land, it was required by the National Historic Preservation Act to search for, remove and preserve Native American remains and relics.

As the mine grew, the project became one of the largest in the history of North American archaeological fieldwork, according to SIUC, employing hundreds of people, identifying nearly 2,500 archaeological sites across about 100 square miles of the mesa, and unearthing several million Navajo, Hopi and ancient Puebloan and prehistoric artifacts, some as much as 8,000 years old, as well as the 200-plus skeletons.

The items were placed in the temporary care of SIUC. But their return to Native American hands has been slowed by politics and logistics.

Theres been a dialogue for decades, said Tamira Brennan, curator of SIUCs Center for Archaeological Investigations, which was created to manage the Black Mesa collection and has since added other projects. Both the Hopi and Navajo have claims to much of this collection. For a long time, the tribal leadership could not agree on what to do with it.

Richard Begay acted quickly to break the logjam when he was hired as the Navajo Nation historic preservation officer in 2017.

Questions swirled about the future of the mine, and Begay worried that Peabodys commitment to fund the repatriation of the bodies and artifacts might weaken if its operation shut down.

Begay met with Hopi historic preservation officer Stewart Koyiyumptewa, over lunch.

We had a very frank discussion, both recognizing there were larger political differences between our tribes, but that our primary objective was to get the remains back in the ground, Begay said.

Properly reburying the skeletons would require an extensive matching game, using field notes from the original excavations to pair each body with the ceremonial burial items that accompanied it.

Those burial objects remained in Carbondale, while the human remains had been transferred to a researcher at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Representatives from both Navajo and Hopi traveled to Las Vegas to arrange for the skeletons return to Arizona. They also visited Carbondale twice to retrieve the burial items, driving them back to Arizona in a U-Haul.

SIU took really good care of the BMAP (Black Mesa Archaeological Project) collection, Begay said. They really did provide us with all the info we wanted and worked hard to make sure the Navajo and Hopi were happy with the process.

A reburial ceremony was held in May. Together, Hopi and Navajo representatives picked a new gravesite as close as possible to the ancestors original resting places within the mines working area.

Peabody provided excavation equipment and paid for all the storage, travel and shipping costs to get the bodies and their possessions back to Black Mesa.

The reburial began early in the morning, with about 15 volunteers working all day. There was no media present, no videos or photographs. Each tribe handled the dead according to its own customs, and Hopi and Navajo spiritual leaders performed blessings on the remains and the workers.

It was satisfying, Begay said. As unfortunate as it was that the remains were removed, it was probably a good decision to remove and protect them. They wouldve been completely destroyed otherwise.

Like the Hopi, the Navajo believe in a life after death.

We believe that the spiritual remains of those people are still residing at Black Mesa, though they had been languishing for quite some time, Begay said. We were adamant we bring them back as soon as we could. We wanted to make sure we gave them a sense of peace.

Now, Begay and Koyiyumptewa have turned their attention to the rest of the BMAP collection. At SIU, thats about 4,000 more boxes containing everything from beautiful clay bowls and pots, to metate stones for grinding corn, to soil samples and countless pottery shards that could not be reconstructed.

Since the 1990s, it has all been housed in a secure, climate-controlled facility on the north side of Carbondale. Like the rest of the project, its costs have been paid by the coal company, which also funded SIUCs 11-year effort to repack everything in new containers and build a database cataloging the collection.

That work began in 2008 and is nearly finished, conducted by SIUC staff and student researchers.

At this point were just complying with what the tribes want us to do, Brennan said, separating the more recent Navajo artifacts from their older Hopi counterparts.

The university has hosted researchers in Carbondale to study the collection, with the permission of the tribes, Brennan said. But she believes scholarly attention will intensify once the artifacts are returned to the southwest.

I think thats why its important to get it back there, she said. Its a singular collection, and its the project that sort of allowed archaeologists to define the cultural history of that region ... to say: These artifacts belonged to this time period. Heres where different groups were. Heres how they moved. Heres what they ate. A lot of those things were just kind of unknown before this project.

The present challenge is finding a home for thousands of cubic feet of artifacts.

The top candidate is the Museum of Northern Arizona, which has longstanding relationships with both tribes and has played a key role in the Black Mesa repatriation for about the last five years, according to MNA Archaeological Division Director Kim Spurr.

But the MNA doesnt have the space for such a large acquisition, Spurr said.

Discussions about an expansion are ongoing, but no one is expecting the rest of the collection to move from Carbondale to Arizona as quickly as the burial items did.

Id say it would be reasonable within the next 10 years to get a lot of it back there, Brennan said. You can never say for sure.

When the collection does finally move, Spurr believes it will get good use from scholars, including the growing community of Native American historians in the American Southwest. Any study or public exhibition, she noted, would be only with the Navajo and Hopis consent.

The return of the Black Mesa Collection to Native American hands is one of many long overdue repatriations in recent years.

The movement began with the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which explicitly recognized all human remains and cultural items removed from Federal or tribal lands as property of those tribes or their descendants.

All agencies holding any such remains, like museums, universities and federal agencies, were given a deadline of 1997 to inventory their materials and contact tribes who might claim them as cultural patrimony.

But a 2010 audit by the Government Accountability Office revealed many agencies had never reached out to the tribes as the law required.

All of the agencies said: We dont have the money to follow through, Spurr said.

A decade later, after the government authorized funding to get the process going, many major repatriations are complete.

Its an amazing time, because the relationships between the tribes and the archaeological community are totally different than they were a decade ago, Spurr said. People are complying with the tribes and understanding why this is important.

SIUC was in compliance with NAGPRA even before the 2010 audit, Brennan said, and continues to actively dialogue with tribes to repatriate items. The university is currently in conversations with the Chickasaw, who were pushed from the southeastern woodlands to Oklahoma, about items in its collection that were excavated in Tennessee.

Today, Begay agreed, NAGPRA compliance has repaired relationships between tribes and federal agencies and museums.

But many sacred funerary items remain in museums and private collections, instead of in the ground, where they belong, he said.

As we keep having these discussions, I think people are understanding that having a skull or human bone collection in their personal homes is not ethical or appropriate. Weve had people contact us in the last couple years when they see stories like this in the news, understanding its actual people and we have accepted remains and put them back in the ground, Begay said. Hopefully that will continue. I think tribes all across the country are wanting to do this whether or not theyre in their aboriginal lands.

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LONDON (AP)  The price of oil surged Friday on concerns that Iran might respond to the killing of its top general by the United States by disrupting global supplies of energy from the Middle East.

News that Gen. Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in an air attack at the Baghdad international airport prompted expectations of Iranian retaliation against U.S. and Israeli targets.

FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2016, file photo provided by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, center, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)AP

Amid past flare-ups with the U.S., Iran threatened the supply of oil that travels from the Persian Gulf to the rest of the world. About 20% of oil traded worldwide goes through the Strait of Hormuz, where the shipping lane is only 2 miles wide and tankers have come under attack this year.

The international benchmark for crude oil jumped 4.5%, or $2.98, to $69.23 a barrel in London trading. The U.S. contract was up 4.3%, or $2.60, to $63.78.

"Revenge will come, maybe not overnight, but it will come and until then we need to increase the geopolitical risk premium," said Olivier Jakob, head of consultancy Petromatrix, in a note to investors.

About 80% of the crude oil that travels through the Strait of Hormuz goes to countries in Asia, including China, Japan, India and South Korea.

But the rise in the global price of oil will have a wider effect, particularly in oil-importing countries with big manufacturing sectors like Germany and Italy. Those countries fared worst in the stock market on Friday, with their main indexes falling 1.4% and 1.1% respectively.

The economic damage could be limited given that the energy market is flush with oil while the growth in demand has softened as major economies have slowed. And crude-producing countries - particularly the Unites States - have been pumping oil at a high rate.

By CARLO PIOVANO, The Associated Press
I t's official - Eve and Villanelle will return for round three of their cat-and-mouse chase across Europe following the huge success of the first two seasons.

Last year it was confirmed that the Bafta-winning Killing Eve would be returning for a third series, but this time with a new female showrunner in Suzanne Heathcote.

With the second series ending on such a cliffhanger, fans are clamouring to find out the answers to many of their questions ahead of the new episodes.

With that in mind, here's all you need to know about Killing Eve season three.

Killing Eve triumphs at the TV Baftas

Killing Eve season three release date

The BBC left fans overjoyed recently when the corporation announced the third season would be returning two weeks early, due to the coronavirus crisis.

A change in scheduling, along with more people being at home, has meant Killing Eve season 3 will be on our screens a fortnight earlier than originally planned.

The spy drama will be available to stream in the UK on iPlayer from 6am on Monday April 13, and in the US will be released at 9pm on Sunday, April 12.

Originally, the drama was due to air in America on April 26, the but release represents a welcome change for UK fans of the show who had to wait for the entire second season to air in the US before it was available to watch over here.

New episodes will be available to watch every Monday from 6am. The first episode on the television will air on Sunday, April 19 at 9pm on BBC One, and will be broadcast each Sunday after that.

Killing Eve three cast

Jodie Comer is reprising her breakthrough role as star of the show Villanelle, and Sandra Oh will also return as MI6 agent Eve Polastri, despite being left for dead in season two (more on that later).

Fiona Shaw is also returning as MI6 operative Carolyn Martens, while Eve's husband Niko Polastri, played by Owen McDonell, is likely to reappear again.

Villanelle's handler Konstantin Vasiliev (Kim Bodnia), Jess (Nina Sosanya) and wiz-kid Kenny Stowton (Sean Delanay) are all also likely to reprise their roles for season three.

New faces include Dame Harriet Walter, Danny Sapani and Gemma Whelan.

Is there a trailer for Killing Eve season 3?

There is, and it shows Villanelle dressed as a clown at what appears to be a children's birthday party and playing the piano.

It also introduces us to new characters, while exploring the relationship between Eve and Villanelle some more. You can watch the trailer at the top of the article.

What happened at the end of season two? What can we expect in season three?

Killing Eve: Series 2- In pictures 1 /6 Killing Eve: Series 2- In pictures Jodie Comer in the new series of Killing Eve Aimee Spinks/BBC America/BBC Jodie Comer in the new series of Killing Eve Aimee Spinks/BBC America/BBC Sandra Oh in the new series of Killing Eve Aimee Spinks/BBC America/BBC Sandra Oh in the new series of Killing Eve Aimee Spinks/BBC America/BBC Sandra Oh in the new series of Killing Eve Aimee Spinks/BBC America/BBC

Naturally this bit contains spoilers, so look away now if you haven't seen season two.

The finale to the last series was similar to the ending of season one, by which we mean that it ended in a brutal cliffhanger.

After escaping to some Roman ruins, the pair had an argument which ended in Eve being shot by Villanelle after she refused to run away with her.

Villanelle then appears to walk away and leave Eve for dead in a pool of blood.

So undoubtedly the next season will focus on whether or not Eve survives, while it is likely that Villenelle will be on a revenge mission after being manipulated by Martens into killing Aaron Peel.

And will Hugo survive after being attacked and left for dead by Eve? And what about her marriage to Niko?
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Whos who of the corporate world - from Reliance to Tatas to ArcelorMittal - were in corporate law court but what took the cake was the NCLAT order reinstating the ousted Tata Sons head Cyrus Mistry as it shocked as well as shook the entire business world.

Though the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) passed several orders/judgments in the insolvency and corporate matters in 2019 which include Tata-Mistry feud, Essar Steel, Jet Airways, IL&FS, Jaypee Infratech, and Reliance Communications, several of them failed to pass the scrutiny of the Supreme Court and were either set aside or modified.

While for 2020, NCLAT's calendar is marked with several important matters and would start the year with the government-controlled Registrar of Companies (RoC) plea to modify the order passed by it in the Tata-Mistry case, in which it had directed to change the status of Tata Sons from a private company to a public company, the holding firm of USD 110 billion empire.

Besides, judgments are also expected from the appellate tribunal on other important matters which include the insolvency of Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd in which JSW has challenged attachment of assets by the ED; resolution of IL&FS group which has an outstanding debt of over Rs 90,000 crore; and McDonald's-Bakshi matter, where state-run HUDCO is opposing settlement offer by US-based QSR major.

In the Essar Steel insolvency matter, the NCLAT in July this year while giving a final go ahead to the global steel giant ArcelorMittal for Rs 42,000 crore takeover of Ruia's firm had put all the operational creditors of the company almost at par with the secured financial creditors over the disbursement of funds.

It had shaken the banking world as the appellate tribunal had altered the plan voted by Essar Steel's lenders and approved by NCLT Ahmedabad and was challenged before the Supreme Court.

The apex court on November 15, not only upheld the primacy of financial creditors in the distribution of funds received under the corporate insolvency scheme but also ruled that the CoC would have a final say in the resolution plans under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

In August, the NCLAT ordered for liquidation of auto component maker Amtek Auto declining its lenders plea for extension of the insolvency resolution process deadline.

This was challenged by the lenders before the Supreme Court, which last month directed the resolution professional to invite fresh bids for the auto component maker within 30 days.

In another case, the NCLAT in November rejected the bid of Dhanuka Laboratories for Orchid Pharma and set aside the approval granted by the Chennai-bench of the NCLT.

The NCLAT observed that the approved resolution value, which stood at Rs 1,146.

04 crore, proposed by Dhanuka Laboratories was lower than the liquidation value of Rs 1,309 crore of the company.

This was challenged by the CoC before the Supreme Court which granted a stay on the order last month.

In July, the NCLAT permitted fresh bidding for the debt-laden Jaypee Infratech and extended the resolution period for another 90 days.

However, in November the apex court annulled the order and allowed only two revised resolution plans from NBCC (India) Ltd and Suraksha Realty for voting.

The apex court had directed to complete the resolution process of Jaypee Infratech, which is developing about 32,000 flats, in which it has delivered 9,500 units, in 90 days.

The NCLAT order of January last directing initiation of insolvency proceedings against investment firm La-Fin Financial Services over the plea of IL&FS Financial Services had similar outcome at the apex court.

The order was set aside by the Supreme Court which held that IL&FS Financial Services plea was beyond the period of three-years mentioned in Article 137 of the Limitation Act, and thus is time-barred and cannot be proceeded further.

In 2019, some of the NCLAT orders also raised eyebrows. The order in case of Sterling Biotech was such a case. The appellate tribunal not only stayed the liquidation of the company but also directed to hand over the management to its promoters, including absconding Nitin Jayantilal Sandesara and Chetankumar Jayantilal Sandesara.

The NCLAT also said that the Enforcement Directorate will probe and ascertain whether the money paid by the absconding promoters is not from the proceeds of crime.

NCLAT Chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya, who is going to hang his boots in March 2020 is also expected to pass the final judgment on fair trade regulator CCI's nod to Walmart's USD 16-billion acquisition of Flipkart.

The appellate tribunal had reserved its order in January last over the plea filed by trade association CAIT challenging approval by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).

In October, the NCLAT gave its go-ahead to NCLT Mumbai to decide on Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd's bid for Dighi Port, however, it said that the outcome would be subject to its final order.

In the same month, the appellate tribunal also rejected the oil ministry's plea seeking USD 314 million (around Rs 2,245 crore) from insolvency-bound Videocon Industries in unpaid profit petroleum from the Ravva oil and gas fields in the eastern offshore.
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai on Friday hit out on opposition parties for dissenting the Citizenship Amendment Act and said that those opposing CAA are basically against OBCs and its leader Narendra Modi.

Nityanand Rai while speaking at BJP OBC Morcha program in Delhi, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the decision to scrap Article 370.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the government scrapped Article 370 that was pending from 70 years and it happened because today, Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister and he is the leader of OBCs."

The MoS Home attacked the "sympathisers of terrorist groups" and said that "those who will support terrorist either they will go to jail or Jahannum (hell)."

Today, BJP OBC Morcha Delhi organised a program in Civic Centre Delhi to unite the different cast of OBCs to prepare for upcoming Delhi Assembly Election. MoS Home Nityanand Rai and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya attended the program.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Julian Castro. Photo: Joshua Lott/Getty Images

More than usual, and perhaps more than any other individual factor, fear has dictated the mood and direction of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. In its least frantic iteration, it has manifested as an outsize focus on candidates electability  not an unheard of preoccupation for a political race, to be sure, but one whose salience this time around has Democratic voters more willing to forego their ideological preferences in favor of what they see as a sure bet. But fear remains the driving force. The prospect of another four years of President Trump has these voters in a state of stratospheric anxiety, driving many into the camp of the most familiar candidate in the race: Joe Biden. That the former-vice president spent several decades in the U.S. Senate and eight years in the White House as second-in-command to the still-beloved President Obama has many convinced that his abundant liabilities  his age and its attendant mental decline, his electability pitch heavy on nostalgia but light on reformist approaches to health care, housing, and wealth inequality that would more decisively quell the nations economic woes and psychic unease  are of ancillary concern.

It has not been an election amenable to the candidacy of Julian Castro, who announced on Monday that he was dropping out of the race after months of low polling, fundraising difficulties, and failure to qualify for two consecutive debates. Im so proud of everything weve accomplished together, he wrote in a tweet announcing his decision. Im going to keep fighting for an America where everyone counts  I hope youll join me in that fight. Castro built his campaign on promises to advocate for Americas most vulnerable, namely black and brown people caught up in the criminal-legal system, undocumented immigrants, people with disabilities, and the poor. This was a gamble by any measure in a race where moderate white suburbanites and Rust Belters have become its most coveted voting blocs, but even more so for a young Mexican-American with limited political experience facing a general electorate that had recently sent the most virulently anti-Latino president in memory to the White House.

Castro boasted the fields most radical plans to address police violence and decriminalize undocumented immigration, and conveyed an otherwise scarcely considered understanding of how seemingly colorblind policies  like gun buybacks  could imperil communities already targeted for aggressive law enforcement. He stayed on message even as his campaigns prospects looked increasingly dire in its final weeks and became overshadowed by his insistence that the rules for debate qualification be changed to give him and other flailing campaigns, like that of Senator Cory Booker, a better chance. While some of his gripes were understandable  the disproportionate influence of Iowa and New Hampshire in deciding the nominee does, in many ways, disserve the Democratic electorates diversity  his failure is more likely attributable to the simple fact that most voters polled, including the nonwhite ones presumed to be his natural constituencies, werent sold on him.

But even as he failed to convince them of his electability, his ideas were praised widely for their nuance and attention to subjects and populations usually considered too niche  and by some measures, too divisive  to form the basis of a successful presidential campaign. Castros failure this election will do little to silence critics of such an approach. In the wake of Hillary Clintons defeat in 2016, backlash consumed much of the liberal-left punditocracy against what it dubbed identity politics, the practice of segmenting voters into subgroups on the basis of race or gender and appealing to the specificity of those experiences. It seemed at the time to stem from a straightforward impulse to recenter the desires of white heterosexuals, many of whom felt their status as the focal point of American cultural and political life was under threat. But it was also a thinly veiled rebuke to the politics and approach of the Black Lives Matter movement, which for more than two years by that point had been unwavering in its insistence  apparently controversial for many  that black people experienced a unique kind of maltreatment within the criminal-legal system specifically, and society more broadly.

Its demands that these disparities be taken seriously and addressed through policy as well as new social norms provoked backlash. Much of Trumps Republican National Convention that year was devised in tacit opposition, with guest speakers like Rudy Giuliani and then-Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke railing against protesters and the eventual president painting a picture of an America besieged by street-level lawlessness and vowing a return to law and order. It wouldve taken a profound bravery and defiance of status quo thinking around racial justice to reject their appeals then. Nearly four years later, with rates of police violence largely unchanged and undocumented children being locked in cages as a matter of policy, it will take a similar level of moral courage to back a campaign that takes confronting these issues as its top priority, as Castros did.

Even so, there remain abundant opportunities for bravery this cycle. Bernie Sanders is yet again testing American voters appetite for socialism, and by extension insisting on a more humane approach to health care, social services, debt, and foreign policy than many of us have seen in our lifetime. A successful Sanders presidency, and even an Elizabeth Warren one, would usher an investment in social welfare not experienced since the Great Society and possibly the New Deal era  albeit with a more robust skepticism towards capitalism, in Sanderss case, and less reliance on capitulating to virulent bigots when determining who gets to benefit from them. But the lack of support for Castros dogged focus on the undocumented and the criminalized betrays, in part, a reticence among voters to prioritize these issues foremost, and in some cases an assumption that a more humane economic policy will have a trickle-down effect on them anyway. Paired with the questionable prospects of a candidate of color not named Barack Obama in a Trump-friendly electorate, and the level of nerve required to submit Castro to the general election falls out of reach for many. These are defensibly reasoned and generally pragmatic rationales for his failure to gain traction. But they also illustrate the dire prospects facing any dedicated racial justice candidacy moving forward. Only on rare occasions have significant shares of Americans, if not majorities, united in agreement that human rights for black and brown people should be a major national priority. It wouldve taken a degree of courage to invest in Castro even to the extent that primary voters have invested in other middle- to top-tier candidates  like Pete Buttigieg and the recently dropped-out Kamala Harris  that the anxieties of the Trump era have left too many Democrats ill-equipped to show.
Border Security Force (BSF) along with Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized 1,68,500 yaba tablets worth Rs 8.52 crore in a joint operation.

Two vehicles that were used for narcotic smuggling were also seized.

A BSF release said that acting on specific intelligence input provided by BSF Intelligence branch about storing of a huge consignment of narcotic drugs in the house of an Indian Tunu Miah, resident of village Matinagar, West Tripura, a joint team of BSF troops and DRI officials swiftly cordoned the target house.

It said the narcotic drug was to be smuggled across the border to Bangladesh on January 2.

The release said Miah, who resides at Bishalgarhand, has provided his house to his nephew Soyag Miah "for further use".

It said that the occupants managed to run away taking advantage of darkness after observing that joint operation teams of BSF and DRI was approaching the house.

During the search of the house in the presence of two independent witnesses, two cartons and a polythene bag containing 1,68,500 yaba tablets worth around Rs 8.52 crores were recovered.

Yaba is a Thai word and the pill is a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine.

The release said that seized items were handed over to DRI Agartala for further legal action.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MADRID - Spains lawmakers debated Saturday whether to approve interim Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs proposal to form a left-wing coalition government and end a year of political instability for the eurozones fourth-largest economy.

Sanchezs Socialist Party wants to form a coalition with the far-left, anti-austerity United We Can party for his next government but needs support from several smaller parties to gain the required parliamentary approval.

It would be Spains first coalition government since the country returned to democracy in 1978, three years after the death of long-time dictator Francisco Franco.

His proposal is not expected to clinch an absolute majority of 176 votes during a first round of voting set for Sunday. Spains three right-wing parties have already said their lawmakers would vote against it.

But the Socialists insist they have the votes needed to get the required simple majority  more votes for than against  in a second vote Tuesday to put Sanchez back in the Moncloa Palace, Spains seat of government.

The Socialists have to rely on the goodwill of some 20 lawmakers who agreed to abstain. Those include the 13-deputy regional Catalan ERC party, one of the groups that want independence for Spains Catalonia region.

ERCs support was put in doubt after Spains National Electoral Board ruled against two leading Catalan separatists on Friday. The board said ERCs imprisoned leader was ineligible to take a European Parliament seat he won in May. It also stripped Catalonias president, Quim Torra, of his regional parliament seat.

ERC leader and former Catalan vice-president Oriol Junqueras was found guilty by Spains Supreme Court in October of sedition and misuse of public funds for his role in an illegal secession attempt by Catalonias regional leaders in 2017.

Torra, who belongs to another Catalan separatist party, was found guilty last month of disobedience after he refused to remove separatist propaganda from public buildings during an official election campaign period.

Sanchez and United We Can leader Pablo Iglesias started Saturdays parliamentary debate waiting to see if the electoral boards decisions would make ERC alter its position on abstaining from the votes.

But Pere Aragones, ERCs No. 2 and the current vice-president in the Catalan regional government, told reporters in Barcelona after a meeting of the partys leaders that they were sticking by their deal with the Socialists.

Those who thought that this operation by the electoral board would mean that ERC would become the unwitting ally of (the right wing) made a mistake, Aragones said.

Sanchez opened Saturdays debate in the Congress of Deputies with a long speech in which he laid out the priorities of his proposed government, focusing on a strong defence of public education, health and social services.

He also mentioned his recent agreement with ERC to open talks with the Catalan regional government on finding a solution to the question of Catalonias secession, the gravest institutional problem Spain has faced in decades.

We have to get back to politics and get this conflict out of the courts, Sanchez told lawmakers in the parliaments 350-seat lower house. The law by itself is not enough. The law is the basic condition we must respect, but dialogue is the way forward.

Right-wing parties have accused Sanchez of putting Spains territorial integrity at risk by agreeing to talk with separatists in wealthy Catalonia, where polls show that roughly half of the 7.5 million residents would support breaking away from the country. Secession is opposed by the other half of Catalans, and by most Spaniards as a whole.

Opposition leader Pablo Casado, president of the conservative Popular Party, lambasted Sanchez for his deals with United We Can and ERC.

You are bringing us a nightmare government. Above all for those Spaniards living in Catalonia, Casado told Sanchez from a lectern.

Sanchez has said he would rule out allowing the Catalan separatists to hold a referendum on out-right independence, which the government and Spains top courts say would violate the Spanish Constitution.

However, the deal with ERC to start talks includes an agreement to submit a joint proposal for some kind of vote in Catalonia. It is not clear what the proposal would cover, but it is likely that the Socialists would want it to offer more governing powers for regional administrations.

Sanchez became prime minister in 2018 after leading a push to oust Mariano Rajoys conservative government. He kept a minority government afloat until he failed to get a national budget passed early last year and called a snap election.

The Socialists received the most support of any party in the April vote but failed to strike a deal with United We Can. Sanchez was forced to call a second election for November that barely changed the distribution of power in parliament.

___

Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain.
We are, fortunately, nowhere near there. But it is a dangerous sign that state legislatures should begin to pass a resolution against a Central law. (Representional Image)

The resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly earlier this week against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, in the backdrop of fierce protests across the country against this law, is a historic step whose epochal significance we may overlook at our peril.

Above all, the resolution cautions us that the country shall be composed, and run on quasi-federal lines as envisaged in the Constitution, if and only those who rule at the Centre are wise enough to be mindful of the sensitivities of every religious, linguistic and ethnic group in the country.

In formal terms, it is true of course that as per the constitutional scheme, the question of citizenship is in the Centres domain and there is no legal ground on which a state may refuse to implement a Central law, which the CAA is. However, if the Kerala example were to be emulated by others, the damage to the spirit of the Constitution will be incalculable.

This will not be a vote of no-confidence in the Constitution but an indictment of the value systems of those with a comfortable parliamentary majority making laws which the states of the Union are uncomfortable with. Since our states were formed on a linguistic basis, resolutions of rejection of a Central law by states is like rejection of the Centres intent by language groups which make up the diversity-filled mosaic that India is.

The parallel may not be exact, but we will do well to remember that Americas Civil War began with dissonance over a single over-arching idea between the northern states and those that made up the Confederacy. The issue turned grave enough to be resolved on the field of battle. We are, fortunately, nowhere near there. But it is a dangerous sign that state legislatures should begin to pass a resolution against a Central law.

It is sobering to remember that while Kerala (so far) is the only state to pass a resolution against the CAA, the chief ministers of nine states have declared they wouldnt enforce the CAA and/or its companion idea contained in the thought behind the National Register of Citizens, that Union home minister Amit Shah vociferously spoke about before the anti-CAA protests erupted. These include Bihar, run by the JDU-BJP, and BJD-run Odisha.

If the Centre was genuinely compassionate about persecuted people, it could have passed a law that offered succour to those persecuted for any reason  political, religious, or for exercising anyones right to dissent. That would have attracted no protests.

But the government chose to single out Hindus (and some others) while expressly leaving out Muslims in passing the CAA, giving a religious bias to the idea of Indian citizenship. This was low-grade politics meant for electoral gain, and to advance the Hindutva agenda, which privileges the seriously unconstitutional idea that India is for Hindus.

The foundational principle behind Indian citizenship cannot be religion-based, as in Islamic Pakistan. While people of every faith were passionately involved in the freedom movement, those with Hindutva leanings stayed away.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 07:14:22|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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DUBLIN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ireland's total tax receipts hit a record high of 59.3 billion euros (about 66 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019 , announced the country's Department of Finance on Friday.

The figure represented a 6.8 percent increase over 2018 and was 1.4 billion euros more than expected, said the department in a press release.

The better-than-expected performance in the country's tax take "will likely result in an overall general government surplus of 0.4 percent of GDP (about 1.5 billion euros) for last year," said the press release.

The Irish government aims to achieve a budget surplus of 1 percent of the country's GDP in 2022, which is equal to about 3.6 billion euros a year.

The growth in the country's tax revenue in 2019 was largely due to "a very strong corporation tax performance", said the department, adding that corporation tax receipts totalled 10.9 billion euros last year.

"Corporate tax receipts have more than doubled in five years, with a focus now on the sustainability of these returns, particularly given that a relatively small number of large multinational companies make up a significant chunk of the corporate tax take," said Peter Vale, a tax expert, in an interview with local media.(1 euro=1.117 U.S. dollars)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo makes a statement to the press at the State Department in Washington, U.S., December 11, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

Reuters

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday morning that the decision to kill the top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani had made the world "a much safer place today," adding that Americans in the Middle East were also much safer.

Pompeo rejected observations from allies and partners, namely France, that "we are waking up in a more dangerous world."

His comments came as the US Embassy in Baghdad issued a security alert urging Americans to flee the country "due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region."

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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters Friday morning, just hours after the US military killed the top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, that "the world is a much safer place today." Some allies and partners suggested otherwise, however, and Pompeo's own government agency advised Americans to flee Iraq.

"The world is a much safer place today," he said. "And I can assure you that Americans in the region are much safer today after the demise of Qassem Soleimani."

His comments came as the State Department urged American citizens in Iraq to leave immediately.

"Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region," the US Embassy in Baghdad said in a security alert Friday, "the US Embassy urges American citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately."

"US citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," the embassy instructed.

Many observers, while acknowledging Soleimani's crimes, have suggested that the killing of Soleimani risks igniting a powder keg in the region. "We are waking up in a more dangerous world," France's deputy minister of foreign affairs told local media on Friday.

Qassem Suleimani

Fars News

Germany said "we are at a dangerous escalation point" as the United Kingdom warned that "further conflict is in none of our interests."

Story continues

Pompeo on Friday said observations indicating the world was somehow less safe than it was the day before were wrong.

The world awaits Iran's response

In the wake of Soleimani's death, the world now awaits Iran's response. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Twitter that "the great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime." Other Iranian officials and leaders have made similar threats and warnings.

In the Department of Defense statement claiming responsibility for the airstrike that killed Soleimani, the Pentagon said the Iranian general was responsible for many attacks on US personnel, including a recent rocket attack that killed a US civilian contractor and an attack on the US Embassy. The statement further accused Soleimani of "actively developing plans" to attack Americans in Iraq and elsewhere in the region.

Protesters demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed

Associated Press

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the statement said.

Speaking Friday morning, Pompeo refused to elaborate on the threat that demanded the killing of a senior Iranian military official.

"I can't talk too much about the nature of the threats, but the American people should know that President Trump's decision ... saved American lives," he told reporters, saying "it was the time to take this action" and "the risk of doing nothing was enormous."

"There was in fact an imminent attack taking place," he said, his explanation of the situation differing slightly from that of the Pentagon.

Much of the past year has been characterized by on-again, off-again tensions between the US and Iran, and since May the US has deployed about 15,000 additional troops to various parts of the US Central Command area operations in response.

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Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after the United States killed the commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force, General Qasem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday.

"Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Khamenei said on his Farsi-language Twitter account in reference to Soleimani, also declaring three days of mourning.

"With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident."
That is about to change. Democrats seized the House of Delegates and the state Senate in November elections. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) has called for tighter rules. Among the possibilities are red flag laws that would require a person deemed dangerous to hand over his or her weapons, a ban on some types of assault rifles, mandatory background checks for people buying guns and restrictions such as limiting the number of rounds a magazine can have and devices that allow fast firing, such as bump stocks.
Princess Diana's 29-year-old niece is to wed a fashion tycoon five years older than her father, it has been revealed.

South Africa-born multi-millionaire, Michael Lewis, who turns 61 this month, is 32 years older than the society model, who has now agreed to become his second wife.

Mr Lewis is also five years older than Lady Kitty's father, Earl Spencer.

Michael proposed to Kitty before Christmas, one of her friends told the Mail.

Shes been in Cape Town for the holidays and told her mother and the rest of the family. Michael is loved by all of them. Despite his wealth, hes very humble and low key.

Lady Kitty Spencer is pictured in St Tropez in August on holiday with her now fiancee, Michael Lewis, a fashion tycoon 32 years her senior

Lady Kitty Spencer is pictured in a throwback photo to celebrate her 29th birthday. Lady Kitty will be Lewis' second wife

Mr Lewis has three adult children and was previously married to a woman named Leola in 1985.

It's not yet known whether Lady Kitty will convert to Judaism, Mr Lewis' faith, before the big day.

In August last year, Lady Kitty was seen kissing Lewis after leaving Club 55 in St Tropez.

In June, she was pictured showing off a large diamond ring on her engagement finger at London's Cash & Rocket Masquerade Ball.

Princess Dianas niece  the first-born of Earl Spencers extensive brood  now ready, at the age of 29, to walk up the aisle?

The couple went public with their relationship during a stroll through New York City in May.

Kitty, who was spotted at the tycoons 19 million mansion in central London last summer, told the Mail at the time that she didnt feel in any rush to start a family.

I can see myself having children at some point, she told me, but Im only in my 20s. I do have friends my age who are having children, and they are so, so, sweet, but I think everyone should do things in their own time.

Lewis' previous wife, Leola, signed a prenuptial agreement but it's not yet known whether Lady Kitty will do the same.

In 2011, the Lewis family pledged 3 million to Oxford University to fund the appointment of a Professor of Israel Studies.

Lady Kitty's last boyfriend was Italian property magnate Niccolo Barattieri di San Pietro, who was also significantly older than the socialite.
Islamabad, Jan 3 : Saudi Arabia has handed over slain Pakistani model Qandeel Baloch's brother, who was an absconding suspect in her murder, to authorities in Islamabad, the media reported.

As per Arab media reports on Thursday, the International Criminal Police Organization's (Interpol) cell in Saudi Arabia had arrested Muzaffar Iqbal on Wednesday, reports The News International.

He had on record admitted to drugging and killing his sister when he was presented before a special magistrate.

The arrest was made on the Pakistani government's 2016 request to Saudi Arabia as Iqbal was residing in the Kingdom at the time. Iqbal has been accused of aiding and abetting in Qandeel's murder.

In 2016, Qandeel was strangled to death by her brother Waseem at her residence in Punjab province, following which her father, Muhammad Azeem Baloch, had lodged a murder case against his son, accomplice Haq Nawaz, and various others.

An affidavit submitted by the parents in 2016 had also named two of other sons, Aslam Shaheen and Arif.

In October 2019, Arif, was caught with the help of Interpol from Saudi Arabia and transferred to Multan following his arrest.

On August 22, a court had rejected an appeal of the late model's parents to acquit their sons as they had forgiven them. Prior to that, however, her parents had refused to pardon their sons and had called for capital punishment in the case.
By Bill Hughes Jan. 02, 2020 | 07:43 PM | PADUCAH

WiLLiE 102's, "Bear on the Air," Shane Parker, has been working to help fight hunger among at-risk school kids for a while, partnering with Weekend Blessings of Metropolis. He began collecting donations in December, and set up a Facebook fundraiser as well, to help Weekend Blessings and the 4-H Food Backpack Program in Paducah. By Christmas, he had raised $6,700.





Parker told West Kentucky Star the programs help provide food for at-risk students to take home from school so they will be sure to have something for supper.





Sherry Deming of Weekend Blessings said their community-supported organization provides the food, and Family Resource staff at the schools help distribute the food.





She said, "We send food home with the kids on the weekend, they're the ones that are identified as higher risk of going hungry without school meals."





The foods are typically ready-to-eat or can be quickly prepared in a microwave. Deming said over a half-dozen other businesses or organizations come to First United Methodist Church to help in the project.





Deming said, "Bear's assisting has been a true blessing. What he's brought in is going to be able to help 220 kids - give or take some. For over a month, we'll have funding, thanks to his fundraiser and him being so generous and jumping in and helping us."



WiLLiE 102 and West Kentucky Star are both owned by Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.





Parker said he's in the beginning stages of setting up his "Bear on the Air Community Charities," as a 501(c)(3) organization, so anyone who donates would be able to get a tax write-off. He expressed his thanks to the businesses and individuals who gave to the cause.

A local radio host's fundraiser last month will benefit two area charities that feed school children after they go home.






OSAKA, Japan  Despite being one of the world's most-recognizable executives, former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn probably embarked onto a private jet from a quiet VIP lounge in Japan's third-largest airport on his astonishing escape from a fraud trial.

Somehow, Ghosn appears to have passed immigration and luggage checks before a flight to Istanbul from Kansai International Airport in western Osaka city, the plane's owner said. Ghosn has become an international fugitive after he revealed on Tuesday he had fled to Lebanon to escape what he called a "rigged" justice system in Japan, where he faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes.

Details remain shadowy, but one employee of Turkish operator MNG Jet has admitted not including Ghosn's name in official documentation, the airline said.

"He would have had to go through as a passenger, perhaps in disguise," airport spokesman Kenji Takanishi told Reuters, amid multiple conspiracy theories over how Ghosn pulled off his exit.

The slightly built Nissan boss does have experience in disguises: when first released on bail in March, he walked out of the detention centre disguised as a workman to avoid media.

After landing in Turkey, Ghosn, who faced trial in Japan for financial misconduct charges that he denies, switched planes and flew on to his childhood home Lebanon. His escape capped a year-old saga shaking the global auto industry.

Kansai airport spokesman Takanishi said privacy was a big attraction for wealthy travelers at the 300-square-meter "Premium Gate Tamayura"  which means "fleeting moment"  for private jets.

Even so, it remains a mystery how Ghosn, who holds French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship, was able to orchestrate his departure despite being under strict surveillance by Japanese authorities, with movements and communications curtailed.

'We don't really look at people's faces'

Story continues

Private jet owners pay 200,000 yen ($1,850) to use the facility in Osaka, where normal immigration and baggage procedures apply. Luggage too large for the X-ray scanning machine is opened and examined, Takanishi said, meaning it was unlikely Ghosn could have been smuggled on board.

Yet immigration officials have no record of him leaving, public broadcaster NHK has reported.

"I think I would recognize Ghosn if I took a good look at his face, but we don't really look at people's faces," said a security guard at the private gate.

"It would be harder to spot him if he was wearing a disguise or was in a group."

One airport official, who also declined to be identified, said airlines often outsource security and luggage checks to private security companies in Japan, unlike other countries where government or military officials normally do them.

Outside the terminal entrance, a dedicated parking lot stands less than 100 meters away, allowing a degree of privacy not afforded to commercial jet passengers.

Security staff had all heard the reports Ghosn flew out under their noses. But they were trying to avoid talking about it given the potential blow to pride.

Caught on security camera

A surveillance camera captured Ghosn leaving his Tokyo residence alone shortly before his surprise escape from Japan, public broadcaster NHK said on Friday, citing investigative sources.

The security footage was taken by a camera installed at his house in central Tokyo around noon on Sunday, and the camera did not show him returning home, NHK said.

NHK said the police suspected Ghosn may have left his home to meet up with someone before heading to an airport. Under the terms of his bail, Ghosn was required to have security cameras installed at the entrance of his house.

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Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries has unveiled his predictions for the year 2020. Suleman assured Nigerians that th...





Apostle Johnson Suleman of Omega Fire Ministries has unveiled his predictions for the year 2020.





Suleman assured Nigerians that the year would be that of greater glory and works.





In a tweet, the clergyman assured Nigerians of peace and helpers.





He tweeted: This year 2020 shall be your year of greater glory and greater works. You will become an institution.

Your sorrow shall be turned to joy(John 16.20), you shall enjoy peace on every side.





Helpers will come to you from everywhere in Jesus name..happy new year.





Recall that similar prophecies were released by some pastors like Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church, who had assured Nigerians that 2020 would be a year of breaking limits.





Oyedepo, who is the founder of Living Faith church aka Winner Chapel, during the 2019 cross-over night at the churchs headquarters in Ota, Ogun State said Nigerians would break limits in all their endeavours in the new year.





Dr. Paul Enenche, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, had prophesied that the year 2020 would be a season of supernatural shift for his members and Nigeria as a nation.





Enenche had declared that the year would usher in drastic, dramatic and dimensional shifts.





Also, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye, had said that 2020 was going to be a year of series of joy and series of victory.




SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - Jason Barnhart has been appointed as the new Undersheriff of the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, they announced on Thursday.

Undersheriff Barnhart will now oversee the operations of the Sheriffs Office.

Below is information on his career and achievements provided by the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.

He began his career in 1995 with the Plumas County Sheriff's Office as a patrol deputy assigned to the Greenville, Chester, and Lake Almanor areas, the sheriff's office said.

In 1999 Barnhart was hired as a deputy sheriff with the Shasta County Sheriffs Office, which is the community he was raised in. Barnhart was first assigned to the Custody Division, then moved to the Patrol Division working both north and south county stations. His collateral assignments included Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Marijuana Eradication Team and Gang Deputy, the sheriff's office said.

In 2005 Barnhart was selected as a bomb technician and attended the Hazardous Devices School in Huntsville, Alabama.

For many years, Barnhart served as the Bomb Squad Commander for the team. In 2006, he was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Custody and Patrol Divisions.

He was the supervisor at both Patrol Operations, covering county patrol, and the City of Shasta Lake station. Jason was the Field Training Officer Coordinator and supervisor for the following units: S.A.G.E. (Shasta Anti-Gang Enforcement), S.A.F.E (Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement) and the Sheriffs Office AB109 team. He was honored as the 2014 Sergeant of the Year.

In 2016 Jason was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Patrol Operations and the Office of Emergency Services, which comprises the SWAT, Hostage Negotiation, Bomb Squad, and Search and Rescue Teams along with the Boating Safety Unit.

In 2017 Jason was promoted to Captain overseeing the Services Division, which includes the Records Unit, Personnel, and Office of Emergency Services.
The New York Times

Oyo, a startup that offers budget hotel rooms, has grown into one of Indias most valuable private companies and aims to be the worlds largest hotel chain by 2023.

But at least part of Oyos rise in India was built on practices that raise questions about the health of its business, according to financial filings, court documents and interviews with 20 current and former employees, as well as others familiar with the startups operations. Many spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from the company.

Oyo offers rooms from unavailable hotels, such as those that have left its service, according to the companys chief executive and nine of the current and former employees. That has the effect of inflating the number of rooms listed on Oyos site.

Thousands of the rooms are from unlicensed hotels and guesthouses, its executives have acknowledged. To deter trouble from authorities over the illegal rooms, Oyo sometimes gives free lodging to police and other officials, according to nine of the current and former employees and internal WhatsApp messages viewed by The New York Times.

Oyo has also imposed extra fees on hotels and declined to pay the hotels the full amounts they claimed they were owed, according to interviews with hotel owners and employees, emails, legal complaints and other documents viewed by The Times. Some hotel operators have sought to file criminal complaints against Oyo, which said it withheld payments primarily over the hotels customer service issues.

Its a bubble that will burst, said Saurabh Mukhopadhyay, a former Oyo operations manager in northern India who left the company in September.

Oyo is part of a group of prominent startups that have sprinted to get as big as possible, fed by money from large investors such as Japanese conglomerate SoftBank. Now some of those young companies  from office rental company WeWork in New York to delivery service Instacart in San Francisco  have started showing cracks in their businesses.

Any fall by Oyo could blight Indias startup landscape, which has received billions in foreign capital in recent years, spawning other multibillion-dollar companies such as ride-hailing firm Ola and digital payments provider Paytm.

It would also be another black eye for SoftBank, which is Oyos biggest investor and owns half the startups stock. Masayoshi Son, SoftBanks chief executive, has hailed Oyo as a jewel of his companys $100 billion Vision Fund, even as he recently wrote off billions of dollars on other investments like WeWork.

This is the only company which went global at this scale from India, Satish Meena, a senior forecaster for research firm Forrester in New Delhi, said of Oyo. But as of now, there are serious doubts about the business model.

SoftBank declined to comment.

Ritesh Agarwal, Oyos chief executive, acknowledged in a recent interview that some of his companys room listings included hotels that it no longer worked with. He said Oyo left those listings up and marked them as sold out as it tried to woo the hotels back.

Aditya Ghosh, Oyos head of India operations, also said in an interview that many hotels lacked required licenses, leaving them vulnerable to the occasional government raid. He denied that Oyo gave free rooms to officials.

Ghosh dismissed what he called noise from hotels about extra fees and nonpayment of bills. The disagreement is about the penalties we charge on customer service failure, he said.

He added that nearly 80 percent of Oyos employees had been at the company for less than a year, so training has been a challenge. We have just grown very, very fast, he said.

Founded in 2013 by Agarwal, then a 19-year-old student, Oyo set out to organise Indias budget hotels, which have traditionally been small, family-run enterprises. The company coaxes the hotels to become Oyo-branded destinations that list exclusively through its website; it then markets those rooms online to travellers and takes a cut of each stay. The startup also runs some hotels itself.

Oyo is trying to expand globally and now offers more than 1.2 million rooms in 80 countries, including the United States. It employs more than 20,000 people and has raised more than $2.5 billion in funding. Agarwal has become a business star, hobnobbing with Indias prime minister, Narendra Modi.

But as Oyo has grown, its losses have mushroomed. The company expects to lose money through at least 2021, according to recent government filings. Some efforts to expand in countries like Japan have flopped.

In December, SoftBank and Agarwal put another $1.5 billion into Oyo to accelerate its expansion. The funding, negotiated over the summer, valued the company at $8 billion.

At the same time, two other big investors, Sequoia Capital and Lightspeed Venture Partners, reduced their holdings. The venture capital firms, which both hold board seats at Oyo, sold $1.5 billion of their stock  about half their stakes  to Agarwal. He borrowed money to buy the shares and paid the venture firms a price that valued Oyo at $10 billion.

Lightspeed and Sequoia declined to comment.

The current and former workers said that Oyo was never an easy place to work but that pressure increased over the last year.

Mohammad Jahanzeb Gul, who joined the startup in January 2019 and supervised 23 Oyo properties, said that during the nine months he was there, he sometimes spent all day and night in front of a computer to meet deadlines.

The culture is really very toxic, he said.

Mukhopadhyay, who began working at Oyo in August 2018, said employees were under so much pressure to add new rooms that they brought hotels online that lacked air conditioning, water heaters or electricity. He and eight others said their managers had asked them to engage in a monthly shell game of briefly inserting these unavailable properties into Oyos listings  complete with fake photographs  to help impress investors.

Ghosh, who left the India job this week and joined Oyos board, said that some hotels open in stages and that there is no padding.

Saurabh Sharma, who worked for Oyo from 2014 to 2018 as an operations manager, said the company sometimes deliberately withheld payments from hotel owners  a practice that half a dozen other current and former employees also described.

In some cases, they said, the startup wanted to squeeze the hotel owners into renegotiating contracts that it deemed unprofitable. In others, Oyo wanted to save money and figured that most owners would not press for full payment.

If 1,000 people shout, we will pay 200, Sharma said Oyo managers had told him.

In a police complaint filed in November, Betz Fernandez, owner of the Roxel Inn in Bangalore, said Oyo owed him $49,000 and acted with intention to cheat and cause wrongful loss by charging him for nonexistent guests and refusing to pay the contracted minimum monthly payment. Oyo said the dispute was in arbitration.

Oyos oversight of its workers was also sometimes so lax that employees brazenly stole from it, said four people who were involved in the startups fraud-fighting efforts.

Because Oyo hotels are popular with unmarried couples looking for places for their trysts, one scheme involved workers at properties run directly by the startup colluding to keep the guests checked in after they left. The workers then cleaned and resold the rooms for cash to other guests and pocketed the money, the people said.

Oyo has conducted surprise raids at some properties, seizing employee cellphones and checking rooms and records for evidence, they said.

An Oyo spokeswoman said it investigates all fraud accusations and had in some instances fired employees.

Executives have also asked employees to paper over troubling incidents, some workers said.

Mukhopadhyay said that one night last June, a long-term guest at an Oyo-run property in Noida, near New Delhi, called him. She said three men had raped her in her room.

The next morning, Mukhopadhyay and another Oyo employee were summoned to the police station, where they pleaded with the guest not to register a formal complaint. Oyos legal team also instructed them not to tell anyone about the incident because it could hurt the companys image, he said. The guest withdrew the complaint and moved out.

In a telephone interview, the guest confirmed Mukhopadhyays account. Oyo disputed some details and said any decision to file a complaint was up to the guest. Noida police said they had no record of a complaint.

To placate authorities over unlicensed properties, Oyo managers also gave police and other government officials free rooms on request, current and former employees said. They said the details were recorded in dedicated WhatsApp groups, one of which The Times reviewed.

Ghosh said, We do not encourage or involve ourselves in any kind of bribery or graft.

Mukhopadhyay said Oyos growth practices contributed to his decision to leave.

Theres something called integrity, he said. I cant compromise on that.

Vindu Goel and Karan Deep Singh c.2020 The New York Times Company
The Plot to Betray America: How Team Trump Embraced Our Enemies, Compromised Our Security, and How We Can Fix It

By Malcolm Nance

Hachette. 358 pp. $28

---

"Wow," Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, exclaimed on Twitter in late October. "We still need to understand why Trump remains so intent on appeasing Putin."

What set off McFaul was testimony from a top State Department official that "senior officials in the White House" had blocked the department from condemning Moscow for attacking Ukrainian ships in the Azov Sea. And on that day it was telling that even McFaul, a Kremlin-watcher for nearly 40 years, was struggling to put his finger on exactly what had driven the president of the United States into the Russian strongman's arms, tugging the Republican Party along with him.

Trump's affinity for Vladimir Putin seemed to glow red during a now-notorious 2018 Helsinki news conference when he sided with the former KGB agent's denials of election interference over U.S. intelligence agencies' findings. But so much else has erupted before and since, from revelations that he was secretly pursuing a Moscow hotel deal during the 2016 campaign, to exposes of his business relations with Russian oligarchs, to his continuing criticism of the NATO alliance, to his acquiescence to Russian troops taking over abandoned U.S. bases in Syria, to his pressure on Ukraine's president to say publicly that Kyiv, not Moscow, had hacked the computers of the Democratic National Committee.

It makes you wonder, as the TV detectives say. Now comes Malcolm Nance, a former U.S. Navy counterterrorism specialist turned regular MSNBC Trump basher, seeking to expose the underside of the Trump-Putin relationship. Like everybody else who's plowed this ground - including the FBI, whose controversial counterintelligence case on the Trump campaign came under sharp scrutiny from the Justice Department inspector general - Nance hasn't resolved the question. Instead, in "The Plot to Betray America," he's gathered up scraps of evidence to make a persuasive, if circumstantial, case that the president is indeed Moscow's man in Washington. In essence, it's a progress report in a mole hunt.

Why do once-loyal men go bad? Mole hunters have an acronym for it: MICE, which stands for money, ideology, coercion/compromise and ego/excitement. Trump qualifies for three out of four, in the telling of Nance (and many others who've long followed his career), that explain his attachment to Moscow. Ideology's not one of them, notwithstanding Trump's crude nationalist populism that in many ways apes Putin's kleptocratic rule. According to New York state records revealed by the Smoking Gun, he changed party registrations at least five times over the years.

He did, however, get caught up in the mid-1980s "Gorby fever" (as New York Times columnist William Safire mocked it) that swept the world when Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan began negotiating nuclear arms reduction agreements. In typical Trump fashion, of course, he thought he, the great dealmaker, could finish the job single-handedly. As Nance writes, Bernard Lown, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, asserted that Trump said if Reagan would let him do it, "within one hour the Cold War would be over." Trump "had Russia mania in 1986," Lown said. In 1987, he was in Moscow scouting construction sites.

On his arm was his first wife, Ivana, a native of communist Czechoslovakia, whose Moscow-controlled spy service, the StB, had long counted her father as an informant, according to authoritative reporting cited by Nance. Her 1977 marriage to Trump had prompted the Czechs to open a dossier on him. "We knew that Trump was influential. He didn't hide that he wanted to become president one day," the StB's then-chief said years later. "We were interested in learning more things about him."

Especially his weaknesses. In Trump, they found two, a hunger for money and a raging ego, not to mention a lust for beautiful women. They began dangling opportunities - the Miss Universe contest, Trump Tower Moscow. They treated him like a potentate, affording him the bedroom suite reserved for princes and presidents at the Moscow Ritz-Carlton. Then, in the wake of Trump's Atlantic City bankruptcies, Nance recounts, Trump found new sources of cash from Russian sources, including the Kremlin-connected Deutsche Bank, Russian oligarchs who bought luxury condos in Trump Tower and "New York City allies from the former Soviet Union" who partnered with him in real estate deals from Soho to Baku. One of them, Felix Sater, would eventually be accused of laundering hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from a Kazakhstan bank "to develop a Trump Tower in Moscow," according to a lawsuit reported by the Associated Press.

That Trump wanted the details of his financial sources kept secret (along with his tax returns) was all the better, Nance notes: It gave Putin a better hold on him, a tool for coercion.

From the beginning, Russia had used "the MICE strategy to bring him under its sway, as his interest in Russia clearly blinded him," Nance theorizes. "He was a potential asset and an exploitable victim worth keeping."

Judging by his Russia-related decisions and pronouncements, the strategy has worked. Trump has dismissed Moscow's subversion of American politics and pursued debunked conspiracy theories tying Ukraine to Hillary Clinton's campaign. Equally important to Moscow's strategic goals, he's disparaged NATO and, by championing Brexit, undermined the European Union.

To longtime observers, Trump's transformation of the GOP from hard-line cold warriors to muted bystanders has been astounding. Here again, Nance points to the possible role of foreign money, citing a Dallas Morning News report that Russian oligarchs and front groups provided millions of dollars for the campaigns of key Republican senators.

All in all, Nance has produced an impressive clip job, assembling scores of reliable media reports, congressional hearings and the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into a persuasive whodunit narrative. Alas, it remains a circumstantial case. It's a prosecutor's pitch to a jury of millions of Americans who don't get to vote for almost another year.
Theres more than one way to frame the science of climate change. Credit: Vlad Tchompalov/Unsplash, CC BY-SA

Climate change skeptics may be a minority, but they are a sizable one. One in five Americans think that climate change is a myth, or that humans aren't responsible for it. What's more, they're backed up by many in the Middle East and parts of Asia, especially China. They're a vocal minority tooand with the ear of the US president, they are therefore a serious obstacle to collective climate action.

So what can we do about them?

You might think that the answer is more or better science education. The more you know about climate science, the more likely you will be to think that climate change is real.

But the science says that this isn't true. If you want to predict what someone's attitude to climate change is, you are better off asking them about their politics than about science. In fact, in the US, the more numerate and scientifically literate a Republican you are, the more skeptical you are about climate change.

What climate science really needs is better marketing. Researchers might think that the science sells itself. But, while people might trust scientists in general, the picture is more mixed when it comes to politically charged issues such as climate change. With many politicians actively persuading people that the science isn't that serious, we need to persuade people that these politicians are wrong and the climate scientists are right.

And luckily, there are three key marketing tools we can use to do so.

Fit the frame

Think about how climate change is framed. We are usually asked what we as individuals, businesses, and states can do to reduce the carbon emissions that are undoubtedly but imperceptibly heating up the planet. Given that these emissions have powered the global economy's growth over the last century, this narrative can sometimes be perceived as pitting science against free market economics and our desire to lead our lives as we choose.

This framing doesn't work for all audiences. Just as a good marketer fits their message to their audience, a good science communicator will understand that when communicating an issue so broad and that affects so many, it makes sense to frame climate change in different ways to different groups of people.

For example, framing climate change as an opportunity for technological innovation helps keep staunch defenders of the free market on side, minimizing political resistance to climate action. Framing climate change as a "stewardship" issuethat is, a sacred duty to care for the Earthmay help get religious believers on side.

Don't debunk, prebunk

Debunks of climate myths abound on the internet. But debunking misinformation is tricky, because once a piece of informatin has entered someone's mind, it's hard to dislodge itespecially if the information confirms previously held beliefs.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Greta Thunberg cant reach everyone. But there are an increasing number of more conservative politicians backing action on climate change. Credit: Robert P. Alvarez/Shutterstock

An alternative strategy is "prebunking." Inspired by inoculation theorythe idea that it is better to a prevent a disease than to treat itprebunking aims to prevent misinformation from spreading in the first place, rather than debunk it once it has spread.

This can be done by identifying common argumentative strategies used by climate change skeptics, such as spurious appeals to expertise or exaggerations about the uncertainties in climate models, and explaining why they are dodgy.

Of course, this information needs to reach the right people. Much like protection against disease, the most effective inoculation starts in childhood, with education. Misconception-based learning, an approach which sets out to avoid misconceptions, provides a framework for doing this. Climate breakdown is not a flash in the pan problem, and our strategies to combat it need to be designed for the long haul.

Master the messenger

Finally, it's important to focus not just on the message, but the messenger too. We would rather listen to people who share our political views than "experts" who disagree with us. This means that if you want to effectively communicate a pro-science message, you need to have people from different corners of the political spectrum making the case.

It's great that activists like Greta Thunberg are spreading the word, but not everyone wants to listen to them, and there are politically diverse groups out there who share the same message. For instance, when he was president Barack Obama reached out to religious leaders, who played an active role in promoting environmental issues in their communities.

Marketing isn't always a bad thing

Marketing is manipulative. It can try to trick us into buying things we don't want. So using it to sell climate science and interfere with our basic right to make up our own minds might seem suspect.

But it's important to remember that while climate change is a contentious political issue, its effects are real and severe no matter what you, I or anyone else think. We have the right to decide how or even whether to change our behavior in light of a destabilizing climate. But we don't have the right to decide that our actions have no impact on the climate. As the saying goes, we are not entitled to our own facts.

What's more, there is a difference between the aims of marketers and those of scientists trying to communicate with the public. The marketer wants to sell us stuff. The scientist wants us to break through our ideological biases and apathy to engage with the truth.

The strategies I have outlined are designed to create the conditions for these breakthroughs. They don't detract from our ability to make up our own minds. In fact, they may enhance it, precisely because they neuter our ideological biases. Sometimes, we need a little help to think for ourselves.

Of course, good marketing is no guarantee of a sale. Even if scientists use these methods, climate change skeptics may refuse to buy it. But good marketers also don't give up. If these methods don't work, we can always look for some other ones.

Explore further Climate change: Three ways to market the science to reach the skeptics

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
'Let's go positive'  that's the cruz of Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) strategy to take on BJP and Congress in the upcoming Delhi assembly election. The message has been conveyed loud and clear to all party MLAs, leaders and volunteers with a special emphasis on the work done by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government in the last five years, with a roadmap for the next five years.

'Let's go positive'  that's the cruz of Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) strategy to take on BJP and Congress in the upcoming Delhi assembly election. The message has been conveyed loud and clear to all party MLAs, leaders and volunteers with a special emphasis on the work done by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government in the last five years, with a roadmap for the next five years.

On any day of the week, one can find party workers and volunteers in small groups led by senior party members sitting either on the lawns or in conference rooms of the AAP headquarters at Rouse Avenue in New Delhi, busy exchanging notes. They are either undergoing training sessions or having discussions and meetings for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The main administrative office section is always abuzz with people from different constituencies discussing their election campaign plan or waiting to meet a senior leader. Not resorting to any negative narrative to attack its political opponents, the AAP has chalked out a blueprint that encompasses direct dialogue with its voters through multiple tools, on multiple platforms and communicate Delhi government's achievements and share its future vision.

"We're communicating positive aspects of Delhi government and the work done for the citizens on multiple platforms. We're talking about good governance and how it has impacted lives of millions in Delhi. The government provides free water and subsidised electricity, and through this people save money which they utilise in improving their living standard and meet their aspirations, however small it may be," Pankaj Gupta, national secretary of AAP told Firstpost.

New-age campaigning

AAP has decided to give a twist to its campaigning style by not resorting to traditional public addresses. Instead it plans to go to the public and ask them about achievements and problems in respective localities by organising Jan Samvad (public dialogue) and Mohalla Sabhas.

"We're not delivering lectures in public. Instead, by organising Mohalla Sabhas and through Jan Samvad, we're asking people to talk about the work being done in their areas, problems they have been facing, what more needs to be done, etc. We want voters to interact rather than be passive listeners. We want to reach out to the last person," Gupta added.

AAP leaders confirmed that they don't plan to emulate the BJP or the Congress' style of campaigning  in large groups with banners and flags. Instead, the AAP MLAs are meeting small groups of people from their respective constituencies at market places, community centres and public parks over a casual chat. AAP's Badarpur MLA Narayan Dutt Sharma organised a Mohalla sabha at Budh Vihar on Thursday. "It was a unique session where we interacted with our MLA Narayan Dutt Sharmaji and told him about the work done in our area and what needs to be done. Mohalla sabhas make it easier for the voters to meet their MLA and air their grievances," said Ankit Chowdhry, a resident of Budh Vihar.

The party has also planned a series of Town Hall meetings where Kejriwal will interact with the audience. In a first of its kind initiative, the party released 'AAP's Report card' in a Town Hall  the first in the series of campaign strategies planned to showcase AAP government's achievements. The report card highlighted top ten achievements of the Kejriwal government.

Kejriwal has issued instruction to all the MLAs to be in their offices daily in the morning to meet people, listen to them and communicate the work done by the government and report them back to the headquarters.

AAP has hired the services of election strategist Prashant Kishor's consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) to disseminate the party's message and the report card to a larger audience through a door-to-door campaign, along with the slogans like 'Achhe beetey paanch saal, Lagey raho Kejriwal'.

Building volunteer base

The core strength of AAP, a seven-year old political party, which was formally launched on 26 November, 2012, is its volunteers. Starting from its formative days, the party has strengthened its volunteer base across 70 Assembly segments.

Ahead of the upcoming elections, the party has gone for large-scale recruitment of new volunteers and has trained them on contact programme, door-to-door campaigning, booth-level mobilisation of voters, among others.

The BJP has always benefitted during the elections from the cadre of its ideological fountainhead the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), who work at the grassroot level to mobilise voters. The AAP has built its volunteer base almost on a similar line that would give a tough fight to BJP. The result of 2015 Delhi Assembly election in which AAP bagged 67 seats in the 70-seat Assembly proved the point.

"We're conducting classroom and on-ground training for our new volunteers, acquainting them with the tools of campaigning and giving them tasks. The objective is to create more vibrant volunteers. Volunteers are going to be the talking points and training will make them aware of what they need to communicate with citizens and how to present our side of success stories," a training instructor at AAP headquarters said.

Key focus areas of campaign

Free water, subsidised electricity, education (remodelled Delhi government schools) and Mohalla clinics  are the four major thrust areas (or public utility services) that AAP would like to play up in its poll campaigns and on social media.

"Mohalla clinics are a major hit. Though we're yet to achieve 100 percent target of setting up 1000 clinics, we're sure that it would be completed in our second term in the government. People have immensely benefitted from it. The success will speak for the party," a volunteer said.

Women's safety, employment and skill development for the youth, stepping up public transport, reducing air pollution, are the other key focus areas for AAP in its election campaign. "After the report card, we will release our manifesto in sometime. It'll be futuristic in nature and announce what AAP government intends to do in the next five years. It won't be just electoral promises, but achievable targets with deadlines," an AAP source told Firstpost. The manifesto will give a roadmap of making the national capital - a world class city in next four years, as promised by Kejriwal.

Resorting to crowd funding

To contest this election, AAP has resorted to crowd funding. "I've been an MLA for five years and to contest this election, I've resorted to crowd funding, a new thing in our democracy. I made a presentation of my work in Greater Kailash and asked people to contribute whatever amount possible  from Re 1 to Rs 1,000  along with their blessings. It's unheard of in Indian politics," said AAP MLA from Greater Kailash, Saurabh Bharadwaj.

Greater Kailash constituency is one of the upmarket areas of New Delhi.

No controversies, stick to issues, AAP MLAs told

For quite some time, instead of making scathing attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the Centre, as he used to when he had newly become the Chief Minister of Delhi, Kejriwal has gone for course correction and tactically shifted from aggressive posturing to a more focussed and mature leadership. For the past few years, he has steered clear of entering into any controversy with the Centre and his aim has been to showcase his government's achievements and let the aam aadmi decide who they want to vote for.

Even with the on-going protests across India over CAA and NRC, the diktat from the top leadership for its cadre is to stay focussed only on issues impacting the lives of 35 lakh households in the National Capital.

The leaders have also been instructed to stay away from making any controversial statements or rake up any issue that could possibly lead to controversies.

"There're lot of grievance among citizens, especially Muslims on the issue of CAA and NRC. Protest agitations are continuing at many places against the policies of Narendra Modi government. Though some of our leaders wanted to speak on this issue, they have been asked right now to focus on the work that Delhi government has done in each constituency and how it has impacted their lives in a positive manner. We've asked our leaders and workers to stay away from controversial issues," a senior AAP leader told Firstpost on condition of anonymity.
BERNE - A disgraced former state Supreme Court justice who was convicted of shaking down attorneys and soliciting a $10,000 bribe about 10 years ago was appointed to lead Bernes Planning Board as the Hilltowns political scene shifts to Republican dominance.

In a flutter of first of the year moves, the Republican majority on the Berne Town Board appointed former Justice Thomas J. Spargo as Planning Board chairman, made changes to regular meetings and introduced Second Amendment Sanctuary Town legislation, among other changes.

Spargos appointment and other changes approved by the Town Board, which has held a Democratic majority for decades before it was flipped in last years elections, was first reported by The Altamont Enterprise.

Town Supervisor Sean Lyons, a Republican elected to the office in 2017 , and town GOP chairman Randy Bashwinger (who is also the Berne highway superintendent) defended the boards pick of Spargo.

We know he has paid his debt. Hes doing all the things to expunge the record and clear his name, Lyons said. Hes a really good fit for the Planning Board.

The conservative resurgence began with the election of Lyons and Councilman Dennis Palow in 2017, both of whom are Republicans.

Bonnie Conklin, a Conservative, and Mathew Harris, an Independence Party member, were elected to the Town Board in 2019. Both ran on the GOP and Working Families Party lines. This has left Joel Willsey as the lone Democrat on the government body.

Former town Supervisor Kevin Crosier, a Democrat who lost reelection in 2017, lambasted the appointment and feared Spargos influence on town policies far beyond his role as Planning Board chair.

I think these people have no clue of what theyre doing. I think theyre being bamboozled by Mr. Spargo, Crosier said of the town elected officials. Our residents in our town are not going to be protected and looked after with Mr. Spargo at the helm.

Lyons said he understands everyone's concerns about Spargo's appointment considering his history, but after learning more about the matter and getting to know Spargo, he said he has a fuller picture.

"Knowing the character and the person, I think helps us be a little more confident in the decision of appointing him," he said. "We just feel that his character is a lot stronger than what his convictions were."

Following his 2009 conviction, Spargo was disbarred by the Appellate Division of state Supreme Court and sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. He can apply to the court to get his law license back and a courts grievance committee would scrutinize any application before its considered by the appeals court. Ultimately, the court will decide if it is in the publics best interest to have Spargo practice law again.

Lyons said Emily Vincent, who had not completed her five-year term on the board, was moved to the alternate slot in order to bring Spargo on.

According to New York Town Law, planning board members can only be removed by a town board after holding a public hearing. The rule further states, any planning board member may be removed for non-compliance with minimum requirements relating to meeting attendance and training as established by the town board by local law or ordinance.

The Altamont Enterprise reported there was no public hearing held on the matter, and no reason given for bumping Vincent to the alternate post.

Lyons said Todd Schwendeman previously was chairman, and the shifts were made to bring Spargo on as the head because the Town Board felt Spargo would be "more in line to our goals of bringing more businesses to the town and being less restrictive to homeowners on home occupations."

Spargo refused to answer questions when contacted by a Times Union reporter on Friday, claiming he signed a confidentiality agreement that prohibits him from speaking unless in a public forum.

Im only going to speak about my Planning Board appointment and matters to the public in a public forum where anybody who has an interest in the Planning Board will be in attendance, he said.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

When asked about his prior convictions, Spargo hung up on the reporter.

Lyons was unaware of any confidentiality agreement, and apologized for Spargo being unwilling to speak with the Times Union. He said he would look into the alleged agreement.

"This is not the direction we want to head in," Lyons said of Spargo's actions. "I will look into this and correct this quickly."

More for you Berne GOP heads to court to keep 2 absentee ballots from being counted

Part of the changes agreed to by the board Jan. 1 was designating the Times Union as the towns official paper to publish legal notices, despite The Altamont Enterprise more regular Hilltowns coverage.

Crosier said the switch in official papers is a way to avoid scrutiny. During his 15 years in office, Crosier said he never came across a Berne resident who did not read the Enterprise.

The Town Boards political shift has already influenced policy. The board voted to rescind an agreement with the county sheriff that provided metal detectors during board meetings and has introduced legislation that would make the town a Second Amendment Sanctuary Town, Lyons said.

The bill would essentially invalidate state and federal firearms regulations in the town, directing town officials to not recognize rules like registering a firearm or limits on ammunition. A public hearing on the proposal is set for 6:30 p.m. on March 11. The law enforcement impact of such a measure is unclear as the Albany County Sheriff's Office is the enforcing agency in the town.

While Lyons said the changes reflect the desires of the town and efforts to get more residents involved in local government, one of those shifts cut the number of Town Board meetings officials will have to do town business. The board will deal with town business every other month, while reserving the alternate months meetings for public forums, Lyons said.

Berne officials also agreed to move Town Board meetings to the community center to accommodate more people, the town supervisor said.

I find it very positive for the town as a whole, to move forward and be ultra-transparent, Lyons said. The last two years have been really tough for Berne. Weve had a lot of infighting and stuff put out in the papers that wasnt a good image for the town. We want to make the town more positive.
For residential real estate buyers with a preference for new construction, Greenwich has a bounty of choices, ranging in architectural style, community and location, and amenities.

Take, for example, 36 Zaccheus Mead Lane, a six-bedroom contemporary-styled six-bedroom, nearly 8,000-square-foot home built in 2019 on a two-acre lot.

Michael Ferraro, a Realtor with the Leading Lifestyle Agent Real Estate Group (LLA) at Executive Real Estate, is the listing agent for the $8.729 million property he suggested affords buyers modern tranquility.

The owner was inspired to take a risk and build something unlike anything Greenwich has seen before, Ferraro explained. He wanted the feeling he had as he sat under the pergola in the backyard, across from the creekthat pure, tranquil feelingto be created and felt, both inside and out. The lot is completely unique, with a 100-year-old stone bridge and gorgeous views of nature, and privacy from all sides.  To create this one-of-a-kind property, he worked with architect Richard Hein and designer Kat Rosier, who helped bring his vision to life.

Among the unique design details found throughout the interiors are wide-planked rift oak flooring and two-story windows sourced from Europe, which welcome in spectacular views of the private, partially wooded landscape.

Though this a home that keeps with the contemporary theme of spotlighting the natural, organic site, it is also a notably high-tech residence, with Lutron lighting and Smart-Home voice-activated controls.

Real estate developer and builder Francois Barthelemy partnered with Voce di Design principals, Claire Maestroni and Giorgio Maroulis, to create the Modern House at 34 Beechcroft Road in Greenwich, listed by Douglas Elliman Real Estates Ira Tamigian and Steve Magnuson for $8.495 million. They credit the collaboration for creating a truly turnkey home on a zen-inspired lot.

Having designed multiple luxury contemporary homes, they recognized the need for a new type of home that would answer the new Greenwich style: clean lines, walls of glass, minimal design, open floor plans and outdoor living space, to name a few, according to Tamigian.

The Modern House was completed in 2019, affording 9,800 square feet of living space, five bedrooms, 1.79 acres of land, a special event-worthy pool and terrace and an attached garage.

34 Beechcroft has been curated based on particular attention to sustainability and details, from the exterior to the interiors, including complete steel framing, Belgium stone facades, zinc roof and siding, a Brazilian wood-cladding system, German-manufactured high-efficiency windows, Italian cabinets and bathroom fixtures, French hardwood flooring, glass railings, German appliances and European architectural lighting.

This home also has some high-tech functionality built right including Smart-Home systems, such as automated window shades, door locks, sound system, Lutron lighting and exterior security cameras.

New and classically colonial

For buyers in search of the classicism of a traditionally colonial home blended with contemporary design details and the energy efficiency of a new home, consider 49 Midwood Roada seven-bedroom, 13,412-square-foot newly constructed home on 2.32 acres in the private Deer Park Association. Joanne Mancuso, a Realtor with Houlihan Lawrence, is the listing agent for the $12.85 million estate, comprising the main house, a pool and pool house, and two-bedroom guest quarters above the attached three-car garage.

The firm of Gardiner & Larson is credited with the design and construction of the property, incorporating understated and elegant design throughout the interiorsFrench doors, fireplaces, coffered ceilings, a paneled library and indulgent bathsand appending the home with outdoor living spaces, including a covered porch and bluestone terrace. Plus, theres plenty of room to add a tennis court to the grounds.
Taiwan Military Chief, Seven Colleagues Killed in Chopper Crash

2020-01-02 -- Taiwan's main political parties suspended election campaigning just days ahead of general elections on Jan. 11 after a top military chief charged with organizing a defense against possible invasion from China died in a helicopter crash.

The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crashed in a mountainous area with 13 people on board, soon after taking off from the military airport in Songshan on Thursday, killing chief of general staff Gen. Shen Yi-ming and seven other people. Five people survived.

The chief of general staff is responsible for overseeing Taiwan's defense against China, which has threatened to use military force to annex the democratic island, which has never been controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, nor formed part of the People's Republic of China.

The chopper went missing from the radar screen 10 minutes after takeoff, crash-landing in the heavily forested Wulai mountain area southeast of the capital, Taipei.

Shen, 63, was promoted in July after serving as commander of Taiwan's air force, and had been a popular military leader.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) suspended all public campaign events through Saturday after the fatal crash.

"We are utterly saddened at the loss of these pillars of our nation," the party said via its official Twitter account.

The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) suspended campaigning until the end of Friday.

The military said in a statement that the aircraft made a "forced landing," and the reasons for the crash were as yet unknown.

'Maintain military stability'

The Blackhawk helicopter that crashed was designed for search and rescue and had been delivered in 2018, according to the defense ministry.

Incumbent DPP president Tsai Ing-wen, who looks set to win a second term in office on Jan. 11, said she had asked the defense minister to launch an investigation.

"We must find out the reason for the incident," she told reporters in the northeastern county of Yilan, where the helicopter had been heading after setting out from Taipei.

"The most important thing is ... to maintain military stability and ensure the security and stability of our country," Tsai said.

Turnout in the Jan. 11 poll, which will select the next president and Legislative Yuan, looks set to be high with strong voter involvement, partly on the back of fears for Taiwan's democratic way of life in the light of recent protests in Hong Kong.

"I have always supported the [DPP and other pro-independence parties], and I have come back from the United States [to vote]," a woman who gave only a surname Chen told RFA in Taipei on Thursday.

"It seems that the odds are good [for a Tsai victory], but I don't know if there will be any funny business," she said.

Lawmakers passed Taiwan's first Anti-Infiltration Law on Dec. 31 following repeated warnings from Taiwan's national security agencies that China is pouring in backdoor resources and stepping up "United Front" propaganda work to boost support for the pro-China KMT, or nationalist party, ahead of the election.

The new law forbids any organizations or individuals sponsored by foreign powers from providing political contributions, campaigning, lobbying, or disseminating fake news meant to interfere in elections.

'Hong Kong today, Taiwan tomorrow'

An office worker surnamed Hwang said the results were still unpredictable.

"I think the elections here Taiwan will be very irrational, especially in the last few days, there are a lot of things that could change," Hwang said.

But he said he expects the refusal of the Hong Kong authorities to accede to the demands of the city's pro-democracy movement and the violent suppression of demonstrators could have a profound impact on turnout.

"The willingness to come out to vote will increase, and I feel that there is maybe a sense of anxiety, with people saying 'Hong Kong today, Taiwan tomorrow,'" Hwang said.

Fan Shih-ping of National Taiwan Normal University said the helicopter crash is unlikely to have much of an impact on the poll result at this stage in the campaign.

"This shouldn't affect the election very much, although it is an unexpected incident and it is more difficult to investigate political factors," Fan said, in a reference to speculation over whether there could have been foul play involved in the crash.

"It might not bode too well for certain ... DPP candidates for the legislature, because Tsai Ing-wen could perhaps have raised some momentum for them," he said.

Cheng-Feng Shih, Dean of the College of Indigenous Studies at National Dong Hwa University said people are likely most concerned about the findings of the investigation, which won't emerge for several months.

"Everyone is thinking, maybe this wasn't an accident," Shih said. "Was it due to uncontrollable factors, or worse, external forces?"

"Right now, everyone is going to be thinking about this."

Reported by Hsia Hsiao-hwa and Hwang Chun-mei for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Chung Kuang-cheng for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.

Copyright  1998-2020, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content January not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Tracy Milanovich, 37, (pictured), was charged with theft for allegedly telling a woman her daughter was possessed and then taking $70,000 from her to perform an exorcism

A palm reader was charged with theft for allegedly telling a woman her daughter was possessed and then taking $70,000 from her to perform an exorcism.

Tracy Milanovich, 37, operated Tracys Psychic Palm Reader in Somerset, Massachusetts and has been charged with six counts of obtaining property over $250 by trick, larceny over $1,200 and witness intimidation.

Police launched an investigation into Milanovich on December 16 after a woman came forward and said she tricked her into handing over large sums of money.

An investigation revealed that Milanovich convinced the victim that her daughter was possessed by a demon.

She told her that cash and household items were needed in order to banish the spirit from her daughter, Somerset Police Department said in a statement.

Tracy Milanovich, 37, operated Tracys Psychic Palm Reader in Somerset, Massachusetts and has been charged with six counts of obtaining property over $250 by trick,larceny over $1200 and witness intimidation

Police said she was found to have stolen approximately $71,000 from the victim. The victim had also bought multiple household items for her, like towels and bedding.

As a result of the investigation, conducted by Somerset Police Officer Cormier and Officer Lance Rhodes, an arrest warrant was obtained and Milanovich was arrested on December 27.

A Facebook page, Tracys Psychic Palm Reader claims to offer services from psychic readings, palm readings, tarot card readings, spiritual healer and 'advise on all matter of life.'

Milanovich told the victim that cash and household items were needed in order to banish a spirit from her daughter

Milanovich, who had an office in Fall River for 10 years, opened the Somerset location in 2018, The Standard-Times of New Bedford reported.

She told the outlet that her psychic services were a 'gift' that has been in her family for five to six generations

In an interview in 2018, she claimed she developed psychic abilities without any guidance.

But she indicated that her mother and grandmother helped nurture her gift and learn ways of controlling it.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Two pilots, including a young trainee pilot and a middle-aged flight instructor were killed when the trainee aircraft they were flying crashed amid dense fog in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday night.

The mishap happened at around 9.30 pm, when the single engine trainee aircraft of the Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) crashed in an agricultural field  around 200-300 meters from the Dhana Airport in Sagar district, district SP Amit Sanghi told The New Indian Express.

According to primary investigation, the single engine trainee aircraft of CAA was being flown by the trainee pilot Piyush Chandel (30) along with flight instructor Ashok Makwana (58) as part of night flying training, when sudden fog in the area caused the visibility to drop to just 1-2 ft.

With fog growing dense, the duo tried to return and land the aircraft on the Airport, but owing to poor visibility (just up to 1-2 ft) they misjudged the location of the airport/runway and the aircraft crashed in an open agricultural field  around 200-300 meters from Dhana Airport, Sanghi added.

The duo was rushed to a private hospital in Sagar town, where the doctors declared them as dead on arrival. While Chandel hailed from Mumbai, Makwana originally belonged to Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath tweeted on Friday late night, condoling death of the two pilots in the trainee aircraft crash.

The Dhana Airport, which is located in Sagar district of MPs Bundelkhand region, is the home base of the Chimes Aviation Academy . Other than the CAA, the airfield is often used by MP Government Aviation, VIP charter aircrafts as well as medical evacuation aircrafts. The night operations are limited to local training flights of CAA. The airport is also used by the Army which too has a strong base in Sagar.
Kathmandu, Jan 3 : Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday inaugurated the mega Visit Nepal Year 2020 campaign, which aims to attract two million foreign tourists to the Himalayan nation this year.

Amid a special event organized at Dasharath Stadium, she launched the campaign by lighting the flame of unity and unveiling the Yeti mascot, reports Xinhua news agency.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Bhandari said that tourism was an integral element to achieve prosperity, and appealed all for cooperation to make this campaign a grand success.

Over one million foreign tourists visited Nepal in 2018, with India and China being the largest markets.

Tourism contributes to around 3 per cent of total of Nepal's GDP.

Echoing the president's statement, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Yogesh Bhattarai said that tourism was the main pillar of Nepal's economic development, and this campaign is the point of beginning.

Mentioning the major features of Nepal including mountains, natural and religious sites, cultural richness and diversity, the Minister said that the country was ready to welcome the world community.

The third of its type tourism campaign aims to promote Nepal as a renowned tourism destination among the international tourists.

Earlier, the country had hosted Visit Nepal 1998 and 2011.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
The Victorian government has asked the Army for help to bury the carcasses of tens of thousands of farm animals killed by the state's devastating bushfires.

As the state prepares for a fresh wave of bushfire danger on the weekend, the large numbers of dead livestock that have perished so far in the East Gippsland and northern Victoria blazes are emerging as a problem.

Tens of thousands of livestock have perished in the bushfires. Credit:James Brickwood

Agriculture officials say they do not have the capacity to bury the animals and the resources needed for the job  even with the help of the ADF  will not be available until after this weekends heightened fire danger has passed.
Knockerball could get bounced again.

After Lake Geneva city officials favored Samuel Donian Wetland Preserve as the knockerball site next summer, officials are being urged to reconsider.

Opponents urged the city council Dec. 23 to find a different location for the outdoor game.

Municipal Judge Henry Sibbing said knockerball does not fit with the Samuel Donian Wetland Preserve, a city park located near Main Street and Center Street.

Sibbing said much work has been done in recent years to clean up the public park.

To even consider putting a knockerball outfit in that park, to me, is sacrilegious, he told aldermen.

Knockerball Southern Lake LLC last summer offered its outdoor game with large inflatable balls at Seminary Park. But the company requested a spot next summer at Flat Iron Park for better visibility.

Aldermen opposed using Flat Iron Park, but agreed to recommend the Samuel Donian Wetland Preserve. Members of the city councils finance, licensing and regulation committee endorsed the wetland preserve Dec. 3 despite concerns about flooding there.

The committee proposed returning to Seminary Park if the wetland preserve is flooded again.

Restaurant owner Spyro Condos, a former mayor, also spoke out against allowing knockerball at the Samuel Donian Wetland Preserve.

Condos said city parks should not be used by a commercial business, as opposed to nonprofit organizations.

Theres a lot of stores and a lot of other areas for commercial businesses, he said. We dont need to do it in our parks.

Ann Esarco, president of the city park board, said she was disappointed that the city council did not approach the park board about the knockerball issue.

Esarco said the Samuel Donian Wetland Preserve is located in a floodplain and may not be an appropriate site for knockerball.

Donian suffered a lot of damage this past summer with the rains that we had, she said. Its starting now to recapture itself.

The city council postponed action on the matter and agreed to reconsider it later.

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The past year was another disappointing one for Buhler Industries, with declining sales and a slumping stock price.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The past year was another disappointing one for Buhler Industries, with declining sales and a slumping stock price.

The Winnipeg-based agricultural equipment manufacturer has limped through two consecutive years of weak North American sales, which it attributes to poor harvests, slumping commodity prices and trade uncertainties. Over the course of the last two years, annual sales have fallen by nearly 27 per cent, from $312 million in 2017 to $229.1 million for its year ending Sept. 30.

While market conditions have proven to be a challenge for Buhler  makers of the Versatile tractor as well as a number of other farm implements  the company has been successful at increasing productivity. A 3.3 per cent increase in gross margins was one of the only positive signs for 2019.

The company believes conditions will not likely change enough in 2020 to cause much improvement. It believes trade uncertainties and even lower commodity prices will continue to be a factor in the marketplace.

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The company recorded a net loss of $22.9 million for the 2019 fiscal year, $20 million less than the previous year.

In 2019, the company did grow its North American dealership base, with 14 new dealers added in Quebec, New Mexico and Utah  all new markets for the company. The companys Versatile tractors are also sold in 200 dealerships in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. They are facilitated by Buhler Industries majority owner, Combine Factory Rostselmash Ltd., a large combine manufacturer based in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, which acquired 80 per cent of the shares Buhler Industries in 2007.

The company expects an increase in sales in 2020 because of the introduction in early spring of a new mid-range, front-wheel assist tractor called Versatile Nemesis Series, with horsepower ranging from 175 to 250. The company also signed a long-term manufacturing agreement with Japanese equipment maker, Kubota, to build a new mid-range tractor between 175 and 250 horsepower, larger than any current Kubota tractors on the market.

Because Buhler ownership is controlled by the Russian parent company, only about 20 per cent of the float is available, and the stock is thinly traded at the best of times.

Still, the share price is down 19 per cent this year, closing at $2.80. Thats only a little higher than the companys all-time low of $2.60, which it hit in early August, just ahead of its disappointing third-quarter results.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
The tagline Your best buys are always at Frys once blanketed Bay Area airwaves, but thats no longer true of the computer retailers Palo Alto store.

A temple of electronics known as ground zero for geek culture, the Portage Avenue Frys Electronics closed last week after almost 30 years in business.

The Palo Alto store was a fixture for techies everywhere. Its sad they closed, said Abbi Vakil, who works as a hardware engineer in the city. You will not find an engineer in the Bay Area who hasnt gone to Frys for some kind of prototype building.

Frys Electronics, a San Jose company that still has dozens of stores from California to Georgia, including seven in the Bay Area, said on Twitter that it had not been able to renew the Palo Alto stores lease. But customers from Sunnyvale to Seattle have been sharing photos and videos of empty shelves on social media for months, raising speculation that the chain may be heading for bankruptcy or shrinking significantly.

Frys has adamantly denied the rumors, saying the shelves are empty because it has shifted to a consignment model, meaning that suppliers get paid for goods only after a store has sold them. It said on Twitter its not going out of business, explaining that the shift to consignment takes time and that 245 vendors have agreed to the new terms. The company did not respond to requests for comment.

Consignment is rare among consumer electronics retailers, though San Franciscos B8ta uses it to sell newer, more experimental gadgets, and the company working to reopen Toys R Us stores is using a similar business model, according to Chain Store Age magazine.

The challenge is persuading suppliers to embrace the model. If they dont, then there wont be any goods to fill the shelves.

If shelves are empty and they (Frys) have moved everything to consignment, that does sound suspicious, because it suggests a cash crunch, said Sucharita Kodali, retail analyst at Forrester Research, a market research firm. Most big-box retailers will try to pack shelves to look full.

Consignment can work for some products, but those sold by Frys  once hard-to-find gadgets and computer parts  are widely available at low prices elsewhere, she said.

Founded in 1985 by brothers John, Randy and David Fry and business partner Kathryn Kolder, Frys catered to Silicon Valleys appetite for computer hardware, everything from routers to motherboards. It even expanded into kitchen appliances and office furniture. Its stores often had quirky themes, ranging from sci-fi in Burbank to Mayan in San Jose. In the mid-1990s, before high-speed internet connections made software easy to download, the stores served as a teenage hangout, allowing customers to play video games and try new hardware.

Besides Best Buy, few computer chains like Frys are still in business. Circuit City, CompUSA, Computer City, Incredible Universe and others are long gone. Target, Walmart and other general retailers now have well-stocked electronics sections. And electronics are a big category for Amazon, which Frys once sought to compete with by buying online retailer Cyberian Outpost after the collapse of the dot-com bubble in 2001.

The situation at Frys upsets longtime customers like Sam Tang, a marketer in Seattle.

It makes me sad to see it in this state, but I just wish it would go faster, Tang said. Hes frequented the Renton store, about 15 miles from Seattle. For months, the shelves have been empty. Employees told him that the likelihood of that store remaining open is slim.

Tang said it reminds him of the fate of the Blockbuster video store chain  another famous retail name that has all but vanished.

Shwanika Narayan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @shwanika
In a world defined by readily accessible digital maps, Anton Thomas proves that traditional cartography isnt a lost art form after all. In 2014, the self-taught artist based in Melbourne, Australia challenged himself to hand draw the entire North American continent. The endeavor resulted in an almost five-year-long passion project that culminated in a resplendently animated pictorial map, measuring 4x5 feet, titled North America: Portrait of a Continent. The cartouche, or emblem of the map is pictured above.

Thomas was 21-years-old when he left his native New Zealand for the first time to embark on a two-year long backpacking expedition throughout North America. He was astonished at its sheer magnificent size  40,000 miles of coastline and 10 million square miles of diverse geography from mountain ranges to prairies, tropical, evergreen and deciduous forests to deserts and the Arctic tundras of Canada.

I had never left New Zealand before, and the grand scale of the continent was profoundly inspiring, he said in a press release announcing the forthcoming sale of prints from his project. 'I marveled at the size and diversity of the place.

He set out to tell a visual story of the continent through all its vast diversities in terrain, culture, climate, animal life, landmarks, fauna and population. The finished product contained 600 individual city skylines and tens of thousands of illustrations of star constellations, land animals and sea life of all varieties from boats and ships to tropical fish and arctic whales illustrated throughout the map.

The cartouche, which sits above Cuba in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is a masterpiece on its own. It features 50 different critters intricately drawn amongst various flags, iconic buildings and natural wonders jammed packed in what Thomas calls a cornucopia of North America framing a miniature deconstructed version of the main map.
01/03/2020

Photo (c) sergign - Fotolia The last couple of years for consumers have been jam-packed with privacy issues, wrestling with robocalls, Uber driving down the wrong side of the consumers road, and whatever messes Elon Musk could get himself into.

Will 2020 be more of the same? Consumer attorneys foretell much of the same, but at a higher, more rigorous level.

The next year could be filled with significant decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, with the justices considering petitions dealing with standing in regard to privacy violations and the constitutionality of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the structure of the Consumer Financial Protection Board, is what consumer legal analyst Sophia Morris tea leaves show.

The issue of privacy at the Supreme Court

Just about this time last year, ConsumerAffairs reported on the trouble Facebook ran into with Illinois Biometric Privacy Act. The base of that complaint was that Facebooks collection of its users biometric information was done without consent -- a likely no-no in any consumers rule book.

Consumer protection attorneys are closely watching the Supreme Court to see whether the justices will take up Facebooks challenge to the Ninth Circuit panel ruling that preserved a class action over its face-scanning practices, allowing the case to proceed to trial, Morris wrote.

With facial recognition technology becoming as omnipresent as it is, if the case gets to the Supreme Court, consumers should throw a party. The Supreme Courts ruling on this issue has tremendous implications, Lena Konanova, a partner at Selendy & Gay PLLC, told Law360.

The Illinois law, for example, allows damages of one to five thousand dollars per violation for every time that someones image is used without consent, and given that the class can include millions of members this could really expose tech companies to billions of dollars in liability.

Telephone Consumer Protection Acts constitutionality

If Mark Zuckerberg doesnt have a place in Washington D.C. to lay his weary head, he may want to find one because Facebook is going to be on Capitol Hill a lot.

Another issue the social media titan is challenging is how automatic telephone dialing systems, aka autodialers, are defined under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) -- an act that is meant to keep the public from being plagued by unwanted calls.

Facebook wants to know if the statutes autodialer provision violates the First Amendment -- a claim that plaintiff Noah Duguid argued in court when he said that Facebook sent uninvited security notification text messages using an autodialer. Interestingly, Duguids suit claims he wasnt even a Facebook user when his 10-month string of messages from Facebook were sent.

If the goal of the statute is to protect the public from unwanted calls, then the issue of what classifies as an automatic telephone dialing system is not a concern if the lawsuits act as a deterrent, Morris wrote, quoting Stephen Newman of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP.

Others may say the statute must be read literally and therefore everything, including smartphones, could be viewed as an automatic telephone dialing system.

Is climate change a consumer protection issue?

While it may seem like a stretch, ExxonMobil recently beat a suit from the New York attorney generals office which was trying to hold it accountable for making misleading statements the company made to its investors about the influence climate change had on its business.

This suit is the culmination of (the NY attorney generals) three-year investigation into Exxon, Morris said. While it does allege that Exxon deceived investors about climate-related risks to its business, it also accuses the company of misleading consumers about how its fossil fuel products contribute to climate change and pushing deceptive greenwashing advertisements that promote the company as environmentally responsible.

Exxon isnt the only company to try greenwashing. Volkswagen and other automotive companies have also been saddled with that accusation.

In light of the defeat of the securities claims in New York, Konanova told Law360 that whether companies can be held liable for deceiving consumers about climate change is the next frontier that were going to be watching very closely.
In Delhi, the lower courts granted bail to four persons over last months Seelampur anti-CAA protests.

New Delhi/Lucknow: The additional sessions court in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday released on bail 58 persons arrested during the anti-CAA protests in the state. Actor-activist Sadaf Jafar and several others, however, remained in jail while Bollywood celebrities like Mahesh Bhatt, Swara Bhaskar and Sushant Singh demanded her release.

Jafar, who is also a Congress spokesperson, was arrested in Lucknow on December 19 while live on Facebook from the spot where the protests against the amended citizenship law had gone violent. Mahesh Bhatt said that without liberty, free institutions are a sham.

Among those granted bail were environmental activists Ekta and Ravi Shekhar, who ended up in police custody while protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the NRC nearly two weeks ago. Their 14-month-old baby was all over the news and the child had taken ill in the past few days.

I didnt think it would take so long, an emotional Ekta told the media as she hugged her daughter after two weeks. Main bata nahin sakti (I cant put it in words), she said when asked how it felt.

The bail application of the couple  nabbed along with other protesters from Left groups from Beniyabagh and nearby localities for violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 CRPC  was initially cancelled by a lower court and the nex hearing fixed for January 1. In their absence, their baby was cared for by her grandmother Sheila Tiwari, uncle Shashikant and her aunts.

In Delhi, the lower courts granted bail to four persons over last months Seelampur anti-CAA protests. While allowing the bail applications by Sajid Ali and Daniyal, the judge said there was nothing on record yet to show the involvement of the two accused in any violent mobs. Two others  Yusuf and Moinuddin  were given bail on medical grounds.

Meanwhile, protests took place in Miami, Florida, where Indians read out the Preamble of the Constitution in the streets opposing the CAA-NRC-NPR. Students of Jamia Millia Islamia and several artists painted streets outside Delhi University to protest against the CAA/NRC.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress and its allies opposing the CAA, saying they are against giving relief to those who have been brutalised and victimised in Pakistan. Pakistan was founded on religious grounds, due to which atrocities on minorities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Christians have increased. But the Congress and its allies dont speak against Pakistan, he said at a function in Karnataka.
by Sara Guaglione , January 3, 2020

which also oversees the publishers operations in Germany, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and India, experienced a loss of about $12.3 million (9.4 million) in 2018.

Thats according to new financial accounts filed and reported by British media.

The filing came three months late. In December, the Companies House (the UK's registrar of businesses) warned BuzzFeed UK that it would be dissolved if it failed to file its financial information for 2018.

BuzzFeeds losses in its international business quadrupled last year, according to the Financial Times. However, BuzzFeed UK revenue grew by 20% to about $24.6 million (18.8 million). In 2017, the division suffered a loss of roughly $3 million (2.3 million).

The company has since closed two of its websites: its operations in France in December 2018 and in Spain in January 2019.

Buzzfeed UK also got a new editor-in-chief this year. Stuart Millar stepped into the role after the departure of Janine Gibson.

According to Press Gazette, BuzzFeed says its international group is in its early growth phase and the company is continuing to invest in overseas subsidiaries.

BuzzFeed was founded in the U.S. in 2006, and launched in the UK in 2012.

Across the pond, BuzzFeed founder-CEO Jonah Peretti told The Wall Street Journal this week he expects the company to turn a profit in 2020. BuzzFeed lost more than $50 million in 2018 and let go of 250 people at the beginning of this year.

Peretti told WSJ the companys newer businesses brought in over $200 million last year. He said all divisions, except for its news arm, are now profitable.




Published on 2020/01/02 | Source

There has been a huge shift in home theaters in 2019; cable and general programming are finally producing results that threaten ground-wave channels. While ground-wave dramas plunged down to 2~3%, jTBC's "SKY Castle" jumped over the 20% wall. tvN and OCN haven't had significant results, but they created several popular dramas such as "Hotel Del Luna", "Crash Landing on You" and "Strangers from Hell".

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It has become an environment where platforms for accessing content are diverse, and viewers are no longer dependent on just TV. The boundary between ground-wave, cable networks and general service channels has been drastically torn down, and a full-fledged 'content war' has now begun. tvN, OCN and jTBC have challenged the ground-wave with their strong new 2020 lineup.

- tvN, medical, romance, fantasy and thriller

First of all, tvN releases "Hospital Playlist", "A Piece of Your Mind", "Hi Bye, Mama!", "When My Love Blooms", "The Cursed" and "Money Game" in the first half of next year. Go Soo, Lee Sung-min and Shim Eun-kyung's "Money Game" begins on the 15th. It depicts the struggles of those who try to stop a national crisis from happening amidst the worst financial scandal of Korea. "Hospital Playlist" is also known as the downsized version of life, as it tells the story of friends of 20 years and people who live ordinary, yet unordinary lives in a hospital. The line-up includes Cho Jung-seok, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-myung and more.

"A Piece of Your Mind", which is about an AI programmer and a classical recording engineer, starring Jung Hae-in and Chae Soo-bin, has high expectations. "When My Love Blooms" is a romance drama about the second most beautiful days in life when a woman reunites with her first love, starring Lee Bo-young, Yoo Ji-tae and Park Si-yeon.

"Hi Bye, Mama!" is the drama Kim Tae-hee chose to return with for the first time in 5 years since she got married and gave birth. The leading character in "Hi Bye, Mama!" suddenly dies, but returns to her husband and daughter once again in a 49 days resurrection project. Kim Tae-hee co-stars with Lee Kyu-hyung and Go Bo-gyeol. Uhm Ji-won, Sung Dong-il and Jo Min-soo's "The Cursed" is about a teenage girl who has the ability to bring death by using Chinese characters, names, photos, and belongings, and a just social issues reporter, fighting against the massive evil hidden behind an IT conglomerate called the Forest.

tvN also introduces "Memorist", "It's Okay to Not Be Okay", "Secret Forest 2", "Tale of the Nine Tailed", "Start Up", "Fall From the Sky" and "Record of Youth".

- From OCN's "Rugal" to Korean Marvel OCN

OCN declares the creation of a 'Korean Marvel' worldview this year with "Tell Me What You Saw", "Team Bulldog: Off-duty Investigation", "Rugal" and "Train". "Tell Me What You Saw" is a suspense thriller drama about a genius profiler who lost everything and a detective who remembers anything she sees once tracking down a serial killer they thought to be dead, starring Jang Hyuk and Choi Soo-young. "Team Bulldog: Off-duty Investigation" is a criminal action drama about a cooperation between eccentric outsiders who team up to solve crime by any means possible, starring Cha Tae-hyun, Lee Sun-bin and Jung Sang-hoon.

"Rugal" starring hero Choi Jin-hyuk and villain Park Sung-woong, is a human action hero drama about a former elite police officer who ends up losing not only his beloved wife, but also his eyes, and is accused of being a murderer. "Train" is another science fiction piece that might most likely cast Kim Jae-wook in it. OCN is also presenting, "Search", "So You", "Missing - Drama", "Dark Hole", "The Fifth Column - Drama", "Island - Drama" and "Miss and Mrs. Cops - Drama".

- JTBC creates Wednesday / Thursday drama...

JTBC establishes a new Wednesday/ Thursday drama frame. The first runner-up of 2020 is "Itaewon Class". It is based on an original webtoon about a 'hip' revolt by stubborn and courageous youths living in this unfair world. It contains the starting of businesses of those who pursue freedom with their own values on a small street in Itaewon. Park Min-young, Seo Kang-joon as well as Lee Jae-wook and Kim Hwan-hee star in "I'll Visit You When the Weather Is Nice", a warm romance about a woman who goes back to her hometown for some peace, meeting her first love who runs a small book store there.

JTBC's signature 'passionate mystery romance' cuts the starting tape with "The World of the Married". It's Kim Hee-ae's first drama in 4 years about a couple's bond, which they believed to be love, falling into a vortex of revenge, as it is broken by betrayal. It's about the fierce revenge of a couple who strangle each other with all their might. "Graceful Friends", starring Yu Jun-sang and Song Yoon-ah, is a mystery drama about the perfectly peaceful life of a middle-aged man and his friends falling apart after a murder occurs in a new town where married couples in their 40s live together.

"Mystic Pop-Up Bar" is the first one to open the drama doors in jTBC. Hwang Jung-eum returns for the first time in 2 years as a bad-tempered woman, and Yook Sung-jae is her innocent part-time worker. "Did We Love?" is a romantic drama about a single mother of 14 years meeting four different guys with a different appeal starring, Song Ji-hyo, Son Ho-jun, Song Jong-ho, Kim Min-joon and Koo Ja-sung.

"The Good Detective" is about the race between people who want to get closer to the truth and those who want to cover it up starring Son Hyun-joo, Jang Seung-jo and Lee Elijah.
Ghosn said in a statement that he left for Lebanon because he thought the Japanese judicial system was unjust, and he wanted to avoid 'political persecution'.

Former Renault and Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said on Thursday that he alone set up his flight to Lebanon from Japan, where he is facing trial over alleged financial misconduct, and denied any involvement by his family.

"The media reports saying my wife Carole and other family members played a role in my departure from Japan are falsehoods. I alone organised my departure," Ghosn said in a brief statement received by AFP.

Beirut receives Interpol notice

Lebanon's justice minister said on Thursday that Lebanon has received an international wanted notice from Interpol for Nissan's ex-chair Carlos Ghosn, four days after he fled Japan to Lebanon before a trial on financial misconduct charges.

Albert Serhan told The Associated Press in an interview that the Red Notice for the former automotive titan was received earlier Thursday by the prosecution.

Ghosn skipped bail before his much-anticipated trial, which was to start in April.

He arrived in Lebanon, his country of origin, on Monday via Turkey and hasn't been seen in public since. Authorities have said that he entered legally on a French passport.

Interpol's so-called Red Notices are requests to law enforcement agencies worldwide that they locate and provisionally arrest a wanted fugitive. Serhan, the minister, said the Lebanese prosecution "will carry out its duties", suggesting for the first time that Ghosn may be brought in for questioning.

But he said that Lebanon and Japan do not have an extradition treaty, ruling out the possibility that Beirut would hand Ghosn over to Japan Japanese prosecutors on Thursday raided Ghosn's Tokyo home.

Japanese media showed investigators entering the home, which was Ghosn's third residence in Tokyo since he was first arrested a year ago. Authorities have now searched each one.

Tokyo prosecutors and police did not immediately comment. Government offices in Japan are closed this week for New Year holidays.

It was unclear how Ghosn avoided the tight surveillance he was under in Japan and showed up in Lebanon.

Ghosn said Tuesday in a statement that he left for Lebanon because he thought the Japanese judicial system was unjust, and he wanted to avoid "political persecution". He said he would talk to reporters next week.

Lebanon has said earlier that Ghosn entered the country legally, and there was no reason to take action against him.

Ghosn's lawyers in Japan said they had no knowledge of the escape and they had all his passports. Ghosn has French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV, without identifying sources, reported Thursday that Ghosn had two French passports.

Earlier, Japanese reports said there were no official records in Japan of Ghosn's departure, but a private jet had left from a regional airport to Turkey.

Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency said Thursday that Turkish authorities had detained seven people as part of an investigation into how Ghosn fled to Lebanon via Istanbul.

The private DHA news agency reported that those detained are 4 pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers.

The Hurriyet newspaper said the plane carrying Ghosn landed at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport at 5:30 AM on 29 December. Ghosn was not registered upon landing and was smuggled onboard another plane that left for Lebanon, the paper reported.

Ghosn, who was charged in Japan with under-reporting his future compensation and breach of trust, has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying authorities trumped-up charges to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan Motor Co and alliance partner Renault SA.

The 1.5 billion yen ($14 million) bail that Ghosn posted on two separate instances to get out of detention is being revoked.

--With PTI inputs
DES MOINES, Iowa - Sen. Bernie Sanders - who has reignited his presidential campaign in the weeks since a heart attack put his political future in doubt - is now making a direct and sharpened case against former vice president Joe Biden in the final stretch before next month's Iowa caucuses.

In an interview between events here this week, Sanders said Biden's record and ties to the political establishment make him ill-suited to defeat President Donald Trump in November - and urged Democrats to value voters' appetite for sweeping change over Biden's perceived electability.

"It's just a lot of baggage that Joe takes into a campaign, which isn't going to create energy and excitement," said Sanders, I-Vt. "He brings into this campaign a record which is so weak that it just cannot create the kind of excitement and energy that is going to be needed to defeat Donald Trump."

The campaign's focus on Biden comes as Sanders has recalibrated his efforts in Iowa, where the Feb. 3 caucuses will be a make-or-break moment for many campaigns.

Not long ago, few party strategists predicted that Sanders stood much of a chance, with attention instead on Biden's enduring stature atop the national polls, the surprising rise of former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren's appeal among the party's liberal base.

But Sanders, 78, has rolled out a new approach. He favors town halls over the raucous rallies that defined his 2016 campaign; there is a little less talk of revolution; there is far more engagement with minority voters and, everywhere he goes, a persistent emphasis on voters' anxiety about escalating health-care costs.

The power of Sanders's movement was made clear Thursday, when his campaign announced it had raised $34.5 million in the final quarter of the year, significantly more than his rivals. Biden announced Thursday that his campaign had raised $22.7 million in the final quarter, while Buttigieg earlier had said he raised $24.7 million. Warren, D-Mass., has not announced her total, but it was expected to be notably lower than that of Sanders.

The Sanders campaign also announced earlier this week that it has received more than 5 million individual donations, giving him a well of support he can tap again as he moves ahead.

A November poll from the Des Moines Register showed Buttigieg surging to a lead in Iowa but included a sign of durable and unwavering strength for Sanders: 57% of likely Democratic caucusgoers who say he is their first choice say their mind is made up. No other candidate in the field received more than 30% of commitment from their top supporters.

If Sanders can pull off a win in Iowa, his team believes he would storm to the New Hampshire primary with a burst of momentum, then carry that to Super Tuesday, for which his campaign has made the California primary a priority.

Positioning the Vermont independent for a possible long and bruising race against Biden has become increasingly central to Sanders's planning, in part because his advisers see a fight for many of the same voters.

"When you think about it, Warren and Buttigieg are kind of going after that wine cave, kind of limousine Democrat - and they're there, kind of important to the whole party," said Pete D'Alessandro, Sanders's senior adviser in Iowa. "We're going to want them when we win the nomination . . . but a lot of working-class folks like Joe Biden. Joe Biden and the Bernie Sanders campaign are talking to a lot of the same people."

In the interview, Sanders said Biden's past backing of military intervention in Iraq would hurt him with young voters, while his support of free trade, including the North American Free Trade Agreement, would make him vulnerable in the industrial Midwest, where Trump scored victories in 2016.

"It doesn't take much imagination to understand that Trump will be saying, 'You see this guy? He voted for NAFTA,' " Sanders said.

Sanders also cast Biden as part of the political elite, cozy with Wall Street and unable to confront major financial institutions because of his record, such as his support for the bank bailout in 2008.

"People are tired of the traditional types of campaigns in which candidates like Joe are running to wealthy people's homes and raising large sums of money," Sanders said.

The Biden campaign declined to comment.

A Biden aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the aide was not authorized to speak publicly, said of Sanders's remarks: "There is nothing new here from Senator Sanders" and pointed to recent Mason-Dixon polls that show Biden running ahead of Trump in Florida and Virginia.

"That's based on real data, not rhetoric or wishful thinking," the aide said.

- - -

As Sanders has toured Iowa this week, he has engaged in at times raw question-and-answer exchanges on health care that have shown how that issue galvanizes his core voters.

At a town hall in West Des Moines on Monday morning, Sanders turned to the topic almost immediately.

"What are you paying for in premiums? Does anyone want to volunteer? Don't be shy," he said.

Sanders called on Sheila Campbell, 51, an office manager at a medical clinic, who said her family is paying nearly $2,000 a month for health care. Then, Laura Miller, 30, who was holding her 9-month-old son, said she is "still paying hospital bills for him."

"You're still paying off the birth of that baby?" Sanders asked, his voice hoarse and incredulous. "Help me out here. Your quote-unquote illness is that you had a baby? Is that your illness?" She nodded.

Sanders kept up the back-and-forth on health care for about 15 minutes, one painful anecdote after another, followed by his fury and, finally, applause when he called for a revamp of the whole system.

Stoking support among minority voters by targeting health care is also key to his efforts. Sanders spoke to Latino voters Sunday night as his campaign served platters of Puerto Rican food. He also has visited mosques and Muslim community centers in Iowa and met with African American and Native American community leaders.

Although Iowa's electorate is 90% white, Sanders's campaign sees an opening for engagement with the other 10%, which includes thousands of working-class minorities who have never caucused.

Sanders said in the interview that drawing people out about their health-care challenges is essential to his strategy in Iowa and elsewhere - giving voice to people's anger. It is an effort steeped in bleak stories, but one he believes has power.

"What you see, what you hear - it would bring you to tears," Sanders said.

"Hundreds of thousands of people are seeing this" on social media, he continued. "They're saying, 'You know what? She isn't the only one hurting, who can't afford health care. He isn't the only one working for 10 bucks an hour.' People go, 'Oh, I thought I was the only person! Turns out I'm not.' "

Unlike Warren, Sanders has declined to specify how much it would cost to implement his Medicare-for-all plan.

"I don't give a number, and I'll tell you why: It's such a huge number and it's so complicated that if I gave a number, you and 50 other people would go through it and say, 'Oh . . .' " he said, his voice trailing off.

"What I appreciate more now than I did four years ago is the cruelty of the system," Sanders said. "Last time I talked about health care as a human right . . . but what I see now is the cost of health care."

- - -

Skeptics are plentiful, even among some who come to Sanders's events. They wonder whether an avowed Democratic socialist who had a heart attack in October can win.

"I know how I feel at this age, which makes me wonder about him," Mary Walkup, 68, said in Winterset, Iowa. "I want to hear him out, but I do wonder if we should look to someone younger."

Deborah Hansen, a 69-year-old retired educator at that same town hall, said she shares many of Sanders's grievances but would find it hard to go door to door in her town and announce herself as his supporter because she still feels uneasy about how Sanders handled his defeat in the 2016 primary race.

"It's hard for me to get over the feeling that he didn't do enough to help Hillary," Hansen said. "I like him, but I also like Amy Klobuchar," the Minnesota senator who has campaigned heavily in Iowa, "since I really don't want to see Trump win."

There are also questions about the viability of his huge proposals to overhaul the way government works, from Medicare-for-all to eliminating the nation's student debt and offering free college tuition.

At the West Des Moines town hall Monday, a Sanders supporter who works at a private college gently asked him whether his own job would be in jeopardy if Sanders's plans were enacted. Sanders assured him that was not his intention and said he would put a "great deal of emphasis on expanding Pell grants" that could go toward funding study at private schools.

Former Ohio governor Ted Strickland, a Biden supporter, said this week that Sanders "should not be discounted" and "seems to be less of a grouchy old man since he came back from his heart condition." But he warned Democrats to resist him and dismissed the suggestion that Sanders would have a better chance against Trump in a November faceoff.

"My big concern isn't that he'll beat Joe, but that this movement of his may decide to take a walk if Bernie isn't the nominee," Strickland said. "It'd be deadly to the Democratic Party if he didn't do everything he could to support the nominee."

Sanders said in the interview, "I will support someone if they're more conservative than me, because I think it's imperative that we beat Trump." But he also made clear that, even if he stumbles, he has no plans to drop out until the race is over, saying what he is "certainly prepared to do is contest every state in this country."

When asked whether he would make overtures to moderate Democrats should he win the nomination, Sanders said the party would have to adjust to his movement rather than the other way around: "People in the Democratic Party are going to take a look at reality, and in a millisecond, they're going to make a decision: The choice is between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. They may say, 'Oh, God, I don't like Bernie Sanders. . . . He doesn't comb his hair nicely enough. But you know what? There is no choice. We're going to support Bernie Sanders.' "

Trump, who occasionally tweets about "Crazy Bernie," has kept an eye on Sanders for months, according to a White House official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to speak publicly - as have senior Republicans, many of whom see the senator as beatable.

"Many Republicans would see a Sanders nomination the same way Conservatives in the United Kingdom used to talk about the Labour Party's move to the left in 1983: the longest suicide note in political history," said Steve Schmidt, a veteran consultant who worked as a strategist for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign. "They'd run against him as a radical who once traveled to the Soviet Union and ask, 'Do you want to give up one of the greatest economies ever for that?' "

Sanders fiercely rejected that view and said Democrats must rally around his movement in order to beat Trump, rather than assume that Biden might have a better chance of winning.

"Trump will be a formidable opponent," Sanders said, because of his "strong base of support," "the fact that he's a pathological liar" and "because much of the billionaire class will be supporting him." In addition, Sanders said he suspects Trump may break the law and use "federal agencies to help" his bid.

"The way you defeat Donald Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the modern history of this country - that's how you beat him," Sanders said. "We think we can get 5, 10, 15% of the vote Trump got because an increasing number of people who voted for Trump understand now that he's a liar and fraud" who backed conservative policies.

The night before, Sanders held a New Year's Eve party at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines, which was a proudly informal affair. Those in tuxedos seemed to do so in jest, and most Sanders advisers wore jeans and T-shirts as they mingled with more than 1,000 supporters. New Power Generation, the late Prince's former backup band, tore through covers.

Members of the media sat in the back in the dark, ignored by the Sanders crowd amid the revelry. Attendees toasted "the Bern" and spoke excitedly about the prospect of victory in February. The bitter disappointments of 2016 seemed distant.

Hours before midnight, Sanders took the stage and urged them to believe.

"I have no doubt - no doubt that with your support, we're going to win here in Iowa!" Sanders shouted, whipping up the crowd as he rattled through a list of future contests.

"We are in this struggle together," he said.

The attendees roared. They were in.

And on that night, at least, no one wanted to wonder if that was enough.
(HealthDay)Modestly worse patient experiences are seen following hospital acquisition by another hospital, according to a study published in the Jan. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Nancy D. Beaulieu, Ph.D., from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and colleagues used data from 2007 through 2016 on performance of four measures of quality of care as well as data on hospital mergers and acquisitions from 2009 through 2013 to compare changes in the performance of acquired hospitals with concurrent changes for control hospitals without change in ownership. Data were included for 246 acquired hospitals and 1,986 control hospitals.

The researchers observed a modest differential reduction in performance on the patient-experience measure with being acquired (adjusted differential change, 0.17 standard deviation [SD]; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.26 to 0.07; P = 0.002); no significant differential changes were seen in 30-day readmission rates (0.10 percentage points; 95 percent CI, 0.53 to 0.34; P = 0.72) or in 30-day mortality (0.03 percentage points; 95 percent CI, 0.20 to 0.14; P = 0.72). A significant differential improvement in performance was seen on the clinical-process measure in acquired hospitals (0.22 SD; 95 percent CI, 0.05 to 0.38; P = 0.03); the differential improvement occurred before acquisition and therefore could not be attributed conclusively to a change in ownership.

"These findings challenge arguments that hospital consolidation, which is known to increase prices, also improves quality," the authors write.

Explore further Hospital quality independently impacts readmission rates

Copyright  2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Todd Gieger, 51, is facing two counts of false impersonation of a law enforcement officer after he allegedly wore a police badge and bullet proof vest to intimidate a subcontractor working on his home

A man has been arrested for dressing up as a police officer in order to intimidate a subcontractor who had put a lien on his new Florida home.

Todd Gieger, 51, was taken in to custody in Sarasota County on Wednesday, and is now facing two counts of false impersonation of a law enforcement officer.

According to an arrest report, Gieger and the subcontractor had become embroiled in a dispute over payment for work done on Gieger's new waterfront home on St. Armands Key - an island in Sarasota Bay.

Back in November, Gieger allegedly arrived at the subcontractor's home in a white Maserati wearing a bullet proof vest and a 'law-enforcement style badge'.

He reportedly began asking neighbors about the subcontractor, and identified himself as 'The Sheriff'.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Gieger is also accused of 'calling other subcontractors involved in the lien and the construction company building his home' while pretending to be a police officer.

Gieger became embroiled in a dispute over payment for work done on his new waterfront home on St. Armands Key - an island in Sarasota Bay (pictured)

Speaking on Thursday, authorities praised savvy Saratosa citizens who detected that Gieger was not a real officer and called 911.

'In today's world, it is more crucial than ever for communities to know and trust their law enforcement,' Sarasota Sheriff Tom Knight told the Tampa Bay Times.

'Lucky for us, our residents are smart, and in this incident, they knew something wasn't right. Credit goes to both cognizant witnesses and great detectives for getting this guy off our streets and out of our community.'

The crime of Falsely Impersonating an Officer is a Third Felony in Florida and is punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of probation , and a $5,000 fine.

Gieger is free after posting $3,000 bond, and is due in court at a later date.
Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran on September 18, 2016. Press Office of Iranian Supreme Leader | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

Iran has vowed to retaliate over the assassination of the country's top military commander Major-General Qasem Soleimani. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Friday that the targeted killing of Soleimani was "extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation." "The U.S. bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," Zarif said on Twitter.

Soleimani, head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in a U.S. military airstrike at Baghdad's international airport. The move was directed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Pentagon said Thursday. The U.S. State Department designates the Iranian Quds Force as a foreign terrorist organization, and Soleimani has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members. The Pentagon said Soleimani approved this week's attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. "A crushing revenge will be taken for Soleimani's unjust assassination ... We will take revenge from all those involved and responsible for his assassination," Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami was quoted by state news agency IRNA as saying.

This is a watershed moment in the struggle between Iran and the U.S. in the Middle East. Emily Hawthorne Middle East & North Africa analyst at Stratfor

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his death will make Iran "more decisive" in its resistance against the U.S. "Soleimani's martyrdom will make Iran more decisive to resist America's expansionism and to defend our Islamic values," Rouhani said on state television, Reuters reported. "With no doubt, Iran and other freedom-seeking countries in the region will take his revenge."

Analysts warn that there will be backlash from Tehran. "Iranian leaders are proud and quite risk acceptant," said Eurasia Group. "We expect moderate to low level clashes to last for at least a month and likely be confined to Iraq. Iranian-backed militias will attack US bases and some US soldiers will be killed; the US will retaliate with strikes inside of Iraq," said Henry Rome and Cliff Kupchan, analysts from political consultancy, in a report. They predict that Tehran's response "will stop short of what we would consider war," and added that "the chance of war is 40%."

"This is a watershed moment in the struggle between Iran and the U.S. in the Middle East," Emily Hawthorne, Middle East & North Africa analyst at Stratfor, told CNBC in an email on Friday. "Striking Soleimani, the head of Iran's overseas military operations, is a significant attack on Iran's ability to direct proxy warfare and will be met with Iranian retaliation against the U.S.," she said. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated on Sunday after Washington carried out precision strikes on Iranian-backed militia in five locations in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. attacks reportedly killed 25 fighters of the Iran-backed militia in Iraq, the Kataeb Hezbollah. The airstrikes triggered protests from Iran-backed militia in Iraq who stormed the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on New Year's Eve and set fire to the reception area. Responding to the violence, Trump deployed some 750 U.S. soldiers to the Middle East. "The people who breached the U.S. embassy wall were supporters of Iran-based militias in Iraq. Yes, they are predominantly Iraqi, if not all of them are Iraqi, but they are supported and backed equipped by Iran," said Hawthorne.

Gulf harrassment?

Eurasia analysts said Iran will likely "resume harassment of commercial shipping in the Gulf and may launch military exercises to temporarily disrupt shipping." "Beyond retaliation, Iran's ultimate goal in Iraq is to make continued American presence unviable," said Rome and Kupchan. "Iran is unlikely to immediately attack Saudi or Emirati oil infrastructure or US bases in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, or Qatar. These steps would have the effect of unifying the Gulf against Tehran; Iran will instead target its ire against Washington in the near term," they said.
In the wake of death of more than 100 infants at a Kota hospital in December, Union minister Smriti Irani on Friday accused the Rajasthan government of not being alert despite the death toll crossing 900 last year.

The Women and Child Development minister said the issue is related to the health ministry and the National Commission for protection of Child Rights will submit its report to her ministry in this regard.

She said she was hurt by remarks made by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on the issue.

"But presently the kind of sentences I am hearing from the Chief Minister of Rajasthan hurts me as a mother and Indian citizen. Why did the Rajasthan government not take any action despite so many deaths because children who were dying were poor," she said on the sidelines of an event.

As per the statistics quoted by the state authorities, 963 children have died in the year 2019 at J K Lon government hospital while this figure was above 1000 in the preceding year.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CONCORD -- A 16-year-old accused of a murder in Concord was taken into custody in Connecticut.

Omarrion Tymyrre Hudson, of Concord, was arrested by the U.S. Marshals, police confirmed Thursday night.

Hudson was wanted for first-degree murder in the shooting death of 31-year-old Derron Jordan.

The shooting happened just before 6 p.m. on Dec. 28 near the intersection of Lincoln Street and Malvern Drive in Concord's Logan Community.

Concord police say they are working with officials in Connection to arrange Hudson's extradition back to North Carolina.

Police responded to a shooting call on Dec. 28, and then found Jordan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

He was transported by emergency responders but later died, according to police.
India on Friday called for restraint after a US airstrike near Baghdad airport killed Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani.

Qasem Suleimani, regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an overnight attack by the US.

The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

Watch: Qasem Soleimani killing: Iran dubs it foolish escalation by United States

Hours after the death of its top commander, Iran appointed deputy commander of the Quds Force Esmail Ghaani as the head of the unit.

Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed in the US airstrike.

China also appealed for restraint from all sides, especially from the US, after the killing of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander.

A furious Iran vowed revenge after the death of Soleimani, raising fears of a wider regional conflict between the arch-foes.

The Pentagon said US president Donald Trump had ordered Qasem Soleimanis killing after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in the Iraqi capital.
A British teenager found guilty of lying about being gang-raped in Cyprus has pleaded with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to please bring me home.

The 19-year-old alleged she was raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in a hotel room in the party town of Ayia Napa on July 17.

But she has said Cypriot police forced her to sign a retraction statement which led to her being convicted of public mischief at Famagusta District Court, in Paralimni.

Every second of this ordeal has been a waking nightmare, the woman, who has not been named, said.

The 19-year-old Brit, centre, covers her face as she leaves court / AP

Im 19 and all I want to do is clear my name and come home to my family, she added in quotes reported by The Sun.

I would say to both the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, both of whom are fathers, please support me with your actions, not just with your words.

The paper also reported that the Foreign Office had on Thursday contacted the teenagers family for the first time since she was convicted.

A FO spokeswoman told PA news agency in a statement that the UK was seriously concerned about the fair trial guarantees in this deeply distressing case and we will be raising the issue with Cypriot authorities.

A number of prominent legal figures in Cyprus have also written to attorney general Costas Clerides urging him to intervene in the case.

British teenager found guilty of lying about Cyprus gang-rape

The group includes former justice minister Kypros Chrysostomides, who told the BBC the woman involved had already suffered a lot and he expected her sentence would be very lenient.

She has already been in detention for four-and-a-half weeks and she has been prevented from travelling for about five months already, he said.

But the government of Cyprus has said it has full confidence in the justice system and the courts.

Meanwhile, the teenagers mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has backed calls for a tourism boycott of the country.

The place isnt safe  it is absolutely not safe. And if you go and report something thats happened to you, youre either laughed at, as far as I can tell, or, in the worst case, something like whats happened to my daughter may happen, she told BBC Radio 4s Today programme.

The woman said her daughter was experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hallucinations, and is sleeping for up to 20 hours a day because of a condition called hypersomnia.

She needs to get back to the UK to get that treated  thats my absolute primary focus. She cant be treated here because hearing foreign men speaking loudly will trigger an episode, she said.

It needs resolving otherwise shes going to carry on having this for the rest of her life.

An online crowdfunding appeal to raise money for legal support for the womans daughter has passed 120,000, exceeding its 105,000 goal.

The help teen victim get justice in Cyprus GoFundMe page was set up by British lawyer John Hobbs in August to raise cash for the 19-year-olds legal representation.
He leaves, he said, as part of an agreement with his wife of 40 years, Pam, to spend more time in Chicago with his family and at his law practice. His departure, he said, is unrelated to a growing federal investigation of Springfield that has ensnared three current or former Senate Democrats, including two who had been in his leadership team, and another whos a distant cousin.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-four organizations representing millions of patients strongly support the petitions filed today by state attorneys general and by the U.S. House of Representatives that seek expedited U.S. Supreme Court review of last month's Texas v. United States ruling.

The coalition issued the following statement:

"Our organizations, representing millions of individuals and families affected by chronic and serious health conditions, are grateful for the swift action taken by 20 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. House of Representatives. Patients cannot afford to endure prolonged uncertainty about the long-term status of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the critical protections it guarantees.

"While the ACA remains the law of the land, the December appeals court ruling leaves open the possibility that millions of people with pre-existing conditions will one day find themselves without access to the law's important patient protections. It is critical that the Supreme Court takes up this case for review immediately and provides a resolution to this case that threatens the foundational protections our communities rely on."

Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit struck down the ACA's individual mandate and remanded the case back to the district court to rule on whether other components of the law, including the future of many key patient protections, remain valid. The petitions filed today request the Supreme Court review the appeals court's decision that the ACA's individual mandate is unconstitutional as well as whether, if it is unconstitutional, the rest of the ACA remains unaffected.

ALS Association

American Heart Association

American Liver Foundation

American Lung Association

Arthritis Foundation

Chronic Disease Coalition

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Epilepsy Foundation

Hemophilia Federation of America

Lutheran Services in America

March of Dimes

Muscular Dystrophy Association

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

National Health Council

National Kidney Foundation

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

National Organization for Rare Disorders

National Patient Advocate Foundation

National Psoriasis Foundation

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

United Way Worldwide

Women Heart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ryan Holeywell

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

[email protected]

SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
A nurse who died on the way home from work last October will be remembered on Sunday.

The family of Kerrie Browne have organised a memorial walk and run to raise money for charities that were close to her heart.

The 25-year-old had been driving home from work after an overnight shift at University Hospital Kerry when she was involved in a collision with an SUV at around 8am on the N21, at Meenleitrim, Castleisland, Co Kerry.

Kerrie, from Brosna, had only recently returned to the county after working as a nurse in London and had started working as an agency nurse for UHK

She had been based in London for about five years and was at one point, in 2016, a contender for the London Rose.

Kerrie had normally worked at the UHKs Clonfert Childrens Ward but had agreed to work the overnight shift in the Emergency Department.

Kerrie is survived by mother Margaret, father Davey and her sister and two brothers.

A former pupil at Abbeyfeale Vocational School, she qualified as a maternity nurse after leaving school.

When she lived and worked in London, she never lost touch with her Irish roots and was an active member in GAA circles.

She was also a keen runner, horse rider and loved camping and hiking.

In May 2016, she was one of 16 contenders for the London Rose title at an event at Londons Clayton Crown Hotel in Cricklewood.

Brosna GAA press officer said: Come and join Kerrie Brownes friends and family on Sunday, 5 January for a 5k Memorial Run or Walk.

The event has been organised to raise funds for charities close to Kerries heart.

Registration opens at 10am at Brosna GAA Clubhouse with the commencement at 11am.

"Participation fee is 10 for adults while children go free.
Phu Yen welcomed eight private sector projects and seven state projects in 2019

The value of the eight projects is estimated at VND35.7 trillion ($1.55 billion), while the seven state-owned projects carry the price tag of VND7.64 trillion ($332.17 million). These projects, which are in the sectors of infrastructure, education, tourism, and industry, are expected to contribute a large part to the socio-economic development of the province.

According to statistics published by the management board of Phu Yen Economic Zone (EZ), last year, the EZ welcomed eight projects with a total registered capital of VND71 billion ($7.08 million), increasing the total to 110 projects with the total land area of 416 hectares and total registered capital of VND11.35 billion ($494,347).

As of now, 75 of these 110 projects are in operation, while the 35 remaining projects are completing procedures. These enterprises paid VND132 billion ($5.73 million) into the provinces budget and generated 8,029 jobs.

During the past year, the province organised numerous local and overseas investment promotion programmes. Especially, in 2019, Phu Yen organised the Pacific Partnership 2019 for the first time.

In November, the Phu Yen Peoples Committee called for the World Banks provision of official development assistance (ODA) to support the implementation of four projects with a total investment of about $70 million.

Phu Yen also called for the World Banks soft loans for investment in two other projects with a total capital of over VND1 trillion ($43.4 million), including the embankment from An Chan commune in Tuy An district to An Phu commune in Tuy Hoa city and coastal tourism road from Phu Hoi Village in Tuy An district to National Highway No.1.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2020 / According to the official announcement, MXC Exchange, the subsidiary brand of the MXC Pro Foundation, was granted the MSB license of the U.S. on January 2, 2020 (Singapore time). "Under the guidance of Fin CEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Department of the Treasury), MXC Exchange was granted the MSB license of the U.S. on January 2, 2020. That means it is legally allowed to carry out spot trading and other businesses in the United States."

MSB, abbreviated from Money Services Business, is governed by FinCEN. The entities with businesses involving money transmit or convert must apply for the license. The "Management Party" and the "Convert Party" (like Exchanges) who want to provide digital-asset services to citizens of America must acquire an MSB license under the rule of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) in the first place. The related parties are required to complete a registration on FinCEN within 180 days before starting businesses.

The U.S. Treasury and the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) has been clearly stated that all digital-asset transactions are under the rule of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). Businesses involving digital-asset trading must obtain an MSB license from FinCEN, and comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and related anti-terrorism funding rules and regulations.

As a burgeoning entity in a digital asset transaction, MXC Exchange has made remarkable progress on the track of regulation compliance. In addition to the MSB license of the U.S., it had successfully obtained the MTR license from the financial watchdog of Estonia, allowing it to carry out cryptocurrency & fiat-currency convert service and digital-asset wallet service.

"MXC Exchange always puts users in the first place and work hard to be a law-compliance entity to different countries and regions around the world. This is the cornerstone of long-term development and it is based on the deep understanding of the industry" said Henry Wu, spokesman of MXC Pro Foundation. He said, "In China, MXC Exchange will put it focus on blockchain technology development and blockchain services, exploring the "Blockchain +' applications".

Since its establishment in Singapore in April 2018, MXC Exchange has been seeking to expand its global presence, and it has achieved great success. As of October 2019, the number of registered users on MXC Exchange broke the 3M mark. MXC Pro Foundation is now by no means just an exchange providing transaction services, it has engaged in multiple businesses which constitute an ecosystem. It is one reason for its burgeoning development; another reason is that it has a blockchain technological team who is dedicated to making technological breakthroughs. With the persistent adherence to technology and long-term investment, MXC adds to the industry vitality and agility.

According to information provided by an insider of MXC Exchange, MXC Pro Foundation will continue to expand its engagement in global businesses, acquire legal licenses in more countries and regions and invest more in blockchain technology development in the future.

Contact information:

Name: Jed Li

Company Name: MXC PRO FOUNDATION LTD

Email: business@mxc.com

Website: www.mxc.com

SOURCE: MXC Pro Foundation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/571932/MXC-Obtained-MSB-License-in-the-US
The Uttar Pradesh Congress is planning to hold rallies in a few districts across the State against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the Register of Citizens (NRC) after the Republic Day on January 26, party sources said.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi will be addressing the rallies. The Uttar Pradesh Congress is taking final nod for the rallies.

An initial proposal has been sent for rallies at two venues. Priyanka's office is yet to respond to the proposal of the PCC, sources said.

The party is initially planning to hold rallies in Saharanpur and Basti. The State Congress leaders are preparing for the rally which will be attended by Priyanka.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Delhi Government Forest department on Friday told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that it has imposed a fine of Rs 2.40 crore against NHAI for 400 missing trees while construction of Dwarka Expressway Package II.



Principal Chief Conservator of Forest told the NGT that NHAI has submitted a proposal of removal of 9435 trees while expanding Dwarka Expressway. Out of 9435 tress, 400 trees were missing when forest department conducted inspection in that area.

When NHAI failed to explain about the missing trees, the forest officer said that the department has slapped a fine of Rs 2 crore 40 lakh against NHAI for 400 missing trees.

Meanwhile, the NGT was also informed that NHAI had promised to plant 90,350 saplings as compensation of removing over 9000 trees for the construction of the expressway.

The tribunal was also informed that out of proposed removal of 9035 trees, 3318 trees are to be felled and 5717 trees are to be transplanted. As on the date of inspection, 294 trees have been transplanted from Old Toll Plaza site to Sector in Dwarka, the forest department informed.

The trees are in transplanted and at this stage, it is not possible to accurately assess their chances of survival. Thus, the survival rate can only be determined with certainty only after a period of one year.

As per the draft transplantation policy, for every proposal for removal of trees under the provision of DPTA, 1994, at least 80 per cent of the trees that are affected by developmental activities and cannot be preserved on-site shall be required to be transplanted and it should be ensured that at least 80 per cent of the transplanted trees survive after one year. This policy was initiated in view of the problems of severe air pollution in Delhi with the aim to save the grown-up trees by transplanting these somewhere in the vicinity. This is expected to make up for the loss of carbon sink in lieu of the trees which would otherwise to be cut.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by the Society for Protection of Culture, Heritage, Environment, Traditions and Promotion of National Awareness against Delhi government giving permission to cut trees for the Dwarka Expressway Package II, without assessing the survival rate of the transplanted trees. (ANI)


Press Release

January 3, 2020 Dispatch from Crame No. 692:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on Duterte's statements urging ABS-CBN to sell 01/02/20 The President's statements against ABS-CBN is eerily reminiscent of his public remarks urging me to kill myself: an obscene display of an authoritarian's propensity to abuse his office for his own twisted ends. The law is clear on this matter. Whatever perceived slight he experienced from ABS-CBN is a matter for the courts to pass upon, not Congress. The grant of legislative franchise is a prerogative of Congress based on the standard of common good, not on the personal whims of a madman. It is apparent that these attacks against the ABS-CBN is just part of a bigger, systematic effort to subjugate Filipino companies under the political interests operating through Malacanang, both local and foreign. Just recently, the old tyrant accused the Ayala Corporation and Manny Pangilinan group of "syndicated estafa" and threatened to send their executives to jail. These empty accusations bereft of neither evidence nor any legal basis whatsoever has become a trademark of his administration. We have not seen such level of abuse of the powers of the Office of the President since the Marcos administration. The ongoing attacks against Filipino corporations operating public utilities and franchises by the President betray his intention to replace them with his cronies or any of the China-sanctioned entities. Tinatawagan ko ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na panindigan ang mga prinsipyo ng ating demokrasya at labanan ang anumang maling paggamit sa ating mga batas bunga ng kapritso at masamang pulitika. ABS-CBN should stand firm against these despotic attacks and remain confident of their crucial role in our democracy. The congressional action on their franchise renewal will be the litmus test of our Senators' and Congressmen's commitment to free press and democracy. ### (Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 692, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch692)
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) was passed by Parliament, the states have no option but to implement it.

The senior BJP leader was here to take part in his party's campaign to "bust false propaganda" against the controversial act.

Referring to a resolution passed by the Kerala assembly against CAA, and similar voices from non-BJP states such as West Bengal, the minister said it was a constitutional obligation of chief ministers to implement the law.

"Citizenship is a subject which falls under the Union List of the Constitution. Which means Parliament has the powers to enact laws regarding citizenship. It is the duty of all the CMs to implement it. It is also their constitutional obligation," he said.

"They all have to implement the CAA. There is no other option," Meghwal told reporters here. "Congress and other opposition parties claimed that CAA was passed without proper consultation...But the consultation process started in 2016. As demanded by the opposition, the draft of the Bill was sent to a joint committee of MPs from all the parties," he said.

"The committee held discussions with stake-holders as well as affected people. They even visited the North-East, Kolkata and Assam, where affected people live. So this allegation by the Congress does not hold up," he said.

Amendments in favour of Hindu refugees living in Gujarat and Rajasthan were enacted when Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister in 2005, Meghwal added.

"It appears opposition parties have decided to protest against CAA to put a brake on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's soaring popularity," he said.
Rise Joliet Brings GTI's Total Open Stores to 40 Nationwide

Rise Joliet Is First Adult-Use Only Store in the State

GTI Stores in Illinois Served Thousands of Customers on First Day of Adult-Use Sales

Long Lines and Celebratory Atmosphere Seen at Stores Across the State

CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Thumb Industries Inc. (GTI) (CSE:GTII) (GTBIF), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of Rise and Essence retail stores, today announced that it opened its 40th store, Rise Joliet, the first adult-use only store in Illinois.

January 1 was a historic day in Illinois as adult-use cannabis sales launched in Illinois, and were honored that Rise Joliet is part of that history, said GTI Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. Our stores that sell to all adults 21+  Rise Mundelein, Rise Canton, Rise Joliet and 3C Joliet  have served thousands of people so far and the energy and enthusiasm from new customers has been overwhelming.

GTI has six open stores in the state including The Clinic Effingham and 3C Naperville, which will currently only offer sales to customers with a valid Illinois medical marijuana card. The Clinic Effingham is expected to begin adult-use sales later in January pending a special use permit hearing. Naperville will hold a non-binding voter referendum on adult-use sales in March, and until then the store will only be open to registered medical patients. Rise Quincy will be an adult-use store and is expected to open within several days pending final actions by the state.

We thank everyone who celebrated this milestone with us, said Kovler. 2020 is going to be another big year and we look forward to serving guests at our stores and enabling well-being through cannabis with our branded products such as Dogwalkers, incredibles, Rythm and The Feel Collection available at stores throughout the state.

Rise Joliet is located at 2903 Colorado Avenue in Joliet. Current hours are 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. Beginning Monday, January 6, hours are daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Story continues

About Green Thumb Industries:

Green Thumb Industries (GTI), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, is dedicated to providing dignified access to cannabis while giving back to the communities in which they serve. GTI manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including Beboe, Dogwalkers, Dr. Solomons, incredibles, Rythm and The Feel Collection. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called Rise and Essence. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, GTI has 13 manufacturing facilities, licenses for 96 retail locations and operations across 12 U.S. markets. Established in 2014, GTI employs approximately 1,400 people and serves thousands of patients and customers each year. GTI was named a Best Workplace 2018 by Crains Chicago Business and MG Retailer magazine in 2018 and 2019. More information is available at GTIgrows.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of GTI with respect to future business activities. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, or similar expressions and include information regarding the future direction and business objectives of GTI. The forwardlooking information in this news release is based upon the expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and views of future events which management believes to be reasonable in the circumstances and expectations relating to general economic and market conditions. Any forwardlooking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, GTI does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forwardlooking information in this news release is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those express or implied. When considering these forwardlooking statements, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in GTIs public filings with the applicable securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, including the risk factors set out in GTIs annual information form dated July 10, 2018.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Investor Contact: Media Contact Jennifer Dooley Linda Marsicano Chief Strategy Officer VP, Corporate Communications InvestorRelations@gtigrows.com lmarsicano@gtigrows.com 310-622-8257 773-354-2004

Source: Green Thumb Industries

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a89e3b27-4cc3-4711-b9b9-ebe0804e606f

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised US President Donald Trump 'for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively' to eliminate an Iranian general in a missile strike.

As he boarded a flight home after cutting short a visit to Greece, he said: 'Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right.'

Mr Trump sanctioned the strike that took out General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

As he boarded a flight home after cutting short a visit to Greece, he said: 'Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right.' He is pictured National Archaeological museum of Greece today

The President is seen speaking to advisers around a table (pictured) at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, in a post shared by Republican Leader in the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy, as he launched the drone stirke

An American airstrike on Baghdad airport has killed Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's powerful Quds force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy-leader of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (pictured, the burning remains of a car that was among a convoy the men had been travelling in)

Israel put its military on heightened alert today and Netanyahu cut short a trip abroad after the US killing drew promises of revenge from Iran.

Israel, the US's closest ally in the Middle East and Iran's top regional enemy, has not publicly responded to the death of Quds Force chief Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in the US air strike in Baghdad.

But Netanyahu's office confirmed he would return home early from Greece.

Israel's Army Radio said the military was on heightened alert and Defence Minister Naftali Bennett met military and intelligence chiefs for a 'situational assessment'.

Members of Netanyahu's security cabinet have been asked not to comment on the high-profile killings, which Israeli media interpreted as a bid to stave off retaliation from Iran's proxies and allies in the region.

Israel's defence minister ignored orders by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep a low profile as the country prepares its response to the killing of an Iranian general in a US airstrike

Naftali Bennett released pictures of a security meeting in the military's Kirya HQ in Tel Aviv just hours after the death of Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq

These include the Tehran-backed Lebanese movement Hezbollah, and the Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel's deputy foreign minister, said the cabinet 'received an instruction not to be interviewed on this subject' when asked about the commanders' deaths.

Dana Weiss, chief political analyst for Israel's Channel 12 news, said: 'The goal is clear: not to unnecessarily complicate Israel and keep the message as unified as possible.'

But Yair Lapid, an opposition lawmaker, congratulated US President Donald Trump on Twitter for killing those responsible for 'murderous terrorist acts from Damascus to Buenos Aires' and that Soleimani's 'blood is forfeit'.

Yair Lapid, an opposition lawmaker, congratulated US President Donald Trump on Twitter

Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee said the Mount Hermon ski resort, in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights close to the fortified frontier with Syria, had been closed 'following an assessment of the situation'.

'There are no further instructions to the residents of the Golan Heights area and routine activities continue as normal,' he added.

Israel has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat.

In August last year the military said it had foiled a Quds Force attack, administered by Soleimani, involving multiple drones from Syria.

And Israel accused him of leading Quds Force efforts to establish a precision-guided missiles programme for Hezbollah.

The death of Soleimani (left), a figure deeply ingrained in the Iranian regime who many had assumed would be the country's next leader, brings Iran and America to the brink of all-out war. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis had been instrumental in leading attacks on the US embassy (pictured right, outside the building)

Soleimani had just arrived on a flight from Syria, and was in a car leaving the airport when missiles from a US drone killed him

In Gaza, Hamas - which has long enjoyed financial and military support from Tehran - condemned Soleimani's killing and sent its 'dearest condolences' to Iran.

Gaza-based Hamas official Bassem Naim wrote on Twitter that the assassination 'opens the doors of the region to all possibilities, except calm & stability. USA bears the responsibility for that'.

The Iranian-backed Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, also based in Gaza, praised Soleimani as a leader 'who always brought horror into the hearts of America and Israel'.

'The alliance of resistance will not be defeated, will not be broken and its integrity will become stronger in confronting the Zionist-American project,' Abu Hamza, a spokesman for Islamic Jihad, said on Twitter.
Arlene Foster has said that any deal to restore power-sharing must not be a "sticking plaster" as Sinn Fein insisted that an agreement could be reached "very, very quickly" with the right political will.

A series of bilateral meetings and a round-table discussion involving all the parties, as well as Secretary of State Julian Smith and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, were held yesterday.

Alliance and the SDLP appealed for compromise to break the political paralysis which has crippled Stormont for almost three years. Both parties said it was time for politicians to go back to work.

The Ulster Unionists declined to comment on the talks.

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A small group of anti-Irish Language Act protesters gathered at Stormont as the parties resumed dialogue after the Christmas break.

The DUP leader last night told the Belfast Telegraph: "We have had useful discussions with the government as well as some of the other parties.

"It's time for progress and it's time for a fair and balanced deal.

"This deal can't be a sticking plaster. It must recognise that there are people in Northern Ireland with a British, Irish and Northern Irish identity as well as those of none.

"No identity should feel denigrated, rather they should all be able to feel at home in Northern Ireland."

Mrs Foster added: "We will undoubtedly face challenges in the future and we need to ensure the Assembly and Executive can navigate the way through. The incentive for one party to collapse or boycott the Assembly for electoral advantage must be dealt with."

Referring to the health and education crisis, the DUP leader said: "So severe are the problems that even a local ministerial decision-maker will struggle with the in-tray unless there is a proper financial package put on the table to help any incoming minister."

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DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson described the dialogue so far as "very constructive" and said that "all roads lead back to Stormont".

But he warned against "quick-fix solutions", and said the parties "need to get it right" to ensure sustainable government.

"We want Stormont to be credible, strong, robust, so it can withstand the inevitable challenges and difficulties that come down the road," he added.

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Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy said a deal could be reached swiftly and there was "no need" to draw the talks out until the January 13 deadline set by Mr Smith.

"We think agreement can be reached in short order, we don't see any need to run this down to the wire to January 13 in some kind of dramatic way," he said.

"The issues that we are dealing with are all well rehearsed. What we need now is political will to get down to resolving very, very quickly and that is going to be our focus in the next day or two."

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Mr Murphy outlined some of the issues where agreement remains to be reached.

He said: "There are obvious ones around language provision, the petition of concern and its usage, but there are also issues which will be talked out around programme for government, financial resources available to any new Executive.

"This place can't function if we can't deliver for public services; we can't just sit here and be an instrument of Tory austerity.

"We have to have sufficient public resources to be able to deliver services which recognise the particular circumstances in this part of Ireland and the difficulties we face.

"There are a range of issues which will be discussed in the next couple of days.

"None of them, I don't think, need to be exhausted ad infinitum. We need to be bring this to a conclusion.

"There are pressures continuing to mount in relation to public health, health services and the treatment of staff in the health service.

"We need to get back working again so we can fix those as quickly as possible."

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said that the political will existed to secure a deal and it was time for MLAs to get back to work.

"It has always been the case over the last three years that a deal to restore power-sharing government in Northern Ireland could be done within a matter of hours," he said.

"The political will now exists to secure a deal; it's important that parties work intensively to get this over the line.

"The SDLP has worked hard with other parties to deliver proposals which we believe will unlock the impasse by reforming the petition of concern to make it a human-rights-compliant instrument."

The SDLP leader said his party was prepared to stretch itself to reach a consensus that delivered inclusive institutions.

"Next week healthcare workers will again take strike action in defence of patient safety and to secure a fair deal for hard-pressed front line staff," he said.

"Their needs should be at the front of all our minds in the time ahead. It's time we had a government that delivers for healthcare staff, for schools under immense financial strain and for families facing a welfare cliff-edge.

"This is a time to deliver. It's time for politicians to get back to work."

Alliance MLA John Blair also spoke to the need for compromise.

He said: "A deal can be done but it requires compromise on behalf of all the parties.

"Everyone is aware of the deadline of January 13 and therefore there is time to do a deal if people are committed to it.

"Alliance will continue to play our part in reforming a sustainable Executive.

"We have nothing to fear from an election but we are a party committed to devolution so we can deliver for people."
(Bloomberg) -- Businesses operating in California are required to be in compliance with a sweeping new privacy law, the California Consumer Privacy Act, starting this month. Theyll have a few months to figure out the specifics, because the states attorney general is still working out the final rules and isnt expected to start enforcement until July. But the new requirements are already causing widespread anxiety among many businesses that handle consumer data.

A wave of startups, law firms and consultants are looking to take advantage of that anxietyand to capture some of the $55 billion that companies are expected to spend on initial compliance with the law. Bart Willemsen, an analyst at Gartner who advises clients on compliance, has identified over 200 companies pitching products to help companies adhere to privacy rules. None of them actually offer a comprehensive solution. There's no single silver bullet, he said.

The CCPA mandates that businesses are able to tell customers what data they have gathered about them, and to stop selling that data upon request. That requires companies to be more conscious of what data they keep and where they keep it. Building those tools from scratch can be complicated and expensive.

One startup, TerraTrue Inc., aims to help other businesses keep track of sensitive user data. What we're doing is building a complete privacy platform that lets companies automate the ways in which they comply all these privacy laws, said Chris Handman, the startups chief operating officer.

TerraTrue grew out of work the startups founders, who were previously executives at Snap Inc., did to build that companys internal privacy systems. The company has raised $4.5 million from investors so far. It joins a host of other startups helping companies prepare for the CCPA, including Austin-based Osano Inc., which has raised over $8 million, and Securiti Inc., which announced a $31 million round of investment in August.

Story continues

Other companies like DataFleets Ltd. are pitching sophisticated machine learning tools designed to minimize the risk of exposing customers private information. The data never leaves their phone, they retain complete control with it, it remains compliant with data regulations, said David Gilmore, the companys chief executive officer.

Some companies have already been adapting to stricter privacy rules elsewhere, such as the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. Those that have done so are better prepared to comply with Californias law, according to Peter Reinhardt, CEO of Segment.io Inc., a San Francisco-based startup that is helping customers navigate the new data laws. The laws arent identical, but some of the preparation is transferrable. CCPA hits hard the companies that aren't operating globally and this is the first time they need to deal with it, said Reinhardt.

The CCPA only applies to companies that generate more than $25 million in annual revenue, handle personal information of more than 50,000 people or devices, or earn more than half their revenue from selling personal information. Many companies are experiencing significant privacy rules for the first time, and some seem prepared to test the limits. Alphabet Inc.s Google and Facebook Inc. contend that theyre exempt from rules governing companies that sell data, since they say they dont share consumer data with ad buyers.

Other companies will likely ignore some of the bills provisions until they see how its enforced. The California Attorney Generals Office has said it has limited resources for enforcement. Handman of TerraTrue says many businesses are unsure about what they need to do, which creates a greater interest in products that clarify that confusion.

Even companies who could handle the law independently may be tempted to pay for outside help. Marco Zappacosta, the CEO of the California-based local services company Thumbtack Inc., said he has assigned staff on his engineering, product, marketplace, policy and legal teams to prepare the company for the new rules. But he hopes to have them back to their regular jobs soon. Look, you talk to any tech company and I bet they will tell you they are engineering or product constrained, said Zappacosta. Any effort that takes away from that has an opportunity cost.

The CCPA likely wont be the last new privacy rule that companies have to figure out. India is considering sweeping legislation, and the United Kingdom could formulate its own approach once when it leaves the European Union. U.S. states like New York and Washington are considering their own legislation, as is Congress.

Technology industry groups worry that a regulatory patchwork could make compliance more burdensome. That could be bad news for businesses trying not to run afoul of any new laws. But it could be a welcome development for those companies who want to help them do so.

To contact the author of this story: Eric Newcomer in New York at enewcomer@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Joshua Brustein at jbrustein@bloomberg.net

For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com

2020 Bloomberg L.P.
The Australian banking sector has rolled out a natural disaster program for customers in communities impacted by the bushfire and drought emergencies that are devastating parts of the country.

The Australian Bankers Association on Friday announced a suite of fee-and-loan-repayment changes to help customers get through the crisis. Member banks include the big four banks and a host of other lenders, including Macquarie, AMP, Rabobank, Suncorp, ING, Bank of Queensland and ME Bank.

The aftermath of the bushfire in Mallacoota Credit:Rachel Mounsey

Under the scheme, member banks will, on request, defer scheduled loan repayments and waive some fees and charges, including break costs on early redemption of farm management deposits.

Banks will also defer interest payments on a case-by-case basis.
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Linkedin Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Fri, January 3 2020

Hard time: Evacuees from the recent flooding in Jakarta, many of whom are women and children, take up temporary shelter in a building provided by Borobudur University in East Jakarta on Thursday. More than 700 residents of Kampung Makasar, an area severely affected by the disaster, are staying there as they wait for floodwaters to recede. (JP/Dionnasius Aditya)

The ground in Tomang subdistrict in Grogol Petamburan, West Jakarta, was still wet on Thursday morning after a downpour the night before and even more torrential rain that started on New Years Eve.

Two classrooms at SD 11 Tomang state elementary school were packed with dozens of evacuees who had fled their homes after they became inundated by floodwaters of up to 1 meter in depth. Fortunately for them, the school was still on a year-end semester break.

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TOKYONew clues emerged on Friday on how Carlos Ghosn pulled off his audacious escape from Japan, as a Turkish charter jet company said its planes were used illegally to pull off the plan, while the Japanese news media reported that surveillance camera footage showed the disgraced auto industry mogul leaving his Tokyo home on Sunday by himself.

Taken together, the disclosures paint a picture of a dash across Japan to a waiting plane that swept Ghosn across Asia to Lebanon. Still, most of the details of Ghosns getaway remain murky and unconfirmed. The authorities in Japan and Turkey still appear to be investigating how he did it.

Ghosn  who has maintained his innocence  was facing four charges of financial wrongdoing in Japan and was set to go on trial sometime next year. But he escaped instead, saying that he did not trust what he called the rigged Japanese justice system to give him a fair trial. He built and once ran the Nissan-Renault auto alliance, one of the worlds biggest car-making empires, but was arrested after arriving in Tokyo in November 2018.

In Turkey on Friday, MNG Jet, an aircraft charter company, said one of its employees had falsified records to remove Ghosns name from the official documentation for two flights. The company said the employee confessed to acting alone, without managements knowledge. MNG Jet did not disclose the employees name.

News outlets in Turkey reported this week that Ghosn left on a plane from Osaka, Japan, late Sunday aboard a business jet and landed at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. He then switched planes and flew to Beirut, the reports said.

The news accounts match the flight records of a Bombardier business aircraft operated by MNG Jet that took off from Osaka just after 11 p.m. local time and landed in Istanbul about 12 hours later, according to data from FlightAware, a flight tracking service.

MNG Jet said it had no indication the two flights were connected. It said it filed its criminal complaint in Turkey on Wednesday and that it hopes that the people who illegally used and/or facilitated the use of the services of the company will be duly prosecuted.

It is not clear how Ghosn, who was under heavy surveillance in Tokyo, could have eluded the authorities and make his way to Osaka, which is roughly 300 miles west of Tokyo.

In Japan on Friday, news outlets reported that Ghosn walked out of his Tokyo home alone on Sunday but never came back. The news reports cited anonymous sources with knowledge of footage of the cameras surrounding his rented house in a central district of the city.

Prosecutors are investigating whether Ghosn, after leaving his home, met up with a group that helped his escape to Lebanon, according to the national broadcaster NHK and the economic daily Nikkei Shimbun.

The footage described in the news reports was from security cameras installed in front of the two-story house in an upscale neighbourhood in the city centre, the outlets reported, citing sources close to the investigation. Three surveillance cameras had been installed above the doorway of Ghosns house as part of a bail agreement that placed tight restrictions on his movements and ability to communicate with the outside world.

The mystery has fed into some colourful theories. At least one Lebanese news media outlet had reported that Ghosn was smuggled out of his home in a musical instrument box. Lebanese officials have said Ghosn  who is a citizen of France, Lebanon and Brazil  arrived legally with a French passport, even though he had agreed to surrender three of his passports to his lawyers as a condition of his bail.

Japanese authorities have stayed conspicuously silent about the escape of the countrys most high-profile criminal defendant. Prosecutors raided Ghosns Tokyo home on Thursday afternoon. Ghosns departure appeared to be timed for the eve of Japans weeklong New Years holiday, the countrys most important.

Still, signs are mounting that Japanese officials are responding. On Thursday, Albert Serhan, the Lebanese justice minister, said that the countrys public prosecutor had received a red notice from Interpol related to Ghosns case, according to the state-run National News Agency. Such a notice is issued for individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

Interpols online list of public red notices did not show an entry for Ghosn as of early Friday.

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$1 Million Gift from Ellis Family Foundation Supports UW Scholarships

A $1 million gift from the Ellis Family Foundation, doubled to $2 million by the state matching funds program, will create the F.E. Tut and V. Diane Ellis Presidents Endowed Scholarship, supporting the best and brightest Wyoming students seeking engineering degrees at UW.

Education allowed Tut and Diane Ellis to see the world, says Valerie Jochen of the Ellis Family Foundation. But, no matter where they roamed, Wyoming has always been home. Passing it forward is an honor.

The Wyoming Legislature established a $2.5 million state matching funds program in March 2019 to support the UW Presidents Endowed Scholarship Program. Donor gifts of a minimum of $50,000 were doubled to create named endowments, and donors were able to direct funding to support students in their areas of interest, such as degree program, geographic location or other demographic criteria.

The generosity of the Ellis Family Foundation and the state of Wyoming is allowing the University of Wyoming to compete successfully with other leading universities to recruit outstanding high school seniors, says UW Acting President Neil Theobald. The funding from donors and the state matching funds program also is making it possible for meritorious incoming freshmen from families in need to attend UW.

Scholarships are vital for engineering majors who often need financial assistance to complete their degrees. The F.E. Tut and V. Diane Ellis Presidents Endowed Scholarship will have a significant impact on recruiting Wyoming students, extending even more opportunities for students who want to enroll in the UW College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The Ellis Family Foundation endowment will have an immensely positive impact, far beyond what I think any of us can imagine at this moment, says Cameron Wright, interim dean and professor of electrical and computer engineering. While UW is a top-rated school for affordability and value, there is still a profound need for financial assistance to pursue higher education. Our future students, who perhaps wouldnt have otherwise had the chance to attend college, will be able to use this amazingly generous gift and pay the world back tenfold by going on to solve the engineering communitys most important challenges. We are so very grateful to the Ellis Family Foundation for that opportunity, which they have provided with this gift.

In addition to the Presidents Endowed Scholarship, the Ellis Family Foundation previously established the F.E. Tut and Diane Ellis Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, an award that has supported generations of future petroleum engineers.

Support for the Presidents Endowed Scholarship program has created unprecedented interest, as numerous donors have stepped forward to create new scholarship opportunities for Wyoming students. The Ann Pickard and Dan Smith Presidents Endowed Scholarship for First-Generation Students is a scholarship reserved for high-achieving first-generation Wyoming residents. The Kemmerer Presidents Endowed Scholarship is for students in the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management Program. The Stark Family Presidents Endowed Scholarship, established by Doug and Deniz Stark, supports transfer students to the UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A total of 22 gifts have captured almost the entirety of the $2.5 million state matching fund, which is anticipated to soon be reached in full.

Other areas supported by the Presidents Endowed Scholarships include community college transfer students; Native American students; women students in engineering; and students in business, education, engineering, environment and natural resources, ecosystem science and management, molecular biology, zoology, physiology, ecology, chemistry and physics.

The generous philanthropy of donors supporting the Presidents Endowed Scholarship program provides life-changing opportunities. This scholarship fund demonstrates UWs commitment to affordable excellence, ensuring opportunities for Wyoming students.

Were delighted with this remarkable gift and what it will help us accomplish on behalf of Wyomings university, says Ben Blalock, UW Foundation president/CEO. The Ellis Family Foundation is investing in UW excellence. This is a gift that brings leadership and prestige to UW.

There are still opportunities to establish a Presidents Endowed Scholarship fund that can be met by the state matching fund program. Call the UW Foundation at (307) 766-6300 or visit www.uwyo.edu/foundation/presidents-endowed-scholarship to learn more.
Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., speaks about the new iPhone during an event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019.

Check out the companies making headlines before the bell:

Apple  Bank of America raised its price target on the stock to $330 per share from $290, pointing to continued strength in revenue growth. At the same time, RBC Capital raised its price target for Apple to $330 from $295, saying it sees higher customer interest and satisfaction with current iPhones as well as positive reception for AirPods.

Illumina  Illumina has called off its deal to buy rival gene sequencing company Pacific Biosciences. The companies had announced the deal in November 2018, but ended it several weeks after US regulators filed a complaint to block the transaction.

Anixter  The back-and-forth between two bidders for the networking equipment maker continues, with industrial products distributor Wesco International sweetening its bid to $97 per share in cash and stock. Anixter had agreed Thursday to a sweetened takeover deal from private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice for $93.50 per share. The takeover battle began on Oct. 31 when Anixter agreed to an $82-per-share deal from Clayton Dubilier.

Incyte  Incyte is under pressure after a phase-3 study of an experimental treatment failed to meet its goals. The therapy was designed to treat patients who have negative reactions to bone marrow transplants.

Tesla  Tesla cut the starting price for Model 3 sedans produced in China by 16%, after receiving government subsidies for its electric vehicles.

Bunge  Bunge sold its stake in an Iowa ethanol plant amid struggles for the biofuel industry. The grain processing company had held the stake for 13 years, but sold it back to Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy for an undisclosed price.

McClatchy  McClatchy froze pension payments to some of its former executives as the newspaper publisher engaged a bankruptcy administration firm. McClatchy is seeking a government takeover of its pension plan, after saying in November that it would be unable to make a required $124 million payment to the plan due this year.

Acorda Therapeutics  Acorda is seeing its shares jump on news that investor Steven Cohen's Point72 Asset Management disclosed a 9.8% stake in the drugmaker.

Humana  Goldman Sachs added the health care company to its "Conviction Buy" list, saying it expects meaningful upward revisions to earnings estimates due to the recent repeal of a fee on health insurers.

L Brands  Bank of America upgraded the Victoria's Secret parent to "buy" from "neutral" based on inexpensive valuation, a high dividend yield and growth at Bath & Body Works.

Endo International  The drugmaker was upgraded to "overweight" from "neutral" at Piper Jaffray, which feels the share price does not reflect a solid earnings stream for the foreseeable future.
Several leading Fine Gael ministers and party members have rejected accusations of targeting Fianna Fail TD Lisa Chambers in a sinister fashion, as claimed by Fianna Fails Michael McGrath.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr McGrath hit out at the singling out of Ms Chambers, a new TD, a newcomer, and a woman.

Fine Gael in return has demanded an apology from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin for demanding the resignation of then tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald in 2017.

Health Minister Simon Harris blasted Mr McGraths comments about Ms Chambers, a Mayo TD and Fianna Fails Brexit spokeswoman.: as hypocritical for seeking to highlight the treatment of Ms Chambers, a Mayo TD and the partys Brexit spokeswoman, when Fianna Fail hounded Ms Fitzgerald out of office.

I think its actually quite hypocritical, he told the Irish Examiner. You will remember that this is the party that hounded my colleague, Frances Fitzgerald out of office and you will remember that then we actually had a process because fair due process is important.

We actually had a process there where a judge who looked at all of the issues exonerated Frances. And you know what we havent had an apology. So will 2020 be the year that FF and Micheal Martin finally man up and actually apologise to Frances Fitzgerald for the way that they treated her?

Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said the questions being asked of Ms Chambers are merely seeking to uphold standards.

Upholding standards now sinister, she said. What is sinister is an elected representative not knowing how to vote for herself alone, and how to take responsibility for her own actions instead of denying them.

Fine Gael senator and former TD Jerry Buttimer, who is a rival in the upcoming election to Mr McGrath in the Cork South-Central, accused the Fianna Fail finance spokesman of being selective in his attacks.

Real case of Michael McGrath being selective, he said on social media.

Fianna Fail had no problem targeting Frances Fitzgerald. His party drove her from office. Yet cleared and guess what, Fianna Fail and Micheal Martin still owes her an apology. You were all quiet then.

Mr McGrath warned the general election is set to be nasty and personalised. even though he says it puts the public off politics.
Lets see if you can sort the sane from the other in the following hot takes on the termination with extreme prejudice of Irans terrorist commander Qassem Soleimani at the order of President Trump yesterday.

Rich Lowry comments:

This is an incredibly bold move that shows that Trumps red line against harming Americans was very real. The conventional wisdom that Trump is just a Twitter tiger, which was driving news and analysis as of a couple of hours ago, is now emphatically OTBE. Soleimani is commonly called a terrorist, obviously true enough, but not only that  he was a major figure in the Iranian regime, a key strategist with unique skills who led the Iranian imperial project in the Middle East. He was also a cold-blooded killer of Americans who deserved to die. His assassination has to be a staggering blow to the regime, which will feel compelled to respond. Trump now may well face the first true foreign-policy crisis of his presidency, although we can, assuming the will, hit the Iranians back harder whatever their next move is (challenging us more forthrightly in Iraq would seem an obvious possibility). Lets hope we are prepared for whatever comes next, and congratulate all involved in this successful operation to rid the world of a cunning and ruthless killer.

We continue with hot takes via Twitter.

Soleimani killed hundreds of Americans and had designs on killing countless more. His loss is a major blow to Iran. Acting in our defense is never certain, but the good guys won today  and Trumps approach is better than paying off the bad guys or pretending theyre not so bad.  Andy McCarthy (@AndrewCMcCarthy) January 3, 2020

Thanks for the tip, guys https://t.co/xi0R7wuvc4  Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) January 3, 2020

4:30 AM (IQ time): Iraqi protesters at Baghdads Tahrir Square are celebrating the death of Qassem Solaimani in a US airstrike. #Iraq pic.twitter.com/Fw5BmQm2yX  Baxtiyar Goran (@BaxtiyarGoran) January 3, 2020

Trump Middle East policy. Seems sound. https://t.co/Xrevi6wiVV  Lee Smith (@LeeSmithDC) January 3, 2020

Perhaps it would have been a better idea to send him $1.7 billion in unmarked bills, in pallets on planes in the dead of night, so he could kill more Americans? https://t.co/t5Mj2SMyq5  Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 3, 2020

Senator Cruz responds to former Obama foreign-policy guru Ben Rhodes. Compare and contrast. Now for a few more representative voices of the Democratic Party, beginning with its media adjunct:

Most revered ????? Soleimani is responsible for shedding blood of US soldiers and terrorizing the globe. @washingtonpost headline is an absolute embarrassment and needs to be immediately retracted. https://t.co/eBQf70uKIE  Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 3, 2020

Two days apart. It really is sad what partisanship is doing to people. First @ChrisMurphyCT complains that we are impotent and just praying for the bad guys to go away, then he declares it was wrong for us to take out the worst bad guy in the region. Shameless. pic.twitter.com/yrX2UfOswf  (((AG))) (@AGHamilton29) January 3, 2020

And, finally:
Over 200 Lawmakers Urge Supreme Court to Reconsider Roe v. Wade

More than 200 lawmakers filed a brief to the Supreme Court, arguing that the landmark abortion case of Roe v. Wade should be reconsidered because the right to abortion standard is unworkable.

Thirty-nine Republican senators and 166 House Republicans suggested to the high court in an amicus brief in an upcoming abortion case that they should take up the issue of whether Roe v. Wade should be reconsidered. The submission said the principles in the case contained ambiguity and has been construed by lower courts inconsistently. Two DemocratsRep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-Ill.)also signed the brief.

Forty-six years after Roe was decided, it remains a radically unsettled precedent, the lawmakers wrote in their brief (pdf).

They argued that the principles in Roe were haphazard from the beginning and that the judges in the case only implied that there was a fundamental constitutional right to abortion.

Instead, the court only required that regulations be reasonably relate[d] to the States interest and tailored to the recognized state interests,' they wrote. The cases decided since did not consistently treat abortion as a fundamental right and did not consistently apply strict scrutiny.

The right to abortion is not an issue in the case, cited as June Medical Services LLC v. Gee, where the brief was filed. The case deals with a challenge to a 2014 state law, Act 620, that requires doctors performing abortions to have hospital admitting privileges within 30 miles of where the procedure was taking place. The lawmakers brief was filed in support of Dr. Rebekah Gee in her official capacity as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Healththe respondent in the case.

The state argued that the admitting privilegeswhich means a doctor is required to be a member of a hospitals medical staff with the ability to admit patients in order to provide diagnostic and therapeutic serviceswere necessary to protect patients health and safety.

But the appellants June Medical Services and two doctors argued that the law imposes an undue burden on women seeking abortion services. Opponents have also said the law could effectively reduce the states abortion providers. The appellants also argued that the law is unconstitutional because the Supreme Court had already struck down an almost identical law in Texas in 2016.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Lousianas abortion restrictions after determining the Lousiana law was remarkably different from the Texas one. The Supreme Court agreed to review the case in October and is set to hear oral arguments in March.

In their brief, the lawmakers urged the top court to uphold the circuit courts decision saying that the appellants lacked standing to bring the case on behalf of its patients. They argued that the Lousiana abortion clinics, including June Medical Services, was not interested in the safety of its patients while citing their long history of professional disciplinary actions and substandard medical care.

The lawmakers also argued that the circuit court was right in deciding that the Lousiana law did not impose an undue burden on access to abortion. It argued that the Lousiana law was different from the Texas law because it was trying to bring abortion facilities into into the same set of standards as applied to abortionists in surgery centers.

The Fifth Circuit also found that the record regarding hospital credentialing in Louisiana is starkly different from that in [Whole Womans Health v. Hellerstedt]. Unlike Texas, Louisiana was not attempting to target or single out abortion facilities,' they wrote.

This brief comes after almost 200 Democratic senators and representatives filed a similar brief in support of appellants (pdf) asking the courts to strike down the Lousiana law.
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry appreciates the government's decision to review all existing Foreign Trade Agreements with its various FTA partner countries and groups, as a step towards protection of domestic industries and traders, and enhancing the export growth in the economy. It is an important development for India as there has been a growing concern in different quarters including the industry that the benefits for India have been very limited from the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) that the country has signed and implemented so far, Dr D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. In order to derive greater benefits from the already signed FTAs, the government's decision to review all existing FTAs is a laudable move, said Dr Aggarwal.

FTAs have to be signed keeping two things in mind, mutually reciprocal terms and focusing on products and services with maximum export potential, he said. India is a fairly open economy with overall trade (exports plus imports) as a percentage of GDP at around 43% in 2018. Indian exports have gradually found their way into new markets and the export sector has moved up the value chain. It is imperative to note that India has viewed FTAs as an important tool to enhance its trade and investment, and signed a number of trade agreements with various countries or groups, said Dr Aggarwal.

Although FTAs are instrumental in creating seamless trade blocs that can aid trade and economic growth, there exist genuine concerns of trade asymmetry as India's exports to FTA countries have not outperformed overall export growth or exports to rest of the world. At this time, when the Indian government has decided to review the existing FTAs with the different countries or groups and has also decided to not be a part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) it is pertinent to examine the progress of trade between India and its key FTA partner countries and groups.

The major FTAs that India has signed and implemented so far include South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), India - ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), India - Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and India - Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

FTAs have led to increased imports and exports, although this has widened the trade deficit. For example India's combined trade deficit with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Korea and Japan has almost doubled to USD 42 billion in FY 2019 from USD 24 billion in FY2017 and USD 15 billion in FY2011 (with the signing of the respective FTAs).

To harness the export potential of the country it is suggested that the scope of FTAs need to be widened with the inclusion of services sector. Also, more items and products which hold greater export potential from India's domestic manufacturers could be added in the ambit to diversify our basket of export offerings, said Dr Aggarwal.

Market access of Indian products in the FTA partner countries and groups need to be negotiated well as the country faces lot of hurdles to reach their markets and supply products to our various FTA partner nations and groups. The Government should review its existing FTAs in terms of benefits to various stakeholders like industry and consumers, trade complementarities and changing trade patterns in the past decade. A well-balanced Free Trade Agreement deals addressing the concerns of all the stakeholders is the need of the hour, added Dr D K Aggarwal.

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A former Clinton mayor and councilman has been honored by municipal, county and state officials for his nearly four decades of public service.

After being defeated in the November election, Robert B. Smith announced that he will not run for a fourth stint on the Town Council come the next election season.

Smith, 81, said that his decision to retire from politics was motivated by both his age and his desire to spend more time with his family.

Im looking to travel more. Ill probably come up with a bucket list of things that I want to be doing. And go around the country visiting my kids, because theyre spread out all over Gods half-acre, Smith said.

Smith served his first term on the Clinton Town Council from 1972 to 1973, his second from 1987 through to 2003, and his third from 2011 to the end of 2019.

He was also elected mayor of Clinton in 1974, and served in the position for a period of ten years.

Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach, who defeated Smith in the 2003 council election and again in the 2011 mayoral election, honored his 38 years of public service during his last council meeting on Dec. 10 with a joint legislative resolution that she read into the record.

The resolution was composed by Senator Michael Doherty (R-23) and Assemblymen John DiMaio (R-23) and Erik Peterson (R-23), and passed by both the state Senate and General Assembly.

Robert B. Smith has demonstrated an uncommon level of commitment to his fellow citizens since 1972," Kovach said in a video posted by New Jersey Hills Media Group. "The depth of his knowledge and breadth of his experience have immeasurably furthered Clintons successful functioning.

The Hunterdon County Board of Freeholders also passed a resolution recognizing Smiths service during their meeting on Dec. 17.

Freeholder Matt Holt, who served with Smith for a decade on the Clinton Town Council, said that there was not much he did not do as a council member.

One thing I would say is that Bobs values to the town -- most people would not begin to understand or know. He is literally one of the individuals that built, designed, and kept the sewer department running, Holt said. From a very early timeframe, (as) a freshman council member coming on board, he was a mentor."

Despite his extensive experience in office, Smith, a Republican, denies being a party politician.

In a small town, there shouldnt be party politics," Smith said. "To this day I tell people, when the election is over, forget your party politics. Youre serving whats best for Clinton.

Echoing Smith, Kovach stated that the former councilmans first priority was always the town.

Right after the (2011) election he became my partner (on Council). And hes forgotten more than I will ever know, when you look at it," Kovach said.

It didnt matter what the parties were saying; what the wars were that were going on anywhere else. If it benefitted the town of Clinton, he and I would definitely lock step. And he was probably one of my greatest advocates in the work I was doing, she added.

Smith said that he decided to run for office nearly half a century prior after expressing his dissatisfaction with the price of the Clintons new sewer system at a town council meeting.

The estimate came in at one price, and when they finally got ready to hook everybody up, it doubled," Smith said. And I went to a council meeting and asked, What happened? and I was told it was none of my business. And that got me ticked off enough, and I found out that the only way to find out what was wrong was to get involved.

The roots of Smiths inspiration to immerse himself in public service reflects his priorities as a public servant. A licensed New Jersey professional engineer, Smith labeled the development of the water and sewer utilities systems in Clinton as one of his greatest accomplishments.

Under his service, a second million gallon addition was fixed to the Clinton Wastewater Treatment plant, and a large number of wells -- eight in total -- were implemented throughout the county.

(Water and sewer) is a million dollar corporation today, run on part-time government," Smith said. "With the sewer (operations), I just tried to keep up with all the state mandates without pricing people out of existence, get some innovative dunes, operate the plant to meet all the safe requirements, and (work with) the water company to develop new wells.

Smith expressed his particular pride in the evolution of Clintons water and sewer systems -- which also provides service to portions of other municipalities including Clinton Township, Franklin Township, Union Township, and Lebanon Borough -- despite its limited staff, the number of which has expanded over the years with the changing of state requirements.

We only had a couple of people trying to keep up with everything in the water and sewer companies," Smith said. "For years weve done more with less, and the rest of the world is catching up on philosophy.

Clinton continues to evolve its water and sewer operations, as both Smith and Kovach confirmed that in the coming year a new water main line will be installed in West Main Street, and a new dryer press building added to convert sludge transported from the sewer plant into disposable products.

In addition to serving as a council member, Smith also served on the towns Planning Board and Finance Committee, and enjoys over 70 years of experience with the Boy Scouts of America for Warren and Hunterdon counties.

Smith said that each of these roles were equally important to servicing Clinton.

I dont think I could say theres one more than the other. At each given point in time, theres different requirements and different demands of the community," Smith said.

According to Smith, his expansive involvement in various Clinton organizations mirrors the active spirit of the community as a whole.

The town is 1.2 square miles. Weve got about 2,500 people. And its just a town where ... everybody pitched in," Smith said.

In his absence, Smith said that he hopes the council continues to prioritize improving the downtown Clinton area, the stores of which he said were 60% vacant when he began his first term as mayor.

It took a lot of wheeling and dealing to get people interesting in developing the area ... I think people have gotten to a point where they started to realize that in order to keep the ambiance of Clinton, you have to have a vibrant Main Street," Smith said.

(The council) needs to continue to work with the merchants to improve on the downtown area. And I think they -- the council and business community -- finally realized that theyve all got to come together -- their individual wants and desires. Theyve got to work toward a common goal," Smith added.

While looking forward to his upcoming travels, Smith said that he will remain in Clinton and remain involved in various community projects, including the merging of the Clinton and High Bridge rescue squads.

The Clinton (First Aid &) Rescue Squad was the first in the state to have paid daytime crews ... (the Squad) provides daytime coverage for High Bridge, Hampton, and even a crew up in Somerville. And its gotten to the point where now were looking to do a formal merger to bring the High Bride (Emergency) Squad into Clinton and even change the name of the squad," Smith explained.

Smiths ongoing commitment to improving Clinton reflects Kovachs belief that his devotion to servicing the town is unparalleled by other officials.

The number of years and the work that hes done, theres no one that can match that kind of a commitment to a community, Kovach said.

Caroline Fassett can be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com.

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About a decade back, the marine industry saw a significant boom which leads to the rise in demand for seafarers around the world, resulting in a sudden shortage of maritime officers.

India is already emerging as a significant powered nation on the world maritime scene. India ranks 15th in the world in terms of total DWT. India currently supplies around 12.8% of officers and around 14.5% of ratings to the world seafaring community. This is one of the highest of any country. Competition among all maritime nations is becoming tougher nowadays.

The Merchant Navy is the backbone of any international trade process, carrying cargo all over the world. And due to this, the shipping industries and private Merchant ships employ a vast number of workers onboard for their shipment goods transportation from one country to another. Without the merchant navy, the import-export business would come to a grinding halt! These facts created a significant demand and supply gap of trained maritime employees and training centers.

No matter how fast the world changes around, a career at sea will stand you in good time. It starts with technical learning, both at sea and on-shore. Along the way, one can get an opportunity to work with advanced technologies and also developing technical skills.

Why Career in the Merchant Navy in the First Place?

As a leading shipping management services, we at Westline Shipping Industry is providing the recommendation for a career in marine. A career in the Merchant Navy is different from the defence navy. Merchant navy offers commercial services, as opposed to the navy, which is primarily involved in defence of a nation.

Merchant Navy - Job Prospects A career in the merchant navy is not only monetarily rewarding but also quite challenging.

There are a vast number of employment opportunities in this field. Candidates who have finished the training of merchant navy from Westline Shipping get jobs very quickly in the shipping companies across the globe as Westline Shipping is a leading and licensed ship management company in India. Merchant navy fleet consists of cargo ships, container ships, a barge carrying ships, tankers, bulk carriers, refrigerators ships, passenger ships, as well as roll-off/roll on ships.

Companies that run merchant ships require trained people who can operate and maintain the vessel. Qualified people are needed in the three central departments of the ship: the deck, the engine and the service department.

In India, job opportunities are also available in government and private shipping companies like Shipping Corporation of India, clearinghouses, del credere agents etc.

Where will a career at sea take you?

At Westline Shipping, we are committed to providing management services to the shipping industry. We, therefore, promote training, commitment and career development for competent, qualified and aspiring youth. We aim to provide an excellent platform for applicants interested in long term career prospects within the shipping industry.

At every step of the training, we are here to provide you with the support to make the best of your talents. You'll come away with professional certificates, education and technical skills  start your maritime career that is full of international travel and incredible journeys with huge pay package.




Haiti - Politic : Faced with difficulties in mobilizing, the opposition changes its positions





Faced with difficulties in mobilizing and popular pressure, the leaders of the radical opposition, Senator Youri Latortue and Me Andre Michel, announced changes in position.



After 11 weeks of school disruption caused by the socio-political crisis and insecurity, which made lose 41 class days out of the 189 scheduled in the initial school calendar to millions of students https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28379-haiti-flash-school-calendar-2019-2020-all-dates.html , these leaders advocate the back to classroom (relaunched since December 2 by the Ministry https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29483-haiti-flash-school-calendar-revised-official.html ).



On his Twitter account, Senator Youri Latortue, a native of Gonaives, writes "Gonaiviennes, Gonaiviens, I am proud of your courage. On January 7 our children will go to school, however the mobilization continues every weekend. Happy fighting year. Your determination is an example" without a word on the responsibility of the opposition in depriving classes of millions of students...



It seems that this change of position has its origin in popular pressure in general and parents in particular, tired of these long months of mobilization, demanding that we stop taking their children in hostage and that we ensure a recovery of school activities as planned by the Ministry https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29483-haiti-flash-school-calendar-revised-official.html safely on January 7.



Andre Michel, Spokesman of the radical opposition also ignoring the responsibility of the opposition in the closure of schools https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28713-haiti-education-the-minister-cadet-denounces-the-taking-in-hostage-of-the-education-system.html rejects the fault on the President Moise, affirming on WhatsApp "It is necessary that the children of the people return to school on January 7 next on all the national territory. We don't want them to miss the school year. The State must take measures to guarantee security, pay the teachers, and other measures for the re-opening of classes [...] We are not going to allow Jovenel Moise to make sure that schoolchildren miss the school year," adding that from now on demonstrations to force the departure of the Head of State will be organized on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and also at night.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29483-haiti-flash-school-calendar-revised-official.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29443-haiti-education-private-schools-take-steps-to-recover-the-41-days-of-classes-lost.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28713-haiti-education-the-minister-cadet-denounces-the-taking-in-hostage-of-the-education-system.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28379-haiti-flash-school-calendar-2019-2020-all-dates.html



PI/ HaitiLibre


















People visit the Great Wall to celebrate the New Year in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 1, 2020. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

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New Delhi: Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Bipin Rawat has set out to create a common Air Defence Command to secure the country from aerial attacks.

Also, he has directed that efforts be made to cut out infructuous ceremonial activities, which are manpower intensive.

Currently while Air Force is primarily responsible for air defence, Army and Navy too have their own air defense systems.

Gen. Rawat held a meeting with functionaries of Integrated Defence Staff and directed various branch heads to come up with recommendations for inter-service synergy and jointness in a time bound manner. He directed that a proposal to create Air Defence Command be prepared by June 30. He also set out priorities for execution of synergy by June 30 and December 31.

Some of the areas identified for jointness and synergy among Army, Air Force and Navy include creation of common logistics support pools in stations where two or more services have their presence.

Emphasising collegiate system of functioning, Gen. Rawat directed that all three services and Coast Guard must be consulted and their views obtained in a time bound manner. Decisions will, however, be taken to ensure optimisation of resources, said officials.

As CDS, Gen Rawat will be the Principal Military Advisor to the defence minister on all tri-services matters besides helming the newly set up department of military affairs (DMA).

The Chief of the Defence Staff will have a key role in ensuring optimum utilisation of allocated budget, ushering in more synergy in procurement, training and operations of the services through joint planning and integration.
Illinois cannabis sales bring in $3.2 million on day one Illinois' first day of legal recreational cannabis translated to a good chunk of green -- nearly $3.2 million in sales.

Good question from our blog community and a glimpse at theround the nation. Fed law could provide guidance but in the meantime locals are losing out because of "values" that no longer exist . . . Read more:
Crime, especially murders, remained unabated in the Caribbean in 2019.





Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda and even Barbados were among CARICOM countries where crime had become a major issue this year.





In Jamaica 1,326 murders were committed in Jamaica up to December 28, according to official police statistics. The number is 43 more than the similar period in 2018.





Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his government remained committed to fighting the crime situation in the country, as private sector groups called on it, as well as the opposition Peoples National Party (PNP), to end their combative utterances on crime and channel their efforts towards expediting the national consensus on crime.





In Trinidad and Tobago, as in Jamaica, the murder toll passed the 2018 figure of 517, despite the appointment a tear ago of a Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, who promised to deal with the situation. But while the 54-year-old Griffith is being regarded as a "super hero in some quarters, he has not hidden his disgust at the fact that the courts are releasing on bail criminals caught with high powered rifles.





In Barbados, the levels of crime and violence grew to an unprecedented level in 2019. The island had recorded 49 murders as the year was coming to an end, the highest ever number recorded, almost doubling the 28 murders of 2018.





In an attempt to stem the rising violence the Mia Mottley administration in April made amendments to the Firearms Act so that where a person was charged with murder, treason and high treason or an offence under the Firearms Act which is punishable with imprisonment of ten years or more, that person shall not be granted bail unless 24 months have passed.




R ose McGowan has caused a huge stir on Twitter after sending an apology tweet to Iran.

The American actress, who has been an outspoken voice in the #MeToo movement, told the country that 52 per cent of US citizens "humbly" apologise after the Iranian general Qasem Soleimani was killed in a air strike on Friday.

Iranian leaders have vowed harsh revenge" against America after Donald Trump ordered the attack on Tehran's top military commander in Baghdad.

Responding to the escalating situation, McGowan tweeted that the majority of Americans were "being held hostage by a terrorist regime" and implored Iran not to "kill us".

She wrote: "Dear #Iran, The USA has disrespected your country, your flag, your people. 52% of us humbly apologize. We want peace with your nation.

"We are being held hostage by a terrorist regime. We do not know how to escape. Please do not kill us. #Soleimani."

Iranians demonstrate against 'American crimes' in the capital Tehran on Friday / AFP via Getty Images

Thousands were quick to react to the tweet, criticising the actress for "the most un-American tweet ever" and citing Iran's differing attitude towards women.

One user wrote: "This tweet is so spectacularly bad that Ive no doubt it will make it through the entire year and be a top contender for worst tweet of the year."

Another said: "This has to be the most un-American tweet ever."and a third asked: "Is this a parody account?"

Amid criticism, she tweeted: "I do no side with Iran, but I most definitely do not side with the USA."

She used the hashtag #TeamStayAlive.

In another tweet, she added: "Of course #Soleimani was an evil evil man who did evil evil things. But that at this moment is not the f****** point.

"The United States is morally corrupt and acts illegally. It is only logical to appeal to Irans pride by apologizing. Im taking one for the team."

Gen. Soleimani, 62, was being driven by car at Baghdad airport when the fatal attack took place, also killing top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The US Defence Department said Gen Soleimani was targeted because he was "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members" in the region.


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A total of 400 patients have been waiting more than half a day in emergency departments in Northern Ireland over the last 24 hours, a top medic has said.

Dr Ian Crawford said he was aware of some patients spending "up to and beyond" 48 hours in emergency departments.

The Northern Ireland vice president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said staff were working under "extreme pressure" and have been forced to treat patients in corridors and other "inappropriate spaces".

He warned the health sector has "fallen over the cliff edge" and called for immediate political action to resolve the issues.

Read More

"Elderly, frail patients are spending long periods of time in chairs, on trolleys, on beds in corridors and other inappropriate spaces in our emergency departments," Dr Crawford told BBC Radio Ulster.

"There is a significant risk of harm for these patients, which ranges from: a lack of privacy and dignity, through to delays in delivering care, and associated risks of mortality associated with spending long periods of time in emergency departments."

He said political oversight is needed to ensure there is adequate funding provided to increase staffing levels and the number of hospital beds.

The warning comes following a series of strikes in December by healthcare workers over pay and staffing issues.

Read More

It was the first time in history members of the Royal College of Nursing voted to go on strike. Days later, members of the Northern Ireland's largest healthcare union, Unison, also voted to take industrial action.

Dr Crawford said it will be "very difficult" to resolve the issues facing emergency departments in the short term.

"In very simple terms we've run out of beds. There is a lack of functional capacity in our hospitals as a result of the reduction in the number of beds by around 30% since 2005," he said.

"I think that we have fallen over the edge of the cliff and the ground is rapidly racing up to meet us."

Read More

Sinn Fein health spokesperson Pat Sheehan said the news is "concerning" and so-called "winter pressures" on emergency departments are now a year-round problem.

The capacity is currently not there to meet demands facing services and as a result hard working health and social care staff are left struggling to provide safe and high standards of care in the context of significant staff shortages," he added.

Significant investment in health and social care services is needed for transformation to works and to address the crisis situation in health and social care.

This includes securing pay parity for workers and ensuring there are safe staffing levels. I have sought clarity from the Department of Health regarding its ongoing review process into Emergency Departments.

Earlier this week, the Belfast Telegraph revealed that a record number of patients waited more than 12 hours in Northern Ireland emergency departments in October.

Almost 4,000 patients - an average of 127 a day - spent half a day or more waiting to be treated or admitted in packed A&Es.

The represents double the number of 12-hour breaches compared to the same period in 2018.

Elsewhere, the Southern Trust apologised for delays at Craigavon Area Hospital's emergency department after the son of an elderly patient complained of "absolute chaos" on New Year's Eve.

In a post of social media, a Dungannon man said his ill 92-year-old mother was forced to wait on a hospital trolley for two hours.
A Cambodian monk was arrested after security personnel found three wild board teeth in his bag at the Kempegowda International Airport last week.

Chan Shopheap, 44, had arrived at the Bengaluru airport on December 25 to catch a flight to Varanasi. Around 1.10 pm that day, a screening of his baggage showed three teeth of an animal. A further examination concluded that the teeth belong to the wild boar.

Surendra Yadav, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer at the airport, said Shopheap failed to produce documents for carrying the wildlife item. Wild boars are protected under schedule 3 of the Wildlife Protection Act and government permission is mandatory for hunting or killing them.

Shopheap was handed over to the jurisdictional international airport police which booked him under the Wildlife Protection Act. An investigation is underway to determine the source of the wildlife item.
The bushfire emergency has already disrupted the lives of tens of thousands of Australians and it now appears to have delivered a blow to Australias pursuit of one of its key diplomatic priorities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was due to travel to India next week for an important official visit to meet his opposite number, Narendra Modi.

Mr Morrison said on Friday he was inclined to cancel the trip because of the fires which were expected to reach catastrophic levels again on Saturday.

In a sign of the significance of the trip, however, Mr Morrison said he would discuss what to do at a meeting of the governments National Security Committee.

It is not an easy decision but it would be understandable if Mr Morrison decides he has to put domestic political considerations before diplomacy and cancel.
A recently published study indicates that oral infections seem to have no association with the risk of stem cell transplantation patients dying of or getting a serious infection within six months of the procedure.

A study collaboratively conducted by the University of Helsinki, the Helsinki University Hospital, the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel investigated whether oral infections are associated with the mortality rate and infectious complications post-stem cell transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is used to treat cancers as well as severe blood and autoimmune diseases. Due to the long period of recovery for the immune system after a stem cell transplantation procedure, the patients have a heightened risk of infection.

The study, published in the PLOS ONE journal, involved patients treated at the University Hospital Basel, of whom 341 had received an allogeneic stem cell transplantation and 125 an autologous stem cell transplantation. The procedures were carried out between 2008 and 2016.

Before carrying out the transplantation procedure, all patients underwent a clinical and radiological dental examination to identify any potential foci of infection as well as the number of missing and filled teeth.

A total of 51 stem cell transplant patients died within six months of the procedure. The foci of infection, the number of missing or filled teeth and the cases of periodontitis identified in the examinations completed before the transplantation were not associated with the survival of patients.

Furthermore, the oral foci of infection and oral infections were not associated with infections requiring hospitalization or bacteremia identified by blood culture occurring within six months of the transplantation.

"Contrary to our assumptions, untreated oral infections had no connection with post-stem cell transplantation survival during the six-month follow-up period. Another surprise was that they had no link with any serious infectious complications occurring during the follow-up period," Professor Tuomas Waltimo, who headed the study, sums up.

Dental infections always require treatment - Cooperation between physicians and dentists essential

Most likely, the long-term and broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy administered during treatment was, in this study, able to prevent the spread of chronic infections of dental origin. However, Waltimo stresses that the antibiotic resistance level of oral microbes must be monitored, and dental infections should always be treated as soon as possible, either conservatively or surgically.

"Even though the cause of dental infections must always be eliminated, our study demonstrates that teeth need not be extracted just before a stem cell transplantation procedure due to chronic but asymptomatic dental infections. However, the patient's health permitting, and if the wound has enough time to heal before chemotherapy, the radical treatment of such infections is justified. Other than that, conservative, non-radical treatment that eliminates the infection carried out by a dentist familiar with the case appears to be the lowest-risk option in terms of infectious and bleeding complications."

Waltimo points out that the findings cannot be applied to any other patient groups, especially not to patients suffering from cancer in the region of the head and neck, or the treatment of patients with a heart valve or a prosthetic joint. In such cases, the treatment of the oral foci of infections in good time is always well grounded.

Based on our results, it seems that radical and extensive procedures to treat oral infections are not necessary before stem cell transplantations. Instead, such treatment can be postponed until after the transplantation." Matti Mauramo, LicMed and DDM, a physician specializing in pathology and the principal author of the article

For the sake of the patient's quality of life and treatment costs, dental infections should be prevented or treated as soon as possible. Antibiotic therapy given when immune defenses are impaired appears to make it possible to delay dental treatment by as much as several months after a stem cell transplantation procedure.

The researchers emphasize that the significance of cooperation between physicians and dentists must not be underestimated, neither in terms of the patient's quality of life nor in terms of infectious complications.
Naomi Watts has penned a tribute to the bushfire victims and brave firefighters battling the blazes which are shocking the country.

The 51-year-old British-Australian actress took to Instagram on Friday to say that the bushfire crisis is 'upsetting and worrying.'

The Hollywood heavyweight shared a video of her time in Byron Bay over the holiday season, to say that she's concerned for the wildlife and locals.

'My heart goes out to those who've lost loved ones and homes': Naomi Watts (pictured) penned a tribute on Friday to bushfire victims and firefighters battling the blazes in Australia... and admitted the crisis is 'upsetting and worrying'

In the clip, birds and other animals can be heard making noises.

'This was my last eve in Byron, NSW, Australia. To get a sense of how beautiful the wildlife regularly sounds... Please turn up the volume,' Naomi's post began.

'The fires have been truly horrendous. It's so upsetting and worrying. So much wildlife already lost. And still much of the summer ahead.'

Emotional: The Hollywood heavyweight shared a video (pictured is a grab from it) of her time in Byron Bay over the holiday season, to say that she's concerned for the wildlife and locals

The Ring star added that she's thinking of the victims and all the people who have lost their homes and family members due to the raging fires.

'My heart goes out to those who've lost loved ones and homes. Big gratitude to the brave firemen who literally haven't stopped during the holidays!!'

She finished: 'Heartbroken for all the animals, plants and land. Pray for rain.'

'Heartbroken': The Ring star added that she's thinking of the victims and all the people who have lost their homes and family members due to the raging fires

Evacuations: A mass evacuation is underway in Mallacoota, Victoria, where more than 4,000 locals and holidaymakers have been stranded since the devastating bushfires on New Year's Eve

On New Year's Eve, thousands faced homelessness after being forced to flee their properties on NSW's south coast.

Nearly 200 buildings were destroyed in one night, with almost every coastal town from Nowra to the Victorian border affected by the fires.

A mass evacuation is underway in Mallacoota, Victoria, where more than 4,000 locals and holidaymakers have been stranded since the devastating bushfires on New Year's Eve.

The Mallacoota fires claimed at least seven lives, taking the death toll for Australia's catastrophic fire season to 17. However, there are fears that will only increase as about 28 people are still missing in East Gippsland.

Tourists and residents have been told to evacuate a 250km stretch of the New South Wales south coast as devastating bushfires threaten the area, along with an area of the Shoalhaven between Burrill Lake north and Nowra.
Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has expressed sympathy towards former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by calling for him to sell midfielder Paul Pogba.

The Frenchman's agent Mino Raiola recently criticised the Red Devils amid speculation his player is looking for a move away from Old Trafford.

Sportsmail revealed Pogba played through the pain barrier during his comeback matches against Watford and Newcastle last month, but the Wales boss feels United should offload the midfielder.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba underwent an operation on Thursday

Giggs told Optus Sport: 'I feel sorry for Ole because he's got to continuously answer questions on Paul Pogba.

'I say United are on a good run at the moment and that's without him. He's come on and done okay in a few games but it's disappointing at the moment.

'He is a talent, we talk about him all the time, he's not consistently done it for United. Ole can only deal with the players that are fit at the moment.

United legend Ryan Giggs has expressed his sympathy towards Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

'To continuously answer questions on a player that is rumoured to be leaving, to be injured, to be elsewhere when he should be perhaps in Carrington training, is frustrating to a manager.

'You can't not play Pogba if he's fit because you haven't got anyone (else) with his quality to come in.

'Let him do his talking on the pitch, that was how I was brought up. Do you talking on the pitch. Now we're in a different era, social media's dominating everything at the moment.

'But it's frustrating because the lad has got quality. Like I said, he's not shown it consistently for United since he signed, since he's come back. Is he happy? I don't know. Does he want to be elsewhere? I don't know.'
Thousands of unserved households

Mapping the problem

A scattershot federal approach

Haves and have-nots

(TNS)  Universal service has been a cornerstone of American communications policy since the Communications Act of 1934. Its the principle that all people, whether theyre in the middle of a city or on a ranch 20 miles off the interstate, should have access to efficient, fairly priced communications services.It was one of the ideas driving Colorados beleaguered, $100.6 million EAGLE-Net program that tried  and failed  to bring high-speed internet to every school district in the state.When it comes to being able to connect to high-speed internet in rural Colorado, universal service is still an aspiration, not a reality.We get the internet to bring up my email and stuff like that. It takes forever, Denise Beanland said of the quality of her home internet connection this month. I cant upload pictures. You cant really watch a movie without it stopping several times. Its just very, very slow.Beanland, 64, lives about a quarter mile outside Dove Creek, a town of fewer than 750 people a few miles from the Utah border in the southwest part of the state. the town manager, describes high-speed internet service in the Western Slope community as pretty much nonexistent.For now, most of the homes in Dove Creek and surrounding Dolores County are a part of the 13% of rural households in Colorado state officials consider unserved by broadband internet. As defined by the Federal Communications Commission , broadband is internet service that can deliver download speeds of at least 25 mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 mbps.Broadband has become an essential service, just as electricity used to be a century ago, Eun-A Park, an associate professor at Western Colorado University in Gunnison who studies telecommunications policy, wrote in an email to The Denver Post.High-speed internet has become a cornerstone of modern business, education and health care, Park said.Rural areas need these services too, in fact, more than cities do, since the physical infrastructure (for example, health clinics or high-quality schools) is not available in rural areas, she wrote.With upward of 600,000 rural households in the state, an 87% service rate means somewhere in the range of 80,000 to 90,000 households are living with subpar internet, according to state officials estimates.Its a significant step up from a few years ago. In May 2017, just 73% of rural households had broadband, according to state figures. Colorado has a long way to go to reach its next goal: 92% rural access by June 2020.Tony Neal-Graves, executive director of the states broadband office, knows there are plenty of barriers to that goal, starting with collecting reliable information about who has broadband and who doesnt.The challenge that we have with our metric is that were reliant on the service providers in the state of Colorado to give us the information, Neal-Graves said. Theyre not required to. There is no regulation that says they need to tell us who they are serving and list the quality of that broadband that theyre providing.Neal-Graves has held leadership positions with companies such as AT&T, Intel and Bell Laboratories. He was named to his post in the broadband office in March 2017, tasked with steering the states efforts to expand access.As demonstrated by the data mapping issue, his hands are tied by how broadband services are regulated in this country.There is a big debate that I think needs to go on nationally at the federal level of whether or not you want to regulate broadband access as being a utility, he said. Because thats how we got phone service to everybody. It was regulated. This isnt.With that in mind, the main role the broadband office plays is working with service providers in rural areas. Neal-Graves and his team encourage providers to apply for federal grants, provide them with data and write letters of support to back their funding requests.Its a strategy that acknowledges the states internal efforts alone wont be able to bridge the gap between 87% and 100% service in rural areas. The Department of Local Affairs has doled out $25 million in middle mile infrastructure grants since 2010, according to the broadband office. The Department of Regulatory Agencies last mile grants that help bring service directly to customers have helped 17,000 households get connected since 2016. But big federal support and major private sector investment is needed to traverse Colorados remaining vast distances.With all the money that the state has tried to put into this problem, its not enough. Its not going to be enough, Neal-Graves said. Weve estimated that it is probably going to be somewhere north of $300 million to completely get to 100%.The state draws some of its broadband support funding from whats called the high-cost support mechanism, a fee assessed on telecom providers in the state (and passed on to consumers on their bills). After years of tangling with reform, the fee  once dedicated solely to improving the reach of phone service  is slowly being redirected toward broadband funding. Beginning in 2019, it was expected to gin up $115 million over five years for projects.That pales in comparison with the size of its federal counterpart, the Federal Communications Commission-run Universal Service Fund. Also fed by fees that pop up on Americans phone bills, the pool is billions of dollars deep and the FCC has used it to fund a variety of programs aimed at improving American internet access.Its latest effort is called the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund . Its a $20.4 billion renewal and expansion of the agencys existing Connect America Fund program, FCC spokesman Mark Wigfield said.The FCC is writing rules for the program now, but the initial plan is to dole out the money via two rounds of reverse auctions where providers bid on funding: $16 billion in the first wave and the remaining $4 billion plus later. The first grants will likely be awarded in 2021.Theres a big problem, according to critics, and its one the FCC freely admits: The agencys existing service mapping data is terrible. The problem, Neal-Graves said, is that the agency measures service by the census block. If even one building gets broadband, the FCC classifies an entire block as served. In Colorado, where census blocks can be hundreds of square miles, its too broad to be accurate and leaves households out in the cold.There have been calls by some for the FCC to hang onto the money until better mapping data  something the agency is pursuing now  becomes available. So far, those calls arent working.There is a desire not to wait and withhold support for areas that we know are entirely unserved, Wigfield said. Lets move forward on areas we know lack service and then begin using this better data as we have it.Frazier and the people he serves in Dove Creek dont need to wait for the FCC.A Utah-based provider, Emery Telcom , has been approved for a $2.7 federal grant to extend its fiber optic network 25 miles across the state line to bring the town internet capable of gigabit-per-second speeds. Emery is expected to serve more than 500 households, 20 farms and ranches, 15 businesses, according to a news release The U.S. Department of Agriculture ponied up that grant. The agency received $600 million from Congress in March 2018 to put toward broadband efforts under its ReConnect program Emery chief operations officer Jared Anderson said the Dove Creek project will cost $3.6 million, with his company pitching in the final $900,000 and change. Emery, which got its start as a nonprofit phone service cooperative because Bell Telephone Co. wouldnt serve the rural Utah in the 1950s, has five years to complete the Dove Creek project under the terms of its grant, Anderson said.The incoming network is critical the small towns economy, Frazier believes. He said the town has struggled to hang on to residents because quality internet service is hard to come by, making it challenging to run a business that requires any sort of online data filing. As he puts it, Youve gotta make money to eat, folks.Park, the Western Colorado University communications professor, said numerous studies, including some she has worked on, show that areas with better broadband generate more jobs and more startup companies. The impact of recessions is also less severe in those places.Dolores County has the worst broadband access in the state, according to BroadbandNow.com , a consumer advocacy site. Just 12.9% of people there get it.Its going to be a big help, Frazier said of the incoming fiber. It helps our business stay here and also attract new businesses.The Dove Creek project does two things that Neal-Graves likes: It creates service provider choice in an underserved area and it brings in physical fiber, the most reliable broadband delivery method.But it also highlights the federal governments jigsaw-puzzle approach to rural broadband. The courthouse and school in Dove Creek already had fiber access from a previous federal subsidy, Frazier said. For homes and business to get it though, a Utah company had to apply for a USDA grant and get letters of support from the town and state officials.One of the things we are trying to encourage the federal government to think about is can you have a more holistic approach to this, Neal-Graves said.When asked why the FCC doesnt coordinate its efforts with the USDA, Wigfield said, that probably would be a question more for Congress.At least one rural Colorado broadband provider is singing the praises of the FCCs recently rolled out Alternative Connect America Cost Model. Its a Universal Service Fund-fed mechanism for supporting providers in areas where service is too costly to provide without help.Terry Hendrickson, the CEO and general manager of the Wiggins Telephone Association, said the predictable, model-based funding his company will receive from the FCC over the next 10 years will put it in a great position to serve more people on Colorados Eastern Plains. A prior, variable, year-to-year model that was offered starting in 2016 had the company worried it might not be able to pay its debts and serve its customers if it has accepted.In a demonstration of just how little competition there is outside of the states urban areas, Wiggins Telephone is the sixth largest broadband provider in the state, according to an analysis by media research group Kagan earlier this year. It serves around 7,100 customers. Comcast, the states biggest provider, serves 1.15 million.Through the augmented, and optional, FCC subsidy program the company, which provides high-speed internet under the trade name Blue Lightning, will receive $29.4 million over a decade. In return, the FCC is requiring the company to bring broadband service to 2,028 new locations; most in Weld and Morgan counties.We did a lot of research where we stood on these buildout obligations, and were in great shape, Hendrickson said. Were in an area thats experienced a lot of residential growth. Oil and gas has been very good for us.All told, Wiggins Telephone, has about 1,100 miles of fiber, Hendrickson said. Its crews were burying more along a highway north of Wiggins this month. The network, first built in 2008, was the result of an $18.3 million loan from the USDAs Rural Utilities Service.Even in the same region of the state there are haves and have-nots when it comes to broadband. State Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg operates a ranch about 7 miles outside Sterling, a high plains town about an hour drive from Wiggins. If he has a piece of equipment break down and needs to access an online manual, Sonnenbergs only hope on the ranch is internet service beamed from towers operated by his cellphone service provider, Viaero Wireless Its the only place I can get it, he said, noting Viaero provides internet in areas including his corner of the state, western Nebraska and the San Luis Valley, sparsely populated places no one else wanted.Sonnenberg co-sponsored the 2018 bill that redirects high-cost support mechanism money to broadband buildout . So far, he said, the state is only dealing with low-hanging fruit. Projects will only get more expensive as the spaces between customers get larger.Its the cost. Its absolutely the cost, he said of the barriers to 100% access. When you put in fiber or put in a line you distribute that cost between so many customers. When you get to rural areas of the state that have very small populations, the cost is divided across a fewer number. Thats quite frankly why most companies dont serve those areas now.Sonnenbergs home internet service isnt broadband speed by federal definition, but he said he can live with it. The increasing pace of technological advancement should make future broadband projects cheaper, he said, but lightning-fast service wont just appear overnight.I think this is one of those things that just takes time, he said. Were going to have to be patient a little bit and allow it to happen.
The Nepal Assembly has unanimously asked the government to intensify the ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Nepal-India border dispute in the Kalapani region.

A resolution proposed by ruling Nepal Communist Party chief whip Khim Lal Bhattarai on Thursday was supported by main Opposition Nepali Congress chief whip Sarita Prasain at the Assembly.

The resolution urges the government to resolve the border issues at the earliest based on the Nepal-India High-Level Technical Committee initiative, according to Parliament sources.

Nepal had raised objections after India released its new political map in November last year following the reorganiation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Nepal claimed that Limpiyadhura, Lipulek and Kalapani areas were shown under Indian territory even though they lie within the Nepalese territory.

India has said the new map accurately depicts its sovereign territory and it has in no manner revised its boundary with Nepal.

Nepalese territories including Darjeeling were handed to the British East India Company as concessions under the Sugauli treaty which was signed in 1816 on the conclusion of the Anglo-Nepalese War.

Under the treaty, the Nepalese-controlled territory that was ceded included all areas that the king of Nepal had won in earlier wars such as the kingdom of Sikkim in the east and Kumaon and Garhwal in the west.

Presenting the resolution in the House, Bhattarai said the entire nation was drawn to the recently-published Indian political map depicting the Kalapani region comprising Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani as Indian territory.

"We have tabled this resolution to make sure the government takes stronger diplomatic and high-level political initiatives to keep Nepali land free of encroachment and to ensure Indian forces deployed in the Kalapani area are withdrawn," Bhattarai said at the Upper House.

Nepali Congress lawmaker Radheshyam Adhikari said Nepal-India relations were multi-dimensional and that the government needs to ensure the ties were were not affected.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali said Nepal-India borders were determined by the Sugauli Treaty of March 4, 1816 and three other subsequent documents.

Gyawali said several maps -- Sugauli Treaty-era map (1816), a map prepared by Survey of British India in 1827, Almora map from 1844 and Kumaon-Garhwal map from 1850 -- proved that Limpiyadhura was the origin of the Kali River.

"At a time when unprecedented unity has been displayed by major political forces, it is a right opportunity to resolve this issue," Foreign Minister Gyawali said.

After the 1850s, India first changed the map and then shifted its border, he claimed.

After the Sugauli Treaty of 1846, India renamed the river originating from Limpiyadhura to 'West Kali' and designated another river originating from Lipulek as the 'border river', the foreign minister said.

"We will not accept the shifting of border unilaterally, we want to resolve the issue through diplomatic channel," he said.

He underlined the need for re-construction of border pillars that were damaged. Chairman of National Assembly Ganesh Prasad Timilsina directed the government to implement the resolution adopted by the house.
Children with mental health problems are being turned away by the NHS because their symptoms are not severe enough, an investigation has found.

Data obtained via freedom of information requests shows a third of mental health trusts in England reject child patients whose condition is not 'severe' or 'significant'.

GPs claimed some children were having to attempt or threaten suicide in order to be referred to a specialist.

The probe, conducted by Pulse  a specialist publication for doctors, analysed the referral criteria of 29 of the 56 psychiatric trusts in England.

A third of mental health trusts in England reject children with mental health problems because their symptoms are not severe enough, an investigation has found (stock)

It revealed just one in five mental health trusts across the country accepts unwell children with all levels of symptoms.

The finding comes amid a rise in mental health problems in young people, with 50 per cent more youngsters seeking help in 2018 compared to 2015.

Surveys by mental health charities have suggested that social media and pressure to do well at school or college are behind the rise.

Doctors warned a lack of resources meant children are being forced to wait until their condition escalates before being referred.

Youngsters are instead being told to get help from charities, which typically do not have specialists in their ranks and instead can only offer counselling.

THE SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY BE DEPRESSED AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT Signs of depression in children can include: Prolonged sadness

Irritability

Lack of interest in things they used to enjoy

Fatigue and exhaustion

Insomnia or sleeping too much

Poor concentration

Indecisiveness

Lack of confidence

Eating too much or too little

Inability to relax

Feeling guilty or worthless

Numb to emotions

Thoughts about suicide or self harming

Self harming Some also have physical symptoms, like headache or abdominal pain. Older children may misuse alcohol or drugs. Depression in children can occur due to family issues, bullying, other mental-health problems, or physical, emotional or sexual abuse. It can be triggered by one event, such as a bereavement, or a build-up of things. If you suspect your child is depressed, try to talk to them about how they are feeling. Let them know you are concerned and you are there if they need you. If they will not talk to you, encourage them to reach out to another relative, teacher or family friend. If this does not help, contact your GP, who may refer your child to a specialist mental-health service. Source: NHS Advertisement

Dr Richard Vautrey, the British Medical Association GP Committee chairman, said 'as with all other areas of the NHS', specialist children's mental health services were struggling to cope with demand.

He told Pulse: 'The use of increasingly strict referral criteria to help manage this demand can mean that only the sickest patients are getting the care they need.

'This in turn means many young people with less severe  but still serious nonetheless  issues are not getting access to the specialist care their GP believes they need, or are having to wait until their condition worsens before they are seen by a specialist.

'This delay is distressing for the young person and their families and can cause problems for the GP, who struggles to provide adequate support because of a lack of alternative local options.'

The magazine sent out FOI requests to all 56 NHS mental health trusts in England about the criteria they use for referrals.

It received replies from 23 of them and drew on data from the websites of six more.

An NHS England spokesperson said: 'This data is based on less than half of all mental health trusts and does not include other NHS-funded organisations that provide mental health support.

'The NHS is actually ahead of its target on ensuring as many children as possible receive mental health care, and the long-term plan has committed to ensuring an extra 345,000 children and young people get the care they need by 2023, backed by extra funding for mental health services of more than 2billion.'

The investigation comes after three quarters of young people admitted they deal with mental health problems themselves or suppress them because help is not readily available.

A survey by the charity YoungMinds found children struggled to find help online and did not feel comfortable confiding in friends, family or teachers.

When asked what factors have had a significant impact on their mental health, the most common answer was pressure to do well at school or college (77 per cent).

This was followed by worrying about how they look (69 per cent) and problems with family (62 per cent) and friends (52 per cent).

Around a quarter of respondents (27 per cent) said spending too much time on social media was a significant factor.
A Shiite Muslim pilgrim walks with a bag adorned with a portrait of Qasem Soleimani, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General and commander of the Quds Force, who was killed on Friday morning in Baghdad. Photo: MOHAMMED SAWAF/AFP via Getty Images

Early on Friday in Baghdad, U.S. forces killed Major General Qasem Soleimani in an air strike at the Baghdad International Airport in order to protect U.S. personnel abroad, according to the Pentagon. The attack on Soleimani, considered Irans most important military leader, was carried out at the direction of the president. Soleimani was the head of Irans Quds Force, a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responsible for clandestine operations abroad and for providing material support to groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella organization for Iraqi militias, whose deputy leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also reportedly killed in the attack, along with five others.

The Pentagon misstated the name of the IRGC: It is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, not the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The strike is likely to escalate the tension between the two powers currently engaged in proxy skirmishes in Iraq. Last week, the United States claimed that an Iranian-backed militia fired rockets into an American base in Kirkuk Province north of Baghdad, killing an American contractor. In response, U.S. forces bombed three sites of an Iranian-backed militia in western Iraq, killing several fighters. On Tuesday, protestors linked to pro-Iranian militias then stormed at the American Embassy in Baghdad, breaking past guards and forcing diplomats to stay locked inside for over 24 hours.

And on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper issued a stern warning: If we get word of attacks, we will take pre-emptive action as well to protect American forces, protect American lives. The game has changed. Shortly after the death of Soleimani, reports also emerged that U.S. marines captured two leaders of pro-Iranian militias in Iraq: Qais Khazali of Iraqi Hezbollah and Hadi Al Ameri, the alleged head of the Badr organization, the military wing of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council.

Soleimani, 62, became head of the Quds Force in the late 1990s, leading the groups operations in Syria and Iraq, where it was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers during the Iraq War. He was also considered a major force guiding Hezbollah in the past few decades, and helped Iraqi forces push back ISIS fighters during the civil war.

Supporters of the president promptly weighed in approving the action and condemning Soleimani, while Trump simply posted a picture of a blurry flag:

Ben Sasse: This is very simple: General Soleimani is dead because he was an evil bastard who murdered Americans.  Katie Rogers (@katierogers) January 3, 2020

Qassem Soleimani masterminded Irans reign of terror for decades, including the deaths of hundreds of Americans. Tonight, he got what he richly deserved, and all those American soldiers who died by his hand also got what they deserved: justice. https://t.co/1wkjtvj2QA  Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 3, 2020

Though the Pentagon cited the attack as an example of deterrence, politicians, reporters, and experts on the region are expecting the opposite:

Just got off the phone with Sen. Graham: "We need to get ready for a major pushback. Our people in Iraq and the Middle East are going to be targeted. We need to be ready to defend our people in the Middle East. I think we need to be ready for a big counterpunch."  Erin Banco (@ErinBanco) January 3, 2020

If reports are true, assassinating Irans Soleimani would represent a major, overt act of war. Functionally and legally, its not a risk of war or tantamount to war. It is war outright, and against a country that has invested years of preparation into enduring just that.  Max Fisher (@Max_Fisher) January 3, 2020

Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question.



The question is this - as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020

Soleimani had been in the crosshairs of US military several times but was spared. National security officials during the Obama era were always concerned such a move would lead to #Iran activating terror cells around the world in retaliation. Im told Trump aware, still made call  Suzanne Kianpour (@KianpourWorld) January 3, 2020

foreign policy specialists now bracing for US-Iran war after killing of Soleimani



former Bush national security official Richard Haass: If US behind the strike, then Iran will almost certainly go after US personnel in Iraq and elsewhere. This could spread and escalate fast  John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) January 3, 2020

This will unify various opposing political factions in Iran. Soleimani not a regular commander. Hes seen as the person who defeated everyones enemy: ISIS.



Many Iranians of different political views, even those critical of IRGC, respect him for defeating ISIS.  Negar Mortazavi (@NegarMortazavi) January 3, 2020

Democratic candidates for president began to weigh in late on Thursday night in the U.S. Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans, tweeted Elizabeth Warren. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war. Joe Biden wrote that President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond. And Bernie Sanders stated that Trumps dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars. Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.

This is a breaking-news post and will be updated.
A man and a woman have been arrested after a 17-year-old boy was fatally shot in Brampton on New Years Eve.

Police were called to Alderbury Crescent at 11:58 p.m. for reports of a shooting. They found the victim, Jordan Henry, with life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Peel Region police say.

Zakaria Hassan, 22, of Hamilton, was arrested on Thursday and charged with first-degree murder. Rukhshar Wahab, 20, of Kitchener, was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

They are expected to appear in court on Friday.

Peel Region police said in a press release that investigators are still attempting to identify and locate any further suspect(s) responsible for this incident.

They are asking anyone with further information to contact the Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205 or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Ilya Banares is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @ilyaoverseas

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Republic Day 2020: After West Bengal, Maharashtra, Centre rejects Bihar proposed tableau

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Patna, Jan 03: After West Bengal and Maharashtra, the Centre has now rejected now Bihar government's proposed tableau based on the theme of Jal-Jivan-Haryali mission' for the Republic Day 2020 parade in Delhi.

Rejection of the proposal means that Bihar will not be represented in the grand Republic Day parade at Rajpath in the national capital.

Sources in Bihar Information Centre, Delhi, confirmed the rejection of Bihar's proposed tableau. They said the bid did not find favour on the ground that it did not fullfill the necessary criteria laid down for chosing tableaux from the states for the occasion.

After Bengal, Maharashtras Republic Day tableau gets rejected by Centre

Bihar had put forward its tableau based on the theme of 'Jal-Jivan-Haryali Abhiyan' launched by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in October 2019 to boost green cover and the ground water table in the state. Kumar at present is criss-crossing the state to propagate the water-life-greenery programme among the people.

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

Opposition RJD took potshot at the NDA government at the Centre for "humiliating" the people of Bihar by dismissing its tableau.

"They (NDA government at the Centre) earlier shot down Bihar's demand for special status and has now rejected a proposal to showcase its scheme through a tableau on the Republic Day.... This is the truth of the 'double-engine' government trumpeted by the BJP," RJD spokesman Mritunjan Tiwari said.

Centre rejects West Bengal's tableau proposal for Republic Day parade

The NDA governments at the Centre and in Bihar are cited by the ruling coalition leaders as "double engine" government to propel development in the state.
Gen. Naravane was responding to a question on how India can strike against terrorists across the LoC without breaching the nuclear threshold.

New Delhi: Indian Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday sent a strong warning to Pakistan saying that nuclear weapons are only good for deterrence and the airstrike at the Balakot terrorist camp by the Indian Air Force in February last year showed that terrorists cant operate with impunity.

Historically nuclear weapons have been good deterrence and it is there where their role ends, Gen. Naravane said during a select media interaction. He noted that recently India has been able to carry out two-three operations against Pakistan without the nuclear option coming into play.

Gen. Naravane was responding to a question on how India can strike against terrorists across the LoC without breaching the nuclear threshold. Gen. Naravane said around 200-250 terrorists were now waiting at different launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir. He said daily infiltration attempts were being made.

He said the Balakot airstrike had shown that terrorist camps, their infrastructure and launchpads can be taken down. Gen. Naravane said as a result of Balakot there will be restraint by Pakistan and a note of caution before taking any escalatory action in future.

Gen. Naravane said the armed forces were preparing their modernisation not looking at the last war but the next war. He said in future wars will involve the use of more technology, robotics, cyberspace and artificial intelligence.

He said the proposal of Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat to create a new Air Defence Command to secure the country from aerial attacks was a good idea as this will allow the Army, Air Force and Navy to pool their resources and take a holistic view of air defences.

The Army Chief said he disagrees with the allegations about politicisation of the armed forces. The armed forces have been apolitical right since Independence, he said.

Gen. Naravane said that he agreed that infructuous ceremonial activities should be cut out. All the three services  Army, Navy and Air Force  are on the same wavelength on this, he said.
Mounting a counterattack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "opposition speaking Pakistan's language" slur, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demanded on Friday that he explain whether he was the PM of "Hindustan or an ambassador of Pakistan".

Banerjee, one of the most bitter critics of the new citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens, berated the BJP-led central government over the divisive measures, saying it was a matter of "shame" that people were being asked to prove their Indian nationality after over 70 years of Independence.

"India is a big country with a rich culture and heritage. Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan? Are you the prime minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan?



"Why do you have to refer to Pakistan in every issue? You (Modi) should rather speak of Hindustan. We don't want to be like Pakistan. We love Hindustan," she said, addressing an anti-CAA rally in this North Bengal town.

Modi, while defending his government's position on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, had on Thursday dared the Congress and its allies to raise their voice against Pakistan's "atrocities" on its religious minorities over the past 70 years. He has often accused the opposition of "speaking the language of Pakistan".

The BJP was quick to launch a counteroffensive.

"Leaders of Pakistan had (during Partition) sought a plebiscite on Kashmir. Mamata Banerjee also recently sought a UN-monitored referendum on the CAA. It only proves who is speaking the language of Pakistan," state BJP chief and Lok Sabha MP Dilip Ghosh said.

Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, alleged the prime minister and his party repeatedly spoke of Pakistan to divert public attention from the burning issues like economic slowdown and growing unemployment.

"If someone says give me a job as I have no work, PM says go to Pakistan. If someone says we don't have industries, he says go to Pakistan. Pakistan can talk about and take care of itself as much as it wants...we should talk about India, our motherland, where all of us were born..." she said.

The TMC boss vowed to continue her protest till the new citizenship law was repealed.

She accused the BJP of creating "confusion" over the implementation of a pan-India National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"On one hand, the prime minister says there will be no NRC. On the other, the union home minister and other BJP ministers claim the exercise will be conducted across the country...they are creating confusion over the whole issue," she added.

Responding to the accusation by BJP leaders that she was "anti-refugee" because of her stiff opposition to the CAA, Banerjee told them not to lecture her.

"They (BJP) are lecturing me and asking me to be more compassionate about refugees. They are saying Matuas (a Hindu dalit community from Bangladesh that migrated to India) will get citizenship.

"But they are already (Indian) citizens. They have voted several times in the past. So many governments have been formed with their votes. Why do they need to prove their citizenship again? It's a matter of shame," she said.

Banerjee demanded that the Centre explain if Aadhaar was not a proof of citizenship, why was it linked to the government's welfare schemes and bank accounts of individuals at Union government's insistence.

"You (BJP) said nobody will lose their citizenship. But now you are also saying neither PAN nor Aadhaar will be proof of citizenship. Then what will work? An amulet from the BJP or an amulet from Pakistan?" a combative Banerjee said.

Talking about the recent clashes over the citizenship law in Uttar Pradesh that claimed several lives, Banerjee, in an apparent attack on her UP counterpart Yogi Adityanath, said, "Those unfit to rule are governing major states."



Calling her fight against the citizenship law the "second war of Independence", she said, "They (the BJP) just know how to divide the nation on the basis of religion. But my religion is to defend the freedom of people. We have to save the country from bigotry."She alleged anti-CAA protesters and students were tortured and killed in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The Karnataka chief minister promised monetary assistance to the families of protesters killed in police firing, only to go back on his word, she said.

"Trinamool may be a poor party but we will help them," she asserted.

Trinamool Congress's trade union wing INTTUC recently handed over cheques for Rs 5 lakh to the families of each of the two protesters who were killed in Mangaluru violence.

Banerjee, who has already held seven protest marches and three public meetings across the state against the CAA, reaffirmed her commitment not to allow enforcement of the amended citizenship law, conduct of NRC or the updation of the National Population Register in her state, calling them "divisive and polarising".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The U.S. military will send about 3,500 additional soldiers to the Middle East following the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani less than a day earlier, NBC News reported Friday, citing three U.S. defense officials and one U.S. military official.

The new troops are being deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and other parts of the region, NBC reported. The deployment of one brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division  700 of which have already been dispatched to the Middle East  are ordered to serve as a response to threats throughout the region, according to NBC.

But the defense officials maintain that the additional soldiers is not a direct response to Soleimani's death, which has enraged Iran's leadership and spurred incendiary threats of vengeance from the oil-rich Middle Eastern nation.

Rather, it is rather a continuation of an earlier announcement this week to send troops to the region, the officials told NBC.

The U.S. announced late Thursday that it carried out a surprise airstrike in Baghdad that killed Soleimani, one of Iran's most powerful figures who has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Americans.

The State Department has urged U.S. citizens to leave Iraq.

The Defense Department said in a statement that the "decisive defensive action" was taken "to protect U.S. personnel abroad," claiming that Soleimani "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

Soleimani also gave a green light for the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place days earlier, according to the Pentagon.

The new deployment is the latest in a series of aggressive moves between the U.S. and Iran.

Over the weekend, the U.S. carried out military strikes in Iraq and Syria against an Iran-backed Shiite Muslim militia group. A wave of protests in Iraq followed, culminating in the attack on U.S. Embassy on New Year's Eve.

Stocks fell Friday, while oil prices surged higher.

President Donald Trump defended the airstrike in a pair of tweets Monday morning.

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!" Trump wrote. "He should have been taken out many years ago!"

Trump TWEET
It was a happy  and seemingly high  new year in Illinois after cannabis sales of more than $3m (2.3m) were made on the first day of the drug being legal for recreational use in the state.

Some 37 dispensaries made 77,128 transactions as thousands of residents saw in the start of 2020 by lighting up.

"The amazing thing about that is that there's a significant portion of these dollars that go directly into this community reinvestment fund, so we can continue to rebuild communities that have been hardest hit by the war on drugs," said Toi Hutchinson, senior adviser for cannabis control, as she revealed the figure on Thursday.

She added: Sales are great but let's never lose sight on the impact that we're having on families around this state."

Reports and footage posted to social media showed long queues outside dispensaries from the early morning on Wednesday.

Where is cannabis legal in the US? Show all 11 1 /11 Where is cannabis legal in the US? Where is cannabis legal in the US? Alaska Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Alaska in 2014 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Washington Washington was among the first states to legalise cannabis in 2012 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Michigan Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Michigan in 2018 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Massachusetts Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Massachusetts in 2016 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Colorado Colorado was among the first states to legalise cannabis in 2012 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Vermont Since January 2018 it has been legal to posses up to one ounce and two cannabis plants in Vermont. Commercial sales are not legal Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? California Recreational cannabis use was made legal in California in 2018 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Illinois Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Illinois in 2019 Getty Images Where is cannabis legal in the US? Oregon It was made legal in Oregon to possess up to one ounce of cannabis in 2014 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Maine Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Maine in 2016 Getty Where is cannabis legal in the US? Nevada Recreational cannabis use was made legal in Nevada in 2016 Getty

"I wanted to be first in line because I have waited 46 years for this moment," said Arnold Winslow, who walked nearly two hours to make a first purchase at a retailer in Cook County.

He would, he told NBC, keep the first gram and have it framed alongside the receipt as a "memento". "And then maybe I'll buy a loose cigarette and smoke it at home," he added.

At EarthMed Dispensary in Chicago, meanwhile, the first 100 customers also received a commemorative T-shirt with their purchase.

Illinois is now the 11th US state to legalise the sale of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes.

Its new regulations have been widely praised for enshrining in law the fact that money made from sales will be pumped into job creation and improving left-behind neighbourhoods.

Complimenting the legal shift, Governor Jay Pritzker has also granted 11,017 pardons for low level cannabis-related criminal misdemeanours. The Democrat said the move would make it easier for those whose records were now expunged to access jobs, housing and financial aid for college.

"This is one of those moments where we recognise that the significance of yesterday was that it was the end of prohibition and the beginning of how we hope to grow a new industry here in Illinois and then teach other states how to do it," said Ms Hutchinson.
A man stabbed to death in north London tonight - in the first murder in the capital this year - is an Algerian moped rider who worked for UberEats and Deliveroo, according to friends gathered at the scene.

Fellow delivery riders gathered in Finsbury Park, where the 30-year-old was fatally stabbed, said he had been the victim of a road rage attack following an altercation with a car driver.

Some of those gathered said they had been repeatedly attacked in the neighbourhood by young gang members - often still in their teens.

A friend said the victim was known as 'Taki', although he was unsure of the English spelling. Many of the riders criticised the companies they worked for and the police for doing nothing to protect them.

No arrests have been made and enquiries into the circumstances continue.

The Met Police have launched their first murder investigation of the year after a man was stabbed to death in north London on Friday evening (pictured, police at the scene)

The victim, in his 30s, was found on Charteris Road (pictured) close to the junction with Lennox Road in Finsbury Park at around 6.50pm

No arrests have been made and inquiries continue, the Met said (pictured, officers at the scene of the stabbing)

A friend visiting the scene of the stabbing said: 'He had been in this country for the last three years but he had been here before for some years before going to Algeria for a while,' he said.

'He had family here, his father was here [at the scene] earlier.'

Many of the riders criticised the companies they worked for and the police for doing nothing to protect them.

'We've been attacked many times here,' one man said.

He added: 'I was attacked here by people with a big machete and now this man has been killed for no reason.

'The police do nothing. They just come, take a statement and then they go.'

Another man added: 'If you have an Algerian face, [the police] do nothing.'

One rider said they felt unsafe '100 per cent' of the time.

The victim was a 30-year-old Algerian delivery moped rider working for both UberEats and Deliveroo, according to friends gathered close to the scene

Forensic officers at the crime scene after Metropolitan police cordon off Charteris Road close to the junction with Lennox Road in Finsbury Park after a man was stabbed to death in north London

The driver who attacked the victim was driving a Volkswagen Caddy, a witness said, and did not try to steal his moped from him (pictured, police at the scene of the stabbing)

The first murder investigation of 2019 has been launched. Officers were called to Finsbury Park, north London at around 6.50pm following reports a man had been stabbed

Another said he had been brutally attacked in Brixton, south London, while working: 'It was a 2,000 bike and I said here take the bike just don't kill me - they still stabbed me through the shoulder.'

Islington Council leader Richard Watts tweeted: 'I'm horrified to hear about this appalling crime' and added: 'What an awful start to the New Year.'

The Labour councillor said he was in touch with Islington Police and with Islington MP and Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn.

A forensic tent has been erected while a police cordon is still in place.

The driver who attacked the victim was driving a Volkswagen Caddy, a witness said, and did not try to steal his moped from him.

A friend of the victim said: 'He was a good man. He doesn't make any trouble - he works and he goes home and he ends up being killed while he's working.

'This country is getting worse.'

He continued: 'Its not safe to work by yourself anymore - what can you do? If someone comes at you with a knife you give them what you have or they are going to stab you.'

Police raced to Finsbury Park at around 6.50pm following reports a man had been stabbed (officers are pictured at the scene)

A cordon has been set up as police investigate the scene of the fatal stabbing. It is the first murder investigation to be launched in London this year

Another 23-year-old rider, who gave his name only as Paul, said: 'Taki was a nice guy. He was a gentleman.

'I would talk to him everyday. He always said hello.'

The stabbing comes after the number of murders in London last year hit its highest level in more than a decade with 147 recorded - more than half of whom were stabbed.

September and June were the joint bloodiest months of the year in the capital with 17 homicides each, followed by July which had 16 and March and December with 15.

The 2019 rate broke last year's total of 133 by early December - and is the highest level recorded since 2008 when Scotland Yard investigated 154 deaths.

The total compiled by MailOnline includes murders and manslaughters recorded by the Met, British Transport Police and City of London Police.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the scene but the victim  aged in his 30s  was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.42pm (pictured, officers at the scene)

No arrests have been made and enquiries into the circumstances continue, the Metropolitan Police said (pictured, the scene of the fatal stabbing)

The youngest murder victim was Riley Fauvrell, who died aged just five days after being delivered by an emergency C-section in Thornton Heath, South London.

Riley's mother Kelly Mary Fauvrelle, 26, was stabbed to death in June while pregnant with him. Her ex-partner Aaron McKenzie, 25, has since pleaded not guilty to murder.

The oldest victim was Dorothy Woolmer, 89, who was raped and murdered at home in Tottenham in August. Reece Dempster, 23, was charged but has not yet pleaded.

Some 17 of the victims were children - including 12 teenagers and five youngsters aged under two - and the mean average age of all 147 people killed was 32.
The problem with the Pallister governments decision to rebrand $45 million of infrastructure spending as Manitoba 150 anniversary costs is it gives the appearance the province is spending lavishly on the year-long celebration. In fact, the province took $45 million of regular road and highway funding and called it Manitoba 150 spending.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The problem with the Pallister governments decision to rebrand $45 million of infrastructure spending as "Manitoba 150" anniversary costs is it gives the appearance the province is spending lavishly on the year-long celebration. In fact, the province took $45 million of regular road and highway funding and called it "Manitoba 150" spending.

Manitoba 150 party price tag too rich for some: poll Click to Expand DANIEL CRUMP / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The Manitoba Legislature is lit up to celebrate Manitoba 150 in early December 2019. Posted: 3:00 AM Jan. 2, 2020 Most Manitobans know about the 150th anniversary party the province is throwing itself this year, but not everyone is happy about the cost. Thats clear from the results of a Probe Research poll commissioned by the Free Press, in which 41 per cent of respondents said the $50 million earmarked for building projects and celebrations is too rich for their blood. Read Full Story

It has nothing to do with the anniversary. The province is just fixing some roads and intersections.

A Probe Research poll conducted for the Free Press shows most people support the amount the Tories propose to spend on Manitobas birthday celebration. Some think it should be higher. But 41 per cent view the $45 million on "building projects", as well as $5 million in other spending, as too costly.

What they probably dont know is the $45 million on capital projects is just regular roads and highway maintenance. The province just rebranded it under the "Manitoba 150" banner.

The list of projects is fairly mundane. It includes the repaving of Memorial Boulevard from Broadway to York Avenue, concrete rehabilitation for Highway 9A in Selkirk from Heap Avenue to Strathnaver Avenue, and gravel road restoration on Provincial Road 216.

It includes intersection improvements in Brandon, paving the airport access road in that city, highway upgrades in Gilbert Plains and Grandview, shoulder repairs, and gravel road restoration in the north. There are also several road improvements in Whiteshell and Turtle Mountain provincial parks.

All told, 17 roads and highways projects were announced last year under the Manitoba 150 spending plan. Its all necessary infrastructure, but its not sexy stuff. Rebranding it simply gives the province the ability to slap a "Manitoba 150" logo on a project that would likely have been budgeted anyway.

Fountain repair on province's 150th birthday list Click to Expand The fountain in Memorial Park requires mechanical, electrical and structural upgrades. Lighting, seating and signage around the fountain will also be improved. (Joe Bryksa / Winnipeg Free Press files) Posted: 3:48 PM Apr. 23, 2019 The province will restore the fountain at Memorial Park and rehab a section of Memorial Boulevard it owns as part of $45 million in infrastructure projects to mark the province's 150th birthday celebrations. The first round of projects under the program was announced Tuesday at a news conference in Memorial Park. Read Full Story

It doesnt change the overall roads and highways budget much.

The Pallister government budgeted $624 million for roads, highways, bridges and flood protection in 2018-19. It ended up spending $541 million. Infrastructure spending sometimes comes under budget because projects get delayed and lapse to the next year. As a result, the numbers tend to fluctuate from year to year.

In 2019-20, the province budgeted $605 million for that same area of spending. Manitoba Finances mid-term fiscal update shows the province is on track to spend $603 million of that budget line. The $45 million for Manitoba 150 projects is in a separate part of the budget, listed under "enabling appropriations." When added to the $603 million, it brings projected spending on roads, highways, bridges and flood protection to $648 million for 2019-20.

Thats higher than the $541 million government that was spent a year earlier, but its similar to the $653 million spent in 2017-18.

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The Pallister government is spending less on highways and strategic infrastructure than the former NDP government did in its final years in office. That has drawn the ire of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, which says the province should spend more on highways.

However, theres a reason the province reduced capital spending when it was elected in 2016. The former government quadrupled infrastructure spending to $1.6 billion annually in its last 10 years in office. Thats all borrowed money. Its the main reason the provinces debt levels soared to unsustainable levels, resulting in three downgrades to Manitoba's credit rating. The provincial government is borrowing twice as much as it did 10 years ago to pay for new infrastructure, to cover its annual operating deficit and to refinance existing debt.

Even with the $45 million in Manitoba 150 building projects, infrastructure spending is well below what it was under the NDP.

So, even with the $45 million in Manitoba 150 "building projects," infrastructure spending is well below what it was under the NDP.

The upshot is, this has nothing to do with the provinces 150th birthday. Its just a marketing exercise; a way of using existing spending to mark an anniversary. No doubt most Manitobans will be happy to have some of their roads and highways fixed. But its doubtful many will see a connection between improving gravel roads and upgrading intersections with the celebration of Manitobas entry into Confederation 150 years ago.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
Commissioner of Police Colin John is pleased with inroads made in the reduction of crime and promised even more heightened action going forward.

Commissioner of Police Colin John has described the overall reduction in crime recorded in St. Vincent and the Grenadines over the last three years, as "a move in the right direction.





And the top COP has assured that things are being put in place to make 2020 a better year.





Statistics show that up to press time, December 31, 2019, there were 5,356 crimes recorded compared to 5,759 in 2018 and 5,769 in 2017.





In the Central Division which includes the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Narcotics Unit and Questelles, 2,113 crimes were recorded, compared to 2,403 in 2018 and 2,283 in 2017.





This Division which included a number of communities described as hot spots. Notably, there was a reduction in crime in those areas.





Reductions were also recorded in the out districts including the South Central Division (Calliaqua, Mesopotamia, Stubbs and Biabou).





In Calliaqua, there were 620 crimes recorded in 2019, 650 in 2018 and 711 in 2017.





Stubbs recorded an increase with 312 in 2019, 289 in 2018 and 234 in 2017.





In Mesopotamia, there were 260 in 2019, 276 in 2018 and 225 in 2017, while in Biabou there were 250 in 2019, 305 in 2018 and 259 in 2017.





However, perhaps the highlight of 2019, as it related to crime, was the reduction in homicides and murders. Up to press time December 31, 2019, there were 22 homicides, of which 19 were treated as murders, ten being gun-related.





So far, police have solved 12 of the 19 murders committed in 2019.





In 2018, there were 35 homicides, of which 34 were treated as murders, 22 being gun-related; and in 2017 there were 42 homicides, of which 39 were treated as murders, 27 being gun-related.





Commenting on the organizations marked improvement over the last three years, the Commissioner told THE VINCENTIAN, "One crime is one too many, but I think we are moving in the right direction.





"We now have to do an assessment of 2019, look at the things we did well, the things we need to improve on, and work harder to further decrease the crime rate.





The Commissioner attributed the success to the hard working men and women of the police force, support from the business sector and friends of the police, and the support and cooperation from the public.





John also underscored that many of the hardened criminals were behind bars, and unlike previous years, most of the murders in 2019 were not of a gang related nature, but the result of domestic disputes and lack of restraint.





Among the measures earmarked for 2020, John highlighted the evidence-based data collection system which was launched November 19. He explained that this system will help the police to improve on their crime mapping, and divert resources to where they are most needed.





He also referenced the CCTV Ebus System in which CCTV cameras will be placed at strategic positions throughout the country.





The COP wished everybody all the best for the New Year, and urged the public to continue to support and cooperate with the police.
A plane from Lauda Air en route to Dusseldorf made an emergency landing at Malaga Airport on Thursday morning.

According to official sources, the maneouvre was carried out safely and the plane asked the control tower for permission to take off again a short time later.

The pilot had radioed a local warning a few minutes before 11am and, guided by the air-traffic controllers, returned to ground. Reports said the flight sent out the mayday call when a fault in a motor was detected. The airport emergency procedure was activated, meaning the Lauda jet was given complete priority to return.

The plane was on its way to Dusseldorf (flight OE3225) and was scheduled to leave at 10.12am and should have reached the German city at 12.30am.

The aircraft taxied without difficulty to its stand and the passengers we taken off the plane, according to control-tower sources. In more serious incidents, a plane is normally held on the runway after an emergency landing, but this did not happen with the Lauda Air flight.
The national 21-year-old legal age to buy all types of tobacco or vaping products wont take effect before summer, Time magazine reported Dec. 23.

It nonetheless caused post-holiday confusion in states with different ages, including Nebraska, where the first limits on the sale and use of e-cigs and vaping products took effect only on Sept. 1.

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Legislative Bill 397 left the legal age for buying and using tobacco, e-cigs and vaping products at 18 until Jan. 1. It then rose to 19 under LB 149, the second of the states two new vaping laws.

Until and unless the Legislature raises the age again to 21 after it convenes next week, Nebraska law enforcement and pertinent state agencies must enforce the 19-year-old minimum age, Attorney General Doug Peterson said Tuesday.

The North Platte Police Department will wait for further legal advice before making any changes in their enforcement practices, a police spokeswoman said Thursday.

Action to regulate vaping has accelerated since fall amid a growing number of lung illnesses and deaths traced to e-cigarette use.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that killing Iran's chief terrorism mastermind would bring 'more freedom' to Iraq, and that it's 'wrong' to say Qassem Soleimani's death makes the world a more dangerous place.

French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio on Friday that 'we have woken up to a more dangerous world.'

Pompeo fired back on CNN. 'Yeah, well, the French are just wrong about that,' he said. 'The world's a much safer place today, and I can assure you Americans in the region are much safer today, after the demise of Qassem Soleimani.'

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted Friday that it's 'just wrong' to see the killing of Iran's top general as a prelude to increased regional or global danger

A U.S. airstrike at Baghdad International Airport on Thursday killed Qassem Soleimani, pictured in this file image; Zoleimani led Iran's Quds Force, an elite paramilitary force within the nation's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tasked with carrying out unconventional warfare and intelligence activities

Demonstrators burned U.S. and British flags during a protest against Soleimani's assassination in Tehran on Friday

Pompeo tweeted a video fo Iraqis 'dancing in the street for freedom'

Like most European nations that weighed in overnight, France counseled calm.

'In such operations, when we can see an escalation is underway, what we want above all is stability and de-escalation,' Montchalin said. 'Our role is not to take sides, but to talk with everyone.'

But Pompeo insisted in a Fox News Channel interview that taking out the leader of Iran's Quds Force 'was necessary.'

'There was an imminent attack. The orchestrator, the primary motivator for the attack was Qassem Soleimani,' he said. 'He's got hundreds of American lives, blood on his hands.'

Pompeo, a former CIA director whose time as President Donald Trump's top diplomat could be short if he runs for an open U.S. Senate seat this year, said the U.S. has embraced the role of creating 'more freedom for Iraqis, more opportunity for Iraqi people to stand up and get an independent, free and sovereign Iraq built.'

'We gave the Iraqis a real opportunity,' he said.

French Secretary of State for European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin said in a radio interview Friday morning that killing Soleimani had made the world more dangerous

Iran could carry out a wide range of retaliatory acts in response to the killing of Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad Airport

Pompeo tweeted a short video clip of Iraqis dancing and pulling an Iraqi flag banner through what appeared to be a Baghdad street.

'They're happy,' he said on Fox News. 'The absence of Qassem Soleimani is a boon to this region, and we reduced risk last night.'

Pompeo declined to discuss many details of the 'intelligence-based assessment' that drove Trump's decision to target Soleimani.

'He was actively plotting in the region to take actionsa "big action" as he described itthat would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk. We know it was imminent,' he told CNN.

'Last night was the time that we needed to strike to make sure that this imminent attack ... was disrupted,' he said.

'What was sitting before us was his travels throughout the region, his efforts to make a significant strike against Americans,' Pompeo said separately on Fox News. 'There would have been many Muslims killed as well, Iraqis and people in other countries.'

Iran has threatened to retaliate after the overnight U.S. air strike that marked a dramatic escalation in the Iran-U.S. conflict in the Middle East.

The strike was authorized by Trump, who separately said on Friday that Soleimani 'was plotting to kill many more' Americans but offered no other details.

Democratic lawmakers said they had not been briefed about any imminent Iranian plot or the planned U.S. strike, and warned the Trump administration against pursuing war without congressional approval.

Demonstrators protested Friday against Zoleimani's assassination in Tehran

Pompeo said Soleimani was planning 'an imminent attack' when President Donald Trump gave the order to take him out

New York Rep. Max Rose, a U.S. Army veteran, told CNN he wanted more information about the underlying intelligence that drove the strike and what the administration's plan was to deal with an inevitable Iranian response.

Republican lawmakers echoed Pompeo, lauding the U.S. strike and praising Trump for taking the action.

'The escalation is not on our part,' Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who served in the U.S. Air Force, told CNN.

Pompeo told Fox that the United States has fortified its assets in the region and is prepared for any possible retaliation, including a cyberattack.

'Trump and the entire United States government is prepared to respond appropriately,' he said.
Basra: Dozens of US citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern Iraqi oil city of Basra were preparing to leave the country on Friday, Iraq`s Oil Ministry said after a US air strike killed a top Iranian commander in Iraq.

The US embassy in Baghdad urged all citizens to depart from Iraq immediately, hours after the US killed Iranian Quds Force leader Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in an air strike.

Iraqi officials said the evacuation would not affect operations, production or exports. Company sources told Reuters earlier the workers were expected to fly out of the country.

Live TV

Oil production from Iraq, the second-biggest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, was about 4.62 million barrels per day (bpd), according to a Reuters survey of OPEC output.

A spokesman for BP, which operates the giant Rumaila oil field near Basra, declined to comment. Rumaila produced around 1.5 million bpd as recently as April.

Genel, an oil producer in the autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq, said its operations were continuing normally. It did not comment on any staff movements. Gulf Keystone Petroleum, which also operates in Kurdistan, declined to comment. DNO did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Trey Caperton and Sasha Butcher will never forget their beginnings in theater.

Thats why the pair  along with three other performers  are coming back to Albuquerque for two performances on Saturday, Jan. 4.

The event is to raise funds for New Mexico High School Musical Theatre Enchantment Awards, a program all the performers participated in. The competition puts 10 young men and 10 young women together to compete for big prizes.

The best actor and best actress nominees perform for judges and the winners earn a trip to New York to work with Broadway professionals and perform on a Broadway stage with 80 of their peers from across the country in the Jimmy Awards.

This is an idea that I had, Caperton says. I was talking to Sasha about having a concert with the people I got close to in the New Mexico theater scene.

Caperton and Butcher will be joined by Sabina Lueras, Colin Miller and Walker Sikkens for the performances.

The repertoire will be musical theater with some jazz standards.

Caperton says being able to produce a concert that gives back to the Enchantment Awards is special.

This is a place where a lot of us met and congregated, he says. We shared our love for being onstage and for ourselves.

Butcher says participating in the Enchantment Awards gave her the opportunity to see how talented each performer is.

Its a competition, and it brings out the best, Butcher says. It really pushes you to want to do this for the rest of your life.

Each of the performers is continuing their studies in theater.

Sikkens was nominated for the Enchantment Awards three times and is studying musical theater at the University of Utah.

Lueras was nominated once and is studying musical theater at Ithaca College in New York.

Miller was nominated to the program twice and was chosen to go to the Jimmy Awards last year. He is attending the New England Conservatory in Boston.

Butcher studied in New York City and performed Off-Broadway. She recently signed a contract to perform at Tokyo Disneyland.

Caperton was nominated three times to the Enchantment Awards. He went to the Jimmy Awards twice and is now studying musical theater at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania.
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Gen Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed in an air strike at Baghdad's international airport Friday, Iraqi television and three Iraqi officials said.

The strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, the officials said.

Their deaths are a potential turning point in the Middle East and are expected to draw severe retaliation from Iran and the forces it backs in the Middle East against Israel and American interests.

The PMF blamed the United States for an attack at Baghdad International Airport Friday.

There was no immediate comment from the US or Iran.

A senior Iraqi politician and a high-level security official confirmed to the Associated Press that Soleimani and al-Muhandis were among those killed in the attack.

Two militia leaders loyal to Iran also confirmed the deaths, including an official with the Kataeb Hezbollah, which was involved in the attack on the US Embassy this week.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said al-Muhandis had arrived to the airport in a convoy to receive Soleimani whose plane had arrived from either Lebanon or Syria. The airstrike occurred as soon as he descended from the plane to be greeted by al-Muhandis and his companions, killing them all.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject and because they were not authorized to give official statements.

The senior politician said Soleimani's body was identified by the ring he wore.

Soleimani had been rumoured dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad.

More recently, rumours circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syria's Aleppo.

Earlier, Iraq's Security Media Cell, which releases information regarding Iraqi security, said Katyusha rockets landed near the airport's cargo hall, killing several people and setting two cars on fire.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chennai, Jan 3 : The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) President M.K.Stalin on Friday said the party-led alliance has won the rural local body polls despite conducted in December last year.

Party leader Stalin said the DMK led alliance won the polls despite the ruling party's misuse of power and the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission's (TNSEC) one-sided approach.

He said the polls have proved that the power of people can overcome any kind of atrocity.

He wished the victorious candidates and also thanked the voters for reposing confidence in the DMK alliance.

According to him, the polls have shown several positive features like the victory notched up by three elderly women aged 82 (in Tiruppur), 79 (in Melur) and 73 (in Thovalai), a female college student, a transgender and conservancy lady staff in a local body getting elected to head the same body.

According to the Tamil Nadu State Election Commission (TNSEC), out of the 515 District Panchayat Union Ward Member posts the DMK has won 162, AIADMK 128 and others 39.

In the case of 5,090 Panchayat Union Ward Member posts, the DMK 1,877, AIADMK 1,510 and others 1,056.

The first phase saw 76.19 per cent polling, while the second phase saw 77.73 per cent turnout, TNSEC added.

Over 2.31 lakh candidates contested the polls for 91,975 posts. The posts include Gram Panchayat Ward member, Gram Panchayat President, Panchayat Union ward member and District Panchayat Union Ward member, among others.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to this country for the annual summit with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Guwahati on December 13 was postponed in the wake of the violent protests in the northeastern states. (Photo: Twitter)

New Delhi: India and Japan are in touch through diplomatic channels and "very soon" the dates of the annual bilateral summit, postponed last month in the wake of violent protests over the amended citizenship law, will be finalised.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to this country for the annual summit with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in Guwahati on December 13 was postponed in the wake of the violent protests in the northeastern states.

"We are in touch with the Japanese side through diplomatic channels. We do hope that very soon we will come to the finalisation of the date," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing.

Asked whether two summits will be held this year, he said, "It is an annual mechanism, the summit which was supposed to be held in December that is the one which is getting postponed. But all these matters which will be under discussion with the Japanese side."

Kumar had said last month that both sides decided to "defer" Abe's visit for the December 15-17 summit to a mutually convenient date.

The cancellation of the Japanese prime minister's trip came a day after Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan called off their visits to India in view of the situation arising out of the enactment of the amended Citizenship Act.

Guwahati had seen violent protests over the newly amended law, which provides for granting citizenship to non-Muslim persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Diplomatic sources had said the Japanese government clearly conveyed to New Delhi that it would not be possible for Abe to travel to Guwahati in view of large-scale protests in the northeastern region.

Asked about Indo-China boundary negotiations last month and talk of early harvest to the boundary question, Kumar said there was this feeling that the boundary issue should be addressed from a strategic perspective of Indo- China relations.

"It was also decided that while the discussions go on under the Special Representative talks framework, there should be peace and tranquillity along the border which is very important for the overall development of the bilateral relationship," Kumar said.

"We also highlighted that a proper discussion on the boundary is important for the overall development of our bilateral relationship," he said.

Noting that these were sensitive negotiations, the MEA spokesperson said one issue should not cloud the overall relationship.

India and China last month agreed to intensify efforts to achieve a "fair", "reasonable" and mutually acceptable solution to the vexed boundary issue, resolving that its early settlement will serve the fundamental interests of both countries.

There was a consensus during "constructive" border talks here between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval that both sides should respect each other's sensitivities and concerns in order to build mutual trust, according to the MEA.
Classes resume for Ontario students next week  and so do the one-day strikes by public high school teachers.

But the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation said the fourth, Wednesday walkout scheduled Jan. 8 can be avoided if the province and school boards associations agree to return to last years average class size and staffing levels.

This is a proposal to remove the barrier of class size and staffing levels in order to allow the parties to return to the table to bargain the many other outstanding issues of substance, said OSSTF President Harvey Bischof.

The OSSTFs proposal would bring the class average back to 22  it is currently closer to 22.5 with the government planning to boost it to 25  and restore educator and support staff positions to 2018-19 numbers for the length of any contract that is reached.

While the Ontario Public School Boards Association supports the smaller classes  it has said the move to 22.5 was difficult for students and schools  it is unclear if the government will budge.

The province originally planned to boost average class size to 28, leading to thousands of lost teaching positions and tens of thousands fewer course options for teens, but then dropped that demand to 25.

Next weeks walkout is set to hit eight public and Catholic boards, including Peel, as well as a number of schools in six French and French Catholic boards because the OSSTF also represents support workers and professional staff such as psychologists.

It follows the three Wednesday walkouts the union staged in December as talks with the provincial government continued to stall.

Parents have been clear: strikes by unions hurt kids and  investments should go to support student success, not towards enhanced compensation, Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement, referring to the unions proposal for annual wage increases tied to cost of living  these are about two per cent  when the government is offering one per cent.

We agree with Ontario parents. This is why we will continue to vigorously champion the interests of students and seek stability for parents in 2020, who are frustrated and tired of the union-led escalation that began in 2019. This continued strike action is unfair to students and their families.

Bischof, however, said the job action next week will affect some school boards for one day, but the Ford governments policies, if we are not able to reverse them, will continue to create chaos in the education system for years to come. Ontario students deserve better, and that is exactly what were fighting for.

Unions are required to provide five days notice of any upcoming job action.

NDP Education Critic Marit Stiles said her party has told Premier Doug Ford over and over that the only way forward was to cancel their cuts to class sizes. This is what education workers are fighting for, and its what students and parents want.

The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association was in a position to strike legally as of Dec. 21, but says no job action is planned at this time. The union will be back at the negotiating table with the province and school board association Jan. 9.

Teachers at the provinces French language schools recently voted overwhelmingly in favour of a strike.

The OSSTF and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario will continue their work-to-rule campaigns, which, to date, have been largely administrative, although they will be heating up this month and next as Grade 9 standardized math tests and report cards loom.

The OSSTF has said its members will not take part in the upcoming math test, which can count for up to 10 per cent of a students final grade. Both unions have said their members will provide marks only for winter report cards, but it will be up to administrators to input them.

The Ontario Principals Council is urging the province to cancel the Grade 9 math test, which is to be administered between Jan. 13 and 24. However, the province has not made any decision.

No talks are scheduled with the OSSTF, although dates are expected this month.

The boards affected next Wednesday will be those of: Algoma, Huron-Superior Catholic, Greater Essex County, Avon Maitland, Peel, District School Board of Niagara, Limestone and Renfrew County.

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New Delhi:

Intravenous tuberculosis (TB) vaccination is highly protective against the infection in monkeys, compared to the commonly used approach of skin injection, according to a study which may lead to new ways of delivering vaccines against the disease.

According to the researchers, including those from the University of Pittsburgh in the US, even though a vast majority of people across the world are vaccinated against TB, more people die from the disease than any other infectious disease, suggesting that the vaccine may not reliable.

In a study, published in the journal Nature, the scientists showed that simply changing the way the vaccine is administered could dramatically boost its protective power.

"When we compared the lungs of animals given the vaccine intravenously versus the standard route, we saw a 100,000-fold reduction in bacterial burden. Nine out of 10 animals showed no inflammation in their lungs," said study senior author JoAnne Flynn from the University of Pittsburgh.

The researchers said while the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) TB vaccine, which is made of a live, weakened form of TB bacteria found in cattle, has been around for 100 years, and is among the most widely used vaccines in the world, its efficacy varies widely.

As part of the study, the scientists separated their study subjects, a colony of monkeys, into six groups -- unvaccinated, standard human injection, stronger dose but same injection route, mist, injection plus mist, and finally, the stronger dose of BCG delivered as a single shot directly into the vein.

They then exposed the animals to TB after six months, and monitored them for signs of infection.

According to the study, all of the animals which received the standard human dose had persistent lung inflammation, and the average amount of TB bacteria in their lungs was only slightly less than in the monkeys that received no vaccine at all.

Injected and inhaled vaccines offered similarly modest TB protection, the researchers said. On the other hand, the intravenous vaccine, the researchers said, offered nearly full protection.

They added that there was virtually no TB bacteria in the lungs of these animals, and only one monkey in the group developed lung inflammation.

"The reason the intravenous route is so effective is that the vaccine travels quickly through the bloodstream to the lungs, the lymph nodes and the spleen, and it primes the T cells before it gets killed," Flynn explained.

The researchers found the vaccine, and the immune system's T cells in the lungs of all the intravenously vaccinated animals.

In the other groups, the scientists noted that BCG was undetectable in the lung tissue, and T cell responses were relatively meagre.

But before this method is translated to humans, the researchers said it must be tested for safety and practicality since an intravenous vaccine requires more skill to administer and carries a higher risk of infection.

"We're a long way from realizing the translational potential of this work. But eventually we do hope to test in humans," Flynn said.
A fter a year of pretty poor performance, the rise in rail fares will be a bitter pill to swallow for passengers. Every year we speak to thousands of them, and less than half feel they get value for money. Its time for a consistent service they can rely on.

Transport Focus has long called for a fares system that is simple to use and is flexible enough to cater to how people live and work today  such as by issuing part-time season tickets. The presence of cheaper fares that are hidden in the system damages trust. Commuters on South Western Railway who have suffered one of the longest rail strikes are now being hit with season ticket rises of up to almost 200. Passengers who have had to endure grim journeys deserve compensation that recognises the unprecedented extent of the disruption to their lives.

Meanwhile passengers should claim compensation every time they are delayed, to help offset the cost of the fares rise and to Make Delay Pay.

David Sidebottom, Director at watchdog Transport Focus

Editor's reply

Dear David

There are two issues here: an unreliable rail service and an increasingly expensive one.

On the first issue, would passengers prefer new trains or reliable trains? Ideally theyd get both, but resources are not infinite.

On the second, it has long been hard to defend the annual fares rise. Transport for London has shown it is possible to run a decent service (on rail, Overground and Tube) without increasing all fares annually. The national rail industry needs to learn lessons here. But the wider point is the scale of Government investment in the railways  about 12 per passenger per year.

London-bound commuters may be driven to despair by South Western Railways, Thameslink and Southern but lets not pretend conditions are as bad as those on Northern or ScotRail. What we must guard against, though, is allowing fares to rise and services to deteriorate to the extent that travellers are forced back into their cars.

Ross Lydall, City Hall Editor

End New Years fireworks shows

In 2020, London can lead the world in doing New Year differently. Using 15 tonnes of fireworks and creating toxic clouds and air goes against all the warnings that the Government, the mayor, scientists and Extinction Rebellion tell us about saving our planet. It sends the wrong message.

Cities need to think differently. If we need a spectacle that makes a statement and draws crowds, lets have a light show synchronised to great music and bands. Fireworks are the past and an expensive and unnecessary thrill that has no place in the world we seek to save. If we want to lead the green world, then lets do it. We need to show our commitment to our environment.

David Caillard

Internal study will not fix Labour

If the police make a major mistake, one hopes that it will be investigated by an independent body and not by the police themselves. So why should we expect fairness from a study of their election failure chaired by prominent Labour Party members?

I recall a prominent study of anti-Semitism in the party that was chaired by a party member who later was elevated to a peer. Did this correct the problem? We had to wait three more years for an independent investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Dr Robert Simon

Make the elderly a bigger priority

The Government needs to place at the top of its social care agenda the neglect of millions of pensioners that Jeremy Hunt called a national disgrace as long ago as October 2013.

Five years later Theresa May admitted her Loneliness Strategy was just the start of tackling this challenge and granted it 20 million, followed by 2 million a year later.

Recognising that funding alone could not resolve this problem, the Loneliness Strategy included the elderly in the relationships education that all schools will be required to teach by September 2020.

The Education Department rejected its own proposal by omitting teaching relationships with the elderly and focusing solely on sex education in its Statutory Guidance on Relationships Education, issued in June 2019.
Ambassador Pham Viet Chien (L) presented his credentials to President of Bangladesh Md. Abdul Hamid (Photo: baoquocte.vn)



At the reception after the credentials presentation ceremony, President Abdul Hamid warmly welcomed the ambassador to receive his mission in Bangladesh. He recalled memories from his visit to Vietnam in 2015, and expressed his good feelings and admiration for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh.



The President emphasized that the two countries have many similarities and have great potential for cooperation in many areas, and desired the ambassador, in his position, to promote good relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy and trade.

The Ambassador thanked the President for his deep affection for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, and conveyed the greetings of General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and senior leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to the Bangladeshi President.

The Ambassador reported to the Bangladeshi President on developments in the relationship between the two countries in recent years, especially after the visit of the late President Tran Dai Quang.

With the support of the President and the Government of Bangladesh, the Ambassador will try to promote the traditional friendly relations between the two countries, especially raising the two-way trade turnover to over USD1 billion billion and reaching USD2 billion, in line with the potential and strengths of the two countries./.
By Express News Service

MAHBUBNAGAR: Telangana Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar participated in the second phase of the Palle Pragathi programme in Gundla Potlapally village under Rajapur Mandal of Mahbubnagar district on Thursday.

He urged the villagers to implement the second phase of the campaign, just the way they had carried-out developmental and maintenance works in their village during the first phase of the initiative. He also urged the villagers to do their part in making Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Raos Each One, Teach One initiative successful to eradicate illiteracy from the village.

The Chief Secretary inspected the dumping yard and addressed the villagers at the gram sabha meeting, where he urged the people to separate wet and dry waste before giving it to sanitation staff for disposal. He also said that medicinal plants needed to be grown around the dumping yard and that the workers stationed there be provided all facilities. He explained the importance of digging a soak-pit near homes to prevent mosquito menace and said that around Rs 339 crore was being released by the State government for all gram panchayats across the State every month.

Expressing displeasure over the State being fourth from the bottom in terms of literacy across the country, he said, Despite Telangana being at the top in terms of implementing welfare schemes, we are fouth from the bottom in terms of literacy. Sarpanches and panchayat secretaries should go from house to house in villages and prepare a report on those who are unable to read or write. Principal Secretary of Panchayt Raj Department Vikas Raj, who was also part of the inspecting team, said that the peoples participation was needed to keep their village clean.

Principal Secretary (Labour) Dr Shashank Goel, who was on an inspection of Vemula and Sankalamaddi villages in Moosapet mandal on Thursday, inspected the newly constructed toilets in Government High School premises in Vemula and the dumping yard, crematorium, nursery and plantation taken-up under the Haritha Haram programme.

While the Chief Secretary, along with District Collector Ronald Rose, were going towards Gundla Potlapally, a group of villagers from Rangareddiguda approached their convoy.

The villagers brought to the Chief Secretarys notice the pollution issue which has been haunting their village for over two decades ever since the sponge iron factory was established adjacent to the village. They stated that they were facing severe health hazards due to the pollutants released by the factory.
Esmail Ghani / Ismail Qaani / Ismail Kaani

Ismail Qaani / Ismail Khan (born 08 August 1957 / 17 Mordad 1336 in Mashhad), is Iranian military commander of the Qods Force Iranian Revolutionary Guards Islamic Revolution. After the martyrdom of Qasem Soleimani, Irans supreme leader appointed the deputy commander of the Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that program of the Quds Force affiliated to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor.

"Following the ascension of the Supreme Martyr, Honorable Sardar Haj Qassim Suleimani Razwanullah, commanding the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to Commander-in-Chief Brig. The area has served. The program of that force is exactly the same as that of the martyr Suleimani. I would like to thank all of those colleagues for their presence and cooperation with Commander Qaani, and I wish them success, approval, and divine guidanc."

Ghaani served as the Deputy Commander of the IRGC-QF. His authority covered IRGC-QF financial disbursements to IRGC-QF elements, including elements in Africa, as well as to various terrorist groups, including Hezbollah. As Deputy Commander, Ghaani had financial oversight of IRGC-QF weapons shipments. The U.S. Department of the Treasury on 27 March 2012 announced the designation of the Iranian cargo airline, Yas Air; Behineh Trading; three Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) officials; and one Nigerian shipping agent  all pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 for acting for or on behalf of, or providing support to, the IRGC-QF, a designated terrorist entity. Esmail Ghani serves as the Deputy Commander of the IRGC-QF. Ghani's authority covers IRGC-QF financial disbursements to IRGC-QF elements, including elements in Africa, as well as to various terrorist groups, including Hizballah. As Deputy Commander, Ghani had financial oversight of the IRGC-QF weapons shipment that was intended for The Gambia.

In his early 20's, he joined IRGC and served in different divisions and left behind invaluable memorials with his comrades and finally became commander of Nasr-5 division to prove his capability and qualifications as a vigilant commander. During eight-years of sacred defense war with Iraq he was the commander of IRGC 5th Nasr Division and the 21st Imam Reza Division. The 21st Imam Reza (AS) was one of the strong troops of Khorasan that shone well in various stages of holy defense.

He was said to have always remained committed to the principles of the Islamic Revolution and spared no efforts to materialize the aspiration of the revolution. The devoted commander also played significant role in many military operations and brought triumphs to Iranian side.

Esmail Ghaani became deputy commander of the Quds Force, the overseas arm of Irans Revolutionary Guards, in 1997 when Soleimani became the Forces chief commander. He was quoted in 2017 by Iranian media as sayingthat U.S. President Donald Trumps threats against Iran will damage America We have buried many like Trump and know how to fight against America.

He was added on March 27, 2012 to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list maintained by the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), freezing his assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting transactions with U.S. parties, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and their supporters; according to OFAC, acts on behalf of or provides support to the IRGC-QF, a designated terrorist entity.

Among his statements: "The Americans, by their presence in the region and launching two major wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, have reaped nothing but humiliation, humiliation and lack of credibility. Our steadfast resistance is what has made us over the past 40 years vigorously confront the sinister acts of America and Israel and their allies, and that We proudly exit from all conspiracies in the military and security fields and economic pressures. He added, that during the past 15 years, the more the enemy increases his attacks, the greater the resistance of the people accordingly.

He also commented earlier on Syria , and denounced "selective American practices in Syria ," stating that "if the Americans feel that they are unable to advance their goals through war, they resort to raising the banner of negotiation.

In one of his interviews he said the US and Zionist regime are much weaker to compete with Iran's military might which backs oppressed Palestinians and people in Gaza. Ismail Qazani, accused the United States of spending $ 7 trillion on establishing and supporting ISIS and providing 5,000 dead, without being able to do anything. He said Qaana in a speech at a ceremony to commemorate the "defenders of the martyrs of the holy shrines," that "martyrs are the pioneers of the defense of the revolution, and We have given martyrs in every moment for the arrival of the revolution to the year of forty, and in the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the revolution, must initially honoring the martyrs And their families, "according to the Iranian" Fars "agency. He added, "The regional victories that owe the heroism of the martyrs for forty years of the revolution, and without the martyrs, no one could have confronted America in a direct war in the region," he said.

Commander Ismail Qaani said in a memorial to the martyrs of the Semnan University's shrine: "The victory of the Resistance Front is one of the great honors of Iran. He stated that moving along the path of martyrs and keeping their aspirations alive is one of the most important tasks of our day: With the victory of the Front of Resistance, the pure Islamist Mohammadi was introduced worldwide and its legitimacy became public.

The deputy commander of the Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards emphasized that the United States was the most important supporter of the ISIS Takfiri group: Americans are working to promote Islam and American culture in the Muslim communities and countries of the region, which defeated the victory of American Islam in the world. He added that the war in Syria was a trans-regional war, adding that despite the presence of the martyrs of the shrine and the resistance fighters, the advance of this Takfiri and anti-Islamic terrorist group in the region was prevented. The war with ISIS was a valuable and beautiful jihad.

Commander Qaani emphasized that the suicide bombers carried out by the ISIS Takfiri group in the area around the clock said: These were actions to crush the resistance of the warrior.





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While Israel wages a major air campaign against Iranian efforts to move longer range rockets and missiles into Syria and Lebanon, it still has a problem with shorter range unguided rockets. There are also a growing number of longer range rockets already in Lebanon and Gaza. The immediate threat is about 10,000 short-range rockets in Gaza and over 40,000 in southern Lebanon. Then there are locally produced rockets. Since 2013 Gaza has been using components smuggled in from Iran to build a longer range (75 kilometers) rockets. These were initially unguided but there are now upgrade kits that add GPS guidance.

Hamas has relied on mortar shells to supplement its rocket supply. The mortars only have a range of a few kilometers and mass fire is less likely. Israel has deployed its Iron Dome anti-rocket system for nearly a decade and this has further reduced the effectiveness of shorter range rockets. The only way to overcome Iron Dome is mass attacks, firing so many rockets at once that Iron Dome cannot handle all of them and some get through to populate areas. The downside of that is it triggers a more aggressive and destructive Israeli response.

For example, during the brief wars between Hamas and Israel since 2010 Israel has managed to bomb storage sites and destroy thousands of rockets before they could be used. After these short wars cargo entering Gaza was more strictly monitored, especially since 2014, forcing Hamas to depend more on locally fabricated rockets. These have proved unreliable and many do not make it across the border when launched. By restricting access to chemicals to manufacture propellant and explosives, the Hamas rocket stockpiles have been kept low and increasingly consist of aging locally made rockets that become even less reliable as they get older.

To deal with the aging rocket problem Hamas has periodically launched hundreds of them at Israel. There are always other reasons for these rocket attacks, but it does use a lot of rockets that nearing their use by date. Its bad for morale to have a lot of rockets malfunction when launched. As a result in 2019, about 1,500 rockets and mortar shells were fired, with about 20 percent of this being shorter range shells. In 2018 the number was about 1,100. The mortar shells are difficult to get into Gaza now and mortar shells also degrade with age. Israel also knows a lot about what goes on in Gaza because they have an effective informer network in Gaza and the area is under constant aerial surveillance, mainly via UAVs. Whenever rockets or mortar shells are fired at Israel, airstrikes, via F-16s, helicopter gunships or UAVs are launched and in the last year over a thousand targets have been hit. Many of these trigger secondary explosions, indicating an ammunition stockpile or rocket workshop has been hit.

Making their own rockets is nothing new; the Palestinians have been doing it for decades. Hamas has been sending people to Iran for training for years. This made it possible to build locally larger rockets like the M-75, but only if Hamas could smuggle in key components. That has become more difficult since 2014. Most locally made Hamas Kassam rockets are based on the older Russian B-12 rocket. This is a factory-made, 107mm, 19 kg (42 pound), 860mm (33 inch) long Russian designed rocket that is very popular with terrorists. This unguided rocket has a range of about six kilometers and 1.4 kg (three pounds) of explosives in its warhead. It is designed to be fired from a launcher in salvoes of dozens at a time. When used individually, it is more accurate the closer it is to the target. This 107mm design has been copied by many nations and is very popular with guerillas and terrorists because of its small size and portability. Hamas has little need for the B-12 because their locally made Kassam rockets match it in range and lack of accuracy. But some B-12s are smuggled in any way when the opportunity presents itself.

The larger 122mm BM-21s weigh 68 kg (150 pounds) and are 2.9 meters (nine feet) long. These have 20 kg (44 pound) warheads but not much better accuracy than the 107mm model. However, these larger rockets have a maximum range of 20 kilometers. Again, because they are unguided, they are only effective if fired in salvos or at large targets (like cities or large military bases or industrial complexes). There are longer range (up to about 40 kilometers) versions of these rockets. These are made by a number of countries and gain their additional range by using smaller warheads.

A more formidable threat comes from Hezbollah, an Iran-sponsored Shia militia that controls most of southern Lebanon and the Israeli border area. Here a much more elaborate network of rocket storage bunkers and launch sites has been established for over 50,000 rockets. Israel responded with improved air defense systems and more ground forces on the Lebanese border.

Nothing the huge Hezbollah rocket stockpile and the number successfully used in 2006, Hamas decided to see how much damage it could do in a brief war with Israel in 2014. The 2006 war involved Hezbollah firing about 4,000 of their 14,000 rockets, mostly 122mm BM-21s. The war lasted five weeks and Hezbollah continued to fire rockets, but fewer of them as the war went on. They lost at least as many rockets as they fired because of Israeli airstrikes. The Israelis lost 167 dead, most of them soldiers and most of those across the border in Lebanon. Hezbollah lost over 600 dead while the Lebanese military and other militias lost about 90 dead. There were about a thousand civilians killed. Hezbollah overestimated how many rockets they could fire and how effective they would be. The Israeli civil defense system saved many lives by getting civilians into shelters or out of the way. The Israeli army underestimated the difficulty of overcoming Hezbollah resistance on the ground and the air force overestimated the effectiveness of airpower. Both sides made changes in the response to the 2006 war. Israel had an opportunity to demonstrate their improvements, Hezbollah has not.

Several months before the July 2014 war began Israel revealed that because of new technology and weapons the Israeli air force could now hit more targets in 24 hours than it did in 33 days, during the 34 day war with Hezbollah in 2006. In dealing with Hamas, Israel pointed out that it would now hit in less than 12 hours the number of targets it took seven days to find and attack during the week-long 2008 war with Hamas. This was all part of a technological revolution the Israeli armed forces have been undergoing since the 1990s. Since the 2006 war with Hezbollah, those changes have been accelerating. This statement did not disturb Hezbollah or Hamas because they knew the Israelis were always improving their technology. What was underestimated was the extent of this particular improvement.

Another surprise was how the Battlefield Internet improved Israeli intelligence efforts. Israel always had some formidable intelligence collection capabilities. Israel satellites, UAVs and manned recon aircraft collect data that leads to the identification of enemy bases and weapons storage sites. This, for example, enabled the Israeli Air Force to quickly destroy most of the long-range rockets in Lebanon in 2006 and in Gaza in 2008. The Israeli Air Force demonstrated a lot of changes less than two years after the 2006 war when, in Gaza, dozens of targets taken out within three minutes by Israeli warplanes. The new automated systems included everyone (air, ground and naval). In addition to using more sensors (ground, air and naval), all these were linked together electronically so that when a potential threat was detected every tank, infantry unit, artillery, aircraft or ship within range was alerted and provided access to video or other sensor data. Israel has long been the leading developer and supplier (for their own forces as well as export) of sensors and computerized command and control systems. All this enabled more targets to be found and attacked more quickly.

By 2014 Hezbollah was receiving more bad news in the form of an increasingly bloody civil war in Syria to overthrow the Iran-backed Assad government. Iran was determined to not lose in Syria and ordered Hezbollah to send thousands of its best militiamen to help the Assads. Hezbollah could not refuse, even though fighting in Syria was not popular with the Hezbollah gunmen or the rest of Lebanese who hated the Assads and openly favored the Syrian rebels. All this made Hezbollah even more unpopular in Lebanon.

By 2018 the war in Syria was decided and it left Syria and Lebanon dangerously different. This is because of population shifts and the growing animosity between Sunnis and Shia because of the civil war and the intervention of Iran and its Shia mercenaries, mainly from Lebanon and Afghanistan. Iran motivated the mercenaries with cash and a cause; to protect the Shia minority of Syria from annihilation. Iran encouraged its mercenaries to go after Sunnis in general, not just the ones belonging to Islamic terror groups, especially ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). Since 2011 over six million Syrians have been forced to leave Syria because of the war. Nearly all of those who fled the country, and wont be coming back, are Sunni. That means the Sunni majority of the Syrian population goes from 70 percent in 2011 to 58 percent. To make matters worse Iran is encouraging Shia from other countries (Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq) to settle in Syria and take over the homes and property of the departed Sunnis. Few foreign Shia accepted the offer. The Assads deliberately attacked Sunni civilians and encouraged them to flee the country and does not want them back.

Most of the Syrian rebels were anti-Shia, mainly because the Assads are from a Shia minority that had misruled Syria for decades. The Assads had always been brutal towards any Sunni opposition. This has been a problem for Iran in Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah militia continues to expand its control throughout the country, beyond areas where the Shia minority they represent live. But because of the two million Sunni Arab Syrian refugees that have fled to Lebanon since 2012 the Lebanese Shia are now a smaller minority. Lebanon is overwhelmed, economically and otherwise, by the two million Syrian refugees it is hosting. Thats in a country of only five million. Since nearly all those refugees are Sunni Moslems, that radically changes the religious mix of Lebanon from 27 percent Shia, 27 percent Sunni, and 46 percent Christian (and other religions) to a more volatile combination. With the refugee influx, there are now over seven million people in Lebanon and 47 percent are Sunni, 19 percent Shia and 34 percent Christian (and others). This puts the Hezbollah militia in a bad situation. Their better armed and trained fighters have been able to dominate the other minorities since the 1980s. That was possible because of Iranian cash, weapons and advisors. But the Iranian help and better organization is no longer enough when the Sunnis are nearly half the population and out for blood because of the slaughter the Iran-backed Shia Syrian government inflicted on Syrian Sunnis. Lebanon does not want another civil war, like the 1975-90 one, over this but it is becoming more difficult to contain the anger. Hezbollah and Iran have had some success attracting non-Shia factions (especially Christians) to be part of the Shia coalition. This is traditional Lebanese politics, with the Christians surviving by forming a coalition with non-Christian groups. By 2019 even that tactic had failed as all the non-Shia realized they were at risk for whatever madness Iran had in mind. This year there have been growing popular protests against Hezbollah. Morale among Hezbollah supporters was low even before that because of the thousands of Hezbollah killed or wounded fighting for Iran in Syria. That low morale turned to anti-Iran anger when, in the past year, Iran cut its cash payments to Hezbollah in half. This was a side effect of the U.S. restoring sanctions on Iran in 2017 and the $16 billion Iran had spent defending the Assads after 2011.

Hezbollah leaders still threaten Israel with a massive rocket attack but now many Hezbollah supporters, as well as the non-Shia majority of Lebanese openly oppose that. Israel has said it will attack Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon and that will cripple the Lebanese economy. For years Hezbollah assumed that the majority of Lebanese would back them if there were another war with Israel. Now that assurance has turned to fears that Hezbollah would be attacked from the rear by non-Shia Lebanese while the Israelis came after them from the south. Non-Shia politicians no longer blame Israel but focus their ire on Iran and its puppet Hezbollah. There is fear that these non-Shia Lebanese political leaders are already in touch with Israel to cooperate in the destruction of Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, there have been far Israeli fewer airstrikes launched against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and location data on storage sites is less difficult to come by. As with Gaza, storage sites are, as much as possible, placed in residential areas, often in specially built basements of homes, schools and hospitals. That tactic was never very popular in Lebanon, even though it was only Shia homes, schools and hospitals that were militarized. Yet many of those Shia communities contained large non-Shia minorities.

In response to the Hezbollah threat, Israel has warned Lebanon that the southern portion of their country will be devastated by Israeli air and artillery strikes if Hezbollah carries out another major rocket attack. For a long time Lebanon ignored these warnings but noting the extent and degree of devastation that took place in Syria since 2011, Lebanese public opinion has turned against Hezbollah and Iran. That has improved intelligence Israel can obtain about Hezbollah rocket storage and launch preparations and allowed a more extensive and precise target list to be prepared. Lebanese now take for granted that if Hezbollah does prepare for another mass attack, civilians should flee the border area as quickly as possible. This alone was causing Hezbollah morale and public support problems. Hezbollah is now seen as more of a threat to Lebanon than Israel. And Israel is seen as more of a friend to Lebanon than Iran and Hezbollah.
A request for US rapper 50 Cents phone number was among the oddest calls from Britons abroad to the Foreign Office last year.

Other calls to the department included a complaint from a holidaymaker about the quality of the food on his flight, and a request for embassy staff to retrieve a pair of headphones from a French hotel room.

The Foreign Office has revealed details of a number of unusual enquiries they received in 2019 and reminded the public of the things officials can actually assist them with.

A request for US rapper 50 Cents phone number was among the oddest enquiries by Britons abroad to the Foreign Office last year

Another bizarre request came from a British couple in China who 'had engaged the services of a sperm donor and wanted to know if our staff could verify the nationality of the sperm as British'.

Another caller rang to enquire about obtaining a British passport for their son, who had been born overseas, on the basis that the parents were certain he had been conceived in the UK.

A woman in Sweden rang up to ask what she should wear to Windsor Castle after being invited to an event at the royal residence.

While another enquiry came from a couple thinking of relocating to Lisbon who wanted to know how removal companies managed to get large items of furniture into the citys small apartments.

A woman in Sweden called the Foreign Office to ask what she should wear to Windsor Castle, pictured, after being invited to an event at the royal residence

Assistance the Foreign Office can provide to UK citizens who are overseas includes the issuing of emergency travel documents and advice on what to do if you are imprisoned.

Staff can also help people get in touch with family and friends abroad, put people in contact with local services such as lawyers, doctors and translators, and help with visits to people who have been admitted to hospital.

A spokesman said: 'While we cant hand out famous rappers phone numbers, collect your lost property or advise on Windsor Castles dress code, our dedicated consular staff are there to help Britons who run into trouble when theyre abroad.

'Read our travel advice before you go away, make sure you have appropriate travel insurance, and if you get into difficulty, you can call the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate.'
More than a year after the devastating Camp Fire, thousands of victims are still burned out of house and home. So why on earth are government agencies trying to take whats been put aside for them to rebuild?

Pacific Gas & Electric Company, the utility thats been named responsible for igniting historically calamitous wildfires in 2017 and 2018, declared bankruptcy nearly a year ago. The process has been tumultuous, and one of the reasons why is the unusually large number of creditors seeking to be made whole in any company settlement.

When the company reached an agreement last month with fire victims attorneys for $13.5 billion, it seemed like it was on its way to settling at least some of those claims.

Instead, both state and federal government agencies have stepped forward with their hands out, pushing for claims that would total more than half the pot.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is among the federal agencies demanding some $4 billion.

California state agencies are also asking for more than $3 billion. All the agencies say they need the money to cover their expenses for firefighting and clean-up.

PG&E agreed to pay $1 billion to 14 local governments to cover their wildfire damages. These claims are unrelated to that settlement.

There is little doubt that these government agencies incurred major costs in the course of their duties to protect the public and clean up the terrible after-effects of wildfires.

But theres even less doubt that they should not be seeking to take money from the very victims they have been charged to protect.

Many claimants clamoring for PG&Es money seem to be forgetting that its unusual in any bankruptcy for everyone to be made whole. That said, if theres anyone who deserves to be first in line, its the residents who lost their homes.

Given how difficult its been for these individuals to file their claims in the first place  thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of these victims havent filed due to factors including confusion, lack of information and even homelessness  its particularly unseemly for government agencies to seek money that was designed to help them get back on their feet.

Victims attorneys have asked the bankruptcy judge to reduce the agencies claims. U.S. attorneys and Attorney General Xavier Becerra have raised concerns about the treatment of different claims and have urged the bankruptcy court to ensure that settlement amounts are governed by neutral trustees.

Finally, Gov. Gavin Newsom rejected PG&Es plan to exit bankruptcy using the $13.5 billion deal. He could  and should  make it clear that his approval of any eventual settlement is contingent on a deal that puts individual victims first.

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.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. High 63F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 37F. Winds light and variable.
WASHINGTON  Hours after the United States military said it had killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani at the Baghdad airport in order to deter future Iranian attacks on US troops, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rushed to television morning news shows today and placed calls to international counterparts calling for de-escalation and claiming the killing of Soleimani will make the world more safe. But several international allies and even more hawkish Democratic senators expressed open skepticism about Pompeos claim that the assassination was justified to avert an imminent threat, and concern that the US killing of the top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force leader could unleash an escalation that could get more Americans and allied forces killed.

There is no imminent threat aside from that which the president has provoked, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), one of only two Democratic senators who voted in 2015 against President Barack Obamas Iran nuclear deal, said today.

In a further sign of dismay, even the statements from the United States closest allies working with it especially in the fight against the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, were unusually terse and tight lipped.

We have always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement after a call with Pompeo. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

We have woken up to a more dangerous world, Frances Europe Minister Amelie de Montchalin told RTL radio, saying President Emmanuel Macron would consult soon with players in the region.

In a call today, Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed concern in connection with the death. It was stated that this act could seriously exacerbate situation in the region, Russias RIA Novosti reported.

Pompeo dismissed the European concerns that the killing could unleash further reprisals, insisting that Soleimani posed a threat but declining to give details.

I cant talk too much about the nature of the threat that caused the United States to strike, but the decision saved American lives, Pompeo told CNNs New Day, adding that the attack threat had been imminent.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry said it had conveyed messages from Iran to the United States and vice versa after Iran summoned its envoy to protest the US action. The charge daffaires was informed of Irans position and in turn delivered the message of the United States, the Swiss Foreign Ministry told Reuters. Switzerland represents US interests in Iran since the two nations do not have formal diplomatic relations.

Iran, predictably, threatened reprisals, as tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets to mourn the Quds Force chief, who was a popular figure in Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, unusually, attended an emergency National Security Council cabinet meeting Friday, summoned to determine how to respond to the US action.

The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned in a tweet.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denounced the US strike as an extremely dangerous and foolish action, and warned that the US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.

It was not clear if he would proceed with a previously planned trip to the United Nations headquarters in New York next week.

President Donald Trump, who has been vacationing at his Palm Beach resort of Mar-a-Lago over the Christmas and New Year holidays, tweeted photos of the American flag, and on Friday, a slogan: Iranians never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

But the White House offered no briefings or backgrounders to reporters traveling with Trump in Florida, referring to the Pentagon for comment. The Pentagon issued a statement Thursday night saying the military had conducted the strike at the direction of Trump and that it was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

Despite US calls for de-escalation, Iran experts said avoiding a wider escalation would be difficult.

The door to diplomacy between Tehran and Washington is closed for the foreseeable future, Ali Vaez, director of Iran programs at the International Crisis Group, told Al-Monitor from Oman. Saving the nuclear deal might no longer be possible, he said, adding, The Iranians will take revenge in ways that might make it impossible for both countries to avoid direct conflict.

The US did this strategic mistake, former Iranian diplomat Hossein Mousavian, currently in Iran, told Al-Monitor.

Colin Kahl, national security adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden, said US personnel in Iraq could bear the brunt of an Iranian response.

It is likely that Iran will retaliate against US personnel in Iraq and perhaps elsewhere in the region via proxies, terrorism and sabotage, Kahl told Al-Monitor. We should expect more demonstrations and attempts to storm the US Embassy in Iraq (and perhaps elsewhere, like Lebanon). And pressure will build to evacuate the Baghdad embassy. We should expect more Iranian provocations in the Gulf. US forces across the Middle East will be on alert and a hair trigger. [Defense Secretary Mark] Esper has already warned of the US willingness to take preemptive action, and there may be more to come. The region will be on a knifes edge.

Several Democratic members of Congress expressed outrage and concern that the Trump administration was taking reckless action that could lead to a new war in the Middle East without any congressional consultation or authorization.

[Soleimani] was a despicable killer, but this drastic escalation of hostilities  waging a military attack on Iraqi soil over the objections of that country and without congressional authorization  will increase the threat to American troops, diplomats and families in the region, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee warned in a statement today that further criticized Trumps decision to quit the nuclear deal and resume escalating aggressions with Iran that has brought us to the brink of another war in the Middle East.

Trump's maximum pressure campaign has made the region less stable, divided us from key allies and is driving our adversaries together, Kaine continued. Congress must act to stop President Trump from entangling America in yet another unnecessary war in the Middle East.

Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), one of the only members of Congress who was briefed on the US action in advance when he was visiting Mar-a-Lago, cheered the action.

We killed the most powerful man in Tehran short of the Ayatollah, Graham tweeted today. This was not an act of revenge for what he had done in the past. This was a preemptive, defensive strike planned to take out the organizer of attacks yet to come.
The Congress on Friday came under attack from both its new ally Shiv Sena and rival BJP over an insinuation by its key frontal organisation Seva Dal about Veer Savarkar's relationship with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

The Sena said the Congress had "dirt" in their mind by questioning Savarkar's credentials as a patriot and his reputation for valour while the BJP described as abhorrent and perverted the comments by the Seva Dal against the Hindutva ideologue in a Hindi booklet. The BJP also demanded an apology from the Congress.

BJP general secretary Anil Jain took a swipe at the Congress, saying "world knows various relationships of Congress leaders" but he does not want to throw such muck.

The Hindi booklet, distributed at a camp of Congress-affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh, had claimed that Veer Savarkar and Nathuram Godse were in a physical relationship.

"Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind," Raut said, responding to the insinuations in the booklet, titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?"



The book also alleged that Savarkar received money from the British after he was released from Andaman's Cellular Jail.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said Congress should apologise for the "perverted" content in the booklet.

"The booklet contains lies and perverted content. The Congress should tender an apology for the same," Patil said.

"Savarkar was acquitted by the court in the Gandhi assassination case. Despite this, the Congress-affiliated organisation is trying to link him and the accused in the case," he said.

Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's jibe that his name was not "Rahul Savarkar" and hence he would not seek apology (about his remark on rape) had riled the Shiv Sena, his party's new-found ally in Maharashtra.

Anil Jain said nobody in the Congress suffered like Savarkar, and asked how low can the opposition party fall to attack the Hindutva icon.

The Congress should answer about such an abhorrent comment made about Savarkar, he added.

"Except for a family nobody is worthy of respect for the Congress," Jain said, accusing the party of denigrating leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Savarkar.

Union minister Smriti Irani asked the Congress how long it would "insult the sacrifices" of Savarkar and said the opposition party will have to give an answer to the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.

"The Congress, which is one of the ruling parties in Maharashtra, will have to answer the Marathi people and all patriots in the country how long will it continue to insult the sacrifice of Veer Savarkar," Irani said at the Delhi BJP office.

She also asked why does the Congress consider its "birthright to humiliate" Savarkar.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer, and developed the core of his philosophy on the concept of Hindutva.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 30)  Five people died Thursday, after a two-storey apartment caught fire in Iligan City.

A report from the Iligan City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said they received a call about a fire in Barangay Maria Cristina at around 3:29 p.m.

A 35-year-old mother and her four sons died in the fire.

"Yung apoy kasi nakita namin doon, nagsimula malapit sa pintuan, wala sila malabasan," said SFO2 Reynaldo Malio.

[Translation: We saw the fire near the door, they could not get out.]

Malio said three of the victims were found in the bathroom.

"Ang misconception kasi ng mga tao, akala nila safe sila sa banyo pag may sunog," he said.

[Translation: People think they will be safe in the bathroom in case of a fire.]

The report added the family lived on the ground floor of the building. Another family who lived on the second floor, was able to escape the blaze.

Malio said the victim's husband was in Manila when the fire happened, and will be returning to Iligan City.

Three others sustained burns and were brought to the hospital.

Iligan City BFP said the cause of the fire is still unknown and the incident is under investigation.
By Arthur I. Cyr





President Vladimir Putin of Russia held his traditional year-end press conference on Dec. 19. The main news is there was none, save for coy hints he may change the Constitution to remain in office eyond 2024.



Putin on other occasions has been threatening, encouraging Americans and others to demonize Russia as an enemy. Russian meddling in U.S. elections has provided evidence and encouragement for this.



One result is exaggeration of the true power of Russia and the effectiveness of the ruthless  though not all-powerful  autocrat Putin. Make no mistake, he is a cunning as well as effective power player.



But is Russia our enemy? Clear-headed analysis of this question is fundamental as basis for effective foreign policy.



Putin not only survived but advanced professionally in the KGB, the brutal, murderous Soviet secret police. He spent significant formative years in communist East Germany, a disciplined totalitarian state that drew directly from Nazi Germany.



Yet Russia today does not possess great international power or its earlier totalitarian domestic political control. The 2014 annexation of Crimea, which was part of the Soviet Union until 1954, reflects traditional Russian insecurity about reliable access to the global oceans. A home port of Russia's Black Sea fleet is in Crimea, where support for Russia is strong.



The European Union (EU) and the Obama administration forcefully protested the invasion and imposed sanctions, no idle gesture given the structural weakness of Russia's economy. That however did not escalate to a return to the Cold War.



For the U.S. as well as the EU and NATO, effective policy must be put in broad historical context. George Kennan, probably the most perceptive American analyst of Russia, wrote in 1954 that Soviet leaders "are not like  us."



War to the death with Nazi Germany has had a profound continuing impact on the nation, including the current generation. That fed traditional anxieties regarding territory and national security.



Contemporary Islamic extremism adds to ethnic tensions. Putin has successfully contained various separatist movements in Russia, notably in Chechnya. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov was previously a powerful separatist leader, but for some time has been Moscow's ally.



The tough-talking officials of the George W. Bush administration pressed eastern expansion of NATO, including membership by both Georgia and Ukraine.



Georgia launched a military attack on breakaway South Ossetia. In reaction, the Russian Army in 2008 invaded. President Nicolas Sarkozy of France brokered the cease fire; the Bush administration did nothing.



Ethnic instability is endemic here and throughout the former Soviet Union. During World War II, Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin without warning deported Meskhetian Turks from Georgia as part of a vast relocation of an estimated 1.5 million people to Central Asia and Siberia.



Ukraine is entangled with Russia historically, in complex ways. The Russian revolution in 1917 sparked an independence movement. After years of struggle, Ukraine eventually was absorbed into the Soviet Union.



Given this history, essential caution should define U.S. policy. Kennan insightfully advocated "containment" as the most effective response to Soviet communism, and that outlook remains the best overall approach. Russia remains weak economically. That provides opportunity for U.S. leverage.



Meanwhile, Putin steadily expands Russia's influence in the Middle East. President George H.W. Bush led an international coalition to victory in the First Gulf War, and followed up with effective diplomatic leadership.



Today, Putin has now essentially replaced U.S. leadership in that volatile and vital region. Our greatest danger is our own lack of serious leadership.





Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu) is Clausen distinguished professor at Carthage College and author of "After the Cold War."


British Gas has come under fire for leaving vulnerable customers without power on New Years Day.

Britains biggest energy supplier introduced a major change to the way 1.25million customers with prepayment meters can purchase credit on January 1.

Previously, households could top-up their meter at one of 28,000 PayPoint terminals around the country found in local shops and at 11,500 post offices  a total network of 39,500 sites.

The meters are most common among those renting or struggling financially. Britains biggest energy supplier introduced a major change to the way 1.25million customers with prepayment meters can purchase credit on January 1 [File photo]

However, the PayPoint terminals were, from New Years Day, replaced by just 13,000 Payzone terminals. This reduces the total number of sites by almost 40 per cent to 24,500.

The move has left many customers at risk of being cut off because it is now much harder for them to pay their bills.

In the worst cases some households now face a 40-mile round trip to top-up their meter.

Customers can still use post offices  but these were all closed on New Years Day.

Many say they were not given any warning of the change and were left without heating and hot water as a result.

Many say they were not given any warning of the change and were left without heating and hot water as a result. British Gas said it told customers about the change in December  either by email or post

Andy Packer was forced to make a 40-mile round trip to his nearest Payzone terminal after discovering he could no longer top up at the local Co-Op in Selkirk, on the Scottish Borders.

The 44-year-old store manager only found out when he saw a note on the shop window explaining British Gas customers can no longer buy credit there.

Mr Packer said: There are lots of elderly people in this town  what are they supposed to do?

Teaching assistant Dani Hanlon, 25, who lives in Bournemouth, said she was not informed about the changes either.

She asked: Why did British Gas choose to do this on New Years Day when everything was shut? We are lucky as we had a car  but what about people who do not drive or are elderly?

The majority of households have a credit meter, where they pay monthly or quarterly for the power they use over that period.

But there are also an estimated 4.3million households with a prepayment meter which requires customers to purchase credit and add it to their account before they can use any power.

There are an estimated 4.3million households with a prepayment meter which requires customers to purchase credit and add it to their account before they can use any power [File photo]

The meters are most common among those renting or struggling financially.

Prepayment customers of other firms, including Eon, Npower and EDF, can top up their meters at post offices and PayPoint and Payzone terminals  around 50,000 sites.

Sarah Broomfield, of comparison site, uSwitch said: British Gas should have been doing all it could to remind people of the new arrangements  including making sure there was a customer service number households could ring. People were left panicking about what to do.

British Gas said it told customers about the change in December  either by email or post.

A spokesman said: Payzone has committed to work with us to increase its reach in areas where we foresee we will need additional services.
But it's not mere lack of focus and time preventing the media from taking anti-Semitism in New York seriously. It's the identity of the attackers. Armin Rosen wrote for Tablet Magazine back in July 2019 about the Jew hatred in New York and correctly noted "that the victims are most often outwardly identifiable, i.e., religious rather than secularized Jews, and the perpetrators who have been recorded on CCTV cameras are overwhelmingly black and Hispanic." This throws the media -- and many left-leaning Jewish organizations -- into spasms of confusion, since it cuts directly against the supposed alliance of intersectionality so beloved by the political left. White supremacists attacking left-leaning Jews fits a desired narrative. Black teenagers beating up Hasidic Jews in Williamsburg doesn't.

The same media that will ask whether President Donald Trump's executive orders designed to protect Jews on campus are actually anti-Semitic will ignore the fact that former President Barack Obama sat in Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years -- the same Jeremiah Wright who railed against Jews and Israel routinely during those years; who said Jews kept Obama from talking with him after the election; and who avers that "Jesus was a Palestinian."
Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey leaves the Rayburn House Office Building after testifying to the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 7, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Blame for FBIs FISA Abuse Should Be Put Where It Belongs

Commentary

Last month, the Department of Justice released a report on an internal investigation by its inspector general (IG) exposing how spying occurred on a campaign aide of President Donald Trump.

The report could culminate in a series of prosecutions overseen by Attorney General William Barr, who appointed the unflappable John Durham, a veteran U.S. attorney of impeccable integrity, to further investigate the matters being examined by the inspector general.

J. Edgar Hoover would be turning in his grave upon hearing these findings.

Only a few short years ago, Trump was attacked by the media and politicians for criticizing the FBI and the nations intelligence services. The implication was that the FBIs rank-and-file were being critiqued, and therefore, their morale was sinking, impairing their ability to protect us. This was the opinion from those who have, historically, hardly been supportive of FBI agents and CIA case officers.

But the rank-and-file of the FBI always understood that they werent the object of the presidents ire.

Quite the opposite, they know it was the bureaus upper managementthe leadershipthat was being called into question. Historically, the FBIs field agent culture has been at odds with upper management, viewing it as an impediment to the pursuit of significant investigations. Now, the rank-and-file are for the most part appalled to learn from the inspector generals report about the deception and abuses, the outright fraud perpetrated by the bureaus upper ranks on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Court.

These were acts and omissions emanating from and conducted within the concrete walls of JEHThe Hoover Building housing the FBIs upper management.

The FISA abuses described in the IG report were neither created nor executed by FBI field agents in their field offices. This distinction is critical, both because of its effects on the publics perception of our national police (the FBI), and its implications for restorative and punitive action.

If FBI special agents are to maintain their special position as the worlds elite law enforcers, the blame for these recent bad acts must be clearly and publicly placed at the feet of the culpable parties. Nothing short of criminal prosecutions will serve this necessary step for the restoration of the bureaus credibility and its reputation for impeccable integrity.

A careful analysis of IG Michael Horowitzs report and relevant congressional testimony reveals that the FBIs upper management bypassed the field so as to commit the fraud upon the FISA Court. FISA applications are, as a matter of course and common practice, reviewed by primary legal advisers (PLAs), the FBI agent-attorneys in field offices, before being submitted up the chain of command.

The reviews, called Woods reviews, are conducted with painstaking detail and are frequently kicked back to the requesting case agents for revision and further evidentiary support.

Congressional testimony concerning the review of Trump presidential campaign volunteer Carter Page (in connection with Pages possible ties to Russian intelligence officers) FISA warrant applications made no reference to the field PLA review; the only logical inference is that such reviews were never conducted.

This would have been a virtual impossibility unless the field offices were bypassed and the plot was the brainchild of FBI headquarters desk jockeys, rather than real agents.

This conclusion is further supported and essentially confirmed by the title given to the entire investigation. Major FBI investigations are characteristically endowed with a title. Notable examples are ABSCAM (a federal corruption investigation in the late 1970s and early 1980s that led to the convictions of a senator and six congressman, in addition to other officials) and MIBURN (Mississippi Burningthe FBIs investigation into the murder of three civil rights workers by the Ku Klux Klan, memorialized in the film starring Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe).

The laughably cinematic and hyper-dramatic title given to the Carter Page investigation, Crossfire Hurricane, would never have been selected nor accepted by grizzled street agents.

Former FBI Director James Comeys testimony and statements, from 2016 onward, have done much to harm the FBI, causing internal morale to diminish, and externally degrading the bureaus reputation for integrity. The hubris that seems to be a fundamental aspect of Comeys character is truly astounding.

His performance when interviewed by Chris Wallace on Dec. 15, 2019, was primarily characterized by his sheer chutzpah on display. Confronted with the many repeated, outrageous acts executed on his watch, he declared his relief that the bureau had been vindicated by the IG report.

When Comey said he was unaware of the details of an investigation affecting Trump while a presidential candidate, there is little doubt that the statement was false, particularly in view of former Attorney General Loretta Lynchs statement to Horowitz that in March 2016 she was informedin person by Comey and then-FBI Deputy Andrew McCabethat Page was being investigated in connection with possible ties to Russian intelligence officers.

At that time, apparently, Comey was fully conversant with the minor details, the minutiae, of the case. Comeys veracity is further called into question by his statements to the IG, in which he stated that he didnt recall the conversation with Lynch. He said he didnt merely fail to recall the details, but that he failed to recall the very occurrence of the conversation.

This denial defies credulity: The conversation wasnt one pertaining to a relatively insignificant investigation. Rather, the matter was one of clearly historic importance, involving as it did the first-ever investigation of a presidential campaign, an investigation with potential international implications, involving possible meddling by Russia, a historically malevolent and aggressive antagonist to the United States.

The IGs investigators were unable to question Comey about his frequent lapses of memoryparticularly regarding topics that reflected negatively on his exercise of authority and judgment in all Crossfire Hurricane-related matters. Relying on legal technicalities, Comey circumvented the questioning by declining to have his security clearance reinstated.

But he had no such concerns for the niceties of security classification laws when, in May 2017, he disseminatedthat is, leakedclassified memos to the press. Still, Comeys declination is unlikely to impede the questioning likely to occur in the course of U.S. Attorney Durhams investigation. Durham has been tasked by Attorney General Barr to thoroughly investigate all aspects of Spygate and to follow all the evidentiary threads to their logical conclusionsto wherever they may lead.

Critics of the president have pointed to the IGs assertion that there were no documented findings of political motivation for the bad acts at FBI headquarters. But it wasnt the IGs job to make conclusions as to motives, nor to speculate as to whether the motivations were political or otherwise. His error was to even allude to motivation. His job, which he completed successfully, was to ascertain whether there had been behavior, acts, or omissions that violated either criminal law or Department of Justice regulations.

IG Report and Impeachment

The IG report was issued on Dec. 9, 2019. Just nine days later, on Dec. 18, the House of Representatives voted to issue articles of impeachment that accused the president of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. As neither of the articles alleges any violation of statutes enumerated in the Federal Penal Code, the impeachment is historically unique, the first of its kind.

The tortuous route that the impeachment process has followed is ultimately rooted in the election of a president whose assumption of power has been anathema to those who opposed him most vehemently.

Just as with impeachment, the series of events leading to the IG report and the Barr-Dunham probe are rooted in the very same series of events: the campaign, the election, and the assumption of executive authority by Trump, which have been anathema to establishment mandarinsthe highly placed deep state actors in the FBI and the DOJ.

Now, we see the genius of the framers in forming a tripartite system of power. They understood that one or more of the three branches would always tend to exceed its powers. In the past, it has, at times, been the executive. Today, it is the legislative branch and certain highly placed executives in the permanent federal civil service who have exceeded the limits of their defined authority. And the public has come to recognize the fact.

Ultimately, its the third branch of governmentthe judiciarythat will have the task of restoring balance and functionality to the polity.

Marc Ruskin, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, is a regular contributor and the author of The Pretender: My Life Undercover for the FBI. He served on the legislative staff of U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, N.Y. Follow Marc on Twitter @mhruskin.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on the backing of voters in the rural areas of the capital for a good showing in the upcoming Assembly polls.

In a run-up to Delhi polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to organise a mahapanchayat of 74 villages this week. The mahapanchayat is seen as an attempt to garner support from the rural belt in Delhi and would aim to provide the party's perspective to its voters.

With floating votes of 3 percent to 4 percent that can decide the result on a considerable number of votes, a concern for the BJP, leaders in the party believe that this Mahapanchayat can help BJP to bag those votes.

Delhi's urbanized villages are considered a strong vote bank that can have an impact on a majority of 70 Assembly seats.

The mahapanchayat is likely to witness participation from villages dominant in Gurjar and Jaat communities. While the Gurjar community holds sway in South and East Delhi assembly constituencies, the Jaat community dominates western and northern Delhi areas.

The member of parliament from South Delhi, Ramesh Bidhuri told ANI that a detailed discussion on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Population Register (NPR) too will take place to remove the confusion created by Congress.

"There are many seats that can be called rural seats and few of them have been traditionally BJP's. It is an attempt to restart a dialogue with the elders and influencers of these villages," stated Bidhuri.

Sources stated that the mahapanchayat would aim to appraise the senior community members of the various steps, including notification of these areas as urbanized villages and continuous development work, by the Narendra Modi government to ease their troubles.

As many residents of these areas depend on rental income, these decisions are being seen as having a major impact on their livelihood.

Sources in the party stated that the when core committee of the party sat to discuss the strategy for the upcoming polls in the Delhi, it was decided to hold segment-wise events to garner support from all sectors and segments.

Delhi BJP has already held a meeting for the trading community of the capital, which was addressed by Union minister Piyush Goyal this week.

The party hopes that by addressing segment-wise issues of the population it would be able to reach out to more voters effectively, sources said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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Linkedin Julie Steenhuysen (Agence France-Presse) Chicago, United States  Fri, January 3, 2020 08:00 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320a7a9b 2 Health Google,artifical-intelligence,breast-cancer,health Free

A Google artificial intelligence system proved as good as expert radiologists at detecting which women had breast cancer based on screening mammograms and showed promise at reducing errors, researchers in the United States and Britain reported.

The study, published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, is the latest to show that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve the accuracy of screening for breast cancer, which affects one in eight women globally.

Radiologists miss about 20 percent of breast cancers in mammograms, the American Cancer Society says, and half of all women who get the screenings over a 10-year period have a false positive result.

The findings of the study, developed with Alphabet Inc's DeepMind AI unit, which merged with Google Health in September, represent a major advance in the potential for the early detection of breast cancer, Mozziyar Etemadi, one of its co-authors from Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, said.

The team, which included researchers at Imperial College London and Britain's National Health Service, trained the system to identify breast cancers on tens of thousands of mammograms.

They then compared the system's performance with the actual results from a set of 25,856 mammograms in the United Kingdom and 3,097 from the United States.

The study showed the AI system could identify cancers with a similar degree of accuracy to expert radiologists, while reducing the number of false positive results by 5.7percent in the US-based group and by 1.2 percent in the British-based group.

It also cut the number of false negatives, where tests are wrongly classified as normal, by 9.4 percent in the US group, and by 2.7 percent in the British group.

These differences reflect the ways in which mammograms are read. In the United States, only one radiologist reads the results and the tests are done every one to two years. In Britain, the tests are done every three years, and each is read by two radiologists. When they disagree, a third is consulted.

Read also: Google search gets smarter so queries don't have to

'Subtle clues'

In a separate test, the group pitted the AI system against six radiologists and found it outperformed them at accurately detecting breast cancers.

Connie Lehman, chief of the breast imaging department at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital, said the results are in line with findings from several groups using AI to improve cancer detection in mammograms, including her own work.

The notion of using computers to improve cancer diagnostics is decades old, and computer-aided detection (CAD) systems are commonplace in mammography clinics, yet CAD programs have not improved performance in clinical practice.

The issue, Lehman said, is that current CAD programs were trained to identify things human radiologists can see, whereas with AI, computers learn to spot cancers based on the actual results of thousands of mammograms.

This has the potential to "exceed human capacity to identify subtle cues that the human eye and brain aren't able to perceive," Lehman added.

Although computers have not been "super helpful" so far, "what we've shown at least in tens of thousands of mammograms is the tool can actually make a very well-informed decision," Etemadi said.

The study has some limitations. Most of the tests were done using the same type of imaging equipment, and the US group contained a lot of patients with confirmed breast cancers.

Crucially, the team has yet to show the tool improves patient care, said Dr Lisa Watanabe, chief medical officer of CureMetrix, whose AI mammogram program won US approval last year.

"AI software is only helpful if it actually moves the dial for the radiologist," she said.

Etemadi agreed that those studies are needed, as is regulatory approval, a process that could take several years.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The Archdioceses humanitarian response agency is coordinating aid distribution, such as medicines and basic necessities, via Internet and social media, to help thousands of displaced people. some 400,000 residents have been moved to temporary shelters, whilst over 35,000 have sought refuge on higher ground or roofs of government buildings or places of worship.

Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Rescue teams have mounted a desperate search for people who are still missing as a result of flash floods and landslides that recently hit the Jakarta region, killing at least 43 people as well as leaving whole districts underwater and thousands of people homeless, Indonesias National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) reported.

The country has responded to the crisis with a spirit of patriotism and compassion, including the Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Jakarta, which has undertaken humanitarian initiatives to deal with the emergency.

BNPB spokesman Agus Wibowo has reported that some 400,000 residents have been moved to temporary shelters. More than 35,000 have been forced to leave their homes as a result of flooding, seeking refuge on higher ground or on the roofs of government buildings or places of worship, including churches.

Actions and support by Catholics are being coordinated by the Archdioceses humanitarian response agency, Lembaga Daya Dharma Keuskupan Agung Jakarta (LDD-KAJ), which is using Internet and social media to coordinate the distribution of medicines and basic necessities to thousands of displaced people in Jakarta, Tangerang, Bekasi, Pondokgede, Ciledug and Bogor.

In addition to fundraising, LDD-KAJ has also set up a flood crisis centre (picture 2) at the Cathedral of the Assumption, which will accept any humanitarian donations from the public and provide assistance to temporary shelters.

Catholics are also busy in other ways. Bunda Teresa, a Catholic prayer community, is raising money for LDD-KAJ to help parishes working on the ground.

In the capital, some priests have launched personal initiatives. Fr Yos Bintoro, for example, is asking parishioners to help with food for people sheltering at the Santo Agustino (St Augustine) Church.

"There are at least 182 people seeking refuge here," he wrote in an appeal that has gone viral among Catholics on social media. "There are 64 children and 15 infants, and they need not only food and medical supplies, but also special baby food and clothing, toiletries and blankets."

Fr Bintoro is a diocesan priest assigned to the military ordinariate of the Indonesian Armed Forces, in particular the Air Force.

In the meantime, official relief operations continue non-stop, but many residents have criticised the actions of Governor Anies Baswedan.

This morning President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo made a surprise visit to the Pluit Reservoir in North Jakarta (pictures 3 and 4), a major pumping station, which Widodo had it built when he was governor of the capital (2012-2014). In the presence of senior government officials, the president ensured that the plant was being correctly operated.

Jakarta is regularly hit by floods during the rainy season, which begins in late November. But this week's disaster is the worst since 2013. In the first hours after the flood, Widodo said on his social media profiles that the most serious floods occurred across four watersheds (Das) in Jakarta: Krukut, Ciliwung, Cakung and Sunter.

He explained that the construction of flood management systems has faced problems since 2017 (when Baswesan was elected) due to the inability of the city government to buy needed land.

The president noted however that land acquisition was 90 per cent complete, whilst the construction of the Ciawi and Sukamahi reservoirs was nearing 45 per cent. The two facilities are expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
Reacting to the killing of a top Iranian commander by the US, India on Friday said the increase in tension has alarmed the world and asserted that peace, stability and security in the region is of utmost importance to it.

In a statement, the External Affairs Ministry said India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so and it is vital that the situation does not escalate further.

General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed in a US drone strike in Iraq on Friday, the Pentagon announced.

The head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus was killed when the drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday.

The deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias were also killed in the strike.

In its statement, the External Affairs Ministry said, "The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India."



The ministry also said that it is "vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Less than one year ago, leading Latino Democrat Julian Castro threw his sombrero into the ring of left-wing candidates for his party's 2020 presidential nomination. As I wrote at American Thinker last January 15:

Castro is the 44-year-old former mayor of San Antonio who served as the secretary of housing and urban development during the last three years of the Obama administration. He is the grandson of a Mexican woman who "crossed" to the U.S. in 1922. Almost every article I read about Castro recently describes him as "a rising star in the Democratic Party."

In the announcement of his candidacy on January 12, 2019, Castro occasionally spoke in Spanish. In his withdrawal announcement on January 2, 2020, he opened and closed in Spanish. During his year of unsuccessful campaigning around the country, including in Puerto Rico, as the only Latino among the large number of Democrat candidates, he was "the most progressive candidate in the field," according to one left-wing observer  which is quite an achievement in a race dominated by open socialists.



Julian Castro, 2019. Source: Castro's campaign website, julianforthefuture.com.

Castro's enthusiastic advocacy of a laundry list of far-left positions, including open borders and decriminalizing illegal entry into the United States  which he and his backers assumed would win him instant support from America's fast growing Hispanic population  failed to gain him much approval among Democrats. According to Real Clear Politics:

The RealClearPolitics polling average showed Castro consistently near the bottom of the field with less than 2% support.

In addition to his vigorous proillegal immigration and open borders stands, Castro supported no restriction on abortions up to the moment of live birth, Medicare for All, universal pre-K, a ban on "assault weapons," and a laundry list of other leftist proposals. Ultimately, the only thing setting him apart from the plethora of other Democrat presidential wannabes, most of whom support the same positions, was his Latino heritage and his "minority" status.

In an attempt to break out of the pack of fellow contenders, Castro attacked frontrunner Joe Biden during last September's candidates' debate  the last one that Castro qualified for. As USA Today reported on September 13:

In the sharpest salvo of Thursday night's debate, the former Housing and Urban Development Secretary struck hard in the most blatant shot at Biden's age by a fellow Democratic contender since he entered the race. Castro accused Biden of forgetting that he had said people would have to opt in to get Medicare-like insurance under his health care plan.

As USA Today headlined its September 13, 2019 analysis, however, "Castro's attack on Joe Biden's age fell flat." At the first Democrat debate in June, Castro had tried to gain some traction by trotting out another well rehearsed attack, this one aimed at his fellow Texan, Beto O'Rourke, as the Dallas Morning News reported, "questioning [O'Rourke's] commitment to protecting migrants because he refused to join a call to decriminalize border crossing without permission."

In the wake of his year-long lackluster campaign sputtering to an end yesterday, Castro and his supporters blamed  guess what!  racism and white privilege. As a postmortem on his campaign yesterday at POLITICO, titled "Castro allies lash out after his exit  After the ex-HUD secretary dropped out of the race, supporters cast him as a victim of a process that inhibits candidates of color," put it:

When he bowed out of the race Thursday, [Castro's] allies expressed frustration that he was prevented from doing so, casting him as a victim of a primary process that inhibits candidates of color. In interviews, a half-dozen former aides and allies cast the first major Latino candidate in the 2020 race as a casualty of a system that already felled California Sen. Kamala Harris and is keeping New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker from gaining traction.

What's next for this slightly tarnished "rising star"? According to a number of mainstream pundits, Castro will now go home to San Antonio (when he's not traveling around the country), where he will be waiting in the wings, positioning himself to pitch his qualifications as a 2020 Democrat vice presidential nominee. In an opinion piece in the New York Times published shortly after Castro's withdrawal, Republican strategist Liz Mair wrote, "Julian Castro Is Worth More Out of the Presidential Race Than He Was in It." And if Castro's hopes to be nominated for V.P. this summer don't pan out, there is always the possibility of him mounting another run for the top job in 2024  assuming President Trump is re-elected, of course, and there is no Democrat incumbent. The way things are going with Castro and his fellow Democrats, that outcome seems more certain with each passing day.

In his withdrawal announcement yesterday, Castro said, "Ganaremos un dia!," which translates as "One day we'll win!" We shall see, Julian.

Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who writes about politics, media, popular culture, and health care for American Thinker and other publications. Peter's website is http://peter.media. His new YouTube channel is here. Follow Peter on Twitter at @pchowka.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs on Friday told the company law appellate court that it did not commit any illegality in granting permission to convert Tata Sons -- the holding company of the USD 110 billion salt-to-software conglomerate -- into a private company.

The submission was made before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) during the course of hearing on a petition filed by Registrar of Companies (RoC) that seeks modifications in the tribunal's December 18, 2019 judgment reinstating Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of Tata Sons.

A two-member bench of the NCLAT headed by Chairman Justice S J Mukhopadhaya, which reserved its order on the RoC's petition, said it will clarify that the December 18 judgement does not cast aspersions on the RoC and indicated that its order is likely to come on Monday next week.

Last month, the NCLAT set aside the RoC decision allowing conversion of Tata Sons into a private company.

During the proceedings on Friday, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) said it was only discharging its duty and has not committed any illegality in the conversion of Tata Sons from a public company to a private company.

Director Prosecution, representing the MCA, informed the appellate tribunal that after amendment in 2015, there is no such requirement of any minimum prescribed share capital for conversion of companies from public to private ones.

"Nothing has been prescribed. There is no requirement. This has been done for ease of doing business," said the MCA official.

The MCA also said that RoC Mumbai was "duty-bound" to change the status, over such a request and there was no hurry from its part in the conversion of Tata Sons from a public to a private company.

However, on this, the bench said, "Hurry was not from your part. It was from their own part (Tata).

"Your help was in that... hurriedly changed with the board of directors" said the NCLAT.

Further, the appellate tribunal said the RoC cannot challenge its finding observations in the judgement before it.

"You are challenging the finding observation (of December 18 judgement). You go and challenge it before the Supreme Court. Your action challenging is prejudicial," said the NCLAT.

The appellate tribunal also clearly told the MCA that it was not making any aspersions against the RoC.

"We are not making any aspersions against you. These are our findings. We are not saying anything malafide against you. Your apprehensions are unfounded," said the NCLAT, "You can't ask for a change for just seeking a change".

Going a step further, the NCLAT also observed, "Your arguments seem that you are arguing for a company... You are arguing as a mouthpiece of a company. Don't plead like that".

NCLAT Member (Judicial) Justice Bansi Lal Bhat, who was also part of the two-member bench, observed, "This is for the first time we are seeing that a director prosecution is acting like defence".

On December 18, the NCLAT directed the USD 110-billion Tata group to reinstate Cyrus Mistry as the executive chairman of Tata Sons.

Tata Sons and Ratan Tata have separately moved the Supreme Court against the NCLAT order.

In its order passed on December 18, NCLAT termed the appointment of N Chandrasekaran, as "illegal" following the October 2016 sacking of Mistry as Tata Sons' executive chairman. It had also directed the RoC to reverse Tata Sons' status from a 'private company' to a 'public company'.

The appellate tribunal had also quashed the conversion of Tata Sons -- the principal holding company and promoter of Tata firms -- into a private company from a public one and had termed it as "illegal".

It had said the action taken by the RoC to allow the firm to become a private company was against the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, and 'prejudicial' and 'oppressive' to the minority member (Mistry camp).

In an urgent application, which was mentioned on December 23, RoC Mumbai had asked the appellate tribunal "to carry out requisite amendments" of its judgement "to correctly reflect the conduct of the RoC Mumbai as not being illegal and being as per the provisions of the Companies Act".

In its plea, the RoC, which functions under the MCA, sought to be impleaded as a party in the two petitions and deletion of the words "illegal" and "with the help of the RoC" used by the NCLAT in its judgement.

Besides, it also urged the tribunal "to delete the aspersions made regarding any hurried help accorded by the RoC Mumbai to Tata Sons, except what was statutorily required" in para 181 of the order.

The RoC also said it has acted in "bonafide manner" in converting the status of Tata Sons as "there was no stay granted by this appellate tribunal on the operation of the judgement dated July 9, 2018, of Mumbai, NCLT, at the time when this intimation was filed by Tata Sons Ltd".

Months after Mistry was sacked, Tata Sons received its shareholders' nod in September 2017, to convert itself into a private limited company from a public limited company, thereby absolving it of the need to take shareholder consent in taking crucial decisions, which could be passed with just the board's approval.

Tata Sons was initially a 'private company', but after insertion of Section 43A (1A) in the Companies Act, 1956, on the basis of average annual turnover, it assumed the character of a deemed 'public company' with effect from February 1, 1975, the order said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Curious just how far your dollar goes in Houston?

We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring apartment rentals in Houston if you don't want to spend more than $2,100/month on rent.

Read on for the listings. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.)

Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions.

1719 Caroline St., #012 (Downtown)

Listed at $2,008/month, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is located at 1719 Caroline St., #012.

In the unit, you can anticipate a dishwasher, hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. The building offers a gym. Pet owners, take heed: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly.

According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is very walkable, is bikeable and has excellent transit.

(Check out the complete listing here.)

705 Saulnier St., #0090 (Fourth Ward)

Next, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment located at 705 Saulnier St. It's listed for $2,010/month.

The building offers garage parking. You can also expect to find a mix of hardwood floors and carpeting, a dishwasher and a walk-in closet in the unit. Pet owners, take heed: This property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly.

According to Walk Score, this location is very walkable, is quite bikeable and boasts excellent transit options.

(See the complete listing here.)

4855 Magnolia Cove Drive (Kingwood Area)

Here's a 1,263-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at 4855 Magnolia Cove Drive that's going for $2,011/month.

Expect to find a walk-in closet, a dishwasher and hardwood flooring in the apartment. The building offers garage parking and secured entry. Pet owners, take heed: The property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Look out for a $200 pet fee.

According to Walk Score, this location requires a car for most errands, has minimal bike infrastructure and has minimal transit options.

(Check out the complete listing here.)

807 S. Post Oak Lane (Greater Uptown)

Check out this two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's located at 807 S. Post Oak Lane. It's listed for $2,014/month.

Building amenities include a swimming pool and garage parking. The unit comes furnished and includes a walk-in closet. Pet owners, take heed: This property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee.

Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address requires a car for most errands, isn't particularly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options.

(Take a look at the complete listing here.)

This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Additionally, read on for five marketing tips for real estate agents to showcase local market expertise.

Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
Mumbai:

The rupee depreciated by 24 paise to 71.62 in early trade on Friday weighed by the spike in crude oil prices, after US President Donald Trump ordered deadly strike on Iranian commander. Forex traders said crude oil prices surged after US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iran Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani.

The US had called the strikes in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq. At the Interbank Foreign Exchange, the rupee opened on a weak note at 71.56 then fell further to 71.62 against the US dollar, showing a decline of 24 paise over its previous closing.

On Thursday, the rupee had settled at 71.38 against the US dollar.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," the Department of Defence said.

The global benchmark, brent crude oil was trading at USD 68.20 per barrel, higher by 2.94 per cent. Besides, muted opening in domestic equities also dragged the local unit.

Meanwhile, domestic equity market opened on a negative note. The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex, was trading at 41,553.50, down 73.14 points in early trade. The wide-based Nifty was also trading lower by 44.15 points at 12,238.05.

Also Read: Oil prices Surge Over 4 Per Cent After Irans General Killed In US Strike

Foreign funds purchased shares worth Rs 688.76 crore from the capital markets on a net basis Thursday, provisional data showed.

For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
TICKERS: EOG; ECAOF; ECO

Source: Streetwise Reports (1/3/20)

The result and what it means for a neighboring energy firm are provided in a Pareto Securities report.



In a Jan. 2 research note, Pareto Securities analyst Tom Eric Kristiansen reported that an energy company with property adjacent to that of Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd. (EOG:TSX.V; ECAOF:OTCMKTS; ECO:LSE) in offshore Guyana, Tullow Oil, hit oil in an exploration well.

Kristiansen relayed that Tullow's Carapa-1 well encountered 4 meters of net pay with high-quality 27-degree API oil. That net pay interval, though smaller than anticipated, demonstrates that "the Cretaceous oil play extends into Tullow's acreage in the region," which includes Eco Atlantic's adjacent Orinduik block, he explained.

Eco Atlantic has not yet announced a drill program for Orinduik, a block with more than 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent of derisked potential, Kristiansen noted. However, when it does pursue drilling there, the Toronto-based oil and gas explorer will likely encompass in its campaign "one or more wells targeting this potential."

Pareto Securities has a Buy recommendation and a GBp100 per share target price on Eco Atlantic. It is currently trading at around GBp57.

[NLINSERT]

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Disclosures from Pareto Securities AS, Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas, January 2, 2020

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Start the new decade with a bang at Sydney Festival, which starts on Wednesday. There is a bumper, diverse line-up of theatrical, music, magic, comedy and dance productions, free concerts and art installations. Headline shows include Life - The Show, Black Ties, a revival of Bran Nue Dae, Isabelle Adjani in Opening Night and Joan Didion's The White Album. There are also a stack of family-friendly events to keep the kids entertained until school goes back. Director Wesley Enoch once again focuses on Indigenous culture with Procession (a smoking ceremony), and The Vigil from dusk on January 25 to dawn on January 26, ahead of Australia Day favourites such as the Ferrython. Whether you live in Paddington or Parramatta, come along and watch Sydney's cultural scene come alive. January 8-26, various locations, times and prices, sydneyfestival.org.au

Sydney Festival this month will be full of colour, not least at the cabaret spectacular 'LIFE - The Show' Credit:Jackie Uhd

You'll get dinner and a show as Benjamin Law cooks up a storm at Double Delicious. Credit:Ashley de Prazer

Theatre meets tastebuds in this interactive sensory sensation bringing together food and stories. Writer Benjamin Law joins chefs Elizabeth Chong and Heather Jeong who reveal the 'why' behind the 'how' as they share the stories and secrets behind their cooking. The Sydney Festival performance promises to be an immersive experience as sound, lights and projection are combined with tasty dishes you can try. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.

January 8-12, various times, Carriageworks, Eveleigh, $85, sydneyfestival.org.au

Film: Flickerfest

Enjoy a warm summer's night in the outdoor amphitheatre. Credit:Enzo Amato

Since humble beginnings at Balmain High School in 1991, the Flickerfest short film festival has become quite the event. This year there will be more than 200 short films screened across multiple categories including Australian, international and documentary. Each session lasts just shy of two hours, but because there are multiple short films even those with the shortest attention spans should stay engaged. The night session is in the outdoor amphitheatre (unless its raining, in which case it will be in the air-conditioned theatre where the rest of the screenings will be shown).

January 10-19, various times, Bondi Pavilion, Bondi Beach, $20, flickerfest.com.au
By PTI

PARIS: Global powers warned Friday that the world became a more dangerous place after the US assassinated Iran's top general, urging restraint on all sides.

Britain and Germany also suggested that Iran shared some blame for provoking the targeted killing that dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the Mideast.

China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the UN Security Council, took a dim view of the US airstrike near Baghdad's airport early Friday that killed General Qassem Soleimani and several of his associates.

The 62-year-old led Iran's elite Quds Force, responsible for the country's foreign campaigns.

The White House justified the strike with a tweet alleging that Soleimani "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region".

Oil prices surged on news of the killing, reflecting investor jitters about Mideast stability, and there were immediate threats of vengeance from Iran.

Social media flooded with alarm, with Twitter users morbidly turning "WWIII" into the top trending term worldwide.

"We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous," France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio.

"When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is underway."

Russia likewise characterised the deadly US strike as "fraught with serious consequences".

A Foreign Ministry statement warned that "such actions don't help resolve complicated problems in the Middle East, but instead lead to a new round of escalating tensions".

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that in ordering the killing, US President Donald Trump had one eye on his re-election campaign.

"The US military were acting on orders of US politicians. Everyone should remember and understand that US politicians have their interests, considering that this year is an election year," Zakharova said in a TV interview.

Trump's election opponents characterized the killing as reckless, with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden saying the US president "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox".

ALSO READ | Oil prices surge, Wall Street stocks tumble after US kills Iranian general Qassem Soleimani

China described itself as "highly concerned".

"Peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be preserved," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said.

"We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions."

But while echoing the concerns of other Security Council members about spiraling tensions, Britain and Germany broke ranks, voicing qualified understanding for the US position.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the US strike as "a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility," pointing to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

"We are at a dangerous escalation point and what matters now is contributing with prudence and restraint to de-escalation," she said.

Germany currently sits on the UN Security Council but is not a permanent member.

The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said, "We have always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani."

"Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate," he said.

"Further conflict is in none of our interests."

There were also warnings that the killing could set back efforts to stamp out remnants of the Islamic State group.

ALSO READ | Iran-US crisis: India advocates restraint as Khamenei cries revenge for top general's killing

A top European Union official, Charles Michel, said "The risk is a generalized flare up of violence in the whole region and the rise of obscure forces of terrorism that thrive at times of religious and nationalist tensions."

Italy also warned that increased tensions "risk being fertile terrain for terrorism and violent extremism".

But right-wing Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini praised Trump for eliminating "one of the most dangerous and pitiless men in the world, an Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedoms".

Trump also won the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively".

Behind the scenes, the strike triggered urgent flurries of diplomatic activity.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo worked phones, calling world capitals to defend Trump's decision.

He said the US is committed to de-escalating tensions that have soared since Iranian-backed militia killed an American contractor and the US responded with strikes on the militia.

That set off violent pro-Iran protests outside the US Embassy in Baghdad, which in turn set the stage for the killing of Soleimani.

In the Mideast, the strike provoked waves of shock, fury and fears of worse to come.

Iraq's most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said in a speech during Friday prayers that the country must brace for "very difficult times".

In Iran, a hard-line adviser to the country's supreme leader who led Friday prayers in Tehran likened US troops in Iraq to "insidious beasts" and said they should be swept from the region.

"I am telling Americans, especially Trump, we will take a revenge that will change their daylight into to a nighttime darkness," said the cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami.
Hunter Biden is reportedly in the process of attempting to postpone an Arkansas court hearing for his paternity case after his lawyers claimed he didn't receive 'proper notice'.

Biden, 49, has asked to appear by telephone if the judge chooses not to postpone the hearing, according to Page Six.

The ex-Vice President's son is being sued by a former stripper from Washington DC for paternity and child support.

Lunden Alexis Roberts, 28, filed the child support suit in May for money for their 16-month-old child. She has been demanding that Hunter hand over his financial records from the past five years.

Biden, 49, has allegedly asked to appear by telephone if the judge chooses not to postpone the hearing

Next week's court date was originally set by Judge Don McSpadden on December 2, during a hearing which Biden didn't show up for.

McSpadden abruptly recused himself on New Year's Eve without any explanation.

Biden's lawyers claim that he confirmed in an email filed by Biden's new lawyer, Brent Langdon, that the January hearing was cancelled.

Lunden Alexis Roberts, 28, filed the child support suit in May for money for their 16-month-old child

But the new judge, Holly Meyer, reportedly reinstated it yesterday.

McSpadden's recusal came two hours after 'defrauded investor' Joel Caplan, who wants to be made a party in the case, filed a witness statement from ex-Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin.

Langdon allegedly argued that Biden should have been given at least 20 days notice and has requested an order which would keep Biden's finances secret.

Shokin claimed he was fired in 2016 because he was leading an investigation into Burisma, the company Biden was a board member of, and refused to shut it down, despite pressure from Hunter's father, then-VP Joe Biden.

Hunter's finances are currently in the spotlight over his former position at the Ukrainian energy company, which has been at the center of Hunter's entanglement in President Trump's impeachment.

Trump's impeachment was sparked by his phone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25, where he asked Zelensky to meet with Rudy Giuliani and US AG William Barr over claims Joe lobbied for Shokin's dismissal because of his investigation into Burisma, in an alleged attempt to protect Hunter from any possible prosecution.

Next week's court date was originally set by Judge Don McSpadden (pictured) on December 2, during a hearing which Biden didn't show up for

This led to a whistleblower complaint from an officer within the CIA, and eventually led to Trump's impeachment in December.

Hunter, who has been in and out of rehab six times for alcoholism and addiction, was accused in November of smoking crack and spending 'thousands of dollars' at the strip club during multiple visits.

According to the club's security worker Ranko Petrovic, Biden was a big-paying customer who often sat in the VIP room where he spent 'thousands and thousands' and drank during his visits. He often paid his bills with 'credit cards that didn't have his name on it'.

Biden's frequent stops and generous spending at the club have come under scrutiny as he was on the board of Ukrainian natural-gas company Burisma at the time.

Biden first joined that board in 2014 and was reportedly paid him as much as $50,000 a month. He served until his term expired in April 2019.

He was on the board during the time his father Joe Biden was in the White House as Vice President.
She has been soaking up the sun in Bali with friends and family over the holidays.

And Tia Emdur, who is the daughter of Larry and Sylvie Emdur, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a sizzling snap of herself lounging around her luxury villa.

The 20-year-old graphic designer showed off her sensational figure in a barely-there white bikini as she posed poolside.

White hot! Larry Emdur's daughter, Tia, showed off her figure in a barely-there bikini while on holiday in Bali, Indonesia, on Thursday

In the photo, Tia shielded her face from the sun while flaunting her washboard abs.

Tia also took to her Instagram Story to share another snap, in which she showcased her figure while posing in her hotel room.

She has been keeping her followers up to date by regularly posting photos while on holiday in Seminyak.

Bikini babe! The 20-year-old graphic designer has the body of a Victoria's Secret model

On Monday, the brunette displayed her sensational body in another daring snap shared to social media.

She posed in a teal bikini while soaking up the sun at the Mrs Sippy pool club.

The glamazon accessorised her look with a straw brimmed hat and a cream-coloured scrunchie on her wrist.

Fun in the sun! Tia has been keeping her followers up to date by regularly posting photos while on holiday in Seminyak. Pictured at the Mrs Sippy pool club on Monday

Tia is the youngest child of Australian TV presenter Larry Emdur and his wife, Sylvie.

She has an older brother, 24-year-old model and real estate agent Jye Emdur.

In April 2018, Tia's parents helped her buy a $1.08million three-bedroom apartment in Sydney's exclusive Bellevue Hill.
New Delhi: Hollywood star Gerard Butler started the new decade with an Indian adventure. The 'PS I Love You' star ringed in the new year soaking in the vibrancy of Indian culture in Rishikesh.

Butler took to Instagram to share a photograph of himself doing the Suryanamaskar at the Himalayan hills of Rishikesh. The image gives the impression that the actor is holding the sun in his hands.

"Let your light shine in to the new decade. Sending you all love. Happy New Year from the Himalayas," he wrote along with the image.

Fitness enthusiast Yash Birla also shared some moments from his meeting with the Hollywood star, credited for movies like '300', 'How to Train Your Dragon', 'The Hidden World' and thriller trilogy 'Olympus Has Fallen', 'London Has Fallen' and 'Angel Has Fallen'.

"Rishikesh is rising... London has not fallen... 300 percent ... a day well spent and most memorable in the resonance of the holy Ganges @gerardbutler," Yash wrote.

The images posted by Yash show Butler posing with Birla. Butler is seen wearing a T-shirt, baggy pants and a scarf. The river Ganges can be seen in the background. It is believed that Butler was accompanied by his girlfriend Morgan Brown.

Last month, Butler also joined Buddhist worshippers for a festive service by Buddhist monk the Dalai Lama in Karnataka.

In one image, the actor is donning a tilak on his forehead as he posed for pictures with devotees and pilgrims.

This is not Butler's first trip to India. He escaped getting attention during his trip to Jaipur a few years ago. In 2009, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan organised a bash for the Hollywood star in Mumbai.
EAST CHICAGO  A 17-year-old girl is in critical condition after she was shot in the face while driving to a family member's house, police said.

Around 5:39 p.m. police were called to the 4800 block of Walsh Street in East Chicago after shots were reported in the area, said Deputy Chief Jose Rivera.

The teen, who was recently reported as missing from Hammond, was driving to her stepmothers house when a man standing outside opened fire.

The bullet went through her car window and struck her on the left side of her face below her cheekbone, Rivera said.

The teen crashed her Pontiac into a parked van nearby and attempted to run to her stepmothers house, but didnt make it before collapsing.

The 17-year-old is in critical condition and was taken to Northlake Hospital in Gary. She will be flown by helicopter to another hospital for treatment, Rivera said.

Rivera said it is believed the teen wasnt the intended target.

The suspect is described as a man who fled the area on foot.

ShotSpotter detected 16 rounds fired off in the area.
Press Trust of India

Two Nobel laureates will be among policy makers, academicians and other delegates to take part in the 107th Science Congress, to be inaugurated here on 3 January by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Nobel laureates Stefan Hell from Max Planck Institute Germany and Ada E Yonath, an expert in structural biology from Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, will take part in the event.

The president of Nanyang Technological University, Subra Suresh, a material scientist from Indonesia, and renowned cardiologist C N Manjunath, will also be present," Indian Science Congress General President Prof K S Rangappa told reporters here.

(Also read: Narendra Modi to inaugurate 107th Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru today; two Nobel laureates to attend event)

With the theme 'Science and Technology for Rural Development', the five-day Congress is expected to attract more than 15,000 delegates.

Dr S Rajendra Prasad, Vice-Chancellor the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru, where ISC will be held said they were expecting more than 15,000 people, including scientists, intellectuals, academicians, policy makers, researchers and delegates from various institutions to attend.

He said challenges in higher education in the country would be discussed at the Women's Science Congress, Children's Science Congress, Science Communicators' Meet, Formal Science Congress, Yoga Science and the Forum of Vice-Chancellors and IIT Directors.

Farmers wbo brought in innovations would be introduced to the audience and their ideas and suggestions discussed.

(Also read: 107th Indian Science Congress in Bangalore to kick off today: What and who to expect)

"Many farmers in the country have become innovative. They have become experts. We wanted to bring all these farmers on a single platform so their innovations and innovative ideas are discussed and deliberated for the whole day," Dr Prasad said.

Bharat Ratna Prof C N R Rao will inaugurate the Children Science Congress,while noted scientist in the DRDO, Dr Tessy Thomas will inaugurate the Women's Science Congress.

Dr Thomas is the Director General of Aeronautical Systems and former Project Director for Agni-IV missile in the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Iranian leaders were vowing revenge Friday after a drone strike that killed a top military commander. The leader, Qasem Soleimani, was a towering figure in training Irans proxies around the Middle East, and was plotting an attack against the United States, the Washington Post reported, citing Trump administration officials.

The airstrike Friday at Baghdad Airport drew partisan rebukes and skepticism from some analysts, who said it had the potential to ratchet up tensions in an already unstable region. Heres how Pennsylvanias lawmakers on Capitol Hill responded to the news:

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa: Qasem Suleimani was a military figure who inflicted terror and killed thousands in Israel, Iraq, Syria and other places. He was directly responsible for the killing of hundreds of American soldiers and civilians. The world is safer with him gone, Casey said in a statement released by his office.

He continued: The Trump administration must provide a full briefing to Congress next week regarding the following:

The intelligence used to authorize the strike;

The legal basis for the strike;

The nature of the threat articulated by the Pentagon in its statement last night; and

The preparations and planning the Administration has undertaken regarding potential retaliation by the Iranian regime against Americans abroad and here at home.

I have grave concerns that President Trump and his Administration have not provided the American people with a comprehensive strategy on Iran.

Finally, this and other recent actions by the administration have been taken without a Congressionally-approved Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF). As we prepare for fallout in the coming days, Congress has a critical role to play in assessing the legality of the strike, understanding its impact on U.S. national security and conducting oversight over this Administrations actions abroad, Casey concluded.

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.: Qasem Soleimani was responsible for the murder of hundreds of Americans. The world is a better place now that he is dead. Every American should be grateful to our armed forces who carried out this strike with incredible skill and precision. The Trump administration was right to restore deterrence against Iran, Toomey said in a statement released by his office.

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District: Qasem Soleimani, leader of Irans Quds force, is directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American servicemen and servicewomen. Soleimani perpetuated the Iranian regimes destabilizing proxy wars across the Middle East and carried out numerous terrorist attacks on behalf of Iranthe worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism, Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

According to the Defense Department, Soleimani was imminently plotting even more attacks on American servicemen and servicewomen, and therefore the air strike was needed to protect our American soldiers, diplomats, and civilians serving in critical missions in the region. Irans attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, their mounting aggression against the United States in the region, and their direct and imminent threats to Americans serving in critical missions abroad cannot be ignored, he said.

U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-3rd District:

President Trumps erratic approach to war and peace has not worked with North Korea, and the American people will not be well-served by cowboy behavior in the Middle East either, the Philadelphia Democrat said on Twitter.

3/ President Obama worked to DE-escalate tensions in the region through a nuclear limitation deal with Iran  President Trump broke that deal and the result has been increased danger in an already volatile region.  Dwight Evans (@RepDwightEvans) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District:

The safety of our country is my top priority," Dean said in a statement. "Iranian Commander Soleimani was responsible for the death of Americans and innocent people. He was a constant source of instability in a region craving peace.

"Yet, the Administration must work with Congress--as we enter this increasingly sensitive and uncertain timeto protect our citizens and our allies.

The Presidents unilateral escalation will have far-reaching and potentially dangerous impacts for our country and the region. If the strike was necessary to protect American national security interests, the President had a responsibility to come to Congress for authorization. Acts of war require Congressional authorization. Thats what the Constitution mandates.

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District:

There is no doubt that Qassem Soleimani was an evil man who was a danger to American lives and interests. However, I am concerned about the consequences that may result from this administrations dangerous escalation...1/2 https://t.co/LQCEUgIzXV  Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th District:

Qasem Soleimani had the blood of thousands on his hands. To be clear, the Iranian regime  in large part, under Soleimanis leadership  has supported terrorism around the world and consistently worked to undermine the national security of the United States and our allies, she said on Twitter. Our President ordered this strike before appropriately consulting Congress and without making clear how this escalatory action aligns with a larger strategy to protect American national security interests and counter Iranian aggression.

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District:

Wild said she wouldnt mourn Soleimanis death but said the presidents actions mark a major escalation with Iran.

My statement on the US air strikes on Iranian Quds Force Leader Qassem Soleimani  pic.twitter.com/ybzBNOs4pQ  Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8th District:

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9th District:

This mission was intelligence-based and aimed at deterring an imminent Iranian attack against American diplomats and service members, which Soleimani was actively developing. The United States will always defend its national interests, both at home and abroad, and we should all commend and thank our U.S. military for its efforts to protect American lives.

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-10th District:

The United States will not allow Iran, or its terrorists like Soleimani, to destabilize the region and the world, and kill Americans with impunity," Perry said in a statement. The decades of ignoring acts of terror, or addressing it with harsh language are over. These airstrikes were wholly appropriate. We continue to show the strength and resolve of our Nation, and the Presidents undeterred and relentless pursuit of combatting terrorism and keeping us safe.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R-11th District:

The safety and security of the American people at home and abroad should be the central focus of our foreign policy," Smucker said in a statement. "I support President Trump for taking decisive action against General Soleimani and sending a clear message to those that threaten American lives- It will never be tolerated.

U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-12th District:

Once again, President @realDonaldTrump has shown America will not back down, terrorists will be held accountable, and rogue states cannot continue to rule neighboring democracies through thuggery and intimidation.

Once again, President @realDonaldTrump has shown America will not back down, terrorists will be held accountable, and rogue states cannot continue to rule neighboring democracies through thuggery and intimidation. The death of Qasem Soleimani is a win for freedom. https://t.co/aV033XmMm9  Congressman Fred Keller (@RepFredKeller) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-13th District:

From day one, President Trump has been committed to achieving peace through strength, protecting Americans at home and abroad. Our Armed Forces are the best in the world, and were indebted to them. https://t.co/ORq7uR3h3W  John Joyce (@RepJohnJoyce) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-14th District:

Qasem Soleimani was a brutal terrorist brought to justice for the deaths of thousands, including at least 500 U.S. service members. This week, @realDonaldTrump demonstrated that when Iran crosses a red line there will be consequences. (1/2)  Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (@GReschenthaler) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Glenn GT Thompson, R-15th District:

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th District:

The death of Qassem Soleimani is a triumph of good over evil. Those who seek to kill and harm Americans and other innocent people will face justice. Thank you to @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and our military for your leadership in fighting terrorism!  Rep. Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyPA) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th District:

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-18th District:

This story was initially published by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, a nonpartisan, nonprofit news site covering state government, politics and policy.
Two people have been arrested after allegedly jumping a fence at Prime Minister Scott Morrison's family home and boasting about it on social media.

Dean Fletcher, 33, from Woolongong and 18-year-old Caitlin Cooper from Fairy Meadow were arrested after allegedly being found at the Sutherland Shire home.

Both have been charged with trespassing.

Police confirmed they were called to the property on Friday morning, and that both people have been released on conditional bail.

Scott Morrison lived in the modest Port Hacking home before he became prime minister with his wife Jenny and daughters Lily and Abbey (pictured)

Two people have been arrested after allegedly trespassing at a home in the Sutherland Shire today,' a statement said.

'Police will allege they found a man and woman standing inside the perimeter of the residence.

'A 33-year-old man has been charged with enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse and insight to the commission of crimes.

'The Woolongong man has been granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 13th February 2020.

'An 18-year-old woman has been charged with enter prescribed premises of any person without lawful excuse. The woman from Fairy Meadow has also been granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday 13th February 2020.

Property records show the Prime Minister and his wife Jenny bought their three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at Port Hacking (pictured) for $920,000 in 2009

Mr Morrison was not well-received during his visit to Corbago, NSW on Thursday. One local refused to shake his hand (pictured) until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters

'Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command were called to a home in Dolans Bay following reports a 33-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman had trespassed on the property.

'They were arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station.'

It comes as the embattled prime minister defends his handling of the bushfire crisis, which has seen him criticised by locals in the fire-ravaged town of Combargo.

Palatial homes in the elite area of Port Hacking, boasting views of Dolans Bay, often sell for upwards of $3 million.

Mr Morrison's home, which he shares with wife Jenny and daughters Abbey and Lily, is a more modest single-story house away from the waterfront.

Mr Morrison bought the 696 square-metre home (pictured) 10 years ago, several months after he was promoted to the Opposition frontbench

Mr Morrison can be seen trying to shake a fireman's hand in Combargo (pictured) on Thursday, but the man replied: 'I don't really want to shake your hand.'

The prime minister has previously spoken about his love of his modest family home, preferring to stay there instead of the grand Kirribilli House on the Sydney Harbour.

As the leader of Australia, Mr Morrison is entitled to live in the Gothic-style mansion built in 1858 which offers sweeping, world-renowned views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.

'We're looking at that at the moment,' he said of moving house shortly after getting elected.

'It's not something we really thought much about and our girls go to school locally and they'll continue to do that and that's really important.

'Jen is keeping family life very much the same.'
Sara Ali Khan is vacationing with her family Maldives and has shared new pictures from her beach holiday. The actor can be seen relaxing in blue-green water in a matching bikini.

Sara posted the pictures on Instagram and captioned them, Hello weekend. The first picture is a close-up of the actor who looks stunning in a two-shade bikini with her hair left open. She is staring at the sun with the blue sea in the background. Other pictures shows her taking a dip and swimming in the pool. The last picture is a long shot of her sitting on the boundary of the infinity pool as she stares at the vast sea with her back to the camera.

The pictures got more than 5,75,000 likes in less than an hour, including one from Janhvi Kapoor. A fan wrote, Hayeee itti pyaari with heart emojis. Another called her look, Qaatilaana. One more fan wrote, Iss ka intezaar tha.. hame (we were waiting for this one).

Sara had earlier shared pictures of her pool time with brother Ibrahim Ali Khan. Sharing a picture of the two on Instagram, she captioned them, When feeling blue isnt a bad thing. Sara had also shared a video from her jet ski session with mother Amrita Singh in her Instagram stories and captioned it, Mother daughter time. Another post of the actor chilling in the pool was also posted by her with the captions, Muffins and cupcakes for breakfast. If only days like this could last.

Also read: Good Newwz box office day 7: Akshay Kumar film earns Rs 127.9 cr, may become his third film to enter Rs 200 cr club

Sara was earlier holidaying with one of her besties in Kerala before she joined her family for Maldives. She had posted similar pictures from her fun time in the pool with her friend last week.

Sara has been shooting for her next, Coolie No 1 with Varun Dhawan. The film is a remake David Dhawans 1995 film starring Karisma Kapoor and Govinda. It is set to release on Labours Day (May 1) this year.

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THE Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) is struggling to fill in the rooms for this years Sinulog celebration due to intense market competition.

HRRAC president Carlo Suarez finds this a bit alarming as hotels used to enjoy advance bookings for Sinulog.

(Occupancy) is slowly picking up. We have two weeks left to promote Cebu and Sinulog. But this is alarming, he said.

To boost hotel bookings, Suarez urged stakeholders to give them the guidelines to promote the Sinulog festivities.

It would be advantageous to everybody if they give us the calendar of activities and also the guidelines of the Sinulog parade route, he said.

He said member hotels are striving to advertise the month-long Sinulog celebration to boost their occupancy.

Its been a challenge that were not getting (that many) hotel bookings, not like three years ago, he said.

The decline in hotel bookings, Suarez said, can be attributed to the fast expansion of home-sharing platform Airbnb, whose competitive prices are taking a toll on hotels.

All of those who wanted to participate in the festivities are already booked in Airbnb because they are cheaper, Suarez said.

Airbnb currently lists 60,000 properties in the Philippines alone. These properties are condominium units, vacation homes and houses, among others.

HRRAC member hotels have at least 2,000 rooms.

The Department of Tourism 7 is expecting millions of tourists, both foreign and local, to visit Cebu City to join the Sinulog celebration in January.

In 2018, hotel rooms were fully booked for the Sinulog weekend despite the Cebu City governments strict rules on liquor and street parties.

Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella said regulated street parties will come back for this years Sinulog.

Street parties? If regulated, I am for it, and we will do something to regulate it, Labella said in an earlier interview.

However, a liquor ban will still take effect. Sinulog 2020 will be officially launched on Jan. 10. (JOB)
New Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): UK Labour Party MP Preet Kaur Gill on Friday expressed concerns over the Sikh community being attacked in Pakistan while referring to the incident of stone-pelting at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in the country.



Retweeting a tweet of the video showing scenes from the incident, Gill wrote, "This is a worrying concern why is the Sikh community being attacked in Pakistan? @ImranKhanPTI."

Earlier today, India strongly condemned the "wanton acts of destruction and desecration" at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and called upon Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and welfare of the members of the Sikh community.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern at vandalism carried out at the revered gurdwara.

An angry group of local residents pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan today evening.

The group was led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of gurdwara's pathi. (ANI)


Scientists have reported the first ever case of a medical risk in space -- a blood clot formation in the internal jugular vein of an astronaut onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, measured the structure and function of the internal jugular vein in long-duration spaceflight where astronauts are exposed to sustained headward blood and tissue fluid shifts.

The jugular veins take deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart.

Researchers from the Louisiana State University (LSU) in the US assessed eleven astronauts involved in the vascular study during a long-duration mission.

The study sought to close gaps in knowledge about circulatory physiology that will not only benefit patients on Earth, but could be critical for the health of astronauts during future space exploration missions to the moon and Mars.

Ultrasound examinations of the astronauts' internal jugular veins were performed at scheduled times of the mission.

Results of the ultrasound performed about two months into the mission revealed a suspected obstructive left internal jugular venous thrombosis (blood clot) in one astronaut.

Even as the astronaut was in space, he was guided in real time, and interpreted by two independent radiologists from the Earth to conduct an ultrasound, which confirmed the suspicion.

Since NASA had not encountered this condition in space before, multiple specialty discussions weighed the unknown risks of the clot travelling and blocking a vessel against anticoagulation therapy in microgravity.

The space station pharmacy had 20 vials containing 300 milligramme of injectable enoxaparin -- a blood thinner -- but no anticoagulation-reversal drug.

The injections posed their own challenges -- syringes are a limited commodity, and drawing liquids from vials is a significant challenge because of surface-tension effects.

The astronaut began treatment with the enoxaparin, initially at a higher dose that was reduced after 33 days to make it last until an oral anticoagulant -- apixaban -- could arrive via a supply spacecraft.

According to the study, spontaneous blood flow was still absent after 90 days of anticoagulation treatment.

However, the size of the clot progressively shrank and blood flow through the affected internal jugular segment could be induced at day 47.

The astronaut took apixaban until four days before the return to the Earth.

On landing, ultrasound scans showed that the remaining clot had flattened into the walls of the blood vessels with no need for further anticoagulation treatment.

This flatenned clot was present for 24 hours after landing, and disappeared after 10 days.

The astronaut exhibited no symptoms six months after returning to the Earth.

"The biggest question that remains is how would we deal with this on an exploration class mission to Mars? How would we prepare ourselves medically?" said study co-author Serena Aunon-Chancellor from LSU.

More studies are need to further elucidate clot formation during space travel and determine possible countermeasures, the researchers said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By BECKY BOHRER and MARTHA BELLISLE

JUNEAU, Alaska  A survivor of a Alaska crab boat sinking that left five fellow fishermen missing said the crew went from sleeping to swimming in minutes as rough seas and ice threatened to sink their vessel on New Years Eve.

"On the 31st, we just started listing really hard on the starboard side," Dean Gribble Jr. said in a YouTube video that he posted Thursday to answer questions about the disaster. "From sleeping to swimming was about 10 minutes. It happened really fast. Everybody was trying to get out. Everybody was doing everything they could, and it was just really a (expletive) situation."

Gribble, whos appeared on the Discovery Channel documentary series Deadliest Catch, said the seven-member crew faced 20-foot (6-meter) seas, 40 mph winds and icy conditions.

"I've fished for 20 years, I know that you do not make it," he said. "Everybody can die in those situations, and I knew that's what we were going into. We were in the raft for about five hours."

Gribble and John Lawler were the only survivors and suffered hypothermia, the Coast Guard said. They had told rescuers that they were the only ones to make it into a life raft and had been able to get into survival suits, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The suits offer some flotation and hypothermia protection.

"I just wish the other guys would have made it," Gribble said in the video, shaking his head and looking down. "I kind of feel bad now that I'm here and they're not. Send some love to their families."

Some of the fishermen made calls to loved ones in the lead-up to the sinking that also revealed the rough conditions, including ice that did not seem to rattle the captain.

Gary Cobban Jr. is among five fishermen who are feared dead after the 130-foot Scandies Rose sank late Tuesday in an area with warnings about strong winds and heavy freezing spray, officials said. The Coast Guard has not released details on a cause.

Cobban's ex-girlfriend, Jeri Lynn Smith, told the Anchorage Daily News that he called her in North Carolina about two hours before the boat sank to wish her a happy new year.

"When I talked to him, he told me the boat was icing and it had a list to it, but he didn't sound alarmed. He didn't sound scared," Smith said. "The boat ices. The boat ices every winter. It's just something they deal with. I didn't worry about it."

Also missing are the captain's son David Lee Cobban, Arthur Ganacias, Brock Rainey and Seth Rousseau-Gano, the Coast Guard said. The agency used helicopters, planes and a boat to search for the men over 1,400 square miles (3,625 square kilometers) before calling off the effort Wednesday evening.

Ashley Boggs of Peru, Indiana, said Rainey, her fiance who's from Kellogg, Idaho, also called her shortly before the ship sank and said conditions were bad.

"I'm just praying and hoping they find him on land or something," Boggs told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Crabbing boats endure perilous conditions in Alaska waters that have been immortalized in "Deadliest Catch." Workers face dangers like huge waves, harsh weather, long hours and massive crab pots that could crush them.

Commercial fishing is one of the country's most dangerous occupations, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It said there were 179 deaths in Alaska fisheries between 2000 and 2014, the most recent numbers available.

From 2010 to 2014, there were 66 vessel disasters in Alaska waters, including sinkings and fires, that killed 15 people, the agency said. The leading causes of fatal disasters were instability and being hit by large waves. Many of the incidents involved small boats.

In 2017, six people died after the vessel Destination capsized and sank in the Bering Sea. An investigative report found stability, weight issues and excess ice accumulation from freezing spray were contributing factors.

Samantha Case, an epidemiologist in the agency's commercial fishing research program, said efforts have been taken to make crab fishing safer in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. They include Coast Guard stability checks for vessels; changes in fishery management that reduced some risks like competitiveness; and increased marine safety training.

The last known position of the Scandies Rose was 170 miles (270 kilometers) southwest of Kodiak Island, and it sank about 10 p.m. Tuesday, the Coast Guard said. The boat had sent a mayday call.

Rescue crews battled winds of more than 40 mph (64 kph), 15- to 20-foot (4.5- to 6-meter) seas and visibility that was limited to a mile (1.5 kilometers), Petty Officer 2nd Class Melissa McKenzie said.

She said the air temperature was about 10 degrees (12 below zero Celsius). The estimated water temperature was 43 degrees (6 degrees Celsius), the National Weather Service said.

Bill Rose of Seattle, who used to work on fishing boats in Alaska, said the conditions can be brutal, even "terrifying for someone who had never done it. But if it's all you can do to make a living, and you're out there and you're used to it, you really don't think much of it."

He said on the right boat, a fisherman could make $150,000 a year.

David Otness, a retired crab fisherman in Cordova, Alaska, who spent more than 50 years in the industry, agreed it's dangerous work that's "known for its loss." He said it appeals to people with a sense of adventure.

"The love of it is stronger than the fear of it. It's something that gets into you. It's all-consuming," Otness said.

____

Bellisle reported from Seattle. Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, photographer Ted Warren in Seattle and researcher Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump said Friday that Iranian military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani was plotting "imminent and sinister attacks" on American diplomats and military personnel before he was killed in a military strike in Baghdad.

Speaking to reporters at his private resort in Florida, Trump said he does not seek war with Iran but is prepared to take whatever action is necessary to guarantee the safety of Americans.

We took action last night to stop a war, Trump said. We did not take action to start a war.

Trump said he does not seek regime change in Iran. But, "I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary," he said.

Later, at a campaign event with evangelicals in Miami, Trump told a cheering crowd that Soleimanis bloody rampage is over.

Weve ensured that his atrocities have been stopped for good, Trump said. He was planning a very major attack, and we got him.

President Donald Trump speaks during a 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event in Miami, Fla.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said the United States will send about 3,000 more soldiers to the Middle East to bolster existing forces. The soldiers will come from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Earlier Friday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack that killed Soleimani was in response to "an intelligence-based assessment."

"He was actively planning in the region," Pompeo said on CNN, adding the U.S. action "saved American lives."

Pompeo declined to disclose specific details of the intelligence but said the threats were not aimed at the U.S. soil.

These were threats located in the region, Pompeo said

The State Department urged all American citizens to leave Iraq "immediately" as Washington braced for what happens next after the airstrike, which drew strong condemnation from Iran and threatens to escalate tensions with the U.S.

The agency warned Americans to stay away from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and suspended all public consular activities "until further notice." The warning followed days of sometimes violent protests by Iranian-backed militia members and their supporters, who smashed their way into the embassy compound to protest U.S. airstrikes that killed at least two dozen Iran-backed fighters in Iraq.

Story continues

Iran's response: Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows vengeance for Gen. Qasem Soleimani's death

The Pentagon said in a statement released Thursday evening that the latest airstrike had been carried out at Trump's direction as a "defensive action" against Soleimani. The Defense Department said Thursday that Soleimani had "orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months."

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mark Quantock, the former director of intelligence for U.S. Central Command, said the Iranian regime is likely to lash out in several ways after the killing of Soleimani. He was a national hero in Iran and his death is a blow to the Iranian psyche.

The Iranians generally are deliberate in formulating attacks but may move more quickly in light of Soleimanis prominence, Quantock said.

Attacks by Iranian surrogates, such as the militias in Iraq aligned and supported by Iran, are likely to occur first, he said. Those groups had viewed Soleimani as their guy, Quantock said. The 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria will need to be especially vigilant in the coming days, he said.

U.S. and coalition embassies throughout the Middle East will also be potential targets. In the Persian Gulf, Iranian Republican Guard fast boats could make provocative runs at U.S. Navy vessels, seeking to draw fire and be seen as victims.

The potential for escalation is especially high as the current Iraqi regime is now firmly caught/wedged between their two major benefactors who assisted them in their fight again ISIS, Quantock said. It's difficult to prognosticate how this plays out.

Democrats, who said they had not been notified of the operation in advance, urged caution and called on the Trump administration to brief members of Congress on further developments.

In a statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the airstrike "risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence" and was carried out without proper congressional authorization. Pelosi called on the Trump administration to brief Congress on the situation.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the administration would brief congressional staff on Friday and that a classified briefing for all senators could be held early next week.

Speaking from the Senate floor, McConnell urged Democrats to wait to review the facts and hear from the administration before passing judgment on the military operation and its potential consequences. He called Soleimani a "master terrorist" and an "evil man" and said no man alive was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American servicemen.

Regardless, Democrats immediately raised questions about the military operation and warned of its consequences.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., viewed the strike as evidence that Trump is diminishing Congress' role in the government's power to wage war. Kaine introduced a war powers resolution on Friday to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran.

For years, Ive been deeply concerned about President Trump stumbling into a war with Iran," Kaine said. "Were now at a boiling point, and Congress must step in before Trump puts even more of our troops in harms way."

The War Powers Act, which was passed after the Vietnam War to check the power of presidents to wage war, requires presidents to notify Congress about military deployments and places a 60-day limit on the deployment of military forces without congressional approval or a formal declaration of war.

Kaine's resolution would require that any hostilities with Iran must be explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force. It does not prevent the United States from defending itself from imminent attack.

Former Vice President Joe Biden, also a Democratic presidential candidate, said Trump had "just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."

Who was Qasem Soleimani?: What we know about the strike that killed Iranian military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani

Acknowledging that Soleimani had "deserved to be brought to justice," Biden slammed the airstrike as a "hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region" and questioned the Trump administration's "discipline or "long-term vision."

Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor who also is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, called Soleimani "a murderer with the blood of Americans on his hands."

"Without more information," Bloomberg said, "we can only hope that the president has carefully thought through the national security implications of this attack for our country and the grave risks involved. But given his track record and his history of making reckless and impulsive decisions that undermine U.S. strategic objectives and weaken our allies  most recently in Syria  there is every reason to be deeply concerned."

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who served as a military intelligence officer in Afghanistan, said while there is no question that Soleimani was a threat to the safety and security of Americans, "there are serious questions about how this decision was made and whether we are prepared for the consequences."

As we learn more in the coming days and weeks, one thing is clear: this must not be the start of another endless war," Buttigieg said.

House Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., said he was "deeply concerned about the repercussions" of the airstrike and called it a "massive escalation in our conflict with Iran."

"This strike went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress," he said, noting how the lack of notification "raises serious legal problems."

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said, "All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk."

What happened?: Qasem Soleimani's killing is the latest in Iran-US tensions: How we got here

Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a close Trump ally, struck a more hawkish tone.

"If Iranian aggression continues and I worked at an Iranian oil refinery, I would think about a new career," he wrote on Twitter, directly thanking Trump for "standing up for America."

Graham, who was spotted at Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Fla., earlier this week, said during a Friday morning appearance on Fox and Friends that he was briefed on the plan to kill Soleimani before it happened.

I was briefed about the potential operation when I was down in Florida, he said. I really appreciate President Trump letting the world know you cannot kill an American without impunity.

If Iranian aggression continues and I worked at an Iranian oil refinery, I would think about a new career.  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020

Graham's fellow member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, asked whether the Trump administration had developed a "coherent" strategy" on Iran.

"With ever increasing challenges confronting us in the Middle East, its imperative that the US & our allies articulate & pursue a coherent strategy for protecting our security interests in the region," Romney wrote on Twitter.

With ever increasing challenges confronting us in the Middle East, its imperative that the US & our allies articulate & pursue a coherent strategy for protecting our security interests in the region. I will be pressing the Administration for additional details in the days ahead.  Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) January 3, 2020

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., and one of Trump's closest allies, said via Twitter that Soleimani was "a murderer with the blood of Americans on his hands  and plotting more attacks."

"Thank God for our military who eliminated him," Meadows wrote. "President Trump sent a message: the days of appeasement are over. Target Americans, and you will be swiftly brought to justice."

Embassy attacked: Protesters at US Embassy in Baghdad disperse as security personnel fire tear gas

Soleimani was a murderer with the blood of Americans on his handsand plotting more attacks. Thank God for our military who eliminated him.



President Trump sent a message: the days of appeasement are over. Target Americans, and you will be swiftly brought to justice.  Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) January 3, 2020

Around the world, reaction to Soleimani's death was mixed.

Russia called Soleimani's killing a "murder" and offered condolences to Iran.

"We consider the murder of Soleimani as a result of an American missile strike on the outskirts of Baghdad as an adventurous step that will lead to an increase in tension in the entire region," said a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry. "Soleimani has faithfully served the cause of protecting the national interests of Iran. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people."

China "has always opposed the use of force in international relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing. We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry, in a statement published by the state-funded Anadolu news agency, said: "We strongly emphasize a warning once again that turning Iraq into a conflict zone will hurt peace and stability."

France called on all parties to show restraint and avoid taking any measures that could aggravate regional instability or lead to a serious nuclear proliferation crisis.

The United Kingdom also issued a low-key statement urging both sides to cool down.

We have always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. "Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate."

He added: "Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook, David Jackson and Courtney Subramanian

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Qasem Soleimani killing: Trump says general plotted 'imminent' attacks
Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco whose book 'Management in 10 Words' is out next month.

Sir Terry Leahy is one of a trio of former supermarket bosses hoping to cash in on the growing backlash against vaping.

The 63-year-old (pictured), who ran Tesco for 14 years, is using his retail nous to sell a new cigarette-shaped inhaler called Voke which gives users an instant hit of nicotine without the billowing clouds of vapour associated with e-cigarettes.

It claims to be more effective than a nicotine patch at weaning smokers off their habit, without the health concerns attached to e-cigarettes which are now plaguing big tobacco companies. It is also designed to mimic the smoking rituals which many smokers find almost as difficult to give up as the nicotine.

It claims to be more effective than a nicotine patch at weaning smokers off their habit, without the health concerns attached to e-cigarettes which are now plaguing big tobacco companies. It is also designed to mimic the smoking rituals which many smokers find almost as difficult to give up as the nicotine.

The device, which produces no heat, no burn and does not need batteries, has been more than a decade in the making.

A woman refills her vaping device with a flavored liquid as US health officials move to ban it for teenagers

It has been approved by the Department for Health and is available on prescription.

It is produced by Kind Consumer, a little-known London based healthcare research and development firm. But it has some heavyweight backers.

Its board includes former Co-op Group boss Martin Beaumont and Sir Peter Davis, who has been chief executive of three FTSE 100 companies including Sainsburys, Prudential and recruitment giant Reed.

The company is chaired by John Clarke, who is the former president of Glaxosmithklines global healthcare division.

Leahy, who has built up a career in private equity since stepping down from Tesco in 2011, said many people switched from smoking to vaping because they considered it was safer, but now its emerging that e-cigarettes have health concerns.

He added: We know consumers are looking for a safe alternative and so the launch of Voke is well-timed, I think, because now you have both cigarette smokers and vapers who are looking for a safe alternative.

With 7.2 million smokers and 3.2 million using alternatives such as e-cigarettes there is a large market to tap into. Tobacco companies have spent vast amounts on developing e-cigarettes, which are now coming under growing scrutiny from regulators due to health concerns.

Vaping has been recommended by doctors to help people give up tobacco. But a recent report warned that it could raise the risk of serious lung disease by almost a third. The study by the University of California found that e-cigarette users are 29 per cent more likely to suffer from conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma than people who have never vaped or smoked tobacco.
Death tolls from floods in Indonesias capital Jakarta rose to 43 on Friday as rescuers found more bodies amid receding floodwaters, disaster officials said. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said that the casualties also included people who had been drowned or electrocuted since rivers broke their banks on Wednesday due to record-breaking rainfall throughout New Year's Eve.

Three died of hypothermia

Wibowo also said that three elderly people died of hypothermia and about 397,000 people sought refuge in shelters across the greater metropolitan area as at their peak floodwaters reached as high as 6 meters in places. Floodwaters started receding in some parts of the city on Thursday evening, enabling residents to return to their homes. The areas which have been retrieved are filled with garbage and rubble. Jakartas Halim Perdanakusuma domestic airport also reopened on Thursday and electricity returned to many parts of the city. Nearly 20,000 passengers had been affected by the airports closure.

Read: Indonesia Flood Rescuers Hunt For Missing After 43 Killed

Read: Indonesia Flood Evacuees Wait At Temporary Shelter

Dwikorita Karnawati, the head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency warned the people of more downpours in the coming days adding that the potential for extreme rainfall will continue until next month across Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government on Friday kicked off cloud seeding in an attempt to divert rain clouds from reaching greater Jakarta. Monsoon rains and rising river waters submerged at least 182 neighbourhoods in greater Jakarta. The floodwaters have also caused landslides in Bogor and Depok districts as well as in Lebak which has buried a dozen people.

Read: Four Dead, Thousands Caught In Flooding In Indonesia's Capital

Read: Indonesia Floods Leave Two Dozen Dead, Several Missing: Official

Meanwhile, rescuers mounted a desperate search for those missing after flash floods and landslides sparked by torrential rains killed at least 43 people across the Jakarta region, leaving whole districts underwater and thousands homeless. Around a dozen people were still unaccounted for after record rains that started on New Year's Eve pounded the capital and left swathes of the megalopolis, home to some 30 million, a wasteland of overturned cars and damaged buildings.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Search and rescue teams in Cambodia found two more bodies Saturday in the rubble of a collapsed building in the coastal province of Kep, raising the death toll in the disaster to seven, officials said.

By Saturday morning, 18 people had been rescued, injured but alive, and crowds watched in the afternoon as two more survivors were pulled out and rushed to ambulances more than 20 hours after the accident.

Kep provincial authorities said in a statement that in addition to the seven people who died, 20 were injured in the disaster.

The website of the National Police reported that the Cambodian couple who owned the property and hired the construction workers were detained by provincial police for questioning on Saturday.

Prime Minister Hun Sen went to the coastal province of Kep on Friday to lead the rescue team, he announced on his Facebook page. He also visited the provincial hospital where the injured were being treated. Several of the hospitalized survivors were reported to be in critical condition.

Nguon Samet, deputy police chief of Kep province, said Saturday morning that it was believed some people were still trapped under rubble, but he could not say how many. Relatives of some of those still missing gathered outside the site to pray, he said.

Nguon Samet had said that the seven-story building apparently collapsed Friday when concrete was being poured on its top level. Kep provincial authorities announced that a committee had been formed to officially investigate the cause of the accident.

The collapse of a building under construction last June in Sihanoukville, another coastal province, killed 28 construction workers and injured 26 others, underlining concerns about the areas rapid development and inattention to safety. The coastal area has been rapidly built up to cater to a booming tourism industry.

In December, a Buddhist temple collapsed while under construction in Siem Reap, home of Cambodias famed Angkor temples, killing at least three people and injuring 13, including two monks.
D ramatic footage reportedly shows the moment a US drone missile blew up Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

General Soleimani was killed by a US airstrike at Baghdad airport in Iraq in a move authorised by US President Donald Trump.

He was head of Tehran's elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East.

The semi-official Fars news agency also named Brigadier General Hussein Jafari Nia and Major-General Hadi Taremi among the dead, along with Colonel of the Guards Shahroud Mozaffari Nia and Captain Waheed Zamanian.

Iran's public broadcaster Ahad TV released CCTV reportedly showing the strike on Friday.

They captioned the video: "The moment of the brutal American aggression and the assassination of the two martyr leaders Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis."

In the black and white footage, a missile appears to hit a row of cars parked at Baghdad airport.

Qassem Soleimani: Who was the Iranian general?

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region".

It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

Several experts have warned of retaliations from Iran following the US strike.

Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the "serious and dangerous escalation" as an "assassination" and called for the UK to stand up to the "belligerent actions" from the US.

Jeremy Corbyn described the strike as an 'assassination' / AP

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab issued a statement saying the Government had "always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led" by the general.
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Bangkok, January 3, 2020  Thai authorities should not contest the appeal of journalist Suchanee Cloitre, and should stop charging reporters with criminal defamation, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

On December 24, 2019, a court in Thailands central Lopburi province sentenced Suchanee, a former reporter with local news broadcaster Voice TV, to two years in prison over a 2016 tweet she posted while working at the broadcaster, according to news reports.

The tweet criticized Thammakaset, a local poultry farm, which was ordered by a court to pay compensation to workers for labor law violations, according to those reports and the journalist, who spoke to CPJ via phone.

Suchanee told CPJ that she plans to appeal the verdict before the end of January. She was released on 75,000 baht ($2,500) bail after the ruling, the AP report said. She will remain free on bail during the appeal, she told CPJ.

The two-year jail sentence given to journalist Suchanee Cloitre is a grave threat to press freedom in Thailand and should be overturned on appeal, said Shawn Crispin, CPJs senior Southeast Asia representative. Journalists should never be jailed for their critical commentary on issues of public import. Its high time Thailand repealed its draconian and abusive criminal defamation law.

Section 326 of Thailands criminal code allows for jail sentences of up to two years and fines up to 200,000 baht ($6,600) for public comments that are found to impair a persons reputation or place them in contempt or hatred by others.

Suchanee told CPJ that she anticipates her appeal could take years to be heard in Thailands slow-moving judicial system.

Thammakaset and its owner, Chanchai Permpol, filed lawsuits against 25 journalists and activists who alleged that the company had mistreated migrant workers from Myanmar, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Suchanee told CPJ she had traveled to Samut Sakhon province to cover the chicken farms labor situation, and said she requested comment from Thammakaset management about the allegations but never received a response.

The labor allegations in her reporting and posts on social media were based on interviews with workers at the farm, she said.

Thammakaset has denied the allegations of worker mistreatment, according to Reuters. CPJ emailed Chanchai Permpol for comment but did not immediately receive a reply.

EDITORS NOTE: The text has been modified in the ninth paragraph to correct the location of Suchanees reporting.
In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of China Oilfield Services Limited (HKG:2883) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This is done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for China Oilfield Services

Is China Oilfield Services fairly valued?

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Levered FCF (CN, Millions) CN4.69b CN5.47b CN4.54b CN4.51b CN4.52b CN4.54b CN4.58b CN4.62b CN4.68b CN4.74b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Est @ -0.58% Est @ 0.06% Est @ 0.5% Est @ 0.82% Est @ 1.04% Est @ 1.19% Est @ 1.3% Present Value (CN, Millions) Discounted @ 9.7% CN4.3k CN4.5k CN3.4k CN3.1k CN2.8k CN2.6k CN2.4k CN2.2k CN2.0k CN1.9k

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = CN29b

Story continues

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 10-year government bond rate (1.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.7%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2029  (1 + g)  (r  g) = CN4.7b (1 + 1.6%)  9.7% 1.6%) = CN59b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= CN59b ( 1 + 9.7%)10= CN23b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is CN53b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of HK$12.1, the company appears about fair value at a 1.7% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

SEHK:2883 Intrinsic value, January 3rd 2020

The assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at China Oilfield Services as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.291. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldnt be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For China Oilfield Services, I've put together three further factors you should further examine:

Financial Health: Does 2883 have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does 2883's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Are there other high quality stocks you could be holding instead of 2883? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the SEHK every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
A Turkish airline company says its jets were used illegally in Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosns escape from Japan.

Istanbul-based MNG Jet said an employee falsified records and Ghosns name did not appear on any documentation related to the flights.

Ghosn earlier this week jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon rather than face trial on financial misconduct charges in a dramatic escape that has confounded and embarrassed authorities.

How he was able to flee Japan, avoiding the tight surveillance he was under while free on 1.5 billion yen (10 million) bail, is still a mystery, although Lebanese authorities have said he entered the country legally on a French passport.

His daring escape spanned three continents and involved private planes, multiple passports and international intrigue.

Expand Close Turkish police escort suspects accused of involvement in Ghosns passage through Istanbul (Ugur Can/DHA/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Turkish police escort suspects accused of involvement in Ghosns passage through Istanbul (Ugur Can/DHA/AP)

Turkey detained seven people on Thursday as part of an investigation into how he passed through the country, and they are appearing in court later. The private DHA news agency reported that those detained were four pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers.

Also on Friday, Istanbul-based MNG Jet said it had filed a criminal complaint in Turkey concerning the illegal use of its jet charter services.

It did not say who the complaint was against, but said one company employee, who was under investigation by Turkish authorities, admitted to falsifying records and confirmed that he acted in his individual capacity without MNG Jets knowledge.

The company said it had leased one private jet from Dubai to Osaka in Japan, and Osaka to Istanbul, and another from Istanbul to Beirut.

Expand Close Private security guards at the home of Carlos Ghosn in Beirut (Maya Alleruzzo/AP) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Private security guards at the home of Carlos Ghosn in Beirut (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

The two leases were seemingly not connected to each other. The name of Mr Ghosn did not appear in the official documentation of any of the flights, MNG Jet said in a statement. The statement did not say who the jets were leased to.

On Thursday, Interpol issued a wanted notice for Ghosn. Lebanese justice minister Albert Serhan said Lebanon will carry out its duties, suggesting for the first time that the motor executive may be brought in for questioning. But he said Ghosn entered the country on a legal passport, and he appeared to cast doubt on the possibility that Lebanon would hand Ghosn over to Japan.

Shortly after the Interpol notice, Ghosn issued a statement seeking to distance his Lebanese wife and family from any role in his escape.

The allegations in the media that my wife Carole and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan are false and misleading. I alone organised my departure. My family played no role, he said.

Ghosn, who is Lebanese and also holds French and Brazilian passports, was set to go on trial in Japan in April. He said he fled to avoid political persecution by a rigged Japanese justice system.

His lawyer in France, Francois Zimeray, told Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV that he had been in frequent contact with Ghosn since he arrived in Lebanon, and his client appeared to be filled with a fighting spirit, and was eager to start clearing his name.

Ghosn, who grew up in Beirut, is a national hero to many in Lebanon with close ties to senior politicians and business stakes in a number of companies.

He is charged in Japan with under-reporting his future compensation and breach of trust. He has repeatedly asserted his innocence, saying authorities trumped up charges to prevent a possible fuller merger between Nissan and Renault.
The damage to Georgia Toffolo's car has been revealed after she told fans the vehicle had been broken into.

Pictures of the car show the window has been completely shattered after the Made In Chelsea star, 25, claimed that thieves broke into her 85,000 Range Rover Vogue on New Year's Eve (Tuesday) and stole her handbag.

Georgia's latest setback comes just a week after she was held in Male airport's detention centre after a page fell out of her passport, though she was eventually released.

Drama: The damage to Georgia Toffolo's car has been revealed after she told fans the vehicle had been broken into and her handbag was stolen

While Georgia's car remained parked on a street in West London following the break-in, the damage to the window was clear.

The star also told fans on Thursday that she was planning to use a bike to get around while her car was out of action, and shared a snap of her new mode of transport with the caption: 'You beauty.'

Georgia - known as Toff - had previously claimed that the window to her car was smashed by thieves with a brick, but the exact cause is still unknown.

Scary: On New Year's Eve the Made In Chelsea star took to Instagram Stories to reveal her handbag had been stolen from the vehicle

Terrifying: Georgia's Range Rover Vogue is still parked on a street in West London, but the shattered window is clear

On New Year's Eve she took to Instagram Stories to reveal that her car had been broken into, and claimed the window had been smashed with a brick.

Moments before she revealed the break-in to her fans, Georgia - known as Toff - had been wishing her followers a Happy New Year before heading for a night out with her family.

However her night out soon took a turn for the worse when she realised some of her valuables had been stolen from inside her car.

Speaking on the clip, Toff said: 'Happy new year everyone, someone just threw a brick through my car window and stole my handbag.

'But on the bright side they left a tampon and my favourite blusher. So, trying to look on the bright side of things - not great!'

Shocking: On Tuesday Georgia shared a video on her Instagram Stories of her broken car window, which she claims had been smashed with a brick

'On the bight side!': Determined to be positive, Toff admitted she was glad the thief had left behind one of her tampons and her favourite blusher

Refusing to left her celebrations be thwarted by the break-in, Toff soon added that she still drove the car to meet her family for their New Years Eve meal.

This comes just a week after she tearfully pleaded for help as she was banned from catching further flights from Male airport due to a page falling out of her passport.

And after 'crying for nine hours', the media personality expressed her gratitude towards her fans and the British government for their support, and surprisingly revealed she even ended up 'having a laugh' with the immigration officers.

Alongside a beaming snap of herself, Toff took to Instagram to detail how she'd been freed from the scary ordeal.

Toff wrote: 'I am typing this having just been released from immigration detention! I cant quite believe it. I was genuinely trying to come to terms with spending the next... however long... in an immigration detention centre.

'Thank you so much to everyone who helped me. If I hadnt posted online I would 100% still be stuck without my passport!'

Insisting she wouldn't have been released if it wasn't for her social media presence, the petite star added: 'This scares me because it is such a privilege to have a following on social media - people can hear me.

Ordeal: This comes just a week after she tearfully pleaded for help as she was banned from catching further flights from Male airport due to a page falling out of her passport

'What if I didnt have a social media following? I cant bear to think of another girl in the situation I found myself in where no one can hear you.'

Despite being detained for nearly half a day, the blonde still managed to thank the Maldivian government for allowing her to stay in the 'beautiful' country.

She elaborated: 'Extremely grateful that the British government worked with Maldivian representatives. Pushed by the UK press too (so epic thank you!) Also thank you to Maldivian immigration for letting me in to your beautiful country!

'In spite of me crying for 9 hours and scaring everyone at the airport, I made some lovely friends (the group of 7 airport guys that didnt leave me while I was wailing) on reflection they couldnt leave me, because I was being detained.

Thankful: The media personality expressed her gratitude towards her fans and the British government for their support

'But still they were kind. They ran me through the best bits of the potential prison I was almost spending Christmas in, every cloud etc!

'I even had a laugh with the immigration officers in the end. Oddly excited for the reunion when I leave.'

She ended her post by advising her followers: 'Please everyone check your passports I didnt realise that 2 pages had fallen out of the centre. SO SO traumatised but grateful thank you thank you thank you. Toffs Christmas is back on.

'On that note wonder what I would have got on Christmas Day in the detention centre? Trying to make light of it but it was a really horrible experience.'

Just hours earlier, she broke down in tears and frantically took to Twitter for some form of advice or help after her passport was confiscated from her ahead of a flight.

Cry for help: Just hours earlier, she broke down in tears and frantically took to Twitter for some form of advice or help after her passport was confiscated from her ahead of a flight

She tweeted: 'I have been detained at Male airport for a page missing on my passport. I am very scared I dont know what else to do!

'I have been here for hours. I am not allowed to board a flight home because of my damaged passport but I am also not allowed to leave the airport. Please help!'

She followed this up with: 'I have tried so hard to get hold of any British representative here. I am so upset. Thank god Ive got my phone. Theyve taken away my passport... because a page had fallen out!'

At the time of tweeting, Toff had been at the airport for over four hours. She also took to her Instagram stories to document the situation, visibly tearful.

MailOnline approached the Foreign Commonwealth Office for comment at the time of publication.

After sharing a video being driven to the airport, the former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner recorded an Instagram story in which she explained: 'Basically my passport was damaged and I am now being effectively deported back to London so any tips on how to get an emergency passport? Because I am not spending Christmas on my own.'

Distressed! 'I have been here for hours. I am not allowed to board a flight home because of my damaged passport but I am also not allowed to leave the airport. Please help!' she posted

She went on: 'Ive been crying - how embarrassing. Any advice on trying to get an emergency passport tomorrow? How does it work? Do I have to book an appointment? The info online is so confusing!

'Id be so grateful for any advice anyones got. I have planned a lovely Christmas here in the Maldives.Need to get there for Christmas Day basically. Let me know what I should do, absolute shocker.'

A little later, Toff appeared back on her stories and said: 'Thank you to everyone suggesting I go to the British Embassy. I wasnt allowed to leave the airport in order to get to the British Embassy which isnt even in the Maldives its in Colombo. Well maybe that is... but you know what I mean, its not close.'

Tearful: After sharing a video being driven to the airport, the former I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner recorded an Instagram story in which she explained - 'Basically my passport was damaged and I am now being effectively deported back to London so any tips on how to get an emergency passport? Because I am not spending Christmas on my own'

Helpful? Many suggested she get in touch with her pal Stanley Johnson, Prime Minister Boris' father

Clearly getting more and more upset, Toff then reappeared and said, fighting back tears: 'Im really trying to hold it together but I have been here for hours and hours and hours. Im not allowed to leave the airport on any flights because my passport is damaged but I am also not allowed to go into the Maldives.

'I dont know what to do I am so upset. I have tried so hard to get in touch with any British representative, there is no one here. I just dont know what to do.

'Im looking at four days in the centre until the next flight willing to take me home. Can someone help me?'

And then: 'Oh my god, I have been crying for hours and hours. Its a really horrible situation when you cant go, but I cant leave the airport. So Im having to spend the night.'

She then appeared outside the terminal, where she explained: 'I am in the in the detention centre. I find it really horrible. I have asked to speak to a British consulate so many times and theyve said no no no.

Detained: Clearly getting more and more upset, Toff then reappeared and said, fighting back tears - 'Im really trying to hold it together but I have been here for hours and hours and hours. Im not allowed to leave the airport on any flights because my passport is damaged but I am also not allowed to go into the Maldives'

'How is this legal?' She then appeared outside the terminal, where she explained - 'I am in the in the detention centre. I find it really horrible. I have asked to speak to a British consulate so many times and theyve said no no no'

'And now Im not allowed back in the departures terminal. Its so bad I dont know how this is even legal!'

Many of her fans suggested she get in touch with her close friend Stanley Johnson, father of the Prime Minister Boris.

Toff met Stanley when they took part in I'm A Celebrity... 2017, and have since appeared together on the likes of Made In Chelsea and Celebrity Hunted.

Others jokingly suggested she shout 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' while various celeb pals weighed in including Nadia Essex and Sarah Locke, the mother of Toff's MIC co-star Ollie.

According to Gov.uk, a damaged passport cannot be used as proof of identification and can be classed as such if pages are even slightly detached.

She went on: 'Oh my god, I have been crying for hours and hours. Its a really horrible situation when you cant go, but I cant leave the airport. So Im having to spend the night'

'In the case of damaged passports, the rules are almost identical across the world, but the level of stringency varies,' a spokesperson from Qatar Airways told The Independent when one of their reporters suffered a similar issue. 'Damaged passports and pleading passengers have been used as cover for illegal entry and activity in some parts of the world. This is well known, so immigration and security staff are very aware of this as a potential ploy and security threat.

'Guidelines for assessing a damaged passport, meaning it isnt in a condition to be accepted as proof of identity, may include ANY damage to the bio-data page.'

Airlines can be fined on average 2,780 per passenger if they allow a passenger with a damaged passport to fly and, if the issue is flagged at the destination, they would be responsible for flying them back again - even if this means booting one of their paying travellers out of their seat.

The International Air Transport Association states that approximately 60,000 passengers are turned back at destination or transfer points by immigration authorities each year.
This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

Associated Press

US oil workers are fleeing the Iraqi city of Basra following the assassination of the Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad, the oil ministry said in a statement on Friday.

ExxonMobil, a US oil major, operates in the region, as does BP. US company Chevron has operations in the northern Kurdistan Region.

S&P Global reported Friday that ExxonMobil, the lead contractor in a long-term deal with the state oil company South Oil Company, was evacuating 17 American workers. The company declined to comment on staffing.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Foreign oil companies operating in Iraq are evacuating American employees from the oil city of Basra, following the assassination of top Iranian General, Qassem Soleimani, the oil ministry said in a statement on Friday. Reuters reports that the foreign workers are leaving Basra by plane.

US-based ExxonMobil operates in the region, as does the British energy giant BP. Chevron, another American company, has operations in the northern Kurdistan Region, a spokesperson said.

ExxonMobil declined to comment on staffing, and Exxon staff in Basra reached through LinkedIn did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

"We are closely monitoring the situation," an ExxonMobil spokesperson told Business Insider. "ExxonMobil has programs and measures in place to provide security to protect its people, operations and facilities. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our employees and contractors at all of our facilities around the world."

BP and Chevron declined to comment on staffing.

ExxonMobil's affiliate, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, is the lead contractor in a project to develop West Qurna I field, one of Iraq's largest oilfields, in partnership with Iraq's South Oil Company. The field was producing 465,000 barrels per day in June.

S&P Global reported earlier Friday that ExxonMobil evacuated 17 employees from the West Qurna I field. If confirmed, this recent departure follows a larger-scale evacuation in May, when the oil giant temporarily relocated around 60 foreign staff from the oilfield to Dubai, per Reuters.

Story continues

The May evacuation was in response to the US withdrawing some staff from its embassy in Baghdad, citing a security threat posed by Iran. The staff returned to the oilfield after the Iraq government agreed to increase security.

The price of Brent oil, the international benchmark, surged in the wake of the strike  and ExxonMobil stock went up  though officials said the relocation of US workers would not impact operations, productions, or exports.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kuruspantas.com scored 58 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 3/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 19 Jan 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the kuruspantas homepage on Twitter + the total number of kuruspantas followers (if kuruspantas has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the kuruspantas homepage on StumbleUpon. The total number of people who shared the kuruspantas homepage on Delicious. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the kuruspantas homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if kuruspantas has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the kuruspantas homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button.

Basic Information

PAGE TITLE ALPHA LIPID SD2 | Cara Kuruskan Badan Tanpa Berlapar DESCRIPTION ALPHA LIPID SD2 - Ketahui Info Lengkap & Teknik Berkesan Menurunkan Berat Badan Anda Dengan Alpha Lipid SDII KEYWORDS kurus pantas, alpha lipid sd2, alpha lipid sdii, harga alpha lipid sd2, testimoni alpha lipid sd2, alpha lipid, ALSD2, cara kurus badan, kurus cepat, turun berat badan OTHER KEYWORDS badan, alpha lipid, alpha, lipid, alpha lipid sd2, lipid sd2, berat



The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE XHTML 1.0 Transitional CHARSET AND LANGUAGE Malay (Malaysia) UTF-8Malay (Malaysia) DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache (PHP/5.2.17) OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux

Operative System running on the server. Character set and language of the site. Type of server and offered services. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of kuruspantas.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms.

Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world.

Referring domains for kuruspantas.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

Facebook link

FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND

The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages.

Twitter account link

TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday handed over conveyance deeds and registry papers of houses to 20 residents of unauthorised colonies, a move that comes ahead of the Delhi assembly elections.

The documents were given to residents from unauthorised colonies in Raja Vihar and Suraj Park at a press conference, which was attended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Anil Baijal and other senior officers.

The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi had recently asked the residents of unauthorised colonies not to trust the BJP-led central government unless they get registry papers of their houses in their hands.

Dubbing the Friday event as "ceremonial", Puri said in the coming days, more residents of unauthorised colonies will be given conveyance deeds and registry papers.

The move to regularise such colonies is likely to benefit around 40 lakh residents who play a vital role in any election in the national capital. The announcement of the Delhi assembly elections is likely to be made in the next few days.

The conveyance deeds and registry papers have been given to the 20 residents under PM-UDAY (Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojna).

Asked whether the AAP government had been involved in the process, Puri, without taking any names, said, "I continue to be amazed at their capacity to derail matters."



The Union minister said people had been hearing about the regularisation of unauthorised colonies for a long time as previous governments did not fulfil their promises.

But now, development will take place in these areas at a greater speed, he said.

Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hit out at Puri, saying "Do not make fake registry."



"First you (Puri) said you will regularise these colonies. Now, you are saying you will not regularise colonies. How can it then be possible to do permanent registry in these colonies," he said.

"How can registry of houses be done on agriculture land? Do not make fake registry. Don't trap people for votes. Tomorrow, you will start sealing their houses," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Till now, around 57,000 people have registered themselves with a portal of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), an official said.

Of these people, applications of around 3,500 people have been successfully submitted. They will soon get conveyance deeds and registry papers of their houses, the official said.

Puri said that "as people in large number have been making registration at the DDA portal, we will upgrade the server of the DDA portal".

A special development fund (SDF) will be created to build social development infrastructure in 1,731 colonies, he said, adding that the SDF will be set up with the funds received in forms of charges of conveyance deeds and registry papers.

DDA Vice-Chairman Tarun Kapoor said, under the PM-UDAY, an applicant has to first register himself at the DDA portal and then submit all required documents.

"Once the documents are submitted, a DDA team goes to the applicant's house for verification. Thereafter, the applicant is asked to pay charges of the conveyance deed. Once it is done, the applicant is then required to visit the sub-divisional office to get the registry papers of his house done," Kapoor said.

According to the Union housing and urban affairs minister, 20 residents who were on Friday given conveyance deeds and registry papers of their houses have paid a minimal amount and hence, they saved their lakhs of rupees.

Citing benefits under the PM-UDAY, Puri said Pinki Sharma, who has a house measuring 31.8 metres, paid only Rs 19,400 under the scheme and hence, she saved around 24. 10 lakh.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
'Neither Modi nor the BJP have lost control over the minds and votes of their original supporters due to their tremendous political ability to play upon baser communal instincts.'

'But this buoyant support will melt away if the economic scenario remains depressing.'

'That makes 2020 an interesting year to watch out for,' notes Sheela Bhatt.

IMAGE: A protestor against the Citienship (Amendment) Act. Photograph: ANI Photo

After a tumultuous 2019 which brought at its very end anti-government forces and Muslims out on the streets, the protests leading to the death of 20 people, one looks forward to the new year with unease and caution.

2020, for obvious reasons, will be the year of the economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi and his team expect that three quarters from now, they will be able to show better economic parameters.

It is 'perform or perish' time on the economic front.

That in just six months of winning a historic electoral verdict from voters the government is faced with a genuine mass movement speaks volumes about an India that is transforming under Modi's rule and is convulsed over many things, including debates over the Constitution and the spirit behind it post-1947.

Whether it will end up for the better, good or worse will, among other things, depend on Modi's delivery on the economic front.

Unlike what his detractors allege, Modi and his team are over-cautious of the economic reality that confronts them. A lot of decisions are being taken at multiple levels to push the economic systems to deliver.

A powerful Bharatiya Janata leader told this correspondent that Modi will set the agenda for the 2024 election in 2020.

Explaining how, the Cabinet minister stated last week in an off the record conversation that India is moving towards a new political-economic agenda in 2020.

"Seculars will welcome the situation where the economy and development will be the issues in future elections and not identity politics," the minister said. "We won't err in setting the agenda of development. Ayodhya and Kashmir, the issues which dominated past elections and the BJP voters's minds since 1947, have been settled in the national interest."

However, looking at the ground realities, things don't look as if they unfolding in a linear fashion.

It is difficult to understand how the BJP will offer a tension-free all-round social environment for economic progress while continuing its saffron identity politics.

When the government itself proactively opens up the zakhm of Partition 72 years later, it can't shift the blame if things turn messy in 2020.

"During the Bangladesh war around 1.2 million refugees arrived in India. It is believed that a majority of them were Hindus. Indira Gandhi could have extended citizenship to them," says BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav. "Even under the UN Convention Relating to Status of Refugees, such refugees have a right to citizenship in the host country."

Before it became contentious and the youth and Muslims in large numbers hit the streets, the government deliberately linked the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register, and clearly acknowledged it in home ministry documents. It was because of this that the issue created a massive backlash, turning the entire issue into a CAA versus the Constitution confrontation.

When the mass protests against the CAA erupted all over India, the government was caught unawares by its scale.

The situation may be 'under control' now with the help of police batons, but it has given enough hints that if the Opposition parties unite in the states, then the grand idea of setting the economic agenda for the third decade of the 21st century can be derailed.

The only thing going well for the BJP is that its core saffronised support remains consolidated and, one daresay, content.

In the eyes of this crowd, Modi remains far ahead of others in the national arena and the only one of consequence.

Also, the Congress didn't take a nuanced stand on the issue covering all aspects, including the Partition sentiment, while highlighting the problems with the CAA.

It fast-forwarded its stand to the NRC and seeing it, the government retreated, created confusion and put aside the NRC debate to save the day.

In the May 2019 election the voters had supported Modi for a second term, and the flurry of political developments since then has not changed them. The erosion of the BJP in state elections may have affected power politics, but not its power base.

To lift the BJP's supporters and change the tone, party President Amit Anilchandra Shah desperately needs one victory in a state election.

If the BJP fails to win Bengal in 2021, the BJP will lose more than the state.

A victory in Bengal will impact deeply the BJP's next decade. Its ideological standing and expansion plan for the next general election depends on winning Bengal.

In spite of serious electoral setbacks in Jharkhand and Haryana, and a defeat of Modi-Shah's political strategy in Maharashtra, neither Modi nor the BJP have lost control over the minds and votes of their original supporters due to their tremendous political ability to play upon baser communal instincts.

During the anti-CAA demonstrations in Uttar Pradesh one saw an unjustifiably harsh clampdown by the UP police against agitators and by the Delhi police on the Jamia Milia campus, but public opinion for or against it remains split along communal lines, giving a clear political advantage to the BJP.

In fact, within the Sangh family there is near unanimity over the political stand taken by Modi and Shah over making redundant Article 370, the final outcome of the Ayodhya movement and the CAA. It is difficult to find substantial ideological dissent among the BJP crowd who voted for Modi in 2014 and 2019.

But this buoyant support will melt away if the economic scenario remains depressing. That makes 2020 an interesting year to watch out for.

Former home secretary G K Pillai put it aptly once, that if the GDP doesn't remain at a certain level it becomes difficult to maintain law and order within India. What he meant was that the crime rate in Indian society is interlinked with the GDP rate. Better GDP helps the men in khakhi control crime.

That is why, in spite of not losing support over its explosive decisions taken in 2019, the Modi government cannot be complacent. Actually, India can't be.

Primarily because the theatre to vent anti-government emotions is readily available.

This creative outburst of 'secular liberals' in the form of slogans, poems, memes, columns and WhatsApp messages and effective outbursts of a variety of minority groups against the CAA is the ready platform to take the anti-government battle to the next level.

They are helped along by the Western media's passionate pursuit to remind India of its democratic commitment.

A senior source in the government, who is in the know of things, claims, "Look, Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Modi are ruling their respective countries at the same time. How helpful it is for India to take decisions that have an impact on its diplomacy!"

According to him, India's relations with Russia is "excellent" and with China "steady". On matters like Kashmir, the bucks stops at Trump's table. These three bilateral relations give Modi strength in spite of the "extremely critical" Western media coverage.

However, when history is in the making, one trigger can and will change the current situation.

The government is unlikely to retreat on the CAA in spite of viral renditions like Varun Grover's emotive poem Hum kaagaz nahin dikhaenge and impressive protests like in Shaheen Bagh.

Soon after passing the CAA there may have been confusion, lack of clarity and absence of communication by the government over the entire gamut of issues related to 'citizenship'. But the government made a U-turn saying the NRC was not on the table 'for now'.

That claim, nobody believes.

One voter asked looking into the camera, 'What is the proof Modi is an Indian citizen, how will he prove it? I want to know what will be the criteria to prove it and which particular card will be enough to prove that I am an Indian citizen?'

These are real questions confounding not only Muslims, but Hindus as well.

As the CAA is likely to stay, the need of the hour is to not rush in with the NRC.

There should be an all-party committee with experts to decide a transparent set of criteria on who is an Indian citizen.

In many ways, it is more important than setting the economy right.

Sheela Bhatt, arguably India's finest political journalist, has covered Indian politics for 40 years. You can reach her at news@rediff.co.in.
(Natural News) There is something seriously wrong with a political party whose members and supporters are openly pining for something bad to happen to fellow Americans  especially U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in danger zones around the world trying to keep our country safe.

But because the Democrat Party has been transformed into a den of Left-wing socialists, Marxists and Communists who have an irrational hatred for President Donald Trump, not only do its supporters openly wish for harm to come to fellow citizens, they defend it.

As you may know, Iran-backed militants put the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad under siege this week following a series of U.S. airstrikes carried out against targets inside Iraq and Syria. The attacks were ordered by President Trump after a rocket attack launched by pro-Tehran elements killed an American military contractor.

The militants who put our embassy under siege managed to breach some portions of the compound, setting some buildings on fire and forcing all personnel to take cover in the innermost buildings.

It wasnt long before those personnel were relieved, however. Acting on the advice of his national security team and the Pentagon, the commander-in-chief ordered air support and 100 Marines into the area to help Iraqi security forces dispel the radical militants and protect American diplomatic and military personnel inside the embassy.

Trump, in other words, was the anti-Barack Obama and anti-Hillary Clinton; he didnt hesitate to ensure the safety of our personnel who were under threat of harm by militant terrorists.

But perpetually enraged Leftists and their Democrat Party masters took Trump to task for ensuring that there would be no Benghazis on his watch, as Breitbart News reported.

Clue to the haters on the Left: Its never okay to root for Americans to die

Trumps reckless decisions to walk away from the Iran Deal and now to launch airstrikes in Iraq without Iraqi government consent have brought us closer to war and endangered U.S. troops and diplomats. We should end the forever wars, not start new ones, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), a 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful, tweeted.

Trumps reckless decisions to walk away from the Iran Deal and now to launch airstrikes in Iraq without Iraqi government consent have brought us closer to war and endangered U.S. troops and diplomats. We should end the forever wars, not start new ones.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) December 31, 2019

What does exiting a bad deal with a sworn enemy have to do with anything? So its okay for militants to besiege and murder American diplomatic and military personnel, regardless of who is president? And oh, by the way, commander-in-chief wannabe, the president doesnt need any countrys permission to protect American lives abroad.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) added, Really hard to overstate how badly Trump has bungled things in the Middle East. One of the only good things going  anti-Iran street protests in Iraq  have now morphed into anti-U.S. protests thanks to Trumps mishandling of Iran policy. (Related: Leader of Iran-linked group that attacked U.S. Embassy in Iraq once got invited to the White House by Obama.)

Really hard to overstate how badly Trump has bungled things in the Middle East. One of the only good things going  anti-Iran street protests in Iraq  have now morphed into anti-U.S. protests thanks to Trump's mishandling of Iran policy. https://t.co/1glF0HjRAC  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 31, 2019

Just wow. So, we suppose Murphy completely forgot about how Obamas ham-handed withdrawal from Iraq led to the formation of ISIS, a terrorist caliphate whose members murdered thousands? And there are still anti-Iran protests in Iraq (as well as in Iran).

The National Sentinel reported additional examples of unhinged Left-wing hate overcoming better judgment and a sense of wanting to protect Americans first and foremost, no matter who is in the White House:

Tensions ramped up Monday and Tuesday as Iran-backed militants besieged the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, setting some buildings on fire and threatening to kill every American inside the compound. That thrilled Left-wing so-and-sos who took to social media to championthe enemy.

As Trump's Benghazi unfolds in Iraq https://t.co/X8FsJpt6Au  Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) December 31, 2019

Trumps Benghazi? So, its okay that more Americans are killed in a foreign land as long as youre attempting to score crass political points, huh? Moron.

The fact is, when American personnel were in danger in a foreign land, Trump acted. He didnt waiver, he didnt consult a bunch of lawyers, he didnt go to bed, and he didnt wait.

Its pathetic, sad and disgusting to see fellow Americans being critical of a president who saved American lives.

Sources include:

TheNationalSentinel.com

Breitbart.com
Drivers are borrowing as much as 26,583 to drive away in a new car.

That figure shoots up to 30,178 when it comes to financing premium models, according to new data obtained by the Irish Independent. The data suggests people are getting more finance so they can drive larger and better-equipped cars.

The level of financing is based on data supplied to the Irish Independent by Volkswagen Group bank, Renault Bank, BMW Bank and Toyota Financial Services.

Three of the institutions estimate the average amount borrowed for a new car increased on last year - in one case by 11pc.

Personal Contract Plans (PCPs) continue to be a major source of such financing. Volkswagen's average per-car finance is 26,583 for PCP and 16,636 for HP deals.

In total, it loaned 347,214,176 for new cars and 204,872,830 for second-hand models, making a grand total of more than half a billion up to early December.

It claims its level of lending is up 12pc (new and used combined) while there has been an 11pc increase in the average borrowed for a new car.

Renault Bank calculated demand for finance is down 3pc. But that is being viewed positively, because there was a 6pc contraction of the new-car market this year.

The average amount loaned to retail customers increased marginally (by 2pc) from 15,283 to 15,574.

BMW Financial Services managing director Brian Merrigan said while the overall new-car market in 2019 contracted by around 6.8pc the premium segment lagged 8.2pc behind the numbers for 2018. Despite that, it increased lending by 6pc.

The average financed by BMW/Mini was 30,178 while its Alphera business (multi-brand financing) reports an average of 18,760.

BMW Group brand lending is up 4pc on last year, and Alphera is up 9pc.

Mr Merrigan said: "The main reason for the increase on the BMW/Mini lending is the higher balances borrowed due to more funding of our large cars such as the X5, and higher-spec models across the range."

Meantime Toyota Financial Services revealed its finance average for a new car is 22,000 and 15,000 for second-hand models so far.
T he United States moved to the brink of war with Iran today after launching an airstrike which killed Tehrans most powerful military commander.

Donald Trump ordered the rocket attack on Major General Qasem Soleimani when his convoy was spotted leaving Baghdad airport in Iraq early this morning.

Tensions rose rapidly as Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of retribution against the US, saying: Harsh revenge awaits the criminals.

The US President, who was at his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida, did not comment but tweeted an image of the American flag.

Joe Biden, his rival Democratic presidential frontrunner, said the attack was a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region.

The former vice president added: We could be on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East.

Mr Biden went on to accuse Mr Trump of tossing a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox.

Iraqs Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said the attack  which also killed an Iraqi militia leader  would light the fuse of a destructive war in his country and beyond.

General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US airstrike ordered by Donald Trump / Getty Images / PA

The US Embassy in Baghdad told US citizens in Iraq to depart immediately. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a foreign visit to return home. This morning the UK Government called for calm, and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was due to discuss the crisis with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Mr Raab said: We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged de-escalation / REUTERS

The killing of Soleimani, the mastermind of Tehrans military strategy across the Middle East, was said by analysts to be more significant than the killings of Osama Bin Laden or Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

As the head of Irans elite special forces Quds Force, Soleimani was a cult hero for some in Iran with direct access to Ayatollah Khamenei.

Iran vows retaliation after US kills its top general in Iraq

But he was regarded as the leader of a terrorist organisation by the US and blamed for masterminding attacks on US diplomats and military personnel and fuelling conflicts in Syria and Iraq over the last two decades.

The attack happened as two cars were spotted leaving Baghdad airport. Soleimani, 62, is thought to have flown in from Syria or Iran with an entourage.

He was one of up to seven people killed in the US MQ-9 Reaper drone precision attack. Four missiles were fired. Soleimani was identified by his ring.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, which was behind Tuesdays attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad, was also killed.

The destroyed vehicle following the US air strike / IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

The Pentagon was braced for retaliatory terror and cyber attacks on US interests.

In a statement, it said President Trump had ordered decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad.

The Pentagon said: General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months  including the attack on December 27  culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

Tom Fletcher, the UKs former ambassador to Lebanon, said it was hard to overstate the potential impact of Soleimanis death.

He said that Iran had been goading Washington, goading Donald Trump, adding: And of course, we dont just have erratic leaders at the moment in Tehran, we have an erratic leader in Washington as well.

Tensions between the US and Iran had been rising since the US last year pulled out of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers to curb Irans nuclear programme and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. The US also reimposed sanctions on Iran, sending its economy into freefall.

Today the price of oil rose to the highest level in three months at nearly US$70 a barrel due to fears that the crisis would hit supplies.

'US is in a state of war with Iran' Brett McGurk has warned

Republicans in Washington hailed Mr Trumps move to bring justice to American military families. The Presidents campaign press secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed the killing of Soleimani was the greatest foreign policy accomplishment, I would say, of the decade, if not our lifetime.

But the operation also reignited the debate in Washington over whether the Presidents war powers should be curtailed after Mr Trump bypassed Congress to approve the killing.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi complained the strike was carried out without the consultation of Congress.

She said: American leaders highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American service members, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. Tonights airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence.

Iranians take to the streets in Tehran and Kerman to mourn for Soleimani

Alistair Burt, the former UK minister to the Middle East, said the drone strike takes the confrontation between the United States and Iran to a completely different level

He told the BBC: Its very hard to see what the consequences will be. Im quite sure the United States will have to come out with more justification for its actions.

But I think everyone has got to have extremely cool heads this morning. This is a very grave escalation in the affairs of the region, the consequences are unknowable and I think words and comments have got to be extremely carefully handled today.

Asked whether the UK Government would have been told about the US airstrike plans before they happened, Mr Burt added: I doubt it.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: The US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance.

The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US.

The incident has also raised fears for the safety of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who is in prison in Iran.

Richard Ratcliffe, her husband, told ITVs Good Morning Britain: I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where theyre all really worried.

The Foreign Office advises British-Iranian dual nationals against all travel to Iran and for other British nationals to seek the departments advice before travelling to the nation.

British nationals risk being arbitrarily detained or arrested by Tehran, the department warns.

Listen to today's episode of The Leader:
MOSCOW, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Travel data and analytics expert Cirium has named Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) the world's most punctual airport in the annual On-Time Performance (OTP) Review.

SVO operated the most on-schedule departing flights, with 95 percent being on time.

SVO was number one in both the category for Global Airports, and the category for Large Airports.

The rankings come from Cirium, the world's leading authority on airline on-time performance, aviation and travel data. The analytics expert has now published its annual review for 11 consecutive years.

Jeremy Bowen, Cirium CEO, said in a statement: "Airlines and airports which consistently operate on-time and go that extra mile for their customers deserve to be recognized in an increasingly competitive environment and should be justifiably proud of reaching such a world-class industry standard."

Alexander Ponomarenko, Chairman of SVO, stated, "We are thrilled to be recognized for our on-time performance at Sheremetyevo. We are constantly seeking to improve traveler experience for those who travel through SVO as a gateway to Russia and the world. This recognition is a testament to those efforts."

Others recognized in Cirium's On-Time Performance Review 2019 included Russia's Aeroflot, which was named the world's most on-time mainline airline. Japanese airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) came in second place with 86.3 percent of its flights on time.

To view the full Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2019, please click here.

SOURCE Sheremetyevo International Airport
The targeted killing of Iranian Maj-Gen Qassem Soleimani by US forces represents just the latest escalation in Donald Trump's long-running campaign to contrast himself with his predecessor by taking an increasingly aggressive posture towards Tehran.

Mr Trump took office in 2017 having promised to pull the US out of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the agreement between Iran, the EU, and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

The agreement, which limited Iran's ability to enrich nuclear materials to weapons grade for 10 years, was widely seen as one of former president Barack Obama's major foreign policy accomplishments.

While many of Mr Trump's closest advisers  including former secretary of defence James Mattis and former secretary of state Rex Tillerson  counselled him against pulling out of an agreement with which Iran was judged to be in compliance, the president ignored his advisers by refusing to certify Iran's compliance in October 2017. In May 2018 he declared that the US would withdraw from the deal, and by the end of 2018 both Mattis and Tillerson had left government service.

Mr Trump and his administration have since embarked on what he has called a maximum pressure campaign akin to the regime of increasingly crippling sanctions which led to his first meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, and has routinely spread misinformation about the actions taken by Mr Obama to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, such as falsely claiming that his predecessor  who he repeatedly accused of being a secret Muslim who was not born in the United States  bribed Iran by settling a long-running legal dispute over a refund for military equipment purchased by the previous government of Iran.

Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Show all 17 1 /17 Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, their surface-to-air missile is seen as it shoots down a US surveillance drone EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures This photo shows US RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned surveillance drone. A drone of this model was shot down by Iran on Thursday 21 June AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An oil tanker is on fire after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13. The US has blamed Iran for the attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures US President Trump holds up a signed executive order to increase sanctions on Iran on 24 June AP Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iranian President Rouhani stated in a televised address that the White House is "afflicted by mental retardation" following the increase in sanctions on 25 June EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An Iranian navy boat tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Iran claims that in this picture released by Iran state TV, debris from the downed US drone is seen after it was recovered from Iranian waters AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A screenshot from a video released by the US Department of Defense that the US claims to show Iranian removing an unexploded limpet mine form the hull of the Japan-owned ship that was attacked in the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures An item reportedly found on the Japan-owned oil tanker that was attacked on June 13 in the Gulf of Oman AFP/Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A handout photograph from the US Department of Defense shows a composite material that the US claim was left behind on the hull of the Japan-owned oil tanker following the removal of an unexploded limpet mine Getty Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures A view from the cabin of an Iranian navy boat as it tackles the fire on the Norwegian owned Front Altair oil tanker after it was hit in a suspected attack EPA Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The picture suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Smoke billows from an oil tanker after it was subject to a suspected attacked at the Gulf of Oman on June 13 Reuters Tensions high as Trump approves new Iran sanctions: In pictures Release by US government A picture released by U.S. Central Command shows damage to the hull of the oil tanker Kokuka Courageous. The pictures suggests that the ship is 'likely' to have been hit by a mine as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moves to blame Iran for the suspected attack EPA

Most of the other permanent UNSC members, however, have opposed the US withdrawal and, led by French president Emmanuel Macron, have endeavoured to keep Iran at the negotiating table even as Tehran has retaliated against US sanctions by restarting uranium enrichment.

 Donald Trump on Iran: 'I don't want a war but US is more prepared than any country'

Additionally, Mr Trump in April took the unprecedented step of declaring Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps  the branch of Iran's military to which Soleimani belonged  a terrorist organisation over the opposition of the Pentagon and CIA. The IRGC Quds Force, which Soleimani led, had been a designated terrorist organisation since 2007.

It was the latter group's designation which figured prominently in a Defence Department statement taking responsibility for the death of Soleimani.

At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation, Pentagon press secretary Alyssa Farah said in a statement.
Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, has been killed in an airstrike at Baghdad's international airport. - Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader

The leader of Iran-backed militia Hizbollah in Lebanon has issued a call to "resistance fighters" around the world to punish those responsible for the killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

Hassan Nasrallah, in a speech delivered on Friday morning, said he would "continue on the path" of Soleimani, who headed the external operations Quds Force for the Revolutionary Guard Corp.

"Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins... will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide," he said.

Soleimani, considered to be one of the most powerful and influential figures in the Islamic Republic, was killed alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force in Iraq, in a US air strike near Baghdad airport overnight.

Tensions between the US and Iran have been rising for months, as Washington accused Tehran-backed factions of firing rockets on their troops across Iraq and on their embassy in Baghdad.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, vowed to take "severe revenge" and led an urgent meeting of the National Security Council in Tehran.

"With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident," he wrote on his Twitter account.

Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Shia group Hizbollah, tells fighters to avenge the killings Credit: AFP

He called Soleimani the "international face of the resistance" and said he was killed by "the most cruel of those on earth". He announced three days of national mourning.

The US embassy in Baghdad urged American citizens in Iraq on Friday to "depart immediately", for fear of fallout from a US strike that the killings.

Mark Esper , US Defence Secretary, claimed the attacks had been defensive and that Soleimani had been "actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region".

Story continues

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilisation Forces, was killed in the same convoy as Qassem Soleimani Credit: Reuters

US President Donald Trump was vacationing on his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, but sent out a tweet of an American flag.

The strike followed an unprecedented war of words between Mr Trump and the Ayatollah.

Mr Trump had earlier this week ordered hundreds of US troops to the region after thousands of angry supporters of an Iranian-backed militia chanting "Death to America" besieged the mission on Tuesday, forcing staffers to take refuge in a safe room.

They will pay a very BIG PRICE!, he said. This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!

Khamenei responded by saying: "You cant do anything."

Aftermath of the US strike on Baghdad international airport road in which top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani was killed Credit: AFP

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Iraq's top Shia cleric, in an address made before Friday prayers, condemned the raid as a "wanton attack" on the country. However, he urged all parties to show restraint.

While the Trump administration celebrated the hit, others in the US warned of the potential consequences of such a high-profile assassination at tense time.

The White House traditionally gives warning to senior members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of major military action.

But Eliot Engel, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, said in a statement that the strike "went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress."

"President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," former vice president Joe Biden said in a statement.

"Iran will surely respond. We could be on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East."

Adel Abdel Mahdi, Iraq's caretaker prime minister, warned the US's move could start a "devastating war", one most likely to be of highest cost to Iraq.

"The assassination of an Iraqi military commander in an official post is an aggression against the country of Iraq, its state, its government and its people," Mr Abdel Mahdi said in a statement.

Russia, meanwhile, offered its condolences.

"The killing of Soleimani... was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region," the Russian foreign ministry was quoted as saying by news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS.

"Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people."

China on Friday appealed for restraint from all sides, "especially the United States".
MANCHESTER, Conn.  Stop & Shop and Hannaford supermarkets owner Ahold Delhaize plans during 2020 to open 975,00 square feet of warehouse and distribution space at a former JCPenney distribution center outside Hartford.

Its part of a three-year, $480 million plan Ahold Delhaize announced last month to transition its supply chain into a fully integrated self-distribution model and away from a reliance on C&S Wholesale Grocers.

The new distribution center will service 200 Stop & Shop supermarkets in southern New England and New York state with 50 million to 60 million cases of dry goods and nonperishable food items each year, according to a news release from property owners Winstanley Enterprises of Concord, Massachusetts. Winstanly said the new distribution center will create 700 jobs.

Ahold Delhaize spokeswoman Erin DeWaters said Thursday that C&S will continue to be a partner in the transition phase, providing services like staffing. But the plan is to transition to a self-managed system by Ahold Delhaize.

C&S spokespeople didnt return calls and emails Thursday. The New Hampshire-based C&S has facilities in Windsor Locks; Hatfield and Westfield, Massachusetts; Brattleboro, Vermont; and elsewhere around the country.

DeWaters said fresh products for Stop & Shop stores will continue to be distributed from a center in Freetown, Massachusetts.

Besides Stop & Shop, Dutch-owned Ahold Delhaize owns Hannaford, Food Lion, Giant Food and Giant/Martins.

As part of the transition, Ahold will buy three C&S facilities: two in York, Pennsylvania, and one in Chester, New York.

Winstanley bought the old Penneys warehouse at 1339 Tolland Turnpike in Manchester, Connecticut, in June 2018 for $70 million, the company said. It was built in 1982 as a catalog mail order operation. At 1.95 million square feet, it is the largest warehouse and distribution building in Connecticut and one of the largest buildings in New England. Its located on 162 acres.

JCPenney still has a distribution operation at the warehouse, just much smaller than what it once had, according to Winstanley.

Winstanly said it spent $40 million in upgrades.

Richard K. Sullivan Jr., president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts, said its hard for him to know if the region competed for the Ahold warehouse. Inquiries about such things generally come in from consultants who wont reveal their clients. They ask to be shown properties on behalf of projects known only by code words.

When it comes to upcoming projects, the Economic Development Council is getting a lot of inquires from companies in the building products business. They are all looking to take advantage of the hot housing market.

Its also early to tell how much impact Aholds moves will have on the local economy, Sullivan said.
TEHRAN, Iran - For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergy, Gen. Qassem Soleimani was a popular figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of U.S. pressure.

For the U.S. and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Irans proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.

Solemani survived the horror of Irans long war in the 1980s with Iraq to take control of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republics campaigns abroad.

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimanis popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing. A decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Irans most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but growing as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

The warfront is mankinds lost paradise, Soleimani said in a 2009 interview. One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries. But there is another kind of paradise. ... The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed.

A U.S. airstrike killed Soleimani, 62, and others as they travelled from Baghdads international airport early Friday morning. The Pentagon said President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to take decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing a man once referred to by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a living martyr of the revolution.

Soleimanis luck finally ran out after he was rumoured dead several times over the years. There was a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad. More recently, rumours circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani had been killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

As tensions between the U.S. and Iran increased after Trump pulled out of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers, Iranian officials quickly vowed to retaliate. While Soleimani was the Guards most prominent general, many others in its ranks have experience in waging the asymmetrical, proxy attacks for which Iran has become known.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the U.S. into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena, an adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on the social media app Telegram. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

Soleimanis early years are a bit of a mystery. Born March 11, 1957, Iranians say Soleimani grew up near the mountainous and historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers. The U.S. State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Soleimanis father was a peasant who received some land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the monarch who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

By the time he was 13, Soleimani was working construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organization. After Irans Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power, Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard. He deployed to Irans northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest.

Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war. The fighting killed more than 1 million people and saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers. Solemanis unit and others also were attacked by Iraqi chemical weapons.

Amid the carnage, Soleimani became known for his opposition to meaningless deaths on the battlefield. He wept with fervour when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

For several years after the Iraq-Iran war, Soleimani largely disappeared from public view, something analysts attribute to his wartime disagreements with Hashemi Rafsanjani, who served as Irans president from 1989 to 1997. But after Rafsanjani, Soleimani became head of the Quds force. He also grew so close to Khamenei that the Supreme Leader officiated the wedding of the generals daughter.

As chief of the Quds Foce  or Jerusalem Force  Solemani oversaw the Guards foreign operations and soon would come to the attention of Americans following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

In secret U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, U.S. officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009. Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi President Jalal Talabani offering a U.S. official a message from Soleimani acknowledging having hundreds of agents in the country while pledging, I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorized a bullet against the U.S.

U.S. officials at the time dismissed Soleimanis claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks. U.S. forces blamed the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised bombs made IED  improvised explosive device  a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a 2010 speech, U.S. Gen. David Petraeus recounted a message from Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranians powers.

He said, Gen. Petreaus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan, Petraeus said.

The U.S. and the United Nations put Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though he continued to travel. In 2011, U.S. officials named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

The attention the West gave Soleimani only boosted his profile at home. He sat by Khameneis side at key meetings. He famously met Syrias Assad in February together with the supreme leader  but without Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, sparking a short-lived resignation by the top Iranian diplomat.

Polling data routinely showed Soleimani rated more favourably than other public figures, according to the Center for International Studies at the University of Maryland. But Soleimani refused entreaties to enter politics.

Soleimanis greatest notoriety arose from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of the Islamic State group. Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assads rule. While a U.S.-led coalition focused on airstrikes, several ground victories by Iraqi forces featured photographs of Soleimani leading them without a flak jacket.

Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life, one Iraqi militia commander said.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
(Reuters) - Shares of Tullow Oil <TLW.L> dropped by nearly a fifth on Thursday as the Africa-focused oil producer's update on the commercial viability of its new well offshore Guyana disappointed investors.

Tullow said the Carapa well in the Kanuku offshore block contains oil with less than 1% sulphur content and is indicated to be 27 degrees API, a reading which measures oil density versus water and pointed to medium sour crude.

"The thinness of the oil column, combined with no information on the quality of the reservoir, suggests to us this is not commercial," Canaccord analysts said in a note.

The London-listed firm said it had struck the oil at about 4 metres of net pay, which analysts believe is unlikely to be commercially viable.

Guyana, a global exploration hotbed, has become an increasingly important region for Tullow after a series of missteps at its flagship fields in Ghana and projects in Kenya and Uganda have also run into delays.

Tullow's recent ventures in Guyana have yielded heavy oil, which contained a lot of sulphur. Lighter strains of crude oil are more valuable because they are easier and cheaper to extract and export, and simpler to refine.

But the Repsol-operated <REP.MC> Carapa well, part of a block in which Tullow owns 37.5% stake, targeted a deeper layer in the basin, providing some hope after a disappointing find in the Orinduik offshore bloc adjacent to Kanuku.

Unlike the Orinduik wells, Carapa taps a geological structure known as the Upper Cretaceous.

"While net pay and reservoir development at this location are below our pre-drill estimates, we are encouraged to find good quality oil which proves the extension of the prolific Cretaceous play into our acreage," Chief Operating Officer Mark MacFarlane said.

Tullow shares fell as much as 20% to 50.92 pence before paring losses following the positive update on geography to trade 6% lower as at 0909 GMT.

The shares had slumped over 70% on Dec. 9 after Tullow announced the exit of Chief Executive Officer Paul McDade and scrapped a recently-reinstated dividend due to underperformance in Ghana.

(Reporting by Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru and Shadia Nasralla in London; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Arun Koyyur)
The killing of a top commander of Irans Revolutionary Guard in a targeted strike by the United States set off a cascade of criticism, tough talk and jitters, extending from the halls of Congress and Twitter to the Middle East and the oil futures market.

The commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, died early Friday in a bombing attack at the Baghdad International Airport, the Pentagon said.

President Trump punctuated the significant military action by posting an image of the American flag on Twitter without any text.
Priyanka Chopra and husband Nick Jonas welcomed the New Year 2020 with a kiss on stage during a live concert. Nick has now shared more glimpses from their New Year bash which followed the Jonas Brothers concert in Florida.

Sharing pictures from their New Year celebrations on Instagram, Nick wrote, 2019 was one of the most incredible years of my life. I cant wait to see all that 2020 has to bring. Happy new year to everyone! The first picture shows Priyanka staring into Nicks eyes. While Priyanka is in a full sleeve pink dress and is seen wearing a 2020 theme goggles, Nick is in a bronze suit. The other picture shows Nick popping a champagne bottle as an excited Priyanka cheers on.

The pictures were enough to make their fans happy. A fan requested, 2020 with lots more singles with PC Jonas please. Another wrote, Still cant believe youre MARRIED. A fan declared them, My fav couple. One more fan commented, 2019 was meant for Jonas!

Priyanka and Nick had welcomed in the New Year with a kiss on stage, while raising a toast. The video of the mushy moment between the couple went viral.

With Nick, Kevin and Joe performing on the stage, Priyanka along with Danielle and Sophie Turner were seen cheering them from the side. As the clock struck 12, the girls joined the brothers on the stage to welcome New Year with champagne.

In the video, which has surfaced on the net, Sophie and Joe can be seen kissing when Priyanka joins Nick on the stage. Priyanka and Nick then shared a passionate kiss on stage while the fans cheered for them. The couple then raised a toast to 2020.

Also read: Films to watch in 2020: From Chhapaak to Laal Singh Chaddha, heres the complete Bollywood calendar

Priyanka had also shared a video of her best moments from 2019. She wrote along with it, Another year, another gift. Cannot wait to see what 2020 has in store. Thank you God and everyone who has blessed my life. #fullheart #newyear #gratitude.

Priyanka got married to Nick in December, 2018, and they keep on sharing loved-up posts on social media. On Christmas last year, Nick gifted her a snowmobile. Priyanka took to Instagram to share a video of her driving the mean machine.

(With IANS inputs)

Follow @htshowbiz for more
Iran's cyber troops long have been among the world's most capable and aggressive - disrupting banking, hacking oil companies, even trying to take control of a dam from afar - while typically stopping short of the most crippling possible actions, say experts on the country's capabilities.

But Friday's American airstrike that killed one of Iran's top generals, Quds Force Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, now threatens to unleash a fully unshackled Iranian response,analysts and former U.S. officials warned.They said a variety of potential cyber-attacks, possibly in conjunction with more traditional forms of lethal action, would be well within the digital arsenal of a nation that has vowed "severe revenge."

"At this point, a cyber-attack should be expected," said Jon Bateman, a former Defense Intelligence Agency analyst on Iran's cyber capabilities and now a cybersecurity fellow for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The range of possible tactics is long: The Iranians can overwhelm computerized systems to snarl business operations, as they did to U.S. banks from 2011 to 2013. They can also use malicious software to wipe out data, as they reportedly did in 2014 to the Las Vegas Sands casino, whose staunchly pro-Israel owner Sheldon Adelson had suggested the United States drop nuclear bombs on Iran.

Arch-rival Saudi Arabia's oil giant Aramco suffered a similar fate in 2012, when a cyber-attack reportedly emanating from Iran wiped out the memories of tens of thousands of computers, crimping oil production. The company's frantic efforts to recover reportedly drove up the price of hard drives worldwide.

Hackers with ties to Tehran can potentially hijack crucial machinery over the Internet, a tactic they experimented with at a New York state dam, whose control systems they penetrated in 2013. Or they could target sensitive political or diplomatic targets while mounting sophisticated information operations over Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. Last October, Microsoft accused a group tied to the country's government of attempting to identify, attack and breach personal email accounts associated with a U.S. presidential campaign, government officials and journalists.

And while the most appealing targets are likely to be in the U.S. homeland given Iran's history of staging visible, politically potent attacks linked thematically to their grievances, it may be easier to strike U.S. military or diplomatic targets abroad, or similar targets in allied nations.

Cyber-security expert James Lewis recently compiled a list of suspected Iranian hacks, cyber-attacks and online spying incidents and was surprised to find 14 reported last year alone. The list included hacks aimed at the Trump campaign, telecommunications systems in Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, and intrusions into employee accounts of companies making and operating industrial control systems. Iranians also reportedly used LinkedIn to target users affiliated with Middle Eastern governments and workers within the financial and energy industries.

"They have enough capability that they don't need to ask, 'Can we do this?' " said Lewis, a senior vice president for the Center for Strategic & International Studies. "It's, 'Do you want to do this?'"

Experts tracking online disinformation said Friday they had already seen suspicious, early signs of accounts pivoting to push messages sympathetic to the Iranian government. Some potentially suspect accounts on Instagram, for example, started tagging the White House in images featuring flag-draped coffins, according to the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab. Meanwhile, apparently bogus claims of an airstrike at the Ain Al-Asad airbase, which hosts U.S. forces in western Iraq, were spreading in hardline Iranian media outlets, as well as on services including Twitter and Telegram, according to researchers.

"This is a new era," said Ali Soufan, a former FBI agent who chaired the countering foreign influence subcommittee of the Department of Homeland Security's advisory council. "We always had controlled escalation policies with Iranians. Now these rules don't exist, and the Iranians are going to usher in an era of unrestrained responses - an era that's going to be filled with even more chaos."

Those responses, Soufan added, are likely to include cyber activities, as well as disinformation, which already saturates political and military conflict in the Middle East. "They have so many tools to make our existence in the Middle East and our interests and the interest of our allies really under threat."

Almost a year to the day before President Donald Trump ordered the attack on Soleimani, federal officials issued a sober assessment of Iran's cyber prowess: A January 2019 intelligence report highlighted the country as an "espionage and attack threat," with the ability to target U.S. officials, steal intelligence and disrupt "a large company's corporate network for days to weeks."

Iran's cyber capabilities rank below those of Russia and China. But they have advanced significantly since 2010, the time of the discovery that a joint Israeli-U.S. operation had installed malicious software known as Stuxnet that destroyed centrifuges crucial to Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Since then, U.S. officials blame Iran for cyber attacks on "dozens of Saudi governmental and private-sector networks in late 2016 and early 2017," and warn that targets in the United States similarly could be at risk.

An Iran bent on a visible, painful form of revenge could attempt several retaliatory actions in cyber-space, possibly as part of a broader campaign to drive American forces out of Iraq and enlist proxies and allies in wounding U.S. interests here and abroad.

"The focus will be critical infrastructure - oil and gas in the Middle East, maybe elsewhere," said John Hultquist, director of intelligence analysis for the cybersecurity company FireEye, adding that past operations have targeted the American financial sector. "Anywhere where they can cause serious, almost psychological effects, noticeable disruption. The purpose is to prove to the public that they can reach out and touch Americans."

At the Department of Homeland Security, a top official said Friday that businesses and others should "brush up" on Iranian cyber tactics. Christopher Krebs, who leads DHS's cybersecurity work, pointed to the agency's past warnings that Iran is "looking to do much more than just steal data and money." DHS did not respond to further request for comment. Neither did the White House.

"We know that Iranian cyber operations are currently scoping and preparing to attack our networks - in all sectors of society - to see where they can hit us," said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

In recent years, malicious actors tied to Iran, or to the country's leaders, also have intensified their operations on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. Through fake accounts - some of which masqueraded as journalists and even U.S. political figures - they pushed messages sympathetic to Tehran's interests, at times opposing Trump.

"Any time you get geopolitical tensions, you get an uptick in disinformation operations," said Ben Nimmo, director of investigations at Graphika, a social media analysis firm.

Over the past two years, Facebook has announced six major Iran-related takedowns - involving more than 1,800 accounts, pages, and groups on its site and on Instagram, reaching 5 million users globally, according to an analysis of the company's public statements. Twitter, meanwhile, has taken down thousands of accounts linked to Iran that had violated its rules.

Iran's efforts differ from those of Russia, which sought to stoke social and political unrest in the United States during the 2016 election. Russia "intends to engage in, and infiltrate, communities online," and is politically agnostic, targeting users and causes across the spectrum, said Graham Brookie, the leader of the Atlantic Council's DFRLab. Iran, by contrast, "presents a very specific worldview and has tended to try to persuade others to their side," he said, particularly with anti-Israel, anti-U.S. and anti-Saudi messages.

Brookie said DFRLab already has seen "social media accounts that were previously used for economic purposes, like selling sneakers, immediately repurposed for coordinated messaging that aligns directly with the Iranian government.

"This is another large and effective proxy front we should expect escalation on," he added.

On messaging apps, dueling narratives were already taking shape, according to Mahsa Alimardani, a researcher at the Oxford Internet Institute who was monitoring about 100,000 Persian-language channels on Telegram. Using regime-supporting channels, such as "Young soldiers of the soft war," users were circulating images of Soleimani's body and portraying the U.S. as an "evil force that just committed an act of terrorism."

The government has a handful of options in addressing the elevated threat, experts said. These include aiming to track and intercept cyber operations as they're developing, akin to efforts to predict and blunt maneuvering on the battlefield. Another imperative, they said, is sharing information with private businesses, which could end up bearing the brunt of the risk.

The experts said it was difficult to predict what an Iranian offensive in cyberspace would look like, given how quickly capabilities are evolving.

But they pointed to certain precedents, including the 2017 cyberattacks targeting government ministries, banks and companies in Ukraine. The operation, blamed on Russia by Western officials, had global ramifications and was described by the White House as "the most destructive and costly cyber-attack in history."

While the U.S. has more extensive defenses, those remain untested against aggressive Iranian tactics.

"Iran has used their cyber-capabilities in a somewhat restrained way," said Robert Knake, a former cybersecurity director at the National Security Council, now at the Council on Foreign Relations. "Whether that holds after this [U.S.] attack, is difficult to say."
Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans elite Quds Force, killed in Baghdad as tensions between US and Iran escalate.

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated on Friday after a US air raid killed Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans elite Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, or PMF.

The Pentagon confirmed the attack at Baghdads international airport, saying it came at the direction of the president.

Soleimani and al-Muhandiss deaths are a potential turning point in the Middle East and are expected to draw severe retaliation from Iran and the forces it backs in the region against Israel and US interests.

Here are all the latest updates amid the heightened tensions.

Saturday, January 4:

US senator urges oversight as Iran tension escalates

US Senator Brian Schatz has urged scepticism and toughest oversight as the Trump administration ramps up military operations in the Middle East, including the deployment of more troops to Iraq following the death of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.

They have lied about almost everything. There is no reason to suddenly give them the benefit of the doubt because they took a precipitous military action. Instead, our deepest skepticism, our toughest oversight, our most probing questions, must come now, Schatz wrote on social media.

Opposition members of the US Congress have said President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Soleimani without congressional authorisation.

Friday, January 3:

White House: Iran retaliation for Soleimani killing would be poor decision

White House national security adviser, Robert OBrien, said on Friday that any Iranian retaliation in response to the US killing of Soleimani would be a very poor decision.

OBrien, briefing reporters on the US operation in a conference call, said Soleimani was struck while travelling around the Middle East planning attacks against American military personnel and diplomats in the region.

Trump: Ordered killing of Iranian general to prevent war, not to start one

US President Donald Trump said he ordered the killing of Qassem Soleimani to stop a war, not to start one, saying the Iranian military commander was planning imminent attacks on Americans.

Soleimani was plotting imminent and sinister attacks on American diplomats and military personnel but we caught him in the act and terminated him, Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war, Trump said, adding that the US is not seeking government change in Iran.

3,000 additional US troops heading to Middle East: Officials

The US said it is sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Middle East with defence officials saying the soldiers are from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the officials said the troops are in addition to approximately 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne deployed to Kuwait earlier this week after the storming of the US embassy compound in Baghdad by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters.

Read more here.

UN chief: World cannot afford another Gulf war

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the world cannot afford another Gulf war.

The secretary-general has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf, a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.

This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf.

Trump: Soleimani behind thousands of US deaths, hated by Iranians

President Trump took to Twitter to defend his decision to kill Soleimani, claiming the Quds Force commander was behind the deaths of millions of people, including US citizens and his Iranian compatriots.

Soleimani killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more, Trump said.

He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself, he added.

Read more here.

.of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

Iraqi parliament speaker condemns US attack

The speaker of the Iraqi parliament, Mohammed al-Halbousi, said in a statement: Yesterdays targeting of a military commander in Iraqs armed forces near Baghdad International Airport is a flagrant breach of sovereignty and violation of international agreements.

Iraq must avoid becoming a battlefield or a side in any regional or international conflict, he said.

Al-Halbousi called on the government to take all steps needed to stop such attacks.

Dozens of US oil workers leaving Iraq

Dozens of US citizens working for foreign oil companies in the southern Iraqi oil city of Basra were leaving the country on Friday, the oil ministry said.

The US embassy in Baghdad had urged all its citizens to leave Iraq immediately.

Iraqi officials said the evacuation would not affect operations, production or exports.

US remains committed to de-escalation: Pompeo

Washington is committed to de-escalation after a US air raid in Baghdad killed Soleimani, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

Pompeo said on Twitter that he spoke to British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Chinas top diplomat Yang Jiechi about the US decision to eliminate Soleimani.

Spoke with @HeikoMaas about @realDonaldTrump's decision to take defensive action to eliminate Qassem Soleimani. Germany is also concerned over the Iranian regimes continued military provocations. The U.S. remains committed to de-escalation.  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

Soleimanis body to be sent to Iran

Flags at Iranian embassies abroad were ordered to fly at half-staff and preparations were being made for Soleimanis body to be repatriated to Iran. The date for the funeral is yet to be announced.

Responding to the US assassination of Soleimani, Irans National Security Council spokesman Keyvan Khosravi said: The legal, political, security, and military consequences of this crime is on the US government.

The costs that Washington has to pay will be much more severe than the mirage-like achievements of this sort of blind moves, he added.

Tens of thousands rally against US crimes

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Iran to protest against US crimes, after US raids killed Soleimani.

Chanting Death to America and holding up posters of the slain commander, demonstrators filled streets for several blocks in central Tehran after Friday prayers.

State news agency IRNA reported similar demonstrations in the cities of Arak, Bojnourd, Hamedan, Hormozgan, Sanandaj, Semnan, Shiraz and Yazd.

Protesters in Tehran demonstrated against the killing of Qassem Soleimani [Vahid Salemi/The Associated Press]

Khamenei appoints Soleimanis successor

Irans supreme leader appointed Esmail Qaani as the new head of the IRGCs foreign operations arm.

Following the martyrdom of the glorious General Haj Qassem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

In Pictures: Irans Qassem Soleimani killed in US air raid

This photo released by the Iraqi prime ministers press office shows a burning vehicle at Baghdad International Airport following the air attack [The Associated Press]

Click here for further images related to the Soleimani killing.

US urges citizens to leave Iraq immediately

The US is urging all its citizens to leave Iraq immediately, citing heightened tensions in Iraq and the region.

A State Department statement added: Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. US citizens should not approach the Embassy.

This comes after a crowd attempted to storm the embassy in Baghdad earlier this week to protest against US air raids aimed at the Popular Mobilisation Forces.

Hezbollah to continue on Soleimanis path after US attack: Report

Lebanons Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said his group would continue the path of Soleimani after his death, broadcaster Al Manar reported.

Nasrallah said the US would not be able to achieve its goals with this big crime and just punishment was the responsibility of all fighters, Al Manar reported.

Israels military on high alert

Israels military had gone on heightened alert amid fears that Iran could strike through its regional allies such as Hezbollah to the north or through Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

Israels foreign ministry and defence officials announced a high-security alert at Israels overseas delegations, fearing retaliation.

Israels defence minister summoned the countrys military and security chiefs to Tel Aviv in the wake of the assassination. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly cut short his trip to Greece.

Syria condemns killing of Soleimani: State news agency

Syria strongly condemns the treacherous, criminal American aggression that led to the killing of Iranian Major-General Soleimani, state news agency SANA cited a foreign ministry source as saying.

The source said the attack constituted a serious escalation and reaffirmed US responsibility for instability in Iraq, according to SANA.

Iraqs Sadr mourns Soleimani, reactivates Mahdi army

Iraqs prominent Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr said the killing of Soleimani targeted Iraqs opposition and Jihad, adding that it will not weaken its resolve.

In a statement, al-Sadr called on his militias (Army of Imam Mahdi) and other national and disciplined armed groups to be prepared to protect Iraq. He also expressed his condolences to Iran.

Qais al-Khazali, the head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq armed faction, said: All fighters should be on high alert for upcoming battle and great victory.

The end of Israel and removal of the US from the region will be the result of the assassination of Soleimani and Muhandis, he said in a statement published by Iraqi media.

Pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al Akhbar: It is war

Lebanese pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al Akhbar is leading with a comment by its contributor Hassan Alaiq on the killing of Soleimani.

The Arabic article has a simple headline: The martyrdom of Soleimani: It is war

Who was Soleimani, Irans IRGC leader?

Soleimani acquired celebrity status at home and abroad as the leader of the Quds Force, the foreign arm of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and for his key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq.

He survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past 20 years. Read more here.

Al Jazeeras Charlotte Bellis reports on the life of Irans most important general.





Former top Iranian commander: We will take vigorous revenge

He joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America, Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of the IRGC who is now the secretary of a powerful state body, said in a post on Twitter.

Khamenei warns of harsh revenge

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei called for three days of mourning, saying Major General Soleimanis killing will double the motivation of the resistance against the US and Israel.

According to Iranian state television, Khamenei said harsh revenge awaits the criminals who killed Soleimani.

Top House Democrats: Strikes not authorised by Congress

US Democratic congressional leaders issued statements condemning President Donald Trump ordering the attacks that killed Soleimani, saying the president did not obtain congressional approval.

American leaders highest priority is to protect American lives and interests. But we cannot put the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Administration has conducted tonights strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress, she added, calling for a briefing on the situation.

Another top Democrat, Adam Schiff, took to Twitter, saying the American people dont want a war with Iran.

Soleimani was responsible for unthinkable violence and world is better off without him. But Congress didnt authorize and American people dont want a war with Iran. All steps must now be taken to protect our forces against the almost inevitable escalation and increased risk. https://t.co/Z4HTnScFg7  Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 3, 2020

Oil prices surge after Soleimanis killing

Oil prices jumped more than 4 percent on Friday after news of Soleimanis death.

Brent crude futures were up by nearly $3 at $69.16 per barrel, their highest since September 17, as markets feared Iran could retaliate against the killing of its top militiamen by attacking assets belonging to the US and their allies in the Middle East.

Read more here.

Biden: Trump just tossed dynamite in a tinderbox

Former vice president and Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden said while Soleimani deserved to be brought to justice, Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox.

Biden posted the statement on Twitter.

The Administrations statement says that its goal is to deter future attacks by Iran, but this action will almost certainly have the opposite effect, he said. President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.

My statement on the killing of Qassem Soleimani. pic.twitter.com/4Q9tlLAYFB  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) January 3, 2020

Pompeo tweets video he says is of Iraqis dancing in the streets

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more, Pompeo tweeted along with a video.

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

More members of US Congress react to US strikes in Iraq

Several members of Congress took to Twitter to react to Trump-ordered raids that killed Soleimani. Republicans praised the move, while many Democrats questioned the US presidents ability to order such an attack.

Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren said: Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.

Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said: Soleimani was a terrorist. President Trump and our brave servicemembers just reminded Iran  and the world  that we will not let attacks against Americans go unpunished.

Soleimani was a terrorist. President Trump and our brave servicemembers just reminded Iranand the worldthat we will not let attacks against Americans go unpunished.   Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) January 3, 2020

Independent Representative Justin Amash said: Theres a reason our Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war: Every American may be intimately affected by a violent conflict. Soleimani was evil. But our system demands consent for war from the people, acting through their representatives and senators in Congress.

Theres a reason our Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war: Every American may be intimately affected by a violent conflict. Soleimani was evil. But our system demands consent for war from the people, acting through their representatives and senators in Congress.  Justin Amash (@justinamash) January 3, 2020

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted: Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America.

Thank you, Mr. President, for standing up for America.  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020

Democratic Senator Ed Markey said on Twitter: Trumps apparent assassination of Soleimani is a massive, deliberate, and dangerous escalation of conflict with Iran. The President just put the lives of every person in the region  U.S. service members and civilians  at immediate risk. We need de-escalation now.

Trumps apparent assassination of Soleimani is a massive, deliberate, and dangerous escalation of conflict with Iran. The President just put the lives of every person in the region  U.S. service members and civilians  at immediate risk. We need de-escalation now. https://t.co/oAenBUsvFl  Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) January 3, 2020

Irans Zarif: US act of terrorism  is foolish escalation

Irans Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif warned on Twitter that the US bears responsibility or all consequences of its attack killing Soleimani.

The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani  THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al  is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation, Zarif tweeted. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.

The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

PMF spokesman: US and Israeli enemy responsible

Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for the PMF, blamed the US and Israel for Fridays strikes.

The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani, he was quoted by Reuters News Agency as saying.

Iran state broadcaster confirms Soleimani was martyred

Citing an IRGC statement, Iranian state television said Soleimani was martyred in an attack by US helicopters near the airport, without elaborating.

Pentagon confirms Soleimani killed at direction of the president

The Pentagon confirmed in a statement that Soleimani was killed at the direction of President Trump.

At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, a Pentagon statement said.

This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.  The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 3, 2020

Trump tweets image of American flag

President Trump did not comment on the US raids but, shortly after reports surfaced, he tweeted a picture of an American flag.

Senator Murphy: Did Trump set off a potential regional war?

US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy questioned whether Trump needed congressional approval to target Soleimani.

Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question, Murphy tweeted. The question is this  as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?

Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question. The question is this  as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020

Senator Rubio: Quds Force chose the path of escalation

US Republican Senator Marco Rubio tweeted that Irans Quds Force chose the path of escalation.

Facing repeated #IRGC attacks the U.S. & @potus exercised admirable restraint while setting clear red lines & the consequences for crossing them

#Irans Quds Force chose the path of escalation They are entirely to blame for bringing about the dangerous moment now before us.

The defensive actions the U.S. has taken against #Iran & its proxies are consistent with clear warnings they have received They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions They badly miscalculated  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020

Former Pentagon official: No doubt US wanted to target Soleimani

Speaking to Al Jazeera, US Assistant Secretary of Defense Lawrence Korb said there is no doubt that the US had wanted to target Soleimani for a while.

Soleimani killed in US raid at Baghdad airport

Major General Qassem Soleimani, head of Irans elite Quds Force, was reported killed along with six others following an air raid at Baghdads international airport.

Iraqi officials and the state television reported that, aside from Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the attack.

Read more here.

Read more about recent events that led to the heightened tensions

Iraq: Anti-government protesters denounce pro-Iran crowds

Iran may be planning attacks on US interests: Pentagon chief

Pro-Iran protesters leave US embassy compound in Baghdad

Iran is not afraid: Why Tehran dismisses US threats over Iraq

US caught off guard as protesters storm Baghdad embassy: Analysts
Three prominent Maryland Democrats - the mayor of Baltimore, a longtime Prince George's state delegate and the chair of Baltimore's state delegation - resigned in 2019 in connection with illegal activity.

This week, the Maryland Republican Party saw the opportunity to raise funds off their rivals' misdeeds.

"2019: Dems' horrible, no good year," reads the heading atop a fundraising email sent Tuesday by the Maryland GOP. Below it is a graphic of the Maryland Democratic Party's logo behind bars.

Former Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh pleaded guilty in November to fraud and tax-evasion conspiracies to illegally hide profits from sales of her children's books. Former state delegate Tawanna Gaines pleaded guilty in October to federal wire fraud charges, admitting she used $22,000 in campaign donations to purchase fast food, get her hair styled and purchase a pool cover, among other things.

Most recently, charges were unsealed in December against former state delegate Cheryl Glenn, who built her reputation fighting to legalize medical marijuana. She was charged with bribery and wire fraud for allegedly taking nearly $34,000 in bribes to push legislation that benefited marijuana companies and other businesses.

But the actions of those individuals do not define the party or the "inspiring, hard-working legislators in the General Assembly," said state Sen. Cory McCray, D-Baltimore City.

McCray, vice chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, said that when he thinks about Democrats, he thinks about House Speaker Adrienne Jones, D-Baltimore County, and Senate President Bill Ferguson, D-Baltimore City, new leaders he described as "above reproach."

"I think of people like Will Smith, who has a young family and just returned from serving his country," McCray said, referring to the Montgomery County state senator who deployed to Afghanistan in 2019.

"This year we've witnessed instances of corruption from the White House to the State House," Maryland Democratic Party chair Yvette Lewis said in a statement. "The Maryland Democratic Party demands ethical conduct of all of its members, and it is our expectation that all individuals in a position of public trust - no matter their party - serve in the interest of their constituents."

In deep-blue Maryland, where Republicans lag in voter registration by a margin of more than 2-to-1, Democrats hold veto-proof majorities in the House of Delegates and Senate.

Gov. Larry Hogan was the first Republican to win re-election since 1954, but Republicans' efforts to use his popularity to win down-ballot races were largely unsuccessful in 2018.

The fundraising email sent by the Maryland GOP on Tuesday, New Year's Eve, asked for donations of $10 or $25 to help build a "war chest now so we can hit the ground running in 2020."

"Our New Years Resolution is to hold ALL MARYLAND DEMOCRATS ACCOUNTABLE!" the email reads. "There has been a long list of corrupt Democrats breaking laws and pleading guilty - almost like they're making their own dirty dozen!"

Corine Frank, executive director of the Maryland GOP, did not respond to requests for comment.

Del. Dereck Davis, D-Prince George's, said the betrayal of public trust that has been committed is serious - and that trying to use it as a fundraising tool undermines the seriousness of the situation.

"This so much more important than 'Hey give me some money,' " Davis said. "These types of things cause a crisis in government, and when you fundraise of off them then you belittle the issues."
Oil surged toward a 3 1/2-month high as attention turned to Irans threatened retaliation for the U.S. airstrike that killed the Islamic Republics top general.

Brent futures rose 3.5% on Friday, the highest since the attacks on Saudi Arabias oil facilities in September. The airstrike near Baghdad airport killed Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian general who led the Revolutionary Guards Quds force. The U.S. intends to send thousands of additional troops to the Middle East amid rising regional tensions, CNN reported, citing an unidentified U.S. defense official.

This is a seismic event in the region, said Jason Bordoff, a former Barack Obama administration official who now works for Columbia University. This is how U.S.-Iran tit-for-tat spirals out of control. Irans response will be severe and deadly. And certainly may include escalating attacks on energy infrastructure.

Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in an interview with state TV said the Islamic Republics response to the U.S. killing the countrys top military commander will come at any time and by any means.

PREVIOUSLY: Oil above $61 amid Middle East tensions, shrinking stockpiles

Prices eased somewhat as swelling U.S. gasoline and diesel inventories offset the biggest crude decline since June. The Energy Information Administration also reported record-high crude exports, which pulled Gulf Coast stocks down by the most ever. Stockpiles in the region often decline at year-end as companies manage tax exposure.

Biggest Oil Stock Draw Since June Comes With Seasonal Disclaimer

The EIA report couldnt have pushed prices up more than what the Middle East attacks triggered, said Rob Thummel, managing director and portfolio manager at Tortoise, a Kansas firm that oversees more than $21 billion in assets. From here on the market will be watching for disruptions to global supply.

The rally also drew selling from oil producers looking to lock in higher prices, something that typically happens in the first quarter, according to a person familiar with the matter. Several million barrels were sold for specific contracts as well as in time spreads, the person said.

RELATED: US kills Iran's most powerful general in Iraq airstrike

Brent crude for March settlement rose $2.35 a barrel to $68.60, after rising as much 4.9% earlier. The global benchmarks bullish options bias was the biggest since early November while the December 2020 contract was at the widest premium to December 2021 since October 2018.

West Texas Intermediate for February delivery added $1.87 to settle at $63.05 a barrel, after advancing as much as 4.8%.

While no oil installations or production were affected, targeting one of Irans most powerful generals ratchets up tension between Washington and Tehran, heightening fears of an armed confrontation that could pull in other countries. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed that severe retaliation awaits the killers of Soleimani.

Tensions have been building after an Iran-backed Iraqi militia stormed the American embassy in Baghdad to protest deadly U.S. airstrikes earlier this week.

Concerns in the region, home to five of OPECs biggest oil producers, have persisted over the past year as Saudi Arabias energy facilities as well as several foreign tankers in and around the Persian Gulf have been attacked.

The attack on Soleimani rattled other markets. The S&P 500 Index and the Stoxx Europe 600 Index slid, while gold neared a six-year high as investors sought safe haven assets.

The strike also escalates an already tense three-way situation between the U.S., Iran and Iraq. The two Middle East countries combined pumped more than 6.7 million barrels a day of oil last month, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, more than one-fifth of OPEC output. Exports from both countries rely on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow and crucial oil and natural gas shipping choke-point.

This is more than just bloodying Irans nose, Stephen Innes, chief market strategist at AxiTrader Ltd., said in a note. This is an aggressive show of force and an outright provocation that could trigger another Middle East war.

Oversupply Concerns

Still, the rally could just as easily subside. While prices initially soared after the attack on Saudi Arabias Abqaiq processing facility in September, crude then retreated in another sign that the market is concerned more with a surplus than supply shortages.

OPEC is sitting on vast amounts of spare capacity after reducing supplies for most of the past three years. Consuming countries from the U.S. to China control millions of barrels stored in strategic petroleum reserves that can be deployed to offset any shortage.

In the biggest sign of the oil markets transformation after the shale boom, the U.S. reported its first months as a net exporter of petroleum, including crude and refined oil products, late last year for the first time in roughly 75 years. In October, America exported a net 389,000 barrels a day, compared with net imports of close to 9 million barrels a day a decade or so earlier.

-- Bloomberg's Javier Blas contributed to this report.
Netanyahu to Seek Immunity in 3 Corruption Cases

By Linda Gradstein January 02, 2020

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday said he will seek immunity from criminal prosecution in three corruption cases dealing with bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

The announcement came in a rambling 11-minute press conference carried live on Israel television. Netanyahu insisted that the immunity would be temporary, lasting only as long as the Knesset that grants it stays in office.

According to Israeli law, a prime minister or Knesset member can ask for immunity, although it is rarely done.

Netanyahu was charged in three separate cases with bribery, fraud and breach of trust. In one case, he is accused of accepting valuable gifts from friends and acquaintances of cigars, champagne and jewelry. In the most serious case, which has become known as Case 4,000, Netanyahu allegedly promoted regulations that benefited the Israeli telecom giant Bezeq in exchange for favorable press coverage.

Earlier statements on immunity

"I intend to go to court to crush the fabricated tales against me," Netanyahu said. "The immunity law is meant to protect public representatives from being framed. The law is meant to ensure that public representatives can serve the people according to the will of the people, and not the will of some clerks."

The announcement, which had been expected, contradicts Netanyahu statements from recent months that he would not seek immunity and intended to prove his innocence in court. It also comes as Israel is at the beginning of its third election campaign in a year after neither Netanyahu nor rival Benny Gantz of the Kahol Lavan party was able to form a majority coalition with 61 out of 120 members of the Knesset.

Netanyahu's request must first be considered by the Knesset House Committee, which deals with administrative issues, and then voted on by the whole Knesset. However, the current, outgoing Knesset has not formed a House Committee and is not expected to do so before the March elections. That means that Netanyahu's request for immunity cannot be dealt with until after the March 2 election.

Netanyahu last week won an overwhelming victory in his Likud party's primaries. He has been Israel's longest-serving prime minister and in office continuously for more than a decade. The immunity request means he can conduct this latest election campaign without dealing with his upcoming trial.

"I intend to lead Israel for many years to come," Netanyahu said.

Gantz, Lieberman opposed

Within minutes of the announcement, Gantz lambasted Netanyahu's repeated statement during the last election campaign that "there will be nothing because there was nothing," meaning the police would not find enough evidence against him to charge him.

"Netanyahu knows he's guilty," Gantz said. "Whoever thinks 'there will be nothing because there was nothing' should not be afraid to face trial."

Netanyahu's former ally and current nemesis, Avigdor Lieberman, also said he would act to prevent Netanyahu from getting immunity. Lieberman, who heads the hard-line Russian immigrant Yisrael Beitenu party, could have given his former boss the seats he needed to form a coalition after both of the elections earlier this year.

"Now it's clear beyond a doubt: the only thing Netanyahu cared for and continues to care for is immunity," the former defense minister said.

Along with the request for immunity, Netanyahu has launched an all-out attack on Israel's judicial institutions and press, accusing them of being left-wing and using illegal means to try to stop him from being reelected.

"There are people who, unlike me, did commit grave crimes and they have lifelong immunity," he said. "They are just on the right side of the media and the left wing."

Later he accused Gantz and his co-leader, former finance minister Yair Lapid, of vague crimes but did not give details.

Limiting immunity

Netanyahu is being criticized for the immunity request even though it is enshrined in Israeli law.

"Democracies around the world now understand that it is best to significantly limit immunity for elected officials," the Israel Democracy Institute, an Israeli think tank specializing in issues of democracy, responded.

"In Europe there is a tendency to lessen the scope of immunity and not to expand it. In France and Italy for instance, automatic immunity was abandoned in the 1990s and today it is limited to exemption from arrest and imprisonment. It is also important to note that international bodies like the European Union emphasize that immunity is needed specifically in countries where there is real danger of political persecution against members of the opposition."

It is too early to tell how the immunity request will affect Netanyahu's election bid. A poll by the institute after the indictments against him found that 35% of Israelis wanted Netanyahu to step down and stand trial.

Coalition proposals

There was also an idea floated during the last round of post-election coalition negotiations for a unity government between Netanyahu and Gantz. Netanyahu said he would be prime minister for six months and then let Gantz take over for two years while he fought his case in court. If he won, he would then come back for the last 18 months of the government's term.

Gantz refused, reportedly because he did not trust Netanyahu to step aside as promised.

Another idea that was proposed by Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein during the last round of Knesset negotiations was that President Reuven Rivlin would pardon Netanyahu, and that the former prime minister would become the president when Rivlin's term is up next year.

In 2008, when then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was about to be indicted on corruption charges, Netanyahu insisted he had to resign, which Olmert did. Olmert served 16 months of a 27-month sentence for fraud.

Netanyahu insists he will be Israel's next prime minister and he still has support from his hard-line base. However, many analysts in Israel say this could be the beginning of the end for Netanyahu.

"Netanyahu knows that the best he can hope for is damage control," Anshel Pfeffer, a liberal journalist and columnist, wrote in the left-wing Ha'aretz newspaper.

"Few if any politicians have his knack for shifting and shaping media cycles. But he is starting to lose his touch and Kahol Lavan [Gantz's party] is getting better at dictating events.  Six days ago he won the Likud primary by a landslide and felt he had momentum going into the general election campaign. His plans are already going badly awry," Pfeffer wrote.

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Leading travel agents have been accused of picking customers pockets by encouraging them to pay up to five times the official fee for visas.

Firms including Tui are earning commission by sending customers to third-party websites that charge extortionate fees simply to fill in a few forms.

The fees  for a service customers can easily carry out themselves in as little as 20 minutes  can add around 200 to the cost of a holiday for a family of four. Tourists can get visas to destinations such as the US, Canada and Australia via a government website for each country.

Buying a US Esta costs 10.64 ($14) from the government site and a Canadian Eta 4 ($7CAD), while an Australian Eta is free.

Our 'grubby' charges chart shows the extortionate increases by travel agents

But the Mail has learnt Tui  the worlds largest travel company  Kuoni and Flight Centre are promoting third-party handlers which complete visa applications for an inflated fee. The travel firms earn commission for referrals, while the websites profit from an influx of new customers.

Experts accused firms of taking advantage of older people who do not want to order visas online.

Tuis website directs customers to the Crewe-based Travel Visa Company, which charges 46.50 for a US Esta, or 66.50 for its US Esta priority service, which it says is completed in 72 hours. A family of four selecting this option would end up paying 223 extra for their holiday. The firm also charges 26 for a Canadian Eta and 21.50 for an Australian Eta. Meanwhile, Kuoni and Flight Centre direct customers to CIBTvisas, a London-based firm that charges 27 for a US Esta.

By contrast, Saga offers to take care of customers visa applications in-house at no extra cost.James Daley, of research agency Fairer Finance, said the practice was dishonourable, adding: For a US Esta its hard to suggest these firms could add any value doing it for you because youd have to give them all the information youd have to give the government website. It would actually be simpler to not pay them.

There is something grubby about a reputable company like Tui engaging in something like this because they know how easy it is to apply for an Esta. It is complicit in the deception of its customers. It is just helping somebody else pick the pockets of its customers.

Former pensions minister and campaigner for the elderly Baroness Ros Altmann said the practice could be discriminating against older people who do not have access to the internet. She added: Its not treating customers fairly. Are these companies telling older people they could get a relative to do it for them at a much lower cost? There is a lack of transparency.

Travel expert Frank Brehany said: I am shocked that a company such as Tui is pointing people to a service that charges 46 for a US Esta. I definitely wouldnt use one of these companies.

An undated file photo shows the online application process for an Esta. The Mail has learnt that firms including Tui are earning commission by sending customers to third-party websites that charge extortionate fees simply to fill in a few forms

Tui said its customers are informed of all options available to them and that they are always clearly guided to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office throughout the booking process.

The Travel Visa Company said: For customers travelling to the likes of Australia, US and Canada who may not have access to the internet, or indeed be as computer savvy as the next, the Travel Visa Company offers unique routes to application such as postal or over the phone, that would be otherwise unavailable.

Kuoni said its customers can use CIBTvisas to remove a lot of the hassle of getting a visa and are advised about all options.

Flight Centre said it gives customers with common visa requirements a direct link to the correct source, while those with unusual or complex visa requirements were directed to CIBT for access to the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Universities should reveal dropout rates on each of their degrees to stem the tide of 'wasted talent' quitting courses, the Government has demanded.

Universities minister Chris Skidmore said institutions must not merely focus on 'getting students through the door'.

The warning came as data shows two-thirds of campuses suffered a surge in students quitting. Some universities now have a dropout rate of nearly one in seven students, amid widespread concerns over the quality of many courses and the impact of unconditional offers.

Of 150 universities and colleges in the UK, 100 saw an increase in the proportion of students dropping out over five years. Less than a third saw student completion levels increase, and only four institutions saw the proportion remain static.

Universities minister Chris Skidmore said institutions must not merely focus on 'getting students through the door' (stock image)

In the worst examples, 'non-completion rates' have more than trebled. Universities are already under pressure to be more transparent about graduates' prospects  especially with so-called 'Mickey Mouse courses', which leave students saddled with debt and sometimes earning less than peers without degrees.

They have also been criticised for abandoning grade requirements by offering unconditional places in the scramble to secure more students.

Mr Skidmore said yesterday: 'I want to see each university and, indeed, courses held individually accountable for how many students are successfully obtaining a degree so that we can be transparent and open about where there are real problems. Many universities are doing excellent work to support students, but it's essential that dropout rates are reduced.

'We cannot afford to see this level of wasted talent.'

Of 150 universities and colleges in the UK, 100 saw an increase in the proportion of students dropping out over five years (stock image)

Iain Mansfield, head of education at the think-tank Policy Exchange, said the statistics were 'an inevitable consequence of seeking to push ever more people into university, regardless of whether it is right for them'. The data covered dropout rates from 2011/12  the year before tuition fees in England were trebled to 9,000  to 2016/17.

Abertay University in Dundee had the largest increase, from 3.5 per cent to 12.1 per cent. In England, Bedfordshire University saw the biggest rise, from 8.3 per cent to 15.2 per cent.

Seven institutions had a rise of more than five percentage points, while 19 had an increase of more than three percentage points.

A spokesman for Universities UK said: 'It is clear that non-continuation is still an issue and institutions must continue to work to support students to progress and succeed at university.'
Heparin microparticles used to deliver bone morphogenetic protein are shown, in red, binding to a defective femur in a rat. The heparin-based mix kept the the biomaterial used in the treatment localized to only the targeted area. Credit: Marian Hettiaratchi

Researchers are moving closer to a new approach for improving spinal fusion procedures and repairing broken or defective bones that avoids an over-production of bone that commonly occurs in current treatments.

In a preclinical study, researchers significantly reduced undesired bone growth outside of targeted repair areas in rat femurs by delivering a potent bone-forming protein called bone morphogenetic protein, or BMP, using a new biomaterial made from heparin.

A six-member research teamled by Marian H. Hettiaratchi, a bioengineer in the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact at the University of Oregondescribed the approach in a paper published Jan. 3 issue of the online journal Science Advances.

Hettiaratchi began exploring the use of heparin microparticles to deliver BMP as a possible way to stop abnormal bone growth more than five years ago while a doctoral student at the Georgia Institute of Technology under the mentorship of co-authors Robert Guldberg and Todd McDevitt.

The traditional approach of using high doses of BMP alone has led to numerous complications in humans, including soft tissue inflammation and abnormal ossification.

For the new study, Hettiaratchi and colleagues fed their earlier results from experiments done in both rats and test tubes into computer simulations to explore ways to adjust their heparin-based approach in animal testing with levels of BMP comparable to dosages required in human bone-repair procedures.

"We focused on using doses that were more clinically relevant. In humans, the typical treatment uses 0.1 to 0.2 milligrams of BMP per kilogram of body weight, so we used the same amount in the rats," Hettiaratchi said. "Most research done in rats uses 10 times less BMP to repair bone, which isn't comparable to what's done in humans and doesn't exhibit the side effects of a clinical BMP dose."

Two different strengths of the combination were used, resulting in 40 to 50 percent reductions in abnormal ossification. The heparin microparticles contain heparin's long-chained linear polysaccharides, with sulfated groups which drive stronger binding affinity to BMP.

The heparin and BMP, mixed in an alginate hydrogel, were injected into a nanofiber mesh tubecreated in Guldberg's lab to isolate a repair area and unveiled in Biosciences in 2011already inserted into femoral defects in the rats. Human medical practices have relied on high doses of BMP injected into a collagen sponge, which leads to abnormal ossification in surrounding soft tissue as BMP rapidly escapes the sponge.

The findings represent a proof-of-concept for fine-tuning the approach rather than a route into clinical testing in humans, Hettiaratchi said. The eventual goal, she said, is to create synthetic heparin-like microparticles that achieve the same results while avoiding potential side effects of heparin.

"The problem with healing large bone defects clinically is that the BMP delivered using collagen sponges results in abnormal bone formation because the drug doesn't stay on the material," Hettiaratchi said. "Our new material retains much more of the BMP, keeping it localized. You don't get bone formation outside the targeted area."

Hettiaratchi joined the UO after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. Guldberg joined the UO's Knight Campus as executive director in August 2018. McDevitt is now in San Francisco, affiliated with the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and the University of California.

At Toronto, Hettiaratchi began pursuing the development of a synthetic material to localize protein delivery that would avoid potential side effects from heparin, a widely used anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. None of heparin's long list of known side effects has been seen in the rats, she noted. Another potential problem is that heparin's numerous sulfate groups might bind to other proteins not related to bone repair.

Ideally, she said, a synthetic heparin-like drug could be engineered to only bind to BMP. Such work will be the initial focus in her UO lab, which will open in early 2020.

Explore further Engineering a better way to rebuild bone inside the body

More information: "Heparin-mediated delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 improves spatial localization of bone regeneration" Science Advances (2020). "Heparin-mediated delivery of bone morphogenetic protein-2 improves spatial localization of bone regeneration"(2020). advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/1/eaay1240 Yash M. Kolambkar et al. An alginate-based hybrid system for growth factor delivery in the functional repair of large bone defects, Biomaterials (2010). DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2010.08.074 Journal information: Science Advances , Biomaterials
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Cash-strapped Suzlon Energy Ltd has offered banks to take 68 per cent haircut to restructure its debt but lenders are not impressed by the proposal, sources said.

This means the lenders taking a hit of Rs 7,684 crore and settling a Rs 11,300 crore loan for Rs 3,616 crore.

When contacted, a Suzlon Energy spokesperson declined to comment on the proposed offer for loan recast.

"We have submitted a restructuring plan and it is being reviewed by the consortium of banks. We would not be able to make any specific comment on this," he said.

While announcing its second quarter result in November, Suzlon CFO Swapnil Jain had said that the company was committed and tirelessly working along with the lenders towards a holistic debt resolution.

With the company giving a fresh proposal, the banks would now assess if it made sense for them or taking the bankruptcy court would be more beneficial.

Suzlon Energy shares closed 19.65 per cent higher on the BSE on Friday to touch Rs 2.74 a piece over the previous day.

Suzlon has been slipping into deep financial distress with the company revenue falling and losses mounting. This has severely impacted its ability to pay back loans.
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CAIRO  A third round of talks on technical differences over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) ended in Khartoum Dec. 22. The debate over the disputed matters was again deferred to the fourth and last meeting, scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 9-10.

The technical meeting was held as part of the road map that was agreed upon in Washington Nov. 6, hosted by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and attended by World Bank President David Malpass. Jan. 15 has been set as a deadline to solve technical differences on the filling and operation of the GERD in four technical meetings at the level of water ministers and local experts, in the presence of representatives of the US government and World Bank. Article 10 of the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles, signed between the Egyptian, Sudanese and Ethiopian presidents in March 2015, calls for mediation by a fourth party in case the dispute continues.

The Egyptian negotiating delegations position on the filling and operation of the GERD remains focused on several technical issues, including preventing Ethiopian measures that would lead to a drop of water levels in Lake Nasser to less than 165 meters or to a decrease of the minimum annual release of 40 billion cubic meters in the Blue Nile.

Nevertheless, the Egyptian delegation emphasized its flexibility in discussions of the Ethiopian and Sudanese proposals. Addressing the opening session in Khartoum, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Ati said Dec. 21, Egypt has pondered over the observations and concerns Ethiopia voiced, and is ready to reconsider some aspects of our position in order to see these concerns addressed.

A technical source who attended the last meeting told Al-Monitor, Egypt seeks a comprehensive agreement involving binding measures for all parties, particularly the Ethiopian side, regarding the management and operation of the GERD during drought and prolonged drought periods in a way that would ease the anticipated damage to Egypt.

The source, who declined to be named, went on, The Khartoum meeting involved a lengthy technical discussion of drought and prolonged drought in the Blue Nile  such as the extent to which drought could be measured and the mechanisms and measures that Ethiopia is required to follow in the operation of the GERD in times of flood or drought to avoid damage to Egyptian and Sudanese interests.

The source affirmed, At the meetings, the Egyptian delegation seeks to abide by an agenda that leads to a balanced agreement through which coordination between the GERD and the High Dam is possible based on the international standards and mechanisms on the management of shared river basins.

He went on, There are still many pending issues that need to be settled after agreeing on a definition of drought," such as "emergency management in case of floods and droughts and guarantees of Egypts right to water resources during the filling or operation phases.

The Ethiopian plateau has always been vulnerable to drought. In 1984, one caused a famine that killed nearly a million Ethiopians. Studies and climate forecasts have revealed that droughts led to a decrease in the Blue Nile's water flows of up to 20% over the past 10 years, and some say Ethiopia is Afriac's most vulnerable country to increasing droughts and shortages of rainfall due to climate change.

At the Washington meeting on Dec. 9, the foreign ministers agreed that the next two technical meetings should be focus on the development of technical rules and guidelines for the filling and operation of the GERD as well as drought mitigation measures in order to reach an agreement before Jan. 15.

Sudans Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Yasser Abbas tried to portray the Khartoum meeting positively, but his statements at a press conference were conflicting. He said, "The three countries expressed converging views on the first filling and operation of the GERD," but added, "Egypt and Ethiopia continue to disagree on some points that were postponed to the Addis Ababa meeting," and One cannot say a consensus has been reached over specific issues since all technicalities are related to each other.

Former Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Nasr Eddin Allam told Al-Monitor, It is necessary to agree on a definition of drought and prolonged drought in the river by determining the average water flow from the Blue Nile within one year or several consecutive years, which can determine whether the river is going through a state of drought or flooding.

He noted that there is no common theory that can be used to resolve these definitions between countries, as each river and river basin is distinct.

Allam added, We can overcome this dispute by agreeing on a more flexible operational policy, but the problem is that there is a dispute in the priorities between the negotiating parties. He explained, Egypt seeks a comprehensive and detailed agreement that protects its rights after filling the dam, but Ethiopia aims to pressure Egypt, end the filling process without committing to any operational policies with Egypt, consume time and present Egypt with a fait accompli.

Ethiopian Water Minister Seleshi Bekele announced in his speech during the opening session of the Khartoum meeting that the first phase of filling the GERD lake would begin in July 2020, expressing hope that all parties concerned would agree. In a press conference upon his return to his country on Dec. 24, Bekele said, For our part, we believe that there is no need to negotiate as we have started to fill the dam reservoir.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed al-Sebai refused to comment on Bekeles statements. He told Al-Monitor over the phone, There is still room for dialogue during the fourth technical meeting within the road map agreed upon in Washington, and we hope to reach a fair agreement to fill and operate the GERD in a way that fulfills the interests of all three countries.

As the three technical meetings since the Washington agreement on Nov. 6 have ended without resolving any of the contentious issues, most experts predict a fourth party will emerge as mediator in the negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said as much in a Dec. 7 press statement, saying, We are waiting for January to either reach an agreement or include a fourth party in the negotiations.
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MEA said, peace and security in this region is of utmost importance to India (Photo Credit: PTI File)

New Delhi:

India has called for restraint after killing of a top Iranian General by United States. Qasem Soleimani, head of Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm, was killed by drone strikes by US in Baghdad.

India, in the first official reaction to the incident, said: "We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by US. Increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that situation doesn't escalate. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so."

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of "severe revenge" for "the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood" after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the commander of its Quds Force was killed in airstrikes outside a Baghdad airport.

Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias.

Soleimani (62) was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Ayatollah Khamenei. His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the ayatollah and he was hailed as a heroic national figure.

The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani in the air strike, saying the military action was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.

"At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," the Pentagon said in a statement.

The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction. The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

In Tehran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning. Khamenei then extolled Soleimani saying dying for the cause was the general's great wish.

"For years it was his wish to become a martyr, and finally God granted him his highest office", he said. President Hasan Rouhani, reacting to Soleimani's killing, said it had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values".

Meanwhile, global oil prices have soared by more than four per cent in the wake of the attack.

(With PTI Inputs)

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January 02, 2020 " Information Clearing House " - One might think that 2019 was the year war was declared against anti-Semitism judging from the pronouncements of politicians in Washington, London, Paris and Berlin. To be sure, Israel and its diaspora friends have continued to play the anti-Semitism card whenever their behavior is challenged but the international passion to extirpate the new anti-Semitism to include any and all criticism of Israel is something quite special that is being backed up by punitive legislation.

In one of its more recent victory laps, British Zionists are toasting Mazel Tov in their Hanukkah celebrations over their part in the defeat of Labour candidate Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn was demonized personally by the British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis shortly before the December election and was unfairly labeled an anti-Semite by the Jewish media over his antipathy towards Israeli actions and his willingness to recognize the suffering of the Palestinians. From now on, no British politician will be willing to challenge Jewish power in the U.K. Indeed, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who claims some Jewish ancestry and spent some time in his youth on a kibbutz, has already pledged to make any criticism of Israel illegal in Britain. Moving the British Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem will no doubt soon follow.

Meanwhile, and as a direct result of the unwillingness to confront Israel in any meaningful way, war crimes committed by the Jewish state proliferate. Every Friday there is a shooting gallery along the fence with Gaza, where unarmed Palestinian protesters are targeted by Israeli snipers. And in November, Israel conducted a series of air strikes on the Gaza Strip after its assassination of a senior Islamic Jihad commander and his wife. At least 34 Palestinians were reported killed and more than 100 wounded in the two days of bombardment while no Israelis were killed. An attack on the makeshift home of the al-Sawarka family killed eight members of the family, including children. A week later, a ninth member of the family, Mohammed al-Sawarka, died from from his injuries.

The Israeli army carried out a perfunctory investigation of the deaths and concluded that that the armys intelligence section had made a mapping mistake that included the family home as part of an Islamic Jihad compound. So a filing error led to the deaths of nine innocent civilians in one family and, of course, no one in the Israeli military was in any way punished or even reprimanded. Or even apologized.

And when it is pushed to do so, Israel uses the anti-Semitism weapon to render itself completely unaccountable in spite of its war crimes.

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The recent announcement by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that it is looking into possible crimes relating to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict has produced a quick response from Washington and Jerusalem. The Trump Administration, fearful lest one crime lead to investigation of another, is concerned lest atrocities committed by U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq become the fodder for a subsequent inquiry, has reiterated its claim that the ICC has no jurisdiction over it as the U.S. has never recognized its authority. Washington has also revoked a visa held by chief prosecutor of the ICC, has threatened more visa refusals, and is also threatening sanctions as reprisals, claiming that the court is illegitimate while also vowing that the Trump Administration would do everything to protect [American] citizens.

In Israel meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to shore up his sputtering attempt to remain in office by denouncing the inquiry itself as anti-Semitism. He made the claim while using Judaisms holy Western Wall as a backdrop during a candle-lighting ceremony marking the start of the eight-days of Hanukkah, saying New edicts are being cast against the Jewish people  anti-Semitic edicts by the International Criminal Court telling us that we, the Jews standing here next to this wall  in this city, in this country, have no right to live here and that by doing so, we are committing a war crime. He called it Pure anti-Semitism.

Back in the United States the war on anti-Semitism initiated by President Donald Trump and endorsed by both parties in Congress is running full speed ahead. The first lawsuit linked to the Trump executive order signed on Hanukkah that creates a mechanism for defunding universities that do not protect the civil rights of their Jewish students has been filed by a Israeli student at Columbia University. His lawyer Brooke Goldstein claims that the university is in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for discrimination against Jews. He added that We drafted and filed a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), which is, to my knowledge, the first action of its kind since Trumps executive order.

Goldstein is the executive director of The Lawfare Project, which has been engaged in Jewish and Israeli advocacy. Her client, Jonathan Karten, a senior at Columbia University, alleges that he was on the receiving end of anti-Semitism on campus. The Trump executive order broadens the definition of discrimination by implying that Jewish is a nationality while also accepting that criticism of Israel constitutes anti-Semitism.

Goldstein claims that Karten has been ridiculed and embarrassed because of his religion and his national identity on campus, most particularly by members of the group Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). Karten claims that he was called a Zionist pig and other names. And Karten complains that even a professor was mean to him when he was speaking with other students at an event hosted by the Columbia chapter of Students Supporting Israel. A Columbia professor of Arabic literatureinterrupted the conversation, pointed at Jonathan and yelled, Dont believe a word he is saying. He is Mossad. According to the complaint, Jonathan felt ridiculed and embarrassed due to someone in authority publicly targeting him, accusing him of being a spy for a foreign government because of his religion and national identity.

Karten decided to take action after a November 8th speech by a modern Arab politics and intellectual history professor named Joseph Massad. Massad reportedly gave a speech at the annual conference of the Jerusalem Fund and Palestine Center, where he said that The Oslo Accords inaugurated this process of liquidating the Palestinian national struggle while the Deal of the Century plans and hopes to conclude it  The only thing standing in its way is the ongoing Palestinian resistance to Israeli settler colonialism and racism that continues inside Israel and Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza; the ongoing Marches of Return in Gaza; and the armed resistance of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades to Israeli invasions in Gaza.

The complaint notes that The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades is the military wing of Hamas, which is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization [FTO] while the Izz al-Din al-Qassam has killed more than 650 civilians. It is also directly responsible for the kidnapping and brutal murder of Jonathans uncle, Sharone Edri. However, according to Professor Massad, this groups killing of innocent Israeli citizens, like Jonathans uncle and countless others, is justified due to Israels settler colonialism.

Karten and Goldstein maintain that their complaints fell on deaf ears within the Columbia University Administration. Karten had filed a complaint with Columbia Universitys Department of Public Safety last year after he and his friends were repeatedly called murderers at a BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] referendum at the school.

One might observe that Professor Massad did not say anything that is contrary to a reasonable assessment of what the Israelis and their friends have done to the Palestinians. Under international law, it is perfectly justified for a people under occupation to resist the occupiers, using whatever means are available. And it is not unimaginable that Karten reports to Mossad. One presumes that he has done his military service and perhaps he should explain what that entailed in light of claims that he was or is a murderer.

Jonathan Karten appears to be such a sensitive soul that being called names over what is admittedly a red-hot and very controversial political issue needs to be redressed by putting those hurling the epithets out of business permanently. That amounts to a nullification of the First and Fourth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees freedom of speech and association. Karten himself felt free to associate with a group of Students Supporting Israel and one might safely bet that some serious invective would flow out of that organization whenever a Palestinian might appear at or near one of its gatherings. And most importantly, one should also note that Karten was not by his own admission in any way threatened. It was only words.

And lawyer Goldstein is not necessarily an objective observer pursuing justice. She is nothing more than a professional advocate for Israel and what are perceived as Jewish issues. As it is somewhat unclear what exactly she and her client want the university to do to address the issues they have cited, one can only guess that it would include silencing the critics and possibly even reparations of some kind, a frequent feature in the old discrimination game.

None of this agitation occurs in a vacuum. There is extensive advocacy for Israel at all levels, much of it hidden. In 2019 alone the Sheldon Adelson supported Maccabee Task Force secretly funded over 3,200 pro-Israel events on 112 campuses, and brought over 2,300 student leaders on transformative trips to Israel. Taken all together, every bit of uncritical empowering of the Jewish state now surfacing in London, Washington, New York and in Israel itself is part of a vast international conspiracy to render the Zionist crimes against humanity unobserved and unreported whenever possible as well as always unaccountable. And when all else fails, the Israelis and, to be sure, many diaspora Jews know exactly what to weaponize when they want to win the debate. Former Israeli Minister Shulamit Aloni once explained how it is done: Anti-Semiticits a trick, we always use it.

Philip Giraldi is a former counter-terrorism specialist and military intelligence officer of the United States Central Intelligence Agency and a columnist and television commentator who is the Executive Director of the Council for the National Interest.

This article was originally published by " Council for the National Interest " -
The killing of Irans top general in an American air strike has sparked a dramatic rise in already-simmering tensions between Washington and Tehran.

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed in the missile strike near Baghdads airport in the early hours of Friday morning.

In his first statement responding to the strike, Donald Trump stoked tensions yet further, tweeting: Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned severe revenge awaits the criminals behind the strike. He later added: All friends& enemiesknow that Jihad of Resistance will continue with more motivation & definite victory awaits the fighters on this blessed path.

Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

World War 3 trends

Britons waking up on Friday morning were met with an array of apocalyptic trending terms on social media platform Twitter.

The term World War III had been used more than 201,000 times by 1pm. At one point, the term Franz Ferdinand was also trending.

On Google, there was a significant spike in the number of people in the UK searching World War 3. The chart below, covering the past seven days, shows the increase matches the reporting of the timing of the air strike.

The spike in 'World War 3' searches on Friday (Google Trends)

The chart below shows searches for World War 3 over the past 12 months, which have remained relatively stable until the events of the past 24 hours.

World War 3 searches - 12 months

As a comparison, the search has spiked significantly above searches for either Boris Johnson or Meghan Markle, though it remains below searches for Iran - which have also dramatically increased today.

Other searches over the past seven days

How bad is it?

The response from some senior politicians in the UK has been to urge greater caution amid warnings the developments are pushing the situation to the brink of a disastrous war.

Story continues

Foreign secretary Dominic Raab issued a statement saying the government had always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by the general.

Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests, Mr Raab added.

However, Labour MPs have warned that the killing of Soleimani could escalate.

Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said she has warned that the Trump administration was wilfully angling for a catastrophic conflict with Iran, describing Trumps actions as reckless, unlawful and provocative.

Angela Rayner, a deputy leadership candidate, said: I sincerely hope that there is not a war between Iran and the USA. We should work to try and avoid that at all costs.

Top leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey said: With this assassination, President Trump is pushing us to the brink of another disastrous war that would cost countless lives, further destabilise the region and make us all less safe.

High-profile Labour MP Lisa Nandy said: The last thing we need is another all out war.

What do the experts say?

Several experts have warned of retaliations from Iran following the US strike - although none have gone so far as to suggest a conflict could break out that would engulf numerous other nations such as the UK.

Ian Bond, foreign policy director at the Centre for European Reform, said on Twitter the air strike was a big escalation by Mr Trump, describing the US presidents actions as very different from the killing of non-state terrorists such as Osama Bin Laden.

No doubt #Soleimani was v bad actor, w much blood on his hands. But killing non-state terrorists eg bin Laden or Baghdadi v different from killing senior official of internationally-recognised state. Big escalation by Trump, & a lawless step that increases risk to US & allies.  Ian Bond (@CER_IanBond) January 3, 2020

Dr Jack Watling, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, said Iran was not likely to want to provoke a war with the US.

The significance of this strike is that it is a declared assassination of a senior officer in another state with whom the US is not in a declared armed conflict and conducted on the territory of a third party, he said.

Thats a very significant development in and of itself.

Ultimately Iran does not want to provoke a full-scale conflict.

I would expect there will be attacks on US forces, but they will be conducted with care.

Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran on Friday (AP/Vahid Salemi)

RUSI research fellow Michael Stephens warned the situation could grow into a wider regional conflict.

He added: The US strikes in Iraq are a game changing event that will have severe repercussions for regional security.

Iran will look to strike back at US interests across the region, as well as disrupt the activities of its allies.

However, without a leader of the capability and influence of Soleimani they will be weakened and less effective.

A burning vehicle at Baghdad International Airport following the airstrike (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

But make no mistake this is a highly dangerous moment, and could escalate into a wider regional conflict enveloping neighbouring states as it increases in scope and scale.

According to US news website Axios, a source in close contact with Trump administration senior national security officials said a cyberattack was the most likely means of retaliatory action.

Read more from Yahoo News UK

Americans urged to flee Iraq as US drone airstrike kills top Iranian general

'Britain must not be Trump's sidekick': Labour MPs condemn 'reckless and unlawful' killing of top Iran general by America

Jeremy Corbyn condemns 'extremely serious and dangerous' killing of top Iran general in US airstrike

Leading defence journalist Chris Hughes warned in the Mirror that American forces will be on a war-footing and we are already seeing a huge escalation in Washington's military presence in the Middle East.

The BBCs defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus also warned: Retaliation is to be expected. A chain of action and reprisal could ensue bringing the two countries closer to a direct confrontation.

Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK
NABEREZHNYE CHELNY, Russia -- Police in Russia's Tatarstan have searched the home of a local civil rights activist after his Internet show mocked President Vladimir Putin, his spokesman Dmitry Peskov, and Igor Sechin, the powerful chief of Russian oil giant Rosneft.



Karim Yamadayev told RFE/RL on January 3 that police had just searched his home in the city of Naberezhnye Chelny.



The searches were linked to his comedy show, titled Judge Gramm, which he posted online in December, he said.



In one of these episodes, a person playing the role of a judge sentences to death two men whose heads are covered with black sacks with the inscriptions "Dmitry Peskov" and "Igor Sechin."



Another man in the show portrays a third defendant who also has his head covered with a black sack saying "Vladimir Putin."



The judge in the show says that Putin's trial "will take place in a week" during the next episode.



The video was accompanied with a text saying that the show was "the work of authors and actors united exclusively by artistic ideas and not seeking to propagate violence or incite hatred to any social group."



According to Yamadayev, police confiscated his computers, payment cards, and scripts for his show. After the search, he was taken to Investigative Committee headquarters in the city, where he was officially informed that he was suspected of insulting authorities, though he was not yet been charged.



In March last year, Yamadayev was sentenced to 28 days in jail for putting up a mock gravestone for President Putin in Naberezhnye Chelny.
What Harold Wilson actually said was: the Britain that is going to be forged in the white heat of this revolution will be no place for restrictive practices or for outdated methods on either side of industry. This is usually remembered as the white hot heat of the technological revolution.

As this new Conservative Government prepares to invest in science, it is worth glancing back to the former Labour Prime Minister. And to assess what he tried to do; what Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings are attempting to do, and to ask what lesson  if any  can be drawn from the one about the other.

Wilson was seen as a modernising force after a decade or so of toffish Conservatives. In place of Harold Macmillans Highland grouse moor shoots came Wilsons man-of-the-people pipe  and a stress on science, progress, growth  lets go with Labour  and a J.F.Kennedy-type appeal to youth. Departmental restructuring was all the rage: the short-termists at the Treasury would be balanced by a long-term Department of Economic Affairs.

Wilsons words, appeal and deeds didnt affect Labour only. For it was in response to him that the Conservatives chose, to succeed Eton-educated Alec Douglas-Home, the abrasive, classless, grammar school-educated Edward Heath.

Between them, Wilson and Heath dominated British politics for the ten years between 1964 and 1974. Heath mimicked Wilson-type technocracy: it would be hard to guess which one of them brought business figures into government to work alongside civil servants as members of the Central Policy Review Staff. (It was Heath.)

Boris Johnson is not Wilson. And Dominic Cummings will be well aware of how the Department of Economic Affairs project failed  and that it is by no means obvious that the Heath/Wilson decade was a success. The collected body of Cummings blog posts show an alertness to human fallibility. Themes of uncertainty, nonlinearity, complexity and prediction have been ubiquitous motifs of art, philosophy, and politics, he writes.

In War and Peace, Nikolai Rostov, playing cards with Dolohov, [prays] that one little card will turn out differently, save him from ruin, and allow him to go happily home to Natasha. But Cummings posts also elevate the role of rational planners as social transformers. His latest one seeks the following.

Data scientists, software developers, economists, policy experts, project managers, communication experts who can pluck a huge amount of low hanging fruit in the intersection ofthe frontiers of the science of prediction, data science, AI and cognitive technologies, communication and decision-making institutions at the apex of government.

The picture is of what Michael Oakeshoot would have called an enterprise association  thats to say, the energies of the state being concentrated to a particular end: namely, to make Britain, for want of a better phrase, a cutting-edge country. It is important to be clear that there is nothing inherently mistaken about this quest or wrong with some of its by-products.

Such as: civil service reform; learning from the best of what private sector and other countries do; better regional balance; improving procurement; better value; more devolution. But a number of issues arise from Cummings search as described above  in addition, for weirdos and misfits with odd skills, as that latest blog puts it.

First, there are trade-offs inherent to this adventure. For example, many voters in former Red Wall seats captured by the Conservatives last month are migration-hostile, protection-friendly, nostalgia-minded, culturally conservative and reform-suspicious (as the story of Theresa Mays 2017 social care proposals suggests).

It is not obvious that they want to be at the cutting edge of anything. It is, however, clear that, when Britain came to vote in 2016, they wanted something that by definition is not monetisable: as Cummings himself put it, to take back control. So, second, it follows that politics is not like an enterprise association at all. It is an Oakeshott-style civil association: thats to say, a kind of conversation in which people discuss and pursue not one aim but many.

Third, the forum to which much of this conversation is delegated is Parliament. This is where Cummings voyage will hit seething water. MPs are not selected on the basis of governmental competence. They never were. But at no time less than now.

The Tory candidates who swept so much before them last month contain individuals of outstanding talent. Nonetheless, they have been shaped and pushed by the Party machine to win and hold seats  not, say, to lead and drive Cummings planned departmental amalgamations and ambitious reforms.

They are the product of the Liberal Democrats single biggest achievement: the transformation of MPs from Parliamentary representatives to constituency champions. Thats great for each seat as an individual unit; not so good for constituencies as a national whole. At any rate, the scene is set for the grandmother of all set-tos between Cummings and the whips, for which read the entire system.

Cummings will want a strong Number Ten operation, with expert Ministers brought into the Lords and SpAds whose first loyalty is to Downing Street. The Whips and others will sooner or later complain that this makes the management of the Parliamentary Partys hopes, fears and ambitions all but impossible.

Furthermore, MPs with a record of gripping departments, such as Jeremy Hunt, may be seen as politically suspect. Fourth, there is the role of known unknowns and unknown unknowns: the Iraq War, the crash, expenses. Consider, for example, todays news of the assasination of one of Irans most senior terror planners. Or consider an event whose impact could have been on the same scale: the 2007 loss of child benefit data.

Fifth, we make a point as much about us as about Cummings. He is not himself a scientist. Like Johnson, he is a classicist. (At which point we should declare an interest: the Editor of this site is an English literature graduate.) It is a striking fact that the only Prime Minister in recent years to have been trained as a scientist was Margaret Thatcher  whose focus was on reducing and not extending the reach of the state. And who scrapped the CPRS, by the way.

ConservativeHome apologises if it has misunderstood Cummings collective work. And again if we give the impression of raising a mass of nitpicking queries. But the great celebratory party that began on Friday December 13  oh, happy day  is drawing to a close. Its necessary to ask what happens now were all getting back to work.

Finally, we cant help wondering, as we glance back to Wilson and Heath, if what seems to us to be this latest enteprise association-type plan iswell, Tory. Perhaps it isnt  and we simply have to get used to the idea. That might come hard to a website which after all is called ConservativeHome. But in the Brave New World of this near-landslide Johnson Government, we must all get used to having our most elemental assumptions challenged.
A 16-year-old Indian-origin mountain climber from Canada miraculously survived a 500-feet fall from the 11,240 feet Mount Hood, the highest summit in coastal US state Oregon, according to media reports.

Gurbaz Singh from Surrey was ascending the peak with friends on Tuesday marking his 90th mountain climb when he lost his footing on ice and fell from a section of the mountain known as The Pearly Gates to the Devils Kitchen area below, the CNN affiliate KATU channel reported.

Gurbaz survived the dangerous fall, suffering only a broken leg.

A team of search-and-rescue coordinators hiked up to the injured climber, who was stranded at an elevation of about 10,500 feet. Due to the location and elevation, the rescue operation took several hours. Mount Hood is the highest summit in Oregon and the most-visited snow-covered peak in the nation, according to the US Forest Service. More than 10,000 people make the climb each year, according to officials.

He thought he was going to stop somewhere, and he was trying to arrest the fall with his ax, but it just didnt happen because he was rolling so fast that he couldnt do it, Gurbazs father Rishamdeep Singh told KATU.

The teen who underwent a surgery in a hospital in Portland credits his training and wearing a helmet as reasons why his injuries werent more severe.

We looked at my helmet afterwards and it was just destroyedIm so lucky, he told CTV News.

Rescuers located Gurbaz and managed to splint his leg, then began the slow descent down the mountain four hours after his initial fall.

The father said once Gurbaz is fully healed he and his son plan on going back to Mount Hood and conquering the climb together.
Former Vice President Joe Biden told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency on Thursday that he plans to "fight antisemitism" by enacting new gun control laws, aggressively prosecuting "hate crimes" and passing a "new federal domestic terrorism law."



The last federal domestic terrorism law the US passed was the civil liberties destroying so-called "PATRIOT Act," which Joe Biden voted for.



From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, "Joe Biden: My plan to fight antisemitism":

[BIDEN:] We have a serious problem with rising tides of white supremacy and antisemitism  both in America, on the political right and left, and around the world. It's not a new phenomenon, but it is the responsibility of leaders everywhere to work aggressively to combat this poison. Instead, we have a president who, in clear language and in code, encourages and emboldens it.



After Charlottesville, Donald Trump gave renewed license and safe harbor for hate to white supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and the KKK. There's a short line from those people marching with tiki torches in Charlottesville chanting "Jews will not replace us" to the shooter at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh saying Jews "were committing genocide to his people."



We need a comprehensive approach to battling antisemitism that takes seriously both the violence that accompanies it and the hateful and dangerous lies that undergird it. [...]



We must also address the extremist, white supremacist violence that has sparked so much bloodshed, especially with Trump fanning the flames of hatred and hollowing out resources we put in place during the Obama-Biden administration to address domestic extremism. I'll restore that funding and work to pass a federal domestic terrorism law. We can craft legislation that respects free speech and civil liberties, while making the same commitment as a nation to root out domestic terrorism as we have to stopping international terrorism. We must appoint leadership at the U.S. Department of Justice who will prioritize the prosecution of hate crimes  making clear that there is no place for such vitriol in this country.



And we must break the nexus between extremism and gun violence by enacting sensible gun control laws. As president, I'll make sure assault weapons and high capacity magazines are banned again, and we'll put in place a buy-back program to get as many of these weapons of war as possible off our streets.

Biden went on to praise Israel and insist the country must maintain its identity as a "Jewish state."



Biden himself was accused of advancing ethnic stereotypes in a 2013 speech he gave to a Jewish group in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month.



From New York Magazine, MAY 22, 2013, "Biden Praises Jews, Goes Too Far, Accidentally Thrills Anti-Semites":

Joe Biden spoke last night in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month. [...]



Biden's remarks were not anti-Semitic. They were very, very philo-Semitic. The thrust of his largely unscripted monologue is that Jews have contributed enormously to the United States. That's obviously a standard spiel for praising any ethnic group, but Biden took care to emphasize that Jews have not just contributed their share to the United States, but far more:



The Jewish people have contributed greatly to America. No group has had such an outsized influence per capita as all of you standing before you, and all of those who went before me and all of those who went before you ...



You make up 11 percent of the seats in the United States Congress. You make up one-third of all Nobel laureates ...



I think you, as usual, underestimate the impact of Jewish heritage. I really mean that. I think you vastly underestimate the impact you've had on the development of this nation.



... "The embrace of immigration" is part of that, as is the involvement of Jews in social justice movements.



"You can't talk about the civil rights movement in this country without talking about Jewish freedom riders and Jack Greenberg," he said, telling a story about seeing a group of Jewish activists at a segregated movie theater in Delaware. "You can't talk about the women's movement without talking about Betty Friedan" ...



"I believe what affects the movements in America, what affects our attitudes in America are as much the culture and the arts as anything else," he said. That's why he spoke out on gay marriage "apparently a little ahead of time."



"It wasn't anything we legislatively did. It was 'Will and Grace,' it was the social media. Literally. That's what changed peoples' attitudes. That's why I was so certain that the vast majority of people would embrace and rapidly embrace" gay marriage, Biden said.



"Think behind of all that, I bet you 85 percent of those changes, whether it's in Hollywood or social media are a consequence of Jewish leaders in the industry. The influence is immense, the influence is immense. And, I might add, it is all to the good."

"Biden's intentions here are obviously as friendly as can be, but the execution is awkward," commented NY Mag's Jonathan Chait at the time.



"The main problem here is that gay rights, unlike black civil rights, are politically controversial at the moment."



[Header image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr]



Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab and Minds.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be on a one-day visit to Lucknow on January 5.

BJP Lucknow chief Mukesh Sharma said that Singh, a Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow will arrive at Lucknow airport in the morning and will attend a programme in support of the amended Citizenship Act.

In the afternoon, Singh will reach Chief Minister's residence to review preparations for Defence Expo-2020 which is scheduled to take place between February 5-8 next month.

He will fly back to Delhi in the evening.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Mullappally Ramachandran has asserted that the Kerala Assembly is within its constitutional right to pass a resolution against the newly-enacted Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.



Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader on Thursday said, "Any legislature has the rights to pass a resolution in favour or against the existing Centre government. Kerala Assembly is within its constitutional rights to pass such a resolution and there is anything wrong in the stand taken by the Kerala government."

His comments came after Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said that the resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly against CAA has "no legal or constitutional validity".

Ramachandran also clarified that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had sent a letter lauding 'Bha', a summit being organised by the Kerala government for the NRI KerLoka Kerala Saalites, much before Congress-led UDF had announced to boycott the event.

"Rahul Gandhi had sent that letter much before UDF had decided to boycott the Loka Kerala Sabha or the congregation of Keralites across the world. I don't know why the CM had leaked out such a letter sent from Rahul Gandhi's office now," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took to Twitter to share a letter sent by Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi dated December 12 lauding Loka Kerala Sabha.

"In his message, @RahulGandhi opined that 'the Loka Kerala Sabha is a great platform to connect with the diaspora, and recognize their contribution," CMO said in a tweet.

The boycott by UDF was announced on December 28, however, Rahul Gandhi's letter is dated December 12.

Ramachandran also expressed dissatisfaction over how the Kerala Assembly was converted into a "conference hall" to host the summit.

"Kerala assembly has been converted into a conference hall. Parliament and Assembly have got its own sanctity. It is a place where legislature businesses are going on and it can't be converted into a conference hall for any group or any section," he said.

Hitting out at Vijayan, the Congress leader alleged that the Chief Minister doesn't pay any heed to the poor Keralites who are struggling in labour camps of various gulf countries.

"Whenever the CM visit any gulf country, he only meets multi-billionaires. He never looks at the poor Malayalees who are struggling in the labour camps. What is the step taken by the state government to intervene in their matter?," the Congress leader asked. (ANI)


A veteran state representative from West Hartford has been reappointed to head the legislative committee that oversees state gambling and alcohol regulation, after successfully completing programs for first-time DUI offenders.

Rep. Joe Verrengia, a retired police officer will return as co-chairman of the Public Safety and Security Committee next month when the General Assembly begins its short,13-week budget-adjustment session.

Last October, Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz stripped Verrengia, 55, of the chairmanship, after West Hartford police arrested him on drunken driving charges when his vehicle was found stopped in a travel lane of a local road. Verrengia was found asleep at the wheel.

Representative Verrengia has been reinstated as public safety chair, where the main challenge this year will be to deal with the statewide gaming issues said Larry Perosino, spokesman for Aresimowicz. Hes successfully completed his assigned responsibilities, as required.

First time DUI offenders face at least partial license suspension, alcohol education classes and a panel sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. He also needs to maintain a clean driving record until next October. The case against him has not been dismissed, Perosino said.

Im grateful for the opportunity, Verrengia said Thursday. I did complete the two things under my control at this point. There was a requirement to attend a MADD panel, which was personally a very impactful group with families who lost loved ones to drunken driving. I also took it upon myself to exceed the number of alcohol education hours. I have taken this very seriously from day one.

His license was suspended for 45 days and was finally restored on New Years Eve, although Verrengia was allowed to use his vehicle for work. Now he will use an interlock system on his vehicle for the next six months.

Verrengia, a state representative since 2001, retired as a sergeant with the West Hartford Police Department after 25 years of service.

The Public Safety Committee is the main panel of the General Assembly to deal with casino gambling, the lottery and state liquor laws.

kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT
Ross LaJeunesse left Google last April after he advocated within the company for years for a human rights program that formalize free speech and privacy principles.

New, from me. Based on interviews with @RossforMaine, emails & documents. Execs at Google rarely break ranks but Ross' experience pushing for real human rights accountability shows how Google can sideline internal critics, even trusted people near the top https://t.co/jtfqoqhL6D  Nitasha Tiku (@nitashatiku) January 2, 2020

Ross "began lobbying for it internally in 2017  around the time when the tech giant was exploring a return to China, in a stark reversal of its 2010 move that made its search engine unavailable there," reports Nitasha Tiku in the Washington Post:

Now, the 50-year-old is alleging that Google pushed him out for it in April. "I didn't change. Google changed," LaJeunesse, who was Google's global head of international relations in Washington, told The Washington Post. "Don't be evil" used to top the company's mission statement. "Now when I think about 'Don't be evil,' it's been relegated to a footnote in the company's statements." Within Google, China was seen as a booming market that represented concerns about the ways technology could be used to suppress free expression or enable surveillance. LaJeunesse modeled his human rights program on the way Google approached privacy and security issues, designing the team of employees, in functions such as supply chain, policy, and ethics and compliance, to help Google integrate, coordinate and prioritize human rights risk assessment.

A top Google exec pushed the company to commit to human rights. Then Google pushed him out, he says. [washingtonpost.com]

[via techmeme.com]

Wow, Google has a metric fuckton of explaining to do. https://t.co/JzyMGXb8Iv?  Zack Whittaker (@zackwhittaker) January 2, 2020

"Google's shifting moral calculus around China illustrates the tech giant's transformation from an organization that portrayed itself as an exception to corporate norms into one driven by business imperatives and market opportunities" https://t.co/EzBO7KtbCa  Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) January 2, 2020

These stories about Google make it sound like a company run by Michael Scott https://t.co/lzXjAXLHqo pic.twitter.com/4UpNXGMJIL  Zack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp) January 2, 2020

A Google exec says he was forced out b/c he was *too* committed to human rights. So, @RossforMaine took to Medium, writing Google "never intended to incorporate human rights principles into its business." https://t.co/EQso8Ugs8e More from @nitashatiku https://t.co/KsH7SYUGZ7  Avi Asher-Schapiro (@AASchapiro) January 2, 2020

Google's former head of international relations is running for office, so he's also revealing the details of the company's relationship with Chinese authorities. A good read on encroaching surveillance capitalism: https://t.co/xbHU8F2Put  Heidi N. Moore (@moorehn) January 2, 2020

Must read. And he's not the only Google veteran speaking out. https://t.co/J3rNmsQgnR https://t.co/kmTII1A8Qn  Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) January 2, 2020

Scathing piece from Google's former head of int'l relations, who says he was sidelined from discussions about launching censored search in China & removed from his job at the company after he advocated for human rights & raised concerns about bullying: https://t.co/10mdhHWqxU  Ryan Gallagher (@rj_gallagher) January 2, 2020

Google's head of international relations created and internally lobbied for a program to support free expression and privacy for its users in Chinaleaned in, you could sayand then last year got purged. "'Don't be evil,' has been relegated to a footnote."https://t.co/VtV0zeayF1  Kurt Andersen (@KBAndersen) January 2, 2020

Read every word of this bombshell first person account of @google's dramatic turn away from their "Don't be evil" mantra. There are simply too many stories and quotes to list, but the one below is a particularly awful one: https://t.co/qxaLawv7ST  Sleeping Giants (@slpng_giants) January 2, 2020
With New Delhi riding two boats, India is in a tight spot now as it has excellent relations with both nations.

New Delhi: Hours after the assassination of a top Iranian general by the United States in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, India on Friday said the increase in tension has alarmed the world and called for de-escalation and restraint. New Delhi added that peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in Baghdad, reportedly in a missile strike by an American drone. The Americans had accused Gen. Soleimani of plotting terror attacks against them worldwide.

In a statement, the external affairs ministry said: We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tensions has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so.

With New Delhi riding two boats, India is in a tight spot now as it has excellent relations with both nations. Less than two weeks ago, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar had visited Tehran for the 19th session of the India-Iran joint commission there on December 22. The two sides had then expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in operationalisation of the Shahid Beheshti Port at Chabahar, and had recognised that it has a potential to act as a gateway between the Indian subcontinent, Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Europe. Both nations had also welcomed the utilisation of the port for exports from Afghanistan and discussed ways to promote it.

Meanwhile, Indias time-tested friend Russia backed Iran. In a statement, Russia said: It will lead to further escalation of tensions in the whole Middle East region. The assassination of Soleimani is an adventurous step. Condolences are sent to the Iranian people, who have lost Soleimani as a true defender of national interests of the country.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2020 / Healthcare Solutions Holdings, a medical service and device company focused on providing clinicians with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic tools, invites Dr. Sadeem Mahmood to speak about the advanced cardio panels available to physicians.Dr. Sadeem MahmoodDr. Sadeem Mahmood, an Interventional Cardiologist, speaks about how he utilizes advanced cardio panels in his practice. "The way I see lab testing in urgent cares, surgical centers, or for independent physicians is that it's an integral part of the patient diagnosis," says Dr. Mahmood. "Not only do you need access to standard panels, but you need access to advanced panels which enables physicians to diagnose before treating the patient. Having such various test options for physicians is a fundamental part of treatment and patient care." Dr. Mahmood has found the advanced cardio panels provided by HSI cover all testing he finds necessary to gain insight on the status of patients. "The selection of cardio panels provided and available for testing is very comprehensive. It is such a complete panel and contains all the tests needed to receive full insight. I also really like that HSI provides access to an online portal which enables me and my staff to access results quickly and efficiently. Turnaround time for results matters, and access to an online portal gives my clinic flexibility and quick access to all patient files. Due to this, we can then provide the highest quality patient care." "HSI's platform creates efficiencies in a clinical setting," said Travis Revelle, CEO of Healthcare Solutions Holdings. "We can create these efficiencies across multiple testing modalities and product types. This allows our physicians to have the access to world-class products, while also making it easier on them and their office staff from what they are currently utilizing." Interventional Cardiologist Sadeem Mahmood, M.D. earned his medical degree at Dow Medical College, University of Karachi, Pakistan. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He completed fellowships in Cardiology and Nuclear Cardiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. He has served patients in southeast Arkansas since 2000.HSI is a medical service, and device company focused on providing clinicians with state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Our mission is to improve patient outcomes by helping clinicians gain broader access to the most advanced technology in the healthcare industry. HSI focuses not only on assisting physicians with exceptional healthcare delivery, but also promoting compliance with the industry's best practices.Healthcare Solutions, Inc., headquartered in Glen Cove, New York. Please visit www.hscorp.biz for additional information.CONTACT:Jonathan LoutzenhiserSVP Healthcare SolutionsEmail: IR@ HScorp.Biz Email: MR@ HScorp.Biz Phone: +1 (866) 668-2188SOURCE: Healthcare Solutions Holdings, Inc.




The Motorola Moto G8 Plus is now getting the latest Android security patch, bug fixes, and improvements.If you own a Motorola Moto G8 Plus you should have received the over-the-air update notification for December 1, 2019 Android security update. New software update for the Moto G8 Plus brings along Bug fixes and Stability improvements. The Update carries Build number. PPOS29.114-134-7. Motorolas instructions explain that for a successful installation, the battery in your phone should be at least 50% charged and your device should be connected to a Wi-Fi network or LTE.If you haven't got the notification of this new software update yet, Just go to Settings - About Phone - Software updates, and It will automatically start downloading the latest update. The update will take around 10-15 minutes to get Installed on your device. Stay tuned to our Facebook Twitter , and Telegram to get the first News.
FILE PHOTO: Pork sold at a supermarket

MANILA, Philippines  The Department of Agriculture (DA) demands an explanation from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) as to how African Swine Fever or ASF-contaminated pork ended up in the chillers of a supermarket in Quezon City.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar revealed that the City Veterinary Office discovered the ASF-infected meat sometime in December 2019.

They brought samples from all the chillers and one chiller where the source came from was the only one found positive, Dar confirmed.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) then confirmed that the said batch of pork was indeed infected with ASF virus.

Dar said the supplier, identified as North Star, was already issued with a notice of closure.

The Secretary added, however, that it is up to the Quezon City government to file charges against the said supplier.

The official calls on supermarket owners not to sell contaminated pork to prevent the spread of ASF.  MNP (with reports from Rey Pelayo)

The post NMIS asked to explain ASF-contaminated pork found in supermarket appeared first on UNTV News.
Brexit can be an opportunity for Africa, but only if the continents leaders finally move away from corruption.

In August 2018, then-Prime Minister Theresa May became the first British leader in five years to visit sub-Saharan Africa, making a three-day trip that included meetings with the presidents of South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.

May was on the continent to boost post-Brexit trade and convince African leaders that the United Kingdoms exit from the European Union would provide their nations with new and lucrative trade and investment partnerships with the UK.

In a speech in Cape Town, she pledged four billion pounds ($5.3bn) in support for African economies, to create jobs for young people. She also pledged a fundamental shift in aid spending to focus on long-term economic and security challenges rather than short-term poverty reduction.

Mays promise to create a global Britain that views Africa as a primary trade partner triggered excitement and expectation on the continent. However, her May 2019 resignation and Boris Johnsons rise to power put the realisation of a stronger relationship between post-Brexit Britain and Africa into question.

Unlike May, Johnson barely showed any interest in Africa, instead focusing his attention solely on convincing the British public that he is the right man to get Brexit done.

Nevertheless, African leaders, especially the ones from former British colonies who already have significant trade relations with the UK, doubled down on their efforts to charm Britain into making them primary trade partners after Brexit.

Following Boris Johnsons stunning electoral victory on December 12, for example, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari swiftly sent him a congratulatory message, wishing the prime minister well and expressing his hopes for stronger ties between Nigeria and the UK.

Ghanas Nana Akufo-Addo also offered his congratulations to Johnson, saying, we have an opportunity, together, to renew and strengthen the relations between our two countries, focusing on enhancing trade and investment, and scaling up prosperity for our peoples.

Buhari and Akufo-Addos statements were not empty pleasantries, rather they were expressions of an ever-growing belief across the continent that post-Brexit Britain could provide a quick fix for stagnating African economies.

It is still questionable, however, whether the anticipated new relationship will ever materialise and, perhaps even more importantly, whether Africa will be able to benefit from it if and when it does.

First of all, it is highly unlikely that Johnson is going to give priority to securing new deals with African nations following his countrys imminent exit from the EU. After all, the populist prime minister never embraced his predecessors dreams for a global Britain and focused instead on building closer ties between London and Washington.

Moreover, many African countries currently have preferential access to the UK because of trade deals hashed out over the years with the European Union, such as Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative. Following Brexit, it may take considerable time for each nation to replace these with equivalent or better deals, and they may be forced to pay increased tariffs for their exports to the UK in the process.

But even if a new partnership between the UK and African nations does miraculously take shape soon after Britains exit from the EU, it will not be easy for a continent weighed down by multiple domestic challenges to make immediate gains.

A significant percentage of any gain African nations may make from a lucrative trade partnership with post-Brexit Britain, for example, will immediately be cancelled out due to their existing debt to the continents mega-investor, China. While Chinese debt cannot stop Africa from forming new partnerships, it will indeed make any future deal less profitable.

But beyond the debilitating effects of the Chinese debt-trap Africa is currently in, there are other, and entirely home-grown reasons why Africa will likely not be able to capitalise on Britains imminent exit from the EU.

In the recent past, African countries have signed countless cooperation agreements with nations across the world, from the EU to the US and Turkey. Every country in the world, after all, wants a share of Africas rich resources. But, despite the plethora of investments, African countries sank ever deeper into poverty. Today, Africa is the worlds second-fastest-growing region, and yet 100 million more Africans live in extreme poverty today compared with the 1990s. Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, is home to the largest share of people living in extreme poverty.

The main reason behind African nations inability to reap the rewards of international cooperation and investment is corruption. Cooperation with post-Brexit Britain, therefore, can yield significant dividends for Africans only if African countries clean up their acts on the domestic front.

Most African countries are blessed with huge reserves of precious natural resources as well as young and capable populations. Moreover, they have long been receiving financial support from the international community. While all this could not have reversed all the damage colonialism has done to the continent, under better domestic conditions, it could have triggered an economic boom and carried most African nations out of poverty.

That boom, however, failed to materialise. Elites across the continent chose to line their pockets rather than help elevate their nations. Corruption flourished, and tax revenues and foreign aid were diverted into the bank accounts of the select few while masses were left to fend for themselves with little to no support from their governments.

If African leaders want to form a genuinely beneficial partnership with post-Brexit Britain, they need to devise a new approach to fighting corruption. Furthermore, they need to start exercising fiscal prudence and entrenching good governance. As long as the upper echelons of African societies remain rotten, a hike in British investments and trade, however significant it may be, will not help the peoples of Africa.

In 2012, Nigeria was estimated to have lost over $400bn to corruption since independence. In 2018, it was ranked 144 out of 180 countries in Transparency Internationals Perception of Corruption Index. Many other African countries experience similarly high levels of corruption and bad governance. Equitable development will remain a mirage in such an environment even if these countries were to make a deal with God, not merely with the UK.

It is naive to believe that corrupt African leaders who have led their countries to destitution will allow the benefits from a future UK trade deal trickle down to regular Africans in need and elevate the continent. It is true that Brexit can be an opportunity for Africa, but only if the continents leaders finally move away from corruption and start working to help their people rather than themselves.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
WASHINGTON  The top Senate Republican said on Friday that the administration would brief all senators next week on the United States drone strike ordered by President Trump that killed Irans top security commander.

The morning after the strike on the powerful commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, lawmakers divided sharply along party lines over a move that could escalate United States tensions with Iran, which Mr. Trump undertook without authorization from Congress.

Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, lauded the strike as long-overdue justice.

For too long, this evil man operated without constraint and countless innocents have suffered for it, he said. Now his terrorist leadership has been ended.
China has declared its giant paddlefish, dubbed 'the Panda of the Yangtze River' for its enormous size, extinct following decades of overfishing.

According to scientists at the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Psephurus gladius, which can grow to 22 feet in length, went extinct between 2005 and 2010.

Extinction has been caused by overfishing since the 1970s and humans destroying their habitat. Pollution and urbanisation also played a role in their demise.

There were only 210 sightings of 'the giant panda of the rivers' between 1981 and January 2003, when the last live specimen was found and released back into the river.

The giant Chinese paddlefish was said to be up to 22 feet in length but was on average around 10 feet long - one of the biggest freshwater fish in the world

'We estimated the timing of extinction to be by 2005, and no later than by 2010,' the researchers say in Science of the Total Environment.

The fish, which was around 10 feet long on average, was native to the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, along with a diverse selection of megafauna  large or giant animals.

THE WORLD'S LARGEST FRESHWATER FISH 1. Beluga Sturgeon: 20-24 feet, Caspian and Black Sea 2. White Sturgeon, 20 feet, North America 3. Giant Freshwater Stingray, 16.4 feet, Thailand 4. Wels Catfish 16 feet, Central and Eastern Europe 5. Chinese Paddlefish, 10 feet Yangtze River Source: largest.org Advertisement

These include the Chinese Alligator, the Finless Porpoise and the Yangtze Sturgeon  two of which are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, while the porpoise is described as vulnerable.

The team conducted a basin-wide survey between 2017 and 2018 and of the 332 fish species found, did not find a single live specimen of Chinese paddlefish.

The team reported another 140 historically reported fish species that were not found, most of which considered highly endangered.

The ecosystem has been affected by human activity resulting in a loss of biodiversity, the result of which may also be the extinction of the Yangtze River Dolphin  which was declared extinct but later reportedly sighted in 2016.

Psephurus gladius was previously listed as 'critically endangered, possibly extinct' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and has already been 'functionally extinct' since 1993  meaning the species no longer plays an active role in its ecosystem as it is unable to produce.

The fish, which was around 10 feet long on average, was native to the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, along with a diverse selection of megafauna  large or giant animals

There were only 210 sightings of 'the giant panda of the rivers' between 1981 and January 2003, when the last live specimen was found and released back into the river

It is likely that lack of reproduction was among the major causes of extinction, but a population decline generally since the late 1970s has been a result of overfishing and habitat fragmentation.

While the last living Chinese paddlefish specimen was observed in 2003, another was illegally fished and died with six hooks in its body four years later.

Another contributor has been the construction of the Gezhouba Dam in 1981, which blocked the creature's migration route.

The Chinese Alligator is also native to the Yangtze River and is classified as critically endangered

Conserved living tissues of an extinct species can be resurrected using cloning or genome editing  a process known as 'de-extinction'  but no living tissue of Psephurus gladius has been conserved.

Therefore, the species should be considered extinct on the IUCN Red List, the researchers say, which is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species

Psephurus gladius was one of only two surviving members of a population that was widespread about 34-75 million years ago, the team says, and conservation efforts on the river are urgently needed.
I was disappointed to see the noncommittal response by Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax), the new speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, to whether Democrats will continue to support a constitutional amendment to create a redistricting commission. As Brian Cannon of OneVirginia2021 explained, the amendment requires implementing legislation, and that legislation  which will be enacted by a Democratic-controlled General Assembly and governor  can dictate as specifically as legislators like what the commission, and the state Supreme Court, must or may not do. In particular, it could mandate that districts not be drawn to favor one party or minimize the efficiency gap that many political scientists believe is the best test of gerrymandering.
Belarus has suspended exports of oil products after the halt of crude supply from Russia forced it to curb production at its refineries.

Belarus, which has traditionally relied on Russia for crude, is now running its refineries at minimum rates. Transit of Russian crude to European buyers across Belarus territory continues, according to Russian news service Tass.

"The resulting situation is not the best stage in the economic relations with our Russian partners," state-owned Belneftekhim said in a statement. Belarus will now use stockpiled crude to meet domestic demand for fuels and is looking for other sources of crude supply for its refineries, Belneftekhim said.

Russia and Belarus have been at odds over transit fees and oil supply for months, with the two nations yet to agree on compensation for the contaminated crude which was delivered to refineries in Belarus via the Druzhba pipeline earlier last year. Belarus fuel exports dropped by almost 15% in the first ten months of 2019, according to the nation's statistics service.

Belarus asked Russia to consider a single oil delivery from independent producers to replenish Belarusian refineries' crude storage while the countries work out a new deal, a person familiar with Russia's position said Friday on condition of anonymity.

Belarus, which receives the supply for the Mozyr and Naftan refineries, also says it stands to lose from Russian tax changes that have been gradually been brought in by President Vladimir Putin. A series of calls between the countries' leaders earlier this week failed to broker an agreement.

Before the Druzhba contamination crisis, the volume of crude to be sent to Belarus refineries was set at about 18 million tons. That's just over 361,000 barrels a day. Belarus also previously had an allocation of crude for re-export, thus benefiting from the export duty, but Russia has decided to no longer provide oil on those terms.

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.

Polish network operator PERN said Friday it experienced no disruption in oil delivery via Druzhba. Gomeltransneft Druzhba, which operates the pipeline that runs through Belarus in the direction of Poland and Ukraine, didn't respond to calls for comment.

A significant proportion of Russian supplies of crude oil and natural gas to Europe transit through former members of the Soviet Union that are now independent countries, albeit with powerful economic ties to Moscow. A dispute with Ukraine threatened gas flows until the nations reached a deal late on Monday.
The Japan share market closed on Friday, 03 January 2020, for a market holiday.

Shares in Asia jumped on Friday, 03 January 2020, on tracking jump of stocks on Wall Street to new all-time highs overnight, boosted by anticipation of a phase one trade deal being inked between Washington and Beijing and monetary policy easing by China's central bank aimed at stimulating the country's economy.

The Asian market got a boost on following a rally overseas after China's central bank said it will free up more money for lending. The People's Bank of China announced on Wednesday that it will lower the reserve requirement ratio for banks by 50 basis points with effect from Jan. 6, unleashing about 800 billion yuan ($115 billion) in funds. The move is expected to boost the country's slowing economy ahead of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 25.

Meanwhile, sign of initial Sino-U. S. trade deal progress also aided sentiment. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump tweeted that he will sign the initial trade deal with China at the White House this month.

He also said he plans to travel to Beijing at a later date to open talks on other sticking points in the dispute that remain to be worked out, including Chinese practices the U. S. complains unfairly favor its own companies. That came following reports indicating Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, Beijing's top trade negotiator, could sign the agreement.

Investors continued to wait for Washington and Beijing to formalize an initial trade deal that has helped ease the market's jitters over the 18-month dispute between the world's two biggest economies. Washington and Beijing announced last month that they reached an agreement over a "Phase 1" trade pact that calls for the U. S. to reduce tariffs and China to buy larger quantities of U. S. farm products.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In the spring of 1916, a bootlegger in Idaho escaped from jail by hiding a saw in his shoe and using it to cut his way out of his cell. A few months later, the man murdered his common law wife by beating her brains out with an ax, according to a local newspaper.

At her funeral, one of his children told a reporter, Papa never stayed in jail very long and hell soon be out. A couple of weeks later, he did it again, escaping from yet another jail with the old saw-in-the-boot trick.

This week, more than a century later, officials in Clark County, Idaho, announced that Joseph Henry Loveless, the bootlegging escape artist, had been found. Of course, he is long dead. And it had been years since anyone was actively looking for him.

But in solving one mystery, investigators helped solve another. Since 1979, the authorities in Idaho had been trying to identify a torso that had been stuffed in a burlap sack in a cave. Now, they have learned that the torso belongs to Loveless.
UPDATE II: Do you recognize alleged person of interest in overnight Easton robbery and assault? (PHOTO)

UPDATE: Car stolen in Easton robbery is found in nearby cemetery, police say

INITIAL POST: Easton police early Friday morning were looking for robbery suspects who assaulted a woman in a West Ward home and stole her Mercedes.

The 40-year-old woman was attacked about 11:30 p.m. Thursday inside 1219 Jackson St. and a silver 2007 Mercedes C280 with a Pennsylvania tag of LFK-9279 and other items were taken, police Lt. Matthew Gerould said.

The woman was driven by someone else in the half-double mid-block home and treated for serious injuries at an area hospital, but is expected to survive, Gerould said.

Police did not learn of the crime until the woman arrived at the hospital.

Gerould wouldnt say if the woman knew the robbers, if she let them in the house or if they broke in. He said the investigation is in its early stages.

At 3:30 a.m., officers were walking in and out of the home and a police investigations truck was double-parked outside.

The neighborhood is about a block from Route 22s 13th Street interchange. It was quiet as a light rain fell. There appeared to still be a Christmas tree inside the home and other nearby homes had holiday lights on.

There likely was more than one robber. One of the suspects was a black male, 30 to 32 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds with slight facial hair, Gerould said.

One of the robbers had a handgun but no shots were fired, Gerould said.

The robbers possibly split up and one may have walked east on Jackson Street, Gerould said. Another left in the car.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brian Burd and 610-250-6645 or the departments tip line at 610-250-6635.

If you see the car, call 911. The driver could be armed.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
WOODBURY  For more than 17 years New Morning Market has collaborated with the Salvation Army of Waterbury by providing gifts for their Angel Tree program.

The Angel Tree program started in 1979 in Virginia, and has since spread throughout the country serving thousands of families each holiday season. The Salvation Army provides tags to New Morning Market, indicating what specific children in need would like for Christmas.

Customers then choose a tag from New Morning Markets Angel Tree, purchase the gift and bring it back to the store as their donation. New Morning Markets customers generously provided gifts for over 100 Waterbury children in need! In addition, New Morning Market also collaborated with the Community Service Council of Woodbury to provide presents for over 40 children in Woodbury this year.

This is my first season working at New Morning Market, the support and generosity our customers have for this program is inspiring. Its an honor be a part of this holiday tradition and to help our community during this season of giving, said Candy Platt, New Morning Markets Angel Tree Coordinator, in a statement.

New Morning Market is a natural and organic, independent retailer for healthy sustainable living. Owner John Pittari and his staff continually create an environment that fosters meaningful exchanges of knowledge, services and products. New Morning has been in business for 48 years and has been in their 4th and final location at 129 Main Street North in Woodbury since 2012. Boasting more than 9,000 square feet of retail space and 2nd Floor Vitality Center and Community Room, New Morning has become a popular destination and an important part of the local community. More information can be found at http://newmorn.com , on Facebook or by calling 203-263-4868.

Gold coins found in Red Kettle

BRISTOL  Three gold coins were found in a Salvation Army Red Kettle at Price Chopper in Bristol in November. The coins were discovered as officers and staff from The Salvation Army were counting kettle donations. The coins have been appraised at $4.050 - Kruegerrand - South African coins.

We were so surprised and amazed when we found the coins, said Captain Sharenna Echavarria, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army in Bristol, in a statement. We are extremely blessed by the generosity of this donor.

For as long as The Salvation Army has been in existence, bell ringers have been at the heart of its mission. Donations collected at the Red Kettles fund programs and services that transform broken lives - sheltering the homeless, feeding the hungry, making Christmas bright, and meeting the greatest need.

This is the first time Ive ever seen a gold coin in one of our kettles in 30 plus years as a Salvation Army officer, said Major Gregory Hartshorn, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in Connecticut and Rhode Island, in a statement. You usually hear about it happening somewhere out in the Midwest. Here we had not one, but three were found in our backyard in Bristol, CT. We are so humbly grateful. Major Hartshorn recalls, during his time in Boston, many pieces of jewelry were donated into the Red Kettles over various communities. It was quite a phenomenon. Anything that people want to give us to help us help others, for not only the Christmas season, but throughout the year, we are welcome to receive it and put it to good use.

Bell ringing season begins each November and runs through Christmas Eve. Nationally, more than 30 million Americans are served by The Salvation Army each year. Thousands of volunteers will staff red kettles on street corners nationwide, collecting nickels, dimes, quarters and occasionally, a gold coin.

In December of 1891, a Salvation Army Captain in San Francisco resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner to the areas poor by collecting donations in a large pot. By Christmas of 1895, the kettle was used in 30 Salvation Army Corps in various sections of the west coast. The iconic red kettles are now used in 128 countries throughout the world.

Those looking to volunteer or donate can visit salvationarmyct.org or call 860-583-4651.

Friendly Hands seeks food donations

TORRINGTON  Friendly Hands Food Bank is in need of food donations to serve people in need on a daily basis including soups, grape jelly, peanut butter, canned fruits, canned carrots, canned ravioli and Spaghetti Os, and canned tuna, juice boxes, baked beans, pasta, jar tomato sauce, stews and chili, canned meats, instant potatoes and rice dishes.

Donations are accepted at Friendly Hands Food Bank, 50 King St., Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, call 860-482-3338.

Grief support group offered in Salisbury

SALISBURY  SVNA is hosting a Grief Support Group to help the bereaved cope with sadness and loss in a safe space. The group is facilitated by SVNAs Medical Social Worker, Liz Tanner-Horn and Sharon Health Cares Social Worker, Cindy Meritt.

The group is open to all community members, and it is not necessary to attend every session. Meetings are held every Wednesday, 1-2 p.m. at St. Johns Church, 12 Main Street, 2nd floor, Salisbury. The group is free.

For more information or to reserve a seat, call Liz Tanner-Horn at 860-435-0816 or ETanner-Horn@salisburyvna.org

Chicken Dinners is topic of cooking class

LITCHFIELD - A cooking demonstration, Chicken Dinners will be presented at Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center at 2 p.m., Jan. 18. Chef Margaret Jacobs will present the program.

Participants will have the opportunity to see the creation of such flavorful fare as Thai Curry Chicken with Soba Noodles, Caesar Chicken, Crispy Artichoke Chicken with Portabella and Ginger Lemon Chicken. Tastings will follow and the recipes will be given to each member of the class.

Jacobs is the Head Chef at Wisdom House; Graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY. She worked at the United Nations Plaza Hotel in New York City and has over 30 years of cooking, baking and business experience in the culinary arts. She is the former owner of Hannahs Bakery in Litchfield, CT.

Wisdom House is located at 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. The cost for the class is $30 per person.

For more information or to register visit, www.wisdomhouse.org, call 860 567-3163, or visit: www.wisdomhouse.org
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a visit to Greece and flew home Friday as Lebanon's Hezbollah demanded revenge for the killing of a top Iranian commander in a US strike.

A source in Netanyahu's office said that the premier was returning from Athens but did not elaborate.

Following Friday morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged.

"Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins... will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide," Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said in a statement.

The Israeli army on Friday closed a ski resort in the annexed Golan Heights, which border Lebanon and Syria.

"Following a security assessment, it was decided to close Mount Hermon to visitors today," an army spokeswoman told AFP.

"There are no further instructions for civilians in the area."



The ski resort on Mount Hermon lies in the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move still not recognised by most of the international community.

Across the armistice line sits the Shiite Hezbollah, Israel's bitter foe with which it fought in 2006.

There has so far been no official Israeli comment on the killing of Soleimani.

Israel's security cabinet was to hold an emergence session Friday, Israeli media said.

The papers reported that Netanyahu had ordered ministers not to comment on the killing.

Yair Lapid, a senior member of the Blue and White alliance seeking to unseat Netanyahu, was however quick to congratulate President Donald Trump in a Facebook post.

"He who led murderous terrorist attacks from Damascus to Buenos Aires and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocents got the end he deserved.

"The Iranian regime is a terror regime and, against terror, determination and strength are required," Lapid wrote.

In the Gaza Strip, the Islamist Hamas movement which rules the territory, condemned Soleimani's killing but did not make any overt threats.

"Hamas sends its condolences to the Iranian leadership and people," a statement said.

"Hamas condemns this American crime which raises tension in the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iranians woke up Friday morning to the shocking news of the targeted killing of major general Qassem Soleimani, commander of Irans elite Quds force, by the United States in Iraq.

The killing of one of Irans most powerful and feared men, who was the mastermind of Irans military presence and proxy wars across the Middle East, drew backlash from different political factions inside Iran and became a rallying cry against the United States.

Even reformists and moderates, who have been critical of the Revolutionary Guards hardline domestic and foreign policies, condemned the killing and sent out condolences for a commander who has been praised for fighting and defeating the Islamic State.

Former reformist President Mohammad Khatami, who has been banned from state media for his criticism of hardline policies, published a message on social media calling Soleimani a martyr killed by occupying criminals. Two prominent Grand Ayatollahs, Yousef Saanei and Asadollah Bayat-Zanjani, who have been vocal critics of the regime, also issued statements praising Soleimanis fight against religious fundamentalism perpetrated by Isis.

Other prominent opposition figures including Ardeshir Amir Arjomand, a close advisor to Mir Hossein Mousavi who has been critical of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, published a statement praising Soleimani for defeating Isis, calling the killing an act of terrorism and in violation of international law and against peace and security in the region.

US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday 3 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures The wreckage of the car in which general Soleimani was travelling when a targeted US airstrike struck outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January Ahmad Al Mukhtar via Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest in Tehran after general Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike by American forces Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of Donald Trump AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn Israeli and US flags as thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of general Soleimani at the hands of America EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of Donald Trump pray at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held on the day following the killing of general Soleimani. At the event, the president praised the "flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader" AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A huge procession of mourners gather in Baghdad for the funeral of general Soleimani on 4 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani during an anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iraqis perform a mourning prayer for slain major general Qasem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the Great Mosque of Kufa AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A billboard reading 'Death to America and Israel', installed by Iran-backed shiite armed groups at a street in Jadriyah district in Baghdad, Iraq EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him visiting the family of Soleiman KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US flag as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Jalal Feiruznia, looks to a portrait of Soleimani, as he receives condolences at the Iranian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures People make their way on the street while a screen on the wall of a cinema shows a portrait Soleimani in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Aziz Asmar, one of two Syrian painters who completed a mural following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani poses next to his creation in the rebel-held Syrian town of Dana in the northwestern province of Idlib AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A demonstration in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures An anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Mujtaba al-Husseini, the representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in the holy shrine city of Najaf AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US and Israeli flags as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters demonstrate in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, in Peshawar, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters, holding a photograph of the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran Massoud Rajavi, outside Downing Street in London PA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A Syrian man offers sweets to children to mark the killing AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers attend a mourning prayer for Soleimani in Iran's capital Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and anti Israel slogans during a protest AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshipers chant slogans during Friday prayers Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A protest against the USA, in Islamabad, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranians burn a US flag in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin, Germany Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Vehicles of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol a road in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel. Following morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian women take to the streets in Tehran EPA

Even Parvaneh Salahshouri, a reformist member of parliament who has recently slammed the regime for its brutal crackdown of protests, came out in support of Soleimani and condemned the attack.

A senior reformist in Tehran, who did not want to be identified for security reasons, told The Independent that killing Soleimani is seen as the Trump administrations second horrific act against Iranians, after the US presidents violation of the nuclear deal to which Iran was still committed. They assassinated someone who was a symbol of national defence for many Iranians, and was probably the only senior commander who did not interfere in domestic politics.

Activists warn that the killing will further harden the atmosphere inside Iran and pave the way for a more militaristic approach by hardliners. Tehran will see the attack as an act of war from the United States and its regional allies, and hardliners will utilise the external threat to solidify power and sideline their domestic critics. Moderates who have been pushing for engagement with the west will be weakened even more and potentially pushed out of power in the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. Tehran will pursue an increasingly hardline policy both domestically and abroad, and prospects of any negotiation with the United States will diminish.

Qassem Soleimanis assassination is the beginning of an emergency situation for the Iranian state, said Amin Bozorgian, an Iranian sociologist living in France. We dont know what they will do in the region, whether they will retaliate or not, but this will definitely lead to a more closed atmosphere inside Iran and strengthen the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps], he told The Independent.

In light of an imminent foreign threat and the wartime atmosphere, hardliners will bring issues of stability and security front and centre in Iranian political discourse and with a much stronger justification, while any domestic opposition will be considered treasonous and harshly stifled.

Mr Bozorgian said the regime may not be able to retaliate against those who killed Soleimani, but will do so against its weaker and more accessible enemies. He told The Independent that in the final years of the Iran-Iraq war, Iran compensated for its weakness and loss by mass executions of political prisoners in the summer of 1988.

It is still not clear how Iran will respond to the killing of one of its most senior figures. The supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei has promised a harsh revenge, but did not provide any specifics as to when and against who.

Tehran will most likely wait and calculate a calibrated response that may not directly attack US forces but hurt Americas closest allies in the region.

 Who was powerful Iranian general Qassem Soleimani?

Some in Iran may want a quick response, said Hamed Hadian, a journalist based in Tehran. However, a quick response could lead to a full-on war and so Iran will probably not do that, he told The Independent. But the Middle East will not be safe for any American soldiers for years to come, Mr Hadian added.

Tehran and Washington have been staunch enemies for four decades, fighting proxy wars against each other across the Middle East and coming close to direct confrontation at various times. But an attack of this magnitude has never happened before and is a complete game-changer. Now the ball is in Irans court and all eyes are on Tehran to see when and how the promised revenge is going to take place.
This is a tale of two church shootings in Texas, and what we can learn from them:

The first occurred on Nov. 5, 2017, in Sutherland Springs, a little town southeast of San Antonio, when an angry man named Devin Patrick Kelley walked into the First Baptist Church there and began shooting and reloading, shooting and reloading. By the time he finished, he had fired 700 rounds, killing 26 churchgoers and wounding 20 more.

Some 11 minutes later, a neighbor who had heard the commotion grabbed his own gun and ran toward the church, hollering at Kelley, still inside the building, who stopped shooting and ran out the church door. Kelley dropped his semi-automatic rifle, pulled out a handgun and began firing at the neighbor, Stephen Willeford, as he ran for his Ford Explorer SUV. Willeford returned fire, hitting Kelley twice, and pursued him at high speeds with the help of a passerby. The chase ended with Kelley dead in his vehicle, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The second happened just last Sunday, in White Settlement, a suburb northwest of Fort Worth. There, an angry man named Keith Thomas Kinnunen, walked into West Freeway Church of Christ with a shotgun hidden under his long coat. Shortly after communion, Kinnunen pulled out the shotgun and fired two shots, killing an usher and a member of the churchs security committee. As he was swinging the gun around to do more damage, he was dropped by a single shot from another member of the security committee, a firearms instructor named Jack Wilson.

The whole thing took six seconds  from Kinnunens first shots until Wilsons fatal shot that ended the threat.

You already know where Im going with this: The difference between these two assaults was that, unlike the Sutherland Springs shooting in 2017, there were people in the White Settlement church who could protect themselves.

In each case, one unhinged assailant opened fire during a worship service. But here are the other numbers:

Two dead vs. 26 dead and 20 injured.

Two shots from the assailant vs. 700.

Six seconds vs. 11 minutes.

Those numbers provide about as stark an example as you will find for the good guy with a gun argument, as it applies to churches, schools and other gun-free places that too often have made easy targets for mass shooters. If the numbers dont encourage the leaders of these institutions to take intelligent steps to arm themselves and otherwise protect their parishioners and others whose safety is in their hands, I dont know what will.

Following the 2017 Sutherland Springs massacre, the Texas Legislature passed a law making it legal for concealed carry license holders to take their weapons into their places of worship unless expressly prohibited by church leaders. The law, which took effect in September, made it easier for the people in White Settlement to put together the security team that swung into action and prevented the tragedy from becoming far more deadly.

As Texas State Senator Donna Campbell, co-sponsor of the bill, said when it was passed into law, "We have learned many times over that there is no such thing as a gun-free zone.

Those with evil intentions will violate the law and carry out their heinous acts no matter what," she said. "It makes no sense to disarm the good guys and leave law-abiding citizens defenseless where violent offenders break the law to do great harm."

There is a lesson here for everyone who thinks that a sign declaring a church or a school to be a gun-free zone will protect them. The sign will not protect them. A sensible security plan, and people trained to take action should action be necessary, can. If your place of worship does not have such a plan, let this serve as a wakeup call.

The law in Ohio governing concealed carry in churches is not quite as friendly as the new Texas statute, but it does allow churches to protect themselves. In Texas, a concealed carry license holder is allowed to bring a weapon into church unless expressly forbidden by the church leader. In Ohio, its the other way around: A license holder can bring a weapon into church only with expressed permission by the church leader.

We can leave the gun control and background check argument for another day, as we face the reality that bad people exist, intent on doing harm, and we need to do something about it. Last weeks attack was carried out by a man with a shotgun. Not even the most extreme gun control advocates suggest outlawing shotguns, so the emphasis should be on self-defense.

Both Willeford and Wilson described the actions they took as a battle between good and evil, which it most assuredly was. But in order for such a battle to be won, there have to be good guys to fight it.

A video of Sundays shooting, taken by security cameras in the church, is available on YouTube. What happened, what was done right and wrong and why, is narrated by John Correia, a pastor who describes himself as an evidence-based defensive trainer. If you watch the video, you will see why.

It makes tough watching. Nothing is bleeped out or blotted. But it should be required viewing for anyone who is not yet convinced that our churches and schools should take steps to defend themselves.

Ted Diadiun is a member of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

To reach Ted Diadiun: tdiadiun@cleveland.com

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A missing hiker in Grand Canyon National Park was found alive on Jan. 2 after being gone for 11 days, according to multiple reports.

Fox News reported that the missing hiker, Martin Edward OConnor, was found by hikers while on the New Hance Trail on Jan 1. The hikers who found OConnor reportedly saw a man who matched the missing mans description and reported the finding to the National Park Service (NPS). Park rangers were dispatched to the location on Jan. 2 where OConnor was found, according to the news outlet.

A news release issued by the NPS stated that OConnor was flown out of the canyon by helicopter, and is currently undergoing medical evaluation. CBS News reported that OConnor is in a stable condition.

OConnor, a 55-year-old La Porte, Texas, resident was first reported missing on Dec. 22 when he was last seen at the Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, according to the news release. It is believed that he was staying at the lodge from Dec. 17 to Dec. 22, and he was reportedly traveling alone during this time, according to USA Today.

Park officials did not include further information regarding OConnors condition on Friday, the news release stated.

In an earlier news release issued by the NPS on Monday, NPS stated that it would be conducting a missings person search for OConnor at the Grand Canyon National Park. It was stated that should anyone come across OConnor they should contact NPS Investigative Services Branch immediately.

The NPS also issued a weather alert on Thursday warning hikers and travelers about icy areas on roads, footpaths, and trails in the park, according to the park service website. At 7 a.m. local time on Jan. 3 roads were open, but hikers were alerted to be careful of icy conditions, stating, please slow down, and allow extra time. Foot traction devices and trekking poles recommended for hikers.

According to the NPS, the New Hance Trail is more suited for experienced hikers, as it is not maintained properly. The website stated, The New Hance Trail lies within a primitive use area and is thus recommended only for highly experienced canyon hikers. It is not maintained and may be the most difficult established trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

NPS recommends that hikers never hike alone at the park, as it can be dangerous, writing hike intelligently. You are responsible for your own safety as well as that of everyone in your party.
'It's an honour': Captain of the Exeborg docks first ship of 2020 at Port of Montreal

Every Jan. 1, the first vessel to enter the Port of Montreal in the new year is treated to a special ceremony, complete with a champagne toast and the presentation of a gold-tipped cane to the ship's captain.

This year, that honour goes to the Exeborg, from the Netherlands, which arrived in Montreal after leaving the port of Sauda in Norway on Dec. 21.

On Monday, the Exeborg's captain, Qin Xiao Fei, will receive the ceremonial gold-headed cane engraved with his name.

Over the weekend, Qin said he's planning on going into the city to buy gifts for the upcoming Chinese New Year.

The custom of handing down the 14-carat-tipped cane began in 1840.

Find out why Montreal carries on this tradition:
By PTI

CHENNAI: The producer of superstar Rajinikanth-starrer 'Darbar' on Friday opposed in the Madras High Court a Malaysian distributor's plea for stalling the release of the Tamil film and described it as 'false' the claim it owed over Rs 23 crore to the foreign firm.

When the civil suit filed by DMY Creations SDN BHD came up for hearing before Justice G Jayachandran, Lyca Productions Private Limited submitted that the plea has been moved only with a view of harassing it ahead of the release of the high stakes movie, set for January 9.

Counsel for the company described as 'false' and 'baseless' the claim of DMY Creations that it (Lyca) owed Rs 23.70 crore in connection with distribution of various Tamil films produced by the latter including "2.0", "Kaala" and Vadachennai in Malaysia in the past. After conclusion of the arguments, the Judge reserved orders on the suit.

DMY Creations claimed that Lyca had promised to clear the 'dues' of Rs 23.70 crore before the release of their latest production Darbar and also to give first preference to them for the film. But it was learnt that Lyca had been negotiating with some others to give territorial rights in Malaysian region.

DMY Creations said that if the court does not protect the firm with an interim order restraining Lyca from releasing Darbar before settling the dues, the chances of recovery will become very slim. The petitioner sought attachment of the positive and negatives of the movie Darbar and all other materials which aid transmission of the film pending disposal of the suit.
Deoria, Jan 3 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Ram Govind Chaudhary said on Friday when the Samajwadi Party government will assume power in the state, those who protested against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act will be given pension as protectors of the Constitution.

Talking to UNI, the SP leader hit out at the Centre and state governments and said that if their party forms a government in the state, the Bangladeshis will not be driven out.

Mr Chaudhary said the SP had protested against the CAA in UP and not the Congress. He alleged that to damage the main opposition party, media was bringing forward Priyanka Gandhi and Congress party.
FILE PHOTO: A video statement made by the former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn is shown on a screen during a news conference by his lawyers at Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish police detained seven people, including four pilots, on Thursday in an investigation into how ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn transited through Istanbul en route to Lebanon after fleeing Japan, a police spokeswoman told Reuters.

She said the other detainees were two airport ground workers and one cargo worker and all seven were expected to give statements before a court on Thursday.

Media reports said Turkey's interior ministry had begun an investigation into Ghosn's transit. The former Nissan <7201.T> boss revealed on Tuesday he had fled to Beirut to escape what he called a "rigged" justice system.

People familiar with the matter told Reuters that Ghosn, one of the world's best-known executives, had arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Istanbul on Monday.

Hurriyet news website, citing an interior ministry official, said Turkish border police were not notified about Ghosn's arrival, and neither his entry nor exit were registered.

A plane carrying Ghosn arrived at 5:30 am (0230 GMT) Monday at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Hurriyet reported, adding that prosecutors ordered the arrests after widening their investigation.

Flight tracking data from that time suggests that Ghosn used two different planes to fly into Istanbul and then on to Lebanon.

Japanese authorities allowed Ghosn to carry a spare French passport in a locked case while out on bail, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday, shedding some light on how he managed his escape to Lebanon.

The businessman, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, was smuggled out of Tokyo by a private security company days ago, the culmination of a plan that was crafted over three months, Reuters has reported.

Ghosn was first arrested in Tokyo in November 2018 and faces four charges, including hiding income and enriching himself through payments to car dealerships in the Middle East. He denies the charges.

(Additional reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Jane Merriman)
Lucknow, Jan 3 : Shias in Lucknow have called for protests and a condolence meeting on Saturday for Iranian commander, Gen Qasem Soleimani who was killed in pre- dawn American strike in Baghdad on Friday.

Prominent Shia cleric Kalbe Jawwad has condemned the killing of the Iranian commander. In a video message posted on social media, he said: "This is a cowardly act of the American forces... America will be defeated in its evil design and the oppressed will win eventually." The protest march has been planned from the Chhota Imambara in the old city here.

Soleimani, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, was killed in a Friday morning attack ordered by US President Donald Trump. The move that was met with harsh criticism from Tehran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei who has vowed "tough revenge" on Washington in response.

The IRGC said that Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the Hashd Shaabi or the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), were killed in a US air strike that targeted the vehicle they were travelling in on the Baghdad International Airport road.

Khamenei said that the "cruellest people on earth" assassinated the "honourable commander who courageously fought for years against the evils and bandits of the world", reported the Tehran-based Press TV.
Chicagoans can see the messages online and on billboards around the city: Dont consume cannabis if pregnant or breastfeeding  Dont drive while high  Daily cannabis use, particularly in high doses, can impair your memory and has been associated with an increased risk of psychosis.
Santiago: Chile's economic activity has dropped 3.3 per cent in November, led by a slump in mining activity, the central bank said on Thursday, local time, and officials predicted low growth for the coming year as the country reels from anti-government unrest.

Protests have rocked Chile, the world's top copper producer, for two months, leaving 26 dead and causing billions in losses for private businesses and public infrastructure. Demonstrations and sometimes violent riots and looting prompted the central bank in December to slash forecasts for growth, investment and demand through 2020.

A shopper holds her son as she buys fish at the Central Market, the main market of Santiago, Chile, on Thursday. Credit:AP

The IMACEC economic activity index reported on Thursday encompasses about 90 per cent of the economy that gross domestic product covers.

Finance Minister Ignacio Briones said the bad news was largely expected, but bode poorly for the coming months.
Manitobans will have much to celebrate and reflect on when the province marks its 150th anniversary in 2020. Theres probably no better way to do that than to learn more about how Manitoba became a province in 1870.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 2/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobans will have much to celebrate and reflect on when the province marks its 150th anniversary in 2020. Theres probably no better way to do that than to learn more about how Manitoba became a province in 1870.

Its a remarkable story, one many are probably not fully aware of, beyond the broad strokes of how the Metis  and their leader Louis Riel  negotiated Manitobas terms of entry into Confederation. It is one of the most important chapters in Canadian history, but its one that got lost in time for a period. Only in recent decades has it been resurrected, finding its way into the classroom curriculum and given the attention it deserves in history books.

The Metis, led by Louis Riel, negotiated Manitobas terms of entry into Confederation. (Manitoba Archives)

Still, it is not a well-known story. It is not celebrated the way it should be. Whats left of the original stone gates of Upper Fort Garry at the corner of Broadway and Main Street  where Riel and his provisional government established their headquarters  was nearly forgotten. It stood hidden for years behind a Petro Canada gas station. The area was finally turned into a provincial park in 2015.

Not even the halls of the Manitoba legislature  adorned with countless plaques and images of provincial history  include a description of the Red River Resistance and the events that led to the adoption of the Manitoba Act.

Meanwhile, Manitoba 150, the group coordinating this years celebratory events, makes no mention of Riel or the resistance on its website, or in any of the news releases it has issued to date.

Manitoba has a unique opportunity to change that this year. It could use the anniversary as a vehicle to tell the full story of the Red River Resistance  the struggles and fears that drove it and the hopes and dreams many had for a better life by joining Canada.

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Red River's Metis stood firm against Canada's presumptuous PM 150 years ago Click to Expand University of Manitoba archives Posted: 7:00 PM Dec. 13, 2019 As Manitoba gets set to mark its 150th anniversary in 2020, the Free Press turns back the clock and takes an in-depth look at the dramatic story of how a small community living on the banks of the Red and Assiniboine rivers stood up to the federal government and demanded a say in the terms of joining Canada. The Red River Resistance of 1869-70 is a story of courage and determination by a group of Manitoba Metis who challenged a colonial mindset in Ottawa and took up arms to protect their democratic, cultural and legal rights. It begins in October 1869 and culminates in the passage of the Manitoba Act by Parliament in May 1870  a constitutional amendment that still serves today as the legal framework for Manitobas place in Canada. The following is the first instalment of a three-part series that will follow the timeline of what unfolded in the Red River Settlement 150 years ago, and the events that led to Manitobas entry into Confederation. Read Full Story

Its a complex story. It began when the federal government negotiated the purchase of Ruperts Land from the Hudsons Bay Company in early 1869. Ottawas plan was to annex the territory unilaterally, without consulting local inhabitants. It was to be a Canadian territory governed by a lieutenant-governor and a federally appointed council, with provincial status coming later.

That plan backfired when the French Metis, using armed force, prevented lieutenant-governor designate William McDougall from entering the territory. In a brazen move, Riel and the Metis took Upper Fort Garry and instituted a form of martial law, all the while trying to find solidarity with their English-speaking Metis counterparts (and others living in what is now Winnipeg and the surrounding area) to negotiate with Ottawa. There were internal struggles, including infighting among the French Metis, armed standoffs, arbitrary imprisonments, and constant conflict between the Metis and Canadian "loyalists" living in Red River.

Surprisingly, there was very little bloodshed. The execution of Thomas Scott on March 4, 1870 by the provisional government was an exception.

In the end, the government of then-prime minister John A. Macdonald agreed to negotiate with a delegation of Red River settlers sent to Ottawa. Democratic, linguistic and land rights were won. Riels insistence on immediate provincial status was secured. The Manitoba Act received royal assent by Parliament on May 12, 1870.

There are many more stories within this story. The aftermath of Manitobas entry into Canada was messy and imperfect. But this is how Manitoba became a province. It was a victory for the democratic rights of future Manitobans. In 2020, Manitoba should celebrate that legacy.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday hit out at Congress for speaking against Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar for vote-bank and said that Congressmen should be ashamed of themselves.

"For vote-bank politics, Congress party is speaking against a great personality like Veer Savarkar. Congressmen should be ashamed of themselves," said Shah addressing a rally here.

Shah's remark comes after Ranjit Savarkar, grandson of Savarkar, alleged that Congress is plotting to defame his grandfather through the party booklet which claims that the Hindu Mahasabha co-founder had a "physical relationship" with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse.

Ranjit urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the Congress'booklet.

He also asserted that a criminal case should be registered against the Congress Seva Dal as it was during their camp that the booklet was distributed."Congress is plotting to defame Savarkar. The party is conspiring to spread anarchy in the country by making unwarranted accusations on the freedom fighter Savarkar. The government must take an action against the Congress Seva Dal and should register a criminal case against them," said Ranjit in a press release.Ranjit has sought action from the Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in this matter."A case should be registered under section 120, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Madhya Pradesh Government should ban the book," he added.The booklet titled 'Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?' was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal. Congress Seva Dal chief Lalji Desai said that the writer has written the booklet on the basis of evidence."Writer has written it on the basis of evidence. But that's not important for us whether he was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.The booklet also claimed that Savarkar encouraged his followers to rape women from minorities and pelted stones at mosques when he was 12 years old.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The assassination of Qassem Soleimani, the most famous Iranian general, in a US airstrike as he left Baghdad airport ensures an escalation in hostilities between the US and Iran. The most serious consequence is likely to be that the Iranian leadership will use the killings to pressure the Iraqi government to expel US forces from Iraq.

The Iranian government will not be the only ones looking to retaliate. Among those who died in the car in which Major-General Soleimani was travelling was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the head of the pro-Iranian paramilitary group Kataib Hezbollah, whose militants could well resume their assault on the US embassy in the Green Zone in Baghdad, where they staged a limited incursion earlier this week. Crucially, the Iraqi security forces stood aside, underlining the vulnerability of the American embassy and all US bases in Iraq, where 5,000 US troops are stationed.

The most likely Iranian reaction will be to step up its efforts to end the US military presence in Iraq, acting through the Iraqi government and the pro-Iranian paramilitary forces. The Iraqi leadership, which normally balances between Washington and Tehran, was already angry that the US had unilaterally attacked Kataib Hezbollah bases on Sunday, killing 25 of its fighters.
With a demand for a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 12,000 among others, hundreds of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) from across Karnataka held a massive protest here on Friday.

Clad in pink sarees, activities, who had descended on the city railway station from across the state, marched towards the Freedom Park here.

Their protest march had led to traffic chaos in the citys central business district area.

Their other demands include immediate release of payments as most of them have not been paid properly for the past 15 months; and also delinking of the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) portal from ASHA Soft, the Centres online payment system for ASHAs.

As ASHA workers began the protest, Health Minister B Sriramulu said he would discuss and try to resolve all their issues.

In a tweet, he said the government was ready to address all their issues and requested them to go back to their respective places.

Among the 10 demands of ASHA workers, we have already fulfilled seven of them; remaining demands will be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister. The government, after consideration, will take suitable decision, he said in another tweet.

Later, a team of Health Department officials visited the protest site and tried to negotiate.

With negotiations not yielding fruit, the protesters continued their demonstration at Freedom Park.

Hours later, the leaders of KarnatakaState Samyukta ASHA Workers Association, who had planned to stage a two-day day and night strike in Bengaluru and continue the strike indefinitely in their respective places till their demands are met, decided to go back on Friday itself, with city police not giving them permission.

Association leaders said they would start an indefinite strike from Saturday at their respective places by not providing service.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Iain Mansfield is Head of Innovation at Policy Exchange

ConservativeHome has consistently highlighted the surreal fact that, since 2010, Conservative governments have consistently chosen to appoint more Labour party members than Conservative party members to public roles. This is undoubtedly an oddity  and something that flies in the face of the behaviour of previous governments of all colours. But in truth, this is a matter that goes much wider than party politics.

Nine out of 10 public appointees have no declared political affiliation. But what is undoubtedly the case  as aptly demonstrated this week, when the Chief Executive of the Lake District chose to criticise the Park as being too white  is that whether the government in power has been New Labour, the Coalition or the Conservatives, those appointed are overwhelmingly drawn from a narrow segment of society whose worldview too often shares little with those of the ordinary citizens of Bolsover or Bishop Auckland.

This imbalance of views  a circumstance exposed in both 2016 and 2019 as having been drastically out of touch with the day-to-day concerns of the nation  should be a principal target for reform.

The deficit that the Right endures in certain areas of public policy making goes well beyond public appointments and, as I have previously argued on this site, remains one of Tony Blairs most substantive legacies. The Human Rights Acts commandment that ministers must consider the human rights implication of any Bill brought before Parliament; the manner in which Public Sector Equality Impact Assessments are carried out; the exclusion of the UKs national interest from the International Development Act; or the network of pseudo-independent (but state-funded) organisations and pressure groups that lobby almost exclusively for a particular kind of greater state intervention all provide a permanent pressure against the reforming instincts of government ministers.

In Policy Exchanges latest report, Whitehall Reimagined, written by myself and a former special adviser to three Chancellors, Warwick Lightfoot, we argue that the civil service requires significant reform if it is to rise to the challenges facing our society and maximise the opportunities of Brexit. Many of these should be uncontroversial: reducing turnover, strengthening digital skills, improving the use of evidence, increasing the use of specialists and explicitly setting out the supremacy of Parliament and domestic law. Yet the scale of the challenge can be hard to grasp for those unfamiliar with Whitehall.

In approximately a quarter of departments, a new minister will find four in 10 of their senior officials have been in post less than a year. In my own civil service career, I never spent more than two and a half years in a single role and served in five different departments within a decade  none of which is unusual for those who are promoted relatively rapidly.

Though fewer than one in five entrants to the prestigious fast-stream had a background in science, engineering or mathematics  and with numerical fluency and data interpretation being essential skills for any mid-level or senior civil servant  the civil service recently and inexplicably abolished the basic numeracy tests for the scheme.

The rigorous assessment boards on which promotion formerly depended have also largely been phased out. Indeed, in some departments it is forbidden  deemed akin to racial discrimination  to ask a job applicant about their educational qualifications, despite the fact that one might think that whether a candidate possessed a Masters in Data Analysis, Health Administration or Criminal Justice would be relevant information a recruiter might wish to consider for certain roles.

We firmly reject the calls for politicisation. Honesty, integrity, objectivity and impartiality must remain the bedrock of the civil service. But as the former Chair of Ofcom, Dame Patricia Hodgson, said in her foreword to the report, Whitehall needs more access to talent, streamlined processes and the confidence to work closely with outside experts and with political advisers able to provide improved support for Ministers, including junior ministers.

It is essential to strengthen the ability of ministers to deliver on the mandate on which they were elected. To do this we recommend strengthening the capability of No. 10, reviving the use of Extended Ministerial Offices which allow ministers to bring together experts committed to delivering for them and increased use of specialists, in particular practitioners with proven expertise in delivery. A more self-critical approach to evidence and the creation and systematic use of red teams  versatile experts whose job is to challenge existing dogma  would also help generate fresh policy ideas.

Procurement is one of the areas where we highlight there being the biggest need for change  and where Brexit provides some of the greatest opportunities to reshape processes to serve the national interest. In defence, an Office of Net Assessment reporting directly to the Defence Secretary  as first recommended by Policy Exchange  would ensure procurement decision are founded on evidence-based strategic analysis, unencumbered by institutional interests and old conventional wisdoms.

In civilian procurement, the bureaucratic and anti-commercial requirements of the Official Journal of the European Union should be abolished. And in all large-scale procurement, the creation of British jobs should be used as one criteria for evaluation, provided the supplier is capable of delivering cost effectively, to ensure that government spending supports job creation and regional regeneration across the UK.

On 31 January, the British people will take back control, bringing the destiny of the UK back into our own hands. Moving forward, whoever would have guessed that the unglamorous yet crucial subject of Whitehall reform would shoot to the top of the agenda? Adopting the recommendations of our report will lead to better decision making, streamlined processes and improved accountability, which will in turn drive improved policy making and better public services for the whole of the UK.
CAIRO  A Sudanese military plane crashed in the West Darfur region on Thursday evening, killing all 16 people onboard, including two children, the military said. A Sudanese employee of the World Food Program and his family were among the casualties.

Several officers were also among those killed when the plane went down in the restless region of West Darfur, which has recently experienced deadly ethnic clashes.

Abeer Etefa, the food programs spokeswoman for the Mideast and North Africa, said on Friday that one of the organizations Sudanese employees, who was onboard with his wife and two children, had been killed in the crash. The food program was withholding the staff members name and other details, pending notification of next of kin.

The plane, a Russian Antonov An-12, crashed five minutes after taking off from an airport in the town of Geneina, according to Brig. Gen. Amer Mohammed al-Hassan, who posted a statement late Thursday on the Sudanese armed forces official Facebook page.
Protesters and observers say uncertainty awaits Iraq as Iran vows to retaliate against US air strike.

Iraq is poised for a period of uncertainty as top Shia leaders warned of repercussions following the killing of top Iran general Qassem Soleimani by a United States air strike in Baghdad on Friday.

Iraqi protesters have also called on Tehran and Washington to take their battle elsewhere after Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and mastermind of its regional influence, was killed along with Iraqi paramilitary commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Iraq is bracing for some of the most difficult days, Baghdad-based analyst Jassim Moussavi told Al Jazeera.

We expect the announcement of war at any moment. If Iran decides to confront the US, Iraq will be the scene for that battle. Several Shia paramilitary forces have started to prepare themselves for ground zero.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed revenge on the criminals who killed Soleimani. Iraqs prominent Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr called on his militias (Army of Imam Mahdi) and other national and disciplined armed groups to be prepared to protect Iraq, adding that the killing of Soleimani will not weaken Iraqs resolve.

Qays al-Khazali, head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq armed faction, which is part of the Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces or PMF) in Iraq backed by Iran, said all fighters should be on high alert for upcoming battle and great victory.

An end to Israel-US presence in the region will result from the assassination of Soleimani and Muhandis, al-Khazali said in a statement published by Iraqi media.

Iraqs top Shia leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani condemned the US attack and called on all parties to practice restraint, his office said in a statement for the Friday sermon from the city of Karbala.

The vicious attack  is an insolent breach of Iraqi sovereignty and international agreements. It led to the killing of several commanders who defeated Islamic State terrorists, Sistanis office said.

These events and more indicate the country is heading towards very difficult times. We call on all concerned parties to behave with self-restraint and act wisely, he said.

Take your battle elsewhere

There were small celebrations by Iraqi protesters in Tahrir Square, the hub of the protest movement in the capital Baghdad, before the call for restraint was reiterated.

We condemn the spilling of Iraqi blood regardless of who is behind this attack, but we equally reject the struggle between Iran and US from taking place on Iraqi soil, 33-year-old protester Borhan told Al Jazeera.

There were small groups that started dancing after the announcement, but the majority of us have called for restraint in the face of these developments.





We will remain steadfast in the face of any challenges and continue to call for the change we want, away from these proxy wars.

Later on Friday, tens of university students gathered in Tahrir Square to renounce any foriegn intervention in Iraq.

We reject the idea of making Iraq the scene of a US-Iran war, 24-year-old student Haydar Farazdak told Al Jazeera.

The Hashd and the US can take their battle elsehwere, he added.

Thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets since early October to call for a complete overhaul of a political system they see as sectarian, corrupt and denying them their basic rights.

The protests movement has condemned armed groups and their Iranian patrons that support the government.

In November, embattled Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi stepped down due to the protests, but he remains in office in a caretaker capacity.

At least 470 people have been killed in the unrest, some which was driven by anger at Iranian influence in Iraq.

Although there were some scenes of celebration in Tahrir Square, the majority of protesters are very concerned about the implications of these developments, Renad Mansour, head of the Iraq Initiative at Londons Chatham House, told Al Jazeera.

This is a dangerous time for Iraq as it moves into a period of greater instability and uncertainty. Iraqi protesters have been chanting against Soleimani and Muhandis but they also reject any sort of US intervention.

This killing will lead to distract away from the protests as a focus on anti-American and ethno-sectarian politics take centre stage, Mansour added.

Iraqs muted response

Although Iraqs caretaker government, which has Irans backing, issued a muted response to the events, Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi said the killings on Friday were a dangerous escalation that will light the fuse of a destructive war in Iraq, the region, and the world.

The assassination of an Iraqi military commander who holds an official position is considered aggression on Iraq  and the liquidation of leading Iraqi figures or those from a brotherly country on Iraqi soil is a massive breach of sovereignty, he said before adding that the US strike violated the terms of the US military presence in Iraq.

Abdul Mahdi said that US troops were in Iraq to train Iraqi security forces and fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (the ISIS or ISIL group). Some officials and parliamentarians have already called for the expulsion of US troops from Iraq following the attack.

Chatham Houses Mansour said Iraq would witness changes in the coming days.

The Iraqi parliament will most likely ask US forces to leave Iraq, while the US may become antagonist vis-a-vis the Baghdad, explained Mansour.

Iraqs parliament has representation from Tehran-backed armed groups, including Iraqs PMF, a grouping of mostly Iran-backed Shia militias that is led by al-Muhandis and that helped security forces retake a third of Iraq from ISIL.

The groups troops were later incorporated into Iraqs official armed forces.
Moscow warned Friday that the US killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq would boost tensions across the Middle East.

"The killing of Soleimani.... was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region," news agencies RIA Novosti and TASS quoted the foreign ministry as saying.

"Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people."
Report of Oil and Gas corporation presented at Ministry of Economy

By Nika Gamtsemlidze

Annual Report of the Oil and Gas Corporation and presentation of future plans were held at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. The meeting was attended by Minister Natia Turnava, Deputy Minister Davit Tvalabeishvili and representatives of the corporation.According to the CEO of the corporation, Giorgi Bakhtadze, the corporation has been making a significant profit in the last few years.He also emphasized that J.P. Morgan issued a press release on June 11, 2019, following a visit to key issuers in Georgia, according to which the corporation was rated as the most reliable company, and the international rating company upgraded the corporation's long-term rating to BB on October 15 of that year and rated the outlook of the company as stable.During the presentation, it was noted that the Oil and Gas Corporation is a key instrument in ensuring the reliability of natural gas supply. In addition, the corporation is a representative of the Government of Georgia in major oil and gas transit projects and also has the status of a national oil company. The corporation is a state interest in product distribution agreements.According to Giorgi Bakhtadze, the corporation has fully financed the construction of Gardabani Thermal Power Station 2 in the east of Tbilisi. It is a 230 MW combined-cycle, state-of-the-art technology. The power plant will be fully operational by the beginning of 2020 and will supply Georgia's unified electricity system with electricity.Another priority direction of the corporation is the construction/rehabilitation of gas pipelines on the territory of Georgia and the gasification of those regions of the country where there has never been a gas supply, for example, one of the regions of Adjara. According to Giorgi Bakhtadze, only in 2019, the corporation had completed 97 km length of a gas pipeline.As for future projects, it is planned to start working on the Gardabani 3 combined cycle thermal power plant project in 2020. The plant will use new modification turbines, which will have higher efficiency than previously produced turbines, hence lower natural gas consumption per kWh.Also, in 2020, EPC (Design, Procurement, Construction) contractor is selected for an underground gas storage project. This project is also implemented by the Oil and Gas Corporation. The completion of gas pipeline construction is planned in 2024.At the end of the presentation, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, Natia Turnava, positively assessed the activities carried out by the Corporation in 2019. According to him, the country's energy security is also very important for the successful operation of the corporation.
The HFPA, as you probably know, divides most of its film awards into drama and comedy/musical divisions. When it came time to classify Quentin Tarantinos wistful ode to a lost past, Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood, HPFA members opted for comedy, even though they had put the filmmakers previous historical rewrites  Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained  in drama. To be fair, you may not equate the Manson family with comedy, but the Manson family filtered through the haze of an acid-soaked cigarette is another thing entirely.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 00:37:54|Editor: yan

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YAOUNDE, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Cameroonian police have arrested three people suspected of trafficking in human bones in the capital Yaounde, according to a press briefing on Friday.

Police presented the suspects and the human bones during a media briefing.

The traffickers were caught in a neighbourhood in Yaounde in possession of a bag containing human bones reportedly deterred from graveyards in the city.

According to police, the human bones were meant to be sold for the sum of 15 million CFA francs (about 25,553 U.S. dollars).

Body parts of humans and rare animals are prized by some in central Africa for their supposed supernatural powers, and used in occult ceremonies.

Traffickers often get human remains from grave-robbers, but a recent spate of killings has also been linked to the gruesome trade.
Samsung Electronics has announced a new laptop in the Galaxy Book series with a QLED panel.

A couple of months ago, Samsung Electronics announced two new Thin and Light laptop models in the US, namely, the Galaxy Book Ion and Galaxy Book Flex. The latter model is now being joined by what appears to be a cheaper cousin called the Galaxy Book Flex Alpha. With no word on availability in India, Samsungs press release says the Galaxy Book Flex Alpha will go on sale in the US with Intels 10th Gen Core series CPUs in the first half of 2020 at a starting price of $829.99, which translates to about Rs 60,000.

A quick look at the devices spec sheet reveals that the Galaxy Book Flex Alpha is undoubtedly a Thin and Light Convertible laptop. Weighing in at 1.19 kilogrammes, the laptop is no thicker than 13.9 millimetres. It comes with a 13.3-inch QLED display with Full HD resolution. The display can be pushed all the way back into tablet mode. Powering the laptop is one of Intels 10th Gen Core series CPUs along with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM. Internal storage goes all the way from 256GB to 1TB on a PCIe NVMe solid-state drive. Sadly, theres no discrete graphics option on board.

The Samsung Galaxy Book Flex Alpha features Wi-Fi 6, fingerprint authentication, stereo speakers, and support for the Samsung Active Pen stylus, which is unfortunately not bundled with device. The Galaxy Book Flex Alpha employs an aluminium construction and a 54Wh integrated battery, which Samsung claims is good for up to 17.5 hours of unplugged use. The battery supports fast charging and comes with a number of connectivity options, including USB-C, USB-A 3.0, and HDMI. Theres also a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD card slot on offer.

According to Samsung, the display on the Galaxy Book Flex Alpha delivers up to 600 nits of brightness and a 100-per cent colour coverage, though it hasnt mentioned on which colour space. Its hard to say whether the Samsung Book Flex Alpha will be launched in India at all, given the fact that Samsung has never been too keen on selling PCs in India. If youre looking for alternatives to this one, consider the recently launched Lenovo IdeaPad C340( 57990 at amazon). It starts at Rs 46,190 and goes all the way up to Rs 89,490. You can read our review of it here.
The killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a US strike at Baghdad's international airport and Tehran's vow of revenge in response on Friday morning caused Twitterati, nervous about the possible outbreak of conflict between Washington and Tehran culminating in World War III, to do what they do best: post memes, pictures and videos on social media and get #WWIII trending.

The killing of top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani in a US strike at Baghdad's international airport and Tehran's vow of harsh retaliation in response on Friday morning caused Twitterati, nervous about the possible outbreak of conflict between Washington and Tehran culminating in World War III, to do what they do best: post memes, pictures and videos on social media and get #WWIII trending.

Some lamented the poor start to the new year:

January 1st 2020: This is gonna be my year! Positive vibes! January 3rd 2020: World War III, Russia and China, US and Iran and ISIS are all trending on Twitter Me: pic.twitter.com/yg5R695hIs  Kane (@bigyikesdawg) January 3, 2020

#WWIII 2020 is gonna World War 3 is be my year is trending on the 3rd Day pic.twitter.com/3Z5G4xd1WG  Mohammed El-tayeb (@moeltayeb11) January 3, 2020

Some jested about avoiding or refusing the draft:

Me meeting my homies in prison after we all refused the draft for WWIII pic.twitter.com/VmV2gbbgT2   (@PlayoffNugs) January 3, 2020

When the army said they enrolled you to fight for #WWIII pic.twitter.com/qodH2z5xo6  Hamzah (@Real_Hamzah) January 3, 2020

Others speculated, tongue in cheek, how Germany, the major power responsible for World War II, must be feeling:

Many mocked themselves and their response to the trend:

Laughing at all the #WWIII memes and then realising it could actually happen pic.twitter.com/NE9nHFrl9s  Cian (@LacaDrip) January 3, 2020

Me laughing at WWIII tweets vs me realizing it might actually happen #WWIII #wwlll pic.twitter.com/AZ6LKXpLy7  Dana (@thornedredrose) January 3, 2020

Some wondered if this was Trump's way of getting revenge for his impeachment:

Trump getting impeached but making sure we all go down with him in World War III pic.twitter.com/G3Euy5SQKG  Ryan (@thouartvandelay) January 3, 2020

And many, including this NYT reporter, remembered what Trump, then a private citizen in 2011, tweeted about his predecessor:
Ameya Dalvi

Smart TVs have become cheaper than mid-range smartphones these days. And just like phones, one doesnt need an occasion to buy them. All you need is a good deal.

As always, there are tons of models to choose from in various sizes and budgets. Time for us to simplify things and share with you the best options currently available under Rs 15,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000.

Best 32-inch Smart TV deals under Rs 15,000

A 32-inch TV is ideally suited for one with a budget less than Rs 15,000 and a viewing distance (distance between the viewer and the TV) of 6 to 8 feet. Most 32-inch TVs have a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels which is decent enough for that screen size.

You do get a lot of Android-based TVs in this budget, but this time we have opted for models based on four different platforms. All of them are compliant with popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar etc.

We start with a certified Android TV from the old Japanese brand, Sanyo (now owned by Panasonic) that boasts of an IPS panel and the latest Android Pie OS for TV. You also get 20 Watts (RMS) sound output, 2x HDMI ports, 2x USB ports and other standard connectivity options. The Sanyo Kaizen XT-32A170H has a voice-enabled remote and Chromecast built-in. At its current selling price, this TV has almost all the bases covered and you easily get your moneys worth.

The latest launch from Onida is quite an interesting one, and something I was hoping to see for a long time. As the name suggests, the Fire TV Edition TVs run Amazons Fire OS, the one that you get on their Fire TV Stick. Simply put, you get a TV with an integrated Fire TV Stick under 13K, and thats a sweet deal. This TV too has an IPS panel and comes with 3x HDMI ports, 1 USB port and 16 Watts (RMS) sound output. You get a voice-enabled remote with Alexa that looks quite similar to a famous remote but with a few more useful buttons and hotkeys.

Another 32-inch TV with an IPS panel, but this time from a more premium brand, LG. This is not an Android TV and instead, runs Web OS that has apps for most of the major online streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video and now, Hotstar too. You get a couple of HDMI ports and a solitary USB port to plug in more devices along with 10W RMS sound output.

If LG is plying its trade in this budget, Samsung doesnt want to be left behind either. And you have this Series 4 offering based on Tizen OS that supports all major streaming services and has a decent repository of apps. The TV also comes with Microsoft Office 365 that lets you do a bit of work on it. Just like the LG, you get a couple of HDMI ports, one USB port and 10W RMS sound output.

The Sanyo TV above lets you cast content on the TV from compatible apps. The other three do not have Chromecast but let you mirror content from your phone or tablet.

Best 40-inch Smart TV deals under Rs 20,000

Now we move on to slightly larger rooms with a viewing distance of 8 to 10 feet. 40 to 43-inch screens are ideal for that distance. While most 40-inch TVs have a Full HD panel, 43-inch TVs are available in Full HD and 4K resolution both. On a 43-inch screen, 4K resolution doesnt make a world of difference, but if you can get a higher resolution display without paying a big premium, then why not!

This is a 40-inch certified Android TV from VUs Ultra Android series. Despite the word Ultra in the name, you get a Full HD panel here, but the picture quality is quite impressive for the price with natural colours and good contrast. Add to that, fast boot times, quick resume from standby feature and apps for all major streaming services. It also has Chromecast built-in along with a couple of HDMI and USB ports each and 24 Watts RMS sound output thats actually pretty good. You just have to make do with an IR remote instead of one with Bluetooth.

The 43-inch variant of this TV (VU 43GA review), sells for just Rs 2,000 more and wouldnt be a bad option if you have the space for a slightly larger screen. The feature set is exactly the same.

Another 40-inch certified Android TV, this time from Xiaomi, that sells for an equally attractive price and is in stock (at the time of writing). You get a Full HD panel with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. Unlike older Xiaomi TVs, there is support for all major streaming services, including Netflix and Prime Video, right out of the box. Like all certified Android TVs, this too has Chromecast built-in. It has 3x HDMI and 2x USB ports and 20 Watts RMS sound output. For some reason, Xiaomi doesnt like to have a mute button on the remote, and you will have to bear with it. Not a total deal-breaker though.

Best 43-inch Smart TV deals under Rs 25,000

The TCL sub-brand has given every competitor a run for their money, courtesy of their feature-rich certified Android Smart TVs that are aggressively priced. The iFFALCON 43K31 is no different. For a little over 20K, you get a 43-inch TV with a 4K panel (resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels) and support for 1.07 billion colours. You also get a voice-enabled remote control, 3x HDMI, 2x USB ports along with other popular audio/video ports and support for all major streaming services. It also supports AI picture adjustment, micro dimming and of course, theres Chromecast too. It is powered by a quad-core processor with 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB internal storage and runs Android Pie OS for TV.

The iFFALCON model has most of the bases covered but this Thomson TV offers a few extras. This certified Android TV has a 43-inch 4K IPS panel that produces sharp colours and good contrast. Here too you get a voice-enabled remote control, Chromecast, 3x HDMI, 2x USB ports, other audio/video connectors and support for all major streaming services.

At its heart is a quad-core processor with a generous 2.5 GB of RAM and 16 GB internal storage. If you are looking for better sound output, this is a good option for you as the TV has a built-in soundbar rated at 30 W RMS that does a better job than most TVs in this budget.

The Onida Fire TV listed above also has a 43-inch variant, which we believe is an even better deal, courtesy of a larger IPS screen and a higher Full HD resolution. Rest of the features are pretty much the same with the Fire TV OS at its crux, along with 3x HDMI ports and a USB port for connectivity among others. You often get Rs 2,000 cashback in your Amazon Pay wallet with this TV but do verify if the offer is still available at the time of purchase. Watch out for the detailed review of this TV soon.
New petition asks judge to force Board of Equalization to fix Jackson County property taxes JACKSON COUNTY, MO (KCTV) - A new petition argues Jackson County's recent property tax assessment is discriminatory and deeply flawed and asks a judge to step in and compel the Board of Equalization to offer countywide relief. The new petition includes new data and describes the mess homeowners have faced throughout the process.

Better deets and reporting on this hot mess than anywhere else . . . Here's the a look the latest legal challenge to a process that many claim didn't follow Missouri guidelines. Read more:
Both China and Russia on Friday urged all sides to cease further escalation after an Iranian military general was killed by the United States.

Qassem Soleimani, a major-general and head of dreaded Quds Force under Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed near Baghdad International Airport in Iraq on January 2. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, also called Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in Iraq, was also killed in the strike.

The U.S. military headquarters confirmed President Donald Trump ordered the killing in apparent retaliation over a pro-Iran mob attack at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad last week.

Mr Soleimani was seen as the brain behind Irans covert operations across the Middle-East.

China has always opposed the use of force in international relations, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Friday according to Agence France-Press. We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions.

Italian RIA news agency said Russian foreign ministry warned that Mr Soleimanis death could force the situation to spiral out of control, but also urged restraint amongst all parties.

Both Russia and China are members of the United Nations Security Council. Oil markets opened higher on Friday following the development.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed to take severe revenge over the U.S. action, mourning Mr Soleimani as a martyr who was barbarically assassinated by Americans.

In the U.S., Mr Trumps action has sharply divided the American legislature, with Democrats slapping the president for his unilateral decision while Republicans hailed him for doing what was necessary to protect American lives and interests.

Nancy Pelosi. [PHOTO CREDIT: Washington Post]

American leaders highest priority is to protect American lives and interests, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. But we cannot put the lives of American service members, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions. Tonights airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence.

Chris Murphy, a Democrat senator, said on Twitter that Mr Trumps action was too grievous to be carried out without legislative approval.

Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question. The question is this  as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?  Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 3, 2020

Marco Rubio, a Republican senator, tweeted Friday morning that Mr Trump had exercised admirable restraint while setting clear red lines & the consequences for crossing them.

Marco Rubio, a Republican senator. [PHOTO CREDIT: Wikipedia]

He said the Iranians are entirely to blame for bringing about the dangerous moment now before us.

Lindsey Graham, another Republican senator. [PHOTO CREDIT: Time.com]

Lindsey Graham, another Republican senator, thanked Mr Trump for his action in a chain of tweets, warning Iranians that there would be further actions, including those that might be targeted at Irans oil facilities, if the regime failed to cease provocative tactics.

Wow  the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically. Major blow to Iranian regime that has American blood on its hands. Soleimani was one of the most ruthless and vicious members of the Ayatollah's regime. He had American blood on his hands.  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 3, 2020

As uncertainty rages over Mr Soleimanis death, the U.S. government has ordered evacuation of all its citizens from Iraq in order to properly assess the situation.

Widespread protests are expected to break out across the region after Fridays Jumaat prayers.


By Gwynne Dyer





The row started when Russian President Vladimir Putin was asked about the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939 during his annual press conference Dec. 19, and gave a deliberately evasive answer.



Or maybe it started in September, when the European Union's parliament passed a resolution describing World War II as "an immediate result" of the Nazi-Soviet deal. That was done to placate the Polish government, which wants to remind everybody that both the Germans and the Russians invaded Poland in 1939.



However, that infuriated the Russians, whose 20th-century history holds little that they can be proud of apart from their victory over Nazi Germany in 1941-45, after Hitler broke the pact and invaded the Soviet Union. Yet here was the European Parliament effectively saying that it was their own stupid fault for making an alliance with Hitler.



Russian propaganda output since then has tried very hard to blur what actually happened in 1939  and then last Monday Georgette Mosbacher, the U.S. ambassador to Poland, entered the fray, sending out a tweet that said: "Dear President Putin, Hitler and Stalin colluded to start WWII." Even the Poles haven't been that crude: She might as well have poked Putin with a stick.



Mosbacher holds an undergraduate degree in education from Indiana University and had a distinguished career in the cosmetics industry, so she clearly knows what she's talking about, but the United States does not really have much standing in this argument. It didn't start fighting Hitler until more than two years later, after it was dragged into the war by the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor.



Anyway, she said it. Was she right? I used to be a professional historian until I discovered that journalists have more fun and make more money, so here's my best estimate.



Nobody actually "wanted" WWII: It was only 20 years since the WWI ended, and memories were too fresh. But Hitler wanted certain territories, he was willing to fight some small wars to get them, and he was a gambler, big on bluff. He probably did intend to attack the Soviet Union too, in the end  but only later.



Putin makes much of the British and French decision to give Germany the German-populated border regions of Czechoslovakia in the Munich agreement of 1938. This allegedly showed Stalin that they would only appease Hitler, not fight him. And that, says Putin, is why Stalin made a deal with Hitler.



This is nonsense: The dates don't work. The Munich agreement was one last try by Britain and France to satisfy Hitler's more-or-less reasonable demands by letting him have German-majority territories that had been given to other countries at the end of WWI. But the British did not believe that Hitler was actually reasonable.



Britain, under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, had actually started high-speed rearmament in early 1938: British weapons production doubled in 1938, and again in 1939. And when Hitler started talking about seizing part of Poland in 1939, Britain and France both said specifically that they would go to war to stop him.



Stalin knew perfectly well that Britain and France were ready to fight Hitler in 1939: There were actually British and French diplomats in Moscow trying to negotiate an anti-Nazi alliance that August. He simply got a better offer from Hitler: Germany would invade Poland, but give Stalin the eastern half  and throw in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia for free.



So the Nazi-Soviet Pact was signed in Moscow on Aug. 23, 1939, and Hitler invaded Poland on Sept. 1.



Britain and France declared war on Germany, as they had promised, but they couldn't save Poland. The Soviet Union invaded Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania at once, but waited two weeks, until the Germans had destroyed the Polish army, before occupying its half of Poland. And all those territories remained part of the Soviet Union until it finally collapsed 50 years later, in 1989.



That's what actually happened. Stalin was a complete idiot to trust Hitler, but went on supplying Germany with oil and various other scarce goods until the day before Germany invaded Russia in June 1941. It's not a story that reflects well on Russia, so it's no wonder that Putin keeps trying to change the narrative.



You can see why the Poles want to keep the story straight, too. But Putin is not Stalin, and Stalin was not planning to conquer the world, just trying to recover territories that Russia had lost at the end of WWI. In fact, nobody was planning to "conquer the world," or even to start a second world war. They just miscalculated, as usual.





Gwynne Dyer (gwynne763121476@aol.com) has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, broadcaster and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. He is the author of "Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work)."




A body has been found at a WA beach during the search for a scuba diver who was reported missing on New Year's Day.

Dean Gellatly, 41, was believed to be diving in an area off St Georges Beach at Geraldton, in the state's Mid West region, when he failed to return home.

A sea and land search was launched, including the use of a spotter plane, and on Friday morning a body was found on the beach.

A police spokesman told AAP the body was yet to be formally identified but Mr Gellatly's family had been notified about the development.
BURLINGTON, Vt. - A Vermont judge has ruled that a man charged with killing his wife with a meat cleaver is not competent to stand trial.

The legal filing this week agreed with an evaluation by a court-appointed doctor that Aita Gurung cannot stand trial, for now, for the 2017 killing of his wife.

The court finds that while Mr. Gurung (barely) has sufficient present ability to consult with his attorneys, he lacks either factual or rational understanding of the proceedings against him, due to his mental illness, according to the ruling by Vermont Superior Court Judge Samuel Hoar Jr. Thus, he is presently not competent to stand trial.

Gurungs defence attorney Sandra Lee said Friday that she would argue at a hearing later this month that her client should be hospitalized. Lee said Gurung suffered from what she describes as severe psychotic disorder.

I am relieved because I do feel a just result occurred with regard to where he needs to be because this now is an avenue for us to argue this man needs to be put back in the hospital, Lee said. He is currently jailed.

Lee said Gurungs condition improved during earlier hospitalizations, and its possible he could become competent to stand trial at some point in the future.

Police allege that in October 2017 Gurung attacked and killed his wife, Yogeswari Khadka, 32, in Burlington and injured his mother-in-law hours after he had sought mental health treatment at a local hospital.

Earlier this year, Chittenden County States Attorney Sarah George announced she was dropping the charges against Gurung because he was not competent to stand trial.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott asked Attorney General T.J. Donovan to review the case. In September, the attorney generals office filed first degree murder charges against Gurung, and he was transferred from a psychiatric facility to prison.

Donovan told MyNBC5 that competence should be determined by a jury.

This was a horrific act of domestic violence, where she was murdered in the streets of Burlington, he said. I believe Vermonters, through a jury system, deserve to hear that evidence and make the final decision.
Tributes continue to pour in for RTE broadcaster Marian Finucane, who died suddenly yesterday at the age of 69.

Ms Finucane died at her home. It is believed she passed away in her sleep.

Books of condolence have opened at RTE and Kildare County Council offices in Naas for those wishing to pay tribute.

Miriam OCallaghan described her as a "trailblazer".

"She was the most wonderful broadcaster, her importance cannot be overestimated, she was a trailblazer," she said.

A book of condolence for Marian Finucane at RTE radio centre today. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos

"Her interview with Nuala O Faolain was the best I have ever heard. She was a brilliant journalist but was not interested in the celebrity side, she shied away from it."

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said his abiding memory of Marian Finucane was of her studio desk covered in newspapers. He wondered how order could come from something that looked so chaotic, but it always did.

"She had a deep fluency, a great work ethic and a professional attitude," he told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

She reminded me of how much we have changed as a country.

Former president Mary Robinson told RTE radios Morning Ireland that Marian Finucane had an empathy and commanding tone and the questions she asked were astute and very honest.

She had an amazing capacity to draw people out. Its a skill to be a great listener.

Ms Robinson said that the Women Today programme had spoken out on issues for the first time which had been a very courageous thing to do, such as the story when Ms Finucane accompanied an Irish woman who went to the UK to have an abortion.

That was something people didnt want to listen to.

Her interview with Nuala O Faolin had been very significant and must have helped a lot of people, she said. Nobody else could have done that interview.

She was important because she was a trailblazer, she was honest. She always moved agendas, she just went on blazing that trail, she wasnt afraid of Church or State.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told Newstalk Breakfast that the Marian Finucane programme was a programme you would go on because you felt you got a good opportunity to state your case.

You always felt you would be allowed to develop your point, you could tease things out to the listening audience. You would be allowed to answer.

In difficult times, the programme to go on was Marians. She had that calm voice. You could clearly see that she was following an issue all week, she had a deep knowledge of issues, she sounded all relaxed, but she was tremendously detailed."

Broadcaster Joe Duffy paid tribute to Marian Finucane highlighting her empathy, her voice, her sympathy, the trust people had in her.

He told Newstalk Breakfast that he did not know her party politics because she asked the questions so that listeners could form their own opinion.

She was a very fair broadcaster who inspired incredible loyalty in her producers who moved programmes with her.

People felt they would get a fair hearing from her. People had an instinctive trust in her voice. Her anger, her emotions were real, her disdain was real when it came.

The Chairwoman of RTE, Moya Doherty described the death of Marian Finucane as shocking and truly sad.

Speaking on RTE radios Morning Ireland Ms Doherty paid tribute to the late broadcaster and said it was important to recognise her control and her ability to reinvent herself.

She could properly keep emotions out of it to reveal profound insights. Marians talent was unique. Over her decades in broadcasting she held up a mirror to ourselves.

Today is the day to celebrate that talent.

RTEs head of radio, Tom McGuire told the Today with Sean ORourke show that he learned of the death of Marian Finucane when he phoned her mobile phone and her husband answered and told him that she had died in her sleep.

The broadcaster had been totally unflappable because of her belief in her team. She was brilliant with her programme teams, there was a great level of trust. She loved a really good brief.

One of the first producers of the Women Today programme, Betty Purcell, who is a close friend of Marian Finucane, said that the late broadcaster had a steely side and she knew the importance of the womens movement.

She wasnt an idealist, but she was committed and brave and strong. She was courageous as well as skilled. We always felt she had our back.

She could see into peoples hearts and get the best of them.

Ms Purcell said that everything Ms Finucane put her hand to, she did so with more than competency, she did brilliantly.

She was not at all intimidated.

She was a good human being and a committed human being.

Former colleague of Marian Finucane, Doireann Ni Bhriain said that the late broadcaster was equipped to handle every story.

She had an incredible brain, a huge curiosity. She could connect with people. She didnt have a broadcasting ego, she was very private and wasnt interested in celebrity culture.

Ms Ni Bhriain spoke of the letters the ground breaking show Women Today had received many of which were highly critical. Im so glad that Twitter was not around then. People couldnt cope with this honesty.

Charity chief executive Niall Mellon has said that the charitable foundation set up by Marian Finucane and her husband has provided meals to over two million children over the past 18 years.

Their charity, based in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa was set up to care for orphans and children in need following the death of the couples daughter.

Marian and John became my heroes in how they managed their pain to help other children, he told RTE radios News at One.

She was a very private person, for Marian and John their journey in South Africa was very personal and private for them.

Mr Mellon said that when one walked into a studio to be interviewed by Ms Finucane you knew she wouldnt hold back, but that you would get a fair hearing.

She had a lot left to give. Her time wasnt finished.

Ms Finucane had only recently returned from a holiday in India and had been due to return to her Saturday morning radio programme.

Latest figures for her show - which showed consistent audience increases throughout the year - were 343,000 for Saturday and 290,000 for Sunday.

No arrangements have been finalised about her funeral but they are expected to be delayed to allow for her son Jack to return from India.

Tonight's Late Late Show is expected to feature a tribute to Ms Finucane while The Marian Finucane Show will be presented by Rachael English on Saturday morning.

The two-hour programme will feature tributes from Ireland and around the world from colleagues and friends who will be reflecting upon some of her best moments in broadcasting. Brendan O'Connor will present the show on Sunday morning.

She is survived by her husband John and son Jack.

Additional reporting by Digital Desk
Trump ordered killing of Iranian General Soleimani: Pentagon





Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), have been killed in US airstrikes in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.









The IRGC announced in a statement on Friday morning that Major General Soleimani and al-Muhandis were martyred in the attack carried out by US helicopters.





The Iraqi pro-government group also confirmed the incident.





"The deputy head of the Hashed, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road," it a statement on Friday.





"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a PMU spokesman.





The group had earlier said that its public relations director Mohammed Reza al-Jaberi and four other members of the group were also killed after three Katyusha rockets struck a military base next to Baghdad International Airport in the Iraqi capital.





The media bureau of the voluntary forces  better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Shabai  described the early Friday morning attack as a "cowardly US bombing.





The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles and injuring several people, the Iraqi Interior Ministry's Security Media Cell said in an earlier statement.





Shortly after the attack, US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the strikes were carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad. The officials declined to give any further details.





Meanwhile, security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that eight people were killed in the attack.





The development came as the United States military said on Sunday it had carried out strikes in western Iraq against Kataib Hezbollah group, which is part of the pro-government Popular Mobilization Units  better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Shaabi.





Iraqi security sources said at least 25 fighters were killed and at least 55 wounded following the air attacks.





Senior Iraqi officials also condemned the US attack against the Kataib Hezbollah's positions as a "violation of Iraqi sovereignty".





Caretaker Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called the move a dangerous escalation that threatens the security of Iraq and the region in a statement on Sunday,





Abdul Mahdi said US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper had called him about half an hour before the US raids to tell him of the US intentions to hit Kataib Hezbollah's bases. He said he asked Esper to call off US plans.





Iraqi caretaker President Barham Salih also condemned the attack.





The US raids drew a wave of condemnation from officials and movements across the region, and triggered furious public protests outside the US embassy in Baghdad.





The Pentagon said the bombings were in response to attacks targeting American forces near the oil-rich northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk last week, which reportedly killed a US civilian contractor and injured four US service members, as well as two members of the Iraqi security forces. The US accused Kataib Hezbollah group of the attack.





( Agencies)
This was probably not the triumphant reaction President Donald Trump was expecting when he turned on his favorite show the morning after he ordered a deadly drone strike on Irans top military commander.

Appearing on Friday mornings Fox & Friends, the networks correspondent-at-large Geraldo Rivera shocked the shows hosts by angrily railing against Trumps decision to assassinate Qassem Soleimani. Rivera warned that while Trump may have taken out the queen bee with his drone strike, hes now made the entire hive very angry. It was a statement that made his Fox colleagues explode in rage.

We have been fighting bees, Rivera explained. The bees have been swarming all over us... They attacked our bases, they took out the contractor, they took out a bunch of other people, they killed a lot of people over the years. What we have done is killed the queen bee. The hive is now busted open. I fear the worst. I think that what we have done is unleash the bees, to keep that metaphor going.

U.S. Strike Kills Irans Most Important Military Commander

Riveras metaphor went down badly with the Fox & Friends hosts. In response, Brian Kilmeade parroted Secretary of State Mike Pompeos claim from Friday morning that the strike was ordered to disrupt an unspecified imminent attack, which Pompeo claimed had been uncovered by U.S. intelligence and was being orchestrated by Soleimani.

Rivera responded sarcastically, Yeah, the U.S. intelligence has been excellent since 2003 when we invaded Iraq, disrupted the entire region, for no real reason. Turning to Kilmeade, Rivera added, Dont for a minute start cheering this on. You, like Lindsey Graham, have never met a war you didnt like.

Kilmeade snapped back, That is not true. Do not even say that. The host added that he certainly will cheer on Soleimanis death.

But the argument only spiraled from there. Kilmeade went on to accuse Rivera of making excuses for Irana comment which sparked Rivera to slam his desk and shout: DAMN IT! Im not making excuses for them! Thats absolute baloney!

Story continues

Your arrogance is exactly whats wrong with the region, Rivera shouted at Kilmeade. Youre not a frontline fighter that has to go back into Iraq again. You want Americans back in Iraq. I was there when they were getting killed, five, six, seven a day... This is a fraught decision that will have implications far beyond the celebratory moment of taking out the terrorist.

As the segment drew to a close, Rivera tried to patch up the rift, saying, slightly unconvincingly, I love you, you know I do, even Brian, sometimes I hold my nose but I love the guy. Hes so... brilliant.

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Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani (C) attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 18, 2016. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP

Soleimani Killing Changes US-Middle East Dynamics: Experts

The killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, by the United States on Jan. 2 is an escalation of proxy war in the Middle East and an indication of a stricter stance against Iran, according to regional and national experts.

From now on, Washington will deal with Tehrans malice with kinetic action, Sam Bazzi, a Middle East Asia analyst and founder of the (the web-based) Islamic Counterterrorism Institute and Hezbollah Watch, told The Epoch Times.

This could lead to the U.S. obliterating all hostile sectarian militias in Iraq and destroying Tehrans land-bridge to the Mediterranean, said U.S.-based Bazzi, explaining how the developments will have long term impact on the U.S.-Iran relationship.

In a statement on Jan. 2, the Pentagon said that Soleimani was killed at the direction of President Donald Trump to protect American citizens abroad.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, said the Pentagon.

Joseph A. Kechichian, a senior fellow at the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, told The Epoch Times that Soleimani was a target for some time and his death doesnt come as a surprise, although it has changed the dynamics of hostile relationships in the region.

Although the Soleimani kill is a game-changer, it is part of the Low-Intensity Conflict underway between the United States and Iran, and which I mentioned earlier. The man was a target for some time now and his [killing] is not a surprise. There will probably be retaliation in Iraq and Lebanon, said Kechichian.

Manjari Singh, a fellow with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, told The Epoch Times that the situation is most likely to escalate into a full-blown proxy war between the United States and Iran.

Elimination of such a powerful man will result in Iran not keeping quiet. Well, it might not go for an all-out war with the U.S., but asymmetric Warfare from the Iranian side cannot be ruled out, said New Delhi-based Singh.

A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early on Jan. 2, 2020. (HO, Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office, via AP)

Why the US Killed Khameneis Right Hand

Experts told The Epoch Times that Soleimani was not just an ordinary leader, but had a wider influence over military and political affairs in the Middle East.

Bazzi, who is of Lebanese origin, said Soleimanis death will intensify the animosity between the United States and the Iranian regime and its many proxies.

It is very likely that Tehran will retaliate in a very bold way. Soleimani was Khameneis right-hand man in the region, he said.

Singh said Soleimani was not just a military commander but also a major actor in the Iranian forces and his death could bring the anti-America factions in Iran and Iraq closer to each other.

One can also maybe see the involvement of more international players in the region. Iran definitely will try to align with its friends outside, said Singh.

She explained that Soleimani was involved in major Iranian operations since 2003 and was responsible for many killings.

He oversaw Shia militia operations against Americas which claimed many American lives following the U.S. invasion of Iraq, said Singh, adding that one never knows if this operation was a response to the killing of a U.S. Defense contractor on Dec. 27 or the Aramco attacks of Sep. 14.

Maybe all this while the U.S. was gathering intelligence against Iran and when the time was ripe conducted these strikes, she said.

However, the aftermath of the strikes, according to her, also calls for more protection for strategic assets of American allies in the region.

Its probable that Iran will retaliate in an asymmetric form wherein it will try to block the major U.S. supplies in the region and will try to weaken Americas allies, she said.

Bazzi explained that the Iranian retaliation arises from the fact that it is a big loss for the Iranian regime and itll be difficult to replace him. He elaborated on Soleimanis Hezbollah links and explained how the recent attack by Kataib Hezbollah on an Iraqi military base was linked to Soleimani.

According to Bazzi, Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed Shia militia with clear and recognizable links to the Iranian regime and reports to the Iranian leadership. Kataib Hezbollah is an Iraqi Shia paramilitary force backed by Iran and actively operated in the Iraqi and Syrian civil wars.

Their common leader was Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC-Quds Force. They all answered to him. Soleimani reported directly to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, said Bazzi.

In its statement, Pentagon confirmed Soleimanis involvement in attacks on coalition bases in Iraq in the last several months, including the attack on Dec. 27.

General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, according to the Pentagon.

Members the Hashed al-Shaabi, a terrorist group trained and armed by Iran, smash the bullet-proof glass of the U.S. embassys windows in Baghdad with blocks of cement after breaching the outer wall of the diplomatic mission on Dec. 31, 2019. (Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images)

Killing of the Founder of Kataib Hezbollah

The strikes near Baghdad International Airport that happened early Friday morning local time also killed six other Iraqi militia members and senior officials, including 65-year-old Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the founder of Kataib Hezbollah and Muhammad Reza Al-Jabri, the director of public relations at the PMF.

Al-Muhandis was the founder of Kataib Hezbollah, the terrorist group that attacked an Iraqi military base on Dec. 27, and the deputy commander of Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iraqi state-sponsored militia organization. He worked under Soleimanis direction and was also the deputy national security adviser of Iraq, according to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper.

Al-Muhandis was responsible for attacks against the U.S. and French embassies in Kuwait and was sentenced to death in absentia in a court in Kuwait.

Militia belonging to al-Muhandis stormed the embassy of the United States on Dec. 31 in retaliation for the airstrikes on Kataib Hezbollah bases.

Al-Muhandis operated weapons smuggling networks and participated in bombings of Western embassies and attempted assassinations in the region, according to TRT World, an Istanbul based media.

Bazzi said the U.S. is upending Irans regimes role in Iraq and trimming Khameneis wings by these eliminations and arrests. He explained how the Khomeinist organizations operate and why Soleimanis death is a direct hit at Khameneis power.

Although Soleimani carried tremendous political weight and influence, the true source of his power is Khamenei. Regional Khomeinist organizations are developed on the basis of absolute loyalty to the Supreme Leader, and therefore, whomever Khamenei appoints as a Quds Force commander will be readily obeyed by his subordinates, said Bazzi.

Multiple Factors into Play

Experts told The Epoch Times that the changing dynamics in the Middle East after Soleimanis killing cannot be understood in light of this incident alone and there are multiple factors into play.

Many factors are at play, including U.S. domestic political struggles, the presidential elections, the Russian and Chinese stances, the ability of Israel to withstand an all-out war between its staunchest ally and its most lethal enemy, and most importantly, Iranian capabilities and military surprises, said Bazzi.

The Middle East expert explained how Soleimanis death could work toward the interests of the United States in the region.

In the short term, the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani is likely to rally most of Americas Middle East allies around the White House, as the Trump administration had demonstrated that it is both capable of restraining itself in the face of Iranian regime provocations and making bold and challenging moves at the right time, said Bazzi.

Bazzi said Soleimani had a role to play in Iraqi politics and his death could mean a change.

He had carried a lot of political weight and influence among the Iranian regimes regional proxies and political allies. His death comes at a time when Iraq is divided and in the process of electing a new prime minister, said Bazzi.

Soleimani runs the pro-Tehran politicians in Iraq, but he couldnt himself run in the elections there because hes not an Iraqi citizen, explained Bazzi.

Now that hes out of the picture, the Trump administration can push for its preferred candidate(s) and encourage a shift in the country towards Washington and away from Tehran.

Bazzi said Soleimanis death could provide more geopolitical leverage to Trump administration in Iraq.

I would presume that the Trump administration had prepared extensive plans for the aftermath of the strike. It is critical for America to prevent Iraq from remaining in Tehrans grip, as the presence of Iranian regime forces in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon pose an existential threat to Israel and U.S. strategic interests, said Bazzi.

He, however, also mentioned that things could change if the United States gets engaged in catastrophic and expensive war, some players might opt to abandon the Trump administrations ship and resort to neutrality or a negotiated deal with Tehran.
The cold war between West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government resumed on Friday after a brief lull when the governor once again refused to give his consent to the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill, 2019 and the West Bengal State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Bill 2019. Both were sent to Raj Bhawan in September 2019.

Dhankhar did not clear the bills twice, saying the government did not provide the inputs he sought for some clarifications. On Friday, a statement issued by Raj Bhawan cited the same reason.

Dhankhar earlier said that he wanted to know the monetary implication of the bill on commission for SCs and STs and whether a part of the text was changed in the originally drafted bill on prevention of lynching. The latter issue was raised by Congress and Left legislators who complained to Dhankhar.

This is not the first time he (Dhankhar) has done this. Only the state assembly has the power to withdraw the bills. He cannot do it. We hope good sense will prevail on him, said state parliamentary affairs minister and TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee.

The statement issued by Raj Bhawan on Friday evening said the governor gave his consent to the The Hindi University, West Bengal, Bill 2019 and the West Bengal Lifts, Escalators and Travelators Bill, 2019. The statement mentioned that the governor had some queries on these bills too and the governors office collected the information when it was not provided by the government.

For the other two Bills that are pending consideration of the governor further headway can be made only after inputs are made available by the state government and the state legislature, as such inputs are exclusively with them as regards the issues raised, the statement said. It added that attention of the government and the assembly had been drawn towards the issue several times and at several levels.

We are aware that he wanted certain information from the government, said Chatterjee but did not clarify why the same was not provided to the governor.
Markets regulator SEBI on January 3 came out with a new framework for core settlement guarantee fund and liability of non-defaulting members of clearing corporations. The move has been taken following deliberations made by SEBI 's risk management review committee and various stakeholders.

A core Settlement Guarantee Fund (SGF) is a corpus used for settlement of trades during defaults and all intermediaries -- stock exchanges, clearing corporations and brokers -- contribute towards it.

In a circular, SEBI said that requisite contributions to Core SGF by various contributors for any month will be made by the contributors before start of the month.

In the event of usage of Core SGF during a month, SEBI said the contributors shall, as per usage of their individual contribution, immediately replenish the Core SGF to minimum required corpus.

However, such contribution towards replenishment of Core SGF by the members would be restricted to only once during a period of 30 days regardless of the number of defaults during the period, it added.

The period of 30 calendar days shall commence from the date of notice of default by clearing corporation to market participant, it added.

If there is failure on part of some contributor to replenish its contribution, same would be immediately met, on a temporary basis during the month in this order -- clearing corporation and stock exchange.

With regard to contribution by a non-defaulting member in the 'default waterfall' of clearing corporations, SEBI said such corporations need to call for the capped additional contribution only once a month regardless of the number of defaults during the period.

Default waterfall is a system in which a clearing corporation applies different types of its financial resources to meet a default loss, such as margins brought in by defaulting participant, clearing funds and its own assets.

"The maximum capped additional contribution by non-defaulting members shall be lower of 2 times of their primary contribution to Core SGF or 10 per cent of the Core SGF of the segment on the date of default in case of equity or debt segments," SEBI said.

With regard to derivatives segments, SEBI said maximum capped additional contribution by non-defaulting members would be lower of two-times of their primary contribution to Core SGF or 20 per cent of the Core SGF of the segment on the date of default.

Besides, the regulator has directed clearing corporations to put in place the adequate systems and issue the necessary guidelines to implement the same.
The Assam government announced on Thursday that it will provide land pattas (ownership deeds) to more than 40,000 landless indigenous people of the state.

The decision was taken after chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal held a review meeting with the revenue and disaster management departments, people familiar with the development said. During the meeting, the CM directed the revenue department officials to take appropriate steps so that the target of giving land deeds to over 1 lakh people in 2020 could be achieved.

A statement issued by the CMs office said it was decided to provide satras (Vaishnavite monasteries) and devalayas (temples) a sum of Rs2 lakh each annually, in addition to the regular annuity they are given by the state government.

On Wednesday, the CM said, during the last three-and-a-half years, his government has allotted land pattas to more than 50,000 khilonjiya bhumiputras (indigenous sons of the soil). This year, we will provide land deeds to over one lakh indigenous people because they need to have an ownership rights over the plots which they have been occupying for years, he had said.

Assam has been at the centre of anti-CAA protests with several groups fearing that the newly-amended law would lead to an influx of migrants into the state thus disrupting its ethnic fabric.

Meanwhile, anti-CAA protests continued in the state on Thursday with All Assam Students Union (AASU) carrying out a mass demonstration at Chabua, the native place of Sonowal.

People expected Sonowal to act like a lion (to protect the interest of Assamese), but it has turned out that he is actually a cat who cowers down to the powers in New Delhi, said AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogo

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is an assistant editor based in Guwahati. He covers all eight states of North-East and was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times . ...view detail
Southwest Airlines flight 1117 from St. Louis lands at Boston Logan International Airport on March 13, 2019. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

A U.S. airstrike that killed Iran's top military leader drove up oil prices more than 3% on Friday and sent shares in airline stocks tumbling.

After labor, fuel is generally airlines' second largest expense, and carriers are particularly sensitive to volatility in the market.

All U.S. carriers were down more than the broader market.

American Airlines shares were down 4.8% in morning trading, while United and Delta were off more than 3%, and Southwest lost 2.4%.

Sustained higher crude prices could hurt airline balance sheets. Carriers are already facing higher labor costs as they negotiate with unions representing more than 120,000 employees this year and ramp up hiring.

U.S. airlines are scheduled to report earnings later this month.
This photo provided by Adam Graehl shows food that fell from shelves on the floor at the Stater Bros. on China Lake Blvd., in Ridgecrest, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2019. The strongest earthquake in 20 years shook a large swath of Southern California and parts of Nevada on Thursday, rattling nerves on the July 4th holiday and causing injuries and damage in a town near the epicenter, followed by a swarm of ongoing aftershocks. (Adam Graehl via AP)

In California, 2019 was quite a year.

Celebrities were caught in a college admissions scandal, planned power outages thrust hundreds of thousands into darkness during wildfires and two big earthquakes rocked cities in the southern parts of the state. New Gov. Gavin Newsom took action on more than 1,000 bills, pressed pause on executions and halted new fracking permits (after they surged on his watch). And that hardly scratches the surface.

So, for today's newsletter, we are diving into some of the biggest stories that we published last year and the important collaborations that helped us tell the California story and hold its leaders accountable.

But before we celebrate the year that brought us baby Yoda, let's revisit the decade we just closed out. The 2010s brought us planking and Tinder. We Gangnam Styled and Harlem Shook. There were times of unity, when millions took to streets to march for womens rights (or to play Pokemon Go), and times of division  we all still remember whether we saw that dress as blue and black or gold and white (obviously #blackandblue btw). And, we carried on through it all.

In the past 10 years, there has been bad news and good, triumph and tragedy, and a whole lot of change. We even survived the end of the Mayan Calendar. What a decade. What a year.

I'm California Reporter Gabrielle Canon, filling in for Arlene Martinez. Get the latest headlines from across the state delivered straight to your inbox by signing up here (it's free!).

Gavin Newsom's first year as governor

It's hard to believe it's only been a year since Newsom took the helm as governor of the Golden State. In an exclusive year-end sit down with USA Today, he shared his hopes for the future, defended his dedication to taking on the Trump Administration, and championed a continued pursuit of the California dream  even as residents in the state face a myriad of new challenges to achieve it.

Newspapers collaborate to expose criminal cops

Story continues

At the beginning of 2019, investigative reporters at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism got their hands on a list that showed an eye-popping number of current or former law enforcement officers, and applicants, who had been convicted of a crime. The result of a Public Records Act Request, the records  including the list with 12,000 names  didn't specify who was on the job. State Attorney General Xavier Becerra's office refused to help reporters parse through the list and even threatened legal action if they published the document.

Thus began an unprecedented collaborative effort that brought together reporters from three dozen newsrooms across California, including USA Today Network publications The Desert Sun, Ventura County Star, Redding Record Searchlight, Salinas Californian and Visalia Times Delta. The investigation exposed how more than 80 law enforcement officers currently working in the state broke the laws they are charged to enforce.

The review also found that one of every five officers kept their jobs or are still working more than a year after they were sentenced, and 630 cops were convicted during the last decade. Domestic violence was one of the most common charges, after DUI and serious driving offenses. The series was revelatory and showed just how much more there is to uncover. California has among the strictest secrecy laws on police records in the country.

You can search the database here, and find out more about how the project came together here.

Destined to burn

This Nov. 8, 2018, file photo shows a vintage car among debris after the Camp Fire tears through Paradise, Calif. California officials said Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, that crews have finished removing millions of tons of debris left by a Northern California wildfire that killed 85 people and virtually annihilated a town. The Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in state history.

As the devastating Camp Fire ripped through the town of Paradise in 2018, escaping residents were caught in dangerous gridlock. The traffic jam in the town of 27,000 people contributed to the catastrophe  and it's one that is likely to be repeated in other high-risk California towns where the roads aren't equipped for a mass exodus when flames are moving fast.

This was just one of many stories produced as part of the Destined to Burn series, highlighting the lessons learned and risks remaining from California's worsening wildfires. The result of a collaboration between the USA Today Network, McClatchy, Media News, and the Associated Press, the series explored the urgent issues and California's unique wildfire risks.

From celery fields to college graduate at age 58

Adolfo Gonzalez at CSUMB graduation from the College or Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences on Saturday, May 18, 2019.

Adolfo Gonzalez had spent years working the celery fields in Salinas. The 58-year-old came to California from a rural village in Mexico, speaking Zapoteco, his native language, and intended to support his mother and siblings. He never stopped learning. After long days working he went to school. He learned English, and it took him more than a decade, sporadically taking classes between harvesting seasons, but he earned a GED.

In 2019, Gonzalez received his bachelor's degree in Spanish from California State University, Monterey Bay. He graduated with academic honors with plans to become a teacher and his hometown has rallied around him. Days before his credential test, Monterey County proclaimed June 11 "Adolfo Gonzalez Day."

"As I have said, I have done this for my family and my community, and myself, too," he said. "But I never imagined I can inspire this many people." Read his inspiring backstory and how his hometown celebrated.

An ever-widening rich-poor gap

The California story is increasingly one of income inequality. Communities across the state have witnessed surges in street encampments, faced rising rents and experienced stark gaps between the rich and the poor. Many residents are struggling to survive in the state they have always called home.

Homeless encampment in Los Angeles.

Housing costs are roughly 2.5 times the national average here, while more than a third of residents live in poverty. Roughly two-thirds of Californians said they'd tell young folks to lay down roots outside the state. The income gap in California is wide  and still growing.

In 2019, a statewide media collaboration assembled to tell the story of California's divide. Hosted by CalMatters, the series raises awareness about poverty, showcases local storytelling, and utilizes interactive tools and events to engage audiences.

You can learn more about the ongoing project and read the stories here.

A few other great reads

I'd like to end with a bit of gratitude. As we start a new year and a new decade, we at the USA Today Network would like to tip our hat to you, dear reader. Thank you for joining us on this journey. Stick with us as we continue to share important stories into the future  there's so much more to come!

In California is a roundup of news compiled from across USA TODAY Network newsrooms. Also contributing: Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Time, Harpers, CalMatters, McClatchy, The New York Times.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2019 in California: Earthquakes, blackouts, celeb scandals, housing crisis
Houston's food scene is ever-growing thanks to a constant supply of brand new restaurants popping up all over town.

In several west Houston-area neighborhoods, new restaurant concepts set to open this year include an artisan ice cream shop specializing in fresh-baked croissants stuffed with ice cream in Missouri City, as well as an upscale kitchen and bar that will offer classic Texas and Gulf comfort foods in Stafford.
The Amazing Race winners Tim Sattler and Rod Jones have vowed to donate part of their $250,000 prize money to those affected by the bushfire crisis.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph on Friday, the couple said they will give $5,000 to the widows of firefighters Geoff Keaton and Andrew O'Dwyer.

The NSW volunteer firefighters were instantly killed when their truck rolled off the road after hitting a fallen tree in Buxton, south of Sydney, last month.

Worthy cause: The Amazing Race winners Tim Sattler (left) and Rod Jones (right) have vowed to donate $5,000 to the families of late NSW firefighters Geoff Keaton and Andrew O'Dwyer

'It really hit home that these poor young kids won't even get to really know their dad, so we just wanted to give back a little bit just to try and ease the financial burden,' Tim, 29, said.

'For those two men, Geoff and Andrew, it breaks our hearts and brings tears to our eyes to think there are families at this time of year when it should be the complete opposite at Christmas,' Rod, 28, added.

Geoff Keaton, 32, is survived by his fiancee, Jess Hayes, and their 19-month-old son, Harvey.

Struck a chord: 'It really hit home that these poor young kids won't even get to really know their dad,' Tim, 29, told The Daily Telegraph on Thursday

Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, is survived by his wife, Melissa, and their daughter Charlotte, also 19 months.

The fathers had been fighting fires for more than a decade, and were remembered as heroes by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

'They were bravely defending their communities with an unmatched spirit and a dedication that will forever set them apart among our most courageous Australians,' Mr Morrison said last month.

Tragic: NSW volunteer firefighter Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, was father to Charlotte, 19 months

Loved ones: Andrew is pictured with Charlotte and his wife, Melissa (left)

'Their sacrifice and service saving lives and saving properties will be forever remembered. I wish those injured all the best in their recovery.'

A GoFundMe page has been created for their families and the Rural Fire Service has also dedicated a bank account to collect donations for their relatives.

Three other firefighters who were in the truck with Mr O'Dwyer and Mr Keaton were rushed to hospital but survived with non-life threatening injuries.

Another loss: Geoff Keaton, 32, was father to Harvey, also 19 months
Kickstarting the massive CAA outreach program in Jodhpur, Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee stating that she is against the Dalits and that the Adivasis and Dalits are 'watching' this behavior of hers closely. Shah, in his rally, revealed that around 70 percent of the refugees who have come to India are Dalits who faced atrocities in neighboring countries. The Home Minister attacked Mamata Banerjee on this by asking her 'what wrong have they (dalits) done against you, for you to oppose them this way?'

Read: Sharad Pawar seconds Mamata Banerjee on NRC & CAA, expresses willingness to protest

"The parties opposing the CAA, behen Mayawati, Congress, and others. I want to inform them that amongst the refugees that have come into India, more than 70 percent are Dalits who have come after facing atrocities. Always remember, the country's Dalits and Adivasi's are watching this very carefully. From Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, all the Dalits, Sikhs, that have come, the way that you are opposing them, you are actually opposing the Dalits. Remember that."

Read: Mamata Banerjee takes a jibe at BJP, says 'will have to use binoculars' to find party

'She only wants to manage her vote-bank'

Amit Shah further stated that he wants all the Dalit refugees to not feel threatened by the statements of Mamata Banerjee since the country would happily adopt them with "respect and dignity." He also warned the Dalits to realize that she is not their 'well-wisher' as all she is interested in is her 'vote-bank.'

"Where would they go? The Bengali speaking refugee Dalits? I want to ask Mamata didi what wrong have they done towards you? What have the refugees done? What have the Bengali speaking Hindus done against you? Don't be scared of Mamata didi. She is not your well-wisher. All she wants to do is manage her vote bank."

Mamata asks opposition to unite against BJP

For the past few weeks, Mamata Banerjee has been leading protests against the NRC and the CAA. She has also called for all opposition parties across the nation to come together against the CAA and the NRC. Banerjee has vociferously said, 'No CAA, No NRC' in her rallies and stalled the preparation and updating of the National Population Register (NPR) process amid the protests. Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee had earlier also asked for a United Nations (UN) intervention on the issue concerning the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Read: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee asks for UN intervention over CAA

Read: 'Don't need certificate from BJP to do politics': Mamata defends UN-intervention statement
File image: Abhijit Banerjee

Ahead of the Union Budget next month, Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee said the government should not cut corporate taxes. The corporate tax rate was reduced to 22 percent from 30 percent in September last year.

"There is no need for a further cut in corporate taxes. The corporate sector is sitting on cash and not investing due to a demand problem. The government needs to get the demand side going," said Banerjee.

The economist suggested the government should consider direct cash incentives to boost demand. He said there is no evidence of an impact on labour supply when cash incentives are provided, adding that the government should use the existing financial infrastructure of bank accounts (referring to the Jan Dhan Yojana) to make cash transfers possible.

Banerjee added that there is a need to bridge the gap between bankers and small businesses. Speaking on micro credit, he said that it benefits only 5 percent of the beneficiaries who have been entrepreneurs even before micro credit was provided to them. He added that it does not enhance the standard of living.

On the issue of farm loan waivers, he said they are indicative of an underdeveloped machinery to help people in distress. It is an inefficient and unfair means of compensation as only those who have availed loans benefit.

Speaking on the Citizenship Amendment Bill, he said that giving enormous power will become a challenge in governance. " We should worry about creating structures of state making people feel vulnerable," he said.
If you were Chuck Palahniuks writing student, youd have much to consider: When to use big voice, how to turn objects into recurring symbols, why youd use a clock and a gun  figuratively, please. Even those who dont find the Portland-area authors fiction likable (the reason a literary agent once gave for declining the opportunity to represent him, he writes) will find plenty of advice to like in his latest book, Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything was Different (Grand Central Publishing, 256 pages, $27). The book alternates between short, conversational discussions of literary techniques and devices and wry, often bemused anecdotes about Palahniuks experiences on the literary circuit.

That includes attracting gargantuan numbers of fans to his public appearances  hes scheduled to sign copies of Consider This for an eye-popping eight hours starting at noon Monday, Jan. 6, at Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland. And get this: Palahniuk writes in Consider This that eight hours is a short appearance for him. Powells is requiring a purchase of the book to join the signing line.

Jessica Mehtas new poetry collection examines identity, loss and love

The punches start with the dedication  For all the murdered & missing indigenous women  and keep coming. In Savagery (Airlie Press, 47 pages, $16), Portland poet Jessica Mehta, publishing as J.C. Mehta, holds nothing back in pointed, bruising language: Im so sorry I saw you gut-punched and ugly as a man; I dried up all my fights fighting for you, and Im too tired, too busted, too beaten black and blue to do it anymore. So much that is left unsaid in daily life about identity, loss and love is said here, distilled into 40-plus poems that read like concentrates of memory and emotion. Mehta reads from the collection as part of the Incite: Queer Writers Read series at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Literary Arts, 925 S.W. Washington St.

Michelle Pfeiffer stars in 2020 film adaption of Patrick deWitts French Exit

Portland author Patrick deWitt is on a roll when it comes to having his novels optioned by Hollywood. His 2012 novel The Sisters Brothers, a sardonic, casually violent Gold Rush tale told from the perspective of a mercenary having an existential crisis, was made into a 2018 movie starring Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly. Now a film adaptation of his 2018 novel French Exit, the impeccably written story of an aging socialite who hides her precarious finances by taking over a friends Paris flat, is in post-production. Michelle Pfeiffer stars as the imperious Frances Price; Lucas Hedges (Manchester By the Sea) plays her aimless grown son, Malcolm. The cast also includes Valerie Mahaffey (Northern Exposure) and Danielle Macdonald (Dumplin). A 2020 release date is planned.

Literary events for Jan. 3-9

Admission is free unless otherwise indicated.

Anna Borges, a senior editor at Self magazine, discusses her new book The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Oregon author Jory Johns latest picture book, The Cool Bean, is the featured title for a kids storytime. 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Suzanne Langs picture book Grumpy Monkey is featured in a storytime with activities. 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at Barnes & Noble stores at Bridgeport Village, Clackamas Town Center, Lloyd Center, Tanasbourne and Vancouver Plaza.

Creative entrepreneur Elise Blaha Cripe presents her motivational book Big Dreams, Daily Joys. 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Kevin Shinick presents his young-adult novel Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Force Collector, about a teenage boy with inexplicable visions. 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, Powells Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton.

Oregon Children's Theatre, which is putting on a stage adaptation of Adam Rubins picture book Dragons Love Tacos Jan. 18 through Feb. 16, presents a storytime featuring a sneak preview of the play. 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, Green Bean Books, 1600 N.E. Alberta St., Portland.

Climber and guide Sharon Wood presents her memoir, Rising: Becoming the First North American Woman on Everest. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, REI, 1405 N.W. Johnson St., Portland.

Seattle author Paula Becker discusses her book about her son, A House on Stilts: Mothering in the Age of Opioid Addiction. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Portland poet Shawn Aveningo Sanders reads from her collection What She Was Wearing, which centers on her rape in college. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Annie Blooms Books, 7834 S.W. Capitol Highway.

Shea Serrano reads from his pop culture book Movies (And Other Things). 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Kiersten White discusses Chosen, her second novel set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with Portland fantasy author Laini Taylor. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, Powells at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 S.W. Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton.

Portland author Camille Virginia discusses her book The Offline Dating Method: How to Attract a Great Guy in the Real World. 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Annie Blooms Books, 7834 S.W. Capitol Highway.

E.J. Koh discusses her memoir about her Korean American family, The Magical Language of Others, with Portland poet Mary Szybist. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Powells City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., Portland.

Walt Gragg reads from his new Middle East military thriller The Chosen One. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, Powells on Hawthorne, 3723 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland.

awang@oregonian.com; Twitter: @ORAmyW

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The Non-Conformist: Memories of My Father Balraj Sahni is a heartfelt memoir by Parikshat Sahni, who was an actor himself but stayed in the shadow of his famous dad. Though affection and respect are the dominant tones of this book, there is also a real sense of the missteps, delusions and contradictions that can mark even the most sincere and well-intentioned life | Jai Arjun Singh writes in 'My Bookshelves'

In this monthly column, Jai Arjun Singh scours through his bookshelves to pick out titles that have impacted him at various times in his life. Read more from the series here.

***

There has been much discussion in liberal circles recently about the cravenness of movie stars when it comes to taking a public stand on issues of national importance. Such conversations are often simplistic, built around the expectation that onscreen heroes and heroines be not just inspirational real-world heroes, but also that they endorse specific positions, and have comprehensive knowledge of politics and history. Consider some of the gratuitous mocking Alia Bhatt was subjected to when, in taking a mild stand about the violence directed at the anti-CAA protests, she mistakenly shared an older version of the Indian Constitutions Preamble.

Inevitably, these occasions also become pretexts to recall the greater heroes (real or imagined) of the past; to evoke a time when celebrities were more explicitly political and spoke for the right ideals. And among Indian screen actors, one of the first to be mentioned is the much loved and admired Balraj Sahni. Sahni was an exemplar of progressive thought, much like his younger brother, the writer Bhisham. He was a member of the Indian Peoples Theatre Association (IPTA), was involved with socially conscientious theatre and cinema, had a worthy writing career of his own, and frequently rallied against social hypocrisies and injustice. Here is someone who might easily  and even understandably  become the subject of a hagiography.

Which is why I was intrigued by The Non-Conformist: Memories of My Father Balraj Sahni, a heartfelt memoir by Parikshat Sahni, who was an actor himself but stayed in the shadow of his famous dad. Though affection and respect are the dominant tones of this book, there is also a real sense  whether or not the author fully intended this  of the missteps, delusions and contradictions that can mark even the most sincere and well-intentioned life.

Parikshat doesnt hold back while discussing the barriers in his relationship with his father, the seeds for which were laid when his parents left for England during World War II, leaving their six-month-old child behind  and returned five years later, strangers to his eyes. For Balraj Sahni, making the dangerous voyage overseas to broadcast radio programmes about Indian soldiers was an act of patriotism, but from the boys point of view, it must have been alienating. Poignantly, in the captions accompanying the books photos, Parikshat refers to his biological mother (who died young) as Dads first wife Damayanti, admitting that he never really got to know her or felt anything particular when she passed away.

Some father-son bonding did eventually take place, and there is an account of a conversation where Balraj tells the child Parikshat about the virtues of Marxist philosophy and the Communist economy, using the sugarcane stalks they have just purchased as a starting point. Genial chatter soon gives way to the assertion that all property should be owned by the government [] the capitalist class, the petty bourgeoisie, the counter-revolutionaries, and the revisionists should be eliminated, decimated, destroyed, wiped out, crushed and blown to smithereens. Reading this passage  a reminder that extreme idealism can create its own dark spaces  I couldnt help thinking of the gentle and noble Balraj Sahni persona in films like Kabuliwala and Anuradha, the melancholy patriarch watching his world fall apart in Garm Hava, the dreamy-eyed romantic singing 'Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen' in Waqt.

Elsewhere, in one of the books drollest sections, there is an account of an official trip to Moscow in the company of future Indian president Giani Zail Singh, who initially appears rustic and naive but soon reveals the sharpness of a statesman. While Balraj Sahni repeatedly extols the USSRs greatness, and even tries to gloss over state oppression and control by invoking the principles of dialectical materialism, Zail Singh quietly demonstrates that all is not well with the Russian system; that a regime which doesnt even allow its citizens to travel abroad may have something rotten at its heart.

But perhaps my favourite chapter is the one that Parikshat saves for the end, almost as a dark coda (it comes immediately after a clumsy filler about the film industrys extraordinary people, which reads like it was imposed on the author by his publishers). This final section is about the doomed house called Ikraam, which Balraj Sahni built for himself and his family in the mid-60s, a project that, in Parikshats words, was the biggest paradox in Dads life. In direct contradiction to his socialist beliefs  simple living and high thinking  the senior Sahni had set about constructing a giant mansion near Juhu beach, unmindful of the sad contrast it created with the shanties inhabited by poor people nearby.

This urge  to hanker for something bigger than strictly needed, to lead a luxurious life after decades of self-denial  is a reminder of the gap between ideology and experience. Trying to make sense of his fathers grand illusion, Parikshat quotes Winston Churchill: We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us. Its equally true that as we grow older, life shapes most of us in ways we never expect  and that we can never fully return to our original dimensions.

Reading about Sahnis other worthy contemporaries too, one often sees how ideals like egalitarianism and open-mindedness must coexist with the thorny business of negotiating daily life. For instance, Bread Beauty Revolution, a compendium of writings by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, has Abbas saying in an interview that young people are too respectful to their parents; that they must be more disobedient, more willing to question everything they are told and to move away from outdated ideas. And yet, the same book offers a view of Abbas as a conservative elder, exercising hegemony: interviewing the young Amitabh Bachchan for Saat Hindustani, he says the contract could only be signed after he had the written permission of the actors father Harivanshrai, because I wouldnt like to have a misunderstanding with him.

None of this is to put down Abbas or Sahni, just to say that we expect inspirational people to consistently meet unreal standards; to be more than human. The standards set by Sahni were exceptionally high anyway: he was known (to a greater degree than others in his profession) for practicing what he preached; the books many anecdotes about the beneficiaries of his unshowy kindness include an elderly junior artistes recollection of Sahni refusing to be the privileged star, keeping his own thick coat on during a sweltering indoor shoot because other crew members were being made to suffer the worst of the heat. But this doesnt mean that he couldnt be permitted other sides. The man who was a humanitarian at heart could also idolise an oppressive Communist system without seeing its flaws; even someone who loathed capitalism might in his later years become over-excited about having a grand house and an ornate dining table as a show of status.

Follow more of Jai Arjun Singh's writing on his blog, or on Twitter
We're leaving the Martin Scorsese on Marvel movies discourse in 2019, but now, the Martin Scorsese on DC movies discourse has arrived.

When asked by The New York Times to name some of his favorite films from the past year, Scorsese noted there's plenty he's hoping to catch up on. But apparently not high on that list is Joker, the recent DC movie heavily inspired by Scorsese's The King of Comedy and Taxi Driver that Scorsese considered producing.

"I saw clips of it," Scorsese told the Times of Joker. "I know it. So it's like, why do I need to? I get it. It's fine."

Scorsese previously described Joker in an interview as a "remarkable work" without actually specifying that he's watched the final product, instead saying, "I know the script very well."

The legendary director's rave "I saw clips of it" review of Joker, which his own film The Irishman is competing against at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, comes after he described Marvel movies as "not cinema," setting off an onslaught of follow-up quotes, responses, and even a Times op-ed by Scorsese.

After all that, Disney CEO Bob Iger said he plans to set up a meeting with Scorsese, though Scorsese noted in this Times interview he reached out to Iger for a meeting months earlier as part of his nonprofit's effort to restore and preserve 20th Century Fox films.

"Then all this came up," Scorsese told the Times. So, we'll have a lot to talk about."

More stories from theweek.com

4 reasons to beware Trump's decision to kill Soleimani

Senate won't hold impeachment trial until Pelosi hands over articles, McConnell says

Scientists discover world's largest flower in bloom in Indonesian forest


Nigerias President Muhammadu Buhari says he will be stepping down when his second term in office ends in 2023.

There has been increased tension in Nigeria in the past few weeks after reports made news of back-door discussions on the presidents decision to remain in power, especially that Buhari has a history of disobeying court orders and going ahead with his own decisions regardless of court orders.

Recently, he was credited with a statement where he said the legislative procedure was too slow to his liking.

However, in a New Year message, President Buhari said he would not attempt to exceed the constitutional mandate.

The president said he was determined to help strengthen the electoral process both in Nigeria and across the region.

In his letter titled, A Letter from the President at New Year, President Buhari stated that his primary concern is the security of the nation and the safety of its citizens.

When I assumed office in May 2015, my first task was to rally our neighbors so that we could confront Boko Haram on a coordinated regional basis. Chaos is not a neighbor any of us hope for.

Buhari pledged to continue to intensify our efforts towards strengthening international cooperation and collaboration to break the backbone of these evil doers.

The decade-long jihadist insurgency in northeast Nigeria has killed over 36,000 people and displaced around two million, according to the United Nations.
The Diverse Income Trust plc

The Company advises that it will enter into a closed period (in accordance with the provisions of the EU Market Abuse Regulation) on 5 January 2020 in relation to the announcement of the Company's results for the six months ended 30 November 2019.

The Company confirms that all inside information which the Directors and the Company may have had to the date of this announcement has been notified to a Regulatory Information Service. Accordingly, in the absence of any new undisclosed inside information arising, the Company is not prohibited from dealing in its own securities during this closed period.

3 January 2019

LEI: 2138005QFXYHJM551U45
The expansion came to a halt when Chinese regulators took control of the firm in 2018 after Wu Xiaohui, its chairman, was arrested for  and eventually convicted of  fraud. The insurer was also the recipient of a $10 billion state bailout from the China Insurance Security Fund.

Since then, the Chinese government has opened talks with investors to sell-off much of Dajias assets  and the latest asset on the block is a 55% stake in Chengdu Rural Commercial Bank (CRCB) for around US$3.76 billion, according to a Financial Times report.

The golden days for private financial holding firms, which grow by runaway debt accumulation, are gone, Zhuang Bo, an analyst at consulting firm TS Lombard, told Financial Times.

The Chinese city of Chengdu is reportedly interested in the stake, with a city official telling the Financial Times that government ownership will help CRCB operate in the publics best interest.

Regulators are also looking to offload Dajias shares in 11 rural banks for around US$12.20 million
NILES, MI -- The man who was killed on New Years Day while kayaking in the St. Joseph River was identified by officials.

Jean Claude Mutabazi, 40, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, after falling in the St. Joseph River in Niles while kayaking, Niles Mayor Nick Shelton said.

Mutabazi, of South Bend, Indiana, was kayaking with three others near the Riverfront Park South in Niles. Rescue crews were called at about 8:30 a.m. on a report that a kayaker needed rescue, said Taner Dalenberg, who at the time was the acting shift officer with the Niles Fire Department.

The victim went under the water near a dam, Shelton said.

One of the kayakers was rescued while another person was able to get themselves out of the water and another never left his kayak, Dalenberg said.

Mutabazi was swept downstream and grabbed onto a tree branch entangled on top of the dam structure, though he was unable to hold his grip and was swept out of sight, according to a press release from Niles Police Department.

Crews searched for about four hours along about 1.5 miles of river using a drone, several watercrafts and people on foot, police said.

The mayor reported at about 12:30 p.m. that Mutabazis body was recovered from the river. Crews used machinery to free the victims body from near the dam, he said.

In a later post, Shelton said the man died.

All four men were wearing flotation devices at the time of the incident. The two other kayakers who had fallen into river were taken to the hospital to be treated for cold exposure and later released, police said.

I am saddened to report that the fourth kayaker has passed away. Names have not yet been released. Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts.  Nick Shelton (@MayorShelton) January 1, 2020

Fire Chief Larry Lamb rappelled the rocky riverside to help locate the missing victim, Shelton said.

I am thankful for first responders from the city and our neighbors in the township who came to the rescue of the kayakers, Shelton said. Please keep the victim and his family in your thoughts.

The water temperature was recorded at 39 degrees with air temperature of 25 degrees, police said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 15:30:50|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BAGHDAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- An attack by the U.S. forces near Baghdad International Airport on Friday has killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.

According to Iran's official news agency IRNA, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a statement confirming the death of Soleimani, saying, "Honorable Commander of Islam Qasem Soleimani was martyred after a U.S. airstrike today."

The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Thursday night that the U.S. forces had made a strike that killed Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's IRGC.

"At the direction of the President (Donald Trump), the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," said the Pentagon in a statement.

A security source and lawmaker anonymously told Xinhua that "eight people, including Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, were killed in the attack on a military base near Baghdad International Airport."

Previous reports said three rockets targeting the airport struck two vehicles nearby, killing at least seven people, namely five Iraqi militia members and "two guests" in the cars.

Two of the dead were Iranian nationals, the source confirmed to Xinhua.

Soleimani was an Iranian Major General in Iran's IRGC, and was the commander since 1998 who was primarily responsible for extraterritorial military and clandestine operations.

Al-Muhandis was one of the Iran-backed paramilitary leaders in Iraq. He was the de facto commander of the Hashd Shaabi Forces in Iraq who headed the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades as well.

Soleimani has once said that the IRGC forces would be able to deal with any war with the United States.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed his condolences over the death of Soleimani and called for three days of mourning. He vowed "harsh revenge awaits" those who killed Soleimani.

After the attack, Iraqi lawmaker Mish'aan al-Jubouri, who had a close relationship with al-Muhandis, said in a tweet that "I mourn my brother, the rebellious, the dear and loyal friend whom I have always watched defying death."

The attack came after supporters of the Hashd Shaabi militias stormed the perimeter of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.

Local media aired photos showing al-Muhandis participating in the protest with Qais al-Khazali, head of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous) militia, and Hashd Shaabi's top leader Hadi Al Amri.

On Sunday evening, U.S. forces bombarded the headquarters of Hashd Shaabi's 45th and 46th Brigades, killing 25 and injuring 51 more.
Q asem Soleimani, the Iranian general killed in an airstrike in Baghdad, was in the eyes of the US a shadowy figure who was responsible for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.

The 62-year-old was amongst up to seven killed in the early hours of Friday at Baghdad International Airport in a military operation approved by Donald Trump.

General Soleimani was head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, which was responsible for the Islamic Republic's foreign campaigns.

General Qasem Soleimani was head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force ISNA/AFP via Getty Images) / ISNA/AFP via Getty Images

Soleimani was relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, but his popularity and mystique grew out of American officials calling for his killing. By the time it came, he had become Irans most recognisable battlefield commander and as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

Once referred to by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a living martyr of the revolution, Gen Soleimani was rumoured to be dead several times in his life, including a 2006 plane crash in north-western Iran and a 2012 bombing in Damascus.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena, an adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on the social media app Telegram.

Born on March 11 1957, Gen Soleimani is reported to have grown up near the mountainous and historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers.

The US State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

While little is known about his childhood, Iranian accounts suggest his father was a peasant who received a piece of land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but later became encumbered by debts.

By the time he was 13 Gen Soleimani was working construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organisation.

A destroyed vehicle on fire following a US strike on January 3 / IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

But Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power and Gen Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard in its wake, and he was soon deployed to the country's north west to put down Kurdish unrest following the revolution.

During the bloody, eight-year war between Iraq and Iran, Gen Soleimani's became known for his opposition to "meaningless deaths" on the battlefield and was known to sometimes weep with fervour when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

After the Iraq-Iran war, Gen Soleimani largely disappeared from public view for several years but would go on to become head of the Quds Force, and he grew so close to Ayatollah Khamenei that the Supreme Leader officiated the wedding of the generals daughter.

As chief of the Quds  or Jerusalem  Force, Gen Soleimani soon come to the attention of Americans following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

US officials at the time saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks.

They would blame the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised explosive devices made IED a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a speech in 2010, US General David Petraeus recounted a message from Gen Soleimani in which he said: "You should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan."

The US and the United Nations put Gen Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007 and in 2011. US officials also named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

But his greatest notoriety would arise from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of so-called Islamic State (IS).

Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Gen Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assads rule.

While a US-led coalition focused on air strikes, several ground victories for Iraqi forces came with photographs emerging of Gen Soleimani leading, never wearing a flak jacket.
His tenure as commandant coincided with the Iran-contra scandal, in which Oliver L. North, a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and member of the National Security Council staff, was convicted of charges related to his attempted coverup of the illegal sale of weapons to Iran and the diversion of proceeds to rightist Nicaraguan rebels. The Corps also contended with revelations that Clayton J. Lonetree, a Marine sergeant later convicted of espionage, had spied for the Soviet Union while guarding U.S. embassies in Moscow and Vienna.
Erdogan has long held an ambition for a kind of restoration of the Ottoman Empire, reestablishing Turkey's position of leadership in the Muslim world with an expansive foreign policy. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday. Credit:AP His stance, in alliance with the wealthy Gulf state Qatar, has pitted Turkey against Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The opposing groups represent a new fault line in the Middle East, having backed opposite sides of the Arab Spring uprisings and rival forces in Libya and Syria. An intervention in Libya may deepen Turkey's feud with the Emirates, which is Hifter's main backer. But it may also open a new conflict with Russia, which has been a partner of Turkey's in Syria and recently sold Turkey an advanced anti-aircraft missile system. At home, though. Erdogan's geopolitical aspirations are popular. The mission in Libya, part of the former Ottoman domain, fits neatly into his vision of restoration. His assertive foreign policy has also given Erdogan a handy slate of challengers that he can point to abroad, helping him nurture nationalism and maintain his support domestically.

Six months after his party's loss of Istanbul's mayoralty in local elections  his most significant electoral setback in a 25-year political career  Erdogan, 65, is pondering holding general elections in 2020, according to some political analysts. Although his term runs until 2023, his slide in the polls and the splintering of his party are making him consider calling a snap election in the fall, Mehmet Ali Kulat, a political consultant and pollster in Ankara, said. Loading A faltering Turkish economy may only add urgency to the president's considerations. Erdogan's assertive posturing has helped stir up nationalist feelings and rally his core supporters, Ali Bayramoglu, who was close to Erdogan's party in its early years, said. "Our right-wing parties did not use to act like they did not care about the United States," Bayramoglu said. "This independence, this challenging is a new thing. Turkish right-wing voters love it."

With some justification Erdogan has argued that he has security interests in Iraq and Syria, because Turkey shares a long border with both and has suffered from instability spilling over from their conflicts. With Libya he has made similar arguments, as well as historical ones. Erdogan has noted that Libya was the last of the Ottoman territories to be lost and that Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, fought and was wounded there as a young officer. Libyan militia commander General Khalifa Haftar. Credit:AP "It's not difficult to convince Turkish public about the need for an intervention in Libya, in part because of the Ottoman legacy," Asli Aydintasbas, a senior fellow of the European Council for Human Rights, said in written comments. There are important Turkish commercial interests at stake, too. Beneath Erdogan's agreement with Libya is a desire to position Turkey for oil and gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Cyprus, in competition with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel, analysts say.

"Turkey does not want to be frozen out of the great game which revolves around the hydrocarbon deposits in the eastern Mediterranean," Aydintasbas said. As in Syria, Turkey wants to have troops on the ground in Libya to gain a place at the table, she said. There is also an ethnic link. The main Libyan faction backing Tripoli is from Misrata, whose population is mostly ethnically Turkish and traces its roots to Turkey. Turkey has already signed an agreement for an exclusive economic area with the Tripoli government. If the Libyan government falls, the agreement would fall with it. So Erdogan is trying to protect that agreement, said Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director in Ankara of the German Marshall Fund of the United States. But Erdogan's ever more aggressive angling has unnerved his neighbours, especially in Greece, who now openly worry about confrontation. Diplomats in Athens and Brussels said that the situation was the most tense it has been in more than two decades, when the two neighbours exchanged fire in the Aegean in 1996.

Under pressure, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is poised to change decades of foreign policy, announcing on Sunday that he was prepared to take Turkey to international arbitration at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. But diplomats in Brussels readily admit that there is only so far they can press Turkey, considering how desperately they depend on Erdogan to control the flow of migrants to Europe, which was destabilised by the arrival of more than 1 million asylum-seekers in 2015. Now, Erdogan faces the possibility of a new refugee crisis coming from Syria, where Russian and Syrian government forces have redoubled their offensive in Idlib, the last rebel-held province. Seeking leverage from the potential for a crisis as German Chancellor Angela Merkel prepares to visit Turkey this month, Erdogan has warned that he will be forced to open the gates for the refugees to enter Europe again. Elsewhere, Erdogan's flirtation with Russia has stirred American and European ire. So has his foray into Syria, despite Trump's apparent green light for it. Typically, Erdogan is having none of it.




Haiti - FLASH : Individuals attack the police station of Anse-a-Pitre, several victims





On Wednesday in the border town of Anse-a-Pitre, angry Haitians demanding the release of a detainee, threw stones and shot at the local police station, triggering a shootout with the police officers. Unable to control the situation in front of a raging crowd, the 5 police officers of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) fled and found refuge in the Dominican Republic where they were welcomed by their Dominican colleagues from Pedernales.



According to statements by Haitian police to agents of the Central Criminal Investigation Department (DICRIM), during the attack on their detachment, a Haitian was killed and several others injured. Subsequently, the 5 police officers were taken to the headquarters of the specialized body for the security of land borders (Cesfront) and then taken to the Jimani border post in order to return to Haiti safely.



After their escape, unidentified individuals vandalized the premises of the PNH, took away weapons before setting fire to a vehicle and to the police station which was completely destroyed by fire.



Thursday calm had returned to Anse-a-Pitres...



SL/ HaitiLibre


















UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday cautioned that the world cannot afford another war in the Gulf, following the killing of Iran's top military commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone strike.

Voicing deep concern over escalation of tensions in the Gulf, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said, "The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf. He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation."



The UN chief said this is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. "The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf," Guterres said.

Tensions are escalating in the region after Suleimani, who led the powerful Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed in an American drone strike in Baghdad on Friday. The strike was authorised by President Donald Trump.

Trump tweeted, "General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself."



"While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!" he said in the tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indias largest annual gathering of scientific luminaries from countries across the world, the '107th Indian Science Congress', started at University of Agricultural Sciences (UASB), GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka focusing on Science & Technology: Rural Development today

The Science Congress was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress is a major focal point for scientists, researchers and academicians interested in various aspects of science discoveries and technologies. The five-day long event aims to bring together science fraternity across the world to discuss scientific innovation and research.

The Nobel Laureates namely German Physicist, Prof. Stefan Hell who is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Gottingen, Germany. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014 for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy. Prof. Ada E. Yonath from Israel, a protein crystallographer, who was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry, are participating in Congress.

Apart from this, several senior Scientists from India and abroad along with several government officials will be participating in this event to exchange their views on a range of scientific issues, both at the national and international level.

There are 28 Plenary Sessions on areas ranging from Climate Smart Agriculture for Food Security, Crop Improvement Towards Food & Nutrition Security, Materials Science And Technology For Rural Development, Challenges and Opportunities In Cancer Drug Discovery, Artificial Intelligence And Medical Technology, Advances In Basic Medical And Clinical Interactions, Non-Communicable Diseases In Rural Population as well as Cancer Research - Therapeutic Applications. The areas also include Nano Materials for Energy, Environment and Health Care, Novel Solutions for Oil and Gas Industry Problems and so on in which senior scientists and officials will discuss on the status, challenges, opportunities and scope in these research areas.

Public Lectures

Four Public lectures by eminent personalities like Nobel laureate Prof. Stefan Hell, Dr. Subra Suresh among others, covering topics like Ultrasharp Fluorescence Microscopy, science across disciplines ranging from basic science to applications in the industry, acute problem of modern medicine, life style diseases to recent advances in cardiac sciences will be organized in the Science Congress.

Sectional Sessions: Fourteen Sectional Sessions covering different disciplines of science will be organised in the Science Congress.

Farmers Science Congress

With focus on Rural Development through Science and Technology, for the first time in the history of Indian Science Congress, a Farmers Science Congress is being held. It will cover themes ranging from farmers innovation on integrated agriculture and entrepreneurship for doubling farmers income, climate change, bio-diversity, conservation, ecosystem services & farmers empowerment to agrarian distress, rural bio-entrepreneurship, policy issues.

The event will have the presence of experts and scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) along with farmers whose innovative approaches have led to significant contributions.

Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan (Childrens Science Congress)

A two day event Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelana will be held at UASB, GKVK as part of the 107th Indian Science Congress on 4th and 5th January 2020. The aim is to provide a unique opportunity for children to view selected projects and interact with the student delegates and children will also have the opportunity to listen, interact with eminent scientists and Nobel Laureates. Events like one minute video competition, Infosys Foundation - ISCA Travel Awards for School Children, visit to exhibitions, live science demonstrations and science magic show will be organized as a part of the Science Congress.

Women Science Congress

The womens science congress aims to provide single platform for women working in different arena of science and technology to showcase their achievements and experiences. It will also prepare a vision document or a road map for women in science and technology and recommend policies to enhance the role and utilize the full potential of women in science and technology. In this session, women are invited to share ideas and experiences to motivate the younger women to actively participate in science to identify and find simpler solutions through Science and Technology.

Former VCs Science Congress

The former VCs Science Congress addresses the urgent need in Indian higher education institutions today is to establish quality internalisation pathways through quality culture in academic, administrative and financial spheres of institutional management. Several eminent Vice Chancellors like Prof. S.P. Thyagarajan, Former Vice Chancellor, University of Madas, Chennai and Prof N. Prabhudev, VC Bangalore University will be attending the event.

Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan - 2020 (Science Communicators Meet - 2020)

Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan is an initiative for Science communicators' for professional growth. This programme will focus on the theme "Science & Technology: Rural Development ". Science Communicators role is to facilitate public engagement with scientific issues. Science communication plays an integral part in ones scientific career. Being able to effectively disseminate research findings within the community and to consider collective opinions in prioritizing research needs is an important attribute of scientific maturity. Thus, dissemination of scientific information and inculcation of scientific attitude among masses at large is the need of the hour.

With this broad goal, Science Communicators Meet will be held to bring together experts in the field of science communication with particular reference to rural development. It will provide an opportunity to academicians, science journalists, activists, filmmakers, scientists and other communicators from all over the world to meet, deliberate and exchange their views on how to develop science communication.

Mega Science Exhibition - PRIDE OF INDIA ISC EXPO

Pride of India (PIO) ISC Expo is a unique platform for organizations from government, private and public sector to showcase their achievements in the field of science and technology. The POI Expo brings together and displays hundreds of new ideas, innovations and products covering the entire canvas of scientific world. The five days will witness a large number of visitors from the corporate sector, scientific fraternity and academia, R&D institutes, defense, government, PSUs and so on.
The history of no free country can be structured on foreign accounts of it and the time has come for the people of India to take Puranic sources seriously and imbibe a de-falsified and well-founded history written by Indians about Indians, says BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

According to him, a correct, de-falsified history would record that "Hindustan was conceptually one in the art of governance, in the style of royal courts, in the methods of warfare, in the maintenance of its agrarian base, and in the dissemination of information".

Otherwise, he says, it was "decentralised for autonomy of villages in self-administration" and the panchayat system is a manifestation of that.

Swamy says the history of no free country can be structured on foreign accounts of it.

"The time has come for us to take seriously our Puranic sources and to imbibe a de-falsified and well-founded history of ancient India, a history written by Indians about Indians," he writes in his new book "Ayodhya Ram Temple and Hindu Renaissance".

"Such a re-written history would bring out the amazing continuity of a nation, which nation asserted its identity again and again at times of war and political crises," he says.

The Aryan-Dravidian divide in the history taught in schools and universities is purely a conception of foreign historians like Max Mueller and has no basis in India's historical records, Swamy claims.

"... It is becoming more and more clear that there never was an Aryan invasion in India, a theory which was imposed upon the subcontinent by its colonisers and is today kept alive by Nehruvian historians such as Romila Thapar, missionaries and the Communists," he goes on to write.

"But as long as India will not rewrite its history books and teach its children to be proud of its ancient and indigenous civilisation, there will be others who will come and exploit India," he claims.

The book, co-written with Satya Paul Sabharwal, a member of Swamy's legal team, and brought out by Har-Anand Publications, focuses on re-building the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.

"The places of worship of adorable figures of any community can be constructed at many places, statues of great men can be put up at many places, but the places of manifestation/birth of great men/deities would be at one place, and that can never be changed," it says.

"The birthplace cannot be displaced, cannot be relocated. It is non-exchangeable. It cannot be swapped, bartered, sold or donated Ayodhya is to Hindus what Mecca is to Muslims. So, no new structure, establishment, institution, Centre, that that could take Hindus back to the outrageous memories of history must be built in Ayodhya," the authors say.

Swamy is of the view that the present "dysfunctional perceptional mismatch in the understanding of who are we as a people, is behind most of the communal tensions and inter-community distrust in the country".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 3, 2020) - West Red Lake Gold Mines Inc. (CSE: RLG) (OTCQB: RLGMF) (FSE: HYK) ("West Red Lake Gold" or the "Company") announces that it has completed a non-brokered private placement of flow-through units for aggregated gross proceeds of $100,100.

The Company issued 1,430,000 flow-through units (the "Flow-Through Units") at a price of $0.07 per Flow-Through Unit for aggregated gross proceeds of $100,100. Each Flow-Through Unit consists of one common share in the capital of West Red Lake Gold issued on a "flow- through" basis pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one half of a common share purchase warrant (the "Warrant"). Each full Warrant issued in connection with the Flow-Through Units entitles its holder to purchase one common share in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.10 per share for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance.

Gross proceeds from the Flow-Through Units will be used by the Company for exploration expenditures on its 3,100 hectare West Red Lake Project property, which contains three former gold mines and is located in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario.

In connection with the financing, West Red Lake Gold paid finders' fees consisting of $4,900 in cash to qualified registrants. As a result of the financing, Accilent Capital Management Inc., a principal shareholder of the Company as a finder and also as a subscriber of Flow-Through Units through its affiliate Pavilion Flow-Through L.P., has increased its direct and indirect holding of the voting securities of the Company from 26.9% to 27.34% on a fully diluted basis.

The Company also announces that it has issued 1,285,716 common shares at a deemed price of $0.07 per share for $90,000 of services to the Company by several providers.

West Red Lake Gold Mines is a Toronto-based minerals exploration company focused on gold exploration and development in the prolific Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada. The Red Lake Gold District is host to some of the richest gold deposits in the world and has produced 30 million ounces of gold from high grade zones. The Company has assembled a significant property position totalling 3,100 hectares in west Red Lake (the "West Red Lake Project") which contains three former gold mines. The Mount Jamie Mine and Red Summit Mine properties are 100% owned by the Company and the Rowan Mine property is held in a 60%-owned joint venture with Red Lake Gold Mines. The West Red Lake Project property covers a 12 kilometre strike length along the Pipestone Bay St Paul Deformation Zone and the Company plans to continue to explore the property both along strike and to depth.

For more information, please contact: John Kontak, President Phone: 416-203-9181 Email: jkontak@rlgold.ca or visit our website: www.westredlakegold.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. West Red Lake Gold Mines does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/51151
PARIS - A man armed with a knife rampaged through a Paris park attacking passers-by seemingly at random Friday, killing one person and injuring two others before police shot him dead, officials said.

The mans motives werent immediate ly clear. A witness said he saw the attacker stab one man and that he appeared to select victims at random.

We heard screams, said the witness, who gave only his surname, Dia. Police fired round after round in bringing him down, he added.

We heard a first shot, someone shout Drop your weapon! he said. Then there were several shots fired.

Officials said one victim died and two others were injured in the afternoon attack in Villejuif in the southern suburbs of Paris.

Police union official Yves Lefebvre said officers opened fire repeatedly because they feared the man was wearing an explosive belt and might blow himself up.
Hours before the U.S. military sent a Reaper drone to kill one of the most wanted men on the planet, President Donald Trump was relaxing at his palatial Florida properties. In the morning, he played 18 holes at Trump International, his West Palm Beach golf club.

At around 3 p.m., he returned to Mar-a-Lago, the historic oceanfront estate hes branded the Winter White House, and waited, donning a navy blue suit with a powder-blue tie and an American flag pinned to his lapel.

Hed already made a riskyand potentially world-alteringdecision to allow the U.S. military to kill Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Irans elite paramilitary forces. Earlier this week, hed been surrounded at Mar-a-Lago by top officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, national security adviser Robert OBrien and Legislative Affairs Director Eric Ueland. Throughout the entire week, Trump sought input from other advisers by phone.

He was calm, cool and collected, said conservative radio host Howie Carr, who spoke with Trump on Thursday at Mar-a-Lago soon after the news first broke, as the president dined with GOP House leader Kevin McCarthy. I had no idea there was anything out of the ordinary going on until I got home.

As rocket attacks against U.S. bases in Iraq intensified over the last two months, the president had granted the Pentagon extraordinary latitude: The U.S. military had his permission to kill Soleimani the next time it had an opportunity to do so, according to a senior defense official who was not authorized to speak on the record.

We had authority before the strike to take that action, said the official, who wouldnt say how recently Trump gave the Pentagon that authorizationwhether it was hours, weeks or even months earlier. As recently as New Years Eve, the president was telling reporters that he didnt want war with Iran.

Story continues

For a man U.S. officials have portrayed as a terrorist mastermind, an evil genius responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, Soleimani often flaunted his influence as he jetted between Tehran, Baghdad and Beirut for meetings with local potentates.

I dont think it was so hard [to find him] because he was not below the radar in the last two or three years, said a former senior Israeli government official, who noted that Soleimani had previously moved around under strict operational secrecy. But the last two or three years, he worked in the open.

Former national security adviser John Bolton, a vocal advocate of regime change in Iran, described the killing of Soleimani as long in the making.

Weve known every minute of every day where Soleimani is for yearstheres no moment of any given day where five or six intelligence agencies cant tell you where he is, a Republican foreign policy hand said. Its been one of his talking points: The Americans can find me any time, they just dont dare hit me.

That calculation proved misguided in the wee hours of January 3 in Iraq, where Soleimani landed amid spiraling tensions between U.S.- and Iranian-allied factions. He arrived at the airport and we had a target of opportunity, and based on the presidents direction, we took it, the senior defense official said.

U.S. officials had received an intelligence-based assessment that drove our decision-making process, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday, describing how the recent killing of an American contractor had changed the Trump teams calculations about the intelligence flow they were receiving about Soleimanis activities in Iraq.

U.S. officials, briefing conservative think-tank experts on Friday, said the U.S. had "exquisite intelligence" on a plot to strike Americans in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, according to someone familiar with the call. By killing Soleimani, the officials said, they disrupted such plans.

A night of confusion and rumors

The first dispatches from Baghdad on Thursday evening were cryptic. Several Katyusha rockets have been fired at Baghdad airport, causing multiple casualties amid tensions with US, the AP alert read.

Then, suggestions that something major had just gone down began trickling in. Word that someonepresumably the United Stateshad just killed Irans pre-eminent strategist first posted online shortly before 7 p.m. in Washington.

As journalists scrambled to confirm and make sense of the rumors flying around, Iraqi state television announced that Soleimani, along with several of Irans top Iraqi allies, had been killed. A BBC reporter shared a grisly image purporting to show Soleimanis mangled hand, complete with his signature ruby ring; other photographs claiming to be of the remains of the convoy he was traveling in circulated online.

Photographs taken around this time showed President Trump huddling with McCarthy and White House aides Jared Kushner, Hogan Gidley and Dan Scavino at Mar-a-Lago.

A memorable and historic evening at The Winter White House. Proud of our President! McCarthy posted later on his Instagram feed.

It wasnt until 9:46 p.m. on Thursday that the U.S. government officially confirmed Soleimanis death, in the form of a terse, 163-word Pentagon press release emailed to reporters.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, the statement read.

The presidents only comment on Thursday evening was to post an online image of the American flag 14 minutes earlieran unusually coy tweet for the typically prolix commander in chief.

But his television surrogates were quick to supply their inside accounts.

Dialing into Fox News from his vacation, conservative commentator Sean Hannitya close Trump confidantshared what hed heard from one person familiar that was in the room.

The president said, Our people will be protected. This will not be Benghazi, Hannity relayed.

At one point, the Fox host continued, the president asked the question among some of his military and Cabinet and intelligence and State Department people, Well, how long is it going to take to mobilize? And the words [came back from the president], Thats not fast enough, and everybody said, Yes, sir. And they got it done in really record time.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, another of the presidents close allies on Capitol Hill who was with him at Mar-a-Lago, described the presidents mood on Thursday evening as very focused.

I think he was really dialed into the ways in which Soleimani was planning to kill Americans, to harm our diplomats and to throw the entire region into civil war, Gaetz said on Fox News. I think we understand that this is a big moment in time. He appreciates the gravity of that.

The White House seems to have informed only its closest congressional allies ahead of the move, with top Hill Democrats complaining that they hadnt been informed in advance.

A woman clenches her fist as she chants slogan while a man holds an anti-Israeli placard during a demonstration over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed

I was briefed about the potential operation when I was down in Florida, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who was with the president at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week, told Fox News on Friday morning. I appreciate being brought into the orbit.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper appeared to warn Iran of the coming strikes hours beforehand on Thursday, amid a discussion of the recent attacks on U.S. bases by Iraqi militias tied to Iran.

Do I think they may do something? Yes. And they will likely regret it, Esper told reporters. And we are prepared to exercise self-defense, and we are prepared to deter further bad behavior from these groups, all of which are sponsored and directed and resourced by Iran.

In what might have been a sign of preparation for the strike, Pompeo cancelled a trip to Ukraine and several other countries this week to monitor the tensions in Iraq.

State Department officials summoned the Iraqi ambassador to the U.S. for a meeting Thursday afternoon, according to a person familiar with the situation. It was not clear what exactly was discussed.

I think its been in the works for a while because I dont think it was a last-minute thing, a Middle Eastern official said. I dont think they were like, Oh we just found him, lets take him out.' I think it was to mitigate an action that was actually in the works.

Tracking Solemani was likely something that was being done from at least May, when the major stream of threats emerged, a former defense official said.

Actually targeting Soleimani posed a more formidable challenge, though, according to retired Lt. Gen. Michael Nagata, a former senior special operations commander in the Middle East who retired as strategy head at the National Counterterrorism Center last summer. That depends on being able to know not only where he is, but where hes going to be at a specific time in the future, Nagata said.

That, in part, was why we never decided to go after him personally before, Nagata said  especially in earlier years when Soleimani maintained a lower profile and traveled less often, the military was reluctant to devote surveillance assets to a target few believed any president would ever allow to be struck.

Soleimani was the spider at the center of the web, so there were recurring conversations over the years about what it would take to do something about him, Nagata explained. But what you had to grapple with was, This is going to divert time, energy and resources from other tasks, and for a mission that I have no confidence were going to go through with.

Consultation with Israel

Pompeo held several phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent weeks, suggesting that Israel was not surprised by the strike against Soleimani.

Before departing on Thursday morning for Greece, Netanyahu told reporters in Israel, We are in continuous contact with our great friend the U.S., including my conversation yesterday afternoon. I want to make one thing clear: We fully support all of the steps that the U.S. has taken as well as its full right to defend itself and its citizens.

By Friday morning, Pompeo was dialing up his counterparts in foreign capitals, including Moscow and Beijing, to stress that the strike was a defensive action and that the U.S. hopes for a de-escalation in the crisis. Esper spent Friday explaining the rationale for the strike by phone to defense ministers in Baghdad, Berlin, London, Ottawa, and Riyadh, according to Pentagon spokesperson Alyssa Farah. The German, Canadian and British militaries all have troops in Iraq alongside the U.S. who could be at risk if Iran retaliates against the coalition troop presence.

Iranian officials were warning of a severe reaction, and the Parliament in Baghdad was voting to bar U.S. troops from Iraq even as U.S. officials were planning to send more forces to the region. European diplomats traded anxious phone calls, warning about the potential for further regional chaos.

And Trump himself was finally weighing in, explaining and justifying the decision with a barrage of tweets and retweets. He should have been taken out many years ago! the president wrote.

Asked about the U.S. plan for managing the potential blowback from Iran, a U.S. defense official said, Your guess is as good as mine. The balls in Irans court at this time. Were waiting to see what their response is.

Nancy Cook, Quint Forgey and Caitlin Oprysko contributed reporting.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 107th Indian Science Congress at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru, today. On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi will deliver the inaugural address and also launch I-STEM Portal. Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yediyurappa and Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will also be present at the event.

The Theme of the India Science Congress (ISC) this year is 'Science and Technology: Rural Development'. Over 15,000 participants, including Nobel Laureates, scientists, intellectuals, academicians, policy makers, researchers, students and delegates from different institutions are expected to participate in the event.

Modi on Thursday dedicated five Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Young Scientist Laboratories to the nation.

DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs) are located in five cities: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Each lab will work on key advanced technology of importance for the development of futuristic defence technologies based on artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cognitive technologies, asymmetric technologies and smart materials.

Research in the area of artificial intelligence will be carried out in Bengaluru, while the Mumbai lab will work in the field of quantum technology and will be based out of IIT-Mumbai. IIT-Chennai will house the lab embarking in this area of cognitive technologies. The research on asymmetric technologies, which could change the way wars are fought, will be based out of the campus of Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The research in the critical area of smart materials and their applications will be based out of Hyderabad.
Staff at the Mogo Zoo, Australia have been working since New Year's Eve to ensure that all animals would be safe from the encroaching bushfire. As the blaze from the New South Wales south coast has already decimated the local area, it was now heading directly for the animal facility. However, all precautionary measures were put in place before the bushfire warning was even released.

READ: Australian PM 'inclined' To Cancel His Visit To India Amid Bushfire Crisis

The staff at the zoo, however, was also helped by the former federal MP Emma Husar, who set up a GoFundMe for the zoo. According to international media reports, the funding page was also able to raise approximately $30,000, which has been used to buy a generator, water, firefighting pump and animal food. While speaking to an international media outlet, the zoo director, Chad Staples said that they have been overwhelmed by the support but their hard work to get more than 200 exotic animals safe isn't over. He further also added that the zoo is in desperate need of power generators, fuel and water as they have already depleted all the water stores that they had.

Thank you to the Twitter army, we have the generator, water,firefighting pump, animal food & a tech en route.



Donations can be made  https://t.co/BCN08AyMrc and I am feeling proud of our amazing community #auspol #NSWbushfires #MogoZoo  Emma Husar (@emmahusarmp) January 2, 2020

READ: Heartbreaking Video Shows Dozens Of Kangaroos Fleeing Australian Bushfires

According to reports, the zoo started putting water everywhere they could to wet everything that could become fuel. Lions, tigers, gorillas, orangutans were also sent into their night dens to keep them calm, while giraffe and zebra stayed in their paddocks, however, the zoo provided them access to everywhere so they could decide where they went.

Species affected by bushfires

According to international media reports, the wildlife rescue services have rescued some of the kangaroos and treated them for burnt feet pads, however, they have estimated that millions of animals have already been killed by the bushfires. According to reports, many species including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, possums, wombats and echidnas have been affected by the wild bushfires and koalas are feared to be among the hardest hit, with an estimated 30 per cent of just one koala colony on the country's northeast coast thought to be lost.

READ: New Zealand Snow-capped Mountains Turn Brown From Australian Bushfires

READ: Koalas Have Become Global Face Of Australian Bushfire Crisis
By Katie Bernard, The Kansas City Star

A Captain America actress accused of stabbing her mother to death in Olathe, Kansas, will represent herself in court, she told a judge.

Mollie Fitzgerald appeared by video Thursday in Johnson County District Court. The 38-year-old is charged with second-degree murder. Her mother, 68-year-old Patricia Fitzgerald was found dead on Dec. 20 in her home in the 10200 block of South Shadow Circle in Olathe.

Mollie Fitzgerald was arrested Tuesday. Her bond was set at $500,000.

In court Thursday, Fitzgerald said she has a law degree from the University of Houston and intends to represent herself in the criminal case. She said she objected to her ex-husband Corey Jackson being called as witness.

According to the website IMDb, Fitzgerald is a producer, director and actress. She had a small role as a Stark Girl in 2011s Captain America: The First Avenger, and wrote and directed 2011s The Lawful Truth which featured the Marvel movies director Joe Johnston in the cast.

for everyone seeing mollie fitzgerald was in captain america and wondering who, she was the assistant lady at the stark expo pic.twitter.com/8Kw6AcNN9O  elijah  (@cherrystan_) January 2, 2020

Patricia Fitzgerald was in the process of moving back to the Kansas City area from Houston, her brother Gary Hunziker told The Star.

Mollie Fitzgerald is scheduled to appear in court next on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m.
| Photo: Kari Travis/Carolina Journal

N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein will not seek to restore North Carolina's voter identification requirement for the 2020 primary election. The decision announced Thursday, Jan. 2, prompted criticism from the state's top elected Republican.The announcement from Stein, a Democrat, responds to a federal court ruling that potentially blocks voter ID for the entire 2020 election cycle.Stein's N.C. Department of Justice announced in a news release.the release added.Republican leaders had urged a quick appeal from Stein. GOP Lt. Gov. Dan Forest issued a statement on Stein's "punt of voter ID."Forest said.Forest added.U.S. District Court Judge Loretta Biggs, a Barack Obama appointee, blocked Senate Bill 824 in an order issued Tuesday, Dec. 31. That 2018 bill was designed to implement a voter-approved constitutional amendment requiring voter ID for N.C. elections. Biggs said racial motivation was a likely factor in the General Assembly's crafting of the voter ID law. The N.C. NAACP, which brought the lawsuit, was likely to prevail in several of its allegations against the law, Biggs said.Her order blocks the law from taking effect for the full 2020 election cycle unless the order is blocked or defendants win at a trial sometime this year. Lawyers for Republican legislative leaders had said Monday the order would have to be reversed by Jan. 13 to allow officials to prepare voters for an ID requirement in the March 3 primary election.The General Assembly passed S.B. 824 in December 2018 over Gov. Roy Cooper's veto.State government defendants, says the order, shall take steps to stop mailings and other public communications that may be in production - but haven't yet been sent - saying photo ID will be required for 2020 elections. The court orders those involved to work with local media, county boards of elections, and voter-education groups to take all necessary and reasonable steps to inform voters of this injunction and, specifically, inform voters no photo ID will be required to vote.
Lebanon's caretaker justice minister says his country has received an international wanted notice for former Nissan Motor chairman Carlos Ghosn from Interpol.

Ghosn is believed to have arrived in Lebanon on Monday via Turkey after skipping bail in Japan, where he has been indicted on charges of financial misconduct.

Albert Aziz Serhan said, "Authorities will respond to the request from Interpol based on law and they expect to question Mr. Ghosn.

The minister added Ghosn entered Lebanon with legitimate documentation, and airport security officials have confirmed his travel documents were in order.

Japan and Lebanon do not have an extradition treaty. The minister said they will cooperate with the Japanese government based on Lebanese law, but did not clearly refer to the extradition of Ghosn.

Meanwhile, Ghosn issued a statement through his press representative on Thursday, US time.

The statement reads: "There has been speculation in the media that my wife Carole, and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan." It adds: "All such speculation is inaccurate and false."

Investigative sources say surveillance video shows Ghosn leaving his home in central Tokyo alone shortly before his departure from Japan.

They say the footage was taken by a camera at the residence around noon on Sunday.

The sources say the camera did not capture any other suspicious persons entering or leaving the home around the time Ghosn came out. They say the camera did not show him returning home.

Investigations are going on in Turkey. Ghosn is believed to have arrived in Beirut on a private jet from Turkey. The local police have detained seven people. Four of them are pilots. They are suspected of involvement in the operation of the private jet.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday the assassination of Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani was, "an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation."

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he said in a post on Twitter.
Former Love Island star Georgia Harrison has sat down to dinner with her former flame Sam Gowland for BBC Three's Eating With My Ex - and has revealed the results got a tad painful.

Speaking to MailOnline, Georgia, 25, afmitted that things weren't easy as the pair went for a filmed three-course meal together to air their dirty laundry for the sake of the fly-on-the-wall series.

And on the menu was a question from Sam about why Georgia dumped him on Twitter.

#Awks: Former Love Island star Georgia Harrison has sat down to dinner with her former flame Sam Gowland for BBC Three's Eating With My Ex - and has revealed the results got a tad painful

'It was awkward because we haven't seen each other for a while. Prior to that I think it was about two years,' she explained. 'So it was weird  it was sort of alright. But, yeah, awkward.

'It's not a situation that you'r normally find yourself in, is it? A three-course meal with your ex. And that can get heated.'

In an exclusive clip of the interaction, Sam asks Georgia about the Twitter situation.

In August 2017, she penned on Twitter: 'Would like to confirm that myself and Sam are no longer together. Unfortunately for some men one girl isn't always enough.'

Barrel of laughs: Speaking to MailOnline, Georgia, 25, afmitted that things weren't easy as the pair went for a filmed three-course meal together to air their dirty laundry for the sake of the fly-on-the-wall series

The big question: And on the menu was a question from Sam about why Georgia dumped him on Twitter

Tell me why! In an exclusive clip of the interaction, Sam asks Georgia about the Twitter situation

This appeared to be news to Sam.

'We ended things publicly,' Georgia recalls. 'And to do this show has actually given us a kind of closure. It was quite nice to get to do it actually. Helps you to understand the other person, in a way.'

Georgia insisted that the episode will be 'light-hearted' as well and an entertaining watch.

'It ends well,' she admitted. 'We are definitely on good terms again. It's about healing.'

Public display of dumping: 'We ended things publicly,' Georgia recalls. 'And to do this show has actually given us a kind of closure. It was quite nice to get to do it actually. Helps you to understand the other person, in a way'

Having it out: Georgia insisted that the episode will be 'light-hearted' as well and an entertaining watch

Fuming? 'It ends well,' she admitted. 'We are definitely on good terms again. It's about healing'

The pair sparked their romance after Sam was reintroduced to the Love Island villa for a second time in the summer of 2017, after failing to find love in the first few weeks.

The couple hit it off immediately, and it appeared to be the real deal, as they even jetted off to Marbella for a romantic holiday together shortly after leaving the show that July.

However, the pair's love story appeared to ground to a halt after Sam was spotted enjoying the new found throes of his fame on nights out flanked by various women.

Before Christmas, Georgia spoke to MailOnline about the latest Love Island dramas - namely Caroline Flack being replaced by Laura Whitmore after the former was arrested and charged with assault just weeks before the brand new winter season of the reality show is about to kick off.

Opinion:Georgia believes the winter series of Love Island will still be a success, despite the shock revelation that Caroline Flack is not hosting it anymore

Dramatics: Caroline, 40, was arrested and consequently charged with assault on Friday, announcing on Tuesday that she is 'stepping down' from her role as host on the January 2020 season, so as not to 'detract attention' from it

Former-star: Georgia - who appeared on the ITV2 reality show in 2017 - believes the show was due a shake-up, despite the 'sad' circumstances surrounding Caroline

Regardless of this drama, Georgia believes the winter series will still be a success.

'I'm sad for Caroline and the situation. But I'm not aware of the severity of it so can't really comment.

'I do think the series will still do well. And I think something needs to change so it differentiates from the summer series. Like when they bring in the [fake] babies, they could do something different to that.'

Caroline, 40, was arrested and consequently charged with assault on her boyfriend Lewis Burton, announcing on before Christmas that she is 'stepping down' from her role as host on the January 2020 season, so as not to 'detract attention' from it.

The presenter, who was recently given a 1.2m deal to host two seasons of the show a year, is said to be 'devastated', but for now, is only standing down from the sixth series, which ITV confirmed will begin on January 12.

Caroline broke her silence on Instagram on Tuesday and wrote: 'There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regard to my personal life.

Over: Caroline shared this post on Instagram on Tuesday as she broke her silence on the matter - the decision will no doubt prove to be a logistical nightmare for ITV

'I've been offered help and understanding': Caroline also thanked fans for their kindness and asserted her love for her boyfriend Lewis at the same time

'While matters were not as have been reported I am committed to co-operating with the appropriate authorities and I can't comment further on these matters until the legal process is over.

'However Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it's the best show on telly. In order not to detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is stand down from Series 6.

'I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town.'

Surprise news: Caroline's pal Laura Whitmore will fill in for her

Shock: Caroline and Lewis have maintained that things are OK between them and she asserted on Tuesday that she loves him (pictured in October)

Caroline continued: 'And on a really personal level. I have never experienced such kindness and love in my whole life.

'Not just from friends and family who are always the greatest but also from total strangers who send messages to me offering help and understanding... Please know that I see them and my boyfriend Lewis. I love you x.'

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline shortly after her post: ITV has a long standing relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision.

'We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island.

A source also told MailOnline: 'The door is firmly open to Caroline.'
(Sharecast News) - London equity markets fell in early trade on Friday after Iran's top general was killed by a US airstrike in Iraq, but energy shares rallied as geopolitical tensions sent oil prices surging.

At 0830 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.3% at 7,582.43.



General Qasem Soleimani was killed earlier on Friday at Baghdad airport in a strike ordered by US President Donald Trump. Soleimani was head of Iran's elite Quds Force. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed "severe retaliation" for the killers.



The US defence department said in a statement: "At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Soleimani. General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."



Iran's Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, said on Twitter that the killing was "an act of international terrorism" directed against "the most effective force fighting" Islamic State and al Qaeda.



Spreadex analyst Connor Campbell said: "Though Suleimani may be unknown by many in the West, some political analysts have likened him to a US vice president in terms of profile, while he has previously been described as the 'single most powerful operative in the Middle East'.



"Important to bear in mind when considering the kind of response that could be expected from Iran (a nation, remember, that has major ties to Russia and China)."



Oil prices jumped as geopolitical tensions threatened supply, with West Texas Intermediate up 2.9% at $63.01 a barrel and Brent crude 3.1% higher at $68.40. BP, Shell, Premier Oil, Tullow Oil and Wood Group all gained.



Precious metals miners were also on the rise as gold prices pushed higher, with Polymetal, Hochschild, Centamin and Fresnillo all trading up.



On home turf, investors were mulling the latest survey from Nationwide, which showed that annual UK house price growth topped 1% in December for the first time in 12 months as a healthy labour market helped to offset economic uncertainty.



House prices rose 1.4% on the year compared to 0.8% growth in November, meeting analysts' expectations. On the month, prices ticked up 0.1%, down from 0.5% growth in November but a touch better than expectations of no growth.



Nationwide's chief economist Robert Gardner said: "Indicators of UK economic activity were fairly volatile for much of 2019, but the underlying pace of growth appeared to slow through the year as a result of weaker global growth and an intensification of Brexit uncertainty.



"The underlying pace of housing market activity remained broadly stable, with the number of mortgages approved for house purchase continuing within the fairly narrow range prevailing over the past two years. Healthy labour market conditions and low borrowing costs appear to have offset the drag from the uncertain economic outlook.



"Looking ahead, economic developments will remain the key driver of housing market trends and house prices. Much will continue to depend on how quickly uncertainty about the UK's future trading relationships lifts as well as the outlook for global growth."



Gardner said house prices were expected to remain broadly flat over the next twelve months.



Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said the rise in year-on-year growth above 1% for the first time in 12 months is another sign that the housing market is getting back on its feet.



"Admittedly, a base effect- prices fell by 0.5% month-to-month in December 2018- helped to boost the year-over-year growth rate. But prices also have been lifted in recent months by the sharp decline in mortgage rates."



In UK corporate news, fashion retailer Next was in the green after it raised full-year profit guidance as a colder November and improved stock availability provided a boost for sales over the Christmas period.



On the downside, gambling stocks were under pressure, with GVC Holdings, 888 and William Hill all weaker following reports the Gambling Commission is considering whether to ban VIP schemes in Britain. This follows a series of scandals in which customers were allowed to bet with stolen money or lose huge amounts without adequate checks on whether they could afford it.



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The hunger for long knives became a yell.

The street is a volcano of hate.

From On the Day of Hate,

by Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, 1933

Because they were Jews  is why a man, armed with a machete, broke into the home of a Monsey, N.Y., Hasidic rabbi Saturday night, yelled, Ill get you! and attacked worshipers at a Hanukkah service, wounding five.

Because they were Jews  is why, last year, a gunman entered Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue, killing 11 congregants and wounding six others.

Because they were Jews  is why one worshiper was killed and three others injured by a gunman in a Poway, Calif., synagogue in April.

Because they were Jews  is why a kosher supermarket in Jersey City was shot up last month, leaving four people dead.

Because they are (fill in any religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation or gender identity)  is why at any time, someone can be harassed, terrorized or murdered. For being who they are.

But some groups are especially, and historically, singled out for attacks, and thats become a disturbing hallmark of these times.

Lets step back from what happened in New York for a moment and take a look at the broader picture. FBI statistics show a rise in hate crime and white nationalist violence, and a significant increase of violence against Latinos. The agencys full data for 2019 wont be released until next year, but what the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism can glean so far is that hate crimes reports should reach record highs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

The center finds that in New York, while hate crimes against Asian Americans, African Americans and Muslims are going down, anti-Semitic hate crimes are on the rise.

Before Saturday nights attack, a series of anti-Semitic crimes had already forced New York City police to increase patrols in neighborhoods with large numbers of Jewish residents.

This mirrors a national trend. The Anti-Defamation League, which has been tracking anti-Semitic hate crimes since 1979 and had noted a decline in 2013, has seen the numbers surge since 2014.

The frightening escalation of white nationalists doesnt account for all assaults on Jews. The perpetrators in recent attacks have included whites, blacks and Latinos.

Grafton Thomas, who has been charged with federal hate crimes in the Monsey assaults, is black. Authorities recovered, among other things, handwritten journals expressing anti-Semitic views, as well as online searches for Zionist Temples and German Jewish Temples near me.

Thomas family and attorney say he suffers from mental illness and claimed to hear voices directing him to Monsey.

Whatever the health of Thomas state of mind, it was a mind open and responsive to ancient and contemporary voices of hate and anti-Semitic bile; voices that drove him, machete in hand, to the home of a Jewish rabbi on Hanukkahs seventh night.

To condemn words of hate and the acts of violence they birth is always right. But thats merely reacting to acts of hatred that have already been expressed through crimes already committed.

Voices, whether inciting people to do harm or inspiring them to be good, must be raised to be heard. The voices of anti-Semitism and other hatreds are amplified when those of us in opposition dont raise our voices as loudly and consistently in solidarity with those targeted.

In 1964, writing to galvanize support for the plight of Soviet Jews, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the 20th centurys great prophetic voices, cited the civil rights movement: What is happening in our own days in America proves beyond doubt that a strong voice, ringing with force and dignity, has the power to pierce the iron shield of dormant conscience.

Because they are Jews and Muslims and Latinos and African Americans is why theyre attacked in hate crimes. Because they are of us, and we of them, is why our voices must be stronger against the bigotry threatening all.
(Newser)  Loved ones who spoke with crew members on the Scandies Rose crabbing boat shortly before it sank on New Year's Eve in the Gulf of Alaska, leaving two survivors and five missing and feared dead, say they didn't realize just how dire the situation was. Jeri Lynn Smith of North Carolina tells the Anchorage Daily News she spoke to ex-boyfriend Gary Cobban, the captain of the ship and one of the missing, about two hours Tuesday evening before the mayday call from the boat came in. Smith says that although Cobban mentioned the boat was icing, that was a common thing in Alaskan waters, and he didn't sound concerned. Ashley Boggs, fiancee of missing fisherman Brock Rainey, says he relayed a similar message. Meanwhile, in a short video posted on YouTube, survivor Dean Gribble, who was found alive in a life raft with John Lawler, describes the chaos.

story continues below

The boat "started listing really hard to the starboard side," says Gribble, who's appeared on Discovery's Deadliest Catch. "From sleeping to swimming, it was about 10 minutes. It happened really fast." He notes his colleagues were doing all they could to make it off the boat safely, but that they were "in 20-foot seas, it's blowing 40, icy conditions, worst possible conditions. I've fished for 20 years, I know that you do not make it, [that] everybody would die in those situations." He adds he feels bad that only he and Lawler survived: "I just wish the other guys would've made it." Gribble and Lawler were treated for hypothermia and released from the hospital; the search for the other men was called off Wednesday. The Washington Post notes that commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations, per the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (Read more sinking stories.)
Insurers are counting the rising cost of the wildfires that are raging across Australia.

Distraught homeowners and other policyholders have already filed 4,299 claims in relation to the blazes, according to the Insurance Council Of Australia, which estimates the cost of damages has hit 158 million.

As the fires continue to burn, local news sources have reported that insurance claims could top 320 million.

Insurers are bracing themselves for a deluge of claims connected to the Australian wildfires

Global reinsurance firms, such as Swiss Re and London-listed Hiscox, will eye the rising claims warily. Though most are likely to be limited to Australian firms, reinsurers take on risk from policies worldwide.

Lloyds of London, the insurance and reinsurance market, said it is too early to put a number on the impact the blazes will have on its members.

New South Wales (pictured) has been the worst-hit area, although South Australia, Victoria and Queensland have also been ravaged. As of yesterday, New South Wales reported 1,289 homes destroyed and 442 damaged, and 2,218 outbuildings destroyed with 937 damaged.

The death toll is expected to rise as temperatures are set to hit 45C (113F) over the weekend, with 18 fatalities already recorded.

Two years ago, accountant Deloitte warned that Australia would face growing costs from natural disasters. The total could hit 21 billion per year by 2050, it added. Australia experienced its hottest year on record in 2019. The average maximum temperature across Australia reached a record 41.9C (107.4F) on December 18.

However, the costs of the current spate of wildfires is not thought to be as disastrous as the Black Saturday fires which rampaged across the country in 2009.

A royal commission which was called in the wake of that crisis put the cost at 2.3 billion, of which 640 million was insurance claims.

The most recent blazes have burned through about 5.5 million hectares of land  an area almost three times the size of Wales.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size It's barely a whisper when 14-year-old Patricia Oome speaks, and her movements are laboured as she struggles to find a comfortable position on her bed. A room full of children shouldn't be this quiet, but like many admitted to the paediatric ward of the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), Patricia is weak from severe malnutrition - a result of often eating just one meal a day as her family feels the financial strain of having seven children. She also has tuberculosis, a disease rare in Australia but which has one of the highest prevalence rates in the world in Papua New Guinea, where about 7000 children are infected each year. Tuberculosis is preventable and curable, yet it is one of PNG's leading causes of death. A young girl with her mother waiting to receive tuberculosis medication. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen "It's Africa on our doorstep," says Dr Katie Allen, the MP for Higgins who had a successful career as a paediatrician at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne before entering politics in the May election. "I think Australians are not quite aware of how our nearest neighbour - we're part of the Pacific family - is in need of our support," Allen said while visiting the ward on a cross-party parliamentary delegation to see projects supported by the Australian government.

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As Australia's closest neighbour, PNG's health security is a shared concern. It's only a 95-minute flight from the capital, Port Moresby, to Cairns, and when Queensland Senator Nita Green asks how far PNG is from Australia's most northerly inhabited island, Boigu Island, an official from PNG's National Department for Health replies: "If they shouted on one island, they could hear it on the other." PNG is Australia's largest aid recipient at $607.5 million - almost half of the entire budget for the Pacific - with the emphasis on partnerships to improve healthcare and education. Some of that aid money goes to the Child TB project at PMGH, which started in mid-2016. Sylvester Begama, 13, with his mother Theresa Nata. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen A few beds down from Patricia is 13-year-old Sylvester Begama, who was admitted in 2017 "gasping for air", pediatric ward senior nurse Wama Murray remembers. "He was very, very malnourished. He couldn't walk." His treatment included a high-nutrient and energy milk formula designed specifically to treat severe malnutrition. After nearly two years in hospital, Sylvester beams when he says he has just one week until he's discharged.

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The concern, though, is what will happen once he stops receiving treatment. Murray acknowledges the challenges facing patients after they are discharged - the financial difficulties many families face are one of the main reasons for poor nutrition. Loading One of the causes identified for the high rates of tuberculosis in PNG is patients not completing their antibiotic treatment. To prevent this, they have clinics where nurses make sure patients take their medication. Every morning, rain or shine, since April this year, Racheal Uwona and her daughter have made the short walk to one such clinic to receive their TB treatment. A nurse methodically cracks open the various blister packs and ticks off the medication they are about to receive - 11 pills for Racheal and eight pills for seven-year-old Linda. Linda, 7, during her visit to Port Moresby's Six Mile Clinic to receive her tuberculosis treatment. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Linda doesn't even hesitate as she swallows all the pills in one go. They have been visiting the clinic for the past four months and they are expecting treatment to continue for at least another 20 months. Taking healthcare to the hills

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The undulating mountains of the Highlands region are beautiful but also emblematic of the challenges facing the delivery of healthcare in remote regions. Eastern Highlands children in traditional attire in Kainantu, Papua New Guinea. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The parliamentary delegation - Labor's Nita Green and Josh Burns, Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick and Liberals Katie Allen, Hollie Hughes and Dave Sharma - travelled from Goroka to Kainantu to visit a community health outpost. Escorted by security guards in a four-wheel-drive convoy, the 80-kilometre journey took more than two hours. The leader of the delegation, Save the Children Australia chief Paul Ronalds, is forced to jump out of a Land Cruiser at one stage to shepherd bemused children on their way to school away from the vehicle as its wheels spin in thick mud. Wendy and three-year-old daughter Beverly, who is receiving her rubella vaccination at a mobile clinic operated by Susu Mamas. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Some of these remote communities have healthcare come to them. A modern clinic on the back of a truck sits like an oasis at the side of the Highlands Highway on the outskirts of the Western Highlands town of Mount Hagen, with mothers bringing their babies to get their vaccinations.

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The free maternal and child healthcare service is what Douglas Apeng and his organisation Susu Mamas does, one of the success stories of PNG and Australian government partnership funds. Ruth Ismile with her son, Carlvert, after he received his tetanus vaccination at a mobile clinic. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen For Ruth Ismile, it means her month-old son, Carlvert, can receive his tetanus vaccination for free and without them having to make the journey into town. With malnutrition and stunted growth in children endemic to PNG, one of the main objectives of Susu Mamas is promoting breastfeeding, and Apeng takes great pride in promoting a family-friendly workplace. "As an organisation we walk the talk - when our staff have delivered their babies, they bring their children to work and breastfeed," he says. There is also transport provided to take children of staff to school. Susu Mamas midwife Sylvia Nikints breastfeeds her five-month-old babies Zita and Zion. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Educating girls

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A key executive at Samsung Electronics Co. on Friday emphasized that the company will pursue personalized technology that can erase boundaries between the digital and physical worlds, hinting that it will beef up efforts in artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.







Kim Hyun-suk, president and CEO of Samsung's Consumer Electronics division, said that the South Korean tech giant is preparing to lead what he calls "the Age of Experience."







"The Age of Experience will be defined by personalized technology that meets your needs," he said in an editorial posted on the company's website. "Instead of changing your routine to incorporate more devices, your devices will work seamlessly for you."







Kim added Samsung is "uniquely positioned" to lead the era of connectivity with its AI, IoT and Internet 5G telecommunication technologies.







"With the emergence of AI and IoT, finally enabled by the power of 5G, the start of 2020 marks a moment where the realization of our vision for an intelligently connected world becomes a reality," he said.







To achieve its goals, Kim said Samsung will be open to working with others.







"At Samsung, innovation is about maximizing human potential and working with our valued partners through open collaboration to develop technologies that advance humanity," he said.







Kim is one of the keynote speakers at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that kicks off Tuesday in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is expected to further explain Samsung's future strategy at the world's biggest tech expo. (Yonhap)


Multinational companies in Ghana enhance the country's economic growth. Ghana has enough resources for local and foreign investors to exploit. Several local firms have grown into multinational companies. However, most potential local investors face financial challenges that hinder them from investing extensively, unlike external investors. As a local investor, do not worry about competition from foreign companies because the government's strict laws and strategies regulate both parties' activities and promote fair competition.

Photo: canva.com (modified by author)

Source: UGC

The history of multinational corporations in Ghana reveals that most of these companies originate from Europe and America. There were 37 more American companies in Ghana between 2011 to 2016. The government is transforming the local economy into an export-led economy to nurture local companies into multinational businesses. A strategic export-led economy exposes local investors to international trade initiatives like the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

What are the top 10 multinational companies?

Foreign companies' branches must have the country's name regardless of their parent companies' country of origin. For example, MTN Ghana and Ecobank Ghana Limited. Below are the best multinational companies in Ghana:

1. Coca Cola

Equatorial Coca-Cola bottling Company runs Coca Cola brand in Northern and Western Africa. Photo: pixabay.com

Source: UGC

Everyone in the world knows this global soft drink brand, thanks to how heavily they invest in marketing and advertising. The plastic bottling and sugar-free versions as popular as their other products.

2. MTN

The August 2020 MTN Shareholders' AGM. Photo: MTNGhana

Source: Facebook

MTN dominates the nation's telecommunication industry because it is a pioneer media transmission and telecommunication service company. Some of the innovative services that help it outshine its rivals include MTN Mobile Money services and customer reward points.

3. KPMG

KPMG, one of the big four accounting firms worldwide, is a combination of accounting and auditing firms that offer professional services to over 147 countries. KPMG Ghana has more than 500 employees.

4. Olam Limited

Olam Ghana Limited's 2019's Fortitude Testing Kits donation to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. Photo: NMIMR_UG

Source: Twitter

Investing in this country helped Olam to become an agribusiness giant worldwide. Olam is the leading food and industrial raw materials supplier globally, from cocoa, cashews, coffee, and rice, to over 19,800 countries in the world. However, the company is not listed on Ghana Stock Exchange.

5. Total Petroleum Limited

A branch of Total Petroleum Limited. Photo: Jobwebghana

Source: Facebook

Total petroleum, a Total Group branch, is a pioneer oil and gas company in the world and the first international company in Ghana. It was established in this nation over 50 years ago, and it records more than 3 billion Ghana Cedis annual turnover yearly.

6. Ecobank Limited

Ecobank is exceptionally beneficial in the country's financial sector. It is a local unit of the Pan-African bank, Ecobank Group. Ecobank Group's headquarters are in Lome, Togo, and it has branches in over 33 African nations. The bank began operating in the country in 1990 and procured TTB (The Trust Bank) for GHC 220 million in 2011.

7. Benso Oil Palm Plantation Limited (BOPP)

One of Benso Oil Palm Plantation Limited's conferences in 2019. Photo: turkazzi

Source: Twitter

The government-owned company processes palm oil and related products like RBD palm oil and vegetable oil. It is the largest palm oil producing company in West Africa and exports its products to Europe, America, and Asia. Moreover, BOPP expanded its investments into the oil refinery business and oil mixing.

8. Fan Milk Limited (FML)

GCB Bank Limited's logo. Photo: French Embassy in Ghana / Ambassade de France au Ghana

Source: Facebook

The company makes a fortune out of various milk desserts, including yogurts, organic citrus drinks. Their drain-based and natural milk products are natives' favorite food. Abraaj Capital, a Dubai-based financial specialist, began controlling FML's international operations after obtaining 56.6% of its shares. The takeover enabled the company to meet the market requirements of the country's milk industry.

9. Guinness Breweries Limited (GGBL)

GCB Bank Limited's logo. Photo: GhanaNewslocal1

Source: Twitter

GGBL capitalizes on the locals' rich drinking culture; hence top companies in Ghana that invest in alcoholic refreshments experience quick success. Guinness breweries produce and sell both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

10. Unilever

Unilever is Europes seventh most valuable company for over 85 years. Photo: RevistaMerca2.0

Source: Facebook

It is among the top European companies in Ghana since it was established on 14th July 1992. Unilever's headquarters are in London and Rotterdam, and it has extended branches to over 190 countries worldwide. The company makes food and beverages, beauty products, cleaning agents, and personal care products.

Multinational companies in Ghana enhance the flow of money in the country's economy because some earn a gross income that way more than the country's yearly budget. Furthermore, these corporations have more advantages, including employment creation, and they are the highest paying companies in Ghana.

Yen.com.gh made a list of the best investment banks in Ghana. What are investment banks? They are unique banking organizations that help their clients (individuals or organizations) raise capital for business investments and help new firms go public.

These financial institutions also provide them with financial consultancy services and act as intermediaries between investors and security issuers. They walk with the client throughout their journey toward financial independence.

Source: YEN.com.gh
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan has said that the state government should not have used the Assembly, a constitutional body, to register its protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.

"They have made a demand to the central government. They have every right to do it. They could have done it outside the assembly as well. Using a constitutional body to say something which is not in accordance with the constitution is not proper," he told media persons in Kottayam.

"Citizenship is exclusively a subject in the union list. The state government has nothing to do with it. Those who passed the resolution know it very well. It has no legal sanctity. Then why did they waste the time of the assembly. Do you know how much it will cost the people of Kerala? For Kerala this is a non-issue." he added.

"If the Kerala Assembly passes a resolution that America should invade Afghanistan then they are only wasting time. Citizenship law has to be uniform and is the responsibility of the central government. You can give your opinion outside the assembly. I'm not saying it is illegal. But it has no meaning," he said

The governor said the assembly wasted time and money by passing the resolution. "If you have money in your pocket and if you want to throw away then it is your privilege... suppose if the assembly passes a resolution that Germany should attack England... it's like that," he added.

The governor asked his critics to read the Constitution on why he defends the CAA. "If in my presence any law is criticised it is my the duty to defend it," he said.

On the threat by Congress leader K Muraleedharan MP that "Khan will not be allowed to walk on the streets, if he doesn't resign", the governor said: "Trying to intimidate the president of the country or governor of the state is a criminal act. It is a cognizable and punishable offence," he said.

The governor said that he did not mean to frighten anybody but to point out that responsible people in public life should not speak in a language which goes against the constitution or the law of the land.

CPM attacks Governor

Meanwhile, the CPM leadership on Friday unleashed a major attack on the Governor for his remarks against the Assembly resolution. The Governor has been donning the role of BJP state president, the CPM has accused. "The Governor has crossed all limits. His actions are not in line with the spirit of Constitution," said the CPM state leadership.
By Jason Lim





Until recently, I could have sworn that the above line from "Return of the Jedi" was uttered by Darth Vader as Luke, a newly minted Jedi, boarded the Death Star to take down the evil Emperor Palpatine. It's a belief shared by many Star Wars fans, including my eight-year-old son. Apparently, we were all wrong. The actual line was, "No, I am your father." And it didn't happen at the final encounter. It happened way before when Luke initially had his hand chopped off by Darth Vader.



Such a phenomenon is coined the "Mandela Effect." As a recent article by Quartz explains, "In 2009, Fiona Broome, an author of several "how-to books about ghost hunting," found herself in a conversation at Dragon Con, a yearly pop culture convention, with a group of people who shared specific memories of Nelson Mandela's death in the 1980s, including scenes from the televised funeral and a speech by his widow. But when Broome was having that conversation, Mandela was alive. It wasn't until 2013 that the South African leader passed away. And it wasn't just Broome who believed Mandela's death in the 1980s to be a fact."



The Mandela funeral wasn't one that I was victimized by. However, I did think the queen in Snow White said, "Mirror, mirror on the wall" instead of "Magic mirror on the wall" and that Jif Peanut Butter was Jiffy Peanut Butter. In fact, Broome hosts a site called, "mandelaeffect.com" that lists the top Mandela Effects that people have reported over the years.



Reading about the Mandela Effect reminded me of the gold vs. blue dress debate that swept the social media world several years back. Remember the dress? Some of us swore that the dress was gold and white while others declared equally vehemently that the dress was blue and black. The real "objective" answer was the latter, although I still see the dress as gold and white. This phenomenon happened because the human brain, when faced with uncertain or conflicting information, makes assumptions based on what it's most familiar with because of previous encounters.



Writing in Slate in 2017, Pascal Wallisch hypothesizes that people's sleeping habits determine whether they are more exposed to sunlight or not, leading to the natural assumption that the dress is in the shade of sunlight. This resulted in the brain automatically subtracting out the short wave-length light (to compensate for the assumed shade) to show the dress as gold and white. The night owls, who are not as "familiar" with sunlight, wouldn't make the same subconscious assumption and see the dress as blue and black, its true colors.



Wallisch writes, "Now, why would some people assume one set of lighting conditions and others a different one? That probably depends on the viewing history of the individual observer. How would one study that? One can hardly ask people if they are exposed to more short- or more long-wavelength light.



Chances are that most people wouldn't know and definitely would not be able to assess how their histories of light perception are different relative to other people. I could make one confident prediction, though: All else being equal, people who rise early ("larks") and go to bed at a reasonable time should be exposed to more daylight than those who rise late and go to bed later ("owls"). In contrast, owls could be expected to experience relatively more incandescent light than larks.



Such examples reinforce the emerging findings from neuroscience that have shown, as written by David Brooks, that "human decision-making is powerfully influenced by our social contexts  by the frames, biases and filters that are shared subconsciously by those around  Psychologists have shown that we are organized by our attachments. Sociologists have shown the power of social networks to affect individual behavior."



In short, our decision-making depends upon the social and cultural contexts in which we are embedded. In fact, we can't really observe a phenomenon, remember an event or make a decision apart from what we have learned from our community, institutions and social fabric. It's actually even deeper than this. Geneticists have even shown that our behavior is influenced by our ancestors and the exigencies of the past that we inherit through epigenetics  this will also inform how we "know" the world.



As we say goodbye to the old decade and welcome in the new one, it may be helpful to remind ourselves to be, first and foremost, humble, in full knowledge that no one's North Star is really the true one. While not advocating a nihilistic, free-for-all Hobbesian world that's short, brutish and violent  since a minimum level of social and political agreement needs to be enforced to protect the weakest and most vulnerable among us  it might not hurt to occasionally look into the mirror and ask, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, whose truth am I overlooking today?"





Jason Lim (jasonlim@msn.com) is a Washington, D.C.-based expert on innovation, leadership and organizational culture.


A financial analyst in Hong Kong said Friday that the US-Iran crisis was unlikely to affect global stock markets and that oil prices would rebound.

Paul Pong said the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a US-ordered airstrike was part of a regional war, not a global war, and that it would mostly affect the Middle East.

Asian stocks were mixed and oil prices surged after news that the head of Iran's elite Quds Force was killed in an air attack at the Baghdad international airport.

Benchmarks in Shanghai and Hong Kong declined.

Taiwan and Singapore also declined.

Markets in Malaysia and Indonesia, both oil producers, gained.

There was no immediate indication how Iran would respond to Soleimani's death, but Tehran has seized oil tankers and shot down a US military drone.

Washington blames Iran for attacks on tankers and a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry that temporarily cut its production by half.
The world reacted with alarm on Friday after top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani was killed in a US strike in Iraq, with leaders appealing for restraint.

The assassination was praised by US President Donald Trump's Republicans but elsewhere there were warnings of the danger it could inflame regional tensions.

Following are some of the reactions from around the world:



- 'Severe revenge' -



"Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Twitter, declaring three days of mourning.

"With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident." Khamenei called Soleimani the "international face of the resistance" and said he was killed by "the most cruel of those on earth". All people who back the resistance would be his "avengers".

"The lack of our devoted and dear general is bitter, but continuing the fight and achieving final victory will embitter the murderers and criminals even more."



- 'Price of killing Americans' -



"In a display of resolve and strength, we struck the leader of those attacking our sovereign US territories," top House of Representatives Republican Kevin McCarthy said in a statement. "Wow - the price of killing and injuring Americans has just gone up drastically," Senator Lindsey Graham, a close confidant of Trump, wrote on Twitter.

- 'Adventurist step' -



"The killing of Soleimani... was an adventurist step that will increase tensions throughout the region," the Russian foreign ministry was quoted as saying by agencies RIA Novosti and TASS.

"Soleimani served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests with devotion. We express our sincere condolences to the Iranian people."



- 'Dangerous escalation' -



The killing of Soleimani risks provoking a "dangerous escalation of violence", US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. "America -- and the world -- cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return." "President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," former vice president Joe Biden said in a statement.

"Iran will surely respond. We could be on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East." - 'Appeal for restraint' -



"China has always opposed the use of force in international relations," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a press briefing.

"We urge the relevant sides, especially the United States, to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalating tensions." He said Iraq's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected.

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is a key partner of Iran and major buyer of the country's oil. - 'Spark a devastating war' -



Iraq's caretaker prime minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said the US strike, which also killed an Iraqi commander, was an "aggression" that would "spark a devastating war". "The assassination of an Iraqi military commander in an official post is an aggression against the country of Iraq, its state, its government and its people," he said in a statement.

Abdel Mahdi said the strike was a "flagrant violation of the conditions authorising the presence of US troops" on Iraqi soil. - 'World more dangerous' -



"We have woken up to a more dangerous world," France's Europe Minister Amelie de Montchalin told French radio, saying President Emmanuel Macron would consult soon with players in the region.

"In such operations, when can see an escalation is under way, but what we want above all is stability and de-escalation," Montchalin said.

"All of France's efforts... in all parts of the world aim to ensure that we are creating the conditions for peace or at least stability," she added. "Our role is not to take sides, but to talk with everyone," Montchalin said.

- 'Cowardly aggression' -



The Syrian government accused Washington of trying to fuel conflict in the Middle East. Syria is "certain that this cowardly US aggression... will only strengthen determination to follow in the path of the resistance's martyred leaders," a foreign ministry official was quoted as saying by the state agency SANA.

- 'Divine victory' -



Iraqis who have demonstrated for months against a government they see as beholden to Iran broke into song and dance after the US strike. "Oh Qasem Soleimani, this is a divine victory," they cheered in Baghdad's iconic Tahrir Square, the epicentre of their movement. "This is God's revenge for the blood of those killed," one added, after nearly 460 people were killed in violence that many demonstrators have blamed on Iran-backed security forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has reassured Air Indias employees that the passenger carrier will remain operational till its privatisation process is complete, one of the airlines unions said on Thursday.

Puri was speaking at a meeting with Air Indias employees unions here on Thursday.

The Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), one of the unions which was present in the meeting, said that all the unions opposed privatisation, but the minister stated that the government does not have funds to infuse into Air India.

The meeting was called to have constructive dialogue and address the genuine concerns of the employees, the ICPA said in a statement late on Thursday evening.

Puri, the union said, said that Air India will run till its privatisation and requested all the unions to cooperate towards the process.

According to the ICPA, the minister expressed his displeasure over pilots and engineers demanding the government-owned airline to waive off their notice period.

He said pilots and engineers are required to run the airline, the union added.

Last week, the ICPA in a letter to Puri said: It is unfair for the Government of India to keep us bonded with the notice period while we are not being paid on time and our dues are not cleared.

Terming the Civil Aviation Ministers earlier statement that if Air India is not privatised by March 31, 2020, the airline will be shut down as a matter of concern, the pilots union had said in the letter: With this uncertainty over the survival of our national carrier and with no Plan B, we request you to ensure that we are not treated like bonded labour and allow us to quit Air India without serving the notice period and clear all our dues immediately.

At present, the union has 800 pilots as its members. As per the letter, currently 65 pilots have tendered their resignations and are serving the six-month notice period which is due for completion very soon.

The Centre is likely to issue the expression of interest (EoI) for divestment of its stake in the national passenger carrier during the first month of 2020.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah heads the panel looking after the divestment process. Its other members include Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and the Civil Aviation Minister.

In the previous Modi government, then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley headed the ministerial panel called the Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM).

After failing to find a bidder then, the government is working on a war footing to sell Air India to a private player.

--IANS

rv/arm
(Newser)  When Pope Francis issued a public apology for slapping the hand of a pilgrim who grabbed him as he greeted a New Year's Eve crowd, he didn't hedge. "Love makes us patient," the pope said in his New Year's homily. "So many times we lose our patience. Me too, and I apologize for yesterday's bad example." But his direct and unqualified apology provided a fine example for the rest of us, Ruth Marcus writes in the Washington Post, especially those who have difficulty saying we're sorry under any circumstances. It's a lesson for a fraught time, delivered as we begin a new decade.

story continues below

Everyone is on edge in this era, Marcus says, and that includes the pope. The anxiety can diminish our patience. "Grace helps restore it," Marcus writes. "The popes apology came quickly and without condition. Rather than explaining himself or suggesting that responsibility was shared, which it surely was, his statement was powerful in its simplicity: 'I apologize for yesterdays bad example.'" (Read the full column.)
BERLIN - European leaders on Friday warned that the targeted killing of Iran's top military commander by the United States could unleash an unpredictable blowback, putting allied troops at risk, straining already troubled transatlantic ties and dealing a death blow to the Iran nuclear deal.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that the Trump administration's order to kill Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, had come after "a series of dangerous provocations by Iran" but had "not made it easier to reduce tensions."

Maas said he had expressed his concerns "clearly" to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called his British and German counterparts on Friday.

For those in Europe who may have wished to paper over differences with the United States and Band-Aid world problems for the duration of the Trump era, their hopes appeared to dim.

Several European diplomats said Friday that they were not aware of any warning from Washington ahead of the strike on Soleimani in Baghdad, though the mission was almost certain to increase the security risk for hundreds of European troops and for other European citizens in the region.

The Pentagon described the killing as a "defensive action." Iran vowed "severe revenge."

Nathalie Tocci, the director of the Rome-based Italian International Affairs Institute, said the strike against Soleimani was "irresponsible madness" that was likely to expose Europeans in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, where Iran might aim its counterstrikes. Tocci said the fear was that American troops would have to abandon Iraq, leaving its allies exposed.

"Europe was always subservient to U.S. policy and interests, and it's no different now," she said. "What is different now is that U.S. policy seems to be even more reckless than it was in 2003."

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, the State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave Iraq. The Netherlands issued similar guidance to its citizens. The French Embassy in Tehran told people to avoid demonstrations and stay inconspicuous.

Christina Routsi, a spokeswoman for the German defense ministry, said 130 German military personnel who had been training Iraqi forces had been confined to their bases in Taji and Baghdad.

Italy's defense ministry raised the security level at places where its soldiers operate overseas and said it was limiting movements outside of bases to a "minimum."

A chorus of European leaders on Friday urged a de-fusing of tensions between the United States and Iran.

Maas said that further escalation, "which could set the whole region on fire, must be prevented." British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain had "always recognized the aggressive threat posed" by Soleimani, but "further conflict is in none of our interests." The Italian foreign ministry called for "moderation and responsibility."

European officials generally avoided criticizing the U.S. move. They blamed Iran for provocative actions such as attacks on tankers in the Straits of Hormuz and on Saudi oil fields.

Jurgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, said Iran had "systematically expanded its destabilizing activities in the Middle East in recent years" and "exceeded a new escalation threshold" by backing a violent protest at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this week.

However, Hardt said it was "doubtful" that targeting Soleimani was well advised, as it is unlikely to weaken Iran and could unleash a "new wave of violence."

Donald Tusk, who was president of the European Council until November, was more blunt about the U.S. role, tweeting that "President Trump's decisions provoke global risks and his intentions remain unclear." Still, Tusk urged the Europe and the United States needed to "maintain transatlantic unity in the face of the approaching political earthquake," seemingly a reference to the Iranian reaction to Soleimani's death.

European leaders said they feared the strike could mark the final end to their struggling efforts to preserve the Iran nuclear deal.

In 2018, Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement, sometimes known by its acronym, JCPOA.

The Europeans stuck with it. They see restraining Iran's nuclear enrichment as central to their own security. Though they have struggled in their efforts to keep Tehran engaged, and, even before the strike, Iran was considering new steps to breach the deal.

"I cannot imagine how the JCPOA can still be relevant," said one senior E.U. diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss European concerns about the fallout from the strike. "There will be strong turbulence regionally and globally."

The diplomat said one fear is that Iran could demand E.U. support against U.S. actions, and then walk away from the deal when European backing failed to materialize. That diplomat and others said that ultimately, most European nations remain aligned with the U.S. view that Iran is a dangerous actor, and that if forced to choose between one side or the other, they would ultimately pick Washington.

But the diplomat said splits could open inside Europe about how firmly to support the United States.

Hardt said Germany would continue to back the Iran nuclear deal, as there "isn't anything else on the table." The U.S. policy of "maximum pressure" through sanctions cannot succeed without the support of Russia and China, 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.

Others said that was wishful thinking.

"The JCPOA has been dead for weeks, but nobody can publicly admit it," said Markus Kaim, a security expert with the German Marshall Fund. The strike on Soleimani leaves "no common ground for a common transatlantic approach" to containing Iran, he said.

Iran was already expected to be days away from announcing fresh reductions in its compliance with the nuclear deal, and Europeans had been growing deeply frustrated by Tehran's violations.

"We could well end up in a scenario where the Iranians not only increase enrichment, but may restrict the access to inspectors," said Tocci, who was an adviser to the European Union officials who negotiated the deal. She said Iran may pull out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty altogether.

If Iran decides to use the moment to escalate its nuclear enrichment, E.U. leaders will probably feel compelled to trigger a formal mechanism in the agreement that would lead to the reimposition of European sanctions against Iran.

Major additional Iranian violations of the deal "would push the Europeans, whether they like it or not, towards a harder stance on Iran, which might ultimately lead to more alignment with Washington," said Luigi Scazzieri, a research fellow at the Center for European Reform, a London-based think tank.

But don't expect a convergence of U.S. and European strategies on Iran, Scazzieri said.

Trump has a sharply different view of foreign policy from most European leaders. And the Europeans will probably have to give up the idea that they can shape events in the Middle East in a way that would help them safely ride out Trump's time in office, he said.

- - -

Birnbaum reported from Brussels. The Washington Post's Chico Harlan and Stefano Pitrelli in Rome, William Booth in London and Luisa Beck in Berlin contributed to this report.
Ex-leaders of Da Nang stand trial in high-profile case

VNA/VNP

Two former chairmen of the Peoples Committee of Da Nang city were among the defendants in a trial at the Hanoi Peoples Court that began on January 2, facing the charges of violating regulations on State asset management and use and on land management.The 21 defendants include Tran Van Minh (born in 1955, Chairman of the Da Nang municipal Peoples Committee from 2006 to 2011), Van Huu Chien (born in 1954, Chairman of the Da Nang Peoples Committee from 2011 to 2014), Phan Van Anh Vu (also known as Vu Nhom, born in 1975, Chairman of the 79 Construction JSC, Bac Nam 79 JSC, I.V.C Co. Ltd, and Nhat Gia Phuc Investment JSC), and Nguyen Ngoc Tuan (born in 1958, former Vice Chairman of the Da Nang Peoples Committee).Among the defendants there are also several former officials of the Office of the Da Nang Peoples Committee, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Board for Investment Promotion and Support, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Transport of the central city.Eight defendants are former business executives.Tran Van Minh, Van Huu Chien, Phan Van Anh Vu, Nguyen Ngoc Tuan and three others are prosecuted for both violating regulations on the management and use of State assets, causing losses and wastefulness and violating regulations on land management.Meanwhile, seven are charged with violating regulations on the management and use of State assets, causing losses and wastefulness, and seven others are accused of violating regulations on land management.According to the indictment of the Supreme Peoples Procuracy, this is a particularly serious case that draws public concern. The defendants used to hold key leadership positions in the Da Nang Peoples Committee, but they seriously broke laws and intentionally violated regulations on State asset management and use and on land management from 2006 to 2014, helping Phan Van Anh Vu illegally gain particularly high profit through acquiring many land lots and buying State-owned houses, which has stirred public concern and caused particularly serious consequences for the State budget.Tran Van Minh and his accessories created conditions for Phan Van Anh Vu to directly receive the assets and the management and exploitation rights of 15 State-owned land lots and houses, along with six land projects.As a result, the State suffered total losses of over 22 trillion VND (947.97 million USD at the current exchange rate).The trial is scheduled to last through January 15./
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Aysha Rena who became the face of Jamia agitation, was excluded from a joint protest rally and meeting organised by Vazhakkad panchayat in Malappuram district in North Kerala on Thursday following objections by the ruling CPM.

Hundreds of people cutting across political and ideological differences took part in the rally that was organised jointly by the ruling LDF and UDF.

The Congress-led UDF which rules Vazhakkad panchayat was keen on getting Aysha for the meeting. However, the seven elected members of the panchayat belonging to CPM threatened that their party would boycott the event if she were to be invited.

Following pressure from the CPM, the panchayat president Jameela K.M. had to withdraw the invite given to Aysha.

Earlier, the organisers had printed posters and pamphlets with Ayshas name.

However, subsequently they came out with a revised poster in which it was categorically mentioned Aysha Rena is not participating.

We could not have postponed the meeting. Because of opposition from CPM, we had to exclude Aysha. The event was a big success with huge participation, Jameela told this news paper.

The 22 year old student of Jamia Millia University who along with Ladeeda Farzana had shot into fame after visuals of them questioning the police brutality against one of their colleagues went viral.

While the CPM at the national and state level had hailed them as valiant fighters, Rena became a persona non grata for the Marxist after she criticised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at an anti-CAA meeting in Kondotty in Malappuram district on Saturday.

The Jamia student had stated that like the detention of her colleagues by Delhi police, the Pinarayi Government had also taken several students and youths into custody in Kerala and they should be released with immediate effect.

This led to protests from CPM workers who accused her of trying to draw a parallel between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vijayan.
Loft may have better product market fit in Brazil than Opendoor does in the U.S. And now the Sao Paulo-based property tech company has growth funding to prove it.

Andreessen Horowitz is doubling down on its first Brazil investment with Loft, a two-year-old real estate marketplace. The $175 million Series C was co-led by Vulcan Capital.

In the U.S., sites like Opendoor give us visibility into how much your house or properties youre interested in are worth. That transparency doesnt exist in Latin America.

Loft founder and co-CEO Mate Pencz describes the residential real estate market in Latin America as a $6 trillion opportunity. As it exists now, lack of data transparency around property listings results in low-quality listings, disproportionately high asking prices and prolonged selling times. This creates a painful experience for buyers, sellers and brokers. The market is locked up, but Loft thinks it can create transparency and liquidity with open data sets for property value.

Loft has been supported by some pretty big Silicon Valley names since its genesis in 2018. Loft raised equity capital from angel investors such as Max Levchin of PayPal, Joe Lonsdale of Palantir, Opendoor founder Eric Wu, Mike Krieger of Instagram, David Velez of Nubank and Josh Kushner of Thrive Capital, whom Pencz met during undergrad studies at Harvard. It helped that Loft was not Penczs first entrepreneurial rodeo -- the founder started web-printing company Printi, which exited to Vistaprint in 2014 for a $25 million stake.

Growth-stage funding will enable Loft to scale

Pencz says theyve transacted on 1,000 properties in their key market of Sao Paulo, and plans to tackle new cities with the Uber growth model of replicating the same service in new cities, like Mexico City. Loft is currently operative in Brazil, and has big plans for Mexico in 2020. Penzc has poached the Latin American head of Uber Eats, Juan Pablo Ramos, to launch Lofts services in Mexico City within the next two to four months. As Loft mobilizes in Mexico, this could mean trouble for Flat, an existing Opendoor clone in Mexico, which will now fight for market share against a heavily funded competitor.

Story continues

Loft's Sao Paulo HQ

When it comes to marketing, Loft isn't thinking about Facebook or SEO performance advertising. Pencz sees more value in physically integrating the Loft brand into the fabric of new neighborhoods through festival sponsorships and community events, while leveraging broker channels. Partnering with brokers and being perceived as a positive brand with a high NPS are the two key pillars of Lofts expansion strategy, says Pencz.

The founders began by physically measuring buildings and making estimates about how much houses and apartments were worth. The founders didn't stop there -- they envision the future of Loft as a one-stop shop with services like renovations, property financing for mortgages and insurance through banks. The company wants to completely upend real estate in Latin America, and those big ambitions have piqued investor interest.

Andreessen Horowitz and Vulcan Capital co-led the Series C, with participation from QED Investors, Fifth Wall Ventures, Thrive Capital, Valor Capital and Monashees.

So, what is a16z's Latin America strategy?

Andreessen Horowitz general partner Alex Rampell notes that while Loft marked the firms entry into Brazil, the fund has been active in Latin America for a few years: a16z invested in Colombias delivery unicorn Rappi, Uruguayan restaurant management platform Meitre and Colombian point of sale lender ADDI. And, a16z joined in Lofts $70 million Series B that closed in March 2019.

Rampell, who previously invested in Opendoor and sits on the board of TransferWise, says that a16z doesnt really have an investment strategy when it comes to Latin America. Instead, the idea with Loft was that while the iBuyer Opendoor for transactional multiple listing services isnt by any means a proprietary business model, it may work better in a country like Brazil -- where buyers and sellers are slowed down by bureaucratic policies and lack of fair market value data -- than in the U.S. To put it simply, Loft has better product market fit in Brazil than Opendoor does in the U.S.

Loft hopes its customer-friendly Nubank-esque branding will win over new users

Rampell references the U.S.s Groupon and Koreas Coupang for comparison. The Groupon model blew up in Asia as Coupangs valuation reached $9 billion. Groupon rose fast and fell hard, and now its founders are on to their next entrepreneurial ventures.

Theres a lot of value in multiple listings services, and the opportunity might be better for a market like Brazil, especially if you back the right entrepreneurs -- because thats all that really matters in the end, says Rampell.

Loft monetizes through the sale of properties and ancillary products. Cuts from referral and partnership fees from banks or insurance companies will continue to help Loft monetize, in addition to the $275 million in capital it has raised during its two short years in existence.

Pencz declined to comment on Loft's valuation.
US president slated to hold campaign event launching Evangelicals for Trump coalition at a megachurch in Miami.

US President Donald Trump will hold a campaign event in a Miami, Florida, megachurch on Friday to shore up support from Christian conservatives after a prominent evangelical publication questioned whether the faithful should support the Republican.

The event by Trump at the 7,000-capacity King Jesus International Ministry church has drawn fresh attention to his administrations ties to prosperity gospel preachers who tell followers that generous donations to their churches will be rewarded on Earth with wealth, health and power.

The doctrines growth in recent decades  often helped by charismatic televangelist pastors  has confounded classical theologians and some of the evangelical community who consider the prosperity gospel to be in direct opposition to the Bible.

The King Jesus International Ministry is led by Pastor Guillermo Maldonado, who encourages worshippers to give first fruits donations to the church in January that guarantee spiritual and financial returns later in the year.

First fruits are given to honour God, Maldonado said in a typical Facebook message on his page. You cant have the Fathers favour until you honor Him.

The Trump administration has aligned itself with other prosperity gospel leaders, including Paula White, who has appeared at White House prayer events and was named last year as an adviser in the Executive Office of Public Liaison, which is tasked with outreach to special interest groups.

White and Maldonados ministries did not respond to questions about criticism of the prosperity gospel practice.

The late Reverand Billy Graham denounced the prosperity gospel movement in 2016, saying: Jesus wasnt rich, nor were His first disciples  not at all. In fact, the only disciple who really cared about money was Judas.

More than 80 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump in the 2016 election. But a crack in evangelical support opened up last month when the magazine Christianity Today wrote a blistering editorial on Trumps grossly immoral character.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stands during a service at the International Church of Las Vegas in Las Vegas [File: Evan Vucci/AP Photo]

Researchers say it is hard to quantify the exact numbers of Americans who follow the prosperity gospel, but their numbers may be in the tens of millions.

According to a 2019 survey by the Pew Research Center, 43 percent of US adults, or some 110 million people, identify with Protestantism; 59 percent of those, or 64 million are born-again or evangelical Christians.

Many may follow prosperity gospel preachers on TV or online while identifying as mainline Protestants or evangelicals in surveys, academics say. Joel Osteen, head of a Houston megachurch, who is one of the countrys most popular prosperity gospel preachers, says he reaches 100 million homes in the US through broadcasts, videos, and podcasts.

Evangelicals for Trump coalition

Trumps speech on Friday will mark the launch of the Evangelicals for Trump coalition ahead of the presidential election in November.

Last Sunday, Maldonado urged his congregation to attend the Trump event saying: If you want to come, do it for your pastor. Thats a way of supporting me, the Miami Herald reported on December 29.

Those comments appear to have violated tax rules barring religious groups from participating in political campaigns, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a non-partisan group that advocates for the separation of church and state, said on Tuesday.

The church says it is not endorsing Trump.

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The January 3 Evangelicals for Trump event is being paid for and organised by President Trumps election campaign. We agreed to lease space in exchange for fair compensation. No church resources are being used and our agreement to provide rental space is not an endorsement of President Trumps campaign or any political party, it said in a statement.

While the prosperity gospel is criticised among mainstream Christian denominations, its basic tenets have crept into a remarkable proportion of Americans theological world view, said Robert P Jones, chief executive and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute.

Paul Djupe, a scholar in the department of political science at Denison University in Ohio, conducted a nationwide survey with colleagues in 2018 that found about 32 percent of American adults agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: God will reward the faithful with health and wealth.

Ryan Burge, a political scientist at Eastern Illinois University, has analysed 2012 survey data to show that Americans from low-income households were more likely to believe that God rewards faith and generosity with prosperity. The beliefs of the prosperity gospel were also more common among black Protestants.

It makes poor people feel like they can be rich someday, said Burge, who is also a pastor in the American Baptist Church.

Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Dallas Baptist Church, who will deliver the benediction at Fridays Miami event, said he continued to back Trump because of his record of opposing the abortion rights movement, supporting Israel and nominating conservative judges.

While First Baptist repudiates the prosperity gospel, its not unusual that different flavors of evangelicalism would come together to support a common cause, Jeffress said.

Trumps speech on Friday is also the first scheduled public appearance for the president since he ordered the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.
China has fired a warning shot at Prime Minister Boris Johnson by suspending a tie-up between London and Shanghais stock exchanges.

The Shanghai-London Stock Connect scheme had been designed to make it easier for Chinese companies to tap up international investors and for UK firms to attract Chinese investors.

It is understood that no formal notification has been sent to the London Stock Exchange (LSE), but that China has unofficially halted the scheme due to political tensions.

Boris Johnson faces a challenge in keeping trade relations with China cordial

Sources have blamed the shift on Britains refusal to condemn Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, which have centred on Beijings perceived influence in Hong Kongs politics.

And Johnson is faced with the looming decision over whether to allow Chinese technology giant Huawei to continue building Britains 5G mobile broadband networks.

US President Donald Trump has blacklisted the firm over allegations it allows China to spy through its technology  claims that Huawei denies.

Although the suspension of the Stock Connect scheme will have little effect on most British investors, it is a sign of deteriorating relations between the UK and China, which is the worlds second-largest economy.

When it launched last year, Stock Connect was trumpeted as a great step forward, connecting two major financial centres of the East and West. LSE chairman Don Robert called it ambitious, and the UKs then-chancellor Philip Hammond said it was a ground-breaking initiative which will deepen our global connectivity.

But yesterday, Matthew Henderson, director of the Asia Studies Centre at the Henry Jackson Society think-tank, said: When dealing with Beijing, economics and politics go hand in hand, despite claims to the contrary from both sides.

Critics of the UKs optimistic approach to China have long warned that the UKs freedom to call out Chinas human rights abuses is curtailed by our economic dependency. The promotion of Britains interests, both moral and economic, should be the only basis for our approach to dealing with Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is already embroiled in a trade-war with the USA

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he was not aware of the specifics of the stock exchange case.

But he added: We hope the UK will provide a fair and just and open, non-discriminatory environment for Chinese businesses to invest there. Last year, Hong Kongs stock exchange (HKEX) made a 30 billion bid for the LSE which was swiftly turned down. City veteran David Buik said Chinas actions yesterday showed the LSE had been right to be wary of developing deeper ties with Beijing.

LSE shareholders were worried a deal with HKEX, which is 6 per cent-owned by the Hong Kong government, would leave the British stock exchange vulnerable to interference. Buik added: China is clearly very unhappy about the UKs support of democracy in its former colony. There will be plenty of opportunities for the LSE to do the right global deal.

The Hong Kong protests, which rocked the city for the best part of 2019, continue, and British bank HSBC yesterday found itself drawn into the violence.

Activists attacked some of the lenders branches and daubed graffiti on the lion statues outside its city centre base.

The LSE declined to comment, while the China Securities Regulatory Commission did not respond to a request for comment.
Dhaka, Jan 3 : About 1,000 people were arrested in 2019 for illegal border crossings from India to Bangladesh, with 445 of them returning to Dhaka in November and December 2019, said a top official here.

The returnees are all Bangladeshi nationals who went to India illegally in different times and have nothing to do with the citizenship law, bdnews24 quoted Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Shafeenul Islam as saying on Thursday.

Director general-level meetings were held between the two border guard agencies from December 25 to December 30, 2019 in New Delhi.

Several people arrested for entering Bangladesh through the Indian border were reported since the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.

"We haven't allowed in any intruder," said the BGB chief when asked how many illegal intruders were identified in 2019.

Three traffickers were among those arrested, he said, adding that they were handed over to the police after their identification as Bangladeshi nationals.

"They were all Bangladeshis and went to India in search of jobs," said Islam.

There was no discussion on the NRC at the director general-level meeting between the two countries.
In this case, the setting was New Year's Eve. The place, Twitter. The company, American Airlines. The issue: video producer Andrew Kimmel posts a long thread about a scary time in Mexico in search of qualifying for frequent flier status and the carrier responds in a light-hearted manner. And AA becomes a subject of merriment with a reader providing a succinct and pithy bit of advice.

really think you guys should've continued reading the thread before replying -- Erin Altman (@AltmanErin) December 31, 2019

Kimmel was writing about returning from Indonesia and being informed that although his mileage well over the requirement, the qualifying dollars (because having one requirement like mileage isn't enough) were short of maintaining his frequent customer status. The airline reportedly wanted $1875 to retain the privilege so, instead, he paid $400 for what was supposed to be a 24-hour jaunt to Mexico.

Dear @AmericanAir,



After arriving back to LA from Indonesia, I was $275 EQDs under (yet 25K miles over) from maintaining status. You asked me to pay $1875 (?!) to keep status, so instead I booked a $400 rt ticket to Mexico for 24 hrs. Here's how my fucking night went... -- Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) December 31, 2019

I emailed him for an interview but didn't hear back (according to his timeline he has other more pressing things), so will try to give a taste of what happened. But, really, you want to read the entire thing.

He rents a room and car and ultimately goes to a bar which presents him with a $300 bill for two beers.

His credit card isn't working because of fraud detection and his phone battery is dead.

The bar manager demands he use an ATM, which Kimmel didn't, so calls the police and, in the process, steals Kimmel's debit card and passport.

He gets locked up with some guy who's more worried about what his wife will do to him than being in jail.

Eventually, a woman from Kenya that Kimmel doesn't know springs for his bail. She was arrested for supposedly not paying an Uber driver.

The woman, who becomes his "jail crush," and he get to the airport and more complications.

Oh, just read the original thread. You'll either be cringing or shaking your head. Or maybe laughing a little (because it is a cruel world). But the main point is that if someone talks about how their effing night went, you can bet the tale won't be cheery.

Which brings us to the American Airlines social media team, which notices that they've been tagged and so pretty promptly reply.

Reaching Executive Platinum status isn't easy. For those who make it, the benefits are amazing! We're happy you'll make your goal! -- American Airlines (@AmericanAir) December 31, 2019

I emailed American Airlines, which replied in an email that read in part, "We responded to Mr. Kimmel's original tweet prior to him sharing his full story" and noted that time stamps showed his first tweet was at 5:38 p.m., their response at 5:45 p.m., "and his story began at 5:46 p.m. - see below)."

I go back to the idea that if someone starts talking about how their effing night went, you might take it as a clue that things were possibly pretty bad.

A little later, the American Airlines social media people posted the following:

@andrewkimmel Oh no, Andrew. We're so sorry, we only saw the one tweet where you included our handle. We will meet you in DMs. -- American Airlines (@AmericanAir) January 1, 2020

According to the company's emailed statement to me, "We subsequently communicated with Mr. Kimmel via direct message, and our airport team in Los Cabos took care of him, including working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure he could fly without a passport back to the United States on Dec. 31."
Siliguri/Kolkata, Jan 3 : Launching a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day after he asked the Opposition to protest against Pakistan and not the new Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday wondered whether Modi was the ambassador of Pakistan with a habit of glorifying and dragging in the neighbouring nation on every issue.

"There is one matter in my heart. I respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But I would like to put a question before him. When we live in such a large and the biggest democratic country, then why do you compare our country with Pakistan? "Aren't you ashamed? Are you the ambassador of Pakistan, that you are glorifying Pakistan every day in every way?" Banerjee asked before leading a huge protest march in the northern Bengal town of Siliguri, about 550 km from Kolkata, against the CAA and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens.
David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the permanent loss of capital. So it seems the smart money knows that debt - which is usually involved in bankruptcies - is a very important factor, when you assess how risky a company is. As with many other companies China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited (HKG:291) makes use of debt. But should shareholders be worried about its use of debt?

When Is Debt Dangerous?

Debt and other liabilities become risky for a business when it cannot easily fulfill those obligations, either with free cash flow or by raising capital at an attractive price. In the worst case scenario, a company can go bankrupt if it cannot pay its creditors. However, a more common (but still painful) scenario is that it has to raise new equity capital at a low price, thus permanently diluting shareholders. Of course, plenty of companies use debt to fund growth, without any negative consequences. When we examine debt levels, we first consider both cash and debt levels, together.

Check out our latest analysis for China Resources Beer (Holdings)

How Much Debt Does China Resources Beer (Holdings) Carry?

The image below, which you can click on for greater detail, shows that at June 2019 China Resources Beer (Holdings) had debt of CN1.31b, up from CN3.1k in one year. But on the other hand it also has CN4.06b in cash, leading to a CN2.75b net cash position.

SEHK:291 Historical Debt, January 3rd 2020

How Healthy Is China Resources Beer (Holdings)'s Balance Sheet?

The latest balance sheet data shows that China Resources Beer (Holdings) had liabilities of CN22.3b due within a year, and liabilities of CN2.45b falling due after that. Offsetting these obligations, it had cash of CN4.06b as well as receivables valued at CN2.59b due within 12 months. So its liabilities outweigh the sum of its cash and (near-term) receivables by CN18.1b.

Of course, China Resources Beer (Holdings) has a titanic market capitalization of CN123.2b, so these liabilities are probably manageable. However, we do think it is worth keeping an eye on its balance sheet strength, as it may change over time. While it does have liabilities worth noting, China Resources Beer (Holdings) also has more cash than debt, so we're pretty confident it can manage its debt safely.

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And we also note warmly that China Resources Beer (Holdings) grew its EBIT by 19% last year, making its debt load easier to handle. There's no doubt that we learn most about debt from the balance sheet. But ultimately the future profitability of the business will decide if China Resources Beer (Holdings) can strengthen its balance sheet over time. So if you want to see what the professionals think, you might find this free report on analyst profit forecasts to be interesting.

Finally, while the tax-man may adore accounting profits, lenders only accept cold hard cash. While China Resources Beer (Holdings) has net cash on its balance sheet, it's still worth taking a look at its ability to convert earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to free cash flow, to help us understand how quickly it is building (or eroding) that cash balance. Happily for any shareholders, China Resources Beer (Holdings) actually produced more free cash flow than EBIT over the last three years. That sort of strong cash conversion gets us as excited as the crowd when the beat drops at a Daft Punk concert.

Summing up

Although China Resources Beer (Holdings)'s balance sheet isn't particularly strong, due to the total liabilities, it is clearly positive to see that it has net cash of CN2.75b. The cherry on top was that in converted 125% of that EBIT to free cash flow, bringing in CN3.0b. So is China Resources Beer (Holdings)'s debt a risk? It doesn't seem so to us. Over time, share prices tend to follow earnings per share, so if you're interested in China Resources Beer (Holdings), you may well want to click here to check an interactive graph of its earnings per share history.

At the end of the day, it's often better to focus on companies that are free from net debt. You can access our special list of such companies (all with a track record of profit growth). It's free.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Secretary of State Bev Clarno has rejected two proposed ballot initiatives that aimed to move Oregon to carbon-free energy by 2045.

Her move was the second time in recent weeks that she has rebuffed petitioners trying to get measures on the Oregon ballot net year.

In a pair of letters sent to petitioners, Clarno cited provisions setting guidelines for labor standards in energy construction projects as violating Oregons requirement that ballot measures focus on a single subject.

Rich Vial, deputy secretary of state, said Friday that the letters speak for themselves and wouldnt comment on Clarnos interpretation of the single-subject rule.

Renew Oregon, the clean-energy coalition, was seeking two measures that would require all retail electricity in Oregon to by carbon free and mandate the state invest in carbon reduction measures. The proposals were seen as a safety net should legislators again fail to pass a carbon reduction bill in 2020.

Executive Director Tera Hurst, Renew Oregon executive director, called Clarnos ruling a flagrant abuse of power unseen from any previous secretary of state.

The secretary of state is siding with the oil industry, corporate polluters, and anti-worker special interests to block the ability of the voters to decide their clean air future. It is unconscionable how far special interests will go to protect their profits, Hurst said in her statement.

The initiatives were filed back Oct. 7, and more than 1,500 sponsorship signatures were submitted for each just a few weeks later. The draft ballot title issued by the Attorney Generals office on Nov. 20 was then opened for public comment where it received opposition over the same issue Clarno pointed out in her ruling.

This is the second time this election cycle that Clarno has cited the single-subject rule in throwing out initiatives.

In October, Clarno used her interpretation of the law to reject three petitions seeking to restrict certain forestry practices on lands that feed watersheds.

Clarnos office hired Portland law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt to defend her decision against the legal challenge brought by Oregon Wild after Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, a Democrat, declined to provide legal help.

The petitioners in that matter submitted petitions with revised language and currently going through the process again.

If approved by voters, Renew Oregons petitions would have required all retail electricity to come from renewable sources by 2045 and required investments to reduce greenhouse gasses.

Clarno zeroed in on a provision of each petition that would require construction projects spurred by the new mandate to meet certain labor standards, including paying prevailing wages, offering benefits and other regulatory guidelines.

The secretary of state did allow a third petition from Renew Oregon that would require Oregon to eliminate all greenhouse gasses from its economy by 2050.

Lisa Adatto, former Oregon director of Climate Solutions and a chief petitioner for the two rejected proposals, said Clarnos interpretation of the single-subject rule is a major shift from how prospective ballot initiatives are vetted and poses a threat to the way Oregons citizens participate in their democracy.

Legally, I think its out of line and inconsistent with many years of practice and law, Adatto said. Underlying it all for me is to protect our children and our environment to have a safe and healthy future.

Renew Oregons rebuke of the decision was sharp and included comment from Oregon attorney Margaret Olney. Olney spent years in private practice representing groups like Basic Rights Oregon working on issues related to the states initiative process before serving two years as special counsel to former Attorney General John Kroger on election and administrative law. According to Olney, Clarnos ruling narrows citizen access to the ballot and is not legal.

Until this election cycle, the single subject rule has rarely, if ever, been used to reject a proposed initiative, Olney said. By ignoring the analysis of the attorney general, legislative counsel, the Oregon Supreme Court and inserting an exceptionally partisan review into a previously unbiased process, Secretary of State Clarno is undermining our initiative process and crippling the power of Oregonians to take their concerns directly to the voters.

According to Renew Oregon Communications Director Brad Reed, the group is currently exploring its legal and electoral options to continue fighting for these initiatives.

Reed said the group is in the process of gathering information on ways to move forward whether thats in the court or refiling modified measures.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:43:41|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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ISLAMABAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the Allama Iqbal Industrial City, a special economic zone (SEZ) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the east Faisalabad city on Friday, the prime minister's office said.

Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the SEZ, the prime minister termed CPEC as a golden opportunity for industrial development of Pakistan and the SEZ the first step towards the prosperous future of his country.

China is Pakistan's close friend, and it is developing with leaps and bounds in every field, he said, adding that Pakistan has a great opportunity to make progress by learning from China, and diversifying CPEC by developing industrial and agricultural sectors to boost economic cooperation with China.

"Many Chinese industrialists want to invest in Pakistan. I met many Chinese businessmen during my visit to China last year and they showed keen interest in investing here provided we give them suitable environment. This SEZ will provide that environment to them and give them confidence to relocate their industries in Pakistan."

Lauding Chinese investors, Khan said that they will not only invest in Pakistan, but also transfer technology to the country by relocating their industries which will help Pakistani people get trained in using modern technology.

Talking about the rising number of unemployed youth in his country, the prime minister said that the industrialization process in the country will also open employment opportunities for the youth.

"Pakistan needs to have intensive industrialization to increase its exports for wealth creation. The unemployment problem cannot be solved only by the country's agro-based economy. We need industries to shoulder this responsibility."

Citing China's example to bring out a large number of people from poverty through wealth creation, Khan said his country also wants to follow the same model, and Pakistani officials had several briefings by Chinese on poverty alleviation, during their visit to China.

"We want to do exactly what China did. We want to create wealth by increasing our exports and spending the generated revenues on the poor strata of the society."

According to the ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's official Twitter account, the Allama Iqbal Industrial City is likely to have investment of 400 billion Pakistani rupees (about 2.58 bln U.S. dollars), and create 300,000 direct and 1 million indirect employments.

The SEZ is likely to have more than 557 industries in various sectors including integrated textile, food processing, construction material, pharmaceutical, automobiles, and steel. So far committed investment in the SEZ amounts to more than 1 billion U.S. dollars including 204 million U.S. dollars local investment, the ruling party stated.

The SEZ is one of the nine SEZs planned to be built under CPEC across Pakistan. The SEZs are quoted as lifelines of Pakistan's industrial development by Pakistani officials as they are likely to create over 2 million employments across the country, besides enhancing exports and uplifting several potential sectors of the country.
A US strike killed Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani, the Pentagon said on Thursday, adding that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack Americans in Iraq and the Middle East.

"At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani," the Pentagon said in a statement.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," it said, adding that the United States would continue to take necessary action to protect Americans and interests around the world.

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad this week.

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Soleimani had been killed in a drone strike in Baghdad.

One U.S. official said that Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also believed to have been killed in the strike, according to initial information, though he was not the primary target.

The official said the Pentagon was aware of the possibility of an Iranian response and U.S. military officials were ready to defend themselves. The official did not rule out additional U.S. troops or military assets going to the region.

Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said while Soleimani was "an enemy of the United States," the killing could put more Americans at risk.

"One reason we dont generally (assassinate) foreign political officials is the belief that such action will get more, not less, Americans killed," Murphy said on Twitter.

"That should be our real, pressing and grave worry tonight," he said.

Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that Soleimani's death "should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice."

Earlier on Thursday, before the strike, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the "game has changed" and it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives.
Chinese social media upstart, TikTok and its counterpart Douyin are turning to technology commonly used for creating deepfakes to power a yet-to-be-released feature.

According to a report from TechCrunch, ByteDance, which owns TikTok and China-based Douyin, has been developing a feature that allows users to create videos in which their face is superimposed onto someone else's.

The feature, which mirrors other deepfake technology used to doctor videos of politicians and public figures, is being referred to as 'Face Swap' within TikTok's own code according to TechCrunch and has not yet been released to users.

TikTok may be mulling the use of deepfake technology that lets users scan their face and then swap it onto a video

The face swapping feature, while similar to those long-used by other social media platforms like Snapchat, differs in its ability to realistically superimpose faces on videos according to TechCrunch.

'Face Swap' reportedly works by taking a biometric scan of a users' face from multiple angles - similar to the process of setting up a facial recognition app like Apple's Face ID - and then lets users choose videos that they want to insert their face onto.

Once the video is made it's also given a watermark to help convey that it has been doctored using the feature. Users can then share it or download it directly to their device.

While the feature reportedly makes users scan their own face into TikTok's system to help the company prevent users from stealing the visage of another person, it will likely cause concern for skeptics of TikTok and its parent company.

US officials have warned that TikTok poses a national security threat due to its ties with the Chinese government. In particular, they warn that TikTok may be shipping data on users to the Chinese government.

TechCrunch reports that representatives for TikTok have already denied that the feature will be rolled out despite fragments of the code being found inside the app.

Instead, a representative claims that the feature will only be available to users of Douyin, which is only available in China.

FaceApp, a popular face-swapping app that was released this year, requested users sign onto an agreement that let the company use people's 'likeness ' in any media format without compensation

'... after checking with the teams I can confirm this is definitely not a function in TikTok, nor do we have any intention of introducing it. I think what you may be looking at is something slated for Douyin,' a representative told TechCrunch.

As noted by TechCrunch, however, TikTok has yet to explain why fragments of the code appeared in the app in addition to terms of service surrounding the feature which were written in English.

Deepfaking technology has received a great deal of negative attenuation throughout the past year for its ability to create and spread misinformation.

Malicious deepfakes have been used to doctor videos of politicians and to create faked porn by superimposing someone's face over a different person's body.

One popular face-swapping app, called FaceApp, came under fire for its overly possessive terms of service that gave the company full ownership of selfies created using the program.
Highly respected broadcaster Marian Finucane has died, aged 69.

She passed away today at her home in Naas.

Ms Finucanes Saturday show on RTE Radio 1 was one of the most listened to radio programmes in the country with a listenership of 363,000 in 2019.

Her show featured interviews, human interest stories, consumer and lifestyle news as well as panel discussions on issues of the week.

Each of her programmes began with Ms Finucane's signature tune, followed by her iconic phrase: Hello there, and a very good-morning to you!

The household name is survived by her husband, John Clarke and son, Jack. Their daughter, Sinead tragically passed away in 1990 at the age of eight after developing leukaemia.

In a statement, RTE Director General Dee Forbes said they were shocked and saddened at the news.

Marian was a broadcaster of immense capability; a household name, she was first and foremost a tenacious journalist with a zeal for breaking new ground. From Women Today to Liveline to her weekday radio show on Radio 1 and, latterly, her enormously popular Saturday and Sunday radio programme, she tackled the big social issues of the day with command and insight," Ms Forbes said.

"Multi-skilled, she forged a distinguished career on television, as well as undertaking significant charity work in Africa. Ireland has lost a unique voice. RTE has lost a beloved colleague. My sincere and heartfelt sympathies to her husband John and son Jack," she added.

Head of Radio at RTE, Tom McGuire said: Marian Finucane was a defining voice for RTE Radio 1, and for the nation. Her work on Liveline was without parallel, where she merged an unsurpassed journalistic vigour with a flair for debate and discussion unmatched among her peers.

"As the voice of weekends, she parsed the stories of the day, tackling big interviews with ease and insight. Her loss is a deep shock to all of us, and our thoughts are with Marians family at this time.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described her as a true broadcasting legend who reshaped current affairs radio.

Ireland will miss her voice. Weekend mornings will never be quite the same again, he said.

In a statement issued on social media, Mr Varadkar said he spent many hours in the studio with her.

She was thorough, courteous and professional. Im very sad to think that we wont hear her voice again on the radio.

The Taoiseach offered the deepest sympathies of the Government to her family, friends and colleagues.
Is The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (HKG:3) a good dividend stock? How can we tell? Dividend paying companies with growing earnings can be highly rewarding in the long term. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments.

A slim 2.2% yield is hard to get excited about, but the long payment history is respectable. At the right price, or with strong growth opportunities, Hong Kong and China Gas could have potential. 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:3 Historical Dividend Yield, January 3rd 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Comparing dividend payments to a company's net profit after tax is a simple way of reality-checking whether a dividend is sustainable. Looking at the data, we can see that 66% of Hong Kong and China Gas's profits were paid out as dividends in the last 12 months. This is a fairly normal payout ratio among most businesses. It allows a higher dividend to be paid to shareholders, but does limit the capital retained in the business - which could be good or bad.

We also measure dividends paid against a company's levered free cash flow, to see if enough cash was generated to cover the dividend. With a cash payout ratio of 190%, Hong Kong and China Gas's dividend payments are poorly covered by cash flow. Paying out such a high percentage of cash flow suggests that the dividend was funded from either cash at bank or by borrowing, neither of which is desirable over the long term. Hong Kong and China Gas paid out less in dividends than it reported in profits, but unfortunately it didn't generate enough free cash flow to cover the dividend. Cash is king, as they say, and were Hong Kong and China Gas to repeatedly pay dividends that aren't well covered by cashflow, we would consider this a warning sign.

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Is Hong Kong and China Gas's Balance Sheet Risky?

As Hong Kong and China Gas has a meaningful amount of debt, we need to check its balance sheet to see if the company might have debt risks. A quick check of its financial situation can be done with two ratios: net debt divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation), and net interest cover. Net debt to EBITDA is a measure of a company's total debt. Net interest cover measures the ability to meet interest payments. Essentially we check that a) the company does not have too much debt, and b) that it can afford to pay the interest. With net debt of 2.92 times its EBITDA, Hong Kong and China Gas's debt burden is within a normal range for most listed companies.

Net interest cover can be calculated by dividing earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) by the company's net interest expense. Net interest cover of 11.53 times its interest expense appears reasonable for Hong Kong and China Gas, although we're conscious that even high interest cover doesn't make a company bulletproof.

Remember, you can always get a snapshot of Hong Kong and China Gas's latest financial position, by checking our visualisation of its financial health.

Dividend Volatility

Before buying a stock for its income, we want to see if the dividends have been stable in the past, and if the company has a track record of maintaining its dividend. Hong Kong and China Gas has been paying dividends for a long time, but for the purpose of this analysis, we only examine the past 10 years of payments. The dividend has been stable over the past 10 years, which is great. We think this could suggest some resilience to the business and its dividends. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was HK$0.13 in 2010, compared to HK$0.33 last year. Dividends per share have grown at approximately 9.3% per year over this time.

Businesses that can grow their dividends at a decent rate and maintain a stable payout can generate substantial wealth for shareholders over the long term.

Dividend Growth Potential

Dividend payments have been consistent over the past few years, but we should always check if earnings per share (EPS) are growing, as this will help maintain the purchasing power of the dividend. Hong Kong and China Gas has grown its earnings per share at 4.2% per annum over the past five years. Growth of 4.2% is relatively anaemic growth, which we wonder about. When a business is not growing, it often makes more sense to pay higher dividends to shareholders rather than retain the cash with no way to utilise it.

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. First, the company has a payout ratio that was within an average range for most dividend stocks, but it paid out virtually all of its generated cash flow. Earnings growth has been limited, but we like that the dividend payments have been fairly consistent. In sum, we find it hard to get excited about Hong Kong and China Gas from a dividend perspective. It's not that we think it's a bad business; just that there are other companies that perform better on these criteria.

Earnings growth generally bodes well for the future value of company dividend payments. See if the 13 Hong Kong and China Gas analysts we track are forecasting continued growth with our free report on analyst estimates for the company.

If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of dividend stocks yielding above 3%.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Iran's supreme leader named the deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm Esmail Qaani to replace its commander Friday after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad.

"Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Qaani was described by Khamenei as one of the "most decorated commanders" of the Guards during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

"The orders for the (Quds) force remain exactly as they were during the leadership of martyr Soleimani," said the supreme leader.

"I call on the members of the force to be present and cooperate with General Qaani and wish him divine prosperity, acceptance and guidance," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Technical surveillance showed the killer was in Kolkata, after which a Dahisar police team reached there and arrested him. (Photo Credit: Representative image)

Mumbai:

A 32-year-old man was arrested from West Bengal allegedly killing a bar waitress in the northern suburb of Dahisar in Mumbai, the police said on Friday. The body of Rosina Shaikh was found in her rented flat in Jankalyan Nagar on December 29, said an official. He identified the accused as Swapan Paresh Roidas, a resident of Howrah in the eastern state, working in a jewellery polishing unit in Mumbai.

"We found two glasses and a bottle of vodka in her room. We traced the wine shop from where it was bought with the help of batch and other details on the liquor label. The shop's CCTV had captured Roidas' image. Her call records showed she was constantly in touch with Roidas," he said.

"Gold, cash, mobile phone was missing from the flat and it seemed it was a murder committed for robbery. However, Roidas has told us he was in a relationship with the victim and the latter was threatening to disclose it to his wife, so he killed her," he said.

Technical surveillance showed he was in Kolkata, after which a Dahisar police team reached there and arrested Roidas, the official added.

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Texas judge says hospital can take baby Tinslee Lewis off life support despite mother's objections

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A Texas judge has ruled that a hospital can remove life support from an 11-month-old baby despite her familys objections, drawing condemnation from pro-life groups and conservative officials.

Born prematurely, Tinslee Lewis has never been outside the intensive care unit at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth. She suffers from a rare heart defect and other health issues and has been on a ventilator since July due to a chronic lung disease.

In a statement on Thursday, Cook Childrens Medical Center said their doctors have done everything possible to save Tinslees life, but ultimately concluded that they would not continue to provide life-sustaining treatment, such as a ventilator or help her to breathe.

Our medical judgment is that Tinslee should be allowed to pass naturally and peacefully rather than artificially kept alive by painful treatments. Even with the most extraordinary measures the medical team is taking, Tinslee continues to suffer, the hospital's statement read.

Doctors at the Fort Worth hospital had planned to remove Tinslee from life support on Nov. 10 after invoking Texas' "10-day rule" under the Texas Advance Directives Act that, among other things, requires hospitals to give families 10 days notice before ending life-sustaining treatment for patients suffering from a terminal illness or who doctors believe have little or no chance of survival. With approval from a medical or ethics committee, doctors are allowed to end treatment in these cases.

Once a hospital has decided to discontinue treatment, families are given 10 days to find a different hospital that is willing to admit their loved one.

If families are unable to transfer the patient to a different hospital by the 10th day, all treatments are withdrawn unless a judge intervenes with a court order requiring the hospital to continue life-sustaining treatment.

With the support of Texas Right to Life, Tinslees mother, Trinity Lewis, had fought to keep her daughter on life support. Texas Right to Life opposes the 10-day rule, arguing it allows hospitals to make decisions that strip away patients rights to life and due process against their familys wishes, a grave injustice is committed.

I want to be able to make that decision for her, Trinity said. Shes made it this far. I know shes going to continue to fight for her life.

In the statement, hospital officials said they had reached out to more than 20, well-respected healthcare facilities and specialists over the course of several months, but all agreed that further care is futile.

Tarrant County Juvenile Court Judge Alex Kim issued a temporary restraining order to stop the removal of life support on Nov. 10. However, he was removed from the case after Cook Children's claimed he was personally biased in the case based on his affiliation with groups that have campaigned against the law under which the hospital tried to end Tinslees treatment.

Following Kim's removal, Lewis had asked another judge, Chief Justice Sandee Bryan Marion of the states Fourth Court of Appeals, to grant an injunction stopping the hospital from removing life support. On Thursday, Marion denied that request.

"Today's decision from Chief Justice Sandee B. Marion restores the ability of the Cook Children's medical staff to make the most compassionate and medically appropriate decisions for Tinslee as she struggles in pain to survive each day. This is an emotional and difficult situation for everyone involved, especially for this family who had high hopes that Tinslee would get better," the hospital said in a statement.

"Cook Children's has been devoted to this precious baby her entire life, providing compassionate, round-the-clock, intensive care and attention since she arrived at our hospital 11 months ago," the statement added. "Her body is tired. She is suffering. It's time to end this cycle because, tragically, none of these efforts will ever make her better."

Lewiss mother disagreed with the decision. In a statement, she wrote, "I am heartbroken over todays decision because the judge basically said Tinslees life is NOT worth living. I feel frustrated because anyone in that courtroom would want more time just like I do if Tinslee were their baby. I hope that we can keep fighting through an appeal to protect Tinslee. She deserves the right to live. Please keep praying for Tinslee and thank you for supporting us during this difficult time.

Texas Right to Life said on Facebook that the Lewis family will appeal the heartbreaking anti-life decision.

"Texas Right to Life is disappointed that the ruling not only disregarded the Constitution, but also sentenced an innocent 11-month-old baby to death like a criminal, it said. We pray the appellate court will identify how the law violates Baby Tinslees due process rights, revoke her death sentence, and strike down the deadly 10-Day Rule.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton released a joint statement on the matter, offering support for Trinity and her family.

"The Attorney Generals office is involved in the ongoing litigation, fighting to see that due process and the right to life are fully respected by Texas law," they wrote. "The Attorney Generals office will be supporting an appeal of this case to the Second Court of Appeals."

"The state of Texas is fully prepared to continue its support of Ms. Lewis in the Supreme Court if necessary," they added. "We are working diligently to do all we can to ensure that Tinslee and her family are provided the care and support that they seek."
Orange Blossom Special? Yes, that was the famous bluegrass fiddle tune the Miro String Quartet was furiously fiddling its way through in Calgary in September at the first Honens International Piano Festival.

And yes, again, the same Miro Quartet can be heard playing Mozart, Gliere, Franck and Schubert Thursday for Music Toronto at the St. Lawrence Centres Jane Mallett Theatre.

An ensemble with a split personality? Not exactly. It just so happens that William Fedkenheuer, the quartets second violinist, hails from the Alberta metropolis and used to specialize in country music as a member of the Calgary Fiddlers.

I grew up with this music, Fedkenheuer acknowledged by phone the other day from Austin, where the Miro is quartet in residence at the University of Texas Butler School of Music. My violin teacher was the wife of the founder of the Calgary Fiddlers. I toured with them all across Canada and as far as Japan.

It was as a student at Rice University in Houston that the native Calgarian fell in love with string quartets and it was in 2011 that he joined the Miro, 13 years after his colleagues had won first prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition.

Now one of the continents leading chamber ensembles, the Miro is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and because 2020 happens also to be the 250th anniversary of the birth of Beethoven  luvely, luvely Ludwig van, as Alex called him in Anthony Burgess novel A Clockwork Orange  the German composer features prominently in its schedule, in the form of a complete recording of his 16 string quartets, released six weeks ago in a boxed set on the Pentatone label.

A 2005 set of the Op. 18 quartets had announced the Miros arrival on compact discs, now this new album the culmination of 14 subsequent years of recording.

And yet Thursdays program contains not one note of Beethoven, because in Toronto the Miro will be replicating a 25th-anniversary program played by North Americas first quartet to tour regularly  the Kneisel, back in 1910.

As one of its own silver-anniversary undertakings, the quartet is touring this season with what it calls its Archive Project  a rotating set of three programs performed by distinguished predecessors, the Flonzalay and Kolisch Quartets as well as the Kneisel.

Times have obviously changed musically since 1910. In one of his volumes of memoirs, the pianist-wit Oscar Levant recounts an occasion in the 1930s when the Flonzalay performed at a party hosted by a rich Los Angeles socialite. At the end of the performance, Levant recalls, the socialite thanked the quartet, offering some extra money so the players could expand their band.

In his early years John Largess, the Miros violist, actually studied with Eugene Lehner of the Kolisch Quartet and all four Miros seem conscious of their debt to the players of the past.

The Kneisel Quartet knew Dvorak and even premiered his American Quartet. Typical of ensembles of the era, it also presented more varied programs than are typical today.

As an example, the 1910 program the Miro is reviving for Toronto includes the solo Fantasie sur deux Airs Russes by the Belgian composer Servais, because Alvin Schraeder, the Kneisels cellist, happened to be a virtuoso.

Whether the Kneisel would have played something similar to the Orange Blossom Special is, of course, another question.

Todays concert programs tend to be more narrowly focused than their early 20th-century counterparts. On the wall of my study hangs a Berlin Philharmonic program from 1900 conducted by Arthur Nikisch, featuring Glazunovs Sixth Symphony, excerpts from Berlioz Damnation of Faust and character pieces by Heinrich Hoffman, with Saint-Saens Third Violin Concerto and solos by Bach and Beethoven played by the Belgian violinist Eugene Ysaye.

But has the standard of playing risen since then? Look at the Miros facsimile programs this season from 1929 and 1935 and you will find music by Berg, Bloch and Bartok that continues to challenge players today.

Nevertheless, would any of these earlier players have been able to play the cycle of Elliott Carter quartets as I heard them played several years ago at a contemporary music festival in Buffalo by the Juilliard Quartet? I frankly doubt it. Technically, the standard surely has risen.

But the musical standard? Again we face another question. Listen to Artur Schnabels pioneering recording of the Beethoven piano sonatas, from more than 80 years ago, and you will find plenty of evidence of struggle. You will also find insights many of todays pianists might envy.

The Miro Quartet is very much an ensemble of today. It is also an ensemble with an appreciation of the tradition that has nourished it.
MBABANE  Ladies, you can propose to your men this year. This is because for European traditionalists, just once every four years, on February 29 (Leap Day), a woman is allowed to take her destiny in her own hands and ask a man to marry her.



This tradition is thought to date back to the 5th century when, legend has it, an Irish nun called St Brigid complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for their suitors to propose.



So, they struck a deal. St Patrick decreed this one day in February, which occurs once every four years, when women are allowed to propose.

According to www.timeanddate.com, women either have to wear breeches or a scarlet petticoat to pop the question, according to tradition.



Additionally, in many European countries, tradition dictates that any gentleman who refuses a womans proposal on a Leap Day should pay a penalty.

The fine could be paid in the form of a new gown, money, or 12 pairs of gloves for the lady.

People born on Leap Day are called leaplings or leapers.



The last Leap Day was on February 29, 2016.

Leap days are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earths revolutions around the Sun.



It takes the earth approximately 365.242189 days  or 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds  to circle once around the Sun. This is called a tropical year. Technically, though, youd have to be one lucky person to be born on this day.

We say lucky because the chances of being born on a Leap Day are 1 in 1 461, it reads further.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The United States is sending nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast in the volatile aftermath of the killing of an Iranian general in a strike ordered by President Donald Trump.

Defense officials said the troops are from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

They are in addition to about 700 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne who deployed to Kuwait earlier this week after the storming of the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters.

RELATED: US citizens urged to depart Iraq after airstrike kills Iranian commander

The reinforcements took shape as Trump gave his first comments on the strike. He said he ordered the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani because he was plotting to kill many Americans.
New Delhi: Savarkar came back to haunt the Congress on Friday with its new-found ally Shiv Sena and rival BJP coming down heavily on the party over a booklet by the Seva Dal which made insinuations about his relationship with Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhis assassin.

The booklet was distributed at a camp of the Seva Dal, a frontal organisation of the Congress, in Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress had trouble with the Shiv Sena last month when party leader Rahul Gandhi had said at a rally in Delhi that he would not apologise as he was Gandhi not Savarkar.

On Friday the Sena lashed out at the Congress saying it had dirt in its mind and had questioned Savarkars credentials as a patriot.

Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind, Sena MP Sanjay Raut said, responding to the insinuations in the booklet, titled Veer Savarkar, Kitne Veer?

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis demanded that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ban a booklet. He said the Congress had exhibited its wicked psyche by circulating such a booklet, which underscored its intellectual bankruptcy.

The BJP described the insinuation as abhorrent and perverted. It also demanded an apology from the Congress. BJP general secretary Anil Jain said, The world knows various relationships of Congress leaders but that he did not want to throw such muck.

BJP national spokesperson said that during freedom struggle Congress leaders lived in comfort in prison and wrote books, but Savarkar faced torture in the Cellular Jail.

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said Congress should apologise for the perverted content in the booklet. The booklet contains lies and perverted content. The Congress should tender an apology, Mr Patil said.

Savarkar was acquitted in the Gandhi assassination case. Despite this, the Congress-affiliated organisation is trying to link him and the accused in the case, he said.

Smriti questions Congress

Mr Jain alleged that except for one family nobody was worthy of respect for the Congress. He accused the party of denigrating leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhimrao Ambedkar and Savarkar.

Union minister Smriti Irani questioned the Congress how long would it insult the sacrifices of Savarkar and said the Opposition party will have to answer the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.

She also questioned if it was the Gandhi clans birthright to humiliate Veer Savarkar.

The Congress, which is part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, will have to answer to the Marathi people and all patriots in the country as to how long it will continue to insult the sacrifice of Veer Savarkar, Irani said at the Delhi BJP office after launching the partys Meri Dilli, Mera Sujhav campaign.

Under the drive, the BJP will take suggestions from people to draft its manifesto for the Delhi polls.

Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer, and the formulator of the Hindutva philosophy.

Will they eulogise only those born in the Gandhi clan, and humiliate lakhs of Indians who served at Kala Pani, suffered barbaric treatment at the hands of the British, and Veer Savarkar just because they are utterly disliked by Congress shahzada (Rahul Gandhi), Irani told reporters.

She launched the campaign along with other BJP leaders, including the partys Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari and Union minister and Delhi assembly election co-incharge Nityanand Rai.

When asked about Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadras Bhagwa comment, Irani accused the Congress of mixing politics with religion.

I myself witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections in Amethi, how Mrs Vadra took to streets and offered namaz just to win elections. It does not behove those who mix religion with politics when they try to define the Hindu religion, she said.

On Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot backing Priyanka Gandhi over her comment by terming it as a game changer, Irani said his statement certified for the Congress, religion was a part of politics and not a matter of faith.

Priyanka Gandhi, attacking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said, he wears the dress of a yogi. He wears saffron clothes. This bhagwa (saffron) is not yours, it belongs to religious tradition of Hindustan.
(CNN)  The Queen biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody" hits theaters this weekend and the rock band's speaker-thumping music is likely to take over Spotify as well.

Named after Queen's hit song, the film tells the story of the band's rise to fame and the life of its iconic front man, Freddie Mercury, played by Rami Malek. It is expected to bring in roughly $35 million domestically this weekend, adding to a strong box-office year that is up 11% over last year, according to comScore.

In the film, Queen battles with a record executive who tells them that their 1975 opus "Bohemian Rhapsody" won't get played on the radio because it's too long. But in 2018, that song and many of Queen's other hits will easily get some heavy play on Spotify, thanks in part to the movie's release this weekend.

Hit films that rely on music to tell a story usually comes with a boost for the band or artist that's featured in the film, making the licensing of old hits a win-win for studios and for artists. Movie studios can drum up audience interest with great storytelling and a soundtrack full of familiar music. And artists benefit from the added exposure that comes with a Hollywood treatment.

"Even a generic soundtrack to a film can have an impact on sales of an artist," David Bakula, senior vice president of analytics at Nielsen Music told CNN Business. "You think of 'Purple Rain,' you think of 'Ray.' You think of these movies that are really about an artist and those tend to have long-lasting effects on their entire catalog."

Prince's "Purple Rain" was released before Nielsen data became available, but an album Ray Charles released, "Genius Loves Company," shortly before "Ray" appeared in theaters received a 60% boost in sales after the film came out.

A more recent example of this is "Straight Outta Compton," the 2015 biopic about the groundbreaking rap group, N.W.A. Spotify said streams of the group's music went up nearly 200% after the film's $60.2 million opening weekend.

Lady Gaga saw streams of her own music increase by 308% over the previous month on the Monday after the debut of "A Star is Born," according to Spotify.

The same effect is seen in physical album sales. Eminem's album sales jumped roughly 10% to 15% after the release of "8 Mile," the 2002 semi-autobiographical film about the rapper's life, according to Nielsen Music. And Johnny Cash's albums got a 50% to 80% lift after the release of "Walk The Line," a 2005 biopic about the country star.

Even films that have nothing to do with music, but include a great soundtrack, can help boost streams for artists.

Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" came with a soundtrack that included songs from the 60s and 70s, giving major exposure to bands such as Blue Swede, the Five Stairsteps and Redbone. In fact, streams of Redbone's "Come and Get Your Love," the song Chris Pratt's Starlord danced to during the opening credits, went up almost 4,000% on Spotify after the film's opening.

Jeff Smith, a film professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison whose research focuses on the use of music in film, predicts that "Bohemian Rhapsody" will give a boost to Queen's recordings. It wouldn't even be the first time a film has been a boon for the band.

"In 1992 when 'Bohemian Rhapsody' was featured in 'Wayne's World' you saw a kind of surge in sales of Queen records and that particular song, just based on how prominently it was featured in the Mike Myers film," he said.

After Wayne and Garth famously rocked out to the song, it eventually made it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also made the song "a staple on MTV" and introduced it and the band to "a new generation of listeners," according to Rolling Stone.

In a referential bit of casting, the record executive who tells Queen their song is too long in "Bohemian Rhapsody" is played by Myers, who also played Wayne in "Wayne's World."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "'Bohemian Rhapsody' is about to introduce Queen's music to the Spotify generation."
The SES squads have examined 1.6 hectares of territory.

The State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine has announced that specialists of SES bomb squads have destroyed 38 explosive items in Donetsk region over the past day.

Read alsoUkrainian sappers neutralize almost 700 explosives in Donbas over week

"Bomb squads of the State Emergencies Service of Ukraine carry out everyday work on surveying the country's territory, as well as identifying, seizing, and destroying explosive objects. Over the past day, the SES squads have examined 1.6 hectares of territory and destroyed 38 explosive objects," reads the report.

As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukrainian demining teams found 179 explosive remnants of war near the town of Zolote, which was disengagement site No. 2 in Donbas, eastern Ukraine.
The jewel in Co Laoiss historical crown, Emo Court will feature in a new RTE One television programme Great Irish Interiors, in which interior experts transform historical buildings.

The episode focusing on Emo Court is on tonight Friday January 3.

Moondance Productions have been granted exclusive access to follow a number of multi-million euro historical building restoration projects around the country, through the eyes of those spearheading the projects. Focusing on the race to return the interiors of these buildings to their former glory, the programme reveals fascinating and previously unseen work done by historical interiors experts as they source, beg, borrow and steal furniture, artwork and precious artefacts for their sites in time to open these stunning buildings to the public for the tourist season.

Each programme focuses on either private or publicly funded massive restoration projects such as Doneraile Court, Emo Court and Kylemore Abbey.



This neo-classical mansion dates from the 18th century and was designed by James Gandon for the Earls of Portarlington. In the hands of the State since 1994, it has received a multi-million Euro boost to open extra floors to the public.

Although it is in better nick than Doneraile Court, this huge mansion is a beast of a project, and it needs a lot of TLC. Mary Heffernan from the OPW and Historical Interiors Expert Joanne Bannon are tasked with making this happen, from researching what finishes to use on the stunning staircase; to practicalities of opening a house full of priceless artefacts to the public.

These two are in charge of restoring the interior to its former glory. The real challenge, however, lies in filling it with furniture, paintings and precious artefacts now scattered in private and public collections all over the country. We hit the road with Mary and Joanne as they beg, steal and borrow from some of the States most amazing treasures and look on as they reinvigorate the interior character of these houses once more.

As one of the most prestigious houses of its time, Emo Court, Co. Laois was handed over to the state 25 years ago. Now, the team are tasked with bringing this palatial mansion back to its former glory.

Great Irish Interiors is a first for RTE One. There are a number of other shows that deal with renovations - bricks and mortar, but this series is unique as the focus is firmly on the interiors, it is all about the chase, sourcing the right artwork, paint and wallpaper, furniture and reclaiming special treasures that tell the story of these great houses.

Tune into RTE One at 8.30pm on January 3.

Watch a preview below.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

China on Friday confirmed more cases of a mystery viral pneumonia that has sparked fears about a resurgence of SARS, the flu-like virus that killed hundreds of people more than a decade ago.

The 44 cases, up from the initial 27 announced Tuesday, include 11 "severe cases," health authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan said in a statement.

"The vital signs of the other patients are generally stable," the statement said.

The authorities are still in the process of identifying the cause of the infection, but "influenza, avian influenza, adenovirus infection and other common respiratory diseases have been excluded," the Wuhan health commission said on Friday, without mentioning SARS, which is caused by a coronavirus.

News of the mystery pneumonia outbreak earlier this week led to speculation online that it might be linked to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, a highly contagious respiratory disease.

Wuhan police on Wednesday said they had punished eight people for "publishing or forwarding false information on the internet without verification."

The health commission said all patients have received treatment in isolation and the city was tracking people who had come into close contact with the patients.

Some of those being treated work in a seafood market in the city, and "no obvious evidence of human to human transmission" has been found so far, the commission said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) criticised China for under-reporting the number of SARS cases following the outbreak in 2003.

SARS killed 349 people in mainland China and another 299 in Hong Kong that year.

The virus, which infected more than 8,000 people around the world, is expected to have originated in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, according to WHO.

China sacked its then health minister Zhang Wenkang for the poor handling of the crisis in 2003, several months after the first case was reported.

WHO announced that China was free of SARS in May 2004.

Explore further China probes pneumonia outbreak for SARS links: state media

 2020 AFP
McHale brings deep experience in the automotive industry to Momentum Dynamics, beginning his career as an engineer at Land Rover in the UK. In the US, McHale headed Communications for the launch of the MINI brand and then worked on Communications Strategy for BMW NA before moving to Subaru as Head of Communications during the company's decade-long run of consecutive sales records.

McHale Joined EV startup Rivian in 2018 and guided the successful media launch of the brand at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show and headed communications during significant investments in the brand from Amazon and Ford. McHale brings a strong understanding of branding and communications, including social media to Momentum Dynamics as the company enters its next phase of growth, spurred by upcoming business developments. He will lead media relations, brand development and social media for the decade-old company.

CEO Andrew Daga said, "We are at the beginning of an incredible period for Momentum Dynamics, propelled by an unprecedented transformation of the automotive industry and we are thrilled that Michael can bring his experience and drive to our communications and strategic business outlook."

McHale said, "I have been in no doubt for some time now that the future of transportation is electric - and within that, the future of EV charging is wireless. Having seen Momentum's technical leadership and imminent as well as long-term plans, I was thrilled to join the charge."

Momentum Dynamics is the market-leading original technology developer of high-power, efficient automatic wireless charging systems for the automotive and transportation industries. Momentum has technology in operation today that proves the capability and necessity for fast, automated opportunity charging of electric vehicles. The technology expands on the principle of resonant magnetic induction that was practiced by Nikola Tesla and others.

Momentum has developed unmatched technical primacy in wireless charging of electric vehicles, leading the market in fast, high power inductive charging with efficiency and pricing that is comparable or better than conductive DC fast charging systems. The capacity for Momentum's inductive charging technology to operate autonomously makes it the essential solution for driving range extension and high utilization vehicles such as advanced passenger vehicles, taxis, buses and all types of commercial vehicles. In transit bus applications, Momentum's system has been proven effective at power levels of over 200 kilowatts (kW) and the system is capable of delivering 450 kW.

Momentum Dynamics, located in Malvern, PA, practices world-class technology innovation and is recognized for the extraordinary accomplishments and unique expertise of its engineers and scientists. Momentum was recently named a winner of the 2019 Emerging Technology Award from Mechanical Engineering Magazine.

www.momentumdynamics.com

SOURCE Momentum Dynamics Corporation

Related Links

http://www.momentumdynamics.com/


Frances priority is stabilization in the Middle East, French Deputy Foreign Minister Amelie de Montchalin said commenting on the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani.

What is happening is what we feared: tensions between the United States and Iran are increasing, Montchalin told RTL radio. The priority is to stabilize the region.

The minister said top French officials would make high-level contacts with senior players in the region, Reuters reported.
The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration on Friday alleged that some students wearing masks forcibly switched off the power supply to make the "servers dysfunctional" and hamper the semester exam registration process.

The administration warned it will take strict action against the students.

The students, who have shut down the entire university for over two months in protest against the hike in hostel fees, have called for a boycott of the exam registration process.

The JNU administration said the agitating students "have crossed all boundaries of decency and discipline and appear determined to cause as much damage to the academic interests of their fellow students as possible".

"At around 1 pm on January 3, a group of students using masks on their faces forcibly entered the office of centre for information system, switched off the power supply, forcibly evicted all the technical staff and made the servers dysfunctional," the varsity said.

The registration process was hampered, Registrar Pramod Kumar said.

"These agitating students always swear on democracy, civil rights and the right to protest, but their real action reflects a tendency to damage and disrupt," he said, adding that strict disciplinary action will be taken in the matter.

The semester registration process started on January 1 and will end on January 5.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
W ith Christmas out of the way, it can mean only one thing: award season is upon us.

Kicking off the glitzy film accolades is the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards, which celebrates standout performances in film and TV.

But when is it, what venue hosts the awards and who will be presenting this year?

Here's everything you need to know...

What date are the Golden Globes 2020?

Marriage Story is up for a string of awards at this year's Golden Globes

This year's event will be taking place on Sunday January 5 and marks the 77th annual awards.

While it kicks off in the US at 8pm on Sunday night, UK film and TV fans will have to stay up until 1am BST on Monday to follow along with the ceremony.

TODO: define component type apester

Where do the Golden Globes take place?

Once again, this year's Golden Globes will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, located in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

It has previously been hosted at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Who's hosting the 77th annual awards show?

Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

British comedian Ricky Gervais will be hosting this year's event - the After Life star has also presented in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016.

That said, Gervais has confirmed that this will be the last year he'll be doing the gig.

Golden Globe Awards 2020: Nominations - In pictures 1 /44 Golden Globe Awards 2020: Nominations - In pictures Christian Bale in Le Mans 66 nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Antonio Banderas in Pain and Glory nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Adam Driver in Marriage Story nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Joaquin Phoenix in Joker nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Bergoglio, right (nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama) pictured with Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict in The Two Popes Cynthia Erivo as anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama in Harriet Scarlett Johansson in Marriage Story nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Netflix Saoirse Ronan nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for Little Women Charlize Theron nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama for Bombshell Renee Zellweger in Judy nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama Daniel Craig in Knives Out nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Jojo (Roman Griffin Davis) nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy in Jojo Rabbit Leonardo DiCaprio in Once-Upon-A-Time-In-Hollywood nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Taron Egerton in Rocketman nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Paramount Pictures Awkwafina in The Farewell nominated forB est Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy  Ana de Armas in Knives Out nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Cate Blanchette in Where'd You Go, Bernadette? nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Beanie Feldstein in Booksmart nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Emma-Thompson in Late Night nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy Catch 22 nominated for Miniseries or Television Film Hulu Catastrophe nominated for Miniseries or Television Film HBO Fosse/Verdon nominated for Miniseries or Television Film BBC The Loudest Voice nominated for Miniseries or Television Film Showtime Christopher Abbott as Yossarian in Catch 22 nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television Hulu Sacha Baron Cohen stars in Netflix original series The Spy nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television Netflix Russell Crowe in The Loudest Voice nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television Showtime Jared Harris in Chernobyl nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television HBO Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse in Fosse/Verdon nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television BBC Kaitlyn Dever stars in the Netflix true-crime series, Unbelievable nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television Netflix Joey King with Patricia Arquette The Act nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television Hulu Helen Mirren in Catherine The Great nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television Sky Atlantic Toni Collette with Merritt Wever (nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television) in the Netflix true-crime series, Unbelievable Netflix Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon in a scene from the series Fosse/Verdon nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television BBC

2020 Golden Globes nominees

Nominees for the 2020 Golden Globes include:

Best Motion Picture - Drama

The Irishman

Joker

Marriage Story

The Two Popes

1917

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Dolemite Is My Name

Jojo Rabbit

Knives Out

Once Upon A Time...in Hollywood

Rocketman Saoirse Ronan is also up for an award for her performance in Little Women ( Alamy Stock Photo)

Best Performance by and Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Cynthia Erivo

Scarlett Johansson

Saoirse Ronan

Charlize Theron

Renee Zellweger

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev have revealed they are engaged.

The former WWE performer and reality TV star, who was previously engaged to John Cena, shared the news with her fans on January 3.

'Excited for 2020 and the next decade with you @theartemc.' she wrote.

'I said yes in France in November! We have been trying to keep it a secret but really wanted to share our excitement for the New Year!'

Happy news: Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev have revealed they are engaged

She continued: 'You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. So excited for what's to come I love you more then anything and thank you for saying Yes.'

The announcement post featured a charming shot of the couple sharing a kiss while dancing together along with another photo of Nikki showing off her new sparkler.

During their visit to Europe, many speculated that the couple was on their way to being engaged.

The trip was peppered with romantic moments, but fans were convinced a proposal was inevitable when Artem introduced his love to his parents.

Nikki opened up about her Meet The Parents moment on her podcast, telling fans: 'They are the sweetest people in the world... Overall, Artem's parents did say they liked me a lot, which is amazing.'

The announcement post featured a charming shot of the couple sharing a kiss while dancing together

Chemistry! The pair first met while partners on Dancing With The Stars, but their connection went on to be much more serious

The pair first met while partners on Dancing With The Stars back in 2017, but their connection went on to be much more serious.

While their initial chemistry was more than clear, the retired wrestler said she never expected things to get serious.

'I never would have thought even when Artem and I were dancing... we had incredible chemistry, but I never once thought that he would one day be my boyfriend,' she told People earlier this year.

'We had such an amazing friendship and when we went on our first date, it was still kind of in that friend zone.'

Unexpected: The retired wrestler said she never expected things to get serious with Artem, despite their dance chemistry, telling People ' I never once thought that he would one day be my boyfriend.' They're seen in 2017 above

But by May 2019 the couple had taken their relationship far beyond the dance floor, publicly seen smooching for the first time after a lunch date at Joan's On Third.

And though things have seemed more than serious since then, as recently as last October Bella said she thinks the idea of marriage and a family is bit 'scary.'

'Marriage and babies are really scary for me right now,' she told E! News at the 20th-anniversary celebration of WWE Friday Night Smackdown last fall.

Nikki and Artem's engagement comes two years after the end of the WWE Diva's relationship with wrestler/actor John Cena.

Relationship history: Nikki and Artem's engagement comes two years after the end of the WWE Diva's relationship with wrestler/actor John Cena, seen together in April 2018 above

Bling: Nikki showed off her engagement ring from John during a 2018 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen

It was a rocky run for the pair, who dated for six years before breaking up in summer of 2018.

The couple broke off their engagement twice before finally pulling the plug on their relationship.

Nikki said the pair decided to call it quits after some 'soul-searching alone and together.'

'After I called off the engagement, we tried to work on our relationship to get back to where it was, and in order to move forward with our wedding,' Nikki told People at the time of the split.

End of the road: Nikki said the pair decided to call it quits after some 'soul-searching alone and together.' Cena and Bella are seen in March 2018 above

'After much time and soul-searching alone and together, we have decided to officially part ways,' she went on.

'I had a beautiful and loving 6-year relationship with a wonderful man,' she said. 'I have the utmost respect for John, but I know this is what's best for me.'

While it took some time for Nikki and John's relationship to run its course, her romance with Chigvintsev has been sizzling from the start.

Fans can get a closer look at the relationship via Nikki's reality show.

Season five of Total Bellas is set to premiere sometime this spring.
Sophie Monk and her boyfriend, Joshua Gross, recently returned from a romantic holiday in the Maldives.

And the Love Island Australia host appeared to be missing the tropical island weather on Thursday as she shivered her way through Perth Airport.

The 40-year-old dressed casually in a low-cut grey top, skinny jeans and thigh-high boots as she strolled alongside Joshua, also 40.

Missing the Maldives? Sophie Monk appeared to be missing the tropical island weather on Thursday as she shivered her way through Perth Airport with her boyfriend, Joshua Gross

Sophie appeared to be makeup free and tried to keep herself warm in the cool airport with a grey cardigan, but to no avail.

Joshua then showed his chivalrous side by handing his black suit jacket to Sophie, which she then wrapped around her shoulders for warmth.

Afterwards, they walked hand in hand to their gate.

What a gentleman! Joshua showed his chivalrous side by handing his black suit jacket to Sophie, which she then wrapped around her shoulders for warmth

Where are they off to? The couple maintained neutral expressions as they prepared for their flight with five suitcases between them

Chilled: Sophie, 40, dressed casually in a low-cut grey top, skinny jeans and thigh-high boots

Handsome: Joshua opted for a relaxed look consisting of a grey T-shirt, black jeans and boots

Joshua opted for a relaxed look consisting of a grey T-shirt, black jeans and boots, and accessorised with reflective blue sunglasses.

The couple maintained neutral expressions as they prepared for their flight with five suitcases between them.

Sophie and Joshua were holidaying on Rottnest Island earlier this week.

Travelling the world: Sophie and Joshua were holidaying on Rottnest Island earlier this week

During a cruise, the former Bachelorette attempted to learn how to fish.

Dressed in a skimpy pink bikini and orange sarong, she looked apprehensive while being given instructions by a fisherman in a video shared to Instagram.

She didn't have much luck to begin with but eventually reeled a catch back in.
Delhi [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Police have arrested an arms trafficker in the national capital and recovered 20 illegal pistols and 50 live cartridges from his possession, an official said on Friday.



The arrested person has been identified as Sajid Mohammad, a resident of Rajasthan's Bharatpur district.

"Twenty illegal pistols including 10 each of .32 bore semiautomatic pistols and .315 bore single-shot pistols along with 50 live cartridges (20 cartridges of .32 bore and 30 cartridges of .315 bore) have been recovered from him," police said.

Police said that the arms were brought here to be supplied to criminals in Delhi and NCR. (ANI)


Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

American presidential politics offers the curious many mysteries to consider. Why is John Delaney still running for president? Does any voter under the age of 45 know who Bill Weld is, or that hes technically a Republican candidate for president right now? Did Howard Deans warlike yawp really destroy his presidential campaign in 2004? The state of public discourse suggests another, interesting open question: Why does the young left hate Pete Buttigieg?

Writers have proposed different explanations. The gravitational center of the rage against Buttigieg has been Very Online, Charles Homans recently wrote for The New York Times Magazine, as has the maximalism of its tone  its insistence that Buttigieg, by thriving within the American architecture of capitalism and privilege, must personally embody all its worst qualities. In a December piece for The Atlantic, Derek Thompson identified four possible sources of youth hostility toward Buttigieg. The South Bend, Indiana, mayor doesnt offer any kind of New Deal, Green or otherwise. Rather, he offers one of the oldest deals in politics: generational change without class warfare, Thompson summarized.

On Wednesday, in a piece with a headline nearly identical to Thompsons, Politico magazine offered its own take on the anti-Buttigieg left. The unspoken truth about the furor Buttigieg arouses is that his success threatens a core belief of young progressives: that their ideology owns the future, and that the rise of millennials into Democratic politics is going to bring an inevitable demographic triumph for the partys far left wing, Derek Robertson wrote.

But I think the question posed in these stories answers itself: Voters on the left do not support Buttigieg because his politics places him to their right. This simple answer seems to be discounted, when it is considered at all. The arrival of the young left as a meaningful force in electoral politics is a relatively recent event. But generalizations dont get readers much closer to understanding why that arrival matters, or what its fledgling efforts might portend for the future.

Young progressives do not believe, as Robertson claimed, that their ideology owns the future, in the sense that their victory is preordained. Rather, they believe that their politics map out the only way to the best version of the future. The language of struggle, of crisis and urgency, is far more common than arrogant triumphalism. Members of the Sunrise Movement occupied Nancy Pelosis offices because they did not want to inherit a dying planet; the demands of the Green New Deal are exactly as radical as the danger its supporters believe we all face. Similarly, demands for student debt forgiveness, free public college, Medicare for All, and the expansion of voting rights arent products of left-wing complacency. Theyre strategies, proof that their architects and supporters believe their triumph is far from inevitable.

For these reasons, Thompson is correct when he writes that left-wing activists want to transform the U.S. political economy. Most leftists also believe that transformation is impossible without struggle, though they disagree  usually acrimoniously  on which reforms that struggle ought to prioritize and what tactics it ought to employ. To them, Buttigieg isnt an obstacle in the path toward their predetermined victory. Theyre fighting a war, and centrists like the former mayor are on the wrong side. At stake is the future itself, an uncertain and perilous thing. To the left, the moral arc of the universe does not bend inevitably toward any outcome, let alone justice.
Fears are growing for a missing woman who has not been seen since Christmas Day.

Dale Burrowes, 29, spoke to her family five days ago but fears are now growing for the missing woman's welfare.

Miss Burrowes was said to have links to the Bromley, Harrow and Brent areas of London.

Dale Burrowes, 29, spoke to her family five days ago but fears are now growing for her welfare

Miss Burrowes was said to have links to the Bromley, Harrow and Brent areas of London

Metropolitan Police are appealing for information to help track her down.

MPS Harrow wrote in Twitter: 'Can you help us find #missing 29-year-old Dale Burrowes?

'She has not been seen since Christmas Day, and last spoke with family on 30 Dec.

'Her family are concerned for her welfare.

'Dale has links with #Bromley #Harrow #Brent  if seen please call 101 ref: Cad 2818/02Jan.'

MPS Harrow appealed for information on Twitter, writing: 'Can you help us find #missing 29-year-old Dale Burrowes?
Infants undergo treatment at the JK Lone hospital in Kota district on Thursday. At least 104 infants have died at a government-run hospital in Kota in the past month. (PTI)

NewDelhi/Lucknow /Jaipur: Priyanka Gandhi Vadras enthusiastic campaign against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed NRC in Uttar Pradesh has led to some political heartburn for BSP supremo Mayawati, who on Thursday sought to target the Congress over the deaths of 104 children in Kota in party-ruled Rajasthan, and asked why the woman Congress general secretary was not visiting the state and the victims mothers.

It is very sad that the Congress general secretary is keeping mum on the deaths of 100 children in the Kota hospital. It would have been better if like Uttar Pradesh, she would have met the mothers of the children who have died in the hospital, due to the apathy of the government of her party in the state, Ms Mayawati tweeted on Thursday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also joined in attacking the Congress over the infant deaths at a Kota hospital, saying Ms Vadra should have gone there instead of playing politics in UP. Other BJP leaders also targeted the Congress government in Rajasthan over the 100-plus deaths in December at J.K. Lon Hospital in Kota.

In a tweet on Thursday, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the deaths should not be politicised.

After 104 deaths, Centre readies team for Kota

The Centre has decided to send a high-level team comprising experts from AIIMS, Jodhpur, and health economists to Kota. The BSP chief said that the attitude of the Ashok Gehlot government was condemnable as it has mismanaged the situation of the 104 children deaths in Kota and still remains irresponsible and unsympathetic to the situation.

The BSP supremo further asked the people of Uttar Pradesh to remain alert about the Congress political opportunism, and especially of Vadra.

If the Congress general secretary does not go and meet the Kota families who are affected by the tragedy, then her outreach towards victims in Uttar Pradesh would be considered political opportunism, from which the public of Uttar Pradesh is advised to stay alert, she said.

While the BSP aligned with the SP and the RLD for the general election, the Congress fought separately and had won only one seat  that of Sonia Gandhi in Rae Bareli.

It might be recalled that Vadra was launched into politics and made the AICC general secretary in charge of eastern UP barely months before the Lok Sabha polls. Then Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said her long-term goal was to revive the party ahead of the 2022 UP Assembly polls.

Mayawatis comments right after Vadra made some aggressive visits to UP after the anti-CAA protests and made efforts to meet the families of the victims may indicate her political insecurity about the new woman leader on the horizon. The BSP has always kept itself politically equidistant from the Congress and the BJP.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, targeting the Congress over the Kota deaths, said: The deaths of 104 innocent children is extremely saddening and heart-wrenching. The death of children is a blot on a civilised society, human values and feelings... It is extremely sad that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, despite being women, are not able to understand the sorrow of the mothers. He said it would have been better had Priyanka met and consoled the aggrieved mothers instead of indulging in politics in UP.

Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia have also criticised the Congress-led government in Rajasthan over the functioning of the state-run JK Lone hospital in Kota, where 104 infants have died since the beginning of December.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is an MP from Kota, had also expressed concern.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the deaths should not be politicised and invited Union health minister Harsh Vardhan to visit the hospital and see the best facilities offered there.

Gehlot said his government is sensitive to the issue of death of sick infants at the Kota hospital.

There should no politics over the issue. Infant mortality at this hospital is steadily decreasing. We will try to reduce it further. It is our top priority that mothers and children remain in good health, Gehlot tweeted in Hindi.

Gehlot claimed that the first ICU for children in Rajasthan was established by the Congress government in 2003. We also established an ICU for children in Kota in 2011, he added.

We are ready to improve medical services in the state through discussions and cooperation with an expert team from the Centre, he said.
On Wednesday, a video of Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state, dancing on a cruise ship while on medical trip abroad trended...

On Wednesday, a video of Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti state, dancing on a cruise ship while on medical trip abroad trended on social media. In the video, Fayose was seen dancing Salsa with a lady. Earlier, pictures of him relaxing at a beach had surfaced online. This resulted in a backlash from Nigerians who said the former governor, currently on trial for alleged money laundering, deceived the court so as to go abroad.





Kayode Ogundamisi, a social media commentator, had taunted Fayose, saying the ex-governor was exercising in a foreign hospital.

pic.twitter.com/uT0s6OsQev @GovAyoFayose "exercising" in a foreign hospital after being granted permission to take a break from corruption trial to travel for "highly urgent medical treatment" by a Nigerian court. https://t.co/nF7nkcFTls December 31, 2019

Alongside Spotless Limited, his company, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Fayose before a federal high court in Lagos over charges bordering on money laundering. The anti-graft agency filed 11-count charge of receiving cash payment of $5 million from Musiliu Obanikoro, then minister of state for defence, without going through any financial institution. The EFCC said the money exceeded the amount allowed by law. Fayose and one Biodun Agbele were also alleged to have taken possession of N1.2 billion for the purposes of funding his gubernatorial campaign. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

One of the pictures that triggered reactions





PERMISSION FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT OR MEDICAL CHECK-UP?





Fayose had told the court that he was sick. Ola Olanipekun, his lawyer, pleaded with the court to allow the former governor travel abroad for medical treatment. On December 7, Chukwujekwu Aneke, the presiding judge, granted Fayose permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. But while responding to the backlash over his recent pictures abroad, Fayose, gave the impression that he only went outside the country for medical check-up.





He had told his critics to hug a transformer if they were unhappy with the way I am enjoying my life.





These hailers, when I was on their case, they were crying. Now I am on my lane, enjoying my life, they are still crying and sucking,  he had tweeted.





Expect more so you can cry more. Im on medical check up not admission. Celebrating New Year is my right. Haters can hug transformers. Happy New Year.

These "hailers",when I was on their case,they were crying. Now I'm on my own lane enjoying my life, they are still crying & sucking.Expect more so you can cry more. I'm on medical check up not admission. Celebrating New Year is my right, haters can hug transformer.

Happy New Year  Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) January 1, 2020

CONCLUSION

According to the medical dictionary, medical treatment means the management and care of a patient to combat disease or disorder while medical check-up refers to thorough physical examination of someone which includes a variety of tests.





The former governor did not seek permission for medical check-up; he asked the court to allow him seek treatment abroad and his prayer was granted.

culled: TheCable
On December 31, Maryam Rajavi sent out a message to members and supporters of the Iranian Resistance worldwide, where she said that the Iran uprising will bring a new Iran in 2020; one based on emancipation, unity, and freedom. She advised that the resistance units and rebellious youths in Iran have risen up to achieve this goal of a blessed transformation for the region and the world.

Maryam Rajavi said: I call on all advocates of freedom, democracy, and equality to support the people of Iran. I wish freedom and emancipation from religious tyranny for Iran, and peace and progress for the Middle East and the world. God bless you all.

On December 27, Maryam Rajavi visited earthquake victims in Albania, specifically the residents of Manze and Durres, to express her sympathies and share her wish that those injured would recover soon and that the damages, both physical and emotional, caused by the earthquake would end in early January.

Muharrem Sula, the mayor of Manze, welcomed Maryam Rajavi with great pride. He expressed his appreciation for the Iranian Resistances solidarity with Albanian citizens during this difficult time and their help.

Sula said that the Albanian people have experienced the Iranian Resistances solidarity and friendship, since 2016, when 3000 Iranian Resistance members were moved to the country, as part of an international campaign, to evade persecution by the Iranian Regime and their proxies in Iraq.

In the early hours of December 25, Maryam Rajavi attended the Christmas Eve mass at the Central Catholic Cathedral of Tirana, in the Saint Paul Metropolitan Archdiocese.

There Reverend George Anthony Frendo, Archbishop of Tirana, welcomed Maryam Rajavi, saying, We pray for those in your country, who are oppressed, and enduring pain and suffering.

Also in attendance was Ilir Meta, the President of Albania; Monika Kryemadhi, the leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration Party; Elona Gjebrea, Secretary of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament; and Diana Culi, renowned Albanian author.

Maryam Rajavi congratulated Frendo on Christs birth and expressed her gratitude for his sympathies with the suffering Iranian people, who are living under a religious dictatorship. She then presented the Archbishop with a book containing a list of 20,000 martyrs of the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran.

Maryam Rajavi said: Today, the people of Iran are paying the heaviest possible price in their struggle to rid Iran of the religious fascism ruling the country so that in tomorrows Iran all citizens from all convictions and creeds, and from all ethnicities would be able to co-exist in freedom and equality.

She also spoke about the Iranian peoples nationwide uprising, which had, by that point, entered its 40th day.
The ancient city of Kashgar (Photo/Xinhua)

Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has seen a boom in the development of bed & breakfast (B&B) businesses in recent days, as the city enjoys an increasingly prosperous tourism industry brought by social stability.

B&B hotels have been springing up in the city, especially in Kashgars ancient city - a top rated tourist site in China - since the beginning of 2019. So far, a total of over 40 such hotels have been established there, offering more than 300 beds to tourists.

Lanyuanzi, or Blue Yard in English, is one of the first B&B hotels built in the ancient city of Kashgar. After it opened in October 2018, the Mediterranean-styled hotel became a sensation on Chinese social media. According to Xu Ping, the manager of the hotel, the rooms were always fully booked in summer, and the city was constantly packed with tourists.

By the start of last December, Kashgars ancient city had received 1.4 million tourists, up 60 percent from a year ago. "I like this place very much," said Huang Jingye, a visitor from Hong Kong, adding that the people there are also very friendly.

Xu said that the B&B business in Kashgar enjoys great prospects, explaining that it saw accelerated development last year, and will surely attract more tourists in the future.

Statistics indicated that in the first 11 months of 2019, Kashgar received 14.8 million tourists, up 63 percent year-on-year, and its tourism revenue grew by 69 percent to 14.8 billion yuan.
His name is T1C1. He is three-years old. He has travelled around 1,700 km, on foot, over the past six months

The sub-adult tiger, which has been making the headlines over the past few weeks, for walking on (and on, and on) in search of a home, may have established his new territory at the Dyanganga Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) in Buldhana, a tiger scientist monitoring the animal over the past 11 months said.

T1C1 is Dyangangas first tiger, and was spotted by tourists on Thursday. The tiger has travelled 300 km more than the distance between Delhi and Mumbai (1,416 km) in over 190 days, making it the longestever recorded movement of a tiger in India monitored using a radio-collar.

Bilal Habib, researcher from Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, who radio-collared the tiger in February 2019, has been tracking his movement since he left Tipeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TPWL) in Yavatmal district on June 26, 2019. Habib shared its latest image from DWS, and a complete map of his journey so far with Hindustan Times. The animal has covered eight districts and four wildlife sanctuaries in Maharasthra and Telangana (see graphic for location wise journey).

On December 27, HT reported that T1C1 moved from Dnyanganga to Ajanta hilly regions across Aurangabad in Jalna district covering over 1,500 km since he began his journey from Tipeshwar in June. Then, the animal began moving back towards DWS but it started moving eastwards towards Melghat Tiger Reserve. However, it made its way back to DWS, said Habib. The tiger entered DWS first on November 29 and left on December 12. Now it is back in the same area. There is a huge possibility that this is its final territory.

Habib suggested that once it was confirmed that DWS is indeed T1C1s territory, the forest department should explore the possibility of releasing female tigers there. This tiger has shown us that this historic range, home to tigers for centuries, in the central Indian landscape towards Maharashtra.... in spite of increasing development ... still conducive for tiger movement. We need to ensure these fragmented forest zones do not deteriorate further.

Nitin Kakodkar, principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), Maharashtra forest department said, We hope that this is the final destination, and then we can think of releasing a female there for breeding.

Ravikiran Govekar, field director, Pench Tiger Reserve, said that T1C1s journey may not be all that rare. T1C1 has however opened up newer vistas of (understanding) tiger movements in human dominated areas, he said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Badri Chatterjee Badri Chatterjee is an environment correspondent at Hindustan Times, Mumbai. He writes about environment issues - air, water and noise pollution, climate change - weather, wildlife - forests, marine and mangrove conservation ...view detail
The WTI Crude benchmark is currently approaching $64 per barrel, which has been a rare sight since September-end. As such, the beginning of 2020 is turning out to be comforting for upstream energy players with significant oil production. If this dream start continues well into the quarter, U.S. shale producers  who enjoy a relatively low production cost  will notice an increase in their earnings.

There are several factors responsible for the current upward movement of oil prices. Lets delve deeper to understand their degree of impact on oil prices.

Factors Supporting the Oil Rally

Tensions Rising in the Middle East

An U.S. airstrike killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of the foreign wing of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, under the order of President Donald Trump. The decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad is currently raising concerns that Middle East tensions may escalate and potentially disrupt oil supplies. This can further increase oil prices, at least in the short term.

OPEC+ Production Cuts

The outcome of the last months OPEC meeting in Vienna was favorable for the oil and gas industry. OPEC members and their Non-OPEC alliance  together called OPEC+ group  agreed to deepen production cuts in first-quarter 2020 to prevent market oversupply, which is favoring price movement. The latest production cut of 500,000 barrels per day (BPD) from the OPEC+ group will lead to total output cut of 1.7 million BPD, which represents 1.7% of global demand. Moreover, the de facto leader of OPEC, Saudi Arabia has decided to voluntarily deepen cuts by an additional 400,000 BPD. The deepening cuts have lifted oil prices, as expected. The WTI Crude price, which averaged $57.03 per barrel in November, currently stands at $63.62.

Progress in Sino-U.S. Trade Dispute

In the past several quarters, the United States and China levied tariffs on each others goods, which resulted in a slowdown in global economy. However, with the two big economies agreeing to the terms of a historic phase-one trade deal, investors are hopeful for better days ahead. President Trump recently said that Jan 15 will likely be the day he and his Chinese counterpart will sign the trade deal.

Story continues

Although the phase-one trade deal does not address several important issues like energy and various other topics, it can be counted as a significant step. While investors are waiting eagerly for the deal to be signed, the market is optimistic about the second phase that might include data localization, digital trade, cyber intrusions and cross-border data flow. Positivity around the Sino-U.S. trade deal, which can lead to a rise in demand growth, is expected to be a boon for oil prices.

Oil Producers to Benefit

While all crude-focused stocks stand to gain from the oil rally, companies in the exploration and production sector are the best placed, as they will be able to extract more value for their products. Moreover, oil producers  which have significant U.S. shale exposure and are planning to boost production  will gain heavily from the price improvement.

Given such positives, we have selected four solid upstream energy companies to add to your portfolio. These stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and have a VGM Score of A or B. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum, and the score is a weighted combination of these three metrics. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Our Picks

Headquartered in Houston, TX, Callon Petroleum Company CPE is solely focused on exploration, and production of oil and gas resources in the Permian Basin. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of B. In the past 60 days, 10 earnings estimates have moved north, while just one moved south for 2020. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for the current year has been revised 45.7% upward in the same period.

California Resources Corporation CRC is a major hydrocarbon producer in the State of California. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of A. The company beat earnings estimates thrice in the last four reported quarters, with the average positive surprise being more than 700%.

Tulsa, OK-based WPX Energy, Inc. WPX specializes in producing fossil fuels from non-conventional resources like tight-sands and shale formations. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of A. In the past 60 days, nine earnings estimates have moved north, while there has been no southbound revision for 2020. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 earnings has increased 112.8% in the same period.

Midland, TX-based Ring Energy, Inc. REI is a Permian Basin pure play company. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of A. In the past 60 days, four earnings estimates have moved north, while one moved south for 2020. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for the year has been upwardly revised by 8% in the same period.

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AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Some ads can be more than misleading  they can put your health at risk.

Last year, ads paid for by law firms and legal referral companies started cropping up on Facebook. Typically, they linked Truvada and other HIV-prevention drugs with severe bone and kidney damage.

But like a lawsuit, these assertions do not always reflect the consensus of the medical community. They also do not take into account the benefit of the drug or how often the side effects occur.

On Dec. 30, Facebook said it disabled some of the ads after more than 50 LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS groups signed an open letter to Facebook condemning them for scaring away at-risk HIV negative people from the leading drug that blocks HIV infections.

Based on our research involving televised drug injury ads, advocacy groups are right to raise the alarm about how these ads might affect important health decisions.

Although drug injury ads are selling legal services, thats rarely obvious, making it harder for consumers to invoke their usual skepticism toward medical information from lawyers.

Here are a few deceptive tactics we noticed in the Facebook Truvada ads, which you can also spot in drug injury advertisements more broadly.

Ads in disguise

Advertisements in this genre sometimes masquerade as other types of content, like public service announcements or local news. For example, a series of identical Truvada-related ads sponsored by Lawsuit Watch and Advocate Alliance Group prominently featured video from a local news story.

This clever but ultimately misleading tactic is known within the marketing literature as an Omega strategy, in which the advertiser tries to redefine the sales interaction to disguise its pitch. Its like when insurance companies offer to assess your personal risk, when theyre really just trying to sell you insurance.

Screenshot by author of Facebook ad bank

Similarly, these legal advertisers appear to be educating patients but their true goal is to sign you up for a lawsuit  and most likely sell your name to a lawyer looking for clients.

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What makes the ad even more complex to process is that embeds actual local news footage, which mostly consists of reporting allegations from a lawsuit.

By using news broadcasters to deliver their claims, the advertiser enhances the messages credibility, which makes it less likely that consumers will critically analyze the content.

Who sponsored this?

Drug injury ads can also mislead when the sponsors are not clearly identifiable as for-profit legal referral businesses.

For example, some Truvada-related ads that Facebook removed were sponsored by A Case for Women, whose name suggests an advocacy organization. The Facebook page for this entity does little to clear up this misapprehension. Its only when you track down its website that you get a whiff of legalese, with references to a free consult and the advice to take action (legal or otherwise) for life-changing financial compensation. Even then, the information is presented in the name of Women Empowerment, along with inspirational pictures and blog posts.

The same kind of confusion can arise from ad sponsors with names like Lawsuit Watch and Advocate Alliance Group.

Consumers are misled when advertisers do not clearly disclose their status as law firms or for-profit legal referral businesses. In one experiment for a study published last year, we showed consumers different versions of drug injury TV ads. Around 25% of consumers did not recognize drug injury advertising as such when the sponsor was not clearly revealed, compared with 15% when an attorney was prominently featured. By contrast, only 2% of consumers misidentified the source of a pharmaceutical ad.

This confusion appears to alter how consumers process information found in the ads. Those who were shown the more deceptive drug injury ad perceived the featured drug to be riskier, expressed a greater reluctance to take the drug and were more likely to question their doctor about the medication.

When youre dealing with medication that prevents a life-threatening virus like HIV, transparency is essential.

Attention-getting claims

Drug injury advertisements also commonly include stark language and imagery like consumer alert, medical alert or warning. This language is used to capture a viewers attention. We have found that drug injury advertisements with more graphic descriptions of side effects inflate perceptions of risk.

Facebook ad bank

Language of this sort can be found in the Facebook ads about Truvada. Some ads are framed as a Truvada NRTIs Drug Alert, claiming that the manufacturers had a safer drug & kept it secret all while they kept selling the dangerous one.

But as the authors of the open letter to Facebook point out, characterizing this particular drug as unsafe is not accurate, particularly when compared with the obvious harm of HIV infection.

Moreover, framing ads in this way is not necessary. Advertisers could instead state they are looking for individuals who have experienced the listed side effects without portraying the ad as an alert that the drug is dangerous.

Facebook ad bank

Better regulation

These types of ads have been almost entirely unregulated until recently.

The Federal Trade Commission, which regulates advertising, declined to act for many years. But in September, the agency issued a letter to seven law firms and legal referral companies warning them that their advertising is deceptive, suggesting it may be finally changing its tune.

And although states regulate legal advertising through attorney ethics rules, our past research found no examples in which a lawyer was disciplined for misleading drug injury ads.

The last line of defense, then, is Facebook itself, through its ad policies. Beyond blocking misleading ads, our research suggests that clear disclaimers can help to reduce  but not eliminate  consumer confusion.

Ultimately, its up to federal and state regulators to treat drug injury advertisements as a matter of public health and require advertisers to present medical information in a way that helps, rather than misleads, consumers.

[ Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. ]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts.

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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
 Flash

Greece, Cyprus, and Israel signed on Thursday in Athens an intergovernmental agreement for the construction of the Eastern Mediterranean (EastMed) natural gas pipeline, which is to link the region's gas reserves to Greece and the rest of Europe.

The project aims to "contribute to the energy security of EU member states by diversifying energy sources and paths," said an emailed press statement issued by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' office after the signing ceremony.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Mitsotakis, his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, by the energy ministers of the three countries.

Thursday's deal -- which follows an initial framework agreement signed last year in Israel -- contains provisions on measures for the protection and security of the pipeline, as well as the regulatory-licensing framework for facilitating the project and the common taxation framework that governs it, Greek national news agency AMNA reported, citing government sources.

At a joint press conference after the signing of the agreement, all three leaders stressed that the EastMed was a "pipeline of peace."

Addressing the event, they said that the agreement foresees also the prospect of incorporating additional countries in the project and the prospect of transferring additional quantities of natural gas from existing or new reserves that may be found in the future.

The agreement for the EastMed "has a financial, development, diplomatic and geostrategic aspect. It is one of the largest pipelines of natural gas in the world. (It) will have obvious positive benefits for the participating countries, but will also contribute to peace and geopolitical stability," Mitsotakis said at the press conference.

"The cooperation we have developed is not aimed against any third country. On the contrary, any country wishing to take part, is most welcome as long as it fully complies with the principles of international law," Anastasiades added.

"From every point of view, this is a day of history," Netanyahu stressed on his part.

The EastMed pipeline is scheduled to run across the Mediterranean Sea from the gas reserves which have been found off Israel in recent years to Crete Island, western Greece and then to Italy.

The project could also accommodate future gas finds in waters off Cyprus and Greece, where exploration is under way.

Italy is expected to sign the agreement at a later stage, the Greek government has said.

The pipeline will be 1,872 km long with initial capacity of 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually at a minimum budget of 5.2 billion euros (5.81 billion U.S. dollars), and could expand to twice that with the latest compression technology, according to a Greek Environment and Energy Ministry press release.

The ministry added that the pipeline will provide Greece with a geopolitical advantage compared to alternative solutions for the distribution of North Mediterranean natural gas.

The project, which is backed by the European Union and the U.S., aims to help diversify Europe's energy sources, said the three parties.

Earlier on Thursday in Athens, the Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) signed a letter of intent with the London-based Energean Oil & Gas company for the supply of 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas annually from Energean's gas fields offshore Israel through the EastMed.

It was the first commercial agreement sealed for the pipeline, noted an e-mailed joint press release issued by the two companies. (1 euro = 1.12 U.S. dollars)
Gambian President Adama Barrow has launched his own political party in capital Banjul.

The move frees him from the coalition that helped him win the presidency three years ago in the West African nation.

The president has formally registered the new party, the National Peoples Party (NPP), with the Independent Electoral Commission, making him the leader and secretary of the party.

The announcement comes as relations between Barrow and his former party, the countrys largest, the United Democratic Party (UDP), have deteriorated. He fired party leader Ousainou Darboe over differences in 2019.

Darboe was a key member of the opposition coalition that beat long-serving Yahya Jammeh in December 2016 polls. At the time, the coalition picked Barrow as a candidate because Darboe was imprisoned.

He was released days after Jammeh was declared the loser of the polls. He was later appointed Foreign Affairs Minister, a post he held till June 2018 when Barrow appointed him Vice President.

Last May, Adama Barrow announced his wish to go through with his presidential term, scheduled for 2021. Part of the political coalition, which brought him to power, accepted this principle, with the notable exception of UDP.

For the UDP, Adama Barrow does not respect his initial commitment to organize a new presidential election in late 2019, a poll in which he is not supposed to participate.
To rubbish, the fake news and myths surrounding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday delivered a keynote address on 'Why India Needs CAA? in Mumbai. Goyal said that leaders from the BJP and several activists would try and contact about three crore families in the next 10 days and educate them about CAA. Goyal also mentioned that this Act does not deal with taking up anyone's citizenship rather it gives the work of giving citizenship.

During his address, Goyal said, "The opposition is confused or is confusing the public about CAA under a thought plan. They also tried to spread violence in many places on the basis of misconceptions."

Goyal said, "Our leaders and activists will contact the people of the country about CAA, about 3 crore families will be contacted in the next 10 days and we will remove the misunderstandings of the opposition. In Pakistan, which was 23 per cent minority, Pakistan is an Islamic country, so there can be minority Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis."

"The government of Pakistan was responsible for protecting 23 per cent of those minorities. If anyone is responsible for the partition of India, it is entirely with the Congress party, due to the greed of some people, they accepted partition but were not ready to leave the post," Goyal said.

"The train which came from Pakistan at the time of Partition was full of corpses, those who wanted to leave Pakistan and send them dead where the custom of Pakistan. In the agreement reached between Nehru Liaquat, it has been decided that India will worry for the minorities who are in India, and those who are in Pakistan will be the responsibility of Pakistan," he added.

READ | Protests Against CAA 'mostly Political', Says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

'The minorities had to bear injustice'

Furthermore talking about the plight of minorities Goyal said, "Many people remained in Pakistan in such an environment, and it was decided that Pakistan would give them protection. It is unfortunate that the minority who were 23 per cent reduced to 3 per cent. Many of them were killed, the mothers and sisters were mistreated."

The Minister went on to say, "It is the responsibility of all of us Indians to give shelter to those who have been wronged in the name of religion, what was their sin that they remained there. India has given protection to all minorities, the number of minorities in India has increased, has not decreased."

READ | Kerala Assembly Resolution Against CAA Has Absolutely No Constitutionality

He also said, "The topic of granting citizenship is not political, it is a matter of humanity, it is a matter of rising above ideology, it is for humanity. On the basis of religion, those who have faced difficulties in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, have the right to live respectfully in India, we have fulfilled this duty."

READ | PM Modi Launches Twitter Campaign To Clear Myths Surrounding CAA, #IndiaSupportsCAA Trends

Gandhi's letter to Nehru

Lastly talking about PM Modi's initiative to help the minorities Goyal said, "Mahatma Gandhi also wrote a letter to Pandit Nehru, in which he talked about the refugees living in India with respect. Today Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji has made that dream of Gandhiji come true. The Congress government started in NPR 2009, it is not a law, it only keeps track of how much population is in the country, how much is the population in cities, villages, there is no need to give any document in it. The misunderstandings being spread in the country, the youth are being misled. The people coming from the demonstration do not even know what is being performed. Politics should never be above humanity, CAA is an Act brought to humanity, it does not harm anyone, does not snatch anything from anyone. This is a law made for humanity."

READ | Amit Shah Likely To Be A Part Of A Pro-CAA Rally In Jodhpur, Rajasthan
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on December 19, 2019, Thursday.

According to a new NBC/Wall Street journal poll released Wednesday, Americans are so divided over whether to impeach President Donald trump that they are nearly locked in a stalemate.

The ratio of supporters and that of opponents are both 48 percent.

But only 25 percent of all voters said trump had done nothing wrong in Ukraine, with more than half (53 percent) supporting the house of representatives' impeachment inquiry. In terms of politics, democratic voters were still the main supporters of impeachment, with 83 percent of democratic voters in favor of it, while 90 percent of republican voters were against it. It is almost a perfect reflection of the reality on Capitol hill, where the democratic-led house of representatives has been actively pushing for impeachment, but the republican-led senate has been strongly resisting.

In terms of how satisfied Americans are with his presidency, the latest survey puts his approval rating at 44 percent to 54 percent.

At the same time, the latest survey also raises warning signs for trump's re-election. Among all Americans surveyed,

Forty-eight percent of voters surveyed said they would oppose trump in next year's election, while only 34 percent said they would strongly support him.

Although the American public and members of congress are deeply divided over whether to impeach trump, the crisis trump is facing a real political risk.

Todd Eberly

ST. MARY'S COLLEGE Professor for political science

it is still a historical event for president of the united states to be impeached, Donald trump will the third president to be impeached that is no small thing that will mark his legacy forever, and I think it all sends a signal, whether trump accept or not, it sends a signal that the house did not agree the actions that he took, and they were not threatened by them, and you are going to find quite a few democrats who were elected in 2018 elected to congressional districts that trump won who are going to vote in favor of impeachment, meaning that they were not even threatened by that fact that they come from districts where trump may win again in 2020, still they feel it is the right thing to do, so even though i think we sort of know the outcome in a year term, that does not mean that this was an action that should not be taken, or the action that will have no consequence.

we will keep an eye on Trump's impeachment and election campaign.
More than 12 billion of the total messages sent using WhatsApp globally were picture messages, the service said (Nick Ansell/PA)

More than 100 billion messages were sent using WhatsApp leading up to midnight on New Years Eve, the messaging service has said.

The Facebook-owned platform said the figure was a record number of communications to be sent in a single day in the firms 10-year history.

In the UK, more than 900 million messages were sent on December 31 using WhatsApp.

According to the companys figures, more than 12 billion of the total messages sent globally were picture messages.

The communications service, which has more than 1.5 billion active users, was bought by Facebook in 2014 for around 19 billion dollars (14.5 billion).

It had risen to prominence because of its encryption-based system which means messages cannot be intercepted or seen by others, including the company itself.

Alongside the New Years Eve data, WhatsApp published figures on the most popular features of the app over the last 12 months.

Text messaging was the most common use of the service, ahead of status updates  which work in the same fashion as Instagram or Snapchat stories as a collection of photos and videos which disappear after 24 hours.

Picture messaging was the third most common feature used, followed by making calls and voice notes.




See Full Image Gallery >>



Porsche is no stranger to building special-edition 911s, but with Thursday's announcement of an upcoming run of just 75 units being made exclusively for the Belgian market, well, we can't help but think that maybe the pickings are getting a bit slim over in Stuttgart.

We're downplaying this a bit, we'll admit. Jacky Ickx is a name firmly associated with some of the world's most cherished and well-known racing series. Ickx won Le Mans a half dozen times, after all, and championed cars for Lotus and Ferrari in Formula 1 during the wild and experimental 1970s. Ickx was one of the lucky few to drive the ambitious but ill-fated Ferrari 312B Formula Car that marked the Prancing Horse's foray into building competitive boxer engines.

What better way to inaugurate a new generation of the 911 than by building a series to commemorate the life of one of Porsche's most prolific and well-regarded test drivers? Even if it is exclusive to Belgium.

"The idea took shape in 2018 with the arrival of the all-new 992," Porsche's announcement said. "This would be the first special edition of the new model, turning to the talents of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur to produce a unique creation that paid fitting homage to one of sportscar racings greatest talents. Experts from Style Porsche and the Belgian Porsche importer DIeteren also played a role in designing the latest Legend Edition."

So, what makes the Belgian Legend Edition special? Well, it's blue. Seriously.

Porsche started with a 2020 911 C4S and finished in "X Blue," using a paint-to-sample process designed to replicate the finish on Ickx's helmet. On the b-pillar, there's a dedication plaque sporting the Belgian flag and Ickx's signature. The wheels are finished with a subtle white stripe  another nod to Ickx's brain case.

Inside, it's finished in dark gray with subtle white trim utilizing a cross-hatch pattern designed to resemble an "X".

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All 75 examples of the Belgian Legend Edition are headed to Ickx's home country, but fear not; if you really want a dark blue 911 Carrera 4S, we're sure Porsche will sell you one.

Related Video:



Click here to See Video >>
| By Malissa Carroll

Rebecca T. Gyi-Hovis, MD, has committed a gift of $750,000 to the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP) to establish the Felix A. Khin-Maung-Gyi Memorial Scholarship for Pharmapreneurship. The scholarship is named in honor of her father, Felix A. Khin-Maung-Gyi, BSP 83, PharmD, MBA, founder of Chesapeake Research Review and a beloved UMSOP alumnus who passed away in 2014.

It is the largest single scholarship to be endowed in the schools history, providing one full year of tuition for a second- or third-year student pharmacist who has demonstrated an interest in pursuing entrepreneurial activities. Its inaugural recipient is Jordan Fraker, a third-year UMSOP student.

Terry Gyi, BSP 83, PharmD 06; Rebecca T. Gyi-Hovis, MD; and the late Felix A. Khin-Maung-Gyi, BSP 83, PharmD, MBA

Establishing the Felix A. Khin-Maung-Gyi Memorial Scholarship for Pharmapreneurship is a way for our family to give back to the place where it all began, Gyi-Hovis says. The education that my father received from the School of Pharmacy served as the starting point for all of his successes, from establishing Chesapeake Research Review to completely transforming the way in which new medications and medical devices are evaluated. Knowing what an important role the school played in helping to shape his career really motivated our desire to preserve his legacy here.

(View video below.)

Continuing the Legacy of a Founding Pharmapreneur

A native of Burma, Gyi immigrated to the United States as a teenager. He received his Bachelor of Science in pharmacy (BSP) from UMSOP and later attended Duquesne University and Loyola University Maryland, where he received his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), respectively. In 1993, Gyi founded Chesapeake Research Review to provide institutional review board services to clients engaged in biomedical and social science research. He served as the companys chief executive officer for 20 years, becoming a recognized leader in the field of human subjects protections before his unexpected passing at age 58.

In 2017, UMSOP honored Gyi and eight other extraordinary alumni with its Founding Pharmapreneur Awards of Service and Excellence. The awards were presented in conjunction with the schools 175th anniversary celebration and the launch of its new Pharmapreneurship initiative, which outlines the schools commitment to supporting and best positioning faculty and students to achieve their career aspirations and address the nations health care, research, policy, and societal needs.

Dr. Gyi was a truly a pharmapreneur, because he took an extraordinary leap to accomplish an amazing feat  he established an entity that helped revolutionize how we evaluate new drugs and devices, says Natalie D. Eddington, PhD, FCP, FAAPS, dean and professor of UMSOP. We want our students to follow in his footsteps and become pharmapreneurs who have the innovative mindset to envision and implement novel health care models that ensure patients continue to thrive under the medication management expertise of the pharmacist.

Celebrating Student Commitment to Pharmapreneurship

Endowed with a $500,000 donation from the Gyi family and $250,000 in matching funds from the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, Inc., the Felix A. Khin-Maung-Gyi Memorial Scholarship provides scholarship support for student pharmacists who demonstrate superior academic achievement and who have engaged in activities focused on entrepreneurship at the school. It ensures that, each year, a student who demonstrates a commitment to improving the pharmacy profession by thinking outside the box and pursuing a career that embraces innovation will receive a full year of tuition.

As a student in the schools Pharmapreneurship Pathway within the Doctor of Pharmacy program, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Network, and a finalist in UMSOPs annual Americas Got Regulatory Science Talent Competition, Fraker embodies all of the qualities of a strong pharmapreneur. She hopes to channel her passion for mobile app development into tangible innovations that will not only help to improve patient care, but also enhance job satisfaction for health care professionals, particularly pharmacists.

She notes that receiving this scholarship will allow her to continue to pursue her entrepreneurial interests as a student pharmacist, as well as help to alleviate her student loan burden after graduation, putting her one step closer to establishing her own pharmapreneurial venture.

In the journey to develop a new idea or product, we as entrepreneurs become accustomed to failure and quickly learn that we must be our own source of encouragement, Fraker says. Receiving recognition from others through awards and scholarships such as this goes beyond encouragement. It reinforces my work and gives me a sense of comfort that I am on the right path and that others believe in my endeavors. I am incredibly grateful to the Gyi family for their support.
In this picture released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting with thousands of students in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019. Khamenei said his country has outmaneuvered the United States in the four decades since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Associated Press

Iran has promised "a forceful revenge" in response to the US-ordered drone strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, late Thursday.

Cybersecurity experts said that Iran had spent years establishing itself as an "intelligent cyber opponent" and was likely to leverage cyberattacks against the US.

Iran has been linked to cyberattacks against Turkey, Israel, the US, and the UK.

Cyberattacks could target internet infrastructure, online banks, or even the US power grid.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Iran's leaders on Friday vowed to exact "a forceful revenge" against the US in response to the American drone strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, late Thursday.

Now, cybersecurity and defense experts are bracing for an Iranian cyberoffensive that could target online infrastructure across the US military and the private sector.

Experts told Business Insider that Iran had spent years building out its computer-warfare capabilities. Since 2010, when Iran faced a cyberattack on its nuclear facilities, the country has focused heavily on beefing up its defense operations.

"Iran is an intelligent cyber opponent with an army of people testing our systems every minute of every day. It is the ultimate game of cat and mouse," Sam Curry, the chief security officer at Cybereason, told Business Insider.

However, the US has also focused heavily on building up its cyber defenses, said Kiersten Todt, a cybersecurity adviser in the Obama administration and the managing director of the Cyber Readiness Institute.

"I absolutely think that they will look to attack our critical infrastructure on the homeland," Todt told Business Insider, adding that, however, "our capabilities and our preparedness for that type of attack is strong, and our military is extremely well prepared for this."

Story continues

US defense efforts will also be bolstered by a recent leak of Iran's cyber operations on a dark-web server, according to Charity Wright, a former National Security Agency analyst who is now a cyber-threat analyst at IntSights.

"These types of attacks could be devastating if the target is ill-equipped with proper defense," Wright said. "However, recent disclosures about how Iranian cyber groups operate has left them scrambling to change tactics and cover past operations. This does give Iranian opposition an advantage."

Here's what we know about Iran's capacity for online warfare and what a cyberattack could look like.

Iran has focused heavily on building out its cyberwarfare capabilities since 2010, when a cyberattack affected its nuclear facilities.

iran nuclear

Space Imaging Middle East/Getty Images

In the years that followed, US military officials warned that Iran was emerging as a leader in cyberwarfare.

"They are going to be a force to be reckoned with, with the potential capabilities that they will develop over the years and the potential threat that will represent to the United States," Air Force Gen. William Shelton predicted in 2013.

Since then, Iran has been linked to sophisticated cyberattacks against Israel, Turkey, the US, and the UK.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech during a ceremony marking the death anniversary of the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in Tehran, Iran, June 4, 2017. TIMA via REUTERS/File Photo

Reuters

US officials accused Iranian hackers of attacking American banks in 2012. The Iranian government denied the accusations.

Iranian hackers have proved capable of cyberattacks that brought entire countries to their knees. In 2015, they caused a massive power outage in Turkey that lasted more than 12 hours.

FILE PHOTO: Turkish lawmakers vote a bill that allows troop deployment to Libya, at the Parliament in Ankara, Turkey, January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer

Reuters

Experts said it was reasonable to expect that a similar attack on the US power grid is possible.

"Anything they have targeted in any country could potentially be fair game in any other country," Curry said.

Iranian cyberattacks would likely target US critical infrastructure.

power grid

Getty Images

"The attacks could be devastating," said William Mendez, the director of the cybersecurity firm CyZen. "Imagine if financial transactions could not be completed or if the stock exchange was not operational because of a cyberattack. The ripples could be felt globally."

However, the impact of an attack would depend on the US's resiliency, or how quickly agencies could recover.

cisa cybersecurity senate bill

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File

"While this event is a surprise, our ability to prevent and protect has continued to grow and evolve with the threats," Todt said.

Experts emphasized that US defenses should focus on not only preventing attacks but rehabilitating infrastructure that is attacked.

"There is often too little emphasis on facing the truth that intelligent, motivated, equipped opponents will eventually succeed, and that requires planning to both minimize damage and to return to normal operations as rapidly as possible," Curry said. "This is far too often neglected."

It's difficult to predict exactly what a cyberattack from Iran would look like  but experts emphasized that Iran's cyber capabilities were well documented.

FILE - In this June 3, 2011, file photo, the Pentagon is seen from air from Air Force One. The House has passed its annual defense policy measure, which combines a $738 billion Pentagon price tag with legislation to provide federal employees with 12 weeks of paid parental leave. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Associated Press

"We're all waiting to see what the blow will look like," Curry said. "Because you don't know where or when they're going to strike, fear and uncertainty are already a weapon."

Todt said that while the US drone strike that escalated the conflict with Iran was likely a surprise to many in the cybersecurity community, the US should nonetheless be prepared to mount a sufficient defense against Iranian cyberwarfare.

"Our capabilities and our preparedness for that type of attack is strong, and our military is extremely well prepared for this," Todt said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sorting out Cork people for ages...

Q: Cmere whats the story with a southsider correcting my grammar?

I met this Model Farm Road Princess (thats her name on Instagram lah) out on New Years Eve, back to her place, smooch, smooch, hands all over the gaff, matter of time before shes the proud recipient of some Dowcha Donie love.

Anyway, she goes for some getting to know you chat, asks if I saw the aggro in the nightclub, I says I had went to the toilet by then, she says, its I had GONE to the toilet and showed me the door.

I told my friend whos doing law about this and he said I do be the victim of being othered because of my Norry ethnicity. So, like, can I sue her now for violating my human rights? Dowcha Donie, Blackpool.

A: There are a lot of surprises there. For starters, Im amazed you know someone doing law. (Is he doing it at night, from prison, by any chance?) Secondly, I asked my Posh Cousin about this. She said Norry isnt an ethnic group. Its just bad luck.

Q: Hey, its Ken here from Douglas Road Doctors with American actors.

Im seeing this woman even though shes from Carrigaline, and decided to surprise her by not mentioning how much I earn over the festive season.

Thats just Dr Ken kiddin ya now, Iactually had it printed on my Christmas jumper when I went for dinner on the big day in her Mams house.

The poor Mam collapsed when she saw me, she didnt realise how much I earn from private patients.

I started fanning a piece of paper over her head to bring her around, her husband Con (thats his actual name) said surely there must be something else you can do Dr Ken, I said not really, Im a consultant and now they think Im a fake.

How can I show them that Dr Ken is the real deal? Dr Ken, Douglas Road, the Mam recovered and is doing well.

A: My neighbour is a nurse in CUH. (Dont ask me how she can afford Ballinlough.) I said, whats the best way to show someone youre a real doctor. She said, wait until theyre not looking before you Google their symptoms. #DrGoogle

Q: So, Im the leading social media influencer in the western Europe measured by the numbers of times I got married so I could get free flowers from struggling local producers.

#SupportLocal #CorcaighAbu #ItsTheirFaultForBeingSmall.

Anyway, #2020Baby, I just got a social media brand audit there and they recommended that I get behind a campaign because that plays well with the 15-24 crowd whod believe any old shite.

So they said you need to get behind something youre really passionate about, so I said I dont think people will support a campaign to get me a new Audi 4x4, so they said we need another 3 grand to help you further so I hung up.

So, do you know any campaign that would play well with the #SnowFlakeGeneration?

 @YouSoWishLike, Turners Cross and Monte Carlo

A: My 27-year-old niece, Radical Ruth, is all over this area. I said, what really irritates you? She said, leading-edge smartphones. I said, is it the sweatshops or the carbon footprint? She said, no its the price, theyre sooooo expensive.

Q: Howre oo goin on. You might remember I was onto you last week with the story of how I took magic mushrooms on Christmas day, grabbed the mic in 11 oclock Mass and said deep down were all women, and now everyone in Dunmanway is calling me Dan Paddy Mandy.

Well, I am now a designated legend among the local hippies, who have had plenty time to consider the merits of the situation, given that most of them maintain an arms length relationship with what you might call a job.

On top of that, I got a phonecall from a producer in Channel 4, who wants to put me in a documentary called Transgender Bog(wo)men on Drugs. Ive a bad feeling about this to be honest.

Do you think I should say yes?

 Dan Paddy Andy, head north from Dunmanway until you see a man practising his Bafta speech.

A: Im not the best person to ask here, I rarely say no to anything. My friend Colm has a PR company, its called Bad Publicity. #Nice. I told him your story, he said dont go near it. I said why?

He said, you dont want the word going around that youre from Dunmanway.

Q:Its all guns blazing on our WhatsApp group, Douglas Road Moms Who Wouldnt Say it To Your Face. Weve all agreed not to replace our 192c Range Rovers this January because of polar bears and shit, so we all have 10 grand burning a hole in our pockets, dont tell the taxman.

Laura_AmazingBoneStructure says we owe it to ourselves to head for Dubai, but Iseult_NewSmeg said no because of the carbon footprint and Dubai is as common as a batter burger.

So like, tell me how we can spend 10 grand ethically without using the word charity?

 Dee, Douglas Road.

A:My neighbour Denise describes herself as an Ethical Spending Consultant. I said, how does it work. She said, you give me 10 grand, I give you a bag for life and buy a luxury yurt for myself in Glengarriff. #ImInTheWrongBusiness.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Snow showers. High 22F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening will become partly cloudy after midnight. Low 8F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph, becoming E and decreasing to less than 5 mph.
Looking back at the 2020s from our vantage point in 2030, the first great event was the complete destruction of Donald Trumps Republican Party. As the former Republican consultant Mike Murphy had noticed, there were roughly 300 state and federal elections during the Trump years and Republicans did horribly in most of them. The 2020 vote was a continuation of that trend. Trumps landslide defeat left him humiliated, and the Republicans lost their Senate majority.

Trump cried fraud and tried to whip up his followers, but they turned their backs. He went from idol to scapegoat in an instant. It seemed they could forgive him everything but losing. Many temporarily retreated from political life, the way evangelical Christians did after the ignominy of the Scopes trial.

President Joe Biden faced an interesting dynamic in his party. The political power was with moderates. The intellectual power was with the left. People of color, whose views were largely more moderate, became the crucial swing faction.

As president, Biden resisted the interest groups that wanted him to address health care first. Instead, he did child and earned-income tax credits, infrastructure, expanded early childhood education, expanded prison reform, and so on  what some writers called reparations by any other name. He gave regulatory czar Elizabeth Warren a special portfolio to take on Big Tech.
A teenage boy who suffered a fatal asthma attack saved the lives of four other people after donating his organs, his family said today.

Michael McCarthy, 16, was on his way to bed when he collapsed after suffering a severe asthma attack, telling his grandfather: I cant breathe, Granddad, I cant breathe.

His mother and grandfather performed emergency CPR on him until paramedics could take over at their home in Braintree, Essex.

The loving teenager, who turned 16 in August, was taken to a London hospital where he was on life support but died five days later.

He donated his heart, pancreas, kidneys and liver to be used to save the lives of others after his death in November.

The car fanatic, who saved up money he earned as a building apprentice to buy quadbikes and dreamed of becoming a mechanic, had joined the organ register when he applied for his provisional driving licence.

He told his father at the time: If I die my soul is going to Heaven but my organs will live on.

His grandfather Michael McCarthy, 59, said: It makes me feel good, its a marvellous thing what he has done. Its a miracle he has managed to save so many lives.

His family told how Michael had a near-fatal asthma attack three years ago and was taken to hospital in an East Anglian Air Ambulance piloted by Prince William.

Since then his parents Michael, 37, and Kathleen McCarthy, 35, lived in fear that he could suffer another serious attack.

On the night he suffered his fatal attack, Michael told his father he would see him for work early, that he loved him and had taken his medicine before closing his bedroom door.

Twenty minutes later Michael suffered the attack. His nebuliser, asthma pumps and EpiPen could not save him.

His father said: I think he knew how serious his condition was but he kept everything inside not to worry me and his mother. Some nights I would just stay up and watch him breathing as he slept. He was a beautiful boy.

His asthma was sharp and gave no warning but he wanted to live like a normal teenager and go out with the lads. I was like his brother as well as his father. My heart is broken.
Aside from the front page protesters attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad, I thought it curious to note that the Jan. 1 edition of The Norwalk Hour contained several articles relating to initiatives by the current administration relegated to the inside pages!

Specifically, President Trumps signing of a law to reduce robo calls. Also, to sign an initiative on trade with China regarding the tariff issue! And, in addition, the report of a 28.9 percent increase in the S&P. All this under the present administration.
BAGHDAD (AP)  Iran vowed harsh retaliation for a U.S. airstrike near Baghdads airport that killed a top Iranian general who had been the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing.

The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, marks a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Iran, which has careened from one crisis to another since President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

The United States urged American citizens to leave Iraq "immediately" following the Friday airstrike at Baghdad's international airport that killed Soleimani and nine others, Iran's state TV reported Friday. The State Department said the embassy in Baghdad, which was attacked by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters earlier this week, is closed and all consular services have been suspended.

Around 5,200 American troops are based in Iraq, where they mainly train Iraqi forces and help to combat Islamic State militants.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the U.S. after the airstrike, calling Soleimani the "international face of resistance." Khamenei declared three days of public mourning and appointed Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, Soleimani's deputy, to replace him as head of the Quds Force, .

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the killing a "heinous crime" and vowed his country would "take revenge."

Thousands of worshipers in the Iranian capital Tehran took to streets after Friday Muslim prayers to condemn the killing, chanting Death to deceitful America.

A boy carries a portrait of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in the U.S. airstrike in Iraq, prior to the Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport that killed Tehran's top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)AP

The targeted strike, and any retaliation by Iran, could ignite a conflict that engulfs the whole region, endangering U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and beyond. Over the last two decades, Soleimani had assembled a network of heavily armed allies stretching all the way to southern Lebanon, on Israel's doorstep.

However, the attack may act as a deterrent for Iran and its allies to delay or restrain any potential response. Oil prices surged on news of the airstrike and markets were mixed.

The killing promised to strain relations with Iraq's government, which is allied with both Washington and Tehran and has been deeply worried about becoming a battleground in their rivalry. Iraqi politicians close to Iran called for the country to order U.S. forces out of the country.

The Defense Department said it killed the 62-year-old Soleimani because he "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." It also accused Soleimani of approving the orchestrated violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The strike, on an access road near Baghdad's airport, was carried out Friday by a U.S. drone, according to a U.S. official.

Soleimani had just disembarked from a plane arriving from either Syria or Lebanon, a senior Iraqi security official said. The blast tore his body to pieces along with that of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces. A senior politician said Soleimani's body was identified by the ring he wore. Iran's state TV said Friday a total of 10 people were killed in the airstrike, including five Revolutionary Guard members and Soleimani's son-in-law, whom he did not identify.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.

Protesters burn representations of Israeli flag during a demonstration over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport that killed Tehran's top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)AP

The attack comes at the start of a year in which Trump faces both a Senate trial following his impeachment by Congress and a re-election campaign. It marks a potential turning point in the Middle East and represents a drastic change for American policy toward Iran after months of tensions.

The tensions are rooted in in Trump's decision in May 2018 to withdraw the U.S. from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers, struck under his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Since then, Tehran shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers. The U.S. also blames Iran for other attacks targeting tankers and a September assault on Saudi Arabia's oil industry that temporarily halved its production.

Supporters of Friday's strike said it restored U.S. deterrence power against Iran, and Trump allies were quick to praise the action. "To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more," South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham tweeted.

"Hope this is the first step to regime change in Tehran," Trump's former National Security Adviser, John Bolton, wrote in a tweet.

Others, including Democratic White House hopefuls, criticized Trump's order. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Trump had "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," saying it could leave the U.S. "on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East."

Trump, who is vacationing at his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, said in a tweet Friday the airstrike was ordered because Soleimani was "plotting to kill" many Americans. "He should have been taken out many years ago!" Trump tweeted.

The potential for a spiraling escalation alarmed U.S. allies and rivals alike.

"We are waking up in a more dangerous world," France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio. The European Union warned against a "generalized flare-up of violence." Russia condemned the killing, and fellow Security Council member China said it was "highly concerned."

Ibrahim Bayram, a political analyst with Lebanons An-Nahar newspaper, said the U.S.-Iran tensions had now entered a new phase, an open conflict with no horizon.

By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA and ZEINA KARAM, The Associated Press
Iranian Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei announced three days of nation-wide mourning following the death of top military leader Qassim Soleimani on Thursday, calling him a eminent example of a person trained in Islam, and threatening retribution for the U.S. attack.

The loss of our dear General is bitter. The continuing fight & ultimate victory will be more bitter for the murderers & criminals, Khamenei wrote on Twitter.

Soleimani, responsible for the deaths of hundreds of U.S. troops over the last two decades, ran the Iranian special Quds Force, which the U.S. designated a terror group in 2007. He was killed alongside Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis by an airstrike at Baghdad airport after President Trump warned Iran and its allies over the multi-day siege of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

.Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very BIG PRICE! This is not a Warning, it is a Threat. Happy New Year!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2019

In a statement confirming Soleimanis death, the Pentagon said the Iranian approved the attacks on the embassy by Iranian-backed militias, which had scrawled Soleimani is my leader on the embassy walls during the attack. The U.S. also said the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, with Democrats and other skeptics voicing concerns that the attack could lead to war.

The Ayatollah seemed to confirm an Iranian response, tweeting a #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs blood last night.

His efforts & path wont be stopped by his martyrdom, by Gods Power, rather a #SevereRevenge awaits the criminals who have stained their hands with his & the other martyrs blood last night. Martyr Soleimani is an Intl figure of Resistance & all such people will seek revenge. /3  Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 3, 2020

Iraqs Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi also reacted to the attack, saying Friday that it was a dangerous escalation that will light the fuse of a destructive war in Iraq, the region, and the world.

Story continues

Mahdi, whose government has support from both the U.S. and Iran, called Soleimani and al-Muhandis as huge symbols of the victory against terrorists. With support from Soleimani and Iran, al-Muhandis had previously led the Popular Mobilization Forces, an umbrella network of militias, in assisting Iraqi security forces retake Iraq from ISIS.

More from National Review
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking why he frequently compares India with Pakistan.

Banerjee, while addressing an anti-citizenship law rally in Siliguri, said it is a shame that even after 70 years of Independence, people have to prove their nationality.

"India is a big country with a rich culture and heritage. Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan?



"Are you the prime minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan. Why do you refer to Pakistan in every issue?" the chief minister said.

She accused the BJP of "deliberately" creating confusion over the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying its leaders have been making contradictory statements on the issue.

"On one hand the prime minister is saying there will be no NRC but on the other, the union home minister and other ministers are claiming that the exercise will be conducted across the country," she added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
If you buy and hold a stock for many years, you'd hope to be making a profit. But more than that, you probably want to see it rise more than the market average. Unfortunately for shareholders, while the Spark New Zealand Limited (NZSE:SPK) share price is up 37% in the last five years, that's less than the market return. But if you include dividends then the return is market-beating. The last year hasn't been great either, with the stock up just 4.6%.

See our latest analysis for Spark New Zealand

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Over half a decade, Spark New Zealand managed to grow its earnings per share at 4.8% a year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 6.6% per year, over the same period. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. And that's hardly shocking given the track record of growth.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

NZSE:SPK Past and Future Earnings, January 2nd 2020

We know that Spark New Zealand has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? This free report showing analyst revenue forecasts should help you figure out if the EPS growth can be sustained.

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 is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Spark New Zealand, it has a TSR of 102% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

Story continues

A Different Perspective

Spark New Zealand shareholders are up 12% for the year (even including dividends) . Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 15% over five years. It's quite possible the business continues to execute with prowess, even as the share price gains are slowing. Importantly, we haven't analysed Spark New Zealand's dividend history. This free visual report on its dividends is a must-read if you're thinking of buying.

If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on NZ exchanges.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
The resignation of Allahabad University vice chancellor Rattan Lal Hangloo, who was facing charges of administrative irregularities, has been accepted, a senior Human Resource Development ministry official said on Friday.

His resignation was sent by the HRD Ministry to Rashtrapati Bhawan and it has been approved, officials told PTI.

Hangloo had stepped down earlier this week, claiming that he had resigned under pressure.

Speaking to HT after resigning, Hangloo had refuted the allegations against him and said that he had worked in an honest and upright manner. He also said that the Presidents office had twice returned the file regarding allegations against him because they did not see any merit in them .

It is correct that I have resigned. The reason was that repeatedly baseless enquiries were initiated (against me). On several occasions it was proved that there was no substance in the complaints. I did so as I was totally fed up, he had said.

However, an HRD ministry official had earlier said that several complaints had been filed against Hangloos style of functioning in the past as well. In one case, the National Commission of Women (NCW) had made an adverse observation about his handling of sexual harassment cases on the campus, he had added.
Click here to read the full article.

As CEOs around the world lead their companies into a new year and a new decade, there is one looming worry that is most on their minds.

According to a new survey by think tank The Conference Board, a possible recession ranks as the top external concern  for the second year in a row  of global business chiefs and other C-suite executives. For U.S. CEOs, in particular, fears of a recession jumped to the top of their list of worries, surpassing cybersecurity (which was their biggest concern in 2019 but fell to sixth for 2020).

The ongoing concerns about recession risk among business leaders reflect the slowing economy of the past year and the uncertainties about the outcome of the trade disputes and other policy concerns, said Bart van Ark, chief economist at The Conference Board.

Not surprisingly, uncertainty surrounding international trade ranks second among the concerns for global leaders, especially those in Latin America and Europe. Yet in spite of U.S. President Donald Trumps aggressive and much-criticized trade war against foreign competitors such as China, American CEOs ranked global trade as only their third-biggest concern, tied with global political instability.

Heightened competition took the third-place spot for global leaders, and the second among U.S. CEOs. Other external worries keeping company chiefs up at night include a tight labor market; increasingly demanding customers; cybersecurity; declining trust in political and policy institutions; and the impact of climate change on their businesses.

Within the walls of their own companies, global CEOs were nearly unanimous when it comes their No. 1 internal stressor: attracting and retaining top talent. Only Japan ranked it lower, at No. 2.

A number of the other top internal concerns related to keeping up with the fast pace of change in todays marketplace and embracing the future. Creating new business models because of disruptive technologies is their second-biggest worry, followed by creating a more innovative company culture and developing next-generation leaders. Other issues weighing on their minds include cost-reduction efforts, data analytics and cash flow volatility.

Story continues

Women leaders continue to be concerned with issues of equal pay, ranking it as their sixth top priority, while men ranked it only 15th.

Want more?

CEOs Are Exiting Their Posts in Record Numbers

Retail Ranks Ahead of Other Sectors In Terms of Female CEOs  But Representation Is Still Far Off

Survey of Global CEOs Reveals Record Jump in Pessimism About the Economy

Best of Footwear News

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A Secaucus man who threatened the towns mayor by leaving a note that said someone should cap his ass was cleared of the charge in an appellate court decision, more than five years after the incident.

In a ruling released Friday, the panel reversed a guilty verdict on a harassment charge handed down in Essex County Superior Court against Michael West.

On Sept. 19, 2014, West left a sign on a fence on Farm Road that read the mayor is out of control with his draconian rules & somebody must cap his ass  a slang phrase meaning to shoot another person.

A week later West was charged with third-degree terroristic threats against Mayor Michael Gonnelli, which were later downgraded to harassment.

West, who was 24 at the time, was apparently upset with a tree that was cut down; and during his two trials he spoke about being watched or surveilled by Secaucus police on multiple occasions, court records show.

West was found guilty by the presiding judge of the municipal courts of Essex County, where the trial was moved because conflicts of interest. West appealed and his case was heard in an Essex County superior courtroom, where he was again found guilty.

The appellate panel found fault with the last judge to hear the case, saying the judge did not adhere to the standard codified ... From beginning to end, the judge appeared to be unfamiliar with the legal principles governing municipal appeals.

READ THE RULING HERE

The ruling pointed out that the judges impromptu interactions with defendant in open court were also incompatible with principles of judicial decorum and unmindful of how they might affect defendants constitutional right to a fair trial.

West and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

The ruling also pointed out that the prosecution never called an expert to testify as to what cap his ass meant, and it noted that both West and Gonnelli testified that they did not know what it meant.

The municipal court judge who presided over the first trial said that everyone in the area of New Jersey knows what it means. When the question about the phrases meaning came up in the second trial, the judge injected by saying Gonnellis daughter explained it to him  "that someone was going to shoot me either in my ass or in my back, the mayor testified.

Gonnelli, who declined to comment on the appellate court ruling, also testified that Wests note made (me) feel a little bit uncomfortable. It made my family feel a lot more uncomfortable.
Dedicating to protecting the Black Rhino from poaching and reviving the population, for the past 30 years, Save the Rhinos Trust has funded and provided the resources the local patrolling groups such as vehicles and their maintenance, uniforms and supplies as well as the base camp establishment. Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) are custodians of the only desert-adapted population of black rhino in the world. SRT's rhino conservation work is vitally important on both national and international levels. "In order to enhance the security levels and remain ever-vigilant, additional funding is needed to support SRT's monitoring and patrolling effort," said CEO, Simson Uri-Khob.

Save the Rhino's

Established in 1982, Save the Rhino Trust Namibia (SRT) was the first organization in the world dedicated to the protection of critically endangered black rhino. Working in close collaboration with Government, Namibian Police, local communities and national and international partners, SRT's efforts are central to achieving the aims of monitoring and evaluating the rhino population, enhancing security of the rhino, and providing benefits to the community through conservation.

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We invite you to learn more about us at www.diamondsinternational.com or experience it for yourself in our stores.

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SOURCE Almod Diamonds; Diamonds International

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NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the U.S. drone strikes that killed Qassem Soleimani, S&P Global Platts Analytics expect an Iranian retaliation. Below is a quote and a FactBox with the key stats.

Paul Sheldon, Chief Geopolitical Risk Analyst, S&P Global Platts said: "We believe that an Iranian retaliation is almost certain, following the U.S. drone strikes that killed Qassem Soleimani. The chances of a broader conflict remain below 50%, although risks are entering new territory. The initial market reaction indicates Brent is capped at $70/Bbl, without another major incident. The Iranian retaliation could take the form of a quick response by proxies against U.S. allies and assets, but a larger response is likely to be more carefully calculated and indirect in an effort to avoid outright conflict. One-off incidents targeting Gulf oil flows are possible, as are attacks on Gulf oil infrastructure, after the Abqaiq incident did not trigger a U.S. military response."

Factbox: Oil market jitters return after Iran-US geopolitical risk rises

London  The oil market was on tenterhooks Friday amid increased geopolitical risk in the Middle East after Iran vowed to exact "harsh revenge" for US airstrikes that killed its top military commanders.

The US Department of Defense confirmed late Thursday that Iran's General Qassem Soleimani had been killed by the US military in response to his role in recent attacks on American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region, including his approval of the attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad this week.

The killing of Soleimani in the Baghdad strike increases the likelihood of additional attacks on Middle East energy infrastructure and the possibility of military conflict between the US and Iran, according to analysts and market watchers.

"This is a seismic event in the region," Jason Bordoff, director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, tweeted Thursday. "Abqaiq was just the beginning."

"The US strike...signals a worrying increase in the tensions between the two nations. Crude oil has responded as it should with the risk of supply disruptions driving the price higher," said Saxo Bank commodity strategist Ole Hansen.

"Further upside risks now obviously depend on the response from Iran but also other actors in the region such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia and China."

"Revenge will come, maybe not overnight but it will come and until then, we need to increase the geopolitical risk premium...we expect financial flows to come in oil futures to hedge Iran's revenge," Petromatrix' Olivier Jakob said in a note.

TRADE FLOWS

**Despite the reports of oil field staff withdrawals in Iraq over concern of retaliation from Iranian backed militants, all upstream operations and exports in Iraq are continuing normally, according to local sources.

**The incident follows the major attacks in September on Saudi oil infrastructure and a number of tanker-related incidents in the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint earlier this year, which have raised geopolitical risks in the world's biggest oil-producing basin.

**Iran's oil exports--already hurting from US sanctions which have seen the country's s production fall to its lowest level in more than three decades. Iran produced an average of 2.43 million b/d last year from 3.57 million b/d and 3.79 million b/d in 2018 and 2017 respectively, according to S&P Global Platts estimates.

**Iran has had to resort to floating storage for its oil to cope with the surplus it has due to sanctions. Iran's oil tankers are holding almost 60 million barrels of oil at sea, the highest since more than three years, according to Platts estimates.

PRICES

**Brent crude jumped 4.9% to hit a high of $69.90/b in early European trading Friday morning as concerns over the geopolitical risk to Middle Eastern oil infrastructure surged.

**The front-month Brent futures contract is now trading at the highest since September 16, 2019, the first trading day after attacks on Saudi Arabia's pivotal Abqaiq processing facility and Khurais oil field. The Saudi attacks saw the benchmark contact surge more than $10/b to $71.95/b.

**In the Middle East, Dubai crude futures tracked Brent higher, with the March Brent/Dubai Exchange Futures for Swaps (EFS) spread keeping pace with Brent's upward trajectory. The EFS was pegged at $2.64/b at 1100 GMT Friday, near where it was assessed at $2.65/b on Thursday.

**Spot VLCC freight rates for shipping crude from the Persian Gulf to the Far East were little changed at 121 Worldscale Friday as Asian markets continued to assess the potential impact of the US attacks on the cost of shipping.

INFRASTRUCTURE

**Upstream workers at international oil and services companies began evacuating staff Friday over concerns of retaliation by Iraqi based Iran-back militants.

**Despite the staff withdrawals, upstream operations in Iraq are continuing normally, according to local sources.

**In addition to potential attacks on Iraq oil fields operated by Western oil majors such as BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Eni, the focus of potential retaliation is on the Middle East's two key shipping waterways; the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern tip of the Red Sea and through the Strait of Hormuz.

-Red Sea **Most exports of petroleum and natural gas from the Persian Gulf that transit the Suez Canal, or the SUMED pipeline pass through both the Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz.

**In 2018, an estimated 6.2 million b/d of crude oil, condensate, and refined petroleum products flowed through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait toward Europe, the US, and Asia, according to the US EIA.

-Strait of Hormuz **The Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil chokepoint because of the large volumes of oil that flow through it. In 2018, its daily oil flow averaged 21 million b/d, or the equivalent of about 21% of global petroleum liquids consumption, according to the US EIA.

**A number of tanker incidents in the Middle East buffeted oil prices last year. The British-flagged Stena Impero, which had been detained by Iran for over two months after being seized in the Persian Gulf, was released in September.

**Ship operators in the Middle East have been on high alert, and insurance rates jumped after tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman in May and June last year. The US has blamed Iran for previous attacks, although Iran has denied responsibility.

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Americas: Kathleen Tanzy, + 1 917 331 4607, [email protected]obal.com

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A top member of DR Congo's powerful Catholic Church on Friday said neighbouring countries were "pouring" people into a lawless border region, stirring anger among the local population.

"It is up to the government to assume its responsibilities and persuade... neighbouring countries, particularly Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, to stop pouring people into Congo," said Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, who is archbishop of Kinshasa.

Ambongo, speaking at a press conference in the capital, said the Democratic Republic of Congo had to use diplomatic means to get this message across.

The influx, he said, was a source of friction in eastern DRC.

The poor and chronically unstable region is in the grip of militias, some of which are historically rooted in armed campaigns against neighbouring regimes.

The problem does not apply to Congolese of foreign origin who have been in the country for many years -- "no-one can contest their Congolese nationality," the archbishop insisted.

"What is a problem is the influx of others who are arriving and are trying to be passed off as Congolese," he said.

"The most blatant case (is that of) Rwandan immigrants who were forced out of Tanzania some years ago, and ended up being ditched in Congo," he said.

This stirred a "feeling of frustration, of anger... (which) confirms there is a balkanisation plan," he charged.

Ambongo spoke after returning from a pastoral visit last week to the Beni-Butembo region in North Kivu province, where militias have been rampant since the Congo Wars of the 1990s.

The groups include the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), whose historical roots are Ugandan, as well as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and a Burundian group, the National Forces of Liberation (FNL).

"The people's situation is dramatic. Because of the lack of security, the people have had to abandon fields, villages, homes, plantations," Ambongo said.

In the last two months, more than 200 civilians have been killed in massacres attributed to the ADF, blamed for more than a thousand deaths since October 2014.

"There has to be nationwide awareness that our country is at war, that the country is in danger," he said, urging the public to support troops who are fighting the militias.

Last month, former DRC prime minister and opposition figure Adolphe Muzito called on the government to "wage war on Rwanda" and even "annex it" to restore peace in the east of the country.

The DRC, a sprawling country the size of continental western Europe, has a history of thorny relations with Rwanda and Uganda.

It has accused those countries of seeking to destablise it, while they allege that the DRC is being used as a rear base by groups seeking to overthrow their governments.
Dang Van Cau has spent most of his working life diving into murky waters and canals of Saigon to catch red worms.

The resident of Nha Be is not the only one pursuing this unusual livelihood. Those living near the Go Cong Canal in District 9 occasionally see a plastic basin floating in the middle of the pitch-black river, surrounded with hundreds of tiny white water bubbles. That basin is the inseparable possession of Dang Van Cau, one that he has used to catch red worms for the last 30 years.

Cau, 50, is one of several dozen people who dive into rivers, their branches and canals in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring provinces such as Dong Nai and Binh Duong to catch the red worms. This work fetches around VND6 million ($258.98) per month. The red worms are used as food by those dealing with ornamental fish and fingerlings.

The only "protective gear" that Cau has is a hat his wife presented him last year. The cloth cap shields him from the rain and sun on the shore; and prevents hair from getting in his eyes every time he emerges out of the black waters to catch his breath. Cau cannot count how many hats have been damaged or lost over more than 3 decades.

"This job is labor-intensive, but its flexible. You can stop working when you feel tired. No one manages your time", Cau said as he was gasped for breath, coming back after a dive to the bottom of the pitch-black canal waters.

Despite how black the waters are, he is not as concerned about the pollution as he is about other objects that he has to encounter on the canal bed, including knives, machetes, pieces of broken glasses and even human corpses.

Along with the plastic basin, the net racket is a tool that Cau uses to scoop and get red worms from under the water. "One must scratch the mud on the surface and when the racket feels heavy, you lift it up and shake it so that the mud goes away... then you put the red worms into the basin."

Cau puts the red worms into plastic bottles. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Later Cau puts the red worms into plastic bottles. Each worm bottle can sell for VND17.000 ($0.73). Cau says that a red worm raker could catch an equivalent of 50 worm bottles every day in the good old days.

In the last few years, the waters have become so polluted that even the red worms are not able to survive. The number of worms has decreased by half, he estimates. "This job depends on luck, some days you can easily earn VND2-3 million ($86.32-129.48), and on other days, you can't get enough money to pay for gas (for the motorbike)."

"Sometimes we describe this job as exchanging your own blood for money. Many times my feet and legs and arms have been cut by needles or pieces of glasses thrown into the river," Cau said as he washed his scarred feet before having lunch.

Caus family lives in a temporarily shelter erected on the land of a real estate project in Nha Be District. After 10 p.m., he fixes the canvas shielding the house. "In the past, my wife and I had a decent house nearby. After she fell sick, we had to sell it to pay the medical bills," he said. "We stay here for now, but I am not sure how long can it last."

Cau and his wife have two children, a son who works as a bricklayer in Thu Duc District, and a married daughter who is works in Binh Duong. Every day, they take care of their grandkids in the temporary house.

Cau patches the net of the racket used to rake worms. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

"I have lung and joint problems, and I have been unable to walk for the last 10 years. Earlier, both of us caught red worms every day. Now, he has to work alone to support the family," said Le Thi Van, 41, Cau's wife. "Even though the work is hard, he doesnt seem to mind. He really cares about me, our children and grandchildren."

"In this job, one has to keep an eye on the water level to work, so the time is not fixed. Sometimes I work from 1-2 a.m., sometimes it is 4-5 p.m. I go around to rivers and canals in the city and surrounding provinces," Cau said as he steered his motorboat on the Sai Gon River, heading to Dong Nai Province, northeast of Ho Chi Minh City.
Commander of Irans Quds Force, PMU deputy head martyred in US strike

Iran Press TV

Friday, 03 January 2020 12:46 AM

Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), have been killed in US airstrikes in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

The IRGC announced in a statement on Friday morning that Major General Soleimani and al-Muhandis were martyred in the attack carried out by US helicopters.

The Iraqi pro-government group also confirmed the incident.

"The deputy head of the Hashed, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road," it a statement on Friday.

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a PMU spokesman.

The group had earlier said that its public relations director Mohammed Reza al-Jaberi and four other members of the group were also killed after three Katyusha rockets struck a military base next to Baghdad International Airport in the Iraqi capital.

The media bureau of the voluntary forces  better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Shabai  described the early Friday morning attack as a "cowardly US bombing.

The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles and injuring several people, the Iraqi Interior Ministry's Security Media Cell said in an earlier statement.

Shortly after the attack, US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the strikes were carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad. The officials declined to give any further details.

Meanwhile, security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that eight people were killed in the attack.

The development came as the United States military said on Sunday it had carried out strikes in western Iraq against Kataib Hezbollah group, which is part of the pro-government Popular Mobilization Units  better known by the Arabic word Hashd al-Shaabi.

Iraqi security sources said at least 25 fighters were killed and at least 55 wounded following the air attacks.

Senior Iraqi officials also condemned the US attack against the Kataib Hezbollah's positions as a "violation of Iraqi sovereignty".

Caretaker Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi called the move a dangerous escalation that threatens the security of Iraq and the region in a statement on Sunday,

Abdul Mahdi said US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper had called him about half an hour before the US raids to tell him of the US intentions to hit Kataib Hezbollah's bases. He said he asked Esper to call off US plans.

Iraqi caretaker President Barham Salih also condemned the attack.

The US raids drew a wave of condemnation from officials and movements across the region, and triggered furious public protests outside the US embassy in Baghdad.

The Pentagon said the bombings were in response to attacks targeting American forces near the oil-rich northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk last week, which reportedly killed a US civilian contractor and injured four US service members, as well as two members of the Iraqi security forces. The US accused Kataib Hezbollah group of the attack.

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A former Presbyterian minister whose brother was killed by the IRA has revealed how he challenged former members of the group over the murder.

Reverend Terry Laverty from Ballycastle, Co Antrim, was just 15 when his older brother Robert was shot by the IRA as he travelled in a police vehicle along the Antrim Road on July 15 1972.

The 18-year-old had recently joined Northern Irelands then police force the RUC.

Expand Close PLEASE UPLOAD ONTO THE WIRE after 11am tomorrow Friday January 3rd.Rev Terry Laverty on the north Down coastline. Rev Laverty is the author of Considering Grace, a book of 120 ordinary peoples experiences of the Troubles, exploring how faith shaped their responses to violence and its aftermath. In the book, Rev Laverty write about the killing of his brother Robert and his fury as he howled at god on a beach close to Ballycastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday December 22, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Minister. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA / Facebook

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Whatsapp PLEASE UPLOAD ONTO THE WIRE after 11am tomorrow Friday January 3rd.Rev Terry Laverty on the north Down coastline. Rev Laverty is the author of Considering Grace, a book of 120 ordinary peoples experiences of the Troubles, exploring how faith shaped their responses to violence and its aftermath. In the book, Rev Laverty write about the killing of his brother Robert and his fury as he howled at god on a beach close to Ballycastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday December 22, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Minister. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Mr Laverty said he has challenged republicans over the IRAs definition of those who worked for the security forces as legitimate targets, saying his brother joined the RUC out of a desire to help people.

My brother was working for the British state so that made him a legitimate target, he told the PA news agency.

I have had many conversations with republicans and ex-IRA through the years to challenge them about that.

He said his brother had a promising career before leaving to join the police.

My brother was a fella who just wanted to help people and he was gunned down doing that.Reverend Terry Laverty

His foreman said dont be crazy, sure youre the best recruit that I have, so why would you do this?. His answer was I just want to help people, he said.

I have challenged ex-IRA men to go to the town that we grew up in, Ballycastle, and to get out of his car and go to anyone he meets in the street to say, do you know a family called Laverty who live here, can you tell me about them, you go and find out for yourself and youll discover that my brother was not a servant of the British state.

My brother was a fella who just wanted to help people and he felt that by being a policeman enabled him to do that and he was gunned down doing that.

Mr Laverty was among 120 people from a Protestant background who contributed to a new book published earlier this year which chronicles their experiences of Northern Irelands troubled past.

He said he felt humbled that his story had inspired both the name of the book  Considering Grace  as well as the photograph of Ballycastle beach on the front cover where he went as a teenager to vent his grief.

It was the place that I went when I was 15-and-a-half years old and desperately struggling, thats the very place, he said.

Its hard and yet there is light, the picture is very evocative and its very good because thats where I got the light.

I didnt get it from the kindness and goodness of people that helped me, it was the knowledge of the fact that God is a God who is big enough to take all the abuse that I would fire at him.

The big challenge for all of us as human beings are the choices that we make because if we choose to make darkness our closest friend then all sorts of very painful things can result.

All the way through my ministry, and I have sat with paramilitaries, I have sat with ex-IRA people whose hearts are broken for what they have done. I have sat with people from my side of the fence too, broken people who cant see any way ahead. For some of them, especially men.

We grew up with the story big boys dont cry, but let me tell you, tears are a gift from God. So either you cry on the outside, tears are healing, there is a healing in tears.

So you can choose to cry the tears on the outside and they do you good or you cry them on the inside and it builds up and builds up until it all eventually comes to a head and you hit the wall or you hit the bottle, you hit something.

Mr Laverty also spoke of his concerns over how the past was being remembered.

We are coming to the 50th anniversaries (of the start of the Troubles), I just really wonder about the programmes which have just been produced about it because I am conscious there are a lot of young people now who are being encouraged to become involved in causes, I am just afraid of that, he said.

This book brings everything back down to earth, these are just ordinary people from every walk of life who their hearts are broken.
Paul Edward Acton Bowen, 39, tried to contact at least one victim on Christmas Eve, according to the Etowah County Deputy District Attorney Carol Griffith

A disgraced youth evangelist minister from Alabama who was last month sentenced to 1,008 years in prison for child sex abuse has tried to contact victims from jail, authorities say.

On Christmas Eve, Paul Edward Acton Bowen, 39, repeatedly tried to contact at least one of his victims, according to the Etowah County Deputy District Attorney Carol Griffith.

The pedophile allegedly tried to make contact using the Etowah County Detention Center's video visitation machine because he is not allowed to use the text and email kiosks due to previous court orders.

Ms Griffith made the comments after Bowen's attorney requested his communication restrictions be lifted. In May Bowen was ordered by a judge to only communicate with his parents and his lawyers.

The restrictions were initially put into place because Bowen had tried to contact one of his victims via text message.

The messages allegedly suggested that he had contacted other victims while their cases were still ongoing.

Jail records seen by AL showed eight messages were sent from Bowen to the victim which 'clearly indicate an intent to influence the victim's feelings, and potentially his testimony... and to discourage the victim from cooperating with prosecution of this case,' Ms Griffith wrote at the time.

The pedophile allegedly tried to make contact using the Etowah County Detention Center's video visitation machine because he isn't allowed to use the text and email kiosks due to previous court orders

Bowen's attorney, John Floyd, argued that he should be allowed to talk to family and friends because his transfer to state prison but a judge has not yet made a ruling.

In December Bowen pleaded guilty to 28 counts of sexual abuse involving six male victims aged between 13 and 16.

He initially denied all allegations of inappropriate conduct.

Among the charges were enticing a child for a sexual act, sodomy, traveling to meet a child for a sexual act and sexual abuse.

Several judges had recused themselves. The sexual abuser's ex-wife Ashley Nabors is the daughter of an Etowah County judge.

Before Bowen's sentencing he reportedly said: 'The shame and guilt I feel is overwhelming and has been for a long time. My heart was never wanting to hurt anybody, but my mind was not well.'

The sexual abuser's ex-wife Ashley Nabors is the daughter of an Etowah County judge

His attorney argued that he had PTSD because of his own experience of being sexually molested as a child.

Bowen is still awaiting trial in Jefferson County on three felony charges of traveling to meet a child for sex, enticing a child for a sexual act and sodomy.

The trial is set for April 20 this year.
Ukraine respectfully accepts U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision to postpone his visit to Kyiv and hopes to agree on a new date for the visit in the near future.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko wrote this on Twitter.

"I respectfully accept the decision of Secretary of State Pompeo to postpone his visit to Ukraine after the attacks on the base of Operation Inherent Resolve CJTFOIR and on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad," he said, adding that Ukraine supports its strategic partner.

In another tweet, Prystaiko also wrote: "We affirm our readiness to welcome Secretary of State Pompeo in Ukraine and we expect to agree on new dates for the visit shortly."

I respectfully accept the decision of @SecPompeo to postpone his visit to Ukraine after the attacks on the base of Operation Inherent Resolve @CJTFOIR and on @USEmbBaghdad. We support our strategic partner - coalition forces and diplomats must be secured. https://t.co/dcE0yvjLuN  Vadym Prystaiko (@VPrystaiko) January 2, 2020

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo postponed his visit to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Cyprus due to the need to be in Washington, D.C., to continue monitoring the ongoing situation in Iraq and ensure the safety and security of Americans in the Middle East.

op
The price of oil and gold spiked and stocks sold-off on Friday, after a US airstrike on a top Iranian general fuelled fears of conflict in the region.

The US Department of Defense said in a statement released early on Friday morning that it had killed the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Forces in an airstrike.

The US said the strike on Qassem Soleimani was ordered directly by US President Donald Trump.

The Department of Defense said Soleimani was behind the recent attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad and said the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. It labelled Soleimanis unit terrorists.

The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, the US government said.

A file photo dated September 18, 2016 shows Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed overnight in a US airstrike. Photo: Pool/Iranian Supreme Leader Press Office/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there would be revenge for the strike, according to Iranian news service Fars, and declared a period of mourning for Soleimanis death.

The US Embassy in Iraq on Friday told American citizens to leave the country due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region.

Oil prices spiked in response to the news, as traders weighed the possibility of disruption to supply from the region. Iran sits on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial water pathway in the global oil trade. Capital Economics said that Brent oil could climb as high as $150 per barrel if Iran tried to blockade the passage.

Crude oil (CL=Z) was up 3.4% to $63.30 per barrel by afternoon in London. Brent (BZ=F) was up 3.5% to $68.61 per barrel at the same time.

READ MORE: What a US-Iran war could mean for the economy

Gold (GC=F) also jumped. The safe haven asset rose 1.4% to $1,550.90 per ounce, the highest price since September.

Stocks sold off on the air strike news. Equities tend to rise when investor risk appetite is high and fall when people are wary. The FTSE 100 (^FTSE) was down 0.4% in early trade, but recovered to trade up 0.1% by the afternoon.

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Germanys DAX (^GDAXI) fell by 1.3% and the CAC 40 (^FCHI) in France was flat. In the US, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.6%, the Dow (^DJI) fell 0.8%, and Nasdaq (^IXIC) lost 0.7%.

Research consultancy Eurasia Group said Friday the chance of a conflict between the US and Iran had now risen to 40%. Rachel Washburn, a geopolitical strategy associate at Academy Securities, called the strike the most destabilizing event in the region since we invaded Iraq.

Connor Campbell, a financial analyst at trading platform SpreadEx, said: Though Suleimani may be unknown by many in the West, some political analysts have likened him to a US vice president in terms of profile, while he has previously been described as the single most powerful operative in the Middle East.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un attends a meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, April 25, 2019. Reuters



North Korea's official newspaper said Friday that any attempt to infringe upon the communist state's dignity and survival should be met by an "immediate and powerful" strike, calling for all-out efforts to build up its national defense capability.



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un threatened at a key party meeting in late December that the world will soon witness a "new strategic weapon," and warned of a "shocking actual action," accusing the United States of stalling for time for its own poltical interests.



Kim said that he sees no reason to stick to his commitment to suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests and that there will never be denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula until the U.S. rolls back its hostile policy against Pyongyang.



"An action that would violate our republic's dignity and survival should be met by an immediate and powerful strike," the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling party, said in an editorial.






Curaleaf Holdings (OTC:CURLF) is about to roll the dice on two brand-new retail assets in the state of Nevada, including a large dispensary in Las Vegas.

The company announced Friday that it has closed its acquisition of the retail properties of privately held Acres Cannabis. That company operated a pair of dispensaries, one located in Las Vegas near the Strip (the main tourist street in the city) and one under construction in the eastern Nevada town of Ely.

The retail stores are part of a larger, slow-burning deal between the two companies.

Last March, they signed an agreement under which Curaleaf would acquire Acres Cannabis is its entirety. Besides the two dispensaries, the latter's assets included 37 acres of land in rural Nevada, on which sits a 269,000-square-foot cultivation facility that features a 3,200-square-foot extraction laboratory. The land is located in Amargosa Valley, Nevada, which is close to Las Vegas.

Eventually, according to Curaleaf, this property is expected to grow 100,000 pounds of dry flower annually.

The closing of the retail portion of the deal comes several weeks after regulators signed off on it. Last October, the real estate aspect of the two companies' arrangement was completed.

When Curaleaf originally announced the deal last year, the company said that it represented "a major step in expanding our vertical platform in Nevada." With the closing of the retail part of it, the company now holds two cultivation facilities and two processing sites, plus the pair of dispensaries.

As with several other states in the Western U.S., Nevada has legalized cannabis for both medical and recreational consumption.

Of the two dispensaries, the one in Las Vegas is currently in operation. A large space described as a "cannabis experiential store," it's 19,000 square feet in space that features a museum area and an open-view processing kitchen where a number of its products are made. Appropriately for its location near the city, it is open 24/7.

The dispensary in Ely is not yet open; Curaleaf anticipates this will occur in the second quarter of this year.

Both dispensaries will be rebranded under the Curaleaf name, the company said.

In spite of this encouraging expansion, Curaleaf's shares have followed the general trend of bearishness in marijuana stocks. Since Curaleaf announced the Acres deal last March, the company's share price has fallen by more than 9%.
The United States is sending additional troops to the Middle East, the Department of Defense confirmed on Jan. 3.

As previously announced, the Immediate Response Force (IRF) brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division was alerted to prepare for deployment, and are now being deployed, a Department of Defense spokesman said in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times.

One battalion of the IRF was deployed to the area of responsibility. At the same time, the remainder of the brigade was placed on 96-hour notice. This deployment was an anticipated and expected outcome when they were placed on notice, he added.

The brigade will deploy to Kuwait as an appropriate and precautionary action in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, and will assist in reconstituting the reserve.

The United States has deployed 14,000 troops to the Middle East since May 2019, not including the approximately 700 troops it sent from the IRF earlier this week after Iran-backed militias breached the outer walls of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

The number of troops in the new deployment was estimated at 2,800 since a brigade usually consists of about 3,500 troops, reported Reuters. The department didnt state an exact number.

The fresh deployment comes after the U.S. took out Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the countrys Quds Force, overnight with a strike near Baghdad International Airport.

U.S. military leaders said they learned that Soleimani was planning an attack on U.S. interests, compelling President Donald Trump to authorize the strike.

The attack Soleimani was planning in the Middle East region was imminent and would have killed Americans and Iraqis, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

I cant talk too much about the nature of the threats, but the American people should know that President Trumps decision to remove Qassem Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives, Pompeo said on CNNs New Day.

President Donald Trump said on Twitter that Soleimani killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many morebut got caught!

.of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

Trump urged Irans leaders to negotiate, not go to war, while Iranian leaders vowed to retaliate, calling Soleimani a martyr.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said during an appearance on state TV later Friday that the killing of Soleimani was clearly a terrorist action.

Iran will launch various legal measures at the international level to hold America to account for Soleimanis assassination, he added.

Allen Zhong contributed to this report.

From The Epoch Times
WASHINGTON  Democratic lawmakers said they were left in the dark as President Donald Trump ordered an airstrike Thursday night that killed a powerful Iranian military leader and warned it could lead to an escalation of hostilities between the United States and a powerful adversary.

American leaders highest priority is to protect American lives and interests," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement following news of Commander Qasem Soleimani's death. "But we cannot put the lives of American servicemembers, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions."

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., talks to reporters on the morning after the first public hearing in the impeachment probe of President Donald Trump on his effort to tie U.S. aid for Ukraine to investigations of his political opponents, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 14, 2019.

As head of Iran's elite Quds Force, part of the country's hard-line paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Corps, Soleimani has been linked to acts of terrorism against American interests.

The Defense Department said the air strike at Baghdads international airport was conducted because Soleimani "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

The 62-year-old military commander played a key role in expanding Iran's influence and military reach in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. He was widely viewed as one of Iran's most powerful men and, at home, a heroic national figure who was standing up to Trump's "maximum pressure" Iran strategy that includes stinging economic sanctions and confrontational rhetoric and military deployments.

Most Democrats agreed on the threat he posed but said the president's action bordered on recklessness.

Troop movement: US to send 3,000 more soldiers to the Middle East in the wake of Qasem Soleimani killing

"Rather than achieving the stated intent of deterring additional attacks by Iran, I am concerned the Trump Administration significantly increased the likelihood for direct conflict, and, with it, the risks to Americans and our national interests," said Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. Killing Soleimani in this manner strengthens the hardliners in Iran and increases the likelihood that Irans proxies will be triggered into action."

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Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told MSNBC, he wouldn't at all "lament" the death of Soleimani but wanted answers from the administration on the overall strategy.

"What we cannot accept is a march to an unauthorized war," Menendez said.

Attack fallout: Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows vengeance for Gen. Qasem Soleimani's death

Trump told reporters said he was trying to stop an escalation of conflict.

"We took action last night to stop a war, Trump said. We did not take action to start a war.

Sen. Tim Kaine, who sits on both the Foreign Relations and Armed Services committees, introduced a war powers resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress on whether to approve further hostilities with Iran.

For years, Ive been deeply concerned about President Trump stumbling into a war with Iran. Were now at a boiling point, and Congress must step in before Trump puts even more of our troops in harms way," he said in a statement.

Trump's refusal to share information with congressional leaders prior to the air strike was reminiscent of how the president handled the raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October. Trump decided not to notify congressional leaders before that military action because he was concerned the information would be divulged.

"There's no country in the world that leaks like we do," he said at the time time. "And Washington is a leaking machine."

While condemning Soleimani as a "notorious terrorist," Democrat Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., slammed Trump's decision not to notify key members of Congress beforehand.

"The need for advanced consultation and transparency with Congress was put in the Constitution for reason," he said on the Senate floor. "The framers of the Constitution gave war powers to the legislature and made the executive the commander in chief for the precise reason of forcing the two branches of government to consult with one another when it came to matters of war and peace."

Details revealed: What we know about the strike that killed Iranian military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani

Most GOP lawmakers applauded the president's action.

"Iran' s master terrorist is dead," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor. "For too long, this evil man operated without constraint, and countless innocents have suffered for it. Now his terrorist leadership has been ended."

President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address on Feb. 5, 2019. Behind him are Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. posted a photo on Instagram of him with the president at Mar-a-Lago with the message: "A memorable and historic evening at The Winter White House. Proud of our President!"

An aide to Pelosi said she spoke to Defense Secretary Mark Esper Thursday around 9:40 p.m. after she issued her statement critical that there had been no consultation. The aide would not disclose the details of the phone call but said afterward that it lasted 13 minutes. The aide also said there's been no update on a request for a congressional briefing at this time.

One Democratic lawmaker, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, implied that Trump, who is facing an impeachment trial in the Senate, ordered the airstrike as a "distraction."

"Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him? I know I will," she wrote on Twitter.

So what if Trump wants war, knows this leads to war and needs the distraction?



Real question is, will those with congressional authority step in and stop him? I know I will. https://t.co/Fj9TMossEW  Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 3, 2020

Omar is one of three Muslims in Congress, along with Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Andre Carson of Indiana.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has long advocated for troops to be pulled out of the Middle East, issued a series of tweets demanding that Congress be involved in the U.S. policy going forward and that a war with Iran that lacks congressional authority "is a recipe for feckless intermittent eruptions of violence w/ no clear mission for our soldiers,"

If we are to go to war w/ Iran the Constitution dictates that we declare war. A war without a Congressional declaration is a recipe for feckless intermittent eruptions of violence w/ no clear mission for our soldiers. Our young men and women in the armed services deserve better.  Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 3, 2020

Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, Nicholas Wu

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Qasem Soleimani killing: Democrats warn of march to war against Iran
This is one of the most compelling roses Ive tasted in a long time. Dont think of easygoing patio pounder refreshment here: The Rosa di Sera, made entirely from nebbiolo, has a serious tannic grip, long-lasting red berry flavors and a hint of saline minerality that holds it all together. Because the Italian appellation regulations dont include rose in this region, there is no vintage date on the label; the lot number on the back label indicates it is 2018. Only 100 cases were brought into the United States, so seek this out before its gone. Alcohol by volume: 13 percent.
The British teenager, face covered, a leaves the Famagusta District Court in Paralimni in eastern Cyprus. (Photo by Iakovos Hatzistavrou / AFP) (Photo by IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/AFP via Getty Images)

A crowdfunder which is raising money to help a British teenager who faces a year-long prison sentence in Cyprus has reached its new target in just one day.

The 19-year-old was found guilty of public mischief after she retracted her claim that she had been raped by up to 12 Israeli tourists in Ayia Napa in July.

Her lawyers have argued she may have withdrawn the claim because she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The woman, who was set to start university in September, has claimed she was forced to retract her statement after being interrogated by police for hours without a lawyer.

Her mother says they plan to appeal the case and the British government says it is seriously concerned about the fair trial guarantees in this deeply distressing case.

The teenager arrives at court covering her face. (Photo by Iakovos HATZISTAVROU / AFP) (Photo by IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/AFP via Getty Images)

Now, a GoFundMe page set up by British lawyer John Hobbs in August to pay for the womans legal representation has hit its target of 105,000 - having reached 80,000 yesterday.

The target was increased today to keep the case going.

Thank you all for your kindness, wishes of hope, and support in making this fight against injustice possible, Mr Hobbs wrote on the page today.

Notwithstanding the very welcome high level interventions in our daughters fight for justice, we need to be resourced to run an appeal to the Cypriot Supreme Court.

Initial calculations suggest this may cost a further 25k, plus QC and expenses, so we have raised the target commensurately.

If our luck changes and we can avoid the appeal then any surplus will be applied to charities and causes with similar intentions.

The woman faces up to a year in jail and a 1,700 euro (1,500) fine.

She has received support at home and protesters have demonstrated for her outside the court in Cyprus.

Women's rights activists stage a protest in support of a British teenager accused of falsely claiming she was raped by Israeli tourists. (Photo by Iakovos HATZISTAVROU / AFP) (Photo by IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/AFP via Getty Images)

Her mother has told the BBCs Today programme she backs a tourism boycott of the country.

She has also criticised Ayia Napa, a popular party town on Cypruss east coast.

It isnt safe  it is absolutely not safe. And if you go and report something thats happened to you, youre either laughed at, as far as I can tell, or, in the worst case, something like whats happened to my daughter may happen, she said.

Story continues

She said her daughter continues to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hallucinations, and a condition called hypersomnia, which can make her sleep for up to 20 hours a day.

She needs to get back to the UK to get that treated  thats my absolute primary focus. She cant be treated here because hearing foreign men speaking loudly will trigger an episode

It needs resolving otherwise shes going to carry on having this for the rest of her life, the mother said.
The long and painful Brexit saga appears to finally be at an end, barring some unforeseen shocking development. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gambled that a snap election would end the stalemate in Britains parliament, and he won big, with a resounding election victory. Johnson can now fulfill his campaign promise to leave the EU at the end of January. However, the friction and acrimony between the UK and the EU are likely to continue, as the sides must negotiate a free-trade deal, as the UK leaves the single market after 46 years.

The transition period, which commences on February 1st, gives the sides only 11 months to hammer out a comprehensive trade agreement. EU officials say that such a time period will suffice only for a bare bones agreement and want an extension. However, Boris Johnson insists that a deal can be reached by the end of 2020, and is showing little patience for the EUs position. If no deal is reached by the end of 2020, then the UK and EU would trade on World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Given the close economic integration between the two economies, failure to reach a deal in time would lead to cross-border disruption and would have a negative impact on the UK and eurozone economies.

The Canadian Model

Its unclear what type of free-trade agreement the EU and UK will work out. Prime Minister Johnson has said that he would like a deal that is on the model of a super Canada plus arrangement. This is a reference to the EUs free trade deal with the EU, known as CETA. This agreement eliminates most tariffs but does not remove any regulatory restrictions. This means that Canadian exports must undergo custom checks when arriving in EU ports. Johnson wants a deal with the EU to cover goods and services and to include mutual recognition of standards.

On the assumption that the EU agrees to Johnsons proposal (which is not a given), it is difficult to see how a comprehensive agreement could be inked in just 11 months. The CETA agreement required seven years of negotiations until it was signed in 2017. The gap between London and Brussels over the time period for the talks already appears wide  Johnson wants to wrap up the deal in 11 months, while the EUs guidelines on negotiating trade agreements state that reaching an agreement usually takes several years.

Story continues

It appears that after the Brexit divorce, we could see plenty of acrimony between London and Brussels, as the sides seem headed to a clash over the post-divorce arrangement. This could spell trouble for both the British pound and the euro.

This article was originally posted on FX Empire

More From FXEMPIRE:
Russia has stopped shipping oil to Belarus, the Belarusian state energy firm said on Friday, after the two countries failed to reach a deal on supplies by a January 1 deadline.

Moscow said oil flow through Belarus -- a key transit route for Russian oil and gas to Europe -- was continuing. But a dragged-out dispute could threaten supplies.

Belneftekhim said in a statement that loading to Belarus's two oil refineries had been reduced to a technical minimum after supplies from Russia were halted.

"Work is ongoing on concluding the January contracts," said the statement, quoted by state media.

The ex-Soviet neighbours have a long history of energy disputes and complicated bilateral ties, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko running hot and cold on Moscow's push for a closer trade and political union.

A previous deal on oil prices, transit fees and volumes expired on December 31.

Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a series of calls ahead of the deadline but without apparent progress.

The deliveries are crucial for Belarus. The country buys about 24 million tons of oil from Russia every year, with about six million for its own needs and the rest exported.

But the main international concern of the lack of a deal will be the potential impact on the Druzhba pipeline, which runs from western Russia through Belarus and Ukraine to Europe.

Druzhba is one of the biggest crude pipelines in the world and a major source of supplies to Germany, Poland and other countries.

A spokesman for Russia's pipeline monopoly Transneft told Russian agencies that the company had received no requests for deliveries to Belarusian refineries since January 1.

"At the same time, oil transit through Belarus is continuing in full," the spokesman, Igor Demin, said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Twitter users immediately noted that fact on the heels of Soleimani's death from an American drone strike at the airport in Baghdad, Iraq, which many observers said put the United States and Iran on track toward a possible full-scale war.

There's always a tweet  and sometimes a video, too.

"President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox," said former Vice President Joe Biden, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.

Trump's order for the attack on Soleimani, a major general who headed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, came 10 months before the U.S. presidential election  in which Trump is seeking a second term in the White House  and weeks after the House of Representatives impeached him.

Trump justified the attack by saying that Soleimani "has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more ... but got caught!"

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Trump's decision was made "in response to imminent threats to American lives."

In November 2011, a year before the 2012 presidential election, which Obama won to secure his own second term, Trump wrote on Twitter: "In order to get elected, @BarackObama will start a war with Iran."

Tweet

In a video he posted online in that same month, Trump expanded on that warning.

"Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate," Trump said of Obama. "He's weak and he's ineffective. So the only way he figures that he's going to get reelected, and as sure as you're sitting there, is to start a war with Iran."

Video

"Now, I'm more militant and more militaristic than the president," Trump added. "I believe in strength, but to start a war in order to get elected, and I believe that's going to happen, would be an outrage."

"We have a real problem in the White House," Trump said. "I believe he will attack Iran sometime before the election."

Trump repeated that warning about Obama starting a war with Iran in August 2012, and then again in October 2012, a month before the election, when he tweeted: "Don't let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected be careful Republicans."

There's always

Obama never started a war with Iran.

But Trump on Friday morning suggested that Obama  or another U.S. president  should have been combative with Iran and ordered the targeted killing of Soleimani years ago.

"He should have been taken out many years ago!" Trump tweeted.

Tweet
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday described the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as "mostly political" and asserted that no Indian will lose his or her nationality due to the newly enacted legislation.

Shah also challenged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to show one clause in the CAA under which anyone is going to lose Indian citizenship.

"I agree that these are mostly political protests. Some people are also misguided but we are trying to convince them," he told ABP News.

The Home Minister said under the CAA, the government wants to give citizenship to persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

"I want to say clearly that there is no provision in the CAA in which one can lose citizenship," he said.

Shah said the CAA provides for granting citizenship to refugees from the three countries.

"I say with full firmness that these refugee brothers who have come to India belong to us and it is the responsibility of the government of India to give them a respectable place in India," he said.

ALSO READ | 'Politicisation of peaceful protest': CAA stir at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh goes faceless after participants withdraw

According to the CAA, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but be given Indian citizenship.

The Home Minister said the Census 2021 and the National Population Register (NPR), which government plans to conduct along with the house-listing phase of the census from April to September 2020, have nothing to do with the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

"Census and NPR take place in the country every 10 years and this time also it is happening after 10 years. Congress has done this repeatedly but today, the Congress is opposing it," he said.

ALSO READ | Protest against Pakistan's atrocities on minorities: Modi to anti-CAA protesters in Karnataka

Replying to a separate question about the Bihar assembly elections likely to be held later this year, Shah said the NDA will contest the polls under the leadership of JD-U president and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

"In Bihar, we will contest elections under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, there is no confusion on this," he said.
Image: Wikimedia Commons/PageImp

A copy of the Aadhaar card owned by 34-year-old Maharashtra techie Ameya Dhapre was uploaded online by miscreants years ago. The engineer from Girgaon had enrolled himself for Aadhaar back in 2012 itself, but his ordeals began three years later, in 2015 when cops came knocking at his door.

Cops from Punes Mundhva police station came looking for him after a woman lodged a harassment complaint with them. The woman was reportedly being troubled by a man over phone calls, and the number led the cops to Ameya since the harasser had used the formers Aadhaar card details to get his KYC done.

An unsuspecting Ameya did not think much of this incident and refrained from filing any complaint thinking the matter has been solved, reported the Mumbai Mirror. However, within two years of this incident, when the techie tried opening a bank account in 2017, he was told that it wouldnt be possible because his Aadhaar card has already been linked to another bank account.

This time he took more serious cognisance of the matter and wrote to the concerned bank authorities about a possible Aadhaar fraud. Suspicious, he decided to Google his name and was shocked to find out that a picture of his Aadhaar card had been shared by multiple websites.

The techie immediately contacted the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) after the discovery and an official complaint was finally lodged. The UIDAI authorities, however, told Ameya that it wont be possible for them to change his Aadhaar number and the only way out would be to cancel his card.

However, Ameya was not willing to scrap his card altogether because it was linked to multiple accounts, as per UIDAI guidelines.

In the meantime, he reached out to the cybercrime division of the Mumbai Police to file a complaint and seek redressal.

Ameya says his life has become 'living hell' now. He keeps receiving two to three authentication-failure mails every day, alongside random calls and text messages, meaning people are still trying to use his Aadhaar coordinates for frauds.
Netanyahu spoke on the airport tarmac in Greece after cutting short a trip abroad to fly back to Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that the United States had the right to defend itself by killing senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani.

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right," Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office.

"Qassem Soleimani is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people. He was planning more such attacks."

Netanyahu spoke on the airport tarmac in Greece after cutting short a trip abroad to fly back to Israel.

"President Trump deserves all the credit for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively. Israel stands with the United States in its just struggle for peace, security and self-defense," he added.

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Restaurant, food hall and wine bar group Fallon & Byrne has confirmed the closure of its Rathmines outlet with immediate effect.

Yesterday, the company posted a statement across its social media sites confirming the closure of the 10,000 sq ft branch, its largest store.

"Unfortunately the location was loss-making and, while the decision was a very difficult one, we believe that acting decisively is what's best for the business overall," read the statement.

The company added the closure of the Rathmines outlet would not affect its stores in Exchequer Street in Dublin city centre and Dun Laoghaire.

It said both locations had a history of trading profitably and that it would now "refocus" on its Exchequer Street outlet.

The Rathmines outlet, which opened in the Swan Shopping Centre in 2017, is believed to have employed around 50 people. It had a restaurant and food hall, which included fruit and veg, butcher, grocer, pizza, pasta and bakery sections.

Staff from across the company's stores were asked to attend a meeting in the Exchequer Street outlet at 3pm yesterday. A crowd of around 10, mostly from Rathmines, gathered outside the branch shortly before it began.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, members of staff said reports that they were informed on New Year's Eve about the closure were inaccurate, saying they found out only yesterday morning. Some of those working on Tuesday claimed that when stock and fittings were being removed from the store that they were told it was for "maintenance reasons", and it would be operating "business as usual".

During the meeting yesterday morning, staff were told the store would no longer be operating. Staff claimed they had agreed with management during this meeting that they would each receive two weeks' pay, regardless of length of service.

Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the Restaurant Association of Ireland, said Fallon & Byrne contacted him yesterday regarding the news. "In general, this is a very hard time for restaurants and margins are tight," he said.

"Costs are rising, and one of the biggest factors is VAT in the trade which went from 9pc to 13.5pc in the last Budget, an increase of 50pc."

Fallon & Byrne was established in 2006 by property developer Paul Byrne and his wife, Fiona McHugh, a former editor of the 'Sunday Times'.

In April last year, the company announced it was seeking to raise about 6m to help finance an expansion. The plan included an extension of its Exchequer Street store, and a new outlet at Dublin's Connolly Station. The group, which has annual sales of about 15m and 350 staff, recently signed a 25-year lease on its Exchequer Street store.

Fallon & Byrne did not respond to a request for comment.
(CNN)  German Chancellor Angela Merkel will run for a fourth term in elections next year, a senior politician in her party told CNN on Tuesday.

"She will run for Chancellor," Norbert Roettgen of the Christian Democratic Union said on CNN's "Amanpour."

"She is absolutely determined, willing, and ready to contribute to strengthen the international liberal order. But we can't see the Chancellor or Germany as last man standing."

An electorate seeking stability

Germans have been waiting for months for clarity on whether Merkel will pursue a fourth term in next year's elections.

Another stint would be significant because a large part of the German electorate is looking for stability in uncertain times after the Brexit vote in Britain, the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the rise of populist movements in several European countries.

If she pursues the position, she'll be the favorite to win, political experts say, even though she is facing some backlash over Germany's refugee policies and the acceptance of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Syria, Afghanistan and other nations.

Christian Democratic Union spokesman Jochen Blind said Merkel "will announce her decision in due time."

Holding the 'liberal order' together

On the Amanpour. program, Roettgen was asked whether Merkel was willing and desirous of "holding the liberal order, in the trans-Atlantic area, together."

"The Chancellor is a cornerstone of this political concept of the West as acting as a global player. So she will run, and she will act as a responsible leader," Roettgen said.

"But it would be impossible to rely only on one person. We need the West, and the West is indispensable.

"And this of course means fundamentally and indispensably also the participation and contribution of the strongest part of the West, and this is the United States of America."

Speaking after Trump's victory last week, Merkel laid out some ground rules, of sorts, for the incoming American leader.

"Germany and the United States," she said, "are joined by common values -- democracy, freedom, respect for the law and human dignity, regardless of skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political beliefs.

"Based on these values, I offer close cooperation to the future president of the United States of America, Donald Trump."

A setback in September

In Berlin two months ago, Merkel's party was knocked out of a ruling coalition with the center-left Social Democrats after winning just 17.6% of the vote.

Anti-immigrant party Alternative for Germany entered Berlin's state parliament for the first time after winning 14.2% of the vote.

The Berlin result marked the second recent defeat for Merkel since Germany adopted its open-door refugee policy.

But nationally she is seen as a bulwark against populism and stands for an analytical, unemotional and stable style of politics.

Merkel has acknowledged she has made mistakes with the controversial refugee policy.

"If I could, I would play back time so I and the German federal government and leaders could have been better prepared," she said.

First female Chancellor

Merkel, 62, is the daughter of a Protestant minister and was brought up in communist East Germany.

She entered Germany's parliament in the first post-unification election, serving in ministerial posts and as the leader of the opposition before she was finally elected Chancellor in 2005. She became the country's first female leader.

She was re-elected Chancellor in 2009 and 2013.

Merkel has been a leading figure in the fight against the region's financial crisis. She has blocked bailouts, rejected proposals, denied pleas and stood up to the rest of Europe.

While citizens in France, Spain, Italy and Greece voted out her counterparts, Merkel has been re-elected with one of the strongest mandates in the history of modern Germany.

CNN's Stephanie Halasz contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Angela Merkel to run for 4th term as chancellor, politician says"
Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday paid another visit to the Patna Saheb Gurudwara where the state is observing the 352nd birth anniversary of the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru Govind Singh under the banner of Prakash Utsav, or Prakashotsav.

This was Kumars third visit to the Patna Saheb Gurudwara in the last month or so. Taking close interest in the event that is being organized since 2016 when the state government officially observed Guru Govind Singhs 350th birth anniversary for the first time at a grand scale attracting millions of Sikhs from around the world, Kumar offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in the presence of several NDA leaders and top government officials.

Speaking on the occasion at the Diwan Hall of the Gurudwara, the Chief Minister said the government was considering making actual structures with full amenities to accommodate visitors who currently have to stay in temporary tent cities.

I have instructed the Chief Secretary to build a large community hall near the Gurudwara which would be used for all sorts of social and community events. This facility will be given to the Gurudwara for 20-25 days during the annual Prakashotsav celebration. Moreover, we are contemplating replacing the tent city with an actual building to provide full convenience to the visitors, he said.

Kumar also mentioned the recent groundbreaking of a new Gurudwara near Shitalkund in Rajgir where Guru Nanak Dev, the very first Guru of the Sikhs, is believed to have visited the place during his lifetime between 15th and 16th century.

This new Gurudwara will be completed this year ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, he said.

On the occasion, Kumar released a book and a calendar on the life of Guru Govind Singh.

Bihar Road Construction Minister Nand Kishore Yadav, Tourism Minister Pramod Kumar and a number of top officials and Gurudwara functionaries were present at todays event.
Airstrike kills top Iranian general

Irans top security and intelligence commander was killed early Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that was authorized by President Trump, American officials said.

The commander, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, who led the powerful Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed along with several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran when an American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the airport.

The strike was also a serious escalation of Mr. Trumps growing confrontation with Tehran, one that began with the death of an American contractor in Iraq in late December. (New York Times)

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A Blount County father is behind bars after his 4-week-old daughter suffered a broken femur, broken ribs and a brain bleed.

Calvin Taylor, a 31-year-old Oneonta man, was booked into the Blount County Jail on Tuesday, according to jail records. He is charged with two counts of aggravated child abuse, one count of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault. He is also charged with two counts of chemical endangerment of a child.

The case is being investigated by the Blount County Sheriffs Office. Charging documents state that on New Years Day, the infant girls mother took the baby to St. Vincents in Blount County with complaints of constipation.

Doctors examined the girl and found her femur was broken. She was then transported to Childrens of Alabama in Birmingham where doctors determined she also had broken ribs and a head injury that caused the brain bleed.

After discovering the girls injuries, records state, DHR brought the girls 15-month-old brother in for examination at Childrens because he had external bruising. The exam showed he had a fractured jaw.

The childrens mother, Haley Taylor, spoke with investigators and described the father as abusive, according to records. She described an event during which the pair got into a fight. Calvin Taylor, she said, broke items in the home, picked up the infant girl and then shook her.

Ms. Taylor informed Calvin Taylor that he needed to stop because of shaken baby syndrome, the investigator wrote.

Investigators also spoke with Calvin Taylor who told them he uses methamphetamine and that he thinks that on New Years Eve, he fell while holding the infant but said he did not call for help or seek medical treatment for the baby. He said he did not tell the girls mother about the fall.

He admitted to the fight with Haley Taylor a few days prior and admitted to shaking the baby, records state. He then indicated that he did not remember a lot due to his drug use.

I appreciate the work of Blount County Investigator Ed Hull and the Department of Human Resources social workers in this case, and the workers on duty at St. Vincents Blount when the child was brought in, said Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey.

Calvin Taylor remains held on $195,000 bond.
Minister for Family Affairs and Integration Corinne Cahen gave a relatively vague answer to a question on how to combat racism and xenophobia in the Grand Duchy.

Green MP Charel Marque had asked for more information on support and instruments available after November's "Being Black in Luxembourg" conference demonstrated there was still much work to be done to tackle racism in the country. The conference also revealed that the Grand Duchy lacked the necessary means to efficiently face xenophobia and racism.

Minister Corinne Cahen refuted these claims in her response, explaining that the CET (Centre for Equal Treatment) is not just designed to raise awareness, but also operates as an observatory. It also amasses information and documentation as part of its mission.

However, Cahen's response was limited and did not acknowledge two of Marque's points, merely summarising the CET's activities. Marque's queries revolved around the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance's suggestions to implement a system to record and monitor racist and homophobic or transphobic incidents, in a report dating back to 2017.

The ECRI's report also stated that the CET only disposes of the competence to provide victims of discrimination with counselling and guidance. The law does not confer either the right or the right to take legal action in order to assert the rights of victims of discrimination.

ECRI had also asked in its report that the powers of the CET be broadened in this context, but Cahen did not react to these remarks.
- Nigeria has denied any diplomatic showdown with Ghana

- Media reports in Ghana suggested that the Nigerian High Commission is being forcefully evicted from its diplomatic property in Accra

- But Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Ministry has dismissed the reportage, saying it's untrue

- Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Nigerias Foreign Affairs Ministry has vehemently denied reports in sections of the Ghanaian media that there is a brewing row between the two countries over an alleged eviction of West Africas biggest countrys envoy in Ghana.

On Thursday, January 2, 2020, some media houses in Ghana reported that Nigerias High Commission in Accra is being forcefully evicted from its diplomatic property.

But YEN.com.ghs checks with the Nigeria authorities indicate there is no problem or diplomatic row between the two countries.

READ ALSO: New Year Message: Akufo-Akufo assures Ghanaians of a peaceful and fair election in 2020

According to the spokesperson for the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Ferdinand Nownye, it is not true Ghana has sent the Nigerian envoy packing.

He told YEN.com.gh that there was no cause for alarm and that the said property located at No.10 Barnes Road, Accra is not the Nigeria chancery or residence in Ghana.

Mr. Nownye, however noted that building in question is just one of Nigerias official quarters in Ghana which has been unoccupied for some time.

ATTENTION: Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana

We are working on it; there is no cause for alarm. It is not our chancery, not our residence, it is just one of our official quarters, no one is occupying it, he said.

READ ALSO: Meet the journalist who is in court for impersonating Akufo-Addo's aide

He further explained that the property in question had a lease agreement between the two countries, which expired in August 2019 and the Ghanaian government has decided to take back its property.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that Anti-graft campaigner, Daniel Batidam has died of cancer on New Years Day 2020.

The former corruption advisor under the John Dramani Mahama administration passed on Wednesday, January 1 while receiving treatment for cancer at Mampong in the Eastern Region.

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
Washington, Jan 3 : Federal US immigration authorities have deported the mother of an American Army lieutenant to Mexico after 31 years.

Rocio Rebollar Gomez, 50, the mother of 30-year-old 2nd Lt. Gibran Cruz, an Army intelligence officer, was deported from San Diego to the Mexican border city of Tijuana by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities, reports Efe news.

Both Cruz and his sister Karla McKissick at a press conference on Thursday denounced the fact that ICE officials prevented them from saying goodbye to their mother at the US-Mexico border.

Rebollar had been scheduled to turn herself in on Thursday for deportation, but her daughter said that "she had faith" that US officials would give her an extension and "so she had not packed her bags".

Attorney Tessa Cabrera told Efe that the office of California Senator Kamala Harris tried, but failed, to get special permission for Rebollar to extend her stay in this country.

Rebollar, who has three grandchildren and runs a small business, had to turn herself in to federal authorities, and ICE informed the attorney that any postponement of her deportation had to be requested in a separate building.

Rebollar was expelled from the country at the El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge.

Once she was in Tijuana - about 27 miles south of where she had turned herself in shortly before - Rebollar confirmed to her daughter by telephone that she was in Mexico but didn't have any further idea where she was.
But many of the people who cause problems are likely the ones who could benefit from a long-term city partnership with a mental health service provider.
New Delhi: In the wake of reports that the historic Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and Sikh pilgrims visiting it were targeted by a stone-pelting Pakistani mob in Pakistani Punjab, India on Friday lashed out at the vandalism there and strongly condemned these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place.

India asked Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community, to take strong action against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the Gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community and also to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and its surroundings.

New Delhi said these reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, the Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year.

According to news agency reports from Chandigarh, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh appealed to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to ensure that the devotees stranded at the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara were rescued from the mob.

The Gurudwara in Pakistani Punjab is especially revered as Nankana Sahib is the birthplace of the founder of Sikhism and first Guru of the Sikhs Guru Nanak who was born in the 15th century.

India concerned over desecration

According to some media reports, the violent mob was led by the members of the Muslim family that had abducted the Sikh girl in September last year.

Following tremendous pressure, the girl was returned to her family soon after the reported intervention by the Pakistan Government.

In a statement on Friday, the MEA said, We are concerned at the vandalism carried out at the revered Nankana Sahib Gurudwara today. Members of the Sikh community have been subjected to acts of violence in the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji. These reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of Jagjit Kaur, who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year.

MEA added, India strongly condemns acts of destruction and desecration of the holy place. We call upon the Government of Pakistan to take immediate steps to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the members of the Sikh community. Strong action must be taken against the miscreants who indulged in desecration of the holy Gurudwara and attacked members of the minority Sikh community. In addition, Government of Pakistan is enjoined to take all measures to protect and preserve the sanctity of the holy Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and it surroundings.
El Oro de Klimt (The Gold of Klimt), an exhibition by the Austrian artist that has already visited Madrid and Seville, has now arrived in Malaga.

The show is being held until 19 April in the space in Muelle Uno next to the Cube, in Malaga port, which until recently hosted a Lego exhibition.

INFORMATION What. An immersive art exhibition of works by Gustav Klimt When. From 17 January until 19 April. Where. Muelle Uno, next to the Cube, Malaga.

The exhibit consists of an audiovisual display on a giant screen so that visitors can experience a new generation of immersive art with the fusion of painting, music and technology.

The project aims to encourage the audience to get to know Gustav Klimt, the most important Austrian artist from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth, through modern technology. This will be done, say the organisers, by strolling among the landscapes and portraits, analysing each detail, as visitors are transported back to the time when the artist lived and worked.

The exhibition has been organised by the Nomad Arte company who were responsible for the successful Van Gogh Alive exhibition last year.

Tickets can be bought online and cost 11 euros Monday to Friday and 13 euros at weekends. Children between four and fifteen years old, students, unemployed, over 65s and disabled pay 9 euros Monday to Friday and 11 euros at weekends. Children under four go free.
Aurora Cannabis (ACB) ended 2019 with an executive shuffle that might have just started. The Canadian cannabis LP is in need of a more streamlined expense structure to survive and thrive until mid-year 2020 catalysts boost the Canadian market. Until then, investors have to wonder if the promises of working with Nelson Peltz on CPG partnerships will ever bear fruit.

Executive Shuffle

Back on December 20, Chief Corporate Office Cam Battley stepped away from the company. Mr. Battley has long been the face of Aurora Cannabis despite not being the CEO or CFO.

The move is an interesting step for a company struggling to reach EBITDA positive. As recent as November 20, the company promoted individuals to the Chief Product Officer and Chief Integration Officer positions.

One has to question if Aurora Cannabis has too many chiefs and the additional costs for a company with revenues far under a $500 million run rate. In addition, CEO Terry Booth and CFO Glen Ibbott will need to take more active roles in promoting the company. In the last earnings call, Mr. Battley was the primary corporate spokesperson followed by the CFO. Both the CEO and Executive Chairman didnt speak until the Q&A section.

The company has quarterly operating expenses of $67 million and analyst forecasts with gross profits only reaching into the $50 million range far into 2021. The company faces a scenario where revenues wont reach levels to generate profits at the current operating expense level until maybe two years.

Aurora Cannabis needs to take this executive departure as part of a cost cutting move.

Mr. Peltz

The company signed a partnership with Mr. Peltz back last March. The investment activist has worked with many CPG firms to improve their operations, but Mr. Peltz was normally an activist investor and not a hired consultant.

Another issue is that Peltz signed up for the job via stock options priced far above current market prices. One has to even wonder, if he has the motivation to find Aurora Cannabis worthwhile deals when his 20 million stock options have exercise prices closer to $8 per share.

Story continues

One has to imagine his firm has the incentive to purchase shares in the open market or rework the original deal before working out a partnership for Aurora Cannabis. Though, the holding of potential inside information might preclude an investment.

Aurora Cannabis is at a financial situation where a strategic investment of several hundred million dollars would help resolve a lot of the financial pressure on the company. The biggest issue is the level of dilution with the stock down to $2 and whether any highly respected CPG firm would even invest down here.

The best solution might be a partnership with a major CPG company wanting to expand in the cannabis sector starting in Canada. As 2020 progresses and Cannabis 2.0 products reach market, somebody should find working with an industry leader as appealing. If not, one has to wonder why Aurora Cannabis brought on Nelson Peltz when just about every other major Canadian cannabis player already has big partnerships.

Takeaway

The key investor takeaway is that Aurora Cannabis has a lot of positive catalysts to play out in 2020, but the company needs to reorganize the firm to reduce operating expenses following the departure of Cam Battley. Once the company gets the business better aligned with market realities, investors can own the stock knowing the catalysts will benefit shareholders.

Consensus Verdict

This troubled cannabis giant certainly has the Street divided, as TipRanks analytics indicate ACB as a Hold. Based on 10 analysts polled in the last 3 months, 3 rate Aurora stock a Buy, 4 say Hold, while 3 recommend Sell. However, the bulls still win out in the bigger picture, as the average price target of $3.49 marks over 70% upside from Friday's closing price. (See Aurora's stock analysis at TipRanks)
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said he was inclined to cancel an official trip to India planned for this month in order to deal with a bushfire crisis ravaging parts of his country.

Asked by reporters if it was appropriate to leave Australia given the situation, Morrison said he was "inclined not to proceed" with the visit.

Morrison was due to visit India from Jan 13 to 16 at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.

He was also due to visit Japan from January 16 to 17, but did not mention his intentions on that on Friday.

Also read: New investment projects grow 38% after 3 quarters of decline

Also read: PM Modi to address 107th Indian Science Congress in Bangalore today
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SOLVERA Solutions, a leading Western Canadian IT consulting firm, has acquired the Winnipeg company Apptius Computer Solutions.

All 11 Apptius staffers will be joining Solveras Winnipeg office which was at about 35 people before the acquisition.

'We think the industry is poised for a period of consolidation and we intend to be buyers'  Hal Ryckman

Hal Ryckman, an IT consulting industry veteran and Solveras Winnipeg partner, said the deal is not likely the last Solvera will be doing.

"We think the industry is poised for a period of consolidation and we intend to be buyers," Ryckman said. "We have a very significant strategy for growth and expansion both organic, natural growth in our client base and also through an active M & A (merger and acquisitions) program."

Solvera was formed in 2005 in Regina and Ryckman joined the firm and opened its Winnipeg office in 2011. He is now heading up the companys M & A strategy.

Jim Ostertag and Reg Robinson, Solveras co-CEOs, said in a prepared statement, "Apptius is very well regarded in the marketplace and the addition of (their) highly skilled team strengthens Solveras ability to meet client needs in Winnipeg and across western Canada."

Ryckman said Apptius has a very strong development team that has done substantial work with public sector clients here, for instance.

Solvera does not specifically target any vertical market. Its client base is mostly larger Tier I companies and public sector organizations like crown corporations and health care organizations.

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Apptius has been around for about 18 years. It specialized in doing custom software development on the the Microsoft platform as well, it became one of Winnipegs top providers of outsourcing computer technology personnel on a contract basis.

John Thistlethwaite, the chief financial officer and senior consultant at Apptius, said, "... we will now have the added advantage of Solveras broader field of knowledge and resources. We look forward to this new chapter in our careers and the new and exciting opportunities ahead."

With offices in Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary and Victoria, Solvera has about 250 employees across Western Canada offering a range of services like application development and support, IT strategy, business transformation, cloud migration and a whole range of IT consulting services.

Ryckman said there is no shortage of demand for the services of a company like Solvera even while the large IT platform companies like Google, Salesforce, Microsoft, SAP and others purport to do everything for everybody.

"Many companies uses products or services from more than one (of those large platform software companies) and our clients need to know how they all fit, how to put it all together and what is the best fit for each company," Ryckman said. "That is what we do on the strategic side. We help companies figure it all out."

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
Turkeys parliament on Thursday authorized President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to deploy troops to Libya, adding a new dimension to a proxy war that features foreign drones and Russian mercenaries.

The state of play: Libya has been plagued by war and instability since the overthrow of dictator Muammar Ghaddafi in 2011.

Turkey supports Libya's UN-recognized government, which is struggling to repel a months-long offensive on the capital, Tripoli, by rebel commander Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar's backers include the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Turkey has already provided armored vehicles and armed drones to the government in Tripoli. But sophisticated drones from the UAE and mercenaries from Russias Wagner Group threaten to tip the balance in Haftars favor.

The new measure, valid for one year, authorizes Erdogan to respond to all threats and security risks endangering Turkeys national interests. Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said in a televised address that Turkish troops would provide "technical support and military training.

President Trump urged caution in a call on Thursday with Erdogan, warning that "foreign interference is complicating the situation in Libya, according to the White House.

Soner Cagaptay, author of Erdogans Empire and director of the Washington Institute's Turkish Research Program, says it will be difficult for Turkey to sustain a military presence in Libya without a green light from Vladimir Putin. Thus, a summit next week between Erdogan and the Russian president will be crucial.

What to watch: Erdogan showed in Syria that he's unwilling to risk direct confrontation with Russia and won't do so in Libya either, Cagaptay says.

But while Putin backs Haftar, he doesn't want to alienate Erdogan and potentially prompt the Turkish leader to mend fences with Washington.

Thus, Cagaptay says, Erdogan might see an opening for "a soft power-sharing agreement" in Libya.

In the absence of U.S. leadership, given that the Europeans are bickering with each other  the Italians and French, for example  I think Turkey and Russia are going to emerge as the power brokers in Libya, as has also been the case in Syria.

Erdogan is motivated in part by enmity for regional rivals like Egypt, but there are strategic reasons for his intervention in Libya, Cagaptay says.

A victorious Haftar would rip up a recent Libya-Turkey maritime agreement, leaving Turkey potentially boxed in by its foes  Greece, Cyprus, Israel and Egypt  in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The fall of the Tripoli government would also leave Erdogan with just one close Middle Eastern ally  Qatar.

The big picture: Erdogan, like Putin, has emphasized foreign policy as the economy sputters at home, framing Turkey as a great power in part because of its Ottoman past. Libya was for centuries part of the Ottoman Empire.

Nations that were great powers once upon a time  Turkey, Russia, the United Kingdom  have a malleable sense of their heyday. And I think this comes with a proclivity to be inspired by leaders who can speak to the narrative of that heyday and embody it, says Cagaptay.

Go deeper:
Six persons, including two minor boys, were arrested on Friday on the charge of gangraping a teenage girl in Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district, a senior police officer said.

According to a complaint filed by the 16-year-old girl's family, she was returning home from a community feast on January 1, when a group of seven offered her company.

As all of them hailed from her village, the girl agreed, following she was allegedly attacked and taken to an isolated place by the group and gangraped, Superintendent of Police Lakador Syiem said.

A cognizable case has been registered under various sections of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the SP stated.

"Six accused, including the two minor boys, were arrested by a team of officers, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) D Moksha, based on the complaint filed by the girl's family on Thursday, while a manhunt hunt has been launched for the seventh man," Syiem told reporters here.

Four of them were produced before a local court, which was yet to give its order, while the two minors appeared before the Juvenile Justice board, which directed that the boys be sent to a remand home.

CW Lyngdoh, the deputy SP (crime), said the girl's medical examination has been conducted and she was currently undergoing treatment at a district hospital.

"We have decided to treat it as a special case. The matter will be investigated under the supervision of a gazetted officer," Lyngdoh said, adding that the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Child Welfare Committee, Jowai, have been asked to provide support and rehabilitation to the teenager.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A generous police officer called to a theft at a Walmart paid for the couple's groceries after they were caught shoplifting with their kids just before Christmas.

Field Training Officer Kenneth Martin said he was purchasing games for a Toys for Tots event when he got the call about an unidentified couple trying to steal goods from the superstore in Arkansas.

Although the moments leading up to the incident were not captured, body-cam footage shows Martin purchasing the family's goods at the customer service checkout.

Field Training Officer Kenneth Martin of Arkansas purchased a family's groceries after the parents were caught shoplifting food items at a Walmart

'Ring it all up again so I can pay for it. They're stealing food and they've got kids,' he says to the women behind the counter.

Officer Kenneth Martin (pictured) was named Fort Smith Police Department's January Employee of the Month

Martin reveals that he will have to take the father to jail, but the wife and children will be released.

'I have to take him to jail, but I don't have to make the kids think I'm an a******.'

He then goes on to jokingly tell the cashiers, 'don't let people know I'm a nice guy'.

Footage shows Martin walking to meet the couple and their children near the Walmart's front entrance.

He places the bag of groceries inside the family's cart before reminding the couple to ask for help instead of attempting to steal things.

'I took care of these for you, ok?' he said. 'I understand this is food and things that you need, but ask for some help. Dont do this with these babies,' he said.

Martin allows the mother to leave, wishing her and the children happy holidays , before detaining the father in a nearby office.

Martin: 'I took care of these for you, ok? I understand this is food and things that you need, but ask for some help. Dont do this with these babies'

Martin detained the father (left), but let the mother and the couple's children leave with the newly purchased groceries

For his generosity, Martin was later given the police department's Employee of the Month award.

Fort Smith City Director Neal Martin praised Martin on Facebook, saying his initial congratulations 'doesnt even begin to describe why Field Training Officer Martin deserves this award.'

The Fort Smith City Director then reveals Martin's written nomination came from a fellow officer who deemed him deserving of Employee of the Month after witnessing the compassionate act while off-duty.

'I was off duty and walking into the Wal-Mart at 2425 Zero St. As I entered the building, I noticed loss prevention had just stopped two adults who also had two young children with them,' the officer wrote.

Martin was nominated for Employee of the Month after an off-duty officer witnessed his act of kindness, as revealed by the Fort Smith City Director Neal Martin

'FTO Martin's act of kindness is a true example of what humanity is all about. He did this out of compassion for the kids, with no intention of being recognized for his actions,' he continued.

'For this, I am honored to nominate FTO Martin for Employee of the Month. His actions were a representation of what we should all strive for.'

Impressed social media users praised Martin for his kindness and generosity on Facebook.

Martin joined the Fort Smith Police Department in August 2015 after serving at different departments for 12 years

'That is truly a wonderful story few people would have done this especially in today's world it shows the type of heart and conscience he has,' one person wrote.

One woman who said she's been on the receiving end of Martin's good deeds agreed with the honor.

'As a beneficiary of his awesomeness, this is a well deserved honor!' she said.

'This touched my heart because I have been there,' one woman said, 'this wonderful human being paid for their groceries... God Bless. He is a wonderful example of Loving thy neighbor!'

Martin began his career at the Fort Smith Police Department in August 2015 after 12 years of prior law enforcement experience in Arizona and South Carolina.

He is a member of the Honor Unit Guard and assigned to Troop 2 in the Patrol Division.
Former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon on Friday said the government's amendment to the Citizenship Act was a "self-inflicted goal" which has "isolated" India and resulted in the country being "hyphenated" with Pakistan as an "intolerant" state.

IMAGE: Loktantrik Jan Pahal activists hold placards during a protest against NRC, NPR and CAA at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi where a number of academicians discussed the adverse implications of the contentious law which has led to nationwide protests, Menon said India has "gifted" its adversaries "platforms to attack us".

"What we have achieved in the recent past is to hyphenate our (India's) image with Pakistan in a fundamental way, which is an intolerant state," said the former National Security Adviser.

Responding to a question on whether these moves would affect India's foreign policy, Menon said, "In diplomacy, you don't have to tell the truth. So the calculation of the countries would be how they can promote their interests. They will not fight for your human rights. So, we have given them a platform to use, a lever, to pressure us to get what they want. This, I think, was unnecessary and a self-inflicted goal".

He said the perception of the country has changed after the controversial amendment to the citizenship law was passed.

"India has isolated itself through the move and the list of critical voices in the international community is also pretty long now. Perception of India has changed in the last few months. Even our friends have been taken aback," Menon said.

Referring to Bangladesh home minister Asaduzzaman Khan's response that "let them fight amongst themselves" when asked about CAA and NRC, Menon said, "If this is how our friends feel, think of how happy this will make our adversary".

He said the global opinion was on India's side when it assisted the formation of Bangladesh.

"What is happening now is quite another scenario. We are increasingly being isolated, we have no international support apart from a section of Indian diaspora and some extreme right Members of the European Parliament," he said.

Menon served as National Security Adviser under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He had previously served as Foreign Secretary in the ministry of external affairs.

He noted that several world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and chiefs of United Nations bodies on human rights and refugees, were critical of the recent moves and referred to international conventions on human rights, civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

"What the world thinks matters more to us now than ever before. But we seem determined with actions like these (CAA) to cut off and isolate ourselves. That is no good to anybody," he said.

Expressing concern that India now seems to be in violation of international covenants, he said, "Those who think that international laws cannot be enforced, they must consider political and other consequences of being perceived as violators of international conventions".

Menon also referred to external affairs minister S Jaishankar's cancellation of a scheduled meeting with a United States congressional delegation over the presence of Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who has been critical of the Indian government.

"Rather than attending the meeting and putting forth India's views, we chose to duck," he said.

The United Nations Security Council discussed Kashmir for the first time in 40 years following the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Menon said.

He also expressed concern over the breaking of bipartisan consensus in the US on India with actions like Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston when he said 'Ab ki baar, Trump Sarkar'.

According to the CAA, non-Muslim refugees who came to India till December 31, 2014, to escape religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be given Indian citizenship.

Speaking at the event, another retired diplomat -- Deb Mukherji -- who served as India's ambassador to Bangladesh, said though it was true that Hindus have been persecuted, it was not to the extent that has been presented by the government.

He said certain prominent persons have also been suitably punished in that country for committing crimes against Hindus.

Others who spoke at the event at the Press Club were academicians included Zoya Hasan, Niraja Jayal and Faizan Mustafa among others.
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Two Sonoma County sheriff's deputies suffered injuries Wednesday evening after a collision involving two separate sheriff's patrol vehicles, sheriff's officials said.

Around 5:25 p.m., deputies responded to a report of domestic violence on state Highway 12 near Melita Road.

Two deputies in separate patrol cars then arrived, both with lights and sirens on.

As they approached the home, the first deputy slowed down their vehicle and the second deputy's vehicle then rear-ended the first patrol vehicle, according to sheriff's officials.

The first deputy suffered minor injuries and was released at the scene.

The second deputy was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. That deputy has since been released from the hospital.

The collision caused the highway near Melita Road to be closed for about an hour, sheriff's officials said.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision and the sheriff's office is also conducting an internal investigation into the collision.

Sheriff's officials did not release the name of the deputies involved.

Police arrested a woman suspected of driving while intoxicated after she crashed into a Vacaville home early New Years Day.

The crash happened around 2 a.m. in the 200 block of Riverdale Avenue, according to Lt. David Kellis.

The driver first struck a two-foot tall retaining wall and then went across the lawn, crashing through the home's front window and into the living room, Kellis said.

The driver was not injured in the crash, nor were the home's residents.

"We were very fortunate nobody was injured," Kellis said.

Officers arrested the driver, identified as 28-year-old Ana Mendoza-Hernandez of Vacaville on suspicion of DUI. She's been booked into the Solano County Jail.

An estimate of the damage to the home was not immediately available.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory in effect on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for coastal parts of the San Francisco Bay Area.

The National Weather Service is forecasting 11 to 14 feet northwest swells and breaking waves of 20 to 25 feet.

There will be strong rip currents and large and dangerous breaking waves at coastal areas.

Beachgoers are advised to stay back from the water's edge and to not turn their backs on the ocean.

A 17-year-old boy was injured in a shooting on New Year's Eve in San Francisco's Visitacion Valley, police said.

The Tuesday shooting happened around 6:35 p.m. in the 1500 block of Sunnydale Ave.

Police said the teenager was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. The teen victim, however, did not provide further information about the shooting.

In a separate San Francisco New Year's Eve shooting near Fort Mason, two men were hospitalized, police said.

That shooting occurred around 9:35 p.m. near Franklin and Bay streets.

Officers arrived to find the two male victims, described as a 30-year-old and 42-year-old, suffering from gunshot wounds.

The 42-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other victim suffered injuries not considered life-threatening.

The shooter in that case, described as a 26-year-old man, remains at large, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or to send a text message to TIP411 with "SFPD" at the start of the message.

Two people suffered life-threatening injuries in two separate New Year's Day stabbings in San Francisco just minutes apart from each other, police said.

The first Wednesday stabbing happened at around 1:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Howard Street, according to police.

A 26-year-old man allegedly began arguing with two people, before stabbing both of them with a knife. The suspect then fled.

Both victims were hospitalized. One victim, a 25-year-old, suffered life-threatening injuries while the other victim, a 24-year-old, suffered injuries not considered life-threatening, police said.

Officers were able to locate the suspect and arrest him. Police did not release his name.

Minutes later, around 1:40 p.m., officers learned of another stabbing in the 4700 block of Mission Street, police said.

There, a 17-year-old boy allegedly got into an argument with a 25-year-old man. The teen suspect then stabbed the victim in the back and fled on foot, according to police.

The man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police have not arrested the suspect, police said.

A woman who was killed in a fiery, multi-car collision on Interstate Highway 80 in Berkeley on Christmas morning was identified by the Alameda County coroner's bureau on Thursday as 25-year-old Zakiya Oliver of Vallejo.

The collision occurred in the westbound lanes I-80 just east of the Gilman Street exit at about 5:22 a.m. on December 25, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Multiple lanes of westbound I-80 were blocked and traffic was backed up for a few miles before all lanes were reopened several hours after the collision.

Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies arrested a man suspected of attempted murder in connection with a large fight that happened in an unincorporated area of East San Jose, sheriff's officials said Thursday.

The fight involving 6-8 people happened on Dec. 20, near the corner of Staples Avenue and McKee Road.

There, officers found two male victims. One victim suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening, sheriff's officials said.

The second victim suffered a head injury from being struck with a blunt object. Paramedics treated him at the scene.

After an investigation, officers were able to identify the shooting suspect through the license plate number of a white Honda spotted fleeing the scene of the fight. He was identified as Keith Vo Tran, 22.

Then on Monday, deputies learned San Jose police officers stopped Tran's white Honda. Deputies responded and arrested Tran on suspicion of attempted murder, according to sheriff's officials.

Inside Tran's vehicle, investigators found a 9mm handgun, similar to the one used in the fight. Additionally, during an interview with deputies, Tran allegedly admitted to shooting the victim, sheriff's officials said.

Anyone with information about case is asked to contact to the sheriff's office at (408) 808-4500 or the sheriff's office Investigative Services' anonymous tip line at (408) 808-4431.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday claimed that the percentage of minorities in Pakistan has reduced to 3% from the previous 23%, adding that it is a testimony of hardships being faced by them in the neighboring country. Piyush Goyal attending an event in Mumbai on Friday, which was organised in favour of the contentious amended Citizenship Act (CAA). Speaking in favour of CAA, the Union Minister held the Congress responsible for the partition of India.

"Pakistan is an Islamic country. Congress is responsible for the division of India. Thousands of people came to India and we know in what condition they came here. The trains had only dead bodies. Earlier, Pakistan had 23% minorities and now it has reduced to just 3%," said Piyush Goyal.

READ| 'Duty to shelter those wronged due to religion': Piyush Goyal explains need for CAA

Emphasising on India's secularism, Piyush Goyal added that the percentage of minorities in India has only increased unlike in Pakistan because the country has protected them. "The opposition is confused or maybe they are doing all this with proper planning. In the next 10 days, we will reach to three crore people and spread awareness about CAA," said the Union Minister.

BJP's CAA push

BJP is planning a countrywide outreach program to clarify facts about the Citizenship Act and make its provisions clear among the masses. The BJP has decided to get its workers, to knock on each door and inform the people about the CAA, alleging the "lies" spread by the Opposition.

As part of the BJP's programme to mobilise support for CAA, Amit Shah is likely to launch a toll-free number for people to give missed calls to register their endorsement of the law ahead of its 10-day mass contact drive from January 5. BJP general secretary Anil Jain told PTI that the toll-free number is expected to be released on Friday so that people can register their support for the CAA, which seeks to grant citizenship to minorities from three neighbouring countries who arrived in India by Dec 31, 2014, due to religious persecution.

Shah will also visit a household on Sunday, most likely in the national capital, to lead the party's 10-day campaign during which its leaders and workers will contact, the party has said, three crore families to rally support for the CAA. All leading faces of the party, ranging from Union ministers to organisational leaders, will be travelling to various parts of the country during January 5-15 for the drive, Jain said.

(with PTI inputs)

READ| Piyush Goyal accuses Opposition of confusing public about CAA under a 'thought plan'
Bill No. 2178-10 on the turnover of farmland prepared for second reading does not foresee restrictions for banks regarding farmland possession, Economic Adviser to the Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Mushak has said.

"Banks will not be subject to the restriction of 10,000 hectares in one hand. About 50 of our banks are ready to lend under land transactions. Accordingly, the restriction of UAH 10,000 would make it possible to lend money for the purchase only to 500,000 hectares, and this is less than 2% of the market," he wrote on his Facebook page on Friday.

According to the adviser, in case of withdrawal of collateralized land into ownership, the bank must sell it at an electronic auction within two years. Otherwise, the land is seized from the bank under a special procedure.

In addition, Mushak said that the buyer is obliged to provide documents on the legality of the origin of the funds, and non-cash payment is provided for the purchase of land.

Asked if banks with foreign capital are able to receive land as collateral, the premier's adviser said: "All banks operating under the laws of Ukraine will have this opportunity."

A separate task after the adoption of the law, according to the adviser to the prime minister, will be to work with bylaws of the National Bank of Ukraine.

"It is necessary to increase the coverage ratio for land from the current 0.35 to 1.0. Otherwise, with land worth $100,000, it will be possible to take a loan of only $35,000, and [it is required] also change the criteria for borrowers involved in land operations, since now there are a large number of farmers, having a profitable business, is working in the shadow and will not be able to prove its solvency to the bank. Accordingly, they will be outside the loan market," Mushak said.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Thursday announced the names of 33 Nebraskans she is nominating this year to attend U.S. service academies.

Corrie Sasse of Fremont is among Fischers nominees for the class of 2024. Sasse is a nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Every year, U.S. senators nominate a select group of eligible individuals from their states for enrollment at the five U.S. Military Service Academies: the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the United States Coast Guard Academy, the United States Military Academy, and the United States Naval Academy. Once a student receives a nomination, their application process within the respective service academy begins.

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A five-day meeting of the all-India executive of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) began in Indore on Thursday. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is presiding over the meeting called at a short notice.

The meeting assumes importance due to the nations changing political skyline and growing resistance in most parts to the National Register for Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Indore is apparently chosen for being the headquarters of Malwa region where the Sangh still wields considerable influence.

Sources say the all-India executive meeting will take place on the first three days and the top officials of all 56 affiliates will hold a session with the national leadership for the next two days. A session is likely to be devoted to the pracharaks of the Madhya Pradesh unit of RSS.

The focus of the Sangh will be on the expansion of shakhas in rural areas and preparations for West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled next year.

Top BJP officials J.P. Nadda, B.L. Santosh, Ram Madhav, P. Muralidhar Rao, Anil Jain, Vinay Sahastrabuddhe, Bhupendra Yadav, V. Satish, Shiv Prakash, Saudan Singh, Thawarchand Gehlot, Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel, Prakash Javadekar and Kailash Vijayvargiya are likely to take part in the final phase of the meeting.

Bhagwat will also interact with some intellectuals over creating an awareness campaign for the CAA and NRC. The Swayamsevaks may be motivated to help the party overcome difficulties in implementing its agenda on NRC and CAA.

The BJP base has shrunk during the past 16 months with Maharashtra and Jharkhand forcing the leadership to sit up and take notice. Elections are now due in Delhi and Bihar. Sangh is keen to mobilise the cadre to retrieve the lost ground.

There is urgency in the Sangh, BJP and the government over the implementation of the nationalist agenda. The state unit of the party has been holding regular rallies to support the CAA and NCR.

Now Union Home Minister and party President Amit Shah is coming to Jabalpur on January 12 to clear the confusion over the CAA. He will hold a public meeting.

State BJP President Rakesh Singh said the Congress and other Opposition parties have created an atmosphere of confusion about the new citizenship law. They are trying to divide the country over the CAA, he said.

Efforts are being made to create an atmosphere of anarchy in the country, but the public knows everything, Singh added.

In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the government and the BJP to raise public awareness in the whole country. Top leaders are going to hold meetings in different states. Amit Shah will communicate directly with the people of Jabalpur.

The BJP is dealing with its audience at all levels. Bhopal MP Pragya Thakur in her characteristic style told a meeting on Tuesday Sehore that Hindus in minorities are being killed in some countries. The CAA-NRC would help bringing them back to the country on humanitarian grounds, she said.

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San Antonio annexed nearly 2,200 acres of land in southern Bexar County on the last day of 2019, but county emergency officials want to reverse that decision.

Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 5, which provides fire protection and emergency medical services on the Southwest Side, has asked a judge to nullify the city ordinance that took effect Tuesday, blasting the citys annexation as illegal and improper in a lawsuit filed Monday.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio, county residents debate best emergency service

The city didnt give the district a proper heads-up on when the City Council would vote on the matter, the lawsuit alleges, nor did the city spell out how much the move would cost the district as required under state law.

City Council members unanimously approved the annexation plan, which involves mostly rural and undeveloped land, at their Dec. 12 meeting.

Michael Fisher

The district would lose property and sales tax revenue because of the annexation, though its unclear how much. Any loss of tax revenue will result in the loss of life and property because of slower response times and fewer resources, the lawsuit claims.

But the city already provides services including fire protection and EMS to areas around the annexed properties, city spokeswoman Laura Mayes said. The city does not have to build additional fire stations to provide those services, according to a city memo.

And two city panels reviewed the annexation proposal before the City Council took a vote, Mayes said.

The ESD had ample time to raise any concerns, well ahead of the eve of the effective date of the annexation on Tuesday, Mayes said.

On ExpressNews.com: City strikes deal to keep Halliburton from leaving San Antonio  again

San Antonio annexed land around the properties in 2016, but allowed the properties at issue to remain unincorporated through a series of development agreements struck with the landowners in 2013, 2014 and 2016. As long as the owners kept the land for agricultural purposes, the agreements stipulated, the city wouldnt annex it.

But one by one, property owners violated the terms of their agreements, San Antonio officials say. Some sold portions of the land, others allowed sales of fireworks on the property or filed for county building permits  triggering annexation under the pacts, city officials said.

The city began mailing the property owners notices of potential violations as early as December 2017 and annexation notices to them in November, Mayes said.

Because the property owners broke the development agreements, the city considers the annexation voluntary. The emergency services districts lawsuit argues that the alleged violations havent been confirmed.

On ExpressNews.com: Abbott gets tree bill that wont affect San Antonio, signs annexation compromise

State lawmakers have made it harder for larger Texas cities to annex nearby territory, passing a law in 2017 that requires cities to get approval from affected residents if the city wants to annex the land.

Woody Wilson, an attorney representing the emergency services district, said the city has resorted to looking for breaches in development agreements so they dont get rejected by voters in the proposed annexation areas.

Now theyre going through the back door through these development agreements, Wilson said.

Mayes disagreed.

The city conducted all annexation proceedings in accordance with state law, she said.

A judge has ordered the two sides to enter mediation this month; if that doesnt produce a settlement, the lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial Feb. 24.

Joshua Fechter is a staff writer covering San Antonio city government and politics. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFReports
According to some new info provided by a tipster, Huawei will introduce three P40 flagships, not two. Pretty much everyone expects the company to introduce the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro, but Teme claims well get one more device.

Teme is a tipster who released this information via Twitter. At first, he simply said that the Huawei P40 may arrive in three models. One user immediately assumed hes talking about the P40, P40 Pro, and P40 Lite. That is not the case, as Teme said he meant three flagship models, not the Lite iteration.

One of those three Huawei P40 models may be the Max variant

In a separate tweet, he suggested that it may be a Porsche edition, or a Max variant. If its the Porsche edition, then that variant is expected. Huawei has been releasing the Porsche edition of its flagships for a while now, and its usually the Pro variant with a slightly different paint job.

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If that ends up being the case, then thats not exactly news. Not many people count the Porsche edition of the phone as a separate device, as its basically the same as the Pro model. Max variant is a completely different story, though. That device will certainly be different than the rest, if it arrives.

In another tweet, Teme suggested that the camera design may resemble that from the Huawei P30 Pro on two of those P40 models. The third model may arrive with a rectangular camera setup that was shown in renders.

Teme did not specify which phones is he talking about exactly. So, we dont know what device will include the rectangular camera setup, but were presuming the Pro variant.

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This information is not very specific, take it with a grain of salt. The Porsche edition of the Huawei P40 Pro is expected to arrive either way. It will almost certainly be the same as the P40 Pro in every way except its color.

Huaweis upcoming flagships will launch in late March

Huawei will introduce its P40 flagship smartphone series in late March. That is something the companys CEO confirmed quite recently, during an interview.

As things stand at the moment, the Huawei P40 series will ship without Google services. The US President Trump did announce that the first trade deal between the US and China is coming on January 15, though.

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Were not sure if Huawei will be included in that trade deal, but if that ends up being the case, the company may be allowed to use Google services on its phones once again. If that ends up being the case, the Huawei P40 series will probably include GMS.

The Huawei P40 series will be fueled by the Kirin 990 SoC, and support 5G connectivity. The devices will include Leicas lenses, just like their predecessors.

Huaweis CEO did also confirm that those devices will ship with Android 10 out of the box. A recent leak also suggested that the P40 Pro will include a curved display, but that curve wont be as aggressive as it is on many other phones these days.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : In 2020, more large companies will opt for flexible coworking spaces for their short-term expansion plans, says a study that revealed that this segment is no longer driven solely by start-ups, millennials and small and medium-sized enterprises.

While tech-giant Google has already leased office space with coworking operator Simpli Work in Gurugram to expand its operations, even banks and telecom companies are keen on their teams to operate away from headquarters and closer to entrepreneurs, showed the research by real estate services company Anarock Property Consultant.

Towards 2018-end, the total supply of flexible workspaces was anywhere between 7-7.5 million sq. ft. area and it crossed 12 million sq. ft. by the end of 2019.

"Despite the WeWork debacle in the US dominating headlines and raising questions about the future of the coworking business, the segment has emerged as a viable asset class for landlords and operators in India," said Anuj Puri, Chairman, Anarock.

"The coworking market has grown by leaps and bounds and is a significant factor in the strategy for occupiers," he added.

There are currently more than 200 coworking players operating across India, with the top seven players in this space alone having more than 350 centres across multiple cities in the country.

These players include Cowrks, WeWork India, Awfis, Regus, Smartworks, 91springboard and OYO's Workspaces.

"This number is likely to double or even treble in the next two years, given the rate at which these leading players actively leased spaces across major cities in 2019," Puri said.

The coworking sector has also witnessed the entry of major realty players. Bengaluru-based developer Brigade Group ventured into the coworking segment with the launch of 'BuzzWorks'.

Hospitality player Roseate Hotels and Resorts has also forayed into this space by opening its first coworking centre at its hotel 'Roseate House' in Delhi's Aero City.

Even as US-based WeWork's failed IPO raised doubts about the company's future, WeWork India's expansion remained on course.

Owned by realty firm Embassy Group, the company has been mainly funded by Embassy so far and pays a management fee to the parent company.

With 37 operational coworking centres, the company is currently present in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Gurugram, Pune, Noida and Hyderabad.

But 2019 also witnessed a growing wave of consolidation in the sector, in the form of mergers and acquisitions.

In fact, the consolidation wave had already begun in 2018, with major acquisitions like One Co.Work acquiring IShareSpace and AltF CoWorking acquiring Noida-based Daftar India, Puri said.

"The trend continued in 2019 with Oyo taking over Innov8 for Rs 220 crore. In 2020, we will see smaller or city-specific operators merge with national players looking to enter or establish themselves in tier II, III markets," he added.
Two people from Northern Ireland living at the centre of the huge Australian wildfires have told how Sydney has taken on a "post-apocalyptic" feel as blazes rage all around them.

Londonderry woman Dearbhla Kelly, who is working in the heart of the deadly blazes to keep the public safe, said she has never experienced anything like what she has witnessed in recent days.

And Mark Alcorn from Coleraine said everything is covered in ash and burning leaves are falling from the sky around the city.

Dearbhla (23) has lived in Sydney for just over a year.

She works for traffic control company Work C and has been assisting in the areas of the bushfires, keeping the public off treacherous roads and allowing access to the emergency services.

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"I work out in the outbacks of Sydney, where I'm doing my regional work," she told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I've been working close to the bush fires as I am a traffic controller, so I have to close the road so no cars can drive up, as the fires are spread all over the road and it's too dangerous. I have to wear a mask and protective clothing to work.

"We also have to assist and let firefighters down the road and I always see the helicopters pass overhead as well with the buckets attached to collect water from dams.

"It's just such a sad, sad experience for Australia. The fires are getting worse every day. I talk to a lot of people when I'm on the road closures and they are so scared. A lot of them have pets as well that are affected. The fires are about five miles from where I live and cover a huge area. I pulled over the other night on my way home and took a picture. The red glow from the fire in the night sky was eerie.

"Thankfully, it hasn't come close to us yet. But the smoke is so bad. Some mornings it's so terrible we can't work, some mornings it's okay. A lot of people here in Sydney are going about their normal day-to-day life. People still go to the beaches when the smoke is so thick outside."

Dearbhla said she has the utmost respect for the firefighters who are struggling to contain the massive blazes.

"The firefighters are actually doing an amazing job," she added. "But they can only do so much. They are only human.

"I think it's definitely getting worse. I see firefighters drive past me when I'm working on the road and they just look absolutely exhausted.

"A lot of people had to evacuate up the coast for their own safety. When the smoke is thick in the sky Sydney feels and looks so dark, it's really creepy. The main incidents in my area are because of the smoke. The fires are around my area so the smoke blows into my town. It's so thick and the smell is absolutely disgusting, it stinks of chemicals."

Mark Alcorn (34) has lived in the Sydney suburb of Ingleburn for 10 years with his Australian-born wife Tiani and works in the city's university.

He described how a blanket of smoke is covering the city.

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"The sky is often dark and gloomy, but there are no clouds," he said. "The sky looks orange like a sunset, but it's summer and sun is still high. I can smell the smoke in the air, hills and buildings once visible in the distance are now hidden behind the haze. The ground is covered with ash and burnt leaves from the distant fires.

"We have friends and family much nearer to the fires at the Blue Mountains and their homes are at risk. Many of them have had to evacuate.

"Thankfully, me and my wife are safe where we are. But we went for a short trip after Christmas, driving out west. On the way home we drove past scorched landscape. We didn't know if the roads were going to be open or if we would be stuck.

"Looking out the window, the whole place looks very eerie and feels post-apocalyptic."
Ukraine will have to protect and expand its positions in the grain markets of Asia and Africa, as well as compete with Russian sunflower oil in the markets of India and China, Director General of UkrAgroConsult Sergey Feofilov has said.

"This year will not be the easiest one. It is quite expected that competition in many markets for Ukrainian goods will be intensified. It will be necessary to protect and expand the positions occupied by Ukrainian grain in the markets of Asia and Africa, as well as to compete with Russian sunflower oil in the markets of India and China. Solving these tasks is based on the stable growth of agricultural production in Ukraine," Feofilov said.

Analyzing the results of 2019, the expert first noted an increase in export earnings.

"In the first three quarters of 2019 alone, exports of three major grain crops (wheat, barley, maize) brought $6.8 billion in foreign currency to Ukraine, which is 43% more than in the same period of the previous year. Ukraine last year increased shipment of wheat to the markets of Asia and Africa, as well as maize to Europe and China, and set a new record for sunflower oil exports," the expert said.

Ukraine exported 27.36 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops between July 1 and December 13, 2019, which was 32.9% more than during the same period of 2018.

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OTTAWA - The safety of Canadians in the Middle East is the government's "paramount concern" following the death of a top Iranian general in an American airstrike, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Friday.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Canadian Forces door gunner keeps watch as his Griffon helicopter goes on a mission, February 20, 2017 in northern Iraq. A former foreign policy adviser to the Canadian government says there could be concerns for the safety of Canadian Forces following the killing of a top Iranian general. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

OTTAWA - The safety of Canadians in the Middle East is the government's "paramount concern" following the death of a top Iranian general in an American airstrike, Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Friday.

Gen. Qassem Soleimani was the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, and was killed in Baghdad, Iraq, late Thursday. U.S. President Donald Trump accused Soleimani of plotting to kill Americans, and the death has prompted a vow of "harsh retaliation" from Iran's supreme leader.

Champagne said Canada remains in contact with its international partners.

"The safety and well-being of Canadians in Iraq and the region, including our troops and diplomats, is our paramount concern," he said in a statement.

"We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation."

The airstrike was seen as a major escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran, though Trump insisted Friday he acted not to start a war but to stop one.

"We do not seek regime change, however the Iranian regime's aggression in the region, including the use of proxy fighters to destabilize its neighbours, must end and it must end now," he said.

Still, on Friday, the U.S. announced it was sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Mideast, in the volatile aftermath of the killing, which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended as "wholly lawful." He told Fox News Soleimani posed an "imminent" threat against the U.S. and its interests in the region.

Pompeo called world leaders Friday to explain and defend Trump's decision to order an airstrike that has sparked fears of an explosion of anti-American protests and further destabilizing of the Middle East.

The State Department said Pompeo had spoken Friday with top officials in Afghanistan, Britain, China, France, Germany and Pakistan.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said he spoke to his U.S. counterpart on Friday, and he is monitoring the situation.

"Our focus remains the safety of our troops and all Canadians in the region, and helping build a stable Iraq by preventing the re-emergence of Daesh," he said, using the Arabic-language term for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIS.

Up to 850 Canadian Forces are authorized for deployment in the region, with 200 of those in Iraq as part of the NATO mission there. They assist mostly in "behind-the-wire" training missions of Iraqi forces in the wake of the global campaign to oust ISIS from the area.

The Department of National Defence wouldn't comment on what, if any, measures were being taken to protect them in light of the potential threat.

But a former foreign-policy adviser to the Canadian government says there are legitimate fears.

Retaliation from the general's supporters is likely after the three-day mourning period ordered by Iran's supreme leader, who considered Soleimani a son, said Shuvaloy Majumdar, a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier institute.

"We can expect ... there will be a wide range of asymmetric attacks against principally American assets but also quite possibly western ones," Majumdar said.

"So I think that as we enter this new chapter, this is going to be a very significant question for how Canadians and the Canadian government respond to the security of our soldiers but also the advancing of our interests."

Majumdar advised the former Conservative government on foreign policy for years, including on the decision to list Soleimani's organization, the Quds Force, as a terrorist entity.

He called the leader's death "the most consequential strike that has happened against a terrorist leader since the beginning of the so-called war on terror."

"He oversaw a state-backed, industrial-scale, mechanized terrorism outfit that since the late 1990s, since he led the Quds Force, has become the most sophisticated terrorism (organization) the world has ever known."

The Quds Force is part of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, reporting to the country's leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei. The Quds Force trains and equips foreign militias, carries out bombings and assassinations, and otherwise uses unconventional methods to expand Iran's military and diplomatic influence. "Quds" is the Arabic and Persian name for Jerusalem.

The United States designated the Quds Force a terrorist organization in 2007. Canada followed suit in 2012.

"Canada has long been concerned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, led by Qassem Soleimani, whose aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond," Champagne's statement on Friday said.

The same U.S. strike that killed Soleimani also killed a leader in an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, a sometime Iraqi politician and U.S.-designated terrorist known as Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Late Friday, Conservative foreign-affairs critic Erin O'Toole and defence critic James Bezan sent out a joint statement calling on the government to declare Iran's whole Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, expanding the designation beyond the Quds Force.

"The IRGC's Quds Force, led by Qassem Soleimani, was at the centre of IRGC operations and bear responsibility for violence, destruction and a destabilizing influence across the Middle East," the statement said. It did not take a clear position on the strike that killed Soleimani.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh appeared to condemn the U.S. decision.

"The U.S.'s actions in Iran (sic) have brought us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East," he said in a statement on Twitter.

"The prime minister needs to act quickly with other countries to de-escalate the situation and not be drawn into the path that President Trump is taking."

What role Canada could play is unclear.

Under the Conservatives, Canada cut off diplomatic ties with Iran. There was a limited effort to resurrect them under the Liberal government, to little effect. The Liberals' relationship with the Trump administration is mixed.

Still, Canada has a stake in the region and must work with other allies in similar positions, said Younes Zangiabadi, the research director for the Iranian-Canadian Congress.

Iran has been arming itself for decades, and while some may cheer Soleimani's death, he was a hero to many Iranians and his killing will unite the country against the West and in favour of further action on the part of the Iranian regime, Zangiabadi said.

"This is not going to go lightly," Zangiabadi said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020.

with files from The Associated Press
Jeffrey Epsteins Cell Had Note, Multiple Sheets, Electrical Cord When He Was Found: Report

Prescription drugs, an electrical cord, sheets, and a note were reportedly discovered inside convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epsteins cell after he killed himself.

The New York Medical Examiner ruled Epsteins death in August was a suicide by hanging, although another medical expert has said that his neck bones showed signs of trauma that are not normally associated with suicidal hangings.

The new details about what was found in his jail cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan will be included in a 60 Minutes report on Sunday night.

The report said that his cell wasnt sparse, and there were multiple sheets, lots of bedding, and an electrical corddespite Epstein having been put on suicide watch weeks before. A note was also discovered.

A video that might have seen Epsteins cell door was corrupted, a CBS journalist said, adding that its not clear what happened.

The death of Epstein, who was connected to wealthy and powerful individuals, left a number of unanswered questions.

Dr. Michael Baden, a forensic pathologist who also investigated Epsteins death, told 60 Minutes that Epstein died at around 4:30 a.m., and noted that guards transferred him to the hospital hours later. He said that is unusual because guards should not move a dead body in jail as its part of a crime scene.

Baden previously said that there were questions about Epsteins neck injury.

Did the injuries happen a week before or at the time of the incident? We have to look at the microscopic slides to see when the injuries occurred, Dr. Baden told Fox News. The brother requested this information three months ago and he still has not gotten it.

The two prison guards who were supposed to check in on Epstein have been charged with conspiracy and falsifying records.

Guards Tova Noel, 31, and Michael Thomas, 41, have pleaded not guilty in the case.

Based on our view of the case, I believe there are outside circumstances that are impacting this prosecution, Noels attorney, Jason Foy, said in court late last year, according to the New York Post.

Thomass lawyer, Montell Figgins, concurred with Foys claim and told Judge Analisa Torres that systemic problems exist at the Bureau of Prisons.

One of the issues here is going to be conditions, supervisions, and the policies updated and advanced by the Bureau of Prisons, Figgins said.

When asked by the Post about whether his client is a scapegoat, Figgins said, Absolutely.

Court documents said that the two took naps and browsed the Internet instead of checking on Epsteins cell. He was just several feet away from them, the Post reported.

During the night, instead of completing the required counts and rounds, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, the defendants, were seated at the correctional officers desk in the SHU common area (approximately 15 feet from Epsteins cell), used the computers, and moved around the SHU common area, a grand jury and prosecutors alleged. For a period of approximately two hours, Noel and Thomas sat at their desks without moving, and appeared to have been asleep.
Serena Aunon-Chancellor, M.D., M.P.H., Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine's branch campus in Baton Rouge, is the lead author of a paper describing a previously unrecognized risk of spaceflight discovered during a study of astronauts involved in long-duration missions. The paper details a case of stagnant blood flow resulting in a clot in the internal jugular vein of an astronaut stationed on the International Space Station.

"These new findings demonstrate that the human body still surprises us in space," notes Dr. Aunon-Chancellor, who also remains a member of NASA's Astronaut Corps and is board certified in both internal and aerospace medicine. "We still haven't learned everything about Aerospace Medicine or Space Physiology."

Eleven astronauts were involved in the vascular study, which sought to help close gaps in knowledge about circulatory physiology that will not only benefit patients on Earth, but could be critical for the health of astronauts during future space exploration missions to the moon and Mars. The study measured the structure and function of the internal jugular vein in long-duration spaceflight where astronauts are exposed to sustained headward blood and tissue fluid shifts.

Ultrasound examinations of the astronauts' internal jugular veins were performed at scheduled times in different positions during the mission. Results of the ultrasound performed about two months into the mission revealed a suspected obstructive left internal jugular venous thrombosis (blood clot) in one astronaut. The astronaut, guided in real time and interpreted by two independent radiologists on earth, performed a follow-up ultrasound, which confirmed the suspicion.

Since NASA had not encountered this condition in space before, multiple specialty discussions weighed the unknown risks of the clot traveling and blocking a vessel against anticoagulation therapy in microgravity. The space station pharmacy had 20 vials containing 300 mg of injectable enoxaparin (a heparin-like blood thinner), but no anticoagulation-reversal drug. The injections posed their own challenges - syringes are a limited commodity, and drawing liquids from vials is a significant challenge because of surface-tension effects.

The astronaut began treatment with the enoxaparin, initially at a higher dose that was reduced after 33 days to make it last until an oral anticoagulant (apixaban) could arrive via a supply spacecraft. Anticoagulation-reversing agents were also sent.

Although the size of the clot progressively shrank and blood flow through the affected internal jugular segment could be induced at day 47, spontaneous blood flow was still absent after 90 days of anticoagulation treatment. The astronaut took apixaban until four days before the return to Earth.

On landing, an ultrasound showed the remaining clot flattened to the vessel walls with no need for further anticoagulation. It was present for 24 hours after landing and gone 10 days later. Six months after returning to Earth, the astronaut remained asymptomatic.

The astronaut had no personal or family history of blood clots and had not experienced headaches or the florid complexion common in weightless conditions. The changes in blood organization and flow, along with the prothrombotic risk uncovered in the study show the need for further research.

Concludes Aunon-Chancellor:

The biggest question that remains is how would we deal with this on an exploration class mission to Mars? How would we prepare ourselves medically? More research must be performed to further elucidate clot formation in this environment and possible countermeasures."

Internal jugular venous thrombosis has most often been associated with cancer, a central venous catheter, or ovarian hyperstimulation. Recently, it has been found in a growing number of IV drug abusers who inject drugs directly into the internal jugular vein. The condition can have potentially life-threatening complications, including systemic sepsis and pulmonary embolism.
Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an air strike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias.

Strikes had been carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad on Thursday, U.S. officials told Reuters. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to give any further details.

Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday that three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of Iraqi paramilitary groups and two "guests."

The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people.

Soleimani, who has led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and has had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad.

He was instrumental in the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehran's regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check.

He survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades.

Soleimani's Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Iran's borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped militiamen defeat Islamic State in Iraq.

Soleimani became head of the Quds Force in 1998, a position in which he kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Iran's ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and Shiite militia groups in Iraq.
'Are you Pakistan's Ambassador?': Mamata Banerjee hits out at Modi

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 03: Continuing with her tirade against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Citizenship Amendment Act, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking why he frequently compares India with Pakistan.

Addressing a rally in Siliguri, Banerjee, referring to PM Modi, said: "Are you Prime Minister of India or Ambassador of Pakistan. Why do you glorify Pakistan on every issue?"

"India is a big country with a rich culture and heritage. Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan? Are you the prime minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan. Why do you refer to Pakistan in every issue?" the chief minister said.

Congress hits out at PM Modi for 'neglecting' Karnataka

Slamming the Central government over the new legislation, the West Bengal CM accused the BJP of "deliberately" creating confusion over the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying its leaders have been making contradictory statements on the issue.

NEWS AT 3 PM, JAN 3rd, 2019

"On one hand the prime minister is saying there will be no NRC but on the other, the union home minister and other ministers are claiming that the exercise will be conducted across the country," she added.

She also urged people to join hands with her to protest against CAA and NRC. ''I am fighting against #NationalRegisterOfCitizens and #CitizenshipAmendmentAct, join hands with me, requesting all people to come forward to save our democracy,'' the TMC supremo said.

No Citizenship Law in Bengal as long as I'm alive: Mamata Banerjee

Banerjee's remark came a day after PM Modi hit out at the Congress and other opposition parties for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and said that they should instead expose Pakistan's atrocities on its minorities.

The Prime Minister also said that those protesting against the CAA should "raise their voice" against Pakistan.
Asserting that the Citizenship (Amendment) act (CAA) was implemented in Jammu and Kashmir the day it was passed by Parliament, Union minister Jitendra Singh on Friday said the government's next move would be regarding the deportation of Rohingya refugees as they will not be able to secure citizenship under the new law.

He demanded a probe into how the Rohingyas reached and settled down in the northern-most belt of Jammu after passing through several states from West Bengal.

"The CAA has been implemented in Jammu and Kashmir the day it was passed (by Parliament). There are no 'ifs' and 'buts', by implementation (of the CAA in Jammu and Kashmir), what would happen here is that the next move would be in relation to (the deportation) of Rohingyas," Singh said at a function here.

The minister, who was addressing the officers of the Jammu and Kashmir government at a three-day training programme on the general fund rules here, pointed out that Jammu had a sizable population of Rohingyas.

"What will be the plan of their (Rohingyas') deportation, the Centre is concerned about it. Lists would be prepared. Wherever needed, biometric identity cards will be given, because the CAA does not give a leverage to Rohingyas," Singh said.

"They do not belong to the six (religious) minorities (who will be given citizenship under the new law). They do not belong to any of the three (neighbouring) countries (Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan)," he said, adding that the Rohingyas came to the country from Myanmar and hence, they would have to go back.

More than 13,700 foreigners, including Rohingya Muslims and Bangladeshi nationals, are settled in Jammu and Samba districts, where their population has increased by over 6,000 between 2008 and 2016, according to government data.

The CAA has triggered protests across the country after it was passed by Parliament on December 11.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other social organisations have demanded repatriation of the Rohingyas in the past as well.

Singh demanded a probe into the circumstances that led the Rohingyas to travel such a long distance through several states from Bengal to the northern-most area of Jammu and settle here.

"It is for researchers and analysts to know how they came so far from Bengal, travelling through several states. Who paid for their tickets (to Jammu from Bengal)," he said.

Singh wondered whether there was a design or political motive behind the Rohingyas settling down in Jammu.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Critically ill babies and children are set to receive DNA testing on the NHS to speed up their diagnosis.

For the first time, genetic sequencing is now routinely available for children with suspected rare diseases.

Previously, worried families were forced to wait three months on average for a diagnosis as their children had multiple tests.

Matt Hancock has announced critically ill babies and children will receive DNA testing on the NHS to speed up their diagnosis

But 'whole-exome' testing provides an answer in about ten days, meaning children receive the right treatment faster and are less likely to suffer side effects from the wrong drugs.

The test could pick up rare diseases including Costello syndrome, which causes delayed development, and IPEX syndrome, in which the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body.

While each rare disease affects only one in 2,000, together they affect an estimated 6 per cent of the population at some point.

Whole-exome sequencing focuses only on the genes which affect proteins in the body and tend to be linked to rare and inherited genetic diseases. It may be quicker than whole-genome sequencing, which looks at our complete DNA.

NHS England says the new test will be given to about 700 babies and children a year.

It has already been provided to 80 children, of whom almost half received a diagnosis.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: 'The pain for families seeking a diagnosis for their sick children is unimaginable. These cutting-edge DNA tests will much more rapidly diagnose rare diseases, helping to put an end to uncertainty and allowing children to receive the best possible treatment.'

Doctors will be able to order the method as routinely as a blood test, and it identifies a range of potentially life-threatening conditions at once

The scheme, announced today, will help children suffering from rare diseases, which affect about 3.5 million people in the UK.

Their blood, and that of their parents, will be sent off to be tested for disease-causing mutations in the protein-coding regions of genes.

Doctors will be able to order the method as routinely as a blood test, and it identifies a range of potentially life-threatening conditions at once.

That is better than the current system, which can cause delays for children with rare conditions as hospitals run repeated basic genetic tests, which are usually limited to looking for specific conditions.

Meanwhile, in a pilot project set to start this year, 20,000 babies will be given whole-genome sequencing to identify conditions such as epilepsy and cystic fibrosis.

Genomics England has also sequenced the genes of 100,000 patients. The scheme was the brainchild of former prime minister David Cameron, whose son Ivan died at the age of six from a rare neurological disorder.
Two Sonoma County sheriff's deputies suffered injuries Wednesday evening after a collision involving two separate sheriff's patrol vehicles, sheriff's officials said.

Around 5:25 p.m., deputies responded to a report of domestic violence on state Highway 12 near Melita Road.

Two deputies in separate patrol cars then arrived, both with lights and sirens on.

As they approached the home, the first deputy slowed down their vehicle and the second deputy's vehicle then rear-ended the first patrol vehicle, according to sheriff's officials.

The first deputy suffered minor injuries and was released at the scene.

The second deputy was taken to the hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. That deputy has since been released from the hospital.

The collision caused the highway near Melita Road to be closed for about an hour, sheriff's officials said.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the collision and the sheriff's office is also conducting an internal investigation into the collision.

Sheriff's officials did not release the name of the deputies involved.

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PERKASIE  Along with raising money to help the family after Eric King and sons Liam and Patrick were killed in the Christmas morning fire at their Quakertown home, Perkasie Towne Improvement Association is sending a message. Kristin King, Eric's wife, who, with son Brady escaped the fire, and Colleen Mimmaugh, Eric King's sister, are the owners of KM Fitness...
By Associated Press

PALM BEACH (FLORIDA): US President Donald Trump said on Friday that the targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was ordered because he was "plotting to kill" many Americans.

In his first comments since the early Friday strike against the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, Trump said Soleimani was also responsible for killing and wounding "thousands" of Americans and many more in the region.

....of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

"He should have been taken out many years ago," Trump tweeted from his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was vacationing.

ALSO READ| Trump ordered killing of Soleimani to protect US personnel abroad: Pentagon

The strike marked a major escalation in the conflict between Washington and Iran, as Iran vowed "harsh retaliation" for the killing of the senior military leader. The two nations have faced repeated crises since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

The United States urged its citizens to leave Iraq "immediately" as fears mounted that the strike and any retaliation by Iran could ignite a conflict that engulfs the region. Trump opted not to play a round of golf on Friday, and he was not eIxpected to be seen publicly until he travels to Miami for an afternoon event for his reelection campaign.
A ustralia's devastating bushfire crisis shows no signs of abating as the disaster continue to rage across the country.

Eighteen people have been killed since September with vast swathes of Australia ravaged by the fires, while more than 1,300 homes have been destroyed.

Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes and a seven-day state of emergency has been declared by New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian ahead of the weekend when conditions are expected to worsen.

As the disaster shows no signs of stopping, many are wondering how they can help those firefighters on the front line. Here's how you can help towards the recovery effort.

Australian wildfires on New Year's Eve 1 /26 Australian wildfires on New Year's Eve STATE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA/AFP AFP via Getty Images STATE GOVERNMENT OF VICTORIA/AFP KURT CRNIC via REUTERS AFP via Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images JOHN WARDLE via REUTERS Getty Images via REUTERS George Mills/via REUTERS George Mills/via REUTERS George Mills/via REUTERS AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images

Donations

You can donate to the NSW Rural Fire Service directly, either to the service as a whole or to specific brigades.

Cheques, credit cards and bank transfers are all accepted, and you can donate money here.

You can donate both money and items to Queensland Fire and Rescue, to help communities with exactly what they need. You can follow the link to their website here.

The Country Fire Service in South Australia accepts donations and bequests. To donate, head here. To leave a bequest, head here.

To support firefighters in Victoria, you can give money to the Country Fire Association by following this link here.

Millions of animals have died in the fires. If you want to leave money to help wildlife, the NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service is accepting donations here.

The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is also accepting money, which you can donate here.

Helping towards the recovery effort

The Salvation Army, the Australian Red Cross and the St Vincent de Paul Society have all launched disaster appeals and are accepting donations of money or goods.

However, it's always worth checking what sort of items a charity requires before donating in kind, and it is usually better to give money instead.

To donate to the Salvation Army, you can head here. The Red Cross can be reached here while the St Vincent Society is found here.

Other charities helping towards the recovery effort include Foodbank, Givit, Bendigo Bank Bushfire Disaster Appeal and Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for communities in Victoria, which can be found here and here.

Volunteering

If you live in Australia, volunteering your time to help charities at centres can be a big help but remember to check with the charity fist.

A list of evacuation centres can be found here.
Dallas, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The worlds largest barbecue franchise is encouraging new beginnings for restaurant-curious entrepreneurs looking to expand their business opportunities in the new decade. First-time Dickeys franchisees will receive a discount on their royalty fees during their first six months if they sign for a new store anytime during the month of January.

2019 was an unprecedented year for us and there really is no better time to join the Dickeys family, says Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. As we enter our 79th year in operations, I look forward to advancing our proprietary back-of-house technology and exciting new menu developments.

Dickeys Barbecue Pit offers franchisees six revenue streams:

Dine In

Catering

Online Ordering

Outside Delivery

Holiday Meals

Retail Items

In 1994, the Dallas-based Dickeys Barbecue Pit began franchising and offering veterans a 25% discount off their initial franchise fee. Since then, Dickeys has grown to become the worlds largest barbecue franchise and in 2019 was recognized as the Global Franchise Award Winner in the Food and Beverage Category by the International Franchising Association. Other notable honors include being named to Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list consecutively the past three years and voted #2 on USA Todays 2019 Best Fast Casual Restaurants Readers Choice List.

As a family-owned franchisor, we always look for someone who shares our values and passions, because together were not just building a business, were building a legacy, says Roland Dickey, Jr., CEO of Dickeys Capital Group. If youre a first-time franchisee, then youll want to partner with an established brand that has a deep history of industry experience and resources to help you navigate the new waters of being a business owner.

To learn more about franchising with Dickeys, visit Dickeys franchising page or call 866-340-6188. Find your nearest Dickeys Barbecue Pit location here.

Follow Dickeys on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Download the Dickeys App from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

About Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.

Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., the nations largest barbecue chain, was founded in 1941 by Travis Dickey. For the past 78 years, Dickeys Barbecue Pit locations across the nation have served guests Legit. Texas. Barbecue. At Dickeys, all our barbecued meats are smoked on-site in a hickory wood burning pit for up to 14 hours. The Dallas-based family-run barbecue franchise offers several slow-smoked meats and wholesome sides with 'No B.S. (Bad Stuff)' included. The fast-casual concept has expanded worldwide with 2 international locations in the UAE and operates over 500 locations in 44 states. In 2016, Dickeys won first place on Fast Casuals Top 100 Movers and Shakers list and was named a Top 500 Franchise by Entrepreneur in 2018. Dickey's Barbecue Pit has also been recognized by Franchise Times, The Wall Street Journal, QSR Magazine, Forbes Magazine and Nations Restaurant News. For more information, visit www.dickeys.com.

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Nigerian British born boxer, Anthony Joshua has been caught shirtless while enjoying some well-deserved vacation with a female companion in Barbados.

The World heavyweight champion hit the beach with the female companion on January 2nd as a unique way of stepping into the new year.

The talented boxer re-claimed his belts from Andy Ruiz at Saudi Arabia in December following an earlier defeat by the Mexican-American boxer.

Read Also: Dino Melaye Shares Photos Of Anthony Joshua With His Dad, Oluwafemi (Photo)

Joshua then won the rematch by a unanimous points decision in the rematch.
ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX) (the Company), a global shipping company specializing in the ownership of dry bulk vessels, today announced the commencement of a tender offer to purchase up to 3,030,303 shares, or about 3.3%, of its outstanding common stock using funds available from cash and cash equivalents at a price of $3.30 per share. The tender offer will expire at the end of the day, 5:00 P.M., Eastern Time, on February 3, 2020, unless extended or withdrawn. The Board of Directors determined that it is in the Companys best interest to repurchase shares at this time given Diana Shippings cash position and stock price. The tender offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of shares being tendered; however, the tender offer is subject to a number of other terms and conditions. Specific instructions and an explanation of the terms and conditions of the tender offer are contained in the Offer to Purchase and related materials that are being mailed to shareholders.



Diana Shipping Inc. has retained Computershare Trust Company, N.A. as the depositary for the tender offer and Georgeson LLC as the information agent.

Copies of the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery are being mailed to the Companys shareholders. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, the related Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be obtained at the Companys expense from the information agent at (800) 248-7690 (toll free). Questions regarding the tender offer should be directed to the information agent at (800) 248-7690 (toll free). Parties outside the U.S. can reach the information agent at +1-781-575-2137.

About the Company

Diana Shipping Inc. is a global provider of shipping transportation services through its ownership of dry bulk vessels. The Companys vessels are employed primarily on medium to long-term time charters and transport a range of dry bulk cargoes, including such commodities as iron ore, coal, grain and other materials along worldwide shipping routes.

Certain Information Regarding the Tender Offer

The information in this press release describing Diana Shipping Inc.s tender offer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Diana Shipping Inc.s common stock in the tender offer. The tender offer is being made only pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related materials that Diana Shipping Inc. is distributing to its shareholders, as they may be amended or supplemented. Shareholders should read such Offer to Purchase and related materials carefully and in their entirety because they contain important information, including the various terms and conditions of the tender offer. Shareholders of Diana Shipping Inc. may obtain a free copy of the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase and other documents that Diana Shipping Inc. is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission from the Securities and Exchange Commissions website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also obtain a copy of these documents, without charge, from Georgeson LLC, the information agent for the tender offer, toll free at (800) 248-7690. Shareholders are urged to carefully read all of these materials prior to making any decision with respect to the tender offer. Shareholders and investors who have questions or need assistance may call Georgeson LLC, the information agent for the tender offer, toll free at (800) 248-7690. Parties outside the U.S. can reach the information agent at +1-781-575-2137.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions, including without limitation, Company managements examination of historical operating trends, data contained in the Companys records and other data available from third parties. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond the Companys control, the Company cannot assure you that it will achieve or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.

In addition to these important factors, other important factors that, in the Companys view, could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions, including fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values, changes in demand for dry bulk shipping capacity, changes in the Companys operating expenses, including bunker prices, drydocking and insurance costs, the market for the Companys vessels, availability of financing and refinancing, changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities, potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents or political events, vessel breakdowns and instances of off-hires and other factors. Please see the Companys filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Lenovo is expanding its smart office offerings in the lead-up to CES 2020 with a full suite of ThinkSmart-branded solutions to make workplace communication easier. The biggest of the new announcements is likely the introduction of Lenovo ThinkSmart View. Lenovo designed the brand new product to bring conference-room communications and interaction to an individual level  tying in with other Lenovo and Microsoft Teams solutions.

Lenovo also introduced a new solution dubbed ThinkSmart Hub 700, iterating on its conference room lineup to suit large-scale communications. Thats in addition to the introduction of Zoom Rooms bundle kits to serve as scaleable solutions for small, medium or large meeting spaces.

Although Lenovo hasnt provided specific details, at least some of those solutions also integrate with ThinkSmart Manager. Intended to bring the solutions together, the Manager serves as a central control point for the standalone devices for IT departments.

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Lenovo designed ThinkSmart View to make office communications easier with privacy built-in

As noted above, this years announcements from Lenovo for businesses kick off with the Lenovo ThinkSmart View. The device closely resembles Lenovos Smart Display but with its speakers offset to the side rather than below its touchscreen. It is also tailor-made to deliver less distracting, more productive business communications and has a deep focus on security, privacy, and business integration.

Lenovo ships ThinkSmart View with an 8-inch touchscreen, set next to a full range speaker with two passive radiators. A built-in camera, and dual mics are part of the build too. Lenovo is equipping the camera with a privacy shutter and the mics can be readily muted at the flip of a switch. Bluetooth allows for a more distraction-free workplace via pairing with headsets, whether in a large open office or at home.

More importantly, the gadget integrates with Microsoft Teams. That means the Google Assistant-enabled device is ready to connect to a PC and the cloud. That means that the device is fully integrated in the workplace. But it also enables primary communications to be more traditionally separated, freeing up the PC and monitor for work to be done.

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ThinkSmart Hub 700

Details on the new Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 700 are slimmer. The company says that the latest entry serves as a turnkey solution for larger conference spaces. It packs in a moveable display for touch-based control and single-touch meeting starts. That integration also makes content sharing possible via that display panel and integration with Microsoft Teams.

Moreover, the newest entry in the ThinkSmart Hub line packs in Dolby Audio via four speakers. Thats matched by four 360-degree microphone arrays for easier command of the audio space in larger areas with more participangs.

Specs

Specifications for the new ThinkSmart View, ThinkPad X1 ANC Bluetooth headset, and other gadgets havent been provided. However, Lenovo has presented some deeper details about its Smart Tab M10 FHD Plus, set to be bundled with ThinkSmart kits and central to the design of the ThinkSmart View. That gadget is detailed below for those looking for deeper specs.

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Display 8-inch (1280800), IPS, Multi-touch Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 624 (APQ8053) RAM 2GB Storage 8GB eMMC Cameras 5-megapixel wide-angle w/ Privacy Shutter Sensors Light Sensor, G Sensor, Proximity Sensor Audio 1.75 10 Watt full-range speaker w/ 2 passive radiators

Dual microphone array w/ Mic Mute Dimensions 142.21 x 263.21 x 125111.36mm

5.60 x 10.36 x 4.924.38 in Weight 1kg/2.2lbs Networking WiFi: 802.11ac (22), Bluetooth BLE 4.2 Colors Black

Pricing and availability

Lenovo ThinkSmart View is currently expected to become available this month, as per this pre-CES 2020 announcement. It will start out at $349 or buyers can pick it up bundled with a ThinkPad X1 ANC Bluetooth headset for $100 more.

Lenovo expects ThinkSmart Hub 700 to be available in the same timeframe with pricing unspecified but available on request. ThinkSmart Tiny kits and ThinkSmart Manager are available now, following a similar path in terms of the pricing. The former is available via Maverick AV Solutions in the US, Canada and select European and Asian countries. ThinkSmart manager is available from Lenovo with a years subscription included on select purchases.
There are widespread protests and misinformation around the National Register of Citizens (NRC) across India. Protesters are frightened that their citizenship will be terminated if the NRC is implemented throughout India. Critics say this law discriminates against Muslims. This disinformation around NRC is spread by political parties and shrewd politicians. However, the government has clarified that no citizen of India will be targeted. It was during a parliamentary session on 20 November 2019 when Home Minister Amit Shah said that NRC would be prepared for the entire country. The question is not whether to implement NRC throughout India or not, but an important question is why NRC is necessary for any country and what are possible consequences?

The NRC is the list of Indian citizens prepared after the conduct of census 1951. NRC aimed to record citizens, their houses, and holding. It's simply meant to identify all bona fide citizens. The NRC is updated based on the Citizenship Act, 1955 and The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003. The Supreme Court of India directs the state and central governments to update the list for the Assam and used its special power under Article 142 of the Indian Constitution. Registrar General and Census Commissioner India is the nodal authority of NRC.

The task of NRC started in Assam under the supervision of the Supreme Court. Before this, Assam Accord was signed between the All Assam Students Union (AASU), the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad, and the then central government in 1985 to bring stability in the state and to identify illegal migrants in Assam. The six-year-long anti-foreigner movement from (1979 to 1986) pressured the government and it was decided that 24 March, 1971 as the cut-off date for citizenship, according to the Assam Accord.

NRC was first prepared in 1951 to check on the illegal inflow of people from neighbor countries but no government tried to implement the NRC until the Supreme Court ordered the implementation and updatation of NRC in 2013. And the process to update NRC began in 2015. The reason was simple  not to upset the large section of society because they were the vote bank of government. After coming in power, the Narendra Modi government decided to implement the NRC under the direction of the Supreme Court. The final draft was released on 30 July, 2018 and the final list was released on 31 August, 2019.

First, the crisis of identity: The influx of large immigrants has created a crisis of identity among the indigenous population. Locals fear that their cultural survival will be affected; the local population also was fearful of political appeasement policies, especially in the Northeast. Also, employment opportunities were undermined because of immigrants. Mass infiltrations from Bangladesh has eroded the Assamese culture and also changing the demographics of the region. So India needs to identify the illegal migrants.

Secondly, an increased financial burden on both state and Centre. Immigration has increased pressure on state government, as they had to increase the expenditure on education and health facilities for the immigrants. Thirdly, large areas of forest land were encroached upon by the immigrants for settlement and cultivation. This led to massive environmental degradation of the region.

Fourth, most of the immigrants have their names enrolled in the democratic rundown illicitly, in this way guaranteeing themselves as residents of the state. Some parties consider it as their vote bank in Assam.

Assam agitation in 1980 was the result of this mass illegal immigrants. The failure of the government to respond to the issue of illegal migration led to the agitation by many organisations, some led by All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) and All Assam Student's Union (AASU) among others.

A petition was filed for the first time in the Supreme Court in 2009 by an NGO called Assam Public Works demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants in Assam. They also demanded that their voting cards should be ceased. Later In 2013, an order was passed by the Supreme Court for completion of the NRC by 31 December, 2017. Currently, the Supreme Court is responsible for monitoring the entire process of NRC updation.
Amazon Employees for Climate Justice took to Twitter to complain they were being threatened with dismissal. Photo: Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images

Amazon (AMZN) staff who spoke up about the impact of climate change claim they have been targeted by the e-commerce giant and threatened with being fired.

A group of Amazon employees who took part in the Global Climate Walkout earlier this year took to Twitter on Thursday to say some of their members were threatened with dismissal if they continued to speak out on the issue.

Jeff Bezos and Amazon executives are threatening to fire a few members of our group after we spoke up about wanting our company to be a leader in the worldwide effort to avert climate catastrophe, Amazon Employees for Climate Justice wrote on Twitter.

The group claim Amazon changed its communication policy the day after they announced plans to take part in the Global Climate Walkout. The new policy forbade Amazon staff to speak out on any issue without prior approval from the PR department.

Our world is on fire & desperately needs climate leadership, the group wrote. Stop silencing employees who are sounding the alarm.

A spokesperson for Amazon said: Our policy regarding external communications is not new and we believe is similar to other large companies.

We recently updated the policy and related approval process to make it easier for employees to participate in external activities such as speeches, media interviews, and use of the companys logo.

As with any company policy, employees may receive a notification from our HR team if we learn of an instance where a policy is not being followed.

Amazon Employees for Climate Justice called on Amazon founder Bezos to use his immense economic power to help tackle climate change. The group also accused the company of contributing to the problem.

We cannot be silent while our families and communities suffer, the employees wrote on Twitter. By speaking up, we can make the company better.

A spokesperson for Amazon said: We understand many of our employees feel passionately about the future of our environment  we do too, which is why weve included climate change as one of our positions and announced The Climate Pledge, a commitment to meet the Paris Agreement 10 years early.
Historical issues remain on the agenda of Ukraine-Poland relations but are not the main negotiating points.

This was facilitated by the lifting of ban on the search and exhumation of Polish victims in Ukraine, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Andriy Deshchytsia said in an interview with Ukrinform.

Although historical issues remain on the agenda of bilateral relations, they do not form top agenda any longer. This was facilitated by the decision to lift the ban on search and exhumation works in Ukraine, which was made after President Zelensky's visit to Poland. This decision unblocked dialogue in many other areas and relieved tensions that existed in negotiations at the official level, Deshchytsia said.

Prior to that, discussion of complicated historical issues was always given priority during the official meetings.

The diplomat also told about the intention of Polish officials to arrange legal Ukrainian sites of commemoration in Poland.

This requires certain time, procedures. After all, the statement of the President of Ukraine also did not imply an immediate unblocking of search and exhumation works. The statement was made in August and the work started in late November. There are some procedures that need to be fulfilled. And that is the position of the Polish side, the ambassador emphasized.

According to him, the Ukrainian side wants to resume consultations within the framework of 1994 bilateral agreement on the preservation of the sites of commemoration in order to settle all the issues related to such places both in Poland and Ukraine.

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All were New Yorkers who lost their lives while biking in the city in 2019.

At least 28 cyclists died in New York City last year. Thats the highest number in two decades, according to year-end statistics from Mayor de Blasios administration.

Overall traffic deaths  including cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and those traveling in motor vehicles  were also up for the first time in years.

[More people are dying on New York Citys streets. What went wrong?]

Heres what we know about the problem.

There were 219 traffic deaths last year, up from 203 deaths in 2018  a wave of vehicular violence that has raised doubts about Mr. de Blasios plans to improve safety.

Mr. de Blasios plan, known as Vision Zero and modeled after a Swedish proposal, had been showing promising results. Traffic deaths dropped to their lowest level in a century in 2018.

His administration blamed reckless behavior by drivers and more collisions involving large vehicles like trucks and sport-utility vehicles for the increase in deaths.

There was another pedestrian death on New Years Day. A 74-year-old woman was killed by an S.U.V. as she crossed a street in Queens.

Mr. de Blasios administration said it would move aggressively this year to install more protected bike lanes and cameras to catch speeding drivers.

Biking has become increasingly popular in New York City in recent years, with nearly 500,000 bike trips each day.

But another popular gadget  the shared electric scooter  is not coming to the city as some had hoped. Governor Cuomo recently vetoed a bill to allow the scooters.
The number of women directing Hollywood movies undeniably jumped to make a hit in 2019.

Two studies showed that there are 12 top-grossing movies handled by female directors, including "Captain Marvel", "Hustlers" and "Frozen 2."

According to the study by Annenberg Inclusion Initiative at the University of Southern California, there are 10.6 percent female directors that handled top movies last year, which is double the percentage in 2018. It is also the highest percentage of female directors in the past 10 years.

On the other hand, per the study conducted by the Center for the study of Women in Television and Film, 20 percent of all directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, and writers were engaged with the top 100 grossing films of 2019. The latest numbers are up from 16 percent in 2018.

Stacy L. Smith, the author of the Annenberg study, said that this is the very first time a sudden shift in hiring female directors happened in 13 years.

What's With The Rise?

Greta Gerwig's "Little Women" and Olivia Wilde's "Booksmart" also helped boost the incredible records.

Greta Gerwig is not only a Hollywood female director, but she is also an American actress, screenwriter and scriptwriter. She has collaborated with different people who are successful at film directing like Noah Baumbach. They co-worked to make films such as "Frances Ha" in 2012 (for which she gained a Golden Globe nomination) and "Mistress America" in 2015.

Olivia Wilde is also one of the best female directors in 2019. She is an Irish and American actress, producer, activist and director. In 2019, she was able to direct her first film, the comedy "Booksmart" which was complemented by many viewers.

Women Empowerment

The aspiring move for more diversity in directing and producing roles has been an important topic in Hollywood for more than a decade now. However, only one woman was able to win an Oscar's best director award, Kathryn Bigelow.

Bigelow directed "The Hurt Locker" in 2010. Only four women have been considered for Hollywood's best directo awards since 2008, including the Oscars, Directors Guild Awards, Critics Choice Award and Golden Globes.

No female director was included in the nominees for the 2020 Golden Globe awards, which take place on Sunday, Moroever, both Stacy L. Smith and Martha Lauzen in San Diego believed that more work should be done.

Martha Lauzen said that men continue to outnumber women in key behind-the-scenes roles, with the ratio being 4:1. It is really offbeat to talk about reaching historic highs when women remain so far from equality.

This 2020, the most expected blockbuster films such as "Mulan," "Black Widow," "Wonder Woman 1984," and "The Eternals" are all directed by women -- which is definitely a good way to start the year.

Smith singled out Netflix in these efforts, saying that 20 percent of the streaming platform's 2019 U.S. fictional films were all directed by women.

Smith believed that legacy studios must know that the world and the talent channel look very different from their hiring practices and should act to reflect that reality.
M ore police will patrol Londons violent crime hotspots in a new attempt to prevent killings and injuries in the coming year, the Met Commissioner announced today.

Dame Cressida Dick said there would be a greater presence and visibility of uniform officers on the streets as part of a concerted package of action to improve public safety.

She said other changes as the Met redoubles our efforts against violent crime would include the relentless targeting of serious criminals whose activities were causing the greatest harm.

There would also be a continued purge on gangs and more officers deployed in schools to stop vulnerable pupils being dragged into crime by the malign influence of others.

The Commissioners pledge of enhanced police action in an article for this newspaper today follows the 149 homicides recorded in London last year.

The death toll was 16 higher than the previous 12 months and included 25 teenagers. Many were killed with knives amid a continuing nationwide rise in blade offending.

Among the victims were 17-year-old Jodie Chesney, who was knifed in the back as she sat with friends in a park in Harold Hill, east London, last March, and 14-year-old Jaden Moodie.

He was killed last January in what police described as a savage, frenzied attack in Leyton by rival gang member Ayoub Majdouline after being knocked off the moped he was riding.

Ministers and London Mayor Sadiq Khan have sought to respond to the violence by funding preventative schemes as part of a public health approach designed to tackle the problem at its root.

Dame Cressida has also warned that police enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, but today made clear that she was determined to see even greater police efforts to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Londons streets.

Every murder or attack is one too many, she said. As a new decade begins, the Met will continue to work tirelessly to bear down on violent crime. I am convinced that we are doing the right things, but we must redouble our efforts.

Dame Cressida emphasised that her officers had already achieved success by going after prolific knife carriers and targeting criminal gangs. Stabbings of young people had fallen by 23 per cent over two years as a result.

But she added: We are all too aware that there is much more to do. We will be out on the streets in violent crime hotspots even more. There will be a greater presence and visibility of uniform officers. We will relentlessly target criminals whose activities have been identified by intelligence as driving the most serious crime and who are causing the most harm to our communities.

The Commissioner said that tackling violent crime is about much more than police enforcement and that her force would work with other organisations and communities as part of a long-term preventative approach.

She said this would include increasing the number of dedicated police officers in schools and pupil referral units across London to 600 and continuing to divert young people away from crime where ever we can.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show knife offending in London at record levels with just over 15,000 such crimes committed in the 12 months to the end of June last year.

That tally compares with an annual total of fewer than 10,000 knife offences recorded in the capital up to the end of March 2016. The Met has set up a Violent Crime Taskforce and also significantly increased the number of stop and searches carried out to detect knife offenders and street drug gangs.

Listen to todays's episode of The Leader:
Dividend paying stocks like Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (LON:HIK) tend to be popular with investors, and for good reason - some research suggests a significant amount of all stock market returns come from reinvested dividends. Unfortunately, it's common for investors to be enticed in by the seemingly attractive yield, and lose money when the company has to cut its dividend payments.

A slim 1.4% yield is hard to get excited about, but the long payment history is respectable. At the right price, or with strong growth opportunities, Hikma Pharmaceuticals could have potential. 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.

Explore this interactive chart for our latest analysis on Hikma Pharmaceuticals!

LSE:HIK Historical Dividend Yield, January 2nd 2020

Payout ratios

Dividends are usually paid out of company earnings. If a company is paying more than it earns, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. As a result, we should always investigate whether a company can afford its dividend, measured as a percentage of a company's net income after tax. Hikma Pharmaceuticals paid out 27% of its profit as dividends, over the trailing twelve month period. This is a medium payout level that leaves enough capital in the business to fund opportunities that might arise, while also rewarding shareholders. Besides, if reinvestment opportunities dry up, the company has room to increase the dividend.

In addition to comparing dividends against profits, we should inspect whether the company generated enough cash to pay its dividend. Hikma Pharmaceuticals's cash payout ratio in the last year was 33%, which suggests dividends were well covered by cash generated by the business. It's encouraging to see that the dividend is covered by both profit and cash flow. This generally suggests the dividend is sustainable, as long as earnings don't drop precipitously.

Story continues

Consider getting our latest analysis on Hikma Pharmaceuticals's financial position here.

Dividend Volatility

One of the major risks of relying on dividend income, is the potential for a company to struggle financially and cut its dividend. Not only is your income cut, but the value of your investment declines as well - nasty. For the purpose of this article, we only scrutinise the last decade of Hikma Pharmaceuticals's dividend payments. The dividend has been stable over the past 10 years, which is great. We think this could suggest some resilience to the business and its dividends. During the past ten-year period, the first annual payment was US$0.075 in 2010, compared to US$0.38 last year. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 18% a year over that time.

Dividends have been growing pretty quickly, and even more impressively, they haven't experienced any notable falls during this period.

Dividend Growth Potential

While dividend payments have been relatively reliable, it would also be nice if earnings per share (EPS) were growing, as this is essential to maintaining the dividend's purchasing power over the long term. Hikma Pharmaceuticals has grown its earnings per share at 6.8% per annum over the past five years. It's good to see decent earnings growth and a low payout ratio. Companies with these characteristics often display the fastest dividend growth over the long term - assuming earnings can be maintained, of course.

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. First, we like that the company's dividend payments appear well covered, although the retained capital also needs to be effectively reinvested. Earnings growth has been limited, but we like that the dividend payments have been fairly consistent. Hikma Pharmaceuticals performs highly under this analysis, although it falls slightly short of our exacting standards. At the right valuation, it could be a solid dividend prospect.

Earnings growth generally bodes well for the future value of company dividend payments. See if the 13 Hikma Pharmaceuticals analysts we track are forecasting continued growth with our free report on analyst estimates for the company.

If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of dividend stocks yielding above 3%.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cut short a visit to Greece and flew home Friday as Lebanons Hezbollah demanded revenge for the killing of a top Iranian commander in a US strike.

A source in Netanyahus office said that the premier was returning from Athens but did not elaborate.

Following Friday mornings killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israels closest ally, to be avenged.

Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins... will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said in a statement.

The Israeli army on Friday closed a ski resort in the annexed Golan Heights, which border Lebanon and Syria.

Following a security assessment, it was decided to close Mount Hermon to visitors today, an army spokeswoman told AFP.

There are no further instructions for civilians in the area.

The ski resort on Mount Hermon lies in the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move still not recognised by most of the international community.

Across the armistice line sits the Shiite Hezbollah, Israels bitter foe with which it fought in 2006.

There has so far been no official Israeli comment on the killing of Soleimani.

Israels security cabinet was to hold an emergence session Friday, Israeli media said.

The papers reported that Netanyahu had ordered ministers not to comment on the killing.

Yair Lapid, a senior member of the Blue and White alliance seeking to unseat Netanyahu, was however quick to congratulate President Donald Trump in a Facebook post.

He who led murderous terrorist attacks from Damascus to Buenos Aires and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocents got the end he deserved.

The Iranian regime is a terror regime and, against terror, determination and strength are required, Lapid wrote.

In the Gaza Strip, the Islamist Hamas movement which rules the territory, condemned Soleimanis killing but did not make any overt threats.

Hamas sends its condolences to the Iranian leadership and people, a statement said.

Hamas condemns this American crime which raises tension in the region.
The Regulatory Unit (Unidad de Regulacion Financiera or URF) of the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit has issued several decrees with the purpose of harmonising Colombian capital requirement regulations applicable to banking institutions with the capital requirement regulations included in Basel III.

The URF issued Decree 1477 of 2018 and Decree 1421 of 2019, which finalised the convergence of Colombian rules with international standards. The main developments of these two decrees were, among others: (i) the inclusion of additional leverage ratios, and the implementation of certain conservation buffers as capital requirements of banking institutions; (ii) the improvement of the criteria for inclusion of instruments as tier one, additional tier one and tier two capital of banking institutions, including the incorporation of tax and regulatory events as early redemption events for tier two and additional tier one instruments; and (iii) the incorporation of operative risks in the accounting of capital requirements and risk-weighted assets of banking institutions.

Because these decrees incorporate certain transitional arrangements pursuant to which banking institutions must comply with the new capital requirements beginning on January 1 2021, the impact and effect of these new capital requirement rules are just beginning to be evaluated in the Colombian market.

Many questions and doubts surrounding how these measures should be implemented and interpreted have risen in the market, as occurred in other jurisdictions when they were implementing these new Basel III standards. For example, questions of how the loss absorption mechanisms should be applied or understood in such cases when there is more than one instrument of a determined capital quality, are questions that will probably remain unanswered until there is an actual loss absorption event in the Colombian market.

In this context, the URF and the Colombian Superintendence of Finance are likely to issue clear guidance as to how these rules should be interpreted, in order to have a better understanding of the complex and intricate matters of these capital requirement regulations, which remain subject to discussion and interpretation by all the interested parties and market participants.

Carlos Fradique-Mendez Viviana Araujo Angulo

 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs.

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(Newser)  In 2018, around 140 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand helped fight wildfires in California and other western states. With wildfires now raging in Australia, the help is being repaid. Around 100 American firefighters have been sent to Australia over the last four weeks and at least 50 more will be dispatched on Monday, the Los Angeles Times reports. This is the first time the US government has sent firefighters to Australia since 2010. Canada, for the first time, has also sent dozens of firefighters Down Under. National Interagency Fire Center public affairs officer Kari Cobbs say the US firefighters who volunteered for the assignment will earn their normal salary while overseas. An agreement between the US and Australia to share fire resources "works really well because Australia has a different fire season than we do," Cobb says.

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But that agreement may not work well for much longer, the Wall Street Journal reports. Fire seasons worldwide are beginning to overlap, and companies that lease firefighting equipment worldwide are now dealing with competing requests from different parts of the world at the same time. "Our whole paradigm of progressive fire seasons is out the window," says former New South Wales Fire and Rescue commissioner Greg Mullins. For now, Australia needs all the help it can get: This is the country's worst wildfire season on record and more than 200 fires are still burning, the AP reports. With soaring temperatures expected to make the situation even worse on Saturday, mass evacuations are underway and states of emergency have been declared in New South Wales and Victoria. (The fires have killed at least 19 people and an estimated 500 million animals.)
Dublin, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "2019 Study of The U.S. Market for CBD and Cannabis-Infused Products" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The 2019 Study of the U.S. Market For CBD and Cannabis-Infused Products explores the burgeoning market for CBD and its more psychoactive cousin THC.

CBD products are an important emerging category with a sizeable proportion of adults, particularly those experiencing pain, reporting they would have interest if a major brand introduced a line of CBD based pain relievers.



This benchmark study provides insights into consumer opinion of newly available CBD and cannabis products in the health, wellness and beauty categories, as well as for recreational indulgence. It also looks at motivations behind product interest and preferred products/forms and retailers.



Topics covered in this report include:

Consumer knowledge and opinions

Health benefits associated with CBD and cannabis

Doctor recommendations and medical marijuana use

CBD awareness, trial and use

Market potential for CBD

Awareness of cannabis-infused products containing THC

Trial and market potential for such products

Preferences for purchase outlets and product forms

Attitudinal profile of today's consumers, focusing on what drives interest in CBD and cannabis

Key Topics Covered



SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

I. CONSUMER PERCEPTIONS OF CBD & CANNABIS-INFUSED PRODUCTS

Awareness of CBD & Cannabis Terms

Belief in Impact of CBD & Cannabis Products

Awareness of Legality of Marijuana in State of Residence

Favor or Oppose Legalization of Marijuana

Attitudes Toward Health Benefits of CBD & Cannabis

Attitudes Toward Safety of CBD & Cannabis

II. MEDICAL MARIJUANA & DOCTOR RECOMMENDATIONS

Therapeutic Benefits Associated With Medical Marijuana

Perceptions of Medical Marijuana Options

Spoke to Doctor About Using Medical Marijuana or CBD/Recommendations

Currently Registered to Purchase Medical Marijuana

III. CBD PRODUCTS

A. KNOWLEDGE & EXPOSURE

Therapeutic Benefits Associated With CBD

Sources of Awareness of CBD Products

Confidence That CBD Products Will Not Make You High

B. TRIAL & USE

Incidence of Ever Using CBD (among general population)

Types/Forms of CBD Products Aware of/Ever Used

Brands of CBD Products Aware of

Types/Forms of CBD Products Used in Past 12 Months/Recently Used

Predictors of Regular Use of CBD

Regular vs. Intermittent/Other Use of CBD Products

Brands of CBD Products Ever Used/Use Regularly

Reasons For Using CBD Products/Types of Pain Used For

Patterns of Using CBD For Pain

Outlets Where Purchased CBD Products

Satisfaction With CBD Products Used For Therapeutic Purposes

Key Driver Analysis For CBD Products

Likelihood of Continuing Use of CBD-Based Products

C. MARKET POTENTIAL

Likelihood of Trying CBD Products if Legal in State of Residence

Reasons That Would Encourage Trial of CBD Products

Therapeutic Benefits Interested in Obtaining From CBD Products

Most Likely CBD Types/Forms & Purchase Outlets

Purchase Resistance: Why NOT Likely to Buy CBD Products

V. MEDICAL MARIJUANA (CANNABIS) WITH THC

A. TRIAL & USE

Incidence of Using Medical Marijuana With THC (among general population)

Forms of Medical Marijuana With THC Aware of/Ever Used

Forms of Medical Marijuana With THC Used in Past 12 Months/

Where Purchased

Reasons For Using Medical Marijuana With THC/Types of Pain Used For

Satisfaction With Medical Marijuana With THC Ever Used

Key Driver Analysis For Medical Marijuana With THC

Likelihood of Continuing Use of Medical Marijuana With THC

B. MARKET POTENTIAL

Likelihood of Trying THC-Based Products/Most Likely Types/Forms

Therapeutic Benefits Interested in Obtaining From THC-Based Products

Purchase Resistance: Why NOT Likely to Use Medical Marijuana With THC

C. PROFILE OF CBD & MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS

Gender & Age Profiles of Users

Employment & Income Profiles of Users

Pain & Stress Profile of Users

Demographic Profile of CBD Users

Lifestyle Profile of CBD Users

Demographic Profile of Medical Marijuana With THC Users

Lifestyle Profile of Medical Marijuana With THC Users

VI. PERSPECTIVE ON PAIN

Types of Pain Experienced in Past 12 Months

Description of Pain Currently Suffer From

Rating of Severity of Pain

Other Health Problems/Conditions Experienced in Past 12 Months

Pain or Health Problems/Conditions For Which Currently Take Rx Medication

Interest in CBD-Based Pain Reliever

Perceived Level of Stress in Day-to-Day Life

Link Between Stress and Severity of Pain

MARKET SEGMENTATION

TECHNICAL APPENDIX

Composition of the Sample

Sampling Tolerances

THE QUESTIONNAIRE

EXCEL DATA TABULATIONS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/bzchgv

Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research.
Thousands of Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha) workers from all over the state marched from the City Railway Station to the Freedom Park on Friday, pressing the government to meet their various demands.

The women in pink gathered at the Freedom Park and protested after several meetings with government officials pertaining to their wages had failed previously.

Vandana, an Asha worker from Udupi, said that though they are entitled to Rs 6,000 of monthly honorarium, they are receiving only Rs 1,800 per month. "We have to shell out from our pockets for our work-related travels too. An amount of Rs 150 is deducted from our honorarium if we encounter technical glitches while entering data of the house-visits undertaken by us," she said.

"We face practical issues while on duty which we cannot openly express. While examining leprosy patches, patients are unwilling to cooperate," expressed Rathna Bagamnavar.

At a meeting with top officials of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the AICTU representatives put forth the 11 demands. The department's commissioner, Pankaj Pandey, said the government had agreed to a few of their demands, including additional saree for workers every year.

They ensured that glitches in the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal would be rectified and monthly meetings will be held with the representatives of Asha workers to understand their problems. Asha supervisors can also purchase vehicles, the interest of which will be borne by the government.

On reports that workers were not paid for last 15 months, the officials clarified that the remuneration under the State government component of Rs 4,000, as well as the National Health Mission (NHM) component of Rs 2,000, and performance-based incentives which range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500, up to November 2019 had been disbursed. Payments from December 2019 were under process.

Asha workers have decided to continue their protest on Saturday too. Since they have been denied permission to protest at the Freedom Park, they will return to their respective districts and boycott work indefinitely and have given a deadline till March until all their demands are fulfilled.
Iraqis are celebrating the death of Iran's elite Quds Force chief, General Qassem Soleimani, by "dancing in the street", said US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo while sharing a video of people holding a rally.

In the 22-second video which Pompeo shared on Twitter, people are seen running on a road carrying a several meter-long Iraq national flag. The video is of some unspecified location in Iraq.

This comes hours after the United States confirmed that Soleimani has been killed in a defence strike near Baghdad International Airport.

"Iraqis -- Iraqis -- dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more," Pompeo tweeted.

Besides Soleimani, Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and five others were also killed in the US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport, reported Iraqi officials and state television.

The attack has come days after an Iran-backed militia and other protesters attacked the United States Embassy in Baghdad.

The attack on the embassy came as a retaliation to a US airstrike that killed at least 25 people of the Popular Mobilization Forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least three Katyusha rockets were fired at Baghdad International Airport on Friday, causing multiple casualties, Iraqi security officials said.

Iraq's Security Media Cell, which releases information regarding Iraqi security, said the rockets landed near the cargo hall. It reported several casualties and said two cars were on fire.

The nighttime attack occurred amid tensions with the US after an Iran-backed militia attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bengaluru, Jan 3 : Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Friday said his government is seriously looking at doubling farmers' income by 2022, a target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"PM Modi has set a target to double farmers' income by 2022. Our government in the state is also focusing on this mission," Yediyurappa said at the inaugural session of the 107th Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru.

Offering value addition services to farmers such as packaging, preserving the crops and agricultural produce are some of the areas which can make a big difference in the lives of farmers, who constitute a big chunk of Indian population, said Yediyurappa.

"Apart from this, providing basic facilities like electricity, connectivity, healthcare services, education to the remote areas are some of the challenges that could be addressed by S&T to a great extent," the Chief Minister said.

Yediyurappa said the theme of this year's science congress, "Science and Technology: Rural Development", reminds everyone that "we have to utilise the available resources with extraordinary care, keeping the future generations in mind".

"Because the resources are finite, we cannot pretend they last forever. With this awareness, technology intervention was contemplated to promote rural economy," he said.

Yediyurappa said Karnataka has always been a hub for science and technology, highlighting that the state was one of the first to establish a Science and Technology Council.

"Karnataka proactively engages itself to identify, propose and implement S&T based solutions to local specific needs of the state, particularly for the rural population," he said.

Citing an example, he said geospatial technologies are deployed in planning, decision making, governance and also addressing developmental issues in the state in a more scientific and systematic manner.

Yediyuappa said Karnataka government is keenly waiting for the outcome of the science congress which could be applied for the betterment of rural areas in the state.
The United States embassy in Baghdad urged on Friday all "citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately

Iraq's prime minister condemned on Friday the U.S. killing of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and said it would "light the fuse" of war.

The United States killed Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and architect of Iran's spreading military influence in the Middle East, in a strike at Baghdad airport. Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed.

The United States embassy in Baghdad urged on Friday all "citizens to heed the January 2020 Travel Advisory and depart Iraq immediately. U.S. citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land," it said in a statement, hours after the strike.

"The assassination of an Iraqi military commander who holds an official position is considered aggression on Iraq ... and the liquidation of leading Iraqi figures or those from a brotherly country on Iraqi soil is a massive breach of sovereignty," Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said.

Abdul Mahdi, whose government has the backing of Iran, said in a statement the U.S. air strike was "a dangerous escalation that will light the fuse of a destructive war in Iraq, the region, and the world."

The prime minister resigned in November due to anti-government protests, but remains in office in a caretaker capacity. At least 450 people have been killed in the unrest, some which was driven by anger at Iranian influence in Iraq.

The prime minister said the U.S. strike violated terms of the U.S. military presence in Iraq, adding that U.S. troops were exclusively in Iraq to train Iraqi security forces and fight Islamic State within the framework of a global coalition.

Abdul Mahdi called on parliament to convene an extraordinary session to "take legislative steps and necessary provisions to safeguard Iraq's dignity, security and sovereignty."

He did not specify what those provisions would entail, but some officials and parliamentarians have called for steps to expel U.S. troops from Iraq.

Abdul Mahdi, whose government has support from Iran's and Tehran-backed Iraqi allies, described Soleimani and Muhandis as "huge symbols of the victory against Islamic State terrorists."

Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), a grouping of mostly Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim militias led by Muhandis, helped security forces retake a third of Iraq from Islamic State. The grouping's troops were later incorporated into Iraq's official armed forces.

Thousands of Iraqis have taken to the streets since Oct. 1 to condemn, among other things, militias and their Iranian patrons that support Abdul Mahdi's government.

The protesters have also demanded an overhaul of a political system they see as corrupt and keeping most Iraqis in poverty.

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The birth of the Saviour is a joyful celebration throughout the Christian world. In this performance, the carriers of the long-awaited Good News bring the angels' message to their homes across the Carpathian Basin, causing the people to break into dance.

Hungary's thousand-year-old Christian tradition still includes some remnants of our pagan habits from before we adopted Christianity, which appear as little gems of folk belief in different moments of the production.



In this production, the Bartina Folk Dance Association, winners of the Folszallott a pava talent show, will show symbols of anticipation and renewal through their customs revolving around the grape harvest.



This colourful programme will also show the beliefs of ethnic minorities in Hungary in the forms of the customs of the Mohacs region and those of the Paloc-Slovaks. Making this evening authentic will be musicians and dancers dedicated to preserving Hungarian folk traditions.



Tickets:

HUF 2,300 - 5,900



Date and time:

Sunday, 5 January, 7:30 pm



Venue:

Palace Of Arts

1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell utca 1.



Photo courtesy of the organisers
(Photo: Victoria Emergency Ministries/WCC)Emergency Ministries workers in Victoria state, Australia.

Red and smoky skies at night and in the morning* looming in four Australian states indicate a catastrophe of biblical proportions as killer fires engulf towns and communities, leaving tens of thousands of people stranded.

Churches have been at the forefront among the responders in both their prayers and deeds as Australians in four states including New South Wales and Victoria reel under flames, with thousands fleeing in the first days of a new decade.

The general secretary of the World Council of Churches, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, sent a a pastoral letter to Australian churches.

"Together with you, WCC member churches around the world are praying for respite from the heat and the flames, for the protection and encouragement of all those fighting the advancing fires, for the preservation of peoples' lives and properties, and of the unique wildlife and environment threatened with destruction," he said.

Tveit noted, "Australia has, since time immemorial, been accustomed to fire and drought."

The fires had killed 20 people by Friday, destroyed almost 6 million hectares (15 million acres), and gutted more than 2,500 buildings. Some clerics have sharply criticized the Australian government's stance on fighting climate change.

Smoke the Australian bushfires is drifting as far as New Zealand, 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away, triggering a yellowy redish haze and leaving a burnt smell in the air, the BBC reported.

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne has a 'graphic' prayer on its front webpage.

Bishop Philip Huggins is president of the National Council of Churches in Australia and director of the Centre for Ecumenical Studies at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, said in a message to the WCC that many people of faith are involved in helping in all kinds of practical ways.

Hotter dryer summers

"Harder to discuss yet is the anger. Hotter, dryer summers are exactly what have been expected. Political ineptitude has left us more vulnerable than might have been the case," rued Huggins.

In 2019, Australia topped its charts for average and maximum temperatures as well as the lowest annual rainfall across the country. The conditions contributed to the unprecedented fires impacting many corners of the country.

Emily Evans of the Uniting Church in Australia and a member of the WCC Executive Committee said Australia is in a national crisis.

"A state of emergency has been declared in New South Wales, a state of disaster in place in Victoria as both states brace for a weekend of continued bushfires and the largest peacetime evacuation in the nation's history is underway," Evans told the WCC.

Australian churches and members through front-line ecumenical organizations, like the Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministries and the New South Wales Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, are on the ground.

"Chaplains are offering personal care, psychological first aid, and emotional and spiritual support at relief and recovery centres in the impacted areas to those affected by the ongoing situation," said Evans.

Churches are also encouraging their members to provide direct financial support to official appeals.

Archbishop Glenn Davies, of the Anglican church in Sydney and New South Wales, appealed for Christians to be in fervent prayer.

"Our hearts cry out to you for those who have lost loved ones, and those who have lost properties in the wake of these ravaging fires. Father, we pray, in your mercy, restrain the forces of nature from creating catastrophic damage; in your mercy protect human life," the archbishop's prayer reads.

'Guard the volunteers'

"Guard those volunteers, rural fire service personnel and emergency services who selflessly step into the breach to fight these fires. Guide police and authorities who help evacuate and shelter those who are displaced. Bring comfort and healing to all who suffer loss," said the Anglican leader.

Davies praised the work of Anglican Aid, which continued its drought and bushfire appeal, and the work of Anglicare's Disaster Recovery Response.

Teams of trained Anglicare volunteers are giving practical aid such as helping prepare meals, providing clothing, bedding and towels for showers, and helping with displaced pets.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference extended its national prayer campaign for drought as historically dry conditions continue to affect most parts of Australia.

"We can't forget the many suffering through these catastrophic drought conditions, which are very much part of the bushfire crisis we are seeing in large parts of the country," Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said.

The Bishops Conference initiated the prayer campaign held during November 2019 but decided it should run indefinitely until drought conditions ease.

"Many parishes and dioceses had local initiatives before the national campaign began and many have continued to focus on the drought and the ongoing bushfires in the weeks since the end of November," Coleridge said.

'Difficult days'

Rev. Simon Hansford, moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, had released a pastoral letter at the turn of the year "in the midst of the bushfires," cautioning, "These are difficult days, and there are more difficult days to come."

Hansford said he had been talking with Rev. Stephen Robinson, who coordinates Disaster Response for the whole Uniting Church.

"We have chaplains at each evacuation centre, the numbers of which are growing, as people flee their holidays and their homes to comparative safety," said the moderator.

He issued a special prayer saying, "God of life and death, our prayers today are where our hearts and minds have been during these last days and where they have been drawn so early in this season; with those communities and individuals whose lives have been damaged in differing ways by the bushfires."

God is asked to intervene for all those fighting the fires, Hansford said.

"We pray for those who have lost their home and property or are facing such loss: for those who have been forced to leave their memories and belongings; for the fear and disorientation of all involved; Heal them from their nightmare memories," he prayed.

Global news media has shown scenes of Australia ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades, with large swathes of the country destroyed since the annual fire season began in September.

* The old saying, "red sky at night, shepherd's delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning" is said to have its origins in Matthew's gospel (16:2b3) in a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees.
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Friday asked the Congress if it will continue to humiliate Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters just because they were "utterly disliked" by Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress, which is part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, will have to answer to the Marathi people and all patriots in the country as to how long it will continue to "insult the sacrifice" of Veer Savarkar, Irani said at the Delhi BJP office after launching the party's 'Meri Dilli, Mera Sujhav' campaign.

Under the drive, the BJP will take suggestions from people to draft its manifesto for the Delhi polls.

The Union minister also asked if it was "the Gandhi clan's birthright" to "humiliate" Veer Savarkar.

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, commonly known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, politician, lawyer, writer, and the formulator of the Hindutva philosophy.

"Will they eulogise only those born in the Gandhi clan, and humiliate lakhs of Indians who served at Kala Pani, suffered barbaric treatment at the hands of the British, and Veer Savarkar just because they are utterly disliked (footi ankh nahin suhate) by Congress shahzada (Rahul Gandhi)," Irani told reporters.

She launched the campaign along with other BJP leaders, including the party's Delhi unit chief Manoj Tiwari and Union minister and Delhi assembly election co-incharge Nityanand Rai.

When asked about Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's "Bhagwa" comment, Irani accused the Congress of mixing with religion



"I myself witnessed in the Lok Sabha elections in Amethi, how Mrs Vadra took to streets and offered namaz just to win elections. It does not behove those who mix religion with when they try to define the Hindu religion," she said.

On Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot backing Priyanka Gandhi over her comment by terming it as a "game changer", Irani said his statement "certified" for the Congress, religion was a part of and not a matter of faith.

Priyanka Gandhi attacking Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said last month that, "he wears the dress (vastra) of an yogi. He wears saffron clothes. This bhagwa (saffron) is not yours, it belongs to 'dhaarmik' (religious), 'aadhyaatmik' (spiritual) tradition of Hindustan.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scottish Mortgage shares are down 8% since the start of the year and almost 20% from their high What's happened and should investors act?
Russian-occupation troops have opened fire on Ukrainian troops near Novoluhanske, Donetsk region, from mounted automatic grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms.

Today, as of 12:00, one enemy provocation was recorded at about 04:00 near the village of Novoluhanske [53km north-east of Donetsk]. The invaders started to fire mounted automatic grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms from Dolomitne [53km north-east of Donetsk]. The attack lasted for about half an hour. Ukrainian defenders did not return fire, Ukraines Defense Ministry Spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk said at a briefing.

According to Motuzianyk, no casualties in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been reported today. At present, the situation remains stable and fully controlled by Ukrainian units.

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Feijoada, Brazil's rich, comforting black bean and pork stew, is a national art form

Pork and beans is an age-old combination, expressed in countless ways around the world. Southwestern pinto beans refried in lard. Asian tofu with pork sauce. The all-American can of pork and beans. Wherever there are pork and beans, there is pork with beans.

Portugals feijoada (faysh-WA-da) has spread to the furthest reaches of its empire. Each former colonys version is built on a different bean: red beans in the Iberian motherland, white beans in Angola, kidney beans in Macau. But the worlds favorite feijoada is probably the one made with black beans.

The national dish of Portugals largest former colony, Brazil, is usually what we are talking about when we talk about feijoada.

In any Brazilian restaurant, in or outside of Brazil, from swanky steakhouse to the eminently practical pay-by-weight buffet, there will be a dark, chunky vat of feijoada waiting for you. It isnt glamorous, but it hits the spot.

The ascent of Brazilian feijoada began in the slave quarters, urban slums, and poor rural villages. Beans were used to extend the mileage from each precious scrap of meat, and extract nutrients from bones. Over time, less desperate cuts made their way into the panela de feijoada, along with smoked meat and sausage.

I learned how to make feijoada from Edilson Oliveira, owner of Oliveiras Steakhouse in Somerville, Massachusetts. His first and only question was, With or without pig feet?

I soon realized that when it comes to his feijoada, such flexibility is rare.

Farofa, toasted cassava flour. (Shutterstock)

Oliveira is soft-spoken and polite, with a wide grin and close-cropped hair. I asked about adding other meats like beef to a pork feijoada. He shook his head sympathetically. Beef meat will confuse the taste, he said. It will make no sense.

Oliveiras feijoada recipe is one that any Brazilian would immediately recognize as an exemplary representation of this national art form. Its a feijoada that breaks no rules, takes no chances, crosses no lines, and contains no adulterants. A feijoada you could bring home to mama.

Most Brazilian meals are served with a shaker or bowl of cassava flour. This gritty powder, called farinha (far-EEN-ya), is hugely important in Brazilian food and culture.

Like feijoada, farinha began as a coping mechanism for the poor. It absorbs water from its surroundings and becomes a thick paste. A bowl of broth and a dish of farinha was a normal meal for the poorest Brazilians.

In the same way beans can stretch the goodness of a chunk of meat, a few spoonfuls of farinha will stretch the goodness of a bowl of feijoada. And it isnt just starvation food. Even well-fed Brazilians add farinha to many dishes, either plain or in its toasted form, farofa (fa-ROW-fa).

Oliveiras manager, Victor Almeida, whod been sitting with us in the crowded dining room, held up his phone so I could see the photo of a package of Yoki brand premade farofa.

This is what you want it to taste like, he said. Almeida suggested buying both plain farinha and a package of Yokieasily found onlineso that you have a reference for the farofa flavor when you fry it yourself.

While feijoada and farinha or farofa make a filling meal, on special occasions a whole spread is built around feijoada. Feijoada completa (comb-PLAY-tah) includes fried greens like collards or kale, along with rice, orange slices, and pickled vegetables.

Brazilians are known to take good ideas to extremes, and a feijoada completa is no exception. Its the carnival of pork and beans.

The only room for improvisation is in the kinds of pork to use. (Shutterstock)

Feijoada Brasileira

Along the lines of with or without feet, the only room for improvisation in this recipe is in the kinds of pork to use. There should be at least three types of pork, one of which is sausage, ideally linguica. Something needs to be smoked, preferably not bacon unless its unsliced. A smoked ham hock is great. There should be meaty pieces, fatty pieces, and a bone or two. A rib is an example of a cut that has meat, fat, and bone. (Ribs can do all three.) The recipe below gives one example of three types of pork that check all of these boxes.

Serves everyone, provided there is farinha

2 pounds dry black beans

1 pound pork belly

2 pounds smoked ham hock (bone included)

1 pound sausage (linguica, kielbasa, or bratwurst)

5 garlic cloves, smashed with salt

4 bay leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional accompaniments: farofa, collards, rice, orange, minced onion as a garnish

Add the beans to a large pot, and then water to twice the depth of the beans. Bring to a boil and cook for about an hour, or 25 minutes in the pressure cooker, so the beans are soft but not mushy.

Meanwhile, brown the pork under the broiler, each type of pork in its own oven-safe panI use cast-iron. Rotate the pans and stir the parts as necessary so nothing stays too close to the broiler for too long. The sausage needs the least amount of timeit just needs to be browned on the outside. Cut the sausage into rounds, add the mashed garlic to the pan, and cook the sausage and garlic on medium heat until browned, but not burned. Then turn off the heat.

When the meat is cool enough to work with, remove it from the greasy pans. Oliveira recommends leaving the melted fat behind. (Otherwise, it would be too heavy.)

Cut the meat off the bones and into pieces of half an inch or less on a side. Add the meat, bones, bay leaves, and browned garlic from the sausage pan back to the bean pot, along with enough water to cover everything. Cook another hour or two, seasoning with salt and pepper. The next morning it will be even better, and thicker. Its always OK to add water.

Serve with all of the available fixings.

Ari LeVaux writes about food in Missoula, Mont.
Critics of the French government's pension reform have been honing in on the nomination for the Legion d'Honneur of Jean-Francois Cirelli, the head of the French branch of American asset management company BlackRock, which critics say will benefit from the pension reform that has provoked four weeks of strikes across the country.

Jean-Francois Cirelli was one of 487 people nominated for the Legion d'Honneur on 1 January.

BlackRock, an investment management corporation that has been present in France since 2006, has been the focus of protests recently, with signs denouncing the company during demonstrations against the French government's pension reforms.

The company has been accused of pushing for a privatisation of the country's redistributive pay-as-you-go pension scheme, replacing it with US-style private pension funds.

The French Communist party wondered if Cirelli's Legion d'Honneur nomination was not a reward for the pillage of France's social retirement system.

French secretary of state Agnes Pannier-Runacher on Thursday denied any lobbying by the company, saying that the timing of the honour was pure coincidence.

Maxime Combes, spokesperson for the anti-globalisation NGO Attac France Tweeted that BlackRock could benefit directly from the proposed pension reforms.

BlackRock is the dark side of this pension reform, said Olivier Faure, the head of the Socialist party, on French public television on Thursday.

The communist daily newspaper L'Humanite in December had published an internal BlackRock document explaining the interest in private insurance savings funds for France.

The company has denied pushing any agenda.

"In no way have we sought to exert an influence on the current pension system, it said in a statement, adding that it had spoken with regulatory agencies and public authorities to explain its point of view on the interest of long-term investments.

Pannier-Runacher argued that the company did not have much to gain from the reform, as the French pension market is very small, a box of Smarties, as she put it.

Let's stop thinking that we are the centre of the world, she said, adding that Cirelli was given the honour for his 40 years of work in the public sector, notably for the economy ministry, then as director of GDF-SUEZ, before he came on as the head of the French branch of BlackRock.
Internationally recognized worship band Planetshakers will celebrate the Jan. 10 release of Glory Part One with 30,000 people during a "Praise Party" at SMART Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. The album is available to preorder now at Apple Music, iTunes and Google Play. The new five-song digital EP will also be available to stream on Spotify and more outlets worldwide when it releases.

Recorded in Melbourne, Australia at Planetshakers Church, Glory Part One features over 30-minutes of music. A tangible, intentional expression of worshippers collectively pursuing the presence of God, the EP is led by Planetshakers' Joth Hunt (who also produced and mixed the EP), Sam Evans, Aimee Evans, BJ Pridham, Joshua Brown, Rudy Nikkerud, Chelsi Nikkerud and more.

Glory Part One precedes the annual Planetshakers Conferences launching with the "Glory" theme at Melbourne Arena in Melbourne, AU April 1, Royal International Convention Centre in Brisbane, AU (Bowen Hills QLD) April 17 and Every Nation Church in Cape Town, South Africa May 22. This year marks the 23rd anniversary of Planetshakers Conference and its mission to lift up the name of Jesus to a generation.

Sharing songs from Glory Part One along with more new music to release later this year while at the conference, Planetshakers band will also reveal exclusive videos of the songs on the EP prior to the event. Each song has been captured live-in-concert via multi-cameras for a compelling visual experience.

Glory Part One track listing:

1) How I Praise

2) Walls

3) Remember

4) Can't Take My Eyes off You

5) Overwhelmed

Prior to the "Glory" conferences, Planetshakers wrapped its 2019 events with over 500,000 people during "The Experience Lagos 2019" Dec. 6 at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, one of the biggest gospel concerts in the world.

"This group of anointed minstrels indeed shook the earth...with a sound that can only be described as authentic, spiritual, heartwarming and deep. All the way from Melbourne Australia, Planetshakers made their second appearance at [The Experience Lagos]," reflects the event's Facebook page.

Continuing its trek across the globe following the Manila "Praise Party" that also features planetboom, Planetshakers travels to Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre in Subang Jaya, Malaysia (Jan. 17 - 18) and Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore (Jan. 19). This latter event marks the band's return to the venue following 2019's sold out celebration there.

Planetshakers also released its acclaimed, 15-track album Rain last fall (Sept. 6). Lauded as a musical "triumph" by Worship Leader magazine, the album's lead track, "Only Way," is a Billboard Christian Airplay Chart top 50 hit and has already seen over 1.9 million YouTube plays.

Taking the new music and favorites like "The Anthem," "Endless Praise" and "Turn It Up" to audiences around the globe, all the latest Planetshakers tour, music and conference news can be found at Planetshakers.com, YouTube (938,000 subscribers), Instagram (563,000 followers), Spotify (745,000 monthly listeners), Twitter (173,500 followers) and Facebook (over 1.5 million followers).

Tags : Planetshakers Glory Part One Planetshakers planetshakers news planetshakers interview planetshakers new ep Planetshakers new album
Fires are burning up Australias highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko, and across its longest plain, the Nullarbor. They are burning in the Adelaide Hills and the West Australian forests. In Gippsland, three separate fronts are converging into a mega-fire stretching for 250 kilometres. More than 5 million hectares have been blackened. The NSW government has declared a state of emergency and the Victorian government has invoked emergency powers across the eastern half of the state, from the upper Murray valley to the Alpine regions and all of East Gippsland. The nearly 150,000 people who live there and everyone who is visiting have been told to evacuate. The warning from Premier Daniel Andrews, issued late on Thursday night, could not have been more blunt: If you can leave you must leave. In Victoria, the dates of horrific fire days are seared into memory: Black Saturday, February 7, 2009; Ash Wednesday, February 16, 1983. On January 13, 1939, a chain of deadly fires merged into a single, calamitous front. On that day, it appeared the whole state was alight, wrote Royal Commissioner Leonard E.B. Stratton.

This season, no sooner than one firefront wreaks its destruction, people must prepare for the next. The deployment of the Navy to Mallacoota was as much about preparing for todays anticipated fires as recovering from those which razed 70 properties on New Years Eve. In the neighbouring hamlet of Gipsy Point, historian and CFA volunteer Bruce Pascoe has spent the past two days with chainsaw in hand, clearing fallen trees from local roads. I cut my way into my own farm, I cut my way into a mates house to see how they were, he tells The Age and Sydney Morning Herald. I didnt know whether they were going to be there or how they were going to be. Historian and CFA volunteer Bruce Pascoe has spent the past two days clearing fallen trees from local roads. Credit:Justin McManus On the morning of the fires, Pascoe was with his old friend Fred Becker, a third generation saw miller from the tiny community of Maramingo Creek, working to protect Fred's house from ember attack. On Wednesday afternoon, Becker collapsed and died. They suspect it was a heart attack. Pascoe has no doubt the stress and anxiety of the fires killed his mate. He was a timber worker, a good honest toiler, Pascoe says. He did too much for someone else. Pascoe traces his Aboriginal heritage to Mallacoota and has lived there since the early 1970s. He says the town is resilient but, when the fires crisis is finally over and Mallacoota has a chance to grieve, the psychological impact will be profound. He says that with the warming climate and altered fire season, our management of the land and fire risk must also change. On Friday, he abandoned his home and retreated to the CFA fire shed in Mallacoota to ride out today's expected firestorm. "The prospects are pretty grim,'' he says.

Steve Warrington was a firefighter on Ash Wednesday and part of Victorias emergency command on Black Saturday. He says we need to understand that things have changed, that our bushfires have changed. He is proud and relieved that so far, this summers fires have claimed relatively few lives. He is also frustrated some residents are defending their homes instead of leaving them early on catastrophic fire days and holidaymakers are remaining in fire-prone areas against the advice of emergency warnings. Loading This has meant that, while locals grieve the loss of their homes, their livestock and their livelihoods, people with safe homes in the city are stranded at campgrounds and school halls, running out of water, out of toilet paper and out of patience. As terrible as Black Saturday was, the Australian bush is now more dangerous than it was then. In February 2009, when 173 people were killed, the fire danger index peaked at 170. On November 21 last year, the first code red day since Black Saturday, the fire danger index peaked at 255 in grassland outside the town of Swan Hill.

Despite this deadly environment, tens of thousands of people continued their holidays along the East Gippsland coast after they were told to go home, seemingly unaware that, if things go bad, there may not be help on the way. I had a family member text me the other day saying they were thinking about going up to Pambula for a holiday, Warrington says. I said a) you are not going to get through, b) I wouldnt be going there and c) what the hell are you thinking? Could these fires spell the end of languid holidays on the coast? Credit:istock People arent getting it. The world has changed. We live it, breathe it, know it, and we get frustrated trying to get that message across to the community. Why is this fire season unlike any on record? The short answer is that Australia is hotter and drier than it has ever been. Global warming is a big part of the story but this summer there has been another force at play.

Dr Andrew Watkins, the head of long-range forecasts at the Bureau of Meteorology, says the seeds of this deadly fire season were sown eight months ago by an occurrence known as the Indian Ocean Dipole, also known as the Indian El Nino. Loading When you have a positive IOD, warm water forms off the African coast and cooler water off the coast of Indonesia. This years positive IOD was the strongest since 1997. The discrepancy in water temperature plays havoc with rain patterns. Last winter and spring, while the Horn of Africa was being flooded, central Australia was drying under a cloudless sky. The monsoon season lingered for longer than living memory in India and arrived unusually late in northern Australia. The result was unprecedented heat. In December, Darwin had 21 days over 35 degrees. It averages between one and two. Its previous record was nine. Alice Springs, a town which sits 600 metres above sea level, recorded temperatures near 45 degrees. That equates to temperatures close to 50 degrees at sea level. Near the Northern Territory, South Australian and Queensland border, the average temperature for December was over 42 degrees. From WA to Queensland, a wide band of desert recorded average temperatures above 40 degrees. We havent seen temperatures that high before, Dr Watkins says. Our nations centre has been baking for months. This is why, whenever the wind blows from the west into Queensland and NSW or from the north into Victoria, all that is required for a calamitous fire is a spark. Dr Watkins says a prolonged, strongly positive IOD and other weather factors, in the absence of climate change, would have made for a dangerous fire season. When added to the underlying impact of climate change, the result has been extreme.
Sam Mendes was 11 when his grandfather began telling him war stories. Alfred H. Mendes, a Lance Corporal in the British army during the First World War, made no attempt to sugar-coat his memories of the Western Front and his grandson was enthralled  and sometimes horrified  by the old mans tales.

Sam Mendes' 1917 is already already generating awards season buzz. Credit:Matt Licari

"They were pretty graphic stories," recalls the 54-year-old, who won a best director Oscar for his 1999 movie debut American Beauty. "None of them were stories of heroism or bravery, or how he won his two medals. They mostly centred on luck and chance. He told one story about how his best friend was hit by a shell while he was standing next to him in a trench and just disappeared. They couldnt bury him because there was nothing left to bury."

Alfreds small stature  he was five feet, four inches tall  resulted in him being given the job of messenger. The mist that hung over no mans land  the shell-pocked terrain between the British and German trenches  was about six feet high, so Alfred was able to sprint undetected from post to post.

When Sam Mendes was looking to make a more personal film after the all-consuming task of directing two James Bond movies  2012s Skyfall and 2015s Spectre  the vision of his diminutive grandfather running for his life on the Western Front came back to him. "The thought of that tiny figure, solitary in the misty vastness, was the image that triggered the whole of this film," he says.
Also, by not completing the process and sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi advances the notion that the whole circus was nothing more than an election-year stunt to depict Trump as morally deficient and unfit to serve as president. Clinton used that strategy in 2016. Rather than make the case for why she was the right person to be elected president, she spent most of her time arguing that Trump was the wrong person. How did that work out?

In the Democratic primary, the front-runners are all broken because they're cravenly inconsistent. The person they are in December doesn't match who they pretend to be in January. Who knows who they will be in February?

Warren became part of the top 1% by helping wealthy corporations make more money as a lawyer and consultant, and now she rails against the wealthy and targets Buttigieg for courting rich donors.

Nowhere are Democrats' inconsistencies clearer than with the sticky issue of immigration.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday led a protest march against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Siliguri. Furthermore, she targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi by stating that he always talks about Pakistan.

Banerjee has been leading protests against the NRC and the CAA for the last few weeks. She has led quite a few protest marches and has given speech after speech to put forward the points about what she claims the unjust nature of the NRC and CAA.

Urging everyone to stand together and save the democracy, Mamata said, "I am fighting against the National Register of Citizens and Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Join hands with me. Requesting all people to come forward to save our democracy."

READ: Mamata urges political parties, civil society to isolate BJP

Mamata Banerjee further slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking why he always spoke only about Pakistan. She had earlier made a similar accusation asking why he frequently compared India with Pakistan and further said that said it is a shame that even after 70 years of Independence, people have to prove their nationality.

"He (Modi) is the Prime Minister of India, but always talks about Pakistan. Why? We are Indians and we will definitely discuss our national issues," she said.

Mamata further stated that she will hold a similar rally in Darjeeling on January 22 and requested people to join her movement to save democracy.

READ: Sharad Pawar seconds Mamata Banerjee on NRC & CAA, expresses willingness to protest

Mamata Banerjee calls for opposition unity

On December 23, Banerjee wrote to Pawar observing that the citizens of the country irrespective of caste and creed feared the CAA and the NRC. She argued that it was imperative for the Opposition to come together and rise against the "draconian" regime. The West Bengal CM contended that the students of India had risen against the Centre.

There have been widespread protests against the CAA and the NRC in various parts of the country. The Opposition's main contention is that the CAA violates the Constitutional principle of Right to Equality. Furthermore, the protesters have raised apprehensions over the implementation of the CAA and the NRC in combination.

READ: Mamata Banerjee takes a jibe at BJP, says 'will have to use binoculars' to find party

READ: India has rich culture, heritage; why compare nation with Pak: Mamata asks PM
Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the government will not budge an inch on its decision to implement the CAA despite the Oppositions criticism of the law.

Jodhpur: Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the government will not budge an inch on its decision to implement the Citizenship Amendment Act despite the Oppositions criticism of the law.

Launching an awareness programme in support of the amended citizenship law, Shah accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of running a misinformation campaign.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Jodhpur: Even if all these parties come together, BJP will not move back even an inch on this issue of #CitizenshipAmendmentAct. You can spread as much misinformation as you want. #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/aQOz4WKczm  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

He said the amended law does not take away Indian citizenship from anyone but grants citizenship.

Opposition parties have criticised the amendment which allows non-Muslims an easier path to citizenship if they have come to India from three neighbouring countries before 2015 after facing religious persecution.

Shah also accused the Congress of playing vote-bank politics.
The Arab League has warned against deployment of foreign fighters in Libya.

In an emergency meeting in Cairo Tuesday, the council of the League urged the warring sides in Libya not to do anything that might enable the deployment of foreign fighters in the country.

They expressed serious concern over the military escalation further aggravating the situation in Libya and which threatens the security and stability of neighboring countries and the entire region.

A statement issued by the League warned of the gravity of taking any unilateral steps  in a manner that allows foreign military interventions and contributes to the escalation and prolongation of the conflict.

Regional interventions that help among other things in facilitating the transfer of foreign extremist fighters from other regional conflict zones to Libya should be prevented, it said.

Last week, Turkey has said it will seek parliamentary support for sending troops to Libya.

Egypt, a member of the Arab League is one of General Haftars foremost foreign backers, while Turkey supports the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, the GNA.

On Monday, the UNs Libya envoy, Ghassan Salame, said the deals signed by Turkey and the Tripoli government represented an escalation of the conflict in the North African country.

Both sides in Libya have received foreign air support, mainly through drones, and Russian military contractors have been deployed on the front line to help General Haftars forces.
Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance Director Bill Young announced that the Registry of Election Finance will hold its next meeting in Chattanooga.

The first field meeting of the Registry of Election Finance in Chattanooga will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Volunteer Building Suite 1200, 832 Georgia Ave.

The agenda for the meeting can be found here.

The Registry will continue to schedule meetings across the state in upcoming months.




New Delhi/Bhopal: A booklet distributed at a camp conducted by a Congress affiliate making insinuations about the relationship between Hindutva icon Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse has triggered a political slugfest, with parties of the right demanding a ban on the publication.

A grandson of Savarkar joined the clamour for a ban on Friday and the Shiv Sena has said the Congress, its new-found ally in Maharashtra, has a dirty mind.

The Hindi booklet, distributed at a Congress Seva Dal event in Bhopal, is titled Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer? (which translates as How Brave Was Veer Savarkar?). It questions the supposed valour of Savarkar, and alleges that he received money from the British after he was released from the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands.

However, it is the certain insinuations about the relationship between Savarkar and Nathuram Godse that have riled the right wing.

Savarkars grandson Ranjit on Friday urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the booklet as it insinuates that the Hindu Mahasabha co-founder had a physical relationship with Godse, ANI reported.

He demanded a criminal case against the Congress Seva Dal for allowing the book to be distributed at its camp.

Congress is plotting to defame Savarkar. The party is conspiring to spread anarchy in the country by making unwarranted accusations," Ranjit said in a press release.

He sought intervention by new Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray in the matter.

Responding to criticism of the booklet, Congress Seva Dals Lalji Desai said the writer wrote the booklet on the basis of evidence. But that's not important for us whether he (Savarkar) was gay or not. In our country today, everyone has a legal right to have their own preferences," Desai told ANI.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 of Freedom at Midnight, a book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his political guru Savarkar before turning to celibacy.

The Congress on Friday came under attack from both its new ally Shiv Sena and its rival BJP. The Sena said the Congress has "dirt" in its mind by questioning Savarkar's credentials as a patriot and his reputation for valour while the BJP described as abhorrent and perverted the comments made in the booklet.

BJP general secretary Anil Jain took a swipe at the Congress, saying "the whole world knows the various relationships of Congress leaders" but he did not wish to throw up such muck.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said the Congress should apologise for the "perverted" content in the booklet. "The booklet contains lies and perverted contents. The Congress should tender an apology for the same," Patil said.

Union minister Smriti Irani asked the Congress how long it would "insult the sacrifices" of Savarkar and said the opposition party will have to give an answer to the people of Maharashtra and all patriots in the country.
An unidentified astronaut aboard the International Space Station had a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)  or blood clot  in the jugular vein of their neck, according to a new case study.

The astronaut's identity and exactly when the incident took place are being kept secret for privacy reasons, so identifying information was omitted from the case study. The astronaut was two months into a six-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS) when the DVT was discovered.

This was the first time a blood clot was discovered in an astronaut in space, and NASA had no established method for treating the condition in a "zero gravity" environment.

Video: NASA Astronaut Had Blood Clot on Space Station - UNC MD Called

Related: Weightlessness and Its Effect on Astronauts

Stephan Moll and a team of NASA doctors prescribed blood clot treatment for an astronaut at the International Space Station. (Image credit: UNC School of Medicine)

Blood clot expert

One of the experts brought in by NASA to treat the situation was blood clot expert Stephan Moll, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine at Chapel Hill. Moll was the only non-NASA physician NASA consulted to help come up with a treatment plan for the clot, UNC officials said in a statement.

"Moll and a team of NASA doctors decided blood thinners would be the best course of treatment for the astronaut. They were limited in their pharmaceutical options, however," because the ISS has only a small supply of medications on board, UNC officials said in the statement.

When the clot was discovered, there was a limited amount of the blood thinner Enoxaparin available. Moll helped NASA determine how to ration the space station's stock of Enoxaparin in order to effectively treat the DVT while also making sure that the astronaut would not run out of the drug before NASA could launch a new shipment of drugs on the next cargo mission.

(Image credit: NASA)

Treatment process

The astronaut's blood clot was treated with Enoxaparin  a drug delivered by an injection into the skin  for about 40 days. On the 43rd day of the astronaut's treatment, a supply of Apixaban  a pill taken orally  arrived at the ISS on an unspecified cargo resupply spacecraft.

The treatment process lasted more than 90 days, and during that time the astronaut closely monitored the blood clot by performing ultrasounds on their own neck with guidance from a radiology team on Earth. Moll also spoke with the astronaut through email and phone calls.

The astronaut landed safely on Earth at the end of their six-month mission, and the blood clot required no further treatment.

More research needed

Somewhat ironically, the DVT was discovered when the astronaut was taking ultrasounds of their neck for a research study on how body fluid is redistributed in zero gravity. The astronaut had not experienced any symptoms of an abnormality. "If it wasn't for the study, there's no telling what the outcome could have been," UNC officials said.

In the statement, Moll said there's a need for more research of how blood and blood clots behave in space. "Is this something that is more common in space?" he said.

"How do you minimize risk for DVT? Should there be more medications for it kept on the ISS? All of these questions need answering, especially with the plan that astronauts will embark on longer missions to the Moon and Mars," Moll added.

Moll co-wrote a case study on the successful treatment that was published Jan. 2 in the New England Journal of Medicine. NASA astronaut Serena Aunon-Chancellor, a medical doctor who served as a flight engineer at the ISS for six months in 2018, during Expeditions 56 and 57, is the lead author on the study.

Expedition 56 Flight Engineer Serena Aunon-Chancellor is seen here performing operations for the Angiex Cancer Therapy trials on board the International Space Station. (Image credit: NASA)

"These new findings demonstrate that the human body still surprises us in space," Aunon-Chancellor said in a statement. "We still haven't learned everything about Aerospace Medicine or Space Physiology."

"The biggest question that remains is how would we deal with this on an exploration class mission to Mars? How would we prepare ourselves medically? More research must be performed to further elucidate clot formation in this environment and possible countermeasures."

Leonard David is author of the recently released book, "Moon Rush: The New Space Race" published by National Geographic in May 2019. A longtime writer for Space.com, David has been reporting on the space industry for more than five decades. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook.
Minister of Social Development Frederick Stephenson would not be envied if he took a great portion of the credit for the new Child Justice Bill.

Members on both sides of the House joined in support of a Bill that moves the age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12 years of age, at the December 27 meeting of House of Assembly/ Parliament.





Minister of National Mobilization and Social Development Frederick Stephenson, who presented the Bill, explained that the purpose of the Act was to establish a judicial process for children accused of committing offences, and aimed to protect the rights of children.





As per the legislation - the Child Justice Bill - a child under 12 shall not be prosecuted for an offence that he or she is alleged to have committed.





"A child aged 12 but under 14 years of age shall be presumed as not having the capacity to appreciate the difference between right and wrong unless this is proved otherwise, the minister said, adding that under the new Act prosecution of a child aged 12 but under 14, must be on the basis of the certification of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).





"Under the current law, it shall be conclusively presumed that no child under the age of 12 can be guilty of an offence, Stephenson continued.





The CJC and Procedure





Clause 6 of the Act refers to the setting up of a Child Justice Committee (CJC), comprised of a magistrate, minister of religion and two social workers, which will be responsible for exercising the powers and discharging the duties under the Act.





And under Clauses 8 and 9, provision is made for the setting up of assessment centres, and a safe and secure residential facility for young offenders to be kept for evaluation or rehabilitation.





Once a child is notified to attend the initial inquiry, whether through apprehension, summons or written notice, he/she will then be assessed by a designated, trained officer, and a report completed and submitted to the DPP prior to the initial inquiry.





The information contained in this assessment will not be admissible in court.





With regard to the proceedings that follow, the Act allows for it to be informal, involving the child and parent, the officer who conducted the assessment, the DPP and a lawyer.





The CJC, though, is empowered to decide on diversions, i.e. where children accused of committing offences are removed from the court and taken to an informal hearing; or if the child will be referred to stand trial.





The New Act repeals corporal punishment for children and life sentences shall be imposed.





According to the Minister, the Child Justice Bill provides for all persons under the age of 18 who is alleged to have committed a crime; includes anyone who attains the age of 18 before the proceedings that were instituted against him or her have been concluded; and for individuals over 18, but under 21 on the direction of the (DPP) in special circumstances outlined in the Act.





Financial Support





Minister Stephenson did not shy away from informing parliament that there were financial arrangements that had to be in place in order to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the new law.





The Minister assured the Parliament that his staff and staff of the Ministry of Finance have been in discussion with respect to this requirement.





Opposition Senator Kay Bacchus-Baptiste also spoke of the cost associated with the changes made to the legislation, referring to, inter alia, the provisions as per the setting up of assessment centres and residential areas for accused children, and training of persons.





"So unless the next thing that the government does is to create the policy for the Act to work, then this will all be in vain, Bacchus-Baptiste said.





Back in June 2015, a girl, then 12-years-old, was arrested and charged for causing the death of a 15-year-old.

She was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison in December 2016.
The department said in a statement on Thursday that Cintra was designated due to his "responsibility for Cuba's actions" in supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration, reports Xinhua news agency.

Washington, Jan 3 (IANS) The US State Department announced that it has imposed sanctions on Cuban Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Leopoldo Cintra Frias.

Washington has long been accusing the Maduro administration of human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela.

Individuals blacklisted also included a military officer and Cintra's children, who will be barred from entering the US.

The US has toughened its policy towards Cuba with sanctions and isolation, which Havana said showed Washington's pressure campaign against Venezuela has failed.

Cuba has blamed the US government for increasing hostility and applying more than one sanction per week to smother the island's financial system.

ksk/
Tziporah Malkah has made shameful comments about her ex-fiance James Packer's well-documented mental health problems.

The 46-year-old model, formerly known as Kate Fischer, was engaged to James in the late '90s and hasn't spoken to him for more than two decades.

In a callous Instagram post, she described James' biography The Price of Fortune - in which he spoke bravely of his personal struggles - as his 'epitaph'.

'Nice tombstone, mate': Tziporah Malkah (pictured) has made shameful comments about her ex-fiance James Packer's well-documented mental health problems

Tziporah shared a photo of the book and revealed that her agent, Max Markson, had been hired to promote it when it was first released in 2018.

She then offered a bizarre reason for why she had declined to comment on the book.

'My darling @maxmarkson was promoting the book so inevitably the questions were asked. "What? A comment on an epitaph?" Nice tombstone, mate,' she wrote.

When a follower asked if the exes were still in touch, Tziporah made a cutting remark about James' mental health, which cannot be republished for legal reasons.

Former flames: Tziporah, 46, formerly known as Kate Fischer, was engaged to James in the late '90s and hasn't spoken to him for more than two decades. Pictured on August 13, 1997

Cutting comments: In a callous Instagram post (pictured), she described James' biography The Price of Fortune - in which he spoke bravely of his personal struggles - as his 'epitaph'

Cruel: 'My darling @maxmarkson was promoting the book so inevitably the questions were asked. "What? A comment on an epitaph?" Nice tombstone, mate,' she wrote

Tziporah separated from James 21 years ago, making her decision to comment publicly about his health all the more confusing.

In The Price of Fortune, James revealed his struggles with alcoholism and mental health issues after the collapse of his business empire and several relationships.

The book outlines some of the darkest moments in his life, and how he went from inheriting a fortune to suffering a string of nervous breakdowns.

Dark times: In The Price of Fortune, James revealed his struggles with alcoholism and mental health issues after the collapse of his business empire and several relationships. Pictured on October 26, 2017

WHO IS TZIPORAH MALKAH? Tziporah, formerly known as Kate Fischer, was one of the most in-demand models in Australia in the '90s and was even engaged to James Packer. She split with James after a two-year engagement in 1998 and later relocated to the U.S., eventually becoming an American citizen. Upon her return to Australia several years ago, she found herself broke, homeless and living in anonymity. Eventually she found work in aged care in Melbourne, but was thrust back into the headlines in 2016 when unflattering photos of her wearing a bedsheet outside of her house were splashed across the tabloids. She has since embraced her return to the spotlight, appearing on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and signing with celebrity agent Max Markson. Advertisement

The 52-year-old businessman also revealed how he would drink 'a bottle of vodka a day' following the demise of his relationship with Mariah Carey in 2016.

James, who was admitted to a rehab centre in March 2018, acknowledged he had struggled with his mental health at the time of their relationship.

In February 2016 - just a month after he proposed to Mariah with a $12.7million, 35-carat diamond ring - he was apparently not coping well.

'I was in a bad, bad way,' James said, reflecting on that dark period of his life.

As well as struggling with depression and anxiety, he was also facing financial strain.

'I don't know if I started crying, but I thought to myself, "I don't want to have $1.4billion of debt any more. Why am I doing this?"' he said.

Not doing well: James, who was admitted to a rehab centre in March 2018, has acknowledged his mental health struggles at the time of his relationship with Mariah Carey (left)

Tziporah told A Current Affair in 2018 that she split from James in 1998 because 'he was under so much pressure from work'.

She added: 'I just refused to marry a credit card and so that was the end of it.'

Tziporah spoke about her own mental health just before Christmas in a rare interview with The Weekend Australian.

'I'm a psychopath': Tziporah spoke about her own mental health just before Christmas in a rare interview with The Weekend Australian

She was asked about her recent YouTube videos, which documented her various encounters with police and ambulance crews who had been called to her Kings Cross apartment due to concerns for her welfare.

Tziporah clarified that she was a 'psychopath' but 'not insane'.

She added that the only reason she was visited so frequently was due to her worrying mother, politician Pru Goward.

While Tziporah is believed to be single, James is in a long-term relationship with socialite Kylie Lim, with whom he is holidaying in Aspen, Colorado.
Stephen McCarthy | Getty Images

The daughter of two entrepreneurs who immigrated to the U.S. during the Iranian Revolution, Falon Fatemi became known as Google's youngest-ever hire at the age of 19. After leaving Google, she founded her own AI company, Node  and secured famed investor Mark Cuban as a backer. Node aims to use deep learning to analyze relationships between people and companies, then pinpoint how clients can leverage those relationships into sales, marketing and recruiting opportunities.

In this episode of How Success Happens, Fatemi spoke with Entrepreneur about landing a job in big tech, AI and data policies and how to give a top-quality pitch.

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How Google's Youngest-Ever Hire Launched an AI Company Backed by Mark Cuban (Podcast)

How Tech Entrepreneur Tobias Peggs and Kimbal Musk Are Changing the Future of Food With New Farming Technology (Podcast)

Here's Why This Bedding Company Expanded Into the Hyper-Competitive World of Online Mattresses (Podcast)


Addressing a press conference over the violent Citizenship Amendment Act protest in Uttar Pradesh, Meerut Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Prashant Kumar on Friday said that it was fueled by misinformation.

Speaking to the media Kumar said, "CAA violence was sponsored in a few parts of the state, which was fuelled by misinformation. Police used minimum force and controlled the situation. You must have seen how some people tried to burn the police. While people are questioning police (over the way they tackled protests against CAA), miscreants can be seen firing at us. They have been identified."

"Police can use force to control law and order and can resort to firing too, in case of emergency. Meerut has a history of communal riots. Police did not let this violence turn in communal riots. One group was consistently instigating violence. Arrests have been made and the state president of this group has also been arrested. One has been arrested, more arrests will be made. No one will be allowed to indulge in anti-national activities. We are for the people. We cannot let people die," he added.

READ | Etawah, Meerut Coldest In UP At 2.8 Deg Celsius

One arrested for raising Pro-Pak slogans

Earlier, in a shocking development, the Uttar Pradesh police on Friday has arrested a person in Meerut for allegedly raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans. Police report said that 7-8 youth around the age of 18 years had allegedly raised pro-Pakistan slogans. While the police have arrested one youth - Abu Zar, (aged 22-23) they are on the lookout for the others. Recalling the incident, Zar has confessed on camera "5- 6 boys were raising slogans. I told them not to do so, so they opposed me. They were first raising slogans of India, but when I opposed them to not worsen the situation, the started saying 'Pakistan Zindabad'."

Earlier on Thursday, police have identified the three individuals who opened fire using unlicensed weapons during the December 20 Meerut violence over the Citizenship Amendment Act. As per sources, their names are Naeem, Faisal and Anis. Suspected to have links with the Popular Front of India, these individuals are under the scanner of the Uttar Pradesh police.

READ | Shocking: 'Pakistan Zindabad' Sloganeering Over CAA In Meerut, One Arrested

PFI's alleged role in inciting violence

During the protests in Meerut, some people torched vehicles and attacked the police. In retaliation, the police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob. This led to a series of arrests across the state. Republic TV has been consistently investigating the alleged role of the Social Democratic Party of India and the PFI in anti-CAA violence. Their involvement is also suspected in the Mangaluru protests. UP Police is seeking a ban on the political outfit.

READ | Uttar Pradesh Police Identifies 3 Persons Who Opened Fire In Anti-CAA Meerut Protest

READ | Meerut Police Assures Probe After Arresting One For 'Pakistan Zindabad' Slogans
By AFP

BAGHDAD: A US strike killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and the deputy head of Iraq's Hashed al-Shaabi military force at Baghdad's airport early Friday, the Hashed announced.

"The deputy head of the Hashed, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car on the Baghdad International Airport road," the group said in a statement.

The international airport was hit in a volley of missiles just after midnight, Iraq's military said.

Security sources said the rockets targeted a Hashed convoy and left eight people dead, including "important figures."

The Hashed is a network of mostly-Shiite armed units, many of whom have very close ties to Tehran, who have been officially incorporated into Iraq's state security forces.

Muhandis is the Hashed's deputy chief but is widely recognised as the real shot-caller within the group.

He has been blacklisted by the US.

Soleimani heads the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force and also serves as Iran's pointman on Iraq.

On Tuesday, a mob of Hashed supporters surrounded the US embassy in outrage over American air strikes that killed 25 fighters from the network's hardline Kataeb Hezbollah faction, which is backed by Iran.

The US had acted in response to a rocket attack days earlier that had killed an American contractor working in Iraq.
Todays developments in the aftermath of the airstrike that killed the Iranian military leader Qassem Soleimani: President Donald Trump orders killing early Friday.

The United States is sending nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast as reinforcements in the volatile aftermath of the killing of an Iranian general in a strike ordered by President Donald Trump, defense officials said Friday.

Also Friday, the Pentagon placed an Army brigade in Italy on alert to fly into Lebanon if needed to protect the American Embassy there, part of a series of military moves to protect U.S. interests in the Middle East. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official said the U.S. could send 130 to more than 700 troops to Beirut from Italy. The official was not authorized to be identified.

Iran vowed harsh retaliation for a U.S. airstrike near Baghdads airport that killed a top Iranian general who had been the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, and the U.S. announced Friday it was sending more troops to the region as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing.

The killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, marks a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Iran, which has careened from one crisis to another since President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

The United States said it was sending nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Middle East and urged American citizens to leave Iraq immediately" following the early morning airstrike at Baghdad's international airport that Iran's state TV said killed Soleimani and nine others. The State Department said the embassy in Baghdad, which was attacked by Iran-backed militiamen and their supporters earlier this week, is closed and all consular services have been suspended.

Around 5,200 American troops are based in Iraq to train Iraqi forces and help in the fight against Islamic State group militants. Defense officials who made the announced about the new troops spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a decision not yet announced by the Pentagon. U.S. embassies also issued a security alert for Americans in Lebanon, Bahrain Kuwait and Nigeria.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that harsh retaliation is waiting for the U.S. after the airstrike, calling Soleimani the international face of resistance. Khamenei declared three days of public mourning and appointed Maj. Gen. Esmail Ghaani, Soleimani's deputy, to replace him as head of the Quds Force.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called the killing a heinous crime" and vowed his country would take revenge. Iran twice summoned the Swiss envoy, the first time delivering a letter to pass onto the United States.

Thousands of worshippers in the Iranian capital Tehran took to the streets after Friday Muslim prayers to condemn the killing, waving posters of Soleimani and chanting Death to deceitful America.

Trump speaks Friday

In his first comments since the strike against the head of Irans elite Quds Force early Friday, Trump said Soleimani was also responsible for killing and wounding thousands of Americans and many more in the region.

He should have been taken out many years ago, Trump tweeted from his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was vacationing.

Did Trump have the legal authority to order the killing of a top Iranian general in Iraq?

The short answer: Probably.

But it depends on facts that arent publicly known yet. And legal experts are quick to point out that even if it was legal that doesnt make it the right decision, or one that will be politically smart in the long run. Iran and its allies are vowing revenge.

In its limited explanation so far, the Pentagon said Gen. Qassem Soleimani was actively developing plans to kill American diplomats and service members when he was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near the Baghdad airport shortly after arriving in the country.

That would appear to place the action within the legal authority of the president, as commander in chief, to use force in defense of the nation under Article II of the Constitution, said Bobby Chesney, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law who specializes in national security issues.

If the facts are as the Defense Department said, then the president relatively clearly has Article II authority to act in self-defense of American lives, Chesney said.

That justification would apply even if Soleimani hadn't already launched an attack under the established doctrine of anticipatory self-defense, according to Jeff Addicot, a retired Army officer and expert in national security law at St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio.

Legally theres no issue, Addicot said. Politically, however, its going to be debated, whether its the correct response. In my opinion its the appropriate response, but its certainly legal.

Self-defense would be a legal justification under both U.S. law and the laws of international armed conflict, though the experts consulted by The Associated Press repeatedly stressed that this would depend on what intelligence prompted the killing, and American authorities may never release that information.

Under international law, self-defense, to be lawful, will need to be invoked in situations where there is an imminent attack against the interest of the territory, in this case of the United States, said Agnes Callamard, United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions. At this point in time, the United States has not thus far provided any information suggesting that there was an imminent attack against the American interest.

The Defense Department said it killed the 62-year-old Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region." It also accused Soleimani of approving the orchestrated violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The strike, on an access road near Baghdads airport, was carried out Friday by an American drone, according to a U.S. official.

Huge gamble

The Los Angeles Times reports: In ordering the killing of Gen. Qassem Suleimani, one of Irans highest-ranking officials, President Trump has taken one of the biggest gambles of his presidency  a step that appears to lead the U.S. on a path toward escalated warfare and that marks a sharp break from his often-stated desire to pull American forces out of conflicts in the Middle East. Read the article.

We dont seek war with Iran"

Politico.com reports: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the hosts of Fox & Friends that even though Trump does not seek war with Iran, the administration will respond appropriately if Tehran does not move to de-escalate tensions with the United States.

The presidents been pretty clear. We dont seek war with Iran, Pompeo said. Read more.

Retired Admiral James Stavridis on Qassem Soleimani's death: "Strategically ...we are pouring gasoline on a smoldering fire with no structure or strategy for where we're going to take this thing next."https://t.co/OJobaNgK2J  MSNBC (@MSNBC) January 3, 2020

New York Times uses maps to detail how the escalation occurred. It tracks developments over the past eight days.

"There will be dead Americans" as a result of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani being killed, former CIA deputy director Michael Morell said on @CBSThisMorning.



"The world is a better place without him. The problem is that comes at a very high cost." https://t.co/FMXWvNh2b9 pic.twitter.com/xzsCdqGXHG  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) January 3, 2020

From The Associated Press: The unprecedented killing of Irans top general in a U.S. airstrike in Iraq has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, with Iran and its allies vowing revenge amid fears of an all-out war.

But while they have vast arsenals and are within striking distance of U.S. troops deployed in Syria, Iraq and the Gulf, Iran may be wary of launching a retaliatory attack that could ignite a major conflict.

The targeted attack on Friday could give them pause by signaling that the mercurial President Donald Trump is willing to wield U.S. military power in dramatic and unforeseen ways.

At the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.  The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 3, 2020

The slain general, Qassem Soleimani, was a towering figure who mobilized heavily-armed militias across the region against the United States and its allies, extending Iran's influence to the Mediterranean.

His death was a major blow to Iran and led nearly everyone from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on down to vow massive retaliation.

China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, took a dim view of the U.S. airstrike near Baghdads airport early Friday ... Read more.

The Washington Post, reporting from Istanbul: Tens of thousands of Iranians demonstrated Friday in the capital, Tehran, and other cities in support of a senior Revolutionary Guard Corps commander killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq, even as many privately expressed worry about the escalating conflict with the United States. Read more.

Democrats spoke out against the killing:

Joe Biden: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Thursday that President Donald Trump has tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox" with the targeted killing of Irans top general in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport. The former vice president joined other Democratic White House hopefuls in criticizing Trumps order, saying it could leave the U.S. on the brink of a major conflict across the Middle East."

Bernie Sanders: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders released a statement saying, Trumps dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars."

Elizabeth Warren: Democrats acknowledged the threat posed by Soleimani, with Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren calling him a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans." However, she added, Trumps reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict."

Andrew Yang: Entrepreneur Andrew Yang tweeted: War with Iran is the last thing we need and is not the will of the American people. We should be acting to deescalate tensions and protect our people in the region."

Nancy Pelosi: The attack also drew criticism from Democrats who arent running for president. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the administration conducted the airstrike without consultation of Congress or an authorization for use of military force against Iran. She said it risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence." She demanded an immediate briefing.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi demands immediate briefing on U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimaniwhile GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham says he was informed about the operation beforehand. https://t.co/Sa3f9ccRMV  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) January 3, 2020

Qassem Soleimani was a bad man with a lot of blood on his hands, but Donald Trumps decision to assassinate him was a reckless escalation that will take us further down the road to ruinous war.  Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) January 3, 2020

.@realdonaldtrump has justified his decision to assassinate a senior Iranian official as a deterrent against future Iranian attacks on Americans. The opposite could likely be true, with Iran feeling compelled to respond. 1/2  Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) January 3, 2020

Starting by withdrawing from a treaty that Iran had honored, Trump has now launched us on a reckless program of brinkmanship with Iran.



In the interest of national security, Congress needs to reassert its constitutional responsibility here.  Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) January 3, 2020

But Republicans on Capitol Hill stood behind Trump. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said: I appreciate President Trumps bold action against Iranian aggression. To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more.

And Sen. James Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said: America does not and should not seek war, but it will respond in kind to those who threaten our citizens, soldiers and friends  as the President has long promised. De-escalation is preferable and possible  but only if our adversaries choose it.

Financial stocks fell the most early Friday as investors bought up U.S. government bonds, sending their yields lower. Technology and health care companies also took heavy losses as the market pulled back from record highs. Energy stocks rose the most as the price of U.S. oil climbed 3.6%. Defense contractors also notched gains.

Benchmark U.S. crude climbed $2.18 to $63.33 per barrel. Brent crude, used to price international oils, moved $2.41 higher to $66.68 per barrel.

The price of gold, which investors buy in times of uncertainty as a safe haven of value, was up 1.5% at $1,551 per ounce.

The sell-off erased the benchmark S&P 500 indexs gains for the week.

Gas prices as the sun rises Jan. 3, 2020, in Portland.

The Associated Press backgrounder: Tensions between Iran and the U.S. trace back decades. For Iranians, they point to the 1953 CIA-backed coup that toppled Mohammad Mosaddegh and cemented the power of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Pahlavi served as a key U.S. ally for decades after, buying billions of dollars of weapons and allowing America to spy on the Soviet Union from his country. Over time, however, he eliminated all political opposition and seized all power in the country.

By 1979, the fatally ill shah fled the country. The 1979 Islamic Revolution and the hostage crisis soon followed, a history the two countries remain captive to until today.

More recently, in May, citing an unspecified threat from Iran, the White House ordered a U.S. aircraft carrier to rush to the Persian Gulf. Soon after, explosions the U.S. blames on Iranian-laid mines targeting oil tankers near the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil passes.

Iran denied being involved, though it did seize oil tankers in response to one of its tankers being seized off Gibraltar. Iran also shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone. Trump pulled back from retaliating for the attack. Meanwhile, attacks on Saudi Arabias energy industry escalated to a missile-and-drone strike in September temporarily halving its oil production. Israel meanwhile has repeatedly struck Iran-linked targets in Syria in recent years and has warned against any permanent Iranian presence on the frontier. The attacks culminated with American airstrikes hitting Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and those militiamen attacking the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The attacks came after Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw America from Irans nuclear deal with world powers. The 2015 accord saw Iran agree to limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump re-imposed American sanctions and levied even harsher ones, crippling its crucial oil industry.
People worry about the risks associated with sharing their personal data, given that it can be used to track their activities or even be sold to others. There are also benefits of data sharing, including a more connected world, developing products and services that better meet our needs, and even identifying public health threats and terrorists. Given that there are both costs and benefits of relinquishing some of our privacy when using the internet, maybe we should focus on how to make privacy policies more understandable. The data in this graph helps us understand how privacy policies differ.

Here are some of the headlines you shared online that really capture the meaning of this graph: Reasons Why We Always Skip the Terms of Service by Colin and Mike of Ithaca High School, New York, Why Nobody Reads App Policies by Ryan of Hyde Park Middle School, MS, Cant You Understand? Privacy Rules! by Owl of Washington State, and Privacy Policies: Who Reads Them Anyway? by Grace of Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, New Jersey.

You may want to think critically about these questions.

When hovering over the graphs data points, the website or app is revealed. After doing this for many points, what generalizations can you make about the websites or apps that are easier to read? Does there appear to be a relationship between the time it takes to read a privacy policy and the reading level? Do you think that a person with only a high school education would be able to read and understand a typical privacy policy? Support your claims with what you see in the graph.

Heres the New York Times privacy policy and the opinion article about how the Times thinks about privacy written by the New York Times publisher of A. G. Sulzberger. Comment on the opinion article, referring to the Timess policy. (The comment period for the article has ended, so you will not be able to send in your response.)

The New York Times has the feature The Privacy Project, with articles ranging from Will Congress Actually Pass a Privacy Bill? to The Real Cost of Tweeting About My Kids. Select an article of interest to you from the list and discuss it with others.

Below in the Stat Nuggets, we define and explain mathematical terms that apply to the graph.

Thank you for participating in Whats Going on in This Graph? which is intended to help you think more critically about graphs and the underlying data. Critical thinking is an essential element of statistics, the science of learning from data.

Keep noticing and wondering. We continue to welcome your responses.

Join us Wednesday, Jan. 15 to notice and wonder about the changing bird population in the United States and Canada. We look forward to your responses between 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Eastern Time during the live online moderation.

________

Stat Nuggets for Privacy Policies Are a Mess

To see all previously published Stat Nuggets with links to their graphs, go to this index.

SCATTERPLOT

A scatterplot is a graph that is used to display the relationship between two quantitative variables and is described by the direction, strength and form of the relationship, and unusual observations.

Direction: A positive direction means that the y-variable tends to increase as the x-variable increases (or an uphill trend). A negative direction means that the y-variable tends to decrease as the x-variable increases (or a downhill trend). Relationships between quantitative variables are said to have no direction when there is no consistent positive or negative pattern in the scatterplot.

Strength: Relationships between two quantitative variables run from strong, if the points fall in a tight pattern, to weak, if they are spread out.

Form: The form of a relationship is determined by the pattern of the points in the scatterplot. The most common forms are linear and curved. If there is no apparent pattern in the scatterplot, the form is sometimes referred to as scattered.

Unusual observations: Unusual points that do not fit the general pattern in the scatterplot are called outliers.

In the internet privacy policy graph, the quantitative variables are the time (in minutes) required to read a policy and the readability score as determined using Lexile. The relationship between these two variables is positive and very weak. It is not surprising that policies that are more difficult to read take longer to read. A privacy policy that is unusual compared to the others is from the BBC, which takes about 13 minutes to read and has a readability score of about 1000 (tenth grade).

_________

The graph for Whats Going on in This Graph? are selected in partnership with Sharon Hessney. Ms. Hessney wrote the reveal and Stat Nuggets with Roxy Peck, professor emerita, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, and moderates online with Heather Johnson, an associate professor of mathematics education at the University of Colorado Denver.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

In a study published in Environment International researchers from King's have, for the first time, measured ultrafine particles (UFP) in European cities and detected emissions from airports.

Many studies have examined and quantified the levels of larger particles (e.g.PM2.5 - <2.5m or PM10 - <10m), however very few have studied UFP (< 0.1 m).

In this study, researchers identified, characterized and quantified the sources UFPs in four European cities (Barcelona, Helsinki, London, and Zurich) between 2007 and 2017. They measured particle and gaseous pollutants at different sites and used a statistical model to identify and quantify the contribution of the different sources of ultrafine particles.

They found that:

London had the highest concentration of UFP compared to other cities.

The greatest concentrations of the smallest particles (called nucleation particles) when the wind was blowing from the airport in all cities. This indicates that airports are a major UFP source and that these small particles can travel many kilometers.

Traffic emissions contributed the most in all four cities ranging from 71% - 94%.

Helsinki was the only city to demonstrate a biogenic sourcewhen particles are formed from emissions from the forests in the region.

The most common sources for pollution particles were traffic and photonucleation for all four cities. Photonucleation is the process of new particles forming from gases in the atmosphere enhanced by the sun's radiation.

Photonucleation was most prevalent in cities with high solar radiation, such as Barcelona but it was much less in the other cities.

No variation between seasons in London and Zurich however in Barcelona, photonucleation contributed significantly during the summer months.

Dr. Ioar Rivas, research fellow and author of the study said: "We expected traffic emissions to be an important source of ultrafine particles in cities but we now know that airport emissions, even if located at the outskirts of the city, can travel far enough and reach population on urban areas away from the airport".

Dr. Gary Fuller, senior lecturer in air pollution measurement, added: "Cities around Europe have policies to reduce airborne particle from the traffic that should also reduce people's exposure to ultrafine particles, but aircraft emissions are not being addressed in the same way".

The next steps in this research are to evaluate the effects of the different sources of ultrafine particles on mortality and hospital admissions.

Explore further A fundamental shortcoming in air pollution models

More information: Ioar Rivas et al. Source apportionment of particle number size distribution in urban background and traffic stations in four European cities, Environment International (2019). Journal information: Environment International Ioar Rivas et al. Source apportionment of particle number size distribution in urban background and traffic stations in four European cities,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105345
Snow and ice could cause problems

The road has been closed.

Follow the latest updates from our travel feed below

The Dobbin Road in Armagh has been reopend folowing an earlier crash.

Diversions are in place and traffic is being diverted onto the Vicarage Road, delays are expected.

Our live updates from across Northern Ireland are compiled by @TrafficwatchNI, @BBCNITravel and @PSNITraffic.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Gunn comes in through the arrival gate at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia, Thursday (eastern time). / Yonhap



By Jhoo Dong-chan



South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is trying its utmost to find its role amid the stalled peace talks with North Korea.



Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gunn, who took office last month, is visiting Washington, D.C., to discuss the matter with his U.S. counterpart, and other senior ministry officials are reviewing their plan to visit the country to facilitate resuming the stalled U.S.-North Korea denuclearization negotiations.



"We need to work hard on strategic communication between South Korea and the United States from the start of the year," Kim said at Washington Dulles International Airport regarding the purpose of his trip.



"I just took office, so I want to meet with my counterpart, talk about overall bilateral relations and prepare for some high-level discussions planned for the start of the year."






Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Istanbul Jan. 8. Putins visit is officially dedicated to the launch of the TurkStream natural gas pipeline, which extends from Russia to Turkey, but Putin will also discuss with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan bilateral economic and military cooperation, as well as Syria and Libya.

Al-Monitor previously reported that Moscow and Ankara were considering a potential deal over Libya, according to sources in the Russian Foreign and Defense ministries. The deal would likely replicate the Astana model, which Turkey, Russia and Iran applied to the settlement in Syria. The goal for both Moscow and Ankara is to minimize the influence of other regional  and especially nonregional  powers, and establish themselves as principal kingmakers in the Libyan conflict. This would satisfy their ambitions to claim a new power-center status in the Middle East and North Africa.

The Syrian model goes beyond the Astana process, although, in the case of Libya, replicating the same framework will likely be central to Russian-Turkish efforts in the coming months.

Moscow has earned significant foreign policy benefits with its military campaign in Syria. One of its most important achievements is arguably how the Kremlin changed the perception of itself: Once seen  and rightly so  as a party to the conflict, Russia is now accepted as the conflict's mediator  one who can strike compromises and impose political decisions toward a peace process.

This has made Russia a desirable mediator in other regional conflicts. Saudi Arabia, for instance, wouldnt mind having Russia mediate the conflict in Yemen, providing that Saudi interests are duly observed. Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have approached Russia on a few occasions to enlist its support for their own agenda in Libya.

Until now, while evidently willing to aid settlement of these crises, Russia has dodged playing a direct and open role in Yemen and Libya. The conflict in Syria held a lions share of its attention, while ongoing hostilities in Idlib and a shaky stalemate in northeastern Syria have prevented Moscow from directing its limited resources in other directions.

Yet the power and trust that Russia has accumulated among regional stakeholders with its Syria campaign is running thin. To preserve its role as a key regional player, Russia feels it must continue to act. This implies not just proposing general initiatives, such as the Gulf security concept Moscow presented in July 2019, but to practically contribute to solutions of other regional crises. Given that the role and policies of both the United States and the EU are dubious and indecisive, respectively, this is an opportunity for Moscow to design its own security architecture before the United States and the EU can get their act together. All of this appears to have driven Russian policymakers to act more proactively on the Libyan front.

Unlike in Yemen, however, Russian interests in Libya are more clearly articulated. Russia hopes to reclaim the oil and railroad construction contracts it lost after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi. Libya is also a strategic location, both as a close energy source for Europe and a source of illegal migration to European countries. Should Russia secure a foothold in Libya, Moscow will receive new leverage in its relations with the West, in particular the EU.

In dealing with Libya, Russia is yet to overcome some elements of its Syria model when it acts both as a party to the conflict and a mediator. The moment for Russia to become a pure mediator is still not there, which means Russia will have to plug away at its mediator role by first engaging with one warring party. This model, which has been tested in Syria, may provide Russia with the results it seeks. However, it imbeds Russia deeper into the conflict and may entail greater risks. This may include a loss of the party Moscow supports if Hifter suffers defeat at Tripoli, and if Moscow and Ankara fail to find a compromise that will either reinforce or at least allow Hifter to save face.

Unlike in Syria, where Moscow had no other option but to support Bashar al-Assad, Russias support for Hifter wasnt predestined. Closer cooperation with Hifter was largely shaped by Hifters own initiative with the Russians. For instance, Hifter hit the right tone as a "new Gadhafi" who, among other things, may have reassured the Kremlin that supporting him was a way to overcome their guilt over the toppling of Gadhafi. (Some in the Russian government feel Gadhafi's end was made possible after Moscow abstained from voting on the resolution to establish a no-fly zone in Libya.) Besides, Hifter and forces loyal to him promised lucrative contracts to some powerful Russian oil tycoons should Russia support their party.

By printing money for Hifter and deploying private military contractors  first, merely, for demining operations  a pro-Hifter lobby formed in Moscow. Soon, the scope of gray zone activities expanded into the deployment of additional mercenaries and the use of shady air carriers  or air logistics companies  whose activities in Libya enrich their Russian owners' deals.

At the same time, by gradually lifting up Hifter, Russian units  be they government-linked or private  have secured dominance in the logistics of the Libyan National Army (LNA). Russian units have supplied supplementary parts for LNA weapons, provided military training and operations planning for LNA forces, and guarded high-profile commanders and strategic infrastructure. All of this makes Hifter rely even more on Moscow, which may later prove handy for Russia should it decide to exert greater pressure on him for the sake of political dialogue with Prime Minister Sarraj. In this sense, Russias support for the LNA doesnt seek to land Hifter a victory per se, but rather secure leverage over decision-making in the conflict.

It is also debatable what course Moscows relations with Tobruk would have taken should Tripoli have acted in a more proactive manner vis-a-vis Russia. So far, Sarrajs government has failed to offer Moscow sufficiently lucrative conditions for cooperation, neither was it persistent in its pursuit of Russian sympathies. That said, being aware of the risks that one-sided support for the LNA may bear, the Kremlin is still willing to engage Sarraj. In recent weeks, the bilateral contacts between Moscow and Tripoli have indeed been boosted.

Turkey has staked its own interests on the internationally recognized government of Sarraj and now seeks to bolster his position with additional military deployments. This, in turn, makes Sarraj more dependable on Ankara, whose political position he will not be able to ignore. Should Russia and Turkey each pressure the warring parties, a peace process in Libya may be possible. These efforts, however, may be derailed by other powerful players with their own stakes in the Libyan conflict. Therefore, both Russia and Turkey seek to back up their initiatives with the support of other regional players like Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria.

By uniting efforts, Russia and Turkey may reach their respective geopolitical goals in a more effective manner than if they pursued this path alone. This was the case in Syria, and this will likely be the case in Libya.
In a major escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States, the Pentagon confirmed on Friday that US forces killed Gen Qassem Suleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at Baghdad airport. The US airstrike also killed top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans," the Pentagon said in a statement. The White House said General Suleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. Iran's Revolutionary Guards has confirmed that Suleimani was killed. Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has termed assassination of General Suleimani -- the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda -- extremely dangerous and foolish escalation.

Follow BusinessToday.In for all the latest updates on the US-Iran tension

11.49 AM: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows revenge

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge" after the United States killed the commander of the Islamic republic's Quds Force, General Qasem Suleimani, in Baghdad on Friday."Martyrdom was the reward for his ceaseless efforts in all these years," Khamenei said on his Farsi-language Twitter account in reference to Suleimani, also declaring three days of mourning. "With him gone, God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped, but severe revenge awaits the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood and other martyrs' in last night's incident." -- PTI

10.50 AM: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives: "The Admin has conducted tonight's strikes ... without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran. Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress. The full Congress must be immediately briefed on this serious situation."

10.43 AM: Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City: "What has happened to the Democrat party. Donald Trump's reaction to Iran's attack on our embassy, and other provocations, was entirely justified. Almost any President, Kennedy, Reagan, Bush,would have done the same. Thank God we have a real President."

10.30 AM: Senator Ted Cruz: "According the the Obama Department of Defense, Qasem Suleimani was a terrorist directly responsible for the murder of over 500 US service men & women. Why are congressional Dems outraged that he's finally dead?"
Nanny cams have become quite popular, and there is no shortage of parents that use them to either keep an eye on their kids when theyre not home or keep an eye on what the babysitter is really up to.

There definitely have been abusive nannies and babysitters exposed through the use of nanny cams, so they have their use.

Butwhat this mom from New Jersey did with her nanny cam has gotten her arrested.

33-year-old Heather Bamford gave her daughter a Minnie Mouse doll right before dropping her off to spend time with her dad; who is Heathers ex-husband.

This was no ordinary stuffed toy though; Heather had installed a recording device into the toy in the hopes of being able to listen in to her ex without him knowing about it.

When Heathers ex picked up the toy and pressed a button on it, expecting it to talkit sure did, but it didnt say what he thought it would!

The toy played back a recording of something he had said and something his daughter had said.

On Sunday, December 15th, around 8:15 in the evening, Heathers ex called the police to report that the recording device had been put in his daughters toy.

Heather has been arrested and charged with harassment and wiretapping since New Jersey requires the person being recorded to consent to it and her ex had absolutely no idea what she was doing.

Bre is a female millennial go getter residing in New York. One part entrepreneur, one part geek, she obtained her degree in Textile/Surface Design from The Fashion Institute of Technology.

She has held some exciting roles in both fashion as a designer working for brands like Victorias Secret and Henri Bendel, as well as in ad tech working for publishers like Ziff Davis.

Today she operates Chip Chick Media which reaches millions of women each month.

Bre is passionate about teaching women how to build a business and be an entrepreneur, in addition to keeping her readers informed of the latest technology trends and exciting products to improve their lifestyles.

You can send Bre a message here.
The 23-year-old Unnao rape victim, who was airlifted to Delhi and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital with 90 per cent burns after being set on fire, died following a cardiac arrest on December 6, 2019. (Photo: PTI)

Unnao: The Uttar Pradesh Police has submitted a charge sheet in a court here in connection with the death of a 23-year-old Unnao rape victim, who was allegedly set ablaze by five men.

Additional Superintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Pandey, who is heading a Special Investigation Team in the case, said the charge sheet was submitted on Wednesday.

"There is ample proof against the five accused persons, and the charge sheet was prepared based on those evidences," he said on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Unnao rape victim, who was airlifted to Delhi and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital with 90 per cent burns after being set on fire, died following a cardiac arrest on December 6, 2019.

The woman was set afire by five men, including two of her alleged rapists, on December 5 morning when she was going to Rae Bareli to attend a court hearing in the rape case filed by her.

In her statement to Sub Divisional Magistrate Dayashankar Pathak, the woman had said she was attacked when she reached Gaura turn near her home on her way to the court.

She had specifically named Harishankar Trivedi, Ram Kishore Trivedi, Umesh Bajpai, Shivam Trivedi and Shubham Trivedi as the persons who set her on fire.

The woman had also alleged that Shivam and Shubham Trivedi had abducted and raped her in December 2018.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 13:10:36|Editor: Liu

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YANGON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 106 people were killed with 1,014 injured in traffic accidents on Myanmar's Yangon-Mandalay highway in 2019, according to the office of the Highway Police on Friday.

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 last year, 542 suspects were charged in connection with 521 road accident cases on the highway.

December was recorded as the month with second least numbers of casualties, registering seven deaths and 54 injured in 32 traffic accidents on the country's busiest highway.

There were a total of 473 accidents, leaving 103 deaths and 877 injured on Yangon-Mandalay highway in 2018.

Reckless driving, over-speeding, defective vehicles, inclement weather were mainly blamed for the traffic accidents in the country.

Aiming the enhance better traffic safety along the highway, the highway authorities have increased the number of road safety police to 16 police stations, providing 24-hour services for travellers since 2012.

Installation of speed measuring devices at the mile posts are being carried out by the highway authorities and people are urged to cooperate with the authorities in safety measures as well as to comply with traffic laws.

Opened in December 2010, the 587 kilometer-long highway connects Myanmar's commercial city of Yangon and the second largest city of Mandalay.
InterGlobe Aviation on Friday said a meeting of shareholders will be convened on January 29 to seek approval for certain changes in the company's articles of association

New Delhi: In signs that promoters' feud are far from over, InterGlobe Aviation on Friday announced convening a meeting of shareholders on 29 January, at the request of co-promoter Rakesh Gangwal, for removing various provisions in a key document of the company.

The extraordinary general meeting (EGM) would discuss deleting various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisition of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and ' Tag Along Right', in the company's Articles of Association (AoA).

The development comes more than six months after Gangwal flagged concerns over corporate governance lapses at InterGlobe Aviation, the parent of the country's largest airline IndiGo.

.@IndiGo6E to hold an Extraordinary General meeting of company on January 29 pic.twitter.com/yedJ2fSOQ6  CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18Live) January 3, 2020

The meeting is being convened on 29 January following a request by Rakesh Gangwal (RG) Group and related entities who together hold 36.64 percent stake in the company, a regulatory filing said on Friday.

The group comprises Rakesh Gangwal, Shobha Gangwal and The Chinkerpoo Family Trust (Trustee: Shobha Gangwal and JP Morgan Trust Company of Delaware).

The differences between co-founders and co-promoters -- Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia -- came to the fore in July 2019 after Gangwal sought market regulator SEBI's intervention to address alleged corporate governance lapses at the company. In the wake of the feud, arbitration proceedings are also going overseas between the two promoters' sides.

Bhatia and affiliates -- InterGlobe Enterprises (IGE) Group -- has around 38 percent stake in the company.

On 24 December, a request for EGM was made by Gangwal and the company's Board of Directors, on 31 December, approved convening such a meeting.

The company received a letter on 13 November, 2019 from Gangwal seeking changes in the AoA, the filing said.

Generally, an AoA provides the regulations for operating a company.

The shareholders' agreement expired on the fourth anniversary of the company's initial public offer -- 10 November, 2019.

However, the AoA contains many provisions of that agreement. As these provisions have now expired, RG Group seeks an amendment to the AoA to remove those expired provisions, as per an annexure in the communication, dated 24 December, from Gangwal seeking convening of the EGM.

Gangwal has sought deletion of various Articles pertaining to transfer and acquisition of the company's shares, including 'Right of First Refusal' and 'Tag Along Right'.

One of the Articles that is sought to be removed pertain to each group agreeing not to acquire additional shares or voting rights of the company that might trigger an open offer requirement under SEBI's takeover regulations.

If any member of the IGE (InterGlobe Enterprises) Group -- led by Rahul Bhatia or RG Group -- wants to transfer shares to a third party, then the non-transferring group will have the 'Right of First Refusal' subject to certain conditions.

Similarly, the non-transferring group will also have the 'Tag Along Right' wherein it would have the option to sell some part of the shareholding.

Another Article is that the transferring shareholder would not be entitled to transfer shares without prior written consent of the non-transferring shareholder.

"As per the legal advice received by the company, there are provisions in the Companies Act, 2013, as amended (the 'Companies Act') which give rights to the members to requisition on EGM," the explanatory statement to the EGM notice said.

Amid the promoters' feud, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta in November 2019 said there was "zero impact" on the carrier right now as they are on the same page over the airline's strategic direction.

Shares of InterGlobe Aviation rose over two percent to close at Rs 1,360.95 on the BSE.
Gov. Larry Hogan has issued his written consent to allow Maryland to continue accepting refugees into the state. He joins more than 30 governors who have done so in response to a Trump administration policy allowing state and local leaders to block refugee admissions for the first time.

"Maryland consents to receive legally vetted resettlement refugees in Fiscal Year 2020," Hogan, a Republican, wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a letter dated Dec. 30. "This, as you know, is different from any kind of 'sanctuary' status for those in the United States unlawfully."

"Maryland's approach is consistent with both our laws and our values," he added.

President Donald Trump announced last year that both state and local leaders need to provide written consent by Jan. 21 to continue welcoming refugees into their localities - an unprecedented move that advocates worried could cripple the country's decades-old resettlement program.

About 34 governors, including at least 15 Republicans, have provided their consent in writing. In Maryland, which has accepted 10,000 refugees since 2016, resettlement agency leaders say they were waiting to hear from Hogan.

"We're thrilled - just thrilled," Ruben Chandrasekar, executive director of the International Rescue Committee in Maryland, said Thursday. "The biggest boost to our confidence has been the governor saying 'yes.' "

In 2015, Hogan was among a group of GOP governors who called on the federal government to stop the arrival of Syrian refugees in their states. He also has been a vocal critic of Maryland jurisdictions that have prohibited local law enforcement from working with federal agencies on immigration enforcement, calling such policies "absurd."

Now, however, Hogan's letter of consent has cleared the way for refugee resettlement agencies to continue their work in the state's two large metropolitan areas, Chandrasekar said. Baltimore Mayor Jack Young and Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, both Democrats, have issued letters of consent. Leaders in Prince George's County and Baltimore County are in the process of doing the same.

Resettlement agencies are relieved, Chandrasekar said, though they are aware that the total number of refugees in Maryland is still likely to drop significantly in the coming months.

In September, Trump slashed the annual refugee ceiling to 18,000 - the lowest in U.S. history and less than a quarter of what the country admitted in President Barack Obama's final year in office.

According to Chandrasekar, the decision could have significant effects on Maryland jurisdictions such as Baltimore and Prince George's, which have relied on refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants to buttress their tax base and boost their economy.

"For years, Baltimore City has welcomed refugees fleeing violence and persecution," Young said in a Dec. 20 statement. "Our neighborhoods cannot afford to lose the contributions refugees provide."

As of Thursday, no state or local jurisdiction had explicitly announced a decision to reject refugees. A North Dakota county commission that was poised to become the first to do so voted 3-2 to continue accepting refugees, up to a cap of 25.
Her striking HHH (Hedonistic Honky Haters) photograph series in 2004 destabilised Ku Klux Klan imagery, using African-American models wearing colourful long robes and hoods made from African fabric. Fiona Foley's HHH #1 (2004). Credit:Fiona Foley More recently, Foley has turned her attention towards the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act. She researched the 1897 Queensland act for her PhD, exploring how opium was used to control Aboriginal lives and labour. Her disturbing photographic and sculpture series, Horror has a Face, includes a series of breast plates with historic quotes inscribed on them and images of opium dens in the 19th century. "Ive been allowed to work in that zone unhindered because really no one else is working in that zone so I feel like I still havent fully exploited it yet," Foley says. "I will keep working in that zone if the work doesnt become stale and predictable; you always have to be a little bit like Madonna and reinvent yourself."

These three key works will be included in a survey of Foleys 30-year artistic practice  called Who are these strangers and where are they going?  which opens at the National Art School this week as part of the Sydney Festival. It's a return to beginnings for Foley, who graduated from the Darlinghurst establishment, then known as East Sydney Tech, in 1983. The exhibition takes its name from Foley's latest work, a soundscape which recreates the oldest known Aboriginal song, which has been handed down orally over generations and records the Badtjala people of K'gari observing the Captain Cook's Endeavour in 1770. Fiona Foley's The Oyster Fisherman 13 (2011) tells of an Aboriginal woman abducted by fishermen. Credit:Fiona Foley "My work is research and history based. For me, I think that territory is rich, still largely unexplored ... It's about not letting other people be the expert of your own culture." During the Spectrum photo shoot, she asks, with irony and self-deprecation, whether she looks appropriately "like an elder stateswoman of Aboriginal art", but there's no denying Foley's position as one of our country's most prominent Aboriginal and contemporary artists, a position she has levered into academia and advocacy.

And while her work is thought-provoking, she doesn't take herself too seriously. Foley has no shortage of opinions on Love Island, drinks beer and doesn't mind a little art world slander-slinging. She lives alone with her two dogs  an aloof German shepherd and sooky cocker spaniel  and works in a small studio at the back of her property. 'It was very anti-establishment, anti-monarchy, anti-English, anti-authority. We were raised to ask questions.' Foley's mother, Shirley, was a Badtjala woman, born on the dirt floor of a humpy in Hervey Bay and raised by her mother after her father died in a boating accident off K'gari. Foley's father, Barry, was a first generation Australian, son of an Irish father and Scottish mother who met in Sydney. Shirley and Barry met at a party in Cairns and were married for 36 years (Shirley passed away in 2000 and Barry in 2017). Fiona, the oldest of their four children, was born in a town neighbouring Hervey Bay in 1964. "With an Irish father and an Aboriginal mother, it was very anti-establishment, anti-monarchy, anti-English, anti-authority. We were raised to ask questions," Foley says.

Fiona Foley 10 Demons of the Den (2017) from Horror Has a Face Credit:Courtesy of the artist Foley spent her early childhood in Hervey Bay, but her memories are troubling. Her father, who at the time worked laying underground PMG cables, was vilified for marrying an Aboriginal woman. Stones and slurs were slung at Foley and her siblings on the way to and from school. It was, she says, her earliest recollection of being racialised. Her family moved to the mining community of Mount Isa and a year later to Hornsby in Sydney's north, where Foley's father had spent his childhood. Her parents worked for the postal service and Foley attended Berowra Heights Public School and Asquith Girls' High School. While they were at first the only Aboriginal family in Hornsby and she remembers no other Aboriginal students at her school, Foley says she experienced an unexpected sense of freedom. Annihilation of the Blacks (1986) by Fiona Foley Credit:George Serras/The National Museum of Australia "In Queensland, there is a real deep psychology about how to think about Aboriginal people. You have a pre-destiny in society here. Youre not thought of very highly, youre in some sort of lower echelon when it comes to how people perceive you," she says.

"What was good about going to that school was I just got treated like Fiona, not Aboriginal Fiona. I was Aboriginal but that didnt define who I was." Loading Even though they were hundreds of kilometres away from Hervey Bay and other Indigenous communities, Foley's mother cultivated a strong cultural connection with her country. Foley describes her as "visionary", and a fierce determination, pride and independence was clearly shared between the two generations of Badtjala women. Shirley Foley was a tireless advocate for Badtjala people, and mother and daughter worked together to help establish the Badtjala peoples native title claim to land on K'gari which was awarded in 2014. "I watched her fight that fight for 20 years. She breathed it day in and day out," Foley says.

Shirley also collated a dictionary of Badtjala words, which was reprinted this year, and the family spoke Badtjala at home. Foley continues to use Badtjala words with her siblings and cousins. As a child, Foley would spend a month at K'gari each year. The four kids squeezed into the back of her dad's second-hand Land Rover, next to the tent and the supplies. In those days, they rarely saw another car on the island; the bread and newspaper were flown in, dingoes were rarely seen in the daytime. "If we heard a vehicle coming along the beach, we would run over the sun dune, us kids, and wave to the person in the car. They were rare. Today you wouldnt do that, its up and down, up and down, just like a highway," Foley says. Fiona Foley and her mother fought for native land title recognition for Badtjala people. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer K'gari, which became a World Heritage site in 1992, is very different today. In the year ending June 2019, the Fraser Coast saw a total of 881,000 domestic and international overnight visitors.

"It is disconcerting because basically the island is over-loved now. There are too many people and it takes its toll on the environment there. I think the numbers do need to be capped otherwise it is going to get more destroyed," Foley says. Although the Badtjala people won their Native Title claim, Foley says they gained very few actual rights and can't make money from the tourism. It's a point of ongoing frustration for Foley, who has argued for a levy to be imposed on all vehicle permits for the island, the funds of which could be reinvested in Badtjala cultural programs. "That jewel in the crown, Fraser Island, K'gari, is just sitting there but the Badtjala people cannot make one cent from it as of today; we can't make one cent out of all the tourists who go there and that is the crying shame of it." Foley, who also studied at the Sydney College of the Arts, is considered part of a new generation of Aboriginal artists - the "so-called urban Aboriginal artists" as art critic John McDonald termed it. This generation of contemporary artists has asserted their Aboriginal identity and used their work to address injustice, inequality and misrepresentation. Foley was a founding member of the Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in 1987, alongside nine other prominent artists including Tracey Moffatt, Michael Riley, Bronwyn Bancroft, Brenda Croft and Euphemia Bostock. She has never been concerned to be called an "Aboriginal artist" unlike some of her contemporaries, including Moffatt, who have rejected the label.

"I grew up with a mother who was proud of her culture. She would say, 'you didn't come from a hollow log'. I couldn't get away with something like that," Foley says. Fiona Foley's controversial installation Witnessing to Silence in Brisbane. Credit:Amy Mitchell-Whittington Foley's work is held in collections around the world - including London's British Museum - and she has been commissioned for public installations here and abroad. One of her most notorious was the 2004 installation, Witnessing to Silence, installed at the Brisbane Magistrates' Court. Foley pitched the work as a listing of sites affected by extreme weather, but later, after it was installed, she revealed the place names referenced the history of massacres and violence against Aboriginal people in Queensland. 'I grew up with a mother who was proud of her culture. She would say, "you didn't come from a hollow log".'

Foley was once able to live off her work, but she says the Global Financial Crisis saw the bottom fall away from the art market. Her work is challenging, and art institutions, she says, are inherently conservative and more likely to play catch-up. "My work takes a long gestation period. My more political work, people will come at it about five years after it's come into existence." Feeling the financial pressure, Foley turned to academia, completing her doctorate in 2017 and then a a post-doctorate combining research and art. Still, one of her favourite things to do is to comb the beaches and sand dunes of K'gari, where she shares a small villa with her brother. She's been working on a series of black and white hoods, decorated with shells from the island, that reference its dark history of Indigenous people being abducted to work on pearl ships. Foley's favourite Badtjala word is Pir'ri, which means mangroves. The sun is setting and the tide has drifted out when she takes me to a mangrove forest near her house. As we walk, Foley finds the washed-up skull of a turtle and holds it carefully. We'll have to wait and see what art might become of it.
The state is poised to more than double its original investment in the stalled Cork event centre to 50m under the terms of a new funding deal revealed today.

The non-repayable grant will be combined with 35m from the developers, BAM, and venue operators, Live Nation, fuelling hopes that construction of the near 90m 6,000-capacity venue could start within months, pending no legal challenge and a green light from An Bord Pleanala.

The details have emerged as Cork City Council publishes a special notice in the Official Journal of the European Union today to inform the market of proposed changes to the projects original funding agreement, and of its intention to conclude a contract with BAM.

It is a major step forward in the saga which saw a tender for 20m of state-aid awarded to BAM in 2014 and the sod turned in February 2016.

But not a single brick has been laid as the project stalled over a redesign, soaring costs, planning delays and funding complexities.

The sod turning in February 2016.

Council chief executive, Ann Doherty, said she is now delighted to be able to publish the so-called Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency (VEAT) notice - a process frequently used to ascertain and mitigate the risk of a procurement challenge.

We have been working closely with our various partners on this for months now. There was an intense round of meetings in the weeks before Christmas and everything is now in place to proceed with this process, she said.

The allocation of such significant funding is a recognition by the government of the strategic importance to Cork and the region of this critical piece of infrastructure.

The VEAT notice reveals how 50m in funding will now be made available by the government and council as a non-repayable grant, that 35m will be made available by a special purpose vehicle to be established by BAM with Live Nation, and that once the venue is built, the site and event centre will transfer to the operator.

Its publication triggers a month-long period during which the new funding agreement can be challenged in the courts.

OCallaghan Properties (OCP), the unsuccessful bidder for the original state-aid, has previously indicated that it no longer has any interest in the project.

In August 2014, OCP and BAM were the only bidders for the initial 14m in state-aid to deliver an events centre for Cork.

In December 2014, BAM was named the preferred bidder for an increased 20m state-aid package for its proposed venue on part of the former Beamish and Crawford site on South Main St.

Live Nation subsequently commissioned detailed internal design work which indicated that for the venue to be viable, it needed to be 20% bigger.

Good news, but should not be big surprise. I confirmed months ago that funding issues were settled & process agreed with @corkcitycouncil to move ahead. Ive always said this great project for #Cork will happen, & it is happening. Still some planning issues for ABP to conclude. https://t.co/T6Ol6ndEwZ  Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) January 3, 2020

That led to structural and specification changes which included alterations to the stage orientation and layout, which in turn led to soaring costs and requests for more state funding, and complex issues over whether it would be classed as a grant or a loan.

Efforts have continued since at the highest levels of government to resolve the funding issues as the enlarged venue was granted planning and the decision then appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

The site last April.

Last September, the Tanaiste Simon Coveney and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed the government had agreed to allocate the necessary funding within spending ceilings to allow the council enter final contract negotiations with BAM but it is only now that the details can be disclosed.

The VEAT notice says the council now plans to conclude a funding agreement with a special purpose company to be established by BAM with Live Nation to deliver the enlarged venue.

The council says it considers that competition is absent for technical reasons linked to a bidder's ability to deliver both a site and the required investment, that a 20% increase in venue size is essential, and that BAM is the only economic operator that can deliver the project to the specified requirements.

It warns that any change to the process now would significantly delay the delivery and cost of this significant piece of infrastructure linked to the development of Cork and inevitably result in duplication of cost and effort.

The new funding deal includes changes the council says it considers to be reasonable, proportionate and justified.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a media briefing at the State Department in Washington in a file photograph. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Pompeo: Iran Understands Trump Will Take Decisive Action After Soleimani Killing

Iran understands that President Donald Trump will take swift and decisive action after the killing of Qassem Soleimani, commander of Irans Quds force, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

I think the Iranian leadership understands that President Trump will take action. Weve made this clear for months. When I was the CIA director, we made very clear that these responses would be swift and decisive. Weve now demonstrated that, Pompeo said during a Friday morning appearance on Fox & Friends.

Trump said in a statement on Jan. 3 that the airstrike was ordered because Soleimani  killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more.

The general was both hated and feared in Iran, where he was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, the president said.

Pompeo said the strike disrupted an imminent attack.

This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

The orchestrator, the primary motivator for the attack was Qassem Soleimani, an attempt to disrupt that plot, he said on Fox.

There would have been many Muslims killed as wellIraqis, people in other countries as well. It was a strike that was aimed at both disrupting that plot, deterring further aggression, and we hope setting the conditions for de-escalation as well.

I cant talk too much about the nature of the threats, but the American people should know that President Trumps decision to remove Qassem Soleimani from the battlefield saved American lives, Pompeo added on CNNs New Day.

Theres no doubt about that. He was actively plotting in the region to take actionsa big action, as he described itthat would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk. We know it was imminent. This was an intelligence-based assessment that drove our decision-making process.

The threats were located in the region, Pompeo said.

Combination photo of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani (L) and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces. (Stringer/Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters)

Soleimani, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Units, and several others were killed in the strike early Friday local time near Baghdad International Airport.

Iranian leaders said Soleimani was a martyr and vowed to avenge his death.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said that the U.S. airstrike was a villainous and cowardly measure.

The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime, he said.

Pompeo on Friday said he hopes the leaders in Iran see that Trump will take action if necessary.

I hope that the Iranian leadership will see that and theyll see American resolve and that their decision will be to de-escalate, to take actions consistent with what normal nations do, he said. And in the event that they do not, in the event they go the other direction, I know that President Trump and the entire United States Government is prepared to respond appropriately.
(Newser)  Iran vowed "harsh retaliation" after its top general was killed by an American drone strike in Iraq Thursday night. The Pentagon confirmed that it had taken "decisive action" against Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who was killed as he left the Baghdad airport in a convoy with leaders of Iran-backed militias, the Washington Post reports. Soleimani, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a statement. "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans." Officials said the strike was carried out by order of President Trump, who tweeted an image of an American flag.

story continues below

At least four other people are believed to have been killed in the strike, including Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandi. Soleimani, 62, was responsible for Iran's interventions across the Middle East and was "hailed as a heroic national figure," reports the BBC. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the general the "international face of resistance" and called for three days of public mourning, the AP reports. An Iranian government spokesman said the country's top security body will meet to discuss a response to the "criminal act of attack." (Trump promised Tuesday that Iran would "pay a big price" for an attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad.)
Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, who died in a US Air Force strike in Baghdad, is considered a living legend. The Iranians practically idolize him, the enemies are afraid and hate him. Israel and the US have repeatedly tried to kill him. Moreover, very little is known about the general. We tried to collect information about him.

Born March 11, 1957, Soleimani grew up near a historic Iranian town of Rabor. At the age of thirteen, for the sake of paying an agricultural loan, his father went with his relative to find job in Kerman (Iran), where he worked at the construction site of a school on the outskirts of the city. In 1979, he joined the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), where he attended 45-day courses for young fighters.

In 1998, he took command of the special unit of the Quds organization, which is responsible for military and undercover intelligence, as well as for sabotage activities outside of Iran and reports directly to the supreme leader of the republic, Ali Khamenei.

In 2007, Soleimani was included in the UN sanctions list of Iranian military and political figures who are banned from leaving the country.

When Saddam Hussein invaded Iran on September 22, 1980, Soleimani was a lieutenant in the ranks of the IRGC. However, with the outbreak of hostilities, he quickly became famous, thanks in large part to bold reconnaissance operations behind enemy lines. He was given command of the 41st Tarallah Infantry Division aged 30.

He is considered an outstanding strategist and organizer of special operations, as well as the creator of a wide intelligence network in the Middle East, relying on.

He is known as a shrewd and frighteningly clever strategist, the organizer of sabotage and reconnaissance operations, who created a wide intelligence network based on Shiite communities throughout the region. As John Maguire, a former CIA official in Iraq, told The New Yorker magazine, Soleimani is by far the most powerful figure in the Middle East and no one has heard of him.

In Iran, his influence was great even before the Syrian conflict turned him into a political superstar. The general enjoys the trust of Irans supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Khamenei calls him a living martyr for his contribution. John Maguire told The New Yorker reporters that the Iranian general, despite the lack of a formal education, is well-read and erudite, more intelligent than his entourage, and has a restrained charm.

In 2018, Israeli media hastened to report his death during Israeli air strikes in the Damascus area, but the information was denied.

In October last year, Iranian intelligence reported the failure of an assassination attempt on Soleimani. According to the head of the intelligence department of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a group of terrorists entered Iran last winter. They wanted to buy a house next to a mosque built by the late father of General in Kerman in southeast Iran. Then dig a canal under the mosque and lay 350 to 500 kg of explosives there, which they were supposed to blow up when the general came to the mosque. They had to implement the plan at the end of summer, when Soleimani came to this mosque for the mourning ceremony of Ashura and Tasua. However, thanks to the IRGC intelligence, they were all captured before these ceremonies.

Former Iranian ambassador to Jordan in 2017 said that Washington had been weaving intrigues for 14 years to kill the General. According to him, the US has been plotting Generals murder since 2003.

Based on materials from RIA Novosti, Gazeta.ru, Iran.ru, Fars
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!)
Living in polluted cities may make your bones weaker and easier to break, research suggests.

A study of nearly 4,000 people in India found those who inhaled more toxic airborne particles had less bone mass in their spines and hips.

Spanish researchers believe bones are weakened because tiny pollutants seep into the blood when inhaled and speed up the ageing process.

Previous studies have linked pollution to low levels of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium production, leading to more fragile bones.

Living in polluted cities may make your bones weaker and easier to break. A study in India found people exposed to toxic particles had less bone density in their lower back (stock)

Smog-filled towns and cities have been linked to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory diseases such as asthma and even dementia.

But there have only been a few studies into its effect on bone health and results have so far been inconclusive.

In the latest paper, researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health looked at 3,700 people between 2009 and 2012.

Participants were all residents from 28 villages just outside the city of Hyderabad, in southern India.

HOW CAN AIR POLLUTION CAUSE WEAK BONES? Toxic airborne particles belted out of car exhausts and industry have been linked to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory diseases such as asthma and even dementia. They are thought to cause these conditions by seeping into the bloodstream when inhaled and causing inflammation. Experts believe it weakens bones through the same mechanism. The tiny particles speed up the ageing process and people's bones naturally become weaker as they age. Previous studies have also linked pollution to low levels of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium production, leading to more fragile bones. Advertisement

Researchers took measurements of PM2.5 and black carbon in the atmosphere in each village.

PM2.5 is the finest type of particulate matter, while black carbon is a larger toxin. Both come mainly from petrol and diesel vehicle exhausts.

Analysis revealed average PM2.5 exposure was 33 micrograms per metre cubed (ug/m3) - far above the maximum 10ug/m3 levels recommended by the World Health Organisation.

By comparison, the average level is 13ug/m3 in London, 12ug/m3 in New York and 10ug/m3 in Sydney.

The researchers cross-referenced pollution levels with X-rays measuring bone mass in participant's lower back, known as the lumbar spine, and hip.

Results showed that exposure to air pollution was associated with lower levels of bone mass.

For every 3ug/m3 increase in fine particulate matter, there was a decrease of -0.57g of bone mass in the spine and -0.13g in the hip.

An increase of 1ug/m3 of carbon saw bone density shrink by -1.13g in the spine and -0.35g in the hip.

Study lead author Otavio Ranzani said: 'This study contributes to the limited and inconclusive literature on air pollution and bone health.

'Inhalation of polluting particles could lead to bone mass loss through the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by air pollution.' The findings were published in the journal Jama Network Open.

Smog-filled towns and cities have been linked to an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, acute respiratory diseases such as asthma and even dementia

A 2017 study by Columbia University of more than nine million people was the first to find a link between traffic fumes and fractures caused by osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break.

The study linked pollution exposure to low levels of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium production, leading to weaker bones and more hospitalizations for fractures.

It found hospital admissions for bone fractures were higher in communities with elevated levels of PM2.5.

More than 80 per cent of the world's urban population is breathing unsafe levels of air pollution.

Described as an invisible killer, it causes an estimated seven million premature deaths a year worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation.

Pollution is also fuelling increases in degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, health experts fear.

Previous studies have found air pollution has a negative impact on students' cognitive abilities.

Many pollutants are thought to directly affect brain chemistry in a variety of ways.

For instance, particulate matter from traffic and industry can carry toxins through small passageways and directly enter the brain.
According to Tulane Law Schools Stephen Griffin, the Houses articles of impeachment are arguably the first not to be grounded ultimately in allegations that the president committed a federal crime or other violation of law. The presidents misdeeds are clear and gross but, says Josh Blackman of South Texas College of Law Houston, are not unambiguously tied to a preexisting, well-understood offense. Such linkage is not necessary to justify removal  gross, persistent abuse of the constitutional structure suffices  but linkage helps the public comprehend the process. And Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) wisely warns: Throughout U.S. history, accusations of presidential abuse of power have been frequent and frequently valid, but beware of them becoming articles of impeachment whenever opposite parties control the House and White House.
A 5-year-old boy taken to a Spring clinic two days after developing symptoms of what initially seemed a stomach bug probably died of bacterial meningitis, Montgomery County health officials said Thursday.

A spokeswoman said final lab results, expected early next week, likely will confirm the boy had the relatively rare but contagious and potentially lethal disease before dying Monday. She said any risk to the general public was low because the exposure did not involve a populated setting like a school or church.

Family, staffers at the Express Family Clinic, emergency responders and at least one close-by patient at the clinic have received preventative treatment with an antibiotic, she said.

Myles Cheatham came down with a stomachache and fever Saturday, said Andrea Smoorenburg, a family friend. The boys symptoms were initially controlled with Tylenol, but they progressed to vomiting and shortness of breath Monday and he was taken to the clinic.

After his heart stopped, Myles was taken by ambulance to Texas Childrens Hospitals campus in The Woodlands. Despite CPR, he never regained consciousness.

Death from bacterial, or meningococcal, meningitis can occur in as little as a few hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It kills up to 15 percent of infected people despite treatment and up to 50 percent who are not treated.

Caused by a bacterium called Neisseria meningitidis, it is characterized by swelling of the spinal cord and brain. It typically starts like influenza  a sudden onset of such symptoms as headache, fever, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and a stiff neck  but the symptoms can quickly progress. It can be spread by close personal contact.

The number of cases locally and nationally has declined gradually since reaching the early 2000s. In Texas, there were 21 cases in both 2018 and 2019, down from 203 in 2001. Eight of the cases in that two-year period occurred in Harris County, resulting in two deaths. Montgomery County last had cases in 2017, when it had two.

Although the incidence rate for the disease in Texas is highest in older adults, a disproportionate number of victims are children or young adults, typically those in college. In 2011, Texas became the first state in the country to require every college student to be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. In 2009, Texas required students living in campus dorms to be vaccinated.

The Express Family Clinic Wednesday announced the case on its website and urged anyone whod visited that day between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and developed symptoms such as high fever, headache or stiff neck to call the office or visit a local emergency room.

Montgomery County health department spokeswoman Misti Willingham said Thursday that clinic officials were confident anyone who came in contact with Myles had received prophylactic treatment.

A GoFundMe page, set up by Smoorenburg to help the family cover funeral costs, has raised $3,240 so far.

todd.ackerman@chron.com
Iltija Mufti, daughter of PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, on Friday wrote a letter to the administration seeking permission to visit the grave of her maternal grandfather and former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in south Kashmir on his fourth death anniversary on January 7.

Iltija, a Special Security Group protectee, has written to Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Munir Khan seeking permission to visit the grave of Sayeed, who died at AIIMS, Delhi, on January 7, 2016 after a brief illness.

In her letter, Iltija has said she and her family would like to visit the grave of her grandfather, a two-time chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, at Dara Shiku of Anantnag district in South Kashmir.

"Since the civil administration and police have stated on record repeatedly that the situation in Kashmir is normal, I don't see why we should be denied permission to offer our tributes at his grave," she said.

"It would be a crying shame if the administration or police denied us the right to even mourn and remember Mufti Saab on his fourth death anniversary."



She also made a reference about Thursday's incident when she had attempted to reach to Sayeed's grave but was detained as she had not sought a permission for visiting Anantnag district.

Munir Khan had denied Iltija's claim that she was detained. "The Anantnag district administration did not give clearance for her visit," he had said.

"We also have to keep in mind that she is an SSG protectee who has to take police clearance before visiting anywhere," Khan had added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Chinese fisherman has been sentenced to seven years of jail for snapping undersea fibre-optic cables that affected one lakh users and cost the nation USD 384,000 to restore it.

The fisherman, identified only by his surname Yang, was sentenced by a court in China's island province of Hainan, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

While fishing, Yang found his vessel was trapped as his fishing net became entangled with the undersea cables in January last year, Meilan District People's Court in the provincial capital of Haikou said in its verdict.

While attempting to retrieve his fishing net, he realised that the cables were too heavy to pull loose, compelling him to cut the cables.

As a result, the broadband network services to one lakh users were suspended for over 4,300 minutes (nearly three days) and retrieval and repair of the cables cost the cable company, China Telecom Hainan branch, 2.68 million yuan (about USD 384,000).

The court, which pronounced the judgment in mid-December, also ordered Yang to compensate the company for the cost, the report said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UK Government has called for a calming of tensions from all aggressors after the US killed Irans top military general in a drone strike.

General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Tehrans elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East, was targeted in an attack at Baghdads international airport on Friday.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab discussed the dramatic ratcheting of tensions with Donald Trumps Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later in the day.

But there was criticism of the US for apparently not giving warning of the attack to the UK, which has hundreds of troops deployed in Iraq.

Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described the strike as an assassination and called for the Government to stand up to the belligerent actions from the US.

The US President said Gen Soleimani was targeted because he was plotting to kill many Americans and that he should have been taken out many years ago.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that severe revenge awaits the criminals behind the strike and announced three days of national mourning.

Mr Raab issued a statement saying the Government had always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by the general.

Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests, Mr Raab added.

The Secretary of State thanked Mr Raab in a phone call for recognising the aggressive threats posed by the Quds Force in his statement, according to US spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.

Mr Pompeo was also said to have stressed that the White House remains committed to de-escalation.

.of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

The president did not tone down his rhetoric, however, and later tweeted: He should have been taken out many years ago!

Story continues

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been celebrating the new year on the private Caribbean island of Mustique, is yet to comment and Number 10 would not discuss his travel plans.

Prominent Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, who was chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the last Parliament, was critical of the US for not giving the UK warning of the attack, though the Government did not confirm it was not briefed in advance.

He urged the White House to share much more closely with allies in the future, adding to the BBC that the purpose of having allies is that we can surprise our enemies and not each other.

The Ministry of Defence said there are around 400 British troops deployed in Iraq as part of the UKs fight against the Islamic State terror group.

A further 500 personnel are based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus which flies fast jets and reconnaissance planes over Iraq and Syria, the MoD added.

A burning vehicle at Baghdad International Airport following an air strike (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

Mr Corbyn said the US assassination of the general is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance.

The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States, the MP added.

All countries in the region and beyond should seek to ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict, which can only bring further misery to the region, 17 years on from the disastrous invasion of Iraq.

Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary bidding to become the next Labour leader, criticised the PM for having pathetically unopposed Mr Trumps decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal.

The Foreign Offices call for restraint today is too little and far too late, in the wake of such a brazen, unlawful and provocative attack, she added.

Other potential Labour leaders also weighed in on the attack, with shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer calling it an extremely serious situation and urged the UK to engage, not isolate Iran.

The move has sparked protests in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister who served as a captain in the Army, tweeted this is big, adding: Expect repercussions.

Dr Jack Watling, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute defence think tank, said Iran would strike back but would take care not to provoke a full-scale conflict.

And he said that British citizens could face capture or arrest in the region if the UK was seen by Iran to be working with the US in the situation.

The Iranians do not draw a direct line between the UK and US. However, if the UK is perceived to be participating in US actions then they will directly target UK interests, Dr Watling said.

The Foreign Office advises British-Iranian dual nationals against all travel to Iran and for other British nationals to seek the departments advice before travelling to the nation.

Police officers outside the Iranian Embassy in Knightsbridge, London (Aaron Chown/PA)

British nationals risk being arbitrarily detained or arrested by Tehran, the department warns.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been among the dual nationals being held in Iran since she was arrested in 2016 and accused of spying while visiting family.

Her husband Richard Ratcliffe told ITVs Good Morning Britain: I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where theyre all really worried.
Claiming that opposition to the amended Citizenship Act is an "attack on OBCs", Union Minister Nityanand Rai said on Friday that those protesting against the new legislation should be declared "anti-OBC" and "anti-Dalit".

The minister of state for home claimed that most of the non-Muslims fleeing harassment in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belong to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalits.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought CAA to give them respect. If someone opposes CAA, declare him anti-Dalit and anti-OBC," Rai told a gathering at an "OBC Town Hall" here.

"Opposition to CAA is an attack on OBCs. A handful of people have come out and are protesting against the amended law. OBCs should roar like lions, louder than the protesters," he said.

Asserting that the government will "drive out every terrorist from the country", the junior minister in the home ministry said, "They (terrorists) will either be driven out, or sent to jail or hell."



At the event, Uttar Pradesh Minister Dara Singh Chauhan accused the opposition parties of disrespecting the OBCs for 70 years.

"Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving reservation to OBC students in Kendriya Vidyalayas. Our PM led surgical strikes, brought CAA, brought back (Wing Commander) Abhinandan (Varthaman) from Pakistan. Only an OBC could have done it," he said and accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of deceiving OBCs by stopping their registration in OBC list.

Speaking about the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls, Rai said it will be a "big test for the OBCs". Hitting out at Kejriwal, he said, "We have to wipe off his name from Delhi .. he should be driven out."



Rai claimed that the OBCs have benefitted the maximum from all schemes of the current central government.

"An OBC commission was set up, reservation was implemented. Modiji gave OBC commission a constitutional status so that reservation for OBCs cannot be revoked," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Afghanistans four-decade-long conflict has been defined by the intervention of great powers and the meddling of neighbors who have ostensibly pursued their interests by arming or fighting various Afghan factions or facilitating their infighting.

Afghans now worry that escalating tensions between the United States and neighboring Iran following the killing of one of the most powerful Iranian generals might open a new dangerous chapter in their countrys long history of serving as a battlefield for proxy wars.

Tamim Asey, a former Afghan deputy defense minister, argues that the January 3 killing of Qasem Soleimani, commander of Irans elite Quds Force, could trigger a war between Tehran and Washington that will eventually foment a proxy war in his country.

Iran has a lot of influence in the region while American [military] bases are also spread over the region, he told Radio Free Afghanistan. This will prompt both sides to rely on proxies.

Asey says Tehran could push the Afghan Taliban to end peace negotiations with the United States while also pushing some Afghan political factions under its influence to torpedo the Afghan peace process.

A quarter-century ago, the hard-line Sunni Taliban emerged as mortal enemies of Irans Shiite clerical regime. This prompted Tehran to welcome and even support the U.S. attack that ended the Taliban regime in late 2001. Soleimani even reportedly implicitly coordinated with Washington in overthrowing the Taliban.

But U.S. President George W. Bushs inclusion of Iran in an Axis of Evil in 2002 pushed Tehran to oppose Washingtons military presence in Afghanistan. While benefiting tremendously from regime changes in neighboring Afghanistan and Iraq, Iran continued to oppose the U.S. military presence in the two countries.

Under Soleimani, Irans Quds Force transformed into an exterritorial arm of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. While the organization covertly supported and fomented anti-U.S. attacks in both countries, Iranian official and diplomats denied supporting insurgencies.

The re-emergence of the Taliban as a nationwide insurgency after 2003 gave incentives to Iran to support some of its violence and extended limited support and shelter to its leaders. It is telling that the former Afghan Taliban leader Akhtar Mohammad Mansur was killed in southwestern Pakistan after returning from a trip to Iran in May 2016. Afghan and Western official claims of Iranian support for the Taliban have frequently been met with Iranian denials.

Their partnership probably also prevented the ultra-radical Islamic State from establishing a foothold in western and southern Afghan provinces sharing a 900-kilometer-long border with Iran. The two now maintain cordial open contact, with Qatar-based Taliban representatives frequenting Tehran.

Daoud Naji, an Afghan journalist, says that if Irans reaction to Soleimanis killing remains limited to verbal threats, Afghanistan should be spared.

If increasing tensions in the region result in escalating fighting, Iran will be tempted to view all U.S. military bases in the region as targets, he told Radio Free Afghanistan. This will prompt Iran to have Taliban as allies.

However, he sees little chances of such an alliance because of the Sunni Talibans close alliance and affinity with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the past and historic differences between Afghanistan and Iran.

Irans close ideological allies in Afghanistan include but are not limited to thousands of battle-hardened fighters who have fought for Tehran in Syria since 2011 after its ally President Bashar Al-Assad faced a popular revolt.

Iran has the capacity to utilize the Fatemiyoun Division and similar hard-line organizations against the foreign forces in Afghanistan, noted Nazim Samoon, an Afghan analyst.

Estimated to number between 10,000 and 20,000 fighters, the Fatemiyoun Division was mainly made up of members of Afghanistan Shiite Hazara minority. The militia fought on the frontlines in the Syrian civil war and was believed to be founded by Soleimani.

In November 2017, Deputy Afghan Chief Executive Mohammad Mohaqiq confirmed that Iran has recruited thousands of fighters from Afghanistan and elsewhere to fight in Syria.

I thank all the warriors who cooperated in these wars from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other parts of the world who attended the wars, Mohaqiq told an audience in Tehran. In fact, it was the war of Islam against infidelity and against the conspiracies of the world arrogance.

Successive Afghan governments, however, have been keen on keeping a safe distance from hostilities between Washington and Tehran. In a delicate balancing act, former President Hamid Karzai and incumbent Ashraf Ghani kept Kabul away from ostensibly siding with Tehran or Washington in their conflicts.

In a January 3 statement, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah again attempted such an act. While offer condolences to Iran on Soleimanis killing and acknowledging its aid to Afghans during decades of war, Abdullah also recognized his countrys strategic alliance with the United States.

As a victim of terrorism and violence, Afghanistan has been looking for stability in the region and the world, he said. We hope that the recent events will not undermine the cooperation of our friends and allies in Afghanistan.

Radio Free Afghanistan correspondents Nusrat Parsa and Ahmad Shibar contributed reporting.
Trying to move tons of gold or whisk a dictator to safety? Need to extract a corporate executive from house arrest and spirit him across the world?

The company of choice for Carlos Ghosns audacious escape from Japan was a Turkish charter operator whose aircraft have helped with all of that and more.

Two planes operated by a unit of MNG Holding Co., a conglomerate with hotel, finance and transportation services, made the circuitous route from Osaka to Istanbul to Beirut that surreptitiously carried Ghosn to his home country, according to a senior Turkish official.

While details are still emerging, the dramatic exfiltration is drawing attention to the company and the private world of charter flights. The Venezuelan government of President Nicolas Maduro has used aircraft from MNG to ship gold to Istanbul. Reza Zarrab, a gold trader who violated sanctions against Iran, tapped the company to manage his private plane.

Charter jets give customers a cloak of privacy. Planes are often owned by one group yet operated and managed by a specialty company. Still, tail number and registrations can be tracked, partially piercing their secrecy. Thats how MNGs name has surfaced in the Ghosn drama.

Im sure theyre on everyones radar screens now, said Michael Burton, an attorney specializing in international trade law.

MNG Jet says customers can do whatever they want with the aircraft they have chartered, as long as it isnt illegal. It said, however, that it had filed a criminal complaint over the flights linked to Ghosn over what it said amounted to the illegal use of its jet charter services.

Similarly to a car rental agency, MNG Jet is renting out planes, and does not bear any responsibility for what the passengers do with them, the company wrote in an emailed response to questions. According to the international aviation code, it is not MNG Jets role, responsibility and rights to inquire about the reasons behind the travels or to check the content of the luggage transported by the passengers in the planes.

Illegal jet use

For its part, Turkey has detained seven people, including four pilots, and is investigating the Ghosn transport.

MNG has a significant cargo unit that does business with clients including UPS and DHL. That unit, MNG Airlines, serves Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Germany, the U.K. and the Middle East. A smaller affiliate, MNG Jet, operates at least a half-dozen aircraft out of Istanbuls Ataturk Airport.

The MNG unit leased two jets to two different clients: one scheduled to fly from Dubai to Osaka and then to Istanbul, and another from Istanbul to Beirut. It added that the leases didnt appear to be connected and that Ghosns name didnt appear on any flight documentation. MNG didnt provide the names on the leases.

According to the company, one MNG Jet employee, who is under investigation by Turkish authorities has admitted having falsified the records. He also confirmed that he acted in his individual capacity, without the knowledge or the authorization of the management of MNG Jet, the company said.

When he boarded one of the aircraft in Osaka, Ghosn became the latest passenger on a jet that has been tracked meticulously for the last year. It has made numerous trips from Caracas to Istanbul, ferrying gold for a Venezuelan government eager to raise hard currency, according to a person familiar with the matter. Those routes were confirmed by Sweden-based flightradar24.com.

That Bombardier Global Express, tail number TC-TSR, has VIP seating for 13 and a range of about 9,600 kilometres. Earlier in the spring, it made a trip to Venezuela, but apparently not for gold. It was dispatched from Moscow to Caracas when an April 30 uprising against Maduro prompted talk of a quick escape. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the plan was to ferry Maduro to safety in Cuba but that the Russians persuaded him to stay. (Maduro never left and called Pompeos statement craziness.)

Several weeks later, the same jet transported Venezuelan officials to Oslo for talks with opposition leaders, according to the person familiar with the matter. The government has given the plane a special designation to avoid customs and security at Caracass airport, the person said.

The company is one corner of a business empire founded by Mehmet Nazif Gunal, a Turkish-born civil engineer. From a construction company he started in the 1970s, Gunal has expanded throughout the Middle East and now employs more than 20,000 people. He also controls Avesoro Holdings, a Channel Islands-based firm with gold mines in Liberia and Burkina Faso.

Gunal also appears to have a soft spot for Russia. His conglomerate built an 874-room Turkish coastal resort called the Asteria Kremlin Palace, an onion-domed replica of the Moscow original with pools in place of Red Square. He has done well in the Erdogan era and is part of a consortium thats building a new airport in Istanbul.

He and a son are taking the company in the Channel Islands, now listed in Toronto and London, private this month.

It was a competitor of MNG that famously touched off an incident involving a cargo of gold seven years ago. On a foggy New Years Eve 2012, Turkish customs officials boarded an Airbus A330 in Istanbul. They found a ton and a half of undeclared gold. The plane was operated by Turkey-based ULS Airlines. Calls to ULS went unanswered.

Convicted gold trader Zarrab later said the shipment was part of a broad scheme to channel billions of dollars to Iran for oil shipments, in violation of U.S. sanctions. His own private plane was seized at an MNG hangar by Turkish authorities taking his assets.

As fate would have it, when Ghosn landed in Istanbul for the final leg of his journey to Beirut, he boarded Zarrabs former plane. That Bombardier Challenger 300, which still flies under tail number TC-RZA, is still operated by MNG.

With assistance from Zeke Faux, David Kocieniewski, Christian Berthelsen and Onur Ant.

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'Turkey is trying to destabilise the region armed with slogans of Ottoman legacy and the support of the radical groups in the region, above all the Muslim Brotherhood,' read the statement

Egypt's House of Representatives on Thursday condemned the Turkish parliaments approval of the deployment of Turkish troops to Libya, saying that Egypt would not stand still in the face of these irresponsible actions that threaten its national security."

The parliament warned in a statement against any Turkish military intervention in Libya, saying "it would threaten both Egypt's national security and stability in the Mediterranean region and turn Libya into a sea of blood."

The parliament said Egypt "would defend its national security against whatever would affect its interests and the interests of its sisterly countries.

"Egypt will take all the necessary procedures to face those threats and irresponsible actions," the statement read.

The parliament also condemned the recent MoUs signed by Turkey and Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarrej's government in Tripoli as void and illegal and are considered a violation of international law and the resolutions of the UN Security Council on Libya.

"Turkey is trying to destabilise the region armed with slogans the Ottoman legacy and the support of the radical groups in the region, above all the Muslim Brotherhood," read the statement.

The parliament demanded the international community assume its responsibility in facing this escalation and its impact on the efforts to reach a settlement to the Libyan crisis through the international roadmap.

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The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor (Ministry VSA) is calling on local residents whose homes are still in need of repairs to come out and register in the continuation of the Home Repair Program. Sessions will take place at 7:00 pm nightly, commencing this Saturday, January 4, at the Government Administration Building; Monday, January 6, at Dutch Quarter Community Help Desk; Tuesday, January 7, at St. Peters Community Help Desk; Wednesday, January 8, at Cole Bay Community Help Desk. If additional information is needed, feel free to call or visit your nearest community help desk: St. Peters Community Help Desk (5203418), Cole bay Community Help Desk (5204315) and Dutch Quarter Community Help Desk (5207651). Visiting CHD hours are 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour.
A Ballykelly man who is running a charity ball in aid of three cancer charities has appealed to local businesses for help.

Michael McGill is hosting the event in the Whitehorse Hotel in October to raise money for Marie Curie, Macmillan and Friends of the Cancer Centre, Belfast.

All the money raised from the charity ball and raffle will help these charities, which are very close to my heart," explained Mr McGill.

"It will allow Marie Curie to provide specialist nursing to more people at home and it will help Macmillan to provide support, physically, emotionally and financially to more people.

"It will also help Friends of the Cancer Centre, Belfast increase their focus on their three key areas that they pride themselves on.

"These are patient care, patient comfort and research. And it will allow them to invest further into local cancer services."

Mr McGill has asked local businesses to get involved by donating a raffle prize, sponsoring a table or making a cash donation.

Wed like to invite everyone both businesses and members of the public to our charity ball and raffle."Its going to be a fantastic event and more details will be released closer to the time.

"Tickets will also be sold closer to the event, with the choice of being able to sponsor a table or buy a table between family and friends.

"Please save the date in those lovely crisp clean 2020 diaries for Saturday October 10, for what is set to be a fantastic night."

To sponsor a table, donate a prize or make a cash donation contact Michael McGill on 07842656775 or by email at Michael-92@outlook.com.
Roger Misso is a candidate for Congress in New Yorks 24th District. He is a military veteran, a Wayne County native, a Syracuse resident and a Naval Academy graduate. He has deployed twice to the Middle East.The views expressed here are his own, and do not reflect official positions of the U.S. government or Department of Defense.

By Roger Misso | Special to Syracuse.com

I oppose war with Iran. And I oppose the erosion of our Constitution that got us here.

The President of the United States authorized a military strike that killed a leader in Irans military force. In doing so, he attempted to unilaterally declare war on Iran without consulting Congress or obtaining Congressional approval. He chose to do this without understanding or making clear to the American people the second-, third-, and fourth-order effects this action will have. He chose to do this while leaving service members overseas vulnerable to Iranian reprisal. And, as with President George W. Bush in 2003, he is signaling his intent to commit large-scale military forces in an open-ended conflict with yet another Middle Eastern nation without a clear exit strategy.

We have been down this disastrous road before.

In 2003, as a sophomore in high school, I watched from our living room in Wayne County as military operations began against Saddam Hussein in Iraq. We were assured that the intelligence was accurate. When we learned that it wasnt, we were told that, because Hussein was a bad man, the lie of that original justification was somehow forgivable. This has led to a military conflict that has lasted for more than 16 years and claimed the lives of some of my best friends.

Since 2003, I have gone on to raise my right hand and serve this nation in war. As a naval flight officer, I deployed twice to the Middle East, flying combat operations off the flight deck of an aircraft carrier over Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. I trained with the Marine Corps in Yuma, Arizona, as an air-to-ground subject matter expert helping to keep forward-deployed troops in contact with air cover they would need. I served a stint in Qatar, at the Combined Air Operations Center, as a liaison between naval air forces and overall theater air operations. I served in the Pentagon, as a deputy military director in the intelligence community, and later worked as a defense assistant in the U.S. Congress. Along the way, I have wept with the friends and families of those who have not come back and have felt their losses deep within my bones.

Today, I am a candidate for Congress, running to represent the proud people of Central New York and New Yorks 24th Congressional District. And as your next member of Congress, you ought to know where I stand when it comes to sending your sons and daughters into harms way.

The Constitution of the United States authorizes only one branch of government to declare war: Congress. Our founders ensured this protection to avoid the emergence of a king who might fling the country into unnecessary conflict for his own vanity. Today, Congress has weakened its constitutionally specified war powers so egregiously that such a king has emerged, and his actions threaten the future of our country on the eve of his own impeachment trial.

President Trump authorized a military strike on one of the highest-ranking military leaders in Iran, Qassem Soleimani. Soleimani is an evil, terrible human being, responsible for the deaths of many Americans. But his evil does not -- and cannot -- justify further erosion of our Constitution and our laws.

Over the years, Congress has allowed the president broad latitude when it comes to committing U.S. forces abroad. The War Powers Act requires the president to obtain Congressional approval for the deployment of any US troops for longer than 60 days. The 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), however, has served as a blanket authorization for any president to commit unlimited military power for as long as he desires. This has led to 18 years of unremitting Forever War, with U.S. forces deployed to the Middle East longer than any conflict in our history. Congress has even acceded to an entirely separate and monstrous appropriations vehicle to pay for Forever War, called the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) fund. Since 2001, OCO has averaged $116 billion per year -- nearly double the funding of the Department of Veterans Affairs. And this is just a fraction of overall defense spending during that time. Over the past 18 years, we have spent more than $4 trillion on war.

The obvious remedy for this aberration of constitutional government -- repeal of the AUMF -- was included as an amendment to this years National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Yet, when the final NDAA was approved by Congress, the amendment had been stripped. And now we are poised to pay the price for yet another president desperate to deflect attention from his coming impeachment trial.

The American people deserve a say before we risk trillions more dollars, and, more importantly, countless American lives on yet another open-ended conflict in the Middle East.

I served alongside your sons and daughters in uniform -- they, our country, and our Constitution matter more to me than I can ever express. Today, I strongly oppose war with Iran. As your next member of Congress, I will work to repeal the 2002 AUMF so that our involvement in future wars respects both our Constitution and those sworn to preserve, protect, and defend it.

Also in Opinion: Gaming out the risks, rewards of an esports arena in Onondaga County: Mitchell Patterson
The death of Major General Qasem Soleimani will not weaken the desire of the peoples of Iraq, Syria and other countries to win the war, and this loss will further unite all freedom-loving peoples who are fighting for the liberation of their homeland, the office of the Armenian ex-secretary of the Security Council Vitaly Balasanyan's office.

"General Soleimani has been a key person in the fight against terrorists in Iraq and Syria in recent years and was the real leader of the the Islamic Iran Resistance Front and a symbol of victory.

Since 2003, when the US Armed Forces and their allies invaded Iraq, and in 2011 in Syria, the ISIS and Al-Nusra, recognized by the UN as terrorist organizations, and in fact receiving financial and military aid from the United States, Turkey, and Qatar , Saudi Arabia and a number of NATO countries, following the orders of their masters, destroyed hundreds of cities and thousands of villages in Iraq and Syria, killed hundreds of thousands of people, millions became refugees and tens of millions were held hostage," he said adding that "Iran provides moral, military and humanitarian assistance to its co-religionists."

"At the beginning of the 20th century, Armenians also became a victim of state terrorism, who were subjected to genocide and deprived of their homes by Turkish authorities," he said adding that 31 years ago, Azerbaijan, also tried to carry out state terror against the Armenians in Artsakh, which he failed, thanks to the heroic struggle of the Armenian people and the humanitarian will of the countries that have shown goodwill," he added. "The death of Major General Qasem Soleimani will not weaken the desire of the peoples of Iraq, Syria and other countries to win the war, and this loss will further unite all the freedom-loving peoples who are fighting for the liberation of their homeland."
As bushfires burn through New South Wales, Australia, local wildlife have started picking up on familiar sights and sounds.

Australian magpies have been noted for their singing prowess and can produce complex vocalizations which may sometimes be improvised.
President Donald Trump has declared that a reign of terror is over as he marked the death of an Iranian general killed in a US strike and as the Pentagon scrambled to reinforce the US military presence in the Middle East in preparation for reprisals.

General Qassem Soleimani made the death of innocent people his sick passion, Mr Trump said from his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, adding a lot of lives would have been saved if he had been hunted down years ago.

Mr Trump said the Iranian general was plotting imminent and sinister attacks and added: We caught him in the act and terminated him.

The US president said: We took action last night to stop a war.

We did not take action to start a war.

Mr Trump said the US was not seeking regime change in Iran, but claimed the world was a safer place without monsters such as Gen Soleimani.

Expand Close A boy carries a portrait of Iranian Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani (Vahid Salemi/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook

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He said: If Americans anywhere are threatened we have all of those targets fully identified and I am ready and prepared to take whatever action is necessary, and that particularly refers to Iran.

The United States is sending nearly 3,000 more Army troops to the Mideast in the volatile aftermath of the killing ordered by Mr Trump, defence officials said.

Also Friday, the Pentagon placed an Army brigade in Italy on alert to fly into Lebanon if needed to protect the American Embassy there, part of a series of military moves to protect US interests in the Middle East.

A statement from President @realDonaldTrump: pic.twitter.com/Jfy4GCLdif  The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) January 3, 2020

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official said the US could send 130 to more than 700 troops to Beirut from Italy.

Reinforcements were ordered as US officials said they had compelling intelligence that Gen Soleimani, the commander of Irans Quds Force who was killed in the US strike, was planning a significant campaign of violence against the United States.
Specials In the News: Revisions for 2020

The Irrawaddy

The following storiesculled from our coverage of national politics, security issues, urban development, the economy and international relations, especially with China, last yearcover subjects and people that will remain relevant and continue to shape national developments this year.

The analyses, commentaries and interviews linked to below cover a range of developing issues including Myanmars troubled peace process, the general election scheduled for late this year, the effort to amend the Constitution and civil-military relations, among others. We hope they will help you understand the evolving issues that define Myanmar today.

Commentary

Is Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaings display of religious tolerance pre-election maneuvering, or should the militarys calls for national unity be cause for optimism?

Whereas previous governments walked a diplomatic tightrope to achieve neutrality in foreign affairs, the current government seems less surefooted.

Not welcome in the West, Tatmadaw leaders are boosting arms purchases from Russia and consultations with China, despite the latters ongoing support for border-based EAOs.

Will the current transition lead Myanmar back into authoritarian rule, or is the country on the verge of finally breaking its historical cycle of thwarted opportunities?

Under the 2008 Constitution, if the USDP and its allies win 26 percent of Parliament seats, the army chief could become president without even running for office.

The NLD had no choice but to force the military to engage with constitutional reform in Parliament

The Yangon regional government took another significant step away from transparency on Tuesday, excluding media deemed unfriendly from an official press conference.

The public has endured three years of incompetence and lack of accountability from their state and regional leaders.

The state-level steering committee must answer questions on the Chinese contractors qualifications, eventual ownership of the huge project and many other issues.

On Myanmar-China Relations

China seeks to develop the Irrawaddy River as a safe, cheap link from Yunnan to the Indian Ocean; local critics fear the impact on the economy and the river itself.

Failing to learn lessons from existing projects, officials tout the benefits of BRI projects while ignoring locals fears of land-grabs, lost livelihoods and pollution.

While they value the business, locals in the tourism industry say the govt opened the door to mass tourism from China without considering cultural, environmental impacts.

Ethnic alliances attacks in areas crucial to the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor raise doubts about the two countries peace will follow development strategy.

Ten major projects currently planned with powerful neighboring countries promise to address Myanmars infrastructure needs, but have the social, environmental and other costs been

Myanmars second biggest city in a strategic BRI location to have CCTV and AI technology from the Chinese company internationally accused of data theft and spying.

The State Counselor agreed to nine deliverablesincluding three bilateral agreementson behalf of the Myanmar government at the recent Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

Analysis

Building dykes to protect the flood-prone site of the mega-project will cost an estimated $100 millionand that doesnt cover the inevitable impact on surrounding areas.

Lawmakers cited a high number of complaints transferred to other governments bodies, soft sentencing and military impunity as key weaknesses to fighting corruption.

A reluctance to engage with or listen to the wishes of ethnic communities and political parties mean the NLD will be more contested than ever in the upcoming election.

This weeks jailing of a satirical performance troupe continues a worrying trend of official legal action against critics of the government and military.

Rejecting the NLD and ethnic parties constitutional amendment process, the Myanmar military has gone its own way on charter change, submitting proposals independently.

A press conference on Saturday heard the military saying they would step back from politics when there are no ethnic armed groups and the country is in peace.

Proposals elucidated by the Union government at peace talks in Chiang Mai on Monday offer little thats new in terms of ideas for moving Myanmars peace process forward.

In Person

The Irrawaddy speaks with Dr. Manam Tu Ja of the Kachin State Peoples Party about the 2020 election, Myanmars political history and advancing the peace process.

This week, The Irrawaddy sits down with NLD lawmaker U Aung Kyi Nyunt to discuss the long road to democracy, and the merits of Myanmars obligation-based society.

With changes in government and ceasefire agreements signed since 2012, the Mae Tao Clinic on the Thai-Myanmar border continues operating on less and less aid.

This week, The Irrawaddy joins a poll monitor and a political party official to discuss the UECs partiality, identity politics and other factors in next years vote.

This week, The Irrawaddy looks at the challenge of plotting Myanmars course towards constitutional reform, with lawyer U Kyee Myint and political activist Ko Mya Aye.

If they want to destroy our land [Rakhine State], we should destroy their [the Bamars] land. If they offer peace, we will welcome it as warmly as we can, said Tun Myat Naing.

The Irrawaddy spoke with Eddie Rich of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative about the global projects goals and Myanmars progress toward reaching them.

KIO vice chair Gen. Gun Maw denies China pressuring his group to join NCA, but says govt refusing to allow IDPs to go home until it signs; he urges govt, China to hold public

Economy

Foreign direct investment in the country has increased sharply this year, but concerns over infrastructure, unclear procedures and the Rakhine issue remain.

The Irrawaddy spoke with businessman and government adviser U Htun Htun Naing about the current investment climate, foreign interest, and how to revive the states poor image.

Speaking at Yangon forum, State Counselor highlights her governments investment-friendly reforms, welcomes balance and stability offered by US and Japanese businesses.
I like dogs, as does her son. That is, any dog but hers. The animal is hyper, aggressive and destructive. It never stops barking. It uses the upholstered furniture as a toilet and tears curtains off walls. It is always underfoot. It fights our dog, and has been the cause of trips to the emergency vet. It has bitten everyone in our family at least once.
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party will not back out in the issue of CAA even if all of the Opposition parties come together.

"Even if all these parties come together, BJP will not move back even an inch on this issue of the Citizenship Amendment Act. You can spread as much misinformation as you want," he said.

Shah said this while speaking at a rally in Jodhpur to kick start the saffron party's national campaign to reach out to people and counter "misleading" information against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Live TV

Shah accused the Congress of playing vote-bank politics in the name of the CAA and called them out for their speaking against Veer Sarvakar. "For vote-bank politics, Congress party is speaking against a great personality like Veer Savarkar as well. Congressmen should be ashamed of themselves," he said.

The BJP minister slammed Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot for opposing CAA and asked him to instead focus on the issue of dying infants in Kota. "Gehlot ji, instead of opposing this (Citizenship Amendment Act) first focus on the children who are dying in Kota everyday, show some concern, mothers are cursing you," he said.

Shah also launched a special number and urged people to give a missed a call to show their support to CAA. "I request people to give a befitting reply to Rahul Baba, Mamta Didi, Kejriwal's team give a missed call on 88662-88662 from your mobile and register your support for CAA," he said

The CAA was passed by both the Houses of Parliament last month which will fast-track citizenship for non-Muslims, who have entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, before December 31, 2014.

Since then, the nation has been rocked anti-CAA protests which have turned violent in several states.
Amazon AMZN is continuously pumping in resources to bolster satellite initiatives. Moreover, it is leaving no stone unturned to facilitate Project Kuiper. Notably, the project aims to create a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites in order to provide Internet worldwide.



The e-commerce giant is looking to strike a deal with commercial real estate broker in order to set up a satellite research-and-development (R&D) headquarter in Redmond for Project Kuiper.



Reportedly, the company is eyeing the former Macy's store at Redmond Town Center for this purpose. Further, the company has plans for two buildings with a total area of 219,000 square feet at the upcoming Kuiper headquarters.



Notably, Amazon has already leased Redmond Corporate Center, which is a two-building 219,600-square-foot property.



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Apart from Kuiper, AWS contract with Iridium Communications IRDM to develop a satellite-based network called CloudConnect for IoT applications remains noteworthy.



Additionally, AWS partnership with Lockheed Martin LMT to introduce a new antenna service by combining its AWS Ground Station service with the Lockheed Martins Verge antenna network is a major positive.



Further, the cloud leader is in talks with the president of Chile to house and mine astrodata from Chiles giant telescopes.

Story continues

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Apart from Amazon, companies like SpaceX, OneWeb, Telesat and Boeing are also ramping up their initiatives in the satellite space to enable global broadband coverage.



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President Muhammadu Buhari has said the withdrawal of the military from areas in the country where peace had been restored will not be done in a manner that will expose communities to more risks of attacks.

The president said the withdraw exercise will be gradual and carefully planned, not abrupt or arbitrary to jeopardise the success already recorded by the military.

In the face of rising security threats across the country, and the inability of the police to curb crimes and insurgency in the north, troops have been deployed to many parts of the country in recent years to restore normalcy.

Reacting to concerns and appeals from governors and community leaders over the proposed withdrawal of the troops, President Buhari said the administration will not abandon citizens in need of protection.

He urged Nigerians, especially public affairs analysts, to carefully study the statement following a security council meeting with service chiefs that the withdrawal of troops will be done after an assessment to determine areas where peace had returned to enable civil authorities to assume full control.

President Buhari said where it is determined that the withdrawal will not in any way jeopardise peace already achieved, the military pull-out will be in a careful and gradual way.

You dont need to worry. We will not expose our people and their communities to harm or danger, the President assured in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu on Friday.

READ ALSO:

The withdrawal is to allow the military focus on its primary duty of defending the nation against external aggression. It is the duty of the police to handle internal security since Nigeria is not at war.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps will support the police to provide internal security. When it is time to withdraw, nothing will be rushed, he added.

Tawari 19

Meanwhile, Mr Buhari has condemned the murder of 19 people by unknown gunmen in Tawari community of Kogi Local Government Area, Kogi State.

President Buhari said in a statement: there is no excuse or justification for killing innocent people by anybody or group, and for whatever motive.

The killings and revenge killings will only aggravate the cycle of violence, creating neither safety nor security for any side.

People should avoid taking the law into their own hands because doing so could make a bad situation worse and undermine the governments efforts to tackle security challenges.

I am gravely worried about frequency and temptation of using violence to settle disputes instead of following lawful and amicable means to avoid needless destruction of lives and property.
Piers Morgan has taken aim at Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a series of scathing tweets.

The broadcaster said Mr Morrison's decision to go on holiday to Hawaii in December during the bushfire crisis was 'absolutely unconscionable'.

He shared a video of the Prime Minister being jeered by locals in the streets of Cobargo, New South Wales on Thursday and said he 'got what he deserved'.

Mr Morrison was not well-received during his visit to Corbago, NSW on Thursday. One local refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters

Piers Morgan sent a series of scathing tweets (pictured) about Scott Morrison's handling of the bushfire crisis devastating Australia

British presenter Piers Morgan (pictured) wrote about his devastation at the unprecedented loss of animals during Australia's bushfire crisis

The media personality shared a photo of the bushfires with his seven million Twitter followers, writing: 'Half a billion animals killed by the Australian bush fires. So far.

'Kangaroos, koalas, wombats, possums, cockatoos... all manner of species. A staggering, terrible tragedy.'

Morgan then commented on the viral video which showed Mr Morrison being jeered.

'Morrison got what he deserved... absolutely unconscionable for a Prime Minister to holiday in Hawaii as his nation burns,' he wrote.

Mr Morrison was not well-received during his visit to Corbago, NSW on Thursday. One local refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters

Posting on Twitter, Piers Morgan said Scott Morrison should not have gone on holiday when his 'country's burning to the ground' (pictured)

Referring to the terrible loss of animals and habitats, Piers Morgan continued his Twitter tirade against Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured)

One Twitter user replied to Morgan implying the holiday to Hawaii wasn't so bad.

'Come off it Piers. Always something going on, when is a good time for a holiday?' the user wrote.

But Morgan was quick to fire back, saying taking the holiday was inappropriate.

'If you're a Prime Minister, not when your country's burning to the ground. This is not ''something going on'', Morgan wrote.

'This is one of the biggest disasters in Australia's history.'

Scott Morrison was seen clutching a plastic Woolworths bag of groceries as he arrived at a relief centre at Lucknow Memorial Hall in East Gippsland on Friday

Morgan's comments came after one of Mr Morrison's own party members also said he 'got what he deserved' in Cobargo.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said locals in his fire-ravaged electorate of Bega gave Mr Morrison the 'the welcome he deserved'.

Despite both being Liberals, Mr Constance was scathing in his assessment of the prime minister's response to bushfires blazing across Australia and demanded more support.

'I'd say this to the prime minister today: the nation wants you to open up the cheque books,' the senior NSW MP told Seven News.

Cobargo in New South Wales (pictured) has been ravaged by bushfires, turning the once quiet country town into a wasteland

'I know this is tough and I know I'm on his side of politics. But the only two people who are providing leadership at this stage are (NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner) Shane Fitzsimmons and (NSW premier) Gladys Berejiklian.'

Mr Morrison said it not his job to take the criticism personally but added he'd apologised to Mr Constance, who wasn't told the prime minister was visiting his electorate.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) was widely condemned for taking a surprise family holiday to Hawaii in the middle of the bushfire crisis

A picture taken by Australian tourists back in December (pictured) showed the prime minister relaxing on his controversial Hawaii holiday

American actress Bette Midler was also quick to criticise the prime minister on Friday, calling him a 'f***wit'.

Writing on Twitter, she said: 'Pity the poor Australians, their country ablaze, and their rotten Scott Morrison saying, This is not the time to talk about Climate Change. We have to grow our economy.

'What good is an economy in an uninhabitable country? Lead, you f***wit!!'

Actress Bette Midler shared her frustration with Scott Morrison with her 1.9 million Twitter followers (pictured)

On Friday, Mr Morrison was criticised after donating a single bag of groceries to bushfire victims as he visited the bushfire-stricken area of East Gippsland.

He brought a bag from Woolworths to add to the food, toiletries, and other goods being donated to help locals as supplies run low in fire-ravaged towns.

The prime minister greeted volunteers outside the hall before heading inside to listen to victims speak on their ordeal.

The devastated NSW town of Cobargo (pictured on New Year's Eve) has been badly hit by the bushfire ravaging the state

'Last time I was down here it was the drought and today it is the fires,' Mr Morrison said.

'It is a great hardship on this community, but look at the response.

'It's going to be a tough road ahead.'

Mr Morrison posed for photos before telling the crowd it was 'good to see your chins are up.'
Donald Trump's order to kill a top Iranian commander has laid bare Washington's stark political divide, with Republicans rallying behind the president and Democrats warning that Friday's attack could trigger a devastating military confrontation. Significant US military operations on foreign soil often gain bipartisan support, as was the case in 2011 when American special forces killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan. But such consensus has frayed in recent years, and the surprise pre-dawn attack in Baghdad that killed Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' foreign operations arm, has highlighted the widening chasm on Capitol Hill. Democratic lawmakers and aides say congressional leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both fierce Trump critics, were left in the dark about the deadly strike. The White House traditionally gives warning to senior members of both parties in the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of major military action. But one Republican confidant of Trump, Senator Lindsey Graham, said he "was briefed about the potential operation" when he visited with Trump this week at his Florida resort. "This was a defensive strike to neutralize future attacks that were being planned and executed by Soleimani," Graham told Fox News, adding he appreciated "being brought into the orbit" of military assault planning. Top House Republican Kevin McCarthy called the attack "a display of resolve and strength," while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Soleimani was an "evil man." But while Democrats joined their Republican opponents in condemning Soleimani's actions, and involvement in the deaths of Americans, they savaged Trump's order ahead of this year's presidential election. Pelosi said Soleimani's killing risks provoking a "dangerous escalation of violence." And Schumer chimed in that Trump "may well have brought our nation closer to another endless war." "A trigger happy armchair strongman, lacking congressional authority, has recklessly brought our nation closer to war," House Democrat Hank Johnson said on Twitter. The strike on Soleimani also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. It came after a pro-Iran mob this week laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction in response to a rocket attack that killed an American contractor in Iraq. - 'Stick of dynamite' - Democrats vying for the right to take on Trump in the November election also weighed in, starting with former vice president Joe Biden, who said the Republican had "just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox." While most Republicans backed Trump, some party moderates joined Democrats in calling for a full briefing by the administration and a congressional role on future action. McConnell said senators would hopefully get a classified briefing "early next week," and urged them to reserve judgment until they can "review the facts." Senator Rand Paul, long opposed to expanded US military engagement abroad, was seemingly alone in delivering a sharp warning from Republican ranks. "A war without a Congressional declaration is a recipe for feckless intermittent eruptions of violence w/ no clear mission for our soldiers," he tweeted. Democrats severely criticized President Donald Trump's order to kill a top Iranian general, in a sign of Washington's polarization Close Trump confidant Senator Lindsey Graham praised the 'resolve and strength' of the strike on Qasem Soleimani Aides to US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said she was not briefed in advance of the US operation that killed a top Iranian military commander Leading Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Trump tossed 'dynamite in to a tinderbox' with the attack
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend:

Azerbaijans achievement on changing the energy map of Europe could only beome possible as a result of implementation of a well-balanced and far-sighted oil and gas transportation strategy, Doctor of Economics Sciences, Professor Fikret Yusifov told Trend.

The founder of this strategy was the great leader Heydar Aliyev, in 1994. At a time when the socio-political situation was unstable, there were coup attempts; it was thanks to the political will and determination of the great leader, the Contract of the Century with multibillion investments was signed with large international oil companies. Along with the fact that this contract was the foundation for the prospective successful energy and transport policy of Azerbaijan, it also became the starting point for all further economic and political success of the country, Yusifov said.

After that, the signing of another 26 agreements with oil companies from 19 countries necessitated the construction of a pipeline through which it will be possible to bring the extracted oil to the world market. So, the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline started to operate in 1999. In 2006, transportation of Azerbaijani oil began from the Turkish port of Ceyhan, Yusifov said.

Azerbaijan also has large reserves of natural gas. The supply of this gas to the markets of neighboring countries, and from there to EU countries, meant the successful continuation of the strategy in the 21st century, the foundation of which was laid in 1994 by the Contract of the Century," the professor said.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline, which started to operate in 2007, allowed exporting of gas extracted from Shahdeniz to Georgia, Turkey, and Greece. The Southern Gas Corridor project, which originates from the Shahdeniz 2 field, will contribute on solving the problem of ensuring the energy security of the EU, Yusifov said.

Along with the fact that Azerbaijan has become a key country in providing the energy security of Europe, large transport corridors between East and West, North and South also pass through the country. The opening on December 30, 2017 of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which connected the Trans-European and Trans-Asian railway networks, means the restoration of the historic Silk Road. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway almost three times reduces the time of transportation of goods from China to EU compared to transshipment, the professor said.

Yusifov added that Azerbaijans initiatives to create a North-South transport corridor turned the country into a major transport and logistics center at the junction of EU and Asia.

"This corridor will connect India, Pakistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Northern Europe. Azerbaijan is the only country that has land borders with both Russia and Iran, and such a geographical location plays a key role in the development of trilateral regional development," he said.

"Implementation of all these projects will bring enough economic and political dividends to Azerbaijan. Currently, the influence and authority of Azerbaijan in the region is so high that the implementation of any major project in the region without its participation and consent is just impossible. The large energy and transport projects implemented by Azerbaijan give the country a chance to re-create the energy and transport map of EU, Yusifov said.
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Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 23:34:48|Editor: yan

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ABUJA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Up to 19 local residents were killed following an overnight attack by unidentified gunmen on a community in central Nigeria, the police confirmed on Friday.

Many houses were burned by the attackers late Thursday, including some places of worship and the palace of the king of the local Tawari community in Kogi, a state in Nigeria's central region, the police said.

Kogi police spokesman Williams Anya told Xinhua that the attackers rode into the community on motorcycles. The Tawari community is located a few kilometers off Gegu town, along the Lokoja-Abuja highway leading to the Nigerian capital.

Anya said the state police has deployed more police personnel to the area to forestall further attacks.

A local resident surnamed Ikeleji said more than 100 gunmen invaded the community. The attack continued until early Friday as the gunmen entered selected houses and packed foodstuff, while further destroying property, he said.

It was the first time the community came under attack, Anya noted.

In his reaction to the incident, state governor Yahaya Bello condemned in a statement the dastardly act and directed security agencies to fish out perpetrators of the attack.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 23:36:48|Editor: yan

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DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President John Magufuli on Friday urged fellow countrymen to establish zoos, wildlife and nature sanctuaries dedicated towards conserving and preserving plant and animal species, according to a statement by the presidency.

The statement said Magufuli urged Tanzanians to come up in big numbers and set up zoos across the east African nation as one way of conserving wildlife and preserving nature.

"The country has already a few individuals who have established zoos. I urge more people to do the same," said the president, adding that zoos also helped in promoting tourism.

Magufuli said section 5 of the 2009 Wildlife Act allowed people to keep wild animals in zoos at areas that were conducive for their conservation and that were accessible by domestic and foreign tourists, said the statement.

"There are many countries in the world, including South Africa, that are benefiting from keeping wild animals in zoos. Tens of hundreds of tourists visit the zoos," said Magufuli.

He urged wildlife experts to guide people on how to establish zoos like what a few individuals, including retired senior public servants, were doing.

Tanzania has currently 23 zoos, said the statement.
The Trump administration on Thursday hardened its Remain in Mexico policy by releasing asylum seekers that arrive at the Arizona border into the town of Nogales, Mexico, some 350 miles from Juarez, where their asylum hearings will take place.

Previously, some migrants who entered the U.S. in Arizona were transported by the government to El Paso, Texas, and from there were sent to Juarez, Mexico. Now migrants who are released in Nogales will be required to make their own journey along the border roads to appear for their asylum hearings, the Associated Press reported Friday.

U.S. authorities say the Remain in Mexico program has been an effective deterrent against illegal immigration, and the Border Patrol has reported apprehending 33,000 migrants along the southern border in November 2019, down from 114,000 in May.

I am confident in the programs continued success in adjudicating meritorious cases quickly and preventing fraudulent claims, said acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf in a statement. Of 24,000 asylum applications that have been ruled on as part of the program, only 117 were granted.

The migrants returned through Arizona will have to travel through the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua adjacent to the U.S. border. This is the same area where suspected drug cartel members massacred three women and six children belonging to a Mormon American family in November.

Mexican authorities in December arrested the police chief of Janos, a city in Chihuahua close to the U.S. border, in connection with the massacre. The chief is suspected of ties to drug cartels.

The entire northwest [of Mexico] has a reputation that all police officers work for organized crime, Julian LeBaron, a spokesperson for one of the Mormon families whose members were killed, said in an interview. And thats what high school kids tell you. Its not a mystery.

More from National Review
Supermodel Elsa Hosk has reflected on her pride at being 10 years sober.

The Victoria's Secret Angel (31) has been modelling since she was 14, since her father submitted her picture to agencies in her native Sweden, and she was swept up in the chaotic lifestyle of the industry; in particular with impressive young girls and women. She became an alcoholic in her teenage years, when she says she felt "lost" living in New York City on her own for the first time.

"NYC was overwhelming and I got even more lost. It took me a while to realize all my problems started with me," she said on Instagram.

"I got sober and clean and learned I was an alcoholic and that there was a whole world out there that lived sober. I met some amazing people and friends and slowly found myself again... what followed because of that I would have never imagined. Grateful beyond words!"

She said she previously believed that a life of sobriety meant life as she knew it was over, but after giving up alcohol, she realised her full personal and professional potential and within a few years, she was soaring the dizzying heights of the international modelling game. It's estimated she has a net worth of $4m, which is largely due to her her lucrative Victoria's Secret contract, landing the coveted 'Angel' status in 2015.

She has been vocal about her struggles with addiction, describing her commitment to sobriety as the "best decision she ever made".

"I got sober when I was 20. It's been 10 years of no drinking," she said in an Instagram Q&A last year.

"Being sober for me didn't mean that my life came to an end (which I thought at the time) it was the beginning of a real, beautiful, big, happy successful life. Quite the opposite of what I thought!

"It was a struggle in the beginning because I'm an alcoholic (something you have to remind yourself of for the rest of your life) but it's the best decision I ever made. It's ok not to drink or do drugs.'

"I quit smoking 2 years ago. I still vape, hope to quit that too one day."
Chief of general staff among eight killed in military chopper crash

ROC Central News Agency

2020/01/02 17:42

Taipei, Jan. 2 (CNA) The ROC military's Chief of General Staff Shen Yi-ming () was among eight confirmed dead after a military chopper crashed in New Taipei Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said in a statement.

The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter was forced to attempt an emergency landing in New Taipei's Wulai District en route to a military base in Dong'ao, Yilan County, as part of a pre-Lunar New Year inspection.

Shen, 62, is the highest-ranking military leader in Taiwan to die while conducting his official duties.

The seven other confirmed fatalities were Political Warfare Bureau Deputy Director Major General Yu Chin-wen (), Major General Hung Hung-chun () of the Office of the Deputy Chief of the General Staff for Intelligence, Major Huang Sheng-hang () of the Office of the Chief of the General Staff, Chief Master Sergent Han Cheng-hung (), chopper pilot Lieutenant Colonel Yeh Chien-yi (), co-pilot Captain Liu Chen-fu (), and Crew Chief Master Sergeant Hsu Hung-pin ().

The five survivors have been identified as Lieutenant General Huang Yu-min (), Lieutenant General Tsao Chin-ping (), Major General Liu Hsiao-tang (), Lieutenant Colonel Chou Hsin-yi () and Military News Agency reporter Chen Ying-chu ().

It was Chen who sent out a message for help after the chopper crashed.

The helicopter, part of the Air Force Rescue Team, took off from Songshan air force base in Taipei at 7:54 a.m.

It disappeared from radar screens at around 8:07 a.m. before making an abortive forced landing in a mountainous area in the Wulai District of New Taipei, according to the MND.

The Air Force dispatched two other Black Hawks to the scene, while 80 soldiers were deployed to the area around Tonghou Creek in Wulai, it said.

The cause of the accident remains unknown. The helicopter was one of 60 UH-60M Black Hawks sold to Taiwan by the U.S. in 2010.

President Tsai Ing-wen () has ordered all military agencies fly the national flag at half-mast as a sign of mourning.

(By Flor Wang, You Kai-hsiang and Wang Yang-yu) Enditem/AW

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A convicted felon has been charged in the October shooting death of a man outside a Birmingham fast-food restaurant.

Matlando West, 27, was taken into custody by Birmingham police on New Years Eve, jail records show. It was shortly before 8 p.m. when an officer spotted West walking in an alley near Alamada Avenue, wearing a gray hoodie and a yellow reflective vest.

The officer knew West was wanted on a capital murder charge and recognized him. West was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 8:15 p.m. and remains held without bond. Crime Stoppers had listed him as wanted in early December.

West is charged with capital murder in the slaying of 44-year-old Charles L. Brown, according to court records. Authorities say that Brown was at the Burger King on Third Avenue West and Princeton Parkway that Monday night when there was some type of altercation between Brown and some others at the restaurant. He attempted to get away from the altercation and drove on inside his van.

Its unclear what happened next, but Birminghams West Precinct officers were called to the 200 block of 12th Street West around 8:45 p.m. on a call of an accident. When they arrived, they found Brown inside the wrecked van unresponsive with a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue were called to the scene and pronounced Brown dead on the scene at 8:56 p.m. The van struck a curb there was no damage to the vehicle or property in the area.

Authorities have not said whether the suspect and victim knew each other. The charge is capital because the victim was in a vehicle when he was shot.

Court records show West in 2011 pleaded guilty to first-degree assault for an incident in 2010 where he shot at an off-duty Jefferson County sheriffs deputy.

Authorities said the deputy was on his way home when he spotted several people blocking traffic. He asked them to move so he could pass and West reportedly cursed at him several times and then pulled a gun and fired a round through the rear window of the deputys vehicle. The deputy fired one shot in return, but no one was injured. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He was convicted of burglary in 2013 and also sentenced to 10 years in prison. It wasnt immediately clear how long he actually served but he was arrested again in 2015 on a robbery charge but that case was later dismissed.
By Trend

Power plants in Azerbaijan generated 21.9 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from January through November 2019, which is 4.2 percent more than in the same period of last year, Trend reports referring to the country's State Statistical Committee.

The committee's report says that 21.1 billion kilowatt hours of the total electricity generated in the first 11 months of 2019 accounted for commercial consumption, which is 4.5 percent more compared to the same period of 2018.

Of the total commercial electricity generated from January through November 2019, thermal power plants (TPPs) accounted for 19.5 billion kilowatt-hours, which is 5.6 percent more than in the same period of 2018.

Azerbaijans hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) generated over 1.4 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity during the reporting period (decline of 10.3 percent).

Some 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity were generated in Azerbaijan during the reporting period via wind power, which indicates an annual growth by two times, and 40.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity were generated from solar power which shows an annual growth of 9.4 percent.
Rebel BJP leader Sudip Roy Barman took out a rally in Agartala on Friday against crimes against women in Tripura, which was joined by thousands of people.

Speaking at a large gathering, Barman said that his programme was completely apolitical and not for any other purpose but to protest against crime against women.

A large rally was taken out on Thursday by a Mahila BJP leader Soma Majumder to protest against Barman. A large number of BJP Mahila Morcha members were seen taking part in it.

Majumder had been tied to a pole and assaulted by a group of men in 2014 and the BJP Mahila Morcha condemned Barman, who was in the Congress at the time, for allegedly advising her to make peace with her tormentors.

She had later joined the BJP and a local court had sentenced seven people, including three women to rigorous imprisonment in connection with the case.

Denying the charges against him, Barman said they were not correct. "I had in fact collected the video of the assault of the woman and gave it to a local TV channel for telecasting. I had also sent the then president of state Mahila Congress for helping her.

Barman, who had been a minister in the Biplab Deb cabinet, claimed he could have gathered many BJP MLAs to join in the rally but did not do so because it could have sent a wrong message.

I organized this programme only to protest against crime against women and nothing else. This is completely an apolitical programme and such programmes will be organized again, he said.

Barman told the gathering that crimes against women like rape, molestation, dowry deaths and abuse have become a matter of concern in the country and Tripura is not free from the menace.

Quoting the data of the National Crime Records Bureau, he said in the last 16 years 4,16,000 were raped in the country and it is important to alert all sections of the people in the state to end the evil.

State BJP Mahila Morcha president Papia Dutta had on Thursday alleged that the highest incidence of crime against women in the state was witnessed during the Congress-Tripura Upajati Juba Samiti regime from 1988 to 1993. Barman was a Youth Congress leader t the time.

Barman was dropped from the cabinet of Biplab Deb in May last year for "anti-party activities".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Flames have blackened an area the size of Guatemala, destroyed some 2,000 homes and killed at least 28 people in one of the worst wildfire seasons in Australian history. More than 200 blazes are still burning, many of them completely uncontrolled.

On Saturday, Victorias Forest Fire Management confirmed on Twitter that one of its firefighters had died while working on a bushfire near Omeo. On Friday, two of the biggest infernos merged into what officials called a mega-fire, straddling the countrys two hardest-hit and most populous states, New South Wales and Victoria.

Steady winds continue to drive the flames, but the record-breaking heat that made conditions worse last month and into the new year has abated, and the possibility of at least a little rain next week entered the forecast.
Tehran, Jan 3 : Gen Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, has been killed in US airstrikes in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the IRGC confirmed on Friday.

In a statement, the IRGC said that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the Hashd Shaabi or the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), was also killed along with Soleimani in the strikes that targeted their vehicle on the Baghdad International Airport road, the Tehran-based Press TV reported.

The PMF has also confirmed the incident.

"The deputy head of the Hashd, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and head of the Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani, were killed in a US strike that targeted their car," it said in a statement on Friday.

The group had earlier said that its public relations director Mohammed Reza al-Jaberi and four other members were also killed after three Katyusha rockets struck a military base next to the Baghdad airport earlier on Friday.

The PMF described the attack as a "cowardly US bombing".

Meanwhile, the Pentagon said that Soleimani was killed "at the direction of the President".

"At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani," the BBC quoted a Pentagon statement as saying.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world." The strike comes days after protesters surrounded the US embassy in Baghdad, clashing with American forces at the scene.

US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said late on Thursday that Washington would not accept attacks against its personnel in the region, blaming Iran for the violence at the embassy.

Since 1998, Maj Gen Soleimani has led Iran's Quds Force - the IRGC's elite unit which handles clandestine operations abroad, said the BBC.

In that position Gen Soleimani played a key role bolstering Bashar al-Assad's Iranian-supported government in the Syrian Civil War, and in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq.

He was a hugely significant figure in the Iranian regime. His Quds Force reported directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

He first came to prominence in his country serving in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.
To receive Steve Gutterman's Week In Russia each week via e-mail, subscribe by clicking here.

Ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, Moscow is picking fights over the causes of the conflict and the events of the bitter decades that followed, when the Soviet Union imposed communism on a captive Eastern Europe.



Meanwhile, a Kremlin-aligned analyst says Russia should package itself as the worlds chief supplier of peace -- despite a record that includes wars at home and abroad, with substantial civilian casualties, under President Vladimir Putin.



Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.



'Insolence' And 'Regret'



In 2006, at the castle that towers over the Czech capital, during his only visit to Prague as Russian president, Vladimir Putin made headlines by acknowledging that Moscow bore moral responsibility for the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, when Warsaw Pact tanks and troops ended a brief thaw by crushing the Prague Spring.



More than a decade after Putins visit, his government is in a scrap with the Czech Republic over 1968 -- one that has prompted President Milos Zeman, who has shown more sympathy and support for Putin than most European leaders, to reconsider his decision to head to Moscow in May for celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Nazi Germanys defeat in World War II.



Zemans hesitation was prompted by what he called the absolute insolence of a December 18 statement in which the Russian Foreign Ministry voiced deep regret over a Czech bill -- which he signed five days earlier -- designating August 21 as the day "commemorating the victims of the invasion and subsequent occupation by the Warsaw Pact armies."



Russia asserted that legislation contradicted a 1993 treaty in which Russia and the Czech Republic expressed their desire to close the books on the totalitarian past, and slammed what it called Pragues determination to once again return to events that took place half a century ago with the purpose of including them in the modern political context.



That argument is striking because that is what Kremlin critics say Russia has been doing with increasing adamance ahead of the May 9 ceremonies in Moscow: trying to harness the past for use as a weapon in present-day geopolitics.

Moreover, Moscows opponents in the disputes say that it is using a twisted version of history to do so -- one in which, for example, the pact under which Hitler and Stalin carved up Poland in 1939 was something closer to an instrument of peace than a license for invasion.



In the past year or so, the Kremlin has faced growing accusations that it is waging a campaign to rewrite chapters of World War II history, including by downplaying Moscows cooperation with Germany -- through the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and its secret annex, which provided for the division of Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe, as well as raw-material supplies -- before the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.



Fighting Over The Past



The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact is at the center of a war of words between Russia and Poland, which escalated after Putin described a European Parliament resolution that blamed the wars outbreak on the 1939 treaty as sheer nonsense. Putin asserted that what he called collusion by Poland and Western powers with Hitler paved the way for the war, and singled out archive documents that he claimed showed the Polish ambassador to Berlin at the time -- whom he called a bastard and and antisemitic pig -- lauded Hitler's plans to rid Europe of Jews.



Europe has forgotten! Putin named the true culprits who are to blame for the war, state TV news channel Rossia-24 said in a headline for a show that included grainy footage of Hitler and Western leaders.

The U.S. ambassador to Warsaw, Georgette Mosbacher, took issue, addressing Putin in a tweet that said Hitler and Stalin colluded to start WWII. That is a fact. Poland was a victim of this horrible conflict.

The Polish Foreign Ministry said that Putins words resembled propaganda from the time of Stalinist totalitarianism, and in a statement on December 29, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused Putin of telling repeated lies about World War II history.



The Kremlin, of course, has been at odds with the West and with the former Soviet satellites in Central and Eastern Europe over World War II since the collapse of communism. What is depicted invariably as the liberation of Eastern Europe is seen by many there as the beginning of decades of depravation and unfreedom under Moscows dominion.



In putting the spotlight on the start of the war and blame for its outbreak, Putin may be seeking to gloss over the conflict itself and its long aftermath, suggesting that discussion of those periods is essentially off-limits -- as the Russian Foreign Ministry argued in its criticism of the Czech bill on the 1968 invasion.



In any case, there is a new feel to Russias recent pronouncements.



Putins remarks in Prague in 2006, and similar statements in Budapest during the same trip, were seen as deeply pragmatic: He acknowledged Moscows moral responsibility for the Soviet actions -- which had, as he pointed out, been acknowledged years earlier by his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin -- but said Russia of course bears no legal responsibility.



Translation: Dont seek reparations.



Pragmatism And 'Lunacy'



While the statements by high Russian officials and history-bending reports on state TV are aimed in part at a domestic audience, the consensus among observers in the West seems to be that it is harder to see pragmatic grounds for the more assertive attitude. Even in these days of disinformation, mind games, and hybrid warfare, people are scratching their heads.

Millions of Russians suffered under Stalin [and the] Communist regime as well as those in other #Soviet republics, a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institute in Washington and a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said on Twitter. USSR's 1991 collapse gave #Russia an opportunity to distance itself from Soviet actions. Putin instead has chosen to defend [and] embrace those actions [and the] Soviet legacy.



Trying to understand the logic of the Russian diplomats who decided that the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was the social-media hill to die on this week, Shashank Joshi, a former analyst who is defense editor at The Economist, tweeted on New Years Eve.

I tried, too, but gave up, tweeted Kadri Liik, policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.



No need to look for logic: Theres none to be found, Moscow-based foreign policy analyst Vladimir Frolov said in a tweet.



There are no foreign policy objectives behind this lunacy. Just the need to prove loyalty, he wrote -- particularly effective and creative loyalty, adding that the Foreign Ministry was joining a campaign it cannot watch from the sidelines.



Kevin Rothrock, editor at the Russia-focused news outlet Meduza, suggested on Twitter that the Foreign Ministry might come to regret its recent spate of World War II-related remarks down the road.



What does Moscow gain from this kind of diplomacy? he asked about a Foreign Ministry tweet that said Hitlers war machine was created with the assistance of leading American companies such as General Electric, General Motors, and Ford. Hard to imagine looking back at this tweet in 10 years and thinking it was a good idea.



It might be easier to imagine if a proposal set out before the New Year by Sergei Karaganov, a Kremlin-friendly Russian foreign policy analyst, is adopted and successfully implemented.
Public sector banks (PSBs), starting with the State Bank of India (SBI), are looking to update their corporate lending practices from the present asset-based funding model to the one that is more reliant on measured cash flow statements, The Economic Times reported.

The matter was discussed during the Indian Banks Association meeting in December. JPMorgan CEO Madhav Kalyan has been enlisted to head a committee to deliberate on the same, sources told the paper.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.

Under the new model, to avail working capital loans, companies will be required to provide banks with their cash flow statements on a frequent basis. It would be a significant move as PSBs cover over 55 percent of the loan market.

While the SBI proposed the mechanism in order to check the misuse of borrowed funds and enable banks to gauge entities ability to service loans on time, it has been taken into consideration by the industry, one of the sources added.

The asset-based model has been deemed flawed as these do not help companies settle loans whereas cash flows showcase a clearer picture.

The new method would also allow banks to prioritise their fund deployment as small businesses often draw smaller amounts due to late vendor payments, while big companies with large distribution supply usually have prompt payments and hence surplus finance from banks.

The working capital requirement is calculated as the difference between current assets and current liabilities ,wherein 25 percent is met by the entity and the banks fund the remaining in credit-cash (with a predetermined limit or drawing power). This would differ for seasonal industries such as sugar, fruits, etc.
A building under construction in southern Cambodia collapsed Friday, killing at least four workers and trapping others inside, police said.

The seven-story building in the coastal province of Kep collapsed while around 20 workers were inside. By nightfall, 20 injured workers had been rescued, provincial authorities said.

Nguon Samet, deputy police chief for Kep province, said the building apparently collapsed when cement was being poured on its top level.

Recovery operations were continuing with debris being removed to try to locate any people still missing.

Prime Minister Hun Sen posted on his Facebook page that he would "depart to Kep province shortly to lead the rescue team, helping to rescue the workers that got trapped under the collapsed building."



The collapse of a building under construction last June in Sihanoukville, another coastal province, killed 28 construction workers and injured 26 others, underlining concerns about the area's rapid development and inattention to safety.

The coast has been rapidly built up to cater to a booming tourist industry.

In December, a Buddhist temple collapsed while under construction in Siem Reap, home of Cambodia's famed Angkor temples, killing at least three people and injuring 13 others, including two monks.

According to police, that accident also occurred when workers were pouring cement on the top level of the building.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman claims she wakes up every morning stuck to her bed sheets due to a rare condition which causes pus-filled blisters all over her body.

Assya Shabir, 32, was diagnosed with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) when she was born, the most severe type of epidermolysis bullosa.

The incurable condition means her skin and internal organs are so fragile that the slightest movement, scratch or injury causes blisters to appear.

The painful blisters ooze sticky pus, meaning she wakes up with her skin stuck to her bedding and pyjamas.

Ms Shabir, from Birmingham, spends up to six hours a day cleaning and dressing her wounds and only bathes every other day because the water causes blistering. The condition also causes her hair to fall out.

When she was born, doctors said she would likely die within 24 hours because the condition has such a short life expectancy.

Children with JEB usually die from malnutrition because the blisters affect the inside of the mouth and digestive tract, making it difficult to eat. They are also more susceptible to catching infections because their skin is so fragile.

Even breast feeding proved too painful for Ms Sabir, who had blisters on her face and inside her mouth from birth. But her mother was able to 'save her' by squeezing sponges filled with breast milk into her mouth.

But Ms Shabir has defied the odds and continues to raise awareness of JEB, despite feeling cruelly judged by others throughout her life.

She has even met Prince William in her role as an ambassador for Acorn's Children Hospital, which was opened by his late mother Princess Diana in 1988.

Assya Shabir, 32, wakes up every morning with her skin stuck to her bed sheets due to a rare condition which causes pus-filled blisters all over her body. She is pictured without makeup

Doctors said Ms Shabir would barely live for 24 hours. But year-on-year Ms Shabir she has proven doctors wrong. She raises awareness of her condition - junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB)- and has even met Prince William as an ambassador for Acorn's Children Hospital

Ms Shabir's skin and internal organs are covered in blisters which are vulnerable to infection. It also causes her hair to fall out (pictured)

Speaking of her debilitating condition, Ms Shabir said: 'I get blisters internally and externally from head to toe.

'There isn't a millimetre on my body where I've not blistered. I get blisters in my mouth, eyes, ears and on internal organs like my heart muscles.

'On a daily basis I struggle with everything that I do from getting up, getting ready, eating; it affects the inside of my organs and mouth.

'In the morning I wake up with loads of blisters, or stuck to the bed, or my pyjamas will be stuck to my blisters, so it will take me longer to get up.'

JEB is the most severe form of epidermolysis bullosa, a group of genetic conditions which cause the skin to be very fragile.

EB is estimated to occur in 20 newborns per one million births in the US, according to statistics collected through the National Epidermolysis Bullosa Registry.

The exact number of people with EB is unclear, but it is estimated 25,000 - 50,000 people in the US and 5,000 people in the UK are affected.

Figures suggest babies with the most severe form of JEB don't tend to survive past their first or second birthday. Only a few children with JEB survive into adulthood.

Ms Shabir (pictured as a child) was diagnosed with JEB when she was born. About half of those who are diagnosed with JEB do not survive past their first birthday

Ms Shabir said: 'In the morning I wake up with loads of blisters, or stuck to the bed, or my pyjamas will be stuck to my blisters, so it will take me longer to get up'

Ms Shabir spends up to six hours a day dressing her blisters. She is pictured before and after putting makeup on and wearing a wig on her 30th birthday

WHAT IS EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA? Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a general term used to describe a group of rare, inherited disorders that cause the skin to become very fragile. Any trauma or friction causes patients' skin to blister. It affects around one in every 50,000 people worldwide. Around 40 per cent of sufferers do not survive the first year and most do not live beyond five years old. The three main types of the disorder include: EB simplex - where blistering occurs in the upper layer of skin. This affects 70 per cent of sufferers

Dystrophic EB - where blistering occurs in the upper layer beneath the skin's surface, which affects 25 per cent of patients

Junctional EB - where blistering occurs in the lower layer of the inner skin, which is usually the most severe form of the condition Most cases are obvious from birth. EB occurs due to faulty genes, which can be inherited or occur spontaneously. There is no cure. Treatment focuses on relieving pain and treating complications, such as infections or skin cancer. Source: NHS Choices and the National Organization for Rare Disorders Advertisement

As well as the blisters and incredible pain Ms Shabir suffers, she is also susceptible to infections due to her weakened immune system.

Ms Shabir, who currently doesn't work, said: 'When I was first born, they told my parents that I only had 24 hours to live and luckily my mum saved me.

'Those little pink sponges, she used those and dipped one into her breast milk and squeezed some milk into my mouth.

'Then they gave me a month to a year possibly, and then after that it was maybe two to five years and then when I turned ten they stopped counting because they were like, "there's just no point she's passed the expected age limit".'

The blisters cover large regions of the body. They also affect mucous membranes, such as the moist lining of the mouth and digestive tract. As a result, many affected children are malnourished and grow slowly because eating or digesting food is painful.

The extensive blistering makes the skin vulnerable to bacterial infection, which could lead to life-threatening sepsis, or loss of fluids, causing dehydration.

Scar tissue, called granulation tissue, can also accumulate in the airways, causing breathing difficulties.

Ms Shabir's daily life consists of ensuring her skin is clean and bandaged, a routine which can take up to six hours a day to complete.

She said: 'Depending on how bad my skin is on that day, sometimes I'm okay but then an hour or so later my skin is worse. Blisters can flare up at any point.

'I have to change my dressings on my feet every day - sometimes twice a day so it's more comfortable, and then so I'm able to either walk or drive.

'I have a bath every other day or two days... I don't have showers because showers affect my skin more because of the pressure of the shower, especially on my feet because water falling from that distance from the top to the bottom creates blisters.'

Despite the mammoth task of caring for her skin, Ms Shabir never let it stop her from accomplishing numerous goals.

As a child Ms Shabir (pictured left) had to have her hair cut short to prevent her hair getting stuck to her blistering skin. She doesn't shower often because it can cause blistering

Ms Shabir, pictured with Professor Benjamin Zephaniah during campaigning, said when she got to ten years old, doctors stopped trying to predict how long she would survive

JEB causes a weak immune system and susceptibility to infection. Despite the mammoth task of caring for her skin, Ms Shabir tries to live a normal life. She is pictured wearing makeup

Ms Shabir has completed a foundation degree in business marketing and sales at university, met royalty and done a skydive for charity.

She said: 'I faced my biggest fear of heights head on and decided to do a sky dive for charity, Acorns Children's Hospice and Debra back in April 2017.

'It was the best experience ever, the adrenaline rush and the fact everyone doubting that I wouldn't go through with it, pushed me to do it.

'Most recently, in 2018, I had the honour of meeting Prince William at Acorns Children's Hospice.

'I was so honoured to give Prince William a tour of Acorns children's hospice Birmingham thirty years after his late mother Princess Diana opened the Hospice back in 1988.'

Ms Shabir added: 'I passed my driving test. A lot of people thought I'd never drive but I proved them wrong.

'I had started driving at seventeen but kept stopping my lessons due to my health, however I finally passed at 25 years old.'

Ms Shabir's permanently blistered skin means that every day she is met with stares from onlookers.

She was recently frustrated with an elderly person who asked her family members what was 'wrong' with her, rather than asking her directly.

Ms Shabir said: 'I remember one time in college a girl was complaining about her teenage spots/acne to her friends and they indirectly said well look at her, imagine if you was like that. I would rather die than look that ugly.

'Unfortunately having a condition or some kind of thing that's different from other people in the Asian community is a taboo.

'I just want people to break out of the fact that just because you've got a condition doesn't mean you can't do the normal human things that a female will do like work, get married, have a family, peruse dreams.'

She added: 'I really want to do bigger things and raise more awareness for my skin and not just for my skin, but for Acorn's and raise more awareness in the community.

'I really want to travel more this year, hopefully. I want to see the world a bit more, even if it's just the UK - go out and about and live life and make more time for family and friends and hopefully make more friends.'

For more information, visit Ms Shabir's Instagram.
BEIJING, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's National People's Congress (NPC) will open an official online petition platform to improve petitioning procedures, the general office of the NPC standing committee, China's top legislature, said on Thursday.

Aiming to make the online platform a major petitioning channel, the NPC pledges to reply to and handle petition letters online in a timely manner.

Petitioning, also known as "letters and calls," is China's administrative system for hearing public complaints and grievances.

Petitioners can log on to www.npc.gov.cn to submit their petitions.
Out: Lisa Smith with her groceries after signing on at a Garda station. Photo: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Alleged former Isil member Lisa Smith is back in her daily routine just two days after being released on bail from a Limerick prison.

The former Defence Forces member was seen carrying a large white grocery bag yesterday before stepping into the passenger seat of a red Ford car.

She was dressed in clothing that left only part of her face uncovered. Smith had signed on at a Garda station as part of her bail conditions. On Tuesday, the mother of one was escorted from the jail in a white prison van and was brought to an undisclosed location, where it is understood she was met by a family member. The escort, which is not usually provided to accused people granted bail, was provided by the Irish Prison Service for "security reasons", a source said. Ms Smith had been granted bail by the High Court but the District Court had rejected an attempt by a third party to lodge an independent surety because he had previous criminal convictions and was not related to Ms Smith. A 5,000 surety was later accepted by the courts.
A college student whose heart stopped after a severe kidney infection was saved by a selfless Uber driver who raced her to hospital and stayed by her side until her family arrived.

University of Minnesota student Hannah Enge, 20, collapsed unconscious in the back of the cab after complaining of lower back pains.

As she passed out, quick-thinking Uber driver Allison Fischer drove her to the emergency room at Fairview Eastbank Hospital, in Minneapolis, and looked through Hannah's phone to find her mother Allie's number to tell her what was happening.

As medics battled to save Hannah's life as her internal organs started shutting down, Allison kept her mother informed and offered to stay with her daughter until she could get to the hospital from her home in Thief River Falls, 300 miles away.

Grateful Allie later posted a thank you message to the driver on Facebook on December 17 which has since gone viral and been shared 989 times.

University of Minnesota student Hannah Enge, 20, collapsed unconscious in the back of the cab after complaining of lower back pains.

Uber driver Allison Fischer stayed by Hannah's side as she recovered in hospital

Hannah (pictured left with mother Allie) thanked Uber driver Allison (right) for saving her

Allie, a florist, wrote: 'Its because of people like Allison Fischer who was a complete stranger that made last night a little bit easier.

'Her love and support for my child speaks volumes to the type of person that she is.

'I asked for her address because I wanted to send her a Thank You. She said that she wouldnt feel comfortable accepting a gift because Its the least she could do.

'No Allison, Im going to disagree with you on that one. You went above and beyond, and you continued to amaze us today offering your prayers and support.

'I ask that you share this post. I ask that if you are in the Metro area and you get Allison Fischer as your driver you thank her, and know that you are getting the best of the best.

'Also tip her really well because know that if something happens to you Allison will take care of you.'

Hannah (centre left) with her mother Allie (right), her dad and her brother safely back home in Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Hannah was rushed to the emergency room at Fairview Eastbank Hospital (pictured)

Hannah, who has epilepsy, said she called the Uber to take her to hospital when she got back pains and thought she was having a seizure.

She said: 'I was kind of heeling over in the Uber, like, Oh my goodness, this hurts so bad.'

But Hannah's condition had nothing to do with her epilepsy - instead, she had an infection in her kidneys and her organs were shutting down.

When her Uber pulled into the hospital parking lot, Hannah's heart stopped.

'I just blanked,' Hannah said. 'What I was told is I just stopped breathing.'

Recalling the moment she got the call from the Uber driver, Hannah's mother said: 'She was pretty frantic. She said, "I'm an Uber driver, I have your daughter and her phone says she has epilepsy!"'

Allison offered to stay with Hannah at the hospital until family or friends could come.

'Allison was saying, I can bring her clothes, I can go to Target, I can sit with her,' Hannah's mother Allie said.

Hannah recovered after three days on antibiotics in the hospital. Her family and friends eventually joined her in the ER, but by then Allison had left.

Allie said: 'She didn't want any credit for it, and I'm like, Honey, you are going to get credit for it.'

Hannah said she hopes to see Allison again one day so she can thank her Good Samaritan in person.

She said: 'Having someone like that who is almost willing to be part of my family and be a true friend, I am so thankful for her.'
The Central government has not selected Maharashtras tableau for the Republic Day parade in Delhi on January 26 this year. The state cultural affairs department had suggested four themes, but none of them were selected by the Centre.

The decision turned controversial after senior leaders from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena accused the Centre of acting vengeful with mala fide intention.

Baramati MP Supriya Sule has termed the decision unfortunate and demanded that it be reconsidered. Meanwhile, Shiv Senas Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that it was an insult to the state.

The Centre has rejected permissions to the tableau of Maharashtra and West Bengal from parading on Republic Day. It is a festival of the country and the Centre is expected to give representation to all the states. But the government is behaving in a prejudiced manner. It is giving step-motherly treatment to the states being ruled by the opposition parties, Sule said in a series of tweets on Thursday.

It is unfortunate that Maharashtras tableau wasnt selected by the Centre on merit basis for the Republic Day parade this year. Participating in the parade is not political but a matter of [pride] for Maharashtra. The Centre should reconsider its decision as Maharashtra has many times won prizes for its tableau, she tweeted.

The tableaus from Maharashtra and West Bengal will not be seen during the Republic Day parade. Is there any political conspiracy behind? We are real patriots, is it a crime? Raut said in a series of tweets.

This is an insult [to] Maharashtra as our tableau has always been at the centre of attraction during the parade. We have also won first prize many times. By side-lining Maharashtra what the Centre is trying to prove? If this would have happened during Congress rule then the state BJP unit would have created a ruckus, he said.

The state cultural affairs department has suggested four themes for the tableau that include  175 years of Marathi stage; 350th birth anniversary of Kanhoji Angre, the first notable chief of Maratha Navy; story of Maharashtras traditional wear, and centenary year of Geet Ramayana.

However, none of them qualified for the tableau this year said a senior official from the state cultural affairs department.

We have yet to be informed about the decision, he said. This is not the first time the tableau from the state was not selected for the Republic Day parade. It wasnt selected in 2016, 2013, 2008, and in 2005 as well, the official informed.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar told reporters that Sule should not bring politics into everything.

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On this weeks Political Gabfest, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Josie Duffy Rice of the Appeal discussed Rep. John Lewis announcement that he has pancreatic cancer as well as his legacy and that of the civil rights movement. This transcript of their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

David Plotz: Rep. John Lewis announced this week that he is being treated for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Lewis is one of the last living lions of the civil rights movement, the last living speaker from the 1963 March on Washington. He is also, I would say, the greatest living American, and he is still very much with us. Hopefully he will live many years longer, but he is clearly suffering now, and its a good occasion to think about who he is, and why hes important, and why the passing of his generation is such a loss for America. Who is John Lewis? Why is he so important?

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Josie Duffy Rice: Im from Atlanta, and there has been no bigger hero in my experience than John Lewis. Certainly no bigger living hero. Hes my congressman. He was elected the year before I was born, so he has represented me my whole life. And he has been a fixture, not just in American politics, but specifically in Atlanta. He has been so engaged in this community that he has been fighting for almost 80 years now. Since he was a teenager, John Lewis has put his life, his comfort, and his health on the line for this country. It is unfathomable to me that he has to experience this disease. But you have to stay hopeful, right? Its the beginning of the yearwe cant lose hope yet.

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"There has been no bigger hero in my experience than John Lewis. Certainly no bigger living hero."  Josie Duffy Rice

Plotz: Its mind-boggling what he did. As a teenager, he helped integrate the lunch counters of Nashville as a student at Fisk. He was an early acolyte of nonviolence and trained in James Lawsons nonviolence workshops. He was on the first bus of Freedom Riders. He led the Mississippi Freedom Summer a couple of years later. He was the national chairman of SNCC, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and was one of its founders. He was one of the six organizers of the March on Washington, where he spoke. He was the leader and the public victim of the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965, where the attack on him by white police officers as he prayed while crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge was recorded on film. The photo of his skull being fractured became an iconic photo of the degradation of what had happened in the American South and led directly to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That is just what he did in about six years in the early 60s. Its astonishing.

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Duffy Rice: John Lewis is 10 years younger than my grandmother, who also was at the March on Washington, was also at the Freedom Rides, who left her three daughters at home when she was in her 20s to go down to Mississippi. It makes me particularly despondent about where we are today, when were talking about an increase in anti-Semitic attacks and an increase in racism, when were talking about the hyperpartisan, low-integrity nature of our current political system, to see people like my grandmother, people like John Lewis, getting older and not being able to see as clearly the fruits of their labor.

Emily Bazelon: I thought a lot about a tweet from Adam Serwer about whether were really prepared for the passing of this civil rights generation. When you hear John Lewis speak, theres something so stirring about it. The history feels very vivid and present. Were not recovered from the ills that led to the civil rights movement, and so it feels like its not time to lose that sense of history in our midst.

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Lewis has always talked about the continuing presence of racism, but he also celebrated the ways in which his presence in Congress and the country itself has shifted. We arent where we were. Were also not where we were supposed to get or where we need to go. Its hard to think about that when youre also imagining a world where we lose this older generation of people who were the witnesses and the participants.

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Duffy Rice: Thats not to say that their efforts were for naught. My sons 2. His life at 2 is better than my grandmothers life was at 2 because of things that she did and people like John Lewis did and 70, 80 years of the civil rights fight. The fact that it feels like were on a downward slope is the thing thats particularly scary, right? Because you expect things to continually get better.

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Plotz: What do you guys think is the way to recapture, if its possible, some of that spirit of that generation of leaders, not necessarily around civil rights? It might be around climate, it might be around voting rights, it might be around criminal justice, it could be around any number of things. Are there any micromovements that you see that are developing along the same lines?

One of the things I would point out is that when you look back at the history of the civil rights movement, whats interesting is that in the gauzy nostalgic film of history, we tend to lump everybody together. Its all Dr. King and then these lieutenants to Dr. King and the March on Washington. But, of course, it was a movement that was filled with a huge diversity of ideas and tactics and methodologies and kinds of people who didnt always get along. And what happened was that the collective ferment and experimentation and work across different time periods in different places with different tactics was what ultimately made the movement succeed for the most part. I wonder if you see that developing, and if you dont see it developing, how could it be developed?

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Bazelon: Its always a mistake to forget about Malcolm X. He was just such an important strand of that movement then.

Climate change is obviously an enormous challenge confronting humanity, but its so slow-rolling. Its almost designed to defeat our capacity to act with urgency, because we cant tell exactly what the shape of it is. Were much more prone to bailing out people who are bearing the cost now, especially in wealthy America. Its easier to rebuild on a coastline than really rethink what were doing and try to marshal all of our resources to stop it.

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To me, the issue of immigrants, in this country and internationally, feels like it has a lot of that urgency right now in terms of the way that were treating people and the lack of humanity from government actors. But its tricky, because black Americans in the 1960s who were facing racism were citizens. No one was questioning, or should have been questioning, their presence here. I dont think the left has figured out what to do about the fact that most people are not ready to open the borders. So, while its easy to rail against the Trump administration for its terrible, inhumane policies, its not so easy to figure out what the boundaries are, or how youre going to solve the whole global scale of the problem.

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Maybe Im being overly romantic and nostalgic, but I look back on the civil rights movement, and I think, OK, there were some basic principles that were pretty universal and in the end won out. You can see that today with the gay rights movement, with the movement to give trans people full civil rights, this sense of shared humanity that feels like a more manageable problem that were actually addressing with some success in the United States. But climate and immigration, which are enormous challenges, both feel vexing in a different way.

Duffy Rice: I think thats right. I work in criminal justice. The changes weve made in this space in the past five or six years has been remarkable. Its happened in such a short amount of time, it feels like whiplash, and it does give me hope about the way that peoples basic understandings of other peoples humanity can shift. Were not there, and the problem we face in the criminal justice movement in some ways reminds me of the problem we face in the immigration space, which is essentially, well, if you break the law you get whats coming to you, which is the narrative of people who are still justifying family separation or justifying jail deaths or whatever kind of inhumane thing people are choosing to say is OK that day.

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The climate thing to me feels both completely hopeless and, looking at Australia these past few weeks, just so deeply, deeply depressing and scary. The generation younger than me, kids in college right now, are really fighting this and are building coalitions, trying to influence policy, going out there and fighting for real climate changefocused policy in a way that does give me hope that even if we cant do this, maybe the next generation can.

Plotz: The title I gave this episode of the Political Gabfest was Good Trouble, which I saw all over the writing about John Lewis. I just want to pay tribute to it. Lewis describes himself and has been described as getting in good trouble, which, as I understand it, is this idea that you are going to mess with the system. You are going to do something that that is going to cause you pain. Lewis was attacked a number of times. He was badly beaten a number of times; he was arrested and charged with crimes. Good trouble is doing it this way, which is obviously noble and right and good. I love that concept. Its really admirable, and I wish more people could find ways to get in good trouble.

To listen to the full episode, click the player below or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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Jennifer Aniston looked incredible in a black triangle bikini as she holidayed in Mexico with her handsome long-term director friend Will Speck.

The 50-year-old actress welcomed in the New Year at the beach resort of Tulum where she was seen soaking up the sun in the sexy two-piece worn with a sunhat.

The Friends star is gearing up for the Golden Globes on Sunday, where she's nominated for an award for her leading role in Apple TV Plus' The Morning Show.

Sunning herself: Jennifer Aniston started off 2020 by working on her tan while wearing a tiny string bikini during a New Year's getaway to the Mexican beach resort of Tulum on Wednesday

Friends in high places: She was in good company on the day, with handsome director Will Speck, who was wearing a blue and white striped towel

Aniston hit the sand in a black two-piece that accentuated her toned physique.

The barefoot beauty added a wide-brimmed straw sunhat and a pair of sunglasses to protect her complexion. She also had a large blue and white beach towel and a white cotton shawl on standby.

She has been close to Will, 49, since they worked together on 2016 comedy Office Christmas Party, with Jennifer, as one of the leads.

Just Friends? She has been close to Will, 49, since they worked together on 2016 comedy Office Christmas Party, with Jennifer, as one of the leads

They were pictured out together in October as Jennifer was pictured bidding him goodbye with a kiss, following a meal out with friends in Los Angeles.

That month, a source told Women's Day: 'Jennifer and Will have a very special connection and hes definitely a candidate to be more than just a friend at this point.

'Hes witty, compassionate, sensitive and has a real sense of adventure and ambition, which ticks a lot of boxes in what Jens looking for in a guy.'

Beach ready: She also had a large blue and white beach towel and a white cotton shawl on standby

Close: Jennifer was pictured saying a fond farewell to Will, after enjoying a dinner together in Los Angeles back in October

MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Jennifer Aniston for more information.

The Friends star traditionally celebrates the New Year holiday with her closest celebrity pals.To see out 2019, she chose the resort of Tulum, down the coast from Cancun on the Caribbean side of the Yucatan peninsula.

Her companions included ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel and his wife Molly McNearney and actor Jason Bateman and his wife Amanda Anka, according to People.

Had company: The Friends star traditionally celebrates the New Year holiday with her closest celebrity pals which this year included Jimmy Kimmel and Jason Bateman and their wives

All eyes will be on Aniston inside the Golden Globes on Sunday where she will be seated close to her ex-husband Brad Pitt who is also a nominee. The superstar couple were married from 2000 to 2005.

DailyMail.com has learned the former couple will be seated 'feet apart' at separate but nearby tables in the ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel where the awards show is held.

Aniston and Pitt split in 2005 after the actor fell for his Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star Angelina Jolie.

Pitt went on to have children with Jolie whom he subsequently married; however, they famously divorced following a nasty split in September 2016.

DailyMail.com understands agents for Aniston and Pitt have made no objections about them being so closely situated and have signed off on the plan.

It's yet another indication that the former spouses have rekindled their friendship in the wake of the end of Aniston's marriage to Justin Theroux in February 2018.

Pitt attended Aniston's holiday party at her mansion in Bel-Air a couple of weeks ago where it's been reported he was the last to leave.

In the spotlight: DailyMail.com has learned the former couple, who are both nominees, will be seated 'feet apart' at separate but nearby tables in the ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

Aniston won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical in 2003 for Friends.

This time she's nominated in the category for Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama for The Morning Show.

Pitt is nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

He won that same award back in 1996 for the sci-fi film Twelve Monkeys.

Nominated: Aniston won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical in 2003 for Friends. This time she's nominated in the category for Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama for The Morning Show
The Congress on Friday accused Home Minister Amit Shah of imposing a "conspiratorial and divisive agenda" on India and bringing the country to a 1947-like situation.

The Congress also told Shah that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi continue to "abuse" opposition leaders even as NDA constituents and chief ministers of the ruling BJP are not accepting the amended Citizenship Act.

"Amit Shah ji. Modi ji and you have been made Prime Minister and Home Minister to work for the public welfare and generate livelihoods for them and not abuse opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi.

"You have put the entire country in a situation like that in 1947 with your divisive and conspiratorial agenda...You should desist from slapping your conspiratorial and divisive agenda on the country," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a video posted on Twitter.

He alleged that NDA partners and BJP chief ministers are themselves not accepting the "divisive" CAA but Modi and Shah were "venting out their grouse" on the opposition by abusing them.

"Now your own partners and allies as also your chief minister of Assam Sabananda Sonowal have refused to accept and implement the divisive CAA. Why are you venting out your grouse on the opposition. You should first set your own house in order and then talk to the country and take on the opposition," the Congress leader said.

Tagging a report in English about Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal not being ready to accept the CAA in his state, Surjewala tweeted in Hindi, "Your allies are not accepting the divisive CAA, your own chief ministers are not accepting the CAA. Should we send you a Hindi translation".

Surjewala earlier dared Modi to dismiss the Assam chief minister from his own party for openly opposing the amended Citizenship Act and declare him an "anti-national" for doing so.

"Mr Prime Minister, Stop fooling India! Your own CM is openly opposing CAA. Will you now declare him 'anti national'? I challenge you to dismiss him before criticising the opposition," he wrote on Twitter.

Sonowal gave a fresh twist to the debate over the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), after he said in a tweet, "As a son of Assam, I will never settle foreigners in my state. This Sarbananda Sonowal will never allow this...."



The Congress has been attacking the BJP-led government over the CAA and its chief ministers have said they would not implement the new citizenship law in their states.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Harry Hamlin claims that he was close to playing Indiana Jones, but lost the role to Harrison Ford because of an audition with Steven Spielberg that did not go as he expected.

In an interview with Page Six, Hamlin says that he met with Spielberg in 1978 alongside Stephanie Zimbalist, who was auditioning to play Indys companion, Marion Ravenwood. Spielberg told the two actors that George Lucas, executive producer on Raiders, was going to be late for the meeting and, strangely, asked them to make a chocolate cake while they waited for Lucas to arrive.

He closed the door and left and we were standing alone in this kitchen, Hamlin said. I said, Stephanie, have you ever made a chocolate cake? And she said, No'

Also Read: Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Offers First Look at Ariana DeBose as Anita

Hamlin claims that the cooking request was actually a hidden camera audition set up by Spielberg and Lucas to see if he and Zimbalist had chemistry. While they were trying to make a cake in the production studios kitchen, Hamlin told Zimbalist about stories he had heard about Spielberg from his friend, Amy Irving, who went on to marry Spielberg in 1985.

I was talking about how Amy was calling her friend group in LA and saying that this guy, this director guy was stalking her in New York and how she was kind of getting annoyed because this guy, Steven Spielberg, was showing up at the stage door every night with flowers, he said.

It never occurred to me  that we were actually in the audition while we were making the cake.

Also Read: Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Adds 'Dear Evan Hansen' Star Mike Faist, Singer Ana Isabelle

Ultimately, it was Harrison Ford who got the job as Indiana Jones, while Marion Ravenwood would be played by Karen Allen. Hamlin, meanwhile, went on to star in Clash of the Titans and the hit 80s TV series L.A. Law, but has never done a film with Spielberg to this day.

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I didnt get the part, OK, and Ive never worked with Steven Spielberg, and I grant you that I never will work with Steven Spielberg and I never learned how to make a cake.

Representatives for Spielberg did not respond to TheWraps request for comment. Spielberg is currently working on his adaptation of the hit musical West Side Story, set for release in December.

Read original story Harry Hamlin Says He Lost Indiana Jones Role After Dissing Steven Spielberg in Hidden-Camera Audition At TheWrap
Jersey City Board of Education Trustee Lorenzo Richardson was named the new board president Thursday night, an appointment that comes on the heels of a tumultuous month that included bribery charges for the former president and controversial comments made by a current board member.

The board voted 8-0 during Thursdays reorganization meeting for Richardson to fill the role vacated by former board President Sudhan Thomas. Thomas, who lost his bid for reelection in November, is accused of accepting $35,000 in bribes while serving as president.

Trustee Lekendrick Shaw abstained from the vote. Trustee Gina Verdibello was named vice president.

No comments from the board were made about Thomas or Terrell-Paige. Nor did Richardson speak about taking the position once held by Thomas.

Newly elected trustees Noemi Velazquez and Alexander Hamilton were also officially sworn in. Velazquez and Hamilton, who won two of five seats up for grabs in Novembers election, were backed by a super PAC controlled by the LeFrak Organization, the developer of the citys Newport section.

Shaw was also sworn in after being elected to an unexpired 1-year term. Shaw had been appointed in August to replace former Board Trustee Matt Schapiro, who resigned in July to move to California.

Thursdays meeting was also the first since board Trustee Joan Terrell-Paige made controversial comments on Facebook, in which she referred to the brutes of the jewish community." The post came in the wake of a mass shooting at a kosher supermarket that claimed the lives of two members of the citys growing Hasidic community and a store employee. The two shooters who carried out the attack  which has since been labeled a hate crime  also killed a Jersey City police detective.

Where was all this faith and hope when Black homeowners were threatened, intimidated, and harassed by I WANT TO BUY YOUR HOUSE brutes of the Jewish community? she wrote. They brazenly came on the property of Ward F Black homeowners and waved bags of money.

The post was met by a wave of criticism, including from both Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Gov. Phil Murphy who called for her resignation.

Terrell-Paige did not address her comments during the meeting.

The board was set to consider a resolution calling for Trustee Joan Terrell-Paiges resignation, but the board canceled the Dec. 19 meeting due to potential security risks following the comments aftermath.

The same day, Thomas was among five public officials and political candidates from Hudson and Morris counties who were charged in a corruption probe by the New Jersey Attorney Generals office.

Authorities allege Thomas was preparing to run for Jersey City Council in 2021 when he accepted two bribes in the form of campaign contributions from a tax attorney who was secretly cooperating with state authorities. Thomas received one bribe worth $10,000, followed by a second worth $25,000, authorities said.

Thomas claimed his innocence vowing to vigorously fight the charges.
Marian Finucane was the first presenter I produced live as a young trainee in RTE Radio 1.

Then presenting 'Liveline', she had made the programme her own, its mixture of the personal and the political made for a then rare combination.

Marian was the slightly sceptical friend you were telling your best story to. If she believed a caller, then so did everyone else.

If she didn't, her probing questions highlighted the fault-lines in a particular take or set of opinions.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close A career in radio: Marian Finucane in her early days with RTE Ground-breaking: Marian Finucane in her element, the radio studio from where she helped to change attitudes Broadcaster Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke and son Jack after she was conferred with an honorary doctorate by DIT in 2002. Photo: Tom Burke Pictured: RTE broadcaster Marian Finucane and Nuala O'Faolain in Nairobi, Kenya where they were covering the 1985 United Nations Decade for Women Conference for RTE. Marian Finucane Marian Finucane Zeal for breaking new ground: Marian Finucane was a household name with thousands of listeners tuning in to her RTE shows. Photo: Tony Gavin Marian Finucane on the Late Late in 1991 Marian Finucane with husband John Clarke after they were married in 2015. Photo: Frank McGrath Marian Finucane with Maeve Binchy at an Irish Hospice Foundation event. Photo: Jim O'Kelly Marian visting an orphanage in South Africa Voice of reason: Marian Finucane smiles after receiving the PPI Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008. Photo: Jason Clarke Photography 15/11/11 Marian Finucane at the launch of her book The Saturday Interviews 2005-2011 . Pictures:Arthur Carron/Collins Finucane M 8.4.10 0011 Marian Finucane Taoiseach Enda Kenny,TD and broadcaster Marian Finucane at the launch the Irish Hospice Foundation's 2016 Commemorative and 30th anniversary programme held in the Stephens Green Club yesterday. Pic Tom Burke 3/12/2015 Former Irish International footballer Niall Quinn and boadcaster Marian Finucane who were conferred with an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy from the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) at their annual conferring of Honorary degrees at a ceremony held in the Royal hospital,Kilmainham yesterday...Pic Tom Burke 26/11/02 Marian Finucane MARIAN FINUCANE Marian Finucane JOE DUFFY AND MARIAN FINUCANE AT THE LAUNCH OF JOE DUFFYS AUTOBIOGRAPHY "JUST JOE" AT HARRYS BAR IN THE O2 DUBLIN PIX BRIAN MCEVOY / Facebook

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Whatsapp A career in radio: Marian Finucane in her early days with RTE

As a young student I'd attended a live broadcast of her iconic 'Women Today' programme. It was full of the kind of women Eamon de Valera had described as making for the "most unmanageable revolutionaries".

To be sitting in the hot seat telling the doyenne of Irish broadcasting what calls to go to next felt surreal.

The series producer had warned me about the 'ten-tos', the zinger questions Marian would ask of her producer 10 minutes before air, the most obvious being "why are we doing this item", or the even scarier "do we know this to be a fact". In her talk to trainee producers she had issued one warning, "don't lie to me, I have to be able to trust you", a mantra I often used years later when leading research teams myself.

The old adage of being careful when you meet your heroes did not apply in Marian's case. Her warmth towards, and support of, younger women was shown by the fact so many of them loved working with her.

Her endless curiosity about people extended to the people around her. She was great company, witty, convivial and loyal. The sharp intellect was softened by a humanity that came from personal experience. The loss of her daughter at a young age made her particularly sensitive to grief in others.

Current affairs presenters have to ask tough questions, but she never lost sight of the fact the person in front of her was, if flawed, still human.

As her path into broadcasting was a circuitous one - she had initially studied to be an architect - she had an appetite for intellectual stimulation that went beyond the daily grind of programme-making. Being challenged was something she relished. The strictures of public service broadcasting meant she had to be careful of expressing bias, but she did have strong opinions.

As a woman on air, and a mould-breaker, she was subject to a much more critical gaze. If it fazed her, you would never have guessed so. Hers was a generation of women who had grown to adulthood in a State which had denied women many basic rights. In many ways she had been so weathered in earlier activism that each step forward was a rebuke to the forces that had held back earlier generations of women.

Her authority came from lived experience. It is still really difficult for women to progress in broadcasting, to survive and thrive, especially in current affairs. Marian Finucane believed she should have a place at the top table.

Kate Shanahan is head of Journalism and Communications at TU Dublin School of Media
Saudi Arabia has handed over social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch's brother, an absconding suspect in her gruesome murder, to Pakistan, days after he was arrested in the Gulf kingdom, according to a media report.

Fouzia Azeem, better known as Qandeel, was strangled to death by her brother Waseem Khan at her home in Multan in the Punjab province on July 15, 2016, in a chilling murder that sent shock waves across Pakistan, triggering an outpouring of grief on social media and igniting fierce debate over the prevalence of "honour killings" of women.

Waseem had confessed to the murder of his 26-year-old sister and said she had brought "disrepute" to the "family's honour" with her risque videos and statements posted on social media.

The International Criminal Police Organization's (Interpol) cell in Saudi Arabia arrested Muzaffar Iqbal, brother and suspect in Qandeel's murder, on Wednesday as part of their job to tackle international crime, Geo reported.

The arrest was made on the Pakistani government's 2016 request to Saudi Arabia as Iqbal was residing in the country at the time. Iqbal has been accused of aiding and abetting in Qandeel's murder, the report said.

Following Qandeel's murder, her father Muhammad Azeem Baloch had lodged a murder case against his son, accomplice Haq Nawaz and others.

An affidavit submitted by the parents in 2016 had also named two of their other sons, Aslam Shaheen and Arif.

In October last year, Arif, another absconding suspect and brother, was arrested with the help of Interpol from Saudi Arabia and transferred to Multan.

In September, a model court had sentenced Waseem to life in prison for murdering his sister after he admitted to drugging and killing his sister.

Six others, including Mufti Abdul Qavi and Qandeel's two brothers Shaheen and Arif were acquitted in the case.

On August 22, the court had rejected the August 21 appeal of late model's parents to acquit their sons as they had forgiven them.

Prior to that, however, her parents had refused to pardon their sons and had called for capital punishment in the case.

Qandeel had become famous for her bold social media pictures, videos and comments. But those posts in which she spoke of trying to change "the typical orthodox mindset" of people in Pakistan were considered outrageous by the largely conservative Pakistani community.

Described as Pakistan's Kim Kardashian, Qandeel built a modelling career on the back of her social media fame. She faced frequent backlash and death threats, but continued to post her pictures and videos.

The 2016 killing sparked fierce debate in Pakistan over the prevalence of "honour killings" of women.

Every year over 1,000 women are murdered in Pakistan in so called 'honour killings' committed by their male relatives.

Qandeel's murder restarted the debate in the Muslim-majority country that led to the passing of an amendment to Pakistan's Penal Code in October 2016, allowing the police to take over from the victim's family as the main complainant in the case of an "honour killing".

The amendment made it impossible for Qandeel's family to use the country's laws that allow close relatives of murder victims to pardon the killers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
And you thought the Academy loved her! Photo: Vulture and Getty Images

This Sunday night, the Golden Globes will do what they always do: serve modestly portioned dinner and copious amounts of drinks to Hollywoods most well-publicized celebrities. Theyll afford Oscars-race momentum to the actors, actresses, and films upon which they bestow their prizes. And theyll call Meryl Streep to the stage to accept an award for being the best actress in the world. Thats just what they do.

Meryl Streeps 21 Oscar nominations are often discussed as a figure of excess. Did she really deserve to be nominated ALL those times? the wags scoff. (Imagine their surprise if anyone ever told them there were times Streep was Oscar-worthy but didnt get a nomination!) But the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences doesnt have anything on the Hollywood Foreign Press when it comes to showering Meryl Streep with accolades. How about 32 career nominations, eight wins (to Streeps puny three Oscar triumphs), and a Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement? How about THAT?

This year, shes up for win No. 9, in the TV Supporting Actress category, nominated for her performance of exquisite toothy villainy in Big Little Lies. Her competition is formidable (Helena Bonham Carter, Toni Collette, Patricia Arquette, Emily Watson), but you bet against Streep at your peril. And with 32 nominations under her belt, the temptation to rate is great. Too great for us to resist. So from her first nomination for 1978s The Deer Hunter to her namesake nomination as Mary Louise on Big Little Lies, here are all 32 Globe-nominated Meryl Streep characters, ranked.

32. The Manchurian Candidate, Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (2004)

Meryl is never bad in a movie, but the closest she gets to not good comes in one of two flavors: baseline competence and bad-idea big swings. Her performance in Jonathan Demmes remake of The Manchurian Candidate counts among the latter, trying to evoke a Peggy Noonanesque conservative villain (though her haircut made everybody think she was going for Hillary Clinton).

Meryl Streep in The Manchurian Candidate. Photo: Paramount Pictures

31. The Iron Lady, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (2011, Winner)

Meryls most recent (competitive) Globe win came for this burlesque of a take on Margaret Thatcher, a performance thats not as far removed from British drag queen Baga Chipzs impersonation than any of us would like.

30. The French Lieutenants Woman, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1981, Winner)

In between Globe/Oscar triumphs for Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophies Choice, Streep won another Globe for this misshapen and dull costume drama. The movies worse than her performance, but she doesnt do a whole lot to save it.

29. Florence Foster Jenkins, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy (2016)

Meryls most maligned recent Oscar nomination was less of a target for derision at the Globes, both because it didnt deny actresses like Amy Adams (Arrival) and Annette Bening (20th Century Women) and because it was the same night as Streeps Trump-shaming DeMille Award speech.

28. Mamma Mia!, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (2008)

Should Meryl sing more or less in movies? Her renditions of ABBAs greatest hits tend to argue for the latter.

27. Marvins Room, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1995)

The interesting thing here is that when Oscar nominations came around, it was Streeps co-star Diane Keaton who got the nomination instead, a moment of silently devastating shade that we dont discuss nearly enough.

26. Music of the Heart, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1999)

The Florence Foster Jenkins of the 90s for Meryl, in that it was the marginally unjustified nomination that turned the awards-watching community against her (for like two and a half years, max).

25.  First Do No Harm, Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television (1997)

Imagine Meryl Streep doing a made-for-TV movie on ABC nowadays. Thats exactly how weird it was back in 1997, because she was definitely already Meryl freaking Streep by then. (She lost to Alfre Woodard for Miss Evers Boys, and rightly so.)

24. Into the Woods, Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (2014)

As a Meryl Sings! movie, its definitely better than Mamma Mia!, but not as good as A Prairie Home Companion (for which she was never nominated, boo!). Shes not quite the lone bright spot in the generally uninspired Sondheim musical adaptation, but she carries off the greens, greens, and nothing but greens rapping-granny stuff better than you might expect.

23. Its Complicated, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (2009)

Great kitchens, beautiful kitchens.

Meryl Streep in Its Complicated. Photo: Universal Pictures

22. Hope Springs, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (2012)

An underrated movie, and Streep herself is underrated, playing a frustrated wife to Tommy Lee Jones as they both seek marriage counseling. Streep had to miss this Golden Globes because there was a weird flu going around Hollywood that year, so she wasnt there to witness Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig refer to her character as a sassy sheriff.

21. One True Thing, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1998)

A mother-daughter-cancer weepie with Streep and Renee Zellweger playing the central roles. Honestly, both probably deserved recognition, but this was while Zellweger was still in her overlooked-in-favor-of-co-stars awards era. For Streep, its a performance that too often gets boiled down to its tear-jerking elements, but the way she plays her characters cheery facade in the face of her daughters disrespect is what you hire Meryl for.

20. She-Devil, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (1989)

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, the idea that Meryl Streep could do comedy was weirdly controversial. And so a performance like the one she gives in She-Devil  single-handedly elevating the film around an amateurish Roseanne Barr and playing a knives-out villain with delicious aplomb, was seen as typical Globes star-fuckery. So wrong!

19. Out of Africa, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1986)

The epitome of High-End Streep, in a movie that was basically The English Patient of the 80s. Elaine Benes wouldve hated this one too.

18. Doubt, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (2008)

A divisive performance, with some detractors thinking Streep overdid it with the Bronx accent and the Big Acting stuff, but when youre acting opposite Philip Seymour Hoffman and Viola Davis (in full nose-drippy crying mode), and where the text requires you to dominate Amy Adams so explicitly, its hard to accuse Meryl of hamming it up for no good reason.

17. August: Osage County, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (2013)

Another divisive performance, for almost all the same reasons as the Doubt performance, actually. If the film itself had been better, Streeps scenery-chewing might not have stood out so much, though, again: This is what happens when you cast Meryl Streep in a big, loud role that originated on the stage. You either ride the ride or you dont.

16. Big Little Lies, Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series (2019)

Heres where I maybe fall into the you dont category from above. The problems with Big Little Lies second season werent Streeps, and her appearance on the show was one of the few things that justified its existence. But after the meme value of that dinner-table scream and her office-chair showdown with Laura Dern, there isnt much else that was worth ruining that perfect first-season ending.

15. The Deer Hunter, Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (1979)

Meryls first brush with awards attention. The movie ends up being dominated by the men and the war and the Russian roulette of it all, but this is a deeply solid and supportable nomination.

Meryl Streep in The Deer Hunter. Photo: Universal Pictures

14. Postcards From the Edge, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (1990)

Streep playing the Carrie Fisher to Shirley MacLaines Debbie Reynolds is the kind of fantasy casting wed do on Twitter while avoiding real work. But it happened! In 1990. And they both sang, and it was great, and the Globes nominated them BOTH, while the Oscars only nominated Meryl, which is why the Globes sometimes do it better.

13. The Bridges of Madison County, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1995)

The Meryl does accents! thing has been downplayed a bit since her run over the last 20 years has been less accent heavy (and when she does do them, like in last years Mary Poppins Returns, theyre more cartoonish than they used to be), but her Italian-accented work as an immigrant housewife in the Clint Eastwood adaptation of the popular novel of the same name was the epitome of Foreign Accent Meryl.

12. Death Becomes Her, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (1992)

Comedy Meryl at her most unhinged, playing the vain, desperate Madeline Ashton with breathy villainy and showing some clockwork timing to boot. Her line readings opposite Goldie Hawn (I can see right THROUGH you!), Bruce Willis (Flaaaacid!), and Isabella Rossellini (Now a warning!) have ALL stood the test of time.

11. A Cry in the Dark, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1988)

This performance is so much more than the dingo took my baby, with Streep ferociously digging into the role of a defiantly unlikable mother of a tragically dead child, upon whom the entire country of Australia turned like a pack of  well, you know.

10. The River Wild, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1994)

Perhaps Meryls most underrated performance? Even for people who see Curtis Hansons crackling thriller for the gem that it is, too few people see the tiny miracle in Meryl Streep, her generations most acclaimed and rarefied actress, picking up a pair of oars and powering her family down the rapids while pursued by thugs.

9. Angels in America, Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television (2003, Winner)

Streep plays a domineering Mormon widow and mother who travels from Salt Lake to New York City after her son comes out to her, the vengeful ghost of Ethel Rosenberg out to haunt Roy Cohn into his grave, a eulogizing rabbi with thoughts about emigration and generational ties, and an overwhelmed angelic bureaucrat. No other performer in Mike Nicholss cast better sells the interconnectedness of the narrative, and her scene with Ben Shenkman saying Kaddish for Cohns recently vacated corpse is a stunner.

8. The Post, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (2017)

Streeps Katharine Graham is the most full-bodied, deeply considered performance of the decade, and its kind of maddening that the postIron Lady phase of her career kept the acclaim for it somewhat muted. As muted as a Globe- and Oscar-nominated performance can be. This is one of the great ones, though, as history will hopefully show.

7. Adaptation, Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (2002, Winner)

This was the performance that lit a spark under Streeps career and launched her into the 2000s with both awards momentum and the sense that she could work with a cutting-edge auteur like Spike Jonze. Its a strange enough role that you get a kick watching Meryl Streep, of all people, get stoned and stare at her feet. But, as expected, Streep finds drive and faults and humanity at the core of her fictional Susan Orlean.

6. Silkwood, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1984)

Of all of Streeps Globe-nominated Mike Nichols collaborations, this ranks the highest. Playing the crusade of a whistle-blower as a more internal battle between courage and fear is what makes this performance stand out, though sharing scenes with the likes of Cher and a dead-sexy Kurt Russell doesnt hurt.

5. Julie & Julia, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (2009, Winner)

Exactly the kind of performance built to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy, which is in no way a backhanded compliment. Streep perfectly embodies Julia Child in all her unabashed enthusiasm, cheerfully domineering physical presence, and quiet pain. Streep and Stanley Tucci playing the most delightfully suited married couple in all of cinematic history also helps.

4. The Devil Wears Prada, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Comedy or Musical (2006, Winner)

The single most iconic performance of Streeps postSophies Choice career, at least from a public-consciousness perspective, and it doesnt seem to be a particularly close race. She put the stamp not just on a character but on a whole species of character.

3. The Hours, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (2002)

Only Meryl Streep could give a performance of such specificity, complex emotions, small gestures, big gestures, deliberate phrasing, and scarves as Meryl does in The Hours  and have nobody cry out at the injustice when she gets overshadowed by her co-stars. Yes, shes been amply rewarded over her career to the point where you should go to jail for even thinking the word underrated in her vicinity, and yet: How else to explain this?

2. Sophies Choice, Best Actress in a Motion Picture  Drama (1982, Winner)

At some point, what can you say about Meryl Streep in Sophies Choice? Its the Citizen Kane of acting performances, if for no other reason than when people try to defend bad acting performances, they say [He/She]s no Meryl Streep in Sophies Choice, but 

1. Kramer vs. Kramer, Best Supporting Actress  Motion Picture (1979, Winner)

The performance that set the Meryl Streep standard for all time, whose esteem has only grown since. Her first of eight competitive Golden Globe wins, with No. 9 possibly on the way this Sunday.
Most people today want to live in a secure gated community because they want their security needs to be taken care of. With the rapid expansion of the e-commerce industry, you can sit at home, order just about anything with one click. Yes, its convenient but this also means the number of home deliveries has increased, raising the question of security. The security solutions available for gated premises are in the form of security guards, car stickers, access cards, boom barriers, biometrics, intercom, and others that are not really effective.

Security guards cant always ensure seamless management for your daily household staff, visitors, delivery executives, cabs and other vehicles. Because, traditionally the security guards have recorded and done this job manually, it leads to time-consuming and inefficient authentication of the visitor, inefficient management of the main gate leading to increased footfall and various other problems. Thats where MyGate came into the picture.

MyGate is an apartment security and community management app that uses technology to enhance the safety and convenience of the residents living in gated communities. This society security app allows you to feel comfortable and in control of the safety of your family and your community. The MyGate app provides a number of features to simplify your daily chores and make life convenient. Using this online solution, residents can approve entries and exits of visitors, manage daily household staff, pre-approve online deliveries, pay society maintenance bills and many more.

The apartment security app was designed keeping in mind that it will be used by security guards, children, senior citizens, and other tech-unsavvy people. Its built with easy-to-use features.

The aim of the app is to provide residents with peace of mind. All that the residents of any gated community want is to feel secure and know who is being allowed to enter the premises and whether they are being authenticated.

One of the most important things gated communities lack is a proper visitor management system. The traditional ways of security like registers, landline telecom will not work in today's world where there is a boom in e-commerce. MyGate on the other hand, offers a system that is interactive, provides transparency, and real-time information of all thats happening at the main gate. You can give your guests a seamless entry using MyGates passcode-based solution, manage unverified visitors, track vehicles that are parked incorrectly, and make in-app calls to other residents and the security gate.

Constant calls from the main gate to approve your visitor or delivery executives entry can be really annoying. The MyGate app replaces this with a notification. Each time the approval for entry for a visitor or delivery person is needed, the security guard will send a notification to you on the app. All it will take you to approve the entry is one click.

Another feature of the app that makes life exceptionally convenient for the residents is managing daily household staff. Are you often left wondering if your maid is coming or not? With the MyGate app, the resident gets notified the minute the help arrives in the community. You dont even have to worry about their attendance, as the numbers are always just a click away on the MyGate app.

The MyGate app also secures your gated community by checking people when theyre leaving the premises. For example, you give food to your domestic help, you will have to click a picture of the food and send it to the security guard at the gate on the app. A lot of residents prefer this system because cross-checking with the security guard via phone each time is a cumbersome job.

This gated community app especially makes it easier for the Management Committee members to maintain the society. MC members want to adopt the best-gated community software, something that fits their society the best. With MyGate, MC members can pick and choose the features they need for their society. With MyGates features to enhance convenience, they can finally get their heads out of all the paperwork and focus on getting the important things done. MyGate drastically reduces the paperwork. The app provides portals that work as a notice board and forums to discuss community matters.

Founded in 2016, the startup is backed by a strong founder team comprising Vijay Arisetty, an ex- IAF pilot (Shaurya Chakra awardee), Abhishek K, former VP at Goldman Sachs, and Shreyans Daga, former project head at Oracle and Digit.

MyGate continues to work towards expanding its operations across the country and enhancing security and convenience for its users. The MyGate app is used by over 1.2 million homes in 5000+ gated communities. The solution is available in 13 major cities, including Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune.
By IANS

MUMBAI: In a bizarre incident, a man flung an iron rod at a judge during a court hearing at the Dindoshi Sessions Court, here on Thursday, sources said.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in Court No. 10 where the Judge SU Baghele was conducting the day's legal proceedings.

Suddenly, a man wearing an advocate's attire came and threw the iron rod at the judge in open court.

Though his aim missed Judge Baghele, it hit and caused minor injury to a court steno sitting nearby.

Even as chaos broke out in the court premises, the officials of Kurar Police Station present inside the courtroom caught and pinned down the attacker.

As per preliminary information, the assailant is Omkar Pandey, 60, from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, and working as a security guard in Andheri east.

His brother had been murdered five years ago and he was a witness in the case, said Kurar's Senior Police Inspector Babasaheb Salunkhe.

"He was not attending the court proceedings and finally a warrant was issued for him to appear today. However, he came dressed like a lawyer and flung what was an 'iron flute' at the Judge. It narrowly missed the Judge, but caused minor injury to a staffer seated nearby," Salunkhe told IANS.

Taking serious note of the incident, the 1st Additional Principal Judge M.S. Sharma has now ordered implementing strict security measures for all lawyers practising in the Dindoshi Sessions Court, Malad east.

Henceforth, all the law practitioners will be required to undergo a mandatory security check along with their bags and belongings at the court entrance with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the accused Pandey will be produced before a magistrate court on Friday for remand, Salunkhe said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A 78-year-old retired NYPD officer shot himself in a suspected suicide inside of his Graniteville home on Thursday, the Advance has learned.

The officer, identified by a law enforcement source as Gunther Schauer, was found dead at approximately 2 p.m. inside of his Comstock Avenue garage with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, police said.

Schauer, a 30-year-veteran of the department, was a member of the 120th Precinct and was honored for reaching 30 years of service in 1995  the same year he retired, according to Advance records.

The incident prompted a large police response on Comstock Avenue Thursday afternoon, as officers cordoned off the home, listed as Schauers residence in public records.

His suicide comes after a tumultuous 2019 for the NYPD, with multiple suicides shaking the department.

The NYPD was considered to be in a mental health crisis after 29-year-old Michael Caddy killed himself in a car behind the 121st Precinct stationhouse in Graniteville in June, former Police Commissioner James P. ONeill said in a written statement.

Caddy was the first of three current and former NYPD officers to commit suicide in the borough in a year when the NYPDs internal policies regarding officers suffering from mental illness were called into question.

Det. Joseph Calabreses body was found in Plumb Beach, Brooklyn, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound approximately a week prior, and Steven J. Silks, 62, was found dead in a parking lot close to the 112th Precinct, where he was stationed a day before.

The string of deaths rattled the department as officials publicly worked to combat the issue.

Approximately a month later, Sgt. Terrance McAvoy was found with what sources called a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his New Dorp home. Shortly after, NYPD top brass issued a lifeline to officers suffering from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

McAvoy, the second officer to commit suicide on Staten Island, was the seventh officer to commit suicide citywide through July of last year, the Advance previously reported.

In September, retired transit officer Edward Rosa was found with a fatal gunshot wound in a car in the vicinity of the Eltingville Transit Center. His death highlighted a spike in suicides throughout the NYPD, with nine reported as of late September, compared to an average of 4.5 in each of the past five years.

After Rosas suicide, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon echoed the sentiments of NYPD officials entrenched in the tragic deaths.

We cannot become numb to this," McMahon said.

As Ive said before, reach out to members of the @NYPDnews, both retired and active in your life and ask how theyre doing. It can make all the difference," he said.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Congress will contest on all 70 assembly seats in the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections and will not enter any alliance with any other party.

State Congress in-charge P.C. Chacko said that the party "will not have any tie-up with any party in the Assembly elections" and was confident of forming a government in Delhi on its own.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the modern social media control room for the 2020 Assembly elections at the DPCC office here.

The Delhi Congress has set up the control room to aggressively mount campaigns to counter the "false propaganda" by the BJP and Aam Aadmi Party governments as well as to popularise the achievements of the Congress government during its 15-year rule under late Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Delhi Congress chief Subhash Chopra said that for the past two months, the party has been holding extensive 'Halla Bol' rallies across the city to expose the "lies, failures, shortcomings and anti-people policies of both the BJP and AAP governments".

"The people of Delhi have now realised the fact that only the Congress can provide stable and effective governance as the party's 15-year development-driven rule bears testimony to that." Chopra also said that when Congress comes to power, one of its first priorities will be to give "relief package of up to 600 units of power to the consumers besides increasing the pension amount to Rs 5,000 per month under the Sheila Dikshit Pension Scheme".

He asserted that once the pension amount is hiked, then there will be no need for old age homes in the Capital.
Women and members from the queer community on Friday took out a protest march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Register of Citizens (NRC) here.

The demonstrators carried placards with slogans opposing the CAA, NRC and Population Register (NPR).

Protests have been held in various parts of the country against CAA which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians who fled religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Central Regional Directorate of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has donated items to the Communicable Disease Unit of the Ankaful Prisons in the Central Region.

The items valued over Ghc5,000 include bags of rice, oil, bread, tin tomatoes, bags of sugar, tins of Milo, toilet rolls, packs of water, Lipton, assorted fruits, second-hand clothings, bars of soap, among other items for the inmates.

According to the Agency, it forms part of its commitment to reach out to vulnerable groups within the society.

Presenting the items, the Central Regional Director of the Youth and Employment Agency (YEA), Miss Sarah Afful, explained that, the donation was to extend a hand of kindness to the inmates of the prison.

"It is our God-given responsibility and we must do it wholeheartedly," she noted.

Miss Sarah Afful continued "As an organisation, we express our commitment to contribute our quota in ensuring that we support vulnerable groups in the region and the nation in general.

"It is important to state that, every Ghanaian should support the wellbeing of inmates in this facility and other prisons across the country."

Miss Afful further indicated that, the government alone cannot meet the increasing health needs of prison inmates and other vulnerable groups in the country.

"It, therefore, behooves on all of us to ensure that we support them on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. They need our help and we must make it a point to assist them," she stressed.

The presentation, according to her, was part of a programme the agency would be pursuing during the year as well as subsequent years to ensure that they extend love and care to the underprivileged in the society.

The Deputy Central Regional Human Resources Manager of YEA, Mr. Fred Duodu stated the Government's intention to support prisoners especially in the area of education noting the introduction of diploma courses for them across the country through Distance Education.

He indicated that Government recognises every individual in the country no matter where they found themselves and would support them to develop their potentials.

" His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo led NPP Government is committed to ensuring that the inmates in the various Prisons attain greater heights in education. This account to recent admission of 59 inmates by the University of Cape Coast (UCC) through Distance Education to undertake various Diploma courses to acquire certificate accordingly," Mr. Fred Duodu emphasised.

Receiving the items, ASP Mohammed Abudulai Saana, Staff Officer of the Communicable Disease Section of Ankaful Prisons, expressed appreciation to the YEA for the gesture and prayed for more support from other organisations and individuals.
 Close Senator Chuck Schumer says Congress should have been informed prior to strikes on Soleimani

Donald Trump and his top diplomat, Mike Pompeo, have claimed Qassem Soleimani posed an imminent threat to American lives that justified the airstrike that killed him in Baghdad last night.

The US president said the Iranian general was plotting to kill US citizens, but neither he nor Mr Pompeo provided additional details to support the claim. Americans in Iraq have been urged to leave immediately in the wake of the killing.

Soleimani, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards Quds Force and Tehrans most senior military commander in Iraq, was killed near Baghdad Airport alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a high-ranking commander in Iraqs militia.

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Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe with her husband Richard Ratcliffe and their daughter Gabriella (Family handout/PA)

The husband of a British woman detained in Iran has expressed concern for her safety and that of her family after a US air strike killed Irans top general.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a dual British-Iranian citizen, has been imprisoned in Irans capital Tehran since 2016 when she was arrested and accused of spying while visiting family.

General Quassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed in the missile strike near Baghdads airport on Friday.

Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffes husband, Richard, who has spent the last four years campaigning for her release, told ITVs Good Morning Britain: Things are getting much worse again between the US and Iran, but also between all of us and Iran.

Expand Close Richard Ratcliffe has spent the last four years campaigning for his wifes release (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook

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Whatsapp Richard Ratcliffe has spent the last four years campaigning for his wifes release (Victoria Jones/PA)

He told ITVs Good Morning Britain: I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where theyre all really worried.

Several experts have warned of retaliations from Iran following the American strike.

Former Middle East minister, Alistair Burt, said the situation is extremely serious.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the air strike could cause a huge potential escalation of the conflict, of which the consequences are unknown.

He added, it is very important now to concentrate on what happens next, and for everybody involved diplomatically to do everything they can to try and diffuse the situation.
Bidita Bag has joined a campaign that highlights the importance of consent of women, and spreads awareness against rape. The "Babumoshai Bandookbaaz" actress took to Instagram on Friday to create a series of posts on Instagram that speak about the br Image Source: IANS News

Bidita Bag has joined a campaign that highlights the importance of consent of women, and spreads awareness against rape. The "Babumoshai Bandookbaaz" actress took to Instagram on Friday to create a series of posts on Instagram that speak about the br Image Source: IANS News

Bidita Bag has joined a campaign that highlights the importance of consent of women, and spreads awareness against rape. The "Babumoshai Bandookbaaz" actress took to Instagram on Friday to create a series of posts on Instagram that speak about the br Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, Jan 3 : Bidita Bag has joined a campaign that highlights the importance of consent of women, and spreads awareness against rape.

The "Babumoshai Bandookbaaz" actress took to Instagram on Friday to create a series of posts on Instagram that speak about the brutality of rape and how it affects a woman physically and emotionally.

She posted a picture posing as a victim of rape and wrote: "Consent?... what is consent he said...my might is my right. Choice? Your choice...really?...he mocked! I whimpered, I begged, I cried. Rape?...when rape is inevitable lie back and enjoy it..thats what he said...lashed out..clawed..brute Force..tearing..searing... damaging..till eternity... I picked up my broken self.. physically, emotionally...null and void... no feelings... a body without soul.. jeered, taunted, scorned...I am a woman. Conceptualized and shot by ace fashion photographer @somsarkaar".

The actress used the hashtags "#antirape #rape #rapesurvivor #violenceagainstwomen #victimblamimg #endrape #consent #consentissexy #nomeansno #stoprape" to support her post.

Bidita's effort comes in the wake of several reports of brutal rape and murder cases of women across the nation.

Incidentally on the work front, she is all set to shed her scorching image of her last Bollywood release, "Babumoshai Bandookbaaz", and play the titular role in the biopic of social activist Daya Bai, which is slated to hit theatres in April.
Princess Mary looked regal in a stunning maroon gown as she attended formal celebrations on Thursday.

Alongside her husband Prince Frederik, 51, Mary, 47, attended an event at Christiansborg Palace, Denmark, on December 31.

Queen Margrethe of Denmark was hosting a New Year reception for officers from the Armed Forces and the Emergency Management Agency.

Fit to rule! Princess Mary (pictured) looked regal in maroon as she attended New Year's Eve celebrations at Christiansborg Palace, Denmark, on Thursday

Mary opted for a stunning deep red gown which clung to her figure before flaring and skirting the floor.

A matching cape sat over the top, resting on her shoulders and flowing around the dress in soft layers.

A very regal pale blue ribbon ran across the frock through the belt, adorned with glittering bejewelled brooches.

Stunning: Mary opted for a stunning deep red gown which clung to her figure before flaring and skirting the floor. A matching cape sat over the top, resting on her shoulders

Royal touch: A very regal pale blue ribbon ran across the frock through the belt, adorned with glittering bejewelled brooches

She wore a pair of elegant heels in a suede fabric, in a matching tone of maroon which complimented her outfit, and carried a clutch that was also deep red.

All smiles as she walked in with her husband, Mary kept her makeup natural and glowing, with a flush of blush and soft eyeliner, as well as a pastel pink lip.

She wore her brunette hair off her face and up in a bun, but for some loose tendrils around her cheeks.

Cheerful! All smiles as she walked in with her husband, Mary kept her makeup natural and glowing, with a flush of blush and soft eyeliner, as well as a pastel pink lip

Golden boy: Prince (right) Frederik wore full formal regalia, including a blue sash and medals. He carried a hat and a cane, his outfit featuring eye-catching gold embroidery

Frederik meanwhile looked fit to rule in full formal regalia, including a blue sash and a great number of medals.

He carried a hat and a cane, his outfit featuring eye-catching gold embroidery and tassels throughout.

The evening's host, Queen Margrethe, was elegance personified in a heavy fur coat worn over a deep blue dress.
Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces Receipt Bank's Series C capital raise of approximately $73 million (55 million) in equity and debt, led by Insight Partners (Insight), joined by Augmentum Fintech plc (Augmentum), with participation from existing investors Kennet Partners (Kennet) and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). Receipt Bank is one of the world's leading digital bookkeeping platforms. The funds will be used to continue expansion in Europe, Australia and North America, and build on Receipt Bank's award-winning product suite. The transaction, led by Thierry Monjauze, Tyler Dewing, Julien Oussadon, Sylvain Noblet and Mathew Tsui of the Harris Williams Technology, Media Telecom (TMT) Group, builds upon Harris Williams' experience in the fintech sector.

"It has been a privilege to be a continued trusted advisor to Receipt Bank and its shareholders, Insight and Kennet, over the last few years, advising on yet another successful transaction," said Thierry Monjauze, a managing director at Harris Williams. "Receipt Bank's momentum has been tremendous and, with this new investment and new investor in Augmentum, we believe the growth is set to accelerate in the future."

"Receipt Bank's CEO Adrian Blair has established a team with exceptional talent, depth and experience the opportunity ahead is exciting," said Julien Oussadon, a director at Harris Williams. "This transaction adds to our strong track record of advising leading fintech companies."

Receipt Bank's proprietary machine learning technology fetches financial information from multiple sources, digitising and categorising it for accountants and bookkeepers, more than 50,000 of whom use the platform. Receipt Bank's solution processes and stores 45 new fields of small business financial data every second from receipt photos, bank accounts, invoices and bills. One of the fastest-growing British technology companies, Receipt Bank automates bookkeeping to save businesses time and money on their taxes. The platform saves accountants one hour per client weekly and frees small business from 120 hours of annual financial administration.

Insight is a leading global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Founded in 1995, Insight currently has over $20 billion of assets under management and has cumulatively invested in more than 300 companies worldwide. Insight's mission is to find, fund and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with practical, hands-on growth expertise to foster long-term success. Across its people and its portfolio, Insight encourages a culture around a core belief: growth equals opportunity.

Augmentum is one of Europe's leading venture capital investors focusing exclusively on the fintech sector. Augmentum invests in early and later stage fast growing fintech businesses that are disrupting the banking, insurance, asset management and wider financial services sectors. Augmentum is the only listed fintech-focused venture capital firm in the UK, having launched on the main market of the London Stock Exchange in 2018, giving businesses access to patient funding and support, unrestricted by conventional fund timelines.

Kennet is a leading international growth equity firm that invests in high-growth companies in Europe and North America. With offices in London and Silicon Valley, the firm supports entrepreneurial technology businesses with expansion capital to accelerate growth and build exceptional shareholder value. Kennet is an experienced investor with approximately $900 million in funds under management.

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 10 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across personal and small business banking; commercial banking and wealth management; and capital markets businesses, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world.

Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC).

The Harris Williams TMT Group advises leading private and public companies, entrepreneurs, private equity firms and venture capital firms on mergers and acquisitions and capital-raising transactions worldwide. The TMT Group has deep domain expertise in the IT Services, Software/SaaS and Internet Digital Media segments, with particular emphasis on specific verticals including education technology, data analytics, energy technology, fintech, public sector, and supply chain/logistics-with a dedicated healthcare technology (HCIT) practice. Across verticals, the firm also advises technology services and networking solutions businesses. For more information on the TMT Group and its recent transactions, visit the TMT Group's section of the Harris Williams website.

Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 5th Floor, 6 St. Andrew Street, London EC4A 3AE, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams Co. Ltd and Harris Williams Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business.

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A man who escaped from a prison work crew 40 years ago in South Carolina has been recaptured after being arrested for being drunk in public and using a fake ID.

Police said Jose Chico Romero, 64, allegedly used a fake identification saying he was Arnaldo Figueroa when he was charged on December 28 for being drunk and trespassing at a convenience store in Dover, Delaware.

He also allegedly signed legal documents using the same false name, Police Corporal Mark Hoffman said in a report obtained by DailyMail.com

Jose Chico Romero, 64, allegedly used a fake identification saying he was Arnaldo Figueroa when he was charged on December 28 for being drunk and trespassing at a convenience store in Dover, Delaware Police Corporal Mark Hoffman said

Two days after his arrest, the Delaware State Bureau of Identification contacted cops in Dover to advise them that Romero was wanted for escaping custody on December 13, 1979 while serving time for armed robbery

Two days later, Delaware State Bureau of Identification, contacted Dover cops to advise them that the suspect's fingerprints came back a match for someone else: Jose Romero, who was wanted out of South Carolina, police said.

Romero was wanted for 'escape after conviction', on an armed robbery charge from December 13, 1979, said Hoffman in the report.

On January 1, Dover police checking the area of White Oak Road found Romero walking near Willis Road and quickly took him into custody, they said.

He was taken to the Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown, Delaware, and held on an $18,000 bond, while awaiting extradition back to the South Carolina Department of Corrections, or SCDC, according to the report.

New charges against him include public intoxication, loitering, criminal trespass in the third degree, out of state fugitive, forgery in the second degree and criminal impersonation.

Romero is returning to prison to serve the remainder of his original conviction, which was about seven years. However, he faces an additional 10 to 15 years in prison if convicted for his alleged escape.

New charges against Romero include public intoxication, loitering, criminal trespass in the third degree, out of state fugitive, forgery in the second degree and criminal impersonation, the Dover Police said (file art)

'He definitely would've been out by now and hopefully would've gone on to a productive life and take advantage of some of the programs we have at SCDC', says Bryan Stirling, SCDC director, reports WLTX.

'But he decided he wanted to walk away and now he's looking at some substantial time'.
Jo Conlon (pictured with her husband on her wedding day) was the victim of a knife attack in Streatham Hill, South London

A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after a mother was stabbed while pushing her child in a pram along a residential street.

Mark Brazant, 43, of Ealing, is accused of stabbing Josephine Conlon, 36, with three kitchen knives in Streatham Hill, south London at around 5.30pm on Monday.

The victim was slashed three times in the face - below her left eye and right cheek - just missing her jugular vein, the Old Bailey heard today.

She was heard screaming: 'I've been stabbed!' after the attack.

Neighbours saw her 'covered with blood', slumped over her child's buggy outside a block of flats. She was rushed to hospital but is believed to be 'doing well'. The child was not injured.

Jennifer Fadaka, prosecuting, said: 'This is a case where the victim in question was attacked from behind.

'It was a stranger attack, she was pushing a baby's pram and she was attacked from behind by the defendant where she was stabbed three times in the face narrowly missing her jugular vein.

'She was stabbed below the left eye and right cheek. The defendant handed himself in having assaulted this female and upon being arrested he had in his possession knives.'

The 43-year-old turned himself in at a west London police station in the early hours of Thursday.

He is charged with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of three kitchen knives.

District Judge Karim Izzat remanded Brazant in custody to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing on 31 January. No pleas have been entered.

Josephine Conlon, 36, was stabbed and seen bleeding from her face on Monday evening

The attack happened on this road in Streatham Hill at about 5.30pm Monday (file image)

On Tuesday her father-in-law told MailOnline Mrs Conlon is still in hospital but 'doing well'.

He had been visiting his daughter and her husband from his home in Australia when the attack happened.

Mrs Conlon, who studied at Durham and Kingston universities, married her husband - a financial controller for a top London communications agency - in 2016.

She also previously worked as a marketing assistant for Miller Insurance Services and an account executive and manager for communications agency Billington Cartmell.

Police were called to Downton Avenue on Monday evening following reports that a 36-year-old woman had been stabbed.

A 66-year-old neighbour said of the attack: 'I was going out to the shops when I heard a woman scream. I ran out and she was standing hunched over slightly leaning on her pushchair.

'She said ''I've been attacked, I've been attacked'' and looked really shocked and frightened. I was the first to reach her and called the police right away.

'As I was doing so other people came out to see if the woman was OK.'
After the United States struck a number of Iraqi bases of an Iran-backed Iraqi group that is part of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) following an attack on an American base, Iranian officials and media again became consumed with Iran-US tensions.

After the United States attacked bases belonging to Kataib Hezbollah, killing 25 and injuring dozens, PMU backers attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad. Many analysts believe the recent events in Iraq are part of an ongoing proxy war between Iran and the United States.

Vice President Eshag Jahanghiri said Jan. 2 of US accusations that an Iran-backed group was behind the initial attack on the US base, That American officials see Iran as responsible for the attack in Iraq and use that as an excuse to bomb innocent people is a big lie. There is not a more peace-seeking nation than Iran. He added, Iran will stand with an iron fist against any invaders.

Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said Jan. 2, The Hashd Shaabi [PMU] played the primary role in defeating the [Islamic State] but America bombed them on their own soil and the root of these protests is this behavior by the US.

On the possibility of a direct US-Iran military confrontation, Salami said, Iran has never been the one to begin the war but it will destroy any invader and America knows this. He continued, We are ready to defeat America and are not worried about American threats and it is they who should be worried. Today we are at the peak of our strength and it is they who must conduct talks correctly.

Salamis comments regarding threats were a reference to tweets by President Donald Trump after the United States carried out airstrikes against Kaitab Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria. Trump tweeted, Iran will be held fully responsible for lives lost, or damage incurred, at any of our facilities. They will pay a very big price. This is not a warning, it is a threat.

In a rare case of Twitter interaction between the leaders of the two countries, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tweeted in response to Trump's threats, You cant do anything. Khamenei added, If you were logical  which you are not  youd see that your crimes in Iraq, Afghanistan  have made nations hate you.

The tweets from Khameneis office were taken from his Jan. 1 speech addressing Trump, the United States and the possibility of war with the United States. Khamenei said during that speech that the Iranian nation deeply condemns the [US] crime against Hashd Shaabi. Khamenei added, If the Islamic Republic decides to fight a country, it will do so quickly. He added, We will not take the country in the direction of war but if others want to impose something on us, will stand against them with strength.
"Bus rides will be free for students too after we return to power," Kejriwal said while addressing a Townhall meeting in Vasundhara Enclave here.

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said he will ensure free bus rides for students after winning the 2020 Assembly elections in the national capital, similar to the way his government has made the public transport free for women in the city.

While responding to a request raised by one of the audience members, he said the government has enough funds to make bus rides free for students.

"There is a Chief Minister (of another state) who brought a private plane for his personal use like we buy cars. That cost the government Rs 190 crore. We only spend Rs 140 crore for free travel for women. So, I haven't brought an aeroplane for myself but ensure women in Delhi get free rides."

He said the governments do not lack in terms of funds but intention.

On October 29, 2019, Kejriwal had made the travel free for women in all DTC and cluster buses. When a woman boards a bus, she can buy a ticket, if she wishes to. Otherwise, the conductor gives a pink ticket to her free of cost.

The Chief Minister said his government is constantly working to improve the public transport in the city and new buses are being added in the fleet.

Kejriwal also said that the city will have some luxury buses with air conditioning and screens for playing videos so that those travelling in cars can enjoy the same luxury in public transport.

"Those buses will be costlier and we are in touch with private players for the same."

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is organising Townhall meetings, where Kejriwal discusses and speaks about the work done by his government in the last five years. He interacts with the public holding a report card, released by the party last month.

Delhi will have Assembly polls as the tenure of Kejriwal as a Chief Minister is ending next month.

Kejriwal assured that if he comes back to power, the bus rides for women will continue to be free.

"The BJP has made its stand clear that it will end the free electricity and free bus rides for women. But I assure you that if my party comes back to power then we will continue to provide free electricity and bus rides," Kejriwal said.

On August 1, 2019, Kejriwal announced that people in the national capital will not have to pay anything for consuming up to 200 units of power per month.

The scheme was implemented from August 1. While people consuming till 200 units of electricity in a month won't have to pay the electricity bills, those consuming 201-400 units of electricity would get around 50 per cent subsidy.

Kejriwal also assured that the AAP is winning the upcoming Delhi elections. "People of Delhi will vote for the work done for them," he said.

nks/pgh/
Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says the rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu state will be completed befor...





Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says the rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu state will be completed before Easter.





Easter, an annual celebration which usually holds between March and April, is the time when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.





While carrying out inspection at the airport on Thursday, Sirika expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far.





I am very satisfied with the level of work. According to programme of work approved by us, we are beating the deadline. Easter is indeed feasible, we are delivering this work before Easter and that is sacrosanct by the grace of God, he said.





The contractor is capable enough to deliver this procurement; it is one of the few companies in Nigeria with runway experience. We take this job seriously because we know that Enugu is the centre of South Eastern part of the country. By the time we are done with Enugu, you will be very proud of this airport.





The minister added that a terminal building will delivered to enhance operations at the airport and that a fence would be constructed because of security.





On the perimeter fencing, we will fortify our airports including Enugu to deal with the challenge of encroachment. The terminal building is another consideration by the government, special consideration given to Enugu because the loans that we got from the Chinese were meant for Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, he said.





But in the wisdom of government and because of the importance of Enugu, government decided to fund by itself through budget, the Enugu terminal building and we are progressing very well and we will deliver the terminal building.





The runway will come with other equipment and other systems that will make the runway efficient and effective. The instrument landing system is part of it, the airfield lightings, taxi lights and others will all be part and parcel of what we will deliver in the Enugu runway.





The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had closed the runway of the airport on August 24 after President Muhammadu Buhari approved N10 billion as intervention fund for the project.




CALGARY, Jan. 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Westleaf Inc. (the "Company" or "Westleaf") (TSX-V:WL) (OTCQB:WSLFF) and its newly acquired wholly-owned subsidiary We Grow B.C. Ltd. ("We Grow"), released today the We Grow unaudited third quarter financial results for the fiscal year 2019, for the three and nine month interim period ending September 30, 2019. We Grow's unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements ("Financial Statements") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and related Management Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the reporting period are available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Q3 2019 Financial Highlights:

Net revenues of $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , including net revenues of $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 , an increase from $nil net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 . Net revenues reflect a record revenue quarter for We Grow with increasing demand for Qwest-branded cannabis products in British Columbia , Alberta , Saskatchewan , Ontario and Prince Edward Island .

for the nine months ended , including net revenues of for the three months ended , an increase from $nil net revenues for the three and nine months ended . Net revenues reflect a record revenue quarter for We Grow with increasing demand for Qwest-branded cannabis products in , , , and . Adjusted EBITDA of $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 , representing We Grow's first quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, driven by strong wholesale pricing of Qwest-branded cannabis products on a per gram basis, and disciplined control of production costs and corporate expenses. See "Non-GAAP Measures" below.

for the three months ended , representing We Grow's first quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, driven by strong wholesale pricing of Qwest-branded cannabis products on a per gram basis, and disciplined control of production costs and corporate expenses. See below. Net comprehensive loss of $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 , including a net comprehensive loss of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 , a decrease from the net comprehensive loss of $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , and $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 .

Highlights Subsequent to Quarter End:

On December 23 , Westleaf and We Grow announced the completion of a plan of arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act ( British Columbia ) involving Westleaf and We Grow and certain security holders of We Grow (the " Arrangement ").

, Westleaf and We Grow announced the completion of a plan of arrangement under Division 5 of Part 9 of the ( ) involving Westleaf and We Grow and certain security holders of We Grow (the " "). Concurrently with the Arrangement, We Grow completed a non-brokered management and key stakeholder led private placement financing of subscription receipts of We Grow ("Subscription Receipts") for gross proceeds of $1,788,206.91 at a price of $0.21 per Subscription Receipt. Each Subscription Receipt entitled the holder thereof to acquire one We Grow Class "C" Voting Participating Share ("We Grow Class C Share") and one-half warrant to purchase a We Grow Class C Share (each whole warrant, a "We Grow Warrant"), and each We Grow Class C Share was exchanged for one common share in the capital of Westleaf ("Westleaf Share") and each whole We Grow Warrant was exchanged for one warrant to purchase a Westleaf Share ("Westleaf Warrant") under the Arrangement. Each Westleaf Warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.28 per Westleaf Share for a period of two years following the closing of the Arrangement.

"We are pleased to report We Grow's first quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, resulting from the strength and growth of the Qwest and Qwest Reserve brand, reaffirming our strategy to serve the ultra-premium cannabis market in Canada" states Benjamin Sze, Chief Executive Officer of We Grow and Westleaf. "Going forward we anticipate integrating the Qwest brand within the Westleaf portfolio of assets to create value for our shareholders and stakeholders".

About Westleaf Inc.

Westleaf is a Canadian cannabis company focused on cannabis brands, extraction and production of derivatives, wholly owned retail, as well as cannabis cultivation. Westleaf's extraction and processing facility, The Plant, will produce high quality and consistent cannabis derivatives and consumables, both for Westleaf's in-house brands as well as white label products. Westleaf's retail concept, Prairie Records, leverages the instinctual tie between recreational cannabis and music with stores operating or in development across Western Canada. Westleaf's Thunderchild cultivation facility is expected to be completed in Q1, 2020. http://www.westleaf.com

We Grow's cultivation facility is located in Creston, British Columbia in the heart of the Kootenays, where BC grown marijuana originated, and holds cannabis cultivation, processing and sales licenses pursuant to the applicable regulations of the Cannabis Act. We Grow has scalable production facilities currently consisting of 26,000 square feet retrofitted for phase 1 cultivation including over 14,000 square feet of growing rooms and up to 100-acre cultivation abilities for future production. We Grow's cannabis production includes its brand Qwest, which is considered a preeminent luxury cannabis brand achieving one of the highest realized flower prices in Canada.

Non-GAAP Measures

This news release contains the financial performance metric of Adjusted EBITDA, a measure that is not recognized or defined under IFRS ("Non-GAAP Measures"). As a result, this data may not be comparable to data presented by other cannabis companies. For an explanation and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to related comparable financial information presented in the Financial Statements prepared in accordance with IFRS, refer to the section "Highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019" in the MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful indicator of operating performance and is specifically used by management to assess the financial and operational performance of the Company.

We Grow defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss, excluding fair value changes on growth of biological assets, realized fair value changes on inventory sold or impaired, amortization, depreciation and accretion expense, share based payments, finance expense and income taxes. Non-GAAP Measures should be considered together with other financial information prepared in accordance with IFRS to enable investors to evaluate the We Grow's operating results, underlying performance and prospects in a manner similar to We Grow's management.

Accordingly, these Non-GAAP Measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Notice of No Auditor Review

We Grow's unaudited condensed interim consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 have been prepared by and are the responsibility of We Grow's management.

We Grow's independent auditor has not performed a review of these unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards established by the CPA Canada for a review of interim financial statements by an entity's auditor.

Neither 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.

Cautionary Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the integration of the businesses of Westleaf and We Grow; the construction and expansion of the Company's production facilities; the timing for completion of same and commencement of production at the Company's production facilities; and future production capacity. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to the ability to obtain or maintain licences to retail cannabis products; review of the Company's production facilities by Health Canada and receipt or maintenance of licences from Health Canada in respect thereof; future legislative and regulatory developments involving cannabis; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; the labour market generally and the ability to access, hire and retain employees; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the satisfaction of conditions precedent under the Company's credit facilities; timing and completion of construction and expansion of the Company's production facilities and retail locations; and the delay or failure to receive board, regulatory or other approvals, including any approvals of the TSXV, as applicable. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

SOURCE Westleaf Inc.

For further information: Taylor Ethans, Chief Financial Officer, [email protected], 403-618-5411

Related Links

http://www.westleaf.com


At four-thirty in the afternoon on Saturday, 4 April 2009, Barack Obama stood before a throng of correspondents in the Palais de la Musique et des Congres, a high-Modernist convention centre on the Place de Bordeaux in Strasbourg. It was his 74th day as president. He had earlier attended his first G20 meeting, in London, and had just emerged from his first Nato summit, a two-day affair that featured sessions on both sides of the Franco-German border. The world was still intently curious as to who Americas first black president was and what, exactly, he stood for.

Confident, easeful, entirely in command, Obama spoke extemporaneously for several minutes. He spoke of careful cooperation and collective action within the Atlantic alliance. He noted a sense of common purpose among its leaders. He was there to listen, to learn, and to lead, Obama said, because all of us have a responsibility to do our parts.

Then came the questions. There was one about the global financial crisis Obama had walked into as soon as he walked into the White House. There was one about Nato troops in Afghanistan. Then came a question from the Washington correspondent of the Financial Times. It was a little long-winded and is reproduced in the transcript thus:

In the context of all the multilateral activity this week  the G20, here at Nato  and your evident enthusiasm for multilateral frameworks, could I ask you whether you subscribe, as many of your predecessors have, to the school of American exceptionalism that sees America as uniquely qualified to lead the world, or do you have a slightly different philosophy? And if so, would you be able to elaborate on it?

This is known in the trade as a softball, the kind of gently lobbed query that sets up a public figure to dilate safely and at length on a favoured theme. And so did Obama field it. I believe in American exceptionalism, the new president said spryly, just as I suspect the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism.

Like an incoming tide flowing over rocks, the questions returned to troop counts, Nato contributions, and Albanias accession to the alliance. No one seemed to take much note of either the FT mans inquiry or Obamas reply. And no one, not even Americas new president, seemed to grasp what had just happened to exceptionalism, that peculiarly awkward term with its peculiarly ideological load. Something broke at that moment. It was as if Obama had dropped a precious relic, some centuries-old crystal chalice, and no one present heard the noise when it shattered.

Obamas conservative critics haunted him after that afternoon in Strasbourg. It was as if he had strayed beyond the fence posts defining what an American leader can and cannot say  and then hastened to return to the fold. My entire career has been a testimony to American exceptionalism, he once said. On another occasion  this time in a commencement address at West Point: I believe in American exceptionalism with every fibre of my being. He pursued the theme until the very end of his presidency.

None of this  the presidents critics, the presidents ripostes  did much good, if any, for the abiding notion of American exceptionalism, whichever of its numerous meanings one may subscribe to. Others may read the matter differently, but to me that afternoon in Strasbourg was a point of departure long in coming. However the question is addressed, it reiterates the same lapse, the same self-consciousness, the same self-doubt, the same collective anxiety long evident to anyone able to discern with detachment the sentiments common to many Americans.

Lost opportunity: the defeat in Vietnam could have launched the US into its post-exceptionalist era (Getty)

Obama had it right that day in Strasbourg, of course, having settled on the only logical way at the matter. All nations are exceptional, but none, not even America, is exceptionally exceptional. Whatever Obamas intent, he had stripped bare Americas customary claim to exceptionalist standing, exposing it at last as empty of all but the most mythical meanings. This was an immensely constructive thing to do.

To risk a generality, Americans had been an uncertain people  nervous, defensive, given to overcompensation for never-to-be-mentioned failures and weaknesses  for a long time before Obama spoke in Alsace. I trace this shared-by-many attribute to another April, this one 34 years earlier, that wrenchingly poignant season when Americans sat in frozen silence as news footage showed them helicopters hovering above the embassy in Saigon  the frenzy of a final retreat. For now, it is enough to note that Obamas observation  a touch offhand and as simple as it was obvious  marked the moment Americans would have to begin rotating their gaze, in a gesture not short of historic for its import, if they were to do at all well in the new century. They would have to turn from a past decorated with many enchanting ornaments towards a future that has no ribbons or laurels for those who claim them by virtue of some providentially conferred right.

Given the chasm in their consciousness that must be crossed, will Americans accept another idea of themselves and of themselves among others?

Obama left Americans with questions on the day I describe. They require us  and I think by design  to begin talking of what I will call post-exceptionalism. This was Obamas true legacy, in my view. In the best of outcomes, we will learn to answer these questions in a new language, as the best answers will require. What will be the nature of a post-exceptionalist America? Who will these post-exceptionalist Americans be? What will remain of Americans once the belief that they are chosen is subtracted  as inevitably it will be. Can a post-exceptionalist America come to be? Given the chasm in their consciousness that must be crossed, will Americans accept another idea of themselves and of themselves among others? Or will they continue to pretend against all evidence that the chalice remains intact, unshattered, still to be held high above the heads of others atop our city on a hill?

It is common enough to locate the origins of Americas self-image in the thoughts of the earliest settlers coming across the Atlantic from England. It was John Winthrop, in his famous 1630 sermon, who gave us our hilltop city. Even in this seminal occasion we detect a claim  maybe the earliest  to exceptional status. But it is to the 18th and 19th centuries, as America made itself a nation, that we have to look for the grist of the exceptionalist notion. And instantly we find a confusion of meanings. To some it referred to the new nations revolutionary history, its institutions, and its democratic ideals. In its early years, the nation was also counted exceptional for its abundant land and resources.

Union leaders in a council of war, 1861: for centuries Americans have believed they are above the laws that govern all other nations (Getty) (Getty Images)

New and evolving meanings attaching to the term have tumbled down the centuries ever since. And long has been the journey, exceptionalism having gone from observation to thought to article of faith, ideological imperative, a presumption of eternal success, and a claim to stand above the laws that govern all other nations.

WEB Du Bois, the great black historian and social critic, was among the first prominent critics of the notion that America and its people were in any way singular or in any way not subject to the turning of historys wheel. He found the source of our modern idea of exceptionalism in the post-bellum decades leading up to the Spanish-American war. Two visions of the American future emerged after the civil war, Du Bois observed in Black Reconstruction in America: 1860-1880, his 1935 history of African-American contributions to the post-war period. In one of these renderings, America would at last achieve the democracy expressed in its founding ideals. The other pictured an industrial nation whose distinctions were its wealth and potency.

Democracy at home, empire abroad: when combined, these two versions of Americas destiny were to be something new under the sun, and this amalgam would make America historys truly great exception. This was never more than an impossible dream. Du Bois considered it the cant of exceptionalism, to borrow a phrase from David Levering Lewis, Du Boiss biographer. He saw it as a way to deflect the realities of the Great Depression.

Critical eye: Du Bois poured cold water on the notion that Americans were in any way singular (Getty)

It was a mere six years after Du Bois brought out his book when Henry Luce declared the 20th the American century in a noted Life magazine editorial. America was the most powerful and vital nation in the world, the publisher announced. It is our duty and our opportunity to exert upon the world the full impact of our influence, for such purposes as we see fit and by such means as we see fit. Maybe only the offspring of missionaries could write with such righteous confidence of dominance and purity of intent in combination. But Luce, without using the phrase, had neatly defined American exceptionalism in its 20th century rendering. And from his day to ours, that aspect of it we can consider religious has grown only more evident among its apostles.

Jimmy Carter caught the post-Vietnam mood perfectly (perfectly to a fault, as it turned out) when he delivered his malaise speech in mid-July 1979. Carter never used the wounding word. His title was A Crisis of Confidence and he made his point in vivid terms. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will, Carter explained on Americas television screens. He spoke of the growing doubt about the meaning of our lives. He spoke of years filled with shock and tragedy, and of paralysis, stagnation, and drift.

How America would look if the constitution never changed Show all 8 1 /8 How America would look if the constitution never changed How America would look if the constitution never changed Slavery would still be legal Slavery was abolished in the 13th Amendment (1865) Getty How America would look if the constitution never changed Soldiers could be posted in your home without consent Prior to the ratification of the third amendment in 1791, soldiers could post up in the home of any citizen Getty How America would look if the constitution never changed You could be searched at any time without reason The fourth amendment (1791) gave people the right to security in their homes and person and set requirements for warrants Getty How America would look if the constitution never changed You would have no right to trial by jury The 6th amendment of 1791 protects the right for all to a public jury in criminal cases Gett How America would look if the constitution never changed Women could not vote Women were not allowed to vote until the 19th amendment was passed in 1920 making it illegal to refuse someone the right to vote on account of sex Getty How America would look if the constitution never changed Under-21s could not vote The 26th amendment (1971) secured the right to vote for citizens aged 18-21 Getty How America would look if the constitution never changed Black people and other ethnic minorities would be limited in voting While some black men were allowed to vote after emancipation, the 15th amendment (1869) made it illegal to deny or abridge the right to vote on account of race Alfred Waud How America would look if the constitution never changed Punishments for crime could be cruel and fines excessive The eighth amendment (1791) ensured that criminals would not face excessive bail or fines nor would they be subject to 'cruel and unusual punishments' Getty

This was a presentation of remarkable candour by any measure. Carter told Americans, in so many words, that they could not count on any preordained destiny or that they were always assured of success because of who they were. First of all, we must face the truth, Carter said, and then we can change our course. This alone warrants considerable thought. Among the fundamental conceits of the exceptionalist creed is that America has always had it right and has no need to change anything. The national task is simply to carry on as it has from its beginning. Carters challenge to such assumptions could hardly have been bolder, and the public initially approved. As it turned out, however, Americans did not much want to hear their president confirm their postVietnam uncertainties so plainly.

Ronald Reagan understood this. If American exceptionalism had not previously been a faith, Reagan set about making it one. As president he breathed extraordinary new life into the old credenda  notably in his famous references to Winthrops city on a hill, each one a misuse of the phrase. He quoted it coming and going  on the eve of his 1980 victory over Carter, in his farewell address nine years later, and on near-countless occasions in between.

I recall those years vividly, oddly enough because I was abroad during almost all of them. On each visit back there seemed to be more American flags in evidence  above front doors, on peoples lapels, in the rear windows of cars, in television advertisements. By the mid-1980s the nation seemed enraptured in a spell of hyper-patriotism Reagan had conjured up with the skill of the performer he never ceased to be. The stunningly rude conduct of American spectators at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles made plain to me that Reagan had set the nation on a path that was bound to deliver it into isolation and decline. Patriotism has ever since been a polite synonym for nationalism of a pernicious kind.

By the mid-1980s the nation seemed enraptured in a spell of hyper-patriotism that Reagan had conjured up with the skill of the performer he never ceased to be

To me this turn in national sentiment reiterated what it was intended to refute: America was still the nervous nation Carter had described. It is difficult nonetheless to overstate the import of what Reagan did by way of his images and poses. He did not restore Americas confidence after Vietnam; in my estimation no American leader from Reagans day to ours has accomplished this.

Reagans feat was to persuade a nation, or at least most of the electorate, that it was all right to pretend: all was affect and imagery. As if to counter Carters very words, he licensed Americans to avoid facing the truth of defeat and failure and principle betrayed. He demonstrated in his words and demeanour that greatness could be acted out even after it was lost as spectacularly as it had been in Indochina. Beyond his face-off with the evil empire, Star Wars, the magic of the marketplace, and so on, Reagans importance lay in his intuitive grasp of social psychology. He understood: many Americans, enough to elect a president, prefer to feel and believe more than they like to think. It was morning in America, and all one had to do was have faith in the man who said so.

We still live, roughly speaking, with the version of exceptionalism Reagan crafted to evade the verities of our Vietnam debacle. This is an immense pity, the consequences of which are hardly calculable. Defeat is the mulch of renewal. Was this not Carters implicit point? Defeat gives the vanquished an occasion to reflect, to reimagine themselves, to pursue a new way forward. History offers numerous examples. The 20th century fates of Germany and Japan are of an order all their own, but they serve well enough to illustrate the point: after downfall comes regeneration.

Fail to face the truth  Carters well-chosen phrase  and one must count defeat evaded a lost opportunity of fateful magnitude. The defeat in Vietnam, to make this point another way, could have launched us into our post-exceptionalist era  which, I am convinced, was Carters intent in 1979 as much as it was Obamas 30 years later.

Heavy price: no American leader from Reagans day to ours has restored confidence after Vietnam (Getty)

Post-Carter and now post-Obama, we can speak of hard exceptionalism and a soft alternative. The hard variety derives from Reagan, who drew on Henry Luces do-what-we-want, where-we-want, how-we-want notion of American pre-eminence. It is subject neither to international law nor, when all the varnish is scraped away, ordinary standards of morality. Against this we find counterposed the more humane (if finally more cynical) version of exceptionalism put forward by Obama and many others on what passes, remarkably enough, for the Left in American politics.

Gone is the Reaganesque jingoism and the whiff of Old Testament righteousness characteristic of conservative renderings. Instead, we find plain and humble people  coming together to shape their countrys course, as Obama once put it. On the foreign policy side, this is a nation that admits its mistakes while leading the world by way of those partnerships Obama mentioned in Strasbourg. Americas conduct abroad must be rooted in the same humility characteristic of its people  the people ever busy shaping the nations course.

Taken together, these two versions of America as it looks in the mirror are nothing if not reiterations of the post-civil war binary Du Bois astutely identified  empire abroad and democracy at home.

They both rest on the old belief that, uniquely in human history, America manages to combine virtue and power without the formers corruption by the latter

Jake Sullivan, an adviser in the Obama administration and Hillary Clintons deputy chief of staff at State, voiced a view on the soft side in the January 2019 edition of The Atlantic. This calls for rescuing the idea of American exceptionalism, Sullivan wrote two years into the Trump presidency, from both its chest-thumping proponents and its cynical critics, and renewing it for the present time. He then unfurled a case for a new American exceptionalism as the answer to Donald Trumps America First  and as the basis for American leadership in the 21st century.

Sullivan does not seem to understand. Exceptionalism is no longer an idea: it is a belief and cannot be resuscitated by way of rational thought no matter how acute the rational thinking. I question the efficacy of any foundational creed in need of a salvage job of the sort Sullivan proposes. This is not how religions  civil, in this case  work. Nonetheless, soft exceptionalism is now the frontline defence of the notion among Washingtons thinking elites. And we can count Sullivans essay its most thorough treatise to date.

Sullivans case is multiply flawed. Soft exceptionalism is finally little different from the hard kind, given the two meet at the horizon. They both rest on the old belief that, uniquely in human history, America manages to combine virtue and power without the formers corruption by the latter. Hegemon or benevolent hegemon  a phrase from the triumphalist 1990s I have always found risibly preposterous  place America at the pinnacle of the global order, sequestered from others by dint of goodness and greatness in combination. Hard or soft, they both treat scores of coups, interventions, subterfuge operations, and countless other breaches of international law as deviations from the norm  even as more than a centurys evidence indicates these supposed irregularities have been the norm.

Im a believer: if American exceptionalism had not previously been a faith, Reagan set about making it one (Rex)

There is a point to be made here that I count more significant than any just listed. Whatever variety of exceptionalism anyone may endorse, it will not open us to the rich benefits to be derived from defeat or retreat; as we all know, exceptional America never lost anything and never will. This is one of the creeds two essential purposes. On one hand it is a declaration of permanent victory. On the other it is an amulet to ward away the doubt and uncertainty that lie at the core of the American character.

Exceptionalism in any form, then, prevents us from seeing our past clearly and imagining a different kind of future. It amounts to a cage within which we choose to confine ourselves and wherein we learn nothing  the conceit being we have nothing to learn. We are the jailer and the jailed. And if the 21st century has one thing to tell us above any other, it is that we must turn the key, escape our narrow cell, and begin to think and live in ways our claim to exceptionalism has too long rendered inaccessible to us.

And if the 21st century has one thing to tell us above any other, it is that we must turn the key, escape our narrow cell, and begin to think and live in ways our claim to exceptionalism has too long rendered inaccessible to us

In the spring of 1932, Henri Bergson published his final book. He called it The Two Sources of Morality and Religion, morality to be taken here to mean a societys ethos, how it lives. A quarter of a century had passed since the French thinker brought out his celebrated Creative Evolution. This last work amounts to an elaboration on the earlier volumes themes.

Once again, Bergson takes up the binaries running through much of his work: repose and movement, the closed society and the open, the stable and the dynamic  the latter in each case driven by his famous elan vital, the impulse within us to create and evolve. As in the earlier work, Bergson posits the what-could-be against the what-is.

The distinguishing mark of The Two Sources is its exploration of the how of change  how a society advances from an established state to one newly realised. His answer is surprising. Progress is achieved not systematically but creatively. It does not occur as a result of careful bureaucratic planning, one measured step succeeding another. It entails, rather, a forward thrust, a demand for movement. This requires at a certain epoch a sudden leap. Bergson calls this a saltus, an abrupt breach resulting in transformation.

Here is an essential passage in the argument Bergson constructs:

It is a leap forward, which can take place only if a society has decided to try the experiment; and the experiment will not be tried unless a society has allowed itself to be won over, or at least stirred. ... It is no use maintaining that this leap forward does not imply a creative effort behind it, and that we do not have to do here with an invention comparable with that of the artist. That would be to forget that most great reforms appeared at first sight impracticable, as in fact they were.

There are a couple of things to note in these lines as we consider the prospect of a post-exceptionalist America. One, ordinary Americans  a critical mass, let us say  must be open to making the required leap and to the measure of flux  an interim of instability, even  this implies. So must our political thinkers, scholars, and policy planners  altogether our intellectual class. Two, creative advances require creative individuals  in a phrase, imaginative leaders who can see beyond the closed circle of assumptions that any given society forms. So it is with dynamic leadership. What at first throws us because it appears to be wholly impractical is later on accepted as a new norm. American history, and that of many others, give us numerous examples.

It is perfectly sensible to suggest, as many do, that a transformation in Americans understanding of themselves is beyond reach, or that a tremendous shock  a catastrophic defeat, a sustained depression  will be required to bring it about

Bergsons thinking is of great use, it seems to me, in any effort to change course  to redirect American power. But he immediately faces us with questions, two more atop those already posed.

How given are Americans to the forward movement Bergson writes of? A good many appear eager for holistic change, a saltus of our own. For these many, it is a question not of repudiating national aspirations but of abandoning the mistaken course corrupt interpretations have set us upon. To return to Du Boiss thesis, this constituency now understands that the exceptionalist notion of a virtuous empire and a thriving polity has proven disastrous. Dominance abroad must give way to democracy at home. Such a transformation would constitute a truly forward movement.

But America is now a house divided, to note the self-evident. Many of us appear to have lost touch with all that might pass for creative drives. There is much to suggest that seven decades of pre-eminence have left too many of our leaders incapable of anything that might pass as a reconstituted vision of the nations future. They persist, instead, in the long-bankrupted pursuit of democracy and empire  the old, impossible dream. They cling to illusions of moral clarity consolidated during the Reagan years and now proffered by such figures as John Bolton, until mid-September Trumps astonishingly dangerous national security adviser. Their influence continues to keep us from changing anything about our ways of seeing and thinking  our morality, the ethos by which we live. Ours seems a closed society, in Bergsons terminology. It is costly indeed to stray beyond the fence posts.

Whether America is any longer capable of authentic change depends in large measure on how we answer the other question Bergson imposes upon us. Do we Americans have the leaders to inspire us forward, to cut our moorings, to win us over to the condition of post-exceptionalism? Bergsons thought as to the necessity of gifted leadership (a term he does not actually use) is especially pertinent in the American case. It is perfectly sensible to suggest, as many do, that a transformation in Americans understanding of themselves is beyond reach, or that a tremendous shock  a catastrophic defeat, a sustained depression  will be required to bring it about. But these are the replies one will always hear within the confines of a static political culture. They admit of no prospect of transcending the what-is. They leave no ground for imagining what a committed leader might accomplish. Anyone who doubts this potential should consider the tragic turn the nation took after the three assassinations of the 1960s  the two Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr. They were leaders of the kind Bergson compares with artists. It would be difficult to overstate the impact their deaths have had on the nations direction.

Shattered dreams: civil rights leader Martin Luther King waves to supporters in 1963 during the March on Washington (AFP/Getty)

For the moment we do not seem to have such leaders. But it is worthwhile considering figures such as Obama (or Carter, for that matter) with this question at ones elbow. I do not wish to overfreight Obamas appearance in Strasbourg very early in his first term, but in that fateful sentence concerning Americans, Brits, and Greeks lies a hint, surely, of a leaders alternative vision of Americas way into the 21st century. An attempt was made, suggesting imminence. We are now face to face with the pity of Obamas retreat. With it he deprived himself of all chance of greatness  and Americans of a chance to move beyond their state of repose. But we also find among us an incipient generation of leaders who stand squarely against our condition of inertia. Tulsi Gabbard, the vigorously anti-imperialist congresswoman from Hawaii, is but one example of this emergent cohort. The common theme is plain: to remake American democracy and to abandon imperial aspirations are two halves of the same project.

This is where we are now with regard to our exceptionalism. We stand at a crucial moment, and there is no place in it for pieties as to the can do of the American character. It is difficult to argue that we as a society are prepared for this. But it is nonetheless time  if, indeed, we are not already late  to make our leap into a post-exceptionalist awareness of ourselves and others. It is time to leave something large and defining behind. The only plausible alternative is failure  once again, among ourselves as well as among others.

There are sound reasons to assign our time this magnitude of importance. Abroad, the world tells us nearly in unison that the place the old American faith found in the 20th century is not open to it in the 21st. At home the intellectual confinements exceptionalist beliefs impose have debilitated us for decades. We are now greatly in need of new thinking in any number of political and social spheres, even as we deny ourselves permission to do any. Clever restorations of the sort Jake Sullivan urges will not do.

Europe now struggles for a healthy distance from America after the suffocating embrace of the Cold War decades. If success so far proves limited, the direction is clear

What does post-exceptionalism mean? How would it manifest? Who would post-exceptionalist Americans be? How would Americans understand themselves and account for themselves among others? Would anything be left were the mythologies to be scraped away?

I began with these questions. They have no simple answers. But there is a long tradition of dissent and dissenters in America exceptionalisms exceptions, as Levering Lewis termed them. Much of what is pushed to the margins in American history is by no means marginal  a point our best historians have made many times. In the supposedly far corners of our past we find paths to a future beyond exceptionalism. The lively anti-imperialist movement that arose in the 19th centurys last years is a relevant case in point.

Members of a free-state army brigade formed to fight pro-slavery forces in Kansas (Getty) (Getty Images)

Among my starting points when considering the idea of post-exceptionalism is an imperative that came to me after living and working many years abroad, primarily in Asia: parity between the west and non-west will be an inevitable feature of this century. To take but one example, one reads little in the American press about the network of alliances now forming among non-western nations in the middle-income category: between Russia and China, Russia and Iran, China and Iran, India and all of these. American exceptionalism, let us not forget, was born and raised during half a millennium of western pre-eminence (taking my date from da Gamas arrival at Calicut in 1498). This era now draws to a close before our eyes. No ones antiquated claim to exceptionalism can survive its passing.

As a corollary, the same point holds within the Atlantic world. Europe now struggles for a healthy distance from America after the suffocating embrace of the Cold War decades. If success so far proves limited, the direction is clear. One of the truths I learned when reporting in Indonesia during the first post-Suharto years, a time when various provinces were demanding autonomy, was that to stay together the Indonesian republic would have to come partially apart. The same will prove so of the west and all who identify as belonging to it. As in Indonesia, there is difference amid similarity, and both must be served.

It will be a post-exceptionalist American leadership that accepts these dramas with the thought and imagination needed to find opportunities  as against an almost fantastic variety of threats  in the soil of new landscapes. In the best of outcomes, nostalgia for lost pre-eminence, our post-war pursuit of totalised security  these will no longer interest post-exceptionalist American leaders. Theirs will be a nation braced to advance into a new time because it is confident of its competence to do so. It will be cognisant of the perspectives of others, a capacity Americans have heretofore found of little use. It will be game, in a word  aware of its past but never its prisoner. The language of dominance will give way to the language of parity. International law will be our law as it is everyone elses.

And here we come to the essential motivation for us to make our leap  the sine qua non of it: it must first dawn on us that it is greatly, immeasurably to our advantage to attempt it. This truth has not yet come to us; no leader has led us to it. How little do most of us understand, in consequence, that to abandon our claims to exceptional status will first of all come as an immense unburdening and a relief from our long aloneness in the world?

All of what I have just noted in pencil sketch lies within our reach. None of it is a matter of law or mere policy. It comes to a question of will and of vision, of who we wish to be. But let us not make one of the very errors we would do best to leave behind: what Americans can do and what they will do are two different things. There is no certainty Americans will reach for any of what is available to them. To abandon our claims to exceptionalism is to give up our assumption of assured success. It requires us to accept the difference between destiny and possibility. One does not find abundant signs Americans are yet ready to do this  not among our leaders, in any case. There seems little awareness that the only alternative to the change of course Jimmy Carter favoured forty years ago this past summer is decline  decline not as a fate but as a choice, one made even as we do not know we are making it.

Can America save itself? Bernd Ulrich, a noted German commentator, wondered in Die Zeit not long ago. It is precisely our question as we look towards a post-exceptionalist idea of ourselves. This, indeed, was Ulrichs unstated topic. In principle, absolutely, he replied to his own question. But certainly not with gradual changes. In terms of global politics and history, it must get off the high horse it has so long ridden. It needs a moderate self-esteem, beyond superlatives and supremacy.

A longer version of this essay appears in Raritan.
WASHINGTON - A bipartisan clutch of rank-and-file lawmakers seized on President Donald Trump's order for a lethal missile strike against an Iranian leader to spark a new debate over the parameters for instigating military action.

Arguing that war resolutions from 2001 and 2002 are outdated, some members of the House and Senate have begun exploring options to try to force what has become a long, dormant debate over Congress's inability to craft a new use-of-force resolution for missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. drone strike that killed Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani provided new impetus to their efforts.

"We're now at a boiling point, and Congress must step in before Trump puts even more of our troops in harm's way," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

Kaine later unveiled plans to use privileges in the War Powers Act to at least force votes on a debate in the Senate, hoping to rein in Trump's ability to wage war without congressional actions.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who played an instrumental role in coaxing Trump away from a strike against Iran in June, issued a series of statements praising the killing of Soleimani, but demanding a fulsome debate in hopes of avoiding another quagmire in the region.

"The question today is whether the assassination of Soleimani will expand the war to endanger the lives of every American soldier or diplomat in the Middle East? If we are to go to war w/ Iran the Constitution dictates that we declare war. A war without a Congressional declaration is a recipe for feckless intermittent eruptions of violence w/ no clear mission for our soldiers," Paul wrote Friday morning on Twitter.

But senior Democrats remained quiet about how forceful they would be in pushing for a new debate on an authorization for the use of military force, known as an AUMF, and top Republicans showed little interest in renewing a debate that has only led to dead-ends over the past decade.

"This is a military operation, it is not a legislative operation, and as such it is being conducted by the military commanders, including the commander in chief," said Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which has oversight of war resolutions.

Risch, who spoke with Trump and other senior officials Friday, pledged to hold classified briefings and hearings about the threats Soleimani posed and the rationale behind the strikes against him as he visited allies at the Baghdad airport. But he does not expect formal AUMF hearings.

"I guess I'd be very surprised if someone came up with the magic language, because I have seen dozens, scores of drafts of AUMFs that just weren't acceptable across the board and couldn't become law," Risch told reporters on a conference call.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., in a speech opening the first session of the year, said that "I anticipate and welcome a debate" about policy in the Middle East, but stopped short of opening the floor to what could be a divisive debate.

This debate has raged for years without resolution because of the reality of divided government and the increasing power of the executive branch.

Republican and Democratic presidents have applied the broad authority of the post-Sept. 11 authorization and the 2002 Iraq War resolution to multiple military operations, from Libya to Syria. The initial authorization applied to those responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and any "associated forces."

Earlier this decade, when Democrats held the White House and Senate, Kaine and his allies grew outraged as the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs were cited as grounds for expanding operations against terrorists into Yemen, Africa and other hotspots far from Afghanistan and Iraq.

But House Republicans, then in the majority, opposed any new AUMF that put restrictions on military leaders, saying that Congress should not micromanage wars.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee became the only venue where that debate transpired, and faced with certain deadlock in the House, Senate Democrats never brought a war resolution to the full floor for debate.

With Democrats now controlling the House, they sought to put some restrictions on Trump's war powers last year, particularly in legislation that sets the annual policy outlines for the Defense Department. The House version of that bill originally included an amendment mandating that the president seek congressional authorization for any strike against Iran.

But Trump and Senate Republicans opposed that House-passed amendment, part of the reason negotiations on a must-pass bill remained at a standstill until the final weeks of December. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said Democrats had to give in on that amendment because the other option was not to have approved any legislation.

Smith recalled a late 1990s military mission, launched by the Clinton administration, that had a negative vote against it. "It didn't start with Trump, first of all. Let us remember that Congress actually refused to approve the Kosovo military action and the president did it anyway," he said.

Risch placed the origin of this clash even further back: "This debate started under George Washington," he said.
Qasem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force who was killed Friday in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad, had been plotting imminent attacks on U.S. facilities in the surrounding region that could have killed hundreds of Americans, a senior U.S. official said Friday.

Brian Hook, the U.S. Special Representative for Iran, said solid intelligence informed the administrations belief that Soleimani was planning attacks on U.S. facilities in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

The Presidents first responsibility is the safety of the American people. Qasem Soleimani was plotting imminent attacks in the region against Americans in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon that could have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, Hook told Al Arabiya TV.

The President has a constitutional responsibility to prevent those actions from killing Americans. He took an entirely lawful action, Hook continued. I have seen all of the intelligence that supports the decision. It was very solid intelligence.

Soleimani was killed Thursday during a U.S. airstrike at Baghdad International Airport, along with Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, founder of the Kataib Hezbollah militia, which the administration blames for a rocket attack that killed a U.S. defense contractor at a U.S. military compound in northern Iraq last week.

The Pentagon said Thursday that Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members and was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

Soleimani also signed off on the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this week that trapped American diplomats inside the embassy overnight, the Defense Department said. The riots were orchestrated by Shia militia groups that are supported by Iran and that formerly took direction from Soleimani in his role as the head of the Quds Force, which carries out external intelligence collection and paramilitary operations.

Story continues

The administration plans to deploy 4,000 additional troops to the Middle East in the aftermath of Soleimanis death.

President Trump defended the strike on Friday, saying the Iranian general was hated and feared within the country and should have been taken out many years ago.

Iran has vowed harsh revenge following the death of the top military general.

More from National Review
Harrisburg will add 82 apartment units downtown in the coming weeks, according to the president and CEO of Harristown Enterprise Inc.

Benmar, in the 100 block of Pine Street, is scheduled to open in February, and tenants will be moving into The Fox on Washington, at Washington and Second streets, by the end of this week, Brad Jones said.

Both redevelopment projects have been under construction throughout 2019, and have already caught the attention of interested renters.

"People from all across the country call us every week and tell us they are moving to Harrisburg and they want to live in the downtown area, Jones said.

Benmar, at 116 and 124 Pine Street, is a group of former office buildings that contain a combined 80,000-square-feet of living space. Alicias Deli is on the first floor of 116 Pine. A first-floor retail space will also be available at 124 Pine Street, Jones said.

According to HBGrealty.net, the brokerage firm that works with Harristown described the spaces as:

116 Pine  The 49 spaces offer renters sleek sophisticated lines and colorful designs of the mid-century modern period. The apartments are either one or two-bedroom that offer natural light and feature waterfall granite countertops, tiled bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers, stainless steel appliances and more. Additionally, the apartments have exposed concrete ceilings, a characteristic Sputnik chandelier, and touches of teal throughout.

124 Pine  Twenty-five apartments that offer a farmhouse look. They are stylish without being fussy, classic without being stuffy, and comfortable. They offer porcelain farmhouse sinks, exposed brick walls, and barn doors that portray a rustic timeless appearance while the granite countertops, pipe shelving, and stainless-steel appliances provide a clean industrial side.

The location is appealing to a broad age range, Jones said. Reservations are already being made for people in their 20s up to people in their 70s.

"Theres so much to do here, Jones said. Theres a very strong draw to live close to restaurants, places to recreate outdoors, have a walkable neighborhood. Its literally the city at your fingertips. Thats very popular today. Millennials who grew up in the suburbs really want to live in the city. The rental market here has really exploded.

The eight units vary in size from around 500 square feet to 1,200 square feet and cost anywhere from $1,050 to $1,425 a month.

When talking about the Fox on Washington, Jones said it really is a "beautiful building.

It started as the Fox Hotel in 1906 and then was Santanas Restaurant and Seafood House for 60 to 70 years. UPMC bought it, but never really used the space, he said.

The Art Deco building has been renovated to maintain the integrity of the structure. Its been upgraded to modern-day standards after having been sitting vacant for nearly 30 years.

"It has taken the entire year to refurbish some of the stained-glass windows, and replace the broken and battered windows, Jones said. Its just absolutely gorgeous putting a modern apartment in a historic building.
(Natural News) The Golden State has decided to scrap the First Amendment with the passage of a new resolution that forbids religious leaders from opposing homosexuality from the pulpit.

Evan Low and three dozen other members of the California State Assembly were successful in passing ACR 99, as its officially called, which dictates that Christian pastors and others must affirm the religion of LGBTQ before their congregations, even when doing so violates their own beliefs and convictions.

With the help of Dr. Kevin Mannoia, Azusa Pacific Universitys current chaplain and the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals, ACR 99 passed with flying colors, effectively stamping out religious freedom in California with the stroke of a pen.

Mannoia recently testified before the judiciary committee in favor of ACR 99 and directed pastors and counselors to affirm LGBT behaviors, reads a press release issued by the religious freedom group Liberty Counsel.

In a letter submitted to legislators, Mannoia wrote, On behalf of some Christian pastors and church leaders, I write to express various levels of support for the Resolution ACR 99 dealing with Conversion Therapy and LGBTQ persons,' the press release goes on to state.

According to Liberty Counsel, Mannoia has become a prop for the LGBT agenda by directing pastors and counselors to reject biblical views of sexuality and deny counseling for those struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion.

As we previously reported, so-called conversion therapy is under relentless attack not just in California but all across the country as LGBTQ activists push to eliminate the freedom of faith-based counselors and therapists to help people who dont actually want to be LGBTQs.

Its really disappointing that he would put aside the truth of the matter just to gain some favor, perhaps a seat at the table of this discussion, stated Roger Gannam, Liberty Counsels vice president of legal affairs, about Mannoias obvious fall from grace.

Everyone deserves respect in this discussion and dialogue about what kind of counseling should be allowed in California. But to join in a document as Dr. Mannoia has done, that really slanders the church and slanders good counselors and good patients. Its unexplainable and its really inexcusable.

ACR 99 isnt about protecting human lives, its about criminalizing Christianity

While ACR 99 isnt technically binding in the sense that its a legal obligation per se, it does fling wide open the door for anyone who violates it to be falsely accused of committing a hate crime  for which the penalties in many areas are growing increasingly steep.

The language in ACR 99 is further concerning in the sense that it links Bible-based counseling to depression, suicide, rejection, isolation, and even suicide among LGBTQ and questioning individuals.

So, you can imagine a hypothetical scenario in which a brain-addled youth who was previously indoctrinated at his public school goes in for biblical counseling on the matter, only to eventually take his own life. Rather than blame this suicide on the public school for damaging this poor childs senses with its LGBTQ propaganda, the courts may blame the Christian counselor, based on ACR 99s implications.

Again, this is a hypothetical scenario that, as far as we know, hasnt actually happened in this manner. But it could, thanks to ACR 99s discriminatory intent against Christianity and the Bible, which are in no way aligned with the LGBTQ agenda.

There is no defined, taught, or organized system of therapy known as conversion therapy,' notes one Charisma News commenter about the deception of ACR 99.

That term doesnt exist outside of an invented boogeyman. We must remember, when conversion therapy is cited, what is actually happening is the demonization and attempted criminalization of any sort of counseling that dissents from the orthodox stances of the homosexual lobby. It is purely political.

For more related news about the LGBTQ agenda, visit Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

CharismaNews.com

NaturalNews.com
Washington: President Donald Trump said on Friday that he ordered the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani because he was "plotting to kill" many Americans.

In his first comments since the strike against the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, Trump said Soleimani was also responsible for killing and wounding "thousands" of Americans and many more in the region.

"He should have been taken out many years ago," Trump tweeted from his private club in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was vacationing.

The strike marked a major escalation in the conflict between Washington and Iran, as Iran vowed "harsh retaliation" for the killing of the senior military leader. The two nations have faced repeated crises since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.
Brussels top official Ursula von der Leyen will meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London on Wednesday, just three weeks before Britain leaves the European Union.

An EU spokesman said the president of the European Commission would meet Johnson for the first time since taking up her post and also give a speech at the London School of Economics.

A spokesman for Johnson confirmed: "There's a bilateral meeting next Wednesday at Downing Street."



No details were released about the agenda for the talks, but Brussels is keen to begin preparations for post-Brexit trade negotiations as soon as possible.

Von der Leyen studied economics at the LSE in 1978 when she was hiding out under an assumed identity in London to escape kidnap threats from far-left extremists in Germany.

According to the school's website, she will give an address entitled: "Old Friends, New Beginnings: building another future for the EU-UK partnership."



Von der Leyen's commission and her chief negotiator are drawing up a mandate which, if approved by EU leaders, would set out the bloc's hopes for an ambitious agreement.

But time is limited.

Britain is due to leave the European Union on January 31 and the post-Brexit transition -- during which trade will continue under EU rules -- will last only until the end of 2020.

Johnson must decide by July whether he wants to ask for the transition to be extended -- and, if so, whether by one or by two years -- and in any case insists he will not do so.

Comprehensive trade deals of the kind the EU enjoys with Canada, Japan and Singapore have so far taken between six and eight years to agree.

But some officials hope that a bare bones arrangement can be reached this year to avoid massive disruption and economic damage when Britain leaves the bloc.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Manchester United pair Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard both reported for training as usual on Friday morning... only to be spotted leaving the club's facilities just 15 minutes later.

It was a short visit to Carrington for the influential pair, who are now both doubts to face Wolves in the FA Cup third round this weekend.

The news comes as a blow to Manchester United fans, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also revealing that a sickness bug is going around the squad.

Anthony Martial arrives at Manchester United's training ground at 9:55am on Friday morning

At 10:10am, though, the Frenchman was already heading back out of the gates at Carrington

It has not been confirmed that Lingard and Martial - who both started on New Year's Day against Arsenal - are suffering with illness.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the weekend, Solskjaer said: 'There are a couple of niggles - well, not niggles - illnesses and colds, which is normal for this time.

'I'll have to see who wakes up tomorrow and feels OK. Today we have got a training session as well.'

Shortly after Solskjaer's press conference the players arrived for training, only for Lingard and Martial to swiftly depart again.

Jesse Lingard arrived slightly earlier than Martial, at 9:31am, but he too didn't stay long

At 9:48am the England international was seen driving away from the club's training base

Both players were pictured by photographers arriving at training, before heading back out of the gates just minutes later.

Jesse Lingard was one of the first through the gates, arriving at 9:31am, but at 9:48am he was already driving away from the facilities.

Martial, meanwhile, arrived just after Lingard left at 9:55am, but was back in his Range Rover and heading home at 10:10am.
Lucknow, Jan 3 : In a bid to revive the fervour over the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) will visit the 2.75 lakh villages that had contributed bricks for the temple during the height of Ram temple movement in the nineties.

VHP leaders have asked their cadres to go back to these villages and ask its residents to install an idol of Lord Ram in their households as a mark of their contribution towards the temple.

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said: "The exercise is scheduled to begin from March 25 (which happens to the New Year as per the Hindu calendar) and continue till Ram Navami on April 8." The VHP's move comes less than two months after the Supreme Court gave the disputed site in Ayodhya for construction of Ram temple while directing the Centre to form a trust for the purpose.

According to the VHP leader, the period of the movement would be observed as a "Ramotsav", which would be celebrated on a grand scale this time. Our cadres will fan out in 2.75 lakh villages and reach out to every Hindu household, which had once contributed a brick and Re 1.25 at the peak of the Ram temple movement." Bansal said the temple is associated with faith of scores of Hindus and should thus be constructed with donations. "We expect to generate funds from the public once again like we did in 1989," he said.

He said that the VHP will organise functions in small and big temples, while helping the poor and needy at the same time.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mere days after labelling his Big Bash League side an embarrassment, Chris Lynn has blasted the Brisbane Heat to redemption in Hobart.

The skipper whacked an unbeaten 88 from 55 balls as the Heat secured a valuable 31-run win over Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval on Friday night.

Chris Lynn of the Heat bats against the Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena on Friday night. Credit:Getty Images

Lynn whacked 11 fours and three sixes as the rocks-or-diamonds Brisbane posted 3-212, their highest BBL score.

Hobart's chase started promisingly but hit a fatal hurdle when linchpin D'Arcy Short (25) was bowled by the part-time spin of Matt Renshaw in the 11th over.
UNC-Chapen Hill School of Medicine, located within the University of North Carolina, recently reported a potential month-long phishing attack, which potentially breached the protected health information of over 3,700 patients. Their communication, made on their website on November 12, 2019, confirmed that unauthorized third parties had gained access to "several email accounts" from May to June, 2018.

Within the emails was personal information regarding treatments received, as well as important identity-related information, including their names and dates of birth, addresses, health insurance numbers, social security numbers, bank account numbers and credit card details. UNC offered those affected free credit monitoring and identity protection services as a way to reduce possible damage, assuring the public that it had implemented multi-factor authentication systems to boost email security. UNC has also vowed to train staff on ways to recognize and stop phishing.





UNC Is Not Alone

A similar communication was made recently by Connecticut-based healthcare group Starling Physicians, who were victims of a phishing attack on February 8, 2019. Three email accounts were involved, all of which also contained vital information - including social security numbers, dates of birth, and names. Similar efforts were made to aid affected patients. This type of information is highly valuable on the black market, since it contains the information required to commit identity fraud. This crime is becoming increasingly more common thanks to the proliferation of phishing attacks.

Currently, almost 60 million Americans have been affected by identity theft, according to information gathered in 2018 by The Harris Poll. One worrisome fact is that organizations are nearly always unaware that a phishing attack has taken place until enough time has passed for attackers to utilize information. As seen above, months passed before victims were aware that their data had been breached. It is therefore logical for individuals to take matters into their own hands. They can start out by doing research and comparing the level of protection offered by different entities. Some sites offer cost and service comparisons, which can make the process easier. Detailed information on the best identity theft protection on Crediful.com is a good place to begin.





How Does Identity Protection Work?

Identity protection ranges in strength and quality, though one of the key services that can stop identity theft in its tracks is the close monitoring of social security numbers. Thanks to the rapidity of artificial intelligence, billions of documents can be scanned (including public records) to determine if your number has been used suspiciously. Additional measures should include scouring the dark web and checking all police records. To hone in on financial safety, measures should be taken to monitor credit reports periodically to ensure no undue transactions have been made in one's name.

Data protection can include receiving monthly credit reports from major credit bureaus so that financial threats can be immediately spotted and stopped. Even the most comprehensive of data theft policies are under around $30, making them a worthy investment in this day and age of vast provision and sharing of personal data.



The two recent hacking cases mentioned above make patent the fact that medical schools and clinics are at a risk of identity theft, since sensitive information can be contained in emails, digital patient forms, and other digital records. Fighting this type of fraud should begin with hospitals, medical schools, and other patient-centered institutions. All patient data should be encrypted, and hardware should be required to access patients' data.

Adopting a bring your own device policy can help prevent internal data breaches, as can scrutinizing medical documents to be moved to the cloud, providing staff with continuous education regarding patient privacy, and conducting risk assessments of computer systems used in healthcare institutions. Individuals, too, can guard themselves against identity theft by taking the precautions required to stay abreast of any suspicious activity with respect to their identity or financial information.
LECLAIRE, Iowa - A train derailment Friday morning sent more than a dozen rail cars and tankers off the tracks in the eastern Iowa city of LeClaire, shutting down a nearby highway and sending a hazardous materials team scrambling to the downtown district site.

The derailment happened a couple of hundred feet from the banks of the Mississippi River, along U.S. Highway 67, which runs parallel to the tracks. LeClaire police closed the highway in both directions shortly after the derailment and told the public to avoid the area.

The derailment involved a Canadian Pacific Railroad train, Scott County Emergency Management planner Brian Payne said. A hazmat team was sent to the scene, but no injuries were reported, he added.

LeClaire Assistant Fire Chief Kent Amerine told the Quad-City Times that a substance was leaking from one of the tankers at the scene. Paynes office later said a chemical leak was discovered.

It did flow into a kind of natural dike formed when the tankers derailed, and the substance did not spread, Amerine said, adding that theres no additional threat to the environment or to people.

Officials have not said what chemical spilled.

Amerine also said no damage had been found to any buildings on either side of the tracks where the derailment occurred, but confirmed several vehicles in an adjacent parking lot were damaged.

Officials have not said what might have caused the derailment. LeClaire is a city of roughly 3,800 located about 175 miles (281.6 kilometres) east of Des Moines.

Canadian Pacific Railroad spokesman Andy Cummings said the railroad is working with local emergency response officials and has dispatched teams to the site. The cause of the derailment is under investigation, Cummings said.
Hyderabad: In an attempt to escape police checking, an engineering student rammed his car into a sub-inspector who was on duty at Ananthagiri during the early hours of Thursday morning. SI K, Krishna fractured his left leg and injured his right and is undergoing treatment at KIMS Hospital in the city.

The Vikarabad police who took the student and three friends who were with him in the car, into custody, found ganja in their possession, and booked them under the NDPS Act, and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for injuring the policeman.

The incident took place at around 2 am on Thursday, when a team of police personnel from Vikarabad district, including Nawabpet sub-inspector K. Krishna, was checking drunk drivers.

Seeing that checking was going on, the student driving the car heading towards Kotpally Reservoir stopped and took a turn to escape the checking, but rammed into SI Krishna before stopping.

Vikarabad DSP Sanjeeva Rao said the car was driven by Imran Ali, 22, a resident of Tolichowki. His friends were Naveed, Anwar, and Sameer. He said that the youngsters were not drunk, but were on their way to the reservoir to celebrate the New Year, and were in possession of ganja.

They had stuffed ganja in cigarettes and were going to the reservoir to smoke the drug. The investigation revealed that they purchased ganja from Dhoolpet, said the DSP.

Doctors at KIMS where the injured policeman was admitted said he was stable but it would take him at least three months to walk.

"His left thigh facture needs major surgery and will need intramedulary nailing (insertion of rod). The surgery is being planned for tomorrow and he will be discharged from hospital on Monday. He will need a walking aid for at least three months. He needs to walk without putting any weight on that leg," said Dr IV Reddy, consultant orthopaedist and trauma surgeon at KIMS Hospitals.
BJP minister Babul Supriyo recently threatened a Muslim youth on Facebook to 'pack off to your country' for his social media post seeking to know the Union minister's 'education level'

Kolkata: A verbal spat has erupted between Union minister Babul Supriyo and a Muslim college student in which he has threatened on social media to pack off the youth to "his own country" for his post seeking to know the BJP MP's "education level".

The student, Mustafizur Rahman said on Friday that he wanted nothing but an "unconditional apology" in public from the BJP leader.

The Union minister returned the fire by accusing Rahman of being a "serial offender" and saying that he "does not need to apologise to fools".

Supriyo also said that his comments had nothing to do with the student's religion.

The matter came to light on 26 December when Supriyo shared a post on the social media advocating CAA and criticised the act of a female JU student, who tore up the first page of the contentious legislation at the annual convocation of the university while receiving her gold medal on 24 December.

The next day Rahman commented on Supriyo's Facebook post and questioned the educational qualifications of Supriyo and BJP state president Dilip Ghosh.

"Babul-da (dada) how educated are people like you can be gauged from the fact that your mentor (state president) Dilip Ghosh spots gold in cow milk," Rahman said in his comment on Supriyo's post.

To this Supriyo retorted "Mustafizur Rahaman let me first pack you off to your country, then will send the reply in a postcard". The comment triggered a wave of protests.

Rahman, who is a final year student of chemistry at a college at Ilambazar in Birbhum district, in a prompt rejoinder said, "I am in possession of enough proof about my identity as Indian and Bengali. You don't know how to respect Bengalis and still, you are the MP of the state... Are you drinking cow urine regularly?"

The youth has received the support from a number of netizens and organisations like 'Jatiya Bangla Sammelan' after screenshots of the comments went viral on social media since December 27.

He told PTI, "I had merely made a comment whether people like Babul Supriyo and Dilip Ghosh have the authority to make adverse comments about the individual decision of a gold medalist to protest against CAA at the annual convocation of an educational institution."

Referring to the stinging remarks by the union minister against him, Rahman said "It was an outrageous comment by a minister who has taken the oath to protect the Constitution. He cannot discriminate 130 crore Indians on the basis of caste and religion.

"I was born and brought up here. I only demand an unequivocal public apology from him on social media and through statement - nothing less nothing more," he said.

Reacting to the youth's demand for an apology, Supriyo claimed that Rahman is a "serial offender" on social media.

"He (Rahman) could have told me whatever he wanted to. I had made the comment with a pinch of a salt. Those who are fools won't understand my comment. It has nothing to do with Hindus or Muslims. I don't need to apologize to fools," Supriyo said.

"Why did he(Rahman) bring in Dilip Ghosh in the conversation? Whoever makes abusive comment on my Facebook or Twitter page I just block that person. I have blocked Rahman too," he said.

Ghosh had courted controversy in November 2019 for saying that Indian cow milk contains traces of gold and that is the reason the colour is yellow. He later sought to justify it by saying it was backed by conclusions of research taking place in foreign countries.

Jatiya Bangla Sammelan, which promotes the cause of the Bengali community, organised a protest rally at Jadavpur area of the city on Thursday in protest against Supriyo's comments and burnt an effigy of the Asansol MP.

"We have undertaken a signature campaign in protest against the venomous comment of Babul Supriyo and will submit a letter with the signatures to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar very soon," Siddhabrata Das of the outfit told PTI on Friday.

"We will urge the governor to forward the letter to the Centre to let it know how pained and anguished the people of Bengal are over Babul Supriyo's comments," he added.
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Linkedin Ahmed Rasheed (Reuters) Baghdad, Iraq  Fri, January 3, 2020 08:58 738 48be62e941b44f04afae568c320a8eae 2 World #USA,#Iran,Iraq,military,leaders,killed,air-strikes Free

Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed early on Friday in an air strike on their convoy at Baghdad airport, an Iraqi militia spokesman told Reuters.

"The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the mujahideen Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani," said Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias.

US officials told Reuters that strikes had been carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to give any further details.

Three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of Iraqi paramilitary groups and two "guests", Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday.

The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people.
Rome, Jan 3 : Italy and other European Union countries need to intervene in the various crises engulfing the Middle East in an "effective and immediate" way, Italy's Foreign Undersecretary Ivan Scalfarotto said on Friday.

"The critical hotspots in the Middle East require effective and immediate action from Italy and the European Union," Scalfarotto tweeted.

"Europe absolutely must make that quantum political leap....speak with one voice, move quickly and intervene with its full weight." The tweet came amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington after the US killed top Iranian general, Qasem Soleimani early on Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad airport ordered by US President Donald Trump - an assassination slammed by Russia.

A day earlier, Turkey caused international alarm after its parliament voted to deploy troops to Libya to support the internationally recognised Government of National Accord in Tripoli in its escalating war against the forces of eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar.

The GNA has accused Russia of sending hundreds of mercenaries to fight alongside Haftar's forces in Libya - claims denied by Russia.
Esper on North Korea: US forces 'ready to fight tonight'

Iran Press TV

Friday, 03 January 2020 2:01 AM

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has warned North Korea that the United States remained prepared to fight if necessary.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Esper said that Washington still regards a political agreement on denuclearization as the best way, but noted that American forces were fully prepared to fight.

"We think the best path forward with regard to North Korea is a political agreement that denuclearizes the peninsula, we are on that path, we are going to remain on the path."

"We would obviously urge Kim Jong-un and his leadership team to sit back down to negotiation table to do that," Espier noted.

"But that said, we remain from a military perspective ready to fight tonight," he added.

"We have a full array of forces. They are ready. They're Air and Naval, Marine, Army forces. We have our South Korean partners with us, and then we have a broader set of allies and partners out there as well," he said. "So I'm confident in the readiness of our forces to deter North Korean bad behavior and should that fail, to fight and win as necessary."

The US and North Korea had been involved in bilateral diplomacy over the demilitarization of the Korean Peninsula since 2018 until recently.

Despite the sanctions imposed on it, Pyongyang had taken some unilateral steps to show its goodwill, including suspending test-launches of missiles.

But diplomacy snagged as Washington refused to reciprocate the unilateral steps. And Pyongyang set the end of 2019 as the deadline for the US to act.

As that deadline came and went, and the US failed to offer any sanctions relief, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Wednesday declared an end to the moratorium on its missile tests.

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Following an attack by gunmen at Tawari Community in Kogi LGA, of Kogi State, about 23 persons have reportedly died.

The Administrator of the local government, Hon. Musa Tanko Mohammed, however confirmed that 19 persons died in the midnight invasion.

According to eye witness report, the attack is believed to be a reprisal attack by the militia who are suspected to be herdsmen, Daily Trust reports.

It is believed that the attack is connected to the recent killing of four suspected kidnappers and armed robbers along Lokoja Abuja federal highway by security agencies, following a tip off by vigilantes.

During the attack, the palace of the third class chief, Alhaji Yusuf Idris alongside several other houses in the Area, were razed down by the gunmen.

Read Also: Gunmen Attack Edo Deputy Governors Family House

Governor Yahaya Bello in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onogwu Muhammed, directed security agencies to immediately swing into action and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.

He sued for calm among residents saying all will be done to serve those who carried out the dastardly act justice.

Commissioner of Police, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji while condemning the attack, said the command has deployed special Forces, Federal Anti-Robbery Squad, Counter Terrorism Unit, Police Mobile Force, as well as the conventional Police to the area.
Buttons bearing the word stigma with a red line through it lay scattered around tables set up for a discussion Friday afternoon on mental health care, hosted by Muhlenberg College for Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, other elected officials and patients and caregivers.

But stigma isn't the only obstacle to getting treatment for a growing segment of the population in need of mental health treatment.

"I would say that access is sometimes bigger than stigma in that people are reaching out," said Jody McCloud-Missmer, behavioral health administrator for St. Luke's University Health Network. "But when you're denied that -- sometimes you have to catch that person at that time."

McCloud-Missmer spoke of a nine-month wait for a general adult appointment with a psychiatrist. Mike Slack, CEO of KidsPeace, said the wait can be six months for the children and adolescents his agency works with.

Wolf was joined at the discussion by U.S. Rep. Susan Wild and state Reps. Mike Schlossberg, Pete Schweyer, Jeanne McNeill and Steve Samuelson, along with Dr. Rachel Levine, the state health secretary and more than a dozen others.

It was described as the first of several roundtable discussions on mental health planned around Pennsylvania, and it came one day after Wolf introduced Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters -- a campaign aimed at expanding treatment and support resources.

A button calling for no stigma in mental illness lies atop a table during a roundtable discussion with Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

The shortage of mental health professionals can be pinned on a number of reasons, said Wild, a Democrat like Wolf whose 7th Congressional District in Pennsylvania covers Lehigh, Northampton and southern Monroe counties. Students pursuing medical careers can find more lucrative jobs in other fields, while becoming a mental health professional still requires extensive education and the potential to incur hefty student loan debt, Wild said. Insurance reimbursement becomes an issue in mental health care, those gathered Friday stressed.

Its not like getting cancer treatment, said Wild, whose life partner, Kerry Acker, died by suicide last spring at age 63. Its almost viewed as an optional service.

Untreated, mental illness like depression can be fatal, said McCloud-Missmer, from St. Lukes.

We save lives every day, but it doesnt get the surgeons skilled hands recognition, she said. And not that we look for that.

Christy Dunbar, of Macungie, shared her story of seeking mental health treatment, as she does regularly in visits with patients and as a peer-to-peer educator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Lehigh Valley.

"As someone who is diagnosed with multiple mental health conditions, there is nothing more disheartening than finally getting the courage to seek help and then being told that your insurance doesn't cover it or that you have to wait nine months," Dunbar said. "And people who are reaching out are in crisis and they don't have nine months to wait."

She was a teacher for 17 years, but after revealing her diagnosis, she said she lost her job. Jeremy Warmkessel, president of the Allentown firefighters' union, echoed those concerns about stigma and workplace protections against mental health discrimination. Workers' compensation insurance might not cover care for mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder that can arise in a job in emergency services, because they're seen as coming with the territory, he said.

Dunbar got her career back, and also teaches at Northampton Community College in addition to her position with NAMI. A success story like hers can go a long way toward helping someone in the throes of a mental disorder, she said.

"One thing that doesn't discriminate is mental health," Dunbar said. "I see everyone, professionals and people who have been through the criminal justice system ... all ages, all in the same place. But the one thing that I hear is it was so helpful for them to see someone doing well with a mental health condition."

NAMI offers inspirational videos of mental illness survivors at nami-lv.org. Among those who have shot one is Schlossberg, the Lehigh County Democrat who helped lead Fridays discussion. He was a freshman at Muhlenberg in January 2002 when he came as close as hes ever come to committing suicide, before his girlfriend at the time intervened and he was able to continue care offered by the college.

Schlossberg still suffers from depression and anxiety, he said.

"But regular therapy, self-care and medication allow me to lead a wonderful life," he said. "Our job must be to ensure that every single Pennsylvania resident who is searching for hope, for treatment, for love and for a better life can find it. And that is why we are here today."

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, center from left, take part in a roundtable discussion on mental health Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com

For many students and their families, school might be their only link to care, said Allentown schools Superintendent Thomas Parker. But even that can be jeopardized by budget problems that have cost his district all of its in-school social workers.

"When people begin to reduce workforce or restrict their budget, those are some of the things that go away first," said Parker, who described an increase in students seeking assistance each year from 750 seven years ago to over 3,000 today.

Tim Silvestri, director of counseling services at Muhlenberg, and Dr. Hasshan Batts, executive director of Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, both spoke of the need for diversity in the mental health caregiver community, so people in need can be comfortable seeking help.

Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong mentioned a new initiative aimed at connecting people with care in the county's public defenders' office, where a social worker is budgeted for 2020 and set to begin working next week.

Other routes to connect those in need to care include a push for a nationwide suicide prevention hotline accessible by simply dialing 988 and Mental Health First Aid training to help introduce average people to helping people in crisis and avoid escalating the situation. For students in crisis, Pennsylvanias new Safe 2 Say Something initiative can speed assistance to their door.

Wolf opened Fridays discussion by saying mental illness needs to be addressed by every avenue possible, and he acknowledged that Fridays discussion was bound to open up more questions than answers.

The things we ought to be doing that were not doing, we need to know that, he said.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) An Additional Director General (ADG) of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Chander Shekhar who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday had written a "secret note" to the Director General, DRI expressing apprehension that an exporter under investigation - Vikas Chowdhary - was indulging in a malicious campaign to derail investigations.

The "secret note" was sent by Chander Shekhar who was posted in Ludhiana to Director General, DRI on November 18. Shekhar was arrested alongwith two private persons on January 1 by CBI on charges of demanding and accepting Rs 25 lakh bribe from a Delhi exporter to ensure not to implicate him in a document recovery case.

Chander Shekhar, who was posted in Punjab's Ludhiana, was held along with his close friend Rajesh Dhanda and clearing house agent Anup Joshi following a complaint of the Delhi-based exporter.

Dhanda and Joshi were arrested while demanding and accepting Rs 25 lakh from the complainant while the DRI official was arrested during investigation.

It turns out that Shekhar had expressed this apprehension in a letter to his senior officer in November. In the secret letter, Shekhar wrote, "Market intelligence input suggest that well before the raids of 11.09.2019, Vikas Chowdhary had indicated that he would try his level best to move the enquiry away from DRI, Ludhiana Zonal Unit as he feared severe action from them. It is also learnt that a malicious campaign of complaints was also initiated by him against the officers of DRI, Ludhiana to divert attention from this high stakes case and derail the investigations done by them."

Shekhar in his secret letter while explaining the case against Chowdhary is indicating that several events are unexplained in the course of the enquiry by DRI headquarters, DGGI and has refrained from sending any documents but put even oral conversations in the form of a formal note.

"The above narration is brought to your kind notice as the sequence of events as mentioned in preceding paras do not appear to be in line of regular enquiry for reasons more than one," Shekhar wrote.

He has also mentioned having a personal meeting with DG DRI on the matter. "The above narration (except the contents of Para 6 above) were also bought to your kind attention during our personal interaction on 09.10.2019 (at DRI, HQ), on 31.10.2019 (at Chandigarh) and on 08.11.2019 (at DRI, HQ). However looking into the sensitivity of the case and the huge revenue involved, the same is brought on record in form of this Secret Note. No enclosures are being sent with this Secret Note as all the correspondence referred is readily available in the case records since transferred to HQ (except those pertaining to Para 6 above). However, if required, the same can be sent as and when directed," he added.

Shekhar has also mentioned that DRI Ludhiana was asked to transfer the investigation to DRI HQ on October 11, 2019.

"Please refer to your office letter no. DRI/HQ-CI/ B Cell/50D/ENQ-32/INT-15/2019 dated 03.10.2019 (received on 11.10.2019) whereby Ludhiana Zonal Unit was conveyed the directions of the Competent Authority to transfer all the investigations done by it to DRI, HQ in the case as mentioned in the subject above. The directions were duly complied with immediately," he said.

The investigations are in the case of fraudulent exports by Aastha Apparels, JBB Apparels, JBN Apparels, and Nautilus Metal Craft based in Lajpat Nagar and Okhla in New Delhi.

Shekhar mentioned in the letter, "To put the magnitude of the case in brief, it is submitted that the case involves circular trading of invoices to the tune of over Rs 2,000 crore, fraudulent export incentive of Rs 108 crore and hawala transactions in the range of Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 1,500 crore. The case also involves an alleged offender who had in past been placed under COFEPOSA in addition to being a habitual complainant and another alleged offender, who, very recently had been denied permissions by courts to travel abroad."

As per DRI Ludhiana investigations mentioned by the ADG it was observed that these four exporting firms owned by Vikas Chowdhary had availed export incentives of Rs 108 crore and the procurement of these four exporting firms were from 12 companies owned by one Ludhiana-based R.K. Goyal, who had in past been a COFEPOSA detainee. The transaction appeared suspicious and accordingly, DRI, LdZU issued letter to Punjab State GST for providing complete chain of purchase of 12 firms.

"It is also worthwhile to note that Vikas Choudhary who all the while abstained himself from appearing before DRI, LdZU, on umpteen occasions, appeared before DRI, HQ on successive dates," Shekhar said, alluding to point about Chowdhary not being comfortable with DRI Ludhiana investigation.

According to the secret note, Punjab State GST submitted a comprehensive 46-page final investigation report in respect of all 12 companies owned by R.K. Goyal to DRI, LdZU which indicated that the purchase of the said 12 firms appeared to be bogus as the trail down the suppliers became nil in each of the 12 companies.

The question arose that if the procurement of 12 companies of R.K. Goyal are bogus, as indicated by Punjab GST reports, the supplies made by them to four exporting firms of Vikas Chowdhary are bogus too and therefore the nature of goods exported by these four companies needed to be investigated, Shekhar added.

"The entire case appeared to be case circular trading of invoices of over Rs 2,000 crore by creating a maze of fictitious companies. Its worthwhile to mention here that on these suspected exports, four exporting firms of Shri Vikas Chowdhary had availed export incentives of Rs 108 crore. The foreign remittances received to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 1,500 crore (presuming export incentive to be in range of 7.5 to 10 per cent) also therefore appeared to be of doubtful nature," Shekhar said in the secret note to DG DRI.

san/kr
Annual IoT Awards Program Recognises Leaders in the Hottest Categories of Technology

KORE, a pioneer, leader, and trusted advisor in IoT deployment, delivering transformative business performance from IoT solutions, today announced that its KORE eSIM Solution has been selected as the winner of the "M2M Innovative Solution of the Year" award in the 4th annual IoT Breakthrough Awards program. The awards purpose is to honour excellence and recognise the creativity, hard work and success of IoT companies, technologies and products. This year's program attracted more than 3,700 nominations from companies all over the world.

"The KORE eSIM represents true industry 'breakthrough' by offering a global, future-proof IoT connectivity solution that goes beyond traditional eSIM offerings to deliver technology-agnostic network access worldwide," said James Johnson, managing director at IoT Breakthrough. "KORE's innovation stays ahead of the curve in the burgeoning IoT space and we look forward to what they will bring to the table in 2020 and beyond. Congratulations to the entire KORE team on their well-deserved 2020 IoT Breakthrough Award designation."

KORE simplifies the complexity of IoT to offer a single eSIM that supports multiple carrier profiles and remote SIM provisioning, so customers benefit from the most flexible, future-proof IoT connectivity solution available today. KORE eSIM features include:

Embedded Connectivity: Streamline your IoT ecosystem with one SIM that's bundled with resilient, global coverage to meet the needs of virtually any application from day one.

Future-proof Design: Deploy a single, ruggedised SIM that can last for the entire lifecycle of a device for easy upgrades and maximum investment returns.

Device auto Provisioning: Simplify your operations with single SKU SIM cards that can be remotely and automatically provisioned to the optimal local network.

"Our focus throughout our eSIM journey has been developing a rich connectivity ecosystem, which is critical to leveraging eSIM technology," said Marco Bijvelds, Vice President, Product Management International, KORE. "But more than switching technology and partnerships, success in eSIM is about realising tangible business benefits and we are confident that KORE can best help customers understand how to use eSIM and add value with measurable results. The KORE eSIM solution is the next generation in SIM technology and we are proud to receive this 2020 IoT Breakthrough Award in recognition of our hard work and success with KORE eSIM."

For decades, KORE has delivered all of the components required for a successful IoT implementation and deployment, as well as the proven expertise and guidance that organisations need to maximise IoT investments and transform IoT business performance.

About KORE

KORE Wireless Group ("KORE") is a pioneer, leader, and trusted advisor delivering transformative business performance. We empower organisations of all sizes to improve operational and business results by simplifying the complexity of IoT. Our deep IoT knowledge and experience, global reach, purpose-built solutions, and deployment agility accelerate and materially impact our customers' business outcomes. For more information visit https://eu.korewireless.com/.

About IoT Breakthrough

Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the IoT Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honouring excellence in Internet-of-Things technologies, services, companies and products. The IoT Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of IoT companies and products in categories including Connected Home and Home Automation, Connected Car, Industrial IoT (IIoT) and Smart City, Consumer IoT and more. For more information, visit IoTBreakthrough.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005046/en/

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Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, at a meeting in Tehran in 2016 (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP)

The United States killed Irans top general and the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport on Friday, an attack that threatens to dramatically increase tensions in the region.

The targeted killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, could draw forceful Iranian retaliation against American interests in the region and spiral into a far larger conflict between the US and Iran, endangering US troops in Iraq, Syria and beyond.

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

An adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani quickly warned US President Donald Trump of retaliation from Tehran.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena wrote on the social media app Telegram. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

The airport strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, and five others including the PMFs airport protocol officer, Mohammed Reda, Iraqi officials said.

Mr Trump was holidaying on his estate in Palm Beach, Florida, but sent out a tweet of an American flag.

The dramatic attack comes at the start of a year in which Mr Trump faces both a Senate trial following his impeachment by the US House of Representatives, and a re-election campaign. It marks a potential turning point in the Middle East and represents a drastic change for American policy toward Iran after months of tensions.

Tehran shot down a US military surveillance drone and seized oil tankers. The US also blames Iran for a series of attacks targeting tankers, as well as a September assault on Saudi Arabias oil industry that temporarily halved its production.

The tensions take root in Mr Trumps decision in May 2018 to withdraw the US from Irans nuclear deal with world powers, struck under his predecessor, Barack Obama.

Soleimani was the target of Fridays US attack, which was conducted by an armed American drone, according to a US official. His vehicle was struck on an access road near the Baghdad airport.

Expand Close This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP) AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. (Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP)

A senior Iraqi security official said the airstrike took place near the cargo area after Soleimani left his plane to be greeted by al-Muhandis and others. The official said the plane had arrived from either Lebanon or Syria.

Two officials from the PMF, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Suleimanis body was torn to pieces in the attack, while they did not find the body of al-Muhandis. A senior politician said Soleimanis body was identified by the ring he wore.

Its unclear what legal authority the US relied on to carry out the attack. American presidents claim broad authority to act without congressional approval when US personnel or interests are facing an imminent threat. The Pentagon did not provide evidence to back up its assertion that Soleimani was planning new attacks against Americans.

Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Mr Trump owed a full explanation to Congress and the American people.

The present authorisations for use of military force in no way cover starting a possible new war. This step could bring the most consequential military confrontation in decades, Blumenthal said.

Expand Close FILE  In this Friday, March 27, 2015, file photo provided by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, commander of Irans Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani prays in a religious ceremony at a mosque in the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran. Iraqi TV and three Iraqi officials said Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, that Soleimani has been killed in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File) AP / Facebook

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Whatsapp FILE  In this Friday, March 27, 2015, file photo provided by an official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, commander of Irans Quds Force, Qassem Soleimani prays in a religious ceremony at a mosque in the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran. Iraqi TV and three Iraqi officials said Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, that Soleimani has been killed in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP, File)

But Trump allies were quick to praise the action.

To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more, tweeted South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.

For Iran, the killing represents more than just the loss of a battlefield commander, but a cultural icon who represented national pride and resilience while facing US sanctions.

While careful to avoid involving himself in politics, Soleimanis profile rose sharply as US and Israeli officials blamed him for Iranian proxy attacks abroad.

While Irans conventional military has suffered under 40 years of American sanctions, the Guard has built up a ballistic missile program. It also can strike asymmetrically in the region through forces like Lebanons Hezbollah and Yemens Houthi rebels. The US has long blamed Iran for car bombings and kidnappings it never claimed.

As the head of the Quds, or Jersualem Force of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Soleimani led all of its expeditionary forces and frequently shuttled between Iraq, Lebanon and Syria.

US officials say the Guard under Soleimani taught Iraqi militants how to manufacture and use especially deadly roadside bombs against US troops after the invasion of Iraq. Iran has denied that. Soleimani himself remained popular among many Iranians, who saw him as a selfless hero fighting Irans enemies abroad.
Mumbai, Jan 3 : Opener Prithvi Shaw on Friday injured his left shoulder while fielding during Mumbai's Ranji Trophy game against Karnataka, a week before leaving for New Zealand with the India 'A' team.

Shaw got injured in an attempt to stop an overthrow, as he hurt his left shoulder and walked off the field.

"He (Shaw) looks better. Looking at him on the ground, it was not looking good but now I think he is looking good. Later on I will get to know from the physio on what exactly the situation is (with regard to him)," Mumbai skipper Suryakumar Yadav said after the day's play.

Karnataka were 79/3 at stumps with R Samarth (40 batting) and captain Karun Nair (0 batting) at the crease.

Earlier, Mumbai's travails continued as they were skittled out for 194. Suryakumar top-scored with 77 as the rest of the batsmen including India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (7) and Shaw (29) failed.
Sajith Premadasa, the United National Party (UNP) leader who lost to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the presidential election, formally took over as the Leader of the Opposition in Sri Lankan Parliament on Friday.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced in Parliament that Premadasa had been accepted as the Opposition Leader, the Colombo Gazette reported.

The UNP-led United National Front (UNF), the main Opposition in Parliament, had proposed the name of Premadasa as Leader of the Opposition following the Presidential election.

Following a meeting of the UNP parliamentary group on December 5, the party leader and ex-prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agreed to nominate Premadasa, 52, in his place.

Premadasa lost to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the presidential election held on November 16.

The UNP leader resigned from the deputy leader's position after the defeat and was thought to be considering quitting for good.

Wickremesinghe was under increasing pressure from the party to leave the job of leader with every election defeat since 1999.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, 70, a former military officer, was sworn in as Sri Lanka's seventh President on November 18 after he defeated Premadasa by more than 13 lakh votes, marking the return of the powerful Rajapaksa dynasty.

He named his elder brother and former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new Prime Minister after Wickremesinghe resigned from the post following the election debacle.

The 74-year-old leader will function as the prime minister of the caretaker Cabinet until the general election in 2020.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa is widely expected to dissolve the current assembly by early March to set dates for a fresh parliamentary election by the end of April or early May.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 02:51:04|Editor: yan

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ISTANBUL, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday chaired a security meeting in Istanbul over the latest developments in the region.

The meeting covered the mounting tension between the United States and Iran after a senior Iranian commander was killed in a U.S. air strike earlier on Friday.

The situation in Libya and the developments in Syria were discussed as well at the meeting, attended by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, Fahrettin Altun, the communications director, said in a written statement.

Altun noted that Erdogan made it clear at the three-hour-long meeting that in the face of new developments in the region, Turkey should continue to ensure peace and stability with the "full use of diplomacy."

Concerns are growing as Tehran vowed retaliation against the U.S. killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, in Baghdad, Iraq.

Over the objection of the opposition parties, the Turkish parliament on Thursday passed a motion authorizing the government to deploy troops to Libya in support of the UN-backed government based in the capital Tripoli, prompting opposition from some of its regional neighbors.
Hijacking other people's SIM cards in an attempt to steal personal information is on the rise in the UK, according to new figures.

Reports of fraudsters obtaining codes that allow phone numbers to be switched to a new phone have totalled 300 since last April  compared with 99 in the preceding year  according to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

The dodgy practice involves the criminals obtaining a code from a person's network operator that lets them switch their victim's mobile number to another SIM.

Once they have obtained unfettered control of the victim's phone number they can target them further, often for financial gain.

There have been more than 300 reported fraudulent attempts to access Porting Authorisation Codes since last April

WHAT IS SIM-JACKING? SIM-jacking is a fraudster stealing another person's phone number. The perpetrator needs to to obtain a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC), which are used to gain portability to a new SIM card. A PAC allows mobile phone users to take their old number with you when you change service providers. Fraudsters hijack this service to switch the victim's phone number to another phone on another network. They can do this by posing as the customer and relaying their personal information to the operator, such as name, date of birth and address. These details can be obtained through phishing emails, scam calls or even unlocked social media accounts. Perpetrators can even obtain this information directly by gaining a person's trust. The practice allows criminals to take control of other people's phones and access their personal information, including banking details. As of July 2019, phone users can switch mobile network by sending a free text message  but on the phone number they want to switch. Advertisement

Criminals with enough armed with enough knowledge of a mobile phone user's personal details can fool network operators into providing them with this all-important code, called a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC).

The culprits need to have as much information as they can to pass security clearance with the network operator and gain a PAC, including name and date of birth, often obtained by phishing emails.

Once this had been obtained, the hijacker can get control of personal information stored to a SIM card, such as identity, messages and personal security keys  and ultimately steal money.

Figures obtained from the ICO by New Scientist show there have been more than 300 reported cases of attempts to fraudulently obtain PACs since April 2019.

The ICC had already revealed last month that there had been 399 SIM-jacking cases since the start of April 2018, suggesting most of the incidents have taken place in the last nine months.

These figures suggest the technique to enable fraud has become increasingly popular among criminals in a short amount of time and such incidents could keep rising.

A PAC is normally 9 characters long and in the format 'ABC123456'.

Phone users can request one for free simply by sending a text on the number that they want to transfer to another network.

Some operators such as EE and Vodafone allow users to obtain a PAC from a phone number other than one connected to the number they want to switch, such as a landline.

However, a Vodafone employee confirmed to MailOnline that a customer has to relay a code that's been sent to the mobile phone connected to their account if they want to obtain a PAC.

In October, food writer Jack Monroe said she lost about 5,000 after her phone number was stolen back in October.

'It seems my card details and PayPal info were lifted from an online transaction,' she tweeted.

PAC codes allows someone to shift a mobile phone number to a new device, but the process can also be done by criminals armed with enough personal data

'Phone number was ported to a new SIM, meaning crims access/bypass authentication and authorise payments.

'I don't use publicly available email addresses on my financial accounts; my passwords are gobbledegook letters and numbers and special characters; I have two step authentication on all my accounts.

'I am absolutely absurdly paranoid about security.'

'SIM-swap fraud is devastating, as we saw with Jack Monroe,' said data protection consultant Pat Walshe at Privacy Matters to New Scientist.

'There is the harm. You mustn't just think in terms of financial harm, there's the anxiety and there's the distress this causes, the absolute inconvenience while you're without your phone.

The ICO has so far confirmed 11 of the cases of PAC fraud since last April have been with the purpose of SIM jacking.

'We don't know which operators have reported what and we don't know whether the fraudulently obtained PACs is in fact SIM-swap fraud. We can only assume it is,' Walshe said.
The form was sent to Frederick Brisker & Associates, Attn: Jack Murphy at Briskers business address, according to the Ohio Department of Insurance. Murphy, however, testified that he had never signed the form and was unaware of its existence until the insurer Unum contacted him. Murphy had never worked for Brisker or received mail at Briskers office.

Brisker testified that he had no idea how Murphys signature ended up on the form, although he admitted to filling out the rest of the form. However, Briskers office manager, Carrie Roe, testified that Brisker had referred to the document in her presence as the form he signed Jacks name to.

Brisker admitted to the Ohio Department of Insurance that he had also impersonated a client to the Midland Insurance Company in an attempt to receive information about a policy.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 23:20:46|Editor: yan

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NEW DELHI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- India called for "restraint" on Friday as the situation in the Gulf escalated dramatically after the killing of a top Iranian military commander by the U.S. forces at Baghdad airport in Iraq.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian government said that the heightened tension had "alarmed the world."

"We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the U.S. The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so."

General Qasem Soleimani, who led a highly specialized Iranian armed force called Quds Force, was killed by U.S. forces on Thursday in a drone strike.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," the Pentagon said in a statement, calling the strike "decisive defensive" action aimed at deterring future Iranian attacks.
Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Science & Technology, Health and Family Welfare and Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan, University of Agricultural Sciences Vice Chancellor S. Rajendra Prasad and other dignitaries at the 107th sessio Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses at the 107th session of Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru on Jan 3, 2020. (Photo: IANS/PIB) Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Jan 3 : Claiming that science and technology would play a key role in India becoming a $5-trillion economy by 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for a revolution in both the fields.

"We need revolution in science and technology, as they will play a key role in making India a $5-trillion economy by 2024," Modi said after inaugurating the 107th Indian Science Congress in this tech city.

Calling for a revolution in technologies assisting agricultural practices, Modi asked the scientific community to find farmer-centric solutions to the problem of stalk burning.

"Similarly, can our scientists and technologists re-design brick kilns for reducing emissions and increase energy efficiency. We must find ways to store energy. Technology has to be used for rural development and enable farmers to sell their produce directly in the market," said the Prime Minister on the occasion.

Noting that science has a key role in the development and growth of the country, Modi said losses of farmers due to bottlenecks in the supply chain should be fixed by using applied technology.

"Digital technology, e-commerce, mobile banking services are helping farmers effectively. Technology has made it possible to build two crore houses for the poor in time," he asserted.

Declaring that the government was making efforts for the ease of doing science, the Prime Minister said Information Technology (IT) was being used effectively to reduce red tape in administration and governance.

"As air pollution and waste management are becoming a challenge for the country, we must find ways to convert waste into wealth. Scientists should find an alternative to plastic and invent a device to recycle water," Modi noted.

Pointing out that "Swach Bharat" (Clean India Mission) and "Ayushman Bharat" (National Health Protection Scheme) were becoming successful due to extensive use of science and technology, the Prime Minister said the country should be able to eradicate TB (Tuberculosis) by 2020 as India was a global leader in supplying vaccines.

"Another important point I wish to make is the significance of "Make in India" in medical devices to bring the fruits of advances in diagnostics to our people," added Modi.
RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentino Danchev (Kaloyan Valentinov Danchev), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fidelis Marketing Group, has been accepted into the Forbes Business Development Councilan invitation-only community for successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Valentino Danchev, CEO of Fidelis Marketing Group, is a Forbes Council member

Membership to the Forbes Business Development Council is by invitation only, and members become part of a hand-selected and curated network of accomplished entrepreneurs and business leaders who work to share their knowledge with their peers and the public, including publishing thought leadership articles and tips on industry-related topics on Forbes.com.

Since 2013, Danchev has served as the founder, President and CEO of Fidelis Marketing Group. The group oversees the promotion of private recreational club memberships and tours at six luxury resorts throughout Latin America. Danchev sought to create a positive impact on the experience of travelers; the company was created to serve as an exclusive marketing company.

Fidelis Marketing Group and its founder, Valentino Danchev, consistently promote the message and knowledge acquired in the tourism industry. Danchev's unceasing effort to benefit the tourism industry is also reflected in the actions he performs for his surrounding community. He participated as a speaker in the most important forum in the industry, LASOS (The Latin American Shared Ownership Summit).

"It's a great honor to be invited to join a special group of luminaries at the Forbes Council," said Valentino Danchev. "As a businessman that is Bulgarian-born and a Mexican citizen, I hope to offer international business insight that will resonate with professionals worldwide. My deep experience in the travel industry and my love for technology will demonstrate a unique point of view that should be valuable to Forbes readers."

About Fidelis Marketing Group

Founded in 2013, Fidelis Marketing group is an exclusive marketing company. They are a business group that sells tourist facilities of the highest quality and tours to the best attractions of the locations in which they have presence. For more information on Fidelis Marketing Group, visit https://www.fidelismarketinggroup.com/en/

Media Contact:

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The Food and Drug Administrations announcement Thursday prohibiting the manufacturing, distribution and sale of most flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes to curb their growing use by young people was widely reported as a partial ban on electronic nicotine delivery systems.

However, the U.S. Health and Human Services release referred to it as the finalization of FDA enforcement policy in addressing for review what are in fact products illegally on the market and noted that FDAs enforcement priorities are not a ban on flavored or cartridge-based ENDS.

They could return to market if manufacturers meet FDA compliance standards.

The HHS release notes, Importantly, the FDAs enforcement priorities are not a ban on flavored or cartridge-based ENDS.

The FDA has already accepted and begun review of several pre-market applications for flavored ENDS products through the pathway that Congress established in the Tobacco Control Act, its notes.

Manufacturers that wish to market any ENDS product  including flavored e-cigarettes or e-liquids  are required by law to submit an application to the FDA that demonstrates that the product meets the applicable standard in the law, such as whether the product is appropriate for the protection of the public health. If a company can demonstrate to the FDA that a specific product meets the applicable standard set forth by Congress, including considering how the marketing of the product may affect youth initiation and use, then the FDA could authorize that product for sale.

The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently estimated that more than 5 million U.S. middle and high school students are current e-cigarette users, meaning they have used the product with the last 30 days, with a majority reporting use of cartridge-based products.

Survey data is also said to show an increase in reported use of menthol- or mint-flavored e-cigarettes among high school students whose only current tobacco product is e-cigarettes even as the fruit-flavored continue popular with both high school and middle school students.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2009 gave the FDA authority to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products,

All e-cigarettes and other ENDS products became subject to the FDAs tobacco authorities, including the pre-market authorization requirements in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, in 2016. This action made illegal such products already on the market without FDA authorization, but the FDA continued to extend deadlines for manufacturers to submit applications for compliance review until a U.S. District Court judge this summer set a deadline of May 12 for companies to submit pre-market tobacco applications the FDA.

The release on the finalization of the FDA enforcement policy on unauthorized flavored cartridge-based e-cigarettes that appeal to children notes that beginning 30 days from the publication of the guidance in the Federal Register, the FDA intends to prioritize enforcement against illegally marketed ENDS products by focusing on the following groups of products that do not have pre-market authorization:

Any flavored, cartridge-based ENDS product (other than a tobacco- or menthol-flavored ENDS product);

All other ENDS products for which the manufacturer has failed to take (or is failing to take) adequate measures to prevent minors access; and

Any ENDS product that is targeted to minors or likely to promote use of ENDS by minors.

It also notes that after May 12, the FDA intends to "prioritize enforcement against any ENDS products that continue to be sold and for which the manufacturers have not submitted a pre-market application. "

For ENDS products other than those in the three groups described above, it adds, if pre-market applications are submitted by that date, the FDA intends to continue to exercise enforcement discretion for up to one year pending FDA review of the applications, unless there is a negative action by the FDA on such application or the product is authorized to be marketed by the FDA.

In response to the FDA policy announcement, a number of public health organizations have called for further action by Congress as well as state and local authorities.

Massachusetts became the first state in November to permanently ban retail sales of all flavored tobacco, including sales of such vape products that is already in effect and sales of menthol cigarettes beginning in June.
The parallels leap from the pages of history.

On December 16 1998, just three days before he would be impeached by the House of Representatives, Bill Clinton delivered a televised address to inform the world he had ordered military strikes against Iraq  allegedly for breaching UN sanctions.

Their purpose is to protect the national interest of the United States, and indeed the interests of people throughout the Middle East and around the world, said the sombre-faced president.

Two decades later, Donald Trump had already been impeached by the House when he ordered a strike in Iraq, a targeted killing of Irans most senior military leader. He too, insisted it was done to protect Americas interests.

General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more ... but got caught, he tweeted.

US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Show all 35 1 /35 US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday 3 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures The wreckage of the car in which general Soleimani was travelling when a targeted US airstrike struck outside Baghdad International Airport on 3 January Ahmad Al Mukhtar via Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Demonstrators burn the US and British flags during a protest in Tehran after general Soleimani was killed in a targeted airstrike by American forces Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike. The Pentagon said Thursday that the US military has killed general Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of Donald Trump AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn Israeli and US flags as thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of general Soleimani at the hands of America EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of Donald Trump pray at an 'Evangelicals for Trump' campaign event held on the day following the killing of general Soleimani. At the event, the president praised the "flawless strike that eliminated the terrorist ringleader" AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A huge procession of mourners gather in Baghdad for the funeral of general Soleimani on 4 January AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets to mourn the death of Soleimani during an anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iraqis perform a mourning prayer for slain major general Qasem Soleimani of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards at the Great Mosque of Kufa AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A billboard reading 'Death to America and Israel', installed by Iran-backed shiite armed groups at a street in Jadriyah district in Baghdad, Iraq EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shows him visiting the family of Soleiman KHAMENEI.IR/AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Thousands of Iranians take to the streets in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US flag as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon Mohammed Jalal Feiruznia, looks to a portrait of Soleimani, as he receives condolences at the Iranian embassy, in Beirut, Lebanon AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures People make their way on the street while a screen on the wall of a cinema shows a portrait Soleimani in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Aziz Asmar, one of two Syrian painters who completed a mural following the killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani poses next to his creation in the rebel-held Syrian town of Dana in the northwestern province of Idlib AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A demonstration in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures An anti-US demonstration to condemn the killing of Soleimani, after Friday prayers in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Mujtaba al-Husseini, the representative of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivers a speech in the holy shrine city of Najaf AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shiite Muslims burn a mock of a US and Israeli flags as they hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, outside the US Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters demonstrate in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Pakistani Shi'ite Muslims hold pictures of General Qasem Soleimani during a protest against the USA, in Peshawar, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters, holding a photograph of the leader of the People's Mujahedin of Iran Massoud Rajavi, outside Downing Street in London PA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Protesters burn a US flag in Tehran AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A Syrian man offers sweets to children to mark the killing AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers attend a mourning prayer for Soleimani in Iran's capital Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Kashmiri Shiite Muslims shout anti American and anti Israel slogans during a protest AP US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshipers chant slogans during Friday prayers Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures A protest against the USA, in Islamabad, Pakistan EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranians burn a US flag in Tehran EPA US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin, Germany Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran in Germany (NWRI) protest outside Iran's embassy in Berlin Reuters US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian worshippers in Tehran AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Vehicles of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrol a road in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila near the border with Israel. Following morning's killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani, Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement called for the missile strike by Israel's closest ally, to be avenged AFP via Getty US airstrike kills Iran's Qassem Soleimani: Fallout in pictures Iranian women take to the streets in Tehran EPA

In 1998, Clinton was widely criticised by those who thought he was seeking to distract from his domestic political problems. Plenty accused him of hypocrisy over Iraq. If the US was so concerned about the plight of Iraqi civilians, why was it enforcing sanctions that were killing thousands of children? A top UN official, Denis Halliday, would quit two months after the strikes.

There is little doubt Soleimani, the tip of the spear of Irans efforts to extend its influence in the region, was responsible for the deaths of many Americans, even if the tallies of most experts do not match the presidents numbers.

But if the president was truly concerned about the threat presented by Iran, battered and economically weakened by sanctions that were reimposed by Washington when Trump withdrew from the multi-party Iran nuclear desk, has he not made a tinder-box situation worse? Iran has already threatened harsh revenge.

 Senator Chuck Schumer says Congress should have been informed prior to strikes on Soleimani

Could it be the president was at least partly thinking about other matters, such as his impeachment trial in the Senate, and his battle for reelection in 2020? Even if Senate leader Mitch McConnell will manage to secure enough votes to keep Trump from being ousted, we know the president would rather not have a single Republican vote against him, fearful it could it count against him on election day in November.

Twenty years ago, Mark Weisbrot, co-founder of a progressive think, the Centre for Economic & Policy Research, was strongly critical of Clintons actions.

President Clintons decision to bomb Iraq on the eve of the impeachment vote gives a whole new meaning to the word transparency, he wrote in an op-ed article. The circumstantial evidence of a connection between the two events is awfully strong: a vote by the House to impeach was almost certain, and this was his only way out.

Weisbrot told The Independent Trumps decision to bomb may have less do with impeachment  he said it was extremely unlikely sufficient Senate Republicans would vote to convict the president  but very much about 2020. He said George W Bushs poll numbers jumped after he invaded Iraq in 2003, a military operation that probably resulted in the deaths of more than one million Iraqis.

The only time Trump has got any love from large parts of the media is when he launched military strikes against Syria, he said.

From Trumps point of view, this is his best chance of winning reelection. I dont think hes too worried about impeachment, though you could call it 'insurance'.

Trump famously campaigned to remove US troops from the Middle East, yet he has just dispatched another 3.500.

The president may see his numbers take a bump in the short term  and he will certainly have the support of the US foreign policy and military establishment.

But things can rapidly go wrong. It was not so long before Bush, initially gung-ho about invading Iraq on cooked up intelligence, banned the media from filming the return of the coffins of US servicemen at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. It is not something any president wants broadcast on the airwaves, or plastered over social media

In truth, nobody knows how this will play out. Which makes what Donald Trump ordered on Thursday night so utterly perilous.
A verbal spat has erupted between union minister Babul Supriyo and a Muslim college student in which he has threatened on social media to pack off the youth to "his own country" for his post seeking to know the BJP MP's "education level".

The student, Mustafizur Rahman said on Friday that he wanted nothing but an "unconditional apology" in public from the BJP leader.

The union minister returned the fire by accusing Rahman of being a "serial offender" the fire and saying that he "does not need to apologize to fools".

Supriyo also said that his comments had nothing to do with the student's religion.

The matter came to light on December 26 when Supriyo shared a post on the social media advocating CAA and criticised the act of a female JU student, who tore up the first page of the contentious legislation at the annual convocation of the university while receiving her gold medal on December 24.

The next day Rahman commented on Supriyo's Facebook post and questioned the educational qualifications of Supriyo and BJP state president Dilip Ghosh.

"Babul-da (dada) how educated are people like you can be gauged from the fact that your mentor (state president) Dilip Ghosh spots gold in cow milk," Rahman said in his comment on Supriyo's post.

To this Supriyo retored "Mustafizur Rahaman let me first pack you off to your country, then will send the reply in post card". The comment triggered a wave of protests.

Rahman, who is a final year student of chemistry at a college at Ilambazar in Birbhum district, in a prompt rejoinder said, "I am in possession of enough proof about my identity as Indian and Bengali. You don't know how to respect Bengalis and still you are the MP of the state..... Are you drinking cow urine regularly?"



The youth has received the support from a number of netizens and organisations like 'Jatiya Bangla Sammelan' after screenshots of the comments went viral on social media since December 27.

He told PTI, "I had merely made a comment whether people like Babul Supriyo and Dilip Ghosh have the authority to make adverse comments about the individual decision of a gold medalist to protest against CAA at the annual convocation of an educational institution."



Referring to the stinging remarks by the union minister against him, Rahman said "It was an outrageous comment by a minister who has taken the oath to protect the Constitution. He cannot discriminate 130 crore Indians on the basis of cast and religion.

"I was born and brought up here. I only demand an unequivocal public apology from him on social media and through statement - nothing less nothing more," he said.

Reacting to the youth's demand for apology, Supriyo claimed that Rahman is a "serial offender" on social media.

"He (Rahman) could have told me whatever he wanted to. I had made the comment with a pinch of a salt. Those who are fools won't understand my comment. It has nothing to do with Hindus or Muslims. I don't need to apologize to fools," Supriyo said.

"Why did he(Rahman) bring in Dilip Ghosh in the conversation? Whoever makes abusive comment on my Facebook or Twitter page I just block that person. I have blocked Rahman too," he said.

Ghosh had courted controversy in November 2019 for saying that Indian cow milk contains traces of gold and that is the reason the colour is yellow. He later sought to justify it by saying it was backed by conclusions of research taking place in foreign countries.

Jatiya Bangla Sammelan, which promotes the cause of the Bengali community, organised a protest rally at Jadavpur area of the city on Thursday in protest against Supriyo's comments and burnt an effigy of the Asansol MP.

"We have undertaken a signature campaign in protest against the venomous comment of Babul Supriyo and will submit a letter with the signatures to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar very soon," Siddhabrata Das of the outfit told PTI on Friday.

"We will urge the governor to forward the letter to the Centre to let it know how pained and anguished the people of Bengal are over Babul Supriyo's comments," he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Current and prospective college students are losing their marbles on Twitter over the possibility of World War III.

What does the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid have to do with that?

Almost 35 thousand tweets have been sent about the FAFSA application so far. The application asks male participants 18 and older if theyd like to be registered for the Selective Service system or military draft. The Department of Education requires that all men 18 and older file for the draft before receiving federal aid, but thats not just the Department of Education. Its the law, and you could be prosecuted and face a fine of up to $250,000 or jail time, according to government regulation. Checking this box before the age of 18 will result in a card being sent to your home saying the participant is too young.

In the end, men between the age of 18-25 should already be registered for selective service, and the FAFSA application is just making sure of that or giving the participant an opportunity to do so.

Seeing FASFA trending but knowing its actually FAFSA pic.twitter.com/ajNYwUb2Aa   (@Nikki_Mackk) January 3, 2020

As for the WWIII hashtag, US airstrikes authorized by President Donald Trump in Baghdad killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, a man regarded as the second-most powerful figure in Iran after the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Business Today.

Now, the supreme leader is pledging to retaliate. "His departure to God does not end his path or his mission, but a forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood and the blood of the other martyrs last night on their hands, the supreme leader said in a statement according to the New York Times.

For more information on the situation, click here.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid his tributes to Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary, saying she dedicated her life to social unity, education and women empowerment.

"I salute Savitribai Phule on her birth anniversary. She dedicated her life to social unity, education and women empowerment. Her struggle for social consciousness will always inspire the countrymen," Modi tweeted in Hindi.

The Congress party said she tirelessly worked and dedicated her life to abolishing gender and caste-based discrimination.

"Savitribai Phule was the first female teacher in India and is also known as the mother of feminism in the country... Her contributions to the nation shall never be forgotten," the Congress tweeted.

Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri also paid tributes to Phule, born on this day in 1831.

While Badal called her "woman who questioned social norms and petty prejudices", Puri called Phule a "champion of women's rights in India during the British rule" and remembered her for establishing the first Indian girls' school in Pune.

"Savitribai Phule fought for a better, more equal world for all. On her birth anniversary, let's resolve to keep her legacy alive," Badal tweeted.

Phule was an Indian social reformer, educationalist, and poet from Maharashtra.

She was considered to be the first female teacher of India and also the mother of Indian feminism. She played an important role in improving women's rights.
In an attempt to dilute the publics disgust Grilld announced it would hire a global food auditor to review its food safety and work practices.

The long list of food safety transgressions at hamburger chain Grilld outlined in a series of leaked internal food and safety audit reports, internal documents, a council report, and dozens of photos from staff, triggered a social media backlash.

Food safety is again in the headlines following an investigation into the Grill'd burger chain.

But in the process of exposing the worker exploitation and uncleanliness scandal it became clear there was another scandal that has been festering away: an overall lack of enforcement by the relevant authorities of food hygiene regulations and fines that are so low they fail to act as a deterrent.

Take for instance, Grilld in Windsor, Victoria, the local council, Stonnington, issued an inspection notice of "major non-compliance" in October 2018. It said it didnt have effective cleaning systems in place, which is the basic requirement of any restaurant.

What was even more disturbing was the council admitting that the same non-compliances were happening every year and that "infringement notices may be issued if this continues".

In other words, the councils inspection notice and wishy-washy threats were ineffectual.

This was no better demonstrated in early December when a photo was taken and posted on The Age and Sydney Morning Herald websites of a mouse inside a tray of hamburger buns sitting on the floor at Grilld in Windsor.
Couriers of the Uber Eats and Glovo delivery services work in Kiev

By Mfuneko Toyana

SOWETO, South Africa (Reuters) - A stone's throw from Nelson Mandela's former home in South Africa's Soweto township, Dumile Badela's restaurant is now more hectic and lucrative than ever, thanks to Uber Eats, his hungriest customer yet.

Having already dominated Africa's ride-hailing sector, Uber is trying to conquer the food delivery market by leveraging its massive fleet of drivers in the continent's most developed economy and tracking popular food choices and destinations.

The prize is big. The country's online food delivery industry was worth 10.49 billion rand ($713 million) in 2019, according to data portal Statista. And with growth pegged at nearly 14% annually, it will hit 17.6 billion rand by 2023.

Surprisingly perhaps, Uber got off to a tricky start.

An initial focus on high-end restaurants proved to be a mistake in a country perpetually on the verge of recession. The San Francisco-based app is now targeting traditional, local fare.

In May, it launched in Soweto, where it works with around 20 partners and is adding more local foods to its 480,000 menu items, dispatching dishes like stewed tripe, caterpillars, cow heels and sheep's head to mostly middle-class customers who crave a taste of home.

"I'd say Uber Eats has improved our sales by about 15% to 20%. But I'm targeting even more, up to 50%," Badela says. "There's huge opportunity."

It could be a win-win; Uber posted a $1.16 billion third-quarter loss and Uber Eats is the company's fastest-growing business, contributing more than 10% of its quarterly revenue of $3.8 billion.

TAKING ON MR D

Uber isn't alone in wanting a large piece of the South African pie.

Launched in the early 1990s as a call-and-deliver service, South Africa's Mr D Food - part of Naspers-controlled e-commerce firm Take-a-Lot - is the established player.

Some two million South Africans have downloaded its app. It boasts 700,000 active monthly users, and over the past 12 months processed 1.5 billion rand in food orders.

Uber Eats said it's recorded 2.1 million app downloads since its 2016 launch, but declined to give figures for food sales.

Story continues

Between them, the two companies have captured around 80%-90% of South Africa's food-hailing market, according to research firm Insight Surveys.

They'll soon be joined by Bolt, the ride-hailing firm formerly known as Taxify, which is Uber's main competition in Africa. The Estonian company plans to launch its food delivery service in South Africa early next year.

"There is space for three, possibly four key market players, as the market is still in its infancy and will continue to show rapid growth in the future," said Yashvir Maharaj, research director at Insight Surveys.

LOCAL FLAVOR

Uber is using data from its rides service to monitor popular food destinations and is tracking popular food searches on the Uber Eats app to gauge what people are craving.

In South Africa, it has found that Soweto and other traditionally black townships have a reservoir of middle-class consumers who may move further afield and crave a taste of home.

"Now that we're in Soweto we want to take those experiences and expand them to other townships, and go even deeper into Soweto," Dave Kitley, Uber Eats' General Manager for South Africa, told Reuters.

"We're thinking a lot about migration ... When they move, their taste buds move with them."

That's something George Makume, the Soweto-raised owner of So Cafe, understands.

Three years ago, he opened his restaurant in the middle-class suburb of Roodepoort, 25 kilometers (16 miles) west of Soweto, noticing a lack of traditional food options despite a growing number of black professionals moving to the area.

"People grew up with this kind of food, but it's difficult to find unless you travel 20 or 30 kilometers to Soweto," he said.

Among his best-sellers are skopo - sheep's head steam-cooked or grilled on an open fire - followed by "Mogodu Mondays" - a 2-for-1 special of spicy tripe and maize porridge.

Since partnering with Uber Eats, and more recently Mr D Food, Makume said his weekday sales have jumped 30%-40%.

Back at Badela's restaurant where evening prep is under way, he says there's plenty of business to go around.

"I'm not the only one in Soweto offering this kind of food. There are many places," he says. "So if I succeed, the guys selling amanqgina (pig trotters), namatwana (chicken feet) and skopo will say 'Yo! I can do it as well.'"

That's a potential boon for black communities, where unemployment typically outstrips the nationwide average of nearly 30%.

($1 = 14.7075 rand)

(Editing by Joe Bavier and Elaine Hardcastle)
FILE - In this April 3, 2019, file photo, former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn, center, leaves his lawyer's office in Tokyo. Nissan Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa has apologized to shareholders for the unfolding scandal at the Japanese automaker and asked for their approval to oust from the board former Chairman Ghosn, who has been arrested on financial misconduct charges. Saikawa and other Nissan Motor Co. executives bowed deeply at a Tokyo hotel Monday, April 8, 2019, where the extraordinary shareholders' meeting was being held. (Sadayuki Goto/Kyodo News via AP, File)

Associated Press

The former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn reportedly used a second French passport during his high-stakes escape from Japan to Lebanon on Sunday.

Ghosn surrendered his four passports to authorities in November 2018 when he was arrested: one Brazilian, one Lebanese, and two French.

But prosecutors let Ghosn access one French passport in May to use internally in Japan, the AFP news agency and the Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.

Ghosn was set to stand trial in Tokyo in April on charges of financial misconduct. He was accused of hiding $80 million in payments from Nissan.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn used a second French passport to escape Japan for Lebanon on Sunday, according to reports.

Ghosn arrived in Beirut on Monday, despite surrendering his four passports  two French, one Lebanese, and one Brazilian  to Japanese authorities upon his arrest in November 2018.

Despite taking possession of the documents, Japan's courts allowed Ghosn to access the second French passport in May 2019 for use inside Japan, Agency France Press (AFP) reported, citing a source.

"He had to keep this passport" to prove his short-stay status, the source said. They also said "There was permission from the court."

Until the AFP report was published, many assumed Ghosn had managed to leave Japan without a passport.

He was scheduled to stand trial in Tokyo in April on charges of financial misconduct following his arrest in November 2018. He was accused of hiding $80 million in payments from Nissan.

The Japanese government is yet to issue any official statement on his escape.

Carlos Ghosn in Beirut, Lebanon house

REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

Japan's public broadcaster NHK also reported that Ghosn had access to a second passport on Thursday, citing unnamed sources.

"The court allowed Ghosn to carry one of the two French passports with him in a locked case," NHK said.

Ghosn was banned from traveling abroad as part of his $13 million bail agreement. That bail agreement has now been revoked in light of his escape, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Story continues

Carlos Ghosn home Beirut

Jacob Russell/Getty Images

Ghosn is said to have used a private jet to flee from Kansai Airport in western Japan to Istanbul on Sunday at 11 p.m. local time. He then travelled by a second plane to Beirut, Reuters reported, using his French passport at customs.

Ghosn concealed himself inside a musical instrument case during the escape, Lebanon's MTV news reported, though Ghosn's wife Carole has described that detail as "fiction."

Ghosn said in a statement carried by AFP on Thursday that he "will no longer be held hostage by a rigged Japanese justice system."

FILE PHOTO: Former Nissan Motor Chariman Carlos Ghosn leaves the Tokyo Detention House in Tokyo, Japan April 25, 2019. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo

Reuters

"I am now in Lebanon I have not fled justice  I have escaped injustice and political persecution," the statement said.

Citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that the escape "followed weeks of planning by associates," including "accomplices in Japan."

Japanese prosecutors raided Ghosn's home in Japan on Thursday following his escape.

The Lebanese General Security Directorate said in a statement that it will not prosecute him for coming to the country.

Read the original article on Business Insider
New Delhi: As tensions escalate between the US and Iran over the killing of Qassem Soleimani commander of Iran`s elite Quds Force, India has urged the international community to maintain peace and advocated to practice restrain so that the situation does not escalate further.

The Ministry of External Affairs in a press note released on Friday appealed for the peace and emphasised that the stability of the region was important to India.

The statement read: "We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the US. The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so."

Live TV

On the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, the commander of Iran`s elite Quds Force Qassem Soleimani was among the seven killed in an airstrike by the US military near Baghdad international airport. Soleimani was regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran and was a US-designated terrorist.

The US embassy in Baghdad has asked all American citizens in Iraq to leave the country immediately.

Meanwhile, Iran declared three days of mourning and has vowed to take "vigorous revenge" for the killing. The supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed Soleimani`s deputy, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, to replace him as Quds Force head.
A frustrated mother has revealed her sister-in-law charged a 'ridiculous' 100 per family for Christmas dinner - and didn't even provide alcohol.

The anonymous woman, believed to be from the UK, whose family consists of two adults and two children, took to Mumsnet to express her anger.

'We had to bring our own booze,' she explained. 'Pud was brought by another family member. All her veg was free from a local charity for food waste. So she only paid for meat which I ate about half a palmful of beef.'

And many were quick to take to the comments section in support of the annoyed social media user - with many suggesting she demand to see a breakdown of the costs.

'Is she a chef with a Michelin star?' asked one, while a second commented: 'I would get her to break down costs because shes taking the right p***'

An anonymous woman, believed to be from the UK, took to Mumsnet to express her anger after her sister changed 100 per family for Christmas dinner - without alcohol. Pictured, stock image

The mother went on to say how dessert was brought by another family member while the vegetables were free from a local charity shop (pictured)

A third raged: 'What?? You are being charged for going to Christmas dinner? Did you know she was going to charge? Tell her the cheque is in the post and next Christmas you will be be going elsewhere,' while a fourth agreed:

'I know of nobody who does this, why not cook your own at home?'

The woman in question went on to say how the price was originally 50 including booze, but then suddenly it didn't include alcohol and yet somehow doubled in price.

She branded the costing 'ridiculous' and she wasn't the only one shocked by the audacity of her sister-in-law - with many also posing a question mark over how much the ingredients for the festive feast would've come to.

One who took to the comments section described it as 'mortifying' and wrote: 'You absolutely need to get her to itemise it'

'Well sharing the cost of the meal I'd have no problem with but I catered for 10 and bought WAY too much meat (my mistake - I was eating Turkey for the next 3 days) from a nice butcher and it cost 120,' wrote one. 'So there's no way that four people, two of which were kids' consumed 100 of meat.'

A second added: 'If you agreed to pay 50 I'd pay that, but 100 is ridiculous if it wasn't agreed on and clearly hasn't been spent.'

Meanwhile, others demanded an exact breakdown of the bill to see where the money was spent.

'Ask her for an itemised bill. Then bill her for your company, 9 an hour for 5 hours x 4 people = 180,' suggested one, while another advised: 'You absolutely need to get her to itemise it. That is mortifying.'

A further agreed: 'Ask her how on earth she got the bill to that much when she didnt provide alcohol, desserts or have to buy veg. Seriously - ask her to explain if she wants you to pay.'
The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said that Gehlot was highly "insensitive" while giving statements on children's deaths in order to hide his flaws and therefore he should be sacked.

In her tweets in Hindi, she said: "Congress CM Ashok Gehlot of Rajasthan is making insensitive and irresponsible statements on the death 100 innocent children to hide his incompetence and flaws. It is extremely shameful and condemnable."

She further wrote "Only expressing displeasure by the Congress party over the incident that devastated hundreds of mothers is not enough. They should immediately sack him and appoint a right person in his place in order to stop further deaths."

sfm/kr
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3)  A Manila court has denied the bail petition of ten accused in the 2017 hazing death of law student Horacio Atio Castillo, saying in an order released Friday that it finds evidence of their guilt strong.

The accused who petitioned for bail were Arvin Balag, Mhin Wei Chan, Axel Munro Hipe, Oliver Onofre, Joshua Macabali, Ralph Trangia, Robin Ramos, Jose Salamat, Hans Matthew Rodrigo and Marcelino Bagtang.

The Metro Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 20, in an order dated December 10 but made public Friday, stated it was not convinced by medical experts presented by the defense who said the cause of Castillo's death may be an enlarged heart or myocardiopathy, which was seen in the initial autopsy report.

The court said even if Castillo was suffering from an internal ailment, there is still criminal liability if the blow delivered by the accused either accelerated his death or is the efficient or proximate cause of his death.

"Upon the facts and evidence presented by the prosecution, the Court finds the evidence of guilt of each of the accused strong," the order added.

It noted that a witness said the accused were present during the fraternitys final rites. It added that Hipe, Trangia and Balag used a paddle on the victim while the others struck the victims arms.

According to Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law, the presence of any person during hazing is prima facie" evidence of participation unless they prevented the commission of the act.

Castillo, a 22-year-old University of Santo Tomas law freshman, was found dead after he took part in hazing rites of the Aegis Juris fraternity. The initial autopsy report said he succumbed to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or thickening of the heart muscle. According to a police report, Castillo had hematoma or bruises on both upper arms. He also had several marks of candle wax drips all over his body.

In October, John Paul Solano, another Aegis Juris fratman, was sentenced to two to four years of imprisonment for obstruction of justice. Solano, in his first affidavit, said he randomly found Castillo's body in Tondo, Manila on Sept. 17, 2017. He said he brought Castillio to the Chinese General Hospital by flagging down motorists. The court said Solano then gave another story, saying he initially made "incorrect statements" for "uncontrollable fear for his life."
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stepped onto the Senate floor Friday to kick off the 2020 session and criticized House Democrats for waiting to send impeachment articles to the Senate, accusing them of delaying for partisan reasons. He also pushed back against the idea that they should have any say in how the Senate runs a trial and defended his coordination with the White House.

He offered no sign of when a trial might begin, pledging instead to move on to other matters: "For now we're content to continue the ordinary business of the Senate."

Pelosi fires back

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi later responded with a direct challenge to members of the Senate, citing Thursday's bombshell report about President Donald Trump's role in withholding security aid to Ukraine -- but did not clarify what her next move will be.

"Leader McConnell is doubling down on his violation of his oath, even after the exposure of new, deeply incriminating documents this week which provide further evidence of what we know: President Trump abused the power of his office for personal, political gain," Pelosi said in a statement. "Every Senator now faces a choice: to be loyal to the President or the Constitution."

Reminder: The House doesn't come back into session until Tuesday. That's the earliest that Democrats could vote to send articles over to the Senate.

What's going on under the surface

CNN's Stephen Collinson writes:

Democrats are seeking to convince Americans that the GOP is cooking the trial to shield an unchained President guilty of committing a dangerous abuse of power -- soliciting foreign interference in a US election.

Republicans, welded inexorably to their norm-busting President owing to his stranglehold on GOP voters, are framing Pelosi's refusal to hand over articles of impeachment as proof Democrats have a weak case no matter how convincing the evidence delivered in testimony by career foreign policy officials.

The showdown reflects how the adversarial grouping of lawmakers and voters into two rival teams threatens Congress' capacity to wield its own constitutional powers in a dispassionate examination of Trump's conduct and whether it is worthy of removal.

The President, who denies all wrongdoing, insisted during his New Year retreat at his Florida resort that he doesn't "really care" if he has a Senate trial or not. But his frenzied two weeks of furious tweets and searing attacks on Democrats tell a story of an agitated commander-in-chief pining for an acquittal that he can portray as vindication and use to vault into election year.

"The Witch Hunt is sputtering badly, but still going on (Ukraine Hoax!," Trump tweeted on Thursday.

Trump also continued to tweet about impeachment on Friday, after ordering a strike that killed top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani and escalating regional tensions.

More impeachment charges?

The House Judiciary and Intelligence committees could bring additional articles of impeachment against Trump, House general counsel Douglas Letter said when asked point-blank by a judge on Friday at the federal appeals court in Washington.

The responses, pushed by Judge Thomas Griffith at the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, illustrate why the House believes the Mueller investigation is still relevant during this era of impeachment.

"There've been two articles of impeachment that have been acted upon. Are you here to say that there may be a third?" asked Griffith, a George W. Bush appointee.

"There might, yeah, absolutely," Letter responded.

"The House Judiciary Committee has not finished its work on impeachment," Griffith offered.

"Nor has the Intelligence Committee," Letter said.

What are we doing here?

The President has invited foreign powers to interfere in the US presidential election. Democrats impeached him for it. A Senate trial is next. It is a crossroads for the American system of government as the President tries to change what's acceptable for US politicians. This newsletter will focus on this consequential moment in US history.

Keep track of the action with CNN's Impeachment Tracker. See a timeline of events. And get your full refresher on who's who in this drama.
[January 03, 2020] Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Expands Global Platform, Doubles Size of Paris Office

The global law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) announces a significant strengthening of its capabilities in Paris with the arrival of seven partners and their teams. This is the largest addition of a team of lawyers since the firm's merger in 2018 and supports a firmwide plan to build a balanced portfolio of capabilities across geographies. This growth on the heels of the merger further solidifies BCLP's position as a powerhouse global firm, giving clients the benefit of greater depth and breadth in Paris. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005059/en/ Left to right: Laurent Schittenhelm, Olivier Borenstejn, Henry Ranchon, Christine Daric, Jean-Pierre Delvigne, David Blondel, Olivier Mesmin (Photo: Business Wire) BCLP has a robust Paris practice with capabilities in corporate, litigation, arbitration, compliance, white collar, and labor & employment. The firm is now expanding its offerings in tax, real estate, finance and renewable energy with the additions of Partners Henry Ranchon and Laurent Schittenhelm (real estate), Christine Daric and Olivier Mesmin (tax), David Blondel and Olivier Borenstejn (finance), and Jean-Pierre Delvigne (public law and renewable energies). This range of experience complements the firm's global platform and further builds on the firm's experience in Paris and across Europe. Real Estate Henry Ranchon advises French and overseas-based property companies, real estate investment funds and developers on investing in and developing the full range of real estate projects. He handles all aspects of these transactions, and offers clients deep experience in corporate real estate, structuring (regulated or unregulated real estate funds), joint ventures, acquisitions, developments & construction, leasing, asset management and disposals. He regularly advises debt funds, real estate investors and developers on financing their projects, offering experience in the full range of senior and mezzanine debt financing structures. Before joining BCLP, Ranchon was a partner at Lefevre Pelletier & Associes, Wragge & Co. and Franklin. Laurent Schittenhelm has substantial expertise handling all manner of real estate transactions, including the most complex. His practice focuses on portfolio acquisitions and disposals through share deals and/or asset deals; commercial leases; and asset and property management agreements. He has a particular focus on real estate development including the full range of asset classes. He also advises on drafting and negotiating shareholder agreements and represents clients in commercial lease and other disputes. Schittenhelm began his career at Baker & McKenzie; he then continued with the firm Clifford Chance. Before joining BCLP, Schittenhelm was a partner at Franklin. Taxation Christine Daric handles corporate and real estate taxation matters. She is particularly experienced in general and international taxation as it applies to companies, the structuring and determiation of the taxation strategy of real estate or hotel investments in particular (structuring, taxation audit, financial modeling, negotiations and structuring of investment funds). As a taxation adviser to the Federation des Societes Immobilieres et Foncieres, she has been involved in the design, negotiation and evolution of the SIIC taxation regime since 2003. Prior to joining BCLP, Daric was a partner at Baker & McKenzie, Fairway and Franklin.



Olivier Mesmin focuses on corporate and real estate taxation matters. Olivier advises French and international clients in the context of their investments, the implementation of intragroup reorganizations, the design of their tax strategy transactions, or also in the context of their relationships with the tax authorities, in particular in the course of tax audits or the application for tax rulings. As taxation adviser to the Federation des Societes Immobilieres et Foncieres, Olivier participated in the design and negotiation of the SIIC taxation regime introduced in 2003 (French REIT regime) and in all the successive changes to the regime. Before joining BCLP, he was a partner at EY Societes d'avocats, Baker & McKenzie, Fairway and Franklin. Daric and Mesmin are ranked in the top tier for Tax in France and are widely recognized in France and overseas for their tax advice to clients in the real estate sector.

Financing David Blondel advises primarily French and overseas banks, with a focus on structured finance and debt restructuring. He offers sector-specialist expertise in corporate real estate, renewable energy, corporate acquisitions and infrastructure. Blondel has more than 15 years of experience in the banking sector as Head of Legal, Finance & Real Estate Investment with Natexis Banques Populaires and then as a partner in several French and global law firms. Prior to joining BCLP, David was a partner at Kramer Levin, Lefevre Pelletier & Associes, Wragge & Co and Franklin. Olivier Borenstejn is the trusted adviser to leading banks and corporations, advising across the full range of financing mandates. He brings strategic and legal counsel for clients, drafting and negotiating the financing arrangements for complex business transactions. His expertise encompasses acquisitions and LBOs, project finance, real estate finance and public/private partnerships. He is also able to provide high-level counsel on banking and financial regulatory matters. Borenstejn began his career at Mayer Brown, later moving to Clifford Chance, Jeantet and Reed Smith. Before joining BCLP, he was a partner at Franklin. Public Law Jean-Pierre Delvigne provides counsel and litigation representation for manufacturing groups, investment funds and financial services providers on a broad range of public, environmental and renewable energy law issues. He offers deep expertise in handling complex projects, assisting clients at every stage. Delvigne also offers strategic counsel, helping clients to anticipate and comply with legal reforms to which he contributes as a member of various professional organizations and working groups. Remy Blain, managing partner of the Paris office for the past five years, will continue in this role. In order to accommodate these new colleagues, the firm has secured additional temporary office space at another location while a permanent space for the newly expanded Paris office is secured. "The strengthening of our skills, supported by lawyers with a strong reputation in their fields, is fully in line with BCLP's strategy to be a key player in France and continental Europe," Blain commented. "Attracting a team of this caliber demonstrates our desire to invest and grow ourselves, not only in Paris but also in Europe. This is a strong message to our respective clients who will benefit from broader and integrated service offerings." "We very much look forward to welcoming this group of talented lawyers to the firm," said Co-Chair Lisa Mayhew. "The experience they bring will significantly expand our capabilities in Paris, but also will expand what we can deliver to clients across Europe and worldwide," added Co-Chair Steve Baumer. With the arrival of this team the Paris office becomes the firm's third-largest European office. Already well established in London and Germany, BCLP is continuing its growth in Europe to service the needs of clients on both a global and national level. "There are many synergies between our practices in France and those across the firm, and that played a key role in our decision. BCLP is well known in the real estate sector, which is also one of our flagship practices," said Real Estate Partner Henry Ranchon. BCLP's Real Estate Group has a broad and renowned offering across the full cross section of the industry, and as one of the most active firms across the real estate sector. The firm is well informed of market trends and developments, providing clients with a commercial perspective, as well as a legal one. This will be further strengthened by the addition of the real estate team joining in Paris. The tax lawyers joining in Paris will play a strategic role within BCLP's Tax Advice & Controversy Group, which provides comprehensive tax advice around the globe and works together across the firm's network of offices to give experienced tax advice on large, complex, multi-disciplinary, cross-border transactions." "BCLP's global platform allows us to support our clients as they face challenges in their development, globalization and transformation, particularly in countries where the economic stakes are high," added Christine Daric, taxation partner. "We fully recognize ourselves in BCLP's DNA: We share many of the same core values including a spirit of collaboration in order to serve our clients, wherever they are in the world." The BCLP Finance team advises all segments of the financial services industry, providing business-sensitive solutions to complex problems and provides fully-integrated global services and will be bolstered with the addition of these new capabilities in Paris. Additionally, clients will benefit from the Public Law Group's experience advising public and private sector clients on public contracts and procurement across regulated industry sectors. About Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner With over 1,400 lawyers in 31 offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP is a fully integrated global law firm that provides clients with connected legal advice, wherever and whenever they need it. The firm is known for its relationship-driven, collaborative culture, diverse legal experience and industry-shaping innovation and offers clients one of the most active M&A, real estate, financial services, litigation and corporate risk practices in the world. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005059/en/

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14 hurt in mishap; Kejriwal announces `1cr ex-gratia for kin of deceased.

New Delhi: A 20-year-old firefighter was killed, while 14 others were injured after a battery factory collapsed in Northwest Delhis Peera Garhi following an explosion due to a fire that broke out early on Thursday morning. The police said that 18 people were rescued from the building, including two caretakers and a security guard. Meanwhile, the police also said that the incident will be probed by its crime branch. Delhi home minister Satyendar Jain also visited the spot and ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter. The deceased firefighter has been identified as Amit Balyan (20), a fire operation with Delhi Fire Services (DFS) and a resident of Delhis Shahdara area. The police said that Amit was admitted to Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute and succumbed to his injuries during the treatment.

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced an ex gratia of `1 crore to the family of the deceased firefighter.Mr Kejriwal condoled his death and tweeted, It is with deep sadness I inform you that one of our firemen was martyred while saving people from fire. Our firemen save other peoples lives by putting their lives under extremely risk in difficult circumstances. May his soul rest in peace.

Delhi lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal also condoled the death of the firefighter. Deeply anguished over news of death of fire operator Amit Balyan along with his team members fought bravely to save lives of many people. I salute his bravery. My sincere condolences to his family members. All possible assistance to be extended to the injured & bereaved family, he tweeted.According to Atul Garg, director, DFS, a call regarding a blaze in a factory located at Udyog Nagar in Peera Garhi was received at 4.23 am following which seven fire tender were rushed to the spot.

While the firemen were dousing the fire, a large portion of the two-storey building collapsed following an explosion. The National Disaster Response Force and civil authorities rushed to the spot to control the situation and a total of 35 fire tenders were at the spot, said Mr Garg.The fire was brought under control but the cooling process is still underway. All the firemen, who were trapped under the debris, have been rescued, said Mr Garg.According to the police, eighteen people were rescued, including two caretakers and a security guard. Around 14 people were injured and 13 of them were firefighters. The injured, including a security guard of the factory, were rushed to nearby hospitals where they are undergoing treatment. Peera Garhi fire case has been transferred to crime branch for investigation, said a senior police official.

Plumes of smoke billowed out from the building as the fire brigade personnel battled to contain the blaze. An eyewitness said several explosions were heard as the blaze gutted down the building.

Santosh Kumar, who works in a plastic factory nearby, said around 9 am, the back side of the building collapsed. Two to four persons were trapped still trapped inside the building and were heard screaming for help. The fire personnel rescued them with the help of a ladder. They were alive, he said. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, who visited the fire scene, said he got to know that the condition of a person, some Manjeet Rana, is stated to be critical... The incident is big. Investigation has to be done. The fire took place around 4 am and the fire personnel are still trying to control the fire. Earlier in the day, Kejriwal said he was monitoring the situation. V sad to hear this. Am closely monitoring the situation. Fire personnel trying their best. Praying for the safety of those trapped, Kejriwal tweeted.Baijal had also tweeted earlier in the day and said Deeply saddened over the unfortunate fire incident in Peeraghadi. Met the injured. Pray for their speedy recovery. Brave firemen are putting all efforts to douse the fire and rescue people. Directed authorities to provide all possible help on urgent basis.
Photo credit: Handout - Getty Images

From Popular Mechanics

In 2002, the Pentagon ran a free-form exercise code-named Millennium Challenge.



The exercise was designed to test U.S. tactics against a modern foe based on Iran.

The Red Team, led by a retired Marine Corps general, repeatedly beat U.S. forces by using unorthodox tactics.

As the world reacts to U.S. militarys killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, many experts are predicting Iran will treat the incident as an act of war. Luckily, in 2002 the Pentagon ran an expensive wargame designed to simulate what a war with Iran would be likeand the U.S. lost heavily.

The exercise was a reminder that opponents like Iran will eke out any possible advantage they can against larger, more heavily armed U.S. forces, and that assuming enemy forces will do what U.S. forces think they willand not what will give them the best advantageis a serious mistake.

Millennium Challenge was a congressionally-mandated exercise designed to test new experimental concepts in warfare. The scenario was that the Blue Force, the U.S. military, was invading a smaller, yet scrappy Middle Eastern country (Iran), in a time frame set five years in the future, or 2007. A rogue commander within the Red force country initiated hostilities against his neighbors, leading to his invasion of disputed islands in the region. Blue Forces goal was to reopen shipping lanes, neutralize Reds weapons of mass destruction, and liberate the territory conquered by Red.

Photo credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Wilson

The Pentagon asked retired Marine Corps general Paul Van Riper to return to command Red forces, as Van Riper was known as a maverick with a reputation for unorthodox thinking. He was seen as a good fit for Red/Iran, which would seek to maximize every bit of capability it had to repel the American attack.

Faced with imminent attack, Van Riper decided to go on the offensive as soon as U.S. forces were in range. The Bush Administration had recently announced its doctrine of pre-emption, meaning the U.S. would strike first before threats grew too serious. Van Riper was reasonably sure then as two aircraft carriers, six amphibious ships, and their combined escorts bore down on him that war was likely. Van Riper decided to attack first, to pre-empt the pre-empters. As War on the Rocks explained:

Story continues

Once U.S. forces were within range, Van Ripers forces unleashed a barrage of missiles from ground-based launchers, commercial ships, and planes flying low and without radio communications to reduce their radar signature. Simultaneously, swarms of speedboats loaded with explosives launched kamikaze attacks. The carrier battle groups Aegis radar systemwhich tracks and attempts to intercept incoming missileswas quickly overwhelmed, and 19 U.S. ships were sunk, including the carrier, several cruisers, and five amphibious ships. The whole thing was over in five, maybe ten minutes, Van Riper said.

The problem? U.S. forces had expected Van Riper to sit back and come under attack, and then to launch a counterattack with his surviving forces, which could be easily brushed aside. Van Riper, who actually wanted to win the exercise, refused to sit on his hands and let the Americans attack first.

Photo credit: Photo by Senior Airman Ericka Engblom

Van Ripers success led to a problem. With the U.S. fleet sunk, including the Marine landing force, the exercise was effectively over in the first inning. Red team had won. In order to continue the exercise, the exercise controllers refloated the U.S. fleet and allowed the exercise to continue as though Reds victory had never happened.

Red team also used unorthodox means to communicate, frustrating U.S. intelligence that expected it to use modern communications techniques. Van Riper had kicked off his attack on the U.S. fleet, as The Guardian describes, gave a signalnot in a radio transmission that might have been intercepted, but in a coded message broadcast from the minarets of mosques at the call to prayer. The seemingly harmless pleasure craft and propeller planes suddenly turned deadly, ramming into Blue boats and airfields along the Gulf in scores of al-Qaida-style suicide attacks.

He also used motorcycle runners to pass orders to subordinates, whose messages could not be intercepted by U.S. aircraft designed to eavesdrop on enemy communications.

Photo credit: AFP - Getty Images

Meanwhile, the exercise controllers imposed unrealistic limitations on Van Ripers Red Team. As U.S. forces gathered to launch an air assault, it became clear the controllers were determined to let them succeed.

The red team was ready to begin shooting down the V-22s when Van Ripers chief of staff received a message from the white cell. Hostile fire against the V-22s or blues C-130 troop transport planes was forbidden. The white cell also directed the chief of staff that the red team had to position its air defense assets out in the open so the blue forces could easily destroy them. Even after some were not destroyed, the red team was forbidden to fire upon blue forces as they conducted a live airborne drop.

The search for Red Team weapons of mass destruction was also compromised. According to The New York Times the enemy figured out how to move its chemical weapons around so that the Americans could not find them, that caused problems for the simulationso control of the chemical weapons was handed over to the Americans, who then managed to destroy them.

At one point in the exercise, Van Riper was so disgusted with how controllers were running it, tying the hands of Red to ensure a Blue victory, that he sat the rest of it out, reserving his scorn for a report published afterward.

Photo credit: Historical - Getty Images

In the years leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Japanese Navy ran and re-ran several simulated battles with U.S. forces in case war broke out between the two countries. Many of these exercises ended with heavy losses for Japans carrier fleet. The solution? Simply re-float the ships and declare victory. It was this sort of hubris that arguably contributed to Japans overconfidence entering the war and eventual defeat.

There are two sides to the meddling that took place during Millennium Challenge. On one hand, if the U.S. Navy is beaten on the field, its beaten. That having been said, if the fleet isnt re-floated to continue the exercise nothing else happens and all of the preparation is for nothing. Lessons that could be learned farther along the exercise never happen at all.

At the same time, it also seems clear that the U.S. side and their controllers were determined to ram through their vision of warfare, and that an opposing side that was equally determined to win was simply kneecapped to ensure Blue team victory.

Millennium Challenge wasnt controversial because U.S. forces won, it was controversial because the other side was prohibited from having an actual shot at winning. The lesson of Millennium Challenge is that the enemy will do what it needs to do to win, not what the U.S. military needs it to do.

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Democrats are a lot of annoying and awful things, and God forbid they should roll back into power in the next election. They're also ridiculous, obnoxious, sanctimonious, constantly getting caught unaware of how preposterously their positions have placed them. It takes a whole lot of piety, hypocrisy, and phoniness to achieve some of the heights they've reached in the past year. Here's my bottom-up selection of the top 25 beclownings for 2019:

25. Edelweiss: The New York Times' Maggie Haberman, ever quick to find a reason to call President Trump a "Nazi," ignorantly tweeted that the president's playing of the anti-Nazi anthem "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music was Nazi stuff.

24. President Obama told us in that avuncular way that all the little ladies out there could run the world better than men can.

23. Spartacus Cory Booker told us about his testosterone. File under "too much information."



Image credit: Gage Skidmore.

22. Kirsten Gillibrand campaigned in high-toned "grassroots" terms to a woman who was "trying to get some ranch."

21. Katie Hill taught all us rubes out there a new word: throuples. Doesn't every Congress member get naked with the interns?

20. Joe Biden told a gay audience all about his kiss from President Obama. And he told others about his Obama friendship bracelet. He still hasn't gotten that coveted Obama endorsement.

19. Elizabeth Warren wanted to chug beer with you. Who's all in for the hardhat thing with the rich, thin Harvard law professor?



Image credit: Fox News via shareable YouTube screen shot.

18. PETA told us vegetables are sexy. Maybe to them.

17. Bob Menendez got himself photographed with all those bikini chicks on the beach in post-hurricane Puerto Rico, just as Democrats insisted their Puerto Rican aid junket conference was legit.

Spotted: Sen. Bob Menendez on the beach at a resort in Puerto Rico on Day 22 of the partial government shutdown. Reports say dozens of Dems are in PR for the CHC BOLD PAC winter retreat  including meetings on Maria cleanup, and a party with PRs Hamilton cast. pic.twitter.com/6FaBYKPo4L  David McAlpine (@DavidMcAlpine) January 12, 2019

16. Joe Biden challenged a voter to push-ups. And going for a twofer, Creepy Joe then turned it up to 11 by telling a group of Iowa voters about his leg hair in the swimming pool and how he liked little kids jumping on his lap.

15. Kamala Harris was blasted by her own dad for blithely arguing that since she's "Jamaican," she's naturally inclined to smoke pot.

14. Hillary Clinton puts on her best black accent at Elijah Cummings's funeral. Blackface bad, black accent good?

13. Maxine Waters gets schooled by bankers who explain to her that banks aren't involved in the student loan debt she railed at them about.

12. Jim Acosta whines that President Trump won't call on him, and no one will buy his book. Dear Diary...



Photo illustration by Monica Showalter with Twitter screen shot and detail from photo by Legoktm via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

11. Joaquin Castro tried to doxx voters who donated to Republicans and ended up doxxing his own donors.

If all these Trump supporters are actually as bad as Castro claims, he and his brother should have no problem returning the thousands of dollars they took from them to fund their own campaigns.https://t.co/S4K20RSYaC  Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) August 8, 2019

10. Kirsten Gillibrand campaigns in a gay bar, serving beer.

9. Julian Castro attacks Joe Biden on debate stage and loses a third of his own voters.

8. Amy Kobuchar screams at staff and eats with a comb.

7. Al Gore endorses green candidate in Australia, driving Aussie voters to vote the other way.



Image credit: Global Climate Action Summit.

6. Ralph Northam still doesn't want to tell us whether he was the man in blackface or the man in the Klan suit.

The photo showed two people, one dressed up in Ku Klux Klan robes and the other in blackface.@GovernorVA quickly admitted he was in the photo, then backtracked saying hed actually appeared in blackface a different time.https://t.co/8BAEZC13Nd  Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 28, 2019

5. "Raise your hand" if you plan to offer free health care to illegal aliens.



Image credit: NBC via shareable YouTube, screen shot.

4. Gavin Newsom gives free legal advice (in English) to illegals on how to evade ICE.



Image credit: Twitter screen shot.

3. Willie Brown helps kick off Kamala Harris's campaign by announcing she slept her way to the top.



Image credit: Freedom to Marry.

2. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer become Your Parents Waiting after you try to slink in after midnight, or rather, their bid to condemn President Trump's border wall.

Your father and I aren't angry with you, just ... disappointed. pic.twitter.com/RZKC6SxkFe  jon gabriel (@exjon) January 9, 2019

1. Eric Swalwell delivered the fart heard round the world, coming as he piously spoke of the critical importance of impeachment. Following that impressive act, he failed to man up to it.

Honorable mention: Pierre Delecto.
HINDMAN, KY.  The heritage of handcrafted stringed instruments runs deep in this tiny Appalachian village (pop. 770) stretched along the banks of Troublesome Creek. The community has been known as the homeplace of the mountain dulcimer ever since a revered maker, James Edward (Uncle Ed) Thomas, pushed a cartload of angelic-sounding dulcimers up and down the creek roads, keeping a chair handy to play tunes for passers-by.

Music is the regions lifeblood: Locals like to say that you can toss a rock and hit a musician. But these strong cultural roots have been tested by the scourges that devastated Eastern Kentucky, an early epicenter of the opioid crisis. Hindman is the seat of Knott County, one of the poorest regions in the United States and one that continues to grapple with overdose death rates that are twice the national average. It is also in the top 5 percent of counties most vulnerable to the rapid spread of H.I.V. and hepatitis C, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decline of the coal industry has brought even more economic hardship to these isolated hills and hollows  providing fertile ground for Appalachias signature epidemic.

But last year, an unlikely group of renegades  suspender-wearing luthiers from the Appalachian Artisan Center here  embarked on a novel approach to the hopelessness of addiction called Culture of Recovery, an apprentice program for young adults rebounding from the insidious treadmill of opioids and other substances. Participants, about 150 so far, learn traditional arts like luthiery  the making and repairing of stringed instruments  under the tutelage of skilled artisans. They come to the program through a partnership between the Artisan Center; a local residential rehab center for men, and the Knott County Drug Court, which is just down the block from the Appalachian School of Luthiery.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - At the start of the new year and new decade, the head of the United Nations health agency has thanked the brave health workers around the globe and asked that the world do better in supporting them
Gulzire Awulqanqizi documented Chinese repression in camps for Muslims. For China, the latter are dangerous terrorists, and for this reason, Beijing detained at least a million. During her detention, the refugee was forced to make gloves and eat pork in violation of her Islamic beliefs.

Nur-Sultan (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Gulzire Awulqanqizi, an ethnic Kazakh Chinese national currently living in Kazakhstan does not want to be sent back home where she is likely to face persecution, detention, and even torture.

Recently, she posted a video complaining that Kazakh authorities plan to deport her to China, under pressure from Beijing.

Awulqanqizi was held in the Dongmehle Internment Camp in Ili Kazakh (in Chinese, Yili Hasake) Autonomous Prefectures Ghulja (Yining) City, in Xinjiang, north-western China, from July 2017 to October 2018. She fled to Kazakhstan in December 2018.

In the last three months of detention, she says she was forced to work in a glove factory inside the camp. She and other detainees were also forced to eat pork against Muslim tradition.

In the video posted on social media she says that a source whose name she declined to give told her that her name appears on a list of people to be deported to China.

She has not received any official notification from Kazakh authorities about a possible deportation; however, Its possible that theyll send me back to China after the start of 2020, she explained.

An official named Guljan said that Awulqanqizis concerns are valid because of the attention she has brought to the camps in Xinjiang. In fact, she was one of the first people to reveal a lot of details about the camps to the international media.

She has a Kazakh green card and has applied for Kazakh citizenship but to no avail so far.

In Xinjiang, Kazakhs are the second largest Muslim ethnic group after the Uyghurs. There are also other Muslim groups, namely Kyrghyz, Tajiks and Hui.

Beijing accuses them of separatism and terrorism, and has imposed a harsh military control.

The United Nations has repeatedly asked to visit Xinjiang to verify claims of abuse against detainees, in particular Uyghurs.

China has been accused of detaining at least a million of them against their will, and of brainwashing them in order to weaken their attachment to Islam, which Beijing considers a form of radicalism.

Despite stories by camp survivors, Chinas Communist Party maintains that detention facilities are nothing more than professional training centres.
LONDON (CNN)  The developed world became more dangerous in 2015 with a massive increase in deaths from terrorism, although globally there was a slight fall, according to new figures released Wednesday.

There was a 650% increase in fatal terror attacks on people living in the world's biggest economies in 2015, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2016 reveals.

The annual report carried out for think tank the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) shows a complex picture with terrorism intensifying in some countries and spreading to new ones.

Small reduction in global deaths

However, the study also shows that across the world as a whole, the number of deaths from terrorism fell 10% to 29,376, compared to the previous year.

In 2015, there were 731 deaths related to terrorism in the 34 countries that make up the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which includes the US, UK, Germany, France, and Turkey.

The number represents the 650% increase on the previous year, with 21 of the 34 countries suffering at least one attack, the report says. Most of the victims were killed in Turkey and France.

The Bataclan music venue in Paris where 90 concert-goers were killed in a terror attack reopened Saturday, a year on from a string of ISIS shootings in the city which left 130 dead.

Five countries  Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan  experienced the worst attacks, accounting for 72% of all deaths from terrorism in 2015.

Syria saw a 50% rise in terrorism from 2014 to 2015.

Military success against ISIS and Boko Haram resulted in fewer deaths in Iraq and Nigeria but the two groups spread to neighboring states and regions, according to the GTI report.

It also says the global economic impact of terrorism amounted to $89.6 billion in 2015.

Terror spread 'cause for serious concern'

"While the reduction in deaths is positive, the continued intensification of terrorism in some countries and its spread to new ones is a cause for serious concern and underscores the fluid nature of modern terrorist activity," IEF chief Steve Killelea said in a statement.

"The attacks in the heartland of Western democracies underscore the need for fast paced and tailored responses to the evolution of these organizations," he said.

The report claims that within OECD countries, youth unemployment, levels of criminality, access to weapons and distrust in the electoral process are the most significant factors correlating with terrorism.

ISIS activity spreads

It also says ISIS became active in more countries  jumping from 13 in 2014 to 28 countries in 2015.

"Understanding the drivers of terrorism is crucial if we are to develop counter-terrorism strategies that help combat radicalization," Killelea said.

"Military operations are clearly contributing towards restraining ISIL [ISIS] in Iraq, but the continued appeal of the organization, evident in the ISIL-inspired attacks in Europe, demonstrates the limitations of a purely military approach."

Last year's report detailed the toll inflicted by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, which in 2014 was responsible for 6,644 deaths. ISIS killed 6,073 people in 2014. The two groups were responsible for more than half (51%) of deaths attributed to terrorism that year.
A large contingent of US Army paratroopers arrived in Kuwait on January 2, just hours before American forces killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport.

Footage shared by the US Department of Defense showed soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division arriving at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on January 2. The Pentagon had previously announced an immediate deployment of some 750 soldiers to the region.

Soleimanis death was greeted with celebrations in Baghdad, and mourning and protests in Iran.

The Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran issued a statement on the killing on January 3 that included the following: The United States understands that the criminal attack on Sardar Suleiman is its biggest strategic blunder in the West Asian region, and the United States will not easily escape the consequences of this miscalculation  hard retaliation awaits the criminals who smeared their dirty hands with the pure blood of Sardar Suleimani. These criminals will face severe revenge on the blood of Sardar Suleimanis critics at the right time and place. The Jihad and persistence line will undoubtedly continue to be doubly motivated, and the resistance tree will grow more prosperous every day. Credit: US Department of Defense via Storyful
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new study by San Francisco State University Assistant Professor of Management Nara Jeong suggests that CEOs look to the White House for leadership on social responsibilitybut not the way you might expect. It turns out that corporate leaders are less likely to act on their values when they're in agreement with the president. And their social responsibility efforts increase when they don't agree with the leadership of the commander in chief.

Jeong studies CEO behavior and corporate social responsibility, which is defined in her latest researchexamining a decade of behavior starting in the mid 1990sas actions that "further some social good, beyond the interests of the firm and that which is required by law." She and the study's co-author found that liberal CEOs invest more in socially conscious activities, such as diversity initiatives and environmental conservation, when they feel those values are threatened.

"Republican presidents aren't as interested in those values, so business leaders think, 'We need to do more to promote and protect these values,'"Jeong said.

Conversely, when business leaders shared the same political beliefs as the president, support for socially conscious initiatives dropped. For left-leaning CEOs, who are more likely to engage in socially responsible activities, those efforts fell by an average of 18 percent, Jeong says.

Business leaders with the same political orientation as the president may have an expectation that the government "will deliver on the social values they hold dear," the study reported. As a result, these executives may feel empowered to focus more on their companies' financial performance, Jeong adds.

Jeong and her collaborator went a step further and tested whether politics encouraged companies to act irresponsibly. Examples could include increasing pollution, lowering emission standards or doing away with policies that protect minority employees. Yet Jeong found no evidence that firms engaged in such activities based on whether their politics were aligned or misaligned with the president.

To conduct their study, Jeong looked to Kinder, Lydenberg and Domini (KLD)an index that rates the social investments companies make. Categories KLD measures include environment, community involvement, product safety, excessive compensation of executives and diversity. They examined the activities of 752 CEOs between 1994 and 2005.

Next, they turned to the Federal Elections Commission to track the CEOs' political donations over 10 years, a period that covers two presidential elections and several congressional election cycles. This helped them determine the political tendencies of the CEO. They also tracked whether the president was a Democrat or a Republican.

Jeong was surprised by her findings. "You think that the people who are committed to social responsibility will stay committed regardless of the context," she said. "[CEOs] may change their stance if the context changes."

Jeong wrote "The effects of political orientation on corporate social (ir)responsibility" with Lehman College Assistant Professor of Business and Economics Nari Kim. The study appeared in the journal Management Decision in November.

Explore further Married CEOs are more committed to social issues than non-married peers

More information: Nara Jeong et al, The effects of political orientation on corporate social (ir)responsibility, Management Decision (2019). Nara Jeong et al, The effects of political orientation on corporate social (ir)responsibility,(2019). DOI: 10.1108/MD-06-2019-0713
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The US has announced a countrywide ban on some e-cigarette flavours amid concerns about vaping among teens.

The ban applies to mint and fruit flavours that are offered in cartridge-based e-cigarettes, like the popular pods sold by Juul.

The US will continue to allow menthol and tobacco flavours, as well as fruit flavours delivered in other ways.

The action has been under consideration for more than a year, with several states passing similar rules.

South Korea, India, Brazil are among the dozens of countries that have announced sweeping vaping bans. Others, like China, have announced restrictions.

Follow Us on Facebook  @LadunLiadi; Instagram  @LadunLiadi; Twitter  @LadunLiadi; Youtube  @LadunLiadiTV for updates
- Shiksha Aurora said yes to her longtime lover when he went on one knee during their vacay in South Africa

- The K24 TV news anchor took to her Instagram page to announce the most important day of her life with beautiful photos

- Salman Manji went down on one knee on the start of the new year on Wednesday, January 1

Gorgeous K24 TV news anchor Shiksha Arora is off the market after her longtime boyfriend proposed to her on the start of the new year.

Arora got engaged to Salman Manji of Wednesday, January 1, during a vacation in South Africa.

READ ALSO: Betty Kyallo hits out at critics giving opinions over her love life

READ ALSO: Thousands of tourists throng this years Kilifi Festival

An excited Arora took to her Instagram post to share photos of the beautiful moment when she said yes to Manji.

"He asked and I said yes. Things just got real, like diamond kinda real!" she wrote.

READ ALSO: Mbunge Alice Wahome asema Uhuru na Raila wana njaa ya uongozi

She continued to thank her lover for making her the happiest woman in the world promising to "annoy" him for the rest of their lives.

"Thank you for making me the happiest girl in the world and for the most special day of my life! I cant wait to annoy you for the rest of our lives. Lets start with forever now shall Salman Manji? Starting the decade engaged," the anchor added.

During the memorable moment, Arora was clad in a mid-thigh white flowery dress while her lover was in blue shorts and a navy blue dotted shirt.

The background was that of an ocean and the waves were visible as the couple enjoyed their moments on the rocks at the shore.

TUKO.co.ke wishes the couple all the best in their new love journey.

Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly.

The Blind Tailor, I don't want people to pity me. I want them to be encouraged by my story | Tuko TV

Source: TUKO.co.ke
CLASS OF 2019

JANUARY 3, 2020  After more than 20 years of being in the U.S. military and becoming a mother, Judith Rivera can now say she also has a degree under her belt.

The mother of two is one of the newest Roadrunners to join the alumni family after earning her bachelors degree in public administration at Fall Commencement. For Rivera, its been quite the journey to be where she is today.

At a young age, she began working full-time in lunch trucks in California as a cook seven days a week while attending night school to earn her high school diploma.

It was far from ideal, Rivera said. So not wanting to be trapped as a cook for the rest of my life, I joined the Marine Corps in 1991.

She retired as a master gunnery sergeant.

UTSA will allow me to ensurepolicy matters are being followed or implemented to make military enlistees lives better.

JUDITH RIVERA

However, being in the military also came with its own obstacles. From being away from her family and facing constant reassignments, Rivera also had to face being in a male-dominated field.

To be successful as a woman in a male-dominated institution, learning to deal with these hurdles allowed me to develop self-confidence and learn that no obstacle is too big, she said.

With no obstacle being too small as well, Rivera decided it was time to pursue her undergraduate degreesomething that had been nearly a decade in the making.

After moving to San Antonio, she enrolled at the community college level before transferring to UTSA with the help of the Distinguished Transfer Scholarship, which was awarded for exceptional scholastic achievement at her previous institution, and then began study in UTSAs College of Public Policy.

UTSA will allow me to ensure governing policies regarding pay, leave, benefits and other administrative policy matters are being followed or implemented to make military enlistees lives better, Rivera said.

While its taken some time, Rivera said she knew what her calling would be once she was done. She plans to work at the San Antoniobased Air Force Personnel Center, where she interned for two summers.

I want to provide excellent customer service to all the men and women in uniform as well as their families, she said. From the beginning of this journey my goal and dream were to work for the federal government, and the faculty and staff at UTSA have helped me to reach that goal. I will forever be grateful.

Riveras oldest son now attends UTSA and her husband and youngest son are expected to start at the university as well in spring 2020.
The sale of marijuana for recreational purposes became legal Wednesday in Illinois to the delight of pot fans  many of whom began lining up hours early at dispensaries.

About 500 people were outside Dispensary 33 in Chicago. Renzo Mejia made the first legal purchase in the shop shortly after 6 a.m., the earliest that Illinois new law allowed such sales.

To be able to have (recreational marijuana) here is just mind-boggling, Mejia told the Chicago Sun-Times after buying an eighth of an ounce called Motorbreath.

Illinois already allowed medical marijuana, but it is now the 11th state to allow its use and sale for recreational purposes. The law approved by the Democratic-controlled Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker allows people 21 or older to possess of up to 30 grams (1.06 ounces) of cannabis flower and up to 5 grams (0.17 ounces) of cannabis concentrate.

Pamela Althoff, executive director of the Springfield-based Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, told The Associated Press that she spent much of Wednesday morning in Chicago and the citys northwestern suburbs. She said wait times of up to three hours were getting shorter as the day progressed.

It has been joyous and well-run, she said. People are extraordinarily courteous and civil.

Police were on-hand at most shops mostly to control traffic.

Althoff cautioned that recreational marijuana may not be consumed in public and added that like all new products, it may be a little expensive.

We hope that down the line it will become less expensive, she said. The message from the industry is not promoting or opposing, its the state of Illinois made it legal and were here to provide a safe and a quality product for those who wish to consume. We encourage our customers to be responsible.

Mary Yazel-Muska, 65, told the Chicago Tribune that she planned to celebrate her purchase from a dispensary in suburban Mundelein with champagne and edibles at home with her boyfriend.

Im a responsible human being, Yazel-Muska said. I own a home. I worked for a bank as a fraud investigator for 20 years. I rescue dogs. I volunteer. I take care of my 93-year-old mother. Its not like were all a bunch of hippies.

Cannabis sales could generate $250 million for Illinois by 2022, according to estimates by state officials.

Neighboring Michigan made recreational marijuana legal starting Dec. 1. Missouri voters made medical marijuana legal in 2018, but the state is still working on licensing businesses. The sale and use of weed for any reason still are illegal in Indiana and Wisconsin.

Michigan has 23 retailers licensed for adult-use recreational sales. Its single-transaction limit is the same for residents and nonresidents.

In Illinois, nearly three dozen dispensaries have been issued licenses to sell recreational marijuana.

A key part of Illinois law is the expungement of some low-level marijuana convictions. On Tuesday, Pritzker granted more than 11,000 such pardons.

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton bought pot edible gummies Wednesday from a Chicago dispensary, WBBM-TV reported.

Im here to celebrate a big day in Illinois, Stratton said.

Pritzkers administration said Illinois has achieved a monumental milestone with the launch of legalized cannabis.

It includes communities left behind for far too long, creates good jobs and expunges thousands of records for those who have lost out on opportunities and ends prohibition, said Toi Hutchinson, senior advisor to the governor for Cannabis Control.

But a national alliance that opposes marijuana legalization said Tuesday night that marijuana commercialization is a bad idea.

In the end, big pot only cares about being able to peddle its addictive, highly potent products in disadvantaged communities as it takes its playbook from big tobacco, said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. This what we have seen in every single state that has gone down this road, and we have no reason to expect Illinois experience to be any different.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cannabis Illinois
What are some of the effects of the Australian bushfires?





by Victor Cherubim





Australian bushfires are not new. They have been raging in years before, but the fires of 2019 have devastated not only humans but also the fauna and flora of that land. Not much is mentioned about what it has done for the animal kingdom.









For 1000s of years indigenous Australians have used fire to foster grasslands for hunting and to clear tracks through dense vegetation. Thus manmade bushfires in the Outback have been a common occurrence.





In recent times as early as 1967 we learned about the Tasmanian natural bushfire disaster which occurred on 7 February 1967, known in Australia as Black Tuesday which killed 62 people and 900 injured and nearly 7000 homeless.





In 2003 the Canberra bushfire caused severe damage to the suburbs of the National Capital. This took place around 18-22 January 2003. Almost 70% of the areas pastures, pine plantations and natural parks were severely damaged. MountStromio Observatory was completely destroyed, with 4 people dead, 490 injured and 470 homes destroyed or severely damaged requiring repairs and reconstruction.





On 7 February 2009 some ten years before the recent bushfire in September 2019 a further bushfire occurred in the State of Victoria and some 173 people died.





Now in 2019, we are told already 5,900,000 hectares of land is destroyed, over 2500

Buildings and at least 18 people have lost their lives including some volunteer firefighters.





What are some of the effects of the Australian bushfires?





Bushfires have an intensive effect and impact extensive areas and cause property damage and loss of human life. But no one talks of the extensive damage, which as many will agree, is caused to the animal and birdlife, which is difficult to quantify.





We are reliably informed that half a billion animals are feared dead in these bushfires and it is estimated at least 8,000 koala bears have already been wiped out.





Many will also agree that the firefighters cannot search for animal life including search and rescue koalas, kangaroos, camels and other animals, not to mention the varied species of birdlife.











According to researchers at the University of Sydney, some 480 million mammals, birds, reptiles are estimated to have perished since the fires started in New South Wales, Australia in September 2019. We are further informed that some 8000 koala bears alone are thought to have been killed, a third of the entire koala population of the region.





What are some of the effects of the bushfires in far away South America?





Yes, we all agree that bushfires in Australia are a regular feature of life in Australia.





But the recent blaze in the two states of Australia, New South Wales and Queensland and perhaps even in the state of Victoria, have not previously occurred on such a scale.





The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) offices in Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom, has been able to monitor the bushfires in Australia since September 2019 and states that smoke particles from these bushfires have reached South America as satellite imagery shows atmospheric pollution created by the fires across New South Wales has travelled more than 10,000 kilometres to Chile and Argentina. How knows whether they will make a claim for air pollution to a Climate Court in the years to come?





Reading between the lines, we see messages on Twitter stating what it really is like in New South Wales: the sky was just black, the Sun was red, and we saw men beating back the flames.





Clamour for Climate Change





From tomorrow 3 January 2020, two Australian States of New South Wales and Queensland have declared the State of Emergency as the bushfires are a serious threat to heavily populated areas in their states.





The Volunteer Firefighters who up to now have been a volunteer force will from now on be paid for their firefighting work.





The Security Services, the Australian Army and Navy have also been recruited to help in the operation.





Citizens of towns and cities in the devastated areas are fleeing to the beaches in search of refugee.





This has led many around the world to seek answers whether the bushfires in Australia can be linked to Climate Change?





As many know or may know, the science around Climate Change is complex. It is not the cause of bushfires, according to some scientists.





But what we know for sure is that the average temperature in Australia now is running about 1 degree centigrade above the longterm average. Seasons are starting earlier according to Richard Thornton, Chief, Bushfires and National Hazards Cooperative Research Centre in Australia. Is it any wonder for us who are ordinary citizens?





Australias Climate Change commitment under the Paris Agreement  the global deal to tackle rising global temperature is a 26-28% per capita reduction in emissions by 2030 and a 64-65% reduction in the emissions intensity of the economy between 2005 and 2030.





Will it be practical to scale this reduction in the years ahead?
The military alliance was monitoring the situation in Iraq closely Friday with an eye to the safety of its training mission there after US forces killed an Iranian general.

maintains a limited presence in Iraq to train government security forces and the alliance was not involved in the attack on Qasem Soleimani at Baghdad airport.

" is monitoring the situation in the region very closely. We remain in close and regular contact with the US authorities," spokesman Dylan White told AFP.

"At the request of the Iraqi government, NATO's training mission in the country is helping to strengthen the Iraqi forces and prevent the return of ISIS," he said.

"The safety of our personnel in Iraq is paramount. We continue to take all precautions necessary.
The Muslim population of England has passed the three million mark for the first time, according to estimates prepared by Whitehall.

They said that Muslims are the fastest-growing faith group in the country  while allegiance to Christianity continues to decline.

The figures were produced by the Office for National Statistics as part of a research project to try for the first time to make regular assessments of the size of different ethnic and religious groups.

Until now religious and ethnic minority populations could be gauged only once a decade using the results of the full-scale ten-yearly national census.

The Muslim population of England has passed the three million mark for the first time (file image)

According to the ONS assessment, Christians continue to decline in number, but the drop in allegiance to Christianity may be slowing.

Among other faith groups, the share of Hindus in the population has climbed slightly, while the proportion of Sikhs has fallen by a similar small amount.

The scale of the Jewish and Buddhist shares of the population have remained stable, the report said.

The share of people who say they have no religion at all or who will not discuss their faith has risen to almost a third of the English population, an increase almost certainly a result of the fall-off in Christian belief.

The ONS also estimated that the proportion of people in England who say they follow a religion other than a major faith more than trebled between 2011 and 2016.

The figures were produced by the Office for National Statistics as part of a research project. The results are shown on the chart above

The increase may again be a result of people searching for new beliefs after becoming disillusioned with Christianity.

The new figures suggest that in 2016  five years after the 2011 national census  there were 3,138,000 Muslims in England and Wales, up by more than 400,000 from 2.7 million over the five years. This was an increase of roughly 16 per cent.

In England alone, the ONS estimates said, there were 3,092,000 Muslims in 2016.

As a share of the population of England, the assessment indicated that the Muslim faith group made up 5.6 per cent in 2016 against 4.7 per cent in 2011.

The research report said: 'There is a decline for the Christian group, though it remains the largest group in England.

'The lower proportion of the population in the Christian group is counteracted by higher proportions of all the other groups, with the largest increases seen for the Muslim, none or not stated, and other faith groups.'

Estimates said that Muslims are the fastest-growing faith group in the country - while allegiance to Christianity continues to decline (file image)

It added that statisticians cannot yet pinpoint the reasons for the growth in the Muslim population and the decline of Christianity.

'With a breakdown by any other characteristics, for example by age or sex, we cannot draw any conclusions about what causes these differences,' the report said.

The speed of increase in the Muslim population estimated by the new research appears to match that detected by national censuses. In 2001, the census said Muslims made up 3.0 per cent of the numbers in England and Wales.

The decline in Christianity has been widely charted, not least by the churches themselves in their tallies of congregations.

The 2011 census recorded 33.2 million people in England and Wales who had declared themselves as Christian, but according to the new estimates this had fallen to 32,731,000 by 2016.

The 2016 research said Christian share of the population in England alone dropped from 59.6 per cent to 56.6 per cent.

However, since evidence from censuses said the Christian population in England and Wales fell by 12 percentage points between 2001 and 2011, the decline of Christian faith may be slowing.

The new assessment suggested that many more people are adherents of minor faiths than were reported by the 2011 census.

The speed of increase in the Muslim population estimated by the new research appears to match that detected by national censuses. Pictured: Muslims congregate at Regents Park Mosque for noon prayers in London

It said that the new methods  based on the Annual Population Survey, carried out among more than 300,000 people each year  found that 1.5 per cent of the population regard themselves as followers of small faith groups, compared to 0.4 per cent recorded by the census.

Nearly a third of the population, 32.8 per cent, either had no religion or would not discuss their faith in 2016, the report said, against 31.9 per cent who were of no faith or would not say in the 2011 census.

The report said the new assessments, which take in results from three years of the Annual Population Survey between 2014 and 2016, were not detailed enough to provide an accurate picture of the size of ethnic and religious groups in local areas.

But it said that 'at the national level it is reasonable to assume some insight can be found in comparing the 2011 census results for England and Wales to those produced by our new method.'

It said: 'This is the first time that illustrative estimates of population by religion have been produced using this method.'

The report added that there were 'a number of potential gaps in the existing evidence base, including in the availability of up-to-date estimates of the size of the different religious populations. The most recent official estimates come from the 2011 census.

'A comparison of the 2001 census with the 2011 census showed that the number of people identifying with the different religious groups changed considerably over this period, so there is a need to consider how populations may change between censuses.'

While the ONS said the new estimates could not be used to assess local populations, the 2011 census report said that 'Muslims tended to be concentrated in particular areas of England.

'In over half of local authorities the proportion of the population who were Muslim was under one per cent. In over three-quarters of areas it was under six per cent.

'The areas with the highest proportion of Muslims were in London with the boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham having 34.5 per cent and 32.0 per cent respectively.

'There were several areas outside London with proportions higher than 20 per cent including Blackburn with Darwen in the North West (27.0 per cent ), Bradford in Yorkshire and the Humber, Luton in East of England, Slough in South East, and Birmingham in the West Midlands.'
(Alliance News) - Tri-Star Resources PLC said Friday negotiations for the funding of its investment in Strategic & Precious Metals Processing LLC are continuing but the company is unhappy with the terms currently offered.

Shares in the mineral processor were down 58% in London in morning trade at 14.48 pence each.

Tri-Star's principal activity is its investment in an antimony and gold production facility in Oman which is being developed by Strategic & Precious Metals Processing, a company which Tri-Star has a 40% stake in.

The other joint venture partners are The Oman Investment Fund - which holds a 40% stake - and DNR Industries Ltd, part of Dutco Group in Dubai - holding a 20% stake.

SPMP is currently seeking further financing to up production at its Oman facility, which is targeting 100% capacity by the end of 2020. In order to achieve this, SPMP has determined it will need to raise USD160 million of working capital, which includes USD60 million for building up inventories and continued investment to meet current debt obligations.

Tri-Star said: "SPMP has considered several different combinations and types of finance including debt, mezzanine and equity funding and although negotiations with various potential providers of finance continue, the terms offered to date are, in the view of the board of Tri-Star, unacceptable."

"It is also the board of Tri-Star's view that any such provider of further finance to SPMP will require comfort that the total funding required of up to USD160 million is available prior to confirming its individual commitment to the funding package," the company added.

Tri-Star said the long-term future of SPMP remains "uncertain" due to its inability to secure funding on agreeable terms, but stressed negotiations are ongoing.

Tri-Star added: "Negotiations between the shareholders of SPMP continue as to how to provide short term financing to SPMP in order for it to continue its operations. No agreement has yet been reached. However, the various outcomes might include the dilution of Tri-Star's share-holding in SPMP (as a result of the financial contributions of other shareholders) and the temporary suspension of operations at SPMP."

The company noted SPMP is currently in technical default of its current banking facility with Bank Nizwa and Al Aziz Bank, as SPMP was unable to meet its most recent repayment obligation. Tri-Star said short term funding from shareholders is expected to "remedy" the default.

Tri-Star's obligation is 40% of the total liabilities of about USD75 million, but noted the obligations are cancelled once the plant in Oman reaches commercial production - which Tri-Star believes to now be the case.

In November, Tri-Star said SPMP informed the company commercial grade antimony had been produced and commercial grade gold dore had been produced and sold.

"The guarantee will be formally discharged once an independent consultant certifies to the banks that commercial production has been successfully started," Tri-Star added.

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2020 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Students of various colleges of the city and the transgender community on Friday took out protest march against the Centre's proposed implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR).

The march, which originated from Shahid Minar in downtown Esplanade area of the city, was supposed to go to RSS office in north Kolkata.

However, police put up barricades near Scottish Church College to prevent them to march further to the RSS office on Beadon Street.

Since the passage of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in Parliament in December 2019, students of prominent educational institutions of the city - Presidency University, Jadavpur University, SRFTI and St Xavier's College took to the streets to protest against the CAA, NRC and the NPR.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Trumps decision to strike and kill the second most powerful official in Iran turns a slow-simmering conflict with Tehran into a boiling one, and is the riskiest move made by the United States in the Middle East since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The calculus was straightforward: Washington had to re-establish deterrence, and show the Iranian leadership that missiles fired at ships in the Persian Gulf and at oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, along with attacks inside Iraq that cost the life of an American contractor, would not go without a response.

But while senior American officials have no doubt the Iranians will respond, they do not know how quickly, or how furiously.

For a president who repeated his determination to withdraw from the caldron of the Middle East, the strike that killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, who for two decades has led Irans most fearsome and ruthless military unit, the Quds Force, means there will be no escape from the region for the rest of his presidency, whether that is one year or five. Mr. Trump has committed the United States to a conflict whose dimensions are unknowable, as Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, seeks vengeance.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 05:27:15|Editor: yan

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DUBLIN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Irish Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) on Friday announced a 28-million-euro (about 31 million U.S. dollars) economic stimulus package for its border region in order to mitigate the impact of Brexit.

"All of the research shows that the Border Region is most exposed to the impact of Brexit. I want to ensure that businesses in the region are supported by Government in responding to the challenges and uncertainties which lie ahead," said Heather Humphreys, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation while announcing the details of the package.

The border region refers to six counties in Ireland, which either border with or are close to the border with Britain's Northern Ireland. They include Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.

It is widely believed that Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) on Jan. 31, 2020 will have a negative impact on Ireland's economy, especially on the economy in its border region as the region heavily depends on trade, especially agrifood trade with Northern Ireland and has few competitive industries of its own.

A survey recently published by the country's Central Statistics Office showed that whole sale and retail is the largest sector for employment in the border region.

Imposition of tariffs on goods traded between Ireland and Northern Ireland is inevitable if Britain and the EU fail to reach an agreement on their future trade relationship by the end of 2020.

The 28-million-euro economic stimulus package is designed to help local businesses build Brexit resilience through the transformation and diversification of their products and markets, said Humphreys.

Out of the 28 million euros, 15 million will go to Border Enterprise Development Fund which is open to all applicants with competitive and innovative projects, she said, adding that each successful applicant will also get a maximum subsidy of 15,000 euros from the government for the costs of their project feasibility studies.

The DBEI will also invest through its arm Industrial Development Authority (IDA) in constructing three Advanced Technology Buildings, similar to a high-tech industrial park, in Louth, Monaghan and Sligo in 2020 to attract foreign direct investment to the border region, said the minister.

"The funding I am announcing today is in addition to all of the existing Brexit supports which are already available nationwide," said Humphreys.

The Irish government has prepared over 1.2 billion euros in its 2020 budget to deal with the Brexit impact.(1 euro=1.117 U.S. dollars)
(Newser)  The United Methodist Church looks poised to allow same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy for the first time in its historybut it'll come at a cost. The nation's third-largest denomination will fracture as a result, as soon as May, reports the Washington Post. An agreement announced Fridaysigned by 16 church leaders, both liberals and conservativescalls for traditionalist congregations that view LGBT restrictions as supported by the Bible to form a new denomination with $25 million in United Methodist funds over four years. There have been inklings of such a move since church leaders narrowly voted to maintain a ban on same-sex marriages and allowing LGBT people to serve as clergy last February.

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"It felt as though something died that day within the United Methodist communion," the Rev. Erin Martin of Portland, Ore., told USA Today in November, adding, "we may not be able to hold together." The Rev. Keith Boyette, president of the traditionalist Wesley Covenant Association, which has already begun forming its own doctrines, says many members felt the two factions were irreparable. "I believe this is a fair and equitable solution that puts decades of conflict behind us and gives us a hopeful future," he tells the United Methodist News Service. Traditionalist congregations can take certain church assets with them under the agreement brokered by mediation expert Kenneth Feinberg. It will need to be approved at the church's general conference in May. (Read more United Methodists stories.)
Former Lenovo Mobile head joined Xiaomi recently, and may face some legal issues because of it. Were talking about Chang Cheng, who has been Lenovos Vice President and Head of Lenovo Mobile China for quite some time.

Mr. Cheng has joined Lenovo 19 years ago. He resigned on December 18 last year, on the same day as Liu Chuanzhi. Mr. Chuanzhi, for those of you who do not know, is the founder of Lenovo.

Chang Cheng joined Lenovo back in 2000, as the Director of Research and Development for the companys notebook business. He was appointed the Vice President of Lenovo Group back in 2011, which is the same year he became the General Manager of the mobile end-to-end software platform. In mid-2015, he became the CEO of Lenovos ZUK mobile brand.

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Mr. Cheng left Lenovo because of personal health issues and because he wanted to spend more time with his family, says the source. So, the fact that he joined Xiaomi so soon after quitting his job at Lenovo is quite odd.

Chang Cheng has decided to join Xiaomi, as he became the companys Vice President. That news got confirmed by Lei Jun, the founder, Chairman and CEO of Xiaomi. Mr. Cheng confirmed the news via his Weibo account as well.

In his new role, Mr. Cheng will be responsible for smartphone product planning, reports Gizmochina.

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Former Lenovo Mobile head may face legal issues if he signed a non-competition agreement

That being said, former Lenovo Mobile head may face some legal issues because of joining Xiaomi. According to Tech Sina, Lenovo has released a statement that confirms that all employees working with the company have to sign a non-competition agreement.

This actually means that former employees are under a contract not to move to a competitor, though that probably goes for highly-ranked officials. Chang Cheng is definitely one of those.

Were not entirely sure what Chang Cheng signed, so we cannot really know what comes next. If he did sign such a contract, which prevents him from joining a competitor after he leaves the company, then Lenovo has the right to sue.

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If that ends up being the case, Chang Cheng may be faced with a fine, and also a new type of contract which would prevent him from sharing Lenovo information with Xiaomi, though that part was probably a part of the initial contract.

Do note that a lawyer from Beijing pointed out that the competition agreement does not fall under mandatory signing. So, we dont really know if Chang Cheng signed such a contract or not, though considering his position at Lenovo, chances are he did.

Chances are well hear more about this in the coming weeks / months. Were still waiting for a statement from Xiaomi and / or Chang Cheng regarding all this.
Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

As the New Year starts, the outlook for the bushfire situation in Australia continues to be grim. These huge and disastrous fires continue to burn ferociously and with abandon, and reports have come out that the fires have actually intensified in the last 12 hours. NOAA-NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured imagery of the fires and the resultant billowing smoke cascading off the edge of Australia on Jan. 01, 2020.

In the resort town Mallacoota, Australia, wildfires surrounded the southeastern seaside town. Over 4,000 people were forced to seek refuge on the beach and even boats in the water yesterday as deadly blazes closed in. The scene was described by residents as apocalyptic, with the sky turning a dark orange. On the major fire updates page of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service page (this is discounting more fires that have plagued the states of Victoria and Queensland) there are nearly 1.5 million hectares that are currently on fire. That is 3.67 million acres that continuing to burn just in New South Wales alone. According to the Bushfires and Natural Hazards CRC website: "The 2019/20 fire season is well underway with multiple large bushfires occurring since the release of the previous Outlook in August. Queensland and New South Wales in particular have experienced severe fires, but all states have had challenging fire conditions. Catastrophic fire danger ratings have been issued in NSW, Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria, and there has been loss of human lives and animals, and damage to property and the environment." The 2019/2020 outlook for the fire season was showing: "above normal bushfire potential for large fires to take hold based on recent and predicted weather, the dryness of the land and forests, recent fire history and local firefighting resources." This prediction has come to pass and exceed the outlook for the year. And no end is currently in sight.

The map below taken from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service website shows the areas currently on fire. There is almost no area which has not been affected to date.

NASA's satellite instruments are often the first to detect wildfires burning in remote regions, and the locations of new fires are sent directly to land managers worldwide within hours of the satellite overpass. Together, NASA instruments detect actively burning fires, track the transport of smoke from fires, provide information for fire management, and map the extent of changes to ecosystems, based on the extent and severity of burn scars. NASA has a fleet of Earth-observing instruments, many of which contribute to our understanding of fire in the Earth system. Satellites in orbit around the poles provide observations of the entire planet several times per day, whereas satellites in a geostationary orbit provide coarse-resolution imagery of fires, smoke and clouds every five to 15 minutes.

For more information about the map and the individual fires go to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me. Credit: New South Wales Rural Fire Service webpage

More information: For more information visit: For more information visit: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/fir  /missions/index.html
NEW YORK - Mexicos former top security official pleaded not guilty on Friday on charges he accepted a fortune in drug-money bribes from kingpin Joaquin El Chapo Guzmans notorious Sinaloa cartel to let it operate with impunity.

Genaro Garcia Luna, 51, was indicted in New York on three counts of cocaine trafficking conspiracy and a false statements charge.

During his brief appearance in a Brooklyn courtroom, Garcia Luna shook his head no as prosecutors outlined the charges against him.

A judge ordered him detained after Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Reid argued that he would pose an unacceptable risk of flight if released. Garcia Lunas lawyer, Cesar de Castro, said he would ask the court at a later date for his client to be granted bail.

Garcia Luna was viewed as the point man in then-President Felipe Calderons 2006-2012 war on drugs. As public safety secretary, he was one of the most feared members of Calderons government, but for years was dogged by allegations about his ties to drug traffickers.

Calderons government was criticized for not going after the Sinaloa cartel with the same energy as the cartels rivals. Calderon always rebuffed that criticism.

U.S. prosecutors said in a court filing this month that Garcia Luna had accepted tens of millions of dollars in bribes  often briefcases full of cash  to protect the cartel.

Because of the defendants corrupt assistance, the Sinaloa Cartel conducted its criminal activity in Mexico without significant interference from Mexican law enforcement and imported multi-ton quantities of cocaine and other drugs into the United States, prosecutors wrote.

They added that Garcia Luna prioritized his personal greed over his sworn duties as a public servant and assured the continued success and safety of one of the worlds most notorious trafficking organizations.

De Castro declined to comment on the charges.

During Guzmans 2018 New York trial, jurors heard former cartel member Jesus Zambada testify that he personally made at least $6 million in hidden payments to Garcia Luna, on behalf of his older brother, cartel boss Ismael El Mayo Zambada.

Its alleged that during the time Garcia Luna protected the Sinaloa Cartel in exchange for bribes, the cartel, at the direction of Chapo Guzman, Mayo Zambada and other leaders, sent multi-ton drug loads to New York and other American cities, including the federal district covering Brooklyn and Queens, according to court documents.

Garcia Luna lived in Miami, Florida, before his arrest last month in Texas. From 2001 to 2005, he led Mexicos Federal Investigation Agency and from 2006 to 2012 served as Mexicos secretary of public security before relocating to the U.S., authorities said.
New Delhi: Union Minister Smriti Irani and BJP Delhi's state president Manoj Tiwari, on Friday, launched 'Meri Dilli, Mera Sujhav' campaign through which BJP will take the suggestions of people ahead of the assembly election. The party has also released a number in which people can give a missed call to connect with the campaign. The party will also include the suggestions in its manifesto.

Smriti Irani who was there to flag off the campaign, in her addresses said that the AAP government has focused more on advertisement than at work. She added that if people want speedy progress in Delhi they will have to vote BJP to power. Smriti further said this campaign is launched taking inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to understand the 'Mann ki Baat' of the people of Delhi.

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The campaign is likely to go on for two weeks and people can send their suggestions through the website launched by the Delhi BJP. BJP leader Manoj Tiwari who was present at the event slammed the government on several issued including the development of schools, employment, and pollution. Tiwari said, ''The government is only investing in non-productive things and doing nothing fruitful for the development of Delhi. ''

Just after the launch of the campaign, Manoj Tiwari addressed a large crowd and urged the people of Delhi to vote for BJP in the upcoming election if they wish to see good developments here.
MEXICO CITY - Four men were shot to death in the northern Mexico border state of Sonora, two of whom were suspects in the December stabbing deaths of three women.

The two had outstanding warrants for kidnapping and criminal conspiracy.

State prosecutors said two vehicles carrying gunmen pulled up to the four men in the parking garage of a shopping mall and opened fire on Thursday.

The dead men included one migrant from Honduras.

The prosecutors office did not say whether the killings were related to the deaths of the women, whose bodies were found on a roadside on Dec. 29.

However, the womens bodies lacked identification and one was shoeless, suggesting they may have been kidnapped and held somewhere.
Norway Introduces New Legislation to Thwart Offshore Gambling

Published January 3, 2020 by Mike P

Offshore gambling operators are not allowed to provide services to Norwegian residents. New legislation will now go further than ever before to halt the practice.

Norways national gambling regulator, Lotteri-og stiftelsestilsynet, has announced fresh measures to prevent financial transactions from being made by residents to online gambling operators that are unauthorised to function in any way within the country.

As of 1 January 2020, the Norwegian Gaming Authority (NGA) shall impose protocols to ensure payments to offshore gambling operators cannot be processed by domestic financial institutions. This will come a decade after the 2010 introduction of the Norwegian Payment Act, which had little impact when introduced in an attempt to prosecute rogue operators.

A Long-running Battle

In 2018, Norway stepped up its efforts to thwart offshore gambling payments and did so by preventing domestic financial institutions from processing transactions being made to providers that acted as intermediaries with operators. Among the main examples cited were the digital payment providers Trustly and Entercash.

Entercash actually decided to challenge the NGA and ultimately lost a legal battle that concluded in August 2019. Finally, the Norwegian Ministry of Culture sided with the NGA by agreeing that payments to unlicensed gambling operators and through intermediaries should be blocked, and that providers such as Entercash should not be helping players to subvert legislation.

Norwegian State-owned Monopolies

The landscape of the Norwegian online gambling industry is one of state-owned monopolies: Norsk Rikstoto can facilitate wagers on horse racing, and Norsk Tipping provides more general gambling services. A recent deal between Norsk Tipping and Scientific Games will lead to players having access to new online casino content in the months ahead.

Despite facing no competition, the Norwegian monopoly operators are losing an estimated $600 billion from an approximate player base of 250,000. Norwegian financial institutions will now be expected to play a greater role in bringing those figures down. Their new responsibility will now force them to deny payments based on a list of unauthorised financial institutions.
In his address to the 107th session of Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he would always remember the manner in which the nation "celebrated science, the space program, and the strengths of scientists" during the Chandrayaan-2 mission in September last year.

Speaking at the event PM said, "I am very happy that one of my first programmes at the start of the New Year and the new decade is linked to science, technology, and innovation. This programme is happening in Bengaluru, a city associated with science and innovation. The last time I had come to Bengaluru was when the eyes of the nation were set on Chandrayaan-2. That time, the manner in which our nation celebrated science, our space program, and the strengths of our scientists will always be a part of my memory." He went on to add, "When we start the year 2020 with positivity and optimism of science and technology-driven development, we take one more step in fulfilling our dream."

READ | 2019 Highlights Part 2: From Chandrayaan-2 To Anti-CAA Protests, Here's What Happened

In September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed the nation from ISRO Control Centre in Bengaluru, after ISRO lost communication with 'Vikram' lander of Chandrayaan 2 moments before it was preparing to make a soft-landing on the south pole region of the Moon. "Don't lose hope. Be courageous. There are ups and downs in life. What you all have done is not a small thing. You have done a great service to the country, science and mankind. I am with you. I wish you all the best," the Prime Minister had told the scientists.

READ | ISRO To Launch Chandrayaan-3 In 2020

About Chandrayaan-2 mission

Chandrayaan-2's rocket lifted off at the scheduled time of 2:43 PM on July 22 with the Vikram Lander and Pragyan rover housed in it. Vikram lander was scheduled to 'soft-land' on the moon on September 7 and Pragyan rover was set to roam the lunar surface to collect samples for study. With Chandrayaan-2 India aimed to become the fourth country to a soft landing on the Moon after US, Russia, and China.

Unfortunately, on September 7 at 1:50 AM when Vikram was scheduled to land, ISRO's Deep Space Antenna lost communication with Chandrayaan-2's lander- Vikram as it descended towards the lunar surface. The lander which had descended from 30 km to 2km smoothly, had lost communication with Mission Control. The most heart-warming moment was when PM Modi was seen hugging a heart-broken ISRO chief K Sivan, who was seen breaking down after Vikram Lander lost contact.

The debris of the crashed Vikram Lander was located by NASA on December 3 - 89 days after losing contact with Vikram.

READ | After Chandrayaan-2 Setback In 2019, ISRO Plans Another Lunar Mission

READ | How Chandrayaan-2 Made Netizens Around The World Cheer India And ISRO

(With ANI inputs)
As we looked back this week to everyone we have helped in 2019, we are grateful for the many lives changed by our charity. We want to share with all of you what we have accomplished together over the past year.

Just this week, one of our volunteers ran into someone we helped over 10 years ago, and while I had a hard time remembering everything we did for this woman and her family, she remembered every detail. She also said: The assistance I received from The Time is Now to Help really changed everything in my life. Ever since your help, we continue to do well. I cant thank The Time is Now enough for what they did for my family.

When we hear comments like that, it puts everything we do in perspective. It reminds us of why we do what we do.

At the time of writing this column, we still have a few days left in 2019. We plan on using those days to help as many people as possible with the donations we have received in December. As of Dec. 27, we have helped approximately 683 people in 2019.

Just think of how many lives were touched and inspired and changed. Children were not only given food, shelter, clothing, beds, school supplies, dental care, shoes, diapers, toiletries and even a few toys, they were also given hope. The elderly were shown compassion and given the gift of knowing someone cared. Veterans who also suffer from PTSD or disabilities were reassured by our assistance, feeling our appreciation and caring for the sacrifices they made for our country.

Working-poor families and single mothers felt the relief of the constant stress and worry over overdue rent, unpaid utilities, food insecurity and so much more. People of all ages struggling due to their poor health or injuries were relieved to know we would make sure they would not be evicted nor have their utilities disconnected.

We started 2019 by helping a veteran with cancer who was living in his car. His health was failing as he struggled to keep up with his personal hygiene, stay warm and eat properly, all while living in a car. Our caring and sharing helped him to move into an apartment, and we also helped provide a new bed, bedding, toiletries and food. Thanks to our caring and sharing, he is now in remission and living comfortably. He has reunited with family and made new friends. This was all possible, thanks to all of you and your generous donations given last December. Those donations allowed us to help over 50 people, in addition to this veteran, in January 2019.

In February, we helped Joanne, a single mother of two children, who was living in a domestic abuse shelter. She moved across the state to escape the abusive relationship she was in. She had found a job, but could not seem to save enough for a security deposit and first months rent. We provided Joanne and her children with a security deposit and two months rent for an affordable two-bedroom apartment. We also provided beds, household necessities, clothing, furniture, toiletries and much more. Now, Joanne is able to support her children and raise them in a home without the constant fear of violence. Now they live in a home filled with love thanks to all of you. We also shared that same caring and sharing with nearly 50 other families, senior citizens, the handicapped and veterans in February 2019.

By March 2019, everyone was tired of the long winter months and the high utility bills they caused. The hardest hit by the cold winter weather were the elderly, the handicapped and people struggling due to health problems. One of these people was Kathy, a single mother of two children. One of Kathys children is disabled and has special needs. Kathy missed work for several weeks, due to her children being sick. After several trips to emergency rooms and prescriptions she could barely afford, Kathy fell further and further behind in all of her expenses. By the time she was able to return to work, she had run out of sick days and vacation time. Our assistance helped Kathy and her children to not become another homeless statistic. We also paid their high utility bills to prevent the risk of disconnection in spring. This assistance to Kathy and her children, along with the assistance to nearly 70 other fellow creations in March, was gratefully and tearfully received, thanks to all of us coming together and networking our assistance to relieve their pains of poverty.

April brought assistance to more than 70 people struggling in poverty. One of these people was Sherrie, a senior citizen who moved to our area to be close to family when she was diagnosed with lung cancer. Unfortunately, her family was not able to provide proper living conditions for Sherrie as she went through her difficult cancer treatments. Sleeping on her daughters couch with four young children, including a newborn baby, in the house was not ideal as she was never able to rest. Her daughter was struggling financially, and did not have the space or money to help her. With the help of volunteers and your donations, we were able to help Sherrie move into a small apartment close to her daughter. We provided a new bed and bedding. We also provided her daughter with gift cards for gas and food, so she could drive her mother to all her medical appointments and cook for her as needed. The daughter was moved by the compassion we shared with her mother, as she wanted to be able to help her. Our assistance provided the healing environment that Sherrie needed.

With springs late arrival, many people were still struggling to pay their high utility bills in May. They also were stressed with trying to pay all of their other expenses, in addition to those high utility bills. Thanks to the generous donations we received from all of you and our matching grant donors, we were able to continue sharing our charity work with more than 70 people in May.

One of these families was struggling due to the husbands long-term medical condition. He was very critical and was no longer able to keep up with the upkeep of their home. The wife was so busy with his care-giving, she had to give up her job and become his full-time caregiver. Their home fell into disrepair and became a health hazard, due to roof leaks and mold. Thanks to all of you and our generous matching grant donors, we were able to have this familys roof repaired and the mold remediated from their home. They now can live in a healthy home without buckets to catch the leaks from the spring rains and mold growing on the ceilings and walls. As the wife hugged me, she again shared her gratitude for the work done to their home. Without our help, their home would have fallen down around them, and they along with their son would have been living in a life-threatening health hazard. Now the husband is able to concentrate on his healing and not worry constantly about the home his family lives in.

The summer months brought help to approximately 190 people. Many of these were families with children who were home for the summer. During the school year, many of these children receive free/reduced lunch in our local schools. When school is not in session, these families struggle to pay the additional food expense, due to working minimum wage jobs. Thanks to our food pantries, many of these families are provided food each month.

Some families are not able to go to the food pantry during operating hours, due to jobs or illness. That is when our assistance with food is most needed. One of the people we helped this past summer is Allie and her three children. Allies husband passed away unexpectedly in a car accident over a year ago. She has been struggling to keep up ever since his loss. After talking with her extensively, she has finally begun to move forward. We set up a budget that will help them to survive in the coming months. We also helped her to move from a home she could not afford to a rental that would allow her to pay all of their bills each month. We also paid to have her car repaired, and provided much needed food. Allie and her children are now able to think about the future without fear and stress. That brighter future is thanks to all of you, our gracious donors.

We also helped Joan and Mark in August. Joan and Mark are senior citizens who were both struggling due to serious health problems. They were living in a rundown mobile home with leaks and without utilities, as they had been disconnected due to their inability to pay their bills, with their many medical expenses. They also were cutting back on food to try to get by. It took some convincing to get them out of their mobile home, but now Joan and Mark are happy to be living in their new apartment with working utilities. They no longer have to contend with the dangerous stairs coming in, and are much healthier, thanks to the clean environment. Joan and Mark are two of many senior citizens we helped in 2019.

In September, we helped nearly 40 people with the daily necessities of life. Shelter, food, utilities, toiletries, and transportation are our most requested and received assistance.

One of the people we helped was Anna, a single mother of a 4-year-old daughter who was born with special needs. Annas daughter has to make many trips to Childrens Hospital for her continuing care. Anna works, but misses many days due to her daughters ongoing medical needs. When Annas car broke down on the way to the hospital, she finally reached out to us for help. A friend had mentioned our charity, but she never really believed wed be able to help. We changed her doubt to hope when we paid their overdue bills and also provided Anna with a good donated vehicle after finding her car was beyond repair. Now Anna no longer has to worry about breaking down on the highway with her daughter on their way to her life-saving medical care. Thank you for allowing us to provide our assistance to Anna and her daughter in 2019.

In October and November, we provided assistance to more than 120 fellow creations. October brought winter-like temperatures and even snow. November was more of the same. We had many letters requesting our assistance, and worked diligently to help as many as possible. Helping multiple people a day can be a daunting task, but we are always up to the challenge.

One of my days in November was spent with Ben, a senior citizen living in a mobile home. I was glad I made the visit, as more assistance came to light after my review. With our assistance with repairs, Ben will be able to continue to live in his mobile home with his two small dogs.

I also visited a woman who lives with and cares for her mother. These two women share a loving home, but needed some help with their expenses and a trip to the dentist. There was so much caring, sharing and love shared with our fellow creations in 2019 thanks to all of you.

This month has been challenging, as our donations have been lower than in previous years. We also have more letters requesting our assistance than received in any other month this year. There are so many people still waiting for our caring assistance that will relieve their suffering and pains of poverty. While we look forward to the new year, we pray for those we have touched with kindness this year. Many would be homeless if it was not due to your generosity. Many would have gone hungry or done without daily necessities if it was not due to your generosity. Jobs would be lost, due to a lack of transportation and gas.

Life would be hard for many, but thanks to your generosity, the pains of poverty have been eased. I feel blessed to bring this relief of suffering to every person I visit. Every heartfelt hug and tear of relief is thanks to all of you.

We need your continued help to remove the pains of poverty for our fellow creations. Please care and share what you can. Every penny of your donation is used to provide poverty relief for those in desperate need. Ever since the founding of The Time is Now to Help, not one penny of your donation is used for overhead, salaries or expenses. Thanks to you, we hope to be able to share the blessings of food, shelter, warmth, transportation, clothing, toiletries and so much more.

Thank you and God bless you for all we accomplish together to ease the pains of poverty. Happy New Year.

Please help: There are many coming to us in desperation. Our good fellow creations need our compassion. Together we make a big difference. Make checks payable to: The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 1, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 5013 charitable organization licensed in the states of Wisconsin and Illinois. You will receive a tax deductible, itemized thank you receipt showing how your donation provided assistance for the poverty stricken.

A very special thank you: Rhoades Foundation Fund at The Chicago Community Trust, Paul Ziegler, Ziegler Charitable Foundation, Kunes Country Auto Group, John and Valerie Lincoln, Dick and Jean Honeyager, Lake Geneva Area Realty, Barnabas Donors, Jeff Martin, Steven & Deidred Trumble, Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Grunow Family Fund, Mary Kay Ring, Dean and Shirley Taylor, James and Cathy Beierle, Mimi Rasch and Family, Allen Hermansen, Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schuberth, Mary Fitzgerald, Joseph and Jacque Moser, Keith and Lynn Burns, Steven and Laurie Terhark, Albert and Ellen Burnell, Carolyn Bintz, Ray and Pam Ring, Community State Bank, Anne Redmer, Stanley and Carolyn Logterman, Bruce and Nancy Johnson, Ron and Carolyn Bloch, John and Rita Race, Marcia Madaus, Margaret Kane, Richard and Deborah Schlitz, Paul Weinstock, Robert and Arianne Bretz, Judy Dishneau, George and Nadine Kelm, Laura Johnson, Daniel and Ruth Haak, Robert and Patricia Davis, Charles and Kathleen Heinz, Jerome and Peggy Serwa, George and Marilyn Wilkin, Michael and Kathe Beach, John and Sally Dicmas, William Antti, Ernest Roy, Beth Jurgensen, Richard and Mary Ruch, Michael Glass, Patricia Jankowski, Orval and Barbara Keltner, Ritas Wells Street Salon, John and Rita Race, Randall and Susan Hofberger, Lisa Luedtke, Donald Schwab, Phillip and Deborah Tichy, Joseph and Beth Pizzo, Jeffrey and Helen Harold, Edward and Doreen Ruder, Rosemarie Reiherzer and Doris Kranitz.

Honoraries: Mark and Natalie Reno to thank God for all his graces.

Memorials: Joyce Byers in memory of Rhonda and Dennis Gibson. Dolores Piotrowski in memory of her beloved family Martha Dee Valentine and Gene and Lottie Piotrowski.

Prayer chain: The power of prayer and positive thoughts comes from the true healer, our Lord answering our prayers. Please pray for healing for the following people: Talyn, Mike, Susan, Sylvia, Richard, Jennifer, Jayden, Maria C., Alex, Lily, Kaitlyn, Sheila, Rhonda, Deda Lee, Marilyn, Helen, Dennis, Mary, Joseph, Sal, Jordan, Jean, Tom L., Arabelle J., Dr. Peter, Alyce, Matthew and Pam E.

Furniture donations: To donate furniture please call Love Inc. 262-763-2743.

Please visit: www.timeisnowtohelp.org

Health and happiness, love and God bless everyone, Sal
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 30)  Seventy-four people-- including 69 passengers and five crew members of a sunken motor banca-- were rescued off an island in Cordova town, Cebu on Tuesday.

The MBCA Meme 5 experienced engine trouble Tuesday morning, as it was sailing near Gilutungan island. Captain Dario Romo said the technical issue, along with large waves, had damaged the boat's hull -- or the watertight body or enclosure -- causing the vessel to sink.

Some tourist boats nearby immediately went to rescue the distressed passengers.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Central Visayas had deployed a search and rescue team for the motor banca, which was bound for Getafe in Bohol.

PCG Cebu Commander Alvin Dagalea said the boat was allowed to sail as there was no gale warning issued over the region. Initial investigation also showed the boat was not overloaded. Most of the passengers were bound for their respective hometowns in Bohol for the long weekend.

Janice Masilao, one of the passengers of the MBCA Meme 5, said she wants to file a case against the owner of the motor banca.

Dagalea meanwhile noted all the banca passangers and crew were accounted for.
Amid tensions in the region over the killing of Iran's elite Quds Force, General Qassem Soleimani, US Embassy in Pakistan issued advisory restricting travel of US government employees.

"Given possible reactions to recent events in Iraq, the US Embassy has restricted travel by US government employees. US government personnel in Pakistan are required to postpone non-essential official movements and most personal movements," informed US Embassy in Pakistan on Friday.

The US consulate in Pakistan to monitor their surroundings for possible demonstrations and suspicious activity.

Washington on Thursday carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

The US had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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SEATTLE  The Chase Bank building, at 4501 University Way N.E., has sold for $4.1 million, according to King County records.

The seller was a California trust associated with the Corbet family, which had owned the property since 1927.





. . .
New Delhi:

An angry mob of local residents resorted to stone pelting at Nankana Sahib Gurdwara on Friday evening. As per early reports, hundreds of angry Muslim residents targetted the Gurdwara and surrounded it threatening to destroy the structure. The reports said that the mob was led by the family of Mohammad Ehsaan, the boy who allegedly abducted and converted Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, who is the daughter of the gurdwara's pathi.

The violent mob finally dispersed after police released Ehsaan, the man who had allegedly abducted the Sikh girl.

#WATCH An angry mob shouts anti-Sikh slogans outside Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan's Punjab. Earlier stones were pelted at the Gurdwara led by the family of a boy who had allegedly abducted a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, daughter of the Gurdwara's pathi. (Earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/xyNkhsrhR9  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

In a video, said to be recorded at the site of the protest, one of the protesters was seen saying that locals were against the presence of the gurdwara there. One man, said to be the brother of Ehsaan, said they will not let any Sikh live there and will soon change the name of the place from Nankana Sahib to Ghulamaan-e-Mustafa. Police arrived to control mob almost 2 hours now after the situation escalated.

"We will not let any Sikh live in Nankana Sahib, and will change its name to Ghulam Ali Mustafa," says a protester #Pakistan



Read full story: https://t.co/K6n56Za60W pic.twitter.com/pClfgPCLxS  News Nation (@NewsNationTV) January 3, 2020

Delhi MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa also tweeted an alleged video of the incident. He also urged Pakistan PM Imran Khan to take immediate action against such communal incidents.

LIVE Footage from Nankana Sahib where an angry Muslim mob is outside Gurdwara Sahib and raising anti-Sikh slogans



I urge @ImranKhanPTI Ji to take immediate action on such communal incidents that are increasing the insecurity in the minds of Sikhs of Pak@thetribunechd @PTI_News pic.twitter.com/IlxxBjhpO2  Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) January 3, 2020

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also tweeted and asked Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to "immediately intervene to ensure that the devotees stranded in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic Gurdwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it."

The incident comes on the backdrop of an ongoing debate over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India, which extends Indian citizenship to minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. This incident is sure to be taken up by supporters of the Act as an example of how religious minorities are being treated in Pakistan.

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Budget 2020: DoT to meet industry on Jan 6 to discuss wishlist, issues; will 'support' cut in levies

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Jan 03: The Department of Telecom will meet industry players and various associations on January 6 to discuss the Budget wishlist and outstanding issues of the sector which is confronted with thousands of crores in unpaid statutory dues and burgeoning debt, according to sources.

A senior government official told PTI that the Department of Telecom (DoT) will be "supportive" of the industry's demand for reduction in levies, both licence fee and Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC), and will formally communicate its Budget related suggestions to the finance ministry after holding a detailed consultation with the telecom players.

All eyes on Sitharaman's second Budget next month for tax relief

"Telecom department supports reduction in licence fee and Spectrum Usage Charges...SUC should be reduced because money is being given by players in the auctions...they are making auction payments," the official said, adding that discussions will span various stakeholders in the industry like service providers, associations and others.

The telecom department plans to formally write to the Ministry of Finance in the first half of January, post the meeting. Mobile operators, as well as industry bodies like Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) and Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA), will be present at the meeting slated for January 6, a source said. COAI had, last month, raised the issue of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) and sought cut in levies like licence fee and SUC during a meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

The industry has also asked the government to create an infrastructure bank that will raise tax-free bonds, the proceeds of which can be used to lend to the companies at lower rates. COAI had also raised the issue of AGR and higher levies (like licence fee and SUC that are being paid by the industry) during the recent meeting.

"We represented that they be brought down... We urged that licence fee which is currently at 8 per cent be lowered to about 3 per cent, and SUC which is presently at 5 per cent be brought down to 1 per cent... and to see if it could be done over an appropriate period of time," COAI Director General Rajan Mathews had said after the meeting held on December 20 at North Block.

COAI had also asked the government to clear GST input tax credit dues worth about Rs 36,000 crore, while also seeking removal of the high import duties on telecom equipment.

The upcoming meeting at DoT is significant as the telecom industry is saddled with Rs 1.47 lakh crore in additional statutory dues in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling on AGR. Telecom companies owe the government Rs 92,642 crore in unpaid licence fee, and another Rs 55,054 crore in outstanding spectrum usage charges.

According to government data, the liabilities in the case of Bharti Airtel add up to nearly Rs 35,586 crore, of which Rs 21,682 crore is licence fee and another Rs 13,904.01 crore is the SUC dues (excluding the dues of Telenor and Tata Teleservices).

In the case of Vodafone Idea, this number stands at a cumulative Rs 53,038 crore, including Rs 24,729 crore of SUC dues and Rs 28,309 crore in licence fee. The remaining liability is with state-owned BSNL/MTNL and some of the shut/bankrupt telecom companies. The Supreme Court had allowed three months to the affected telcos to cough up the amounts due to the government, and the telecom department subsequently shot-off notices to players to pay their revenue share dues within the timelines stipulated by the court.

Besides the telecom companies, the DoT has also made it clear that the AGR order will apply to all licencees, including companies such as GAIL, RailTel and PowerGrid. As things stand today, such players, despite a smaller telecom exposure, may have to pay liabilities computed on their entire revenue. The DoT had sent a letter to GAIL seeking Rs 1,72,655 crore in dues on IP-1 and IP-2 licences as well as Internet Service Provider (ISP) licence, and is seeking Rs 1.25 lakh crore from PowerGrid which had both a national long-distance as well as an internet licence.

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals (GNVFC) too has received a demand notice from the telecom department for payment of outstanding dues worth Rs 15,019 crore by January 23, 2020, pertaining to financial years from 2005-06 to 2018-19 in connection with VSAT and ISP licences held by the company.

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Story first published: Friday, January 3, 2020, 9:48 [IST]
Shoukry also spoke to US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien on Thursday about the issue

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry conferred over the phone on Thursday with his Saudi, Greek, Cypriot and UAE counterparts about the serious escalation by Turkey after Ankara's parliament approved a motion to send troops to Libya, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez.

The spokesman said the talks witnessed an agreement in the viewpoints regarding the serious impact of such developments on Arab, regional and Mediterranean security.

Shoukry and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien also discussed by phone on Thursday bilateral relations and regional developments of common interest especially on the Libyan arena.

In a statement, Hafez said the two sides addressed means of pushing forward strategic cooperation between Egypt and the US in all fields so as to achieve the common interests of the two friendly countries.

They also exchanged viewpoints on the latest regional conditions, as Shoukry reviewed the Egyptian stance regarding the rapid developments in Libya, expressing Egypt's condemnation of the Turkish parliament's approval to send troops to Libya, the spokesman said.

Shoukry asserted that the decision by the Turkish side is considered a serious escalation threatening security and peace and would further complicate the situation in Libya, added the spokesman.

Egypt strongly condemns a vote by Turkey's parliament vote to allow a troop deployment to Libya, the foreign ministry said in a Thursday statement.

Egypt said the Turkish military intervention in Libya threatens Arab security in general and Egypt's national security in particular, which requires taking all measures to protect Arab interests

"Egypt stresses that the approval to deploy Turkish troops to Libya is considered a blatant violation of international law and Security Council resolutions on Libya, especially resolution 1970 (2011), which imposes a [ban on military cooperation with Libya]," the Egyptian foreign ministry said.

The ministry added that two MoUs recently signed between Turkey and Libya's Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj violated the Libyan Political Agreement of December 2015.

The ministry said that Egypt reasserts the Arab position that rejects any foreign interference in Libya, a position adopted by the League of Arab States' council in its meeting on 31 December.

The foreign ministry added that Turkey is supporting terrorist organisations that are being transported from Syria to Libya.

"This shows the necessity of restoring the nation state in Libya and the institutions in the country," said the statement.

On Thursday, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi held a meeting with the Egyptian National Security Council to discuss the latest developments.

Also on Thursday, Egypt's parliament issued a statement condemning the approval by the Turkish parliament of sending troops to Libya.

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VIJAYAWADA: A 47-year-old widow was allegedly sexually assaulted by her cousin at her residence in Munagapadu village of G Konduru mandal in Krishna district on Thursday.

G Konduru Sub-Inspector (SI) Ram Babu said that the accused was identified as Balu (40), an electrician. The incident happened at around 1 pm when the accused entered the victims house from the back door. At that time, the victim was sleeping in her room.

Taking advantage of the situation, Balu molested her by stuffing cloth in her mouth. After committing the crime, the accused fled from the spot, leaving the woman profusely bleeding. Later, she managed to scream for help and soon neighbours came to her aid and informed the police.

Ram Babu added that the victim has been shifted to Vijayawada Government General Hospital (GGH) for treatment.

Based on her statement, we have filed a sexual assault case against Balu. During our investigation, we came to know that almost a year ago, the victims husband passed away and left behind three children. Since then, the widow has been working as a daily wage labourer to meet the familys needs. Taking advantage of the situation, Balu provided some financial assistance and later asked for sexual favours from her. Irked with the behaviour of the accused, she warned him to stay away from her family. Miffed by her rejection, Balu committed the heinous crime.A special team has been formed to arrest the accused and investigation is underway.
In his most direct attack on the Congress and its allies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dared the detractors of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act to protest Pakistans atrocities on minorities for the past 70 years instead of rising against Parliament.

Modi was addressing a gathering at the Siddaganga Mutt after laying the foundation stone for a museum dedicated to Shivakumara Swami, the late pontiff.

Those protesting against the Parliament of India, I want to tell them that they need to expose Pakistans deeds at the global level, Modi said. You should have that guts...to protest and raise your voice against Pakistans deeds for the past 70 years. If you want to shout slogans, shout against atrocities against minorities there. If you want to rally, do it in favour of Dalits and the downtrodden who have come from Pakistan. If you want to do dharna, do it against Pakistans deeds, he said.

It was some weeks ago Parliament passed CAA, Modi pointed out. But the Congress, its allies and the ecosystem theyve created are standing up against Parliament, Modi said. The hate they have for us (BJP) is the same voice being heard against Indias Parliament of late. These people have begun protesting the countrys Parliament. They are protesting against Dalits, the oppressed and the downtrodden who have come from Pakistan seeking refuge, he said.

The Congress and its allies dont speak against Pakistan, but are instead holding protests against those who took refuge in India to save their life, religion and the pride of their sisters and daughters, the PM charged. They dont have time to speak against Pakistan over atrocities against minorities. Why is their mouth locked up?

Protecting the refugees is our cultural and national responsibility, the PM said. Most of the Hindus who have come are Dalits and downtrodden, we cannot abandon them, he said, adding, We should also help Sikh, Jains and Christians whove come from Pakistan.

Pakistan was born on the basis of religion, Modi said, while accusing the neighbour of persecuting its religious minorities. Whether it is Hindu, Sikh, Christian or Jain, atrocities against them have increased in Pakistan. Thousands of such people had to flee and come to India seeking refuge, he said.

The abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir signalled the change in Indias policy against terrorism, Modi said. By abrogating Article 370, an effort has been made to remove the fear of terror and uncertainty from the life of people there. A new beginning of development has been ushered in for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, he said.

The road was also cleared for the construction of a grand temple for Lord Ram at his birthplace (Ayodhya) with peace and everybodys cooperation, Modi said.
(Newser)  In November of 2016, a friend sent Daniel Kaye a message asking him how things were going. "I have broken the Internet and am dead afraid but otherwise everythings hunky dory," wrote Kaye in response. As a story at Bloomberg explains, the British 29-year-old wasn't exaggerating too much. Three months later, he would be arrested at a London airport and imprisoned for 32 months for a hack that paralyzed the nation of Liberia. Kaye was working for that nation's second-biggest telecom company, Cellcom, and he unleashed a botnet that crashed the network of the No. 1 company, Lonestar. For days, half the people in the poor African country couldn't access bank accounts; hospitals went offline; disease specialists dealing with Ebola lost contact with world health agencies, etc. Liberia even appealed to the UN for help.

story continues below

The attack was so huge that many thought it had to be the work of Russia or China. Soon, it spread to Germany and crashed the routers of Deutsche Telekom, and then it brought down the websites of two UK banks. A panicked Kaye, who didn't think anyone would care much about the initial attack in Liberia, tried to cover his tracks to no avail. "German police identified a username, which led to an email address, which led to a Skype account, which led to a Facebook page" belonging to Kaye. The story details the intricacies of the hack, and it also traces Kaye's shady past in the hacking community (he was more of a "gray hat" than a "white hat" or "black hat"), his work with a former Cellcom exec who is now under investigation himself, and his hopes of working in online security upon his release from prison early this year. Read it in full here. (Read more Longform stories.)
The college will open in August in the year Filipino bishops dedicated to Ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and indigenous peoples. For PIME missionary, young people should remain committed leaders, open to dialogue in the contexts in which they live.

Zamboanga City (AsiaNews)  The new Emmaus College of Theology will support the vocations of young Catholics in a spirit of dialogue with people of different cultures and religions, Fr Sebastiano DAmbra told AsiaNews.

The clergyman from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) has been in Mindanao for over 40 years. He is the founder of the Silsilah movement, a venue for Christians and Muslims to meet, and is the current executive secretary of the Commission for interreligious dialogue of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

The new college will open in August in the year that Filipino bishops have dedicated to Ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and indigenous peoples.

This school is only the latest chapter in a story that began in 1987 with the birth of the Emmaus Dialogue Community, Fr D'Ambra said. The latter was founded by Aminda E. Sano together with two other Catholic teachers who were part of Silsilah, which the missionary had established three years earlier.

Emmaus grew up inside Silsilah, Fr D'Ambra explained, but while the latter group is aimed at dialogue between religions, the former unites Catholics who want to deepen their Christian faith by focusing on certain elements such as peace and harmony between faiths.

For the PIME missionary, the Emmaus College of Theology is meant to be a challenge, an attempt to prepare young Catholics for any vocation life offers them. Whatever their choice, it is important for us that they remain committed leaders, open to dialogue in the contexts in which they live. Whilst living our Christian faith, we are still part of the great human family!

Among the concepts that we want to promote, notes Fr D'Ambra, there is that about married life understood as a real vocation. Today more than ever, we need models of the Christian family.

Here in Mindanao and in the Philippines in general, the danger is represented by secularism and materialism, which often drive the faithful away from the Church and lead to the de-Christianisation of society.

Concurrently, Muslims reaffirm their beliefs, but some are tempted by the most radical interpretations. In this context we want to take care of the education of young people through the Emmaus College of Theology.

Over the past few months, the college received all the required government certifications to operate as a higher education institution.

In accordance with the Filipino educational system, students will have access to a four-year course of study, Fr D'Ambra explained. In this period of life, young people decide what to do when they grow up.

In addition to knowledge, it is therefore crucial to offer them training. Young people will not only be prepared academically, but will also be exposed to the reality of interreligious dialogue.

Above all the last two years will be dedicated to this topic, whilst the first years will deal with broader subjects.

Finally, In April, after Easter, we will open registrations. Classes will begin next August. Our initiative has already sparked interest, but we are still in the planning stage.

What is more, In the last few weeks, I have also been busy raising funds for a building larger than the one we currently have in our Harmony Village in Pitogo, 7 kilometres from Zamboanga City. Although the latter is sufficient to start, we must also think about the future.
College students who fall into debt as a result of using peer-to-peer lending platforms cannot be included in a list of dishonest debtors, China's top court said on Thursday.

The requirement was written into a guideline issued by the Supreme People's Court with the aim of guiding judges dealing with cases of noncompliance with court rulings and ensuring disputes are resolved more humanely, Meng Xiang, the head of the top court's enforcement bureau, said.

The top court established an online blacklist in 2013 to publish personal details, including names and identity card numbers, of individuals and legal representatives of companies who refused to comply with court orders to shame them into compliance.

A year later, it worked with other authorities, including banks and the Ministry of Transport, to compel defaulters to comply with verdicts by placing restrictions on their daily lives, including barring them from buying tickets for flights or high-speed trains and purchasing houses.

"The blacklist and restrictions have played a bigger role in urging defaulters to comply with verdicts, but the legitimate rights of these people should also be guaranteed," Meng said, adding the guideline, effective since Thursday, will also prevent courts from misusing or abusing the measures.

Xu Hao, a lawyer from Beijing Jingsh Law Firm, welcomed the removal of college students from the blacklist.

"Some students are still shouldering an economic and credit burden in debt disputes, even though our country prohibited online platforms from lending money to students three years ago," he said.

While lending by internet platforms was banned, "students, as the debtors, still need to repay the debts in line with court rulings and valid contracts," he explained.

"But given that many students have little savings and the debtor records will influence their future, such as in employment, further studies, or bank loans, the top court's decision on removing them from the dishonest list, I think, is timely, humane and necessary," he said.

China banned online lending platforms from campuses in 2017 after the lives of some young people were damaged, with some pushed to commit crimes, as they sought to repay their debts. A few even killed themselves because they were unable to pay off their debts.

Xu said the ban had helped clear up unauthorized or unregulated online lending platforms, adding that students could still seek loans from State-owned banks or apply for subsidies from schools.

Ruan Chuansheng, a law professor at Shanghai Administration Institute, said not blacklisting college students would alleviate the burden on young debtors.

The guideline also clarified a controversial rule that said defaulters' children were not allowed to be educated at expensive private schools, saying courts should not ban such education if they found the expenses, such as tuition fees, were reasonable. However, it did not specify what a reasonable amount was.

Ruan said whether tuition fees were regarded as expensive could vary in different regions according to their economic development, "and I'm glad to see the top court highlight educational protection, which is essential".

The guideline also permits courts to temporarily lift travel restrictions when defaulters have to take a train or fly home for medical treatment or when family members fall ill or die.
[January 03, 2020] RoboSense 125-Laser Beam Solid-State LiDAR: RS-LiDAR-M1 Is Officially on Sales Priced At $1,898

RoboSense, the world's leading autonomous driving LiDAR perception solution provider, announced today that the solid-state LiDAR RS-LiDAR-M1Simple(Simple Sensor Version) is now ready for customer delivery, priced at $1,898. The new RS-LiDAR-M1Simple is less than half the size of the previous version, with dimensions of 4.3" x 1.9" x 4.7" (110mm x 50mm x 120mm), and is equipped with enhanced hardware performance virtually equal to the serial production version provided to OEMs. The main body design of this automotive-grade solid-state LiDAR is finalized and ready for shipment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005139/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) In addition, RoboSense will demonstrate the world's first smart solid-state LiDAR, the RS-LiDAR-M1Smart (Smart Sensor Version), at CES (News - Alert) 2020 in Las Vegas, Booth 6138, LVCC North Hall from Jan 7-10, 2020 with an on-vehicle public road test. The RS-LiDAR-M1Smart main body is embedded with an AI perception algorithm that fully takes advantage of LiDAR's potential to transform conventional 3D LiDAR sensors to a full data analysis and comprehension system. "The RS-LiDAR-M1 is an optimal choice for the serial production of self-driving cars, far superior to mechanical LiDAR. The sooner solid-state LiDAR is used, the sooner production will be accelerated to mass-market levels," said Mark Qiu, RoboSenseCOO.



RS-LiDAR-M1 Family Features: 125 laser beams with exceptional performance: the RS-LiDAR-M1 has a field of view of 120*25, which is the MEMS solid-state LiDAR's largest field of view among released products worldwide. RoboSense uses 905nm lasers with low cost, automotive grade and small size instead of expensive 1550nm lasers. At the same time, RoboSense continuously breaks ranging ability limits to 150m at 10% NIST target, which is also MEMS solid-state LiDAR's longest detection range. World's smallest MEMS solid-state LiDAR: one-tenth the size of conventional 64-beam mechanical LiDAR. The RS-LiDAR-M1 can be easily embedded in the car's body while still maintaining the vehicle's appearance intact.

one-tenth the size of conventional 64-beam mechanical LiDAR. The RS-LiDAR-M1 can be easily embedded in the car's body while still maintaining the vehicle's appearance intact. Reduced parts from hundreds to dozens in comparison to traditional mechanical LiDARs for lower cost, shorter production time, and large-scale production capacity .

. Modular design: the scalability and layout flexibility of the optical module lay the foundation for subsequent MEMS LiDAR products and support the customization of products for different application cases. Stable and reliable: RoboSense fully implemented IATF16949 quality management system and ISO26262 functional safety standards, combining ISO16750 test requirement and other automotive-grade reliability specifications to verify the RS-LiDAR-M1 series of products.

RoboSense fully implemented IATF16949 quality management system and ISO26262 functional safety standards, combining ISO16750 test requirement and other automotive-grade reliability specifications to verify the RS-LiDAR-M1 series of products. All-weather: In Vienna, Austria, the RS-LiDAR-M1 was tested for rain and fog under different light and wind speed conditions. The test results prove that the RS-LiDAR-M1 has met the standards, and the final mass-produced RS-LiDAR-M1 will adapt to all climatic and working conditions.

In Vienna, Austria, the RS-LiDAR-M1 was tested for rain and fog under different light and wind speed conditions. The test results prove that the RS-LiDAR-M1 has met the standards, and the final mass-produced RS-LiDAR-M1 will adapt to all climatic and working conditions. Minimal wear and tear: as a solid-state LiDAR, the RS-LiDAR-M1 eliminates potential optoelectronic device failures due to mechanical rotation. The RS-LiDAR-M1Smart is a comprehensive system with sensor hardware, AI point cloud algorithm, and chipsets, which provides an end-to-end customer environment perception solution. RoboSense's powerful AI perception algorithm injects the sensor with structured semantic-level comprehensive information, focusing on the perception of moving objects.

For orders visit www.robosense.ai/buy or to contact a RoboSense account manager. About RoboSense The world's leading autonomous driving LiDAR perception solution provider. RoboSense technologies are widely used in autonomous driving logistics vehicles, buses, and passenger cars, with partners including SAIC, BAIC, Baidu, Cainiao Network, JD.com, Samsung (News - Alert), ControlWorks, Aidrivers, and more. For more information, see the website at: http://www.robosense.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005139/en/

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Panaji, Jan 3 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Working President J P Nadda on Friday claimed that people of Kashmir were happy post abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A.

Addressing a rally in the city, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi took key decisions which were not even thought of and were hanging for 70 years.

'People from Kashmir are happy with abrogation of Article 370. Those who are upset are those few leaders who would take advantage of the Article for their own end. Until now, because of (Article) 370, tribals there have no political reservation. No LS seat is not tribal, although all of Ladhak is tribal. Bakkarwals from Poonch, who are patriots, those Muslims, Gujjars and Bakkarwals are tribals, but there is no reservation in assembly and Lok Sabha seats. Now there will be de-limitation and for the first time tribals will reach Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha,' he said.

Mr Nadda said those those who came to India from Pakistan in 1947, they got all benefits from India, but those who settled in Jammu and Kashmir, they did not get right to vote.

'Those who came from West Pakistan (such as) Manmohan Singh became Prime Minister, I K Gujral became PM, Lal Krishna Advani became Deputy Prime Minister. But those refugees who settled in Jammu and Kashmir could not even become a Councillor. He did not have the right to vote and stand,' the BJP leader said.

Mr Nadda said there were 106 laws in India which were passed in Parliament but were not applicable in Jammu and Kashmir.

'Prvention of Corruption Act was not applicable in Kashmir, therefore the leaders there were having fun. No audit, no enquiry. Now there will be enquiry, those leaders will either be in jail or on bail. No Domestic Violence Act was in place. Women were exploited. POSCO was not applicable there. Majors raping minors will be given death, Modi is working on the law. We had terrorists, we could see he was a terrorist, but we could not declare him terrorist, we could not take action. But now a terrorist will be called terrorist and he will be punished,' he said.

Article 370 which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir was abrogated in August last year and the state wad divided into two union territories.

UNI AKM 2039
We've lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of examples of share prices declining precipitously after insiders have sold shares. So shareholders might well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in China Best Group Holding Limited (HKG:370).

What Is Insider Buying?

It's quite normal to see company insiders, such as board members, trading in company stock, from time to time. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market.

We don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions. But it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing. For example, a Columbia University study found that 'insiders are more likely to engage in open market purchases of their own companys stock when the firm is about to reveal new agreements with customers and suppliers'.

View our latest analysis for China Best Group Holding

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At China Best Group Holding

insider Zizhen Fu made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for HK$35m worth of shares at a price of HK$0.20 each. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of HK$0.18. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock when an insider has bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Zizhen Fu.

You can see the insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

Story continues

SEHK:370 Recent Insider Trading, January 3rd 2020

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Does China Best Group Holding Boast High Insider Ownership?

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. China Best Group Holding insiders own about HK$175m worth of shares. That equates to 19% of the company. While this is a strong but not outstanding level of insider ownership, it's enough to indicate some alignment between management and smaller shareholders.

So What Does This Data Suggest About China Best Group Holding Insiders?

There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. It would be great to see more insider buying, but overall it seems like China Best Group Holding insiders are reasonably well aligned (owning significant chunk of the company's shares) and optimistic for the future. I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can find historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
HOLLAND, MI -- Who oversees and could consider closing the piers during dangerous lake conditions that dot the Great Lakes coastline in Michigan?

The answer is surprisingly complex. For the pier in Holland, it is rather unique among the Lake Michigan piers because it is located inside a state park.

Regulation of the piers is just one of the many questions that typically come up when high waves and strong winds lead to a tragedy like the one on New Years Day.

Two teens were swept off the pier by waves in Holland State Park late Wednesday night. The tragedy raised concerns about when and who could close the pier during inclement lake and weather conditions.

Efforts continued Friday, Jan. 3 to recover the body of Eliza Jane Trainer, 16, of Flint. Dangerous conditions on Lake Michigan have made the recovery effort difficult. She and a 19-year-old man -- who survived -- fell into the lake after 11 p.m. Jan. 1.

For the pier in the Holland State Park, officials say its a collaborative effort to oversee the safety of the pier for pedestrians. Three agencies are involved: the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the U.S. Coast Guard and the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office. Like the other Lake Michigan piers, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers handles the maintenance.

This is unique here, said Ron Olson, chief of Parks and Recreation for the DNR.

But since the Holland pier is within the Holland State Park, and because a specific pathway that leads to the pier is a part of the park, the DNR, not the city or township, takes on most of the responsibility for it.

A family member of Kade Goodrich, the teen who survived the incident, questioned why the pier was open during an interview with WOOD TV8.

At the time the teens were swept into the lake, the park itself was closed, but there were no physical structures to keep people off the pier.

The waters high and its icy. Its dangerous, Scott Pethers told WOOD TV8. Unfortunately, the only time it gets done is when something like this happens. It should have been done a long time before this.

When it comes to deciding if the pier should be closed for safety reasons, Olson said, usually the sheriffs office or Coast Guard will contact the DNR and request to close the pathway of the pier.

Then Holland State Park staff will put up a barricade and usually monitor the area for a period of time. Thats the protocol in the summer, Olson said.

DNR spokesman, Edward Golder followed up saying that the time frame is usually from late May to early September when the Coast Guard, DNR and sheriffs office follow that protocol.

If you are reading this in your Facebook app, use this link to view the entire gallery of photos.

In the winter, the area is not closed off because not a lot of people usually walk out on it. There arent patrols going all night, and the park closes at dusk.

Its not advised for people to go out there. But in the wintertime this kind of situation has not really occurred very often," Olson said about the two teenagers being swept into Lake Michigan.

He said the oversight method at the pier is sound.

Golder said the pier closed approximately 20 times in 2019 - around twice as many times as the pier closed in 2018.

Its been there for years and this collaboration has worked," Olson said. "Its just whats made it worse is the high water is really accelerated the dynamics of things that make it. It can get worse faster than it used to be.

The issue of high water at the pier is one the DNR is looking to address at the Holland pier.

Olson said theyre looking into putting up a device on the pier that can be locked and secured along with accompanying signs to keep people out, especially in the winter time when conditions are hazardous.

Were willing to explore that, figure out something, Olson said.

This is the highest water in history now on these lakes, and its projected to be even higher," he added. "We gotta do some things, to the extent we can, that are different from the past.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers takes care of the physical structure and makes sure the waves are kept outside of harbor channels. But when it comes to people walking on the piers, thats not something officials say it recommends or has control over.

The Army Corps has put up signs indicating that the walkway of the pier is for navigation purposes, and that people walk on it at their own risk.

We do have the authority to build and maintain the structures, said Cindy Jarema, chief of Operations for the Detroit District of the Army Corps of Engineers, which covers the Lake Michigan shoreline.

When it comes to taking measures to make the piers safer, Jarema said thats not the agencys responsibility. Rather, local entities have the ability to take steps to increase safety.

The Army Corps issues permits to entities like cities and townships that want to make changes to the piers, but Jarema said the agency does not have the authority to close a pier to tourists.

We, the Corps, again, we are not authorized, nor get funding through Congressional funding to do the safety barrier closures, notifications and enforcement, things like that, she said.

We just dont have that ability to make those calls. It is open, though, to the local communities to do so.

Whether or not local communities decide to step in becomes a question of whether or not it is willing to take on potential liability if something goes wrong, Jarema said.

Theres other communities that the city doesnt feel like they should be liable," she said. "Because once you do put in a safety device, you do become liable for that.

That requires the community to incur the additional cost of insurance, Jarema said.

Who is able or willing to coordinate with the Army Corps to make changes to the pier and maintain that recreational safety is extremely technical.

In most cases, in Michigan, the city or local government takes on the recreational responsibilities of the piers. Thats even if the pier itself is within a state park, if the path or trail that hooks up to the pier is owned by the city, then the city assumes that role, Olson said.

Its a role that requires a lot of work with the Army Corps.

For example, in Ludington, the city is working with the agency to install a gate at the break wall out to the lighthouse on the north pier. That would allow the city to easily close the gate and keep people out when the water gets too high and the area becomes unsafe.

All that we can do is work with them on requesting specific items, specific adjustments to the break wall," said Ludington City Manager Mitch Foster.

"If we want to put additional buoys or life rings out there, we would have to request that approval. Even something as simple as a gate at the beginning, that also goes through their approval process.

Foster said that approval process can sometimes take as long as seven months before they get started on the new project. Jarema said its usually between two and six months.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Community leaders gathered in St. George on Thursday to speak out against hate following a series of anti-Semitic attacks in and around the city.

A group of about 60 from the community and various organizations took to the steps of Borough Hall to call on elected officials to take action in response to a series of attacks on Jewish communities in the New York metro area, including the Saturday machete attack in Monsey, N.Y.

Grafton Thomas allegedly carried out the attack in Monsey on a rabbis home during celebrations for the seventh night of Hanukkah. Ahead of the attack, Thomas used the internet to search for a number of Jewish sites, including Zionist Temples of Staten Island," according to a federal criminal complaint.

Temple Israel Reform Congregation in Randall Manor, headed by Rabbi Michael Howald, is one of the local sites that appears in such a search on Google.

I wanted to make sure that people understand that an attack on anyone in the Jewish community is an attack on us all, Howald said. It was very scary for me and for our members as well to think that were all so vulnerable in the lives that we lead.

He said their synagogue on Forest Avenue has stepped up security in recent months. They now lock their doors during Saturday services, requiring those who want to come in to utilize a special entry system. He has also engaged with Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) to see if more can be done with grants at the federal level.

Rose along with other members of the citys congressional delegation urged New Yorks non-profit institutions to take advantage of a $90 million increase in security grant funding passed as part of the remaining fiscal year 2020 budget.

In this time of skyrocketing violence, tweets are not enough, action is what is required, Rose said during a press conference at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in lower Manhattan.

We have got to get our fair share as New Yorkers of every faith are afraid to pray, no stone can go unturned in this effort, all levels of government, all law enforcement agencies must play their part.

About 60 people gathered outside Borough Hall in St. George on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 to speak out against hate. (Staten island Advance/ Paul Liotta)

RASH OF VIOLENCE

In addition to Thomas alleged attack in Monsey, a number of violent incidents have occurred against Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn over the past month. All that follows the Dec. 10 attack on a Jewish market that left four dead, including a police officer.

State Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn), whose district includes the predominantly Jewish Borough Park, said community leaders need to speak out forcefully against all acts of violence, especially those targeted at communities of faith.

This is appalling and this has to stop, Savino said. This is a teachable moment for all of us. We sometimes think that were beyond this as a society.

Rabbi Gerald Sussman, of Temple Emanu-El in Port Richmond, applauded the interfaith crowd for gathering on the steps of Borough Hall to support the Jewish community, but hoped for a time when they would be able to gather for reason other than tragedy and crisis.

When will this stop? Sussman asked of the anti-Semitic violence. I never expected that I would see anything like this, over a period of time, in this country and especially in this city.
Lambasting at Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot over the death of infants in Kota hospital, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the former should focus on the children dying in his state rather than opposing Citizenship Amendment Act.

"Gehlot ji, instead of opposing CAA, first focus on the children who are dying in Kota everyday, show some concern, mothers are cursing you," said Shah addressing a rally here.

The death toll in the JK Lone hospital in Rajasthan's Kota district has mounted to 105 as two more infants died on January 2 and 3, a hospital official said.

Shah further targetted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for instigating refugees from Bangladesh against the CAA.

"Mamta didi is saying that you will stand in queues and you will be asked for proof. I want to tell all the refugee brothers settled in Bengal that you will not have to face any torture, you will be given citizenship with honour. There is no need to fear from didi," he said.

The BJP president asked Banerjee that "why is she speaking against Bengali speaking refugee Hindus, what have the Dalits done to you, why are you opposing their citizenship ?"

He appealed people to show their support to Citizenship law by giving a missed call on 88662-88662 from their mobile.

"Extend your support to CAA by giving a missed call on 88662-88662 from your mobile and show Rahul Baba, Mamta Didi, Arvind Kejriwal's team that you stand with Prime Minister Modi," he said.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Branch 215 is a notorious prison run by the Military Intelligence Directorate, where torture and executions are commonplace writes Pro-Justice.

Branch 215 is one of the main Assad regime prisons where torture and mass executions are carried out on a daily basis. It is known by many names, including the Branch of Death. The number of victims from this branch, which were documented by Caesar (a defected regime soldier) with photographs, runs up to 3,532, who died under torture or from disease and starvation.

The branch became infamous after a few lucky prisoners were spared and spoke out about the horrors carried out against detainees.

Branch 215 is known as the Raid and Storming Company, which is under the Military Intelligence Directorate, established in 1969 under the oversight of Hafez al-Assad, when he was minister of defense.

Branch 215 is located in Kafr Sousa in Damascus, and is just one of the 20 security branches in Military Intelligence where crimes against humanity have been committed in Syria.

The branch is composed of a number of floors and rooms, with prisoners put in wooden or metal rooms as well as in isolation. Detainees are frequently crammed together into small cells, forcing them to take turns sitting and standing during the day.

Among the most prominent people in the branch responsible for the torture that has occurred and is still ongoing is Brigadier General Shafiq Massa, who took part in the repression of protesters in 2011 and gave orders to torture prisoners and to liquidate them inside the branchs cells.

Major General Hassan Daboul is also known for his severe violations carried out while heading the branch between 2013 and 2016, when he carried out countless violations against prisoners, and then was transferred to head the Military Security branch in Homs, and then was killed in an operation claimed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, who attacked the branch.

They also include Ahmed al-Ali, the director of the womens prison in the branch, who oversaw investigations and the torture of prisoners who were stripped naked.

The other officials in the Branch 215 administration mostly work secretly. Prisoners have confirmed that during investigations the officer responsible would enter but would remove his rank before entering, to prevent identification.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
US lawmakers were not told in advance of the attack ordered by President Donald Trump that killed a top Iranian military commander, a senior House Democrat said late Thursday.

The strike conducted in Iraq against Iran's Qasem Soleimani "went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress," House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement.

Soleimani was "the mastermind of immense violence" who has "the blood of Americans on his hands," the Democratic lawmaker said.

But "to push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress's powers as a coequal branch of government," Engel added.
Explainer: Why state government resolution against citizenship law has no legal sanctity

India

oi-Vicky Nanjappa

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 03: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said the resolution passed by the state assembly demanding scrapping of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has no constitutional or legal validity.

The state had no role because citizenship comes under the domain of the Central government, he told reporters here.

"The resolution has no constitutional or legal validity," he added.

"Citizenship comes exclusively in the domain of the Central government. The state government has no role. So, why these people engaged in something which is a non-issue for Kerala? he asked.

Kerala Assembly resolution against CAA has no legal validity: Governor

Pointing out that the southern state had not been affected by partition, the Governor said there are no illegal immigrants in Kerala.

The Governor has also criticised the just-concluded Indian History Congress, held in Kannur, where protests had been raised against him for his remarks on the CAA.

Khan said the History Congress has claimed that it has made some recommendations to the state government, including not to cooperate with the Centre.

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

The recommendations are "totally illegal" and have "criminal content", he said.

The Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the resolution becoming the first state in the country to do so.

A Home Ministry official told OneIndia that the states cannot stall this process. The states have no right to stop either the NPR or the newly amended citizenship law.

While the states have said that the Act will not be implemented, legally speaking it is not possible for them to do so. The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was enacted under the Union List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Among the 97 items under this list, citizenship and naturalisation are one among them.

Defence, external affairs, railways among others also fall under the Union List. Since citizenship and naturalisation fall under this List, it is entirely under the powers of the Centre to implement the same and the states cannot refuse it.

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution defines the powers and functions between the Centre and States. There are three lists under this, namely the Union, State and Concurrent List.

Radicalising is a lucrative job in Kerala: You could earn up to Rs 40 lakh

Items that fall under the Union List gives the Centre or Parliament the exclusive powers to legislate on matters. Extradition, naval, military, citizenship and naturalisation, Air Force, passports, war and peace are some of the items under this list.

The State List, on the other hand, involves 61 items on which the state has the exclusive power to legislate. This does not comprise citizenship and naturalisation. Some items include law and order, public health, agriculture etc.

The Concurrent List, on the other hand, deals with 47 items. The items under this list fall under the joint domain of the Centre and State. In case of a dispute on this List, then the law made by the Centre would prevail. Some items under this list are criminal law, motor vehicle law, insolvency, forests etc.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 15:28:50|Editor: ZX

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HEFEI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers are expanding the use of a new laser radar device to monitor and analyze air pollutants such as PM2.5, fine particulate matter that causes smog, in densely populated areas.

The device, developed by several organizations including the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), can monitor the distribution and analyze the composition of smog in the air up to 10 km from the ground in real time.

Around 500 such laser radar devices have been installed to form smog monitoring networks across the country, including in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Yangtze River Delta.

This year, more than 100 laser radar devices are expected to be sold nationwide, according to Zhang Tianshu, a researcher from the Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics under the CAS, one of the developers.

"Through network observation, researchers can acquire key data of smog such as its distribution, transmission channels and density, so as to establish a three-dimensional simulation model for pollutants," Zhang said.

High concentrations of ozone near ground level is one of the main causes of smog and major secondary pollutants. The laser radar equipment can also carry out real-time monitoring of ozone to provide technical support for smog control.

Laser radar is one of the most advanced technologies in smog monitoring. In the future, the technology will be mounted on vehicles, aircraft and even satellites.
TEHRAN, Iran  For Iranians whose icons since the Islamic Revolution have been stern-faced clergy, Gen. Qassem Soleimani was a popular figure of national resilience in the face of four decades of U.S. pressure.

For the U.S. and Israel, he was a shadowy figure in command of Irans proxy forces, responsible for fighters in Syria backing President Bashar Assad and for the deaths of American troops in Iraq.

Solemani survived the horror of Irans long war in the 1980s with Iraq to take control of the Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force, responsible for the Islamic Republics campaigns abroad.

Relatively unknown in Iran until the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Soleimanis popularity and mystique grew after American officials called for his killing. A decade and a half later, Soleimani had become Irans most recognizable battlefield commander, ignoring calls to enter politics but growing as powerful, if not more, than its civilian leadership.

The warfront is mankinds lost paradise, Soleimani said in a 2009 interview. One type of paradise that is portrayed for mankind is streams, beautiful nymphs and greeneries. But there is another kind of paradise.  The warfront was the lost paradise of the human beings, indeed.

A U.S. airstrike killed Soleimani, 62, and others as they traveled from Baghdads international airport early Friday morning. The Pentagon said President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military to take decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing a man once referred to by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a living martyr of the revolution.

Soleimanis luck finally ran out after he was rumored dead several times over the years. There was a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of Assad. More recently, rumors circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani had been killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

As tensions between the U.S. and Iran increased after Trump pulled out of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers, Iranian officials quickly vowed to retaliate. While Soleimani was the Guards most prominent general, many others in its ranks have experience in waging the asymmetrical, proxy attacks for which Iran has become known.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the U.S. into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena, an adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani, wrote on the social media app Telegram. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

Soleimanis early years are a bit of a mystery. Born March 11, 1957, Iranians say Soleimani grew up near the mountainous and historic Iranian town of Rabor, famous for its forests, its apricot, walnut and peach harvests and its brave soldiers. The U.S. State Department has said he was born in the Iranian religious capital of Qom.

Little is known about his childhood, though Iranian accounts suggest Soleimanis father was a peasant who received some land under the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the monarch who was toppled in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

By the time he was 13, Soleimani was working construction, later as an employee of the Kerman Water Organization. After Irans Islamic Revolution swept the shah from power, Soleimani joined the Revolutionary Guard. He deployed to Irans northwest with forces that put down Kurdish unrest.

Soon after, Iraq invaded Iran and began the two countries long, bloody eight-year war. The fighting killed more than 1 million people and saw Iran send waves of lightly armed troops into minefields and the fire of Iraqi forces, including teenage soldiers. Solemanis unit and others also were attacked by Iraqi chemical weapons.

Amid the carnage, Soleimani became known for his opposition to meaningless deaths on the battlefield. He wept with fervor when exhorting his men into combat, embracing each individually.

For several years after the Iraq-Iran war, Soleimani largely disappeared from public view, something analysts attribute to his wartime disagreements with Hashemi Rafsanjani, who served as Irans president from 1989 to 1997. But after Rafsanjani, Soleimani became head of the Quds force. He also grew so close to Khamenei that the Supreme Leader officiated the wedding of the generals daughter.

As chief of the Quds Foce  or Jerusalem Force  Solemani oversaw the Guards foreign operations and soon would come to the attention of Americans following the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

In secret U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, U.S. officials openly discussed Iraqi efforts to reach out to Soleimani to stop rocket attacks on the highly secured Green Zone in Baghdad in 2009. Another cable in 2007 outlines then-Iraqi President Jalal Talabani offering a U.S. official a message from Soleimani acknowledging having hundreds of agents in the country while pledging, I swear on the grave of (the late Ayatollah Ruhollah) Khomeini I havent authorized a bullet against the U.S.

U.S. officials at the time dismissed Soleimanis claim as they saw Iran as both an arsonist and a fireman in Iraq, controlling some Shiite militias while simultaneously stirring dissent and launching attacks. U.S. forces blamed the Quds Force for an attack in Karbala that killed five American troops, as well as for training and supplying the bomb makers whose improvised bombs made IED  improvised explosive device  a dreaded acronym among soldiers.

In a 2010 speech, U.S. Gen. David Petraeus recounted a message from Soleimani he said explained the scope of Iranians powers.

He said, Gen. Petreaus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan,' Petraeus said.

The U.S. and the United Nations put Soleimani on sanctions lists in 2007, though he continued to travel. In 2011, U.S. officials named him as a defendant in an outlandish Quds Force plot to allegedly hire a purported Mexican drug cartel assassin to kill a Saudi diplomat.

The attention the West gave Soleimani only boosted his profile at home. He sat by Khameneis side at key meetings. He famously met Syrias Assad in February together with the supreme leader  but without Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, sparking a short-lived resignation by the top Iranian diplomat.

Polling data routinely showed Soleimani rated more favorably than other public figures, according to the Center for International Studies at the University of Maryland. But Soleimani refused entreaties to enter politics.

Soleimanis greatest notoriety arose from the Syrian civil war and the rapid expansion of the Islamic State group. Iran, a major backer of Assad, sent Soleimani into Syria several times to lead attacks against IS and others opposing Assads rule. While a U.S.-led coalition focused on airstrikes, several ground victories by Iraqi forces featured photographs of Soleimani leading them without a flak jacket.

Soleimani has taught us that death is the beginning of life, not the end of life, one Iraqi militia commander said.

___

Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
A former Grenadier Guard knocked down and killed an irreplaceable teacher as he neared the end of a shift delivering medical supplies, the Old Bailey heard.

Paul Austin, 56, was stressed and in a rush at the end of an 11-hour day when he drove his van through a red light and struck Tracey Wilson as she was crossing the road.

Ms Wilson, 55, a teacher at City of London Academy in Islington, suffered a fractured skull in the crash and died two days later in hospital.

The court heard Austin, who spent 10 years in the Grenadier Guards before leaving the Army in 1994, had been working as a driver for Alliance Healthcare, making deliveries to pharmacies.

History of stress: Paul Austin was distracted by a monitor in his van that tracked his progress

On December 27, 2018, he was 24 metres away from the crossing in Hornsey High Street when the lights turned red, and had ample time to stop, said prosecutor Tom Nicholson.

Austin insisted he did not see Ms Wilson. He pleaded guilty last month to causing death by careless driving and was sentenced yesterday to a six-month prison sentence suspended for the next two years.

It was more than a momentary loss of concentration  it was a serious falling short of the standards of competent driving, said Judge John Hillen.

He added that Ms Wilson is irreplaceable to her friends and family, as well as to the staff and pupils whom she had known through her job of more than two decades.

He said factors in the crash were Austins history of stress and the presence of a monitor on his van dashboard which informed his bosses about his driving and progress.
Gold prices rose Rs 877 to Rs 40,092 per 10 gram in the Mumbai bullion on rupee depreciation and safe-haven buying due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

10 gram 22-carat gold in Mumbai was priced at Rs 36,724 plus 3 percent GST, while 24-carat 10 gram was Rs 40,092 plus GST. 18-carat gold quoted at Rs 30,069 plus GST in the retail market.

The precious metal surged after a US airstrike on Friday morning killed Iran Quds Force chief Qassem Soleimani and top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis on their convoy at Baghdad airport, escalating the already-flared relationship between the US and Iran.

Ravindra Rao, VP- Head Commodity Research at Kotak Securities said, Todays development will further intensify tensions between US and Iran and spur safe-haven buying in gold. However, market reaction may subside if there is no retaliatory move by Iran or no major exchange of words between Tehran and Washington."

He believes the immediate resistance for gold is near $1,546 per troy ounce. If this level breaches, the price might move close to the September 2019 highs of $1,560 per troy ounce.

High gold prices dented retail demand in India to a three-year low of 831 tonne in 2019, a drop of 12 percent from 944 tonne in 2018.

The gold/silver ratio, that refers to the amount of silver required to buy an ounce of gold was at 84.70 to 1.

Silver prices gained Rs 990 to 47,330 per kg from its closing on January 2.

In the futures market, gold rate touched an intraday high of Rs 40,143 and an intraday low of Rs 39,500 on MCX. For the February series, the yellow metal touched a low of Rs 36,098 and a high of Rs 40,806.

Gold futures for delivery in February rose Rs 785, or 2 percent on the MCX trading at Rs 40,062 per 10 gram in evening trade in a business turnover of 16,087 lots. Gold contracts for April delivery gained Rs 769, or 1.95 percent, at Rs 40,199 per 10 gram in a business turnover of 7,617 lots.

The value of the February contract traded so far is Rs 4,910.87 crore and April contract saw the value of Rs 500.45 crore.

Similarly, Gold Mini contract for February was higher by Rs 749, or 1.91 percent at Rs 39,998 in a business turnover of 14,422 lots.

MCX Gold rose to a four-month high after a US airstrike killed one of Irans most powerful generals, ratcheting up tensions in the Middle East.

Rajesh Palviya, Head - Technical & Derivatives Analyst, Axis Securities pointed out that bullion is building on a 2020 rally on a weakening rupee and geopolitical concerns following the US airstrike in Baghdad. MCX gold price has already risen 27 percent last year, the biggest annual advance since 2010 on US-China trade war, he noted.

He expects Comex gold, which is currently trading near 6-year highs, to have a crucial resistance at $1,570 level. Any breakout above this level could drive prices higher to $1,610-$1,630 level, he said.

With breakout above Rs 39,000 on a weekly closing basis, Katke expects MCX gold to scale up toward Rs 40,500-41,000 in coming days, but any dip to Rs 39,700-39,800 could be buying opportunities.

At 12:38 pm (GMT), spot gold was up $20.65 at $1,548.55 an ounce in London trading.

: 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.
Iraq's PMU forces launch anti-terror operation in Nineveh province, secure 8 villages

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 12:46 PM

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) have launched an offensive to clear remnants of the Daesh terrorist group from a strategic area in the Arab country's northern province of Nineveh.

The PMU forces, better known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, commenced Operation al-Qaim Martyrs early Thursday to eliminate Daesh terrorists in al-Hadar district south of the provincial capital of Mosul, the official Iraqi News Agency reported.

"Hashd al-Sha'abi's brigades 15, 25, 33, 44, backed by intelligence and detonation units, launched this morning 'Operation al-Qaim Martyrs' to clear the district south of Mosul of the remnants of terrorist groups," said a statement by the PMU Media Bureau.

The operation takes its name from those killed in US airstrikes which sparked angry protests in Baghdad where protesters stormed the American embassy.

On Sunday, the PMU said Daesh terrorists had launched an attack on al-Hadar with the help of US forces.

"At 9 p.m. local time, our units spotted the landing of three parachutes from some US-made Chinook helicopters in the al-Hadar reservoirs south of Mosul, and after half an hour, a number of Daesh terrorists were observed there," the PMU said.

After receiving information about the terror attack, forces from the brigade 44 deployed to the area and eliminated at least four terrorists, it said, adding "US forces had equipped the terrorists with American equipment and weapons."

On Thursday, the al-Qaim Martyrs Operation was launched to eliminate Daesh terrorists in the area. According to the PMU Media Bureau, Hashd al-Sha'abi forces have so far secured eight villages.

"The Brigade 33 and its supporting forces within the Nineveh Operations Command of the PMU have thus far completed securing the villages of Khazza, Sahel Hamad, Khudhrat Sharghiyah, Taratiyat, Shujaysh, Ruwayshiyeh, Salih al-Bara, and Saadia Shahid," it said in the statement.

The developments came four days after US forces conducted airstrikes on a number of Kata'ib Hezbollah bases in Qaim in the western province of Anbar, killing as many as 31 fighters and wounding almost twice as many. The targeted Kata'ib Hezbollah forces belonged to Brigades 45 and 46 of the PMU.

Following the strikes, the Pentagon said the raids targeted weapons storage facilities and command control locations, claiming that the bombings were in response to attacks targeting American forces in Iraq.

The raids, however, drew a wave of condemnation from officials and movements across the region, and triggered furious public protests outside the US embassy in Baghdad.

PMU fighters played a major role in the liberation of Daesh-held areas to the south, northeast and north of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, after the terrorists launched an offensive in the country, overrunning vast parts in lightning attacks in mid-2014 and turning Mosul, Iraq's second largest city, to their de facto capital.

In late 2017, Baghdad announced the total defeat of Daesh in the Arab country. However, remnants of the terror outfit have every so often conducted sporadic attacks on civilians and security forces alike.

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Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday appointed Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani as head of the Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm, the Quds Forces, after the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, who had led the defence agency since 1998.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday appointed Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani as head of the Quds Forces, Revolutionary Guards' foreign operations arm, after the assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani.

Soleimani, who had been leading the defence agency since 1998, was killed in a US airstrike on Baghdad airport on Friday. The forces programme "will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor," Khamenei said in a statement published by state media.

Ghaani has reportedly served as Soleimani's deputy since the latter took over as the head of the elite force which undertakes Iranian missions in other countries.

Newsweek reported that Ghaani previously cautioned US president Donald Trump against conflict with Iran. "We are not a war-mongering country. But any military action against Iran will be regretted," he said in 2017, according to the report, adding, "Trump's threats against Iran will damage America. We have buried many like Trump and know how to fight against America."

The killing of Soleimani marks a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Iran, which has careened from one crisis to another since Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions.

Khamenei also warned that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the US after the airstrike, calling Soleimani the "international face of resistance." Khamenei declared three days of public mourning for the generals death.

The killing, and any forceful retaliation by Iran, could ignite a conflict that engulfs the whole region, endangering US troops in Iraq, Syria, and beyond. Over the last two decades, Soleimani had assembled a network of heavily armed allies stretching all the way to southern Lebanon, on Israels doorstep.

However, the killing may itself act as a deterrent, with fears of an all-out war leading Iran and its allies to delay or restrain any potential response.

Oil prices surged on news of the killing and markets were mixed.

With inputs from agencies
By PTI

LUCKNOW: BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday demanded that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot be sacked in the wake of the death of over 100 infants in a government-run hospital in Kota.

The former UP chief minister charged that Gehlot was making political statements that were irresponsible and unsympathetic.

"This is highly shameful," Mayawati said in a tweet.

She demanded that Gehlot be dismissed and replaced by a new dispensation otherwise more women will lose their children.

At least 100 infants have died at a government-run hospital in Kota in the past month.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BSP chief had on Thursday targeted the Congress over infant deaths, suggesting that party leader Priyanka Gandhi should have gone there to console the children's mothers instead of "playing politics" in UP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the science community should focus on innovations for rural poor and farmers, but also exercise discretion in choosing causes to work for. New India needs technology as well as a logical temperament so that our effort for social and economic development of the individual is in the right direction, Modi said in a speech after inaugurating 107th Indian Science Congress at the University of Agriculture in Bengaluru.

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Jan Jekielek is a senior editor with The Epoch Times and host of the show, "American Thought Leaders." Jans career has spanned academia, media, and international human rights work. In 2009 he joined The Epoch Times full time and has served in a variety of roles, including as website chief editor. He is the producer of the award-winning Holocaust documentary film "Finding Manny."
Justin Bieber has debuted his first new solo single in five years, an RnB-inspired track called Yummy.

The 25-year-old pop star teased the song to his 123 million Instagram followers on Christmas Eve, revealing in a short film it would be the lead single for a new album in 2020.

Yummy features low-key synth, bass and mostly restrained vocals from the Canadian, with frequent collaborator Jason Poo Bear Boyd listed as a co-writer and producer.

Im elated that you are my lady, Bieber falsettos halfway through the track, potentially referring to his wife Hailey, who he described ahead of the songs release as his Christmas gift.

The song sees him touch on his success as he drives a Lamborghini, wears his own fashion lines Drew House slippers and gets help to spend one hundred racks or 100,000 dollars (76,000).

In the short film released before Christmas, Bieber said: I feel like this is different from previous albums just because of where I am in my life. Im excited to perform on the tour.

As humans, we are imperfect. My past, my mistakes, all the things I have been through. I believe I am right where I am supposed to be and God has me right where he wants me.

Expand Close Justin Bieber described his wife Hailey as his Christmas gift (Jennifer Graylock/PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Justin Bieber described his wife Hailey as his Christmas gift (Jennifer Graylock/PA)

Bieber has not announced the release date for his new album.

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He will embark on a US tour in support of the new album between May and September 2020, but no UK dates have been announced.
At Least 18 Killed, Including Children, In Military Plane Crash in Sudan's West Darfur

Sputnik News

21:58 02.01.2020(updated 00:09 03.01.2020)

An Antonov An-12 aircraft crashed in El Geneina, western Sudan, on Thursday, some 3 miles from the airport of Al Junaynah, killing the crew. The region has recently seen several deadly clashes between local ethnic groups.

Sudanese military officials said Thursday that at least 18 people were killed, including 7 crew members and 4 children aboard the fallen An-12. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

"An Antonov military plane An-12 suffered a fall accident Thursday evening, five minutes after it took off from El Geneina Airport, which led to its crash and the death of its crew of seven (four officers and three other ranks), in addition to three judges and eight citizens, among them were four children. An investigation is underway to find out the cause of the accident", Spokesperson for the Sudanese military, Brigadier General Amer Muhammad Al-Hassan Muhammad, said in the statement.

The government of Sudan reportedly earlier confirmed the deaths of 11 people in the incident. According to earlier media reports, at least 15 people were aboard.

First media reports suggested, citing sources, that when it crashed, the cargo jet was carrying three judges from the city of Zalingei and a UN staffer from the World Food Program, among other passengers. The plane brought medical equipment and medicine for the Al-Helal Al-Ahmar (Red Crescent) Society in El Geneina before the incident occurred and crashed during the return flight.

"Antonov plane crashes after takeoff 5 kilometers away from El Geneina airport. Preliminary information indicates that there are no members of the official delegation on board. The plane was transporting medical materials and medicines to Al-Helal Al-Ahmaz Society in Al-Geneina and on its way back it fell not far from the airport", local media said, sharing photos of the plane before the crash.

Netizens have also shared footage of the alleged wreckage site on social media.

The cause of the crash reportedly remains unknown.

 Sputnik

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Jakarta: The number of people killed in the heavy floods in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and adjacent regions has increased to 43, the Jakarta Post reported on Friday, citing the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management.

Heavy rains have been lashing Greater Jakarta since New Year`s Eve. The ensuing floods were further aggravated after several rivers burst banks.

Public transportation has been severely disrupted, and several areas have got completely isolated and inaccessible for rescuers to reach.

Aside from physical danger, floods have increased the risk of outbreaks of potentially fatal waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, and dysentery.

As of Thursday morning, over 62,000 people were evacuated in Jakarta alone, disaster mitigation agency spokesman Agus Wibowo said, although later in the day he told news channel Metro TV the number of evacuees were down to around 35,000 people. Rainfall at an airport in East Jakarta measured at 377 millimeters (15 inches) early on Jan. 1, the highest daily reading during major floods since at least 1996, according to the Meteorology, Clilmatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

President Joko Widodo told reporters evacuation and safety measures should be prioritised and called for more coordination between city administrations and the central government. On his Twitter page, Widodo blamed delays in flood control infrastructure projects for the flooding. He said some projects have been delayed since 2017 due to land acquisition problems.

Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan said authorities deployed hundreds of pumps to suck water from residential areas across the capital, which had allowed some people to return home. "They want to return home immediately and start cleaning up their houses as soon as they are able to enter their houses as water recedes," Baswedan told reporters during a visit to a densely populated area in East Jakarta affected by the flood.

Residents waddled through murky water to see the governor while workers pumped water out of the area into a nearby river.

Jakarta and its surroundings are home to more than 30 million people. More than 50 people died in one of the capitals deadliest floods in 2007 and five years ago much of the centre of the city was inundated after canals overflowed.

The government announced last year that it is relocating the capital to East Kalimantan province on Borneo, though the planning ministry pledged that the government will invest $40 billion in modernizing Jakarta.
Prithviraj Sukumaran, the multifaceted talent of Malayalam cinema is currently preparing for his much-awaited project Aadujeevitham. In a recent interview given to a popular Malayalam media, Prithviraj revealed some interesting details about his ambitious project which is directed by Blessy. According to the actor, only 25 percent of Aadujeevitham has been completed so far.

The Driving License actor revealed that the team completed the initial portions of the Blessy project, which was majorly shot at the various locations of Kerala and Jordan. The major portions of the movie, which will showcase the physical transformation of Prithviraj Sukumaran, are yet to be filmed.

According to the sources close to the project, the actor-director is planning to shed about 30 kilos for his character Najeeb Mohammed, an abused migrant labourer who gets stranded in the middle of a desert in Saudi Arabia. The actor-director has now taken a 3 months long break from the cinema to dedicate time to his physical transformation.

Aadujeevitham, which is based on Benyamin's popular novel of the same name, is scripted by director Blessy himself. Amala Paul, the popular actress appears as the female lead opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran in the movie. The Blessy directorial features an extensive star cast including Vineeth Sreenivasan, Lena, Aparna Balamurali, Santhosh Keezhattoor, and so on.

The Prithviraj starrer is also an extremely exciting project when it comes to its technical crew. AR Rahman, the Academy award-winning musician is making a comeback to Malayalam cinema after a very long gap, with Aadujeevitham. The legendary musician will compose the soundtrack and original score for the project.

KU Mohanan, the veteran cinematographer is the director of photography. The editing is handled by the National award-winning editor A Sreekar Prasad. Rasool Pookutty, the Academy award-winner handles the sound design of the survival drama. Aadujeevitham is produced by KG Abraham, under the banner KGA Films.
No one in the government has ever called the three detained former chief ministers of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir "anti-national", Home Minister Amit Shah has said, adding that a decision on their release will be taken by the administration of the union territory.

Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti had to be detained for "some time" after they made provocative statements, the home minister said on Thursday night while addressing an event organised by media outlet ABP News.

"Please see the statements made by them, like the entire country will be on fire if Article 370 was touched...In the backdrop of these statements, a professional decision was taken to keep them under detention for sometime," Shah said at the news summit.

Many political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, including the three former chief ministers, were detained on August 5, the day the Centre announced abrogation of Article 370 provisions and bifurcation of the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

While Farooq Abdullah has been booked under the stringent Public Safety Act and confined to his Gupkar Road residence in Srinagar, which has been declared a sub-jail, his son Omar Abdullah has been detained at Hari Niwas. PDP chief Mufti was lodged at Chesmashahi hut initially but later shifted to a government accommodation.

To a question pointing out that Abdullahs' National Conference and Mufti's PDP were alliance partners of the BJP at some point of time and the leaders were now being labelled "anti-national", the home minister made it clear that neither he nor anyone from the government had called them so.

"As far as the decision to release them is concerned, this decision will be taken by the local administration and not me," he said, adding that the administration will release them whenever it deems suitable.

Shah said the situation in the Kashmir Valley was under control and day-to-day life was going on smoothly.

"Not a single inch in Kashmir is under curfew today," he added.
For all the prior warnings and bluster, it's hard to think of a more precarious period of the Trump presidency than this very moment.

Why it matters: The surprise of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani's killing has left the world on edge.

In Tehran , the Ayatollah threatened a "forceful revenge."

, the Ayatollah threatened a "forceful revenge." In Baghdad , the U.S. government urged Americans to flee the country as Iraqi lawmakers worked on legislation asking U.S. troops to leave.

, the U.S. government urged Americans to flee the country as Iraqi lawmakers worked on legislation asking U.S. troops to leave. In Fort Bragg, North Carolina , roughly 3,500 members of the 82nd Airborne prepared to deploy to Kuwait.

, roughly 3,500 members of the 82nd Airborne prepared to deploy to Kuwait. In Florida, President Trump said he does not want regime change and "we did not take action to start a war."

President Trump said he does not want regime change and "we did not take action to start a war." And in Washington, some Democrats forcefully opposed further action, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed "dozens if not hundreds of American lives" were at "imminent" risk. He did not provide specific evidence.

Between the lines: A good deal of the tension comes from the range of possible outcomes.

"Iranians are the masters of striking soft targets ... In the past few years, they have honed an ability to cause low-level chaos," the N.Y. Times reports.

Among the options, per the AP:

Cyberattacks like the one that hit U.S. banks prior to the Iran Deal.

like the one that hit U.S. banks prior to the Iran Deal. Targeting America's Gulf allies , especially Saudi Arabia.

, especially Saudi Arabia. Using proxies in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. Nothing: Previous threats for retaliation, like after a Hezbollah commander was killed in 2008, passed without a major response.

What's next: The White House is preparing to present partners and allies with intelligence on the imminent threat it says prompted this attack, Kirsten Fontenrose, who served on the National Security Council earlier in the Trump administration, said on an Atlantic Council conference call.

The National Security Council is working to coordinate next steps, while the State Department consults with allies on what Iranian responses are acceptable, and what theyre willing to do to help the U.S. push back if necessary, Axios world editor Dave Lawler reports.

Go deeper... Trump on killing Soleimani: "We did not take action to start a war"
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday expressed concern over reports of mob attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan.

Singh appealed to Pakistan premier Imran Khan to ensure that the devotees stranded at the Nankana Sahib gurdwara are rescued from the mob, while SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with his Pakistani counterpart.

According to the External Affairs Ministry, members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan have been subjected to acts of violence at the holy city of Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji.

"Appeal to @ImranKhanPTI to immediately intervene that the devotees stranded in Gurdwara Nankana Sahib are rescued and the historic gurdwara is saved from the angry mob surrounding it," the Punjab chief minister tweeted.

The MEA said the reprehensible actions followed the forcible abduction and conversion of a Sikh girl who was kidnapped from her home in the city of Nankana Sahib in August last year.

According to reports, a mob attack took place at the shrine where the Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev was born.

Reports suggested that hundreds of angry residents at Nankana Sahib pelted the Sikh pilgrims with stones on Friday.

In a statement issued here, SAD president Badal said it was shocking that the local administration in Nankana Sahib remained a mute spectator to the violence unleashed by the mob which "tried to gate crash into the Gurdwara compound and indulged in inflammatory speeches".

"I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is a despicable act and it is the Pakistan government's primary human, moral and Constitutional duty to ensure the safety of Sikhs in the country," he said.

Badal said that in the interest of justice, the Pakistani government should also act against the person who was responsible for the abduction of the Sikh girl and also led the attack on the gurdwara.

"The attack was apparently perpetrated to liquidate the family of the girl whose father is a granthi of the gurdwara," he said.

In the statement, the SAD chief alleged that instigators of Friday's violence had made speeches demanding that the city named after the first Sikh Guru - Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji - be renamed Ghulam Ali Mustafa.

Demanding quick and exemplary action against those targeting the Sikh community and disrespecting the religion, Badal said the entire Sikh world has been shaken by the heinous incident and the Pakistan government should take appropriate steps.
Firearm found in Hosburgh's vehicle View Photos

Jamestown, CA  A traffic stop resulted in the first bust of 2020 for Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office after a deputy uncovered drugs and firearms.

A speeding vehicle making an illegal lane change on Highway 108 in Jamestown just after midnight on New Years morning caught the eye of a patrolling deputy. A records check revealed the driver, 37-year-old Chad Hosburgh of Winton, was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS).

Being a convicted felon allowed for a search of Hosburghs car that turned up methamphetamine, a collapsible baton and an unregistered, loaded firearm with a high capacity magazine. He was arrested without incident. However, while being booked into jail a search of Hosburgh discovered more meth hidden on him.

Hosburgh faces multiple felonies for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and a high capacity magazine, having illegal drugs while armed, carrying concealed weapons in the vehicle, which is a violation of his PRCS terms, and bringing drugs into a jail. He is being held without bail.
"The priority today is fighting fires and evacuating, getting people to safety," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney. "There are parts of both Victoria and New South Wales which have been completely devastated, with a loss of power and communications."

Authorities urged a mass exodus from several towns on Australias southeast coast, an area hugely popular in the current summer peak holiday season, warning that extreme heat forecast for the weekend will further stoke raging fires.

More than 50,000 people were without power and some towns had no access to drinking water, after catastrophic fires ripped through the region over the past few days, sending the sky blood red and destroying towns.

Long lines formed outside supermarkets and gas stations near high-danger areas, and shelves were emptied of staples like bread and milk, as residents and tourists sought supplies to either bunker down or escape.

Fueled by searing temperatures and high winds, more than 200 fires are now burning across the southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria, threatening several towns.

Tens of thousands of holidaymakers raced to evacuate popular seaside towns on Australias east coast Thursday, fleeing ahead of advancing bushfires, as military ships and helicopters began rescuing thousands more trapped by the blazes.

 Death Toll Rises, Navy Arrives

Eight people have been killed by wildfires in the eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria since Monday, and 18 are still missing, officials said Thursday.

A naval ship arrived Thursday at the southeastern coastal town of Mallacoota, where 4,000 residents and visitors have been stranded on the beach since Monday night. Naval officials said they would open registration for evacuation Thursday afternoon, with the HMAS Choules able to carry up to 1,000 people on the first trip. The ship is expected to make two or three voyages over coming days, state authorities said.

"It's 16-17 hours to the closest boat port, then we've got to come back," HMAS Choules Commander Scott Houlihan said at an information session Thursday afternoon. He said that leaving by boat was the only way out of the town.

Thousands of people had already been evacuated from the greater adjoining region of East Gippsland in Victoria, one of the largest evacuations in the country since the northern city of Darwin evacuated more than 35,000 people in the aftermath of cyclone Tracy in 1974.

 'It Is Hell on Earth'

"It is hell on earth. It is the worst anybody's ever seen," Michelle Roberts told Reuters by telephone from the Croajingolong Cafe she owns in Mallacoota. Roberts hoped to get her 18-year-old daughter out on the ship to get away from the spotfires and thick smoke that continue to engulf the town.

Five military helicopters were en route to the south coast to back up firefighters and bring in supplies like water and diesel, the Australian Defense Force said Thursday. The aircraft will also be used to evacuate injured, elderly and young people.

A contingent of 39 firefighters from North America landed in Melbourne on Friday, bringing the number of U.S. and Canadian experts who have flown in to help deal with the crisis to almost 100.

Traffic on the main highway out of Batemans Bay on the NSW coast was bumper to bumper after authorities called for the town to be evacuated. Residents of the town reported was no fuel, power or phone service, while supermarket shelves were stripped bare of staples. Everyones just on edge, local resident Shane Flanagan told Reuters.

 State of Emergency

The New South Wales state government declared a state of emergency, beginning Friday, giving authorities the power to forcibly evacuate people and take control of services. The states Kosciuszko National Park, home to the Snowy Mountains, was closed with visitors ordered to leave because of extreme fire danger.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged those waiting for help and those stuck in traffic jams "to be patient... help will arrive." Dairies in New South Wales that had lost power were being forced to dump milk. "That is the tragedy of what is occurring as a result of these disasters," Morrison said.

Temperatures are forecast to soar above 40 degrees Celsius along the south coast Saturday, bringing the prospect of renewed firefronts to add to the around 200 current blazes. "It is going to be a very dangerous day. It's going to be a very difficult day," NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

Morrison visited volunteer firefighters in the NSW town on Bega as they prepared to head out to the firefront Friday. The leader plans to tour stricken regions in Victoria next week. Morrison said the fires will burn for "many, many months... unlike a flood, where the water will recede, in a fire like this, it goes on and it will continue to go on... until we can get some decent rain."

Morrison, forced to defend his government's limited action on climate change, blamed a three-year drought and lack of hazard reduction for the unprecedented extent and duration of this year's bushfires.

Bushfires so far this season have razed more than 4 million hectares of bushland and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, including 381 homes destroyed on the south coast just this week.
For Star subscribers: The hill is one of Tucson's most popular outdoor destinations, and not just for humans. A study tracking the city's urban bobcats shows that. Plus, the study has produced a few surprises for researchers about the cats' behaviors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

Trend:

The Computer Incident Response Team (CERT) at the State Agency for Special Communications and Information Security of Azerbaijan's State Security Service has published the rating of state websites by the number of visits in 2019, Trend reports.

The rating was headed by the website of the country's State Examination Center.

 total visits  unique visits 1 tqdk.gov.az 1 tqdk.gov.az 2 edu.gov.az 2 dim.gov.az 3 dim.gov.az 3 edu.gov.az 4 taxes.gov.az 4 mia.gov.az 5 mia.gov.az 5 mod.gov.az 6 migration.gov.az 6 azal.az 7 mod.gov.az 7 mfa.gov.az 8 mfa.gov.az 8 customs.gov.az 9 mct.gov.az 9 idmantv.az 10 fhn.gov.az 10 taxes.gov.az

 total visits  unique visits 1 binegedi-ih.gov.az 1 binegedi-ih.gov.az 2 sabunchu-ih.gov.az 2 qazax-ih.gov.az 3 qazax-ih.gov.az 3 qebele-ih.gov.az 4 nasimi-ih.gov.az 4 sabunchi-ih.gov.az 5 baku-ih.gov.az 5 lachin-ih.gov.az Most of the visits were from Azerbaijan, the US, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. The following table shows the Top-5 most visited websites of local executive authorities in 2019.
Unredacted Emails Expose Pentagon Legal Concerns Over Ukraine Aid Freeze

Sputnik News

03:08 03.01.2020

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Unredacted copies of email exchanges with the White House shine a light on Defence Department legal concerns over President Donald Trump's decision to withhold military aid to Ukraine, Justice Security reported.

Justice Security, a legal news and analysis forum, reviewed unredacted copies of the emails that were released in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit, many of which occurred between defence officials and the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

"OMB continues to ignore our repeated explanation regarding how the process works. We cannot release funds for obligation until they can obligate, so the process has stopped for those cases whose lines are ready to execute", acting Pentagon comptroller Elaine McCusker said in an email to defence officials according to excerpts of the documents posted on Thursday.

Defence officials were concerned that US President Donald Trump's hold on the security aid to Ukraine would violate the Impoundment Control Act, which requires the White House to spend money that was appropriated by Congress, the report said.

The report said that the emails show that Congress was given no notification that funding was being held and no explanation was ever given for why the hold was put in place by the executive branch.

The documents show that the Pentagon had warned OMB that a continued hold on security assistance would increase the department's ability to deliver the funding on time.

House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday said the new revelations strike a blow to Republican resistance to include more evidence in the forthcoming impeachment trial in the Senate.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed the revelations as "total obstruction of Congress".

In September, the Democrat-led House of Representatives launched an impeachment inquiry into Trump over his 25 July telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Republican president allegedly attempted to solicit foreign contribution to his presidential campaign for the 2020 vote by putting on hold the military aid for Ukraine unless Kiev agreed to probe his political rival Joe Biden and son Hunter for corruption-related misdeeds. The Bidens have denied any wrongdoing.

The impeachment proceedings will continue in the Senate this year after the House charged Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

In a statement later on Thursday, US House Intelligence Committee chairman, congressman Adam Schiff, said the Senate cannot hold a fair trial without including documents it knows the White House has that contradict defence of Trump's conduct.

The congressman also said the documents disclosed represent only a small subset of those his committee issued subpoenas for.

A Sputnik

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On Friday, Irans notable military figure, Major General Qasem Soleimani of the states powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which operates under the direct auspices of the Ayatollah, was killed along with another senior commander in a United States air strike at Iraqs Baghdad airport. This marks one of the most significant moments in the regions fragile geopolitical environment in recent years. Soleimani led the Quds Force, IRGCs foreign operations wing, and was the architect of Irans expansions into the Syrian civil war and beyond. As the Donald Trump administration hailed the strike, Iran vowed revenge, setting off alarms of another impending war in the region.

This dramatic escalation occurred days after supporters of Iran-backed militias breached the US embassy in Baghdad, with reports suggesting that Iraqi troops tasked with protecting the diplomatic mission did not do so beyond a point. A week earlier, on December 27, Iran-backed militias had targeted a US base in Kirkuk in northern Iraq, wounding US troops and killing an American contractor.

The death of Soleimani comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with Trump, who has now entered an election year, having worked to isolate Iran both economically and politically by making major decisions such as exiting from the Iran nuclear deal. Moreover, Trump, as exhibited by comments around the killing of ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October in Syria at the hands of the US Army, has shown that he prefers to go after high-profile names, rather than middle-rung or deputies of leaders of terror groups or militias, for a more marketable national security posture, distinguishing himself from his predecessors at the White House.

However, with the killing of Soleimani, the US has entered an area of unknowns in its dealings with Tehran. Soleimani was not just a leader of the IRGC, but over the past few years had become a revered and extremely powerful figure in Iranian polity and society. In 2013, a profile of him in The New Yorker, titled The Shadow Commander, highlighted Soleimanis role as a powerful behind-the-scenes figure. He was the Shiite powers chief conductor in the Syrian civil war, designing a policy of fighting ISIS while simultaneously expanding the reach of Iran in the political and geographical vacuums left behind. This architecture saw Iran prop up the embattled government of Syrias Bashar al-Assad, and develop an all-encompassing reach around Iraqs politics (Soleimani even reportedly held meetings in Baghdad with Iraqi officials in place of the countrys prime minister), bringing Tehrans influence to the doorstep of its enemies such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. Since then, Soleimani had operated with much gusto. His travels to the frontlines in Syria were documented in photos and videos, and circulated widely on social media as he developed a strong support base back home. While gaining popularity and support in Iran, specifically among the conservatives, his actions also caused the loss of innumerable lives in the region.

Amid all this, the killing of Soleimani pushes the likeliness of a direct armed escalation in the region between America, its interests and Tehran more than ever before. The assassination may end up uniting divisions within Iranian politics, with both the moderates and conservatives converging in condemning the US strike. The agenda led by Soleimani of spreading Iranian power through the region may, in fact, get strengthened further. He may become the martyr of the Iranian cause, backed up by the existential threat faced by the seat of Shiite Islam from the poles of power in both Riyadh and Jerusalem. The fact that Saudi Arabia and Israel, despite being adversaries, find the push against Iran to be a point of convergence emboldens Tehrans publicly aired resolve to retaliate against the generals death. For Iran, this may well become a direct American declaration of war, whether Washington meant it or not.

For the US, the Trump administration, facing heat on an impeachment orchestrated by the Democrats and other domestic political upheavals, national security successes such as Baghdadi, and now Soleimani, may grant the presidency greater leverage in the impending elections later this year. Comparisons, such as an attack on the Baghdad embassy being unlike the one in Benghazi in Libya under the Obama administration in 2012 where the US ambassador died, may well be the posturing Trump was looking for, and now has successfully designed. Nonetheless, the optics are different. Iran, despite perceptions to the contrary, is a State with built-up resilience, proven survival instincts despite isolation, and a competent military. A war will by no means, be a walkover.

Any major escalation as a fallout of Soleimanis killing will have global repercussions, with crude oil prices and major oil and trade routes in the Persian Gulf at stake, coupled with regional and global security and economic concerns.

Kabir Taneja is a fellow, Strategic Studies Programme, Observer Research Foundation

The views expressed are personal
The planned shutdown of two Colstrip Power Plant units has begun, signaling the wind down of one of the West's largest coal-fired generators.

Colstrip Unit 1 is no longer operating. Unit 2 is expected to shut down Saturday, according to Puget Sound Energy, which splits ownership of the units with Talen Energy. The two companies announced last June that the two units, which have operated since the mid-1970s, were uneconomical due to rising coal costs and competition from natural-gas-fired power plants and renewable energy sources.

"Unit 1 shut down today and we understand that Unit 2 is closing Saturday, that it's burning through what (coal) is stockpiled," Christina Donegan, Puget Sound Energy communications director, said Thursday.

Puget will be replacing the Colstrip power with market purchases and new generation from third parties that have submitted bids to supply power to the Bellevue, Washington-based company, which has 1.1 million electric customers. The company requested bids last year for 299 megawatts of new generation, just slightly less than its capacity share from the Colstrip units shutting down this week.

Talen's parent corporation Riverstone Holdings LLC bought an 80 megawatt Montana wind farm in November. Stillwater Wind near Reed Point was acquired by Riverstone as part of its joint purchase of Pattern Development. Riverstone partnered with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on the $6.1 billion deal. Pattern will become an integrated renewable energy company.

Rumors about Units 1 and 2 closing were swirling Thursday around the state. By noon, the Republican Montana Senate Majority had issued a statement from Sen. Duane Ankney, R-Colstrip, stating that Saturday "Colstrip Units 1 and 2 will be closed  with the doors dismantled and welded shut."

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said on Twitter Thursday "This is a sad week for the Colstrip community, Montana families and our energy security. This outcome is a result of fringe litigation and anti-energy regulations. These attacks on our (Montana)-made energy must stop."

Units 1 and 2, with a combined capacity of 614 megawatts, employ roughly 100 workers. Units 3 and 4, each with a 734 megawatts of capacity, continue to operate, though four of the power plant's utility owners are planning to exit as early as 2025. Puget has offered to sell its 25% share of Unit 4 to South-Dakota-based NorthWestern Energy, which is Montanas largest monopoly utility. Another 200 workers tend to Units 3 and 4. Along with Rosebud Coal Mines 372 employees, the power complex anchors the economy of its namesake community of 2,300 people, as well as southeast Montana.

Talen Energy said Colstrip's oldest units could operate through Sunday.

"Because of market considerations, we generally do not comment on whether our units are operating. However at this time, the formal retirement date for both Units 1 and 2 is expected to be Jan. 5. The units will stop operating on or before that date when they run out of coal," said Taryn Williams, Talen spokeswoman, in an email to The Gazette. "After Units 1 and 2 cease operating, they will be put in a cold, dark, dry and safe condition. We expect this work to take several months.

As previously stated, Williams continued. Talen Montana aims to avoid a significant layoff of Colstrip employees and is committed to doing what is right by our employees. Because our employee transition plan is still being finalized, we are not able to provide further information at this time."

The shutdown has been expected since 2016 when the owners of Colstrip Power Plant settled an air pollution lawsuit filed against all four units by agreeing to close Units 1 and 2 no later than 2022. Plans to pull the plug on Colstrips oldest units accelerated as coal prices increased.

In July, Talen Montana President Dale Lebsack told Montana legislators that his company continues to lose money on Colstrip Units 1 and 2 and the units would have to close. The decision was made before Colstrip owners agreed to a new contract for coal with Westmoreland Mining LLC, the parent company of Rosebud Mine. Westmoreland went bankrupt in 2019 as the coal industry continued a yearslong loss of energy market share to natural gas.

In regulatory filings, Colstrip Power Plant owners state that the rising cost of coal will further increase customers power prices. In Montana, Colstrip power owned by NorthWestern Energy is already the most expensive power in the companys portfolio, according to the Montana Consumer Counsel. MCC put the 2017 customer price of power from Colstrip Unit 4 at $73.85 per megawatt hour, with spot market power and Judith Gap Wind farm anchoring the low end at $31 or less.

Additionally, the Colstrip complex remains challenged by climate change laws passed in Washington and Oregon. Units 3 and 4 face a 2025 coal power ban in Washington, where power plant owners Puget Sound Energy and Avista Corp. are based and PacifCorp, another Colstrip owner, does business. Oregon coal power bans begin in 2030 and will affect PacifiCorp and Portland General Electric, another Colstrip owner. Between the two Pacific Northwest states there are 3.1 million Colstrip customers going offline. Those utilities are making plans for new, non-coal generation, including a large investment in renewable energy by PacifiCorp.

NorthWestern Energy, with its 374,000 electric customers in Montana, is the only utility showing interest in keeping Colstrip operational for more than a decade.

Talen's share of Colstrip Units 1 and 2 was a prime source for large customers buying power on the open market. That's because Talen isn't a regulated utility with captive customers. School districts, grain companies, oil refineries and other large industrial customers bought power from Colstrip Units 1 and 2. The latest energy contract data for the region listed just one company specifically drawing power from the units in December, ExxonMobil.

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Ongoing demonstrations and hunger strike protests by tens of thousands of workers at state-owned jute mills in Bangladesh were called off by the unions yesterday (Thursday), after negotiations with Golam Gazi, the minister of textiles and jute.

Union officials claim that Gazi had promised to grant a long-outstanding wage increase to the low-paid workers. No exact details, however, have been published about when the increase would be paid or whether any of the workers other demands would be granted. This is the second promise made by a government minister in the past month.

The jute mill workers want immediate payment of a 2015 national wage commission (NWC) recommendation that their minimum wage be doubledfrom 4,150 taka ($US48) per month to 8,300 taka.

The low-paid workers also called for regular payment of wages, repeal of the governments public-private partnership (PPP) program, payment of pensions and gratuities to retired workers and office staff, insurance for families of deceased workers, and increased funding for development of the state jute sector.

Determined to prevent a direct political confrontation with Prime Minister Hasinas Awami League-led government, union officials called a series of symbolic hunger strike protests early last month. The first of these began on December 10 and involved about 50,000 workers and their families, from 24 of the countrys 26 state-owned mills. Two workers died and over 200 were hospitalised before the unions ended the action.

The protest was called off on December 13 by officials from the Jute Mill Collective Bargaining Association (CBA) and Non-CBA Sangram Parishad, who claimed that Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian had promised that the government would implement the workers main demands.

The two deceased hunger strikersAbdur Sattar, 48, and Sohrab Hossain, 55were from the Platinum Jute Mills in Khulna. Sattar collapsed and was admitted to Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH), where he died. Hossain was admitted to a private clinic and returned to work on December 14. He collapsed again and died at the KMCH.

Before burial, Sattars body was taken to Khalishpur, where angry jute workers were protesting. Fearful that the deaths would spark further demonstrations, the Hasina government deployed riot police, while Labour and Employment Minister Sufian promised a 50,000 taka payment to his family.

No pay increase was granted, however, and so the unions, under pressure from the workers, organised a symbolic hunger protest on December 25from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.at nine jute mills in Khulna and Jessore. According to press reports, 20 workers were hospitalised before unions ended the protest.

Utterly indifferent to the plight of the jute workers, and hostile to their demands, the government, aided and abetted by the unions, is determined to impose the austerity measures and privatisation demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and international investors.

Under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, the governments last budget allocated 6.35 percent of total government expenditure to privatisation development, the highest for the decade.

In April 2019, a World Bank (WB) Bangladesh Development Update report demanded that all allocations to state-owned enterprises (SOE) be ended. It called for the delinking [of] SOEs from the national budget to harden their budget constraint and to look for better returns on assets or face restructuring, liquidation or privatisation. The WB also advised the government to dismantle the mills and put the valuable land to much better alternative uses.

The jute workers struggle for a living wage and an end to their harsh working conditions is part of a growing radicalisation of Bangladeshi workers. In December 2018, around 50,000 garment workers went on strike nationally, and again in January 2019, to demand a pay rise.

Police brutally attacked the strikers, killing one worker, whilst garment factory owners sacked thousands of workers. While workers demanded a 16,000 taka minimum monthly wage, they were granted only 8,000 taka.

Jute exports have been hard hit over the past two years. According to officials from the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, export income from jute and jute products dropped by 20.41 percent during the 201718 year, with declining demand from India, Russia, Turkey, Syria, Iran, Egypt and Indonesia.

In 1980, jute constituted 80 percent of Bangladeshs export income. Privatisation, corruption and mismanagement, outdated machinery and the emergence of jute substitutes, have seen the industrys exports drop to just 2 percent of the countrys foreign earnings in the last financial year.

So determined are Bangladeshi governments to create an investment-friendly environment for the private sector that the WBs Development Policy Credit granted its first tranche of $250 million last January, out of a proposed $750 million loan payment.

Privatisation of the state-owned jute mills, which employ about 80,000 workers, will fuel the anger of millions who depend on the industry. Currently, about one-fourth of the total population is directly or indirectly associated with jute and jute industries.

Privatisation of the jute and other state-owned industries has only brought misery to Bangladeshi workers. After being retrenched, they have been driven into the informal labour market, to try to access odd jobs as rickshaw pullers and day-labourers. This has driven them into debt, with many forced to sell the few assets they accumulated during their working lives.

The growing unrest of Bangladeshi workers is part of a widening of political and industrial action in the international working classfrom the US, France, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, India, Hong Kong and Sri Lankadetermined to put an end to low wages and attacks on basic democratic rights.

Like their international counterparts, Bangladeshi workers can only advance their right to decent wages, working and living conditions by developing rank and file organisations, independent of the unions, and on the basis of a socialist and internationalist program that will put an end to the exploitative capitalist profit system.
Donald Trump was warned by the Pentagon that his actions might be illegal, the emails show - AFP

Unredacted emails published on Thursday show that the order to maintain a freeze on military aid to Ukraine came directly from President Trump, despite Pentagon officials warning him that it might be illegal.

The president was impeached last month by the House of Representatives over allegations that he abused his power and obstructed Congress when he withheld funding to Ukraine in exchange for an investigation into his Democratic rivals, including Senator Joe Biden.

Mr Trump has denied that he acted improperly and claimed that the impeachment is a politically-motivated witch-hunt by House Democrats, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Congress returns from its Christmas break on Friday with Mr Trump's impeachment proceedings in stalemate. In order for the president to be removed from office, Democrats need to instigate a trial in the Senate. Ms Pelosi has so far refused to send the two articles of impeachment against Mr Trump to the Senate until the chamber agrees on trial parameters that she considers fair.

No progress was made over the Christmas break as to the rules of the trial. Democrats in the Senate want to hear from key witnesses who refused to testify during the House investigation, and obtain documents which were denied to the impeachment probe.

Republicans have angrily rejected these plans, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell admitting last month that he was working in "total co-ordination" with the White House on how to conduct the trial.

The emails published on Thursday by a national security website show that a White House official told the Pentagon that the order to hold the Ukraine aid came from the president himself.

According to Just Security, an August 30 email sent by Michael Duffey, associate director of national security programs at the Office of Management and Budget, to the Pentagon's comptroller said the aid freeze would continue at Mr Trump's direction, despite mounting legal worry within the Defense Department.

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Trump engaged in unprecedented, total obstruction of Congress, hiding these emails, all other documents, and his top aides from the American people.



His excuse was a phony complaint about the House process.



Whats the excuse now? Why wont Trump & McConnell allow a fair trial? https://t.co/S3ZlEJMMDB  Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 2, 2020

"Clear direction from POTUS to continue to hold," Mr Duffey wrote in the email.

The unredacted message was one of several not turned over to House investigators conducting the impeachment inquiry, Just Security reported.

On Thursday, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said Mr Duffey's email "further implicates" Trump and compromises Mr McConnell's push to have a trial without documents and witnesses as sought by Democrats.

Mr Schumer said it was imperative that Duffey and other key figures testify, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

Mr Schumer said the emails "are a devastating blow to Senator McConnells push to have a trial without the documents and witnesses weve requested. The American people deserve a fair trial that gets to the truth, not a rigged process that enables a cover-up."

Ms Pelosi said" "Trump engaged in unprecedented, total obstruction of Congress, hiding these emails, all other documents, and his top aides from the American people. Why won't Trump & McConnell allow a fair trial?"

Mr Trump on Thursday repeated his claim that the impeachment effort was a "partisan witch hunt" that has fuelled national divisions.
New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) A day after the BJP released a toll free number where people can give a missed call and register their support for the Citizenship Amendment Act, IANS has learnt that the ruling party is kicking off a door-to-door campaign from January 5 to convince people in support of the contentious law.

On January 5 alone, as many as 42 BJP leaders including the party President Amit Shah will take part in what it calls "Ghar Ghar Sampark Abhiyan".

While Amit Shah will be in Delhi, BJP working President JP Nadda will be in Ghaziabad. Rajnath Singh will be in Lucknow that saw large scale anti-CAA violence and Nitin Gadkari on his home turf Nagpur. Union Ministers Sadanand Gowda and Nirmala Sitharaman will be in Bangalore and Jaipur, respectively.

All big names including Ravi Shankar Prasad, Smriti Irani, Piyush Goyal, Ramesh Pokhriyal or Dharmendra Pradhan -- all are pressed into action.

Even Minister of States like Babul Supriyo, Anurag Thakur, V Muraleedharan are being used for the outreach event that is being led by Shah himself.

This move is in line with BJP's attempt to counter the anti-CAA protests and a narrative that the BJP believes may hurt it electorally.

On Wednesday, Amit Shah held a review meet just three days after the plan was kicked off to reach out to public to convince them for CAA. Shah's huddle also coincided with the Prime Minister launching "India supports CAA" campaign on Twitter and NaMo App.

BJP has already appointed six of its leaders as zonal coordinators for the pan-India PR exercise on CAA.

abn/vin
WALTERBORO, South Carolina  A South Carolina man and and his daughter died after being shot while hunting deer on New Year's Day, a relative of the victims told CNN affiliate WCBD.

Kim Drawdy, 30, and his 9-year-old daughter, Lauren, were hunting Wednesday near their home in Walterboro, South Carolina, according to Benny Drawdy, Kim's brother.

The two were shot by hunters after being mistaken for deer, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The agency said a group of four hunters was driving deer, which is when a group walks toward the animals to move them, but it did not give further details on how two of the hunters were shot.

"When I got the message, I just couldn't believe it," Drawdy told WCBD. "My heart stopped when they told me it was my brother and his daughter."

Emergency crews responded and found the victims about half a mile into the woods, Colleton County Fire Chief Barry McRoy told CNN. The Colleton County Coroner has not yet released the cause and manner of death, according McRoy.

The SCDNR is investigating the shooting.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  United Methodist leaders are proposing to split the church and spin off a new "traditionalist Methodist" denomination after decades of fighting over same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy.

The group  made up of 16 bishops and representatives from United Methodist advocacy groups with diverse views  announced Friday they had a proposed agreement on the future separation of the second-largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. The church has more than 13 million members worldwide and several of its central agencies are headquartered in Nashville.

The proposed plan, called the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, comes after decades of fighting over sexuality, including whether to lift the denomination's ban on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. In February, a special meeting of the church's top governing body failed to find an amicable solution.

In the midst of these ongoing tensions, this unofficial group of 16 spent several months collaborating on the proposed agreement. Mediation expert and prominent attorney Kenneth Feinberg, who worked on victims' compensation funds for the Sept. 11 attacks and BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, participated in the talks.

"The undersigned propose restructuring The United Methodist Church by separation as the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church to remain true to its theological understanding while recognizing the dignity, equality, integrity, and respect of every person," the proposed agreement states.

'Sometimes, divorce is necessary': Fight for LGBTQ inclusion may finally split United Methodists

But this path forward and future split is not a done deal, as Sierra Leone Bishop John Yambusa explained in the news release. Bishops from outside the U.S., including Yambusa, laid the groundwork for the formation of the group.

"All of us are servants of the church and realize that we are not the primary decision-makers on these matters," Yambasu said, speaking on behalf of the group.

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"Instead, we humbly offer to the delegates of the 2020 General Conference the work which we have accomplished in the hopes that it will help heal the harms and conflicts within the body of Christ and free us to be more effective witnesses to Gods Kingdom."

'The best likelihood of being adopted'

Legislation implementing the proposed agreement is expected to be considered later this year at the church's upcoming legislative meeting. The United Methodist General Conference is slated to gather in May in Minneapolis.

The Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation is not the only proposed plan for how the church should address this issue at General Conference, but it has the broadest support, said the Rev. Keith Boyette, who served on the 16-member mediation team and holds a theologically conservative view of sexuality.

"I think it has the best likelihood of being adopted," said Boyette, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, which is expected to help lead the conservative denomination that would spin off.

"Everybody had to compromise on something," Boyette said. "That's how you get to an agreement with polarized sides."

Boyette, who lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said Friday the announcement of the plan, which was touch-and-go for much of the mediation process, came with a sense of relief, peace and hope.

The Rev. Junius Dotson, who served on the mediation team, is also optimistic about the viability of the proposed plan. He is a representative of UMC Next, a group of centrist and progressive United Methodists who support lifting the church's prohibitions on LGBTQ people.

"Regrettably, we are at a point of separation, but the hope in it is that we are able to maybe go our separate ways, but yet respect one another and seek to multiply the mission and ministry that we're called to," said Dotson, who lives in Nashville and works for the denomination as the CEO of Discipleship Ministries. "That's the hopeful part of our story even in the midst of the regret that our differences have brought us to this point."

This sexuality debate has divided the United Methodist Church for about a half-century.

In 1972, the General Conference changed denominational rules to say the practice of homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." The church continued to wrestle with related matters at subsequent denominational meetings. Protests, church trials, talk of schism and calls for unity ensued.

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The disagreement over whether the church should allow same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy continues to cause tension within the denomination.

All 16 members of the group have pledged to work together to support the proposed agreement and develop legislation to implement it.

Ed Rowe (left), Rebecca Wilson, Robin Hager and Jill Zundel react to the defeat of a proposal that would have allowed LGBT clergy and same-sex marriage within the United Methodist Church. The proposal was defeated at the denomination's 2019 Special Session of the General Conference in St. Louis on Feb. 26, 2019.

What does the proposed agreement say?

The proposed agreement calls for suspending all administrative and judicial processes related to same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy until the separation is completed.

If the split is approved at General Conference, the proposal calls for a special follow-up meeting so the United Methodist Church could lift its restrictions on LGBTQ people and repeal a plan passed in February that reinforced those prohibitions. The special session could also be used to create regional conferences.

The proposed agreement includes financial solutions, too.

Under it, the new "traditionalist" denomination would receive $25 million over the next four years and relinquish further claims to United Methodist Church assets. Another $2 million would be earmarked for any other new Methodist denomination that spins off.

The plan also would allocate $39 million to keep supporting ministries going for those historically marginalized by racism.

The proposed agreement also details what conferences and congregations would need to do if they want to leave the United Methodist Church. Within a set amount of time, those who want to separate can vote to leave. It also details how those that leave can keep their assets and liabilities.

No vote would be needed for entities that want to stay.

But regardless of the decision made, all current clergy and lay employees would get to keep their pensions.

Follow Holly Meyer on Twitter: @HollyAMeyer

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: United Methodist Church split: Gay marriage may prompt new denomination
British expat Dr Charles Betty is among nine UK nationals in Spain named in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Charles, an active charity and community worker, was awarded an MBE for services to British Nationals overseas under the UK honours system published last week. The former Welsh Fusilier, who participated in the D-Day Landings, was in the UK spending the festive season with his family when he heard the news. The delighted 95-year-old said the award had "come out of the blue", although he expressed that his only regret was that his beloved wife, who died last year, was not alive to share it with him.

"It is an enormous honour to be given an MBE and I am truly delighted. I can only thank all the many people who have supported me over the years, especially my wife, who, although now no longer with me, used to say 'Charles, you can and you will'," he said.

Charles had previously worked as a senior education inspector but took early retirement in order to move to Spain in 1985 after his ailing wife was told that her life expectancy would significantly increase if she moved to a warmer and drier climate.

It was a routine visit to the health centre in Arroyo de la Miel that gave Charles the idea of setting up the first interpreter service in a health clinic on the coast.

He also co-founded the Age Care Association, an organisation that offers assistance to British senior citizens that live in the province of Malaga.

Charles continues to contribute to the Embassy and Consulates' understanding of the needs of older British people in Spain, and, as he points out, he has no plans of retiring just yet.

"I will continue with my work and remain committed to helping more British people who need support and advice about their lives in Spain," he told SUR in English.

In 2018, Charles became the oldest student to receive a PhD from a British university. Focusing on the trend of older British migrants who return to the UK, he spent five years studying and researching under the auspices of the University of Northampton in order to attain a PhD.

Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott described Charles as a "true public servant", highlighting the fact that he had dedicated his time to helping older British nationals integrate into their communities and enjoy a successful retirement in Spain.

He also showed his delight that nine British nationals had been awarded this year, claiming it was "a real testament to the depth and diversity of the UK-Spain relationship and to the contribution that so many British nationals make to their communities across Spain".
Secretary Pompeo's Call with the Speaker of Iraq's Council of Representatives Mohammed al-Halbousi

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

January 2, 2020



The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with the Speaker of Iraq's Council of Representatives Mohammed al-Halbousi. Secretary Pompeo expressed his appreciation for the condemnation of the December 31 Iran-backed terrorist attack on U.S. Embassy Baghdad issued by the Speaker and the Coalition of Iraqi Forces political bloc. The Secretary and the Speaker agreed that the Government of Iraq had an obligation to prevent further attacks against our diplomatic mission. The Secretary affirmed that we want an Iraq that is free, independent, and sovereign, and stressed that the United States, under President Trump, will continue to work toward that end.

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A MAN has been arrested following a fire at Mount Trenchard direct provision centre on New Years Day.

The fire, which is believed to have started in a kitchen at the centre, started at approximately 8.30am.

A 44-year-old man was arrested at the scene, he appeared before Limerick District Court on January 2, and will be remanded in custody to Limerick District Court on January 7.

It is alleged that the man had taken some plastic plates and cups and put them on the stove and that started the fire.

A witness described the scene as being covered in smoke and hard to see.

A garda spokesperson confirmed that they had responded to a report of a fire at a premises in Mount Trenchard.

Gardai in Foynes responded to a report of a fire at a premises in Mount Trenchard, Co Limerick yesterday, 1st January at approximately 8.30am. A small fire broke out in a room of the building which was then extinguished by staff.

A 44-year-old male was arrested at scene. The male appeared before Limerick District Court today, 2nd January and remanded in custody to Limerick District Court on 7th January.
Wildlife Warrior Bindi Irwin addressed the Australian bushfire crisis on Thursday.

The 21-year-old took to Instagram to share a snap of herself in front of a photograph of her late grandmother Lyn Irwin and her late father Steve Irwin.

Bindi called the fires 'devastating' and vowed to carry on the work of Lyn and Steve in trying to save as many animals she can, with the help of Australia Zoo's Wildlife Hospital.

'My heart breaks': Bindi Irwin (pictured bottom right) called the Australian bushfire crisis 'devastating' on Thursday... and vowed to carry on the work of her late grandmother and father Steve (both pictured) to save as many animals as she can

'With so many devastating fires within Australia, my heart breaks for the people and wildlife who have lost so much,' Bindi wrote in her caption.

'I wanted to let you know that we are SAFE. There are no fires near us @AustraliaZoo or our conservation properties.'

Bindi, who is engaged to former professional wakeboarder Chandler Powell, 23, said that the wildlife hospital is 'busier than ever' due to the fires.

Busy time: She went on to reveal that their Wildlife Hospital is 'busier than ever' and they've treated over 90,000 animals. Pictured is a koala injured in Port Macquarie, getting treatment at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital

'Our Wildlife Hospital is busier than ever though, having officially treated over 90,000 patients.'

She finished: 'My parents dedicated our Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to my beautiful grandmother.'

'We will continue to honour her by being Wildlife Warriors and saving as many lives as we can.'

Devastating: Australians have been battling bushfires across the country for a number of weeks, with the worst still to come on Saturday with temperatures forecast to hit the mid 40s (pictured is a fire in East Gippsland, Victoria)

Australians have been battling bushfires across the country for a number of weeks, with the worst still to come on Saturday, with temperatures forecast to hit the mid 40s.

A mass evacuation is underway in Mallacoota, Victoria, where more than 4,000 locals and holidaymakers have been stranded since the devastating bushfires on New Year's Eve.

The first evacuees boarded the Navy ship, the MV Sycamore, from the fire ravaged coastal town at 8.40am on Friday - just 24 hours before catastrophic weather conditions are forecast to whip up more blazes.

Evacuations: A mass evacuation is underway in Mallacoota, Victoria, where more than 4,000 locals and holidaymakers have been stranded since the devastating bushfires on New Year's Eve




CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fox News correspondent-at-large and Shaker Heights resident Geraldo Rivera got into a heated exchange with Fox & Friends host Brian Kilmeade during Fridays broadcast.

The back-and-forth, which is making the rounds on social media, came during a discussion of the U.S. strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassim Suleimani.

"I will cheer it on," Brian Kilmeade said. "I am elated."



"Then you, like Lindsey Graham, have never met a war you didn't like!" Geraldo shot back.



"That is not true," Kilmeade said. "And don't even say that!"https://t.co/bFURsQG0hJ  Mediaite (@Mediaite) January 3, 2020

This is huge. That does not mean to say that I believe that this was a smart move, Rivera began. We have killed the Queen Bee. The hive is now busted open. I fear the worst. I think what we have done is unleash the bees.

But he got some pushback from Kilmeade, a frequent defender of President Donald Trump, who said the attack was about what was next.

"We stopped the next attack. Thats what I think youre missing, Kilmeade said.

By what credible source can you predict what the next Iranian move would be?, Rivera shot back.

The Secretary of State and American intelligence provided that material, Kilmeade replied.

Rivera: Oh, theyve been excellent. Theyve been excellent. The U.S. intelligence has been excellent since 2003 when we invaded Iraq, disrupted the entire region for no real reason. Dont for a minute start cheering this on. What you have done, what we have done, we have unleashed....

Kilmeade, interrupting: I will cheer it on. I am elated."

Rivera: Then you, like Lindsey Graham, have never met a war you didnt like!

Kilmeade: That is not true. And dont even say that.

The two Fox News personalities bickered some more before the conversation veered again to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

You can watch the entire exchange courtesy Mediaite.com.

Later, on Kilmeades radio show, Rivera said he was advised by his wife to apologize to his colleague.

I apologize. You know I didnt mean anything personally. Im your biggest fan, Rivera said. I just disagree with you on this issue of killing Suleimani.

Geraldo, no problem. I know its never personal, Kilmeade replied, before pointing out that Rivera agrees with Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard on this.

Appearing on Fox & Friends earlier, Rep. Gabbard of Hawaii said the killing of the Iranian general "further escalates this tit-for-tat thats going on and on and on.

[It] will elicit a very serious response from Iran and [push] us deeper and deeper into this quagmire and it really begs the question: for what?, she said.
WASHINGTON  Many top Democratic presidential candidates cautioned against potential military escalation in the Middle East after a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad killed a top Iranian official, Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Trumps dangerous escalation brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who vocally opposed U.S. intervention in Iraq in 2002, wrote in a statement released Thursday evening. Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one.

Sanderss congressional office also released an overnight video showing the candidate vowing that he will apologize to no one about his antiwar record, which dates back to the Vietnam era and includes votes against the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Former Vice President Joe Biden claimed that Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox and owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted that the strike, on Iraqi soil, was reckless and would undoubtedly escalate tensions. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war, she wrote.

Both Biden and Warren described Soleimani as a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands. Such language was not present in Sanderss statement.

Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani and tweets from Democratic presidential candidates. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg wrote in a statement that as a former military intelligence officer on the ground in Afghanistan, I was trained to ask the hard questions before acting. A Commander-in-Chief must do the same. Buttigieg advised that subsequent decisions should be measured, not made capriciously or through Twitter. The consequences are grave, as anyone who has served in uniform understands all too well.

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Author Marianne Williamson, who a day earlier laid off her entire paid campaign staff (although she said shes still in the race), tweeted that the killing of Qasem Solemani by US military was one of the most reckless irresponsible actions ever directed by a US President, adding, Congress deserves condemnation for allowing it ... and Americans need to understand this: War with Iran would be totally disastrous.

Former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg wrote in a statement that while Soleimani was a murderer with the blood of Americans on his hands, given Trumps history of making reckless and impulsive decisions that undermine U.S. strategic objectives and weaken our allies  most recently in Syria  there is every reason to be concerned.

Deval Patrick, former governor of Massachusetts, tweeted that Trump owes the American people and the world an explanation. Former congressman John Delaney tweeted, The Administrations failure to brief Congressional leadership on this action is troubling and raises the risk of reckless actions that could lead to a dangerous escalation.

Businessman Andrew Yang tweeted that the airstrike highlights the need to get Donald Trump out of office. Yang wrote in a prior tweet that the priority now has to be protecting our embassies, bases and personnel in the region and hardening our defenses. We must ensure that Americans do not pay a terrible price for this attack.

The State Department warned all Americans in Iraq to leave the country.

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar tweeted that the timing, manner, and potential consequences of the Administrations actions raise serious questions and concerns about an escalating conflict.

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet told WGBHs Morning Edition that this was a terribly reckless and provocative act. Its the latest in a long string of nonstrategic choices that Donald Trump has made in the Middle East, that has weakened our position in the Middle East, that has strengthened Irans position in the Middle East.

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard told Fox News Friday morning that the attack was very clearly an act of war by this president without any kind of authorization or declaration of war from Congress, clearly violating the Constitution.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker also criticized Trump, tweeting that we have a president who has no strategic plan when it comes to Iran and has only made that region less stable and less safe.

A Gallup poll last August found that by a large majority, Americans, including Republicans, opposed military action against Iran  although that was asked in the context of stopping the regimes nuclear program, not what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described Friday as an imminent threat to Americans from the Quds Force, which Soleimani headed. On Friday morning, Trump tweeted that Soleimani should have been taken out a long time ago.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Masimo Corporation MASI received the FDAs nod for its RD SET sensors to be used with Masimo Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion SET pulse oximetry. The procedure is aimed at offering improved oxygen saturation (SpO2) accuracy specifications for neonatal patients weighing less than 3kgs.



Masimo stated that SpO2 accuracy specifications of the updated version of RD SET sensors greatly improved, thus enabling care providers to monitor the oxygenation status of neonates with greater confidence.



Notably, the upgraded features were first incorporated in 2018 into RD SET sensors only for patients weighing more than 3kgs. With the recent approval, the entire prenatal patient population within the United States have been brought under the purview.



With the receipt of the FDA clearance, the company aims to strengthen its core business of Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry monitoring, commonly known as Masimo SET (Signal Extraction Technology) pulse oximetry.







Significance of the Approval



Masimos SET pulse oximetry has been proved to be an improvement compared with other pulse oximetry technologies currently available in the market based on various independent and objective studies. The SET pulse oximetry will thus provide clinicians with increased sensitivity and specificity to make critical patient care decisions.



Notably, RD SET sensors are designed to augment patient comfort, optimize clinician workflows and help hospitals meet green initiatives. Most importantly, these sensors along with Velaid SofTouch are most suited for use on the delicate skins of newborns and pre-term babies.



Industry Prospects



Per a report by Grand View Research, the global pulse oximeters market size was valued at $1.8 billion in 2018, and is projected to witness a CAGR of 6.3% between 2019 and 2025. Factors like the huge burden of healthcare costs and the lack of defined reimbursement policies are likely to drive the market. Other contributing factors like the increasing importance of monitoring patients in treatment regime and diagnosis along with extensive occurrence of target diseases are likely to drive the market.



Given the market potential, the FDA clearance is well-timed.



Recent Developments



In December 2019, Masimo and announced the expansion of its licensing partnership with Drager, thus enabling Drager to integrate additional Masimo measurement technologies. The agreement was expanded to improve the assessment of brain function, oxygenation, and ventilation status by clinicians.



In October 2019, Masimos Radius Capnography (a portable real-time capnography, with wireless Bluetooth connectivity) received the CE marking.



Masimo announced three additional indices (delta cHb, delta HHb and delta O2Hb) for O3 Regional Oximetry in September 2019. These will provide care providers additional visibility in changes in underlying oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin components, which are used to estimate cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2).



Price Performance



Shares of Masimo have gained 53.8% in the past year compared with the industrys 28.4% growth.



Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider



Currently, the company carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).



Some better-ranked stocks from the broader medical space are Haemonetics Corporation HAE, National Vision Holdings, Inc EYE and Medtronic plc MDT.



Haemonetics currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and has a projected long-term earnings growth rate of 13.5%. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.



National Visions long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 17.8%. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



Medtronics long-term earnings growth rate is estimated at 7.4%. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2.



7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days



Just released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers Most Likely for Early Price Pops.



Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.6% per year. So be sure to give these hand-picked 7 your immediate attention.



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Every Odesa citizen, who wants to get rid of Christmas tree after the winter holidays end, will be able to do it in a specially allotted place, but not near the trash container, the citys website reports.

By handing in softwood, the citizens will be able to get candies or other sweets. The number of handed softwoods will not influence the number of sweets.

The promotion will run until February 1, 2020.

Specially allotted places have been allocated in the regions of Odesa. In total, there are 67 places. In particular, they are located in the courtyards of residential buildings and near shopping centers.

The full list of addresses can be found on the citys website.

As we reported earlier, Ukraine's main Christmas tree is considered to be among the five most beautiful Christmas trees in Europe.

It was placed fifth, behind the Cologne Christmas tree in Germany, Strasbourg in France, and the capital's Christmas trees in the Czech Republic and Lithuania.

"It (Kyiv Christmas tree  ed.) is decorated with about a thousand different Christmas tree ornaments that flicker in the light of illumination. - this year it and 4 kilometers of multicolored garlands were ordered specially to match the colors of the domes of Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv. The Christmas tree is protected by large figures of nutcrackers and heroes of the beloved adults and kids' cartoon about the Cossacks, stated in Kyiv City State Administrations message.
Puri, in the presence of Delhi Lt. Governor Anil Baijal, handed over the registries, conveyance deeds and authorisation slips to the 20 residents of Suraj Park and Raja Vihar, ahead of the Delhi assembly polls.

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday handed over conveyance deeds/registry papers of houses to 20 applicants of unauthorised colonies under the PM-UDAY, but the Aam Aadmi Party called the papers "fake" documents.

Reacting to the news, AAP leader and Delhi Deputy Cheif Minister Manish Sisodia claimed that the documents which were given to the residents were "fake".

"The BJP is misleading people by giving fake papers to 20 people out of 40 lakh people of unauthorized colonies. What will happen to the remaining people? Will their homes be regularised?," Sisodia asked.

He said the BJP is cheating the 40 lakh people living in the unauthorised colonies.

"The BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had said that the colonies will be regularised. But they have started giving the conveyance deeds/registries... 20 people were given some paper in the name of convenience deed. These documents were fake. They cannot give the registry without changing the land use pattern," Sisodia claimed.

He said without changing the land use pattern, the MCD will continue to harass the people.

"Until the land use is changed, the people will be harassed by the MCD and the officials. These are just a piece of paper and will not improve the lives of the people.

"I want to ask Puri: have you changed the land use? Have you issued any notification? Without making any provision, the BJP has handed over fake documents to 20 people," Sisodia said.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also attacked Puri, saying they claimed the colonies will be regularised.

"Now you are saying you will not regularise the colonies. How can you give registries in unauthorised colonies? How can there be a registry for home on farm land? Do not do fake registries," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

nks/prs
He's a Hollywood A-lister, so most people would expect Matt Damon to travel in style everywhere he goes.

And the Good Will Hunting star, 49, reportedly got the VIP treatment at Brisbane Airport on Thursday while catching a flight to Los Angeles.

Matt and his wife, Luciana Barroso, 44, were heading home when Qantas staff apparently rolled out the red carpet for the couple.

A-list departure: Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana Barroso, reportedly got the VIP treatment at Brisbane Airport on Thursday while catching a flight to Los Angeles. Pictured at LAX on February 24, 2016

Matt and Luciana skipped the queue and were escorted onto the plane by staff, according to a passenger on the flight.

Other travelers waited in line at the gate as the pair took their seats in business class.

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Matt and his wife asked for special treatment.

It is understood that some high-profile Qantas passengers are whisked to their seats at the start of boarding for logistical reasons.

Fancy! Matt and Luciana skipped the queue and were escorted onto the plane by Qantas staff, according to a passenger on the flight. Pictured together on September 9, 2019 in Toronto

Interestingly, actress Naomi Watts and her two children were also on the same flight bound for LAX, but they boarded with the other passengers.

Matt was overheard in the lounge saying he had only been in Australia for a few days.

He had apparently been visiting friends who had 'recently renovated their home', which strongly suggests he was spending time with his friends Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky.

Chris, 36, and Elsa, 43, moved into their $20million mansion in Byron Bay, NSW, just before Christmas after two years of renovations.

Protocol: Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting Matt and his wife asked for special treatment. It is understood that some high-profile Qantas passengers are whisked to their seats at the start of boarding for logistical reasons. Pictured on November 29, 2018 in Los Angeles

Laid-back: Interestingly, actress Naomi Watts and her two children (all pictured) were also on the same flight bound for LAX, but they boarded with the other passengers

Matt is no stranger to Australia, having regularly visited for lengthy stretches in the past. He even rented a home in Byron Bay at the start of 2019.

In an interview with The Project in June, Chris joked that he had even tried to marry the Bourne Identity star so he could qualify for a partner visa.

'I tried to marry him and it was immediately squashed, ' he said, before adding that his friend 'steals a little bit of [his] limelight' while in the country.
3 1 of 3 Bexar County Sheriff's Office Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy Show More Show Less 3 of 3





The man who shot and killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend when she took her two sons to visit him on Christmas Day, then shot himself, has died.

William Bayles, 28, died Saturday from a gunshot wound to the head. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his manner of death a suicide.
Former Union finance minister P Chidambaram was on Friday questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for about six hours in connection with a money laundering probe into an alleged aviation scam said to have occurred during the UPA dispensation, officials said.

Chidambaram's statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said, adding the questioning went on for about six hours at an agency office here.

The senior Congress leader was first summoned by the federal probe agency in this case on August 23 last year but at that time he was under CBI custody after being arrested in the INX Media alleged corruption case.

The latest investigation pertains to losses suffered by Air India due to an alleged multi-crore aviation scam and irregularities in fixing air slots for international airlines.

The Enforcement Directorate probe in this case also relates to the purchase of over 110 aircraft in 2006, costing about Rs 70,000 crore, for the national airline.

The CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) had in 2011 questioned the rationale behind the government's decision to order the airplanes.

Former aviation minister Praful Patel has been grilled by the ED in connection with these decisions and it is understood that the agency wanted to question Chidambaram on some leads it obtained in the case.

Officials said Chidambaram was heading an empowered Group of Ministers for these deals and hence it is important to talk to him to know the decision-making process undertaken by the government.

Chidambaram came out of jail early December last year after over 100 days in CBI and ED custody in the INX Media case. The bail was granted by the Supreme Court.

The former finance and home minister is also being probed by ED in a third case of money laundering related to the Aircel-Maxis deal. He has been questioned in this case too.

Chidambaram had earlier described the ED action in the Aircel-Maxis case as a "crazy mixture of falsehoods and conjectures".

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared an end to moratoriums on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests and threatened a demonstration of a "new strategic weapon" soon.

Analysts said the announcement, reported by state media on Wednesday, amounted to Kim putting a missile "to Donald Trump's head" -- but warned that escalation by Pyongyang would probably backfire.

Washington was swift to respond, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging Kim to "take a different course" and stressing that the US wanted "peace not confrontation" with the North, while Trump played down the development.

Pyongyang has previously fired missiles capable of reaching the entire US mainland, and has carried out six nuclear tests, the last of them 16 times more powerful than the Hiroshima blast, according to the highest estimates.

A self-imposed ban on such tests -- Kim declared they were no longer needed -- has been a centrepiece of the nuclear diplomacy between Pyongyang and Washington over the past two years, which has seen three meetings between Kim and the US president, but little tangible progress.

Any actual test is likely to infuriate Trump, who has repeatedly referred to Kim's "promise" to him not to carry them out, and has downplayed launches of shorter-range weapons.

Negotiations between the two sides have been largely deadlocked since the breakup of their Hanoi summit in February. The North set the US an end-of-2019 deadline for it to offer fresh concessions on sanctions relief, or it would adopt a "new way".

"There is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer," the official KCNA news agency cited Kim as telling top ruling party officials.

"The world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future," he added, referring to the North by its official name.

The full meeting of the central committee of the ruling Workers' Party was an indication of a major policy shift.

Story continues

State television showed veteran newsreader Ri Chun Hee reading out the KCNA dispatch over footage of Kim addressing the officials and general imagery of the country.

The broadcast appeared to stand in place of Kim's usual New Year speech -- normally a key moment in the North Korean political calendar.

Kim acknowledged the impact of international sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its weapons programmes, but made clear that the North was willing to pay the price to preserve its nuclear capability.

"The US is raising demands contrary to the fundamental interests of our state and is adopting brigandish attitude," KCNA cited him as saying.

Washington had "conducted tens of big and small joint military drills which its president personally promised to stop" and sent high-tech military equipment to the South, he said.

- 'Geopolitical chicken' -

For months, Pyongyang has been demanding the easing of international sanctions imposed over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, while Washington has insisted it take more tangible steps towards giving them up.

"North Korea has, in effect, put an ICBM to Donald Trump's head in order to gain the two concessions it wants most: sanctions relief and some sort of security guarantee," said Harry Kazianis of the Center for the National Interest in Washington.

"Kim Jong-un is playing a dangerous game of geopolitical chicken," he added.

The strategy was risky, he said, as Washington was likely to respond with "more sanctions, an increased military presence in East Asia and more fire and fury style threats coming from Donald Trump's Twitter account".

Kim's moratorium comments were "ominous", said Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha University in Seoul, but added that he could be looking to "elicit concessions by approaching Trump's red line without crossing it".

The US has already indicated that it will react if the North carries out a long-range missile test.

Speaking to Fox News and CBS after Kim's announcement, Pompeo said a resumption of nuclear and missile tests would be "deeply disappointing".

"We hope that Chairman Kim will take a different course... that he'll choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war," Pompeo said.

"We want peace, not confrontation," he added, with Seoul's unification ministry adding that a strategic weapon test "would not help denuclearisation negotiations".

Trump himself was emollient, saying that he thought Kim was "a man of his word" and that at their Singapore summit, "we did sign a contract, talking about denuclearisation".

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over North Korea's announcement and "very much hopes that the tests will not resume," his spokesman said.

"Non-proliferation remains a fundamental pillar of global nuclear security," he added.

An ICBM launch would be likely to frustrate China, the North's key diplomatic backer and provider of trade and aid, which always stresses stability in a region it regards as its own back yard.
When gang warfare swept through Brighton Park and Back of the Yards in 2017, Lopez spoke out bluntly  not just about the gangbangers, but also his communitys responsibility to be part of the fix. If you are hanging out with people who are recruiting 12- and 13-year-olds to join gangs and sell drugs, then you are part of the problem in this community, Lopez told the Tribune in the spring of 2017. We need the people who live here to stand up and help us stop whats going on.
Regarding the guest column The end of history as we (no longer) know it (Dec. 29): Author Andrew B. Wilson, a resident fellow at Rex Sinquefields Show-Me Institute, brought to mind Upton Sinclairs observation: It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.

Before engaging in a series of fantastical bank-shots of association, Mr. Wilson says young people today are woefully unschooled in history. He eventually focuses on the single aspect of this presumed general ignorance that is to him the most shockingly significant: Kids are not taught about the millions upon millions of people murdered or starved to death by communist regimes around the world 

Wilson then assigns blame for the ignorant and poorly educated young people who are happily embracing socialist solutions today. Oblivious to the enormous gaps in logical progression, Wilson leaps from Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot communism to socialism to collectivist thinking to  Horace Mann? Franklin D. Roosevelt? Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren?
Linda Poskanzer was having a tough time in her late 60s.

I was not doing well emotionally, she recalled. Physically, I didnt have any stamina. I was sleeping a lot. I wasnt getting to work.

A therapist in Hackensack, N.J., Ms. Poskanzer was severely overweight and grew short of breath after walking even short distances. Her house had become disorganized, buried in unsorted paperwork. The antidepressant she was taking didnt seem to help.

Her son, visiting from Florida, called his sisters and said, Mommy needs an intervention.

One of her daughters made an appointment with a geriatrician  a physician who specializes in the care of older adults. Dr. Manisha Parulekar, now chief of geriatrics at Hackensack University Medical Center, suggested her new patient take action on several fronts. She arranged for a sleep study, which found that Ms. Poskanzer suffered from apnea. She prescribed a different antidepressant, and physical therapy in a pool to help rebuild her stamina.

And weight loss. Eventually, the geriatrician agreed that bariatric surgery made sense. Over nine months, Ms. Poskanzer lost 75 pounds; she has shed another 15 since.
The dairy beef production incentive which ICMSA has called for would be a rare item of good news in the beef sector, if Agriculture Minister Michael Creed were to go along with it.

It could be good news for dairy farmers also, if they want more farmers to take on the rearing of the increasing population of dairy calves, or dairy heifer contract rearing.

Farmers are needed to take on both of these tasks for the rapidly expanded dairy industry. Without a beef (or veal) outlet for surplus dairy calves, or contract heifer rearing to take the environmental pressure off heavily stocked dairy farms, the milk sector could face increasing problems.

ICMSA President Pat McCormack said sufficient markets are needed in the spring for calves, in order for the dairy sector to remain sustainable. That means the live export market must remain open for dairy-bred beef calves, and there must be support for farmers willing to rear the beef cross calves here in Ireland.

Mr McCormack said dairy beef has been demonstrated to be the most profitable beef production system, albeit returns are still low in all parts of the beef sector, leaving farmers under very significant financial pressure.

Hence the ICMSA suggestion that beef cross calves from the dairy herd be subsidised to the value of 150 in two payments, at 6-10 months and at slaughter. The calves would have to be sired by a beef bull with good beef characteristics, and ICMSA also recommended that farmers be allowed to exit the BDGP scheme early without clawback of payments, in order to enter their proposed dairy calf scheme.

Such a scheme could be a saviour for the very small group of top beef farmers who have been consistently capable of profitable rearing and fattening, until they were set back by the challenges of 2019, due to low prices for their cattle.

These farmers tend to be larger-scale producers operating to a high level of efficiency. They should be prime candidates for dairy calf to beef, or dairy heifer contract rearing.

According to Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle, the vast majority of beef producers do not generate a profit margin, and survive on what is left of their single farm payment after the losses are counted.

The failure of many suckler cows to produce a calf per year is one of the profitability problems (and the calving frequency is worsening rather than improving), further exacerbated this year by the slump in beef prices.

A very large group of part-time farmers are involved in production of beef. Some of them are exceptionally efficient, but they are hindered by time constraints. Perhaps some of them will give up loss-making beef farming, to concentrate instead on their off-farm work.

A significant proportion of beef farmers are elderly, and find it very challenging to manage their herds, not to mind try new enterprises like dairy calf rearing or dairy heifer rearing. They are unlikely to be receptive to the new technology which plays a big role in advancing every farm enterprise.

The Teagasc plan for them is to tailor measures to help them maximise retention of their single farm payments.

Teagasc director Professor Boyle says expansion in dairy can be leveraged for the benefit of other farmers, particularly traditional dry stock farmers, and Teagasc is promoting a number of initiatives in that respect, but is aware of the challenge in communicating such opportunities to farmers.

Teagasc encourages traditional dry stock farmers to look very closely at the possibilities in heifer rearing, for example, for a more continuous level of income, and at rearing dairy calves. But it is challenging, because beef sector demographics do not encourage people to embrace change, says Professor Boyle.

He noted that leadership played a big role in the expansion of the suckler herd in the 1990s, and the beef sector needs similar leadership now.

As it stands, the sector is poorly prepared to take on the increasing number of dairy calves coming on the market, to be reared as beef animals.

That is why the dairy beef production incentive which ICMSA has called for could be such a valuable incentive.
The four parliaments said Turkish military intervention in Libya represents a flagrant violation of international law and an aggression on the independence of Libya

In a joint statement on Friday, the parliaments of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain said they reject any form of foreign intervention in Libya's internal affairs.

The statement, issued by the Egyptian House of Representatives, the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates, and the National Assembly of Bahrain declared that they strongly reject the approval of the Turkish parliament on Thursday to send military troops to Libya.

"This decision represents a flagrant violation of the rules of international law, and directs an assault on the independence of Libya and integrity of its land," said the statement.

The four Arab parliaments said they fully support the statement issued the Arab parliamentary union  which is affiliated with the Arab League  which denounced the decision of the Turkish parliament.

"We renew our firm and full stance in rejecting any foreign aggression on any Arab country, and that foreign intervention only helps reinforce the capabilities of terrorists, undermines peace efforts and political solutions, complicates the situation in the Middle East, leads to instability and creates humanitarian crises," said the statement.

The parliaments urged the international community to play its role in standing up to foreign violation of the sovereignty of Arab countries and support political solutions, for the sake of preserving the security and stability of the peoples and states of the region."

The parliaments expressed their deep concern about the threats which " brotherly Libya" faces and strongly condemn the decision of the Turkish parliament to send troops there.

The Arab parliament on Friday condemned the Turkish parliament's approval of Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan's decision to send troops to Libya to help the government of Prime Minister Fayez Al-Serraj.

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State security forces arrested 38 journalists, while 37 were beaten, shot at or threatened at gunpoint, report says.

Somalias government forces beat and arrested a record number of journalists in 2019, the countrys journalists syndicate told Reuters news agency, prompting suggestions that the government is suppressing scrutiny of its security record ahead of this years elections.

State security forces arrested an unprecedented 38 journalists in Somalia last year, according to data compiled by Abdalle Ahmed Mumin, secretary-general of the Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS).

Most of the journalists were arrested while reporting on bombings or attacks, but some were reporting on corruption.

That compares with to 16 journalists detained in 2017, 12 in 2016, and six in 2016, the year before President Mohamed Abdullahi  known by his nickname Farmajo, and at that time a citizen of both Somalia and the United States  took power, Mumin said.

The government is not allowing journalists to report, he said.

In most cases, journalists are not charged and are released after hours or days, according to the SJS report, which is due to be released next week.

Last year, 37 journalists were beaten, shot at or threatened at gunpoint in Somalia, mostly by state security forces, the report said. The figures do not include the breakaway republic of Somaliland.

Somalias police spokeswoman, the interior minister and information ministry spokesman did not respond to requests for comment.

I have no comment, Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire told Reuters when asked about the crackdown during a visit to Qatar.

Information crackdown

There is no public database of attacks and bombings in Somalia. Citizens usually hear about attacks through the media.

Farhan Mohamed Hussein, a reporter for privately owned Radio Kulmiye, said he was arrested three times last year and twice in 2018. Once, police blindfolded him and beat him with gun butts, he said. Another time, they smashed his camera.

Many people see you as an enemy when they see you have a camera, he said. Reporters are victims of the government which was supposed to work with them  Farmajos government is the worst we have ever seen.

Journalists have been banned from parliament and ignored by spokesmen who simply put out official statements on social media, Hussein said. Mumin confirmed the ban and said the upper legislature is considering a bill to further restrict media freedom.

Nimco Mohamed Bashir, director of privately owned Rajo Television Network, said the government stifled reporting in a way that assassinations never had.

Farmajos police beat you with gun butts  They openly tell you no covering stories of blasts, she said, adding that after she posted news of one bombing on Facebook, police came to her home to arrest her and threatened her family.

In April, the government told privately run Aamin Ambulance  often the only source for casualties from armed groups attacks  to stop releasing numbers that tally the dead and wounded, said the services head, Abdikadir Aden. They also tried to restrict ambulances from blast sites, he said.
A South African freelance photojournalist of Indian-origin, who was kidnapped by suspected members of the Islamic State terror group in Syria in 2017, returned home on Friday, his family said.

Shiraaz Mohamed was taken hostage on January 10, 2017 in Darkoush, Syria. He had gone to the war-torn country to capture the suffering of the Syrian people.

"Owing to his recent circumstances, he and our family are requesting that we be given some space," the family said in a statement.

"In due course and soon, we will issue a statement and engage with the media," they were quoted as saying in South Africa's second-biggest website TimesLive.

Mohamed reportedly escaped from his captors three weeks ago, the report said.

He was working for the charity Gift of the Givers, documenting the effects of the civil war, when he was kidnapped near the Turkish border by the suspected ISIS members.

No group, however, took responsibility for his abduction.

According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 134 journalists have been killed in the civil war in Syria.

Estimates of deaths in the Syrian civil war, as per opposition activist groups, vary between 371,222 and more than 570,000. On 23 April 2016, the United Nations and Arab League Envoy to Syria put out an estimate of 400,000 that had died in the war.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A worker pulls a container of orders at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in West Deptford, N.J., on Friday, June 14, 2019. The robotic fulfillment center opened in September and is Amazon's fourth such site in New Jersey. Read more

Amazon employees say the company is threatening to fire workers for publicly pushing the company to do more to combat climate change.

Amazon Employees For Climate Justice, a climate change advocacy group founded by Amazon workers, said Thursday that the company sent letters to members telling them that they could be fired if they continued to speak to the press.

This is not the time to shoot the messengers, said Amazon employee Maren Costa, in a prepared statement. This is not the time to silence those who are speaking out.

Amazon, which relies on fossil fuels to power the planes, trucks, and vans that ship packages all over the world, has an enormous carbon footprint. And Amazon workers have been vocal in criticizing some of the companys practices.

Last year, more than 8,000 staffers signed an open letter to CEO and founder Jeff Bezos, demanding that Amazon cut its carbon emissions, end its use of fossil fuels, and stop its work with oil companies that use Amazons technology to locate fossil fuel deposits.

The online shopping giant said that employees can suggest improvements to how it operates within the company.

Our policy regarding external communications is not new and we believe is similar to other large companies," Amazon said.

The company in September released details on its carbon footprint for the first time after a campaign by employees. It rivals the emissions of a small country.

Major tech companies have been grappling with how to deal with employees who increasingly are speaking publicly about corporate policies and practices.

Five workers fired from Google late last year have filed federal labor practice complaints against the company, claiming they were let go because they were involved in employee organizing activities. Google disputes that, saying they were let go for violating the company's data security policy. Google employees have protested a wide range of issues at the company, including its handling of sexual misconduct claims.

Amazon has pushed recently to reduce its carbon footprint. It has vowed to source all of its energy from solar panels and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. An entity can become carbon neutral by balancing carbon emissions with carbon removal.

Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases cause global warming, which can lead to rising sea levels and more destructive meteorological events.

____

Associated Press reporter Rachel Lerman in San Francisco also contributed to this story.
After a prosecutor described conversations in which she says two Massachusetts attorneys conspired with a defendant to bail a key witness in a human trafficking case out of jail and keep her away from Worcester Superior Court last year, lawyers representing the attorneys are standing by the ethics of their clients.

Prosecutor Amanda Fowle said Blake Rubin, a former candidate for Worcester District Attorney, and Amanda Cavanaugh had conversations with Fabian Beltran, a Worcester man represented by Rubin who was convicted of gang-related human trafficking, and Beltrans associates to ensure that the witness would not be in the state as Beltrans trial commenced.

Cavanaugh was representing the witness in that case.

An investigation determined that Rubin told Beltran they would be in a better position if [the witness] was not around to testify, Fowle said in Worcester Superior Court on Friday morning.

Rubin and Cavanaugh had conversations regarding if they could bail out the witness, who was in custody on an unrelated matter, and what that bail amount would be, Fowle said. That information was passed to Beltran, Fowle said. When Beltrans case was set to go to trial, the witness has been bailed out of jail and eventually traveled to Maine, according to Fowle and court documents.

The witness was told to stay out on bail until Beltrans trial was over, Fowle said. Additionally, Fowle said Cavanaugh knew where the witness was staying but lied to the court, saying she was unaware of the witness location.

Last month, indictments charging Rubin with conspiracy and witness intimidation and charging Cavanaugh with conspiracy were handed up by a statewide grand jury in Suffolk County. Beltran was also indicted on charges of conspiracy and witness intimidation. The cases were transferred to Worcester Superior Court earlier this week.

The cases are being handled by the office of Plymouth District Attorney Timothy Cruz and do not involve the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. Beltran will be arraigned at a later date and it is not immediately clear if he has an attorney.

Rubin and Cavanaugh pleaded not guilty to the charges at their arraignment Friday. They were released on personal recognizance and Judge Janet Kenton-Walker ordered Rubin and Cavanaugh to have no contact with Beltran or the witness.

My client maintains her innocence, said Michael Wilcox, who is representing Cavanaugh. Any suggestion that she ever participated or aided in any effort to traffick in humans, or sex trafficking, is absurd. It is contrary to everything this woman has stood for. Shes a wonderful woman. Shes got everything we would want to see in a sister or daughter and this is just an outrageous allegation and its false.

Peter Ettenberg, who was not present in court Friday but is representing Rubin, said in a statement to MassLive that Rubin is an excellent lawyer and very ethical.

Beltran was convicted last year of human trafficking and deriving support from prostitution. He was sentenced by Judge Daniel Wrenn to 6 to 8 years on the human trafficking charge and a concurrent sentence of 4 to 5 years for the deriving support from a prostitute charge.

Authorities have said members of Worcesters Kilby Street gang, including Beltran and other defendants, preyed on women who were addicted to heroin. Starting in 2015 and continuing into 2016, they would take the money women earned for providing sex acts and instead give the women drugs, authorities and court documents allege.

Prosecutors said a witness began working as a prostitute for Beltran and a co-defendant, Lewis Jennings. The witness would go on dates and divide the money paid to her between the two defendants, who would provide her with drugs. However, the drugs were not the full value of the money handed over, court documents read. Jennings was found not guilty at trial.

Around the time of the trial, Beltran was charged with witness intimidation for allegedly arraigning bail for the witness who was slated to testify against him during his trial.

Court documents filed in the witness intimidation case indicate that on May 26, 2018, Beltran recruited several people to arrange bail for a witness who was scheduled to testify for the state in the human trafficking case.

Beltran gave the witness an amount of heroin, rock cocaine, and US currency to assist her in getting to the state of Maine where Beltran wanted her to stay until the case was closed, read documents filed in Worcester District Court. Beltran told the witness that if she was in Maine, investigators would not be able to locate her and therefore she could not testify against him.

The indictments against Rubin, Cavanaugh and Beltran accuse the three of engaging in witness intimidation and conspiracy on May 26, 2018.

As Beltrans case was heading to trial, prosecutors argued that jailhouse calls suggested that the lawyers involved in the case knew that the witness was being bailed and would not appear in court for testimony, according to court testimony in the case published in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.

Ettenberg pointed to Beltrans trial, in which he said Kenton-Walker said she did not view the alleged phone calls the same way as the prosecution did.

Unless there is something in the discovery that points directly to attorney Rubin making a statement that he knew about the bail issue, the case is going to rise and fall on the words of unreliable and motivated witnesses, Ettenberg said.

Rubin and Cavanaugh can continue to practice law unless a motion for temporary suspension is filed in state Supreme Judicial Court in Suffolk County, which oversees administrative and disciplinary matters filed by the Board of Bar Overseers affecting members of the bar and matters relating to bar admission and the practice of law in the state.

Everyone is presumed innocent, and it is way too early in this process to comment on mere allegations. However, we hope this is not an attempt to threaten or criminalize zealous advocacy," said Anthony Benedetti, chief counsel for CPCS, in a statement. "CPCS and the defense bar will be closely monitoring this case.

In both state and federal court, Rubin has represented defendants in high-profile cases. Currently, he is the defense attorney for Momoh Kamara, the man accused of second-degree murder and arson in connection with a Dec. 9, 2018, blaze that killed Worcester Firefighter Christopher Roy. Kamara is awaiting trial.

In 2018, Rubin challenged Joseph Early Jr. for the position of Worcester District Attorney. He ran on a platform promising to bring transparency to the district attorneys office but did not beat Early at the polls.
EASTHAMPTON  I love my job, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle said during her state of the city address Thursday night, touting the municipalitys fiscal strength, commitment to economic growth and expressing what a great place Easthampton is to live.

She was sworn in for her second two-year term earlier in the day in a City Hall ceremony, having been reelected without opposition in November.

I am struck that our forward momentum and enthusiasm has not only sustained from that first election in 2017, but it has also grown  it is infectious, this love for our home, willingness to invest and grow together, for the good of everyone who works and lives here, LaChapelle said.

I feel honored to be reelected to continue our work together, she said during the 12-minute speech.

The National League of Cities has awarded Easthampton a $25,000 grant to fund the creation of Blueprint Easthampton, the mayor said. The money will be used to map innovation resources for locally owned businesses, she said, adding: If you choose to do business in Easthampton, we will help you thrive."

Today we are in the strongest fiscal position this city has ever seen, LaChapelle said. Our bond rating rose to an historic high of AA+," she said.

The two years ahead will be defined not merely by growth, but by locally based smart growth, to improve the quality of life for all residents, she said.

New taxes are not a panacea to address every budget need, and we must be thoughtful fiscal stewards with this funding, LaChapelle said. We must continue to be innovative to keep Easthampton affordable.

The mayor thanked city employees for their work on behalf of the community.
By IANS

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), headed by Major General Asif Ghafoor, had been recruiting youths to spread propaganda against India on social media and have recruited over 1,000 interns in one year, sources said here on Thursday.

The ISPR, Pakistan Army's media wing, is organising competition every month to award youths whose tweets get retweeted the most. The prizes include job and contracts in Fauzi Foundation.

"The youths win the award when some influential social media handler across the globe endorses or questions the fake narrative against India, sent out by ISPR," said a source and added, "On Twitter and Facebook, the most followed and retweeted tweets get the award."

More than 100,000 people have participated in these competitions.

The youths have been given a detailed list of social media handles of influential Indians and have been asked to set a different narrative about Indian leaders, soldiers and bureaucrats.

Major General Ghafoor on Wednesday tweeted a picture of the wreck of a trainer aircraft, that didn't participate in the Balakot operation, citing Pakistan had shot down the aircraft during Balakot incursion. He also claimed the Pakistan Air Force had shot down two IAF jets.

These kind of propaganda were being uploaded by ISPR every day and interns were being trained to do so every day, sources said.

The ISPR has told these youths that they are fighting a narrative warfare with India and they are as important as soldiers, according to sources.

Even before Pakistan violates ceasefire across the Line of Control, youths are being told to bombard social media with fake pictures of Indian soldiers killed in firing.
French police have shot dead a man who killed one person and wounded several others in a knife attack in a park in the Paris suburb of Villejuif.

(Updated at 18:25)

A local mayor confirmed that the attacker had killed one person in the southern suburb. A witness said he saw him stab one man and that he appeared to select victims at random.

The assailant then fled to the neighbouring suburb of L'Hay-les-Roses, where he was shot dead.

A police union official told French media that officers fired repeatedly on the suspect because they feared he was wearing an explosive vest that he might have detonated.

We heard a first shot, someone shout Drop your weapon!'" said a witness. There were several shots fired.

The attacker's motive has not been made clear.

At least two other people were wounded, one of them seriously, a source added.

France has been hard hit by a string of attacks, many by jihadist extremists, since 2015, with more than 250 killed in total.

The public prosecutor has begun an investigation into the attack. The special terrorism investigative unit was on hand, according to local French television BFM, but is not participating in the investigation.

Most recently, a police staff member who had converted to a radical version of Islam stabbed four colleagues to death at the Paris police headquarters in October.

(agencies)
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When cars hit something, or someone, it's often described as an "accident." Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore used that term just this week while speaking to the press about traffic fatalities in 2019, which are virtually unchanged from 2018 C and may end up exceeding the number of deaths from the previous year, according to the preliminary city data.

Not including the last 10 days of 2019, 239 people died in traffic crashes in the city of L.A. last year, the data shows. More than half of those victims, about 131 people, were pedestrians struck by drivers.

Nineteen cyclists were struck and killed by cars last year, down slightly from 21 over the same period of time from last year. The number of people seriously injured by cars while walking or biking is also slightly higher than last year, according to police reporting data.

The latest figures don't account for injuries or deaths that occurred from Dec. 22 through 31, including a 47-year-old woman who was struck and killed by a driver in the neighborhood of Highland Park earlier this week.

As the death toll remains steadily high for people not driving in cars, safety advocates have been pushing to remove "accident" from our traffic vocabulary. Now science is taking a closer look at the way we talk about car crashes and how that language influences our perceptions of blame  especially when someone driving a car hits someone walking or biking.

Some street safety advocates have adopted the term "traffic violence" when describing car-related collisions, particularly when a pedestrian or cyclist is injured or killed.

Their basic argument is that longtime use of the word "accident" minimizes the prevalence and seriousness, and creates a perception block about who is responsible when a driver kills someone with their car. The word "accident" suggests nothing could have been done to predict or prevent the collision.

"When you say the word 'accidents', you make it sound like it couldn't have been avoided," said John Yi, who leads the street safety advocacy group Los Angeles Walks. "It's important to really change that kind of vocabulary so people don't get confused and think these things just happen and this is just a cost we pay living... in a society where we use cars."

And new research found that changing that language does impact people's understanding of car crashes, who's to blame, and what to do to make streets safer.

A new study published in the journal Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives found that "even relatively subtle differences" in how pedestrian traffic collisions are reported "significantly affected readers' interpretation of both what happened and what to do about it..."

Repetition And Lack Of Context

The language may be evolving, but "accident" still has deep roots, and wide reach, in our lexicon, in no small part because many public safety agencies, particularly police officials, still regularly use it to describe car crashes  even in discussing DUI suspects.

These are the real-life sights and sounds of an accident involving a suspected DUI driver. Dont let your #NewYearsEve celebration end like this! ANGNewsLA pic.twitter.com/fdZUyvz8XR  LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) December 31, 2017

But as Madeline Brozen, deputy director of UCLA's Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies, explained, news outlets also share in that responsibility.

"The big way that most people consume information about crashes is through the media," she said. "It's really important to focus on how media frames these incidents and... that is reflective of, typically, the police reporting that's happening at the scene."

When a 4-year-old girl was killed by a driver while crossing a Koreatown street with her mother in a crosswalk in October, LAPD officials deemed it "an unfortunate accident" while speaking to LAist, and used similar language with other outlets. Soon local TV reporters were live at the scene of what they told viewers was a very terrible, tragic accident.

But in L.A., the majority of the "accidents" that kill or severely injure pedestrians happen on a 6% portion of city streets, known as the High-Injury Network. About 70% of serious and deadly car-pedestrian collisions happen there, including that young girl's death.

But, as was the case in the Koreatown crash, that key context often goes unreported in news coverage of fatal collisions. Often these incidents are presented as singular, random tragedies.

"'Accident' sort of absolves the driver  and the person who designed the street and law enforcement and anybody who's responsible for keeping that street safe  of any responsibility," said Joe Linton, editor for Streetsblog's L.A. site.

If we know where the majority of pedestrian deaths are happening in a city that operates from a stance that "reducing vehicle speed is fundamental" to saving those lives, what impact should that have on how we perceive fault and intention? That's the dissonant, murky space we're wading through.

The Associated Press, which informs the editorial standard for many news outlets, addressed the issue with "accident" in 2016, advising journalists to avoid the word because it "can be read as exonerating the person responsible" in a crash. Still, "accident" regularly shows up in news reporting of fatal collisions.

'Windshield Journalism' And Exploiting The Power Of The Press

A woman walks her dog in downtown Los Angeles. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)

Linton and other safety advocates accuse media outlets of "windshield journalism," which he described as news coverage where "the only concern stated is whether it's good for [other] drivers"  for example: a fatal pedestrian crash that causes a "traffic headache" for drivers.

In the reporting and retelling, framing is "most often in terms of impact to drivers," Linton said, calling the language "irresponsible."

Why do we talk about crashes like this? It didn't happen by accident.

You may know the history of how early carmakers turned "jaywalking"  a term initially meant to shame pedestrians out of the street  into an actual crime. But the emerging auto industry also had a hand in influencing how the public perceived fatal collisions.

A graph from the "National Journal of Insurance" published in 1924. (Courtesy Peter Norton; MIT Press)

In the early days of the automobile, reckless drivers were killing pedestrians, mostly women and children, at alarming rates. Newspaper coverage in the 1910s and '20s painted drivers as "remorseless murderers" and angry mobs reportedly dragged drivers involved in fatal collisions from their cars.

So the industry went into damage control, with one national auto industry group even creating a free wire service for newspapers, which incentivized reporters to send in basic details of a traffic collision in return for a full, ready-to-publish article. What a thoughtful convenience! Except, unsurprisingly, the narrative in those articles largely shifted the blame to pedestrians and used the term "accident" to describe crashes, which helped embed the term in the minds of news readers across the nation.

In the face of the rising death toll, a 1926 editorial in The New Republic titled "The Murderous Motor" proclaimed: "...much of the present waste of life is inevitable and will continue no matter what preventive measures are taken."

Imagine if outlets today were publishing stories about data privacy from a free wire service run by Facebook, Google or Uber. That's essentially the ethical breach many newspapers allowed back in the '20s and '30s  and the echoes and effects can still be seen in news stories today.

The auto industry exploited the power of the press because its leaders understood that language and perspective (and growing ad revenue) can shift culture  and recent scientific research backs that up.

The New Research

In this Oct. 2014 photo, Los Angeles police with the South Traffic Division investigate the scene of a crash in which a 32-year-old woman, 1-year-old girl, and 3-year-old girl were seriously injured by a driver. (Nick Ut/AP)

The name of the study lays it out: "Does news coverage of traffic crashes affect perceived blame and preferred solutions? Evidence from an experiment."

Researchers from Texas A&M and Rutgers universities recruited 999 participants and randomly assigned them into three equally-sized groups.

Each group was randomly assigned to read one of three versions of text describing a crash in which a driver fatally struck a pedestrian  one was "pedestrian-focused," one was "driver-focused" and one had "thematic framing," which reported on the crash in the context of a larger trend of pedestrian deaths.

Switching from the pedestrian-focused story to the driver-focused story "caused readers to assign 30% more blame to the driver, and 30% less blame to the pedestrian," the study found.

The language media use is one part of the narrative, but as the study showed, contextualizing that language to include broader street safety issues is a second important piece. Researchers noted the impact a news story's framing had on how readers think about improving roadways.

A 2010 study from the Federal Highway Administration found HAWK pedestrian crossing beacons can reduce pedestrian-related crashes by nearly 70%. (Courtesy LADOT)

Reading the version with "thematic framing" resulted in "significantly increased support for infrastructure improvements."

"This study provides strong evidence that efforts to change public perceptions of road safety should include a focus on improving editorial patterns in traffic crash reporting," researchers said.

The study offered some "best practices" news outlets could adopt to better contextualize their reporting on traffic crashes, including shifting focus to the driver and avoiding "counterfactuals," or statements that imply a pedestrian victim could have survived by acting differently.

What To Look For When You Read About A Traffic Death

Context. Framing. Blaming.

Take this recent ABC7 report on pedestrian deaths, which was sharply criticized by safety advocates.

The story mapped out where pedestrians were killed countywide in 2018 and included an interview with a traffic investigator from LAPD's Central Bureau.

The detective told ABC7 that the surge in pedestrian deaths may be tied to rising homelessness, claiming homeless individuals "may not care to follow the rules of the road and they cross whenever they want to cross." However, no direct evidence to back up that statement was included in the story.

ABC7 also reported that 91% of the 22 pedestrian traffic deaths in the Central Bureau in 2018 were the fault of pedestrians, but there was no information in the story about how fault is determined, or how often unsafe speeds or other driver behaviors factored in to those crashes.

What is known is that pedestrian deaths in Central Bureau represent 17% of the 127 pedestrians killed by drivers in L.A. in 2018, however no comparison with the LAPD's other three bureaus was provided in the story.

Pedestrians walk through an intersection near MacArthur Park in L.A.'s Westlake neighborhood. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Additionally, the story included a quote from the detective that pedestrians "have a sense of security with the crosswalk, like it's a forcefield that protects them." The report was quickly skewered by local safety advocates, who blasted it as victim blaming.

"A lot of times, LAPD language is very unhelpful and biased in favor of the driver," Linton told LAist. "If you're driving too fast to slow down... when you see someone in a crosswalk, it's the drivers fault that someone dies in a crosswalk. It's really disappointing to see police making statements like [that]."

Yi said the detective's words are a classic example of "a driver's perspective on what it is to be a pedestrian."

"If you walk on the sidewalk in L.A.... no one ever feels safe," he said. "The idea that people trying to get to their destination the best way they can is somehow their fault, I just really have a tough time buying that."

LAPD media relations and Central Bureau officials did not respond to LAist's requests for comment. ABC7 declined to comment on the criticism of its reporting.

Another Term Emerging

Across the nation, activists have been using a term other than "accident" to emphasize the death toll in local streets and in cities: traffic violence.

"Getting hit by a car and being severely injured is a violent act," said Madeline Brozen, deputy director for UCLA's Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies. "That really understands how it's personally affecting people and is... part of trying to change the language around this to really help highlight the severity of what's going on."

It's not a new term, though. Streetsblog a reporting network that covers street safety and advocates for progressive transportation policies  mentioned "traffic violence" as far back as 2013.

The term hit the national stage in November when U.S. Senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren used it in a tweet on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Traffic violence kills thousands and injures even more Americans every year. On World Day of Remembrance for Traffic Crash Victims, I'm sending my love to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones. It's time to #EndTrafficViolence.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 17, 2019

Vision Zero, a global campaign to eliminate traffic deaths, has also used "traffic violence" in its network-wide messaging. Mayor Eric Garcetti adopted the initiative for L.A. in 2015, with a guiding philosophy that traffic collisions are avoidable, not accidents.

But "traffic violence" hasn't caught on for the local program.

LADOT, which manages the city's Vision Zero projects, declined to comment on how it or other city agencies talk about traffic crashes, but reiterated to LAist that it is "committed to eliminate traffic fatalities on our city streets and one life lost in a traffic collision is one life too many."

The Semantics Of Intention

Commuter Topher Hendricks checks for traffic at the Sunset and Fountain intersection during his ten-mile bike ride to work. Hendricks has had many close calls at the intersection and says that he witness dangerous interactions between motorists and cyclists daily. (Susanica Tam for LAist)

If calling traffic crashes "traffic violence" doesn't sit well with you, it may be because of the sense of blame or intention attached to "violence." Drivers aren't out there aiming for pedestrians and cyclists, so how does intention factor in?

UCLA's Madeline Brozen argues it can be traced back to both failure to follow road safety laws and a lack of understanding about how dangerous driving a car is  especially since unsafe speed is the top contributing factor in L.A. traffic deaths.

Research shows that a pedestrian struck by a driver going 20 mph has an 80% chance of survival. If that driver accelerates to 40 mph and hits a pedestrian, the victim's chance of surviving drops to just 10%.

"The act of going above the speed limit or going fast [in unsafe] road conditions...that is an intention," Brozen said. "When someone is driving in a way that can kill someone, they are creating a risk."

According to John Yi, another "degree of intention" in traffic deaths falls on car-centric society and L.A.'s leaders, who are "intentional about what we're building and what we're not building."

City officials have stated clearly that L.A.'s mission to eliminate traffic deaths is informed by the fact that "underserved communities are disproportionately killed in traffic crashes." But Yi argues that the historic neglect of those communities can be viewed as intentional.

"To take that away, I think, is really not looking at some of the most disinvested communities and what they're going through," he said. "To put it squarely on the shoulders of drivers and say it's their fault and they're the ones who should be moderating behavior is overlooking the situation altogether."

Changing Language Isn't Enough To Save Lives

(Courtesy LADOT)

Even if "traffic violence" became the go-to term used by City Hall, police, local news, and the general public, that alone won't translate to safer streets.

Both activists and LADOT officials agree that the ability to save lives depends on reducing car speeds. That means investing in street infrastructure improvements that are designed to protect people who are not driving in cars from people behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, in the four years since L.A.'s Vision Zero was announced, traffic deaths soared.

From 2016 through the final days of 2019, roughly 975 people have died in traffic crashes. More than half of those deaths  about 500  were pedestrians killed by drivers, and about 80 cyclists were killed on city streets.

Traffic enforcement  as in police cracking down on speeding drivers  is a crucial element in improving safety. How speed limits are set and enforced is its own weird beast, which one L.A. leader blamed on a "ludicrous" state law that forces cities to raise speed limits to enforce speeding laws.

But Yi and safety advocates say the bigger missing piece is a unified political will among L.A.'s leaders to invest in safety improvements on a scale wide enough to make a lasting impact.

"Much of [L.A.'] efforts to create safe streets have been piecemeal, fixing a corridor here and a network of streets over there," Yi said. "I just don't think it's a way of [solving] this, especially for a city that's this car-centric, where we need that serious change."

Residents are taking notice of L.A.'s lack of progress to deliver safer streets.

Community members and local cyclists recently marched in honor of Frederick "Woon" Frazier, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike in South L.A. last April. And last month, a grassroots group of cyclists and safety activists staged a die-in at L.A. City Hall, blasting Mayor Eric Garcetti and city councilmembers for the state of street safety in Los Angeles.

And, since context matters, we'll leave you with the latest preliminary 2019 traffic collision data published by the city. The city estimates more than 130 pedestrians were killed in crashes last year, a slight increase from the previous year. Pedestrian deaths have exceeded motorist deaths in Los Angeles every year since 2010.

Here's a breakdown of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries through Dec. 21, based on data from LAPD's four command bureaus:

PEDESTRIAN DEATHS



Central: 30

South: 36

Valley: 36

West: 29 (up 61% from the same time period last year)

SERIOUS PEDESTRIAN INJURIES*



Central: 126 (up nearly 50% from the same time period last year)

(up nearly 50% from the same time period last year) South: 107

Valley: 108

West: 116

* This includes any injuries that required medical attention as recorded by police

As Joe Linton sees it, those figures say nothing about the Vision Zero philosophy itself, but everything about the lack of commitment from L.A. leaders to put that philosophy into practice.

"L.A. never really tried Vision Zero, never really invested in it," he said. "The increasing death tolls on our streets is not the failure of Vision Zero but the city's failure to put any political muscle behind Vision Zero ... if you don't follow through on Vision Zero, you get lots of deaths on your streets."
L abour leader Jeremy Corbyn has told the Government to stand up to the "belligerent actions and rhetoric" from the US after the nation killed Iran's top general.

Mr Corbyn described the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani as "an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East".

He also called on all countries to "ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict".

He was head of Tehran's elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East.

In a statement, Mr Corbyn said: "The US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance.

"The UK Government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States.

"All countries in the region and beyond should seek to ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict, which can only bring further misery to the region, 17 years on from the disastrous invasion of Iraq."

Mr Corbyn has previously been criticised in the past for his views on Iran.

Qasem Soleimani was killed in an airstrike ordered by Donald Trump / ISNA/AFP via Getty Images

According to his register of interests, Mr Corbyn was paid for appearances on the Iranian state broadcast network Press TV between 2009 and 2012.

The channel had its licence revoked by Ofcom in 2012 after the media regulator ruled that the state broadcaster's English language outlet had breached several broadcasting licence rules over editorial control of the channel.

Press TV also had a 100,000 fine imposed in 2011 after broadcasting an interview with imprisoned Newsweek and Channel 4 journalist Maziar Bahari, which Ofcom said had been conducted under duress.

Mr Corbyn has previously said he used the opportunity to appear on Press TV to raise the issue of human rights in Iran and around the world.

In June 2019, Mr Corbyn was branded "pathetic" by then foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt after he questioned whether the UK had "credible evidence" Iran was behind attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.
People across the globe cast their votes on one of three logos displayed on the UAE Nation Brand's official website.

The UAE Nation Brand has hit a record of 10.6 million votes from 185 countries as the campaign drew to a close. The logo that will represent the UAE and lead the country's inspiring story towards the next 50 years will soon be announced.

Voters have contributed to planting 10 million trees to empower communities in areas affected by climate change in Nepal and Indonesia, as the UAE had promised to plant a tree for every vote as part of the campaign.

The tree-planting seeks to contribute to safeguarding biodiversity, combating climate change, protecting the environment, and empowering vulnerable communities affected by climate change.

People across the globe cast their votes on one of three logos displayed on the UAE Nation Brand's official website. Forty-nine Emirati artists contributed to designing 'Emirates in Calligraphy', 'The Palm' and '7 Lines'.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, had invited people across the globe to take part in voting for the new logo to represent the UAE.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.3

Trend:

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has summed up the results of 2019, Trend reports.

During the year of 2019 the Republic of Azerbaijan has successfully pursued an independent foreign policy course based on its national interests at a time of growing political and economic tensions in the context of international relations. Against the background of contradictory processes taking place around the region, our country has achieved even greater growth of high international prestige due to ensuring internal stability and the pace of consistent development, carrying out fundamental reforms in public administration, rooting the positive dynamics of economic growth and the effective implementation of large-scale projects, with its active participation.

2019 was marked by the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic service of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was established a hundred years ago to represent the interests of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic in the international arena, has made every effort to protect and develop the heritage entrusted to it in the last century. In connection with the centenary of the diplomatic service, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev in his congratulatory address emphasized: Our diplomats, our diplomatic service bodies have exceptional merit in strengthening independence, bringing the Azerbaijani realities to the world, turning our country into an active member of the international community".

Comprehensive reforms implemented at the initiative and under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, along with ensuring socio-economic stability and development, have created a positive basis for the growth of a positive image of our country in the international arena. Foreign policy activity, which is an integral part of the comprehensive development strategy of our country, has contributed to strengthening the international position of Azerbaijan as a reliable and sustainable partner, following the principles of multilateralism, flexibility, transparency, equal and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The main focus of our diplomatic activities is to end Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan and to restore sovereignty and territorial integrity within the internationally recognized borders of our country.

As a result of ongoing consistent diplomatic efforts, the world community's support for Azerbaijan's position on resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of international borders has increased.

In the final document of the Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, which brings together the 120 member countries and constitutes the largest political platform after the UN, held in Baku on October 25-26 of 2019, the heads of states and governments noted the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by force, also stressed the importance of resolving the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict on the basis of the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan, and confirmed that no Member State shall recognize as lawful the situation resulting from the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan. At the Summit, chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement has been transferred to the Republic of Azerbaijan for the upcoming three years.

The Final Communique, adopted on May 23-24 at the 14th Summit of the heads of state and government of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), strongly condemned the occupation of the territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan as a result of the aggression of Armenia and reflected the appeal of member states to prevent any activity that could contribute to sustaining the occupation. At the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC, which was held on March 1-2, the resolutions on Aggression of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan, Destruction and insult of monuments and traces of the Islamic religion in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, Solidarity with the victims of the Khojaly massacre, Economic assistance to Azerbaijan were adopted.

The decision on the rights and obligations of member states, which was indicated in the documents of the 129th session of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Council of Europe (CoE), held on May 17, reflected a provision confirming respect for the territorial integrity of member states.

The Final Declaration of the 7th Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States (Turkic Council), which was held on October 15, contained a resolute support on the soonest resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict based on sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan.

The Final Declaration of the 5th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, which took place on June 14-15, included issues related to the condemnation of separatism, the resolution of regional conflicts on the basis of norms and principles of international law and decisions adopted by international organizations.

The Final Declaration of the Summit of Heads of Government of the GUAM Member States, held on 12 December, emphasized the importance of the soonest resolution of the conflicts on the territory of GUAM on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and the norms and principles of international law, as reflected in the Helsinki Final Act, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States within their internationally recognized borders.

During 2019, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev received the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group in Baku on February 21, May 30 and October 17, as part of the discussions on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

On January 22, within the framework of the Davos World Economic Forum, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan met with the Prime Minister of Armenia. On March 29, a meeting was held in Vienna between the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Prime Minister of Armenia with the mediation of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

During the year, in total 5 meetings were held between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Zohrab Mnatsakanyan with the participation of co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the personal representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on January 16 in Paris, April 15 in Moscow, June 20 in Washington, September 23 in New York and December 4 in Bratislava.

OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs held meetings with representatives of the Azerbaijani community of the Nagorno-Karabakh region during their visits to the region.

Activities within the framework of various international organizations for the international protection of the rights of people suffering from the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, especially IDPs, missing persons, prisoners of war and hostages continued during the year, various provisions have been included to the resolutions and recommendations on the right of IDPs to return, as well as the immediate release of hostages, and the fate of missing persons.

Development of foreign economic and trade relations, increasing export potential, exploring new investment opportunities, organizing mutual visits of government and business circles of Azerbaijan and foreign countries, holding meetings of the joint intergovernmental commissions and working groups on economic cooperation, preventing illegal economic activities in our occupied territories, expanding cooperation in the framework of global and regional international economic organizations have constituted the main priority directions of the foreign policy of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

During the year, meetings of the Intergovernmental Commissions of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the USA, Afghanistan, Japan, Great Britain, Switzerland, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, France, Russia, Turkmenistan, the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region of China were held.

On November 30, the opening of the TANAP connecting part with Europe was held. TANAP, implemented upon the initiative and with the participation of our country, and connecting the countries of the region with the ties of closer cooperation is part of one of the largest Eurasian infrastructure projects - the Southern Gas Corridor - and will bring Azerbaijani gas to Europe through Turkey, and contribute to the energy security of the European countries.

On December 5-6, Baku hosted the 14th session of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission and an international conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the organization. Following the meeting, a new TRACECA Secretary General was elected and the chairmanship in the organization was handed over to Azerbaijan.

During the year the intensive negotiations continued between Azerbaijan and the European Union on the draft of a new bilateral agreement. On February 19, a high-level Transport dialogue between Azerbaijan and the EU was held in Baku; the EU has a high-level dialogue in the field of transport with only seven countries in the world. At the EU-Azerbaijan Security Dialogue meeting held on December 19, the sides exchanged views on important political and security issues of mutual interest, including conflict resolution and crisis management, regional and international security threats and challenges, and discussed practical cooperation opportunities. The EU side has reaffirmed the support of the EU officials for Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.

Close cooperation with international and regional organizations responsible for promoting the principles of human rights, democracy, the rule of law, as well as good governance continued during the year. Throughout the year, our country has been closely involved in the work of the relevant institutions of the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the United Nations, and has contributed to its activities. Azerbaijan has ratified the CoE's Lanzarote Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual exploitation and Sexual abuse and signed the Fourth Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Extradition.

The Republic of Azerbaijan, generally known for its commitment to sustainable peace and security in the region, as well as sustainable development and prosperity, during the year has been actively involved in productive meetings held within the framework of various regional partnerships and has deepened its strategic partnership with neighboring countries.

The Final Document of the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan-Turkey-Georgia held in Tbilisi on December 23 emphasized the importance of a lasting peaceful settlement of the conflicts existing in the territories of Azerbaijan and Georgia on the basis of norms and principles of international law, in particular sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of internationally recognized borders, including the relevant UN, OSCE and CoE resolutions and decisions, as well as the need for safe and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of residence. At the meeting, an action plan on trilateral cooperation was adopted.

At the 8th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Russia Joint Demarcation Commission held in Moscow on November 27-29, the "Action Plan of the Azerbaijan-Russian Joint Demarcation Commission for 2020" was agreed and approved.

After the signing of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea, the intergovernmental Agreement on the organization of activities by communication operators of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in relation to the joint construction of fiber optic transmission lines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea on Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan route, their ownership, and use and the Agreement on organization of activities by communication operators of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan in relation to the joint construction of fiber optic transmission lines along the bottom of the Caspian Sea on Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan route, their ownership, and use, the first projects in the Caspian Sea and economically important for our country, which would strengthen the digital infrastructure of the Caspian countries and enhance relations in the field of communication between them, were signed on March 19 and November 28, respectively.

As in previous years, the promotion of intercultural dialogue in our country remained of great importance during the last year. At the 43rd Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee chaired by Azerbaijan in Baku on June 30-July 10, the nomination of our country titled Historical center of Shaki together with the Khan Palace has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the same time, Baku has been included in the Creative Cities network by UNESCO.

During the year, active work has been carried out to promote the high level representation of our country within international organizations. Azerbaijan has been elected as a member of the EUTELSAT Advisory Committee, the World Tourism Organization Appeals Committee on Associate Membership, UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the protection and promotion of cultural diversity, UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sports, UNESCO Intergovernmental Council on Communication Development Program for 2019-2023.

At the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, the election of Azerbaijan as a member of the Group of 77, which unites 135 member countries and whose goal is to contribute to international development and economic cooperation, including protecting the interests of developing countries in order to fulfill the UN sustainable development goals, amounted to one of the important achievements of the last year.

The 7th Global Baku Forum, the 5th World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of Non-Aligned Movement member states, the 7th Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, the Ministerial Meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, the 2nd Summit of World Religious Leaders, Formula 1 Grand Prix, UEFA Europa League Final, the 15th European Youth Summer Olympic Festival, UN Public Service Forum, the 43rd Session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the 36th International Conference on Drug Control, the 26th International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition, Bakutel-2019 and other prestigious international events, which were held in 2019 in Azerbaijan have demonstrated the international reputation of and high credibility on our country, as well as its rich experience and skills.

During the last year numerous bilateral and multilateral official and working visits were held. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan made official and working visits to Switzerland, Austria, China, Belgium, Russia, Turkmenistan and Turkey. At the same time, the heads of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zimbabwe, Georgia, Afghanistan, Montenegro, Moldova, Switzerland, Rwanda, Poland, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Algeria, Cuba, Djibouti, Ghana, Iran, Namibia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Turkmenistan, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Sudan paid official and working visits to Azerbaijan.

The First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid official and working visits to France and Russia, while the Vice Presidents of India and Vietnam paid an official visit to Azerbaijan.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan paid a working visit to Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Russia, Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom. In turn, the heads of Government of Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Hungary, Libya, Malaysia, as well as the Deputy Prime Ministers of Croatia, Bulgaria and Belarus made official and working visits to our country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has paid official and working visits to Turkey, USA, Russia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Germany, France, Iran, Qatar, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Poland, Peru, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Turkmenistan Latvia and Georgia. At the same time, foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Slovakia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Maldives, Egypt, Serbia, Ghana, Montenegro, Croatia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, Palestine, Kuwait, Singapore, Zambia, Niger and Sri Lanka, as well as Deputy Foreign Ministers of Switzerland, Georgia, Japan, Kenya, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia made official and working visits to Azerbaijan.

During the year, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization, UNESCO Director-General, President of the Council of the European Union, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union, Executive Director of the International Astronomical Federation, President of the UN General Assembly, President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, UN High Representative for Alliance, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Secretary General of the KAICIID International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Commission, Secretary General of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-Speaking States, Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation, Secretary General of OPEC, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, President of Youth Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Director General of ISESCO, Director General of UNESCO, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Special Representative of the European Union for the South Caucasus and crisis in Georgia, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Head of the Directorate for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission paid official and working visits to Azerbaijan.

During the last year, joint communiques on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Republic of Tanzania, Barbados and the Republic of Namibia were signed, as well as the embassies of Montenegro and Slovakia in Azerbaijan were established and the Honorary Consulate of Azerbaijan in Zalsburg, Austria started its activity.

In order to improve the legal status of the citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan living in foreign countries and expand the possibilities of bilateral cooperation, bilateral consular consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, the Republic of North Macedonia, Georgia, Russia and Tajikistan.

Last year with the support of the Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA), eye examinations of more than 20,000 people, cataract surgeries of about 8,000 people and professional training for 26 local ophthalmologists were held in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, Togo, the Comoro Islands and Guinea-Bissau. At the same time, in response to the request of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, our country provided humanitarian assistance to Burundi refugees and in response to the letter of the UN Secretary General, humanitarian assistance provided to the population suffering from the crisis in Yemen, as well as the humanitarian assistances were provided to the population suffering from the natural disaster in Iran and the earthquakes in Albania.

In 2019, 338 bachelors and 96 master students graduated from ADA University under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 new student exchange agreements were signed, 179 students were sent to foreign universities as part of an exchange program, and 50 foreign students were trained at the ADA University through the Erasmus program.

During the 2020, an independent foreign policy course aimed at strengthening the welfare and power of our state and based on our national interests, will continue with the expansion of multilateral cooperation across various international platforms. Achieving a solution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which is the most acute problem of our country, within the framework of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan, will remain as a priority task. Achievement of foreign policy goals will be guided by the idea of "an independent foreign policy based on national interests and justice" as stressed by the President Ilham Aliyev.
Shareholders of Prominvestbank (PIB, Kyiv), the owner of which is Russia's VEB, at a general meeting scheduled for February 6 will consider the issue of termination of banking operations without closing the legal entity.

According to the agenda of the meeting posted in the information disclosure system of the National Commission for Securities and the Stock Market, the bank's shareholders want to approve the plan on termination of bank operations.

PJSC Prominvestbank was founded in 1992. According to the National Bank of Ukraine, as of October 1, 2019, in terms of total assets (UAH 37.661 billion), it ranked 12th among 76 operating banks.

VEB became the owner of Prominvestbank in 2008 and holds 99.7726% of its shares. VEB estimates its investments in its development at $2.7 billion.

In recent months, PIB has steadily phased out its banking activities. In particular, in 2019, the financial institution reduced its branch network from 56 to one, closed the current accounts of private entrepreneurs, and ceased cooperation with Mastercard.

According to the National Bank's stress test report, at the beginning of 2019, Prominvestbank in the baseline scenario needed additional capital in the amount of UAH 4.605 billion, and under the adverse macroeconomic scenario  UAH 6.32 billion. As of September 1, the need for additional capital as a result of measures taken by the bank decreased to UAH 2.725 billion and UAH 3.961 billion, respectively.
Bookmakers are hugely reliant on high-spending VIP customers and problem gamblers, secret documents produced by the industry watchdog reveal.

A small group of big spenders bring in as much as four in every five pounds, according to data collected by the Gambling Commission.

The UKs 47,000 VIP customers are 11 times more likely to have a gambling problem than the wider public, say the internal documents, released under Freedom of Information laws.

The report produced by the industry watchdog will fuel calls for tighter regulation just as the Government prepares to review the 2005 Gambling Act (file photo)

VIP status has been a factor in seven out of ten fines handed out by the commission to firms for failures to prevent problem gambling. The Mail has campaigned for tighter gambling regulation and repeatedly highlighted the dangers posed by VIP schemes.

Players are invited to become VIPs after losing large amounts of money with a particular firm, which offers incentives to keep their custom.

Some companies will hand out cash bonuses of up to 5,000, free tickets to top sporting events and even trips abroad to ensure the high-rolling customer continues to bet with them.

Concerns over addiction have now led the regulator to consider banning such schemes.

The damning report will fuel calls for tighter regulation just as the Government prepares to review the 2005 Gambling Act.

Last night the commission said: We have been taking action to address poor practice around the treatment of VIP customers for some time. We have also taken robust action against operators who fail to protect consumers and we will be even tougher if behaviour does not change.

A small group of big spenders bring in as much as four in every five pounds, according to data collected by the Gambling Commission (file photo)

The commission research, part of an internal presentation, showed data from nine companies.

One admitted taking 83 per cent of deposits from just two per cent of customers. Another had granted VIP status to three per cent of customers, but they accounted for nearly half of deposits. A third received 58 per cent of deposits from five per cent of customers.

The commissions research also estimated that there are 3,760 VIPs with a gambling problem, out of the 47,000 in the UK overall. This is equivalent to eight per cent, a figure which is 11 times higher than the national average.

The regulator is already pressing the industry to develop a code of conduct and carry out targeted checks. But it has signalled it will go further by limiting prizes and deposits  or banning VIP schemes altogether.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris, chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on gambling, told The Guardian: This report shows how completely reliant the industry is on people with gambling problems.

Brigid Simmonds of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: Our industry recognises the need to change practices in this area.
A legal battle is looming over the future of the liquefied natural gas industry in deep South Texas.

In separate Christmas Eve filings, the Sierra Club and several other opponents of three LNG export terminals and a related natural gas pipeline planned for development at the Port of Brownsville asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reconsider its Nov. 21 decision giving permits to the projects.

Requesting an immediate halt to any construction activities, the Sierra Club and the other opponents argue that FERC commissioners approved Texas LNG, Annova LNG, Rio Grande LNG and the supporting Rio Bravo Pipeline as individual projects but failed to take a hard look at the combined impacts they would have on other industries, air pollution, water quality, endangered species, a historic Native American site, neighbors living near the proposed plants and the broader impacts the projects could have on climate change.

The Great LNG Debate: Growing industry faces stiff, organized opposition in the Rio Grande Valley

Opponents are soliciting online donations for a legal fight, signaling that the rehearing requests are viewed as a procedural step toward filing a federal lawsuit over the permit decisions.

If our administrative appeal fails, we will take FERC to federal court, opponents wrote on their fundraising page.

All three Brownsville projects are being developed by Houston companies. Texas LNG is a privately held company, while Annova LNGs majority owner is Chicago-based Exelon Corp., a publicly traded utility company. Rio Grande LNG, which is the largest of the proposed export terminals, and the Rio Bravo Pipeline are being developed by the publicly traded NextDecade Corp.

Located just a few miles north of the U.S./Mexico border, the terminals would receive natural gas via pipeline from the Permian Basin of West Texas and other shale plays across the U.S. The gas would be supercooled into a liquid form and shipped aboard massive tankers to Asia, Europe and other destinations where natural gas prices are higher.

The Brownsville projects come at a time when horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have created a large surplus of natural gas in the U.S. With liquefied natural gas viewed as a vehicle to sell gas that would otherwise be burned off in an industry practice known as flaring, five companies have opened six LNG export terminals along the Gulf and East Coasts over the past four years.

If they land sufficient supply contracts and receive financing, the Brownsville projects would represent more than $38 billion of private investment, thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of high-paying permanent jobs in one of the poorest regions of the U.S. Officials with Texas LNG and NextDecade could not be reached for comment, but Annova LNG issued a statement defending its project.

FERC provided a thorough review of Annova LNGs application over the course of three years and approved it in November 2019, Annova LNG said. We are focused on making significant progress toward developing the most sustainable LNG facility in the U.S.

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The Sierra Club was joined in its Port of Brownsville rehearing requests by Defenders of Wildlife, the city of South Padre Island, the city of Port Isabel, the town of Laguna Vista, the Save RGV From LNG coalition and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which is working on behalf of the community groups Shrimpers and Fisherman of the RGV and Vecinos Para el Bienestar de la Comunidad Costera, or Neighbors for the Well-Being of the Coastal Community.

Gilberto Hinojosa, a Brownsville attorney who serves as legal counsel for the city of Port Isabel and as chairman of the Texas Democratic Party, was joined by his wife, Cynthia Hinojosa, as landowners filing as opponents in the rehearing request for Rio Grande LNG and the Rio Bravo Pipeline.

Local concerns range from air pollution and LNG tankers introducing invasive aquatic species to the desecration of a Native American burial site.

Even if FERC had shown that the project would provide benefits to the public, FERC has not provided a rational explanation as to why any such benefits outweigh the environmental and economic harms that will fall upon surrounding communities, opponents wrote about the pipeline.

More: Read the latest oil and gas news from HoustonChronicle.com

Environmental reviews approved the export terminals as individual projects but stated that their combined light, noise and habitat fragmentation could harm the recovery of endangered species such as the ocelot, jaguarundi and aplomado falcon.

As part of their bids to obtain permits, the three Houston companies overseeing the projects pledged to set aside 1,000 acres of land for wildlife and to use pollution-reducing, noise-reducing and light-reducing measures during construction and operations that would take endangered species into consideration.

Two of the projects, Annova LNG and Texas LNG, went one step further by pledging that their plants would get all their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar.

By using electricity from the grid, Texas LNG can minimize air emissions and use renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar to power its facility, Texas LNG said in a previous statement. The estimated air emissions from Texas LNGs facility are well below the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 06:36:20|Editor: yan

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Skopje, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- North Macedonia's Parliament unanimously elected a new caretaker government here on Friday, paving the way for organizing free and fair elections scheduled for April 12.

Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski has been elected as care-taker prime minister after Prime Minister Zoran Zaev of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia resigned earlier on Friday in compliance with an agreement reached by political parties of the country after its bid for the access negotiation with the European Union was denied in October last year.

Zaev's Social-Democrat-led government took office in 2017.

Spasovski said that for him this is a great challenge and personal political and professional responsibility, adding that the opposition now is part of the government and has shared responsibility for the election process.

"Now we are all part of the institutions that has to work properly and deliver perfect, free, fair and democratic elections," Spasovski said in the Parliament.

Forming caretaker government before elections has been implemented in 2016 for the first time, after the so-called Przino Agreement, a political agreement between the main political parties in North Macedonia with the mediation of the European Union in 2015, which ended the longstanding political crises in the country.

Under the deal, which has become part of the election law, apart from the prime-minister's resignation 100 days before the elections, the biggest opposition party, the conservative VMRO-DPMNE, nominates minister for interior affairs and minister for labor and social affairs as well as deputy ministers in three other ministries.
Boko Haram fighters attacked Michika, a town in Adamawa state, on Thursday evening. A soldier, who confirmed the attack, said that...





Boko Haram fighters attacked Michika, a town in Adamawa state, on Thursday evening.





A soldier, who confirmed the attack, said that he got a call around 6pm that the insurgents were already in the town.





Michika is under attack right now. Our men are on their way to repel, the soldier said.





A north-east resident revealed that his sister was trapped as a result of the attack.

Sagir Musa, spokesman of the Nigerian Army, was not available for comment at the time of filing this report as his telephone was switched off.





Boko Haram has renewed attacks in the north-east despite the position of the federal government that the sect has been technically defeated.





On Christmas eve, a faction of Boko Haram affiliated to the Islamic State, killed 11 Christian captives in Borno, saying the action was taken to avenge the deaths of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, IS late leader and Abul-Hasan Al-Muhajir, its spokesman, who were killed in Syria in late October.





Earlier in the month, four abducted aid workers of the Action Against Hunger, an international non-government organisation, were killed by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).





The insurgents said the aid workers were killed following the breakdown of talks with the federal government.




Up to 30,000 people who are set to turn 65 over the next 12 months could be forced to claim unemployment benefit for two years as a result of changes being applied to the age at which someone qualifies for the statutory pension, it has been claimed.

At present, the qualifying age for the public pension is 66, having changed from 65 in 2014. That will change, via further seven-yearly updates, to 67 in 2021, and 68 in 2028.

The Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF) said the situation, which will see thousands of workers forced to join the dole queue, is highly concerning. The estimate of 30,000 workers passing age 65 in 2020 is derived from an actuarial report on the State pension, the IAPF said.

IAPF chief executive Jerry Moriarty described the expectation that those turning 65 this year must apply for jobseekers benefits as nothing short of an insult.

The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, when asked to comment on the opinions expressed by the IAPF, said that the current approach to the pension age dates from 2007, and is related to the issue of sustainability.

Any pension system, be it public or private, must be able to absorb the impact of population ageing without becoming financially destabilised, a spokesperson told the Irish Examiner.

They added that the future costs of the States pension provision are currently increasing by roughly 1bn every five years, while there is no requirement for those aged 62 and greater to engage with the welfare activation process.

A group, who will have contributed to both the Irish tax take and the Irish economy for over 40 years should not have to face this prospect after a lifetime of work, said Mr Moriarty, adding that there is still time to rectify matters.

He said the association would be asking the Government to consider two actions that would avoid a situation in which those who warrant and deserve a State pension in the coming year must wait until 2022 to access it.

Those moves are the introduction of a reduced pension for retirees who need or wish to retire before they reach the new pension age, and a staged phasing in of the changes that will become applicable next year in order to avoid the cliff edge.

The decision to raise the statutory retirement age is fundamentally attributable to both Irelands ageing population, and its lengthier lifespan.

However, the IAPF said that this blanket approach is devoid of fairness.

The association said that, together with forcing people to claim jobseekers benefits unwillingly, the approach also fails to make allowance for those retiring due to their inability to do manual work and would further have a disproportionate impact on poorer people.

This, they said, is because statistically those of lesser means experience higher mortality rates, and thus receive even less in total State pension payments.

While there is no one-size-fits-all retirement age in the private sector, as technically a person cannot be forced to retire at 65, many employees continue to have such a prescribed age in their contract of employment.

Mr Moriarty said the current State approach to the retirement age also ignores practical issues, such as a cap on holiday length of two weeks for those accessing welfare and the fact that jobseekers benefit is both designed for another purpose entirely from that of pension benefits and also amounts to yearly payments in total of about 2,500 less than statutory pension entitlements.

At present jobseekers benefit amounts 203 per week for qualifying adults, versus the State pension total of 248.30 per week.
The Samajwadi Party on Friday promised pension for anti-CAA protesters if voted to power, drawing a sharp reaction from the ruling BJP which said it was in the 'DNA of that party to honour rioters and anti-social elements'.

Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party on Friday promised pension for anti-CAA protesters if voted to power, drawing a sharp reaction from the ruling BJP which said it was in the "DNA of that party to honour rioters and anti-social elements".

Leader of the Opposition in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Ram Govind Chaudhary, said their party would also give compensation to the kin of those jailed or killed during anti-CAA protests in the state.

"If our party comes to power at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh, they (protesters) will be given pension as they have struggled to save the Constitution and the democracy," said Chaudhary responding to a question.

He said they protect all those who seek refuge from them.

Referring to remarks of state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh that Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav should stay in Pakistan for a month to understand atrocities being on Hindus, the senior Samajwadi Party leader said that the Narendra Modi-led Union government was out to divert people's attention from real issues.

Anyone raising a question is being asked to go to Pakistan, he alleged.

Later, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma lashed out at the Samajwadi Party, saying, "It is in the DNA of that party to honour the rioters and anti-socials."

"They had also tried to withdraw cases against terrorists in the past and the court had to intervene. It is unfortunate that Samajwadi Party leaders are speaking about giving citizenship rights to the Bangladeshis and Rohangiyas," Sharma alleged.

Commenting on Akhileshs statement that he would not fill form for the National Population Register, Sharma said, Perhaps he is not aware that the NPR is the basis of all development schemes. He is conspiring to deprive people of welfare schemes."

The deputy chief minister alleged that the Opposition parties, including the SP, BSP and the Congress, were "competing to appease anti-social elements".

"There is another kind of 20-20 match going on between the SP, BSP and the Congress to outsmart each other in appeasing and encouraging anti-social elements," Sharma said.

On Akhilesh Yadav's allegation that 1,000 children have died in Gorakhpur in the past year, Sharma said he needed to furnish evidence instead of levelling baseless allegations.
By Express News Service

MANGALURU: The interim report of a fact-finding team involving representatives of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) All India Peoples Forum (AIPF) and National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations (NCHRO), has stated that the police action on anti-CAA and NRC protests in Mangaluru on December 19 in which two persons were killed was premeditated.

It said that cops selectively attacked Muslims, targeted shops belonging to the community and even attacked a mosque. A day before the incident, the police preparations went to the extent of arranging sand bags and riot gear at the location including deployment of external KSRP forces in the vicinity of various places, which suggests that the police action was premeditated. Cumulatively, there were not more than 200-300 protestors and not 6,000-7,000 as claimed by the police.

The team, which has gone through 60-70 videos circulated widely, said initially there were not than 150 youths who protested by only shouting slogans but were dispersed by the police, which used disproportionate violence against them.

It appears there was confusion among the youth about whether or not the protest announced for that day had been cancelled, as the message of cancellation issued after the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 144 had not circulated to all. Thereafter, the report says the police went on a rampage and stormed into shops in the vicinity, pulling out people, selectively attacking Muslims.

At around 4 pm, a team of police attacked Ibrahim Khaleel mosque where 80 persons were praying peacefully. The police apparently sought to chase certain youth into the said mosque and then initiated an indiscriminate attack on the mosque with stones and teargas through and above the slats of the mosque gate.

Further, the report says that the leaders of the community were brought in by the police to calm the situation down. In fact, they were succeeding in doing so when one leader Ashraf was injured on the head by the police. This aggravated the situation.

ALSO READ | Anti-CAA protest: Dissecting December 19 protest in Mangaluru

The report also claims that Abdul Jaleel and Nausheen, who were killed in police firing, were bystanders and were not part of the protest.

YJ Rajendra, PULC state president, said the fact that the police mentioning the religion of riot-accused as Muslims in an open FIR again proves beyond doubt that the police acted with prejudices against the community. If the police claim that they opened fire as the protestors tried to torch the police station is true, then CCTV images in the police station should be made public, he demanded.

On police creating havoc in ICU of private hospital, Rajendra said hospitals are not targetted even during wars.
They were responding to IIT-Kanpur forming a committee to inquire into a complaint against the recitation of Hum Dekhenge on campus by students to express solidarity with their peers at Jamia Millia Islamia in their protest against the amended Citizenship Act.

: Top poets and writers including Javed Akhtar, Rahat Indori and Vishal Bhardwaj on Thursday described attempts to paint Faiz Ahmed Faiz's revolutionary Hum Dekhenge as anti-Hindu and pro-Islam, a "ridiculous" and "narrow-minded" attempt.

Faculty members and some students filed a complaint against a student for reciting the poem, which they claimed provoked "anti-Hindu" sentiments.

"This poem was written against a fundamentalist called Zia-ul-Haq, a dictator. It is interesting that fundamentalists, all kinds of, don't like this poem," Akhtar told India Today TV.

Explaining the context of the poem, which was written in 1979 to criticise the dictatorship and fundamentalism of former Pakistani general-turned president Zia-ul-Haq, the veteran poet-screenwriter said if Faiz's poem is anti-Hindu, then one would have to believe that Zia was secular, which does not make sense.

"It seems we are negotiating with people who have no sense of history, have no idea who this great poet was, who have no idea what poetry is, who don't know the language in which it was written, they don't know anything. This is written against a fundamentalist, regressive, almost Talibani mentality holding dictator. This poem was banned under his regime," Akhtar said.

Filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj, who had used Faiz's Gulon Mein Rang Bhare...' in his critically-acclaimed, Kashmir-set 2014 film Haider, said those interpreting it as pro-Muslim and anti-Hindu lack "emotional intelligence".

"It sounds totally ridiculous. To understand poetry, you need to feel it first. You need a certain standard of emotional intelligence, which seems to be completely lacking in those who are interpreting it as pro-Muslim and anti-Hindu," Bhardwaj said.

Faiz's daughter Saleema Hashmi said she found the whole controversy "funny" and hoped that ultimately her father's words will win over the hate.

"Let's look at in another way, they may end up getting interested in Urdu poetry and its metaphors. Never underestimate the power of Faiz," Hashmi said.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 10:36:20|Editor: ZD

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JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A Turkish airline's passenger plane TK45 en route from Cape Town to Istanbul made an emergency landing on Thursday evening in Johannesburg, South Africa, causing no injuries.

While climbing out of Cape Town's runway, the flight crew failed to retract the plane's landing gear, said the Aviation Herald, an aviation incidents website.

Flightradar24, a tracker app, shows the plane is an Airbus A330-343. Soon after finding something wrong, the plane hovered over Cape Town to burn its fuel for a safe landing. It was then diverted to Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport for landing and made it safely.

"The plane had problems of its landing gear, but landed at 22:36 p.m. (2030 GMT) at OR Tambo with no injuries and followed by emergency vehicles," local aviation expert Stanley Koepka told Xinhua.

The problem of the landing gear is currently under investigation by local engineers.
- Charles Kibe has been working as a tailor for the last 29 years

- He partially lost his sight in 2014 and the situation turned permanent three years later

- Kibe devised some ways to help him overcome the challenge, one way was putting marks on his tape measure to resemble braille machine

- The tailor then learn how to put a thread through the needle using a sharpened broomstick

- The last task was learning how to make a straight sewing thread which he cracked on his first attempt

So tedious and complicated can the sewing process be that it is almost impossible for one to imagine it being done by a blind person.

However, for Charles Kibe Mwangi, a totally blind tailor, the process is as smooth as one would imagine of a competent tailor with a good sight doing it.

READ ALSO: Magoha asema kila aliyekuwa mtahiniwa wa KCPE 2019 lazima ajiunge na shule ya upili

Charles Kibe at his shop during an interview with TUKO.co.ke reporter Lynn Ngugi. Photo: Edwin Ochieng.

Source: Original

READ ALSO: Nyeri woman who conned locals KSh 100, 000 in fake William Ruto's visit arrested

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke reporter Lynn Ngugi, the Murang'a born tailor who now operates his shop at Nairobi's Umoja Two estate recounted the taunting moment he experienced after mysteriously losing his sight in 2017.

Kibe, who has been in the industry for the last 29 years, became partially blind in 2014 and sought medication at Kikuyu Hospital.

READ ALSO: 3 dead as suspected al-Shabaab militants attack bus in Lamu

He permanently lost his sight three years later after opticians who conducted a series of tests established he was suffering from glaucoma, a condition that permanently damaged the disc inside his eyes.

"I never experienced any problem with my eyes, not even itching. I just started experiencing challenges identifying people and operating my phone in 2014 and sought medication at Kikuyu Hospital" he recalled.

Charles Kibe has mastered the art of sewing despite being totally blind. Photo: Edwin Ochieng

Source: Original

Kibe was then forced to device ways of carrying on with his work and had to take some time to reflect and meditate on how he would go about it.

"The first thing I did was to put some marks on my tape measure so it could look like a braille machine. The next challenge was how to put the thread through the needle. I was shown how to do it using a broomstick," he explained.

The next task for Kibe was learning how to ensure his sewing thread is straight, a challenge he managed to crack this after doing a test on his old T-shirt.

"I began by doing a test on my old T-shirt which I trimmed. From there I gained confidence and began the work," he said.

A photo of the environment around Charles Kibe's work station in Umoja 2 estate in Nairobi.

Source: Original

He has mastered the art of his work and is always honest to his customers who doubt his ability to do the work.

"When a client comes, I ask him or her about the problem with clothes then I request him to pick the colour of the thread he would like me to use. Those who ask why I do open up and tell them about my condition," he said.

He relies on other senses to detect when a customer walks or whenever anything happens around him.

Kibe boasts of his sharp memory which he noted has enabled him to master his shop and how he has arranged everything therein.

"Even if you brought me 30 clothes with different problems, I will listen and place them somewhere according to the explanation given and I will not forget," said the tailor.

Although some of his old clients abandoned him after losing sight, the indefatigable man has remained focused and attracted new customers who he said have remained loyal to him throughout.

He has mastered the route to and from work and no longer needs the help of anyone to guide him through the busy streets.

Kibe believes in himself and does not want sympathy from anyone. All he needs is encouragement. Photo: Edwin Ochieng.

Source: Original

The tailor strongly believes in himself and does not want sympathy from anyone over his condition.

He has never closed his shop even after developing the complication and all he wants from friends and the world is encouragement.

"I tell people not to sympathise with me but to encourage me that I am able and I can do better. I thank God because without Him I won't be here. I also want to encourage everyone to work hard, let no one sleep hoping that he will be helped, we must work," said Kibe in his parting shot.

Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact Tuko.co.ke instantly.

Grand father from heaven | Tuko TV.

Source: TUKO.co.ke
Last year, the Consumer Electronics Show gave an innovation award to the Lora DiCarlo Ose blended orgasm sex toy, then took the award back because the device was considered immoral, obscene, indecent, profane and out of keeping with the shows image. And then, after a public outcry led by Lora DiCarlo founder Lora Haddock, CES reversed course and gave the award back.

The debacle appears to have been an educational one for CES, because now, a year later, the show has a sex toy lined up for an award once again, and has invited sex tech companies to exhibit at the show in Las Vegas, from January 7 through January 10.

The Lioness smart vibrator has been named a finalist for the CES Last Gadget Standing award, according to a report by The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Advertised as the world's most advanced rabbit-style vibrator, the toy gathers biofeedback in the form of real data from your own arousal and orgasm in order to personalize and improve the individual users experiencepresumably making arousal and orgasm even better.

Liz Klinger, the Lioness CEO and founder, credited Haddock with opening the doors for womens sex tech at CES.

Weve known about (the shows) policies quite well over the years, having had our own issues being part of the show ourselves and having written about our own experience a few years ago, Klinger told the Review-Journal. If Lora DiCarlo hadnt received a signed letter from CTA executives and had it go out the way it did, no one would had known this was happening to sex tech companies.

Lioness has run into similar issues earlier this year, with the Samsung-run Growth & Innovation in the Wearables Device Market conference, in San Francisco. As AVN.com reported, Klinger was ordered to remove the Lioness display by a Samsung official, and told, you dont belong here.

A week later, Samsung issued an apologybut not to Klinger directly, instead sending a statement to the tech news site The Verge.

Of the 10 finalists in the Last Gadget Standing category, Lioness is the only sex-related product. Other finalists include am electronic device for relieving sinus pain, a translation tool designed to overcome the constraints of language barriers, and Octobo, a soft, cuddly robot that doubles as a learning device for children.

Photo By Lioness
Chocolate treats of all kinds fill Jamies Sweet Shop in the Northville section of New Milford.

Chocolate-dipped pretzels and Oreos, chocolates with peanut butter, strawberry and caramel filling, boxed chocolates, and chocolates in all shapes and sizes dress up the shelves at the 279 Litchfield Road (Route 202) shop.

I love the creativity, owner Jo Robbins said of what she enjoys most about being a treat maker.

I enjoy interacting with the customers, I love making stuff and I love setting up the store, she said of how the business brings her joy.

This year marks her 25th year in business.

She first opened her business in Harwinton for two years, then moved it to Torrington for two years.

After, sales went online until 2017 when she got a storefront again in New Milford.

The shop, named for Robbins now-grown daughter, was open seasonally from October through April on Route 7 near Dodd Road but relocated to Northville this past October.

The Northville location has been a hit, Robbins said, noting customers stop in for many reasons, including hostess, celebratory or thinking of you gifts.

Fresh custom orders are also available for special occasions, including retirement and birthday parties, weddings, baptisms/christenings, anniversaries and showers.

Centerpieces, party favors, holiday baskets and more are among the custom orders Robbins handles.

Some items are hand painted, including many of the lollipops.

Robbins spoke of one wedding decoration she created  an Eiffel Tower made of more than two pounds of chocolate.

I get a lot of enjoyment out of it, she said of the creative pieces she makes.

A chocolate crib filled with M&Ms, milk chocolate and dark chocolate dinosaurs, chocolate high heels, a chocolate baby block and chocolate Bingo cards, flavored barks, chocolate-covered graham crackers, lollipops and more round out the shops offerings.

(Chocolate) is always a perfect gift, Meissner said. Its nice to have a fresh, delicious candy store to go to.

Meissner described the shop as owner accommodating and related how the store was once short one item she needed. Robbins prepared the extra item and was able to get it to the customer on time.

Robbins said customers reach out to her by phone, social media, at the store and online.

Robbins will ask a customer numerous questions when an order is placed.

For example, if a patron requests a chocolate dinosaur or Easter Bunny, questions about the type of chocolate, thickness and filling will be posed.

There are many options for the shops products that are made in Robbins certified 10-foot-by-9-foot kitchen at her home, where she has more than 4,000 molds for all occasions.

The chocolate comes from Pennsylvania. Robbins dips various foods in the chocolate, drizzles it on popcorn, and creates an assortment of products.

Robbins said she can make just about anything, including some of the latest crazes such as chocolate covered potato chips.

The business owner said the busiest time of year is the holiday season.

She estimates she had about five nights free of making chocolate between Oct. 15 through Dec. 22.

For more information, contact Jamies Sweet Shop, located at 279 Litchfield Road (Route 202), New Milford, at 860-480-1862.
[January 03, 2020] RadioMedix selected for 2019-2020 NIH SBIR/STTR Commercialization Accelerator Program (CAP)

Houston, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RadioMedix Inc. is pleased to announce that the company has been selected for the 2019-2020 Commercialization Accelerator Program (CAP) by the National Institute of Health (NIH) SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) program office. This award is following our two-years, $2.0 M Phase II SBIR funded in part with Federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and Human Services, under Contract No HHSN261201800048C. The Contract focuses on the clinical development of 212Pb-AlphaMedix for the targeted alpha-emitter therapy (TAT) of neuroendocrine tumors. Selection for this program highlights the value and high commercialization potential for AlphaMedix. This is a timely program for RadioMedix since we are getting ready to start the next round of fundraising to support our clinical trials, said Ebrahim S. Delpassand, M.D. CEO of RadioMedix. This highly competitive CAP NIH program will help us strengthen our commercialization plan and business model, and engage with both industry partners and investors. Our selection highlights commercial value and clinical significance of the targeted emitter therapy and its potential to improve tumor response to treatment, said Izabela Tworowska, Ph.D., CSO of RadioMedix. We are honored to be part of this unique initiative. Commercialization Accelerator Program (NIH CAP) is a 9-month program that is well-regarded for its combination of deep domain expertise and access to industry connections, which have resulted in measrable gains and accomplishments by participating companies. Offered since 2004 to address the commercialization objectives of companies across the spectrum of experience and stage, 1000+ companies have participated in the CAP. It is open only to HHS/NIH SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees, and 80 slots are available each year. The program enables participants to establish market and customer relevance, build commercial relationships, and focus on revenue opportunities available to them. For more information, please visit www.sbir.nih.gov/cap



About RadioMedix

RadioMedix, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, based in Texas, focused on innovative targeted radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy of cancer. The company is commercializing radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging and targeted alpha and beta-emitter therapy. RadioMedix established research and contract service facilities for academic and industrial partners at two locations: the cGMP Dose Manufacturing and analytical suites for clinical trials, and the drug discovery and pre-clinical core facility in Houston, TX. In addition, a new state of art commercial manufacturing facility located in Humble, TX has been established. To learn more, visit www.radiomedix.com . For more information about this press release, please contact [email protected] . About AlphaMedixTM AlphaMedixTM is a radiolabeled SSTR-targeting therapeutic investigational drug for the treatment of NETs patients. The product consists of SSTR-targeting peptide complex radiolabeled with 212Pb and serves as an in vivo generator of alpha-emitting particles. 212Pb isotope is particularly suitable for SSTR therapy applications based upon its half-life, high linear transfer (LET)energy, the short path length of decay-causing of double-stranded DNA in cancer cells which leads to irreversible damage. About Neuroendocrine Tumors Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms that originate from neuroendocrine cells. These neoplasms occur mostly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, but can also occur in other tissues including lung, thymus, and other uncommon sites such as cervix, heart, and prostate. Most NETs strongly express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). Izabela Tworowska Ph.D. Chief Scientific Officer RadioMedix Inc. 9701 Richmond Ave, Suite 222 Houston TX 77042

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Police are searching for a man involved in a standoff with officers on the South Side Thursday night.

San Antonio police were called to the 100 block of Emerald Ash just before 10 p.m., for a 21-year-old man and 64-year-old woman arguing inside their apartment, officials on scene said.

FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox

Thats when the man allegedly went onto the balcony and fired off shots into the air.

The woman was afraid and attmepted to call 911, but the man grabbed her cell phone and broke it on the ground, SAPD said. He then fled and went into another apartment in the complex.

Police attempted to negotiate with the man via phone, but he ended up sneaking out a window and getting away, officials said.

SWAT officers were able to make entry into the apartment and recover the gun.

Officials said the man is wanted on another warrant for a previous offense.

SAPD is still investigating.

Taylor Pettaway 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 | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
US President Donald Trump-authorised airstrikes at the international airport of the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Friday killed General Qassem Suleimani, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC's) Quds Force, and top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, along with four other top commanders. His death has heightened tensions between the two countries. While the US said it would continue to take such actions to protect its interests, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed "severe revenge". Iran warned that the US would pay a heavy price of this "extremely dangerous and foolish escalation".

General Qassem Suleimani, 62, was not only one of the most influential people in Iran but also in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Touted by many as the future president of Iran, Suleimani had survived over a dozen of assassination plots in the past against him.

He was responsible for carrying out operations beyond Iran and was a major adversary of the United States and Israel and Saudi Arabia.

At a time when the US was up against the Bashar Al-Assad regime in Syria, he gathered support for the controversial president. He also helped armed groups defeat ISIS in Iraq.

Also read: Oil price rises over 4% after US air strike kills top Iranian military commander

Suleimani took command of the Quds Forces around 21 years ago with an aim to make Iran a supreme power in the Middle East. Reports say he had immense success in achieving that goal. From the rise of the most powerful armed force in Lebanon and Assad's success in fighting a civil war to Yemeni Houthi militias' resistance against Saudi Arabian-led forces - all can be traced back to Suleimani.

He was known as a powerful as well as a controversial figure in the Middle East -- the one who was more important than the Iranian president for many, thanks to his reach to all factions in Iran.

As per his biography, Suleimani was born in the Iranian city of Rabor. Born in a poor farming family, he had to move to the neighbouring city at the age of 13 to repay his father's debt. In 1979, Suleimani joined the Revolutionary Guards, a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, founded after the Iranian Revolution on April 22, 1979. While the Iranian Army defends Iranian borders, the Revolutionary Guards protects its political system, primarily prevents foreign interference and coups.

In less than a decade after joining IRGC, he was sent to fight Iran's war against the invading Iraqi army outside the border areas and was soon appointed the chief of the Irani brigade chosen for the mission.

After the Iraqi government fell in 2003, Suleimani was selected as the Quds Force chief.

Known as shadow commander for his indirect war against the US, he was on the US hit list for long because of his alleged role in deaths of thousands of civilians, including US citizens, in Iraq. Israel and Saudi Arabia were also allegedly working to eliminate Suleimani for his alleged attacks against diplomats and service members of these countries in various regions of the Middle East.

Also read: US President ordered 'killing' of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani; Ayatollah Khamenei vows revenge

Soon after his death, the White House said on Friday that General Suleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more.

"He had orchestrated attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27th - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel. General Suleimani also approved the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," the statement said.

Over a year back, Suleimani even warned US President Donald Trump of escalating war with Iran. Calling Trump a gambler, Suleimani said Iran was closer to the US in places it might not know. "You will start the war but we will end it," he had threatened.

By Manoj Sharma
As tensions rise after the U.S. military killed a high-profile Iranian general in Baghdad late Thursday, South Carolina service members and their families are waiting for news about possible overseas deployments.

As of Friday afternoon, no airmen, Marines, sailors, soldiers or Coast Guardsmen have been deployed to the region from military installations in The Palmetto State. But there are several units with the S.C. National Guard already stationed in the Middle East.

Army Capt. Jessica Donnelly, a spokeswoman with the S.C. National Guard, said there are not any upcoming deployments scheduled or forthcoming in the wake of the attack, but roughly 300 soldiers are in the Middle East.

Specifics of their locations were not disclosed.

Some are involved in Operation Freedom's Sentinel, which is the successor to Operation Enduring Freedom, the global war on terror. Others are in Operation Spartan Shield, the Pentagon's operations in the Middle East.

Here are the involved units from in South Carolina:

Army National Guard soldiers with the 4-118th Infantry Battalion, based in Union, are deployed to the Middle East under the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, headquartered with the N.C. National Guard.

About 25 Guard soldiers with Detachment 2, Company C, 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, out of Greenville, are deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel to provide medical evacuation assets to the area of operation. They departed in September and will be gone nearly one year.

Nearly 100 Guard soldiers with Company B, 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, based out of Hodges, are deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield to provide communications support to deployed units. They departed in August and will be gone nearly one year.

An estimated 40 Guard soldiers with the 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, based in Newberry, are deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield to provide contracting work, range operations, dining facility operations, billets management and more. They departed in July and will be gone nearly one year.

Roughly 140 Guard soldiers with the 124th Engineer Company, 122nd Engineer Battalion, based out of Saluda and Edgefield, are deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to provide construction operations. They departed in July and will be gone nearly one year.

U.S. Army Central, a unit based out of Sumter that actively provides support in the Middle East, would neither confirm nor deny its presence in the region.

"Due to ongoing operations, we are unable to provide details regarding specific assets currently in, or projected to deploy to the region," Alicia Allmond, a spokeswoman for Army Central, wrote in an email.

In neighboring North Carolina, soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division could leave Fort Bragg for the Middle East as early as this weekend. The Pentagon has approved additionally 3,500 more soldiers in the region.

According to The Associated Press, an estimated 14,000 service members nationwide have been deployed to the region since May.

This story will be updated as details about deployments are announced publicly or learned of by The Post and Courier.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks to media at the Capitol in Washington on Dec. 19, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Pelosi Says Strike That Killed Iranian General Done Without Congressional Approval

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that a Thursday night airstrike that killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani wasnt authorized by Congress.

The Administration has conducted tonights strikes in Iraq targeting high-level Iranian military officials and killing Iranian Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani without an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against Iran, Pelosi said in a statement after the Pentagon confirmed the strike had killed Soleimani. The Quds Forcewhich reports directly to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameneiis a unit within Irans Revolutionary Guards that serves to gather intelligence and supports Lebanons Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemens Houthis, and a variety of Shia militia groups in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Further, this action was taken without the consultation of the Congress, Pelosi added.

The speaker said that the incident could provoke further dangerous escalation of violence and added that Americaand the worldcannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return.

But Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the strike was necessary because it was carried out in response to imminent threats to American lives.

Soleimani was actively plotting in the region to take actions  that would have put dozens if not hundreds of American lives at risk, Pompeo told CNN.

On Friday morning, President Donald Trump wrote that the general has killed or wounded thousands of Americans over the years.

Whats more, Soleimani was plotting to kill many morebut got caught and was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number, Trump said on Twitter. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago, he wrote.

And several of Trumps allies in Congress, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised the White Houses move.

Soleimani had American blood on his hands, and he welcomed what he called Trumps bold action against Iranian aggression, Graham wrote.

To the Iranian government: If you want more, you will get more, Graham said.

Trumps former National Security Adviser John Bolton, a longtime hawk on Iran, issued congratulations to the Trump administration for the strike on Twitter, adding that he hoped this is the first step to regime change in Tehran.
A defining moment in the presidential campaign of former Mayor Julian Castro  who ended his longshot bid Thursday  came last summer in Detroit during the second round of debates in the Democratic primary.

Lagging in the polls, Castro used his own proposal to decriminalize border crossings to challenge the frontrunner in the race, former Vice President Joe Biden.

What we need are some politicians that actually have some guts on this issue, Castro told Biden, who shot back that crossing the border is illegal unless theyre seeking asylum and people should have to get in line.

For some, the exchange underscored why Castro ultimately failed to resonate with enough voters: His stances were too liberal. For others, it illustrated perfectly why Castros candidacy was so essential.

He ran the kind of campaign we all wish we could, where we are unapologetic about the people and the issues that we care about, and we dare others to tell us why we shouldnt do that, said state Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio. Youre always being told theres a right way to do something, and I think both as a country and a community we have to be honest and take stock of where that has led us. And Julian reminds us its time to do something different.

For some local leaders, an admiration for Castros bold approach was mixed with a recognition that this might have made his candidacy even more treacherous. As a candidate, Castro issued detailed plans on a broad array of progressive issues, including police reform, eliminating lead poisoning and helping indigenous communities.

He very courageously went into areas and discussions that typical politicians fear to go for those very reasons, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. Its difficult and its potentially dangerous because it forces us all to have a reckoning with the environment that weve built. Its holding up a mirror to ourselves and asking what needs to change and being honest about the answers we get back.

Nirenberg added that Castro did a tremendous job in representing our city and our people well. He carried a message of optimism and profound hope in a country that is like many others going through a tremendous amount of political turbulence.

VIA Chairman Rey Saldana, who served on the City Council when Castro was mayor, echoed that the former mayors ambition as a presidential candidate might have exceeded more reliably poll-tested political strategies.

There are a lot of incentives, today especially, to tell people what they want to hear, Saldana said. But what Julian did was tell people what they needed to hear. It seems there was this moment where people questioned the viability of a candidate who was willing to tell the truth about important issues that took longer-term fixes than just beating Donald Trump.

It didnt help that Castro had jumped into the race with less money and name recognition than other candidates  a relative disadvantage exacerbated by increasingly strict qualification requirements for debates imposed by the Democratic National Committee, according to local political operative Colin Strother. After failing to receive at least 4 percent in four DNC-approved polls, Castro was forced to sit out the December debate.

The process that the DNC created rewarded people that were figuratively born on third base, Strother said. They already had name ID and/or money and a substantial head start. It was discriminatory against upstart campaigns and candidates of color. I think they were trying to create some order to the chaos, but what they did was they predetermined an outcome.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff echoed that assessment.

It was very, very difficult, said Wolff, a Democrat who supported Castros campaign. All of these other candidates were starting from a really high-profile position. He didnt have as much money, he didnt have the following they had, and when you have 15 candidates, its hard to break out of the field without some prior national exposure.

As the only Latino in the race, Castro struggled to resonate with other Hispanics. A poll released in November by Telemundo Noticias placed Castro in a three-way tie for fourth place among Hispanic voters, with just 2 percent support. At the time, Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont led among those voters, with 26 percent and 18 percent support, respectively.

Christian Archer, a local political consultant who managed all three of Castros successful mayoral campaigns, blamed the usual suspects: Castros relative lack of money and name recognition.

Weve got to understand that Hispanics arent monolithic voters. Neither are African-Americans, Archer said. Its really a matter of knowing the person and being able to hear their voice. And most of the time, Castros voice was muted by the number of qualified candidates and the lack of fundraising.

bchasnoff@express-news.net
US Imposed Sanctions on Cuban Minister of Armed Forces - Pompeo

Sputnik News

01:49 03.01.2020

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that sanctions have been imposed against Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Minister Leopoldo Cintra Frias for alleged human rights violations and actions to prop up Venezuelan authorities.

"The Department is publicly designating Leopoldo Cintra Frias, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba (MINFAR), under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2019 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, due to his involvement, by command responsibility, in gross violations of human rights," Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday.

Designation under Section 7031(c) makes foreign government officials and their immediate family members ineligible for entry into the United States. Cintra Frias was designated together with his two children.

Pompeo claimed that the minister was an accomplice in suppressing the Venezuelan opposition.

Venezuela has faced political crisis since last January when opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself interim president in a bid to oust actual Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power. The United States and a number of Western countries have recognized Guaido, while Russia, China, Cuba, Turkey and numerous other states have said they recognize Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela.

Maduro has accused Guaido of being a US puppet, working with Washington to orchestrate a coup to force a change of government so that the United States can control Venezuela's vast natural resources.

A Sputnik

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Bhaskar Choudhuri, chief marketing officer at smartphone, tablet, and PC maker Lenovo Asia Pacific

With digital transformation being a key focus, Asia Pacific is now more appealing to technology players. What is Lenovos marketing strategy for the region and Vietnam in the upcoming year?

The Asia Pacific market is very diverse. On the one hand we see economies like Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong which have high income per capita and therefore, a very high penetration of personal computer (PC) users. On the other hand, markets like Vietnam, the Philippines, and India see the PC penetration percentage remain very low at around 20 per cent, while the threshold in Japan, Australia, and Hong Kong is 78 per cent. So, our big opportunity and strategy in Vietnam are figuring out how we increase visibility, how to increase PC penetration, and how to get more new people to buy PCs.

We are looking at people who are students, and those who are moving up the income ladder. PC penetration is just our first strategy for the Vietnamese market. We plan to begin with this to build a smart device ecosystem. Once you have higher PC penetration and once you have higher mobile penetration, you will then create higher smart device penetration.

How can Lenovo realise its plan in Vietnam and other countries in the region where income per capita remains low?

There are two main challenges. Obviously, it is very difficult for a poor family to spend $500 to buy a PC because that is a significant amount of money.

So, we look at what can be done to make computers more accessible  by going through schools, offering easy, equal monthly instalments and buying options, anything which makes the purchase of PCs more important and much easier.

The second is relevance. For most of these families, maybe the head of the family or the father or mother, they are still conversing.

And they would ask why their child needs a PC. So you have to establish the relevance and carry out fundamental category building where you have to show how a PC can really build their daughters or their sons dream, and open up new educational and job prospects for them.

Digital literacy is becoming a big driver of careers because jobs are not necessarily coming from manufacturing  a lot of new jobs are actually being created for the digital future and through digital literacy. To this end, we need to see how to identify those particular products which can have an effect on the younger student.

Theres very little chance that people over 50 years old will start using a PC. As much as 60 per cent of the worlds young population lives in Asia, and new buyers are going to come from the student plus maybe the 16-25 age range. Along with identifying products, we also have to make it available at a price point which is still affordable.

A platform that can help increase penetration is gaming, so we are actually now looking at gaming in a very serious manner.

The other phenomena we see involve many people starting their own business, and a lot of these startups are either digital-led businesses or digital-only businesses  very rarely are they getting into manufacturing.

This is the key that gives us a great opportunity to increase our penetration in terms of small- and medium-sized businesses that use PCs.

The Vietnamese government is working on a new foreign direct investment attraction strategy towards 2030, with a focus on incentive polices to encourage giants in technology towards investment activities. What will Lenovo do to tap into this?

We carry out studies every six months, focusing on the reasons why people buy the way they do, in terms of amounts and brands and other factors. How many people are considering a PC purchase? What do they prefer and why dont they prefer other brands? So thats something that we keep consistently asking. This is one of the reasons why were able to change strategies and see what is working.

We have an extremely sophisticated supply chain which has multiple factories across the world. And that is another reason why we are able to offer the sort of devices that we offer in a very limited period of time.

We are constantly on the lookout for sites which can ever offer us a competitive advantage. So in that context we will continue to look at potential manufacturing sites across Asia Pacific, including Vietnam, to find out what could be a good place to invest, and which place can scale and expand our supply chain.
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said that its time for politicians to get back to work.

Speaking from Stormont yesterday evening, Mr Eastwood said:

It has always been the case over the last three years that a deal to restore power sharing government in Northern Ireland could be done within a matter of hours. The political will now exists to secure a deal, its important that parties work intensively to get this over the line.

The SDLP has worked hard with other parties to deliver proposals which we believe will unlock the impasse by reforming the Petition of Concern to make it a human rights compliant instrument. We are prepared to stretch ourselves to reach a consensus that delivers inclusive power sharing institutions.

Next week healthcare workers will again take strike action in defence of patient safety and to secure a fair deal for hard pressed frontline staff. Their needs should be at the front of all our minds in the time ahead. Its time we had a government that delivers for healthcare staff, for schools under immense financial strain and for families facing a welfare cliffedge. This is a time to deliver. Its time for politicians to get back to work.
The consumer champion asked thousands of holidaymakers to rate recent trips to cities around the world across a range of categories including; quality of the cultural attractions, accommodation, shopping, food, value for money and, crucially, how crowded it was.

While Cape Town has been top for four of the last five years this year it was New Orleans which topped the list of almost 40 destinations with a city score of 90 per cent.

Those surveyed told Which? they loved the Big Easy for its laid back nature, friendly locals, fusion cuisine and the ease of getting around.

Based on the Mississippi River, the city also got a five-star rating for the quality of its attractions  which includes live music and around the clock nightlife, as well as airboat rides in the bayou to spot alligators.

Singapore was the highest-rated destination in Asia with an 87 per cent city score. The island city-state was one of only three cities to receive five stars for shopping. It was also rated five stars for ease of getting around and its food and drink offering.

With its mix of Cantonese, Indian and Malay food at bargain food markets, iconic double helix bridge and endless malls, boutiques and high street chains, travellers are also spoilt for choice for places to visit and things to do. One holidaymaker said Singapore has so many attractions, it is difficult to pick one out.

Sydney was also second place in our survey, with its city score of 87 per cent beating rivals Melbourne and Perth.

Australias largest city is best known for its iconic Opera House, yacht-studded harbour and famous Bondi beach. Those surveyed told Which? it was easy to get around, earning it five stars in this category, with many also recommending the ferry to Manly and back for the best view of the city.

Coming in joint fifth, Tokyo (85%), Japans capital, mixes neon-lit skyscrapers and historic temples. It also proved hugely popular, and was the city which received the most five stars in a range of categories including shopping, attractions, ease of getting around and food and drink. One visitor described Tokyo as an amazing city and spotlessly clean.

Former winner, Cape Town, still managed an 84 per cent city score and received the coveted five-star rating for value for money  something only Shanghai, Jaipur and Hanoi could match.

Those who visited told Which? about stunning views at Table Mountain, plentiful vineyards and great bars and restaurants in the harbour.

At the bottom of the list, was Sin City the City of Las Vegas only scraping together a 57 per cent city score. Those who visited the Nevada hot spot found it crowded with a lack of attractions, and described it at brash, expensive and over the top. Its two stars for food and drink and value for money was also the joint lowest in the survey.

Also deemed to be disappointing, overrated and crowded was Los Angeles (58%). One respondent described the Californian City of Angels as busy, dirty, smelly and dangerous. It was one of only three cities to receive one star for ease of getting around.

Known for luxury shopping and ultramodern architecture, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates came in as fourth lowest with a mediocre 62 per cent city score.

Those who visited told Which? they didnt think much of the food, didnt think much of the attractions and thought it offered poor value for money. One respondent summed up their experience of the city as bling and consumerism.

Image Credit:  Which?
The show was already renewed for a second season before the first debuted on Netflix in December.

And now it seems that The Witcher could run for up to seven seasons, as Lauren Schmidt Hissrich discussed the show's future with SFX Magazine prior to its release.

When asked if she had plans for the fantasy series, the showrunner, 49, told the publication: 'Oh hell, yeah! Second season? Ive done it for seven seasons!'

More to come: The Witcher showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich revealed ahead of the show's release in December that she had plans for SEVEN seasons of the Netflix hit

Lauren added: 'The worst thing we could do is put all of our energies just into season one, and not be thinking about where these characters can grow to.'

In November, the scriptwriter revealed that The Witcher was renewed for a second season by the video-on-demand platform, and since its release it has become one of Netflix's highest rated original series.

The eight-part series has managed to beat the likes of Stranger Things and Peaky Blinders in ratings on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).

Exciting: Of her plans for the show, Lauren said: 'The worst thing we could do is put all of our energies just into season one, and not be thinking about where these characters can grow to'

According to Forbes, the show kicked off with a rating of 8.9, which narrowly edged it ahead of shows including Black Mirror, Narcos, Peaky Blinders, Stranger Things and House of Cards - who had scores of 8.8.

However, it soon slipped down to 8.8, meaning it now sits among Netflix's highest ranking TV heavyweights.

While shows including The Crown and The Haunting of Hill House bring up the rear with 8.7 ratings.

Wonderful news: In November, the scriptwriter [pictured in December] revealed that The Witcher was renewed for a second season by the video-on-demand platform

The Witcher is an eight-episode adaptation of the bestselling medieval book series by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.

The series centres on protagonist Geralt of Rivia (Cavill), a monster hunter known as a Witcher who travels the countryside slaying terrifying beasts.

But in the Netflix adaptation, the story will also examine Princess Ciri (Freya Allan) and Yennefer of Vengerberg's (Anya Chalotra) arcs, as the trio's intertwining destinies find them coming together in full force.
TMC leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury on Friday asked the people of West Bengal to refrain from submitting their original documents to the government the purpose of NRC. While addressing a rally against the CAA and NRC, Siddiqullah Chowdhury appealed to the people not to submit their original documents when the government officials seek details to carry out NRC procedures.

"Giving up the original documents will only cause you trouble. You will lose your only weapon against the government if you submit the papers," the TMC leader said.

Furthermore, Siddiqullah urged people to keep their identities safe when the government announces their documents. "This will be a fight between policies in accordance with article 14 of the Indian constitution," he said.

READ | West Bengal: Authorities Suspend Internet, Impose Sec 144 After Clashes Turn Violent

Anti-CAA protest led by TMC

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been leading protests against the NRC and the CAA for the past few weeks. She has led quite a few protest marches and has given speech after speech to put forward the points about what she claims the 'unjust nature' of the NRC and CAA. She has also called for all opposition parties across the nation to come together against the CAA and the NRC.

The West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee has stalled the preparation and updating of the National Population Register (NPR) process amid the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Banerjee has vociferously said, 'No CAA, No NRC' in West Bengal. She has written to several Opposition leaders for joint opposition to the Act. She has also suggested a UN-monitored referendum on the issue and has maintained that NRC and CAA will never be implemented in Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee has been among the many leaders to voice out strong dissent against the Delhi police action against the protestors from Delhi's Jamia Millia University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh Muslim University where the protests turned violent with incidents of stone-pelting and damaging public property.

READ | Sharad Pawar Seconds Mamata Banerjee On NRC & CAA, Expresses Willingness To Protest

Nationwide protests

There have been widespread protests against the CAA and the NRC in various parts of the country. The opposition's main contention is that the CAA violates the Constitutional principle of Right to Equality. Furthermore, the protesters have raised apprehensions over the implementation of the CAA and the NRC in combination.

The CAA seeks to provide citizenship to the minority communities namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who faced religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

READ | Incidents Of Attack By TMC Workers Has Become Rampant And We Are Suffering: Roopa Ganguly

READ | Mamata Banerjee Takes A Jibe At BJP, Says 'will Have To Use Binoculars' To Find Party
Edward Enninful has branded the Duchess of Sussex's Forces For Change initiative 'not a moment, but a movement.'

The editor-in-chief of British Vogue and Meghan Markle, 378 collaborated on a special 'Forces for Change' edition which featured a grid of 15 'incredible' women on the cover with articles commissioned by the royal inside.

He described the response to the September edition, which was released on August 2, as 'phenomenal,' before declaring the idea will be continued in every issue.

'The people it championed, made it clear that this was not simply a moment, but a movement,' he wrote in the magazine. 'For that reason, as we enter a new decade, we wish to continue that story.'

British Vogue's editor-in-chief Edward Enninful has branded the Duchess of Sussex's Forces For Change initiative 'not a moment, but a movement'

The Duchess of Sussex, 38, visited the University of Johannesburg in South Africa on 01 Oct 2019

The cover of British Vogue's September issue, entitled 'Forces for Change', which was guest edited by HRH The Duchess of Sussex

He went on to explain that as a result, over the next year readers will see various inspirational figures appearing under both the Forces For Change banner in the magazine, and across digital platforms.

He added: 'Now more than ever, it is important to keep the spotlight trained on the people who are challenging the status quo, and using their voice to help shape and change conversations around the most pressing issues of our time.'

Meghan became the first person ever to guest edit a September issue of the prestigious magazine.

At the time Enninful told how he has always had 'profound respect' for the Duchess - before discussing why he thinks she is the ultimate force for change.

The editor-in-chief called Meghan an 'inspirational woman of action' as she co-edited the September issue of British Vogue. Pictured, Edward Enninful attends the Pride In London Gala Dinner 2019 at Grand Connaught Rooms on June 20, 2019 in London

Speaking on a personal note, he wrote: 'I can't overstate how much it meant to me to see HRH The Duke of Sussex marry this brilliant, bi-racial, American powerhouse.'

'I simply never imagined that, in my lifetime, someone of my colour would  or could  enter the highest echelons of our Royal Family.'

However, following the release of the issue, the Duchess of Sussex faced a backlash for featuring the 15 'women she admires.'

They included celebrities, politicians and activists known for championing issues such as diversity, body positivity, transgender rights and climate change.

But the 37-year-old, who gave birth to son Archie in May, was slammed by some critics for failing to include the Queen in the magazine and for ignoring nurses, doctors, lawyers and teachers on the cover.
The year 2020 is officially here, yay! How are you holding up so far?

Are you feeling excited about what this year has in store for you in terms of physical, financial, and emotional growth? Have you listed all the resolutions and bucket lists you want to achieve this year? Or better yet, do you know what to do with your life in the next 12 months?

If not, then better get those pens and have at least a road map of your 2020 goals, starting with the movies we should all look forward to.

The year 2020 has a lot in store for movie fans, as the biggest movie studios made sure to start the new decade right by giving us only the best offerings.

To start with, let us take a look at the biggest movie sequels of the new year that will give us the ultimate throwback and, hopefully, a closure to the best cliff-hanger movies of all time.

A Quiet Place: Part II



Paramount Pictures just dropped the official trailer of the second installation of "A Quiet Place" to scare the hell out our first day of the year. The Abbott family is back in search of a safer environment after the noise-sensitive monsters invaded and knocked off their surroundings.

The movie's first trailer promised a whole larger story as the family explores a broader world of silence. Emily Blunt and the rest of the gang are back in this movie, which will be out on cinemas on March 18.
WILMINGTON, Del., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Delaware Chancery Court Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves will be sworn in as a Justice on the Delaware Supreme Court. Her swearing in comes after several months of advocacy by over 5,000 of Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware's (CPBD) members who urged Governor Carney to nominate a person of color to the vacant seat. CPBD Campaign Manager Chris Coffey has released the following statement:

"This is a historic day for Delaware. Make no mistake about it, Justice Montgomery-Reeves' new role as a Delaware Supreme Court Justice is an incredible step forward for progress in a state that has lagged behind for far too long when it comes to matters of racial equity in its judicial system, propping up a status quo of an all-white boys club. By nominating the state's first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court, Governor Carney heeded the call of thousands of our members for more diversity in Delaware's Justice System, but there is still much more to do.

One Supreme Court appointee alone will not undo the systemic issues in the Delaware judicial system. As noted in a 2019 Brennan Center for Justice report on state Supreme Court diversity, a historic lack of diverse representation in state Supreme Courts has led to a 'deep distrust of courts among African Americans.' This failure of diversity is endemic to Delaware's entire legal industry, as top law firms like Skadden Arps feature zero people of color in leadership positions. The law firms that produce Delaware's judges must also reflect the diversity of Delaware's citizens to produce a fair and diverse court system.

While Justice Montgomery-Reeves' swearing in today is a vital first step, it must be accompanied by a persistent commitment to diversity and common-sense reforms to increase transparency and accountability in the Delaware courts, including those in our platform. And it must be accompanied by ensuring that whoever takes her place on the Chancery Court is also a person of color. Diversity transferred is not diversity created.

We have an opportunity to put a swift and decisive end to the old boys' clubs of the past.

CPBD is grateful to our over 5,000 members who have voiced their outrage at the status quo, but this is just the beginning. Our message is being heard by those in power and our voices will only grow louder until Delaware is fully done with the old boys' clubs, done with opaque judicial processes, and brought in to the 21st century."

Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware is a group made up of more than 5,000 members including employees of the global translation services company TransPerfect, as well as concerned Delaware residents, business executives and others. They formed in April of 2016 to focus on raising awareness with Delaware residents, elected officials, and other stakeholders about the issue. While their primary goal of saving the company has been accomplished, they continue their efforts to fight for more transparency in the Delaware Chancery Court. For more information on Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware or to join the cause, visit DelawareForBusiness.org .

Contact: Chris Coffey. [email protected]

SOURCE Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware

Related Links

http://www.delawareforbusiness.org


A scientific study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) online this week found a direct link between auto assembly plant closures and the growing opioid epidemic in the United States.

The authors, led by Atheendar S. Venkataramani of the University of Pennsylvania, established a staggering 85 percent increase in opioid deaths above expected levels within five years in counties which experienced a plant closure.

The study represents an important contribution to an understanding of the relationship between the economic devastation of former industrial centers and the explosive growth of deaths of despair among the American working class, including alcohol- and drug-related deaths and suicides.

Demolition in rural Indiana

For years, health outcomes for American workers have been steadily eroding. Life expectancy in the US, the wealthiest nation in the world, has fallen for three years in a row, due primarily to the dramatic increase in deaths of working-age Americans aged 2564 years, mainly from drug overdoses, alcohol abuse, suicide and organ system diseases.

The fall in life expectancy is by design: the ruling class is deliberately attempting to cut workers lives short in order to cut labor costs so that more money can be funneled into the stock markets, the banks and the military budget. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies flooded working class communities devastated by the loss of manufacturing jobs with opioids from 20062012 under the Bush and Obama administrations, according to the Washington Post.

However, according to the researchers, previous studies which sought to establish a link between social conditions and opioid use had produced mixed results because they used more general indices such as unemployment rates. This lack of consensus may reflect the fact that standard economic measures do not adequately capture the fundamental and sustained decline in economic opportunity or the adverse socioeconomic and cultural climate that follows plant closures, the authors write.

The researchers decided to focus on auto assembly plants because such closures are often unexpected (to workers), discrete, and both culturally and economically significant events. Moreover, the authors argue, automotive plant closures have long been viewed as exemplars of the broader, gradual decline in US manufacturing that has occurred during the last [two] decades. In other words, the dramatic decline in the social conditions of autoworkers is only the most striking aspect of the decline among the American working class as a whole.

The study examined public health records from 19992016 and used death certificate data to calculate the number of opioid deaths by county in the US. The researchers focused on the largest commuting areas with auto plants in operation during that time period, then compiled a database of all auto plants in the US and indicated the date of closure, if they closed.

The study sample focused only on the 112 US counties in commuter zones with the highest proportion of workers employed in manufacturing. Thus, those areas examined were almost exclusively small industrial cities and semi-rural areas throughout the American Midwest and South. Of these, 29 counties in 10 commuting zones were exposed to factory closures.

Researchers found that prior to plant closures, baseline opioid overdose mortality rates in exposed counties were actually lower, on average, than those in unexposed counties. But only two years after plant closures, according to the authors, mortality rates in these counties were higher.

Those most affected were non-Hispanic white men, aged 18 to 34 years, who experienced a staggering increase of 20.1 deaths per 100,000 individuals five years after a plant closure. The second-most affected group was non-Hispanic white men aged 35 to 65 years, who experienced an increase of 12.8 deaths per 100,000 individuals. However, virtually every demographic was affected to some degree.

This explodes the reactionary myth of white privilege, which is peddled by various Democratic Party-aligned corporate media outlets in order to recenter political attention away from social class towards greatly exaggerated notions of racial divisions. The most aggressive role in promoting race theory has been played by the New York Times, whose 1619 Project attempts to recast all of American history as the product of racism, and American society as divided by an unbridgeable racial chasm.

In reality, the entire American working class, whether white, black, Hispanic or any other race or ethnicity, has been devastated by decades of rising social inequality and stagnant or declining wages.

The Times, on the other hand, speaks for a privileged layer of executives, financial speculators and well-heeled professionals, both white and black, who view the working class with a combination of contempt and fear. They are terrified in particular of the growing wave of strikes and working-class protests extending throughout the country, including many of the states included in this study, and internationally. This includes the General Motors strike last year, in which opposition to plant closures was a key issue for striking autoworkers.

A major responsibility for the social disaster afflicting former industrial towns lies with the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the other American trade unions. Long transformed into open agents of management, they have worked hand in glove with the companies to sabotage any struggle by workers in defense of their jobs and living standards. Since it joined the Chrysler board of directors in 1979, the UAW has directly collaborated with the companies for decades in the closures of dozens of plants.

The most disorienting and cynical lie employed by the unions is the claim that plant closures in the US are the fault of foreign workers in Latin America and Asia. Opposed to the unification of American workers with their Mexican and Chinese brothers and sisters, the unions pit them against each other by demanding plant closures take place overseas instead, while arguing that cuts are necessary in order to keep product within the United States. This bankrupt strategy, far from saving a single job, has allowed the auto companies, up to now, to eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs with little organized opposition.

Trumbull County, Ohio, which was included in this study, will now be considered an exposed county in future research. That is because it is the home of the now-shuttered Lordstown Assembly Plant, one of four facilities the UAW agreed to close as part of its sellout of the GM strike. The bribed company agents which control the UAW will bear direct responsibility for the social consequences.

Ford assembly workers who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site about the crisis responded to the findings of the study with empathy.

I havent even heard of these deaths or their connection to auto plants closing, one worker from the Chicago area said. I do know of people who are doing certain drugs to dull the pain of strenuous line work, but even that is sad enough.

Another worker commented, Substantial mental health and substance abuse treatment programs are [needed] for all workers. The automotive companies control whose [mental health and substance abuse] claim and job is saved based on the situation. There should be more alternative medical programs to deal with work-related stress rather than turning workers to opioids.

The studys authors suggests a national strategy to combat the crisis of opioid deaths in working class communities, including such measures as community-based interventions, providing resources to medical clinicians to identify and address structural forces that may shape patient health, and increasing engagement of community agencies and healthcare systems in addressing key social determinants of health.

But such measures are impossible within the framework of the capitalist profit system. An expropriation of the wealth of the corporations by the working class is the only way to address the crisis of job losses, lack of funding for social programs and deaths of despair in the US and worldwide.
India called for "restraint" on Friday as the situation in the Gulf escalated dramatically after the killing of a top Iranian military commander by the U.S. forces at Baghdad airport in Iraq, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian government said that the heightened tension had "alarmed the world."

"We have noted that a senior Iranian leader has been killed by the U.S. The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so."

General Qasem Soleimani, who led a highly specialized Iranian armed force called Quds Force, was killed by U.S. forces on Thursday in a drone strike.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," the Pentagon said in a statement, calling the strike "decisive defensive" action aimed at deterring future Iranian attacks.
Contributed photo

The Greenwich Art Society will be hosting The Figure As Abstract Composition, an exhibit of recent paintings by Westport artist Nancy W. McFarland, during February. An artists reception will take place at the Greenwich Art Society Gallery Thursday evening, Feb. 6.

Painting is the culmination of my life of image making. It alone is the ultimate gratification that comes from the sheer joy of directly applying soft, buttery oil paint to a beautifully textured surface in order to present new views of our common bodies landscapesby coming in close to the exquisite interstices, large and small, within the surfaces of the figure; those we hardly notice, but that exist in all humans, and then to discover the magnificent geometry, design, surface texture, varying light dynamics and surprise abstract shapes. This visual joy is what I aim to convey to the viewer of my paintings. according to McFarland.
Virginias relentless skateboarding principal roused over 1,000 Dothan City School employees to forget about New Years resolutions and instead, think about their legacy every day.

I tell you what, a lot of people are talking about their New Year resolutions  what a load of junk, motivational speaker Hamish Brewer said. Theyll be good for about a week  see, theres a big difference between a resolution and legacy.

At the mid-year celebration event, Brewer, who is a school turnaround and improvement specialist, challenged all employees to love every student, advocate for every student and be great every day.

He talked about the massive restructuring effort that Dothan City Schools recently went through in an effort to save the school district from financial ruin and keep students from leaving in droves every year.

Youve done something so remarkable, the whole nation is watching, he said. You did something that so many people would be so scared to do, but so many people need to do it because we need to be better for our students.

Brewer said he talked to DCS Superintendent Phyllis Edwards in anticipation of Fridays event.
Ulster Unionist negotiators are split over whether the party should enter a new Executive if a deal is reached to restore power-sharing.

UUP leader Steve Aiken wants the party to take its seat in a future administration but he has met with staunch opposition from Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie.

Under the d'Hondt system, the UUP is entitled to one ministry.

However, Stormont sources told the Belfast Telegraph that Mr Beattie believed the party should not accept it.

They said he had argued strongly in favour of the UUP remaining outside the Executive where it would be free to vigorously challenge the DUP and Sinn Fein.

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"Doug Beattie believes that democracy in Northern Ireland is best served by having an opposition at Stormont," the source said. "He thinks that staying outside and holding the two big parties to account is the only way forward for the Ulster Unionists,

"He has argued that an official opposition will deliver better government in Northern Ireland and will strengthen democracy.

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"There is one at Westminster and the case made is that Stormont shouldn't be any different."

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The DUP would be much more comfortable with its unionist rival inside the Executive where it would be bound by the convention of collective responsibility.

UUP supporters of going into opposition believe it would clearly distinguish the party from the DUP and improve its electoral chances.

If a deal is reached by the Secretary of State's January 13 deadline, the UUP executive and party officers - around 100 members in total - will decide its course.

Mr Beattie last night declined to comment but a party spokesman said: "The Ulster Unionist Party has not yet been presented with the text of a potential agreement to assess whether there is even a basis to re-enter the Northern Ireland Executive.

"Any final decision on whether we enter an Executive or not will be taken in accordance with the party rules."

Former UUP leader Mike Nesbitt led his party out of the Executive in 2015 after the IRA murder of Kevin McGuigan.

The following year, Stormont saw its first formal opposition when the UUP and SDLP declined to join the Executive.

Day two of the talks yesterday was described as "slow and frustrating" as meetings continued between the parties and Secretary of State Julian Smith and Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.

Asked about Irish language legislation, Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O'Neill said: "Clearly there will be an Irish Language Act as part of a deal. But what we need to see is a package of measures that allows public confidence to be generated again in our ability to deliver good politics.

"What success looks like to me is, yes, there will be an Irish Language Act and, yes, there will be a package of measures that looks at a range of issues."

DUP leader Arlene Foster refused to be drawn on whether there would be a standalone Irish Language Act in any deal.

"It appears that Michelle continues to reiterate her red lines, I would much prefer to look for common ground in relation to where we're going for the executive," she said. "I want a fair and balanced deal that respects everyone's identity in Northern Ireland." There was continuing disagreement between the DUP and the other parties on the petition of concern.

Ms O'Neill said: "There's been positive work done across four parties in the main around some of the issues around the petition of concern.

We have common ground in four parties and I hope at some stage the DUP will come onto the same ground as the rest of us in terms of wanting to make this assembly and executive work."

Sinn Fein has said its commitment to restoring devolution isn't at odds with its demand for a border poll. However, Mrs Foster has said this decade must be about building a successful Northern Ireland "at peace with itself".

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said: "Today has been a slow and frustrating day, but it's a day where we are still talking and still trying to come to an agreed conclusion. While the governments may be frustrated with us, we're frustrated with them and with each other, but we're not fighting, we're looking at detail. We're keeping going, there have been some positive and proactive conversations but we're just not there yet."

It is understood that the Secretary of State is not yet prepared to release any papers from the two governments on what a deal could look like. It could be Tuesday or Wednesday before parties have a chance to scrutinise any documents.

The UUP said it did not want to give false optimism over achieving a deal in the near future. "We are into another day of intensive talks, very much concentrating on the programme for government," Mr Aiken said.

"We must get Northern Ireland working again and we must concentrate on those issues to get Northern Ireland back up and running. Quite frankly, I don't know where we are."

Members of Irish language group Conradh na Gaeilge were left disappointed after a scheduled meeting with Mr Smith was postponed with 10 minutes' notice.
In this Monday, Dec. 30, 2019, aerial photo, wildfires rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale, Australia. Thousands of tourists fled Australia's wildfire-ravaged eastern coast Thursday ahead of worsening conditions as the military started to evacuate people trapped on the shore further south. AP





This picture taken on Dec. 31, 2019, shows a firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales. AFP



Australia ordered residents and tourists out of the path of raging bushfires Thursday as the country braced for a weekend heatwave expected to fan the deadly inferno.



Catastrophic blazes ripped through the country's south-east on New Year's Eve, killing at least eight people and stranding holidaymakers.



New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a seven-day state of emergency that allows for forced evacuations beginning Friday, for the third time in Australia's most populated region this fire season.



"We don't take these decisions lightly but we also want to make sure we're taking every single precaution to be prepared for what could be a horrible day on Saturday," she said.



It came as the NSW Rural Fire Service declared two "tourist leave zones" stretching almost 300 kilometres (186 miles) from the town of Nowra along the picturesque coast to neighbouring Victoria state, where people are also being urged to flee.



Residents and visitors in two inland areas  which include popular holiday resorts in the Snowy Mountains  were also told to leave, with people given less than 24 hours to evacuate before a heatwave brings gusting winds and temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).



That weather will create conditions officials say will be as bad as  if not worse than  Tuesday, the deadliest day in a months-long bushfire crisis.



At least 18 people are now known to have died in one of Australia's most devastating bushfire seasons yet, and there are growing fears the toll could rise dramatically, with officials in Victoria saying 17 people were missing in the state.





A dead Kangaroo is seen in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. AP



- Queue of cars -



Many tourists and residents spent two nights isolated with no electricity or telecommunications, before authorities on Thursday declared some roads safe to use.



NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance called it the "largest evacuation of people out of the region ever", with queues of cars reportedly stretching for kilometres along roads toward Sydney and Canberra as thousands fled.



One driver told AFP it had taken her three hours to travel just 50 kilometres (30 miles).



NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said firefighters would be unable to extinguish or even control the raging blazes.



"The message is we've got so much fire in that area, we have no capacity to contain these fires," he told ABC.



"We just need to make sure that people are not in front of them."



John Steele, 73, who lives outside the south coast town of Merimbula, told AFP some people were "panicking" amid the warnings to evacuate.



Steele said he and his wife were staying put for now, but added: "We have our bags packed."





Tourists walk with a dog through dense smoke from bushfires in front of the Batemans Bay bridge as cars line up to leave the town in New South Wales to head north on Jan. 2, 2020. AFP
A recap of the City Planning Commission hearing for the large new complex to be built on the rubble of Beth Hamedrash Hagadol synagogue on Norfolk Street. [Cityland]

A good question: Why is New York continuing to build so aggressively along the waterfront? [Curbed]

Ridership is up 23% on the Lower East Side ferry route this past fall compared with the fall of 2018, right after the new route launched. [AM New York]

The new Trader Joes on East 14th Street near Avenue A opens on Monday. [EV Grieve]

Robert Sietsema is impressed with the New Orleans-style bar food at Canary Club on Broome Street. [Eater]
Marilyn Lastmans husband Mel was Torontos first mega-mayor, but she captivated the city as colourfully as he did.

Marilyn Lastmans mysterious kidnapping riveted Toronto in 1973  a case never solved; she was an entrepreneur who aggressively fought the province over her selling speed-trap detecting Fuzzbusters in the late 70s; the theft of her $7,000 white mink coat from a parked, chauffeur-driven car made headlines in the mid-80s. She was also a dedicated fundraiser for charities, a devoted mother to two sons, had a rich sense of humour and was always candid about loving her wealthy, happy life.

Were proof that the great American dream is alive and living in North York and Im not ashamed, Lastman said in a 1988 Star profile. Then, the stylish woman added, cheekily: There are no skeletons in my closet  there are too many clothes.

Marilyn Lastman, a great-grandmother who married her high-school sweetheart, Mel, at age 18, died Wednesday night after a three-week illness. She was 84.

We lost a good one, said her son Blayne.

But you know what? She had the best life in the world and she appreciated every single person who was in it, continued Blayne, who runs the Bad Boy furniture and appliance empire his dad launched in 1955.

She met the Queen, she met the Pope, she appreciated every day, she travelled the world and we were so lucky to have had her (until) the age of 84.

The Lastmans other son is Dale, a Toronto-based corporate lawyer.

Mel and Marilyn Lastmans six-decade love story included chapters that, through their political lives, shaped Toronto.

Mel was the enormously popular mayor of North York from 1972 to 1997. When amalgamation blended surrounding independent boroughs with the old city of Toronto, Mel Lastman was elected the first mayor of the massive new Toronto in 1997. He served until 2003.

Paul Godfrey, a longtime friend and former political colleague, said Mel Lastmans successful mayoralty run as the first mega-mayor of Toronto was only possible with Marilyns encouragement and political savvy.

She was a rock-solid supporter of Mel, through good times, not-so-good (political) times, said Godfrey, a former Metro Toronto chairman.

Mel was a great mayor of Toronto but when others thought maybe it was time for him to retire (in 1998), Marilyn insisted, no, he had more to offer, continued Godfrey, the chair of Postmedia Network.

Mel relied on her wisdom, her strength (and) when he was down, she brought him back up again.

The Jan. 15, 1973, kidnapping was not an event the Lastmans discussed often, but Marilyn did open up to Toronto Star reporter Warren Gerard in 1998.

She describes being tricked into leaving the family home by someone posing as her husbands chauffeur, being blindfolded, and driven away. She was missing for about 10 hours before returning home. Questions remain about the bizarre abduction but Marilyn, who took and passed a lie-detector test, told Gerard she resents people who believe she made up the kidnapping story.

Another controversy involved an alleged shoplifting incident when, in April of 1999, Marilyn Lastman was arrested at a Vaughan mall Eatons, accused of stealing a pair of designer pants. She was not charged due to her age as well as no outstanding offences on her record, according to a York Region police report. The matter became public knowledge when Mel Lastman, then mayor of Toronto, confronted a journalist who had not yet reported the story.

Godfrey, when asked about how Marilyn Lastman handled touchy moments, like the kidnapping, that made the news, described her as a strong, capable woman who battled through her own controversies.

Marilyn had her own life. She was a personality by herself, he said. Thats why I call them the Dynamic Duo because there was a dynamic built into their DNA that suited both of them.

Blayne Lastman said his mother was his fathers strongest supporter  a partnership that led Blayne to share a fond family joke.

This is going to sound funny to you but she was the 51 per cent mayor from the years 1972 until the year 2003. And for my father, maybe well give him 49 per cent.

Blayne Lastman said when his father retired from politics in 2003, he witnessed his parents love for each other growing deeper.

Ive never seen my parents more in love than they were over the last 17 years, he said. And to see that, were blessed.

Mayor John Tory paid tribute to Lastman with a statement Thursday:

Marilyn Lastman's story is a wonderful story of family. Through every chapter, she was always as devoted to Mel as he was to her and together they raised a wonderful family of accomplishment and generosity, Tory said.

Marilyn Lastman will be greatly missed by many and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.

Over the last three weeks, Blayne Lastman said his mother battled a terrible infection that ended her life.

What happens when you get to the age when Gods ready, your organs start not functioning and thats what happened to my mother, he said of her hospitalization.

Her kidneys, her lungs, her liver were breaking down over the last three weeks but never did she not look as beautiful as she was.

Marilyn Lastmans funeral is Sunday, 2 p.m., at Benjamins Park Memorial Chapel, 2401 Steeles Ave. W.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2020 / Coldwell Banker Realtor Steve Gallagher pledges to donate $30,000 of his real estate commissions in 2020 to the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.

"For over 40 years, SFGMC, has been rehearsing in spaces all over the City, many of which were less than ideal for so many reasons. By purchasing this building, the group finally has a home that not only fills the needs for rehearsing the 300-member group but allows SFGMC to house their administrative offices. The building affords them the luxury of offering the space to other LGBTQ arts organizations and helps focus their mission of creating extraordinary music and experiences that build community, inspire activism, and foster compassion at home and around the world. The group does such great work, I just had to help," said Gallagher, who has sung with the 300-member San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) since 1993.

Gallagher, who was president of the chorus from 2011 to 2015, is pledging $30,000 from his commissions over the next year, with a percentage coming from each sale. Funds raised will help the SFGMC make improvements to and pay off the debt on the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts building. The SFGMC purchased the four-floor historic property at 170 Valencia, located near the Castro, last year.

Its capital campaign for the building is currently on track to be raised by early 2021, including an additional $1 million committed by the Board of Directors. To date, the SFGMC has raised $7,293,000 towards the campaign's goal. The building was purchased for $9.6 million, with a $5 million gift from one of the founding members of the group that was used as a down payment. The refurbishment of the building is expected to cost $3 million with administrative campaign costs running $100,000 in FY20 and FY21.

The building houses rehearsal and office space, conference rooms, and community engagement spaces. Given that SFGMC is deeply rooted in community, it is a space that can bring the chorus and community together for events such as master classes, lectures, symposia, and sing-ins for the community to join the chorus.

In addition to its season lineup, SFGMC, will also host a series of special events at the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts. The goal of its programming is to bring audience members closer to chorus members and renowned artists and innovative arts organizations.

To view the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts calendar of events, please visit https://www.sfgmc.org/arts-center-events.

Steve Gallagher, a San Francisco native, is a top-producing agent in the city. He has been selling real estate in San Francisco since 1995. Gallagher works with buyers and sellers throughout San Francisco, with an emphasis on residential real estate. His focus is on client care; assuring that the client is always put first and is successful in their real estate endeavors.

About Steve Gallagher, Coldwell Banker

As a current resident in San Francisco, Steve Gallagher is fully aware of the current market trends and what it takes to get a great deal on a listing or get top dollar for your current home. He applies his many connections in the San Francisco area to a process that is all about his clients' needs. For more information about San Francisco real estate, contact him at (415) 250-3779, or visit https://www.sfsteve.com. Steve's Coldwell Banker office is located at 1560 Van Ness Ave. 2nd Fl, San Francisco, CA 94109.

For media inquiries, please call THE NALA at 805-650-6121, ext. 361.

SOURCE: Steve Gallagher, Coldwell Banker

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/571861/Realtor-Steve-Gallagher-Helping-SFGMC-Raise-Funds-for-National-LGBTQ-Center-for-the-Arts
If your New Year's resolutions include "leadership--get better at it," publishers in 2020 have some refreshingly non-theoretical offerings: one about word choice and one that's a kind of lead-as-you-go field manual. Big names tackle big subjects (see Michael Porter on politics and Sylvia Ann Hewlett on #MeToo). And in a couple of juicy insider accounts, scrappy entrepreneurs take down enemies (Square beats Amazon) or are taken down by friends (Instagram's founders exit Facebook, stage left).

JANUARY

#MeToo in the Corporate World: Power, Privilege, and the Path Forward, by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

For decades Hewlett, an economist, has illuminated the practices and power structures obstructing women in the workplace. In #MeToo in the Corporate World she tackles the limitations and unintended consequences of the #MeToo movement, including male skittishness about mentoring or sponsoring junior women. That over-cautiousness, in turn, narrows the pipeline to the C-suite, where we need diversity to end this crap once and for all.

Sizing People Up: A Veteran FBI Agent's User Manual for Behavior Prediction, by Robin Dreeke and Cameron Stauth

The same tactics used to detect spies and criminals can be applied to the business world. Whom should I trust? Is this guy going to deliver? What did that comment in the meeting really mean? Is she seriously going to buy or is she stringing me along? Hiring and sales should benefit. Sizing People Up co-author Dreeke is a former head of the FBI's counterintelligence behavioral analysis program.

The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives, by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler

A gazillion books ponder the social and economic effects of disruptors like AI, virtual reality, 3-D printing, blockchain, robotics, and digital biology. What's intriguing about The Future Is Faster Than You Think is the speculation from Diamondis (executive chairman of Singularity University) and Kotler (a science journalist) about what happens when all that stuff starts coming together. The implication for extending lifetimes is especially intriguing.

Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual, by Jocko Willink

A field manual is perfect for new leaders, who have less time than anyone to wade through great big books on leadership. The military uses field manuals to provide simple, step-by-step instructions for coping with myriad unfamiliar situations. Willink, a onetime Navy Seal commander, takes that approach in Leadership Strategy and Tactics with subjects like dealing with imposter syndrome, doling out punishment, and giving feedback.

Competing in the Age of AI: Strategy and Leadership When Algorithms and Networks Run the World, by Marco Iansiti and Karim Lakhani

Just as the internet required a fundamental reinvention of business models, artificial intelligence challenges leaders to rethink everything about their organizations. AI processes are more scalable than human-powered ones; the technology creates more scope because it easily connects to other digital businesses; and it greatly amplifies learning and improvement. In Competing in the Age of AI, two Harvard Business School professors explain how to take advantage.

FEBRUARY

Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say and What You Don't, by L. David Marquet

Language is, arguably, the biggest leadership subject of all. Readers can apply lessons from Marquet, a nuclear-submarine-commander-turned-consultant, simply, immediately and every day. As Leadership Is Language demonstrates, Understanding distinctions between good and bad word choice and phrasing can improve the relationship between you and your team. For example: try delivering information ("I'll start again at 11 a.m.") instead of instruction ("Be back by 11 a.m.). See? Simple.

Experimentation Works: The Surprising Power of Business Experiments, by Stefan Thomke

Thirty years ago Peter Senge encouraged companies to become learning organizations. Now in Experimentation Works, a Harvard Business School professor gets more concrete, lauding the power of "experimentation organizations" in which everyone--not just R&D--constantly tests everything from new processes to new business models with scientific rigor. Thomke lays out best practices for creating a strong hypothesis, setting up control groups, and interpreting results. Can you tell a true positive or negative from a false one? Do you ever compare current practices to themselves? If not, you may be blowing it.

MARCH

Competition Overdose: How Free Market Mythology Transformed Us from Citizen Kings to Market Servants, by Maurice Stucke and Ariel Ezrachi

Conventional wisdom says competition is good. Fair enough. But more isn't always better. In fact, the proliferation of rivals sometimes hurts consumers, who pay less but also get less--unhealthy food, toxic drinking water, hidden fees, failing schools, and an internet stalked by advertisers. The authors, both professors of business law, explain in Competition Overdose how lobbyists, lawmakers, and business leaders conspire to push noxious competition and advocate for something nobler.

The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time, by Jim McKelvey

As co-founder of the small-merchant payment company Square, McKelvey spent the early days of his venture not getting killed by Amazon. Square was so good at not getting killed that it actually took out Amazon's rival service less than a year after its introduction. The company pulled that off using a strategy McKelvey calls the "innovation stack." Other successful startups have used it too, and the author explains how it works.

The Myth of Chinese Capitalism: The Worker, the Factory, and the Future of the World, by Dexter Roberts

China's manufacturing prowess is either threat or opportunity, depending where you live on the supply chain. But will it ultimately hoist that country to world domination? Maybe not, suggests business journalist Roberts. The Myth of Chinese Capitalism is a tale of two cities--impoverished Binghuacun, from which hordes of migrants depart; and industrial Guangdong, where hordes of migrants arrive. The struggles of families there predict rising social tension that endanger the giant's future.

APRIL

No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram, by Sarah Frier

Journalist Frier landed interviews with Instagram's founders, executives, and competitors to chronicle the company's meteoric growth as it hooked the world on visual storytelling, followed by its sale to and rocky relationship with Facebook. No Filter's publisher promises previously unreported dramatic details of Kevin Systrom's and Mike Krieger's departures from the company they spawned. Also: Marquee users like Anna Wintour and Kris Jenner discuss how they craft their personal brands.

Reprogramming the American Dream: From Rural America to Silicon Valley--Making AI Serve Us All, by Kevin Scott with Greg Shaw

Books on AI are proliferating so fast you'd think computers were churning them out. But Reprogramming the American Dream author Scott should have an interesting perspective. First, because he is CTO of Microsoft. Second, because he grew up in rural Virginia and understands how white-collar disruptions affect back-roads populations. Scott advocates international policy collaboration similar to that focused on climate change, space exploration, and public health.

Always Day One: How the Tech Titans Plan to Stay on Top Forever, by Alex Kantrowitz

The title, of course, refers to Jeff Bezos's dictum that Amazon employees approach each day like the first day of a startup. Kantrowitz, a BuzzFeed journalist, discusses Bezos, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Google's Sundar Pichai, and other leaders of the colossi that--for good and ill--dominate our lives and economy. In Always Day One he explains how such companies maintain a constant state of urgency and reinvention to avoid stasis and irrelevancy. And he suggests how startups might try to change that.

MAY

The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy, by Katherine M. Gehl and Michael E. Porter

Remember when it was fashionable to argue that government should be run like a business? Even if government isn't a company, politics is an industry, and a singularly destructive one with its own skewed forms of competition. In The Politics Industry, HBS professor Porter--creator of the seminal "Five Forces" strategy--joins activist Gehl to explain what happens when competing parties control the rules of competition and how citizens can help fix the system.

JUNE

Billion Dollar Burger: Inside Big Tech's Race for the Future of Food, by Chase Purdy

As meatless meat colonizes even the shores of fast food, Purdy, a writer for Quartz, reports on the potentially planet-changing disruption that may stave off hunger, endanger farm economies, and make some folks very rich. Billion Dollar Burger's center is Josh Tetrick, CEO of a Silicon Valley company developing meat from cell cultures. Tetrick, who is beset by hungry competitors, is a fascinating guy who previously took on Big Condiments with vegan mayonnaise.

Humanocracy: Creating Organizations as Amazing as the People Inside Them, by Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini

Hooray that business authors now talk less about managing workforces and more about managing individuals. In Humanocracy, London Business School professor Hamel and McKinsey alum Zanini lay out the costs of dehumanizing workers in the interest of control and explain how to achieve the benefits of coordination and consistency while letting employees be themselves.

Correction: A previous version of this article erroneously stated that author Alex Kantrowitz interviewed Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai for his book Always Day One.

EXPLORE MORE Best in Business COMPANIES
Former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon on Friday said the government's amendment to the Citizenship Act was a "self-inflicted goal" which has "isolated" India and resulted in the country being "hyphenated" with Pakistan as an "intolerant" state.

Speaking at a press conference here where a number of academicians discussed the adverse implications of the contentious law which has led to nationwide protests, Menon said India has "gifted" its adversaries "platforms to attack us".

"What we have achieved in the recent past is to hyphenate our (India's) image with Pakistan in a fundamental way, which is an intolerant state," said the former National Security Adviser.

Responding to a question on whether these moves would affect India's foreign policy, Menon said, "In diplomacy, you don't have to tell the truth. So the calculation of the countries would be how they can promote their interests. They will not fight for your human rights. So, we have given them a platform to use, a lever, to pressure us to get what they want. This, I think, was unnecessary and a self-inflicted goal".

He said the perception of the country has changed after the controversial amendment to the citizenship law was passed.

"India has isolated itself through the move and the list of critical voices in the international community is also pretty long now. Perception of India has changed in the last few months. Even our friends have been taken aback," Menon said.

Referring to Bangladesh Home Minister ?Asaduzzaman Khan's response that "let them fight amongst themselves" when asked about CAA and NRC, Menon said, "If this is how our friends feel, think of how happy this will make our adversary".

He said the global opinion was on India's side when it assisted the formation of Bangladesh.

"What is happening now is quite another scenario. We are increasingly being isolated, we have no international support apart from a section of Indian diaspora and some extreme right Members of the European Parliament," he said.

Menon served as National Security Adviser under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He had previously served as Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

He noted that several world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and chiefs of UN bodies on human rights and refugees, were critical of the recent moves and referred to international conventions on human rights, civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights.

"What the world thinks matters more to us now than ever before. But we seem determined with actions like these (CAA) to cut off and isolate ourselves. That is no good to anybody," he said.

Expressing concern that India now seems to be in violation of international covenants, he said, "Those who think that international laws cannot be enforced, they must consider political and other consequences of being perceived as violators of international conventions".

Menon also referred to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's cancellation of a scheduled meeting with a US congressional delegation over the presence of Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who has been critical of the Indian government.

"Rather than attending the meeting and putting forth India's views, we chose to duck," he said.

The United Nations Security Council discussed Kashmir for the first time in 40 years following the scrapping of special status to Jammu and Kashmir, Menon said.

He also expressed concern over the breaking of bipartisan consensus in the US on India with actions like Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Howdy Modi' event in Houston when he said 'Ab ki baar, Trump Sarkar'.

According to the CAA, non-Muslim refugees who came to India till December 31, 2014, to escape religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will be given Indian citizenship.

Speaking at the event, another retired diplomat -- Deb Mukherji -- who served as India's ambassador to Bangladesh, said though it was true that Hindus have been persecuted, it was not to the extent that has been presented by the government.

He said certain prominent persons have also been suitably punished in that country for committing crimes against Hindus.

Others who spoke at the event at the Press Club were academicians included Zoya Hasan, Niraja Jayal and Faizan Mustafa among others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"To women of all ages. The journey is yours; the mountains, hills, valleys, or peaks you travel are yours to determine, whatever the means you choose, whether you soar, run or walk.





These words of encouragement form part of the preface to "Transitioning into Womanhood, a literary work by Vincentian Codisha Matthews, which the author describes as a journey to self-realization.





Matthews inspiration for writing the book, she said, came out of the experience of tremendous struggle at a particular time in her life. She recalled having a very tempered grandmother from whom she had drawn phenomenal strength as she grew up. In 2000, therefore, when she left for Trinidad and Tobago to begin her studies, she assured herself that she would be sufficiently able to cope with the vagaries of life she would encounter. She was so wrong!





Lifes struggles, from the death of three family members in quick succession, the troublesome transitioning from job to job, and an engagement that was broken off, told her another story.





"There was so much going on, and I felt that I didnt have the tools or the knowledge to get through that period, she acknowledged.





Transitioning into Womanhood, therefore, detailed the anger Matthews felt and the extreme change she experienced in spite of herself.





Her journey to self-actualization will show how she regained her stability and channeled her new-found passion into a literary work. In her own words, "Before I can give it, I had to live it! was the rationale for writing the book.





This avid page-turner edition will keep readers on their feet as the author explores the transition: The Qualities Representative of a Woman; Loving Yourself; Personal Growth and Development; Personal Morals and Values; Financial Growth and Well-being; Your health and Physical Fitness; Relationships; and Exploring the Spiritual you  Getting in Touch with God.





The transition begins with the cover of the book; it displays the transitioning of a female  from a childhood, through the searching of adolescence, through the contrived complacency of adulthood, then to the assured confidence and self-actualization of maturity.





The books layout is very inviting with easy-to-manoeuvre line spacing, and font style and size. The content organization also makes for reader friendliness with its bullet points for poignantly noteworthy information, and bold lettering for phrases that should catch the readers attention.





Transitioning into Womanhood will make an excellent read for anyone who has been through a struggle. As the epilogue states, "It doesnt matter what stage you are at today or what choices you made yesterday; what matters is your attention and efforts to ground yourself now, and in the future.




Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Friday appealed to people not to fill NPR form and instead seek employment from the government.



Addressing a press conference here, Yadav claimed that National Population Register (NPR) was "against the poor and Muslim brothers" and said that BJP was" deliberately talking about Citizenship Amendment Act, NRC, and NPR to divert the attention of people.

"The BJP is deliberately talking about CAA and NPR. It takes such decisions to divide society and to benefit politically. The NPR is against the poor and Muslims of the country. I have decided that I will not fill the NPR form. Now ask the government what punishment I will face for not filling the NPR. I will appeal to people not to fill NPR," he said.

The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh also called upon people, especially youth, to ask for employment rather than fill NPR form. "No NPR, we need employment," he said.

Yadav said his party members will ride on bicycles across Uttar Pradesh to appeal to people seek employment opportunities from the government.

"The country's economy is in the ICU, electricity prices are going up in Uttar Pradesh but the government is diverting attention from the main issues," he said.

Yadav had earlier said that he will be the first person not to fill NPR form. He had said that no one from BJP can decide whether "we are citizens or not and if the need arises, I will be the first one who will not fill any form". The NPR is a register of usual residents of the country. (ANI)


HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong police arrested about 400 people in New Year's Day protests after what started as a peaceful pro-democracy march of tens of thousands spiraled into chaotic scenes with police firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The arrests take the total to about 7,000 since protests in the city escalated in June over a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extradition to mainland China, and will highlight the apparent absence of any progress towards ending the unrest.

The tension on Wednesday rose after some arrests were made in the Wan Chai bar district near a branch of global banking group HSBC <0005.HK>, which has been the target of protester anger in recent weeks.

When scuffles broke out, large numbers of black-clad protesters rushed to the scene while other protesters formed human chains to pass them various supplies including bricks, forcing police to bring in their own reinforcements.

Police then asked organizers to call off the march early and crowds eventually dispersed as a water cannon truck and scores of police in riot gear patrolled the streets late into the evening.

Jimmy Sham, one of the leaders of the Civil Human Rights Front that organized the march, criticized the police decision to get the crowd to disperse at such short notice and said they had arrested protesters indiscriminately.

Police told media on Thursday they had arrested 420 people over the New Year holiday, most on New Year's Day, with 287 of them in one sweep for illegal assembly, including a 12-year old.

Police said they only made the arrests on Wednesday after they notified the march organizers and gave sufficient time for demonstrators to leave. Four officers were injured during the day, they said.

Organizers estimated that just over one million people took part in the New Year's Day march. Police put the number at 60,000 at its peak.

Over the months, the protests have evolved into a broad movement pushing for full democracy in the Chinese-ruled city and an independent investigation into complaints of police brutality. Police maintain they act with restraint.

Story continues

Arrests were also made on New Year's Eve, when protesters briefly occupied a major road on the Kowloon peninsula as crowds of thousands counted down to midnight along the Victoria harbor.

Some protesters allege HSBC was complicit in action by the authorities against activists trying to raise money to support their campaign. The bank denies any involvement.

(Reporting by Donny Kwok, Jessie Pang and Twinnie Siu; Writing by Marius Zaharia and Mari Saito; Editing by Robert Birsel)
Veteran war reporter Lara Logan and her production staff were surrounded by Mexican cops and warned to get out the town where they were investigating sex trafficking - or potentially face violence.

Logan was reporting on the sex trafficking industry in the city of Tenacingo in October 2019, accompanied by two Homeland Security agents, when their convoy of three SUVs were stopped and blocked in by local police pickup trucks at a quiet intersection.

Police told the journalist and the agents that mobs had formed at either end of the narrow street they were driving down, after word of the presence of strangers with video cameras spread throughout the town of 11,000, according to Fox News.

Scroll down for video

Veteran war reporter Lara Logan (right) was forced to abandoned Tenacingo after her convoy of three SUVs was stopped by Mexican police

Tenacingo Municipal Police agents were captured intercepting a convoy of SUVs transporting Fox veteran war correspondent Lara Logan while she was covering a sex trafficking story in Mexico back in October 2019

A Homeland Security Investigations agent (left) talks to a cop from Tenacingo Municipal Police Department who advised the Fox crew to flee the city which is notoriously known to be a hotbed for sex-trafficking organizations

Gus, a HSI agent who is based out of Mexico City and whose real identity was withheld for security reasons, subsequently stepped out of the vehicle and spoke to the police officers while Thomas Countermine, a supervisory special agent, remained inside with reporter and the crew.

'We've been asked to depart the area. About a week ago, they did lynch a couple of people that were here, just asking around about the town,' Gus says in the video.

Logan then asked the federal agent if there was any validity to the police officers' claim, to which Gus responded with a stern 'yes.'

'And he's asked me to calmly leave the area,' Gus added.

The Tenacingo police escorted them to the city limits, where matters got worse. HSI agent Gus got them far away from the town to avoid the situation from escalating.

According to Mexican newspaper Excelsior, two siblings were beaten to death by several hundred people September 7 after they were spotted in a car thought to have been the same vehicle used to kidnap a woman a day earlier.

Logan, previously a reporter for CBS News' '60 Minutes', chief foreign correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent reporting from battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq, was in Tenacingo to film the first part of her upcoming series, 'Lara Logan Has No Agenda' on Fox Nation.

The series focuses on immigration, socialism, media bias and veterans.

Logan was shocked when a Homeland Security Investigations relayed a message from a Mexican police officer instructing the reporter and her crew to immediately abandon the city of Tenacingo or risk being lynched

Homeland Security Investigations agent identified as Gus (pictured), for security reasons, informed Fox veteran war reporter Lara Logan that they were being ordered to leave the city or risk the chance of being attacked by local residents in Tenacingo, Mexico, a town known for trafficking women to the United States for sex work

Tenacingo, located approximately 60 miles south of Mexico City, the town slowly transformed itself as a top source for human trafficking to the United States.

In June 2014, a New York federal court convicted 16 people, including Isaias and Bonifacio Flores-Mendez, two brothers from Mexico, to life in prison after they were found guilty of operating a human smuggling network that was linked back to Tenacingo.

Veteran war reporter Lara Logan was forced to abandoned Tenacingo, a town of 11,000 residents just south of Mexico City, in October 2019 after her convoy of three SUVs was spotted by angry residents while they were covering a sex trafficking story for an upcoming series on Fox Nation. Local cops escorted the correspondent and her production staff out of the city limits

More than 400 women, including a 17-year-old girl, were victimized by the ring operators before their ring was broken up in April 2013

The teenager told investigators the smugglers got her and her baby across the Mexico-United States border.

She was moved into a home in Queens and had to sleep under a kitchen table in an apartment. She had to pay $200 a month in rent and $50 per week for food.

The traffickers forced her to have sex with up to 35 men a day who traveled as far as Philadelphia to do so. She was nearly killed after she escaped from the two brothers.

The illicit human trafficking business became a cash cow for the smugglers.

Prosecutors said the women were reportedly enslaved in underground sex parlors throughout the New York City area and were ferried out to farms in New Jersey where they were forced to carry out sexual encounters with at least 24 migrant workers per day.

The sex acts took place in the fields and the men shelled out at least $30 for 15 minutes of sex.

'Millions and millions and millions of dollars, hundreds, probably thousands of women have come from Tenacingo to our area in the United States,' Countermine told Logan moments before they were forced to flee the city

'[They] send money back and basically built this town.'
Title: Program Manager

ABOUT VILLAGEREACH

VillageReach transforms health care delivery to reach everyone. Our vision is a world where every person has the health care needed to thrive. Our programs focus building people-centered health systems that make sure health products and services are available when and where they are needed, with a focus on developing scalable, high-impact solutions. We are driven by a passion for collaboration and partnership, as we believe strongly that collective action is the only way to achieve sustainable change. Our work improves the lives of more than 35 million people in sub-Saharan Africa. VillageReach in incorporated in Washington State and has offices in Seattle (USA), Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, and Mozambique.

DESCRIPTION

Summary

VillageReach is looking for a qualified individual to fill the position of Program Manager for its DRC office. The position will be based in Kinshasa, with frequent domestic travels. The Program Manager will lead the supply chain activities with the government and other technical partners. He/she will assist the Country Director with project oversight, coordination and reporting and be responsible for developing and updating strategic and operational planning and will ensure all projects and deployment plans are timely and efficiently executed. The Program Manager will facilitate transparent and timely communication between all partners through quarterly meetings, reports, and ad hoc meetings as necessary.

Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

Provide leadership in supply chain activities, including the design of optimized supply chain systems, systems strengthening, capacity building and mentoring.

Provide technical support to Provincial Coordinators and ensure quality of their outputs, including review of their deliverables, work plans, dashboards and reports.

Work closely with team members, government programs such as PEV, PNAM, PNSR, national and provincial authorities, DPS, districts health workers to meet the organizational objectives.

Develop relationships with key stakeholders in the public health supply chain and establish yourself as a respected and trusted specialist on supply chain issues.

Develop project management mechanisms, processes and tools and ensure an efficient tracking and reporting of activities in a timely manner.

Participate in the scoping and development of new grants that will deliver transformational change in DRC and other countries.

Contribute to establish a culture of trust for VillageReach build on excellence, collaboration and information sharing among partners as well as strong governance and accountability to the project.

Represent VillageReach in partners meetings, technical working groups, committees, government forums, and conferences as relevant.

Complete any other tasks appointed by the Country Director

Competencies:

The following competencies reflect what is expected of all VillageReach employees; including examples of how one might demonstrate each of these competencies in ones role.

Personal Motivation and Drive: Is self-directed in ones approach to work, but asks for help when needed; holds oneself accountable; undertakes self-development activities; seeks to build and master new skills; looks for and takes advantage of opportunities within the organization

Collaboration & Effective Communication: Establishes and maintains effective relations with coworkers, partners & stakeholders and external parties; works collaboratively with others to accomplish organizational and team goals and objectives; works actively to resolve conflicts; expresses ideas and thoughts effectively; selects and uses appropriate communication methods and maintains meaningful communication with virtual coworkers and other parties to keep them informed

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: Takes personal responsibility for and supports others across the organization in creating and sustaining a diverse work environment where individuals are welcomed, valued, respected and supported; personally committed to attaining cultural competency including self-awareness of ones own attitudes about culture and cross-cultural interactions; exhibits the willingness and ability to engage openly and respectfully around issues of race, colonialism, identity and culture; upholds equity in access to sharing of information, ideas, and opportunities throughout VillageReach

Commitment to Excellence: Produces a high output of work, both in terms of quality and quantity; looks for ways to improve and promote quality; monitors work to ensure quality; has a personal commitment to the mission of VillageReach

Solution Orientation & Innovation: Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how to best achieve them; gets the job done; sees opportunities for creative problem-solving while staying within the parameters of good practice; sees old problems in new ways and has novel approaches to solving those problems; contributes original and/or resourceful ideas to their area of responsibility; is able to consider and articulate risks and consequences of proposed innovations and factor these into decision-making

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:

Experience in Health System Strengthening Initiatives: Experience working with the DRCs health system and working with a variety of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, PEV, PNAM, PNSR, etc.

Thorough knowledge and experience in the areas of supply chain of vaccines and other health commodities.

Experience in Project/Program management: Familiar with program and project management principles and strategies.

Coalition Building. Experience in working with government, donors, NGO and development agency in Africa to influence change.

Resource management: The candidate will assist the Country Director to ensure appropriate resources (human, financial, material) are allocated for project execution. He will report on any constraint and risk is associated and will propose

Communication and interpersonal skills. Strong communication and cross-cultural management. Persuasive written and verbal communication. Open mindedness to accommodate the non-traditional mix of disciplines within the team and interpersonal skills to work effectively in partnership with both the private and public sectors and academics on the project and externally.

Writing and analytical skills. Superb writing skills and the ability to assemble distill and analyze all necessary information for decision-making, presentations and reports.

Problem solving, creative thinking, and analytical skills. Ability to anticipate and make smart and consensual decisions under pressure. Ability and confidence to identify and recommend creative solutions to a diverse group of stakeholders. Identifies both opportunities and needs for change. Ability to identify issues or problems and provide a respective solution that is feasible and acceptable to the local context. Explores and shares innovative best practices with others.

Commitment to the mission. Passion for the mission, including strong commitment to global health, and a belief in the role of private sector solutions to public health systems.

Personal qualities. Energy, intelligence, diplomacy, proactivity, sound practical judgment and the ability to work independently without supervision.

Further Requirements

Congolese national, lawful resident or possessing a legal work permit.

A Masters degree or higher in supply chain management, project management, public policy, resource management, public administration, public health, or related field.

8+ years of experience working in development organizations, with familiarity of donor reporting mechanisms and with a focus on health systems strengthening programs.

Excellent command of Microsoft Office 2016 or 2013 (with focus on Excel, Word and PowerPoint). A test will be conducted to assess

Excellent written and verbal communication in French and English.

Solid programmatic, financial, and organizational planning skill is highly desirable.

Ability to work collaboratively and collegially in an inter-agency and geographically dispersed team

Ability to be self-directed, prioritize and perform multiple tasks, problem-solve, and work under pressure;

Ability to travel domestically and internationally

This is a full time position that requires 100% availability of the selected candidate.



Environment and Physical Demands

VillageReach has no private offices, employees work in a shared, open environment with task and conference rooms accessible to employees for privacy and meetings. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Due to the time zone differences between our Seattle office and our Country Offices and location of other global staff, US based staff are expected to be available for early morning meetings starting at 6am. In addition, our global HQ and Country office staff are expected to be available for late afternoon/evening meetings up to 6pm.



APPLICATION INFORMATION:

This is an immediate hire and therefore resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 20 January 2020. To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter [plus any other desired materials] to our online portal: https://www.villagereach.org/join-us/

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION:

VillageReach is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to workforce diversity. We believe that diverse, equitably weighted perspectives foster an organizational capacity to create novel solutions that improve health in the most underserved and hard-to-reach areas. To align our values, innovations and impact, VillageReach is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse global workforce.

Compensation:

VillageReach has an established compensation structure that is based on the relevant market and internally transparent. We hire people into the established range based on ones experience and education and considering internal equity. We do not inquire about salary history.
Campus News

Brother and sister scholars continue lifelong academic connection

Lisa Gagnon and her brother, Stephen, have performed together with high school and college orchestras  Lisa on cello and Stephen on string bass  and support each other in their individual endeavors as UB graduate students. Photo: Douglas Levere

By CHARLES ANZALONE

I think we sometimes overlook the outstanding graduate students here at UB. Both attended UB for their undergraduate degrees. They then decided to enroll in UB graduate programs and have been recognized for their academic excellence through prestigious fellowships. 

Lisa Gagnon and her brother, Stephen Gagnon, both UB graduate students, have always been close.

Years ago as kids, there was what they called toy mixing, using what we had and putting their LEGOs, Barbie toys and stuffed animals together to create adventure stories, guiding their stuffed animals through basement explorations in their parents home.

They performed together in high school and college orchestras  Lisa on her cello and Stephen on string bass. They took AP courses together. Lisa would routinely wander into her brothers bedroom and get him to talk about his science work, and he would ask about her language studies.

So its natural that common thread continues. After earning UB undergraduate degrees, they continue to build successful graduate careers at the university, very close to their familys house on Willow Green Drive in Amherst.

Its fun, says Lisa, 25, who just finished her first semester in the Graduate School of Educations Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) program. Its definitely nice to have someone not from your program to talk about things. Especially when the only people you are interacting with are doing the same thing you are.

Stephen, 23, is another promising student who dreamed of fantastic spaceships in science fiction stories and is now pursuing science and reality in the UB Nanosatellite Laboratory overseen by John L. Crassidis, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. Currently pursuing a PhD in aerospace engineering focusing on dynamics and control, Stephen knows that Lisas impromptu drop-ins in his room at home help him study and stay well-adjusted.

They usually start with her asking What are you doing? Stephen says. And I will give her some explanation that she needs to ask a bunch of questions about because I dont always have a good laymans explanation ready to go. Its definitely necessary because otherwise I would just sit there and work for a long time.

It hasnt changed much, being in graduate school, Lisa says.
At least 65 people, mainly Crimean Tatars, who are involved in the so-called "Hizb ut-Tahrir case," are accused of terrorist articles.

Head of the Crimean Human Rights group Olga Skripnik says at least 89 people are held in Russian prisons on "Crimean cases."

Read alsoCrimean Tatars' Chubarov furious over lack of Crimea prisoners on swap list

"Both Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians are among them. At least 65 people, mainly Crimean Tatars, who are involved in the so-called 'Hizb ut-Tahrir case,' are accused of terrorist articles. Speaking about Ukrainians, for example, activist Oleh Prykhodko, who was detained this year, is also among them. There are also so-called 'Ukrainian saboteurs,'" she told UATV, the group wrote on Facebook.

According to Skripnik, the rights of these people are grossly violated, since the evidence of their guilt has been falsified and they are illegally imprisoned.
Nirupa Sampath By

Express News Service

CUDDALORE: A 24-year-old woman, who had a stomach infection after caesarean delivery at the Virudhachalam Government Hospital on December 27 and was brought to JIPMER in Puducherry, died on Wednesday night. Her relatives staged a protest outside Virudhachalam Government Hospital on Thursday, alleging that the doctors there had left a surgical sponge inside her stomach during the surgery, leading to her death.

According to the Virudhachalam police, Priya, wife of Rajakumar of Kalarkuppam near Virudhachalam, was admitted to the Virudhachalam Government Hospital on December 27. She had undergone a caesarean and delivered a baby girl the same night. However, after two days, she complained of severe pain and was referred to JIPMER hospital in Puducherry on December 31, a police officer inquiring into the case said.

Speaking to Express, a source from the JIPMER management said, The patient, while visiting the hospital on December 31, had severe infection and pus in the abdomen area. So we requested her relatives to file a medico-legal case before performing any procedure. Subsequently, she was operated upon and a surgical sponge was found in the stomach that might have been left during the caesarean. The patient died at 8 pm on Wednesday.

When her relatives were informed about this, they staged a protest outside the Virudhachalam hospital, demanding action against the doctors. ACP Elogovan and tahlisdar Kaviarasu promised to take action, after which the protesters left.

Docs at GH shift blame to JIPMER

Doctors at the Virudhachalam hospital refused to take responsibility for the death, saying, The victim was taken to another hospital, and she died due to failure of treatment there. The doctors here cannot be held responsible.

On the other hand, PN Ramesh Babu, Joint Director, Health Services, Cuddalore, said, We have asked for a detailed report from JIPMER and will take action accordingly. However, the patient requested that she be referred to JIPMER. On that day, she did not have any infection.

A police officer said, An autopsy has been conducted at JIPMER. We will inquire into the case and take appropriate action.
Oil prices rose and most major global stock markets declined after the shock of a U.S. attack that killed the most important Iranian military commander, Qassem Soleimani in Iraq late Thursday, Radio Farda reports.

Brent crude rose less than three dollars per barrel or around five percent, which is not a big surge given the potential of military escalation in the Persian Gulf region. Brent initially rose $3 but later pulled back to $68.70 per barrel at midday European time.
RESPONDENTS Ricardo S. Macapagal and 12 others were employed by petitioner Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines Inc. (Company) at its manufacturing plant in San Fernando City, Pampanga, as part of the Product Availability Group (PAG). In January 2011, the Company announced its plan to abolish PAG, together with all of its warehouses and the positions under it, including those held by respondents and outsource its remaining functions to The Redsystem Company Inc. (TRCI).

Thereafter, respondents received letters terminating their employment due to redundancy effective March 1, 2011. Thus, they filed a complaint for illegal dismissal, arguing that the redundancy program was done in bad faith to undermine their security of tenure. They also alleged that TRCI is not an independent contractor as it is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

For its part, the Company denied respondents claims. It averred that it is engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling carbonated drinks and other beverage items nationwide while PAGs work involved coordination with the external distribution channels. To improve operation efficiency and effectiveness, the Company resolved to outsource all of its distribution and coordination efforts under PAG to an independent contractor, TRCI. Proper notices were given to respondents and to the Department of Labor and Employment. It gave more than the required separation pay and other benefits to respondents who in turn voluntarily executed their respective notarized waiver and quitclaim.

Does this defense find merit?

Ruling: Yes.

Redundancy is an authorized cause for termination of employment under Article 29832 (formerly, Article 283) of the Labor Code. It exists when the services of an employee are in excess of what is reasonably demanded by the actual requirements of the enterprise. It can be due to a number of factors, such as the overhiring of workers, a decrease in the volume of business or the dropping of a particular line or service previously manufactured or undertaken by the enterprise. The determination of whether the employees services are no longer necessary or sustainable, and therefore, properly terminable for redundancy, is an exercise of business judgment. In making such decision, however, management must not violate the law nor declare redundancy without sufficient basis.

Story continues

To ensure that the dismissal is not implemented arbitrarily, jurisprudence requires the employer to prove, among others, its good faith in abolishing the redundant positions as well as the existence of fair and reasonable criteria in the selection of employees who will be dismissed from employment due to redundancy. Such fair and reasonable criteria may include, but are not limited to: (a) less preferred status, i.e., temporary employee; (b) efficiency; and (c) seniority.

To establish good faith, the employer must provide substantial proof that the services of the employees are in excess of what is required of the company. In San Fernando Coca-Cola Rank-and-File Union v. Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines Inc., G.R. 200499, Oct. 4, 2017, 842 SCRA I, (San Fernando), wherein the same company involved in this case terminated the employment of 27 employees due to the phasing out of two selling and distribution systems, the Court held that the redundancy program was valid as it was based on a careful study on how to simplify the multi-layered distribution system and make the business operations more cost effective.

Since the market execution partners or dealership system incurs the lowest cost-to-serve, the other distribution systems had to be phased out, resulting in the termination of the employees, as what happened in this case. The Court ruled that the phasing out of distribution systems was an exercise of management prerogative and there was no proof that it was exercised in a malicious or arbitrary manner.

Similarly, in this case, the Court finds that the termination of respondents was due to the simplification of the distribution systems in the Company, considering that PAGs work primarily involved coordination for the Companys finished products to reach the distribution channels for delivery to the customers. Since the Companys operating income still posted negative figures despite improvement in sales volumes in 2007, management further reviewed the Companys distribution channels to identify areas where cost may be reduced, as well as opportunities to enhance operational efficiency.

Based on this study, the Company resolved to abolish all positions under PAG, including those which were previously held by respondents. Since all PAG positions were abolished, the CA erred in ruling that the Company still needed to choose who among the employees should be dismissed, to which the fair and reasonable criteria requisite is pertinent. (Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines Inc. vs. Ricardo S. Macapagal, et al. G.R. 232669, July 29, 2019).
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Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Habib Jemli announced on Thursday the lineup of his government that will be submitted to the parliament for approval.

The new cabinet is composed of 42 members, including 25 ministers, three ministers to the prime minister, and 14 secretaries of state.

Imed Derouiche will be the defense minister, Sofiene Sliti, the interior minister, Khaled Sehili, the foreign minister, and Abderrahmen Khachtali, the finance minister.

Jemli, designated prime minister by the Islamist party Ennahdha, said that he was "confident" that this cabinet lineup would be approved by the parliament.

Ennahdha won the right to form a government after garnering 52 seats of the 217-member parliament in the legislative elections on Oct. 6 to become the leading party.

Jemli pledged earlier to form a government of independents to overcome the frictions among different parties over the lineup of the new government.
Mandy Moore plays Americas favorite TV mom, Rebecca Pearson, on NBCs This Is Us. In real life, Moore is happily married, preparing for her first tour in more than a decade. However, despite her rising fame and continued success, the actress cant seem to shake rumors she previously went under the knife. Heres how Moore feels about the headlines.

Mandy Moore is giddy with excitement for whats to come

Mandy Moore attends the Premiere Of Lionsgates Midway at Regency Village Theatre on November 05, 2019, in Westwood, California | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Over the holidays, Mandy Moore and husband, Taylor Goldsmith, took a dream vacation to Ecuador. The trip quickly turned sour when the pair fell violently ill with food poisoning. Moore posted photos to her Instagram page, including the happy couples matching IVs, after they cut the trip short and went home.

Sometimes things dont go according to plan. For someone slightly type A (like myself), its challenging not drive myself absolutely crazy when things veer in a different direction, she captioned the photo. I love an end of year lesson (one that Ive encountered a million times before and will again, btw). Wasnt meant to be.

Theyre on the mend now, proven by Moores decade challenge post, which is a slide show of her best moments from 2009-2019. Among the pictures are she and Goldsmith, her close-knit group of friends, and of course, her This Is Us costars.

There is a lot to ruminate on with the simultaneous end of year/end of decade combo. Its easily been the most challenging and rewarding of my life. The first half of the decade was tricky but also an incubator of fundamental growth that paved the way for the latter half, she captioned the post.

I am truly grateful for the multitudes but definitely giddy with excitement for all that 2020 (and beyond) will usher inWishing you all and yours a happy, healthy and fruitful New Year and Decade! Oh and here are some highlights of my 2019. Thanks for coming along for the ride, friends!!

Did Moore have plastic surgery?

In a recently resurfaced interview, Moore spoke about the swirling rumors saying shed had plastic surgery. In her own words, she set the record straight.

I remember seeing some blog post that said I got a nose job, Moore told PopSugar. I was like, Thats weird  my nose is pretty imperfect. I have a crinkled part underneath the bridge of my nose and I remember laughing like, I feel like I would have fixed that had I had a nose job I dont know, maybe it was just a weird picture or weird makeup or shading or something.

She continued: People think everyone in Hollywood has had a nose job or some work done, but its not always true. People are going to believe what they want, and thats fine.

Moore sets the tone for anyone in fear of aging

In that same interview, Moore elaborated on the subject of plastic surgery adding, its everyones prerogative.

If having work done is going to make somebody feel better about themselves, then more power to them.

As an actress who plays a role in This Is Us that transforms between various decades, Moore said the aging process is a beautiful thing, and something to be embraced.

Ive loved getting older. I wouldnt go back to my 20s if you paid me, she said. I love being at this stage of my life and the wisdom and clarity that comes with it. Its fun to look at pictures of myself and see the little lines around my eyes and see my smile lines  I feel like Ive lived a full and happy life and thats just another indication of it.

Clearly Moore has her priorities intact. Fans will enjoy watching her as matriarch Pearson when This Is Us returns Tuesday, January 14 at 9 p.m. on NBC.
Features Mysterious Signs of Impending China-Backed Railway Worry Villagers in Myanmars Shan State

The towns of Muse, Myanmar (foreground) and Ruili, China (background), as seen from Muse in Shan State. / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

LASHIO, Shan StateEarly one morning in late April, U Khu Phan was taken aback when some villagers showed up at his house with puzzled, worried looks on their faces.

The local residents told the village administrator they had found a concrete block embedded in the ground in the middle of their village.

Running to the location, he found the concrete block fixed in the ground nearly 30 feet from his home. It is also just 46 feet from a natural spring on which more than 1,000 residents of three villages rely for their drinking water, agriculture and daily use.

The block turned out to be a marker for the proposed route of a nearly 414-kilometer-long, China-backed railway that will link Kunming, the capital of Chinas Yunnan Province, and Mandalay, the second-largest economic hub in Myanmar. The 13-inch-thick object used the Global Positioning System (GPS) system to provide geographical information.

U Khu Phan did not know when the concrete block had been placed there, though he and some village administrators had been summoned to spend several weeks helping Chinese surveyors conduct a ground survey for the Muse-Mandalay railway project.

General Administration Department (GAD) staff and ethnic organizations received an order in early April informing them that they would be required to cooperate with the surveyors and help them measure and observe the railway route from Mandalay to Muse.

In our estimation, the railway will definitely pass through the middle of our village. So, it will divide the village, said U Khu Phan, administrator of Nam Hu village in the Nam Tun village tract in Lashio Township.

Situated beside the Muse-Lashio highway, Nam Hu has existed for nearly seven decades, with Shan and Kachin ethnic people living together peacefully. With more than 200 households in the village,

the majority of the people have made a living from subsistence agriculture and animal husbandry for generations.

Some villagers grow seasonal crops and corn to sell to China via Lashio. Lashio is an important gateway for Myanmar-China border trade, serving as an economic and transportation hub as well as an important commodity distribution center in northern Shan State, more than 100 km from the China-Myanmar border.

In short, for Nam Hu villagers, land and water resources are crucial for their survival, providing both their daily meals and incomes. As it mainly relies on agriculture and animal husbandry, they could not imagine giving up their farms and land for the railway project.

Pointing to the mountains around the village, he said, The railway will also totally destroy the water resources, adding that villages have been reliant on them for nearly seven decades. The townships geographical nature doesnt permit villagers to dig wells for the water supply, as it lies in the highlands.

We will be dead if they choose this route, he stressed.

Since discovering the concrete block, and calculating the location of the village and natural spring, the concerns of Nam Hu villagers have gradually reached boiling point.

We cannot let them use this route, said U Sai San Tun, a 65-year-old farmer from Nam Hu village.

Railway portion of CMEC

The US$8.9 billion (13.09 trillion kyat) Muse-Mandalay Electric Railway Project is a backbone project of the China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), which is also an initial part of the strategic China-Myanmar High Speed Railway, which aims to connect Kyaukphyu in Myanmars Western Rakhine State with Chinas Kunming via Muse.

The CMEC is a part of Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), President Xi Jinpings signature foreign policy unveiled in 2013. The MoU for the corridor was signed between Myanmar and China in 2018.

Muse sits on Myanmars border with Yunnan province in southwestern China, and is the largest trade portal between the two nations, while Mandalay is central Myanmars commercial center, so the railway could become a lifeline for China-Myanmar trade.

Designed to reach speeds of 160 kilometers per hour (99 miles per hour), the electric rail will take only three hours to get from Mandalay to Muse. Currently, Mandalay is connected to Muse via Lashio by a national highway. The drive normally takes more than eight hours.

The transport and communications minister has given full support for the project, saying that the railway is a priority project and a part of Myanmars national transport master plan. Myanmar expects it to facilitate exports to China, ease traffic jams on the highway, create jobs and attract technical know-how.

The railway will pass through a total of 11 townships in Mandalay, Pyin Oo Lwin, Naung Cho, Kyaukme, Lashio, Kutkai, Hsipaw, Nam Un, Theinni, Nam Hpak Ka and Muse in northern Shan State near the Chinese border. While the railway route has been finalized, neither side has made it public yet. Its still unknown how many people and households will be affected by the project.

China Railway Eryuan Engineering covered the cost of the railways Feasibility Study (FS), which was submitted to the Myanmar government in April last year during Beijings 2nd BRI forum. The FS study included alignment measurements for the route, the number of stations, water samples, and earth, gravel and soil tests.

The Myanmar government was earlier expected to make final decisions on the specific details of the construction by the end of 2019. However, it is still unknown if it has made any decisions.

Local concerns

Villagers in northern Shan State were unaware that the railway is a part of Chinese Presidents Xi ambitious plan to build grand infrastructure projects from Asia to Europe.

During The Irrawaddys recent weeklong visit to potentially affected areas along the railway line, the majority of local people said they had received no specific information about the project, though they are increasingly fearful of forced displacements, farmland confiscations, losing water resources and the social impacts of the planned project.

So far, no [government officials] have come to the affected villages to explain about the railway, said U Win Htein, the administrator of Man Paine Village Tract in Kutkai, another area the railway line would pass through. According to the document obtained by U Win Htein, two villages out of 12 in the village tract will be affected by the projects, and would face possible problems such as land confiscations, farmland loss and harmed livelihoods if villagers have to make way for the project.

I would like to request the officials show transparency about the project. Now villagers are growing worried about land confiscations and other potential impacts of the project, U Win Htein said.

In Kutkai, more than 100 households from Kaung Lain village in Mam Lone village tract have been living in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps for several months due to armed conflicts near their village. Adding to their dismay, their one-time homes face destruction to make way for the railway, as it would pass through their village. The Irrawaddy saw a concrete block embedded in the ground at the entrance of the village.

Hkam Nat, who is in charge of the Taang (Palaung) Women Affairs Organization based in Kutkai, told The Irrawaddy that Kaung Lain villagers are worrying that their homes and lands will be grabbed by the local authorities in their absence.

Those people already suffered ordeals both physically and mentally while they were running from armed conflicts. They should not have to suffer more because of the project, she said.

Transparency issues

In August, deputy general Manager of Myanma Railways U Ba Myint told the media the route has been finalized. Some township GAD officers have already obtained the details of the proposed railway routes in their townships, including details at the village level.

The Myanmar government has been criticized by think tanks and civil society organizations for lacking transparency when it comes to the BRI projects in the country. Recently, Netherlands-based Translational Institute (TNI) said Myanmars government lacks transparency regarding BRI-related documents. The TNI pointed out that other governments like Latvia have publicized BRI-related documents on their official websites, whereas the Myanmar government has not yet made public BRI documents including the CMEC MoU and early harvest project lists agreed between the two countries, including the railway project.

A lawmaker of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) serving in the Shan State parliament, Nan San San Aye, told The Irrawaddy that despite Chinese projects being geared up for implementation in Shan State, the state government has not yet discussed the project in the state parliament.

The lawmakers do not have any information about the projects under the CMEC. There is no transparency about it. Actually, they need approval from the state parliament, Nan San San Aye said.

We have heard many local concerns about the railway projects. We are planning to ask questions in the parliament, she added.

Apart from transparency issues, local people feel left out of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. The EIA for the railway was carried out by the Ever Green Tech Environmental Services and Training Co. Ltd, a Yangon-based local company offering EIA services.

Arranged by local general administration offices, and led by the officials from Myanma Railways, the EIA company and Chinese surveyors, the public consultation meetings were held in major cities in the project areas to explain the benefits and the environmental impacts of the project.

Company adviser Dr. Kyaw Swar Tint told The Irrawaddy that it had held 19 public consultation meetings as of December last year in cities the railway will pass through. He said a scoping report was recently finalized for submission to the Environment Protection Department.

However, local people including village administrators and civil society organizations told The Irrawaddy that the public consultations were done with a group of people who do not widely represent the affected local communities. Only a few elderly people and the local GAD staff from the affected villages were invited.

Mostly, they talked about the benefits of the project; they rarely mentioned the environmental impacts, said Mai Myo Aung, a lawyer in charge of a Taang Legal Aid Network based in Lashio. The Legal Aid Network has been giving legal support to local people who have faced legal action for their resistance to other Chinese investment projects like dams and oil-and-gas pipelines.

For the railway project, the lawyer said, the local authorities mostly invited officials from the GAD, rather than people who would be directly affected by the project. He said he saw some people in Taang costumes at the meetings. But they were not the people from the would-be affected villages, despite their appearance.

The costumes are just for show, Mai Myo Aung said.

I am concerned that our people are not well informed about the impacts. As a result, they will suffer, he said.

The EIA company told The Irrawaddy that the team has discovered that some major environmental and social impacts are likely, including the loss of protected forests and watersheds, waste problems, noise and air pollution, as well as land confiscations, loss of livelihoods and other social problems caused by the massive migration that will likely be prompted by the railway project. According to the feasibility study, 60 tunnels, 124 bridges, 724 road crossings and 36 stations will be constructed along the railway.

Dr. Kyaw Swar Tint said land confiscation will be the biggest problem, as most of the project areas will pass through villages and farmlands. However, he declined to say how many villages or how much farmland would likely be affected.

Even those who did appear at the consultation meetings were curious about the number of people that would be displaced, the amount of farmland that would be seized, and the specific areas that would be used for the project. But neither the authorities from Myanma Railways nor the EIA company answered their questions properly.

The administrator of Naung An Village from Hsipaw Township, U Myint Htay, said, The meeting was just a waste of our time.

According to documents from the township administrators office, the railway will pass through Naung An Village, which has more than 90 households.

U Myint Htay said that despite peoples concerns over land compensation, the real issue in the long term was the sustainability of their livelihoods.

We are just farmers. We only know how to cultivate crops. The compensation will run out in a short time. After we run out of money, what will we do for a living? I am concerned that we will lose our livelihood forever, he stressed.

Making matter worse, the majority of the would-be affected villages along the railway do not have land ownership certificates to prove their rights, despite having lived on and cultivated the land for generations.

In Myanmar, mostly in ethnic areas, people customarily use a shared land ownership system that includes freehold lands, community forest reserves and customary tenure for rotational farming practices.

Under the National League for Democracy government, the newly amended 2018 Vacant, Fallow and Virgin (VFV) Lands Management Law has been criticized by ethnic people for failing to recognize ethnic customary tenure. The ethnic people say the legislation forces existing land users to give up their customary land rights and apply for a 30-year land-use permit, or risk being charged with trespassing.

The NLD set a deadline of March 11 to register vacant, fallow and virgin land for use by agribusiness in accordance with the VFV Law. The law imposes a two-year prison sentence on anyone found living on VFV land without a permit after the deadline. Customary land use refers to either informal or traditional use of upland or lowland areas. However, the law does not provide an official process for recognizing and registering customary land.

According to data released by the Mekong Region Land Governance Project survey in February, 95 percent of people living on VFV land had no knowledge of the law, and a majority of ethnic people missed the deadline.

Mai Myo Aung said, It is very difficult to negotiate the proper compensation without having ownership documents. The majority of people usually practice customary tenure.

According to the newly amended law, all the lands [including homes and farmlands] here could become VFV. I am concerned that they [the railway developer] will have the upper hand when we negotiate the compensation, as the locals do not have official documents, he said.

At the public consultation meetings, the officials from Myanma Railway said they would set up a team to handle property compensation, but they did not say how they would compensate the majority of people, who do not have official land ownership documents.

We will carefully watch the project process. If we find out the locals have not received proper compensation, we will offer them legal help, Mai Myo Aung said.

Further north in Muse Township, the railway lines final stop on the Myanmar side, another concrete block was placed in the middle of the village of Maw Tawng. If the railway is constructed on that route, the village will face the same fate as other villages on the route. The locals expressed their concerns, including that water resources will be destroyed, as more than 1,200 people rely on them for drinking water, farming and daily use.

Maw Tawng villager Mai Aik Aung, 35, said opinion was divided among locals as to whether to support the project or not. However, the trader said the majority of people dont accept it.

Since we dont have enough information, we will wait and see their next move, he said.

Even as they fail to keep local people fully informed about the project, officials from Myanma Railways urge local people to accept it, saying it will benefit them economically.

In videos of the public consultation sessions in Pyin Oo Lwin in August obtained by The Irrawaddy, U Htay Hlaing, Myanma Railways assistant general manager said: It would take only three hours [to get] from Muse to Mandalay. The flow of trade and people will be faster and more convenient. It will be a very beneficial project for the country.

The Chinese media have also mostly praised the railway, saying it will create jobs and benefit locals economically. Then Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang said in May last year that as most of the Myanmar population lives in rural areas and most of the agriculture products can be exported to China, he was confident that many farmers would benefit from the railway project. Chinese people will also be encouraged to visit Myanmar, he said.

However, such praise does not impress the locals.

We are not interested in the benefits of the railway. We are worried about our homes and farmlands, said U San Pia, a farmer from Nam Tun village tract in Lashio.

It is not possible that the railway carries economic development to our village. I am just a farmer. I sell crops to the traders. The traders export our crops to China. I think the traders and the Chinese will benefit from it, he added.

In discussions of the possible economic development brought by the railway line, some locals also questioned whether a railway is actually needed for the people in the affected areas.

U Win Htein said, We have to think about whether its worth it. Because we will lose our homes, farmlands, water resources and natural resources.

I bet the Chinese will get more benefit than us, he said.

Besides land grabbing and losing water resources, the local farmers have another serious concern: the expected influx of Chinese migration, and resultant human trafficking, drug abuse and exploitation of natural resources.

The administrator of Nar Kun Long village tract in Lashio, Brang Mai, told The Irrawaddy, They dont have moral ethics. They only look out for their own interest. As a normal citizen, I do not want to see a massive influx of Chinese migrants or visitors to our state.

The more Chinese, the worse consequences we experience. It is like sacrificing many people for one [groups] benefit, he said.

Experts are also concerned that the railway could inflame military tensions as it will pass through ethnic conflicts areas. In August last year, deadly fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic armed groups broke out in northern Shan State.

Our state is the most crucial place for all the Chinese projects under the CMEC. The government should suspend all the mega-projects until peace prevails in the region, Mai Myo Aung said.

When the projects come while there are conflicts, people will suffer more, Mai Myo Aung said. The lawyer said that people have suffered enough from the effects of previous Chinese projects including dams and oil-and-gas pipelines.

They shouldnt open old wounds by implementing new projects, he said, referring to the railway project.

In late November, hotels in Lashio were fully booked by Chinese officials and investors attending the 1st Myanmar (Lashio) and China (Lancang) Industrial Zone and Trade Fair. Banners announcing the trade fair were displayed downtown.

With an agenda to promote cooperation in agriculture, tourism, production capacity, infrastructure and industrial parks, the trade fair was attended by U Than Myint, the Union Minister for commerce, and officials from the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar as well as nearly 50 Chinese enterprises.

During the ceremony, Chinese officials pushed the Myanmar government to implement the Muse-Mandalay railway as soon as possible to promote trade cooperation, while the Myanmar government demanded a fair border trading system between the two countries.

In response to the Chinese officials push, local environmental organization the Heartland Foundation and nearly 20 civil society organizations recently set up a core team to monitor CMEC activities across Shan State. The team is planning not only to observe transparency issues, and social and environmental impacts, but also to raise awareness about the railway projects among locals.

The project officer of the foundation, U Aung Myo Htun, told The Irrawaddy that it will carefully examine the activities of the projects, especially transparency issues, locals concerns, and the environmental and social impacts of the projects and observe whether the projects benefit or harm locals.

Meanwhile, the lives of Nam Hu Village administrator U Khu Phan and his fellow villagers are dominated by worries: they fear the destruction of their village and water resources, and of the farmland they have been tilling for generations.

As long as they keep the project a secret, the doubt and concerns will keep growing among the people. It is not a good sign for either the Myanmar or the Chinese government, U Khu Phan said.

What if it proceeds without local consent and in secrecy?

If they do something on the ground without explaining it, the locals will resist it violently, he warned.

You may also like these stories:

China Quietly Pushing Myanmar to Back Its Development Plan for Irrawaddy River

Myanmar Watchdog Criticizes So-Called Public Consultation Process for Chinas BRI Project

Potential Environmental and Social Impacts of Chinese Mega-Projects in Myanmar Raise Concerns
President Donald Trumps decision to kill Irans top general in an airstrike drew mixed reactions from members of Congress representing Michigan.

In typical fashion, opinions about the presidents actions were split along partisan lines. Michigans Republican congressmen applauded Trump for holding Iran responsible for recent violence against Americans, while Democrats said Trump is recklessly moving the U.S. closer to another costly war in the Middle East.

The U.S. Department of Defense said Trump directed the military to kill Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, and others as they traveled from Baghdads international airport early Friday morning. The airstrike was meant to deter future Iranian attacks, according to the Defense Department, though it is expected to inspire Iranian retaliation against Israeli and American interests.

Protesters burn a U.S. flag during a demonstration over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport that killed Tehran's top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)AP

Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," the Defense Department said. Trump said Soleimani was plotting to kill Americans in a Friday morning tweet.

The Pentagon said Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers and attacks on coalition bases in Iraq, including a Dec. 27 incident, and protests that burned part of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this week.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that harsh retaliation is waiting for the U.S. after the airstrike, the Associated Press reported. The U.S. State Department urged American citizens to leave Iraq and issued security alerts to other embassies in the region.

#Iraq: Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Iraq immediately. Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the U.S. Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. U.S. citizens should not approach the Embassy. pic.twitter.com/rdRce3Qr4a  Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) January 3, 2020

Michigan members of Congress said theres no doubt that Soleimani was an enemy of the U.S., but disagreed on whether Trumps decision to assassinate a foreign official without consulting Congress was appropriate.

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, said Trump took decisive action to kill a perpetrator of evil. Bergman, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. General, is the highest-ranking combat veteran ever elected to Congress.

Enemies of the United States must understand that when lives of Americans and our allies are at risk, we will no longer sit back when a line in the sand is crossed, Bergman wrote on Twitter.

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, issued a lengthy statement Friday morning outlining her feelings on the attack. She is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Slotkin is a former Shia militia analyst who served multiple tours in Iraq, worked at the White House under both the Bush and Obama administration and later worked at the Pentagon.

If you worked on the Middle East over the past 20 years, you dealt with the growing organization and sophistication of Soleimanis covert and overt military activities, which have contributed to significant destabilization across the region," Slotkin said in a statement.

However, Slotkin said past administrations determined a strike on Soleimani wasnt worth the likely retaliation and the possibility of drawing the U.S. into conflict with Iran. Its critical that Trump has thought out how Iran will respond and is prepared to protect American diplomats, service members, and citizens serving overseas, Slotkin said.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, was among the few Democrats who did not condemn Trumps attack. Peters was a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Tonights strike took a notorious terrorist off of the battlefield, Peters said. "What comes next is critical for the region and the world. I am focused on ensuring that there is a strategy to protect our citizens, servicemembers, and diplomats, and that advances our national security.

U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, I-Cascade Township, highlighted Congress power to declare war. He said the American governing system demands consent for war from the people, acting through their representatives and senators in Congress.

U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, D-Bloomfield Township, introduced a bill earlier this year to clarify that Congress has not provided authorization for the use of military force against Iran. The bill is a response to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which was passed after 9/11 and gave then-President George Bush authority to use force against al-Qaeda and any related organization or nation.

Levin said he has serious concerns about this presidents execution of a potential act of war without authorization of Congress.

U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, said Trump cannot conduct any military actions under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. He also warned of the risks associated with the attack, saying in a Friday statement that many Iranians will see the killing as a serious provocation.

The American people are owed a plan by the administration on how the President plans to deescalate this dangerous situation and prevent this attack from spiraling into greater conflict that could result in more American casualties or troop deployments," Kildee said. "The American people do not want war with Iran.

Slotkin said the Trump administration must come to Congress immediately and request authorization for the use of military force before any future action is taken.

Congress also has a deep interest in the future of our relationship with Iraq, given our investment of blood and treasure there to rid the region of ISIS, Slotkin said. "Congress needs to understand the Administrations plan as soon as possible.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, compared Trump to former President Theodore Roosevelt in a statement on Twitter, saying Trump demonstrated Americas strength. Iran faced the consequences for poking the bear, Upton said.

I look forward to learning more in briefings when I return to Washington from Michigan next week, but I support the Presidents reaction thus far in taking Soleimani out, Upton said. When our people and our interests are attacked, the United States should swat back.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland, said Trumps airstrike shows the U.S. will hold Iran accountable for conducting terror operations throughout the world.

Other Democrats said Congress must be briefed by the Trump administration about its strategy to protect American lives. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn, said congressional authorization is required for any escalation of military force.

Dingell also expressed fears about the consequences of Trumps airstrike, which was made without consulting Congress, or our allies and partners in the region.

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, said Trump is moving the U.S. closer to yet another unnecessary war that puts innocent lives at risk. Tlaib, who is among Trumps most outspoken critics, said Congress must reclaim its power to authorize military action.

The president said Soleimani was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people in a statement on Twitter Friday morning.

He should have been taken out many years ago, Trump wrote.

U.S. citizens in Iraq or concerned about loved ones in Iraq can contact the Department of State at (202) 501-4444 or toll-free in the U.S. at (888) 407-4747.
Three former mental health technicians at KidsPeace say they were given racist nicknames and subjected to workplace discrimination.

When they complained about it, they were fired, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court.

Ashley Gonzalez said a co-worker once told her to stop speaking Spanish or to get ready to be deported because Trump is in office," the lawsuit says.

She filed the lawsuit along with Janette Gonzalez and Dusean Littlejohn. Ashley Gonzalez and LIttlejohn share the same Allentown address. Janette Gonzalez also lives in Allentown. The Gonzalezes are of Puerto Rican descent and Littlejohn is black, the lawsuit says.

According to the lawsuit, Janette Gonzalez asked a supervisor for help with a tax form and was told all you Puerto Ricans have trouble with your money.

Littlejohn said he was known at work as the big black guy. The Gonzalezes were known as the two Spanish girls from New York" and the Gonzalez twins even though theyre not related, the lawsuit says.

All three of them complained to the human resources department but no investigation was initiated, the lawsuit says.

Each of the three was asked to provide insight into their workplace experiences during a training session, the lawsuit says. When they gave honest feedback, they were sent home after lunch, suspended and later fired, the lawsuit says.

KidsPeace spokesman Robert Martin said his nonprofit is an equal opportunity employer that promotes workforce diversity in an environment free from racism, bigotry or discrimination.

We believe the claims made by the plaintiffs in this lawsuit are without merit and we will vigorously defend ourselves against these allegations. Beyond that, we do not comment on specifics of pending litigation, Martin said.

Philadelphia attorneys Charles L. Shute Jr. and Thomas T. Hearn represent KidsPeace in the lawsuit, according to online court records.

KidsPeace in North Whitehall Township is a private charity serving the behavioral and mental health needs of children and their families, according to the organizations website. It was founded in 1882.

Littlejohn was hired by KidsPeace in January 2014, the lawsuit says. Janette Gonzalez was hired in February 2014. Ashley Gonzalez was hired in December 2015. Each was fired in October 2018, the lawsuit says.

A U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission investigation on behalf of the three was inconclusive, but the commission notified each plaintiff of their right to sue KidsPeace, according to court records.

The lawsuit was filed in October 2019 by attorney Robert H. Graff of Philadelphia. A pretrial conference to discuss the case is scheduled for February with U.S. District Court Judge Chad F. Kenney in Philadelphia.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook.
Bangladesh assisting Rohingya refugees: Diplomat

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 10:43 AM

Bangladesh's ambassador to Iran says his country is providing the Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar with basic needs and other types of assistance, Press TV reports.

Gousal Azam Sarker, Bangladesh's ambassador to Iran, made the comment in an exclusive interview with Press TV during a visit to the news network's headquarters in the capital, Tehran, on Wednesday.

"The Rohingyas were sheltered in Bangladesh and that was from a decision of our honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She took a decision to open the border and open the heart of Bangladesh and shelter them in our district of Cox's Bazaar, so, despite being a resource-constrained country and different developmental challenges, we have given them shelter in Cox's Bazaar," Azam Sarker said in the interview.

"They are possibly the largest displaced community sheltered in one place in the world, and the government of Bangladesh, with its resource constraints, has been meeting their basic needs in the camps and we are constantly improving their situation in the camps and providing basic needs," he said.

The Bangladeshi envoy, citing Prime Minister Hasina, underlined Bangladesh's resolve to provide for the Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar even if Bangladeshis were forced to skip a meal.

"So, they are there and we are continuing to provide support and assistance, and honorable prime minister has said that even if we have to eat one time less a day, we will continue to support this helpless Muslim minority of Myanmar in Bangladesh," Azam Sarker said.

Hundreds of thousands of persecuted Rohingya Muslims are camped in squalid conditions in Bangladesh. They have escaped genocide in neighboring Myanmar.

Myanmar's armed forces, backed by Buddhist extremists, launched a state-sponsored crackdown against the Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine in 2018. Thousands were killed.

The crackdown  described by the UN as the textbook example of ethnic cleansing  forced some 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh, where they are living in overcrowded refugee camps in dire conditions.

Rohingya Muslims, recognized by the UN as the world's most persecuted minority group, are denied Myanmarese citizenship as the country's leadership brands them illegal immigrants from Bangladeshi, which, for its part, says they are from Myanmar.

Bangladesh has sought to relocate the Rohingya to a remote island, but that plan has not gone forward as UN agencies have refused to agree to it because the island is highly prone to natural disasters.

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ANSAmed - Weekly diary from January 6 to January 12

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JANUARY 3 - Weekly diary of the main events scheduled in the Euro-Mediterranean area from January 6 to January 12: MONDAY, JANUARY 6 VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis celebrates Epiphany Mass in St.



Peter's Basilica. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7 BRUSSELS - EU, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen receives Luca Visentini, secretary-general of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).



PARIS - Anniversary of the attack on the satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which caused 12 deaths, on January 5, 2015.



WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8 PARIS - The Court of Appeals rules on the validity of extradition requests of Basque leader Josu Ternera.



THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 PARIS - Anniversary of the hostage-taking at the Hyper Cacher supermarket, in which four men, all Jewish, were killed on January 9, 2015.



ZAGREB - EU, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with the College of Commissioners, participates in the opening ceremony of the Croatian presidency of the Council of the European Union.



PARIS - New day of demonstrations and strikes against project of pension reforms.



FRIDAY, JANUARY 10 ZAGREB - EU, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, together with the College of Commissioners, holds official meetings as part of the start of the Croatian presidency of the Council of the European Union.



SATURDAY, JANUARY 11 VALLETTA - Election of Joseph Muscat's successor as head of the Labour Party.



(ANSAmed).




Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) transits the San Diego Bay, U.S. on May 1, 2019. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jesse Monford)

New US Navy Fleet Created to Confront Russia Is Fully Operational

The U.S. Navy 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 to counter Russia, reached full operational capability on Dec. 31, seven months after achieving its initial operational capability, the Navy announced.

Based in Norfolk, Virginia, the 2nd Fleet will oversee and control assigned ships, aircraft, and landing forces on the Eastern, Western, and North Atlantic Ocean, as well as further north into the Arctic.

Vice Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander of the 2nd Fleet, who has led its reestablishment, said in a statement, Within an increasingly complex global security environment, our allies and competitors alike are well aware that many of the worlds most active shipping lanes lie within the North Atlantic.

The 2nd Fleet will primarily focus on forward operations and the employment of combat-ready naval forces in the Atlantic and Arctic, the statement said. Also, it will have a limited role in final training and certification of forces preparing for operations around the globe, according to the statement.

Combined with the opening of waterways in the Arctic, this competitive space will only grow, and 2nd Fleets devotion to the development and employment of capable forces will ensure that our nation is both present and ready to fight in the region if and when called upon, Lewis said.

Opening new waterways due to ice melting in the Arctic creates new opportunities for trade but also poses new security challenges.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described the situation in the Arctic when speaking at the ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in Rovaniemi, Finland, on May 6: Steady reductions in sea ice are opening new passageways and new opportunities for trade. Such new passageways could potentially slash the time it takes to travel between Asia and the West by as much as 20 days. Arctic sea lanes could come beforecould come the 21st century Suez and Panama Canals.

To leverage the Arcticsthe Arctic continental, all nations, including non-Arctic nations, should have a right to engage peacefully in this region. The United States is a believer in free markets. We know from experience that free and fair competition, open, by the rule of law, produces the best outcomes, Pompeo said.

The establishment of the 2nd Fleet addresses security concerns posed by Russia, according to Defense News.

In June, the 2nd Fleet led a Baltic Operations exercise on behalf of Naval Forces Europe. In September, it established a Maritime Operations Center in Keflavik, Iceland in the North Atlantic region. According to Defense News, the Russian submarine activity in that area has reappeared.

The new [2nd Fleet] is now fully postured to support the employment of forces, whether that is on the western or eastern side of the Atlantic Ocean, or further north into the Arctic Ocean, the Navy said.

Close cooperation with NATO allies and partners to ensure there is no seam in the Atlantic for our adversaries to exploit is also a focus of the 2nd Fleet, Lewis said.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks on Arctic policy at the Lappi Areena in Rovaniemi, Finland, on May 6, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

Developing Threats in the Arctic

Pompeo considers both China and Russia as potential threats in the Arctic.

Pompeo, in his speech given at the Arctic Council meeting, commended Russia for its cooperation in the expansive conservation efforts in the Arctic. However, he expressed concern over Russias aggressive actions in the Arctic like re-opening its Cold War Arctic military base, building new bases north of the Arctic Circle, as well as securing its presence through sophisticated new air defense systems and anti-ship missiles.

Russia plans to connect its sea shipping lane between the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean along the Russian coast (Northern Sea Route) with Chinas Maritime Silk Road, the maritime component of Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR). The initiative would develop a new shipping channel from Asia to northern Europe, said Pompeo.

China has already invested nearly $90 billion in the development of the Arctic. China is developing shipping lanes in the Arctic Ocean, and plans to invest in building infrastructure between Canada, Northwest Territories, and Russia, Pompeo said.

Pentagon warned  that China could use its civilian research presence in the Arctic to strengthen its military presence, Pompeo said.

Pompeo also said that investment can be used by China as a tool of political influence and coercion, for example, to obtain rights to operate strategically located ports and terminals.

In economically strong countries, Chinese companies enter into equity participation or joint ventures. When dealing with weaker or developing countries, China uses a debt trap. In 2017, Sri Lanka could not pay its debt to China and was coerced into signing a 99-year lease with a Chinese company for the use of its Hambantota Port. In 2013 China obtained the operating rights to 15 terminals in eight countries on four continents. Among them is the Suez Canal Terminal in Egypt, the Euromax Terminal in the Netherlands, which is known as the gate of Europe, and the Panama Canal.




Haiti - Security : The PNH multiplies its actions against criminals





Wednesday, January 1, agents of the Central Direction of the Judicial Police (DCPJ), proceeded to the arrest of two criminals in the locality of "Ti lori" (border area of the Central Department), accused of having murdered in Port-au-Prince, the owner of a Mercedes Benz brand vehicle (Edouardo Marquez of Colombian nationality) before fleeing with the vehicle.



Also on Wednesday, the Brigade Against Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs (BLTS) and the Coast Guard seized in the Lapointe Nicolas area (Commune of Saint-Louis du Sud), more than 300 kg of marijuana and a boat having used to transport narcotics from Jamaica, according to sources at BLTS. No arrests were made, the suspects having managed to escape...



Thursday in Cap-Haitien, following the robbery of bus passengers on the RN #6, the Haitian National Police (PNH) arrested Mackenson Simon (28) and Gregory Simon (36) from Milot. The police seized a 9mm caliber revolver and recovered 9 cell phones and goods and other stolen objects belonging to the passengers.



In Limonade (North) the police arrested 2 armed men Pierre Renol (36) and Henry Claude Mulattare (33), a 9mm caliber weapon was seized.



The same day in the locality of Lomond in Miragoane (South-West) the PNH proceeded to the arrest of Jean Rayons (2) aka "Diablay" and Joseph Stephane (22) aka "Gromoso", two dangerous suspected criminals of being members of the "BLTS" Gang, accused of involvement in the murder of Andre-Vigne Richardson of a criminal association, armed robbery, rape, illegal possession of firearms and armed robbery . Two weapons were seized.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-29646-haiti-flash-the-pnh-goes-from-words-to-actions.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Besides being the buildings second most expensive unit, the apartment also is the third priciest residence ever sold in the city  behind Mr. Griffins purchase and a duplex at the pinnacle of One57, on West 57th Street, that was bought in 2015 for nearly $100.5 million, reportedly by Michael Dell, the chief executive of Dell Technologies.

The $59-million apartment on the 48th floor was sold to a New York entity called Noble Birch (US) Inc. The full-floor unit, which encompasses 6,591 square feet, has five bedrooms, six full baths, two powder rooms and a 96-square-foot balcony. The list price was $67 million.

Also closing in the building at years end was No. 66, another full-floor unit, with 4,935 square feet, four bedrooms, five full baths, two powder rooms and a 96-square-foot balcony. It was bought for $54.5 million by the limited liability company Datoun66.

No. 59A, a 3,814-square-foot unit with three bedrooms and three and a half baths, sold for $36.1 million, The buyers were listed as Liedong Ding and Haiyan Bao.

No. 34A was purchased for $31 million by the limited liability company SPC 34A. It has 3,703 square feet with four bedrooms and four and a half baths, along with a 20-foot balcony. And No. 55B, which sold for $26.8 million, has 3,211 square feet, three bedrooms and three and a half baths. The buyer was 220 March LLC.

At 432 Park, the concrete-and-glass skyscraper between 56th and 57th Streets, apartment No. 65A closed at nearly $24 million. The 4,019-square-foot aerie has three bedrooms, four and a half baths and a library.

The sale price was below the $27 million that it first sold for in July 2016. (The unit was sold back to the building sponsor, in September 2017, for $27.9 million, and then sold again in December 2017, for $26.4 million.)
Qasem Soleimani

On 2 January 2020, the US Department of Defense announced that at "the direction of the President, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization." Soleimani was killed in a US strike on early Friday morning 03 January 2020 (Baghdad time) that targeted the vehicle he was in on an access road by Baghdad International Airport. Also killed in the airstrike was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), along with five other individuals. Reports indicated that a US drone carried out the attack.

The Revolutionary Guard's Tasnim news agency released a photo of a bloody hand wearing a ring with an large oval red stone, which Suleimani was often photographed wearing. The ring was how his body was identified.

Soleimani always dreamed of martyrdom, and was hailed as a martyr and a hero inside Iran. The Supreme Leader, the commander of Irans armed forces, once called him the living martyr of revolution. For the Iranian revolutionaries, martyrdom is service. As the Supreme Leader once said about another fallen soldier, in the end, Soleimani drank the sweet syrup of martyrdom. Soleimani's funeral was the largest since that of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, in 1989.

The US assassination of Soleimani created a martyr and unified Irans fractious political establishment. The killing of Soleimani triggered one of the biggest public outpourings of grief ever seen in the country. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, in an address to Iranian mourners in Tehran described Soleimani as "the martyr of Jerusalem". Grand Ayatollah al-Sistani added that the unique role of martyr Soleimani during the years of fighting with the elements of ISIL in Iraq, as well as the many hardships he suffered in this regard, will not be forgotten. Shiism has flourished for over a millennia on worship of martyred imams. Ali, the prophets cousin and son-in-law - regarded by Shias as his legitimate successor - was slain in 661 by a rival in the city of Najaf. And in the year AD680 Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, was slain in battle with Sunni forces in the Shia holy city of Karbala. Shias ritually mourn their martyrs throughout the year.

Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis official website posted an illustration showing slain IRGC-Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in an embrace with Imam Hussain. In the photo, Imam Hussains face is not shown as he is illustrated in an embrace with Soleimani. Imam Hussain ibn Ali is one of the grandsons of Islams Prophet Mohammad.

Narges Bajoghli, who wrote the book, Iran Reframed: Anxieties of Power in the Islamic Republic, is an assistant professor of Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. What the United States has achieved with this is creating -- internally within Iran and among Shia groups in Iraq and Lebanon -- a martyr out of Soleimani. Hes going to become an even larger figure in death than he was in life.... There is a reason why Soleimani was not assassinated in the past by U.S. administration when they had the ability to do so Part of that is the repercussions that would come with such an assassination on U.S. forces and troops and personnel within the region.

Commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Hossein Salami at the funeral of Major General Haj Qassem Suleimani stated: "He never feared the enemy; his heart was calm for 41 years. He did wear the dignity of a Muslim, his personality beyond the borders of the Islamic world made him the personality of today's humanity. His praise and admiration are referred to as a pattern of resistance and protection for the oppressed. Salamis said: "How humble those who want to quench the sun with their pebbles, Qasim Suleimani is the Sun of Islam. Today he has opened a path that will surely lead to the ultimate victory of Islam and the defeat of the arrogant people."

The vice-president of the Islamic Propaganda Coordination Council announced the official statistics of at least 7 million people attending farewell and funeral with the body of Sardar Haj Qasim Soleimani in Tehran. However, counter-revolutionary media reported the funeral of Sardar Suleimani and other martyrs from 90,000 to 200,000.

The Kerman Resistance Front Martyrs' Funeral Service in Kerman announced that millions of people were present at the funeral of the martyred commanders, postponing the burial program to prevent further injury to participants. Due to heavy crowding at the funeral of martyr Sepahbod Soleimani in Kerman, so far, the death toll reached 63. The number of corpses at Shafa Hospital is 37, including 23 women, 8 men and the rest are children from all over Iran. There are 15 corpses in Bahonar Hospital, 7 corpses in Necsa's Kalahdouz Hospital (Fatima Al-Zahra) and 1 in the Social Security Hospital. According to the report, all of the deceased died due to suffocation due to congestion and population pressure, and the identities of some of the bodies were unclear. The injured were taken to medical centers and monitored. Sardar Sharif, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards on the sidelines of the funeral of martyr Sardar Suleimani, said that the funeral program will be held at a different date in order to preserve the honor and pride of the martyrs. He thanked the people of Kerman province and the participants of the ceremony on the sidelines of the event. He said: "The Iranian people have done their duty today and the vast ocean and the millions of people attending the funeral have confirmed this".

The merits of the commander of the Al-Quds special forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC, elite units of the Iranian armed forces), General Kassem Suleimani, in the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group (IG, banned in the Russian Federation) in Syria undeniable. This was announced at the Russian Ministry of Defense. The killing by the US side of Suleimani will lead to a sharp escalation of the military-political situation in the Middle East and will negatively affect the entire system of international security, the department noted. "The short-sighted steps of the United States, expressed in the assassination of General Suleymani, lead to a sharp escalation of the military-political situation in the Middle East region and serious negative consequences for the entire international security system," the statement said.

Speaking on 03 January 2020 in Prague, the director of Radio Farda, RFE/RL's Persian Service, Mehdi Parpanchi, called Qasem Soleimani "irreplaceable," in part because of his close connections with Iranian military proxies throughout the Middle East. Soleimani was Irans point man across the Middle East, not just in terms of military operations but implementing Tehrans political strategy, said Scott Lucas, an Iran expert at Birmingham University in Britain and editor of the EA World View website.

Iran is likely to respond forcefully to the killing of Soleimani, who had survived numerous assassination attempts against him over the past two decades. Iran has no choice but to strike back and retaliate against the assassination of Soleimani, said Ali Alfoneh, a senior fellow at The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

The Supreme Leader took part in a meeting of Iran's National Security Council for the first time since becoming Supreme Leader. Khamenei appointed Soleimani's deputy, Brigadier General Esmail Ghaani, to replace him as head of the country's Quds Forces. "The Revolutionary Guards, the wise Iranian nation and the resistance front across the geographical expanse of the Muslim nation will avenge the blood of this martyr (Soleimani)," warned IRGC spokesman Ramezan Sharif. "The joy of the Zionists and Americans will in no time turn into mourning." Power is highly institutionalized in the Quds Force, said Alfoneh at The Arab Gulf States Institute. His successor may not possess Soleimanis charisma but will exert influence in Iran and abroad thanks to the power of the Quds Force.

Qasem Soleimani (a.k.a. Qassem Soleimani, aka Qasim Soleimany, aka Kazem Soleimani), the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), was born 11 March 1957. He had been nicknamed by Western media sources as the Shadow Commander because of his clandestine military operations, his behind-the-scenes political achievements in Iraq, and his inconspicuous demeanor.

Soleimani came from a humble background, born into a poor family in southeastern Iran's Kerman Province. He started working as a 13-year-old to help support his family, spending his free time lifting weights and attending sermons by Khamenei. As a young man during the Iranian revolution in 1979, Soleimani began his ascent through the Iranian military, reportedly receiving just six weeks of tactical training before seeing combat for the first time in Iran's West Azerbaijan province. Soleimani emerged from the Iran-Iraq war a national hero for the missions he led across Iraq's border.

Since at least 2003, Brigadier General Qasem Soleimani was the point man directing the formulation and implementation of the IRIG's Iraq policy, with authority second only to Supreme Leader Khamenei. Through his IRGC-QF officers and Iraqi proxies in Iraq, notably Iranian Ambassador and IRGC-QF associate Hassan Kazemi-Qomi, Soleimani employed the full range of diplomatic, security, intelligence, and economic tools to influence Iraqi allies and detractors in order to shape a more pro-Iran regime in Baghdad and the provinces.

US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad noted in 2007 that there was no doubt that the Quds Force was killing Americans in Iraq and undermining the country's stability. If Iran continued to escalate by causing more coalition deaths through explosively formed projectiles (EFPs), the U.S. would escalate as well.

Many Iraqi opposition figures had relationships with Quds Force commander Qassem Suelimani during the Saddam regime. In 2007 Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told the US Ambassador in a meeting on 21 January 2007 that IRGC Quds Force Commander Qassem Suleimani visited him in Syria to pass a message for the Ambassador. Suleimani told Talabani the U.S. and Iran have common interests in Iraq and are both working for success and security and against the terrorists; he said "I swear on the grave of Khomeini I haven't authorized a bullet against the U.S." He admitted to having hundreds of agents in Iraq at his disposal but denied ever using them against U.S. forces. He told Talabani he is ready to cooperate directly or indirectly through the Iraqi authorities. He said he wanted the new Iraq strategy to be successful. He admitted that Iranians captured in Erbil were members of Pastaran but denied that they were Quds Force. He also admitted that they were targeting the British. Talabani admonished him to stop attacking the Brits, and Suleimani agreed to return to Iran to discuss it with Khamenei. Suleimani told Talabani that Iran is ready to have a dialogue with the U.S. on Iraq security. He said they could assist with Baghdad security, security in the south, and the militias. He told Talabani they would try to stop the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia, and support Prime Minister Maliki against them.

Soleimani enjoyed long-standing close ties with several prominent GOI officials, including President Talabani, Vice-President Adel Abdal-Mahdi (ISCI), Prime Minister Maliki (Da'wa), former PM Jaafari, and Speaker Samarra'i. Khamenei, President Ahmadinejad, Speaker Larijani, and former president Rafsanjani consulted regularly with visiting GOI officials as part of the IRIG's broader "strategic" council of advisers seeking to influence the GOI. Following the GOI's crackdown on Iranian-supported Sadrist militias in Basrah during the "Charge of the Knights" operation in March 2008, Iran recalibrated its operations in Iraq to encompass more "soft power" (economic, religious, educational) support and investment as part of a broader "hearts and minds" campaign.

As IRGC-QF Commander, Qasem Soleimani oversaw the IRGC-QF officers who were involved in the 2011 plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States Adel Al-Jubeir, while he was in the United States and to carry out follow-on attacks against other countries interests inside the United States and in another country.

Soleimani was previously designated by the Treasury Department under E.O. 13382 based on his relationship to the IRGC. He was also designated in May 2011 pursuant to E.O. 13572, which targets human rights abuses in Syria, for his role as the Commander of the IRGC-QF, the primary conduit for Iran's support to the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate (GID).

Since the beginning of the uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, Iran remained a steady backer of Damascus through funding, manpower and weaponry. If Syria were to fall, so would Hizb Allah in Lebanon. A clear sign of Iran's commitment was the dispatch to Syria of Qods Force head Qassem Soleimani, to help Damascus in its efforts to subdue the uprising against it.

The European Union expanded its financial and travel sanctions against Syria in June 2011, and moved to condemn its brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters. Among others, the new sanctions targeted three commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guard the EU accused of supporting Mr. Assad's three-month effort to quell dissent in the Arab nation. The Iranians were identified as Major General Qasem Soleimani and Brigadier Commander Mohammad Ali Jafari of the Revolutionary Guard, as well as the guard's deputy commander for intelligence, Hossein Taeb.

In January 2012 senior US officials said Iran was supplying weapons to aid Syria's crackdown in an initiative spearheaded by the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds force. The officials cited Quds chief Ghassem Soleimani's recent visit to Damascus as a concrete example of direct, high-level cooperation between Iran and Syria.

In early June 2014, Sunni militants led by fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant steamrolled through parts of northern Iraq, seizing Mosul, Tikrit and other cities. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, frustrated with leaders of the demoralized Iraqi military, reportedly turned to a top Iranian commander for some advice. Maliki met 15 June 2014 in Baghdad with the commander of Irans elite Quds Force, Gen. Ghasem Soleimani. Kurdish sources said the general was drafting a coordination strategy for the Iraqi military. The next day, the prime minister dismissed four of Iraqs military leaders for failing to perform their national duty.

Soleimani masterminded the strategy that contained the expansion of the Islamic State in Iraq. Soleimani personally led the battle to lift the siege of Amerli  and his forces way was paved by US airstrikes. "General Soleimani allowed himself to be photographed last September on the battlefields of Amerli, clearly sending a message to the West that Tehran was very present," Newsweek later wrote.

Iran, which borders the Iraqi Kurdistan region, was quick to exploit any Iraqi Kurdish disappointment with Ankara. Political columnist Asli Aydintasbas of Turkish newspaper Milliyet noted in September 2014 that "Iran was there, out there offering help. 'Whatever you guys need,' they were at the battlefield. And not just that. That Qasem Soleimani, head of Quds force, was out in the field fighting with the Kurds and being quite visible on the scene means something. This episode marks a comeback for Iran."

Iran had saved the Iraqi government from the threat of collapse by the ISIL Takfiri group, a top commander of Iraqs volunteer forces said 06 January 2015. "If it were not for the cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and [Major] General [Qasem] Soleimani [a commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)], we would not today have a government headed by [Iraqi Prime Minister] Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad," Secretary General of Badr Organization Hadi al-Ameri said in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Commander of the IRGC Quds Force Major General Qassem Soleimani met with Hezbollah leaders in Beirut on 30 January 2015 following an Israeli attack on Hezbollah fighters in Syrias Quneitra region. General Soleimani held talks in Beirut with Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and other officials from the Lebanese resistance movement 48 hours after the attack. Senior IRGC commander Brigadier General Mohammad Ali Allahdadi was among those killed in the strike.

The Iranian Islamic Revolution Guards Corps took part in the offensive led by Quds Force Commander General Qassem Soleimani. In an unprecedented move, the Iraqi government and parliament officially requested General Soleimani to oversee the operation by supervising and advising Iraqi forces. Effectively, this means the Iranian general will be commanding the joint Iraqi-Iranian offensive on Tikrit. The Iranian commander, who enjoys a great deal of influence among Shia militias in Iraq, arrived in the vicinity of Tikrit on 28 February 2015 and was received by a large crowd of Iraqi army leaders, soldiers, and Iraqi civilians hailing his presence.

CIA Director John Brennan said 22 March 2015 that Soleimani  and Tehran, at large  could destabilize Iraq even further once the Islamic State is defeated. Brennan called General Soleimani very aggressive and active, and expressed fears that he and the Iranian government could forge a close ties with Iraq, only to turn against Sunni and Kurdish Iraqis. "Were not letting them play that role," Brennan said. "I think theyre working with the Iraqis to play that role. Were working with the Iraqis, as well." Going further, Brennan said he "wouldnt consider Iran an ally right now inside Iraq."

Ryan Crocker, a former U.S. ambassador to Iraq in the George W. Bush administration, told VAO in February 2016 that "Anyone who thought that the Iran nuclear deal was going to herald a new era of a gentler, kinder Iran in the region is nuts," he said. "What youre seeing now in Iraq is the old Iranian playbook that they began to write in the early 80s."

Crocker indicated that there's a need to foil an expanded Iranian role in Iraq. "Qassem Suleimani, the Iranian Quds Force commander, is seeking to achieve what Iran could not in the 1980s: to gain a definitive victory over Iraq by fragmenting it, he said. Crocker warned against repeating an American policy mistake from the past: "As the United States withdrew from Iraq, it ceded the battlefield to Iran and its proxies in the center and south, and to ISIS in the west.

Soleimani was rumored to be dead on several occasions, including in a 2006 aircraft crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In November 2015, rumours circulated that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syria's Aleppo. There have been repeated air attacks on Quds bases in Syria and in August Israel accused the force of planning "killer drone attacks" and said its air raid showed Tehran that its forces were vulnerable anywhere. Foreign Minister Israel Katz said at the time that Israel was working to "uproot" Soleimani, according to Israeli media. And in October 2019, Tehran said it had foiled a plot by Israeli and Arab agencies to kill Soleimani.

Soleimani acquired celebrity status at home and abroad as leader of the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and for his key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq. He was instrumental in the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East, which the United States and Tehran's regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep in check.

Soleimani was the most popular political figure in Iran, according to several local and external polls. The latest, a poll commissioned by the Center of International and Security Studies at Maryland University, found that Soleimani had increased his influence, with eight in 10 respondents saying they view him favorably.

Soleimani, 62, was killed 02 February 2020 after the vehicle he and a senior Iraqi Shia militia leader were riding in was struck by a missile launched by a US Reaper Drone at the Baghdad International Airport. Soleimanis assassination was the culmination of a series of incidents going back to December 27, when a US military base in Kirkuk, Iraq was hit by rocket fire, killing a US civilian contractor and injuring several US troops. No group has claimed responsibility for that attack, but the US blamed Kataib Hezbollah and Iran. The US responded by attacking five Kataib Hezbollah facilities across Iraq and Syria, killing 25 fighters and injuring dozens more. On New Years Eve, angry protesters attempted to storm the US Embassy in Baghdad. The Pentagon then warned that it would carry out further preemptive defensive strikes against forces targeting US interests. After Soleimanis death, US President Trump and the State Department accused the Quds Force commander of harbouring imminent plans to attack Americans. Soleimanis Quds Force was involved in multiple anti-terrorist operations in the region, targeting al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Syria, and participating in Syrian and Iraqi operations to defeat Daesh (ISIS).





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A man wanted on multiple felony charges surrendered Thursday night after barricading himself inside a west Houston hotel room with two hostages, according to Houston police.

The man, who was not identified, was wanted on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. Houston police added that he is a known gang member.
Amaravati cannot be developed as the state capital city instead port city Visakhapatnam could be the preferred choice, according to Boston Consulting Group, which the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government hired to suggest a BIG (balance, inclusive growth) strategy for

The BCG report, contents of which were shared with reporters here on Friday, only reflected what the Chief Minister had spoken in the state Assembly on December 17, suggesting that the Secretariat be located in Visakhapatnam, Legislature in Amaravati and High Court in Kurnool.

The report only gave further indications that Visakhapatnam would soon become the headquarters of Andhra Pradesh, whether or not it is immediately designated as the state capital in formal terms.

Also, the BCG repeated what the six-member committee of experts recommended in its report on December 20 about distribution of capital functions to foster regional development.

The sectoral development plans that the BCG talked about in its report could, in fact, be found in the statutory Sivaramakrishnan Committee appointed by the Centre to suggest the capital for AP post-bifurcation in 2014.

The six-member committee of experts and referred to such plans in its report last month.

The BCG essentially seemed to have focused on the costs involved in building a greenfield capital city like Amaravati but again relied on the data already released by the AP Capital Region Development Authority, stating Rs one lakh crore is required to develop the core infrastructure.

A substantial portion of this need to be funded through debt and (its) servicing cost will be around Rs 8,000 croreto Rs 10,000 crore per annum. The state government already has a debt of Rs 2.25 lakh crore on its books, the BCG noted.

Multi-billion dollar investments are required for (building) a world-class city. Global benchmarks suggest investments of 0.5-1 billion USD per 10,000 population. New cities take 30-60 years to reach scale and many greenfield cities conceived over the last 50 years have had difficulties achieving the vision, the BCG pointed out.

In an attempt to mollify agitated farmers, who are seething over the governments plan to relocate the capital, the BCG came out with a suggestion focus could be on developing Amaravati region into an education hub, food and fisheries hub and hi-tech organic agriculture hub.

Focused efforts are required on these clusters to ensure employment creation and faster development, it said.

The high-powered committee of ministers and top bureaucrats would meet here on January 6 to deliberate on the recommendations of the experts committee and the BCG.

The high-powered committee is expected to submit its report by January 20, after which the Cabinet would discuss it for an appropriate decision.
Consider the fact that the ceremony is the most freewheeling of the bunch and the only one where the attendees drink (or at least, drink openly). Then theres the odd way they break up the categories between drama and comedy/musical. Not to mention, hosting them has become insult specialist Ricky Gervaiss primary role in popular culture (Sunday will mark his fifth turn). Or that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the body that chooses the nominations and picks the winners, seems more interested in gathering Famous People in a room than in the films and television shows it rewards. Plus, it probably doesnt help that the HFPAs voting members number in the tens, as opposed to the academys thousands.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 22:39:40|Editor: yan

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CAIRO, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Foreign Ministry said on Friday it was following the developments in Iraq with great concern and called for avoiding any further escalation.

"The foreign ministry is following with great concern the ... developments in Iraq," the statement said.

"Containing the situation requires immediate halt of all kinds of regional interventions in the Arab countries and people affairs," the statement added, noting such interventions only brought tensions and divisions among the Iraqi people who aspire to peace and stability.

The statement came after a U.S. airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps.

On Tuesday, the U.S. embassy suspended public consular services, until further notice, as a result of an attack by the Iranian-backed protesters on the diplomatic compound.
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday slammed the Congress and the Shiv Sena amid the unrest in the country over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). During his speech, Goyal said that Congress was selfish and were responsible for the Partition of the country. He also mentioned that the Congress party through their plan are trying to spread misinformation and violence in the country. Further taking a jibe at the Shiv Sena, Goyal said that earlier the party who supported this Act for 'Hindu' interest later retracted their support saying that they were confused about the Act. Goyal was addressing an event on 'Why India Needs CAA? in Mumbai.

Goyal slams Congress

Addressing the event Goyal said, "The Opposition is confused or is confusing the public about CAA under a thought plan, they also tried to spread violence in many places on the basis of misconceptions. Our leaders and activists will contact the people of the country about CAA, about 3 crore families will be contacted in the next 10 days and we will remove the misunderstandings of the Opposition."

"In Pakistan, which was 23 per cent minority, Pakistan is an Islamic country, so there can be minority Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Christians, Parsis. The government of Pakistan was responsible for protecting 23 per cent of those minorities."

"If anyone is responsible for the partition of India, it is entirely with the Congress party, due to the greed of some people, they accepted Partition but were not ready to leave the post. The train which came from Pakistan at the time of Partition was full of corpses, those who wanted to leave Pakistan and send them dead where the custom of Pakistan. In the agreement reached between Nehru Liaquat, it has been decided that India will worry for the minorities who are in India, and those who are in Pakistan will be the responsibility of Pakistan," he added.

READ | BJP Working President JP Nadda Questions Congress' Silence On Anti-CAA Violence

READ | Protests Against CAA 'mostly Political', Says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Further hitting out at Sena, Goyal said, "In our manifesto, we had clearly stated that we will implement this CAA, it was our policy, and we passed this act in Parliament this time. Some parties were confused about this act, who used to talk earlier for the Hindu interest, shouted slogans, that too has now retracted, it is very unfortunate."

"Mahatma Gandhi also wrote a letter to Pandit Nehru, in which he talked about the refugees living in India with respect, today Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji has made that dream of Gandhiji come true. The Congress government started in NPR 2009, it is not a law, it only keeps track of how much population is in the country, how much is the population in cities, villages, there is no need to give any document in it," Goyal said.

"The misunderstandings being spread in the country, the youth are being misled. The people coming from the demonstration do not even know what is being performed. Politics should never be above humanity, CAA is an Act brought by humanity, it does not harm anyone, does not snatch anything from anyone. This is a law made for humanity." Goyal stated.

READ | Kerala Assembly Resolution Against CAA Has Absolutely No Constitutionality

READ | PM Modi Launches Twitter Campaign To Clear Myths Surrounding CAA, #IndiaSupportsCAA Trends
A special court for Central Bureau of Investigation cases in Hyderabad on Friday directed YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy to attend the court personally on January 10 in connection with the disproportionate assets case against him.

If the Andhra Pradesh chief minister follows the court direction, it will be the first time he will make a personal appearance in court after becoming the chief minister.

All these days, he has been seeking exemption from attendance in court in person every Friday by filing a petition under Section 317 of the Criminal Procedure Code, stating that he was not able to attend the court due to compelling reasons.

A YSRC leader familiar with the development said the chief minister might move the state high court challenging the CBI court order.

The CBI court, which held an in-camera hearing at the Nampally criminal court complex, expressed dissatisfaction over the repeated petitions by Jagan seeking exemption from personal appearances. The court pointed out that he had already been given 10 exemptions in a row.

There will be no more exemptions. The accused will have to attend the court next Friday (January 10) under any circumstances, the CBI court judge conveyed to Jagans counsel.

The judge also asked YSR Congress party general secretary and Rajya Sabha member V Vijaya Sai Reddy to appear before the court on January 10. Sai Reddy, who is Accused No. 2 (A-2) in the case, has also been seeking occasional exemptions from personal appearances in the court.

The Andhra Pradesh chief minister, who has been facing the CBI case since 2011, had been in jail for 16 months between May 2012 to September 2013, before coming out on bail. He had been attending the court regularly except during compelling circumstances.

After Jagan took over as the chief minister on May 30, 2019, he filed a petition in the court seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance on the ground that he had the constitutional responsibility to rule the state as the chief minister and also because his personal appearance in the court would cause huge burden on the state exchequer.

However, the court rejected Jagans petition on November 1 last year after strong opposition from the CBI, which said there was no change in the conditions of the case, except that Jagan had become the chief minister. The CBI argued that Jagan might influence the witnesses if given exemption.

The CBI had filed a total of 11 chargesheets against Jagan and the other accused in the disproportionate assets and quid pro quo cases. In all the 11 chargesheets, the petitioner (Jagan) stands as an accused in his individual capacity and as representative of his privately owned companies and therefore should attend the court as such, it argued.

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Delhi Police's crime branch is probing if there's a common link to all violent protests against the new citizenship law and if they were orchestrated with a "hidden agenda", a senior official said on Friday.

The crime branch is investigating 10 cases in total in connection with the violence, the official said.

Of the 10 cases, two each were registered at Dayalpur and Jamia Nagar police stations. One each was registered at Seelampur, Jafrabad, Nand Nagri, Seemapuri, Daryaganj and New Friends Colony.

"We will be looking for a common link between all the cases and also ascertain if these protests were orchestrated with a hidden agenda" the police official said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Both films - For Sama and The Cave - were submitted to the Documentary Feature category of the 92nd Academy Awards

Two films from Syria  For Sama and The Cave  are awaiting the nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards in the Documentary Feature category, having made it to the 15-film shortlist, announced last month.

The voting for the final list of nominees began on 2 January and continues through 7 January, with results to be revealed on 13 January.

For Sama is directed by Syrian Waad Al-Kateab, and tells the story of her experience falling in love and raising her daughter as the war rages in Aleppo.

Al-Kateab is the first Syrian filmmaker to win an International Emmy Award, for her reportage that focuses on the 2016 siege of Aleppo and which was produced for Channel Four News.

The short review of For Sama posted on Rotten Tomatoes says that the film is "a love letter from a young mother to her daughter. [The film] tells the story of Waad Al-Kateab's life through five years of the uprising in Aleppo, Syria as she falls in love, gets married and gives birth to Sama, all while cataclysmic conflict rises around her.

Her camera captures incredible stories of loss, laughter and survival as Waad wrestles with an impossible choice - whether or not to flee the city to protect her daughter's life, when leaving means abandoning the struggle for freedom for which she has already sacrificed so much."

The film has already garnered over 40 awards at international festivals and has been nominated for 30 other awards. The wins include Best Director, Best British Independent Film, Best Documentary and Best Editing at the British Independent Film Awards 2019; a Golden Eye at the Cannes Film Festival 2019; Best European Documentary at the European Film Awards 2019; and an Audience Award at the Munich Film Festival 2019.

The Cave is directed by Feras Fayyad, who wrote the film along with Alisar Hasan.

Fayyad is a Syrian director, writer, producer, cinematographer, and editor who was Oscar-nominated in 2018 for his war documentary Last Men in Aleppo (2017), the first Syrian director to be so. Although the film did not win the Oscar, it has garnered almost 30 awards from many international festivals.

The Cave is Fayyads most recent documentary. The films brief on IMDb reads: Amidst air strikes and bombings, a group of female doctors in Ghouta, Syria struggle with systemic sexism while trying to care for the injured using limited resources.

The Cave has won nine awards at international festivals including: the Grolsch People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival 2019; an Audience Award and Harrell Award - Special Mention at the Camden International Film Festival 2019; and the Critics' Choice Documentary Award at the Critics' Choice Documentary Awards 2019 for the Best Director and the Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary.

A total of 159 films were submitted to the Oscars Documentary Feature category, with 15 making it to the shortlist. They include Advocate, American Factory, The Apollo, Apollo 11, Aquarela, The Biggest Little Farm, The Edge of Democracy, The Great Hack, Honeyland, Knock Down the House, Maiden, Midnight Family, and One Child Nation.

The Academy Awards ceremony will take place on 10 February.

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Naturally enough, it is the forthcoming Labour leadership election that has been grabbing the medias attention. But the Lib Dems also find themselves with a vacancy to fill.

Last months General Election resulted in just 11 Lib Dem MPs being returned to the House of Commons. That was one down on the number elected in 2017. In the Euro Elections in May, the Lib Dems had beaten both Labour and the Conservatives. The local elections three weeks earlier saw them make net gains of over 700 councillors. In June there were opinion polls showing them on around 20 per cent  jockeying for the lead with the Conservative, Labour, and the Brexit Party. The Lib Dems were buoyed by defections and a by-election victory in Brecon and Radnorshire. With Labour being muddled over Brexit, the plan was for the Lib Dems to scoop up the Remain vote.

July saw them elect a new leader, Jo Swinson. In October she said she could become Prime Minister, declaring:

This is a volatile time in politics. Nobody needs to look at received wisdom or whats happened in the past.

Our polling shows that we are within a small swing of winning hundreds of seats, because the political landscape is so totally changed by what has happened in our country post-Brexit.

Hubris. In the end she lost her own seat. She is too young to remember the speech of her predecessor, David Steel, in Llandudno in 1981:

I have the good fortune to be the first Liberal Leader for over half a century who is able to say to you at the end of our annual Assembly: go back to your constituencies and prepare for government.

Of course, its easy to sneer with the benefit of hindsight. There were plenty of independent pundits who expected the Lib Dems to do well in the election. In terms of seats, the Party also had some bad luck. Swinson lost East Dunbartonshire to a Scottish Nationalist by only 149 votes. Though the Lib Dems national vote share was modest at 11.5 per cent, it was a significant increase  4.2 per cent  on last time, when they only scored 7.4 per cent. They did put on extra votes but in the wrong places. Ed Moisson on Lib Dem Voice notes that the Lib Dems finished in second place in 91 seats last month. The previous time, in 2017, they were in second place in just 38 constituencies. Sure, they are a long way down from the 23 per cent vote share a decade ago. But it would be misleading to suppose there has been no recovery at all.

So who will the next Leader be? The choice is limited. Their MPs include Tim Farron, their former Leader, but he has rules himself out. A newly elected MP would be an unlikely choice. Among those left are Wera Hobhouse, the MP for Bath, Jamie Stone, who represents Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, and Christine Jardine, who was returned for Edinburgh West. All three have been tipped.

Layla Moran, the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, has made clear she is considering standing and has been clearing the decks about her personal life in the Daily Mail. She admits that her then boyfriend, Richard Davis, had been detained by police after a row at a party conference turned violent in 2012. Charges against both of them were dropped. Moran describes herself as pansexual and is now in a relationship with Rosy Cobb, who was the Lib Dems head of media, until being suspended by the Party after a row over a faked email.

But Sir Ed Davey, the acting Leader and MP for Kingston and Surbiton would seem the front runner. Even though he was defeated by Swinson just a few months ago.

Rather more important is finding a role for the Party after Brexit. Some in the Party will want to quickly demand that the UK seek to rejoin the EU. Norman Lamb, a former Lib Dem MP, gives a different view tweeting:

We have elevated support for a flawed institution (the EU) into an article of faith. Horrified to hear Guy Verhofstadt talking about the EU as an empire and the need for it to defend our way of life  at the Lib Dem conference to big applause!

Lambs stance seems to me the true path for liberals and democrats. But will his Party agree? Even if it does and moves on from being a fan club for the EU, what will it stand for instead? Will it just regress to being an opportunist protest party? Sustaining and building on its local government advances will probably be the immediate priority for the new Leader. Whoever is chosen will face the challenge of giving the Party a coherant mission.
In a statement issued here, Khamenei said the "cruelest people on earth" assassinated the "honourable" commander who "courageously fought for year against the evils and bandits of the world", reports the Tehran-based Press TV.

Tehran, Jan 3 (IANS) Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on Friday vowed "tough revenge" on the US after an attack ordered by American President Donald Trump killed Gen Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) elite Quds Force, in Iraq.

"His demise will not stop his mission, but the criminals who have the blood of General Soleimani and other martyrs of the Thursday night attack on their hands must await a vigorous revenge.

"... The continued fight and achievement of the final victory will make life bitterer for the murderers and criminals," he added.

Besides offering condolences to Soleimani's family, Khamenei also declared three days of mourning.

The IRGC said that Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the Hashd Shaabi or the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), were killed in the US strike that targeted their vehicle on the Baghdad International Airport road.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the US attack as "extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation".

"The US' act of international terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani, the most effective force fighting IS, Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda, is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation.

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he said in a series of tweets.

Meanwhile, the PMF has also confirmed the incident, adding that its public relations director Mohammed Reza al-Jaberi and four other members were also killed after three Katyusha rockets struck a military base next to the Baghdad airport earlier on Friday.

It described the attack as a "cowardly US bombing".

President Trump have not officially commented on the development, but he posted a picture of the American flag on his Twitter handle.

Since 1998, Maj Gen Soleimani led Iran's Quds Force - the IRGC's elite unit which handles clandestine operations abroad.

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Wanted: Deputies in Alabama are searching for Aritonio Bell, 30, who is accused of taking five people hostage, forcing them to undress at gunpoint and handcuffing some of them together

Authorities in Alabama are on the hunt for a suspect who is accused of holding five naked people at gunpoint for 16 hours, before letting the hostage go and fleeing.

According to a statement from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, at 10.19am on Thursday, a woman called 911 to report that she had been held against her will at her home in Fairfield.

Detectives arrived on the scene in the 6700 block of Terrace Court and learned that there were five people held captive from 6pm on Wednesday until Thursday morning, when their abductor, identified as 30-year-old Aritonio Lawrence Bell, released them.

The victims told the authorities that Bell held them at gunpoint, forced them to take off their clothes and then handcuffed some of them together.

The suspect was described as a relative of one of the hostages.

Bell allegedly held the people captive at a home in the 6700 block of Terrace Court in Fairfield, Alabama, for about 16 hours before letting them go

'The offender may have been angry with members of the household for financial reasons,' the sheriff's office stated.

The agency has not released any additional details concerning the incident.

Deputies are now searching for Bell. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked call the Sheriffs Office at 205-325-1450.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday declared that the Centre will not budge an inch on implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) as the political acrimony over the new law grew intense with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asking if Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an "ambassador' of Pakistan.

As rallies for and against the controversial law continued in several parts of the country, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to 11 non-BJP chief ministers to follow the example of his state Assembly in passing a resolution demanding that the CAA be scrapped. The CPI-M veteran said there is a need for unity in the country to protect democracy and secularism.

Former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon also waded into the escalating row, saying the amendment of the Citizenship Act was government's "self-inflicted goal" which has "isolated" India and that the list of critical voices both at home and abroad is "pretty long".

Launching an "awareness programme" in Rajasthan in support of the CAA, Shah accused the Congress of misleading Muslims and challenged party leader Rahul Gandhi to a discussion if he has read the law.

"Rahul Baba if you have read the CAA then come to discuss it anywhere. And if you have not read it, I will translate it in Italian and send it you to read it."



The BJP will take out 500 rallies across the country, beginning Saturday to reach out to three crore people, he said.

Shah, who is also the BJP president, said the party had to launch this programme because of the misinformation spread by the opposition parties on the amended law.

Let all these parties come together. The Bharatiya Janata Party is not going back an inch on the CAA,'" he said at a meeting held in Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's assembly constituency.

Hitting out at Modi for what she said "frequently comparing India with Pakistan", Banerjee wondered if he was an "ambassador of Hindustan or the neighbouring country".

Banerjee while addressing an anti-citizenship law rally in Siliguri said it was a shame that people were being asked to prove their nationality, even after 70 years of Independence.

"India is a big country with a rich culture and heritage. Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan? Are you the prime minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan?



"Why do you have to refer to Pakistan in every issue? You (Modi) should rather speak of Hindustan. We don't want to be Pakistan. We love Hindustan," she said.

Modi on Thursday dared the Congress and its allies to raise their voice against Pakistan's atrocities on its minorities for the past 70 years.

Banerjee, who is also the TMC supremo, said the prime minister and his party spoke of Pakistan every now and then to divert attention from the prevailing economic crisis and unemployment in India.

Besides Banerjee and Gehlot, Vijayan sent identical letter to chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Hemant Soren (Jharkhand), Uddhav Thackeray (Maharashtra), Nitish Kumar (Bihar), Y S Jaganmohan Reddy (Andhra Pradesh), Kamal Nath (Madhya Pradesh), Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Naveen Patnaik (Odisha) and V Narayanasamy (Puducherry).

The BJP while accusing the Congress of " of duplicity and expedience" over the CAA cited the opposition party's manifesto for the 2018 Rajasthan assembly polls that promised all-round development to refugees from Pakistan, including those linked to their citizenship and rehabilitation.

BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao shared the details of the Congress manifesto to hit out at the opposition party.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while responding to a question during a town hall meeting in Delhi said he appeals to the Centre with "folded hands" to roll back the "controversial legislation".

"We don't need this law it is completely unnecessary. Where will we accommodate two crore Hindus from Pakistan," the chief minister said.

But Union Minister Nityanand Rai claimed that opposition to the CAA is an "attack on OBCs" and that those protesting against the new legislation should be declared "anti-OBC" and "anti-Dalit".

The minister of state for home claimed that most of the non-Muslims fleeing harassment in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan belong to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Dalits.

The Congress told Shah that NDA constituents and chief ministers of the ruling BJP were not accepting the CAA but the prime minister and he continued to abuse the opposition.

"Amit Shahji, Modiji and you have been made by the public to work as prime minister and home minister and not abuse the opposition leaders.

"Your allies are not accepting the divisive CAA, your own chief ministers are not accepting the CAA. Should we send you a Hindi translation," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet in Hindi.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury accused the BJP of indulging in "dirty" with an intent to consolidate "Hindutva votebank".

Yechury was speaking at a rally organised by the CPI(M) in Guwahati to protest against the CAA.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For the second time in a year, Weis Markets is closing a store in Dauphin County.

In a statement, Weis said it has made the business decision to close the store at 5125 Jonestown Road in Lower Paxton Township at the Paxton Towne Center.

We are grateful to our customers for their patronage at this store and look forward to serving them at our other locations in the Harrisburg area, reads the statement.

Weis said it has informed the 88 associates employed at the store and is facilitating their transfer to one of six nearby Weis locations.

Weis spokesman Dennis Curtin said the store was underperforming in recent years, which prompted the decision. In September, Weis closed a store in the Swatara Square shopping center at 6301 Grayson Road in Swatara Township after 20 years of operation. At the time, Curtin said that store also had been underperforming.

The Lower Paxton Township store opened in 2000, and replaced a smaller store at the corner of Jonestown and Devonshire roads where Best Buy now operates.

According to the signs, weekly circular deals will be honored through Jan. 31. Weis said customers can patronize its other stores at 3885 Union Deposit Road in Susquehanna Township and 4300 Linglestown Road in Lower Paxton Township.

The chain emphasized it is continuing to invest in its stores in central Pennsylvania and recently upgraded the Lower Allen Township store with a new beer-wine cafe.

Last year, Weis ranked No. 2 by market share in the central Pa. market by Food World, a grocery industry publication.

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A real estate sign outside a home in Vancouver on June 12, 2018. Housing assessments in British Columbia show the real estate market continues to see signs of moderation in the Lower Mainland while stabilizing on Vancouver Island and other parts of the province. (The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward)

House Values Drop 11 Percent in Vancouver, Stabilize or Rise Elsewhere in BC

VANCOUVERHousing assessments are in the mail for nearly two million homeowners in British Columbia, but those in Vancouver may have already searched their properties online to learn that values have fallen dramatically.

Its an annual rite of passage that on Jan. 1, you say Happy New Year and then you immediately check your property assessment and then your neighbours, joked Andy Yan, director of Simon Fraser Universitys City Program.

The figures released Thursday by BC Assessment show the typical value of a single-family home in Vancouver has dropped 11 percent, from $1.76 million to $1.57 million, as of July 1, 2019.

The decline is more dramatic in the costly University Endowment Lands on the citys west side, where average single-family home values fell 16 percent from $5.9 million to $4.95 million.

Vancouvers housing prices saw large gains from 2015 to 2017 that were unrelated to local incomes, prompting a flurry of intervention by all three levels of government. The current downturn reflects the ongoing stabilization of the market, said Yan.

This is part of a really important conversation here, which is really, how precarious was the market? Is it realistic to expect 15, 20 per cent increases per year? How much of this is really meant to tap on the brakes before the vehicle breaks down on you?

Federal measures including the mortgage stress test and more rigorous identity and income verification have had an impact, along with new taxes imposed by the provincial and Vancouver governments, he said.

The province levied a 15 percent tax on foreign buyers in Metro Vancouver in 2016 that recently rose to 20 percent and expanded to other areas including Greater Victoria and the Fraser Valley.

Yan also said China has made it more difficult to move money out of the country, potentially reducing the flow of foreign capital to B.C.

The new assessments may ground homeowners to a more realistic understanding of their actual wealth as opposed to their wealth on paper, he said.

Really, are you as rich as you think you are? he asked.

The average value of condominiums in Vancouver also fell by seven percent, from $740,000 to $686,000.

The top end of the market is underperforming the most, suggesting provincial measures are having the most impact, said Tom Davidoff, the director of the University of British Columbias Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate.

Those measures include the foreign-buyers tax, a speculation tax on empty homes and a school tax on properties worth more than $3 million, he said.

Davidoff said the condominium market is one to watch over the next couple years as tens of thousands of new units are set to be completed.

Ive been surprised at how resilient condos have been given that number of completions, he said.

Elsewhere in B.C., housing values in the resort community of Whistler and nearby Pemberton rose five percent, while Vancouver Island saw modest reductions and some notable gains.

Yan suggested southern Vancouver Island may be experiencing a ripple effect of people cashing out of Vancouver and moving across the Georgia Strait.

At the same time, values of single-family properties in Terrace and Kitimat in northern B.C., where the massive LNG Canada project is being built, rose 20 and 41 percent respectively.

B.C.s Housing Minister Selina Robinson said she was encouraged by the assessment figures.

For the second year in a row, we see only modest changes in the value of both single-family and strata homes in most regions, particularly in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island, she said in a statement.

This is a positive sign that our governments efforts to make housing more affordable for more British Columbians are having a real impact.

By Laura Kane
Photograph: Wana News Agency/Reuters

That explosive national security crisis weve been concerned that Donald Trump would be faced with at some point in his presidency? It may be here.

Americas assassination of Qassem Suleimani, head of the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, could have deadly ramifications for the United States and its allies and partners in the Middle East and beyond. It seems highly unlikely that the Trump administration is prepared for what comes next.

Related: The Guardian view on Trumps biggest gamble: assassinating an Iranian general could lead to war | Editorial

Suleimani was a ruthless terrorist who was responsible for countless deaths, including American ones.

But the question is not whether hes bad. The question is whether it was in Americas interests to kill Suleimani now  and thats assuming there could be a domestic and international legal basis for the killing  in the midst of already deadly tensions between the US and Iran. Killing Suleimani was the equivalent of lighting a match on top of a powder keg. There is now an extreme potential of escalation.

Lets remember how we got here. The United States and Iran have been at odds for decades. Americas disastrous invasion of Iraq set off a new, deadly round of tensions when Iran organized attacks on American troops in Iraq, attacks often coordinated by Suleimani. But in 2015, the United States and Iran signed an agreement that successfully stopped Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons. Despite the threatening activity of Iranian proxies in places such as Yemen and Lebanon, the US and Iran both fought against the Islamic State. The relationship had become far more complex, and there was a high-level dialogue between the two countries.

Then Trump took office, ramped up the pressure, and, in 2018, withdrew from the nuclear deal. Since then, tensions between the two countries have increased and multiple moments in 2019 alone brought the two countries to the brink of conflict. The Trump administration has brought us to the precipice we are at today, and that is why this assassination was so dangerous. With so many Americans in Iraq vulnerable to Iranian attacks, as was made clear by the storming of the embassy in Baghdad, killing Suleimani was a massive escalation that will only make it more difficult to end the cycle of violence.

Story continues

The danger now isnt necessarily all-out war; while miscalculation could certainly result in a broader conflict, neither side wants it, and Iran knows that it would not be wise to fight America in a conventional war. Rather, the danger is that weve blundered right into something Iran is very good at: asymmetric escalation.

Iran is busy all around the Middle East, from Iraq to Syria, Lebanon to Yemen, and while Suleimani is gone, the threat to Americans and our allies remains very real. Iran could consider a wide range of targets, from Americas allies (think Israel) to American personnel, facilities and interests across the world. Iran has carried out assassinations in Europe and even plotted to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the US. Retaliations could come anywhere.

The assassination of Suleimani will not only endanger America, it will also endanger our friends

The assassination of Suleimani will not only endanger America, it will also endanger our friends, who are nervous about getting caught in the middle of a conflict between the US and Iran. Iraqs Prime Minister condemned the assassination and made clear that it violated the terms of Americas military presence in Iraq. European allies urged caution, and the United Kingdom, which has troops in Iraq as well, reportedly was not notified in advance.

Furthermore, this move will likely strengthen hardliners in Iran. The more the US escalates, the more it closes the door to diplomacy and the more likely are reprisals from Iran.

None of this was necessary or inevitable: Trump didnt have to pull out of the nuclear deal, didnt have to send more US troops to the region, and didnt have to kill Suleimani. But we are where we are, and the question is: what should America do now?

The United States must have three immediate priorities: first, protect American personnel; second, coordinate closely with partners and allies; third, make clear that the United States wants to begin a direct dialogue with Iran.

The chances for Iranian attacks have skyrocketed as a result of this assassination; the US must move quickly to safeguard Americans abroad. The response will be different depending on the location: the US state department has ordered Americans to leave Iraq immediately. Elsewhere in the region and beyond  Beirut, Riyadh, the Gulf, European capitals  American embassies need to be on heightened alert and in touch with American citizens. And America needs to look closely at potential threats here at home.

Related: Fears of major conflict in Middle East as Iran vows to avenge killing of general

America will also need to work closely with partners and allies around the world who may be under threat from Iranian retaliation. Diplomatic, intelligence, and security coordination will be essential.

And while the United States must immediately send messages to Iran through all available channels that it wants to open a dialogue to de-escalate the situation, it is difficult to believe that Iran would agree to the offer after a major escalation by America and with an administration that has no credibility and seems hell-bent on pressuring Iran.

The reality is that we are in the midst of a full-blown national security crisis of Trumps own making. And Trumps incompetent leadership, derision of diplomats and the intelligence community that he needs now more than ever, and penchant for disastrous decisions means that this is likely to get worse before it gets better.
L ondon Ambulance Service was today praised for its response to terror attacks  but was warned it was not answering 999 calls quickly enough.

The NHS watchdog said the overall quality of LAS services remained good but downgraded it to requires improvement for safety.

This was primarily because at times there were not enough call handlers on duty.

The most recent figures show that people calling 999 waited for an average of 27 seconds to get through, though about half of calls were answered immediately.

There were also problems in the integrated and urgent care services run by LAS in north-east and south-east London, where it missed targets to answer 95 per cent of calls within a minute.

However, LAS is currently beating the target of having crews on scene at the most serious health emergencies within seven minutes.

Todays report, by the Care Quality Commission, was generally positive and showed that LAS continues to perform well since emerging from special measures less than two years ago.

The CQCs chief inspector of hospitals, Professor Ted Baker, singled out LAS frontline medics for praise in the way they responded to the spate of terror attacks, most recently when knifeman Usman Khan killed Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones at Fishmongers Hall, beside London Bridge, on November 29.

Professor Baker said: The London Ambulance Service has again been rated good overall. It has to cope with a number of additional pressures working in the capital.

Frontline staff deserve fulsome praise for the way they cope with terrorist incidents like the recent London Bridge attack.

The trust also trained staff well, so they had the training in the key skills needed for their roles.

The CQC report said staffing levels and rotas in the emergency operations centre, where there has been an 11 per cent vacancy rate, did not enable calls to be responded to as quickly as expected and to a consistent level.

The inspection, carried out last September, was ordered after CQC intelligence indicated possible safety concerns.

The report found that, despite improvements, some areas and vehicles were still not secured to a consistent standard. Two years ago, the Evening Standard revealed that a fake paramedic was able to respond to calls in a fast-response car.

The report said staff treated patients with compassion and kindness and found evidence of some outstanding practice, in particular in digital healthcare.

Garrett Emmerson, chief executive of LAS, said: We are pleased the CQC recognises our overall level of good performance and also found areas of outstanding practice.
90 Day Fiance: Before the 90 Days star Avery Mills says that a recent shopping trip to Walmart resulted in her being the target of hateful comments because she is Muslim.

Mills, 19, claimed on Twitter that two employees began talking about how America isnt how it used to be and how Trump needs to take out the trash and looked at me.

The reality TV personality added that she tried to ignore their comments and that the employees assumed she didnt speak English.

They pointed at me and [said] do you think she can even afford any of that and the other one said maybe with her welfare check from our taxes, Mills wrote. I called them out for it they tried to kiss my butt and they no longer have jobs.

Trump didnt need to take out the trash bc I did, she said.

She added in the tweet that the two employees were right about America not being what it used to be.

Avery Mills' Twitter | Twitter

RELATED: 90 Day Fiance Stars Loren and Alexei Brovarnik Expecting a Baby Boy: He Is Just So Loved

You cant blatantly be prejudice at work anymore. Its funny now Bc they will be living off of welfare with MY tax dollars, she said.

When reached by PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Walmart said that the alleged incident is currently being investigated.

We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind, Walmart said in a statement to PEOPLE. We take Ms. Mills claims seriously and are looking into this.

Mills is from Columbus, Ohio, and converted from Christianity to Islam.

Omar Albakkaur, Avery Mills | avery mills/instagram

I believed in God, but I wasnt always 100 percent confident in all of the Christian views, the reality star told Newsweek. I was open to learning about Islam and never expected to convert, but I was curious, so I asked some Muslim friends about Islam.

RELATED VIDEO: 90 Day Fiance Tell-All Clip

Everything I learned shocked me, it made so much sense and I realized its an amazing religion, she continued. The turning moment for me was when I went into a mosque and had a moment in my heart I knew I was with the right people, in the right place, about to follow the right path.

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I have never cared about what people thought in the past. No one can sway my decision on my choices, she added. I really make my own path and Ill tell them that.

Mills and 24-year-old husband Omar Albakkaur, who is from Syria, tied the knot in Lebanon with their wedding and relationship followed as part of the TLC reality series. The pair met on a Muslim dating site.

Mills did not immediately reply to PEOPLEs request for comment.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Elnur Baghishov - Trend:

A rally, in connection with the assassination of the Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, is being held in Tehran, Trend reports referring to Fars News Agency.

The protesters condemn the murder of General Soleimani.

Meanwhile, the Supreme National Security Council of Iran is holding an extraordinary meeting on the assassination of Major General Qassem Soleimani with the participation of the country's religious leader, president and other officials, which is closely related to the death of General Suleiman.

On Jan. 3, Major General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - Quds Force was killed as a result of air strikes at Baghdad Airport.

The Pentagon claimed responsibility for the assassination of the Iranian general. The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad.

Before the strike, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said there were indications Iran or forces it backs may be planning additional attacks, warning that the "game has changed" and it was possible the United States might have to take preemptive action to protect American lives.
IT firm Birlasoft has announced that its chief financial officer Rajeev Gupta has stepped down from his position. In a BSE filing on Friday, the company said that Gupta tendered his resignation on January 3, 2020 and will be relieved of his duties at the end of March. The reason behind his resignation was not disclosed.

"This is to inform you that Rajeev Gupta - Chief Financial Officer and Key Managerial Personnel of the Company, has tendered his resignation dated January 3, 2020, and he will be relieved from the duties effective March 31, 2020," Birlasoft said in its statement.

Birlasoft further added that the company is in the process of appointing a new Chief Financial Officer and the same will be communicated to the regulators in due course.

According to his profile on Birlasoft's website, Gupta is a seasoned finance executive, with over 22 years of experience across businesses between the scale of start-ups and Fortune 500 organisations. He possesses a blend of technical, operational and leadership skills and has experience of working with culturally diverse teams within North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Indian sub-continent.

Gupta began his career as an intern in a chartered accountancy firm. This was followed by stints at renowned organisations, including Amazon, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), InterGlobe Technologies and Jardine Lloyd Thompson, India. He spent almost a decade in Capgemini, where he served as the Head of MIS, Business Unit Controller, and the Deputy CFO.

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1 dead in stabbing attack south of Paris originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

A man with a knife lunged at passersby at 2 p.m. local time Friday in the town of Villejuif, France, a suburb about 7 miles south of Paris.

Police say the man injured three people, including one fatally, before being shot by police. One of the wounded died on the scene after a cardiac arrest, and two victims are in critical state.

PHOTO: Police and firefighters gather in a park in the south of Paris' suburban city of Villejuif on Jan. 3, 2020, where police shot dead a knife-wielding man who killed one person and injured at least two others. (Christophe Archambault/AFP via Getty Images)

The attacker has been neutralized and investigations are ongoing, announced public prosecutor Laure Beccau at a press conference Friday afternoon.

MORE: 5 stabbed at rabbi's Hanukkah celebration by intruder with machete-type knife

The attack took place in the Des Hautes-Bruyetes park in a residential area. The assailant fled towards the nearby town of l'Hay-les-roses, which is where he was shot by police. The prosecutor said the man tried to attack other victims who managed to avoid him.

PHOTO: French police secure an area in Villejuif near Paris, France, Jan. 3, 2020, after police shot dead a man who stabbed several people in a public park. (Charles Platiau/Reuters)

Secretary of State to the Interior Ministry Laurent Nunez congratulated the French police on their reactivity, especially the BAC unit of Kremlin-bicetre, which intervened quickly.

Officials could not immediately confirm the assailant's motives.




The search results showed the most affordable travel destinations and the new favorite spots for Peruvians, as shown here





"Tourism industry in Peru has become more dynamic over the past few years, and we have witnessed a huge growth. Peruvian destinations were among the most popular throughout 2019, but we also see that Peruvian travelers' interest in Latin America and Europe has increased," KAYAK's South Cone Regional Manager Claudia Tellez reported.





"Destinations like Indonesia, Honduras, and Japan have been a revelation in the ranking of the most fashionable destinations in said year," she added.





In 2019, Peruvians opted for domestic travel, being the capital Lima the most visited city in such year. In fact, the first international destination in this list sits on the fifth spot.





The ranking of the most popular destinations for Peruvian travelers is led by Lima, followed by Cusco, Piura, Arequipa, Madrid (Spain), Tarapoto, Buenos Aires (Argentina), Iquitos, Santiago (Chile) and Mexico City.





On the other hand, Cusco was the most affordable flight destination, with an average round trip price of about S/273 (US$82).





The so-called Imperial City is followed by Iquitos (S/276; US$83), Lima (S/283; US$85), Arequipa (S/290; US$88), Pucallpa (S/290; US$88), Jauja (S/290; US$88), Tarapoto (S/310; US$94), Chiclayo (S/323; US$98), Cajamarca (S/323; US$98), and Piura (S/326; US$99).





(END) CAN/RMB
The airstrike by U.S. forces on Iranian military officials in Baghdad may prompt more violence, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, warned Thursday in a statement.

"Tonight's airstrike risks provoking further dangerous escalation of violence," Pelosi said. "American-and the world-cannot afford to have tensions escalate to the point of no return."
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 18:46:11|Editor: huaxia

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NANCHANG, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- A ringtone is usually music to our ears as we receive a phone call. But what if the ringtone announces a dirty secret of the subscriber?

A court in east China's Jiangxi Province has introduced a shaming ringtone to embarrass debtors and pressure them to pay the money they owe.

If anyone calls the debtor, the ringtone tells the caller: The subscriber you are calling has been put on a blacklist by the Jiangxi Higher People's Court for failing to repay their debts. Please urge the person to fulfill his or her legal obligations.

The ringtone aims to pressure 5,865 local "laolai" (those who avoid repaying their debts) to fulfill their responsibilities.

The court teamed up with three major telecommunication operators in Jiangxi to design the ringtone, said Zou Zhonghua, an official with the court.

"Compared to traditional ways of exposing laolai, novel ways are more effective," said local judge Zeng Chaoping. "They usually just repay their debts because they don't want to lose face to their relatives and friends."

Many laolai have tried a variety of ways to avoid repayment.

In 2017, a 59-year-old woman had plastic surgery in an attempt to disguise herself to avoid repaying 25 million yuan (3.59 million U.S. dollars) in debt, according to a court in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province.

China adopted a nationwide real-name registration policy for mobile phone number subscribers on Sept. 1, 2010. All new users need to provide their ID cards to telecom operators to obtain new phone numbers.
In a precedent-setting labour board battle over the future of the gig economy, food delivery giant Foodora is arguing its couriers are independent contractors, a category of worker that cannot unionize and is defined by freedom and flexibility on the job.

But Foodora also maintains an active strike log that closely monitors couriers and clocks poor performance  with potentially significant consequences for workers wages and ability to get work, according to evidence submitted by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers to the provincial labour board.

The documents, obtained by the Star, are part of submissions to a potentially groundbreaking case between CUPW and Foodora that could change the gig economys landscape. Most workers in that sector are classified by the companies they work for as independent contractors.

CUPW argues Foodora couriers are not truly independent contractors because of the degree of control the company exercises over them. If that argument proves successful, the couriers could become the first app-based workforce in the country to unionize.

Its submissions, based on written declarations made by couriers and supporting evidence such as corporate communications and dispatch logs, claim that Foodora tracks couriers work performance closely, including, in at least one case, issuing a notice of termination to a courier for delivering too slowly.

Some of the supporting evidence, including dispatch communications and the name of the allegedly terminated courier, were redacted in the submissions obtained by the Star.

In an emailed statement, Matt Rice, Foodoras head of marketing, said that classifying workers as independent contractors provides more flexibility for both the courier and foodora.

In 2015, we acquired a business that was 100 per cent independent contractors, he added, referring to the companys acquisition of Toronto start-up Hurrier, which then rebranded as Foodora. It was working well for both sides, so we kept the model.

The Star sent a list of specific questions to Foodora about the claims made in the labour board evidence, but the company said it could not comment on the ongoing proceedings.

So far, Foodora has, in a series of hearings that took place this fall at the board, argued it exercises little control or direction over couriers work conditions. Lawyers for the company have focused on the fact the couriers purchase and select their own work gear; can change, extend or delay shifts for any reason; and can work for competing companies without penalty.

Defining features of an independent contractor include setting ones own schedule, supplying ones own work equipment, and being able to subcontract work to others. Unlike employees, businesses cannot discipline independent contractors, according to the Ontario Ministry of Labours website.

The documents obtained by the Star include four written declarations from couriers claiming Foodora maintains a strike log to monitor them. The couriers declarations provided numerous examples of documented strikes against them by the company due to perceived performance issues. The strikes are ranked in severity by Foodoras dispatch team from low to high. They were issued for everything from disputes over a declined order, to failing to respond to dispatch, to delaying an order, according to the written declarations.

On one occasion I was warned that I could only decline 5 per cent of my orders without consequence, reads a written declaration from Ivan Ostos, a Foodora courier and one of the lead organizers of the union drive. (The text of Ostoss exchange with dispatch over declining orders was redacted in the documents obtained by the Star).

In one case, a delivery driver in the GTA was subject to a rider misconduct inquiry in April 2019, according to evidence submitted by CUPW. Its submissions include an email from Foodora fleet management to the driver informing him that he had been reported for refusing to complete an order assigned by dispatch.

Let it be known that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated and that you are expected to be ready and available for the entirety of scheduled shifts from beginning to end, the report says.

The report goes on to say the driver will no longer receive a guaranteed $16 hourly wage, which some Foodora couriers are entitled to if they meet certain requirements set by the company.

I was told that my wages for that shift would be converted to commission only, the drivers declaration says. I do not know whether or not this conversion in fact took place.

Without the guaranteed wage, couriers earn a base rate set by Foodora of $4.50 per delivery, plus $1 a kilometre of travel between restaurant and drop-off point.

Larry Savage, director of Brock Universitys Centre for Labour Studies, calls the Foodora labour board battle key for the union movement.

Employment misclassification and the spread of non-standard work arrangements threaten to undermine good-paying jobs and workers rights now and in the future, he said.

In another written declaration submitted to the board, a bike courier said Foodoras dispatch team had issued several strikes against him for disputes over delayed or declined orders, including one he said he declined because the drop-off point was too far away.

His declaration added that dispatch monitored his location through GPS tracking on the app and questioned me when it appeared that I was not completing a delivery as expected. In one instance, he said, dispatch objected when he stopped to fix his bicycle mid-delivery.

I was told by dispatch that I should complete the order regardless of my belief that my bicycle was not safe, his declaration says.

CUPW also submitted evidence that a courier, whose name was redacted in the Foodora documents obtained by the Star, received a notice of termination from Foodora this June for working for another platform while on shift, leading to an unreasonably delayed order.

A November agreed statement of facts between Foodora and the union says couriers are contractually obligated to provide services in an efficient, effective, competent and professional manner.

The agreed statement of facts also says the company uses rider performance metrics to decide who gets first crack at shifts. Those metrics include starting on time, completing shifts, and accepting all deliveries offered by dispatch while on shift.

Poor performers can be de-prioritized or even deactivated from the app.

I suspect Foodora will have a difficult time establishing that its couriers are independent contractors given how deeply couriers are integrated into its delivery business, Savage said. Foodora clearly controls couriers working conditions as evidenced by, among other things, the companys use of the strike log, which impacts couriers ability to secure shifts and get paid.

In January, Foodora and CUPW will continue to argue those points before the board. The union is seeking a ruling that couriers are dependent contractors  a middle ground between employee and independent contractor that still has the right to unionize.

I think there is a very strong case to be made that Foodora couriers are dependent contractors. Its clear that a significant number of couriers are working precariously and are economically dependent on Foodora, Savage said.

Working in the gig economy is not the hobby-based lifestyle some have made it out to be, he added. For a growing number of workers, its their day-to-day reality and they are barely making ends meet.
File Image: A network of pipes rust at the abandoned former Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal. (Image Reuters)

Agrochemical maker Insecticides India Ltd (IIL) has received an environment clearance for setting up a pesticide manufacturing unit in Bharuch, Gujarat that will entail an investment of Rs 40 crore, according to an official document.

The union environment ministry has given the go-ahead to IIL's proposed project after taking into account the recommendations of a green panel.

The clearance, however, has been given with some conditions, the document added.

As per the proposal, IIL wants to set up a pesticide and pesticide intermediates manufacturing unit with a production capacity of 2,500 tonne per month at Dahej in Bharuch district in an area of 52,000 square metre.

The estimated project cost is Rs 40 crore and will generate direct and indirect employment for 150 persons.

IIL has six formulation units in Chopanki (Rajasthan), Samba and Udhampur (Jammu & Kashmir), Dahej (Gujarat). It also has technical synthesis plants at Chopanki and Dahej to make technical grade chemicals.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 19:32:16|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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WELLINGTON, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will send 22 more firefighters to help fight the bushfires that are savaging neighboring Australia, announced New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Friday.

"The devastation caused by these fires is taking a substantial toll on our Australian neighbours and we will continue to do what we can to assist as they deal with this extremely dynamic, dangerous and ongoing situation," Ardern said in a statement.

Ardern had conveyed New Zealanders' condolences to Australians who have lost loved ones and sympathy to all affected. "It's simply devastating to see the scale of the loss," said Ardern.

A formal request for further assistance was made earlier this week and the extra personnel, including 20 firefighters, a strike team leader and a liaison officer, will help with front-line firefighting on two five-day rotations. They'll leave for Australia on January 8.

Since late October 2019, 157 New Zealanders have been deployed to assist with the Australian bushfires.

"These fires continue to be fought in some of the most challenging conditions ever and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and its partners are providing valuable assistance," New Zealand Minister for Internal Affairs Tracey Martin introduced the situation on Friday. "New Zealand Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and FENZ will remain in contact with Australian fire authorities to consider any further calls for support as needed."

Meanwhile, smoke from the Australian bushfires continues to drift across the Tasman Sea, turning Fox and Franz Josef glaciers in New Zealand's South Island into caramel brown and blocking out the sun in many places.
Scientists have discovered a specific protein that triggers allergic reactions when it comes into contact with fragrances common in cosmetic products.

It can send immune cells into overdrive when people use skin creams, body washes, lotions, shampoos - and even toothpastes.

The breakthrough could help stem soaring cases of rashes, lumps, blisters, itchy eyes and facial swellings. It has been dubbed the 'molecular missing link'.

An average woman uses 12 cosmetic items a day - containing an estimated 168 different chemicals.

And as these products become increasingly common, scientists have noted that contact dermatitis - a kind of allergic reaction that causes a red, itchy rash skin touches certain substances - has also been on the rise.

Contact dermatitis has been on the rise as the skin care and cosmetic industry has grown. Now, scientists understand how common fragrances trigger a protein to cause the rash

The key protein, called CD1a, is found in immune cells that form the outer layer of human skin. It offers hope of developing drugs that block it.

Experiments showed it binds directly to allergens, or irritants, found in personal care products - triggering the immune system's T cells.

These white blood cells kill foreign invaders. Allergies stem from mistaken identity, when they respond to benign substances that would otherwise be harmless.

Co senior author Professor David Branch Moody, of the division of rheumatology, inflammation and immunity at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the United States, explained: "What we present here is a molecular missing link."

Compounds found in skin creams and other cosmetics can cause ACD (allergic contact dermatitis), he said.

The common condition is on the rise, particularly in industrialized countries. But the exact reasons remain unclear.

Most allergies involving T cells are attributed to proteins or synthetically produced peptide antigens that set off the immune system.

But chemicals found in personal care products are different kinds of molecules that were not thought to be able to directly elicit a reaction.

The latest findings, published in the journal Science Immunology, uncover the way in which components of everyday consumer products do just this.

They shed light on the mystery behind the rise in cases of ACD, say the international team.

Prof Moody said: "We questioned the prevailing paradigm that T cell-mediated allergic reaction is only triggered when T cells respond to proteins or peptide antigens.

"We find a mechanism through which fragrance can initiate a T cell response through a protein called CD1a."

Dermatologists have been puzzled for years as to how allergies are triggered by many substances found in soaps, cosmetics, fragrances, jewellery and plants.

The molecules were thought to be too small and of the wrong chemical structure to be detected directly by T cells - the immune cells that fuel ACD.

Co study leader Dr Annemieke de Jong, a skin immunologist at Columbia University, New York, and colleagues wondered if there might be another explanation.

So first author Dr Sarah Nicolai, MD, a research fellow in medicine at Brigham, exposed T cells to material from skin patch testing kits used in allergy clinics.

This showed they responded to certain substances including balsam of Peru - widely used in cosmetics and toothpaste.

The researchers further identified ingredients within the tree oil - benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate - that were directly responsible for stimulating the reaction.

They also tested similar substances and found a dozen small molecules that appeared to elicit a response.

These included farnesol - an alcohol used in a host of products including deodorants, anti ageing creams, shower gels and shampoos.

Using scanning techniques, further analysis by investigators at Monash University, Melbourne, revealed farnesol and CD1a combine to destroy naturally occurring blood fats. This makes the protein more visible to T cells - helping to activate them.

The researchers now plan to see if patients commonly have T cells that recognise molecules like farnesol.

They also seeking new molecules that could block the response of CD1a and override the activation of T cells. Work is currently underway to identify promising compounds.
Public awareness of the risk to animals and the environment from such waste was raised last year in a series of incidents where animals including a deer and a baby dugong were found dead with plastics in their digestive systems.

"Thailand was ranked sixth among the world's top countries that dumps waste into the sea," Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Varawut Silpa-Archa told reporters on January 1 after handing out reusable bags to the public.

"During the past five months, we were down to 10th ... thanks to the cooperation of the Thai people."

The ministry says the country reduced the use of plastic bags by 2 billion, or about 5,765 tonnes last year, in the first phase of campaign to encourage consumers voluntarily refusal of plastic bags from stores.

"At first, I was not used to it (bringing shopping bags) because sometimes I just came bare hands and forgot about it. When I remember, I will carry it along," said one shopper, Supanee Burut-thong.

Varawut said the most challenging aspect would be the last 40% of plastic bag used at fresh markets and in rural areas.

"It's not going to be easy to change the way of thinking and behaviour of those people," he said.
Eddie Gallagher, the former Navy SEAL acquitted this summer of murdering an Iraqi captive, is cashing in on his newfound notoriety with an apparel line.

Gallagher in September 2018 faced 10 charges including premeditated and attempted murder based on accusations that he shot at Iraqi civilians and stabbed a captured teenaged Islamic State fighter to death a year earlier.

He was ultimately convicted of one charge, posing with the teenager's corpse in a photo he sent to friends. Gallagher was reduced in rank after his conviction, a decision President Donald Trump reversed.

Now, the square-jawed, tattooed former chief petty officer poses in photos of a different kind: advertisements for his new clothing line through veteran-owned Nine Line Apparel.

Gallagher briefly met Nine Line's CEO Tyler Merritt during a deployment. When the news of Gallagher's prosecution broke, Nine Line reached out to support him and later "came up with the idea of a brand and to create a partnership," Gallagher said in a statement on the Nine Line website.

The collaboration created Gallagher's Salty Frog Gear brand under Nine Line. The company describes the apparel as "a coastal lifestyle brand with an edge."

Related: Eddie Gallagher's Attorney Says He'll Sue NY Times, Claiming 'Fake Reporting'

"SFG provides functional, versatile, and affordable apparel solutions for your next outdoor adventure with specialty garments flexible enough for a fishing trip at sea or a weekend afternoon on the range," the company wrote on its website.

On the website, Gallagher is seen flexing in T-shirts reading "Unleash the Tempest" and "Stay Salty."

In another photo, he models a hoodie with a logo featuring a trident, a design similar to the trident pin that SEALs wear, juxtaposed with a star and five stripes. On its right sleeve is a reversed American flag, how service members wear their flag patches in uniform. Its front pocket features a special compartment to hold a beer bottle.

Also available is a $34.99 whiskey glass and $54.99 decanter emblazoned with "SFG" and the trident symbol.

In a promotional video, Gallagher wears Nine Line apparel in a shooting range firing rifles and pistols in slow motion.

The apparel company is not the only product to which Gallagher is lending his endorsement. His social media pages are also dotted with support for other veteran-owned businesses, such as Black Rifle Coffee Co.

In a Dec. 15 post, he posed with an assortment of Redcon1 workout vitamins and supplements with military jargon-inspired names such as Total War and MRE Lite protein powder.

Read more: Emergency Paratrooper Deployment Is First for New Army Response Force
Washington  Under an expansion of the controversial "Remain in Mexico" program, some asylum-seekers returned by U.S. authorities to northern Mexico will have to travel more than 340 miles by car to attend hearings in an American immigration court.

The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it has started sending asylum-seekers encountered near the border in Arizona to the Mexican city of Nogales as part of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), the official name of the program.

Migrants returned to Nogales will be scheduled for court hearings at the immigration court in El Paso, Texas. Since the U.S. is not providing them transportation, these asylum-seekers will have to find a way to travel across hundreds of miles of territory and two Mexican border states to reach Ciudad Juarez, the city neighboring El Paso.

"This choice presents enormous obstacles to asylum-seekers," Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a policy counsel at the American Immigration Council, told CBS News. "Nogales is seven to eight hours from Ciudad Juarez and the journey for many can be dangerous, as it requires going through cartel-controlled territory."

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that those returned to Mexico through Nogales, Arizona, "must provide their own transportation" to their hearings in El Paso, which are usually scheduled months apart. If they secure ground transportation, migrants would need to travel south to reach a highway that traverses a vast swath of remote areas in the Mexican border states of Sonora and Chihuahua, a trip that is about eight hours long.

screen-shot-2020-01-02-at-4-53-35-pm.png

The route of the eight-hour drive along the U.S.-Mexico border between Nogales and Ciudad Juarez. Google Maps/TerraMetrics

Announcing the move on Thursday, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf praised the Remain in Mexico program as an "effective tool" in the administration's efforts to stem the flow of migrants heading to the southern border. Over the past half a year, apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border have plummeted. The administration has attributed the drop to restrictive policies like the MPP program, which has required more than 56,000 asylum-seeker to wait in Mexico for the duration of their U.S. immigration proceedings.

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But the policy had drawn strong criticism from advocates who point to the squalid and often dangerous living conditions many migrants face as they wait for their U.S. court hearings in Mexican border cities plagued by crime and insecurity.

Tens of thousands of asylum-seekers from Central America and other Latin American countries have been sent by the U.S. to cities like Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, located in Tamaulipas, a Mexican border state the U.S. government warns Americans not to visit because of rampant criminal activity, including kidnappings, sexual assaults and murders.

Mexico Migrant Smuggling

In this October 31, 2019 photo, migrants rest at "La Roca," or The Rock shelter in Nogales, Mexico. Moises Castillo / AP

Migrants returned to Nogales will be in the state of Sonora, which the State Department designates a hub for crime, human trafficking and drug trade in its travel warning for the area. Like in many other parts of Mexico, warring cartels vie for control of the drug trade in Sonora.

Last month, six members of a Mormon community with dual American and Mexican citizenship, including three children, were ambushed and massacred in Sonora. Mexican authorities have suggested that a drug cartel was responsible for the killings.

In addition to the security concerns, Reichlin-Melnick, the immigration policy expert, said that having migrants returned to Nogales appear before a judge in El Paso further strains the resources of the immigration court in the Texas border city. According to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), the El Paso immigration court has been assigned more than 16,300 "Remain in Mexico" cases  the highest of any court participating in the program.

"Rather than address the fact that MPP has crippled the El Paso immigration court, the Department of Homeland Security's response is to pile on more cases," Reichlin-Melnick said.

U.S. calls killing of top Iranian general a defensive attack

States charge more for electric cars in 2020

Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke with Pentagon chief after U.S. strike on Iranian general
A British holidaymaker who performed CPR on a father and his two children after they drowned in a Spanish pool said a lifeguard could have saved their lives.

Gabriel Diya, 52, his daughter Comfort Diya, nine, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, died at the Club La Costa World complex in the Costa del Sol on Christmas Eve.

Josias Fletchman, 35, from Manchester, was on a family holiday at the time of the tragedy and told the BBC the ordeal was 'traumatising'.

Gabriel Diya with his 14-year-old daughter Favour (pictured second left with her brother Praise-Emmanuel who died alongside their father). Pictured (right) is his wife, Olubnmi

Mr Fletchman said there was no lifeguard at the poolside and clearer signs indicating the depth of the pool could have prevented their deaths.

Josias Fletchman, 35, from Manchester, was on a family holiday at the time of the tragedy

The father-of-three said he knew something was wrong when a Spanish woman ran into the hotel reception making a 'death cry'.

The youth support worker was one of the first at the scene and gave CPR to 16-year-old Praise-Emmanuel at the poolside.

Mother Olubunmi Diya, 49, from Charlton, south east London, and younger daughter Favour Diya, 14, were also on the holiday but were unharmed.

Mr Fletchman later held Mrs Diya's hand and prayed with her when medics called off attempts to revive her husband and two children.

He added how he was surprised that police had not spoken to him.

It comes after Spanish police probing the deaths of a British pastor and his two children closed the investigation on Monday.

Civil guard divers (right) working at the side of a swimming pool at the Club La Costa World holiday resort near Malaga, Spain, on December 24

A police spokesman described it as a freak accident and put their deaths down to a lack of swimming ability.

But Gabriel Diya's wife, Olubunmi, wants the investigation to continue and is 'not satisfied' their deaths were a 'simple accident' with her lawyers questioning the thoroughness of the investigation.

'If it was my situation, my family members, I'd want [police] to speak to everybody. I'd want an investigation... well and truly they should be investigating,' He said the woman who ran into reception to raise the alarm should have had a walkie talkie to notify management and added there were 'things that could have been put in place'.

'I'm not going to sit here and blame anybody, but... if it was my family that it happened to... I'd be raising alarm bells,' Mr Fletchman said.

Mr Fletchman said it was a case of 'paying somebody a standard minimum wage' to man the pool and this supervision would have meant Mr Diya did not have to jump in.

Comfort, nine, (pictured above with her father in 2016) had been playing in the pool with sister Favour when she slipped and drifted towards the deep end, which was six-and-a-half-foot deep

Mrs Diya previously said in a statement that all three victims could swim and she could seek further investigations, her lawyer has said.

She also claimed 'something was wrong' with the Spanish hotel pool after her little girl's swim cap was found in the pool pump by police divers.

Hotel operator CLC World Resorts and Hotels has said Mrs Diya's claims are 'directly at odds with the findings of the police report'.

In a statement it stressed police findings made it 'clear that their exhaustive investigations have confirmed the pool was working normally and there was no malfunction of any kind'.

An English translation of a Guardia Civil statement, released by the hotel operator yesterday, stated that tests had found 'no irregularity' in the pool's system.

Mrs Diya previously said in a statement all three could swim and claimed 'something was wrong' with the Spanish hotel pool (pictured)

An English translation of a Guardia Civil statement, released by the hotel operator, stated that tests had found 'no irregularity' in the pool's (pictured) system

It said investigations indicated the accident was 'caused by the lack of expertise of the victims when swimming'.

Mr Diya, who also ran his own property business, was a pastor at Open Heavens London in Charlton, which is part of a network called the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

It is part of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, which posted in tribute on Facebook: 'With heavy hearts, we extend our condolences to the family, parish, friends and associates of Area Pastor Gabriel Diya who sadly passed away, along with two of his children ... in a tragic incident while on a family holiday in Spain.

'At this very difficult time, our prayers are for Pastor Gabriel Diya's family, the parishes that were under his supervision, friends, associates, members of RCCG and the general public.'

St Richards Church Centre in Charlton, south east London, where Pastor Gabriel Diya worked. The 52 year-old, his daughter Comfort Diya, nine, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, drowned in a pool at Club La Costa World in Spain on Christmas Eve

Pastor Agu Irukwu who is a senior leader at the same church Mr Diya attended said Mrs Diya was coping the tragedy with 'grace and dignity'.

Speaking of Mr Diya he said: 'He died trying to save his children and that really says it all. That was the kind of man he was.
"Richard Jewell," a 2019 American biographical drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, is set for release on the Chinese mainland on Jan. 10, according to the China Film Distribution and Exhibition Association.

Also known as "The Ballad of Richard Jewell," the film depicts the Centennial Olympic Park bombing and its aftermath during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the United States, in which security guard Richard Jewell found a bomb and alerted authorities to evacuate, only to later be wrongly accused of having placed it himself.

Clint Eastwood is the Oscar-winning director of "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby."
The Chinese seem to have finally succeeded in pushing Huawei through the Indian heartland to bid for the multi-billion-dollar hearing-device 5G telecommunications system? Indeed, it speaks volumes for the tenacity, resilience and perseverance of the Communist Party of China and its leaders in convincing the Indian establishment about their reliability and quality for service to Indias 1.3 billion heads. Realistically, it wasnt only a matter of prestige, image and credibility for the Chinese, but it reflects their desperation too. The objective was to enter into a ready-made consumer market of at least 800 million people, more than that of the whole of Europe, or of the rest of Asia, minus China.

Who wouldnt want to enter the Indian market with an L-1 tender offer? In a market where quantity trumps quality? Lower and cheaper prices are always seen by Indian consumers as the best option. Now, what is L-1? It is the lowest (or cheapest) bid, which stands on top in a list of multi-bidders, vying for the slot of chosen supplier. That is far too lucrative for China to let go, as the supplier to worlds second biggest telecommunications market in India. Beijing, which already is far ahead in bilateral trade, will mint more cash, and India as the mega-consumer will continue to empty its coffers, and thus face a double-whammy  financial uncertainty enmeshed with a turbulent polity.

The unfolding scenario doesnt augur well for Indias future. It is more than a possibility that by allowing Huawei to compete, irreparable damage might be inflicted on Indias internal systems and national security, exposing and allowing access to a country that simply doesnt inspire an iota of confidence. Huaweis shenanigans across the globe has already reached high levels, and the United States certainly cannot be faulted for keeping it in check, given the corporations suspected military intelligence links and unlimited propensity for espionage, on behalf of its Communist Party masters. The history of Chinese spying goes back to Sun Tzu and Mao Zedong. Just read Brig. John P. Dalvis Himalayan Blunder once again.

Indians need to understand the intrinsic multi-dimensional long-term strategy of the Communist Party government in Beijing. That it is a party which is all in one. It is the government, the State, the military. The Chinese Communists truly believe that their time has come, and given the fact that the West is in virtual withdrawal, caught up in its own problems, wants to rule the waves, air, land. The Chinese are well aware that the rest of the world has neither the time, inclination or intention to learn Mandarin language as it is hugely time-consuming!

The Chinese are truly on a revenge spree. Revenge for the Opium War of the nineteenth century, which had its ops headquarters in India under the aegis of the East India Company, backed and supported by the British Crown. Large parts of Chinas coastal towns and provinces got addicted to cheap opium. Today, in a reversal of roles, the vast majority of Indian consumers have got addicted to cheap Chinese gadgets. China has found the knob, and Indias establishment seems helpless in the face of a determined Chinese onslaught which deftly combines psy war with influencing a sizeable chunk of opinion makers. Hardly any critical appreciation, not to speak of criticism, appears in Indias leading news media.

In this delicate scenario, it certainly cannot be the sole responsibility of the soldiers of the state or intelligence agencies or a handful in the government to be held accountable for the safety, security, unity, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. All Indians have some responsibility to save the nation from the dangers of Chinas avowed long-term game to break India into 30-32 pieces.

A glimpse of how Huawei operates might be an eye-opener. It has been reported that Chinese firms are driving Artificial Intelligence (AI) across Africa. That, at least 75 out of 176 nations surveyed globally are actively using AI tech for surveillance, and the leading vendors are Chinese firms, led by Huawei, which supplied tech to at least 50 countries.

The Chinese are the fastest penetrators in the African market, as they offer soft loans for governments to purchase their equipment and promise to set up and manage these systems. Does one need to explain what this means? From Algeria to the Ivory Coast, South Africa to Nigeria, Egypt to Zambia, China has emerged the master of survey, surveillance and security threats to both coastal and landlocked states, capturing the land, labour and capital of Africa through slow, steady and surreptitiously destructive methods.

In India, with 90 per cent of its telecom equipment imported, the possibility of foreign surveillance is a reality. However, among all foreign players, none can beat the Chinese simply as India was, is, and will continue to be their prime target. This was clearly spelt out in my book China in India, and I will be only too happy for it to be proved that my fears were misplaced.

Let Indians face reality, and not build castles in the air about China. Huaweis entry will be projected as a sign of Indo-Chinese convergence for Indias modernisation. Territorial disputes, on the other hand, are a divergence. But why is India forgetting, despite it being pointed out, that China will never, ever, allow any foreigner, however friendly, to get anywhere near their defence, electricity, oil, petrochemicals, telecommunications, coal, aviation, and shipping, all of which are state-owned enterprises, equivalent to Indias public sector undertakings like ONGC, Bhel, BEL, Air India? Beijing also steadfastly maintains its strong presence in pillar industries like equipment manufacturing, auto-making, electronics, construction, steel, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, surveying, and scientific research.

What China is today is because of its own initiative, with determination to first make the country strong single-handedly, taking help strictly on its own terms, even if isolated and ostracised to start with. The end results are there for all to see. China overtly considers India an inferior power and walks, talks and dictates from a position of strength, taking full advantage of Indias innate inability to stand up for itself.

India had, quite rightly, refused to be a part of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and to join RCEP. But China has, through Huawei, decided to penetrate deep inside India, thereby nullifying this countrys sovereign actions.
This would give Europeans even less breathing room to keep the J.C.P.O.A. alive until November 2020, when the world would know whether President Trump is re-elected, Ms. Geranmayeh said. It will be very difficult for the Europeans to hold it together.

After conversations on Friday morning with officials in Tehran, she said that people inside Iran pushing for the diplomatic process the Europeans have been advocating have lost a lot of ground.

She said she expected the Iranian response to the killing to be on different tracks, potentially including military attacks on American targets in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan or elsewhere; cyberattacks; or various other possibilities.

Part of the Iranian debate, she said, is whether to retaliate openly or through proxies in a more deniable way, which has been Irans practice in the past. But with the internal pressure building up inside Iran, and now this external pressure, Iranian decision makers will have to let off some steam somewhere, Ms. Geranmayeh said.

Carl Bildt, the former prime minister of Sweden, said that Europe had been trying to prevent war between Iran and the United States for a decade, but that the scope for salvaging the nuclear accord now is very small, and the scope for diplomacy is extremely limited.
No government can snatch away citizenship of any Indian, Union minister and BJP ally Ram Vilas Paswan said on Friday, as he sought to reassure people over a number of citizenship measures which have triggered protests in various parts of the country.

"Be it Dalits, tribals, backwards, minorities of upper castes, they are all original citizens of the country. Citizenship is their birthright. No government can snatch it away. No Indian citizen will be bothered unnecessarily," the Lok Janshakti Party leader said.

As far as National Register of Citizens is concerned, there has been no discussion on it but it has nothing to with any religion, he said, adding that nobody can be denied citizenship on the ground of religion.

Paswan said social justice and secularism are his party's mission, and he has fought for the rights of Dalits, tribals, backwards and minorities for his entire life.

"Leave alone citizenship, no government can raise a question about their rights," he said.

In his tweets, Paswan said confusion is being spread across the country about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as part of a conspiracy.

Muslims have no reason to worry about the law as it has nothing to do with Indian citizens, he said.

Muslims have constituted a bulk of protestors agitating against the CAA.

He noted that the NRC was conceptualised in 2003 and the UPA government which was in power during 2004-14 never repealed it and the then home minister P Chidambaram had in fact said that the NRC will be a subset of the NPR (National Population Register).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
3 1 of 3 Dylan Suttles|The Telegraph Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Dylan Suttles|The Telegraph Show More Show Less 3 of 3





GRAFTON  The Scrambled Gears robotics team from St. John Neumann Catholic School in Maryville met Friday at Pere Marquette State Park with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Randy Holbrook to deliver and demonstrate a mobility aid for individuals in wheelchairs to use at the park.

The team invented the mobility aid, called Passable Path, to eliminate mobility barriers that prevent wheelchairs from going over uneven surfaces. The Passable Path is a set of connected boards that can be rolled onto different terrains, such as gravel, sand, grass and snow.
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Asia Taiwan's Military Chief Among 8 Dead in Helicopter Crash

Taiwanese military H-60M Black Hawk helicopters take part in the Han Kuang military drill simulating a Chinese invasion, at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, in Taichung, Taiwan on June 7, 2018. / REUTERS

TAIPEITaiwans top military official was among eight people killed on Thursday, after a helicopter carrying them to visit soldiers crashed in a mountainous area near the capital Taipei, the Defense Ministry said.

The main portion of the helicopter lay in a northern forest wreathed in mist, its blades shattered, as dozens of rescuers combed the wreck for survivors, pictures released by emergency authorities showed.

The reasons for the crash, in the wake of a forced landing, were unknown, the military said in a statement, adding that the chief of general staff, Air Force General Shen Yi-ming, had died, while five of the 13 aboard survived.

Shen, who took up his post in July, was Taiwans highest-ranking general to die in the line of duty, President Tsai Ing-wen said, adding that she had asked the defense minister to launch an investigation.

We must find out the reason for the incident, she told reporters in the northeastern county of Yilan, where the helicopter had been heading after setting out from Taipei.

Most importantly, [we] must ensure the stability of our military and national defense.

The defense ministry said it had dispatched a rescue team following the Black Hawk helicopters crash in New Taipei City, after aviation authorities lost contact with the craft at 8:07 a.m.

Eight of our colleagues were killed, a military spokesman told a news conference broadcast live on television.

Campaign events canceled

The incident, which comes a week before democratic Taiwan holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan. 11, disrupted campaign events.

Tsai, who is seeking re-election, cancelled all campaign activities until Saturday, while opposition presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu of the Kuomintang party called off campaigns until Friday.

Kuomintang urges related authorities to probe the incident as soon as possible and make a thorough check on the same type of aircraft to prevent the tragedy from happening again, the party said in a statement.

The helicopter involved in Thursdays incident was one of 60 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters the United States sold to Taiwan in 2010, the official Central News Agency said.

Although the Unites States has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it is the islands strongest international backer and main arms supplier.

The de facto US embassy in Taiwan expressed its condolences, saying it stood ready to assist in the aftermath of the tragedy, but without detailing what such help might entail.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, issued a statement describing the crash as an accident and offering of condolences on behalf of the US military for the tragic loss of General Shen and the seven others.

General Shen will be remembered as an exceptional leader to his people and a champion for Taiwans defense and regional security, Milley said.

Callie Ferrari, a spokeswoman for the helicopters manufacturer, Sikorsky, said the firm had offered its assistance to the investigative authorities.

The incident was the latest aviation accident in Taiwan, after the 2018 crash of a Black Hawk helicopter off its east coast killed six people aboard, and the crash of an F-16 fighter jet killed a pilot the same year.

In 2016, the navy fired a supersonic missile in error, hitting a fishing boat in waters that separate Taiwan from diplomatic rival China.

China, which claims Taiwan as its territory to be brought under Beijings control by force if necessary, regularly calls the island the most sensitive issue in its ties with the United States.

Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name.

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HALIFAX  A man suspected of murder in Texas and arrested by police in Halifax earlier this week will go before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to determine whether he should be sent back to the United States.

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 3/1/2020 (738 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

HALIFAX  A man suspected of murder in Texas and arrested by police in Halifax earlier this week will go before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to determine whether he should be sent back to the United States.

Derek Cameron Whisenand was arrested Monday after police were called about a shoplifter at a business in the citys Bayers Lake area.

Derek Whisenand is seen in a handout photo provided July 9, 2019. A man suspected of murder in Texas and arrested by police in Halifax earlier this week will go before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to determine whether he should be sent back to the United States.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Cavalier County Sheriff's Department

He was subsequently turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency, and officials said he remains in custody after a 48-hour detention review before the board on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for the Immigration and Refugee Board said Whisenand will have a mandatory seven-day detention review hearing Wednesday, and could have an admissibility hearing either then or at a later date on the allegation he is inadmissible to Canada on the grounds of serious criminality outside of Canada.

The 28-year-old, originally from North Dakota, is a suspect in the death of a 78-year-old man in Eastland County, Texas, about 170 kilometres southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

RCMP issued a warning in July stating Whisenand had illegally crossed into Canada near Haskett, Man., during the week of June 24.

He was seen at a Walmart store in Winkler on June 26, and later made his way to Carman. Police believe Whisenand got a ride from Carman to Winnipeg that afternoon and was dropped off at the Juniors restaurant at 785 St Mary's Rd. at about 3:30 p.m.

After that, the trail went cold. RCMP had asked anyone who had given him a ride to come forward.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020.
Oshawa's mayor says a new study that has found an apparent link between auto assembly plant closures and increases in opioid overdose deaths in U.S. communities is concerning.

But in an interview Friday with CBC Radio's Metro Morning, Dan Carter said a relatively new pilot project in the city, called Welcoming Streets, will help officials monitor the impact of the end of vehicle production at the Oshawa Assembly Plant. About 2,500 jobs were lost when the last vehicle rolled off the General Motors (GM) assembly line in December.

Carter said the city, with the help of GM, Unifor and the Ontario government, has implemented programs to help workers find new jobs but acknowledged the upheaval takes a personal toll on former auto workers.

"We have to do more," Carter said on Friday. "If you are suffering with mental health or addiction, if you are suffering through this transitional period, it is my job to make sure that I advocate and do everything possible to be able to help you through this period of time."

The mayor, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict himself, added he has not yet seen a sharp rise in the number of opioid overdose deaths in Oshawa since production ended.

But former GM workers need to know they are not "walking alone," Carter said.

"Because of my commitment and my past, I am absolutely committed to helping these people through this period of time."

Study found deaths increased 5 years after closures

The study, published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine and co-authored in part by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, found that the number of opioid overdose deaths in counties where there had been an auto plant closure within five years was roughly 85 per cent higher among adults of working age than in counties where there had not been a closure.

Aaron Vincent Elkaim/Canadian Press

"From 1999 to 2016, automotive plant closures associated with increases in opioid overdose mortality. These findings highlight the potential importance of eroding economic opportunity as a factor in the U.S. opioid overdose crisis," the study reads.

Story continues

Despite the findings, the researchers said they cannot conclusively state that automotive plant closures cause an increase in opioid overdose deaths, but they said there are no other explanations.

Carter said the findings illustrate that there is a "health epidemic" involving opioids and he believes the problem in Canada requires a national strategy from the federal government.

"When you have these type of pressures on individuals, they seek relief in regards to what they are facing. I can speak from my own personal experience. When pressures are extraordinary, sometimes you reach out and utilize something that is easing the pain, and in some circumstances, that could be alcohol or drugs," Carter said.

Submitted by Dan Carter

"I am concerned about the impact that this recent announcement and recent action has had in our community, but I think this is a national conversation we've got to have," he said.

Carter said it is still "early days" since the end of vehicle production in Oshawa, but said Welcoming Streets, which provides the city with a outreach worker and addiction specialist who will work with vulnerable and homeless people downtown to access services, will provide "real time data" that the city can use. The pilot project was launched in November and will run until March.

Opioid use has risen in Oshawa in past 4 years

Oshawa has seen a steady increase in the use of opioids in the past four years and officials are trying to understand who is using opioids, which age groups are involved, where the drug use is taking place, and what kind of drugs are being used.

Carter said he struggled with addiction for years. In his late 20s, he was homeless in Toronto, but in 1991, he entered a rehab program and began his recovery. "I'll tell you, it was one heck of a struggle," he said.

Eric Baradat/AFP/Getty Images

A health care official in Durham region says the end of vehicle production in Oshawa may not lead to a rise in opioid overdose deaths.

Oshawa has diverse economy

Paul McGary, director of mental health and addictions at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, said he is not convinced the report is relevant for Oshawa because it is based on information that is 10 years old, it is not a Canadian study, and research was conducted before opioid overdose deaths were considered a public health crisis in North America.

Submitted by Dr. Atheendar Venkataramani

McGary added, in some of the U.S. counties studied, the entire community was "very dependent" on the automotive industry.

"If we look at our Ontario and Oshawa context, I think we see a much broader diversification of services and areas of employment, such as health, technology and education. Whereas decades ago, some communities weren't as diversified as we are now," he said.

"I think one of the other key differences is, in the last two to three years, many communities have now implemented new services that are really helping to mitigate the effects of the opioid crisis."

These services include distribution of naxolone kits, training of physicians in new guidelines on prescription practices issued by the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, what is known as rapid addiction medicine, distribution of new fentanyl test kits and the creation of new outreach worker positions.

Oshawa ranks the sixth highest of all Ontario municipalities in terms of emergency room visits related to opioids. Lakeridge Health is monitoring that rate, McGary added.
U-Haul wants to stop people who use nicotine, in any form, from working at U-Haul. Beginning in February, the company will screen applicants in the 21 states where it is legal to do so for use of cigarettes, vapes, patches, nicotine gumanything that gets the stuff into your body. In addition to answering questions about nicotine use during the hiring process, in states where testing is allowed, applicants must consent to submit to nicotine screening in the future to be considered, notes a statement from the company.

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This is draconian. The policy puts an awful lot of blame and responsibility on individuals not just for actively smoking (even on the weekends!) but also for having smoked at some point in the past and for now using nicotine-delivery methods as part of a plan to quit the stuff altogether. The company said that the move is part of U-Hauls mission to establish one of the healthiest corporate cultures in the U.S. Thats like saying that youre going to create a healthy workplace by declining to hire people who have cancer or a knee injury or who are seeking help for depression or who get colds a lot. Sure, your workforce may be healthier on balance, but only because youve booted people. (A spokesperson emphasized that the policy will not affect current employees.)

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Its a bad time to be managing a nicotine addiction, which is commonly regarded not as the health issue it is but a fun pastime people engage in obliviously or recklessly despite the health and social consequences. U-Hauls move comes the same week that the Food and Drug Administration announced that a ban on most flavors of e-cigarette cartridges will go into effect in a month. About 14 percent of adults in the U.S. smoke cigarettes, according to the CDC. Cutting them off from appealing risk-reduction tools that involve nicotine, and access to jobs with health care like those at U-Haul, is if anything going to make their health worse.

A platitudinous corporate statement tries and fails to frame this in a way that sounds appealing to people who might want to rent their moving trucks. If we take care for our Team Members, they will take care of our customers, Jessica Lopez, the companys chief of staff, said in the statement. That means what, exactly? If we regulate the private habits of people who work for us, they will also regulate the private habits of people who are  trying to move their one-bedroom on the cheap?

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What is obvious is that this ban isnt really about cutting ties with harmful substances where it may affect profit. According to an August press release, residents of San Bernardino, California, can rent vans from a new local dealer, Smoke Break Tobacco. In July, it was a press release about a partnership with Oscars Smoke Shop, in Vancouver, British Columbia. That followed a press release announcing that U-Haul was partnering with the Smoke Shop in Decatur, Alabama; before that, a statement announced the availability of U-Hauls at Smokin Deals Smoke Shop in Visalia, California. More examples abound.

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To U-Hauls credit, the hiring policy statement does say that the company will provide nicotine cessation assistance for current Team Members as part of its wellness program. That could be genuinely helpfulif its done in a way that keeps employee participation and any data collected private, and doesnt punish employees who fail the program. Thats a big if. A better way to increase employee wellness is to simply provide stellar health insurance and understand that your workers are human beings who will sometimes, for complicated reasons, make choices that are bad for them. (Biological clutches of addiction aside, having an occasional smoke should be their right). But that route would probably be expensiveat least compared with a headline-grabbing hiring policy that will almost certainly make some prospective employees lives worse.
The Delhi High Court has denied bail to a woman who allegedly abducted two men and robbed them of Rs 36 lakh on the pretext of finalising a deal in bitcoin trade.

The court said that in view of the seriousness and gravity of the offence, no grounds for bail are made out and dismissed the plea. The accused, 32-year-old Krishma Rajput, is in judicial custody since September 2017.

"The record, prima facie, reveals that petitioner (woman) has played an active role in the commission of the alleged offence. She has refused to participate in the TIP (test identification parade) before the link metropolitan magistrate," Justice Brijesh Sethi said.

Bitcoin is a digital currency that allows people to buy goods and services and exchange money without involving banks, credit card issuers or other third parties.

According to the prosecution, complainant Hitesh deals in Bitcoin trade. On April 7, 2017, he along with a friend had gone for a deal at V3S Mall in Laxmi Nagar here after receiving a call from Krishma Rajput, it said.

The police alleged when the complainant and his friend reached there, the woman along with her associates abducted them at gunpoint and took them to an apartment in Vaishali in Ghaziabad and robbed him of Rs 36 lakh.

During the investigation, four other accused -- Karamvir Singh, Devendra Chauhan, Sandeep Chauhan and Kunal Sharma -- were arrested and recoveries were made at their instance. According to the prosecution, the accused persons used to cheat their targets using fake voter ID Cards and Permanent Account Number (PAN).

Rajput sought bail saying she is a single parent with a minor son and an aged mother. She submitted that till October 16, 2019, even the cross examination of complainant has not been completed and there are 35 witnesses and seven undertrials and it will take long time to conclude the trial.

Claiming that nothing incriminating has been recovered either from her possession or at her instance and the allegations against her are false and baseless, the woman and prayed that she be released on bail.

The prosecutor opposed the bail application on the ground that allegations against her are serious in nature and she along with her associates has abducted the complainant at gunpoint and robbed him of Rs 36 lakh.

The court, while dismissing the bail plea, said the offence allegedly committed by the woman along with her associates is serious in nature and the call detail records confirmed her location.

It noted that the complainant and his friend, who are material witnesses in the case, are yet to be examined.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In December, India enacted a new citizenship law that makes it easier for illegal aliens, provided they are non-Muslim aliens from Muslim-majority countries bordering India, to become citizens. India's Muslim community took to the streets to protest, complaining that the new law would destroy their demographics, culture, and economy. To date, the Western media have responded to Muslim concerns with the utmost sympathy.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (or "CAB") amends India's 1955 Citizenship Act. Under the old law, a requirement for acquiring Indian citizenship was that the applicant had to have resided legally in India. Illegal aliens were subject to jail or deportation. Beginning in 2015 and 2016, however, the government exempted Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian illegal aliens from criminal consequences.

The new CAB further softens the law for non-Muslim illegal aliens arriving from Muslim-majority countries by allowing them to become citizens. Muslims objected:

The fundamental criticism of the Bill has been that it specifically targets Muslims. Critics argue that it is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality. The government, however, maintains that the Bill aims to grant citizenship to minorities who have faced religious persecution in Muslim-majority foreign countries. BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have spoken of this Bill as righting the wrongs of history by granting refuge to the sons and daughters of "Ma Bharti", who were left stranded by Partition. In the Northeastern states, the prospect of citizenship for massive numbers of illegal Bangladeshi migrants has triggered deep anxieties, including fears of demographic change, loss of livelihood opportunities, and erosion of the indigenous culture.

As is their wont when offended, Muslims have taken to the street in protest and are claiming that Indian police have responded with unwarranted aggression. According to the BBC, reporting from earlier this week:

Northern India's Uttar Pradesh has been the worst affected in the ongoing protests against a controversial new citizenship law. At least 19 people have died in the state since protests began on 20 December. [snip] At least 50 officers have been injured in the clashes in Uttar Pradesh alone  but the police have also been accused of using disproportionate force against anti-CAA protesters. Civil rights groups say the law, which offers amnesty to non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, discriminates against Muslims. The government, however, argues it will protect religious minorities fleeing persecution, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah insisting it is not against Muslims. [snip] The fear in the Muslim community has been fuelled further by [Hinda politician] Yogi Adityanath's previous anti-Muslim statements, including advocating for a Donald Trump-style travel ban on Muslims in India, accusing Muslim men of forcibly converting Hindu women and comparing Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan to Pakistan-based militant Hafiz Saeed. Many believe that the chief minister is just following Mr Modi's idea of "muscular Hindu nationalism". "Uttar Pradesh has become the ideology's main laboratory," [politician and Muslim community leader] Nassiruddin says. Thousands, mostly Muslim men, have been detained across the state and internet services were suspended for days. Many prominent activists, including a former top policeman, have been detained. The police have also been accused of intimidating Muslims. Video footage from Kanpur shows policemen allegedly vandalising cars and homes in Muslim-populated areas in the dead of the night. My colleagues reported claims of similar incidents from other parts of the state.

Progressive media outlets have long insisted that Latin American economic refugees should have free and permanent passage into America. They've ridiculed concerns about economic instability, loss of culture, and demographic change. With India, though, the media have reversed themselves and report with sympathy about Muslim concerns, while showing scant regard for the refugees leaving institutional discrimination and violence.

The New York Times published an article entitled "As India Violence Gets Worse, Police Are Accused of Abusing Muslims," detailing how Muslims are being abused at the hands of the Indian police for objecting to a law that may change their communities.

The BBC article quoted above is entitled "Citizenship Act protests: Why fear has gripped Muslims in this Indian state."

Al Jazeera reports that "India's LGBTQ community joins citizenship law protests  Members of LGBTQ community and others march in New Delhi as protests against 'anti-Muslim' law continue across India." The Qatar government owns and funds Al Jazeera. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, with punishments ranging from fines and imprisonment to death.

Voice of America highlights the key role Muslim women are playing in protesting the new law: "Women in New Delhi Muslim Neighborhood Spearhead Protest Against Citizenship Law."

One can imagine that walls in Progressive newsrooms have posters quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson's statement that "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
C ommuters are facing a morning of cancelled trains and "severe delays" after a broken rail near London Liverpool Street station caused severe disruption.

National Rail confirmed trains between Stratford and London Liverpool Street may be "cancelled, delayed or revised" and the issue is likely to be a problem until midday.

As of 9am, the broken rail had been fixed but the disruption warning was still in place to 12pm.

A spokesman said tickets can be used on the London Underground "via any reasonable route" and on buses between Liverpool Street and Shenfield.

Commuters can also travel on Greater Anglia services from Shenfield.

London Overground was also part suspended between South Acton and Richmond this morning due to a signal failure but the issue has now been rectified.

Signalling problems in Bethnal Green have also been fixed but "disruption is expected till 12pm" Network Rail said.

Further problems on services between Clapham Junction and Wimbledon are not likely to clear until 1pm.

Commuters took to social media about the morning delays with one Twitter user posting: "Oh Joy. The track at Liverpool street has given up again."

A Network Rail spokesman said that updates about the service will be posted on Twitter and some commuters could be reimbursed for their travel troubles today.

"You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today," the spokesman said.
Wikimedia Commons

Paris/Sputnik/UNI: Carlos Ghosn, the ex-chairman of automaker Nissan, who made a surprise escape from Japan ahead of trial on financial misconduct charges, on Thursday denied claims that his family played a role in his escape, saying he organized the operation on his own.

Ghosn, a Brazilian-born French national of Lebanese ancestry, lived on house arrest in Japan for months before he escaped earlier this week. On Tuesday, Ghosn said he fled unfair trial and political prosecution to Lebanon. Soon after his escape, media reports emerged, suggesting various scenarios of the operation. One of them said Ghosns wife, Carole, had orchestrated her husbands escape among a band of musicians. Other reports said Nissans ex-boss left on a private jet to Istanbul and subsequently flew to Lebanon with the help of a private security company. Ghosns wife denied playing any role in the escape.

"Media claims alleging that my wife Carole and other members of my family played a role in my departure from Japan are lies and have nothing to do with reality. I organized my departure on my own. My family has not played any role in it," Ghosn said in a statement, as quoted by Le Monde.

Japanese media reported that upon Ghosns release on bail in April, his lawyers were required to hold his French, Brazilian and Lebanese passports. However, it subsequently turned out that Ghosn had two French passports. Media suggested that the former Nissan chairman might have fled Japan using his second French passport.

France, meanwhile, said that it would not extradite Ghosn if he arrived in the country. However, Paris acknowledged that the former Nissan boss should not have fled Japanese justice.

In Japan, Ghosn faces trial over charges that he underreported billions of dollars in earnings he received during his time as the Nissan chief from 2010-2018.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal said on Friday that it would not change its judgment in the Tata Sons matter but it will however, clarify that Mumbai Registrar of Companies was only following the order of NCLT in conversion of the company from public to private entity.

The RoC counsel told the Tribunal the judgment was highly critical of the RoC and deems them to have done illegal acts whereas they were merely following orders of the NCLT while converting the company from public to private. In the order dated December 18, the NCLAT had passed serious ...
Duke Energy Corp. reached a settlement with state regulators that will cut $1.5 billion from its cost to clean up coal ash ponds in North Carolina.

The deal announced Thursday ends a legal dispute with the state, which in April ordered the utility to excavate nine ponds. Under the settlement, the company will fully excavate seven ponds and leave potions of the other two undisturbed.

Key Insights

Duke estimated in April that excavating all nine ponds would cost as much as $10.5 billion, saying at the time that the states order would impose a financial burden on our customers and the economy of the Carolinas.

Most coal ash left over from burning the fuel is stored at power plants across the U.S., either in dry landfills or ponds. The sites  which contain arsenic, boron, lead and other toxins  are considered hazardous by environmentalists who say they pollute ground water.

Under the settlement, Dukes cleanup is expected to take 15 to 20 years and cost $8 billion to $9 billion, including $2.4 billion already spent. The company plans to recoup the costs from customers.

Duke will fully excavate ponds at the Belews Creek Steam Station, Mayo Plant, Roxboro Plant, Allen Steam Station and Rogers Energy Complex, moving the ash to lined landfills. At the Marshall Steam Station and Roxboro Plant, the company will excavate uncapped ash but leave other areas that have already been covered undisturbed.

Market Reaction

Duke shares were up 0.2% at 9:32 a.m. in New York.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics North Carolina
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 2)  Armed with garbage bags and kitchen tongs, volunteers of a non-governmental organization (NGO) collected the trash of over a million people who visited a Manila cemetery on All Saints' Day.

EARLIER TODAY: Trash bags litter some streets around the Manila North Cemetery despite repeated pleas from officials to visitors to keep the park clean #Undas2018 | @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/i3yAs8bec9  Paolo Barcelon (@pnbarcelonlive) November 1, 2018

The Tzu Chi Foundation is a Taiwan-based, humanitarian NGO that converts garbage, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, plastic cups and cartons, into useful items.

Volunteers on Friday went around Manila North Cemetery, the country's oldest graveyard, to gather trash that will be sent to Taiwan.

The bottles will then be turned into items that can be distributed to disaster survivors in the Philippines.

"'Yung ganito 80 pieces makakagawa na ng isang pirasong T-shirt. 'Yun ngang banig, PET bottle din. Itinutulong namin sa mga nangangailangan tulad ng nasunugan, nababahaan," volunteer Maria Teodoro Sarcon explained.

[Translation: These 80 pieces can create one T-shirt. The mat, also made out of PET bottles. We help those in need like those affected by fires, floods.]

The blanket above is made out of 80 1.5-liter plastic soda bottles.

The NGO will also sell the cartons and cans collected from the cemetery, with the proceeds going to a fund that helps those in need in the Philippines.

Visiting the cemetery today? Check this out: Light to moderate traffic along Blumentritt Road, in front of Manila North Cemeterys main gate | @CarolynBonquin #Undas2018 pic.twitter.com/zNvI5fjdkl  CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) November 1, 2018

The crowd at the Manila North Cemetery reached 1.4 million visitors on Thursday, according to the Manila Police District, up from 900,000 last year.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Jan 3 (ANI): Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Friday said that Veer Savarkar was a great man and a section of people who keep talking against him shows the dirt in their minds.



Raut's statement comes after a booklet was distributed during the 10-day camp of Congress Seva Dal, which claimed that Savarkar had "physical relationship" with Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse.

"Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him and it shows the dirt in their minds, whoever they might be," said Raut.

The booklet gave a reference citing page 423 the 'Freedom at Midnight' book written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre, which states that Godse had a homosexual relationship with his "political guru" Savarkar before the former turned celibate.

Meanwhile, grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar urged the Madhya Pradesh government to ban the Congress booklet and has requested the state government to register a case in this regard. (ANI)


Most of Friday will feel mild and oddly warm with highs reaching into the mid-50s.

A typical early January day high temperature would top out in the mid-40s, but Fridays high could reach 55 in Portland, and may climb even higher for the Corvallis/Eugene areas.

Theres a slight chance for light rain Friday morning, but most areas will remain dry with variable cloudiness. Winds will be strong at times with gusts up to 25 mph expected.

A fast-moving cold front will slam into Oregon beginning about 4 p.m. at the coast, and rushing over Portland around 7 p.m. Friday. This system will bring temps back down and could dump at least a half inch of rain in the metro area in the span of about 3 hours.

This front will also bring snow levels back down to the 2,500-3,000 foot range overnight, according to the National Weather Service. Snow will continue to fall Saturday with 4-8 inches expected for the Cascades passes through the evening. Snowfall will decrease during the day Saturday, but then kick back in Sunday.

Driving over one of the Cascade passes this weekend? Be prepared for some snow Friday night and Saturday. #tripcheck #orwx #wawx #pdxtst pic.twitter.com/urD9hJpL9o  NWS Portland (@NWSPortland) January 2, 2020

Portland will see early showers Saturday, then just mostly cloudy skies. The high will be 47. Snow levels will be around 2,500 feet, so areas in the foothills and Coast Range could see a light dusting to 2 inches.

Sunday will be rainy with some gusty winds and a high of 46.
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- The CC4 package of the mega Temburong Bridge linking Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan and Temburong district has been completed, a manager from the contractor, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC), said on Thursday.

Temburong district has been physically isolated from the rest of Brunei, which has hindered the economic growth of the district. A sea-crossing Temburong Bridge is aimed to link the district with the capital. The project is one of the key national balanced development projects promoted by the Brunei government, but also the largest bridge construction project ever in the history of Brunei.

According to Manager Jin Chunshang, started on Oct. 1, 2015, the CC4 section constructed by CSCEC is about 12 kilometers in length, including a fully prefabricated viaduct of about 11.8 kilometers long, which crosses Brunei's uninhabited forests and swamps.

The manager told Xinhua that the construction environment of the CC4 section was "very harsh". Besides the harmful air in the rainforest, hot and humid weather in the field, the Chinese constructors together with hundreds of workers from several other countries had to overcome the difficulty of no freshwater, no power wires, and no network signals in the early stage of construction.

To protect the environment, the CC4 section is fully constructed using the "fishing technology", which allows mechanical equipment to not touch the ground and does not damage the rainforest vegetation.

Wang Xiaolin, president of the Chinese Enterprise Association in Brunei and general manager of Bank of China Brunei Branch, said that the Temburong Bridge is the largest and most influential transportation infrastructure project in Brunei and will become a new landmark in Brunei.

The CC4 section is the most difficult in the entire bridge construction as it needs to cross rainforests and swamps without affecting the environment, he added.

"The successful completion of the CC4 section fully demonstrates the technological strength and innovation capability of Chinese companies, and has generated good economic and social results," Wang told Xinhua on Thursday.

The 30-km bridge aims to reduce travelling time between Brunei's capital and Temburong district from two hours to less than 30 minutes by bypassing Malaysia's Limbang.

It will become the longest bridge in Southeast Asia followed by Malaysia's 24-km Second Penang Bridge.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige arrives at the world premiere of "Spider-Man: Far From Home" on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

It appears we may have spoken too soon about Marvel ushering in the first trans character to the MCU.

Yesterday, quotes from Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige suggested that forthcoming movie The Eternals would be the movie in which it would be happening.

Read more: Kristen Stewart open to playing gay Marvel superhero

Speaking at the New York Film Academy, and asked whether there would be more LGBTQ representation in the Marvel movies, specifically trans character, he replied in the affirmative.

Absolutely yes, he said, adding that it would be 'very soon, in a movie were shooting right now'.

With The Eternals shooting now, it seemed very much like he was discussing the new movie, but now it seems not.

The Eternals cast at Comic-Con, 2018 (Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

Sources have told Variety that Feige was referring to an LGBT+ character, rather than the second part of the question, specifically referring to a trans character.

Indeed, Feige has previously said that one of the characters in The Eternals will be the first openly gay member of the Marvel family.

Read more: Popular movies shamed for lack of LGBTQ+ representation

Hes married, hes got a family, and that is just part of who he is, said at the D23 Expo in August last year.

It's also thought that Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie in Thor: Love and Thunder may be properly confirmed as bisexual too, following her debut in Thor: Ragnarok.

The Eternals, starring Kumail Nanjiani, Brian Tyree Henry, Salma Hayek, Lia McHugh, Richard Madden, Angelina Jolie, Lauren Ridloff and Don Lee arrives on November 6, with Thor: Love and Thunder following in November, 2021.
More than 100 billion WhatsApp messages were sent via the Facebook-owned platform on New Year's Eve - more than any other day in the app's history.

Of this staggering hoard of virtual messages, more than 12 billion were images.

The record-breaking figure marks a new high in the popularity of the app as it continues to spread around the world.

It is available in most countries, with China being the only notable exception.

Despite lacking the more than a billion citizens of China, the gargantuan total of messages is equivalent to every person Earth sending more than 13 messages.

Scroll down for video

More than 100 billion WhatsApp messages were sent via the Facebook-owed platform on new Years Eve - more than any other day in the app's history. Of this staggering hoard of virtual messages, more than 12 billion were images (stock)

WHAT IS END-TO-END ENCRYPTION? End-to-end encryption ensures only the two participants of a chat can read messages, and no one in between  not even the company that owns the service. End-to-end encryption is intended to prevent data being read or secretly modified when it is in transit between the two parties. The cryptographic keys needed to access the service are automatically provided only to the two people in each conversation. In decrypted form, messages are accessible by a third party  which makes them interceptable by governments for law enforcement reasons. Facebook-owned WhatsApp is already encrypted, and now Mark Zuckerberg is looking to do the same with Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct. Advertisement

Britons accounted for more than 900 million of the messages as they undoubtedly wished their loved ones a happy new year.

But this was dwarfed by Indians, who accounted for more than 20 billion of the messages.

'As you know, people all around the world celebrated the turn of the decade with friends and family, but those of us who weren't able to celebrate with loved ones in person turned to their phones to share New Year's wishes,' WhatsApp explained.

Welcoming in the new year and ushering in a new decade may make the record hard to break in future, with New Year's Eve 2020 a likely candidate.

And while it is likely the messages were good-natured, WhatsApp can not confirm the content of the messages due to its end-to-end encryption.

'WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption ensures that only you and the person you're communicating with can read what's sent, and nobody else  not even WhatsApp,' WhatsApp said.

'However it seems fair to assume that a very large number of the messages sent on December 31st were wishing someone a "Happy New Year".'
General Soleimani was the architect of nearly every significant operation by Iranian intelligence and military forces over the past two decades.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "deeply concerned" with the escalation in the Gulf region, according to a statement today from his spokesperson.

"The Secretary-General has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the secretary-general, according to CNN.

"He is deeply concerned with the recent escalation," Haq said. "This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf."

Read alsoU.S. Embassy urges its citizens to depart Iraq immediately

Iran's top security and intelligence commander was killed early Friday in a drone strike at Baghdad International Airport that was authorized by President Trump, American officials said. The commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who led the powerful Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was killed along with several officials from Iraqi militias backed by Tehran when an American MQ-9 Reaper drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the airport, according to The New York Times.

General Soleimani was the architect of nearly every significant operation by Iranian intelligence and military forces over the past two decades, and his death was a staggering blow for Iran at a time of sweeping geopolitical conflict.

United States officials were braced for potential Iranian retaliatory attacks, possibly including cyberattacks and terrorism, on American interests and allies.
The U.S.' targeted killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani has roiled global markets, hitting stock futures and energy prices as the military move reverberates throughout the Middle East and beyond. Iran's Supreme Leader has called for three days of mourning after the country's most powerful general was killed in a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad on Thursday night. Thousands of supporters have taken to the streets in Iran to protest the killing, with leaders in the country and militant group Hezbollah vowing revenge against the U.S. But who was Soleimani, and why is his death so consequential for Iran, the region and the world?

This is the equivalent of Iran killing the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and then taking credit for it. Roman Schweizer Aerospace and defense director, Cowen Washington Research Group

For the majority of his more than 20-year career at the top of Iran's Quds Force  the foreign operations wing of the elite paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps  the commander, who died at age 62, operated largely in the shadows. But in recent years he's become something of a celebrity and the face of Iran's expanded influence across the Middle East. He was known as the mastermind behind the Islamic Republic's vast network of proxies stretching from Iraq and Lebanon to Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. And the unique power Soleimani held to shape Iran's foreign policy and carry out covert offensive acts  what the Trump administration dubs "malign activity" against U.S. regional interests and allies  made him unparalleled as a military and intelligence operative in the region.

Bigger than bin Laden?

"The puppet master is dead; the strings have been cut," Michael Knights, a Gulf expert at the Washington Institute with years of experience working with local military and security agencies in Iraq and the Persian Gulf, told CNBC. "Qasem Soleimani is a unique figure," Knights elaborated. "We don't have anyone like him in the U.S., and because he was experienced, capable and had the complete trust of the supreme leader of Iran, they over-concentrated an awful lot of their capability and their prestige in one man." "And that guy just got killed. This was always the risk." To emphasize Soleimani's significance, Roman Schweizer, managing director for aerospace and defense at the Cowen Washington Research Group, wrote in an analyst note Friday: "To be clear, this is the equivalent of Iran killing the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and then taking credit for it."

Some security experts believe this killing is the most significant in U.S. history  for Charles Lister, a resident fellow at the Middle East Institute, it "far eclipses the deaths of [Osama] bin Laden or [Abu Bakr al-]Baghdadi in terms of strategic significance and implications ... there really is no underestimating the geopolitical ramifications of this." Regional analysts considered Soleimani to be the second-most-powerful leader in Iran, after only Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. And the U.S. has pursued him for decades  his operations within Iraq since 2003 killed more than 600 American personnel, the State Department revealed last year.

This photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike in Baghdad, Iraq, early Friday, Jan. 3, 2020. The Pentagon said Thursday that the U.S. military has killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, at the direction of President Donald Trump. Iraqi Prime Minister Press Office via AP

"Soleimani's death is a game-changer for the Middle East," said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow and Iran specialist at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "For over a decade, there has barely been a Middle Eastern hotspot that Soleimani didn't have a proxy or militias fighting in. He was an agent of chaos."

What made Soleimani so powerful?

Thursday's attack follows U.S. airstrikes in Iraq last week that killed 25 members of Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group responsible for rocket attacks that killed a U.S. contractor and other U.S. allies in northern Iraq in late December. The past week saw members of that militant group and others attack the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, many of whom chanted "Qasem Soleimani is our leader." "This is, I would argue, the most major decapitation strike the U.S. has ever engaged in," Phillip Smyth, a Shia Islamist militarism expert and senior fellow at the Washington Institute, told CNBC. "It is huge for the history of the Middle East."

Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani (C) attends Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's (not seen) meeting with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in Tehran, Iran. Press Office of Iranian Supreme Leader | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images

The Quds Force, which Soleimani led, essentially runs the logistics, ideological guidance and military affairs of numerous Iranian proxy groups across the region. He's credited for turning the war in Syria in Assad's favor and directing the Sept. 14 drone and missile attack on Saudi Aramco's oil facilities, among many other operations. "Soleimani was a charismatic individual," Smyth said. "He was a guy with quite the ego, but he had a long history of experience being a committed ideological fighter for the revolutionary regime in Tehran, very loyal to Ayatollah Khamenei, and he has tried to execute his will in the region." "And we've seen what he's done. Look at Syria, look at Iraq, in terms of building Iranian influence and keeping it there. Now this is the guy who really had his finger on the button." Tweet1 A zealous supporter of Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979, Soleimani cut his teeth fighting in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. The brutal conflict that took close to a million lives planted the seeds of Iran's nearly 40-year project to build a Shiite sphere of influence across the Middle East from Tehran to Beirut. Over time, Smyth said, Soleimani became a "propaganda poster boy for Iran to demonstrate their power in the region and how effective they could be." Soleimani was also "often in leadership positions when it came down to using these groups to attack the U.S., the Saudis, the Israelis, the Bahrainis, you name it," Smyth added. "But he was essentially at the top of that totem pole."

What happens now?

The killing marks a dramatic escalation in the brewing standoff between Iran and the U.S. that's been building since the U.S. withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018 and has intensified in the last year with attacks on commercial tankers and oil facilities widely blamed on Iran. The last year also saw Washington's designation of the Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist group, Iran's shooting down of a U.S. drone, intensifying U.S. sanctions on Tehran, and Tehran's incremental rolling back of its commitments to the Iranian nuclear deal. If Iran launches a major retaliatory strike against the U.S., Ben Taleblu said, "it would be doing so without its best general. That could be like fighting with one arm tied behind your back for the Iranians." Still, the organization is far from defanged, despite a severely contracted economy weighed down by crippling U.S. sanctions. Analysts are predicting retaliatory strikes from proxy militant groups around the region, particularly in Iraq and against oil facilities, as well as potential cyberattacks.
Iran has vowed to retaliate over the assassination of the countrys top military commander Major-General Qassem Soleimani.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif warned Friday that the targeted killing of Soleimani was extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism, Zarif said on Twitter.

Soleimani, head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed in a U.S. military airstrike at Baghdads international airport. The move was directed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Pentagon said Thursday.

The U.S. State Department designates the Iranian Quds Force as a foreign terrorist organization, and Soleimani has been blamed for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members. The Pentagon said Soleimani approved this weeks attacks on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

A crushing revenge will be taken for Soleimanis unjust assassination ... We will take revenge from all those involved and responsible for his assassination, Iranian Defence Minister Amir Hatami was quoted by state news agency IRNA.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his death will make Iran more decisive in its resistance against the U.S.

Analysts warn that there will be backlash from Tehran.
A simple explainer: Why did US kill Qassem Soleimani, how has Iran responded, and what might happen next?

US-Iran tensions have peaked with the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, a 62-year-old who headed the foreign arm of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Irans elite military force.

Soleimani was deeply popular at home and among Tehrans allies.

He survived several previous assassination attempts over the past 20 years and was credited with helping armed groups defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group.

Here are five things to know:

What has happened?

At the direction of US President Donald Trump, the US military killed Soleimani, head of Irans Quds Force, the foreign arm of the IRGC, in the early hours of Friday, January 3, 2020, in an air raid near the cargo area of Baghdad International Airport.

Soleimani had been travelling in a car when the missiles hit, reportedly having flown into Iraq from Lebanon or Syria.

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The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said 10 people were killed, including five of its members including Soleimani. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy leader of Hashd al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF)  an Iran-backed Iraqi paramilitary unit, was among the dead, as well as other Iraqi militia members.

The PMF is supported by the IRGC, which trains several groups in the region.

The PMFs Al-Muhandis was seen as Tehrans man in Iraq.

Quds Force is the overseas arm of the IRGC, which has an estimated 150,000 active personnel.

It was set up after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 by order of then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, conceived as the defending force of the uprising.

It is separate from the Iranian Army, has close ties to the current supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and is designated by the US as a foreign terrorist organisation.

Why did the US assassinate Soleimani?

US-Iran tensions have been rising since Washington pulled out of a landmark nuclear agreement with Tehran last year and began reimposing punishing sanctions.

In recent weeks, those tensions have escalated.

On December 27, an American contractor was killed in a rocket attack in Iraq  which the US blamed on Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah, a militia belonging to PMF. The US responded on December 29 by targeting sites belonging to Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq and Syria, killing at least 25 fighters.

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On December 31, a rare protest unfolded at the US embassy compound in Baghdad, a heavily fortified area, with demonstrators who sympathised with or belonged to PMF attempting to vandalise the embassy.

In a statement after the assassination, the US Department of Defence said Soleimani was developing plans to attack American diplomats and military members throughout the Middle East region.

It blamed him and the Quds Force for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members, as well as the December 27 death of the US contractor and the heated embassy protest.

What has Iran said?

Calls for revenge are growing louder in Iran.

Soleimani was said to have been so close to the supreme leader that he reported directly to him.

Ayatollah Khamenei said in a statement carried by state media: All enemies should know that the jihad (struggle) of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted: The great nation of Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime.

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Mohsen Rezaei, former IRGC commander, said on Twitter: [Soleimani] joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America.

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister, tweeted his response, saying: The US act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General Soleimani  THE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et al  is extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.

How has the rest of the world reacted?

World leaders and international groups have called for restraint. You can find all the main reactions here.

While Iraq, Syria and Russia condemned the US for the killing, Turkey said Ankara has always been against foreign interventions, assassinations and sectarian conflicts in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, said the US had the right to defend itself by killing Soleimani.

The United Kingdom called for de-escalation but said it has always recognised aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds Force led by Qassem Soleimani.

Whats expected to happen now?

Soleimanis body is expected to arrive in Iran on Saturday and he will finally buried in his native Kerman Province in the countrys southeast on Tuesday, following a significant three-day funeral ceremony that is expected to be on a similar scale to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeinis in 1989. On Sunday, rituals will take place in the holy city of Mashhad. His body will then be taken to Tehran on Monday.

The Iraqis who died in the attack will be buried on Saturday in Baghdad, according to the PMF, in funerals that thousands are expected to attend.

The assassination has raised fears of a military conflict between Iran and the US, that might play out in countries such as Iraq and Syria.

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The US Department of Defense said in its statement that the killing was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans as it warned it would take all necessary action to protect Americans and the countrys interests around the world.

A report citing anonymous US officials said the US was expected to send 3,000 extra troops to the region.

Tehran has made it clear it is seeking revenge.

Iraq is bracing for some of the most difficult days, Baghdad-based analyst Jassim Moussavi told Al Jazeera. We expect the announcement of war at any moment. If Iran decides to confront the US, Iraq will be the scene for that battle. Several Shia paramilitary forces have started to prepare themselves for ground zero.

Ali Akbar Dareini, an expert on Iran-US affairs at the Center for Strategic Studies in Tehran, believes the attack will lead to more insecurity and violence across the Middle East.

This is also a gift to [ISIL] and all terrorists in the region, the political analyst told Al Jazeera.
The story in the June 1916 Idaho newspaper was alarming: A man suspected of brutally murdering his wife "escaped on May 18 from custody and has not been caught."

He was never seen again.

Now, authorities say that dismembered remains found in a remote cave 40 years ago have been identified as those of the suspected murderer - an apparent victim of frontier justice.

He went by a variety of names, Charles Smith, Walter Cairns, but his real name was Joseph Henry Loveless.

Loveless was born in 1870 to some of the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to settle in Utah. But he apparently preferred the "wild" part of the West, becoming a notorious counterfeiter and bootlegger in the dry counties of Idaho, according to the Associated Press. He was average in height and build, and his only "peculiarity of the face is the absence of eyebrows," local newspapers said at the time.

Loveless was arrested regularly but never stayed in jail for long. He carried a blade hidden in his shoe, which he used more than once to saw through jail bars and escape.

By 1916, he and his second wife Agnes - a first wife had obtained a rare divorce - were living in a tent on the edge of Dubois, Idaho, where he had "doing odd jobs around the railroad yards."

On the morning of May 5, Agnes' body was found next to the tent, her head nearly severed and "hacked to pieces with an axe," according to newspaper accounts.

Loveless fled but was caught in nearby St. Anthony some time before Agnes's funeral. He was using the name Walter Cairns, but according to news articles found by investigators, one of his children identified him as his dad, Joseph Henry Loveless. That child also predicted his dad would soon escape. He did.

Fast forward to Aug. 26, 1979, when a family searching for arrowheads inside a cave about 100 miles from St. Anthony made a gruesome discovery: the torso of a man wrapped in burlap and buried in a shallow grave.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office opened a homicide investigation, but at the time, the technology didn't exist to identify the remains via DNA, nor even to determine how long they had been buried there.

Twelve years later, in 1991, a girl exploring the same cave found a hand. Investigators launched an excavation and found an arm and two legs wrapped in the same burlap material as the torso. The FBI, the Smithsonian Institution and researchers at Idaho State University have tried to help over the years, but the best they could determine was that the remains belonged to a white man with reddish-brown hair who had been about 40 years old at the time of his death.

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

Then in 2019, the sheriff's office asked for help from the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that uses the latest DNA technology to identify remains.

Within four months, the mystery was solved. The DNA Doe Project obtained a detailed DNA sequence from a lab, built a genealogical tree, and located a living grandson of Loveless's whose DNA matched perfectly.

"It's blown everyone's minds," forensic genealogist Lee Bingham Redgrave said at a news conference on Tuesday. "The really cool thing, though, is that his 'wanted' poster from his last escape is described as wearing the same clothing that he was found in, so that leads us to put his death date at likely 1916."

The grandson, now 87, had no idea about his grandfather's criminal past. The homicide investigation remains open. Clark County Sheriff Bart May has no suspects, but he thinks he knows the motive.

"Back in 1916, it was the wild West up here and most likely the locals took care of the problem," he told CNN.

Loveless's head, the same body part of Agnes' that he allegedly "hacked to pieces," has never been found.
Storyful

Birds swarmed over a Texas parking lot on January 8, perching on the cars in a scene worthy of Alfred Hitchcock.The unnerving sight was captured by Kenna Mitchell outside the Stonebriar Mall in Frisco.The footage shows birds perched atop parked cars, while others circle above in the foggy evening sky.We went to Stonebriar Mall just after dusk and the entrance by the Cheesecake Factory was overrun with thousands of birds, she told Storyful.These grackles were perched on cars, in the trees, and swarms were everywhere you looked. Other people in the lot were just amazed at the sheer number of birds, Mitchell said.Very loud and very gross, but still quite a site to see! Definitely in need of a car wash now! she added. Credit: Kenna Mitchell via Storyful
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 18:31:10|Editor: Shi Yinglun

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BAGHDAD, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. embassy in Baghdad issued a warning on Friday morning for its citizens to depart Iraq immediately, hours after a U.S. strike that killed senior Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy chief of Iraq's paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces.

A statement by the embassy said due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, the U.S. embassy urged its citizens to depart Iraq immediately, confirming that "U.S. citizens should depart via airline while possible, and failing that, to other countries via land."

The statement also urged the U.S. citizens to take certain actions such as not travelling to Iraq, avoiding the U.S. embassy compound and monitoring local and international media for updates.

The U.S. embassy move came hours after a U.S. strike hit two vehicles on the main road near Baghdad International Airport, killing Soleimani and al-Muhandis.

Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on Friday strongly condemned the attack, considering the assassination of an Iraqi military leader, who holds an official position, as "an aggression against Iraq, its state, its government and its people."
Bangladesh's paramilitary force chief said on Thursday that a total of 445 Bangladeshi nationals returned from India in last two months following the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC)

Dhaka: Bangladesh's paramilitary force chief said on Thursday that a total of 445 Bangladeshi nationals returned from India in last two months following the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) by the Indian government.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam disclosed the figure during a press briefing.

"About 1,000 people were arrested in 2019 for illegal border crossings from India to Bangladesh, with 445 of them returning home in November and December," he said.

After verifying their identities through local representatives, BGB came to know that all the intruders are Bangladeshis, Islam said, adding that 253 cases were lodged against them for illegal trespass, while initial investigations found that at least three of them were human traffickers.

The BGB Director said the trespassing did not create any tension between the border forces of Bangladesh and India.

Last week, Islam visited India where he said that the creation of the NRC is completely an "internal affair" of India and the cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries is very good.

He said the BGB will continue to do its work of preventing illegal border crossings as per its mandate.

A BGB delegation, led by Islam, was on a bilateral visit to India to hold DG-level border talks with its counterparts, the Border Security Force (BSF).

The talks took place from 26 to 29 December, during which a host of issues related to cross-border smuggling and activities of criminals and others along the 4,096-km-long front were discussed.

Responding to a question, Islam said, "No discussion was held at the conference over the (NRC) issue".

He said during the five-day talks held in New Delhi, the BGB demanded that the BSF should take effective steps to prevent killings of Bangladeshis on frontiers as casualty figures sharply rose in 2019.

"The number of border killings in 2019 was highest in the last four years. As per our calculation, the number of such unexpected deaths was 35," the BGB chief said.

However, the BSF estimate of the casualty figure is much lower than our calculation, he said.

Islam said the BSF is following the policy of maintaining maximum restraint and minimal use of force even after being attacked by "armed border offenders".

A statement issued by the BSF last month in New Delhi after the conclusion of the DG-level talks said, "On the concern of the BGB regarding the death of Bangladeshi nationals on borders, it was informed to them that a non-lethal weapon policy is strictly followed by BSF personnel on borders.

"Firing is resorted to only in self-defence, when BSF patrols are gheraoed and attacked by dah' (a sharp-edged weapon) etc. It was specified that the BSF does not discriminate between criminals based on nationality," it said.
NORTON SHORES, MI  City officials say there are few solutions to curb flooding that has plagued a Norton Shores neighborhood on Mona Lake.

Absent a dramatic drop in lake levels, some homeowners, particularly those with sump pumps, could see flooding get worse.

Streets and homes are flooded in the neighborhood off Seaway Drive near Mona Lake Park. Though flooding has been ongoing for months, it has worsened in recent weeks.

This last week was the worst I have seen, said Deborah Rockwell, who lives at the corner of Lakeshore Boulevard and Baker Street. There is water in my home and nowhere to pump the water out. Entry or exit from the home had to be in knee-high rain boots.

Rockwell said she had to turn off her furnace to prevent damage, and her water heater was in standing water for two days. Her animals cant go outside and she couldnt open her back door without water rushing in.

Watching as water invades your home is terrifying, Rockwell told MLive.

The problem is the high water level in Mona Lake, an inlet from Lake Michigan that is experiencing extremely high water levels.

Some homeowners on Mona Lake are using sump pumps to keep the water out of their homes, but those are illegally connected to sanitary sewer that has become overloaded with the extra water, said Norton Shores City Administrator Mark Meyers.

Those residents will be told they must disconnect the pumps from the sewer system, Meyers said. That action is needed because a nearby lift station that helps move sewage to the treatment plant has been overwhelmed, he said.

On Dec. 31, city workers were alerted to issues with the lift station near Mona Lake Park, and have had to install a large pump to move excess water from the lift station into a different sewer line, Meyers said. That is not alleviating the flooding in the streets, but rather the excess load on the lift station, he said.

Pumping water from the streets, which are in a low-lying flood plain, is not an option for the city because the water would just be put back into the lake, Meyers said. The same could be true for residents with sump pumps, who will be required to discharge onto their own property.

Theres simply nowhere for that water to go, Meyers said.

The city has reached out for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but the process of seeking funding is complicated and could take 18 months, Meyers said. To get funding, the city must have a well-defined plan on how to use it, he said. So far, the only suggestions FEMA has had for the city to address flooding along Mona Lake is elevating homes or buying them, he said.

Norton Shores Mayor Gary Nelund has met with residents, but said solutions so far are elusive.

Were not ignoring the neighborhood and were not unsympathetic, Nelund said. Finding a solution thats 100 percent going to work is proving difficult.

The Norton Shores residents are among many throughout West Michigan struggling with water levels that are the highest in decades. A city of Muskegon neighborhood on Muskegon Lake also struggles with flooding even as the city operates a pump there, and those living on Lake Michigan have lost decks, stairs and even their homes to severe beach erosion.

The trouble with the neighborhood on Mona Lake is its in a flood plain in a low-lying area surrounded by swampy areas, Nelund said.

You cant just sandbag all around it, unfortunately, he said.

Also on MLive:

Erosion claims home on Lake Michigan despite owners attempts to save it

Drone video shows house that fell off a Lake Michigan bluff

Rough conditions in Lake Michigan hamper search for teen swept off pier

High Great Lakes water levels cause havoc across Michigan
By PTI

DHAKA: Bangladesh's paramilitary force chief said on Thursday that a total of 445 Bangladeshi nationals returned from India in last two months following the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) by the Indian government.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Maj Gen Md Shafeenul Islam disclosed the figure during a press briefing here. "About 1,000 people were arrested in 2019 for illegal border crossings from India to Bangladesh, with 445 of them returning home in November and December," he said.

After verifying their identities through local representatives, BGB came to know that all the intruders are Bangladeshis, Islam said, adding that 253 cases were lodged against them for illegal trespass, while initial investigations found that at least three of them were human traffickers.

ALSO READ| NRC an internal affair of Indian government: Border Guards Bangladesh chief

The BGB Director said that the trespassing did not create any tension between the border forces of Bangladesh and India.

Last week, Islam visited India where he said that the creation of the NRC is completely an "internal affair" of India and the cooperation between the border guarding forces of the two countries is very good.

He said that the BGB will continue to do its work of preventing illegal border crossings as per its mandate. A BGB delegation, led by Islam, was on a bilateral visit to India to hold DG-level border talks with its counterparts, the Border Security Force (BSF).

The talks took place from December 26-29, during which a host of issues related to cross-border smuggling and activities of criminals and others along the 4,096-km-long front were discussed.

Responding to a question, Islam said, "No discussion was held at the conference over the (NRC) issue".

He said during the five-day talks held in New Delhi, the BGB demanded that the BSF should take effective steps to prevent killings of Bangladeshis on frontiers as casualty figures sharply rose in 2019.

"The number of border killings in 2019 was highest in the last four years. As per our calculation, the number of such unexpected deaths was 35," the BGB chief said.

However, he said that the BSF estimate of the casualty figure is much lower than our calculation.

Islam said the BSF is following the policy of maintaining maximum restraint and minimal use of force even after being attacked by "armed border offenders".

A statement issued by the BSF last month in New Delhi after the conclusion of the DG-level talks said, "On the concern of the BGB regarding the death of Bangladeshi nationals on borders, it was informed to them that a non-lethal weapon policy is strictly followed by BSF personnel on borders. Firing is resorted to only in self-defence when BSF patrols are gheraoed and attacked by 'dah' (a sharp-edged weapon) etc. It was specified that the BSF does not discriminate between criminals based on nationality," it said.
National Security Office Second Deputy Director Kim Hyun-chong, right, at a meeting of presidential aides, presided over by President Moon Jae-in, on Dec. 30. Korea Times photo by Ryu Hyo-jin



By Jung Da-min



Cheong Wa Dae on Friday denied reports that senior presidential aide Kim Hyun-chong has offered to resign as second deputy director of the presidential National Security Office (NSO).



"The NSO's second deputy Kim Hyun-chong didn't offer his resignation. Reports over Kim's resignation are far from the truth," a Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters at a briefing.



The official said the NSO deputy's commitment to his role remained firm and the senior presidential aide "has no intention" to run in the April 2020 general elections.



It was speculated that Kim was planning to run in the election after resigning. Media reports said Kim's offer of resignation was likely to be related to his recent "conflict" with Choi Jong-kun, presidential secretary for peace planning, over assessment of inter-Korean policies.



Kim and Choi reportedly clashed over the direction of President Moon Jae-in's North Korea policy. The reports said Choi, who is also a top confidant of Moon Chung-in, the special presidential adviser on unification and diplomatic issues, wanted government policy to be more focused on inter-Korean relations when it came to economic sanctions against the North. Kim opposed the idea, citing the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.



Choi used his Facebook account to apologize for the fuss and said he would restrain himself to be faithful to his role as a presidential aide.



The presidential office did not elaborate on the possibility that Kim might run in the April general election.



Kim was at the center stage of controversies several times last year, including a "verbal clash" with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha during Moon's tour of central Asia last April. The spat with Kang became public knowledge during a National Assembly session at which Kang admitted the incident had happened.



A former WTO lawyer and chief of Samsung's legal affairs team, Kim is known as a "hidden force" in plotting South Korea's diplomatic strategies with Japan and the United States. Kim, who is also the country's most seasoned trade specialist, pushed ahead with his plans to nullify an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan despite opposition from other senior presidential aides.



Some within the presidential office have welcomed his "very candid outspoken style" in terms of highlighting South Korea's ability to handle complex diplomatic issues, because he has extensive connections with senior White House officials.



However, the "Kim Hyun-chong style" has brought some "unnecessary fuss" from presidential aides who have long been associated with the "dovish stance" of South Korea's rapprochement in sensitive diplomatic issues with the U.S. and Japan.




The decision about the high-powered committee was taken as the government apparently thought of taking one step at a time instead of hurrying things up in the face of growing resistance from farmers who gave their lands for the development of Amaravati as the new capital, under the previous government headed by N Chandrababu Naidu, reports Dasarath Reddy.

Image: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.

The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to constitute a high-powered committee for studying the expert report sought on capital city development strategies, even as protests in Amaravati over the plan to move certain statutory functions to other regions turned violent.

An expert committee headed by former IAS officer G N Rao last week gave its report to the state government with a key recommendation that the legislative, executive and judicial functions of the state be vested with Amaravati, Vizag and Kurnool representing three broad regions of Andhra for a fair and equitable development of the state.

The government had also appointed Boston Consulting Group (BCG) for a detailed report on the subject and the consulting firm was expected to submit its report in the first week of January 2020.

The decision about the high-powered committee was taken at a cabinet meeting as the government apparently thought of taking one step at a time instead of hurrying things up in the face of growing resistance from farmers who gave their lands for the development of Amaravati as the new capital, under the previous government headed by N Chandrababu Naidu.

"The state cabinet chaired by chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has had a detailed discussion on G N Rao Committee's report. We are yet to receive the other report commissioned from Boston Consulting on the same subject. After the deliberations the cabinet has decided to constitute a high powered committee to study these two reports before taking further steps on the matter," state information and public relations minister Perni Venkataramiah told reporters after the cabinet meeting.

Image: TDP Chief and former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu comes out in support of Amaravati's farmers who were protesting against the three capital proposal. Photograph: ANI Photos

Recently, Chief Minister Reddy created a political storm by announcing in the state assembly that AP could have three capitals for each of the state functions with Amaravati as the legislative capital, Vizag as the executive capital and Kurnool as the judicial capital by having assembly, secretariat and the high court located in these three different places respectively.

A couple of days later the G N Rao committee submitted its report to the chief minister while recommending a similar but more complex arrangement for the location of the state functions: The secretariat, the chief minister's camp office, summer assembly and a high court bench be set up in the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region; the state legislature, a high court bench and the governor's Raj Bhavan and ministers' quarters in the 'Amaravati-Mangalagiri complex'; and the high court and the allied judicial offices in Kurnool.

Minister Venkataramaih refused to agree to a suggestion that the state government has taken a U-turn on its multi-city capital plan owing to the public outcry.

"Chief Minister Reddy had just made a comment in the state assembly about the possible scenarios involving the decentralised development. Once the high powered committee gives its insights into the two reports, the government then will take further steps like convening an all party meeting and a special assembly session to discuss the proposals and take a final decision," the minister said.

The political course explained by the minister also underscores the government's game plan to gather a widespread backing to its proposed multi-city presence of state functions from the rest of the state.

To push the opposition Telugu Desam Party leadership, particularly its president Chandrababu Naidu, into a defensive position on retaining Amaravati as the sole new capital, the state cabinet also decided to take legal opinion to finalise a suitable agency, including the Lok Ayukta and the CBI, to conduct a detailed investigation into the allegations that Naidu and his men purchased large extent of lands in Amaravati region before making the location of the new capital city public.

"The cabinet sub-committee constituted on the irregularities committed in Amaravati has submitted its report to the chief minister on Friday and the report contains details of how the leader of the then ruling party and his henchmen purchased lands before December 31, 2014, when the location of the capital city was announced. All those leaders demanding status quo with regard to Amaravati were doing so for their own interests," the minister alleged.
Texas-based flatbed and oilfield truckload carrier Fleetwood Transportation hauled its last loads on Tuesday after deciding to shutter operations, citing insurance costs.

SaferWatch reports that the carrier had 252 trucks, 673 trailers and employed 240 drivers. The fleet, based in Diboll, Texas (100 mile north of Houston), primarily hauled building materials and oilfield equipment. The company had been operating for 63 years, having commenced operations in 1956.

The Lufkin Daily News first reported the news on Dec. 17, having received an email tip that the carrier planned to shutter. On the same day, the chairman of the board sent a letter to owner-operators of the carrier, citing the inability of the fleet to secure insurance as the primary reason for deciding to cease operations.

Carriers that have had questionable safety records are struggling to find insurance. Chad Eichelberger, founder of Reliance Partners, a leading provider of insurance services to the trucking industry, said carriers could see insurance rates double or triple in 2020 if they had any accidents with fatalities in the past year.

Eichelberger says a carrier being faulted as the cause isn't a requirement for rates to jump if there was a fatality in an accident involving the carrier. "Insurance carriers know that if there is a fatality involving a truck, juries will be sympathetic towards the [non-trucking] injured party and may reward damages in the nuclear category regardless of fault."

A small carrier with a clean history will pay $5,000-$7,000 in insurance per truck, according to Eichelberger. If a carrier is based in a high-risk jurisdiction, the rate could be 25-30% higher. He lists Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, Florida and California as the highest-risk states. He also suggests that rates in Georgia and Texas are increasing dramatically as payout levels accelerate.

The Truckload Carrier Association's (TCA) TPP benchmark platform reports that truckload fleets are currently paying $6,800 per truck for insurance. The TPP data is the most reliable fleet costing data in the entire trucking market, providing performance and financial benchmarking of nearly 500 data points per month. TPP fleets feed their monthly operating and financial data into a benchmarking platform that allows them to compare costs between fleets.

Story continues

In the past two years, the TPP fleets have seen 11% increases in their insurance premiums. According to Chris Henry, who runs the TPP platform on behalf of TCA, the reason the TPP fleets have not seen as dramatic an increase versus the rest of the market is their use of captives.

Captives are effectively insurance companies owned by the companies they insure. A captive lets a fleet self-insure or group insure up to $100,000 per claim. Anything above that is covered by an umbrella policy. The risk is pooled between other carriers in the group.

SaferWatch lists two separate accidents involving fatalities that Fleetwood Transportation was involved in within the past 24 months  both in 2018.

According to transportation attorney Cassandra Gaines, two fatalities for a 260-truck carrier over two years would not be exceptionally high. In her view, other circumstances likely played a role in the carrier's demise.

The company had two primary lines of business: hauling sand to oil fields and flatbed trucking. Both markets have been decimated in 2019.

Sand is used in oil field fracking operations to blast rocks in hydraulic drilling. Over the past decade, oil drillers hauled sand from hundreds of miles and paid top dollar to get the commodity moved. In the past two years, this business has changed. Oil drillers found local sources of sand and didn't require it to be trucked from other places. There has also been a shift in investor sentiment toward exploratory oil drilling.

A number of large fleets that were involved in hauling fracking sand and oil field work have shuttered or downsized in 2019, including Stevens Tanker Division, Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) and Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB).

The other core part of their operations involved flatbed truckload services. Flatbed trucking has been struggling for most of 2019, after enjoying a red-hot market in 2018. According to TPP data, the average flatbed operator has been operating in the red all year. Operating ratios (OR), or a measurement of operating profitability, have hovered above 97 for most of 2019. For most truckload carriers, a carrier should generate below a 97 to generate a profit. For the flatbed industry, this happened only one month in 2019, June.

Source: TPP Operating Ratios for Flatbed (SONAR:OPRAT.FCF)

The company was also a party to a class action lawsuit filed against the company in Lake Charles, Louisiana, because the company allegedly failed to pay overtime to drivers. The lawsuit claims that intrastate truck drivers were hired on a per-job or per-hour basis to haul wood chips from a lumber mill to a paper mill. The company did not pay overtime for drivers involved in the runs, even when their work exceeded a 40-hour work week.

To read the lawsuit, click here:

https://s29755.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Class-Action-Complaint.pdf

Class actions are extremely expensive to defend, even if the company ultimately prevails.

Regardless of the reason for Fleetwood's decision to close the doors  whether insurance costs, the market or litigation related to the class action labor lawsuit  this case demonstrates the perilous position most trucking fleets have been in throughout 2019.

With new regulations coming and an increase in trucking-related nuclear lawsuits likely to plague the industry for years to come, trucking bankruptcies will remain a neverending story.

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

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The Samajwadi Party on Friday promised pension for anti-CAA protesters if voted to power, drawing a sharp reaction from the ruling BJP who said it was in the "DNA of that party to honour rioters and anti-social".

Leader of the Opposition in the UP Legislative Assembly, Ram Goving Chaudhary, said their party would also give compensation to the kin of those jailed or killed during anti-CAA protests in the state.

"If our party comes to power at the Centre and in UP, they (protesters) will be given pension as they have struggled to save the Constitution and the democracy," said Chaudhary responding to a question.

He said they protect all those who seek refuge from them.

"Jo humari sharan mein aa gaye woh humari sharan mein hain. Hum sabki raksha karney wale log hain," the senior SP leader told mediapersons here.

Referring to remarks of state BJP president Swatantra Dev Singh that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav should stay in Pakistan for a month to understand atrocities being on Hindus, the senior SP leader said the Narendra Modi-led Union government was out to divert people's attention from real issues.

Anyone raising a question is being asked to go to Pakistan, he alleged.

Later, Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma lashed out at the Samjawadi Party, saying, "It is in the DNA of that party to honour the rioters and anti-socials."



"They had also tried to withdraw cases against terrorists in the past and the court had to intervene. It is unfortunate that SP leaders are speaking about giving citizenship rights to the Bangladeshis and Rohangiyas," Sharma alleged.

Commenting on SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's statement that he would not fill form for the National Population Register, the UP deputy CM said," Perhaps, he is not aware that the NPR is the basis of all development schemes. He is conspiring to deprive people of welfare schemes."



The deputy chief minister alleged that the opposition parties, including the SP, BSP and the Congress, were "competing to appease anti-social elements".

"There is another kind of 20-20 match going on between the SP, BSP and the Congress to outsmart each other in appeasing and encouraging anti-social elements," Sharma said.

On Akhilesh Yadav's allegation that 1,000 children have died in Gorakhpur in the past year, Sharma said he needed to furnish evidence instead of levelling baseless allegations.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jet2 ranks fifth in the world among low-cost carriers

OAG, the world's leading provider of travel data and insight, today released the results of the OAG Punctuality League 2020, a comprehensive ranking of the world's largest airlines and airports for on-time performance (OTP).

Aeroflot finished as the most punctual Mega Airline in Europe and second-most punctual mega in the world (OTP 86.30%). Five additional European carriers earned spots among the world's Top 20 Mega Airlines, including Air France (7th; OTP 79.92%), British Airways (14th; OTP 76.18%), Lufthansa (15th; OTP 73.96%) and easyJet (17th; OTP 73.08%).

Jet2 (OTP 82.69%), the UK's third-largest airline, ranked fifth among the Top 20 Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) and finished 19th globally. Several other European carriers, including Iberia (11th; OTP 84.06%), Siberia Airlines (12th; OTP 83.88%) and Air Baltic (13th; OTP 83.63%) also placed among the world's most punctual airlines.

British Airways' hub London Heathrow (LHR; OTP 75.27%) ranked 13th among Mega Airports-a notable accomplishment for the world's most internationally connected airport.

"The global market is reaching near peak OTP," said John Grant, senior analyst with OAG. "The rise in performance is led by Mega Airlines like Aeroflot, Delta and Air France, which are simultaneously expanding the number of operated flights and maintaining high OTP. We're seeing success trickle down to the hubs they service, which benefits the entire travel ecosystem."

Delta (OTP 83.56%) ranked as the No. 1 Mega Airline in the continental U.S. for a third-straight year. Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (4th, ATL; OTP 83.74%) led the list of Delta hubs placing among the world's most on-time Mega Airports. The top three Mega Airports in the world were Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO; OTP 86.87%), Tokyo Haneda (HND; OTP 86.60%), and Singapore Changi (SIN; OTP 84.03%). Los Angeles International (LAX; OTP 79.62%) and New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK; OTP 77.87%) ranked 7th and 8th, respectively.

Download the full report for more insights from OAG's Punctuality League 2020.

About OAG

OAG is a leading global travel data provider, that has been powering the growth and innovation of the air travel ecosystem since 1929. OAG has global operations in the UK, USA, Singapore, Japan, Lithuania and China.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200103005026/en/

Contacts:

Media:

Katy Ludwell

OAG

oag@corporateink.com
While the country is witnessing massive protests over fears that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) may dilute the nations secular credentials enshrined in the Constitution, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nishalananda Saraswati says India should be declared a Hindu Rashtra, meaning, a Hindu nation.

Talking to reporters in his abode of Govardhan Math in Puri on Friday, Saraswati said that many countries have been declared as Muslim and Christian nations, while there was no such country for the Hindus.

At present there are no Hindu nations. Hence, it is the responsibility of the United Nations to declare India, Nepal and Bhutan as Hindu nations in the first phase. Hindus, who are being persecuted in other countries should be rehabilitated in these three countries, said Saraswati.

The Shankaracharya said if any Muslim feels neglected in any other country and wants to leave the particular nation, he/she should be rehabilitated in any of the Muslim nations.

On CAA, Puri Shankaracharya said, The present violence and unrest could have been avoided if adequate steps were taken for proper consultations, discussions and awareness before its enactment.

In Odisha, protests against the CAA were held in Niali area of Cuttack and Biramitrapur area of Sundargarh district on Friday.

Shankaracharyas advocacy for a Hindu nation comes on the day Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayana wrote to chief ministers of 11 states including Odisha to oppose the CAA.

The Biju Janata Dal, which voted for CAA, today also came out in support of the National Population Register (NPR) saying it was not a new exercise.

The NPR of 2020 is a repeat of the NPR 2010. It is necessary to gauge the economic and social status of the people of the country, said BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb.

The State government also started the census process by designating district collectors as principal census officers. Similarly, it appointed additional district magistrates as district census officers. During the first phase of Census 2020, enumerators would visit every household between April and September to collect the details required for the NPR.
Melissa George was feeling cheeky during a recent beach holiday at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in France.

Taking to Instagram on Friday, the 43-year-old actress shared photos of herself at the beach in a patterned one-piece swimsuit.

The unique bathing suit featured a scale pattern and a cheeky cut, which showed off the former Home and Away star's pert bottom.

Beach babe: Melissa George was feeling cheeky during a recent beach holiday at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in France

'Happy 2020, first swim of the year,' she captioned the stunning photos.

In one picture, Melissa is seen crouching down along the shoreline, resting her face on her closed fist while gazing at the camera.

A second photo taken from behind shows her staring out at the crystal-clear water with a hand on one hip.

Bottoms up: Her unique bathing suit featured a scale pattern and a cheeky cut, which showed off the former Home and Away star's pert bottom

The Perth-born beauty traded Australia for Los Angeles, before eventually finding herself in Paris.

'The first thing I did when I moved to LA was to decorate my apartment in a French style, and then I ended up going to Paris,' she told The Sydney Morning Herald in March last year.

'Now, I find myself in Paris, completely immersed, absolutely loving it but it's not home. I am not able to work here so I've got mixed feelings about it.

Tres chic: The Perth-born beauty traded Australia for Los Angeles, before eventually finding herself in Paris

'I would like to bring Hollywood to Paris, if I could do that, that would be ideal.'

In an interview with Vogue Australia in April 2018, Melissa revealed she moved to Sydney on her own when she was just 16 to pursue an acting career.

'I left Perth to go to Sydney to be a teen actress and it was really hard. I used to lock myself in the closet and call my mum and cry,' she confessed.
Responding to a video posted by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday, the Uttar Pradesh police issued a clarification. It busted the fake news spread by Khan, pointing out that he had tried to pass off a Bangladesh video as the UP police targeting Indian Muslims. The police mentioned that the video in question is from Dhaka in May 2013 where the Rapid Action Battalion is seen in action.

Read: Imran Khan Posts Fake News: Netizens Catch Pakistan PM Posting B'desh Clip To Attack India

This is not from U.P, but from a May,2013 incident in Dhaka,Bangladesh.The RAB(Rapid Action Battalion) written on the vests at 0:21s, 1:27s or the Bengali spoken, or these links would help you be better informed.

1. https://t.co/Rp3kcKHz2K

2.https://t.co/zf7qk9bY7M@UPPViralCheck https://t.co/4krjmD38PK  UP POLICE (@Uppolice) January 3, 2020

Read: PATHETIC: Pakistan PM Imran Khan Attacks India With Old B'desh Video Claiming It's From UP

Pakistan's attempt to peddle fake news

Since the Balakot airstrike, Imran Khan has been trying to portray India in a poor light at various forums. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Khan went on to threaten India of another Pulwama-like attack. However, his bid to internationalise the Kashmir issue has consistently failed.

His repeated verbal attacks on India come at a juncture when he is facing a lot of opposition in Pakistan for the dire state of the economy and the indiscriminate jailing of dissident leaders. Khan also made a false claim about the National Register of Citizens process in Assam by stating that Indian Muslims were being singled out when the reality was that its aim is to identify illegal immigrants irrespective of their religion. Other important personalities from Pakistan such as diplomat Maleeha Lodhi, senior politician Rehman Malik, and many of Imran Khan's cabinet colleagues have often spread fake news about India.

Read: SHOCKING: Pakistan President Arif Alvi Makes Desperate 'social Media Propaganda War' Call Versus India

The video dates back to May 2013

The video in question dates back to May 6, 2013, when there was a clash between the protesters and the police over the anti-blasphemy law. This incident took place at the Hefazat-e-Islam rally. The aim of the protest was to demand a law introducing a provision for the death penalty for acts of blasphemy.

Read: Pakistan & Terrorism: 6 Freudian Slips By Pak Leaders On Osama, Hafiz Saeed & Masood Azhar That Give It All Away
Comes after thief entered gallery on November 13 and grabbed the two works

Pieces of art were Rembrandt's Pilgrims at Emmaus and Philemon and Baucis

Dulwich Picture Gallery has revealed the two pieces that were almost stolen

The two masterpieces by Rembrandt which were almost stolen in an audacious heist last year have been revealed by the gallery.

The 17th century artworks worth up to 100million were snatched by a daring thief in a midnight raid in November before being ditched in the grounds of Dulwich Picture Gallery in south London.

Following the failed heist, the gallery has revealed that the burglar managed to remove the Pilgrims at Emmaus, which Rembrandt painted in 1648, and Philemon and Baucis, which was finished by the artist in 1658.

Pilgrims at Emmaus, also known as the Supper at Emmaus, shows a resurrected Christ about to break bread with pilgrims.

Dulwich Picture Gallery in London has revealed that one of the masterpieces by Rembrandt which was almost stolen in a heist last November was Pilgrims at Emmaus (pictured)

The second painting that was almost stolen in the heist last year was Philemon and Baucis (pictured) which shows the moment Roman gods Jupiter and Mercury reveal themselves to the elderly couple Philemon and Baucis

The two paintings had been part of a major exhibition of 35 paintings, drawings and etchings by the Dutch artist Rembrandt. Pictured: A visitor looks at a self-portrait of Rembrandt

It has since been returned to its original gallery - the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The second painting, Philemon and Baucis, depicts the moment when Roman gods Jupiter and Mercury reveal themselves to the elderly couple Philemon and Baucis, which forms a part of the writings by the poet Ovid.

This has also been returned to its owner gallery, the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

A Dulwich Picture Gallery spokeswoman said: 'The two works targeted were Pilgrims at Emmaus from the Musee du Louvre, Paris, and Philemon and Baucis, from the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. The two works are now back with their lenders.

'We worked closely with the two lenders of the works in question, ensuring they could be returned swiftly and safely.'

She added that they could not disclose the value of the paintings.

The revelation comes after the would-be entered the gallery at 11.30pm on November 13 and managed to grab the two works from a major exhibition of 35 paintings, drawings and etchings by the Dutch artist.

On November 13, police rushed to the London gallery (pictured) after a thief managed to grab two works from a major exhibition

Following the attempted heist, officers were seen carrying out investigations (pictured) in the grounds of the gallery

The Rembrandt's Light exhibition, which ends in February, looks at the Dutch artist's work in Amsterdam between 1639 and 1658 and has garnered rave reviews.

During the heist the burglar, who set off the gallery's alarm system, was able to flee from police by spraying an officer in the face with an unknown substance.

However he was soon interrupted by police and left the iconic pieces in shrubbery on the grounds of the gallery.

The gallery was forced to close for more than a fortnight after the daring raid and is now continuing its exhibition without the two pieces.

The heist has since raised questions about the practice of lending between galleries for exhibitions.

The Louvre Museum said in a statement: 'Rembrandt's Pilgrims at Emmaus, loaned by the Musee du Louvre to the Dulwich Picture Gallery for its Rembrandt's Light exhibition, was the target of an attempted heist.

The Dutch artist Rembrandt was born in Leiden in the Netherlands in 1606 and his work is still being showcased 350 years after he died

'The police intervened immediately and the painting was recovered.

'The work was brought back immediately to the Musee du Louvre where its condition is currently being examined. Hopefully, the work has not suffered any damage.

'It will return to the Louvre's permanent galleries as soon as possible.'

The Metropolitan Police said no arrests had been made, and inquiries continue.

Dulwich Picture Gallery, which also houses Portrait Of Jacob De Gheyn III, known as the 'takeaway Rembrandt', was founded by Sir Francis Bourgeois RA in 1811 and is the world's first purpose-built public art gallery.
Victorian families are being torn apart amid a growing statewide bushfire crisis, with parents in Mallacoota sending their children to safety aboard a Navy ship and making the decision to stay behind to defend their town against Saturday's looming threat.

Almost 1000 people were evacuated from the tiny coastal town in the state's far east on the HMAS Choules in a dramatic eight-hour operation on Friday, with some parents farewelling their children and remaining to fight for their community.

People left behind in Mallacoota farewell their loved ones aboard HMAS Choules on Friday. Credit:Justin McManus

Authorities are preparing for a perilous Saturday across the state, with almost 50 fires burning and a forecast change not expected to reach the north-east of the state until late at night.

A state of disaster was declared across six local government regions in Victoria for Friday, granting emergency services unprecedented powers as 100,000 holiday makers were urged to leave high country camping grounds and coastal regions ahead of the weekend.
Sussman pointed to his clients history of hospitalizations and a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He says Thomas apparently stopped taking his medications in October, as evidenced by an unopened bottle of Latuda, a drug used to treat bipolar disorder and depression, that was prescribed to Thomas and found at Kennedys house. Sussman is asking for a competency exam to determine whether Thomas is mentally fit to proceed with his case in state court.
You are here: China

China's National People's Congress (NPC) will open an official online petition platform to improve petitioning procedures, the general office of the NPC standing committee, China's top legislature, said on Thursday.

Aiming to make the online platform a major petitioning channel, the NPC pledges to reply to and handle petition letters online in a timely manner.

Petitioning, also known as "letters and calls," is China's administrative system for hearing public complaints and grievances.

Petitioners can log on to www.npc.gov.cn to submit their petitions.
US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States still sees a political agreement on denuclearisation as the best path forward on North Korea, but that American forces remained prepared to fight if necessary.

"We would urge restraint by Kim Jong Un," Esper said in an interview on Fox News.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this week that there were no longer grounds for Pyongyang to be bound by a self-declared moratorium on intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear bomb testing and that a "new strategic weapon" would be introduced in the near future.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there were no indications that North Korea was preparing for an imminent long-range missile test.

The official said the assessment after Kim's speech was that North Korea believes it does not have to rush to test an intercontinental ballistic missile, though shorter-range missile or engine tests could be possible at any time.

U.S. President Donald Trump - who in 2018 became the first American leader to meet with a North Korean leader - said after Kim's remarks that the North Korean leader had signed a denuclearisation contract and Trump thought Kim was a "man of his word."

Last month, Pyongyang warned Washington of a possible "Christmas gift" after Kim gave the United States until the end of the year to propose new concessions in talks over his country's nuclear arsenal.

Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said that the alert status of American forces was at a sufficient level to respond to anything that happens and military defensive capabilities were adequate to defend the United States.
This story has been updated to correct a misspelled name.

Interstate 35 has reopened after being shut down for several hours Friday afternoon while police investigated a death on the highway.

A 19-year-old male is dead after he was run over by an 18-wheeler on Interstate 35 on the Southwest Side, according to San Antonio police.

Police were called out to I-35, near Loop 1604, around 10:00 a.m. for a body in the road on the section of the interstate that goes over the Medina River.

Witnesses said they saw an 18-wheeler pass by and then a body from underneath the truck appeared on the road and may have been run over by the 18-wheeler, said SAPD Officer Doug Greene.

FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox

The 18-wheeler didnt stop, and police arent sure if the driver even realized there was an accident, Green said. SAPD is trying to locate the driver of the 18-wheeler to question him.

Green said the deceased man may have been stowed under the 18-wheeler, but police haven't been able to confirm that.

Witnesses say they saw the body come out from under the truck, no one that we talked to said they saw the man walking next to the road, and no one saw him struck by the truck, so we are looking at the possibility he came from under the truck, Green said.

Detectives, however, are handling the case as a Failure to Stop and Render Aid-Death investigation, according to an SAPD email. Police said they are working on getting a description of the truck.

The accident caused major traffic delays, as police shut down parts of I-35 northbound to investigate. It took nearly four hours for the highway to reopen.

Taylor Pettaway 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 | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
Crude oil prices spiked by 4% on Friday upon news that a top Iranian general was killed in an airstrike by the United States military....





Crude oil prices spiked by 4% on Friday upon news that a top Iranian general was killed in an airstrike by the United States military.





Brent crude futures, the international benchmark for crude oil, stood at $69.01 per barrel, an increase of 4.17%.





US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also stood at $63.34 per barrel, a 4% increase.





The Pentagon said the attack was carried out on the order of President Donald Trump to deter future Iranian attack plans.





It added that Soleimani was killed because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.





The airstrike comes days after an Iran-backed militia and its supporters breached the US embassy in Baghdad.





Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) confirmed that Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy head of the force, was also among those martyred by an American strike.




Sen. Bernie Sanders is ramping up his defense against fellow 2020 competitor Joe Biden, criticizing the former vice president's record and questioning his ability to garner voter turnout, the Washington Post writes.

What he's saying: Its just a lot of baggage that Joe takes into a campaign, which isnt going to create energy and excitement, Sanders said in an interview between events in Iowa. He brings into this campaign a record which is so weak that it just cannot create the kind of excitement and energy that is going to be needed to defeat Donald Trump.

The Post quoted Sanders swipes at Biden's record on NAFTA and framed the former vice president as "part of the political elite."

People are tired of the traditional types of campaigns in which candidates like Joe are running to wealthy peoples homes and raising large sums of money, Sanders noted.

Driving the news: The uptick in judgement on Biden's record comes as Sanders is showing promise in the polls. He's consistently polled in second place nationally, and has exhibited strength in Iowa. A Des Moines Register poll showed that 57% of Iowans who view Sanders as their first choice say their mind is made up. No other candidate received more than 30% commitment from their current supporters.

Sanders also announced Thursday that he broke the single-quarter fundraising record among Democrats so far in the presidential primary cycle, raking in $34.5 million in Q4 of 2019.

The Iowa caucuses are just over a month away, set for Feb. 3. The New Hampshire primary is on Feb. 11.

Go deeper: Bernie Sanders releases letters from doctors deeming him fit for presidency
A woman was apprehended by CISF personnel at the the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying a live bullet in her baggage, officials said on Friday.

Shyamasree Paul, bound for Kolkata, was intercepted during security checks at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Thursday, they said.

Apart from the live bullet, an empty case and part of a cartridge were recovered from the bag of the woman, the officials said, adding that she was handed over to the Delhi Police.

The police has charged her under provisions of the Arms Act.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Press Office shows a burning vehicle at the Baghdad International Airport following an airstrike, in Baghdad, Iraq, early on Jan. 2, 2020. (Iraqi Prime Minister's Press Office via AP)

Moscow Condemns Killing of Iranian General as Tensions Escalate in Middle East

Russia has condemned the U.S. strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani while offering condolences to Iran in a move thats sure to heighten animosity between Washington and Moscow.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone on Friday about the situation in Iraq after the strike in Baghdad that killed Soleimani, who headed the powerful Quds Force and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpsa designated foreign terrorist organization.

In a readout of their phone call, the two presidents first reviewed the situation in Iraq and both agreed to stay in close contact for the next few days to avoid another dangerous escalation of tensions and to call on all parties to hold back. According to the Kremlin, the call was initiated by Macron.

This action can seriously aggravate the situation in the region, Putin was quoted as saying to Macron, reported the AFP news agency.

At the same time, Russias Foreign Ministry told RIA that the killing of Soleimani could increase tensions in the region.

We consider the killing of Soleimani as the result of an American missile strike in the vicinity of Baghdad to be a bold step that will lead to increased tension throughout the region. Soleimani was devoted to protecting Irans national interests, RIA, a state-run news outlet, quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying.

Such actions do not create  find solutions to complex problems in the Middle East. On the contrary, it will lead to a new round of escalation of tensions in the region, added Russias Foreign Ministry in a statement on its website, according to VOA. The ministry also noted that Soleimani faithfully served and defended the national interests of Iran and offered condolences to the Iranian people after his death.

The reaction highlights Irans and Russias close relationship after the two nations forged ever more ties in its four-year military alliance in Syria, where Moscow and Tehran have come to the aid of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

Reuters reported that Soleimani had met with Putin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow in 2016, but Russian and Iranian officials denied that the meeting ever took place. Soleimani was placed on an international travel ban list.

In May of last year, Kathryn Wheelbarger, the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, warned that Iran and Russia were both attempting to gain more influence over the Middle East that will adversely affect U.S. interests in the region.

Even understanding historical mistrust between Moscow and Tehran, the United States and the region must be mindful when revisionist powers cooperate, Wheelbarger said, according to Foreign Policy. We are watching this relationship closely.

As noted by VOA, Russia was also at odds with the Trump administrations abandonment of the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. In the meantime, Moscow was working with Germany and France to get around U.S. sanctions.

The last hopes for resolving the problem of the Iran nuclear program have been bombed to shreds, said Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Russias upper chamber, in a statement. Iran can now push forward its nuclear program, even if it wasnt planning to, added Kosachev.
One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. We'll use ROE to examine Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI), by way of a worked example.

Over the last twelve months Armstrong World Industries has recorded a ROE of 62%. That means that for every $1 worth of shareholders' equity, it generated $0.62 in profit.

See our latest analysis for Armstrong World Industries

How Do You Calculate ROE?

The formula for ROE is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

Or for Armstrong World Industries:

62% = US$227m  US$367m (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2019.)

It's easy to understand the 'net profit' part of that equation, but 'shareholders' equity' requires further explanation. It is all the money paid into the company from shareholders, plus any earnings retained. Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company.

What Does ROE Mean?

ROE looks at the amount a company earns relative to the money it has kept within the business. The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses.

Does Armstrong World Industries Have A Good ROE?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Armstrong World Industries has a better ROE than the average (12%) in the Building industry.

NYSE:AWI Past Revenue and Net Income, January 3rd 2020

That's what I like to see. We think a high ROE, alone, is usually enough to justify further research into a company. One data point to check is if insiders have bought shares recently.

Story continues

How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity?

Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first two cases, the ROE will capture this use of capital to grow. In the latter case, the debt required for growth will boost returns, but will not impact the shareholders' equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking.

Armstrong World Industries's Debt And Its 62% ROE

Armstrong World Industries clearly uses a significant amount of debt to boost returns, as it has a debt to equity ratio of 1.82. I think the ROE is impressive, but it would have been assisted by the use of debt. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time.

The Key Takeaway

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
A black woman has slammed Ulta Beauty on social media, claiming that one of the retailer's employees told her that her skin was 'too dark for most colors in the store' when she asked to get her makeup done before her baby shower.

Ebony Kankam London, 31, took to Instagram and Facebook on December 28 to share side-by-side images of the beauty look she wanted to achieve and what she looked like after getting her makeup done at the brand's location in Holmdel, New Jersey.

The mom-to-be, who lives in Houston, told NBC News that she was in New Jersey to attend her baby shower when she went to Ulta to get her makeup done for the party.

Outrage: Ebony Kankam London, 31, has shared side-by-side images of the look she wanted to achieve (left) and what she looked like after getting her makeup done at Ulta Beauty (right)

Terrible: In her social media post, she said she brought in a picture for reference but was told her 'skin tone was too dark for most colors in the store'

'I brought in a picture for reference and was told that my skin tone was too dark for most colors in the store. So this was the best she could do,' she explained in her post.

London's 'after' photo looks nothing like the image she brought in for reference as her makeup is far too light for her skin tone.

She said that things only got worse when the makeup artist asked her if she had ever gotten her makeup done professionally.

'I felt like I was in 1990 when makeup was made for one type of skin,' she recalled. 'In a store full of people who didnt look like me I felt sad and upset. Like my skin tone was a problem.'

Horrible experience: London said she was made to feel like her 'skin tone was a problem'

After: The expectant mom, who lives in Houston, was in New Jersey to attend her baby shower (pictured) when she went to the location to get her makeup done for the party

She went on to praise Lancome and Rihanna's cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty, for being 'so progressive.'

'I honestly think #ultabeauty should give their makeup artist some diversity training and teach them how to glamorize all skin types,' she wrote at the end of her post.

Hundreds of people took to the comments to show their support for her, with many sharing similar experiences they've had at Ulta as well as other makeup counters.

London told NBC News that after she shared her displeasure with her makeup, the store's employee 'got really upset and said she had done makeup for 20 years and never had anyone be unhappy.'

In a statement shared with the outlet, Ulta said it has been in contact with London about her experience.

Response: Ulta said in a statement that it was in touch with London. 'Guest satisfaction with our services is a top priority,' a company spokeswoman said

Stories: Hundreds of people took to the comments of London's post to show their support, with many sharing similar experiences they've had at Ulta as well as other makeup counters

Follow-up: London shared an update on Thursday, saying the manager of the store is 'apparently biracial and witnessed the entire situation'

'Guest satisfaction with our services is a top priority,' a company spokeswoman said. 'We never want to hear that a guest has had anything less than a great in-store experience. This is our responsibility and we take it seriously.'

The spokeswoman added that Ulta provides 'ongoing artistry education, and diversity and inclusion trainings across the organization, which is an important commitment that we recognize requires daily action and accountability.

'We remain committed to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where our guests can feel their best.'

In a follow-up post shared on Facebook on Thursday, London said she was contacted by a manger at the Holmdel store 'who is apparently biracial and witnessed the entire situation.'

The woman was in the store with a corporate manager, according to London, who said they didn't intervene because they 'didn't want to make a big scene.'

Excuse: London said she was told the managers didn't intervene because they 'didn't want to make a big scene'

Advice: The expectant mom said thinks Ulta 'should give their makeup artist some diversity training and teach them how to glamorize all skin types'

'This is now bigger than me': London tweeted on Thursday that people have been reaching out to her to share their own negative experiences with the brand

The expectant mom went on to say that the store manager told her she felt 'comfortable doing black makeup' and wanted to do her makeover over.

London told NBC News she turned down the offer because she was returning to her home in Houston and didn't need her makeup professionally done.

'What I would like to see happen is for there to be more training on working with women of color so that we don't feel like we don't belong,' she said. 'Especially when we spend so much money in those stores.'

She tweeted on Thursday that people have been reaching out to her to share their own negative experiences with the brand.

'After my @ultabeauty situation so many women have emailed/dm me with their own story of racism/discrimination at #ulta. This is now bigger than me,' she wrote.

Last summer, multiple Ulta employees accused the beauty giant of encouraging its staff to racially profile customers.

'These accounts are disappointing and contrary to our training and policies. We stand for equality, inclusivity and acceptance and strive to create a space that is welcoming to all,' the retailer responded at the time.
China, Russia and Syria on Friday condemned the US strike in Iraq that killed Iran's elite Quds Force chief, General Qasem Soleimani.

The US carried out a strike near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a briefing on Friday that Beijing has "consistently opposed the use of military force in international relations".

"We are closely following this incident. China has consistently opposed the use of military force in international relations," Shuang said at a briefing on Friday.

Russia has called the missile strike by the US as an "irresponsible step that will lead to increased tensions throughout the Middle East region".

Moscow also offered condolences to the Iranian people over the death of Soleimani.

"We consider the killing of Soleimani as a result of US missile strike in the outskirts of Baghdad as an adventurous step that will lead to increased tensions throughout the region. Soleimani devotedly served the cause of protecting Iran's national interests," a Foreign Ministry official told Sputnik.

Syria also condemned the "U.S. criminal aggression" which led to the killed of Soleimani. It also slammed Washington for the killing of the Deputy Chairman of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Commission Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and a number of the Mobilization's cadres.

"Syria condemns in strongest terms the U.S. criminal aggression which led to the martyrdom of leader of al-Quds Failaq, Iranian Major General Qasem Suleimani, and Deputy Chairman of Iraqi Popular Mobilization Commission Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and a number of the Mobilization's cadres as a dangerous escalation of the situation in the region," the statement said.

The strike has escalated the tensions in the region. Iran vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.

Iran Foreign Minister summoned the Swiss Charge d'affairs to Tehran, the US interest section in Iran, to convey protest against US' "terrorist" act.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Irans reaction to US killing of top commander is unpredictable amid risk of further escalation, analysts say.

The United States killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani has changed the rules of engagement between Iran and the US, Iranian analysts say.

Soleimani, who for 20 years was the face of Iranian militarised foreign policy in the Middle East, was killed in a US air raid in Iraq at Baghdads international airport in the early morning hours of Friday.

He was the head of Irans elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and the architect of its military and political power.

Soleimani died alongside Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation Forces, PMF), an umbrella of Iraqi militias. While the PMF has been legally integrated into Iraqs formal security forces, critics say some of the factions still operate independently of Baghdad and that some are funded and armed through the IRGC.

The White House and the Pentagon confirmed the killing of Soleimani in Iraq, saying the attack was carried out at the direction of US President Donald Trump and was aimed at deterring future attacks allegedly being planned by Iran.

Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement carried by Iranian state television that harsh revenge awaited the criminals who killed Soleimani.

Iranian political analyst Mohammad Marandi told Al Jazeera that the US would regret the killings, which he described as an act of war against Iran and Iraq.

Marandi said the US has changed the rules of engagement with Iran in killing such a high profile Iranian military and government official. He said the killing has practically united Iran and Iraqs hands to attack the US soldiers and other westerners in Iraq.

Soleimani was a revered military figure in Iran because of his role in unifying Iraqi and Iranian-backed militias that rolled back the Islamic State if Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group gains in Iraq in 2015. He was instrumental in their ultimate defeat, Foad Izadi of Tehran University told Al Jazeera.

Marandi said Soleimani was beloved in Iran, in stark contrast with the perception that was constructed of him by Western media, which often portrayed him as a shadowy figure.

He was not shadowy at all. He was very well known to the public and was often seen giving public speeches on national occasions, Marandi said.

Iranian analyst Abas Aslani told Al Jazeera that Soleimani was an influential personality in Iranian society and played a major role in Irans foreign policy.

He said the killing will usher a new chapter in Irans political and military behaviour in the Middle East.

This killing will not deter Iran from keeping up with its foreign policy strategies in the region, he added.





Mistake

Former CIA intelligence officer Bob Baer said the killing of Soleimani was a major mistake on the part of the US, adding that Tehrans reaction could escalate US-Iran tensions very quickly.

The CIA has no real intelligence operations inside Iran and no one in the Trump administration understands the Iranian mentality, Baer said.

He added that the killing has put US troops and US citizens in Iraq and in the region at great risk, especially since the US has no combat troops in Iraq and the Iraqi army is too weak to defend the US embassy or other US interests in Iraq.

Because of this, no one can predict how the blowback to this operation will unfold, Baer told Al Jazeera.

Gulf impact

Marandi, the analyst, said the USs Gulf allies, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may end up paying for the US action because they have been part of the US alliance to attack Iran.

Although the UAE has strong commercial and economic ties with Iran, it has for years, along with Saudi Arabia, lobbied the US to confront Irans assertive geopolitical policies in the Gulf and in the region.

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been fighting a war in Yemen against Houthi rebels.

Saudi Arabia has no diplomatic ties with Iran and has often urged US policymakers to respond to Irans regional military involvements more aggressively.

Follow Ali Younes on Twitter: @ali_reports
CUNA and several financial services trade organizations petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court this week to review a case involving Fair Housing Act (FHA) claims filed by municipalities. CUNA and the trades ask the Supreme Court to review Bank of America v. City of Miami and Wells Fargo v. City of Miami, as the organizations have a significant interest in ensuring the FHA is enforced in a fair and reasonable way.

The city of Miami brought suit against the two banks arguing that discriminatory actions against city residents entitles the city to damages for indirect harm. The city argued that foreclosures and other events stemming from unfavorable mortgages resulted in lost revenue from lower property taxes and other incurred expenses.

The court of appeals held that the proximate cause requirement for private litigation under the FHA imposes little if any effective limitation on novel FHA claims by plaintiffs who are not the direct victims of an alleged FHA violation and instead seek compensation for ripples of harm extending outwards from such violations, the brief reads. The massive wave of litigation under the FHAbrought by private lawyers on behalf of municipalitieswill impose potentially enormous costs on lenders without significantly advancing the goals of the FHA.
Workers watch the water released from the Three Gorges Dam, a gigantic hydropower project on the Yangtze River in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province on July 24, 2012. (STR/AFP/GettyImages)

Panda of the Yangtze River, The Giant Chinese Paddlefish, Declared Extinct

Researchers at Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, announced that the Chinese paddlefish, often referred to as Chinas aquatic panda, is extinct. Prior to this declaration, it was listed as critically endangered, possibly extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The news was published in a research paper on Science of The Total Environment on Dec. 23, 2019. The authors estimated that the once commonly found paddlefish became extinct between 2005 and 2010.

The mega river ecosystem of the Yangtze River was once home to diverse aquatic megafauna but is increasingly affected by various anthropogenic stressors that have resulted in continuous loss of biodiversity, the research paper read, The Chinese paddlefish, Psephurus gladius, was one of only two extant members of a relict lineage that was most diverse and widespread 3475 million years ago.Based on 210 sightings of Chinese paddlefish during the period 19812003, we estimated the timing of extinction to be by 2005, and no later than by 2010.

It is the third species unique to the Yangtze River ecosystem to be declared extinct, following the Baiji dolphin in 2006 and the Chinese shad in 2015. The Baiji is remembered as one of the most adorable freshwater creatures, and the Chinese shad is deeply missed as one of the top three delicious fish of the river.

King of Freshwater Fish

A mature Psephurus gladius (Chinese Paddlefish) exhibited in the Wuhan Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

(Alneth/CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons)

Paddlefish is one of the largest freshwater fish species, and was therefore given the nickname king of freshwater fish by the Chinese people. Chinas first-generation modern biologist Bing Zhi reported in one of his scientific writings that a fisherman caught a giant paddlefish, which measured 7 meters (23 feet) long, in the 1950s.

Unfortunately, in Bings publication, typical of old time literature in China, there was no photographic evidence to confirm the claim.

A more reliable record, widely used today, is from a paddlefish caught on Jan. 8, 2007 in Hubei Province in the Yangtze River that measured 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) long and weighed 250 kilograms (551 pounds).

Dams May be Responsible

Chinese state media widely reported the extinction of the paddlefish on the first day of 2020, and attributed it to overfishing, river transportation, and pollution.

However, a couple of outspoken scientists and a Chinese fishermen previously stated that the two dams on the Yangtze River, Three Gorges Dam and Gezhouba Dam, are likely the number one factor in the rapid decline of fish populations and the extinction of certain species in the river.

Building of the Gezhouba Dam started in January 1981 and ended on December 10, 1988. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam began in December 1994, and filling of the reservoirs began in June 2003.

These dams are considered political achievementscriticizing them would be viewed as criticizing the Chinese leaders who initiated the projects.

Xiao Hui, chief scientist at the Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute (the sturgeon is closely related to the paddlefish), told Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post in March 2013 that during the initial construction stage of the Gezhouba Dam, the paddlefish were still common. Fishermen easily netted several of them in one catch.

However, we have not seen a single paddlefish since 2003. That means we cant even help save them using artificial breeding, Xiao said.

Fisherman Yang Jianglong described the shocking scene he observed several months after the damming of Gezhouba Dam was completed.

He saw groups of large fish gathered in front of the dammost of them weighing 700-800 pounds, some exceeding 1,000 poundstrying hard to swim upstream, despite the rushing torrent pushing them away. Many rammed into the concrete wall and were bleeding all over, while some were tragically killed inside the spinning motor blades.

It was a mind-boggling scene that I will never forget, Yang told Oriental Morning Post.

According to Yang, most of these giant fish were sturgeon and paddlefish. Both are migratory fish that need to swim upstream to lay their eggs.

Several years later, local fishermen noticed these fish searching for new hatching sites downstream of the dam. It was during this time that the number of these precious species dropped drastically. Very soon, the sturgeon and paddlefish were both rated as endangered.

Yang said he believes that the impact of the Three Gorges Dam is much more severe than that of the Gezhouba Dam. Gezhouba Dam blocked large fish species, but not the river. It is the Three Gorges Dam that has changed everything, he said.

A comprehensive ecological and environmental report on the Three Gorges Dam Project indicates that in the Wanzhou river section, the epicenter, the catch in 2004 was 107 tons of fish, a 68 percent drop from that of 2002, before the reservoirs were filled.

Chinese aquaculture scientists pointed out that Chinas four major domestic fish: black carp, grass carp, silver carp, and bighead carp, all need the stimulation of rising water to lay eggs. Before the Three Gorges Dam was erected, there were frequent water risings in their natural settings in May and June, their peak breeding season. The balanced water level provided by the dam may be why these fish species are laying drastically fewer eggs than before.

Data from Chinas fishery supervision office revealed that the number of juvenile fish of these four major domestic species has decreased by more than 90 percent compared with that of the 1950s. While the highest number of eggs laid on record was 120 billion, the current number is less than 1 billion.

According to Oriental Morning Post, fishermen operating near the Three Gorges Dam had to give up this endeavor shortly after the dam started operation, as all catches found in the net were juvenile fish and shrimps.

We should not be called fishermen anymore, one fisherman said. Instead, we should be called shrimpmen.
Arun Bansil, University Distinguished Professor of physics and Robert Markiewicz, professor of physics, are part of a team of researchers who are describing the mechanism by which copper-oxide materials turn from insulators to superconductors. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern researchers have used a powerful computer model to probe a puzzling class of copper-based materials that can be turned into superconductors. Their findings offer tantalizing clues for a decades-old mystery, and a step forward for quantum computing.

The ability of a material to let electricity flow comes from the way electrons within their atoms are arranged. Depending on these arrangements, or configurations, all materials out there are either insulators or conductors of electricity.

But cuprates, a class of mysterious materials that are made from copper oxides, are famous in the scientific community for having somewhat of an identity issue that can make them both insulators and conductors.

Under normal conditions, cuprates are insulators: materials that inhibit the flow of electrons. But with tweaks to their composition, they can transform into the world's best superconductors.

The finding of this kind of superconductivity in 1986 won its discoverers a Nobel Prize in 1987, and fascinated the scientific community with a world of possibilities for improvements to supercomputing and other crucial technologies.

But with fascination came 30 years of bewilderment: Scientists have not been able to fully decipher the arrangement of electrons that encodes for superconductivity in cuprates.

Mapping the electronic configuration of these materials is arguably one of the toughest challenges in theoretical physics, says Arun Bansil, University Distinguished Professor of physics at Northeastern. And, he says, because superconductivity is a weird phenomenon that only happens at temperatures as low as -300 F (or about as cold as it gets on Uranus), figuring out the mechanisms that make it possible in the first place could help researchers make superconductors that work at room temperature.

Now, a team of researchers that includes Bansil and Robert Markiewicz, a professor of physics at Northeastern, is presenting a new way to model these strange mechanisms that lead to superconductivity in cuprates.

In a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team accurately predicted the behavior of electrons as they move to enable superconductivity in a group of cuprates known as yttrium barium copper oxides.

In these cuprates, the study finds, superconductivity emerges from many types of electron configurations. A whopping 26 of them, to be specific.

"During this transition phase, the material will in essence become some kind of a soup of different phases," Bansil says. "The split personalities of these wonderful materials are being now revealed for the first time."

The physics within cuprate superconductors are intrinsically weird. Markiewicz thinks of that complexity as the classical Indian myth of the blind men and the elephant, which has been a joke for decades among theoretical physicists who study cuprates.

According to the myth, blind men meet an elephant for the first time, and try to understand what the animal is by touching it. But because each of them touches only one part of its bodythe trunk, tail, or legs, for examplethey all have a different (and limited) concept of what an elephant is.

"In the beginning, we all looked [at cuprates] in different ways," Markiewicz says. "But we knew that, sooner or later, the right way was going to show up."

The mechanisms behind cuprates could also help explain the puzzling physics behind other materials that turn into superconductors at extreme temperatures , Markiewicz says, and revolutionize the way they can be used to enable quantum computing and other technologies that process data at ultra-fast speeds.

"We're trying to understand how they come together in the real cuprates that are used in experiments," Markiewicz says.

The challenge of modeling cuprate superconductors comes down to the weird field of quantum mechanics, which studies the behavior and movement of the tiniest bits of matterand the strange physical rules that govern everything at the scale of atoms.

In any given materialsay, the metal in your smartphoneelectrons contained within just the space of a fingertip could amount to the number one followed by 22 zeros, Bansil says. Modeling the physics of such a massive number of electrons has been extremely challenging ever since the field of quantum mechanics was born.

Bansil likes to think of this complexity as butterflies inside a jar flying fast and cleverly to avoid colliding with each other. In a conducting material, electrons also move around. And because of a combination of physical forces, they also avoid each other. Those characteristics are at the core of what makes it hard to model cuprate materials.

"The problem with the cuprates is that they are at the border between being a metal and an insulator, and you need a calculation that is so good that it can systematically capture that crossover," Markiewicz says. "Our new modeling can capture this behavior."

The team includes researchers from Tulane University, Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland, and Temple University. The researchers are the first to model the electronic states in the cuprates without adding parameters by hand to their computations, which physicists have had to do in the past.

To do that, the researchers modeled the energy of atoms of yttrium barium copper oxides at their lowest levels. Doing that allows researchers to trace electrons as they excite and move around, which in turn helps describe the mechanisms supporting the critical transition into superconductivity.

That transition, known as the pseudogap phase in the material, could be described simply as a door, Bansil says. In an insulator, the structure of the material is like a closed door that lets no one through. If the door is wide openas it would be for a conductorelectrons pass through easily.

But in materials that experience this pseudogap phase, that door would be slightly open. The dynamics of what transforms that door into a really wide open door (or, superconductor) remains a mystery, but the new model captures 26 electron configurations that could do it.

"With our ability to now do this first-principles-parameter-free-type of modeling, we are in a position to actually go further, and hopefully begin to understand this pseudogap phase a bit better," Bansil says.

Explore further Frustration explains differences in superconductivity in molecular conductors and cuprates

More information: Yubo Zhang et al. Competing stripe and magnetic phases in the cuprates from first principles, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Yubo Zhang et al. Competing stripe and magnetic phases in the cuprates from first principles,(2019). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1910411116
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A man wanted on multiple felony charges surrendered Thursday night after barricading himself inside a west Houston hotel room with two hostages, according to Houston police.

The man, who was not identified, was wanted on charges of robbery, aggravated assault, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance. Houston police added that he is a known gang member.
MEDFORD, Ore. -- Today Medford Fire-Rescue (MFR) welcomed a new Fire Chief.

Chief Eric Thompson, his wife Laura and their 9-year-old son, Reese moved all the way from the Dallas, Texas area to join MFR. Chief Thompson is a 24 year member of the Texas Fire Service. He was the Fire Chief and Assistant City Manager for the City of Red Oak, Texas. He was also the north branch resource coordinator for Texas Intra Fire Mutual Aid System, coordinating mutual aid resources for 33 counties. Chief Thompson was a North Region Director for the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, as well as the chairman of the TFCA strategic planning, and Best Practice committees.

Chief Thompson was awarded the 2018 Fire Chief of the Year Award from the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, as well as the 2014, and 2018 Presidents Award. He holds a Master Firefighter Certification, Fire Officer IV, Level II Instructor, graduate of Texas Fire Chiefs Academy, Texas A&M Fire Service Chief Executive Officer program and graduate of University of Maryland Staff and Command Program. He earned a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Northwood University.

Fire Chief Brian Fish was honored as retiring Fire Chief at the City Council meeting this evening as Chief Thompson was welcomed as the new Fire Chief and given his badge.

Chief Fish will be staying on temporarily to help with the transition and filling in for the vacant position of Deputy Chief-Operations.

MFR welcomed their new chief and thanked former Chief Fish by saying, "We are thankful for Chief Fishs service and leadership over the past 31+ years and are looking forward to this new year and where the vision of Chief Thompson will take us."
PARIS  Global powers warned Friday that the world became a more dangerous place after the U.S. assassinated Irans top general, urging restraint on all sides. Britain and Germany also suggested that Iran shared some blame for provoking the targeted killing that dramatically ratcheted up tensions in the Mideast.

China, Russia and France, all permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, took a dim view of the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport early Friday that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani and several of his associates. The 62-year-old ledIran's elite Quds Force, responsible for the country's foreign campaigns.

The White House justified the strike with a tweet alleging that Soleimani "was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

Oil prices surged on news of the killing, reflecting investor jitters about Mideast stability, and there were immediate threats of vengeance from Iran. Social media flooded with alarm, with Twitter users morbidly turning "WWIII" into the top trending term worldwide.

"We are waking up in a more dangerous world. Military escalation is always dangerous," France's deputy minister for foreign affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, told RTL radio. "When such actions, such operations, take place, we see that escalation is underway."

Russia likewise characterized the deadly U.S. strike as "fraught with serious consequences." A Foreign Ministry statement warned that "such actions don't help resolve complicated problems in the Middle East, but instead lead to a new round of escalating tensions."

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova suggested that in ordering the killing, U.S. President Donald Trump had one eye on his re-election campaign.

"The U.S. military were acting on orders of U.S. politicians. Everyone should remember and understand that U.S. politicians have their interests, considering that this year is an election year," Zakharova said in a TV interview.

Related: Oil price jumps on fear of Iranian retaliation against U.S.

Trump's election opponents characterized the killing as reckless, with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden saying the U.S. president "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox."

China described itself as "highly concerned."

"Peace in the Middle East and the Gulf region should be preserved," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said. "We urge all parties concerned, especially the United States, to maintain calm and restraint and avoid further escalation of tensions."

But while echoing the concerns of other Security Council members about spiraling tensions, Britain and Germany broke ranks, voicing qualified understanding for the U.S. position.

German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer described the U.S. strike as "a reaction to a whole series of military provocations for which Iran bears responsibility," pointing to attacks on tankers and a Saudi oil facility, among other events.

"We are at a dangerous escalation point and what matters now is contributing with prudence and restraint to de-escalation," she said. Germany currently sits on the U.N. Security Council but is not a permanent member.

The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said "we have always recognized the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani."

"Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate," he said. "Further conflict is in none of our interests."

There were also warnings that the killing could set back efforts to stamp out remnants of the Islamic State group. A top European Union official, Charles Michel, said "the risk is a generalized flare up of violence in the whole region and the rise of obscure forces of terrorism that thrive at times of religious and nationalist tensions."

Italy also warned that increased tensions "risk being fertile terrain for terrorism and violent extremism." But right-wing Italian opposition leader Matteo Salvini praised Trump for eliminating "one of the most dangerous and pitiless men in the world, an Islamic terrorist, an enemy of the West, of Israel, of rights and of freedoms."

Trump also won the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "for acting swiftly, forcefully and decisively."

Behind the scenes, the strike triggered urgent flurries of diplomatic activity. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo worked phones, calling world capitals to defend Trump's decision. He said the U.S. is committed to de-escalating tensions that have soared since Iranian-backed militia killed an American contractor and the U.S. responded with strikes on the militia. That set off violent pro-Iran protests outside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which in turn set the stage for the killing of Soleimani.

In the Mideast, the strike provoked waves of shock, fury and fears of worse to come.

Iraq's most powerful Shiite religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said in a speech during Friday prayers that the country must brace for "very difficult times."

In Iran, a hard-line adviser to the country's supreme leader who led Friday prayers in Tehran likened U.S. troops in Iraq to "insidious beasts" and said they should be swept from the region.

"I am telling Americans, especially Trump, we will take a revenge that will change their daylight into to a nighttime darkness," said the cleric, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami.

 The Associated Press
But Rachel Glantz, a lawyer from the office of New York Citys Corporation Counsel, said the teenager had acted out during his detention, approaching a staff member in an aggressive manner. Staff members were later forced to escort him to his room, Ms. Glantz said.

Ms. Kaplan sought to play down the encounter, saying that the teenager had said something inappropriate when the staff member tried to take away a video game he was playing.

The judge, however, ordered the 13-year-old sent back to detention until March 16, when his trial is scheduled to start. The teenagers expression sank. His legal guardians, Shaquoya Carr and Roosevelt Davis, were visibly upset as they left the courtroom.

We are very mindful of the fact of your detention, Judge Goldstein said, addressing the teenager. And we are trying to get this case heard just as soon as we actually can.

It remained unclear whether the other two teenagers that the 13-year-old has said participated in the attack on Ms. Majors will be charged. Under New York law, they could not be convicted solely on the basis of his testimony.

Detectives are hoping forensic and DNA evidence will help solve the case. One of the other two teenagers provided a forensic sample to the police after a different Manhattan judge signed a search warrant, the police said.

Image Tessa Majors, a first-year Barnard College student, was fatally stabbed on Dec. 11.

The killing of Ms. Majors in Morningside Park, not far from the Barnard campus, on Dec. 11 evoked a more dangerous era of 30 years ago, when the park was known for muggings and violent attacks, especially after dark.
He seems willing to respond to attacks on U.S. forces  that seems to be the red line hes drawn, said Dan Shapiro, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv. On other issues, he has left it to regional partners to respond. And he has made it clear that he does not want a sustained U.S. presence in the Middle East.
ST. PAUL  Federal prosecutors say a Twin Cities attorney was involved in a scheme to rip off car insurance companies with false medical claims.

William Kyle Sutor, 37, was charged Monday, Dec. 30, in U.S. District Court with conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

Prosecutors used a charging document called "an information," rather than convening a grand jury. That typically means the defendant has agreed in advance that he will plead guilty.

A court date has not yet been set, but the U.S. attorneys office said a plea agreement will be filed soon.

According to the information, the St. Louis Park attorney and unnamed others conspired to defraud auto insurers on policies provided pursuant to the states no-fault insurance law.

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Under that law, Minnesota insurers must provide at least $40,000 in personal injury protection on their auto policies. Clients hurt in a car crash can get their medical bills and other related expenses paid for, whether the crash was their fault or not.

The charging document says the conspiracy took place between March 2015 and 2017 but does not spell out what Sutor is alleged to have done.

His attorney did not return a request for comment.

Its not clear whether the case stems from the same investigation that since December 2016 has produced dozens of prosecutions against chiropractors and the "runners" they hired to drum up fraudulent business.

In those cases, prosecutors proved that chiropractors made millions of dollars off false medical claims from car crashes, likely resulting in higher insurance rates for all drivers.
Trade and economic relations between Ukraine and Poland developed dynamically in 2019, and the visit of Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki to Ukraine will contribute to their further development.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Andriy Deshchytsia said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

As for trade and economic relations, within the framework of Ukrainian-Polish cooperation, trade is constantly growing. In 2019, it amounted to about USD 7 billion, which is over 10% more than in 2018. However, we lack the growth of Polish investment in Ukraine. There is scope for action in the near future. To a certain extent, this is directly related to the growing dynamics of contacts at the government level. We hope that Polish investments in Ukraine will increase in 2020, and the visit of the Polish prime minister to Ukraine will contribute to the interest of Polish business in Ukraine," Deshchytsia said.

According to the ambassador, there is an order of visits of heads of government, and the last was the visit of ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman to the Economic Forum in Krynica in 2016.

After that, there were no visits of Polish prime ministers to Ukraine. The situation needs to be corrected, the Ukrainian diplomat stressed.

Deshchytsia expressed hope that a meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation, which, as a rule, precedes the meeting of prime ministers, would take place soon.

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The Main Street Recovery grant program, which allows small businesses to get reimbursements of up to $15,000 for expenses they incurred as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, will be launched Tuesday morning.

State Treasurer John Schroder said hes expecting a pretty big turnout on the first day at louisianamainstreet.com.
Thousands more U.S. troops will deploy to the Mideast in response to Iranian threats to avenge the killing of Quds Force Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani at Baghdad's International Airport on the order of President Donald Trump, the Pentagon said Friday.

The entire 1st Brigade Combat Team of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, which constitutes the Immediate Response Force at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, "was alerted to prepare for deployment and is now being deployed," a Pentagon spokesperson said.

"The brigade will deploy to Kuwait as an appropriate and precautionary action in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities," the spokesperson said in a statement.

Elements of the 1st Brigade could also be sent to bolster security at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad following their arrival in Kuwait, according to sources.

Related: Lawmakers, Experts Fear Retaliation Following US Strike on Top Iran Commander

On Wednesday, about 750 paratroopers from 82nd's 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, boarded C-17 Globemaster aircraft en route to Kuwait following the storming of the Baghdad Embassy's perimeter. The brigade has a total of about 4,000 troops.

At an off-camera Pentagon briefing Thursday, both Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said that additional deployments were under consideration.

Esper said that about 100 Marines in Kuwait were initially sent to back up embassy security but added: "We are prepared to reinforce other positions throughout the region as required over the coming days."

Milley said, "There's a variety of forces that are alerted and prepared, if necessary" to deploy, "depending on the situation as we move forward."

Both Milley and Esper spoke before the U.S. strike on an access road to the Baghdad airport that hit a two-car convoy carrying the 62-year-old Soleimani, leader of the Quds (Jerusalem) Force within Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Defense officials declined to say how the strike was carried out, but Iraqi state media said the attack came from a drone firing missiles. Iran's official media later confirmed that Soleimani had been killed.

In Tehran, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamene, called for three days of mourning for the death of Soleimani, charged by the U.S. as being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops in Iraq through his direction and supply of Shiite paramilitaries who fought against the U.S. invasion.

In a statement published by Iran's Fars news agency, Khamenei said, "A forceful revenge awaits the criminals who have his blood and the blood of the other martyrs last night on their hands."

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani called Soleimani's killing a "heinous crime," adding that "Iran will take revenge."

In a series of tweets, Trump said that Soleimani was not the revered figure he was made out to be by Iran's leadership.

"While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, [Soleimani] was both hated and feared within the country," Trump wrote. "They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!"

The U.S. currently has a total of about 60,000 troops in the Mideast, including 5,000 in Iraq, according to Esper. The total includes about 14,000 sent to the region since last May to shore up defenses against Iran.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Read more: Military Services Wanted Major Health Care Personnel Cuts, New DHA Director Says
In the months after separating from military service, most veterans are less satisfied with their health than with their work or social relationships, found a study by Veterans Affairs researchers. While the veterans surveyed were mostly satisfied with their work and social well-being, a majority were dealing with chronic physical health conditions and a third reported chronic mental health conditions.

According to Dr. Dawne Vogt of the VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University, lead author on the study, the results highlight the importance of addressing veterans' health concerns early.

What remains to be seen is whether those veterans with health conditions--which were more commonly experienced by deployed veterans--continue to maintain high levels of well-being in other life domains over time. Given that it is well-established that health problems can erode functioning in other life domains, it may be that these individuals experience declines in their broader well-being over time." Dr. Dawne Vogt, lead author on the study, VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University

The results appear Jan. 2, 2019, in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

More than 200,000 U.S. service members transition out of military service each year. Researchers have pointed to the early transition period as a critical time to address challenges veterans may face in readjusting to civilian life.

To investigate which of these challenges are most pressing to newly separated veterans, researchers from the VA National Center for PTSD and colleagues surveyed almost 10,000 veterans from a population-based roster of all separating service members.

All participants left the military in the fall of 2016. Veterans were surveyed about three months after their separation, and then six months after that.

The researchers found that the biggest concern was health. At both three and nine months after leaving the military, 53% of participants said they had chronic physical health conditions. About 33% reported chronic mental health conditions at both time points.

The most commonly reported health conditions were chronic pain, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression. Slightly more than half of participants said they had reduced satisfaction with their health between when they first left the military and a few months later. Health satisfaction did not change much between three and nine months after separation.

While physical and mental health was a concern for many veterans, most reported high vocational and social well-being. The majority of participants said they were satisfied with their work and social relationships and that they were functioning well in these areas. According to Vogt, the fact that most participants had high work and social satisfaction "highlights the resilience of the veteran population, and should provide some reassurance to those concerned about the well-being of newly separated veterans."

More than three-quarters of participants said they were in an intimate relationship in the months after they left the military. Almost two-thirds reported that they had regular contact with their friends and extended family and that they were involved in their broader communities.

Over half of participants had found work three months after military separation. While most participants reported high work satisfaction, the study group showed an overall decline in work functioning over the first year after military separation. Functioning declined even though overall employment rates increased. The researchers hypothesized that this decline in work functioning could be due to health concerns, which are known to erode broader well-being over time.

The study also found differences in well-being based on other factors. Enlisted veterans showed consistently poorer health, vocational, and social well-being than officers. Veterans who had deployed to a war zone had more health concerns than veterans who did not deploy.

There were also several differences between men and women. Male veterans were more likely to be employed than female veterans both three and nine months after leaving the military. Men were also more likely to report hearing conditions, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Women were more likely to endorse mental health conditions at nine months post-separation. They also reported more depression and anxiety at both timepoints.

The researchers have shared their findings with the VA Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which helps Veterans transition back to civilian life. The program is jointly managed by VA and the departments of Defense and Labor, in coordination with the departments of Education and Homeland Security, as well as the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration. According to Vogt, the results could help TAP and other programs that help veterans with readjustment decide how to allocate their resources. Vogt writes that the findings "suggest that maybe we don't need as much focus on promoting employment right now, and need more emphasis on treatment of mental/physical health conditions."

The researchers say their findings have implications not only for VA but for the wide spectrum of organizations nationwide--more than 40,000 in all--that provide programs, services, and support for veterans making their transition back to civilian life. Historically, much of the support for veterans leaving the military has primarily focused on providing employment and educational assistance and informing veterans of their benefits. But the findings suggest that veterans' health concerns should be prioritized, says Vogt. Interventions should also target at-risk subgroups of veterans. The researchers concluded that addressing newly separated veterans' health concerns could promote their broader well-being and longer-term readjustment.

Vogt points out the importance of addressing veterans' readjustment challenges before they worsen and have a chance to erode broader well-being. She says this may require re-evaluating support methods. "Given that most transition support is targeted to veterans with the most acute or chronic concerns," she says, "this recommendation may require rethinking how veteran programs prioritize their efforts. While it makes sense to target resources to those with greatest need, it is better to support individuals before their concerns become chronic when we can."

Work is underway to expand on this study using the same study group. The research team is analyzing how veterans' health and well-being changes in the second and third year after leaving service, as well as how veterans' initial health status impacts their subsequent well-being in other areas.
Find all our Lessons of the Day here.

Lesson Overview

In Chinese Restaurants Are Closing. Thats a Good Thing, the Owners Say. Amelia Nierenberg and Quoctrung Bui look at the connection between the decline in Chinese restaurants across America and the economic mobility of the second generation. In this lesson, you will consider businesses that make up your own community and ideas of success among different generations and families.

Warm Up

Scroll through the featured article and choose one of the three graphs or charts to analyze. Instead of looking at the title and description to make sense of the graph, try focusing on the axes and the content of the graph itself. Then, use these three questions from our Whats Going On in This Graph? feature to help you interpret the graph:

What do you notice? If you make a claim, tell us what you notice that supports that claim.

What do you wonder? What are you curious about that comes from what you notice in the graphs?

Whats going on in this graph? Write a catchy headline that captures the graphs main idea.

As you read the article, see if your interpretation of the graph is similar or different from how it is used in the article.

Questions for Writing and Discussion

Read the article, then answer the following questions:

1. What do the Yelp statistics reveal about the changing number of Chinese restaurants in metropolitan areas? Using the graph, determine how those changes compare to the changing numbers of other types of restaurants in major cities?

2. Why does Jennifer 8. Lee, a former New York Times journalist, say that it is a success that these restaurants are closing? Generally, what are some of the difficulties that immigrant-owned restaurants face and how are those different from the reasons that Chinese-owned restaurants are closing?
India has extended a line of credit of USD 75 million (over Rs 500 crore) to for financing

An agreement signed between Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) and Banco Exterior De in July last year came into effect from December 12, the RBI said in a statement on Thursday.

Banco Exterior De is a nominated agency of the Government of Cuba.

"Exim Bank has entered into an agreement dated July 16, 2019 with Banco Exterior De Cuba, for making available to the latter, Government of India supported Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 75 million for the purpose of financing installation of 75 MW Photovoltaic in the Republic of Cuba," it said.

Under the LoC, The terminal utilisation period is 60 months after the scheduled completion date of the project.

As per the agreement, financing of export of eligible goods and services from India would be allowed subject to their being eligible for export under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Out of the total credit by Exim Bank under the agreement, goods, works and services of the value of at least 75 per cent of the contract price can be supplied by the seller from India, and the remaining 25 per cent of goods and services may be procured by the seller from outside India, the statement added.
Even if the House were to prevail in one or both of the lawsuits, it is unclear if lawmakers would get access to the information they are seeking soon. Griffith noted McGahn might still refuse to testify, citing executive privilege, even if ordered by the court to appear before the House.
US flies spy aircraft over Korean Peninsula: Report

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 02 January 2020 10:22 AM

A United States aircraft has conducted a reconnaissance flight over the Korean Peninsula, an aviation tracker says, as North Korea ends a unilateral moratorium on the testing of missiles.

Aircraft Spots said in a report  carried by South Korea's Yonhap news agency  on Thursday that an RC-135W Rivet Joint of the US Air Force had conducted a surveillance flight over the peninsula but did not specify when exactly.

The tracker said that the aircraft had been spotted carrying out operations over the peninsula during the past several days in a row, along with a number of other surveillance planes such as an EP-3E and RC-135S.

Last Wednesday, Aircraft Spots reported that four American reconnaissance aircraft of different types were believed to have simultaneously conducted missions over and around the Korean Peninsula between last Tuesday and Christmas Day.

North Korea has been under multiple rounds of harsh sanctions by the United Nations and the US over its nuclear and missile programs.

The US and North Korea had been involved in bilateral diplomacy over the demilitarization of the Korean Peninsula since 2018 until recently.

Despite the sanctions imposed on it, Pyongyang had taken some unilateral steps to show its goodwill, including suspending test-launches of missiles.

But diplomacy snagged as Washington refused to reciprocate the unilateral steps. And Pyongyang set the end of 2019 as the deadline for the US to act.

As that deadline came and went, and the US failed to offer any sanctions relief, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Wednesday declared an end to the moratorium on its missile tests.

Kim also said that North Korea would soon develop "a new strategic weapon."

The declaration came after months of repeated calls by North Korea on the US to take reciprocal steps were ignored.

The North has not conducted nuclear and ICBM tests since November 2017, when Kim announced a halt to all of its nuclear and ICBM tests.

The US stepped up its spying activities near the North as the end-of-year deadline approached, according to reports.

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Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 13:21:37|Editor: Liu

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LA PAZ, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's opposition-backed interim government on Thursday said it plans to send a high-level envoy to Madrid in a bid to strengthen ties after it expelled two Spanish diplomats earlier this week.

In an interview with a local newspaper, interim Foreign Minister Karen Longaric said Deputy Foreign Minister Gualberto Rodriguez was tapped as Bolivia's new charge d'affaires to Spain and given a mission to "restore and strengthen ties" with the European country.

Rodriguez's appointment aims to signal "Bolivia's interest in bolstering diplomatic ties with Spain," said Longaric.

The move comes just days after Bolivia's interim government declared on Monday two Spanish diplomats persona non grata and asked for their departure from Bolivia within 72 hours.

"We want to have the highest level representation in Spain ... to clearly and directly let them know what the Bolivian government's objectives are," said Longaric.

Bolivia was plunged into political turmoil after the opposition rejected the reelection of Evo Morales to a fourth term in the October elections, leading Morales to resign and go to Mexico, where he was offered asylum. He has then relocated to Argentina.
NORWALK  A 55-year-old city man forcibly kissed a teenage neighbor in the early morning hours of New Years Day, police said.

Police said Eduardo Ramos, of Flax Hill Road, found his neighbor sitting in her car outside an apartment building around 4 a.m. on Jan. 1.

The victim told police Ramos entered her vehicle without an invitation and forced a kiss on her, according to the report. Police said Ramos eventually left the car after the teen repeatedly told him to get out and then she contacted police.

Sgt. Sofia Gulino said Ramos was not cooperative with investigators, but there was probable cause to arrest him.

He was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault and second-degree breach of peace. He was held on $5,000 bond and given a court date of Jan. 8.
Iran warned of "severe revenge" and said arch-enemy the United States bore responsiblity for the consequences after killing one of its top commanders, Qasem Soleimani, in a strike Friday outside Baghdad airport.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the commander of its Quds Force foreign operations arm had been killed by US forces in Baghdad, with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denouncing it as a "dangerous escalation".

"The Revolutionary Guards announces that the glorious commander of Islam, haj Qasem Soleimani, following a life of servitude, was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning," said a Guards statement read out on state television. The channel said the attack was carried out by US helicopters.

"Two vehicles were attacked with missiles by US forces" and all 10 passengers, including Soleimani, were "martyred", Iran's ambassador to Iraq, Iraj Masjedi, told state television.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of "severe revenge" for "the criminals who bloodied their foul hands with his blood", and vowed that "God willing, his work and his path will not be stopped".

He also declared three days of mourning.

"We are taking the necessary measures to transfer the bodies of these martyrs to the Islamic Republic of Iran which will be done as soon as possible," said Masjedi.

State television interrupted its regular programming to detail Soleimani's achievements in the region, recalling the many times he had "foiled" US plans.

A black ribbon was displayed on the screen and a photo montage was shown with images of Soleimani smiling and praying.

Soleimani was one of the most popular figures in Iran and seen as a deadly adversary by America and its allies.

President Hassan Rouhani said Iran and the "free nations of the region" would take revenge on the US for "this gruesome crime".

His death had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations" to stand against the US, Rouhani said.

The Islamic republic's top security body called an emergency meeting over the killing.

The foreign ministry summoned an official from the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which represents US interests in Iran, to "strongly protest" the killing, according to ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.

The Guards said they and the "resistance front" would "start a new chapter as of today".

"Certainly, the fleeting rejoicing of Americans and Zionists will turn into mourning before too long," Guards spokesman Ramezan Sharif told state television.

"We were saddened to hear the news... but our determination has increased to take revenge on the murderous America and oppressor Zionists and this will certainly happen." After the interview, Sharif broke down in tears and he and the reporter embraced.

Zarif tweeted that "the US act of terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani... is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation".

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he added.

His ministry said the US would pay for the "atrocity".

"The malice and stupidity of America's terrorist forces in assassinating General Soleimani, this hero martyr and the leader of combatting terrorism and extremism, will certainly further empower the tree of resistance in the region and the world," it said.

Zarif and his top aides held an urgent meeting in the morning to assess the situation, ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi tweeted. A former Guards chief said revenge would be exacted on the United States.

"Soleimani joined his martyr brothers but we will exact terrible vengeance upon America," tweeted Mohsen Rezai, who currently heads the Expediency Council, a top state body.

Tehran-based analyst Mohammad Marandi said the US has "declared war" against Iran and Iraq, and "it's best for Westerners to evacuate countries like UAE and Iraq immediately".

"It is best for all American citizens to leave the region immediately. US occupiers will be forced to leave Iraq," he said.
Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif lashed out at the United States for carrying out airstrikes at the Baghdad International Airport which killed Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani on Friday morning.

The US' act of international terrorism, targeting & assassinating General SoleimaniTHE most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda et alis extremely dangerous & a foolish escalation.



The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism.  Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 3, 2020

The foreign minister termed the US decision to carry out the attacks as an act of international terrorism. He said that United States is responsible for this foolish escalation against one of the most effective force fighting Daesh (ISIS), Al Nusrah, Al Qaeda.

Watch: Qasem Soleimani killed by a US air strike, all you need to know

On Friday morning, United States fired three Katyusha missiles at the Baghdad International Airport killing Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander and head of the elite al-Quds force and Iraq s paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces deputy head Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The Pentagon then took out a statement saying that the killings were carried out at the direction of the President.

Qasem Soleimani was close to Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini,and was viewed as a potential future leader of the nation which is at constant rift with United States since Donald Trump joined the Oval Office and decided to walk out of the nuclear deal with Iran. Iran currently faces economic sanctions imposed by US due to Irans walking out of the nuclear deal.

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Even before the first envelope is opened on Sunday night, Netflix is a winner at the 77th Golden Globes.

The streaming giant is walking into the Hollywood Foreign Press Association gala with 17 total nominations for films and television shows its has produced. (The three-hour telecast hosted by Ricky Gervais will air live on NBC beginning at 8 p.m.)

Noah Baumbachs Marriage Story" led the Netflix pack with six nominations. It received nods for best picture-drama, screenplay, Laura Derns supporting actress performance and Randy Newmans score.

Martin Scorseses mob epic, The Irishman," landed five total nominations, including best picture-drama, best director for Scorsese, supporting acting nods for Al Pacino and Joe Pesci and best screenplay for Steven Zaillians script. The films star, Robert De Niro, was not nominated.

The Two Popes, another Netflix offering, was also nominated in the best picture-drama category.

It has already been a joyous holiday season for Netflix. The Irishman was named best picture of the yearby the New York Film Critics Circle and National Board of Review and Marriage Story swept the IFP Gotham Awards.

The Golden Globe nominees for best drama film are: The Irishman, Marriage Story, 1917, Joker" and The Two Popes.

The nominees for best comedy or musical film are: Dolemite Is My Name, Jojo Rabbit, Knives Out, Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood and Rocketman.

The nominees for best animated film are: Frozen 2, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, The Lion King, Missing Link and Toy Story 4.

The nominees for best drama TV series are: Big Little Lies, The Crown, Killing Eve, The Morning Show and Succession.

The nominees for best comedy TV series are: Barry,'" Fleabag, The Kominsky Method, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Politician.

The nominees for best limited series or TV movie are: Catch-22, Chernobyl, Fosse/Verdon, The Loudest Voice and Unbelievable.

The nominees for best actor in a television drama are: Brian Cox, Succession; Kit Harington, Game of Thrones;; Rami Malek, Mr. Robot; Tobias Menzies, The Crown;" and Billy Porter, Pose.

The nominees for best actress in a TV musical or comedy: Christina Applegate, Dead to Me; Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; Kirsten Dunst, On Becoming a God in Central Florida; Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll; and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag.

Tom Hanks will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award. The Carol Burnett Award will go to Ellen DeGeneres.

The full list of nominees can be found at goldenglobes.com
Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (Photo: VNA)

The organisation of the meeting aims to affirm the priority that the two countries gives to incessantly developing their great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive partnership. The meeting will also strengthen political trust between the two countries and create a channel for directing the implementation of high-level agreements.

Vietnam and Laos boast a long-standing special solidarity and faithful relationship nurtured by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, and generations of the two countries leaders and people.

Over the past years, the two sides have been unceasingly consolidating and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples, considering these as important factors of the success of each countrys national development and defence.

Bilateral political and diplomatic ties have continued to be reinforced, as seen through mutual visits at all levels. By the end of August, the countries had exchanged more than 120 delegations, about 60 of which were at the deputy ministerial or higher levels. Both sides successfully organised the 41st meeting of the inter-governmental committee co-chaired by the two prime ministers.

Cooperation in defence, security and diplomacy has continued to record new development. The two countries have actively implemented the five-year cooperation protocol and annual defence  security cooperation plans, helping to ensure political stability, security and social order and safety in each nation. They have also effectively carried out the agreement on border regulations and the one on settling irregular migration and undocumented marriage in their border areas.

The countries have also coordinated closely and supported each other at regional and international forums. They have further enhanced cooperation with each other and other ASEAN members in building the ASEAN Community and maintaining the blocs solidarity and consensus in the strategic issues of the region, including the East Sea issue.

Laos strongly supported Vietnams bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council and holding of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.

Both have coordinated closely with other nations and relevant international organisations to manage and use the Mekong Rivers water resources in a sustainable and effective manner.

Vietnam and Laos have witnessed robust cooperation in economy, culture, education-training and science-technique in the past years.

Despite global economic downturn, they attained 940 million USD in two-way trade during January-October of 2019, and the figure is projected to top 1.1  1.2 billion USD for the whole year, surpassing the set target of 1 billion USD.

Vietnam remains the third largest foreign investor in Laos. Vietnamese businesses have to date invested 4.22 billion USD in 413 projects in Laos, mainly in hydropower, mining, services, agriculture and telecom.

Besides, Vietnam provides 3.25 trillion VND (140 million USD) in non-refundable aid for Laos each year during 2016-2020. From the outset of 2019, Vietnam sent 300 tonnes of rice seedlings to Lao farmers to recover production after natural disasters.
A YOUNG man has appeared in court charged in connection with an aggravated burglary in which a householder was allegedly beaten during a break-in at his home.

Darragh Ashe (23) was charged with burglary and assault following the incident in Co Kildare.

Judge Bryan Smyth granted bail and adjourned the case for the directions of the DPP to be made available.

Mr Ashe, with an address at Tannery Row, Rathangan, Co Kildare is charged with assaulting a man and burglary at an address at Dunmurray Road, Kildare Town.

The incident is alleged to have happened in the early hours of New Years Day.

The prosecuting garda told Dublin District Court he arrested Mr Ashe for the purpose of charging him at Kildare Town Garda Station at 6pm yesterday.

He made no reply after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets.

The garda had no objection to bail subject to conditions.

Judge Smyth granted bail in the accuseds own bond of 200, with no cash lodgement required. He must sign on three times per week at Kildare Town Garda Station, remain sober in public at all times and have no contact, directly or indirectly, including by electronic means, with the alleged victim.

He must also be contactable at all times at a mobile phone number provided to the gardai.

After hearing the directions of the DPP would be needed, the judge adjourned the case to Naas District Court on January 16. Mr Ashe was remanded on bail.

The judge granted free legal aid after an application was made by defence solicitor Edward Bradbury. A statement of the accuseds financial means was submitted to the court.

Mr Ashe was not required to address the court during the brief hearing and has not yet indicated how he intends to plead to the charges.
The Australian prime minister was heckled out of a fire-ravaged town in New South Wales yesterday as a mass evacuation in the state got under way ahead of worsening conditions.

Video of the visit to Cobargo, in the state's south-east, showed Scott Morrison insisting a woman shake his hand as she criticised him over the government's response to the crisis.

"I am only shaking your hand if you give more funding to the RFS (Rural Fire Service)," she said as he turned away. "So many people have lost their homes. We need more help."

The prime minister was soon ushered to his car by minders when other residents began shouting at him.

"You won't be getting any votes down here, buddy," one called out.

Anger over the government's handling of the crisis has grown since the outbreak of the country's worst wildfires on record, which have so far killed at least 18 people, including nine since Christmas Day, and destroyed 1,400 homes.

In Cobargo, a 29-year-old dairy farmer and his father (53) were killed earlier this week as fires swept through the village. In the small south coast New South Wales town of Quaama, in the Bega Valley Shire, a firefighter refused to shake Mr Morrison's hand when the prime minister made a visit.

Quaama, with a population of around 280, lost at least six homes on Tuesday.

Expand Close Smoke billows during bushfires in Buchan, Victoria. Photo: GLEN MOREY/via REUTERS / Facebook

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Whatsapp Smoke billows during bushfires in Buchan, Victoria. Photo: GLEN MOREY/via REUTERS

After the encounter, Mr Morrison said to a local incident controller, "Tell that fella I'm really sorry, I'm sure he's just tired", to which the official replied: "No, no, he lost a house."

In the most recent New South Wales budget, the Liberal State Government - Mr Morrison's party - cut AU$12.9m (8m) in expenses from Fire & Rescue NSW, while the Office of NSW Rural Fire Services - a service run by volunteers - lost AU$26.7m in expenses.

The prime minister has rejected recent calls to professionalise the largely volunteer bush firefighting services across the country, and for several weeks of the crisis refused to commit to additional funding before eventually announcing a one-off boost of AU$11m for water bombers.

New South Wales declared a state of emergency yesterday and told tourists to leave a 250km stretch of its south coast as temperatures were expected to hit 40C tomorrow.

The army began evacuations in what the state's transport minister said was the "largest mass relocation of people out of the region that we've ever seen".

But tens of thousands were still stranded by last night as roads became gridlocked, with shops and fuel stations running out of supplies.

The navy was called in to assist in getting people out of the town of Mallacoota, in the neighbouring state of Victoria, where 4,000 people were trapped on the beach for days after the fire devastated much of their town.

Rob Rogers, NSW's Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner, said firefighters were struggling to combat the blazes. "The message is we've got so much fire in that area, we have no capacity to contain these fires," he told ABC. "We just need to make sure that people are not in front of them."

University of Sydney ecologists estimate almost half a billion mammals, birds and reptiles have been lost this fire season, with the toll expected to rise.

At least 17 people were yesterday reported to be missing across Victoria.

The body of Mick Roberts was found in his home in Buchan, East Gippsland, on Wednesday, his niece said.

"Very sad day for us to (start) the year but we're a tight family and we will never forget our mate and my beautiful Uncle Mick," she wrote on Facebook.

Mr Morrison said the crisis was likely to last for months. "It (fires) will continue to go on until we can get some decent rain that can deal with some of the fires that have been burning for many, many months," he told reporters yesterday.

Canberra, Australia's capital, a city of 400,000 people, recorded the worst air quality of any city in the world yesterday. An elderly woman who arrived in the city by plane died shortly after, and family believe it was related to smoke inhalation, though that is yet to be confirmed.

Brie Kingsely, a Melbourne resident, witnessed the sheer scale of the crisis while driving from Sydney to get home.

She said: "I drove from Sydney to Melbourne. At the worst of it, I was 10km from an active, 100,000-hectare out-of-control fire next to the Hume Highway. It wasn't closed, but basically smoke-ridden for six hours."

Smoke from the fires has created a haze across New Zealand, more than 2,000km away, with normally white glaciers turning a shade of caramel.

The acrid-smelling smoke first appeared in the country early on Wednesday when in many areas the sun appeared as either a red or golden orb, depending on the thickness of the haze.

"Smoke that has travelled around 2,000km across the Tasman Sea can clearly be seen," New Zealand's official forecaster MetService said. ( Daily Telegraph, London)
A pack of hounds were caught on camera killing a fox during a trail hunt where the dogs are only supposed to follow an artificial scent.

The footage of the Barlow Hounds was recorded near Matlock, Derbyshire, on December 17.

In the video, the hunt saboteur who is carrying the camera can be seen holding a map in his right hand as he hurriedly clambers over a stone wall.

Another member of the group, who is also dressed all in black, is running down the hill and through the bracken up ahead.

The hounds can be heard barking in the background and the fox squeals as the hunt saboteurs race towards the source of the noise.

They reach the top of the hill as more dogs in the pack race pass.

The cameraman shouts 'leave it, leave it' repeatedly in an unsuccessful attempt to call off the hounds.

He runs up the hill where they have gathered and are circling frantically around the fox.

The footage of the Barlow Hounds was recorded near Matlock, Derbyshire, on December 17 as the pack of dogs killed a fox during a trail hunt

In the video, hunt saboteurs from Lincoln, Sheffield and West Yorkshire all race through the countryside toward the pack before picking the fox up off the ground in an attempt to get it to safety

The clip then cuts to a short time later after one of the hunt saboteurs has managed to grapple with the dogs and has picked the fox up off the ground in an attempt to get it to safety.

One of the members of the hunt walks towards him as a third saboteur, who has now joined the group, says to him: 'What do you want now? You're not having him.

'You've done enough damage. Go on. It's all being recorded. You better back up.'

The member of the hunt walks away and the video ends shortly after.

Hunt saboteurs from the Lincoln, Sheffield and West Yorkshire groups were observing the hunt and were all involved in the attempt to save the animal.

But, despite their efforts, the fox died shortly after the attack.

Derbyshire Police have now issued an appeal as officers hope to talk to the anti-hunting protesters who witnessed the event.

A spokesperson for the Lincoln Hunt Saboteurs said: 'Rather unsurprisingly, the video has been met with shock, anger and disgust.

The dogs continued to swarm as the saboteur held the fox in his arms but, despite their efforts, the fox died shortly after the attack

One of the members of the hunt walks towards him as a third saboteur says to him: 'What do you want now? You're not having him.' Derbyshire Police have now issued an appeal to talk to those who witnessed the event

'Most people find hunting utterly deplorable, though there are a handful of people who have reacted with the "laughing emoji", we think that says more about them as a person.'

It is thought that a member of their group is in discussion with the Derbyshire Rural Crime Team but said that they had little faith in the police to act.

What is the law on fox hunting? Fox hunting with dogs was banned in 2004 amid mounting complaints from animal welfare campaigners who argued it caused unnecessary suffering to wild animals. It meant that groups in England and Wales could no longer hunt down and kill mammals with hounds. But many hunts now simulate the chase by laying a scent for the dogs to follow instead of using an actual fox - this is known as trail hunting. Dogs can also still be used to 'flush' foxes out of hiding if it is causing damage to property or the environment. Source: www.gov.uk Advertisement

In a post on social media, Derbyshire Police said: 'We have been made aware through various channels that an incident occurred today whereby a fox was killed near Matlock.

'We understand that there may be video footage of the event and would urge anyone who is in possession of it to contact the police.

'We understand that there are certain individuals and groups that don't trust us.

'It's easy for us to say that we can be trusted and that any mistrust is unfounded; if only it were that easy.

'Rest assured that when there is evidence of offences occurring we will pursue it.'

In a statement, Barlow Hounds told the BBC: 'The Barlow Hunt operates within the law to comply with the Hunting Act 2004.

'An incident occurred on December 17 which we believe was solely due to the presence of anti-hunting protestors who were distracting and confusing our hounds by blowing a hunting horn.

'The police have been informed and we will fully cooperate with any enquiries regarding this matter.'
A west Alabama man has been charged in connection with robberies at two Tuscaloosa hotels.

Tuscaloosa police on Thursday announced the arrest of Markece Vonta Ryans. He is 26 and lives in Greensboro. Authorities on Tuesday had released surveillance images of a possible suspect in the holdups.

Investigators say Ryans robbed two hotels at gunpoint in Tuscaloosa - one on Aug. 24 on East Skyland Boulevard and the other Dec. 8 in the 4500 block of East McFarland Boulevard.

Tuscaloosa Lt. Teen Richardson said Ryans is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery. The Greensboro Police Department assisted investigators by locating and taking Ryan in custody at a Greenville home.

Ryans is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a total bonds totaling $120,000.00. He could face additional charges.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A Cleveland Heights woman died in an early New Years Day crash on the citys East Side.

Natalia Woody, 31, died and five passengers in her the same car suffered injuries. The driver of the other car ran away after the crash and has not been identified, according to police reports.

The crash happened about 2 a.m. on Superior Avenue near East 71st Street. A 20-year-old woman was driving a 2004 Saturn Vue west on Superior, with Woody in the backseat.

A 2012 Mazda 6 ran a stoplight and crashed into the passenger side of the Saturn, according to police reports.

The Saturn careened into a traffic-light pole and the engine caught fire. Several bystanders saw the crash and pulled all six people from the SUV before it was engulfed in flames.

The passengers, ranging in age from 15 to 25, suffered a variety of injuries including fractured hips, neck trauma and other unspecified injuries, police said.

Both cars were towed to the Cleveland police impound lot for inspection.

To comment on this story, visit Fridays crime and courts comments page.

17-year-old boy shot to death in Clevelands Euclid-Green neighborhood

Police arrest man accused of raping woman in Clevelands Edgewater Park

Woman carjacked at gunpoint in Clevelands Gordon Square neighborhood

Second man charged in deadly shootout at Cleveland nightclub

Woman raped, beaten at Edgewater Park in Cleveland
New Delhi:

Iran has finally broken silence over the shocking assassination General Qasem Soleimani during an airstrike at Baghdad airport on Friday morning. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that, The US' act of international terrorism, targeting and assassinating General Soleimani is extremely dangerous and a foolish escalation. The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism. The statement comes after the emergency meeting of the top Iranian leadership in wake of the killing. Meanwhile, Irans Revolutionary Guards former chief has vowed vigorous revenge against America for the killing of Soleimani.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed in a statement read out on state television that the commander of its Quds Force Qasem Soleimani was killed by US forces in Baghdad on Friday. "The Revolutionary Guards announces that the glorious commander of Islam, haj Qasem Soleimani, following a life of servitude, was martyred in an attack by America on Baghdad airport this morning," said the report.

The channel said the attack was carried out by US helicopters. A black ribbon was displayed on the screen and a photo montage was shown with images of Soleimani smiling and praying.

Pentagon and the White House have officially confirmed that President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Irans high-profile General in an airstrike in Baghdad on Friday morning. In a statement, the White House said that, At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. The Department of Defense added that, "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more."

Later, Donald Trump took to Twitter and tweeted the US national flag without any caption. Former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley lauded Trumps action. Qassem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, Haley said on Twitter while tagging Trump.

Meanwhile, Mike Pompeo tweeted a video saying, "Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more."

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's efforts to influence the terms of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial Friday as the Senate opened its 2020 business.

The Kentucky Republican and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer clashed over the impeachment process  even as rising tensions with Iran pulled attention away from the decision on whether to remove Trump from office. McConnell said "we are content to continue the ordinary business of the Senate" until Pelosi sends House-passed articles of impeachment to the chamber.

The California Democrat has held on to them as she and Schumer pressure McConnell to commit to calling witnesses and seeking relevant documents. On Friday, the Senate Republican leader said he would not accept Democratic attempts to sway the trial setup.

"That's obviously a nonstarter," McConnell said.

The Democratic-held House voted last month to charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress  only the third time the chamber has impeached a president. The president is accused of withholding critical military aid to Ukraine as he urged the country to investigate a top 2020 political rival, Joe Biden, and Biden's son Hunter.

Schumer has pushed for the Senate to call witnesses who did not speak in House hearings, including White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security advisor John Bolton. McConnell on Friday said he would follow the precedent of the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton: start with a bipartisan resolution to set up trial logistics, then decide on witnesses later.

Schumer rejected that plan, saying his GOP counterpart has not "given one good reason why there shouldn't be relevant witnesses or relevant documents."

"Leader McConnell's proposal to vote on witnesses and documents later is nothing more than a poorly disguised trap," the New York Democrat said.

In a written statement later Friday, Pelosi said McConnell "made clear that he will feebly comply with President Trump's cover-up of his abuses of power and be an accomplice to that cover-up." She urged the Senate to "immediately proceed in a manner worthy of the Constitution and in light of the gravity of the President's unprecedented abuses."

The latest developments in the Middle East will likely draw some of the Senate's attention away from impeachment this month. The U.S. killed Iran's top military commander, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, on Thursday night, sparking fears of retaliation.

McConnell said that "for too long, this evil man operated without constraint, and countless innocents have suffered for it." He said the Trump administration is working to arrange a classified briefing on the operation with all senators next week, and urged lawmakers not to make judgments on what could happen next.

Schumer, meanwhile, questioned the White House decision making and worried the move could bring the U.S. closer to conflict in the Middle East.

"This action may well have brought our nation closer to another endless war. Exactly the kind of endless war the president promised he would not drag us into," he said.

The Senate Democratic leader has largely focused this week on pressing McConnell to compel the testimony and obtain the documents he deems relevant to a trial. Schumer has cited a report from website Just Security, detailing documents related to the White House's freeze on aid to Ukraine, in pushing for testimony from Mulvaney, Bolton and other key officials.

He said new revelations bring "additional pressures" to allow testimony in the Senate trial.

The Republican-held Senate will likely acquit Trump. On Friday, McConnell said the House "began to develop cold feet" following the impeachment vote, and "flinched" instead of sending the articles to the Senate.

Two of McConnell's GOP colleagues have taken issue with his approach to a trial. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said this week that it was "inappropriate" for McConnell to say he was in "total coordination" with the White House on impeachment, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said last month she was "disturbed" by McConnell's comment. The senators are considered two of the Republicans most likely to break with their party on major votes.

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Experiments with adding a heparin mixture with clinically relevant levels of bone morphogenetic protein leads to significant reductions of ossification in preclinical and computer modeling

EUGENE, Ore. - Researchers are moving closer to a new approach for improving spinal fusion procedures and repairing broken or defective bones that avoids an over-production of bone that commonly occurs in current treatments.

In a preclinical study, researchers significantly reduced undesired bone growth outside of targeted repair areas in rat femurs by delivering a potent bone-forming protein called bone morphogenetic protein, or BMP, using a new biomaterial made from heparin.

A six-member research team - led by Marian H. Hettiaratchi, a bioengineer in the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact at the University of Oregon - described the approach in a paper published Jan. 3 issue of the online journal Science Advances.

Hettiaratchi began exploring the use of heparin microparticles to deliver BMP as a possible way to stop abnormal bone growth more than five years ago while a doctoral student at the Georgia Institute of Technology under the mentorship of co-authors Robert Guldberg and Todd McDevitt.

The traditional approach of using high doses of BMP alone has led to numerous complications in humans, including soft tissue inflammation and abnormal ossification.

For the new study, Hettiaratchi and colleagues fed their earlier results from experiments done in both rats and test tubes into computer simulations to explore ways to adjust their heparin-based approach in animal testing with levels of BMP comparable to dosages required in human bone-repair procedures.

"We focused on using doses that were more clinically relevant. In humans, the typical treatment uses 0.1 to 0.2 milligrams of BMP per kilogram of body weight, so we used the same amount in the rats," Hettiaratchi said. "Most research done in rats uses 10 times less BMP to repair bone, which isn't comparable to what's done in humans and doesn't exhibit the side effects of a clinical BMP dose."

Two different strengths of the combination were used, resulting in 40 to 50 percent reductions in abnormal ossification. The heparin microparticles contain heparin's long-chained linear polysaccharides, with sulfated groups which drive stronger binding affinity to BMP.

The heparin and BMP, mixed in an alginate hydrogel, were injected into a nanofiber mesh tube - created in Guldberg's lab to isolate a repair area and unveiled in Biosciences in 2011 - already inserted into femoral defects in the rats. Human medical practices have relied on high doses of BMP injected into a collagen sponge, which leads to abnormal ossification in surrounding soft tissue as BMP rapidly escapes the sponge.

The findings represent a proof-of-concept for fine-tuning the approach rather than a route into clinical testing in humans, Hettiaratchi said. The eventual goal, she said, is to create synthetic heparin-like microparticles that achieve the same results while avoiding potential side effects of heparin.

"The problem with healing large bone defects clinically is that the BMP delivered using collagen sponges results in abnormal bone formation because the drug doesn't stay on the material," Hettiaratchi said. "Our new material retains much more of the BMP, keeping it localized. You don't get bone formation outside the targeted area."

Hettiaratchi joined the UO after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto. Guldberg joined the UO's Knight Campus as executive director in August 2018. McDevitt is now in San Francisco, affiliated with the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease and the University of California.

At Toronto, Hettiaratchi began pursuing the development of a synthetic material to localize protein delivery that would avoid potential side effects from heparin, a widely used anticoagulant that prevents blood clots. None of heparin's long list of known side effects has been seen in the rats, she noted. Another potential problem is that heparin's numerous sulfate groups might bind to other proteins not related to bone repair.

Ideally, she said, a synthetic heparin-like drug could be engineered to only bind to BMP. Such work will be the initial focus in her UO lab, which will open in early 2020.

###

Co-authors with Hettiaratchi, Guldberg and McDevitt on Science Advances paper were: Laxminarayanan Krishnan, Tel Rouse and Catherine Chou, all of Georgia Tech's Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience.

The National Institutes of Health and Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine supported the project.

Source: Marian Hettiaratchi, assistant professor, Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, University of Oregon, mhettiar@uoregon.edu

Note: The UO is equipped with an on-campus television studio with a point-of-origin Vyvx connection, which provides broadcast-quality video to networks worldwide via fiber optic network. There also is video access to satellite uplink and audio access to an ISDN codec for broadcast-quality radio interviews.

Links:

About Marian Hettiaratchi: https://accelerate.uoregon.edu/marian-hettiaratchi

About Robert Guldberg: https://accelerate.uoregon.edu/robert-guldberg

Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact: https://accelerate.uoregon.edu/

Paper: https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/1/eaay1240

2011 Biosciences paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142961210011129?via%3Dihub
Many investors are still learning about the various metrics that can be useful when analysing a stock. This article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE). By way of learning-by-doing, we'll look at ROE to gain a better understanding of Globus Medical, Inc. (NYSE:GMED).

Globus Medical has a ROE of 11%, based on the last twelve months. That means that for every $1 worth of shareholders' equity, it generated $0.11 in profit.

View our latest analysis for Globus Medical

How Do You Calculate ROE?

The formula for return on equity is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

Or for Globus Medical:

11% = US$146m  US$1.3b (Based on the trailing twelve months to September 2019.)

Most readers would understand what net profit is, but its worth explaining the concept of shareholders equity. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. You can calculate shareholders' equity by subtracting the company's total liabilities from its total assets.

What Does ROE Signify?

ROE looks at the amount a company earns relative to the money it has kept within the business. The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. So, all else equal, investors should like a high ROE. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses.

Does Globus Medical Have A Good Return On Equity?

Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. The image below shows that Globus Medical has an ROE that is roughly in line with the Medical Equipment industry average (11%).

NYSE:GMED Past Revenue and Net Income, January 2nd 2020

That's not overly surprising. ROE tells us about the quality of the business, but it does not give us much of an idea if the share price is cheap. If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Story continues

How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity?

Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. The cash for investment can come from prior year profits (retained earnings), issuing new shares, or borrowing. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same.

Globus Medical's Debt And Its 11% ROE

Globus Medical is free of net debt, which is a positive for shareholders. Its respectable ROE suggests it is a business worth watching, but it's even better the company achieved this without leverage. After all, with cash on the balance sheet, a company has a lot more optionality in good times and bad.

But It's Just One Metric

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. If two companies have around the same level of debt to equity, and one has a higher ROE, I'd generally prefer the one with higher ROE.

But ROE is just one piece of a bigger puzzle, since high quality businesses often trade on high multiples of earnings. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

But note: Globus Medical may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
For years, Google tasked Ross LaJeunesse with executing its plan to protect human rights in China, after Google announced a decade ago it would stop censoring search results there to safeguard security and free speech.

LaJeunesse took the mission to heart: He later devised a human rights program to formalize Googles principles supporting free expression and privacy. He began lobbying for it internally in 2017  around the time when the tech giant was exploring a return to China, in a stark reversal of its 2010 move that made its search engine unavailable there.

Now, LaJeunesse is alleging that Google pushed him out for it in April.

I didnt change. Google changed, LaJeunesse, who was Googles global head of international relations in Washington, D.C., said in an interview. Dont be evil used to top the companys mission statement. Now when I think about Dont be evil, its been relegated to a footnote in the companys statements.

Within Google, China was seen as a booming market that represented concerns about the ways technology could be used to suppress free expression or enable surveillance. LaJeunesse modelled his human rights program on the way Google approached privacy and security issues, designing the team of employees, in functions like supply chain, policy, and ethics and compliance, to help Google integrate, co-ordinate and prioritize human rights risk assessment.

But his mentor Kent Walker, Googles powerful chief lawyer and head of policy, bristled at the idea, according to interviews with LaJeunesse and emails and documents. Walker raised the concern that a formal commitment to human rights could increase Googles liability, LaJeunesse said.

We have an unwavering commitment to supporting human rights organizations and efforts, said Google spokeswoman Jenn Kaiser, who said LaJeunesses departure was due to a reorganization of our policy team. Walker declined to comment.

Googles shifting moral calculus around China illustrates the tech giants transformation from an organization that portrayed itself as an exception to corporate norms into one driven by business imperatives and market opportunities.

Google is not a conventional company, its co-founders wrote in 2004. When Google announced the suspension of its search engine in China, it cast the move as being driven by ethical concerns. We dont want to run a service thats politically censored, co-founder Sergey Brin said onstage at TED in 2010.

Eight years later, Google confirmed it was working on Project Dragonfly, a secretive plan to launch a censored search app in China, which would have blacklisted terms like student protest and link a users searches to their phone number, according to the Intercept.

Its not enough to just say we believe in human rights, said David Kaye, United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, who interacted with LaJeunesse in human rights circles. Its extremely important for people like Ross, who are making arguments for human rights inside the company, to have the support of the company itself  from the senior leadership on down.

The 11 years that LaJeunesse spent at Google mirrors a period of change at the Silicon Valley giant. After news of Project Dragonfly leaked, more than 1,400 employees signed an internal letter criticizing Googles failure to be transparent about its plans in China, part of a recent trend of tech workers taking their employers to task for business and labour practices. Months earlier, employees petitioned executives to protest Project Maven, a deal with the Pentagon to provide computer vision for drones, which it later decided not to renew.

But LaJeunesse is one of the most senior former executives to break ranks after he says he was sidelined with the offer of a much smaller role amid the reorganization of the policy team. He said he received a 98 per cent approval rating as a manager in his most recent review and had been a member of Googles uber-selective Foundation program for top talent since 2012. LaJeunesse, who is openly gay and was a member of the Google policy teams Diversity & Inclusion Council, believes he was also targeted for his internal advocacy work on diversity.

Google said the reorganization was unrelated to individual performance and that LaJeunesses old role did not fit into the new structure, which divided policy into regional teams and particular products.

Rather than accept what he saw as a demotion, especially when his days at Google seemed to be numbered, LaJeunesse left the company without signing a nondisclosure agreement, in order to speak freely about what he sees as Googles abuse of corporate power. In November, LaJeunesse launched a campaign to run for senate as a Democrat challenging Susan Collins in Maine, where he was born and raised, a return to his political roots.

Ross was offered a new position at the exact same level and compensation, which he declined to accept, said Googles Kaiser. We wish Ross all the best with his political ambitions.

Workers at major tech companies including Google, Amazon and Microsoft have increasingly raised ethical concerns as the products they helped develop have been put to use in controversial military applications or as a surveillance tool for law enforcement and repressive regimes. Some of Googles internal critics say the company has gone to great lengths to silence them. Several activist Google workers claim they were unfairly terminated recently because Google wanted to extinguish their dissent.

Brett Solomon of Access Now, an international group advocating for an open and free internet, publicly called on Google, Facebook and Twitter to prioritize human rights during an event at the UN headquarters in January 2019. He said its alarming to hear tech companies invoke ethics as a way to govern artificial intelligence and other technology.

Ethics are subjective and it depends upon the company, said Solomon. Decisions made by tech companies on human rights have real implications for marginalized populations  the Uighurs in China, the protesters in Hong Kong, the democracy advocates in Iran, he said.

Over the past year, particularly after the United Nations rebuked Facebook for its role in spreading ethnic hatred of the Rohingya people in Myanmar, there has been more openness to the idea that a human rights framework can help navigate problems posed by Big Tech. Both Twitter and Facebook have hired human rights directors. Facebook told The Post the director was hired six months ago and will be announced in January. Googles Kaiser said it does not have an equivalent role and instead relies on cross-functional co-operation between teams.

When Google launched its localized search engine in China in 2006, the company justified censoring results by arguing that Googles presence in search could make China more open because it indicated when information had been blocked, unlike competitors in the Chinese market Baidu and Yahoo. Google complied with the Chinese governments increasing demands for more takedowns for nearly four years, until the company at the end of 2009 discovered a sophisticated cyberattack, originating in China, to steal Googles code and access the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

Google dispatched LaJeunesse to Hong Kong in January 2010, as Googles first head of policy in Asia. He negotiated directly with the Chinese government, travelling to Beijing every week for months.

Tensions were running hot. During a phone call with Walker and David Drummond, now the top lawyer for Google parent company Alphabet, LaJeunesse said he stressed his concern about the safety of employees in China. Drummond heatedly replied that he did not need to be reminded to consider the fate of Chinese employees, according to LaJeunesse. That evening, Walker called LaJeunesse to give him a pep talk and assure him that he was doing the right thing, LaJeunesse said, recalling it as one of the most compassionate acts he experienced at Google. Drummond did not respond to requests for comment.

LaJeunesse was basically the guy that (Google leadership) depended on for two and a half years of the most fraught relationship the company has ever had, said William Fitzgerald, who handled communications for Google Cloud AI and worked for LaJeunesse in Hong Kong. Fitzgerald left Google in 2018 and launched the Worker Agency, a campaign advisory firm in San Francisco.

Within a year, however, LaJeunesse said he was approached by the Maps team about launching in China. New plans to re-enter the market, which seemed to be introduced every year, were largely driven by fears around losing control of Android, Googles open-source mobile operating system. Without agreeing to Chinas demands for censorship and access to user data, Google could not launch an app store or operate an official version of Android with demands that Chinese phone manufacturers give apps like Google Search space on the home screen. As Googles go-to policy guy for China, LaJeunesse interceded when proposals raised concerns, such as Project Sidewinder, an app store for Android phones in China.

But for Google, the debate around China was also existential. The Chinese market represents not just Googles best chance at another billion users, but also the future of innovation, talent and artificial intelligence. In December 2017, Google launched an academic AI Center in Beijing, which alarmed LaJeunesse because he knew from experience that in China there was no distinction between the government, industry and academia.

LaJeunesse said he had heard about Project Dragonfly before Google had even given it a code name. But in 2017, he says, he was alarmed to notice Google moving forward with its plans, even after he warned that the Chinese government would expect access to user data. Around the same time, Googles cloud-computing division was barrelling ahead with Project Maven, its plans to provide computer vision technology to the Pentagon for use in drones, and pursuing potential deals to provide cloud computing to the Saudi government, LaJeunesse said.

LaJeunesse says he became convinced that Google needed to adopt a formal human rights program because he could no longer be certain that he or his deputies would be in the room or that their advice would be heeded, he said. LaJeunesse said he saw Google expanding so quickly and with such zeal into dangerous new ventures and countries with weak rule of law, just as its co-founders seemed more removed and new decision-makers were at the helm. Google says it conducts human rights impact assessments across its products and services.

At first, his vision for a human rights program was grand. While LaJeunesse was still in Asia, he had seen Google overhaul privacy policies after a scandal around Google Street View collecting Wi-Fi data, including training employees in privacy principles and elevating a director of privacy.

In his initial pitch to Walker in June 2017, LaJeunesse mentioned that companies like Yahoo put a program in place only after a human rights disaster. Here, Google had a chance to lead and even tout all the human rights work it was already doing, such as Googles role as a founding member of Global Network Initiative, a consortium of companies, nonprofits and academics that does human rights spot-checks and publishes an annual report.

I was very conscious that we could use that narrative internally to guide conversations and get into conversations we needed to get into, like decision-making about Dragonfly, said LaJeunesse. We could say, Hey, we committed to doing this. We better do it. If we dont do it, were really going to be raked over the coals.

But after seeing Walkers face when he first floated the idea, LaJeunesse said he decided to dial it back to a narrative around human rights. LaJeunesse kept the vital part of his grand plan: asking Google to publicize its commitment to established legal standards.

Over the next two years, LaJeunesse says, Walker continually raised new reservations or questions, without ever vetoing the project. In response to LaJeunesses first official memo, Walker said it would be better to have product teams deal with human rights. Addressing each of these issues on its merits is likely to feel more grounded and authentic and fit better with Sundars product focus, Walker wrote in an email to several executives in June 2017, referring to Googles CEO.

Its like quicksand. You get bogged down in this lack of confrontation, lack of clarity, said LaJeunesse.

As Google faced PR crises over Maven and Dragonfly, LaJeunesse tried reframing the proposal in ways he thought would be palatable to Googles higher-ups. He sent his deputies to meetings about the formation of an AI ethics council instead of going himself, hoping Google might be more open if the advice was not coming from him.

Google said its decision-making is guided by a set of AI principles, launched in June 2018, which say that Google will not design or deploy AI in technologies whose purpose contravenes widely accepted principles of international law and human rights.

I was always very constructive. Im not a flame-thrower. I really believe that you get things done by working with people, LaJeunesse said. But it was one series of excuses after the other, down to even which of Googles corporate blogs its statement should appear on.

In February, LaJeunesse was informed his role would be eliminated as part of a reorganization of Googles D.C. office, which included shifting the focus of two of his team members working on human rights. Google offered him the position of foreign policy institutions leader, which sounded to LaJeunesse like a glorified lobbyist position. Before the D.C. office overhaul, LaJeunesse had a 23-person team that worked on issues from election safety in Latin America to fighting Russia and China over the future of the internet to developing relationships with many of the civil society organizations railing against Google.

Three months after LaJeunesses departure, at a senate hearing on Google and censorship through search engines, the company testified that Dragonfly had been terminated. But Google did not rule out plans to relaunch search in China.

Just when we needed a human rights lens for all of our activities, LaJeunesse said, we went in the opposite direction.

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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 Cairo Communication S.p.A.'s (BIT:CAI) P/E ratio to inform your assessment of the investment opportunity. Cairo Communication has a P/E ratio of 6.81, based on the last twelve months. That is equivalent to an earnings yield of about 14.7%.

View our latest analysis for Cairo Communication

How Do You Calculate A P/E Ratio?

The formula for price to earnings is:

Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share  Earnings per Share (EPS)

Or for Cairo Communication:

P/E of 6.81 = 2.78  0.41 (Based on the year to September 2019.)

Is A High Price-to-Earnings 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 Does Cairo Communication's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers?

The P/E ratio indicates whether the market has higher or lower expectations of a company. We can see in the image below that the average P/E (16.5) for companies in the media industry is higher than Cairo Communication's P/E.

BIT:CAI Price Estimation Relative to Market, January 3rd 2020

This suggests that market participants think Cairo Communication will underperform other companies in its industry. Many investors like to buy stocks when the market is pessimistic about their prospects. It is arguably worth checking if insiders are buying shares, because that might imply they believe the stock is undervalued.

How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios

Generally speaking the rate of earnings growth has a profound impact on a company's P/E multiple. 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. And as that P/E ratio drops, the company will look cheap, unless its share price increases.

Story continues

Cairo Communication saw earnings per share decrease by 11% last year.

Don't Forget: The P/E Does Not Account For Debt or Bank Deposits

The 'Price' in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. Thus, the metric does not reflect cash or debt held by the company. The exact same company would hypothetically deserve a higher P/E ratio if it had a strong balance sheet, than if it had a weak one with lots of debt, because a cashed up company can spend on growth.

Spending on growth might be good or bad a few years later, but the point is that the P/E ratio does not account for the option (or lack thereof).

Is Debt Impacting Cairo Communication's P/E?

Net debt is 30% of Cairo Communication's market cap. You'd want to be aware of this fact, but it doesn't bother us.

The Bottom Line On Cairo Communication's P/E Ratio

Cairo Communication trades on a P/E ratio of 6.8, which is below the IT market average of 18.8. The debt levels are not a major concern, but the lack of EPS growth is likely weighing on sentiment.

When the market is wrong about a stock, it gives savvy investors an opportunity. If the reality for a company is not as bad as the P/E ratio indicates, then the share price should increase as the market realizes this. So this free visual report on analyst forecasts could hold the key to an excellent investment decision.

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.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
By Express News Service

RANCHI: In a tragic incident, the wife of an Army jawan committed suicide after being informed of her husband's demise.

According to Army officials, jawan Bajrang Bhagat died of brain haemorrhage after falling from his bed on December 30. His dead body reached his native village Bahera Toli in Ranchi on January 1. Unable to withstand the sight of her husband's dead body, Bhagat's wife Manita Oraon, allegedly killed herself by jumping into a well.

Family members of Manita, however, accused her in-laws for her taking the extreme step alleging they always used to taunt her for not having children.

Bhagat was recruited in the Indian Army in 2012 and was deputed at Regimental Centre in Nagpur and was posted to Jammu and Kashmir three months back. He talked to them for the last time at around 10 pm on December 29, but were informed in the morning on December 30 that he was no more.

Bajrang was married to Manita two years back.
Gold king in chess game face with the another silver team on black background (Concept for company strategy, business victory or decision)

Gold is starting 2020 with a major rally, and investors are wondering if the gold miners could be top picks for their TFSA or RRSP portfolios this year.

Lets take a look at the current situation to see if gold could be setting up for a run to a new record high in the next 12 months.

Safe-haven appeal

Gold often catches a tailwind when global investors start to get nervous about geopolitical risks. The new year is certainly providing reason for concern, as reports have emerged that the United States military just killed a top Iranian general in Iraq.

The U.S. Defence Department said it killed General Qassim Soleimani, who was the head of Irans elite Quds Force. The U.S. accused Soleimani of approving attacks that occurred on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in recent days and said he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.

The move is a major escalation in the ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, and markets are reacting in a defensive manner, as investors and traders try to figure out what might happen next.

New highs on the way

Gold surged above US$1,550 on the news, sending the price of the yellow metal near its 2019 closing high of US$1,560. Thats a six-year peak, and any move beyond this level could open the doors to a test of the 2011 high above US$1,900 per ounce.

The Middle East is already in a fragile state. An attack on Saudi Arabias oil facilities in September briefly cut the countrys production in half and removed 5% of global supply. The U.S. accused Iran of being behind the attack, yet there was no immediate response from Saudi Arabia.

Iran is threatening to take revenge for the killing of its general. Global traders are trying to figure out what that could mean. Oil prices surged 4% on the news, as the market worries about potential further supply disruptions in the Middle East.

If Iran decides to block the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices could soar, adding more risk to an already shaky global economy. That would provide support to the gold rally.

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Aside from the Middle East, North Korea has increased its threats against the United States in recent weeks. Any escalation on that front would drive more safe-haven buying.

Falling bond yields on global government debt are another potential driver of rising gold demand. Germany, Japan, and a basket of other countries already have bonds trading at negative yields. This makes no-yield gold more attractive for investment funds that need to park cash in a safe location.

Should you buy gold stocks?

Gold stocks continue to lag the recent uptick in the price of gold.

Barrick Gold, for example, trades at $24.50 per share at the time of writing, compared to more than $26 in early September.

The miners have done a good job of cleaning up their balance sheets in recent years, and the added cash flow that will arise from a sustained increase in the price of gold should push the stock prices higher.

There are enough potential catalysts to drive gold to new multi-year highs in 2020, and a surge to US$2,000 wouldnt be a surprise. The last time the price of gold moved above US$1,900, Barrick Golds stock traded for $54 per share, so there is potential for some big gains on an extended gold rally.

If you have cash on the sidelines, the gold miners deserve to be on your radar today.

More reading

Fool contributor Andrew Walker owns shares of Barrick Gold.

The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2020
By ?Kelly Ehlers, President of Ideas That Evoke

Its funny to imagine our lives 10 years ago -- especially when it comes to digital marketing. Pop culture was marked by Jersey Shore and the new Apple device: the iPad. In my career, I had just founded my digitally native marketing agency with a single employee. In the decade since, Ive watched my company develop directly alongside the social media channels we work on.

As we enter 2020, Im reflecting on all that digital marketing has become. The number of curveballs weve been thrown is countless, but Ive observed three key overarching themes in the last decade of digital marketing.

The fight to be seen and heard heats up.

As we entered 2010, marketers realized the power of digital advertising, sending us into the battle to be seen and heard in an oversaturated market. To minimize the guesswork, a few updates were popularized, including hashtags and cross-post keyword search. Two implications of these features were the rise of branded campaigns and SEO practices, now givens for digital advertising strategies.

However, by the time brands learned one Facebook algorithm, an update served us a new one. 2016 marked a huge shift for the platform, with Facebooks Newsfeed Value system giving the power to the people and sending brands to the backseat. As a proposed solution to the volume of content on the site, this update prioritized what was most relevant to users in the form of friends and familys posts.

Then in 2018, just as brands were adjusting, Mark Zuckerberg hit us with another update meant to facilitate more meaningful social interactions. Marketers felt the consequences of decreased traffic, with native posts receiving favor over ads. Brands pivoted to increase visibility by establishing a culture that revolved around creative storytelling, influencer marketing and, of course, audience engagement.

Trendy content prevails.

Encouraging said engagement comes in many different forms -- from KPIs to the community. However, as social continued introducing new features, brands were expected to take full advantage of developing technologies. While marketers have always made adjustments based on whats current and popular, the surplus of features launched on Facebook and Instagram forced us to pick up the pace if we hoped to stay current.

Now, visual content is the standard, with expectations growing consistently over time. The power of video launched the development of a number of features. In 2016, Instagram launched Stories. Combined with Facebook Live in 2017 and IGTV in 2018, there became no excuse for brands to rely on static content. Plus, as Instagram recently announced Reels to keep up with a millennial favorite, TikTok, theres no sign of video fading.

Beyond asking what a post should deliver, brands also began considering how they should deliver it. New technology expanded social capabilities in ways we only thought possible in movies -- Im talking robots! In the last 10 years, we saw product tags make posts shoppable, as well as image searching and AR technology become increasingly common for brands.

Whether companies integrate these features on their own or turn to influencers -- another defined aspect of the marketing industry within the last 10 years -- consumers have come to expect that the pages they follow keep up with constantly evolving technology.

Transparency becomes a priority.

Recalling the last decade of social media would be incomplete without referencing the largest scandal the digital marketing industry has seen: the 2018 Cambridge Analytica case. This landmark event sparked conversations around brand practices in informing consumers that created lasting effects on our digital environment.

After the story launched, brands began damage control. Relationships to audiences were now strained, trust broken and practices brought into question. Brands had to virtually reconstruct connections to consumers -- and Facebook had to do the same. While brands worked to rebuild consumer trust, Facebook attempted to win back its users by shifting the priority back to user experience. New data-use restrictions were rolled out, requiring brands to receive audience permission for data use and prohibiting data sharing to third parties.

Even through this social media disaster, brands survived. Brands got real with their audiences and rebuilt trust through honesty. Authenticity and honesty became guiding values, resulting in a more conscious consumer and a recentralizing of customer experience.

The last 10 years were nothing short of an amazing growth opportunity for brands and marketers. We took the skills we learned throughout the decade to continue engaging our audiences, developing interesting content and being honest and open about how we were redesigning our practices.

I cant imagine the innovation that well see by 2030. However, Im eager to take advantage of all the future holds for the digital marketing sphere.
Kathleen Jobb, above, was sexually abused by the new boyfriend of Karen Matthews

A woman sexually abused as a child by the paedophile fiance of 'Britain's worst mother' Karen Matthews broke her silence today  and said: 'They deserve each other.'

Kathleen Jobb says she recoiled with revulsion when she saw photos of her former stepfather Paul Saunders and Matthews together.

Saunders, 57, was jailed for five years in 2010 for targeting 'vulnerable' Kathleen when she was 15 years old.

He was only caught when Kathleen's mother Caroline Berry found indecent images of her daughter on his phone while he was serving an eight-month prison sentence for benefit fraud.

Kathleen, now 27, bravely waived her anonymity as she relived her ordeal by handyman Saunders.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline from her home in Oxford, she said: 'As soon as I saw Paul with Karen Matthews, I knew straight away it was him.

'I recognised him because he tends to stoop like a hunchback because he has curvature of the spine. Seeing him again after all these years brought what he did to me all back again. He's an incredibly nasty, manipulative man.

Matthews (left) is engaged to handyman Paul Saunders, 57, (right) who was jailed for five years in 2010 for engaging in sexual activity with Ms Jobb when she was a 'vulnerable' teenage girl

Kathleen Jobb, above with her stepfather, Saunders ,when she was a little girl, says the abuse began when she was 15 and went on for three years. She said it took place in her bunk bed

'I can't imagine any woman wanting to begin a relationship with him. But then again, we are talking about Karen Matthews, a mother who faked the kidnap of her own daughter so what do you expect?'

Matthews, 44, and Saunders, a handyman nicknamed 'Mr Dingle' for his scruffy appearance, have been dating for just six weeks after they met when he did some work on her bathroom.

Friends of the couple say they have been 'inseparable' ever since and Matthews is 'head over heels' in love with her new beau.

She has been seen wearing a giant engagement ring while shopping around the town in southern England where she has been living.

Saunders was arrested yesterday and released on police bail after it emerged that he had been staying overnight at Matthews' flat as their romance blossomed.

Matthews, who invented the abduction of her nine-year-old daughter, Shannon, in 2008, is said to feel reassured that her new partner isn't put off by her past.

Matthews, seen on her mobile phone on Saturday, is 'head over heels' in love with Saunders and has been seen around her hometown in southern England wearing an engagement ring

Defence: Matthews continues to protest her innocence, while her daughter Shannon, right, who is now 18, is living under a new identity at an undisclosed location

It is not known whether Saunders admitted his sordid history to Matthews.

His victim recalled how he wormed his way into her mother Caroline's life in much the same way he met Matthews, by offering to do odd jobs around the house.

He lived next door to the family and the couple began a relationship in 2000 and married just six weeks later.

Kathleen, 27, said she recoiled when she saw photos of her abuser and Matthews together

Kathleen, now happily married with three young children herself, said Saunders began abusing her when she was 15 and it carried on for three years.

She said: 'His relationship with Karen is almost exactly the same as the one he had with my mum.

'He came along pretending to be a handyman and wormed his way into her affections.

'He knew me as a baby because he lived next door around the time I was born and had been friends with my mum before they got together.

'He knew that I'd been abused before and so knew exactly how vulnerable I was and it wasn't long 'I still remember how at night he would creep into my room. I could hear him approaching because the floorboards would creak.

'I had a bunk bed and I was in the bottom bottom. He would crouch down by my side at night.

'Because the floorboards made a noise, he could hear my mum come near to the door and when she did he'd pretend to look out the window and tell my mum 'I thought I heard a noise'

Matthews (pictured in 2008 during the hunt for Shannon) met her new fiance when he carried out odd jobs at her home in the South of England, where she now lives with a new name

'When my grandmother was dying of cancer, he wouldn't let me go round to say goodbye with my sister and brothers.

'While they were out, he abused me. When I should have been there for my gran, he stopped me and did that.

'I've never forgotten that and I'll never forgive him for that. I never felt able to tell anyone because he used to threaten me and warn me not to.

'He once charged straight at me and threw a hoover at me because I'd refused to eat a Pot Noodle he'd made. Only my mum jumping in between us stopped him from probably punching me in the face.

'He'd like to threaten children and my mum but would never stand up to another a man. He was a bully.'

Matthews was pictured looking elated with her former partner Craig Meehan after Shannon was found alive. Meehan was not involved in the kidnapping plot

Saunders, a former minibus driver for disabled children, was jailed after admitting four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of a child and two counts of sexual assault.

Kathleen added: 'He had actually been jailed for benefit fraud when my mum found the images on his phone. She called police straight away. As soon as he was released from his sentence for benefit fraud he was arrested again for what was on the phone.

'The police took statements from me and asked whether I wanted to go to court. He denied the abuse and said the images were of my mum and not me. But it was patently clear that the images were of me and that he'd abused me.

'When we got to court and he saw myself and all the family there facing him, only then did he decide to admit what he had done. But the fact he only got five years - for what he had done - was not nearly long enough. He should be in for life.

'I'd not seen him or heard anything from him for years and all of a sudden he's there on the front of the newspapers. And what's more he had started a relationship with a woman who'd kidnapped her own daughter.

'They deserve each other. I've never spoken about what happened to me but I'm willing to speak out for the first time to warn people about what he's like. In my opinion, he's still a danger to kids and he should never be allowed to be around any youngsters.'

Saunders is said to be unconcerned about his new girlfriend's past which saw her labeled 'Britain's worst mother'.

Matthews in March 2008 holding her daughter's favourite teddy bear as she feigned an emotional appeal for her safe return

Matthews had engineered the kidnap of Shannon in Dewsbury, West Yorks.

She and her boyfriend's uncle, Michael Donovan, were jailed for the plot to stage Sharon's kidnapping and claim the 50,000 reward for 'finding' her.

Matthews made a series of tearful TV appeals for help in finding her daughter as West Yorkshire Police launched one of the force's largest ever searches.

Shannon was eventually found by detectives in Donovan's flat, around a mile from her home in Dewsbury, 24 days after she disappeared.

Prosecutors said the schoolgirl was drugged and probably kept captive on a leash during her incarceration.

Police described Matthews as 'pure evil' after she was found guilty of kidnap, false imprisonment and perverting the course of justice.

Her then-boyfriend, Craig Meehan, was not involved in the kidnapping plot.

However, he was separately convicted of possessing 49 indecent images of children on a home computer.

She and Donovan were both sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2009 and released in 2012 after serving half their sentences.

Shannon was raised by a new family under a new identity and is now an adult.

Matthews (left) and co-conspirator Michael Donovan (right) were both sentenced to eight years in prison in January 2009 and released in 2012 after serving half their sentences

As part of her release from prison Matthews was given a taxpayer-funded flat but has been banned from any contact with Shannon or her other six children.

Saunders will have been released after serving half of his five year sentence.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of a child and two counts of sexual assault.

The mother of his victim described how she lost it when she found the indecent images of her daughter on his phone.

She said: 'I went barmy, to say the least, I'm sickened and disgusted.'

At the time of the offences Saunders worked as an ambulance driver for mentally ill and disabled teenagers.
(Newser)  President Trump is out with tweets Friday morning justifying the military strike that killed a top Iranian commander. Qasem Soleimani, the president asserted, got what he deserved. Soleimani "has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more ... but got caught!" Trump wrote. He added that the general "was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people" and suggested Iranians themselves are glad to see him gone, even if they won't admit it. "He should have been taken out many years ago!" concluded Trump. Iran is vowing "severe revenge" and Democratic candidates are condemning the move, but Trump is winning praise from Republicans who also blame Soleimani for the deaths of American soldiers over the years, reports Axios.

story continues below

Soleimani "masterminded Irans reign of terror for decades, including the deaths of hundreds of Americans," tweeted GOP Sen. Tom Cotton. "Tonight, he got what he richly deserved, and all those American soldiers who died by his hand also got what they deserved: justice."

Fellow GOP Sens. Marco Rubio (here) and Ben Sasse (here) expressed similar sentiments.

Democratic senators agreed that Soleimani was an "enemy of the United States," as Sen. Chris Murphy put it, but they questioned the airstrike. "Did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?" wrote Murphy.

(Read more Qasem Soleimani stories.)
He changed the shape of the Syrian civil war and tightened Irans grip on Iraq. He was behind hundreds of American deaths in Iraq and waves of militia attacks against Israel. And for two decades, his every move lit up the communications networks  and fed the obsessions  of intelligence operatives across the Middle East. On Friday, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the powerful and shadowy 62-year-old spymaster at the head of Irans security machinery, was killed by an American drone strike near the Baghdad airport. Just as his accomplishments shaped the creation ...
Jamie Grill | Blend Images | Getty Images

A new retirement law could soon put annuities in front of more 401(k) investors  and some financial experts question whether that's a good thing. The Secure Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last month, eases rules for employers offering a 401(k) plan around how they choose an annuity provider. Many business owners had been concerned that the old regime exposed them to too much legal risk. The Secure Act, the biggest overhaul to retirement law in more than a decade, strips away some of that worry for employers. "It makes it more likely" that employers will offer annuities in their 401(k)s, said David Blanchett, head of retirement research at Morningstar Investment Management.

The basic function of an annuity is to provide investors a guaranteed stream of cash in their retirement years. Consumers hand over money to an insurance company, which agrees to immediately or years in the future pay consumers a recurring amount of monthly income for the rest of their lives. The U.S. Social Security system is essentially a massive annuity program into which working Americans pay, in order to receive Social Security checks beginning as early as age 62. Some financial experts say consumers should have enough annuity income (including that from Social Security) to cover fixed expenses like housing and transportation in retirement. However, annuities have gotten a bad reputation among many investors, due partly to purported high costs and complexity. More from Personal Finance

Here's why you might not want to move all your IRA money to a Roth

Why you should consolidate those 401(k)s and IRAs

Don't fall prey to the stock market's banner year Corporate America's gradual shift away from pension plans toward 401(k)-type plans has led some policymakers to advocate for the inclusion of annuities in more workplace savings programs. Pensions, like annuities, provide a guaranteed income stream to retirees, but 401(k) plans don't give such certainty. Just 10% of 401(k) plans currently offer annuities to workers, according to the Plan Sponsor Council of America. Philip Chao, principal and chief investment officer at Experiential Wealth, a Vienna, Virginia-based financial advice firm, thinks annuities "should be one of the [options] available in a retirement plan." "But that doesn't mean everybody needs a piece of it," he said. Employers have certain legal obligations to ensure the 401(k) investments they offer are in workers' best interests. Relative to annuity providers, employers must ensure insurance companies are financially strong and able to make annuity payments decades down the road.

Prior to the Secure Act, businesses were worried they could be held legally responsible in a lawsuit if an insurer were to go out of business and be unable to pay the promised income to investors. More than 60% of businesses cited this risk as a reason they're not offering annuities, according to a survey conducted this year by consulting firm Willis Towers Watson. The Secure Act extends legal protections to businesses that follow specific rules when selecting a 401(k) annuity provider. Essentially, employers are insulated from risk if the insurer they pick is in good standing with the state insurance department in which the insurer is based. Barbara Roper, director of consumer protection at the Consumer Federation of America, thinks that standard is too flimsy and could create a "hell-scape" of poor, high-cost annuities and financially weaker insurers in 401(k) plans. That scenario would probably play out most among small businesses, which generally don't devote the substantial resources that some large employers do to vet their 401(k) investments, Roper said.
The elimination on Jan. 3 of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force, showed that the United States can and does reap its foes. Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of at least 600 American soldiers and civilians in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, as well as the carnage unleashed by the IRGC and its associates upon the peoples of those three nations. The military organization he spearheaded also harmed Israel, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. The Trump administration last year designated the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, meaning that Washington could unilaterally impose a death sentence.

Irans Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claimed that Soleimani attained martyrdom and threatened to take tough revenge. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stressed Iran will tap into all its political, legal, and international capacities  to hold the criminal and terrorist regime of the US accountable for this blatant crime.

Soleimanis death is indeed a devastating blow to Irans chain of command -- not only within official channels, but across the array of paramilitary groups sponsored and supplied by the Islamic Republic. The pilgrim, as supporters dubbed Soleimani for his constant presence on the front lines of Irans battles, was a highly effective commander whose skills on the field were honed during Iraqs war against Iran from 19801988. His political prowess manifested itself over the years as he bent politicians in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq to Irans will.

The blow is significant, but it remains to be seen how reckless Irans leaders will be in seeking to avenge Soleimanis killing. Despite their rhetoric in public, the elimination of Soleimani does much to aid elements within Irans political factions.

Soleimanis power and influence had grown vast, both through his own efforts and through the IRGCs financial network. Khamenei already had begun responding by reducing the militarys clout and thereby seeking to avert a possible coup. Since January 2018, the armed forces and their foundations have been under orders to either divest economic holdings on the countrys capital market or sell them to the private sector. Generals have also been reshuffled by the Supreme Leader in an attempt to focus the armed forces on martial rather than political activities.

Irans National Security Council convened an emergency meeting within hours of his demise to chart a way forward. The Revolutionary Guard, its Quds Force, and their associates have another reason to target the lives and interests of Americans and American allies with added fury and fervor.

Soleimanis killing provides another line of argument for hardliners pressing Iran to completely abrogate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, exit the UN Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and deploy nuclear weapons. The U.S. strike against Irans most prominent commander will help the pro-nuclear hardliners to galvanize additional public support for their cause, ostensibly to protect Iran from further American attacks.

Moderates in Iranian political circles stand to gain as well. Soleimani had joined other IRGC offices in threatening then-president Mohammad Khatami with a coup unless student demonstrations were quashed in 1999. Later, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad enjoyed Soleimanis support while putting down the popular revolt against his rigged presidential re-election in 2009; the two men had bonded three decades earlier while brutalizing Kurds in Irans northwest. More recently, in 2019, Soleimani led the IRGCs suppression of nation-wide protests sparked by an increase in the fuel price. He even allegedly bragged to Iraqi security officials: We in Iran know how to deal with protests.

Within the context of Irans cutthroat domestic tussles, the United States has done Tehrans political elites a favor by removing a potential rival from the scene. While they will not acknowledge benefits from Soleimanis elimination, the Islamic Republics leaders should not bring his fate upon themselves as well. They should choose prudence over direct conflictafter all, Iranian forces are no match for US fire power.

Jamsheed K. Choksy is Distinguished Professor of Central Eurasian and Iranian studies in the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University. Carol E. B. Choksy is Senior Lecturer of Strategic Intelligence in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indiana University. The views expressed are the authors' own.
The United States killed Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force and architect of Irans spreading military influence in the Middle East, in an air strike on Friday at Baghdad airport, the Pentagon and Iran said.

Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed in the attack that was authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Soleimanis killing marks a dramatic escalation in the regional shadow war between Iran and the United States and its allies, principally Israel and Saudi Arabia, which could quickly ratchet up tit-for-tat attacks.

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed harsh revenge.

Iran has been locked in a long conflict with the United States that escalated sharply last week with an attack on the U.S. embassy in Iraq by pro-Iranian militiamen following a U.S. air raid on the Kataib Hezbollah militia, founded by Muhandis.

At the direction of the president, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Qassem Soleimani, the Pentagon said in a statement.

This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, it added.

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that Soleimani had been killed in a drone strike. Irans Revolutionary Guards said he was killed in an attack by American helicopters.

Pictures showed burning debris on a road near the airport.

Oil prices were up nearly $3 on the news.

Khamenei said harsh revenge awaited the criminals who killed Soleimani and his death, though bitter, would double the motivation of the resistance against the United States and Israel.

All enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war, Khamenei said in a statement carried by state television, in which he called for three days of national mourning.

State television presenters wore black and broadcast footage of Soleimani peering through binoculars across a desert and greeting a soldier, and of Muhandis speaking to followers.

President Hassan Rouhani said the assassination would make Iran more decisive in its resistance to the United States.

Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), the umbrella grouping of Iran-backed militias, blamed the United States and Israel for the killing of Soleimani and Muhandis.

Iraqi paramilitary groups said three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of Iraqi paramilitary groups and two guests.

The rockets landed near the air cargo terminal, burning two vehicles, killing and injuring several people.

Local militia commander Abu Muntathar al-Hussaini told Reuters the two leaders were in a vehicle struck by two missiles as they were on their way out of the airport from its arrivals hall. The second vehicle, carrying bodyguards from the PMF, was hit by one rocket, he said.

The American criminals had detailed information on the convoys movements, Hussaini said.

In Israel, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  which has long regarded Soleimani as a major threat  gave no immediate response to his death but Israel Army Radio said the military had gone on heightened alert.

FORCEFUL RESPONSE LIKELY

The slain commanders Quds Force, along with its stable of paramilitary proxies from Lebanons Hezbollah to the PMF in Iraq  battle-hardened militias armed with missiles  has ample means to launch a multi-barrelled response against its enemies.

In September, U.S. officials blamed Iran for a devastating missiles and drones attack on oil installations of Saudi Aramco, the Saudi state energy giant and worlds largest oil exporter. The Trump administration did not respond, beyond heated rhetoric and threats.

Iran, for its part, has absorbed scores of air strikes and missile attacks, mainly carried out by Israel against its fighters and proxies in Syria and Iraq.

But analysts say Iran is likely to respond forcefully to the targeting of Soleimani, who it has built into a legend as its influence has spread across the region in the wake of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and subsequent occupation

Soleimani, who has led the foreign arm of the Revolutionary Guards and has had a key role in fighting in Syria and Iraq, acquired celebrity status at home and abroad.

The United States and Irans regional foes Saudi Arabia and Israel have struggled to keep Irans influence in check.

Soleimani survived several assassination attempts against him by Western, Israeli and Arab agencies over the past two decades.

His Quds Force, tasked with carrying out operations beyond Irans borders, shored up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad when he looked close to defeat in the civil war raging since 2011 and also helped militiamen defeat Islamic State in Iraq.

He became head of the Quds Force in 1998, a position in which he kept a low profile for years while he strengthened Irans ties with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrias government and Shiite militia groups in Iraq.

Muhandis, who was killed with Soleimani, oversaw Iraqs PMF, a grouping of paramilitary groups mostly consisting of Iran-backed Shiite militias that was formally integrated into Iraqi armed forces.

His Kataib Hezbollah militia, which received battlefield training from Lebanons Hezbollah, has long targeted U.S. forces and was one of the earliest groups to dispatch fighters to Syria to support Assad.

In 2009, Washington declared Kataib Hezbollah a foreign terrorist organization, saying it threatened stability in Iraq and declared Muhandis a terrorist. In 2007, a Kuwaiti court sentenced him to death in absentia for his involvement in the 1983 U.S. and French embassy bombings in Kuwait.

Irans ambassador to Iraq told state television that Soleimanis body would be sent to Iran.
Ahmed Aweys has been sent back to prison (Picture: Met Police)

A convicted terrorist has been sent back to prison after police discovered a selfie on his secret phone.

Ahmed Aweys, 34, from Chadwell Heath, east London, received a 25-month jail sentence in January 2018, for three charges of disseminating a terrorist publication.

He was made the subject of a terrorism notification order as part of the terms of his release on licence in August, 2019.

But in September, police found he had used an unauthorised bank account belonging to his sister to receive three Department for Work and Pensions payments after applying for universal credit.

When police went to arrest him, they found he also had a second phone he had not declared to police, the Old Bailey, in London, heard.

View of the main tower of Old Bailey in London (Picture: Getty)

An examination of the mobile device revealed he had used it to send texts, make calls, search the internet and had even taken a selfie on it.

Aweys, who was recalled to prison, admitted two charges of breaching notification order requirements and appeared to be sentenced at the Old Bailey by video link from Wandsworth jail.

Mr Justice Sweeney handed him 16 months for each offence to run concurrently with each other and his original sentence.

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The judge said the defendant had deliberately flouted the terrorism notification requirement, saying: The requirements are clearly there for the important purpose of enabling the authorities to keep track of the activities of those who have been convicted of terrorism offences and thereby minimise the danger by them to members of the public.

Judge Sweeney added the purpose of the jail sentence was punishment, deterrent and protection of the public.

Aweys was due for release in September.
Patience from investors is particularly important, Cramer said, because of the strong performance U.S. stocks had last year . The S&P 500 rose more than 28% in 2019 and markets continued to show strength Thursday, the first day of trading in 2020.

"This is Day One . I'm not saying it's the end of the world, I'm saying Day One is rarely the best day," Cramer said. "Day Two you start seeing the opportunity to buy a Pfizer or [Eli Lily]."

The " Mad Money " host said caution is extremely important when geopolitical incidents roil financial markets. While it may be tempting to look at slumping stocks that would be unaffected by further tensions with Iran, Cramer said Friday is not the day to buy them.

"I would not be excited about jumping in here because ... we're not giving up enough," Cramer said on " Squawk on the Street ."

With Friday's early declines of about 0.6% to 0.7% across the major indexes, "we're just giving up what we've had for the last couple days," Cramer said on "Squawk Box." "So I'm not telling people to jump on this one."

U.S. forces on Thursday launched an airstrike, ordered by President Donald Trump, that killed Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani.

The Iranian government said it will retaliate for the death of Soleimani, who was in Baghdad, Iraq, when he was killed. The U.S. State Department has advised American citizens to leave Iraq.

The incident, which caused oil price to surge, escalated the tensions between the U.S. and Iran after a violent few days in the Middle East.

An American civilian contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base last week, which prompted Trump to order airstrikes Sunday on an Iranian-backed militia group who the U.S. said was responsible.

Those strikes  in Iraq and Syria  killed 25 fighters in the Iran-backed militia, the Kataeb Hezbollah. They caused supporters of the Iraqi Shiite militia to attack the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area.

The Pentagon said Soleimani had been actively planning attack on U.S. diplomats and service members in Iraq and elsewhere throughout the region.

If that is true, Cramer said he thought Trump's decision to order the attack on Soleimani was appropriate.

"If he was a bad guy who was going to kill our service people, isn't it better to prevent that?" Cramer said.

Although oil prices rose by up to 4% Friday, Cramer also advised investors to exercise patience when deciding whether to invest in the industry.

It's a good opportunity for oil companies to sell futures, Cramer said, but "I certainly would not be a buyer of this group."

That's because of the lack of sustained moves to the upside in September, when Saudi Arabia shut own half its oil production following an attack on a processing facility.

"Don't buy them today because you may have to sell them tomorrow," he said.

 CNBC's Mike Calia contributed to this report.

Disclaimer
Here are some reactions to the killing of Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, in a US air strike on his convoy at Baghdad airport. IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI "All enemies should know that the jihad of resistance will continue with a doubled motivation, and a definite victory awaits the fighters in the holy war," Khamenei said in a statement carried by TV. Iran often refers to regional countries and forces opposed to Israel and the United States as a "resistance" front. IRANIAN PRESIDENT HASSAN ...
Iraqis have a well-honed instinct about approaching danger which stems from their grim experience during 40 years of crisis and war. Three months ago, I asked a friend in Baghdad how she and her friends viewed the future, adding Iraq seemed to me to be more peaceful than at any time since the US and British invaded in 2003.

She replied that the general mood among people she knew was gloomy because they believed that the next war between the US and Iran might be fought out in Iraq. She said: Many of my friends are so nervous about a US-Iran war that they are using their severance pay on leaving government service to buy houses in Turkey. She was thinking of doing the same.

My Iraqi friends turned out to have been all too right in their depressing prognosis: the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone at Baghdad airport is an act of escalation by President Donald Trump that ensures that Iraq faces a violent future. It may not lead to a full-scale military conflict, but Iraq will be the political and military arena where the US-Iranian rivalry will be fought out. The Iranians and their Iraqi allies may or may not carry out some immediate retaliatory act against the US, but their most important counter-stroke will be to pressure the Iraqi government, parliament and security forces into pushing the US entirely out of Iraq.

Ever since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, Iran has generally come out ahead of the US in any struggle for influence within Iraq. The main reason for this has been that the Shia community in Iraq, two-thirds of the population and politically dominant, has looked to its fellow Shia in Iran for support against its enemies. Ironically, Iranian influence and popularity had been seriously damaged because of General Soleimani overseeing the brutal efforts by pro-Iranian security forces and paramilitary groups to crush Iraqi street protests, killing at least 400 protesters and injuring another 15,000.

Mounting Iraqi popular rage against Iran for its interference in Iraqs internal affairs is now likely to be counter-balanced by the even more blatant assault on Iraqs national sovereignty by the US. It is difficult to think of a grosser act of interference by a foreign state than killing a foreign general who was openly and legally in Iraq. Also killed by the drone was Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the leader of Kataib Hezbollah, the powerful pro-Iranian paramilitary group. The US may consider paramilitary commanders like him to be evil terrorists, but for many Shia Iraqis, they are the people who fought against Saddam Hussein and defended them against Isis.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty

I was speaking to my pessimistic friend in Baghdad in late September, in what turned out to be the last peaceable days before violence returned to Iraq. I interviewed a number of paramilitary commanders from the Hashd al-Shaabi, the Popular Mobilisation Forces, who all claimed that the US and Israel were escalating attacks on them inside the country. I wondered how much of this was paranoia.

I spoke to Abu Alaa al-Walai, the leader of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, a splinter group of Kataib Hezbollah, one of whose camps had been destroyed by a drone attack in August. He said that 50 tons of weapons and ammunition had been blown up, blaming the Israelis and the Americans acting in concert. Asked if his men would attack US forces in Iraq in the event of a US-Iran war, he said: Absolutely yes. Later I visited the camp, called al-Saqr, on the outskirts of Baghdad where a massive explosion had gutted sheds and littered the burnt-out compound with shattered pieces of equipment.

I saw other pro-Iranian paramilitary leaders at this time. The drone attacks had made them edgy, but I got the impression that they did not really expect a US-Iran war. Qais al-Khazali, the head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, told me that he did not think there would be a war because Trump does not want one. As evidence of this, he pointed to the failure of Trump to retaliate after the drone attack on Saudi oil facilities earlier in September that Washington had blamed on Iran.

In fact, events developed very differently from what both I and the paramilitary commanders expected. A few days after I had spoken to them, there was a small demonstration in central Baghdad demanding jobs, public services and an end to corruption. The security forces and the pro-Iranian paramilitaries opened fire, killing and wounding many peaceful demonstrators. Though Qais al-Khazali later claimed that he and other Hashd leaders were trying to thwart a US-Israeli conspiracy, he had said nothing to me about it. It seemed likely that General Soleimani wrongly suspected that the paltry demonstrations were a real threat and had ordered the pro-Iranian paramilitaries to open fire and put a plan for suppressing the demonstrations into operation.

All this could have been disastrous for Iranian influence in Iraq. Soleimani had made the classic mistake of a successful general in imagining that a whiff of grapeshot will swiftly repress any signs of popular discontent. Sometimes this works, often it does not  and Iraq turned out to belong to the second category.

General Soleimani died in the wake of his greatest failure and misjudgement. But the manner of his killing may convince many Shia Iraqis that the threat to Iraqi independence from the US is greater than that from Iran. The next few days will tell if the protest movement, which has endured the violence used against it with much bravery, will be deflated by the killings at Baghdad airport.

Wars are reputedly won by generals who make the fewest mistakes. General Soleimani made a bad mistake over the last three months by turning a modest protest into something close to a mass uprising. Trump may have made an even worse mistake by killing General Soleimani and making Iraq, a place where Iran has far more going for it than the US, the arena in which the rivalry between these two powers will be fought out. I can see now that my friend in Baghdad may well have been right three months ago in suggesting that retirement to Turkey might be the safest option.
New Delhi:

Kuwaiti makeup artist and makeup artist, Ghadeer Sultan has been accused of racism for posting photos and video of herself in blackface transformation to her 2 million followers. Sultan first posted a short video clip on her Instagram page on Wednesday, with Michael Jackson and Lionel Richies song We Are the World playing in the background, showcasing her different looks in a range of skin colours and wigs.

No matter where you are from or what you believe in, we are all children of this world, and we all share it together equally.Beauty comes in all shapes and colors, so lets love each other and celebrate our unity .

I love u all , happy new year.

Followers of the makeup artist were the least pleased with her makeup, calling out the artist of racism.

"Sis, that's blackface, what are you doing?" one commenter wrote, while another added: "That's racist, you know that right?"

Another wrote that the song We Are the World is in stark contrast to her content schooling the influencer,

What you did there is totally wrong..you can't do the blackface that considered a racist action ...and idk why are you doing those expressions and moves which are totally different from what the song is talking about.

In response to the accusations, Sultan posted another photo of herself in blackface explaining that she is not a racist.

"I hate racism," she wrote. "What I've done is only to show what I am capable of. I love you all."

Her defence to racism accusations has however failed to mollify the followers with many calling the artist "attention-seeking" and asking her to educate herself on racism.
Apple has appealed to the Supreme Court that the patent ruling orders the iPhone maker to pay $439 million to patent troll VirnetX is grossly unfair.

Not long ago, we had reported about the US appeals court offering a bittersweet ruling in a patent infringement case between Apple Inc. and VirnetX Holding Corp. The ruling had concluded that the Cupertino-based firm had infringed upon two VirnetX patents and didnt infringe upon two other patents, so the original charges of $503 million would have to be recalculated.

Now, Apple has appealed to the Supreme Court that the recalculated claim amount of $439.7 million is too high and that the court hasnt taken into account the earlier cases. The company says that it objects to the Federal Court ruling, and the decision was based on fundamental legal errors.

The iPhone maker, in a petition filed on December 27, claims that the court ruling is wrong for two reasons. First, the court failed to limit the damages awarded to the value of the patented features. Second, the company claims that the court let the verdict stand even after the patents were invalidated by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Basically, Apple thinks that the ruling is unfair against it because the precedent deemed that the damages related to patent violations should be limited to the value of the patent in the product and the value of the product itself. Plus, the USPTO had invalidated the patents on which VirnetXs whole case is based upon.

The whole case revolves around VirnetXs patents related to network security, which have allegedly been used by Apple in FaceTime and iMessage services used in iPhones, iPads, iPod Touch, Apple Watch, and Macs. Its a case thats more than ten years old now, and its quite complicated. VirnetX is considered a patent troll by a lot of firms, including Apple, Cisco, and Microsoft.

[Via Law360
The National Conference on Friday urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to clear the ambiguities on jobs, ownership of land and delimitation of constituencies in the Union Territory.

NC provincial president Devender Singh Rana has asked the UT administration to come up with a pragmatic mechanism to address these matters in tandem with the sentiments and emotions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Absence of any authorised government declaration on these sensitive issues coupled with rhetorical statements and assurances by Jammu-based BJP leaders on policy matters bereft of any constitutional authority have lead to confusion and created apprehensions and misgivings in the minds of the locals of J&K particularly the youth," he said in a statement here.

"Confusing signals are coming from the Jammu-based BJP leaders on these issues of vital importance from time to time, which instead of easing tensions and instilling a sense of confidence, create more doubts among the highly apprehensive and worried people," the NC leader claimed.

Rana described eligibility to jobs and ownership of land as most sensitive issues, since they affect the future of the youth.

"This concern should, in fact, have been addressed on priority and much earlier but the element of continued dilemma is making the young restive," he said while referring to the commotion generated by the recently withdrawn advertisement notice for various categories of posts in the high court.

He slammed the local BJP leaders for allegedly creating confusion over jobs and land by doling out tall assurances and indulging in policy decisions which are otherwise not their domain or prerogative.

"They come up with innovative solutions and promises and get away with these unceremoniously," he said.

Rana also decried statements being made by the BJP leaders over conduct of assembly elections and holding of delimitation.

"Before exceeding their brief, they must understand that the delimitation of constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be undertaken before 2026," he said.

"If still these pretentious powerful leaders have any doubts, they better go through sections 63 and 64 of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019," he added.

He also drew the attention of local BJP leaders to Section 64 of the act, which reads, "The procedure as provided in the law made by Parliament, shall apply, in relation to the delimitation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies under this Part as they apply in relation to the delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies under that law".

Rana said elections are part of democracy and every political party is supposed to be ready for such an exercise and process.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Like Old Hickory, Trump believes its essential if America is provoked to react violently and immediately and worry about the consequences later. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Its a bit of a chimera, truth be told: The president who has endlessly and redundantly attacked open-ended military commitments and expensive and extended conventional warfare has taken an action that many experts think will push Iran to launch a full-on regional war, perhaps even involving interested bystanders like Israel and Saudi Arabia. It could be the mother of all quagmires. So how did this happen and what will Trump do if the sudden strike he authorized sparks significant retaliatory measures from Iran?

We may not know for years, if ever, exactly what transpired in the White House, but the two relevant things to remember about the commander-in-chief are (a) he is by nature a bully, whose creed has always been winning by intimidation with superior force (or in business, via ruinous lawsuits) and (b) to the extent he thinks about war and peace hes a total throwback to Andrew Jackson and represents Old Hickorys peculiar combination of non-interventionism and violent militarism. I explained this latter characteristic when he launched an attack on Syria back in 2017:

Trump [is] a self-consciously Jacksonian president who simultaneously reveres military force while despising the globalist ideologies that have both justified and restrained its use so often in U.S. history. Jacksonians typically oppose entangling alliances and international nation-building exercises, but not only accept but welcome massive violence when America is crossed. For Trump in particular, intimidation of enemies is as important to international affairs as it is to business life. That is why Trump constantly attacked Barack Obama for failing to back up his red line threats against Syrias use of chemical weapons (an attack he repeated before launching the cruise missiles last night) even as Trump himself denied any interest in taking sides in that countrys messy civil war 

Trumps decision to act without consulting, much less asking authorization from, Congress makes perfect sense. For one thing, the strategy or comprehensive plan that so many senators asked for in their own initial reactions to the attacks on Syria last night may very well not exist. If the missiles were simply intended to put things right after Obamas cowardice and send a message to the world, then there is not and will never be a strategy or plan with respect to Syria; the violence was an end in itself.

Its very likely that is the case today, too. And projecting his own taste for high-stakes gamesmanship onto the Iranians, he may well believe one show of righteous and lethal American power will make them back down:

Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

You dont reason with these people, he seems to believe: You just have to show em Uncle Sam is the boss.

But what if Trump has miscalculated by assassinating a figure so central to Irans national and religious sensibilities that their own sense of honor demands they do not back down? Or what if they believe they can bully the bully thanks to his well-known distaste for getting tied down into an extended military conflict?

Clearly Trump hopes this is a one-off game that hes already won. In his brief remarks today from Mar-a-Lago, he treated the assassination of Soleimani as a preventive act that interrupted sinister attacks on U.S. personnel. And he pointedly said: We took action last night to stop a war. We did not take action to start a war. But it might not be entirely up to him.

Its at this juncture that things could get really scary. Even if Trump somehow erroneously thinks a conventional war with Iran would ensure his reelection, he is unlikely to want to burden his second term with the kind of endless no-win commitment that sank the despised George W. Bush, in Trumps own contemptuous estimation. So in the Jacksonian tradition, the most appropriate response to any serious Iranian escalation toward all-out war would be a counter-escalation of great ferocity, which would deliberately ignore any sense of proportion or calibration and display Americas might at its fullest. And if that is Trumps inclination, its unclear whether any of the people around him  or his Republican allies in Congress  who have mostly been frothing for war with Iran for years, would restrain him. Its certainly doubtful that two of Trumps favorite allies this side of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Israel, would object to the U.S. getting medieval on their ancient enemy.

Given Trumps combined taste for violence and distaste for messy conventional warfare, and his limited concern for the lives of non-Americans, you have to assume the worst is possible. Remember this comment (per Alex Ward) he made last summer about Afghanistan?

Ahead of a Monday meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Trump told reporters at the White House that he could win the war in Afghanistan in just one week if he really, really wanted to. But Trump says he wont do that because he doesnt want millions to die. I dont want to kill 10 million people, he said. I have plans on Afghanistan that if I wanted to win that war, Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the earth, it would be gone, it would be over in literally 10 days.

If Trump has plans to nuke Afghanistan, he most definitely has plans to nuke Iran, particularly given global worries about Tehrans own nuclear program. Im not predicting hed do anything quite that insane, but the Jacksonian logic of sudden and terrifying force as a first and last resort means nothing lethal is going to be off the table. Lord have mercy on us all.
Exports of tea during the first 11 months of 2019 has seen a marginal decline compared to the same period in 2018 although the value realisation has been higher, according to Tea Board data.

For the period January to November 2019, stood at 227.71 million kg as compared to 231.36 million kg during the same period in 2018.

Tea Board deputy chairman Arun Kumar Ray told PTI "exports have seen a marginal decline in the first 11 months of 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. But value realisation has been higher in 2019".

He said, "compared to the overall exports scenario of the country, the tea sector has not done very badly in terms of value realisation".

During January to November 2019, value realisation from stood at Rs 3,740 crore as compared to Rs 3,537 crore in 2018.

The major export destinations were the CIS countries which saw an offtake of 52.80 million kg last year which was lower than 56.59 million kg in the first 11 months of 2018.

Iran was a major export destination of Indian tea after CIS countries.

Exports to Iran during the period January to November 2019 stood at 50.43 million kg against 27.41 million kg in 2018.

Offtake by China increased to 12.02 million kg as against 9.2 million kg in 2018.

Exports to Pakistan dipped steeply to 6.23 million kg in the first 11 months of 2019 from 14.56 million kg in 2018.

While offtake by US has increased in 2019 till November, exports to the UK saw a dip during the year from 2018.
In a photo provided by the Kep Province Authority Police, heavy machinery removes debris after a building collapsed in Kep province, Cambodia, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.

UPDATED at 2:19 P.M. ET on 2020-01-03

Six people were killed and at least 24 were injured when a seven-story hotel under construction collapsed Friday in southern Cambodias Kep province.

The collapse occurred around 4:30 p.m. local time, trapping many inside.

Ken Sotha, the governor of Kep province, told RFA that authorities were trying to search for those trapped inside the building, but did not provide further details.

Shortly after the incident, sources told RFAs Khmer Service that as many as 20 or 30 could still be buried under the rubble. Over the next few hours all but five workers were accounted for and media outlets were reporting four had died. An army of 1000 workers were mobilized to dig for the remaining five. When they were discovered, three were still alive, but were injured, while the other two had died.

The hotel was being built to be larger than what its permit allowed, according to Yun Phally, the Kep province coordinator for the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC).

Yun told RFA that the permit for the building did not allow for seven floors.

Kep Provincial Land Management Department Deputy Director Lay Vannara told RFA that the building's owner, Ek Sarun, was arrested and is being questioned by the police. Lay said that the collapse came after the workers had just finished laying concrete and were having a party inside the structure. Shortly after the Ek left the party the collapse occurred, so he was spared.

Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on his Facebook page that he would personally oversee the rescue operation and was heading to Kep province.

Meanwhile Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, claimed that the collapse likely happened because of corruption, saying, Corruption victimized the poor.

Despite a booming construction industry in Cambodia, accidents like Fridays are quite common. Developers either ignore permits or do not even apply for them, and workers sometimes die when things go awry.

RFA reported in June that a Chinese-owned unlicensed seven-story building collapsed in Sihanoukville, killing 28 people and injuring 26many of whom were construction workers sleeping on the second floor at the time of the incident.

Calls for the country to take action against illegal buildings were made to Hun Sen following that incident.

Among one officials proposed measures to stem illegal building were: shutting off the electrical supply to sites, cutting off their water supply, refusing access to the citys sewage system, rejecting permit applications, and banning marketing materials from offending developers

Reported by Pheap Aun for RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report quoted a source who incorrectly stated that the building's owner was not in Cambodia at the time of the collapse.
Kim Jong Un Warns of Hard Times in 'Long-Term Confrontation' with US

By William Gallo January 02, 2020

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may not have formally abandoned nuclear talks in his New Year's comments published Wednesday. But Kim appears to be preparing his domestic audience for a long-term future without sanctions relief, effectively dismissing the possibility of progress in negotiations that have been stalled for months.

In his comments at the end of a four-day ruling party meeting, Kim unveiled a defiant new stance toward the U.S. and warned his country of possible hard times ahead. Because of the "long-term confrontation with the U.S.," Kim said, "it should be seen as a "fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future."

"The DPRK-U.S. stand-off which has lasted century after century has now been compressed to (a) clear stand-off between self-reliance and sanctions," Kim said, using the acronym for North Korea's official name.

Kim also threatened to resume intercontinental ballistic missile or nuclear tests and warned the world would soon witness a "new strategic weapon"  comments that dominated most international media coverage of the speech.

But his domestic messages are also revealing, especially after Kim, who tries to project an almost godlike status in North Korea, returned home empty-handed following his February summit in Hanoi with U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I think the failure of Hanoi created some audience costs for him and those advocating for diplomacy with the U.S.," said Andray Abrahamian, a visiting scholar with George Mason University Korea. "They looked weak by asking for sanctions relief, now they're signaling that they don't need it."

Frustrated elite

In Hanoi, Kim offered to dismantle at least parts of his key Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for a relaxation of sanctions that have held back North Korea's economy. But Trump rejected the offer, a potential embarrassment for Kim, whose train ride home took more than two days.

North Korea has been under United Nations sanctions since 2006, and unilateral U.S. sanctions for even longer, as a result of its nuclear and missile programs. Trump has refused to relax sanctions until North Korea agrees to give up its entire nuclear weapons program.

Failure to secure sanctions relief is likely a major frustration for both North Korea's rising merchant class, which is being pinched by the economic restrictions, and for hard-line members of the country's traditional elite, many of whom oppose talks that may result in Pyongyang giving up its nuclear weapons.

Kim's speech may have been designed in part to convince those groups to stick with the regime  a call for continued loyalty, self-reliance, and determination in the face of hardship.

"Kim Jong Un's message about sanctions was a very 'learning to live with them' attitude," said Jenny Town, a Korea specialist at the Washington-based Stimson Center. "It is using this reality to justify economic and institutional changes."

'Hard times ahead'

One important possible change: a more stark turn toward North Korea's byungjin policy of simultaneously prioritizing nuclear and economic development. In effect, what it means is spending more money on defense.

Kim alluded to the possibility of 'belt-tightening,' a euphemism for sacrificing the civilian sector to build up national defense, which has been closely associated with byungjin, said Rachel Minyoung Lee, a Seoul-based analyst with NK News, a North Korea-focused website.

"North Koreans should know what that implies, and that that implies hard times ahead," she said.

In 2012, Kim vowed North Koreans "will never have to tighten their belt again." A year later, Kim announced his byungjin policy. In 2018, Kim reversed track, declaring the country could focus on economic growth. Kim now may have signaled a de facto return to byungjin, said Lee, the NK News analyst.

"It is very important that we keep a close eye on how the state propaganda machine runs with 'belt-tightening' from here on out," she said.

It's not the only way in which North Koreans may be negatively impacted. Kim also called for a greater crackdown on "anti-socialist and non-socialist deeds," suggesting possible restrictions on private markets that have been allowed to emerge in recent decades. Kim also called for "tightening moral discipline throughout society."

"The prospects for ordinary North Koreans sound discouraging," said Joshua Pollack, a North Korea researcher at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

Rejecting Washington's offer

At several points, Kim seemed to acknowledge that sanctions are hurting his country, but he insisted that "we cannot give up the security of our future just for the visible economic results and happiness and comfort."

"They're basically saying that nuclear weapons are integral to their economic success," said Duyeon Kim, a senior adviser for Northeast Asia and nuclear policy at the International Crisis Group. That amounts to a rejection of Washington's argument that scrapping nuclear weapons guarantees economic prosperity, she says.

North Korea will now try to become a "nuclear and economic powerhouse," she added. "It's telling that (Kim) stressed self-reliance as North Korea's primary duty and responsibility for achieving that goal, regardless of what happens outside its borders."

While Kim's speech did not completely reject nuclear negotiations, it did suggest a more hard-line stance in 2020, regardless of the impact on North Korea's economy.

"Kim asserts that North Korea's military strength is more than a match for 'external hostile policies' and that the country is on a path of economic development based on indigenous ideas and capabilities," says Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

"He wants the U.S. to negotiate with North Korea as if it were a full-fledged, responsible nuclear power."

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A 32-year-old man was arrested from West Bengal allegedly killing a bar waitress in the northern suburb of Dahisar here, police said on Friday.

The body of Rosina Shaikh was found in her rented flat in Jankalyan Nagar on December 29, said an official.

He identified the accused as Swapan Paresh Roidas, a resident of Howrah in the eastern state, working in a jewellery polishing unit here.

"We found two glasses and a bottle of vodka in her room. We traced the wine shop from where it was bought with the help of batch and other details on the liquor label. The shop's CCTV had captured Roidas' image. Her call records showed she was constantly in touch with Roidas," he said.

"Gold, cash, mobile phone was missing from the flat and it seemed it was a murder committed for robbery. However, Roidas has told us he was in a relationship with the victim and the latter was threatening to disclose it to his wife, so he killed her," he said.

Technical surveillance showed he was in Kolkata, after which a Dahisar police team reached there and arrested Roidas, the official added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
General Qasem Soleimani should have been eliminated many years ago as the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards killed and wounded thousands of Americans and was plotting to kill many more, US president Donald Trump said on Friday.

General Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday.

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias.

Soleimani, 62, was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Ayatollah Khamenei.

His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the Ayatollah and he was hailed as a heroic national figure.

"General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number....

"Of PROTESTERS killed in Iran itself. While Iran will never be able to properly admit it, Soleimani was both hated and feared within the country. They are not nearly as saddened as the leaders will let the outside world believe. He should have been taken out many years ago!," Trump tweeted, breaking his silence after he tweeted a picture of the US flag.

Following Soleimani's killing, Trump, on a vacation in Florida, initially tweeted an image of the US flag.

Hours later, he tweeted again: "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!", in an apparent slight against the nuclear deal his predecessor Barack Obama negotiated with Tehran. PTI MRJ AKJ

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended the killing of Soleimani saying he was making efforts for an attack on Americans in the region.

In an interview with Fox and Friends news show, Pompeo said, "He's a military commander. He's a military commander who was actively engaged in plotting to kill Americans in the region. We had an important set of underlying reasons to take this strike. It was wholly lawful. We're confident that we not only got it right legally but we got it right strategically."

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and some local Iran-backed militias.

"He (Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis) was the primary contact for Qasem Soleimani when it came to Shia militia forces acting in Iraq. He was a bad guy," Pompeo said.

"I can only confirm that General Soleimani is dead; but if Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis has passed away as well, again, less risk in the Middle East, more freedom for Iraqis, more opportunity for Iraqi people to stand up and get a independent, free, sovereign Iraq built. It's what America has been there for," Pompeo said.

According to the top American diplomat, Soleimani was the "orchestrator, the primary motivator" for the recent US embassy attack in Baghdad.

"He's got hundreds of American lives' blood on his hands," he told Fox News.

"But what was sitting before us was his travels throughout the region and his efforts to make a significant strike against Americans. There would have been many Muslims killed as well, Iraqis, people in other countries as well. It was a strike that was aimed at both disrupting that plot, deterring further aggression, and we hope setting the conditions for de-escalation as well," he said.

Responding to a question, Pompeo said that the Iranian leadership understands that Trump will take action.

"We've made this clear for months. When I was the CIA director, we made very clear that these responses would be swift and decisive. We've now demonstrated that," he said.

Pompoe hoped that the Iranian leadership will see American resolve and that their decision will be to de-escalate, to take actions consistent with what normal nations do.

"And in the event that they do not, in the event they go the other direction, I know that President Trump and the entire United States government is prepared to respond appropriately," he asserted.

The absence of Qasem Soleimani, he said, is "a boon" to this region.

It was very clear that we did so and we will continue to take actions to reduce risk and to protect Americans.

The US will continue to fight ISIS in the region, he asserted.

Pompeo said that the risk of doing nothing was enormous in the short term in terms of the imminent attack that Qasem Soleimani was plotting, but also highly risky as doing nothing in this region shows weakness.

It emboldens Iran, he noted.

It's what's happened under the previous administration for eight years where the Iranians felt free to conduct hundreds of attacks, he alleged.

"We know that this didn't work. President Trump has taken a fundamentally different approach, and we're confident that our strategy that we've developed, not only the economic pressure but building out coalition forces in the Straits of Hormuz, working to reinforce our Saudi and Emirati partners -- all of the things that we have done to create the conditions for a more stable and peaceful and prosperous Middle East, we think this is a part of," the top American diplomat said.

US Secretary of State Mike Mike Pompeo spoke over phone with several world leaders, including President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan and Pakistan's Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, to discuss with them the situation in the region.

"Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke today to Pakistani Chief of Staff General (Qamar Javed) Bajwa to discuss President Trump's recent decision to take defensive action by killing Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives," State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a readout of the call.

During the telephonic conversation, Pompeo underscored the Iranian regime's destabilising actions through the region and the Trump administration's resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners, Ortagus said.

Earlier in the day, Pompeo had said the US was looking to de-escalate tension in the Persian Gulf.

He had also shared a video on Twitter showing Iraqi nationals "dancing" after Soleimani was killed.

"Iraqis dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more," Pompeo said.
Discussion in the UK media about the use of sky lanterns has been growing following the devastating fire at a Zoo in Germany.

German authorities are investigating a mother and her two daughters after they launched lanterns which investigators believe may have caused a substantial fire at Krefeld Zoo that killed over 30 animals.

The zoo, based in the western city of Krefeld, said the blaze had left 'highly endangered species' dead.

The Countryside Alliance has now voiced its concern about the use of sky lanterns.

It has received reports from farmers and members about the destruction they can cause.

Sarah Lee, head of policy at the group, said: While sky lanterns are used to create a spectacle in the sky, they are also a serious danger to the countryside, livestock and wildlife.

The horrendous news of the zoo fire in Germany, should remind us all of the very real threat they pose.

Drifting for miles, the objects are seen as a menace for farmers and landowners who frequently report sheep, cattle and horses being injured or even dying from eating the wire metal frames of the lanterns.

Not only that, rural groups say sky lanterns are also a serious source of litter in the countryside.

Ms Lee said: We urge people to think twice before letting them off and to consider the impact of them after they have left their hands.

If people cannot act responsibly, then firmer action is needed from the Government, which could well result in a ban.
Wary of attack by Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon or Syria after the US killed a top Iranian commander, the Israeli army Friday closed a ski resort in the annexed Golan Heights.

"Following a security assessment, it was decided to close Mount Hermon to visitors today," an army spokeswoman told AFP.

"There are no further instructions for civilians in the area."



The ski resort lies in the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed in a move still not recognised by most of the international community.

Across the armistice line sits Lebanon's Iran-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah, Israel's bitter foe with which it fought in 2006.

There has so far been no official Israeli comment on the killing of Major General Qasem Soleimani in a US missile strike on Friday morning.

Israel is a close ally and warm supporter of the United States.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on a visit to Greece and in his absence Defence Minister Naftali Bennett was to chair a meeting of the security cabinet friday, Israeli media said.

The papers reported that Netanyahu had ordered ministers not to comment on the killing.

Yair Lapid, a senior member of the Blue and White alliance seeking to unseat Netanyahu, was however quick to congratulate President Donald Trump in a Facebook post.

"He who led murderous terrorist attacks from Damascus to Buenos Aires and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocents got the end he deserved.

"The Iranian regime is a terror regime and, against terror, determination and strength are required," Lapid wrote.

In the Gaza Strip, the Islamist Hamas movement which rules the territory, condemned Soleimani's killing but did not make any overt threats.

"Hamas sends its condolences to the Iranian leadership and people," a statement said.

"Hamas condemns this American crime which raises tension in the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
AVOID GAS LINE & HYPE, SILLY SOCIAL MEDIA PANIC ATTACKS THAT MOSTLY SERVE TO GET PEOPLE IN TROUBLE!!!

Some Iran Officials Irresponsibly Claim 'Act Of War' In Early Remarks

Key Iran General Soleimani killed in Iraq: reports General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, has been killed in Iraq, reports say. Iraqi State television said Soleimani was among a number of people killed in a strike near Baghdad's airport. US officials told Reuters news agency they had carried out strikes against targets linked to Iran but gave no further details.

Glimpse Around The Globe

'A More Dangerous World:' Iran Killing Triggers Global Alarm Protesters demonstrate over the U.S. airstrike in Iraq that killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 3, 2020. Iran has vowed "harsh retaliation" for the U.S. airstrike near Baghdad's airport that killed Tehran's top general and the architect of its interventions across the Middle East, as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing.

Tough Talk From Tehran

Iran vows 'harsh retaliation' after US airstrike kills Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani Iran warned early Friday that the United States would bear all the consequences of the "foolish" military attack that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani, claiming his assassination would only escalate tensions in region given he was "THE most effective force" fighting terrorism carried out by the Islamic State.

Global Fighting Words

'Dangerous escalation' and 'severe revenge': The world responds to the US killing of Iran's top general "Reckless," "a dangerous escalation" and "severe revenge": these are just a few of the words coming from international leaders and politicians in the wake of the U.S. assassination of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, Iran's top military commander and the face of the Islamic Republic's intervention across the Middle East.

Biggest Deal Of Them All

Trump takes massive gamble with killing of Iranian commander "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region," it added, blaming him for recent attacks on U.S. troops and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. "This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans." Iran's foreign minister, Javad Zarif, accused the U.S.

Progressive Conflict Questions

Pelosi wants details from Trump after U.S. kills Iranian commander House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling on the Trump administration to immediately brief lawmakers on the U.S. airstrike that killed a top Iranian commander in Iraq and what the White House plans to do next. The strike in Iraq was directed by President Donald Trump and killed Qassim Suleimani, the commander of Iran's secretive Quds Force, the Defense Department announced Thursday night.

Flag Tweet For Now

Trump tweeted a photo of the American flag minutes before the Pentagon claimed the US killed Iran's top military general in an airstrike President Donald Trump on Monday evening tweeted an image of an American flag moments after reports from Iraqi state TV indicated that Iran's top general was killed in an airstrike. Iran's elite Quds force commander, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, was reportedly killed.

Most people in Kansas City are powerless to do anything but wait and talk about the current world crisis. And so we offer this space dedicated to what we hope will beof rising conflict and rumors of war.One bit of warning in addition to. . .After 9/11for their part in playing on people's fears. Already we've seen teases and dumb suggestions about this one that are completely unsubstantiated and kinda irresponsible. Real talk . . . Venezuela socialism might not be as important as another supply of gas at the moment. Just sayin' . . . Kidding, the U.S. produces more petroleum and natural gas than almost any other nation on Earth . We've also got a really great supply of hot air as well . . . But I digress.Still, there's no denying the seriousness of the situation and we've collected news links from better sources to help inform the conversation beyond hype and speculation.Yes, this does change a lot of things in terms of election season and impeachment but the world goes on . . . Stocks tend to pay a war dividend and most industries across the globe work diligently to support the American war machine.Again, more than anything we want share info that's better than what most people on social media are blabbing.And so here's our morning link lineup:Developing . . .
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 06:01:18|Editor: yan

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RIYADH, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud discussed on Friday over the phone with the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo measures to maintain regional peace.

The two sides reviewed what can be done to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

They also highlighted the latest developments in Iraq and efforts being exerted to defuse tensions in the region.

Saudi Arabia called on Friday for self-restraint to prevent escalation after Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. attack in Iraq.
Following the launch of new guidelines by the Welsh Government, clarifying the use of non-validated testing, test developer PBD Biotech is encouraging more farmers to participate in further trials.

A record 12,799 cattle have been slaughtered in Wales alone this past year because of bovine TB; a 28% increase year on year, with one region recording a 190% increase.

To help accelerate the development of alternatives to the current tests, the Welsh Government has issued (November 2019) a new policy that set out the conditions needed for authorised use of non-validated tests in a cattle herd affected by a bovine TB breakdown. A similar protocol was issued by UK Government last year (May 2018) for cattle herds in England; it includes Actiphage, following the tests use as part of a successful private eradication plan on Devon dairy farm Gatcombe.

PBD Biotech, an early-stage agri-tech company based in Suffolk, is seeking more farms to trial Actiphage in order to gain the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) validation. The Actiphage test offers the potential to revolutionise control of bovine TB by allowing detection of the disease within hours from a blood or milk sample.

Mossman Farming, in Ceredigion, is located in an area of chronic breakdown. It is a spring-calving milking herd with a total stock of 529, to date 312 dairy cows have been slaughtered. Farmer Chris Mossman agreed to trial Actiphage after hearing about the Gatcombe pilot.

Chris explains:

TB is a massive problem in Ceredigion, so when I heard about Actiphages use at Gatacombe, helping to clear that dairy herd for the first time in six years, I wanted to try and replicate those findings here. Me  and many other farmers  are losing large numbers of animals. Im trying to do all I can to get rid of this disease from my herd.

In Spring 2019, The Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales granted permission for vet Robert Price-Jones to use Actiphage to screen high-risk cattle for M. bovis.
WASHINGTON - District of Columbia real estate investor and developer Brian Friedman says he will bid to acquire the lease to Donald Trump's 263-room luxury hotel in downtown Washington, a project that has generated ethical controversies for the president since he entered office.

Friedman said he would like to partner with Hilton to turn the property into a Waldorf Astoria, or with Rosewood, a Hong Kong-based chain that has nine hotels in the U.S., including a newly opened location in Georgetown.

After touring the Trump hotel recently, Friedman said the building was in "amazing" condition. Friedman added that the property was underperforming and Trump was smart to try to sell his interest in it while he is in the White House because the hotel's business could worsen once he leaves office.

The hotel was only about 57% occupied in 2019, well below competitors, according to marketing materials issued by a real estate firm hired by Trump's company.

"I think he has to sell before he gets out of office because its' not going to get better - it's going to get worse," Friedman said.

Trump spent an estimated $210 million renovating the hotel. His company issued a statement saying it will try to sell the property for as much as $500 million - a number Friedman said was unrealistic.

The lease, which Trump signed with the federal government before entering office, requires paying the General Services Administration a base rent of $3 million a year.

"There's never been a hotel that's sold even close to that price per [room] in D.C. and the ones that have sold for the highest prices had no ground lease," Friedman said. "You would never get $500 million for a ground lease."

Friedman's company, Friedman Capital, already owns two D.C. hotels: the Line Hotel, in Adams Morgan, and Kimpton Glover Park. Spokespersons for Hilton and Rosewood declined comment. Officials at JLL, the company handling the sale for Trump, did not respond to a request for comment.

Even if Friedman and the Trump Organization can agree on a price, however, other hurdles remain. Any sale of the lease would be subject to approval by the GSA, which manages the property for the federal government.

Trump opened his hotel in 2016, three years after signing a 60-year lease with three 10-year options on the building, giving his company control over the property until 2103.

The property has become a Republican power center in Washington but has been a center of controversy and target of lawsuits. Trump continues to benefit from it financially while in office and the hotel has leased space to foreign governments, special interest groups and governors.

As many as three cases alleging the president is violating the Constitution's "emoluments" provisions barring him from accepting gifts or payments from foreign or state governments now appear headed for the Supreme Court. One of Friedman's former employees, Jill Phaneuf, is a plaintiff in one of the cases, in which competitors of Trump properties argue Trump unfairly profits from his position in the White House.

By selling his interest in the hotel, Trump would end at least one of those suits, brought by the attorneys general of D.C. and Maryland.

Friedman said he recently attempted to buy the Mayflower Hotel downtown but the price was too high. He said he began considering the Trump hotel after Trump's adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, announced in October they planned to sell it.

He said he did not think there would be much competition.

"I don't think there are many people who are going after it," Friedman said.
Newsfrom Japan

Tokyo, Jan. 3 (Jiji Press)--Top Japanese business leader Hiroaki Nakanishi has emphasized that a key challenge for companies in the country this year will be whether they "can adapt without hesitation to changes in industrial structures brought about by the digitization" of the economy.

The digitization of the economy in which the movements of humans and goods are converted into data and new products and services are created through an analysis of the accumulated data, is "unstoppable," Nakanishi, chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), the biggest group of employers in the country, said in an interview at the start of the new year.

"Corporate managers have been tending not to take risks since the 2008 collapse of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers, but it's the time for them to start taking risks again," he said.

In a separate interview, Kengo Sakurada, chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, better known as Keizai Doyukai, said that top management officials' sense of crisis is "extremely important," in the wake of scandals at Kansai Electric Power Co. <9503> and the Japan Post Holdings Co. <6178> group.

"Constant supervision by (companies') nomination committees in the selection of chief executive officers is crucial," he added.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.3

By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:

Most of the irrigation infrastructure requires substantial upgrade and modernization in Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, World Bank Senior Irrigation and Drainage Specialist Kazuhiro Yoshida told Trend.

Thus, according to Yoshida, the main problem in the region is that large-scale irrigation schemes were constructed from 1960s to the 1980s and the infrastructure has aged since then.

"Dramatic shifts from state-controlled farms to individual farms necessitated that the newly created individual farmers take over responsibility for the management, operation and maintenance of water systems. This has started happening, with water users starting to cooperate by creating Water Users Associations (WUAs). However, many members of the WUAs lack the necessary skills and experience to manage the infrastructure and service and need advice and support from the government," Yoshida said.

Hence, he noted, the performance of the WUAs in Central Asia is generally weak and does not necessarily lead to equitable water distribution.

"The share of operation and maintenance costs recovered from the WUAs is only about 30 percent. The remaining costs are borne by the state, which amounts to a significant fiscal load, including the energy cost for pumping schemes," Yoshida said.

Irrigated agriculture in Central Asia yields results far below its potential due to a range of factors including water shortage, poor water management at farm level and lack of modern and well-adapted agronomic inputs and practices. Agricultural advisory service is largely missing so that farmers do not have access to sound and reliable knowledge and support for improving crop yields.

"In addition, inadequate water management and poor drainage have led to widespread soil salinization. Nearly 40 percent of the irrigated areas in the region are affected by salinization. Finally, irrigation has not adapted to changes in agriculture. As we witness countries diversifying their agricultural production from grains to horticulture crops (fruits and vegetables), the delivery of irrigation services needs to also change to be more flexible and responsive. All of this is also the case in Kazakhstan," Yoshida said.

He went on to say that since irrigation is underperforming, that affects directly the agricultural outputs.

"Currently, there is a huge market-driven incentive to diversify agriculture production towards horticulture and livestock, which require more flexible water delivery, drainage, and irrigation for pastures," Yoshida said.

Talking about measures that governments of Central Asian countries should take to accelerate development of agriculture, Yoshida mentioned the following measures:

- Development of a strategic vision for the sector.

"It is important to have long-term, medium-term and short-term development plans for the agriculture sector, taking into consideration the role of this sector for economic growth, exports, jobs, food security, and natural resources conservation," Yoshida said.

- Removal of market distortions and reform the markets for land, labor, and capital.

"Eliminate the state production system and any other direct government involvement in agricultural production and marketing and remove export restrictions. Then, the development of the land lease market would help move farmland from less to more efficient farmers. Reforming banking sector and introducing financial products and collateral requirements suitable for agriculture would improve access to finance. Moreover, improvement of human capital in rural areas would make farmworkers more productive," Yoshida noted.

- Investment in productivity-enhancing programs.

"Increase public investments in programs that increase agricultural productivity and profits. Such programs include agricultural research and development, advisory services, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, quality assurance systems, good agricultural practices, market information, and rural infrastructure," Yoshida concluded.

---

Follow the author on twitter: @nargiz_sadikh
Gurugram: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has asked Millennium City Expressway Private Limited (MCEPL), the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway concessionaire, to do away with all speed breakers in front of the toll booths at the Kherki Daula toll plaza. The highways authority wants to ensure a smooth flow of traffic from January 15, when FASTags are implemented.

In a telephonic conversation, Ashok Sharma, the project director, NHAI Gurugram, asked S Raghuraman, CEO, MCEPL, to do away with all speed breakers at the toll plaza, said MCEPL officials familiar with the matter. There are nearly 25 such speed breakers in total in the lanes of the toll plaza.

S Raghuraman, CEO, MCEPL, said, The NHAI Gurugram officials had asked us to remove all speed breakers at the toll plaza. The concessionaire added that NHAI officials told them that since FASTags have been launched, there is no reason for commuters to stop in front of a toll booth. Ashok Sharma, project director, NHAI Gurugram, said, The decision to remove speed breakers has been taken to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic in FASTag lanes.

The highways concessionaire, MCEPL, said they are removing the speed breakers in a phased manner. Anish John, systems manager, MCEPL, said, We have started removing the speed breakers from Friday and are doing it in a phased manner. It doesnt take long for the speed breakers to be removed. All breakers will be removed by Friday evening.

The toll operator Skylark, however, is not convinced with the idea of removing the speed breakers as the company apprehends that lives of toll staffers might be endangered due to speeding vehicles. Skylark officials said that there are many people who are still paying toll through cash. On an average around 2,500-3,000 vehicles are paying double the amount of toll as they enter into cash lanes.

Rajendra Singh Bhati, project head, Kherki Daula toll plaza, said, The number of commuters who are paying double the amount of toll by entering into a FASTag lane is substantial. So, if all the speed breakers are removed, the commuters who are paying through cash wont stop. The speed breakers were originally installed as a deterrent for commuters to slow down and pay the toll, Bhati added.

Commuters, however, see the decision to remove speed breakers as a positive move. In fact, some even questioned NHAIs own rules. In 2016, the road transport ministry has asked state governments and the NHAI to remove all speed breakers on the national highway.

Suman Singh, a daily commuter who works in Manesar, said, I dont understand the logic behind installing speed breakers; they should never be constructed. This shows that the NHAI did not properly read through rules framed by the ministry of road transport and highways.

Some commuters, however, said that speed breakers should not be removed as the boom barriers are still there. Praveen Malik, vice-president, United Association of New Gurugram, a group of New Gurugram residents, said, There was no point of removing the speed breakers at the toll plaza. A commuter paying through cash entering a FASTag lane might be encouraged to speed up in the absence of speed breakers. If there are no speed breakers, it is natural that they might crash into the barriers.
Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act(CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) continued here on Friday with hundreds joining the agitation called by Congress legislator and former Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.

Though the protest date coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modis presence in the city to inaugurate the 107th session of the Indian Science Congress, it was held only at around 2 pm, hours after Modi departed for New Delhi.

Several Muslim leaders had taken part in the protest rally held at Chamrajapete here, that was also attended by freedom fighter H SDoreswamy.

Addressing the gathering 102-year-old Doreswamy said, You are not Muslim, Im not a Hindu, we all are Indians, we are fighting today as Indians.

Zameer Ahmed Khan, in his speech, said, "Muslims of the country had chosen to live and die in India during partition, as this is our motherland."



Urging the Prime Minister to withdraw CAA and pointing out to the deaths during the protests in Uttar Pradesh and Mangaluru, he said, you (Modi) speak about Pakistan, we have nothing to do with Pakistan. You are Prime Minister of IndiaMuslims of India are worried, you have to address our worries."



Questioning the need to prove citizenship, Khan said, Im four-time MLA and two-time Minister, it took me four months to get my certificates. I want to ask Prime Minister and Amit Shah, do you'll have the certificates of your father and grandfather. Get your certificates first, then we will prove our certificates."He further said there was no need for Muslims to worry as there is judiciary and courts for their protection.

"Organised a Protest against the Unconstitutional Act of NRC/ CAA/NPR, against the Central BJP Government at Momipura Edgah (Mysore Road Edgha) in Chamrajapet Constituency Very Grateful to All Masjid Committee Members, Muslim&Dalith Leaders and other Organisations, Khan later tweeted.

Police had made elaborate arrangements to ensure no untoward incidents take place during the protests.

The protests had caused traffic chaos around the Chamrajapet and Mysore Road area.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hyderabad: To gear up TRS cadres and leaders for the municipal elections, party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will hold an extensive executive committee meeting on Saturday. The TRS has asked all ministers, MPs, MLAs and officer-bearers of the executive committee and zilla parishad chairpersons to be present at the meeting at Telangana Bhavan.

Mr Rao has already instructed ministers, MPs and MLAs to stay in their respective constituencies till the completion of the elections to the urban local bodies and hold preparatory meetings with the cadre.

Sources in the party pointed out Mr Rao was of the firm opinion that with the controversy over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Peoples Register (NPR), a majority of urban minorities are looking to the TRS and the BJP would certainly lose ground.

Sources disclosed that Mr Rao has instructed leaders not to take the Congress lightly as it was also strongly opposing the CAA, the NRC and the NPR and because of this there was a possibility of the voters, particularly the minorities, getting divided.

Mr Rao is said to have told the party leaders that the younger generations, without reference to caste and religion, were also opposing the CAA, the NRC and the NPR. In this scenario, the party cadres must take the development agenda of the party as well as the TRS secular credentials strongly to the people.

Sources said that in Saturdays meeting, Mr Rao will also give clarity on who would issue the B-forms to the candidates  whether it would be done by the MLA of the Assembly constituency or the district minister.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : The Congress has cautioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) not to do politics over the death of children in the JK Lon Hospital in Rajasthan's Kota district, where the death toll has reached 104.

Congress Rajasthan in-charge Avinash Pande, while criticising the BJP said: "The party is trying to divert attention from the main issues, and there should be no politics on it. The Chief Minister has invited the Union Health Minister to the state." "We are saddened by the death of children in the hospital, the Chief Minister is also upset and has sent the health minister to Kota," said Pande.

On Thursday Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi had summoned Avinash Pande and expressed concern over the deaths.

She had directed the Chief Minister to act and make the necessary arrangements so that the death of infants could be prevented.

Facing criticism from various quarters Rajasthan Chief Minister Gehlot tweeted on Thursday: "I welcome specialist delegation of Central government and the state is committed to make Rajasthan 'Nirogi'. The government is sensitive towards the deaths of the children and there should be no politics into it, and in Kota the mortality rate has come down." Gehlot also said that when he was in power in 2011, he had got the ICU unit installed in the hospital.
Congress leader Alka Lamba on Friday asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to clear his stance on Register of Citizens (NRC) saying Congress state governments have made it clear that it will not be implemented but he was silent on the matter.

Lamba, who was in APP before she returned to Congress, was speaking at a protest over the Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC outside Jamia Masjid here.

"All the states with Congress governments have made it clear that they will not implement NRC but it is very unfortunate that Delhi is still waiting for an announcement from Arvind Kejriwal. He will come asking for votes. People are on the streets against NRC but why is he silent?" Lamba asked.

"If you are scared of Modi-Shah then tell us, if you are not scared than have you signed any agreement with them then also tell us! Don't keep us in the dark," she added.

The government has said that there has been no discussion on NRC. It has also said that there has been no link between Population Register, which will be conducted next year, and NRC.

Protests have been held against CAA including the capital.

The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains Parsis, Buddhists and Christians who fled religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Today, Leader McConnell made clear that he will feebly comply with President Trumps cover-up of his abuses of power and be an accomplice to that cover-up, she wrote.

The outcome of the dispute over witnesses and documents could determine not only when the trial begins and how long it lasts, but also whether it produces meaningful new information that could affect the outcome, either exonerating or further implicating Mr. Trump.

The House impeached the president last month after an inquiry that exposed how Mr. Trump pressed Ukraines president to investigate his political rivals, including former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., while withholding nearly $400 million in military assistance that Kyiv needed to beat back lethal Russian aggression. Democrats charged that the conduct amounted to an effort by the president to enlist a foreign power to help him in the 2020 election, using the tools of United States foreign policy and American taxpayer dollars as leverage.

House Republicans contended that Mr. Trump was merely trying to root out corruption in a former Soviet republic that had long been known for it, though they contested few of the facts drawn out by weeks of testimony in the House.

Ms. Pelosi and Senate Democrats have subsequently argued that in light of Mr. Trumps blanket defiance of the Houses impeachment inquiry, the trial must include new evidence to be fair, and they want a commitment up front.

Mr. Schumer has specifically asked that a trial include testimony from four witnesses who evaded the House and a wide array of documents that the White House blocked House investigators from obtaining.

His case has been aided in recent days as new evidence has surfaced in news reports and freedom of information lawsuits. Democrats got another possible break on Friday, as Mr. Schumer was addressing the Senate, when a federal judge in New York ruled that Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudolph W. Giulianis involved in elements of the Ukraine matter, could begin sharing additional documents and communications with the House.
Chennai: Right from its inception in the 1960s, ISROs role has been to provide solutions to various problems at hand using space technology and today ISROs high-end technology is applied to make the life and livelihood easier for farmers, fishermen and even the common man, said former ISRO chairman Dr AS Kiran Kumar.

He was addressing students at IIT-Madras as a part of the Spotlight Lecture series that was conducted as a part of the institutes annual Tech Fest Shaastra.

Delving into the feats that ISRO achieved during its initial years, Dr Kiran Kumar recalled the SITE (Satellite Instructional Television Experiment) which was Dr Vikram Sarabhais dream. It was conducted during 1975-76 using Americas Application Technology Satellite (ATS-6). SITE demonstrated the potential of satellite technology as an effective mass communication media for a developing country like India.

Live TV

By using a borrowed American satellite, we were able to provide then DTH-equivalent TV service to nearly 2400 villages and this was hailed as the greatest sociological experiment in the world, he said, adding "Developmental television programmes were beamed with the objectives in the areas of family planning, agriculture, national integration, education, teacher training, occupational skills, health, and hygiene etc. Education and information inputs were provided in several languages."

Speaking how ISROs first launch facility was set up at a fishing hamlet in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram in the 1960s, he recalled that the fishermen had to vacate the place when the launches used to take place. Back then, the team assured the fisherfolk that if they vacated the place today, the whole country would benefit in the future.

From the 1990s we have been providing information to fishermen on potential fishing zones and this was derived from remote sensing satellite data. By analyzing data on sea surface temperatures and chlorophyll and other parameters we are able to help fishermen reach the zones where there is assured fish catch. By reducing their searching time and saving fuel we are able to save their industry over Rs 15,000 crore every year, Dr Kumar added.

With Indias own navigation system, the fishermen are able to receive updates in their native languages, thanks to a small battery-powered gadget fitted on their boats. When the mobile is connected to the naive gadget via bluetooth, the location of the potential fishing zone is shared via an Application.

Dr Kumar said that true to Dr Vikram Sarabhais vision we have made great progress in utilizing space technology for rapidly developing communication technologies, broadcast capabilities, weather forecasting, resource mapping, crop monitoring etc. He said, There was a time when thousands of people died during cyclones, but today the casualty has come down to very few as we have satellites that can predict at a high level of accuracy.

Adding that nearly 60 government institutions have tied up with ISRO to use the data for various purposes, Dr Kumar informed that India would require nearly three times as many satellites to use them to solve various problems when compared to around 55 satellites that are being presently operated.

Add up all the money that we have spent on ISRO since its inception and still it would be less than the annual NASA budget, he said about the frugal launch capability and budgetary allocation of ISRO.

He also threw light on an ISRO-NASA collaboration that came into being after India built and launched the advanced RISat (radar Imaging satellite). NASA and ISRO are working on a 1 billion dollar project (where the US is bearing over 90pc of the cost) to build an advanced Sweep SAR(synthetic aperture radar) that can map the whole earths landmass is a short period of time. This collaborative NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) indicates how foreign agencies acknowledge our demonstrated capability, he added.
Marianne 1

Screenshot via NBC

Marianne Williamson, the author and spiritual lecturer, laid off the entirety of her national presidential campaign staff, a local New Hampshire news outlet reported Thursday.

Despite the gutting, Williamson remains in the race. A former campaign staffer told reporters that Williamson is determined to continue vying for the nomination even without a staff.

Williamson has dismissed the traditional measures of a campaign's success and criticized the Democratic National Committee and its handling of the primary process.

Visit Business Insider's home page for more stories.

Marianne Williamson, the author and spiritual lecturer, laid off the entirety of her national presidential campaign staff, a local New Hampshire news outlet WMUR reported Thursday.

Sources close to Williamson's campaign told WMUR that as of December 31, Williamson didn't have any remaining staffers. One former top aide, former congressman Paul Hodes, confirmed on Thursday that he was no longer on the campaign.

"Marianne is bringing a vital message to the campaign and I wish her well going forward," he told WMUR.

National campaign manager Patricia Ewing is also no longer with Williamson's campaign, WMUR confirmed.

Despite the gutting, Williamson remains in the race. Hodes told reporters that Williamson is determined to continue vying for the nomination even without a staff.

Williamson has dismissed the traditional measures of a presidential campaign and said there are two "political universes" when it comes to judging a campaign's success.

"One is the pundits and the polls and the money and all of that," she said during a Fox News interview in October. "And then there's another political universe and that's what happens when candidates are out there in the primary states, just talking to people about our country and about what matters."

Story continues

She's also criticized the Democratic National Committee and the primary process, which she's called a "faux democracy."

Significantly more prominent former 2020 contenders, including Sen. Kamala Harris and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro, have recently dropped out of the race, making Williamson's presence in the primary more notable.

Read the original article on Business Insider
DUBLIN, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The "K-12 Mathematics Market Survey Report 2019" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

K-12 Mathematics Market Survey Report 2019 provides information on the core and supplemental resources used by math educators for the instruction of their students. The data and analysis contained in the report will help math product developers and marketers learn more about K-12 math instruction so they can sharpen the focus of their product plans.



The report is based on a survey of educators during the 2018-2019 school year. The educators surveyed included classroom teachers, math teachers, math department chairs and instruction/curriculum supervisors.



Information provided in this report includes:

Who are the leading providers of core and supplemental math resources

How much of math instruction time is spent using digital tools or content

What are the most important criteria when math instructional materials are selected

The report provides additional insight into:

Whether schools are integrating science, technology, engineering, and math curriculum into a single STEM curriculum, and the methods used to accomplish that

What math websites teachers are using or recommending for student use

The level of interest among math educators in emerging areas, including project-based learning, educational games, coding, robotics, virtual/augmented reality and maker spaces

Key Topics Covered



1 Methodology



2 Executive Summary



3 Introduction

3.1 Illustrative Mathematics as Market Example

3.2 New Look at Math Market



4 State of Math 2018-2019

4.1 Impact of State Adoptions

4.2 Perspectives from the Market

4.3 Perspectives from a State

4.4 Sources of Math Materials

Educators Cite Sources for Math Instructional Materials

Large States and Their Major Sources for Instructional Materials, Per Educators

4.5 Supplemental Spending for Mathematics

Estimates of Mathematics Spending by Classroom

4.6 STEM Integration as a Market Driver

Progress in Integrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Math into STEM



5 Using a Core Math Program

Use of a Core Program by Subject Area

5.1 Core Math Programs in Use

Core Math Programs in Use

5.2 Important Attributes of Core Math Programs

Attributes of Core Math Programs, Overall

Attribute of CoreMath Program, Rated #1 by School Level

5.3 Core Math Program Use: Print or Digital

Core Math Program Access by School Level

5.4 How Long Current Core Math Program Has Been in Use

How Long Current Core Math Program Has Been in Use

5.5 Choosing the Same Program Again

Would You Choose the Same Math Program Again?



6 Additional Math Resources

Primary Tool if Not a Core Program

Alternatives to Core by School Level

6.1 With a Textbook, or as a Textbook Replacement

How Alternative Resources are Used

6.2 Criteria When Selecting Supplemental Resources

Most Important Criteria in Selecting Supplemental Math Materials

6.3 Emerging Interest Areas and Resources

Interest in Math Area Options



7 The Shift to Digital

Percent ofMath Time Spent Using Any Digital Tools or Content

7.1 Device Most Often Used for Digital Access

Device Most Often Used for Digital Access

7.2 Math-Related Websites Used or Recommended

Top Math Websites Used or Recommended



8 Purchasing Outlook

8.1 Who Makes Math Purchasing Decisions

Who Makes Math Purchasing Decisions

8.2 Will Purchasing Increase in 2019-2020?

Math Purchasing 2019-2020 versus 2018-2019

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qvmdt3

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

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Mangled names may be as much of an awards season tradition as snubbing female directors, but that doesnt mean we have to be all right with it. Right in time for the Golden Globes, Slate has put together a handy guide to pronouncing the most frequently butchered names in the running for the years highest honors.

Martin Scorsese

Director, The Irishman

Martin is easy, but Scorsese is misleading. Slate published a guide on how were really supposed to pronounce it: Its Scor-SEH-see, not Scor-SAY-zee.* (Also, do not refer to him as Marty unless you are actually friends.)

Bong Joon-ho

Director, Parasite

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For the most part, what you see is what you get, however: The o in Korean is much shorter than you might think. The o in Bong should sound like the o in oh, and as little like aw as possible. Try to keep the ho short, too.

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Also, relevant PSA: His family name is Bong, and his given name is Joon-ho. Calling him Joon-ho would be like referring to Scorsese as Martin.

Song Kang-ho

Actor, Parasite

Song may look like the word for music, but the o is short, meaning it should not sound like sawng, but more like sohng. Likewise, Kang is said Kong, but less drawn out than you might imagine. Same rule about Korean names applies to Song Kang-hos Hame: his family name is Song, not Kang, or God forbid, ho.

Joaquin Phoenix

Actor, Joker

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The Joker stars given name is pronounced wa-KEEN, and his family name is FEE-nicks, like the bird.

Ellen says Joaquin, below.

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Peter Travers says Joaquin.

Saoirse Ronan

Actor, Little Women

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Saoirse is pronounced sur-shuh, like inertia, as Good Samaritan and actor Ryan Gosling has correctly noted. Here she is walking Ellen DeGeneres through how to pronounce her name:

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Lulu Wang

Director, The Farewell

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 Wang is the same last name as Wong, with the SAME pronunciation, said the director of The Farewell on Twitter.

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My mission is to get people to understand that Wang is the same last name as Wong, with the SAME pronunciation. So yes...weve been mispronouncing @VeraWangGang and @AlexanderWangNY. I wish we could get it right - its only one of the most common surnames in the world. https://t.co/Z2ZMSNddGV  Lulu Wang (@thumbelulu) April 7, 2019

Ana de Armas

Actor, Knives Out

The thing to remember about the Cuban star of Knives Out is that Ana is pronounced AH-na. The rest mostly sounds like it looks: day AR-moss.

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James Corden says Ana at the beginning of his show. Watch the clip below.

Taron Egerton

Actor, Rocketman

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Egerton is pronounced EDGE-ur-tin.* In the video below, Egerton corrects a radio host who initially pronounces his name with a hard g.

Hildur Gunadottir*

Composer, Joker

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Dont let the diacritical marks scare you. The musician, who was nominated for her Joker score, says her own name in the following video, but here it is written out: HIL-dur GUDNA-duh-tur.

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Pedro Almodovar

Director, Pain and Glory

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While the director of Pain and Glory is used to people bungling his name, that doesnt mean you should: Its PEH-dro Al-mo-DO-bar. Below, watch the director himself pronounce it for Graham Norton at 0:33.

Antonio Banderas

Actor, Pain and Glory

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The last name of Almodovars longtime collaborator is pronounced ban-DEH-ras.

Charlize Theron

Actor, Bombshell

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While it seems as though her name has been pronounced quite a few ways throughout the years, the Tully stars name is pronounced: SHAR-leeze THAIR-in. Watch the actor pronounce it at the beginning of the clip below.

Taika Waititi

Director, Jojo Rabbit

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The director of Jojo Rabbit, who also acted in his own film as Hitler, walks us through pronouncing his name (and remembering how to pronounce it) in the guide below.

TIE-kuh Why-TEE-TEE.

Zhao Shuzhen

Actor, The Farewell

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The actress who plays Awkwafinas grandmother Nai Nai is well-known in China, but The Farewell was her first role in a U.S. film. Her name is pronounced JJA-oh SHOO-jen.

Fernando Meirelles

Director, The Two Popes

It might help to know that this director, producer, and screenwriter is from Brazil, where they know how to say his name correctly: Fur-NAHN-do May-RELL-ES. Listen to the Brazilian pronunciation at 0:18 below.

Thelma Schoonmaker

Editor, The Irishman

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A veteran editor and longtime Scorsese collaborator, Thelma Schoonmaker introduces herself in the video below as Thelma SKOON-maker, Martin Scor-SEH-sees editor.*

Rian Johnson

Director, Knives Out

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Rian Johnsons first name sounds just like Ryan. This host at Collider knows whats up. Skip to 0:23 for the name.

Cynthia Erivo

Actor, Harriet

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The Harriet stars last name is pronounced Eh-REE-voh, according to the actress herself on Twitter.

Lupita Nyongo

Actor, Us

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Lupita Nyongos name is pretty much said the way it looks: Loo-PEE-ta NYONG-go. But if you want to know how to get it really right, the Us star has given us this Instagram video as a guide.

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Florence Pugh

Actor, Little Women

Its Florence PEW. Like Hugh, but with a P, as she explains here.

Alexandre Desplat

Composer, Little Women

Alex is pronounced AL-ig-ZAHN-druh en Francais, while the T on Desplat is silent, leaving only dess-PLAH. Hear Jon Burlingame introduce him 20 seconds into the clip below.
The Australian navy started the evacuations of about 1,000 of the 4,000 people stranded on a beach in Victoria state.

Australias navy on Friday began evacuating about 1,000 people stranded on the east coast of the fire-ravaged country as a searing weather front was set to whip up more blazes across the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW).

At the peak of the summer holiday period, tens of thousands of holidaymakers have been urged to leave national parks and tourist areas on the NSW south coast and eastern areas of Victoria before a return of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and hot winds expected on Saturday.

Victoria declared a state of disaster for the first time, giving authorities broad powers to compel people to leave their properties and take control of services, similar to the state of emergency that has been declared in NSW.

Andrew Crisp, the emergency management commissioner for Victoria, urged people in at-risk areas to leave their homes immediately and not count on luck to avoid disaster.





Another death from the fires in NSW was confirmed on Friday, taking the toll in the state to eight just this week.

Two people have died in Victorias fires, and 28 others are unaccounted for.

The navys HMAS Choules and Sycamore started the evacuations of nearly 1,000 of the 4,000 people stranded on a beach in the isolated town of Mallacoota in far-east Victoria, federal member of parliament Darren Chester tweeted on Friday morning.

With all roads blocked, sea transport and some airlifts are the only way out of the stricken town.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison had called for calm on Thursday, before visiting the fire-devastated NSW town of Cobargo where he was not entirely welcome.

A video clip showed showed Morrison confronted by a group of angry locals, one of whom shouted he should be ashamed of himself and said he had left the country to burn.

Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage behind Lake Conjola, Australia on Thursday [Robert Oerlemans via AP]

On Friday, Morrison said he understood people were angry, and would not be distracted if they directed their anger at him.

People have suffered great loss. People are hurting. People are raw. Thats what happens in natural disasters, he said.

Morrisons conservative government has long drawn criticism for not doing enough to address climate change as a cause of Australias savage drought and fires.

Bushfires so far this season have scorched more than 4 million hectares (10 million acres) of bushland and destroyed more than 1,000 homes, including 449 homes destroyed on the south coast this week.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on December 17, 2019, Tuesday.

It wasn't just Boeing's own stock price that took a hit on the news of the planned shutdown, but we also saw some related companies' stock prices jumped. For example, general electric, the company in charge of Boeing engine production, lost nearly 1.5%. GE has lost $1.4 billion this year because of the grounding of the 737MAX. Spirit AeroSystems who is responsible for producing the 737MAX fuselage, dropping nearly 1.6%. so Boeing's production shutdown is not an isolated move, that will bring negative impact to the whole manufacturing industry, pressing the growth of global economy. Mark Zandi, Moody's chief analytics told CNBC today that it is not optimism about how it will impact the economy next year, and Boeing is one of the negative factors.

MARK ZANDI

Moody's Analytics

Boeing which is a very large global manufacturer, in fact, it is the largest exporter in the US, is going to be hit by the news around 737max, so there are a lot of things going on in manufacture that will suggest 2020 will be a tough year for manufacturer.

Not to mention the impact on Boeing itself, the decision to halt production is seen as one of its most important decisions in the past 100 years and will deepen the crisis

737 MAX is one of Boeing's most important products, with annual sales in the tens of billions of dollars before the grounding, Boeing did not immediately halt production of the 737 MAX after the grounding, but slowed production, it is estimated that there are about 450 built 737MAX haven't been delivered yet, so Boeing will have to pay a lot of aircraft parking fees. With inventories piling up and regulators still unable to give a timetable for the go-around, the decision to stop production of the 737 MAX has left Boeing with no choice. Boeing also lost potential orders because of the grounding of the 737 MAX, allowing rival airbus to easily overtake it, and reported in late October that its profits had fallen by 95% in the first nine months of the year

Now is an important timing for the board of Boeing , what should Boeing do at the next step? Will Boeing totally abandon 737MAX Another concern is Boeing's workforce

Boeing said it had no plans for layoffs or furloughs, but that some employees would be temporarily reassignedthe concern is that if the shutdown lasts too long, problems about Boeing's workers will emerge soon. Given the challenges and uncertainties, investors are now betting that Boeing won't emerge from its current crisis until at least 2021.

RON EPSTEIN/Ronald Epstein

It Spirit AeroSystems were to cut rate, that will be a very meaningful sign, at least to myself, and the investment community that Boeing isn't going to bump up to a higher rate for a long period of time.

We will keep an eye on the following development of Boeing.
Irans supreme leader appointed assassinated commander Qassem Soleimanis deputy, Esmail Ghaani, a brigadier general, to replace him as head of the countrys Quds Force, Iranian media reported.

The forces programme will be unchanged from the time of his predecessor, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement published by state media.

Soleimani, an architect of Irans spreading military influence in the Middle East, was killed near Baghdad airport on Friday.

Iraqi caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi condemns the U.S. attack in Baghdad, calling it an aggression on Iraq and a dangerous escalation.

Abdel-Mahdi pays tribute to Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes, the deputy head of Iraqs powerful pro-state Hashd Shaabi militia, and Soleimani, saying they were symbols of Iraqs victory over Islamic State militants.

The assassination of an Iraqi military commander is an aggression on Iraq as a state, government, and people, Abdel-al-Mahdi says in a statement.

Carrying out physical liquidation operations against leading Iraqi figures or from a brotherly country on the Iraqi lands is a flagrant violation of Iraqs sovereignty and a dangerous escalation that triggers a destructive war in Iraq, the region and the world, he adds.

Also, Britain has increased its security and readiness at military bases in the Middle East after the U.S. killed Iranian Commander Soleimani, a major general, Sky News reported on Friday without citing sources.

Britain has about 400 military personnel in Iraq, who help provide training in the country. They are mostly located at the Taji base, north of Baghdad.

The safety and security of our personnel are of paramount importance and we keep our force protection measures under constant review.

We do not comment on specific force protection measures, a spokesman from Britains Ministry of Defence said when asked about the report.

Dozens of U.S. citizens working for foreign oil companies in the Iraqi oil city of Basra were preparing to leave the country on Friday, company sources said.

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad urged all citizens to depart Iraq immediately, hours after the U.S. killed Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in an air strike.

The evacuation will not affect operations, production or exports, Iraqi oil officials said.

United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said wisdom and political solutions must prevail over confrontation and escalation, in comments published on Twitter after a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian general.

British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab urged all parties to de-escalate after the U.S. killed Soleimani.

We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani.

Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests, he said in an emailed statement.

(dpa/NAN)
Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that the government is waiting for electronic evidence over the role of Popular Front of India (PFI) in stoking violence in the state.

"We are waiting for electronic evidence on PFI's role in stoking violence in Assam. A laptop has been seized which is with Central Forensic Lab. Once electronic evidence emerges, we will take a call on writing to Centre to ban PFI in the state," Sarma told ANI.

Meanwhile, state president of PFI Aminul Haque was arrested on December 18 last year.

The arrest was made in connection with the violence that erupted in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).

A total of 46 cases have been registered, while 27 people were arrested in connection with vandalism in Guwahati district during the anti-CAA protests.

In December last year, the Assam Police had detained more than 3,000 people and arrested 190 persons for indulging in violent protests in the state over the amended citizenship law.

Protests had broken out in several parts of the country including Assam over CAA, which grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
VIP Industries rose 2.07% to Rs 438.95 after credit rating agency, Crisil, upgraded its long-term rating on the company's bank loan facilities to 'AA/Stable'.

CRISIL has upgraded its rating on the long-term bank facilities of VIP Industries (VIP) to 'CRISIL AA/Stable' from 'CRISIL AA-/Positive' while reaffirming its 'CRISIL A1+' rating on the short-term bank facility.

The upgrade reflects the expectation of steady improvement in VIP's business performance over the medium term, driven by healthy revenue prospects for organised players in the luggage industry following implementation of Goods and Services Tax and VIP's dominant market position in the industry, with strong brands and an extensive distribution network. Operating margin should remain steady, with improving sourcing efficiency, increase in captive capacity, cost control initiatives, and pricing flexibility. The financial risk profile and liquidity should improve over the medium term, supported by steady growth in accrual and moderate capital expenditure (capex), Crisil said in a statement.

These strengths are partially offset by dependence on Chinese imports in the soft luggage segment, intense competition in the industry, and large working capital requirement, it added.

Crisil believes VIP's business risk profile will continue to be supported by its robust market position, healthy demand prospects for luggage, and improving operating efficiency. The financial risk profile should remain strong because of healthy cash accrual and low reliance on debt.

VIP Industries manufactures hard luggage and markets soft luggage imported from Bangladesh and China. VIP is the largest player in the luggage industry in India.

On a consolidated basis, the company's net profit rose 0.3% to Rs 32.92 crore on a 2.6% rise in the net sales to Rs 412.27 crore in Q2 September 2019 over Q2 September 2018.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-04 01:16:57|Editor: yan

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DUBAI, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, terming it a "blatant violation of diplomatic norms and conventions," the official news agency WAM said Friday.

"The attempt to storm the U.S. embassy represents a serious escalation under international law," WAM quoted a UAE foreign ministry statement as saying.

Hundreds of demonstrators, taking part in rituals to mourn members of the Hashd Shaabi killed in a U.S. attack in Iraq, stormed the U.S. embassy in Baghdad's Green Zone on Tuesday.
Siliguri, Jan 3 : Calling upon all political parties, NGOs and student bodies to hit the streets and carry forward the movement against the new citizenship law peacefully, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday described the fight against the CAA as the second battle of independence.

"I appeal to all political parties, NGos and student organisations to hit the streets and take forward the movement peacefully. If you don't come out on the streets, these people will ruin India. Don't let them ruin our independence," Banerjee said at a march organised by her Trinamool Congress against the Citizenship Amendment Act in this northern Bengal town, about 550 km from Kolkata.

"This is our second battle of independence. It is a battle to protect the country's freedom, to protect the country from conspiracy, bigotism and divisive politics," she said.

The four-kilometer march began from Pradhannagar and culminated in Bagha Jatin Park. Banerjee addressed the people at both the locations.

A huge number of people, including Gorkhas, participated in the march - the first held by the Trinamool chief in north Bengal after she began her protest againdt the CAA and a proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens.

Accusing the centre's ruling BJP-led NDA of efforts to snatch the people's rights in the name of CAA, NRC and the National Population Register, Banerjee said the only issue before the people now is whether they will have their addresses in future. "All sections of people should come together to ensure nobody is robbed of his address." Banerjee iterated that everyone was a citizens of the country after having voted to elect so many governments. "It is regrettable that now they are telling us we have to prove once again that we are citizens of this country. This is a shame." She alleged that the BJP wanted people to leave the country.

"If there is NRC tomorrow and they ask you where your parents were born, and order that unless you can provide these subjects, you have to leave the country, will you abide by that?" she asked the gathering, which responded with a resounding "no".

She asked people to ensure their names figured in the voters' list and cautioned them that there were deliberate attemps to mis-spell names of fathers or wives.

Alleging that the BJP was speaking in different voices on NRC, she said while Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that such an exercise would be undertaken, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has averred he had no such information. Again, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasaid said it will take place.

"They are deliberately sowing confusion," she said.

Attacking the BJP governments at the centre and the state of barging into universities and beating up protesting students, she said 23 people were killed in firing in Uttar Pradesh and two in Karnataka.

"Five people from Bengal had gone to UP to earn their living by working in hotels. They were labelled as terrorists and put into prison. They were not at all involved in the violence," she added.

Announcing that her party would continue the movement against the CAA, Banerjee said she would lead march from Barasat to Madhyamgram in 24 Parganas North district on January 9, and another in the north Bengal hills on January 22.
Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said that Shiv Sena compromised on its ideology for the post of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Shiv Sena compromised its ideology for the Chief Minister`s post. Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena have come together solely for power. Shiv Sena only pretends to be `bhagwa` but in reality, it is now coloured in Congress` colours," Gadkari said in Nagpur.

Earlier on Friday, Shiv Seva attacked the Narendra Modi-led BJP government over the recent killing of Indian soldiers' in Jammu and Kashmir and accused it of misleading the nation over the situation in the Union Territory.

In a strongly-worded editorial in its mouthpiece ''Saamana'', the party said that nearly 7 to 8 soldiers from Maharashtra were killed in Jammu and Kashmir last month. Blaming the central government for the soldiers' death in J&K, the Sena article said that the ''Maha Vikas Aghadi'' government in Maharashtra was not responsible for it.

Live TV

Training its guns at the Centre, the Sena editorial questioned who is to be blamed for the soldiers' killing in J&K. It also attacked the Centre for misleading the country over the situation in J&K, saying the beginning of New Year 2020 has not been good in the Union Territory.

Alleging that ''all was not well in J&K'', the Saamana editorial said that the Narendra Modi dispensation was not telling the truth about Jammu and Kashmir.

The party alleged that there has been no improvement in J&K ever since the scrapping of Article 370 by the Centre as the bloodshed still continues and Indian armed forces continue to pay a heavy price for it.

In November last year, Uddhav Thackeray took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is leading a government of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, an alliance of Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Congress.
This is why the flags for the United States and individual states flew at half-staff in 2020. The source for much of this information is Flag
STAMFORD  In response to Fotis Dulos seeking to end his acrimonious divorce with his missing wife, an attorney appointed to represent the best interests of the couples children is calling for a hearing before a judge.

Attorney Michael Meehan, a court-appointed guardian ad litem for the five Dulos children, is asking the judge overseeing the two-year divorce to hold a status conference to discuss his fees and his future role in the case.

Meehan filed the request Thursday, one week after attorney Richard Rochlin, representing Fotis Dulos, filed papers seeking to end the divorce because Jennifer Dulos May 24 disappearance has stalled the proceedings.

Rochlin also sought to move custody proceedings for the five children to juvenile court to challenge a New Canaan Probate Court judges recent decision to grant Jennifer Dulos mother, Gloria Farber, guardianship of the children.

Farbers attorneys have claimed Fotis Dulos owes Meehan $43,000 in unpaid fees. Both parents were responsible for paying for Meehans services.

Attorney Reuben Midler, representing Jennifer Dulos in the divorce, filed papers this week opposing Fotis Dulos push to end the legal action on the grounds he is the prime suspect in his estranged wifes disappearance and has been charged in the missing persons case.

Midler contends the divorce is still hotly contested and there are several issues that still need to be decided, including custody of the children who have been staying with Farber since their mother disappeared.

Midler also wants Fotis Dulos to pay his attorney fees and legal costs associated with defending the motion to dismiss the divorce and any other actions he files.

Rochlins motion to dismiss coincided with his request to appeal the guardianship ruling. The custody battle will be the subject of a hearing in Stamford juvenile court on Jan. 9  the same day Fotis Dulos is scheduled to appear at the courthouse for his next pretrial hearing on the criminal charges related to the disappearance.

Fotis Dulos intends to seek access to the children during the hearing, according to Rochlin who contends Meehans services have not been used for months.

According to Midler, there is no record of Meehan being removed from the case. Meehan indicated in his request for a status conference that the matter was not urgent, but he wanted to discuss his fees and his role as the childrens guardian ad litem.

In his motion to dismiss the divorce, Rochlin contends the dormant status of the divorce could lead to different judges issuing conflicting orders on the same issues, including in custody matters.

A Stamford family court judge had limited Fotis Dulos access to his children prior to the May 24 disappearance. Fotis Dulos was allowed supervised visits with his children, the last of which occurred at his estranged wifes New Canaan home two days before she vanished.

Fotis Dulos has since been banned from all contact with his children as part of the conditions of his release on bail for charges of tampering with evidence and hindering prosecution in the disappearance.

Farber, who has been granted the right to intervene in the divorce, has been caring for the children since the disappearance and is seeking permanent custody of them.

Jennifer Dulos was last seen on a neighbors security camera returning to the Welles Lane home she had been renting around 8:05 a.m. May 24. According to arrest warrants, police believe Fotis Dulos was lying in wait when she arrived home from dropping off their children at a nearby school.

Police said two people resembling Fotis Dulos and his former girlfriend Michelle Troconis were captured on video in Hartford later that night around the time Jennifer Dulos was reported missing. The man police contend is Fotis Dulos was seen on the videos dumping bags that were later determined to contain his wifes blood and clothing, the warrants said.

A separate arrest warrant said Fotis Dulos and Troconis  who faces the same charges  also took a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck belonging to a Fore Group employee to a car wash in the days after the disappearance. Police said in the warrant that they believe Fotis Dulos drove the truck to New Canaan the morning of the disappearance.

Fotis Dulos also urged the employee to remove the seats, which testing later revealed contained Jennifer Dulos blood, according to the warrant.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday defended the killing of top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani saying he was making efforts for an attack on Americans in the region.

General Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday.

In an interview with Fox and Friends show, Pompeo said, "He's a military commander. He's a military commander who was actively engaged in plotting to kill Americans in the region. We had an important set of underlying reasons to take this strike. It was wholly lawful. We're confident that we not only got it right legally but we got it right strategically."



The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and some local Iran-backed militias.

"He (Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis) was the primary contact for Qasem Soleimani when it came to Shia militia forces acting in Iraq. He was a bad guy," Pompeo said.

"I can only confirm that General Soleimani is dead; but if Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis has passed away as well, again, less risk in the Middle East, more freedom for Iraqis, more opportunity for Iraqi people to stand up and get a independent, free, sovereign Iraq built. It's what America has been there for," Pompeo said.

According to the top American diplomat, Soleimani was the "orchestrator, the primary motivator" for the recent US embassy attack in Baghdad.

"He's got hundreds of American lives' blood on his hands," he told Fox

"But what was sitting before us was his travels throughout the region and his efforts to make a significant strike against Americans. There would have been many Muslims killed as well - Iraqis, people in other countries as well. It was a strike that was aimed at both disrupting that plot, deterring further aggression, and we hope setting the conditions for de-escalation as well," he said.

Responding to a question, Pompeo said that the Iranian leadership understands that Trump will take action.

"We've made this clear for months. When I was the CIA director, we made very clear that these responses would be swift and decisive. We've now demonstrated that," he said.

Pompoe hoped that the Iranian leadership will see American resolve and that their decision will be to de-escalate, to take actions consistent with what normal nations do.

"And in the event that they do not, in the event they go the other direction, I know that President Trump and the entire United States government is prepared to respond appropriately," he asserted.

The absence of Qasem Soleimani, he said, is "a boon" to this region.

It was very clear that we did so and we will continue to take actions to reduce risk and to protect Americans.

The US will continue to fight ISIS in the region, he asserted.

Pompeo said that the risk of doing nothing was enormous in the short term in terms of the imminent attack that Qasem Soleimani was plotting, but also highly risky as doing nothing in this region shows weakness.

It emboldens Iran, he noted.

It's what's happened under the previous administration for eight years where the Iranians felt free to conduct hundreds of attacks, he alleged.

"We know that this didn't work. President Trump has taken a fundamentally different approach, and we're confident that our strategy that we've developed, not only the economic pressure but building out coalition forces in the Straits of Hormuz, working to reinforce our Saudi and Emirati partners -- all of the things that we have done to create the conditions for a more stable and peaceful and prosperous Middle East, we think this is a part of," the top American diplomat said.

US Secretary of State Mike Mike Pompeo spoke over phone with several world leaders, including President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan and Pakistan's Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, to discuss with them the situation in the region.

"Secretary of State Michael Pompeo spoke today to Pakistani Chief of Staff General (Qamar Javed) Bajwa to discuss President Trump's recent decision to take defensive action by killing Qassem Soleimani in response to imminent threats to American lives," State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a readout of the call.

During the telephonic conversation, Pompeo underscored the Iranian regime's destabilising actions through the region and the Trump administration's resolve in protecting American interests, personnel, facilities and partners, Ortagus said.

Earlier in the day, Pompeo had said the US was looking to de-escalate tension in the Persian Gulf.

He had also shared a video on Twitter showing Iraqi nationals "dancing" after Soleimani was killed.

"Iraqis - Iraqis - dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more," Pompeo said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Interpol issued a Red Notice Thursday for former Nissan car company chairman Carlos Ghosn. The notice is a request to law enforcement agencies around the world to arrest a wanted person.

Ghosn faces charges of financial wrongdoing in Japan. His sudden arrival in Lebanon on Monday, after a stop in Turkey, shocked officials in Japan and raised questions around the world.

The former Nissan chief was set to go on trial in April. He was permitted to stay at home under supervision after posting a $14-million bail.

Ghosn said in a statement that he had fled Japan to avoid political persecution in a rigged Japanese justice system.

Reaction in Lebanon

Ghosn is often credited with helping French car maker Renault and Japans Nissan recover from near bankruptcy. He is a national hero to many people in Lebanon.

That countrys justice minister, Albert Serhan, told The Associated Press that Lebanon will carry out its duties. But he said that Lebanon has not received an official extradition request from Japan. And he noted that the two countries do not have an extradition treaty.

Serhan added that Ghosn entered Lebanon on a legal passport and there is no charge against Ghosn in Lebanon.

Born in Brazil to Lebanese parents and educated in France, Ghosn holds passports from all three countries.



Investigation in Turkey

How Ghosn managed to flee Japan is still a mystery to many, including his own lawyers and officials in Japan and Turkey.

Airline flight data suggest Ghosn traveled on two different planes -- one from Japan to Turkey and another from Turkey to Lebanon.

The Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported that a plane carrying Ghosn landed at Istanbuls airport on the morning of December 29. Ghosn did not register upon landing and left on another plane for Lebanon.

Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency said Thursday that Turkish officials had detained seven people in connection with Ghosns escape. A Turkish police spokesperson said the seven included four pilots and three airport workers. The Reuters news agency reported that all seven were expected to give statements in court on Thursday.



Searching for evidence in Japan

In Japan, officials entered Ghosns home in Tokyo on Thursday to look for evidence. The search went on as government offices in Japan are still closed this week for the New Year holiday.

Ghosns lawyers in Japan said they had no knowledge of his escape and they had all three of his passports. Japanese public broadcaster NHK TV, however, reported that Ghosn had a second French passport.

Ghosn was first arrested in Japan in November 2018. He faces four charges of financial wrongdoings, including hiding his earnings through payments to car businesses in the Middle East.

At the time of his arrest, Ghosn was head of both Renault and Nissan automobile companies. He said Japanese officials created false charges against him to try to stop a possible merger between Nissan and Renault.

On Thursday, Ghosn tried to distance his family from any part in his escape. He called reports that his family was involved with his leaving Japan false and misleading.

I alone organized my departure, Ghosn said.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Hai Do adapted this story from the Associated Press and Reuters news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor.

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

bail - n. an amount of money given to a court to allow a prisoner to leave jail and return later for a trial

persecution  n. the act of treating someone cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs

rig  v. to control or affect (something, such as a game or election) in a dishonest way in order to get a desired result

extradition  n. the act of sending a person who has been accused of a crime to another state or country for trial

merger  n. the act or process of combining two or more businesses into one busines

departure  n. the act of leaving a place
Chandigarh, Jan 3 : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday condemned the attack on Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan by a mob led by the kidnappers of a minor Sikh girl, and threats to rename the holy town.

In a statement here, the SAD president said it was shocking that the local administration in Nankana Sahib remained a mute spectator to the violence unleashed by the mob which tried to gate crash into the gurdwara compound and indulged in inflammatory speeches.

"I urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the issue with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is a despicable act and it is the Pakistan government's primary human, moral and constitutional duty to ensure the safety of Sikhs in the country," he said in a statement.

Sukhbir said in the interest of justice, "the Pakistan government should also act against chief instigator Mohammad Hassan who was responsible for the abduction of minor Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur, and who led the attack on the gurdwara today".

"The attack was apparently perpetrated to liquidate the family of Jagjit whose father is a Granthi of the Gurdwara." Sukhbir said "it was also a matter of concern that the instigators of today's violence had made speeches demanding that the holy city names after the first Sikh Guru - Guru Nanak Dev ji - should be renamed Ghulam Ali Mustafa".

Demanding quick and exemplary action against those who were targeting the Sikh community and disrespecting the Sikh religion, he said the entire Sikh world had been shaken by the heinous incident and the Pakistan government should take appropriate steps to reside the faith of the Sikhs in the rule of law.






Vientiane closely monitoring rising pork prices



Vientiane authorities in Laos' capital are carefully monitoring the price of pork after it rose above the government's set price, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

The Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department had announced that vendors should sell pork for 36,000 kip (~US$4.06; 1 kip = 0.00011) per kilogram but merchants are now selling it for more than 40,000 kip, with prices varying across the city's markets.

The impact of this differential is being assessed through information being collected from swine suppliers, middle-men and vendors. A detailed report is expected to be received by Vientiane authorities in the near future, according to a department official. The report will then be submitted to the government so that a solution can be found.

Prices of pork purchased from Vietnam, Thailand and China are also increasing.

A Vientiane vendor told Vientiane Times she sells pork for 45,000 kip per kilogram because she has to buy it at a high price.

Major pork suppliers in Vientiane such as CP Laos Co, Ltd and Betagro Laos said they were still supplying sufficient pigs and pork to the market, according to authorities.

The first ASF cases occurred in Saravan province, while many swine farms were also affected by flooding, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
- The bereaved family of the international journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, has finally got justice

- This is as a court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced to death five persons linked to Khashoggi's murder

- The, court, according to the Saudi public prosecutor, established that the five person took part in the killing of the journalist

- Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

A court in Saudi Arabia on Monday, December 23, sentenced to death five persons found to have been linked to the murder of late journalist, Jamal Khashoggi.

The case of Khashoggi's murder has been in court for quite a long time, warranting many people, including Agnes Callamard, a top international journalist, calling for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to be investigated over the issue, BBC reports.

According to the public prosecutor, the court established that the five persons whose names were withheld personally took part in killing Khashoggi.

Recall that Legit.ng reported that death penalty had been sought by Saudi against five suspects that were accused of murdering the journalist in the country's consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Tuesday, October 2.

The Saudi court established that the five persons whose names were withheld personally took part in killing Khashoggi

Source: UGC

READ ALSO: Ghanaians want four more for Nana - Akufo-Addo

Saudi's public prosecutor, Saud Al-Mojeb, announced charges against six other people allegedly involved in the killing.

Legit.ng gathered that the prosecutor said Saudi believes that Khashoggi was given a lethal injection inside the country's consulate on October 2.

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the United States had promised to make those involved in the gruesome killing of Khashoggi, pay for their act, Daily Mail UK reports.

The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, made this threat during a phone conversation with the Saudi crown prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on Sunday, November 11.

Legit.ng gathered that the threat was expedient after the pre-killing audio statement of the slain veteran journalist and critic of the Riyadh was revealed, detailing how he was begging his killers moments before he was murdered.

Earlier, President Tayyib of Turkey had revealed that the audio evidence has been sent to states interested in the case across the world.

Read the best news on Ghana #1 news app. Install our latest app for Android and read the best news about Ghana

He said: "We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, German, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversation in them. They know."

Your stories and photos are always welcome. Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Since January 1, Russia has stopped supplying oil to Belarusian refineries, a source in the Belarusian oil industry told Sputnik on Friday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd January, 2020) Since January 1, Russia has stopped supplying oil to Belarusian refineries, a source in the Belarusian oil industry told Sputnik on Friday.

"There is no transportation [of the Russian oil] in the direction of the Belarusian oil refineries," the source said, adding that the oil supply ceased on January 1, 2020.
Its too soon to tell how 112 will fare. Eleven days after being rescued, it was transferred to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, which meant that it was stable enough to travel  a positive sign. It has since been renamed Stilton (this years theme for names for the rescued turtles, voted on by volunteers, was cheese). If it is rehabilitated, it will be taken to a beach with suitable ocean temperatures and released into the wild.
Ian Sutcliffe has been the CEO of Countryside Properties PLC (LON:CSP) since 2015. First, this article will compare CEO compensation with compensation at similar sized companies. After that, we will consider the growth in the business. Third, we'll reflect on the total return to shareholders over three years, as a second measure of business performance. The aim of all this is to consider the appropriateness of CEO pay levels.

See our latest analysis for Countryside Properties

How Does Ian Sutcliffe's Compensation Compare With Similar Sized Companies?

At the time of writing, our data says that Countryside Properties PLC has a market cap of UK2.1b, and reported total annual CEO compensation of UK2.7m for the year to September 2019. We note that's an increase of 21% above last year. We think total compensation is more important but we note that the CEO salary is lower, at UK546k. We further remind readers that the CEO may face performance requirements to receive the non-salary part of the total compensation. We looked at a group of companies with market capitalizations from UK1.5b to UK4.9b, and the median CEO total compensation was UK1.7m.

Thus we can conclude that Ian Sutcliffe receives more in total compensation than the median of a group of companies in the same market, and of similar size to Countryside Properties PLC. However, this doesn't necessarily mean the pay is too high. We can better assess whether the pay is overly generous by looking into the underlying business performance.

You can see a visual representation of the CEO compensation at Countryside Properties, below.

LSE:CSP CEO Compensation, January 3rd 2020

Is Countryside Properties PLC Growing?

Countryside Properties PLC has increased its earnings per share (EPS) by an average of 25% a year, over the last three years (using a line of best fit). In the last year, its revenue is up 21%.

Overall this is a positive result for shareholders, showing that the company has improved in recent years. This sort of respectable year-on-year revenue growth is often seen at a healthy, growing business. You might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for future earnings.

Story continues

Has Countryside Properties PLC Been A Good Investment?

Most shareholders would probably be pleased with Countryside Properties PLC for providing a total return of 116% over three years. This strong performance might mean some shareholders don't mind if the CEO were to be paid more than is normal for a company of its size.

In Summary...

We examined the amount Countryside Properties PLC pays its CEO, and compared it to the amount paid by similar sized companies. Our data suggests that it pays above the median CEO pay within that group.

Importantly, though, the company has impressed with its earnings per share growth, over three years. In addition, shareholders have done well over the same time period. So, considering this good performance, the CEO compensation may be quite appropriate. So you may want to check if insiders are buying Countryside Properties shares with their own money (free access).

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Flash floods inundated swathes of Indonesia's capital and nearby towns on the first day of the New Year after torrential rainfall overnight, killing at least nine people and forcing thousands of people to evacuate, authorities said on Wednesday.

"As of 4 pm today, there are 19,079 displaced residents who have been evacuated at temporary shelters throughout Jakarta," city governor Anies Baswedan told a news conference.

"The rain in Jakarta has stopped, now we are waiting for the water to recede".

Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency (BNPB) said at least 9 people had died in flash floods and landslides triggered by the rain in Jakarta and nearby towns.

Most of the deaths were due to hypothermia, though one was a teenager who was electrocuted by a power line, disaster mitigation agency spokesman Agus Wibobo said.

Television footage showed cars almost completely submerged and people wading through meters murky brown water in some neighborhoods of the capital.

Water levels in East and South Jakarta as well as in the satellite cities of Tangerang and Bekasi in West Java province started to quickly rise from 3 a.m. local time (2000 GMT), according to the disaster mitigation agency.

Indonesia's state electricity utility said it had switched off the electricity in hundreds of districts in Jakarta, which is home to 30 million people.

The floods also caused the temporary closure of the runway at Jakarta's domestic Halim airport, with flights redirected to the capital' bigger Soekarno airport.

City authorities have in the last few years sought to improve low-lying Jakartas vulnerability to flooding during the rainy season.

More than 50 people died in one of the capitals deadliest floods in 2007 and five years ago much of the centre of the city was inundated after canals overflowed.

Jakarta resident Daniel, whose neighborhood had been waterlogged, told reporters of his disappointment with the city government's efforts to mitigate the floods, which happen yearly during the rainy season.

Story continues

I only have one hope, which is to ask the current governor to fix this because it impact all the people," he pleaded.

"Take the right action please, look at what is happening now, bring the situation back to normal."

(Reporting by Jakarta bureau; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Numerous videos that claim to show members of Chinas Uighur Muslim minority being mistreated, arrested and tortured have been circulating on social media over the past few weeks. Although there is proof that the Chinese government is persecuting the Uighurs, quite a few of these videos are downright false or have been taken out of context. Uighur activists say the circulation of these fake images has provided fresh ammunition for Chinese nationalists, who claim that the persecution of Uighurs is just one big hoax.

Warning: Some readers may find the following images shocking.

In mid-December, a German Instagram account shared a video showing three men being whipped viciously as they lie on the ground. They are wearing hardly any clothes. The post implies that the men are Uighur. "Hundreds of thousands of Uighurs are being tortured and killed in internment camps," it reads. Before it was deleted, the video garnered more than 200,000 views.

Screengrab of a video posted by @das_erwachen on Instagram on December 10. The publication has since been deleted.

However, it turns out that this video was actually filmed in Indonesia in 2017. Its hard to know exactly what was happening, but several Indonesian media outlets reported at the time that the footage shows the beating of three teenagers who were suspected of theft.



Thats just one example  social media is full of other videos and photos that have also been taken out of context, like a photo that was widely circulated on Twitter by people who believe it shows a Uighur woman being tortured.



People on Twitter thought this video showed a Uighur woman being tortured. It turns out that she was taking part in a protest in Chicago to denounce the torture of members of Falun Gong by the Chinese government.

However, it you put this photo through a reverse image search on Tineye (check here to see how), then it will pull up several articles in Chinese and English that include this photo as illustration. It turns out that this image was taken in 2004 during a series of protests against the torturing of members of Falun Gong by the Chinese government. Falun Gong is a spiritual movement whose members have been persecuted by the Chinese government since 1999.



At the protests, some of the activists acted out scenes of torture. The woman in the photo is just acting.

Story continues

These photos also show activists acting out scenes of torture to protest against the Chinese government's policies.

Videos taken out of context



Some of the videos that have been circulating arent downright false but they are misleading because theyve been taken out of context. Thats the case for the tweet posted below.



The person who shared the video claimed that it shows a reunion between a man who was just released from a Chinese internment camp and his family. The man is moving very slowly and seems to be frightened by any quick movements.





Translation (from French) of tweet by Twitter user @ayoub_grb: This man was just liberated from a concentration camp in China. He can barely walk. He doesnt recognise his own family and he is frightened by any movement.

However, that's not actually the truth behind this video, though. The man in the video, Zharqynbek Otan, was detained for eight months in an internment camp in China back in 2016. However, a lot happened between that time and the moment when the video was filmed.

After his time in the camp, Otan spent a year under house arrest before he was finally liberated in October 2018. Its still unclear why Otan was arrested in the first place. Hes a Chinese national and practising Muslim who was living in Kazakhstan and was arrested when he came back to China to renew his passport.



After his release, he went back to Kazhakstan. However, in January 2019, Otan disappeared for 24 hours. His wife posted frantically on social media, asking for any information about his whereabouts.





Zharqynbek Otanas wife posted a call for any information about her husband on January 23, after she realized that he had gone missing.

Eventually, he did turn up and this video was filmed when he was reunited with his family. He told his friends and family that he doesnt remember what happened to him.





Translation (from French) of a tweet by the France 24 Observers team: This post, which has been shared more than 13,000 times on social media, deserves some clarification. This man really was incarcerated for eight months in a camp in #China in 2016. His name is Zharqynbek Otan (photo below), but he was released in October 2018, not recently.

Another example is this photo that was shared many times on Facebook and Twitter. Most of the posts assume the child is Uighur.







This photo wasnt taken in China, although it does involve the Uighur community. It turns out that it was actually taken in Turkey in 2018, during a rally in support of the Uighur community. If you run a reverse image search, youll pull up articles from 2018 about the protest that are illustrated with this photo. They credit it to the AFP.





"These posts hurt the Uyghur cause"

Uighur activist Alfred Erkin frequently tweets about the videos that are circulating online. He tries to establish which ones show actual cases of torture and which ones have been falsely attributed to the Uighur crisis. Erkin himself left Xinjiang, where his father is imprisoned, and now lives in the United States.





Its easy for China to use these false photos and videos for their propaganda. Its happened where someone posts a video of a man being beaten up and says the victim is Uighur and it turns out, he wasnt. Thats been picked up by the Chinese media, who then accuse the West of spreading fake news.

Chinese nationalists often spot these false or misleading images and then use them to discredit the people who share them and the Uighur cause more widely.



In the exchange below, a Reddit user has posted a photo that he presents as a pro-Uighurs tweet that has been circulating on social media with a modified picture. It apparently shows Chinese forces killing Uighurs. (UPDATE 13/01/2020 : The Observers team couln't confirm such tweet was posted.)





In this post, one social media user condemns fake and misleading publications about the Uighurs, which he says amounts to anti-Chinese propaganda. This post was shared widely on social media in China.

In reality, this video shows the aftermath of a car crash in Indonesia. A truck that was transporting syrup was involved and its cargo spilled all over the ground, which explains the red marks. If you do a reverse image search, this photo and the story behind it come up quickly.

Erkin says it is extremely important to pay attention to what is being shared online.

We have enough real images to show the world what is going on. The fake images that are circulating online might give people the wrong idea. Sometimes the level of cruelty shown in these false videos far exceeds what is actually going on.



Moreover, people confuse the Uighurs, the Hui and the Tibetans. When people confuse us in their posts, it is like they are denying our separate identities when the Chinese are already trying to eradicate us.

Recently, the hashtags #Chinazi and #China_is_terrorist have been widely used on Twitter by people who want to denounce Chinas policies towards minorities. Often these hashtags are shared along with photos and videos. But Erkin says it can often be difficult to distinguish the true from the false:

Some Uighurs left the region a decade ago or more. Sometimes they share false images but they really do think that they show the current crisis. Its even hard for me to tell whats true and whats false. There are also lots of trolls who also pick up our hashtags and then flood us with content.

Erkin knows that he cant debunk all of the fake publications floating around online. But he uses his Twitter account to share verified videos and photos, to show the world what is going on in the region.



According to the UN, close to a million Uighurs are currently being detained in internment camps throughout Xinjiang. The Chinese government has been carrying out a ruthless campaign of repression on this Muslim minority group.



Article by Marie Genries (@mariegnrs)
BERLIN - European leaders on Friday warned that the targeted killing of Iran's top military commander by the United States could unleash an unpredictable blowback, putting allied troops at risk, straining already troubled transatlantic ties and dealing a death blow to the Iran nuclear deal.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that the Trump administration's order to kill Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, had come after "a series of dangerous provocations by Iran" but had "not made it easier to reduce tensions."

Maas said he had expressed his concerns "clearly" to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called his British and German counterparts on Friday.

For those in Europe who may have wished to paper over differences with the United States and Band-Aid world problems for the duration of the Trump era, their hopes appeared to dim.

Several European diplomats said Friday that they were not aware of any warning from Washington ahead of the strike on Soleimani in Baghdad, though the mission was almost certain to increase the security risk for hundreds of European troops and for other European citizens in the region.

The Pentagon described the killing as a "defensive action." Iran vowed "severe revenge."

Nathalie Tocci, the director of the Rome-based Italian International Affairs Institute, said the strike against Soleimani was "irresponsible madness" that was likely to expose Europeans in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, where Iran might aim its counterstrikes. Tocci said the fear was that American troops would have to abandon Iraq, leaving its allies exposed.

"Europe was always subservient to U.S. policy and interests, and it's no different now," she said. "What is different now is that U.S. policy seems to be even more reckless than it was in 2003."

In the immediate aftermath of the strike, the State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave Iraq. The Netherlands issued similar guidance to its citizens. The French Embassy in Tehran told people to avoid demonstrations and stay inconspicuous.

Christina Routsi, a spokeswoman for the German defense ministry, said 130 German military personnel who had been training Iraqi forces had been confined to their bases in Taji and Baghdad.

Italy's defense ministry raised the security level at places where its soldiers operate overseas and said it was limiting movements outside of bases to a "minimum."

A chorus of European leaders on Friday urged a de-fusing of tensions between the United States and Iran.

Maas said that further escalation, "which could set the whole region on fire, must be prevented." British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Britain had "always recognized the aggressive threat posed" by Soleimani, but "further conflict is in none of our interests." The Italian foreign ministry called for "moderation and responsibility."

European officials generally avoided criticizing the U.S. move. They blamed Iran for provocative actions such as attacks on tankers in the Straits of Hormuz and on Saudi oil fields.

Jurgen Hardt, foreign policy spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, said Iran had "systematically expanded its destabilizing activities in the Middle East in recent years" and "exceeded a new escalation threshold" by backing a violent protest at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad this week.

However, Hardt said it was "doubtful" that targeting Soleimani was well advised, as it is unlikely to weaken Iran and could unleash a "new wave of violence."

Donald Tusk, who was president of the European Council until November, was more blunt about the U.S. role, tweeting that "President Trump's decisions provoke global risks and his intentions remain unclear." Still, Tusk urged the Europe and the United States needed to "maintain transatlantic unity in the face of the approaching political earthquake," seemingly a reference to the Iranian reaction to Soleimani's death.

European leaders said they feared the strike could mark the final end to their struggling efforts to preserve the Iran nuclear deal.

In 2018, Trump pulled the United States out of the agreement, sometimes known by its acronym, JCPOA.

The Europeans stuck with it. They see restraining Iran's nuclear enrichment as central to their own security. Though they have struggled in their efforts to keep Tehran engaged, and, even before the strike, Iran was considering new steps to breach the deal.

"I cannot imagine how the JCPOA can still be relevant," said one senior E.U. diplomat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss European concerns about the fallout from the strike. "There will be strong turbulence regionally and globally."

The diplomat said one fear is that Iran could demand E.U. support against U.S. actions, and then walk away from the deal when European backing failed to materialize. That diplomat and others said that ultimately, most European nations remain aligned with the U.S. view that Iran is a dangerous actor, and that if forced to choose between one side or the other, they would ultimately pick Washington.

But the diplomat said splits could open inside Europe about how firmly to support the United States.

Hardt said Germany would continue to back the Iran nuclear deal, as there "isn't anything else on the table." The U.S. policy of "maximum pressure" through sanctions cannot succeed without the support of Russia and China, he said.

Others said that was wishful thinking.

"The JCPOA has been dead for weeks, but nobody can publicly admit it," said Markus Kaim, a security expert with the German Marshall Fund. The strike on Soleimani leaves "no common ground for a common transatlantic approach" to containing Iran, he said.

Iran was already expected to be days away from announcing fresh reductions in its compliance with the nuclear deal, and Europeans had been growing deeply frustrated by Tehran's violations.

"We could well end up in a scenario where the Iranians not only increase enrichment, but may restrict the access to inspectors," said Tocci, who was an adviser to the European Union officials who negotiated the deal. She said Iran may pull out of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty altogether.

If Iran decides to use the moment to escalate its nuclear enrichment, E.U. leaders will probably feel compelled to trigger a formal mechanism in the agreement that would lead to the reimposition of European sanctions against Iran.

Major additional Iranian violations of the deal "would push the Europeans, whether they like it or not, towards a harder stance on Iran, which might ultimately lead to more alignment with Washington," said Luigi Scazzieri, a research fellow at the Center for European Reform, a London-based think tank.

But don't expect a convergence of U.S. and European strategies on Iran, Scazzieri said.

Trump has a sharply different view of foreign policy from most European leaders. And the Europeans will probably have to give up the idea that they can shape events in the Middle East in a way that would help them safely ride out Trump's time in office, he said.

- - -

Birnbaum reported from Brussels. The Washington Post's Chico Harlan and Stefano Pitrelli in Rome, William Booth in London and Luisa Beck in Berlin contributed to this report.
On the day of the trial testing, each participant can pass a test in one subject.

The Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment has announced the start of registration for a trial external independent testing.

Read alsoUkraine gov't to launch digital literacy course for citizens

"A person can register for participation in a trial external independent testing on the website of the relevant regional center for educational quality assessment from January 3 to January 24, 2020," the agency said in a statement on January 2.

The trial external independent testing in the Ukrainian language and literature will be held on March 21, while those in Ukraine's history, mathematics, biology, geography, physics, chemistry, as well as in foreign languages (English, Spanish, German, and French) will take place on March 28.

It is noted that each participant can pass a test in one subject on the day of the trial testing.
New Delhi, Jan 3 : India has said that the killing of senior Iranian military commander General Qasem Soleimani by the US should not lead to further escalation of the situation in the Middle East.

"The increase in tension has alarmed the world. Peace, stability and security in this region is of utmost importance to India. It is vital that the situation does not escalate further. India has consistently advocated restraint and continues to do so," a Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said.
MANZINI - Could this be the end of the Swaziland Local Transport Association (SLTA)?



Impeccable sources within the public transport industry have revealed to this publication that some public transport operators, who have since given themselves a name; Concerned Public Transport Operators, were on the verge of pulling out from SLTA.

The insiders said following a litany of concerns which they had, they eventually decided to pull out of the association. They said this decision was taken in a secret meeting which was held in Manzini following the permit row, which saw transport owners allegedly drawing guns after a heated verbal showdown in the SLTA offices last week.

They said they were waiting to inform the Ministry of Public Works and Transport about their decision.

The operators in question had agreed that from January 1, 2020 that they would not pay rank fees (E20 per day per kombi). This money was paid to the bus rank marshals and was collected by SLTA.



Fees



The insiders said the operators agreed that they would engage the bus rank marshals on how they would work as they would now deal with the local authorities (municipalities, town councils and town boards) regarding rank fees.



Their argument was that SLTA does not own any bus rank as it belongs to the local authorities. In that regard, they believe that it is the local authorities that should benefit from the rank fees, the insiders said.



Again, they said the operators also argued that if they pay the rank fees to the local authorities, they would have every right to confront it and demand services they want in the bus ranks such as revamping roads, among other things.



Even though the sources did not want to elaborate about the litany of concerns, they highlighted that the association was allegedly failing to address their issues.

They never call meetings and, as a result, its been years since they last presented financial statements to us, the insiders said. Furthermore, they alleged that sometimes, individuals from the associations were allegedly taking the rank fees for their personal use. When they were asked if they had notified the association about their decision, they said they had not and they would never do so.



We do not want them in our affairs anymore and that is why we want to notify the ministry so that it does not recognise them when they try to represent us in our issues, the insiders said.



Meanwhile, SLTA Manzini Branch Chairman Dlamini said he was not aware of the developments. He said maybe they would learn about it when it unfolds. He said they would also investigate some of the claims with the bus rank marshals.



Holiday



On the other hand, SLTA National Chairman Mandla Dlamini said he was on holiday. For that reason, he said he was not in a position to comment about the issues at hand at the moment.



It is worth noting that the sour relationship between some SLTA executive committee members and public transport operators was witnessed on December 24, 2019, when guns were drawn during a meeting which almost ended in bloodshed. This meeting took place in SLTA Manzini Branch offices.








Irans supreme leader named the deputy head of the Revolutionary Guards foreign operations arm Esmail Qaani to replace its commander Friday after he was killed in a US strike in Baghdad.

Qasem Suleimani, regarded as the second most powerful figure in Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an overnight attack by the US. Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, an adviser to Soleimani, was also killed in the attack.

Following the martyrdom of the glorious general haj Qasem Soleimani, I name Brigadier General Esmail Qaani as the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement posted on his official website.

Qaani was described by Khamenei as one of the most decorated commanders of the Guards during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

The orders for the (Quds) force remain exactly as they were during the leadership of martyr Soleimani, said the supreme leader.

I call on the members of the force to be present and cooperate with General Qaani and wish him divine prosperity, acceptance and guidance, he added.

Earlier in the day, the US embassy advised its citizens to leave Irag immediately. The advisory came soon after Iran vowed severe revenge for Qasem Soleimanis killing.

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.
As many as 1.5 million children  1.2 million of them Jewish  died in the Holocaust. At Auschwitz, the largest of the Nazi killing camps, only 52 children under age 8 survived. I was one of them. My paternal grandmother, Dora, protected me fiercely. The average life span of a child at the complex was only two weeks, but I survived for seven months because I spent most of my time in hiding. In a famous photograph taken by one of the Russian soldiers who liberated the camp on Jan. 27, 1945, you can see me, at age 4, being carried toward the open front gate in my grandmother's arms.

Since I was so small, I don't have a lot of memories of life in the camp. I remember the smell of the air  it was the smell of burning flesh. I remember Nazis shouting at me in German. And when I go on crowded subways, it reminds me of the cattle car ride to the camp. But most of the things I remember are stories my relatives told me after the war. My mother told me she would come into the children's bunk to share her bread with me, and when she was caught, she would get beaten. She showed me the scars on her head. She eventually got sent to a different camp.

When my grandmother and I returned to our town in Poland after the war, people were living in our house and they wouldn't give it back. We ended up sleeping in a chicken coop. But we did find my mother there. Not so my father, brother and maternal grandparents: They were all killed by the Nazis. But my mother never gave up her optimism for the future. I still have a watch she gave me. On the back it says, in Hebrew, This, too, shall pass."


One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. We'll use ROE to examine Intertek Group plc (LON:ITRK), by way of a worked example.

Over the last twelve months Intertek Group has recorded a ROE of 34%. That means that for every 1 worth of shareholders' equity, it generated 0.34 in profit.

Check out our latest analysis for Intertek Group

How Do I Calculate ROE?

The formula for return on equity is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

Or for Intertek Group:

34% = UK313m  UK918m (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.)

It's easy to understand the 'net profit' part of that equation, but 'shareholders' equity' requires further explanation. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company.

What Does Return On Equity Mean?

Return on Equity measures a company's profitability against the profit it has kept for the business (plus any capital injections). The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, all else being equal, a high ROE is better than a low one. Clearly, then, one can use ROE to compare different companies.

Does Intertek Group Have A Good ROE?

Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. However, this method is only useful as a rough check, because companies do differ quite a bit within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, Intertek Group has a superior ROE than the average (13%) company in the Professional Services industry.

LSE:ITRK Past Revenue and Net Income, January 3rd 2020

That is a good sign. We think a high ROE, alone, is usually enough to justify further research into a company. One data point to check is if insiders have bought shares recently.

Story continues

Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE

Virtually all companies need money to invest in the business, to grow profits. That cash can come from issuing shares, retained earnings, or debt. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same.

Intertek Group's Debt And Its 34% ROE

Intertek Group does use a significant amount of debt to increase returns. It has a debt to equity ratio of 1.14. There's no doubt its ROE is impressive, but the company appears to use its debt to boost that metric. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time.

The Bottom Line On ROE

Return on equity is useful for comparing the quality of different businesses. A company that can achieve a high return on equity without debt could be considered a high quality business. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. Profit growth rates, versus the expectations reflected in the price of the stock, are a particularly important to consider. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company.

But note: Intertek Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 3

By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend:

A footage from suveillance cameras of Kazakhstan's Bek Air plane crash video appeared online, Trend reports citing Kazakh media.

The footage shows the plane shaking from side to side during take-off. Unable to gain height, the aircraft begins to glide in the snow and crashes into the building.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan said in the statement that the investigation is considering three versions of the incident: crew error, technical malfunction and the operation of navigation services.

The Bek Air liner crashed on the morning of December 27 during take-off from Almaty Airport to Nur-Sultan. It crashed 20 minutes after departure.

At the time of the take-off of the aircraft in Almaty, 98 people were on board the ship, including nine children, as well as five crew members. As a result of the accident, 12 people were killed, 53 people were hospitalized.

Due to the crash in Kazakhstan, the activities of Bek Air, as well as the use of Fokker-100 aircraft, were suspended.

---

Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri
P olice are investigating after human remains were found in a south west London home after concerns were raised about a resident.

The remains were found as police searched the property in Nowell Road, Barnes, on Friday, Scotland Yard said.

An analysis confirmed they are human and officers are now trying to establish the identity of the deceased, the spokesman added.

A police statement said: "Officers attended the address after concerns had been raised about the welfare of an occupant

"An analysis of the remains have confirmed they are human.

"Officers from the Mets Specialist Crime Command investigate.

"A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course."
MUSCATINE  An agenda item to reinstate former Muscatine City Administrator Gregg Mandsager received a cold welcome from the new Muscatine City Council Thursday evening when it died for lack of a second with no discussion.

After Mayor Diana Broderson introduced the item, new council member Dewayne Hopkins requested the issue be tabled. Broderson waited for a second to the motion, only to have none. Hopkins later asked for clarification on the motion.

You read the motion and I made a motion to table and everyone voted, he said. Im not sure what they voted on.

Broderson said the motion died for lack of a second. She said the motion to table could not be brought up until there was a motion on the original item.

Mandsager, who had served at Muscatines city administrator for 10 years before the council voted to terminate his contract on Dec. 5, was not present at the meeting. He had been on sick leave since before the termination of his contract.
Sadie Robertson preaches at Passion 2020, says event helped bring her and husband together

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Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson began the new year by delivering an impassioned sermon before thousands of young adults at Passion 2020 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, offering insight into how her relationship with her husband, Christian Huff, developed.

Robertson, who married Huff in early December, gave a 35-minute message on Wednesday titled The Search is Over.

The 22-year-old actress and reality star challenged young adults by telling them that the answer to their life struggles cant be found on their cell phones or through social media but rather through a commitment to Christ.

Toward the beginning of her sermon that focused on the book of John, she described how early disciples such as Peter dropped everything in an instant to follow Jesus when given the opportunity.

They heard it was the Messiah [and] they followed Him. It was like, wherever Jesus was, they were magnetic. They followed Him, she stressed. You know, relationships nowadays a lot of times start by a follow. But there is a long process that goes from the follow to the actual commitment to being in a relationship with you. But here, there was no process. It was just like, I'm just gonna follow you because you're the Messiah.

Robertson said that her own relationship with her husband was very much a work in progress that started with a follow.

Robertson explained that she and Huff, who was a friend of her sister, kind of got together because of Passion, which is an annual gathering of young adults founded by Louie and Shelley Giglio that began in 1997.

We were at Passion. I wasn't speaking. I was just attending, she told the crowd. I love Passion and have been here for four years. Christian was attending and he somehow saw me. So he messaged me on Instagram. And it was a pretty bold message, OK?

It's really sweet, she continued. It was really kind. He told me I was beautiful. But here's the thing. I didn't see that message until two years later.

After two years, Robertson said she and Huff met in person and she thought he was pretty cute. When she followed him on Instagram, she received a notification telling her that he tried to send her a message two years prior.

So I craft my message and I'm like, Sorry for the late reply. We start the process, she explained. We start DMing.

She said that she and Huff, 21, had the most stereotypical Christian relationship start.

After two weeks, she said Huff sent her a sermon through direct message on the topic of dating, engagements and marriage.

Then continuing on the process, we start texting, but that's not talking, she said. Once we start actually talking on the phone, now we're continuing on the process. Then, Christian decides to come out to Nashville and take me on a date. We go on a date. But we're not official.

There's a process. We start dating, she continued, adding that they eventually agreed to become official boyfriend and girlfriend.

And then these three words started coming out, she said. Not the big words but the I like you.

At that point, Robertson said she was kind of nervous about how serious it was getting between her and Huff.

She explained that she then started pulling out her A-game whenever Huff would come to town by doing things like getting tans and getting her nails done.

I'm embarrassed to say this but Im going to be honest with y'all, I started practicing the dance moves I was gonna do in the car on our way to our dates because I wanted to pull it all out, Robertson admitted.

However, Robertson stressed that no one wants to stay in the I-like-you stage of a relationship. Although she wanted to rush through the I-like-you phase, Huff did not rush despite her frustration.

One time when they went on a beach vacation, Robertson said that Huff told her that he more than liked her but wasnt ready to say that yet. That night, she said they had a tough conversation.

And this conversation was different than a lot of other conversations we had, Robertson said. It wasnt practiced. It wasn't cute. It wasn't very agreeable. It probably didn't bring much satisfaction to the ears to hear. It was real. It was raw. It was like hours of tears and this is what I've experienced and this is what I've been through to make me who I am today.

She added that the conversation was not pretty or cute.

As we begin to talk, we actually truly begin to know each other, Robertson expressed. And something that went a lot further than just being liked by each other. And it was actually the next day that Christian looked at me said, I love you. Isn't that crazy? That after a moment that wasn't very likable, I got to hear the words I love you.

Robertson said that even though God is awesome in the fact that He brought her and Huff into marriage, there was a process.

It's a lot different than when you find the desire of your soul, she said. There's not a process.

They immediately dropped everything they had and they just begin to follow Him.

Robertson told the audience that Jesus skips the phase of confusion in a typical human relationship.

He skips the carrying you along, she said. He's like, what are you seeking? He skips the [period of] leaving our options open for a little while to see how this works out. He's like, Yeah, I know you're a fisherman. Drop your net because I'm going to make you a fisher of men.

He skips that whole I like you phase and goes straight to I love you, she continued, citing John 3:16.

She warned that sometimes people think there is a process they must go through to commit to a relationship with God.

We think we have to go through that whole flow, she cautioned. [We think] I don't know if God really likes me because I didn't do this, this or this, or I didn't perform well or I don't read enough or I don't do enough.

We're not waiting on God to like us enough for Him to say, Hey, Jesus go. He's not sitting up there in Heaven saying, Hold up, let's wait until the sun hits them just right, let's wait till golden hour or let's wait until they say the thing, she contended. Because before the foundation of the world began, He knew you, He knit you together in your mother's womb. So He can skip all that and fully commit to dying for you while you were still a sinner. It wasn't about you being liked.

Pastor Louie Giglio is the founder of the annual Passion gathering. Passion City Church, which began in 2009, now has two locations in Atlanta and another in Washington, D.C.
First, let me say that the word particles is not a misprint or a spelling error.

It means an amount of something, but not as something that is covered by law, such as the set of charges against Trump that are called articles.

If there were Particles of Impeachment regarding Trump, there would be dozens, if not hundreds, of them.

As we know, the House has charged President Trump with two articles of impeachment. They are: Abuse of Power (infamous call to President Zelensky of Ukraine, asking him to do me a favor though.), and Obstruction of Congress (refusal to forward documents to the House Intelligence Committee, and directing all federal employees not to comply with subpoenas).

These charges are profound enough in their consequences that, if not confronted, can unravel the ideals and values of our democracy. There have been only four attempts to impeach a president: Johnson, Nixon, Clinton and now Trump. Only Johnson and Clinton were actually impeached, while Nixon resigned before a vote was taken.

Actually, the Constitution is burdened by a certain determination of the founders to frame an impeachment in legal terms, not in human terms. By human terms I mean the values and ideals that America has stood for, and fought for, over the years.

Certainly, President Trump has rejected many of these values. The problem is that these rejections are not illegal or even unlawful. It is not illegal to have sociopathic tendencies, to be narcissistic, to be a bully, to be unfaithful, to be immature, to be a pathological liar, to be prejudiced, to excessively need to be liked, to have disdain for the weak and immigrants, to undermine news you disagree with as fake news, to have a sense of ones omnipotence as in only I can do it, to have messianic impulses as when he called himself The chosen one, to be a bigot, to denigrate instead of inspiring, to love chaos, to have McConnell on your side.

The list of Particles, not legal Articles, goes on: vilifying opponents, denying global warming, blaming others, firing those who disagree with you, governance by adolescent tweets, neglecting foreign policy, separating immigrant children from their parents, believing alternative facts, preoccupied with building a wall, being agitated over personal criticism, being duped by North Korea and Russia .

Its like trying to respond to a kind of insanity that is not concerned with any moral regard for humanity. In fact, he has manipulated his followers in so many ways that they now have a resistance to reason. For example: I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot someone and not lose voters. And, The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese One wonders if he is just trying to be amusing, or simply stupid.

As the world is churning about climate change, mass shootings, whos who with atomic weapons, hundreds of thousands trying to find safety for their children, abuse of opioids, his abandonment of the Kurds in Syria . President Trump is saying that it behooves the American people not to flush their toilet bowls so much. Its kind of funny, but certainly not presidential, as so many other tweets are not.

In a week or two his trial will be held in the Senate where Chief Justice Roberts will preside, and the 100 senators will be the jurors. Speeches will be made and perhaps witnesses will be questioned, along with lots of hoopla. When this is over, the senators will meet in private where a two-thirds majority vote is needed to convict the president.

It is certain that he will be acquitted by a Republican Senate. Whether acquitted or guilty is not as critical as the particles of his behavior. Hopefully, but not realistically, the trial might expose enough evidence of Trumps wrongdoing that he will not be re-elected in 2020.

Gerard Brooker, a Bethel resident and retired Westport teacher, is the author of 13 published books.
Karl Stefanovic blasted Prime Minister Scott Morrison for failing to lead during the bushfire crisis in his first Today Show comeback speech on Saturday.

In a special bushfire crisis edition of Today, the 45-year-old journalist said Scott Morrison had become a punching bag for people in pain who want answers, or who just something real from him.

'He (Mr Morrison) was elected by the Australian people to lead. But during this crisis over the past month he has shown a lack of ability to lead - to connect with the Australian people who are hurting, and who are grieving,' he said.

Stefanovic said from the public's point of view, the Prime Minister has been lost and meandering.

'He needs to step up and take control,' he said in his editorial piece to camera.

Stefanovic later acknowledged the bushfire crisis is not the fault of the Prime Minister, and that land clearing and hazard reduction would need to be debated.

'But Anthony Albanese is right - we need a national approach to national disasters,' he said.

The Prime Minister has come under fire for being too slow, too dismissive and too defensive in his response to the bushfire crisis as the death toll mounts.

Mr Morrison was roundly criticised for jetting off to Hawaii on holiday just before Christmas as Australia burnt - but the real anger came when he tried to keep it quiet.

Reports began emerging on December 16 that amid widespread bushfires Mr Morrison had taken his family on holiday in Hawaii without making an announcement

Mr Morrison was refused a handshake by a despondent firefighter who lost his home while battling bushfires in the south-east of NSW

A former top firefighter said he and 22 emergency services chiefs were 'fobbed off' by Mr Morrison when they wrote to him, warning of impending bushfires in April.

Mr Morrison was snubbed on Thursday by a firefighter who had reportedly lost his own home in the blazes.

The Prime Minister is widely expected to cancel his planned official trips to India and Japan this month due to the rising death toll and mass evacuations as the bushfire emergency continues.

Stefanovic used his return speech on the Today Show to criticise the Prime Minister's perceived lack of leadership, saying he needed to 'step up'

Stefanovic said on the Today show that he believes the Prime Minister cannot possibly now go to India.

Mr Morrison was to visit Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from January 12 to 16 to discuss closer military ties including signing a logistics deal to fast-track reciprocal access to bases, and technology development co-operation.

On Friday afternoon the Prime Minister said he was 'inclined not to proceed'.

The nation's southeastern states of New South Wales and Victoria faced forecasts of extreme fire danger on Saturday with gusty winds and temperatures reaching 46C.

As many as 100,000 people were warned to evacuate Victoria on Friday while entire towns in the alpine region of New South Wales have been told to evacuate as they cannot be defended from fire.

Defence force chiefs and emergency services are to brief the national security committee (NSC) of Cabinet on Saturday morning on the escalating national crisis, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Prime Minister's office for comment.
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HELSINKI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd January, 2020) Polish pilots have assumed the task of protecting Baltic airspace during an official ceremony at Amari Air Base near Tallinn, the Estonian Defense Forces announced on Thursday.

"Polish Air Force pilots together with F-16 fighter jets have replaced the Czech contingent with JAS-39C fighters which have performed the task since May.

Pilots will be on duty twenty-four/seven carrying out aerial object recognition flights if necessary and making regular training flights. Polish fighters will be deployed in Estonia for the first time," the defense forces said in a statement.

Since 2004 NATO countries have been performing air policing duties in the airspace of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, which do not have supersonic jets of their own.
The Centre is examining the option of introducing mandatory requirement of 15-year residency in government jobs, ownership of land, seats in professional and college education in to allay apprehensions of locals, officials said on Friday.

The move came after several organisations in expressed fears of outsiders grabbing jobs, lands and seats in academic institutions after the abrogation of and bifurcation of into two Union Territories.

"We are examining the options of protecting the rights of locals of the UT of Jammu and Kashmir under the state domicile rules," a home ministry official said.

The options include introducing mandatory requirement of 15-year residency in government jobs, ownership of land, seats in professional and college education, the official said.

The special arrangement will be on the lines of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

In the northeastern states like Nagaland, this arrangement is covered under Article 371 of the Constitution.

While different states have different residency norms, the central government is planning to introduce a 15-year minimum residency norm for an outsider to attain domicile status in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, this condition may not be applicable for industrial houses to buy land for setting up business ventures and construct quarters for their employees.

There is a possibility of providing relaxation to central government employees, who are from other parts of the country but have been living in the two UTs in last five years or more.

Also, central officials and their children, and students who are from other states but may have cleared their Class X or Class XII board exams in Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh may be given residency.

Officers from all-India services and their children are considered domicile of their respective cadre states usually but a decision has to be taken on whether to extend the benefits to the AGMUT cadre officers who will be now part of the two UTs.

Incidentally, a similar residency norm was fixed by the last Dogra ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, who issued a notification on June 27, 1932, fixing ten years of continuous residence as a mandatory requirement before "foreign nationals" can purchase immovable property and be considered as Class III state subjects.

It says: "The foreign nationals residing in the state of Jammu and Kashmir shall not acquire the nationality of the Jammu and Kashmir state until after the age of 18 on purchasing immovable property under permission of an 'ijazatnama' and on obtaining a 'rayatnama' after ten years continuous residence in the Jammu and Kashmir state as laid down in Notification No.-I-L. of 1984, dated 20th April, 1927."



However, this provision was altered by the Constituent Assembly in 1954 when it amended the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution Act, 1939, defining permanent residents of the state as any person who, before May 14, 1954, "lawfully acquired immovable property in the state" and "has been ordinarily resident in the state for not less than ten years prior to the date".

The amendment deprived thousands of refugees from erstwhile West Pakistan, who had settled in Jammu province following the 1947 partition, from becoming permanent residents of the state.

These refugees will get domicile status and be eligible to buy land, get jobs and obtain admission in professional colleges in these UTs once the government decides on a new residency norm, another official said.
He changed the shape of the Syrian civil war and tightened Irans grip on Iraq. He was behind hundreds of American deaths in Iraq and waves of militia attacks against Israel. And for two decades, his every move lit up the communications networks  and fed the obsessions  of intelligence operatives across the Middle East.

On Friday, Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the powerful and shadowy 62-year-old spymaster at the head of Irans security machinery, was killed by an American drone strike near the Baghdad airport.

His death has sparked fears for safety of citizens from the West.

Canadas foreign affairs minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said Ottawa is in contact with its international partners and that the safety of Canadians is our paramount concern.

We call on all sides to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation, Champagne said in a statement Friday. Our goal is and remains a united and stable Iraq.

Canada has long been concerned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Qods Force, led by Qasem Soleimani, whose aggressive actions have had a destabilizing effect in the region and beyond.

Just as Soleimanis accomplishments shaped the creation of a Shiite axis of influence across the Middle East, with Iran at the centre, his death is now likely to prove central to a new chapter of geopolitical tension across the region.

Soleimani was at the vanguard of Irans revolutionary generation, joining the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in his early 20s after the 1979 uprising that enshrined the countrys Shiite theocracy.

He rose quickly during the brutal Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s. And since 1998, he was the head of the Revolutionary Guards influential Quds Force, the foreign-facing arm of Irans security apparatus, melding intelligence work with a military strategy of nurturing proxy forces across the world.

In the West, he was seen as a clandestine force behind an Iranian campaign of international terrorism. He and other Iranian officials were designated as terrorists by the United States and Israel in 2011, accused of a plot to kill the ambassador of Saudi Arabia, one of Irans chief enemies in the region, in Washington. Last year, in April, the entire Quds Force was listed as a foreign terrorism group by the Trump administration.

But in Iran, many saw him as a larger-than-life hero, particularly within security circles. Anecdotes about his asceticism and quiet charisma joined to create an image of a warrior-philosopher who became the backbone of a nations defence against a host of enemies.

He was close to Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who on Friday issued a statement calling for three days of public mourning and forceful revenge, in a declaration that amounted to a threat of retaliation against the United States.

His departure to God does not end his path or his mission, he said.

The first years of Soleimanis tenure in the late 1990s were devoted to directing the militant group Hezbollahs effort against the Israeli military occupation of south Lebanon. Soleimani, along with Hezbollahs military commander, Imad Mugniyah, drove a sophisticated campaign of guerrilla warfare, combining ambushes, roadside bombs, suicide bombers, targeted killings of senior Israeli officers and attacks on Israeli defence posts.

At the end, the price for Israel was too high, and in May 2000 it withdrew from Lebanon, marking a major victory for Soleimani, his Quds Force and Hezbollah.

The Arab Spring in the Middle East, and later the fight against the Islamic State, turned Soleimani from a shadow figure into a major player in the geopolitics of the region, said Tamir Pardo, a former head of Israels Mossad intelligence service.

Soleimanis professional life can be divided into two periods, he said. Until the Arab Spring, he is commander of a force that has branches in various parts of the world, active mainly in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq, but at the end of the day is a secret operational organization whose main purpose is terrorism.

A photo released by the Iraqi Prime Minister's Press Office shows the burning wreckage of a vehicle following an American drone strike outside the Baghdad airport early on Friday. Qasem Soleimani, the powerful and shadowy spymaster at the head of Iran's security machinery, was killed in the drone strike. NYT

From the shock that befell the Middle East following the rise of ISIS, he is changing course, Pardo continued. He becomes a kingpin regional player, knowing with great talent how to exploit the secret infrastructure he has established for so many years, to achieve noncovert objectives  to fight, to win, to establish presence.

In recent years, the man whose face had rarely been seen became the face of Irans foreign operations.

In Syria, he oversaw a massive operation to shore up the government of President Bashar al-Assad, whose own troops had been depleted by widespread defections and fierce fighting with rebels seeking to topple the government since 2011. His command of Arabic helped put local commanders at ease as he welded them into a support network for al-Assad.

Over a number of years, Iranian operatives guided by Soleimani recruited militia fighters from countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, who were airlifted to Syria to back up Assads forces in key battles.

Many of these militia fighters received training at military bases in Iran or on the ground in Syria by operatives from Lebanons Hezbollah, an organization Soleimani had helped develop over the years.

When Iranian and Iranian-backed forces became major combatants against ISIS after the group took over roughly a third of Iraq in 2014, pictures of Soleimani, often photographed on the battlefield in fatigues, began being widely shared on social media. The publicity spawned rumours that Soleimani was trying to widen his fame for a possible run for Irans presidency; he denied them, saying he always saw himself as just a soldier.

That conflict, from 2014 through 2017, was a rare instance of Iran and the United States nominally fighting on the same side. On a number of occasions, Americans were hitting Islamic State targets on the ground while Soleimani was directing ground forces against the militants.

It was unclear what direct role Soleimani played in Yemen. But Irans patronage of the countrys Houthi rebels, which intensified when Saudi Arabia intervened against them in Yemens war in 2015, had all the hallmarks of the Soleimani playbook: above all, to support local militants as a way of expanding Iranian influence and punishing Saudi Arabia, the regions Sunni power.

Iran had long offered similar support to the Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, creating decades of new security headaches for Israel. And with the support of the Quds Force, Hamas was able to take over the Gaza Strip, capable of firing rockets that can reach into most of Israeli territory.

Previous American administrations had resisted striking Soleimani directly, either because of operational concerns or out of fear that killing him could destabilize the region further and lead to all-out war between the United States and Iran.

At least once, though, Israeli officials ran the possibility of attacking him up their command structure. That was in February 2008, while Israeli and American intelligence operatives were tracking Mugniyah, the Hezbollah commander, in the hopes of killing him, according to senior American and Israeli intelligence officials. Operatives spotted the Hezbollah commander talking with another man, who they quickly determined was Soleimani.

Excited by the possibility of killing two arch-enemies at once, the Israelis phoned senior government officials. But Prime Minister Ehud Olmert denied the request, as he had promised the Americans that only Mugniyah would be targeted in the operation.

Perhaps more than any other individual, Soleimani was the foil for American plans in Iraq, which like Iran is predominantly Shiite.

After the United States invaded Iraq in 2003, Iranian militiamen and their Iraqi allies fought a clandestine war against American troops, launching rockets at bases and attacking convoys. The militias also played a large part in inflaming sectarian tensions that led to Iraqs sectarian civil war in 2006 and 2007 between Shiites and Sunnis, leading President George W. Bush to order a troop surge there.

Soleimani and other leaders of his generation were shaped by the brutal war between Iran and Iraq in the 1980s, a conflict so cruel, with trench warfare and chemical weapons, that some compared it to the devastation of the First World War. Nearly a million people died on both sides, and Soleimani spent much of that war on the front lines.

For him and his fellow soldiers, the war was a never again moment. Ensuring that Iraq was weak and unable to again pose a threat to Iran became the primary goal of Irans policy toward Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, whom the United States supported during its war with Iran in the 1980s.

For Qassim Soleimani, the Iran-Iraq War never really ended, Ryan C. Crocker, a former American ambassador to Iraq, once said in an interview. No human being could have come through such a World War I-style conflict and not have been forever affected. His strategic goal was an outright victory over Iraq, and if that was not possible, to create and influence a weak Iraq.

Sometimes, American officials secretly communicated with Soleimani in an effort to ease tensions in Iraq. In 2008, the American general, David Petraeus, was trying to find a truce in a fight that American forces and the Iraqi Army were waging against Shiite militias loyal to Iran. In Petraeuss telling of the story, he was shown a text message directed to him: General Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassim Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan.

Years later, Soleimani personally, and mockingly, addressed another American leader: President Trump, who in July 2018 warned Irans president not to threaten the United States.

It is beneath the dignity of our president to respond to you, Soleimani declared in a speech in western Iran. I, as a soldier, respond to you.

We are near you, where you cant even imagine, he added. We are ready. We are the man of this arena.

For years after the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, Iran railed against what it saw as American aggression in the region, worried that the United States would turn its attention to regime change in Iran after Hussein was gone.

American officials have blamed Iran for killing hundreds of American soldiers during the war, many with sophisticated, shaped-charge bombs that could slice through American armoured vehicles.

As the United States sought to negotiate a deal with Iraq that would allow American forces to stay in the country past a 2011 deadline, it was Soleimani who relentlessly pushed Iraqi officials to refuse to sign, using a mixture of threats and the promise of more financial and military aid, American and Iraqi officials say.

On his orders, Iraqi construction crews in 2014 began building a roadway for Iranian supplies and militiamen, a small piece of what was perhaps the generals most important project: establishing a land route from Tehran to the Mediterranean, across Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, where Iran has long supported Hezbollah, a primary threat to Israel.

One telling episode that illustrated the depth of Iranian control came in 2014, when the Islamic State was rampaging across Iraq. Soleimani paid a visit to Bayan Jabr, then the countrys transportation minister.

According to a collection of Iranian intelligence cables published recently by the Intercept and the New York Times, Soleimani came to Jabr with a demand: He needed to use Iraqi airspace to fly planeloads of military supplies to support the Syrian government of Assad. Despite lobbying by the Obama administration to close Iraqs airspace to the flights, Jabr quickly said yes.

I put my hands on my eyes and said, On my eyes! As you wish! Jabr told an Iranian Intelligence Ministry officer, according to one of the cables. Then he got up and approached me and kissed my forehead.

The same trove of documents contains evidence that Soleimani is not universally admired within Iran.

A bitter rivalry between his Quds Force and the other main Iranian intelligence agency, the Ministry of Intelligence, played out over the course of the cables. Many criticized Soleimanis proxy campaign in Iraq, and the way his militia allies abused the Sunni population there, as weakening Irans long-term interests in the region.

This policy of Iran in Iraq has allowed the Americans to return to Iraq with greater legitimacy, one cable read.

In others, ministry case officers portrayed Soleimani as a relentless self-promoter who used the battle against the Islamic State to bolster his potential political aspirations in the future.

Iran watchers sounded alarm that Soleimanis death would unleash unpredictable regional mayhem from Syria to Iraq that would be difficult for the United States to contain. Several Iranian diplomats said that the prospect of diplomacy with the United States, being quietly negotiated through Japan and France, was effectively dead. The talk was now of revenge, not negotiations, they said.

This one life lost will likely cost many more Iranian, Iraqi, American and others, said Ali Vaez, director of Iran program for International Crisis Group. It is not just Soleimanis death, but likely the death knell of the Iran nuclear deal and any prospect of diplomacy between Iran and the U.S.

Qassim Soleimani was born in 1957 in Rabor, in eastern Iran, and later moved to the city of Kerman. He was the son of a farmer, and began labouring as a construction worker at age 12. His highest level of education was high school, and he later worked in the municipal water department in Kerman, according to a profile published by the Iranian state media.

According to a 2012 profile in the New Yorker, Soleimanis father became burdened with debt under the Shah. When the revolution came he was sympathetic to the cause, and joined the Revolutionary Guards soon after. He was married and had children, although there were conflicting stories in the Iranian news media about how many.

Within Iran, he was widely seen as exerting more influence over the countrys foreign policy than even the countrys foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Soleimani, in death if not in life, appeared to have united Irans rival political parties to rally behind the flag. Irans expansionist policies in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon have been contentious at home among ordinary Iranians and some reformist politicians who saw money and resources diverted from Iran to fund Soleimanis missions.

But on Friday, there was only praise and grief. Iranian officials across the political spectrum issued statements of condolences and condemned the United States.

The powerful Revolutionary Guards, of which the Quds Force is a component, said plans were underway for a huge public funeral.

He was so big that he achieved his dream of being martyred by America, wrote a reformist politician and former vice president, Mohammad Ali Abtahi.

Soleimani had received the countrys highest military honour, the Order of Zolfaghar, established in 1856 under the Qajar dynasty. He became the only military commander to receive the honour in the Islamic Republic.

Ayatollah Khamenei pinned the medal on Soleimanis chest last February, and in remarks that now seem prophetic, said: The Islamic Republic needs him for many more years. But I hope that in the end, he dies as a martyr.

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One childcare provider has received 26,000 of the 7m made available by the Department of Children to help fund their administration costs under its Programme Support Payment (PSP).

However, 2,164 childcare facilities received just over 1,000 under the scheme.

A total of 4,346 creches have been cleared for the payment and a small number of these which had a change of circumstances have still to be fully processed.

All the payments from Katherine Zappone's department were issued last month and were based on the number of children a provider has in its service on a Department of Children-funded scheme.

A total of 6.8m has been paid out to date, according to the figures supplied to the Irish Independent.

It confirmed the childcare provider in receipt of 26,000 "is not in Dublin".

In December, the Government announced that 7m would be provided to businesses in the childcare sector, but denied it was a bailout.

Marian Quinn, chairperson of the Association of Childhood Professionals Ireland, said while "every little helps", there are a number or providers who still fear closure.

"We welcome that the Government has acknowledged the problem, but for some the problem remains," she said.

Last month Ironshore Europe, a major UK underwriter, withdrew from the Irish market.

Last-ditch attempts to secure an alternative insurer failed, meaning some childcare providers saw premiums treble.

A statement from the department said: "On December 18, the minister made 7m available in an additional once-off Programme Support Payment (PSP) for 2018-19. This payment is in recognition of the additional administration that childcare providers were tasked with in 2019."

The statement said that the range of payments would be from small amounts right up to 26,000, for the very large providers, depending on the number of children being cared for.

"The introduction of necessary regulations requires childcare providers to undertake additional responsibilities including additional administrative work to demonstrate compliance," said the statement.

"Some childcare providers choose not to continue every year. For example in 2018, 78 closed their doors.

"However, 153 new childcare providers opened new services.

"This led to an increase of over 2,200 childcare places that year and there were many other new places resulting from other measures.

"The average services has grown from 33 in 2015 to 47 in 2019."

The statement said that just one underwriter was currently offering insurance to the sector, which is Allianz.

The Government could not directly intervene in the pricing of insurance offered to childcare providers, the statement said.

It said department officials were working very hard to find a way to support those services that have been affected.

"The minister understands that the average cost of Allianz insurance for full-time childcare is 60 per year per child."

The average cost for sessional services, such as Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme, is 25 per year per child.

Meanwhile, Ms Zappone is liaising with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe "to consider a review of insurance in the childcare sector, as part of the going independent review of costs in the sector", according to the department.
A new refugee law heralded as a way to reduce the number of irregular migrants arriving in Canada from the U.S. has had little impact, according to Canadian government data obtained by the Star.

Immigration statistics show some 400 asylum claims have been deemed ineligible since June 21, 2019, when the rule was introduced to prevent refugees from seeking protection in Canada if they have made similar claims in other countries.

Ottawa had hoped the strategy would deter would-be refugee claimants from crossing into Canada from the U.S.

The number of ineligible cases is a drop in the bucket of the 12,000 claims made by irregular border-crossers from January to September 2019. Ottawa previously did not track asylum seekers who had made claims in other countries and so the new policy did not set a target. However, 400 is much lower than what was anticipated by even migrant rights groups who were critical of the policy change.

We were surprised to see the low number. It is not clear how the (policy) helps by denying refugees access to the Immigration and Refugee Board, said Janet Dench of the Canadian Council for Refugees. From our perspective, this is for the government to send the message that you are not welcomed here and we dont want you here.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January 2017, more than 50,000 irregular migrants crossed the land border for asylum in Canada. As of September, there were still 29,000 claims to be heard and determined.

The new rules were part of the Liberals omnibus budget bill tabled in April and came into effect in June in order to discourage people from making asylum claims in multiple countries.

Weve been working very hard over the past several months to significantly reduce the number of people who are crossing our borders irregularly, then-Border Security Minister Bill Blair said when the changes were introduced last year.

Theres a right way to come to the country to seek asylum and/or to seek to immigrate to this country, and were trying to encourage people to use the appropriate channels and to disincentivize people from doing it improperly.

Previously, when migrants crossed the border, Canadian border officials conducted only criminal and security checks. Eligible claimants went before a refugee judge, who accepted or refused the claim.

With the rule change, border officials now also check to see if a person has made a claim in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. or the U.S. or in more than one of those places, all of which are part of an information-sharing agreement. If there is a previous claim, authorities then decide if it is safe to deport the individual to their country of origin.

They will still receive fair treatment and due process as they will have access to a pre-removal risk assessment prior to removal, said immigration department spokesperson Beatrice Fenelon. This new measure is in line with international law.

Of the 400, 248 are undergoing the pre-removal risk assessments, but it is not known how many people were determined safe to be deported or allowed to remain, albeit without status due to the dangers in their home countries.

The Canada Border Services Agency will ensure that all due process rights are respected while making efforts to remove the person as soon as possible, once we are able to do so, said Judith Gadbois-St-Cyr, a spokesperson for the agency.

Toronto refugee lawyer Esther Lexchin said the new asylum restriction not only strips refugees with solid claims from accessing the system, but creates an immigration limbo for those who come from so-called moratorium countries where humanitarian conditions are so bad they cannot return.

They cant get status here because they are not allowed to file a refugee claim here and if they are from a moratorium country, they cant be removed from Canada, said Lexchin. They are now stuck.

Ottawa does not deport individuals to Afghanistan, Burundi, Haiti, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia (Middle Shabelle, Afgoye, and Mogadishu), Syria, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen.

Asylum seekers originally from Libya and Haiti, both on the moratorium list, made up nearly a quarter of the 400 ineligible claims.

Top 10 countries of ineligible refugees due to previous claims filed elsewhere

Libya: 45

Haiti: 44

Nigeria: 32

Pakistan: 24

Congo: 22

Yemen: 21

Sudan: 17

Angola: 16

Cameroon: 14

India: 12

Source: Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada, from June 21 to December 15, 2019

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Appointment is Part of Ongoing Board Refreshment Process

OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gulfport Energy Corporation (GPOR) (Gulfport or the Company) announced today Al Bledsoe has been appointed to Gulfports Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2020.

We are very pleased to welcome Al to our Board as a new independent director, commented David M. Wood, President and Chief Executive Officer. Al is an experienced finance and public accounting executive with strategic planning, managerial and leadership expertise, having led the development and execution of market and sector strategies for clients in the energy, mining and utilities industries for PwC. In addition, he brings significant experience with capital markets and financing activities, having worked with clients in due diligence and financing of large merger and acquisition transactions. Al brings a wealth of expertise to our Board, and we look forward to his many contributions to our company going forward.

At PwC, Mr. Bledsoe served in various senior roles, including as global leader for PwC's Energy, Mining and Utilities Industries Assurance and Business Advisory Services Group, a member of the firms senior leadership team, Regional and Office Managing Partner and as audit and senior relationship partner on some of the firms largest energy industry clients. Mr. Bledsoe currently serves as director and audit committee chair of Crestwood Equity GP LLC (general partner of Crestwood Equity Partners LP, a natural gas and crude oil logistics master limited partnership holding company). In addition, he serves as director and audit committee chair of SunCoke Energy, Inc. (SXC).

Following Mr. Bledsoes appointment, Gulfports Board is now comprised of seven directors, six of whom are independent and four of whom have joined the Board in the last three years. The Company continues to work with a leading nationally recognized search firm to identify and evaluate new independent director candidates as a part of its ongoing Board refreshment process.

Story continues

About Gulfport

Gulfport Energy is an independent natural gas and oil company focused on the exploration and development of natural gas and oil properties in North America and is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the contiguous United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Gulfport holds significant acreage positions in the Utica Shale of Eastern Ohio and the SCOOP Woodford and SCOOP Springer plays in Oklahoma. In addition, Gulfport holds an approximately 22% equity interest in Mammoth Energy Services, Inc. (TUSK) and has a position in the Alberta Oil Sands in Canada through its 25% interest in Grizzly Oil Sands ULC. For more information, please visit www.gulfportenergy.com .

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that Gulfport expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategy and measures to implement strategy, repurchases of our outstanding debt or equity, the timing and completion of asset sales, competitive strength, goals, expansion and growth of Gulfports business and operations, plans, market conditions, references to future success, reference to intentions as to future matters and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Gulfport in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with Gulfports expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those related to general economic, market, credit or business conditions that might affect the timing and amount of the repurchase program; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by Gulfport; Gulfports ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions of properties and businesses; Gulfports ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of its strategic initiatives, including the potential divestiture of certain water infrastructure assets Gulfport holds across its SCOOP position; competitive actions by other oil and gas companies; changes in laws or regulations; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Gulfport. Information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments anticipated by Gulfport will be realized, or even if realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on Gulfport, its business or operations. Gulfport has no intention, and disclaims any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future results or otherwise.

Investor Contact:

Jessica Antle  Director, Investor Relations

jantle@gulfportenergy.com

405-252-4550

Media Contact:

Reevemark

Paul Caminiti / Hugh Burns / Nicholas Leasure

212-433-4600
The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition challenged the four top bakers in the competition to show their culinary stuff in the semifinals, and then asked the top three to compete in the finals on Thursday night. Among the final four was Portlands Marissa Troeschel, a teacher at Southeast Portlands Kelly Elementary School, who had previously earned two star baker titles, but who was also battling her nerves.

How did Troeschel, whose Twitter name is @restingbakeface, do in the back-to-back season finale episodes? Read on, for the verdict delivered by judges Paul Hollywood -- on loan from The Great British Baking Show, which inspired this U.S. version -- and his fellow judge, Sherry Yard.

The first of the episodes was the semifinals, and it featured the final four bakers, Troeschel, Dana Commandatore, Brother Andrew Corriente, and Alex Willis. The bakers were challenged to prepare savory canapes, souffles and an opera cake.

Im nervous, Troeschel said, and Im trying to stay focused. Hollywood and Yard had some criticisms of Troeschels baking technique in the first two challenges, but they praised her Cherries Jubilee opera cake.

The star baker in the semifinals was Commandatore, and she moved to the finals, along with Troeschel and Brother Andrew. Willis left the tent, but he had a big smile.

In the finals, the last three bakers standing were given three more daunting challenges. Troeschel ran into some difficulties in the first one, which asked the bakers to prepare 24 choux buns. The Portland teacher said that her batter was runny, and one of her toppings overflowed on the oven, requiring a last-minute substitution. Troeschel looked upset, and the other bakers gave her a group hug. Hollywood and Yard again complimented Troeschels flavors, but critiqued her for being inconsistent.

"The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition" judges Paul Hollywood and Sherry Yard, with hosts Anthony "Spice" Adams and Emma Bunton. (Photo: ABC/Mark Bourdillon) ABC

The final two challenges were to make a strawberry-boasting Fraisier cake, then a batch of mini-desserts. Troeschel didnt seem ecstatic about the Fraisier challenge -- I was really hoping for apple pie, she joked -- and Hollywood and Yard didnt care for how her strawberries were scattered completely around in the cake. For the mini-dessert challenge, Troeschel made pistachio pots de creme, financiers with caramelized hazelnuts, and filled mini-pies with plum slices arranged into rosette designs.

Though Troeschel did an entertaining impression of Hollywoods accent, she unfortunately didnt make it into consideration for the title of Americas best amateur baker. Yard praised Troeschels pots de cremes, and Hollywood found her presentation beautiful, but the judges ultimately chose between Commandatore and Brother Andrew.

Marissa Troeschel in the finale episode of "The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition." (Photo: ABC/Mark Bourdillon) ABC

When the announcement was made, Brother Andrew was the winner, and Hollywood declared he deserved to win because his bakes were delicious, and he was the most passionate. Yard added that Brother Andrew learned with each challenge, and kept improving.

As the finalists and previous competitors gathered outside the tent to embrace friends and family, Troeschel said, I have nine new, very good friends, and added, Im leaps and bounds a better baker."

How to watch episodes of The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition: If you have a cable or satellite subscription, you can watch ABC On Demand. Cord-cutters can watch on their streaming services, including Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV.

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist

Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories.
 Flash

A firefighter who was rescued hours after being caught under debris of a collapsed factory building Thursday succumbed to injuries in a hospital in New Delhi, officials said.

At least 14 people, including 13 firefighters, were injured in the devastating fire at Delhi's Peera Garhi area. Three people including a civilian were rescued from the debris of the building.

"A firefighter who was trapped underneath the debris of the collapsed building has succumbed in the hospital during treatment," a police official said.

The fire inside the factory making batteries broke out at 4:23 a.m. local time on Thursday. Officials said a blast inside the factory resulted in its collapse, trapping people, mostly firefighters.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed grief over the death of the firefighter.

"We have to tell with great sadness that while saving the lives of people during fire, one of our brave firemen was martyred. Our firefighters put their lives in extremely risky conditions to save trapped people. May his soul rest in peace," Kejriwal wrote on Twitter over the death of the firefighter.

Authorities rushed 35 fire tenders to the spot to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading.

Following the collapse of the building, the fire department officials said they were forced to conduct the firefighting from the wall of an adjacent building. The fire fighting operations were underway until the last reports poured in.

The factory housed combustible materials and plastics in huge quantities, which aggravated the fire, police said.

Witnesses said columns of smoke were billowing from the spot and leaping up in the sky.

The cause of the fire was being ascertained.

Last month, a fire inside an old building in the city killed 43 people and injured many others.
The Government has approved the development of the Grand Canal Innovation District- a national initiative, spearheaded by Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with other universities.

Located in the heart of the city, the District aims to be a hub for innovation and excellence, world class university research facilities and a thriving start up ecosystem, with a university campus acting as a connector bringing all these different sectors together.

The cabinet accepted a report by the Grand Canal Innovation District advisory Group and its recommendations. The report, published today, provides a strategy and road map to underpin the development and progression of this district to ensure "that Ireland has an innovation district to rival the best in the world."

The advisory group tasked with developing proposals for the innovation district included representatives of all the relevant stakeholders: government departments, multinational technology companies, state agencies, start-ups, universities and members of the local community. Trinity expects to work closely with all these stakeholders in the years ahead.

The district will be developed over a 10-year time span, however early activation will commence on the site in 2020. This will include the opening of an innovation hub that will provide space for early stage start-ups, research active corporates, a dedicated programme of activities for people who live in the local community and a meeting space to activate the innovation community in Dublin.

The report calls for support for the GCID project through both policy measures and financial support. The total cost of the development will be over 1bn over the course of 10 years, with plans for the majority of the investment to be borne by developers, Trinity and philanthropic and corporate grants and donations. The report recommends that the Government invest 150m in the district over the next decade.

Welcoming the news, Chief Innovation and Enterprise Officer at Trinity, Dr Diarmuid OBrien said, "Establishing an ambitious innovation district in Ireland will help position Ireland for future investment in an unsettled post-Brexit environment. It will also help support Irelands indigenous start-ups, drive inward research and industry funding and will help to ensure that Ireland stays ahead of technological advances from AI to robotics. Tapping into the expertise of established multinationals, the district with Trinity at its centre will act as the connector, bringing industry, funders, researchers and community together  strengthening the quality of life in the local community while also driving economic growth and job creation."

Ibec CEO, Danny McCoy added, "The effective retention of talent and skills are becoming more critical than ever before for companies that want to compete effectively domestically and internationally and those looking to scale-up their business. The ability of our education system to support this ambition is critical. The Innovation District will provide a major boost to Irelands innovation ecosystem, helping business and researchers to collaborate more effectively and underpin Irelands international reputation as a location of choice for mobile innovation activity."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
Eva Longoria is known for putting in major time at the gym.

And the 44-year-old was given the perfect opportunity to show off her toned physique in another piece of high priced swimwear while posing poolside at the Nobu Hotel Los Cabos.

Longoria shared the picture to Instagram on Friday morning, hinting that her vacation is coming to a close.

Swim body: Eva Longoria shared this sultry snapshot to her Instagram page on Friday morning during her current vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with her family and friends

She has been enjoying a luxurious vacation with friends and family in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The Desperate Housewives star has been using her Instagram page as a vacation diary since her arrival to the highly trafficked vacation destination on Monday.

Longoria's most recent Instagram post - which received nearly 50k 'likes' in under an hour - showed the Mexican-American actress in a $260 Kalmar Iman Swimsuit that accentuated her iconic curves.

'Hanging on to the last days of vacation! #YeaThatsSunblockOnMyFace' captioned Longoria.

Her swimsuit featured a one-shoulder silhouette with a gold palm leaf decal that matched the actress' gold bangles and dramatic hoop earrings.

She hid her seductive brown eyes behind a pair of large shades as her brunette locks cascaded behind her.

Eva's awe-inspiring figure is often the focal point of her pictures and this new post was no exception with the suit hugged her in all the right places.

Cabo Bliss: Eva shared this picture on her Instagram three days into her Cabo vacation wearing Melissa Odabash brand swimsuit

Longoria has been highlighting the picturesque scenery provided by the high-end Nobu resort by using them as the backdrops for her drool-worthy bikini pics.

On the first day of her Cabo vacation, Eva was more than ready to share her lust for leisure with her 7.5million Instagram followers by sharing a pic of herself in a revealing, striped bikini top.

The photo featured Longoria sipping on what looks to be a classic Pina Colada while she posed with playing cards.

Ready to play: Eva, in an Instagram picture posted on Monday, can be seen posing with playing cards as she shades herself with a sunhat and sips on a Pina colada

The Devious Maids actress didn't stop there.

Longoria would go on to post five more photos of her enviable bod in an array of high-end swimwear.

One swimsuit worn on Wednesday was designed by Melissa Odabash, a friend of Longoria's and a sought after resort brand.

The suit, similar to her Kalmar suit, featured a single shoulder strap and came in a crisp shade of white that created a gorgeous contrast with her tan.

Longoria then posed in another Odabash suit, while enjoying some fun in the sun with her 1-year-old son Santiago.

This suit, retailing for $325, came in a stunning blush shade and gave the actress' bust a tasteful lift thanks to its halter strap design.

Mommy and me: Longoria posed for a photo with her now 1-year-old son, Santiago, poolside at the Nobu resort in a Melissa Odabash swimsuit that was shared to her Instagram on January 2nd

The actress' husband, Jose Baston, was absent from her New Years excursion, but her baby boy and a slew of other family members and friends happily tagged along.

Eva's precious son Santiago was born in June of 2018.

In an interview with Parents Latina's August/September 2019 Issue, Longoria stated that having Santiago at the age of 43 was meant to be.

'He was meant to be with me at this stage in my life.'
SANAA, Yemen  The prisoner exchange dossier between Yemen's internationally recognized government and Houthi rebels has witnessed significant progress recently when 135 prisoners (75 government forces and 60 Houthis) were released through local mediation. The swap was the largest ever mediated by local tribes since the war broke out in Yemen in 2015.

The office of UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths and the International Committee of the Red Cross  which have been playing a significant role in the prisoner swap file since the war started  have yet to comment on the recent exchange as of the time of this writing. Their silence seems unusual since both parties have always welcomed any step taken by any side, considering such steps as a sign of goodwill and a way to advance inclusive negotiations to end the almost five-year war in Yemen.

In the past months, the Yemeni government and Houthis have released several prisoners as part of small swap deals that included from seven to 15 prisoners through local mediation. But what makes the swap significant is the large number of prisoners who were released, thus boosting the positive role of local mediation.

This deal was supposed to take place on Eid al-Adha [in August], but differences [arose] in regard to two names, said Abdullah Shadad, a lawyer and member of the local mediation team.

The swap was further delayed after Saudi-led airstrikes against a Houthi-run prison in Dhamar province in September killed more than 120 prisoners affiliated with the government, including 24 of whom were expected to be released as part of the swap deal.

Then we returned to negotiations for over three months to discuss replacing the names of the 24 prisoners who were killed, Shadad, who was in Taiz conducting other negotiation rounds, told Al-Monitor in a phone interview Dec. 24.

After several delays, the swap finally took place Dec. 19 in the southwestern province of Taiz, where feelings of joy prevailed in the city of the same name, whose control is divided between the Houthis and government forces.

Shadad said in a Dec. 19 Facebook post that work on the swap started in June 2018, with more than 80 negotiation rounds held between the two sides. This is a triumph for humanity in time of war," he added.

Yemen is a tribal society where tribes are powerful political actors that play a major role in solving internal disputes, which was clearly reflected in the latest swap.

According to Shadad, the success of the locally mediated swap lies in the seriousness and will of both sides to release the prisoners. That will was absent years ago, he said.

The two sides  the Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Houthi group  have their own representatives for prisoners affairs: Dhia Ahdel representing the government and Abdul-Qader Mortadha working on behalf of the Houthis.

The secret to the success of tribal mediation is that they [local mediators] know the nature of the Yemeni people, Mortadha told Al-Monitor. Second, they [the mediators] have the will and are more serious than the United Nations to accomplish [ swap deals].

Al-Monitor repeatedly tried to reach Ahdel via phone, but there was no answer.

The role of the local mediation is not limited to this particular swap, but it has included more than 350 exchange deals [since March 2015], during which more than 7,000 prisoners were released from both sides, Mortadha added.

Two members of the local mediation team confirmed Mortadhas statement, saying that the warring sides had given them the authority in conducting and facilitating negotiations.

However, local mediation was faced with several obstacles during negotiations and the implementation of the swap, Shadad said. During negotiations, each side was keen to release as many prisoners as possible, specifically prisoners the other side considers high ranking, Shadad explained. "Families insisted that the first prisoners to be released must be those who spent four to five years in prison  while the warring sides [Houthis and government] wanted the release of senior figures first.

According to observers, the latest swap offers hope for a wider tribal role that can help reach a cease-fire. However, the Houthis do not believe this is possible.

If the field commanders [of the Saudi-backed government] have the green light, power and authority [by the Saudi-led coalition], local mediation could enter into such negotiation [for a cease-fire], Mortadha said.

However, Mortadha believes the success of tribal mediation in achieving the swap deal is that it is not as major as a cease-fire, and that the prisoners file is  first and foremost  a humanitarian issue where all parties are winners.

But, he added, tribal mediation cannot play a role in reaching a cease-fire since government commanders cannot take the decision alone to negotiate a cease-fire, alleging that the decision is in Saudi hands.

Efforts to release another batch of prisoners are ongoing, according to Shadad. He noted, I'm still in Taiz working on a deal that includes 60 prisoners from both sides who were not included in previous swaps because they were problematic.

Hezam Asem, a mediator in the Dec. 19 swap and humanitarian activist, said he played a significant role in releasing Samed al-Ameri who made the headlines on major Arabic channels, local news media and social media, as his fiancee, Israa Waheeb, had been waiting for him for three years.

Ameri is a humanitarian activist affiliated with the government who was detained by the Houthis in Taiz in July 2016.

After hearing about the campaign Waheeb launched in November for his release, Asem got involved in the mediation to help free Ameri.

I saw a post of Ameri's fiancee on Facebook demanding his release, Asem told Al-Monitor. I saw a brave woman [in a very conservative society] conveying her love to the world, and I decided to stand with her.

Asem said he appealed to the Houthis de facto government in Sanaa to free Ameri and engaged with Mortadha in discussions, telling him that Ameris issue is a humanitarian one and he must be set free.

Asem said Mortadha refused to release him initially, saying the Houthis also have several women waiting for their sons and husbands detained in government prisons to be released. However, Mortadha was ready to exchange Ameri for Qasem al-Gunaid, who is a civilian loyal to the Houthis. Gunaids case is similar to Ameris as they are not military men and were both detained from their homes in Taiz.

I published a post on Facebook saying I can guarantee the release of Ameri tonight in return for the release of Gunaid, Asem said, stressing there was a quick response to this initiative from President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadis government.

Asem said he met Ameri in Taiz on the day of the swap Dec. 19 at the Houthi-run Al-Saleh Prison. On that day, both sides met with their prisoners in al-Akrouth area of al-Misrikh district in Taiz during the exchange.

I met the families of the prisoners and there were unspeakable feelings, Shadad said. Seeing the families happiness was worth the negotiations [that took more than a year]."
ATLANTA - An Atlanta area woman was among the 19 people killed by a volcanic eruption in New Zealand last month, police confirmed Friday.

Mayuari Singh, 42, died after the Dec. 9 eruption on White Island, New Zealand Police said in a news release.

Singh and her husband, Pratap Singh, were hospitalized in the days after the eruption, WXIA-TV reported. The Stone Mountain woman died Dec. 22, according to Wages and Sons funeral home.

Forty-seven people were visiting the tourist destination when the volcano erupted, killing 13 initially and leaving more than two dozen hospitalized with severe burns. Six victims have died in hospitals.

Many of those killed and injured were Australian tourists who had been travelling aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Ovation of the Seas. Among those hospitalized with injuries were American honeymooners Lauren Urey, 32, and Matthew Urey, 36, from Richmond, Virginia.
One of the best investments we can make is in our own knowledge and skill set. With that in mind, this article will work through how we can use Return On Equity (ROE) to better understand a business. We'll use ROE to examine China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings Limited (HKG:334), by way of a worked example.

Our data shows China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings has a return on equity of 18% for the last year. Another way to think of that is that for every HK$1 worth of equity in the company, it was able to earn HK$0.18.

View our latest analysis for China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings

How Do I Calculate Return On Equity?

The formula for ROE is:

Return on Equity = Net Profit (from continuing operations)  Shareholders' Equity

Or for China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings:

18% = CN126m  CN708m (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2019.)

Most know that net profit is the total earnings after all expenses, but the concept of shareholders' equity is a little more complicated. It is the capital paid in by shareholders, plus any retained earnings. You can calculate shareholders' equity by subtracting the company's total liabilities from its total assets.

What Does Return On Equity Mean?

Return on Equity measures a company's profitability against the profit it has kept for the business (plus any capital injections). The 'return' is the yearly profit. That means that the higher the ROE, the more profitable the company is. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. That means ROE can be used to compare two businesses.

Does China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings Have A Good ROE?

One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. Pleasingly, China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings has a superior ROE than the average (8.2%) company in the Tech industry.

Story continues

SEHK:334 Past Revenue and Net Income, January 3rd 2020

That's clearly a positive. In my book, a high ROE almost always warrants a closer look. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares.

Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE

Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the debt used for growth will improve returns, but won't affect the total equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same.

Combining China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings's Debt And Its 18% Return On Equity

China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings does use a significant amount of debt to increase returns. It has a debt to equity ratio of 1.98. Its ROE is quite good but, it would have probably been lower without the use of debt. Investors should think carefully about how a company might perform if it was unable to borrow so easily, because credit markets do change over time.

The Bottom Line On ROE

Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt.

But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So I think it may be worth checking this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

But note: China Display Optoelectronics Technology Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
The developer of an 18-story building in downtown Berkeley that faced early legal challenges from community members has unexpectedly scrapped its plans, officials said Thursday.

The project, at 2211 Harold Way, would have included nearly 300 units, 10,000 square feet of retail space and a new movie theater, while pumping $10 million into the citys affordable housing fund.

City officials said theyre not sure why the developer pulled out, but that it is related to cost.

What this means for the future of the site we dont currently know, said Paul Buddenhagen, the deputy city manager.

Hill Street Realty, a Los Angeles-based real estate company, submitted its application for a building permit in December and had to pay a nearly $750,000 permit fee by Jan. 20, Buddenhagen said.

When city officials asked the developer this week about the status of the fee, they were told that the project wouldnt be moving forward, Buddenhagen said.

Im really sorry that needed housing isnt going to go up, said Councilwoman Sophie Hahn. I know that the developer has had a lot of trouble pulling together whatever it is they needed to go forward.

Joseph Penner, founder of Hill Street Realty, did not respond to requests for comment.

The company has projects in Pasadena, Santa Monica and other parts of the Los Angeles area, according to its website. The Berkeley project was its first venture in the Bay Area and would have taken up a full city block in downtown.

Courtesy of Hill Street Realty website

Hahn said that the project has gone through many hurdles since receiving its approvals four years ago. The development drew opposition due to its height, lack of affordable units, and fears that it could block a view of the Golden Gate Bridge from UC Berkeleys Campanile tower.

In 2015, the Berkeley City Council approved plans for the new high-rise after a tumultuous process that involved multiple lawsuits filed by residents to stop the project. An Alameda County Superior Court judge in 2016 dismissed the legal challenges, which included objections to its environmental impact report.

Its been four years and the ball has been in their court to pull together the financing and move forward to do the project, Hahn 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.

The project was the first one approved by the City Council following the adoption of Measure R, a 2010 voter-approved ballot measure that allowed for the construction of five tall buildings. The measure allows for the construction of two buildings no taller than 180 feet, two buildings up to 120 feet and a hotel.

Future plans for the Harold Way site are unclear.

Buddenhagen said he doesnt know what the developers decision means for the site.

Hahn said the developer owns the parcel, and it will be up to them if they want to sell it or submit a new project for consideration.

It seems something particular about this project or this team that they werent able to get it built, Hahn said. Its too bad because there has been a lot of staff time and community time put in to try and get this project approved.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
Beyond that, last February, a congestion surcharge imposed by the State of New York went into effect for Uber and Lyft (along with their competitors), which imposed an additional $2.75 fee for cars traversing Manhattans central business district. At the very same time, the citys mandatory wage increase for drivers  which ensures a minimum hourly wage of $17.22, after expenses  also took hold.

These are essential, welcome developments. Most app-based drivers in New York City rely on Uber, Lyft and the other companies as their sole employers; they are not moonlighting to make extra money to fund their independent films. Congestion pricing in central Manhattan is long overdue.

But the wage increase, Mr. Parrott told me, has left Uber and Lyft paying a combined additional $50 million a month in driver pay. And then there is the cap on the number of new vehicles the city allows Uber and Lyft to operate, which was extended over the summer, a factor suppressing supply.

Although data for Uber and Lyft rides taken during the past few months is not yet available, Mr. Parrott said, from the numbers he has seen, fares started to escalate in May, and at the same time the use of Uber has slipped. Close to 556,000 Uber rides were taken in New York City in March. By October, that number had declined to 468,000.

Obviously, if Uber stops seeming like a reasonable alternative to yellow taxis, people will use it less. The real problem is that the rising cost ride-hailing services seems inclined to disproportionately affect passengers outside of central Manhattan, where 53 percent of rides taken in the city begin.

A 73-year-old woman in Canarsie should not have to confront a 100 percent spike in the price of her trip to the cardiologist, 15 minutes away in Brooklyn, because traffic is a mess on Madison Avenue.

And yet that, more or less, seems to be the kind of scenario that is playing out. Data from the Taxi and Limousine Commission looking at travel patterns from mid-2017 to June 2018 indicate that pickups in certain parts of the Bronx and Upper Manhattan had doubled. Growth in parts of Brooklyn and Queens, where access to public transportation is less reliable and where median income is lower than it is on, say, the Upper West Side, was also high.
Libreville, Gabon (PANA) - President Ali Bongo Ondimba said here Friday he expected members of the government to obtain concrete and immediate results
Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey of Massachusetts and other Democrats are pushing for de-escalation following a strike ordered by President Donald Trump that killed Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq.

While lawmakers agreed that Solemani, the powerful longtime leader of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans, views on the strike quickly divided along party lines. Democrats questioned whether the Trump administration had prepared for the ramifications of the strike, with Iran pledging harsh retaliation according to the Associated Press.

The U.S. is deploying about 3,000 troops to the Middle East following the strike, according to multiple media reports.

Soleimani was a murderer ... But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war, Warren tweeted.

Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

Markey said the presidents move just put the lives of every person in the region, U.S. service members and civilians, at immediate risk. We need de-escalation now.

Trumps apparent assassination of Soleimani is a massive, deliberate, and dangerous escalation of conflict with Iran. The President just put the lives of every person in the region - U.S. service members and civilians - at immediate risk.



We need de-escalation now. https://t.co/oAenBUsvFl  Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy, whos challenging Markey in a primary along with attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, called Soleimani an evil man who took countless innocent lives.

But that doesnt change the fact that a President who was impeached for breaking our laws just moved us closer to war without the consent of the American people, Kennedy tweeted.

U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and Jim McGovern called on Trump to explain his strategy.

The Pentagon said in a statement that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans, but the administration has not provided details on any imminent attack.

Trump tweeted Friday that Soleimani killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!

General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught! He was directly and indirectly responsible for the death of millions of people, including the recent large number....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2020

U.S.-Iran relations have seen tensions flare since the U.S. pulled out of a nuclear deal with Iran, a move Trump had campaigned on. Soleimanis killing comes after New Years Eve protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, the Associated Press reported. In response to last weeks killing of an American contractor in a rocket attack, U.S. airstrikes on Sunday killed 25 fighters of the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah militia which operates in Iraq and Syria, AP reported.

Republican lawmakers defended Trump, arguing the move prevented future attacks and protected Americans.

Soleimani is directly responsible for previous & future plans to KILL U.S diplomats & American service members in #Iraq & throughout the region, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida tweeted. But some are so blinded by hatred of Trump that they argue he has done something sinister. Its crazy. Total derangement.

#Soleimani is directly responsible for previous & future plans to KILL U.S diplomats & American service members in #Iraq & throughout the region.



But some are so blinded by hatred of Trump that they argue he has done something sinister. Its crazy. Total derangement.  Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 3, 2020

U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina said the president sent a message. The days of appeasement are over. Target Americans, and you will be swiftly brought to justice.
HARVARD - A 50-year-old Montague woman with a history of environmental activism was one of the four people arrested early Friday and charged with blocking the path of a freight train that was delivering coal to a power plant in Bow, New Hampshire.

Gia N. Neswald of the Turners Falls section of Montague was arrested shortly after 7 a.m. on Depot Road in Harvard by Massachusetts State Police.

Also arrested were Cody T. Pajic, 21, of Pembroke, Adam Rice, 30, of Portland, Maine, and Timothy M. DeChristopher, 38, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Each was charged with trespassing, walking or standing on railroad tracks and obstruction of a passing train.

To block the path of the coal train, demonstrators constructed scaffolding across the tracks, according to State Police spokesman David Procopio.

7News Boston reports the demonstrators were members of a group called No Coal No Gas, and they were protesting a supply train bringing coal to the Merrimack Station power plant in Bow, New Hampshire. The plant, the largest coal-fired plant still operating in New England, has been targeted with many demonstrations over the last several months.

The television station reports that demonstrators had planned to suspend themselves from the scaffolding above the tracks to prevent the train from passing by.

Bow is just north of Manchester and roughly 40 miles north of Harvard.

Procopio said that after the arrests were made, the Harvard Fire Department was called in to dismantle the scaffolding to allow train traffic to resume.

Procopio said the 4 people are scheduled to be arraigned in Clinton District Court.

Neswald was one of seven demonstrators arrested in September while protesting a logging operation at Wendell State Forest by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

She also is one of 29 people filing a lawsuit against the state to stop logging at Wendell State Forest.
Fugitive former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn was caught on a security camera leaving his Tokyo home by himself on the day he is thought to have fled to avoid a Japanese trial, local media reported Friday.

Ghosn was not seen returning home after leaving around noon on December 29, public broadcaster NHK said, citing people involved in the investigation.

He is thought to have taken a private jet from Kansai Airport in western Japan on that day, heading for Istanbul. It is believed Ghosn headed from there to Beirut.

The comes a day after prosecutors raided the residence as part of an initial probe into his flight.

NHK said police were analysing other surveillance footage, believing there is a possibility he joined someone to head for the airport.

The camera placed near the entrance of his Tokyo residence showed no suspicious person around the time that Ghosn left, according to NHK and the business daily Nikkei.

Ghosn, who faced multiple charges of financial misconduct that he denies, won bail in April but with strict conditions -- including a ban on overseas travel and living under surveillance.

But the executive, who has French, Brazilian and Lebanese nationalities, managed to slip out of Japan on Sunday despite having handed over his three passports to his lawyers.

Ghosn said on Thursday through the Paris-based agency handling his public relations that he organised his dramatic escape from bail in Japan alone and that his family had nothing to do with his escape.

According to Japan's Kyodo agency, Ghosn was smuggled out with the help of two private security operatives who pretended to be part of a group of musicians for a Christmas party at his residence.

Quoting a Lebanese consultant in Tokyo, Kyodo said Ghosn hid in an instrument case before boarding a private jet -- a scenario a member of Ghosn's entourage has previously denied.

Interpol, the international police cooperation body, has issued a "red notice" for Ghosn's arrest in the wake of him fleeing Japan, while Turkey announced it was holding seven individuals in connection with his escape.

Ghosn was able to enter Lebanon on a French passport, according to airport documents seen by AFP.

A court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport as he needed one to travel inside Japan, a source close to the matter has told AFP.

According to this source, the court in Tokyo had allowed Ghosn to keep a second French passport so long as it was kept "in a locked case" with the key held by his lawyers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
About 3,000 attendees, including innovative talents, entrepreneurs, investors, and friends from home and abroad were at the conference. More than 70 domestic and overseas media covered the event as a joint witness of the milestone moment as Suzhou embarks on another journey of passion and fight for greater achievements in the new era.

At the conference, as many as 556 projects were signed with a total investment of RMB 735.9 billion.

Lan Shaomin, Member of the Standing Committee of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Party Secretary of CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee, expressed the hope that talents from home and abroad are welcome to Suzhou to work, live, start business and chase their dreams here. Suzhou extends sincere invitation to businesses, international friends and people from all walks of life to share in the benefits of Suzhou's opening-up and progress together with Suzhou.

Infographic Guide to Investment in Suzhou was released at the conference, available in Chinese, English, and Japanese, the Guide offers precise and effective information for investment. It can also be found at the website (http://www.suzhourlt.cn).

Image Attachments Links:

http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=354971

SOURCE The Publicity Department of Suzhou Municipal Committee
Ai Chet Gio Tay marks the kick-start of the bloom of web dramas in Vietnam. Telling the story of Tinh Lam - a young ghost hunter, the film received much appraise from Vietnamese audiences and YouTube viewers.

The Vietnamese web drama will compete against three other nominees in the category, including Social Syndrome and Its Complicated (Thailand), and Mystified (the Philippines).

Vietnamese actress Phi Huyen Trang was also nominated as the Best Actress in a Supporting Role at this years Asian Television Awards for her excellent performance in the film Bong Hong Thep (A Steel Rose).

This is the first time Vietnamese representatives will join the race with other contestants in the region at the Asian Television Awards, marking the development and increased position of Vietnamese cinema.

The awards ceremony will take place at 8PM on January 11 in Manila and will be aired live on Vietnams Today TV Channel.

Launched in 1996, Asian Television Awards is the Asian TV industrys most significant and celebrated event, recognising excellence in programming, production and performance. The Awards comprise over 40 categories and represent the industrys foremost recognition by enjoying the support of every major industry player throughout the region.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Clad in pink sarees, more than 10,000 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) on Friday marched from City Railway Station to Freedom Park demanding fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 12,000.

The workers pointed out that they have not been paid their wages (Rs 3500) for the past 15 months. They bemoaned that their meetings with officials from the Health and Family Welfare Department (HFW) and health minister B Sreeramulu had been futile.

#Bengaluru

It's a sea of Asha workers on Anand Rao flyover . Asha workers came across the state to launch massive indefinite protest demanding fixed monthly honararium of Rs 12000 per month @NewIndianXpress @santwana99 @ramupatil_TNIE @PrabhuChawla @gsvasu_TNIE @chetanabelagere pic.twitter.com/cCK7SRT0yu  TNIE Karnataka (@XpressBengaluru) January 3, 2020

Rama, State Committee Member of AIUTUC said, "There are 41,000 Asha workers in Karnataka. Only 20% of them are regularly getting their pay and the rest are just left with nothing. Despite this, they are sticking to the job with the hope that they will be paid soon. But, how long can they wait. We want the government to release their salary immediately."

While D Nagalakshmi, Secretary of Karnataka state samyukta ASHA workers said, "We have met the health minister four timings. We have been getting only promises. And this is why we have taken to the streets. This will be an indefinite protest until our demands are met."

The protest led to traffic snarls at some places such as Rao Circle, Mysore Bank Circle and Nruputhanga Road.
The Luohu district government set the annual economic growth target of the district in 2020 at between 6.0 percent to 6.5 percent, according to a report of the fourth meeting of the 7th district congress of representatives of Party members of the Communist Party of China convened on Dec. 30.







The report said that the reduction of taxes and fees in the district last year hit more than 12 billion yuan, and the government had spent about 9.12 billion yuan within its general public budget.





The report said that Luohu plans to invest 26.1 billion yuan on fixed assets in 2020, compared with the 33.2 billion yuan spent in 2019.





It is noteworthy that the resource and energy consumption per 10,000 yuan of the district's gross domestic product has dropped markedly  5.8 percent down in land, 5.4 percent down in water and 4.5 percent down in electricity, the report said.





According to Luo Yude, Party chief of Luohu who presided over the meeting, the district has invested 660 million yuan on industrial upgrading and poverty alleviation. A total of 128 large-scale projects have also been introduced in the district, and a host of enterprises are planning to build their headquarters in Luohu.





In 2019, the district government invested 7.7 billion yuan on 136 projects to improve people's livelihoods, and has accelerated its three-year action plan to "find the problems, pay the debts and benefit the people".





A total of 6,589 places were added to primary and middle schools, and government-subsidized kindergartens now accommodate 81 percent of the children in the district's kindergartens. Last year, public cultural facilities covering an area of 16,000 square meters were also built.





In 2018, the district also built 10,012 apartments for needy people, among which 1,357 were assigned to qualified applicants. Also, the construction of 5,900 government-subsidized houses started in the Chahuadi area.





The government also spent 133 million yuan on 1,300 small and tiny projects that can help improve the people's immediate interests.





Luo has urged Party member representatives and officials to embrace the opportunities to build Shenzhen into a pilot demonstration zone for socialism with Chinese characteristics and construct the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He also urged officials to dedicate themselves to the further modernization of governance and to make the government work smart, scientifically and efficiently so as to make Luohu a safe, stable and prosperous district where justice and fairness are guaranteed by the rule of law.





According to the report, Luohu will keep its unemployment rate below 3 percent, and ensure that its residents' per capita disposable income can grow largely at pace with that of local economic growth in 2020. It added that the district will also create an additional 165,000 square meters for industrial use, supply 24 hectares of land for commercial and public use, and demolish at least 1.2 million square meters of illegal building projects.




A tanker truck driver has been fined VND17 million (US$732) after he was caught on CCTV driving his vehicle in reverse along an expressway in northern Vietnam.

Traffic police officers confirmed on Thursday they had imposed the penalty upon Vu Quy H., 24, who hails from the northern province of Hai Duong.

H. also had his drivers license revoked for six months.

He was previously caught on CCTV driving a fuel truck backward along an expressway connecting Hanoi and the northern city of Hai Phong on Wednesday.

The violation was extremely dangerous and posed a high risk of serious accidents, as all vehicles travel at high speed along the expressway.

Driving a vehicle in reverse on an expressway is punishable by fines worth VND16-18 million ($688-774) in Vietnam, according to a 2019 government decree stipulating the sanctions against traffic violations.

Violators also face license revocation for five to seven months.

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Pastor Tony Evans shares funeral details for wife Lois, how to best support family

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Pastor Tony Evans shared how people can best help his family as they mourn the death of his wife, Lois Evans, and thanked supporters for their continued love and prayers.

Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, wrote on Instagram that many people have asked how they can help the Evans family. Lois who founded the Pastors' Wives Ministry, died of biliary cancer on Monday. She was 70.

"We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers," he wrote. "Many have asked how to help during this time. In honor of Lois, I would also love for you to consider sending flowers this week to your pastor's wife. Lois loved receiving flowers but she also loved giving them. Because her passion was ministering to pastors' wives and making sure they felt loved and cared for, your gift of flowers in her memory would be a gift to us as well."

Evans said his wife's funeral arrangements have been made and a 9 a.m. viewing and an 11 a.m. funeral are scheduled for Jan. 6 at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church.

In lieu of flowers, he suggested "continuing the ministry to pastors' wives that was dear to Lois' heart" by contributing to The Urban Alternative's Pastors' Wives Ministry.

Thank you for loving us, the Evans family, and thank you for your ongoing prayers, he wrote.

Evans revealed Monday that Lois was with him and their four children when she died.

"Just before the sun came up this morning, the love of my life, Lois Irene Evans, transitioned from earth and watched her first sunrise from Heaven, he wrote at the time.

"I had the privilege of holding her hand as she was lulled into eternity. Our four children surrounded her as well. As she slipped away, we told her how much we love her, how proud we are of her, and how thankful we are for the life she has lived."

We are what we are because of her, he continued.

In the days following Lois death a number of pastors and Christian celebrities took to social media to remember her life and impact.

Priscilla Shirer, best-selling author, actress and the Evanses' daughter, tweeted, "Goodnight my beautiful, beloved Mommy. I'll see you in the morning."

The Evanses' son, Christian music artist Anthony Evans Jr., posted, "I love you forever, Mommy."

Christian artist Kirk Franklin, who attends Evans' church, shared a photo of Lois on his Instagram page along with the caption, Well Done. Still hurts...Mamma Lo.



Franklin Graham, head of Samaritans Purse and son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, wrote on Twitter: Our deepest sympathy to @DrTonyEvans and his family in the passing of his wife, Lois Irene Evans. I know they would appreciate our prayers during this time. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. (Psalm 116:15).

The Evans family is still grieving the death of Tony Evans father in November, the unexpected loss of Evans' sister, Beverly Johnson, who died in January 2019, along with his niece, Wynter Pitts, who also died last year, and his brother who died six months before that.
New Delhi:

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that the number of infant deaths in Rajasthan has been declining and this years figure is the lowest in the past five to six years. "The number of infant deaths in the state is the least now as compared to the last 5-6 years. The situation has been improving for many years. Excellent medical arrangements are available in the hospitals," Chief Minister Gehlot told reporters.

The Rajasthan CM also tried to play down the reports that hospitals in Kota are not well equipped saying that every hospital lacks some facility, be it in the state or across India. People and media are free to criticise it as it helps the government to improve, Gehlot said.

Meanwhile, BSP chief Mayawati has demanded that Gehlot be sacked in the wake of the death of over 100 infants in a government-run hospital in Kota. The former UP chief minister charged that Gehlot was making political statements that were irresponsible and unsympathetic.

"This is highly shameful," Mayawati said in a tweet. She demanded that Gehlot be dismissed and replaced by a new dispensation otherwise more women will lose their children.

At least 105 infants have died at a government-run hospital in Kota in the past month.

Meanwhile, a committee constituted by the Rajasthan government has stated that the deaths were taking place due to a lack of oxygen pipelines in the hospital and also because of extreme cold conditions.

It also pointed towards an increased referral of critical cases and stated that the number of beds in the hospital was less than the flow of patients. The situation at the ICUs was also similar, the committee said.

"I informed @ashokgehlot51 ji that Rs 91.7 lakhs has already been advanced to JK Loan Hospital during 2019-20 under National Health Mission. Kota District alone has an annual allocation of Rs 27.45 Cr for '19-20, from the annual budgeted amount of Rs 1788.97 Cr for Rajasthan state (sic)," Vardhan said in another tweet.
Windrose to launch flights from Kyiv to three Italian cities from May 2020

Windrose Airlines for the summer navigation of 2020 will launch flights from Kyiv to Brindisi, Lamezia Terme and Ancona (all based in Italy).

According to the company's press service, in particular, flights to Brindisi will be operated from May 30 to October 3, 2020 on Saturdays, flights to Lamezia Terme from May 29 to October 3, 2020 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and flights to Ancona from June 6 to September 19, 2020 on Saturdays.

The cost of tickets is from UAH 2,800.

As reported, the commission of the State Aviation Service of Ukraine decided to revoke the right of Windrose to fly from Kyiv to Istanbul on a regular basis three times a week.

Earlier, the State Aviation Service approved the application of the airline for charter flights from Kyiv to Odesa, Lviv, Kherson, Kharkiv and the Dnipro three times a week. The rights are valid until March 28, 2020.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, at the event (Photo: VNA)

A flag ceremony was held for Vietnam and other four new non-permanent members of the UNSC for the 2020-2021 tenure, comprising Estonia, Niger, and Saint and Grenadines.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, said it is Vietnams great honour to serve as a non-permanent member of the UNSC and holds the bodys rotating presidency in January.

Vietnam will make all-out efforts to contribute to joint activities of the council in order to ensure the observance of the UN Charter and promote multilateralism, he said.

Quy called on countries to back Vietnams efforts, not only during the month-long presidency but also in the time ahead.

The same day, the UNSC approved Januarys work programme proposed by Vietnam.

Accordingly, the body will convene 12 open debates and 15 closed-door meetings to look into various regional and international issues such as the situation in the Middle East, Syria, Yemen, West Africa, Sahel, Mali, Libya, Central Asia and Cyprus.

UNSC agencies will also hold many meetings in the month to discuss issues regarding sanctions, anti-terrorism, courts, children, armed conflicts and procedures.

Stepping up the observance of the UN Charter and boosting cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN will be two major activities of the council in January.

On this occasion, Vietnam received the high approval of all UNSC member countries for the organisation of an open debate on pushing ahead with the observance of UN Charter on January 9, and a meeting on ASEAN-UN cooperation in maintaining international peace and security on January 23.

Vietnams proposals aim to carry forward the role of multilateral, the UN Charter and basic principles of international law, for a better world.

Vietnam also wants to raise the efficiency of cooperation and comprehensive partnership between the ASEAN and the UN, for the sake of ASEAN member countries and the international community.

Quy then hosted a press conference.
Ryanair says it is preparing for further delays to the delivery of its Boeing 737 Max airliners.

Chief executive Michael O'Leary has told a German magazine that he will be lucky to see any by October, having ordered 135.
As the conflict in Libya has intensified, Syrian fighters backed by Turkey have reportedly appeared on the battlefield in recent days to support the Tripoli-based government.

Turkeys proxies, who have been accused of war crimes and human rights abuses while fighting on behalf of Ankara in northern Syria for the last three years, are said to have been recruited to combat the forces of the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

The development came after Turkey signed two agreements with Feyaz Al Sarraj, Prime Minister of the UN-backed Government of National Accord, on military co-operation and maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean.
Washington: President Donald Trump ordered for the US airstrike in Iraq that killed General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards, in a "decisive defensive action" to protect US personnel abroad and deter future attacks being planned by Iran, the Pentagon said Friday.

General Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed following a US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport on Friday.

The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force. The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani in Iraq, saying the strike was carried out at the direction of Trump.

At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation, the Pentagon said.

Following Soleimani's death, Trump did not say anything immediately, except for tweeting an image of the US flag. The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The Pentagon alleged that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, it alleged.

It said that General Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, it said. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, it said.

Trump's decision in this regard was supported by his former cabinet colleague, Indian American Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Qasem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, she tweeted.

The defensive actions the US has taken against #Iran & its proxies are consistent with clear warnings they have received, Senator Marco Rubio said in a tweet.

They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions. They badly miscalculated, he said.

In a statement, Defence Priorities Senior Fellow Lt. Col (rtd) Daniel L. Davis, alleged that Soleimani had a lot of blood on his hands.

"Following this latest action, every possible precaution should be taken to safeguard US military forces in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the region, who remain vulnerable to retaliatory strikes. The best way to keep US forces safe is to remove them from the region, he said.

Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Congratulated Trump on his decisive action and the successful outcome.

Read: Extremely dangerous, foolish escalation: Iran on US air strike that killed Soleimani

Qasem Suleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and his death presents an opportunity for Iraq to determine its own future free from Iranian control, Risch said.

As I have previously warned the Iranian government, they should not mistake our reasonable restraint in response to their previous attacks as weakness. The US will always vigorously defend our interests and allies in the face of terrorist conduct and provocations, Risch said.

Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018. It then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.

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ISTANBUL - Tens of thousands of Iranians demonstrated Friday in the capital, Tehran, and other cities in support of a senior Revolutionary Guard Corps commander killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq, even as many privately expressed worry about the escalating conflict with the United States.

Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Revolutionary Guard's elite Quds Force and Iran's most powerful military leader, was targeted by U.S. aircraft early Friday as he traveled in a two-car convoy with senior Iraqi militia leaders and other Iranian commanders near the Baghdad airport.

U.S. officials had accused Soleimani of orchestrating rocket attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, including a strike last month that killed a U.S. contractor and wounded several American troops.

Iranian officials, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed Friday to avenge the killing, calling it a "grave miscalculation" and a "heinous crime."

Iran's Supreme National Security Council issued a statement threatening retaliation for the strike, saying it had made "appropriate decisions" that would hold the United States responsible for "all of the consequences of this strategic mistake."

"Severe revenge awaits the criminals who smeared their dirty hands with the pure blood of Gen. Soleimani," the statement said. "These cowardly acts will boost the will of the Islamic Republic to be more active in its resistance and to bring a swift defeat" to the enemy.

Earlier Friday, President Hassan Rouhani said that the targeted killing of Soleimani "doubled the resolve of the great Iranian nation . . . to stand up against the United States."

"Iran will take revenge for this heinous crime" he said.

The government announced a day of public mourning. In Kerman in southeastern Iran, where Soleimani was born, a massive procession of black-clad mourners filled the streets and chanted religious slogans, footage broadcast on Iranian news channels showed.

In Tehran, demonstrators who rallied after Friday prayers called on the Quds Force to take revenge.

"Soleimani's blood spilled, the nation's outrage against the enemy sparked!" the protesters chanted in a video broadcast by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency.

A senior Shiite cleric who leads Friday prayers in Tehran, Ahmad Khatami, said Soleimani's killing was "a cause for Muslims to be more united than ever."

A Revolutionary Guard spokesman, Ramadan Sharif, said the force would be "starting a new chapter" after the deadly U.S. strike.

As he spoke to a reporter from Iranian state television, Sharif broke down in tears.

"The momentary happiness experienced by the Americans will soon turn into mourning," he said.

Across Iran, residents also expressed worry over the potential fallout from the strike, which threatened to plunge Tehran and the United States in a full-blown conflict. Tensions between the two nations have soared since President Donald Trump withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal that Iran struck with world powers, an agreement that curbed Tehran's atomic energy activities in exchange for sanctions relief.

"My family is concerned and sad," said Maryam, 35, a resident of Tehran. "Soleimani had many fans in Iran, not only among the supporters of the Islamic republic." Like other Iranians contacted Friday, she declined to give her full name, so she could speak freely about the death of a senior military commander.

"There were people who were attracted to his charisma and considered him to be more clean than other Iranian officials," she said. "There are rallies in different cities now . . . and I think that there will be more."

Khamenei visited Soleimani's home Friday in Kerman, meeting with the commander's grieving family members.

In a televised interview, the commander's son, Hossein, said his father had "always been seeking martyrdom."

"It's like I'm pursuing it all the time," Hossein quoted Soleimani as saying.

In a statement Friday, Khamenei announced the appointment of Brig. Gen. Esmail Ghani as the new Quds Force commander, saying that the organization's strategy will remain the same.

Ghani is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and rose to become the Quds Force deputy commander. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Ghani in 2012 for what it said was his role in distributing weapons and funds to Iranian allies in the region.

"He's intimately familiar with the Force's mission and operations. He'll be able to pick up where Soleimani left off," Ariane Tabatabai, a political scientist and Iran expert at the Rand Corp. in Washington, said on Twitter.

Afshon Ostovar - author of "Vanguard of the Imam: Religion, Politics, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards" - said that Ghani "will hit the ground running."

The Revolutionary Guard, he said on Twitter, "is part of a broader system. It relies much less on individuals than many analysts believe."

"Soleimani's death will have an impact," he said, "but there will be no discernible change to Iran's regional network or operations."

Soleimani, 62, oversaw the proliferation of allied proxy forces across the Middle East, including in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. He was often seen on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria as he directed Iranian-backed Shiite militias in their fight against the Islamic State, and his military success against the Sunni militants initially made him widely popular inside Iran.

The United States "is eliminating people who have been very important and popular figures in the fight against fundamentalism and terrorism in the region," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said in a television interview late Friday.

Zarif said that the deadly strike "violated Iraq's sovereignty, violated international law and incited Muslims" against the United States.

"Even if the Islamic Republic does not take direct action, they [the United States] have already put themselves in deep trouble with this act," he said.

In recent years, however, as Iran's economy faltered under U.S. sanctions, Iranians began openly criticizing Tehran's costly military adventures abroad. In Iraq, majority Shiite protesters angry with the government also turned their fury toward Iran, which holds powerful sway over Iraqi politicians and militia leaders.

"Everyone is worried. The people I spoke with weren't sad but shocked," said Nazli, 40, from the northern Iranian city of Rasht. "On social media, some people I thought didn't support the regime are now expressing sorrow for his death."

Iranian news outlets reported Friday that Soleimani's body would be carried in a procession to the two holy Shiite cities of Karbala and Najaf in Iraq before returning to Iran for burial.

"There are three groups of people in Iran now: those who are happy, those who are worried about security and the economy . . . and those who are sad," said Davoud, a resident of the city of Mashhad.

He said some residents are scrambling to buy U.S. dollars and gold to stave off further economic repercussions. Iran's economy has been battered by a near-total U.S. embargo that has targeted everything from oil exports to banking transactions and the Iranian aviation and automotive sectors.

In November, protests gripped Iranian cities after a government decision to reduce fuel subsidies for consumers. Authorities cracked down hard on demonstrators, killing at least 200 people, according to rights group Amnesty International.

Davoud said that before the unrest, Iranians probably would have turned out in much larger numbers to support the government in the event of a U.S. strike.

"But now, they don't have the support of the people to be able to mobilize them," he said of Iran's leaders.
Ahmed Aweys has been sent back to jail after police found a selfie on a secret phone

A convicted terrorist has been sent back to jail after police found a selfie on a secret phone.

Ahmed Aweys, 34, from Chadwell Heath, east London, was sentenced to 25 months in jail last January for three charges of disseminating a terrorist publication.

He was arrested along with his sister Asma after sharing sickening ISIS videos in their family Whatsapp group.

They made jokes about the Manchester and Westminster terror attacks and downloaded copies of the jihadi magazine 'Rumayah' with advice about how to make napalm and Molotov cocktails and the 'perfect knife' for killing.

In one chat, Ahmed said: 'The biggest advantage that we have is we are embedded in their societies, we are the enemy within and they know not.'

He was made subject of a terrorism notification order as part of the terms of his release on licence in August.

But in September, police found he had used an unauthorised bank account belonging to his sister to receive three Department for Work and Pensions payments after applying for universal credit.

When police went to arrest him, they found he also had a second phone he had not declared to police, the Old Bailey heard.

An examination of the mobile device revealed he had used it to send texts, make calls, search the internet and had even taken a selfie on it.

Aweys, who was recalled to prison, pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching notification order requirements and appeared to be sentenced at the Old Bailey by video link from Wandsworth jail.

Mr Justice Sweeney handed him 16 months for each offence to run concurrently with each other and his original sentence.

Aweys, who was recalled to prison, pleaded guilty to two charges of breaching notification order requirements and appeared to be sentenced at the Old Bailey (pictured) by video link from Wandsworth jail

The judge said the defendant had deliberately flouted the terrorism notification requirement.

He said: 'The requirements are clearly there for the important purpose of enabling the authorities to keep track of the activities of those who have been convicted of terrorism offences and thereby minimise the danger by them to members of the public.'

The purpose of the jail sentence was 'punishment, deterrent and protection of the public', he said.

The court heard Aweys was due for release in September.

Asma Aweys, from Edmonton, north London, shared ISIS material in a family WhatsApp group. She claimed the Westminster terror attack was 'the decree of Allah'

Upon his previous conviction, the court heard how his sister Asma said about the Westminster incident in 2017, which left four dead: 'This was by the decree of Allah.'

Messages discussing the terror attack at the Manchester Arena were also found on her phone, including one which read: 'It was the shaytaan [Arabic word for devil] Ariana Grande's concert.'

The family's extremist views were revealed after a tip off that Ahmed Aweys and his two half-brothers were planning to break into a Muslim-run jewellery shop in Ilford Lane, east London.

They were caught red-handed and during searches of their homes police also found 60,000 in cash and 10,000 in gold.

Messages found on their phones showed Ahmed Aweys discussing fraud with his brother-in-law Abdulaziz Abu Munye, a former street robber, and telling him he was entitled to take from the 'kuffr' [infidels].

As part of Operation Be Pretty 2, police discovered that the family, who are of Somali origin, were sharing ISIS propaganda and messages of support in a family Whatsapp group.

Ahmed Aweys pleaded guilty to using WhatsApp to distribute the ISIS online magazine Dabiq and the video Flames of War 2 to Mohammed Abu, his half-brother who was involved in the robbery plot.

Flames of War 2 is a film released by the media wing of ISIS in 2017 in both Arabic and English.

'It shows brutal executions of various kinds, battle footage, references to attacks in the West and praising the faith-based nature of the participants,' Lee Ingham, prosecuting, said.

'There are computer generated scenes of rockets heading towards the US.'
Houston, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RadioMedix Inc. is pleased to announce that the company has been selected for the 2019-2020 Commercialization Accelerator Program (CAP) by the National Institute of Health (NIH) SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer) program office. This award is following our two-years, $2.0 M Phase II SBIR funded in part with Federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and Human Services, under Contract No HHSN261201800048C. The Contract focuses on the clinical development of 212Pb-AlphaMedix for the targeted alpha-emitter therapy (TAT) of neuroendocrine tumors.

Selection for this program highlights the value and high commercialization potential for AlphaMedix. This is a timely program for RadioMedix since we are getting ready to start the next round of fundraising to support our clinical trials, said Ebrahim S. Delpassand, M.D. CEO of RadioMedix.

This highly competitive CAP NIH program will help us strengthen our commercialization plan and business model, and engage with both industry partners and investors. Our selection highlights commercial value and clinical significance of the targeted emitter therapy and its potential to improve tumor response to treatment, said Izabela Tworowska, Ph.D., CSO of RadioMedix. We are honored to be part of this unique initiative.

Commercialization Accelerator Program (NIH CAP) is a 9-month program that is well-regarded for its combination of deep domain expertise and access to industry connections, which have resulted in measurable gains and accomplishments by participating companies. Offered since 2004 to address the commercialization objectives of companies across the spectrum of experience and stage, 1000+ companies have participated in the CAP. It is open only to HHS/NIH SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees, and 80 slots are available each year. The program enables participants to establish market and customer relevance, build commercial relationships, and focus on revenue opportunities available to them. For more information, please visit www.sbir.nih.gov/cap

About RadioMedix

RadioMedix, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, based in Texas, focused on innovative targeted radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy of cancer. The company is commercializing radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging and targeted alpha and beta-emitter therapy. RadioMedix established research and contract service facilities for academic and industrial partners at two locations: the cGMP Dose Manufacturing and analytical suites for clinical trials, and the drug discovery and pre-clinical core facility in Houston, TX. In addition, a new state of art commercial manufacturing facility located in Humble, TX has been established. To learn more, visit www.radiomedix.com . For more information about this press release, please contact media@radiomedix.com .

About AlphaMedixTM

AlphaMedixTM is a radiolabeled SSTR-targeting therapeutic investigational drug for the treatment of NETs patients. The product consists of SSTR-targeting peptide complex radiolabeled with 212Pb and serves as an in vivo generator of alpha-emitting particles. 212Pb isotope is particularly suitable for SSTR therapy applications based upon its half-life, high linear transfer (LET)energy, the short path length of decay-causing of double-stranded DNA in cancer cells which leads to irreversible damage.

About Neuroendocrine Tumors

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms that originate from neuroendocrine cells. These neoplasms occur mostly in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, but can also occur in other tissues including lung, thymus, and other uncommon sites such as cervix, heart, and prostate. Most NETs strongly express somatostatin receptors (SSTRs).
Deputy Commissioner of Police Ved Prakash Surya on Friday said that there was adequate patrolling and security arrangements deployed in the area near Seelampur and there were no inputs about any gathering or protests in the region.

"We are in constant touch with the concerned police posts and till now there is no input of people gathering. We are taking proper precaution and forces have also been deployed where it is necessary. We are also carrying out patrolling in and around the Seelampur areas," Ved Prakash Surya DCP, North-East told ANI.

Earlier, the Delhi Police had arrested 16 people after a protest in Delhi's Seelampur area against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act turned violent on December 17.

The protesters had allegedly clashed with policemen and vandalised three buses during the protest. Many people were also injured in the incident.

Subsequently, the court sent them to 14-day judicial custody a day later. Two accused were granted interim bail on the medical ground on January 2 while others were produced before the court at the end of their remand period.

The Crime Branch is handling all the matters pertaining to violence, which had recently erupted in the capital.

They were staging a protest against the newly passed Act, which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists, and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In 2018, Hungarians spent about 7.6% of their household expenditures on catering services, such as restaurant visits, slightly above the European Union average of 7%. according to statistical agency Eurostat.

In 2018, households in the EU spent more EUR 600 billion (equivalent to 3.8% of EU GDP) on catering services, Eurostat says.



The largest share of household expenditure devoted to such services was registered in Ireland (14.4%), Spain (13%), Malta (12.6%) and Greece (12.4%, 2017 data).



On the other end of the spectrum, the lowest share was recorded in Romania (1.9%), followed by Poland (3%), and Lithuania (3.4%).



The statistical agency says that the share of total household expenditure devoted to catering services increased in most member states between 2008 and 2018.



The fastest increase was reported in Malta (up from 8.2% in 2008, an increase of 4.4 percentage points). The second-fastest growth was registered in Ireland (up 2.9 pp), with Hungary coming in third with an increase of 2.5 pp.



In contrast, household expenditure on catering services fell in four member states where 2018 data is available.



The largest decrease was recorded in Romania (down from 2.9% in 2008, a decrease of 1 pp), Spain (-0.8 pp), Slovakia (-0.5 pp) and the United Kingdom (-0.2 pp), while catering expenditure remained stagnated in Luxembourg.
Pentagon to deploy roughly 3,500 more troops to Middle East with others placed on alert status, amid tensions with Iran originally appeared on abcnews.go.com

The Pentagon is deploying roughly 3,500 more troops to the Middle East in response to rising tensions in the region with Iran and one day after a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian military commander.

The soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division could leave Fort Bragg in North Carolina for the Middle East as early as this weekend, two U.S. officials told ABC News.

MORE: US strike on Iran's Soleimani 'saved American lives,' disrupted 'imminent attack': Pompeo

"The brigade will deploy to Kuwait as an appropriate and precautionary action in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, and will assist in reconstituting the reserve," a Defense Department spokesperson said in a statement.

On Tuesday night, 750 soldiers from the same brigade -- what the Pentagon calls the Immediate Response Force -- were deployed to Kuwait following violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. About 100 Marines also arrived at the embassy to reinforce security there.

PHOTO: U.S. Army Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division, deploy from Pope Army Airfield, N.C., Jan. 1, 2020. The Immediate Response Force is being deployment to Baghdad following violent protesters that attacked the U.S. Embassy compound. (Capt. Robyn Haake/U.S. Army)

The decision to deploy additional American forces is partly in anticipation of a possible retaliatory attack by Iran or its proxies following a U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran's Quds Force, on Thursday.

A senior defense official told ABC News that elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team out of Vicenza, Italy have also been placed on alert status to possibly deploy to the Middle East if needed. It is likely those forces, which could range from between 100 and 750 in number, would go to protect the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

Lebanon, in addition to Iraq and Syria, were locations Soleimani had recently visited and was planning attacks against U.S. interests, according to a U.S. official and a source familiar with the matter.

Story continues

The deployment of American reinforcements to the Middle East is a direct response to the possibility that Iran could retaliate against American targets in the region because of Solemeini's death..

Mick Mulroy, an ABC News contributor and until recently the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy,

"There is a range of possible futures here, and the ball is in the Iranian court right now," Milley said.

Mick Mulroy, an ABC News contributor and until recently the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East policy, said a worst-case scenario could involve an Iranian-directed "all-out assault on Israel" launched by Iranian proxies in Lebanon, possibly triggering a regional conflict.

There are also concerns that Irans Quds Force or its intelligence service could target U.S. assets beyond the Middle East.

"They could take this type of conflict to areas where we're not as prepared as, say, Iraq, where we have, you know, 1,200 individuals guarding the embassy," Mulroy continued. "We have embassies all around the world that don't have that level of security."

Mulroy said he believes it would be difficult for Iran not to retaliate.

"For them to be able to do something like that this time after losing somebody at the stature of Qassem Soleimani," Mulroy added, "I don't see that being something that they would be able to accept."

ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Luis Martinez contributed to this report.
Killings of major political and military figures have been a recurring factor in the modern Middle East, often presenting a defining moment and changing the contours of history in several instances.

Whether carried out by a foreign or domestic attacker, the slayings including some high-profile assassinations have had a huge, immediate and lasting impact.

They have derailed promising peace efforts, fuelled tinderbox conflicts or ushered in new leadership.

The killing of Iran's military figure Major General Qassem Soleimani of the Revolutionary Guard's elite fighting force in a US airstrike near the Baghdad airport on Friday could be such a moment as the region and world braces for Tehran's retaliation and a potential wider conflict that could draw in various nations and militias.

Here's a look at some of the most significant deaths of key leaders in the Middle East since World War II.

Folke Bernadotte, a Swedish diplomat and an UN mediator in Palestine, was killed in Jerusalem in 1948 by the Stern Gang, a group of Jewish militants that counted future Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir among its members.

During World War II, he had negotiated and helped secure the release of thousands of Jewish prisoners in German concentration camps.

The Swedish nobleman's efforts at forging truce followed by a formal peace after the first Arab-Israeli war in 1948 led to his death.

King Abdullah I of Jordan was killed in front of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem at 1951 by an Arab follower of the former mufti of the city.

King Abdullah had incorporated the portion of British mandated territory, including Jerusalem and what is now the West Bank, that bordered Jordan the year before.

Following Britain's departure from Mandate Palestine, the mufti presented himself as the key driver of creating an Arab state in the territory and the Jordanian king was his political nemesis.

The House of Saud suffered an assassination that sent tremors around the region in 1975 when King Faisal was killed by a nephew. He had been a strong proponent of Palestinian independence and leveraged Riyadh's oil clout against the US and other Western powers in the early 1970s.

Just three years after formalising a peace treaty with Israel and sharing the Nobel Peace Prize with Israel's Menachem Begin, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and firm US ally was killed in 1981 by the country's Islamic Jihad group in a spectacular attack during an annual parade in Cairo commemorating the 1973 October war against Israel.

The accord had infuriated Islamic groups who had been previously mostly pacified.

Egypt has never truly emerged from the grip of autocratic rule, which continued under Sadat's successor Hosni Mubarak.

There was brief hope during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 but subsequent years of turmoil brought to power general-turned-president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, whose government has cracked down on critics and dissent.

Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was pushing on with what Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat called the "peace of the brave", based on the 1993 Oslo peace accords.

Two years after the groundbreaking handshake on the White House lawn between the two men, Rabin was killed by an Israeli extremist opposed to peace negotiations with the Palestinians at a rally promoting the accords.

Successive right-wing Israeli governments, which prolonged the occupation, and a weakened Palestinian leadership have overseen a process that was moribund and now effectively dead in the water after a series of moves by President Donald Trump have been widely perceived as favouring Israel and punishing the Palestinians.

Two leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas were killed within a month of each other in 2004 by Israeli airstrikes.

Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was killed by a missile in his wheelchair after a prayer session in Gaza City. Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi was also killed by an Israeli missile in the car he was travelling in near his home in Gaza.

Wars and convulsions of cross-border conflict have erupted several times in the years since. Israel is also believed to have been behind the 2008 car bombing in Damascus that killed Imad Mughniyeh, a top commander in the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri was assassinated by a massive suicide truck bombing on a Beirut seaside street in 2005, triggering an unprecedented mass uprising against Syria's occupation of Lebanon after Damascus was blamed for the killing.

The Libyan chapter of the Arab uprisings sweeping the region in 2011 was the first to take a violent turn, spiraling into civil war with atrocities committed both by Moammar Gadhafi's forces and the popular opposition forces.

The West intervened on the rebels' side, with punishing air strikes which proved a major catalyst to Gadhafi's fall.

In gruesome images many around the globe saw in near real-time in the age of social media, Gadhafi was captured in his native city of Sirte by rebels from Misrata, a region that had suffered greatly at his hands. They humiliated him in his death throes.

They then paraded his corpse for days so the nation would believe that the dictator was really dead.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- Ingalls Shipbuilding has been awarded a $453 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to provide planning yard support to U.S. Navy cruisers and destroyers.

The contract calls for planning yard design services for existing Ticonderoga-class cruisers and Spruance-class destroyers. The post-delivery support includes fleet modernization program planning, design engineering and modeling, logistics support, long-lead-time material support, and preventative and planned maintenance system item development and scheduling.

The contract includes options over a five-year period.

This is another exciting opportunity for our shipbuilders to continue our 35 years of planning yard experience, said Ingalls president Brian Cuccias. We take pride in not only building state-of-the-art warships for the U.S. Navy, but also in caring for them while they are in active service. We look forward to utilizing our talent and resources to complete the work needed to return these cruisers to the fleet  modernized and fully capable.

Ingalls was the only shipyard included in the contract and thus the work will take place almost exclusively in Pascagoula and involve the shipyards designers, engineers, logisticians, planners, program managers and others.
Rebecca Judd urged her fans to donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief on Thursday, amid the ongoing bushfires.

The 36-year-old footy WAG took to her Instagram Story to share screenshots of her own donation while encouraging others to do the same.

Rebecca, who is married to retired AFL star Chris Judd, said that to do nothing at all during the crisis is 'un-Australian'.

It comes as other celebrities - including Samantha Armytage, Grant Crapp and Chloe Morello - describe their own personal experiences of the disaster.

State of emergency: Rebecca Judd (pictured) urged her fans to donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief on Thursday, amid the ongoing bushfires

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Sunrise host Samantha Armytage expressed her relief after managing to escape the NSW south coast fires on New Year's Eve.

The 43-year-old journalist shared a photo of herself in her car alongside a man believed to be her boyfriend, Richard Lavender.

Sam admitted it had been a harrowing experience, adding that being so close to the blaze had made her reflect on her own life.

Relief: Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, Sunrise host Sam Armytage (pictured) expressed her relief after managing to escape the NSW south coast fires on New Year's Eve

Ordeal: Sam admitted it had been a harrowing experience, adding that being so close to the blaze had made her reflect on her own life

'More seriously, I'm feeling very thankful for my lot in life and very sad for those who've just lost lives, livestock and livelihoods,' she wrote.

'I plan to use the year ahead wisely. To simplify my life. With more love for my loved ones, more kindness, more patience, more healthy living.'

Love Island Australia winner Grant Crapp lost his $770,000 home in Malua Bay, on the NSW south coast, to the devastating bushfires.

Devastating: Love Island Australia winner Grant Crapp lost his $770,000 home in Malua Bay, on the NSW south coast, to the devastating bushfires

Shocking scenes: On Thursday, the 24-year-old reality star compared the scenes around him to the aftermath of a nuclear disaster

On Thursday, the 24-year-old reality star compared the scenes around him to the aftermath of a nuclear disaster.

The electrician told The Daily Telegraph he had witnessed locals lying on the road in tears after having lost their homes and possessions.

'The best way to describe it is it's like an atomic bomb has dropped and just wiped out everything, just so depressing and devastating you know?' Grant said.

Wiped out: 'The best way to describe it is it's like an atomic bomb has dropped and just wiped out everything, just so depressing and devastating you know?' Grant said

'It was a bad day on New Year's, I came home and saw people lying on the road crying because their properties had collapsed, animals were burned and running around in shock, it's intense.'

Grant added that his own home has 'completely gone... [its] wiped out'.

YouTuber Chloe Morello's family home came within metres of burning down, as bushfires ripped through Batemans Bay on Tuesday.

Close call: YouTuber Chloe Morello's family home came within metres of burning down, as bushfires ripped through Batemans Bay on Tuesday

The LA-based beauty vlogger took to social media to tell her followers that the house she grew up in had been razed to the ground.

It wasn't until later that afternoon when her family was allowed to inspect the damage, that she discovered the home had been saved thanks to the actions of heroic neighbours armed with hoses.

'Fires burnt right up to our front porch. Others on our street lost everything. More bad conditions forecast for the week apparently? Hoping for some good news with the weather,' she posted on Twitter.

Batemans Bay remains cut off from the rest of NSW and thousands are still without power, but residents have been able to assess the damage to their properties.

'If it's not working for you, try another device': Meanwhile, Rebecca Judd revealed she had experienced technical issues while trying to donate to the Red Cross

Meanwhile, Rebecca revealed that she had experienced technical issues while trying to donate to the Red Cross.

'We had a bit of difficulty donating via our iPhones this morning but managed to get through via laptops / iPad,' she wrote on Instagram.

'So if it's not working for you, try another device. Flat Out Mum said it best - doing nothing and being a bystander in this ongoing and awful situation is UN-AUSTRALIAN.'

She added: 'I'm hoping the technical difficulties are because generous Aussies are bombarding the site with donations.'

'Don't be a bystander!' In her caption, Rebecca referred to a post by the Instagram account Flat Out Mum (above), which has gone viral on social media. The post encouraged Australians to donate out of a sense of national duty

In her caption, Rebecca referred to a post by the Instagram account Flat Out Mum, which has gone viral on social media.

'You can't just watch on with compassion and hurt for the people and animals so badly affected by the bushfire crisis,' the post began.

'Don't be a bystander, if you are in a position to help in ANY way and choose not to, it's un-Australian.'

Heartache: Many other stars have expressed their heartache over the bushfire crisis, including actress Naomi Watts

Many other stars have expressed their heartache over the bushfire crisis, while also urging Australians to help however they can.

Naomi Watts shared footage to Instagram on Friday of the sky in Byron Bay and thanked the 'brave firemen' who are continuing to battle the fires.

'The fires have been truly horrendous. It's so upsetting and worrying. So much wildlife already lost. And still much of the summer ahead,' the 51-year-old wrote.

Awful: Turia Pitt, who suffered burns in a bushfire in 2011, also shared this photo from the NSW south coast. The image drew attention to a thick blanket of smoke in the sky

Turia Pitt, who suffered burns in a bushfire while competing in an ultramarathon in WA in 2011, also shared a photo from the NSW south coast.

The image drew attention to a thick blanket of smoke in the sky.

The 32-year-old former athlete thanked those who are doing 'awesome work for our community' and shared several donation hotlines.

Heartfelt: Alongside an image of burnt bushland, former Hi-5 star Lauren Brant admitted to feeling 'totally helpless' as the fires continue to 'kill and ruin so much'

Horrific: Rebecca Gibney also re-posted a photo originally shared by Lisa Wilkinson that depicted the stark conditions in Bega, NSW

Alongside an image of burnt bushland, former Hi-5 star Lauren Brant admitted to feeling 'totally helpless' as the fires continue to 'kill and ruin so much'.

'I'm praying for us as a collective to be able to look after our country better,' she wrote. 'I'm praying for our firefighters and volunteers. I'm praying for those with homes and family affected, and I'm praying for those animals scared and in pain.'

Rebecca Gibney also re-posted a photo originally shared by Lisa Wilkinson that depicted the stark conditions in Bega, NSW.

Support: David Campbell wrote, 'I don't feel right going through my year when so many are suffering and sacrificing right now. So my family and I are making a donation'

Incredible shot: David Warner uploaded a widely-shared image of a man and his dog sitting on a NSW south coast beach, taken by photographer Alex Coppel

The actress said she would not be posting her usual photos on Instagram 'given the horrific nature of what is going on in Australia', and urged her followers to donate.

David Warner uploaded a picture of a man and his dog sitting on a NSW south coast beach, taken by photographer Alex Coppel.

Alongside the widely-shared image, the 33-year-old cricketer wrote: 'My heart, my family's heart, are with you. These fires are beyond worlds.'

Meanwhile, Rebel Wilson recognised the work of Sydney's Featherdale Wildlife Park in helping to rescue animals from the NSW fires.

'We have to work hard': Meanwhile, Rebel Wilson recognised the work of Sydney's Featherdale Wildlife Park in helping to rescue animals from the NSW fires

The 39-year-old shared photos with zookeepers and urged her fans to 'work hard to protect the animals and our environment'.

An 'unprecedented' state of disaster was declared in Victoria giving the government special powers - used for the first time ever - to impose forced evacuations and give emergency services the right to take over properties.

Neighbouring New South Wales also announced a week-long state of emergency as soaring temperatures up to 46C are expected to spark even more devastating bushfires which have already killed 18 people.

If you'd like to donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief, click here

State of disaster: An 'unprecedented' state of disaster was declared in Victoria. Pictured: a firefighting helicopter tackling a fire near Bairnsdale, Victoria, on December 31
The pitch is that global capital can provide the scale and firepower required to finance the farming techniques needed to feed a growing world population, while also making farming more environmentally friendly. Macquarie, which has invested its own capital, charges a fee for managing the assets. Why farming? It is similar to the model that helped make Macquarie a powerhouse in the financing of infrastructure, in which it is the worlds biggest asset manager. Whether the group, known as the millionaires' factory, can pull off the same financial feat in farming remains to be seen. About an hour's drive away from the wheat paddock is one of the nerve centres behind Macquaries farming push.

Loading In Albury, staff in the offices of Macquarie-owned Viridis Ag can monitor the operations in minute detail, such as the latest yield or the fuel consumption of one of the combine harvesters working the field. On the wall is a map of Australia, with coloured pins representing the farming operations run by Macquarie-owned businesses. The portfolio includes avocados, various other crops, cattle and a 49 per cent stake in the countrys largest cotton farm, Cubbie Station. Perhaps the most obvious question is what has prompted Macquarie to get into the farming business? And how are its farms going in one of the worst droughts on record? Despite the extreme conditions, OLeary says there remains strong demand from big investors, especially from overseas, to own Australian farms. Some of its investors have pledged to lock up their capital for 15 years and OLeary stresses that over longer time frames, farmland is a "highly defensive" asset.

Loading "If you look at all the data, returns in agriculture are uncorrelated with anything, so its just a classic diversification story," she says. Farming is volatile due to factors such as drought but Macquarie aims to limit volatility by spreading capital across a range of different types of farms, in various climate zones across the country. "For us its about how do we smooth out the volatility with these big diversified portfolios and then how do we maximise the opportunity for capital appreciation in the underlying land value by treating it well," OLeary says. OLeary says it has been "a really tough year across the board," due to the lack of rain. The geographic mix of farms has helped, but not as much as it normally would.

The financial logic is also underpinned by expectations that global food supply must increase sharply to feed a growing population, and investors are also betting returns can be lifted by improving farming methods and improving soil health. 'When funds look around the world at risk-weighted returns and an opportunity assessment, Australia fares very favourably.' Elizabeth OLeary Domestic superannuation funds have a small allocation to agriculture, with Australians only making up about 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the investors in these funds. But OLeary says overseas funds, including those in Europe, have a history of backing the sector. "When those funds look around the world at risk-weighted returns and an opportunity assessment, Australia fares very favourably," she says. The executive comes to the job with hands-on experience in farming. She is one of seven daughters who grew up as rice, wheat and sheep farmers in the Riverina region.

OLeary, who is married and has two daughters, has been at Macquarie for more than 16 years. During that time she was closely involved in the 2009 purchase of US funds management business Delaware Asset Management, European infrastructure deals, and, before this job, she was the global head of human resources. Growth ambitions Ive got two very different wardrobes, OLeary says. And I just have to make sure I pack the right one, because Im not sure how New York would cope with these dusty boots. For institutional investments in farming to stack up, the operations have to be large scale. This will mean buying up more family farms around the country. The entities controlled by Macquarie have already snapped up dozens of farms and more expansion is on the cards. We continue to want to build out our portfolio with high-quality assets, OLeary says.

As you would expect, however, the investment banking groups expansion has attracted scrutiny. There has been criticism from some about land clearing. A neighbour of one of the Macquarie farms near Cootamundra, in NSW, this year told the ABC he was gobsmacked when the new owners bulldozed native trees on the property. OLearly responds that Macquarie will replace any trees that are removed by planting even more elsewhere. Even so, she concedes there is a "natural tension" between the global need to ramp up food production and managing environmental impacts. "Its not ideal, its not perfect. Its trying to find this compromise between productivity and managing the environment and biodiversity," she says. There are also regulatory hurdles.

O'Leary says the Foreign Investment Review Board is required to approve each acquisition the funds she manages make in Australia, which could have "unintended consequences" for those selling their farms. Farming seems a world away from the slick world of investment banking. Credit:Jim Rice "It [the process] is lengthier than it was intended to be. We just need to be mindful with this kind of process that it does not act as a competitive disadvantage," O'Leary says. As part of her pitch, she argues the wave of investment and the employment opportunities can revitalise rural communities. "I think theres a view that families disappear from farms, and actually, if anything, whats happened in our business is youve seen the natural retirement of families and the replenishment of those communities with typically young couples with kids," OLeary says.

The wider environmental challenges facing farmers also loom large. Food production contributes to 10 to 12 per cent of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions, and OLeary admits the sector faces a "conundrum". "Youve got an imperative to double food production globally. Weve got to reduce our use of water ... And weve got to curb the CO2 emissions profile." Even so, she argues that moves to cut emissions and pursue more sustainable farming practices will improve profitability. Promoting soil health on the wheat farms near Albury, for example, should over the long-term improve yields from the land. GPS-guided harvesters that have their movements tracked should also emit less pollution and be less expensive to run.

In a boost for these plans, the taxpayer-owned Clean Energy Finance Corp last year tipped in $100 million to be managed on MIRAs agricultural business, targeting energy efficiency on farms. Farmers harvest wheat near Cowra in NSW. Credit:Kate Geraghty Some in the industry are yet to be convinced. One Western Australian farming group this year questioned if the CEFC's investment was a subsidy for methods that are already being adopted elsewhere. Macquarie, meanwhile, says that it is codifying the farming practices of the top quartile and rolling them out at scale. In a sign of the strong demand for these sorts of assets among institutional investors, one of its unlisted agriculture funds recently raised another $1 billion. It is this goal of bringing in large-scale capital for farming investment that OLeary describes as the "so what?".
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 13:32:38|Editor: ZD

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FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Five Taliban fighters have given up fighting in the northern Badakhshan province and handed over their weapons to local authorities, provincial police spokesman Sanaullah Rohani said Friday.

"Five armed Taliban fighters under Mullah Khalil who were involved in anti-government activities in Jarm district over the past couple of years have given up fighting and handed over their weapons to local authorizes on Thursday night," Rohani told Xinhua.

The former Taliban commander Mullah Khalil, according to the official, has called upon his former comrades, the Taliban insurgents, to follow his step and stop fighting in the country.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Badakhshan province have yet to make comments on the report.
A 23-year-old woman has been charged with hate crimes for allegedly grabbing the hijab off a 24-year-old foreign exchange student from Saudi Arabia, then stripping off her own clothes and rubbing the hijab against her breasts and crotch at a downtown Portland MAX station.

Jasmine Renee Campbell didnt know the victim, who is Muslim and attends Portland State University, authorities said.

Jasmine Renee Campbell, 23, is accused of grabbing a hijab off of a Muslim woman and desecrating it. (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office)

A probable cause affidavit filed by the prosecution says Campbell told police that she targeted the student because she wanted to let the woman know that her religion shouldnt define her.

Campbell approached the student from behind about 7:20 p.m. on Nov. 12, took hold of the hijab and tried to choke the student, the affidavit states.

The student was able to push Campbell away, and Campbell responded by taking off all her clothes except for a leather jacket and rubbing the religious covering against her breasts and running it between her legs and against her genitals, according to the affidavit.

Campbell mocked and made fun of Muslims, the affidavit says.

Witnesses called police.

The victim told investigators that she no longer wears a hijab because she doesnt feel safe letting the public know of her religion. She instead wears a knit cap and a scarf to cover her head, according to the affidavit.

The student was attacked as she waited at the MAX train station near Southwest Ninth Avenue and Yamhill Street, the affidavit says. The station is within a block of Multnomah Countys Central Library in downtown Portland.

Campbell was indicted by a grand jury Dec. 18 on two counts of second-degree bias crime, attempted strangulation, harassment and third-degree criminal mischief.

She was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Multnomah County Circuit Court but failed to appear. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Court papers in recent months list Campbell as both homeless or living at an address in outer Southeast Portland.

Community members reacted with upset over the encounter.

This is a really rough time for Muslim women, said Zakir Khan, who is the Oregon board chairperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Were seeing other attacks against Muslim women who wear the hijab. They should be freely able to exercise their religion, just like anyone else.

Khan said hostilities against some religious groups, not just Muslims, appears to be on the rise nationally.

The rhetoric is not dying down, Khan said. What its doing is creating an environment that is empowering people to commit these crimes.

-- Aimee Green

agreen@oregonian.com

o_aimee

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.
The Odisha government has asked the district collectors to ensure Aadhaar seeding with social security pension schemes Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) by March 15, officials said on Friday.

In a letter to all the collectors, the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities said, "Starting from 01.04.2020, pension under NSAP/MBPY will not be disbursed without Aadhaar."



The letter said 91 per cent and 73 per cent of the beneficiaries of NSAP and MBPY respectively have linked their Aadhaar cards with the schemes till October last year and 100 per cent seeding should be achieved by March 15 to bring transparency in the schemes.

Those beneficiaries whose Aadhaar verification or seeding is pending will be asked to bring copies of their cards when they come to receive their pensions on January 15, failing which they will be given another opportunity to produce the documents on February 15, it said.

Beneficiaries failing to link their Aadhaar cards with the schemes will be barred from availing the pensions from April 1, the letter said.

"We will certainly meet the target. Few people are left and their Aadhaar seeding with the schemes will be completed within March," said minister of the department, Ashok Chandra Panda.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US military killed General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in a drone strike in Iraq on Friday to protect American personnel abroad, dramatically escalating hostilities between the arch-rivals and spiking tensions in the already volatile Persian Gulf region.

Gen Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed when a drone fired missiles into a convoy that was leaving the Baghdad International Airport early on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force and some local Iran-backed militias.

Gen Soleimani, 62, was widely seen as the second most powerful figure in Iran behind the Ayatollah Khamenei. His Quds Force, an elite unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, reported directly to the ayatollah and he was hailed as a heroic national figure.

The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani in the air strike, saying the military action was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.

"At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Following Soleimani's killing, Trump, on vacation in Florida, initially tweeted an image of the US flag.

Hours later, he tweeted again. "Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!" he wrote, in an apparent slight against the nuclear deal his predecessor Barack Obama negotiated with Tehran.

The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

Gen Soleimani and officials from Iran-backed militias were leaving Baghdad airport in two cars when they were hit by a US drone strike near a cargo area.

He had reportedly flown in from Lebanon or Syria. Several missiles struck the convoy and at least six people are believed to have died, according to media reports from Baghdad.

The Pentagon alleged that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more," it said.

The Pentagon said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

"General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad that took place this week," it said.

"The US will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, it said.

In Tehran, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said "severe revenge awaits the criminals" behind the attack. He also announced three days of national mourning.

"For years it was his wish to become a martyr, and finally God granted him his highest office", Khamenei said.

President Hasan Rouhani, reacting to Soleimani's killing, said it had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values".

Meanwhile, global oil prices have soared by more than four per cent in the wake of the attack.

The of Soleimani's killing generated different reactions in Washington along party lines with Republicans heaping praise on Trump and Democrats expressing concerns about the legality and consequences of the strike.

"I appreciate President @realDonaldTrump's bold action against Iranian aggression," Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a fierce Trump ally, tweeted. "To the Iranian government: if you want more, you will get more."



Trump's decision was supported by his former Cabinet colleague, Indian- American Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

"Qasem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, she tweeted.

Senator Marco Rubio backed Trump's action in a tweet. They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions. They badly miscalculated, he said.

Senator Bernie Sanders, who is also running for president in the Democratic primary, called it a "dangerous escalation" that brings the US "closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East that could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars."



"Trump promised to end endless wars, but this action puts us on the path to another one, he said.

House Speaker and top Democrat Nancy Pelosi warned the US could not "put the lives of American service members, diplomats and others further at risk by engaging in provocative and disproportionate actions."



Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018. The US then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A woman was arrested Thursday in connection with the death of her grandmother's dogs after San Antonio police said she did not feed them or give them water while in her care, according to an arrest affidavit.

Lani Elizabeth Taylor, 22, was charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals.

On Dec. 3, San Antonio Police responded to a residence at the 1500 block of Firwick Drive, where two dogs were found dead in wire kennels in the garage. According to the veterinarian who performed the necropsy, the dogs "suffered severely until they passed," the affidavit said.

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Both dogs had flea dirt present in their fur, had severely overgrown nails and both dogs had been dead for at least two weeks, the affidavit continued.

"Based on the photos of the scene there was no food or water present, but also no feces/urine in the kennels where the canines were found. Trapped canines will ingest their own feces/urine in order to survive for as long as possible to survive," the veterinarian's report said in the affidavit.

Taylor was supposed to care for the house and the dogs while her grandmother, the homeowner, was in hospice care battling cancer.

Her bail was set at $10,000.

Taylor Pettaway 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 | taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | @TaylorPettaway
Most Republicans in Congress want the Supreme Court to make abortion illegal as it prepares to hear its first major case on the issue since President Trump appointed two conservative justices to the bench.

More than 200 members of the Senate and House of Representatives - all but two of them Republicans - want the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 decision which made abortion legal in the United States.

Thirty-nine senators and 168 House members submitted an amicus brief to the court as it prepares to hear the case of June Medical Services LLC v. Gee.

The case is an appeal filed by a Louisiana clinic challenging a state law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.

The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on the case beginning in March. A decision is expected by the end of June.

The Supreme Court this spring will hear arguments in a case challenging a 2014 Louisiana law that if allowed to stand would effectively shut down abortion clinics throughout the state. Pro-choice activists protest in front of the Supreme Court in May 2019

June Medical Services LLC v. Gee is the first major abortion case since President Trump appointed two conservatives justices to the bench - Brett Kavanaugh (left) and Neil Gorsuch (right)

The 2014 law is virtually identical to one in Texas that the Supreme Court struck down in 2016, when Justice Anthony Kennedy was on the bench and before the addition of President Donald Trumps two high court picks, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, who have shifted the court to the right.

WHERE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES STAND ON ABORTION Swing vote Chief Justice John Roberts George W. Bush appointee. Voted in favor of abortion restrictions until Justice Anthony Kennedy left the bench. In only abortion case since then, voted to provisionally block new restrictions in Louisiana. As swing justice, seen as wanting to avoid the Supreme Court being associated with entrenched political positions. Could do his best to avoid a Roe v. Wade challenge coming to the court. Position if one did is now unclear Liberal wing Stephen Breyer Clinton appointee. Warned in May that that the conservative majority could overturn a 1992 decision upholding Roe v. Wade. Has consistently voted pro-choice Elena Kagan Obama appointee. Has consistently voted pro-choice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Clinton appointee. Has consistently voted pro-choice Sonia Sotomayor Obama appointee. Has consistently voted pro-choice Conservative wing Clarence Thomas George H.W. Bush appointee. Said this year that Roe v. Wade was 'notoriously incorrect' and compared it to Dred Scott, the case which upheld slavery before the Civil War. Has consistently voted for anti-abortion positions Samuel Alito George W. Bush appointee. As a federal appeal judge, he voted to uphold a Pennsylvania law which required women to tell their husbands they planned to have an abortion. As Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, his ruling was overturned in the Supreme Court the next year, in a ruling Stephen Breyer says could be overturned itself. Has consistently voted for anti-abortion positions Neil Gorsuch Trump appointee. Only vote on abortion-related case was in February, on whether to block restrictions on clinics in Louisiana pending a full appeal. Gorsuch voted for them to go into place but the block was kept in place by Roberts voting with the liberal wing. Federal court career has no abortion votes. Seen as likely to vote for anti-abortion positions Brett Kavanaugh Trump appointee. Like Gorsuch, only vote on abortion-related case was in February, on whether to block restrictions on clinics in Louisiana pending a full appeal, when he joined Gorsuch in losing minority. As federal appeal court judge had one significant abortion vote, against allowing a 17-year-old illegal immigrant in detention to seek a termination without delay. Seen as likely to vote for anti-abortion positions Advertisement

If the law is allowed to be implemented, that means it would leave Louisiana without any functioning abortion clinics, according to CBS News.

Members of Congress said in their brief that the court should consider overturning Roe as well as a 1992 decision, Casey v Planned Parenthood, which upheld the basic principle of Roe but allowed for greater abortion restrictions.

The signatories of the amicus brief say that the Louisiana case illustrates the unworkability of the right to abortion found in Roe v Wadeand the need for the Court to take up the issue of whether Roe and Casey should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled.

Among those who signed the brief include Senators Mitt Romney of Utah; Ted Cruz of Texas; and Marco Rubio of Florida.

Thirteen Republican senators declined to sign the letter. Eight of them, including Cory Gardner of Colorado, Susan Collins of Maine, and Martha McSally of Arizona, are set to run this year in very competitive races for re-election.

Four of the 39 senators and 8 of the 168 representatives who signed the letter are women.

The only two Democrats who signed on to the brief are Congressmen Dan Lipinski of Illinois and Collin Peterson of Minnesota.

Lipinski, a conservative Democrat who represents a safe blue district, is facing a primary challenge from a more liberal opponent, Marie Newman, who is receiving support from pro-choice groups like EMILYs List and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

Peterson, who is also a conservative Democrat, was one of two Democrats to vote against both counts of impeachment against President Trump.

The Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Louisiana law from taking effect last February, when Chief Justice John Roberts joined the courts four liberal justices to put it on hold.

Kavanaugh and Gorsuch were among the four conservatives who would have allowed the law to take effect.

Those preliminary votes do not bind the justices when they undertake a thorough review of an issue, but they often signal how a case will come out.

Roberts vote to block the Louisiana law was a rare vote against an abortion restriction in his more than 13 years as chief justice.

That may reflect his new role since Kennedys retirement as the courts swing justice, his concern about the court being perceived as a partisan institution and respect for a prior decision of the court, even one he disagreed with.

In the Texas case, he voted in dissent to uphold the admitting privileges requirement.

The Louisiana case and a separate appeal over an Indiana ultrasound requirement for women seeking an abortion involve the standard first laid out by the court in 1992 that while states can regulate abortion, they cant do things that place an undue burden on a womans right to an abortion.

The regulations are distinct from other state laws making their way through court challenges that would ban abortions early in a pregnancy.
Jamia Millia Islamia appointed Dr Nazim Hussain Jafri the new Controller of Examination.

Dr Jafri was the joint registrar in the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) before joining Jamia Millia. He has also served as joint controller exams and officiating registrar of the AMU.

Jmaia Millia University is likely to announce fresh dates for the end-semester exams soon as it was closed mid-December after violence at its campus during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

It had declared vacation till January 5 and cancelled all exams in view of the tense situation.

A PhD in History from AMU, Dr Jafri has also served as the first registrar of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.

He has served as controller of examination at Babasaheb Bheemrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. He has also worked as a lecturer in AMU and later on he became deputy registrar of the university.

He has been associated with various committees of the University Grants Commission (UGC) as a member and has authored five books in History and more than 20 research papers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Kitty Block and Sara Amundson

The HCA would, with certain exceptions, end all animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients in the United States and prohibit the import of cosmetics that have been tested on animals anywhere else in the world. Photo by Tiripero tiripero/iStockphoto.com

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Residents of three U.S. states can now buy cosmetics in stores without having to worry whether they may have been tested on animals. On New Years Day yesterday, a ban on the sales of cosmetics newly tested on animals went into effect in California, Illinois and Nevada. This signals the dawn of a new era when it comes to this practice that results in great suffering for tens of thousands of animals worldwide.

The Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Legislative Fund supported efforts to pass the lawsin California in 2018 and in Illinois and Nevada in 2019and we are happy that these three states have stepped up. But even as we celebrate, it is important to remember that we still lack a nationwide ban on cosmetics animal testing and the sale of cosmetic products tested on animals.

Fortunately, there is now a bill in Congress, the Humane Cosmetics Act, to do just that, and we need to do our best to make 2020 the year it becomes law.

The HCA would, with certain exceptions, end all animal testing for cosmetic products and ingredients in the United States and prohibit the import of cosmetics that have been tested on animals anywhere else in the world. The bill prohibits companies from labeling their products as cruelty-free if they are selling their products in China where animal testing is still required.

This bill would put our country on par with nearly 40 nations, including the member states of the European Union, Australia, Guatemala, India, Israel, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and Turkey, all of which have passed laws prohibiting or limiting cosmetic animal testing.

With Humane Society International, weve driven this global momentum to end cosmetics testing in which substances are forced down the throats of animals, dripped into their eyes, or smeared onto their skin. The animals are left to suffer for days or weeks without pain relief. Most people do not want their beauty products to come at such great cost to innocent animals, and this has led to more and more consumers scanning labels on products to ensure they are cruelty-free.

With thousands of ingredients having a history of safe use and an increasing number of non-animal test methods available to provide data more relevant to humans, often in less time and at a lower cost, companies can still create new and innovative cosmetics without any additional animal testing. Many cosmetics producers, in fact, have been happy to comply with consumer demand for cruelty-free products, and already more than 1,000 brands in North America have committed to producing cosmetics that are free of new animal testing. Even global beauty giants Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Avon and the Estee Lauder Companies have joined with HSI and our #BeCrueltyFree campaign to ban animal testing for cosmetics in all major global beauty markets by 2023.

The Humane Cosmetics Act has the endorsement of close to 300 stakeholders, including the Personal Care Products Council, the trade group representing the cosmetics industry in the United States.

There is no need for Congress to drag its feet on ending cosmetics testing nationwide. California, Illinois and Nevada have already set an example by showing us that so many Americans prefer the humane path forward on this issue. The Humane Cosmetics Act also has bipartisan supportit was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Martha McSally, R-Ariz., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and in the House by Reps. Don Beyer, D-Va., Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., and Ken Calvert, R-Calif.showing that this is an issue that cuts across party lines and political beliefs.

We now need your help to get more lawmakers to sign on to this important bill. Please call your Representative and Senators in Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Humane Cosmetics Act if they havent already, and do all they can to get it enacted quickly. With the cosmetics industry, consumers and states increasingly turning away from cosmetics testing, there has never been a better time to set our nation on a decisive path away from the cruelty.

Sara Amundson is president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.
A Kentucky woman has been awarded $10.5 million after a sponge was left inside her following surgery, which led to complications and, ultimately, the amputation of ther left leg.

Carolyn Boerste was 54 years old when she underwent bypass surgery to improve blood flow to her legs at the University of Louisville Hospital in 2011.

A vein was accidentally cut and an 18-by-18-inch sponge was used to help pool up the blood - which was then left inside her.

Boerste, now 62, suffered several gastrointestinal complications over the years as the sponge eroded into her intestine.

After it was discovered - and removed - she went to rehab where a blister developed on her left heel, and her leg couldn't be saved, resulting in an amputation.

Carolyn Boerste, 62, of Louisville, Kentucky, was awarded $10.5 million by a jury after a sponge was left inside her during an operation in 2011, eventually leading to a leg amputation. Pictured: Boerste after the amputation

During a bypass operation at the University of Louisville Hospital in March 2011 A vascular surgeon cut a vein that led to a 'bloody mess' soaked up with an 18-by-18 inch sponge that was left in her body

The 'tragedy of errors' - as described by Boerste's attorneys - began when the grandmother underwent bypass surgery in March 2011.

During the procedure, Dr Marvin Morris, a vascular surgeon, accidentally cut a renal vein, which drains the kidney.

This created what Dr Morris called a 'bloody mess' and a 'crisis' that doctors and nurses needed to clean up with surgical sponges, according to a case summary written by James 'Bo' Bolus, one of Boerste's attorneys.

Nurses were supposed to a do a 'sponge count' ahead of their lunch break, but didn't before they went to go eat.

Bolus told DailyMail.com that staff didn't take the policy seriously and viewed it as a 'mere guideline'.

'Policies aren't guidelines. Policies are what the hospital says the nurses are supposed to do,' he said.

'And they didn't think it was an efficient use of their time. In this case, it would have been if they had taken five minutes to count the sponges.'

Although the surgery improved blood flow to Boerste's legs, she subsequently suffered several complications, according to the case summary.

In 2015, she experienced gastrointestinal problems, including severe vomiting, after the sponge eroded into her intestine.

Dr Mark Nunley at Baptist East Hospital saw the sponge on a CT scan, but didn't tell Boerste, instead discharging her with a urinary tract infection, according the case summary from Bolus.

Boerste (left and right, with her grandchildren) later suffered gastrointestinal problems and the sponge was caught on a X-ray but no doctors told her about it. In November 2016, doctors at Baptist East Hospital found the sponge during another visit and it was removed

During rehab, a blister developed on Boerste's foot that became infected and her leg had to be amputated. Pictured: The sponge that was left in Boerste, November 2016

Boerste's family physician, Dr Kim Brumleve, at Family Health Center, was sent the report, but didn't tell her patient because she allegedly thought Dr Nunley had already told her, the case summary states.

In November 2016, Boerste was rushed to Baptist East with intestinal pain. This time, doctors told her about the sponge and it was removed.

However, while she was recovering at Franciscan Health Care Center, Boerste developed a blister on her left heel.

According to the case summary, the blister was caused by the care center not having enough aides to help Boerste out of bed, resulting in her heel rubbign against the bed sheet to lift herself up.

Due to complications, her leg could not be saved, even after two operations, so it was amputated below the knee in July 2017.

A jury awarded Boerste $10.5 million last month for past medical expenses, future expenses, mental and physical pain and suffering and punitive damages. Pictured: Boerste, October 201

The case summary states that hospital made a pre-trial offer of $500,000 to resolve the dispute, which Bolus described as 'insulting'.

During a trial this year, a jury unanimously found U of L Hospital and Boerste's family physician, Dr Brumleve, at fault.

Dr Morris, the surgeon that cut the vein, was found liable by a nine-to-three vote but not Dr Nunely.

Boerste was awarded $9.5 million, including $550,000 for past medical expenses, $875,000 for future expenses, and $8,075,000 for mental and physical pain and suffering.

The jury also awarded $1 million in punitive damages.

Bolus says that Boerste learned from expert witnesses that her life expectancy has been shortened to five years from when her leg was amputated.

'An appeal takes two to five years. Well heck, she may not live through the appeal,' Bolus said.

'This woman went to hell back and you wouldn't wish that on your worst enemy, and they won't own responsibility for the loss of her leg.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, U of L Health say it is improving safety practices as a result of the litigation.

'Work is already underway by University Medical Center to appeal this ruling,' David McArthur, Director of Public Relations, said.

'Safety is always a top priority and, in the eight years since this case began, we have continually enhance our processes and continue to look for additional opportunities for improvement.'
Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran's Quds Force, attends an annual rally commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, in Tehran, Iran on Feb. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi, File)

Head of Iran Quds Force Qassim Soleimani Killed in Baghdad Strike

Katyusha rockets and drone strikes reported

The Iranian regimes top military official, Qassim Soleimani (also Qassem Soleimani), was killed following reports of at least three Katyusha rocket strikes on an Iraqi military base and drone strikes near Baghdad International Airport early Friday morning.

Iraqi TV and three Iraqi officials confirmed that Soleimani, who was the head of Irans elite Quds Force or Jerusalem force, has been killed by an airstrike.

The officials said the strike also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis (or al-Mohandis), the deputy commander of Iraqs Iran-backed Shiite militias known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The United States said that President Donald Trump ordered the airstrikes that killed Soleimani and al-Muhandis.

General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, the Department of Defense said in a statement, describing the strikes as decisive defensive action.

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, a commander in the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), pictured on Dec. 31, 2019, attends the funeral procession of Hashed al-Shaabi fighters in Baghdad, who were killed on the weekend in US air strikes on a base in western Iraq near al-Qaim, on the border with Syria.(Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images)

This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, it stated.

A video circulating on Twitter showed two vehicles ablaze near Baghdad International Airport and a base that houses American and Iraqi counter-terrorism forces.

Sources from PMF said that five of their members and two guests were killed in airstrikes on their vehicles near Baghdad International Airport.

In addition to al-Muhandis (also known as Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi), Mohammad Reza Al-Jabri, the groups director of public relations in the United States, was among those killed in the strikes.

Al-Muhandis was a former leader of the Iranian-backed Kataib Hizbollah (Kataib Hezbollah) terror organization whose headquarters was targeted by what the United States called defensive strikes over the weekend. He has a long history of terrorist and subversive activities. In 1983, he led terrorist attacks against the U.S. and French embassies in Kuwait, and his men have since been accused of extrajudicial killings in western Iraq.

Unconfirmed reports also claim that Lebanese Hezbollah leader Muhammad al-Kawtharani may have been one of the PMFs guests killed in the airstrikes. It is unclear exactly how many have been wounded.

The PMF called the attack a cowardly U.S. bombing, without providing further details.

Soleimani

Soleimani is considered the architect behind the Iranian regimes foreign influence activities in the Middle East as head of the Quds force, an elite unit within Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps that is tasked with Irans extra-territorial military operations. These including activities to expand Iranian influence in Syria and rocket attacks on Israel.

He had been rumored dead several times, including in a 2006 airplane crash that killed other military officials in northwestern Iran and following a 2012 bombing in Damascus that killed top aides of embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad. More recently, rumors circulated in November 2015 that Soleimani was killed or seriously wounded leading forces loyal to Assad as they fought around Syrias Aleppo.

A senior politician said Soleimanis body was identified by the ring he wore. DNA confirmation is pending.

Iraqs PMF Militia Forces

An Iraqi army soldier inspects a Katyusha rocket found at a field in the vicinity of the Shiite shrine city of Karbala, central iraq, on March 21, 2008. (MOHAMMED SAWAF/AFP via Getty Images)

The PMF is a 140,000 member umbrella of dozens of militia groups outside of state control formed in 2014. While the majority of militias receive funding from the Iraqi state, some groups like the Kataib Hezbollah, receive funding from foreign groups like Irans Quds force.

Widespread protests in Iraq since October have seen local Iraqis decrying the Iranian regimes growing influence in Iraqi state affairs through these militia groups. Wall Street Journal reported that these militias hold 47 parliamentary seats, giving them significant influence in the Iraqi government.

The airstrikes comes two days after multiple Iranian-backed militia groups lead violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in response to what the United States said was defensive strikes on the headquarters of Kataib Hezbollah and other targets.

The strikes were in response to a suspected Kataib Hezbollah missile attack that left one American dead at an Iraqi base.

Isabel van Brugen, Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Republic Day Parade 2020: 22 including Telangana's tableau short-listed

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

New Delhi, Jan 03: The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday announced that it has selected 22 tableaux out of 56 proposals for the Republic Day parade 2020 on January 26. The selected tableaux will feature 16 states and union territories and six central ministries.

The Ministry had received 32 tableau proposals from states and union territories and 24 from central ministries and departments.

Defence Ministry's list of shortlisted participants(tableaux) for Republic Day Parade 2020. pic.twitter.com/adKiUabpxQ  ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2020

An official statement said, "For Republic Day Parade 2020, a total of 56 tableaux proposals (32 from States/UTs and 24 from Ministries/Departments) were received. Out of these, 22 proposals, comprising of 16 States/UTs and 6 Ministries/Departments, have finally been shortlisted for participation in the Republic Day Parade 2020 after a series of five meetings."

Kota: Infants death toll mounts to 104, Cong govt faces flak|OneIndia News

Republic Day 2020: After West Bengal, Maharashtra, Centre rejects Bihar proposed tableau

Meanwhile, after 4 years in a row, the state of Telangana has finally got an opportunity to showcase its cultural heritage in the form of a tableau at the upcoming Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2020. This time the tableau is about 'Bathukamma' and 'Medaram -Sammkaa Sarakka Jatara' festivals against the backdrop of Warangal's Thousand pillar temple.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Brazilian President Jair Messias Bolsonaro to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day, which the Brazilian president accepted.
William Wayland, who has been indicted on five criminal counts, including theft and unauthorized law practice, was released Dec. 13 on personal recognizance ahead of his February trial. But Judge C. Philip Nichols said that after reading media reports about Wayland, who is accused of stealing more than $7,000 from Patricia Duckett, he worried that other senior citizens might be at risk.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the 107th session of Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru today.

Modi on Thursday met Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan.

Modi is on a two-day visit to the state which will conclude on Friday.

Earlier yesterday, he launched five Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He also offered prayers at Sree Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru where he addressed a gathering after distributing Krishi Karman Awards to states.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Source: Xinhua| 2020-01-03 10:43:21|Editor: ZD

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ATHENS, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday evening condemned Turkish parliament's approval of troop deployment in war-torn Libya.

"This decision constitutes a gross violation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 (2011), imposing an arms embargo on Libya and seriously undermining the international community's efforts to find a peaceful, political solution to the Libyan conflict," said a joint statement made here by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"It marks a dangerous escalation of the conflict and a significant deterioration of the situation. Turkey should not violate the Libyan Political Agreement and related United Nations resolutions," said the statement released by Greek government spokesperson Stelios Petsas.

"The repercussions of such a reckless move will be detrimental to the stability and peace of the entire region. Ankara should refrain from taking such an action, which blatantly violates Libyan national sovereignty and independence," the statement added.

Earlier on Thursday, the Turkish parliament passed a motion authorizing the government to deploy troops in Libya for a year in support of the UN-backed government based in the capital Tripoli.

Libya has been locked in a civil war that escalated in 2014, splitting power between two rival governments: the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and another in the northeastern city of Tobruk which is allied with the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar.
Representative Image (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui)

Reinforcing its push for cashless transactions, the Finance Ministry has asked banks to ensure that they have appropriate infrastructure in place to support RuPay and UPI modes, The Times of India reported.

This comes after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in November 2019 that businesses with a turnover of above Rs 50 crore would have to provide customers digital payment modes such as UPI QR codes or RuPay debit card, which will not incur merchant discount rate (MDR) fees from January.

Moneycontrol couldnt independently verify the report.

The Department of Revenue (DoR) held meetings with industry bodies to ensure a smooth roll-out. The paper quoted an official as saying that businesses that do not allow customers from taking advantage of the scheme would face a daily penalty of Rs 5,000.

This is aimed at promoting digital transactions, which help track funds flows better and also reduce the cost of business.

Further, to ensure compliance DoR officials will start store inspections from February 1, the source said, adding that banks cannot promote a single payment method over another. Notably, banks issue a significantly larger number of Mastercard and Visa Cards.
Jeremy Corbyn today condemned the United States for carrying out an 'assassination' of a top Iranian general - and has written to the Prime Minister to ask seven questions about the attack and demand an urgent Privy Council meeting.

Mr Corbyn accused the US president of carrying out 'an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict' in a region beset with violence after the rocket strike which took out Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad.

At the same time a host of his backbenchers also spoke out about the deadly attack, ahead of a leadership battle expected to officially start next week.

Later, Mr Corbyn revealed he had written to the Prime Minister asking questions including what the UK Government knew ahead of the air strike which killed General Qassem Soleimani, if there was an increased terror risk in the UK and whether Boris Johnson had spoken to Donald Trump.

It is understood there are no plans to send more British troops to the region and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called for a calming of tensions from all sides.

General Soleimani, the head of Tehran's elite Quds Force who spearheaded military operations in the Middle East, was targeted in an attack at Baghdad's international airport on Friday.

Mr Raab discussed the dramatic ratcheting of tensions with Mr Trump's Secretary of State Mike Pompeo later in the day.

In his letter to Mr Johnson, outgoing Labour leader Mr Corbyn also asked if the UK had spoken to the UN 'to discuss consequences for peace and security' and what measures had been taken to 'ensure the safety of UK nationals'.

He said: 'Given the serious nature of the issues now faced by our country and indeed the world as a consequence of the US attack, I would welcome a prompt response to this request and stand ready to attend any briefing meeting as soon as arranged.'

The Prime Minister is currently on holiday on the private Caribbean island of Mustique with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds and Number 10 has yet to confirm when the pair are due to return to Downing Street.

But there was criticism of the US for apparently not giving warning of the attack to the UK, which has hundreds of troops deployed in Iraq.

Mr Corbyn accused the US president of carrying out 'an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict' in a region beset with violence

Mr Corbyn has written to the Prime Minister to ask seven questions (pictured), including what the UK Government knew ahead of the air strike which killed General Qassem Soleimani, if there was an increased terror risk in the UK and whether Boris Johnson had spoken to US president Donald Trump

Mr Corbyn tweeted out his letter, also demanding an urgent Privy Council meeting following the US assassination of Soleimani

Jess Philips attacked Mr Trump's 'reckless foreign policy', while Clive Lewis condemned the president's 'cowboy action'

The death of Soleimani (left), a figure deeply ingrained in the Iranian regime who many had assumed would be the country's next leader, brings Iran and America to the brink of all-out war. Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis had been instrumental in leading attacks on the US embassy (pictured right, outside the building)

Mr Corbyn announced he would step down after Labour's disastrous election defeat in December and some of those seen as leading contenders to replace him or become deputy leader were noticeably active on social media this morning after news of the attack broke.

Jess Phillips attacked Mr Trump's 'reckless foreign policy', while Clive Lewis condemned the president's 'cowboy action'.

In a statement today, Mr Corbyn said: 'The US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani is an extremely serious and dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East with global significance.

'The UK government should urge restraint on the part of both Iran and the US, and stand up to the belligerent actions and rhetoric coming from the United States.

'All countries in the region and beyond should seek to ratchet down the tensions to avoid deepening conflict, which can only bring further misery to the region, 17 years on from the disastrous invasion of Iraq.'

It came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced pressure to return to the UK from a holiday in the Caribbean to lead the British response to the crisis.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged restraint from both sides as British troops in the region were placed on high alert amid fear of reprisals.

British and American flags were burned by demonstrators protesting in Tehran against the killing this morning

Iran has vowed a 'crushing revenge' and 'jihad' on the US after the airstrike at Baghdad International Airport.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proclaimed his country would avenge the bitter loss of his highest ranking general, while Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah said it would ramp up its terror 'with the blessing of his pure blood.'

Writing on Twitter today, President Trump defended the action, saying: 'General Qassem Soleimani has killed or badly wounded thousands of Americans over an extended period of time, and was plotting to kill many more...but got caught!'

Fears for British woman held in Iran after US strike The husband of a British woman detained in Iran has expressed concern for her safety and that of her family after the US airstrike. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe (below), a dual British-Iranian citizen, has been imprisoned in Iran's capital Tehran since 2016 when she was arrested and accused of spying while visiting family. Her husband, Richard, who has spent the last four years campaigning for her release, told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'Things are getting much worse again between the US and Iran, but also between all of us and Iran.' He told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I sit here partly worried for what that means for Nazanin, partly worried what that means for my in-laws, sat in their ordinary living room in Tehran where they're all really worried.' Several experts have warned of retaliations from Iran following the American strike. Former Middle East minister, Alistair Burt, said the situation is 'extremely serious'. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the air strike could cause 'a huge potential escalation' of the conflict, of which 'the consequences are unknown'. He added, it is 'very important now to concentrate on what happens next, and for everybody involved diplomatically to do everything they can to try and diffuse the situation' Advertisement

But the strike appears to have taken US allies including Britain by surprise, with Mr Raab only speaking with his counterpart Mike Pompeo after the military operation.

The Secretary of State thanked Mr Raab in a phone call for recognising the 'aggressive threats posed' by the Quds Force in his statement, according to US spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.

Mr Corbyn has been criticised in the past for appearing on Press TV, the Tehran-backed television channel later banned from broadcasting in the UK, while a backbench MP.

Ms Phillips, who is being tipped to run to replace Mr Corbyn as party leader, said: 'Reckless foreign policy does not show strength. It's not a game.

'The consequences of the escalating tensions between the US and Iran are not to be underestimated, not just once again on the civilians in the region but on the whole world.'

Fellow Labour leadership hopefuls also weighed in, with Wigan's Lisa Nandy adding: 'This is a very dangerous moment. 17 years after the catastrophic decision to go to war in Iraq violence still rages every day.

'World leaders must stand up to Trump. The last thing we need is another all-out war.'

Rebecca Long Bailey, seen as the favourite of Mr Corbyn and his inner circle, added: 'With this assassination, President Trump is pushing us to the brink of another disastrous war that would cost countless lives, further destabilise the region and make us all less safe.

'Our government should help de-escalate tensions, and we must resist any rush to war.'

Shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon, who is running to become Labour's deputy leader, warned of the consequences of an all-out conflict, saying: 'More than ever we need to avoid being the sidekick of Donald Trump.'

He added: 'There is a real risk of Trump engaging in a war with Iran that would be even worse than that on Iraq.

'We need an international movement against war and for peace. In increasingly dangerous times, it's vital our party plays its role in that movement.'

But the bookies' favourite to replace Mr Corbyn, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, was careful to apportion blame.

In a careful tweet he said: 'This is an extremely serious situation. There's a clear danger of further violence and escalation in the Middle East.

Mr Johnson was under pressure today to cut short his post-election break to deal with any fallout from the assassination

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged restraint from both sides amid talk of revenge for the targeting killing

'We need to engage, not isolate Iran. All sides need to de-escalate tensions and prevent further conflict.'

US confrontation with Iran is foreign test for PM when he wants to focus on Brexit The attack by the US on Iranian military leaders in Iraq will prove an early diplomatic test for the prime minister at a time when he will want to be focusing on Brexit. Depending on whether there is any escalation and in what form, Britain's role is likely to be diplomatic, attempting to ease tensions in a volatile region responsible for the vast majority of the world's oil production. Iranian fury may be aimed at Donald Trump and the United States over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani but that anger could easily spread to include Britain. The UK is a longstanding and key ally of the US in the Middle East, from the invasion of Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003 to the ongoing fight against Islamic State. British troops have been present in the area for 17 years and some 400 are still in Iraq, training its security forces to fight groups including Iranian-backed militias. There are also around 500 personnel at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus where fast jets and reconnaissance planes fly out over Iraq and Syria. Relations have been heavily strained in recent years, with the the British embassy sacked by demonstrators in 2011 after the UK backed increased actions against the hardline Islamist regime, which continues to talk tough over the development of nuclear weapons. The consulate only reopened again in 2015. More recently relations have been strained by the row over the nuclear sanctions. And there is also the continued incarceration of dual-national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on spying charges widely seen as trumped-up. Her case was not helped by several gaffes by Mr Johnson when he was foreign secretary. Advertisement

However he later joined the others in attacking the president, saying: 'Trump's actions are as irresponsible as they are counterproductive.

'Having wholeheartedly opposed the illegal war in Iraq 17 years ago, I am acutely aware of the additional responsibility we have to the Iraqi people to help them secure the safety and stability of their country.'

Gen Soleimani, the powerful head of Iran's elite Quds Force, was killed this morning.

The Pentagon said President Trump had ordered the 'decisive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Soleimani' who was 'actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.'

Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilization Forces, which were responsible for the recent attack on the US embassy in Baghdad, was also killed.

In a statement this morning, Mr Raab said: 'We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani.

'Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate.

'Further conflict is in none of our interests.'

After the strike the Pentagon released a statement saying: 'At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing Quasem Soleimani.'

Soon after news of the strike spread, Trump, who is currently at his Mar-a-Lago golf resort in Florida, tweeted an image of an American flag, offering no further remarks or explanation.

Iran called the strike an act of 'international terrorism' and the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that 'harsh revenge is waiting for the criminals' who killed Soleimani.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the killing, saying the general had been 'martyred in an attack by America'.

The leader of Lebanon's Tehran-backed Hezbollah group called for General Soleimani's death to be avenged, in a sign that the attack could have repercussions across the Middle East.

'Meting out the appropriate punishment to these criminal assassins... will be the responsibility and task of all resistance fighters worldwide,' Hassan Nasrallah said in a statement released today.

Iraqi PM Adel Abdul Mahdi said the air strike was an act of aggression on Iraq and a breach of its sovereignty that will lead to war in Iraq, the region, and the world.
Patna: Ahead of the Assembly polls that are scheduled later this year, posters comparing the 15 years of RJDs governance with that of the ruling JD(U) have been put up in Patna.

The Opposition RJD feels that the poster has been put up by the ruling party in order to mislead the people.

The poster which has been put up near the busy Income Tax crossing in Patna say, Hisab do Hisab lo. 15 years versus 15 years, (Give an account of your work and we will give ours).

According to RJD leaders, the poster shows JD(U)s desperation as the party is losing popularity in Bihar due to its failures on many fronts which includes deteriorating law and order scenario, AES deaths, flood and drought.

It seems that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his party is trying to establish a new tradition in politics by asking the Opposition to give an account of their work instead of going before the masses with the report card of their own. Everybody knows that JD(U) has been in power for the last 15 years in the state, senior RJD leader Shivanand Tiwary said.

He also sought an explanation from the state government for not releasing its performance report card after it returned to power in 2015.

He (Nitish Kumar) had started a tradition of releasing the report card of his government at the beginning of every New Year. But this has not been done for the last four years. Why?, Tiwary said.

The Opposition parties feel that the NDAs confidence in Bihar has been shaken by the Jharkhand election results where the united Opposition comprising the JMM, the Congress and the RJD registered a resounding victory against the BJP.

In Bihar, the Assembly polls are expected in November. Nitish Kumar who is also JD(U) president has already been declared the face of NDA in the state.

While reacting to RJDs statement on the posters issue, BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand said that Any political enthusiast may have put up the poster comparing 15 years of RJD rule with NDA government in Bihar but it signifies the fact that RJD regime was known for misrule, chaos, confusion while NDA regime is known for corruption-free development and good governance. We had growth rate of 3.2 per cent during the RJD era while the present NDA rule is registering 13.2 per cent growth rate.

The JD(U) also attacked the RJD for raising questions on the good governance policy of Nitish Kumar and the state government.

In a statement JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, the 15 years of RJDs rule in Bihar was like a nightmare. The party will never return to power in Bihar. Nitish Kumars vision has benefitted every class in the state. Bihar has progressed in the field of education, industry and the state government is working to generate employment.
More than any other American military operation since the invasion of Iraq, the assassination yesterday of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the head of Irans Qods Force of its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, is a seismic event. The killings of Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leaders of al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, were certainly meaningful, but they were also largely symbolic, because their organizations had been mostly destroyed. Taking out the architect of the Islamic Republics decades-long active campaign of violence against the United States and its allies, especially Israel, represents a tectonic shift in Middle Eastern politics.

To see just how significant Mr. Suleimanis death truly is, it helps to understand the geopolitical game hed devoted his life to playing. In Lebanon, Mr. Suleimani built Lebanese Hezbollah into the powerful state within a state that we know today. A terrorist organization receiving its funds, arms and marching orders from Tehran, Hezbollah has a missile arsenal larger than that of most countries in the region. The groups success has been astounding, helping to cement Irans influence not just in Lebanon but farther around the Arab world.

Building up on this successful experience, Mr. Suleimani spent the last decade replicating the Hezbollah model in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, propping up local militias with precision weapons and tactical know-how. In Syria, his forces have allied with Russia to prop up the regime of Bashar al-Assad, a project that, in practice, has meant driving over 10 million people from their homes and killing well over half a million. In Iraq, as we have seen in recent days, Mr. Suleimanis militias ride roughshod over the legitimate state institutions. They rose to power, of course, after participating in an insurgency, of which he was the architect, against American and coalition forces. Hundreds of American soldiers lost their lives to the weapons that the Qods Force provided to its Iraqi proxies.

Mr. Suleimani built this empire of militias while betting that America would steer clear of an outright confrontation. This gambit certainly paid off under President Barack Obama, but it even seemed to be a safe bet under President Trump, despite his stated policy of maximum pressure. Mr. Trump was putting an economic squeeze on Iran, and popular protests in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon were adding to the pressure, but Mr. Suleimani assumed that, in the end, control of military assets would win the day. Mr. Trump, it seemed, feared getting sucked into a war. Washington, in short, lacked a ground game.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 18)  Three of the police escorts of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Nela Charade Puno were killed in an ambush attempt on Thursday morning. Three other police personnel were hurt.

According to an initial police report, Puno and her police escorts were on a convoy along the national highway of Lupi, Camarines Sur when unidentified armed men shot at the vehicle. They were on their way to Daet, Camarines Norte after the provincial capital passed an ordinance requiring establishments to secure FDA clearance prior to acquiring a business license.

The three wounded personnel were brought to the nearest hospital.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Puno and her FDA team were unharmed and brought to a safe location.

"The safety of DG Puno and FDA employees is our top priority at the moment. They have the full backing of the Department," he said in a statement.

The police and the health department are conducting investigations.
SAO PAULO, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura &Co (NTCO3  B3) announces that it expects to close today the acquisition of Avon Products, Inc. and appoint the new senior leadership team to drive the company's next phase of growth.

The landmark transaction creates the world's fourth-largest pure-play beauty company. This marks a major new step in building a purpose-driven group committed to a different way of doing business. Natura &Co, which trades on the B3 stock exchange in Sao Paulo, also expects to begin trading through ADRs on the NYSE (NTCO) on January 6.

The combination of Avon, Natura, The Body Shop and Aesop significantly amplifies the reach of a multi-channel, multi-brand group that will be an unparalleled leader in the Direct-to-Consumer space, bringing beauty to over 200 million consumers across the world anytime, anywhere, every day through multiple channels, touchpoints and iconic brands.

Natura &Co will hold leading positions in relationship selling, on and offline, through both Avon and Natura, with over 6.3 million Consultants and Representatives. The group will also have a strong position in retail with more than 3,000 stores and an expanded digital presence across all the companies. Natura &Co will have combined annual gross revenues of over US$10 billion, more than 40,000 associates, a broad and complementary product portfolio across key categories and a global footprint in over 100 countries.

As a purpose-driven company, Natura &Co will have a stronger voice to advocate for causes including female empowerment, fighting the climate crisis, cruelty-free cosmetics and developing strong ties with local communities, all of which are part of its belief in a better way of doing business through positive social, economic and environmental impact.

Luiz Seabra, co-founder of Natura, declared: "Natura has just finished celebrating its 50th anniversary, and there could be no better way to open this next chapter in our history than to welcome Avon into our family. We are united by a shared vision and a passion for beauty and relationships, and together, we will be an even stronger force for good, striving to build a fairer and more beautiful world."

Appointment of organizational structure and management team, subject to applicable corporate approvals:

Roberto Marques, who became Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Natura &Co in 2017, will also serve as Group Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Marques joined Natura Board of Directors about four years ago. During this period, he championed the global, multi-channel, multi-brand approach, leading the acquisition of The Body Shop in 2017 and now the combination with Avon. He has extensive global experience and a strong transformation track record in the consumer goods industry, having held, prior to Natura &Co, various senior leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson and Mondelez International for over 30 years.

Mr. Marques will continue to head a diverse and experienced Group Operating Committee (GOC), which includes the CEOs of each of the four businesses and brands as well as key functional positions. The four business units have been organized based on the Group's strategic priorities at this stage:

Natura &Co Latin America, encompassing responsibility for the P&Ls of Natura, Avon , The Body Shop in the region and Aesop in Brazil . This role will also have responsibility for the innovation and stewardship globally of the Natura brand

, The Body Shop in the region and Aesop in . This role will also have responsibility for the innovation and stewardship globally of the Natura brand Avon (excluding Latin America ), responsible for the P&L of all the market clusters in Europe , Africa , Middle East and Asia . This role will also be responsible for the Avon brand innovation and stewardship globally. Additionally, in the future, it will have responsibility for the Natura brand's international expansion outside of Latin America

(excluding ), responsible for the P&L of all the market clusters in , , and . This role will also be responsible for the Avon brand innovation and stewardship globally. Additionally, in the future, it will have responsibility for the Natura brand's international expansion outside of The Body Shop

Aesop

Joao Paulo Ferreira is assuming the role of CEO Latin America of Natura &Co. The new organization in Latin America will allow the group's four brands to maximize their potential, capture significant synergies and accelerate growth across their footprint and multi-channel presence. Mr. Ferreira successfully led Natura's revitalization of its direct selling model since becoming CEO in October 2016, energizing the new commercial model and digitalization. He had previously been Vice-President Operations and Logistics and Vice-President Commercial at Natura after a long career at Unilever.

Angela Cretu is appointed CEO of Avon, responsible for the business outside of Latin America and for the oversight of the Avon brand globally. A native of Romania, Ms. Cretu has over 20 years of experience at Avon in various senior executive roles, most recently as Group Vice President and General Manager, Central Europe, responsible for 18 countries. Before that she successfully led the Eastern Europe and Africa/Middle East clusters and Global roles. She has a passion for Avon, its employees, Representatives and customers. On top of her recognized management skills, international perspective and industry experience, she has been deeply involved in Avon's drive for women's economic empowerment, all of which will be major assets to take Avon and Natura forward.

David Boynton will remain CEO of The Body Shop, continuing driving the transformation and brand revitalization which is underway and already yielding positive results. He was formerly CEO of Charles Tyrwhitt and CEO for Western Markets for L'Occitane.

Michael O'Keeffe, CEO of Aesop since 2003, also remains in his current position, driving the high growth of this unique and prestigious brand and, with the support of the rest of the group, transforming it into a true triple bottom line business.

Roberto Marques, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Group CEO of Natura &Co, commented: "Alongside the experienced, diverse and international senior management team we are announcing today, I am proud and privileged to lead Natura &Co's next steps in its journey. Our aspiration is to build not just the best beauty company in the world, but the best beauty company FOR the world. With the addition of Avon, we have created a family of companies with unrivalled direct-to-consumer reach and a formidable platform for growth. I am looking forward to working together to drive further our triple bottom line approach and write the next chapter in our journey."

About Natura &Co

Natura &Co is a global, purpose-driven, multi-channel and multi-brand cosmetics group which includes Avon, Natura, The Body Shop and Aesop. Natura &Co posted net revenues of R$ 13.4 billion in 2018. The four companies that form the group are committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact. For 130 years Avon has stood for women: providing innovative, quality beauty products which are primarily sold to women, through women. Founded in 1969, Natura is a Brazilian multinational in the cosmetics and personal care segment, leader in direct sales. Founded in 1976 in Brighton, England, by Anita Roddick, The Body Shop is a global beauty brand that seeks to make a positive difference in the world. The Australian beauty brand Aesop was established in 1987 with a quest to create a range of superlative products for skin, hair and the body.

CAUTION ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this communication (or in the documents it incorporates by reference) that are not historical facts or information may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Among other things, these forward looking statements may include statements regarding the proposed transaction involving Natura and Avon; beliefs relating to value creation as a result of a proposed transaction involving Natura and Avon; the expected timetable for completing the transaction; benefits and synergies of the transaction; future opportunities for the combined company; and any other statements regarding Avon's and Natura's future beliefs, expectations, plans, intentions, financial condition or performance. In some cases, words such as "estimate," "project," "forecast," "plan," "believe," "may," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "planned," "potential," "can," "expectation," "could," "will," "would" and similar expressions, or the negative of those expressions, may identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Natura's and Avon's expectations and beliefs concerning future events and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors are difficult to predict accurately and may be beyond Natura's and Avon's control. Forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere speak only as of the date made. New uncertainties and risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for Natura or Avon to predict these events or how they may affect Natura or Avon. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as predictors of future events. Except as required by law, neither Natura nor Avon has any duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere after the date this communication is issued. In light of these risks and uncertainties, investors should keep in mind that results, events or developments discussed in any forward-looking statement made in this communication may not occur. Uncertainties and risk factors that could affect Natura's and/or Avon's future performance and cause results to differ from the forward-looking statements in this communication include, but are not limited to, (a) the parties' ability to consummate the transaction or satisfy the conditions to the completion of the transaction, including the receipt of shareholder approvals and the receipt of regulatory approvals required for the transaction on the terms expected or on the anticipated schedule; (b) the parties' ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the transaction; (c) the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; (d) the risk that integration of Avon's operations with those of Natura will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; (e) the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; (f) the effect of the announcement of the transaction on customer and consultant relationships and operating results (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees or customers); (g) dilution caused by Natura's issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the transaction; (h) the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; (i) the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; (j) the possibility that the intended accounting and tax treatments of the proposed transactions are not achieved; (k) those risks described in Section 4 of Natura's Reference Form for 2018, version 15, which was filed with the Brazilian Securities Commission on April 24, 2019; and (l) those risks described in Item 1A of Avon's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

SOURCE Natura &Co

Related Links

https://naturaeco.com


Equipment testing at Chinas Jinghong Dam in the first week of January will reduce water it releases into the Mekong River by more than 50 percent, dropping water levels even further in a region already hit by a severe drought, sources say.



The move, announced by Chinas Ministry of Water Resources on Dec. 30, has already affected villagers in the Golden Triangle region of Laos, residents of the area told RFAs Lao Service on Jan. 3, with one villager saying the level of the river has visibly dropped.



Yes, the water level has dropped, the resident of Sibounhuang Village in Bokeo provinces Ton Pheaung district told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity. He compared the degree of drop to the dry season, which Lao entered in late 2019



We rely on water from the Mekong, so if this trend continues, we wont have enough water for our own consumption, he said.



Many of the Lao districts other villages are feeling the impact of the fall in the Mekongs water level, residents told RFA, with one resident of Golden Triangle Village saying that navigation in the area by large boats has now been made impossible because of shallow water.



Even for small boats, its not easy, he said.



Also speaking to RFA, a fisherman in Thailands Chiang Rai province, along which the Mekong flows, said, They told us they will be holding water back for testing equipment or something, and the water will drop.



The Mekong bank is an agricultural area, where villagers grow their vegetables, so their crops will definitely be affected by the lack of water, he said.

The intergovernmental Mekong River Commission (MRC) issued a notice that the Jinghong dam will be reducing the volume of water released from 1,400 cubic meters to 800 cubic meters per second, resulting in a fall in Mekong River water levels in Laos of as much as 70 centimeters through Jan. 10.

'Problem for a long time'



Speaking to RFA on Jan. 2, Niwat Roykaewpresident of Thailands Rak Chiang Khong conservation groupsaid that the opening and closing of Chinese dams on the Mekong has been a problem for neighboring countries for a long time.



By now, the Chinese government should have realized that this has severely impacted people living downstream. What we have been demanding all along is that we try to solve these problems together, he said.



Meanwhile, loss of sediment blocked by dams and falling water levels due to a drought described by the MRC as the regions worst over the last 60 years have turned long stretches of the Mekong blue, as river water now begins to reflect the sky overhead.



Laos itself has also built dozens of hydropower dams on the Mekong and its tributaries in its quest to become the battery of Southeast Asia, exporting the electricity they generate to other countries in the region, and is preparing to build scores more dams in the years ahead.



Though the Lao government sees power generation as a way to boost the landlocked countrys economy, the projects are controversial because of their environmental impact, displacement of villagers, devastation of fisheries, and questionable financial arrangements.



Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Deadly Attack In Ingushetia

By RFE/RL January 02, 2020

The Islamic State (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for an attack in Russia's North Caucasus region of Ingushetia, in which a police officer was killed.

Two young men rammed their car into a police officer on December 31, and then attacked other police officers with knives in the Ingush capital, Magas.

Regional authorities said one police officer died and three others were wounded in the incident. One of the attackers, 18-year-old Mikail Miziyev, was killed while another, 23-year-old Akhmed Imagozhev, was wounded and is currently in hospital.

The IS group said in a statement dated January 1 that it was responsible for the attack, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks the online activity of jihadist organizations.

Ingushetia's leader, Makhmud-Ali Kalimatov, publicly criticized police for what he called "insufficient measures to beef up security on New Year's Eve."

Attacks on police and authorities have persisted for years in the volatile North Caucasus region after Russia drove out a separatist government in one of the region's provinces, Chechnya, in the second of two devastating post-Soviet wars.

With reporting by Dozhd, TASS, and Interfax

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/islamic-state- claims-responsibility-for-deadly-attack in-ingushetia/30356052.html

Copyright (c) 2020. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Police have named the man who died after a crash on the Kaimai Ranges before Christmas.

He was Aaron Scott Lester, age 48, of Te Puke.

Lester was critically injured in a two-truck crash on State Highway 29, Lower Kaimai, on Monday December 23.

He died a little over a week later, on Tuesday December 31, in Tauranga Hospital.

Police say enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
Juba, South Sudan (PANA) - The abducted four-year-old son of a UN migration agency female worker killed in South Sudan in October has been released and reunited with his father during an emotional reunion here on Friday
New head of U.S. Embassy in Ukraine appeals to Ukrainians

Kristina Kvien, the deputy chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Ukraine, in her address to Ukrainians assured of unwavering support of the Ukrainian state by the U.S., Voice of America has reported.

"I am excited to take on a new challenge and great responsibility of leading the U.S. Embassy team in Ukraine. Our policy of strong support for Ukraine remains steady," she said.

It is also currently unknown who could become the new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

As reported, Kvien took over as U.S. Charge d'Affaires from January 2, 2020.
A U.S. airstrike in Iraq ordered by President Donald Trump killed one of Iran's most powerful generals as Iran's Supreme Leader threatened "severe retaliation."

Qassem Soleimani, who led proxy militias that extended Iran's power across the Middle East, was killed in a drone attack in Baghdad authorized by Trump, the Defense Department said in a statement late Thursday. The president had no immediate comment, but tweeted the image of an American flag while the U.S. embassy in Baghdad urged its citizens to leave the country.

"At the direction of the president, the U.S. military has taken decisive defensive action to protect U.S. personnel abroad by killing" Soleimani, the department said. "General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region."

The death of Soleimani, who led the Revolutionary Guards' Quds force, fueled concerns that the U.S. and Iran could be drawn into an armed confrontation that could easily pull in other countries. The pressures, which have been building for months, have been complicated by widespread protests in Iraq and Iran.

"Qassem Suleimani embodied Iran's extraterritorial activism in the Middle East," said Asif Shuja, a senior research fellow at Singapore's Middle East Institute. "His assassination is thus bound to be a turning point."

Iran's top leaders all condemned the attack and vowed to hit back while Foreign Minister Javad Zarif denounced the killing on Twitter as "an act of international terrorism." Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is due to attend an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council for the first time, the state-owned Hamshahri newspaper reported. He vowed to avenge Soleimani's killing.

"A severe retaliation awaits murderers who have the blood of Soleimani and that of other martyrs on their wicked hands from last night's incident," Khamenei said in a statement.

The Iranian leadership is signaling that it will likely target U.S. military installations and bases in the Middle East and mobilize its network of militias across the region. One official told the state broadcaster that some 36 U.S. military bases and facilities are within reach of Iran's defense forces, with the closest being in Bahrain. A spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards said the assassination marked the start of a "new phase" in the activities of Iran's "resistance forces" throughout the region.

A September attack on Saudi oil facilities -- for which Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility -- highlighted the potential impact of Tehran's response.

French President Emmanuel Macron is speaking to his counterparts in the Middle East in an effort to prevent the situation spiraling out of control, European Affairs Minister Amelie de Montchalin said on RTL radio. "This is what we feared," she said. "It's a continuation of the escalation that's been happening over recent months."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman said the U.S. had been provoked by Iran and urged all sides to reduce the tensions.

Soleimani was hit in a U.S. drone strike near Baghdad International Airport, according to a U.S. official. Details remained unclear, but a person familiar with the developments said an Iraqi militia leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was also killed.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi's office said the attack was an "aggression against the Iraqi state, government and people" and called for an extraordinary session of parliament.

The Iranian regime will be under "strong pressure" to strike back, said Paul Pillar, a former U.S. Central Intelligence Agency officer and a non-resident senior fellow at Georgetown University in Washington. "Many Iranians will regard this event the same way Americans would regard, say, the assassination of one of the best known and most admired U.S. military leaders."

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.

Iraqi forces enhanced security around the U.S. embassy in Baghdad after the airstrike, Iraq's al-Sumaria news reported, citing a security official. Iran summoned the Swiss envoy in Tehran, who helps look after U.S. interests in the country, in response to the killing, according to foreign ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi.

Oil futures in London and New York at one point surged by more than 4%, gold hit the highest in four months, 10-year Treasury yields headed for the biggest drop in three weeks and stocks and U.S. equity futures slid.

Soleimani, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, was a household name in Iran where he's celebrated for helping to defeat Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and countering U.S. influence.

He had been sanctioned by the U.S. since 2007 and last May Washington designated the Revolutionary Guards Corps in its entirety a foreign terrorist organization, the first time the label has been applied to an official state institution or a country's security forces.

The assault in Baghdad marked the latest in a series of violent episodes that have strained already hostile relations between Iran and the U.S. Last week an American contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk. That led to a rare, direct American assault on an Iran-backed militia in Iraq and then came the attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

_ _ _

With assistance from Bloomberg's Glen Carey, Tony Capaccio and Sam Potter.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it has no information that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was organising any India-focussed meeting and dubbed reports that such a conference was likely to be held on Kashmir as "entirely speculative".

The assertion came after media reports claimed that Saudi Arabia has conveyed to Pakistan through its Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan that it was planning to convene a meeting on the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday had said that Islamabad wanted an early meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) be convened to discuss the human rights situation in Kashmir.

Dismissing the media reports on any likely OIC meeting on Kashmir, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "The reports are entirely speculative. I think they are basically coming out from Pakistan that the meeting is being organised. At this stage, we are not aware of any such meeting of OIC on any India-related matter."

"If you see Pakistan's statement, it has said that it is envisaged. They are using words like envisaged, planned etc. I don't think there has been any statement by Pakistan that this is happening," Kumar said at a briefing.

He said that a council of foreign ministers meeting of OIC takes place every year and that will take place this year as well.

"Let us see, I am right in saying that we have no information so far regarding any India-focussed meeting which is being organised by OIC," Kumar said.

Asked about Malaysia raising various issues on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and its actions in OIC, he said India has made its stance very clear to that country.

He also pointed to India's statement recently in which it had termed as "factually incorrect" remarks reportedly made by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's that India is taking action to deprive some Muslims of their citizenship.

The MEA had also said Malaysia should refrain from commenting on the internal developments of India, especially without a right understanding of the facts.

The OIC is a 57-member grouping of Muslim majority nations, including Pakistan. The OIC has usually been supportive of Pakistan and often sided with Islamabad on the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan has been unsuccessfully trying to drum up international support against India for withdrawing Jammu and Kashmir's special status on August 5 and bifurcating it into two Union territories.

Responding to a question on India's efforts to extradite fugitive diamond merchant Nirav Modi, Kumar said the matter is under litigation and it is being heard at Westminster Magistrates' court in London.

On the extradition requests against Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi, who is in Antigua and Barbuda, he said," We are committed, we are putting all our resources on the ground to ensure early extradition of Nirav Modi to India...We have requested the Antigua and Barbuda government if they can expedite the legal proceedings so that the process of extradition of Mehul Choksi to India can start."
Analysis Myanmar Rebel Armies Extend Truce but Fighting Continues

MNDAA soldiers in Kokang (top). / Reuters; A TNLA soldier takes aim (bottom left) and AA troops (bottom right). / The Irrawaddy

YANGON  On New Years Day, the alliance of three active ethnic armed groups that has been fighting Myanmars military in Shan and Rakhine states extended its unilateral ceasefire for two more months, until Feb. 29, saying it would help smooth negotiations.

The groups first announced the one-sided truce in September but the statement alone did not stop clashes, especially in Rakhine State.

The Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Arakan Army (AA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), who refer to themselves as the Brotherhood Alliance, said in a joint statement that the ceasefire would help build a peaceful environment before the 2020 election and to implement negotiations and peace talks practically so that a bilateral ceasefire agreement could be signed and the civil war could end.

Their ceasefire announced on Sept. 9 was described as a one-month trust-building gesture aimed at producing a permanent ceasefire agreement. The truce was earlier renewed until the end of December.

The groups said on Jan. 1: We call on the Myanmar army to immediately bring an end to its offensive against each of the revolutionary armed organizations of all nationalities and express its genuine desire for a ceasefire and continue dialogue to finally sign ceasefire agreements.

The three groups, however, say they will act in self-defense if attacked.

Myanmars military imposed its own ceasefire in the five military commands in Kachin and Shan states, from December 2018 to September 2019, excluding conflict-torn Rakhine State.

The military abandoned the truce in September, saying the three groups did not seem interested in signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).

The three groups were unavailable for comment.

Daw Khin Saw Wai, the Lower House parliamentarian representing Rathedaung in Rakhine State, said they would wait to see whether the fighting would stop following the truce extension.

Clashes that intensified in November 2018 continue in Kyauktaw, Minbya, Rathedaung and Buthidaung townships in northern Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in Chin State.

During their first ceasefire announcement, the fighting was more intense and we now have nearly 100,000 internally displaced people in northern Rakhine State. The IDPs face great difficulties to find food and shelter, she added.

Our people, like others, want to stay peacefully in their homes. Ending armed conflicts is better, but both sides need to negotiate and compromise to achieve peace, said Daw Khin Saw Wai.

There were no effective developments despite the ceasefires announced by either side last year, said U Maung Maung Soe, a political and ethnic affairs analyst based in Yangon.

He said the fighting might have reduced in northern Shan State because of the three groups truce extension but clashes were more intense in Rakhine State.

Before their ceasefire, the three groups launched coordinated attacks against the militarys Defense Services Technological Academy in Pyin Oo Lwin and police outposts in Naung Cho, Shan State, on Aug. 15, leaving 15 people dead, including military personnel.

China criticized the attacks, saying they derailed the peace process and created instability in the region.

Chinas border in Kachin and Shan states is where several of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects are being planned.

In December, the AAs commander, Major General Tun Myat Naing, promised the group would not attack the Chinese oil and gas pipelines or the planned Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone in Rakhine State and the BRI projects in Shan and Rakhine states since Beijing agreed to recognize the AA. He told The Irrawaddy last month that China has asked the groups to maintain stability on its border. He said the requests were reasonable and the groups would maintain good ties with China.

U Ye Tun, another political analyst, who is also a former Lower House parliamentarian for Hsipaw Township in Shan State, told The Irrawaddy: It can be assumed that there will not be another surprise attack, like the strike on Pyin Oo Lwin in August.

He said the three groups move should not be politically exploited but be used to support the peace process.

These announcements should help build trust: if there is no trust, we cannot build a sustainable peace, said U Ye Tun.

Numerous informal peace talks between the various groups were held throughout 2019.

U Maung Maung Soe told The Irrawaddy: The ceasefire can be truly implemented only after troop deployments are resolved through negotiations.

Troop deployments were discussed at the Sept. 17 talks in Kengtung. He said the issue was still not resolved, despite further meetings on Dec. 14.

But he is hopeful that if the governments Peace Commission, under the National Reconciliation and Peace Center, and military leaders meet the ethnic armed groups for further talks, a ceasefire could be agreed. If not, fighting will become more intense, U Maung Maung Soe added.

Fighting was reported Wednesday and Thursday in Paletwa, Myebon, Minbya, Buthidaung and Rathedaung, according to the AA.

The AA said the clashes occurred when government troops entered its territory in Paletwa and claimed that at least four soldiers were killed and others injured on Wednesday.

It added that the militarys artillery had been shelling and using fighter jets in Buthidaung and Rathedaung townships.
The Plaintiff is guilty of one or more of the following acts of negligence or fault which caused or contributed to her own injuries: Became overly intoxicated; Failed to take adequate and proper steps necessary to protect her own safety while at the subject establishment; Left the company of her friend and/or partner who accompanied her to the Defendants establishment thereby being alone in an intoxicated condition.
Spain's electoral board on Friday disqualified the regional president of Catalonia from holding a seat in the regional parliament, in a decision that could have broad repercussions in Catalonia and disrupt plans for a new government in Spain.

The National Electoral Board took the decision after a Catalan court last month barred regional Catalan President Quim Torra from public office for 18 months for disobedience. He had refused to remove secessionist symbols from public buildings in the northeastern region during an election campaign.

The decision could further inflame Catalan separatists already angered by the Spanish government's point-blank refusal to discuss the wealthy region's possible independence.

It will likely also be a major issue for a Socialist-led coalition government, which is widely expected to take office this month. The coalition is heavily dependent on an abstention vote by the Cataln ERC party, which is a partner in Torra's regional government.

Torra said this week he will seek a regional parliament vote of confidence if he is disqualified. He said only the Catalan parliament could disqualify him.

In the trial, Torra was charged with failing to comply with orders from the country's electoral board to remove yellow secessionist ribbons from the regional government's headquarters in Barcelona before Spain's April 28 national election.

The ribbons are how Catalan separatists show support for the movement's leaders, nine of whom received prison sentences last fall for their role in a failed secession bid in 2017.

The secessionist movement in the region of 7.5 million is Spain's gravest political challenge in decades. Polls show residents in Catalonia are roughly evenly divided over the question of independence from Spain.

Torra, who is fervently in favour of independence and Catalonia's right to self-determination, told the court he did not believe the electoral board had the right to order him to remove the symbols.

Spain's constitution rules that the country is indivisible.

Torra was also fined 30,000 euros (USD 33,0000).

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Several people who had gathered to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Vadodara in Gujarat on Friday were detained and then released two hours later, police said.

Police said protesters did not have permission for the gathering.

"After denial of permission, we had gathered at a hotel in Sayagunj and then started moving towards the statue of Sardar Patel here. However, 60 of us, including women, were detained," said activist Shaukat Indori.

"We have been denied the right to protest. Police have imposed section 144. We wanted to hold a peaceful protest and had, therefore, taped our hands and mouth. Authorities, however, have given permission to pro-CAA rallies," he said.

Inspector SP Solanki of Sayagunj police station said the protesters were detained and later released.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Natural News) Yes, the infamous CDC estimates that 56,000 people die from the flu each year, or at least from flu-like illness, but the real statistical information we need is how many of those folks received the influenza vaccine, and how soon afterwards did they croak from it? Science proves that you are most susceptible to getting the flu and spreading it during the first two weeks after you receive the mercury-laced vaccine.

There are two simple and valid explanations for this. One: The CDC guesses at which strains of the flu are coming around while combining two or three and genetically modifying them in laboratories. This means those strains dont even match up with the wild strains anymore, and since your immune system is compromised by the toxic, carcinogenic adjuvants, additives, and preservatives (think thimerosal) in the jab, your chances of contracting the virus INCREASE rather than decrease.

Two: When the influenza vaccine is injected into your muscle tissue, youre getting a weakened version of the virus strains because theyre forced to hibernate in formaldehyde (embalming fluid). This means that even if you dont contract the flu yourself, youre able to spread it to those around you by a process called shedding. This is when the vaccine industry blames the unvaccinated for spreading the flu, even though its actually the vaccinated who are the culprits. Tricky stuff, but its scientifically proven.

Once a flu shot victim or a victim of vaccine shedding comes down with influenza, or even some other flu-like sickness (which could be just about anything), hospitals, doctors and the CDC are quick to label it the flu, especially if you die. This helps with national scare tactic propaganda for selling (or giving away for free) the deadly vaccine, which in turn makes the sick care industry billions of dollars. Thats why the flu shot is usually free, because it spreads the flu and funds the industry.

It goes hand in hand: The more that Americans get flu shot injections, the more flu shot death statistics increase

It tells you right on the vaccine insert (warning label) that no clinical trials are run on influenza vaccines to prove they work, but that doesnt matter to the sheeple, because theyre all scared to death (literally) that if they dont get the vaccine, theyll certainly get the flu. There are more than 15 influenza strains that can circulate into America every flu season (which absurdly is listed as running from October through May).

So even if the flu shot works, and you actually do build immunity to the 2 or 3 strains in the vaccine, youre still susceptible to the other dozen or more deadly strains that can spread, especially from all those people around you that just got the flu shot that contains new combination strains of influenza (think Zika virus also here). The new study out (click the hyperlink above) about this proves it scientifically.

That also means that if you get a strain you werent vaccinated against, and you die from it, the CDC will still put you down as a statistic of flu death, even though the vaccine couldnt have helped you. Again, its just more propaganda to sell toxic and worthless vaccines to pregnant women, the elderly, children, and every adult who hasnt read the TRUTH about vaccine damage and dangers.

Herd theory is a hoax, because its the herd that spreads the flu to the other sheeple

Also, the reason the vaccine industry has a secret court and settles for injuries totaling over $2 billion (thats 75% of all settlements for vaccine injuries), is because the vaccine manufacturers dont want those statistics escaping into independent media. If Americans knew the truth about vaccine research being so fraudulent, and vaccine safety and efficacy being a total sham, well then, the herd theory would be blown out of the water.

Dont join the herd this year and become a casualty of the sick care industry. Avoid the flu jab at all costs, and seek natural medicine that really is safe and efficient. Elderberry is at the top of that list, along with medicinal mushrooms and vitamin D3. Also look into curcumin, licorice root and cinnamon supplements.

Tune your internet dial to Vaccines.news for updates on flu vaccine deaths and millions of dollars in compensation that are paid out by the secretive vaccine court for those injured by the deadly flu jab yearly.

Sources for this article include:

Vaccines.news

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

HealthImpactNews.com

TalkNetwork.com
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to chair the first meeting of his Council of Ministers in the New Year 2020 shortly after inaugurating the 107th Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru on Friday. The PM is expected to arrive in the national capital by the evening to chair the crucial meeting which is likely to discuss the current economic slowdown and the ongoing anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests that rocked the nation over the past couple of weeks.

The meeting will be held at the Pravasi Bharatiya Bhavan. The meeting comes amid reports of possible cabinet expansion.

PM Modi held his last cabinet meeting with his Council of Ministers on December 21 at the Gujarat Bhawan.

Live TV

It may be noted that the PM addressed the 107th Indian Science Congress at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), GKVK in Bengaluru on Friday afternoon. The event was attended by more than 15,000 people which includes Nobel Laureates, scientists, intellectuals, academicians, policymakers, researchers, students.

This year's theme of the Indian Science Congress is Science and Technology: Rural Development.

The Prime Minister is currently on the last leg of his two-day visit to Karnataka.
Indian Navy Bans Smartphones On Naval Base Following Espionage Racket News oi-Sharmishte Datti

The Indian Navy will impose a ban on smartphones and social media usage on its naval bases and ships. The Navy recently arrested seven personnel for allegedly leaking sensitive information to an espionage racket, linked to Pakistan.

Indian Navy Bans Smartphones

A senior Indian Navy officer told the media that "all social networking platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other messengers from here on now will not be allowed at the naval bases and ships."

The navy personnel who leaked sensitive information were arrested from Mumbai, Karwar, and Vishakapatnam. The officer said that information on the warship and submarine movements were disclosed using smartphones and apps. The exposed information could have revealed the security apparatus placed around critical assets in India.

At the same time, the Indian Navy said that all the critical assets are intact and no security breach has been detected. "In a joint operation with the Naval Intelligence and Central Intelligence Agencies, Andhra Pradesh Police arrested some junior naval personnel. The case is under investigation by Andhra Pradesh Police," the officer said.

Indian Navy To Enhance Security Measures

Currently, the AP police intelligence wing has revealed that the arrested navy officers were in contact with women, reportedly from Pakistan, who had befriended them on Facebook. The investigation has found evidential chats between the sailors and the women were found to be explicit.

The national agencies said that such espionage rackets use honey trap methods, where women posing as friends on Facebook are set up by intelligence operatives. Next, the navy personnel is blackmailed for forced into giving information. "We are further probing the matter and more people could be arrested," the agencies said.

The Navy will now enhance digital security on the Eastern and Western commands in Vishakapatnam and Mumbai. The Navy's central command in Karwar will also have enhanced security, in terms of digital communications.

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US President Donald Trump on Saturday said the execution of Iran's elite IRGC Qassem Soleimani by US military was aimed 'to stop a war, not to start a war.'

"We took action last night to stop a war, not to start a war. We do not seek regime change, however, the Iranian regime's aggression in the region including use of proxy fighters to destabilise its neighbours must end now," Trump said in a statement.

He also said that Qassem was plotting attacks on US diplomats and military personnel before he was killed.

This statement comes at a backdrop of Washington's strike carried out near Baghdad's international airport killing Soleimani, a US-designated terrorist, along with six others on the direction of President Donald Trump.

Talking about America's policy in the region, he said, "To terrorists who harm or intend to harm any American, we will find you; we will eliminate you. We will always protect our diplomats, service members, all Americans, and our allies."

Meanwhile, Iran on Friday vowed to take a "vigorous revenge" over the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite IRGC.

The US had accused Soleimani of orchestrating several attacks on coalition bases in Iraq including the December 27 attack in which American and Iraqi personnel were killed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Published on 2020/01/02 | Source

"Yacha" began filming on the 31st of December.

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The film "Yacha" has confirmed its line-up of Yang Dong-geun, Lee El, Song Jae-rim and Jinyoung in addition to Sol Kyung-gu and Park Hae-soo.

"Yacha" is a story about the leader of a spy agency's secret operation team in Shenyang, China, and the prosecutor who was demoted to the spy agency as he searched for a missing high-ranking North Upcoming Korean official.

The leading actors of "Yacha" had their first script reading on the 17th last month, displaying their immersion in their characters. Since it's a spy film based overseas, there are quite a few foreign lines, which they pulled off with perfection.

With the news of the cast increasing expectations, Sol Kyung-gu takes on the role of Kang-in, the leader of 'Black Team', an overseas operations team and director of the Shenyang Branch of the NIS, also known as "Yacha", a ghost that eats humans. At the script reading, he got along well with his co-stars and said, "This is going to be a very energetic set and I look forward to it". Park Hae-soo takes on the role of a prosecutor named Ji-hoon from the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office who was demoted to Shenyang as a result of abiding the law.

The cast of 'Black Team' is something else. Yang Dong-geun performs the character of Deputy Hong, a skilled and witty character. Lee El from the film "Inside Men" and tvN drama "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God", tackles the role of Hee-won, a veteran senior of 'Black Team'. The multi-professional actor Song Jae-rim plays Jae-gyoo, a ball of fire who moves with his body first and not the head. Popular idol group member and rookie actor Jinyoung is Jeong-dae, the youngest member of the 'Black Team'.

Director Nah Hyeon, who has proved his capabilities through strong concepts and well-made action films, is expected to come up with another incredible movie.

"Yacha" began filming on the 31st of December.
Thomas Perry pulls the old switcheroo in A SMALL TOWN (Mysterious Press, $26). Instead of sending a single endangered innocent on a desperate race to escape some nefarious villain, he lets a group of villains loose on a defenseless town and sends a lone avenger to chase them down. Ever the master of detail, Perry first takes us to the Weldonville Federal Penitentiary in rural Colorado to marvel at the ingenuity of a dozen prisoners who escape by killing a dozen guards. But thats not the worst of it. After dressing in the guards street clothes, the escapees allow more than 1,000 other prisoners to descend on the town like an invading army to kill and rape and burn the place to the ground. In effect, they murdered Weldonville. Two years later, Lt. Leah Hawkins is put on leave from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and unofficially licensed to hunt and kill the 12 ringleaders, now scattered across the country.

Hawkins commences her crusade with Albert Weiss, who murdered a guard named Harry Costa and his family and is now holed up at his mothers house in Naples, Fla. After polishing off Weiss, Hawkins heads to Buffalo, the City of Good Neighbors, to inflict her brand of vigilante justice on Viktor Panko, a master forger who murdered another guard, raped his schoolteacher wife and left her tied up for a fresh wave of escapees.

In each case, Perry is meticulous about describing the particulars of Hawkinss tactics, from tracing one felon through his taste in ethnic food to infiltrating a white supremacist gang that another is operating in the Ozarks. In the end, any moral argument raised by the killings seems to interest this author less than the detailed planning behind them and the craftiness of the strategies used to execute them. Sorry to do this to you, old chum, but arent you awe-struck by the beauty of my technique?



Whatever your literary tastes, a shot of Amos Walker is always bracing. A Detroit private eye of the old school, he smokes, he drinks, he uses creative language and, as he says in Loren D. Estlemans WHEN OLD MIDNIGHT COMES ALONG (Forge/Tom Doherty, $26.99), Im not against getting my hands dirty, but when I do I like to know the reason. Walkers client, Francis Xavier Lawes (You can call me X), is paying him good money to determine whether his wife, who has been missing for six years, is well and truly dead, freeing X to remarry.
Dr. June Bacon-Bercey, a world-renowned meteorologist who was the first woman and African-American to be awarded the American Meteorological Society's (AMS) Seal of Approval for excellence in television weathercasting, died over the summer, her daughter Dail St. Claire told AccuWeather.

The legendary forecaster died on July 3, 2019, at the age of 90, but her death went unreported until St. Claire reached out to AccuWeather with news of her passing late last month.

Bacon-Bercey was named Minority Pioneer for Achievements in Atmospheric Sciences in 2000 and is remembered for a groundbreaking legacy that includes being the first African-American woman to receive a degree in meteorology (in 1955) and America's first female TV meteorologist.

In 1977, she also won $64,000 on the TV game show The $128,000 Question, which she used to start a scholarship fund for women studying atmospheric sciences, hoping the money would help women become meteorologists. "Education was No. 1, so scholarship was a passion and she always wanted to share it with those who were less fortunate," St. Claire said.

Twelve women received scholarship assistance from 1978 through 1990, and achieved advancements in the fields of geochemistry, physics, astronomy, meteorology, and oceanography, advancing to senior positions with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, MIT and several television stations across the country.

"I was discouraged (from becoming a meteorologist), and other women were discouraged," Bacon-Bercey told The Washington Post in 1977. "If they feel they've got some money behind them, it might be better."

June Bacon-Bercey on set June Bacon-Bercey helped found the AMS Board on Women and Minorities to increase the number of women and minorities in the atmospheric sciences.. (Photo courtesy of Dail St. Claire)

Bacon-Bercey's own career included working for NOAA, the National Weather Service (NWS), and eventually an NBC TV station in Buffalo in 1970 as a scientific news correspondent. Bacon-Bercey became an emergency replacement as a weathercaster one day and kept the job, becoming the station's chief meteorologist.

Story continues

"She wasn't in Buffalo very long, but she made Buffalo broadcasting history as the first woman of color to be on a TV news anchor team here," said Buffalo-area historian Steve Cichon. "She was also the first scientist to have the job here. She was an important trailblazer in many ways."

"My mom was my mentor and my role model in my life," said St. Clair, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Park Avenue Finance. "I always speak about my mom in my life whenever I have a chance to speak in different venues. There's no question that my career, while different, the work ethic and discipline and persistence and uncompromising goal to be excellent at all costs is what I learned from my mom."

Bacon-Bercey helped found the AMS Board on Women and Minorities to increase the number of women and minorities in the atmospheric sciences.

"She was obviously extremely successful...." NOVA's director of education and outreach Ralph Bouquet told AccuWeather. "She did so much and also gave back in so many prominent ways - with a scholarship, with setting up a meteorology lab at Jackson State University, just really impressive things that one person was able to accomplish.

"How many people could have done that, could have been in that position to produce so much but also give back so much?"
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2020 / Codebase Ventures Inc. ("Codebase" or the "Company") (CSE:CODE)(FSE:C5B)(OTCQB:BKLLF) announces it has completed a first closing of a non-brokered private placement. The Company issued 24,786,904 units at a price of $0.021 per unit, for gross proceeds of $520,525. Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at $0.05 for a period of two years from the date of closing. Securities issued pursuant to this financing are subject to trading restrictions until May 4, 2020.

The Company paid finders fees to qualified finders of $16,002 and issued 842,000 broker warrants, which are on the same terms as the warrants forming part of the units. Net proceeds from the private placement will be used for general working capital and to fund future investments.

About Codebase Ventures Inc.

Codebase Ventures Inc. is a small, hands-on team of financial and technology experts who invest early in great ideas. We operate from the understanding that technology is always evolving, bringing early opportunities for strategic investments that can deliver the exponential returns to our shareholders. We seek out and empower the innovators who are building tomorrow's standards with platforms and protocols, not just products. We invest early, support our founders, take their ideas to market and work tirelessly to help them realize their vision.

For further information, please contact:

Brian Keane, Director

Investor Relations

Telephone: 1 (778) 806-5150

E-mail: IR@codebase.ventures

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE: Codebase Ventures Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/572012/Codebase-Ventures-Inc-Announces-First-Closing-of-Financing
New Delhi:

After West Bengal, Maharashtra, Bihar and Kerala, one of the biggest questions on everybodys mind was which states have made the cut and will be able to showcase their tableaux in the grand Republic Day Parade at Rajpath on January 26 later this month. The suspense is over and the list of finalists is out. The defence ministry has released the list of those states and departments that have been shortlisted for the Republic Day Parade. Though the states that have been rejected have blamed the Centre for vindictive politics, the defence ministry maintains that decision was purely about rules and was apolitical. So, which states and departments have been shortlisted for the Republic Day parade? Heres the complete list:

1: Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

2: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation

3: Department of Financial Services

4: NDRF, Ministry of Home Affairs

5: CPWD, Ministry of Housing Affairs

6: Ministry of Shipping Affairs

7: Andhra Pradesh

8: Assam

9: Chhattisgarh

10: Goa

11: Gujarat

12: Himachal Pradesh

13: Jammu and Kashmir

14: Karnataka

15: Madhya Pradesh

16: Meghalaya

17: Odisha

18: Punjab

19: Rajasthan

20: Tamil Nadu

21: Telangana

22: Uttar Pradesh

In last two days, the Centre has reportedly rejected the tableaux proposals of four states. On Friday, the Narendra Modi government rejected the tableau proposal by Bihar. The development comes after the Centre turned down West Bengal and Maharashtras plans for the Republic Day celebrations. According to sources in the government, Bihars bid did not find favour on the ground that it did not fulfil the necessary criteria laid down for choosing tableaux from the states for the occasion. Bihar had put forward its tableau based on the theme of 'Jal-Jivan-Haryali Abhiyan' launched by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in October 2019 to boost green cover.

Twenty-two proposals from 16 states and union territories and six from central ministries and out of a total 56 have been shortlisted for this parade. Maharashtra tableau was based on the 175-year-old journey of a theatre of the state. But reports suggest that it was not approved by the Union Culture Ministery. Some states have a chance for the rotational method every year.

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New Delhi, Jan 3 : "We are in alliance with them it does not mean that we have to say yes to everything. We are not here to discuss history but to make one," Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi told IANS after Shiv Sena's alliance partner Congress being constantly critical of Veer Savarkar.

Talking to IANS, Chaturvedi said, "there are so many problems in the country including economy, unemployment, farmer distress but neither the Centre nor the opposition has any other issue but Veer Savarkar." She also said "being in alliance doesn't mean that if they say yes, we also have to say yes and if they say no we will say no. we are in alliance for a common minimum programme and the common minimum programme does not consider these things when we talk about economy unemployment and farmer distress. People of the nation are asking them to get over it, when will you talk about us?" The booklet titled "Veer Savarkar Kitne Veer?" (How brave was Veer Savarkar?), published by Congress Seva Dal, claimed that when Savarkar was a 12-year-old boy, he threw stones at a Mosque and broke the tiles there. There is also a controversial reference to alleged physical relations between him and Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi's assassin.

The booklet went on to say, "Details of such physical relationship of Godse are found from the period before he took to brahmacharya. It was a gay relationship. His partner was his political guru Veer Savarkar." Shiv Sena made alliance with the Congress party despite having ideological differences with it. After having differences with winning BJP party which was also their oldest allied partner the Shiv Sena shook hands with Congress party.
While investigating the use of seclusion and physical restraint in Illinois schools, reporter Jennifer Smith Richards wanted to understand better what school employees are supposed to do during a crisis involving a student. So she signed up for a five-day training session where her class studied de-escalation techniques  how to help children calm down when they are upset  as well as practicing several types of physical restraint.
The story in the June 1916 Idaho newspaper was alarming: A man suspected of brutally murdering his wife "escaped on May 18 from custody and has not been caught."

He was never seen again.

Now, authorities say that dismembered remains found in a remote cave 40 years ago have been identified as those of the suspected murderer - an apparent victim of frontier justice.

He went by a variety of names, Charles Smith, Walter Cairns, but his real name was Joseph Henry Loveless.

Loveless was born in 1870 to some of the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to settle in Utah. But he apparently preferred the "wild" part of the West, becoming a notorious counterfeiter and bootlegger in the dry counties of Idaho, according to the Associated Press. He was average in height and build, and his only "peculiarity of the face is the absence of eyebrows," local newspapers said at the time.

Loveless was arrested regularly but never stayed in jail for long. He carried a blade hidden in his shoe, which he used more than once to saw through jail bars and escape.

By 1916, he and his second wife Agnes - a first wife had obtained a rare divorce - were living in a tent on the edge of Dubois, Idaho, where he had "doing odd jobs around the railroad yards."

On the morning of May 5, Agnes' body was found next to the tent, her head nearly severed and "hacked to pieces with an axe," according to newspaper accounts.

Loveless fled but was caught in nearby St. Anthony some time before Agnes's funeral. He was using the name Walter Cairns, but according to news articles found by investigators, one of his children identified him as his dad, Joseph Henry Loveless. That child also predicted his dad would soon escape. He did.

Fast forward to Aug. 26, 1979, when a family searching for arrowheads inside a cave about 100 miles from St. Anthony made a gruesome discovery: the torso of a man wrapped in burlap and buried in a shallow grave.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office opened a homicide investigation, but at the time, the technology didn't exist to identify the remains via DNA, nor even to determine how long they had been buried there.

Twelve years later, in 1991, a girl exploring the same cave found a hand. Investigators launched an excavation and found an arm and two legs wrapped in the same burlap material as the torso. The FBI, the Smithsonian Institution and researchers at Idaho State University have tried to help over the years, but the best they could determine was that the remains belonged to a white man with reddish-brown hair who had been about 40 years old at the time of his death.

Then in 2019, the sheriff's office asked for help from the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that uses the latest DNA technology to identify remains.

Within four months, the mystery was solved. The DNA Doe Project obtained a detailed DNA sequence from a lab, built a genealogical tree, and located a living grandson of Loveless's whose DNA matched perfectly.

"It's blown everyone's minds," forensic genealogist Lee Bingham Redgrave said at a news conference on Tuesday. "The really cool thing, though, is that his 'wanted' poster from his last escape is described as wearing the same clothing that he was found in, so that leads us to put his death date at likely 1916."

The grandson, now 87, had no idea about his grandfather's criminal past. The homicide investigation remains open. Clark County Sheriff Bart May has no suspects, but he thinks he knows the motive.

"Back in 1916, it was the wild West up here and most likely the locals took care of the problem," he told CNN.

Loveless's head, the same body part of Agnes' that he allegedly "hacked to pieces," has never been found.
New Delhi:

Savitribai Phule was an Educationalist, Philanthropist and Social Activist from Maharashtra, India. Born on January 3, 1831, today we are observing 189th birth anniversary of the great social reformer whose ground-breaking work in the field of education and women rights helped in building a modern India. She is also regarded as the Mother of Feminism and the first female teacher of India who worked dedicatedly for womens rights. Here are some facts about Savitribai that are worth mentioning as they show the journey of a woman whose life was dedicated for the upliftment of the society.

Savitribai along-with her husband, Jyotirao Phule worked for improving women rights in India. They also founded the first Indian Girls school at Pune in 1948. Phule was against the caste discrimination policies that were prevailing in those days and worked hard to abolish them. As a result, she is also regarded as the prominent social reformer from Maharashtra.

Phule also had a creative side and was a brilliant writer and poet. She published her work Kavya Phule and Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar in 1854 and 1892 respectively. Her poem Go, Get Education encouraged everyone to take the help of education to get freedom from oppression.

She adopted a son named Yashwant, and they collectively opened a clinic to treat and help those who were affected by the epidemic disease, plague that spread in the Nalasopara area in 1897. She died like a hero while she was carrying a plague affected boy on her back to the hospital. On the way to hospital, the plague caught her and she dies on March 10, 1897.

In her honor, the University of Pune was renamed as Savitribai Phule Pune University in the year 2015. Other than this, Google too celebrated the 188th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule with a Google Doodle.
Dublin, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market, 2019-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market, 2019-2030 features an extensive study of the current landscape and the likely future opportunities associated with novel vaccine delivery devices, over the next 10-12 years.

One of the key objectives of the report was to estimate the existing market size and assess potential future growth opportunities for novel vaccine delivery devices. Based on various parameters, such as number of marketed / pipeline products, price of devices (for commercially available products only) and estimated annual adoption rate, we have developed an informed estimate on the likely evolution of the market over the period 2019-2030.

In addition, we have provided the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunities across:



[A] type of device (electroporation-based needle free injection systems, oral delivery systems, nasal delivery systems, jet injectors, microneedle patches and microinjectors)

[B] route of administration (oral, intramuscular, intranasal, intradermal and subcutaneous)

[C] type of vaccine (Bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine, BCG Vaccine, DTP-HepB-Hib Vaccine, Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Influenza Vaccine, Measles Vaccine, Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine and Others)

[D] key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia and rest of the world)

According to experts, the global vaccines market is anticipated to generate revenues worth USD 100 billion by 2025.

Recent global immunization records indicate that more than 115 million children were immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in 2018. Given the rate at which the global population is growing, the demand for vaccines is likely to increase significantly.



However, biopharmaceutical developers are plagued by concerns related to storage and handling of such preventive / therapeutic products. One commonly reported issue is related to vaccine administration. Despite the success of conventional delivery approaches, which rely on the intramuscular and subcutaneous routes of administration, the present scenario dictates that further improvements are required in order to deal with challenges related to large scale immunization initiatives. Some of the commonly reported disadvantages of the conventional (parenteral) mode of delivery include pain during administration, risk of cross contamination, needlestick injuries, and inaccurate dosing.



Of late, there has been an evident shift in interest to non-invasive immunization methods, which include oral, intranasal and transdermal modes of administration. Currently, many biopharmaceutical companies and clinical research institutes are engaged in the development of novel vaccine delivery systems, taking into consideration the specific requirements of large scale immunization initiatives. As a result, significant efforts have been put into the development of drug delivery technologies / devices, such as microneedle patches, electroporation-based needle free injection systems, jet injectors, inhalation-based delivery systems, biodegradable implants and certain novel types of oral delivery systems.



It is worth highlighting that most of the aforementioned systems are specifically being designed to facilitate pain-free administration of vaccines and allow self-administration. Vaccine developers are also attempting to devise ways to make such products more stable so as to eliminate the need for cold chain in transporting such products. Given the pace of innovation in this field, it is anticipated that the novel vaccine delivery devices market is likely to witness radical changes in the coming years.



Amongst other elements, the report includes:

A detailed assessment of the overall novel vaccine delivery devices market landscape, featuring an elaborate list of device developers and analysis based on a number of relevant parameters, such as year of establishment, company size, geographical location, type of device (autoinjectors, microneedle patches, jet injectors, dry powder inhalers, microinjectors, nasal delivery systems, pen injectors, biodegradable implants, electroporation-based needle free injection systems and novel oral delivery systems), route of administration (subcutaneous, transdermal, intramuscular, intradermal, inhalation, intranasal, and oral), drug delivery mechanism (mechanical, electrical and miscellaneous), nature of vaccine administration (invasive and non-invasive), speed of administration (fast, moderate and slow), self- administration potential, provisions for audio / visual feedback, device usability (disposable and reusable), type of needle (needleless, fixed needle, detachable needle, and hidden needle), and current development status of novel vaccine delivery systems (preclinical / discovery, clinical and marketed).

A detailed competitiveness analysis of novel vaccine delivery devices, taking into consideration the supplier power (based on the year of establishment of developer company) and key product specifications (such as route of administration, device usability, drug delivery mechanism, availability of needle safety system, speed of administration, self-administration potential, provisions for audio / visual feedback, nature of administration, cold chain requirement and current status of development).

An analysis evaluating the effectiveness of various vaccines delivery devices in order to compare their respective strengths and capabilities based on a variety of relevant parameters, such as type of active ingredient, dosage form, route of administration, target disease indication and target patient population.

A detailed list of marketed and pipeline vaccine candidates that are anticipated to be developed in combination with novel vaccine delivery devices in the near future, featuring analysis based on parameters, such as type of active ingredient, dosage form, route of administration, target disease indication and target patient population.

Elaborate profiles of prominent product developers engaged in this domain; each profile features a brief overview of the company, its financial information (if available), information on its product portfolio, recent developments and an informed future outlook.

An analysis of recent collaborations and partnership agreements inked in this domain since 2014, including details of deals that were / are focused on novel vaccine delivery devices. The partnerships captured in the report were analyzed on the basis of year of establishment, type of agreement, type of device, type of vaccine, type of active ingredient and target disease indication.

A discussion on important, industry-specific trends, key market drivers and challenges, under a comprehensive SWOT framework, featuring a qualitative Harvey ball analysis that highlights the relative impact of each SWOT parameter on the overall market.

In order to account for future uncertainties and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three market forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of the industry's growth.



The opinions and insights presented in the report were influenced by discussions held with senior stakeholders in the industry.

The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with the following industry stakeholders:

Michael Schrader, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Vaxess Technologies

Mikael Ekstrom and Roger Lassing, Vice President, Business Development, Iconovo

Henry King, Market Intelligence and Business Development Manager, Innoture

Key Topics Covered



1. PREFACE

1.1. Scope of the Report

1.2. Research Methodology

1.3. Chapter Outlines



2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



3. INTRODUCTION

3.1. Chapter Overview

3.2. Vaccines

3.2.1. Classification of Vaccines

3.2.2. Key Components of a Vaccine Formulation

3.2.3. Expression Systems Used for Vaccine Production

3.3. Vaccine Delivery

3.3.1. Intradermal Route

3.3.2. Subcutaneous Route

3.3.3. Intramuscular Route

3.3.4. Oral Route

3.3.5. Intranasal Route

3.3.6. Inhalation Route

3.4. Key Challenges Associated with Vaccine Delivery

3.5. Novel Approaches for Vaccine Delivery

3.5.1. Autoinjectors

3.5.2. Biodegradable Implants

3.5.3. Buccal / Sublingual Vaccine Delivery Systems

3.5.4. Electroporation-based Needle Free Injection Systems

3.5.5. Inhalation / Pulmonary Vaccine Delivery Systems

3.5.6. Jet Injectors

3.5.7. Microinjection System

3.5.8. Novel Orally Administrable Formulations

3.6. Future Perspectives



4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

4.1. Chapter Overview

4.2. Marketed Vaccines Landscape

4.3. Clinical-Stage Vaccines Landscape

4.4. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices: Overall Market Landscape

4.4.1. Analysis by Type of Device

4.4.2. Analysis by Route of Administration

4.4.3. Analysis by Drug Delivery Mechanism

4.4.4. Analysis by Nature of Vaccine Administration

4.4.5. Analysis by Speed of Vaccine Administration

4.4.6. Analysis by Self-Administration Potential

4.4.7. Analysis by Availability of Audio / Visual Feedback

4.4.8. Analysis by Device Usability

4.4.9. Analysis by Type of Needle

4.4.10. Analysis by Stage of Development

4.5. Novel Vaccine Delivery Device Developers: Overall Market Landscape

4.5.1. Analysis by Type of Developer

4.5.2. Analysis by Year of Establishment

4.5.3. Analysis by Company Size

4.54. Analysis by Geographical Location



5. DEVICE COMPETITIVENESS ANALYSIS

5.1. Chapter overview

5.2. Assumptions and Methodology

5.3. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices: Competitive Landscape

5.4. Concluding Remarks



6. TECHNOLOGY EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

6.1. Chapter Overview

6.2. Assumptions and Key Parameters

6.3. Methodology

6.4. Vaccine Delivery Devices: Technology Effectiveness Analysis

6.4.1. Devices for Marketed Vaccines

6.4.2. Devices for Clinical-Stage Vaccines



7. NOVEL VACCINE DELIVERY DEVICES: LIKELY VACCINE CANDIDATES

7.1. Chapter Overview

7.2. Marketed Vaccines

7.2.1. Electroporation-based Needle Free Injection Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.2. Jet Injectors: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.3. Microneedle Patches: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.4. Nasal Delivery Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.5. Oral Delivery Systems for Liquid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.6. Oral Delivery Systems for Solid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.2.7. Prefilled Syringes: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3. Clinical-Stage Vaccines

7.3.1. Electroporation-based Needle Free Injection Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.2. Jet Injectors: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.3. Microneedle Patches: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.4. Nasal Delivery Systems: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.5. Oral Delivery Systems for Liquid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.6. Oral Delivery Systems for Solid Formulations: Likely Vaccine Candidates

7.3.7. Prefilled Syringes: Likely Vaccine Candidates



8. COMPANY PROFILES

8.1. Chapter Overview

8.2. 3M

8.3. Becton Dickinson

8.4. Consort Medical

8.5. D'Antonio Consultants International

8.6. Enesi Pharma

8.7. Ichor Medical

8.8. Iconovo

8.9. Inovio Pharmaceuticals

8.10. PharmaJet

8.11. Union Medico



9. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

9.1. Chapter Overview

9.2. Partnership Models

9.3. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices: Partnerships and Collaborations

9.3.1. Analysis by Year of Partnership

9.3.2. Analysis by Type of Partnership

9.3.3. Analysis by Type of Device

9.3.4. Analysis by Type of Partnership and Type of Device

9.3.5. Analysis by Type of Vaccine and Type of Device

9.3.6. Analysis by Type of Active Ingredient

9.3.7. Analysis by Target Disease Indication

9.3.8. Popular Vaccine Delivery Devices: Analysis by Number of Partnerships

9.3.9. Most Active Industry Players: Analysis by Number of Partnerships

9.3.10. Geographical Analysis



10. SWOT ANALYSIS

10.1. Chapter Overview

10.2. Strengths

10.3. Weaknesses

10.4. Opportunities

10.5. Threats

10.6. Concluding Remarks



11. MARKET SIZING AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS

11.1. Chapter Overview

11.2. Forecast Methodology and Key Assumptions

11.3. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market, 2019-2030

11.4. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Type of Device, 2019-2030

11.5. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Route of Administration, 2019-2030

11.6. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Type of Vaccine, 2019-2030

11.7. Global Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market: Distribution by Regions, 2019-2030

11.7.1. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in North America, 2019-2030

11.7.2. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in Europe, 2019-2030

11.7.3. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in Asia Pacific, 2019-2030

11.7.4. Novel Vaccine Delivery Devices Market in Rest of the World, 2019-2030



12. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

12.1. Chapter Overview

12.2. Vaxess Technologies

12.2.1. Company Snapshot

12.2.2. Interview Transcript: Michael Schrader, Chief Executive Officer and Founder

12.3. Iconovo

12.3.1. Company Snapshot

12.3.2. Interview Transcript: Mikael Ekstrom and Roger Lassing, Vice Presidents, Business Development

12.3. Innoture

12.3.1. Company Snapshot

12.3.2. Interview Transcript: Henry King, Market Intelligence and Business Development Manager



13. CONCLUDING REMARKS



14. APPENDIX 1: TABULATED DATA



15. APPENDIX 2: LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS



3M

Abbott

AbCellera

ABO Pharmaceuticals

AC Immune

Accelovance

AdminMed

Aduro Biotech

Advagene Biopharma

Advaxis

Aelix Therapeutics

Aeras

Aesica Pharmaceuticals

Affinivax

Affiris

Agenus

AgResearch

Aimmune Therapeutics

Aivita Biomedical

AJ Vaccines

Aktiv-Dry

Alopexx Vaccine

AlphaVax

Altimmune

American Association for Cancer Research

Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biologic Pharmacy

Animal Health Board

Antares Pharma

Apogee Technology

Araclon Biotech

Archivel Farma

Argos Therapeutics

Astellas Pharma

AstraZeneca

Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute

AVIR Green Hills Biotechnology

Axon Neuroscience

Barr Labs

Battelle

Bavarian Nordic

Baylor College of Medicine

BCN Peptides

Becton Dickinson

Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Beijing Institute of Biological Products

Beijing Minhai Biotechnology

Beijing Tricision Biotherapeutics

Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise

Beijing Zhifei Lvzhu Biopharmaceutical

Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine

Bharat Biotech International

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Bilthoven Biologicals

Biofabri

Bioject Medical Technologies

Biological E

Bio-Manguinhos

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority

Biomedizinische Forschungs

BioNTech

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals

Bioneedle Technologies Group

Biontech

BioSerenTach

Birla Institute of Technology and Science

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boryung Pharmaceutical

BrightPath Biotherapeutics

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bul Bio-National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases

Cadila Health Care

Cancer Insight

Cancer Research UK

Cancer Vaccines Charitable Trust

CanSino Biologics

Capital Medical University

Celerion

Celgene

Celldex Therapeutics

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology (CHAVI)

Changhai Hospital

Charite University

Chengdu Institute of Biological Products

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Chinese PLA General Hospital

Chiron Behring Vaccines

Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research & Development of Immune-And Biological Products

City of Hope Medical Center

College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences

Consort Medical

Corium

CosMED Pharmaceutical

Cromos Pharma

CSL

CureVac

Curevo

DALI Medical Devices

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

D'Antonio Consultants International

Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Debiotech

Department of Health and Human Services

Duke University

Dutch Cancer Society

Dynavax Technologies

E Ink Holdings

E3D Elcam Drug Delivery Devices

Earle A. Chiles Research Institute

Elios Therapeutics

Emergent BioSolutions

Emergent Product Development

EMMES

Emory University

Enesi Pharma

EuBiologics

Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution

FFF Enterprises

FHI 360

FIT Biotech

Flextronics International

Flinders University

FluGen

Forschungszentrum Jlich

Fourth Military Medical University

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Fuda Cancer Hospital

FUJIFILM Pharmaceuticals

Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology

GC Pharma

Genentech

GeneOne Life Science

Genetic Immunity

Genexine

Genocea Biosciences

Georgia Institute of Technology

GeoVax

German Cancer Research Center

Gilead Sciences

GlaxoSmithKline

GlobeImmune

GPO-MBP

Gradalis

Grameen Foundation

Green Cross

GreenSignal Bio Pharma

Gritstone Oncology

Guangdong 999 Brain Hospital

Guangzhou Anjie Biomedical Technology

Guangzhou Trinomab Biotech

Gynecologic Oncology Group

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute

Hadassah Medical Organization

Haffkine Bio Pharmaceutical

Hemispherx Biopharma

HIV Vaccine Trials Network

Hookipa Biotech

Hoosier Cancer Research Network

Hualan Biological Bacterin

Ichor Medical Systems

Iconovo

IDRI

Il-Yang Pharmaceutical

Immatics

Immune Biosolutions

Immune Design

Immunitor

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics

Immunomic Therapeutics

ImmuPatch

Imperial College London

Imugene

INCYTO

Infectious Disease Research Institute

Innoture Medical Technology

Inovio Pharmaceuticals

Inserm

Institut Pasteur

Institute of Clinical Research

Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals

International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research

International Vaccine Institute

Intravacc

Invectys

IPPOX Foundation

ISA Pharmaceuticals

Istari Oncology

Janssen Biotech

Japan BCG Laboratory

Jiangsu Jindike Biotechnology

Jiangsu Province Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Jinan University Guangzhou

JN-International Medical

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Jurong Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Kenya Medical Research Institute

Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Kurve Technology

Laboratory Corporation of America

Leiden University Medical Center

Leidos

LG Chem

Likang Life Sciences

LimmaTech Biologics

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans

LTS

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Charite University

LuMind Research Down Syndrome Foundation

Madison Vaccines

Mahidol University

Marker Therapeutics

Massachusetts General Hospital

MassBiologics

Mayo Clinic

MCM Vaccine

McMaster University

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Medicago

Medical International Technologies

Medical Research Council

Medical University Innsbruck

Medical University of Vienna

Medigen Vaccine Biologics

MedImmune

MEDRx

MedsForAll

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Mercia Pharma

Merck

Microdermics

Micron Biomedical

Micropoint Technologies

MIKROGEN

Military Infectious Diseases Research Program

Minervax

Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone

Moffitt Clinical Research Network

Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute

Moore Medical

MSD Wellcome Trust Hilleman Laboratories

Mundipharma

Mylan

NanoPass Technologies

NantKwest

National Cancer Institute

National Institute for Health Research

National Institute for Medical Research

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

National Institute on Aging

National Institutes of Health

National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

National University Hospital

Naval Medical Research Center

Nemaura Pharma

Nemera

Neon Therapeutics

Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Nova Immunotherapeutics

Nova Laboratories

Novartis

Novavax

NovInject

Nuance Designs

OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals

OncoPep

OncoTherapy Science

Oncovir

Olymvax Biopharmaceuticals

OptiNose

Organon Teknika

Osaka University

Ospedale San Raffaele

Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

Panacea

Parexel

PATH

PepTcell

Pfizer

PharmaJet

PHC Injection Device Technologies

Philipps University Marburg Medical Center

Philips Medisize

Picofluidics

Plumbline Life Sciences

Profectus BioSciences

Prometheon Pharma

PROSENEX Ambulatoriumbetriebs

Proswell Medical

Protein Sciences

Providence Cancer Center

Providence Health & Services

PT Bio Farma

Public Health England (PHE)

Queen's University Belfast

Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University

Rising Tide Foundation

Robbins Instruments

Robert Koch Institut

Romagnolo Scientific Institute for the Study and Treatment of Tumors

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust

Russian Academy of Sciences

Sanaria

Sanofi

Scandinavian Biopharma

Sellas Life Sciences Group

Sementis

Seqirus

Serum Institute of India

Shanghai Bovax Biotechnology

Shanghai Houchao Biotechnology

Shantha Biotechnics

Shenzhen Geno-Immune Medical Institute

Shin Nippon Biomedical Laboratories

SHL Group

Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sinovac Biotech

SK Bioscience

Skinject

Stand Up To Cancer

Stanford University

Statens Serum Institut

Stevanato Group

Swiss Group for Clinical Cancer Research

Takeda

Task Foundation

Teva Pharmaceutical

Texas Children's Hospital

The Aurum Institute

The Clatterbridge Cancer Center

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University

The Immunobiological Technology Institute

The Methodist Hospital System

The Wistar Institute

Themis Bioscience

TheraJect

Third Military Medical University

Transgene

Treos Bio

Trudell Medical International

TuBerculosis Vaccine Initiative

UbiVac

Union Medico

United States Agency for International Development

United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases

United States Department of Defense

University Health Network

University Hospital Tuebingen

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

University Medical Center Groningen

University of Arkansas

University of California

University of Cape Town Lung Institute

University of Cologne

University of Copenhagen

University of Florida

University of Groningen

University of Iowa

University of Lausanne Hospitals

University of Liverpool

University of Maryland

University of Michigan

University of Oxford

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pisa

University of Pittsburgh

University of South Australia

University of Southampton

University of Sydney

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin

University of Zaragoza

US Army Medical Research and Material Command

Vaccibody

Vaccitech

Valeritas

Valneva

Vaxart

Vaxess Technologies

VAXIMM

Vaxine

Vaxxas

VBI Vaccines

Vetter Pharma

ViciniVax

ViroStatics

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research

Washington University School of Medicine

Weill Medical College of Cornell University

West Pharmaceuticals

World Health Organization

World Vision of Ireland

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals

XEME Biopharma

Xiamen Innovax Biotech

Xiamen University

Ypsomed

Zosano Pharma

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Following that sleazy little Benghazi redux act, President Trump came down like a slaying angel on terrorists across the Middle East, fat comfortable ones who'd always gotten away with what they've always gotten away with, counting on U.S. fear and appeasement to Iran. Ace of Spades has a magnificent list of how many turned into grease spots on the desert floor. In the ruins of the air strikes, the terrorists now know that when Trump said "this is not a warning, it is a threat," it meant their best course of action was to run screaming for the hills, not thumb their noses, posture for the press about being unafraid, and plot another one. The other message they took from the glowing rubble is that the era of Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama is over.

Too bad Democrats don't know that, because Trump's wingspan is wider than they think.

Via Axios, here's the kind of nonsense they're spouting:

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.): "Soleimani was an enemy of the United States. Thats not a question. The question is this  as reports suggest, did America just assassinate, without any congressional authorization, the second most powerful person in Iran, knowingly setting off a potential massive regional war?"

...and...

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.): "Trump Admin owes a full explanation of airstrike reportsall the factsto Congress&the American people. The present authorizations for use of military force in no way cover starting a possible new war. This step could bring the most consequential military confrontation in decades. My immediate concern is for our brave Americans serving in harms way."

Here are a couple more, from Ace:

Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war.  Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 3, 2020

Trump may have just started a war with no congressional debate. I really hope the worst case scenario doesnt happen but everything about this situation suggests serious escalation to come.  Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) January 3, 2020

What we see here with these miserable tweets is a Congress (and in the case of Ben Rhodes, a former Obama official) that is upset about how Trump doesn't do things the way Carter and Obama did them. They wanted appeasement. They wanted dialogue. They wanted congressional consultations. They wanted talks. You'd think Trump's moving of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem after all the doom-and-gloom howls would have been a clue to them that Trump plays hardball without their permission. But they're not a particularly serious or creative bunch. All they can see now is that Trump doesn't kowtow to them. Worse still, what have they been focused on as all the monster planning for this operation has been going on? Trump's tweets, especially on the useless impeachment Kabuki, which they run to like cats to a laser pointer.

Some, such as Rep. Ilhan Omar, are even worse, openly cheering the terrorists. The press, too, has its share of same-old blather about "instability."

But for all of them, Trump is a master of surprise. He's been distracting them, and they have been running from Trump tweet to Trump tweet, while, like a whale under the water surface, the monster planning for these coordinated air strikes was going on, Trump fully cognizant and commanding of them. He didn't even tell Congress, of course, not wanting Rep. Adam Schiff to leak the matter to CNN. That's quite a vote of no-confidence in them as they now seethe, stamp their feet, and wag their fingers.

It wasn't just Qassem Soleimani, the mastermind of Iranian terror for decades, or the beast's creepy sidekicks, or that terrorist in Lebanon, who were put out of their misery. Looks as if Trump's domestic enemies are taking a hit, too. The more they talk about their longing for the status quo, the stranger they sound. Iranians and Iraqis, after all, are dancing in the streets in thanksgiving for Trump.

Image credit: Photo illustration by Monica Showalter.
Iraqis who have demonstrated for months against a government they see as beholden to Iran broke into song and dance Friday after a US strike killed a top Iranian commander, an AFP photographer said.

"Oh Qasem Soleimani, this is a divine victory," they cheered in Baghdad's iconic Tahrir Square, the epicentre of their movement.

"This is God's revenge for the blood of those killed," one added, after nearly 460 people were killed in violence that many demonstrators have blamed on Iran-backed security forces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Sonoma County sheriff's K-9 helped apprehend a man Tuesday accused of stabbing a victim back in November, sheriff's officials said.

The suspect, identified by deputies as Orren Vicenti, 25, allegedly stabbed a victim in the back on Nov. 14.

On Tuesday, deputies went to Vicenti's home, located in the 31000 block of Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road, just east of the unincorporated community of Stewarts Point.

As a deputy knocked on Vicenti's front door, Vicenti apparently tried to flee out of the home's back door.

Deputies ordered him to stop and warned him that a sheriff K-9 named Rappa would be used to apprehend him. Vicenti, however, allegedly ignored their commands.

A deputy then released Rappa, and the K-9 bit Vicenti on his right leg. Vicenti was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, violation of probation, and resisting arrest, sheriff's officials said.

While in custody, Vicenti was treated at a hospital for his injuries. He has since been released from the hospital and is being held without bail, according to sheriff's officials.

Copyright  2020 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.
Sixty is the new 45, 80 is the new 60, and 100 is  well, really dang old. But even centenarians know that once you stop learning, you star...
The EU has warned Turkey about the threat of escalation of the conflict in Libya in the event of military intervention of Ankara, European External Action Service reported.

"The European Union expresses its strong concern about Turkeys Grand National Assemblys decision on Thursday, 2 January, to authorise military deployments in Libya. The EU reiterates its firm conviction that there is no military solution to the Libyan crisis. Actions supporting those who are fighting in the conflict will only further destabilise the country and the wider region. It is imperative for all international partners to respect fully the UN arms embargo and to support the efforts of the United Nations Special Representative Ghassan Salame and the Berlin process, as the only avenue towards a peaceful, stable and secure Libya. The EU will maintain an active engagement in support of all de-escalatory measures and steps leading to an effective ceasefire and the resumption of political negotiations," the source noted.

The Turkish parliament approved a bill providing for the possibility of sending Turkish troops to Libya.

Currently, there are two executive authorities in Libya in parallel: the internationally recognized PNS Faiz Saraj and the provisional cabinet of Abdullah Abdurrahman at-Thani, acting in the east of the country together with the parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. On December 12, 2019, Haftar announced the start of a decisive offensive on Tripoli.

There are two executive authorities in Libya: the internationally recognized Government of National Accord headed by Fayez Sarraj and the Second Al-Thani Cabinet, acting in the east of the country together with the parliament and supported by the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The latter has already announced that his armed forces were embarking on a decisive battle for the capital. The LNA command has repeatedly said it would resist any foreign intervention in Libyan internal affairs, and also threatened to sink ships and bring down military aircraft from Turkey with military aid.
The bushfire emergency has already disrupted the lives of tens of thousands of Australians and it now appears to have delivered a blow to Australias pursuit of one of its key diplomatic priorities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was due to travel to India next week for an important official visit to meet his opposite number, Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and MP Darren Chester visit a farm in Sarsfield, Victoria. Credit:James Ross

Mr Morrison said on Friday he was inclined to cancel the trip because of the fires which were expected to reach catastrophic levels again on Saturday.

In a sign of the significance of the trip, however, Mr Morrison said he would discuss what to do at a meeting of the governments National Security Committee.
The identity of a headless male torso found in a cave four decades ago has finally been revealed  and with it, the mans shocking criminal history.

Since 1979, a mystery has hung over investigators in East Idaho.

It was in August of that year that a suspicious burlap sack filled with clothing and pieces of a human torso was found in a cave near the Montana border by artifact hunters, according to a report by Idaho State University. A coroner at the time believed the body had been dismembered and the man may have been placed there no more than 10 years earlier. The body was well preserved, and the coroner concluded he was about 40 years old when he died. Still, investigators had no clue who the man was.

The case would go cold until 1991, when a hand belonging to the torso was discovered by an 11-year-old girl. Severed limbs were later found in the same area.

Investigators asked DNA Doe Project  a nonprofit volunteer organization that helps to identify deceased people using forensic genealogy  for assistance earlier this year, with the forensics lab, Othram Inc., testing the DNA. The groups revealed their shocking findings in a press conference on Tuesday.

His name was Joseph Henry Loveless, DNA Doe Project team leader Anthony Redgrave said, according to the East Idaho News. Joseph Henry Loveless was born Dec. 3, 1870, in Payson, Utah territory.

According to the paper, Loveless was an outlaw had been arrested many times in the early 1900s. His last recorded location was an Idaho jail cell where he was listed under a pseudonym  Walt Cairns  for the grisly murder of his wife, Agnes, with an axe.

RELATED: Hiker Finds Decapitated Body in Los Angeles Griffith Park

Composite image of Joseph Henry Loveless | DNA Doe Project

A 1916 newspaper article described the heinous crime:

Her death resulted after 50 hours of intense agony. It is charged that the ax was wielded by her common-law husband in Dubois at an early hour Saturday morning after she had returned home from a dance in that city, the article read, according to East Idaho News.

Story continues

Several days after being jailed, Loveless cut through the bars using a saw hed hidden in his shoe. Investigators believed he met his demise shortly after making his escape in May 1916.

In all likelihood Henry had been murdered and transported to the cave not long after he escaped, making his post mortem interval  the time between his death and discovery of his body  as long as 63 years, Redgrave said, USA Today reports. This case has been historic in more than one meaning of the word.

RELATED: Navy Vet Was Dead Almost 3 Years Before His Body Was Discovered by Chance in His Texas Apartment

A wanted poster for Loveless describes his appearance, though it lists him under his Walt Cairns pseudonym.

Walt Cairns, age about 40 years, height about 5 ft. 8 or 9 in., weight about 165 pounds, dark brown hair, slightly gray around ears, eyes bluish brown, medium complexion, has little or no eyebrows, small scar over right eye, tattoo of star on right hand between thumb and index finger, also tattoo of anchor same place on left hand; he wore a light colored hat, brown coat, red sweater, blue overalls over black trousers, the poster states.

After pinpointing an identification, investigators were able to track down the 87-year-old grandson of Loveless who helped to confirm his identity using DNA.

To this day, Loveless skull has never been found.
A seven-storey building under construction collapsed in southern Cambodia on Friday trapping dozens of workers under the rubble, police said, as rescuers pulled eight injured survivors from the wreckage.

The building in coastal Kep province was meant to be a hotel but crumbled at around 4:30pm, with video circulating online showing concrete floors sandwiched together as firefighters and an excavator arrived.

"Around 30 people are believed to be trapped," National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun told AFP, adding that law enforcement was assisting in the search. Deadly accidents plague the kingdom's poorly regulated building sector even as the country has enjoyed a construction boom.

In June nearly 30 people died after the collapse of a building under construction in Sihanoukville, a beach town undergoing a Chinese investment bonanza.

Last month at least three workers died and more than a dozen others were seriously injured after an under-construction dining hall at a temple collapsed in the tourist town of Siem Reap.

There are an estimated 200,000 construction workers in Cambodia, most unskilled, reliant on day wages and not protected by union rules, according to the International Labour Organization.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Colombo, Jan 3 : Former Sri Lankan presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa was formally declared as the Opposition Leader in Parliament on Friday.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced in Parliament that Premadasa has been accepted as the Opposition Leader, reports the Colombo Gazette.

The United National Party-led United National Front (UNF), the main opposition in Parliament, had proposed the name of Premadasa following his defeat in the November 16, 2019 presidential election.

Sajith Premadasa is the son of Ranasinghe Premadasa who served as the President from 1989 until he was assassinated in May 1993 by the LTTE.

In the November 16 election, he managed to get 42.91 per cent of the ballots, while President Gotabaya Rajapaksa secured a majority of 51.21 per cent.
Several dozen Iranian-Canadians danced and cheered in Toronto on Friday as they celebrated the death of a top general in their home country.

An American airstrike authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, Thursday in Baghdad, Iraq. Irans supreme leader vowed a harsh retaliation.

But for those who showed up to dance in a square in north Toronto Friday afternoon, Soleimanis death marked what they hoped would be a re-birth for Iran. Chants of regime change in Iran by the people of Iran and we support uprising in Iran rang out at the rally.

We are in a great world now after Soleimanis elimination, said Hamid Gharajeh, a spokesman for the Iran Democratic Association of Canada. I feel wonderful because we really think this is long overdue.

Over the last two decades, Soleimani had assembled a network of heavily armed allies stretching all the way to southern Lebanon on Israels doorstep. While Irans conventional military has been constrained by 40 years of American sanctions, Iran can strike asymmetrically in the region through its allied forces like Lebanons Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and Yemens Houthi rebels.

Trump said Friday he acted to stop a war rather than start one, although many observers saw the airstrike as a major escalation of tensions between the U.S. and Iran. American officials said they had intelligence Soleimani was planning a significant campaign of violence against the U.S.

It also accused Soleimani of approving orchestrated violent protests at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Gharajeh left Iran in 1977 to go to university in the U.S., then moved to Canada about 10 years later. He has never gone home, but still has family in Iran and hopes to return one day.

My father and mother passed away in Iran, but Ive never been to their graves, he said. The dream is going back to a free Iran.

Others taking part in the Toronto rally said they hope Soleimanis death will be the catalyst for regime change.

We want peace in the region, not terrorism, said Sara Fallah, the director of the International Coalition of Women Against Fundamentalism.

Anyone who cares about human rights should be against terrorism and celebrating the death of Soleimani.

Fallah said she left Iran when she was young to come to school in Canada. She has never returned.

Behza Matin said he danced when he first heard the news of the generals death.

I was so happy to see this man killed, Matin said. . . . I have to tell you, I had the greatest sleep last night.

The scene contrasted with the reaction in the Iranian capital of Tehran where thousands took to the streets after Friday Muslim prayers to condemn the killing, waving posters of Soleimani and chanting Death to deceitful America.

 With files from the Associated Press

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South Korea said Friday it will allocate more money to foster the eco-friendly automobile market this year in a long-term plan to have such cars take up a quarter of all car exports by 2030.



To further foster the segment, South Korea said it will allocate 950 billion won (US$821 million) this year to provide customers with subsidies and install more charging stations across the country, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The budget marks a 60 percent increase from 2019.



Another 204 billion won will be spent to support local companies' research and development projects in 2020, up 54 percent from a year earlier.



South Korea will also help local auto parts makers with various financial incentives, including subsidies and tax deductions.



"While the global automobile industry is facing a setback amid the growing protectionism and slowing demand, the market for eco-friendly cars is nevertheless expanding at a fast pace," an official from the ministry said.



Exports of eco-friendly cars, including electric and hybrid models, reached 249,000 units in 2019, rising 25 percent from 196,000 units posted a year earlier






Friday, celebrity news website TMZ published a photo of the 35-year-old tech titan shopping at a Costco, reportedly in Mountain View, California on Dec. 13, according to the site . Zuckerberg, who was shopping with his wife, Priscilla Chan, stopped to look at a display of TVs.

Mark Zuckerberg is one of the richest people in the world  but the Facebook founder and CEO apparently shops at bulk, discount mecca Costco .

While Costco is known for its good deals, Zuckerberg  who is currently worth $77.6 billion, according to Forbes  is not always frugal. For example, in 2015, he paid $100 million for a 700-acre property on Kauai, Hawaii.

Zuckerberg isn't the only celebrity known to appreciate Costco.

Kris Jenner, mom to celebrity icons including Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, told The New York Times in 2015 that going to Costco is soothing and fun.

"Costco is a passion," Jenner told the Times. "Costco is like a massage."

Jenner said she would often end up buying things she'd never use: "During the summer, there'll be a fabulous surfboard. I don't surf, but I've got to buy a surfboard. I mean, that's how crazy I am," Jenner told The Times.

John Mayer tweeted about a trip to Costco in which he "went nuts" in 2014.

TWEET: Went to a Costco today. I don't think I've ever been. Went nuts. Now I'm juicing and carbonating and brewing everything in sight.

And "This Is Us" star Chrissy Metz told CNBC Make It: "I am an executive member at Costco because [my roommate and I] buy a lot of toilet paper."
Adams County officials have charged a man they say threw a lit Molotov cocktail type device at the county courthouse last month.

Samson Paul Yohe, 27, is charged with arson, risking catastrophe, possession of weapons of mass destruction and arson of a historic resource, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Gettysburg Police Department.

The device, which did not explode, did break a window at the facility, according to court documents filed against Yohe.

Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett, who announced the arrest Thursday evening, thanked the public for sharing information with law enforcement regarding the investigation. Sinnett said the attack appears to be an isolated incident done by one person.

Sinnett said although the investigation is ongoing, it is comforting to know that law enforcement acted so expediently in bringing charges in this case."

Police said Yohe threw the homemade device at the courthouse around 11:04 p.m. on Dec. 22. The device was an antique-looking yellow bottle, filled with a liquid and a white cotton sock with an elastic top, according to the affidavit. The top was used as a wick, which Yohe lit before he threw the bottle.

There were green-tipped matches in the bottle as well, according to the affidavit.

Police used surveillance footage of the area to compile a description of their suspect, which included a specific pair of shoes and brand of backpack, according to the affidavit. The person also had a mask covering part of his face.

Investigators used these items to identify Yohe, according to the affidavit, and discovered he had past convictions in three counties for terroristic threats, aggravated assault and aggravated harassment.

On Dec. 31, investigators met with Yohe in the 100 block of Carlisle Street, in an area under construction, according to the affidavit. Police saw Yohe wearing shoes matching the brand seen in the surveillance footage, and a camouflage mask that covered part of his face.

At Yohes apartment, police seized shoes and the backpack that matched what was seen on surveillance footage, according to the affidavit.

Inside the backpack, police found green-tipped matches like the ones seen inside the bottle explosive device, a plastic bottle of lighter fluid, a plastic bottle of vegetable oil, a pair of gloves and a scarf, according to the affidavit.

At Yohes home, police found many antique glass bottles similar to the one used for the device.

Bail information was not available for Yohe as of Thursday night.

Read more on PennLive:
Cesare

By Jerome Charyn

Bellevue. 365 pp. $26.99

---

Jerome Charyn likes to unsettle readers. For more than 50 years, this protean writer has ranged across genres, from mysteries (the Isaac Quartet) and literary criticism ("A Loaded Gun: Emily Dickinson for the 21st Century") to memoirs that blur the boundaries between fact and fiction ("The Black Swan"). Some of his best novels probe the surreal nature of reality by plunging protagonists into turbulent periods of world history, including Stalinist Russia ("The Green Lantern"), the American Revolution ("Johnny One-Eye") and the Civil War ("I Am Abraham"). Charyn is fascinated by people who traffic in deception and situations in which moral values are either unstable or upended; wholly good behavior is rarely a viable option for his characters.

These preoccupations take extra-grim shape in Charyn's dark, troubling new novel "Cesare," which moves across 16 months as the Third Reich thrashes toward defeat. It opens in February 1943 with Adm. Wilhelm Canaris, head of military intelligence, reluctantly attending a Nazi social gathering. The titillated guests want to hear the latest about his agent Cesare, "who strangled enemies of the Reich at will and then returned to his coffin." Canaris despises Nazis but remains a loyal servant of the German state. Subordinates whisper that he orchestrated the 1919 killing of anarchist Rosa Luxemburg, which squelched a socialist uprising and paved the way for Hitler's rise. "Did it matter that I wasn't even in Berlin?" Canaris asks wryly. "My minions had to shove their Old Man into the middle of history. In times of crisis, Dr. Caligari was always there."

Luxemburg's murder haunts the novel alongside "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," the 1920 Expressionist film that gives Canaris and his star assassin their nicknames. ("Alice in Wonderland," "Hamlet" and "Moby-Dick" are also touchstones in a text steeped in literary references.) Cesare is Erik Holdermann, "born in Berlin the same year Rosa Luxemburg was thrown into the Landwehrkanal." Although he's not Jewish, Erik lives in Berlin's Jewish slum, Scheunenviertel, and - when not strangling enemies of the Reich - rescues as many neighbors as he can from the Gestapo's roundups. "You must save only one Jew at a time," the admiral cautions him, "or they'll catch onto you in a minute." Canaris is in a wary standoff with the SS, and his maneuvers to buttress the war effort while clandestinely thwarting Nazi domestic policies drive much of the thriller-like plot.

The funhouse atmosphere of "Caligari," with its porous border between sanity and insanity and deliberate confusion between the real and the delusional, makes an apt metaphor for Nazi Germany, ruled by ideologues increasingly disconnected from reality yet still lethally dangerous. And Luxemburg's murder spotlights the complicity of men like Canaris and wealthy Jewish magnate Baron Wilfrid von Hecht, who supported Hitler to preserve their power and privileges. They were "more frightened of the Reds than of a lunatic with foam in his mouth," says the baron's daughter Lisa, a (BEGIN ITAL)Mischling (END ITAL) (half Jew) married to a Nazi to protect her father and herself. Erik has obsessively loved Lisa since she and her father plucked him from a Scheunenviertel orphanage when he was 12, but she is a shape-shifter who eludes him. Is she a communist? A lesbian? Leader of the Jewish underground? Does she love Erik, or is she using him - and if so, to what ends? The many uncertainties surrounding Lisa incarnate the novel's moral and philosophical ambiguities.

As Lisa and Canaris both come under threat and Erik strives to defend them, Charyn reminds us that it's impossible to make simple judgments about human beings. Nazi hypocrisy is a given - "cabarets and 'boy clubs' could be found five minutes from Gestapo headquarters" - as is Nazi brutality; there are several chillingly matter-of-fact scenes of torture and execution. But it's a Nazi barber who warns Erik to get Lisa and her father out of Berlin and a Jewish informant who betrays them. The wealthy Jewish Prominenten at Theresienstadt refuse pleas to tell a visiting Red Cross delegation the truth about conditions at the Nazis' "model" concentration camp because the SS has promised to send them to "their very own colony" in Madagascar, "without lice-laden Jews."

"Cesare" reaches a bleakly transcendent conclusion at Theresienstadt. Uncompromising to the last, Charyn allows a surprising redemption that is swiftly punished, pushing Lisa to despair so complete that she tells Erik, "We were all Hitler's helpmates." "Cesare's" clear-eyed tour of Nazi Germany's moral contradictions and complexities acknowledges the truth in that statement. But it also acknowledges unlikely kindnesses and loyalties as tenacious as they are conflicted. And no matter how wrenching the subject, Charyn's blunt, brilliantly crafted prose bubbles with the pleasure of nailing life to the page in just the right words. "Cesare" is by no means lightweight fare, but it's provocative, stimulating and deeply satisfying.

---

Smith is the author of "Real Life Drama: The Group Theatre and America, 1931-1940."
About 300 protesters were arrested when they blocked a train in Tamil Nadus Tirupur on Friday as fresh protests were held across the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC).

News agency Press Trust of India reported the arrested protesters belong to Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK), who tried to stage a rail roko agitation and raised slogans against the CAA and NRC. Protests were also reported from Coimbatore, where hundreds of people formed a human chain to protest against the CAA.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was among top political leaders who addressed anti-CAA rallies at separate places. Speaking in Siliguri, she hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for saying the opposition speaks Pakistans language. Banerjee said it is a matter of shame that people were being asked to prove their nationality after over 70 years of Independence.

India is a big country with a rich culture and heritage. Why does the PM regularly compare our nation with Pakistan? Are you the Prime Minister of India or the ambassador of Pakistan?... You [Modi] should rather speak of Hindustan. We do not want to be like Pakistan. We love Hindustan, she said.

Modi defended his governments position on the CAA on Thursday and dared the Congress and its allies to speak against Pakistans atrocities on its religious minorities. He has often accused the opposition of speaking the language of Pakistan.

Banerjee alleged Modi and his party repeatedly speak about Pakistan to divert public attention from the burning issues like economic slowdown and growing unemployment.

She vowed to continue her protest till the CAA was repealed and accused the BJP of creating confusion over the implementation of a pan-India NRC. On one hand, the PM says there will be no NRC. On the other, the Union home minister and other BJP ministers claim the exercise will be conducted across India....

In Guwahati, former Assam CM Tarun Gogoi said the Congress will bring a resolution during the special one-day assembly session on January 13 to ensure that the CAA is not implemented in the state.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) also held a rally in Guwahati against the CAA. Speaking at the rally, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury called the CAA and NCR a package aimed at creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims.

Yechury said the RSS has been trying to convert the secular democratic republic into a Hindu Rashtra.

In Bengaluru, protests were held at six places. Speaking at a protest rally in the citys Chamrajpet area, Congress leader BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan said several Muslims sacrificed their lives for Indias freedom. It was not the RSS [Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh] or the BJP which did that. By targeting the Muslims, BJP is trying to divide the country to push their agenda.

Parliament passed the CAA last month to fast-track citizenship for non-Muslims, who have entered India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, before 2015. Opponents of the CAA say the law is unconstitutional because it links faith to citizenship in a secular country and is discriminatory because it leaves out the Muslims.

Protests against the law first erupted in the Northeast, where people fear the law could result in a fresh influx of outsiders. The demonstrations later spread to several other parts of the country. At least 21 people died in Uttar Pradesh during protests against CAA on December 20 and 21. Critics say the CAA, if combined with a pan-India NRC, could result in the expulsion or detention of Muslims unable to provide the documentation required for the exercise. An exercise held in Assam to identify undocumented immigrants in the state left out 1.9 million people from the NRC last year.
Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma on Friday blamed the previous BJP-led government in the state for the shortage of beds at a Kotal Hospital, where 105 children have lost their lives.

"It is unfortunate that the people who are raising issues that there are two children on one bed at the Kota hospital, they were in power for five years. 60 beds had been approved for the hospital in the year 2012. Where have they gone? Who is going to answer?" Sharma told reporters here.

He said that the Congress government in the state had sanctioned 120 beds, of which 60 were for Pediatrics, for the hospital in the year 2012.

"However, when the government changed, only Rs 1.7 crore out of Rs 5 crores were released for the same. If the entire sum of the funds had been approved, the hospital would not have had to put two children on one bed," Sharma said.

"Nevertheless, arrangements for a centralised oxygen system will soon be finalised and ventilator and nebulisers will be made available to the hospital. The hospital administration has sufficient funds. If more money is required, it will be sanctioned by the state government," he added.

Sharma, who visited the hospital today, said that he discussed all the issues with the administration and assured that all the requirements of the hospital will be fulfilled before January 15.

According to officials, as many as 105 children have died at the hospital in over a month's time.

A three-member state government committee of doctors, which was sent to investigate the matter on December 23 and 24, had found that the hospital is short of beds and required improvement. The committee, however, had given a clean chit to doctors for any lapses.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Gail Porter talks at Wellcome Collection on September 25, 2018 in London, England. Joe Maher/Getty Images)

Gail Porter has said she quite likes that she is bald.

The former model, 48, has alopecia and lost her hair suddenly in 2005.

But speaking out after US talk show host Ricki Lake revealed her own hair loss struggles, Porter said she embraces the fact she doesnt have any hair.

I think Ive been very fortunate, she told BBC Breakfast.

Read more: Gail Porter doesnt feel pretty enough for Strictly

I quite like the fact I dont have hair now.

Obviously when it first happened it was very shocking.

Now I just embrace it.

Gail Porter attends the premiere of the Walt Disney film A Bug's Life in London.

I can understand people that lose hair and find it really upsetting. For me, I kind of just thought, it is what it is.

I dont really worry about anything.

Porter said her hair loss started with a wee clump and within four weeks her long blonde locks were gone.

She has previously said her daughter, Honey, made her feel OK about her new look.

She told BBC Breakfast: My main worry was what was my daughter was going to think of me because I was away working and when I got back, she thought I was very rock n roll so I thought, OK, Im going to have to just deal with this.

The star said she still gets abuse in the street every now and then, but added: I can take it.

Porter spoke out days after Lake revealed she had been battling hair loss for many years and that it had left her feeling suicidal at times.

The actress, 51, opened up about her secret struggle in a long social media post captioned: Liberated and Free, Me.

She said her hair was never the same after being triple-processed and teased every couple of weeks when she played the lead role in Hairspray in 1988.

Read more: Ricki Lake unveils buzz cut

Describing her battle as debilitating, embarrassing, painful, scary, depressing, lonely, she debuted her new shaved head and said it was time to be set free.
The Border Security Force on Friday said that some Bangladesh nationals who had entered India are crossing over to their country following the NRC exercise in Assam.

An improving economic scenario in Bangladesh was also a reason for the return of its nationals from India, BSF Inspector General of Meghalaya frontier, Kuldeep Saini said.

There are fears among people in certain north eastern states that Bangladesh nationals could enter India following the enactment of Citizenship Amendment Bill, which assures citizenship to non-Muslims of that country.

The input that we are getting is the people from Bangladesh who had illegally crossed over to India are returning to Bangladesh and were apprehended there, he said.

There are inputs that such movements have taken place in the past few months. We have also seen Bangladesh media reports quoting the director general of Border Guards Bangladesh(BGB) on these movements, Saini said.

Elaborating, the BSF IG said that it was possible that Bangladeshis living in other parts of India are returning through Assam and Tripura due to their ethnic similarity with the people of the two states.

No official report has, however, been received from BGB on the issue so far and the reports "may not be 100 per cent true", he said.

Saini said that the economy of Bangladesh is growing at a good pace so infiltration of people of that country has gone down.

BSF Meghalaya frontier guards the longest stretch of Indo-Bangla border of 443 km. There are 125 border out posts in this stretch, which runs through diverse terrain. About 100 km of the border remains unfenced.

Saini said BSF has not received any instruction from the union home ministry or the external affairs ministry in respect of the CAA.

There has also been no change in the general rule of guarding the border following the coming into being of the Act, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Star Wars director reveals he was a youth group kid, names favorite Christian artists

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Rian Johnson, the director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, recently revealed that he was once a youth group kid.

In Johnson's latest film Knives Out, which was released over the Christmas holidays, the director includes the faith-based rock song Righteous Rocker. On Monday, a curious viewer named Scott Reynolds tweeted a question to the noted Hollywood director asking why he chose to include the trailblazing 1970s Larry Norman Christian song in the movie.

Hey @rianjohnson  tell me the story about how Righteous Rocker by Larry Norman got on @KnivesOut (Man I loved Knives Out.) Reynolds tweeted.

Johnson replied, I had grown up listening to Christian rock but never heard of him, then someone on here tweeted an article about him (I thought it was @alissamarie but cant find it now?) and I got really into his music. That song felt appropriate.

The California native was then pressed to reveal more details about the type of music he listened to as a teenager and Johnson actually continued the conversation. He disclosed that Christian artists Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith were two artists he listened to and then he transitioned to indie California bands such as The Prayer Chain and Black and White World.

When I was a kid it was stuff like Amy Grant and Michael W Smith, but then as a teen local bands like the prayer chain and black and white world, he wrote on Twitter.

Was very much a youth group kid, Johnson admitted.

When i was a kid it was stuff like amy grant & michael w smith, but then as a teen local socal bands like the prayer chain & black and white world. Was very much a youth group kid.  Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) December 30, 2019

Despite his Christian upbringing, Johnson no longer subscribes to the faith of his childhood. In an interview published in November, he said Christianity still informs his understanding of the world but he no longer sees God as a cosmic entity outside himself.

Johnson pegged his understanding of God as a structure thats within my own psyche. He continued, All of that stuff is as real as anything. Its just interior as opposed to exterior.

The filmmaker believes there is a raw power in his internal conflict with faith and religion, which he said was once a true source of power in my life.

You have to reconcile that in some way, he said. I guess Im still trying to.
Moldova's team were left cringing at the ATP Cup opener as organisers played the Romanian national anthem before their opening match against Belgium.

The tournament in Sydney got off to an awkward start due to the gaffe, and officials were forced to apologise to the team for their error.

Moldova's Alexander Cozbinov and Belgium's Steve Darcis had been preparing to face off when the mix-up occurred. The Belgian heard the correct anthem for his nation, but Cozbinov was left bemused after the Romanian anthem was played at the arena.

The Moldova team watched on awkwardly as the wrong anthem was played at the ATP Cup

Alexander Cozbinov heard the Romanian national anthem before his match with Steve Darcis

In a statement posted on Twitter, the ATP Cup said it had offered a personal apology to Moldova.

'At the start of the Moldova vs Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova,' it said.

'We are sincerely sorry and have apologised personally to #TeamMoldova.'

The blunder is especially embarrassing considering Moldova and Romania are considered to have a tense diplomatic relationship. Moldova, which borders Romania, won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, and their poilitical, social and cultural relationships have been complicated ever since.

At the start of the Moldova vs Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova. We are sincerely sorry and have apologised personally to #TeamMoldova.  ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 3, 2020

The Moldovan team are being led at the ATP Cup by top-ranked player Radu Albot (centre)

Darcis won over three sets to get Belgium off to a great start at the brand new tournament

What is the ATP Cup? Founded: 2020 Teams: 24 Locations: Sydney, Perth, Brisbane Prize money: 12,000,000 Cup format: Six groups of four Advertisement

It turned out to be a double blow to start affairs in Australia for Cozbinov as he was beaten 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 by Darcis at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

Cozbinov himself played down the mistake after the match, conceding that the two countries have similar flags.

'I think putting on the wrong anthem for us is not a big deal. But it wasn't that hard to pick the right anthem,' he said.

'Moldova and Romania have the same flag so probably that's why they made a mistake. Hopefully next time it's going to be the right one.'

The ATP Cup, which will be featuring top stars like Stefanos Tsitsipas, is in its inaugural year

Moldova was one of the final nations to qualify for the new-look tournament. They will be led by Radu Albot, who is the world No 46 and won the Delray Beach Open last year - becoming Moldova's first ATP Tour title winner.

The ATP Cup is making its debut this year and will be played across three different cities in Australia - Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

There will be 24 teams taking part, with countries divided into six groups of four. The teams face two singles match and one doubles match. Each side's No 2 player opens the tie, followed by the No 1 player, with the doubles game closing the tie.
Data privacy: Ever since the EU passed its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), privacy advocates in the US have asked their own politicians to pass similarly-comprehensive legislation. Though federal laws of that nature are still a ways off (if they come about at all), California has heard the call and acted upon it.

In 2018, the state passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which lays out many GDPR-like data rights for consumers. For example, users can request a copy of all the personal information a big tech company has collected about, order the deletion of said data, or demand that the data not be sold.

Compared to the data privacy protections US consumers have enjoyed up to this point (which are scant), the CCPA represents a significant step forward. However, it should be noted that it still isn't quite as strict as the GDPR.

For example, CCPA fines cap out at $7,500 per intentional infraction ($2,500 for accidents). In contrast, GDPR fines can go up to 20 million pounds or four percent of a firm's annual revenue (whichever is higher). Further, the CCPA will only be enforced against businesses that meet certain criteria. For a company to be affected, they must collect data on more than 50,000 consumers, earn gross annual revenue of more than $25 million, or earn 50 percent (or more) of their revenue from the sale of consumer data.

A few limitations aside, the CCPA officially took effect yesterday, which was January 1, 2020. Though the regulations technically only protect California residents, at least a few prominent tech companies will likely apply the rules to their entire userbases (as many did with the GDPR). Indeed, Microsoft and Mozilla have already pledged to do so.

There are a few possible reasons for that decision, but generally speaking, it's easier for giant corporations to apply these sorts of rules universally instead of selectively enforcing them. As an added bonus, a company that does decide to go that route will probably earn itself some positive PR.

If you have any thoughts on the CCPA or data privacy in general, feel free to sound off in the comments.

Masthead credit: Shutterstock
Santa Claus delivered a late gift to investors.

The Santa Claus rally  a period that covers the last five trading days of a year and the first two days of the new year  came to Wall Street. Over that span, the Standard & Poors 500 index edged up 0.4%, according to FactSet.

And that bodes well for stocks the rest of the year, analysts say.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East threatened to upend the rally. Stocks slumped Friday after a U.S. airstrike killed a top Iranian general, cutting into what had been a 1.1% gain for the S&P 500 heading into the final day of the Santa-rally period.

20 stocks to buy in 2020: Apple, Amazon and Disney are among favorites of Wall Street pros

Record rally: Heres why your 401(k) is celebrating 2019

"This was a one-off event with Iran and it doesn't appear to be a major warning sign for markets yet," says Ryan Detrick, senior market strategist at LPL Financial.

When stocks fall in that period, the decline tends to signal a bear market or a sizable decline is coming, according to The Stock Traders Almanac. Bear markets followed after the rally failed to materialize in 1999 and 2007.

Still, the stock market may be due for a pause in January.

Stocks are showing signs of being inflated in price, analysts say. The 14-day relative strength index, a widely watched stock market barometer, climbed above 70 recently, a reading that tends to signal that stocks are vulnerable to a decline.

Given the recent rally, stocks could pull back in January, says Keith Buchanan, portfolio manager at GLOBALT Investments.

Another catalyst for stocks, analysts say, is fourth-quarter earnings season, which kicks off later this month. Corporate profits proved to be more resilient than expected in the third quarter, which helped ease fears about trade tensions and economic growth.

The earnings outlook, however, hasn't improved much recently, according to Bank of America Global Research.

To be sure, stocks are sitting pretty heading into 2020. Since 1945, when the S&P 500 index has risen at least 20% in a year, it gained an average 10% the following year and was higher nearly 80% of the time, according to Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at financial-research company CFRA.

Long-term investors need to remember that its their time in the market thats most important, not timing the market, says Wayne Wicker, chief investment officer at Vantagepoint Investment Advisers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stock market: Middle East tensions fail to upend Santa Claus rally
New Delhi, Jan 3 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi can campaign for the BJP for the upcoming Assembly elections here but he will not be the Chief Minister. He also mocked the saffron party saying it has seven chief ministerial candidates for the polls.

Speaking at a Townhall meeting, Kejriwal said he welcomes Modi for campaigning in Delhi, which will go to the polls as Kejriwal's tenure as the Chief Minister is ending next month.

When asked if personality does matter in the elections, and that people have voted for Modi in the Lok Sabha, Kejriwal said Delhi elections will be fought on the basis of the work done.

"The BJP has seven chief ministerial candidates for Delhi. Modi will come and campaign for the elections and he is most welcome. But he cannot be the Chief Minister," Kejriwal said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had bagged all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) could not get any seat.

Kejriwal said people have different voting patterns for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

"You can see in Odisha and other states as well. The BJP did not win the Assembly seats even when it got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha," he said, adding that the AAP is coming to power in Delhi.

The AAP is organising Townhall meetings, where Kejriwal discusses and speaks about the work done by his government in the last five years. He interacts with the public holding a report card, released by the party last month.

Kejriwal's statement came a day after the AAP put up a poster outside its office wishing Happy New Year to the BJP's Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwari, Vijay Goel, Hardeep Singh Puri, Harsh Vardhan, Vijender Gupta and Parvesh Singh, calling them seven chief ministerial candidates of the Delhi BJP.

The AAP, however, in a tweet said: "But the question is who will contest against Arvind Kejriwal."
Greener Than 2019?

KRQE reports that New Mexico State Representative Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) is readying to pre-file a hotly anticipated bill that would legalize recreational cannabis in New Mexico, saying I cant wait for New Mexico to be next in line and be a leader in the country. Readers of Weekly Alibi cannabis news coveragewhether this websclusive column, our stand-alone Cannabis Manuals or Baked Goods in our weekly print issueare already familiar with the findings of the Governors Marijuana Legislation Working Group: everything from ensuring that all cannabis products are clearly labeled for accurate dosing and to maintain high product testing standards to imposing criminal penalties for cannabis sales to minors and vehicular consumption/DWI. If the Governors colleagues in the Legislature succeed in legalizing cannabis this year, New Mexico would join 10 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington) as well as the District of Columbia and

Prairie State Recreates

As reported by NBC Chicagoand pretty much every outlet in the region that covers cannabis newsthe first day of legal cannabis in Illinois, Jan. 1, found the states 37 dispensaries ringing up nearly $3.2 million in cannabis sales. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation reported that 77,128 transactions generated $3,176,256.71 in sales on the first day of a new decade. A statement issued by Toi Hutchinson, senior advisor for cannabis control to Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker, reads: As we start a new decade, Illinois has achieved a monumental milestone, launching the legalization of cannabis in a way that includes communities left behind for far too long, creates good jobs and expunges thousands of records for those who have lost out on opportunities and ends prohibition. Reason reports that consumers in Illnois will pay cannabis taxes in the national midrange, and they neednt worry about their guns. In a Dec. 31 Facebook post, the Illinois State Police communicated that it will not revoke Firearms Owners Identification Cards based solely on a persons legal use of adult use cannabis. Then again, a person who is addicted to or a habitual user of narcotics is not permitted to possess or use firearms, as the post continues, and any potential clarity on the issue is thoroughly muddled by a boilerplate reiteration of cannabis illegality at the federal level.
The alleged ring leader and the master-planner of the failed First Bank Mpape, Abuja robbery, Ernest Ewim, have been apprehended by the police.

He was the last of the gang member to be arrested by the police. Four other members of his gang, including the bank staff, Ehizo were arrested at the scene of operation on Saturday.

He is being interogated at the FCT Command of the Nigeria police where he is said to be coorporating with the police detectives investigating the botched robbery.

Recall that First Bank staff, Ehizo has insisted that Ernest Ewim cowed him into participating in the robbery. Now that he is in police net, the truth will soon emerge.
Dr Heather Ludlam never thought shed be so involved in a political campaign before 2020.

The veterinarian and shepherd was focused on a mission she and her husband Mike Ludlam had taken on after his sister passed away from Huntingtons Disease: finding a cure.

The genetic disease is a deadly neurological disorder that deteriorates nerve cells in the brain and lacks any sort of treatment to stop or reverse its effects. But the Ludlams read a scientific news article that said researchers were exploring whether healthy brain fat in sheep could one day provide aid to patients.

After her sister-in-law passed, Ludlam says she saw an article in the American Sheep Industry newsletter about sheep having the potential to help with Huntingtons disease.

I contacted the vet involved in the project one cold January day, she recalls in an interview with The Independent.

Ludlam has now found herself raising sheep that will one day aid those researchers hoping to find a cure. Mainly, she says it just involves keeping really good records  Ludlam uses electronic identification in her documents and takes blood samples of each lamb when theyre born.

Thats the only difference in our production practice, really, she says.

(Courtesy of Dr Heather Ludlam (Courtesy of Dr Heather Ludlam)

For Ludlam, the idea of joining the fight to find a cure was simple: I said, what can we do? We raise sheep. So, we can raise these sheep and their brain fat can help with the treatment of Huntingtons ... gene therapy is coming  one day it is.

But the idea of getting involved in politics? Perhaps not as easy a decision for the 53-year-old, self-identified independent voter.

Never in a million years would I have ever been involved in a political campaign if things hadnt happened the way they did in 2016  and if I hadnt found a candidate who actually inspired me, she says.

Ludlam has since thrown herself into the 2020 campaign trail, fully backing and even volunteering for South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

She volunteered at the millennial mayors opening announcement, and says she has even been locally active in his campaigns grassroots efforts throughout Michigan.

Ludlam describes a crisis of belonging in America  a phrase Buttigieg also uses to describe the current mood in America  saying she believes technology has isolated people, and our political differences have isolated people, and I really feel like [Butttigieg] is a true unifier.

Ludlam first became interested in Buttigieg when she visited South Bend in 2018 and attended a live airing of NPRs show called Wait WaitDont Tell Me! that featured the mayor.

At first we were like, Oh come on, what is this, we dont get a real celebrity? But then Pete was brilliant, and funny, and articulate, just a good person  you could tell just from this 20-minute interview that we got to watch with him, she says. Then we started noticing things about South Bend, and after going back a few times we were like, Wow, things really are getting nice around here, and my nephew was like, I told you!

By March I would say I was all in for Pete, Ludlam says.

Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks at a Democratic Party fundraising dinner, the Liberty and Justice Celebration, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Reuters)

Ludlam says healthcare and expanding scientific research funding are among her top issues ahead of the 2020 election, as well as womens reproductive rights and equality.

She adds: As a woman I feel pretty strongly about reproductive rights, womens health is a big issue for me  I have a transgender son, so the LGBT community is also very important to me."

Ludlam describes the long-term healthcare system as having let her family down while dealing with her sister-in-laws illness  "my brother-in-law [was] going to have to divorce her to put her into poverty so that she could get aid, you know, for her long-term care," she explains but she was excited when former President Barack Obama signed the 21st Century Cures Act just a month before he left office. The bill was a $6.3bn package that provided state funding and expanded precision medicine, mental health research and interoperability.

Former Vice President Joe Biden described the bill during its a signing as a consequential piece of legislation that would harness the best minds, science and technology to tackle some of the biggest healthcare challenges today, adding: God willing, this bill will literally save lives.

However, Ludlam notes that medical research funding was immediately slashed when Donald Trump proposed his budget that following year. Now, the very dollars that allow the researchers she is working with to raise sheep that could one day provide treatment for Huntingtons Disease is seemingly threatened by the current White House administration.

Its so important for projects like this, that might not be lucrative  nobodys going to get rich off this treatment, you know?  the pharmaceutical companies arent looking that hard at it, so the government could really help out with this kind of thing, she says. There just isnt nearly enough money to go around, so thats an issue for us as well.

 South Bend: The making - and potential breaking - of Pete Buttigiegg

I never intended to be following it this closely, but I am, because 2016 was devastating, just devastating, she adds, of the 2020 election.

Ludlam voted for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but says once they brought back up the email investigation, I knew it was over.

Trump won Michigan in a shocking electoral upset after securing just 0.3 per cent more votes across the state than Clinton. But Ludlam, who has seen the impact of his trade wars on local farmers and industries, says she sees Michigan going blue again in 2020.

Well, it was only 10,000 people, she says, while laughing. So I do see it going the other way. We just elected a Democratic governor, attorney general secretary of state, and I think that was in response to the current administration.
Gold prices, which were hovering around Rs 40,000 per ten grammes in the beginning of the week, spiked to a record Rs 41,070 on Friday in the Mumbai market, following news on mounting tensions between the US and Iran.

Gold prices had soared above Rs 40,000 last year in the first week of September, following which it hovered around Rs 39,000 until the last week of the year. It increased to Rs 40,120 on December 31. Prices stood at Rs 40,225 on the New Year and Rs 40,330 yesterday. Last year during the first week of January, gold prices traded around Rs 32,800 per 10 grammes.

Political tension between the US and Iran worsened today as the Iranian Quds Force chief Major-General Qassem Soleimani and a top Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis were killed in a US airstrike at the Baghdad airport. Sources said spot international buyers were buying gold in bulk in the global markets following the news, which was the main reason for gold prices soaring to new heights.

A retail jeweller in Mumbai said since the gold prices have remained high over the past week, many customers were trying to sell gold and purchase new jewellery or bars in the New Year. Prices of sovereign (8gms) has increased from Rs 23,440 last week to Rs 29,440, they said. Brokerage SMC Global has said in an analysis that gold may witness strong upside momentum following the Middle East tensions, as gold is seen as a safe investment during volatile times. Gold prices will move upside towards Rs 40,000 and silver towards Rs 48,000, it said.

India's gold imports in 2019 fell 12 per cent from a year ago, the lowest in three years as global gold prices had jumped 18 per cent in 2019. Gold demand in India, in the first half of 2019, was 372.2 tonnes, 9 per cent higher than the first half of 2018, despite a slowing economic environment. Countries such as China, Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Qatar and India had increased their gold reserves over the last year. It also contributed to high prices for the metal in 2019.

Gold imports drop 12% in 2019 as record high prices dent demand

Oil price rises over 4% after US air strike kills top Iranian military commander
Russian President Vladimir Putin has scolded US President Donald Trump for aggravating the situation in the Middle East following ...





Russian President Vladimir Putin has scolded US President Donald Trump for aggravating the situation in the Middle East following the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.





Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq via drone strike on Friday at Baghdad International Airport.





This action can seriously aggravate the situation in the region, the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying during a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.





His comments came after China and Russia joined European countries and nations across the world in urging restraint.





Iran branded the strike an act of international terrorism and the countrys supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed harsh revenge.





Moscow warned Soleimanis death would boost tensions across the Middle East and China urged restraint from all sides, especially the United States.




He's facing mounting legal troubles amid accusations of sexual misconduct but Cuba Gooding Jr. looked like he didn't have a care in the world while celebrating his 52nd birthday in the Caribbean on Thursday night.

The Jerry Maguire actor took the microphone at a nightclub in St. Barts and led fellow revelers in an impromptu rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believin'.

He partied the night away at Julien Roussels Casa Nightclub in the French Caribbean isle, singing and dancing to various hits, like Uptown Funk.

The star is due back in court in New York City to face six misdemeanor charges related to three separate incidents of sexual misconduct and groping that allegedly took place in the city.

Carefree: Mounting legal troubles did not stop Cuba Gooding Jr. from celebrating his 52nd birthday on Thursday night, partying hard all night in the Caribbean

Reveler: On Thursday night, there wasn't a trace of worry on Cuba's face as he took the mic at a club in St. Barts and led an impromptu rendition of Journey's Don't Stop Believin'

The charges include forcible touching and sexual abuse.

Added to the charges being brought against the actor in New York, he's had additional sexual misconduct allegations filed against him.

Seven other other women came forward with accusations in December, which brings the total number of Cuba's accusers to 22.

Additionally, surveillance footage of at least two of the said incidents have emerged, one which clearly shows Gooding Jr. repeatedly making advances to a woman who clearly backs away and even pushes away his arm.

However, the actor's lawyers maintain his innocence across the board, and even say that the footage further proves his innocence.

Partier: The Jerry Maguire actor was at Julien Roussels Casa Nightclub in the French Caribbean isle of St. Barts, where he stormed the DJ booth and partied all night lon

In addition to his karaoke singing: Gooding Jr. was also seen dancing to various hits

Dancing birthday boy: He was seen busting moves to songs like Uptown Funk

Smiling: Gooding Jr. was also seen on his social media on December 29 having a good time in Puerto Rico

The actor had already pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanor charges of forcible touching and sexual abuse relating to two incidents in 2018 and in June of 2019.

When prosecutors appeared in court in October in order to bring new charges against Cuba, they also described 12 separate previous allegations of groping.

None of those can be prosecuted because of the statute of limitations which applies in each case, but prosecutors said they were indicative of the actor's pattern of behavior.

Gooding Jr. has a girlfriend, Claudine De Niro, and was married to ex-wife Sara Kapfer when many of these allegations are said to have taken place.

In addition to partying up a storm in St. Barts on Thursday, Gooding Jr. was also seen on his social media on December 29 having a good time in Puerto Rico, so the actor seemed to be enjoying a prolonged holiday around both the new year and his birthday before reappearing in court late this month.
The US aviation regulator has warned America's airlines that there may be airspace closures and flight disruptions in Pakistan, with little or no warning, due to "clashes" in the "Kashmir region", according to an official document.

The warning is a part of a US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) notice to airmen (NOTAM) on December 30, in which it has also flagged risks involved in operating flights in Pakistan airspace due to "extremist or militant activity".

The December 30 NOTAM -- which is applicable to all US-based airlines and pilots -- was issued with a background note that mentioned the February 14, 2019 terrorist attack on Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Pulwama of Jammu and Kashmir.

In response to the Pulwama attack, that had left 40 CRPF personnel dead, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted air strikes against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camps in Balakot on February 26, 2019.

"Pakistan carried out retaliatory air strikes on unidentified targets (on February 27) in Indian-administered Kashmir and subsequently claimed to have shot down two Indian fighter jets entering Pakistani airspace", the FAA said in the background note dated December 30, 2019.

It also said, "India and Pakistan employ a variety of advanced air-to-air fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems capable of targeting aircraft up to and beyond overflight altitudes typically used by civil aircraft."



Although India and Pakistan have no intent to target civil aviation, if military operations were to resume, such operations could present an inadvertent risk to US civil aviation, said the FAA.

"Historically, Pakistan and neighboring air navigation service providers have managed their airspace appropriately to deconflict and protect civil aviation overflight operations in response to clashes in the Kashmir Region," it added.

"In addition to the extremist/militant threat to US civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Pakistan, there may be flight disruptions and airspace closures implemented due to clashes in the Kashmir Region with little or no warning," it said.
A North Alabama business will pay more than $200,000 in restitution as part of a guilty plea related to evading tobacco taxes for three years.

Madison Wholesalers Inc. pleaded guilty Dec. 20 in a Madison County courtroom, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue. According to the state, Madison Wholesalers evaded tobacco taxes from 2013 to 2016 through the use of fake invoices to hide what was being purchased from the company in Pennsylvania.

Tobacco taxes are levied against the person or entity that imports the product into the state. The false invoices resulted in unreported taxes of $119,937.

The failure to pay the tobacco tax due saved Madison Wholesalers thousands of dollars and allowed them to sell tobacco products at a significantly lower price than their competitors, the revenue department said in a statement.

Madison Wholesalers will pay restitution of $214,606 in taxes, penalties and interest to the state. Madison County Circuit Judge Claude Hundley III also barred the company from selling or dealing in cigarettes and other tobacco products.

The revenue department said the case is one of several ongoing criminal investigations into failure to pay tobacco taxes, as well income and sales taxes.
J ess Phillips is reportedly set to announce her Labour leadership candidacy.

The MP for Birmingham Yardley is poised to throw her hat in the ring to replace Jeremy Corbyn, according to BBC Radio 4.

Ms Phillips already sparked speculation that she plans to run for the top job when she tweeted a graphic on Tuesday which says, "2020" and "Watch this space".

The backbencher is likely to announce her formal bid this evening as reporters wait on standby for the announcement, the broadcaster reported.

It comes as she branded a US airstrike against Iran early on Friday morning as "reckless foreign policy".

The country's most powerful military commander General Qasem Soleimani was killed during the attack ordered by President Donald Trump.

Presenter Nick Robinson commented on the Labour MP's reaction, saying: "It matters because it looks as though she may become the latest candidate who wants to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party."

Ms Phillips' office has been contacted by the Standard for comment.

TODO: define component type apester

Former Labour MP for Great Grimsby Melanie Onn said Ms Phillips would be in a "very good position to be able to reach out to ordinary people" if she were to formally stand for the Labour leadership.

Ms Onn, who lost her seat in the December election, told the programme: "Well, we haven't had everybody declaring who is going to stand as yet, but I'm really looking for somebody who is going to be honest.

"I'm looking for somebody with a USP that is going to transcend normal politics, I'm looking for somebody who is going to be unafraid to share their views and opinions and be prepared to back those up with very strong committed arguments," she added.

Jess Phillips is a likely candidate to take over the Labour party leadership / PA

"And I think that at the moment, while we've got Boris Johnson as Prime Minister, we need somebody with an incredibly strong personality who's not going to be afraid to stand up to him and is going to scrutinise him in a way that he does not appreciate."

Ms Phillips, who leans on the soft left of the party, has been an outspoken critic of Jeremy Corbyn's leadership as well as speaking out against the war in Iraq during Tony Blair's tenure.

Her candidacy would offer one of the cleanest break from the politics of the Corbyn era.

Since the party's disastrous defeat at the December 12 poll, Ms Phillips has been campaigning for people to join Labour in order to change it.

Despite many Labour leave seats falling to the Tories, there was only a small swing in her constituency while she was a Remainer standing in a Leave area.
Pakistan on Friday resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The firing of small arms and mortar shelling started in Krishna Ghati sector of the district at about 12.15 pm. The Indian Army retaliated. This is the second consecutive day when Pakistan has targetted the Krishna Ghati sector.

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On December 1 night, the Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation in the Krishna Ghati sector at around 9 pm. It may be noted that at least two Indian Army soldiers were killed in a gunfight with Pakistan-backed infiltrators in Rajouri on December 1.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut on Friday targeted Congress over a Seva Dal booklet questioning Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's credentials as a patriot and his reputation for valour.

The Hindi booklet, distributed at a camp of Congress- affiliated Seva Dal in Madhya Pradesh, had also claimed that Savarkar and Mahatma Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse were in a physical relationship.

"Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the dirt in their mind," Raut said, responding to the insinuations in the booklet, titled "Veer Savarkar, Kitne 'Veer'?"



The book alleged that Savarkar received money from the British after he was released from Andaman's Cellular Jail.

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil said Congress should apologise for the "perverted" content in the booklet.

"The booklet contains lies and perverted content. The Congress should tender an apology for the same," Patil said.

"Savarkar was acquitted by the court in the Gandhi assassination case. Despite this, the Congress-affiliated organisation is trying to link him and the accused in the case," he said.

Last month, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's jibe that his name was not "Rahul Savarkar" and hence he would not seek apology (about his remark on rape) had riled the Shiv Sena, his party's new-found ally in Maharashtra.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For many investors, the main point of stock picking is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But if you try your hand at stock picking, your risk returning less than the market. We regret to report that long term Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSE:LB) shareholders have had that experience, with the share price dropping 24% in three years, versus a market return of about 15%. Unhappily, the share price slid 2.8% in the last week.

View our latest analysis for Laurentian Bank of Canada

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Laurentian Bank of Canada saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 6.0% per year, over the last three years. This reduction in EPS is slower than the 8.9% annual reduction in the share price. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past. The less favorable sentiment is reflected in its current P/E ratio of 11.76.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

TSX:LB Past and Future Earnings, January 3rd 2020

Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Laurentian Bank of Canada's TSR for the last 3 years was -11%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

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A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Laurentian Bank of Canada has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 21% in the last twelve months. And that does include the dividend. Since the one-year TSR is better than the five-year TSR (the latter coming in at 3.5% per year), it would seem that the stock's performance has improved in recent times. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. Before spending more time on Laurentian Bank of Canada it might be wise to click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling shares.

But note: Laurentian Bank of Canada may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on CA exchanges.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Ronshine China Holdings Limited (HKG:3301) as an investment opportunity by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This is done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Ronshine China Holdings

Is Ronshine China Holdings fairly valued?

As Ronshine China Holdings operates in the real estate sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. Instead of using free cash flows, which are hard to estimate and often not reported by analysts in this industry, dividends per share (DPS) payments are used. Unless a company pays out the majority of its FCF as a dividend, this method will typically underestimate the value of the stock. The 'Gordon Growth Model' is used, which simply assumes that dividend payments will continue to increase at a sustainable growth rate forever. The dividend is expected to growth at an annual growth rate equal to the 10-year government bond rate of 1.6%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%. Relative to the current share price of HK$11.1, the company appears about fair value at a 0.2% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

= CN0.8 / (10%  1.6%)

= HK$11.1

SEHK:3301 Intrinsic value, January 3rd 2020

The assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Ronshine China Holdings as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.354. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

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Next Steps:

Whilst important, DCF calculation shouldnt be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Ronshine China Holdings, There are three relevant factors you should further examine:

Financial Health: Does 3301 have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does 3301's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Are there other high quality stocks you could be holding instead of 3301? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the SEHK every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

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.



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. Thank you for reading.
Bushfires are an annual problem for Australia, but this season has been unprecedented. As of January 2, about 5.9 million hectares (13.5 million acres) of land has been burnt; thats larger than Denmark and The Netherlands.

The Australian state of New South Wales also declared its third emergency in as many months -- the last two times, in November and December.

Furthermore, 18 people have died, eight on New Year's Eve, making it one of Australia's most deadly bushfire seasons.

Fire and Rescue personal use a hose as they try to extinguish a bushfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: David Gray/Getty Images

Emergency services fight the East Gippsland bushfires in Victoria. Photograph: @DELWP_Vic/Twitter

A Rural Fire Service firefighter conducts mopping up near the town of Sussex Inlet in Sydney, Australia. A week-long state of emergency has been declared across New South Wales as the state prepares to endure some of the worst bushfire conditions yet, with temperatures expected to hit 46 degree Celsius by Saturday. Photograph: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Dozens of firefighters from the United States and Canada are set to join the more than 1,000 responders already battling the blazes in Victoria. Photograph: @DELWP_Vic/Instagram

General scenes near the town of Sussex Inlet in Sydney. More than 1,500 firefighters are currently battling more than 100 blazes across the NSW, with more than 30 fires still yet to be contained. The fires have burned 3.6 million hectares (8.9 million acres) of land in NSW, 1.2 million hectares (2.9 million acres) in Western Australia, 784,000 hectares (1.9 million acres) in Victoria, at least 250,000 hectares (618,000 acres) in Queensland, and more than 91,000 hectares (225,000 acres) in South Australia, according to the states' fire authorities. Photograph: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

An Erickson S-64 Air-Crane is used to fight fires in East Gippsland, Victoria. Photograph: @DELWP_Vic/Twitter

Residents watch the developing conditions near the town of Sussex Inlet in Sydney, Australia. Australian PM Scott Morrison said his administration was allocating at least 23 million Australian dollars (Rs 114 crore) in disaster recovery payments to affected families and businesses, and up to 6,000 Australian dollars (Rs 2.98 lakh) each for volunteer firefighters called out to fight fires for more than 10 days. Photograph: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

The remains of a car that was destroyed by bushfires sits near a home in the town of Balmoral in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: David Gray/Getty Images

A home recently destroyed by bushfires can be seen near the town of Bilpin in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: David Gray/Getty Images
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Friday address the 107th Session of Indian Science Congress in Bengaluru. The '107th Indian Science Congress' will be held from January 3-7, 2020 at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus in Bangalore, focusing on 'Science & Technology: Rural Development'.

The five-day-long event aims to bring together science fraternity across the world to discuss scientific innovation and research.

The Science Congress is a major focal point for scientists, researchers, and academicians interested in various aspects of scientific discoveries and technologies.

Congress is a major focal point for scientists, researchers, and academicians interested in various aspects of scientific discoveries and technologies.

The Nobel Laureates who will be participating include German Physicist, Professor Stefan Hell who is one of the directors of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Gottingen, Germany. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2014 `for the development of super-resolved fluorescence microscopy` and Professor Ada E Yonath from Israel. She is a protein crystallographer who was awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Apart from this, several senior Scientists from India and abroad along with several government officials will be participating in this event to exchange their views on a range of scientific issues, both at the national and international levels.

There are 28 plenary sessions on areas ranging from climate-smart agriculture for food security, crop improvement towards food and nutrition security, materials science and technology for rural development, challenges and opportunities in cancer drug discovery, artificial intelligence, and medical technology, advances in basic medical and clinical interactions, non-communicable diseases in rural population as well as cancer research- therapeutic applications.

The areas also include nano-materials for energy, environment, and health care, novel solutions for oil and gas industry problems and so on in which senior scientists and officials will discuss on the status, challenges, opportunities, and scope in these research areas.

Public lectures

Public Lectures by eminent personalities like Nobel laureate Professor Stefan Hell, Dr Subra Suresh among others, covering topics like Ultrasharp Fluorescence Microscopy, science across disciplines ranging from basic science to applications in the industry, acute problem of modern medicine, lifestyle diseases to recent advances in cardiac sciences will be organized in the Science Congress.

Fourteen Sectional Sessions covering different disciplines of science will be organized in the Science Congress.

Farmers Science Congress

With a focus on rural development through science and technology, for the first time in the history of the Indian Science Congress, a Farmers Science Congress is being held.

It will cover themes ranging from farmers` innovation on integrated agriculture and entrepreneurship for doubling farmers` income, climate change, biodiversity, conservation, ecosystem services, and farmers` empowerment to agrarian distress, rural bio-entrepreneurship, policy issues. The event will have the presence of experts and scientists from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) along with farmers whose innovative approaches have led to significant contributions.

A two-day event `Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelana` will be held at UASB as part of the 107th Indian Science Congress on January 4 and 5 2020.The aim is to provide a unique opportunity for children to view selected projects and interact with the student delegates and children will also have the opportunity to listen, interact with eminent scientists and Nobel Laureates.

Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelan (Children`s Science Congress)

A two-day event `Rashtriya Kishore Vaigyanik Sammelana` will be held at UASB as part of the 107th Indian Science Congress on January 4 and 5 2020. The aim is to provide a unique opportunity for children to view selected projects and interact with the student delegates and children will also have the opportunity to listen, interact with eminent scientists and Nobel Laureates.Events like one-minute video competition, Infosys Foundation-ISCA Travel Awards for School Children, visit exhibitions, live science demonstrations and science magic show will be organized as a part of the Science Congress.

Women Science Congress

The women`s science congress aims to provide a single platform for women working in different arena of science and technology to showcase their achievements and experiences. It will also prepare a vision document or a road map for women in science and technology and recommend policies to enhance the role and utilize the full potential of women in science and technology.

In this session, women are invited to share ideas and experiences to motivate younger women to actively participate in science to identify and find simpler solutions through Science and Technology.

Former VC`s Science Congress

The former VC`s Science Congress addresses the urgent need in Indian higher education institutions today is to establish quality internalization pathways through quality culture in academic, administrative and financial spheres of institutional management.

Several eminent Vice-Chancellors like Prof SP Thyagarajan, Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras, Chennai and Prof N Prabhudev, VC Bangalore University will be attending the event.

Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan - 2020 (Science Communicators Meet - 2020)

"Vigyan Sancharak Sammelan" is an initiative for Science communicators` for professional growth. This program will focus on the theme of "Science & Technology: Rural Development ". Science Communicators` role is to facilitate public engagement with scientific issues. Science communication plays an integral part in one`s scientific career.

Being able to effectively disseminate research findings within the community and to consider collective opinions in prioritizing research needs is an important attribute of scientific maturity. Thus, dissemination of scientific information and inculcation of scientific attitude among masses at large is the need of the hour.

With this broad goal, Science Communicators' Meet will be held to bring together experts in the field of science communication with particular reference to rural development. It will provide an opportunity for academicians, science journalists, activists, filmmakers, scientists and other communicators from all over the world to meet, deliberate and exchange their views on how to develop science communication.

Mega Science Exhibition - PRIDE OF INDIA ISC EXPO

Pride of India (PIO) ISC Expo is a unique platform for organizations from the government, private and public sectors to showcase their achievements in the field of science and technology.

The POI Expo brings together and displays hundreds of new ideas, innovations, and products covering the entire canvas of the scientific world. The five days will witness a large number of visitors from the corporate sector, scientific fraternity and academia, R&D institutes, defence, government, PSUs and so on.

(With ANI inputs)
DALLAS, Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank's Texas Economic Activity Index increased in October to 140.4. October's index reading was 45 points, or 47 percent, above the index cyclical low of 95.5. The index averaged 135.2 points for all of 2018, 6.3 points above the average for 2017. September's index reading was revised to 139.7.

The Comerica Bank Texas Economic Activity Index improved again in October, after rebounding in September. The Texas Index has not experienced a back-to-back monthly decline since May and June of 2017. The results of the nine components of the Texas Index were mixed in October. The four positive components were nonfarm employment, housing starts, house prices and state sales tax revenue. The five negative components in October were unemployment insurance claims (inverted), industrial electricity demand, drilling rig count, total state trade and hotel occupancy. The Texas rig count has been on a declining trend since mid-2018. The most recent weekly rig count data, through December, offers hope that the decline in drilling activity slowed down at year end. Stability, and firmer prices, in the oil patch will be a positive for the Texas manufacturing sector. The now-resolved 6-week-long GM/UAW strike also weighed on the Texas manufacturing sector this fall. The most recent manufacturing survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas shows that statewide manufacturing activity conditions improved in December. The expected signing of the Phase 1 trade deal with China is also positive news for Texas, as well as the passage of the USMCA trade deal in the House of Representatives. We expect the Senate to ratify the USMCA early this year, but there is no date set for the vote at this time.

The Texas Economic Activity Index consists of nine variables, as follows: nonfarm payroll employment, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, housing starts, house price index, industrial electricity sales, Texas rotary rig count, total trade, hotel occupancy and sales tax revenue. All data are seasonally adjusted. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Total index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages.

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), the largest U.S. commercial bank headquartered in Texas, strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to a local banking center network throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Kerrville, Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.

To subscribe to our publications or for questions, contact us at [email protected]. Archives are available at http://www.comerica.com/insights. Follow us on Twitter: @Comerica_Econ.

SOURCE Comerica Bank
Protests erupted outside JK Lon Hospital here on Friday over the death of over 100 infants, leading to the detention of a few demonstrators.

According to the police, the detention was carried out as a precautionary measure and to maintain law and order in the area.

Rajesh Kumar, Kota Additional Superintendent of Police (SP), told ANI: "The police detained a few people who disrupted the peaceful environment in the hospital. This has been carried out to maintain law and order."

Earlier in the day, an official from the hospital said that three more children had died on the first two days of the new year, taking the toll to 103.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the State government is still working towards reducing the Infant Mortality Ratio (IMR) and the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR).

He also said that he has invited Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to come and inspect the situation by visiting Kota personally so that he can see the facilities in the hospital.

As per a government report, at least 91 infants lost their lives at the government hospital in Kota in December last year. Following the incident, the Gehlot-led Congress government is under fire from the BJP and other Opposition parties in the State.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Teenage eco warrior Greta Thunberg stuck to routine on her 17th birthday and joined a weekly 'Fridays for Future' march outside the Swedish parliament.

She joined other climate activists outside the parliament in Riksdagen, in Stockholm on Friday, January 3, for the 72th consecutive week of the marches.

Thunberg tweeted a picture of herself at the march early this morning, wrapped up warm in the cold weather and holding her trademark sign reading in Swedish: 'School strike for climate'.

It comes after the Swedish teenager gave a message to her fans on New Year's Eve thanking them for their support. 'What a year... I wont even try to summarise it - but nothing would have been possible without your support. So thank you!' she said.

Thunberg tweeted a picture of herself at the march, wrapped up warm in the cold weather and holding her trademark sign reading: 'School strike for climate'

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg takes part in the weekly 'Fridays For Future' climate strike outside the Swedish parliament in Stockholm on her 17th birthday

Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg takes part in the weekly 'Fridays For Future' climate strike on Friday

The school strike for the climate marches were sparked by Thunberg when she staged her first protest in August 2018, at the age of 15.

It has since spread all over the world to involve more than 100,000 schoolchildren who take time off from class to participate in demonstrations to call for action on climate change.

Thunberg arrived back in her home country last month after an epic voyage saw her cross the Atlantic from the UK to America before visiting cities across the US and Canada, then returning to Portugal.

The school strike for the climate marches were sparked by Thunberg when she staged her first protest in August 2018, at the age of 15

A fellow activist snaps a picture of Greta Thunberg at the climate march on her 17th birthday

The schoolgirl's dogged activism has seen her invited to speak at parliaments across the world, give a speech to the UN, and become Time's Person of the Year

From there she went by train to a climate summit in Spain - which ended without an agreement - before visiting Turin and Basel on her way back to Sweden. The young climate activist refuses to travel by plane due to the environmental cost and has twice crossed the Atlantic by boat in recent months.

The schoolgirl's dogged activism has seen her invited to speak at parliaments across the world, give a speech to the UN, and become Time's Person of the Year.

She was nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize after spearheading a global movement demanding world leaders take action on climate change.

Thunberg docked at the North Cove Marina near the World Trade Center in Manhattan on arrival in August

Thunberg arrived back in her home country last month after an epic voyage saw her cross the Atlantic from the UK to America before visiting cities across the US and Canada, then returning to Portugal. She arrived back in her home country of Sweden last month

Greta is currently on a gap year from her education and heads back to school in August.

Greta's father has recently revealed how his daughter suffered with depression, but the teenager says her activism has been like a medicine.

She told Radio 4: 'It really helps in getting out of that depression because it gives a feeling you are having an impact.'

Greta added: 'Just being part of a movement that has so much impact on the world is an amazing feeling. I wish that more people could feel like that.'
A major political controversy has broken out over the Congress Seva Dals pamphlet, circulated ahead of a national camp on the outskirts of Bhopal, which alleges that Hindutva ideologue, VD Savarkar, and Mahatma Gandhis assassin, Nathuram Godse, had a physical relationship.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed the Congress, with party president and home minister Amit Shah leading the charge, and calling it shameful.

In Mumbai, the BJP also asked Shiv Sena  which revers Savarkar but is now in partnership with the Congress  to clarify its position on the matter. Savarkars grandson, Ranjit Savarkar, too stepped in, demanding a ban on the book and a criminal case against Seva Dal, and visiting Mantralaya, the government secretariat, to demand action by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.

On Thursday, the Seva Dal circulated a booklet titled Veer Savarkar kitney Veer (How brave was Savarkar?). The booklet cites a reference from the 1975 book Freedom at Midnight by Larry and Dominique Lapierre, to contend that Godse had a physical relationship with his mentor, Savarkar, whom her had met when he was 18 years old.

The reference has sparked a huge political row.

Shah said: What can be more shameful than the comments made by the Congress partys Seva Dal about Veer Savarkar? His whole family served time in prison and he himself was in jail for 12 long years, and was a worthy son.

In Mumbai, former CM Devendra Fadnavis demanded an explanation from the Sena. We want answers from Shiv Sena, which has made an unnatural alliance with Congress if it will ban this book in Maharashtra by registering strong protest or repeatedly tolerate such insults of our most respected personalities just for the greed of power?

The Sena was quick to distance itself from the booklet. Rajya Sabha MP and editor of the party mouthpiece Saamna, Sanjay Raut, said, Veer Savarkar was a great man and will remain a great man. A section keeps talking against him. This shows the filth in their mind, whoever it may be. He is a revolutionary of the country.

But he also made it clear that this will not affect ties with the Congress, claiming the dirt of Bhopal would not enter Maharashtra. Raut, instead, alleged that such books were written by BJP leaders. The new controversy comes in the backdrop of Rahul Gandhis recent comment at a rally in Delhi where he claimed he would never apologise (BJP had demanded an apology from him for a comment) since his name was Rahul Gandhi, not Rahul Savarkar. This had drawn criticism from the Sena.

The Seva Dal, for its part, has stuck to its stand. Lalji Singh, the Dal chief, said that the controversy was baseless. This is a manufactured controversy; the booklet has been in circulation for more than a year. The line is referenced from a famous book. I can only say that we have forced the RSS to react, said Desai.

He said that the booklets were part of an internal communication, and is part of an education module for the units cadre.

Political analyst and professor of political science at Mumbai University Surendra Jondhale said the BJP would attempt to corner the Shiv Sena but there will not be any problem within the state government. The BJP will not leave any chance to embarrass the Shiv Sena over the Hindutva issue. However, Uddhav Thackeray is shrewd enough and may not fall prey to it. He realises the political compulsions and the Congress is also unlikely to press Sena to change its views on Savarkar, Jondhale told HT.
Buenos Aires (AFP) - Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said on Thursday he doubts that a prosecutor who died two days after accusing former president Cristina Kirchner of a cover up in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center committed suicide.

But he insisted "there isn't a shred of proof" that Alberto Nisman was murdered, as his family insists.

Nisman was appointed special prosecutor into the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) headquarters, which left 85 dead and 300 wounded.

But in 2015, Nisman's body was found in his Buenos Aires apartment with a gunshot wound to the head, delivered at close range from a handgun found at his side.

The timing and circumstances of his death were suspicious: it came just days after he directly accused then-president Kirchner and some of her top aides of covering up Iran's alleged involvement in the bombing.

"I doubt that someone who was going through a euphoric moment could commit suicide, I don't know that. I'm allowing myself to doubt it," Fernandez, whose vice president is Kirchner, told Radio 10.

Nisman had been due to outline his case against Kirchner before Congress just two days after his death.

Kirchner, president from 2007 to 2015, is accused of having attempted to cover up Iranian involvement in the bombing in return for lucrative trade deals with her government.

In July, Fernandez testified in Kirchner's trial over a newspaper interview he gave in 2015 criticizing her for allowing Iranian suspects to be questioned back home, rather than in Argentina.

Although he was cabinet chief under Kirchner's husband and predecessor as president, Nestor Kirchner, and initially held onto the post under Cristina Kirchner, the two fell out and Fernandez became a heavy critic of the then president.

The two have since made up and Fernandez, a criminal law professor, told Radio 10 that the cover-up case against Kirchner was "absurd."

In the Nisman case, he said "the only person harmed by the crime was Cristina."

Nisman's accusation was twice dismissed before judge Claudio Bonadio took up the case in 2016, after Kirchner had been replaced by Mauricio Macri as president.
(TNS)  Wireless companies will continue developing their 5G networks in Chicago in 2020, but it will be years before most consumers take advantage of the ultrafast download speeds.Businesses are figuring out how they can best use the fifth generation of wireless, and expect it will lay the foundation for high-tech advancements. But before its widely used among consumers, more people have to buy smartphones and other devices that run 5G. Also complicating matters are efforts to stop the networks rollout in the area because of safety concerns.Right now, Id say 5G is in the hype cycle. Deployment is going to be slower than people think, said Mohan Sawhney, a professor at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Business. Yeah, youll get faster Internet, but thats not a breakthrough. ... Id stay tuned beyond 2020.Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T all turned on their 5G networks in and around Chicago in 2019. The wireless companies are focused on reaching more people with more consistent coverage next year.As the carriers launched their networks, they started selling 5G-compatible devices. Apple, which dominates the cellphone market in America, notably has not.The devices that are available dont come cheap, often costing between $900 and $1,300. That means most of the customers that already made the switch to a 5G phone are early adapters and tech enthusiasts, Sawhney said. Many cellphone users feel their download speeds are fast enough, and it could be several years before they buy a 5G device, he said.Unlike consumers, businesses will likely start using 5G in 2020, said Joseph Doering, who leads Accentures communications, media and telecom practice in the Midwest.In an Accenture survey of 100 Chicago business executives, 46% of respondents said they believed 5G will have a significant effect on their business in one to three years.You have every major business out there looking at how that (5G) is going to be impacting their business, not just in 2020, but beyond, Doering said. Its very strategic and competitive  how do they get there and get here first.Its hard to dream up all the ways 5G could be used commercially, Doering said. If a concert venue in Chicago launched a 5G network, the venue might eventually be able to broadcast a hologram of Taylor Swift performing a concert in Tokyo, he said.Verizon turned on 5G at the Chase Center in San Francisco and let select attendees tap into the network at The Chainsmokers concert in November, according to a news release from the stadium. The concertgoers could hold their phones up to the stage and see the band through an augmented reality lens. The shows producers were controlling graphics the attendees saw on their phones, and timing them with the music.5G can download data at least 10 to 20 times faster than its predecessor.On Sprints network, an Austin Powers movie downloaded in less than a minute last summer on a phone being tested on North Michigan Avenue. On Verizon, all two hours and 17 minutes of Homecoming: A film by Beyonce took only 9 seconds to download on a phone being tested near Millennium Park.The network follows four previous generations of wireless, each of which changed the way people interact with their cellphones. The first ushered in mobile phones and the second brought texting. 3G laid the groundwork for smartphones, and 4G allowed video streaming and more.Since 4G was widely adopted, data use has exploded. People use 40 times more data on mobile devices than they did in 2010. 5G networks, which also allow for greater quantities of data streaming, are wireless companies attempts to satisfy that demand.But not everyone is embracing 5G, and concerns could cause hiccups for a broader rollout.The technology has sparked concerns about potential health issues, and some say the 5G equipment popping up on street corners, telephone poles or elsewhere is an eyesore that could hurt property values. Residents in Hinsdale, Western Springs and Oak Brook have raised concerns 5G taps into millimeter waves at the top of the radio spectrum. The higher waves allow for faster transfer of data, but they dont travel through buildings, trees and rain like previous generations of wireless, which operate on lower wavelengths. Some wireless companies must install more antennas, cables and other equipment to provide coverage.Wireless industry association CTIA says typical exposure to 5G infrastructure is comparable to Bluetooth devices and baby monitors, and there is no scientific evidence of adverse health effects.One group, called Stop 5G Chicago, is aimed at halting the rollout of the network in residential areas.East Beverly resident Kristin Welch co-founded the group. The mother of three said she expects a stronger pushback against 5G from Chicago-area residents in 2020, as more equipment is installed in communities.Until it appears and until it becomes real, it is fighting a boogeyman, she said. Theres not awareness until they physically see a tower showing up in front of their home and their childrens school.
Turkish firm MNG Jet said one of its workers admitted to not putting Ghosn on official documentation.

A quiet lounge in a corner of Japans third-largest airport was likely the last stop for Carlos Ghosn before he fled the country, transforming the former Nissan chairman into one of the worlds most famous fugitives.

Ghosn departed on a private jet from Kansai International Airport in the western city of Osaka, the planes operator said, meaning he would have left from the small lounge area used exclusively for private flights. The aircraft operator, Turkish firm MNG Jet, said one of its employees has admitted falsifying records by not including Ghosns name in the official documentation.

Ghosn faces charges relating to alleged financial crimes in Japan and was able to orchestrate his departure despite being under strict surveillance by Japanese authorities, with his movements and communications curtailed. He denies the financial misconduct charges.

He would have had to go through as a passenger; perhaps [he was] in disguise, airport spokesman Kenji Takanishi told Reuters.

The slightly-built former Nissan boss has concealed his identity before: when first released on bail in March, he walked out of the detention centre disguised as a workman to avoid media attention.

After landing in Turkey, Ghosn switched planes and flew on to his childhood home, Lebanon. His escape capped a year-old saga, which has gripped the global auto industry.

Kansai airport spokesman Takanishi said privacy was a big attraction for wealthy travellers at the 300-square-metre Premium Gate Tamayura used for private jets (tamayura translates as fleeting moment).

Passenger in disguise?

Private jet owners pay 200,000 yen ($1,850) to use the private airport gate, where normal immigration and baggage procedures apply. Luggage too large for the X-ray scan is opened and examined, Takanishi said, meaning it was unlikely Ghosn could have been smuggled on board.

Yet immigration officials have no record of him leaving, public broadcaster NHK has reported. The former auto executive holds French, Brazilian and Lebanese citizenship.

I think I would recognise Ghosn if I took a good look at his face, but we dont really look at peoples faces, said a security guard at the private gate.

It would be harder to spot him if he was wearing a disguise or was in a group.

One airport official, who also declined to be identified, said airlines often outsource security and luggage checks to private security companies in Japan, unlike other countries where government or military officials usually perform these checks.

Outside the terminal entrance, a dedicated car park stands less than 100 metres away, allowing a degree of privacy not afforded to commercial jet passengers.
The developer of the Castlerock housing development under construction in Santee has gotten city approval to begin the process of forming a special tax district for the homebuyers.

Pardee Homes had asked the city a year ago to OK its request for a Community Facility District, also known as Mello-Roos, to help fund $8.5 million of improvements for Castlerock.

The City Council last week directed staff to work with Pardee to create a tax district, noting that district, not the city of Santee, will help fund some of the public services in the development.

Pardee has already deposited $43,500 in facilities money and $27,000 in services money toward Santees costs in processing the Community Facility District.

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The housing development is being built on a 204-acre site off state Route 52 and Mast Boulevard, across from West Hills High School. It will have more than 400 single-family homes, ranging from 1,700 to 3,800 square feet.

There is no date set for when homes will be for sale, but the Castlerock website said pricing should be available in early 2018.

Community Facility Districts are used by local governments in California as a way to collect public funding through bond sales to pay for some public facilities or infrastructure for new developments. That typically include streets, water, sewage and drainage and electricity.

Some communities requiring public infrastructure impose these taxes instead of, or in addition to, fees paid by real estate developers.

For facilities costs, future residents would be required to pay between $1,600 and $2,500 per unit annually.

According to a report from Pardee shared with the city, facilities costs include improvements to Mast Boulevard, Castlerock Road, a bridge and traffic signal as well as a public park, public trail and fencing.

For services costs, each residential unit for future homeowners would be taxed $407 annually. The report notes that services costs include all public services provided, including residents share of street and park maintenance cost, landscaping and public safety.

Santee Director of Finance Tim McDermott said the next step would be city staff working on supporting legal documents. The item will be brought back in August or September for formal city council action.
In 2019, the company received hundreds of Vietnamese and foreign container ships through the port with the cargo tonnage of more than 3.5 million tons, up 29 percent compared to last year, reaching 122.36 percent of the plan.Total revenue reached more than VND 194 billion (US$ 8.3 million), exceeding 7.9 percent compared to last year, reaching 100.1 percent of the plan.The profit after tax reached more than VND 9 billion (US$ 387,069), and the average income of employees was VND 9.5 million (nearly US$ 409) per person every month.In 2020, the company targets to welcome nearly 4 million tons of cargoes through the port and unloading cargoes.

By Duong Quang- Translated by Huyen Huong
SKOPJE, Macedonia - North Macedonias parliament on Friday approved a new caretaker government under the countrys former interior minister, after Zoran Zaev resigned as prime minister ahead of previously agreed early elections on April 12.

Under a deal made by major political parties, the caretaker government will be headed by Oliver Spasovski, who served in Zaevs centre-left administration.

Zaev had announced the early election noting his disappointment and outrage at the European Unions failure to start membership talks with North Macedonia and fellow Balkan nation Albania last year.

North Macedonia had previously agreed  under intense pressure from the EU  to sign a historic deal that normalized relations with neighbouring Greece, and had believed that membership talks would go ahead.

But France, supported by Denmark and the Netherlands, strongly opposed membership talks, calling for an overhaul of the EUs procedures for admitting new members.

Zaevs Social Democrat-led government took office in 2017.

Zaev had staked his political future on the 2018 agreement with Greece that changed the countrys name from Macedonia, settling a decades-long dispute.

Greece considered that the name Macedonia was an attempt to steal its own Macedonian heritage and might imply territorial designs on its northern province of Macedonia. Included in the accord was a statement that the current state of Macedonia and the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia are unrelated.

The agreement was ratified despite heavy criticism by opposition parties and hardline nationalists in both countries.

While the agreement paved the way for Macedonias entry into NATO, the EU route is being blocked for now.
Nearly all of the Republican congressmen representing Michigan joined more than 200 members of Congress in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling that legalized abortion.

Thirty-nine senators and 168 House members signed a"friend of the court" brief submitted this week to the Supreme Court as it is set to consider an anti-abortion groups challenge to a Louisiana law. The case does not directly challenge Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that secured a womans right to an abortion, but will be the first abortion case argued in the high court since Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch solidified a conservative majority on the bench.

Michigan has a law prohibiting abortion that would go into effect if Roe v. Wade were overturned. The law makes it a felony to administer an abortion unless to protect the life of the mother.

U.S. Reps. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet; Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland; Paul Mitchell, R-Dryden; John Moolenar, R-Midland; and Tim Walberg, R-Tipton signed the letter submitted on Jan. 2. The brief argues Roe v. Wade is an unworkable opinion.

Forty-six years after Roe was decided, it remains a radically unsettled precedent: two of the seven Justices who originally joined the majority subsequently repudiated it in whole or in part, and virtually every abortion decision since has been closely divided, the brief states.

Roes jurisprudence has been haphazard from the beginning," the brief states, and has been substantially undermined by subsequent rulings.

Court rulings since Roe clearly did not settle the abortion issue," lawmakers wrote.

Lawmakers also asked the court to consider overturning another landmark abortion ruling in the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which reaffirmed but upheld Pennsylvania laws requiring informed consent and a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion procedure.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, was the only Michigan Republican to not sign the letter. A spokesperson for the longtime congressman said Upton typically does not attach his name to friend of the court briefs but did not answer whether Upton supports overturning Roe v. Wade.

Other signers of the brief include top House Republicans, but not Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Two moderate Democrats signed the brief, U.S. Reps. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Daniel Lipinski, D-Ill.

The brief was submitted by Americans United for Life, a national anti-abortion-rights group. The organization found Michigan has a solid record of protecting women and the unborn from the harms inherent in abortion" in a 2020 report on abortion access across the country.

Right to Life of Michigan, another anti-abortion group which is leading an initiative to ban dilation and extraction procedures in the state, also filed a friend of the court brief to the Supreme Court.

The brief argues that the courts Roe v. Wade decision went beyond the scope of its power, violated the process for amending the U.S. Constitution, and undermined the legitimacy of Americas judicial system. President Barbara Listing said the landmark 1973 decision is a "stain on democracy.

Right to Life of Michigan highlighted a failed 1972 ballot initiative that would have allowed a statelicensed physician to terminate a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. Listing said Michigan voters chose to keep the states abortion ban, but the Supreme Court blatantly overstepped its bounds by inventing a right to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

Nearly half a century later, most Michigan voters are supportive of abortion rights. Public opinion polls show a growing number of Americans think abortion should be legal in most cases.

A June 2019 poll of 600 likely voters by Glengariff Group found 58% of Michiganders oppose a ban on dilation and evacuation procedures. In August, 54% of Michigan voters surveyed by EPIC-MRA described themselves as pro-choice.

Right to Life Michigan said the Lousiana law at the center of the Supreme Court case should be upheld regardless of whether Roe v. Wade is overturned.

The law requires doctors who provide abortions to obtain admitting privileges at local hospitals. Right to Life Michigan argues the law ensures the safety of women who experience complications from abortions, while critics say the law was created to make abortion access more difficult.

Read more about abortion in Michigan on MLive:

See latest abortion numbers for your Michigan county

Supporters of abortion procedure ban in Michigan submit 379,418 signatures

Michigan Republican leaders promise votes on anti-abortion initiatives if they clear signature threshold

Michigan Democrats back bills to treat abortion like other health care

Planned Parenthood launches historic organizing effort for 2020 elections in Michigan

Michigan Attorney General wont prosecute abortions if Roe v. Wade is overturned
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Cesar Munoz said this about his book: "Thirty-six Days tells the story where a Mexican family was a victim of organized crime. On December 13, 2014, in La Laja, municipality of Ajuchitlan, Guerrero, falling into his house, armed civilians destroyed the house and took Mr. Angel Munoz and two of his daughters, depriving them of their freedom. They were taken to an unknown destination where they would have them tied hand and foot for about three days and then change them from where they would spend thirty-three more days. They would keep them and a twenty to twenty-five other people in a forested hill in a cave. There they would go hungry, cold, and have bad experiences and bitter days. They would watch and live all kinds of violence that those armed men did. They would be physically and mentally abused. It would take about twenty days for the leader of the subjects to arrive at that place and could give the order for the armed subjects to communicate with the family of the hostages to ask for the ransom money. When communicating with family members, they reached an agreement that they had to give a certain amount of money to free Mr. Angel and his daughters. The agreed money was given in full, but the armed men only released the two daughters and left the father with them so they could ask for more money for his freedom. Time passed, and Mr. Angel weakened more and more. The date of when he would be released was unknown. On day thirty-six, the army, federal police, and the Attorney General's Office (PGR) would carry out an operation where they would rescue Mr. Angel Munoz, along with twenty-three other people who were kidnapped and were also in the same place. They would capture thirteen alleged kidnappers that would be placed under the SEIDO. Mr. Angel would be transferred to the hospital where he would be treated and would meet with his whole family."
Addison Care is an innovative IoT-connected residential health solution capable of chronic care management, monitoring, behavioral health, rehabilitation support and continuum of care support. Addison sets up within minutes in your home with multiple touch screens networked together with far-field microphones, health peripherals, high-quality sound, RealSense Intel depth cameras, and includes a voice-powered 3D Virtual Caregiver named Addison. Addison is displayed inside interactive, dynamic 3D scenes and can perform demonstrations, conduct patient assessments and work with objects inside her environment.

Addison first debuted as a prototype at CES 2019 and she demonstrated some impressive capabilities like collecting some key vitals and basic medication reminders. This year Addison promises to demonstrate a lot more capabilities coordinated with a production model debut, and managed by a fully functioning, highly secure, proprietary enterprise platform that is already serving patients in the market nationwide. This year at CES, Electronic Caregiver will debut new features Addison offers for health practices to manage in-office patient assessments, intake and outtake procedures. The company is also showing off a new clinical-based, motion analysis solution.

"CES 2020 is a pivotal debut for us," Electronic Caregiver CEO Anthony Dohrmann said. "Addison is now market ready. She monitors vitals through six connected health devices. Her scenes are more capable, dynamic and fluid. Her voice capabilities are dramatically enhanced. The entire user experience has seen a 100-fold improvement. We've added features for child patients, chronic care patients, behavioral health, rehabilitation, and full-network integration with health providers. One of the most exciting Virtual Assistant features Addison will present at CES is the integration of Amazon Alexa."

Dohrmann went on to explain the difference between Addison Care and traditional apps and telehealth. Older adults find thumbing through menus and small screens a burden, and somewhat confusing. Rather than having to reach out and navigate the technology, with Addison, the technology reaches out to you, walking you through every step of interaction, patient assessment and treatment routine. Addison has also added gamification, education support for caregivers, and provides impressive connectivity for family members, providers and professional caregivers. As far as telehealth, Addison does provide telehealth connectivity standard, but fills the additional gaps in care by providing extended 24/7 support, assessment and monitoring.

Electronic Caregiver has already deployed the Addison Architecture to manage thousands of patients nationwide, managing more than 5 million signals and engagements per year for patients and caregivers. Their service, which the company calls "advanced remote patient monitoring," is now reimbursed by Medicare. Addison Care is designed with equipment deployed in the home, which includes an impressive octuple redundant. For instance, in the event internet and/or power is lost to the home, the Addison solution has an integrated back-up battery and is cellular enabled through a connected smart hub. In partial resource mode, Addison Care can still connect to provide health peripherals for vitals monitoring, a physician-on-demand service called pocketMD, use of her emergency response wearable, monitored medication reminders, and even two-way natural language processing for automated in-home assessments. All critical alerts and notifications still function to serve customers, caregivers and partners.

About Electronic Caregiver, Inc.

Electronic Caregiver has become a leading and highly recognized brand for virtual care solutions and advanced remote patient monitoring services. The company staff size has more than doubled in 2019 and is nearing 150 full time employees. Electronic Caregiver has invested more than $55 million and 10 years into research, development and a staged rollout of virtual care and health management solutions for chronic care patients, child patients and older adults.

Electronic Caregiver offers its solutions through a network of leading national home care providers, health institutions and providers. Addison Care is the company's most advanced new technology, offering a Virtual Caregiver that deploys technology using IoT, 3D animation, mixed reality, Bluetooth, natural language processing, long range RF, cellular, machine learning, visual sensing and a suite of integrated electronics. The company manages its business using an advanced, proprietary enterprise management platform designed by the company and named Orion.

Electronic Caregiver and Addison Care are now involved in numerous official clinical research initiatives in clinical settings to further validate utilization and efficacy in areas of improved outcomes, improved treatment adherence, and optimized continuum of care.

www.addison.care

www.electroniccaregiver.com

Media Kit: www.electroniccaregiver.com/press-resources

Las Vegas, Nevada  Consumer Electronics Show; January 7-10, 2020

Booth: Sands Convention Center Halls A-D  42142

SOURCE Electronic Caregiver

Related Links

http://electroniccaregiver.com


A fifth inmate has died violently in a Mississippi prison, raising further questions about security as clashes between prisoners continue.

Sunflower County Coroner Heather Burton told local outlets that 36-year-old Dennoris Howell was stabbed to death before dawn Friday at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.

Howell is the fifth inmate to be killed by another inmate since Sunday, and the third at Parchman.

Burton and Sunflower County Sheriff James Haywood have described the violence as related to a dispute between members of gangs, but officials with the Mississippi Department of Corrections haven't said what's driving the violence.

All state prisons statewide are locked down, confining inmates to cells and blocking visitors.

Another inmate was stabbed in the 3 a.m. Friday incident and taken to a Memphis, Tennessee, hospital. He was not identified.

The stabbing took place on the same unit at Parchman where a 32-year-old inmate was stabbed and killed Thursday in a fracas that left multiple prisoners injured.

That incident brought a heavy police response, with state troopers, corrections officers and deputies from multiple counties responding. Inmates set another unit at Parchman on fire.

Mississippi Department of Corrections spokeswoman Grace Simmons Fisher said the fire caused no structural damage. Inmates were evacuated and later moved back in, Fisher said.

Howell was convicted of manslaughter in Marshall County in 2012 and sentenced to 17 years in prison.

The troubles began Sunday at South Mississippi Correctional Institution near Leakesville, when inmate Terradance Dobbins, 40, was killed and two others hurt. Prison officials said the killing was part of a "major disturbance."



The Greene County prison can pose particular difficulties to secure because hundreds of prisoners are housed in bunks in one large room, instead of in individual cells.

The prison was locked down for almost all of 2019, in part because of guard shortages.

Mississippi's prison system has struggled to fill guard vacancies, with outgoing Corrections Commissioner Pelicia Hall saying it's difficult to attract people with salaries that start below USD 25,000 a year.

Some of the guards that do get hired end up bringing illegal drugs and cell phones into prisons, with some being criminally prosecuted.

Hall announced Tuesday that she will resign in mid-January to take a private sector job signaling incoming Gov. Tate Reeves won't retain her upon taking office January 14.

Tuesday at Parchman, 25-year-old inmate Walter Gates was stabbed and several other inmates were injured during a fight that spread to multiple units of the sprawling prison, which sits on thousands of acres in the Mississippi Delta.

Earlier Friday, before the killing at Parchman, 26-year-old prisoner Gregory Emary of Hernando was killed at the Chickasaw County Regional Correctional Facility, a county-run jail that holds state inmates.

The violence came even as U.S. District Judge William Barbour ruled Tuesday that while conditions may have previously been poor at East Mississippi Correctional Facility near Meridian, there's no longer any evidence that the privately run prison is violating inmates' rights.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- New York and New Jerseys local airports have seen a surge in passenger volumes over the past decade, culminating in a record-setting 2019.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced that its four airports -- John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia Airport and New York Stewart International Airport -- set record passenger volumes in November, putting them on pace to break the agencys current annual record.

With more than 11 million airline passengers traveling through the region in November, the four airports are projected to record 140 million-plus travelers in 2019, once Decembers numbers are accounted for.

This continues a trend of sustained growth, with Port Authority airports seeing increased passenger volumes each year since 2002.

The 140 million-plus passengers represent a marginal increase over last years total of 138,473,416 passengers.

However, when viewed in the context of the past decade, the projected 140 million-plus passengers in 2019 represent a substantial increase of more than 37% from the 101,781,366 passengers handled in 2009.

Going back even further, the projected 140 million-plus passengers represent an increase of more than 56% from the 89,620,519 passengers handled in 1999.

MORE PASSENGERS, LESS SATISFACTION?

Despite the sustained growth in passenger volumes in recent years, a survey from J.D. Power shows that John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia international airports rank near the bottom of North American airports in customer satisfaction.

J.D. Power, a global marketing information services company, released its 2019 North American Airport Satisfaction Study, ranking the overall airport experience of customers at mega-, large- and medium-sized airports in North America.

The study ranks airport satisfaction on a 1,000-point scale, examining the following six factors, listed in order of importance: terminal facilities; airport accessibility; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.

Airport rankings are separated by passenger volume, with mega airports handling 33 million-plus annual passengers, large airports handling between 10 million and 32.9 million annual passengers and medium airports handling between 4.5 and 9.9 million annual passengers.

John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty international airports both placed in the bottom half of mega-sized airports, ranking 12th and 19th, respectively, out of 19 airports.

JFK airport received 758 points, just two above the mega airports average of 756.

Newark airport received just 695 points, ranking dead-last in the mega airports category.

Meanwhile, LaGuardia International Airport ranked 27th out of 27 in the large airports category, garnering only 662 points, the lowest of any airport included in the survey, regardless of size.

ONGOING IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

In an effort to improve service and keep up with growing demand, the Port Authority has undertaken major capital projects at John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia international airports.

At John F. Kennedy, a massive $13 billion modernization project is underway that includes two new major international terminals that will expand the airport by 4 million square feet and increase annual passenger volumes by a projected 15 million travelers. The first gates of the new terminals are slated to open in 2023, with project completion set for 2025.

At Newark, a $2.7 billion project is underway to construct a new Terminal One, replacing Terminal A, which opened back in 1973. The new terminal will offer high-end dining and retail within approximately one million square feet of space, capable of accommodating more than 13 million passengers on three levels. Terminal One is currently expected to be completed in 2022, with the ancillary work, like the parking facility and integrated toll plaza, expected to wrap up in 2023.

At LaGuardia, an innovative $8 billion project is underway to construct an entirely new airport on top of the existing one, all while keeping the current airport fully operational. Some work has already been completed, including the a new parking garage and the first new gates in Terminal B. The new airport will feature two new arrival and departure halls, connected by a unifying Central Hall. The Terminal B arrival and departure halls are expected to open in 2020, with Terminal C following shortly after in 2021.
TYENDINAGA, ONT.Provincial police west of Kingston, Ont., say theyve charged a man after he allegedly crashed into a police cruiser while driving drunk.

Police say the incident happened early Friday morning at around 1:30 a.m. when an officer saw a car driving erratically in Tyendinaga Township.

Investigators say the driver was stopped by an officer in another police cruiser, but police say the driver intentionally collided with the officers car.

A 30-year-old man is facing multiple charges including dangerous operation, impaired operation, driving without insurance, driving with cannabis readily available and possessing unmarked cigarettes.

Police say the mans license has been suspended for 90 days and his car has been impounded for a week.

The man is set to appear in court at a later date in Napanee, Ont.
Sri Lankas new president on Friday endorsed amending the constitution to reduce the power of minority political parties, saying the country wasnt suited to a system that creates unstable governments constantly under the influence of extremism.

In a speech after he presided over the start of a new Parliament session, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said a majority of the voters who elected him in last Novembers presidential election rejected political agendas founded on race and proved it is no longer possible for anyone to manipulate and control the politics of this country by playing the role of kingmaker.

Even though elections can be won through numbers, an unstable Parliament that cannot take clear decisions and remains constantly under the influence of extremism is not one that suits the country.

Voting patterns during the election showed a clear divide between the majority Buddhist Sinhalese and minority Tamils and Muslims. A vast majority of Sinhalese voted for Rajapaksa, while minorities overwhelmingly voted for his main opponent, Sajith Premadasa.

He pledged to respect the aspirations of the majority by protecting the unity of the country and Buddhism while ensuring people had the right to practice the religion of their choice.

Sri Lanka has a proportional representative electoral system where parties with a smaller support base could also return lawmakers with a minimum vote percentage. Minority politicians say the system had given them reasonable representation and help stem any anti-minority move in Parliament.

Rajapaksa said that the constitution has many confusions and changes are needed. He said a strong presidency, parliament and judiciary needs to be created through constitutional changes.
UPDATE: Officials ID the 2 women killed in crash with NJ Transit train

Two women in a car were killed when a New Jersey Transit train struck their vehicle on Friday morning at a crossing in Middlesex County, authorities said.

The westbound Raritan Valley line train slammed into the vehicle at 8:12 a.m. at the Cedar Avenue grade crossing in Middlesex Borough, according to a New Jersey Transit spokeswoman.

The dark-colored vehicle appeared to have stopped on its side just off the tracks. As of 11 a.m. the vehicle hadnt been removed.

Investigators work at the scene of a double-fatal crash on the train tracks in Middlesex Borough on Friday, Jan. 3. 2020. Two women were killed when their car was hit by a New Jersey Transit train

A preliminary investigation found the safety equipment at the track was working properly, a spokeswoman for NJ Transit said.

None of the 30 passengers and crew members on the train were injured.

Raritan Valley line service was suspended between Plainfield and Raritan before resuming at about 1:35 p.m. with 45-minute delays.

The train left Newark Penn Station and was bound for High Bridge.

NJ Transit police remain on the scene investigating.

Two women were killed Friday when a New Jersey Transit train struck a car in Middlesex.Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

There are two sets of tracks in the area - one for passengers trains and one for freight trains.

A traffic light was recently installed that turns red when a train is coming but drivers dont always stop, according to a man who who works at a nearby business but did not witness the crash.

"People dont have the patience sometimes and its tragic, said Jason LaBruzza, an employee of A & G Italian Fine Foods on Lincoln Boulevard in Middlesex. LaBruzza added that hes seen drivers swerve around the gate arms that lower when a train approaches.

In 2011, a tractor-trailer driver was killed when his truck was hit by a CSX train in Middlesex.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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In his message to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Syrian president Bashar Assad expressed confidence that such a crime will reinforce Resistance Axis determination to stand against US destructive policies in the region as well as all aggressors in the world, IRNA reports.

He said Syrians will never forget Soleimani who stood by the Syrian Army in defending Syria against terrorism and their sponsors and also his clear role in recent victories against terrorism.

Iraqi media quoted official resources as saying that the Major General of Irans Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) and the acting commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) - known as the Hash al-Shaabi - Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandes, who were separately leaving Baghdad airport in two cars were targeted and assassinated, IRNA informs.
Universal Music Group has issued a cease and desist letter to a Guns N' Roses fan named Rick Dunsford.

The corporation claimed Dunsford is behind the online leak of 97 of the group's tracks recorded in 2000 and 2001 that had never been released.

Dunsford initially obtained the music when the band's one-time A&R Tom Zutaut - portrayed by Pete Davidson in the 2019 Motley Crue pic The Dirt - had the contents of his storage unit sold on the auction block, TMZ reported Thursday.

The latest: UMG has issued a cease and desist letter to a Guns N' Roses fan named Rick Dunsford, claiming he's behind the online leak of 97 of the group's tracks recorded in 2000 and 2001 that had never been released. The band was snapped in August of 1987 in Chicago

'It is tremendously disappointing, sad, and unfortunate that a record executive involved with the band in their early years found it appropriate to auction off the unreleased materials owned by his former employer,' a manager for the band told the outlet.

Managers for the group behind the '80s hits Paradise City and Sweet Child O' Mine reached an accord with Dunsford.

They essentially reimbursed him the $15,000 he and a group of associates spent on the contents of the storage unit to give back the digital music, according to the outlet.

Rocking on: Axl Rose was snapped performing in Melbourne, Australia in 2017

UMG, which controls the copyright to to the music, said in their legal letter that Dunsford, a month after accepting the payment, orchestrated a leak of the material, accusations which he denies.

Dunsford said in October that he's been banned for life from all of the group's concerts in the wake of the leak.

'About two-and-a-half months ago, I drove to Virginia, and there was a storage locker that belonged to Tom Zutaut,' he told the Dwyer & Michaels morning show on WXLP. 'He didn't pay his bills or something and it was auctioned off.

Support: Slash (L) and Duff McKagan played with the band in Austin, Texas in October

'There was an individual that bought the locker, there was about 20 CDs in this locker of unreleased Guns N' Roses music from around '99 to 2000, or 2001.'

He said that he's taking the heat for the leak, even though it's not him behind it.

'Anytime something leaks on the Internet, I've been blamed for it,' he said.

Rick is reportedly a huge fan of the band; he named his son Axl and has the band members' signatures tattooed on his arm.
Russia on Friday strongly condemned the U.S. for the killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who perished Thursday in a drone strike authorized by the Trump administration.

Russia, an important ally of Iran, said Soleimanis assassination would have grave consequences for regional peace and stability, according to a statement from its Foreign Ministry.

We are guided by the premise that such actions are not conducive to finding solutions to the complex problems that have piled up in the Middle East. On the contrary, they lead to a new round of escalation of tensions in the region, the statement said.

Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds Force, was killed Thursday when the U.S. successfully executed a precision strike on the car in which he was riding at Baghdad International Airport. The attack sparked immediate international worries about how Iran would retaliate.

Soleimani had traveled to Moscow more than once for meetings regarding military cooperation in Syria and missile delivery, flouting an international travel ban the United Nations slapped on him in 2007 that had aimed to curtail Irans nuclear-weapons program.

This is probably the height of cynicism, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Friday in a statement. Washington did not appeal to the Security Council, which means that it is not interested in the worlds response [but is] interested in changing the balance of power in the region.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov over the phone after Soleimanis death and assured Moscow that the U.S. is not looking for a war with Iran, and the drone strike was carried out to prevent Soleimanis planned imminent attacks on Americans.

For his part, Lavrov called the move illegal and complained that he was not notified before it was made.

More from National Review
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani to be the US right to self-defense, Reuters reported.

"Just as Israel has the right of self-defence, the United States has exactly the same right, Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office."

According to him, the General is responsible for the death of American citizens and many other innocent people.

"He was planning more such attacks," Israeli PM said. "President Trump deserves all praise for his swift and decisive action. Israel supports the United States in their just struggle for peace, security and self-defense."
The Passaic County Surrogate used her position as an elected official to name her longtime friend the administrator of a $600,000 estate over the deceased persons cousin, according to a state complaint filed on Thursday.

Surrogate Bernice Toledo, who was re-elected in 2016, is responsible for handling wills and estates in Passaic County. She is also a lawyer, and the complaint was filed by the state Supreme Courts Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC).

After Wayne resident Mark Halchak died in January 2017, two people filed applications to become the administrator of his estate: Halchaks cousin, Estelle Halchak, and his work acquaintance, Keith Stewart, according to the complaint.

Toledo heard testimony from both in June 2017 and chose Stewart, but did not disclose that she has been close friends with him for three decades. Stewart previously helped Toledo with election campaign efforts and attended multiple fundraising events held for her, the complaint says.

In the six months prior to the hearing, the complaint says, Toledo and Stewart texted each other 63 times and had six phone conversations. The two were Facebook friends and socialized at parties together.

(Toledo) inappropriately used her office to advance the private interests of another, the complaint alleges.

In New Jersey, estate administrators, also sometimes called an executor, are entitled to collect commissions on estates they settle.

Toledos office did not respond to a request for comment.

The ACJC investigated Toledo, who lied about the extent of her relationship with Stewart, according to the complaint. She told investigators that Stewart was not somebody Id call to talk on the phone, even though cell phone records show she communicated with him often.

Three days after Estelle Halchak filed her application, Toledo called Stewart and spoke to him for 23 minutes, the complaint says.

Halchak appealed Toledos decision in August 2017. A judge ordered Stewart be discharged as administrator and made Estelle Halchak a co-administrator, along with one of Mark Halchaks lifelong friend, the complaint says.

The complaint alleges Toledo violated multiple points, or canons, of the states Code of Judicial Conduct and Court Rules, including a rule requiring jurists to disqualify themselves in proceedings if their impartiality could be in question.

Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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For the past 10 years, on every long-haul flight over 12 hours, Singapore-based frequent flyer Brian Rogove has taken melatonin to combat jet lag. "I think it's safe. It works about 75% of the time, and I don't have any odd side effects," he says. Melatonin  a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain  helps initiate and maintain sleep. The melatonin widely available off-the-shelf is a synthetic version of the naturally-produced hormone.

A man waits in an airport. mikkelwilliam

"One way to think of melatonin is as an alarm clock for bedtime," says Dr. Caron Sak, a family physician at Tucker Medical based in Singapore. "It tells us it is time to go to sleep rather than actually making us sleep."

Is melatonin safe to use for jet lag?

Jet lag is a desynchrony between the environment's light-dark cycle and the body's internal circadian rhythm that occurs when traveling across time zones faster than the body can adjust. If used correctly, melatonin is an effective and safe treatment for jet lag, says Dr. Sak.

How much melatonin to take  and when?

In most countries, melatonin can be purchased without a prescription. Synthetic melatonin is not regulated because it is not categorized as a drug. "One concern is that the amount of melatonin in the product does not actually match what is listed on the label," says Dr. Sak. "You might be consuming a higher dose than what you need."

Jet lag results when travel across time zones occurs faster than the body can adjust. pixonaut

She advises that consumers use a well-known brand, starting with a low dose which can be increased, if necessary. She notes melatonin's effectiveness varies from individual to individual. Ruby Shang, who splits time between the U.S., Singapore and Switzerland, prefers a Swiss-manufactured slow-release pill. "I consulted doctors at the Mayo Clinic, who suggested a three-milligram dose for up to five days after travel," she says.

One concern is that the amount of melatonin in the product does not actually match what is listed on the label. Dr. Caron Sak Family physician

While a three-milligram dosage is closest to the body's natural melatonin production, some sleep doctors prescribe a five to 10-milligram dose taken 30 to 60 minutes prior to the desired sleep time.

Traveling east to west  does it matter?

Jet lag is worse going east, traveling against the natural direction of the sun. Eastward travel requires advancing the circadian system to adjust to the new time zone. Doctors consider melatonin especially effective for eastward travel and for travel that lasts longer than three days. For eastward travel, Dr. Sak suggests that adults take melatonin at bedtime for five days after arriving at their destination. Melatonin taken in the evening helps advance circadian rhythms to align with local time. For westward travel, circadian rhythms run ahead of the destination time, so travelers end up waking earlier. Here, melatonin can be taken in the morning, but use with caution as it might cause daytime sleepiness instead.

Is melatonin safe for children?

Dr. Arti Jaiswal, a US-trained pediatrician with Singapore's International Medical Clinic Children's office, says melatonin is safe for children aged three and older, but only for a short period of time. "We don't know what the potential long-term effects can be, especially for young children," she says. She recommends a 0.5-5 milligram dose for both children and adults.

Melatonin is safe for children aged three and older for a short period of time, says Dr. Arti Jaiswal. AlenaPaulus | Getty Images

Dr. Jaiswal says that while melatonin is effective for most children, a paradoxical side effect, like hyperactivity, can occur. While this is rare, she says, she advises trying melatonin at home before traveling. If melatonin doesn't work, she says an antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, can help with sleep as well.

We don't know what the potential long-term effects can be, especially for young children. Dr. Arti Jaiswal pediatrician

Following this, Dr. Jaiswal suggests using melatonin on the plane to help children with sleep onset, or even starting the day before to assist the adjustment process. Children can take it in either liquid form or tablets, she says, though the timing is dependent on travel plans. "It really depends on the destination and time difference," she says.

Pills, patches or powders?

Though pills are most common, melatonin comes in many different forms. Dr. Sak says immediate release forms, such as those that instantly dissolve in the mouth, work best for jet lag. Frequent international traveler, Marvin Yeo agrees. He swears by Waferest melatonin wafers that dissolve under the tongue for optimized absorption.

Melatonin in pill form is popular, but sublingual dissolvable wafers can be taken without water. Sarawut Doungwana / EyeEm

"I've tried gummies and tablets, but I never knew how or when the dose was going to affect me," he says. "The dissolvable wafers consistently hit me about 20 minutes after I've taken one."

Who should not take melatonin?
A 2nd Dwelling Unit

Three years after other California homeowners were granted the ability to add a second dwelling to their property, San Luis Obispo residents are expected to benefit from an upcoming change in local housing ordinances. Homeowners, builders and community members interested in learning about Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) opportunities in the new year are invited to a free informational session offered by architect Michael Smith on Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.

The event will take place at Smiths office at 890 Osos St., Suite E, San Luis Obispo, and cover topics such as the statewide law and expected updates to local ordinances, what an ADU or granny flat can consist of, accessibility issues and options for creating a new dwelling on your current property. Space is limited so pre-registration is encouraged.

As our state continues to face a housing shortage, ADUs are a terrific option for both families and investors interested in expanding their current footprint, said Smith. We look forward to sharing more details on the best options, regulations to pay attention to and exciting opportunities for home expansion in the San Luis Obispo area.

The Department of Housing and Community Development and government officials are asking for 3.5 million new homes to be built across the state by 2025 to address the affordable housing crisis.

A housing unit on the same lot as a single-family dwelling, an Accessory Dwelling Unit can be attached or detached. ADUs range from cottages to small houses; they are popular for advocates of aging in place, since they can allow seniors to stay in their own place, close to a family member or friend who lives in the other unit.

While California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law allowing homeowners to add a second dwelling unit to their properties in 2017, San Luis Obispo County did not adopt the state law. Recognizing the need for more affordable housing options, San Luis Obispo County is expected to change its ordinance in the first quarter of 2020. In the meantime, it will follow in accordance with the statewide law  leaving the door open for homeowners to add an ADU or granny flat.

Questions about the information session or accessory dwelling units can be addressed to mike@michaelsmitharchitect.com or 805-457-5440. Online registration is available at https://www.michaelsmitharchitect.com/adu/

About Michael Smith, Architect

A licensed architect for three decades, Michael Smiths expertise includes residential and commercial architecture projects. As a collaborative architect in San Luis Obispo, Smith specializes in Net Zero Energy design, turning a clients vision into a dream project and custom projects of all sizes. For more information, please visit https://www.michaelsmitharchitect.com/

For additional information, please contact:
Mumbai, Jan 3 : Varun Dhawan has revealed his characters inspiration in the upcoming dance movie "Street Dancer 3D". The actor took to Instagram to talk about late social media star Danish, who has inspired Varuns character Sahej.

The actor shared a photo of the late Danish along with a picture of himself to show the similarity of look. In the post, Varun also tagged his stylist Aalim Hakim who created his look for the film, and gave credit to director Remo D'Souza for suggesting the get-up.

Varun captioned: "The handsome DANISH was the inspiration for SAHEJ's look in #streetdancer. Danish is no more and is in a better place but is loved by so many so I thought I should share this so people should know that he even inspired us. @remodsouza sir suggested this look and @aalimhakim bhai executed it superbly. Love and respect #danish".

Celebrity makeup artist Shaan Muttathil commented on Varun Dhawan's post to express how much he was touched by the actor's tribute to Danish. Shaan and Danish were close friends.

Image Source: IANS News

Shaan commented: "Wooooowwwww .... danish was a close friend of mine and he always used to tell me that he wants to collab in Bollywood with u and jacksy ... danish is a icon ... the 1st social media star India had .... a boy who would work so hard and he was not like as who had tons of help around. His hard work made him India's 1st social media icon ... he always used to say #legendsneverdie and he was true. This means a lot to@his friends and fans and specially his family. This is a beautiful tribute for his hard work and passion. Danish we miss u man and this made all #fambruh happy. More power to u Varun for doing this. It's to his hard work and passion. I have never seen work harder than him. Trust me." Directed by Remo D'Souza, "Street Dancer 3D" is slated to hit theatres on January 24. The film also stars Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhu Deva and Nora Fatehi.

-- Syndicated from IANS
The energy ministers of Greece, Israel and Cyprus  Kostis Hatzidakis, Yuval Steinitz and Yiorgos Lakkotrypis  signed the final agreement on the pipeline at a ceremony in Athens.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday signed a deal to build a 1,900 km (1,180 mile) subsea pipeline to carry natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean's rapidly developing gas fields to Europe.

Although Turkey opposes the project, the countries aim to reach a final investment decision by 2022 and have the pipeline completed by 2025 to help Europe diversify its energy resources, Reuters wrote.

European governments and Israel last year agreed to proceed with the so-called EastMed project, a $6 to $7 billion pipeline project that is expected initially to carry 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year from Israeli and Cypriot waters to the Greek island of Crete, on to the Greek mainland and into Europe's gas network via Italy.

The energy ministers of Greece, Israel and Cyprus  Kostis Hatzidakis, Yuval Steinitz and Yiorgos Lakkotrypis  signed the final agreement on the pipeline at a ceremony in Athens.

Read alsoTurkStream starts pumping Russian gas to Bulgaria, bypassing Ukraine

Last month a Turkish official said there was no need to build the EastMed pipeline because the trans-Anatolian pipeline already existed.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said any project that ignored the rights of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots over natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean would fail.

"The most economical and secure route to utilize the natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean and deliver them to consumption markets in Europe, including our country, is Turkey," he said in a statement on Thursday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal was not turning against any country.

"It (the agreement) ... supports a common aim for peace, security and stability in the particularly vulnerable region of the Eastern Mediterranean," Anastasiades said.

The region lacks significant oil and gas infrastructure and political relations between the countries  including Cyprus, Greece, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria  are strained on a number of fronts.

The signing of the EastMed pipeline comes weeks after Turkey and Libya struck an accord on sea boundaries in the Mediterranean, a move which Greece, Cyprus and Israel opposed.

Analysts say that pact could present a barrier to the proposed pipeline which would have to cross the planned Turkey-Libya economic zone.

"If Turkey would be interested, the door is open," Israel's Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz told Reuters.

"We are ready to discuss some kind of cooperation, energy cooperation, also with the Turks. We are not against the Turks but we are very much in favor of the EastMed gas pipeline project," he said.

The pipeline project is owned by IGI Poseidon, a joint venture between Greek gas firm DEPA and Italian energy group Edison.

DEPA on Thursday signed a letter of intent with Energean, a gas producer with a focus on the Eastern Mediterranean, to buy two billion cubic meters of gas annually from Energean's gas fields off Israel via the planned pipeline.

Greece has said the agreement will be concluded once Italy signs off on it too.
Rome's city council has banned souvenir stalls from around the Trevi Fountain and other major tourist attractions in the Italian capital, reports The Guardian, which quotes a note published by city authorities.

Since January 1, 2020, souvenir stands in the Piazza Navona, the Piazza di Spagna, and around the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain have been outlawed. As a concession, some of the trinket vendors may be allowed to hawk their wares in adjacent streets. The new policy is backed by the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, who describes it as a necessary measure to preserve "decorum, security and legality" in the historic center of the Eternal City. The 17 stands that will be affected by the ban mainly sell souvenirs like key fobs in the shape of the Colosseum, but some of them also deal in other objects like Donald Trump figurines, which have no relation to Rome.

In its quest for "decorum," Rome's city council has already made it illegal to consume street food in the vicinity of the city's monuments, and to walk around bare-chested. And of course, high jinx like jumping into a fountain in the Piazza di Spagna or anywhere else in the city are now subject to a fine of up to 450 euros.
What is common to the following- Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computational Biology, Electrical Systems, Cryptocurrency (leveraging blockchain technology and cryptography), Internet of things (IOT), Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality?

Other than they being cutting edge technologies and/or tech applications, what is common across them is that those are some of the areas that students of SRM University-AP work on as part of the Next Tech Lab that is present in the university.

What is Next Tech Lab?

Next Tech Lab is a first-of-its-kind, student-run, multi-disciplinary lab by SRM University. SRM offers a rich selection of graduate and undergraduate programmes in Engineering, Liberal Arts and Business Management.It is housed at two locations: SRM University- AP and SRM IST. The NextTechlab has a board of advisors that includes professors and researchers from academia and industry. The organisations they have been part of include MIT, Google, Cambridge University, Harvard University etc.

The Next Tech Lab was first started at the SRM University in the town of Kattankulathur, in the Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu, close to Chennai and it has proven itself to be a very successful student-led innovation.

A feather in the cap of SRM University was when Next Tech Lab became the only organisation from India to participate in and win the QS Reimagine Education 2018 award for its work in pioneering the student-led innovation lab model in India. This prestigious award was presented to the student founders of Next Tech Lab by Nunzio Quacquarelli at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School.

How is Next Tech Lab different from labs present in other colleges in India?

The other interesting aspect of Next Tech Lab is that it is a student led initiative and has no faculty in charge of it. It is heartening to see students take the lead in exploring these technologies of the future by working on prototypes that use these bleeding edge technologies.

The Next Tech Lab also allows students to work on projects that use multiple technologies thus mimicking how technology is used in the real world, as opposed to theoretical experience that is usually limited to one technological discipline only,e.g.- a college course will only focus on machine learning (ML) so that the student understands the fundamentals of machine learning, but may not allow a student to work on, say, a crypto application that uses ML to detect fraud. Next Tech Lab is able to bridge that gap between only theoretical knowledge and practical work experience.

How did Next Tech Lab come into existence?

Some students from SRM University had gone to the USA for their internship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA. While at MIT, Anshuman Pandey and Adithya Ramakrishnan were very intrigued by the deep research culture followed there by the students. They were inspired by a conversation with Ghanaian diplomat and former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan about his hope for a reverse braindrain for developing countries. A few months later, Anshuman and Adithya penned down the initial concept of Next Tech Lab for the Indian academic environment.

What are some of the activities that students at Next Tech Lab have participated in?

Students who are a part of the Next Tech Lab in SRM University-AP have participated in numerous hackathons and research activities. Students from SRM University have also won hackathons (best way to showcase your tech and coding credentials), have published an article in top journals, prototyped interesting ideas and receiving guidance and various validations from the top professors in the world.

Next Tech Lab encourages students to participate in conferences and technical seminars around the world. Here are some of the past conferences and seminars that SRM University students participated in:

Student Members from Next Tech Labs Pauch, Extended Reality Lab attended the India HCI 2019 Conference held at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad on the 3rd & 4th of November 2019. The students projects were shown under the category of Late Breaking Workat the prestigious conference.

In May 2019, SRM University student and Next Tech Lab member,Aakanksha Chouhan, gave atalk at the PyCon Italia conference in Florence, Italy.

In March 2019, student members of the Next Tech Labhad been invited to participate in the 'TensorFlowDevSummit' at Google, USA. This two day conference had technical discussions, product demos, and deep conversations with the TensorFlow team and extended community.

Student members interacted with Mr Rajat Monga, who is the Director of TensorFlow, Mr Francois Cholletthe Creator of Keras and Mr Jeremy Howard, Founder at fast.ai among many other highly distinguished experts.

The Next Tech Lab at the SRM AP University provides an extensive platform for students of technology to deeply learn and widely research their ideas. If the ideas are found feasible, then the students can also implement them and gain practical experience that helps them in their technical careers or their further studiesin their chosen technical fields.

Author Bio:

I am Surbhi, in my twenties and based in Hyderabad, India, with interests across industries. Writing for me, I believe, relieves stress, helps me concentrate better, and let me reinvent myself. Over the past decade, I have written for big publications such as ElephantJournal, yoganonymous, SiteProNews, Jewellerista etc. Since completing my higher education, I am exploring more in business-related topics of start-ups. Diversity across various categories helps broadens my vision and make me learn more about my writing.
The Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, which is undergoing rehabilitation, will be back in operation before Easter, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said.

Mr Sirika gave this assurance on Wednesday while he was inspecting the rehabilitation of the airports runway.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had announced the closure of the airport, which is the only international airport in the South-east region, in order to reconstruct its runway.

December 2019 was earlier set as deadline for the completion of the repairs.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved N10 billion special intervention fund about eight weeks after the airport was closed.

Assurances

According to a release by the Director, Public Affairs of the ministry, James Odaudu, the minister was joined on the inspection by the Enugu State Deputy Governor, Cecilia Ezeilo; Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Musa Hassan; the Managing Director of FAAN, Rabiu Yadudu, and others.

The minister, while interacting with reporters after the inspection, expressed satisfaction with the extent of work done so far.

I am very satisfied with the level of work done. According to the programme of work approved and established by us, we are beating the deadline. We will deliver the runway before Easter, he reportedly said.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika at the launch of Nigeria Air

He promised that the airport will have all the modern facilities and equipment to enhance safe flight operations.

The runway when completed will have other equipment such as the instrument landing system, airfield lighting, taxiway lighting and every single equipment and system that will enhance safe flight operations, Mr Sirika said.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ezeilo stressed the importance of the airport to the people of the South-east and beyond.

She said that the state government remains committed to the timely completion of the project.
Indiana's population grew from an estimated 6,695,497 residents in 2018 to an estimated 6,732,219 people last year.

The Hoosier state's population grew by 37,722 people or about 0.54%.

It continued an ongoing trend of slow population growth in Indiana that's been mainly concentrated in the Indianapolis area in recent years.

Indiana ranks 17th nationwide in population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Neighboring Illinois's population fell from 12.72 million in 2018 to 12.67 million in 2019. The Land of Lincoln shrunk by 51,250 residents, or 0.4%, which was the second biggest population loss nationwide after only New York state. Michigan saw a slight population increase of more than 2,700 residents to more than 9.9 million.

The latest Census figure numbers released this week are just estimates. The federal agency will do a formal headcount of all U.S. residents in 2020, which it is required to do every 10 years by the constitution.

Indiana had about 6.48 million residents the last time a Census was done, in 2010.
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A dad-of-three captured this mesmerising natural phenomenon of 'ice pancakes' across a river - which were so thick he was able to use one as a coaster for his can of Irn Bru.

Gamekeeper Peter McKinney was out on the job last month in Dunearn, Nairnshire, Scotland, when he stumbled across the unique spectacle of about 30 'glowing in the sun'.

While the 51-year-old said ice pancakes do sometimes form in the right conditions, these ones were 'extra large' and each about the size of a large pizza.

Gamekeeper Peter McKinney placed a can of Irn-Bru on one of the ice pancakes at Dunearn in Nairnshire, Scotland

The 51-year-old (pictured) said ice pancakes do sometimes form in the right conditions, these ones were 'extra large' and each about the size of a large pizza

Peter, from Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland, even balanced a can of Irn-Bru on one of the pancakes to show off just how big they were - prompting one person on Facebook to brand them giant 'coasters'.

Peter said: 'Now and again you get ice pancakes in the right conditions. These are extra large ones, they were the size of a big pizza.

'I would say it's rare. I've been working in the country for 35 years and it's the first I've seen them like that.

'They just stuck out. The sun was hitting them and they just stuck out in that different shape. And the way they were glowing in the sun gave them a different feel.

Ice pancakes form on rivers in cold conditions when foam is sucked into a swirling current of water and freezes into a circle

Peter, from Nairn, Nairnshire, Scotland, even balanced a can of Irn-Bru on one of the pancakes to show off just how big they were

'Sometimes they're stuck together but these ones are all floating loosely so it must have been perfect conditions for them.

'The Irn-Bru can was just for scale to show the size of them. It adds a wee bit of colour to the photo too.'

Ice pancakes form on rivers in cold conditions when foam is sucked into a swirling current of water and freezes into a circle, according to the Met Office.

These ones had formed on Tomlachlan Burn, a tributary of the River Findhorn.

Peter said: 'I would say it's rare. I've been working in the country for 35 years and it's the first I've seen them like that'

The ice pancakes pictured in Scotland by Mr McKinney had formed on Tomlachlan Burn, a tributary of the River Findhorn

Peter said: 'It's a strange shape to happen in nature, a circular shape. It's not something you see very often. Not a lot of people have ever seen them.

'You get them in running water in a river or small river. It's the way the water runs and it comes back on itself and goes around in a circle.

'From the churning water you get foam and scum and whatnot and that just forms a circle.

'I take a lot of photos and I like looking back on them - it just takes you back to that day [and] it's one of those ones. It's something to show other people. I like to share them.'
Researchers from Nizhny Novgorod and Ghent have proposed new approaches to enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy and preventing the development of new tumors in the body

The world scientific community is waging a difficult and prolonged war on cancer. New research in the field of immunogenic cell death can extend the area of drugs application and ensure patients' protection from relapse after therapy.

Cancer treatment is not just the removal of the tumor cells from the body, and chemotherapy. The doctors' aim is to provide a scenario that would prevent tumor cells from proliferating and causing a new disease.

For many years, scientists at the Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod and the University of Ghent (Belgium) have been engaged in research aimed to minimize the harm to the body after cancer treatment and have been looking for new approaches to treating cancer patients.

The project, supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation and headed by Dmitry Krys'ko, leading researcher of the Lobachevsky University's Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, professor at Ghent University, has yielded its first major results.

According to Professor Dmitry Krys'ko, the existing anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, radiation therapy and photodynamic therapy) causes great damage to the body as a whole, while his team's research is aimed at the stimulation of immunogenic cell death, which not only minimizes the damage, but also enhances the efficacy of treatment by involving the body's resources in the fight against cancer.

"In this study, we tested some drugs for anticancer therapy based on photodynamic treatment and investigated their new immunogenic properties. We can say that not only the external impact will be used to fight cancer, but also the body itself will engage in the fight by triggering the reactions of the adaptive immune response.

The concept of immunogenic cell death (ICD) includes a programmed death of cancer cells with subsequent release of molecules that give a danger signal to the immune system. We tested the drugs that are already used in cancer therapy, and enhanced the action of these agents," said Professor Krys'ko.

The study employed a number of methods and approaches that were used in in vitro and in vivo experiments. At the laboratories of Lobachevsky University and the University of Ghent, researchers studied how substances accumulate in the cell, analyzed cell death types when cells were exposed to photosensitizers, and revealed molecular mechanisms of the phenomena that occur to the cells in the process of their death.

"In this study, we examined the cellular-level response of dendritic cells (immune system components) in their interaction with cancer cells that were exposed to photodynamic therapy (PDT) and proved that photodynamic therapy can activate the body's own immune response," said Victoria Turubanova, research assistant of the Department of General and Medical Genetics at the UNN Institute of Biology and Biomedicine.

The researchers have examined additional aspects of the use of existing drugs for developing new cancer protocols based on the stimulation of the immune system. Such variants of therapy reduce the risk of metastasis and enhance the effectiveness of the patient's recovery.

A series of experiments on laboratory mice was performed, resulting in an important conclusion that the cellular vaccine prepared from dying cancer cells protects the mouse from cancer by preventing tumor development in the body.

Based on the results obtained, the researchers have published their article Immunogenic cell death induced by a new photodynamic therapy based on Photosens and Photodithazine in the BMC Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (with the impact factor of 8.67), which describes new variants of photosensitizers that cause immunogenic cell death of cancer cells.

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Pixel 4

Google did not release the Pixel 4 in India, primarily due to the tech behind Motion Sense  Project Soli. While the Google flagship for 2019 did not hit the Indian shores, fans can hope for the Pixel 4as launch in India, heres why.

A modern design language

Our colleagues and other people, in general, often complained that the Pixel 3a doesnt look like a Rs 40,000 smartphone. Recently, image renders of Pixel 4a were uploaded online by a credible tipster. These images reveal what is an altogether a smartphone that looks very up-to-date. And the first-look itself gives us some hope that the Pixel 4a is coming to India.

The Pixel 4a will reportedly feature a marginally bigger 5.7 or a 5.8-inch display. But thats not the reason why we say it looks up-to-date. According to the leaked renders, Google would opt for a punch-hole display that would be placed on the top-left corner. This also means that there wouldnt be thick bezels above and below the display, unlike the Pixel 3a (Review) that came with a chunky head and chin bezel.

The absence of these bezels also hints the absence of the Project Soli chip used for Motion sense, one of the primary reasons why the Pixel 4 did not come to India.

The ace camera of the Pixel 4

One of the few things we really loved about the Pixel 3a (Review) is its camera. The more-affordable and watered-down Pixel 3a came with the same camera found on its premium sibling. The leaked renders show that Google Pixel 4a will have the same camera module design as the Pixel 4, but will house a single lens.

Keeping in mind what Google did last year, we can expect the Pixel 4a to feature a 12.2MP single rear camera sensor. The camera, in combination with Googles bag of tricks on the software front, can click amazing pictures. Maybe thats what the a in Pixel 3a and Pixel 4a stands for - amazing.

Better battery life

Amongst the list of complaints made by Pixel 4 users online is the battery life. The smaller Pixel 4 comes with a 2,800 mAh battery, whereas the taller Pixel 4 XL gets a 3,800 mAh battery. Since Pixel 4 did not come to India, we cannot test the claim. However, considering Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processors power requirements, it is safe to say that the Pixel 4 would struggle to stay up for even a complete workday.

The Pixel 4a is likely to get powered by a Snapdragon 730 or the latest Snapdragon 765 processor in the unlikely event of getting support for 5G. Snapdragon 7xx series is known to offer a balance between performance and battery life. During our Pixel 3a review, we had a similar experience when it came to battery life with the Snapdragon 670 and a 3,000 mAh battery.

So when is the Pixel 4a launching?

There isnt an exact date yet for the Pixel 4a launch. However, we can expect Google to launch the Pixel 4a in May or June when the company hosts the Google I/O conference. Based on these initial leaks, we cross our fingers and speculate that the Pixel 4a will come to India following the US launch.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives the chairmanship gavel from his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha at the closing ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in November last year. (Photo: vietnamfinance.vn)

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs raising of the ASEAN gavel at the 35th ASEAN Summit in November last year signalled not only Vietnams commencement as chair of the regional grouping, but also the start of a critically definitive period for its foreign policy, said The Interpreter of the Lowy Institute, Australia, in a story.



2020 is set to be a busy year for Vietnam, with several force multipliers for its foreign policy, it said.

Beyond its chairmanship of ASEANs Vision 2020 goals - predominantly stability in the region - Hanoi will also balance a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. While such diplomatic responsibilities come with significant pressure, the opportune timing provides Hanoi a chance to engage the international community in its maritime security interests.

The US-based Wilson Center said over the past few years, Vietnams foreign policy has been in focus due to Hanois increasing activism on a range of issues ranging, particularly UN peacekeeping.

2020 will be a big year that spotlights that, with Vietnam holding a couple of prominent regional and international positions amid a challenging geopolitical environment, it added.

Thailands Bangkok Post run a recent story titled Vietnam is powering full steam towards the future, saying Vietnam is ready to showcase itself after more than 30 years of reform.

Meanwhile, Indonesias Kompas quoted an expert as saying Vietnam selecting Cohesive and Responsive as the theme for its ASEAN Chairmanship this year shows that the country will focus on strengthening the regional bloc to be able to actively respond to challenges in the new era.

Choi Shing Kwok, Director of the Singapore-based Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), said the assumption of a non-permanent UNSC member gives Vietnam an opportunity to showcase its leadership globally and at the same time, benefits ASEAN.

Also from the ISEAS, Dr. Hoang Thi Ha said this years ASEAN Chairmanship theme reflects Vietnams top priority today to make ASEAN an united bloc with coordinated stance and actions to address common challenges, including traditional and non-traditional security issues.

As a non-permanent UNSC member, Vietnam will be able to connect ASEANs priorities with the global agendas, particularly in applying international law and multilateral mechanisms to promote peace and resolve disputes, Ha said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups 10 member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.
Dells XPS 13, the laptop that kicked off the narrow-bezel revolution, takes it to another level by getting, well, even narrower bezels.

Dell found the extra real estate by eliminating the bottom bezel, the last area of unused space in the laptops display area. Claiming that space also meant Dell could jettison the 16:9 widescreen of prior generations, an aspect ratio thats better for watching movies than doing real work. The 16:10 aspect ratio on the 2020 Dell XPS 13 9300 is similar to that on the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 7390, and it offers a bit more room for scrolling spreadsheets and big documents.

Dell Its all screen on the new 2020 XPS 13 9300.

Thats not the only big change. Dells early 2020, XPS 13 9300 moves to Intels newest 10th-generation, 10nm Core i7-1065G7 Ice Lake CPU, adds an infrared Windows Hello camera, and uses a standard M.2 SSD.

Yes, if youre the kind of person who got triggered when Dells much-lauded XPS 13 2-in-1 went to an Apple-style soldered-in SSD, you can release your caps lock key now. This SSD is upgradable. We even asked Dell to crack open a unit so we could take photographic proof. We didnt go so far as to remove the copper heat spreader on the M.2 drive, but if you think the picture is FAKE! we probably cant convince you the Earth is round, either.

Gordon Mah Ung Dell sticks with a standard M.2 SSD (under the copper heat spreader) and conventional dual-fan and thick heat pipe in the early 2020 Dell XPS 13 9300.

Just above the M.2 drive is the heat pipe along with the dual fans, all of which appears to be a complete redesign. Looking at the Dell XPS 13 9370 (below), first introduced at CES in 2018, you can see the big change: The older one uses two pipes, running in the same direction.

Dan Masaoka The older XPS 13 9380 featured a heat pipe all on the same side cooled by two fans.

Dell didnt get into performance of the newest XPS 13, but the new cooling design should help dissipate heat more evenly, rather than concentrating it all in one place under the keyboard.

Speaking of the keyboard, Dell went with a standard rubber dome design this time around, rather than the love-it-or-hate-it Maglev II keyboard of the XPS 13 2-in-1 7390. The keyboard is a redesign from the previous model, and it stretches all the way to the edges of the frame.

Dell The keyboard is a standard dome keyboard with 1mm of travel.

No more 6-core?

Of course, the obvious change by moving to Intels actual 10nm 10th gen is the loss of two cores. The Core i7-1065G7 tops out at a quad-core chip, whereas the previous Core i7-10710U in the XPS 13 7390 had six cores, albeit using the older 14nm architecture. Thats likely to result in a step back in CPU performance under heavy multi-threading tests, but a significant step up in graphics performance, as weve already seen in the XPS 13 2-in-1 7390.

Some will likely bemoan the CPU performance hit, but the 6-core Comet Lake U was always in a bit of an odd space. You got great multi-threaded performance, but just good-enough integrated graphics. For many users of a laptop this small and light, the balance of good quad-core performance with good graphics performance likely makes more sense. Oh, and if youre still confused, weve spelled out here which 10th-gen Intel Core CPU to buy, in an easy-to-digest fashion.

Dell looks like it wants to get back into top contention for battery life as the company says the laptop will hit 19 hours of run time with its 52-watt-hour battery and an FHD+ screen (19201200, vs. the standard FHD 19201080 in the previous model). Dell offers three panel options: A 500 nit FHD+ without touch, a 500 nit FHD+ with touch, and a 500 nit 4K Ultra HD+ panel, which translates into 38402400 resolution.

Dell

The rest of the XPS 13 9300 should be pretty familiar. The largest M.2 SSD you can get is 2TB, there are two Thunderbolt 3 ports, an analog audio port, and a microSD reader. Thanks to the Ice Lake U chip, the memory moves to faster LPDDR4X/3733, with up to 32GB available by this February.

The XPS 13 is due to ship January 7 in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Switzerland, with other geographies coming in February. Dells starting price for the XPS 13 will be $1,000US. A Linux-based Developers Edition will be available in the United States, Canada, and a few European countries starting February 4, for $1,200US and up.
Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Friday slammed the Opposition parties for supporting the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) protests and said they should in fact be proud that the country is supporting the persecuted people from neighbouring nations.

"It is unfortunate that they are protesting against the Act which has been passed by the Parliament. They should be proud that we are helping the minorities who were persecuted in their countries. They are trying to obstruct a big mission. India is a sea of humanity and everyone must respect and welcome the decision," he said while speaking to ANI.

Naqvi's statement comes just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit out at the Congress for opposing the newly-enacted law and for not speaking against Pakistan during the anti-CAA protests.

The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An additional 22 firefighters will be deployed from New Zealand to help tackle Australia's bushfire crisis, Jacinda Ardern has announced.

The New Zealand prime minister confirmed the move on Friday, as clouds of smoke from fires burning across Australia's east crossed the Tasman Sea and reached the South Island.

Ms Ardern shared a photo of hazy skies over New Zealand as she vowed to help Australia during its calamitous bushfire season that has so far claimed the lives of at least 18 people and has destroyed millions of hectares.

'It's been devastating to watch from afar, I can only imagine what it feels like to experience it directly,' she said in a Facebook post on Friday.

'I've been in contact with the Australian PM again this week to share our support and to offer whatever we can to help.

'Australia stood by us through some horrific moments in 2019, and we're here to do the same.'

Jacinda Ardern announced an additional 22 firefighters will be deployed from New Zealand to help tackle Australia's bushfire crisis

The prime minister shared a photo of hazy skies seen from across the ditch as she vowed to stand by Australia during its worst bushfire season

Ms Ardern said she has been in contact with Scott Morrison to 'offer whatever we can to help'

Ms Ardern said the new team of firefighters will join the ongoing rotation of more than 150 New Zealanders who have been working at the fire fronts since October.

The move was met with praise on social media as hundreds of Australians thanked the prime minister for her efforts.

'Thank you for your leadership and compassion; we look across the ditch with immense PM envy,' one woman said.

'Thank you Jacinda. Whilst you are there send over some leadership advice to our PM who is in great need on learning how to respond to a country in a crisis. We all wish we had a leader like you in Oz,' another added.

The announcement came as Prime Minister Scott Morrison continued to face backlash over how he's handled the crisis.

Mr Morrison was heavily criticised before Christmas when he took a Hawaiian holiday as bushfires ravaged the country.

Australians praised the PM for her efforts as Scott Morrison continues to face backlash for his handling of the crisis

One image showed a Queenstown lake just 24 hours before the smoke rolled in with picturesque blue skies

Images taken in places such as Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin, Wanaka and Otago showed an orange haze over the South Island. Pictured: Glendhu Bay

Wind has pushed smoke from the New South Wales and Victorian bushfires 2,000 kilometres across the Tasman to cover New Zealand's South Island. Pictured: Otago

On Thursday, he was forced to flee a NSW town destroyed by bushfires after furious residents hurled abuse at him during a visit.

The PM had visited the rural town of Cobargo, in New South Wales, where a father and son died during devastating fires on New Year's Eve.

He was told he 'should be ashamed of himself' while others called him 'Scum-mo' for 'leaving the country to burn'.



Australia on fire: Bushfires continue to ravage NSW and Victoria. Pictured: Fires burn between the townships of Bemm River and Cann River in eastern Gippsland on January 2

A stunning aerial photo captured massive clouds of smoke rising from wildfires burning in East Gippsland, Victoria on Thursday

One woman refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters.

'I'm only shaking your hand if you give more funding to our RFS,' the woman said.

Instead, Mr Morrison picked up her hand and shook it himself, before moving on to speak to another local person.

'So many people have lost their homes,' the woman said while holding back tears.

She was consoled by another man as the PM walked away. She shouted after him saying: 'We need more help.'

Meanwhile, an 'unprecedented' state of disaster was declared in Victoria giving the government special powers - used for the first time ever - to impose forced evacuations and give emergency services the right to take over properties.

One local refused to shake his hand until the PM offered more support to volunteer firefighters

Cobargo in New South Wales (pictured) has been ravaged by bushfires, turning the once quiet country town into a wasteland

It came as neighbouring New South Wales announced a week-long state of emergency as soaring temperatures up to 46C are expected to spark even more devastating bushfires which have already killed 18 people.

New Zealand's South Island settlements were left in a haze on Wednesday after wind pushed smoke from the NSW and Victorian bushfires 2,000 kilometres across the Tasman.

One image contrasted a picture of a Queenstown lake just 24 hours before the smoke rolled in with another from Wednesday that obscured the mountains and made it impossible to see the skyline.

A satellite image showed the entire South Island covered in smoke and spreading to the west coast of the North Island.

Images taken in places such as Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin, Wanaka and Otago showed a thick haze filling the skies.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India organised a training programme for Afghan officials in order to apprise them of its Aadhaar initiative. The exercise aims to improve Kabuls efforts for creating a framework of population register. Afghan officials visited the office of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to study the Aadhaar initiative.

The Registrar General and Census Commissioner and the UIDAI organised the capacity building programme for the Afghanistan Central Civil Registration Authority (ACCRA). A programme from December 23 to 30 in Delhi was followed by a field visit to Chandigarh. The Afghan officials were given hands on experience with a live demonstration of various processes involving the registration of birth

and deaths.

They were explained methodology of Census enumeration. The programme elements included a study of system of registration of births and deaths, vital statistics and indicators system. Between November 13 and 17, a capacity building programme was organised for Afghan officials by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).India has a range of training and scholarship programme for Afghans, including under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC).
General Qasem Soleimani, the powerful commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, was killed in a precision US air strike in Iraq ordered by President Donald Trump, the Pentagon announced on Friday, dramatically escalating tensions in the strategic Gulf region.

General Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite al-Quds force and architect of its regional security apparatus, was killed following a US airstrike at Baghdad's international airport on Friday. The strike also killed the deputy chief of Iraq's powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.

The Pentagon confirmed the death of Soleimani, 62, in Iraq, saying the strike was carried out at the direction of Trump.

"At the direction of the president, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation, the Pentagon said.

Following Soleimani's death, President Trump, now on vacation in Florida, did not comment immediately, except for tweeting an image of the US flag.

The strike comes days after Trump threatened Tehran after Iraqi supporters of pro-Iranian regime factions laid siege to the US embassy in Baghdad, following deadly American air strikes on a hardline Hashed faction.

The Pentagon alleged that the strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans.

"General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. General Soleimani and his Quds Force were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American and coalition service members and the wounding of thousands more, it alleged.

It said that Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the last several months - including the attack on December 27 - culminating in the death and wounding of additional American and Iraqi personnel.

General Soleimani also approved the attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad that took place this week, it said.

The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world, it said.

Reacting to Soleimani's death, Iran said the country and the "free nations of the region" will take revenge on the United States.

"There is no doubt that the great nation of Iran and the other free nations of the region will take revenge for this gruesome crime from criminal America," President Hasan Rouhani said, referring to Iran's allies across the Middle East.

Soleimani's "martyrdom ... by the aggressor and criminal America has saddened the heart of the nation of Iran and all the nations of the region," he said in a statement posted on the Iranian government website.

His death had "redoubled the determination of the nation of Iran and other free nations to stand against America's bullying and defend Islamic values", he said.

Trump's decision was supported by his former Cabinet colleague, Indian American Nikki Haley, the former US Ambassador to the United Nations.

Qasem Soleimani was an arch terrorist with American blood on his hands. His demise should be applauded by all who seek peace and justice. Proud of President Trump for doing the strong and right thing, she tweeted.

The defensive actions the US has taken against #Iran & its proxies are consistent with clear warnings they have received, Senator Marco Rubio said in a tweet. They chose to ignore these warnings because they believed @POTUS was constrained from acting by our domestic political divisions. They badly miscalculated, he said.

In a statement, Defence Priorities Senior Fellow Lt. Col (rtd) Daniel L. Davis, alleged that Soleimani had a lot of blood on his hands.

"Following this latest action, every possible precaution should be taken to safeguard US military forces in Iraq, Syria, and throughout the region, who remain vulnerable to retaliatory strikes. The best way to keep US forces safe is to remove them from the region, he said.

Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Congratulated Trump on his decisive action and the successful outcome.

Qasem Suleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and his death presents an opportunity for Iraq to determine its own future free from Iranian control, Risch said.

As I have previously warned the Iranian government, they should not mistake our reasonable restraint in response to their previous attacks as weakness. The U.S. will always vigorously defend our interests and allies in the face of terrorist conduct and provocations, Risch said.

Ties between the US and Iran have deteriorated since Washington pulled out of the landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2018. It then reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran, aiming to choke off its oil exports.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For decades, American men over the age of 18 have gone through the ritual of registering with the government in case of a military draft. In recent years, this action has felt more like going through the motions, simply checking a box.

But on Friday, after a United States drone strike in Iraq killed Irans top security and intelligence commander, prompting concerns about the possibility of a new war in the Middle East, that oft-forgotten paperwork became a reason for spiking anxiety among many Americans.

World War III started trending on social media. Young men suddenly recalled registering after their 18th birthdays, many having done so while applying for college financial aid. One Twitter user posted that he had blocked the account of the United States Army, with the (faulty) reasoning that: They cant draft you if they cant see you.
US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on Friday that Iraqis are celebrating the death of top Iran commander Qasem Soleimani by dancing in streets.

Iraqis - Iraqis - dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more, Secretary Pompeo said while sharing a video of people holding a rally.

Iraqis  Iraqis  dancing in the street for freedom; thankful that General Soleimani is no more. pic.twitter.com/huFcae3ap4  Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 3, 2020

Watch | Soleimani killing: Iraqis dancing in the streets, says Mike Pompeo

In the 22-second video which Pompeo shared on Twitter, people are seen running on a road carrying a several meter-long Iraq national flag. The video is of some unspecified location in Iraq.

The United States killed Irans top general and the architect of Tehrans proxy wars in the Middle East in an airstrike at Baghdads international airport early on Friday.

The Pentagon said that US President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, who died in Baghdad in a decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad.

The US Defence Department said it killed Soleimani because he was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region. It also accused Soleimani of approving the attacks on the US Embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

Following Soleimanis death, Trump tweeted an image of the US flag without any further explanation.

The strike, which occurred at Baghdads international airport on Friday in Iraq, also killed the deputy chief of Iraqs powerful Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary force.
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total December sales of 26,491 vehicles, an increase of 2.4 percent compared to December 2018. With 25 selling days in December, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 6.5 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

For the year, sales totaled 278,552 vehicles, a decrease of 7.2 percent compared to 2018. There were 307 selling days in 2019, versus 307 in 2018, resulting in a calendar year DSR decrease of 7.2 percent.

Sales Highlights

Sales of Mazda's crossovers, including the CX-3, CX-30, CX-5 and CX-9, increased 19.9 percent in December with 21,247 vehicles sold. In 2019, Mazda crossover sales reached 198,534 vehicles, an increase of 1.4 percent compared to 2018.

The CX-5 saw its best year with 154,545 vehicles sold, an increase of 2.6 percent compared to 2018. December sales reached 15,734 vehicles, an increase of 14.5 percent.

December sales of the CX-9 increased 13.9 percent with 3,236 vehicles sold.

December sales of the CX-3 increased 23.2 percent with 1,409 vehicles sold.

Sales of the all-new CX-30, which launced in November, reached 868.

CPO sales totaled 4,795 vehicles in December, an increase of 9.2 percent compared to December 2018 .

. In 2019, CPO sales increased 15.8 percent, with 61,090 vehicles sold.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported December sales of 5,906 vehicles, a decrease of 2.5 percent compared to last year. In 2019, sales reached 60,081 vehicles, an increase of 3.4 percent compared to 2018.

2019 was an exciting year for Mazda, with many developments in North America. Major announcements included:

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.

Follow MNAO's social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/MazdaUSA.

























Month-To-Date

Year-To-Date

























December December YOY % % MTD

December December YOY % % MTD



2019 2018 Change DSR

2019 2018 Change DSR























Mazda3 3,175 5,277 (39.8)% (37.4)%

50,741 64,638 (21.5)% (21.5)%

Mazda6 1,630 2,357 (30.8)% (28.1)%

21,524 30,938 (30.4)% (30.4)%

MX-5 Miata 439 511 (14.1)% (10.7)%

7,753 8,971 (13.6)% (13.6)%

CX-3 1,409 1,144 23.2% 28.1%

16,229 16,899 (4.0)% (4.0)%

CX-30 868 0





899 0





CX-5 15,734 13,741 14.5% 19.1%

154,545 150,622 2.6% 2.6%

CX-9 3,236 2,840 13.9% 18.5%

26,861 28,257 (4.9)% (4.9)%













































CARS 5,244 8,145 (35.6)% (33.0)%

80,018 104,547 (23.5)% (23.5)%

TRUCKS 21,247 17,725 19.9% 24.7%

198,534 195,778 1.4% 1.4%























TOTAL 26,491 25,870 2.4% 6.5%

278,552 300,325 (7.2)% (7.2)%













































*Selling Days 25 26





307 307





























SOURCE Mazda North American Operations

Related Links

http://www.mazdausa.com


Hero MotoCorp said it sold 424,845 units of two-wheelers in December 2019, as compared to 453,985 units in the corresponding month of the previous year (December 2018), a decline of 6.42%. In the first three quarters of the Financial Year 2020 the company sold 50,75,208 units of motorcycle and scooters compared to 60,39,585 units.

Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) said that it has recorded a fair value gain of Rs 9,020 crore from Gruh Finance and Bandhan Bank merger. Income from dividend was at Rs 4 crore in December 2019 quarter compared to Rs 2 crore in December 2018 quarter. During the quarter, HFDC assigned loans amounting to Rs 4,258 crore compared to Rs 6,959 crore in December 2018 quarter.

JSW Energy said the company entered into an agreement with Jaiprakash Power Ventures (JPVL) to re-structure the principal outstanding amount of Rs 751.77 crore, owed by JPVL to the company. According to the agreement, Rs 351.77 crore will be converted into equity shares of JPVL. Out of the balance outstanding principal amount of Rs 400 crore, Rs 280 crore to be written off and Rs 120 crore will continue as debt to be paid by JPVL.

RITES said it has secured a major work of project Management Consultancy from the Government of Bangladesh amounting to $ 14.01 Million (Rs 99.94 crore) in relation to 4 laning of National Highway in Bangladesh. RITES is a lead partner in the JV arrangement and will receive $ 10.88 Million (Rs 77.57 crore) out of the total consultancy fee of $ 14.01 Million (Rs 99.94 crore). Amount is inclusive of taxes.

Natco Pharma announced its submission of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the generic version of Lonsurf (Trifluridine/ Tipiracil) tablets (15mg/6.14mg and 20mg/8.19mg). NATCO believes that it is one of the first ANDA filers for the product and could be eligible for 180 days exclusivity under certain circumstances.

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Lani Elizabeth Taylor (pictured) was arrested on Thursday after authorities discovered her grandmother's dogs dead on December 3

A Texas woman tasked with watching her grandmother's dogs while she battled cancer has been arrested for allegedly starving the animals to death and leaving their bodies inside a garage for two weeks.

Lani Elizabeth Taylor, 22, was arrested by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office after authorities spent the month of December tracking her down.

She has been charged with cruelty to non-livestock animals, which carries a fine of $10,000 fine and up to two years in jail.

Authorities responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Firwick Drive, where they discovered two dead dogs inside wire kennels in the home's garage,' My San Antonio reported.

A veterinarian who performed necropsies on the dogs determined that they 'suffered severely until they passed.'

The dogs had allegedly been left without food, water, attracted flea dirt and had badly overgrown nails.

A police affidavit says the canines had been dead for about two weeks before officers found them.

Taylor was reportedly watching her grandmother's dogs while the woman was in hospice care for cancer

'Based on the photos of the scene there was no food or water present, but also no feces/urine in the kennels where the canines were found. Trapped canines will ingest their own feces/urine in order to survive for as long as possible to survive,' the veterinarian said.

It was later learned that Taylor's grandmother asked the young woman to watch the dogs, find them a new home or surrender them to a shelter while she underwent cancer treatment in hospice.

Taylor is being held in jail and her bail has been set for $10,000.

DailyMail.com has contacted the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and the suspect's family for further comment.
After bad weather prevented flights, Russian aircraft have struck positions in Idleb controlled by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham writes Al-Masdar.

The Russian Air Force unleashed a powerful attack this afternoon on jihadist supply hubs in the southeastern countryside of Idleb province.

According to a military source in Hama province, the Russian Air Force carried out heavy strikes on the front-line town of Babuline, which is used by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to launch attacks against the positions of the Syrian Arab Army in al-Tah.

The source said the Russian Air Force was retaliating against Tahrir al-Sham and their allies for their attack on Syrian Arab Army positions in al-Tah earlier today.

The Russian Air Force is also carrying sorties over the al-Ghab Plain and southern countryside of Idleb, as they resume their aerial campaign.

Earlier this week, the Russian and Syrian air forces were grounded due to the poor weather conditions in northwestern Syria.

According to reports from Idleb, the jihadist rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took advantage of the poor weather conditions to move reinforcements into the area to retake the sites they lost to the Syrian Army.

The jihadists conducted their first counter-offensive of 2020 on Thursday, as they attempted to capture the town of al-Tah; they were repelled by the Syrian army.

This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Liberals and the media (but I repeat myself) are falling all over themselves attacking President Trumps decision to take out Qassem Soleimani, defaulting to all the old cliches that this is a wag-the-dog move to distract from impeachment, a dangerous escalation in the Middle East, and an illegal military action. This last point receives an effective smackdown from David Frencha leading Never-Trumperover on Twitter. (Short version: Trumps action was entirely lawful in service of defending American troops placed in Iraq by the Obama-Biden administration. Heh.)

The claim that Trump is eager for war as a political boost for the upcoming election is entirely wrong-headeda real blast from the liberal past. One of the biggest threats to Trumps re-election is a major war overseas, especially in the Middle East. There is good evidence that Trump attracted a non-trivial number of votes in those key upper-midwestern states from war-weary independent voters who responded to Trumps criticism of our military commitments and conflicts in the Middle East. I have written previously on this point, and referenced a good academic paper based on survey data entitled Battlefield Casualties and Ballot Box Defeat: Did the Bush-Obama Wars Cost Clinton the White House?, highlighting in particular this part of the authors conclusion:

There are many implications of our findings, but none as important as what this means for Trumps foreign policy. If Trump wants to win again in 2020, his electoral fate may well rest on the administrations approach to the human costs of war.

To be sure, Irans theocratic hostility to America, and de facto state of war against us, goes back 40 years, but Irans provocations of the last yearattacking shipping in the Persian Gulf, attacking a major Saudi oil field, shooting down an American droneshould be understood as acts intended to draw armed response from the U.S., and thereby weaken Trumps political base here at home. Think of these escalations as the Iranian equivalent of the Viet Congs Tet Offensive in 1968, which finished off Lyndon Johnsons prospects for re-election. In other words, Irans grand strategy right now amounts to an attempt at election interference. Russia must be envious.

Remember that Trump called off a retaliatory strike after Irans downing of our drone aircraft last year. Trump cited the potential Iranian casualties as a principal reason for calling off the strike, drawing a lot of criticism from all sides that his weakness would embolden Iran. This week Trump has made clear he means his red linedirect harm to American lives will be met forcefully. Iran will surely respond in the coming weeks or months, but Trump has shown he is no Carter or Obama. The risks are undeniable, but Trump has made it clear to Iran that the costs of its provocation have ratcheted to a new level. As a New York real estate man might put, it, I just raised the rent. I expect a fellow named Kim Jong Un may be taking notice, and hoping for rent control.

Meanwhile, sit back and watch liberals make fools of themselves. Like Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who offers these two contrasting tweets on what a difference two days makes (these are in Scotts roundup below, but deserve a special callout):

This one is pretty good, too:

And then of course theres Hollywood, which never disappoints:
Samsung shipped more than 6.7 million of its 5G smartphones in 2019  making up more than half of the global market for 5G phones.

The 6.7 million total exceeds the expectations of the company, which originally predicted its 5G smartphones sales to reach 4 million by the end of the year.

Samsung accounted for around 54 per cent of the global 5G smartphone market as of November, according to data from Counterpoint Research.

This far outstripped its rivals - in part due to the large range of handsets available, but also because its main rival in smartphones, Apple, is yet to release a 5G device.

The South Korean tech giant has a range of five Galaxy 5G devices globally, the Galaxy S10 5G, Note 10 5G, Note 10+ 5G, Galaxy A90 5G and Galaxy Fold 5G.

The Galaxy S10 5G (pictured) was released in time for the switch-on of 5G networks last year and has proved a hit with consumers as Samsung accounted for around 54 per cent of the global 5G smartphone market as of November

The company had sold two million 5G smartphones in September, meaning the Korean tech giant has sold around a further 4.7 units in the last five months.

'For Samsung, 2020 will be the year of Galaxy 5G and we are excited to bring 5G to even more device categories and introduce people to mobile experiences they never thought possible,' said TM Roh, President and Head of Research and Development at IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics.

'Consumers can't wait to experience 5G and we are proud to offer a diverse portfolio of devices that deliver the best 5G experience possible.'

At IFA 2019 in September, Samsung said it had sold two million 5G smartphones since the first went to market in May, and predicted sales of its next-gen network devices to reach 4 million by the end of 2019.

5G smartphones made up just one per cent of global smartphone sales in 2019, according to Counterpoint Research.

'In both South Korea and the US, Samsung is only challenged for market share supremacy by Apple, and as Apple has yet to launch any 5G products, Samsung has had few challengers,' Peter Richardson, research director at Counterpoint Research, told MailOnline.

'Most 5G smartphones will have been bought by tech pioneers and early adopters and 2020 will see broader network rollouts and a much bigger range of smartphones at more affordable prices,' he said.

'These will include Apple iPhones, though likely not before September or October. This will likely mean that the market share landscape will be different a year from now.'

Samsung has five 5G phones on the market, including the Note 10 5G and larger Note 10+ (above)

While Samsung took 53.9 per cent 5G device market share as of November, Huawei was in second position with 19.3 per cent share, despite the trade ban with the US.

LG was in third position with 10.6 per cent market share, while Chinese vendors Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi and OnePlus have also achieved reasonable sales, Counterpoint Research said.

5G smartphone sales are poised to grow nearly 17 times over in 2020, according to the firm, to account for 18 per cent of total 5G smartphone sales volume.

The Galaxy A90 5G is Samsung's 5G offering in the more affordable Galaxy A range, at just over 600

Samsung has worked closely with telecommunications carriers to roll-out the next generation network and provided network equipment for the world's first 5G commercial service in Korea, which went live last April.

In May, the company was the first in the world to launch a 5G smartphone - the Galaxy S10 5G - in time for the UK's first 5G network, which was switched on by EE the same month.

The phone offers internet speeds to that allow users to download films in less than a second, as well as new VR capabilities, depth-sensing and four cameras.

Samsung now is offering consumers five 5G devices globally  the Galaxy S10 5G, the Note 10 5G and the Note 10+ 5G, as well as the Galaxy A90 5G and the Galaxy Fold 5G  the company's first foldable smartphone.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S6 5G, which will be available in the first quarter of this year, is set to be the world's first 5G tablet.

5G is expected to be up to 1,000 times faster than the currently used network standard, 4G

Samsung's collapsible Galaxy Fold is also 5G-ready and retails for around 1,800

The Galaxy Fold has reportedly sold more than one million units since September as of last month, marking a major turnaround after well-documented flaws with the device's design

The Galaxy Fold, which costs an eye-watering 1,800, folds down the centre, allowing users to switch from a 4.6-inch display on the outside to a 7.3-inch display on the inside once unfolded.

The much-anticipated device was released in September following technical troubles that held up its worldwide launch, including reports of broken displays after only a few days of use.

Samsung President Young Sohn told press last month that the company had sold one million Galaxy Fold units since its release in September.

However, the company later backtracked on this claim, saying Sohn confused the tech giant's initial sales target with actual figures.
Three Katyusha rockets have hit Baghdad International Airport, killing four people, according to the Iraqi military.

The missiles landed near the air cargo terminal, setting several cars on fire, early on Friday morning.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile the Iraqi Shia Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said in a post on Facebook that its director of public relations had been killed in what it described as cowardly U.S. bombing.

It comes a week after a US contractor was killed by a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base near Kirkuk.

Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Show all 17 1 /17 Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi protesters take cover behind a barricade on Al-Jumhuriya Bridge during an anti-government demonstration in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on 25 October, 2019. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Protesters push down concrete walls during a protest over corruption, lack of jobs, and poor services, in Baghdad. Reuters Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Anti-government protesters try to break into the provincial council building during a demonstration in Basra. AP Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi women protesters march with national flags during an anti-government demonstration in the central holy shrine city of Najaf. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire An Iraqi protester uses a mobile phone to take a selfie photo with an army soldier standing atop a humvee during a demonstration outside the local government headquarters in the southern city of Basra. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi protesters gather during an anti-government demonstration at the burning local government headquarters in Nasiriyah, the capital of Iraq's southern province of Dhi Qar. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi protesters wave a national flag as they stand atop the gatehouse to the local government headquarters in the southern city of Basra. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire An Iraqi protester throws back a tear gas canister fired by security forces amid clashes during an anti-government demonstration in Baghdad. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi protesters carry away an injured protester following clashes during an anti-government demonstration in Baghdad. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi security forces stand guard on Al-Jumhuriya Bridge during an anti-government demonstration in Baghdad. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Anti-government protesters gather in Tahrir Square during a demonstration in central Baghdad. AP Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire The burning local government headquarters in Nasiriyah, the capital of Iraq's southern province of Dhi Qar. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Protesters take cover behind a concrete barricade during a demonstration in Baghdad. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi paramedics help injured protesters in Baghdad. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Iraqi protesters gather in Baghdad. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire An Iraqi protester takes cover between concrete barricades in Baghdad. AFP/Getty Iraq protests: Death toll soars as live rounds and tear gasfire Protesters take cover from teargas canisters fired by security forces in Baghdad. AFP/Getty

The US claimed Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Iraqi Shia militia, was responsible and carried out airstrikes on the groups bases in retaliation.

Then on Tuesday the militias supporters stormed the US embassy compound in Baghdad and set it on fire.

Recommended Ambassador and staff evacuated as Iraq protesters attack US embassy

The latest rocket attacks took place shortly after defence secretary Mark Esper issued a warning to Iran and its proxy militias.

We will not accept continued attacks against our personnel and forces in the region, he said in a statement.

Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing. We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities.

Kataib Hezbollah is regarded by the US as a terrorist group despite being part of Iraqs state-sponsored PMF.

Additional reporting by agencies
The troupe has returned to producing live plays on its Mainstage, and will start 2022 with the classic "Murder on the Orient Express."
SlumberPod co-founders and mother-daughter team, Lou Childs and Katy Mallory will appear on the Sunday, January 5, episode of Shark Tank (airing on ABC at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT) , where they will pitch their "game-changing" solution for stress-free travel with little ones.

"The idea for SlumberPod came from many sleepless nights while visiting family or staying in a hotel with our first daughter," said Katy Mallory, co-founder of SlumberPod. "She was a great sleeper at home, but when we were in the same room together, she'd see us across the room and be up all night. It was miserable." Afterward, Mallory searched for a product that would help and didn't find anything that fit the bill.

While doing market research, co-founders Mallory and Childs found that many babies and toddlers have struggled to sleep well when sharing the room with others  especially when out of their normal routine, such as when traveling. SlumberPod is also a great solution for naps in bright or unfamiliar places.

Founded in 2016, SlumberPod began selling in July 2018 via a successful Kickstarter campaign that exceeded its goal by 9 times, and since then has helped more than 10,000 families travel with less stress and more rest.

"In order to rest well while traveling, parents are resorting to shelling out additional money for an adjoining hotel room or suite, hiding out in the hallway or on the balcony while their baby goes to sleep, cobbling together unsafe sleep nooks or putting their baby in the bathroom," said Childs. "While staying with family, it can be disruptive to everyone when a little one wants to 'party in the middle of the night' after seeing others in the room."

"Not only are we providing a product that we believe will help countless families, but it's been an absolute dream come true to be part of this Shark Tank experience with my mom, and pitch to an audience of successful business icons," Mallory shared. "It was exciting, nerve-wracking, and we can't wait for everyone to watch and see what happens!"

About SlumberPod

SlumberPod is a patent-pending, quick-assembly privacy pod that helps babies/toddlers get a good night's sleep  especially important when traveling and sharing a room with others (e.g., hotel room), and allows families to continue enjoying their vacations after the little one goes to sleep. Compatible with standard playards, mini-cribs and select toddler cots/inflatable mattresses, SlumberPod gives families years of use.

SlumberPod is a Georgia-based juvenile products brand created by a mother-daughter team. They believe traveling with young children can be less stressful and more restful with the right gear and attitude. SlumberPod is available on Amazon, BuyBuyBaby.com, BedBathandBeyond.com, and is sold in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore from their website. For more about SlumberPod and their inventors' story, visit www.slumberpod.com .

Engage with SlumberPod on Facebook and follow the juvenile brand on Instagram , Twitter and YouTube for videos and product announcements.

SOURCE SlumberPod

Related Links

http://www.slumberpod.com


US lawmakers were not told in advance of the attack ordered by President Donald Trump that killed a top Iranian military commander, a senior House Democrat said late Thursday.

The strike conducted in Iraq against Iran's Qasem Soleimani "went forward with no notification or consultation with Congress," House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Eliot Engel said in a statement.

Soleimani was "the mastermind of immense violence" who has "the blood of Americans on his hands," the Democratic lawmaker said.

But "to push ahead with an action of this gravity without involving Congress raises serious legal problems and is an affront to Congress's powers as a coequal branch of government," Engel added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
* China consistently opposes the use of force in international relations, the country's foreign ministry said on Friday (January 3) when asked about the US killing of top Iranian general.

* France's embassy in Tehran on Friday urged its citizens in Iran to stay away from public gatherings after the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.

* Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday evening condemned Turkish parliament's approval of troop deployment in war-torn Libya. Earlier on Thursday, the Turkish parliament passed a motion authorizing the government to deploy troops in Libya for a year in support of the UN-backed government based in the capital Tripoli.

* The Cairo-based Arab League (AL) expressed on Thursday its rejection to the approval of the Turkish parliament to deploy troops in war-torn Libya. The pan-Arab body considered the move "promotion of the ongoing conflict" in Libya.

* Australian authorities have serious concerns for 28 people missing in the bushfire-affected East Gippsland in Victoria state on Friday. Authorities urged Australians on Friday to evacuate parts of the eastern states of Victoria and New South Wales to escape bushfires they fear are set to burn out of control this weekend.

* Bolivia's opposition-backed interim government on Thursday said it plans to send a high-level envoy to Madrid in a bid to strengthen ties after it expelled two Spanish diplomats earlier this week.

* Economic activity in Chile fell 3.3 percent in November compared to the same month of 2018, as widespread anti-government protests disrupted productivity, the Central Bank of Chile said Thursday.

* A Turkish airline's passenger plane TK45 en route from Cape Town to Istanbul made an emergency landing on Thursday evening in Johannesburg, South Africa, causing no injuries. The problem of the landing gear is currently under investigation by local engineers.

* United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday said at least 3,916 babies were born in Uganda on New Year's Day. The east African country's newborns accounted for approximately 1 percent of an estimated 392,078 babies born worldwide on New Year's Day, UNICEF said in a joint statement issued here.

* A Sudanese military plane crashed on Thursday shortly after taking off from El Geneina airport in West Darfur State, killing 18, said the army. The Antonov 12 plane "crashed five minutes after taking off from El Geneina airport" in the evening, said Amer Mohamed al-Hassan, spokesman of Sudanese army, in a statement.
CNBC's Jim Cramer said Friday he did not expect 2020 to "start off with such a bang." The major U.S. stock averages all fell less than 1% during the session after stocks were dragged down by the latest developments in the Middle East. Late Thursday, reports came out that Iranian military leader Gen. Qasem Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike in Baghdad. "The Iran situation has given us something new to worry about," the "Mad Money" host said, "but the economy remains strong, so strong that let's just try to stay opportunistic, please, as we head into the first full week of a fabulous new decade."

Monday: Iran response; manufacturing data

Stocks are likely to drop on Monday as investors anticipate Iran's retaliation to the airstrike President Donald Trump ordered that killed Iran's top military commander. The attack is a tipping point in increasing tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Oil prices spiked in Friday's session to their highest levels since April, but Cramer said there's not much Iran can do to disrupt the global oil supply because the U.S. is able to offset potential shortages. "While the averages could get hurt on Monday, I'm urging you please don't panic," he said. "No one ever made a dime panicking." Investors will get a read on the manufacturing economy when the Purchasing Managers' Index for December comes out. "I think we'll see a continuation of the same trend: decent growth," Cramer said, but "nothing too exciting."

Tuesday: Durable goods orders

The U.S. Census Bureau is out with durable goods orders, an economic indicator of the amount of business that domestic manufacturers are doing. "The biggest durable goods [are] airplanes, and the biggest airplane  in terms of sales  Boeing's 737 Max," Cramer said. "Now, we don't know if that plane will ever fly again ... and I think that might be the biggest problem in the economy."

Wednesday: Walgreens, Lennar, Constellation Brands, Bed Bath & Beyond earnings

Walgreens Boots Alliance reports first-quarter earnings from its 2020 fiscal year in the morning. The pharmacy is projected to deliver nearly $34.6 billion in sales and $1.41 in earnings per share, according to Factset. The company is losing market share because of competition from Amazon on the retail side and emerging ways consumers are buying drugs, Cramer noted. "You want pharmacy exposure? Go buy the higher-quality CVS, which has its own pharmacy benefit manager, Caremark, and its own health maintenance organization, Aetna," he said. Lennar, one of the largest U.S. homebuilders, releases its fourth-quarter results before the market opens. The company is expected to bring in almost $6.5 billion in sales and $1.90 of earnings per share. "This whole industry doesn't get enough respect," Cramer said. "Lennar's incredibly well-run with seemingly endless margin expansion, and I think it's in a great position now that millennials are finally starting to buy homes in large numbers." Constellation Brands reports third-quarter earnings for the 2020 fiscal year before the morning bell. The Corona maker is estimated to bring in $1.9 billion in revenue and produce $1.84 of profit per share. The company has been weighed down, however, by its $4 billion stake in Canopy Growth, which has taken a hit along with the rest of the cannabis industry. "I think this company is too good to be written off," Cramer said. "At some point the cannabis industry will be worth dominating, but that might not be very soon." Bed Bath & Beyond has an earnings release after the market closes. Analyst consensus estimates the embattled retailer will do $2.85 billion in business, while yielding 2 cents of earnings per share. The company is being led by former Target CEO Mark Tritton, who is trying to engineer a turnaround as activist investors look to revamp the stock's direction. "I'm inclined to be skeptical, too, although there are so many easy changes they could make," Cramer said, "and the balance sheet is so robust that the stock makes sense for speculation."

Friday: Jobs report

The U.S. Labor Department will reveal its non-farm payroll report for December, which could impact the market's direction. "Good or bad, I think the stock market will exaggerate either forecast. That said, if stocks run too much into the employment report and we get a strong number, expect the averages to get hit," creating a "buying opportunity."
We enter the 20s at a time when American power and influence continues to wane, Chinas is increasing and people all around the world are making clear that their voices need to be heard. Its times like these that call for farsighted leadership  for leaders with clear visions on where to take their countries, who can see problems and forge strategies and build coalitions ready to solve them, and who can bring along the people without whose consent and support they are bound to fail. The big unknown for 2020 and beyond is whether the major powers in the world will have the right caliber of leaders to help all of us succeed.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo woman accused of hitting her teenage son with a Chevy Tahoe in August said he made up the allegations.

My son was being spiteful. He was mad, Brittany Valencia Martin, 31, told jurors Thursday as testimony came to a close in her trial in Black Hawk County District Court.

Martin is charged with willful injury causing bodily injury and leaving the scene of an injury accident.

According to testimony, Martin had called police on her 16-year-old son Aug. 16 after he broke out windows at their Logan Avenue home and assaulted her fiance. Officers processed the teen at the police station, and then brought him home, which upset Martin, who wanted him detained, said Assistant County Attorney Charity Sullivan.

About five minutes after officers dropped off the teen, he began walking south on Logan Avenue, apparently headed for a relatives home, and Martin drove at him, striking him, Sullivan said. She yelled at him, told him she hoped he would die and drove off, prosecutors said.

Paramedics with Waterloo Fire Rescue were called and took him to UnityPoint-Allen Hospital for treatment.

Testimony began Tuesday, and prosecutors werent able to reach the son  who allegedly has been moving between Martins home and a relatives  to subpoena him to testify.

The state did present three witnesses who saw the crash. The witnesses said they didnt know Martin or her son but were able to identify her as the driver.

A medic who treated the son also testified the son told him his mother ran him over.

During trial Thursday, defense attorney Ray Walton attempted to introduce a written and notarized statement from the son in which he apparently said the accident didnt happen, but Judge George Stigler refused to let it go before the jury.

On the stand, Martin told jurors she and her elderly father were about to go to the casino when police came and dropped off her son. She said he began walking away, and she instead drove to an aunts house nearby and then returned home.

She denied striking her son, and she said he was mad because she had called police on him.

This here I did not do, she said. I knew that my son was full of B.S.  I told the officers I havent been in an accident. I havent done nothing.

Closing arguments in the case are expected to begin Friday.

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G eneral Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force, has been killed by US forces in Iraq.

The Pentagon confirmed he was killed "at the direction of the President".

It comes after reports of a strike at Baghdad's international airport, which is reported to have killed seven people.

General Soleimani was a major figure in the Iranian regime. His Quds force reported directly to the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A destroyed vehicle on fire following a US strike / IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

In the wake of the strike, global oil prices soared more than four per cent.

US President Donald Trump tweeted an image of the American flag after the news broke.

A Pentagon statement said: "At the direction of the President, the US military has taken decisive defensive action to protect US personnel abroad by killing Qasem Soleimani.

"This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans. The United States will continue to take all necessary action to protect our people and our interests wherever they are around the world."

It continued that General Soleimani had "orchestrated" attacks on coalition bases in Iraq over the past few months and approved the "attacks" on the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this week.

One US official told Reuters Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of Iran-backed militias known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), was also believed to have been killed in the strike, though he was not the primary target.

Supporters of Shia militia storm into US Embassy compound in Baghdad

The official said they were aware of the possibility of an Iranian response and US military officials were ready to defend themselves.

US Secretary of State Mike Popeo tweeted a video of what he said were "Iraqs dancing in the street for freedom", adding: "Thankful that General Soleimani is no more."

However, the move was condemned by Democrats, with Former US Vice President Joe Biden saying Mr Trump had "tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox".

"This is a hugely escalatory move in an already dangerous region... President Trump just tossed a stick of dynamite into a tinderbox, and he owes the American people an explanation of the strategy and plan to keep safe our troops and embassy personnel, our people and our interests, both here at home and abroad, and our partners throughout the region and beyond," he said.

US Senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren wrote: "Soleimani was a murderer, responsible for the deaths of thousands, including hundreds of Americans. But this reckless move escalates the situation with Iran and increases the likelihood of more deaths and new Middle East conflict. Our priority must be to avoid another costly war."

An adviser to Irans President Hassan Rouhani quickly warned President Trump of retaliation from Tehran.

Trump through his gamble has dragged the US into the most dangerous situation in the region, Hessameddin Ashena wrote on the social media app Telegram. Whoever put his foot beyond the red line should be ready to face its consequences.

A vehicle on fire outside Baghdad's international airport / IRAQI MILITARY/AFP via Getty Ima

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that a "harsh retaliation is waiting" for the US.

Iranian state TV carried a statement by Mr Khamenei also calling General Soleimani "the international face of resistance." He also declared three days of public mourning.

In a translated post on Twitter, former Revolutionary Guards chief Mohsen Rezai vowed "vigorous revenge" over the General Soleimani's death.

"Martyr Lieutenant General Qasem Suleimani joined his martyred brothers, but we will take vigorous revenge on America," Mr Rezaei, who is now the secretary of a powerful state body, said

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday the assassination was "an extremely dangerous and foolish escalation."

"The US bears responsibility for all consequences of its rogue adventurism," he said in a post on Twitter.

The strike is a potential turning point in the Middle East and is expected to draw severe retaliation from Iran and the forces it backs in the Middle East against Israel and American interests.

Iraqi security officials have said have said at least three Katyusha rockets were fired at the airport.

Iraqs security media cell, which releases information regarding Iraqi security, said the rockets landed near the cargo hall and added that two cars were on fire.

The nighttime attack occurred amid tensions with the US after an Iran-backed militia attacked the US Embassy in Baghdad.

US defence secretary Mark Esper said late on Thursday that the US would not accept attacks against its personnel in the region, blaming Iran for the violence at the embassy.
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Minister of Finance, Ardwell Irion reversed the decision taken by government several months ago to cease the acceptance of business and personal cheques, due to the number of returned cheques received by government.

In an effort to accommodate taxpayers and limit obstacles which will obstruct person and businesses from paying taxes owed, the Minister has retracted the decision not to accept cheques.





The ministry of finance is working on a solution.





Payment by cheque will not be accepted from persons or businesses with a track record of issuing bounced cheques.





The Minister urges taxpayers to use the online banking payment system to make their payments.




WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Authorities in eastern Poland say bird flu is responsible for the deaths of at least 25,000 turkeys in poultry farms near the country's borders with Ukraine and Belarus.

Polish veterinary authorities on Thursday were planning to cull tens of thousands of birds in the Lubartow area, a major poultry farming region. Police were blocking access to the affected area to non-residents.

The chief veterinarian for Lublin province, Pawel Piotrowski, confirmed that the deadly H5N8 virus was responsible for the turkey deaths in two farms in the village of Stary Uscimow, which lies 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the borders with Ukraine and Belarus.

It was not clear how the bird flu virus found its way to the farms.
Man struck and killed by train in the City of Shasta Lake

The Shasta County investigators have not released the identity of a man killed by a train on Thursday. Sheriff's investigators said it happened at about 8:30 a.m. near Boca Street and Black Canyon Road in the City of Shasta Lake. They said the man was caught walking on the tracks. The Union Pacific train was heading northbound near a residential area.

California homicide suspect arrested after manhunt at Tahoe

Deputies said a 20-year-old Amador County man murdered his own father. Now, he is waking up behind bars this Friday. Deputies arrested Sean Purdy in Incline Village on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Deputies said he had been spotted at a convenience store near the area. The Amador County Sheriff's Office said a neighbor saw Purdy leaving his family home, before finding a "large amount of blood" in and around the house.

Long term recovery group in need of caseworkers

The Camp Fire Long Term Recovery Group is in need of more caseworkers to help survivors. Organizers said low funding and resources from the state and federal levels are keeping them from meeting the demand in the county. There are eight disaster case management agencies and 37 case managers hired in Butte County, 12 of those are federally funded. Executive Director Matt Plotkin said an assessment will take place in the burn scar area to survey.

Contractors donate $225,000 to the Honey Run Covered Bridge Association

On Thursday, a big financial boost in the effort to rebuild the historic Honey Run Covered Bridge was announced. A group of contractors hired to clear fire debris, SPSG partners, donated more than $200,000 to the Honey Run Covered Bridge Association. Organizers said if they raise enough money, construction could start as soon as June. If you want to donate, CLICK HERE.

New Undersheriff announced for Shasta County Sheriff's Office

Shasta County has a new sheriff and a new Undersheriff. In one of his first orders of business, Sheriff Eric Magrini welcomed Jason Barnhart as his new undersheriff. Barnhart began his career in 1995 with the Plumas County Sheriff's Office and in 1999 was hired as a deputy with Shasta County. He was promoted to captain two years ago.

US citizens urged to depart Iraq after airstrike kills Iranian commander



Tensions are high in the Middle East today after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general in an airstrike. The attack follows violent anti-American protests at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad earlier this week. The pentagon said President Trump ordered the attack to protect U.S. personnel abroad. Republicans applauded the president's action and democrats said it risks escalating tensions.

All eyes on McConnell as Senate returns Friday

The U.S. Senate returns from its winter break Friday. Kicking off the second session of the 116th congress. Majority leader Mitch McConnell is expected to speak on the floor of the chamber and there's no doubt the focus will be on impeachment. No timeline has been set as to when an impeachment trial against President Trump will begin.

McConnell is still waiting for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to send the two articles of impeachment to the Senate.

Trump evangelical rally to be held at Miami megachurch

President Trump hits the campaign trail to pitch to his evangelical supporters today. The president is scheduled to travel to Miami from his Palm Beach home for the event. Its being held at King Jesus International Ministry, an evangelical megachurch. Polls show 81% of white evangelical Christians voted Trump into office four years ago.
Africans love traditional weddings, and the ceremonies are not only beautiful, but also a time to have a glimpse of the different wedding dress styles for ladies. Traditionally, the guests, bride, and bridesmaids were expected to adorn themselves with dignified wedding dress for women from a wide range of selections when attending a wedding occasion.

Traditional wedding dresses for women are relatively affordable and come in a variety of choice. Furthermore, the designs are attractive as compared to the less colorful western dresses. In essence, African dresses meant for weddings match the headpieces. At times, the groom may select and apparel that complements the brides dress.

African traditional dresses for wedding

Beautiful is an understatement for African wedding dresses; they often crown the mood of the big day and captivate each moment. The dresses not only come with variant colors, but they also blend neatly throughout each spectrum. Most of the wedding dress styles are made with spectacular prints. They feature colors like blue, mustard, purple, orange, and emerald. These dresses are exclusive because they come in varied boldness, texture, and print.

Why Ghanaian wedding dress styles are here to stay

Any lover of culture will fall in love with Ghanaian wedding styles. When describing Ghanaian wedding dresses and style, superb is the ultimate definition. Addition of the kente element is indescribable as it represents their diverse culture. When going for any of the ceremonies, anyone dressed in kente will always make a regal appearance. Unlike in the past, the new generation of Ghanaian brides is putting a lot of money and attention into the outfits used for traditional weddings.

Nigerian attires are taking the traditional weddings a notch higher

Any person who is versed with the Nigerians understands that their fashion trends are taking the world at a neck-breaking speed. Three types of weddings notably traditional weddings, court weddings, and church weddings are common in Nigeria. A majority of couples are likely to do all the three depending on their budget. If one decides to go with the three of them, a court wedding will be first, followed by a church wedding, and lastly, there will be the colorful traditional wedding ceremony. An ensemble of dancing styles, color, and music characterizes these occasions.

Nigeria has a variety of regions hence customs vary from one place to the next. Like in Western countries, they refer to the ceremony as an engagement party, where officials and elders invite the couple for negotiations, and introductions while drinking wine. During negotiations, there is presenting the dowry where items like textile, jeweler,shoes, and bags are given out. Later comes the festivities and miscellaneous as people get to know each other.

The Eastern part of Nigeria does it a little differently, where they incorporate some extra activities. Visiting elders from the grooms and brides side gather into a room for dowry negotiations. What follows is the presentation of gifts to the brides family. Later the bride and her girls are presented to the attending guests, the groom, and his family.

The most sought after Nigerian dress for wedding include:

Bella naija

Like all beautiful traditional wedding dresses in Nigeria, Bella Naija incorporates incomparable beauty in a wedding. This category is also used as an aso ebi attire.

Jewel by Lisa

Jewel by Lisa is an opulent dress with a taste of traditional and modern design. It was initially used to decorate Swarovski crystals, Ankara with sequins, and beads. This unique and elegant design is giving other designers a run for their money. You will find fashion-savvy individuals adorning the collection in weddings. Most Nigerians are going for them considering their distinct craftsmanship, quality, and attention to detail with each stitch.

Aso -ebi

Although designed as dress styles for wedding occasions, one can use an aso ebi for other significant events. It means uniformed solidarity dress, and one of the most valuable and oldest African attire in the continent. They appear as uniformed attires, and members of one family can grace special events and weddings in them.

Primarily, the attire helps guests to identify with the wife, groom, and celebrants family, and members of the same religious or social group associated with the chief celebrants. Secondly, it ensures continuity of the first clothing production, and lastly apart from Nigerians, all other Africans wear it.

Ankara

It is one of the most affordable African wears crafted by utilizing the techniques from Indonesia. Its tribal-like patterns display bright colors. Ankara's are the best since one can use it as everyday wear.

Asa -oke

Pronounced as ah-shaw-okay, it means top cloth. The skilled and professional Yoruba men found in Nigeria weave them. Mens asa oke dresses are called agbada, with each known according to its color. Etu is the dark blue asa oke, Alaari is the red ones, and Sanyan are usually brownish. Nigerian in the Southwestern part dress in them during their wedding functions. Asa oke dresses for women consist of four parts, the shawl or shoulder sash called iborun, the head tie called gele, the wrap skirt called iro, and the Yoruba blouse called buba.

How to get comfortable with ladies wedding shoes

When attending a wedding, it is imperative to pay careful attention to what is going on your feet. Ensure your choices of shoes are comfortable and can withhold the pressure of movement the whole day. If you choose small and very high shoes, you will have a terrible day as removing and putting them one is likely to hurt 20 times more. It is paramount for ladies fashion wedding outfits to standout and complements the occasion. One should not dress up in an overly avant-garde that will bring distractions to the bride.

Low back wedding dresses for ladies

Who says you cannot have a partly open dress on your big day? Fashion is changing daily, so are the wedding dresses. The low back trend is not only feminine and breezy, but they also bring out the youthful look, and they are becoming popular among brides. The style is beyond compare and the market being flooded with the chic fashion statement makes it simple for one to get their perfect fit. However when going for this attire, ensure you have the right undergarment, no one wants to be embarrassed on their big day!

When it comes to latest designs, trendsetters of fashion always want to be at bay with what suits them best. Designers, on the other hand, will never disappoint as they always deliver. They purposely put together the open back dress with intricate necklines, elegant fabrics, flattering silhouettes, and crystals for the product to come out sophisticated and classy. Having a low back gown brings out a laid-back atmosphere, and if well designed will add a traditional element to the whole affair. Whether you want formal or usual, there is always something for everyone. Below is some of the two in one wedding dress to look out for:

Source: Pinterest

Watters Inez wedding dress is the traditional open low back dress with its V-neckline. It is figure hugging, sleek with an airy skirt and flowing lace.

With a sheath silhouette and cowl neckline, the Maggie Sottero is the ultimate low back wedding dress. If you are in need of an open back with no idea of how to incorporate accessories, this specific dress will go a long way.

For a formal, dramatic, and glamorous gown, Mori Lee 2871 will give you the flare and fit you deserve. With the spaghetti straps and voluminous skirt, your guests will have nothing but the best to describe your big day.

Talk of the conservative lovers of the traditional option, the Allure 8965 wedding dress will unimaginably flatter your figure. Its cap sleeves, an illusion V-neckline leave the WOW factor in all its aspects while creating a modern outlook.

Source:Allure Bridals

For a breathtaking back and a more traditional perspective, the Casablanca 2185 will have you wanting for nothing, but the big day. It brings out a balance of the dramatic style along with the fit and flare silhouette, the high neckline, and lace fabric.

Ghanaian ttraditional wedding dress

Like their counterparts in West Africa, Ghanaians are embracing the African attire and designs during their big day. Some time back, the white wedding dress was fashionable, but from the look of things, Africans are going back to their roots. Ghana kente wedding dress cannot go unnoticed in most of the marriages happening presently.

Although white gowns still look elegant and sassy, Ghanaians have found a way to incorporate their African prints in most of their marriage ceremonies. The white wedding dress goes back in time probably 1406 when they were discovered. However, they became famous in 1840 when Queen Victoria of England got married to her cousin Prince Albert.

Just like the American weddings, Ghanaian weddings also symbolize a time of celebration love, and laughter. Above all, it is about two people who are making the most critical decision of sharing the rest of their lives together. It would not be complete without the vibrant colors and patterns associated with the occasion. Human beings and visuals have come a long way. Designers from Ghana have mastered a way of making beautiful prints from their traditional kente clothes, and if you thought you had seen it all, the best is yet to come.

On-lookers are drawn by the patterns, line, shape, and wax used to design the clothes. For men, the cloth is wrapped around their well-built bodies while draping over their shoulders to complete the desired look. Bringing out the West African pride can be depicted in each moment. Traditional Ghanaian wedding dress has a way of making the man brim with much confidence and honor.

For women, each piece is sewn together with attention to detail showing off their well-endowed feminine curves. It brings out the African Queen in them with so much sensuality and beauty.

The kente wedding dress is the Ghanaian ceremonial attire and is woven in a loom. Four-inch strips are articulately sewn together to make one large piece of cloth. Because of their intricate patterns and designs, no Ghanaian and if possible West Africans can miss out on a kente dress. The attires come in various designs, colors, and sizes and is won during significant religious and social functions such as a wedding.

READ ALSO: Ghanaian Traditional Wedding Dresses: Different Styles, Brands, Lengths, Ages and How to Wear Them

African wedding dress designers

Fashion is here to stay, and we need designers who can think out of the box. When it comes to curating unique dresses for the modern African woman they have mastered the art especially with the latest trends. In turn, this has enabled to cost of wedding dress in Ghana to be moderate. Some of the designers putting Africa at the top of the map include:

Yemi Osunkoya

Yemi Osunkoya is a UK-based Nigerian designer and founder of his fashion house Kosibah, which is a household name in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The fashion designer is renowned for his state of the art wedding dress styles for body types that no one would have imagined possible.

Shukri Hashi

Shukri Hashi Bridal is owned and headed by Somali-Britain designer Shukri Hashi, who makes bridal wedding gowns that are beyond comparison. She amalgamates gold silk, and red traditional Somali print textile referred to as Haadiyo Daaghan into very colorful dresses.

Martial Tapolo

The talented Cameroonian Haute fashion designer has graced some of the important fashion weeks in the world, notably, Black Fashion Week in Paris. He has been compared to some celebrity designers like Givenchy and Alexander McQueen. Each of his designs relates to his roots, and it can be seen deep in what he creates.

Mai Atafo

Upon successfully establishing a line of evening wear and mens suits, Mai Atafo opened his bridal line in 2011. Apart from his unique niche for highly acclaimed bridal design, she won the Nigerian Allure Style Icon award back in 2011. Anyone looking for elegant and timeless gowns for her wedding should look no further, Weddings By Mai will deliver.

Halima Gidado

She is the talented designer behind Abuja-based Brides and Babies Inc. She is the creative director and founder of this renowned house. They have gone a notch higher with their services as they also design clothes for babies. Looking for sultry mermaid dress or a classic ball gown, Halima Gidado will give you what suits your needs.

Gbemi Okunlola

She was named Londons youngest fashion designer when she was 11 years old. In 2011 she appeared in BBCs Young Apprentice show, making her a household name. She has won several awards including the 2009 Young Avant Garde design of the year award. In July 2015, she launched her bespoke bridal collection, and the rest has been history.

Amsale Aberra

The Ethiopian-American based designer saw the need for simpler wedding dresses, pushing her to launch her own bridal company. She sells her gowns in high-end department and boutiques such as Neiman Marcus and Fifth Avenue. She continues to be top in this highly competitive industry. She opened her flagship in New Yorks Madison Avenue in 1996.

David Tlale

The renowned designer has had the opportunity to grace almost all the premium fashion weeks fair globally. Known for both African print and black wedding gowns, the South African designer will go to all lengths to ensure his clients get nothing but the best. You can visit their store for all ladies fashion wedding outfits.

Brides by Nona

The Atlanta-based Nigerian designer is the founder of Brides by Nona. Nneka C. Alexander has made a name for herself for customized gowns. Her categories include Igbo traditional wedding dress, bridesmaids gowns, and evening wear.

If you are looking for a wedding dress in Ghana, these highly acclaimed designers will personalize what suits your needs best. Being the main celebrant means standing out on your big day, and turning as many heads as possible.

Wedding dress designers list

It is no surprise that wedding dresses are on high demanding considering the number of marriage ceremonies happening. This one time celebration makes each bride want to be seen since its one of those important dresses. From tulle or silk, A line or mermaid, a halter or sweetheart neckline, there is always a whole new world of fashion.

Recently engaged or hunting for a wedding dress, the following names for wedding dress designers should not miss on your list. With so many titles to choose from, you will get what suits your needs and at pocket-friendly rates.

Alicia Ruedas design is personalized with each bride in mind. The fabrics used are of high-quality making the celebrant comfortable during the occasion.

Alexandra Grecco-Talk of classic and ethereal, the hand-stitched crocheting and embroidery is ultimate for the perfect bride.

Any bride adorning Berta Bridal will turn heads the moment they walk down the aisle. Each stitch is meticulous making dresses the most enviable.

Charlotte Wilden Bride Collection pulls from an array of inspiration and styles including vintage, fairy tale, and bohemian. The collection is appropriate for a daring look.

Before establishing her own fashion house, Lili Hod was employed at Dior one of the famous studios, where she worked with John Galiano. Her exquisite dresses have details of French wedding dress designers. The gowns are a fusion chic, elegance, and timeless.

Another renowned designer Julio Vino has graced a variety of fashion houses with a combination of modern touch and classic style. She combines her decoration from Italy, India, and France.

The Ukrainian luxury designer of bridal gowns has made dresses, which are becoming popular worldwide with each new girl wanting to adorn her unique designs. The person no one other than Milla Nova who makes each bridal feel royal. Her dresses are nothing short of rich fabrics with Swarovski crystals, lace, gauze, beads, and embroidery.

Another brand with effortless and luxurious gowns is Grace loves Lace in Australia. With marvelously imagined silhouettes and European classes, elegance would be an understatement. Although handmade, the showcase passion and substance on every bride.

Madeline Garner with her brand Morilee cannot miss in this list. They pride themselves of having dresses for the modern bride and an extra wow factor. Big or small, this is the place for the appropriate wedding dress.

Looking for a couture designer? You should look no further other than Galia Lahav, who style is described as extravagant, lavish, and luxurious. She offers a variety of styles such as Italian lace, illusion backs, beaded details, intricate lace appliques, and cascading silk tulle skirts.

Because of her artistic approach, Berta Bridal founder managed to get fame fast in this highly competitive industry. With an airy and sophisticated design, one cannot ask for more. Most of her dresses have a transparent gauze and lace, with extreme elegance.

Talk of ethereal wedding dresses, Maggie Sotterro will have your needs sorted in a timely fashion.

Why the bride needs a party dress on her big day

When selecting your ideal evening dress, choose a gown that is consistent with your wedding theme and it should be comfortable. Be it a Ghana traditional wedding dress or their counterpart from the West, the dress needs to stand out. It will also be the perfect time to change into something lightweight after hoarding in a gown most of the day. Having a second dress also gives you the opportunity for true showmanship, and you will have no compromises with style.

In general, traditional wedding dress in Ghana although conservative, they are designed uniquely to provide a sleek appearance. In the African set up, most brides used the white trailing dress, but the former is being replaced. Africans are embracing their indigenous traditional wedding dresses. In Ghana for instance, most brides prefer their bridal team adorning the kente attires as a way of preserving their culture.

READ ALSO: Latest fashion dresses in Ghana 2020

Source: YEN.com.gh
While political leaders in Maharashtra were racing to the throne of the chief minister in November last year, the state recorded over 300 farmer suicides, The Times of India has reported.

The steep rise in the number of farmer suicide cases recorded in a month was a first in four years. The last time Maharashtra crossed 300 farmer suicides was in 2015, where such cases were registered in several months.

The rise in cases comes close on the heels of unseasonal rains lashing the state in October and destroying almost 70 percent of the Kharif crop.

According to the latest revenue department data, the number of farmer suicides rose by 61 percent in November, as compared to October, which recorded 186 cases.

The maximum cases were from drought-prone Marathwada, which saw 120 cases, followed by 112 cases in Vidarbha, which usually records the maximum number of farmer suicides.

These numbers have also led to increase in the cumulative figures of 11 months (January to November) of 2019, as compared to 2018. While 2019 saw a total of 2,532 farmer suicides in Maharashtra, 2018 was no better with 2,518.

As per the report, unseasonal rains in the state have hit about one crore farmers, approximately the population of Sweden. Of these, 44 lakh farmers are from Marathwada alone.

Taking cognizance of this, the government has disbursed over Rs 6,500 crore as compensation to affected farmers, officials told the newspaper. The newly-formed Maha Vikas Aghadi government also announced a loan waiver last month. In addition, loans worth Rs 18,000 crore were waved off for over 44 lakh farmers by the previous government.

However, experts have argued that loan waivers arent a long-term solution and that the government needs to make farming profitable for the farmers.

The cost of farming inputs and labour is so high that the farmer cannot survive a bad season. This is the main reason for suicides. Farmers need to be able to earn more through the sale of produce. The economics of farming are tilted against farmers, Vidarbha-based activist Vijay Jawandhia told the newspaper.
Tata Steel CEO and Managing Director T V Narendran has underscored the need for the government to focus on the "cost of business" as part of the Centre's efforts at improving the "ease of doing business", amid a slump in the price of steel.

He said that will give a fresh impetus to the manufacturing sector and make it more competitive.

"As the government has focused on ease of doing business, it should also focus on 'cost of business' to make industries, particularly the manufacturing sector, more competitive in the prevailing market.

"We have been controlling the cost of business inside the work but outside the plant, it is not in our hands but the central and state governments," he said on Wednesday.

He said such an initiative would certainly improve competitiveness of domestic industries, particularly the manufacturing units.

Referring to the steel sector, Narendran said that 2019 was a difficult year and Tata Steel was no exception.

Narendran, however, was optimistic that the demand for steel will go up.

"We have seen some signs of improvement in the last few months of 2019 which reflected in improved demand for steel...it shot up a bit and (we see) steel prices going up again."



He said steel prices had plunged by almost Rs 10,000 per tonne in the last six to eight months.

Narendran said despite the steel industry being under pressure, Tata Steel has not whittled down its expenditure on developing the steel city of Tatanagar.

Urging the inhabitants of the city to make "sacrifices" so the company is "sustainable, profitable and competitive", he expressed confidence that Tata Steel will improve its performance in the last quarter of the current fiscal as the "demand of steel is okay" now.

The January to June months would be favourable for the steel sector in view of activity in construction and infrastructure sectors, he said.

The period between April to October 2019 was the worst for the steel sector, but things started looking up from November.

"We are expecting to perform well in the last quarter of the current fiscal," he said, adding the government has also taken decisions like a cut in corporate taxes and announced large-scale investment in public infrastructure, measures that would likely boost the steel sector.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday said that about 1,500 people who came to India after facing religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan were living in Haryana, and they can now be given citizenship because of the new law.

"Around 1,500 people belonging to different minority communities of these three countries have been living in Haryana. Out of these 1,500, there is only one Muslim family," Khattar told reporters.

Khattar said these people, living at several places including Fatehabad and Rohtak districts, have applied for Indian citizenship. "Earlier there was no provision and but now they can be given citizenship."



The amended Citizenship Act seeks to provide citizenship to members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have entered India till December 31, 2014, following religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Khattar lashed out at the Congress party for spreading "misinformation" about the CAA, asserting the law was meant to give citizenship to people and not to take it away from them.

"Congress has been trying to create a misconception about the amended Citizenship Act, the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register among people for its vested interests, Khattar alleged.

He said the Congress was criticising the BJP "for the sake of criticism" and alleged that the opposition party was doing so for "vote-bank greed" as it had been turning irrelevant in the country.

He advised the opposition party to hold protest against Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who failed to protect their minorities.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- D-Link's new business networking solution, Nuclias Connect, is ready to solve the Wi-Fi problems that small and medium businesses face daily. Its latest offering reduces the complexity typically involved in setting up business and enterprise wireless connectivity for employees, guests, and contractors.

"One of the toughest challenges companies can face when setting up a network is knowing where to start. Some even use consumer mesh Wi-Fi systems for their offices," said Raman Bridwell, vice president, products and services at D-Link Systems. "Nuclias Connect takes away the complexity of buying and setting up servers while still providing businesses with the features they need, such as multiple SSIDs, VLAN configuration, administrative privileges, and more."

Launching this year, the Nuclias Connect solution joins a D-Link Nuclias business networking solution lineup that also features a lineup of cloud-managed switches and access points. Connect's on-premise solutions enable network administrators to manage all of their APs through free management software that easily installs and most modern computers or through an optional controller hub that includes the pre-installed software on it.

Additional network management tools and features include an array of reports, a single sign-on dashboard, captive portal, front desk ticket management, and payment gateway support.

Nuclias Connect Software Features

Free download

Windows and Linux Support

Manage up to 1000 APs

Free to download Nuclias Connect companion app for Android or iOS

Auto managed frequency bands and L2/L3 AP discovery

NAT Passthrough

Nuclias account Single Sign-On (SSO) for centralized management

Indoor and Outdoor Access Point Features

Dual-band throughput up to 1.2 Gbps

2x2 MU-MIMO with two spatial streams

1 x Gigabit LAN (supports PoE)

1 x RJ11 Phone line port

Power over Ethernet (PoE) 802.3af

Supports 16 SSIDs

Wall-mounted (Indoor Only)

Additional Outdoor Access Point Features

IP68 dust and waterproof certified housing

Resistant to temperatures between -30 and 60C

GORE-TEX Technology repels liquid water while allowing for heat and humidity dissipation

Pole-mounted

For a complete press kit, including specifications and images, please visit https://www.us.dlink.com/events.

Availability and Pricing

Nuclias Connect Hub (DNH-100), Q1 2020, $239.99

Nuclias Connect Indoor Access Point (DAP-3666), Q1 2020, $469.99

Nuclias Connect Outdoor Access Point (DAP-2620), Q1 2020, TBD

About D-Link

D-Link designs, develops, and manufactures award-winning products that connect businesses and services providers. It implements and supports unified network solutions that integrate switching, wireless, broadband, IP surveillance, and cloud-based network management. For more, visit us.dlink.com, or connect with D-Link through LinkedIn and D-Link's Business Blog.

D-Link, mydlink, and the D-Link logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of D-Link Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other third-party marks mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright  2020. D-Link. All Rights Reserved

SOURCE D-Link Systems, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.us.dlink.com


Dublin, Jan. 03, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "MVNO Market by Operational Model (Reseller, Service Operator, Full MVNO), Subscriber (Consumer, Enterprise), Organization Size (SMES, Large Enterprise), Business Model (Discount, Ethnic, Business), and Region - Global Forecast to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The MVNO Market is Projected to Grow from USD 64 Billion in 2019 to USD 89 Billion by 2024, at a CAGR of 6.8%.



Provision of demographic-related customer services and profit maximization opportunity for both MNOs AND MVNOs to drive the MNVO market



The major factors driving the growth of the MVNO market include provision of demographic-related customer services and profit maximization opportunity for both MNOs & MVNOs. The primary factor expected to hinder the growth of the MNVO is MNOs giving low priority to MNVO customers.



Service operator segment to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period



The service operator segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Within the service operator model, MVNOs have more control over customer-facing elements, which enable the model to integrate with its services and systems in a better way. The service operator nos have their own infrastructure which allows them to have complete control over their business and service offerings. The degree of control and flexibility an MVNO has will depend on which operating elements it controls.



However, under this model, host operators may impose some restrictions on what MVNOs can do in the retail environment. The service operator is one of the most popular models for new entrants. It enables MVNOs to start with a select set of operating elements and build their operations over a while



Consumer segment to lead the MNVO market in 2019



The consumer segment is projected to lead the MNVO market from 2019 to 2024. MVNO is a consumer-driven market, with more than 80% of the market covered by vendors who are consumer-based. Consumer is projected to be the dominant segment during the forecast period, due to the availability of MVNOs who provide customer-centric offerings, such as affordable data and voice plans and latest technologies. Currently, MVNOs are attracting more customers due to higher brand loyalty as compared to new mobile entrants. The differentiated services offered by consumer-based vendors have driven the growth of the MVNO market.



SMEs segment to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The SMEs segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The MNVOs generally targets SMEs, as large corporates are served more robustly by MNOs who have control over their networks and more reputability. This business model offers more bespoke services, such as security, roaming, and tracking, to SMEs in a shorter timeframe.



Asia Pacific (APAC) MNVO market to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period



The Asia Pacific (APAC) MNVO market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The APAC has always been an emerging region for the telecom industry. With a diversified geographic area and a high customer base, the region creates huge opportunities for MVNOs. As per the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), APAC has emerged as the largest marketplace for the telecom industry across the globe.



China and India are the world's largest marketplaces for the telecom industry in terms of network infrastructure capacity and end-user subscribers. In terms of mobile subscribers base, the region holds the most number of consumers as compared to the other areas and remains one of the fastest-growing markets by 2024 and beyond.

The area encompasses developed economies and developing economies, such as Australia, Singapore, China, India, New Zealand, and South Korea. In APAC, the organizations are rapidly adopting MVNOs for managing their network connectivity, IT services, data center, ISP, and unified communication. The advent of technologies, such as IoT and M2M, has been impacting the MVNO market. In-depth interviews were conducted with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), marketing directors, innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the MNVO market.

Key Topics Covered



1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights

4.1 Attractive Opportunities in the Market

4.2 Asia Pacific MVNO Market, By Subscriber and Country

4.3 MVNO Market: Major Countries



5 Market Overview and Industry Trends

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Market Dynamics

5.2.1 Drivers

5.2.1.1 Provision of Demographic-Related Customer Services

5.2.1.2 Profit Maximization Opportunity for Both MNOs and MVNOs

5.2.2 Restraints

5.2.2.1 MNOs Giving Low Priority to MVNO Customers

5.2.3 Opportunities

5.2.3.1 Adoption of IoT, M2M, and Byod By MVNOs to Attract New Customers

5.2.4 Challenges

5.2.4.1 Fragmented Nature of the Market

5.2.4.2 Stringent Government Rules and Regulations for Mnos and MVNOs

5.3 Regulatory Landscape

5.3.1 Federal Communications Commission

5.3.2 Office of Communications

5.3.3 Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

5.3.4 Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

5.3.5 Federal Telecommunications Institute



6 MVNO Market, By Operational Model

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Reseller

6.2.1 Reseller: Market Drivers

6.3 Service Operator

6.3.1 Service Operator: Market Drivers

6.4 Full MVNO

6.4.1 Full MVNO: Market Drivers



7 MVNO Market, By Subscriber

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Consumer

7.2.1 Consumer: Market Drivers

7.3 Enterprise

7.3.1 Enterprise: Market Drivers



8 MVNO Market By Business Model

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Discount

8.3 Specialist Data

8.4 Ethnic

8.5 Business

8.6 International/Roaming

8.7 Youth/Media

8.8 Bundled

8.9 Others



9 MVNO Market By Organization Size

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

9.2.1 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Market Drivers

9.3 Large Enterprises

9.3.1 Large Enterprises: Market Drivers



10 MVNO Market, By Region

10.1 Introduction

10.2 North America

10.2.1 United States

10.2.1.1 Demand for Flexible Data Packs and Affordable Mobile Services to Drive the Market in the US

10.2.2 Canada

10.2.2.1 Rising Adoption of the Innovative Delivery Method to Drive The Growth of Market in Canada

10.3 Europe

10.3.1 Germany

10.3.1.1 Multiple Applications of MVNOs in IoT and M2M to Drive The Growth of Market in Germany

10.3.2 United Kingdom

10.3.2.1 Mnos Creating MVNOs to Cater to New Customer Base

10.3.3 France

10.3.3.1 Support From Government and Demand for Wi-Fi Services to Drive The Growth of Market in France

10.3.4 Rest of Europe

10.4 Asia Pacific

10.4.1 China

10.4.1.1 Demand for Wi-Fi and an Affordable Internet Connection to Drive The Growth of MVNO Market in China

10.4.2 Japan

10.4.2.1 Technological Advancements and Developed Economy to Drive The Growth of Market in Japan

10.4.3 Australia and New Zealand

10.4.3.1 Service Differentiation By MVNOs to Drive the Growth of Market in ANZ

10.4.4 Rest of Asia Pacific

10.5 Middle East and Africa

10.5.1 Middle East

10.5.1.1 Price-Sensitive Strategy to Drive the Growth of Market in the Middle East

10.5.2 Africa

10.5.2.1 Business Transformations and Supportive Policies to Gain Market Traction

10.6 Latin America

10.6.1 Brazil

10.6.1.1 Increasing Adoption of Internet Connectivity By Enterprises to Drive the Growth of Market in Brazil

10.6.2 Mexico

10.6.2.1 Wireless Internet Connectivity Initiatives to Fuel the Growth of Market in Mexico

10.6.3 Rest of Latin America



11 Competitive Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Competitive Scenario

11.2.1 Partnerships

11.2.2 New Service Launches and Service Enhancements



12 Company Profiles

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Virgin Media Business (UK)

12.3 Dataxoom

12.4 Lebara

12.5 KDDI

12.6 Asahi Net

12.7 Virgin Mobile USA

12.8 Tracfone Wireless

12.9 Friendi Mobile

12.10 Boost Mobile

12.11 Lycamobile

12.12 Tesco Mobile

12.13 Postemobile

12.14 Airvoice Wireless

12.15 ASDA Mobile

12.16 Giffgaff

12.17 Kajeet

12.18 Voiceworks

12.19 Ting

12.20 Red Pocket Mobile

12.21 Consumer Cellular



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New York

Two years after a lack of funds halted construction of a marble-clad Greek Orthodox church at New York's World Trade Center site, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Greek Orthodox officials announced plans Thursday to resume construction with the goal of finishing the rebuilding by the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The completed St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, will welcome visitors from all faiths while also replacing an Orthodox church that was buried in the rubble of the trade center's south tower.

"This house of worship will serve as a reminder that our collective faith is something we can always count on to move past our painful memories and build a better tomorrow," Cuomo said in a statement.

Archbishop Elpidophoros, the head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, pledged that the rebuilt church will be "open to all women and men of goodwill who wish to honor the memory of all who perished on Sept. 11."

The cost estimate of the church just south of the rebuilt trade center's memorial pools has ballooned from $20 million when the design was announced in 2013 to $80 million, of which $40 million remains to be raised, said the Rev. Alex Kariotsos, vicar general of the archdiocese.

Construction company Skanska U.S.A. halted work on the church in December 2017 when the archdiocese ran out of money to complete the project.

The half-finished church has been covered in white tarp since then.

Kariotsos said archdiocesan officials expect construction to resume by early March.

"We have a full understanding of the cost and we have a construction manager named," he said. "We're going to be very transparent and accountable."

Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years.

The design for the church by Calatrava, also the architect responsible for the trade center's bird-shaped Oculus train hall, features a central dome flanked by towers like the two Byzantine shrines that inspired it, the Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Savior in Chora. The concrete structure will be sheathed in marble, and its dome will be lighted from the inside at night.

Officials with the archdiocese have acknowledged financial mismanagement during the tenure of the previous archbishop, Demetrios, who recently retired last year at age 91.

The new archbishop, Elpidophoros, said last June when he was installed as the first new leader in 20 years for the 1.5-million Greek Orthodox worshipers in the United States that completing the St. Nicholas shrine at the World Trade Center was his top priority.

Elpidophoros and Cuomo, a Democrat, said an independent 13-member board called Friends of St. Nicholas will lead the fundraising effort to complete construction. The board will be chaired by Greek-American businessman Dennis Mehiel, former chairman of New York's Battery Park City Authority.

Elpidophoros led a ceremony at the shuttered construction site on Dec. 6, St. Nicholas' feast day, calling the rebuilding of the church "the single most important public affirmation of our Orthodox faith in our American nation" since the late Archbishop Iakovos marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama in 1965.
Tokyoas oldest subway line got a brand-new station Friday in the tourism and nightlife hub of Shibuya, which is rapidly transforming ahead of the Olympics this summer.

The Ginza Lineas new Shibuya Station has a platform thatas twice as wide as before at 12 meters across, compared with some 6 meters for the former one, and a wavy roof shaped like the letter M that could become a new icon of the district.

A short distance away from the previous station, the new station is expected to make it easier for passengers to transfer to and from the capitalas busy Yamanote Line of East Japan Railway Co. and other train services.

aThe old station had challenges, including narrow entrance gates and platforms. We hope the new one will be loved as a safe and convenient station,a Tokyo Metro Co. President Akiyoshi Yamamura said at an opening ceremony as the first train departed the platform after 5 a.m. bound for Asakusa.

aWeall continue working on installing platform doors and restrooms at the new station to make it safe and convenient for users,a he said.

Tokyo Metro, which began the relocation work in February 2009, plans to equip the new station with elevators and platform safety gates in time for the Olympics and Paralympics.
PR-Inside.com: 2020-01-03 22:03:13

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 3, 2020 / Mota Ventures Corp. (CSE:MOTA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed a binding term sheet (the "Term Sheet") with Unified Funding LLC ("Unified") to acquire online distributor First Class CBD.Wyoming-based First Class CBD offers a CBD hemp-oil formula intended to provide users with the therapeutic benefits that hemp may offer. The hemp oil used in the product is derived from hemp grown and cultivated in the United States. The extraction process is designed to maintain all of the beneficial qualities that the hemp may offer. First Class CBD has a compelling range of products, which includes CBD oil drops, CBD gummies, CBD pain relief cream and CBD skin serum.First Class CBD is a leader in online CBD sales in North America, and in the calendar year to date Unified has generated revenue of approximately US$30,000,000 from the distribution of First Class CBD products. For more information on First Class CBD, readers are encouraged to review their website, www.firstclasscbd.com The First Class brand aligns with the Company's vision to promote health and wellness in the CBD space. The Company believes First Class CBDs significant online sales platform coupled with its existing distribution channels will help move the Company closer to its goal of becoming a global CBD distributor.Joel Shacker, CEO of the Company commented "First Class has demonstrated they are a leader in the U.S. CBD space through significant revenues and profitability. We believe this new acquisition will solidify us as one of the major cannabis companies in the CBD sector, and continue to allow us to execute on our plan of becoming a global CBD brand." The Term Sheet contemplates that the Company would acquire Unified's First Class CBD business. Total consideration for the acquisition is anticipated to be US$32,000,000 (the "Purchase Price"), of which US$3,000,000 will be payable in a series of payments over a six-month period, and the balance in common shares of the Company at an effective price of Cdn$0.80 per share. All securities issuable in connection with the acquisition will be subject to the terms of a thirty-six (36) month time-release pooling arrangement, as well as a claw-back arrangement in the event revenue generated by First Class CBD in the 2020 calendar year does not exceed US$28,000,000. Unified will also be entitled to a bonus payment in the event revenue and profitability of First Class CBD in the 2020 calendar year exceeds certain agreed upon thresholds.Completion of the acquisition of First Class CBD remains subject to finalization of a structure for the acquisition, giving consideration to appropriate tax and corporate factors, and the negotiation of definitive documentation in respect of the acquisition, which is expected to include an agreement by which Unified will continue to provide management and operational oversight for the business following closing. The acquisition cannot be completed until a structure and documentation have been finalized. The Company cautions that figures for revenue generated from the sale of First Class CBD products have not been audited, and are based on calculations prepared by management of Unified. Actual results may differ from those reported in this release once these figures have been audited.About Mota Ventures Corp.Mota Ventures is seeking to become a large-scale vertically integrated low-cost producer and exporter of the highest quality CBD products worldwide. The 2.5 hectare site located in Colombia has optimal year round growing conditions and access to all necessary infrastructure. The site is located approximately 2 hours outside of Bogota 20 minutes away from the free trade zone and 30 minutes away from the international airport. Phase one will consist of a state of the art 60,000 square foot greenhouse with the capacity to produce more than 14,000,000 grams per year along with build out of the Company's extraction facilities. The Company will focus on CBD extraction to produce pure raw CBD, with the goal to make value added CBD products and create its own brand to be sold internationally.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSMOTA VENTURES CORP.Joel ShackerChief Executive OfficerFor further information, readers are encouraged to contact Joel Shacker, Chief Executive Officer at +1.236.521.2177 or by email at IR@ motaventuresco.com or www.motaventuresco.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementAll statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including with respect to completion of the acquisition of First Class CBD, the registration of cannabis strains, completion of a 60,000 square foot greenhouse in Colombia, the construction of an extraction facility, the international distribution of CBD products and the creation or acquisition of CBD brands. The Company 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 those identified and reported in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com . Although the Company 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise